QTL map meets population genomics: an application to rice

PLoS One. 2013 Dec 23;8(12):e83720. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083720. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Genes involved in the transition from wild to cultivated crop species should be of great agronomic importance. Population genomic approaches utilizing genome resequencing data have been recently applied for this purpose, although it only reports a large list of candidate genes with no biological information. Here, by resequencing more than 30 genomes altogether of wild rice Oryza rufipogon and cultivated rice O. sativa, we identified a number of regions with clear footprints of selection during the domestication process. We then focused on identifying candidate domestication genes in these regions by utilizing the wealth of QTL information in rice. We were able to identify a number of interesting candidates such as transcription factors that should control key domestication traits such as shattering, awn length, and seed dormancy. Other candidates include those that might have been related to the improvement of grain quality and those that might have been involved in the local adaptation to dry conditions and colder environments. Our study shows that population genomic approaches and QTL mapping information can be used together to identify genes that might be of agronomic importance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genome, Plant / genetics
  • Genomics*
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics*
  • Selection, Genetic

Grants and funding

This work is supported by the Program for Promotion of Basic Research Activities for Innovative Biosciences (PROBRAIN) from the Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution in Japan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.