Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #168274
Title: Molecular Characterization of the Major Wheat Domestication Gene Q

Author
item SIMONS, KRISTIN - PLNT PATH, KSU, MANHATTAN
item Fellers, John
item TRICK, HAROLD - PLNT PATH, KSU, MANHATTAN
item ZHANG, ZENGCUI - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item Tai, Yin Shan
item GILL, BIKRAM - PLNT PATH, KSU, MANHATTAN
item Faris, Justin

Submitted to: Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2005
Publication Date: 1/20/2006
Citation: Simons, K.J., Fellers, J.P., Trick, H.N., Zhang, Z., Tai, Y., Gill, B.S., Faris, J.D. 2006. Molecular Characterization of the Major Wheat Domestication Gene Q. Genetics. 172:547-555.

Interpretive Summary: The conversion of wild grasses with natural seed dispersal mechanisms into non-shattering free-threshing domesticated forms launched agriculture revolution. The domestication of wheat is historically recent and a principle factor in the rise of modern human civilization. The wheat Q gene governs the free-threshing character, and it also pleiotropically influences a repertoire of other domestication-related traits. Here, we show Q is a major regulatory gene involved in floral development. Analysis of knockout mutants and transgenic plants expressing varying copy numbers indicated that Q gene action is dosage dependent, and influences threshability, rachis fragility (shattering), glume tenacity, glume shape, spike length and plant height. Sequence comparisons between domesticated wheats and other grasses suggest that Q arose from q through mutation.

Technical Abstract: The domestication of wheat is historically recent and a principle factor in the rise of modern human civilization. The wheat Q gene governs numerous domestication-related traits, most importantly the free-threshing character. Here, we show Q is a floral homeotic gene with similarity to the AP2 class of transcription factors. Analysis of knockout mutants and transgenic plants expressing varying copy numbers indicated that Q gene action is dosage dependent, and influences threshability, rachis fragility, glume tenacity, glume shape, spike length and plant height. Sequence comparisons between domesticated wheats and other grasses suggest that Q arose from q through mutation.