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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Geneva, New York » Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219121
Title: Resistance Gene Analogs in Cherries (Prunus spp.)

Author
item Baldo, Angela
item Volk, Gayle
item OLMSTEAD, JAMES - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item IEZZONI, AMY - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/12/2008
Publication Date: 1/12/2008
Citation: Baldo, A.M., Volk, G.M., Olmstead, J., Iezzoni, A. 2008. Resistance Gene Analogs in Cherries (Prunus spp.). Abstract. Plant and Animal Genome Conference January 12-16, 2008. San Diego, CA. p. 236.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genetic studies have shown that NBS-LRR Resistance Gene Analogs (RGAs) tend to occur in clusters and often map to major resistances gene or QTL. The identification and use of specific RGAs as molecular markers among plant material displaying differential resistance phenotypes has the potential to directly identify the genes/genomic regions responsible for disease resistance. Using degenerate primers, we have amplified and sequenced 90 RGAs from cherry cultivars with differential resistance to cherry leaf spot in Prunus cerasus (Almaz, 23 23 (13)) and powdery mildew in Prunus avium (PMR-1, Emporer Francis, NY54 ). Sequences were screened and cleaned of vector and compared with resistance genes previously identified among the Rosaceae and other green plants. Roughly 50% of the sequences are of the TIR-type (similarity to proteins of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor IL-IR family) and 50% of the Non-TIR type (leucine zipper sequence in place of the TIR domain). Several of the cherry genes are very similar to RGAs in other Rosaceous species associated with resistance to Powdery Mildew, Sharka, Bacterial Spot, Phytophtera Root Rot, Apple Scab, and nematodes. These genes will be converted to markers and mapped in populations segregating for resistance. They can also be used to characterize the USDA cherry collections and identify potential parents for future crosses.