title: Characterization of ferredoxin-dependent glutamine-oxoglutarate amidotransferase (Fd-GOGAT) genes and their relationship with grain protein content QTL in wheat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In higher plants, inorganic nitrogen is assimilated via the glutamate synthase cycle or GS-GOGAT pathway. GOGAT enzyme occurs in two distinct forms that use NADH (NADH-GOGAT) or Fd (Fd-GOGAT) as electron carriers. The goal of the present study was to characterize wheat Fd-GOGAT genes and to assess the linkage with grain protein content (GPC), an important quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report the complete genomic sequences of the three homoeologous A, B and D Fd-GOGAT genes from hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) and their localization and characterization. The gene is comprised of 33 exons and 32 introns for all the three homoeologues genes. The three genes show the same exon/intron number and size, with the only exception of a series of indels in intronic regions. The partial sequence of the Fd-GOGAT gene located on A genome was determined in two durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) cvs Ciccio and Svevo, characterized by different grain protein content. Genomic differences allowed the gene mapping in the centromeric region of chromosome 2A. QTL analysis was conducted in the Svevo×Ciccio RIL mapping population, previously evaluated in 5 different environments. The study co-localized the Fd-GOGAT-A gene with the marker GWM-339, identifying a significant major QTL for GPC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The wheat Fd-GOGAT genes are highly conserved; both among the three homoeologous hexaploid wheat genes and in comparison with other plants. In durum wheat, an association was shown between the Fd-GOGAT allele of cv Svevo with increasing GPC - potentially useful in breeding programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Section of Genetic and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Section of Genetic and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Genomics and Gene Discovery Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, Albany, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Olin D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Section of Genetic and Plant Breeding, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gadaleta
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000502:physiology*; D011123:Polyploidy; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014908:Triticum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; C042233:glutamate synthase (ferredoxin)
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