title: The carotenoid biosynthetic and catabolic genes in wheat and their association with yellow pigments.
abstract: In plants carotenoids play an important role in the photosynthetic process and photo-oxidative protection, and are the substrate for the synthesis of abscisic acid and strigolactones. In addition to their protective role as antioxidants and precursors of vitamin A, in wheat carotenoids are important as they influence the colour (whiteness vs. yellowness) of the grain. Understanding the genetic basis of grain yellow pigments, and identifying associated markers provide the basis for improving wheat quality by molecular breeding.
  
  
  
  Twenty-four candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis and catabolism of carotenoid compounds have been identified in wheat by comparative genomics. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in the coding sequences of 19 candidate genes allowed their chromosomal location and accurate map position on two reference consensus maps to be determined. The genome-wide association study based on genotyping a tetraploid wheat collection with 81,587 gene-associated SNPs validated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) previously detected in biparental populations and discovered new QTLs for grain colour-related traits. Ten carotenoid genes mapped in chromosome regions underlying pigment content QTLs indicating possible functional relationships between candidate genes and the trait.
  
  
  
  The availability of linked, candidate gene-based markers can facilitate breeding wheat cultivars with desirable levels of carotenoids. Identifying QTLs linked to carotenoid pigmentation can contribute to understanding genes underlying carotenoid accumulation in the wheat kernels. Together these outputs can be combined to exploit the genetic variability of colour-related traits for the nutritional and commercial improvement of wheat products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasqualina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Colasuonno
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lozito
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marcotuli
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giancaspro
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mangini
authors.affiliation: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Cereal Research Centre, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.affiliation: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Cereal Research Centre, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
authors.affiliation: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics - Cereal Research Centre, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pecchioni
authors.affiliation: The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, Scotland.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Houston
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gadaleta
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Via G. Amendola 165/A, Bari, Italy. antonio.blanco@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanco
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D014908:Triticum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: Association mapping; Carotenoids genes; Flour colour; SNP; Wheat; Yellow pigments