title: Repeat-length variation in a wheat cellulose synthase-like gene is associated with altered tiller number and stem cell wall composition.
abstract: The tiller inhibition gene (tin) that reduces tillering in wheat (Triticum aestivum) is also associated with large spikes, increased grain weight, and thick leaves and stems. In this study, comparison of near-isogenic lines (NILs) revealed changes in stem morphology, cell wall composition, and stem strength. Microscopic analysis of stem cross-sections and chemical analysis of stem tissue indicated that cell walls in tin lines were thicker and more lignified than in free-tillering NILs. Increased lignification was associated with stronger stems in tin plants. A candidate gene for tin was identified through map-based cloning and was predicted to encode a cellulose synthase-like (Csl) protein with homology to members of the CslA clade. Dinucleotide repeat-length polymorphism in the 5'UTR region of the Csl gene was associated with tiller number in diverse wheat germplasm and linked to expression differences of Csl transcripts between NILs. We propose that regulation of Csl transcript and/or protein levels affects carbon partitioning throughout the plant, which plays a key role in the tin phenotype.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture & Food, P.O. Box 1700, Acton, ACT, 2601Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hyles
authors.affiliation: INRA - CNRGV, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, CS 52627, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vautrin
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture & Food, P.O. Box 1700, Acton, ACT, 2601Australia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pettolino
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture & Food, P.O. Box 1700, Acton, ACT, 2601Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.affiliation: ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stachurski
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: INRA - CNRGV, 24 Chemin de Borde Rouge, CS 52627, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berges
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wicker
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture & Food, P.O. Box 1700, Acton, ACT, 2601Australia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spielmeyer
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C478648:cellulose synthase
keywords: Cellulose synthase-like; Triticum aestivum; cell wall thickening; lignin; lodging; tillering; tin; wheat.