Natural apomixis as a novel tool in plant breeding

PROPOSAL: QLG2-2000-00603 ACRONYM APOTOOL
AREA: FP5 - QoL, 5/ RTD of a Generic Nature (8: research into genomes) Call number / date: 1b
PROJECT TYPE: Shared Cost EU CONTRIBUTION: 2,261,553
STARTING DATE: 2001-01-01 DURATION: 36 months

Coordinator: Prof.dr. S. de Vries, Wageningen Agricultural University, Department of Molecular Biology, Dreijenlaan 3, NL -6703 HA, Wageningen, The Netherlands, Email: sacco.devries@mac.mb.wau.nl

Project Description:
Most crops are sexually propagating plants in which the embryo, encapsulated in a seed is formed as a result of a fertilization event. For the embryo and the seed to develop normally, a second fertilization event giving rise to the endosperm is required. In contrast, apomictic plants reproduce asexually by means of seeds. In all cases of apomixis, through the avoidance of meiosis and fertilisation, the offspring is genetically identical to that of the mother plant. Apomixis is widespread in plants, but not among crops. This project will compare sexual and apomictic pathways in model species and crops. In combination with functional tests and powerful assays it will shed light on the genetic control of apomixis. The project will provide the tools and technology necessary to harness individual elements of apomixis and to perform first functional tests in both model systems and crops. Objectives: To identify apomixis associated genes expressed in the aposporous apomict Poa pratensis and test them functionally in Arabidopsis thaliana and crop plants. To isolate apomixis-related genes by positional cloning using the aposporous species Paspalum simplex and the diplosporous species Taraxacum officinale. To develop assays to identify few embryos of potentially apomictic origin in the midst of sexually derived ones. To investigate the role of the Arabidopsis MEDEA and SERK genes in parthenogenesis and autonomous endosperm development. To compare the expression of genes involved in crucial steps of the sexual pathway in sexual and apomictic context. To introduce constructs expressing AtSERK, MEDEA and candidate genes from Poa into the crops Brassica oleracea and Lolium perenne. To identify and analyse individual components of apomixis by means of a novel flow cytometric seed screen which is well suited for the application in Poa and Taraxacum. Description: The project is divided into eight workpackages, each of which deals with an essential element in the introduction of apomixis in crop species. In WP1, we concentrate on the isolation of expressed genes that are specific to apomictic Poa lines. Application of robot-based subtractive approaches will yield sets of differentially expressed genes. Functional analysis of these genes by transformation will take place in Arabidopsis, the resulting plants analyzed for apomictic events in Arabidopsis and in other Poaceae. In WP2, the identification of molecular markers linked to apomixis or components thereof is the central issue. Using high resolution mapping, cloning of the gene is the main activity. In WP3 two Arabidopsis genes, MEDEA and AtSERK that are related to endosperm development and initiation of embryogenesis respectively, will be further tested for their ability to induce elements of apomixis in Arabidopsis. In WP4 sensitive assays will be developed to identify rare apomictic events among sexual offspring of plants transformed with Arabidopsis and Poa genes. In WP5 we will undertake a comparative study of the expression patterns of both MEDEA and AtSERK in both sexual and apomictic Poa, Paspalum andTaraxacum plants, and determine whether they are linked in any way to the apomixis loci. In WP6 the aim is to establish a proof of concept in sexual crops. Candidate genes are tested for their ability to induce apomixis after stable transformation into sexual Poa and after this into Lolium. In WP7, available natural apomicts will be compared with their sexual counterparts under field conditions to establish a good reference for transgenes and provide important figures on the performance and spread of apomicts in the field. In WP8 an efficient system of information exchange through regular meetings, by email exchange and by a common website will ensure timeliness of IP protection and interchange with other projects in this area. Milestones: The isolation of key apomixis genes from natural apomicts and sexual plants. The functional analysis of the isolated genes in Arabidopsis. A highly sensitive assay for the detection of rare apomictic events. The evaluation of candidate genes in Lolium and oilseed rape. Building of a strong IP portfolio around the theme apomixis in crops. Dissemination of results to industry through the PIP platform and communication with the general public and specific end-users.

Project URL: http://www.research-projects.unizh.ch/math/unit71500/area627/p2343.htm

Consortium:
Co-ordinator: Prof. dr. S.C. de Vries Wageningen University Laboratory of Molecular Biology Dreijenlaan 3 6703 HA Wageningen The Netherlands Tel: 31.317 48 43 25 Fax: 31.317 48 35 84 E-mail: Dr. Ueli Grossniklaus Professor of Plant Developmental Biology University of Zürich Institute of Plant Biology Zollikerstrasse 107 CH-8008 Zürich Switzerland Tel: +41 1 634 82 40 Fax: +41 1 634 82 04 E-mail: Mr. Cord Schumann Deutsche Saatveredelung Breeding Station Hof Steimke Steimker Weg 7 27330 Asendorf Tel.: 00 49/ 4253/ 93 11 0 Fax.: 00 49/ 4253/ 93 11 20 E-Mail: Dr. P.J. van Dijk Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-CTO) PO Box 40 6666 ZG Heteren The Netherlands tel: 31.264791208 (direct) fax: 31.264723227 E-mail: Dr. Fulvio Pupilli Istituto di Ricerche sul Miglioramento Genetico delle Piante Foraggere-CNR Via della Madonna alta 130, I-06128 Perugia, ITALY Tel:++39 075 5005217 Fax:++39 075 5005228 E-mail: Dr. P.Morris Cell Biology Department Institute of Grassland & Environmental Research Plas Gogerddan Ceredigion Aberystwyth. SY23 3EB UK E-mail: Dr. Greet Smets Advanta Seeds B.V. Postbus 1 4410 AA Rilland Tel: 31 (0)113 55 71 18 Fax 31 (0)113 55 22 37 E-mail: Dr. H. Baumlein Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research Department of Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics Correnstrasse 3 06466 Gatersleben Germany Tel: + 39 - 48 25 238 Fax: + 39 - 48 25 138 E-mail:


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