Gefu Wang-Pruski | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

Potato expressed sequence tag generation and analysis using standard and unique cDNA libraries.

To help develop an understanding of the genes that govern the developmental characteristics of the potato (Solanum tuberosum), as well as the genes associated with responses to specified pathogens and storage conditions, The Canadian Potato Genome Project (CPGP) carried out 5' end sequencing of regular, normalized and full-length cDNA libraries of the Shepody potato cultivar, generating over 66,600 expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Libraries sequenced represented tuber developmental stages, pathogen-challenged tubers, as well as leaf, floral developmental stages, suspension cultured cells and roots. All libraries analysed to date have contributed unique sequences, with the normalized libraries high on the list. In addition, a low molecular weight library has enhanced the 3' ends of our sequence assemblies. Using the combined assembly dataset, unique tuber developmental, cold storage and pathogen-challenged sequences have been identified. A comparison of the ESTs specific to the pathogen-challenged tuber and foliar libraries revealed minimal overlap between these libraries. Mixed assemblies using over 189,000 potato EST sequences from CPGP and The Institute for Genomics Research (TIGR) has revealed common sequences, as well as CPGP- and TIGR-unique sequences.

DNA, Complementary↗

PubMed2003

RAPD and pedigree-based genetic diversity estimates in cultivated diploid potato hybrids.

In this study, RAPD and pedigree data were used to investigate the genetic relationships in a group of 45 diploid hybrid potato clones used in the breeding and genetics program of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Potato Research Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and used for the potato after-cooking darkness program at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. These hybrids were derived from crossing primitive cultivated South American diploid species such as Solanum phureja or Solanum stenotomum and wild diploid species such as Solanum chacoense and other wild Argentine species with haploids of Solanum tuberosum. These hybrids have subsequently undergone up to 30 years of breeding and selection, for adaptation to local growing and storage conditions, processing traits and pest resistances. The objectives of this study were to estimate the level of genetic similarity (GS) among these sets of clones and to investigate the correlation between RAPD-based GS and f, based on pedigree information. Genetic similarity coefficients varied from 0.29 to 0.90 with a mean of 0.65 when based on the RAPD data, whereas the coefficient of parentage varied from zero to 0.75 with a mean of 0.11. The degree of relationship between the similarity matrices based on RAPD and pedigree was measured by comparing the similarity matrices with the normalized Mantel test. A low positive correlation (R = 0.104, p = 0.999) between the two matrices was observed. Cluster analysis using GS divided the clones into many subgroups that did not correspond well with the grouping based on pedigree. The level of genetic variation present in this set of potato clones is very high. Rigorous selection pressure aimed at different breeding purposes may result in the genetic differentiation of the clones from the same origin.

DNA, Plant↗