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Title: Allelic analysis of low molecular weight glutenin subunits using 2-DGE in Korean wheat cultivars

Author
item LEE, JONG-YEOL - National Institute For Agricultural Science & Technology
item JANG, YOU-RAN - National Institute For Agricultural Science & Technology
item BEOM, HYE-RANG - National Institute For Agricultural Science & Technology
item Altenbach, Susan
item LIM, SUN-HYUNG - National Institute For Agricultural Science & Technology
item LEE, CHOUNG - National Institute For Agricultural Science & Technology

Submitted to: Breeding Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2017
Publication Date: 8/11/2017
Citation: Lee, J., Jang, Y., Beom, H., Altenbach, S.B., Lim, S., Lee, C.K. 2017. Allelic analysis of low molecular weight glutenin subunits using 2-DGE in Korean wheat cultivars. Breeding Science. 67:398-407. https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.16106.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.16106

Interpretive Summary: The low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) are a complex group of proteins in wheat flour that play an important role in determining the unique functional properties of the flour. As a result, the genes encoding these proteins are important targets for wheat breeding efforts to improve flour quality. There is tremendous variability among the LMW-GS expressed in different wheat cultivars. Because certain LMW-GS are associated with superior quality, it is important to know the exact LMW-GS composition of wheat lines that will be used in breeding programs. In this manuscript, the LMW-GS compositions of 32 Korean wheat cultivars were assessed by comparing protein patterns obtained by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) to patterns obtained from standard wheat cultivars with known LMW-GS compositions. 2-DGE separates proteins by both charge and size and therefore provides greater resolution than one-dimensional SDS-PAGE, which separates proteins only by size. Comparison of LMW-GS compositions determined by 2-DGE with those determined previously by SDS-PAGE revealed discrepancies in 31% of the Korean cultivars. The study highlights the importance of using 2-DGE to assess the flour protein composition of wheat cultivars for breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) was used to determine the allelic compositions of LMW-GS in 32 Korean wheat cultivars. Protein patterns generated by 2-DGE from each cultivar were compared to patterns from standard wheat cultivars for each allele. At the Glu-A3 locus, thirteen c, twelve d, three e (null), two g and two new alleles were identified. At the Glu-B3 locus, one b, nineteen d, four h, one i and five ad alleles were identified. At the Glu-D3 locus, twenty-three a, four b, four c and one l alleles were identified. When compared to results obtained previously using SDS-PAGE, there were discrepancies in the allelic designations of 10 of 32 cultivars (31%). While SDS-PAGE is a rapid and relatively simple method for assessing LMW-GS composition, the similar mobilities of the proteins makes it difficult to discriminate certain alleles. 2-DGE is a more complicated technique, but provides a more accurate picture of the complement of the LMW-GS in a given cultivar. In addition to providing essential information for wheat breeders, the 2-DGE reference maps generated in this study will make it possible to study the contributions of individual LMW-GS to flour quality.