OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE

This Article Free via Open Access: OA OA Full Text Full Text (PDF) OA All Versions of this Article: 146/4/1821    most recent pp.107.114694v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burton, R. A. Articles by Fincher, G. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burton, R. A. Articles by Fincher, G. B. Agricola Articles by Burton, R. A. Articles by Fincher, G. B.

SYSTEMS BIOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, AND GENE REGULATION

The Genetics and Transcriptional Profiles of the Cellulose Synthase-Like HvCslF Gene Family in Barley^1,[OA]

Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (R.A.B., A.J.H., N.J.S., G.B.F.) and Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre (D.E.M.), School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Food Futures Flagship, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia (S.A.J.); and Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia (A.B.)

Cellulose synthase-like CslF genes have been implicated in the biosynthesis of (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucans, which are major cell wall constituents in grasses and cereals. Seven CslF genes from barley (Hordeum vulgare) can be divided into two classes on the basis of intron-exon arrangements. Four of the HvCslF genes have been mapped to a single locus on barley chromosome 2H, in a region corresponding to a major quantitative trait locus for grain (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan content. The other HvCslF genes map to chromosomes 1H, 5H, and 7H, and in two cases the genes are close to other quantitative trait loci for grain (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan content. Spatial and temporal patterns of transcription of the seven genes have been defined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In developing barley coleoptiles HvCslF6 mRNA is most abundant. Transcript levels are maximal in 4- to 5-d coleoptiles, at a time when (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan content of coleoptile cell walls also reaches maximal levels. In the starchy endosperm of developing grain, HvCslF6 and HvCslF9 transcripts predominate. Two peaks of transcription are apparent. One occurs just after endosperm cellularization, 4 to 8 d after pollination, while the second occurs much later in grain development, more than 20 d after pollination. Marked varietal differences in transcription of the HvCslF genes are observed during endosperm development. Given the commercial importance of cereal (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucans in human nutrition, in stock feed, and in malting and brewing, the observation that only two genes, HvCslF6 and HvCslF9, are transcribed at high levels in developing grain is of potential relevance for the future manipulation of grain (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan levels.

The author responsible for distribution of materials integral to the findings presented in this article in accordance with the policy described in the Instructions for Authors (www.plantphysiol.org) is: Geoffrey B. Fincher (geoff.fincher{at}adelaide.edu.au).

^[OA] Open Access articles can be viewed online without a subscription.

www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/doi/10.1104/pp.107.114694

^* Corresponding author; e-mail geoff.fincher{at}adelaide.edu.au.

Received December 13, 2007; accepted January 31, 2008; published February 7, 2008.