A dominant gdcP‐specific marker derived from Moricandia nitens used for introducing the C3‐C4 character from M. nitens into Brassica crops

Abstract

AbstractDifferential localization of decarboxylation and carboxylation in association with Kranz anatomy distinguish species with C4 or C3‐C4 intermediate photosynthesis from species with C3 photosynthesis. Moricandia nitens has a C3‐C4 intermediate photosynthetic mechanism and yet is closely related to C3Brassica species. In order to introduce the C3‐C4 character from M. nitens into Brassica crops, sesquitetraploids (MACC) were synthesized by crossing Brassica napus (AACC) and a somatic hybrid (M. nitens+B. oleracea, MMCC). Homologous fragments (2966 and 3254 bp) of P‐protein gene of glycine decarboxylase (gdcP) were isolated from M. nitens and B. napus, respectively, to develop a PCR‐based marker for assisted selection. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of the partial encoding regions of both gdcPs indicated that the mRNAs were expressed in the expanded leaf. The characterization of high divergence, but with large conserved island in the regulatory region of the two C3 species, implies that they may play an important role in maintaining the C3 photosynthetic pathway. Thereafter, a dominant gene‐specific marker was developed within the highly divergent region for subsequent introduction of C3‐C4 photosynthesis from Moricandia nitens into Brassica crops.