Control of lectins in Triticum aestivum and Aegilops umbellulata by homoeologous group 1 chromosomes

Abstract

Each of the three genomes in hexaploid wheat controls the expression of a specific lectin in the embryo. The chromosomes which control their synthesis were determined using nullisomic-tetrasomic and inter-varietal chromosome substitution lines of 'Chinese Spring'. All three wheat lectins were shown to be controlled by the homoeologous group 1 chromosomes. Using ditelosomic lines of 'Chinese Spring' the lectin genes could be localized on the long arms of chromosomes 1A and 1D. Inter-specific addition and substitution lines of Aegilops umbellulata chromosomes to 'Chinese Spring' indicated that chromosome 1U, which is homoeologous to the group 1 chromosomes of wheat, controls lectin synthesis.