Abstract
BackgroundHulless barley is attracting increasing attention due to its unique nutritional value and potential health benefits. However, the molecular biology of the barley grain development and nutrient storage are not well understood. Furthermore, the genetic potential of hulless barley has not been fully tapped for breeding.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn the present study, we investigated the transcriptome features during hulless barley grain development. Using Illumina paired-end RNA-Sequencing, we generated two data sets of the developing grain transcriptomes from two hulless barley landraces. A total of 13.1 and 12.9 million paired-end reads with lengths of 90 bp were generated from the two varieties and were assembled to 48,863 and 45,788 unigenes, respectively. A combined dataset of 46,485 All-Unigenes were generated from two transcriptomes with an average length of 542 bp, and 36,278 among were annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains or gene ontology terms. Furthermore, sequences and expression levels of genes related to the biosynthesis of storage reserve compounds (starch, protein, and β-glucan) were analyzed, and their temporal and spatial patterns were deduced from the transcriptome data of cultivated barley Morex.Conclusions/SignificanceWe established a sequences and functional annotation integrated database and examined the expression profiles of the developing grains of Tibetan hulless barley. The characterization of genes encoding storage proteins and enzymes of starch synthesis and (1–3;1–4)-β-D-glucan synthesis provided an overview of changes in gene expression associated with grain nutrition and health properties. Furthermore, the characterization of these genes provides a gene reservoir, which helps in quality improvement of hulless barley.
Highlights
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is among the most ancient cereal crops [1] and currently ranks fourth in terms of harvested area and tonnage of the world cereal production
About 62.0% (28,631) of the All-Unigenes were in the range of 300–500 bp; 11.8% (5,487) were longer than 1,000 bp, and no All-Unigene was shorter than 200 bp (Figure S1)
Genes involved in starch biosynthesis We further studied the transcripts involved in the synthesis of main storage nutrient in hulless barley grain
Summary
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is among the most ancient cereal crops [1] and currently ranks fourth in terms of harvested area and tonnage of the world cereal production (http://faostat.fao.org). Barley is the least utilized cereal for human food consumption and is usually cultivated either in regions unsuitable for wheat growing, or where barley is preferred for cultural reasons [2]. It was neglected by plant breeders in Europe during the period of intensive crop improvement in the 20th Century. It is currently gaining attention as a health food in Europe, North America and other non-traditional barley growing areas [3,4]. The genetic potential of hulless barley has not been fully tapped for breeding
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