Cytoplasmic Male Sterility In Radish Research Articles

Identification of promoter exchange at a male fertility restorer locus for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)/nucleus-controlled fertility restoration (Rf) system is a major component that exploits hybrid vigor in crops. Here, we have identified a new pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-encoding allele at the RsRf3 locus linked to the fertility restoration to CMS in radish. This allele was named as RsRf3-5 and encodes a putative protein with 18 PPRs and a predicted mitochondrial targeting signal. Another allele RsRf3-6 encoding the same protein with RsRf3-5 possesses a different promoter region and has failed to restore fertility to CMS. The non-restoring allele RsRf3-7 encoding a predicted protein with 15 PPRs has an identical promoter region with RsRf3-6, suggesting that RsRf3-6 could result from a recent crossover between RsRf3-5 and RsRf3-7. Interestingly, the RsRf3-5 allele shows higher RNA expression levels in the CMS cytoplasmic background compared with the RsRf3-6 allele.

Comparative Transcriptome Profile of the Cytoplasmic Male Sterile and Fertile Floral Buds of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

Radish cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has been widely used for breeding in Raphanus and Brassica genera. However, the detailed regulation network of the male sterility remains to be determined. Our previous work has shown that the abnormalities in a CMS radish appeared shortly after the tetrad stage when microspores were malformed and the tapetal cells grew abnormally large. In this work, histological analysis shows that anthers are at the tetrad stage when the radish buds are about 1.5 mm in length. Furthermore, a high throughput RNA sequencing technology was employed to characterize the transcriptome of radish buds with length about 1.5 mm from two CMS lines possessing the CMS-inducing orf138 gene and corresponding near-isogenic maintainer lines. A total of 67,140 unigenes were functionally annotated. Functional terms for these genes are significantly enriched in 55 Gene Ontology (GO) groups and 323 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. The transcriptome detected transcripts for 72 out of a total of 79 protein genes encoded in the chloroplast genome from radish. In contrast, the radish mitochondrial genome contains 34 protein genes, but only 16 protein transcripts were detected from the transcriptome. The transcriptome comparison between CMS and near-isogenic maintainer lines revealed 539 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), indicating that the false positive rate for comparative transcriptome profiling was clearly decreased using two groups of CMS/maintainer lines with different nuclear background. The level of 127 transcripts was increased and 412 transcripts were decreased in the CMS lines. No change in levels of transcripts except CMS-inducing orf138 was identified from the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. Some DEGs which would be associated with the CMS, encoding MYB and bHLH transcription factors, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs), are discussed. The transcriptome dataset and comparative analysis will provide an important resource for further understanding anther development, the CMS mechanism and to improve molecular breeding in radish.

An insertion–deletion at a pentatricopeptide repeat locus linked to fertility transition to cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)/nucleus-controlled fertility restoration (Rf) system has been widely applied in hybrid seed production and is an ideal model for dissecting the interaction between the nucleus and the mitochondrion. In this study, we identified an insertion–deletion (InDel) at a male fertility restoration locus (RsRf3) for CMS in radish (Raphanus sativus L.). A pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-encoding allele RsRf3-4 was found and encodes a predicted protein 579 amino acids in length, comprising 14 PPR domains and with a putative mitochondrial targeting signal. Sequence alignment revealed an InDel 26 bp in length and two point mutations between RsRf3-3 and RsRf3-4. Compared with RsRf3-4, the deletion changed the reading frame, resulting in a truncated amino acid sequence in RsRf3-3. A crossing test showed that the RsRf3-3 allele did not restore fertility to CMS in radish. In contrast, the RsRf3-4 allele cosegregated with fertility restoration to CMS in a segregation population. These results strongly suggest that the InDel at the RsRf3 locus could involve transition to fertility in CMS radish.

A high-resolution linkage map of the Rfd1, a restorer-of-fertility locus for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) produced by a combination of bulked segregant analysis and RNA-Seq.

We utilized a combination of BSA and RNA-Seq to identify SNPs linked to the Rfd1 locus, a restorer-of-fertility gene in radish. A high-density linkage map was constructed using this approach. Male fertility of cytoplasmic male sterility conditioned by the Dongbu cytoplasmic and genic male-sterility cytoplasm can be restored by a restorer-of-fertility locus, Rfd1, in radish. To construct a high-density linkage map and to identify a candidate gene for the Rfd1 locus, bulked segregant analysis and RNA-seq approaches were combined. A total of 26 and 28 million reads produced from male-fertile and male-sterile bulked RNA were mapped to the radish reference unigenes. After stringent screening of SNPs, 327 reliable SNPs of 109 unigenes were selected. Arabidopsis homologs for 101 of the 109 genes were clustered around the 4,000 kb region of Arabidopsis chromosome 3, which was syntenic to the Rfd1 flanking region. Since the reference unigene set was incomplete, the contigs were de novo assembled to identify 134 contigs harboring SNPs. Most of SNP-containing contigs were also clustered on the same syntenic region in Arabidopsis chromosome. A total of 21 molecular markers positioned within a 2.1 cM interval including the Rfd1 locus were developed, based on the selected unigenes and contigs. A segregating population consisting of 10,459 individuals was analyzed to identify recombinants containing crossovers within this interval. A total of 284 identified recombinants were then used to construct a high-density map, which delimited the Rfd1 locus into an 83-kb syntenic interval of Arabidopsis chromosome 3. Since no candidate gene, such as a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-coding gene, was found in this interval, 231 unigenes and 491 contigs containing putative PPR motifs were analyzed further, but no PPR gene in linkage disequilibrium with the Rfd1 locus could be found.

Differential gene expression profiling of Ogura CMS line and its maintainer in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait, which becomes an important way in heterosis breeding to simplify the seed production procedures and reduce the production cost. Cytological observation of pollen development stages showed a clear difference between the newly developed CMS line and its maintainer; the profiling comparisons between floral buds of CMS line and its maintainer were conducted using differential display reverse transcription PCR (DDRT-PCR) technology. Thirty genes were up-regulated and sixty genes were down-regulated in newly developed CMS line when compared with its maintainer. These genes were involved in cell wall biosynthesis and regulation, transporter and ion channel, flower development and protein metabolism, etc. Expression patterns of six genes encoding RsCAM6, RsGPI, RsPMEI, RsRac, RsCHS, and RsSTP9 were verified by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR in different development stage of floral buds and different organs of CMS line and its maintainer. The expression level of RsRac was higher in stamens and microspores of CMS line than in maintainer. In comparison, the expression levels of the other five genes in CMS line were lower compared with maintainer. This expression profile suggests that these genes played important roles in the development of the pollen and may be closely related to male sterility. The results observed in this study will contribute to understanding the mechanism of pollen abortion during CMS in radish.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence and identification of a candidate gene responsible for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) containing DCGMS cytoplasm

A novel cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) conferred by Dongbu cytoplasmic and genic male-sterility (DCGMS) cytoplasm and its restorer-of-fertility gene (Rfd1) was previously reported in radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Its inheritance of fertility restoration and profiles of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-based molecular markers were reported to be different from those of Ogura CMS, the first reported CMS in radish. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence (239,186bp; GenBank accession No. KC193578) of DCGMS mitotype is reported in this study. Thirty-four protein-coding genes and three ribosomal RNA genes were identified. Comparative analysis of a mitochondrial genome sequence of DCGMS and previously reported complete sequences of normal and Ogura CMS mitotypes revealed various recombined structures of seventeen syntenic sequence blocks. Short-repeat sequences were identified in almost all junctions between syntenic sequence blocks. Phylogenetic analysis of three radish mitotypes showed that DCGMS was more closely related to the normal mitotype than to the Ogura mitotype. A single 1,551-bp unique region was identified in DCGMS mtDNA sequences and a novel chimeric gene, designated orf463, consisting of 128-bp partial sequences of cox1 gene and 1,261-bp unidentified sequences were found in the unique region. No other genes with a chimeric structure, a major feature of most characterized CMS-associated genes in other plant species, were found in rearranged junctions of syntenic sequence blocks. Like other known CMS-associated mitochondrial genes, the predicted gene product of orf463 contained 12 transmembrane domains. Thus, this gene product might be integrated into the mitochondrial membrane. In total, the results indicate that orf463 is likely to be a casual factor for CMS induction in radish containing the DCGMS cytoplasm.

Molecular characterization of the Rs-Rf 1 gene and molecular marker-assisted development of elite radish (Raphanus sativus L.) CMS lines with a functional marker for fertility restoration

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait that is widely utilized in hybrid seed production. In this study, the Rs-Rf 1 gene and its allele, the Rs-rf 1 gene, were isolated from a radish CMS restorer line and maintainer, respectively. The Rs-Rf 1 gene was identified as a member of the pentatricopeptide repeat family. The results of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR analyses of the floral buds at different development stages were used to characterize the expression features of Rs-Rf 1 and orf138, a unique transcribed gene in the mitochondrion for its role in determining male sterility in the cytoplasm. orf138 was up-regulated in the CMS line and F1 hybrid at three bud developmental stages, including meiosis and the tetroid and microspore stages, but it was not expressed in the maintainer and restorer line, suggesting that the Rs-Rf 1 gene was not able to block orf138 transcription. As in the F1 plant, the transcription of Rs-Rf 1 was gradually up-regulated in the restorer line with progressive stages of bud development, but it was not transcribed in the CMS line and maintainer. Different restriction sites for SspI between the allele of Rs-Rf 1 and Rs-rf 1 were also identified, and a guideline for using the functional marker to distinguish the genotypes of individuals with Rs-Rf 1 was developed. Due to its co-dominant character, this marker could be used to discriminate the heterozygous and homozygous fertility-restoring allele. Using this functional marker, we established a system of molecular marker-assisted development of elite CMS lines in radish. This system will contribute greatly to candidate maintainer identification and accelerate the process of elite CMS line development in late-bolting radish breeding programs.

A chimeric Rfo gene generated by intergenic recombination cosegregates with the fertility restorer phenotype for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish

In this work, we have identified a chimeric pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)-encoding gene cosegregating with the fertility restorer phenotype for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in radish. We have constructed a CMS-Rf system consisting of sterile line ‘9802A2’, maintainer line ‘9802B2’ and restorer line ‘2007H’. F2 segregating population analysis indicated that male fertility is restored by a single dominant gene in the CMS-Rf system described above. A PPR gene named Rfoc was found in the restorer line ‘2007H’. It cosegregated with the fertility restorer in the F2 segregating population which is composed of 613 fertile plants and 187 sterile plants. The Rfoc gene encodes a predicted protein 687 amino acids in length, comprising 16 PPR domains and with a putative mitochondrial targeting signal. Sequence alignment showed that recombination between the 5′ region of Rfob (EU163282) and the 3′ region of PPR24 (AY285675) resulted in Rfoc, indicating a recent unequal crossing-over event between Rfo and PPR24 loci at a distance of 5.5 kb. The sterile line ‘9802A2’ contains the rfob gene. In the F2 population, Rfoc and rfob were observed to fit a segregation ratio 1:2:1 showing that Rfoc was allelic to Rfo. Previously we have reported that a fertile line ‘2006H’, which carries the recessive rfob gene, is able to restore the male fertility of CMS line ‘9802A1’ (Wang et al. in Theor Appl Genet 117:313–320, 2008). However, here when conducting a cross between the fertile line ‘2006H’ and CMS line ‘9802A2, the resulting plants were male sterile, which shows that sterile line ‘9802A2’ possesses a different nuclear background compared to ‘9802A1’. Based on these results, the genetic model of fertility restoration for radish CMS is also discussed.

Characterization of Raphanus sativus Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins Encoded by the Fertility Restorer Locus for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

Cytoplasmic male sterility is a maternally inherited trait in higher plants that prevents the production of functional pollen. Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus) is regulated by the orf138 mitochondrial locus. Male fertility can be restored when orf138 accumulation is suppressed by the nuclear Rfo locus, which consists of three genes putatively encoding highly similar pentatricopeptide repeat proteins (PPR-A, -B, and -C). We produced transgenic rapeseed (Brassica napus) plants separately expressing PPR-A and PPR-B and demonstrated that both encoded proteins accumulated preferentially in the anthers of young flower buds. Immunodetection of ORF138 showed that, unlike PPR-B, PPR-A had no effect on the synthesis of the sterility protein. Moreover, immunolocalization experiments indicated that complete elimination of ORF138 from the tapetum of anthers correlated with the restoration of fertility. Thus, the primary role of PPR-B in restoring fertility is to inhibit ORF138 synthesis in the tapetum of young anthers. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed, at the cellular level, that PPR-B has no effect on the accumulation of orf138 mRNA. Lastly, immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that PPR-B, but not PPR-A, is associated with the orf138 RNA in vivo, linking restoration activity with the ability to directly or indirectly interact with the orf138 RNA. Together, our data support a role for PPR-B in the translational regulation of orf138 mRNA.

Identification of mitochondrial genome rearrangements unique to novel cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

A novel cytoplasmic male-sterility (CMS) radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and its associated mitotype (DCGMS) were previously identified; however, no mtDNA fragments flanking the atp6 gene were found in the DCGMS mitotype. Unlike three other mitotypes in this study, a unique mtDNA organization, atp6-nad3-rps12, was found to be the major mtDNA structure associated with this mitotype. This organization may have arisen from short repeat sequence-mediated recombination events. The short repeat clusters involved in the mtDNA rearrangement around the atp6 gene also exist as repetitive sequences in the complete mitochondrial genomes of other members of the Brassicaceae family, including rapeseed and Arabidopsis. These sequences do not exist as repetitive elements in the mtDNA of tobacco, sugar beet, or rice. While studying the regions flanking atp6, we identified a truncated atp6 mtDNA fragment which consists of the 5' part of the atp6 gene linked to an unidentified sequence. This mtDNA structure was present in all mitotypes; however, a single nucleotide insertion mutation leading to a frame-shift was identified only in the DCGMS mitotype. Although this truncated atp6 organization was transcribed, there was no significantly different expression between male-sterile and fertile segregating individuals from the BC(1)F(1) population originating from a cross between male-sterile and restorer parents. Comprehensive survey of the single base-pair insertion showed that it was maternally inherited and unique to the DCGMS mitotype. Therefore, this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding sequence of the mtDNA will be a useful molecular marker for the detection of the DCGMS mitotype.

A new fertility restorer locus linked closely to the Rfo locus for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish

In this study, we have investigated a new fertility restorer (Rf) locus for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in radish. We have obtained a CMS-Rf system consisting of sterile line '9802A1', maintainer line '9802B1' and restorer line '9802H'. F(1) plants from cross between sterile line '9802A1' and restorer line '9802H' were all male fertile, self pollination of F(1) plants produced an F(2) segregating population consisting of 600 individuals. The segregating population was found to fit a segregation ratio 3:1 for male fertile and sterile types, indicating that male fertility is restored by a single dominant gene (termed Rfo2) in the CMS-Rf system. Based on the DNA sequence of Rfo/Rfk1 (AJ535623), just one full length gene in the sterile line '9802A1', in the restorer line '9802H' and in the male fertile line '2006H', was cloned, respectively. The three sequences correspond to the same gene with two alleles: Rfob in '9802H' and rfob in '9802A1' and '2006H'. These two alleles differ from Rfo/Rfk1 and rfk1 (AJ535624) alleles by two synonymous base substitutions, respectively. Based on the differences between the Rfob and rfob genes, one PCR-based marker was developed, and designated Marker 1, which is identical to the corresponding region of Rfob by sequence analysis. In the F(2) segregating population described above, the Marker 1 was present in 5 sterile plants and in 453 fertile plants, absent in 4 fertile plants and in 138 sterile plants, and was found to fit a segregation ratio 3:1 indicating that Rfob was single copy in '9802H'. Linkage analysis showed that the Rfo2 locus for our CMS-Rf system was distant from the Rfo locus by about 1.6 cM. The sterile line '9802A1' was pollinated by the male fertile line '2006H' and the resulting F(1) plants were all male fertile. These results indicated that the male fertility of radish CMS can be restored by a new Rf locus, which linked tightly to the Rfo locus.

Cloning and transcript analyses of the chimeric gene associated with cytoplasmic male sterility in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

To gain a preliminary understanding of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in cauliflower NKC-A, seven primer pairs were designed to amplify atpa, atp6, atp9, coxI, coxII, orfB and orf224, which have been reported in other CMS systems. The amplification pattern of orfB is different in the CMS cauliflower and its maintainer line NKC-B. Results suggest that orfB only expresses in the CMS line, in both flowers and leaves. Sequence analysis indicated that orfB is highly homologous with orf138, a chimeric gene believed to closely associate with Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility in radish. Full-length sequence was obtained to elucidate the molecular basis of orfB. The sequence includes three open reading frames, trnfM, orf138 and orf158. Study of transcriptional patterns and RNA editing of this sequence revealed that orf138 and orf158 co-transcribe, similar to orf138 in Ogura CMS radish. Based on this, we concluded that the molecular basis of cytoplasmic male sterility in cauliflower NKC-A may be similar to that of the Ogura CMS in radish. However, the nuclear backgrounds and RNA editing of corresponding sequences in radish and cauliflower are different. The results of this study also provide important information for breeders selecting new CMS lines in cauliflower. A specific molecular marker was developed according to the CMS specific fragment in NKC-A.

Development of PCR-based markers linked to a restorer gene for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker named OPC06-1900 was previously found linked to a fertility restorer gene (Rfw) for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The RAPD marker was converted to a dominant sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker SCC06-1894 by molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing. A BLAST search revealed that the SCAR marker SCC06-1894 showed significant homology to the corresponding regions of Arabidopsis and Brassica sulfate transporter genes. The presence of the intron and exon of the DNA fragment SCC06-1894 was demonstrated by comparing RT-PCR and PCR products. Thus, allele-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify the SCAR marker SCC06-415. PCR test with F2 plants and sequence analysis showed that SCC06-1894 and SCC06-415 were allelic, linked to Rfw/rfw gene at 8.0 cM. Nine oligonucleotide primers were designed based on a single radish nuclear restorer gene mRNA. A survey of these primer combinations by bulked segregant analysis (BSA) identified three polymorphisms. The three PCR-based markers were co-segregant in the coupling phase and distant from the Rfw gene by 1.4 cM. These specific markers distributed on both sides of the Rfw gene and will be helpful for breeding new rapseed (Brassica napus L.) restorer lines.

Identification of a sequence-tagged site (STS) marker linked to a restorer gene for Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility in radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) by non-radioactive AFLP analysis

To identify DNA markers linked to a fertility restorer (Rf) genefor Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility in radish (Raphanus sativus L.),a non-radioactive, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysiswas performed on bulked DNA samples from male-sterile and male-fertileradishes. Ten male-fertile and 10 male-sterile plants selected arbitrarilyfrom an F2 population made by selfing of F1 plant from a crossbetween a male-sterile (`MS-Gensuke') plant and a restorer (`Comet') plantwere used as material. Using 32 AFLP primer pairs, one AFLP fragment(AFLP190) which is specific to the bulked DNA samples from male-fertileF2 plants was identified. AFLP190 was characterized by molecularcloning and nucleotide sequencing, and was converted to a sequence-taggedsite (STS) marker, STS190. A linkage analysis performed in 126individuals of two independent F2 populations showed tight linkageof STS190 to the Rf gene. The rate of recombination between themarker and Rf was estimated to be less than 1%, making STS1901.2 cM from the gene.

Identification and characterization of a putative light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein gene encoded at a fertility restorer locus for the Ogura CMS in Brassica napus L.

The nuclear-encoded fertility restorer locus for Ogura radish cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) was previously transferred from radish into Brassica napus through intergeneric crosses, with the putative restorer gene(s) being expressed in leaves and flower buds. To identify transcripts corresponding to this restorer locus, we performed a PCR-selected cDNA subtraction using leaf mRNA from the restorer line and its recurrent parent. The resulting library was differentially screened using the subtracted cDNAs for the library itself and the cDNAs from the reverse subtraction (recurrent parent subtracted against the restorer line). Forty-eight cDNA clones were isolated based on their specific hybridization with cDNAs for the library construction. Sequence analyses revealed that these 48 clones correspond to only three different genes: two light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (Cab) genes and one chloroplast-encoded gene (a chloroplast 50S ribosomal protein gene). Of the two putative Cab genes, one showed polymorphism on the Southern blot with the EcoRI-digested genomic DNA from the restorer line and its recurrent parent. Segregation analyses confirmed that this putative Cab gene comes from radish DNA and co-segregates with the restorer locus. A sequence comparison of this putative Cab gene with its homeolog in Brassica napus revealed that (1) their coding regions share a 94% similarity, (2) they differ in the size of the intron, and (3) they are identical in the deduced amino acid sequences, except that the one encoded at the restorer locus contained an additional alanine at position 34.

Identification of RAPD and SCAR Markers Linked to a Restorer Gene for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) by Bulked Seregant Analysis.

Identification of RAPD and SCAR Markers Linked to a Restorer Gene for Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) by Bulked Seregant Analysis.

Identification of RAPD markers linked to a fertility restorer gene for theOgura radish cytoplasmic male sterility of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Bulked segregant analysis was employed to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the restorer gene (Rfo) used in theOgura radish cytoplasmic male sterility of rapeseed. A total of 138 arbitrary 10-mer oligonucleotide primers were screened on the DNA of three pairs of bulks, each bulk corresponding to homozygous restored and male sterile plants of three segregating populations. Six primers produced repeatable polymorphisms between paired bulks. DNA from individual plants of each bulk was then used as a template for amplification with these six primers. DNA polymorphisms generated by four of these primers were found to be completely linked to the restorer gene with the polymorphic DNA fragments being associated either with the fertility restorer allele or with the sterility maintainer allele. Pairwise cross-hybridization demonstrated that the four polymorphic DNA fragments did not share any homology. Southern hybridization of labelled RAPD fragments on digested genomic DNA from the same three pairs of bulks revealed fragments specific to either the male sterile bulks or to the restored bulks and a few fragments common to all bulks, indicating that the amplified sequences are low copy. The four RAPD fragments that were completely linked to the restorer locus have been cloned and sequenced to develop sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs). This will facilitate the construction of restorer lines used in breeding programs and is the first step towards map-based cloning of the fertility restorer allele.

Characterization of the radish mitochondrial orfB locus: possible relationship with male sterility in Ogura radish.

The orfB locus of the normal (fertile) and Ogura (male-sterile) radish mitochondrial genomes has been characterized in order to determine if this region, which has previously been correlated with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in Brassica napus cybrids (Bonhomme et al. 1991; Temple et al. 1992), could also be involved in radish CMS. In normal radish, orfB is expressed as a 600-nucleotide (nt) transcript. In Ogura radish, orfB is present as the second gene of a 1200-nt transcript that also contains a 138-codon open reading frame (orf138). Sequences showing similarity to orf138 are present in normal radish, but are not expressed.

Linkage between an isozyme marker and a restorer gene in radish cytoplasmic male sterility of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Co-segregation studies of isozyme markers and male fertility restoration showed that a restorer gene from radish was introduced into rapeseed along with an isozyme marker (Pgi-2). The radish chromosome segment carrying these genes was introgressed into rapeseed through homoeologous recombination, substituting for some of the rapeseed alleles. By crossing heterozygous restored plants to male-sterile lines and to maintainers, tight linkage was found between the restorer gene and the marker. The recombination fraction was estimated at 0.25 ± 0.02%. Although few restored plants lacked the radish isozyme marker, it was still possible to distinguish male-fertile from male-sterile plants by their PGI-2 patterns. Furthermore, homozygous and heterozygous restored plants could be separated by specific PGI-2 phenotypes. Thus, the Pgi-2 marker is now currently used in restorer breeding programs.

The role of coxI-associated repeated sequences in plant mitochondrial DNA rearrangements and radish cytoplasmic male sterility.

The gene coxI, encoding subunit I of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, has been characterized from the normal (fertile) and Ogura (male-sterile) cytoplasms of radish to determine if a previously identified mitochondrial DNA rearrangement, and its associated transcriptional differences, could play a role in Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). The normal and Ogura loci are virtually identical for 2.8 kb, including a 527-codon open reading frame whose product is approximately 95% identical to other plant COXI polypeptides. A rearrangement 120 bp 5' to the coding region results in different 5' transcript termini for the two genes. A comparison of several crucifer mitochondrial DNAs indicates that this rearrangement also occurs in the normal radish cytoplasm and is, therefore, not involved in Ogura CMS. Sequences present at the coxI locus belong to at least two different dispersed repeat families, members of which are also associated with other rearranged genes in radish.