Genetic diversity of TaSAP1-A1 locus and its association with TKW in some European winter wheat cultivars

Abstract

Stresses associated proteins (SAPs), a fast emerging class of zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs), are composed of special types (A20/AN1) of ZFP domains and were identified for the first time in rice as products of multiple stress responsive genes. SAPs are potential candidates for biotechnological approaches in order to improve abiotic stress tolerance in plants-the ultimate aim of which is crop-yield protection. In wheat there is a member of the stress association protein (SAP) gene family, named TaSAP1-A1 (located on chromosome 7A), involved in response to several abiotic stresses including drought, salt and cold. We analysed 33 European winter wheat cultivars using the markers T7AM5, T7AM2606 and T7AM39, developed by Chang et al. (2013), and located in the promoter region of TaSAP1-A1 gene. Compared to Chang study, our analysis revealed different sizes for the PCR products obtained with T7AM5 and T7AM2606 markers. Furthermore, digestion of PCR product obtained with T7AM5 marker revealed the existence of a new allelic variant (present in four cultivars). Results showed that Hap II is the main haplotype, present in 18 cultivars (55%). Hap II was found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with thousand kernel weight (TKW).