Canadian Forest Service Publications
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) genetic map constructed by exome-seq provides insight into the evolution of disease resistance and a genomic resource for genomics-based breeding. 2019. Liu, J-J., Schoettle, A.W., Sniezko, R.A., Yao, F., Zamany, A., Williams, H., Rancourt, B. The Plant Journal.
Year: 2019
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39535
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14270
† This site may require a fee
Abstract
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) is a keystone species of high-elevation forest ecosystems of western North America, but some parts of the geographic range have high infection and mortality from the non-native white pine blister rust caused by Cronartium ribicola. Genetic maps can provide essential knowledge for understanding genetic disease resistance as well as local adaptation to changing climates. Exome-seq was performed to construct high-density genetic maps in two seed families. Composite maps positioned 9612 unigenes across 12 linkage groups (LGs). Syntenic analysis of genome structure revealed that the majority of orthologs were positional orthologous genes (POGs) with localization on homologous LGs among conifer species. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed relatively fewer constraints for POGs with putative roles in adaptation to environments and relatively more conservation for POGs with roles in basic cell function and maintenance. The mapped genes included 639 nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat genes (NBS-LRRs), 290 receptor-like protein kinase genes (RLKs), and 1014 genes with potential roles in the defense response and induced systemic resistance to attack by pathogens. Orthologous loci for resistance to rust pathogens were identified and were co-positioned with multiple members of the R gene family, revealing the evolutionary pressure acting upon them. This high-density genetic map provides a genomic resource and practical tool for breeding and genetic conservation programs, with applications in genomewide association studies (GWASs), the characterization of functional genes underlying complex traits, and the sequencing and assembly of the full-length genomes of limber pine and related Pinus species.
Plain Language Summary
Limber pine is a keystone species of high elevation forest ecosystems of western North America and many populations are heavily impacted by white pine blister rust. Genetic maps can provide essential knowledge for understanding genetic disease resistance as well as local adaptation to changing climates. In this study, we constructed high-density genetic maps using exome-seq technology. A composite map positioned 9,520 genes at 1,683 unique locations across 12 linkage groups (LGs), which spanned a total length of 1,829.06 cM with an average gap size of 1.09 cM. Syntenic analysis of genome structure revealed both conserved and divergent genes among conifer species. The mapped genes included 639 NBS-LRR, 290 RLK genes, and 1,014 genes with potential roles in defense response and induced systemic resistance to attacks by pathogens and pests. A linkage group-wide association study confirmed the same locus (Cr4) for major gene resistance in tree stands originating in both the US and Canada. This high-density genetic map provides a genomic resource and practical tool for breeding and genetic conservation programs with applications in genome-wide association studies, characterization of functional genes underlying complex traits, and sequencing and assembly of the full-length genomes of limber pine and related Pinus species.
