World wheat production has been stagnated during the recent years. In 1997, the world production was the record at 610 million tons. However, since then, the record was never surpassed during the next 7 years, and a new record finally made in 2004 at 611 million tons, just barely above the 1997 level. Meanwhile, corn production has been steadily increasing relative to wheat. It recorded 600 million ton level in 1998, then it got leveled off for the next 4 years. However, it again started increasing thereafter setting another record at 664 million ton in 2004. Production is heavily related to change in prices. Lower prices are due to weak demand. During the first half of 1990's, wheat prices were cheaper, but consumption was stagnated. If this situation continues, wheat production would have to be downsized in the near future. Increases in feed consumption of wheat would be a solution.
S-1-4 Y. Ogihara (Laboratory of Genetic Engineering,
Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto Prefectural University)
Toward functional genomics of polyploid wheat
In order to develop functional genomics of polyploid wheat, we have been systematically performing on large scale analysis of ESTs (transcriptome) in common wheat: (1) The cDNA libraries were constructed from the tissues during wheat life cycle and stress-treated. Up to present, 328,736 sequences were accumulated. These sequences were grouped into 32,881 gene clusters which are estimated to cover ca. 80 % of total wheat genes. Based on the constituent of contigs expressed in each of the cDNA libraries, gene expression profiles were inferred for contigs-tissues (Virtual Display). (2) Based on the 32,881 gene clusters, the Agilent oligomicroarrays with 22K and 11K wheat genes, which harbor independent clones with each other, were prepared. These oligomicroarrays are available from our laboratory. (3) The full length cDNA libraries were constructed from the two sources. One was constructed from the young spikelets. 24,056 ESTs from both ends of the cDNA clones were obtained. These ESTs were grouped into 1902 gene dusters. The other is a library of pooled RNAs extracted from 12 different tissues/stressed tissues. About 12,000 cDNA clones were one-pass sequenced from both ends and ca. 5000 independent clones were fully sequenced. Additionally, DNA sequencing of the three homoeologous chromosome regions in common wheat, where agronomically important genes are located, have been determined. Up to now, DNA sequence data of six genes (18 TAC clones) have been accumulated. Although most genes and/or ORFs were found among three homoeologous genomes, some ORFs existed in certain genomes. Furthermore, different expression patterns of some genes among genomes were observed. Repetitive sequences, especially retrotransposons around the genes were characteristic of each genome.
S-1-5 H. Handa (Department of Plant Biotechnology, National
Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental
Sciences, Tsukuba University)
Comparative Genomics -from Rice to Wheat,from Wheat to Rice-
Rice and wheat belong in the same family, Poaceae. Therefore two plants share a substantial number of orthologous genes. However the pathways and the underlying networks may function in an alternative fashion. For instance, rice is a short-day plant and adapts to subtropic climate. On the other hand, wheat shows a heading under long-day condition and an adaptation to more temperate zone. By the end of this year, a "finished" rice genome sequence with 99.99% accuracy will come to us. In addition to the sequence, recent rice genome research has provided us much information. Wheat genome research has clearly benefited from rice genome research, both in the use of functional data and in research methodology. However, the advance in wheat genomics is also useful for the rice genomic research, because the progress of wheat genomics will provide more accurate insights into how different (or similar) the two plants are. For a broader understanding of genome function of rice and wheat, a comparative genomic study should be promoted, not only from rice to wheat, but also from wheat to rice.
S-1-6 K. Sato (Research Institute for Bioresources,
Okayania University)
Anything different in research styles after analyzing barley
genome?
Compared to model species for genome analysis like rice and Arabidopsis, genetics in Triticeae species are still in slow fashion. The impact of rice genome sequencing influenced the research style of barley especially genetic mapping and gene isolation. By the development of large-scale EST map, marker generation in barley is not a serious issue. The development of barley BAC libraries promotes us to clone genes. The combination of BAC library and EST mapping identifies gene-rich regions of the genome. After sequencing these regions, we will participate the research style of model species. Geneticists and breeders should aware of these facilities and try to avoid duplicated efforts. We must fine-tune the system of genome wide analysis on barley to be directed onto Triticeae genome. The hardwares are not available every research unit but the availability and awareness of these systems may be essential in the future research in Triticeae.