Large Effect Quantitative Trait Loci for Salicinoid Phenolic Glycosides in Populus: Implications for Gene Discovery

Authors

Scott A. Woolbright
Brian J. Rehill
Richard L. Lindroth

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Ecology and Evolution

Volume

8

Issue

7

First Page

3726

Last Page

3737

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

Genomic studies have been used to identify genes underlying many important plant secondary metabolic pathways. However, genes for salicinoid phenolic glycosides (SPGs)—ecologically important compounds with significant commercial, cultural, and medicinal applications—remain largely undescribed. We used a linkage map derived from a full‐sib population of hybrid cottonwoods (Populus spp.) to search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the SPGs salicortin and HCH‐salicortin. SSR markers and primer sequences were used to anchor the map to the V3.0 P. trichocarpa genome. We discovered 21 QTL for the two traits, including a major QTL for HCH‐salicortin (R2 = .52) that colocated with a QTL for salicortin on chr12. Using the V3.0 Populus genome sequence, we identified 2,983 annotated genes and 1,480 genes of unknown function within our QTL intervals. We note ten candidate genes of interest, including a BAHD‐type acyltransferase that has been potentially linked to PopulusSPGs. Our results complement other recent studies in Populus with implications for gene discovery and the evolution of defensive chemistry in a model genus. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use a full‐sib mapping population to identify QTL intervals and gene lists associated with SPGs.

Recommended Citation

Woolbright, S. A., B. J. Rehill, R. L. Lindroth, S. P. DiFazio, G. D. Martinsen, M. S. Zinkgraf, G. J. Allan, P. Keim, and T. G. Whitham. 2018. Large effect quantitative trait loci for salicinoid phenolic glycosides in Populus: Implications for gene discovery. Ecology and Evolution 8:3726-3737.