here - First Legume Society Conference (LSC1)

Book of Abstracts First Legume Society Conference 2013: A Legume Odyssey Novi Sad, Serbia, 9-11 May 2013
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Identification and Characterisation of mlo gene family members in the model legume M.
truncatula
Nicolas Rispail, Pilar Merino, Diego Rubiales
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture – CSIC, Alameda del Obispo s/n, Cordoba, Spain
In barley, tomato and pea mutation in the mlo gene provides a broad-spectrum and durable
resistance to powdery mildew. This gene encodes a membrane protein characterised by the
presence of 7 trans-membrane domains and belong to a large gene family. While only 3 mlo genes
were identified in barley, 15 and 17 mlo gene members have been described in Arabidopsis thaliana
and Vitis vinifera respectively that have been classified in 6 different groups. The role of the
additional mlo family members is still unknown although it has been suggested that they might be
involved in resistance to other stresses. In order to identify the different mlo members in legumes
and further clarify their role, a bioinformatic analysis, using several BLAST tools and prediction
platforms has been initiated in the model legume M. truncatula for which large genomic and EST
sequences is available. To date 14 putative mlo members from all different mlo subfamily have
been identified within M. truncatula genome. Characterisation of these genes in M. truncatula may
improve our understanding of their role in plants and contribute to the transfer of the highly
valuable powdery mildew and/or other pathogens resistance traits to other legume crops.
172