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Diversity of α‐tubulin transcripts in Lolium rigidum
Author(s) -
Chen Jinyi,
Chu Zhizhan,
Han Heping,
Patterson Eric,
Yu Qin,
Powles Stephen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6109
Subject(s) - lolium rigidum , biology , genetics , tubulin , gene isoform , gene , mutant , complementary dna , microtubule , herbicide resistance
BACKGROUND Tubulin, the target site of dinitroaniline herbicides, is encoded by small gene families in plants. To better characterize the mechanisms of target‐site resistance to dinitroaniline herbicides in the globally important weedy species Lolium rigidum , attempts were made to amplify and sequence α‐tubulin transcripts. RESULTS Four α‐tubulin isoforms (TUA1, TUA2, TUA3 and TUA4) were identified in L. rigidum . Variations in the number and sequence of transcripts encoding these α‐tubulin proteins were found in individuals from the two L. rigidum populations examined. Within and among populations, differences in the 5′‐ and 3′‐untranslated regions of cDNA in TUA3 and TUA4 were identified. Furthermore, a novel double mutation, Arg‐390‐Cys+Asp‐442‐Glu, in the TUA3 transcript was identified and has the potential to confer dinitroaniline resistance. CONCLUSION This research reveals the complexity of the α‐tubulin gene family in individuals/populations of the cross‐pollinated weedy species L. rigidum , and highlights the need for better understanding of the molecular architecture of tubulin gene families for detecting resistance point mutations. Although TUA4 is a commonly expressed α‐tubulin isoform containing most frequently reported resistance mutations, other mutant tubulin isoforms may also have a role in conferring dinitroaniline resistance.