NOVEL MARKERS OF THE ANTIOXIDANT RESPONSE IN ORNAMENTAL SPECIES

Ornamental crops are routinely used in breeding programs aimed at obtaining new gene combinations.
The search for novel genotypes, highly tolerant to environ-mental stresses, is a relevant goal for ornamental breeders.
The availability of marker genes, used as indicators of the plant stress response in mutational breeding, might assist in the selection of new valuable genotypes.
The Tdp1 gene encoding tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase has been extensively investigated in animal cells, due to the role of this DNA repair enzyme in the protection against oxidative DNA damage.
However limited information on its function are currently available in plants.
Within this context, the Tdp1 gene and other DNA repair genes might be useful tools in defining novel breeding approaches.
The search for the PhTdp1α and PhTdp1β cDNAs, encoding the TDP1α and β isoforms from Petunia hybrid, was carried out by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), using degenerated oligonucleotides, designed from the available plant Tdp1α and Tdp1β amino acid sequences.
A detailed bioinformatic investigation of the different Petunia cDNA fragments is currently in progress while the response of Petunia cells, in terms of Reactive Oxygen Species accumulation and antioxidant activity, has been assessed.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Advances in Ornamentals, Landscape and Urban Horticulture

A. Macovei, M. Donà, A. Balestrazzi, L. Ventura, F. Nicoletti, A. Giovannini, A. Buttafava, R. Langella, D. Carbonera

APX, breeding, DNA repair enzyme, marker genes, reactive oxygen species, Tdp1

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.937.10