Isolation and analysis of differential gene expression in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars tolerant and susceptible to water stress.

• Grant number: 09/01037-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2009
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal researcher: Tsai Siu Mui
• Grantee: Milena Moura de Araujo Biazuzo
• Home Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Phaseolus is cultivated in the whole world and it represents one of the most important foods for the human consumption, being rich in iron, proteins and carbohydrates. Brazil is the second largest producer of beans, with around 3.978.660 kg/ha in 2004; the most cultivated species is Phaseolus vulgaris L., that will produce more than 3 million tons in the 2007/08 harvest. Among the three possible harvests explored in Brazil, the largest production is obtained in the "drought harvest". On the other hand, as the most of producers uses little technology, one of the problems of beans is the water stress, that causes a reduction in its productivity. Thus, it would be of great importance the identification of genes that control the defense mechanisms and adaptation of bean plant to lack of water during its development. This research project has as objective identify differentially expressed genes in genotypes of P. vulgaris tolerant and susceptible to water stress, when submitted to irrigation interruption. For this, both genotypes will be cultivated in normal water conditions and, during their development, they will be submitted to a water deficit. From these plants, the gene expression will be evaluated by PCR in Real Time through selection of genes from available sequences of P. vulgaris and the drawing of degenerate primers for genes still not isolated in the species. After individual analysis of gene markers, the data will be contrasted. Furthermore, the cDNA-AFLP technique will be applied for identification of new genes. This type of analysis will allow the identification and characterization of differentially or exclusively expressed genes in the resistant genotype. The laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology of CENA is developing a research line in the theme Functional Genomics of beans.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

. Differential expression analysis of genes related to drought stress tolerance in common bean. 2013. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/STB) Piracicaba.