Poster: Genomics Resources

Abs # 954: Genes encoding storage proteins in Chenopodium quinoa seeds

Presenter:	Coleman, Craig E, craig_coleman@byu.edu
Authors	Coleman, Craig E (A)   Jefferies, Brent A (A)   Winegar, Kevin J (A)   Coles, Nathan D (A)   Richardson, Emily P (A)   Thompson, Connor L (A)   Fairbanks, Daniel J (A)   Jellen, Eric N (A)   Maughan, P Jeffrey (A)   Stevens, Mikel R (A)
Affiliations:	(A): Brigham Young University

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seeds are a source of high-quality protein, and therefore, an extremely valuable nutritional resource to the Andean peoples who cultivate this crop. We are developing genetic resources that will allow us develop a core collection of quinoa germplasm and construct a genetic map for quinoa that will facilitate crop improvement through marker-assisted selection. A key component of our project is to develop a modest database of quinoa ESTs that may serve as a source of DNA markers such as SNPs and SSRs. We have started by constructing cDNA libraries from developing seed tissue, floral tissue, and etiolated seedlings. The seed cDNA libraries received top priority because a very important objective is to identify the genes that encode seed storage proteins. These may aid us in maintaining protein quantity and quality throughout a breeding program. One of our strategies is to identify candidate seed storage protein genes by BLAST homology searches using our randomly sequenced seed cDNAs as queries. A second approach is to screen the seed cDNA libraries using a degenerate probe based on N-terminal sequence data from the proteins themselves. Through these strategies we have isolated candidate genes that we are currently characterizing to confirm their identity as seed storage protein genes.