Abstract
A method for the demonstration of the gametophytic origin of genetic variability in maize is described. For genes coding dimeric or multimeric enzymes, haploid expression can be demonstrated by means of translocations between A and B chromosomes (TB-A), which make it possible to obtain hyperploid pollen grains, partially diploid and heterozygous for electrophoretic mobility. Comparison of the electrophoretic pattern of this pollen type (three bands) and that of normal grains produced by a heterozygous F/S plant (two bands only) reveals haploid transcription of the monomeric forms. The procedure was tested on ADH-1 and used to demonstrate haploid expression for GOT-1. The data obtained suggest, moreover, that the reduction in male gamete transmission of duplications may be due to differences in pollen competitive ability rather than to processes affecting microspore maturation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beckett, J. B. (1978). B-A translocations in maize. J. Hered. 6927.
Bianchi, A., Bellini, G., Contin, M., and Ottaviano E. (1961). Non disjunction in presence of interchanges involving B-type chromosomes in maize, and some phenotypical consequences of meaning in maize breeding. Z. Vererbungslehre 92213.
Birchler, J. A. (1980). The cytogenetic localization of the alcohol dehydrogenase 1 locus in maize. Genetics 94687.
Brewbaker, J. L. (1971). Pollen enzymes and isoenzymes. In Heslop-Harrison, J. (ed.), Pollen: Development and Physiology Butterworth, London, p. 115.
Bryce, W. H., and Nelson, O. E. (1979). Starch-synthesizing enzymes in the endosperm and pollen of maize. Plant Physiol. 63312.
Carlson, W. P. (1977). The cytogenetics of corn. In Sprague, G. F. (ed.), Corn and Corn Improvement Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wis.
Davis, B. J. (1964). Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 121404.
Demerec, M. (1924). A case of pollen dimorphism in maize. Am. J. Bot. 11461.
De Nettancourt, D. (1977). Incompatibility in Angiosperms Springer, Berlin.
Freeling, M. (1976). Intragenic recombination in maize: Pollen analysis methods and the effects of parental Adh+ iso-alleles. Genetics 83701.
Ghidoni, A. (1975). Competition between balanced and hyperploid spores in Zea mays L. In Mulcahy, D. L. (ed.), Gamete Competition in Plants and Animals North-Holland, Amsterdam, p. 135.
Goodman, M. M., Stuber, C. W., Newton, K., and Wessinger, H. H. (1980). Linkage relationships of 19 enzyme loci in maize. Genetics 96697.
Heslop-Harrison, J. (1980). The forgotten generation: Some thoughts on the genetics and physiology of angiosperm gametophytes. In Davies, D. R., and Hopwood, D. A. (ed.), The Plant Genome The John Innes Charity, Norwich, p. 1.
Mascarenhas, J. P. (1975). The biochemistry of angiosperm pollen development. Bot. Rev. 41260.
Moore, C. W., and Creech, R. G. (1972). Genetic fine structure analysis of amylose-extender locus in Zea mays L. Genetics 70611.
Mulcahy, D. L. (1971). A correlation between gametophytic and sporophytic characteristics in Zea mays L. Science 1711155.
Mulcahy, D. L. (1974). Correlation between speed of pollen tube growth and seedling weight in Zea mays L. Nature 249491.
Mulcahy, D. L. (1979). The rise of the angiosperms: A genecological factor. Science 20620.
Mulcahy, D. L., Mulcahy, G. B., and Ottaviano, E. (1975). Sporophytic expression of gametophytic competition in Petunia hybrida. In Mulcahy, D. L. (ed.), Gamete Competition in Plants and Animals North-Holland, Amsterdam, p. 227.
Ottaviano, E., and Sari Gorla, M. (1978). Genetic variability of male gametophyte in maize. Pollen genotype and pollen-style interaction. Monogr. Genet. Agr. 489.
Ottaviano, E., Sari Gorla, M., and Mulcahy, D. L. (1980). Pollen tube growth rate in Zea mays L.: Implications for genetic improvement of crops. Science 210437.
Ottaviano, E., Sari Gorla, M., and Pè, E. (1982). Male gametophytic selection in maize. Theor. Appl. Genet. 63249.
Pfahler, P. L. (1975). Factors affecting male transmission in maize (Zea mays L.). In Mulcahy, D. L. (ed.), Gamete Competition in Plants and Animals North-Holland, Amsterdam, p. 115.
Robertson, D. S. (1967). Crossing-over and chromosomal segregation involving the Ba element of the A-B translocation B-9b in maize. Genetics 55433.
Roman, H. (1947). Mitotic non-disjunction in the case of interchanges involving the B-type chromosomes in maize. Genetics 32391.
Scandalios, J. G. (1969). Genetic control of multiple molecular forms of enzymes in plants. A review. Biochem. Genet. 337.
Scandalios, J. G., Sorenson, J. C., and Ott, L. A. (1975). Genetic control and intracellular localization of glutamate oxalacetic transaminase in maize. Biochem. Genet. 13759.
Schwartz, D. (1971). Genetic control of alcohol dehydrogenase; A competition model of gene action. Genetics 6744.
Tanksley, S. D., Zamir, D., and Rick, C. M. (1981). Evidence for extensive overlap of sporophytic and gametophytic gene expression of Licopersicon esculentum. Science 213453.
Ter Avanesian, D. V. (1978). The effect of varying the number of pollen grains used in fertilization. Theor. Appl. Genet. 5277.
Weeden, N. F., and Gottlieb, L. D. (1979). Distinguishing allozymes and isozymes of phosphoglucoisomerases by electrophoretic comparisons of pollen and somatic tissues. Biochem. Genet. 17287.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frova, C., Gorla, M.S., Ottaviano, E. et al. Haplodiploid gene expression in maize and its detection. Biochem Genet 21, 923–931 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483950
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483950