Grapevine Genome Decoded
August 31, 2007| |
A group of researchers from France and Italy have deciphered the complete genome sequence for the pinot noir grapevine Vitis vitifera, according to a study published by Nature. The draft sequence of the grapevine genome is the first one produced for a fruit crop and fourth for a flowering plant after rice, Arabidopsis and poplar.
The French-Italian Public Consortium for Grapevine Genome Characterization, which collectively authored the study, discovered a large number of gene families related to wine characteristics, like those coding for terpenes and tannins, compounds responsible for the wine’s aroma and taste. Multiple copies of the genes coding for enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of resveratrol were also found. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in red wine and known for its anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The large number of gene families was attributed to man’s selection and hybridization during thousands of years. The findings will pave the way for genetic manipulations to improve the flavor and pathogen resistance of a crop that generates some 200 billion US dollars a year in revenue.
The complete paper published by Nature is available to subscribers at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/nature06148.pdf
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