Genome-Wide Analysis of Grapevine Transposons

The publication of the complete grapevine genome has opened the possibility for an in-depth analysis of its content. This sequencing revealed that 41.4 percent (average value) of the grapevine genome is composed of repetitive/transposable elements. Indeed, transposition has played a major role in grapevine domestication and evolution. For instance, the skin color in white grapes, a highly desired trait for grape berry and wine quality, has been shown to be the consequence of a retrotransposon insertion in the promoter of a gene that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis.

A new study conducted by researchers at the Spanish Center for Agricultural Research (CRAG) in Barcelona in collaboration with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Austria, published in the open-access journal PLoS ONE, presents a genome-wide characterization of grapevine transposons. They specifically analyzed Class II transposons, mobile elements that transpose via a DNA intermediate in a “cut and paste” manner.

The scientists characterized 1160 complete grapevine transposons and 2086 defective copies. Results show that these elements have transduplicated and amplified cellular sequences. In addition, some of them have been "domesticated," losing their ability to transpose and are probably fulfilling cellular roles as conventional genes do. According to Josep Casacuberta, lead author of the paper, “the characterization of grapevine transposons will help understand how the high genetic diversity of this species evolved, which could be useful in the development of new molecular markers for the marker-assisted selection of new commercial varieties”.

Download the article at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0003107