ARS | Publication request: An Allele-Specific SNP Mutation in the eIF4E Gene Is Associated with the Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Resistance in Watermelon

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: October 6, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is one of the most economically important potyviruses infecting cucurbit crops worldwide. Using a candidate gene approach, we cloned and sequenced an eIF4E gene in the ZYMV-resistant PI 595203 (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus) and the ZYMV-susceptible watermelon cv. New Hampshire Midget (NHM). A single nucleotide polymorphism (C241A) resulting in amino acid substitution (proline to threonine) in the exon 1 of eIF4E was identified between the five ZYMV-resistant plant introductions and the five ZYMV-susceptible watermelon cultivars. The 3-D modeling structure showed that such amino acid substitution was located in the critical cap recognition and binding area similar to that of several plant systems against other potyviruses. When plants in the segregating F2 and BC1R populations derived from a cross between cv. NHM x PI 595203 were tested for their resistance to ZYMV, a CAPS marker derived from the SNP mutation produced an allelic segregation in test plants for ZYMV resistance and susceptibility. Furthermore, the eIF4E gene was mapped to the linkage group XIV in a genetic linkage map for watermelon. These results suggested that the newly developed CAPS marker may be useful in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of watermelon for ZYMV resistance.