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Mendel's Genes: Toward a Full Molecular Characterization

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:25 authored by James ReidJames Reid, John RossJohn Ross
The discipline of classical genetics is founded on the hereditary behavior of the seven genes studied by Gregor Mendel. The advent of molecular techniques has unveiled much about the identity of these genes. To date, four genes have been sequenced: A (flower color), LE (stem length), I (cotyledon color), and R (seed shape). Two of the other three genes, GP (pod color) and FA (fasciation), are amenable to candidate gene approaches on the basis of their function, linkage relationships, and synteny between the pea and Medicago genomes. However, even the gene (locus) identity is not known for certain for the seventh character, the pod form, although it is probably V. While the nature of the mutations used by Mendel cannot be determined with certainty, on the basis of the varieties available in Europe in the 1850s, we can speculate on their nature. It turns out that these mutations are attributable to a range of causes—from simple base substitutions and changes to splice sites to the insertion of a transposon-like element. These findings provide a fascinating connection between Mendelian genetics and molecular biology that can be used very effectively in teaching new generations of geneticists. Mendel’s characters also provide novel insights into the nature of the genes responsible for characteristics of agronomic and consumer importance.

History

Publication title

Genetics: A Periodical Record of Investigations Bearing on Heredity and Variation

Volume

189

Pagination

3-10

ISSN

1943-2631

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Genetics

Place of publication

428 East Preston St, Baltimore, USA, Md, 21202

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 Genetics Society of America

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Horticultural crops not elsewhere classified

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