Identification of differentially expressed genes in three-pistil mutation in wheat using annealing control primer system

The common wheat line three-pistil (TP) is a valuable mutant for wheat breeding. The TP mutation has normal spike morphology; however, it only produces three pistils per floret. Therefore, it has potential to increase the grain number per spike. In order to determine the underlying molecular mechanism, an annealing control primer system was used to identify the different expressed genes in three-pistil mutation. Using 120 arbitrary ACP primers, we identified three differentially expressed genes in young spikes between two near-isogenic lines (i.e., Chuanmai 28 TP and Chinese Spring TP) and their recurrent parents. We tentatively designated the three differentially expressed genes as DETP-1, DETP-2, and DETP-3. DETP-1 showed similar function with maize cytoplasmic membrane protein, which is involved in cell division in bacteria. DETP-3 is homologous to maize endo-1, 4-beta-glucanase (EGases), which is associated with plant development, cell wall loosening, stem flowering, and root expansion. DETP-2 showed no significant hit with any sequence found in the database and translates unknown protein. These genes would likely play an important role in determining the three pistils trait in wheat.