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Peer-reviewedCC BYTAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik

Leaf variegation in a barley EMS mutant is controlled by two epistatic mutations.

  • Hélène Pidon1,2
  • Shobhashree Rajulareddy Nagireddy1
  • Michael Melzer1
  • Axel Himmelbach1
  • Nils Stein3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany.
  2. 2UMR AGAP Institut, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France.
  3. 3Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany. [email protected].
  4. 4Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany. [email protected].
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Abstract

Key message

We identified digenic control of leaf variegation in a barley mutant. Candidate genes, identified through whole-genome resequencing, are consistent with possible roles in chloroplast proteostasis. Variegation mutants provide valuable insights into chloroplast biogenesis. We characterized a newly identified variegated barley mutant, in which the phenotype is controlled by two epistatic recessive genes. The causal loci, var4 and var5, were mapped on chromosomes 2H and 3H. We used genotyping-by-sequencing, linkage mapping, and PACE genotyping, followed by whole-genome resequencing to identify candidate genes. Our two top candidate genes are an NBR1-like selective autophagy receptor gene and a DNAJ-domain-containing gene, respectively. Based on their homology-based functional annotation, both candidates could be implicated in chloroplast proteostasis, regulating protein import, folding, and/or degradation. While functional confirmation is still required, mild, independent defects in proteostasis from each mutation may act synergistically to surpass a functional threshold, impairing chloroplast development in early leaves while allowing partial recovery in later stages. These findings reveal a novel digenic basis for variegation in barley and identify candidate genes and pathways linked to chloroplast proteostasis.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{pidon2026leaf,
  title = {{Leaf variegation in a barley EMS mutant is controlled by two epistatic mutations.}},
  author = {Hélène Pidon and Shobhashree Rajulareddy Nagireddy and Michael Melzer and Axel Himmelbach and Nils Stein},
  journal = {TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1007/s00122-026-05370-y},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42873274},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Leaf variegation in a barley EMS mutant is controlled by two epistatic mutations.
AU  - Hélène Pidon
AU  - Shobhashree Rajulareddy Nagireddy
AU  - Michael Melzer
AU  - Axel Himmelbach
AU  - Nils Stein
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
JO  - TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik
DO  - 10.1007/s00122-026-05370-y
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42873274
AB  - Key message  We identified digenic control of leaf variegation in a barley mutant. Candidate genes, identified through whole-genome resequencing, are consistent with possible roles in chloroplast proteostasis. Variegation mutants provide valuable insights into chloroplast biogenesis. We characterized a newly identified variegated barley mutant, in which the phenotype is controlled by two epistatic recessive genes. The causal loci, var4 and var5, were mapped on chromosomes 2H and 3H. We used genotyping-by-sequencing, linkage mapping, and PACE genotyping, followed by whole-genome resequencing to identify candidate genes. Our two top candidate genes are an NBR1-like selective autophagy receptor gene and a DNAJ-domain-containing gene, respectively. Based on their homology-based functional annotation, both candidates could be implicated in chloroplast proteostasis, regulating protein import, folding, and/or degradation. While functional confirmation is still required, mild, independent defects in proteostasis from each mutation may act synergistically to surpass a functional threshold, impairing chloroplast development in early leaves while allowing partial recovery in later stages. These findings reveal a novel digenic basis for variegation in barley and identify candidate genes and pathways linked to chloroplast proteostasis.
SN  - 1432-2242
ER  -