Identification and fine mapping of Brmmd1 gene controlling recessive genic male sterility in Brassica rapa L.

Abstract Recessive genic male sterility (RGMS) provides an effective approach for the commercial exploitation of heterosis, especially in Brassica crops. Although some artificial RGMS mutants have been reported in B. rapa , no causal genes derived from these natural mutants have been identified so far. In this study, a spontaneous RGMS mutant Bcajh97-01A derived from the ‘Aijiaohuang’ line traced back to the 1980s was identified. Genetic analysis revealed that the RGMS trait was controlled by a single locus in the Bcajh97-01A/Bsystem. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) in combination with linkage analysis was employed to delimit the causal gene to an approximate 129 kb interval on chromosome A02. The integrated information of transcriptional levels and the predicted genes in the target region indicated that the Brmmd1 ( BraA02g017420 ) encoding a PHD-containing nuclear protein was the most likely candidate gene. In the RGMS line, a 374 bp miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) was inserted into the first exon to prematurely stop the Brmmd1 gene translation , thus blocking the normal expression of this gene at the tetrad stage in the Bcajh97-01A. Additionally, a co-segregating structure variation (SV) marker was developed to rapidly screen the RGMS progenies from Bcajh97-01A/B system. Our findings reveal that BraA02g017420 is the causal gene responsible for the RGMS trait. This study lays a foundation for marker-assisted selection and further molecular mechanism exploration of pollen development in B. rapa .