Molecular Characterization of the Dwarf53 Gene Homolog in Dasypyrum Villosum

The Dwarf53 (D53) gene, first studied in rice, encodes a protein that acts as a repressor of the physiological response of plants to strigolactones—substances that regulate the activity of axillary buds, stem growth, branching of roots and other physiological processes. In this work, we isolated and sequenced the homolog of the D53 gene in several accessions of the wild grass Dasypyrum villosum of different geographical origins, resulting in the discovery of large allelic variety. A molecular marker was also created that allows us to differentiate the D. villosum D53 gene from common wheat genes. Using this marker and monosomic addition, substitution and translocation wheat lines carrying the known D. villosum chromosomes, the D53 gene was localized on the long arm of the 5V chromosome.