Genome diversity and gene haplotypes in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), as revealed by single nucleotide polymorphisms

EST (expressed sequence tags) sequencing, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) development and haplotype assessment are powerful tools for the support of marker-assisted selection. The grapevine genome is currently being scavenged in our laboratory using an EST-SNP approach. Nine parental genotypes, used to create five inter- or intra-specific hybrids, have been tested to evaluate the degree of polymorphism between Vitis vinifera, Vitis riparia and a further intraspecific hybrid, measuring their nucleotide diversity. The SNPs were analysed on cDNA sequences of 4 functional classes of genes based on homology with genes present in a public database: sugar metabolism, cell signalling, anthocyanin metabolism and defence related. Primer pairs were deduced and used to amplify corresponding genomic sequences. Almost 12,000 bp of DNA have been scanned revealing differences among genotypes of up to 247 SNPs, with the highest rate of one SNP occurring every 78 bp when clones of different Vitis species are compared. Re-sequencing allowed the definition of haplotypes in the nine genotypes studied and these were confirmed by analysing segregating populations. The efficiency of SSCP, in comparison with re-sequencing, was considered for 25 gene fragments of the same 9 genotypes.