Identification of Dreb 1 Genes Involved in Drought Tolerance in Wheat ( Triticum L.)

Present research is aimed to identify a Dreb1 gene in different wheat Triticum L. genotypes using functional markers. A total of 12 wheat genotypes: 3 tetraploid (Triticum durum L., AABB, 2n = 4x = 28) and 9 hexaploid cultivars (Triticum aestivum L., AABBDD, 2n = 6x = 42) including tolerant, semi-tolerant and nontolerant to drought were used. Five pairs of genome-specific primers designed for the wheat Dreb 1 genes using the Primer Premier 5.0 software was used for DNA amplification. P21F/P21R and P25F/PR were designed to amplify downstream regions of the Dreb-A1 in A genome. The P18F/P18R primers were designed as a B genomespecific primer pair. Similarly, P22F/PR and P20F/P20R was selected to amplify sequences from D genome. PCR products excised from agarose gels found out that Dreb 1 gene was located on chromosome 3A in all genotypes, including drought-resistant and drought-sensitive ones, excepting one semi-tolerant genotype Tale-38. In comparison with other genotypes, a 717 bp PCR product of Dreb-B1 gene was located on B genome in drought-tolerant sample Barakatli-95. Primers P22F/PR and P20F/P20R amplified 596- and 1193-bp fragments, respectively, from D genome, which is characteristic for hexaploid Triticum aestivum L. genotypes, did not revealed positive results.