Identification, cloning and characterisation of a HMW-glutenin gene from an old Hungarian wheat variety, Bankuti 1201

Despite its good functional properties, the variety Bankuti 1201 has been f ound to possess 2 + 12 or 3 + 12 allele composition on chromosome 1D. In or der to determine the reason for its quality traits a gene-specific PCR tech nique was applied in preliminary experiments to examine the HMW glutenin al lele composition of the variety. In the course of the analysis a fragment c haracteristic of Bankuti 1201 was identified and the nucleotide sequence wa s determined. This showed the presence of a 1Ax2* gene variant which, despi te near homology, differed from the original 1Ax2* gene at one important po int. At 1181 bp of the 1Ax2* sequence nucleotide exchange was observed whic h is the middle nucleotide of the TCT-TGT base triplet, involving the excha nge of serine for cysteine. The gene was designated 1Ax2*B. The presence of an extra sulphydryl group, like that of the extra cysteine in the 1Dx5 gen e, facilitates the formation of further disulphide bonds, might lead to an improvement in gluten quality characters.