The DREB-related DRF1 gene in Aegilops speltoides

This book starts with a short introduction on Aegilops speltoides species, the DREB genes and their relevance. Then the isolation and characterization of the DRF1 gene in several accessions is described. Further, the complete gene sequence in three accessions was analyzed by several computational tools, with particular attention to the region coding for the AP2 domain, responsible for DNA recognition and binding. A pseudogene was also identified and analyzed. Besides, unexpected, unrelated fragments obtained during the amplification of the gene were also analyzed. Several sequences of a part of the Exon 4 on DRF1 were analyzed using several statistical methods to explore genetic diversity and possibly to correlate it with geographical location in the Mediterranean region. Evolutionary and phylogenetic comparisons among Aegilops spp, Aegilops speltoides, other Aegilops species from sitopsis section were done. A novel transposon inside the gene was identified and evolutionary importance of transposon insertion was inferred.