Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42157091›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2026

Positional identification of a candidate gene for MALE STERILITY 2 (MS2) by linkage mapping and transcriptomic data in Cryptomeria japonica D. Don.

Saneyoshi Ueno, Yoichi Hasegawa, Tokuko Ujino-Ihara, Momi Tsuruta, Hiroyuki Kakui, Junji Iwai, Satoko Hirayama, Katsushi Yamaguchi, Shuji Shigenobu, Takeshi Fujino and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Saneyoshi UenoDepartment of Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Forest Research and Management Organization, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan. ueno_saneyoshi150@ffpri.go.jp.
Yoichi HasegawaDepartment of Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Forest Research and Management Organization, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan.
Tokuko Ujino-IharaDepartment of Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Forest Research and Management Organization, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan.
Momi TsurutaDepartment of Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Forest Research and Management Organization, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8687, Japan.
Hiroyuki KakuiInstitute for Sustainable Agro-ecosystem Services, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Midoricho, Nishitokyo, Tokyo, 188-0002, Japan.
Junji IwaiNiigata Prefectural Forest Research Institute, 2249-5 Unotoro, Murakami, Niigata, 958-0264, Japan.
Satoko HirayamaNiigata Prefectural Forest Research Institute, 2249-5 Unotoro, Murakami, Niigata, 958-0264, Japan.
Katsushi YamaguchiTrans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
Shuji ShigenobuTrans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585, Japan.
Takeshi FujinoGraduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
Yutaka SuzukiGraduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
Masahiro KasaharaGraduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan.
Yoshinari MoriguchiGraduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan. chimori@agr.niigata-u.ac.jp.

Funding

Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution JPJ007097Japan Society for the Promotion of Science JP16H06279Japan Society for the Promotion of Science JP23H02263National Institute for Basic Biology 15-829, 16-403, 17-405, 18-408, 19-420, 20-428, 21-302, 22NIBB402, and 23NIBB405
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundJapanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) is a major plantation species in Japan, but its abundant pollen production is a primary cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis (pollinosis). To mitigate this public health issue, the use of male-sterile cultivars has been promoted. Five types of recessive male-sterile mutations (ms1-ms5) have been identified, and the causal genes and mutations for MS1 and MS4 have been elucidated. However, the gene responsible for MS2-type male sterility remains unknown.

resultsWe aimed to identify the candidate gene responsible for MS2-type male sterility using a map-based cloning strategy. High-resolution linkage mapping localized the MS2 locus to a 1.56 cM interval on linkage group 5, corresponding to an 8.64 Mb region of the reference genome. Ninety-one genes in this region were subjected to functional annotation, gene expression analysis, and mutation screening. Among these, a single gene, SUGI_0493010, encoding a GDSL-type esterase/lipase protein (GELP), fulfilled all three criteria: it showed homology to pollen development genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, was specifically expressed in male strobili, and carried a deleterious amino acid substitution (S40F) within the predicted catalytic domain in ms2 mutant. The same mutation was also detected in a heterozygous individual (Ms2/ms2) from a separate breeding population, whose genotype was confirmed through progeny testing. Structural annotation revealed that the affected serine residue lies within the conserved GDSL motif, suggesting a functional disruption of enzymatic activity.

conclusionsOur results strongly suggest that SUGI_0493010 (GELP) is the candidate gene for MS2-type male sterility in C. japonica. This finding enhances our understanding of male sterility mechanisms in conifers and provides a valuable genetic resource for breeding pollen-free trees. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of combining genetic mapping with transcriptomic and mutational data in forest tree genomics.

Indexed as

Chromosome MappingCryptomeriaGenes, PlantPlant InfertilityPlant ProteinsTranscriptomeGene Expression ProfilingGenetic LinkageMutationPollenPlant ProteinsConifer genomicsCryptomeria japonicaGDSL esterase/lipaseGELPMale sterilityMap-based cloningPollen developmentPollinosis

Identifiers

PMID42157091
PMCPMC13339982

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.