TaKu70 and TaKu80 genes response patterns and genomic polymorphism analysis of wheat irradiated by gamma rays

⁶⁰Co γ-rays irradiated seeds and seedling of two wheat genotypes Jing411 (J411) and Han6172 (H6172) were used to study the relationship among radiation sensitivity, response patterns of TaKu70 and TaKu80 genes and the genomic AFLP polymorphism in the M₁ generation. The results showed that γ-rays irradiation significantly inhibited the seedling growth of wheat, and the radiation sensitivity of J411 was higher than that of H6172. TaKu80 gene expression was up-regulated in response to γ-rays irradiation in J411 and H6172, but no significant changes in the expression level of TaKu70 gene. The expression level of TaKu70 and TaKu80 genes in J411 were lower than in H6172. γ-rays irradiation could increase the genomic polymorphism of M₁ in J411and H6172, and the polymorphic frequencies increased in J411 was significantly higher than that in H6172. It was concluded that the expression level and response pattern of TaKu70 and TaKu80 genes were closely related with wheat radiation sensitivity and irradiated genomic polymorphism. Transformation of TaKu70 and TaKu80 genes may be a new approach to improve the radiation sensitivity, and to improve mutation breeding efficiency in wheat. (authors)