Soil Type Linked to DNA Damage and Repair in Wild Wheat

A study shows that soil types influence DNA damage and repair in wild wheat Triticum dicoccoides, with plants in terra rossa soil showing more damage and lower repair gene expression than those in basalt soil. The study by Olga Raskina, Boris Shklyar, and Eviatar Nevo, was published on April 6, 2023. 

According to the study by Raskina, Shklyar, and Nevo, allopolyploids in plant evolution represent a peak in genetic intricacy where multiple genomes merge within one nucleus, birthing a new species. An example is the wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, which formed through a mix of ancient Triticum and Aegilops species in the Fertile Crescent around 360,000 years ago. Then, around 8,500–9,000 years ago, the study states, a hybridization between domesticated emmer wheat and Aegilops tauschii led to the birth of the common wheat, T. aestivum. T. dicoccoides, a self-fertilizing annual grass, thrives at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and steppe regions. Its wild relatives, native to the Fertile Crescent, display vast genetic diversity due to their varied environments. These wild species, resilient to numerous threats, serve as valuable genetic assets for enhancing cultivated wheat.

The study, published by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, indicates that the intricate web of DNA repair mechanisms is pivotal in safeguarding the integrity and stability of genomes. Researchers delved into the role of soil types—specifically the distinctions between dry terra rossa and moist basalt environments—on DNA repair processes in the wild wheat species, Triticum dicoccoides. Employing advanced techniques like quantitative real-time PCR, the team evaluated the performance of seven genes integral to DNA rectification. Moreover, the study states that they used immunolocalization to observe specific markers and DNA structures during different phases of cell division.

The researcher's findings were revealing. According to the study, the plants rooted in terra rossa demonstrated a subdued expression of DNA repair genes and presented more DNA disruptions, specifically double-strand breaks, compared to their counterparts in basalt soil. This trend was even more noticeable in the chromosomes during cell division. Markers like RAD51 and LigIV signified active DNA mending processes in these plants, highlighting the resilience of nature in response to environmental challenges. The study underscores the profound influence of environmental factors, in this case, soil type, on the genetic health and adaptability of plants to varying conditions.

MDPI: Olga Raskina, Boris Shklyar, and Eviatar Nevo, The Influence of Edaphic Factors on DNA Damage and Repair in Wild Wheat Triticum dicoccoides Körn. (Poaceae, Triticeae), International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076847