打开遗传“黑箱” 解开百年谜题——研究人员揭示孟德尔豌豆三大性状变异关键基因

Core Insights - The research team led by Cheng Shifeng from the Shenzhen Agricultural Genomics Institute has successfully constructed high-resolution haplotype and phenotype variation maps for peas, revealing the genetic basis behind Mendel's seven traits for the first time at the molecular level [1][5][6] - This study represents a significant scientific dialogue with Mendel's work from 1865, where he first proposed the theory of hereditary factors controlling traits through pea hybridization experiments [1][4] Group 1: Research Background - Cheng Shifeng's team aimed to solve the remaining mysteries of Mendel's seven traits, focusing on the genetic mechanisms of legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation [3][5] - The team collected approximately 700 pea core germplasm samples from 41 countries across six continents, which were planted in various experimental bases in China for phenotype recording [3][5] Group 2: Key Findings - The team discovered that the key to the difference between green and yellow pods is not a gene mutation but a large genomic segment deletion of about 100kb, affecting the transcription process of chlorophyll synthase genes [5][6] - Two independent but functionally related genes control the fullness and wrinkled state of pods, representing highly conserved developmental regulatory networks in plants [6] - The flower position trait, the most complex among Mendel's seven traits, is controlled by the Fa gene, with the research revealing unexpected genetic modifiers that can alter the expected phenotype [6][9] Group 3: Additional Discoveries - The research provided deeper insights into plant color genetics, revealing that the yellow and green seed differences arise from functional mutations in the chlorophyll degradation pathway [8] - A new genetic modifier, Mfa, was identified, which can suppress the expression of the main effect gene Fa, leading to variations in flower positioning despite the presence of the fa mutation [9]