Identification and Cloning of a Putative Male Fertility Gene Encoding an Oxidosqualene Cyclase in Qingke

Anther development is crucial for controlling crop fertility. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of reproductive highland barley (called Qingke in Chinese), two main cultivars, Zangqing 2000 and Ximala 22, were utilized. Transcriptome analysis showed that lipid, sugar phenylpropane metabolisms might be major pathways associated with male fertility by analyzing possible common DEGs before anther maturation both varieties. Additionally, 26 genes related to genic sterility screened identify homologous sterile lines. Among them, HORVU.MOREX.r3.7HG0634780 (HvtOSC12), an oxidosqualene cyclase, was highlighted as a candidate gene affecting fertility, it highly especially expressed maturation. Furthermore, HvtOSC12 (including promoter sequence) cloned homology-based cloning. The further bioinformatic deduced MYBs one transcription factors expression responding environmental changes. These results lay foundation potential applications creation environment-sensitive Qingke.