cid 3cf7dfd7817770698890575106c3791699a193dc8f483b94b298e801cae89022 · original · open access · via openalex
Title: Pinot blanc and Pinot gris arose as independent somatic mutations of Pinot noir Authors: Silvia Vezzulli; Lorena Leonardelli; U. Malossini; M. Stefanini; Riccardo Velasco; Claudio Moser Venue: Journal of Experimental Botany Year: 2012 Canonical: doi:10.1093/jxb/ers290 URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ers290 Collector: openalex OA: true ABSTRACT Somatic mutation is a natural mechanism which allows plant growers to develop new cultivars. As a source of variation within a uniform genetic background, it also represents an ideal tool for studying the genetic make-up of important traits and for establishing gene functions. Layer-specific molecular characterization of the Pinot family of grape cultivars was conducted to provide an evolutionary explanation for the somatic mutations that have affected the locus of berry colour. Through the study of the structural dynamics along chromosome 2, a very large deletion present in a single Pinot gris cell layer was identified and characterized. This mutation reveals that Pinot gris and Pinot blanc arose independently from the ancestral Pinot noir, suggesting a novel parallel evolutionary model. This proposed 'Pinot-model' represents a breakthrough towards the full understanding of the mechanisms behind the formation of white, grey, red, and pink grape cultivars, and eventually of their specific enological aptitude.