Characterization of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase-Oxygenase Activase (Rca) Genes in Durum Wheat

Durum wheat is one of the most widely cultivated cereal crop in the Mediterranean area. Its production has been triggered by drought and rising temperature, both affecting the photosynthetic machinery. Rubisco is one of the most important enzymes in plants. Despite its major role in the control of carbon cycle it has a very low efficiency, which is restored by the action of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase (Rca), a protein belonging to the AAA + family. The main objective of our work was to isolate and characterize Rca genes in durum wheat and determine their phylogeny with other main crops and model species. Besides a genetic and physical position of Rca1 gene was allowed in a RIL mapping population previously developed. In silico analysis, performed in order to understand whether Rca1 gene was differentially expressed under stress condition, highlighted that homoeologous Rca1 genes have different expression levels especially after infections by Zymoseptoria, powdrey mildew and fusarium. A deeper knowledge of Rca genes structures as well as a better understanding of their physiological role in durum wheat might be of greater importance in panning future modern breeding programs to improve crop yield in adverse environmental condition.