Variation in Glutenin Protein Subunits of Wheat

The high molecular weight glutenin protein subunits (those with apparent molecular weight in the range 80000 to 140000) of 98 wheat cultivars have been examined using a discontinuous gel-electrophoresis system. The number of bands present in each cultivar ranged from three to five and at least 34 different band patterns were observed. Examination of these patterns revealed that some bands, or band combinations, are mutually exclusive and that they can be assigned to three groups. In one group, two pairs of bands occur as alternatives and these bands are controlled by genes on chromosome 1D of wheat. In the second group, three possibilities occur with cultivars possessing either one of two single bands or neither band. These patterns are controlled by a gene or genes on chromosome 1A. In the third group nine patterns occur, four consisting of single bands and five consisting of a pair of bands. Four of these nine patterns have been shown to be controlled by genes on chromosome 1B. The variation detected in the glutenin subunits is useful for cultivar identification, has a bearing on our understanding of wheat evolution, and raises questions concerning the nature of this variation.