The discipline of classical genetics is founded on the hereditary behavior of the seven genes studied by Gregor Mendel. The advent of molecular techniques has unveiled much about the identity of these genes. To date, four genes have been sequenced: A (flower color), LE (stem length), I (cotyledon color), and R (seed shape). Two of the other three genes, GP (pod color) and FA (fasciation), are amenable to candidate gene approaches on the basis of their function, linkage relationships, and synteny between the pea and Medicago genomes. However, even the gene (locus) identity is not known for certain for the seventh character, the pod form, although it is probably V . While the nature of the mutations used by Mendel cannot be determined with certainty, on the basis of the varieties available in Europe in the 1850s, we can speculate on their nature. It turns out that these mutations are attributable to a range of causes—from simple base substitutions and changes to splice sites to the insertion of a transposon-like element. These findings provide a fascinating connection between Mendelian genetics and molecular biology that can be used very effectively in teaching new generations of geneticists. Mendel’s characters also provide novel insights into the nature of the genes responsible for characteristics of agronomic and consumer importance. Copyright © 2011 by the Genetics Society of America Related articles Issue Highlights : ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS Genetics September 2011 189 : NP Full Text Full Text (PDF) « Previous | Next Article » Table of Contents This Article doi: 10.1534/genetics.111.132118 Genetics September 1, 2011 vol. 189 no. 1 3-10 » Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Classifications Perspectives Services Email this article to a friend Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Download to citation manager Citing Articles Load citing article information Google Scholar Articles by Reid, J. B. Articles by Ross, J. J. PubMed PubMed citation Articles by Reid, J. B. Articles by Ross, J. J. Related Content Related articles in this journal Load related web page information This Months's Issue September 2011, 189 (1) Alert me to new issues of Genetics ABOUT SUBSCRIBE INFO FOR AUTHORS ONLINE SUBMISSION EDITORIAL BOARD CONTACT ALERTS HELP ADVERTISING RSS Help Contact Us International Access Link Print ISSN: 0016-6731 Online ISSN: 1943-2631 Copyright © 2011 by the Genetics Society of America phone: 412-268-1812 fax: 412-268-1813 email: genetics-gsa@andrew.cmu.edu
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