The composition of high-molecular-weight-glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) is a key determinant of wheat baking properties. These subunits are encoded by the GLU-A1, GLU-B1, and GLU-D1 loci on the long arm of chromosome 1 and consist of x- and y-type subunits. Allelic variations in composition are a major factor influencing bakery quality. Unlike sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), which often fail to resolve closely related allelic variants, PCR-based markers allow for clear and definitive discrimination at the DNA level. Building on the results of a previous study that determined the GLU-B1 allele composition, we aimed to confirm—through the use of PCR markers—the allele compositions of GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 in 44 domestic wheat varieties. The results showed that “Jonong” and “Sinmichal1” contained the Glu-A1b (A1x2*) allele rather than Glu-A1a (A1x1) or Glu-A1c (A1x-null). Additionally, “Jonong” and “Sinmichal1” exhibited the allelic composition Glu-D1a (D1x2+D1y12), rather than Glu-D1d (D1x5+D1y10) or Glu-D1f (D1x2.2+D1y12). These results were compared with those obtained by SDS-PAGE and UPLC. The PCR-based markers used to identify GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 alleles in this study will be valuable for determining the allelic composition at the GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 loci in domestic wheat varieties. Furthermore, the re-evaluated genetic composition is expected to improve the precision of assessments related to the baking quality of domestic wheat.
In common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the protein content and glutenin protein composition are the key quality-determining parameters. Allelic variations, especially in high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs), affect bread quality significantly. The HMW-GS Glu-1 locus consists of two tightly linked genes encoding x- and y-type subunits that exhibit highly variable frequencies. In this study, we evaluated Glu-B1 alleles using allele-specific PCR markers in 44 domestic wheat cultivars. The composition of Glu-1Bx7+Glu-1By8 in the 24 cultivars was either Glu-1Bx7+Glu-1By8, Glu-1Bx7*+ Glu-1By8, or Glu-1Bx7*+Glu-1Bx8*. In addition, the two cultivars initially identified Glu-1Bx7+Glu-1By8* were corrected to Glu-1Bx7*+Glu-1By8*. Seven cultivars previously classified as having Glu-1Bx7+Glu-1By9 composition contained Glu-1Bx7*+ Glu-1Bx9. The allele composition of the cultivar was identified as Glu-1Bx20+Glu-1By20 instead of Glu-1By20. The HMW-GSs of 21 wheat varieties were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These results will be helpful for evaluating the composition of Glu-B1 alleles in domestic wheat and accurately assessing the quality of domestic wheat flour.