Sugarcane Genome Sequencing and Gene Promoter Analysis

The study of the regulatory networks underlining sugarcane physiology and agrotechnological traits has become essential for the improvement of sugarcane. We are interested in understanding the regulation of carbon partitioning, sugar content, fiber yield and drought tolerance. Different field and greenhouse experiments have been done to obtain physiological and technological data. We have analyzed the transcriptome and biochemical changes and are integrating the data in the SUCEST-FUN database (http://sucest-fun.org) where several tools were developed for datamining. To allow for gene networks to be built we are producing a reference genome sequence for this crop. We are identifying antisense transcripts related to the traits of interest, gene upstream and downstream promoters, and active promoters using Chip-seq combined with 454 sequencing. We are sequencing the sugarcane genome using the 454 and Illumina platforms to a 750x coverage of the monoploid genome. Using the sugarcane 454 sequences we were able to confirm gene structure and to clone promoter sequences. The integration of the transcriptome and genome data associated with the physiological data are resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of sugar content, fiber and drought regulation.