Characterization of AhMITE1 transposition and its association with the mutational and evolutionary origin of botanical types in peanut (Arachis spp.)

AhMITE1 is an active miniature inverted repeat transposable element (MITE) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L). Its transpositional activity from a particular (FST1-linked) site within the peanut genome was checked using AhMITE1-specifc PCR, which used a forward primer annealing to the 5′-flanking sequence and a reverse primer binding to AhMITE1. It was found that transposition activation was induced by stresses such as ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), gamma irradiation, environmental conditions, and tissue culture. Excision and insertion of AhMITE1 at this particular site among the mutants led to gross morphological changes resembling alternate subspecies or botanical types. Analysis of South American landraces revealed the presence of AhMITE1 at the site among most of the spp. fastigiata types, whereas the element was predominantly missing from spp. hypogaea types, indicating its strong association. Four accessions of the primitive allotetraploid, A. monticola were devoid of AhMITE1 at the site, indicating only recent activation of the element, possibly because of the “genomic shock” resulting from hybridization followed by allopolyploidization