Genetic analysis of two wheat cultivars, ‘Sonalika’ and ‘WL 711’ for reaction to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)

Summary Genetic analysis for leaf rust reaction of two widely adapted cultivars, Sonalika and WL 711, has been done using 21 near isogenic Lr lines and rust culture IL004 — avirulent on the two cultivars and all the Lr lines used. The segregation pattern in the F₂ generation indicated the presence of a recessive gene in Sonalika and of a dominant gene in WL 711. These genes in cultivars Sonalika and WL 711 have been identified as Lr 11 and Lr 13, respectively. Gene Lr 13 is no longer effective in WL 711 but it continues to give field resistance in the backgrounds of Chris, Prelude and Thatcher. There has been no significant change in the virulence spectrum of the leaf rust pathogen in India with the release of WL 711. High susceptibility of WL 711 seems to be due to the evolution of more aggressive forms of the pathogen to this cultivar. The gene Lr 11, which behaves as a recessive in Sonalika, was effective against leaf rust when this cultivar was released. The high susceptibility of Sonalika is probably due to an increase in the frequency of race 77 virulent on Lr 11. Lr 11 has shown a dominance reversal in the background of Sonalika. Present results suggest that interaction of resistance genes with the background genotype must be studied for their effective use in breeding programme.     

Effect of α-amanitine on puffing and intranuclear RNA synthesis in Chironomus salivary glands

Incubation of Chironomus salivary glands with -amanitine in concentrations from 1 to 10 /ml results in the suppression of puffing and chromosomal ³H-uridine incorporation after 30 to 60 min in 80% of the cells. Nucleolar ³H-uridine incorporation remains completely unaffected. Even 4 h after the injection of high doses of -amanitine into living larvae, nucleolar incorporation is still pronounced. The distribution of resistant cells within the salivary glands suggests that the uptake of -amanitine is subject to physiological restrictions.—A puff typically induced during in vitro incubation of salivary glands was found to be less sensitive to -amanitine than the Balbiani rings.     

Polynucleotides and Their Components in the Processes of Aromatic Nucleophilic Substitution: II.1 Nucleophilic Modification of 3′,5′-Bis-O- (α,β,α′,β′-tetrafluoropyrid-γ-yl)thymidine

The interaction of 3,5-bis-O-(,,,-tetrafluoropyrid--yl)thymidine with various nucleophilic reagents was studied to evaluate the possibility of molecular design of new types of nucleic acid analogues using S _NAr reactions. The reactions with morpholine and sodium azide led to the introduction of one and two nucleophilic residues into each of the polyfluorinated pyridine rings. The nucleophilic polycondensation with bifunctional reagents ethylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine depended on the nature of nucleophile and reaction conditions and resulted in the formation of supramolecules containing about five or more than 20 pyrimidine bases.     

Variability in the 11S globulin fraction of seed storage proteins ofHelianthus (Asteraceae)

The seed storage globulins from sixHelianthus and four hybrids were studied using mono and bidimensional gel SDS electrophoresis (+ 2 mercaptoethanol). The polypeptide composition of each subunit was determined. Different pairs are specifically expressed according to the species studied. Three typical patterns were discriminated. All the studied species exhibit five subunits: two of them are expressed in all the species (₁₁ and ₂₂). The subunit corresponding to the ₁₁ pair is present inH. petiolaris and in the three populations ofH. annuus studied. The _2b2 pair is common toH. annuus andH. argophyllus. H. petiolaris presents two specific _2a2 and ₄₄ pairs andH. annuus a specific ₃₃ pair. InH. argophyllus _{11 33} or ₄₄ are never observed but are replaced by ₁₃ and ₃₁ pairs. Some globulins, poorly represented, are of forms but present chains of higher molecular weights (in the range 54–56 kDa). Expressing variations in the banding patterns between these species by the use of a similarity index reveals complete identity between the three populations ofH. annuus. Identity between the twoH. petiolaris studied is also observed.H. annuus andH. argophyllus appear to be closer to each other thanH. petiolaris concerning the seed storage globulins.     

RAPD analysis of somaclonal variants derived from embryo callus cultures of peach

Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] regenerants from cv Sunhigh embryo no. 156, regenerants obtained from cv Redhaven embryo no. 30, and two peach cultivars Sunhigh and Redhaven, were screened for polymorphic RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers with up to 60 10-mer primers. Although 35 primers produced results with scoreable bands, only 10 of the primers revealed polymorphism for regenerants of embryo no. 156 and cv Sunhigh, and 1 revealed a low level of polymorphism for regenerants of embryo no. 30 and cv Redhaven. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using RAPD markers to identify somaclonal variants of peach and provides evidence for the existence of genetic differences among these variants.Abbreviations PCR Polymerase chain reaction - RAPD random amplified polymorphic DNA - RFLP Restriction fragment length polymorphism - CTAB cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide - PVP polyvinyl pyrolidone - dNTP deoxy-ribonucleotide triphosphate Communicated by R. N. Trigiano     

Microsatellite markers in the hexaploid Prunus domestica species and parentage lineage of three European plum cultivars using nuclear and chloroplast simple-sequence repeats

In a previous study, cDNA microsatellite markers were described in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). Specific PCR primers were designed to amplify the microsatellite-containing regions from genomic DNA in different Prunus species. In the present work, cDNA microsatellite markers were developed in the hexaploid Prunus domestica L. species and polymorphism was ascertained in a segregating plum population. Co-dominant mendelian segregation of alleles was demonstrated and microsatellite polymorphism displayed up to 6 alleles per SSR locus per individual. Parentage lineage of three full-sib European plum cultivars (cv. Cacanska najbolja, Cacanska rana and Cacanska lepotica) was reconstructed by the analysis of the above nuclear SSR markers, completed by four chloroplastic microsatellite loci. The six most informative nuclear loci enabled discrimination between the three Cacak cultivars and unrelated individuals as well as the previously proposed parents, Wangenheim and Pozegaca. Data obtained support previous evidence that these cultivars originated from the Stanley cultivar. However, SSR analysis finally excluded Wangenheim as the other possible parent. Based on the results obtained with nuclear and chloroplast SSR loci, we propose the origin of those three Cacak cultivars in a cross between Stanley as the mother plant and Ruth gerstetter as the pollinator. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of these apricot SSR markers for genotype fingerprinting of the hexaploid plum cultivars.     

Immunochemical studies on barley seed storage proteins

The antigenic relationships between the prolamins of barley, rye and wheat have been studied by examining the specificity of an antibody to C hordein in a quantitative study using a laser nephelometer. The antibody reacts weakly with B hordein and strongly with 75-kdalton and 40-kdalton -secalins from rye and ₃ some -gliadins from wheat. Absorption experiments and immunodiffusion tests indicate that there are shared antigenic determinants for most of the prolamins. All the species with reacting prolamins belong to the sub-family Festucoideae of the Gramineae. The prolamins of maize, pearl millet and sorghum, species of the sub-family Panicoideae, do not react. The results confirm the known lack of homology between the prolamins of the two sub-families and also indicate the presence of relationships not yet established between C hordein, the 75-kdalton and 40-kdalton -secalins and also ₃ gliadin.Abbreviations HMW high molecular weight - PAGE polyacnylamide-gel electrophoresis - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - RLS relative light scattering - SDS sodlum dodecyl sulphate     

A factor-dependent sulfotransferase specific for 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6301

A sulfotransferase isolated from the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6301 was found to be specific for 3-phosphoadenosine-5-phosphosulfate (PAPS). The molecular weight of this transferase has been estimated on a Sephadex-G-100 column to be about 58,000. The K _m for PAPS was determined to be 20 M. The pH optimum was 8.0. The thiol dithioerythritol was needed for activity; other thiols such as glutathione, cysteine, or mercaptoethanol did not catalyze this reaction. The transferase, however, could not react directly with the thiol. A heat-stable factor was needed in this reaction. This factor was purified by conventional techniques and its molecular weight was determined on a Sephadex-G-50 column to be about 11,500. The factor showed normal Michaelis-Menten behavior toward the PAPS-sulfotransferase. It has been identified as thioredoxin. The tranferase was inhibited by 3-5-ADP and 2–5-ADP; all other adenine-containing nucleotides such as 2-AMP, 3-AMP, 5-AMP, ADP, and c-AMP did not influence this reaction.Abbreviation PAPS 3-phosphoadenosine-5-phosphosulfate     

Glutamine synthetase isoenzymes of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: subunit composition in developing root nodules and plumules

In the legume Phaseolus vulgaris L., glutamine synthetase (GS) (EC.6.3.1.2.) occurs as three cytosolic polypeptides, , and , and a plastidic polypeptide, . This paper describes the subunit composition of active octameric GS isoenzymes from root nodules and plumules using ionexchange high-performance liquid chromatography followed by two-dimensional denaturing gel electrophoresis and Western immunodetection. Root nodules contained four separable GS activities, three of which were composed mainly of cytosolic , / and GS polypeptides, whereas the fourth activity, consisted of plastidic GS polypeptides. The increase in GS activity during nodulation was due largely to the appearance of -containing isoenzymes, and to a lesser extent on the isoenzyme, whereas the -isoenzyme activity remained approximately constant throughout. Plumule GS from imbibed seeds was found to be composed of separate and isoenzymes, but 2 d after germination, plumule GS consisted of a mixture of , / and isoenzymes. The results from both nodules and plumules indicate that different cytosolic GS polypeptides in P. vulgaris are able to assemble into both homo-octameric and heterooctameric isoenzymes. Moreover, the changes in the patterns of isoenzymes observed during nodule development and plumule growth are interpreted to be caused both by temporal changes in the denovo synthesis of the polypeptides and also by their spatial separation in different cell types.Abbreviations 1D, 2D one-, two-dimensional - GS glutamine synthetase - GS_s GS semibiosynthetic activity - GS_t GS transferase activity - IEX-HPLC ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography - kDa kilodaltons - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

Cryptopolyploidy inBunias (Brassicaceae) revisited — A flow-cytometric and densitometric study

The concern of the present analysis is the hypothetical cryptopolyploidy, a concept basically of historical interest only, but discussed again by Battaglia (1996) in a recent treatment of the term and its historical background. Melinossi (1935), while reanalyzing erratic observations on the crucifersBunias erucago andB. orientalis by Jaretzky (1928a), found 2n = 14 in both species but twice the chromosome volume inB. erucago compared withB. orientalis. Melinossi considered cryptopolyploidy inB. erucago, i.e., she discussed pairwise fused chromosomes on a tetraploid basis or endoreduplicated (and thus binemic) chromosomes in this species. Cryptopolyploidy has also been claimed by Pannocchia-Laj (1938) inVinca difformis (Vincaceae). Battaglia (1996) criticized the term cryptopolyploidy because, in his opinion, the genuinely polyploid status of these plants is not hidden (crypto) but phenotypically (from herbarium specimens) recognizable. He coins the term phenopolyploidy, i.e., phenotypic polyploidy disagreeing with the karyotype numerically evalated. We measured genome size ofB. orientalis andB. erucago (both 2n = 14) by Feulgen densitometry and propidium iodide flow cytometry. Surprisingly,B. erucago (the annual species with 2.13 pg, 1 C) turned out to have only 0.81-fold the DNA amount ofB. orientalis (the perennial species with 2.64 pg, 1 C). Therefore, any kind of genetically polyploid status inB. erucago is out of the question. Only speculative significance can be ascribed to the terms cryptopolyploidy and phenopolyploidy.     

Cloning and sequencing of the phycocyanin gene from Spirulina maxima and its evolutionary analysis

The genes were cloned for the two apoprotein subunits, and, of phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Spirulina maxima(=Arthrospira maxima) strain F3. The - and -subunitgene-coding regions contain 489 bp and 519 bp,respectively. The -subunit gene is upstream from the -subunitgene,with a 111 -bp segment separating them. Similarities between the-subunits of S. maxima and seven othercyanobacteriawere between 63% and 99%, as were those between the -subunits. Themaximumsimilarity between the - and -subunits from S.maxima was 27%.     

Production of a novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides by the cells of Penicillium citrinum

A novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides was produced from sucrose (Brix 70) by whole cells of Penicillium citrinum. The efficiency of fructo-oligosaccharides production was more than 55% and those of the main carbohydrate components, 1-kestose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Glc), nystose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Fruf 21 Glc) and neokestose (Fruf 26 Glc12 Fruf), were 22, 14 and 11%, respectively.     

Biochemical documentation of allelic variation of the I-E antigens of the d,k, p,r, and u haplotypes

The extent of allelic variation of the E and E polypeptide chains of the I-E antigens from the H-2> ^d ,H-2 ^k , H-2 ^p , H-2 ^r , and H-2 ^u haplotypes is described. E and E chains were individually labeled with arginine or lysine and compared by tryptic peptide analysis. The results indicate minimum variability among the E polypeptides encoded by the d, k, p, and r haplotypes. However, the E ^u chain differed significantly from the other allelic E gene products. On the other hand, the E alleles demonstrated substantial variability with the E ^d being notably less similar to the other alleles than they are to each other. These findings are consistent with a number of observations regarding the serology and functions of the I-E antigens.Abbreviations MHC major histocompatibility complex - NMS normal mouse serum - NP-40 Nonidet P-40 - NTS 0.25% NP-40, 10 mM Tris-Cl, 0.15 M NaCl (pH 7.4) - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - SDS-PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS     

Lambda encodes an outer membrane protein: the lom gene.

Summary infected minicells synthesize a polypeptide (M _r=20,500) which is incorporated almost exclusively into the outer membrane of the minicell envelope. The gene (lom=lambda outer membrane) encoding this polypeptide has been mapped in the nonessential region of the genome between coordinates 39.4% and 40.7% of .     

Genetic analysis of brown planthopper resistance in twenty varieties of rice,Oryza saliva L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stol.), of 20 rice cultivars was studied. Single dominant genes that are allelic to Bph 3 condition the resistance in cultivars Ptb 19, Gangala (Acc. 7733), Gangala (Acc. 15207), Horana Mawee, Kuruhondarwala, Mudu Kiriyal and Muthumanikam. Single recessive genes that are allelic to bph 4 govern the resistance in cultivars Gambada Samba, Heenhoranamawee, Hotel Samba, Kahata Samba, Kalukuruwee, Lekam Samba, Senawee, Sulai, Thirissa and Vellai Illankali. The resistance in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala, and Sinna Sivappu is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. The dominant resistance genes in these cultivars appear allelic to either Bph 1 or Bph 3. Similarly, the recessive genes in these cultivars seem allelic to either bph 2 or bph 4. Further investigations are needed to conclusively determine the allelic relationships of resistance genes in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala and Sinna Sivappu.     

sym 18. A novel gene conditioning altered strain specificity in Pisum sativum cv. ‘Sparkle’

An induced mutant of pea Pisum sativum cv. Sparkle forms few nodules with R. leguminosarum bv. viciea from temperate regions, exemplified by strain PRE, but nodulates normally with some rhizobia from Middle East soils, exemplified by strain TOM. The mutant gene is not an allele of sym2, found in the primitive cultivar Afghanistan. Mutant line E54 has a specificity similar to Afghanistan but forms more nodules with temperate strains, especially PF₂ which nodulates Afghanistan only poorly. The new phenotype is conditioned by gene sym18, which can act as recessive or semi-dominant depending on the rhizobial strain. Also sym18 is distinguished from sym 2 by its location on a different linkage group. Sym18 was mapped 9cM from k on linkage group II.     

Correlations between in vivo resistance to Fusarium and in vitro response to fungal elicitors and toxic substances in carnation

Summary With the aim of ascertaining the existance of a correlation between in vivo resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi and in vitro response to fungal elicitors and toxic substances, phenylalanine ammonialyase and phytoalexin accumulation, on one hand, and resistance to culture filtrate, on the other, were assayed in in vitro cultures of three susceptible and four resistant Dianthus caryophyllus cultivars. Cultivars showing varying degrees of resistance in vivo either tolerated higher culture filtrate concentrations (Niki) or showed high PAL activity and phytoalexin production when treated with Fusarium elicitor (Duca), or responded positively to both treatments (Mei-Ling, Pulcino). No such responses were shown in tissue cultures of susceptible cultivars. The differential response to the fungal elicitor seemed to be highly specific as genetic differences between cultivars were not observed in tissue cultures treated with other biotic (Phytophthora infestans) and abiotic (HgCl₂) elicitors.Abbreviations FuCWC cell wall components from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi race 2 - PhCWC cell wall components from Phytophthora infestans - PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5)     

Triple hybridization with cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary A crossing programme for trispecific hybridization including cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as the third parent was carried out. The primary hybrids comprised 11 interspecific combinations, each of which had either H. jubatum or H. lechleri as one of the parents. The second parent represented species closely or distantly related to H. jubatum and H. lechleri. In trispecific crosses with diploid barley, the seed set was 5.7%. Crosses with tetraploid barley were highly unsuccessful (0.2% seed set). Three lines of diploid barley were used in the crosses, i.e. Gull, Golden Promise and Vada. Generally, cv Gull had high crossability in crosses with related species in the primary hybrid. It is suggested that Gull has a genetic factor for crossability not present in cv Vada and cv Golden Promise. One accession of H. brachyantherum used in the primary hybrid had a very high crossability (seed set 54.7%) in combination with cv Vada but no viable offspring was produced. In all, two trispecific hybrids were raised, viz. (H. lechleri x H. brevisubulatum) x Gull (2n=7–30) and (H. jubatum x H. lechleri) x Gull (2n=20–22). The first combination invariably had a full complement of seven barley chromosomes plus an additional chromosome no. 7, but a varying number of chromosomes (19–22) of the wild-species hybrid. The second combination had a full set of barley chromosomes. The meiotic pairing was low in both combinations.     

Endogenous abscisic acid and 2-trans-abscisic acid in alternate bearing ‘Wilking’ mandarin trees

The relationship of abscisic acid (ABA) and 2-trans-abscisic acid (t-ABA) to alternate bearing has been examined in Wilking mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees. Leaves, stems and buds of trees loaded with fruit (on trees) had 4.3, 6.0 and 2.2 fold higher ABA levels than the corresponding organs from off trees. Leaves had higher ABA levels than stems and buds in both on and off trees. t-ABA was non-detectable in Wilking leaf, stem and bud tissue. Amounts of t-ABA not exceeding 40% of the ABA content, were found in Shamouti and Valencia orange buds and in Wilking fruit peel.The elevated levels of ABA in on tree organs may reflect a stress imposed by the fruit overload.     

Analysis of the effect of rye chromosomes 4R, 6R and telomeric heterochromatin on 7R on homologous chromosome pairing in pentaploid hybrids (AABBR,AABBD)

Summary Meiotic pairing in Triticum turgidum cv. Ma (4x) with a mean chiasmata frequency of 27.16 per cell was compared with chiasmata frequencies in its hybrids with several triticale strains, Chinese Spring wheat and its addition lines for Imperial rye chromosomes 4R and 6R. In hybrids between Ma and x Triticosecale cv. Rosner the chiasmata frequency was marginally reduced by an average of 1.25%, by 8.8% in hybrids with x Triticosecale cv. DRIRA HH and by 6.7% with DRIRA EE (lacking 90% telomeric heterochromatin from chromosome arm 7RL). In pentaploid hybrids between Ma and T. aestivum cv. Chinese Spring the reduction was an average of 10.30%, while addition lines with rye chromosome 6R reduced chiasmata frequencies by an average of 7.4% and rye addition line for 4R showed the greatest depression in chiasmata frequency in hybrids by a 25.04% reduction. An interchange difference involving long chromosome segments was observed between Ma and Rosner.Contribution No. 819 Ottawa Research Station