Genetic Diversity of Soybean and the Establishment of a Core Collection Focused on Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode

Soybean cyst nematode （SCN; Heterodera glycines） Is one of the most Important pests affecting soybean production. The best method of control of SCN is through the development of resistant cultlvars. However, limited progress has been made in soybean breeding In China because most modern cultlvars have no resistance to SCN. The distribution and phenotype of 432 immune or highly resistant Chinese accessions were surveyed and a primary core collection was selected as a representative sample for further analyses. Using evenly distributed simple sequence repeat markers, five selection methods were applied to the primary core collection and the optimal method was chosen to establish a core collection, which consisted of 28 accessions. These encompassed 70.8% of the ailelic variation present in the overall resistant collection. The 28 accessions differed from the reference resistant accessions at the genomlc level, Indicating that Chinese resistant accessions are distinct from known resistant accessions. This applied core collection provides a rational framework for undertaking diversity surveys, using genetic variation for the investigation of complex traits and for the discovery of novel traits.     

SSR分子标记开发策略及评价

SSR标记以其多态性丰富、提供遗传信息多、操作便利并在基因组中分散分布等优点已成为最受人们欢迎的分子标记之一,在许多领域广泛应用。但SSR标记的主要缺点是首先要从该物种中获取重复序列两侧的序列信息,并设计引物,而后才能被利用。综述了几种有代表性的SSR标记开发策略,旨在为各物种SSR标记的开发提供参考信息。Abstract: SSR molecular markers have been used widely in many genetic studies and become one of the most popular molecular markers due to their high polymorphism, abundant informativeness, convenience of assay by PCR and distribution throughout the genome. The major drawback of SSR molecular markers is that their primers need to be designed according to the isolated sequence flanking the SSR from species that are being examined for the first time. The aim of the present paper is to review the several representative methods of SSR isolation described in the literature and provide useful information in making appropriate choices among the large number of currently available options.     

水产动物遗传连锁图谱的研究现状及应用展望

综述了近年来遗传连锁图谱在水产生物中的研究现状,包括作图群体、作图方法等,并对连锁图谱的应用前景作了展望,指出其在分子标记辅助育种、基因定位与克隆及比较基因组学等方面的应用潜力。 Abstract:Constructing genetic linkage map is an essential tool to acknowledge genome in aquaculture species.This paper has reviewed the current status of genetic linkage map research,including mapping population,mapping method and molecular markers used to construct linkage map.Linkage map has great potential in marker assisted selection (MAS),gene locating and cloning,and comparative genome mapping.Genetic linkage map with high density and wide coverage of genome will allow cloning the genes which contribute to economically important traits.The ultimate aim of the constructing linkage map is the development of fast-growing,disease-resistant strains of the major aquaculture species.     

Recycling Isolation of Plant DNA,A Novel Method

DNA is one of the most basic and essential genetic materials in the field of molecular biology.To date,isolation of sufficient and good-quality DNA is still a challenge for many plant species,though various DNA extraction methods have been published.In the present paper,a recycling DNA extraction method was proposed.The key step of this method was that a single plant tissue sample was recycled for DNA extraction for up to four times,and correspondingly four DNA precipitations(termed as the 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th DNA sample, respectively) were conducted.This recycling step was integrated into the conventional CTAB DNA extraction method to establish a recycling CTAB method.This modified CTAB method was tested in eight plant species,wheat,sorghum,barley,corn,rice,Brachypodium distachyon,Miscanthus sinensis and tung tree.The results showed that high-yield and good-quality DNA samples could be obtained by using this new method in all the eight plant species.The DNA samples were good templates for PCR amplification of both ISSR and SSR markers.The recycling method can be used in multiple plant species and can be integrated with multiple conventional DNA isolation methods,and thus is an effective and universal DNA isolation method.     

混合线性模型下猪群间遗传联系的度量

采用关联指数(IC)和决定系数(CD)两种方法,度量混合线性模型遗传评估下 猪群体间的遗传关联性。结果表明,加拿大安大略省的大约克夏猪、长白猪、杜洛克猪和汉普夏猪4个主要品种群体间具有良好的遗传联系。CD法既组合了数据结构和信息量,又考虑了预测误差方差和遗传变异性,是一个选择判断遗传评估精度的好方法。 Abstract:Two criteria for the measures of genetic connectedness in mixed linear model of genetic evaluation are used:the degree of connectedness(IC)and the generalized coefficient of determination(CD).The results indicated that the data of four dominant swine breeds:Yorkshire,Landrace,Duroc and Hampshire in Ontario,Canada are well connected.The CD,which combines data structure and amount of information and also accounts for both prediction error variance and genetic variability,is a good method to select for judging the precision of a genetic evaluation.     

MIXED MODEL APPROACHES FOR ESTIMATING GENETIC VARIANCES AND COVARIANCES

The limitations of methods for analysis of variance(ANOVA)in estimating genetic variances are discussed. Among the three methods(maximum likelihood ML, restricted maximum likelihood REML, and minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation MINQUE)for mixed linear models, MINQUE method is presented with formulae for estimating variance components and covariances components and for predicting genetic effects. Several genetic models, which cannot be appropriately analyzed by ANOVA methods, are introduced in forms of mixed linear models. Genetic models with independent random effects can be analyzed by MINQUE(1)method whieh is a MINQUE method with all prior values setting 1. MINQUE(1)method can give unbiased estimation for variance components and covariance components, and linear unbiased prediction (LUP) for genetic effects. There are more complicate genetic models for plant seeds which involve correlated random effects. MINQUE(0/1)method, which is a MINQUE method with all prior covariances setting 0 and all prior variances setting 1, is suitable for estimating variance and covariance components in these models. Mixed model approaches have advantage over ANOVA methods for the capacity of analyzing unbalanced data and complicated models. Some problems about estimation and hypothesis test by MINQUE method are discussed.     

Pathway-based Analysis Tools for Complex Diseases:A Review

Genetic studies are traditionally based on single-gene analysis. The use of these analyses can pose tremendous challenges for elucidating complicated genetic interplays involved in complex human diseases. Modern pathway-based analysis provides a technique, which allows a comprehen- sive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases. Extensive studies uti- lizing the methods and applications for pathway-based analysis have significantly advanced our capacity to explore large-scale omics data, which has rapidly accumulated in biomedical fields. This article is a comprehensive review of the pathway-based analysis methods the powerful methods with the potential to uncover the biological depths of the complex diseases. The general concepts and procedures for the pathway-based analysis methods are introduced and then, a comprehensive review of the major approaches for this analysis is presented. In addition, a list of available path- way-based analysis software and databases is provided. Finally, future directions and challenges for the methodological development and applications of pathway-based analysis techniques are dis- cussed. This review will provide a useful guide to dissect complex diseases.     

Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Relationships in a Tunisian Fig （Ficus carica） Germplasm Collection by Random Amplified Microsatellite Polymorphisms

The random amplified mirosatellite polymorphism method was performed in a set of Tunisian fig landraces using eighteen primer combinations. A total of sixty three random amplified microsatellite polymorphism （RAMPO） markers were scored and used either to assess the genetic diversity in these cultivars or to detect cases of mislabeling. Opportunely, data proved that the designed procedure constitutes an attractive and fast method with low costs and prevents radio exposure. As a result, we have identified the primer combinations that are the most efficient to detect genetic polymorphism in this crop. Therefore, the derived unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages （UPGMA） dendrogram illustrates the genetic divergence among the landraces studied and exhibits a typically continuous variation. Moreover, no evident correlation between the sexes of trees was observed. In addition, using these markers, discrimination between landraces has been achieved. Thus, random amplified mirosatellite polymor- phism is proved to be powerful for characterizing the local fig germplasm.     

Genetic and genomic analyses for economically important traits and their applications in molecular breeding of cultured fish

The traits of cultured fish must continually be genetically improved to supply high-quality animal protein for human consumption.Economically important fish traits are controlled by multiple gene quantitative trait loci(QTL),most of which have minor effects,but a few genes may have major effects useful for molecular breeding.In this review,we chose relevant studies on some of the most intensively cultured fish and concisely summarize progress on identifying and verifying QTLs for such traits as growth,disease and stress resistance and sex in recent decades.The potential applications of these major-effect genes and their associated markers in marker-assisted selection and molecular breeding,as well as future research directions are also discussed.These genetic and genomic analyses will be valuable for elucidating the mechanisms modulating economically important traits and to establish more effective molecular breeding techniques in fish.     

Fish genome manipulation and directional breeding

Aquaculture is one of the fastest developing agricultural industries worldwide.One of the most important factors for sustainable aquaculture is the development of high performing culture strains.Genome manipulation offers a powerful method to achieve rapid and directional breeding in fish.We review the history of fish breeding methods based on classical genome manipulation,including polyploidy breeding and nuclear transfer.Then,we discuss the advances and applications of fish directional breeding based on transgenic technology and recently developed genome editing technologies.These methods offer increased efficiency,precision and predictability in genetic improvement over traditional methods.     

Possibilities to improve the genetic evaluation of a rare breed using limited genomic information and multivariate BLUP

The use of molecular genetic information in the evaluation of livestock has become more common. This study looks at the efficacy of using such information to improve the genetic evaluation of a rare breed of dual-purpose cattle. Data were available in the form of pedigree information on the Gloucester cattle breed in the United Kingdom and recorded milk and beef performance on a small number of animals. In addition, molecular genetic information in the form of multi-marker, multiple regression results converted to a 1 to 10 score (Igenity scores) and 123 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for 199 non-recorded animals were available. Appropriate mixed-animal models were explored for the recorded traits and these were used to calculate estimated breeding values (EBV), and their accuracies, for 6527 animals in the breed’s pedigree file. Various ways to improve the accuracy of these EBV were explored. This involved using multivariate BLUP analyses, genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) and combining Igenity scores with recorded traits in a series of bivariate genetic analyses. Using the milk recording traits as an example, the accuracy of a number of traits could be improved using multivariate analyses by up to 14%, depending on the combination of traits used. The level of increase in accuracy largely corresponded to the absolute difference between the genetic and residual correlations between two traits, but this was not always symmetrical. The use of GEBV did not increase the accuracy of milk trait EBV owing to the low proportion of variance explained by the 101 SNPs used. Using Igenity scores in bivariate analyses with the recorded data was more successful in increasing EBV accuracy. The largest increases were found in genotyped animals with no recorded performance (e.g. a 58% increase in fat weight in milk); however, the size of the increase depended on the level of the genetic correlation between the recorded trait and the Igenity score for that trait. Lower levels of improvements in accuracy were seen in animals that were recoded but not genotyped, and ancestors which were neither genotyped nor recorded. This study demonstrated that it was possible to improve the accuracy of EBV estimation by including Igenity score information in genetic analyses but it also concluded that increasing the level of performance recording in the breed would be beneficial.     

Molecular identification of livestock breeds: a tool for modern conservation biology

Global livestock genetic diversity includes all of the species, breeds and strains of domestic animals, and their variations. Although a recent census indicated that there were 40 species and over 8000 breeds of domestic animals; for the purpose of conservation biology the diversity between and within breeds rather than species is regarded to be of crucial importance. This domestic animal genetic diversity has developed through three main evolutionary events, from speciation (about 3 million years ago) through domestication (about 12000 years ago) to specialised breeding (starting about 200 years ago). These events and their impacts on global animal genetic resources have been well documented in the literature. The key importance of global domestic animal resources in terms of economic, scientific and cultural heritage has also been addressed. In spite of their importance, there is a growing number of reports on the alarming erosion of domestic animal genetic resources. This erosion of is happening in spite of several global conservation initiatives designed to mitigate it. Herein we discuss these conservation interventions and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. However, pivotal to the success of these conservation initiatives is the reliability of the genetic assignment of individual members to a target breed. Finally, we discuss the prospect of using improved breed identification methodologies to develop a reliable breed‐specific molecular identification tool that is easily applicable to populations of livestock breeds in various ecosystems. These identification tools, when developed, will not only facilitate the regular monitoring of threatened or endangered breed populations, but also enhance the development of more efficient and sustainable livestock production systems.     

Marker assisted selection for the improvement of two antagonistic traits under mixed inheritance

A Monte Carlo simulation was used to investigate the potential of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) in a multiple-trait situation. Only additive effects were considered. The base population was assumed to be in linkage equilibrium and, next, the population was managed over 15 discrete generations, 10 males and 50 females were chosen out of the 100 candidates of each sex. Performance for two traits was simulated with an overall heritability of a given trait equal to 0.25 or 0.10 and the overall genetic correlation between traits was generally equal to -0.4 except in one case where it was equal to 0. The model involved one biallelic QTL, accounting for 10 or 20% of the genetic variance of a given trait, plus polygenes. Initial allelic frequencies at the QTL were generally equal to 0.5 but in one case were equal to 0.1 and 0.9. A marker with 120 different alleles in the 60 founder parents was simulated in the vicinity of the QTL. Two values of the recombination rate between these two loci were considered, 0.10 and 0.02. The genetic evaluation was based on a multiple-trait BLUP animal model, accounting (MAS) or not (conventional BLUP) for marker information. Two sets of simulations were run: (1) a "missing data"case, with males having no record for one of the traits, and (2) a "secondary trait"case, with one trait having a weight in the aggregate genotype 4 times less than the other trait and the QTL acting only on this secondary trait. In the first set, evaluation methods were found to mainly affect the accuracy of overall genetic values prediction for the trait with missing data. In comparison with BLUP, MAS led to an extra overall genetic response for the trait with missing data, which was strongly penalised under the conventional BLUP, and to a deficit in response for the other trait. This more balanced evolution of the two traits was obtained, however, at the expense of the long-term overall cumulated response for the aggregate genotype, which was 1 to 2.5% lower than the one obtained under the conventional BLUP. In the second set of simulation, in the case of low initial frequency (0.1) of the QTL allele favourable to the secondary trait, MAS was found to be substantially more efficient to avoid losing this allele than BLUP only when the QTL had a large effect and the marker was close. More benefits should be expected from MAS with more specific applications, such as early selection of animals, or by applying dynamic procedures i.e. letting the respective weights to QTL and polygenic values in the selection criterion vary across generation.     

Selection against genetic defects in conservation schemes while controlling inbreeding

We studied different genetic models and evaluation systems to select against a genetic disease with additive, recessive or polygenic inheritance in genetic conservation schemes. When using optimum contribution selection with a restriction on the rate of inbreeding (ΔF) to select against a disease allele, selection directly on DNA-genotypes is, as expected, the most efficient strategy. Selection for BLUP or segregation analysis breeding value estimates both need 1–2 generations more to halve the frequency of the disease allele, while these methods do not require knowledge of the disease mutation at the DNA level. BLUP and segregation analysis methods were equally efficient when selecting against a disease with single gene or complex polygene inheritance, i.e. knowledge about the mode of inheritance of the disease was not needed for efficient selection against the disease. Smaller schemes or schemes with a more stringent restriction on ΔF needed more generations to halve the frequency of the disease alleles or the fraction of diseased animals. Optimum contribution selection maintained ΔF at its predefined level, even when selection of females was at random. It is argued that in the investigated small conservation schemes with selection against a genetic defect, control of ΔF is very important.     

利用分子标记和形态学性状检测的陆地棉栽培品种遗传多样性

利用RAPD,ISSR和SSR3种分子标记方法和2年田间实验对国内外36个陆地棉栽培品种的遗传多样性进行了研究,以3种分子标记在36个品种之间扩增的282条多态性位点所赋值的0,1数据,采用Nei和Li的方法,计算的品种成对相似系数从0．5745到0．9291,其品种平均数从0．6547到0．7524,又以2年品种表现的性状平均数经正态标准化后,采用欧氏距离计算了成对品种的遗传距离。分别以相似系数和传距离矩阵,采用类平均法进行聚类分析,其聚类结果把供试品种大致分为国外品种,新疆品种,早熟类型品种和我国的中熟棉品种等几个类群,类内进一步分组表明,分子标记确定的传关系基本上与品种系谱的种质系统一致,但并不能按系谱或种植生态区域简单地归属,尽管分子标记数据计算的相似系数矩阵和表现型计算的遗传距离矩阵存在极显著的相关关系（r=-0.335),但以遗传距离进行聚类分析的类内分组的组间特征不明显,分子标记是检测类内品种间遗传差异的有效方法,研究结果为棉花育种亲本选配提供了理论依据。     

Factors Affecting Accuracy From Genomic Selection in Populations Derived From Multiple Inbred Lines: A Barley Case Study

We compared the accuracies of four genomic-selection prediction methods as affected by marker density, level of linkage disequilibrium (LD), quantitative trait locus (QTL) number, sample size, and level of replication in populations generated from multiple inbred lines. Marker data on 42 two-row spring barley inbred lines were used to simulate high and low LD populations from multiple inbred line crosses: the first included many small full-sib families and the second was derived from five generations of random mating. True breeding values (TBV) were simulated on the basis of 20 or 80 additive QTL. Methods used to derive genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) were random regression best linear unbiased prediction (RR–BLUP), Bayes-B, a Bayesian shrinkage regression method, and BLUP from a mixed model analysis using a relationship matrix calculated from marker data. Using the best methods, accuracies of GEBV were comparable to accuracies from phenotype for predicting TBV without requiring the time and expense of field evaluation. We identified a trade-off between a method's ability to capture marker-QTL LD vs. marker-based relatedness of individuals. The Bayesian shrinkage regression method primarily captured LD, the BLUP methods captured relationships, while Bayes-B captured both. Under most of the study scenarios, mixed-model analysis using a marker-derived relationship matrix (BLUP) was more accurate than methods that directly estimated marker effects, suggesting that relationship information was more valuable than LD information. When markers were in strong LD with large-effect QTL, or when predictions were made on individuals several generations removed from the training data set, however, the ranking of method performance was reversed and BLUP had the lowest accuracy.     

分子遗传标记技术在兔遗传多样性分析中的应用

实验兔是重要的实验动物之一,在医药领域发挥重要作用。各种分子遗传标记的出现为实验兔系统发育、种群遗传结构分析以及质量控制等各个领域提供了更为简便、可靠的研究手段。但目前,国内实验兔遗传质量不稳定,遗传背景不明确,严重制约着实验兔的应用。本文对各种分子标记在兔遗传多样性中的应用进行综述,以为实验兔遗传检测方法的建立提供帮助。     

Advancements in cryopreservation of domestic animal embryos.

The development of embryo freezing technologies revolutionized cattle breeding. Since then, advancements in cryobiology, cell biology, and domestic animal embryology have enabled the development of embryo preservation methodologies for our other domestic animal species, including sheep and goats. Recently, technologies have been developed to cryopreserve pig embryos, notorious for their extreme sensitivity to cooling; horse embryo cryopreservation is in its infancy. While cryopreservation can enhance the utilization of in vitro embryo production technologies, cryosurvival of in vitro-produced (IVP) or micromanipulated embryos is less than that of in vivo-derived embryos. This review outlines recent efforts in livestock embryo cryopreservation. In the near future, use of preserved embryos could be a routine breeding alternative for all livestock producers providing 1) preservation methods for maternal germplasm, 2) global genetic transport, 3) increased selection pressure within herds, 4) breeding line regeneration or proliferation, and 5) methodology for genetic rescue.     

畜禽生产性状主效基因定位技术与方法研究进展

鉴定畜禽重要生产性状形成的关键遗传因子,揭示其产生的分子遗传机制,对动物新品种的培育及特色遗传资源的开发利用具有重要意义。高通量分析技术诞生前,标记数量性状位点(quantitative trait loci,QTL)连锁分析和候选基因分析法作为鉴定畜禽生产性状QTL和主效基因主要方法,但由于其技术局限性,性状因果基因鉴定的效率并不高。人类基因组计划(human genome project, HGP)开启了以大数据为特征的生命科学研究的序幕,在HGP完成后的20余年间,快速发展的高通量分析技术使人们研究生物学问题的思路和方法发生了巨大改变。本综述就近年来被广泛用于畜禽重要性状的候选基因定位的方法与技术进行了较全面的综述,以期为同行提供参考。