Cell-specific mechanisms of estrogen receptor in the pituitary gland

Analysis of the mechanism of action of estrogen receptor shows protein and mRNA polymorphism within distinct pituitary receptor-positive cells. The lactotropes exhibit unique properties in these mechanisms that distinguish them from gonadotropes. Therefore, this cell type constitutes an especially interesting model in the male as well as in the female for estrogen receptor studies.Abbreviations PRL prolactin - E2 estradiol - ER estrogen receptor - GnRH gonadotropin releasing hormone - PMSG pugnant mare serum gonadotropin     

Measuring cortisol in fish scales to study stress in wild tropical tuna

Environmental Biology of Fishes - Cortisol is recognized as a physiological indicator of stress in fish. However, this hormone is typically measured in plasma samples. In this study, cortisol...     

Inheritance of partial resistance against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in Phaseolus vulgaris and co-localization of quantitative trait loci with genes involved in specific resistance

Anthracnose, one of the most important diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. A "candidate gene" approach was used to map anthracnose resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL). Candidate genes included genes for both pathogen recognition (resistance genes and resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (defense response genes). Two strains of C. lindemuthianum, identified in a world collection of 177 strains, displayed a reproducible and differential aggressiveness toward BAT93 and JaloEEP558, two parental lines of P. vulgaris representing the two major gene pools of this crop. A reliable test was developed to score partial resistance in aerial organs of the plant (stem, leaf, petiole) under controlled growth chamber conditions. BAT93 was more resistant than JaloEEP558 regardless of the organ or strain tested. With a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between these two parental lines, 10 QTL were located on a genetic map harboring 143 markers, including known defense response genes, anthracnose-specific resistance genes, and RGAs. Eight of the QTL displayed isolate specificity. Two were co-localized with known defense genes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein) and three with anthracnose-specific resistance genes and/or RGAs. Interestingly, two QTL, with different allelic contribution, mapped on linkage group B4 in a 5.0 cM interval containing Andean and Mesoamerican specific resistance genes against C. lindemuthianum and 11 polymorphic fragments revealed with a RGA probe. The possible relationship between genes underlying specific and partial resistance is discussed.     

Development of four phylogenetically-arrayed BAC libraries and sequence of the APA locus in Phaseolus vulgaris

The APA family of seed proteins consists of three subfamilies, in evolutionary order of hypothesized appearance: phytohaemagglutinins (PHA), α-amylase inhibitors (αAI), and arcelins (ARL). The APA family plays a defensive role against mammalian and insect seed predation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The main locus (APA) for this gene family is situated on linkage group B4. In order to elucidate the pattern of duplication and diversification at this locus, we developed a BAC library in each of four different Phaseolus genotypes that represent presumptive steps in the evolutionary diversification of the APA family. Specifically, BAC libraries were established in one P. lunatus (cv. ‘Henderson: PHA⁺ αAI⁻ ARL⁻) and three P. vulgaris accessions (presumed ancestral wild G21245 from northern Peru: PHA⁺ αAI ⁺ ARL⁻; Mesoamerican wild G02771: PHA⁺ αAI ⁺ ARL⁺; and Mesoamerican breeding line BAT93: PHA⁺ αAI ⁺ ARL⁻). The libraries were constructed after HindIII digestion of high molecular weight DNA, obtained with a novel nuclei isolation procedure. The frequency of empty or cpDNA-sequence-containing clones in all libraries is low (generally <1%). The Henderson, G21245, and G02771 libraries have a 10× genome coverage, whereas the BAT93 library has a 20× coverage to allow further, more detailed genomic analysis of the bean genome. The complete sequence of a 155 kbp-insert clone of the G02771 library revealed six sequences belonging to the APA gene family, including members of the three subfamilies, as hypothesized. The different subfamilies were interspersed with retrotransposon sequences. In addition, other sequences were identified with similarity to chloroplast DNA, a dehydrin gene, and the Arabidopsis flowering D locus. Linkage between the dehydrin gene and the D1711 RFLP marker identifies a potential syntenic region between parts of common bean linkage group B4 and cowpea linkage group 2     

Identification of an ancestral resistance gene cluster involved in the coevolution process between Phaseolus vulgaris and its fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum.

The recent cloning of plant resistance (R) genes and the sequencing of resistance gene clusters have shed light on the molecular evolution of R genes. However, up to now, no attempt has been made to correlate this molecular evolution with the host-pathogen coevolution process at the population level. Cross-inoculations were carried out between 26 strains of the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and 48 Phaseolus vulgaris plants collected in the three centers of diversity of the host species. A high level of diversity for resistance against the pathogen was revealed. Most of the resistance specificities were overcome in sympatric situations, indicating an adaptation of the pathogen to the local host. In contrast, plants were generally resistant to allopatric strains, suggesting that R genes that were efficient against exotic strains but had been overcome locally were maintained in the plant genome. These results indicated that coevolution processes between the two protagonists led to a differentiation for resistance in the three centers of diversity of the host. To improve our understanding of the molecular evolution of these different specificities, a recombinant inbred (RI) population derived from two representative genotypes of the Andean (JaloEEP558) and Mesoamerican (BAT93) gene pools was used to map anthracnose specificities. A gene cluster comprising both Andean (Co-y; Co-z) and Mesoamerican (Co-9) host resistance specificities was identified, suggesting that this locus existed prior to the separation of the two major gene pools of P. vulgaris. Molecular analysis revealed a high level of complexity at this locus. It harbors 11 restriction fragment length polymorphisms when R gene analog (RGA) clones are used. The relationship between the coevolution process and diversification of resistance specificities at resistance gene clusters is discussed.     

Replication of nonautonomous retroelements in soybean appears to be both recent and common

Retrotransposons and their remnants often constitute more than 50% of higher plant genomes. Although extensively studied in monocot crops such as maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), the impact of retrotransposons on dicot crop genomes is not well documented. Here, we present an analysis of retrotransposons in soybean (Glycine max). Analysis of approximately 3.7 megabases (Mb) of genomic sequence, including 0.87 Mb of pericentromeric sequence, uncovered 45 intact long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposons. The ratio of intact elements to solo LTRs was 8:1, one of the highest reported to date in plants, suggesting that removal of retrotransposons by homologous recombination between LTRs is occurring more slowly in soybean than in previously characterized plant species. Analysis of paired LTR sequences uncovered a low frequency of deletions relative to base substitutions, indicating that removal of retrotransposon sequences by illegitimate recombination is also operating more slowly. Significantly, we identified three subfamilies of nonautonomous elements that have replicated in the recent past, suggesting that retrotransposition can be catalyzed in trans by autonomous elements elsewhere in the genome. Analysis of 1.6 Mb of sequence from Glycine tomentella, a wild perennial relative of soybean, uncovered 23 intact retroelements, two of which had accumulated no mutations in their LTRs, indicating very recent insertion. A similar pattern was found in 0.94 Mb of sequence from Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean). Thus, autonomous and nonautonomous retrotransposons appear to be both abundant and active in Glycine and Phaseolus. The impact of nonautonomous retrotransposon replication on genome size appears to be much greater than previously appreciated.     

Fine mapping of Co-x,an anthracnose resistance gene to a highly virulent strain of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in common bean

Key message

The Co - x anthracnose R gene of common bean was fine-mapped into a 58 kb region at one end of chromosome 1, where no canonical NB-LRR-encoding genes are present in G19833 genome sequence.

Abstract

Anthracnose, caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is one of the most damaging diseases of common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. Various resistance (R) genes, named Co-, conferring race-specific resistance to different strains of C. lindemuthianum have been identified. The Andean cultivar JaloEEP558 was reported to carry Co-x on chromosome 1, conferring resistance to the highly virulent strain 100. To fine map Co-x, 181 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross between JaloEEP558 and BAT93 were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based markers developed using the genome sequence of the Andean genotype G19833. Analysis of RILs carrying key recombination events positioned Co-x at one end of chromosome 1 to a 58 kb region of the G19833 genome sequence. Annotation of this target region revealed eight genes: three phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C (PI-PLC), one zinc finger protein and four kinases, suggesting that Co-x is not a classical nucleotide-binding leucine-rich encoding gene. In addition, we identified and characterized the seven members of common bean PI-PLC gene family distributed into two clusters located at the ends of chromosomes 1 and 8. Co-x is not a member of Co-1 allelic series since these two genes are separated by at least 190 kb. Comparative analysis between soybean and common bean revealed that the Co-x syntenic region, located at one end of Glycine max chromosome 18, carries Rhg1, a major QTL contributing to soybean cyst nematode resistance. The PCR-based markers generated in this study should be useful in marker-assisted selection for pyramiding Co-x with other R genes.     

A Nomadic Subtelomeric Disease Resistance Gene Cluster in Common Bean

The B4 resistance (R) gene cluster is one of the largest clusters known in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris [Pv]). It is located in a peculiar genomic environment in the subtelomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 4, adjacent to two heterochromatic blocks (knobs). We sequenced 650 kb spanning this locus and annotated 97 genes, 26 of which correspond to Coiled-Coil-Nucleotide-Binding-Site-Leucine-Rich-Repeat (CNL). Conserved microsynteny was observed between the Pv B4 locus and corresponding regions of Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus in chromosomes Mt6 and Lj2, respectively. The notable exception was the CNL sequences, which were completely absent in these regions. The origin of the Pv B4-CNL sequences was investigated through phylogenetic analysis, which reveals that, in the Pv genome, paralogous CNL genes are shared among nonhomologous chromosomes (4 and 11). Together, our results suggest that Pv B4-CNL was derived from CNL sequences from another cluster, the Co-2 cluster, through an ectopic recombination event. Integration of the soybean (Glycine max) genome data enables us to date more precisely this event and also to infer that a single CNL moved from the Co-2 to the B4 cluster. Moreover, we identified a new 528-bp satellite repeat, referred to as khipu, specific to the Phaseolus genus, present both between B4-CNL sequences and in the two knobs identified at the B4 R gene cluster. The khipu repeat is present on most chromosomal termini, indicating the existence of frequent ectopic recombination events in Pv subtelomeric regions. Our results highlight the importance of ectopic recombination in R gene evolution.In the human genome, extensive cytogenetic and sequence analyses have revealed that subtelomeres are hot spots of interchromosomal recombination and segmental duplications (Linardopoulou et al., 2005). This peculiar dynamic activity of subtelomeres has been reported in such diverse organisms as yeast and the malaria parasite Plasmodium (Louis, 1995; Freitas-Junior et al., 2000, 2005). As expected for a plastic region of the genome subject to reshuffling through recombination events, subtelomeres exhibit unusually high levels of within-species structural and nucleotide polymorphism (Mefford and Trask, 2002). In plants, this plasticity of subtelomeres has not been identified in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; Heacock et al., 2004; Kuo et al., 2006) and, to our knowledge, has not yet been investigated at a large scale for other plant species with full genome sequences available. Regarding Arabidopsis, the apparent lack of high subtelomeric recombination may reflect its small and simple subtelomeres, mirroring its small genome size and relative paucity of repetitive sequences (Heacock et al., 2004; Kuo et al., 2006).Repetitive sequences, such as satellite DNA and retroelements, constitute an important fraction of every eukaryotic genome and therefore constitute the environment in which genes are expressed. Satellite DNA can be defined as highly reiterated noncoding DNA sequences, organized as long arrays of head-to-tail linked repeats of 150- to 180-bp or 300- to 360-bp monomers located in the constitutive heterochromatin (Plohl et al., 2008). Despite their ubiquity in eukaryotic genomes, little is known about the mechanisms that allow these elements to accumulate. Early hypotheses considered them to be nonfunctional “selfish” or “junk” DNA segments that increase or decrease their frequency without any advantage or disadvantage for an organism (Ohno, 1972; Orgel and Crick, 1980). However, identification of satellite DNA at structurally important parts of chromosomes, such as centromeres, has suggested functional roles of satellite DNA (Ma and Jackson, 2006; Kawabe and Charlesworth, 2007). Satellite DNA can also be localized in knobs, which are cytologically visible regions of highly condensed chromatin (heterochromatin) that are distinct from pericentromeric regions in pachytene chromosomes (Fransz et al., 2000; Gaut et al., 2007; Lamb et al., 2007).The survival of most organisms depends on the presence of specific genetic systems that maintain diversity in order to respond to changing environments. Plants, like animals, are continually challenged by a large array of pathogens. To perceive and counter pathogen attack, plants have evolved disease resistance (R) genes. The largest class of R genes encodes proteins containing a central Nucleotide-Binding Site (NBS) domain, a C-terminal Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) domain, and a variable N-terminal domain. These R proteins detect the presence of disease-causing bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, nematodes, insects, and viruses by sensing either specific pathogen effector molecules produced during the infection process or key molecules in the plant cell that may be attacked by pathogen effectors (Dangl and McDowell, 2006). The evolution of new R genes serves to counteract the evolution of novel virulence factors from the pathogens (McDowell and Simon, 2008). Among this prevalent class of R gene, two subclasses, corresponding to two ancient lineages (Bai et al., 2002; Meyers et al., 2003; Ameline-Torregrosa et al., 2008), have been identified based on the N-terminal domain of the R protein: the Coiled-Coil (CC)-NBS-LRR (CNL) and the Toll-Interleukin receptor (TIR)-NBS-LRR (TNL). Genome studies have demonstrated that NBS-LRR (NL) sequences are abundant in any plant genome. For example, annotation of the Arabidopsis, rice (Oryza sativa), poplar (Populus trichocarpa), Medicago truncatula (Mt), grape (Vitis vinifera), Lotus japonicus (Lj), and papaya (Carica papaya) genomes identified at least 149, 480, 317, 333, 233, 229, and 55 genes encoding NL proteins, respectively (Bai et al., 2002; Meyers et al., 2003; Zhou et al., 2004; Tuskan et al., 2006; Velasco et al., 2007; Ameline-Torregrosa et al., 2008; Kohler et al., 2008; Ming et al., 2008; Sato et al., 2008). NL sequences are often located at complex loci (Smith et al., 2004), as exemplified by Arabidopsis, where two-thirds of them are organized in tightly linked clusters (Meyers et al., 2003; Leister, 2004; McDowell and Simon, 2006). Evolution of NL sequences in the Arabidopsis genome has been investigated according to their phylogenetic positions and physical locations. Although tandem duplications explain the origin of a large fraction of NLs, it seems that ectopic recombination has also played a role in Arabidopsis NL evolution, since mixed clusters comprising evolutionarily distant NL exist. Ectopic recombination is also evident when phylogenetically close R genes are physically dispersed on different chromosomes (Leister, 2004; McDowell and Simon, 2006). These results confirm pioneer macrosynteny studies between related monocot species suggesting the existence of NL movement in plant genomes. Indeed, extensive loss of collinearity between NL sequences between rice and barley (Hordeum vulgare), which diverged 50 million years ago (Mya), has suggested rapid reorganization of NL sequences (Leister et al., 1998; Leister, 2004). However, our knowledge of the molecular evolution of R genes remains limited due to the still small number of complete plant genome sequences available to date. Detailed comparative study across taxa at different evolutionary distances is needed to see how R gene clusters evolve at various time scales.Legumes (Fabaceae) constitute the third largest family of flowering plants and represent the second most important family of agronomically important plants after Poaceae (Graham and Vance, 2003). As a result of recent sequencing efforts, legumes are one of the few plant families with extensive genome sequences in different species, since the soybean (Glycine max [Gm]) genome sequence is complete (http://www.phytozome.net/soybean.php) and both Mt and Lj genome sequences are nearly complete (Young et al., 2005; Sato et al., 2008). Consequently, the legume family is extremely well adapted for comparative phylogenomic approaches, in which phylogenetic inference is combined with structural genomic analyses (Ammiraju et al., 2008). Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris [Pv]) is the most important grain legume for direct human consumption (Broughton et al., 2003). Pv is a selfing species and has a small diploid genome (2n = 22) of 588 Mb (Bennett and Leitch, 1995). Conservation of genome macrostructure (macrosynteny) has been reported between several legumes, including common bean and the two model legume species Mt and Lj genomes (Zhu et al., 2005; Hougaard et al., 2008). However, the extent of gene order conservation at the DNA sequence level has not yet been evaluated within orthologous chromosome segments between Pv and the two model legume species.In the genome of common bean, many disease R genes are clustered at complex loci located at the ends (rather than the centers) of linkage groups (LGs; Vallejos et al., 2006; Geffroy et al., 2008). For example, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Co-2 R specificity maps at one end of LG B11 (Adam-Blondon et al., 1994). Molecular analysis has revealed that this locus consists of a tandem array of CNL sequences (Geffroy et al., 1998; Creusot et al., 1999). Another CNL-rich region has been identified at the end of LG B4 in the vicinity of R specificities and R quantitative trait loci against a large selection of pathogens, including C. lindemuthianum, Uromyces appendiculatus, and the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae (Geffroy et al., 1998, 1999; Miklas et al., 2006). Recently, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that this complex R cluster is located in the subtelomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 4 and includes two knobs (Geffroy et al., 2009). In a sequencing effort focused on CNL sequences, we have previously identified 17 CNL sequences of the B4 locus (referred to as B4-CNL) from Pv genotype BAT93 (Ferrier Cana et al., 2003, 2005; Geffroy et al., 2009). In the BAT93 genotype, these B4-CNL sequences are located on both sides of the subterminal knob (Geffroy et al., 2009).To investigate the organization and the evolutionary origin of the subtelomeric B4 R gene cluster, we have sequenced approximately 650 kb of the Pv B4 R gene cluster, revealing that, in genotype BAT93, CNL are spread out in four subclusters, separated by non-CNL-encoding genes. This Pv sequence was then compared gene by gene with the sequenced portions of the three sequenced legume genomes, Mt, Lj, and Gm. Conserved microsynteny (conservation of local gene repertoire, order, and orientation) was observed, except for the CNL sequences, which appear to be completely absent in the corresponding regions of Mt and Lj. In this study, by combining genomics, phylogenetic, and cytogenetic approaches, we provide evidence that ectopic recombination in subtelomeric regions between nonhomologous chromosomes (4 and 11), involving a single CNL, gave rise to the Pv B4 R gene cluster. Chromosomal distribution of a new satellite DNA tandem repeat, referred to as khipu, suggests that ectopic recombination events in subtelomeric regions of bean nonhomologous chromosomes are frequent. Our results highlight the importance of ectopic recombination as an important evolutionary mechanism for the evolution of disease resistance genes.     

Characterization of expressed NBS-LRR resistance gene candidates from common bean

A complex ancestral resistance (R) gene cluster, localized at the end of linkage group B4, and referred to as the B4 R gene cluster, has been previously genetically characterized. The B4 R gene cluster existed prior to the separation of the two major gene pools of cultivated common bean and contains several resistance specificities effective against the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. In this paper we report the molecular analysis of four expressed resistance gene candidates (RGCs) that map at the B4 R-cluster and co-localize with R-specificities or R-QTLs effective against C. lindemuthianum. These RGCs have been isolated from two genotypes that are representative of the two major gene pools of common bean: the BA8 and BA11 RGCs originating from the Mesoamerican BAT93 genotype, and the JA71 and JA78 RGCs originating from the Andean JaloEEP558 genotype. These RGCs encode NBS-LRR resistance-like proteins that are closely similar to the tomato I2 R-protein. Based upon sequence comparisons and genetic localization, we established that these four bean RGCs belong to two different subfamilies of R-sequences independently of their gene pool of origin. No feature discriminating the four RGCs according to their gene pool of origin has been observed yet. Comparative sequence analyses of the full-length RGCs and their flanking genomic sequences confirmed the ancestral origin of the B4 R-cluster.     

The human fatty acid transport protein-1 (SLC27A1; FATP-1) cDNA and gene: organization, chromosomal localization, and expression

Uptake of fatty acids into cells is a controlled process in part regulated by fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs), which facilitate the transport of fatty acids across the cell membrane. In this study the structure of the human FATP-1 (HGMW-approved symbol SLC27A1) cDNA and gene was determined, and the expression of its mRNA in human was characterized. Muscle and adipose tissue have the highest levels of FATP-1 mRNA, small intestine has intermediate levels, and FATP-1 mRNA is barely detectable in liver. The human FATP-1 gene has 12 exons and extends over more than 13 kb of genomic DNA. The FATP gene maps to chromosome 19p13.1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization, a region previously suggested to be implicated in the determination of small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Knowledge of the gene structure and chromosomal localization will allow screening for FATP mutations in humans with metabolic disorders, whereas knowledge of its expression pattern and factors regulating its expression could be of importance in understanding its biology.