Molecular identification and the features of genetic diversity in interspecific hybrids of Amur sturgeon ( Acipenser schrenckii × A. baerii, A. baerii × A. schrenckii, A. schrenckii × A. ruthenus , and A. ruthenus × A. schrenckii ) based on variability of multilocus RAPD markers

The method of polymerase chain reaction with random primers (RAPD PCR) was used to identify the progeny of the crosses between three sturgeon species, Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii Brandt, 1869), Siberian sturgeon (A. baerii Brandt, 1869), and sterlet (A. ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758). Using ten primers, genetic variation in 70 yearlings, produced in seven individual crosses: Acipenser schrenckii × A. schrenckii, A. baerii × A. baerii, A. ruthenus × A. ruthenus, A. schrenckii × A. baerii, A. baerii × A. schrenckii, A. schrenckii × A. ruthenus, and A. ruthenus × A. schrenckii was described and evaluated. It was demonstrated that the samples composed of hybrids from individual crosses were more variable than the samples of parental species. On the other hand, pooled samples of hybrids from two cross directions were genetically less variable than the pooled samples of their parents. The three main features of the hybrid RAPD profiles identified included: (1) preservation of marker DNA fragments of both parents in one genome; (2) presence of specific DNA fragments, absent from both parents; and (3) dependence of the frequency of some DNA fragments from the cross direction. Multidimensional scaling clearly distinguishes in the space of three coordinates the individuals of original species and the hybrid progeny with differentiation in the groups of direct and backcross hybrids. Analysis of relationships (UPGMA and NJ) pointed to substantial differentiation between the species, as well as between the species and hybrid progeny. Close genetic relationships between direct and backcross hybrids were demonstrated. Multilocus RAPD markers in association with statistical methods are considered to be the useful tool for discrimination of interspecific hybrids of sturgeon. Possible reasons for the differences in the hybrid RAPD profiles are discussed. Original Russian Text ? K.V. Rozhkovan, G.N. Chelomina, E.I. Rachek, 2008, published in Genetika, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 11, pp. 1453–1460.     

Microspore embryogenesis and fertile plantlet regeneration in a salt susceptible × salt tolerant rice hybrid

Shed microspore embryogenesis and fertile plantlet regeneration were observed in a salt susceptible × salt tolerant indica rice F₁ hybrid involving IR 24 and CRM 30. The in vitro culture response and regeneration of green plantlets in the hybrid were superior to those of the parents. Direct embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration with multiple tillers were observed in shed microspore embryos. In intact anther culture, plantlet development from microspore involved a callus phase. The number of multiple tillers developed through secondary embryogenesis was almost equal in both the cases. However, the results indicate that regeneration of green plantlets was higher in case of shed microspore culture in liquid medium containing the synthetic polymer Ficoll 400 than from intact anthers cultured on a semi-solid system. Shed microspore culture produced a number of double haploids, which may result in far reaching consequences in genetic improvement of rice. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf-derived cell suspension of a mature tree — Thevetia peruviana L.

Cell suspension cultures, which retained embryogenic potential for almost 2 years, were established from young, expanding, juvenile leaves of a mature Thevetia peruviana L. tree. Calli were obtained by culturing young leaf discs on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and 0.1 mg/L kinetin. Suspension cultures were initiated by transfer of calli to liquid medium containing 1 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.1 mg/L kinetin, and the cultures were maintained by subculturing to fresh medium at 2 week intervals. Embryogenic frequency of cell aggregates was more than 80% when plated on semi-solid medium containing 0.1 mg/L 2, 4-D and 2 mg/L 2-isopentenyladenine (2-iP). Cell aggregates with developing embryos were transferred to fresh medium lacking growth regulators for embryo maturation. Early embryo development was synchronous and a large number of somatic embryos were produced. These somatic embryos developed into plantlets upon subsequent transfer to modified half-strength MS medium. More than 200 green and rooted plants, at an average of 80 plants per 100 mg of embryogenic callus, were obtained with 60% survival under glass house conditions.Abbreviations 2, 4-D 2 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2-iP 2-isopentenyladenine - IAA Indole — 3 — acetic acid - KN Kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium - NAA 1 -Napthalene acetic acid     

Molecular evidence of a reed warbler × great reed warbler hybrid ( Acrocephalus scirpaceus × A. arundinaceus) in Belgium

We report on the second case of a reed warbler × great reed warbler hybrid (Acrocephalus scirpaceus and A. arundinaceus). The bird was captured during a standardised ringing session in Belgium in autumn 1999, and fell between the parental species in all measurements. Molecular analyses of two microsatellite loci verified that the bird was a female that had a reed warbler father and a great reed warbler mother.     

Plant regeneration from suspension cells induced from hypocotyls derived from interspecific cross Alstroemeria pelegrina × A. magenta and transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established using the ovule culture of an interspecific cross, Alstroemeria pelegrina var. rosea × A. magenta. Ovules harvested 14 days after pollination were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs); calli were produced on the hypocotyl surface in germinating zygotic embryos. Suspension cells were induced from the calli by using liquid MS media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropyridine-2-carboxylic acid (picloram). Adventitious embryos developed from the suspension cells on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ of both α-naphthaleneacetic acid and N⁶-benzylaminopurine; they grew into plantlets on the same medium. The plantlets formed rhizomes following transfer to half-strength MS medium without PGRs, and acclimatized plants were easily established. Subsequently, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system was applied. The suspension cells were co-cultivated with A. tumefaciens strain EHA101/pIG121Hm or LBA4404/pTOK233, both of which contain neomycin phosphotransferase II, hygromycin phosphotransferase and intron-containing ?-glucuronidase (intron-GUS) genes. Seven days after co-cultivation, the cells were subjected to GUS assay; staining was most pronounced in the cells subcultured in a picloram-containing liquid medium and co-cultivated with EHA101/pIG121Hm. The co-cultivated cells were transferred to the MS medium containing picloram and 20 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin; 1 month later, several hygromycin-resistant callus lines showing GUS activity were obtained. Transgenic plants were obtained through our plant regeneration system, and foreign gene insertion into the regenerated plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.     

A wild Marsh Warbler?×?Sedge Warbler hybrid (Acrocephalus palustris?×?A. schoenobaenus) in Norway documented with molecular markers

We present photographic and molecular evidence of a wild Marsh Warbler × Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris × A. schoenobaenus) hybrid that occurred over three breeding seasons (2007–2009) near Trondheim, Central Norway. The bird had the appearance of a Marsh Warbler but with some typical Sedge Warbler plumage traits. DNA analyses of a few plucked body feathers, using the COI barcode region (mtDNA) and conserved microsatellite loci, confirmed that the bird was a hybrid, with a Marsh Warbler mother and a Sedge Warbler father.     

Stress treatments influence efficiency of microspore embryogenesis and green plant regeneration in hexaploid triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack L.)

Doubled haploid (DH) production is a key technology in plant breeding and research. One emerging method of choice for DH production is microspore culture, which requires reprogramming of the microspores from their normal gametophytic development to a sporophytic development resulting in embryo formation. This commonly requires the application of stress such as cold, heat, or starvation. Here, we report the effect of different stress treatments on embryo formation and the proportion of green plants in triticale microspore culture. We observed different responses to the applied stress treatments among three studied genotypes. In general, a 3-wk cold stress treatment performed best with regard to the two criteria. For one genotype, the application of a 24- or 48-h heat stress gave similar or slightly better results and consequently may be an alternative for genotypes that are recalcitrant to the cold stress treatment.     

Effects of β-lactam antibiotics, auxins, and cytokinins on shoot regeneration from callus cultures of two hybrid aspens, Populustremuloides?×?P. tremula and P. xcanescens?×?P. gradidentata

The effects of β-lactam antibiotics (penicillin, carbenicillin and cefotaxime), cytokinins, and auxins including phenylacetic acid, a β-lactam breakdown product, were evaluated during in vitro shoot morphogenesis in two hybrid aspens; P. tremuloides × P. tremula (XTTa) and P. x canescens × P. grandidentata (XCaG). Although different callus and shoot induction media were used for both hybrids, the β-lactams often engendered similar responses. At concentrations of 1,000 mg l⁻¹, carbenicillin adversely impacted shoot elongation and, to a lesser degree, shoot regeneration. Cefotaxime enhanced caulogenesis for all of the concentrations evaluated (125–500 mg l⁻¹) especially when the cytokinin thidiazuron was used for shoot induction. The shoots formed faster and in greater numbers; and the improvements were significant (α = 0.05) for both hybrids. However, hyperhydricity was more problematic when cefotaxime was included in the media. The incidence of shoot hyperhydricity for the XCaG hybrid was more than twice as great for the highest cefotaxime concentration evaluated (500 mg l⁻¹) than for the control (>90% vs. ~40%). Penicillin had an opposite effect. Hyperhydricity frequencies for the XCaG hybrid were lower when the media were supplemented with penicllin and the reductions were statistically significant at concentrations of 500–1,000 mg l⁻¹. The effects of the antibiotics were generally not reproduced by the auxins (0.1–100 μM), including phenylacetic acid, or the other potential β-lactam degradation products evaluated (e.g. phenylmalonic acid, aminopenicillanic acid). The antibiotics may have affected shoot hyperhydicity indirectly via changes in the time course of shoot regeneration.     

Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration from excised adventitious roots of the rootstock Rosa hybrida L. ‘Moneyway’

Plants were regenerated from excised adventitious roots of the rose rootstock Moneyway via a three step procedure: callus induction, induction of somatic embryos and shoot development. Callus was induced on excised roots after incubation for 4 weeks in the dark on SH-medium (Schenk and Hildebrandt) containing 50 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. For embryo induction, calluses were transferred to hormone-free SH-medium and incubated for 8 weeks. The use of Gelrite instead of agar during callus induction stimulated somatic embryogenesis (up to 16% of the explants formed organized structures), whereas the presence of 6-benzylaminopurine in this phase inhibited subsequent regeneration. Yellow solid calluses with embryo-like cotyledons or primordia and friable calluses with embryos were selected, and upon incubation in the light shoots developed. Shoot development was faster and more frequent on solid callus than on friable callus (64% and 21% of the calluses finally formed one or more shoots, respectively). Eleven out of thirteen regenerants developed similarly to control shoots. Finally this regeneration method is compared with other systems for somatic embryogenesis and opportunities for the production of transgenic rose rootstocks and rose cultivare are discussed.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - BM basal medium - BM+ enriched basal medium - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DAPI-4,6 diamidino-2-phenylindole - FeEDDHA ferric ethylenediamine di(ohydroxyphenylacetate) - FeEDTA ferric ethylenediamine tetraacetate - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Association between anti-nucleophosmin and anti-cardiolipin antibodies in (NZW × BXSB)F1 mice and human systemic lupus erythematosus

We showed previously that nucleophosmin (NPM), a nucleolar phosphoprotein, is recognized by sera from (NZW × BXSB)F₁ (WB) mice, a model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anti-phospholipid syndrome. In the present study we analysed the prevalence and kinetics of anti-NPM autoantibodies in WB mice by a solid-phase ELISA with recombinant human (rh) NPM as the antigen and showed that most male WB mouse sera had anti-NPM antibodies that were responsible for their indirect immunofluorescence staining pattern on Hep-2 cells. Anti-NPM antibodies were significantly associated with anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibodies. This antibody profile mirrored that observed in certain human SLE sera because anti-NPM antibodies were detected in 28% of the sera from patients with SLE and were similarly associated with aCL antibodies. The demonstration that rhNPM bound to cardiolipin (CL) in vitro and increased the CL-binding activity of a WB-derived aCL monoclonal antibody indicates that NPM can interact with CL to form SLE-related immunogenic particles that might be responsible for the concomitant production of anti-NPM and aCL antibodies.     

Phylogeny and expression profiling of CAD and CAD-like genes in hybrid Populus (P. deltoides × P. nigra): evidence from herbivore damage for subfunctionalization and functional divergence

Background  

Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase (CAD) proteins function in lignin biosynthesis and play a critical role in wood development and plant defense against stresses. Previous phylogenetic studies did not include genes from seedless plants and did not reflect the deep evolutionary history of this gene family. We reanalyzed the phylogeny of CAD and CAD-like genes using a representative dataset including lycophyte and bryophyte sequences. Many CAD/CAD-like genes do not seem to be associated with wood development under normal growth conditions. To gain insight into the functional evolution of CAD/CAD-like genes, we analyzed their expression in Populus plant tissues in response to feeding damage by gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar L.). Expression of CAD/CAD-like genes in Populus tissues (xylem, leaves, and barks) was analyzed in herbivore-treated and non-treated plants by real time quantitative RT-PCR.     

苦杨×小叶杨杂交F1代苗期抗旱性比较研究

创制抗旱林木新品种对维持我国干旱半干旱地区森林生产力,应对全球气候变暖具有重要意义。苦杨(Populus laurifolia)是分布在新疆额尔齐斯河流域的我国乡土树种,具有速生和耐寒等优良特性,而小叶杨(P. simonii)具有抗旱和耐瘠薄特性。我们对苦杨×小叶杨杂交F₁代幼苗的抗旱性进行全面分析和综合评价。测定了正常生长与干旱胁迫下亲本和杂交F₁代的株高生长量和叶片相对含水量等7个生长指标,净光合速率和胞间CO₂浓度等6个光合参数,以及SOD活性和MDA含量等5个抗旱生化指标。对18个性状指标进行抗旱系数和隶属函数分析,将亲本及23个F₁代幼苗划分为高、中和低3个抗旱类型。高度抗旱型幼苗的叶片、上表皮、下表皮和栅栏组织厚度较大,叶片组织结构紧密度高,且在干旱胁迫下抗旱关键基因的表达量显著高于其它抗旱类型幼苗。该研究为杨树抗旱育种提供了理论指导和基础材料。     

Two alleles of rpoB and rpoC1 distinguish an endemic European population from Cistus heterophyllus and its putative hybrid (C.?×?clausonis) with C. albidus

The genus Cistus is a widespread family growing around the Mediterranean area. There is a unique natural population of C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis in Europe (Murcia, Spain) containing 22 individuals. Morphology of these plants suggests the co-occurrence of two distinct types within the population. One type would resemble C. heterophyllus, and a second type would be the result of hybridization events between this endangered population and the locally abundant Cistus albidus. These hybrids have been described in Africa as C. × clausonis. We have analyzed sequences of the chloroplast genes trnK-matK, rbcL, rpoB, rpoC1 and two intergenic regions, trnL-F and trnH-psbA. Surprisingly, we observed heteroplasmy for rpoB and rpoC1 genes in C. heterophyllus and the local C. × clausonis, but not in C. albidus or C. monspeliensis. We found two distinct alleles of rpoB, one present in all species and a second present only in C. heterophyllus and the local C. × clausonis. We also detected two alleles of rpoC1, one common to all species analyzed and a second present only in the local C. × clausonis. Our results show that there is a distinctive rpoB allele common to C. heterophyllus and C. × clausonis from Africa and Europe. The unique rpoC1 allele found in the local C. × clausonis indicates a different origin of this small population, indicating it is not a hybrid formed with the C. albidus or C. heterophyllus currently present in this location.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in açaí palm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euterpe oleracea</Emphasis>)

An efficient and simple system for inducing somatic embryogenesis and regenerating plantlets from immature zygotic embryos of açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea) has been developed. Embryogenic calli (ECs) were induced from immature zygotic embryos of açaí palm on Murashige and Skoog (MS) modified medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and picloram. Embryogenic frequency was dependent on auxin type and concentration. The optimal concentration of picloram for the high-frequency induction of embryogenic calli (72%) was 225 μM. ECs were then subcultured on a differentiation and maturation medium composed of MS modified medium with 2-isopentenyladenine and naphthaleneacetic acid with subcultures at 4-week intervals. SEs were converted to plants on MS modified medium with half-strength macro- and micronutrients, 20 g l^?1 sucrose, and 2.5 g l^?1 activated charcoal and gelled with 2.5 g l^?1 Phytagel. Detailed morpho anatomical changes during the different stages of somatic embryogenesis were characterized. The development of SEs was asynchronous, and ontogenic studies confirmed that the initial cell divisions occur in the epidermal and subepidermal regions of the zygotic embryos. Broad base attachment of SEs to the epidermis indicates the presence of a suspensor.     

Screening of IR50?×?Rathu Heenati F7 RILs and Identification of SSR Markers Linked to Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens St?l) Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens St?l) is one of the major insect pests of rice. A Sri Lankan indica rice cultivar Rathu Heenati was found to be resistant to all biotypes of the brown planthopper. In the present study, a total of 268 F₇ RILs of IR50 and Rathu Heenati were phenotyped for their level of resistance against BPH by the standard seedbox screening test (SSST) in the greenhouse. A total of 53 SSR primers mapped on the chromosome 3 were used to screen the polymorphism between the parents IR50 and Rathu Heenati, out of which eleven were found to be polymorphic between IR50 and Rathu Heenati. The eleven primers that have shown polymorphism between the IR50 and Rathu Heenati parents were genotyped in a set of five resistant RILs and five susceptible RILs along with the parents for co-segregation analysis. Among the eleven primers, two primers namely RM3180 (18.22 Mb) and RM2453 (20.19 Mb) showed complete co-segregation with resistance. The identification of SSR markers linked with BPH resistant could be used for the maker assisted selection (MAS) program in rice breeding and to map the resistant genes on rice chromosomes for further gene cloning.     

A study of prostaglandin F2α as the luteolysin in swine: I. Effect of prostaglandin F2α in hysterectomized gilts

Experiments were conducted to determine if prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) is luteolytic in swine. In Experiment 1, four bilaterally hysterectomized gilts were injected with PGF_2α at 0800 (10mg) and 2000 hours (10mg) and four gilts received .9% saline at the same times on day 17 after onset of estrus. Treatments were reversed in the two groups of gilts 21 days later. All eight PGF_2α treated gilts exhibited estrus an average of 88.0 ± 13.5 hours after treatment and average duration of estrus was 66.0 ± 16.4 hours. Saline treated controls did not exhibit estrus. Two additional gilts were hysterectomized bilaterally and the saphenous artery catheterized on day 7 after onset of estrus. PGF_2α injected on day 17 resulted in a precipitous decline in plasma progestin concentration and onset of estrus by 110 and 90 hours in gilts 1 and 2, respectively. Another bilaterally hysterectomized gilt, with CL marked with India ink, received PGF_2α on day 17. Estrus occurred 92 hours later and, on day 4, regression of marked CL to corpora albicantia and presence of newly formed CL was confirmed at laparotomy.In Experiment 2, 12 bilaterally hysterectomized gilts were treated with PGF_2α at 0800 (10mg) and 2000 hours (10mg) on either day 8, 11, 14 or 17 after onset of estrus. None of the gilts treated on days 8 and 11 exhibited estrus. Two of three gilts treated on day 14 and all three gilts treated on day 17 exhibited estrus at an average of 116.0 ± 9.8 hours post-treatment. Average duration of estrus was 49.6 ± 8.8 hours.     

枣JMS2×交城5号F1代糖酸组分遗传变异分析

探索枣杂交F₁代果实糖酸组分性状遗传变异规律,将为枣杂交育种亲本选配和优异种质筛选提供理论依据。本研究以枣JMS2×交城5号的140株F₁代及亲本为试材,利用高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定杂交果实糖组分和酸组分的含量。结果表明：杂交后代果实中糖主要是由蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖组成,其中蔗糖占比52.5%。糖组分变异系数范围为26.74%～35.45%,其中葡萄糖变异系数最大,蔗糖变异系数最小。果糖、葡萄糖的F₁均值大于中亲值,蔗糖则低于中亲值。酸主要由苹果酸、奎宁酸和柠檬酸组成,其中苹果酸占比35.10%。酸组分的变异系数范围为29.67%～42.86%,苹果酸F₁均值小于中亲值,草酸和富马酸的F₁均值高于中亲值,其他酸组分受环境影响较大。糖组分、酸组分均呈现出正态分布特征,均是由多基因控制的数量性状。筛选出高糖杂交优系J17和J70。