Linkage mapping in the oilseed crop Jatropha curcas L. reveals a locus controlling the biosynthesis of phorbol esters which cause seed toxicity

Current efforts to grow the tropical oilseed crop Jatropha curcas L. economically are hampered by the lack of cultivars and the presence of toxic phorbol esters (PE) within the seeds of most provenances. These PE restrict the conversion of seed cake into animal feed, although naturally occurring ‘nontoxic’ provenances exist which produce seed lacking PE. As an important step towards the development of genetically improved varieties of J. curcas, we constructed a linkage map from four F₂ mapping populations. The consensus linkage map contains 502 codominant markers, distributed over 11 linkage groups, with a mean marker density of 1.8 cM per unique locus. Analysis of the inheritance of PE biosynthesis indicated that this is a maternally controlled dominant monogenic trait. This maternal control is due to biosynthesis of the PE occurring only within maternal tissues. The trait segregated 3 : 1 within seeds collected from F₂ plants, and QTL analysis revealed that a locus on linkage group 8 was responsible for phorbol ester biosynthesis. By taking advantage of the draft genome assemblies of J. curcas and Ricinus communis (castor), a comparative mapping approach was used to develop additional markers to fine map this mutation within 2.3 cM. The linkage map provides a framework for the dissection of agronomic traits in J. curcas, and the development of improved varieties by marker‐assisted breeding. The identification of the locus responsible for PE biosynthesis means that it is now possible to rapidly breed new nontoxic varieties.     

High-frequency plant regeneration from leaf-disc cultures of Jatropha curcas L.: an important biodiesel plant

A simple, high-frequency and reproducible protocol for induction of adventitious shoot buds and plant regeneration from leaf-disc cultures of Jatropha curcas L. has been developed. Adventitious shoot buds were induced from very young leaf explants of in vitro germinated seedlings as well as mature field-grown plants cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) (2.27 μM), 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) (2.22 μM) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.49 μM). The presence of TDZ in the induction medium has greater influence on the induction of adventitious shoot buds, whereas BA in the absence of TDZ promoted callus induction rather than shoot buds. Induced shoot buds were multiplied and elongated into shoots following transfer to the MS medium supplemented with BA (4.44 μM), kinetin (Kn) (2.33 μM), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (1.43 μM), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0.72 μM). Well-developed shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.5 μM) after 30 days. Regenerated plants after 2 months of acclimatization were successfully transferred to the field without visible morphological variation. This protocol might find use in mass production of true-to-type plants and in production of transgenic plants through Agrobacterium/biolistic-mediated transformation.     

Overexpression of Jatropha curcas Defensin (JcDef) Enhances Sheath Blight Disease Resistance in Tobacco

Plant defensins are small, basic, cysteine‐rich peptides, belonging to the antimicrobial peptide superfamily, commonly found in the plant kingdom. In this study, we cloned and characterized a plant defensin gene from Jatropha curcas (JcDef). JcDef carried conserved receptor binding sites and a cysteine motif, and it was phylogenetically grouped together with defensin Ec‐AMP‐D2‐like in Elaeis guineensis. JcDef is localized to cytoplasm and highly expressed in young tissues with fast metabolism such as cotyledons and stem apexes. Transgenic expression of JcDef in tobacco showed enhanced resistance against sheath blight disease caused by R. solani, indicating the antibacterial function.     

Direct shoot formation and plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of rapid-cycling Brassica rapa

Summary An in vitro culture system for direct shoot regeneration from cotyledon explants of rapid-cycling Brassica rapa was developed. Cotyledons from 3-d-old seedlings, when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 20 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 2 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), regenerated shoots directly at a frequency of 20%. The addition of 2 μM aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) to this medium increased shoot regeneration to 33%, but silver nitrate drastically inhibited shoot regeneration. Shoot regeneration occurred directly, at the petiolar cut ends of cotyledonary explants, between 10 to 17 d in culture. The highest percentage of regeneration (33%) was obtained from 3-d-old seedlings. NAA was the most effective auxin for root induction and development, with 49% of shoots producing roots after 2 wk on medium containing 1.0 μM NAA. Regenerated plantlets were grown to maturity in pots containing peat moss and vermiculite (1:1). These plants were morphologically normal and fertile. With this protocol, over 100 independently derived, flowering R₀ plants were obtained from 40 regenerating cotyledonary explants within 40 d after culture initiation.     

Biological Characterization and Complete Genome Sequence of a Possible Strain of Indian cassava mosaic virus from Jatropha curcas in India

The outbreak of a severe mosaic disease with a significant incidence was noticed on Jatropha curcas plants growing in Lucknow, Northern India. The causal virus was successfully transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and grafting from naturally infected to healthy J. curcas plants. The association of Begomovirus with the mosaic disease of J. curcas was detected by PCR using primers specific to DNA‐A of Begomoviruses. Further, full‐length DNA‐A genome of ～2.7 kb was amplified by RCA followed by digestion with Bam HI restriction enzyme. Cloning and sequencing of obtained amplicons resulted in 2740 nucleotides of complete DNA‐A consisting of six ORFs and IR region (GenBank Accession HM230683 ). The sequence analysis revealed highest 85% similarities with Jatropha curcas mosaic virus, 77–84% with Indian cassava mosaic virus and 73–76% with Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the Begomovirus isolate also showed a clear‐cut distinct relationship with earlier reported Begomoviruses from Jatropha curcas and other Begomoviruses. On the basis of the guidelines of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV‐2008), our virus isolate was identified as a possible strain of Indian cassava mosaic virus, and its name Jatropha mosaic India virus (JMIV) is proposed.     

Model‐assisted identification of metabolic engineering strategies for Jatropha curcas lipid pathways

Efficient approaches to increase plant lipid production are necessary to meet current industrial demands for this important resource. While Jatropha curcas cell culture can be used for in vitro lipid production, scaling up the system for industrial applications requires an understanding of how growth conditions affect lipid metabolism and yield. Here we present a bottom‐up metabolic reconstruction of J. curcas supported with labeling experiments and biomass characterization under three growth conditions. We show that the metabolic model can accurately predict growth and distribution of fluxes in cell cultures and use these findings to pinpoint energy expenditures that affect lipid biosynthesis and metabolism. In addition, by using constraint‐based modeling approaches we identify network reactions whose joint manipulation optimizes lipid production. The proposed model and computational analyses provide a stepping stone for future rational optimization of other agronomically relevant traits in J. curcas.     

Plant regeneration through the direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants of Jatropha curcas: a biofuel plant

An efficient and reproducible method for the regeneration of Jatropha curcas plants has been developed. The method employed direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants, without the formation of an intervening callus using a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ). The best induction of shoot buds (58.35%) and the number of shoot buds per explant (10.10) were observed when in vitro petiole explants were placed horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 2.27 µM TDZ after 6 weeks. The induced shoot buds were transferred to MS medium containing 10 µM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 µM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and 5.5 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot proliferation. The proliferated shoots could be elongated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), NAA and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). MS medium supplemented with 2.25 µM BAP and 8.5 µM IAA was found to be the best combination for shoot elongation and 3.01–3.91 cm elongation was achieved after 6 weeks. However, significant differences in plant regeneration and shoot elongation were observed among the genotypes studied. The orientation (horizontal or vertical) and source (in vitro or in vivo) of explants also significantly influenced plant regeneration. The elongated shoots could be rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA and NAA, and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 15 µM IBA, 5.7 µM IAA, 5.5 µM NAA and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal was found to be the best for promoting rooting. The rooted plants could be established in soil with more than 90% survival.     

Physiological adjustment to salt stress in Jatropha curcas is associated with accumulation of salt ions,transport and selectivity of K+, osmotic adjustment and K+/Na+ homeostasis

This study assessed the capacity of Jatropha curcas to physiologically adjust to salinity. Seedlings were exposed to increasing NaCl concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 mm ) for 15 days. Treatment without NaCl was adopted as control. Shoot dry weight was strongly reduced by NaCl, reaching values of 35% to 65% with 25 to 100 mm NaCl. The shoot/root ratio was only affected with 100 mm NaCl. Relative water content (RWC) increased only with 100 mm NaCl, while electrolyte leakage (EL) was much enhanced with 50 mm NaCl. The Na⁺ transport rate to the shoot was more affected with 50 and 100 mm NaCl. In parallel, Cl^? transport rate increased with 75 and 100 mm NaCl, while K⁺ transport rate fell from 50 mm to 100 mm NaCl. In roots, Na⁺ and Cl^? transport rates fell slightly only in 50 mm (to Na⁺) and 50 and 100 mm (to Cl^?) NaCl, while K⁺ transport rate fell significantly with increasing NaCl. In general, our data demonstrate that J. curcas seedlings present changes in key physiological processes that allow this species to adjust to salinity. These responses are related to accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^? in leaves and roots, K⁺/Na⁺ homeostasis, transport of K⁺ and selectivity (K–Na) in roots, and accumulation of organic solutes contributing to osmotic adjustment of the species.     

Direct shoot regeneration from node,internode, hypocotyl and embryo explants of Withania somnifera

In vitro studies were initiated with Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. for rapid micropropagation of selected chemotypes using nodes, internodes, hypocotyls and embryo explants. Direct regeneration of shoot buds was observed in MS basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of either benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazouron (TDZ) depending on the explant. Nodal explants formed multiple shoots both from pre-existing and de novo buds on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) containing 0.1–5.0 mg l⁻¹ BA and a ring of de novo shoot buds on MS medium containing 0.2 and 0.3 mg l⁻¹ TDZ. Internodal explants formed shoot buds on MS with 1.0 and 5.0 mg l⁻¹ BA while the hypocotyl explants gave rise to multiple shoots only on MS with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BA. Isolated embryos gave rise to many shoot buds on MS with 0.2 and 0.3 mg l⁻¹ TDZ. The shoot buds elongated and rooted either on MS medium with 0.01 mg l⁻¹ BA or on half strength MS medium lacking growth regulators, which depended upon the growth regulator used in the shoot bud induction medium. Except for the embryo-derived plantlets, all other plantlets could be acclimatized with 100% success. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

麻疯树中ADP核糖基化因子基因的克隆和表达

从麻疯树cDNA文库中筛选到包含完整编码序列的ADP核糖基化因子的cDNA序列,命名为Jc-arf．其长度为887bp,开放阅读框546bp,推测的编码蛋白含181个氨基酸残基,具有典型的GTP结合蛋白家族的特点：P框（GLDAAGKT）、G’框（DVGGQ）和G框（NKQDL）。序列分析显示,Jc-arf矿接近于人类ClassI型arf基因,其蛋白序列与多种植物ARF有很高的同源性。半定量RT-PCR结果显示,Jc-arf的表达具有一定的组织特异性,在花中最丰富。PEG、低温、NaCl胁迫下,Jc-arf的表达受PEG和低温的诱导,而对NaCl胁迫不敏感。     

Indirect organogenesis from leaf explants of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br.: an important medicinal plant

Hemidesmus indicus (Asclepiadaceae) leaf explants were utilized for establishing culture in MS medium fortified with individual cytokinins, auxins, and their combinations. Optimum response (80%) was observed in N⁶-benzyladenine (BA, 20 μM) + indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 1 μM) with 19.67 ± 0.81 shoots per explant. Roots were induced in ¼MS + indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 20 μM).     

Direct organogenesis and plantlet regeneration from mature zygotic embryos of masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.)

Mature zygotic embryos of masson pine were cultured as initial explants to investigate the process of direct organogenesis. Adventitious buds were initiated on DCR medium (Douglas-fir cotyledon revised medium) supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.05 mg l⁻¹ indolebutyric acid (IBA) or α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest induction frequency of adventitious buds was 99.3%. Subsequent transfer of buds to medium with lower concentrations of plant growth regulators in time was necessary for differentation of high quality adventitious buds. After culturing on elongating medium, in which the proportion of cytokinins to auxins was reduced, shoots higher than 2 cm were transferred for root induction to GD medium with half of the concentration of macro-salts (½ GD) and with 2 mg l⁻¹ IBA and 0.05 mg l⁻¹ BA. The average root frequency was over 70%. After adventitious roots had appeared, the shoots were transferred to ½ GD medium with a lower concentration of IBA (0.2 mg l⁻¹) for further root development.     

小桐子枝叶提取物对植物病原真菌的生物活性

采用菌丝生长抑制法,测定了小桐子枝叶6种不同溶剂提取物对小麦赤霉病菌、稻瘟病菌、烟草疫霉菌和辣椒疫霉菌的抑制作用,从中筛选出抑制作用最强的粗提物进行进一步的活性组分分离和抑菌活性测定。结果表明小桐子枝叶的乙醇提取物对4种植物病原菌抑制活性最高,在浓度为0.8 g·L^-1时,小桐子枝叶的乙醇提取物对小麦赤霉病菌、稻瘟病菌、烟草疫霉菌、辣椒疫霉菌菌丝生长抑制率分别为：87.1%、90.3%、86.4%、77.9%,其抗菌活性与农药世高均无显著差异;在小桐子枝叶乙醇提取物的不同溶剂萃取物对稻瘟病菌和烟草疫霉病菌进行生物活性追踪测试中发现,石油醚和水萃取物都具有较好的活性,当浓度为0.8 g·L^-1时,石油醚和水萃取物对两种病菌抑制率都达50%以上。表明小桐子枝叶含有丰富的抗植物病原真菌活性物质,且主要存在于小桐子枝叶乙醇提取物的石油醚相和水相中。     

Sequence Analysis of the Genome of an Oil-Bearing Tree, Jatropha curcas L.

The whole genome of Jatropha curcas was sequenced, using a combination of the conventional Sanger method and new-generation multiplex sequencing methods. Total length of the non-redundant sequences thus obtained was 285 858 490 bp consisting of 120 586 contigs and 29 831 singlets. They accounted for ∼95% of the gene-containing regions with the average G + C content was 34.3%. A total of 40 929 complete and partial structures of protein encoding genes have been deduced. Comparison with genes of other plant species indicated that 1529 (4%) of the putative protein-encoding genes are specific to the Euphorbiaceae family. A high degree of microsynteny was observed with the genome of castor bean and, to a lesser extent, with those of soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana. In parallel with genome sequencing, cDNAs derived from leaf and callus tissues were subjected to pyrosequencing, and a total of 21 225 unigene data have been generated. Polymorphism analysis using microsatellite markers developed from the genomic sequence data obtained was performed with 12 J. curcas lines collected from various parts of the world to estimate their genetic diversity. The genomic sequence and accompanying information presented here are expected to serve as valuable resources for the acceleration of fundamental and applied research with J. curcas, especially in the fields of environment-related research such as biofuel production. Further information on the genomic sequences and DNA markers is available at http://www.kazusa.or.jp/jatropha/.     

Rapid in vitro propagation system through shoot tip cultures of Vitex trifolia L.–an important multipurpose plant of the Pacific traditional Medicine

A rapid and efficient plant propagation system through shoot tip explants was established in Vitex trifolia L., a medicinally important plant belonging to the family Verbenaceae. Multiple shoots were induced directly on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium consisting of different cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP), BA at an optimal concentration of 5.0 μM was most effective in inducing multiple shoots where 90 % explants responded with an average shoot number (4.4±0.1) and shoot length (2.0±0.1 cm) after 6 weeks of culture. Inclusion of NAA in the culture medium along with the optimum concentration of BA promoted a higher rate of shoot multiplication and length of the shoot, where 19.2±0.3 well-grown healthy shoots with an average shoot length of 4.4±0.1 cm were obtained on completion of 12 weeks culture period. Ex vitro rooting was achieved best directly in soilrite when basal portion of the shoots were treated with 500 μM indole-3-butyric acid for 15 min which was the most effective in inducing roots, as 95 % of the microshoots produced roots. Plantlets went through a hardening phase in a controlled plant growth chamber, prior to ex-vitro transfer. Micropropagated plants grew well, attained maturity and flowered with 92 % survival rate. The results of this study provide the first report on in vitro plant regeneration of Vitex trifolia L. using shoot tip explants.     

Isolation of novel microsatellites from Jatropha curcas L. and their cross-species amplification

Jatropha curcas L., a member of the Euphorbiaceae, is widely distributed in different parts of the globe. In the present study, 12 microsatellites were isolated from J. curcas and their cross-species amplification was checked in six species of genus Jatropha. Within J. curcas, observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.94 to 0.54 and from 0.95 to 0.56, respectively. Of the 12 loci, five showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium detected between any of the loci. The markers isolated in the present investigation will be useful for assessing the population diversity and genetic structure of J. curcas and also in other species of Jatropha.     

一个麻疯树RING型锌指蛋白基因JcRFP1的克隆及表达

首次从麻疯树胚乳cDNA丈库中克隆得到一个RJNG型锌指蛋白基（GenBank登录号为JF920726）,命名为JcRFP1。该cDNA长度为728bp,包含编码JcRFP1蛋白的完整开放阅读框（516bp）。脚,基因在麻疯树各器官中均检测到表达且表达量依次为：叶〉茎〉花〉果实〉种子〉根。将克隆到的JcRFP1基因的cDNA序列连接到表达载体pET32a（＋）上,导入BL21（DE3）pLysS菌株,成功诱导表达相对分子质量为33．2kDa的可溶性融合蛋白。该融合蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔,得到效价为1：6500的抗血清。研究表明,JcRFP1蛋白具有体外泛素连接酶E3活性,在麻疯树体内可能参与油菜素甾醇信号转导途径。     

麻疯树叶中过氧化物酶JCP-1的分离纯化和几种特性的检测

麻疯树叶片蛋白粗提液经硫酸铵分级沉淀,强阴离子琼脂糖、强阳离子琼脂糖和交联葡聚糖层析,得到一个比活为4499U·mg-1（蛋白）过氧化物酶,命名为JCP-1。其分子量为49kDa,等电点为pH3.3,最适pH为5.0-6.0。以H2O2为底物的Km为2.14mmol·L-1。JCP-1具有宽泛的最适保存pH（7.0-11.0）和较高的耐热性（80℃高温处理15min,活性保持在90%以上）。30%PEG6000处理模拟干旱胁迫及50℃高温胁迫麻疯树苗,其叶片中JCP-1活性分别提高121%和155%。     

麻疯树MIPS基因启动子的分离及在烟草原生质体中瞬时表达活性分析

根据麻疯树MIPS基因序列,设计特异性的巢式引物,运用TAIL-PCR法两次步移得到MIPS基因5＇端侧翼序列,序列分析显示含有多个胁迫应答相关元件,如ABRE、HSE等。以该序列为基础,PCR扩增得到5个5＇端不同长度的缺失片段,分别插入pBI221载体置换CaMV35S启动子,构建的表达载体在PEG介导下转入烟草叶片原生质体进行瞬时表达,检测GUS报告基因的活性。经GUS活性荧光定量检测发现,分离到的MIPS基因侧翼序列5＇端不同缺失片段都能启动GUS报告基因表达,启动活性最高的是WQ1区（-565bp）,核心区位于-565～-449bp。在100μmol·L-1ABA诱导下启动活性增强,但不同区段的增长幅度不同。WQ1区增长幅度最大,比未处理时提高41.4%。     

A combination of thidiazuron and benzyladenine promotes multiple shoot production from cotyledonary node explants of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

A procedure for multiple shoot formation from cotyledonary node explants of faba bean (Vicia faba L.cv.S.Ghdar) cultured on MS medium containing benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) was developed. Explants on medium with TDZ in combination with BA produced a higher number of shoots than with either cytokinin alone. The highest number of shoots was obtained when explants from 7-day-old seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with TDZ and BA (2 mgl–1 each) for 31 days before transfer to hormone-free MS medium for elongation. Shoots produced in vitro were rooted on half-strength agar-solidified MS basal medium or with 0.25 or 0.5 mgl–1 naphthalenacetic acid (NAA) prior to transfer to green house conditions. This procedure was found to be applicable to seven other cultivars of faba bean from widely diverse provenances. Thus, it can be advantageously applied to the production of transgenic faba bean plants.