The Regulatory Role of Inflorescence Leaves in Fruit-setting by Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Inflorescence leaves improve fruit set on sweet orange trees. We sought an explanation for this effect in terms of carbon demand by developing fruit versus potential supply from adjacent leaves. Our assessment was based upon measurements of fruit growth, leaf photosynthesis and ¹⁴C distribution patterns in plants grown under controlled conditions. Leafy inflorescences had sufficient foliar surface (1.24 dm²) and photosynthetic capacity (CO₂ 10.1 mg · dm^-2· h^-1) to support early development of fruits on the same shoot, and to make a substantial contribution towards subsequent growth. ¹⁴C-assimilates derived from new leaves were distributed towards adjacent fruit which showed strong competition for labelled substrate. By contrast, fruit borne on leafless inflorescences had to obtain all their assimilates from older leaves whose photosynthetic capacity (CO₂ 3.5–4.6 mg · dm^-2· h^-1) and individual area (0.2 dm²) were generally insufficient to wholly sustain fruit growth, so that a large number of old-leaves were needed; these fruit would be more susceptible to competition from other sinks.     

Collection and Chemical Composition of Phloem Sap from Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck (Sweet Orange)

Through utilizing the nutrient-rich phloem sap, sap feeding insects such as psyllids, leafhoppers, and aphids can transmit many phloem-restricted pathogens. On the other hand, multiplication of phloem-limited, uncultivated bacteria such as Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) inside the phloem of citrus indicates that the sap contains all the essential nutrients needed for the pathogen growth. The phloem sap composition of many plants has been studied; however, to our knowledge, there is no available data about citrus phloem sap. In this study, we identified and quantified the chemical components of phloem sap from pineapple sweet orange. Two approaches (EDTA enhanced exudation and centrifugation) were used to collect phloem sap. The collected sap was derivatized with methyl chloroformate (MCF), N-methyl-N- [tert-butyl dimethylsilyl]-trifluroacetamide (MTBSTFA), or trimethylsilyl (TMS) and analyzed with GC-MS revealing 20 amino acids and 8 sugars. Proline, the most abundant amino acid, composed more than 60% of the total amino acids. Tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are considered essential for phloem sap-sucking insects, were also detected. Sucrose, glucose, fructose, and inositol were the most predominant sugars. In addition, seven organic acids including succinic, fumaric, malic, maleic, threonic, citric, and quinic were detected. All compounds detected in the EDTA-enhanced exudate were also detected in the pure phloem sap using centrifugation. The centrifugation technique allowed estimating the concentration of metabolites. This information expands our knowledge about the nutrition requirement for citrus phloem-limited bacterial pathogen and their vectors, and can help define suitable artificial media to culture them.     

Individual Identification and Paternity Determination in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Using Human Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Markers

We studied 155 human short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There is no difference in number of alleles per locus among STRs of different motif length (di-, tri-, or tetranucleotide repeats). We investigated 42 of the most informative STRs in greater detail using DNA isolated from a panel of 41 African-born, captive-housed chimpanzees. They reveal a wealth of genetic variability in chimpanzees, with an average of six alleles and 70.6% heterozygosity. The average paternity exclusion probability is 51.6%, and the best three STRs jointly provide >95% mean exclusion probability. Used in combination to define a multiple-locus genotype, the five most informative focal STRs can potentially uniquely identify every chimpanzee alive in the world. Although the subjects are of unknown geographical origin, homozygosity tests indicate little evidence for population subdivision. These markers represent the basis of a powerful battery of genetic tests, including individual identification, e.g., in poaching, paternity testing, or reconstruction of pedigrees among captive and wild chimpanzee breeding populations.     

Iron Chlorosis in Grafted Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L.) Plants: Physiological and Biochemical Responses

Fe deficiency was imposed in Citrus sinensis L. cultivars Valencia and New Hall grafted on C. aurantium and Swingle citrumelo rootstocks by the absence of Fe (-Fe) or by the presence of bicarbonate in the Hoagland nutrient solution. In Fe-deprived leaves total and active Fe concentration, and peroxidase and catalase activities were decreased while the ratios carotenoids/chlorophylls, P/Fe, and K/Ca were increased. Fe(III) chelate reductase activity was induced in (-Fe)-treated roots whereas it was depressed in bicarbonate-treated roots.     

Comparison of Biochemical Polymorphisms and Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA Markers for Paternity Testing in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Genetic markers are indispensable for molecular and statistical genetic research involving nonhuman primates. Genetic markers must be used to ascertain parentage and to confirm the accuracy of pedigrees based solely on housing or demographic records; otherwise, the results of pedigree, linkage, or quantitative genetic analyses may be unreliable. Until recently, most genetic markers used in nonhuman primates were plasma proteins or isozyme polymorphisms, which were required in large numbers, because levels of genetic variation revealed by these markers were rather low. We compared the newer, PCR-amplified short tandem repeat markers (STRs) with a panel of classical biochemical polymorphic markers, for paternity determination among captive-bred rhesus monkeys. The STR markers exhibited an average genetic diversity of 64% and an expected paternity exclusion probability of 0.443. Both of these were greater than the average 54.5% genetic diversity and 0.298 exclusion probability exhibited by the biochemical markers. The STRs were much more efficient than the biochemical markers for parentage determination, since they required only half the amount of genetic typing data to resolve an average paternity case. Thus, the results of applying these two classes of genetic markers in paternity tests were somewhat different than expected on the basis of theoretical exclusion probabilities. These differences were probably due to inbreeding and other genetic differences among breeding colonies. Because they are more informative and provide rapid and efficient genetic data, STRs are now the method of choice for parentage determination and pedigree corroboration among nonhuman primates.     

Short Tandem Repeat loci analysis in forensic casework

The development of polymerase chain reaction typing method has enhanced the possibilities of genetic identification of biological evidence samples for forensic caseworks. The authors report the use of multiplex amplification reactions associating several short tandem repeat loci. These amplification systems produce reliable results and a sufficient incrimination power to send the cases before the court.     

The Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Indian Citrus Ringspot Virus Infecting the Sweet Orange in India

Whole-genome sequencing of an isolate of Mandarivirus infecting the sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L) Blanco] in the western part of India (Pune) was done. The single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of Indian citrus ringspot virus (ICRSV) Pune has 7,560 nucleotides (nt), excluding a poly(A) tail, comprised of 27.98% (2,115 nt) A, 32.12% (2,428 nt) C, 19.68% (1,488 nt) G, and 20.22% (1,529 nt) T residues. The genome, organized into six open reading frames (ORFs), shares 97.7% sequence identity with the complete genome of the ICRSV K1 isolate ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF406744.1","term_id":"15420945","term_text":"AF406744.1"}}AF406744.1) infecting the kinnow (Citrus reticulate Blanco, a hybrid between King and Willow mandarins) in north India. The ICRSV Pune genome formed a complex secondary structure with a large number of unpaired cytosine-rich regions, and recombination analysis highlighted potential recombination in the ICRSV genome.     

河南汉族群体短串联重复vWA遗传多态性研究

研究人类短串联重复序列vWA在河南汉族人群中遗传多态性,探讨该基因座在法医学和基因诊断中的应用的可能性;同时和中国成都人群、美国黑人、高加索人群、西班牙人群、西班牙南方人群的vWA遗传多态性进行比较,以期了解该基因座在人种、地域上是否有差异。采集河南地区无血缘关系汉族个体血样,应用Chelex法提取DNA,聚合酶链式反应扩增,非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分型,χ2检验。得到vWA在河南汉族群体中的基因频率,有8个等位基因,24个基因型,杂合度为0.80,个体识别率为0.84,非父排除率为0.61;河南汉族人群和中国成都人群vWA遗传多态性无显著性差异（χ2=9.6, P＞0.05）,而与美国黑人群（χ2=118,48,P＜0.05）、高加索人群（χ2=45.48,P＜0.05）、西班牙人群（χ2=86.87,P＜0.05）、西班牙南方人群（χ2=85.68,P＜0.05）均有显著性差异。说明该基因座多态性较好,分布符合Hardy-Weinberg 平衡,可以用于个体识别和亲权鉴定。同时也说明河南汉族人群具有一定的代表性,其群体遗传特征的调查研究对群体遗传学和人类学有着重要意义。 Genetic Polymorphisms of Human Short Tandem Repeat vWA LI Yi,HAO Bing-tao,YANG Yan-li,ZHU Wen-yu,SI Yan-mei,WANG Ying-tai (Genetics Department,the People`s Hospital of Henan Province,Zhengzhou 450003,China) Abstract:We researched the genetic polymorphisms of vWA in Henan population and its usfulness in forensic science.DNA extracted from non-relative persons in Henan population with Chelex was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and was typed by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis silver staining.A total of 8 alleles and 19 genotypes were found in Henan population,its heterozygosity is high and the locus can be used in forensic genetics.We obtained the allelic frequency of the locus vWA in Henan population.The results of amniotic fluid,villus,blood stain indicate vWA is a good locus for forensic study. Key words：polymorphism; short tandem repeats; polymerase chain reaction; vWA     

Construction and Characterization of a cDNA Library from the Pulp of Cara Cara Navel Orange （Citrus sinensis Osbeck）

A cDNA library was constructed end characterized from the pulp of Cera Care navel orange （Citrus sinensis Osbeck） at different stages of ripening. Tittering results revealed that approximately 5.086×10^5 independent clones were included in this library. Electrophoresls gel results of 15 randomly selected clones revealed that the size of the insertion fragments ranged from 400 bp to 2 kb, with an average size of 900 bp. Sequencing results of 150 randomly picked clones showed that the recombination rate was 94%. During subsequent sequence analysis, 41 of 139 clones failed to be identified end the amino sequence of 71 clones shared less than 30% identity with related plants in GenBank. Of 27 clones whose amino sequences shared more than 60% identity with other related plants in GenBenk, 17 clones showed an 80% identity with the corresponding candidate genes of citrus. The clone recognized as the type Ⅲ metallothlonein-llke （MT） gene was observed to occur 13 tlmes, Indlcatlng that the protein may play an important role In frult development and rlpenlng.     

Regulation of Stem Abscission and Callus Growth in Shoot Explants of Sweet Orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]

Two-node explants from Sweet Orange cv. St Ives Valencia orangeshoots produced prolific callus and formed secondary abscissionzones within internodes when cultured in vitro with abscisicacid (ABA, 5 µM) or -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 5 µM).Benzyladenine (BA, 1 µm) induced callus but had littleeffect on abscission. Secondary abscission zone formation wasassociated with ABA-induced and auxin-induced ethylene formation.Treatment of explants with inhibitors of ethylene synthesis[aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG), Co²⁺, PO₄^3–] preventedformation of secondary abscission zones but had variable effectson callus formation. Newly made explants contained high concentrationsof endogenous ABA (up to 6000 ng g^–1 f.wt), as measuredby GC/MS/SIM. Long-term subculture of explants (two years) inmedia containing BA (1 µm) led to a reduction in endogenousABA level (40 ng g^–1 f. wt) and to loss of capacity toform extensive callus and secondary abscission zones. Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. St Ives Valencia, sweet orange, secondary abscission zones, in vitro, ethylene, endogenous ABA, endogenous IAA     

HPLC-Q-TOF/MS分析脐橙果实中的类黄酮

采用高效液相色谱分离、串联四极杆-飞行时间质谱正离子模式检测‘红肉脐橙’和‘清家脐橙’果实黄皮层、白皮层、囊衣和汁胞中的主要类黄酮。根据保留时间、精确质荷比、二级质谱以及标准品化合物验证,确定了脐橙不同组织中含量较高的甜橙黄酮、川陈皮素等13种类黄酮。依据峰面积比较相对含量,认为脐橙黄皮层中类黄酮含量丰富,白皮层和囊衣中类黄酮含量次之,汁胞中类黄酮相对含量较少。黄皮层中以甜橙黄酮、川陈皮素和橘皮素等多甲氧基黄酮为主,而白皮层、囊衣和汁胞中的类黄酮以橙皮苷、柚皮苷为主。脐橙相同组织如白皮层、囊衣和汁胞中类黄酮的相对含量在品种间无显著差异,但橙皮苷、3,5,6,7,3',4'-六甲氧基黄酮和橘皮素在两品种的黄皮层中相对含量差异显著。研究结果为进一步研究和综合利用脐橙的活性物质提供了科学依据。     

Gibberellic Acid Reduces Flowering Intensity in Sweet Orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] by Repressing CiFT Gene Expression

In Citrus, gibberellic acid (GA₃) applied at the floral bud inductive period significantly reduces flowering intensity. This effect is being used to improve the fruit set of parthenocarpic cultivars that tend to flower profusely. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the process remain unclear. To contribute to the knowledge of this phenomenon, adult trees of ‘Salustiana’ sweet orange were sprayed at the floral bud inductive period with 40?mg?L^?1 of GA₃ and the expression pattern of flowering genes was examined up to the onset of bud sprouting. Trees sprayed with paclobutrazol (PBZ, 2,000?mg L^?1), a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, were used to confirm the effects, and untreated trees served as control. Bud sprouting, flowering intensity, and developed shoots were evaluated in the spring. GA₃ significantly reduced the number of flowers per 100 nodes by 72% compared to the control, whereas PBZ increased the number by 123%. Data of the expression pattern of flowering genes in leaves of GA₃-treated trees revealed that this plant growth regulator inhibited flowering by repressing relative expression of the homolog of FLOWERING LOCUS T, CiFT, whereas PBZ increased flowering by boosting its expression. The activity of the homologs TERMINAL FLOWER 1, FLOWERING LOCUS C, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1, and APETALA1 was not affected by the treatments. The number of flowers per inflorescence, in both leafy and leafless inflorescences, was not altered by GA₃ but increased with PBZ; the latter paralleled LEAFY relative expression. These results suggest that GA₃ inhibits flowering in Citrus by repressing CiFT expression in leaves.     

人类短串联重复序列HUMTH01基因座的遗传多态性

作者用扩增片段长度多态技术分析了人类短串联重复序列ＨＵＭＴＨ０１基因型及等位基因频率在中国成都地区汉族群体和德国科隆地区白人中的分布。用同步电泳技术比较不同引物ＰＣＲ产物分型结果,评估不同实验室ＨＵＭＴＨ０１群体数据的可比性。计算了２５个群体间ＨＵＭＴＨ０１ＳＴＲ的遗传距离,并构建了系统树。ＨＵＭＴＨ０１ＳＴＲ系统树分析不仅与传统遗传标记结果一致,并且获得了群体遗传的新线索。     

Hormonal and Nutritional Changes in the Flavedo Regulating Rind Color Development in Sweet Orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.]

The objective of this research was to determine the changes in the levels of endogenous gibberellins GA₁ and GA₄, abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene during fruit coloring of on-tree fruits of sweet orange. The time course of carbohydrates and nitrogen content in the flavedo prior to fruit color break and during peel ripening were also studied. To identify nutritional and hormonal changes in the fruit, 45?days before fruit color break the peduncles of 15?C30 fruits per tree of ??Washington?? navel, ??Navelate,?? and ??Valencia Delta Seedless?? sweet orange, located in single-fruited shoots, were girdled to intercept phloem transport. A set of 15?C30 fruits per tree remained intact on the peduncle for control. Girdling significantly delayed fruit coloration for more than 2?months; the delay paralleled higher GA₁ and GA₄ concentrations in the flavedo and retarded the rise of ABA concentration prior to color break. Girdling also reduced carbohydrate concentrations and increased N concentrations in the flavedo compared to control fruits; no ethylene production was detected. Therefore, in sweet orange, fruit changes color by reducing active gibberellin concentrations in the flavedo, which are involved in regulating sugars and ABA accumulation and in reducing N fraction concentration as rind color develops. This was demonstrated in vivo without removing the fruit from the tree. Comparable results were obtained with experiments carried out over four consecutive years in two countries (Spain and Uruguay).     

STR基因座中检测出三带型等位基因2例

针对出现的三等位基因2例亲子鉴定案件,同时检测其唾液斑及毛发,应用Goldeneye 20A、PowerPlex 6C、Investigator 24plex QS及华夏白金试剂盒进行检测验证。结果显示在2例二联体亲子鉴定案件中,一例母亲的D18S51基因座分型为13/16,孩子的分型为15/16/17;另一例父亲的D7S820基因座分型为8/11/12,孩子的分型为10/11。唾液斑及毛发样本结果与FTA血卡结果一致,应用Goldeneye20A、PowerPlex 6C系统、Investigator 24plex QS及华夏白金试剂盒验证检测的结果相同。在日常亲子鉴定案件中,出现三带型现象较为罕见,针对这种现象,需进行认真判读及确认,以保证检测结果的准确性。