Soybean AP1 homologs control flowering time and plant height

Flowering time and plant height are key agronomic traits that directly affect soybean (Glycine max) yield. APETALA1 (AP1) functions as a class A gene in the ABCE model for floral organ development, helping to specify carpel, stamen, petal, and sepal identities. There are four AP1 homologs in soybean, all of which are mainly expressed in the shoot apex. Here, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) – CRISPR‐associated protein 9 technology to generate a homozygous quadruple mutant, gmap1, with loss‐of‐function mutations in all four GmAP1 genes. Under short‐day (SD) conditions, the gmap1 quadruple mutant exhibited delayed flowering, changes in flower morphology, and increased node number and internode length, resulting in plants that were taller than the wild type. Conversely, overexpression of GmAP1a resulted in early flowering and reduced plant height compared to the wild type under SD conditions. The gmap1 mutant and the overexpression lines also exhibited altered expression of several genes related to flowering and gibberellic acid metabolism, thereby providing insight into the role of GmAP1 in the regulatory networks controlling flowering time and plant height in soybean. Increased node number is the trait with the most promise for enhancing soybean pod number and grain yield. Therefore, the mutant alleles of the four AP1 homologs described here will be invaluable for molecular breeding of improved soybean yield.     

大豆向热带地区发展的遗传基础

大豆(Glycine max)是光周期敏感的植物,该特性是决定其生育期及其生态适应区的关键因素。温带的大豆品种引种到热带地区(短日照)时,开花期和成熟期提前、产量降低,限制了大豆在热带地区的种植。长童期(LJ)大豆品种的发现是解决该问题的重要突破。在短日照条件下,LJ品种比温带品种开花晚、体量大、成熟晚且产量提高。前期研究发现,J位点是控制LJ性状的关键位点。近期,我国科学家通过精细定位克隆了J基因,发现其与拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)早花基因(ELF3)同源。他们通过功能互补和近等基因系等方法验证了J基因的功能,在短日照条件下,等位基因j比J开花晚、成熟晚且产量提高。进一步研究发现,J蛋白与E1基因(豆科植物开花抑制因子)的启动子结合抑制E1基因的表达,从而解除E1对大豆开花基因(FT)的抑制,促进大豆在短日照下开花。研究还发现在大豆种质资源中存在多种j等位变异。该研究引领了大豆生育期遗传研究的新方向,揭示了大豆向热带地区发展的遗传基础。     

A recent retrotransposon insertion of J caused E6 locus facilitating soybean adaptation into low latitude

Soybean (Glycine max) is an important legume crop that was domesticated in temperate regions. Soybean varieties from these regions generally mature early and exhibit extremely low yield when grown under inductive short-day (SD) conditions at low latitudes. The long-juvenile (LJ) trait, which is characterized by delayed flowering and maturity, and improved yield under SD conditions, allowed the cultivation of soybean to expand to lower latitudes. Two major loci control the LJ trait: J and E6. In the current study, positional cloning, sequence analysis, and transgenic complementation confirmed that E6 is a novel allele of J, the ortholog of Arabidopsis thaliana EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3). The mutant allele e6^PG, which carries a Ty1/Copia-like retrotransposon insertion, does not suppress the legume-specific flowering repressor E1, allowing E1 to inhibit Flowering Locus T (FT) expression and thus delaying flowering and increasing yields under SD conditions. The e6^PG allele is a rare allele that has not been incorporated into modern breeding programs. The dysfunction of J might have greatly facilitated the adaptation of soybean to low latitudes. Our findings increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the LJ trait and provide valuable resources for soybean breeding.     

SoySNP618K array: A high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism platform as a valuable genomic resource for soybean genetics and breeding

Innovations in genomics have enabled the development of low-cost, high-resolution, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays that accelerate breeding progress and support basic research in crop science. Here, we developed and validated the SoySNP618K array (618,888 SNPs) for the important crop soybean. The SNPs were selected from whole-genome resequencing data containing 2,214 diverse soybean accessions; 29.34% of the SNPs mapped to genic regions representing 86.85% of the 56,044 annotated high-confidence genes. Identity-by-state analyses of 318 soybeans revealed 17 redundant accessions, highlighting the potential of the SoySNP618K array in supporting gene bank management. The patterns of population stratification and genomic regions enriched through domestication were highly consistent with previous findings based on resequencing data, suggesting that the ascertainment bias in the SoySNP618K array was largely compensated for. Genome-wide association mapping in combination with reported quantitative trait loci enabled fine-mapping of genes known to influence flowering time, E2 and GmPRR3b, and of a new candidate gene, GmVIP5. Moreover, genomic prediction of flowering and maturity time in 502 recombinant inbred lines was highly accurate (>0.65). Thus, the SoySNP618K array is a valuable genomic tool that can be used to address many questions in applied breeding, germplasm management, and basic crop research.     

Molecular mechanisms for the photoperiodic regulation of flowering in soybean

Photoperiodic flowering is one of the most important factors affecting regional adaptation and yield in soybean (Glycine max). Plant adaptation to long-day conditions at higher latitudes requires early flowering and a reduction or loss of photoperiod sensitivity; adaptation to short-day conditions at lower latitudes involves delayed flowering, which prolongs vegetative growth for maximum yield potential. Due to the influence of numerous major loci and quantitative trait loci (QTLs), soybean has broad adaptability across latitudes. Forward genetic approaches have uncovered the molecular basis for several of these major maturity genes and QTLs. Moreover, the molecular characterization of orthologs of Arabidopsis thaliana flowering genes has enriched our understanding of the photoperiodic flowering pathway in soybean. Building on early insights into the importance of the photoreceptor phytochrome A, several circadian clock components have been integrated into the genetic network controlling flowering in soybean: E1, a repressor of FLOWERING LOCUS T orthologs, plays a central role in this network. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in elucidating photoperiodic flowering in soybean, how it contributes to our fundamental understanding of flowering time control, and how this information could be used for molecular design and breeding of high-yielding soybean cultivars.     

不同氮水平下不同种稗草对水稻产量形成的影响

以‘南粳9108’(粳稻)为材料,自移栽至成熟期分别与无芒稗、西来稗和光头稗共培养,以无稗草共培为对照,观察不同种类共培稗草在不同施氮水平下(0、120、240、360 kg N·hm^-2)对水稻产量形成的影响.结果表明:相同氮肥水平下,不同种稗草株高表现为西来稗>无芒稗>光头稗,生育期由长到短为无芒稗>西来稗>光头稗.随着氮肥施用量的增加,不同种稗草的生物量在240 kg N·hm^-2下达到最大值,然后降低,无芒稗和西来稗的生物量均显著高于光头稗.在0 kg N·hm^-2下,不同种稗草对水稻产量无显著影响;在120 kg N·hm^-2下,无芒稗和光头稗处理水稻产量与无稗草处理差异不显著,但西来稗处理产量较无稗草处理显著降低;在240 kg N·hm^-2下,无芒稗、西来稗和光头稗处理显著减产;在360 kg N·hm^-2下,无芒稗和西来稗处理产量较无稗草处理显著降低,光头稗处理与无稗草处理差异不显著.稗草和氮肥对水稻产量形成具有明显的互作效应.120 kg N·hm^-2下,西来稗处理显著降低了水稻灌浆期剑叶硝酸还原酶活性、光合速率和根系氧化力以及成熟期氮积累量和干物质量,其他稗草处理与对照差异不显著;在240和360 kg N·hm^-2下,无芒稗和西来稗处理降低了水稻上述指标;在0 kg N·hm^-2下,各处理的上述指标差异不显著.回归分析表明,稗草表型对水稻产量的影响由大到小的顺序为生物量、株高、生育期和分蘖数,推测稗草较大的生物量造成水稻剑叶光合速率、硝酸还原酶活性、根系氧化力、氮积累量和干物质积累量降低,影响了水稻的生长发育,造成水稻减产.     

大气CO2浓度升高对八宝景天生长及光合生理的影响

利用开顶式气室(OTC)系统,设正常大气CO₂浓度和CO₂浓度升高200 μmol·mol^-12个CO₂浓度处理,模拟大气CO₂浓度升高对八宝景天光合生理和生长发育的影响.结果表明: 大气CO₂浓度升高使八宝景天叶片上、下表皮气孔密度分别显著下降16.1%和16.7%,使叶片维管束增粗,导管增多,靠近上表皮细胞增大;CO₂浓度升高可以显著增加傍晚时八宝景天叶片光合色素含量,使夜间净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率显著增加.初花期傍晚,CO₂浓度升高使叶片苹果酸含量显著下降64.0%,纤维素含量显著增加20.8%.盛花期清晨,CO₂浓度升高使叶片苹果酸含量显著增加27.0%,对糖类物质含量影响不显著,植株的分枝数、单株茎质量和单株总生物量显著增加.CO₂浓度升高可以促进八宝景天光合作用,有利于植株生长.     

大气CO2浓度升高对八宝景天生长及光合生理的影响

利用开顶式气室(OTC)系统,设正常大气CO₂浓度和CO₂浓度升高200 μmol·mol^-12个CO₂浓度处理,模拟大气CO₂浓度升高对八宝景天光合生理和生长发育的影响.结果表明: 大气CO₂浓度升高使八宝景天叶片上、下表皮气孔密度分别显著下降16.1%和16.7%,使叶片维管束增粗,导管增多,靠近上表皮细胞增大;CO₂浓度升高可以显著增加傍晚时八宝景天叶片光合色素含量,使夜间净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率显著增加.初花期傍晚,CO₂浓度升高使叶片苹果酸含量显著下降64.0%,纤维素含量显著增加20.8%.盛花期清晨,CO₂浓度升高使叶片苹果酸含量显著增加27.0%,对糖类物质含量影响不显著,植株的分枝数、单株茎质量和单株总生物量显著增加.CO₂浓度升高可以促进八宝景天光合作用,有利于植株生长.     

Ester production in E. coli and C. acetobutylicum

Genetic engineering has improved the product yield of a variety of compounds by overexpressing, inactivating, or introducing new genes in microbial systems. The production of flavor-enhancing ester compounds is an emerging area of heterologous gene expression for desired product yield in Escherichia coli. Isoamyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl butyrate are reported here to be produced by expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes ATF1 or ATF2 and the strawberry gene SAAT in E. coli when the appropriate substrates are provided. Increasing the concentration of alcohol added to the reaction generally resulted in increased ester production. ATF1 expression was found to produce more isoamyl acetate and butyl acetate than ATF2 expression or SAAT expression in the strains and culture conditions examined. Additionally, SAAT expression resulted in greater isoamyl acetate and butyl acetate production than ATF2 expression. Butyl butyrate is produced by cell-free extracts of E. coli harboring SAAT but not ATF1 or ATF2.     

基于COI和ND5序列的中国南部唇鱼骨和间鱼骨群体遗传结构

唇鱼骨和间鱼骨均为分布较广的初级淡水鱼类,是理想的亲缘地理研究材料;且两者形态特征较为相似,不易鉴别,故两者的分布记述和物种有效性存在争议.为了解我国南部唇鱼骨和间鱼骨的群体遗传结构并探讨两者的物种有效性,本研究对8条水系的唇鱼骨和9条水系的间鱼骨共130尾个体的COI和ND5基因序列片段进行了测定,并对这两个基因的组合序列(2151 bp)进行了分析.结果表明: 在130尾个体的COI和ND5基因组合序列中,共有196个核苷酸变异位点,共检测出50个单倍型,单倍型多样性为0.964,核苷酸多样性为0.019,遗传多样性较高.基于COI和ND5基因组合序列构建的 NJ 树显示,所有种群可分为两支,支系Ⅰ包含了韩江和九龙江的全部单倍型以及瓯江的部分单倍型,余下的单倍型组成了支系Ⅱ.两支系间的遗传距离为0.036,而唇鱼骨与间鱼骨之间的遗传距离为0.027.单倍型网络图表明,韩江、九龙江种群和其他水系种群分化较大;漠阳江种群由海南岛种群扩散而来;海南岛各种群及漠阳江种群的单倍型分支与珠江水系单倍型的分支之间的亲缘关系较近,与长江水系单倍型分支之间的亲缘关系则较远;湘江、桂江和柳江之间的亲缘关系较近.AMOVA分析结果显示,地理区之间的变异约占71.2%,地理区内种群间变异约占16.6%,种群内的变异占12.2%,表明其遗传分化主要来自地理区之间.错配分析及中性检验结果显示,全部种群、唇鱼骨种群、间鱼骨种群、支系Ⅰ和支系Ⅱ在历史上均没有发生过明显的扩张.     

基于COI和ND5序列的中国南部唇鱼骨和间鱼骨群体遗传结构

唇鱼骨和间鱼骨均为分布较广的初级淡水鱼类,是理想的亲缘地理研究材料;且两者形态特征较为相似,不易鉴别,故两者的分布记述和物种有效性存在争议.为了解我国南部唇鱼骨和间鱼骨的群体遗传结构并探讨两者的物种有效性,本研究对8条水系的唇鱼骨和9条水系的间鱼骨共130尾个体的COI和ND5基因序列片段进行了测定,并对这两个基因的组合序列(2151 bp)进行了分析.结果表明: 在130尾个体的COI和ND5基因组合序列中,共有196个核苷酸变异位点,共检测出50个单倍型,单倍型多样性为0.964,核苷酸多样性为0.019,遗传多样性较高.基于COI和ND5基因组合序列构建的 NJ 树显示,所有种群可分为两支,支系Ⅰ包含了韩江和九龙江的全部单倍型以及瓯江的部分单倍型,余下的单倍型组成了支系Ⅱ.两支系间的遗传距离为0.036,而唇鱼骨与间鱼骨之间的遗传距离为0.027.单倍型网络图表明,韩江、九龙江种群和其他水系种群分化较大;漠阳江种群由海南岛种群扩散而来;海南岛各种群及漠阳江种群的单倍型分支与珠江水系单倍型的分支之间的亲缘关系较近,与长江水系单倍型分支之间的亲缘关系则较远;湘江、桂江和柳江之间的亲缘关系较近.AMOVA分析结果显示,地理区之间的变异约占71.2%,地理区内种群间变异约占16.6%,种群内的变异占12.2%,表明其遗传分化主要来自地理区之间.错配分析及中性检验结果显示,全部种群、唇鱼骨种群、间鱼骨种群、支系Ⅰ和支系Ⅱ在历史上均没有发生过明显的扩张.     

不同浓度新型分裂素PBU诱导的尾巨桉愈伤组织中miRNA396及CKX基因表达差异研究

尾巨桉愈伤组织的生长分化受内源激素影响,而miRNA396是一个调控植物叶片与根系生长发育的小RNA,与细胞分裂素的合成相关,CKX是负责调控细胞分裂素的氧化酶基因。为探讨miRNA396与CKX基因对尾巨桉愈伤组织生长发育的调控作用,以尾巨桉基因组为模板,进行PCR扩增及测序分析尾巨桉基因中的miRNA396序列,用不同PBU细胞分裂素浓度培养下的尾巨桉愈伤组织RNA逆转录的cDNA为模板,通过荧光定量PCR,测定不同PBU浓度处理的尾巨桉愈伤组织中miRNA396及CKX的表达差异。结果表明,相对于0.5 mg·^L(-1)PBU处理的桉树愈伤组织,1 mg·^L(-1)PBU处理的桉树愈伤组织miRNA396及CKXA、CKXB和CKXF表达量显著下调,差异达到极显著水平,CKXC、CKXD和CKXE均上调,但只有CKXC相对表达量达到极显著水平;2 mg·^L(-1)PBU处理的尾巨桉愈伤组织miRNA396A、CKXD、CKXE和CKXF表达量均下调,差异达到极显著水平,其他CKX表达量均上调,CKXA相对表达量差异...     

Sequence of the E. coli O104 antigen gene cluster and identification of O104 specific genes

The Escherichia coli O104 polysaccharide is an important antigen, which contains sialic acid and is often associated with EHEC clones. Sialic acid is a component of many animal tissues, and its presence in bacterial polysaccharides may contribute to bacterial pathogenicity. We sequenced the genes responsible for O104 antigen synthesis and have found genes which from their sequences are identified as an O antigen polymerase gene, an O antigen flippase gene, three CMP-sialic acid synthesis genes, and three potential glycosyl transferase genes. The E. coli K9 group IB capsular antigen has the same structure as the O104 O antigen, and we find using gene by gene PCR that the K9 gene cluster is essentially the same as that for O104. It appears that the distinction between presence as group IB capsule or O antigen for this structure does not involve any difference in genes present in the O antigen gene cluster. By PCR testing against representative strains for the 166 E. coli O antigens and some randomly selected Gram-negative bacteria, we identified three O antigen genes which are highly specific to O104/K9. This work provides the basis for a sensitive test for rapid detection of O104 E. coli. This is important both for decisions on patient care as early treatment may reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and for a faster response in control of food borne outbreaks.     

幽门螺杆菌多价表位疫苗CWAE的表达及其免疫学性质的研究 *

目的 利用生物信息学软件评价幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori)多价表位疫苗CWAE的抗原结构,经原核表达获得高纯度CWAE蛋白,进而鉴定多价表位疫苗CWAE的免疫学性质。方法 通过生物信息学软件分析H. pylori多价表位疫苗CWAE的抗原结构;用人工合成的H. pylori多价表位肽融合基因WAE替换重组质粒pET28a-CUE中的UE基因,构建重组质粒pET28a-CWAE。然后,将pET28a-CWAE转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中,经IPTG诱导表达,并通过Ni-NTP镍离子亲和层析纯化抗原蛋白CWAE;利用GM1-ELISA鉴定CWAE中CTB组分的黏膜免疫佐剂活性。最后,通过ELISA和小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖实验检测CWAE激发BALB/c小鼠产生抗H. pylori抗体体液免疫和淋巴细胞免疫应答的能力。结果 通过生物信息学软件证实H. pylori多价表位疫苗CWAE具有科学合理的结构;重组表达质粒pET28a-CWAE经PCR、双酶切和基因测序鉴定,融合基因CWAE与设计序列完全一致;重组基因工程菌株pET28a-CWAE/BL21(DE3)经IPTG诱导表达,抗原蛋白CWAE主要以包涵体形式存在,经Ni-NTP镍离子亲和层析纯化,纯度约达93.2%;GM1-ELISA实验证实,CWAE中CTB组分依旧保持有较好的黏膜佐剂活性;ELISA结果证实CWAE能够激发BALB/c小鼠产生H. pylori特异性抗体,而小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖实验进一步证实CWAE能够激发针对H. pylori多种致病因子的淋巴细胞免疫反应。结论 H. pylori多价表位疫苗CWAE具有科学合理的抗原结构,经原核表达可获得高纯度抗原蛋白,能够激发BALB/c小鼠产生H. pylori特异性抗体体液免疫和淋巴细胞免疫应答。为研发防治H. pylori感染的多价表位疫苗奠定实验基础。     

有害疣孢霉Hypomyces perniciosus遗传转化体系的建立及其突变体库的构建

有害疣孢霉Hypomyces perniciosus是引起双孢蘑菇Agaricus bisporus湿泡病的病原真菌,目前其致病分子机理尚不清楚,而高效稳定的遗传转化体系和突变体库构建是挖掘和研究病原菌致病基因的基础和有效手段。因此,本实验以高致病力的有害疣孢霉菌株WH001为研究对象,采用冻融法将双元载体pBHt1转入农杆菌AGL-1中,建立并优化根癌农杆菌介导的遗传转化体系,并利用其构建T-DNA插入突变体库。结果表明有害疣孢霉菌株WH001的潮霉素（Hygromycin,Hyg）耐受浓度为250ng/L,当农杆菌侵染液浓度OD₆₀₀=1,侵染时间为30min,乙酰丁香酮（Acetosyringone,AS）浓度为1.5mg/mL,共培养时间为3d时,转化体系效率最高。然后利用该优化体系构建有害疣孢霉的突变体库,通过PCR检测和形态学鉴定获得若干表型发生改变、稳定遗传的T-DNA插入突变体,与原菌种WH001相比,突变体在菌丝形态、生长速率、色素分泌和致病力等方面发生改变。本研究为进一步挖掘有害疣孢霉未知基因功能、解析生物学性状、探讨致病分子机制奠定基础。