Differential expression of wheat genes during cold acclimation

Overwintering crops such as winter wheat display a significant increase in freezing tolerance during periods of cold acclimation (CA). To gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CA, it is important to unravel the functions and regulations of CA-associated genes. Differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from cold acclimated crown tissue of winter wheat identified three novel CA-associated cDNA clones. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the clones encode a high mobility globular protein (HMGB1), a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein (TaGRP2), and a LEAD-11 dehydrin (DHN14). Accumulation of the three mRNAs during 14 days of CA was differentially regulated. In response to drought, and ABA, DHN14 mRNA rapidly accumulated while HMGB1 and TaGRP2 mRNA levels remained unchanged. The possible functions of each of these genes in cold acclimation are discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Differential expression of wheat genes during cold acclimation

Overwintering crops such as winter wheat display significant increase in freezing tolerance during a period of cold acclimation (CA). To gain better understanding of molecular mechanisms of CA, it is important to unravel functions and regulations of CA-associated genes. Differential screening of a cDNA library constructed from cold acclimated crown tissue of winter wheat identified three novel CA-associated cDNA clones. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the clones encode a high mobility globular protein (HMGB1), a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein (TaGRP2), and a LEA D-11 dehydrin (DHN14). Accumulation of the three mRNAs during 14 days of CA was differentially regulated. In response to drought, and ABA, DHN14 mRNA rapidly accumulated while HMGB1 and TaGRP2 mRNA levels remained unchanged. The possible functions of each of these genes in cold acclimation are discussed.     

Expression patterns of nm23 genes during mouse organogenesis

Nucleoside di-phosphate kinase enzyme (NDPK) isoforms, encoded by the nm23 family of genes, may be involved in various cellular differentiation and proliferation processes. We have therefore analyzed the expression of nm23-M1, -M2, -M3, and -M4 during embryonic mouse development. In situ hybridization data has revealed the differential expression of nm23 mRNA during organogenesis. Whereas nm23-M1 and -M3 are preferentially expressed in the nervous and sensory systems, nm23-M2 mRNA is found ubiquitously. Irrespective of the developmental state studied, nm23-M4 mRNA is only expressed at low levels in a few embryonic organs. In the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, nm23-M1, -M2, and -M3 are present in the neuronal differentiation layer, whereas nm23-M4 mRNA is distributed in the proliferating layer. Thus, nm23 mRNA is differentially expressed, and the diverse NDPK isoforms are sequentially involved in various developmental processes.     

Expression patterns of group-I aristaless-related genes during craniofacial and limb development

Aristaless-related proteins are structurally defined by the presence of a paired-type homeodomain and an additional conserved domain, known as aristaless domain or OAR-domain. These proteins can be further categorized in three groups (Int. J. Dev. Biol., 43 (1999) 651). Group-I aristaless-related genes are linked to functions in the development of the craniofacial and appendicular skeleton and are expressed predominantly in the mesenchyme in stages from gastrulation through at least mid-gestation (Mech. Dev., 48 (1994) 245; Mech. Dev., 52 (1995) 51; Development, 124 (1997) 3999; Dev. Biol., 199 (1998) 11; Development, 126 (1999) 495). In view of the highly redundant character of the functions of these genes in patterning craniofacial and limb structures, we found it important to directly compare their expression patterns at critical stages of craniofacial and limb development.     

Global adaptation patterns of Australian and CIMMYT spring bread wheat

The International Adaptation Trial (IAT) is a special purpose nursery designed to investigate the genotype-by-environment interactions and worldwide adaptation for grain yield of Australian and CIMMYT spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum). The IAT contains lines representing Australian and CIMMYT wheat breeding programs and was distributed to 91 countries between 2000 and 2004. Yield data of 41 reference lines from 106 trials were analysed. A multiplicative mixed model accounted for trial variance heterogeneity and inter-trial correlations characteristic of multi-environment trials. A factor analytic model explained 48% of the genetic variance for the reference lines. Pedigree information was then incorporated to partition the genetic line effects into additive and non-additive components. This model explained 67 and 56% of the additive by environment and non-additive by environment genetic variances, respectively. Australian and CIMMYT germplasm showed good adaptation to their respective target production environments. In general, Australian lines performed well in south and west Australia, South America, southern Africa, Iran and high latitude European and Canadian locations. CIMMYT lines performed well at CIMMYT’s key yield testing location in Mexico (CIANO), north-eastern Australia, the Indo-Gangetic plains, West Asia North Africa and locations in Europe and Canada. Maturity explained some of the global adaptation patterns. In general, southern Australian germplasm were later maturing than CIMMYT material. While CIANO continues to provide adapted lines to northern Australia, selecting for yield among later maturing CIMMYT material in CIANO may identify lines adapted to southern and western Australian environments. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Expression patterns of Hox10 paralogous genes during lumbar spinal cord development

We have examined the expression of three paralogous Hox genes from E11.5 through E15.5 in the mouse spinal cord. These ages coincide with major phases of spinal cord neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, cell migration, gliogenesis, and motor neuron cell death. The three genes, Hoxa10, Hoxc10, and Hoxd10, are all expressed in the lumbar spinal cord and have distinct expression patterns. Mutations in these three genes are known to affect motor neuron patterning. All three genes show lower levels of expression at the rostral limits of their domains, with selective regions of higher expression more caudally. Hoxa10 and Hoxd10 expression appears confined to postmitotic cell populations in the intermediate and ventral gray, while Hoxc10 is also expressed in proliferating cells in the dorsal ventricular zone. Hoxc10 and Hoxd10 expression is clearly excluded from the lateral motor columns at rostral lumbar levels but is present in this region more caudally. Double labeling demonstrates that Hoxc10 expression is correlated with ventrolateral LIM gene expression in the caudal part of the lumbar spinal cord.     

Cell-wall lectins during winter wheat cold hardening

The polypeptide composition and functional activity of cell-wall lectins from roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Mironovskaya 808) seedlings during cold hardening were studied. Several phases of lectin activity changes were observed, which indicates their involvement in the development of general adaptation syndrome of the cell. After 0.5-h low-temperature treatment, marked alterations occurred in the profile of protein elution: lectins with mol wts of 78 and 42.5 kD disappeared and new ones with mol wts of 72, 69, 37, and 34.5 kD appeared. It was established that 17.5-and 69-kD lectins and most lectins eluted with glucose were arabinogalactan proteins (AGP), which permitted a supposition that these lectins were involved in the interaction between the cell wall and cytoskeleton. After 7-day-long hardening, total protein content reduced and lectins with mol wts of 69 and 37 kD disappeared, which corresponded to reduced lectin activity by the end of hardening. A transient appearance of 37-and 69-kD lectins, which are AGP, might indicate their involvement in the triggering the development of plant-cell defense responses.     

Gene expression during cold and heat shock in wheat

Translatable messenger RNAs expression was compared in cold- and heat-stressed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Fredrick' and 'Norstar') and spring wheat (T. aestivum L. 'Glenlea'). Polyadenylated RNA isolated from the crown and leaf tissues was translated in a wheat germ cell free system and the acidic and basic in vitro products were resolved by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. The results showed that low temperature stress rapidly induced two groups of mRNAs. The first group was transient in nature and consists of 18 mRNAs that reached their highest levels of induction after 24 h of low temperature exposure and then decreased to undetectable levels. The second group consists of 53 mRNAs that were also induced or increased rapidly, but maintained their levels of expression during the 4 weeks required to induce freezing tolerance. Among those, at least 34 were expressed at higher levels in the freezing tolerant winter wheat compared with the less tolerant spring wheat. This suggests a possible relation between the expression of these mRNAs and the capacity of each genotype to develop freezing tolerance. In the case of heat shock, 50 mRNAs were induced or increased after 3 h at 40 degrees C. Among these, the expression of only six mRNAs was altered in a similar manner in the three genotypes by both treatments. The remaining mRNAs code for typical heat shock proteins which are different from those induced by low temperature. None of these mRNAs has been associated with the development of freezing tolerance. These results suggest that heat and cold stress are controlled by different genetic systems.