Polymorphism of Microsatellite Markers in Papaya (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> L.)

A set of 81 new microsatellite markers for Carica papaya L. previously identified by data mining using freely available sequence information from Genbank were tested for polymorphism using 30 germplasm accessions from the Papaya Germplasm Bank (PGM) at Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical (CNPMF) and 18 landraces. The data were used to estimate pairwise genetic distances between the genotypes. A neighbor-joining based dendrogram was used to define clusters and infer possible genetic structuring of the collection. Most microsatellites were polymorphic (73%), with an observed number of alleles per locus ranging from one to eleven. The levels of observed and expected heterozygosity for 51 polymorphic loci varied from 0.00 to 0.85 and from 0.08 to 0.82, averaging 0.19 and 0.59, respectively. Forty-four percent of microsatellites showed polymorphism information content (PIC) higher than 0.50. The compound microsatellites seem to be more informative than dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats in average alleles per locus and PIC. Among dinucleotides, AG/TC or GA/CT repeat motifs exhibited more informativeness than TA/AT, GT/CA and TG/AC repeat motifs. The neighbor-joining analysis based on shared allele distance could differentiate all the papaya accessions and landraces as well as differences in their genetic structure. This set of markers will be useful for examining parentage, inbreeding and population structure in papaya.     

Enantioselective esterification of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-2-methylalkanoic acid with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> lipase in organic solvents

Isooctane was the best reaction medium for the enantioselective esterification of (R,S)-2-methylalkanoic acid with n-butanol using Carica papaya lipase as catalyst. Increasing linear alkyl-chain length of racemic 2-methylalkanoic acids from ethyl to hexyl increased the enantioselectivity (E) from 2.1 to 98.2 for the esterification of racemic 2-methylalkanoic acids with n-butanol at 35°C. Decreasing reaction temperature from 40 to 20°C increased the enantioselectivity (E) from 14 to 33 for the esterification of racemic 2-methylhexanoic acids with n-butanol. We obtained a maximum enantioselectivity, of E = 24.3, for the enantioselective esterification of racemic 2-methylhexanoic acids with n-butanol in isooctane at water activity 0.33, and at 35°C.     

Genetic variation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum magnum</Emphasis> isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Mexico is one of the five largest producers of papaya worldwide, but losses caused by pathogens, mainly fungus, at the pre- and post-harvest stages are often more than 50% of the crop. Papaya anthracnose, caused by three different species of the Colletotrichum genus in Mexico, occupies a preponderant place in this problem. Although two of these species, C. gloeosporiodes and C. truncatum, have been characterized morphologically and genotypically, this has not occurred with C. magnum, the third species involved, about which there is very little information. Because of this, it is vital to know its genetic characterization, much more so considering that the studies carried out on the other two species reveal a wide genetic diversity, differences in pathogenicity and in the response to fungicides of the different strains characterized. In this work, Colletotrichum spp. isolates were collected at different papaya orchards in the south-southeast of Mexico. C. magnum isolates identified by species-specific primers were characterized by morphological and molecular approaches. Differences in colony characteristics resulted in five morphological groups. AP-PCR, DAMD and ISSR markers were found to be very efficient for revealing the interspecific variability of this species. The high genetic variability found in the accessions of C. magnum was linked to the geographical area where they were collected. Isolates from Chiapas State were the most variable, showing point mutations in the ITS1-ITS2 region. These results will enable a better phytosanitary management of anthracnose in papaya in this region of Mexico.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status and root phosphatase activities in vegetative <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> L. varieties

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status and root phosphatase activities were studied in four vegetative Carica papaya L. varieties viz., CO-1, CO-2, Honey Dew and Washington. Standard techniques were used to ascertain information on spore density and species diversity of AM fungi. Although in case of estimation of root colonization and root phosphatase activities, the existing methods were slightly modified. Root colonization and spore density of AM fungi along with root phosphatase (acid and alkaline) activities varied significantly in four papaya varieties. The present study recorded higher acid root phosphatase activity when compared with alkaline root phosphatase activity under P-deficient, acidic soil conditions. The present study revealed that the root colonization of AM fungi influenced acid root phosphatase activity positively and significantly under P-deficient, acidic soil conditions. A total of 11 species of AM fungi belonging to five genera viz., Acaulospora, Dentiscutata, Gigaspora, Glomus and Racocetra were recovered from the rhizosphere of four papaya varieties.     

Genome-wide mutagenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L. using <Emphasis Type="Italic">RescueMu</Emphasis> transposons

Derived from the maize Mu1 transposon, RescueMu provides strategies for maize gene discovery and mutant phenotypic analysis. 9.92 Mb of gene-enriched sequences next to RescueMu insertion sites were co-assembled with expressed sequence tags and analyzed. Multiple plasmid recoveries identified probable germinal insertions and screening of RescueMu plasmid libraries identified plants containing probable germinal insertions. Although frequently recovered parental insertions and insertion hotspots reduce the efficiency of gene discovery per plasmid, RescueMu targets a large variety of genes and produces knockout mutants.     

Genome-wide characterization and stress-responsive expression profiling of <Emphasis Type="Italic">MCM</Emphasis> genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica rapa</Emphasis>

The Minichromosome maintenance protein [MCM (2-7)] complex is associated with helicase activity for replication fork formation during DNA replication. We identified and characterized each 12 putative MCM genes from Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa. MCM genes were classified into nine groups according to their evolutionary relationships. A high number of syntenic regions were present on chromosomes C03 and A03 in B. oleracea and B. rapa, respectively, compared to the other chromosomes. Expression analysis showed that most of the MCM(2-7) helicase-subunit genes and their coregulating MCM genes were upregulated during hydroxyurea (HU) induced stress in B. oleracea. In B. rapa, MCM(2-7) helicase genes BrMCM2_2, BrMCM7_1, BrMCM7_2 and their co-regulating genes were upregulated during replication stress. During cold stress, BoMCM6 in B. oleracea and BrMCM5 in B. rapa were remarkably upregulated. During salt stress, BoMCM6_2, BoMCM7_1, BoMCM8, BoMCM9, and BoMCM10 were markedly upregulated in B. oleracea. Hence, our study identified the candidate MCM family genes those possess abiotic stress-responsive behavior and DNA replication stress tolerance. As the first genome-wide analysis of MCM genes in B. oleracea and B. rapa, this work provides a foundation to develop stress responsive plants. Further functional and molecular studies on MCM genes will be helpful to enhance stress tolerance in plants.     

Changes in leaf tissue of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> during single and mixed infections with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaya ringspot virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Papaya mosaic virus</Emphasis>

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is susceptible to viral diseases caused by Papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) and Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), which limit fruit production and affect economic yield. The symptoms produced by both the viruses are similar in early stages of infection and include vein and leaf chlorosis, which develop into mosaic at later stages of infection when leaf lamina can get reduced in size and distorted with a shoe-string aspect. Digital image analyses, such as fractal dimension (FD) and lacunarity (λ) were used here to examine papaya tissue after single and mixed infections of PRSV and PapMV. Morphological changes, such as hypoplasia, hyperplasia, and neoplasia are described in tissues with viral infections. Furthermore, we quantified these changes and suggest three ranges of tissue damage according to their λ values in rank 1 (0.01 to 0.39), rank 2 (0.4 to 0.79), and rank 3 (0.8 to 1). Our analyses suggest that in synergism and antagonism there is a competition of both viruses to occupy the same mesophyll cells, as indicated by their intermediate values of lacunarity.     

Antifungal Activity in Ethanolic Extracts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> L. cv. Maradol Leaves and Seeds

Bioactive compounds from vegetal sources are a potential source of natural antifungic. An ethanol extraction was used to obtain bioactive compounds from Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol leaves and seeds of discarded ripe and unripe fruit. Both, extraction time and the papaya tissue flour:organic solvent ratio significantly affected yield, with the longest time and highest flour:solvent ratio producing the highest yield. The effect of time on extraction efficiency was confirmed by qualitative identification of the compounds present in the lowest and highest yield extracts. Analysis of the leaf extract with phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenes. Antifungal effectiveness was determined by challenging the extracts (LE, SRE, SUE) from the best extraction treatment against three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium spp. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The leaf extract exhibited the broadest action spectrum. The MIC₅₀ for the leaf extract was 0.625 mg ml⁻¹ for Fusarium spp. and >10 mg ml⁻¹ for C. gloeosporioides, both equal to approximately 20% mycelial growth inhibition. Ethanolic extracts from Carica papaya L. cv. Maradol leaves are a potential source of secondary metabolites with antifungal properties.     

Transient genetic transformation of embryogenic callus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cocos nucifera</Emphasis>

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a plant species recalcitrant to in vitro morphogenesis and no protocols for the genetic transformation of coconut tissues have been published. The present study aimed to develop a protocol for genetic transformation of this palm species; evaluating reporter genes, transformation methods, and conditions for the use of antibiotics to select transformed plant cells. The gene gusA was first used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of coconut embryogenic calli. However, endogenous GUS-like activity was found in calli not co-cultured with bacteria. Then essays for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation were developed using green and red fluorescent genes. Both genes are suitable as reporter genes for coconut transformation. In order to establish a protocol for coconut genetic transformation, an approach was used that combined biobalistics to generate micro-wounds in explants, vacuum infiltration and co-culture with Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58C1 + pER10W-35SRed containing the embryogenesis related gene WUSCHEL). Calli treated with the combined protocol showed red fluorescence with greater intensity and greater area than calli treated with either biobalistics or infiltration, followed by bacteria co-culture. PCR amplification of DNA extracts from transformed embryogenic callus produced a band with the expected size using WUSCHEL primers (862 bp). No band was obtained using the VirE2 primers. This is the first report of transient genetic transformation of C. nucifera and it is the first step toward a protocol that will be useful for the study of the role of genes of interest and for practical applications, such as the improvement of coconut micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated genetic transformation of embryogenic cell suspension cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Santalum album</Emphasis> L.

An efficient method for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of embryogenic cell suspension cultures of Santalum album L. is described. Embryogenic cell suspension cultures derived from stem internode callus were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring pCAMBIA 1301 plant expression vector. Transformed colonies were selected on medium supplemented with hygromycin (5 mg/l). Continuously growing transformed cell suspension cultures were initiated from these colonies. Expression of β-glucuronidase in the suspension cultures was analysed by RT-PCR and GUS histochemical staining. GUS specific activity in the transformed suspension cultures was quantified using a MUG-based fluorometric assay. Expression levels of up to 105,870 pmol 4-MU/min/mg of total protein were noted in the transformed suspension cultures and 67,248 pmol 4-MU/min/mg of total protein in the spent media. Stability of GUS expression over a period of 7 months was studied. Plantlets were regenerated from the transformed embryogenic cells. Stable insertion of T-DNA into the host genome was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. This is the first report showing stable high-level expression of a foreign protein using embryogenic cell suspension cultures in S. album. U. K. S. Shekhawat and T. R. Ganapathi contributed equally to this work.     

Characterization of chromoplasts and carotenoids of red- and yellow-fleshed papaya (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> L.)

Chromoplast morphology and ultrastructure of red- and yellow-fleshed papaya (Carica papaya L.) were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Carotenoid analyses by LC–MS revealed striking similarity of nutritionally relevant carotenoid profiles in both the red and yellow varieties. However, while yellow fruits contained only trace amounts of lycopene, the latter was found to be predominant in red papaya (51% of total carotenoids). Comparison of the pigment-loaded chromoplast ultrastructures disclosed tubular plastids to be abundant in yellow papaya, whereas larger crystalloid substructures characterized most frequent red papaya chromoplasts. Exclusively existent in red papaya, such crystalloid structures were associated with lycopene accumulation. Non-globular carotenoid deposition was derived from simple solubility calculations based on carotenoid and lipid contents of the differently colored fruit pulps. Since the physical state of carotenoid deposition may be decisive regarding their bioavailability, chromoplasts from lycopene-rich tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) were also assessed and compared to red papaya. Besides interesting analogies, various distinctions were ascertained resulting in the prediction of enhanced lycopene bioavailability from red papaya. In addition, the developmental pathway of red papaya chromoplasts was investigated during fruit ripening and carotenogenesis. In the early maturation stage of white-fleshed papaya, undifferentiated proplastids and globular plastids were predominant, corresponding to incipient carotenoid biosynthesis. Since intermediate plastids, e.g., amyloplasts or chloroplasts, were absent, chromoplasts are likely to emerge directly from proplastids.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

Effect of eco-safe compounds on postharvest quality preservation of papaya (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carica papaya</Emphasis> L.)

Early ripening and susceptibility to microbial infection are major postharvest problems in papaya fruits. Being a tropical climacteric fruit, low-temperature storage is not successful in papaya. In this study, we demonstrate the effect of aqueous salicylic acid (1 and 2 mM), nitric oxide (1 and 2 mM), and calcium chloride (1 and 2%) to enhance the papaya shelf life at the ambient conditions with reduced disease incidence. Calcium chloride 2% was the most effective for maintaining postharvest quality. The fruits had good firmness and maintained TSS, acidity, total chlorophyll, free radical scavenging activity and ascorbic acid on the 6th day during ambient storage. Moreover, the weight loss, yellow color development and disease incidence were minimum in calcium chloride 2%, followed by 1% solution of calcium chloride. The nitric oxide (2 mM) maintained higher antioxidant capacity and total phenol content in fruits that was followed by 1 mM salicylic acid during storage. The result suggests that application of calcium chloride 2% could be an easy and effective technique for extending the shelf life without impairing fruit quality during storage.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.     

In planta transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notocactus scopa</Emphasis> cv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soonjung</Emphasis> by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>

Notocactus scopa cv. Soonjung was subjected to in planta Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation with vacuum infiltration, pin-pricking, and a combination of the two methods. The pin-pricking combined with vacuum infiltration (20-30 cmHg for 15 min) resulted in a transformation efficiency of 67-100%, and the expression of the uidA and nptII genes was detected in transformed cactus. The established in planta transformation technique generated a transgenic cactus with higher transformation efficiency, shortened selection process, and stable gene expression via asexual reproduction. All of the results showed that the in planta transformation method utilized in the current study provided an efficient and time-saving procedure for the delivery of genes into the cactus genome, and that this technique can be applied to other asexually reproducing succulent plant species.     

Morphogenetic routes of long-term embryogenic callus culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Areca catechu</Emphasis>

Early morphogenetic events and repetitive embryogenesis from callus culture of betel nut palm (Areca catechu L.) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. On Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mg dm⁻³ dicamba, callus culture has capacity to form plantlets via somatic embryogenesis and to form secondary embryos for about 4 years. However, various abnormal embryos without differentiation of the leaf sheath and shoot apical meristem were observed, which showed bell-shaped and then cup-shaped or mushroom-shaped structures. These abnormal embryos contained distinctive structures, including a disk-shape interior region, surfaces with grooves and a stalk-like posterior region. During subculture, these abnormal embryos enlarged, became deformed and gradually lose their shape and then converted into nodular, compact embryogenic callus. It was also found that secondary embryos originated from interior surfaces or posterior regions of abnormal embryos, and gave rise to the next cycle of normal and abnormal embryos.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">briggsae</Emphasis> genome contains active <Emphasis Type="Italic">CbmaT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tcb1</Emphasis> transposons

The maT clade of transposons is a group of transposable elements intermediate in sequence and predicted protein structure to mariner and Tc transposons, with a distribution thus far limited to a few invertebrate species. We present evidence, based on searches of publicly available databases, that the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has several maT-like transposons, which we have designated as CbmaT elements, dispersed throughout its genome. We also describe two additional transposon sequences that probably share their evolutionary history with the CbmaT transposons. One resembles a fold back variant of a CbmaT element, with long (380-bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that show a high degree (71%) of identity to CbmaT1. The other, which shares only the 26-bp ITR sequences with one of the CbmaT variants, is present in eight nearly identical copies, but does not have a transposase gene and may therefore be cross mobilised by a CbmaT transposase. Using PCR-based mobility assays, we show that CbmaT1 transposons are capable of excising from the C. briggsae genome. CbmaT1 excised approximately 500 times less frequently than Tcb1 in the reference strain AF16, but both CbmaT1 and Tcb1 excised at extremely high frequencies in the HK105 strain. The HK105 strain also exhibited a high frequency of spontaneous induction of unc-22 mutants, suggesting that it may be a mutator strain of C. briggsae.