Analysis of plant diversity with retrotransposon-based molecular markers

Retrotransposons are both major generators of genetic diversity and tools for detecting the genomic changes associated with their activity because they create large and stable insertions in the genome. After the demonstration that retrotransposons are ubiquitous, active and abundant in plant genomes, various marker systems were developed to exploit polymorphisms in retrotransposon insertion patterns. These have found applications ranging from the mapping of genes responsible for particular traits and the management of backcrossing programs to analysis of population structure and diversity of wild species. This review provides an insight into the spectrum of retrotransposon-based marker systems developed for plant species and evaluates the contributions of retrotransposon markers to the analysis of population diversity in plants.     

AFLP分子标记及其应用

扩增片段长度多态性(Amplified fragment length polymorphism,AFLP),是Zabeau等(1992)发展的一种新DNA指纹技术。该技术原理简单,引物设计巧妙,既具有RFLP技术的可靠性又具有RAPD技术的高效性,被称为“最有力的分子标记”。系统介绍了AFLP分子标记的基本原理、技术流程和优化措施,对AFLP标记在植物居群生物学、保护生物学、分子系统学等领域中的应用作了简要介绍,并对其应用前景进行了展望。     

IRAP and REMAP: two new retrotransposon-based DNA fingerprinting techniques

 The BARE-1 retrotransposon is an active, dispersed, and highly abundant component of the genome of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and other species in its genus. Like all retrotransposons of its kind, BARE-1 is bounded by long terminal repeats (LTRs). We have developed two amplification-based marker methods based on the position of given LTRs within the genome. The IRAP (Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism) markers are generated by the proximity of two LTRs using outward-facing primers annealing to LTR target sequences. In REMAP (REtrotransposon-Microsatellite Amplified Polymorphism), amplification between LTRs proximal to simple sequence repeats such as constitute microsatellites produces markers. The methods can distinguish between barley varieties and produce fingerprint patterns for species across the genus. The patterns indicate that although the BARE-1 family of retrotransposons is disperse, these elements are locally clustered or nested and often found near tandem arrays of a simple sequence repeat. Received: 30 June 1998 / Accepted: 21 August 1998     

分子标记技术在入侵生态学研究中的应用

外来入侵物种给农林业生产造成了巨大的经济损失,并威胁生物多样性及人类健康．入侵生态学的研究对于认识外来入侵物种的入侵机制及其可持续控制具有重要意义．分子标记技术为解决入侵生态学研究中的许多基本问题提供了良好的手段．本文综述了该技术在外来入侵物种的鉴定、地理分布、原产地、传播模式、种群遗传变异、杂交及基因渗入等研究中的应用现状,并对其应用前景进行了展望．     

A molecular marker for epithelial morphogenesis in the cockroach

Summary A molecular marker has been identified in embryos of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, that is localized among epithelial cells to those directly involved in morphogenesis. A monoclonal antibody has been developed that selectively binds to epithelial cells undergoing any of three very different morphogenetic movements-invagination, evagination or epiboly. Neighboring cells not involved in these developmental processes are not labeled by the antibody. The antigen is transiently present on the cells for a period just prior to and during the morphogenetic activity. It is localized on the apical surface of the cells. The spatial, temporal and subcellular distributions of antibody binding during development indicate a role for the antigen in epithelial morphogenesis different from that of any previously described molecule.     

A molecular marker to select for freezing tolerance in Gramineae

Summary We isolated, and expressed in Escherichia coli, a gene (Wcs120) that is strongly induced during cold acclimation of wheat. The gene product was purified and used to produce antibodies. Immunoblotting experiments with the anti-WCS120 antibody identified several cold-induced proteins named FTMs for Freezing Tolerance Markers since they are associated with the development of freezing tolerance. This protein family was found to be coordinately regulated specifically by low temperature, highly hydrophilic, stable to boiling, and to have a pI above 6.5. The accumulation kinetics during the acclimation period indicated a positive correlation with the capacity of each genotype to develop freezing tolerance. Accumulation of the proteins was higher in the freezing-tolerant genotype than in the less tolerant one. In addition, their accumulation was more pronounced in the crown and leaf tissues compared with roots, confirming a relationship to the capacity of the different tissues to develop freezing tolerance. Analysis of different species (eight monocots and four dicots) indicated that this protein family is specific for freezing-tolerant cereals. The antibody did not cross-react with any of the non-cereal species examined. The anti-FTMs antibody represents a potential tool for breeders to select for freezing tolerance traits in the Gramineae.     

2-Deoxyglucose resistance: a novel selection marker for plant transformation

A novel selection marker for plant transformation alternative to antibiotic and herbicide resistance is described. The selective agent applied is 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) which in the cytosol of plant cells is phosphorylated by hexokinase yielding 2-DOG-6-phosphate (2-DOG-6-P). 2-DOG-6-P exerts toxic effects on overall cellular metabolism leading to cell death. We observed that constitutive expression of the yeast DOG ^R1 gene encoding a 2-DOG-6-P phosphatase resulted in resistance towards 2-DOG in transgenic tobacco plants. This finding was exploited to develop a selection system during transformation of tobacco and potato plants. The lowest concentration of 2-DOG leading to nearly complete inhibition of regeneration of wild-type explants was found to range between 400 and 600 mg/l 2-DOG for tobacco, potato and tomato plants. After Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation cells expressing the DOG ^R1 gene were selected by resistance to 2-DOG. More than 50% of tobacco explants formed shoots and on average 50% of these shoots harboured the DOG ^R1 gene. Similar results were obtained for potato cv. Solara. The acceptability of the resistance gene derived from baker's yeast, the unobjectionable toxicological data of 2-DOG as well as the normal phenotype of DOG ^R1-expressing plants support the use of this selection system in crop plant transformation.     

rDNA ITS区序列分子标记技术在植物学研究中的应用

在植物学研究中,人们越来越多地采用核糖体DNA内转录间隔区（ITS）作为分子标记。本文对近10年来rDNA ITS序列在植物系统发育、分类与鉴定、种质资源以及病虫害的鉴定与防治中的应用等方面的研究进展进行了综述,并对ITS序列的应用前景进行了初步探讨。     

Species identification of polygonati rhizoma in China by both morphological and molecular marker methods

Morphological markers as well as two types of molecular markers, inter-sample sequence repeat (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT) are suitable for species identification of the polygonati rhizoma germplasms. In this paper, we adopted these methods for the identification of rhizomes collected from 47 areas in China. Based on their morphological characters, the collected germplasms were classified into two populations, one with alternate leaf arrangement and the other with verticillate leaf arrangement, and they were comprised of five species and fourteen subgroups. Of the five species identified: Polygonatum kingianum, P. cirrhifolium, P. alternicirrhosum, and P. sibiricum belonged to one cluster, and P. cyrtonema belonged to a different cluster. According to the analysis of both ISSR and SCoT markers, all germplasms with greater genetic similarity were classified into one group. Especially, P. sibiricum and P. cirrhifolium, which shared ～80% similarity, were clustered together, whereas the germplasms identified as P. kingianum with ～86% similarity formed a separate clade. P. kingianum showed a much greater genetic similarity with P. cyrtonema than with P. sibiricum. The multidimensional scaling analysis further verified the accuracy and reliability of the molecular marker-based results. Thus, both morphological and molecular methods should be combined for the differentiation of germplasms such as those of polygonati rhizoma.     

ISSR分子标记技术及其在植物遗传多样性分析中的应用

ISSR分子标记技术是近年发展而来的一种DNA多态性分子标记,具有简单、经济、信息量大、稳定性高等特点。本文论述了ISSR的反应原理及ISSR实验过程中的技术要点．并总结了ISSR在植物品种鉴定、亲缘关系分析,群体遗传结构、遗传多样性检测,以及植物育种研究中的应用。     

基于SRAP分子标记的材用云南松种质保存库构建策略

以云南松（Pinus yunnanensis Franch.）全分布区内干形优良的780株样株作为原种质,基于SRAP分析的位点作为种质保存库构建数据,设10%、20%、30%、40% 4个抽样比例,采用改进的最小距离逐步取样法构建其种质子集。结果显示：种质子集的多态位点保留率均在90%以上且等位基因保留率皆大于95%,5个遗传多样性评价参数最小值均为10%抽样比例种质子集,且该子集居群内的遗传多样性小于原种质;在种质子集与原种质的均值t检验中,10%抽样比例种质子集有2个指标与原种质间存在显著差异;方差F检验中,20%和10%抽样比例种质子集的分别有1个和6个遗传多样性指标与原种质有显著差异且方差小于原种质;种质子集的遗传多样性均值与原种质的相关系数全部达到0.99以上,40%和30%抽样比例种质子集的遗传多样性方差与原种质的相关系数均大于0.80;30%抽样比例种质保存库的平均遗传距离较原种质提高了52.16%,保持了原种质的方差分量分配模式,以较大的遗传距离实现了与原种质相似的聚类。本研究确认30%抽样比例种质保存库可以作为材用云南松种质资源的代表性子集。     

SRAP分子标记在园林植物遗传育种中的应用

相关序列扩增多态性(sequence-related amplified polymorphism,SRAP)分子标记作为一种新型的分子标记技术,以其多态性高、稳定性高、重复性好、操作简便、效率高及成本低等优点,已经在园林植物中广泛应用.简单介绍SRAP标记的原理和特点,综述其目前在遗传多样性评析、亲缘关系分析、遗传图谱构建、种质资源鉴定及基因克隆与基因定位等方面的研究进展,并对该标记在园林植物的遗传育种的应用前景进行了展望.     

植物种群研究中的分子标记及其应用

综述了植物种群分子生态研究中各种标记法及其应用,包括等位酶、ＡＦＬＰ、ＲＡＰＤ、ＳＳＲ及ＲＦＬＰ等方法,并根据所涉及的有关研究论述及研究工作总结比较了各种方法应用在植物种群学研究中的利弊,强调应依不同的研究目的采用不同的分子标记方法,各种标记方法对解决不同的问题在质和量上是不同的。     

草鱼种质相关SRAP及SCAR的分子标记

采用相关序列扩增多态性(Sequence-realted Amplified Polymorphism, SRAP)技术分析野生草鱼和家养草鱼,筛选与草鱼种质退化相关的分子遗传标记.共进行88对引物组合的检测, 产生标记数目共计905个.依据标记在群体中出现的频率和变化规律,共筛选出2 1个可能与种质相关的特异性标记,对这些特异性标记进行测序并将测序结果进行BLAST分析 .发现测得片段中有8个片段在GenBank中找到同源性较高的序列,而其他片段与数据库中序列的相似性较低.根据序列信息分别设计了3对引物.用这3对引物分别对草鱼三个群体进行 PCR扩增,分别产生了SCAR1(308 bp)、SCAR2(66 bp)、SCAR3(114 bp)3个扩增带.采用大样本对这3个标记进行验证,发现其中SCAR1在家养群体中呈现阳性,在野生群体中为阴性,可区分出这两种群体.以SCAR3为引物在174条家养群体中得到目的片段,在26个家养群体没有扩增出条带,分布频率为87%;在100个野生群体中有6个个体检测到该条带,分布频率为6%.以SCAR2为引物在野生群体中完全扩增出目的条带,淡水中心群体中有7条扩增到条带,前洲群体中没有扩增出条带,标记在家养种群中的分布频率为96.50%.因此SCAR1可作为草鱼家养群体的一个重要的分子遗传特征指标,为进一步进行分子标记辅助育种奠定了基础 [动物学报 54(3):475-481,2008].     

微卫星DNA标记技术及其在昆虫学上的应用

微卫星DNA标记作为一种多态性和稳定性高、重复性好、呈共显性的分子遗传标记技术,目前已被广泛应用于昆虫学的研究中。本文介绍了微卫星DNA标记的基本原理和特点,并综述了近年来该技术在昆虫种群遗传结构及分化、生物学特性与习性、遗传图谱的构建、基因定位以及系统发生等领域中的应用。     

大麦基因组和分子育种研究进展

大麦(Hordeum vulgare L.)是世界上重要的谷类作物之一,其二倍体特性使其成为麦类作物基因组研究的重要材料。随着大量分子标记图谱、BACs文库、突变集合和DNA阵列技术的应用,大麦基因组测序工作已不断深入,越来越多的大麦基因组信息使综合分析大麦基因组结构和功能,了解基因表达网络同重要农艺性状之间的关系成为可能。就大麦基因组研究内容,如ESTs系统、物理图谱的构建、功能基因组学研究和大麦分子育种研究作简要综述,为进一步阐述大麦基因组结构和功能特性,提高大麦分子育种能力提供理论依据。     

The salt-tolerance gene rstB can be used as a selectable marker in plant genetic transformation

The salt-tolerance gene rstB under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter was used as a selectable marker gene in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi). The selective agent for plant regeneration was tolerance to 170 mM sodium chloride. The highest selection efficiency was 83.3%. No obvious differences in selection efficiencies were observed when those obtained using the standard selectable marker gene hpt and a selection regime of 10 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Transgenic events were confirmed by PCR, Southern blot, RT-PCR and green fluorescent protein studies. The rstB transgenic plants showed improved salt tolerance and a normal phenotype. Based on these results, we suggest that the rstB gene may be used as a promising selectable marker and an alternative to the antibiotic- or herbicide-resistance genes in plant transformation. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of transformation vectors based upon a modified plant alpha-tubulin gene as the selectable marker

A plant transformation and selection system has been developed utilizing a modified tubulin gene as a selectable marker. The vector constructs carrying a mutant alpha-tubulin gene from goosegrass conferring resistance to dinitroaniline herbicides were created for transformation of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. These constructs contained beta- and/or mutant alpha-tubulin genes driven either by ubiquitin or CaMV 35S promoter. The constructs were used for biolistic transformation of finger millet and soybean or for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of flax and tobacco. Trifluralin, the main representative of dinitroaniline herbicides, was used as a selective agent in experiments to select transgenic cells, tissues and plantlets. Selective concentrations of trifluralin estimated for each species were as follows: 10 microM for Eleusine coracana, Glycine max, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and Nicotiana sylvestris; 3 microM for Linum usitatissimum. PCR and Southern blotting analyses of transformed lines with a specific probe to nptII, alpha-tubulin or beta-tubulin genes were performed to confirm the transgenic nature of regenerated plants. Band specific for the mutant alpha-tubulin gene was identified in transformed plant lines. Results confirmed the stable integration of the mutant tubulin gene into the plant genomes. The present study clearly demonstrates the use of a plant mutant tubulin as a selective gene for plant transformation.     

Chemical regulators of plant hormones and their applications in basic research and agriculture*

Plant hormones are small molecules that play versatile roles in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to the environment. Classic methodologies, including genetics, analytic chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology, have contributed to the progress in plant hormone studies. In addition, chemical regulators of plant hormone functions have been important in such studies. Today, synthetic chemicals, including plant growth regulators, are used to study and manipulate biological systems, collectively referred to as chemical biology. Here, we summarize the available chemical regulators and their contributions to plant hormone studies. We also pose questions that remain to be addressed in plant hormone studies and that might be solved with the help of chemical regulators.