Functional genomics of maize submergence tolerance and cloning of the related gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sicyp51</Emphasis>

In this study, SSH (Suppression Subtractive Hybridization) and cDNA microarray were used to identify genes associated with waterlogging response of maize roots. Mo17 and Hz32 are two maize inbred lines with differential tolerance to hypoxia. Seedlings of the inbred lines with two leaves were submerged in hypoxia buffer. SSH libraries were constructed with cDNA samples from roots. Both forward and reverse subtractions were performed for each inbred line, and 105 positive clones induced by hypoxia were selected by differential screening. The treated and control message RNA were hybridized with the cDNA microarray of Mo17, sequentially, 57 of 3-fold differentially expressed clones were obtained. A total of 162 positive clones were all sequenced. Bioinformatics analysis showed these positive clones represent 85 TUGs, including genes involved in several biochemistry pathways, such as glycolysis, protection, signal transduction, cell construction and energy metabolism and 41 EST with unknown function. Comparison between Mo17 and Hz32 indicates that genes related to hypoxia tolerance have different expression patterns in submerged roots. Several positive clones' expression patterns were revealed by Northern or RT-PCR, and a new gene (Sicyp51), which may contribute to hypoxia tolerance, was identified.     

Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of S. dysenteriae subgroup

Shigella spp are the pathogen of bacillary dysentery, the leading intestinal contagious disease in China. According to the O antigen, Shigella spp can be sub-grouped into four species: S.dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii and S. sonnei, also known as Shigella sub-groups A, B, C and D. In developing countries, S. dysenteriae A1, one of the thirteen serotypes in A sub-group, resulted in extremely serious bacterial diarrhea with mortality of 7%[1]. Traditional classifications were unsucces…     

Positional cloning and characterization reveal the role of a miRNA precursor gene ZmLRT in the regulation of lateral root number and drought tolerance in maize

Lateral roots play essential roles in drought tolerance in maize(Zea mays L.). However, the genetic basis for the variation in the number of lateral roots in maize remains elusive. Here, we identified a major quantitative trait locus(QTL),q LRT5-1, controlling lateral root number using a recombinant inbred population from a cross between the maize lines Zong3(with many lateral roots) and 87-1(with few lateral roots).Fine-mapping and functional analysis determined that the candidate gene for qLRT...     

The impact of limited soil moisture and waterlogging stress conditions on morphological and anatomical root traits in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids of different drought tolerance

Effects of soil drought or waterlogging on the morphological traits of the root system and internal root anatomy were studied in maize hybrids of different drought tolerance. The investigations comprised quantitative and qualitative analyses of a developed plant root system through determining the number, length and dry matter of the particular components of the root system and some traits of the anatomical structure of the seminal root. Obtained results have demonstrated a relatively broad variation in the habit of the root system. This mainly refers, to the number, length and dry matter of lateral roots, developed by seminal root, seminal adventitious and nodal roots as well as to some anatomical properties of the stele, cortex and metaxylem elements. Plants grown under waterlogging or drought conditions showed a smaller number and less dry matter of lateral branching than plants grown in control conditions. The harmful effect of waterlogging conditions on the growth of roots was greater when compared with that of plants exposed to drought. In the measurements of the root morphological traits, the effect of soil drought on the internal root anatomical characteristic was weaker than the effect of soil waterlogging. The observed effects of both treatments were more distinct in a drought sensitive hybrid Pioneer D than in drought resistant Pioneer C one. The drought resistant hybrid Pioneer C distinguished by a more extensive rooting and by smaller alterations in the root morphology caused by the stress conditions than drought sensitive hybrid Pioneer D one. Also the differences between the resistant and the sensitive maize hybrids were apparent for examined root anatomical traits. Results confirm that the hybrid Pioneer D of a high drought susceptibility was found to be also more sensitive to periodieal soil water excess. A more efficient water use and a lower shoot to root (S:R) ratio were found to be major reasons for a higher stress resistance of the hybrid Pioneer C. The reasons for a different response of the examined hybrids to the conditions of drought or waterlogging may be a more economical water balance and more favourable relations between the shoot and root dimensions in the drought resistant genotype. The observed modifications of the internal root structure caused by water deficit in plant tissues may partly influence on water conductivity and transport within roots. The results suggest that the morphological and anatomical traits of the maize root system may be used in practice as direct or indirect selection criteria in maize breeding.     

Cloning of the CYP51 gene from the eyespot pathogen Tapesia yallundae indicates that resistance to the DMI fungicide prochloraz is not related to sequence changes in the gene encoding the target site enzyme

Resistance to sterol 14 alpha-demethylase inhibitor (DMI) fungicides has been correlated with mutations in the CYP51 gene encoding the target enzyme eburicol 14 alpha-demethylase. CYP51 was isolated from the eyespot pathogen Tapesia yallundae revealing a predicted 526-amino acid product exhibiting homology to other fungal CYP51s. CYP51 was sequenced from four field isolates sensitive or resistant to the DMI fungicide prochloraz and partially sequenced from two further isolates and eight progeny from a cross between prochloraz-sensitive and -resistant parents. Two alleles of the gene were detected termed CYP51-1 and CYP51-2. No correlation was found between sequence change and fungicide sensitivity. Therefore prochloraz resistance involved a mechanism other than mutation in the target site gene.     

Cd - tolerance of maize, rye and wheat seedlings

The effect of cadmium on growth parameters of seedlings of maize, rye and wheat as well as the role of phytochelatins in Cd detoxication in these species were studied. Cadmium was found to inhibit root growth and decrease fresh weight and water content in roots and shoots of the studied plants. Although a considerably lower Cd accumulation was shown in maize seedlings than in other species, they were characterized by the highest sensitivity to cadmium. Among γ-Glu-Cys peptides synthetized by plant species, phytochelatins — glutathione derivatives predominated. In maize they were synthetized in amounts sufficient for binding the total pool of the metal taken up, and the detoxication mechanism was localized in their roots. Larger amounts of cadmium were accumulated in roots of wheat and rye, but the quantity of the formed γ-Glu-Cys peptides seems insufficient for detoxication of the metal.     

Identification of functional genetic variations underlying drought tolerance in maize using SNP markers

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a common form of genetic variation and popularly exists in maize genome. An Illumina GoldenGate assay with 1 536 SNP markers was used to genotype maize inbred lines and identified the functional genetic variations underlying drought tolerance by association analysis. Across 80 lines, 1 006 polymorphic SNPs (65.5% of the total) in the assay with good call quality were used to estimate the pattern of genetic diversity, population structure, and familial relatedness. The analysis showed the best number of fixed subgroups was six, which was consistent with their original sources and results using only simple sequence repeat markers. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) and association mapping with phenotypic traits investigated under water-stressed and well-watered regimes showed rapid LD decline within 100-500 kb along the physical distance of each chromosome, and that 29 SNPs were associated with at least two phenotypic traits in one or more environments, which were related to drought-tolerant or drought-responsive genes. These drought-tolerant SNPs could be converted into functional markers and then used for maize improvement by marker-assisted selection.     

三种冬青属树种的耐涝性和耐旱性评价

通过致死性干旱和致死性水涝处理,用生理生态方法,对冬青(Ilexchinensis)、绿冬青(I.viridis)和无刺枸骨(I.cornatavar.fortunei)进行抗逆性研究。耐涝性结果表明随淹水时间延长,3种受淹冬青体内的游离脯氨酸和丙二醛含量增加,净光合速率下降;比较而言,绿冬青上述受淹反应出现早,无刺枸骨出现迟,而冬青介于二者之间;绿冬青耐涝约1周,无刺枸骨耐涝2周以上,冬青耐涝介于二者之间,在江南水乡推广利用,耐涝方面不会成为限制因素。耐旱结果表明随干旱的逐渐加重,3种冬青体内的游离脯氨酸含量呈上升趋势,比较而言,绿冬青上升的峰值出现早,冬青和无刺枸骨的上升峰值出现迟;绿冬青耐旱约15d,无刺枸骨耐旱约25d,冬青介于二者之间。3种冬青均有一定的抗逆性,其中无刺枸骨对水胁迫的适应能力最强,冬青次之,而绿冬青相对较弱。     

Meta-analysis and candidate gene mining of low-phosphorus tolerance in maize

Plants with tolerance to low-phosphorus （P） can grow better under Iow-P conditions, and understanding of genetic mechanisms of Iow-P tolerance can not only facilitate identifying relevant genes but also help to develop Iow-P tolerant cultivars. QTL meta-analysis was conducted after a comprehensive review of the reports on O, TL mapping for Iow-P tolerance-related traits in maize. Meta-analysis pro- duced 23 consensus QTL （cQTL）, 17 of which located in similar chromosome regions to those previously reported to influence root traits. Meanwhile, candidate gene mining yielded 215 genes, 22 of which located in the cQTL regions. These 22 genes are homologous to 14 functionally characterized genes that were found to participate in plant Iow-P tolerance, including genes encoding miR399s, Pi transporters and purple acid phosphatases. Four cQTL loci （cQTL2-L cQTLS-3, cQTL6-2, and cQTL10-2） may play important roles for low-P tolerance because each contains more original QTL and has better consistency across previous reports.     

Analysis of part of the Trichophyton rubrum ESTs

Superficial fungi are the etiologic pathogens of various dermatophytoses, such as tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea inguinalis, tinea manus, tinea unguium and tinea pedis. These widespread infections affect up to 25% of the worlds population, a percentage that has continued to increase in recent years. T. rubrum is the most common superficial fungus, accounting for at least 60% of all infections of this type. T. rubrum can induce dermatophytoses in different parts of the hu-man skin, and ca…     

Primary functional identification of gene TMSG-1

TMSG-1 (Tumor metastasis suppressor gene-1) is a cancer metastasis-related gene cloned by means of mRNA differential display from human prostate cancer cell lines with different metas-tatic potential[1], which has higher expression in non-metastatic cell line, whereas lower expres-sion in highly metastatic cell line. In samples of primary gastric carcinoma, the TMSG-1 expres-sion markedly decreased in gastric carcinoma with lymph node metastases. It was found that protein encoded by TMS…     

Mapping of QTL associated with waterlogging tolerance during the seedling stage in maize

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Soil waterlogging is a major environmental stress that suppresses maize (Zea mays) growth and yield. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with waterlogging tolerance at the maize seedling stage, a F2 population consisting of 288 F(2:3) lines was created from a cross between two maize genotypes, 'HZ32' (waterlogging-tolerant) and 'K12' (waterlogging-sensitive). METHODS: The F2 population was genotyped and a base-map of 1710.5 cM length was constructed with an average marker space of 11.5 cM based on 177 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. QTL associated with root length, root dry weight, plant height, shoot dry weight, total dry weight and waterlogging tolerance coefficient were identified via composite interval mapping (CIM) under waterlogging and control conditions in 2004 (EXP.1) and 2005 (EXP.2), respectively. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five and thirty-four QTL were detected in EXP.1 and EXP.2, respectively. The effects of each QTL were moderate, ranging from 3.9 to 37.3 %. Several major QTL determining shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, plant height and their waterlogging tolerance coefficient each mapped on chromosomes 4 and 9. These QTL were detected consistently in both experiments. Secondary QTL influencing tolerance were also identified and located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10. These QTL were specific to particular traits or environments. Although the detected regions need to be mapped more precisely, the findings and QTL found in this study may provide useful information for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and further genetic studies on maize waterlogging tolerance.     

丛枝菌根真菌通过上调根系及自身水孔蛋白基因表达提高玉米抗旱性

在模拟干旱条件下, 研究了接种丛枝菌根(AM)真菌Glomus intraradices对玉米(Zea mays)根部13种质膜水孔蛋白基因表达的影响, 同时观测了AM真菌自身水孔蛋白基因的表达情况。结果表明, 干旱条件下, 除Zm PIP1;3、Zm PIP1;4、Zm PIP1;5和Zm PIP2;2之外的接种处理能显著提高根部其他8种质膜水孔蛋白基因的表达(Zm PIP2;7表达量未检测出), 并且AM真菌菌丝中水孔蛋白基因GintAQP1表达也显著增强。与此同时, 接种处理明显改善了植物水分状况, 提高了叶片水势。AM真菌增强宿主植物根部及自身的水孔蛋白基因的表达对于提高植物抗旱性具有潜在的重要贡献。     

干旱胁迫对不同耐旱性玉米杂交种产量和根系生理特性的影响

通过盆栽人工模拟干旱试验,研究了全生育期中度干旱胁迫对不同耐旱性玉米杂交种（耐旱：京科628;不耐旱：农大95）产量及根系生理特性的影响.结果表明：干旱胁迫下,耐旱玉米产量比对照减少33.7%,不耐旱玉米则比对照减少62.3%.干旱胁迫下,玉米根系生物量降低且最大值出现时间提前,与对照相比,不耐旱玉米根冠比升高,耐旱玉米根冠比前期升高后期降低;根系活力降低,不耐旱玉米根系活力降低幅度大于耐旱玉米;根系超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性前期高于对照后期低于对照,耐旱玉米根系SOD活性开始低于对照的时间比不耐旱玉米晚;根系丙二醛（MDA）含量升高,随干旱胁迫处理时间的延长,不耐旱玉米MDA含量比对照升高的幅度大于耐旱玉米;根系可溶性蛋白含量降低,不耐旱玉米的降低幅度大于耐旱玉米.干旱胁迫下耐旱玉米杂交种根系活力﹑根系SOD活性及可溶性蛋白含量较高,减缓了根系的衰老进程,延长了根系功能期,这可能是耐旱玉米杂交种在干旱胁迫下仍能获得较高产量的重要原因之一.