利用籼粳回交群体分析水稻粒形性状相关QTLs

水稻谷粒的外观性状对稻米外观品质存在重要的影响。该研究利用SSR标记,以回交群体Balilla／NTH∥Balilla为作图群体,构建了水稻12条染色体的连锁图,该遗传图谱包括：108个分子标记,平均图距为11．9cM。以构建的遗传图谱为基础,采用区间作图法对谷粒外观性状,包括粒长、粒宽和粒形进行了数量性状基因(QTL)定位。结果表明,粒长、粒宽和粒形在回交群体中均呈近似的正态分布,表现出典型的数量性状特征。QTL定位结果表明,第12染色体上RM101-RM270区间内存在一个与粒长性状相关的QTL,(qGL-12),加性效应约为0．26mm,贡献率为16．7％。在第2和第3染色体上RM154-RM211和RM257-RM175区问内,分别检测到qGW-2和qGW-3两个位点与粒宽性状有关,加性效应为分别为-0．10mm和-0．12mm,贡献率分别为11．5％和16．6％。对于粒形性状,共检测到3个QTLs,qLW-2、qLW-6和qLW-7,分别位于第2、6和7染色体上。其中qLW-2和qLW-7的加性效应分别约为0．09和0．10,两个QTLs分别可解释表型变异的12．7％和18．3％;而qLW-6的加性效应约为-0．13,可解释粒形变异的11．5％。文中还讨论了粒形和稻米外观品质同时改良的可能性。     

A Genetic Linkage Map of Mouse Chromosome 10: Localization of Eighteen Molecular Markers Using a Single Interspecific Backcross

Interspecific mouse backcross analysis was used to generate a molecular genetic linkage map of mouse chromosome 10. The map locations of the Act-2, Ahi-1, Bcr, Braf, Cdc-2a, Col6a-1, Col6a-2, Cos-1, Esr, Fyn, Gli, Ifg, Igf-1, Myb, Pah, pgcha, Ros-1 and S100b loci were determined. These loci extend over 80% of the genetic length of the chromosome, providing molecular access to many regions of chromosome 10 for the first time. The locations of the genes mapped in this study extend the known regions of synteny between mouse chromosome 10 and human chromosomes 6, 10, 12 and 21, and reveal a novel homology segment between mouse chromosome 10 and human chromosome 22. Several loci may lie close to, or correspond to, known mutations. Preferential transmission of Mus spretus-derived alleles was observed for loci mapping to the central region of mouse chromosome 10.     

Recombinant Inbred Strain and Interspecific Backcross Analysis of Molecular Markers Flanking the Murine Agouti Coat Color Locus

Recombinant inbred strain and interspecific backcross mice were used to create a molecular genetic linkage map of the distal portion of mouse chromosome 2. The orientation and distance of the Ada, Emv-13, Emv-15, Hck-1, Il-1a, Pck-1, Psp, Src-1 and Svp-1 loci from the beta 2-microglobulin locus and the agouti locus were established. Our mapping results have provided the identification of molecular markers both proximal and distal to the agouti locus. The recombinants obtained provide valuable resources for determining the direction of chromosome walking experiments designed to clone sequences at the agouti locus. Comparisons between the mouse and human genome maps suggest that the human homolog of the agouti locus resides on human chromosome 20q. Three loci not present on mouse chromosome 2 were also identified and were provisionally named Psp-2, Hck-2 and Hck-3. The Psp-2 locus maps to mouse chromosome 14. The Hck-2 locus maps near the centromere of mouse chromosome 4 and may identify the Lyn locus. The Hck-3 locus maps near the distal end of mouse chromosome 4 and may identify the Lck locus.     

Ancestral Alleles in the Human Genome Based on Population Sequencing Data

Ancestral allele information is useful for genetics studies. Previously, the identification of ancestral alleles was primarily based on sequence alignments between species. Alternative ways to identify ancestral alleles were proposed in this study based on population sequencing data. The methods described here utilized the diversity between haplotypes harboring ancestral and newly emerged alleles. Simulations showed that these methods were reliable for identifying ancestral alleles when the variants had not aged too greatly. Application to the human genome sequencing data suggested the role of indels in maintaining the GC content in the human genome. The deletion-to-insertion ratios and GC proportions were correlated depending on the sizes of insertions and deletions in the direction of increasing GC content. There were GC-biased fixations in single base-pair insertions and AT-biased fixations in single base-pair deletions in the results based on the proposed methods. In the current study, GC-biased gene conversions in nucleotide substitutions were very slight or insignificant. In the variants of several quantitative trait loci (QTLs), slight GC-biased gene conversion was observed in nucleotide substitutions. For the QTL indels, insertions were observed more often than deletions, and deletion-biased fixation was observed, providing new insights into the evolution of functional genes.     

60Co辐照对水稻基因组DNA诱变的分子生物学效应

以水稻品种农林8号及其60Co γ射线辐照突变体农林8号m为研究材料,选用360个10碱基寡核苷酸随机引物,利用随机扩增多态性DNA标记技术筛选出1个引物OPG18在农林8号和农林8号m之间表现出共显性的多态性.通过对该共显性标记的克隆和序列分析表明,突变体农林8号m与农林8号相比有29 bp DNA片段的缺失.研究结果为60Co γ射线辐照导致植物基因组DNA缺失提供了一个最直接明确的证据.     

A Linkage Map of the Canine Genome

A genetic linkage map of the canine genome has been developed by typing 150 microsatellite markers using 17 three-generation pedigrees, composed of 163 F₂individuals. One hundred and thirty-nine markers were linked to at least one other marker with a lod score ≥ 3.0, identifying 30 linkage groups. The largest chromosome had 9 markers spanning 106.1 cM. The average distance between markers was 14.03 cM, and the map covers an estimated 2073 cM. Eleven markers were informative on the mapping panel, but were unlinked to any other marker. These likely represent single markers located on small, distinct canine chromosomes. This map will be the initial resource for mapping canine traits of interest and serve as a foundation for development of a comprehensive canine genetic map.     

利用一个水稻RIL群体定位控制淀粉特性的QTL

利用个山籼粳(Oryza sativa L.)杂交发展成的重组自交系(RIL)群体研究影响淀粉特性的遗传因子,测定了一系列淀粉特性有关性状,包括直链淀粉含量、胶稠度、淀粉糊粘度、胶的质地、糊化温度、热学特性、回生特性等22个参数。共定位了44个QTL,分布在第2～6、8、9、11染色体上,每个性状所定位的QTL在1到4个不等。其中有2个是主基因,一个是第6染色体上的Wx基因,它控制直链淀粉含量、胶稠度、淀粉糊粘度、胶的质地、回生特性等性状,另一个足第6染色体上的alk基因,它控制糊化温度与热学特性等性状,其他QTL都是微效基因,在第9染色体上RZ404和G295区间系首次检测到,它控制淀粉胶的硬度(hardness)、胶粘性(gumminess)、咀嚼性(chewiness)、回生淀粉的最高糊化温度、回生率等性状,这些性状都未曾研究过。     

水稻双单倍体群体的分子标记图示基因型分析

利用窄叶青８号（籼稻）／京系１７（粳稻）花培产生的双单倍体群体建立了一个包含１６０个分子标记的遗传连锁图,在此基础上利用ＨＹＰＥＲＧＥＮＥ软件建立了５２个ＤＨ系的图示基因型,并对ＤＨ系的亲本基因组比率和染色体的交换重组频率进行了比较分析。结果表明本实验所用的ＤＨ群体没有显著偏离正态分布,籼粳稻杂交后代中植株的籼粳表现与同工酶、形态指数和基因组比率的分析结果一致,此外还发现ＤＨ群体中出现了大量的交换罕见染色体。利用图示基因型分析发现株高和分子标记ＲＺ９７８和ＲＧ４Ａ相关,生育期和ＲＲＫ０８－１、ＲＧ４７７和ＲＧ５１１相关。本文还就图示基因型分析技术在ＤＨ群体的遗传分析和选择育种中的应用进行了讨论．     

Comparative Genome Map of Human and Cattle

Chromosomal homologies between individual human chromosomes and the bovine karyotype have been established by using a new approach termed Zoo-FISH. Labeled DNA libraries from flow-sorted human chromosomes were used as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization on cattle chromosomes. All human DNA libraries, except the Y chromosome library, hybridized to one or more cattle chromosomes, identifying and delineating 50 segments of homology, most of them corresponding to the regions of homology as identified by the previous mapping of individual conserved loci. However, Zoo-FISH refines the comparative maps constructed by molecular gene mapping of individual loci by providing information on the boundaries of conserved regions in the absence of obvious cytogenetic homologies of human and bovine chromosomes. It allows study of karyotypic evolution and opens new avenues for genomic analysis by facilitating the extrapolation of results from the human genome initiative.     

A Genetic Linkage Map of the Male Goat Genome

This paper presents a first genetic linkage map of the goat genome. Primers derived from the flanking sequences of 612 bovine, ovine and goat microsatellite markers were gathered and tested for amplification with goat DNA under standardized PCR conditions. This screen made it possible to choose a set of 55 polymorphic markers that can be used in the three species and to define a panel of 223 microsatellites suitable for the goat. Twelve half-sib paternal goat families were then used to build a linkage map of the goat genome. The linkage analysis made it possible to construct a meiotic map covering 2300 cM, i.e., >80% of the total estimated length of the goat genome. Moreover, eight cosmids containing microsatellites were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization in goat and sheep. Together with 11 microsatellite-containing cosmids previously mapped in cattle (and supposing conservation of the banding pattern between this species and the goat) and data from the sheep map, these results made the orientation of 15 linkage groups possible. Furthermore, 12 coding sequences were mapped either genetically or physically, providing useful data for comparative mapping.     

An Autosomal Genetic Linkage Map of the Sheep Genome

We report the first extensive ovine genetic linkage map covering 2070 cM of the sheep genome. The map was generated from the linkage analysis of 246 polymorphic markers, in nine three-generation fullsib pedigrees, which make up the AgResearch International Mapping Flock. We have exploited many markers from cattle so that valuable comparisons between these two ruminant linkage maps can be made. The markers, used in the segregation analyses, comprised 86 anonymous microsatellite markers derived from the sheep genome, 126 anonymous microsatellites from cattle, one from deer, and 33 polymorphic markers of various types associated with known genes. The maximum number of informative meioses within the mapping flock was 222. The average number of informative meioses per marker was 140 (range 18-209). Linkage groups have been assigned to all 26 sheep autosomes.     

A Whole-Genome Radiation Hybrid Map of the Dog Genome

A whole genome radiation hybrid (RH) map of the canine genome was constructed by typing 400 markers, including 218 genes and 182 microsatellites, on a panel of 126 radiation hybrid cell lines. Fifty-seven RH groups have been determined with lod scores greater than 6, and 180 framework landmarks were ordered with odds greater than 1000:1. Average spacing between adjacent markers is 23 cR₅₀₀₀, an estimated physical distance of 3.8 Mb. Fourteen groups have been assigned to 9 of the canine chromosomes, and a comparison of RH and genetic groups allowed the successful bridging of both types of data on one map composed of 31 RH and 13 syntenic RH groups. Comparison of canine, human, mouse, and pig maps underlined regions of conserved synteny. This integrated map, covering an estimated 80% of the dog genome, should prove a powerful tool for localizing and identifiying genes implicated in pathological and phenotypical traits.     

The Effects of Interspecific Competition on the Dynamics of a Polymorphism in an Experimental Population of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Populations of Drosophila melanogaster with a fourth-chromosome polymorphism were subjected to different levels of competition with Drosophila simulans. The dynamics of the polymorphism and the equilibrium frequencies of the sparkling allele were seen to depend on the competitive level, while the higher productivity of the competing populations was shown to be due to the initial parental density. The effects of competition on fitness components were quantified by fitting the data to both a two-stage selection model and a fertility model. Additional experiments were performed to verify that the interspecific competition caused the changes in fitness. The results are discussed in light of the importance of considering selection components in models of ecological genetics.     

Construction of an Interspecific Genetic Map Based on InDel and SSR for Mapping the QTLs Affecting the Initiation of Flower Primordia in Pepper (Capsicum spp.)

Re-sequencing permits the mining of genome-wide variations on a large scale and provides excellent resources for the research community. To accelerate the development and application of molecular markers and identify the QTLs affecting the flowering time-related trait in pepper, a total of 1,038 pairs of InDel and 674 SSR primers from different sources were used for genetic mapping using the F₂ population (n = 154) derived from a cross between BA3 (C. annuum) and YNXML (C. frutescens). Of these, a total of 224 simple PCR-based markers, including 129 InDels and 95 SSRs, were validated and integrated into a map, which was designated as the BY map. The BY map consisted of 13 linkage groups (LGs) and spanned a total genetic distance of 1,249.77 cM with an average marker distance of 5.60 cM. Comparative analysis of the genetic and physical map based on the anchored markers showed that the BY map covered nearly the whole pepper genome. Based on the BY map, one major and five minor QTLs affecting the number of leaves on the primary axis (Nle) were detected on chromosomes P2, P7, P10 and P11 in 2012. The major QTL on P2 was confirmed based on another subset of the same F₂ population (n = 147) in 2014 with selective genotyping of markers from the BY map. With the accomplishment of pepper whole genome sequencing and annotations (release 2.0), 153 candidate genes were predicted to embed in the Nle2.2 region, of which 12 important flowering related genes were obtained. The InDel/SSR-based interspecific genetic map, QTLs and candidate genes obtained by the present study will be useful for the downstream isolation of flowering time-related gene and other genetic applications for pepper.     

A Comprehensive Map of Insulator Elements for the Drosophila Genome

Insulators are DNA sequences that control the interactions among genomic regulatory elements and act as chromatin boundaries. A thorough understanding of their location and function is necessary to address the complexities of metazoan gene regulation. We studied by ChIP–chip the genome-wide binding sites of 6 insulator-associated proteins—dCTCF, CP190, BEAF-32, Su(Hw), Mod(mdg4), and GAF—to obtain the first comprehensive map of insulator elements in Drosophila embryos. We identify over 14,000 putative insulators, including all classically defined insulators. We find two major classes of insulators defined by dCTCF/CP190/BEAF-32 and Su(Hw), respectively. Distributional analyses of insulators revealed that particular sub-classes of insulator elements are excluded between cis-regulatory elements and their target promoters; divide differentially expressed, alternative, and divergent promoters; act as chromatin boundaries; are associated with chromosomal breakpoints among species; and are embedded within active chromatin domains. Together, these results provide a map demarcating the boundaries of gene regulatory units and a framework for understanding insulator function during the development and evolution of Drosophila.     

Analysis of the Molecular Evolutionary History of the Ascorbate Peroxidase Gene Family: Inferences from the Rice Genome

Ascorbate peroxidase (APx) is a class I peroxidase that catalyzes the conversion of H₂O₂ to H₂O and O₂ using ascorbate as the specific electron donor. This enzyme has a key function in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the protection against toxic effects of ROS in higher plants, algae, and Euglena. Here we report the identification of an APx multigene family in rice and propose a molecular evolutionary relationship between the diverse APx isoforms. In rice, the APx gene family has eight members, which encode two cytosolic, two putative peroxisomal, and four chloroplastic isoforms, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using all APx protein sequences available in the NCBI databases. The results indicate that the different APx isoforms arose by a complex evolutionary process involving several gene duplications. The structural organization of APx genes also reflects this process and provides evidence for a close relationship among proteins located in the same subcellular compartment. A molecular evolutionary pathway, in which cytosolic and peroxisomal isoforms diverged early from chloroplastic ones, is proposed.Reviewing Editor: Dr. Niles Lehman