玉米雄穗性状遗传结构与形成分子机制*

玉米为雌雄同株异花植物,其雄穗着生于植株顶部,雌穗腋生。雄穗一方面需产生足量花粉以保证雌穗授粉结实,另一方面由于对下部叶片的遮蔽作用和自身营养需求,其生长发育会同时影响叶片光合作用效率和能量分配,因此优化雄穗结构是提高玉米产量的重要措施之一。玉米雄穗性状包括雄穗分枝数、雄穗分枝长度、雄穗主轴长度、雄穗分枝总长度、雄穗分枝角度等,均为多基因控制的数量性状。自20世纪90年代,研究者开始利用数量性状位点(quantitative trait locus,QTL)定位方法解析玉米雄穗性状遗传结构;随着玉米自交系B73等参考基因组释放,以及DNA微阵列、基因组重测序等高通量基因分型技术的日益成熟,全基因组关联分析(genome-wide association study, GWAS)成为数量性状遗传研究的主流方法,目前已鉴定出大量玉米雄穗性状遗传位点。通过总结雄穗性状遗传定位研究结果,构建一致性图谱并挖掘定位热点区间,有助于进一步了解雄穗性状遗传结构特征及指导雄穗性状候选基因克隆。此外,通过对调控雄穗发育的已知基因进行功能分类,可为解析玉米雄穗发育的遗传网络和调控通路提供理论支撑。     

玉米逆境胁迫响应基因ZmbZIP71的克隆与表达分析

从玉米抗旱自交系CN165中克隆得到了与逆境胁迫相关的bZIP（Basic Leucine Zipper Protein）基因ZmbZIP71。ZmbZIP71基因的开放阅读框为471 bp,编码156个氨基酸,相对分子量为17.59 kDa,等电点pI为9.24。ZmbZIP71蛋白包含真核生物中高度保守的bZIP结构域。ZmbZIP71基因编码区的基因组序列全长为1050 bp,包括2个外显子和1个内含子。利用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析ZmbZIP71基因在玉米不同组织中的表达差异及其在非生物胁迫下的表达模式,结果表明,该基因在雄穗和雌穗中的表达量较高,并且受干旱、低温和ABA的胁迫诱导上调表达,在盐胁迫下下调表达。     

β2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性与新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压关系的研究

目的：检测β2-肾上腺素能受体（β2-AR）基因5’-调控区部分序列单核苷酸多态性（SNPs）,并探讨这些SNPs与新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压的关系。方法：应用MALDI-TOFMS方法测定β2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性确定SNP类型,并进行基因分型。结果：β2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性分别为-654位G→A、-1429位T→A碱基变异。2种SNPs基因型频率在正常人群分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。其中-654位SNPs基因型GG、GA、AA频率在正常血压和高血压人群间的分布没有显著性差异（x2=1.26,df=2,P〉0.05）,位于-1429bp处SNPs基因型在2组人群中分布差异无显著性（x^2=1.85,df=2,P〉0.05）。结论：β2-AR基因-654位与-1429位SNPs可能仅为基因多态性标志。     

玉米dbf1基因与耐旱相关性状的关联分析

脱水响应元件结合因子(DBF1蛋白)是高等植物体内DRE/CRT顺式元件的结合因子,是水分胁迫信号传导的核心构件。本文以玉米自交系郑22为材料,采用PCR技术分离得到dbf1基因区域基因组DNA(gDNA)全长949 bp,起始密码子至终止密码子序列长654 bp。该基因由1个外显子组成,无内含子。dbf1基因在175份玉米自交系中共检测到9个SNP变异(平均每57.3 bp一个),没有检测到In/Del变异,在3个多态性位点间存在较高程度的连锁不平衡(r20.5)。在干旱胁迫下,dbf1基因中的多态性位点397与ASI和单穗粒重显著关联(P0.05),位点477与单穗粒重和结实株数百分率存在显著关联(P0.05)。位点397对ASI和单穗粒重的贡献率分别为6.94%和10.03%;位点477对单穗粒重和结实株数百分率的贡献率分别是1.01%和3.66%。根据2个位点将175份自交系分成4种单体型,其中单体型4含有能使ASI减小、结实株数百分率增加的等位基因位点,包含早49、丹598、丹黄02等耐旱和中度耐旱自交系,推测单体型4可能是dbf1基因的耐旱单体型。研究结果为基于dbf1因开发耐旱功能标记提供信息。     

MICB基因多态性与乳腺癌的易感关联性研究

目的:研究海南汉族人群MICB等位基因的多态性与乳腺癌易感性之间的关联性。方法:采用PCRSSP(PCR sequence-specific primers)和PCR-SBT(PCR sequence-based typing)方法对样本MICB等位基因的多态性进行检测。结果:乳腺癌患者中检出14种MICB等位基因;和对照组相比较,MICB*002和MICB*014等位基因在乳腺癌患者组分布频率较少,MICB*002和MICB*014等位基因可能对乳腺癌不易感(MICB*002:OR=0.31,95%CI:0.19-0.51,Pc0.05;MICB*014:OR=0.32,95%CI:0.17-0.60,Pc0.05)。MICB*016和MICB*003等位基因在乳腺癌患者组分布较多;MICB*016和MICB*003等位基因可能对乳腺癌易感(MICB*016:OR=10.68,95%CI:2.52-45.28,Pc0.05;MICB*003:OR=3.57,95%CI:1.34-9.49,Pc0.05);MICB*002/002和MICB*014/014基因型可能对乳腺癌不易感(MICB*002/002:OR=0.12,95%CI:0.04-0.36,Pc0.05;MICB*014/014:OR=0.30,95%CI:0.10-0.89,Pc0.05)。结论:MICB等位基因的多态性与乳腺癌的易感性之间存在关联性。     

西藏绒山羊KA P9.2基因CDS克隆、外显子区多态性及表达分析

KAP9.2基因是角蛋白关联蛋白(keratin associated protein, KAP)中的一员,在毛发的形成过程中有重要的调控作用。本研究对西藏绒山KAP9.2基因CDS进行了克隆;采用直接测序法对绒山羊200个个体KAP9.2基因外显子区的遗传变异情况进行分析;并利用Real-time PCR分析了KAP9.2基因在不同海拔山羊中的表达。结果显示,西藏绒山羊KAP9.2基因CDS序列为576 bp,编码191个氨基酸;KAP9.2基因外显子存在25处SNP位点及一处30 bp的缺失突变,其中12处SNP为错义突变,其他13处为同义突变。遗传多态性分析表明KAP9.2基因多态性丰富,遗传变异大;连锁分析发现12与388位点、54与93位点、153与159位点、273与279位点完全连锁,H1为优势单倍型;Real-time PCR显示西藏绒山羊KAP9.2基因在高海拔地区m RNA表达水平显著高于特高海拔地区,推测该基因可能促进绒毛的生长。本研究结果揭示了西藏绒山羊KAP9.2基因的遗传多态性及其在不同海拔的表达,为进一步研究KAP9.2基因潜在的功能位点提供一定的理论依据。     

玉米株型性状多世代联合遗传分析

本文采用P1、P2、F1、F2、B1、B2多世代联合遗传分析方法,研究了玉米株高、穗位高、穗三叶面积、雄穗分枝数和叶形系数等5个株型性状遗传模型,并进行了混合模型参数估计.结果表明：株高、叶面积、雄穗分枝数符合加性-显性-上位性多基因遗传模型,表现为负向超显性;穗位高、叶形系数符合一对加性主基因＋加性-显性多基因混合遗传模型,主基因无显性,多基因无上位性.穗位高在B2世代主基因遗传率最大（46.51%）,在B1世代多基因遗传率最大（46.71%）;叶形系数在F2世代主基因遗传率最大（36.76%）,在B1世代多基因遗传率最大（26.31%）.     

β_2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性与新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压关系的研究

目的:检测β2-肾上腺素能受体(β2-AR)基因5’-调控区部分序列单核苷酸多态性(SNPs),并探讨这些SNPs与新疆哈萨克族原发性高血压的关系。方法:应用MALDI-TOFMS方法测定β2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性确定SNP类型,并进行基因分型。结果:β2-AR基因5’-调控区-654位与-1429位单核苷酸多态性分别为-654位G→A、-1429位T→A碱基变异。2种SNPs基因型频率在正常人群分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡。其中-654位SNPs基因型GG、GA、AA频率在正常血压和高血压人群间的分布没有显著性差异(x2=1.26,df=2,P>0.05),位于-1429bp处SNPs基因型在2组人群中分布差异无显著性(x2=1.85,df=2,P>0.05)。结论:β2-AR基因-654位与-1429位SNPs可能仅为基因多态性标志。     

玉米生物钟基因ZmPRR1-2的克隆及表达分析

为探究玉米生物钟基因ZmPRR1-2的功能及表达特性,解析玉米光周期途径调控开花的机理,该研究以玉米骨干自交系‘黄早4’为材料,克隆ZmPRR1-2基因的cDNA序列并进行生物信息学分析;利用qRT-PCR技术对该基因进行组织特异性表达分析和48 h的昼夜节律表达分析。结果表明：(1)成功克隆获得ZmPRR1-2基因的编码区全长1 554 bp,编码517个氨基酸,编码的蛋白属于PRR基因家族,含有1个REC结构域和1个CCT结构域,多序列比对和系统进化分析显示ZmPRR1-2基因在禾本科植物中高度保守;ZmPRR1-2蛋白属亲水性蛋白,不包含跨膜结构域和信号肽。(2)ZmPRR1-2基因在玉米叶片中的表达量最高,显著高于其他7个组织,表明该基因主要在叶片中发挥功能,而在果穗和花丝中表达量相对较低,且显著低于雄穗中的表达量。(3)昼夜节律表达分析显示,在短日照条件下,ZmPRR1-2基因的表达量于光照3 h后开始逐渐上升,在光照结束后3 h时达到表达高峰;在长日照条件下,于光照6 h后ZmPRR1-2基因的表达量才开始逐渐上升,且在光照结束时达到表达高峰。研究认为,ZmPRR1-2基因...     

花粉介导法将TaPHR1∷GFP融合蛋白基因导入玉米

利用超声波辅助花粉介导基因转化法,将小麦耐低磷调控基因TaPHR1和GFP构建成的融合蛋白基因(TaPHR1∷GFP)导入3个玉米自交系郑58、昌7-2和PH6WC中.结果表明:3个自交系的转化效果存在基因型差异,郑58是很好的转化受体材料,平均结籽穗率、每穗平均结籽数、BASTA除草剂抗性和转基因植株PCR阳性率均优于昌7-2和PH6W;对T1代植株进行Southern杂交表明,TaPHR1∷GFP融合蛋白基因已整合到玉米基因组中;RT-PCR结果显示,TaPHR1∷GFP融合蛋白基因得到有效转录;通过对发芽籽粒进行GFP荧光观察表明,TaPHR1∷GFP融合蛋白基因得到了表达.     

Molecular analysis of the dhp1+ gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe: an essential gene that has homology to the DST 2 and RAT 1 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We report here the first cloning of a chalcone flavonone isomerase gene (CHI) from maize. Northern blot experiments indicate that the maize CHI gene (ZmCHI1) is regulated in the pericarp by the P gene, a myb homologue. The ZmCHI1 gene encodes a 24.3 kDa product 55% and 58% identical to CHI-A and CHI-B from Petunia, respectively. This maize CHI gene has four exons and an intron-exon structure identical to the CHI-B gene of Petunia hybrida. RFLP mapping data indicate that some inbred lines contain two additional CHI-homologous sequences, suggesting an organization more complex than that found in Petunia or bean. The possibility that the additional CHI-homologous sequences are responsible for the lack of CHI mutants in maize will be discussed.     

Uptake and distribution of cadmium in maize inbred lines

Genotypic variation in uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd) was studied in 19 inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.). The inbred lines were grown for 27 days on an in situ Cd-contaminated sandy soil or for 20 days on nutrient solution culture with 10 µg Cd L^-1. The Cd concentrations in the shoots showed large genotypic variation, ranging from 0.9 to 9.9 µg g^-1 dry wt. for the Cd-contaminated soil and from 2.5 to 56.9 µg g^-1 dry wt. for the nutrient solution culture. The inbred lines showed a similar ranking for the Cd concentrations in the shoots for both growth media (r²=0.89). Two main groups of inbreds were distinguished: a group with low shoot, but high root Cd concentrations (shoot: 7.4±5.3 µg g^-1 dry wt.; root: 206.0±71.2 µg g^-1 dry wt.; shoot Cd excluder) and a group with similar shoot and root Cd concentrations (shoot: 54.2±3.4 µg g^-1 dry wt.; root: 75.6±11.2 µg g^-1 dry wt.; non-shoot Cd excluder). The classification of the maize inbred lines and the near equal whole-plant Cd uptake between the two groups demonstrates that internal distribution rather than uptake is causing the genotypic differences in shoot Cd concentration of maize inbred lines. Zinc (Zn), a micronutrient chemically related to Cd, showed an almost similar distribution pattern for all maize inbred lines. The discrepancy in the internal distribution between Cd and Zn emphasizes the specificity of the Cd distribution in maize inbred lines.     

Quantitative trait loci analysis of phenotypic traits and principal components of maize tassel inflorescence architecture

Maize tassel inflorescence architecture is relevant to efficient production of F₁ seed and yield performance of F₁ hybrids. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic relationships among seven measured tassel inflorescence architecture traits and six calculated traits in a maize backcross population derived from two lines with differing tassel architectures, and identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved in the inheritance of those tassel inflorescence architecture traits. A Principal Component (PC) analysis was performed to examine relationships among correlated traits. Traits with high loadings for PC1 were branch number and branch number density, for PC2 were spikelet density on central spike and primary branch, and for PC3 were lengths of tassel and central spike. We detected 45 QTL for individual architecture traits and eight QTL for the three PCs. For control of inflorescence architecture, important QTL were found in bins 7.02 and 9.02. The interval phi034—ramosa1 (ral) in bin 7.02 was associated with six individual architecture trait QTL and explained the largest amount of phenotypic variation (17.3%) for PC1. Interval bnlg344–phi027 in bin 9.02 explained the largest amount of phenotypic variation (14.6%) for PC2. Inflorescence architecture QTL were detected in regions with candidate genes fasciated ear2, thick tassel dwarf1, and ral. However, the vast majority of QTL mapped to regions without known candidate genes, indicating positional cloning efforts will be necessary to identify these genes.     

Over-expression of AGPase genes enhances seed weight and starch content in transgenic maize

Cereal crops accumulate starch in the seed endosperm as an energy reserve. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) plays a key role in regulating starch biosynthesis in cereal seeds. The AGPase in the maize endosperm is a heterotetramer of two small subunits, encoded by Brittle2 (Bt2) gene, and two large subunits, encoded by the Shrunken2 (Sh2) gene. The two genes (Bt2, Sh2) from maize were introduced into two elite maize inbred lines, solely and in tandem, and under the control of endosperm-specific promoters for over-expression. PCR, Southern blotting, and real-time RT-PCR analysis indicated that the transgenes were integrated into the genome of transgenic plants and were over-expressed in their progeny. The over-expression of either gene enhanced AGPase activity, seed weight and starch content compared with the WT, but the amounts were lower than plants with over-expression of both Bt2 and Sh2. Developing seeds from co-expression transgenic maize plants had higher cytoplasmic AGPase activity: the 100-grain weight increased 15% over the wild type (WT), and the starch content increased to over 74% compared with the WT of 65%. These results indicate that over-expression of the genes in transgenic maize plants could improve kernel traits. This report provides a feasible approach for increasing starch content and seed weight in maize.     

Use of hi ii-elite inbred hybrids in Agrobacterium-based transformation of maize

Summary Hybrid embryos resulting from crosses between a highly regenerable maize germplasm (Hi II) and certain elite inbreds were treated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing the uidA (GUS) and pat genes under the control of different constitutive promoters. Six of the elite inbred lines were derived from a Lancaster background and three were derived from an Iowa Stiff Stalk background. Hybrid embryos from all three Stiff Stalk lines gave transgenic events at various frequencies, two of them at a comparable frequency to that observed with Hi II embryos. Embryos from only one Lancaster/Hi II hybrid were successfully transformed and the frequency was quite low. Additional Lancaster elite inbreds were then tested as a hybrid with Hi II and failed to produce a single transgenic event. The transgenic Hi II/elite events showed many characteristics of ‘hybrid vigor’ including more aggressive rooting, thicker stems, and taller stature than plants derived from Hi II events. The hybrid T₀ plants exhibited excellent tassel development in the greenhouse with abundant pollen shed. Seed set in the greenhouse was significantly (3–5-fold) higher than with Hi II transformats. Attempts to transform embryos derived from self or sibling crosses of the four inbred lines that were successful as hybrids with Hi II did not produce any transgenic events. T₀ plants having ∼50% elite genomic contribution perform nearly as well in the greenhouse as seed-derived elite inbred parents and offer a significantly reduced time line for recombinant protein product development from transgenic plants.     

Gibberellins and heterosis in maize : I. Endogenous gibberellin-like substances

Under controlled environment and/or field conditions, vegetative growth (height, internode length, leaf area, shoot dry weight, grain yield) was greater in an F₁ maize hybrid than in either parental inbred. Endogenous gibberellin (GA)-like substances in apical meristem cylinders were also higher in the hybrid than in either inbred, both on a per plant and per gram dry weight basis. There were no apparent qualitative differences in GA-like substances, however. Levels of GA-like substances in all genotypes were highest prior to tassel initiation. Chromatographic comparisons of the GA-like substances and authentic standards of GA native to maize on gradient-eluted SiO₂ partition and reverse-phase C₁₈ high-pressure liquid chromatography columns are described. No consistent differences in abscisic acid levels of the three genotypes were observed. This correlation of heterosis for endogenous GA-like substances with heterosis for growth suggests that amounts of endogenous GA may be related to hybrid vigor in maize.     

The plant mitochondrial open reading frame orf221 encodes a membrane-bound protein

We have shown that the open reading frame orf221 is an active mitochondrial gene which encodes a novel mitochondrial polypeptide. The orf221 sequence is common to higher plants but absent in animal and fungal mitochondria. A mitochondrial polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 21 000 was detected with a polyclonal antibody raised against an ORF221 fusion protein. In organello translation followed by immunoprecipitation with the anti-ORF221 antibody demonstrated that this polypeptide is encoded by the orf221 gene in plant mitochondria. The ORF221 was found to be a mitochondrial membrane protein in normal (N), cms-T, and cms-C cytoplasms of several inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) and in other plant species.     

Improving the mineral reserves and protein quality of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels using unique genes

The effects of the maize genes, o ₂ and Mal, on the concentrations of mineral nutrient cations and amino acid levels in mature maize (Zea mays L) kernels of various inbred lines were studied. Previously, the o ₂ gene has been used to improve the protein quality and increase the mineral nutrient content of kernels from some inbred lines. Genotypes possessing the Mal (multiple aleurone layer) gene, contain more than one row of aleurone cells in their kernels and this gene enhances the effect of the o ₂gene on improving kernel protein quality. Incorporating these genes into the maize genome increased accumulation of several mineral nutrients (including Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) in some of the experimental lines studied. The physiological basis for this increase of mineral nutrients in the kernels is discussed. The effect of the Mal gene on the kernel amino acid composition and protein quality was also examined. Possibly, these genes could be used in combination in breeding programs to improve kernel quality and nutritional value of maize.