Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Perilla frutescens Brit

We isolated and characterized 13 polymorphic microsatellite primers from Perilla frutescens Brit. var. frutescens by using a modified method that involves one‐way PCR amplification with single primer prior to enrichment with an ‘oligo hook’. The efficiency of this procedure for isolating unique microsatellite sequences was approximately 77%. The number of alleles per microsatellite locus ranged from three to 10 with an average of 6.5 alleles per locus while fragment size varied from 156 to 298 bp. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.52 to 0.86 and 0.52 to 0.89, respectively. These newly isolated microsatellite markers are expected to provide valuable resources for different genetic studies currently underway in our Perilla genome research program.     

Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Fifty microsatellite sequences (SSRs) were isolated from an enriched library of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) using a modified protocol. After screening, 10 polymorphic microsatellites were used to determine their usefulness in diversity analysis among 16 sesame accessions. The number of alleles ranged from three to six alleles per locus with an average of 4.6 alleles. The fragment size varied from 150 bp to 307 bp. Expected heterozygosites (H_E) and polymorphism information contents (PICs) ranged from 0.437 to 0.858 and 0.34 to 0.80, respectively, which indicates the highly informative nature of the microsatellites reported here. These microsatellite markers will be very useful in diversity analysis among a large germplasm collection of sesame present in our Korean gene bank and also in the establishment of its core collection.     

Characterization of new microsatellite markers in mung bean,Vigna radiata (L.)

The present work reports the isolation and characterization of new polymorphic microsatellites in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.). Of 93 designed primer pairs, seven were found to amplify polymorphic microsatellite loci, which were then characterized using 34 mung bean accessions. The number of alleles ranged from two to five alleles per locus with an average of three alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0 to 0.088 and from 0.275 to 0.683, respectively. All seven loci showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, whereas only one pairwise combination (GBssr‐MB77 and GBssr‐MB91) exhibited significant departure from linkage disequilibrium. These newly developed markers are currently being utilized for diversity assessment within the mung bean germplasm collection of the Korean Gene Bank.     

Effect of proteinaceous proteinase inhibitors from potato tubers on the growth and development of phytopathogenic microorganisms

We studied the effect of two proteins, PSPI-21 and PKSI, on the growth and development of phytopathogenic microorganisms (Phytophthora infestans oomycete and Fusarium culmorum fungus). Both proteins were isolated from potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Istrinskii) and served as inhibitors of serine proteinases. These proteins differed in the ability to inhibit growth of Phytophthora infestans oomycete and Fusarium culmorum fungus. PSPI-21 was the most potent in modulating the growth of oomycete mycelium. PKSI primarily affected the growth of the fungal mycelium. The proteins under study induced complete destruction of oomycete zoospores and partial destruction of fungal macroconidia. Our results suggest that these proteins are involved in the protection of potato plants from phytopathogenic microorganisms.     

Differential traits and antigenic properties of the S- and R-forms of Neisseria meningitidis]

The authors demonstrated a marked dissociation of the Neisseria meningitis cultures and the capacity to their rapid change from S- to R-forms. Differential signs of the S- and R-forms are described. Differences in the degree of dissociation of the cultures depending on their origin were shown: strains isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid and the blood of patients with meningitis proved to be less dissociated, and those isolated from carriers--more dissociated. Transfers from media to media and adaptation of cultures to artificial nutrient media produced the greatest influence on dissociation of the freshly isolated strains.     

The usage of marker traits in plants for evaluation of resistance of the winter wheat to pest insects

A new method of selection of the winter wheat varieties has been tested for resistance to the pest insects' complex by the traits of plants that are the markers of plant resistance. It makes it possible to use this method from year to year independently of the pests' density.     

The inhibition of potato tubers wound reparation

The multiple washing of the wound surface of potato tubers by water adversely affected the protective properties of wound periderm. Immune inhibitor β-1,3-β-1,6 glucan had a property of local effect and inhibited the process of wound healing. The pentasaccharide of xyloglucan caused necrosis of potato tuber tissue and prevented the wound reparation process.