A truncated FatB resulting from a single nucleotide insertion is responsible for reducing saturated fatty acids in maize seed oil

Key message

We identified a G-nucleotide insertion in a maize FatB responsible for reducing saturated fatty acids through QTL mapping and map-based cloning and developed an allele-specific DNA marker for molecular breeding.

Abstract

Vegetable oils with reduced saturated fatty acids have signficant health benefits. SRS72NE, a Dow AgroSciences proprietory maize inbred line, was found to contain signficantly reduced levels of palmitic acid and total saturated fatty acids in seed oil when compared to other common inbreds. Using F₂ and F₃ populations derived from a cross between SRS72NE and a normal inbred SLN74, we have demonstrated that the reduced saturated fatty acid phenotype in SRS72NE is controlled by a single QTL on chromosome 9 that explains 79.1 % of palmitic acid and 79.6 % total saturated fatty acid variations. The QTL was mapped to an interval of 105 kb that contains one single gene, a type B fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase (ZmFatB; GRMZM5G829544). ZmFatB alleles from SRS72NE and common inbreds were cloned and sequenced. SRS72NE fatb allele contains a single nucleotide (G) insertion in the 6th exon, which creates a premature stop codon 22 base pairs down stream. As a result, ZmFatB protein from SRS72NE is predicted to contain eight altered and 90 deleted amino acids at its C-terminus. Because the affected region is part of the conserved acyl-ACP thioesterase catalytic domain, the truncated ZmFatB in SRS72NE is likely non-functional. We also show that fatb RNA level in SRS72NE is reduced by 4.4-fold when compared to the normal allele SNL74. A high throughput DNA assay capable of differentiating the normal and reduced saturate fatty acid alleles has been developed and can be used for accelerated molecular breeding.     

Can site and landscape‐scale environmental attributes buffer bird populations against weather events?

Projected impacts of climate change on the populations and distributions of species pose a challenge for conservationists. In response, a number of adaptation strategies to enable species to persist in a changing climate have been proposed. Management to maximise the quality of habitat at existing sites may reduce the magnitude or frequency of climate‐driven population declines. In addition large‐scale management of landscapes could potentially improve the resilience of populations by facilitating inter‐population movements. A reduction in the obstacles to species’ range expansion, may also allow species to track changing conditions better through shifts to new locations, either regionally or locally. However, despite a strong theoretical base, there is limited empirical evidence to support these management interventions. This makes it difficult for conservationists to decide on the most appropriate strategy for different circumstances. Here extensive data from long‐term monitoring of woodland birds at individual sites are used to examine the two‐way interactions between habitat and both weather and population count in the previous year. This tests the extent to which site‐scale and landscape‐scale habitat attributes may buffer populations against variation in winter weather (a key driver of woodland bird population size) and facilitate subsequent population growth. Our results provide some support for the prediction that landscape‐scale attributes (patch isolation and area of woodland habitat) may influence the ability of some woodland bird species to withstand weather‐mediated population declines. These effects were most apparent among generalist woodland species. There was also evidence that several, primarily specialist, woodland species are more likely to increase following population decline where there is more woodland at both site and landscape scales. These results provide empirical support for the concept that landscape‐scale conservation efforts may make the populations of some woodland bird species more resilient to climate change. However in isolation, management is unlikely to provide a universal benefit to all species.     

Interaction of plant cell signaling molecules, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, with the mitochondria of Helicoverpa armigera

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean Europe. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) are the cell signaling molecules produced in response to insect attack in plants. The effect of these signaling molecules was investigated on the oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress of H. armigera. SA significantly inhibited the state III and state IV respiration, respiratory control index (RCI), respiratory complexes I and II, induced mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release in vitro. Under in vivo conditions, SA induced state IV respiration as well as oxidative stress in time- and dose-dependent manner, and also inhibited the larval growth. In contrast, JA did not affect the mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress. SA affected the growth and development of H. armigera, in addition to its function as signaling molecules involved in both local defense reactions at feeding sites and the induction of systemic acquired resistance in plants.     

International NeuroAIDS: prospects of HIV-1 associated neurological com-plications

INTRODUCTION AND NEUROEPIDEMIO- LOGY OF HIV/AIDS AIDS was first recognized as a new and distinct clini- cal entity in 1981 [1] and the HIV-1 as their casual agent in 1983 [2]. Since then, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached epidemic proportions with a total accumulative number of more than 60 million people, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and WHO. The extensive spread of HIV-1 epidemics in Asia was not appreciated in the 1980s,…     

siRNA, miRNA and HIV: promises and challenges

INTRODUCTION The recent discovery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) revealed an important role for small RNAs in regulating gene expression. First described in plants, as “post- trancriptional gene silencing” (PTGS) [1], RNA interfer- ence (RNAi) is a nucleic-acid based immune defense against viruses, transgenes and transposons [2]. Triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), RNAi leads to the se- quence specific degradation of a target mRNA [3]. In eukaryotic cells, long dsRN…     

Fish-oil supplementation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a meta-analysis

Background

A recent Cochrane meta-analysis did not confirm the benefits of fish and fish oil in the secondary prevention of cardiac death and myocardial infarction. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of fish-oil supplementation on ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia to determine the overall effect and to assess whether heterogeneity exists between trials.

Methods

We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL) from inception to May 2007. We included randomized controlled trials of fish-oil supplementation on ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The primary outcome was implantable cardioverter defibrillator discharge. We calculated relative risk [RR] for outcomes at 1-year follow-up for each study. We used the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects methods when there was significant heterogeneity between trials and the Mantel-Hanzel fixed-effects method when heterogeneity was negligible.

Results

We identified 3 trials of 1–2 years'' duration. These trials included a total of 573 patients who received fish oil and 575 patients who received a control. Meta-analysis of data collected at 1 year showed no overall effect of fish oil on the relative risk of implantable cardioverter defibrillator discharge. There was significant heterogeneity between trials. The second largest study showed a significant benefit of fish oil (relative risk [RR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.98). The smallest showed an adverse tendency at 1 year (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.92–1.65) and significantly worse outcome at 2 years among patients with ventricular tachycardia at study entry (log rank p = 0.007).

Conclusion

These data indicate that there is heterogeneity in the response of patients to fish-oil supplementation. Caution should be used when prescribing fish-oil supplementation for patients with ventricular tachycardia.There is a public perception that fish and fish oil can be recommended uniformly for the prevention of coronary artery disease.^1–3 However, the scientific evidence is divided^4,5 and official agencies have called for more research.⁶It is estimated that 0.5% of patients with coronary heart disease, 1% of patients with diabetes or hypertension and 2% of the general population at low risk of coronary heart disease take fish-oil supplements.⁷ In 2004, the price of fish oils overtook that of vegetable oils, and in 2006, the price rose to US$750 per ton.⁸ The value of fish oil as a nutraceutical in the European market was US$194 million in 2004, and it is anticipated that the price will continue to rise as availability declines.⁸ Canada is both a consumer and an exporter of fish oil, and it exported 15 000 tons in 2006.⁹The scientific debate over the clinical value of fish oil is highlighted by a recent Cochrane review, which concluded that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) had no clear effect on total mortality, combined cardiovascular events or cancer.⁴ Furthermore, another recent meta-analysis¹⁰ only showed a significant positive association between fish-oil consumption and prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty in a select subgroup after excluding key negative papers.¹¹ Finally, the antiarrhythmic effect, which is proposed to be the principal mechanism of their benefit in cardiovascular disease, has not been demonstrated clearly in clinical trials.^12–14We therefore performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of fish-oil supplementation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators who are at risk of ventricular arrhythmia to determine the overall effect of fish oils. We also sought to investigate whether there was significant heterogeneity between trials.     

Debate: "How low should LDL cholesterol be lowered for optimum prevention of vascular disease?" Viewpoint: "Below 100 mg/dl"

Arteriosclerotic vascular disease manifests as heart disease, stroke, aortic aneurysms, and peripheral vascular disease, and is a growing problem world-wide. The preventive efforts made so far have demonstrated that lowering LDL-C is one action that individuals and populations can do with significant success in delaying the onset of clinical events. Epidemiological studies and small clinical trials suggest that more aggressive and sustained lowering to LDL-C below 100 mg/dl could result in 50 to 70% reductions in vascular death. The full benefit of reducing LDL-C is only now being tested in adequate clinical trials.     

A Review of the Adverse Effects of Peripheral Alpha-1 Antagonists in Hypertension Therapy

Background  

Doxazosin and its role as an antihypertensive agent have come under recent scrutiny as a result of the early termination of that treatment arm in ALLHAT. It is unclear why the cardiovascular (CV) event rate in this randomized, controlled trial (RCT), especially heart failure, is higher in those treated with a doxazosin-based regimen than with a chlorthalidone based-regimen. There has been little work in the past to summarize information on peripheral alpha-1 antagonists that may be helpful in evaluating the results of this randomized controlled trial.