Identification of molecular markers linked to the Yr15 stripe rust resistance gene of wheat originated in wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides

 The Yr15 gene of wheat confers resistance to the stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis West., which is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat throughout the world. In the present study, molecular markers flanking the Yr15 gene of wheat have been identified using the near-isogenic-lines approach. RFLP screening of 76 probe-enzyme combinations revealed one polymorphic marker (Nor/TaqI) between the susceptible and the resistant lines. In addition, out of 340 RAPD primers tested, six produced polymorphic RAPD bands between the susceptible and the resistant lines. The genetic linkage of the polymorphic markers was tested on segregating F₂ population (123 plants) derived from crosses between stripe rust-susceptible Triticum durum wheat, cv D447, and a BC₃F₉ resistant line carrying Yr15 in a D447 background. A 2.8-kb fragment produced by the Nor RFLP probe and a 1420-bp PCR product generated by the RAPD primer OPB13 showed linkage, in coupling, with the Yr15 gene. Employing the standard maximum-likelihood technique it was found that the order OPB13 ₁₄₂₀ –Yr15–Nor1 on chromosome 1B appeared to be no less than 1000-times more probable than the closest alternative. The map distances between OPB13 ₁₄₂₀ –Yr15–Nor1 are 27.1 cM and 11.0 cM for the first and second intervals, respectively. The application of marker-assisted selection for the breeding of new wheat cultivars with the stripe rust resistance gene is discussed. Received: 27 February 1997/Accepted: 7 March 1997     

Linkage between quantitative trait loci and marker loci: resolution power of three statistical approaches in single marker analysis

This paper presents a comparison of three methods of parameter estimation in analysis of linkage between a quantitative trait locus (QTL) and a marker locus: maximum likelihood, mean square for trait cumulative distribution function, and method of moments, employing simulated backcross data. The sensitivity of estimates to violation of assumptions of normality and equal variances were also studied. Some measures of discrepancy between the trait distributions in the QTL groups are considered to evaluate the potential dependence of the resolution capacity of the QTL substitution effect with respect to trait mean value and variance.     

Isolation and Study of Proanthocyanidins from Bark of Pine Pinus sylvestris L.

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - The isolation of proanthocyanidins from the bark of Scotch pine Pinus sylvestris L. by water and water–alcohol solutions containing 5, 10, 15, 20,...     

Adaptive differentiation of thermotolerance in Drosophila along a microclimatic gradient

We examined whether a remarkable occurrence - the physiological evolution of two Drosophila melanogaster populations, despite a spatial separation of only 100-400 m, was idiosyncratic and temporary, or persisted over multiple years. We ascertained the high-temperature tolerance of Drosophila descended from populations on the north-facing slope (NFS) and south-facing slope (SFS) of 'Evolution Canyon' (Lower Nahal Oren, Mt Carmel, Israel), which were collected in 1997, 1999, and 2000. Results for these Drosophila uniformly resembled other studies in many respects: an inverse relationship between survival and heat-shock temperature, male-female differences in thermotolerance, and inducible thermotolerance. Importantly, for all years of collection, SFS flies consistently exceeded NFS flies in basal and inducible thermotolerance after diverse heat shocks, with and without thermal pretreatment, and whether isofemale lines, synthetic populations, or inbred lines were compared. Inbred lines, however, had lower thermotolerance than outbred lines. Several nonexclusive processes may explain the evolution of such physiological differentiation.     

The LMP2A protein of Epstein–Barr virus regulates phosphorylation of ITSN1 and Shb adaptors by tyrosine kinases

Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A) is an Epstein–Barr virus-encoded protein that is important for the maintenance of latent infection. Its activity affects cellular differentiation, migration, proliferation and B cell survival. LMP2A resembles a constitutively activated B cell antigen receptor and exploits host kinases to activate a set of downstream signaling pathways. In the current study we demonstrate the interaction of LMP2A with intersectin 1 (ITSN1), a key endocytic adaptor protein. This interaction occurs via both the N- and C-tails of LMP2A and is mediated by the SH3 domains of ITSN1. Additionally, we identified the Shb adaptor and the Syk kinase as novel binding ligands of ITSN1. The Shb adaptor interacts simultaneously with the phosphorylated tyrosines of LMP2A and the SH3 domains of ITSN1 and mediates indirect interaction of ITSN1 to LMP2A. Syk kinase promotes phosphorylation of both ITSN1 and Shb adaptors in LMP2A-expressing cells. In contrast to ITSN1, Shb phosphorylation depends additionally on Lyn kinase activity.Considering that Shb and ITSN1 are implicated in various receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, our results indicate that LMP2A can affect a number of signaling pathways by regulating the phosphorylation of the ITSN1 and Shb adaptors.     

Sequence polymorphism of candidate behavioural genes in Drosophila melanogaster flies from 'Evolution canyon'

This study focuses on the molecular features of three candidate behavioural genes in Drosophila melanogaster from the opposite slopes of Nahal Oren Canyon, Mount Carmel, Israel. These slopes display dramatic physical and biotic contrasts. Spatial variation of microclimatic conditions leads to adaptive differentiation and partial sexual isolation of populations, as suggested by our previous studies. The chosen candidate genes presumably contributing to genetic variation in sexual behaviour of Drosophila in the Canyon were desaturase, period, and no-on-transient A. These genes are known to include polymorphic repeated sequences, insertions/deletions, or nucleotide substitutions. The idea was that their polymorphism might be one of the determinants of behavioural peculiarities of flies derived from the opposite slopes. Indeed, interslope differences in the sequence encoding the (Thr-Gly)n repeat (exon 5) of the period gene were established, suggesting evolutionary functional importance. In particular, we unraveled variation in the length and composition of this region in different NFS (north-facing slope) and SFS (south-facing slope) lines. The 'European' allele (n = 20) was a 2.6-fold more abundant on the NFS compared to the SFS. This predominance probably gives some advantages for flies inhabiting wet and less warm conditions of the NFS. We suggest that repeat length/composition may influence the functional features of flies, i.e. habitat choice, nonrandom mating, and temperature adaptation. A series of female single-mate-choice tests show that females derived from NFS distinguish between males with specific per alleles (n = 17 vs. n = 20), as well as between males originated from the opposing slopes. Females from SFS were less discriminating and did not manifest significant deviation from random mating.     

Life cycle assessment of heat production from underground coal gasification

Purpose

In Poland, coal is the main fuel used for heat production. Innovative clean coal technologies, which include underground coal gasification (UCG), are widely developed. This paper presents the analysis results of life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA) of using synthesis gas from UCG for heat production. The paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of MFA and LCA for four variants of heat production, which differed in the choice of gasifying agent and heat production installations.

Methods

Environmental analysis was made based on LCA with ReCiPe Midpoint and ReCiPe Endpoint H/A method, which allowed to analyse of different categories of the environmental impact. LCA was performed based on the ISO 14040 standard using SimaPro 8.0 software with Ecoinvent 3.1 database (Ecoinvent 2014). Umberto NXT Universal software was used to develop MFA for heat production. LCA analyses included hard coal from a Polish mine and synthesis gas obtained in the experimental installations in the Central Mining Institute in Poland.

Results and discussion

MFA performed for technology of utilizing gases from UCG have made it possible to visualize materials and energy flow between different unit processes in the whole technological chain. Moreover, the analyses enabled identification of unit processes with the largest consumption of raw materials, energy and the biggest emissions into the environment. It has been shown that the lowest environmental burden is attributed to the technology, which uses high-pressure chamber with gas turbine in which the synthesis gas from UCG is burned and oxygen was a gasifying agent. Analysis of LCA results showed that the major environmental burden includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and the fossil fuels depletion. GHG emission results primarily from the direct emission of CO₂ from gas combustion for heat production and electricity consumption used in gasifying agents preparation phase.

Conclusions

In order to increase the environmental efficiency of heat production technology using UCG, the most important activity to be considered is limitation of dust-gas emissions, including primarily CO₂ removal process and efficiency increase of the installation, which is reflected in the reduction of coal consumption. It is important to highlight that this is the first attempt of MFA and LCA of heat production from UCG gas. Since no LCA has ever been conducted on the heat production from underground coal gasification, this study is the first work about LCA of the heat production from UCG technology. This is the first approach which contains a whole chain of unconventional heat production including preparation stages of gasifying agents, underground coal gasification, gas purification and heat production.

     

Comparative life cycle assessment of current and future electricity generation systems in the Czech Republic and Poland

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to perform a comparative life cycle assessment of current and future electricity generation systems in the Czech Republic and Poland. The paper also outlines the main sources of environmental impact for the different impact categories for the electricity generation technologies analyzed. The analyses covered the years 2000–2050, and were conducted within the framework of the international programme Interreg V-A Czech Republic-Poland, Microprojects Fund 2014–2020 in the Euroregion Silesia.

Methods

Environmental assessment was done using the life cycle assessment (LCA) and ReCiPe Midpoint and Endpoint methods, which allowed the presentation of different categories of environmental impact and damage. The LCA was based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, using SimaPro 8.2.3 software with the Ecoinvent 3.2 database. The analyses cover both the current electricity production structures in the Czech Republic and Poland, and the projected energy production.

Results and discussion

The LCA analyses performed for the energy systems under consideration in the Czech Republic and Poland enabled a comparative analysis of current and forecast energy systems in these countries, as well as identification of the main sources of environmental impact. Comparative analysis of the LCA results showed that current and future electricity generation systems in Poland caused higher environmental impact there, than in the Czech Republic.

Conclusions

The assessment of the life cycle of electricity sources showed that the main determinant of the negative impact on the environment of energy systems in both Poland and the Czech Republic was the consumption of solid fuels, and in particular, the consumption of lignite. It is important to highlight that this is the first attempt of a comparative LCA of electricity production in the Czech Republic and Poland. This is also the first approach that contains analyses of the life cycle assessment of both present and future energy systems. The economic assessment and eco-efficiency of current and future electricity generation systems in European Union countries will be addressed in future research.

     

Coevolution of A and B genomes in allotetraploid Triticum dicoccoides.

Data is presented on the coevolution of A and B genomes in allotetraploid wheat Triticum dicoccoides (2n = 4x = 28, genome AABB) obtained by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Probing chromosomes of T. dicoccoides with DNA from the proposed A/B diploid genome ancestors shows evidence of enriching A-genome with repetitive sequences of B-genome type. Thus, ancestral S-genome sequences have spread throughout the AB polyploid genome to a greater extent than have ancestral A-genome sequences. The substitution of part of the A-genome heterochromatin clusters by satellite DNA of the B genome is detected by using the molecular banding technique. The cause may be interlocus concerted evolution and (or) colonization. We propose that the detected high level of intergenomic invasion in old polyploids might reflect general tendencies in speciation and stabilization of the allopolyploid genome.     

Threshing efficiency as an incentive for rapid domestication of emmer wheat

Background and Aims

The harvesting method of wild and cultivated cereals has long been recognized as an important factor in the emergence of domesticated non-shattering ear genotypes. This study aimed to quantify the effects of spike brittleness and threshability on threshing time and efficiency in emmer wheat, and to evaluate the implications of post-harvest processes on domestication of cereals in the Near East.

Methods

A diverse collection of tetraploid wheat genotypes, consisting of Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides – the wild progenitor of domesticated wheat – traditional landraces, modern cultivars (T. turgidum ssp. durum) and 150 recombinant (wild × modern) inbred lines, was used in replicated controlled threshing experiments to quantify the effects of spike brittleness and threshability on threshing time and efficiency.

Key Results

The transition from a brittle hulled wild phenotype to non-brittle hulled phenotype (landraces) was associated with an approx. 30 % reduction in threshing time, whereas the transition from the latter to non-brittle free-threshing cultivars was associated with an approx. 85 % reduction in threshing time. Similar trends were obtained with groups of recombinant inbred lines showing extreme phenotypes of brittleness and threshability.

Conclusions

In tetraploid wheat, both non-brittle spike and free-threshing are labour-saving traits that increase the efficiency of post-harvest processing, which could have been an incentive for rapid domestication of the Near Eastern cereals, thus refuting the recently proposed hypothesis regarding extra labour associated with the domesticated phenotype (non-brittle spike) and its presumed role in extending the domestication episode time frame.