不同截短U3启动子在棉花中的功能分析

从海岛棉中克隆了2种GbU3-2P、GbU3-3P启动子,对它们进行2种长度截短,长度分别为436、245 bp和384、233 bp,同时构建了4个相应启动子驱动GUS的融合植物表达载体。利用农杆菌真空渗透转化法将4个GbU3Ps∷GUS-sg RNA-P1300植物表达载体分别转染棉花胚性愈伤组织。经GUS组织化学染色显示:克隆得到的2种截短大小的GbU3-2P和GbU3-3P启动子均能驱动GUS基因在棉花愈伤组织中表达,棉花愈伤组织被染成蓝色,但颜色深浅没有显著差异。本研究表明,同一GbU3启动子截短后,较短的启动子和较长的启动子具有相同的转录活性。这为构建棉花CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑载体系统提供了更多理想的启动子。     

拟南芥RBCS-1A基因受光调节表达模式及其启动子遗传转化应用评价

RBCS编码光合碳同化关键酶核酮糖1,5-二磷酸羧化酶/加氧酶的小亚基, 是控制植物光合作用的重要基因之一。本研究利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析拟南芥RBCS-1A受光调节表达模式, 结果表明, AtRBCS-1A表达受光诱导, 同时具有组织表达特异性; 运用生物信息学手段分析发现, 该基因启动子序列中存在多个参与光应答的顺式作用元件; 采用PCR技术从拟南芥基因组中分离到长度为1 691 bp的AtRBCS-1A启动子片段, 将该片段与GUS报告基因融合构建植物表达载体并转化野生型拟南芥, 对获得的转基因植株进行GUS染色, 结果显示, AtRBCS-1A启动子是光诱导型和组织特异型启动子。以上结果初步证明, AtRBCS-1A启动子应用于植物遗传转化切实可行, 具有重要应用价值。     

浮萍rbcS启动子组织特性研究

SSU5C启动子(全长1 438 bp)是从浮萍基因组中新克隆的一个rbc S(ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit)启动子。本研究将SSU5C启动子与GUS基因融合,成功构建植物双元表达载p SSU5C-IGUS,并利用农杆菌介导法转化烟草,获得转基因植株,探究SSU5C启动子在烟草中的组织表达特点。GUS检测结果表明:在T1烟草的营养器官中,SSU5C启动子主要驱动GUS基因在烟草叶片和叶柄、茎等绿色组织中表达,而在根部不表达;在生殖器官中,GUS基因主要在花冠裂片以及花药和柱头中表达。本研究首次发现浮萍rbc S启动子不仅在绿色组织中表达,而且在生殖器官中的花冠裂片以及花药和柱头中表达,这一发现可为SSU5C启动子在植物基因工程中的应用奠定基础。     

烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29在棉花中的表达特性

烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29 (TA29 promoter)已用于多种植物雄性不育和花粉发育的研究。作为外源特异表达启动子pTA29在棉花中的表达特性尚不清楚,为了研究该启动子在棉花中的表达特异性,本文构建了pTA29:gus融合基因,并将其转入棉花。研究发现在GUS染液中添加10%的乙醇可以抑制棉花花药内源GUS活性。用改良的GUS染液进行组织化学染色表明,pTA29:gus转化植株的GUS活性主要存在于花药中,并在花蕾长为6 mm和15 mm的花药中有2个活性高峰,而在根、茎、胚珠、花瓣、苞叶中未被检测到。与烟草不同,在pTA29:gus棉花转化植株的叶片表皮毛和花粉中也能检测到GUS活性。定量RT-PCR分析表明转化子中gus基因的转录水平与GUS活性一致。上述结果表明,烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29可以控制下游基因在棉花花药中优势表达;在利用该启动子进行棉花基因功能以及雄性不育研究时,应注意该启动子在棉花中的表达范围和组织特异性。     

烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29在棉花中的表达特性

烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29 (TA29 promoter)已用于多种植物雄性不育和花粉发育的研究。作为外源特异表达启动子pTA29在棉花中的表达特性尚不清楚,为了研究该启动子在棉花中的表达特异性,本文构建了pTA29:gus融合基因,并将其转入棉花。研究发现在GUS染液中添加10%的乙醇可以抑制棉花花药内源GUS活性。用改良的GUS染液进行组织化学染色表明,pTA29:gus转化植株的GUS活性主要存在于花药中,并在花蕾长为6 mm和15 mm的花药中有2个活性高峰,而在根、茎、胚珠、花瓣、苞叶中未被检测到。与烟草不同,在pTA29:gus棉花转化植株的叶片表皮毛和花粉中也能检测到GUS活性。定量RT-PCR分析表明转化子中gus基因的转录水平与GUS活性一致。上述结果表明,烟草绒毡层特异启动子pTA29可以控制下游基因在棉花花药中优势表达;在利用该启动子进行棉花基因功能以及雄性不育研究时,应注意该启动子在棉花中的表达范围和组织特异性。     

水稻肽链释放因子OseRF1-3基因克隆、表达及启动子分析

为了揭示水稻中肽链释放因子eRF1在蛋白质生物合成中的作用,对水稻eRF1基因的全长cDNA和启动子进行了克隆与表达模式分析。通过RT-PCR技术克隆获得1个水稻eRF1基因,命名为OseRF1-3,序列分析表明,该基因CDS序列全长1 308 bp,编码436个氨基酸,包含N、M、C共3个保守结构域。qRT-PCR结果表明,OseRF1-3是组成型表达,在水稻穗中表达最高。以水稻叶片基因组DNA为模板,通过PCR技术克隆了该基因起始密码子上游2 120 bp启动子序列,构建该基因启动子融合GUS植物表达载体,并通过农杆菌介导法导入水稻愈伤组织。GUS组织化学染色分析表明,OseRF1-3基因启动子驱动GUS基因在水稻各组织部位都表达即组成型表达,在根中表达较弱,在水稻花、硬壳中检测到GUS基因较强表达。GUS检测OseRF1-3基因启动子驱动GUS表达的结果与qRT-PCR得出的结果相一致。因此,该研究将为进一步探索OseRF1-3基因的功能奠定理论基础。     

棉花GhTCP2基因启动子分离及其在幼嫩组织的表达分析

 采用Genome walking的方法分离了GhTCP2基因的启动子区,应用在线分析软件PLACE对该启动子序列进行分析,发现含有多个与细胞周期、细胞分裂素、生长素相关的顺式作用元件。构建了GhTCP2基因启动子驱动报告基因GUS的植物表达载体并转化了模式植物拟南芥。转基因拟南芥的组织化学染色显示,GUS基因主要在根尖、幼叶、顶芽、侧芽和花蕾中表达。这说明棉花GhTCP2基因启动子可以驱动目的基因在植物的幼嫩组织表达,该启动子有望在植物抗虫基因工程中应用。     

小麦穗发芽抗性相关Vp1基因启动子的分离及功能验证

成熟期穗发芽严重影响小麦产量和品质。Vp1是调节胚发育, 促进胚成熟和休眠的重要转录因子, 对小麦种子休眠和穗发芽抗性具有重要作用。本研究分离了普通小麦B基因组Vp1基因的启动子, 生物信息学预测结果表明, 其含有9个脱落酸响应元件ABRE、2个DREB和6个MYB干旱响应元件、3个赤霉素响应元件GARE、1个水杨酸响应元件TCA-E、2个茉莉酸甲酯响应元件TGACG-motif、4个SKn-1和1个RYREPE胚乳特异表达元件。采用5′端缺失的方法, 构建了系列含Vp1启动子不同区段融合GUS报告基因的瞬时表达载体和植物表达载体。通过基因枪转化小麦愈伤组织, 瞬时表达结果显示, Vp1启动子在无诱导的情况下不能启动GUS基因表达, 在低温、ABA、GA、PEG和NaCl诱导后可以启动GUS基因表达, 表现诱导表达特性, 且其诱导表达强度随启动子缺失片段长度变短而减弱。利用Gateway方法成功构建了6个启动子各缺失片段类型的植物表达载体, 并通过农杆菌介导转化四倍体小麦Stewart, 获得转基因植株。该启动子可有效启动GUS基因在转基因植株的花药、糊粉层、穗轴及根中表达, 其他组织中没有表达。当启动子片段大于660 bp时, 外源ABA可诱导启动子启动GUS基因在转基因植株茎节中的表达。     

水稻基因启动子Ospz4的克隆与表达分析

利用Affymetrix水稻表达芯片分析了超级稻两优培九母本培矮64S(Oryza sativa L.)在经过低温、干旱、高温等逆境条件胁迫处理后,不同组织器官在不同的生长发育时期全基因组的表达差异。筛选到一个在正常条件和逆境条件下均有较高表达水平的基因Os SG4(Gen Bank登录号:AK068991.1),从水稻日本晴基因组中克隆得到其上游启动子区域Ospz4(1 625 bp),将其与GUS报告基因融合构建植物表达载体p CAMBIA1301P4,并用农杆菌介导法转化台北309获得转基因植株。组织化学染色结果表明,Ospz4启动子可驱动GUS报告基因在转基因水稻植株的叶片,根、茎、颖花、胚乳及胚芽鞘中均有表达。在该启动子的基础上,构建了4个不同长度的5'端缺失片段启动子与GUS报告基因融合的植物表达载体,通过注射烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)进行瞬时表达分析,结果表明,4个片段均可驱动GUS基因的表达,其中最短片段(492 bp)的表达活性最强。本研究表明Ospz4启动子可用于研究与遗传改良生产,具有重要的理论与实践价值,并有助于该启动子的改造。     

受多逆境诱导表达的GhWRKY64基因启动子克隆与功能分析

WRKY蛋白属于锌指型转录调控因子,参与植物生长发育及耐逆响应。以陆地棉遗传标准系TM-1为材料,克隆Gh WRKY64(KF031101)基因上游1064 bp的启动子序列,并对其调控元件及功能进行分析。生物信息学分析表明,该区域含18个组织器官表达及诱导表达关键元件,分别为6个ROOTMOTIFTAPOX1根特异调控元件,4个CACTFTPPCA1叶肉特异性调控元件、4个OSE2ROOTNODULE病菌诱导元件、2个GTIGMSCAM4盐调控元件和2个W-box胁迫应答响应元件。将该启动子与GUS基因融合,构建p BIW64:GUS植物表达载体,通过农杆菌介导叶盘转化法获得12个转基因烟草株系。选择GUS表达量最高的p BIW64-5进行转基因不同组织器官表达及诱导表达分析。GUS组织化学染色显示,苗期的转基因烟草植株在叶和根部均具有GUS活性,开花期在转基因烟草植株根、叶及叶柄均检测到GUS活性,特别在转基因烟草的根及根尖部分染色更深,在茎和花组织上未检测到GUS活性。对该转基因烟草幼苗进行黄萎病菌诱导处理,诱导48 h后,转基因烟草幼苗根和叶片的GUS染色比未诱导处理的对照明显加深。结果表明,Gh WRKY64上游1064 bp长度的DNA序列,具有启动子的相关顺式作用元件,且为病原菌诱导型启动子。该启动子可为开展棉花抗黄萎病转基因研究提供调控元件。     

A note on the origin of Kalanchoë x vadensis Boom & Zeilinga (Crassulaceae)

Summary K x vadensis is a hybrid of K. blossfeldiana and K. marmorata obtained after doubling the number of chromosomes.     

Mechanisms and diversity of resistance to sorghum shoot fly,Atherigona soccata

Sorghum shoot fly, Atherigona soccata, is one of the important pests of postrainy season sorghums. Of the 90 sorghum genotypes evaluated for resistance to this pest, RHRB 12, ICSV 713, 25026, 93046 and 25027, IS 33844‐5, Giddi Maldandi and RVRT 3 exhibited resistance in postrainy season, while ICSB 463, Phule Anuradha, RHRB 19, Parbhani Moti, ICSV 705, PS 35805, IS 5480, 5622, 17726, 18368 and 34722, RVRT 1, ICSR 93031 and Dagidi Solapur showed resistance in rainy season, suggesting season‐specific expression of resistance to A. soccata. ICSB 461, ICSB 463, Phule Yasodha, M 35‐1, ICSV 700, 711, 25010, 25019 and 93089, IS 18662, Phule Vasudha, IS 18551 and 33844‐5 and Barsizoot had fewer deadhearts than plants with eggs across seasons, suggesting antibiosis as one of the resistance mechanism. Five genotypes exhibited resistance with high grain yield across seasons. Correlation, path and stepwise regression analyses indicated that leaf glossiness, seedling vigour, trichome density, oviposition and leaf sheath pigmentation were associated with the expression of resistance/susceptibility to shoot fly, and these can be used as marker traits to select and develop shoot fly‐resistant sorghums.     

Reaction of tritordeum to Fusarium culmorum and Septoria nodorum

Summary Hordeum chilense is a wild barley extensively used in wide crosses in the Triticeae. It could be a valuable source of resistance to Fusarium culmorum and Septoria nodorum. Some H. chilense x Triticum spp. amphiploids, named tritordeums, were more resistant than the parental wheat line to these diseases, others were not. Average contents of ergosterol and deoxynivalenol (DON) suggested that resistance to colonization by Fusarium was the highest for Hordeum chilense, followed by tritordeum and wheat in decreasing order. In particular, the H. chilense genotypes H7 and H17 enhanced the wheat resistance to F. culmorum in its tritordeum offsprings. Resistance to S. nodorum in tritordeum was not associated with tall plant height. There is sufficient genetic variation for resistance to F. culmorum and S. nodorum among tritordeum to allow the breeding of lines combining short straw and resistance to both diseases.     

Avoidance of leaf rust fungi in wild relatives of cultivated cereals

Summary Avoidance of rust fungi that was based on poor appressorium induction was previously found in Hordeum chilense. In the present study 95 accessions of Triticeae were screened for avoidance of Puccinia hordei. The percentage of appressorium formation per germinated spore ranged from 6 to 90%. On none of the 41 accessions of Aegilops, Agropyron, Elymus, Secale, Thinopyrum or Triticum studied was the rate of appressorium formation lower than 25%. Lower rates of appressorium formation were, however, found on accessions of wild barley species Hordeum brachyantherum, H. marinum, H. parodii and H. secalinum. Its implications in cereal breeding are discussed.     

Disease resistance in protected crops and mushrooms

Summary Cultivars of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers have been bred for resistance to one or more pathogens. Some tomato and cucumber cultivars have resistance to a wide range of diseases. Resistance has been transient in many cases and a succession of cultivars with new genes or new combinations of resistance genes has been necessary to maintain control. There has been a number of notable exceptions and these have included durable resistance to such pathogens asFulvia fulva and tomato mosaic virus. With lettuce the resistance situation is complicated by the occurrence of fungicide resistant pathotypes. There are no strains ofAgaricus bisporus purposely bred for disease resistance.In protected flower crops only resistance to Fusarium wilt in carnations has been purposely bred but differences in disease resistance are apparent in cultivars of many ornamental crops. This is particularly so in chrysanthemums where there are cultivars with resistance to many of the major pathogens. Similar situations occur with other flower crops and pot plants. Cultivars of some species have not been systematically investigated for resistance.The need for genetic resistance will increase with the further reduction, in the limits on pesticide use and an increasing public awareness and importance of pesticide pollution.ADAS is an executive agency of the Ministry of Agiculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office.     

Genetic constitution and diversity in four narrow endemic redwoods from the family Cupressaceae

The genetic constitution and diversity of four relictual redwoods are discussed in this review. These include monotypic genera of the family Cupressaceae: coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), and alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides). All four species are narrow endemics, share a number of common phenotypic traits, including red wood, and are threatened species. Fossil history suggests that the ancestors of redwoods probably originated during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods and flourished thereafter for millions of years. Towards the end of the Tertiary period began their decline and struggle for existence that continued during the subsequent geologic upheavals and climate changes, until the survival of the present-day redwoods in the current restricted locations in the world (USA, China, and South America). Although two species, Sequoiadendron and Metasequoia, are diploids (2n = 22), and the other two are polyploids: Fitzroya a tetraploid (2n = 4x = 44), and Sequoia a hexaploid (2n = 6x = 66); they all share the same basic chromosome number x = 11. The genome size in the hexaploid Sequoia is one of the largest (31,500 MB) in the conifers, while the genome sizes of diploid Metasequoia and Sequoiadendron are about one-third (~10,000 MB) of Sequoia. Genetic diversity in the redwoods is lower than most other gymnosperms, except in Sequoia, which seems to rank near the upper quarter of the coniferous forest trees. Genomic research is sparse in the redwoods, and should be pursued for a better understanding of their genome structure, function, and adaptive genetic diversity.     

Distribution,ecology and reproductive biology of wild tomatoes and related nightshades from the Atacama Desert region of northern Chile

Over the past 20 years, several expeditions were made to northern Chile to collect populations of wild tomatoes (Solanum chilense, S. peruvianum) and allied nightshades (S. lycopersicoides, S. sitiens), and obtain information about their geographic distribution, ecology and reproductive biology. Restricted mainly to drainages of the Andean and the coastal cordillera, populations are geographically fragmented. The two nightshade species are rare and threatened by human activities. Adaptation to extreme aridity and soil salinity are evident in S. chilense and S. sitiens (the latter exhibits several xerophytic traits not seen in the tomatoes) and to low temperatures in S. lycopersicoides and S. chilense. All tested accessions are self-incompatible, with the exception of one S. peruvianum population collected at the southern limit of its distribution. Several distinguishing reproductive traits—anther color, attachment, and dehiscence, pollen size, and flower scent—suggest S. sitiens and S. lycopersicoides attract different pollinators than S. chilense and S. peruvianum. The four Solanum spp. native or endemic to Chile provide a variety of novel traits which, through hybridization and introgression with cultivated tomato, could facilitate development of improved varieties, as well as research on a variety of basic topics, including plant-pollinator interactions, abiotic stress responses, and evolution of reproductive barriers.     

The induction in vitro of adventitious shoots in Rosa

Summary Adventitious shoots were formed on excised leaves, roots and callus of Rosa persica x xanthina and on excised leaves of R. laevigata and R. wichuraiana on culture media that included BAP and NAA as growth regulators. Shoots formed freely on freshly cultured callus of R. persica x xanthina but their production declined in successive cultures and ceased after twelve weeks. Transplantation to soil was improved by rooting plantlets in cellulose plugs in vitro and transferring plantlets to soil while still in the plugs.     

The exploration of genetic resources of Portuguese cabbage and kale for resistance to several Brassica diseases

Summary Twenty three accessions of nine Portuguese cabbage and kale land races from different geographic origins were tested at the seedling stage for resistance to several important brassica diseases. Resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora parasitica), expressed as necrosis of the cotyledon mesophyll, was found in all the accessions. Type A resistance to cabbage yellows (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans race 1) was present in most of the landraces. Resistance to clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae race 6) was found in one accession of the Portuguese tree kale. High resistance to blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) and white rust (Albuco candida) was not detected, although several accessions showed 20 to 30% of plants with intermediate expression of resistance. All Portuguese cole accessions were susceptible to blackrot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris).     

Production and characterization of intergeneric diploid cybrids derived from symmetric fusion between Microcitrus papuana Swingle and sour orange (Citrus aurantium)

Plants were regenerated from intergeneric somatic hybridization between embryogenic protoplasts of Microcitrus papuana Swingle and leaf-derived protoplasts of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) via electrofusion. The regenerated plants were morphologically similar to the leaf parent in growth vigor, leaf and branch structure. FCM analysis showed that they were diploids. Simple-sequence-repeat (SSR) and cleaved-amplified-polymorphic-sequence(CAPS) were employed for hybridity characterization. SSR banding patterns of the regenerated plants were identical to the leaf parent, sour orange, indicating that they possessed nuclear component derived from sour orange. DNA amplification with chloroplast and mitochondrial universal primers, followed by restriction endonuclease digestion, revealed polymorphism between the fusion parents. Therefore, this method was used to determine the cytoplasmic compositions of the regenerated plants. Banding patterns for all the polymorphic primer/enzyme combinations of the regenerated plants were similar to those of the embryogenic parent, M. papuana, suggesting that only the cytoplasmic components derived from the embryogenic parent were present in the regenerated plants. FCM, SSR and CAPS demonstrated that intergeneric diploid cybrids have been successfully obtained by symmetric fusion. Related results concerning nuclear and cytoplasmic composition of previous diploid somatic hybrids and potential mechanism for regeneration of such kind of plants are discussed herein. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.