艾纳香MYB转录因子家族生物信息学分析

MYB转录因子是植物中庞大的转录因子家族之一,在植物体内有着广泛的生物学功能。基于艾纳香全长转录组数据库,利用DNAMAN 6.0、MEGA 5.05软件以及ProtParam、WebLogo和SOPMA在线网站分析艾纳香MYB转录因子家族蛋白的分类、理化性质、氨基酸序列高级结构、保守结构域、系统进化等。结果表明,挖掘到127个BbMYB基因,预测47条具有MYB转录因子保守结构域的蛋白序列;根据结构域可分为1R-BbMYB和R2R3-MYB 2个亚类,其中R2-BbMYB与R3-BbMYB基序中都含有3个保守的色氨酸,而R1-BbMYB基序只有2个保守的色氨酸;艾纳香MYB家族蛋白均为亲水性蛋白,热稳定性较高且富含碱性氨基酸,大部分蛋白以无规则卷曲为主,其中R2R3-BbMYB3、R2R3-BbMYB4与1R-BbMYB15蛋白是以α-螺旋为主;与拟南芥MYB转录因子家族共同构建的进化树发现,艾纳香MYB家族在进化上包括2个大类,6个亚类,通过艾纳香与拟南芥MYB蛋白序列相邻或是进化关系近可以预测艾纳香MYB基因功能,为进一步对艾纳香MYB家族基因研究及其功能鉴定提供科学依据。     

菠萝MYB基因AcoMYB1的克隆与表达分析

根据菠萝转录组的测序结果克隆到1个MYB转录因子基因,命名为AcoMYB1,GenBank登录号为XM_020230319。该基因cDNA全长1221 bp,开放阅读框（ORF）为747 bp,编码一个含有248个氨基酸的蛋白。序列分析表明,AcoMYB1氨基酸序列N端具有2个保守的SANT结构域,属于R2R3类MYB转录因子。生物信息学分析表明,AcoMYB1是不稳定的亲水蛋白,不具有跨膜结构和信号肽,可能定位于细胞质,二级结构以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,AcoMYB1在菠萝干旱、低温逆境胁迫处理下受诱导表达,整体上表现出“先升后降”的趋势;在早熟品种和晚熟品种的果实发育过程中也被诱导表达,表现为“升-降-升”的趋势,特别是在果实发育早期和果实成熟后期受诱导表达的强度较为突出。由此推测AcoMYB1作为正调控因子参与菠萝冷害、干旱逆境胁迫的响应过程,并在菠萝果实早期发育及后期成熟发挥调控作用。     

基于转录组的芒果MYB家族基因的鉴定及分析

MYB家族作为植物中较大的转录因子家族之一,参与调控植物的多种生理活动。本研究基于芒果果实转录组测序结果,鉴定出71个MYB家族蛋白,其中包含1个4R-MYB蛋白、3个R1R2R3-MYB蛋白、60个R2R3-MYB蛋白和7个MYB相关蛋白。进化树及基序分析表明:除个别蛋白外,相同类型的MYB蛋白均聚在一起,且相近分支的MYB蛋白具有相同或相似的基序。60个全长MYB家族蛋白中,大部分为不稳定蛋白,且均为不含跨膜结构和信号肽的亲水性蛋白,亚细胞定位分析均定位于细胞核。进化树分析发现芒果R2R3-MYB蛋白与拟南芥有较高的保守性。R2R3-MYB蛋白保守域分析发现,R2和R3结构域均有多个氨基酸保守不变。GO分析发现芒果R2R3-MYB蛋白共注释到生物学过程、细胞组分和分子功能3大类功能的15个亚类。     

甘蔗MYB转录因子基因ScMYB52-1的克隆及表达特性分析

MYB转录因子家族成员广泛参与植物的各种生物学过程,在调控植物适应非生物逆境过程中起关键作用。为分离甘蔗（Saccharum spp.）逆境响应MYB基因并研究其功能,本文应用3°RACE的方法,从甘蔗品种ROC22中克隆到一个R2R3-MYB转录因子基因,命名为ScMYB52-1。生物信息学分析表明,该基因cDNA序列长度为1072 bp,开放阅读框（ORF）长度为696 bp,5°非翻译区长54 bp,3°非翻译区长322 bp。该ORF编码231个氨基酸,推导蛋白的分子量为26.65 kDa,含有2个串联的MYB结构域。ScMYB52-1推导蛋白与模式植物拟南芥中的MYB家族蛋白的进化树聚类分析结果表明,ScMYB52-1蛋白与AtMYB52和AtMYB54的亲缘关系较近;进一步的多序列比对分析结果表明,上述三者蛋白质N端的MYB结构域序列高度一致,且三者的预测蛋白质三级结构类似,表明它们可能具有类似的功能。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,ScMYB52-1在甘蔗组培苗的根中对PEG处理总体上不敏感,在叶中仅在3 h时短暂上调;ScMYB52-1在叶中受外源ABA和NaCl胁迫的诱导,在处理0.5 h均迅速上调表达,表达量分别为对照的3.35倍和2.75倍,并在处理期维持高于对照的水平;在根中受外源ABA和NaCl胁迫的抑制,在处理0.5 h时就开始下调表达,在处理24 h时表达量分别下调为对照的12%和40%,并在处理周期内总体上维持低于对照的水平。亚细胞定位分析表明,ScMYB52-1-GFP重组蛋白定位在烟草叶肉细胞的细胞核中。酵母双杂交自激活活性鉴定结果表明,ScMYB52-1蛋白无自激活活性。以上结果表明ScMYB52-1参与了甘蔗对高盐胁迫的应答,并可能受ABA信号通路的调控,在叶和根中存在差异的调控机制。本研究结果为进一步理解该基因在甘蔗非生物逆境适应过程中的功能及分子调控机制提供了初步的信息。     

外源水杨酸诱导的部分甜瓜自毒作用相关基因的表达分析

以甜瓜(Cucumis melo)品种‘新银辉’为材料,采取根灌法,以水杨酸(10μmol/L)处理甜瓜幼苗,通过Real-Time PCR对叶片中部分自毒作用相关基因的表达量进行定量分析,以探究外源水杨酸诱导对甜瓜自毒作用的影响。结果显示,经外源水杨酸诱导后:(1)在催化苯丙烷类代谢途径的3个初始反应的蛋白酶编码基因中,PAL和C4H随处理后时间增加,呈逐渐上调趋势,但PAL比C4H更快响应胁迫,而4CL转录水平没有显著变化;(2)在类黄酮生物合成的3个关键酶的基因中,CHI、F3H均显示出不同程度的下调,CHS于处理后1 d略微上调,然后恢复至处理前水平;(3)两个转录因子基因WD40、R2R3-MYB分别在不同处理时间后显著下调;(4)WD40与CHI的表达相关性较高。据上述结果 ,水杨酸诱导后:(Ⅰ)CHI表达可能与转录因子WD40蛋白相关;(Ⅱ)WD40、R2R3-MYB与PAL、C4H、4CL、CHS间不存在简单、明确的调控关系;(Ⅲ)柚皮苷、表儿茶素、芦丁等甜瓜主要化感物质合成减少。     

小麦16.9 kD热激蛋白cDNA克隆及其表达分析

为进一步了解小分子量热激蛋白在小麦耐热能力中的作用,根据玉米16.9 kD小分子热激蛋白的氨基酸序列,采用同源序列法进行序列拼接和引物设计,用RT-PCR扩增获得了1个源自小麦叶片的热激蛋白基因cDNA片段,即TaHSP16.9-1(GenBank登录号为EU649679).TaHSP16.9-1全长770 bp,5′非翻译区81 bp,3′非翻译区233 bp,开放阅读框编码151个氨基酸.序列分析结果表明,此蛋白与已知单子叶植物来源的同类基因高度同源,相似性介于78.3%～96.7%之间.定量RT-PCR表达谱分析显示,TaHSP16.9-1在小麦抽穗期的茎和旗叶以及幼苗期叶片中均能表达,其在小麦幼苗叶片中的表达受高温胁迫的诱导.     

甘薯IbGATA16基因的克隆与表达分析

GATA类转录因子在调控植物响应非生物胁迫中发挥重要作用。本研究从甘薯中克隆出1个IbGATA16基因，对其进行生物信息学分析，并对IbGATA16基因在甘薯干旱和盐胁迫处理中的表达模式进行分析。结果表明：甘薯IbGATA16基因CDS序列全长420bp，编码139个氨基酸，蛋白分子量为15.39kDa，等电点为9.97;IbGATA16基因组全长为582 bp，包含3个外显子和2个内含子；IbGATA16为不稳定的亲水性脂溶蛋白，亚细胞定位预测显示该蛋白定位于细胞核，具有C-X2-C-X17-C-X2-C结构域，属于典型的GATA类转录因子。IbGATA16基因上游1382bp的启动子序列存在多种顺式作用元件，如MYB、ABRE、GARE-motif等。多重序列比对和系统进化树分析结果显示，IbGATA16蛋白与三裂叶薯ItGATA16的亲缘关系最近，N端的锌指结构域序列高度一致，表明二者可能具有相似的功能。实时荧光定量结果表明，IbGATA16在甘薯根、茎、叶片等组织中均有表达，在叶中的表达量显著高于茎与根的表达量。IbGATA16对干旱和盐胁迫显著诱导表达，在干旱和盐胁迫处理0、...     

中国水仙NtMYB1基因的克隆及表达分析

为研究调控花青素合成机制,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术从中国水仙‘金盏银台’（Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis‘Jinzhan Yintai’.）的花瓣和副冠中克隆得到一个MYB基因的cDNA序列,命名为NtMYB1,在GeneBank上登录号为KC763973。序列分析表明,NtMYB1基因全长842 bp,其中开放阅读框长681 bp,编码226个氨基酸,推测的蛋白分子量为25.2 ku,理论等电点为7.94。NtMYB1具有明显的R2R3-MYB结构域,且在R3结构域的下游含有一个相对保守的PDLNLDLSIG氨基酸基序。同源性分析表明,其编码的氨基酸序列与陆地棉、甜樱桃的MYB蛋白相似性分别达到65％和63％。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测NtMYB1基因在中国水仙花不同发育时期和部位的表达水平,分析结果表明,NMYB1基因在中国水仙成花不同时期均有表达,但表达量具有明显差异,其中NtMYB1基因在花蕾期的相对表达量约为花苞期的40倍,且其表达量在花瓣要高于副冠。推测NtMYB1可能参与调控花青素合成基因的转录沉默。     

花生AhMYB113异位表达促进烟草花青素积累

为进一步探索MYB转录因子在花生花青素积累过程中的调控机理,以花生常规品种鲁花11（绿色叶片）和紫色叶片花生种质056杂交后代为材料,基于绿色和紫色杂交群体数字基因表达谱克隆了AhMYB113基因,利用生物信息学手段进行保守结构域、系统进化树等分析,通过实时荧光定量PCR技术检测在花生中的表达模式,在转基因烟草中进行功能鉴定。结果表明,花生AhMYB113基因的开放阅读框全长864 bp,编码287个氨基酸残基;编码蛋白的N端包含2个高度保守的MYB结构域,属于R2R3-MYB转录因子;与拟南芥、金鱼草、矮牵牛、苹果、葡萄中调控花青素积累的R2R3-MYB聚成一大类;通过荧光定量PCR分析发现,AhMYB113在花生紫色杂交后代（PH、PS）中的表达水平要显著高于绿色杂交后代（GH、GS）;在烟草NC89中异位表达AhMYB113,能够促进花青素积累,使得转基因烟草叶片转变为紫色,随着叶龄增长叶片紫色逐渐加深,花瓣、雄蕊（花丝、花药）、雌蕊（柱头、花柱）、萼片等组织也分别呈现为紫红色或紫黑色。     

木薯MYB转录因子MeMYB2特性及功能分析

MYB转录因子是植物最大的转录因子家族之一,其部分成员在植物非生物胁迫响应过程中发挥着重要的调控作用。通过转录组数据分析,筛选到了多个木薯干旱胁迫相关的MYB类基因,本研究针对其中的1个MYB转录因子MeMYB2展开研究。MeMYB2蛋白N末端与AtMYB60蛋白的N末端氨基酸序列具有95%以上的相似度,但其C末端氨基酸序列与AtMYB60只有30%左右的相似度。编码该蛋白的基因在木薯成熟叶片中优势表达,并且其表达受干旱胁迫负调控。MeMYB2蛋白主要定位于细胞核中,且在酵母中具有明显的转录自激活活性,其转录激活结构域在蛋白C末端247~267位点之间的20个氨基酸残基内。利用酵母双杂交系统从木薯cDNA文库中筛选到了8个与MeMYB2互作的蛋白,其中的2个蛋白与气孔运动和光合作用有关。MeMYB2-RNAi转基因木薯成熟叶片的失水率显著低于野生型木薯成熟叶片,说明MeMYB2转录因子负调控木薯叶片失水率,推测其可能具有调控气孔运动的功能。     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

La pourriture fongique des tubercules de pomme de terre en atmosphère contrôlée

Résumé Fusarium culmorum et, dans une moindre mesure,F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes etCylindrocarpon sp. ont été isolés de tubercules entreposés en atmosphère contr?lée (AC) et atteints de pourriture grave. Des expériences d'inoculation de tubercules avec 10 espèces ou variétés fongiques et conservation en AC à 8 et 10°C ont montré que: 1) les champignons non pathogènes en atmosphère normale (ex.:Cylindrocarpon sp.) le devenaient en AC, 2) ceux qui étaient faiblement pathogènes en atmosphère normale étaient nettement plus virulents en AC (ex.:F. culmorum), 3) les espèces ou variétés virulentes en conditions d'air normales (Fusarium sulphureum etPhoma exigua var.foveata) ne provoquaient pas de pourriture plus grave en AC et leur activité pouvait même être légérement freinée.

---

Summary The extensive rotting of tubers which occurred during storage trials in controlled atmospheres has led to a mycological and pathological study of the rots. The most frequently isolated species wasFusarium culmorum althoughF. avenaceum, F. Sambucinum, Coletotrichum coccodes and aCylindrocarpon sp. were also present. Tubers of cvs Bintje and Ulla were inoculated with 19 isolates of 10 fungal species or varieties associated with rotting of stored tubers (Table 1). The tubers were incubated at 8 or 10°C in normal or controlled (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂) atmospheres and the extent of rotting was determined a month later (Tables 2 and 3 and Fig. 2). Species which were weakly virulent in a normal atmosphere (variousFusarium spp. andPhoma exigua var.exigua) were clearly more aggressive in the controlled atmosphere and this was especially evident in the case ofF. culmorum. Species ot pathogenic in a normal atmosphere under experimental conditions (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp.,Phoma eupyrena) caused rotting in the controlled atmosphere. The two species which were virulent in a normal atmosphere (F. sulphureum andP. exigua var.foveata) were also virulent in the controlled atmosphere and in some cases the extent of rotting was even less. As a general rule, rotting caused by weakly virulent fungi was greater in both cultivars in the controlled than in a normal atmosphere.

---

Zusammenfassung Eine starke F?ulnis von in Kontrotrollierter Atmosph?re gelagerten Kartoffelknollen veranlasste eine mykologische und pathologische Untersuchung. Der am h?ufigsten isolierte Pilz warFusarium culmorum. F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes undCylindrocarpon sp. wurden ebenfalls bestimmt. Neunzehn St?mme von 10 Pilzsorten oder-Arten welche bei Lagerf?ulnis vorkommen (Tab. 1) wurden auf Knollen der Sorten Bintje und Ulla inokuliert. Die Lagerung wurde bei 8 oder 10°C under Normalbedingungen oder kontrollierter Atmosph?re durchgeführt (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂). Der F?ulnisgrad (Abb. 1) wurde nach einem Monat bonitiert. Die Ergebnisse sind in den Tabellen 2 und 3 dargestellt und in der Abb. 2 illustriert. Unter in Normalbedingungen nur schwach virulente Arten (verschiedeneFusarien undPhoma exigua var. exigua) waren deutlich aktiver in kontrollierter Atmosph?re. Dies was besonders der Fall fürF. culmorum. Pilze, die im Versuch unter Normalbedingungen nicht pathogen waren (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp., Phoma eupyrena), haben unter kontrollierter Atmosph?re Sch?den verursacht. Hingegen werden die beiden unter Normalbedingungen sehr pathogenen Arten (F. sulphureum undP., exigua var.foveata), durch kontrollierte Atmosph?re wenig beeinflusst. Es wurde sogar in einigen F?llen eine gewisse Verringerung des F?ulnisbefalls beobachtet. Ganz allgemein haben die getesteten kontrollierten Bedingungen die Entwicklung der Pilzf?ulnis an beiden Kartoffelsorten gef?rdert, speziell durch Pilzarten, welche unter Normal-bedingungen wenig Sch?den verursachen.

     

Marine Pharmacology in 2016–2017: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The review of the 2016–2017 marine pharmacology literature was prepared in a manner similar as the 10 prior reviews of this series. Preclinical marine pharmacology research during 2016–2017 assessed 313 marine compounds with novel pharmacology reported by a growing number of investigators from 54 countries. The peer-reviewed literature reported antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities for 123 marine natural products, 111 marine compounds with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as affecting the immune and nervous system, while in contrast 79 marine compounds displayed miscellaneous mechanisms of action which upon further investigation may contribute to several pharmacological classes. Therefore, in 2016–2017, the preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline generated both novel pharmacology as well as potentially new lead compounds for the growing clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline, and thus sustained with its contributions the global research for novel and effective therapeutic strategies for multiple disease categories.     

Effects of Micronutrient Deficiencies on Human Health: Its Status in South Asia

SUMMARY

Vitamin A, iodine, and iron deficiencies affect large numbers of people worldwide. A deficiency of one or more of these micronutrients adversely affects the physical and mental abilities of humans. South Asia contains a high percentage of these individuals, not just because of its large population, but also the prevalence of deficiency is higher there than in many other parts of the world. The reasons for the high rates of deficiency in South Asia are many, but they include inadequate availability of micronutrient-rich foods, sub-optimal dietary habits, and high rates of infection. Across the region, national plans vary from (a) increasing availability of appropriate foods, (b) introducing new dietary behaviors, (c) improving health status, and (d) directly addressing deficiency through intervention programs. The extent to which each of the countries is making progress toward the goals of these plans can help in understanding the priorities for future efforts to address micronutrient malnutrition. This article discusses the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies in humans with special reference to South Asia.     

Management of Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Summary

Within the last three decades, the rice-wheat cropping system has triggered, and with time, aggravated soil micronutrient deficiencies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). This has largely been due to the shift from an earlier rice and wheat monoculture with low yielding, long duration indigenous varieties, to an intensive rice-wheat rotation cropping system with short duration modern high yielding varieties on the same piece of land. The problems related to micronutrient deficiency in the IGP are more due to the size of its available pools in the soil rather than its total contents and are greatly influenced by crop management, or rather its mismanagement. Deficiency of zinc is widespread in the IGP, but with the extensive use of zinc sulfate, zinc deficiency has reduced in some areas of the region. Meanwhile, the deficiency of Fe, Mn and B has increased in the IGP. Deficiency of Cu and Mo is location specific and can limit rice and wheat yields. The adoption and spread of the rice-wheat system in permeable coarse textured soils, particularly in the western IGP, not only caused iron deficiency in rice but also resulted in the emergence of manganese deficiency in wheat. In highly calcareous and acidic soils, boron is the next limiting micronutrient in crop production after zinc. Bumper rice and wheat harvests in the past decade, the declining use of organic manures in the region and except for the widespread use of zinc sulfate, a general lack of awareness amongst farmers on micronutrient deficiency problems has contributed to micronutrients limiting rice and wheat yields in the IGP. Approaches to alleviating micronutrient deficiencies include matching the crop removals of the micronutrients with its replenishments through their respective external carriers, supplementation through organic sources and mobilization/utilization through cultivation of micronutrient efficient crop cultivars. Identification of efficient micronutrient carriers and finding the optimum rate, mode and time of its application is important in ameliorating the micronutrient deficiencies. This article reviews the extent of micronutrient deficiency and discusses various management options available to reduce micronutrient deficiency induced crop yield reduction for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.     

Irrigation but not N fertilization enhances seedhead density in plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii)

Plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii) is an important forage grass species in western Canada. Seed for use in pastures and ecological restoration is in high demand but supply is limited because F. hallii is an erratic seed producer. Seed producers require an understanding of the factors that influence flowering and seed set in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the flowering and growth of F. hallii in a native rough fescue prairie in Alberta, Canada. Irrigation had a strong positive effect on seedhead density, whereas fertilization had limited effects on growth and reproduction of F. hallii. These results demonstrate that under field conditions, available moisture is likely to be a key factor driving flowering and seed production in F. hallii.     

Marine Drugs Regulating Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)

Marine biomass diversity is a tremendous source of potential anticancer compounds. Several natural marine products have been described to restore tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death. TRAIL is involved during tumor immune surveillance. Its selectivity for cancer cells has attracted much attention in oncology. This review aims at discussing the main mechanisms by which TRAIL signaling is regulated and presenting how marine bioactive compounds have been found, so far, to overcome TRAIL resistance in tumor cells.     

Biochemical and morphological characterization of potato clones differing in their resistance to late blight

Summary Morphological and biochemical parameters that could be involved in resistance to late blight were studied in non-infected and in infected potato hybrids resulting from a cross betweenSolanum phureja, resistant toPhytophthora infestans, and a susceptibleSolanum tuberosum. Some morphological differences between resistant and susceptible hybrids, indicating a positive correlation between stem diameter and phloem thickness in the stem and resistance toP. infestans, were observed. The lignin content in the leaves of the resistant hybrid rose upon infection byP. infestans. In the leaves of the susceptible hybrid, a diminution of the lignin content could be observed upon infection byP. infestans. In the same context, peroxidasic activity raised upon infection byP. infestans in both resistant and susceptible hybrids. Further characterization of the hybrid clones based on the polymorphism of peroxidases was attempted using isoelectric focusing.     

Applied Biotechnology to Combat Late Blight in Potato Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora Infestans</Emphasis>

Potato is an important crop, grown worldwide. It suffers from many pests and diseases among which late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is the worst. The disease is still causing major damage in many potato production areas and control is only possible by applying fungicides frequently. The knowledge on the molecular biology and genetics of the interaction between the plant and the oomycete is developing rapidly. These are relevant fields of study, currently dominated by the discovery of many resistance genes and numerous effector proteins and the analysis of their specific mode of action. These studies may yield essential information needed for the development of durable resistance. The long-term and worldwide effort to breed for resistance so far has had little effect. A novel breeding approach may change this. It is based on cisgenic modification (CM) consisting of marker-free pyramiding of several resistance genes and their spatial and temporal deployment yielding dynamic varieties that contain potato genes only. It is envisioned that this CM approach with potato’s own genes will not only prove societally acceptable but may also result in simplifications in the legislation on use of the CM approach. Various parties in the potato research arena intend to cooperate in this novel approach in a number of developing countries where potato substantially contributes to food security. The use of resources such as land, water and energy improves when the effect of late blight is markedly reduced.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus Y</Emphasis> in a Multitrait Potato Breeding Scheme without Direct Selection in Each Generation

In an experimental breeding scheme to improve late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and white potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) resistance of tetraploid potato over three generations of crossing and selection, 15 clones survived the final selection, and these were derived from 15 great-grandparents. There was no direct selection for resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY), but 14 out of the 15 great-grandparents were resistant to PVY and three had extreme resistance. Thirteen of the 15 descendants had PVY resistance and one extreme resistance. This was within the range expected for a random (unselected) sample from the genotypes of the great-grandparents. Hence, we found no evidence for any positive or negative association between PVY resistance and the attributes selected. The conclusion is that laborious selection is not required in every generation when many parents have PVY resistance, including some with more than one copy of a PVY resistance gene or resistance at more than one locus. However, in the future, determining the major virus resistance genes present in potential parents in each generation using diagnostic molecular markers would prevent susceptible × susceptible crosses being made and maximise the number of resistant × resistant ones.