Characterization of subunits encoded by SnRK1 and dissection of combinations among these subunits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Sucrose nonfermenting-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) is one of the critical serine/threonine protein kinases. It commonly mediates plant growth and development, cross-talks with metabolism processes and physiological responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. It plays a key role in distributing carbohydrates and sugar signal transporting. In the present study, eight SnRK1 coding genes were identified in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) via sequences alignment, with three for α subunits (SnRK1α1 to SnRK1α3), three for β (SnRK1β1 to SnRK1β3), and one for both γ (SnRK1γ) and βγ (SnRK1βγ). These eight corresponding genes located on five chromosomes (Chr) of Chr1–3, Chr7, and Chr9 and presented collinearities to SnRK1s from maize and rice, exhibiting highly conserved domains within the same subunits from the three kinds of cereals. Expression results via qRT-PCR showed that different coding genes of SnRK1s in sorghum possessed similar expression patterns except for SnRK1α3 with a low expression level in grains and SnRK1β2 with a relatively high expression level in inflorescences. Results of subcellular localization in sorghum leaf protoplast showed that SnRK1α1/α2/α3/γ mainly located on organelles, while the rest four of SnRK1β1/β2/β3/βγ located on both membranes and some organelles. Besides, three combinations were discovered among eight SnRK1 subunits in sorghum through yeast two hybrid, including α1-β2-βγ, α2-β3-γ, and α3-β3-γ. These results provide informative references for the following functional dissection of SnRK1 subunits in sorghum.     

Genome-wide identification,molecular evolution,and expression divergence of the hexokinase gene family in apple

Hexokinase(HXK) is the first irreversible catalytic enzyme in the glycolytic pathway, which not only provides energy for plant growth and development but also serves as a signaling molecule in response to environmental changes. However, the evolutionary pattern of the HXK gene family in apple remains unknown. In this study, a total of nine HXK genes were identified in the Malus×domestica genome GDDH13 v1.1. The physiological and biochemical properties, exonintron structures, conserved motifs, and cis-elements of the MdHXK genes were determined. Predicted subcellular localization indicated that the MdHXK genes were mainly distributed in the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Gene duplication revealed that whole-genome duplication(WGD) and segmental duplication played vital roles in MdHXK gene family expansion. The ω values of pairwise MdHXK genes indicated that this family was subjected to strong purifying selection during apple domestication. Additionally, five subfamilies were classified, and recent/old duplication events were identified based on phylogenetic tree analysis. Different evolutionary rates were estimated among the various HXK subfamilies. Moreover, divergent expression patterns of the Md HXK genes in four source-sink tissues and at five different apple fruit developmental stages indicated that they play vital roles in apple fruit development and sugar accumulation. Our study provides a theoretical basis for future elucidation of the biological functions of the MdHXK genes during apple fruit development.     

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the JAZ gene family and its expression patterns under various abiotic stresses in Sorghum bicolor

The jasmonate ZIM domain (JAZ) protein belongs to the TIFY ((TIF[F/Y]XG) domain protein) family,which is composed of several plant-speci?c proteins that play important roles in plant growth,development,and defense responses.However,the mechanism of the sorghum JAZ family in response to abiotic stress remains unclear.In the present study,a total of 17 JAZ genes were identi?ed in sorghum using a Hidden Markov Model search.In addition,real-time quanti?cation polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was ...     

Genome-wide identification and function analysis of the sucrose phosphate synthase MdSPS gene family in apple

Sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) is a rate-limiting enzyme that works in conjunction with sucrose-6-phosphate phosphatase(SPP) for sucrose synthesis, and it plays an essential role in energy provisioning during growth and development in plants as well as improving fruit quality. However, studies on the systematic analysis and evolutionary pattern of the SPS gene family in apple are still lacking. In the present study, a total of seven MdSPS and four MdSPP genes were identified from the Malus dome...     

高粱CBL家族基因的鉴定和初步分析

植物CBL家族基因在逆境响应过程中具有重要功能。本文利用生物信息学的方法,从高粱的基因组中鉴定出8个CBL基因,并对这些基因的染色体分布、序列特征、遗传进化和蛋白基序进行了系统分析。结果表明,高粱的CBL基因分为3个不同的进化类群,它们在基因组中的分布是不均匀的。高粱CBL基因预测编码的蛋白大多含有3个EF一手型结构,而且它们被预测定位在不同的细胞组分中。这些结果说明高粱CBL存在结构上的分化,可能它们的功能有所不同,这为进一步研究高粱CBL基因的功能以及利用它们进行高粱的分子育种改良奠定了基础。     

Structure and diversity of the human T-cell receptor beta-chain variable region genes

In order to characterize the variability of the expressed human T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain repertoire and contrast this variability to the known murine beta-chain repertoire, 15 independent complementary DNA (cDNA) clones containing TCR beta-chain variable region (V beta) genes were isolated from a human tonsil cDNA library. The nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of these 15 V beta genes were analyzed together with 7 previously defined sequences. Fifteen different human V beta genes could be identified from 22 independent sequences. By means of DNA hybridization and sequence homology comparisons, it was possible to group these 15 genes into ten distinct V beta subfamilies, each containing from one to seven members. Minimal polymorphism was noted between individuals, except in multimember subfamilies. The amino acid sequences of these genes contain conserved amino acids that are also shared by murine TCR V beta genes and immunoglobulins; no features were found that distinguish human V beta genes from their murine counterparts. Evaluation of secondary structure showed that maximum variability coincides with generally hydrophilic portions of the amino acid sequence, while specific hydrophobic regions were conserved in all V beta genes examined.     

Direct Radiometric Observations of the Water Vapor Greenhouse Effect Over the Equatorial Pacific Ocean

Airborne radiometric measurements were used to determine tropospheric profiles of the clear sky greenhouse effect. At sea surface temperatures (SSTs) larger than 300 kelvin, the clear sky water vapor greenhouse effect was found to increase with SST at a rate of 13 to 15 watts per square meter per kelvin. Satellite measurements of infrared radiances and SSTs indicate that almost 52 percent of the tropical oceans between 20°N and 20°S are affected during all seasons. Current general circulation models suggest that the increase in the clear sky water vapor greenhouse effect with SST may have climatic effects on a planetary scale.     

QTLs for Sugar Content of Stalk in Sweet Sorghum （Sorghum bicolor L.Moench）

High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet sorghum, we used an F2：3 segregating population consisting of 207 individuals derived from a cross between a high sugar content inbred line, Early Folger, and a normal inbred line, N32B, for genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus （QTL） analysis. We constructed a genetic linkage map spanning 983.5 cM based on a total of 327 markers comprising 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） markers, 254 amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers, and 42 simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers. In the 20 linkage groups detected, 98.2% of markers aligned to the 10 linkage groups of sorghum. Variations in sugar content at different growth stages and among internodes suggested that the sugar content of middle internodes is stable and suitable for measuring at early dough stage. The broad sense heritability （hB0 of sugar content was 0.64 and 0.62 estimated from the data of F3 families and each parent in 2003 and 2004. We identified one and two QTLs accounting for 22.2 to 25.0% of phenotypic variance using simple interval mapping method in 2003 and 2004, respectively. These two QTLs showed a negative additive effect, and over-dominance effect. A QTL on LG-D was detected in both two years. Above results will be help us to understand the genetic mechanism of sugar content in sorghum and the QTL detected in this study might be useful in the improvement of sugar content by marker-assisted selection.     

Identification and Bioinformatics Analysis of SnRK2 and CIPK Family Genes in Sorghum

Through bioinformatic data mining, 10 SnRK2 and 31 CIPK genes were identified from sorghum genome. They are unevenly distributed in the sorghum chromosomes. Most SnRK2 genes have 8 introns, while the CIPK genes have a few （no intron or less than 3 introns） or more than I0 introns. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SnRK2 genes belong to one cluster and CIPK genes form the other independent cluster. The sorghum SnRK2s are subgrouped into three parts, and CIPK into five parts. More than half SnRK2 and CIPK genes present in homologous pairs, suggesting gene duplication may be due to the amplification of SnRK family genes. The kinase domains of SnRK2 family are highly conserved with 88.40% identity, but those of the CIPK family are less conserved with 63.72% identity. And the identity of sorghum CBLinteracting NAF domains of CIPKs is 61.66%. What＇s more, regarding to the sorghum SnRK2 and CIPK kinases, they are characterized with distinct motifs and their subcellular localization is not necessarily the same, which suggests they may be divergent in functions. Due to less conserved sequences, complex subcellular localization, and more family members, sorghum CIPK genes may play more flexible and multiple biological functions. According to the phylogenetic analysis of SnRK genes and SnRK functional studies in other plants, it is speculated that sorghum SnRK2 and CIPK genes may play important roles in stress response, growth and development.     

QTLs for Sugar Content of Stalk in Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.Moench)

High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet sorghum, we used an Early Folger, and a normal inbred line, N32B, for genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. We constructed a genetic linkage map spanning 983.5 cM based on a total of 327 markers comprising 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, 254 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, and 42 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In the 20 linkage groups detected, 98.2% of markers aligned to the 10 linkage groups of sorghum.Variations in sugar content at different growth stages and among internodes suggested that the sugar content of middle internodes is stable and suitable for measuring at early dough stage. The broad sense heritability (hB2) of sugar content was 0.64 and 0.62 estimated from the data of F3 families and each parent in 2003 and 2004. We identified one and two QTLs accounting for 22.2 to 25.0% of phenotypic variance using simple interval mapping method in 2003 and 2004, respectively.These two QTLs showed a negative additive effect, and over-dominance effect. A QTL on LG-D was detected in both two years. Above results will be help us to understand the genetic mechanism of sugar content in sorghum and the QTL detected in this study might be useful in the improvement of sugar content by marker-assisted selection.     

盐碱土壤施肥对甜高粱生物产量、糖锤度及相关性状的影响

为探究施肥对盐碱地条件下种植的甜高粱性状的影响,在大庆地区盐碱土壤条件下,研究施肥对3个甜高粱品种生物产量及含糖等相关性状的影响。结果表明:施肥对甜高粱生物产量、叶片数和出汁率均有极显著影响,对穗重有显著影响,品种与施肥处理之间互作对各性状均无显著影响。对甜高粱7个性状进行相关分析表明,叶片数与生物产量、株高、糖产量、糖锤度之间存在着极显著的相关性,出汁率与糖锤度存在负相关性。甜高粱生产上,应该根据品种的需肥特性,土壤、气候条件,目标性状来科学合理施肥。大庆地区应结合A1(磷酸二铵750.00kg·hm-2)和A4(磷酸二铵187.50kg·hm-2和硫酸钾187.50kg·hm-2)施肥,可提高甜高粱的生物产量、糖锤度和糖产量。     

能源甜高粱遗传改良研究进展

甜高粱是最有应用前景的再生能源作物之一,它的能源转换效率取决于植株总生物量和茎秆汁液含糖量的高低。探明决定甜高粱总生物量和茎秆汁液含糖量积累相关过程的生物学机制并开发相应分子标记,是选育生物能专用甜高粱品种的有效途径。该文从甜高粱糖分积累、遗传多样性研究、遗传图谱的构建、含糖量相关性状的定位及遗传工程研究等方面介绍了近年来甜高粱遗传研究进展。     

高粱颖花开放前浆片茉莉酸信号基因表达变化

茉莉酸(JA)在植物生殖发育中发挥重要调控作用,尤其是促进禾本科植物的颖花开放。然而迄今有关高粱颖花开放削浆片内JA信号相关基因的表达变化模式与颖花开放时间的关系尚不清楚。以常规高粱种质"625R"为试材,采用RNA-seq技术分析高粱颖花开放前12 h和1 h的浆片转录组差异;并通过与数据库比对,分析高粱颖花开放前茉莉酸生物合成及信号转导途径相关基因的表达变化。结果表明,2个时期浆片组织中富集于茉莉酸生物合成及信号转导途径的差异基因有51个,且以花前12 h为对照,上调基因有41个,下调基因10个。茉莉酸生物合成途径中,差异基因主要涉及JA合成的上游调控步骤,而JA信号转导途径中则以JAZ蛋白响应基因数目最多、强度最大。研究结果为进一步阐明颖花开放进程中浆片吸水膨大的分子机制提供依据。