Identification of a major gene (Mex-1) from Coffea canephora conferring resistance to Meloidogyne exigua in Coffea arabica

Among the most damaging root-knot nematode species, Meloidogyne exigua is especially common in Latin America and constitutes a major agronomic constraint in all major coffee-growing ( Coffea arabica ) areas. Growing nematode-resistant coffee represents the most promising option for control of the pest. The present study aimed to determine the mode of inheritance of the M. exigua resistance transferred into C. arabica from a related species, Coffea canephora , and to identify associated molecular markers. Segregation data analysis of F ₂ progeny derived from a cross between the resistant introgression line T5296 and the susceptible accession Et6 showed that the resistance to M. exigua is controlled by a simply inherited major gene (designated the Mex -1 locus). The gall index distribution exhibited by the F ₂ individuals suggested incomplete dominant expression. Fourteen AFLP markers were found associated with the resistance to M. exigua and a localized genetic map of the chromosome segment carrying Mex -1 was constructed. Furthermore, the association of the identified AFLP markers with Mex -1 was confirmed by analysis of a set of genotypes involving 28 introgression Arabica lines either resistant or susceptible to M. exigua in field conditions. These results represent an important starting point to enhance backcross breeding programmes and to perform an early selection of resistant seedlings.     

Photoperiod and Soil Munition Constituent Effects on Phytoaccumulation and Rhizosphere Interactions in Boreal Vegetation

Permafrost thaw is expected to alter biogeochemistry and hydrology, potentially increasing the mobility of soil constituents. Northern latitude boreal forests where permafrost thaw is occurring also experience extreme changes in day length during the growing season. As the effects of photoperiod on plant uptake of soil constituents or interactions with the rhizosphere are unknown, our objective was to determine these interactions with three plant species from different functional groups. A tree, forb, and grass common to military training ranges in this region were grown in soil spiked with or without lead, antimony, or 2,4-dinitrotoluene and grown under 16, 20, or 24 h of light. Plant biomass, soil constituent uptake, and rhizosphere bacterial communities were compared between treatments. Photoperiod had no effect on plant uptake of any soil constituent or on rhizosphere community, indicating that plants and their associated microbial communities adapted to this environment are resilient to extremes in photoperiod. Lead uptake was not significant in any plant species and had no effect on the rhizosphere. Antimony increased the percentage composition of Saprospirales in the rhizospheres of two of the three plants, indicating an interaction between this bacterial order and antimony. Antimony uptake by white spruce (Picea glauca) was considerable, with a mean concentration of 1731 mg kg^?1 in roots, while mean shoot concentration was only 155 mg kg^?1, indicating its potential to phytostabilize this heavy metal. Although antimony had the strongest impact on the rhizosphere bacterial community, it was also readily accumulated by the grass and tree.     

Cloning and characterization of two glutathione S-transferases from pyrethroid-resistant Culex pipiens

BACKGROUND: The Marin strain of Culex pipiens Say is a pyrethroid‐resistant population that was collected in Marin County, California, in 2001 and subsequently maintained in the laboratory under regular permethrin exposure. RESULTS: In this study, two cDNAs, CpGSTd1 and CpGSTd2, encoding glutathione S‐transferase (GST) were cloned from Cx. pipiens Marin. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences, CpGSTD1 and CpGSTD2, of these genes indicated that they belong to the Delta class of insect GSTs. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of CpGSTd1 and CpGSTd2 were 59 and 48% identical respectively. CpGSTD1 and CpGSTD2 were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. The recombinant GSTs exhibited unique selectivity towards the general GST substrates 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 1,2‐dichloro‐4‐nitrobenzene (DCNB), and also differed in their sensitivity to known inhibitors of GSTs. CpGSTD1 exhibited peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide, while CpGSTD2 appeared to lack this activity. CpGSTD1 was able to metabolize 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), while DDT metabolism by CpGSTD2 was not detectable. CpGSTD1 and CpGSTD2 showed no detectable metabolism of permethrin. Gene expression of CpGSTd1 and CpGSTd2 in Marin mosquitoes was elevated about twofold in comparison with that found in a pyrethroid‐sensitive mosquito strain. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that CpGSTD1 and CpGSTD2 have unique biochemical characteristics, but they do not appear to play major roles in permethrin resistance in Marin mosquitoes. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance to the Whitefly Aleurotrachelus socialis (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and SSR Marker Identification in Advanced Populations of the Hybrid Manihot esculenta subsp. Manihot flabellifolia

Genes resistant to Aleurotrachelus socialis were transferred to the F₁ from the interspecific hybrid wild species of Manihot flabellifolia to M. esculenta and two advanced generations of backcrosses (BC₁ and BC₂). We characterized the resistance of A. socialis transferred to BC₂ parents (CW67-160, CW67-130, CW67-44), MTAI-8 (BC₁), resistant (CMB9B-73) and susceptible (CMB9B-104) genotypes from contrasting pools, and resistant (MEcu-72) and susceptible (CMC-40) genotypes. Whitefly demography and biology were evaluated. SSR molecular markers associated with a phenotypic response of plant resistance were detected in segregating populations (BC₂). Results showed that although female survival time was similar on all hosts, the lowest averages of longevity, fecundity and oviposition rate were observed in the resistant control MEcu-72, only being significantly similar to the parent CW67-130. When the BC₁ and BC₂ populations were compared, it was found that A. socialis fecundity was eight times lower on CMB9B-73 progeny than on CW67-130, expressing the highest levels of resistance to the whitefly. Ten genotypes of CMB9A and CMB9B family had the best segregation. A total of 486 microsatellite primers were evaluated using bulked segregant analysis (BSA), 11 showed polymorphism between the contrasting pools and only one showed significant differences between resistant and susceptible individuals. In conclusion, fecundity was the parameter that impacted most on the intrinsic rate of A. socialis population growth.     

A conserved family of enzymes that phosphorylate inositol hexakisphosphate

Inositol pyrophosphates are a diverse group of high-energy signaling molecules whose cellular roles remain an active area of study. We report a previously uncharacterized class of inositol pyrophosphate synthase and find it is identical to yeast Vip1 and Asp1 proteins, regulators of actin-related protein-2/3 (ARP 2/3) complexes. Vip1 and Asp1 acted as enzymes that encode inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol heptakisphosphate (IP7) kinase activities. Alterations in kinase activity led to defects in cell growth, morphology, and interactions with ARP complex members. The functionality of Asp1 and Vip1 may provide cells with increased signaling capacity through metabolism of IP6.     

Isotopic evidence for massive oxidation of organic matter following the great oxidation event

The stable isotope record of marine carbon indicates that the Proterozoic Eon began and ended with extreme fluctuations in the carbon cycle. In both the Paleoproterozoic [2500 to 1600 million years ago (Ma)] and Neoproterozoic (1000 to 542 Ma), extended intervals of anomalously high carbon isotope ratios (δ(13)C) indicate high rates of organic matter burial and release of oxygen to the atmosphere; in the Neoproterozoic, the high δ(13)C interval was punctuated by abrupt swings to low δ(13)C, indicating massive oxidation of organic matter. We report a Paleoproterozoic negative δ(13)C excursion that is similar in magnitude and apparent duration to the Neoproterozoic anomaly. This Shunga-Francevillian anomaly may reflect intense oxidative weathering of rocks as the result of the initial establishment of an oxygen-rich atmosphere.     

Prevention of organ allograft rejection by a specific Janus kinase 3 inhibitor

Because of its requirement for signaling by multiple cytokines, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an excellent target for clinical immunosuppression. We report the development of a specific, orally active inhibitor of JAK3, CP-690,550, that significantly prolonged survival in a murine model of heart transplantation and in cynomolgus monkeys receiving kidney transplants. CP-690,550 treatment was not associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or lymphoproliferative disease. On the basis of these preclinical results, we believe JAK3 blockade by CP-690,550 has potential for therapeutically desirable immunosuppression in human organ transplantation and in other clinical settings.     

A fluoroquinolone resistance protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mimics DNA

Fluoroquinolones are gaining increasing importance in the treatment of tuberculosis. The expression of MfpA, a member of the pentapeptide repeat family of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causes resistance to ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. This protein binds to DNA gyrase and inhibits its activity. Its three-dimensional structure reveals a fold, which we have named the right-handed quadrilateral beta helix, that exhibits size, shape, and electrostatic similarity to B-form DNA. This represents a form of DNA mimicry and explains both its inhibitory effect on DNA gyrase and fluoroquinolone resistance resulting from the protein's expression in vivo.