Region-wide analysis of genetic diversity in Verticillium dahliae populations infecting olive in southern Spain and agricultural factors influencing the distribution and prevalence of vegetative compatibility groups and pathotypes

Severity of Verticillium wilt in olive trees in Andalusia, southern Spain is associated with the spread of a highly virulent, defoliating (D) Verticillium dahliae pathotype of vegetative compatibility group 1A (VCG1A) but the extent of this spread and the diversity of the pathogen population have never been documented. VCG typing of 637 V. dahliae isolates from 433 trees in 65 orchards from five olive-growing provinces in Andalusia indicated that 78.1% were of VCG1A, 19.8% of VCG2A, 0.6% of VCG2B, 1.4% of VCG4B, and one isolate was heterokaryon self-incompatible. A single VCG prevailed among isolates within most orchards but two and three VCGs were identified in 12 and 3 orchards, respectively, with VCG1A+VCG2A occurring in 10 orchards. VCG1A was the predominant VCG in the three most important olive-growing provinces, and was almost as prevalent as VCG2A in another one. Molecular pathotyping of the 637 isolates using specific polymerase chain reaction assays indicated that VCG1A isolates were of the D pathotype whereas isolates of VCG2A, -2B, and -4B were of the less virulent nondefoliating (ND) pathotype. The pathotype of isolates correlated with the disease syndrome affecting sampled trees. Only three (seq1, seq2, and seq4) of the seven known sequences of the V. dahliae-specific 539- or 523-bp amplicon were identified among the 637 isolates. Distribution and prevalence of VCGs and seq sequences among orchards indicated that genetic diversity within olive V. dahliae in Andalusia is higher in provinces where VCG1A is not prevalent. Log-linear analysis revealed that irrigation management, source of irrigation water, source of planting stock, and cropping history of soil were significantly associated with the prevalence of VCG1A compared with that of VCG2A. Multivariate analyses using a selected set of agricultural factors as variables allowed development of a discriminant model for predicting the occurrence of D and ND pathotypes in the area of the study. Blind tests using this model correctly indentified the V. dahliae pathotype occurring in an orchard. The widespread occurrence and high prevalence of VCG1A/D pathotype in Andalusia have strong implications for the management of the disease.     

Directed assembly of block copolymer blends into nonregular device-oriented structures

Self-assembly is an effective strategy for the creation of periodic structures at the nanoscale. However, because microelectronic devices use free-form design principles, the insertion point of self-assembling materials into existing nanomanufacturing processes is unclear. We directed ternary blends of diblock copolymers and homopolymers that naturally form periodic arrays to assemble into nonregular device-oriented structures on chemically nanopatterned substrates. Redistribution of homopolymer facilitates the defect-free assembly in locations where the domain dimensions deviate substantially from those formed in the bulk. The ability to pattern nonregular structures using self-assembling materials creates new opportunities for nanoscale manufacturing.     

Chromosome alignment and segregation regulated by ubiquitination of survivin

Proper chromosome segregation requires the attachment of sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles to form bi-oriented chromosomes on the metaphase spindle. The chromosome passenger complex containing Survivin and the kinase Aurora B regulates this process from the centromeres. We report that a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, hFAM, regulates chromosome alignment and segregation by controlling both the dynamic association of Survivin with centromeres and the proper targeting of Survivin and Aurora B to centromeres. Survivin is ubiquitinated in mitosis through both Lys(48) and Lys(63) ubiquitin linkages. Lys(63) de-ubiquitination mediated by hFAM is required for the dissociation of Survivin from centromeres, whereas Lys(63) ubiquitination mediated by the ubiquitin binding protein Ufd1 is required for the association of Survivin with centromeres. Thus, ubiquitinaton regulates dynamic protein-protein interactions and chromosome segregation independently of protein degradation.     

Stable compounds of helium and neon: he@c60 and ne@c60

It is demonstrated that fullerenes, prepared via the standard method (an arc between graphite electrodes in a partial pressure of helium), on heating to high temperatures release (4)He and (3)He. The amount corresponds to one (4)He for every 880,000 fullerene molecules. The (3)He/(4)He isotopic ratio is that of tank helium rather than that of atmospheric helium. These results convincingly show that the helium is inside and that there is no exchange with the atmosphere. The amount found corresponds with a prediction from a simple model based on the expected volume of the cavity. In addition, the temperature dependence for the release of helium implies a barrier about 80 kilocalories per mole. This is much lower than the barrier expected from theory for helium passing through one of the rings in the intact structure. Amechanism involving reversibly breaking one or more bonds to temporarily open a "window" in the cage is proposed. A predicted consequence of this mechanism is the incorporation of other gases while the "window" is open. This was demonstrated through the incorporation of (3)He and neon by heating fullerene in their presence.     

No major schizophrenia locus detected on chromosome 1q in a large multicenter sample

Reports of substantial evidence for genetic linkage of schizophrenia to chromosome 1q were evaluated by genotyping 16 DNA markers across 107 centimorgans of this chromosome in a multicenter sample of 779 informative schizophrenia pedigrees. No significant evidence was observed for such linkage, nor for heterogeneity in allele sharing among the eight individual samples. Separate analyses of European-origin families, recessive models of inheritance, and families with larger numbers of affected cases also failed to produce significant evidence for linkage. If schizophrenia susceptibility genes are present on chromosome 1q, their population-wide genetic effects are likely to be small.     

Host-parasite coevolutionary conflict between Arabidopsis and downy mildew

Plants are constantly exposed to attack by an array of diverse pathogens but lack a somatically adaptive immune system. In spite of this, natural plant populations do not often suffer destructive disease epidemics. Elucidating how allelic diversity within plant genes that function to detect pathogens (resistance genes) counteracts changing structures of pathogen genes required for host invasion (pathogenicity effectors) is critical to our understanding of the dynamics of natural plant populations. The RPP13 resistance gene is the most polymorphic gene analyzed to date in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we report the cloning of the avirulence gene, ATR13, that triggers RPP13-mediated resistance, and we show that it too exhibits extreme levels of amino acid polymorphism. Evidence of diversifying selection visible in both components suggests that the host and pathogen may be locked in a coevolutionary conflict at these loci, where attempts to evade host resistance by the pathogen are matched by the development of new detection capabilities by the host.     

Complex patterning by vertical interchange atom manipulation using atomic force microscopy

The ability to incorporate individual atoms in a surface following predetermined arrangements may bring future atom-based technological enterprises closer to reality. Here, we report the assembling of complex atomic patterns at room temperature by the vertical interchange of atoms between the tip apex of an atomic force microscope and a semiconductor surface. At variance with previous methods, these manipulations were produced by exploring the repulsive part of the short-range chemical interaction between the closest tip-surface atoms. By using first-principles calculations, we clarified the basic mechanisms behind the vertical interchange of atoms, characterizing the key atomistic processes involved and estimating the magnitude of the energy barriers between the relevant atomic configurations that leads to these manipulations.     

The riverine thruway hypothesis: rivers as a key mediator of gene flow for the aquatic paradoxical frog Pseudis tocantins (Anura,Hylidae)

Landscape Ecology - Rivers, landscape, and climate can alter patterns of gene flow and consequently, shape intraspecific genetic variation. While rivers are predicted to halt gene flow in...     

The nabicol: A horticultural crop in northwestern Spain

Nabicol (B. napus L. var. pabularia) is a traditional crop in the Northwest of Iberian Peninsula (South of Galicia and North of Portugal) where it is grown during the winter season on small farms and gardens using traditional varieties. A collection of 36 populations of nabicol from Galicia (northwestern Spain) was evaluated during 2002 and 2003 in two locations and two growing seasons (spring/summer and autumn/spring) for 28 agronomic and morphological traits. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate a collection of nabicol landraces from northwestern Spain, (ii) determine the suitability of this germplasm as a summer crop and (iii) study the genetic diversity among local populations. Significant differences were observed among populations for most traits. Genotype × environment interaction was significant for most of them. Spring/summer growing season could be recommended for growing nabicol but resistance to Lepidoptera pests attacking Brassica crops should be improved. Most populations had an agronomic value similar to the commercial variety. The most promising variety for horticultural use was MBG-BRS0063, which showed the highest yield. Morphological and agronomic data were subjected to cluster analysis and four groups were defined with a group clustering most populations. The low genetic diversity could be explained because populations were collected in close geographical areas and the selection made by farmers was always for a horticultural use. These results give information about the diversity and breeding value of the nabicol Spanish germplasm, which could be useful in breeding programs.     

Differences in natural antibody titres comparing free-ranging guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Natural antibodies are an important component of innate humoral immunity but have not been investigated to any great extent in wild mammals. In the current study, serum natural antibody titres were measured by hemagglutination assay for two South American herbivores, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Results indicated that capybaras had antibody titres on average more than four times higher than guanacos (median titres 1:256 and 1:4, respectively), suggesting differences in investment in constitutive humoral immunity between the two species.