Assessment of EST- and genomic microsatellite markers for variety discrimination and genetic diversity studies in wheat

It is likely that in the near future sequence information from sequencing programmes and EST libraries will generate an abundance of genic microsatellite markers. This study is focused on the assessment of their likely impact and performance vis-à-vis their genomic counterparts. Microsatellites from two sources were used to assess the genetic diversity in 56 old and new varieties of bread wheat on the UK Recommended List. A set of 12 microsatellite markers generated from genomic libraries and 20 expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellites were used in the study, and the performance of both marker sets assessed. The EST-derived or genic microsatellites delivered fingerprints of superior quality, amplifying clear products with few stutter bands. Diversity levels as revealed bygenic microsatellites are similar to the few published results. The PIC values for the genic markers were generally lower than those calculated for the genomic microsatellites, though advantages of both marker classes for variety identification applications are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of ABA,arginine and sucrose on protein content of date palm somatic embryos

Abscisic acid (ABA), arginine and sucrose were evaluated for their effects on the morphology, germination rates and protein content of date palm somatic embryos (SE). Different concentrations of these supplements in the culture medium were used. The comparative study of SE length and thickness between treated and untreated SE revealed no differences, except for ABA (20 μM), which increased thickness. A decrease of water content (WC) in favor of an increase in dry weight (DW) was observed in all treated SE, especially with sucrose (90 g l⁻¹) and ABA (20 μM). Only ABA (20 and 4 μM) caused a proliferation rate of the cultures higher than those in the control. Although all the tested compounds increased protein content, ABA (20 μM) was more effective in protein enrichment than arginine and sucrose treatments. The SDS-PAGE protein profiles showed a significant difference between treated and untreated SE. A protein band of 22 kDa, identified as glutelin in a previous work, was accumulated after treatment with 20 μM ABA or 3 mM arginine. These findings may contribute to further understanding of the mechanisms involved in the accumulation of specific storage proteins in several plants.     

ISTR在部分柿属植物种质鉴定和亲缘关系分析中的应用

 利用反向序列标签重复技术( inverse sequence-tagged repeat, ISTR) , 对柿属7个种, 包括柿(Diospyros kaki Thunb. ) 、君迁子(D. lotus L. ) 、浙江柿(D. glaucifolia Metc. ) 、油柿(D. oleifera Cheng. ) 、金枣柿(D. sp. ) 、老鸦柿(D. rhombifolia Hemsl. ) 和美洲柿(D. virginiana L. ) 共32个基因型进行了种质鉴定和亲缘关系研究。结果表明: ISTR可区分供试柿属植物中的30份; ISTR能够很好地适用于柿属植物亲缘关系分析; 供试的中国与日本原产柿种质分别聚类; 新发现的中国甜柿变异类型与日本甜柿的亲缘关系较远且存在较丰富的遗传变异, 可能是潜在的育种资源。ISTR标记可在柿属植物种质资源鉴定和亲缘关系分析中更广泛地应用。     

Molecular mapping of soybean seed tocopherols in the cross ‘OAC Bayfield’ × ‘OAC Shire’

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is cultivated primarily for its protein and oil in the seed. In addition, soybean seeds contain nutraceutical compounds such as tocopherols (vitamin E), which are powerful antioxidants with health benefits. The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) that affect accumulation of soybean seed tocopherols. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross ‘OAC Bayfield’ × ‘OAC Shire’ was grown in three locations over 2 years. A total of 151 SSR markers were polymorphic of which a one‐way analysis of variance identified 42 markers whereas composite interval mapping identified 26 markers linked to tocopherol QTL across 17 chromosomes. Individual QTL explained from 7% to 42% of the total phenotypic variation. Significant two‐locus epistatic interactions were identified for a total of 122 combinations in 2009 and 152 in 2010. The multiple‐locus models explained 18.4–72.2% of the total phenotypic variation. The reported QTL may be used in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) to develop high tocopherol soybean cultivars.     

Survey and new insights in the application of PCR‐based molecular markers for identification of HMW‐GS at the Glu‐B1 locus in durum and bread wheat

Wheat, among all cereal grains, possesses unique characteristics conferred by gluten; in particular, high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) are of considerable interest as they strictly relate to bread‐making quality and contribute to strengthening and stabilizing dough. Thus, the identification of allelic composition, in particular at the Glu‐B1 locus, is very important to wheat quality improvement. Several PCR‐based molecular markers to tag‐specific HMW glutenin genes encoding Bx and By subunits have been developed in recent years. This study provides a survey of the molecular markers developed for the HMW‐GS at the Glu‐B1 locus. In addition, a selection of molecular markers was tested on 31 durum and bread wheat cultivars containing the By8, By16, By9, Bx17, Bx6, Bx14 and Bx17 Glu‐B1 alleles, and a new assignation was defined for the ZSBy9_aF1/R3 molecular marker that was specific for the By20 allele. We believe the results constitute a practical guide for results that might be achieved by these molecular markers on populations and cultivars with high variability at the Glu‐B1 locus.     

棉花纤维中木质素的相对分子量

分子量是聚合物的重要特性之一,木质素的分子量及其分布是研究苯丙烷类结构的反应、物理化学特性和评价其改性产物质量的内容之一。本研究以陆地棉TM-1成熟纤维为材料,分别利用酶解-温和酸解木质素法和二氧六环法提取棉纤维中木质素,结合凝胶渗透色谱法(gel permeation chromatography,GPC)调查和评价2种方法获得的棉纤维中木质素的相对分子量。结果表明,经二氧六环处理提取的棉花纤维中的木质素(dioxane lignin,DL)的重均分子量为2924g mol~(–1)、数均分子量2403 g mol~(–1),略高于由酶解-温和酸解处理提取的木质素(enzymatic hydrolysis-mild acidolysis lignin,EMAL)的重均分子量(2169 g mol~(–1))和数均分子量(1970 g mol~(–1)),EMAL的多分散系数稍低,说明木质素的均一性比DL高。表明EMAL法提取的木质素更适用于分析棉纤维中木质素的相对分子量。利用EMAL法分析棉纤维中木质素相对分子量表明,不同棉花品种的木质素重均分子量分布范围为938~2169 g mol~(–1),数均分子量分布范围为857~1970 g mol~(–1),多分散性系数在1.09~1.74间,均小于2。重均分子量与纤维马克隆值呈显著负相关,数均分子量与纤维长度呈显著负相关,与纤维马克隆值呈极显著负相关。     

苹果分子标记及辅助育种研究进展

从基于集群分离分析法、杂交群体、全基因组关联分析和功能基因分子标记4个方面对苹果相关的分子标记及其在辅助育种上的应用进行了综述,为苹果分子标记辅助育种和揭示重要性状的遗传提供依据。     

Polymerisation of gluten proteins in developing wheat grain as affected by desiccation

The breadmaking quality of wheat is affected by the composition of gluten proteins and the polymerisation of subunits that are synthesised and accumulated in developing wheat grain. The biological mechanisms and time course of these events during grain development are documented, but not widely confirmed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitor the accumulation of gluten protein subunits and the size distribution of protein aggregates during grain development. The effect of desiccation on the polymerisation of gluten proteins and the functional properties of gluten were also studied. The results showed that the size of glutenin polymers remained consistently low until yellow ripeness (YR), while it increased during grain desiccation after YR. Hence, this polymerisation process was presumed to be initiated by desiccation. A similar polymerisation event was also observed when premature grains were dried artificially. The composition of gluten proteins, the ratios of glutenin to gliadin and high molecular weight-glutenin subunits to low molecular weight-glutenin subunits, in premature grain after artificial desiccation showed close association with the size of glutenin polymers in artificially dried grain. Functional properties of gluten in these samples were also associated with polymer size after artificial desiccation.     

Kernel vitreousness and protein content: Relationship,interaction and synergistic effects on durum wheat quality

Four sets of durum samples were used in this study to further understand the interrelationships among hard vitreous kernels (HVK), protein content, and pigment concentration, with a focus on the interaction and synergistic effects of protein content and vitreousness on durum quality. HVK level increases with higher protein content in the range of 9.5–12.5%, but this relationship is less evident in durum samples with high protein content (12.5–14.5%). Both protein content and kernel vitreousness can significantly affect durum milling quality. White starchy kernels (WSK) in low protein durum have a very detrimental impact on milling and pasta processing quality, but high protein content can mitigate the adverse impact of WSK on durum quality. Although protein content plays a dominant role, higher HVK might contribute positively to pasta firmness. There was no significant difference in yellow pigment content between HVK and WSK. However, pigment loss from semolina to dough was higher for WSK than HVK. Despite the difference in protein content, HVK and WSK have little difference in gluten strength. The monomeric protein was preferentially accumulated in HVK. The glutenin proteins of HVK and WSK were similar in the ratios of 1Bx/1By and HMW/LMW-GS.     

甜橙精油分子蒸馏组分的成分分析及其抗菌活性研究

应用分子蒸馏技术加工冷压甜橙精油,分离得到轻相与重相两个组分,采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)分析其化学成分,鉴定出甜橙精油轻相组分中含22种化合物,重相组分中含40种化合物。抑菌试验结果表明,甜橙精油轻相和重相组分对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和酵母菌均具有较好的抑菌效果,最低抑菌浓度(MIC)范围为0.78~3.125μL/m L。抑菌活性受不同p H和温度条件的影响,酸性环境下轻相组分的抑菌效果较好,碱性环境下重相组分的抑菌活性更强。在高温处理下,轻相组分对细菌的抑菌效果具有较好的热稳定性,重相组分的抑菌效果有所减弱。