Development and evaluation of a high-throughput,low-cost genotyping platform based on oligonucleotide microarrays in rice

Background  

We report the development of a microarray platform for rapid and cost-effective genetic mapping, and its evaluation using rice as a model. In contrast to methods employing whole-genome tiling microarrays for genotyping, our method is based on low-cost spotted microarray production, focusing only on known polymorphic features.     

Cytogenetical and molecular investigations on somatic hybrids of Sinapis alba and Brassica juncea and their backcross progeny

Somatic hybrids of Sinapis alba+Brassica juncea (Sal Sal AABB) were synthesized by protoplast electrofusion. They were true genomic allopolyploids since they possessed 60 chromosomes, i.e. the sum of S. alba (2n= 24) and B. juncea (2n= 36) chromosomes. Chromosome pairing was predominantly bivalent with the occasional occurrence of multivalents in the pollen mother cells at diakinesis and metaphase I. Hybrids were completely pollen-sterile, but produced seeds on back-crossing with B. juncea and B. campestris. A total of 37 BC₁ plants were raised from two somatic hybrids (JS-1 and JS-2) and 24 of these were analysed cytologically. The 22 plants originating from the pollinations of somatic hybrids with B. juncea showed a chromosome configuration of 18II+12I and had 42–86% pollen fertility. Two plants from the backcrosses of the somatic hybrid with B. campestris formed 10II +20I, and had 0–4% fertile pollen. Total DNA analysis by probing with pTA71 carrying a full-length 18S–25S rDNA fragment of the wheat nuclear genome revealed that the two somatic hybrids possessed all the characteristic bands of both the species, confirming their hybridity. Probing with the mitochondrial coxI and atp9 genes indicated mitochondrial genome recombination in the hybrids. Hybridization with chloroplast-specific psbD indicated that both the somatic hybrids possessed the cp genome of S. alba origin.     

Deployment of wild relatives for genetic improvement in rice (Oryza sativa)

Rice is one of the most important crops in the world. The wild species of rice are expected to have novel beneficial alleles that have been lost from cultivated rice during the process of domestication. Therefore, wild species could be the potential source to induce lost genetic diversity in cultivated rice. Serving as an important reservoir of novel genes/QTLs, wild species, in general, are better adapted to different ecologies and can tolerate many biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite that, only a few wild species are studied and extensive characterization both at the molecular and morphological level is yet to be achieved. Several agronomically important genes/QTLs for improving biotic and abiotic stresses, resistance, productivity and grain quality traits were identified from AA genome donor wild species and were tagged with breeder friendly molecular markers for their transfer to elite genetic backgrounds. The present review provides information on the important wild rice species harbouring genes/QTLs for agriculturally important traits and their successful utilization in rice breeding programmes.     

The transport of metal ions through fiber supported solid membranes in mixed solvents

The transport of metal ions has been explored of bismuth, cadmium and lead from source solution to receiving phase through the fiber supported solid membrane system. The fibers supported solid membranes were prepared by chemically modification of cellulose fibers with the introducing the ion exchanging groups. The experimental variables explored were concentration of metal ions in the source solution, mixed solvent composition in the receiving phase and stirring speed of the bulk source solution and receiving phase. The efficiency has been evaluated for the transport of metal ions from the source to receiving phase through the fiber supported solid membrane. The pre-concentration was investigated of metal ions from the dilute solutions. The fiber supported solid membrane with two-channel systems had been investigated for the transport of metal ions from the source to receiving phase. The capillary action phenomenon helps to effectively transport the metal ions through the fiber supported solid membrane.     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Landraces and Improved Rice Varieties from India

A set of 50 rice genotypes comprising landraces, local selections, and improved varieties were characterized using simple sequence repeat(SSR) and inter simple sequence repeat(ISSR) markers to study genetic diversity and population structure. Following unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean based clustering using binary data of polymorphic markers, the genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters and 11 sub-clusters, whereas population structure analysis separated 50 rice genotypes into 5 sub-populations. Grouping of rice genotypes showed better resemblance with the pedigree information of the genotypes. Both genetic diversity and population structure analysis separated majority of the improved varieties from landraces and local selections. Some of the SSR markers amplified unique alleles which were specific to a particular genotype and could distinguish them from the rest. The results indicate that these rice genotypes exhibit a higher genetic diversity and can be very useful in rice improvement program.     

绿茶儿茶素类生物标记物的检测及应用

绿茶被认为具有多种生理功效,但临床实验和流行病学研究仍存有争议。绿茶儿茶素类生物标记物检测方法的建立是为了从代谢物水平研究绿茶及其提取物对人体的生理效用,有助于阐释绿茶生理功效的作用机理,并避免或减轻由于摄入样品化学组成差异和生物个体差异对实验结果的影响。儿茶素类化合物EGCG、EGC、EC和ECG及其派生物是常用的绿茶儿茶素类生物标记物,主要检测方法有高效液相色谱-电化学检测法、液相色谱-串联质谱法等。本文综述了绿茶儿茶素类生物标记物的种类、备样方法和检测手段,分析、讨论了基于绿茶儿茶素类生物标记物开展的绿茶生物利用率研究,以及临床实验和流行病学研究结果,提出在后续研究中应进一步完善和规范人体中儿茶素类生物标记物的备样和检测方法,并可尝试寻找在生物体内比较稳定的、更能反映绿茶及其提取物摄入水平的新型生物标记物。     

Growth and yield of bell pepper as influenced by growing environment,mulch, and planting date

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.) production is often constrained by prevailing sub-optimal temperature conditions. The treatments that enhance earliness and extend availability period may substantially increase value of the crop. This two-year study (2010–11 and 2011–12) was conducted to investigate the comparative effect of two growing environments (open field vs. polyhouse), three planting dates (15 October, 30 October, and 15 November), and four mulch treatments (black polythene, clear polythene, paddy straw, and no-mulch) on growth and yield of bell pepper. The highest fruit number, fruit weight, early yield, marketable yield, and total yield were obtained when the crop was planted in the polyhouse on 30 October under black polythene mulch. Thus, the use of polyhouse and black plastic mulch, when combined with appropriate planting date, improves early and total yields of bell pepper in areas where the production is constrained by sub-optimal temperature conditions.     

Introgression of a gene restoring fertility to CMS (Trachystoma) Brassica juncea and the genetics of restoration

A dominant gene restoring fertility to a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line of Brassica juncea was derived from the somatic hybrid Trachystoma ballii+B. juncea. Its introgression resulted from forced pairing between chromosomes of the cultivar ‘Pusa Bold’ and chromosomes of the fusion hybrid. Segregation ratios of this fertility restorer gene followed a monogenic pattern. The introgression of the fertility restorer gene did not cause any abnormalities, such as reduced fertility; pollen and seed fertilities of the restored plants were over 90%. Restored fertile and CMS plants exhibited similar Southern hybridization patterns when probed with the mitochondrial probe atp6.     

Role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the regulation of reproduction: study based on catfish model

Significance of NPY in the regulation of GnRH–LH axis was evaluated. Considerable NPY immunoreactivity was seen in the components like olfactory system, basal telencephalon, preoptic and tuberal areas, and the pituitary gland that serve as neuroanatomical substrates for processing reproductive information. Close anatomical association as well as colocalizations of NPY and GnRH were seen in the olfactory receptor neurons, olfactory nerve fibers and their terminals in the glomeruli, ganglion cells of nervus terminalis, medial olfactory tracts, fibers in the ventral telencephalon and pituitary. In the pituitary, NPY fibers seem to innervate the GnRH as well as LH cells. Intracranial administration of NPY resulted in significant increase in the GnRH immunoreactivity in all the components of the olfactory system. In the pituitary, NPY augmented the population of GnRH fibers and LH cells. HPLC analysis showed that salmon GnRH content in the olfactory organ, bulb, preoptic area+telencephalon and pituitary was also significantly increased following NPY treatment. NPY may play a role in positive regulation of GnRH throughout the neuraxis and also up-regulate the LH cells in the pituitary.