Isolation and characteristics of eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci from the genome of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Here we characterized eight novel polymorphic SSR markers, developed from an enriched genomic library of garlic (Allium sativum L.). These SSRs produced a total of 64 alleles across 90 garlic accessions, with an average of 8 alleles per locus. Values for observed (H_O) and expected (H_E) heterozygosity ranged from 0.16 to 0.77 (mean = 0.44) and from 0.22 to 0.86 (mean = 0.65), respectively. Six loci deviated significantly (P < 0.05) from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The averages of gene diversity and PIC values were 0.65 and 0.62, respectively. The mean genetic similarity coefficient was 0.4380, indicating that among garlic accessions existed wide genetic variation. Based on 64 alleles obtained by 8 SSRs, a phenogram was constructed to understand the relationships among the 90 accessions. These newly developed SSRs should prove very useful tools for genotypes identification, assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in garlic.     

Isolation and characterization of 28 polymorphic SSR loci from castor bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ricinus communis</Emphasis> L.)

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is cultivated for seed oil throughout tropical and subtropical regions but the understanding of its genetic variability is limited. Because applicable microsatellite markers are not sufficient, we isolated and characterized polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci acquired from a microsatellite-enriched genomic DNA library of castor bean. Finally, 28 SSR loci revealed polymorphisms in a castor bean collection consisting of 72 accessions. A total of 73 alleles were detected, with an average of 3.18 alleles per locus, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.03 to 0.47 (mean = 0.26). Values for observed (H_O) and expected (H_E) heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.19 (mean = 0.11) and from 0.04 to 0.54 (mean = 0.31), respectively. To understand genetic relationships within the castor bean collection, a dendrogram was constructed based on profiles of the 28 SSR loci. These newly developed SSRs will be useful tools for assessing genetic diversity and population structure in castor bean.     

Bee venom reduces burn-induced pain via the suppression of peripheral and central substance P expression in mice

BackgroundScalding burn injuries can occur in everyday life but occur more frequently in young children. Therefore, it is important to develop more effective burn treatments.ObjectivesThis study examined the effects of bee venom (BV) stimulation on scalding burn injury-induced nociception in mice as a new treatment for burn pain.MethodsTo develop a burn injury model, the right hind paw was immersed temporarily in hot water (65°C, 3 seconds). Immediately after the burn, BV (0.01, 0.02, or 0.1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously into the ipsilateral knee area once daily for 14 days. A von Frey test was performed to assess the nociceptive response, and the altered walking parameters were evaluated using an automated gait analysis system. In addition, the peripheral and central expression changes in substance P (Sub P) were measured in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord by immunofluorescence.ResultsRepeated BV treatment at the 2 higher doses used in this study (0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg) alleviated the pain responses remarkably and recovered the gait performances to the level of acetaminophen (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, once daily), which used as the positive control group. Moreover, BV stimulation had an inhibitory effect on the increased expression of Sub P in the peripheral and central nervous systems by a burn injury.ConclusionsThese results suggest that a peripheral BV treatment may have positive potency in treating burn-induced pain.     

Cross-amplification of SSR markers developed from Allium sativum to other Allium species

For genetic analysis of the genus Allium, which is composed of diverse species, we acquired 50 transferable and polymorphic microsatellite markers from A. sativum and tested them for transferability in five Allium species. Among the 50 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, the dinucleotide motif was the most prevalent, with a ratio of 50% (25/50), and (GT)n was more frequent than (GA)n within the dinucleotide motif. The average number of amplified alleles ranged from 1.452 to 1.910 and the accessions of A. tuberosum had a maximum of 4.8 alleles per accession with the GB-AS-104 SSR marker. Whereas A. porrum belonging to the Allium section revealed 73.0% transferability, A. altaicum and A. fistulosum appertaining to different sections showed low transferability, with a ratio of 47.6% and 48.0%, respectively. The phylogenetic results for these SSR markers did not deviate from previous classifications of the genus Allium. As the rate of successful amplification of SSR markers generally correlates with genetic distance, these SSR markers are potentially useful in the analysis of genetic relationships between or within Allium species.