bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of a genetic linkage map in celery using DNA-based markers
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Quiros Carlos F.
Published: April 2011

A F2population of two celery cultivated types (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum and A. graveolens L. var. secalinum) was used to construct a linkage map consisting of 29 RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), 100 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA), four isozyme, one disease resistance, and one growth habit markers. The map contains 11 major groups and 9 small groups and has a total length of 803 cM with an average distance of 6.4 cM between two adjacent loci. Ten percent of the RAPDs segregated as codominant markers and their allelic homologies were tested by Southern hybridization. One-quarter of the dominant RAPDs were linked in repulsion phase, whereas the majority of them were linked to either codominant or dominant markers in coupling phase. About 10% of the markers showed significant segregation distortion. The detectable level of duplications in the celery genome was relatively low.Key words: Apium graveolens, RFLP, RAPD, linkage map.
Construction of an intraspecific integrated linkage map of pepper using molecular markers and doubled-haploid progenies
Authors: Lefebvre Véronique , Palloix Alain , Caranta Carole , Pochard Edmond
Published: April 2011

An integrated molecular linkage map of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), including mainly RFLP and RAPD markers, has been constructed by alignment of three intraspecific linkage maps generated by segregating doubled-haploid progenies. A total of 85 markers covered approximately 820 cM in 14 linkage groups. Four linkage groups were assigned to 4 chromosomes. Two new genes of agronomic interest were located: L controlling hypersensitive resistance to TMV and up controlling the erect habit of the fruits. The C gene controlling the fruit pungency was more precisely located. This map is estimated to represent from 36 to 59% of the total pepper genome. An examination of segregation data has revealed several genomic regions with aberrant segregation ratios often favouring the agronomic big-fruited parents, particularly in crosses involving the exotic parent CM334, suggesting that these genome regions are subjected to selection during the process of doubled-haploid production. The suitability of doubled-haploid progenies for mapping projects and the differences observed between this intraspecific integrated map with earlier published interspecific pepper maps are discussed.Key words: Capsicum annuum, RFLP, RAPD, integrated linkage map, doubled-haploid progenies.
Spontaneous structural rearrangements in Solanum phureja Juz. et Buk. 2. Meiotic behaviour and identification of interchange chromosomes using primary trisomics
Authors: Wagenvoort M.
Published: April 2011

Meiosis was studied in two diploid (2n = 2x = 24) siblings of Solanum phureja Juz. et Buk. and in 11 disomic and 2 trisomic descendants. The diploid siblings carry the same heterozygous interchange and either one or two inversions. The frequency of quadrivalents at diakinesis/metaphase I in these clones was 0.56 and 0.62 per pollen mother cell. In two plants from the first inbred generation (I1) this frequency was about the same but in some other I1plants and a full sib the frequency was substantially lower, varying from 0.00 to 0.16. Most quadrivalents, 78–83%, were rings. A variety of quadrivalent configurations at diakinesis and metaphase I was observed, giving rise to balanced and unbalanced gametes. The absence of ring quadrivalents in trisomic descendants of one of the siblings implied that tertiary trisomics or primaries being homozygous for the interchange were present in the I1generation. Regular chromosome distribution (12–12) at anaphase I occurred in 46.5 and 73.2% of the pollen mother cells studied in the two original clones. Irregularities, such as 11–13 distribution, lagging chromosomes, and a bridge and fragment, were detected on average in 2.7, 3.3, and 32.5%, respectively, of the anaphase I cells analysed. In hybrids from crosses between 6 primary trisomics as females with the interchange heterozygote, the involvement in the interchange of chromosomes 3 and 12 was clearly demonstrated.Key words: Solanum phureja, interchange heterozygote, chromosome identification, interchange trisomic, meiosis.
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in polymerase chain reaction amplified ribosomal DNAs of threeTrichogramma(Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) species
Authors: Sappal Navtej Pal , Jeng Robert S. , Hubbes Martin , Liu Fuhua
Published: April 2011

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms from PCR amplified ribosomal DNAs of three Trichogramma species, T. minutum, T. brassicae, and T. near sibiricum, were studied. Length variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was observed. The ITS region of T. brassicae is about 1350 base pairs (bp) in length and those of T. minutum and T. near sibiricum are 1300 bp. These three species also differ in the size of their ITS1 and ITS2 regions. Restriction enzyme digestions of these regions showed unique banding patterns for each species. The amplified 18S region of ribosomal DNA is about 1800 bp in length and showed no length variation between the three species of Trichogramma. Restriction enzyme digestion of this region by BamHI differentiated T. brassicae from the other two species. Restriction site maps of the ITS and 18S regions were constructed for each species. The amplified 28S region is about 1700 bp for these three species. Restriction of this region by RsaI and SacII differentiates these three species. The reported results indicate that these species of Trichogramma can be clearly differentiated from one another by nuclear ribosomal DNA markers.Key words: rDNA, Trichogramma, PCR.
Identification of fat-cell enhancer activity inDrosophila melanogasterusing P-element enhancer traps
Authors: Hoshizaki Deborah Keiko , Lunz Rayna , Johnson Wade , Ghosh Mita
Published: April 2011

To identify genes important in fat-cell metabolism and development, we have screened Drosophila stocks carrying an engineered transposable element that can reveal the presence of nearby enhancer elements. We have identified those "enhancer-trap lines" that contain transposable P elements integrated near fat-cell specific enhancer elements. We anticipate that the genes associated with these enhancers will provide information concerning fat-cell function and serve as target genes for studying fat-cell specific gene expression. Furthermore, the identification of enhancer-trap lines active in the developing fat cell should provide an entry point into the molecular and genetic analysis of early fat-cell development. Analysis of two lines has revealed that the transcription factors svp, a steroid-hormone receptor, and Kr, a zinc-finger protein, are present in the fat body; these factors are likely to be involved in fat-cell gene expression. In two other lines, β-galactosidase was detected in a subset of adepithelial cells that may be the precursors to the adult fat cell. And finally, in a single line transgene activity is present in the progenitor cells of the embryonic fat body. The genes associated with these enhancer-trap lines may be involved in fat-cell development.Key words: adepithelial cells, precursor fat cells, enhancers, mesoderm, differentiation.
Chromosomal distribution of a repeated DNA sequence from C-genome heterochromatin and the identification of a new ribosomal DNA locus in the Avena genus
Authors: Fominaya Araceli , Hueros Gregorio , Loarce Yolanda , Ferrer Esther
Published: April 2011

Satellite DNA specific to the oat C genome was sequenced and located on chromosomes of diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid Avena ssp. using in situ hybridization. The sequence was present on all seven C genome chromosome pairs and hybridized to the entire length of each chromosome, with the exception of the terminal segments of some chromosome pairs. Three chromosome pairs belonging to the A genome showed hybridization signals near the telomeres of their long arms. The existence of intergenomic chromosome rearrangements and the deletions of the repeated units are deduced from these observations. The number of rDNA loci (18S–5.8S–26S rDNA) was determined for the tetraploid and hexaploid oat species. Simultaneous in situ hybridization with the satellite and rDNA probes was used to assign the SAT chromosomes of these species to their correct genomes.Key words: oats, satellite DNA, rDNA, in situ hybridization, genome evolution.
Differentiation between wheat chromosomes 4B and 4D
Authors: Dvořák Jan , Dubcovsky Jorge , Luo Ming-Cheng , Devos Katrien M. , Gale Michael D.
Published: April 2011

A linkage map based on homoeologous recombination, induced by the absence of the Ph1 locus, between chromosome 4D of Triticum aestivum L. (genomes AABBDD) and chromosome 4B of T. turgidum L. (genomes AABB) was compared with a linkage map of chromosome 4Amof T. monococcum L. and a consensus map of chromosomes 4B and 4D of T. aestivum based on homologous recombination. The 4D/4B homoeologous map was only one-third the length of the homologous maps and all intervals were reduced relative to the 4B–4D consensus map. After the homoeologous map was corrected for this overall reduction in recombination, the distribution of recombination in the short arm was similar in both types of maps. In the long arm, homoeologous recombination declined disproportionally in the distal to proximal direction. This gradient was shown to be largely caused by severe segregation distortion reflecting selection against 4D genetic material. The segregation distortion had a maximum that coincided with the centromere and likely had a polygenic cause. Chromosomes 4D and 4B were colinear and recombination between them occurred in almost all intervals where homologous recombination occurred. These findings suggest that these chromosomes are not differentiated structurally and that the differentiation is not segmental. In the presence of Ph1, metaphase I chromosome pairing between chromosomes composed of homologous and differentiated regions correlated with the lengths of the homologous regions. No compensatory allocation of crossovers into the homologous regions was detected. In this respect, the present results are in dramatic contrast with the crossover allocation into the pseudoautosomal region in the mammalian male meiosis.Key words: homoeology, recombination, segregation distortion, chromosome pairing, RFLP, pseudoautosomal region.
Analysis of the sex chromosomes of the Mediterranean fruit fly by microdissected DNA probes
Authors: Willhoeft Ute , Mueller-Navia Jutta , Franz Gerald
Published: April 2011

In the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, the sex-determining region maps to the long arm of the Y chromosome. DNA from this region of the Y chromosome and, for comparison, from the tip of the long arm of the X chromosome, was isolated by microdissection and amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide primer PCR (DOP-PCR). FISH of the Y-chromosomal microdissection products medY1-medY5 to mitotic chromosomes revealed hybridization signals on most of the long arm of the Y chromosome, including the male-determining region, and on the long arm of the X chromosome, as well as weaker signals on the autosomes, some of which were located in the heterochromatin next to the centromeres. The X-chromosomal microdissected probe medX1 revealed strong signals on the sex chromosomes and randomly distributed signals on the autosomes. Chromosomal in situ suppression hybridization indicates that the Y chromosome contains considerable amounts of Y-enriched and Y-specific sequences and that X-enriched sequences are present on the long arm of the X chromosome. The microdissected probes medY1, medY2, and medX1 hybridize to the sex chromosomes of two closely related species,Ceratitis rosa and Trirhithrum coffeae.
Recovery of a marked translocation strain that will facilitate the isolation of balancer chromosomes in the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Gubb D , Zacharopoulou A , Livadaras Y , Gourzi P , Roote J , Savakis C
Published: April 2011

The results of two screens for mutations and chromosomal aberrations in Ceratitis capitata are presented. Three dominant mutations were recovered, including Sb, which is associated with a homozygous lethal translocation between the third and fifth chromosomes, T(3;5)Sb, with the fifth chromosome breakpoint adjacent to y. The T(3;5)Sb chromosome is maintained by selecting for Sb in a T(3;5)Sb, w2Sb y2wp/ w2y2wp stock and can be used to distinguish between other chromosomes carrying differential combinations of the recessive markers w2y2wp. The ability to isolate particular marked chromosomes is essential in order to recover an inversion-based balancer chromosome. In addition to the recovery of dominant mutations, gamma -ray induced somatic mosaics of w2and y2and zygotic w mosaics were found. The generation of zygotic mosaics following mutagenesis can give mutants with a mosaic germ line that fail to breed true in the first generation. A screen of 22 830 irradiated chromosomes failed to recover variegating alleles of w, although such alleles might be recovered in a larger screen. The high frequency of dominant mutations and the instability at the w locus in our stocks implies a background level of dysgenic activity. These results have implications for the construction and long-term maintenance of genetically modified strains.Key words: dominantly marked translocation, somatic mosaic, variegation, medfly.
Comparative mapping of the two wheat leaf rust resistance lociLr1andLr10in rice and barley
Authors: Gallego Francesca , Feuillet Catherine , Messmer Monika , Penger Anja , Graner Andreas , Yano Masahiro , Sasaki Takuji , Keller Beat
Published: April 2011

The wheat genome is large, hexaploid, and contains a high amount of repetitive sequences. In order to isolate agronomically important genes from wheat by map-based cloning, a simpler model of the genome must be used for identifying candidate genes. The objective of this study was to comparatively map the genomic regions of two wheat leaf rust disease resistance loci, Lr1 and Lr10, in the putative model genomes of rice and barley. Two probes cosegregating with the Lr1 gene on chromosome 5DL of wheat were studied. The rice sequences corresponding to the two probes were isolated and mapped. The two probes mapped to two different rice chromosomes, indicating that the organization of the region orthologous to Lr1 is different in rice and wheat. In contrast, synteny was conserved between wheat and barley in this chromosomal region. The Lrk10 gene cosegregated with Lr10 on chromosome 1AS in wheat. The rice gene corresponding to Lrk10 was mapped on rice chromosome 1, where it occurred in many copies. This region on rice chromosome 1 corresponds to the distal part of the group 3S chromosomes in Triticeae. The synteny is conserved between rice chromosome 1 and the Triticeae group 3S chromosomes up to the telomere of the chromosomes. On group 3S chromosomes, we found a gene that is partially homologous to Lrk10. We conclude that in the genomic regions studied, there is limited and only partially useful synteny between wheat and rice. Therefore, barley should also be considered as a model genome for isolating the Lr1 and Lr10 genes from wheat.Key words: barley, comparative mapping, leaf rust, resistance genes, rice, synteny, wheat.
A rapid means of identifying wild rice species DNA using dot blots and genome-specific rDNA probes
Authors: McIntyre C L , Winberg B C
Published: April 2011

Intergenic spacer fragments from the rDNA repeat unit were isolated from a single accession of each of 9 species that cover the range of genomes found in the Oryza genus (A-F). Seven of the 9 species contained 1 size class of rDNA repeat unit only, while Oryza sativa and Oryza latifolia contained 3 and 2 size classes, respectively, of which fragments were cloned for the major size class only. Oryza australiensis contained an additional BamHI site in the intergenic spacer. Dot blots were prepared and hybridised with a repeat unit from each species. Under high stringency conditions, all probes were specific to species possessing the same genome or genomes.Key words: rDNA, rice, genome-specific, dot blots.
Self-amplification of satellite DNA in vitro
Authors: Buntjer J B , Lenstra J A
Published: April 2011

We describe a PCR-like reaction in which genomic DNA acts as a template as well as a primer. Interaction between genomic tandem repeat units leads to self-amplification of satellite DNA. This genomic self-priming PCR (GSP-PCR) allowed the rapid amplification of species-specific tandem repeats of horse, cattle, dolphin, and chicken. A novel specific satellite of ostrich with a repeat unit of 60 bp was isolated using this method.Key words: satellite DNA, amplification, isolation, species-specific probes.
Genomic organization, sequence interrelationship, and physical localization using in situ hybridization of two tandemly repeated DNA sequences in the genus Olea
Authors: Katsiotis Andreas , Hagidimitriou Marianna , Douka Alexandra , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis
Published: April 2011

Two tandemly repeated DNA sequences, the 81-bp family and pOS218, have been isolated from a Sau3AI Olea europaea ssp. sativa partial genomic library. Sequencing of the 81-bp element showed the monomer to be between 78 and 84 bases long and to contain 51-58% adenine and thymidine residues. Comparison between the monomers revealed heterogeneity of the sequence primary structure. The clone pOS218 is 218 bases long, and sequence comparison between the two elements revealed that an internal region of the pOS218 repeated DNA sequence had 79% homology to the 81 bp repeat sequence. A breakage-reunion mechanism, involving the CAAAA sequence, could be responsible for the derivation of pOS218 from the 81 bp family element. By using double target in situ hybridization, co-localization of the two sequences on Olea chromosomes was observed. The sequences were present at DAPI stained heterochromatic regions, as major or minor sites having a subtelomeric or interstitial location. Methylation studies using two sets of isoschizomers, Sau3AI-MboI and MspI-HpaII, demonstrated that most cytosine residues in the GATC sites and the internal cytosine in the CCGG sites of both elements were methylated in O. europaea ssp. sativa. No major difference in methylation was apparent between DNA extracted from young leaves or from callus of O. europaea ssp.sativa. Both elements are also present in Olea chrysophylla, Olea oleaster, and Olea africana, but are absent from other Oleaceae genera, including Phillyrea, Forsythia, Ligustrum, Parasyringa, and Jasminum.Key words: in situ hybridization, methylation, Oleaceae, phylogenetic relationships, repeated sequences.
Comparison of chromosome BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa banding patterns of the A1and (AD)2genomes of cotton
Authors: Muravenko Olga V , Fedotov Alexander R , Punina Elizabeth O , Fedorova Ludmila I , Grif Valerii G , Zelenin Alexander V
Published: April 2011

The karyotypes of diploid cotton, Gossypium herbaceum L. var. africanum (Watt) Mauer, and tetraploid cotton, Gossypium barbadense L., were studied by BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa banding, using a specially developed image-analysis system. The patterns obtained are represented by the slightly and intensively stained bands that correspond, respectively, to the early replicating DNA and the DNA replicating in the mid and late S period. The number of main Giemsa-positive bands varies from 2 to 9 per chromosome. The banding patterns of all homologous pairs are specific in both the A1and (AD)2genomes. This made possible the complete classification of the chromosomes. Based on the similarity of the BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa banding patterns and the sizes of the chromosomes in the A1and (AD)2genomes, we divided the (AD)2genome into Aband Dbsubgenomes and classified their chromosomes according to the A1genome chromosome classification. The BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa banding pattern of the Dbsubgenome is basically similar to that of the A1genome and Absubgenome, but the differences between it and the banding patterns of the A1genome and Absubgenome are more significant than the differences between the latter two genomes. The similarity of the intragenomic banding patterns between nonhomologous chromosomes a and b, c and g, d and e, f and j, h and i, and l and m was revealed. Based on our results, we suggest that the ancestral cotton genome contained 7 homologous pairs of chromosomes. The results prove the feasibility of image-analysis techniques for identification and quantitative analysis of chromosomes, especially with regard to small-chromosome species.Key words: cotton, A1and (AD)2genomes, chromosome identification, BrdU-Hoechst-Giemsa banding, image analysis.
Chromosomal location and expression of a herbicide safener-regulated glutathioneS-transferase gene inTriticum aestivumand linkage relations inHordeum vulgare
Authors: Riechers Dean E , Kleinhofs Andris , Irzyk Gerard P , Jones Stephen S
Published: April 2011

The chomosomal location of a glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene was determined in both hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). The GST cDNA used to map the gene was cloned from the diploid wheat Triticum tauschii. GST loci were located on the short arms of chromosomes 6A, 6B, and 6D in T. aestivum and also on the short arm of chromosome 6H in H. vulgare. The GST locus in barley was absolutely linked to the RFLP marker E148A and was located 0.8 cM proximal to the RFLP marker ABC169B on barley chromosome 6H. At least two copies of the GST gene were present in each of the T. aestivum A, B, and D genomes, and a homologous GST gene was present as a single-copy gene in the barley genome. GST mRNA transcripts were not detected in RNA isolated from shoots of control (unsafened) seedlings of T. tauschii or T. aestivum. It was determined that the expression of the GST gene was regulated by herbicide safener treatment in T. tauschii and T. aestivum by detecting safener-increased GST mRNA transcript levels.Key words: Triticum aestivum, Triticum tauschii, Hordeum vulgare, herbicide safener, glutathione S-transferase, genetic mapping.
The 5S rRNA gene in sea barley (Hordeum marinum Hudson sensu lato): sequence variation among repeat units and relationship to the X haplome in barley (Hordeum)
Authors: Baum Bernard R , Johnson Douglas A
Published: April 2011

We have investigated the molecular diversity of the 5S rDNA units in sea barley, comprising Hordeum marinum and Hordeum geniculatum. Although we were unable to detect "short" units after screening of 639 clones, we found two unit classes, one 602-607 bp long and the other 507-512 bp long. We classify the shortest unit class of the two as belonging to the "long H1" unit class, identified in previous papers. The longest unit class is not similar to any unit class so far identified, and is therefore unique. It was coined by us as the "long X1," to reflect the X haplome. We present a summary of all the unit classes so far described in Hordeum. We carried out a cladistic analysis, based on the "long H1" (orthologous) sequences, that included H. vulgare, H. spontaneum, H. bulbosum, H. marinum, H. geniculatum, and H. bogdanii. As a result, the first three grouped in one clade, and the other three in the other clade, with the latter clade being more isolated. These results reflect current knowledge of relationships based on morphology, cytology, and genome analysis. Furthermore, the sequences from the 5S unit classes may be potentially useful as DNA probes for genomic identification and genetic transfer in the Triticeae.Key words: 5S rDNA, genomes, X haplome, sea barley, Triticeae.
Mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr3 on chromosome 6B of Sinvalocho MA wheat
Authors: Sacco F , Suárez E Y , Naranjo T
Published: April 2011

The Lr3 gene for resistance to race 66 of Puccinia recondita present in hexaploid wheat cv. Sinvalocho MA was mapped on chromosome 6B, using intervarietal polymorphic RFLP loci and the Amp-B1 isozyme gene as a centromere marker. The RFLP markers were located mainly in two subregions of chromosome 6BL. Six RFLP loci clustered in the centromeric region and one other, Xmwg798, cosegregated with the Lr3 gene. C-banding analysis of the leaf rust resistant standard 'Sinvalocho MA' line and three naturally occurring susceptible lines of 'Sinvalocho MA' revealed a terminal deletion on 6BL that covered 20% of its length in one susceptible line. Because Xmwg798 was missing in this line, both Xmwg798 and Lr3 were allocated to the deleted segment. Distorted segregations were observed for the proximal markers, suggesting a selection against gametes carrying the centromeric region of 'Sinvalocho MA'.Key words: wheat, RFLP, Lr3 gene, chromosome 6B, C-banding.
Chromosomal structural rearrangement of Paeonia brownii and P. californica revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Zhang Daming , Sang Tao
Published: April 2011

Chromosomal structural rearrangement in Paeonia brownii and P. californica (2n = 10) was studied by in situ hybridization using 18S rDNA probes. Six major rDNA sites were detected in mitotic cells of P. californica; six major and two minor rDNA sites were found in P. brownii. Two cytotypes (A and B), with different chromosomal morphology and (or) rDNA locations, were observed in the population of P. californica. Cytotype A, with rDNA sites only on the short arms of chromosomes, was considered to be the normal cytotype. Both translocation and pericentric inversion may have occurred to give rise to cytotype B, in which one homolog of chromosome 4 has rDNA sites on both arms while its homolog has no rDNA sites; one homolog of chromosome 3 has a rDNA site on the long arm. Two rearranged cytotypes, C and D, were observed in the population of P. brownii. Given that the normal cytotype of P. brownii is most likely to have six major rDNA sites on the short arms of chromosomes 3, 4, and 5, and two minor sites on the short arms of chromosome 2, cytotype C may have resulted from a translocation between the short arm of one homolog of chromosome 2 and the long arm of one homolog of chromosome 4, and cytotype D may have resulted from a translocation between the short arm of one homolog of chromosome 3 and the long arm of one homolog of chromosome 4. These results supported previous observations, based on meiotic configurations, that chromosomal structural rearrangement occurred frequently in P. brownii and P. californica.Key words: chromosomal structural rearrangement, in situ hybridization, rDNA, translocation, pericentric inversion, Paeonia.
Detection of a variable number of 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal DNA loci by fluorescent in situ hybridization in diploid and tetraploid Arachis species
Authors: Raina S N , Mukai Y
Published: April 2011

In order to obtain new information on the genome organization of Arachis ribosomal DNA, more particularly among A. hypogaea and its close relatives, the distribution of the 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene families on the chromosomes of 21 diploid and tetraploid Arachis species, selected from six of nine taxonomic sections, was analyzed by in situ hybridization with pTa71 (18S-5.8S-26S rDNA) and pTa794 (5S rDNA) clones. Two major 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci with intense signals were found in the nucleolus organizer regions (NOR) of each of the diploid and tetraploid species. In addition to extended signals at major NORs, two to six medium and (or) minute-sized signals were also observed. Variability in the number, size, and location of 18S-5.8S-26S sites could generally distinguish species within the same genome as well as between species with different genomes. The use of double fluorescence in situ hybridization enabled us to locate the positions of 5S rRNA genes in relation to the chromosomal location of 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes in Arachis chromosomes which were difficult to karyotype. Two or four 5S rDNA loci and 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA loci were generally located on different chromosomes. The tandemly repeated 5S rDNA sites were diagnostic for T and C genomes. In one species, each of B and Am genomes, the two ribosomal gene families were observed to occur at the same locus. Barring A. ipaensis and A. valida, all the diploid species had characteristic centromeric bands in all the 20 chromosomes. In tetraploid species A. hypogaea and A. monticola only 20 out of 40 chromosomes showed centromeric bands. Comparative studies of distribution of the two ribosomal gene families, and occurrence of centromeric bands in only 20 chromosomes of the tetraploid species suggests that A. villosa and A. ipaensis are the diploid progenitors of A. hypogaea and A. monticola. This study excludes A. batizocoi as the B genome donor species for A. hypogaea and A. monticola.Key words: Arachis species, 5S rRNA, 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA, in situ hybridization, evolution.
Genetic analysis of tolerance to maize streak virus in maize
Authors: Kyetere D T , Ming R , McMullen M D , Pratt R C , Brewbaker J , Musket T
Published: April 2011

Maize streak, incited by maize streak geminivirus (MSV), is a major disease limiting maize (Zea mays L.) production over widespread areas of Africa. To understand the genetic basis of tolerance to MSV, recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of the MSV tolerant inbred Tzi4 with the MSV susceptible inbred Hi34, were evaluated for MSV tolerance. Experiments were conducted using controlled leafhopper (Cicadulina spp.) infestation in one glasshouse experiment at Namulonge, Uganda, and two field experiments at Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo, Harare, Zimbabwe. Eighty-seven RILs were genotyped at 82 loci by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The association between genotype at RFLP marker loci and MSV tolerance was determined using single-factor analysis of variance (SFAOV), multiple regression, and interval mapping procedures. There was a significant association of MSV tolerance with RFLP markers on the short arm of chromosome 1. By SFAOV, the portion of the phenotypic variance explained by genotype class (R2) for the association between npi262 and the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) measure of MSV tolerance was as high as 76% in field experiments. Interval mapping analyses (Knapp and Bridges 1990; Nelson 1997) identified the chromosome region bracketed by bnl12.06a and npi262 as explaining the largest proportion of the variation in MSV tolerance. After classification of symptom responses from the final field ratings into resistant and susceptible classes, qualitative analysis of data fit a chi-square test to a 1:1 Mendelian ratio, further indicating presence of a single major gene. Multipoint linkage analysis placed this gene, designated msv1, at a genetic distance of 3 cM distal to npi262. Identification of the tightly linked molecular marker locus npi262 should greatly aid ongoing conversion of susceptible African varieties to maize streak resistance.Key words: Zea mays L., Cicadulina spp., host resistance, gene mapping, molecular markers.
Genome in toto
Authors: Vinogradov Alexander E
Published: April 2011

At a certain temperature, which is a compromise for temperatures at which the species are adapted, the relationship between genome size and cell cycle duration during synchronous cleavage divisions can be very strong (r = 1.00, P < 0.01) in four closely related frogs, suggesting a functional dependence.Key words: genome size, genome evolution, genome cytoecology, noncoding DNA, cell cycle duration.
Comparative genetic mapping of allotetraploid cotton and its diploid progenitors
Authors: Brubaker C L , Paterson A H , Wendel J F
Published: April 2011

Allotetraploid cotton species (Gossypium) belong to a 1-2 million year old lineage that reunited diploid genomes that diverged from each other 5-10 million years ago. To characterize genome evolution in the diploids and allotetraploids, comparative RFLP mapping was used to construct genetic maps for the allotetraploids (AD genome; n = 26) and diploids (A and D genomes; n = 13). Comparisons among the 13 suites of homoeologous linkage groups permitted comparisons of synteny and gene order. Two reciprocal translocations were confirmed involving four allotetraploid At genome chromosomes, as was a translocation between the two extant A genome diploids. Nineteen locus order differences were detected among the two diploid and two allotetraploid genomes. Conservation of colinear linkage groups among the four genomes indicates that allopolyploidy in Gossypium was not accompanied by extensive chromosomal rearrangement. Many inversions include duplicated loci, suggesting that the processes that gave rise to inversions are not fully conservative. Allotetraploid At and Dt genomes and the A and D diploid genomes are recombinationally equivalent despite a nearly two-fold difference in physical size. Polyploidization in Gossypium is associated with enhanced recombination, as genetic lengths for allotetraploid genomes are over 50% greater than those of their diploid counterparts.Key words: restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), Gossypium, evolution, polyploidy.
AFLP assessment of genetic variability in cassava accessions (Manihot esculenta) resistant and susceptible to the cassava bacterial blight (CBB)
Authors: Sanchez Gilda , Restrepo Silvia , Duque Myriam-Cristina , Fregene Martin , Bonierbale Merideth , Verdier Valérie
Published: April 2011

Cassava bacterial blight (CBB) is caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). Resistance is found in Manihot esculenta and, in addition, has been introgressed from a wild relative, M. glaziovii. The resistance is thought to be polygenic and additively inherited. Ninety-three varieties of M. esculenta (Crantz) were assessed by AFLPs for genetic diversity and for resistance to CBB. AFLP analysis was performed using two primer combinations and a 79.2% level of polymorphism was found. The phenogram obtained showed between 74% and 96% genetic similarity among all cassava accessions analysed. The analysis permitted the unique identification of each individual. Two Xam strains were used for resistance screening. Variation in the reaction of cassava varieties to Xam strains was observed for all plant accessions. The correlation of resistance to both strains, had a coefficient of 0.53, suggesting the independence of resistance to each strain. Multiple correspondence analysis showed a random distribution of the resistance/susceptibility response with respect to overall genetic diversity as measured by AFLP analysis. A total heterozygosity index was calculated to determine the diversity within clusters as well as among them. Our results demonstrate that resistance to CBB is broadly distributed in cassava germplasm and that AFLP analysis is an effective and efficient means of providing quantitative estimates of genetic similarities among cassava accessions.Key words: amplified fragment length polymorphism, genetic base, resistance screening, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis.
Diversity among Cynodon accessions and taxa based on DNA amplification fingerprinting
Authors: Assefa S , Taliaferro C M , Anderson M P , de los Reyes B G , Edwards R M
Published: April 2011

The genus Cynodon (Gramineae), comprised of 9 species, is geographically widely distributed and genetically diverse. Information on the amounts of molecular genetic variation among and within Cynodon taxa is needed to enhance understanding of phylogenetic relations and facilitate germplasm management and breeding improvement efforts. Genetic relatedness among 62 Cynodon accessions, representing eight species, was assessed using DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF). Ten 8-mer oligonucleotides were used to amplify specific Cynodon genomic sequences. The DNA amplification products of individual accessions were scored for presence (1) or absence (0) of bands. Similarity matrices were developed and the accessions were grouped by cluster (UPGMA) and principal coordinate analysis. Analyses were conducted within ploidy level (2x = 18 and 4x = 36) and over ploidy levels. Each primer revealed polymorphic loci among accessions within species. Of 539 loci (bands) scored, 496 (92%) were polymorphic. Cynodon arcuatus was clearly separated from other species by numerous monomorphic bands. The strongest species similarities were between C. aethiopicus and C. arcuatus, C. transvaalensis and C. plectostachyus, and C. incompletus and C. nlemfuensis. Intraspecific variation was least for C. aethiopicus, C. arcuatus, and C. transvaalensis, and greatest for C. dactylon. Accessions of like taxonomic classification were generally clustered, except the cosmopolitan C. dactylon var. dactylon and C. dactylon var.afganicus. Within taxa, accessions differing in chromosome number clustered in all instances indicating the 2x and 4x forms to be closely related. Little, if any, relationship was found between relatedness as indicated by the DAF profiles and previous estimates of hybridization potential between the different taxa.Key words: Cynodon spp., DAF, genetic diversity, cluster analysis.
Molecular genetic mapping of three X-linked avirulence genes,vH6,vH9andvH13, in the Hessian fly
Authors: Schulte S J , Rider, Jr. S D , Hatchett J H , Stuart J J
Published: April 2011

Three X-linked avirulence genes, vH6, vH9, and vH13 in the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, confer avirulence to Hessian fly resistance genes H6, H9, and H13 in wheat. We used a combination of two- and three-point crosses to determine the order of these genes with respect to each other, the white eye mutation and three X-linked molecular markers, G15-1, 020, and 021, developed from genomic lambda clones, λG15-1, λ020, and λ021. The gene order was determined to be vH9-vH6-G15-1-w-vH13-020-021. In situ hybridization of λG15-1, λ020, and λ021, on the polytene chromosomes of the Hessian fly salivary gland established their orientation on Hessian fly chromosome X1. Based on the size of the Hessian fly genome, and the genetic distances between markers, the relationship of physical to genetic distance was estimated at no more than 300 kb/cM along Hessian fly chromosome X1, suggesting that map-based cloning of these avirulence genes will be feasible.Key words: Mayetiola destructor, avirulence genes, genetic map, SSCP, in situ hybridization.
Physical mapping of wheat-Aegilops longissimabreakpoints in mildew-resistant recombinant lines using FISH with highly repeated and low-copy DNA probes
Authors: Biagetti Marco , Vitellozzi Francesca , Ceoloni Carla
Published: April 2011

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with multiple probes, consisting of highly repeated DNA sequences (pSc119.2 and pAs1) and of a low-copy, 3BS-specific RFLP sequence (PSR907), enabled determination of the physical position of the wheat-alien breakpoints (BPs) along the 3BS and 3DS arms of common wheat recombinant lines. These lines harbour 3SlS Aegilops longissima segments containing the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm13. In all 3B recombinants, the wheat-Aegilops longissima physical BPs lie within the interval separating the two most distal of the three pSc119.2 3BS sites. In all such recombinants a telomeric segment, containing the most distal of the pSc119.2 3BS sites, was in fact replaced by a homoeologous Ae. longissima segment, marked by characteristic pSc119.2 hybridization sites. Employment of the PSR907 RFLP probe as a FISH marker allowed to resolve further the critical region in the various 3B recombinant lines. Three of them, like the control common wheat, exhibited between the two most distal pSc119.2 sites a single PSR907 FISH site, which was missing in a fourth recombinant line. The amount of alien chromatin can thus be estimated to represent around 20% of the recombinant arm in the three former lines and a maximum of 27% in the latter. A similar physical length was calculated for the alien segment contained in three 3D recombinants, all characterized by the presence of the Ae. longissima pSc119.2 sites distal to the nearly telomeric pAs1 sites of normal 3DS. Comparison between the FISH-based maps and previously developed RFLP maps of the 3BS-3SlS and 3DS-3SlS arms revealed substantial differences between physical and genetic map positions of the wheat-alien BPs and of molecular markers associated with the critical chromosomal portions.Key words: wheat-alien recombinants, chromosome engineering, fluorescence in situ hybridization, highly repeated and low-copy DNA probes, physical versus genetic maps.
Identification of wheat and tritordeum chromosomes by genomic in situ hybridization using total Hordeum chilense DNA as probe
Authors: González M J , Cabrera A
Published: April 2011

Total genomic Hordeum chilense DNA probe was hybridized to somatic chromosome spreads of Triticum aestivum 'Chinese Spring' and to four advanced tritordeum lines, the latter being the fertile amphiploid between H. chilense and durum wheat (2n = 6x = 42, AABBHchHch). The probe hybridized strongly to the B-genome chromosomes and to one or two bands on the A-genome chromosomes present in both wheat and tritordeum alloploids. Bands on chromosomes 1D, 2D, and 7D from hexaploid wheat were also detected. Genomic H. chilense DNA probe identified 16 chromosome pairs of the chromosome complement of hexaploid wheat and all A- and B-genome chromosomes present in the tritordeum amphiploids. The in situ hybridization patterns observed correspond to those previously reported in wheat by both N-banding and in situ hybridization with the GAA-satellite sequence (Pedersen and Langridge 1997), allowing the identification of these chromosomes. Variation among the tritordeum amphiploids for hybridization sites on chromosomes 2A, 4A, 6A, 7A, 4B, 5B, and 7B was observed. Despite of this polymorphism, all lines shared the general banding pattern. When used as probe, total H. chilense genomic DNA labeled the H. chilense chromosomes over their lengths allowing the identification of 14 H. chilense chromosomes present in the tritordeum amphiploids. In addition, chromosome-specific telomeric, interstial, and centromeric hybridization sites were observed. These hybridization sites coincide with N-banded regions in H. chilense allowing the identification of the individual H. chilense chromosomes in one of the amphiploid. The N-banded karyotypes of H. chilense (accessions H1 and H7) are presented.Key words: Hordeum chilense, Triticum aestivum, chromosome identification, in situ hybridization, N-banding.
Genomic affinities of Zea luxurians, Z. diploperennis, and Z. perennis: Meiotic behavior of their F1 hybrids and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)
Authors: Poggio L , Confalonieri V , Comas C , Gonzalez G , Naranjo C A
Published: April 2011

Since 1987 cytological evidence has arisen in our laboratory, pointing to x = 5 as the original basic chromosome number of maize and its related wild species. This paper deals with the analysis of the meiotic behavior of F1 hybrids Zea luxurians × Z. diploperennis (2n = 20) and Z. luxurians × Z. perennis (2n = 30). In the first hybrid the most frequent configuration was 8ll + 4l and in the latter was 5lll + 5ll + 5l. Applying GISH (genomic in situ hybridization) to mitotic chromosomes of Z. luxurians we found that DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) positive bands located in all telomeric regions of this species did not hybridize with either Z. perennis or Z. diploperennis genomic probe. Therefore, Z. luxurians has a repetitive sequence that can be used in fluorescent staining to identify its chromosomes. When GISH was employed on metaphase I of the 2n = 30 hybrid, all the univalents showed distinctive telomeres of Z. luxurians, while the bivalents did not present any signal. These findings show that the formation of bivalent-univalent configurations is not a random event. The bivalents tend to be spatially separated and are very often observed forming an independent group of 5II. Finally, trivalents were composed by one chromosome labeled in its telomeric regions, and two smaller and unlabeled ones. The use of chromosome markers of Z. luxurians demonstrated to be a good step forward in interpreting the nature of meiotic configurations in 2n = 30 Zea spp. hybrids. They can help to clarify the relationship between genomes and provide a useful addition to the taxonomic classification in the genus Zea.Key Words: Zea hybrids, evolution, cytogenetics, repetitive sequences, heterochromatic knobs.
Green revolution: preparing for the 21st century
Authors: Khush Gurdev S
Published: April 2011

In the 1960s there were large-scale concerns about the world's ability to feed itself. However, widespread adoption of "green revolution" technology led to major increases in food-grain production. Between 1966 and 1990, the population of the densely populated low-income countries grew by 80%, but food production more than doubled. The technological advance that led to the dramatic achievements in world food production over the last 30 years was the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. These varieties are responsive to fertilizer inputs, are lodging resistant, and their yield potential is 2-3 times that of varieties available prior to the green revolution. In addition, these varieties have multiple resistance to diseases and insects and thus have yield stability. The development of irrigation facilities, the availability of inorganic fertilizers, and benign government policies have all facilitated the adoption of green-revolution technology. In the 1990s, the rate of growth in food-grain production has been lower than the rate of growth in population. If this trend is not reversed, serious food shortages will occur in the next century. To meet the challenge of feeding 8 billion people by 2020, we have to prepare now and develop the technology for raising farm productivity. We have to develop cereal cultivars with higher yield potential and greater yield stability. We must also develop strategies for integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, and efficient utilization of water and soil resources.Key words: food security, environmental sustainability, high-yielding varieties, yield potential, yield stability.
Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of theSNF4/AMPKgamma subunit gene fromDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yoshida Erin N , Benkel Bernhard F , Fong Ying , Hickey Donal A
Published: April 2011

To optimize gene expression under different environmental conditions, many organisms have evolved systems which can quickly up- and down-regulate the activity of other genes. Recently, the SNF1 kinase complex from yeast and the AMP-activated protein kinase complex from mammals have been shown to represent homologous metabolic sensors that are key to regulating energy levels under times of metabolic stress. Using heterologous probing, we have cloned the Drosophila melanogaster homologue of SNF4, the noncatalytic effector subunit from this kinase complex. A sequence corresponding to the partial genomic sequence as well as the full-length cDNA was obtained, and shows that the D. melanogaster SNF4 is encoded in a 1944-bp cDNA representing a protein of 648 amino acids (aa). Southern analysis of Drosophila genomic DNA in concert with a survey of mammalian SNF4 ESTs indicates that in metazoans, SNF4 is a duplicated gene, and possibly even a larger gene family. We propose that one gene copy codes for a short (330 aa) protein, whereas the second locus codes for a longer version (<410 aa) that is extended at the carboxy terminus, as typified by the Drosophila homologue presented here. Phylogenetic analysis of yeast, invertebrate, and multiple mammalian isoforms of SNF4 shows that the gene duplication likely occurred early in the metazoan lineage, as the protein products of the different loci are relatively divergent. When the phylogeny was extended beyond the SNF4 gene family, SNF4 shares sequence similarity with other cystathionine-β-synthase domain-containing proteins, including IMP dehydrogenase and a variety of uncharacterized Methanococcus proteins.Key words: SNF4, AMPK gamma subunit, derepression, gene family, phylogeny.