bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolution of polyploid wheats: identification of the A genome donor species
Authors: Dvořák Jan , Terlizzi Pantaleo di , Zhang Hong-Bin , Resta Paolo
Published: May 2008

Cytogenetic work has shown that the tetraploid wheats, Triticum turgidum and T. timopheevii, and the hexaploid wheat T. aestivum have one pair of A genomes, whereas hexaploid T. zhukovskyi has two. Variation in 16 repeated nucleotide sequences was used to identify sources of the A genomes. The A genomes of T. turgidum, T. timopheevii, and T. aestivum were shown to be contributed by T. urartu. Little divergence in the repeated nucleotide sequences was detected in the A genomes of these species from the genome of T. urartu. In T. zhukovskyi one A genome was contributed by T. urartu and the other was contributed by T. monococcum. It is concluded that T. zhukovskyi originated from hybridization of T. timopheevii with T. monococcum. The repeated nucleotide sequence profiles in the A genomes of T. zhukovskyi showed reduced correspondence with those in the genomes of both ancestral species, T. urartu and T. monococcum. This differentiation is attributed to heterogenetic chromosome pairing and segregation among chromosomes of the two A genomes in T. zhukovskyi.Key words: phylogeny, Triticum, Aegilops, repeated nucleotide sequences.
Sequencing of chromosome I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: analysis of a 32 kb region between the LTE1 and SPO7 genes
Authors: Ouellette B. F. Francis , Clark Michael W. , Keng Teresa , Storms Reg K. , Zhong Wuwei , Zeng Bin , Fortin Nathalie , Delaney Shawn , Barton Arnold , Kaback David B. , Bussey Howard
Published: May 2008

The DNA sequencing and preliminary functional analysis of a 32 kb section of yeast chromosome I has been completed. This region lies on the left arm of the chromosome between the LTE1 and SPO7 genes and contains 14 open reading frames (ORFs) positioned closely together, with an average spacing of approximately 350 nucleotides between coding regions. Three of these ORFs correspond to previously identified genes, a further three show significant homology with other proteins, while the remaining eight ORFs share no significant homology to genes in the databases.Key words: chromosome I, genome analysis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yeast.
Genetic relationships and variation in the Stylosanthes guianensis species complex assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA
Authors: Kazan Kemal , Manners John M. , Cameron Don F.
Published: May 2008

Genetic variation in the five taxonomic groups of the Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. complex was investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs). DNA samples from four plants of each of 45 accessions within the S. guianensis species complex were analyzed using 20 oligonucleotides of random sequence. Little variation was found within each of the 18 accessions (1–7% of total RAPD bands in pairwise comparisons) and none within each of the other 27 accessions. However, higher levels of polymorphisms were observed both within (index of genetic distance = 1 − F = 0.16–0.248) and between (1 − F = 0.254–0.408) the five taxa. This level of differentiation at the DNA level supported an earlier classification of the taxa as distinct species. A phenogram based on band sharing was constructed to show genetic relationships among the taxa studied. This phenogram corroborated the description of relationships based on morphological–agronomic characteristics, seed protein patterns, rhizobial affinities, crossability, and pollen stainability of the hybrids. In this phenogram, the most similar species were S. grandiflora and S. hippocampoides (1 − F = 0.264), with S. acuminata also showing closest similarity to these two species (1 − F = 0.277 and 0.283, respectively). Stylosanthes gracilis accessions showed the closest similarity (1 − F = 0.296) to S. guianensis ssp. guianensis accessions. Lowest similarity values (1 − F = 0.335–0.411) were found between these two species and S. grandiflora, S. acuminata, and S. hippocampoides.Key words: polymerase chain reaction, random amplified polymorphic DNA, Stylosanthes guianensis species complex.
Inheritance of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers in an interspecific cross in the genus Stylosanthes
Authors: Kazan Kemal , Manners John M. , Cameron Don F.
Published: May 2008

The inheritance of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers generated via the polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA sequences in an F2 family of an interspecific cross between Stylosanthes hamata and S. scabra was investigated. An initial comparison between the parental species, S. hamata cv. Verano and S. scabra cv. Fitzroy, demonstrated that 34% of detected RAPD bands were polymorphic. Of 90 primers tested, 35 showed relatively simple and reliably scorable polymorphisms and were used for segregation analysis. Sixty F2 individuals were scored for the segregation of 73 RAPD markers and 55 of these markers fit a 3:1 ratio. Segregation of eight other RAPD markers deviated significantly from a 3:1 ratio. There was no bias in the inheritance of RAPD markers regarding parental origin of the segregating RAPD markers. Linkage analysis revealed 10 linkage groups containing a total of 44 RAPD loci. Another 10 RAPD markers (7 of maternal origin) that were polymorphic between the parents did not segregate in the F2 population. One of the maternally inherited RAPD bands hybridized to chloroplast DNA. Analysis of RAPD loci by DNA hybridization indicated that mainly repeated sequences were amplified. These data indicate that RAPDs are useful genetic markers in Stylosanthes spp. and they may be suitable for genetic mapping.Key words: genetic mapping, molecular markers, polymerase chain reaction, Stylosanthes hamata, Stylosanthes scabra.
Molecular characterization in the dpy-14 region identifies the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase gene in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Prasad Shiv S. , Starr Terence V. , Rose Ann M.
Published: May 2008

The region around dpy-14 on chromosome 1 of Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively studied genetically, with regard to essential gene organization. This region was one of the first for which cloned DNA was available as a result of restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping. To examine the information content of the cloned DNA in this region, evolutionarily conserved sequences were identified by cross-species hybridization. Ten regions of conservation have been identified and characterized with regard to mRNA abundance and DNA sequence. cDNAs were obtained for seven of these conserved regions and sequence from the cDNAs were used to search the SWISS protein and EMBL nucleotide data banks. Two coding regions shared DNA identities with existing sequences, the opa repeat family of Drosophila and the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase gene. Of the three for which no corresponding cDNA were found, one corresponds to the snRNA U1-1. The other two did not detect transcripts on Northern analysis and are either conserved, but not coding, or code for low abundance transcripts. The density of conserved coding regions in this study was one per 15 kbp of genomic DNA, three times lower than that reported on chromosome 3 by the genome sequencing project.Key words: Caenorhabditis elegans, coding regions, genome, S-adenosylhomocysteine.
Quantitative trait loci on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) chromosome 7 associated with components of winterhardiness
Authors: Hayes P. M. , Blake T. , Chen T. H. H. , Tragoonrung S. , Chen F. , Pan A. , Liu B.
Published: May 2008

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling traits associated with winterhardiness in barley (field survival, LT50, growth habit, and crown fructan content) were mapped to chromosome 7 in a population of 100 F1-derived doubled haploid lines. The largest QTL effects for all traits were detected in a 21% recombination interval on the long arm of chromosome 7. QTL in this region accounted for 37–68% of the variation for three measures of cold tolerance, 47% of the variation for growth habit, and 28% of the variation in crown fructan content. Trait association may be due to linkage rather than pleiotropy.Key words: Hordeum vulgare, genome mapping, quantitative trait loci, winterhardiness, cold tolerance, fructan, growth habit.
Genome analysis of Elytrigia caespitosa, Lophopyrum nodosum, Pseudoroegneria geniculata ssp. scythica, and Thinopyrum intermedium (Triticeae: Gramineae)
Authors: Liu Zhi-Wu , Wang Richard R.-C.
Published: May 2008

To elucidate the genome constitutions of the tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) species Elytrigia caespitosa, Lophopyrum nodosum, and Pseudoroegneria geniculata ssp. scythica and the hexaploid (2n = 6x = 42) Thinopyrum intermedium, meiotic pairing was studied in these species as well as 10 hybrids. Karyotype analysis with aceto-orcein stained root-tip cells was performed for the four species and the hybrids of T. bessarabicum with E. caespitosa, P. geniculata ssp. scythica, and T. intermedium. Karyotype analysis by Giemsa C-banding was carried out with the three tetraploid species and the two triploid hybrids involving T. bessarabicum. The species behaved as strict allopolyploids. All hybrids were male sterile with few stainable pollen grains. It is concluded from the results that the three tetraploid species have the genome formula JeJeSS and T. intermedium has the formula JeJeJeJeSS. The chromosomes of the Je and S genomes in these species had C-banding patterns differing from each other and from those of the extant diploid species. Based on these findings, the four species investigated should be placed in the same genus or the same section of a genus. However, new combinations are not proposed at this time pending future taxonomic investigation of the genome constitution of Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski.Key words: genome, hybrid, meiosis, karyotype, chromosome banding, speciation.
Cytotaxonomy of the Simulium damnosum complex from central and northeastern Tanzania
Authors: Procunier William S. , Muro Abraham I. S.
Published: May 2008

A cytotaxonomic study of the medically important insect vector, Simulium damnosum s.l., revealed the presence of seven and possibly eight distinct taxa from central and northeastern Tanzania. Larval salivary gland polytene chromosome maps are presented for the first time for five cytotypes and one sibling species, which include the Nkusi form, the Sanje form, the Kisiwani form, Ketaketa C1 and C2, and the Kibwezi form. Inversion disequilibrium in males of the Kibwezi form indicate population substructuring is occurring and that this population may be in the early stages of speciation. Adults of the sibling species S. damnosum Kibwezi form and cytotype of the S. damnosum Nkusi form were identified using Malpighian tubule polytene chromosomes. The taxonomic status of the populations under study are discussed in relation to previously published papers and unpublished reports. Dimorphisms for centromere band enhancement occur on all three polytene chromosomes of the complement. The same centromere band can be polymorphic, sex linked, fixed, or lost in various cytotypes. In constructing a partial phylogeny, a hypothetical intermediate is proposed to account for the diverse fate of these centromere band dimorphisms and other inversion polymorphisms in different members of this nearly pan African complex. This pattern of chromosome restructuring is consistent with that seen for other species complexes within the Simuliidae.Key words: Simulium damnosum complex, Tanzania, cytotaxonomy, phylogenetics, and vector biology.
Isolation of Lhcb3 sequences from Brassica napus: evidence for conserved genes encoding LHCII type III chlorophyll a/b binding proteins
Authors: Boivin Rodolphe , Beauseigle Diane , Baszczynski Chris L. , Bellemare Guy
Published: May 2008

Three closely related sequences were isolated from Brassica napus genomic DNA and were identified as Lhcb3 (genes encoding type III chlorophyll a/b binding proteins of LHCII, the major light-harvesting complex of photosystem II). These genes, as was observed for a tomato Lhcb3, contain two introns and yield both divergent and conserved predicted amino acid segments as compared with type I and type II polypeptides. One of the B. napus genes, designated Lhcb3*1, is transcribed in vivo, since it is identical to corresponding sequences in a cDNA clone. The protein deduced from another sequence, Lhcb3*2, appears as the most divergent type III so far characterized. The partial sequence of a third gene, Lhcb3*3, was also recovered. The 5′ noncoding sequences of Lhcb3*1 and Lhcb3*2, in the far upstream region, are characterized by an extremely high AT content and extensive direct repeats. In the near upstream region, two long Lhcb3*2 segments are very similar to a segment proposed as containing regulatory signals in Lhcb3*1. Specific binding of nuclear proteins to Lhcb3*1 promoter fragments was detected by electrophoretic mobility-shift assays. The evolutionary relationship between genes for type III polypeptides and the other types present in LHCII is discussed.Key words: Brassica napus, chlorophyll a/b binding proteins, LHCII type III, promoter region, lhcb genes evolution.
Identification of RFLP markers linked to the H1 gene conferring resistance to the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis
Authors: Pineda Omaira , Bonierbale Merideth W. , Plaisted Robert L. , Brodie Bill B. , Tanksley Steven D.
Published: May 2008

The H1 gene from Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena confers high levels of resistance to the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and is used extensively in potato breeding. Using a dihaploid segregating population, a search was conducted for linkage between this gene and markers on the potato/tomato RFLP map. A total of 60 RFLP markers covering the entire genome were screened on bulk resistant and susceptible segregants. Linkage was indicated for eight markers on chromosome 5. Individual plant analysis placed the closest marker, CD78, at a maximum map distance of 2.7 cM from H1. A molecular marker for the H1 should be useful both as a correlative screening tool for incorporation of resistance into new cultivars and as starting point for map-based cloning of this important gene.Key words: Solanum tuberosum, potato, resistance genes, Globodera rostochiensis, H1, RFLP, cyst nematodes.
Cytogenetic analysis of the paternal sex ratio chromosome of Nasonia vitripennis
Authors: Reed Kent M.
Published: May 2008

Paternal sex ratio (PSR) is a B chromosome found in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. PSR has a unique etiology in that it destroys the paternal chromosomes of fertilized eggs, resulting in the production of all male families. This study examined structural aspects of PSR including size, C-banding, and silver staining. PSR was found to constitute approximately 5.7% of the genome of carrier males. C-banding confirmed the heterochromatic nature of PSR and the data suggest that PSR remains primarily condensed throughout the cell cycle. Examination of prometaphase spermatocytes revealed a secondary constriction on PSR. The constriction, however, did not stain positive for nucleolus organizer activity. During mitosis, PSR and the pericentromeric regions of the A chromosomes displayed a temporal pattern of silver staining, involving dense precipitation of silver prior to metaphase. This reaction is indicative of a protein complex specific to the heterochromatin of these regions. The implications of these findings to the origin of PSR are discussed.Key words: Nasonia vitripennis, paternal sex ratio, B chromosome, nucleolus organizer region, heterochromatin.
Reaction of alien chromosome substitution and addition lines of hard red spring wheat to common root rot and black point
Authors: Conner R. L. , Whelan E. D. P. , Laroche A. , Thomas J. B.
Published: May 2008

Resistance to common root rot and black point, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, was evaluated in alien chromosome substitution and addition lines of the cultivars 'Cadet' and 'Rescue'. Substitution of chromosome 5B in 'Rescue' with 5Ag from Agropyron elongatum decreased root rot susceptibility to a level intermediate between that in the susceptible 'Rescue' and the resistant 'Cadet'. The substitution of 'Rescue' chromosome 5A or 5D with 5Ag, or the addition of 5Ag to 'Rescue' complement had no consistent effect on root rot susceptibility. The root rot resistance of 'Cadet' was unaffected by substitution of chromosomes 5A, 5B, or 5D with 5Ag, or the addition of 5Ag. This indicates that the susceptible allele of the gene Crr is the primary determinant in the reaction of wheat to common root rot. Black point resistance in the susceptible cultivar 'Rescue' was significantly increased by substitution of chromosome 5B with 5Ag, or the addition of 5Ag. No corresponding effect was demonstrated for black point incidence in the moderately resistant cultivar 'Cadet' with substitution of chromosome 5Ag for 5B, or the addition of 5Ag. Chromosome 5Ag apparently carries one or more genes conferring resistance to black point. The identity of these lines was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using group 5 chromosome arm specific probes. This extends the use of these molecular probes to the Agropyron genome.Key words: Cochliobolus sativus, common root rot, black point, wheat, Triticum aestivum, Agropyron elongatum, restriction fragment length polymorphism, chromosome arm specific probes.
Optimizing parental selection for genetic linkage maps
Authors: Anderson J. A. , Churchill G. A. , Autrique J. E. , Tanksley S. D. , Sorrells M. E.
Published: May 2008

Genetic linkage maps based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms are useful for many purposes; however, different populations are required to fulfill different objectives. Clones from the linkage map(s) are subsequently probed onto populations developed for special purposes such as gene tagging. Therefore, clones contained on the initial map(s) must be polymorphic on a wide range of genotypes to have maximum utility. The objectives of this research were to (i) calculate polymorphism information content values of 51 low-copy DNA clones and (ii) use the resulting values to choose potential mapping parents. Polymorphism information content was calculated using gene diversity by classifying restriction fragment patterns on a diverse set of 18 wheat genotypes. Combinations of potential parents were then compared by examining both the proportion of polymorphic clones and the likelihood that those mapped clones would give a polymorphism when used on other populations. Genotype pairs were identified that would map more highly informative DNA clones compared with a population derived from the most polymorphic potential parents. The methodologies used to characterize clones and rank potential parents should be applicable to other species and types of markers as well.Key words: restriction fragment length polymorphism, mapping, Triticum aestivum.
Varying chromosome composition of 56-chromosome wheat × Thinopyrum intermedium partial amphiploids
Authors: Banks P. M. , Xu S. J. , Wang R. R.-C. , Larkin P. J.
Published: May 2008

Thinopyrum intermedium (2n = 42) is a source of many potentially useful genes for wheat improvement. Many partial amphiploids have been produced between Th. intermedium and Triticum aestivum that are fertile and stable. These partial amphiploids all have 56 chromosomes, including seven pairs of chromosomes from Th. intermedium. To explore the genomic composition of these lines, meiotic analysis was conducted on 32 hybrid combinations between eight different partial amphiploids. All but two of the chosen parents were distinguishable on the basis of perenniality, head morphology, and reactions to leaf, stripe, and stem rusts and to barley yellow dwarf virus. Chromosome pairing in the hybrids clearly indicated that all but two of the partial amphiploids differed in their composition of Thinopyrum chromosomes. The differences varied from one to five chromosomes. This confirms molecular evidence that the extra genome of the octoploid partial amphiploids is a variable synthetic genome combining chromosomes of the three Thinopyrum genomes E, J, and X. Though the extra synthetic genomes vary widely between different octoploids, they are nevertheless stable once formed. It is argued that the failure to establish these octoploid amphiploids as a new crop is a consequence of their differing chromosome complements, which makes it impractical to interbreed them.Key words: Thinopyrum, Agropyron, agrotriticum, wheat, amphiploid, octoploid, barley yellow dwarf virus, rust.
Nucleotide sequence and evolutionary conservation of a minisatellite variable number tandem repeat cloned from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
Authors: Bentzen Paul , Wright Jonathan M.
Published: May 2008

We describe the nucleotide sequence, extent of polymorphism, and evolutionary conservation of a minisatellite cloned from a fish, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The Ssal minisatellite contains a 16-bp repeat exhibiting partial sequence identity to bird and mammal minisatellites but most closely resembling an insect minisatellite (81% sequence identity). The Ssal locus exhibits a minimum of three to seven alleles per population in three eastern North American salmon populations. A probe based on the nonrepetitive 5′ flank of Ssal detected a polymorphic locus in a variety of salmoid species, suggesting that this locus has persisted in its polymorphic state for >25 million years. Multiple polymorphic bands detected by the same probe suggest the presence in salmonid genomes of additional minisatellite loci that are related to Ssal either through the tetraploidization of the salmonid genome or some other mechanism of gene duplication.Key words: minisatellite, Atlantic salmon, salmonid, evolution.
Inheritance of leaf rust and stem rust resistance in 'Roblin' wheat
Authors: Dyck P. L.
Published: May 2008

The Canadian common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar 'Roblin' is resistant to both leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. ex. Desm.) and stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. and E. Henn.). To study the genetics of this resistance, 'Roblin' was crossed with 'Thatcher', a leaf rust susceptible cultivar, and RL6071, a stem rust susceptible line. A set of F6 random lines was developed from each cross. The random lines and the parents were grown in a field rust nursery artificially inoculated with a mixture of P. recondita and P. graminis isolates and scored for rust reaction. The same material was tested with specific races of leaf rust and stem rust. These data indicated that 'Roblin' has Lr1, Lr10, Lr13, and Lr34 for resistance to P. recondita and Sr5, Sr9b, Sr11, and possibly Sr7a and Sr12 for resistance to P. graminis. In a 'Thatcher' background, the presence of Lr34 contributes to improve stem rust resistance, which appears also to occur in 'Roblin'.Key words: Triticum aestivum, wheat, leaf rust resistance, stem rust resistance.
Larger nuclei in the larval brain of Drosophila nasutoides often show underreplication, whereas metaphases provide a reliable DNA standard
Authors: Zacharias Helmut
Published: May 2008

Specific nuclear regions are highly condensed as heterochromatin during the postembryonic life-span of dipterans. Somatic nuclei are usually endoreplicated to form polyploid sets of chromosomes or polytene elements, or even a mixture of both. Such genomic redundancy presents the possibility that condensation is superimposed by underreplication. From the very early stages, DNA in heterochromatin may be selectively excluded from endoreplication. The result is underrepresentation of heterochromatic sections (both DNA and heterochromatin associated proteins) relative to euchromatin in endoreplicated nuclei. Drosophila nasutoides possesses a novel karyotype in which chromosome 4 contains most or all of the heterochromatin DNA (62% of the genome). This characteristic makes it easy to follow the fate of chromosome 4 during genome multiplication. Larger cells were found adjacent to neuroblasts and ganglion mother cells in the larval brain. Heterochromatin DNA is underrepresented relative to euchromatin in some 60% of these larger nuclei, while DNA in euchromatin selectively undergoes up to five endoreplications. Underreplication begins in the very first endoreplication, more rarely during the second or the third. The resulting relative diminution of chromosome 4 corresponds with the quantity of nuclear DNA absent from other somatic tissues. Some brain nuclei are not underreplicated and carry out only three complete endoreplications at most. However, in a few nuclei heterochromatin DNA is amplified relative to euchromatin in the same cell. These results are based on data for mitotic metaphases from neuroblasts that were found to be reliable as an endogenous 4C DNA standard.Key words: Drosophila nasutoides, differentiation, endoreplication, heterochromatin, microphotometry.
Human chromosome 5 sequence primer amplifies Alu polymorphisms on chromosomes 2 and 17
Authors: Bernard Lynn E. , Wood Stephen
Published: May 2008

Members of the Alu family of repetitive elements occur frequently in the human genome and are often polymorphic. Techniques involving Alu element mediated polymerase chain reactions (Alu PCR) allow the isolation of region-specific human DNA fragments from mixed DNA sources. Such fragments are a source of region-specific Alu elements useful for the detection of Alu-related polymorphisms. A clone from human chromosome 5, corresponding to locus D5F40S1, was isolated using Alu PCR differential hybridization. Alu elements within this clone were investigated for the presence of potentially polymorphic 3′ polyA tails. Primers were devised to amplify the 3′ polyA tail of an Alu element present within the clone. One primer, D5F40S1-T, was specific to the DNA flanking the 3′ end of the Alu element, and the other primer was homologous to sequences within the element. When these primers were used in PCR reactions, products from chromosomes 2 and 17 (loci D2F40S2 and D17F40S3) were amplified in addition to the expected product from chromosome 5. The most likely explanation for this nonspecific amplification is that the D5F40S1-T primer is located within a low-copy repetitive element that is 3′ of the Alu element. This phenomenon presents a potential problem for the identification of region-specific Alu polymorphisms.Key words: Alu polymorphism, human chromosome 5, polymerase chain reaction, D5F40S1, D2F40S2, D17F40S3.
An AT-rich satellite DNA sequence, E180, in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Authors: Xia X. , Erickson L.
Published: May 2008

A DNA fragment of ~750 bp was cloned from EcoRI-digested nuclear DNA of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Southern blot and sequence analysis showed that the cloned DNA fragment represents a tetramer of a highly tandemly repeated DNA sequence of 185–188 bp (E180). The consensus sequence deduced from the four repeating units is 189 bp in length with an AT content of 67%. The copy number of the satellite DNA was estimated to be ~1.8 × 105 per genome and constitutes about 1% of the alfalfa genome. Sequence comparison revealed no identity to any repetitive DNA sequences that have been published to date. Digestion with HpaII and MspI indicated a high degree of methylation at the internal C of the restriction site CCGG within E180.Key words: alfalfa, Medicago, repetitive DNA sequence, satellite DNA.
Satellite DNA and heterochromatin of the flour beetle Tribolium confusum
Authors: Plohl Miroslav , Lucijanić-Justić Vlatka , Ugarković Durdica , Petitpierre Eduard , Juan Carlos
Published: May 2008

The chromosomes of Tribolium confusum have conspicuous bulks of pericentromeric constitutive heterochromatin. The amount of heterochromatin measured by C-banding in metaphase chromosomes is estimated to be 40–45%. It is composed of an A + T rich DNA according to the distamycin A/diamidinophenylindol staining of chromosomes. Restriction analysis of isolated T. confusum genomic DNA shows that this species has a satellite DNA that constitutes about 40% of the genome. Cloning and sequencing experiments reveal a monomer length of 158 base pairs and a copy number of 5.77 × 105 per haploid genome. Its sequence is A + T rich (73%), with direct and inverted repeats, one of them with a possibility of forming stable cruciform structure. The abundance, monomer length, and the mutation rate are similar to those found in other satellite families from different species of Tenebrionidae, but no sequence homology has been found among them. No retarded mobility of satellite DNA, characteristic for molecules with sequence-induced curvature, has been detected by electrophoresis on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. In situ digestions with restriction enzymes and in situ hybridization show that this satellite DNA is located in pericentromeric positions of all chromosomes coinciding with C-bands.Key words: tandem repeats, DNA sequence, bent DNA, inverted repeats, Coleoptera.
Molecular evolutionary analysis of the psbP gene family of the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex in Nicotiana
Authors: Hua Shao-Bing , Dube Shyam K. , Kung Shain-dow
Published: May 2008

Photosystem II psbP protein of the oxygen-evolving complex is involved in the photosynthetic oxygen evolution in plants. Four psbP polypeptides were detected in Nicotiana tabacum on a two-dimensional gel by immunostaining the proteins with antiserum against the pea psbP Comparison of the protein patterns of psbP from N. tabacum and its ancestral parents, N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis, indicated that each of the ancestral parents has contributed a pair of psbP proteins. This was supported by Southern hybridization results, which suggested that psbP in Nicotiana is encoded by a gene family consisting of four members in N. tabacum and two members each in N. glauca, N. langsdorffii, N. sylvestris, and N. tomentosiformis. A scheme of molecular evolution of the psbP genes in Nicotiana is also proposed.Key words: molecular evolution, Nicotiana, oxygen evolution, photosystem II.
Genetic maps of the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina: linkage-group correlations with other dipteran genera
Authors: Weller G. L. , Foster G. G.
Published: May 2008

Linkage data and revised genetic maps for 72 autosomal loci in Lucilia cuprina are presented. Comparison of the linkage relationships of biochemically and morphologically similar mutations in Ceratitis capitata, Drosophila melanogaster, and Musca domestica supports the hypothesis that the major linkage elements have survived relatively intact during evolution of the higher Diptera. The relationship of the linkage groups of the mosquito Aedes aegypti to these species is less clear.Key words: Lucilia, Drosophila, Musca, Ceratitis, linkage maps.
Characterization of Hordeum vulgare – Hordeum bulbosum chromosome substitution lines by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis
Authors: Timmerman Gail M. , Pickering Richard A. , Melz Gilbert
Published: May 2008

Plants obtained from crosses between Hordeum vulgare and H. bulbosum were previously analyzed cytologically and for isozyme composition. They were identified as possessing substitutions of one or more H. vulgare chromosomes by their H. bulbosum homoeologues. To confirm their constitution and assess the merits of molecular techniques, chromosome-specific probes developed for the Triticeae were hybridized to Southern blots of DNA extracted from these plants and their parents. The hybridization patterns in the substitution plants confirmed that particular chromosomes of H. vulgare were replaced by their H. bulbosum homoeologues. For most probes, heterozygosity between pairs of H. bulbosum chromosomes was recorded. A possible duplication involving H. bulbosum homoeologues of barley chromosomes 4 and 7 was observed. Although molecular and cytological methods for analyzing chromosomally engineered plants are complementary, molecular probes may uncover differences not discernible using light microscopy or isozyme analysis.Key words: Hordeum vulgare, Hordeum bulbosum, chromosome substitutions, restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Physical mapping of four sites of 5S rDNA sequences and one site of the α-amylase-2 gene in barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Leitch I. J. , Heslop-Harrison J. S.
Published: May 2008

The 5S rDNA sequences have been mapped on four pairs of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) chromosomes using in situ hybridization and barley monotelotrisomic lines. The 5S rDNA sequences are located, genetically and physically, on the short arm of chromosome 1 (7I) and the long arms of chromosomes 2 (2I) and 3 (3I). The 5S rDNA sequence is also located on the physically long arm of chromosome 4 (4I). Only one site on chromosome 2(2I) has previously been reported. The characteristic locations of the 5S rDNA sequences make them useful as molecular markers to identify each barley chromosome. The physical position of the low-copy α-amylase-2 gene was determined using in situ hybridization; the location of this gene on the long arm of chromosome 1 (7I) was confirmed by reprobing the same preparation with the 5S rDNA probe. The results show that there is a discrepancy between the physical and genetic position of the α-amylase-2 gene.Key words: genetic mapping, physical mapping, barley, mapping, 5S DNA, α-amylase, in situ hybridization.
Chromosomal rearrangements in rock wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). VIII. An investigation of the nonrandom nature of karyotypic change
Authors: Eldridge M. D. B. , Johnston P. G.
Published: May 2008

Although the nonrandom nature of many chromosome breaks is well known, few studies have investigated the potential significance of this breakage specificity in chromosome evolution. The macropod genus Petrogale is an ideal group in which to investigate this phenomenon, since it comprises a large number of chromosomal forms, many of which appear to have differentiated relatively recently. By exposing Petrogale cells to mutagenic agents it should be possible to compare the distribution and abundance of induced breaks with those that are known to have occurred in vivo during the chromosomal differentiation of the genus. In this study, breaks were induced in mitotic chromosomes from P. assimilis and P. mareeba by exposing synchronized cultured fibroblasts to low doses of gamma radiation. The results were remarkably similar for both species and the distribution of breaks among the chromosomes appeared to be nonrandom. It was found that chromosomes 5, 6, and (possibly) 10 had a substantially higher rate of breakage than expected. These are also the chromosomes that occur disproportionately among the rearrangements identified in Petrogale. While the distribution of breaks along the chromosome appeared uniform or normal for most chromosomes, a putative "hot spot" was identified near the centromere in chromosome 5 of P. mareeba and in a homologous position near the telomere of chromosome 5 in P. assimilis. In a further experiment, a 1- to 2-h pulse of mitomycin C was used to induce centric fusions in cultured fibroblasts of P. penicillata (2n = 22); 2408 cells were examined and 112 fusions were identified. While it was found that all chromosomes participated in forming fusions, chromosome 10 was found to be most frequently involved, being present in 28.6% of the identifed fusions. This frequency is far greater than would be expected if fusions were to occur at random (10%). It is significant then that chromosome 10 has been involved in five of the eight centric fusions that have been identified in Petrogale and that it is also the chromosome that has been most frequently rearranged in Petrogale. These results suggest that features of the karyotype may influence the distribution and frequency of chromosome breaks and therefore the rate and nature of chromosome evolution.Key words: Petrogale, chromosome evolution, irradiation, induced rearrangements, mitomycin C.
Linkage of rhm, a recessive gene for resistance to southern corn leaf blight, to RFLP marker loci in maize (Zea mays) seedlings
Authors: Zaitlin David , DeMars Sandra , Ma Yu
Published: May 2008

The recessive gene rhm confers chlorotic-lesion resistance to Bipolaris maydis race O, the southern corn leaf blight pathogen, in otherwise susceptible maize plants. Because of inconsistencies encountered in scoring the disease on mature plants in the field, an assay was developed to monitor the expression of this gene in maize seedlings under controlled conditions. One hundred and two related F3 families from the cross RH95rhm × B73 were inoculated with conidia of B. maydis race O, and the genotype at the rhm locus of each F2 parent was deduced from the reactions observed in the progeny seedlings. The F2 genomes were reconstituted by extracting DNA from leaf tissue pooled from 30–36 F3 progeny plants per family. The seedling disease ratings were analyzed together with the segregation scores for 14 single-copy DNA probes. Our results indicate that rhm is tightly linked to two restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) marker loci (UMC85 and p144) that map to the short arm of chromosome 6. In addition, a rapid assay based on the polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the linkage between rhm and the p144 RFLP marker locus in a second unrelated F2 population.Key words: Zea mays L., RFLP, disease resistance gene, southern corn leaf blight, genetic linkage mapping.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers for DNA fingerprinting and genetic variability assessment of minute parasitic wasp species (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae) used in biological control programs of phytophagous insects
Authors: Landry Benoit S. , Dextraze Louise , Boivin Guy
Published: May 2008

Biological control of insects that feed on our crops has become more practical in recent years by mass release of egg parasitoid microhymenoptera. Trichogramma species are now commercially reared and spread in commercial fields to control specific insect pests. Microhymenoptera species are, however, very small and morphologically indistinguishable within species, although strains of a given species differ in their efficiency to control specific insect pests. Traditional taxonomy is unable to differentiate microhymenoptera species at the strain level. It is becoming increasingly important to develop a reliable system to monitor genetic variations both within and between strains of commercially important microhymenoptera, to detect genetic drift occurring during several generations of multiplication, to protect patents, and to certify the lots of commercially released microhymenoptera. We have developed a system based on DNA markers to rapidly characterize individuals of five species of microhymenoptera from the genus Anaphes and Trichogramma including a new species of Anaphes not previously described. The main components of our system are a rapid and simple DNA micro-extraction method and fast DNA polymorphism analyses based on random amplified polymorphic DNA markers.Key words: genetic mapping, population genetics, Anaphes spp., Trichogramma spp., RAPD, DNA markers, DNA fingerprinting.
Potential of trispecies bridge crosses and random amplified polymorphic DNA markers for introgression of Medicago daghestanica and M. pironae germplasm into alfalfa (M. sativa)
Authors: McCoy T. J. , Echt C. S.
Published: May 2008

This report describes the production and cytology of the first interspecific hybrids between cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at the diploid level (2n = 2x = 16) and the diploid (2n = 2x = 16) perennial species M. daghestanica and M. pironae. An ovule–embryo culture technique was required to rescue hybrid embryos and all hybrids were diploid. Predominately bivalent chromosome pairing was observed at meiotic metaphase. All F1 hybrids were male and female sterile and no species backcross progeny could be produced. We discovered that trispecies hybrids could be efficiently recovered via crossing diploid F1 interspecific hybrids of M. sativa × M. rupestris with either M. daghestanica or M. pironae. Ovule–embryo culture was also required to recover these trispecies hybrids with recovery efficiency of trispecies hybrids about 10 times greater than for bispecies hybrids. Most chromosomes paired as bivalents in the trispecies hybrids. Importantly, progeny can be recovered from crossing the trispecies hybrids with M. sativa. Therefore, the M. sativa × M. rupestris hybrids provide a bridge cross to potential introgression of M. daghestanica or M. pironae germplasm. Analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in the trispecies hybrids indicates that RAPD markers offer considerable potential for assaying germplasm introgression following complex hybridizations of the type reported here.Key words: randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, Medicago interspecific hybrids, embryo rescue.
Application of the random amplified polymorphic DNA technique for the detection of polymorphism among wild and cultivated tetraploid wheats
Authors: Joshi Chandrashekhar P. , Nguyen Henry T.
Published: May 2008

Development of a high-density genetic linkage map of cultivated wheats using conventional molecular markers has lagged behind the other major food crops such as rice and tomato because of the large genome size and limited levels of genetic polymorphisms. Recently, random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) have been suggested to provide an alternative to visualize more polymorphism. For the construction of a genetic linkage map in tetraploid wheats, one can use a strategy of intersubspecific crosses between the most dissimilar wild and cultivated tetraploid wheats that are easy to hybridize and result in fertile progeny. An assessment of the level of RAPDs among different accessions and varieties of wild and cultivated tetraploid wheats is required to fulfill this objective. We present here the data obtained using RAPD analysis of 40 primers in 20 accessions of wild tetraploid emmer wheats (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccoides) and 10 genotypes of cultivated tetraploid durum wheats (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) selected from geographically diverse locations. We have observed a higher level of polymorphism among different accessions of wild emmer wheat from Israel, Turkey, and Jordan than the group of cultivated American, Turkish, and Syrian durum wheats. These data have been used to generate a dendrogram suggesting the genetic relationships among these genotypes, and the most dissimilar genotypes are identified for future mapping and gene tagging work.Key words: durum wheat, emmer wheat, genetic similarity, molecular markers, RAPD analysis.
Isolation and characterization of eceriferum (cer) mutants induced by T-DNA insertions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: McNevin John P. , Woodward Wendy , Hannoufa Abdelali , Feldmann Kenneth A. , Lemieux Bertrand
Published: May 2008

Thirteen Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with deviating epicuticular wax layers (i.e., cer mutants) were isolated by screening 13 000 transformed lines produced by the seed transformation method. After crossing the 13 mutants to some of the previously known cer mutant lines, 12 of our mutants mapped to 6 of the 21 known complementation groups (cer1 through cer4 as well as cer6 and cer10), while the other mutant corresponded to a previously unknown locus, cer21. Mutant phenotypes of 6 of the 13 mutant lines were caused by T-DNA insertions within cer genes. We also analyzed the chemical composition of the epicuticular wax layers of the cer mutants isolated in this study relative to that of Arabidopsis wild-type plants. Our results suggest that the five genes we tagged regulate different steps in wax biosynthesis, i.e., the decarbonylation of fatty aldehydes to alkanes, the elongation of hexacosanoic acid to octacosanoic acid, the reduction of fatty aldehydes to primary alcohols and the production of free aldehydes, while an insertion in the fifth gene causes an alteration in the chain length distribution of the different classes of wax compounds.Key words: epicuticular wax, glossy mutants, gas chromotography – mass spectroscopy.
Physical mapping of the 5S rDNA gene complex in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Song Y. C. , Gustafson J. P.
Published: May 2008

This study was designed to use biotin labelling in situ hybridization to physically map the 5S rDNA genes to a chromosome arm location in rice. Chromosome preparations were made using an improved protoplast technique, which resulted in more mitotic cells with less overlying cytoplasmic and cellular debris. Cells in which both chromatids were labelled were observed. The hybridization detection level for the 5S rDNA gene complex was 17.22%. The results established that the 5S rDNA gene complex of rice is located at the end of the short arm of chromosome 9 in rice cultivar IR36. The similarities and differences of the 5S rDNA gene complex location between rice and other cereals and advantages of in situ hybridization for physical mapping are discussed.Key words: biotin labelling, in situ hybridization.
Transcriptional and translational study of the Drosophila subobscura hsp83 gene in normal and heat-shock conditions
Authors: Arbona Maria , Frutos Rosa de , Tanguay Robert M.
Published: May 2008

In this paper we report a transcriptional and translational study of the hsp83 gene of Drosophila subobscura. This gene is located at the 18C region of the J chromosome. A monoclonal antibody raised against hsp83 was used for the immunological detection of this protein by Western blotting throughout the development of D. subobscura in control and heat-shock conditions. Our results indicate that puff 18C is not only heat-shock inducible but is also expressed during normal development and its level of expression increases at the end of the prepupa period. We detected hsp83 at normal temperatures, in particular developmental stages with the exception of the larval and the beginning of prepupa formation. Hsp83 was induced by heat shock in all stages studied with the exception of 1st instar larvae. We found that temperatures in excess of 26 °C were sufficient to induce hsp83. In addition, at temperatures from 26 to 34 °C, the increase in hsp83 synthesis was accompanied by increased transcription of the hsp83 gene; this positive correlation was not observed at 37 °C.Key words: Drosophila subobscura, hsp83, heat-shock genes, immunoblotting.
Fate of maternal mtDNA following 60Co inactivation of maternal nuclear DNA in unfertilized salmonid eggs
Authors: May Bernie , Grewe Peter M.
Published: May 2008

The effects of gamma irradiation on nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were examined by exposing unfertilized salmonid eggs to a 60Co source. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) eggs exposed to 60Co were fertilized with sperm from brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and brook trout eggs exposed to 60Co were fertilized with sperm from splake males (S. namaycush × S. fontinalis). In both types of matings only paternal allozymes were found in embryos, confirming the inactivation of the nuclear genome in the eggs. Analysis of mtDNA in these same embryos showed exclusively maternal mtDNA. The absence of paternal mtDNA among any of the embryos supports the predominance of maternal inheritance of mtDNA in vertebrates and suggests that mtDNAs are more resistant to cobalt inactivation than nuclear DNAs based on structure or numerical superiority to maternal nuclear DNA. Inactivation of maternal nuclear DNA, fertilization, and an induced return to the diploid state provide a means for producing an inbred organism having the nuclear genome of the paternal parent (androgenetic) and the mitochondrial genome of the female.Key words: mtDNA, maternal transmission, salmonid, egg, 60Co.