Characterization of the acetohydroxyacid synthase multigene family in the tetraploide plant Chenopodium quinoa

Background Currently, the technology called Clearfield® is used in the development of crops resistant to herbicides that inhibit the enzyme acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS, EC 2.2.1.6). AHAS is the first enzyme of the biosynthetic pathway that produces the branched-chain of the essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Therefore, multiple copies of the AHAS gene might be of interest for breeding programs targeting herbicide resistance. In this work, the characterization of the AHAS gene was accomplished for the Chenopodium quinoa Regalona-Baer cultivar. Cloning, sequencing, and Southern blotting were conducted to determine the number of gene copies. Results The presence of multiple copies of the AHAS gene as has been shown previously in several other species is described. Six copies of the AHAS gene were confirmed with Southern blot analyses. CqHAS1 and CqAHAS2 variants showed the highest homology with AHAS mRNA sequences found in the NR Database. A third copy, CqAHAS3, shared similar fragments with both CqAHAS1 and CqAHAS2, suggesting duplication through homeologous chromosomes pairing. Conclusions The presence of multiple copies of the gene AHAS shows that gene duplication is a common feature in polyploid species during evolution. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the interaction of sub-genomes in quinoa.

Profiling carbohydrate composition, biohydrogen capacity, and disease resistance in potato

Background: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important sources of carbohydrates in human diet. Because of its high carbohydrate levels it recently has also received attention in biohydrogen production. To exploit the natural variation of potato with respect to resistance to major diseases, carbohydrate levels and composition, and capacity for biohydrogen production we analyzed tubers of native, improved, and genetically modified potatoes, and two other tuberous species for their glucose, fructose, sucrose, and starch content. Results: High-starch potato varieties were evaluated for their potential for Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus-mediated biohydrogen production with Desirée and Rosita varieties delivering the highest biohydrogen amounts. Native line Vega1 and improved line Yagana were both immune to two isolates (A291, A287) of Phytophthora infestans. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that native potato varieties might have great potential for further improving the multifaceted use of potato in worldwide food and biohydrogen production.

Breeding in peach, cherry and plum: from a tissue culture, genetic, transcriptomic and genomic perspective

This review is an overview of traditional and modern breeding methodologies being used to develop new Prunus cultivars (stone fruits) with major emphasis on peach, sweet cherry and Japanese plum. To this end, common breeding tools used to produce seedlings, including in vitro culture tools, are discussed. Additionally, the mechanisms of inheritance of many important agronomical traits are described. Recent advances in stone fruit transcriptomics and genomic resources are providing an understanding of the molecular basis of phenotypic variability as well as the identification of allelic variants and molecular markers. These have potential applications for understanding the genetic diversity of the Prunus species, molecular marker-assisted selection and transgenesis. Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) molecular markers are described as useful tools to describe genetic diversity in peach, sweet cherry and Japanese plum. Additionally, the recently sequenced peach genome and the public release of the sweet cherry genome are discussed in terms of their applicability to breeding programs.

A molecular marker approach using intron flanking EST-PCR to map candidate genes in peach (Prunus persica)

In Peach (Prunus persica) several physiological changes, such as woolliness, triggered by chilling injury are involved in major production losses due to cold storage of the fruits during shipping. Additionally, the low level of polymorphisms among peach varieties is an important limitation in the search for new molecular markers that could be associated with economically important traits. Therefore, a functional approach was employed to associate candidate genes with an informative marker in peach. The data was obtained from the results of an in silico analysis of four different cold peach treatments. Thirty two candidate genes were selected that were aligned against Arabidopsis thaliana genomic sequences to design intron-flanking EST-PCR markers. These markers were used to position the candidate genes on the Prunus genetic reference map. In the physiological response to chilling injury, cell wall integrity, carbohydrate metabolism and stress response pathways could be involved, therefore candidate genes associated by Gene Ontology annotation to these pathways were included in the analysis. The designed markers were positioned to the Texas X Earlygold (TxE) genetic reference map through selective mapping methodology (Bin mapping). 72 percent of these new markers showed polymorphism in the TxE Binset population and 31 percent of them were successfully mapped to a genetic position on the Prunus reference map. The bioinformatic methodology used in this work includes a first approach in search for functional molecular markers associated to differentially expressed genes under certain physiological condition which in addition to the Bin mapping approach allows addressing a genetically anchored position to these new markers.

Calidad bacteriológica del agua del río Cataniapo, municipio Atures, estado Amazonas, Venezuela / Sanitary quality of the hydrographic basin of the Cataniapo river, Atures municipality, Amazonas state, Venezuela

La calidad bacteriológica del agua es importante por cuanto es uno de los parámetros usados para la clasificación de las fuentes de agua. En este trabajo se logró determinar la calidad bacteriológica de muestras de agua del río Cataniapo, en 11 puntos distribuidos a lo largo de su cuenca media, baja, y alta, mediante muestreos mensuales realizados, durante julio a diciembre de 2005. Se determinó el Número Más Probable (NMP) de coliformes totales y coliformes fecales presentes en el agua, mediante la técnica de fermentación en tubos múltiples. Se aislaron e identificaron enterobacterias presentes en las muestras de agua de las diferentes estaciones de la cuenca del río Cataniapo. Las menores densidades de coliformes totales y fecales, se evidenciaron durante el período de lluvia: julio - septiembre y las máximas durante el período de sequía: octubre - diciembre. Los resultados del análisis de varianza doble mostraron que existen diferencias significativas entre meses y estaciones para coliformes totales, y diferencias significativas entre estaciones para coliformes fecales; encontrándose que los puntos 1 y 3 de la cuenca baja, presentaron las densidades más altas para este grupo bacteriano, sobrepasando el límite permitido para aguas clasificadas para contacto humano, parcial ó total. La especie Escherichia coli fue identificada con mayor frecuencia en todas las estaciones.

The bacteriologiocal quality of water is an important parameter used for the classification of water supplies. We analyzed the bacteriological quality of the water from the Cataniapo river at 11 stations distributed along the low, middle and high basin, by monthly sampling conducted from July till December 2005. The total and fecal coliforms in the water where determined by the Most Probable Number (MPN) method, using the Multiple Tube Fermentation technique. The Enterobacteriaceae were isolated and identified in samples of water from different stations at Cataniapo river. The lowest density of total and fecal coliforms were evident during the rainy season (July to September) and the highest during the drought period (October to December). The quantity of total coliforms differed significantly between the different stations at the Cataniapo river and amongst the different months sampled, while for fecal coliforms we found only significant differences only between the stations. We also found that the points 1 and 3 of the lower basin, had the highest densities for fecal coliforms, exceeding the stablished limit for human contact (total or partial). The Escherichia coli species was identified as the most frequent amongst all stations.

Arabidopsis thaliana: A model host plant to study plant-pathogen interaction using Chilean field isolates of Botrytis cinerea

One of the fungal pathogens that causes more agriculture damage is Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis is a constant threat to crops because the fungus infects a wide range of host species, both native and cultivated. Furthermore, Botrytis persists on plant debris in and on the soil. Some of the most serious diseases caused by Botrytis include gray mold on vegetables and fruits, such as grapes and strawberries. Botrytis also causes secondary soft rot of fruits and vegetables during storage, transit and at the market. In many plant-pathogen interactions, resistance often is associated with the deposition of callose, accumulation of autofluorescent compounds, the synthesis and accumulation of salicylic acid as well as pathogenesis-related proteins. Arabidopsis thaliana has been used as a plant model to study plant-pathogen interaction. The genome of Arabidopsis has been completely sequenced and this plant serves as a good genetic and molecular model. In this study, we demonstrate that Chilean field isolates infect Arabidopsis thaliana and that Arabidopsis subsequently activates several defense response mechanisms associated with a hypersensitive response. Furthermore, we propose that Arabidopsis may be used as a model host species to analyze the diversity associated with infectivity among populations of Botrytis cinerea field isolates...

The Ca2+ pump inhibitor, thapsigargin, inhibits root gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana

Thapsigargin, a specific inhibitor of most animal intracellular SERCA-type Ca2+ pumps present in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, was originally isolated from the roots of the Mediterranean plant Thapsia gargancia L. Here, we demonstrate that this root-derived compound is capable of altering root gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana. Thapsigargin concentrations as low as 0.1 µM alter root gravitropism whereas under similar conditions cyclopiazonic acid does not. Furthermore, a fluorescently conjugated thapsigargin (BODIPY FL thapsigargin) suggests that target sites for thapsigargin are located in intracellular organelles in the root distal elongation zone and the root cap, regions known to regulate root gravitropism.

A Rapid and Efficient Method for Purifying High Quality Total RNA from Peaches (Prunus persica) for Functional Genomics Analyses

Prunus persica has been proposed as a genomic model for deciduous trees and the Rosaceae family. Optimized protocols for RNA isolation are necessary to further advance studies in this model species such that functional genomics analyses may be performed. Here we present an optimized protocol to rapidly and efficiently purify high quality total RNA from peach fruits (Prunus persica). Isolating high-quality RNA from fruit tissue is often difficult due to large quantities of polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds that accumulate in this tissue and co-purify with the RNA. Here we demonstrate that a modified version of the method used to isolate RNA from pine trees and the woody plant Cinnamomun tenuipilum is ideal for isolating high quality RNA from the fruits of Prunus persica. This RNA may be used for many functional genomic based experiments such as RT-PCR and the construction of large-insert cDNA libraries.

Estudio multicéntrico comparando Uncaria guianensis con placedbo en osteoartritis de rodilla / Multicentric study comparing uncaria guianensis vs. placebo for knee osteoarthritis

Con el objeto de realizar el p;rimer estudio clínico en humanos qaue compare la eficacia y seguridad de Uncaria guianensis liofilizada (Ug) contrastada con placebo en el alivio de los síntomas en pacientes con osteoartritis (OA) de rodilla. Se estudiaron 45 pacientes con OA de rodilla, sintomáticos y con OA radiológica, 30 recibieron 100 mg. diarios de Ug liofilizada en dosis única por cuatro semanas, y 15 recibieron p;lacebo, el estudio fue multicéntrico, doble ciego, aleatorio, controlado. Todos los pacientes antes de incluirse en el p;rotocolo tuvieron siete días sin Antiinflamatorios, no esteroides. Se consideró: el dolor en reposo, dolor en actividad, dolor nocturno, escala análoga visual (EAV), opinión del médico, opinión del paciente, goniometría, perímetro de rodilla, se evaluó a la primera, segunda y cuarta semana, incluyendo cinco variables de laboratorio y radiografía de rodillas al inicio. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas a favor de Ug en comparación con el placebo en la mejoría del dolor en actividad y en la opinión del médico y del paciente. No hubo efectos secundarios significativos en ninguno de los grupos. La Ug liofilizada en eficaz y bien tolerada para el alivio del dolor en actividad en pacientes con OA de rodilla, habiendo una clara superioridad frente al placebo, con mínimos efectos secundarios digestivos

Perfil clínico de la depresión endógena unipolar / Clinical profile of unipolar endogenous depression

En un grupo de 54 pacientes hospitalizados con el diagnóstico de depresión endógena unipolar de acuerdo a los criterios del RDC se estudia la frecuencia de las diversas manifestaciones clínicas. Se encuentran 12 síntomas presentes en más del 50% de los pacientes. Como grupo de síntomas se analizan los trastornos biológicos, el delirio (44%) y las molestias somáticas (35%). Dentro de los trastornos biológicos el despertar precoz aparece en un 70% de los pacientes. Los temas del delirio son culpa (50%), autorreferencia (46%), ruina (25%) y enfermedad (17%)