Mapping of QTL associated with rice cooking quality and candidate gene analysis / 生物工程学报

Excavating the quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with rice cooking quality, analyzing candidate genes, and improving cooking quality-associated traits of rice varieties by genetic breeding can effectively improve the taste of rice. In this study, we used the indica rice HZ, the japonica rice Nekken2 and 120 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) populations constructed from them as experimental materials to measure the gelatinization temperature (GT), gel consistency (GC) and amylose content (AC) of rice at the maturity stage. We combined the high-density genetic map for QTL mapping. A total of 26 QTLs associated with rice cooking quality (1 QTL associated with GT, 13 QTLs associated with GC, and 12 QTLs associated with AC) were detected, among which the highest likelihood of odd (LOD) value reached 30.24. The expression levels of candidate genes in the localization interval were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and it was found that the expression levels of six genes were significantly different from that in parents. It was speculated that the high expression of LOC_Os04g20270 and LOC_Os11g40100 may greatly increase the GC of rice, while the high expression of LOC_Os01g04920 and LOC_Os02g17500 and the low expression of LOC_Os03g02650 and LOC_Os05g25840 may reduce the AC. The results lay a molecular foundation for the cultivation of new high-quality rice varieties, and provide important genetic resources for revealing the molecular regulation mechanism of rice cooking quality.

Identification of patterns related to linkage groups or disequilibrium by factor analysis / Identificação de padrões relacionados a grupos de ligação ou de desequilíbrio por análise de fatores

ABSTRACT: Empirical patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) can be used to increase the statistical power of genetic mapping. This study was carried out with the objective of verifying the efficacy of factor analysis (AF) applied to data sets of molecular markers of the SNP type, in order to identify linkage groups and haplotypes blocks. The SNPs data set used was derived from a simulation process of an F2 population, containing 2000 marks with information of 500 individuals. The estimation of the factorial loadings of FA was made in two ways, considering the matrix of distances between the markers (A) and considering the correlation matrix (R). The number of factors (k) to be used was established based on the graph scree-plot and based on the proportion of the total variance explained. Results indicated that matrices A and R lead to similar results. Based on the scree-plot we considered k equal to 10 and the factors interpreted as being representative of the bonding groups. The second criterion led to a number of factors equal to 50, and the factors interpreted as being representative of the haplotypes blocks. This showed the potential of the technique, making it possible to obtain results applicable to any type of population, helping or corroborating the interpretation of genomic studies. The study demonstrated that AF was able to identify patterns of association between markers, identifying subgroups of markers that reflect factor binding groups and also linkage disequilibrium groups.

RESUMO: Padrões empíricos de desequilíbrio de ligação (LD) podem ser utilizados para aumentar o poder estatístico do mapeamento genético. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar a eficácia da análise de fatores (AF) aplicada a conjuntos de dados de marcadores moleculares do tipo SNP, visando identificar grupos de ligação e blocos de haplótipos. O conjunto de dados SNPs utilizado foi oriundo de um processo de simulação de uma população F2, contendo 2000 marcas com informações de 500 indivíduos. A estimação das cargas fatoriais (loadings) da AF foi feita de duas formas, considerando a matriz de distâncias entre os marcadores (A) e considerando a matriz de correlação (R). O número de fatores (k) a ser utilizado foi estabelecido com base no gráfico scree-plot e com base na proporção da variância total explicada. Os resultados indicam que as matrizes A e R conduzem a resultados similares. Com base no scree-plot considerou-se k igual a 10 e os fatores interpretados como sendo representativos dos grupos de ligação. O segundo critério conduziu a um número de fatores igual a 50, e os fatores interpretados como sendo representativos dos blocos de haplótipos. Isto mostra o potencial da técnica que permite obter resultados aplicáveis ​​a qualquer tipo de população, corroborando a interpretação de estudos genômicos. O trabalho demonstrou que a AF foi capaz de identificar padrões de associação entre marcadores, identificando subgrupos de marcadores que refletem grupos de ligação fatorial e também grupos de desequilíbrio de ligação.

Alelos asociados al índice de severidad de la enfermedad Mal de Río Cuarto en germoplasma exótico de maíz / Alleles associated to disease severity index of Mal de Río Cuarto disease in maize exotic germplasm

RESUMEN El Mal de Río Cuarto (MRC) es una de las enfermedades virales más importantes del maíz en Argentina. El índice de severidad de enfermedad (ISE) permite combinar la incidencia y la severidad de una enfermedad en una métrica única. La reacción genotípica a MRC ha sido muy estudiada en poblaciones biparentales, sin embargo este carácter complejo no se ha analizado mediante estudios de mapeo por asociación. El objetivo del presente trabajo es identificar nuevos alelos de resistencia asociados con el ISE de la enfermedad MRC de maíz en un germoplasma exótico del Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT). Una población de líneas de maíz del CIMMYT se evaluó fenotípicamente en ambientes donde la enfermedad es endémica. Los predictores del efecto genotípico (BLUP, best linear unbiased predictor) del ISE de MRC y 78.376 marcadores SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) se usaron para realizar el mapeo por asociación en 186 líneas de maíz. Los componentes de varianza y los valores de heredabilidad sugieren una amplia variabilidad genotípica en la población de líneas. El mapeo por asociación permitió identificar 11 posibles QTL de resistencia a MRC. La incorporación de germoplasma exótico en los programas de mejoramiento de maíz locales podría contribuir favorablemente a la creación de genotipos híbridos con mayor nivel de resistencia a MRC. La capacidad predictiva de los marcadores asociados con la resistencia a MRC indican que la selección asistida por marcadores es una herramienta recomendable para seleccionar genotipos resistentes a MRC.

ABSTRACT Mal de Río Cuarto (MRC) is one of the most important viral diseases of maize in Argentina. The disease severity index (DSI) allows to combine the incidence and severity of a disease in a single metric. The genotypic reaction to MRC has been extensively studied in biparental populations. However, this complex trait has not been analyzed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The aim of this work is to identify new resistance alleles associated with DSI of MRC in an exotic germplasm from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). A population of maize lines from CIMMYT was phenotypically evaluated in environments in the area where the disease is endemic. The predictors of genetic effects (BLUP, best linear unbiased predictor) and 78,376 SNP markers (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) were used to perform the GWAS in 186 maize lines. The values of variance components and mean-basis heritability suggest a wide genotypic variability in the population. The GWAS allowed to identify 11 putative QTL of resistance to MRC. The incorporation of exotic germplasm into local maize breeding programs could contribute favorably to the creation of hybrids with a higher level of resistance to MRC. The predictive ability of associated markers with MRC resistance indicates that marker-assisted selection is an advisable tool for selecting MRC resistant genotypes.

Salinity tolerance in barley during germination- homologs and potential genes / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Salinity affects more than 6% of the world's total land area, causing massive losses in crop yield. Salinity inhibits plant growth and development through osmotic and ionic stresses; however, some plants exhibit adaptations through osmotic regulation, exclusion, and translocation of accumulated Na+ or Cl-. Currently, there are no practical, economically viable methods for managing salinity, so the best practice is to grow crops with improved tolerance. Germination is the stage in a plant's life cycle most adversely affected by salinity. Barley, the fourth most important cereal crop in the world, has outstanding salinity tolerance, relative to other cereal crops. Here, we review the genetics of salinity tolerance in barley during germination by summarizing reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and functional genes. The homologs of candidate genes for salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis, soybean, maize, wheat, and rice have been blasted and mapped on the barley reference genome. The genetic diversity of three reported functional gene families for salt tolerance during barley germination, namely dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) protein, somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase and aquaporin genes, is discussed. While all three gene families show great diversity in most plant species, the DREB gene family is more diverse in barley than in wheat and rice. Further to this review, a convenient method for screening for salinity tolerance at germination is needed, and the mechanisms of action of the genes involved in salt tolerance need to be identified, validated, and transferred to commercial cultivars for field production in saline soil.

Salinity tolerance in barley during germination—homologs and potential genes / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Salinity affects more than 6% of the world’s total land area, causing massive losses in crop yield. Salinity inhibits plant growth and development through osmotic and ionic stresses; however, some plants exhibit adaptations through osmotic regulation, exclusion, and translocation of accumulated Na+ or Cl-. Currently, there are no practical, economically viable methods for managing salinity, so the best practice is to grow crops with improved tolerance. Germination is the stage in a plant’s life cycle most adversely affected by salinity. Barley, the fourth most important cereal crop in the world, has outstanding salinity tolerance, relative to other cereal crops. Here, we review the genetics of salinity tolerance in barley during germination by summarizing reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and functional genes. The homologs of candidate genes for salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis, soybean, maize, wheat, and rice have been blasted and mapped on the barley reference genome. The genetic diversity of three reported functional gene families for salt tolerance during barley germination, namely dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) protein, somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase and aquaporin genes, is discussed. While all three gene families show great diversity in most plant species, the DREB gene family is more diverse in barley than in wheat and rice. Further to this review, a convenient method for screening for salinity tolerance at germination is needed, and the mechanisms of action of the genes involved in salt tolerance need to be identified, validated, and transferred to commercial cultivars for field production in saline soil.

Breeding for low cadmium accumulation cereals / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Cadmium (Cd) is an element that is nonessential and extremely toxic to both plants and human beings. Soil contaminated with Cd has adverse impacts on crop yields and threatens human health via the food chain. Cultivation of low-Cd cultivars has been of particular interest and is one of the most cost-effective and promising approaches to minimize human dietary intake of Cd. Low-Cd crop cultivars should meet particular criteria, including acceptable yield and quality, and their edible parts should have Cd concentrations below maximum permissible concentrations for safe consumption, even when grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Several low-Cd cereal cultivars and genotypes have been developed worldwide through cultivar screening and conventional breeding. Molecular markers are powerful in facilitating the selection of low-Cd cereal cultivars. Modern molecular breeding technologies may have great potential in breeding programs for the development of low-Cd cultivars, especially when coupled with conventional breeding. In this review, we provide a synthesis of low-Cd cereal breeding.

Disentangling the genetic bases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae nitrogen consumption and adaptation to low nitrogen environments in wine fermentation

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been considered for more than 20 years as a premier model organ- ism for biological sciences, also being the main microorganism used in wide industrial applications, like alcoholic fermentation in the winemaking process. Grape juice is a challenging environment for S. cerevisiae , with nitrogen deficiencies impairing fermentation rate and yeast biomass production, causing stuck or sluggish fermentations, thus generating sizeable economic losses for wine industry. In the present review, we summarize some recent efforts in the search of causative genes that account for yeast adaptation to low nitrogen environments, specially focused in wine fermentation conditions. We start presenting a brief perspective of yeast nitrogen utilization under wine fermentative conditions, highlighting yeast preference for some nitrogen sources above others. Then, we give an outlook of S. cerevisiae genetic diversity studies, paying special attention to efforts in genome sequencing for population structure determination and presenting QTL mapping as a powerful tool for phenotype-genotype correlations. Finally, we do a recapitulation of S. cerevisiae natural diversity related to low nitrogen adaptation, specially showing how different studies have left in evidence the central role of the TORC1 signalling pathway in nitrogen utilization and positioned wild S. cerevisiae strains as a reservoir of beneficial alleles with potential industrial applications (e.g. improvement of industrial yeasts for wine production). More studies focused in disentangling the genetic bases of S. cerevisiae adaptation in wine fermentation will be key to determine the domestication effects over low nitrogen adaptation, as well as to definitely proof that wild S. cerevisiae strains have potential genetic determinants for better adaptation to low nitrogen conditions.

Breeding for low cadmium accumulation cereals / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Cadmium (Cd) is an element that is nonessential and extremely toxic to both plants and human beings. Soil contaminated with Cd has adverse impacts on crop yields and threatens human health via the food chain. Cultivation of low-Cd cultivars has been of particular interest and is one of the most cost-effective and promising approaches to minimize human dietary intake of Cd. Low-Cd crop cultivars should meet particular criteria, including acceptable yield and quality, and their edible parts should have Cd concentrations below maximum permissible concentrations for safe consumption, even when grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Several low-Cd cereal cultivars and genotypes have been developed worldwide through cultivar screening and conventional breeding. Molecular markers are powerful in facilitating the selection of low-Cd cereal cultivars. Modern molecular breeding technologies may have great potential in breeding programs for the development of low-Cd cultivars, especially when coupled with conventional breeding. In this review, we provide a synthesis of low-Cd cereal breeding.

Molecular marker analysis of spike fertility index and related traits in a bread wheat recombinant inbred line population / Análisis de marcadores moleculares para el índice de fertilidad de espiga y caracteres asociados en una población de líneas endocriadas recombinantes de trigo pan

Spike fertility index (SF) has been well established as an ecophysiological trait related to grain number per unit area and a promising selection target in wheat breeding programs. Scarce information on the molecular basis of SF is available thus far. In this study, a preliminary molecular marker analysis was carried out in a RIL population derived from the cross between two Argentinean cultivars with contrasting SF to identify candidate genomic regions associated with SF. Twenty-four microsatellites and two functional markers that had been found to co-segregate with SF in a bulked-segregant analysis of the F3 generation of the population were analyzed. Phenotypic data were collected from three field experiments carried out during 2013, 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at Balcarce, Argentina. Two genomic regions associated with SF in chromosomes 5BS and 7AS were detected, which merit further investigation.

El índice de fertilidad de espiga (FE) ha sido propuesto como un carácter ecofisiológico asociado con el número de granos por unidad de área y como criterio de selección prometedor para los programas de mejoramiento de trigo. Sin embargo, la información sobre las bases moleculares de la FE aún es escasa. En este estudio, se realizó un análisis preliminar de marcadores moleculares en una población RIL derivada del cruce entre dos cultivares argentinos con FE contrastante con el objetivo de identificar regiones genómicas candidatas asociadas con el carácter. Se analizaron 24 microsatélites y dos marcadores funcionales que se había encontrado que se co-segregaban con la FE en un análisis de segregantes en "bulk" en la generación F3 de la población. Se recopilaron datos fenotípicos de tres experimentos de campo llevados a cabo durante las temporadas de cultivo 2013, 2014 y 2015 en Balcarce, Argentina. Se detectaron dos regiones genómicas asociadas con la FE en los cromosomas 5BS y 7AS, que mostraron ser estables a través de los años de evaluación. Este trabajo aporta información novedosa acerca de las bases moleculares de la FE, las cuales deberán ser estudiadas con mayor profundidad.

Leveraging barrel medic genome sequence for the development and use of genomic resources for genetic analysis and breeding in legumes

BACKGROUND: A total of 62,591 cowpea expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were BLAST aligned to the whole-genome sequence of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) to develop conserved intron scanning primers (CISPs). The efficacy of the primers was tested across 10 different legumes and on different varieties of cowpea, chickpea, and pigeon pea. Genetic diversity was assessed using the same primers on different cowpea genotypes. Singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, which were later converted to length polymorphism markers for easy genotyping. CISPs developed in this study were used in tagging resistance to bacterial leaf blight disease in cowpea. RESULTS: A total of 1262 CISPs were designed. The single-copy amplification success rates using these primers on 10 different legumes and on different varieties of cowpea, chickpea, and pigeon pea were approximately 60% in most of the legumes except soybean (47%) and peanut (37%). Genetic diversity analysis of 35 cowpea genotypes using 179 CISPs revealed 123 polymorphic markers with PIC values ranging from 0.05 to 0.59. Potential SNPs identified in cowpea, chickpea, and pigeon pea were converted to PCR primers of various sizes for easy genotyping. Using the markers developed in this study, a genetic linkage map was constructed with 11 linkage groups in cowpea. QTL mapping with 194 F3 progeny families derived from the cross C-152 × V-16 resulted in the identification of three QTLs for resistance to bacterial leaf blight disease. Conclusions: CISPs were proved to be efficient markers to identify various other marker classes like SNPs through comparative genomic studies in lesser studied crops and to aid in systematic sampling of the entire genome for well-distributed markers at low cost

Descifrando las moléculas ocultas en las sombras grises de la resistencia cuantitativa a patógenos / Unraveling the molecules hidden in the gray shadows of quantitative disease resistance to pathogens

ABSTRACT One of the most challenging questions in plant breeding and molecular plant pathology research is what are the genetic and molecular bases of quantitative disease resistance (QDR)?. The scarce knowledge of how this type of resistance works has hindered plant breeders to fully take advantage of it. To overcome these obstacles new methodologies for the study of quantitative traits have been developed. Approaches such as genetic mapping, identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and association mapping, including candidate gene approach and genome wide association studies, have been historically undertaken to dissect quantitative traits and therefore to study QDR. Additionally, great advances in quantitative phenotypic data collection have been provided to improve these analyses. Recently, genes associated to QDR have been cloned, leading to new hypothesis concerning the molecular bases of this type of resistance. In this review we present the more recent advances about QDR and corresponding application, which have allowed postulating new ideas that can help to construct new QDR models. Some of the hypotheses presented here as possible explanations for QDR are related to the expression level and alternative splicing of some defense-related genes expression, the action of "weak alleles" of R genes, the presence of allelic variants in genes involved in the defense response and a central role of kinases or pseudokinases. With the information recapitulated in this review it is possible to conclude that the conceptual distinction between qualitative and quantitative resistance may be questioned since both share important components.

RESUMEN Una de las preguntas más desafiantes del fitomejoramiento y de la fitopatología molecular es ¿cuáles son las bases genéticas y moleculares de la resistencia cuantitativa a enfermedades?. El escaso conocimiento de cómo este tipo de resistencia funciona ha obstaculizado que los fitomejoradores la aprovecharlo plenamente. Para superar estos obstáculos se han desarrollado nuevas metodologías para el estudio de rasgos cuantitativos. Los enfoques como el mapeo genético, la identificación de loci de rasgos cuantitativos (QTL) y el mapeo por asociaciones, incluyendo el enfoque de genes candidatos y los estudios de asociación amplia del genoma, se han llevado a cabo históricamente para describir rasgos cuantitativos y por lo tanto para estudiar QDR. Además, se han proporcionado grandes avances en la obtención de datos fenotípicos cuantitativos para mejorar estos análisis. Recientemente, algunos genes asociados a QDR han sido clonados, lo que conduce a nuevas hipótesis sobre las bases moleculares de este tipo de resistencia. En esta revisión presentamos los avances más recientes sobre QDR y la correspondiente aplicación, que han permitido postular nuevas ideas que pueden ayudar a construir nuevos modelos. Algunas de las hipótesis presentadas aquí como posibles explicaciones para QDR están relacionadas con el nivel de expresión y el splicing alternativo de algunos genes relacionados con la defensa, la acción de "alelos débiles" de genes R, la presencia de variantes alélicas en los genes implicados en la respuesta de defensa y un papel central de quinasas o pseudoqinasas. Con la información recapitulada en esta revisión es posible concluir que la distinción conceptual entre resistencia cualitativa y cuantitativa puede ser cuestionada ya que ambos comparten importantes componentes.

QTLs for seedling traits under salinity stress in hexaploid wheat / Caracterização de QTLs por traços de sementes sob o estresse de salinidade em trigo Hexaploid

ABSTRACT: Soil salinity limits agricultural production and is a major obstacle for increasing crop yield. Common wheat is one of the most important crops with allohexaploid characteristic and a highly complex genome. QTL mapping is a useful way to identify genes for quantitative traits such as salinity tolerance in hexaploid wheat. In the present study, a hydroponic trial was carried out to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with salinity tolerance of wheat under 150mM NaCl concentration using a recombinant inbred line population (Xiaoyan 54×Jing 411). Values of wheat seedling traits including maximum root length (MRL), root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), total dry weight (TDW) and the ratio of TDW of wheat plants between salt stress and control (TDWR) were evaluated or calculated. A total of 19QTLs for five traits were detected through composite interval mapping method by using QTL Cartographer version 2.5 under normal and salt stress conditions. These QTLs distributed on 12 chromosomes explained the percentage of phenotypic variation by individual QTL varying from 7.9% to 19.0%. Among them, 11 and six QTLs were detected under normal and salt stress conditions, respectively and two QTLs were detected for TDWR. Some salt tolerance related loci may be pleiotropic. Chromosome 1A, 3A and 7A may harbor crucial candidate genes associated with wheat salt tolerance. Our results would be helpful for the marker assisted selection to breed wheat varieties with improved salt tolerance.

RESUMO: A salinidade do solo limita a produção agrícola. O trigo mole é uma das culturas mais importantes com característica allohexaploid e genoma altamente complexo. O mapeamento QTL é uma maneira muito útil de identificar genes para traços quantitativos, como a tolerância à salinidade em trigo hexaplóide. No presente estudo realizou-se um ensaio hidropónico para identificar locos de traços quantitativos (QTLs) associados à tolerância à salinidade do trigo sob concentração de NaCl 150 mM, usando uma população de linhagem consanguíneo recombinante (Xiaoyan 54 × Jing 411). Os valores dos traços de mudas de trigo, incluindo comprimento máximo da raiz (MRL), peso seco da raiz (RDW), ponha o peso seco (SDW), peso seco total (TDW) e a proporção das plantas de trigo TDW entre o estresse salgado e o controle (TDWR), foram avaliados ou calculados. Um total de 19QTLs para cinco traços foram detectados através do método de mapeamento de intervalo composto usando a versão 2.5 do cartógrafo QTL sob condições normais e de estresse salino. Estes QTLs distribuídos em 12 cromossomos explicaram a porcentagem de variação fenotípica por QTL individual variando de 7,9% a 19,0%. Entre eles, foram detectados 11 e 6 QTLs em condições de estresse normal e sal, respectivamente, e dois QTLs foram detectados para TDWR. Cromossoma 1A, 3A e 7A podem conter genes que são candidatos cruciais associados à tolerância ao sal de trigo. Nossos resultados seriam úteis para a seleção assistida por marcadores para produzir variedades de trigo com tolerância salina melhorada.

Mapping QTLs for drought tolerance in a SEA 5 x AND 277 common bean cross with SSRs and SNP markers

Abstract The common bean is characterized by high sensitivity to drought and low productivity. Breeding for drought resistance in this species involves genes of different genetic groups. In this work, we used a SEA 5 x AND 277 cross to map quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance in order to assess the factors that determine the magnitude of drought response in common beans. A total of 438 polymorphic markers were used to genotype the F8 mapping population. Phenotyping was done in two greenhouses, one used to simulate drought and the other to simulate irrigated conditions. Fourteen traits associated with drought tolerance were measured to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The map was constructed with 331 markers that covered all 11 chromosomes and had a total length of 1515 cM. Twenty-two QTLs were discovered for chlorophyll, leaf and stem fresh biomass, leaf biomass dry weight, leaf temperature, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight, days to flowering, dry pod weight and total yield under well-watered and drought (stress) conditions. All the QTLs detected under drought conditions showed positive effects of the SEA 5 allele. This study provides a better understanding of the genetic inheritance of drought tolerance in common bean.

Genome-wide association study for birth, weaning and yearling weight in Colombian Brahman cattle

Abstract Genotypic and phenotypic data of 1,562 animals were analyzed to find genomic regions that potentially influence the birth weight (BW), weaning weight at seven months of age (WW) and yearling weight (YW) of Colombian Brahman cattle, with genotyping conducted using Illumina Bead chip array with 74,669 SNPs. A Single Step Genomic BLUP (ssGBLP), approach was used to estimate the proportion of variance explained by each marker. Multiple regions scattered across the genome were found to influence weights at different ages, also dependent on the trait component (direct or maternal). The most interesting regions were connected to previously identified QTLs and genes, such as ADAMTSL3, CAPN2, CAPN2, FABP6, ZEB2 influencing growth and weight traits. The identified regions will contribute to the development and refinement of genomic selection programs for Zebu Brahman cattle in Colombia.

Identificación de QTL de resistencia a la bacteriosis vascular en yuca bajo condiciones naturales de infección / Qtl identification for cassava bacterial blight resistance under natural infection conditions

Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz, represents the main food source for more than one billion people. Cassava's production is affected by several diseases, one of the most serious is cassava bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). A quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for CBB resistance was performed under natural infection conditions, using a mapping population of 99 full-sibs genotypes highly segregant and a SNP-based high dense genetic map. The phenotypic evaluation was carried out in Puerto López, Meta, Colombia, during the rainy season in 2015. Both resistant and susceptible transgressive segregants were detected in the mapping population. Through a non-parametric interval mapping analysis, two QTL were detected, explaining 10.9 and 12.6 % of phenotypic variance of resistance to field CBB. After a bioinformatics exploration four genes were identified in the QTL intervals. This work represents a contribution to the elucidation of the molecular bases of quantitative cassava resistance to Xam.

La yuca, Manihot esculenta Crantz, representa la principal fuente de alimento para cerca de 1000 millones de personas. La producción de yuca se ve afectada por diversas enfermedades, una de las más serias es la bacteriosis vascular (CBB) causada por Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam). En este estudio se realizó un análisis de loci de rasgos cuantitativos (QTL) para la resistencia a CBB en condiciones naturales de infección, usando una población de mapeo constituida por 99 genotipos de hermanos completos segregantes y un mapa genético altamente denso basado en SNPs. La evaluación fenotípica se llevó a cabo en Puerto López (Meta), Colombia, durante la época de lluvias durante el segundo semestre de 2015. En la población de mapeo fueron detectados individuos con una segregación transgresiva tanto resistentes como susceptibles. A través de un análisis no paramétrico de intervalo simple, se detectaron dos QTL que explican el 10,9 y el 12,6 % de la varianza fenotípica de la resistencia en campo a CBB. Mediante análisis bioinformáticos se identificaron cuatro genes candidatos presentes en los intervalos de los QTL. Este trabajo representa un esfuerzo por dilucidar los mecanismos moleculares implicados en la resistencia de yuca a CBB.

IDENTIFICACIÓN DE QTLs ASOCIADOS A CARACTERES DE ARQUITECTURA VEGETAL EN YUCA (Manihot esculenta) / Identification of QTLs Associated to Plant Architecture in Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

La yuca (Manihot esculenta) es el cuarto cultivo en importancia a nivel mundial como fuente de calorías para la población humana después del arroz, el azúcar y el maíz, posicionándose por esta razón como un cultivo primordial para la seguridad alimentaria. Su arquitectura ha sido considerada como un factor clave que subyace a la fisiología del rendimiento, relacionando características morfológicas con productividad. En este trabajo se evaluaron diferentes características de arquitectura vegetal en yuca. Los caracteres fueron evaluados en una población F1 compuesta por 133 hermanos completos (familia K) sembrados en dos lugares biogeográficamente diferentes: La Vega (Cundinamarca) y Arauca (Arauca) en Colombia. Las características evaluadas relacionadas con la arquitectura vegetal fueron altura de la planta (AT), número de brotes (NB), longitud entrenudos (LE), número de raíces (NR), peso de raíces (PR), pigmentación del peciolo (PP), área de la hoja (AH) y tipo de hoja (TH). A partir de los datos obtenidos y empleando un mapa genético de alta densidad basado en SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) se llevó a cabo un análisis de QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci). Se lograron identificar tres QTLs para La Vega asociados con los caracteres altura total, número de brotes y área de la hoja. Para Arauca se detectaron tres QTLs asociados con altura total, longitud de entrenudos y número de brotes. Los QTLs se distribuyeron en cuatro grupos de ligamiento y explicaron entre 18,93 y 41,92 % de la variación genética.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is the fourth most important crop worldwide as a source of calories for the human population after rice, sugar and corn and therefore it is considered as a staple crop. Cassava's architecture has been considered as a key factor underlying the physiology of yield, relating morphological traits with productivity. In this work different characteristics of plant architecture were evaluated in a cassava F1 population composed by 133 complete siblings (family K) planted in two biogeographically different zones: La Vega (Cundinamarca) and Arauca (Arauca) in Colombia. The characteristics evaluated related to the vegetal architecture were plant height (AT), number of shoots (NB), internodes length (LE), number of roots (NR), root weight (PR), petiole pigmentation (PP), leaf area (AH) and leaf type (TH). From the data obtained and using a SNP- (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) high-density genetic map a QTLs analysis (Quantitative Trait Loci) was carried out. It was possible to identify three QTLs for La Vega associated with characters plant height, internodes length and leaf area. From the Arauca's dataset, three QTLs were detected associated with plant height, number of shoots and internodes length. The QTLs were distributed into four linkage groups and explained between 18.93 and 41.92 % of genetic variation.

Collaborative Cross mice and precision medicine / 中国比较医学杂志

The individual variability should be considered in precision medicine-prevention and treatment strategies.Medical research using genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, systems analyses, and other modern tools has made big progress.In 2002, the members of the Complex-Trait Consortium proposed to develop a new mouse genetics resource called the Collaborative Cross (CC).The CC is a genetic reference panel of recombinant inbred lines of mice, designed for the dissection of complex traits and gene networks.It will provide a powerful measure for functional studies of biological networks, which will be essential to understand the intricacies of disease processes.

Investigation of Splicing Quantitative Trait Loci in Arabidopsis thaliana

The alteration of alternative splicing patterns has an effect on the quantification of functional proteins, leading to phenotype variation. The splicing quantitative trait locus (sQTL) is one of the main genetic elements affecting splicing patterns. Here, we report the results of genome-wide sQTLs across 141 strains of Arabidopsis thaliana with publicly available next generation sequencing datasets. As a result, we found 1,694 candidate sQTLs in Arabidopsis thaliana at a false discovery rate of 0.01. Furthermore, among the candidate sQTLs, we found 25 sQTLs that overlapped with the list of previously examined trait-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In summary, this sQTL analysis provides new insight into genetic elements affecting alternative splicing patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana and the mechanism of previously reported trait-associated SNPs.

Nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction QTL mapping of the lipoprotein and cholesterol traits in mice / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To study the cholesterol nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction effect and position cholesterol traits QTL in mice.Methods Improving the nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction models and methods that have been constructed, and analyzing the public database of total cholesterol and lipoprotein data of F2 group that derived from DBA/2J ( D2) and CAST/EiJ ( CAST) mice.Results Six QTL that controlling total cholesterol, HDL and nonHDL were located in 4 linkage groups in the genome.In the models constructed in this study, we found a QTL has significant interaction with cytoplasmic background, which changes the previous results of data analysis, the genetic mouse cholesterol and lipoprotein components opened up new ideas.Conclusion Mouse cholesterol trait is the result of interaction of nuclear genes and cytoplasmic background.

Genetics of obesity: an overview of current approaches and advancement.

Elucidation of obesity susceptibility genes through genome wide approaches as well as candidate gene approaches provides great promise in ultimately determining the genetic underpinnings of obesity. The complex nature of human obesity stems from the multiple interaction of several genes that control the physiology of food intake, energy expenditure, development of the body, and behavioural patterns towards food intake, and the environment. According to twin, adoptees and family studies, genetic factors account for 40-70% of the variability observed in human adiposity. Twin studies supported that the heritability of adiposity is higher than other quantitative traits. The heritability of obesity traits has been further evidenced by identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes through methods such as genome-wide scans (studies conducted on unrelated obese individuals), linkage analyses (conducted in families), and association studies (investigating the correlation between obesity and polymorphisms). The number of contributing genes, however, is still unknown. Although research on the genetic basis of obesity has advanced, the mechanisms underlying the condition are still complex due to its heterogeneity even within families.