Analysis of Germin-like protein genes family in Vitis vinifera (VvGLPs) using various in silico approaches / Análise da família de genes de proteínas semelhantes a germin em Vitis vinifera (VvGLPs) usando várias abordagens in silico

Germin-like proteins (GLPs) play an important role against various stresses. Vitis vinifera L. genome contains 7 GLPs; many of them are functionally unexplored. However, the computational analysis may provide important new insight into their function. Currently, physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, domain architectures, 3D structures, N-glycosylation & phosphorylation sites, and phylogeney of the VvGLPs were investigated using the latest computational tools. Their functions were predicted using the Search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) and Blast2Go servers. Most of the VvGLPs were extracellular (43%) in nature but also showed periplasmic (29%), plasma membrane (14%), and mitochondrial- or chloroplast-specific (14%) expression. The functional analysis predicted unique enzymatic activities for these proteins including terpene synthase, isoprenoid synthase, lipoxygenase, phosphate permease, receptor kinase, and hydrolases generally mediated by Mn+ cation. VvGLPs showed similarity in the overall structure, shape, and position of the cupin domain. Functionally, VvGLPs control and regulate the production of secondary metabolites to cope with various stresses. Phylogenetically VvGLP1, -3, -4, -5, and VvGLP7 showed greater similarity due to duplication while VvGLP2 and VvGLP6 revealed a distant relationship. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of diverse cis-regulatory elements among which CAAT box, MYB, MYC, unnamed-4 were common to all of them. The analysis will help to utilize VvGLPs and their promoters in future food programs by developing resistant cultivars against various biotic (Erysiphe necator and in Powdery Mildew etc.) and abiotic (Salt, drought, heat, dehydration, etc.) stresses.

As proteínas do tipo germin (GLPs) desempenham um papel importante contra vários estresses. O genoma de Vitis vinifera L. contém 7 GLPs; muitos deles são funcionalmente inexplorados. No entanto, a análise computacional pode fornecer informações importantes sobre sua função. Atualmente, as propriedades físico-químicas, localização subcelular, arquitetura de domínio, estruturas 3D, sítios de N-glicosilação e fosforilação e estudos filogenéticos dos VvGLPs foram conduzidos usando as ferramentas computacionais mais recentes. Suas funções foram previstas usando a ferramenta Search para recuperação de genes/proteínas em interação (STRING) e servidores Blast2Go. A maioria dos VvGLPs são extracelulares (43%) na natureza, mas também mostraram expressão periplasmática (29%), na membrana plasmática (14%) e específica para mitocôndrias ou cloroplastos (14%). A análise funcional previu atividades enzimáticas únicas para essas proteínas, incluindo terpeno sintase, isoprenoide sintase, lipoxigenase, fosfato permease, receptor quinase e hidrolases geralmente mediadas por cátion Mn +. VvGLPs mostraram similaridade na estrutura geral, forma e posição do domínio cupin. Funcionalmente, os VvGLPs controlam e regulam a produção de metabólitos secundários para lidar com vários estresses. Filogeneticamente, VvGLP1, -3, -4, -5 e VvGLP7 mostraram maior similaridade devido à duplicação, enquanto VvGLP2 e VvGLP6 revelaram uma relação distante. A análise do promotor revelou a presença de diversos elementos cis-reguladores, entre os quais CAAT box, MYB, MYC, sem nome-4, sendo comum a todos eles. A análise ajudará a utilizar VvGLPs e seus promotores em programas alimentares futuros, desenvolvendo cultivares resistentes contra vários estresses bióticos (Erysiphe necator e no oídio, etc.) e abióticos (sal, seca, calor, estresse hídrico, etc.).

Preservation of endangered Tunisian grapevine cultivars using embryogenic cultures

The preservation of embryogenic lines derived from several endangered local grapevine cultivars was studied. Embryogenic calluses were obtained from immature anthers of eight cultivars, sampled on both fruity-cuttings and field grown vines. Anthers at the 'separated flower' stage, derived from fruity-cuttings, resulted in an increased induction of somatic embryogenesis, compared to those derived from the field. Pro-embryogenic calluses were induced on Chée and Pool (1987) basal medium, supplemented with 9 micron M of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 11.35 micron M of thidiazuron (TDZ) under dark conditions. Different anther zones (filament, abaxial, adaxial, lateral zones and entire anthers) were involved in somatic embryogenesis induction. The percentages of granular and yellowish pro-embryogenic calluses ranged between 15.6 percent and 34.8 percent in 'Kahli Kerkennah' and 'Muscat Raf-raf' cultivars, respectively. Although, morphological diversifications of pro-embryogenic calluses (several necrosis and spontaneous maturation) were observed on the induction mediumafter 5 subcultures. The reduction of 2,4-D and TDZ levels to 4.52 micron M and 2.89 micron M respectively, induced granular and yellowish embryogenic material. Thus, Chée and Pool (1987) (CP) enriched with 4.52 micron M of 2,4-D and 2.89 micron M of TDZ revealed to be the most appropriate for long-term maintenance. In fact, all the cultivars presented high and regular embryo maturation rates after 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of cultivation on this medium, under light conditions. After 4 years, they still exhibit high germination and regeneration abilities. Germination of somatic embryos was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal-medium, with rates ranging from 69 percent to 96 percent. Only 5 percent of somatic embryos were concerned by morphological variations. The regenerated plantlets presented a normal phenotype under controlled greenhouse conditions, compared to mother plants.

Efficient protocol for isolation of functional RNA from different grape tissue rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides for gene expression studies

Extraction of RNA from plant tissue containing high levels of polyphenols and polysaccharides is tedious and difficult in grapes. Although several protocols have been published for plant RNA isolation, most have failed to yield high quality RNA in sufficient quantity from mature and diseased grape tissue. We describe a protocol for isolating intact and high quality RNA from various grape tissues as evident by high A260/A280 absorbance ratio (1.8 to 1.9) and electrophoretic profile on denaturing formaldehyde agarose gel. On an average, 205 µg RNA per g of fresh tissue were obtained using this modified protocol. RNA quality was further assessed through RT-PCR, differential display RT-PCR and subtractive hybridization, and found to be suitable for molecular studies.

Reacão de clones de videira a Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola, baseada nos componentes epidemiológicos do cancro bacteriano / Reaction of grapevine clones to Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola, based on epidemiological components of bacterial canker

O cancro bacteriano, causado por Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola (Xcv), é a doenca bacteriana mais importante da videira na região do Submédio São Francisco. A reacão de 20 clones de videira, sendo 13 de copa e sete de porta-enxerto, foi avaliada quanto à resistência ao patógeno, em casa de vegetacão. As plantas foram inoculadas com a suspensão do isolado Xcv1 (A570=108UFC mL-1), incubadas em casa de vegetacão e observadas diariamente quanto aos componentes epidemiológicos do cancro bacteriano: período de incubacão, incidência de folhas com sintomas, incidência de folhas com cancro, severidade da doenca, taxa de progresso da incidência da doenca, área abaixo da curva de progresso da severidade da doenca. Todos os clones foram suscetíveis ao patógeno, embora diferindo significativamente entre si (P=0,05) para a maioria das variáveis analisadas. Em geral, 'Brasil' apresentou os maiores níveis de doenca para todas as variáveis testadas, enquanto'Isabel' e 'Paulsen 1103' destacaram-se ao propiciarem os maiores valores de período de incubacão e os menores valores de incidência de folhas com sintomas, com cancros, severidade da doenca, taxa de progresso de incidência da doenca e área abaixo da curva de progresso da severidade da doenca, indicando grande potencial de utilizacão em programas de melhoramento genético e manejo integrado. As correlacões significativas (P=0,05) verificadas entre as variáveis estudadas indicam que qualquer delas pode ser utilizada em pesquisas envolvendo reacão de clones ao cancro bacteriano da videira. Quando considerado o conjunto dos componentes epidemiológicos, o agrupamento pelo método UPGMA (agrupamento aos pares pela média aritmética não ponderada) permitiu a separacão dos clones de copa e porta-enxerto em três grupos de similaridade cada.