Identification and genetic mapping for rht-DM, a dominant dwarfing gene in mutant semi-dwarf maize using QTL-seq approach.

Semi-dwarfism is an agronomically important trait in breeding for stable high yields and for resistance to damage by wind and rain (lodging resistance). Many QTLs and genes causing dwarf phenotype have been found in maize. However, because of the yield loss associated with these QTLs and genes, they have been difficult to use in breeding for dwarf stature in maize. Therefore, it is important to find the new dwarfing genes or materials without undesirable characters. The objectives of this study were: (1) to figure out the inheritance of semi-dwarfism in mutants; (2) mapping dwarfing gene or QTL. Maize inbred lines '18599' and 'DM173', which is the dwarf mutant derived from the maize inbred line '173' through 60Co-γ ray irradiation. F2 and BC1F1 population were used for genetic analysis. Whole genome resequencing-based technology (QTL-seq) were performed to map dwarfing gene and figured out the SNP markers in predicted region using dwarf bulk and tall bulk from F2 population. Based on the polymorphic SNP markers from QTL-seq, we were fine-mapping the dwarfing gene using F2 population. In F2 population, 398 were dwarf plants and 135 were tall plants. Results of χ2 tests indicated that the ratio of dwarf plants to tall plants was fitted to 3:1 ratio. Furthermore, the χ2 tests of BC1F1 population showed that the ratio was fitted to 1:1 ratio. Based on QTL-seq, the dwarfing gene was located at the region from 111.07 to 124.56 Mb of chromosome 9, and we named it rht-DM. Using traditional QTL mapping with SNP markers, the rht-DM was narrowed down to 400 kb region between SNP-21 and SNP-24. The two SNPs were located at 0.43 and 0.11 cM. Segregation analysis of F2 and BC1F1 indicated that the dwarfing gene was likely a dominant gene. This dwarfing gene was located in the region between 115.02 and 115.42 Mb on chromosome 9.

Identification, Mapping, and Molecular Marker Development for Rgsr8.1: A New Quantitative Trait Locus Conferring Resistance to Gibberella Stalk Rot in Maize (Zea mays L.).

Maize stalk rot is a major fungal disease worldwide, and is difficult to control by chemical methods. Therefore, in maize breeding, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance are important for controlling the disease. Next-generation sequencing technologies are considered a rapid and efficient method to establish the association of agronomic traits with molecular markers or candidate genes. In the present study, we employed QTL-seq, which is a whole-genome resequencing-based approach, to identify candidate genomic regions conferring resistance to maize stalk rot. A novel resistance QTL Rgsr8.1 was finely mapped, conferring broad-spectrum resistance to Gibberella stalk rot (GSR). Segregation analysis in F2 and BC1F1 populations, which were derived from a cross between 18327 (Susceptible) and S72356 (Resistant), indicated that the resistance to GSR was likely to be a quantitatively inherited trait in maize. The result of QTL-seq showed that the resistance to GSR was mapped on chromosome 8 from 161.001 to 170.6 Mb. Based on the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, and the recombinant test, the location of Rgsr8.1 was narrowed down to 2.04 Mb, flanked by SSR-65 and SNP-25 markers at the physical location from 164.69 to 166.72 Mb based on the maize reference genome. In this region, two candidate resistant genes were found with, one auxin-responsive elements and the other encoding a disease resistance protein. In summary, these results will be useful in maize breeding programs to improve the resistance to GSR in maize.

Correction: Acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing twirling manipulation inhibits hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

[This corrects the article on p. 770 in vol. 12, PMID: 28616034.].

Acupuncture with reinforcing and reducing twirling manipulation inhibits hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To observe the effects of different acupuncture manipulations on blood pressure and target organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), this study used the reinforcing twirling method (1.5-2-mm depth; rotating needle clockwise for 360° and then counter clockwise for 360°, with the thumb moving heavily forward and gently backward, 60 times per minute for 1 minute, and retaining needle for 9 minutes), the reducing twirling method (1.5-2-mm depth; rotating needle counter clockwise for 360° and then clockwise for 360°, with the thumb moving heavily backward and gently forward, 60 times per minute for 1 minute, and retaining needle for 9 minutes), and the needle retaining method (1.5-2-mm depth and retaining the needle for 10 minutes). Bilateral Taichong (LR3) was treated by acupuncture using different manipulations and manual stimulation. Reinforcing twirling, reducing twirling, and needle retaining resulted in a decreased number of apoptotic cells, reduced Bax mRNA and protein expression, and an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the hippocampus compared with the SHR group. Among these groups, the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio was highest in the reducing twirling group, and the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio was highest in the needle retaining group. These results suggest that reinforcing twirling, reducing twirling, and needle retaining methods all improve blood pressure and prevent target organ damage by increasing the hippocampal Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibiting cell apoptosis in the hippocampus in SHR.

Novel dithioether-silver(I) coordination architectures: structural diversities by varying the spacers and terminal groups of ligands.

An investigation into the dependence of the framework formation of coordination architectures on ligand spacers and terminal groups was reported based on the self-assembly of AgClO4 and eight structurally related flexible dithioether ligands, RS(CH2)nSR (Lan, R = ethyl group; Lbn, R = benzyl group, n= 1-4). Eight novel metal-organic architectures, [Ag(La1)3/2ClO4]n (1a), [Ag2(La2)2(ClO4)2]2 (2a), [AgLa3ClO4]n (3a), {[Ag(La4)2]ClO4}n (4a), [AgLb1ClO4]2 (1b), [Ag(Lb2)2]ClO4 (2b), {[Ag(Lb3)3/2(ClO4)1/2](ClO4)1/2}n (3b) and [Ag(Lb4)3/2ClO4]n(4b), were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Structure diversities were observed for these complexes: 1a forms a 2-D (6,3) net, while 2a is a discrete tetranuclear complex, in which the AgI ion adopts linear and tetrahedral coordination modes, and the S donors in each ligand show monodentate terminal and mu2-S bridging coordination fashions; 3a has a chiral helical chain structure in which two homo-chiral right-handed single helical chains (Ag-La3-)n are bound together through mu2-S donors, and simultaneously gives rise to left-handed helical entity (Ag-S-)n. In 4a, left- and right-handed helical chains formed by the ligands bridging AgI centers are further linked alternately by single-bridging ligands to form a non-chiral 2-D framework. 1b has a dinuclear structure showing obvious ligand-sustained Ag-Ag interaction, while 2b is a mononuclear complex; 3b is a 3-D framework formed by ClO4- linking the 2-D (6,3) framework, which is similar to that of 1a, and 4b has a single, double-bridging chain structure in which 14-membered dinuclear ring units formed through two ligands bridging two AgI ions are further linked by single-bridging ligands. In addition, a systematic structural comparison of these complexes and other reported AgClO4 complexes of analogous dithioether ligands indicates that the ligand spacers and terminal groups take essential roles on the framework formation of the AgI complexes, and this present feasible ways for adjusting the structures of such complexes by modifying the ligand spacers and terminal groups.