Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of Na+/H+antiporter (NHX) genes in tomato under salt stress.

Plant Na +/H + antiporter (NHX) genes enhance salt tolerance by preventing excessive Na+ accumulation in the cytosol through partitioning of Na+ ions into vacuoles or extracellular transport across the plasma membrane. However, there is limited detailed information regarding the salt stress responsive SlNHXs in the most recent tomato genome. We investigated the role of this gene family's expression patterns in the open flower tissues under salt shock in Solanum lycopersicum using a genome-wide approach. A total of seven putative SlNHX genes located on chromosomes 1, 4, 6, and 10 were identified, but no ortholog of the NHX5 gene was identified in the tomato genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes are divided into three different groups. SlNHX proteins with 10-12 transmembrane domains were hypothetically localized in vacuoles or cell membranes. Promoter analysis revealed that SlNHX6 and SlNHX8 are involved with the stress-related MeJA hormone in response to salt stress signaling. The structural motif analysis of SlNHX1, -2, -3, -4, and -6 proteins showed that they have highly conserved amiloride binding sites. The protein-protein network revealed that SlNHX7 and SlNHX8 interact physically with Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway proteins. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the SlNHX2 and SlNHX6 genes were substantially expressed in the open flower tissues. Moreover, quantitative PCR analysis indicated that all SlNHX genes, particularly SlNHX6 and SlNHX8, are significantly upregulated by salt shock in the open flower tissues. Our results provide an updated framework for future genetic research and development of breeding strategies against salt stress in the tomato.

Improved drought tolerance of EMS mutagenized Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mutants by in vitro screening at germination stage.

The objectives of this study were to determine drought tolerant novel mutant of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotypes by screening EMS mutagenized 340675 M3 seeds at germination stages in the presence of osmotic stress of 35% PEG6000. Root growth assay provided several drought tolerant candidate mutants. Of those, 4 mutants were further evaluated at water deficit conditions applied for 24 days after the first cutting at flowering bud stage. The results revealed that mutants determined as drought tolerant at germination stage were also tolerant to water deficit conditions. Protein content and superoxide dismutase values were found to be higher in all mutants than controls. Ascorbate peroxides, glutton reductase and lipid peroxidase values varied based on the mutant genotype and duration of drought stress. Drought stress significantly changed transcriptional levels of MtP5CS, MtDehyd, MseIF-2, MtRD2 and MsNAC genes. These results indicated that in vitro screening of alfalfa mutant seeds for osmatic tolerance at germination and early seedling growth stages was successfully able to determine the drought tolerant alfalfa mutants which were also tolerant to water deficit conditions after the first cutting at flowering bud stage.

Genetic variation among einkorn genotypes based on gene targeted functional markers and its possible relationship with drought tolerance at seed germination stage.

BACKGROUND: Einkorn wheat is one of the first primary genetic resources for discovery of new alleles related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerances for further genetic improvements while it became more popular especially for its native grain status as healthy food resources. Therefore, this study aims to determine germination parameters of 32 local einkorn (Triticum monococcum) genotypes collected from Kastamonu and its vicinity, Turkey under drought stress conditions, and to reveal the genetic relationship of those genotypes based on drought related gene targeted functional markers (GTFMs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Germination test was conducted at 20 ± 0.5 °C in darkness with randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Seeds placed on double filter papers in a covered glass petri dishes (80 × 15 mm) were treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) with a -0.23 MPa. The final germination percentages (FGPs), speed and span of germination parameters were determined. Drought stress severely worsened all germination parameters measured. The genotypes SG24 and SG12 were the most drought tolerant and sensitive genotypes based on 21.1% and 64.8% of reduction rates in FGPs, respectively. Twelve GTFMs produced a total of 32 bands and 26 of them were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism ratio of the markers and average band per marker were determined as 86.31% and 2.66, respectively. The highest polymorphism information content (PIC) was obtained from AIB1 gene marker (0.875). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that there was a significant genetic variation for drought tolerance levels of local einkorn wheat genotypes at germination stage and drought related GTFMs can be used not only to reveal genetic variation but also to distinguish the drought tolerant genotypes.

Genetic relationship and nuclear dna content variation in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] accessions.

This study was initiated to reveal genetic relationship of 25 tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) accessions by using 10 SSR markers and to determine DNA content variation by using flow cytometer analysis. Ten markers produced a total of 18 alleles and 11 of those were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism rate was 66.6%. The highest polymorphism information content value was obtained from marker CNLTs370 with 0.69 while markers CNTLs11 and CNTLs133 produced monomorphic bands only. UPGMA analysis divided 25 tef genotypes into three main clades. The accessions PI193511 and PI195934 were distinctly separated from the others. No ploidy differences were determined among the 25 tef accessions. 2C mean nuclear DNA content ranged from 1.406 pg to 1.510 with mean of 1.460 pg. The results of this study indicated that SSR markers successfully determined genetic relationship of 25 tef accession although they had a low rate of polymorphism. This study also revealed that available tef related SSR markers should be optimized before use and their efficiency may vary based on tef genotypes or accessions used.

Effects of thermal and deformation on martensitic transformation and magnetic properties in Fe-17%Mn-4.5%X (X=Co and Mo) alloys.

In this study, the Co and Mo addition to Fe-Mn based alloys was investigated to observe its effect on martensitic phase transformation. Two types of martensite structure occurred from the surface observations made by SEM for Co-added and Mo-added alloys morphologically in austenite grain. With the help of TEM studies, it was understood that these martensite structures are ε (h.c.p.) and α' (b.c.c.). TEM investigations showed that the orientation relationship between γ (f.c.c.) and ε phases corresponds to Shoji-Nishiyama type and between γ and α' phases corresponds to Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) type. In the SEM observations, the amount of these two types of martensite structure has been varied depending on the amount of deformation and the heat treatment temperature. In addition, Co and Mo effects were revealed in microstructure analyzes. By comparing the values of the lattice parameters obtained from the TEM and X-Ray observations with the values of those in the literature, it is shown how Co and Mo affect the lattice parameters of structure. The lattice parameter in Co-added alloy is aα'=2.8695 A° while Mo-added alloy is calculated as aα'=2.8567 A°. The type of martensitic transformation and the change of magnetic properties of alloys related to transformation rate were demonstrated by the analysis of the Mössbauer Spectrometer data. In particular, the change in the amount of α' martensite changes the antiferromagnetism or ferromagnetism and the internal magnetic field values of the alloys.

An EAR-Dependent Regulatory Module Promotes Male Germ Cell Division and Sperm Fertility in Arabidopsis.

The production of the sperm cells in angiosperms requires coordination of cell division and cell differentiation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the germline-specific MYB protein DUO1 integrates these processes, but the regulatory hierarchy in which DUO1 functions is unknown. Here, we identify an essential role for two germline-specific DUO1 target genes, DAZ1 and DAZ2, which encode EAR motif-containing C2H2-type zinc finger proteins. We show that DAZ1/DAZ2 are required for germ cell division and for the proper accumulation of mitotic cyclins. Importantly, DAZ1/DAZ2 are sufficient to promote G2- to M-phase transition and germ cell division in the absence of DUO1. DAZ1/DAZ2 are also required for DUO1-dependent cell differentiation and are essential for gamete fusion at fertilization. We demonstrate that the two EAR motifs in DAZ1/DAZ2 mediate their function in the male germline and are required for transcriptional repression and for physical interaction with the corepressor TOPLESS. Our findings uncover an essential module in a regulatory hierarchy that drives mitotic transition in male germ cells and implicates gene repression pathways in sperm cell formation and fertility.

N-cinnamoylsaccharin.

The title compound [systematic name: 2-cinnamoyl-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide], C16H11NO4S, contains both saccharin and cinnamoyl groups. The molecule is approximately planar in the solid state, and adjacent molecules are connected by C-H...O and C-H...pi(phenyl) interactions. In the C-H...pi interaction, the C...CgA distance is 3.916 (4) A (CgA is the non-fused benzene ring centroid) and the C-H...pi angle is 156 (2) degrees . A feature of the molecular geometry is the narrow C-S-N angle of 92.51 (9) degrees in the five-membered ring. This angle relieves strain from the ring and makes it possible for the whole saccharin group to become quite planar.