Large-Scale SNP Discovery and Genotyping for Constructing a High-Density Genetic Map of Tea Plant Using Specific-Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing (SLAF-seq).

Genetic maps are important tools in plant genomics and breeding. The present study reports the large-scale discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for genetic map construction in tea plant. We developed a total of 6,042 valid SNP markers using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq), and subsequently mapped them into the previous framework map. The final map contained 6,448 molecular markers, distributing on fifteen linkage groups corresponding to the number of tea plant chromosomes. The total map length was 3,965 cM, with an average inter-locus distance of 1.0 cM. This map is the first SNP-based reference map of tea plant, as well as the most saturated one developed to date. The SNP markers and map resources generated in this study provide a wealth of genetic information that can serve as a foundation for downstream genetic analyses, such as the fine mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL), map-based cloning, marker-assisted selection, and anchoring of scaffolds to facilitate the process of whole genome sequencing projects for tea plant.

Overexpression of a R2R3 MYB gene MdSIMYB1 increases tolerance to multiple stresses in transgenic tobacco and apples.

MYB transcription factors (TFs) involve in plant abiotic stress tolerance and response in various plant species. In this study, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was conducted to isolate the R2R3-MYB TF gene MdSIMYB1 from apples (Malus × domestica). The gene transcripts were abundant in the leaves, flowers and fruits, compared to other organs, and were induced by abiotic stresses and plant hormones. We observed the subcellular localization of an MdSIMYB1-GFP fusion protein in the nucleus. Furthermore, the MdSIMYB1 gene was introduced into the tobacco genome and ectopically expressed in transgenic lines. The results indicate that MdSIMYB1 transgenic tobacco seed germination is insensitive to abscisic acid and NaCl treatment. Additionally, it was found that the ectopic expression of MdSIMYB1 enhanced the tolerance of plants to high salinity, drought and cold tolerance by upregulating the stress-responsive genes NtDREB1A, NtERD10B and NtERD10C. Meanwhile, the transgenic tobacco exhibited robust root growth because of the enhanced expression of the auxin-responsive genes NtIAA4.2, NtIAA4.1 and NtIAA2.5 under stress conditions, which is conducive to stress tolerance. Finally, transgenic apple lines were obtained and tested. Transgenic apple lines that were overexpressing MdSIMYB1 exhibited a higher tolerance to abiotic stress than the wild-type control, but suppression of MdSIMYB1 resulted in lower tolerance. Our results indicate that MdSIMYB1 may be utilized as a target gene for enhancing stress tolerance in important crops.

Genome wide analysis of the apple MYB transcription factor family allows the identification of MdoMYB121 gene confering abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

The MYB proteins comprise one of the largest families of transcription factors (TFs) in plants. Although several MYB genes have been characterized to play roles in secondary metabolism, the MYB family has not yet been identified in apple. In this study, 229 apple MYB genes were identified through a genome-wide analysis and divided into 45 subgroups. A computational analysis was conducted using the apple genomic database to yield a complete overview of the MYB family, including the intron-exon organizations, the sequence features of the MYB DNA-binding domains, the carboxy-terminal motifs, and the chromosomal locations. Subsequently, the expression of 18 MYB genes, including 12 were chosen from stress-related subgroups, while another 6 ones from other subgroups, in response to various abiotic stresses was examined. It was found that several of these MYB genes, particularly MdoMYB121, were induced by multiple stresses. The MdoMYB121 was then further functionally characterized. Its predicted protein was found to be localized in the nucleus. A transgenic analysis indicated that the overexpression of the MdoMYB121 gene remarkably enhanced the tolerance to high salinity, drought, and cold stresses in transgenic tomato and apple plants. Our results indicate that the MYB genes are highly conserved in plant species and that MdoMYB121 can be used as a target gene in genetic engineering approaches to improve the tolerance of plants to multiple abiotic stresses.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel apple MdCIPK6L gene reveals its involvement in multiple abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic plants.

CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) are involved in many aspects of plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, their functions are poorly understood in fruit trees. In this study, a salt-induced MdCIPK6L gene was isolated from apple. Its expression was positively induced by abiotic stresses, stress-related hormones and exogenous Ca(2+). MdCIPK6L was not homologous to AtSOS2, however, its ectopic expression functionally complemented Arabidopsis sos2 mutant. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid assay showed that MdCIPK6L protein interacted with AtSOS3, indicating that it functions in salt tolerance partially like AtSOS2 through SOS pathway. As a result, the overexpression of both MdCIPK6L and MdCIPK6LT175D remarkably enhanced the tolerance to salt, osmotic/drought and chilling stresses, but did not affect root growth, in transgenic Arabidopsis and apple. Also, T-to-D mutation to MdCIPK6L at Thr175 did not affect its function. These differences between MdCIPK6L and other CIPKs, especially CIPK6s, indicate that MdCIPK6L encodes a novel CIPK in apple. Finally, MdCIPK6L overexpression also conferred tolerance to salt, drought and chilling stresses in transgenic tomatoes. Therefore, MdCIPK6L functions in stress tolerance crossing the species barriers, and is supposed to be a potential candidate gene to improve stress tolerance by genetic manipulation in apple and other crops.

[The analysis of vibrational structure of the electronic spectra of diatomic molecules].

On the basis of the spectrum term of a electronic rotational-vibrational energy level, the law of vibrational band sequences and progressions in diatomic molecules was analysed. According to the law, the Deslandres table and its nature were summarized. How to indicate the measured values of a electronic-vibrational spectrum was illustrated by taking the Swan band spectra of the C2 molecule as an example. In the example, the measured values were put in order which formed the Deslandres table in terms of the law of vibrational structure. The authors can gain some important data, such as anharmonicity constants and harmonic oscillator frequencies in different vibrational states, concerning the band spectra of molecules. Furthermore, the formula of wave numbers of every band spectrum was derived.