Transposons are important contributors to gene expression variability under selection in rice populations.

Transposable elements (TEs) are an important source of genome variability. Here, we analyze their contribution to gene expression variability in rice by performing a TE insertion polymorphism expression quantitative trait locus mapping using expression data from 208 varieties from the Oryza sativa ssp. indica and O. sativa ssp. japonica subspecies. Our data show that TE insertions are associated with changes of expression of many genes known to be targets of rice domestication and breeding. An important fraction of these insertions were already present in the rice wild ancestors, and have been differentially selected in indica and japonica rice populations. Taken together, our results show that small changes of expression in signal transduction genes induced by TE insertions accompany the domestication and adaptation of rice populations.

Regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway by a single or dual short-term CO2 treatment in black table grapes stored at low temperature.

The application of one or two short-term treatments with high levels of CO2 during 3 days at 0 °C maintained the quality of Autumn Royal table grapes (Vitis vinifera) during storage at 0 °C. We have analyzed how the application of a 3-day gaseous treatment, for one or two times at 0 °C, influences on common (VviPAL, VviCHS, VviCHI, VviF3'H, VviF3'5'H, VviF3H and VviLDOX) and branch-specific (VviFLS1, VviLAR1, VviLAR2, VviANR and VviUFGT) flavonoid gene expression in the skin of Autumn Royal table grapes. Likewise, the content of flavonols, flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins were identified with Q-TOF equipment and quantified by HPLC-quadrupole together with the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity by the ABTS and FRAP methods. Moreover, we have also used a solid-state voltammetry methodology to compare the effect of the application of one or two gaseous treatments in the skin of table grapes stored at 0 °C. Results revealed that the application of one or two gaseous treatments modulated the expression of flavonoid gene expression and the levels of catechin, in the case of one application, or quercetin-3-glucoside and five anthocyanins in fruit treated twice, maintaining their levels after 28 days of storage at 0 °C similar to those recorded in freshly harvested fruit. Satisfactorily, the electrochemical approach was useful to distinguish between treated and non-treated samples not only in the first stage of storage but also after 16 days.