Degree of phenotypic dominance and heritability on the plant height character in wheat hybrids with different Rht-gene alleles.

The degree of dominance and the coefficient of heritability have been investigated as indicators of the allelic interaction at loci Rht8 and Rht-B1, which is characterized by the partial, complete or over dominance of greater plant height and by the low or medium heritability. Alleles with a weaker or without direct negative effect dominate under alleles reducing the plant height stronger. The impact of weather conditions on a change of the dominance is discussed. The line Kooperatorka has an additional allele (alleles), causing the greater heights of plants, with partially recessive mode of inheritance. An unidentified half-dominant dwarfing gene (genes) is present in a genotype of the line Odeska 3. The presence of a heterosis, caused by heterozygosity for genes, which are not critical in our research, distorts the evaluation of the allelic relationship characteristics studied.

[PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF GIBBERELLIN-SENSITIVE AND GIBBERELLIN-INSENSITIVE DWARFING GENES IN COMMON WHEAT OF THE SOUTHERN STEP REGION OF BLACK SEA].

Investigations of the pleiotropic effects of GA-sensitive (Rht8) and GA-insensitive (Rht-B1, Rht-D1) dwarfing genes and a gene that determines the response of plants to photoperiod--Ppd-D1 were carried out for three years in the southern step region of Black Sea bank on five different genetic backgrounds. It is shown that in addition to direct effects on plant height GA-sensitive and GA-insensitive dwarfing genes have pleiotropic effects on all studied traits except the number of fertile spikelets. Presence of the dwarfing genes in the genotype of tall forms led to the decrease of stem and ear length, and at the same time to the increase of ear density. The number of spikelets per spike decreased due to sterile spikelets, whereas the number of fertile spikelets did not change. There was a significant increase in the number of grains per ear as a result of increasing of spikelets in ears. The number and weight of grains did not decrease, even though the plants were characterized by a smaller number of productive stems. The presence of Rht8x allele on genetic background of variety Stepnyak resulted in a significant decrease of plants productivity. However, in combination with Ppd-D1a allele plants with Rht8x increased the potential productivity, and surpassed the parental form (Rht8a Ppd-D1b). The presence of Rht-B1e allele resulted in reduction of grain mass per spike and 1000-grain weight, increase of l/h, and left the number of grains per spike stable in comparison with Rht8c.

[Haplotype diversity in the mtDNA cyt b gene in round goby (Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas)) from the Northwestern part of the Black Sea Basin].

To study the genetic causes of successful biological invasion, haplotype diversity in the mtDNA cyt b locus was examined in populations of the round goby (Neogobius malanostomus (Pallas): (Gobidae, Piscs) from the Black Sea basin, which is considered tobe the main source of irruption. It was demonstrated that the haplotype diversity of this species was much higher than was assessed earlier. At the population level, a statistically significant association of haplotype diversity with the individual variation of plastic characters was established.

[Association of microsatellite loci alleles of the group-5 chromosomes with frost resistance of winter wheat].

Analysis of frost resistance and microsatellite analysis of the group-5 chromosomes were performed on parental varieties and recombinant-inbred lines F7 Luzanovka odesskaya/Odesskaya krasnokolosaya. Allelic differences for Xcfd7-5B Xwmc415-5B and Xgwm 182-5D microsatellite loci were associated with the level of frost resistance of the lines.

[Clarification of Rht8 and Ppd-D1 gene linkage on the 2D chromosome of winter bread wheat].

In the south part of Ukraine the haplotype of Rht8c and Ppd-D1a genes is highly distributed among modern bread wheat varieties. During the time of breeding program it has been selected as one of the most important adaptive complex for plants of this region. Genetic distance between Rht8c and Ppd-D1a was clarified.

[Phenotypic effects of puroindoline gene alleles of bread wheat].

85 winter bread wheat varieties and lines that have been developed mostly in Ukraine were analyzed with NIR for parameters of hardness and protein content. The hardness data were compared with the data of puroindoline gene alleles analysis done earlier and the published data. Significant variation of parameters of hardness was revealed when there was low polymorphism of puroindoline genes indicating the presence of additional genes that influence the hardness parameters.

[Effects of dwarfing genes on the genetic background of wheat varieties of the south Ukraine region].

Effects of the Rht8c, Rht-B1b, Rht-B1e and Rht-D1b genes on the plant height of wheat have been investigated. Variations of these effects are significantly modified by genetic background and year conditions. Complex of the alleles Rht8c Rht-B1a Rht-D1b Ppd-D1a is advantageous for the conditions of the South Ukraine region. There are gene(s) in the genotypes of some varieties which significantly decrease height and are unidentified by molecular markers in our investigation.

[Gibberellin signaling pathways in plants].

During the last decade plant growth and development have been investigated at the molecular level. Plant specific family GRAS-proteins plays one of the key roles in the molecular mechanisms of this process. In this report we highlight the importance of DELLA-proteins and show the model ofgibberellin signalling pathway in plants that starts from the binding of biologically active gibberellic acid with receptor and DELLA-protein. This complex stimulates ubiquitination and degradation of DELLA-proteins through the proteasome pathway. After degradation of DELLA-proteins the repression of plant growth stops that allows gibberellin response to occur. The role of DELLA-proteins as transcription factors is discussed.

[Tissue engineering of heart valves: new opportunities and challenges].

Replacement of heart valves appears to be prevailing method of surgical correction of end stage valvular heart defects. Main drawback of contemporary artificial valves is lack of growth, potential for remodeling, and inclination to degeneration. To overcome these limitations the modern science in the last decade focuses on tissue engineering of valves as an alternative to their prostheses. Basic idea of the technique is the use of decellularized xenogenic allogenic matrix or biopolymers seeded with autologous cells under special conditions created in bioreactor. This literature review is devoted to a novel direction in experimental cardiosurgery - tissue engineering of heart valves which in a unique way combines biological, engineering, and technological achievements.

[Analysis of common wheat varieties and near-isogenic lines by PCR with allele-specific primers for Gli-1 and Glu-3 loci].

The allelic characteristics of the Gli-A1, Gli-B1, Gli-D1 and Glu-A3 loci of 14 bread wheat varieties and 6 near-isogenic lines derived from Bezostaya 1 have been detected by PCR analysis. The conformity of molecular-genetic data and electrophoresis of storage proteins has been determined: the allelic variants of gliadins Gli-A1o and Gi-A1m correspond to the PCR-allele GliA1.2, the gliadin variants Gli-A1f, Gli-A1b, Gli-A1c correspond to the PCR-allele GliA 1.1, the allelic variants Gli-B1b, Gli-B1d--to the PCR-allele GliB1.1 and the variants Gli-B1e, Gli-B1g, Gli-B1c-to the PCR-allele GliB1.2. A new PCR-allele at the GliB) locus in the line Gli-B1-12 (with the gliadin block Gli-B1o from Levent) was identified.

Evaluation of the genetic variability of homoeologous group 3 SSRs in bread wheat.

Thorough characterization of the genetic variability in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important for a better improvement of this key crop and to increase cereal yield in the context of sustainable agriculture to face human needs in the next decades. To study the genetic variability of SSRs on wheat homoeologous group 3 chromosomes, we characterized 38 hexaploid and two tetraploid wheat lines using a set of 165 microsatellites that we cytogenetically assigned to the 17 deletion bins for chromosomes group 3. A comparative analysis of the genetic variability through the PIC value study, allele numbers and SSR lengths indicated that there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the three chromosomes of this homoeologous group despite the fact that SSRs from chromosome 3B exhibited slightly more alleles per locus compared to chromosomes 3A and 3D as well as slightly higher PIC values compared to chromosome 3D. However, there was a stronger correlation between SSR length and allele number on the short arms compared to the long arms and the correlation increased from the centromeres toward the telomeres. We did not find statistically significant differences in allele numbers and PIC values for SSRs located in more distal bins on 3A and 3B chromosomes. On the contrary, for chromosome 3D, we observed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the PIC values determined for SSRs assigned to deletion bin 3DL3-0.81-1.00 bin that is located distal compare to the more proximal region (C-3DL3-0.81). These results suggest that recombination which is higher in the telomeric regions does not contribute to increase a lot the variability of the SSRs.

[The effects of gene Rht8 alleles in agronomic traits of winter bread wheat in the conditions of South Steppe of the Ukraine].

Resistance to frost, winterhardiness, yield and its components were investigated in recombinant-inbred lines F5 Odesskaya 16/Bezostaya 1 and 61 winter wheat varieties differing on the alleles of Rht8 gene. The absence of influence of gene Rht8 different alleles on the tested traits was shown. The high frequency of distribution of alleles Rht8c in modern wheat varieties developed in Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute is a result of high frequency of use of this allele in genetic pool after 1959.

[Analysis of the short-stem genes in the genotypes of bread wheat cultivars in Ukraine].

Varieties of winter common wheat widely used in breeding programmes for the period of 1912-2002 in Ukraine were investigated using both the microsatellite Xgwm261 marker linked with the gibberellin-sensitive dwarf gene Rht8 and the biochemical test for the sensitivity of seedlings to gibberellic acid. Allelic characteristics of the locus Xgwm261 have been determined for 97 varieties. Near 98% of the modern varieties of winter common wheat derived from Odessa breeding institute and 50% of the varieties derived from the Mironovka wheat institute possess the allel 192 n.p. and gene Rht8 correspondingly. Estimation of sensitivity of the seedlings to gibberellic acid showed that the majority of the varieteis cultivated in Ukraine until the middle of the seventies are sensitive to gibberellic acid. The insusceptibility to gibberellic acid is predominantly manifested in the varieties derived from the south of Ukraine since the eighties owing to the introduction of the dwarf genes into the genotypes. At the same time the varieties of the Mironovka wheat institute still retain the sensitivity.

Genetic diversity in cultivated plants-loss or stability?

Human activities like urbanisation, the replacement of traditional agriculture systems by modern industrial methods or the introduction of modern high-yielding varieties may pose a danger to the biological diversity. Using microsatellite markers, we analysed samples of cultivated wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) collected over an interval of 40-50 years in four comparable geographical regions of Europe and Asia. No significant differences in both the total number of alleles per locus and in the PIC values were detected when the material collected in the repeated collection missions in all four regions were compared. About two-thirds of the alleles were common to both collection periods, while one-third represented collection mission-specific alleles. These findings demonstrate that an allele flow took place during the adaptation of traditional agriculture to modern systems, whereas the level of genetic diversity was not significantly influenced.

Molecular studies on genetic integrity of open-pollinating species rye (Secale cereale L.) after long-term genebank maintenance.

The genetic integrity of six accessions represented by 14 sub-populations of the open-pollinating species rye ( Secale cereale L.) was investigated. Seeds available from a herbarium collection (first regeneration) and from the cold store (most recent regeneration) were multiplied two to fourteen times and fingerprinted using microsatellite markers. Four accessions had significantly different allele frequencies. These were multiplied seven to thirteen times. Nearly 50% of the alleles discovered in the original samples were not found in the material present in the cold store. However alleles were detected in the most recently propagated sub-populations, that were not observed in the investigated plants of the original one. The change in allele frequencies is a continuous process. Reasons for the occurrence of genetic changes and consequences for managing open pollinating species maintained in ex situ genebanks are discussed.

[Distribution of alleles of the WMS261 locus, marking the gene for the dwarf gene Rht8, in common wheat cultivars in southern Ukraine]. / Rasprostranenie allelei lokusa WMS261, markiruiushchego gen korotkostebel'nosti Rht8, u sortov miagkoi pshenitsy iuzhnoi Ukrainy.

The use of codominant microsatellite molecular markers allows one to study the inheritance and distribution of alleles linked to important agronomic characters. A microsatellite locus WMS261 tightly linked to a dwarfing gene Rht8 was analyzed in wheat cultivars and selection material of the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetics. PCR screening of common wheat cultivars produced in the southern Ukraine showed the prevalence of a 192-bp allele at locus WMS261 that indicates adaptive significance of a corresponding allele of the Rht8 gene in the southern regions.

[Differentiation, identification and development of database of T. aestivum L. varieties of Ukrainian selection on the basis of sequence-tagged analysis of microsatellite repeats]. / Differentsiatsiia, identifikatsiia i sozdanie bazy dannykh sortov T. aestivum L. ukrainskoi selektsii na osnove STMS-analiza.

Determination of the variety genotype is very important for the development of theory and practice of plant breeding and for right protection of a variety originator. In this reason attention is focused on the molecular markers generated by polymerase chain reaction. On the basis of STMS-analysis principles of identification and development of database, which reflect molecular-genetics peculiarities of some varieties of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute and other Ukrainian breeding organizations, are formulated. Allelic state at microsatellite loci and their distribution were investigated. Wheat varieties were ranged according to genetic distances, data on pedigree and cluster distribution of varieties obtained using computer programs were compared.

A homicide in the Ukraine: DNA-based identification of a boiled, skeletonized, and varnished human skull, and of bone fragments found in a fireplace.

In an apartment, bone fragments were found in a fireplace. Furthermore, a varnished skull was found elsewhere in the same apartment. The tenant confessed to a murder and stated that the head of a victim, a girl, was boiled for 12 hours. He stated that the soft tissue was then removed and the skull was varnished. Other parts of the body were burned to ashes in an open field. Comparison of loci D19S252, CD4, CYAR04, TII01, F13A01, F13B, and D6S366 from the skull and the bone remains to loci of the mother of a missing girl showed that the skull came from that missing child. Biological maternity was calculated as 99.99%. The bone pieces were DNA typed as male and did not share alleles with the mother in several systems. Therefore, they belonged to a different (human) victim.

[Identification and certification of common wheat cultivars using RAPD and SSRP methods of analysis]. / Identifikatsiia i pasportizatsiia sortov miagkoI pshenitsy metodami RAPD- i SSRP- analiza.

Based on RAPD and SSRP analysis of wheats of different ecological-geographical origin, the procedures for composing genetic formulas of cultivars and their certification have been elaborated. The application of RAPD and SSRP analysis to the identification of wheat cultivars is discussed.

[The genetic polymorphism of cereals demonstrated by PCR with random primers]. / Geneticheskii polimorfizm zlakovykh rastenii pri pomoshchi PTsR s proizvol'nymi praimerami.

Polymerase chain reaction of DNA amplification with the use of random primers is a new approach in investigations of genome specificity. Nucleotide sequences that showed polymorphism in RFLP analysis were used as primers. Optimal temperature conditions and Mg2+ concentrations were determined for studying inter- and intraspecific DNA polymorphism in the most important cereals.