ABSTRACT
Maize is one of the world's most important staple crops, yet its production is increasingly threatened by the rising frequency of high-temperature stress (HTS). To investigate the genetic basis of anther thermotolerance under field conditions, we performed linkage and association analysis to identify HTS response quantitative trait loci (QTL) using three recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and an association panel containing 375 diverse maize inbred lines. These analyses resulted in the identification of 16 co-located large QTL intervals. Among the 37 candidate genes identified in these QTL intervals, five have rice or Arabidopsis homologs known to influence pollen and filament development. Notably, one of the candidate genes, ZmDUP707, has been subject to selection pressure during breeding. Its expression is suppressed by HTS, leading to pollen abortion and barren seeds. We also identified several additional candidate genes potentially underly QTL previously reported by other researchers. Taken together, our results provide a pool of valuable candidate genes that could be employed by future breeding programs aiming at enhancing maize HTS tolerance.
Subject(s)
Quantitative Trait Loci , Thermotolerance , Zea mays , Zea mays/genetics , Zea mays/physiology , Quantitative Trait Loci/genetics , Thermotolerance/genetics , Genetic Linkage , Chromosome Mapping , Genes, Plant/genetics , Flowers/genetics , Flowers/physiology , Pollen/genetics , Pollen/physiologyABSTRACT
RCF1 is a highly conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase found in yeast, plants, and mammals. Studies about the functions of RCF1 in plants are limited. Here, we uncovered the functions of RCF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana as a player in pri-miRNA processing and splicing, as well as in pre-mRNA splicing. A mutant with miRNA biogenesis defects was isolated, and the defect was traced to a recessive point mutation in RCF1 (rcf1-4). We show that RCF1 promotes D-body formation and facilitates the interaction between pri-miRNAs and HYL1. Finally, we show that intron-containing pri-miRNAs and pre-mRNAs exhibit a global splicing defect in rcf1-4. Together, this work uncovers roles for RCF1 in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis.
Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins , Arabidopsis , MicroRNAs , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional , RNA Splicing/genetics , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Brace root architecture is a critical determinant of maize's stalk anchorage and nutrition uptake, influencing root lodging resistance, stress tolerance, and plant growth. To identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) in control of maize brace root growth, we performed small RNA sequencing using brace root samples at emergence and growth stages. We focused on the genetic modulation of brace root development in maize through manipulation of miR390 and its downstream regulated auxin response factors (ARFs). In the present study, miR167, miR166, miR172, and miR390 were identified to be involved in maize brace root growth in inbred line B73. Utilizing short tandem target mimic (STTM) technology, we further developed maize lines with reduced miR390 expression and analyzed their root architecture compared to wild-type controls. Our findings show that STTM390 maize lines exhibit enhanced brace root length and increased whorl numbers. Gene expression analyses revealed that the suppression of miR390 leads to upregulation of its downstream regulated ARF genes, specifically ZmARF11 and ZmARF26, which may significantly alter root architecture. Additionally, loss-of-function mutants for ZmARF11 and ZmARF26 were characterized to further confirm the role of these genes in brace root growth. These results demonstrate that miR390, ZmARF11, and ZmARF26 play crucial roles in regulating maize brace root growth; the involved complicated molecular mechanisms need to be further explored. This study provides a genetic basis for breeding maize varieties with improved lodging resistance and adaptability to diverse agricultural environments.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , MicroRNAs , Plant Roots , Zea mays , Zea mays/genetics , Zea mays/growth & development , MicroRNAs/genetics , Plant Roots/growth & development , Plant Roots/genetics , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Gene Knockdown TechniquesABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. They are produced through an enzyme-guided process called dicing and have an asymmetrical structure with two nucleotide overhangs at the 3' ends. Artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs or amiRs) are designed to mimic the structure of miRNAs and can be used to silence specific genes of interest. Traditionally, amiRNAs are designed based on an endogenous miRNA precursor with certain mismatches at specific positions to increase their efficiency. In this study, the authors modified the highly expressed miR168a in Arabidopsis thaliana by replacing the single miR168 stem-loop/duplex with tandem asymmetrical amiRNA duplexes that follow the statistical rules of miRNA secondary structures. These tandem amiRNA duplexes, called "two-hit" amiRNAs, were shown to have a higher efficiency in silencing GFP and endogenous PDS reporter genes compared to traditional "one-hit" amiRNAs. The authors also demonstrated the effectiveness of "two-hit" amiRNAs in silencing genes involved in miRNA, tasiRNA, and hormone signalling pathways, individually or in families. Importantly, "two-hit" amiRNAs were also able to over-express endogenous miRNAs for their functions. The authors compare "two-hit" amiRNA technology with CRISPR/Cas9 and provide a web-based amiRNA designer for easy design and wide application in plants and even animals.
Subject(s)
Arabidopsis , MicroRNAs , Animals , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Plants/genetics , Gene Silencing , RNA, Small Interfering , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Plants, Genetically Modified/geneticsABSTRACT
A novel triazine-based covalent organic framework (TFPT-Bz COF) has been constructed by the condensation of 2,4,6-tris(5-formyl-2-pyridinoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TFPT) and benzidine (BZ) with deep eutectic solvent (DES) as the reaction medium. After the introduction of Pd ions through strong coordination to TFPT-Bz COF matrix, the constructed TFPT-Bz COF/Pd composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity for C-H arylation of azoles with aryl halides in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. The protocol allows the arylation of a variety of substituted azoles with diverse aryl halides in high to excellent yield. Moreover, the TFPT-Bz COF/Pd catalyst can be recycled several times without significantly reducing its activity.
ABSTRACT
Increasing grain yield is required to meet the rapidly expanding demands for food, feed, and fuel. Inflorescence meristems are central to plant growth and development. However, the question concerning whether inflorescence development can be regulated to improve grain yield remains unclear. Here, we describe a naturally occurring single recessive mutation called fea5 that can increase grain yield in maize. Using bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq), the candidate region was initially mapped to a large region on chromosome 4 (4.68 Mb-11.26 Mb). Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed a total of 1246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 835 were up-regulated and 411 were down-regulated. Further analysis revealed the enrichment of DEGs in phytohormone signal transduction. Consistently, phytohormone profiling indicated that auxin (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ETH), and cytokinin (CK) levels increased significantly, whereas the gibberellin (GA) level decreased significantly in fea5. By integrating BSA-seq with RNA-seq, we identified Zm00001d048841 as the most likely candidate gene. Our results provide valuable insight into this new germplasm resource and the molecular mechanism underlying fasciated ears that produce a higher kernel row number in maize.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Profiling , Plant Growth Regulators , RNA-Seq , Zea mays/genetics , Gibberellins , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , TranscriptomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rice is a salt-sensitive crop. Complex gene regulatory cascades are likely involved in salinity stress in rice roots. microRNA168 (miR168) is a conserved miRNA among different plant species. It in-directly regulates the expression of all miRNAs by targeting gene ARGONAUTE1(AGO1). Short Tandem Target Mimic (STTM) technology is an ideal approach to study miRNA functions by in-activating mature miRNA in plants. RESULTS: In this study, rice miR168 was inactivated by STTM. The T3 generation seedlings of STTM168 exhibited significantly enhanced salt resistance. Direct target genes of rice miR168 were obtained by in silico prediction and further confirmed by degradome-sequencing. PINHEAD (OsAGO1), which was previously suggested to be a plant abiotic stress response regulator. RNA-Seq was performed in root samples of 150mM salt-treated STTM168 and control seedlings. Among these screened 481 differentially expressed genes within STTM168 and the control, 44 abiotic stress response related genes showed significant difference, including four known salt-responsive genes. CONCLUSION: Based on sequencing and qRT-PCR, a "miR168-AGO1-downstream" gene regulation model was proposed to be responsible for rice salt stress response. The present study proved miR168-AGO1 cascade to play important role in rice salinity stress responding, as well as to be applied in agronomic improvement in further.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs , Oryza , Salt Tolerance/genetics , Oryza/genetics , Salt Stress/genetics , Seedlings/genetics , MicroRNAs/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical features, laboratory examination and genetic analysis of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type â ¡ (MPS â ¡). METHODS: Clinical manifestations, results of urine glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and dermatan sulfate assay, metabolites related to MPS in peripheral blood leukocytes were analyzed. Meanwhile, the child and his mother were subjected to next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The boy has presented with global development delay, coarse facies, frequent upper-respiratory infections, hearing loss, indirect inguinal hernia, hepatosplenomegaly, and skeletal deformities. His urine GAGs were significantly elevated, and the urinary dermatan sulfate (DS) was positive. Meanwhile, the activity of idose-2-sulfatase was extremely reduced. The patient was found to harbor a hemizygote c.676C>G (p. His226Asp) missense variant in exon 5 of IDS gene, for which his mother was heterozygous. CONCLUSION: The novel c.676C>G variant of the IDS gene probably underlay the MPS â ¡ in this child. Genetic testing combined with enzymatic analysis can enable effective diagnosis and classification of MPS.
Subject(s)
Mucopolysaccharidosis II , Child , Dermatan Sulfate , Exons , Family , Glycosaminoglycans , Humans , Male , Mucopolysaccharidosis II/diagnosis , Mucopolysaccharidosis II/geneticsABSTRACT
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases, affecting 1%-3% of children. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has been widely used as a first-tier tool for identifying genetic causes of rare diseases. Trio-WES was performed in a cohort of 74 pedigrees with NDDs. Exome-based copy number variant (CNV) calling was incorporated into the traditional single-nucleotide variant (SNV) and small insertion/deletion (Indel) analysis pipeline for WES data. An overall positive diagnostic yield of 54.05% (40/74) was obtained in the pipeline of combinational SNV/Indel and CNV analysis, including 35.13% (26/74) from SNV/Indel analysis and 18.92% (14/74) from exome-based CNV analysis, respectively. In total, SNV/Indel analysis identified 38 variants in 28 different genes, of which 24 variants were novel; exome-based CNV analysis identified 14 CNVs, including 2 duplications and 12 deletions, which ranged from 440 bp (single exon) to 16.86 Mb (large fragment) in size. In particular, a hemizygous deletion of exon 1 in the SLC16A2 gene was detected. Based on the diagnostic results, two families underwent prenatal diagnosis and had unaffected babies. The incorporation of exome-based CNV detection into conventional SNV/Indel analysis for a single trio-WES test significantly improved the diagnostic rate, making WES a more powerful, practical, and cost-effective tool in the clinical diagnosis of NDDs.
Subject(s)
Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Symporters , Child , DNA Copy Number Variations , Exome/genetics , Female , Humans , Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/diagnosis , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Symporters/genetics , Exome SequencingABSTRACT
A magnetic CdS quantum dot (Fe3 O4 /polydopamine (PDA)/CdS) was synthesized through a facile and convenient method from inexpensive starting materials. Characterization of the prepared catalyst was performed by means of FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and vibrating-sample magnetometer techniques. Fe3 O4 /PDA/CdS was found to be a highly active photocatalyst for the amidation of aromatic aldehydes by using air as a clean oxidant under mild conditions. The photocatalyst can be recovered by magnetic separation and successfully reused for five cycles without considerable loss of its catalytic activity.
ABSTRACT
Multiple genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) improve grain yield by promoting tillering. MiR319s are known to regulate several aspects of plant development; however, whether miR319s are essential for tillering regulation remains unclear. Here, we report that miR319 is highly expressed in the basal part of rice plant at different development stages. The miR319 knockdown line Short Tandem Target Mimic 319 (STTM319) showed higher tiller bud length in seedlings under low nitrogen (N) condition and higher tiller bud number under high N condition compared with the miR319a-overexpression line. Through targets prediction, we identified OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb as downstream targets of miR319. Moreover, OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb overexpression lines and STTM319 had increased tiller bud length and biomass, whereas both were decreased in OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb knockout lines and OE319a. These data suggest that miR319 regulates rice tiller bud development and tillering through targeting OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb. Notably, the tiller number and grain yield increased in STTM319 and overexpression lines of OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb but decreased in OE319a and knockout lines of OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR319s negatively affect tiller number and grain yield by targeting OsTCP21 and OsGAmyb, revealing a novel function for miR319 in rice.
Subject(s)
Oryza/genetics , Oryza/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Plant Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To study the physical and neuropsychological development of children with Citrin deficiency (CD). METHODS: A total of 93 children, aged 1.9-59.8 months, who were diagnosed with CD by SLC25A13 gene analysis in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from August 2010 to August 2015, were enrolled as subjects. A retrospective analysis was performed for their birth condition and physical growth and neuropsychological development indices. Among these children, 7 underwent physical measurement and neuropsychological development assessment within 1 year old and after 1 year old, and therefore, a total of 100 cases were included for analysis. RESULTS: For the 93 children with CD, the incidence rate of failure to thrive was 25% (23 children) and the proportion of small for gestational age was 47% (44 children). For the 100 cases of CD, the incidence rates of growth retardation, underweight, emaciation, overweight, and microcephalus were 23% (23 cases), 14% (14 cases), 4% (4 cases), 8% (8 cases), and 9% (9 cases), respectively. The incidence rate of neuropsychological developmental delay was 25% (25 cases), and the incidence rates of development delay in the five domains of adaptability, gross motor, fine motor, language, and social ability were 7% (7 cases), 15% (15 cases), 7% (7 cases), 9% (9 cases), and 7% (7 cases), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Physical and neuropsychological developmental delay can be observed in children with CD, and physical and neuropsychological development should be regularly assessed.
Subject(s)
Child Development , Citrullinemia , Citrullinemia/physiopathology , Humans , Infant , Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins , Neuropsychological Tests , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
MicroRNAs are important regulators in plant developmental processes and stress responses. In this study, we generated a series of maize STTM166 transgenic plants. Knock-down of miR166 resulted in various morphological changes, including rolled leaves, enhanced abiotic stress resistance, inferior yield-related traits, vascular pattern and epidermis structures, tassel architecture, as well as abscisic acid (ABA) level elevation and indole acetic acid (IAA) level reduction in maize. To profile miR166 regulated genes, we performed RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis. A total of 178 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 118 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated genes. These DEGs were strongly enriched in cell and intercellular components, cell membrane system components, oxidoreductase activity, single organism metabolic process, carbohydrate metabolic process, and oxidation reduction process. These results indicated that miR166 plays important roles in auxin and ABA interaction in monocots, yet the specific mechanism may differ from dicots. The enhanced abiotic stress resistance is partly caused via rolling leaves, high ABA content, modulated vascular structure, and the potential changes of cell membrane structure. The inferior yield-related traits and late flowering are partly controlled by the decreased IAA content, the interplay of miR166 with other miRNAs and AGOs. Taken together, the present study uncovered novel functions of miR166 in maize, and provide insights on applying short tandem target mimics (STTM) technology in plant breeding.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs/physiology , Zea mays/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/physiology , MicroRNAs/genetics , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plant Leaves/physiology , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Stress, Physiological/genetics , Stress, Physiological/physiology , Zea mays/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) has been reported to be abnormally expressed in several malignancies. However, the prognostic role of apoA1 in solid tumors is still controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to obtain a more accurate evaluation of prognostic significance of apoA1 in Chinese patients with solid tumors. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases was carried out up to August 2018. We included studies investigating the association between pretreatment serum apoA1 level and clinicopathological features, including survival outcomes, in solid tumors. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied as effect size estimates. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies and 8052 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Elevated level of pretreatment serum apoA1 was markedly associated with an improved OS (pooled HR = 0.608, 95% CI = 0.557 - 0.665, P < 0.001). The statistical significances were observed in all cancer types, including digestive system malignancies (pooled HR = 0.633; 95% CI = 0.550-0.727; P < 0.001), urinary system cancers (pooled HR = 0.471; 95% CI = 0.352-0.630; P < 0.001), nasopharyngeal cancer (pooled HR = 0.642; 95% CI = 0.538-0.766; P < 0.001) and non-small cell lung cancer (pooled HR = 0.526; 95% CI = 0.329-0.841; P = 0.007), but not in breast cancer (pooled HR = 0.573; 95% CI = 0.266-1.246; P = 0.155). Meanwhile, cancer patients with a low level of serum apoA1 suffered an unfavorable DFS (pooled HR = 0.714, 95% CI = 0.603 - 0.845, P < 0.001). Moreover, abnormal serum apoA1 was significantly correlated to tumor size (pooled OR = 0.640, 95% CI = 0.475 - 0.863, P = 0.003), tumor differentiation (pooled HR = 0.724, 95% CI = 0.565 - 0.929, P = 0.011), and tumor stage (pooled HR = 0.493, 95% CI = 0.384 - 0.633, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated level of pretreatment serum apoA1 was significantly associated with longer survival in patients with solid tumors. Pretreatment serum apoA1 could serve as a novel positive factor for malignant patient prognosis in Chinese population.
Subject(s)
Apolipoprotein A-I/blood , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Asian People , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , China , Databases, Factual , Disease-Free Survival , Humans , Neoplasms/mortality , Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards ModelsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To detect mutations of SLC25A13 gene in 20 families affected with citrin deficiency and provide prenatal diagnosis for them. METHODS: The 20 probands and their parents were subjected to high-frequency mutation screening combined with Sanger sequencing. After confirming the genotype of each pedigree, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis were performed for their subsequent pregnancies. RESULTS: Biallelic pathogenic mutations of the SLC25A13 gene were identified in all probands. These included three deletions (c.851del4, c.1092_1095delT, and c.495delA), two splice-site mutations (IVS6+5G to A and IVS11+1G to A), two nonsense mutations (c.775C to T (p.Q259X) and c.72T to A (p.Y24X)), one duplication mutation (c.1638_1660dup), one insertion (IVSl6ins3kb), and one missense mutation (c.1775A to C (p.Q592P)). Among 24 fetuses undergoing prenatal diagnosis, 8 had normal genotypes, 11 were mutation carriers, while 5 harbored biallelic mutations. Those with wild type alleles or heterozygous SLC25A13 mutations were delivered. Two fetuses harboring homozygous c.851del4 mutations were also delivered. Three fetuses harboring biallelic mutations were terminated. CONCLUSION: Analysis of SLC25A13 gene mutations in families affected by citrin deficiency can provide evidence for molecular diagnosis and facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the subsequent pregnancy, which can effectively reduce the risk of birth of further affected children.
Subject(s)
Citrullinemia/genetics , Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Prenatal Diagnosis , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Fetus , Humans , Mutation , PregnancyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To screen for mutations of NTRK1 gene in a Chinese family affected with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from the proband and her family members. All of the 17 exons and intron-exon boundaries of the NTRK1 gene were analyzed by direct Sanger sequencing. For the deletional mutation, the PCR products were subjected to T-A cloning and sequencing to verify the mutation. RESULTS: NTRK1 gene analysis revealed that proband has carried a c.1786C>T (p.Arg596*) nonsense mutation inherited from her mother and a novel deletional mutation c.1928-2028+23del from her father. Her elder brother only carried the deletional mutation. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of CIPA relied on typical clinical symptoms of no pain, anhidrosis and intellectual disability and detection of the biallelic NTRK1 mutations. The novel deletional mutation has enriched the spectrum of NTRK1 mutations.
Subject(s)
Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies/genetics , Mutation , Receptor, trkA/genetics , Child, Preschool , DNA Mutational Analysis , Exons , Female , Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies/diagnosis , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maize grain yield depends mainly on the photosynthetic efficiency of functional leaves, which is controlled by an array of gene networks and other factors, including environmental conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that play important roles in plant developmental regulation. A few senescence-associated miRNAs (SA-miRNAs) have been identified as important participants in regulating leaf senescence by modulating the expression levels of their target genes. RESULTS: To elucidate miRNA roles in leaf senescence and their underlying molecular mechanisms in maize, a stay-green line, Yu87-1, and an early leaf senescence line, Early leaf senescence-1 (ELS-1), were selected as experimental materials for the differential expression of candidate miRNAs. Four small RNA libraries were constructed from ear leaves at 20 and 30 days after pollination and sequenced by Illumina deep sequencing technology. Altogether, 81 miRNAs were detected in both lines. Of these, 16 miRNAs of nine families were differentially expressed between ELS-1 andYu87-1. The phenotypic and chlorophyll content analyses of both lines identified these 16 differentially expressed miRNAs as candidate SA-miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 16 candidate SA-miRNAs of ELS-1 were identified through small RNA deep sequencing technology. Degradome sequencing results indicated that these candidate SA-miRNAs may regulate leaf senescence through their target genes, mainly transcription factors, and potentially control chlorophyll degradation pathways. The results highlight the regulatory roles of miRNAs during leaf senescence in maize.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Gene Regulatory Networks , MicroRNAs/physiology , Plant Leaves/metabolism , RNA, Plant/physiology , Zea mays/genetics , Plant Leaves/physiology , Time Factors , Zea mays/physiologyABSTRACT
Kernel development is an important dynamic trait that determines the final grain yield in maize. To dissect the genetic basis of maize kernel development process, a conditional quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted using an immortalized F2 (IF2) population comprising 243 single crosses at two locations over 2 years. Volume (KV) and density (KD) of dried developing kernels, together with kernel weight (KW) at different developmental stages, were used to describe dynamic changes during kernel development. Phenotypic analysis revealed that final KW and KD were determined at DAP22 and KV at DAP29. Unconditional QTL mapping for KW, KV and KD uncovered 97 QTLs at different kernel development stages, of which qKW6b, qKW7a, qKW7b, qKW10b, qKW10c, qKV10a, qKV10b and qKV7 were identified under multiple kernel developmental stages and environments. Among the 26 QTLs detected by conditional QTL mapping, conqKW7a, conqKV7a, conqKV10a, conqKD2, conqKD7 and conqKD8a were conserved between the two mapping methodologies. Furthermore, most of these QTLs were consistent with QTLs and genes for kernel development/grain filling reported in previous studies. These QTLs probably contain major genes associated with the kernel development process, and can be used to improve grain yield and quality through marker-assisted selection.
Subject(s)
Edible Grain/genetics , Quantitative Trait Loci/genetics , Zea mays/genetics , Chromosome Mapping/methods , Chromosomes, Plant/genetics , Environment , Genotype , Seeds/geneticsABSTRACT
A new europium complex coordinated between a Eu(III) ion and an unsymmetrical diarylperfluorocyclopentene yields a light-controlled diarylethene-europium dyad, DAE@TpyEu(tta)3, whose photophysical properties can be reversibly switched by optical stimuli. When DAE@TpyEu(tta)3 is exposed to 365 nm UV light, an efficient intramolecular photochromic fluorescence resonance energy transfer (pc-FRET) occurs between the emission of the Eu(3+) donor (D) and the absorption of the diarylethene acceptor (A) in closed-form DAE@TpyEu(tta)3 accompanied by luminescence quenching. However, the pc-FRET process could be effectively inhibited by visible light (λ > 600 nm) irradiation, and the lanthanide emission of DAE@TpyEu(tta)3 is rapidly recovered. Furthermore, this luminescent lanthanide molecular switch could serve as a highly reliable and sensitive "turn on" fluorescent marker in living cells irradiated by red light without any optical interference.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and mutations of MYO5B gene in a family affected with microvillus inclusion disease. METHODS: Clinical data of an infant affected with microvillus inclusion disease was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and her parents. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to analyze all the exons and their flanking sequences of the MYO5B gene. RESULTS: The patient presented with complicated manifestations including respiratory distress syndrome, dehydration, acidosis, bowel dilatation, liver and kidney dysfunction, and severe and intractable diarrhea. A compound mutation of the MYO5B gene, i.e., IVS37-1G>C/c.2729_2731delC (p.R911Afs916X), was discovered in the patient. The former was a splice-site mutation inherited from the mother, while the latter was a frameshift mutation inherited from the father. Both were not reported previously. CONCLUSION: Based on the clinical and molecular evidence, the patient was diagnosed with microvillus inclusion disease. Above finding has expanded the mutation spectrum of the MYO5B gene, which can provide valuable information for genetic counseling for the family.