Study on the impact of exogenously applied methyl jasmonate concentrations on Solanum lycopersicum under low temperature stress.

BACKGROUND: To decipher the capability of Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) in resisting cold stress in Solanum lycopersicum assessment regarding various physiological parameters in response to diverse doses of MeJA was done. Low temperature (LT) were given to the plants with MeJA (J1C, J2C, J3C) or without MeJA (LT) application. MeJA in the form of foliar spray was given before stress, during stress and after stress. Three concentrations of MeJA were used under normal and LT stress conditions that includes of J1 (0.5 µM), J2 (10 µM), and J3 (15 µM). RESULTS: Oxidative stress, growth characteristics, stress tolerance parameters, antioxidant response and photosynthetic parameters were investigated. In our current study we observed that oxidative stress markers declined by MeJA supplementation under cold stress conditions. MeJA boosted antioxidant enzyme activity along with photosynthetic parameters. The best concentration of MeJA was J2 based on results obtained. This is the first study related to MeJA best dose screening in Solanum lycopersicum under LT stress conditions. CONCLUSION: The LT stress in the Solanum lycopersicum plant was reduced by MeJA. The adverse consequences of LT stress can be significantly attenuated by the J2 concentration of MeJA. So, the optimal concentration of MeJA supplied exogenously to LT stressed Solanum lycopersicum can be a smart strategy to mitigate harmful impact of LT stress on detox system and overall growth of plant.

Comparative transcriptomics unravels new genes imparting scab resistance in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.).

Apple scab is caused by an ascomycete fungus, Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint., which is one of the most severe disease of apple (Malus × Domestica Borkh.) worldwide. The disease results in 30-40% fruit loss annually and even complete loss in some places. Owing to the evolving susceptibility of resistant apple genotypes harboring R-genes to new variants of V. inaequalis, a comparative transcriptome analysis using Illumina (HiSeq) platform of three scab-resistant (Florina, Prima, and White Dotted Red) and three susceptible (Ambri, Vista Bella, and Red Delicious) apple genotypes was carried out to mine new scab resistance genes. The study led to the identification of 822 differentially expressed genes in the tested scab-resistant and scab-susceptible apple genotypes. The most upregulated genes uniformly expressed in resistant varieties compared to susceptible ones were those coding for 17.3 kDa class II heat shock protein-like, chaperone protein ClpB1, glutathione S-transferase L3-like protein, B3 domain-containing protein At3g18960-like, transcription factor bHLH7, zinc finger MYM-type protein 1-like, and nine uncharacterized proteins, besides three lncRNAs. The genes that were downregulated in susceptible and upregulated in resistant cultivars were those coding for non-specific lipid transfer protein GPI-anchored 1, rust resistance kinase Lr10-like, disease resistance protein RPS6-like, and many uncharacterized proteins. DESeq2 analysis too revealed 20 DEGs that were upregulated in scab-resistant cultivars. Furthermore, a total of 361 genes were significantly upregulated in scab-susceptible variety, while 461 were found downregulated (P value < 0.05 and Log2 (FC) > 1). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to various pathways, i.e., metabolic, protein processing, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant hormone signal transduction, autophagy, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, plant-pathogen interaction, lipid metabolism, and protein modification pathways. Real-time expression of a set of selected twelve DEGs further validated the results obtained from RNA-seq. Overall, these findings lay the foundation for investigating the genetic basis of apple scab resistance and defense pathways that might have a plausible role in governing scab resistance in apple against V. inaequalis.

MYB-6 and LDOX-1 regulated accretion of anthocyanin response to cold stress in purple black carrot (Daucus carota L.).

AIM: Anthocyanin, an essential ingredient of functional foods, is present in a wide range of plants, including black carrots. The current investigation was carried out to analyse the effect of cold stress on the expression of major anthocyanins and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes, MYB6 and LDOX-1. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five cultivated carrot genotypes belonging to the eastern group, having anthocyanin pigment, were used in the current study. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that relative gene expression of transcription factor MYB-6 and LDOX1gene was highly expressed upon cold stress compared to non-stress samples. High-performance liquid chromatography-based quantification of Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (Kuromanin chloride), Ferulic acid, 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (Sinapic acid), and Rutin revealed a significant increase in these major anthocyanins in response to cold stress when compared to control plants. CONCLUSION: We conclude that MYB6 and LDOX1 gene expression increases upon cold stress, which induces accumulation of major anthocyanins in purple black carrot and suggests a possible cross-link between cold stress and anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple black carrot.

Genetic diversity analysis and population structure in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) grown under north-western himalayas using ISSR markers.

Investigation of genetic variability and population relationship of 50 accessions of the apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) was carried out using ISSR markers. The results revealed that the number of alleles per locus varied from 4 to 8 with a mean value of 6.75, and the mean effective number of alleles (Ne) per locus was 1.54. Similarly, the polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.464 to 0.424, with a mean value of 0.424. The mean heterozygosity, marker index, resolving power, and effective multiplex ratio (EMR) ranged from 0.001 to 0.002, 0.01-0.06, 1.76-3.84, and 1-4.12. The dendrogram clustered genotypes into two main clades based on their origins. The population structure revealed two sub-populations with some admixtures. The average expected heterozygosity and population differentiation within two sub-populations was 0.1428 and 0.216, respectively. The results outcome reveals that the four ISSR markers comprehensively separated the indigenous germplasm from the exotic germplasm. The genetic divergence within indigenous genotypes and exotic genotypes could allow for future insights into apricot breeding programs.

Treatment intensification in type 2 diabetes management after the failure of two oral hypoglycemic agents: A non-interventional comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The safety and efficacy of treatment approaches in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after the failure of two oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) was studied. METHODS: A combination of the ambispective study was conducted between June 2013 to June 2014 at the Asir Diabetes Center, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Patients with poorly controlled T2DM who were administered two OHAs for at least 6 months and had HbA1c levels greater than 7.0% were included. Subjects were treated with three OHAs (Group I), biphasic insulin and metformin (Group II), two existing OHAs and basal insulin (Group III), and insulin monotherapy (Group IV). Relevant data were collected at baseline at the interval of 3 months for one year. RESULTS: Amongst 255 patients enrolled, 20.8, 29.8, 32.5, and 16.8% were in Groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The mean (Glycated hemoglobin) HbA1c levels were decreased significantly in the groups where insulin was an add-on therapy with the OHAs. Acceptable level of HbA1C (7 %) was significantly higher amongst patients in groups II and III, whereas hypoglycemic events were higher in Group IV. CONCLUSION: Insulin as add-on therapy with OHAs is an option for the management of T2DM where glycemic control is insufficient with two OHAs.

Quantification of polyphenolic compounds and relative gene expression studies of phenylpropanoid pathway in apple (Malus domestica Borkh) in response to Venturia inaequalis infection.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) is rich in phenolic compounds, which may enhance resistance to scab disease caused by Venturia inaequalis. In present study, apple cv. Golden Delicious was used for estimation of total phenols, flavonoids and quantification of six individual phenolic compounds. between control vs inoculated samples at different inoculation stages. The relative gene expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase and flavanone 3 hydroxylase increased and polyphenolic compounds were constitutively upregulated at different post-inoculation stages. Data suggest that synthesis and accumulation of polyphenols is closely related with disease resistance against Venturia inaequalis. This study may play a vital role in understanding and finding out the governing mechanisms of scab resistance.

Elucidating genetic variability and population structure in Venturia inaequalis associated with apple scab diseaseusing SSR markers.

Apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis Cooke (Wint.) is one the important diseases of trade and industrial significance in apple. In present study variability studies in pathogen isolates were studied, which is one of the most important factors for devising management studies of scab disease in apple. Genetic diversity of 30 Venturia inaequalis isolates from 12 districts of two geographical distinct regions of Jammu and Kashmir was calculated based on the allele frequencies of 28 SSR markers and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA. The ITS based characterized sequences were submitted to NCBI GenBank and accession numbers were sanctioned. Dendrogram showed that all the accessions formed 2 main clusters with various degree of sub clustering within the clusters. Analysis based on SSR study reveals that the heterozygosity ranged from 0.0 and 0.5, with an average value of 0.39. The expected heterozygosis or gene diversity (He) ranged from 0.0 to 0.50 with an average of 0.40. The Fst value ranges from 0 to 0.6 with an average of 0.194. Diversity within each population (HS) values ranging from 0.26 to 0.33. Average differentiation among populations (GST) was 0.11 and populations were isolated by significant distance (r 2 = 0.50, P < 0.01). From the AMOVA analysis, 25% of variation was observed among population, 9% among individuals and 66% within individuals observed in the population. Structure analysis grouped isolates into two populations. Principle coordinate analysis explained variation of 36.6% in population 1, 14.30% in population 2 and 13.10% in population 3(Admixture) with 64.07% as overall cumulative percentage of variation. This indicates that extensive short-distance gene flow occurs in Kashmir region that dispersal over longer distances also appears to occur frequently enough to prevent differentiation due to genetic drift. Also it is evident that Jammu and Kashmir most likely has V. inaequalis subpopulations linked to diverse climatic conditions of the Jammu region compared to the mountainous inland Kashmir region. The results of present study would help to understand the genetic diversity of V. inaequalis from Jammu and Kashmir that would lead in the development of more effective management strategies and development of new resistant cultivars through marker-assisted selection.

Comparative expression analysis of senescence gene CsNAP and B-class floral development gene CsAP3 during different stages of flower development in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

Crocus sativus, a monocot triploid species belonging to the Iridaceae family, is cultivated for its red stigmatic lobes of the carpel that constitute saffron. Flower development has been extensively studied in different plants. Different floral developmental pathways have been deciphered in many plants. In Crocus sativus, flower is the most important part and understanding the pathway underlying the flower development can pave the way for new avenues to improve its productivity and quality. The combination of class A genes (including APETALA1; CsAP1 and APETALA2; CsAP2), class B genes (including APETALA3; CsAP3 and PISTILLATA; CsPI) and class C genes (including AGAMOUS; CsAG) that are active in each whorl, determines the identity of the organs that will later develop in that whorl. CsAP3 is a class B homeotic gene which promotes petal and stamen formation and has a very important role in flower development. It also activates other genes playing pivotal role in flower development. It has been earlier reported that CsAP3 gene has direct role in activation of CsNAP gene which promotes senescence in plants. Present work was focused on study of relative gene expression changes of CsAP3 and CsNAP gene during different stages of flower development. CsAP3 gene expression was found maximum during late-preanthesis stages of stigma development. Expression increases from stage 5 to stage 6 of flower development and then reduces again from stage 6 to stage 7. CsNAP gene had moderate expression during stage 3 to stage 4 transition and its expression increased abruptly from stage 6 to stage 7 of flower development. There is no direct concordance in the expression of CsAP3 and CsNAP gene expression in saffron. We may conclude that some other factor(s) may be responsible for initiation of CsNAP expression and CsAP3 gene may directly/indirectly be involved in regulating the factors responsible for CsNAP activation.

WITHDRAWN: Single nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotype association and tumour expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with lung carcinoma.

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