Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of Genes Associated with Starch Metabolism in Castanea henryi Seed (Fagaceae).

Starch is the most important form of carbohydrate storage and is the major energy reserve in some seeds, especially Castanea henryi. Seed germination is the beginning of the plant's life cycle, and starch metabolism is important for seed germination. As a complex metabolic pathway, the regulation of starch metabolism in C. henryi is still poorly understood. To explore the mechanism of starch metabolism during the germination of C. henryi, we conducted a comparative gene expression analysis at the transcriptional level using RNA-seq across four different germination stages, and analyzed the changes in the starch and soluble sugar contents. The results showed that the starch content increased in 0-10 days and decreased in 10-35 days, while the soluble sugar content continuously decreased in 0-30 days and increased in 30-35 days. We identified 49 candidate genes that may be associated with starch and sucrose metabolism. Three ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) genes, two nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (NPPS) genes and three starch synthases (SS) genes may be related to starch accumulation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression levels of these genes. Our study combined transcriptome data with physiological and biochemical data, revealing potential candidate genes that affect starch metabolism during seed germination, and provides important data about starch metabolism and seed germination in seed plants.

Complete chloroplast genome of Cymbidium ensifolium（Orchidaceae）.

Cymbidium ensifolium is one of the most economical and ornamental significant orchids. It's facing serious genetic resources loss and habitat fragmentation. A conservation strategy is therefore imperative for this endangered orchid. Here, we report on the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. ensifolium. Its full-length of 150,257 bp include large single-copy (LSC) region of 85,110 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 13,761 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 25,692 bp. Plastid genome contain 137 genes, 78 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Cymbidium ensifolium was sister to C. sinense, Cy. Tortisepalum, and C. kanran. The cp genome will help for further research and conservation of C. ensifolium.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Quercus gilva（Fagaceae）.

Quercus gilva is classified as the national second-class protective tree species in China and is widely distributed in Middle East Asia. We determined the complete chloroplast genome sequence for Q. gilva using Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast sequence is 160,763 bp, including large single-copy (LSC) region of 90,292 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,831 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 25,820 bp. Plastid genome contains 128 genes, 80 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 26 chloroplast genomes indicates that Q. gilva is closely related to Q. sichourensis in Fagaceae.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of bamboo Dendrocalamopsis vario-striata (Gramineae Bambusoideae).

Dendrocalamopsis vario-striata is one of the most economical and ornamental significant bamboo. It has the characteristics of annual flowering but no death. Here, we report on the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of D. vario-striata. Its full-length of 139,458 bp, include large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,279 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,143bp, a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 22,018bp. Plastid genome contains 264 genes, 170 protein-coding genes, 78 tRNA genes, and 16 rRNA genes. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis shows that D. vario-striata was sister to all other species of Bambusoideae.