Prebiotic saccharides polymerization improves the encapsulation efficiency, stability, bioaccessibility and gut microbiota modulation of urolithin A liposomes.

This work was to investigate the effect of four prebiotic saccharides gum arabic (GA), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), konjac glucomannan (KGM), and inulin (INU) incorporation on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), physicochemical stability, and in vitro digestion of urolithin A-loaded liposomes (UroA-LPs). The regulation of liposomes on gut microbiota was also investigated by in vitro colonic fermentation. Results indicated that liposomes coated with GA showed the best EE, bioaccessibility, storage and thermal stability, the bioaccessibility was 1.67 times of that of UroA-LPs. The UroA-LPs coated with FOS showed the best freeze-thaw stability and transformation. Meanwhile, saccharides addition remarkably improved the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, reduced the abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The UroA-LPs coated with FOS, INU, and GA exhibited the highest beneficial bacteria abundance of Parabacteroides, Monoglobus, and Phascolarctobacterium, respectively. FOS could also decrease the abundance of harmful bacteria Collinsella and Enterococcus, and increase the levels of acetic acid, butyric acid and iso-butyric acid. Consequently, prebiotic saccharides can improve the EE, physicochemical stability, gut microbiota regulation of UroA-LPs, and promote the bioaccessibility of UroA, but the efficiency varied based on saccharides types, which can lay a foundation for the application of UroA in foods industry and for the enhancement of its bio-activities.

Evaluating a worldwide wheat collection for resistance to Hessian fly biotype 'Great Plains'.

Hessian fly (HF), Mayetiola destructor, is a major insect pest that causes severe losses in grain yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Growing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective approach to minimize wheat yield losses caused by HF. In this study, 2,496 wheat accessions were screened for resistance to the HF biotype 'Great Plains' (GP) in the greenhouse experiments. To purify seeds from heterogeneous resistant accessions, we recovered single resistant plants from 331 accessions that had at least one resistant plant after HF infestation of a global collection of 1,595 accessions and confirmed 27 accessions with high resistance (HR), and 91 accessions with moderate resistance (MR) to the GP biotype using purified seeds. Screening of 203 U.S. winter wheat accessions in three experiments identified 63 HR and 28 MR accessions; and screening of three additional Asian panels identified 4 HR and 25 MR accessions. Together, this study identified 96 HR accessions and 144 MR accessions. Analysis of the geographic distribution of these HR and MR accessions revealed that these countries with HF as a major wheat pest usually showed higher frequencies of resistant accessions, with the highest frequency of HR (81.3%) and MR (30.6%) accessions identified from the U.S. In addition, phenotyping of 39 wheat accessions that carry known HF resistance genes showed that all the accessions except H1H2 remain effective against GP biotype. Some of these newly identified resistant accessions may contain new HF resistance genes and can be valuable sources for developing HF resistant wheat cultivars.

Liposomes encapsulation by pH driven improves the stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of urolithin A: A comparative study.

Urolithin A (UroA) is gut metabolites of ellagitannins possessing a vast range of biological activities, but its poor water solubility and low bioavailability hinder its potential applications. This study utilized the pH dependent dissolution characteristics of UroA and employed a simple pH-driven method to load UroA into liposomes. The characterization and stability of obtained liposomes under different conditions were evaluated, and their oral bioavailability was tested by pharmacokinetics, and compared with UroA liposomes prepared using traditional thin film dispersion (TFM-ULs). Results indicated that liposomes could effectively encapsulate UroA. The UroA liposomes prepared by the pH-driven method (PDM-ULs) showed lower particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and higher encapsulation efficiency than TFM-ULs. Interestingly, better thermal stability, storage stability, in vitro digestion stability, and higher bioaccessibility were also found on PDM-ULs. Moreover, pharmacokinetic experiments in rats demonstrated that PDM-ULs could significantly improve the bioavailability of UroA, with an absorption efficiency 1.91 times that of TFM-ULs. Therefore, our findings suggest that liposomes prepared by pH-driven methods have great potential in improving the stability and bioavailability of UroA.

High Nutritional Quality of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Generated Proteins through an Advanced Scalable Peptide Hydrogel 3D Suspension System.

Cell-cultured protein technology has become increasingly attractive due to its sustainability and climate benefits. The aim of this study is to determine the nutritional quality of the human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-cultured proteins in an advanced 3D peptide hydrogel system for the highly efficient production of cell-cultured proteins. Our previous study demonstrated a PGmatrix peptide hydrogel for the 3D embedded culture of long-term hiPSC maintenance and expansion (PGmatrix-hiPSC (PG-3D)), which showed significantly superior pluripotency when compared with traditional 2D cell culture on Matrigel and/or Vitronectin and other existing 3D scaffolding systems such as Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogels. In this study, we designed a PGmatrix 3D suspension (PG-3DSUSP) system from the PG-3D embedded system that allows scaling up a hiPSC 3D culture volume by 20 times (e.g., from 0.5 mL to 10 mL). The results indicated that the PG-3DSUSP was a competitive system compared to the well-established PG-3D embedded method in terms of cell growth performance and cell pluripotency. hiPSCs cultured in PG-3DSUSP consistently presented a 15-20-fold increase in growth and a 95-99% increase in viability across multiple passages with spheroids with a size range of 30-50 µm. The expression of pluripotency-related genes, including NANOG, OCT4, hTERT, REX1, and UTF1, in PG-3DSUSP-cultured hiPSCs was similar to or higher than that observed in a PG-3D system, suggesting continuous pluripotent maintenance. The nutritional value of the hiPSC-generated proteins from the PG-3DSUSP system was further evaluated for amino acid composition and in vitro protein digestibility. The amino acid composition of the hiPSC-generated proteins demonstrated a significantly higher essential amino acid content (39.0%) than human skeletal muscle protein (31.8%). In vitro protein digestibility of hiPSC-generated proteins was significantly higher (78.0 ± 0.7%) than that of the commercial beef protein isolate (75.7 ± 0.6%). Taken together, this is the first study to report an advanced PG-3DSUSP culture system to produce highly efficient hiPSC-generated proteins that possess more essential amino acids and better digestibility. The hiPSC-generated proteins with superior nutrition quality may be of particular significance as novel alternative proteins in food engineering and industries for future food, beverage, and supplement applications.

Abscisic Acid: A Potential Secreted Effector Synthesized by Phytophagous Insects for Host-Plant Manipulation.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an isoprenoid-derived plant signaling molecule involved in a wide variety of plant processes, including facets of growth and development as well as responses to abiotic and biotic stress. ABA had previously been reported in a wide variety of animals, including insects and humans. We used high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-(ESI)-MS/MS) to examine concentrations of ABA in 17 species of phytophagous insects, including gall- and non-gall-inducing species from all insect orders with species known to induce plant galls: Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera. We found ABA in insect species in all six orders, in both gall-inducing and non-gall-inducing species, with no tendency for gall-inducing insects to have higher concentrations. The concentrations of ABA in insects often markedly exceeded those typically found in plants, suggesting it is highly improbable that insects obtain all their ABA from their host plant via consumption and sequestration. As a follow-up, we used immunohistochemistry to determine that ABA localizes to the salivary glands in the larvae of the gall-inducing Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae). The high concentrations of ABA, combined with its localization to salivary glands, suggest that insects are synthesizing and secreting ABA to manipulate their host plants. The pervasiveness of ABA among both gall- and non-gall-inducing insects and our current knowledge of the role of ABA in plant processes suggest that insects are using ABA to manipulate source-sink mechanisms of nutrient allocation or to suppress host-plant defenses. ABA joins the triumvirate of phytohormones, along with cytokinins (CKs) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), that are abundant, widespread, and localized to glandular organs in insects and used to manipulate host plants.

Comparative Investigation on the Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) pulp from Five Cultivars.

Jackfruit is one of the major tropical fruits, but information on the phytochemicals and biological benefits of its pulp is limited. In this study, the phytochemicals and biological activities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of five jackfruit pulp cultivars (M1, M2, M3, M7 and T5) were comparatively investigated. A total of 11 compounds were identified in all cultivars of jackfruit pulp, among which 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and tryptophan N-glucoside were reported for the first time in jackfruit. T5 exhibited the highest total phenolic content (7.69 ± 0.73 mg GAE/g DW), antioxidant capacity (109.8, 96.7 and 207 mg VCE/g DW for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, respectively), antitumor activity (80.31%) and anti-inflammatory activity (78.44%) among five cultivars. These results can provide a reference for growers to choose jackfruit cultivar and offer an insight into the industrial application of jackfruit pulp derived-products.

Evaluation of Different Black Mulberry Fruits (Morus nigra L.) Based on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity.

This study evaluated thirteen different black mulberry fruits (Morus nigra L.) grown in the Guangdong region in order to select the best cultivar for health benefits and commercial applications. The phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three in vitro methods. Significant differences among samples were found regarding total soluble solids (6.20-15.83 °Brix), titratable acidity (5.82-48.49 mg CA/g), total phenolic contents (10.82-27.29 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid contents (1.21-2.86 mg RE/g) and total anthocyanin contents (2.91-11.86 mg CE/g). Fifty-five different phenolic compounds were identified, of which fifteen were reported in mulberry for the first time, but only forty-six of them were quantitated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power varied significantly among the samples. Overall, cultivars with better combinations of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were Qiong46 (M-2), Yuebanguo (M-4) and Heizhenzhu (M-10), which were recommended for commercial cultivation.

Chromosome-level genome assembly for the horned-gall aphid provides insights into interactions between gall-making insect and its host plant.

The aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis is an economically important insect that can induce horned galls, which are valuable for the medicinal and chemical industries. Up to now, more than twenty aphid genomes have been reported. Most of the sequenced genomes are derived from free-living aphids. Here, we generated a high-quality genome assembly from a galling aphid. The final genome assembly is 271.52 Mb, representing one of the smallest sequenced genomes of aphids. The genome assembly is based on contig and scaffold N50 values of the genome sequence are 3.77 Mb and 20.41 Mb, respectively. Nine-seven percent of the assembled sequences was anchored onto 13 chromosomes. Based on BUSCO analysis, the assembly involved 96.9% of conserved arthropod and 98.5% of the conserved Hemiptera single-copy orthologous genes. A total of 14,089 protein-coding genes were predicted. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. chinensis diverged from the common ancestor of Eriosoma lanigerum approximately 57 million years ago (MYA). In addition, 35 genes encoding salivary gland proteins showed differentially when S. chinensis forms a gall, suggesting they have potential roles in gall formation and plant defense suppression. Taken together, this high-quality S. chinensis genome assembly and annotation provide a solid genetic foundation for future research to reveal the mechanism of gall formation and to explore the interaction between aphids and their host plants.

A new strategy for using historical imbalanced yield data to conduct genome-wide association studies and develop genomic prediction models for wheat breeding.

Using imbalanced historical yield data to predict performance and select new lines is an arduous breeding task. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and high throughput genotyping based on sequencing techniques can increase prediction accuracy. An association mapping panel of 227 Texas elite (TXE) wheat breeding lines was used for GWAS and a training population to develop prediction models for grain yield selection. An imbalanced set of yield data collected from 102 environments (year-by-location) over 10 years, through testing yield in 40-66 lines each year at 6-14 locations with 38-41 lines repeated in the test in any two consecutive years, was used. Based on correlations among data from different environments within two adjacent years and heritability estimated in each environment, yield data from 87 environments were selected and assigned to two correlation-based groups. The yield best linear unbiased estimation (BLUE) from each group, along with reaction to greenbug and Hessian fly in each line, was used for GWAS to reveal genomic regions associated with yield and insect resistance. A total of 74 genomic regions were associated with grain yield and two of them were commonly detected in both correlation-based groups. Greenbug resistance in TXE lines was mainly controlled by Gb3 on chromosome 7DL in addition to two novel regions on 3DL and 6DS, and Hessian fly resistance was conferred by the region on 1AS. Genomic prediction models developed in two correlation-based groups were validated using a set of 105 new advanced breeding lines and the model from correlation-based group G2 was more reliable for prediction. This research not only identified genomic regions associated with yield and insect resistance but also established the method of using historical imbalanced breeding data to develop a genomic prediction model for crop improvement. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01287-8.

Precise mapping of QTL for Hessian fly resistance in the hard winter wheat cultivar 'Overland'.

KEY MESSAGE: A major QTL for Hessian fly resistance was precisely mapped to a 2.32 Mb region on chromosome 3B of the US hard winter wheat cultivar 'Overland'. The Hessian fly (HF, Mayetiola destructor) is a destructive insect pest of wheat in the USA and worldwide. Deploying HF-resistant cultivars is the most effective and economical approach to control this insect pest. A population of 186 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from 'Overland' × 'Overley' and phenotyped for responses to HF attack using the HF biotype 'Great Plains'. A high-density genetic linkage map was constructed using 1,576 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with a significant epistatic effect on HF resistance were mapped to chromosomes 3B (QHf.hwwg-3B) and 7A (QHf.hwwg-7A) in Overland, which are located in similar chromosome regions as found for H35 and H36 in the cultivar 'SD06165', respectively. QHf.hwwg-3B showed a much larger effect on HF resistance than QHf.hwwg-7A. Five and four GBS-SNPs, respectively, in the QHf.hwwg-3B and QHf.hwwg-7A QTL intervals were converted into Kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers. QHf.hwwg-3B was precisely mapped to a 2.32 Mb interval (2,479,314-4,799,538 bp) using near-isogenic lines (NILs) and RILs that have recombination within the QTL interval. The US winter wheat accessions carrying contrasting alleles at KASP markers KASP-3B4525164, KASP-7A47772047 and KASP-7A65090410 showed significant difference in HF resistance. The combination of the two KASP markers KASP-3B3797431 and KASP-3B4525164 is near-diagnostic for the detection of QHf.hwwg-3B in a US winter wheat panel and can be potentially used for screening the QTL in breeding programs.

Molecular and Histologic Adaptation of Horned Gall Induced by the Aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis (Pemphigidae).

Chinese galls are the result of hyperplasia in host plants induced by aphids. The metabolism and gene expression of these galls are modified to accommodate the aphids. Here, we highlight the molecular and histologic features of horned galls according to transcriptome and anatomical structures. In primary pathways, genes were found to be unevenly shifted and selectively expressed in the galls and leaves near the galls (LNG). Pathways for amino acid synthesis and degradation were also unevenly shifted, favoring enhanced accumulation of essential amino acids in galls for aphids. Although galls enhanced the biosynthesis of glucose, which is directly available to aphids, glucose content in the gall tissues was lower due to the feeding of aphids. Pathways of gall growth were up-regulated to provide enough space for aphids. In addition, the horned gall has specialized branched schizogenous ducts and expanded xylem in the stalk, which provide a broader feeding surface for aphids and improve the efficiency of transportation and nutrient exchange. Notably, the gene expression in the LNG showed a similar pattern to that of the galls, but on a smaller scale. We suppose the aphids manipulate galls to their advantage, and galls lessen competition by functioning as a medium between the aphids and their host plants.

Preparation of pectin/poly(m-phenylenediamine) microsphere and its application for Pb2+ removal.

Novel pectin/poly(m-phenylenediamine) (P/PmPDA) microspheres with different content of PmPDA were prepared by assembling PmPDA on the surface of pectin microsphere. The successful preparation was confirmed by the results of Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. Compared with pectin microsphere, the Pb2+ adsorption performance of P/PmPDA microspheres was significantly improved. The results of batch adsorption experiments were in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model for Pb2+ adsorption, indicating the adsorption was monolayer. The maximum adsorption capacity of Pb2+ was found to be 390.9 mg/g. The kinetic adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order model and chemical adsorption dominated the adsorption process. The potential mechanisms of Pb2+ adsorption were speculated as ion exchange and chelation, which were supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The P/PmPDA microspheres showed good recyclability after five adsorption/desorption cycles. All these results indicated the potential of P/PmPDA microspheres for removing Pb2+.

Genome assembly and methylome analysis of the white wax scale insect provides insight into sexual differentiation of metamorphosis in hexapods.

Scale insects are hemimetabolous, showing "incomplete" metamorphosis and no true pupal stage. Ericerus pela, commonly known as the white wax scale insect (hereafter, WWS), is a wax-producing insect found in Asia and Europe. WWS displays dramatic sexual dimorphism, with notably different metamorphic fates in males and females. Males develop into winged adults, while females are neotenic and maintain a nymph-like appearance, which are flightless and remain stationary. Here, we report the de novo assembly of the WWS genome with a size of 638.30 Mbp (69.68 Mbp for scaffold N50) by PacBio sequencing and Hi-C. These data allowed us to perform a robust phylogenetic analysis comprising 24,923 gene orthogroups from 16 representative insect genomes. This analysis indicated that holometabola evolved from insects with incomplete metamorphosis in the Late Carboniferous, about 50 million years earlier than previously thought. To study the distinct developmental fates of males and females, we analysed the methylome landscape in either sex. Surprisingly, WWS displayed high methylation levels (4.42% for males) when compared to other insects. We observed differential methylation patterns in males and females for genes involved in steroid and sesquiterpenoid production as well as genes acting in fatty acid metabolism pathways. We measured titre profiles for ecdysone, the principal insect steroid hormone, and juvenile hormone (a sesquiterpenoid) in both males and females, which suggested that these hormones are the primary drivers of sexually dimorphic development. Our results provide a comprehensive genomic and epigenomic resource of scale insects that provide new insights into the evolution of metamorphosis and sexual dimorphism in insects.

Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of saliva and salivary glands from the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.

Salivary secretions play critical roles in interactions among insects, insect-vectored pathogens, and host plants. The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is a sap-sucking Hemipteran that serves as a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of citrus greening disease ("Huanglongbing" or HLB). D. citri continuously injects saliva into host plants using specialized stylets so as to feed and transmit the HLB pathogen. Knowledge on the composition and function of salivary proteins of this pest is very limited. In this study, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches were adopted to characterize the protein composition of the saliva and salivary glands in D. citri. A total of 246 and 483 proteins were identified in saliva and dissected salivary glands, respectively, via LC-MS/MS analyses. Comparative analyses of the identified proteins were performed between D. citri and other reported Hemipteran insect species. Transcription levels of the genes coding for the identified proteins were determined via RNA-sequencing among different tissues including salivary glands and other digestive tissues. Identification of putative effectors that are expressed exclusively or abundantly in salivary glands provides the foundation for future functional studies towards the understanding of their roles in interactions among D. citri, HLB pathogen, and their citrus host. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is a systematic analysis on proteins in saliva and dissected salivary glands. A high percentage of novel proteins have been identified due to the large amounts of samples collected. This report gives a more comprehensive repertoire of potential effector proteins that may be possibly involved in modulating host defense, altering nutrient metabolism, and facilitating Ca. L. asiaticus transmission.

Differential localization of Hessian fly candidate effectors in resistant and susceptible wheat plants.

Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor is a notorious pest of wheat. Previous studies suggest that Hessian fly uses effector-based mechanisms to attack wheat plants during parasitism, but no direct evidence has been reported to support this postulation. Here, we produced recombinant proteins for five Family-1 candidate effectors and antibodies. Indirect immunostaining and western blots were carried out to examine the localization of Hessian fly Family-1 proteins in plant and insect tissues. Confocal images revealed that Family-1 putative effectors were exclusively produced in the basal region of larval salivary glands, which are directly linked to the mandibles' ducts for effector injection. The five Family-1 proteins were detected in infested host plants on western blots. Indirect immunostaining of sectioned host tissues around the feeding site revealed strikingly different localization patterns between resistant and susceptible plants. In susceptible plants, the Family-1 proteins penetrated from the feeding cell into deep tissues, indicative of movement between cells during nutritive cell formation. In contrast, the Hessian fly proteins were primarily limited to the initially attacked cells in resistant plants. The limitation of effectors' spread in resistant plants was likely due to wall strengthening and rapid hypersensitive cell death. Cell death was found in Nicotiana benthamiana in association with hypersensitive reaction triggered by the Family-1 effector SSGP-1A2. Our finding represents a significant progress in visualizing insect effectors in host tissues and mechanisms of plant resistance and susceptibility to gall midge pests.

Gall-Inducing Parasites: Convergent and Conserved Strategies of Plant Manipulation by Insects and Nematodes.

Gall-inducing insects and nematodes engage in sophisticated interactions with their host plants. These parasites can induce major morphological and physiological changes in host roots, leaves, and other tissues. Sedentary endoparasitic nematodes, root-knot and cyst nematodes in particular, as well as gall-inducing and leaf-mining insects, manipulate plant development to form unique organs that provide them with food from feeding cells. Sometimes, infected tissues may undergo a developmental switch resulting in the formation of aberrant and spectacular structures (clubs or galls). We describe here the complex interactions between these plant-reprogramming sedentary endoparasites and their infected hosts, focusing on similarities between strategies of plant manipulation. We highlight progress in our understanding of the host plant response to infection and focus on the nematode and insect molecules secreted in planta. We suggest thatlooking at similarities may identify convergent and conserved strategies and shed light on the promise they hold for the development of new management strategies in agriculture and forestry.

A Complex Nutrient Exchange Between a Gall-Forming Aphid and Its Plant Host.

It has been a long-standing question as to whether the interaction between gall-forming insects and their host plants is merely parasitic or whether it may also benefit the host. On its host Rhus chinensis, the aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis induces the formation of closed galls, referred to as horned galls. Typically, mature aphid populations comprise thousands of individuals, which is sufficient to cause the accumulation of high CO2 levels in galls (on average 8-fold higher and up to 16 times than atmospheric levels). Large aphid populations also excrete significant amounts of honeydew, a waste product high in sugars. Based on 13C isotope tracing and genomic analyses, we showed that aphid-derived carbon found in CO2 and honeydew was recycled in gall tissues via photosynthesis and glycometabolism. These results indicated that the aphid-gall system evolved in a manner that allowed nutrient recycling, where the gall provides nutrients to the growing aphid population, and in turn, aphid-derived carbon metabolites provide a resource for the growth of the gall. The metabolic efficiency of this self-circulating system indicates that the input needed from the host plant to maintain aphid population growth less than previously thought and possibly minimal. Aside from the recycling of nutrients, we also found that gall metabolites were transported to other parts of the host plant and is particularly beneficial for leaves growing adjacent to the gall. Taken together, galls in the S. chinensis-Rhus chinensis system are highly specialized structures that serve as a metabolic and nutrient exchange hub that benefits both the aphid and its host plant. As such, host plants provide both shelter and nutrients to protect and sustain aphid populations, and in return, aphid-derived metabolites are channeled back to the host plant and thus provide a certain degree of "metabolic compensation" for their caloric and structural needs.

The Hessian fly recessive resistance gene h4 mapped to chromosome 1A of the wheat cultivar 'Java' using genotyping-by-sequencing.

KEY MESSAGE: The recessive Hessian fly resistance gene h4 and flanking SNP markers were located to a 642 kb region in chromosome 1A of the wheat cultivar 'Java.' Hessian fly (HF), Mayetiola destructor, is one of the most destructive insect pests in wheat worldwide. The wheat cultivar 'Java' was reported to carry a recessive gene (h4) for HF resistance; however, its chromosome location has not been determined. To map the HF resistance gene in Java, two populations of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from 'Bobwhite' × Java and 'Overley' × Java, respectively, and were phenotyped for responses to infestation of HF Great Plains biotype. Analysis of phenotypic data from the F1 and the RIL populations confirmed that one recessive gene conditioned HF resistance in Java. Two linkage maps were constructed using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). The h4 gene was mapped to the distal end of the short arm of chromosome 1A, which explained 60.4 to 70.5% of the phenotypic variation for HF resistance in the two populations. The GBS-SNPs in the h4 candidate interval were converted into Kompetitive Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (KASP) markers to eliminate the missing data points in GBS-SNPs. Using the revised maps with KASP markers, h4 was further located to a 642 kb interval (6,635,984-7,277,935 bp). The two flanking KASP markers, KASP3299 and KASP1871, as well as four other closely linked KASP markers, may be useful for pyramiding h4 with other HF resistance genes in breeding.

Identification of two novel Hessian fly resistance genes H35 and H36 in a hard winter wheat line SD06165.

KEY MESSAGE: Two new Hessian fly resistance QTLs (H35 and H36) and tightly linked SNP markers were identified in a US hard winter wheat SD06165. Hessian fly (HF), Mayetiola destructor (Say), is one of the most destructive pests in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Growing resistant cultivars is the most effective approach to minimize Hessian fly damage. To identify new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for HF resistance, a recombinant inbred line population was developed by crossing HF resistant wheat line SD06165 to a susceptible line OK05312. The population was genotyped with 1709 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated from genotyping-by-sequencing and phenotyped for HF resistance in greenhouses. Two novel QTLs for HF resistance were identified from SD06165. The major QTL, designated as H35, was closely linked to SNP marker SDOKSNP7679 on chromosome 3BS that explained 23.8% and 36.0% of the phenotypic variations; the minor QTL, designated as H36, was flanked by SNP markers SDOKSNP1618 and SDOKSNP8089 on chromosome 7AS and explained 8.5% and 13.1% of the phenotypic variation in the two experiments. Significant interaction was detected between the two QTLs. Seventeen SNPs that tightly link to H35 and eight SNPs that tightly link to H36 were converted to kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction markers for selecting these QTLs in breeding programs.

A Horizontal Gene Transfer Led to the Acquisition of a Fructan Metabolic Pathway in a Gall Midge.

Animals are thought to use only glucose polymers (glycogen) as energy reserve, whereas both glucose (starch) and fructose polymers (fructans) are used by microbes and plants. Here, it is reported that the gall midge Mayetiola destructor, and likely other herbivorous animal species, gained the ability to utilize dietary fructans directly as storage polysaccharides by a single horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of bacterial levanase/inulinase gene followed by gene expansion and differentiation. Multiple genes encoding levanases/inulinases have their origin in a single HGT event from a bacterium and they show high expression levels and enzymatic activities in different tissues of the gall midge, including nondigestive fat bodies and eggs, both of which contained significant amounts of fructans. This study provides evidence that animals can also use fructans as energy reserve by incorporating bacterial genes in their genomes.