Reversion and non-reversion mechanisms of resistance to PARP inhibitor or platinum chemotherapy in BRCA1/2-mutant metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about mechanisms of resistance to poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) and platinum chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations. Further investigation of resistance in clinical cohorts may point to strategies to prevent or overcome treatment failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We obtained tumor biopsies from metastatic breast cancer patients with BRCA1/2 deficiency before and after acquired resistance to PARPi or platinum chemotherapy. Whole exome sequencing was carried out on each tumor, germline DNA, and circulating tumor DNA. Tumors underwent RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemical staining for RAD51 foci on tumor sections was carried out for functional assessment of intact homologous recombination (HR). RESULTS: Pre- and post-resistance tumor samples were sequenced from eight patients (four with BRCA1 and four with BRCA2 mutation; four treated with PARPi and four with platinum). Following disease progression on DNA-damaging therapy, four patients (50%) acquired at least one somatic reversion alteration likely to result in functional BRCA1/2 protein detected by tumor or circulating tumor DNA sequencing. Two patients with germline BRCA1 deficiency acquired genomic alterations anticipated to restore HR through increased DNA end resection: loss of TP53BP1 in one patient and amplification of MRE11A in another. RAD51 foci were acquired post-resistance in all patients with genomic reversion, consistent with reconstitution of HR. All patients whose tumors demonstrated RAD51 foci post-resistance were intrinsically resistant to subsequent lines of DNA-damaging therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic reversion in BRCA1/2 was the most commonly observed mechanism of resistance, occurring in four of eight patients. Novel sequence alterations leading to increased DNA end resection were seen in two patients, and may be targetable for therapeutic benefit. The presence of RAD51 foci by immunohistochemistry was consistent with BRCA1/2 protein functional status from genomic data and predicted response to later DNA-damaging therapy, supporting RAD51 focus formation as a clinically useful biomarker.

Publisher Correction: Tidal and diel orchestration of behaviour and gene expression in an intertidal mollusc.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Tidal and diel orchestration of behaviour and gene expression in an intertidal mollusc.

Intertidal inhabitants are exposed to the 24-hour solar day, and the 12.4 hour rising and falling of the tides. One or both of these cycles govern intertidal organisms' behaviour and physiology, yet little is known about the molecular clockworks of tidal rhythmicity. Here, we show that the limpet Cellana rota exhibits robust tidally rhythmic behaviour and gene expression. We assembled a de-novo transcriptome, identifying novel tidal, along with known circadian clock genes. Surprisingly, most of the putative circadian clock genes, lack a typical rhythmicity. We identified numerous tidally rhythmic genes and pathways commonly associated with the circadian clock. We show that not only is the behaviour of an intertidal organism in tune with the tides, but so too are many of its genes and pathways. These findings highlight the plasticity of biological timekeeping in nature, strengthening the growing notion that the role of 'canonical' circadian clock genes may be more fluid than previously thought, as exhibited in an organism which has evolved in an environment where tidal oscillations are the dominant driving force.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2016.

Leaves of wheat infected with the leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina were obtained from farm fields and breeding plots at experimental stations in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, and southeastern states in 2016 in order to identify virulence phenotypes prevalent in the United States in different wheat-growing regions. In total, 496 single uredinial isolates derived from the leaf rust collections were tested for virulence to 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that differ for single leaf rust resistance genes. In total, 71 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States in 2016. The three most common virulence phenotypes across the United States were MBTNB, MBDSD, and TNBJJ. Phenotype MBTNB is virulent to Lr11, and was most common in the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Phenotype MBDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39, and was most common in the hard red winter wheat area of the southern Great Plains. Phenotype TNBJJ is virulent to Lr24 and Lr39, which are present in the hard red winter wheat cultivars. The P. triticina population in the United States was characterized by two major regional groups of virulence phenotypes in the Great Plains region where hard red winter and spring wheat cultivars are grown, and in the southeastern states and Ohio Valley region where soft red winter wheat cultivars are grown. Isolates from New York State differed the most for virulence compared with the other two major regions.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2015.

Leaves of wheat infected with the leaf rust fungus, Puccinia triticina, were obtained from farm fields and breeding plots at experimental stations in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, and southeastern states in 2015 in order to identify virulence phenotypes prevalent in the United States in different wheat growing regions. A total of 526 single uredinial isolates derived from the leaf rust collections were tested for virulence to 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that differ for single leaf rust resistance genes. A total of 60 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States in 2015. The three most common virulence phenotypes across the United States were MBDSD, MBTNB, and TBBGS. Phenotype MBDSD is virulent to Lr17, Lr37, and Lr39, and was most common in the hard red winter wheat area of the southern Great Plains. Phenotype MBTNB is virulent to Lr11, and was most common in the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Phenotype TBBGS is virulent to Lr39, which is present in the hard red winter wheat cultivars, and Lr21, which is present in the hard red spring wheat cultivars. The P. triticina population in the United States was characterized by two major regional groups of virulence phenotypes in the Great Plains region where hard red winter and spring wheat cultivars are grown, and in the southeastern states and Ohio Valley region where soft red winter wheat cultivars are grown.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2014.

Collections of Puccinia triticina obtained from wheat fields and breeding plots in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, and southeastern states, were tested for virulence in 2014 in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust pathogen population in the United States. Single uredinial isolates (380 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes. In 2014, 55 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes MBTNB, TBBGS, and TCRKG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotypes MBTNB and TCRKG are both virulent to Lr11, and TCRKG is also virulent to Lr18 and Lr26. MBTNB and TCRKG were most common in the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states and the Ohio Valley. Phenotype TBBGS is virulent to Lr39, which is present in the hard red winter wheat cultivars, and Lr21, which is present in the hard red spring wheat cultivars. Isolates with virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 were most common in the southeastern states and Ohio Valley region. Isolates with virulence to Lr21 and Lr39 were most common in the hard red wheat region of the southern and northern Great Plains.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2013.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, and southeastern states in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2013. Single uredinial isolates (490 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 20 lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes. In 2013, 79 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes MBTNB, TNBGJ, and MCTNB were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotypes MBTNB and MCTNB are both virulent to Lr11, and MCTNB is virulent to Lr26. MBTNB and MCTNB were most common in the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Phenotype TNBGJ is virulent to Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the hard red winter wheat region of the Great Plains. Isolates with virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 were common in the southeastern states and Ohio Valley region. Isolates with virulence to Lr21, Lr24, and Lr39/41 were frequent in the hard red wheat region of the southern and northern Great Plains.

Sustained brain activation supporting stop-signal task performance.

Stop-signal paradigms operationalize a basic test of goal-directed behaviour whereby an overarching stop goal that is performed intermittently must be maintained throughout ongoing performance of a reaction time go task (go goal). Previous studies of sustained brain activation during stop-signal task performance in humans did not observe activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that, in concert with the parietal cortex, is known to subserve goal maintenance. Here we explored the hypothesis that a DLPFC and parietal network has a key role in supporting ongoing stop-signal task performance. We used a blocked functional magnetic resonance imaging design that included blocks of trials containing typical stop-signal paradigm stimuli that were performed under three conditions: Stop condition, which required reaction time responding to go stimuli and inhibition of cued responses upon presentation of a stop signal; Go condition, identical except that the tone was ignored; and Passive condition, which required only quiescent attention to stimuli. We found that, whereas a distributed corticothalamic network was more active in Stop compared with Go, only the right DLPFC and bilateral parietal cortex survived after masking that contrast with Stop compared with Passive. These findings indicate that sustained activation of a right dominant frontoparietal network supports stop goal processes during ongoing performance of the stop-signal task.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2012.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeastern states, and Washington State and Idaho in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2012. Single uredinial isolates (501 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 20 lines of 'Thatcher' wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes. In 2012, 74 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes TNBGJ, TCRKG, and MBTNB were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype TNBGJ is virulent to Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the hard red winter wheat region of the Great Plains. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and was found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Phenotype MBTNB is virulent to Lr11 and was also found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region. The frequency of isolates with virulence to Lr39/41, which is present in many hard red winter wheat cultivars in the Great Plains region, continued to increase. Isolates with virulence to Lr21, which is present in many hard red spring wheat cultivars, also continued to increase in frequency in the northern Great Plains region.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2011.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeastern states, Oregon, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2011. Single uredinial isolates (440 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 18 lines of Thatcher wheat and a winter wheat line that are near-isogenic for 19 leaf rust resistance genes. In 2011, 87 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes TBBGJ, MLDSD, and TCRKG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype TBBGJ is virulent to Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the hard red winter wheat region of the Great Plains. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and was found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Isolates with virulence to Lr39/41 and avirulence to Lr9 were prevalent in the Great Plains region for the first time. Virulence to Lr21 was present in five virulence phenotypes mostly from the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2010.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from wheat fields and breeding plots by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service personnel and cooperators in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeastern states, Oregon, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2010. Single uredinial isolates (537 total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on 19 lines of 'Thatcher' wheat and a winter wheat line that are near-isogenic for 20 leaf rust resistance genes. In 2010, 38 virulence phenotypes were described in the United States. Virulence phenotypes MLDSD, TDBJG, and TCRKG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TDBJG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and was found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Virulence to Lr21 was found for the first time in North America in isolates collected from spring wheat cultivars in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The impact of obesity on receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) centers.

Disparities in the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer is an important factor influencing mortality. We investigated whether greater body mass index (BMI) decreases receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy among women with operable breast cancer. In the NCCN breast cancer outcomes database, we identified women aged ≤ 70 with newly diagnosed stage I, II, or III breast cancer between 1997 and 2007, for whom use of adjuvant chemotherapy was classified as either standard-of-care or discretionary based on their clinical characteristics. Body mass index was assessed in categories (<18.5 kg/m(2) [underweight], 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2) [normal], 25 to <30 kg/m(2) [overweight], 30-39 kg/m(2) [obese], ≥ 40 kg/m(2) [extreme obese]). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between BMI and receipt of chemotherapy in each classification group. 9,527 women were eligible for the study; 40% normal weight or less; 31% overweight; 24% obese; and 5% extremely obese. In multivariable analysis, there was no significant association between BMI and receipt of chemotherapy in either classification group. Among women for whom chemotherapy would be considered standard-of-care, older age (P < 0.001), comorbidity (P < 0.001), and non-Hispanic black ethnicity (P = 0.002) were associated with a lower likelihood of receipt of chemotherapy; however, the effect of ethnicity was not modified by obesity. Among women treated for operable breast cancer in the NCCN centers, BMI had no impact on receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy and did not modify the lower likelihood of chemotherapy among non-Hispanic black patients. Further investigation is needed into other factors that contribute to patient disparities in the receipt of chemotherapy in major academic centers.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2009.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields and wheat breeding plots by United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service personnel in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2009. Single uredinial isolates (591 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28 and a winter wheat line with Lr39/41. Forty-one virulence phenotypes were described. Virulence phenotypes MLDSD, TCRKG, and TDBGG were the three most common phenotypes. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 and was widely distributed throughout the United States. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and is found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. TDBGG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates. Virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 increased in 2009 in the soft red winter wheat regions. Virulence to Lr17 and Lr39/Lr41 increased in the Great Plains region. Two separate epidemiological zones of P. triticina in the soft red winter wheat region of the southern and eastern states and in the hard red wheat region of the Great Plains were described.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2008.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and wheat breeding plots by USDA-ARS personnel in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, Southeast, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2008. Single uredinial isolates (730 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, Lr28, and a winter wheat line with Lr41. Forty-eight virulence phenotypes were described. Virulence phenotypes TDBGG, TCRKG, and MLDSD were the three most common phenotypes. TDBGG is virulent to Lr24 and was found in both the soft red winter wheat and hard red winter wheat regions. Phenotype TCRKG is virulent to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 and is found mostly in the soft red winter wheat region in the eastern United States. Phenotype MLDSD is virulent to Lr17 and Lr41 and was widely distributed in the Great Plains. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates. Virulence to Lr11 and Lr18 increased in 2008 in the soft red winter wheat regions. Two separate epidemiological zones of P. triticina in the soft red winter wheat region of the southern and eastern states and in the hard red wheat region of the Great Plains were described.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2007.

In 2007, leaf rust of wheat was severe throughout the Great Plains region of North America. Yield losses in wheat due to leaf rust were estimated to be 14% in Kansas. Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2007. Single uredinial isolates (868 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28, and on winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. Fifty-two virulence phenotypes were found. Virulence phenotypes TDBJG, MFPSC, and TDBJH were among the four most common phenotypes and were all virulent to resistance gene Lr24. These phenotypes were found throughout the Great Plains region. Phenotype MLDSD, with virulence to Lr9, Lr17, and Lr41, was also widely distributed in the Great Plains. In the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states, phenotypes TCRKG, with virulence to genes Lr11, Lr26, and Lr18, and MFGJH, with virulence to Lr24, Lr26, and Lr11, were among the common phenotypes. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr16 were most frequent in the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr11, Lr18, and Lr26 were most common in the soft red winter areas of the southeastern states and Ohio Valley. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2006.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected leaves provided by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2006. Single uredinial isolates (718 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr2, and Lr28 and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2006, 56 virulence phenotypes were found. Virulence phenotypes TDBJG, TDBGG, and TDBJH were among the four most common phenotypes and were all virulent to resistance gene Lr24. These phenotypes were found throughout the Great Plains region. Phenotype MLDSD with virulence to Lr9, Lr17, and Lr41 was also widely distributed in the Great Plains. In the soft red winter wheat region of the southeastern states, phenotypes TCRKG and MBRKG with virulence to genes Lr11, Lr26, and Lr18 were among the common phenotypes. Virulence phenotypes with virulence to Lr16 were most frequent in the spring wheat region of the northern Great Plains. Virulence to Lr21 was not found in any of the tested isolates.

Prostate cancer in the Baby Boomer generation: results from CaPSURE.

OBJECTIVES: Baby Boomers (those born in 1946 to 1964) are thought to place a high value on quality of life, and have a higher propensity to consume healthcare services than previous generations. We sought to characterize prostate cancer (CaP) presentation among this group, and determine whether treatment patterns differ between Baby Boomers and the preceding generation. METHODS: We defined two birth cohorts: men born in 1927 to 1945 (pre-Boomers) and Baby Boomers. Our study cohort included men less than 65 years old, diagnosed with CaP between 1999 and 2003 (Baby Boomers, n = 812; pre-Boomers, n = 1843). We compared the two groups for clinical presentation, sociodemographics, and primary treatment, controlling for age effects. The primary endpoint was selection of radical prostatectomy as primary treatment. RESULTS: Most Baby Boomers were diagnosed with stage T1 disease (466, 61%), biopsy Gleason sums less than 7 (572, 73%), and prostate-specific antigen levels of 4.1 to 10.0 (509, 66%). This presentation was not clinically different from pre-Boomers. Baby Boomers had higher socioeconomic status than pre-Boomers. On multivariate analysis, Baby Boomers were more likely to undergo radical prostatectomy as primary therapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13 to 2.35). Controlling for age effects, however, there were no significant differences in treatment choice (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.87) or sociodemographics between these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in CaP presentation and treatment between Baby Boomers and pre-Boomers may be related to age at diagnosis rather than innate differences in behavior. As more Baby Boomers are diagnosed with CaP, further research will be required to characterize this generation's impact on CaP care.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2005.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio River Valley, southeast, California, and Washington State, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2005. Single uredinial isolates (797 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, Lr28, and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2005, 72 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype TDBGH, selected by virulence to resistance gene Lr24, was the most common phenotype in the United States, and was found throughout the Great Plains region. Virulence phenotype MCDSB with virulence to Lr17a and Lr26 was the second most common phenotype and was found widely in the wheat growing regions of the United States. Virulence phenotype MFPSC, which has virulence to Lr17a, Lr24, and Lr26, was the third most common phenotype, and was found in the Ohio Valley region, the Great Plains, and California. The highly diverse population of P. triticina in the United States will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance to leaf rust.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2004.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust-infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, southeast, California, and Pacific Northwest, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust population in 2004. Single uredinial isolates (757 in total) were derived from the collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17a, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr18, Lr21, and Lr28, and winter wheat lines with genes Lr41 and Lr42. In the United States in 2004, 52 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype MCDSB, selected by virulence to resistance genes Lr17a and Lr26, was the most common phenotype in the United States and was found in all wheat growing areas. Virulence phenotype TBBGG, with virulence to Lr2a, was the second most common phenotype and was found primarily in the spring wheat region of the north-central states. Virulence phenotype MBDSB, which has virulence to Lr17a, was the third most common phenotype and was found in all wheat growing areas except California. Phenotype TNRJJ, with virulence to genes Lr9, Lr24, and Lr41, was the fourth most common phenotype and occurred in the southeastern states and throughout the Great Plains region. Virulence phenotypes avirulent to a second gene in the Thatcher differential line with Lr1 increased in frequency in the United States in 2004. The highly diverse population of P. triticina in the United States will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance.

Physiologic Specialization of Puccinia triticina on Wheat in the United States in 2003.

Collections of Puccinia triticina were obtained from rust infected wheat leaves by cooperators throughout the United States and from surveys of wheat fields and nurseries in the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, Southeast, California, and the Pacific Northwest, in order to determine the virulence of the wheat leaf rust fungus in 2003. Single uredinial isolates (580 in total) were derived from the wheat leaf rust collections and tested for virulence phenotype on lines of Thatcher wheat that are near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr16, Lr24, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr17, Lr30, LrB, Lr10, Lr14a, and Lr18. In the United States in 2003, 52 virulence phenotypes of P. triticina were found. Virulence phenotype MBDS, which has been selected by virulence to resistance gene Lr17, was the most common phenotype in the United States. MBDS was found in the Southeast, Great Plains, the Ohio Valley, and California. Virulence phenotype THBJ, which has been selected by virulence to genes Lr16 and Lr26, was the second most common phenotype, and was found in the southern and northern central Great Plains region. Phenotype MCDS, which has been selected by virulence to genes Lr17 and Lr26, was the third most common phenotype and occurred in the same regions as MBDS. The use of wheat cultivars with leaf rust seedling resistance genes has selected leaf rust phenotypes with virulence to genes Lr9, Lr16, Lr17, Lr24, and Lr26. The population of P. triticina in the United States is highly diverse for virulence phenotypes, which will continue to present a challenge for the development of wheat cultivars with effective durable resistance.