Genetic and Environmental Factors Jointly Impact Leaf Phenolic Profiles of Iris variegata L.

A plant's main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenolic compound profiles were detected. Their highest amounts were detected in spring. The magnitude of difference between light treatments (high vs. low light intensity) and the direction of this change varied depending on the secondary compound class. Phenotypic correlations among the 10 analyzed secondary metabolites differed across the experimental light treatments and their number decreased from spring to fall.

Fluctuating asymmetry in Robinia pseudoacacia leaves--possible in situ biomarker?

In this study, we analyzed fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) leaf traits as a measure of developmental instability in polluted and unpolluted habitats. We aimed to evaluate the potential of this method as a biomarker and its applicability on widely distributed species under in situ conditions. Leaf samples were taken from seven sites--three categorized as unpolluted (natural protected and rural) and four categorized as polluted covering the broad spectrum of intense pollution (industrial and traffic), from 1,489 individual trees in total. Results revealed significant differences in FA with expected higher values in polluted environments. Applicability of FA of R. pseudoaccacia leaf traits as a biomarker for testing potential pollution level, as well as the amount and distribution of sampling effort needed for its application, are discussed.

Association of collagen type I alpha1 gene polymorphism with bone mineral density in osteoporotic women in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: The collagen type I alpha1 (COLIA1) gene encodes for a major bone protein and is a strong candidate for genetic control of bone mineral density (BMD). COLIA1 gene polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and increased fracture incidence. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between COLIA1 gene polymorphism and BMD in Serbian women. METHODS: The women were divided into groups according to their DEXA phenotypes. They included 39 osteoporotic, 36 osteopenic, and 33 women with normal BMD. Single nucleotide polymorphism (G to T substitution) within the Sp1-binding site in the first intron of the COLIA1 gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies for the whole group were 67.6% GG homozygotes, 24.1% GT heterozygotes, and 8.3% TT homozygotes and were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Significant deviation from HWE was found only in the osteopenic group (p = 0.0007), where a higher number of homozygotes was found. Comparison of the allele frequencies showed no significant differences between three groups of tested women. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the T allele in the genotype has no influence on BMD in the osteoporotic group of women. The observed deviation in the osteopenic group needs to be investigated further.

Population data on 14 STR loci from population of Serbia and Montenegro (new and renewed data).

A renewed and new population study of fourteen short tandem repeat loci (TH01, TPOX, CSF1P0, vWA, FES/FPS, F13A01, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, LPL, F13B, CD4, D5S818 and D8S1179) were performed in a sample of 296-531 unrelated individuals from Serbia and Montenegro. Population data were compared to previously published data from Vojvodina province and neighboring Croatia.