The rpg4-mediated resistance to wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis) in barley (Hordeum vulgare) requires Rpg5, a second NBS-LRR gene, and an actin depolymerization factor.

The rpg4 gene confers recessive resistance to several races of wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and Rpg5 provides dominant resistance against isolates of the rye stem rust (P. graminis f. sp. secalis) in barley. The rpg4 and Rpg5 genes are tightly linked on chromosome 5H, and positional cloning using high-resolution populations clearly separated the genes, unambiguously identifying Rpg5; however, the identity of rpg4 remained unclear. High-resolution genotyping of critical recombinants at the rpg4/Rpg5 locus, designated here as rpg4-mediated resistance locus (RMRL) delimited two distinct yet tightly linked loci required for resistance, designated as RMRL1 and RMRL2. Utilizing virus-induced gene silencing, each gene at RMRL1, i.e., HvRga1 (a nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat [NBS-LRR] domain gene), Rpg5 (an NBS-LRR-protein kinase domain gene), and HvAdf3 (an actin depolymerizing factor-like gene), was individually silenced followed by inoculation with P. graminis f. sp. tritici race QCCJ. Silencing each gene changed the reaction type from incompatible to compatible, indicating that all three genes are required for rpg4-mediated resistance. This stem rust resistance mechanism in barley follows the emerging theme of unrelated pairs of genetically linked NBS-LRR genes required for specific pathogen recognition and resistance. It also appears that actin cytoskeleton dynamics may play an important role in determining resistance against several races of stem rust in barley.

The stem rust resistance gene Rpg5 encodes a protein with nucleotide-binding-site, leucine-rich, and protein kinase domains.

We isolated the barley stem rust resistance genes Rpg5 and rpg4 by map-based cloning. These genes are colocalized on a 70-kb genomic region that was delimited by recombination. The Rpg5 gene consists of an unusual structure encoding three typical plant disease resistance protein domains: nucleotide-binding site, leucine-rich repeat, and serine threonine protein kinase. The predicted RPG5 protein has two putative transmembrane sites possibly involved in membrane binding. The gene is expressed at low but detectable levels. Posttranscriptional gene silencing using VIGS resulted in a compatible reaction with a normally incompatible stem rust pathogen. Allele sequencing also validated the candidate Rpg5 gene. Allele and recombinant sequencing suggested that the probable rpg4 gene encoded an actin depolymerizing factor-like protein. Involvement of actin depolymerizing factor genes in nonhost resistance has been documented, but discovery of their role in gene-for-gene interaction would be novel and needs to be further substantiated.

SFP genotyping from affymetrix arrays is robust but largely detects cis-acting expression regulators.

The recent development of Affymetrix chips designed from assembled EST sequences has spawned considerable interest in identifying single-feature polymorphisms (SFPs) from transcriptome data. SFPs are valuable genetic markers that potentially offer a physical link to the structural genes themselves. However, most current SFP prediction methodologies were developed for sequenced species although SFPs are particularly valuable for species with complex and unsequenced genomes. To establish the sensitivity and specificity of prediction, we explored four methods for identifying SFPs from experiments involving two tissues in two commercial barleys and their doubled-haploid progeny. The methods were compared in terms of numbers of SFPs predicted and their ability to identify known sequence polymorphisms in the features, to confirm existing SNP genotypes and to match existing maps and individual haplotypes. We identified >4000 separate SFPs that accurately predicted the SNP genotype of >98% of the doubled-haploid (DH) lines. They were highly enriched for features containing sequence polymorphisms but all methods uniformly identified a majority of SFPs ( approximately 64%) in features for which there was no sequence polymorphism while 5% mapped to different locations, indicating that "SFPs" mainly represent polymorphism in cis-acting regulators. All methods are efficient and robust at predicting markers for gene mapping.

A barley gene family homologous to the maize rust resistance gene Rp1-D.

Many characterized plant disease resistance genes encode proteins which have conserved motifs such as the nucleotide binding site. Conservation extends across different species, therefore resistance genes from one species can be used to isolate homologous regions from another by employing DNA sequences encoding conserved protein motifs as probes. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) resistance gene analog family consisting of nine members homologous to the maize rust resistance gene Rp1-D. Five barley Rp1-D homologues are clustered within approximately 400 kb on chromosome 1(7H), near, but not co-segregating with, the barley stem rust resistance gene Rpg1; while others are localized on chromosomes 3(3H), 5(1H), 6(6H) and 7(5H). Analyses of predicted amino-acid sequences of the barley Rp1-D homologues and comparison with known plant disease resistance genes are presented.

[Cloning of Chrysanthium stund virion cDNA in pUC19 plasmid and the use of cloned cDNA for detecting the virion]. / Klonirovanie kDNK viroida karlikovosti khrizantem v plazmide pUC19 i ispol'zovanie klonirovannoi kDNK dliia obnaruzheniia viroida karlikovosti khrizantem.

26 base long deoxyribonucleotide complementary to the lower part of the Central Conserved Region of chrysanthemum stund viroid (CSV) was used for synthesis of the first strand cDNA. The cDNA was cloned into plasmid vector pUC19 and the primary structure was determined. Cloned, full length cDNA was used as hybridisation probe for detection of CSV. It was possible to detect about 26 pg of purified CSV RNA immobilized on nitrocellulose filters using 32P-labeled probe. In the case of biotinylated probe it was possible to detect about 26 pg of purified CSV RNA visualizing results by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugates. It has been shown that such a cloned cDNA can be used for wide scale detection of CSV.

[Determination of potato spindle tumor viroid and chrysanthenum stund viroid using biotinylated olideoxyribonucleotides]. / Opredelenie viroidov veretenovidnosti klubnei kartofelia i karlikovosti krizantem s ispol'zovaniem biotinilirovannogo oligodezoksiribonukleotida.

A 26 base long oligodeoxyribonucleotide complementary to a common RNA sequence of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) and chrysantemum stunt viroid (CSV) was synthesized. The 3'-end biotinylated one was used for the detection of PSTV and CSV RNA immobilized on nitrocellulose filters by nucleic acid hybridization. Visualization of hybridization results was performed by two ways, either by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate or streptavidine and biotinylated alkaline phosphatase. It was possible to detect 0.65 ng of purified CSV and PSTV RNA. The suggested system of viroid diseases detection can be used by agricultural and horticultural enterprises.

Immunological characterization of rice tungro spherical virus coat proteins and differentiation of isolates from the Philippines and India.

Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) has an RNA genome of more than 12 kb with various features which classify it as a plant picornavirus. The capsid comprises three coat protein (CP) species, CP1, CP2 and CP3, with predicted molecular masses of 22.5, 22.0 and 33 kDa, respectively, which are cleaved from a polyprotein. In order to obtain information on the properties of these proteins, each was expressed in E. coli, purified as a fusion to the maltose-binding protein and used for raising a polyclonal antiserum. CP1, CP2 and CP3 with the expected molecular masses were detected specifically in virus preparations. CP3 is probably the major antigenic determinant on the surface of RTSV particles, as was shown by ELISA, Western blotting and immunogold electron microscopy using antisera obtained against whole virus particles and to each CP separately. In some cases, especially in crude extracts, CP3 antiserum detected several other proteins (40-42 kDa), which could be products of CP3 post-translational modification. No serological differences were detected between the three CPs from isolates from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and India. The CP3-related 40-42 kDa proteins of the Indian RTSV isolate have a slightly higher electrophoretic mobility (42-44 kDa) and a different response to cellulolytic enzyme preparations, which allows them to be differentiated from south-east Asian isolates.

Detection of rice tungro bacilliform virus gene products in vivo.

To study the products of the open reading frames (ORFs) of rice tungro bacilliform virus in rice plants the sequences containing ORFs I (encoding a 24-kDa protein, P24) and IV (P46) and the protease and polymerase (reverse transcriptase+RNaseH) domains of ORF III were cloned into a pGEX expression vector. The proteins, which were C-terminal fusions to glutathione S-transferase, were expressed in Escherichia coli and antisera were raised against them which, together with an antiserum against virus particles, was used to probe blots of proteins from infected and uninoculated plants and from virus preparations. The P24 antiserum detected virus-specific proteins of 74, 60, and 52 kDa, which are much bigger than expected. These proteins were found in virus preparations and immunogold labeling suggested that they might be internal in the particles. Virus-specific proteins of 33, 37, 62, and > 150 kDa were revealed by antiserum to virus particles. The antiserum to the protease revealed proteins of 13.5, 37, and 68 kDa both in extracts from infected plants and in purified virus preparations. This antiserum decorated intact virus particles as did the particle antiserum. The polymerase domain antiserum reacted with products of 56, 65, and 68 kDa in extracts from infected plants but not in virus particles. The antiserum to the ORF IV product did not detect any bands in either infected plant extracts or virus preparations. The significance of these products is discussed.

Genetic variation of rice tungro bacilliform virus in the Philippines.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were found in 27 full genome length clones from a glasshouse isolate of rice tungro bacilliform pararetrovirus (RTBV) from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Philippines and from clones from 5 field isolates from different parts of the Philippines. There was much less variation between the IRRI clones than between the field isolate clones. The RFLPs were due to single base changes and represented about 10% of the potential sites. Sequencing across the region between nt 7772 and 7989 confirmed that the field isolates differed from the published sequence more than did the IRRI clones. The most common substitutions were G > A, A > G and T > C. Sequence heterogeneity was also noted in PCR products from RTBV DNA from the isolates. These observations are discussed in relation to the quasispecies population concept of viruses.

Physical mapping of the barley stem rust resistance gene rpg4.

The barley stem rust resistance gene rpg4 was physically and genetically localized on two overlapping BAC clones covering an estimated 300-kb region of the long arm of barley chromosome 7(5H). Initially, our target was mapped within a 6.0-cM region between the previously described flanking markers MWG740 and ABG391. This region was then saturated by integrating new markers from several existing barley and rice maps and by using BAC libraries of barley cv. Morex and rice cv. Nipponbare. Physical/genetic distances in the vicinity of rpg4 were found to be 1.0 Mb/cM, which is lower than the average for barley (4 Mb/cM) and lower than that determined by translocation breakpoint mapping (1.8 Mb/cM). Synteny at high resolution levels has been established between the region of barley chromosome 7(5H) containing the rpg4 locus and the subtelomeric region of rice chromosome 3 between markers S16474 and E10757. This 1.7-cM segment of the rice genome was covered by two overlapping BAC clones, about 250 kb of total length. In barley the markers S16474 and E10757 genetically delimit rpg4, lying 0.6 cM distal and 0.4 cM proximal to the locus, respectively.

The barley stem rust-resistance gene Rpg1 is a novel disease-resistance gene with homology to receptor kinases.

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici was among the most devastating diseases of barley in the northern Great Plains of the U.S. and Canada before the deployment of the stem rust-resistance gene Rpg1 in 1942. Since then, Rpg1 has provided durable protection against stem rust losses in widely grown barley cultivars (cvs.). Extensive efforts to clone Rpg1 by synteny with rice provided excellent flanking markers but failed to yield the gene because it does not seem to exist in rice. Here we report the map-based cloning and characterization of Rpg1. A high-resolution genetic map constructed with 8,518 gametes and a 330-kb bacterial artificial chromosome contig physical map positioned the gene between two crossovers approximately 0.21 centimorgan and 110 kb apart. The region including Rpg1 was searched for potential candidate genes by sequencing low-copy probes. Two receptor kinase-like genes were identified. The candidate gene alleles were sequenced from resistant and susceptible cvs. Only one of the candidate genes showed a pattern of apparently functional gene structure in the resistant cvs. and defective gene structure in the susceptible cvs. identifying it as the Rpg1 gene. Rpg1 encodes a receptor kinase-like protein with two tandem protein kinase domains, a novel structure for a plant disease-resistance gene. Thus, it may represent a new class of plant resistance genes.