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Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is an important source of protein for people in developing countries. Aphanomyces root rot (ARR) has emerged as one of the most devastating diseases affecting lentil production. In this study, we applied two complementary quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis approaches to unravel the genetic architecture underlying this complex trait. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population and an association mapping population were genotyped using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to discover novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). QTL mapping identified 19 QTL associated with ARR resistance, while association mapping detected 38 QTL and highlighted accumulation of favorable haplotypes in most of the resistant accessions. Seven QTL clusters were discovered on six chromosomes, and 15 putative genes were identified within the QTL clusters. To validate QTL mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) results, expression analysis of five selected genes was conducted on partially resistant and susceptible accessions. Three of the genes were differentially expressed at early stages of infection, two of which may be associated with ARR resistance. Our findings provide valuable insight into the genetic control of ARR, and genetic and genomic resources developed here can be used to accelerate development of lentil cultivars with high levels of partial resistance to ARR.

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BackgroundAberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin has been shown to promote ovarian cancer proliferation and chemoresistance. Pyrvinium, an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug, has been identified as a potent Wnt inhibitor. Pyrvinium may sensitize ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy.Material/MethodsThe effect of pyrvinium alone and its combination with paclitaxel in ovarian cancer was investigated using an in vitro culture system and in vivo xenograft models. The mechanisms of its action were also analyzed, focusing on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.ResultsPyrvinium inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of paclitaxel- and cisplatin-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines A2278/PTX and SK-OV-3. Its combination with paclitaxel was synergistic in targeting ovarian cancer cells in vitro. In 3 independent ovarian xenograft mouse models, pyrvinium alone inhibited tumor growth. More importantly, we observed significant inhibition of tumor growth throughout the treatment when using pyrvinium and paclitaxel combined. Mechanistically, pyrvinium increased the Wnt-negative regulator axin and decreased the β-catenin levels in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, pyrvinium suppressed Wnt/β-catenin-mediated transcription, as shown by the decreased mRNA levels of MYC, cyclin D, and BCL-9. In contrast, the inhibitory effects of pyrvinium were reversed by β-catenin stabilization or overexpression, demonstrating that pyrvinium acted on ovarian cancer cells via targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that the anthelmintic drug pyrvinium targets ovarian cancer cells through suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our work highlights the therapeutic value of inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin in ovarian cancer.