Somaclonal variation during in vitro culture is often an undesirable phenomenon but may also be a source of genetic variation useful for breeders. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain uncertain. In this study, we analyzed the fruit transcriptome of three independent cucumber lines using RNA-sequencing technology and performed an extensive in silico study to determine how somaclonal variation altered gene expression. Comparison of the transcriptome profiles with the wild-type cucumber ‘Borszczagowski B10’ revealed 418, 364, and 273 genes that were differentially regulated. We performed bioinformatic functional analysis, gene ontology classification, molecular network analysis, and explored differentially expressed genes associated with processes such as protein and nucleic acid binding, enzyme activity, signaling, transport, sugar and lipid metabolism. We determined that the differential gene expression may be caused by polymorphism in the genic region and may also be a result of interaction among molecular networks, which triggers specific pathways.
Molecular detection of pest and pathogens relies on rapid and dependable methods for their identification as well as an assessment of their abundance. This study describes the development and evaluation of a diagnostic method for detection of Pratylenchus crenatus, P. penetrans and P. neglectus, based on a hydrolysis probe qPCR assay. Primer/probe sets were designed targeting the ITS-1 rDNA. In order to assess the specificity, primer/probe sets were tested with samples of non-target Pratylenchus species and Radopholus similis. Experiments using dilutions of purified plasmid standards tested the sensitivity of the hydrolysis assay against detection of DNA extracted from individual nematodes. Target DNA was detected in soil samples collected from potato fields and this indicated that P. crenatus, P. neglectus and P. penetrans are widely distributed in Scotland, frequently co-existing in mixed populations, with P. crenatus more prevalent than either P. neglectus or P. penetrans.
Alternative oxidase (AOX) is a mitochondrial terminal oxidase which is responsible for an alternative route of electron transport in the respiratory chain. This nuclear-encoded enzyme is involved in a major path of survival under adverse conditions by transfer of electrons from ubiquinol instead of the main cytochrome pathway. AOX protects against unexpected inhibition of the cytochrome c oxidase pathway and plays an important role in stress tolerance. Two AOX subfamilies (AOX1 and AOX2) exist in higher plants and are usually encoded by small gene families. In this study, genome-wide searches and cloning were completed to identify and characterize AOX genes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Our results revealed that cucumber possesses no AOX1 gene(s) and only a single AOX2 gene located on chromosome 4. Expression studies showed that AOX2 in wild-type cucumber is constitutively expressed at low levels and is upregulated by cold stress. AOX2 transcripts and protein were detected in leaves and flowers of wild-type plants, with higher levels in the three independently derived mosaic (MSC) mitochondrial mutants. Because cucumber possesses a single AOX gene and its expression increases under cold stress and in the MSC mutants, this plant is a unique and intriguing model to study AOX expression and regulation particularly in the context of mitochondria-to-nucleus retrograde signaling.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11105-015-0883-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Spring wheat is currently dominating wheat production in Norway. The introduction of combine harvesting in the 1950s spurred breeding efforts to improve lodging and preharvest sprouting resistance, and to integrate good breadmaking quality in the locally adapted germplasm. Release of landmark cultivars Runar and Reno in the 1970s revitalized the country's production and marked the onset of modern wheat cultivation in Norway. Since that time, new cultivars have been developed but little is known about the genetic basis of the achieved yield gains. We collected 21 representative cultivars released since 1972 in Norway and tested them in a multiyear field trial including two fertilization rates: 75 and 150 kg ha -1 N. We assessed grain yield, plant height, heading, maturity, length of grain filling period, grain protein content, protein yield, aboveground biomass, harvest index, grain weight, test weight, grains per spike, grains per square meter, and spikes per square meter and their response to fertilization. We document an annual increase in grain yield of 17.8 kg ha -1 (0.34%), at both rates of N fertilization. None of the traits exhibited significant genotype × management interaction. Wheat breeding has led to the development of higher-yielding cultivars with higher protein yield that mature later, have a prolonged grain-filling period, and produce more grains per spike and grains per unit area.
INTRODUCTIONWheat cropping in Norway is challenged by several factors. Severe winters limit winter wheat production and a short vegetation period causes moderate yields (on average 4.5 Mg ha −1 , data from 2003 to 2019; Statistics Norway, 2020), as compared with averages of other European countries with more productive systems (
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