Genetic dissection of a thousand-grain weight quantitative trait locus on rice chromosome 1

Thousand-grain weight （TGWT） is an important factor affecting grain yield as well as grain quality in rice. A quantitative trait locus （QTL） qTGWTI-1 for TGWT was detected previously near DNA marker RG532 on the short arm of chromosome 1 in a recombinant inbred line （RIL） population derived from the indlca-indica rice cross Zhengshan97B （ZS97B）/Milyang46 （MY46）. In this study, two residual heterozygous lines （RHLs）, Chl and Ch2, derived from the ZS97B/MY46 RIL F7 population, were used to develop two Fe populations, RIL-1 and RIL-2. The genome of Chl and Ch2 contains a heterozygous region flanked by RM1--RM3746 and RM151--RM243 on the short arm of chromosome 1, respectively, but is homozygous in other regions. Two tightly linked QTLs, Gwl-1 and Gwl-2, with the same additive direction and similar effect on TGWT, were detected in the region of QTL qTGWTI-1 in population RIL-2. No QTL was detected in the population RIL-1. Four individual RHLs from the population RIL-2 carrying heterozygous segments flanked by RM151--RM10404, RM10381--RM243, RM10435--RM259 and RM10398--RM5359, respectively, were chosen to develop four F= populations. Ten maternal homozygotes and 10 paternal homozygotes were selected from each of the four F2 populations derived from the four RHLs. The four sets of near isogenic lines （NILs） were grown for phenotyping of TGWT and delimitation of Gwl-1 and Gw1-2. Results showed that Gwl-1 and Gw1-2 were located in the intervals RM10376--RM 10398 and RM10404--RM 1344 which cover 392.9 and 308.5 kb regions, respectively. The enhancing alleles were from ZS97B at both loci, and no significant interactions were detected. Genetic dissection of Gwl-1 and Gwl-2 has laid a foundation for their cloning and molecular breeding of grain yield and quality in rice.     

Construction of a genetic map and location of quantitative trait loci for dwarf trait in maize by RFLP markers

Using F₂ population derived from the cross of tall inbred 7922 by dwarf inbred 5003, an RFLP linkage map of maize has been constructed, on which 85 markers are distributed among 10 linkage groups and span maize genome about 1827.8 cM with an average distance (24.4 cM) between markers. 106 F_2:3 lines of the population were grown in a 10 × 11 simple rectangular lattice design of one-raw plots with two replications and evaluated for plant height (PH). With interval mapping procedure, 5 QTLs controlling plant height have been identified and their genetic effects and gene action determined. 2 major QTLs with opposite effect have been discovered. One for increasing plant height isph1 which is located at chromosome 2 and accounts for 51.8% of the total phenotypic variation; the other for decreasing plant height isph3 which is located at chromosome 5 and accounts for 38.6% of the total phenotypic variation. The chromosomal location ofph3 might be the same as or close to the position ofbv1, a dwarf mutant of maize.     

BoxCox变换对数量性状基因座位检测效率的影响

数量基因位点(quantitative trait loci, QTL)分析是利用图位法克隆控制数量性状主效基因的前提和基础 。采用BoxCox公式进行数据正态转换对提高QTL分析效率有显著作用。笔者以杨树为实例显示了BoxCox公式在数据正 态转变中的应用及数量性状表型分布对QTL分析的影响。结果发现,数据是否符合正态分布对发现控制数量性状的基 因位点有显著影响。如果不对性状的表型值进行分布检测并进行正态转变,可能无法发现某些有显著效应的遗传位 点。通过比对转化前后QTL分析的LOD值变化曲线得知,曲线变化的趋势在转化前后是一致的,曲线上各个小峰的位 置也是稳定的,但转化后LOD峰值显著提高。如第4染色体上,转化前后LOD值变化曲线上在40~60、80~100及130~150 cm区间均有3个独立峰值出现,数据转化后对应峰值升高,其中第1个峰的峰值约增加3倍,数据转化后该峰值LOD支 持度达到了极显著水平,显示该位置存在一个控制该性状的较强的遗传位点。第8染色体上也出现相似的情况。     

Detecting quantitative trait loci for water use efficiency in rice using a recombinant inbred line population

Breeding rice with high water use efficiency (WUE) can ameliorate water shortage through water-saving irrigation.However,WUE is a complex quantitative trait and very few studies have been conducted to measure WUE directly.In this study,a recombined inbred line population derived from a cross between an indica lowland rice and upland japonica rice was used to dissect the genetic control of WUE by fine-monitored water supply experiments.Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were scanned for 10 traits including heading date (HD),water-consumption per day (water/d),shoot weight gain per day (shootw/d),root weight gain per day (rootw/d),kernel weight gain per day (kernelw/d),average WUE at whole plant level (WUEwhole/d),average WUE for up-ground biomass (WUEup/d),average WUE for grain yield (WUEyield/d),average economic index (econindex/d),and average root/shoot ratio per day (ratio/d).The results show that most of the traits were significantly correlated to each other.Twenty-four QTL (LOD ≥ 2.0) were detected for econindex,econindex/d,WUEyield,WUEyield/d,WUEup,WUEup/d,WUEwhole,WUEwhole/d,kernelw,kernelw/d,rootw,and water/d by composite interval mapping.These QTLs are located on chromosomes 1,2,4,6,7,8,and 12.Individual QTLs accounted for 4.97%-10.78% of the phenotypic variation explained.Some of these QTLs overlapped with previously reported drought resistance QTLs detected in this population.These results provide useful information for further dissection of the genetic basis and marker-assisted selection of WUE in rice.     

Tagging major quantitative trait loci for sheath blight resistance in a rice variety, Jasmine 85

This study was conducted with a clonal F₂ population of rice from a cross between Jasmine 85, a resistant variety, and Lemont, a susceptible cultivar. The rice plants belonging to each F₂ clone were divided into two plots, which were put in two replicates, respectively. Clonal parents were tested as controls. The plants were inoculated by short toothpicks incubated with RH-9, a virulent isolate of the pathogenic fungus,Rhizoctonia solani, which causes rice sheath blight. The extreme resistant and susceptible clonal lines were selected for construction of resistant and susceptible DNA pools, respectively. A total of 94 polymorphic markers evenly distributed on 12 rice chromosomes were used for bulked segregant analysis, three positive ones were found polymorphic between the two DNA pools, and three major QTLs for sheath blight resistance, Rh-2, Rh-3 and Rh-7, were identified. The three major QTLs were located on chromosomes 2, 3 and 7, and could explain 14.4%, 26.1% and 22.2% of the phenotypic variation.     

Dissecting the catalytic triad of a serine protease

Serine proteases are present in virtually all organisms and function both inside and outside the cell; they exist as two families, the 'trypsin-like' and the 'subtilisin-like', that have independently evolved a similar catalytic device characterized by the Ser, His, Asp triad, an oxyanion binding site, and possibly other determinants that stabilize the transition state (Fig. 1). For Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin, these functional elements impart a total rate enhancement of at least 10(9) to 10(10) times the non-enzymatic hydrolysis of amide bonds. We have examined the catalytic importance and interplay between residues within the catalytic triad by individual or multiple replacement with alanine(s), using site-directed mutagenesis of the cloned B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisin gene. Alanine substitutions were chosen to minimize unfavourable steric contacts and to avoid imposing new charge interactions or hydrogen bonds from the substituted side chains. In contrast to the effect of mutations in residues involved in substrate binding, the mutations in the catalytic triad greatly reduce the turnover number and cause only minor effects on the Michaelis constant. Kinetic analyses of the multiple mutants demonstrate that the residues within the triad interact synergistically to accelerate amide bond hydrolysis by a factor of approximately 2 X 10(6).     

控制水稻剑叶形态相关性状的数量基因位点(QTL)的定位

水稻籽粒中一半以上的碳水化合物来自剑叶的光合作用,剑叶形态改良一直是水稻株型育种的一个重要目标．利用一个日本主要种植的粳稻品种越光（轮回亲本）和一个印度的籼稻品种Kasalath杂交产生的回交重组自交系群体（backcross recombinant inbred lines,BILs）对剑叶形态中的3个主要性状（剑叶长、叶宽以及其叶面积）进行了相关分析及其数量基因位点（quantitative trait loci,QTL）的定位．研究表明,控制剑叶形态的3个主要性状间存在极显著的正相关,并检测到影响3个性状的8个QTL,分布在第1,3,4,6条染色体上,贡献率介于4．94％～22．07％,其中第4染色体上C1016标记和第6染色体上C556标记附近的共有6个QTL,其两侧的紧密分子标记在水稻株型分子育种上具有一定应用价值．     

Dissecting a circuit for olfactory behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans

Although many properties of the nervous system are shared among animals and systems, it is not known whether different neuronal circuits use common strategies to guide behaviour. Here we characterize information processing by Caenorhabditis elegans olfactory neurons (AWC) and interneurons (AIB and AIY) that control food- and odour-evoked behaviours. Using calcium imaging and mutations that affect specific neuronal connections, we show that AWC neurons are activated by odour removal and activate the AIB interneurons through AMPA-type glutamate receptors. The level of calcium in AIB interneurons is elevated for several minutes after odour removal, a neuronal correlate to the prolonged behavioural response to odour withdrawal. The AWC neuron inhibits AIY interneurons through glutamate-gated chloride channels; odour presentation relieves this inhibition and results in activation of AIY interneurons. The opposite regulation of AIY and AIB interneurons generates a coordinated behavioural response. Information processing by this circuit resembles information flow from vertebrate photoreceptors to 'OFF' bipolar and 'ON' bipolar neurons, indicating a conserved or convergent strategy for sensory information processing.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting tolerance to low phosphorus in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Phosphorus (P)-deficiency in rice (Oryza. Sativa. L) may cause yield reductions. This research has been conducted to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for tolerance to low phosphorus stress in a doubled haploid (DH) population. By using the linkage map of this population, the QTLs for relative dry weight, relative P content and relative P utilization efficiency have been located. The results indicate that one RFLP marker located on chromosome 6 is closely associated with relative root dry weight, relative shoot dry weight and relative total dry weight, which explain 24.9%, 20.5% and 25.2% of the total phenotypic variations, respectively. Two QTLs affect relative P uptake content, which account for 20.7% of the total phenotypic variations. One micro-effect QTL has been found to be associated with relative P utilization efficiency. It is suggested that the P uptake efficiency is more associated with P efficiency. Among the secondary physiological indices of P uptake efficiency, the root dry weight is more important than others.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting tolerance to low phosphorus in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Phosphorus (P)-deficiency in rice (Oryza.Sativa.L) may cause yield reductions.This research has been conducted to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for tolerance to low phosphorus stress in a doubled haploid (DH) population.By using the linkage map of this population,the QTLs for relative dry weight,relative P content and relative P utilization efficiency have been located.The results indicate that one RFLP marker located on chromosome 6 is closely associated with relative root dry weight,relative shoot dry weight and relative total dry weight,which explain 24.9%,20.5% and 25.2% of the total phenotypic variations,respectively.Two QTLs affect relative P uptake content,which account for 20.7% of the total phenotypic variations.One micro-effect QTL has been found to be associated with relative P utilization efficiency.It is suggested that the P uptake efficiency is more associated with P efficiency.Among the secondary physiological indices of P uptake efficiency,the root dry weight is more important than others.     

Aberrant rearrangement of the kappa light-chain locus involving the heavy-chain locus and chromosome 15 in a mouse plasmacytoma

The creation of a functional antibody gene requires the precise recombination of gene segments initially separated on the chromosome. Frequently errors occur in the process, resulting in the formation of a non-functional gene. The non-functional genes can be generated by incomplete rearrangements, frameshifts, or the use of pseudo V or J joining segments. It is likely that these aberrant rearrangements arise by the same mechanism as is used in generating functional genes, a process which we have suggested may involve unequal sister chromatid exchange. Aberrant rearrangements of immunoglobulin genes occur in normal lymphocytes and play a major part in allelic exclusion. However, it has recently been suggested that aberrant rearrangements involving immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin genes may be involved in tumorigenesis. This suggestion has been stimulated by the frequent occurrence of translocations involving chromosomes known to carry immunoglobulin genes in B-cell malignancies. The rearrangement of non-immunoglobulin DNA to the heavy-chain locus has recently been reported. Some aberrant rearrangements of the kappa locus appear to be due to rearrangements to sites that do not include the conventional sequence for V gene segment joining. Here we describe an aberrant kappa rearrangement that has led to the joining of DNA from chromosomes 15, 6 and 12, and so appears to be the result of chromosomal translocations or transpositions. As 15/6 or 15/12 translocations have frequently been found in mouse plasmacytomas (as have analogous translocations in human lymphocyte tumours) this aberrant kappa rearrangement may be unique to the plasmacytoma from which it was isolated.     

解析沉默权制度

沉默权制度起源于17世纪英国普通法的支持者反对教会和国王、争取宗教和宪法自由的斗争中，其基本含义是犯罪嫌疑人，被告人对司法官员的讯问有陈述和不陈述的自由和权利，其理论基础主要在于高度尊重人的主体性和独立的人格尊严，其诉讼价值在于落实无罪推定原则、保障 人权、促进司法公正。近年来，英国对沉默权加以重大限制的真正动因在于它不利于打击犯罪。我国应建立有限制的沉默权制度，并设置一些与之相配套的保障制度。     

水稻芒长及其分布特征相关QTL的定位

水稻芒的性状与驯化过程密切相关,具体表现为芒长短和芒的分布等．利用一个无芒品种越光（轮回亲本）和一个有芒品种Kasalath杂交产生的回交重组自交系群体,在上海、海南两地对芒长和芒的分布（芒出现比例）进行了相关分析及其相关基因（QTL）定位,结果发现这两个性状间存在显著的正相关．共检测到影响这两个性状的12个QTL,分布在6条染色体上的7个区域,贡献率介于2．90％-53．24％,其正效应大多来自有芒亲本Kasalath,但也有3个QTL正效应来自无芒亲本越光,并对这个现象产生的原因进行了讨论．本研究检测到的QTL及其两侧的分子标记可以用于水稻驯化的研究和理想型无芒品种分子辅助育种．     

建筑中的动

文章以建筑中的"动"为切人点,从建筑形态、空间、环境、文脉、真正的动的建筑等方面,探析建筑中的动态元素.从人的需求和外部环境的角度,结合相应的实际案例对这一新型建筑设计方向进行研究和思考.解析了动态建筑的基本精神一动态与自然;动态建筑的基本特征--多文化、多维度、复杂动态的功能空间、回归自然的梦想;剖析了动态建筑思想的...     

Genetic mechanisms of floral trait correlations in a natural population

Genetic correlations among traits are important in evolution, as they can constrain evolutionary change or reflect past selection for combinations of traits. Constraints and integration depend on whether the correlations are caused by pleiotropy or linkage disequilibrium, but these genetic mechanisms underlying correlations remain largely unknown in natural populations. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies do not adequately address the mechanisms of within-population genetic correlations because they rely on crosses between distinct species, inbred lines or selected lines (see ref. 5), and they cannot distinguish moderate linkage disequilibrium from pleiotropy because they commonly rely on only one or two episodes of recombination. Here I report that after nine generations of enforced random mating (nine episodes of recombination), correlations between six floral traits in wild radish plants are unchanged, showing that pleiotropy generates the correlations. There is no evidence for linkage disequilibrium despite previous correlational selection acting on one functionally integrated pair of traits. This study provides direct evidence of the genetic mechanisms underlying correlations between quantitative traits in a natural population and suggests that there may be constraints on the independent evolution of pairs of highly correlated traits.     

A genome scan for quantitative trait loci affecting grain yield and its components of maize both in single-and two-locus levels

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. The hybrid yield advantage is responsible for about 10 percent of the total global maize production of 550 Mt[1]. It is exigent to study the yield traits so as to improve the hybrids per se in …