Characterization and molecular marker screening of a rice bacteria-resistant gene Xa-min(t)

To test the resistant spectrum of the Xa-min(t) gene introgressed from Oryza minuta, thirty-four isolates of different bacterial blight pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), from 11 countries were used to inoculate the Xa-min(t) introgression line 78-15. Four rice cultivars, IR24, C64 (IRBB21), Nipponbare and Zhonghua 11 were used as controls. The results showed that the Xa-min(t) gene was broad-spectrum and highly resistant to diverse Xoo isolates. The methods of bulk segregant analysis (BSA), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) were used to analyze F2 individuals of the hybrid IR24×78-15 and molecular genetic markers linked to Xa-min(t) gene were identified. A total of 800 arbitrary decamer oligonucleotide primers were used for RAPD analysis. Two RAPD markers, BE05300 and BE061400, produced by primers BE05 and BE06 respectively, were closely linked to the Xa-min(t) gene. Based on the sequences of these two markers, sequence specific primers were designed and used to screen all F2 plants. One RAPD marker, BE05300, was converted into a stable SCAR marker (ScBE05300). Linkage analysis was carried out using markers ScBE05300 and BE061400 on 948 and 719 F2 individuals of the hybrid IR24×78-15. Our results indicate that the genetic distances from Xa-min(t) to ScBE05300 and BE061400 are 2.2 cM and 3.7 cM respectively on the same side. This study may facilitate the construction of the fine physical map of the Xa-min(t) gene.     

Genetic and physical mapping of AvrPi7, a novel avirulence gene of Magnaporthe oryzae using physical position-ready markers

Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating crop diseases worldwide. The avirulence gene corresponding to rice blast resistance gene Pi7 in field isolate CHL346 was inherited as a single gene, designated AvrPi7, in a segregating population consisting of 189 ascospore progenies derived from a cross between field isolates CHL346 and CHL42. In order to determine the chromosomal location of the AvrPi7 locus, a total of 121 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed based on the whole-genome sequence of reference isolate 70-15 of M. oryzae. Linkage analysis of the locus with these SSR markers showed that eight SSR markers on chromosome 1 were linked to the locus, among which the closest flanking markers MS1-9 and MS1-15 were 3.2 and 16.4 cM from the locus, respectively. For fine mapping, additional PCR-based makers including eight SSR markers and three candidate avirulence gene (CAG) markers were developed in the region flanking both markers. The AvrPi7 locus was genetically delimited within a 1.6-cM region flanked by markers MS1-21 and MS1-22, and co-segregated with the marker CAG2. To construct a physical map of the AvrPi7 locus, molecular markers linked to the Avr gene were mapped on the supercontigs of the ref-erence isolate 70-15 through bioinformation analysis (BIA). Consequently, the AvrPi7 locus was delim-ited to a 75-kb interval flanked by markers MS1-21 and MS1-22 based on the reference sequence. Merodiploids observed in this study are also discussed.     

Fine mapping of a semidwarf gene sd-g in indica rice（Oryza sativa L.）

The semidwarf gene sd-g which has been usedin indiea rice breeding in southern China is a new one, non-allelic to sd-1. To map sd-g, an F2 population derived fromthe cross between Xinguiaishuangai and 02428 was con-structed. The sd-g was roughly mapped between two mi-crosatellite markers RM440 and RM163, with genetic dis-tances of 0.5 and 2.5 cM, respectively. Then nine new poly-morphic microsatellite markers were developed in this region.The sd-g was further mapped between two microsatellitemarkers SSR5-1 and SSR5-51, with genetic distances of 0.1and 0.3 cM, respectively, while cosegregated with SSR418. ABAC contig was found to span the sd-g locus, the region be-ing delimited to 85 kb. This result was very useful for cloningof the sd-g gene.     

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of a presenescing leaf gene psl1 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A rice psl1 (presenescing leaf) mutant was obtained from a japonica variety Zhonghua 11 via radiation of 60Co-γ in M2 generation. Every leaf of the mutant began to wither after it reached the big-gest length,while the leaves of the wild variety could keep green for 25―35 d. In this study,genetic analysis and gene mapping were carried out for the mutant identified. The SSR marker analysis showed that the mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene (psl1) located on chromosome 2. Fine mapping of the psl1 locus was conducted with 34 new STS markers developed around psl1 anchored region based on the sequence diversity between Nippon-bare and 93-11. The psl1 was further mapped be-tween two STS markers,STS2-19 and STS2-26,with genetic distances of 0.43 and 0.11 cM,respectively,while cosegregated with STS2-25. A BAC contig was found to span the psl1 locus,the region being delim-ited to 48 kb. This result was very useful for cloning of the psl1 gene.     

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of a presenescing leaf gene psll in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

A rice psl1 （presenescing leaf） mutant was obtained from a japonica variety Zhonghua 11 via radiation of ^60Co-γ in M2 generation. Every leaf of the mutant began to wither after it reached the biggest length, while the leaves of the wild variety could keep green for 25--35 d. In this study, genetic analysis and gene mapping were carried out for the mutant identified. The SSR marker analysis showed that the mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene （psl1） located on chromosome 2. Fine mapping of the psl1 locus was conducted with 34 new STS markers developed around psl1 anchored region based on the sequence diversity between Nipponbare and 93-11. The psl1 was further mapped between two STS markers, STS2-19 and STS2-26, with genetic distances of 0.43 and 0.11 cM, respectively, while cosegregated with STS2-25. A BAC contig was found to span the psl1 locus, the region being delimited to 48 kb. This result was very useful for cloning of the psl1 gene.     

Genetic analysis and fine mapping of the pubescence gene GL6 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The pubescence of the leaf blade surface is an important agronomic characteristic for rice morphology and significantly influences rice growth as well as physiological characteristics. This characteristic was analyzed in F1 and F2 plants derived by crossing cultivar 75-1-127 with the indica cultivar Minghui 63, as well as the glabrous cultivar Lemont and indica cultivar 9311. Results indicated that the pubescence of the leaf blade surface was a dominant trait and controlled by a single gene. The GL6 gene was primarily mapped on rice chromosome 6 with recessive F2 population derived from 75-1-127/Minghui 63 by combining bulked segregation analysis and recessive class analysis using the Mapmaker3.0/MapDraw software. The genetic distances between the simple sequence repeat markers RM20491 and RM20547 were 7.2 and 2.2 cM, respectively. The GL6 gene was fine mapped in the interval between InDel-106 and InDel-115 at genetic distances of 0.3 and 0.1 cM, respectively. The large, recessive F2 population was derived from 75-1-127/Minghui 63. A high-resolution genetic and physical map of GL6 was constructed. Derived from the map-based sequences published by the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project, the GL6 gene was localized at an interval of 79 (japonica) and 116.82 kb (9311) bracketed by InDel-106 and InDel-115 within the BAC accession numbers AP008403 and AP005760. Seven annotated genes (japonica) and eight annotated genes (9311) were present. The basis was further set for GL6 cloning and function analysis.     

Genetic and physical finemapping of the Sc locus conferring indica-japonica hybrid sterility in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Hybrid sterility is a major hindrance to utilizing the heterosis in indica-japonica hybrids. To isolate a gene Sc conferring the hybrid sterility, the locus was mapped using molecular markers and an F2 population derived from a cross between near isogenic lines. A primary linkage analysis showed that Sc was linked closely with 4 markers on chromosome 3, on which the genetic distance between a marker RG227 and Sc was 0.07 cM. Chromosome walking with a rice TAC genomic library was carried out using RG227 as a starting probe, and a contig of ca. 320 kb covering the Sc locus was constructed. Two TAC clones, M45EI4 and M90J01 that might cover the Sc locus, were partially sequenced. By searching the rice sequence databases with sequences of the TACs and RG227 a japonica rice BAC sequence, OSJNBb0078P24 was identified. By comparing the TAC and BAC sequences, six new PCR-based markers were developed. With these markers the Sc locus was further mapped to a region of 46 kb. The results suggest that the BAC OSJNBb0078P24 and TAC M45EI4 contain the Sc gene. Six ORFs were predicted in the focused 46-kb region.     

Polycistronic strategy for cyanobacterial expression vector construction: Co-transcription of a human gene and a selective marker gene

A polycistronic expression vector, pKGA-NTF1, was constructed for the cyanobacterium. Within this vector, the spectinomycin/streptomycin resistance gene (aadA) facilitated the selection of transformants when co-transcribed with favorite genes. A natural glnA gene was selected as the platform to introduce the plasmid into a neutral site of the Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 chromosome. Function of the vector was demonstrated by the insertion of a modified human Trefoil factor 3 gene (NTF1) to upstream of the aadA gene and by the analyses of the transformed strains. Antibiotics resistance assays showed that the dicistronic expression cassette conferred high spectinomycin resistance to both the E. coli cells and the Synechococcus cells. PCR analysis and Western-blot analysis were carried out to confirm the integration and expression of the NTF1 gene, respectively. Through simple molecular manipulations, the artificial polycistronic structure described here can be conveniently used to express other favorable genes or operons in cyanobacteria, and to study the cyanobacterial gene expression as well.     

Characterization of a PDR type ABC transporter gene from wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）

DON, as a virulence factor, plays an important role in the infection of Fusarium graminearum in wheat. The infection ability of F. graminearum depends on its capacity of producing DON. The production of DON by F. graminearum is significantly decreased in the wheat varieties with scab resistance. In this study, GeneChip analysis indicated that an EST encoding an ATP-binding cassette （ABC） transporter was up-regulated by 45 times in a wheat landrace Wangshuibai, which is resistant to DON accumulation. A pair of EST-derived primers were designed based on the EST sequence, and a clone was then isolated from a wheat genomic DNA TAC library. The TAC clone was sequenced using chromosome walking and gene prediction was conducted using Softberry. A cDNA clone of this gene was subsequently isolated from Wangshuibai induced by DON using gene-specific primers designed according to the untranslated sequence of the gene. The genome size of the gene is 7377 bp, consisting of 19 exons with coding sequences of 4308 bp. It encodes a protein with 1435 amino acid residues and the calculated molecular weight is about 161 kD. BLAST analysis indicated that the gene may belong to pleiotropic drug resistance （PDR） sub-family, and hence designated as TaPDR1 （Triticum aestivum pleiotropic drug resistance）. TaPDR1 was located on chromosome 5A of wheat using nullisomic-tetrasomic lines of Chinese Spring. TaPDR1 was up-regulated by induction of both DON and F. graminearum. Expression patterns of TaPDR1 were different in wild-type Wangshuibai and the fast-neutron induced Wangshuibai mutant lacking FHB1, a major QTL of FHB resistance and DON resistance in chromosome arm 3BS. These results suggested that TaPDR1 might be a candidate gene responsible for DON accumulation resistance. The expression profile showed that TaPDR1 expression was neither induced by hormones typically involved in biotic stress, such as JA and SA, nor by abiotic stresses, such as heat, cold, wounding and NaCI. However, TaPDR1 expression was regulated by Al^3＋ and [Ca^2＋], indicating that [Ca^2＋]1 might mediate the signal of TaPDR1 expression.     

Genetic analysis and gene fine mapping for a rice novel mutant （rl9〈t）） with rolling leaf character

Much attention has been paid to leaf shape of rice in the process of ideotype breeding[1]. Several authors have reported that the rolling of leaf in some degree helps keep it erect, consequently optimizing canopy light transmission condition, which is good for dry matter accumulation and for high yield[2―6]. Rice as a polymorphic crop has many types of vari- ety with different morphologies. In terms of leaf shape, different cultivars with rolling leaf have been identifiedin rice germplasm. Le…     

水稻Xa7基因抗白叶枯病应答中的活性氧代谢分析

白叶枯病是由革兰氏阴性黄单孢菌水稻变种（Xanthomonas oryzae pv．Oryzae，Xoo）所引起的一种世界性水稻细菌病害．水稻Xa7基因是一个具有广谱抗性的显性抗白叶枯病基因．通过对水稻抗病品种IRBB7（含Xa7）和感病对照IR24接种白叶枯菌PX086，发现：在叶片的病原菌侵染部位，IRBB7比IR24的活性氧（H2O2和O2-）积累更快且含量更高；与活性氧代谢相关的酶，如超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶和过氧化物酶的活性也更高．推测活性氧的代谢调节可能在Xa7基因介导的抗病反应中起作用．     

Fine mapping of the rice bacterial blight resistance gene Xa-4 and its co-segregation marker

An F₂ population developed from theXa-4 near isogenic lines, IR24 and IRBB4, was used for fine mapping of the rice bacterial blight resistance gene,Xa-4. Some restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers on the high-density map constructed by Harushima et al. and the amplified DNA fragments homologous to the conserved domains of plant disease resistance (R) genes were used to construct the genetic linkage map around the geneXa-4 by scoring susceptible individuals in the population.Xa-4 was mapped between the RFLP marker G181 and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) marker M55. The R gene homologous fragment marker RS13 was found co-segregating withXa-4 by analyzing all the plants in the population. This result opened an approach to map-based cloning of this gene, and marker RS13 can be applied to molecular marker-assisted selection ofXa-4 in rice breeding programs.     

Fine mapping of the awn gene on chromosome 4 in rice by association and linkage analyses

Awnness is a key trait in rice domestication, yet no studies have been conducted on fine mapping or association mapping of the rice awn gene. In this study, we investigated the awnness and genotype of a core collection of 303 cultivated rice varieties and a BC5F2 segregating population of 200 individuals. Combining association and linkage analyses, we mapped the awnness related genes to chromosome 4. Primary association analysis using 24 SSR markers revealed five loci significantly associated with awnness on chromosome 4. The associated markers cover previously identified regions. Fine association mapping was conducted using another 29 markers within a 4-Mb region, covering the associated marker in34, which is close to the awn gene Awn4.1. Seven associated markers were revealed, distributed over an 870-kb region. Combining the fine association mapping and linkage analysis of awnness in the 200 BC5F2 segregating population, we finally identified a 330-kb region as the candidate region for Awn4.1. The results indicate that combining association mapping and linkage mapping provides an efficient and precise approach to both genome-wide mapping and fine mapping of rice genes.     

Morphology and mapping analysis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) clustered spikelets( Cl) mutant

The rice clustered spikelets (Cl) mutant exhibits a phenotype that most of branch apical have 2-3 spikelets clustered together,SEM (scanning electron microscope )observation suggested that the Cl gene controlled branch apical development,and influenced the terminal spikelets elongation,The spikelet number was reduced in mutant,indicating that Cl may also have an effect on spikelet number,To map Cl locus,two F2 mapping populations derived from the crosses between the Cl and ZhongHua11,and Cl and ZheFu802 were constructed ,respectively,The Cl locus was roughly mapped between two CAPS markers CK0214 and SS0324,A further fine mapping analysis showed that the Cl locus was mapped between makers R0674E and Cl12560,with genetic distances of 0.2 and 2.1 cM,respectively ,Then we found a PAC conting spanning Cl locus,the region was delimited to 196 kb.This results was useful for cloning of the Cl gene,Allelism test demonstrated that Cl was allelic to Cl2 another rice clustered spikelets mutant.     

Fine mapping of an incomplete recessive gene for leaf rolling in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Genetic analysis and fine mapping of genes controlling leaf rolling were conducted using two backcrossed generations （BC4F2, BC4F3） derived from a cross between QMX, a non-rolled leaf cultivar as a recurrent parent, and JZB, a rolled leaf NIL of ZB as a donor parent. Results indicated that leaf rolling was mainly controlled by an incompletely recessive major gene, namely rl（t）, and at the same time, affected by quantitative trait loci （QTLs） and/or the environment. A genetic linkage map was constructed using MAPMAKER/EXP3.0 with eight polymorphic markers on chromosome 2, which were screened by BAS method from 500 SSR markers and 15 newly developed insertion/deletion （InDel） markers. The position of rl（t） was estimated with composite interval mapping （CIM） method using WinQTLcart2.5. Gene rl（t） was mapped between markers InDel 112 and RM3763, and 1.0 cM away from InDel 112 using 241 plants in BC4F2 population. To fine map r（t）, one BC4F3 line with 855 plants was generated from one semi-rolled leaf plant in BC4F2. Four new polymorphic InDel markers were developed, including InDel 112.6 and InDel 113 located between markers InDe1112 and RM3763. Based on the information of recombination offered by 191 rolled leaf plants and 185 non-rolled leaf plants from the BC4F3 line ,we mapped r（t） to a 137-kb region between markers InDel 112.6 and InDel 113. Homologous gene analysis suggested that r（t）was probably related to the process of leaf development regulated by microRNA.