The economic importance of grapevine has driven significant efforts in genomics to accelerate the exploitation of Vitis resources for development of new cultivars. However, although a large number of ...clonally propagated accessions are maintained in grape germplasm collections worldwide, their use for crop improvement is limited by the scarcity of information on genetic diversity, population structure and proper phenotypic assessment. The identification of representative and manageable subset of accessions would facilitate access to the diversity available in large collections. A genome-wide germplasm characterization using molecular markers can offer reliable tools for adjusting the quality and representativeness of such core samples.
We investigated patterns of molecular diversity at 22 common microsatellite loci and 384 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2273 accessions of domesticated grapevine V. vinifera ssp. sativa, its wild relative V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris, interspecific hybrid cultivars and rootstocks. Despite the large number of putative duplicates and extensive clonal relationships among the accessions, we observed high level of genetic variation. In the total germplasm collection the average genetic diversity, as quantified by the expected heterozygosity, was higher for SSR loci (0.81) than for SNPs (0.34). The analysis of the genetic structure in the grape germplasm collection revealed several levels of stratification. The primary division was between accessions of V. vinifera and non-vinifera, followed by the distinction between wild and domesticated grapevine. Intra-specific subgroups were detected within cultivated grapevine representing different eco-geographic groups. The comparison of a phenological core collection and genetic core collections showed that the latter retained more genetic diversity, while maintaining a similar phenotypic variability.
The comprehensive molecular characterization of our grape germplasm collection contributes to the knowledge about levels and distribution of genetic diversity in the existing resources of Vitis and provides insights into genetic subdivision within the European germplasm. Genotypic and phenotypic information compared in this study may efficiently guide further exploration of this diversity for facilitating its practical use.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Deposition of human amyloids is associated with complex human diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Amyloid proteins are also produced by bacteria. The bacterial amyloid curli, found in the ...extracellular matrix of both commensal and pathogenic enteric bacterial biofilms, forms complexes with extracellular DNA, and recognition of these complexes by the host immune system may initiate an autoimmune response. Here, we isolated early intermediate, intermediate, and mature curli fibrils that form throughout the biofilm development and investigated the structural and pathogenic properties of each. Early intermediate aggregates were smaller than intermediate and mature curli fibrils, and circular dichroism, tryptophan, and thioflavin T analyses confirmed the establishment of a beta-sheet secondary structure as the curli conformations matured. Intermediate and mature curli fibrils were more immune stimulatory than early intermediate fibrils in vitro. The intermediate curli was cytotoxic to macrophages independent of Toll-like receptor 2. Mature curli fibrils had the highest DNA content and induced the highest levels of Isg15 expression and TNFα production in macrophages. In mice, mature curli fibrils induced the highest levels of anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibodies. The levels of autoantibodies were higher in autoimmune-prone NZBWxF/1 mice than wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Chronic exposure to all curli forms led to significant histopathological changes and synovial proliferation in the joints of autoimmune-prone mice; mature curli was the most detrimental. In conclusion, curli fibrils, generated during biofilm formation, cause pathogenic autoimmune responses that are stronger when curli complexes contain higher levels of DNA and in mice predisposed to autoimmunity.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
High fruit and wine quality combined with good climatic adaptation and disease resistance are essential objectives of grape breeding. While several molecular markers are available for pyramiding ...resistance to fungal pathogens, molecular tools for predicting fruit composition are still scarce. Muscat flavor, caused by the accumulation of monoterpenoids in the berry, is an important target trait for breeding, sought after in both table grapes and wine. Four missense mutations in the VvDXS gene in grape germplasm have been shown to be tightly linked to muscat flavor. Here we present highly reproducible and breeder-friendly functional markers for each of the targeted polymorphisms developed by using either the multiplexed minisequencing SNaPshot™ method, the high-resolution melting (HRM) assay or the cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence system. A total of 242 grapevine accessions were analyzed to optimize these different genotyping methods and to provide allele-specific markers for accurate selection of muscat flavor at early stages of grape breeding programs. The HRM and the minisequencing SNaPshot multiplex assays allow for high-throughput automated screening and are suitable for large-scale breeding programs and germplasm characterization.
Muscat flavor is a relevant trait both in winemaking and in fresh grape consumption. From a chemical point of view, it is strongly related to the accumulation of monoterpenes in berries. However, ...knowledge of the genetic mechanisms underlying its regulation is still limited. The objective of this study was to dissect the genetic determinism of aroma in grapevine by applying the analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and the candidate gene (CG) approach. Two F₁ segregating progenies were evaluated through high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS) for the amounts of individual monoterpenes over 3 and 2 years. In the Italia x Big Perlon cross 34 CGs, chosen according to gene ontology (GO) terms, were placed on a complete map and tested for linkage with QTLs for linalool, nerol and geraniol levels. Two CGs mapped within a QTL for linalool content on LG 10. A third one co-localized with a major QTL for the level of the three monoterpenes on LG 5; this gene encodes 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS), which is the first enzyme in the plastidial pathway of terpene biosynthesis. Depending on these findings, we report the first in silico analysis of grapevine DXS genes based on the whole genome sequence. Further research on the functional significance of these associations might help to understand the genetic control of Muscat flavor.
This work describes the efficiency of photoelectrocatalysis based on Ti/TiO2 nanotubes in the degradation of the azo dyes Disperse Red 1, Disperse Red 13 and Disperse Orange 1 and to remove their ...toxic properties, as an alternative method for the treatment of effluents and water. For this purpose, the discoloration rate, total organic carbon (TOC) removal, and genotoxic, cytotoxic and mutagenic responses were determined, using the comet, micronucleus and cytotoxicity assays in HepG2 cells and the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. In a previous study it was found that the surfactant Emulsogen could contribute to the low mineralization of the dyes (60% after 4 h of treatment), which, in turn, seems to account for the mutagenicity of the products generated. Thus this surfactant was not added to the chloride medium in order to avoid this interference. The photoelectrocatalytic method presented rapid discoloration and the TOC reduction was ≥87% after 240 min of treatment, showing that photoelectrocatalysis is able to mineralize the dyes tested. The method was also efficient in removing the mutagenic activity and cytotoxic effects of these three dyes. Thus it was concluded that photoelectrocatalysis was a promising method for the treatment of aqueous samples.
•Photoelectrocatalysis is a promising method of textile wastewater treatment.•This method removes mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of azo dyes.•The dyes take from 4 to 6 min to reach 100% of discoloration.•TOC removal reaches values of around 87%, 90% and 97% for the three dyes evaluated.
KEY MESSAGE : In this study, we identified several genes, which potentially contribute to phenological variation in the grapevine. This may help to maintain consistent yield and suitability of ...particular varieties in future climatic conditions. The timing of major developmental events in fruit crops differs with cultivar, weather conditions and ecological site. This plasticity results also in diverse levels of fruitfulness. Identifying the genetic factors responsible for phenology and fertility variation may help to improve these traits to better match future climates. Two Vitis vinifera populations, an F1 progeny of Syrah × Pinot Noir and a phenological core collection composed of 163 cultivars, were evaluated for phenology and fertility subtraits during three to six growing seasons in the same geographical location. The phenotypic variability in the core collection mostly overlapped with that observed in the F1 progeny and several accessions had exceeding values of phenological response. The progeny population was used together with SSR and SNP markers to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs). This allowed us to detect nine QTLs related to budburst, flowering beginning, the onset of ripening (véraison) and total fertility, explaining from 8 to 44 % of phenotypic variation. A genomic region on chromosome 15 was associated with budburst and véraison and two QTLs for fruitfulness were located on chromosomes 3 and 18. Several genes potentially affecting fertility and the timing of fruit development were proposed, based on their position and putative function. Allelic variation at these candidate loci may be explored by sampling accessions from the core collection.
The Salmonella biofilm-associated amyloid protein, curli, is a dominant instigator of systemic inflammation and autoimmune responses following Salmonella infection. Systemic curli injections or ...infection of mice with Salmonella Typhimurium induce the major features of reactive arthritis, an autoimmune disorder associated with Salmonella infection in humans. In this study, we investigated the link between inflammation and microbiota in exacerbating autoimmunity. We studied C57BL/6 mice from two sources, Taconic Farms and Jackson Labs. Mice from Taconic Farms have been reported to have higher basal levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL − 17 than do mice from Jackson Labs due to the differences in their microbiota. When we systemically injected mice with purified curli, we observed a significant increase in diversity in the microbiota of Jackson Labs mice but not in that of the Taconic mice. In Jackson Labs, mice, the most striking effect was the expansion of Prevotellaceae. Furthermore, there were increases in the relative abundance of the family Akkermansiaceae and decreases in families Clostridiaceae and Muribaculaceae in Jackson Labs mice. Curli treatment led to significantly aggravated immune responses in the Taconic mice compared to Jackson Labs counterparts. Expression and production of IL − 1β, a cytokine known to promote IL − 17 production, as well as expression of Tnfa increased in the gut mucosa of Taconic mice in the first 24 hours after curli injections, which correlated with significant increases in the number of neutrophils and macrophages in the mesenteric lymph nodes. A significant increase in the expression of Ccl3 in colon and cecum of Taconic mice injected with curli was detected. Taconic mice injected with curli also had elevated levels of inflammation in their knees. Overall, our data suggest that autoimmune responses to bacterial ligands, such as curli, are amplified in individuals with a microbiome that promote inflammation.
The treatment of textile effluents by the conventional method based on activated sludge followed by a chlorination step is not usually an effective method to remove azo dyes, and can generate ...products more mutagenic than the untreated dyes. The present work evaluated the efficiency of conventional chlorination to remove the genotoxicity/mutagenicity of the azo dyes Disperse Red 1, Disperse Orange 1, and Disperse Red 13 from aqueous solutions. The comet and micronucleus assays with HepG2 cells and the Salmonella mutagenicity assay were used. The degradation of the dye molecules after the same treatment was also evaluated, using ultraviolet and visible absorption spectrum measurements (UV–vis), high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD), and total organic carbon removal (TOC) analysis. The comet assay showed that the three dyes studied induced damage in the DNA of the HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. After chlorination, these dyes remained genotoxic, although with a lower damage index (DI). The micronucleus test showed that the mutagenic activity of the dyes investigated was completely removed by chlorination, under the conditions tested. The Salmonella assay showed that chlorination reduced the mutagenicity of all three dyes in strain YG1041, but increased the mutagenicity of Disperse Red 1 and Disperse Orange 1 in strain TA98. With respect to chemical analysis, all the solutions showed rapid discoloration and a reduction in the absorbance bands characteristic of the chromophore group of each dye. However, the TOC was not completely removed, showing that chlorination of these dyes is not efficient in mineralizing them. It was concluded that conventional chlorination should be used with caution for the treatment of aqueous samples contaminated with azo dyes.
Reproductive success in seed plants depends on a healthy fruit and seed set. Normal seed development in the angiosperms requires the production of functional female gametophytes. This is particularly ...evident in seedless cultivars where defects during megagametophyte's developmental processes have been observed through cytohistological analysis. Several protocols for embryo sac histological analyses in grapevine are reported in literature, mainly based on resin- or paraffin-embedding approaches. However their description is not always fully exhaustive and sometimes they consist of long and laborious steps. The use of different stains is also documented, some of them, such as hematoxylin, requiring long oxidation periods of the dye-solution before using it (from 2 to 6 months) and/or with a differentiation step not easy to handle. Paraffin-embedding associated to examination with light microscope is the simplest methodology, and with less requirements in terms of expertise and costs, achieving a satisfactory resolution for basic histological observations. Safranin O and fast green FCF is an easy staining combination that has been applied in embryological studies of several plant species.
Here we describe in detail a paraffin-embedding method for the examination of grapevine ovules at different phenological stages. The histological sample preparation process takes 1 day and a half. Sections of 5 µm thickness can be obtained and good contrast is achieved with the safranin O and fast green FCF staining combination. The method allows the observation of megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis events in the different phenological stages examined.
The histological sample preparation process proposed here can be used as a routine procedure to obtain embedded ovaries or microscope slides that would require further steps for examination. We suggest the tested staining combination as a simple and viable technique for basic screenings about the presence in grapevine of a normally and fully developed ovule with embryo sac cells, which is therefore potentially functional.
A segregation population of 184 genotypes derived from a pseudo-testcross of table grapes (Vitis vinifera), together with 203 AFLP and 110 SSR markers was used to detect quantitative trait loci ...(QTLs) for fruit yield components. Different QTLs, a low percentage of phenotypic variance explained by the QTLs detected and QTL instability over years were detected for each fruit yield component. These results confirm the complex genetic architecture of the yield components in grapevine due to the perennial nature of this species, which has to adapt to yearly variations in climate. Phenotypic correlation analyses between fruit yield components were also performed. The negative correlation between berry weight and the number of berries per cluster seems to have an indirect negative effect on cluster weight, as revealed by the path coefficient analysis; however, this negative correlation was not supported at the molecular level because no coincident QTLs were observed between these traits. Nonetheless, the possibility to select seedless genotypes with large berries without affecting cluster weight needs to be substantiated in future experiments because factors such as sample size and heritability might influence QTL identification in table grapes.