Analysis of Hybrid Necrosis Genes in Winter Common Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

Abstract

The presence of hybrid necrosis genes was analyzed in 86 winter common wheat cultivars included in different years in the unified State Register of the Russian Federation for commercial use. Crossings with testers showed the absence of the Ne1 gene in the genotypes. The presence of the Ne2 gene was demonstrated in 46 cultivars (53.5% of the cultivars studied), and 40 cultivars (46.5%) were noncarriers (genotype ne1ne1ne2ne2) of hybrid necrosis genes. The Ne2 genotypes were characterized for allele strength. It was shown that moderate–m (3.6%) and strong–s (27.9%) alleles of the Ne2 gene prevailed in the cultivars analyzed.

http://bit.ly/2AaGSs4

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Anser cygnoides Linnaeus, 1758 Breed Daozhou and Its Phylogenetic Analyses

Abstract

Swan goose breed Daozhou (Anser cygnoides Linnaeus, 1758 breed Daozhou, DZ) is one of the famous native breed of Hunan Province in China. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence plays an important role in the accurate determination of phylogenetic relationships among metazoans. It is the first time that the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the DZ was reported, which was determined through PCR-based method. The total length of the mitogenome is 16 741 bp. It contains the typical structure, including 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region) as that of most other vertebrates. The overall composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be 30.19% for A, 22.66% for T, 32.06% for C and 15.08% for G, in the order C > A > T > G feature occurs in the DZ. Phylogenetic analyses using N-J computational algorithms showed that the analyzed 22 Anseriform species are divided into four major clades: Anatinae, Anserinae, Dendrocygninae and Anseranatidae. In addition, our work confirmed that Swan goose breed Wugangtong grey (WGTG) and DZ have a close genetic relationship with fellow tribal members Swan goose breed Wugangtong white (WGTW), Lingxian white (LXW) and Xupu (XP). In addition, Swan goose breed WGTW, XP and LXW have highly similar genetic relationship. This work will provides an important data set for the study in genetic mechanism of goose in Hunan Province.

http://bit.ly/2Sho6pT

The Role of Epigenetic Factors in the Development of Depressive Disorders

Abstract

To determine the molecular mechanisms of the development of depressive disorders, numerous analyses of associations and gene linkage were carried out using the whole-genomic methods of searching for candidate genes. The role of neurotransmitter systems and metabolic pathways in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders as a result of these studies was revealed. A promising direction is the search for epigenetic markers because of the possibility of standardizing diagnostic methods for the effective pharmacological correction of depression. MicroRNAs and long noncoding RNAs regulate neurogenesis and fine tuning of the differentiation of brain regions during their development. Numerous studies have shown that changes in the levels of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs play an important role in the development of depressive disorders. Stress appears to be the cause of depressive disorders. It is known that stress causes the activation of transposons, which may result in pathological epigenetic regulation of neurotransmitter systems. In this regard, we can suggest the role of transposons in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. The role of transposons in the development of depression can be confirmed on the basis of association of depression with telomere shortening, since telomerase originated from transposons. Transposons are also important sources of noncoding RNAs, which are associated with depressive disorders. Noncoding RNAs can specifically alter DNA methylation and histone modifications, the epigenetic labels of which also affect the development of depression. Drug therapy directed to only one neurotransmitter system is not effective in all patients, which may be due to the differences in the mechanisms of development of depression in different patients. In order to determine the main molecular pathways of the pathogenesis of depression with an individual approach, the most convenient diagnostic systems are noncoding RNAs. Moreover, noncoding RNAs can be used for targeted therapy of depressive disorders.

http://bit.ly/2GMf56O

Mitochondrial DNA Barcoding of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Ostreidae), Cultivated in the Black Sea

Abstract

To clarify the taxonomic assignment of oysters bred at the nursery of the Kovalevsky Institute of Marine Biological Research, Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBR RAS), and to determine the genetic variability parameters, the sequence variation of oyster mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene fragments was analyzed. Comparison with other species of the genera Crassostrea and Ostrea showed that oysters bred at the nursery belonged to Crassostrea gigas. The generation examined was characterized by considerable decrease in genetic variability.

http://bit.ly/2GBent7

Genetic Factors of Comorbidity of Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Stress Urinary Incontinence, and Chronic Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Limbs in Women

Abstract

A genetic association study was carried out to test for a correlation between polymorphic variants of genes involved in the organization of elastic fibers (FBLN5, LOXL1, ELN, and FBN1) and multiple forms of connective tissue (CT) pathology, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs (CVI). The FBLN5 haplotype rs12586948(A)-rs2284337(A)-rs2430347(A)-rs2430369(C), associated with a high risk for each of the studied CT disorders, was identified. For SUI and POP, common risk FBLN5 haplotype rs12586948(A)-rs2284337(A)-rs2430347(A)-rs2498841(G)-rs2018736(C)-rs2430369(C)-rs2245701(G) was detected. These allele groups, as well as the LOXL1 haplotype rs2165241(C)-rs2304719(T)-rs2415231(C), correlated with an increase in the number of coexisting connective tissue pathologies (POP, SUI, and CVI). Thus, an association between the FBLN5 and LOXL1 haplotypes and the CT disease comorbidity was identified.

http://bit.ly/2RbFVto

Emerging Potential of Cancer Therapy—Binary Direct Interactions of Cancer and Stromal Cells

Abstract

The review attempts to discuss the interaction of cancer cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment as well as the possibility of using them as a target for antitumor therapy.

http://bit.ly/2GCQ2mS

The Phylogeography and Demographic History of the Common Shrew Sorex araneus L., 1758 (Eulipotyphla, Mammalia)

Abstract

The phylogeographic structure of Sorex araneus was assessed on the basis of the sequences of mitochondrial cytb gene sampled across the most of the species range. Two major haplogroups were revealed: a European group, which is distributed westwards from Western Siberia, and a Siberian group, which prevails in the eastern part of the range. The Siberian haplotypes are also present in southern Fennoscandia, but are absent in the northeast of Europe and in the Northern Urals. The demographic analysis indicates a rapid species-wide expansion from a single western source at the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary and a later expansion in the Siberian part of the range.

http://bit.ly/2RbFTBM

Genetic Aspects of Drug Resistance and Virulence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its high virulence new strains present a global health threat. The solution of this problem requires the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs. Investigation of the genetic mechanisms associated with the development of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis strains is the basis for the search for new biotargets of anti-tuberculosis drugs. To date, the molecular genetic relationships between genes controlling drug resistance and virulence remain poorly investigated and require special attention. In the present study, genetic mechanisms of interaction of genetic systems of drug resistance and virulence of M. tuberculosis are considered.

http://bit.ly/2GCmgPc

RNA in Human Sperm and Some Problems of Male Fertility

Abstract

The progress of genomic technologies has led to an increased understanding of the role of spermatozoa and spermioplasm RNA complex which is associated with male fertility. In this review, information about functional role of spermatozoal RNA such as messenger RNA and different types of noncoding RNAs is discussed. Data on the relationship between specific noncoding sperm RNAs and male infertility, oocyte fertilization, and early embryo development are discussed. The potential role of sperm RNAs as a predictor of outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is highlighted. Accumulation and processing of data on a unique RNA pattern in human spermatozoa will improve the algorithm for examining infertile couples, make it possible to increase the efficiency of ART, and help to choose the best way to overcome infertility.

http://bit.ly/2RcYmO5

Inheritance of 5'-Truncated Copies of R2 Retrotransposon in a Series of Generations of German Cockroach, Blattella germanica

Abstract

Inheritance of 5'-truncated copies of R2 retrotransposon of German cockroach, Blattella germanica, was analyzed in a series of generations. It was shown that copies of certain length are linked and form different patterns associated with X chromosomes where R2 retrotransposons are normally localized within clusters of ribosomal genes and, unexpectedly with autosomes. There was no recombination between certain copies of different length, and new variants of 5'-truncated copies were not found. Taking into account the stable inheritance of particular patterns of various R2 5'-truncated copies, we suggest using them as convenient molecular markers in population genetics studies of German cockroach, Blattella germanica. It was also shown that only short degenerate DNA sequences of R2 retrotransposon were present outside the cluster of ribosomal genes; apparently, DNA sequences corresponding to native full-length copies and/or open reading frames of R2 retrotransposon are present only within the cluster.

http://bit.ly/2Rjhydm

Search for Correlation between Indicators of Tolerance to Extreme Impacts and Levels of Individual Heterozygosity

Abstract

This paper presents the results of studying the problem of differential adaptation of genotypes to the extreme conditions of spaceflights. Analysis of the statistical correlations between the integral parameters of the genotype and indicators of endurance against the effects of spaceflight factors (SFFs) was carried out in the cohort of the Russian cosmonauts. The relevance of this study is related to the need to substantiate the possibility, validity, and prospects of using genetic tests to predict individual resistance to SFFs. Various methods of correlation analysis and the method of correspondence analysis were applied. With the help of traditional methods of correlation analysis, weak but statistically significant correlation was revealed between the parameter of individual heterozygosity and indicators of vestibular resistance, as well as with the total indicator of resistance to simulated SFFs. Correspondence analysis confirmed the existence of such associations. The results of the study indicate the need to increase the sample size and to attract a wide range of genetic markers for a statistically significant substantiation of correlation between the indicators of resistance against SFFs and the integral parameters of the genotype.

http://bit.ly/2GDKqsF

Possible Causes and Consequences of the Distribution of Separate Allelic Variants of the LEP Gene in the Groups of Ayrshire and Holstein Cattle

Abstract

PCR/RFLP technology was implemented to identify genotypes for the Y7F, A80V, R25C loci of the leptin gene in 912 cattle of Holstein and Ayrshire breeds. This analysis revealed polymorphism for SNP allele Y7F (A → T substitution at Y7F site at position 95 689 996 bp in LEP gene), which is practically absent in Holstein animals (n = 410), where the frequency of occurrence of allele F is 0.01. In contrast, in the Ayrshire animal group (n = 502), Y7F SNP polymorphism is common, with the frequency of the occurrence of allele F at 0.25, while A80V SNP allele polymorphism for this gene (C → T substitution at the position 95 691 973 bp of the leptin gene) was not detected. In Ayrshire cattle, the FF genotype (at the Y7F site) was detected only in combination with the RRAA genotype (T → C substitution at the R25C site at position 95 690 050 bp in the LEP gene) in 100% of all possible combinations of genotypes (FFCCAA, FFRCAA and FFRRAA). In addition, genotype VV (site A80V) was detected in Holstein cattle in combination with the YYCC genotype (Y7F, R25C sites) in 100% of all possible combinations of the genotypes (YYRCVV, YYRRVV, YYCCVV). We also found that Ayrshire cattle displaying RR genotype at the LEP R25C locus are more likely to have a longer productive life than animals with other genotypes (in particular, with the CC genotype at the R25C locus). Taken together, we conclude that A80V polymorphism affects the predicted transmitted ability for milk production (PTAM), the fertility index of daughters (FI), and the pregnancy rate of daughters in Holstein cattle (DPR).

http://bit.ly/2RjhzxW

The Never-Ending Story of the Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Genus Triticum L.

Abstract

The aim of many breeding programs for the conservation of genetic biodiversity is to preserve the genetic resources of wild species of wheat. Long-term selection combined with genetic drift (random changes in allele frequency within a population) and the bottleneck effect (a sudden random event that decreases the size of a population and limits its gene pool) have depleted the genetic diversity of the most popular species of the genus Triticum:common wheat (T. aestivum ssp. aestivum) and durum wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum). These changes have turned the researchers' attention to ancient species of wheat, including einkorn (T. monococcum ssp. monococcum), emmer (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum) and spelt (T. aestivum ssp. spelta). Ancient species are characterized by a rich gene pool, and the most desirable genes can be transferred to the cultivated wheat species via introgression. Advanced molecular techniques support increasingly complex analyses of genetic diversity in various accessions of the genus Triticum and detailed examinations of their relationship, which determines changes in the taxonomy of the genus Triticum. Genetic diversity analyses increasingly often rely on DNA markers with various sensitivity, mostly restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), simple sequence repeat (SSR), single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers. The development of a universal taxonomic system for the genus Triticum is a highly challenging task. Continued efforts are being made in this area to expand our knowledge about the phylogeny of wheat and systematize various accessions in genetic databases.

http://bit.ly/2GPaUYj