Assessing Loss of Regulatory Divergence, Genome-Transcriptome Incongruence, and Preferential Expression Switching in Abaca × Banana Backcrosses.

The var. Abuab has high fiber quality (FQ) but is susceptible to abaca bunchy top virus (AbBTV); the var. Pacol has low FQ but is resistant against AbBTV.

RNA-Seq Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with High Fiber Quality in Abaca ( Nee).

Despite the importance of and current demand for abaca ( Nee) fiber, there has been limited study that capitalizes on RNA-seq to identify candidate genes associated with high fiber quality and bunchy top virus (AbBTV) resistance. Three varieties (Abuab, Inosa, and Tangongon), one wild banana variety ( Colla) Pacol, and two developed backcrosses (Abuab × Pacol BC and BC) were grown at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), Laguna, Philippines. The pseudostems of 3-month-old suckers of each genotype were sampled for RNA-seq.

Impaired plant growth and development caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat.

Previous attempts to express the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) Tat (trans-activator of transcription) protein in plants resulted in a number of physiological abnormalities, such as stunted growth and absence of seed formation, that could not be explained. In the study reported here, we expressed Tat in tomato and observed phenotypic abnormalities, including stunted growth, absence of root formation, chlorosis, and plant death, as a result of reduced cytokinin levels. These reduced levels were ascribed to a differentially expressed CKO35 in Tat-bombarded tomato.

Preferential expression and immunogenicity of HIV-1 Tat fusion protein expressed in tomato plant.

HIV-1 Tat plays a major role in viral replication and is essential for AIDS development making it an ideal vaccine target providing that both humoral and cellular immune responses are induced. Plant-based antigen production, due to its cheaper cost, appears ideal for vaccine production. In this study, we created a plant-optimized tat and mutant (Cys30Ala/Lys41Ala) tat (mtat) gene and ligated each into a pBI121 expression vector with a stop codon and a gusA gene positioned immediately downstream.

Recent advances in the development of transgenic papaya technology.

Papaya with resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the first genetically modified tree and fruit crop and also the first transgenic crop developed by a public institution that has been commercialized. This chapter reviews the different transformation systems used for papaya and recent advances in the use of transgenic technology to introduce important quality and horticultural traits in papaya. These include the development of the following traits in papaya: resistance to PRSV, mites and Phytophthora, delayed ripening trait or long shelf life by inhibiting ethylene production or reducing loss of firmness, and tolerance or resistance to herbicide and aluminum toxicity.

Hybrid 'Sinta' papaya exhibits unique ACC synthase 1 cDNA isoforms.

Five ripening-related ACC synthase cDNA isoforms were cloned from 80% ripe papaya cv. 'Sinta' by reverse transcription-PCR using gene-specific primers. Clone 2 had the longest transcript and contained all common exons and three alternative exons.

11S and 7S globulins of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.): purification and characterization.

Total globulins extracted with 0.4 M NaCl in buffer from coconut endosperm separated into two peaks on gel filtration: peak I corresponding to 11S globulin or cocosin and peak II to 7S globulin with native molecular weights of 326 000 and 156 000, respectively. The percent composition of total globulins was estimated to be 11S, 86% and 7S, 14%.

Variability in fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of the oil of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) hybrids and their parentals.

The fatty acid profiles and triacylglycerol (TAG) compositions of oils from the solid endosperm of different Philippine coconut hybrids and their parentals were determined by using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In general, varietal differences in fatty acid composition were observed. Lauric acid (C12) content was significantly higher in the hybrids PCA 15-8 (50.