A SNP-based consensus genetic map for synteny-based trait targeting in faba bean (Vicia faba L.).

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a globally important nitrogen-fixing legume, which is widely grown in a diverse range of environments. In this work, we mine and validate a set of 845 SNPs from the aligned transcriptomes of two contrasting inbred lines.

Biological examination of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1: multi-tasking from the hypothalamus.

Since its discovery as the first receptor for the orexigenic neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), the MCH receptor, MCHR1, has been actively pursued for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of obesity. Mice with targeted deletion of MCHR1 or its cognate ligand, MCH, generally have decreased body weight and fat mass and are resistant to diet-induced obesity compared with their wild-type counterparts. Mice treated via intracerebroventricular infusion with MCH, or that overexpress MCH or MCHR1, exhibit weight gain compared with control animals.

Biological examination of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1: multi-tasking from the hypothalamus.

Since its discovery as the first receptor for the orexigenic neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), the MCH receptor, MCHR1, has been actively pursued for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of obesity. Mice with targeted deletion of MCHR1 or its cognate ligand, MCH, generally have decreased body weight and fat mass and are resistant to diet-induced obesity compared with their wild-type counterparts. Mice treated via intracerebroventricular infusion with MCH, or that overexpress MCH or MCHR1, exhibit weight gain compared with control animals.

Early stone technology on Flores and its implications for Homo floresiensis.

In the Soa Basin of central Flores, eastern Indonesia, stratified archaeological sites, including Mata Menge, Boa Lesa and Kobatuwa (Fig. 1), contain stone artefacts associated with the fossilized remains of Stegodon florensis, Komodo dragon, rat and various other taxa. These sites have been dated to 840-700 kyr bp (thousand years before present).

Genetic control of storage oil synthesis in seeds of Arabidopsis.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control seed oil content and fatty acid composition were studied using a recombinant inbred population derived from a cross between the Arabidopsis ecotypes Landsberg erecta and Cape Verdi Islands. Multiple QTL model mapping identified two major and two minor QTL that account for 43% of the variation in oil content in the population. The most significant QTL is at the bottom of chromosome 2 and accounts for 17% of the genetic variation.

Natural variation for seed oil composition in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The biochemical pathways involved in the biosynthesis and accumulation of storage lipids in seeds have been extensively studied. However, the regulatory mechanisms of those pathways, their environmental interactions and the ecological implications of variation are poorly understood. We have initiated a new approach: the analysis of natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Expression pattern of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1, an enzyme involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis, in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the major carbon storage reserve in oilseeds such as Arabidopsis. Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyses the final step of the TAG synthesis pathway. Although TAG is mainly accumulated during seed development, and DGAT has presumably the highest activity in developing seeds, we show here that TAG synthesis is also actively taking place during germination and seedling development in Arabidopsis.