[Application of next generation sequencing techniques in plant transcriptome].

With the development of DNA sequencing techniques, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques with the characteristics of high-throughput and low cost have become the first choice for more and more researchers to carry out the biological researches. Among the next-generation sequencing techniques, the 454 sequencing platform is the first commercially available and relatively mature one and widely used in various fields of biological research. Taking 454 sequencing platform as an example, we illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of NGS technical principles, review their applications in plant transcriptome, and outlook their future development and applications in plant research field.

Cloning two P5CS genes from bioenergy sorghum and their expression profiles under abiotic stresses and MeJA treatment.

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench) has promise as a bioenergy feedstock in China and other countries for its use in the production of ethanol as the result of its high fermentable sugar accumulation in stems. To boost biofuel production and extend its range, we seek to improve its stress tolerance.

A comparative proteomic analysis of rice seedlings under various high-temperature stresses.

To understand the responses of rice seedlings to different high-temperature stresses, seven-day-old rice seedlings were exposed to different high temperatures for 48 h, and the maximal quantum yield of PS II photochemistry measurements, ascorbate peroxidase activity assays and proteomic analyses in leaf tissue were performed. The results showed that when rice seedlings were exposed to high temperatures at 35 degrees C, 40 degrees C and 45 degrees C, the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry, the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and the proteome changed greater at higher temperature. The proteomics analysis showed that proteins such as lignification-related proteins were regulated by high temperature and distinct proteins related to protection were up-regulated at different high temperatures.

[The evolution and expression of low-copy nuclear genes in allopolyploid plants].

Allopolyploid plants have a wide distribution in the nature. The low-copy nuclear genes with special evolution characteristics and abundant phylogenetic information in polyploidy plant lineage show gene silencing, gene activation, and unequal expression in transcript level. In present review, focusing on the low-copy nuclear genes, we summarize the application of these genes in the phylogenetic reconstruction of allopolyploid plants and bring forward some critical issues in this field.

The use of SSRs for predicting the hybrid yield and yield heterosis in 15 key inbred lines of Chinese maize.

A challenge to maize breeders is to predict and identify inbred lines that can produce highly heterotic hybrids precisely. In the present study we surveyed the genetic diversity among 15 elite inbred lines of maize in China with SSR markers and assessed the relationship between SSR marker and hybrid yield/yield heterosis in a diallel set of 105 crosses. Forty-three SSR primers selected from all sixty-three primers gave stable profiles amplified in the sample of 15 inbred lines, which could clearly resolve on 4% metaphor agarose gel.