Mapping of a novel locus Ra conferring extreme resistance against potato virus A in cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

The Ra extreme resistance against potato virus A was mapped to the upper of chromosome 4 in tetraploid potato. Potato virus A (PVA) is one of the major viruses affecting potato worldwide and can cause serious disease symptoms and yield losses. Previously, we determined that potato cultivar Barbara harbors Ry (genotype: Ryryryry) and Ra (genotype: Rararara) that each independently confer extreme resistance to PVA.

Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection for Frost Tolerance in a Diallel Population of Potato.

A multi-parental population is an innovative tool for mapping large numbers of loci and genetic modifications, particularly where they have been used for breeding and pre-breeding in crops. Frost injury is an environmental stress factor that greatly affects the growth, development, production efficiency, and geographical distribution of crops. No reported study has focused on genetic mapping and molecular marker development using diallel populations of potatoes.

QTL analysis of tuber shape in a diploid potato population.

Tuber shape is one of the most important traits for potato breeding. Since poor or irregular shape increases the difficulty of handling and processing, researching the inheritance of potato tuber shape for potato breeding is highly important. To efficiently identify QTL for tuber shape, a diploid potato population (PM7) was generated by self-pollinated M6 ().

Potato late blight field resistance from QTL dPI09c is conferred by the NB-LRR gene R8.

Following the often short-lived protection that major nucleotide binding, leucine-rich-repeat (NB-LRR) resistance genes offer against the potato pathogen Phytophthora infestans, field resistance was thought to provide a more durable alternative to prevent late blight disease. We previously identified the QTL dPI09c on potato chromosome 9 as a more durable field resistance source against late blight. Here, the resistance QTL was fine-mapped to a 186 kb region.

Ultrasound-induced release of GDNF from lipid coated microbubbles injected into striatum reduces hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats.

Previous studies showed that inflammation and apoptosis were involved in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The immature brain is particularly vulnerable to damage. Intracerebral injection of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to reduce the injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia (HI).

Conditional QTL underlying resistance to late blight in a diploid potato population.

A large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to late blight of potato have been reported with a "conventional" method in which each phenotypic trait reflects the cumulative genetic effects for the duration of the disease process. However, as genes controlling response to disease may have unique contributions with specific temporal features, it is important to consider the phenotype as dynamic. Here, using the net genetic effects evidenced at consecutive time points during disease development, we report the first conditional mapping of QTL underlying late blight resistance in potato under five environments in Peru.

[Advances in studies of biological clock gene].

The circadian clock genes, which generate and control the running of the circadian rhythms, exist in organisms ranging from prokaryotes to mammals. The oscillator genes and its coding proteins compose the feedback loops of circadian system. The kind, number and regulating route of clock genes are characterized by living things at different evolution levels.

[The role of melatonin receptor and GABAA receptor in the sleeping time prolonged by melatonin in mice].

Aim: To observe the role of melatonin receptor and GABAA receptor in sleeping time prolonged by melatonin in mice.

Methods: The absence of the righting reflex was considered as the sleep onset and the duration of the loss of the righting reflex was recorded as the sleeping time. The effects of receptor agonist and antagonist on hypnotic activity of melatonin were studied in the paper.

[Effect of atropine on the inhibition of melatonin to the unit discharges evoked in the posterior group of thalamic nuclei in cats].

Aim: To study the effect of atropine, muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, on the central analgesic action of melatonin (MT) and to explore the mechanism of MT analgesia.

Methods: As an indicator of visceral pain, the unit discharges of the neurons in the posterior group of thalamic nuclei (PO) were caused by stimulating the great splanchnic nerve (GSN) of the cat. The cranial stereotaxic and extracellular glass microelectrode record technique were used.

The GABA(A) receptor mediates the hypnotic activity of melatonin in rats.

The present investigation assessed whether hypnotic activity of melatonin was mediated by the GABA(A) receptor in rats. Electroencephalography (EEG) was measured in this experiment. Melatonin, at a dose of 10 mg/kg ip, showed a significant sleep-promoting effect in rats.

Hypnotic activity of melatonin: involvement of semicarbazide hydrochloride, blocker of synthetic enzyme for GABA.

Aim: To assess the effect of semicarbazide hydrochloride (SCZ), the blocker of synthetic enzyme for GABA, on the hypnotic activity of melatonin.

Methods: Righting reflex method in mice and electroencephalography (EEG) in rats were used to determine effects of SCZ on sleep and hypnotic activity of melatonin.

Results: Melatonin displayed a marked hypnotic activity both in righting reflex experiment and EEG recording.