Comparative transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes involved in 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) biosynthesis in Impatiens balsamina L.

Impatiens balsamina L. is a tropical ornamental and traditional medicinal herb rich in natural compounds, especially 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) which is a bioactive compound with tested anticancer activities. Characterization of key genes involved in the shikimate and 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate (DHNA) pathways responsible for MNQ biosynthesis and their expression profiles in I.

Data of assembly and functional annotation of the leaf transcriptome of .

is both an ornamental and pharmacologically important plant widely distributed in many Asian countries. The leaf of the plant contains many secondary metabolites possessing anti-microbial, anti-tumour and anti-cancer properties. Though there are many phytochemical studies done on the different natural extracts for this plant, not much of genetic information is currently available.

(Begoniaceae), a new species from Endau Rompin National Park, Johor, Malaysia.

is a new species of horticultural value known only from the Endau Rompin National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. It is similar to with which it had previously been confused in the number of tepals and leaf characters. The new species is compared with three similar species, and and photographs of all four species and descriptions of and are provided.

Gene isolation using degenerate primers targeting protein motif: A laboratory exercise.

Structures and functions of protein motifs are widely included in many biology-based course syllabi. However, little emphasis is placed to link this knowledge to applications in biotechnology to enhance the learning experience. Here, the conserved motifs of nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeats (NBS-LRR) proteins, successfully used for the isolation and characterization of many plant resistance gene analogues (RGAs), is featured in the development of a series of laboratory experiments using important molecular biology techniques.

Malaysian weedy rice shows its true stripes: wild Oryza and elite rice cultivars shape agricultural weed evolution in Southeast Asia.

Weedy rice is a close relative of domesticated rice (Oryza sativa) that competes aggressively with the crop and limits rice productivity worldwide. Most genetic studies of weedy rice have focused on populations in regions where no reproductively compatible wild Oryza species occur (North America, Europe and northern Asia). Here, we examined the population genetics of weedy rice in Malaysia, where wild rice (O.

Conservation of eelgrass (Zostera marina) genetic diversity in a mesocosm-based restoration experiment.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) forms the foundation of an important shallow coastal community in protected estuaries and bays. Widespread population declines have stimulated restoration efforts, but these have often overlooked the importance of maintaining the evolutionary potential of restored populations by minimizing the reduction in genetic diversity that typically accompanies restoration. In an experiment simulating a small-scale restoration, we tested the effectiveness of a buoy-deployed seeding technique to maintain genetic diversity comparable to the seed source populations.

Effects of suppressing the DNA mismatch repair system on homeologous recombination in tomato.

In plant breeding, the ability to manipulate genetic (meiotic) recombination would be beneficial for facilitating gene transfer from wild relatives of crop plants. The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system helps maintain genetic integrity by correcting base mismatches that arise via DNA synthesis or damage, and antagonizes recombination between homeologous (divergent) DNA sequences. Previous studies have established that the genomes of cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and the wild relative S.

Characterization and comparative sequence analysis of the DNA mismatch repair MSH2 and MSH7 genes from tomato.

DNA mismatch repair proteins play an essential role in maintaining genomic integrity during replication and genetic recombination. We successfully isolated a full length MSH2 and partial MSH7 cDNAs from tomato, based on sequence similarity between MutS and plant MSH homologues. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR reveals higher levels of mRNA expression of both genes in young leaves and floral buds.

LTR-retrotransposons Tnt1 and T135 markers reveal genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of domesticated peppers.

Plant genetic resources often constitute the foundation of successful breeding programs. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most economically important and diversely utilized Solanaceous crop species worldwide, but less studied compared to tomato and potato.

Comparative analyses of genetic diversities within tomato and pepper collections detected by retrotransposon-based SSAP, AFLP and SSR.

The retrotransposon-based sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (SSAP) marker system was used to assess the genetic diversities of collections of tomato and pepper industrial lines. The utility of SSAP markers was compared to that of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. On the basis of our results, SSAP is most informative of the three systems for studying genetic diversity in tomato and pepper, with a significant correlation of genetic relationships between different SSAP datasets and between SSAP, AFLP and SSR markers.

Intergeneric and infrafamilial phylogeny of subfamily Monsteroideae (Araceae) revealed by chloroplast trnL-F sequences.

The chloroplast trnL-F region was used as an independent data set for phylogenetic analysis of 118 aroid taxa. We investigated the intergeneric relationships of subfamily Monsteroideae (Araceae) and used this as a basis for an interspecific phylogenetic study of Rhaphidophora Hassk., the largest genus of the Monsteroideae.