[Cloning and characterization of an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene GmALDH3-1 from soybean].

To research the mechanism of soybean reproductive development, we identified a number of flower development related genes in soybean by microarray hybridization. A gene predominately expressed in soybean flowers was chosen for further analysis. Through bioinformatic and RT-PCR approaches, the full-length gene was cloned from soybean flowers.

Proteomics-based analysis of novel genes involved in response toward soybean mosaic virus infection.

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is one of the most serious virus diseases of soybean. However, little is known about the molecular basis of the soybean defense mechanism against this pathogen. We identified differentially expressed proteins in soybean leaves infected with SMV by proteomic approaches.

Identification and Distribution of Soybean mosaic virus Strains in Southern China.

From 1,417 leaf samples with Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)-like symptoms collected from about 1,500 fields of 117 counties of 13 provinces in Southern China during 2004 to 2006, 201 SMV isolates were obtained after biological purification with single-lesion isolation and serological determination. Based on disease reactions on 10 differentials used in China as a representative from various reported differential cultivar systems, the isolates were grouped into 12 strains. Among them, eight were the same as those previously reported from Northeast China and the Huang-Huai Valleys while the other four were new and were designated as SC18, SC19, SC20, and SC21.

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.).

Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters can provide qualitative and quantitative information about photosynthetic processes in chloroplasts. JIP-test and modulated fluorescence (MF) parameters are commonly used chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with JIP-test parameters, MF parameters, and photosynthetic rate (P(N)), and to examine the relationships among them in soybean (Glycine max (L.

Mapping QTLs for seed yield and drought susceptibility index in soybean (Glycine max L.) across different environments.

Drought stress has long been a major constraint in maintaining yield stability of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in rainfed ecosystems.

Expression quantitative trait loci analysis of two genes encoding rubisco activase in soybean.

Rubisco activase (RCA) catalyzes the activation of Rubisco in vivo and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. However, until now, little was known about the molecular genetics of RCA in soybean (Glycine max), one of the most important legume crops. Here, we cloned and characterized two genes encoding the longer alpha -isoform and the shorter beta -isoform of soybean RCA (GmRCA alpha and GmRCA beta, respectively).

Overexpression of a soybean O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase-encoding gene GmOASTL4 in tobacco increases cysteine levels and enhances tolerance to cadmium stress.

O-Acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OASTL, EC 2.5.1.

Characterization of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) NAC family gene, CarNAC5, which is both developmentally- and stress-regulated.

It has been documented that the plant-specific NAC (for NAM, ATAF1,2 and CUC2) transcription factors play an important role in plant development and stress responses. In this study, a chickpea NAC gene CarNAC5 (for Cicer arietinum L. NAC gene 5) was isolated from a cDNA library from chickpea leaves treated by polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Molecular analysis of an actin gene, CarACT1, from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Actins are ubiquitous and highly conserved proteins that play key roles in cell formation and cellular activities. In this study, an actin gene was isolated from chickpea for the first time and designated as CarACT1 (for Cicer arietinum L. actin gene 1; Genbank accession no.

Detection of quantitative trait loci for yield and drought tolerance traits in soybean using a recombinant inbred line population.

To investigate the genetic basis of drought tolerance in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) a recombinant inbred population with 184 F(2:7:11) lines developed from a cross between Kefeng1 (drought tolerant) and Nannong1138-2 (drought sensitive) were tested under water-stressed and well-watered conditions in field and greenhouse trials.

Cloning and characterization of a novel NAC family gene CarNAC1 from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

The plant-specific NAC (for NAM, ATAF1,2 and CUC2) proteins have been found to play important roles in plant development and stress responses. In this study, a NAC gene CarNAC1 (for Cicer arietinum L. NAC gene 1) was isolated from a cDNA library constructed with chickpea seedling leaves treated by polyethylene glycol.

A NAC transcription factor gene of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), CarNAC3, is involved in drought stress response and various developmental processes.

NAC transcription factors have been found to play important roles in plant development and responses to environmental stresses. Based on two cDNA libraries constructed from the PEG-treated and -nontreated seedling leaves of chickpea, a NAC gene, CarNAC3, was isolated and characterized. The results indicated that CarNAC3 contained 285 amino acids and had a conserved NAC domain.

Genetic diversity and peculiarity of annual wild soybean (G. soja Sieb. et Zucc.) from various eco-regions in China.

Annual wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.) is believed to be a potential gene source for future soybean improvement in coping with the world climate change for food security.

Characterization of a novel legumin alpha-amylase inhibitor from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds.

A proteinaceous alpha-amylase inhibitor (CLAI) was purified from Cicer arietinum seeds. It had a molecular mass of 25.947 kDa and inhibited alpha-amylases from plants and mammals.

GmRFP1 encodes a previously unknown RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase in Soybean (Glycine max).

RING-finger proteins with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity play important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. In this study, a cDNA clone encoding a novel RING-finger protein, designated as GmRFP1, was isolated and characterized from soybean. GmRFP1 was an intronless gene encoding a predicted protein product of 392 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of ~43 kDa.

Identification of transcription factors predominantly expressed in soybean flowers and characterization of GmSEP1 encoding a SEPALLATA1-like protein.

By microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR, we identified 28 soybean flower-enriched transcription factors such as MADS-box proteins, zinc finger proteins, and MYB proteins. Among them, one MADS-box protein GmSEP1 was chosen for further analysis. GmSEP1 contains 8 exons and 7 introns, showing similar exon-intron structure with Arabidopsis SEP genes.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for binary trait in the F2:3 design.

In the analysis of inheritance of quantitative traits with low heritability, an F(2:3) design that genotypes plants in F(2) and phenotypes plants in F(2:3) progeny is often used in plant genetics. Although statistical approaches for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in the F(2:3) design have been well developed, those for binary traits of biological interest and economic importance are seldom addressed. In this study, an attempt was made to map binary trait loci (BTL) in the F(2:3) design.

Comparative analysis of ESTs in response to drought stress in chickpea (C. arietinum L.).

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop grown mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions. To identify the water-stress-induced genes, two non-normalized cDNA libraries were constructed from the seedling leaves of a drought-tolerant chickpea cultivar under PEG-treated and -nontreated conditions.

Methodologies for segregation analysis and QTL mapping in plants.

Most characters of biological interest and economic importance are quantitative traits. To uncover the genetic architecture of quantitative traits, two approaches have become popular in China. One is the establishment of an analytical model for mixed major-gene plus polygenes inheritance and the other the discovery of quantitative trait locus (QTL).

Constitutive overexpression of AOS-like gene from soybean enhanced tolerance to insect attack in transgenic tobacco.

Tissue-specific and feeding-induced expression patterns of GmAOS were explored in two soybean accessions with distinct contrast in resistance grades to cotton worm: XTDD was highly susceptible and HPXQD highly resistant. GmAOS transcript levels were correlated with soybean material resistance grades. Overexpressing GmAOS in transgenic tobacco plants increased activities of allene oxide synthase, peroxidase, chymotrypsin inhabitor, and increased the trichome number.

Mapping epistatic quantitative trait loci underlying endosperm traits using all markers on the entire genome in a random hybridization design.

Triploid endosperm is of great economic importance owing to its nutritious quality. Mapping endosperm trait loci (ETL) can provide an efficient way to genetically improve grain quality. However, most triploid ETL mapping methods do not produce unbiased estimates of the two dominant effects of ETL.

Identification and characterization of class 1 DXS gene encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, the first committed enzyme of the MEP pathway from soybean.

1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) catalyses the first committed step of the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which is an alternative isoprenoids biosynthetic route that has been recently discovered. In this work, a DXS1-like cDNA (GmDXS1) was isolated from soybean. The full-length cDNA of GmDXS1 encoded 708 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 76.

Isolation and characterization of a seed-specific isoform of microsomal omega-6 fatty acid desaturase gene (FAD2-1B) from soybean.

In plants, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated oleate desaturase (FAD2) is the key enzyme responsible for the production of linoleic acid in non-photosynthetic tissues. In this study, we report the characterization of a seed-specific isoform of microsomal omega-6 fatty acid desaturase gene (FAD2-1B) sharing high sequence similarity with FAD2-1 from soybean. Several potential promoter elements including seed-specific motifs are found in the 5'-flanking region of FAD2-1B gene.

Molecular cloning, expression profiling and trans-activation property studies of a DREB2-like gene from chrysanthemum (Dendranthema vestitum).

Dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) proteins are important transcription factors in plant stress response and signal transduction. In this study, a DREB homolog gene, DvDREB2A, was isolated from chrysanthemum (Dendranthema vestitum) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. It contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,471 bp encoding 366 amino acid residues and was classified as a DREB2 subfamily member based on multiple sequence alignment.

An EM algorithm for mapping segregation distortion loci.

Background: Chromosomal region that causes distorted segregation ratios is referred to as segregation distortion locus (SDL). The distortion is caused either by differential representation of SDL genotypes in gametes before fertilization or by viability differences of SDL genotypes after fertilization but before genotype scoring. In both cases, observable phenotypes are distorted for marker loci in the chromosomal region close to the SDL.