Functional polymorphism among members of abscisic acid receptor family (ZmPYL) in maize

Pyrabactin resistance 1-like proteins (PYLs) are direct receptors of abscisic acid (ABA). For the redundant and polymorphic functions, some members of the PYL family interact with components of other signaling pathways. Here, 253 positive colonies from a maize cDNA library were screened as interacting proteins with the members of ZmPYL family. After sequencing and function annotation, 17 of 28 interaction combinations were verified by yeast two-hybrid (Y2H). The germination potential, taproot length and proline content of a quartet mutant of Arabidopsis PYL genes were significantly deceased comparing to the wild type (WT) under alkaline stress (pH 8.5) and 100 μmol L–1 methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased. After germinating in darkness, the characteristics of dark morphogenesis of the quartet mutant seedlings were more obvious than those of the WT. The differential expression of the related genes of photomorphogenesis in the mutant was much more than that in the WT. Three light and two JA responsive cis-affecting elements were identified during the promoter sequences of the AtPYL1 and AtPYL2 genes. These results suggested that functional polymorphism has evolved among the members of ZmPYL family. In response to developmental and environmental stimuli, they not only function as direct ABA receptors but also interact with components of other signaling pathways mediated JA, brassinosteroid (BR), auxin, etc., and even directly regulate downstream stress-related proteins. These signaling pathways can interact at various crosstalk points and different levels of gene expression within a sophisticated network.

Impact of cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphisms on decision-making and clinical outcomes in adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND There are concerns that tamoxifen is less effective in Asian women because of the high prevalence of impaired function cytochrome P4502D6(CYP2D6)polymorphisms.AIM To evaluate how knowledge of CYP2D6 genotype impacted the choice of hormonal agent and how CYP2D6 genotype and agent were associated with clinical outcomes.METHODS Eighty-two women were recruited.Seventy-eight completed CYP2D6 genotyping and were categorized into poor,intermediate(IM)and extensive or ultra metabolizer phenotypes.Women with poor metabolizer and IM phenotypes were recommended aromatase inhibitors as the preferred agent.RESULTS More than 70%of the women had an IM phenotype,32%an extensive or ultra metabolizer phenotype,and 0%had a poor metabolizer phenotype.Regardless of genotype,more women opted for aromatase inhibitors.Overall,80%of women completed 5 years of hormonal therapy.Five women developed recurrence,3 contralateral breast cancer,5 died,and 1 was diagnosed with a second primary cancer.Five-year recurrence-free and overall survival were slightly better in women with the extensive or ultra metabolizer phenotype compared to those with the IM phenotype,though not statistically significant[P=0.743,hazard ratio(HR):1.441,95%confidence interval(CI):0.191 to 10.17 and P=0.798,HR:1.327,95%CI:0.172 to 9.915,respectively].Women receiving aromatase inhibitors also appeared to have a better,but also nonsignificant,5-year recurrence-free and overall survival(P=0.253,HR:0.368,95%CI:0.031 to 0.258 and P=0.292,HR:0.252,95%CI:0.005 to 4.951,respectively).CONCLUSION The IM phenotype was highly prevalent but was not associated with clinical outcome.

An association study of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R gene polymorphism and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in major depressive disorder

Objective To explore the influence of a polymorphism of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R(PTPRR)gene rs1513105 on abnormal brain activities in resting-state patients with major depressive disorder(MDD)using the gene-imaging technology.Methods 54MDD and 43 gender-,age-,and education-matched con-

SoySNP618K array:A high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism platform as a valuable genomic resource for soybean genetics and breeding

Innovations in genomics have enabled the development of low-cost,high-resolution,single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)genotyping arrays that accelerate breeding progress and support basic research in crop science.Here,we developed and validated the Soy SNP618 K array(618,888 SNPs)for the important crop soybean.The SNPs were selected from whole-genome resequencing data containing 2,214 diverse soybean accessions;29.34%of the SNPs mapped to genic regions representing 86.85%of the 56,044annotated high-confidence genes.Identity-by-state analyses of 318 soybeans revealed 17 redundant accessions,highlighting the potential of the Soy SNP618 K array in supporting gene bank management.The patterns of population stratification and genomic regions enriched through domestication were highly consistent with previous findings based on resequencing data,suggesting that the ascertainment bias in the Soy SNP618 K array was largely compensated for.Genome-wide association mapping in combination with reported quantitative trait loci enabled fine-mapping of genes known to influence flowering time,E2 and Gm PRR3 b,and of a new candidate gene,Gm VIP5.Moreover,genomic prediction of flowering and maturity time in 502 recombinant inbred lines was highly accurate(>0.65).Thus,the Soy SNP618 K array is a valuable genomic tool that can be used to address many questions in applied breeding,germplasm management,and basic crop research.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms associated with processing speed and executive functions in healthy Han Chinese

Dear Editor,A few studies have focused on exploring APOE gene- related effects on cognitive functions and brain activities in healthy populations. Bondi et aL found that ε4 carriers perform significantly worse on the California Verbal Learning Test than non-carriers in non-demented old subjects （mean age, 72 years）ε11. But the results are not entirely consistent. For example, Scarmeas et aL found no effect of the E4 allele on neuropsychological performance[2] in young adults, and Jochemsen et al. found that the ε4 allele is associated with age-related cognitive decline[3]. Furthermore, protective and negative effects of the E2 allele on cognition are inconsistent[4＇ s]. APOE E2 is thought to be a protective allele for AD in the elderly population due to its role in the superior cognitive performance of ε2 carriers compared to E3 or E4 carriers[5]. However, the ε2 allele has also been found to have a negative effect on AD pathology[4].