Mapping and Functional Analysis of LE Gene in a Lethal Etiolated Rice Mutant at Seedling Stage

An EMS(ethy methanesulfonate)-induced lethal etiolated(le)mutant obtained from the rice variety Zhongjian 100 was characterized by lethal etiolated phenotypes,with significantly reduced levels of chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,total chlorophyll,and carotenoids.Additionally,the mutant displayed a significantly decreased number of chloroplast grana,along with irregular and less-stacked grana lamellae.The le mutant showed markedly diminished root length,root surface area,and root volume compared with the wild type.It also exhibited significantly lower catalase activity and total protein content,while peroxidase activity was significantly higher.Using the map-based cloning method,we successfully mapped the LE gene to a 48-kb interval between markers RM16107 and RM16110 on rice chromosome 3.A mutation(from T to C)was identified at nucleotide position 692 bp of LOC_Os03g59640(ChlD),resulting in a change from leucine to proline.By crossing HM133(a pale green mutant with a single-base substitution of A for G in exon 10 of ChlD subunit)with a heterozygous line of le(LEle),we obtained two plant lines heterozygous at both the LE and HM133 loci.Among 15 transgenic plants,3 complementation lines displayed normal leaf color with significantly higher total chlorophyll,chlorophyll a,and chlorophyll b contents.The mutation in le led to a lethal etiolated phenotype,which has not been observed in other ChlD mutants.The mutation in the AAA+domain of ChlD disrupted the interaction of ChlDle with ChlI as demonstrated by a yeast two-hybrid assay,leading to the loss of ChlD function and hindering chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development.Consequently,this disruption is responsible for the lethal etiolated phenotype in the mutant.

The gene encoding flavonol synthase contributes to lesion mimic in wheat

Lesion mimic often exhibits leaf disease-like symptoms even in the absence of pathogen infection,and is characterized by a hypersensitive-response(HR)that closely linked to plant disease resistance.Despite this,only a few lesion mimic genes have been identified in wheat.In this investigation,a lesion mimic wheat mutant named je0297 was discovered,showing no alteration in yield components when compared to the wild type(WT).Segregation ratio analysis of the F_(2)individuals resulting from the cross between the WT and the mutant revealed that the lesion mimic was governed by a single recessive gene in je0297.Using Bulked segregant analysis(BSA)and exome capture sequencing,we mapped the lesion mimic gene designated as lm6 to chromosome 6BL.Further gene fine mapping using 3315 F_(2)individuals delimited the lm6 within a 1.18 Mb region.Within this region,we identified 16 high-confidence genes,with only two displaying mutations in je0297.Notably,one of the two genes,responsible for encoding flavonol synthase,exhibited altered expression levels.Subsequent phenotype analysis of TILLING mutants confirmed that the gene encoding flavonol synthase was indeed the causal gene for lm6.Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that the DEGs between the WT and mutant were significantly enriched in KEGG pathways related to flavonoid biosynthesis,including flavone and flavonol biosynthesis,isoflavonoid biosynthesis,and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways.Furthermore,more than 30 pathogen infection-related(PR)genes exhibited upregulation in the mutant.Corresponding to this expression pattern,the flavonoid content in je0297 showed a significant decrease in the 4^(th)leaf,accompanied by a notable accumulation of reactive oxygen,which likely contributed to the development of lesion mimic in the mutant.This investigation enhances our comprehension of cell death signaling pathways and provides a valuable gene resource for the breeding of disease-resistant wheat.

Studies on the temporal,structural,and interacting features of the clubroot resistance gene Rcr1 using CRISPR/Cas9-based systems

Clubroot disease is a severe threat to Brassica crops globally,particularly in western Canada.Genetic resistance,achieved through pyramiding clubroot resistance(CR)genes with different modes of action,is the most important strategy for managing the disease.However,studies on the CR gene functions are quite limited.In this study,we have conducted investigations into the temporal,structural,and interacting features of a newly cloned CR gene,Rcr1,using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.For temporal functionality,we developed a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based binary vector,pHHIGR-Hsp18.2,to deliver Rcr1 into a susceptible canola line(DH12075)and observed that early expression of Rcr1 is critical for conferring resistance.For structural functionality,several independent mutations in specific domains of Rcr1 resulted in loss-offunction,highlighting their importance for CR phenotype.In the study of the interacting features of Rcr1,a cysteine protease gene and its homologous allele in canola were successfully disrupted via CRISPR/Cas9 as an interacting component with Rcr1 protein,resulting in the conversion from clubroot resistant to susceptible in plants carrying intact Rcr1.These results indicated an indispensable role of these two cysteine proteases in Rcr1-mediated resistance response.This study,the first of its kind,provides valuable insights into the functionality of Rcr1.Further,the new vector p HHIGR-Hsp18.2 demonstrated an inducible feature on the removal of add-on traits,which should be useful for functional genomics and other similar research in brassica crops.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of a Novel Chlorophyll-Deficit Mutant Gene in Rice

A rice etiolation mutant 824ys featured with chlorophyll deficiency was identified from a normal green rice variety 824B. It showed whole green-yellow plant from the seedling stage, reduced number of tillers and longer growth duration. The contents of chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and net photosynthetic rate in leaves of the mutant obviously decreased, as well as the number of spikelets per panicle, seed setting rate and 1000-grain weight compared with its wild-type parent. Genetic analyses on F1 and F2 generations of 824ys crossed with three normal green varieties showed that the chlorophyll-deficit mutant character was controlled by a pair of recessive nuclear gene. Genetic mapping of the mutant gene was conducted by using microsatellite markers and F2 mapping population of 495R/824ys, and the mutant gene of 824ys was mapped on the short arm of rice chromosome 3. The genetic distances from the target gene to the markers RM218, RM282 and RM6959 were 25.6 cM, 5.2 cM and 21.8 cM, respectively. It was considered to be a new chlorophyll-deficit mutant gene and tentatively named as chill（t）.

Genetic Analysis and Mapping of TWH Gene in Rice Twisted Hull Mutant

A mutant with twisted hulls was found in a breeding population of rice （Oryza sativa L.）. The mutant shows less grain weight and inferior grain quality in addition to twisted hulls. Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype of mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene （temporarily designated as TW（H）. To map the TWH gene, an F2 population was generated by crossing the twh mutant to R725, an indica rice variety with normal hulls. For bulked segregant analysis, the bulk of mutant plants was prepared by mixing equal amount of plant tissue from 10 twisted-hull plants and the bulk of normal plants was obtained by pooling equal amount tissue of 10 normal-hull plants. Two hundred and seven pairs of simple sequence repeat （SSR） primers, which are distributed on 12 rice chromosomes, were used for polymorphism analysis of the parents and the two bulks. The TWH locus was initially mapped close to the SSR marker RM526 on chromosome 2. Therefore, further mapping was performed using 50 pairs of SSR primers around the marker RM526. The TWH was delimited between the SSR markers RM14128 and RM208 on the long arm of chromosome 2 at the genetic distances of 1.4 cM and 2.7 cM, respectively. These results provide the foundation for further fine mapping, cloning and functional analysis of the TWH gene.

Morphological Structure and Genetic Mapping of New Leaf-Color Mutant Gene in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Leaf-color mutations are a widely-observed class of mutations, playing an important role in the study of chlorophyll biosynthesis and plant chloroplast structure, function, genetics and development. A naturally-occurring leaf-color rice mutant, Baihuaidao 7, was analyzed. Mutant plants typically exhibited a green-white-green leaf-color progression, but this phenotype was only expressed in the presence of a stress signal induced by mechanical scarification such as transplantation. Prior to the appearance of white ~eaves, mutant plant growth, leaf color, chlorophyll content, and chloroplast ultrastructure appeared to be identical to those of the wild type. After the changeover to white leaf color, an examination of the mutated leaves revealed a decrease in total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content, a reduction in the number of chloroplast grana lamella and grana, and a gradual degradation of the thylakoid lamellas. At maturity, the mutant plant was etiolated and dwarfed compared with wild-type plants. Genetic analysis indicated that the leaf mutant character is controlled by a recessive nuclear gene. Genetic mapping of the mutant gene was performed using an F2 population derived from a Baihuaidao 7 ~ Jiangxi 1587 cross. The mutant gene was mapped to rice chromosome 11, positioned between InDel markers L59.2-7 and L64.8-11, which are separated by approximately 740.5 kb. The mutant gene is believed to be a new leaf-color mutant gene in rice, and is tentatively designated as gwgl.

Transferring Translucent Endosperm Mutant Gene Wx-mq and Rice Stripe Disease Resistance Gene Stv-bi by Marker-Assisted Selection in Rice (Oryza sativa)

A high-yielding japonica rice variety, Wuyunjing 7, bred in Jiangsu Province, China as a female parent was crossed with a Japanese rice variety Kantou 194, which carries a rice stripe disease resistance gene Stv-b＇ and a translucent endosperm mutant gene Wx-mq. From F2 generations, a sequence characterized amplified region （SCAR） marker tightly linked with Stv-b＇ and a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence （CAPS） marker for Wx-mq were used for marker-assisted selection. Finally, a new japonica rice line, Ning 9108, with excellent agronomic traits was obtained by multi-generational selection on stripe disease resistance and endosperm appearance. The utilization of the markers from genes related to rice quality and disease resistance was helpful not only for establishing a marker-assisted selection system of high-quality and disease resistance for rice but also for providing important intermediate materials and rapid selection method for good quality, disease resistance and high yield in rice breeding.

Genetic Analysis and Gene Mapping of a Rice Tiller Angle Mutant tac2

Tiller angle, a very essential agronomic trait, is significant in rice breeding, especially in plant type breeding. A tiller anglo controlling 2 （tac2） mutant was obtained from a restorer line Jinhui 10 by ethyl methane sulphonate mutagenesis. The tac2 mutant displayed normal phenotype at the seedling stage and the tiller angle significantly increased at the tillering stage, A preliminary physiological research indicated that the mutant was sensitive to GA. Thus, it is speculated that TAC2 and TAC1 might control the tiller angle in the same way. Genetic analysis showed that the mutant trait was controlled by a major recessive gene and was located on chromosome 9 using SSR markers. The genetic distances between TAC2 and its nearest markers RM3320 and RM201 were 19.2 cM and 16,7 cM, respectively.

Identification and Genetic Mapping of a Lesion Mimic Mutant in Rice

A lesion mimic stripe mutant, designated as Ims1 （lesion mimic stripe 1）, was obtained from the M2 progeny of a ^60Co y-radiation treated japonica rice variety Jiahua 1. The Ims1 mutant displayed propagation type lesions across the whole growth and developmental stages. Physiology and histochemistry analysis showed that the mutant exhibited a phenotype of white stripe when grown under high temperature （30 ℃）, and the lesion mimic caused by programmed cell death under low temperature （20 ℃）. The genetic analysis indicated that this lesion-mimic phenotype is controlled by a single locus recessive nuclear gene. Furthermore, by using simple sequence repeat markers and an F2 segregating population derived from two crosses of Ims1 ×93-11 and Ims1 ×Pei＇ai 64S, the Imsl gene was mapped between markers Indel1 and MM0112-4 with a physical distance of 400 kb on chromosome 6 in rice.

Identification and Gene Mapping of a multi-floret spikelet 1 (mfs1) Mutant Associated with Spikelet Development in Rice

In this study, a rice spikelet mutant, multi-floret spikelet 1 （mfsl）, which was derived from ethylmethane sulfonate （EMS）- treated Jinhui 10 （Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica） exhibited pleiotropic defects in spikelet development. The mfsl spikelet displayed degenerated the empty glume, elongated the rachilla, the extra lemma-like organ and degraded the palea. Additionally, mfsl flowers produced varied numbers of inner floral organs. The genetic analysis revealed that the mutational trait was controlled by a single recessive gene. With 401 recessive individuals from the F2 segregation population, the MFS1 gene was finally mapped on chromosome 5, an approximate 350 kb region. The present study will be useful for cloning and functional analysis of MFS1, which would facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in spikelet development in rice.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of Light-Sensitive Red-Root Mutant in Rice

The light-sensitive red-root mutant, designated as HG1, was newly observed from an indica rice variety, Nankinkodo, when seedlings were grown with roots exposed to natural light. The root color of the mutant began to turn slight-red when the roots were exposed to the light at the intensity of 29 ）Jmol/（m^2·s）, then turned dark-red at the light intensity of 180 pmol/（m^2·s）, suggesting that the root color of the mutant was evidently sensitive to light. Furthermore, genetic analysis showed that the character of light-sensitive red-root of the HG1 mutant was controlled by a single dominant gene, tentatively designated as Lsr. With simple sequence repeat markers, Lsrgene was located between the markers RM252 and RM303 on chromosome 4 with the genetic distances of 9.8 cM and 6.4 cM, respectively. These results could be useful for fine mapping and cloning of Lsrgene in rice.

Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of Novel White Striped Leaf Mutant Gene in Rice

A new white striped leaf mutant wsll was discovered from Nipponbare mutated by ethyl methanesulfonate. The mutant showed white striped leaves at the seedling stage and the leaves gradually turned green after the tillering stage. The chlorophyll content of wsll was significantly lower than that of wild-type during the fourth leaf stage, tillering stage and booting stage. The numbers of chloroplast, grana and grana lamella were reduced and the thylakoids were degenerated in wsll compared with wild type. Genetic analysis showed that the wsll was controlled by a single recessive gene. Molecular mapping of the wsll was performed using an F2 population derived from wsll/Nanjing 11. The wsll was finally mapped on the telomere region of chromosome 9 and positioned between simple sequence repeat markers RM23742 and RM23759 which are separated by approximately 486.5 kb. The results may facilitate map-based cloning of wsll and understanding of the molecular mechanism of the regulation of leaf-color by WSL1 in rice.

Genetic Analysis and Mapping of a Thermo-sensitive White Stripe-Leaf Mutant at Seedling Stage in Rice(Oryza sativa)

A thermo-sensitive white stripe-leaf mutant （tws） was selected from the M2 progeny of a japonica variety, Jiahua 1, treated by ^60 Co γ-radiation. In comparison with the wild type parent, the mutant displayed a phenotype of white stripe on the 3rd and 4th leaves, but began to turn normal green on the 5th leaf when grown at low temperatures （20℃ and 24℃）. Furthermore, the content of total chlorophyll showed an obvious decrease in the leaves with white stripe. These results suggest that the expression of the mutant trait was thermo-sensitive and correlated with the leaf age of seedlings. The genetic analysis indicated that the mutant trait was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene, designated as tws. In addition, by using SSR markers and an F2 segregating population derived from the cross between the tws mutant and 9311, tws was mapped between the markers MM3907 and MM3928 with a physical distance of 86 kb on dce chromosome 4.

In Vitro Anti-tumor Immune Response Induced by Dendritic Cells Transfected with Recombinant Adenovirus Carrying Mutant K-ras Genes

Summary： The specific anti-tumor immune response induced by mouse bone marrow dendritic cells （DCs） lransfected with recombinant adenovirus carrying mutant k-ras genes was investighted. DCs were generated from mouse bone marrow in the presence of rmGM-CSF （3.3 ng/mL） and rmIL-4 （1.3 ng/mL） and detected by FACS, and then transfecled with the recombinant adenovirus encoding mutant k ras gene. The efficacy of transfection and T cell stimulating activity of DCs were detected. CTL activity of the mice vaccinated with DCs was observed. The resuhs showed thai DCs had dendritic veiled morphology. BmDCs highly expressed B7-1（80%）, B7-2（77%）, MHC Ⅱ （70%）, CDllc （65%）, CD40 （70%） and CD54 （96%） with FACS, and no significant difference in the expression was observed before and after the transfection （P〈0.05）. The DCs transfeeled by mutant k-ras gene could significantly stimulate lymphoeytes proliferation as compared with those transfeeted by Ad e or non-modified DCs （P〈0.05）. DC vaccine transfected by mutant k-ras gene could induce CTL activity against Lewis lung cancer, but not against B16. The specific eytotoxicity against Lewis lung cancer in Ad-k-ras/12-transdueed DC group was signifieantly higher than those in the control, vector and non transfeeted DCs groups （P〈0.05）. It was concluded that special antitumor response could be induced by DCs transfected with recombinant adenovirus carrying mutant k-ras genes.

Identification and Genetic Analysis of a Novel Allelic Variation of Brittle-1 with Endosperm Mutant in Maize

Endosperm mutants are critical to the studies on both starch synthesis and metabolism and genetic improvement of starch quality in maize.In the present study,a novel maize endosperm mutant A0178 of natural variation was used as the experimental material and identified and then characterized.Through phenotypic identification,genetic analysis,main ingredients measurement and embryo rescue,development of genetic mapping population from A0178,the endosperm mutant gene was located.The results showed that the mutant exhibited extremely low germination ability as attributed to the inhibited embryo development,and amounts of sugars were accumulated in the mutant seeds and more sugars content was detected at 23 days after pollination(DAP)in A0178 than B73.Employing genetic linkage analysis,the mutant trait was mapped in the bin 5.04 on chromosome 5.Sequence analysis showed that two sites of base transversion and insertion presented in the protein coding region and non-coding region of the mutant brittle-1(bt1),the adenylate translocator encoding gene involved in the starch synthesis.The single base insertion in the coding region cause frameshift mutation,early termination and lose of function of Brittle-1(BT1).All results suggested that bt1 is a novel allelic gene and the causal gene of this endosperm mutant,providing insights on the mechanism of endosperm formation in maize.

Characterization and Candidate Gene Analysis of the Yellow-Green Leaf Mutant ygl16 in Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Leaf color mutants are ideal materials for studying many plant physiological and metabolic processes such as photosynthesis,photomorphogenesis,hormone physiology and disease resistance.In this study,the genetically stable yellow-green leaf mutant ygl16 was identified from mutated“Xinong 1B”.Compared with the wild type,the pigment concentration and photosynthetic capacity of the ygl16 decreased significantly.The ultrastructural observation showed that the distribution of thylakoid lamellae was irregular in ygl16 chloroplasts,and the grana and matrix lamellae were blurred and loose in varied degrees,and the chloroplast structure was disordered,while the osmiophilic corpuscles increased.The results of the genetic analysis and mapping showed that the phenotype of ygl16 was controlled by a pair of recessive nuclear gene.The gene located in the 56Kb interval between RM25654 and R3 on the long arm of chromosome 10.The sequencing results showed that the 121st base of the first intron of the candidate gene OsPORB/FGL changed from A to T in the interval.qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of chlorophyll synthase-related genes in the mutant decreased.

Heredity and gene mapping of a novel white stripe leaf mutant in wheat

Spotted leaf(spl)mutant is a type of leaf lesion mimic mutants in plants.We obtained some lesion mimic mutants from ethyl methane sulfonate(EMS)-mutagenized wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)cultivar Guomai 301(wild type,WT),and one of them was named as white stripe leaf(wsl)mutant because of the white stripes on its leaves.Here we report the heredity and gene mapping of this novel wheat mutant wsl.There are many small scattered white stripes on the leaves of wsl throughout its whole growth period.As the plants grew,the white stripes became more severe and the necrotic area expanded.The mutant wsl grew only weakly before the jointing stage and gradually recovered after jointing.The length and width of the flag leaf,spike number per plant and thousand-grain weight of wsl were significantly lower than those of the WT.Genetic analysis indicated that the trait of white stripe leaf was controlled by a recessive gene locus,named as wsl,which was mapped on the short arm of chromosome 6 B by SSR marker assay.Four SSR markers in the F2 population of wsl×CS were linked to wsl in the order of Xgpw1079–Xwmc104–Xgwm508-wsl–Xgpw7651 at 7.1,5.2,8.7,and 4.4 c M,respectively and three SSR markers in the F2 population of wsl×Jimai 22 were linked to wsl in the order of Xgwm508–Xwmc494–Xgwm518-wsl at 3.5,1.6 and 8.2 c M,respectively.In comparison to the reference genome sequence of Chinese Spring(CS),wsl is located in a 91-Mb region from 88 Mb(Xgwm518)to 179 Mb(Xgpw7651)on chromosome 6 BS.Mutant wsl is a novel germplasm for studying the molecular mechanism of wheat leaf development.

Isolation of Gene Mutation from a Pathogenicity-Enhanced Mutant of Magnaporthe oryzae

To find new genes involved in fungal pathogenicity, a mutant （B11 ） exhibiting enhanced pathogenicity was isolated from an Agrobacterium-mediated transformed Magnaporthe oryzae mutant library. Southern blotting analysis showed that T-DNA insertion in the B11 genome was a single copy. TAIL-PCR and sequence alignment analyses revealed that a putative gene locus MG01679 was interrupted by the T-DNA fragment. By using the PCR-based method, the DNA and cDNA of the mutant gene MG01679 was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame of MG01679 includes one intron and two exons, and the coding sequence is 696 bp in length and encodes a 231 amino acid peptide. Protein similarity analysis indicated that the gene belongs to the ThiJ/Pfp I protein family, and the gene was thus designated MgThiJ1. MgThiJ1 showed 57% similarity to FOXG_09029 from Fusarium oxysporum and 54% similarity to FGSG_08979 from F. graminearum in protein sequence. MgThiJ1 gene might act as a negative regulator in vegetative growth and pathogenesis in filamentous fungi, and its specific mechanism needs to be studied further.

Fine Mapping and Cloning of Leafy Head Mutant Gene pla1-5 in Rice

We identified a leafy head mutant plal-5 （plastochron 1-5） from the progeny of japonica rice cultivar Taipei 309 treated with 60Co-γ ray irradiation. The plal-5 mutant has a dwarf phenotype and small leaves. Compared with its wild type, plal-5 has more leaves and fewer tillers, and it fails to produce normal panicles at the maturity stage. Genetic analysis showed that the plal-5 phenotype is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Using the map-based cloning strategy, we narrowed down the location of the target gene to a 58-kb region between simple sequence repeat markers CHR1027 and CHR1030 on the long arm of chromosome 10. The target gene cosegregated with molecular markers CHR1028 and CHR1029. There were five predicted genes in the mapped region. The results from sequencing analysis revealed that there was one base deletion in the first exon of LOC_Os10g26340 encoding cytochrome P450 CYP78A11 in the plal-5 mutant, which might result in a downstream frame shift and premature termination. These results suggest that the P450 CYP78A11 gene is the candidate gene of PLA1-5.

Genetic Analysis and Gene Mapping of Multi-tiller and Dwarf Mutant d63 in Rice

A spontaneous mutation, tentatively named d63, was derived from the twin-seedling progenies of rice crossed by diploid SARIII and Minghui 63. Compared with wild-type plants, the d63 mutant showed multiple abnormal phenotypes, such as dwarfism, more tillers, smaller flag leaf and reduced seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight. In this study, two F2 populations were developed by crossing between d63 and Nipponbare, d63 and 93-11. Genetic analysis indicated that d63 was controlled by a single recessive gene, which was located on the short arm of chromosome 8, within the genetic distance of 0.40 cM from RM22195. Hence, D63 might be a new gene as there are no dwarf genes reported on the short arm of chromosome 8.