A novel transcription factor FnMYB4 regulates pigments metabolism of yellow leaf mutants in Fragaria nilgerrensis

The strawberry species Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlechtendal ex J.Gay,renowned for its distinctive white,fragrant peach-like fruits and strong disease resistance,is an exceptional research material.In a previous study,an ethyl methane sulfonate(EMS)mutant library was established for this species,resulting in various yellow leaf mutants.Leaf yellowing materials are not only the ideal materials for basic studies on photosynthesis mechanism,chloroplast development,and molecular regulation of various pigments,but also have important utilization value in ornamental plants breeding.The present study focused on four distinct yellow leaf mutants:mottled yellow leaf(MO),yellow green leaf(YG),light green leaf(LG),and buddha light leaf(BU).The results revealed that the flavonoid content and carotenoid-to-chlorophyll ratio exhibited a significant increase among these mutants,while experiencing a significant decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents compared to the wild type(WT).To clarify the regulatory mechanisms and network relationships underlying these mutants,the RNA-seq and weighted gene coexpression network(WGCNA)analyses were employed.The results showed flavonoid metabolism pathway was enriched both in MO and YG mutants,while the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway and carotenoid degradation pathway were only enriched in MO and YG mutants,respectively.Subsequently,key structural genes and transcription factors were identified on metabolic pathways of three pigments through correlation analyses and quantitative experiments.Furthermore,a R2R3-MYB transcription factor,FnMYB4,was confirmed to be positively correlated with flavonoid synthesis through transient overexpression,virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS),and RNA interference(RNAi),accompanying by reoccurrence and attenuation of mutant phenotype.Finally,dual-luciferase(LUC)and yeast one-hybrid assays confirmed the binding of FnMYB4 to the FnFLS and FnF3H promoters,indicating that FnMYB4 positively regulates flavonoid synthesis.In addition,correlation analyses suggested that FnMYB4 also might be involved in chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolisms.These findings demonstrated the pivotal regulatory role of FnMYB4 in strawberry leaf coloration.

Detection of ARV-Resistant Mutants in HIV-1-Infected Individuals in a Context of Systematic Switching to an Association Based on Dolutegravir in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The emergence of antiretroviral resistance mutations represents a major threat to the achievement of national and global goals for the elimination of HIV-1 infection. The global strategy in 2019 in Cte d'Ivoire is a new national policy for the management of people living with HIV with the administration of dolutegravir (DTG)-based fixed-dose combination. The aim of our study was to evaluate HIV-1 resistance to antiretrovirals (ARVs) in infected adult subjects in Cte d’Ivoire in the context of a systematic switch to a DTG-based combination. Between February 2022 and October 2023, a cross-sectional survey with random sampling was conducted in 06 services caring for people living with HIV. A total of 139 participants were included in the study. Adults with a viral load ≥ 1000 copies/mL were tested for HIV-1 ARV resistance mutations. Molecular analyses were performed using protocol of ANRS-MIE (National Agency for Research on AIDS and emerging infectious diseases). The interpretation is performed by HIVGRAD (https://www.hiv-grade.de/cms/grade/). The frequencies of HIV-1 resistance to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), integrase inhibitors (IINTs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 82%, 73%, 19% and 11% respectively. The main mutations observed in the different classes were K103N (45%), M184V (64%), E157Q (19%) and L10V/M46I/A71V/I54V (6%) respectively. This study reveals the emergence of resistance to DTG-based fixed-dose combinations, favored by high rates of resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs. This finding underlines the need for enhanced viral load monitoring and HIV-1 genotyping tests to guide the choice of NRTIs for combination therapy. In addition, monitoring for mutations to second-generation NRTIs is essential, given the scale-up of DTG-based regimens currently underway in Cte d’Ivoire.

Variations in chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis in Setaria EMS mutants

Chlorophyll (Chl) content,especially Chl b content,and stomatal conductance (G_s) are the key factors affecting the net photosynthetic rate (P_n).Setaria italica,a diploid C_4 panicoid species with a simple genome and high transformation efficiency,has been widely accepted as a model in photosynthesis and drought-tolerance research.The current study characterized Chl content,G_s,and P_n of 48 Setaria mutants induced by ethyl methanesulfonate.A total of 24,34,and 35 mutants had significant variations in Chl content,G_s,and P_n,respectively.Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between increased G_s and increased P_n,and a weak correlation between decreased Chl b content and decreased P_n was also found.Remarkably,two mutants behaved with significantly decreased Chl b content but increased P_n compared to Yugu 1.Seven mutants behaved with significantly decreased G_s but did not decrease P_(n )compared to Yugu 1.The current study thus identified various genetic lines,further exploration of which would be beneficial to elucidate the relationship between Chl content,G_s,and P_n and the mechanism underlying why C_4 species are efficient at photosynthesis and water saving.

Identification of candidate genes for early-maturity traits by combining BSA-seq and QTL mapping in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton breeding for the development of early-maturing varieties is an effective way to improve multiple cropping indexes and alleviate the conflict between grains and cotton in the cultivated fields in China.In the present study,we aimed to identify upland cotton quantitative trait loci(QTLs)and candidate genes related to early-maturity traits,including whole growth period(WGP),flowering timing(FT),node of the first fruiting branch(NFFB),height of the node of the first fruiting branch(HNFFB),and plant height(PH).An early-maturing variety,CCRI50,and a latematuring variety,Guoxinmian 11,were crossed to obtain biparental populations.These populations were used to map QTLs for the early-maturity traits for two years(2020 and 2021).With BSA-seq analysis based on the data of population 2020,the candidate regions related to early maturity were found to be located on chromosome D03.We then developed 22 polymorphic insertions or deletions(InDel)markers to further narrow down the candidate regions,resulting in the detection of five and four QTLs in the 2020 and 2021 populations,respectively.According to the results of QTL mapping,two candidate regions(InDel_G286-InDel_G144 and InDel_G24-InDel_G43)were detected.In these regions,three genes(GH_D03G0451,GH_D03G0649,and GH_D03G1180)have nonsynonymous mutations in their exons and one gene(GH_D03G0450)has SNP variations in the upstream sequence between CCRI50 and Guoxinmian 11.These four genes also showed dominant expression in the floral organs.The expression levels of GH_D03G0451,GH_D03G0649 and GH_D03G1180 were significantly higher in CCRI50 than in Guoxinmian 11 during the bud differentiation stages,while GH_D03G0450 showed the opposite trend.Further functional verification of GH_D03G0451 indicated that the GH_D03G0451-silenced plants showed a delay in the flowering time.The results suggest that these are the candidate genes for cotton early maturity,and they may be used for breeding early-maturity cotton varieties.

An efficient method for constructing a random insertional mutant library for forward genetics in Nannochloropsis oceanica

Insertional mutation,phenotypic evaluation,and mutated gene cloning are widely used to clone genes from scratch.Exogenous genes can be integrated into the genome during non-homologous end joining(NHEJ)of the double-strand breaks of DNA,causing insertional mutation.The random insertional mutant library constructed using this method has become a method of forward genetics for gene cloning.However,the establishment of a random insertional mutant library requires a high transformation efficiency of exogenous genes.Many microalgal species show a low transformation efficiency,making constructing random insertional mutant libraries difficult.In this study,we established a highly efficient transformation method for constructing a random insertional mutant library of Nannochloropsis oceanica,and tentatively tried to isolate its genes to prove the feasibility of the method.A gene that may control the growth rate and cell size was identified.This method will facilitate the genetic studies of N.oceanica,which should also be a reference for other microalgal species.

Roles of Mutant TP53 Gene in Cancer Development and Progression

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in most cancer types and has been extensively studied in cancer research.p53 plays a critical role in regulating the expression of target genes and is involved in key processes such as apoptosis,cell cycle regulation,and genomic stability,earning it the title“guardian of the genome.”Numerous studies have demonstrated p53’s influence on and regulation of autophagy,ferroptosis,the tumor microenvironment,and cell metabolism,all of which contribute to tumor suppression.Alterations in p53,specifically mutant p53(mutp53),not only impair its tumor-suppressing functions but also enhance oncogenic characteristics.Recent data indicate that mutp53 is strongly associated with poor prognosis and advanced cancers,making it an ideal target for the development of novel cancer therapies.This review summarizes the post-translational modifications of p53,the mechanisms of mutp53 accumulation,and its gain-of-function,based on previous findings.Additionally,this review discusses its impact on metabolic homeostasis,ferroptosis,genomic instability,the tumor microenvironment,and cancer stem cells,and highlights recent advancements in mutp53 research.

Screening of Saccharomyces Strains Highly Producing Glutathione and Breeding of Its Ethionine-resistant Mutants

[Objective] The aim of this study was to screen Saccharomyces for glutathione over-production. [Method] Ethionine-resistant mutants were obtained through UV mutagenesis and rational screening. [Result] A high GSH-producing strain HSJB1 was isolated from soil, and the biomass for this strain by flask shaking fermentation was 3.87 g/L while the GSH yield was 91.87 mg/L. According to the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of cells, this strain was primarily identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An ethionine-resistant mutant YBS77 was obtained through UV mutagenesis of the original strain HSJB1, and the biomass for this strain by flask shaking fermentation was 7.60 g dry cell weight/L while the GSH yield was 211.96 mg/L. [Conclusion] The biomass of the mutant obtained by breeding is increased by 96.38% than that of the original strain, and the GSH yield of the mutant obtained by breeding is increased by 130.72% than that from the original strain, which indicates that the breeding method is feasible.

Construction of Mutant Population and Analysis of Dwarf Mutants in "6421"(Capsicum annuum L.)through EMS Mutagenesis

[Objective] The aim was to improve the genetic property of peppers, the mutant population of Capsicum annuum L cultivar ＂6421＂ was constructed. [Method] The seeds of ＂6421＂ were treated with 0.2% to 1.2% ethyl methane sulfonate to identified LD50, and then 10 000 LD^o of treated seeds were sowed to construct mutant population. The agronomic characters and genetic regularity of dwarf mutants in M4 generation were analyzed. [Result] Our results showed that GR and SSR were 45.2% and 40.2% respectively at 1.0% EMS, close to LD50, with GI （17.6） and seed Ⅵ （19.7） being half of that of control; 562 M4 mutants were identified in 2015, and the mutation could be characterized according 11 major categories and 32 subcategories; Simultaneously, we found that plant height, plant width, diameter of mainstem, length of main-stem, the number of main-stem nodes and branch of lines E29, E58, E142 and E312 were all significantly different from that of the control. The mutation of lines E29, E58 and E312 was all controlled by a single recessive gene. [Conclusionl The study first created a pepper mutant population, which provides not only the germplasm resources for further breeding but also direct and effective materials for genomic study of the pepper.

Physiological Analysis of Two Arabidopsis thaliana Mutants in Response to CO2

[Objective] The 15urpose was to seek for the different phenotypes between wild type and Arabidopsis Mutants in response to CO2. [Method] The epidermis bioassays and seed germination test were carried out to analyze the physiological characteristics of two Arabidopsis mu- tants and their wild type. [Result] There existed distinct differences in stomata apertures, water loss and leaf temperature compared with wild type except for stomata density. In addition, seed germination test on the medium indicated that cdfl was insensitive to ABA, mannitol and NaCI, but cdsl performed contrary to cdil. [ Conclusion] There are some different physiological characteristics between wild type and mutants.

Identification and Analysis of Mature Plant Type Mutants of M_1 Generation Foxtail Millet Changnong35 Treated with EMS Mutagenesis

[Objective] The aim was to identify the mutants of millet Changnong35 induced by different concentrations of EMS, so as to construct a millet mutant library. [Method] Foxtail millet cultivar Changnong35 which is widely used in agricultural production, was treated with 0.8% and 1.0% EMS; and then seven traits of mutants were investigated analyzed, to classify the mutants into different groups. [Result] 282 mutants in the M1 generation related to plant type were obtained, of which, 100 mutant plants treated with 0.8% EMS can be divided into 10 groups; 182 mutant plants obtained by using 1.0% EMS can be divided into 17 groups. The analysis results of the mature plant type traits of the M1 Generation showed that, plant height, diameter of stem under spike, diameter of the first internode under spike and internode number of the mutants treated with 1.0% EMS were significantly different from those of control, while those of mutants treated with 0.8% EMS did not show significant difference from those of control. [Conclusion] The inducing with 1.0% EMS was more conducive to obtain a large number and different types of mutants from Changnong35.

Comparison of Phycobiliproteins from Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyceae) and Its Pigment Mutants in Spectral and Molecular Respects

Comparative studies of absorption spectra of phycobiliproteins of Gracilaria lemaneiformis Greville and its pigmental mutants were conducted in this study. The results showed that the absorption spectra of phycoerythrins ( PE) from different material changed significantly, while those of phycocyanins (PC) and allophycocyanins (APC) were basically similar. In order to disclose the essence of die difference, partial sequences of die subunit genes of PE of Qingdao strain of G. lemaneiformis (qd) and its pigmental mutants were determined. The amino acid sequences were deduced and used to explain spectral shifts of PE from the pigmental mutants. The amino acid sequences of PE resembled each other, and several residues changed among qd and its pigmental mutants. Residue substitutions were found in a region consisting of amino acids which determined are secondary structure and subunits interactions, thus might influence the confirmation and interaction of subunits, and further caused spectral deviation.

Yield Stability of Direct-sowing and Early-maturing Excellent Brassica napus (Attar No.8)

[Objective] The aim was to analyze yield stability of attar No.8, which is direct sowing and early-maturing. [Method] Analysis was made on yielding ability, stability and adaptability of attar No.8 in Yunnan Province during 2006-2009 with DPS software and stability assessment was conducted on yield and major economic characters of the variety in different periods and experimental plots. [Result] Average yield of attar No.8 during three years in 24 plots achieved 3 379.17 kg/hm2; it grew tightly and is featured with early matureness. In addition, grain density, pod number and annul production differed little in different years and the variety in eight ecological conditions all showed high production potential, yielding ability and stability, which proved that attar No.8 is suitable to be grown in Yunnan and southern early-maturing areas in China. [Conclusion] The research provided references for selection and breeding of rapeseeds＇ variety which enjoys high and stable yield.

Isolation and Genetic Analysis of Arabidopsis Mutants with Low_K^+ Tolerance

Ethyl methane-sulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized Arabidopsis M-2 populations were screened in low-K+ medium using the root-bending assay. Forty-two putative low-k(+)-tolerant (lkt) mutants were selected from 150 000 tested M-2 seedlings, and two of these mutants maintained their low-K+-tolerant phenotype in their M-3 generations, respectively. Genetic analysis showed that either one of these two mutants has a monogenic recessive mutation in a nuclear gene, and that the two mutations in two independent mutants are allelic to each other.

Screening of Leaf Shape Mutants Induced by EMS and Analysis of Agronomic Traits in Azuki Bean (Vigna angularis)

[Objective] M3 progenies of Jingnong 6 variety induced by EMS chemical mutagenesis were screened and identified for obtaining valuable mutation material.[Method] Azuki bean cultivar Jingnong 6 was treated with EMS.The mutation rate,mutation types,agronomic traits and yield components of the leaf mutants were analyzed.[Result] The results showed that there is the most abundant mutational type of leaf shape and the highest mutation frequency treated with 0.9% EMS for 24 hours.Comprehensive analysis on agronom...

Expression and Thermal Stability Analysis of Peat1 and the 3 Deletion Mutants

[Objective] The research aimed to reveal the functions of NAC and UBA domains in Peatl＇s thermal stability. [Method] Fusion expression vectors of Pearl protein and the 3 deletion mutants were constructed. The recombinant plasmids were induced by IPTG and the target proteins （Peatl, Peatl-△CD99,Peatl-△ND49 and Pearl-△ND108 ）were expressed obtained by AKTA and its thermal stability was analyzed. [Result] The research found that 3 deletion mutants have good thermal stability like Pearl. [Conclusion] The research demonstrated that the coexistence of NAC or UBA domains is not necessary to thermal stability of Pearl protein , and they may give the protein particular stability structure seperately.

Precore/basal core promoter mutants quantification throughout phases of hepatitis B virus infection by Simpleprobe

AIM:To investigate precore/basal core promoter(PC/BCP) mutants throughout hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection and to determine their relationship to hepatitis B early antigen(HBeA g) titers.METHODS:We enrolled 191 patients in various stages of HBV infection at the Huashan Hospital and the Taizhou Municipal Hospital from 2010 to 2012.None of the patients received antiviral therapy.HBV DNA from serum,was quantified by real-time PCR.The HBV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the S gene.We used the Simpleprobe ultrasensitivequantitative method to detect PC/BCP mutants in each patient.We compared the strain number,percentage,and the changes in PC/BCP mutants in different phases,and analyzed the relationship between PC/BCP mutants and HBe Ag by multiple linear regression and logistic regression.RESULTS:Patients with HBV infection(n = 191) were assigned to groups by phase:Immune tolerance(IT) = 55,Immune clearance(IC) = 67,Low-replicative(LR) = 49,and HBeA g-negative hepatitis(ENH) = 20.Of the patients(male,112; female,79) enrolled,122 were HBe Ag-positive and 69 were HBe Ag-negative.The median age was 33 years(range:18-78 years).PC and BCP mutation detection rates were 84.82%(162/191) and 96.86%(185/191),respectively.In five HBe Ag-negative cases,we detected double mutation G1896A/G1899 A.The logarithm value of PC mutant quantities(log10 PC) significantly differed in IT,IC,and LR phases,as well as in the ENH phase(F = 49.350,P < 0.001).The logarithm value of BCP mutant quantities(log10 BCP) also differed during the four phases(F = 25.530,P < 0.001).Log10 PC and log10 BCP values were high in the IT and IC phases,decreased in the LR phase,and increased in the ENH phase,although the absolute value at this point remained lower than that in the IT and IC phases.PC mutant quantity per total viral load(PC%) and BCP mutant quantity per total viral load(BCP%) differed between phases(F = 20.040,P < 0.001; F = 10.830,P < 0.001),with PC% and BCP% gradually increasing in successive phases.HBeA g titers negatively correlated with PC%(Spearman's rho =-0.354,P < 0.001) and BCP%(Spearman's rho =-0.395,P < 0.001).The negative correlation between PC% and HBeA g status was significant(B =-5.281,P = 0.001),but there was no such correlation between BCP% and HBeA g status(B =-0.523,P = 0.552).CONCLUSION:PC/BCP mutants become predominant in a dynamic and continuous process.Log10 PC,log10 BCP,PC% and BCP% might be combined to evaluate disease progression.PC% determines HBeA g status.

Transcription analysis of peloric mutants of Phalaenopsis orchids derived from tissue culture

Tissue culture has been widely used for mass propagation of Phalaenopsis. However, somaclonal variation occurred during micropropagation process posed a severe problem by affecting product quality. In this study, wild type and peloric flower buds of Phalaenopsis hybrids derived from flower stalk nodal culture were used for cDNA-RAPD and cDNA suppression subtractive hybridization analyses in order to study their genetic difference in terms of expressed sequence tags. A total of 209 ESTs from normal flower buds and 230 from mutants were sequenced. These ESTs sequences can be grouped into several functional categories involved in different cellular processes including metabolism, signal transduction, transcription, cell growth and division, protein synthesis, and protein localization, and into a subcat- egory of proteins with unknown function. Cymbidium mosaic virus transcript was surprisingly found expressed fre- quently in the peloric mutant of P. Little Mary. Real-time RT-PCR analysis on selected ESTs showed that in mutant flower buds, a bZIP transcription factor (TGA1a-like protein) was down-regulated, while up-regulated genes include auxin-regulated protein kinase, cyclophilin, and TCP-like genes. A retroelement clone was also preferentially expressed in the peloric mutant flowers. On the other hand, ESTs involved in DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and post- transcriptional regulation, such as DNA methyltransferase, histone acetyltransferase, ERECTA, and DEAD/DEAH RNA helicase, were enriched in normal flower buds than the mutants. The enriched transcripts in the wild type indicate the down regulation of these transcripts in the mutants, and vice versa. The potential roles of the analyzed transcripts in the development of Phalaenopsis flowers are discussed.

Field identification of morphological and physiological traits in two special mutants with strong tolerance and high sensitivity to drought stress in upland rice(Oryza sativa L.)

The two mutants idr1-1 and 297-28, which were obtained from the radiation mutation of HD297 and IAPAR9, were used as experimental materials in this study for a 2-year(2012 and 2013) experiment about field drought resistance identification in Beijing, China. Key agronomic traits and water-related physiological indexes were observed and measured, including the leaf anti-dead level(LADL), days to heading, plant height, setting percentage, aboveground biomass, leaf water potential(LWP), net photosynthetic rate(Pn) and transpiration rate. The results showed that the mutant idr1-1 that was under drought stress(DS) conditions for 2 years had the highest LADL grades(1.3 and 2.0) among all the materials, and they were 2–3 grades stronger than the wild-type IAPAR9 with an average that was 21.4% higher for the setting percentage than the wild type. Compared with the IAPAR9 for the 2-year average delay in the days to heading and the reduction rates in the plant height, setting percentage, and aboveground biomass under DS compared with the well-watered(WW) treatment, idr1-1 showed 3.2% less delay and 19.1, 16.4, and 6.1% less reduction, respectively. The idr1-1 in the LWP always exhibited the highest performance among all the materials. The Pn of idr1-1 under severe and mild DS comparing with that under WW was slightly decreased and even slightly increased, respectively, leading to an average reduction rate of only 0.92%, which was 26.93% less than that of IAPAR9. Under the severe DS, idr1-1 still showed the highest value of 16.88 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1 among all the materials and was significantly higher than that of IAPAR9(11.66 μmol CO2 m–2 s–1). Furthermore, only idr1-1 had the increased and the highest transpiration rate values(7.6 and 6.04 mmol H2 O m–2 s–1) under both mild and severe DS compared with the values under WW, when the transpiration rate of all the other materials significantly decreased. By contrast, the 297-28 in terms of the LADL grade under DS was the lowest(7.0), and it was four grades weaker than its wildtype HD297 and even one grade weaker than the drought-sensitive paddy rice SN265. For the 2-year average reduction rates in aboveground biomass and plant heights under DS compared with those under the WW, 297-28 was 31.6 and 31.8% higher than HD297, respectively. Meanwhile, 297-28 showed the worst performance for the LWP, Pn, and transpiration rate. These results suggest that idr1-1 might be a superior drought tolerant mutant of upland rice found in China. It has a strong ability to maintain and even enhance leaf transpiration while maintaining a high plant water potential under DS, thus supporting a high Pn and alleviating the delay in agronomic trait development and yield loss effectively. 297-28 is a much more highly drought-sensitive mutant that is even more sensitive than paddy rice varieties. The two mutants could be used as drought tolerance controls for rice germplasm identification and the drought resistant mechanism studies in the future. idr1-1 is also suitable for breeding drought-tolerant and lodging-resistant high-yield rice varieties.

Chemical mutagenesis and soybean mutants potential for identification of novel genes conferring resistance to soybean cyst nematode

The resistance of soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.) to soybean cyst nematode(SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe), which is a devastating pathogen in soybean production and causes a large quantity of annual yield loss worldwide, can shift during the long-term interaction and domestication. It is vital to identify more new resistance genetic sources for identification of novel genes underlying resistance to SCN for management of this pathogen. In the present study, first, two ethane methylsulfonate-mutagenesis soybean M2 populations of PI 437654, which shows a broad resistance to almost all of SCN races, and Zhonghuang 13, which is a soybean cultivar in China conferring strong resistance to lodging, were developed. Many types of morphological phenotypes such as four-and five-leaflet leaves were observed from these two soybean M2 populations. Second, 13 mutants were identified and confirmed to exhibit alteration of resistance to SCN race 4 through the forward genetic screening of 400 mutants of the PI 437654 M2 population, the rate of mutants with alteration of SCNinfection phenotype is 3.25%. Third, these identified mutants were further verified not to show any changes in the genomic sequences of the three known SCN-resistant genes, GmSHMT08, GmSNAP18 and GmSANP11, compared to the wildtype soybean; and all of them were still resistant to SCN race 3 similar to the wild-type soybean. Taken together, we can conclude that the 13 mutants identified in the present study carry the mutations of the new gene(s) which contribute(s) to the resistance to SCN race 4 in PI 437654 and can be potentially used as the genetic soybean sources to further identify the novel SCN-resistant gene(s).

Precore/basal core promoter mutants and hepatitis B viral DNA levels as predictors for liver deaths and hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To conduct a retrospective study in 400 chronic hepatitis B patients in order to identify hepatitis B viral factors associated with complications of liver disease or development of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS： The mean follow-up time was 83.6 ± 39.6 mo. Alpha-fetoprotein test and abdominal ultrasound were used for cancer surveillance. Hepatitis B basal core promoter mutants, precore mutants, genotypes, hepatitis B viral DNA （HBV DNA） level and hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） were measured. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to assess odds ratios for viral factors related to liver deaths and hepatocellular carcinoma development. RESULTS： During follow-up, 38 patients had liver deaths not related to hepatocellular carcinoma. On multivariate analysis, older age [odds ratio： 95.74 （12.13-891.31）, P 〈 0.0001], male sex [odds ratio： 7.61 （2.20-47.95）; P = 0.006], and higher Iogzo HBV DNA [odds ratio： 4.69 （1.16-20.43）; P 〈 0.0001] were independently predictive for these liver related deaths. Also, 31 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma. Multivariate analysis showed that older age [odds ratio： 26.51 （2.36-381.47）; P = 0.007], presence of precore mutants [odds ratio： 4.23 （1.53-19.58）, P = 0.02] and presence of basal core promoter mutants [odds ratio： 2.93 （1.24-7.57）; P = 0.02] were independent predictors for progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION： Our results show that high levels of baseline serum HBV DNA are associated with non- hepatocellular carcinoma-related deaths of liver failure, while genetic mutations in the basal core promoter and precore regions are predictive for development of hepatocellular carcinoma.