Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Maize Yield and Its Components Under Different Water Treatments at Flowering Time

Drought or water stress is a serious agronomic problem resulting in maize （Zea mays L.） yield loss throughout the world. Breeding hybrids with drought tolerance is one important approach for solving this problem. However, lower efficiency and a longer period of breeding hybrids are disadvantages of traditional breeding programs. It is generally recognized that applying molecular marker techniques to traditional breeding programs could improve the efficiency of the breeding of drought-tolerant maize. To provide useful information for use in studies of maize drought tolerance, the mapping and tagging of quantitative trait loci （QTL） for yield and its components were performed in the present study on the basis of the principle of a mixed linear model. Two hundred and twenty-one recombinant inbred lines （RIL） of Yuyu 22 were grown under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions. In the former treatment group, plants were well irrigated, whereas those in the latter treatment group were stressed at flowering time. Ten plants of each genotype were grown in a row that was 3.00 m × 0.67 m （length × width）. The results show that a few of the QTL were the same （one additive QTL for ear length, two additive QTL and one pair of epistatic QTL for kernel number per row, one additive QTL for kernel weight per plant）, whereas most of other QTL were different between the two different water treatment groups. It may be that genetic expression differs under the two different water conditions. Furthermore, differences in the additive and epistatic QTL among the traits under water-stressed conditions indicate that genetic expression also differs from trait to trait. Major and minor QTL were detected for the traits, except for kernel number per row, under water-stressed conditions. Thus, the genetic mechanism of drought tolerance in maize is complex because the additive and epistatic QTL exist at the same time and the major and minor QTL all contribute to phenotype under water-stressed conditions. In particular, epidemic QTL under water-stressed conditions suggest that it is important to investigate the drought tolerance of maize from a genetic viewpoint.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Leaf Length and Leaf Width in Rice cv.IR64 Derived Lines

The present study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for leaf size traits in IR64 introgression lines （INLs）. For this purpose, selected F2 populations derived from crosses between recurrent parent IR64 and its derived INLs, unique for leaf length and leaf width, were used to confirm QTLs. A total of eight QTLs, mapped on three chromosomes, were identified for the four leaf size traits in six F2 populations. A QTL for leaf length, qLLnpt-1, in HKL69 was identified around simple sequence repeat （SSR） marker RM3709 on chromosome 1. Two QTLs for flag leaf length, qFLLnpt-2 and qFLLnpt-4, in HFG39 were indentified on chromosomes 2 and 4, respectively. For flag leaf width, a QTL, qFLWnpt-4, in HFG39 was identified around RM17483 on chromosome 4. While another QTL for flag leaf width, qFLWnpt-1, in HFG27 was identified around RM3252 on chromosome 1. A QTL for leaf width, qLWnpt-2, in HKL75 was identified around RM7451 on chromosome 2. For leaf width, two QTLs, qLWnpt-4a, qLWnpt-4b, in HKL48 and HKL99 were identified around RM7208 and RM6909, respectively on chromosome 4. Results from this study suggest the possibilities to use marker-assisted selection and pyramiding these QTLs to improve rice water productivity.

Identifying genetic susceptibility to Aspergillus fumigatus infection using collaborative cross mice and RNA-Seq approach

Background:Aspergillus fumigatus(Af)is one of the most ubiquitous fungi and its infection potency is suggested to be strongly controlled by the host genetic back-ground.The aim of this study was to search for candidate genes associated with host susceptibility to Aspergillus fumigatus(Af)using an RNAseq approach in CC lines and hepatic gene expression.Methods:We studied 31 male mice from 25 CC lines at 8 weeks old;the mice were infected with Af.Liver tissues were extracted from these mice 5 days post-infection,and next-generation RNA-sequencing(RNAseq)was performed.The GENE-E analysis platform was used to generate a clustered heat map matrix.Results:Significant variation in body weight changes between CC lines was ob-served.Hepatic gene expression revealed 12 top prioritized candidate genes differ-entially expressed in resistant versus susceptible mice based on body weight changes.Interestingly,three candidate genes are located within genomic intervals of the previ-ously mapped quantitative trait loci(QTL),including Gm16270 and Stox1 on chromo-some 10 and Gm11033 on chromosome 8.Conclusions:Our findings emphasize the CC mouse model's power in fine mapping the genetic components underlying susceptibility towards Af.As a next step,eQTL analysis will be performed for our RNA-Seq data.Suggested candidate genes from our study will be further assessed with a human cohort with aspergillosis.

QTLs Mapping for Salinity Tolerance at Seedling Stage or Rice(Oryza sativa L.) Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines

In this study, a population of chromosome segment substitution lines （CSSLs） derived from the cross between 9311 （indica） and Nipponbare （japonica） was employed to map the quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for salt tolerance under the salt stress simulated with 0.5% NaCI, using survival rate as the index. The data were analyzed by QTL IciMapping v3.1, and the results showed that one QTL （QSsr3） related to salt tolerance was located in the vicinity of the marker RM1350 on chromosome 3, into a genetic interval of 113.2-132.8 cM, with a contribution rate of 17.75%. The additive effect was 10.9, indicating that the QTL derived from the parent Nipponbare improved the salt tolerance of rice at seedling stage. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the selection of salt tolerant rice germplasm.

Detecting mislabeling and identifying unique progeny in Acacia mapping population using SNP markers

Acacia hybrids offer a great potential for paper industry in Southeast Asia due to their fast growth and ability to grow on abandoned or marginal lands. Breeding Acacia hybrids with desirable traits can be achieved through marker assisted selection(MAS) breeding. To develop a MAS program requires development of linkage maps and QTL analysis. Two mapping populations were developed through interspecific hybridization for linkage mapping and QTL analysis. All seeds per pod were cultured initially to improve hybrid yield as quality and density of linkage mapping is affected by the size of the mapping population. Progenies from two mapping populations were field planted for phenotypic and genotypic evaluation at three locations in Malaysia,(1) Forest Research Institute Malaysia field station at Segamat, Johor,(2) Borneo Tree Seeds and Seedlings Supplies Sdn, Bhd.(BTS) field trial site at Bintulu, Sarawak, and(3) Asiaprima RCF field trial site at Lancang, Pahang. During field planting, mislabeling was reported at Segamat, Johor, and a similar problem was suspected for Bintulu, Sarawak. Early screening with two isozymes effectively selected hybrid progenies, and these hybrids were subsequently further confirmed by using species-specific SNPs. During field planting, clonal mislabeling was reported and later confirmed by using a small set of STMS markers. A large set of SNPs were also used to screen all ramets in both populations. A total of 65.36% mislabeled ramets were encountered in the wood density population and 60.34% in the fibre length mapping population. No interpopulation pollen contamination was detected because all ramets found their match within the same population in question.However, mislabeling was detected among ramets of the same population. Mislabeled individuals were identified and grouped as they originated from 93 pods for wood density and 53 pods for fibre length mapping populations.On average 2 meiotically unique seeds per pod(179 seeds/93 pods) for wood density and 3 meiotically unique seeds per pod(174 seeds/53 pods) for fibre length mapping population were found. A single step statistical method was used to evaluate the most informative set of SNPs that could subsequently be used for routine checks for mislabeling in multi-location field trials and for labelling superior clones to protect breeder’s rights. A preliminary set of SNPs with a high degree of informativeness was selected for the mislabeling analysis in conjunction with an assignment test. Two subsets were successfully identified,i.e., 51 SNPs for wood density and 64 SNPs for fibre length mapping populations to identify all mislabeled ramets which had been previously identified. Mislabeling seems to be a common problem due to the complexity involved in the production of mapping populations. Therefore, checking for mislabeling is imperative for breeding activities and for analyses such as linkage mapping in which a correlation between genotypic and phenotypic data is determined.

Unraveling waterlogging tolerance-related traits with QTL analysis in reciprocal intervarietal introgression lines using genotyping by sequencing in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)

Soil waterlogging is a major environmental stress that suppresses the growth and productivity of rapeseed(Brassica napus L.).Natural genetic variations in waterlogging tolerance(WT)were observed but no QTL mapping has been done for WT related traits in rapeseed.In this study,QTL associated with three WT related traits including relative root length(RRL),relative hypocotyl length(RHL)and relative fresh weight(RFW)were dissected using a set of reciprocal introgression lines(ILs)derived from the cross GH01×ZS9,which showed significant difference in WT.Genotyping-by-sequencing(GBS)of the populations were performed,totally 1468 and 1450 binned SNPs were identified for GIL(GH01 as the recurrent parent)and ZIL(ZS9 as the recurrent parent)population,respectively.A total of 66 distinct QTLs for WT at the seedling establishment stage including 31 for RRL,17 for RHL and 18 for RFW were detected.Among the 66 QTLs,20(29.4%)QTLs were detected in both genetic backgrounds and then they were integrated into six QTL clusters,which can be targeted in rapeseed breeding for improvement of WT through marker-assisted selection(MAS).Based on the physical positions of SNPs and the functional annotation of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome,56 genes within the six QTL cluster regions were selected as preliminary candidate genes,then the resequencing and transcriptome information about parents were applied to narrow the extent of candidate genes.Twelve genes were determined as candidates for the six QTL clusters,some of them involved in RNA/protein degradation,most of them involved in oxidation-reduction process.These findings provided genetic resources,candidate genes to address the urgent demand of improving WT in rapeseed breeding.

Morphine analgesia in male inbred genetic diversity mice recapitulates the among-individual variance in response to morphine in humans

Morphine is a widely used analgesic, but its use in clinical precision medicine is limited by the variance in response among individuals. Although previous studies have shown that individual differences in morphine can be explained in terms of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, genetic polymorphisms also play an important role. However, the genetic basis of different sensitivity and tolerance susceptibility to morphine remains ambiguous. Using 15 strains of inbred Genetic Diversity(GD) mice,a new resource with wide genetic and phenotypic variation, we demonstrated great variance in sensitivity to morphine analgesia and susceptibility to morphine tolerance between different GD strains. Among-i ndividual variance in response to morphine analgesia in the population can be modeled in GD mice. Two loci respectively may be associated with the among-i ndividual variance in morphine sensitivity and tolerance,confirming the role of genetic factors in among-i ndividual different responses to morphine. These results indicate that GD mice may be a potential tool for the identification of new biomarkers to improve the clinical administration of morphine.

Construction of high-density genetic linkage map of Pyropia yezoensis(Bangiales,Rhodophyta)and identifi cation of red color trait QTLs in the thalli

Pyropia yezoensis is an important macroalga because of its extensive global distribution and economic importance.Color is an important trait in the thalli of P.yezoensis,it is also an effective marker to identify the hybridization in genetic breeding.In this study,a high-density genetic linkage map was constructed based on high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers,and used for analyzing the quantitative trait loci(QTLs)of red color trait in the thalli of P.yezoensis.The conchospore undergoes meiosis to develop into an ordered tetrad,and each cell has a haploid phenotype and can grow into a single individual.Based on this theory,F1 haploid population was used as the mapping population.The map included 531 SNP markers,394.57 cM long on average distance of 0.74 cM.Collinear analysis of the genetic linkage map and the physical map indicated that the coverage between the two maps was 79.42%.Furthermore,QTL mapping identified six QTLs for the chromosomal regions associated with the red color trait of the thalli.The value of phenotypic variance explained(PVE)by an individual QTL ranged from 4.71%-63.11%.And QTL qRed-1-1,with a PVE of 63.11%,was considered the major QTL.Thus,these data may provide a platform for gene and QTL fine mapping,and marker-assisted breeding in P.yezoensis in the future.

Progress in the Study of Molecular Genetic Improvements of Poplar in China

The poplar is one of the most economically important and intensively studied tree species owing to its wide application in the timber industry and as a model material for the study of woody plants. The natural resource of poplars in China is replete. Over the past 10 years, the application of molecular biological techniques to genetic improvements in poplar species has been widely studied in China. Recent advances in molecular genetic improvements of poplar, including cDNA library construction, gene cloning and identification, genetic engineering, gene expression, genetic linkage map construction, mapping of quantitative trait loci （QTL） and molecular-assisted selection, are reviewed in the present paper. In addition, the application of modern biotechnology to molecular improvements in the genetic traits of the poplar and some unsolved problems are discussed.