Microdissection of Haynaldia villosa Telosome 6VS and Cloning of Species-specific DNA Sequences

The material T240_6 derived from SC 2 young embryo of the combination CA9211/RW15 (6D/6V alien substitution) was telosomic substitution line of 6VS identified by GISH (genomic in situ hybridization) analysis. The 6VS was microdissected with a needle and transferred into a 0.5 mL Ep tube. In the 'single tube', all the subsequence steps were conducted. After two round of LA (Linker adaptor)_PCR amplification, the size of PCR bands ranged from 100 to 3 000 bp, with predominate bands 600-1 500 bp. The products were confirmed by Southern blotting analysis using Haynaldia villosa (L.) Schur. genomic DNA labeled with 32 P as probe. The PCR products were purified and ligated into clone vector-pGEM_T easy vector. Then, the plasmids were transformed into competence E. coli JM109 with cool CaCl 2. It was estimated that there were more than 17 000 white clones in the library. The size of insert fragments distributed from 100-1 500 bp, with average of 600 bp. Using H. villosa genomic DNA as probe, dot blotting results showed that 37% clones displayed strong and medium positive signals, and 63% clones had faint or no signals. It is demonstrated that there were about 37% repeat sequence clones and 67% single/unique sequence clones in the library. Eight H. villosa_specific clones were screened from the library, and two clones pHVMK22 and pHVMK134 were used for RFLP analysis and sequencing. Both of them were H. villosa specific clones. The pHVMK22 was a unique sequence clone, and the pHVMK134 was a repeat sequence clone. When the pHVMK22 was used as a probe for Southern hybridization, all the powdery mildew resistance materials showed a special band of 2 kb, while all the susceptible ones not. The pHVMK22 may be applied to detect the existence of Pm21.

TPP1 as a versatile player at the ends of chromosomes

Telomeres, the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, are tandem DNA repeats and capped by various telomeric proteins. These nucleoprotein complexes protect telomeres from DNA damage response （DDR）, recombination, and end-to-end fusions, ensuring genome stability. The human telosome/shelterin complex is one of the best-studied telomere-associated protein complexes, made up of six core telomeric proteins TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, RAPI, POT1, and TPPI. TPP1, also known as adrenocortical dysplasia protein homolog （ACD）, is a putative mammalian homolog of TEBP-β and belongs to the oligonucleotide binding （OB）-fold-containing protein family. Three functional domains have been identified within TPP1, the N-terminal OB fold, the POT1 binding recruitment domain （RD）, and the carboxyl-terminal TIN2-interacting domain （TID）. TPP1 can interact with both POT1 and TIN2 to maintain telomere structure, and mediate telomerase recruitment for telomere elongation. These features have indicated TPP1 play an essential role in telomere maintenance. Here, we will review important findings that highlight the functional significance of TPP1, with a focus on its interaction with other telosome components and the telomerase. We will also discuss potential implications in disease therapies.

The role of telomere-binding modulators in pluripotent stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs)such as embryonic stem cells(ESCs),ESCs derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer(ntESCs),and induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)have unlimited capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency and can give rise to all types of somatic cells.In order to maintain their self-renewal and pluripotency,PSCs need to preserve their telomere length and homeostasis.In recent years,increasing studies have shown that telomere reprogramming is essential for stem cell pluripotency maintenance and its induced pluripotency process.Telomere-associated proteins are not only required for telomere maintenance in both stem cells,their extra-telomeric functions have also been found to be critical as well.Here,we will discuss how telomeres and telomere-associated factors participate and regulate the maintenance of stem cell pluripotency.