A draft genome, resequencing, and metabolomes reveal the genetic background and molecular basis of the nutritional and medicinal properties of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl)

AbstractLoquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a popular fruit and medicinal plant. Here, a high-quality draft genome of the E. japonica ‘Big Five-pointed Star’ cultivar that covers ~98% (733.32 Mb) of the estimated genome size (749.25 Mb) and contains a total of 45,492 protein-coding genes is reported. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the loquat genome has evolved a unique genetic mechanism of chromosome repair. Resequencing data from 52 loquat cultivars, including 16 white-fleshed and 36 yellow-fleshed variants, were analyzed, and the flower, leaf, and root metabolomes of ‘Big Five-pointed Star’ were determined using a UPLC-ESI-MS/M system. A genome-wide association study identified several candidate genes associated with flesh color in E. japonica, linking these phenotypes to sugar metabolism. A total of 577 metabolites, including 98 phenolic acids, 95 flavonoids, and 28 terpenoids, were found, and 191 metabolites, including 46 phenolic acids, 33 flavonoids, and 7 terpenoids, showed no differences in concentration among the leaves, roots, and flowers. Candidate genes related to the biosynthesis of various medicinal ingredients, such as phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, were identified. Some of these genes were confirmed to be members of expanding gene families, suggesting that the high concentrations of beneficial metabolites in loquat may be associated with the number of biosynthetic genes in this plant. In summary, this study provides fundamental molecular insights into the nutritional and medical properties of E. japonica.

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A draft genome at chromosome level and metabolomes of leave, root and flowers provide insights into the molecular basis of medicinal ingredients of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-150389/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yunsheng Wang

Keyword(s):

Big Five ◽

Molecular Basis ◽

Draft Genome ◽

Eriobotrya Japonica ◽

Whole Genome ◽

High Quality ◽

Protein Coding ◽

Protein Coding Genes ◽

Pointed Star ◽

Chromosome Level

Abstract Eriobotrya japonica, commonly called loquat, is a type of fruit and a famous traditional Chinese medicinal material. Here, a high-quality draft genome of the E. japonica cultivar, Big Five-pointed Star, containing 733.32 million bases (Mb) covering approximately 98% of estimated whole genome size (749.25 Mb) is reported. A total of 45,492 protein-coding genes were predicted. Meanwhile, metabolomes of flower, leave and root of this loquat variety were also determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/M system. 577 metabolites were determined in total, including 98 phenolic acids, 95 flavonoids, 33 alkaloids, 28 terpenoids, one steroids. The accumulation difference of these metabolites among leaf, flower and root of loquat were also clarified. Based on KEGG annotation, genes related to the biosynthesis of medicinal ingredients including some flavonoids and terpenoids were identified. Overall, this study provides global fundamental molecular insights into the medical biology of Eriobotrya japonica.

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The Genetic Architecture of Ovariole Number in Drosophila melanogaster: Genes with Major, Quantitative, and Pleiotropic Effects

G3 Genes|Genome|Genetics ◽

10.1534/g3.117.042390 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 2391-2403 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Amanda S Lobell ◽

Rachel R Kaspari ◽

Yazmin L Serrano Negron ◽

Susan T Harbison

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Direct Role ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome ◽

Fitness Trait ◽

Sleep Parameters ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

Ovariole Number

Abstract Ovariole number has a direct role in the number of eggs produced by an insect, suggesting that it is a key morphological fitness trait. Many studies have documented the variability of ovariole number and its relationship to other fitness and life-history traits in natural populations of Drosophila. However, the genes contributing to this variability are largely unknown. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study of ovariole number in a natural population of flies. Using mutations and RNAi-mediated knockdown, we confirmed the effects of 24 candidate genes on ovariole number, including a novel gene, anneboleyn (formerly CG32000), that impacts both ovariole morphology and numbers of offspring produced. We also identified pleiotropic genes between ovariole number traits and sleep and activity behavior. While few polymorphisms overlapped between sleep parameters and ovariole number, 39 candidate genes were nevertheless in common. We verified the effects of seven genes on both ovariole number and sleep: bin3, blot, CG42389, kirre, slim, VAChT, and zfh1. Linkage disequilibrium among the polymorphisms in these common genes was low, suggesting that these polymorphisms may evolve independently.

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Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Growth Curve Parameters in Chinese Simmental Beef Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 192

Author(s):

Xinghai Duan ◽

Bingxing An ◽

Lili Du ◽

Tianpeng Chang ◽

Mang Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Growth Curve ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

The objective of the present study was to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for growth curve parameters using nonlinear models that fit original weight–age records. In this study, data from 808 Chinese Simmental beef cattle that were weighed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months of age were used to fit the growth curve. The Gompertz model showed the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.954). The parameters’ mature body weight (A), time-scale parameter (b), and maturity rate (K) were treated as phenotypes for single-trait GWAS and multi-trait GWAS. In total, 9, 49, and 7 significant SNPs associated with A, b, and K were identified by single-trait GWAS; 22 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified by multi-trait GWAS. Among them, we observed several candidate genes, including PLIN3, KCNS3, TMCO1, PRKAG3, ANGPTL2, IGF-1, SHISA9, and STK3, which were previously reported to associate with growth and development. Further research for these candidate genes may be useful for exploring the full genetic architecture underlying growth and development traits in livestock.

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Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals the Genetic Basis of Cold Tolerance in Rice at the Seedling Stage

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11040318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 318

Author(s):

Tae-Ho Ham ◽

Yebin Kwon ◽

Yoonjung Lee ◽

Jisu Choi ◽

Joohyun Lee

Keyword(s):

Association Study ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Cold Tolerance ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Seedling Stage ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Matrix Analysis ◽

Rice Seedlings ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of cold tolerance in a collection of 127 rice accessions, including 57 Korean landraces at the seedling stage. Cold tolerance of rice seedlings was evaluated in a growth chamber under controlled conditions and scored on a 0–9 scale, based on their low-temperature response and subsequent recovery. GWAS, together with principal component analysis (PCA) and kinship matrix analysis, revealed four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 4, and 5 that explained 16.5% to 18.5% of the variance in cold tolerance. The genomic region underlying the QTL on chromosome four overlapped with a previously reported QTL associated with cold tolerance in rice seedlings. Similarly, one of the QTLs identified on chromosome five overlapped with a previously reported QTL associated with seedling vigor. Subsequent bioinformatic and haplotype analyses revealed three candidate genes affecting cold tolerance within the linkage disequilibrium (LD) block of these QTLs: Os01g0357800, encoding a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) domain-containing protein; Os05g0171300, encoding a plastidial ADP-glucose transporter; and Os05g0400200, encoding a retrotransposon protein, Ty1-copia subclass. The detected QTLs and further evaluation of these candidate genes in the future will provide strategies for developing cold-tolerant rice in breeding programs.

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Genetic basis and identification of candidate genes for wooden breast and white striping in commercial broiler chickens

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86176-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juniper A. Lake ◽

Jack C. M. Dekkers ◽

Behnam Abasht

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Genetic Basis ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Specific Protein ◽

Chromosome 11 ◽

A Genome ◽

White Striping ◽

Commercial Broiler ◽

Wooden Breast

AbstractWooden breast (WB) and white striping (WS) are highly prevalent and economically damaging muscle disorders of modern commercial broiler chickens characterized respectively by palpable firmness and fatty white striations running parallel to the muscle fiber. High feed efficiency and rapid growth, especially of the breast muscle, are believed to contribute to development of such muscle defects; however, their etiology remains poorly understood. To gain insight into the genetic basis of these myopathies, a genome-wide association study was conducted using a commercial crossbred broiler population (n = 1193). Heritability was estimated at 0.5 for WB and WS with high genetic correlation between them (0.88). GWAS revealed 28 quantitative trait loci (QTL) on five chromosomes for WB and 6 QTL on one chromosome for WS, with the majority of QTL for both myopathies located in a ~ 8 Mb region of chromosome 5. This region has highly conserved synteny with a portion of human chromosome 11 containing a cluster of imprinted genes associated with growth and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Candidate genes include potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1), involved in insulin secretion and cardiac electrical activity, lymphocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1), involved in inflammation and immune response.

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Evaluation of candidate genes in a genome-wide association study of childhood asthma in Mexicans

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology ◽

10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.007 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 321-327.e13 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Hao Wu ◽

Isabelle Romieu ◽

Min Shi ◽

Dana B. Hancock ◽

Huiling Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Association Study ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Childhood Asthma ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

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Genome-wide association analysis of resistance to Pseudoperonospora cubensis in citron watermelon

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-08-21-1611-re ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dennis Katuuramu ◽

Sandra Branham ◽

Amnon Levi ◽

Patrick Wechter

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Citrullus Lanatus ◽

Phenotypic Variability ◽

Germplasm Collection ◽

Snp Markers ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Pseudoperonospora Cubensis ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

Cultivated sweet watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an important vegetable crop for millions of people around the world. There are limited sources of resistance to economically important diseases within C. lanatus, whereas Citrullus amarus has a reservoir of traits that can be exploited to improve C. lanatus for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM), caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is an emerging threat to watermelon production. We screened 122 C. amarus accessions for resistance to CDM over two tests (environments). The accessions were genotyped by whole-genome resequencing to generate 2,126,759 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers. A genome-wide association study was deployed to uncover marker-trait associations and identify candidate genes underlying resistance to CDM. Our results indicate the presence of wide phenotypic variability (1.1 - 57.8%) for leaf area infection, representing a 50.7-fold variation for CDM resistance across the C. amarus germplasm collection. Broad-sense heritability estimate was 0.55, implying the presence of moderate genetic effects for resistance to CDM. The peak SNP markers associated with resistance to P. cubensis were located on chromosomes Ca03, Ca05, Ca07, and Ca11. The significant SNP markers accounted for up to 30% of the phenotypic variation and were associated with promising candidate genes encoding disease resistance proteins, leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase, and WRKY transcription factor. This information will be useful in understanding the genetic architecture of the P. cubensis-Citrullus spp. patho-system as well as development of resources for genomics-assisted breeding for resistance to CDM in watermelon.

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A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Candidate Genes Related to Salt Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa) at the Germination Stage

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19103145 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 3145 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jie Yu ◽

Weiguo Zhao ◽

Wei Tong ◽

Qiang He ◽

Min-Young Yoon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Tolerance ◽

Association Study ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Rice Genome ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Phenotypic Correlation ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome ◽

Germination Stage

Salt toxicity is the major factor limiting crop productivity in saline soils. In this paper, 295 accessions including a heuristic core set (137 accessions) and 158 bred varieties were re-sequenced and ~1.65 million SNPs/indels were used to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of salt-tolerance-related phenotypes in rice during the germination stage. A total of 12 associated peaks distributed on seven chromosomes using a compressed mixed linear model were detected. Determined by linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks analysis, we finally obtained a total of 79 candidate genes. By detecting the highly associated variations located inside the genic region that overlapped with the results of LD block analysis, we characterized 17 genes that may contribute to salt tolerance during the seed germination stage. At the same time, we conducted a haplotype analysis of the genes with functional variations together with phenotypic correlation and orthologous sequence analyses. Among these genes, OsMADS31, which is a MADS-box family transcription factor, had a down-regulated expression under the salt condition and it was predicted to be involved in the salt tolerance at the rice germination stage. Our study revealed some novel candidate genes and their substantial natural variations in the rice genome at the germination stage. The GWAS in rice at the germination stage would provide important resources for molecular breeding and functional analysis of the salt tolerance during rice germination.

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The genome of the blind soil-dwelling and ancestrally wingless dipluran Campodea augens, a key reference hexapod for studying the emergence of insect innovations

10.1101/585695 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mosè Manni ◽

Felipe A. Simao ◽

Hugh M. Robertson ◽

Marco A. Gabaglio ◽

Robert M. Waterhouse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Draft Genome ◽

Gene Families ◽

Sister Group ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Comparative Genomic ◽

Gene Repertoire ◽

Animal Group ◽

Origin And Evolution ◽

Genomic Analyses ◽

Metabolism Gene

AbstractThe dipluran two-pronged bristletail Campodea augens is a blind ancestrally wingless hexapod with the remarkable capacity to regenerate lost body appendages such as its long antennae. As sister group to Insecta (sensu stricto), Diplura are key to understanding the early evolution of hexapods and the origin and evolution of insects. Here we report the 1.2-Gbp draft genome of C. augens and results from comparative genomic analyses with other arthropods. In C. augens we uncovered the largest chemosensory gene repertoire of ionotropic receptors in the animal kingdom, a massive expansion which might compensate for the loss of vision. We found a paucity of photoreceptor genes mirroring at the genomic level the secondary loss of an ancestral external photoreceptor organ. Expansions of detoxification and carbohydrate metabolism gene families might reflect adaptations for foraging behaviour, and duplicated apoptotic genes might underlie its high regenerative potential.The C. augens genome represents one of the key references for studying the emergence of genomic innovations in insects, the most diverse animal group, and opens up novel opportunities to study the under-explored biology of diplurans.

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Genome-Wide Association Mapping for Heat and Drought Adaptive Traits in Pea

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12121897 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1897

Author(s):

Endale G. Tafesse ◽

Krishna K. Gali ◽

V. B. Reddy Lachagari ◽

Rosalind Bueckert ◽

Thomas D. Warkentin

Keyword(s):

Association Mapping ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Vegetation Index ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Adaptive Traits ◽

Flowering Duration ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

Heat and drought, individually or in combination, limit pea productivity. Fortunately, substantial genetic diversity exists in pea germplasm for traits related to abiotic stress resistance. Understanding the genetic basis of resistance could accelerate the development of stress-adaptive cultivars. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in pea on six stress-adaptive traits with the aim to detect the genetic regions controlling these traits. One hundred and thirty-five genetically diverse pea accessions were phenotyped in field studies across three or five environments under stress and control conditions. To determine marker trait associations (MTAs), a total of 16,877 valuable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used in association analysis. Association mapping detected 15 MTAs that were significantly (p ≤ 0.0005) associated with the six stress-adaptive traits averaged across all environments and consistent in multiple individual environments. The identified MTAs were four for lamina wax, three for petiole wax, three for stem thickness, two for the flowering duration, one for the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and two for the normalized pigment and chlorophyll index (NPCI). Sixteen candidate genes were identified within a 15 kb distance from either side of the markers. The detected MTAs and candidate genes have prospective use towards selecting stress-hardy pea cultivars in marker-assisted selection.

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