Genetic Resistance to the Reniform Nematode in Cotton

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a yield-limiting pathogen of soybean (Glycine max) in the southeastern region of the United States. A population of 250 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) (F2:8) developed from a cross between reniform nematode resistant soybean cultivar Forrest and susceptible cultivar Williams 82 was utilized to identify regions associated with host suitability. A genetic linkage map was constructed using single-nucleotide polymorphism markers generated by genotyping-by-sequencing. The phenotype was measured in the RIL population and resistance was characterized using normalized and transformed nematode reproduction indices in an optimal univariate cluster analysis. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using normalized phenotype scores identified two QTLs on each arm of chromosome 18 (rrn-1 and rrn-2). The same QTL analysis performed with log10(x) transformed phenotype data also identified two QTLs: one on chromosome 18 overlapping the same region in the other analysis (rrn-1), and one on chromosome 11 (rrn-3). While rrn-1 and rrn-3 have been reported associated with reduced reproduction of reniform nematode, this is the first report of the rrn-2 region associated with host suitability to reniform nematode. The resistant parent allele at rrn-2 showed an inverse relationship with the resistance phenotype, correlating with an increase in nematode reproduction or host suitability. Several candidate genes within these regions corresponded with host plant defense systems. Interestingly, a characteristic pathogen resistance gene with a leucine-rich repeat was discovered within rrn-2. These genetic markers can be used by soybean breeders in marker-assisted selection to develop lines with resistance to reniform nematode.

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Recent Findings Unravel Genes and Genetic Factors Underlying Leptosphaeria maculans Resistance in Brassica napus and Its Relatives

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22010313 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 313

Author(s):

Aldrin Y. Cantila ◽

Nur Shuhadah Mohd Saad ◽

Junrey C. Amas ◽

David Edwards ◽

Jacqueline Batley

Keyword(s):

Brassica Napus ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Quantitative Resistance ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

Leptosphaeria Maculans ◽

Gene Interaction ◽

R Gene ◽

R Genes ◽

Blackleg Resistance ◽

Avr Gene

Among the Brassica oilseeds, canola (Brassica napus) is the most economically significant globally. However, its production can be limited by blackleg disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Lepstosphaeria maculans. The deployment of resistance genes has been implemented as one of the key strategies to manage the disease. Genetic resistance against blackleg comes in two forms: qualitative resistance, controlled by a single, major resistance gene (R gene), and quantitative resistance (QR), controlled by numerous, small effect loci. R-gene-mediated blackleg resistance has been extensively studied, wherein several genomic regions harbouring R genes against L. maculans have been identified and three of these genes were cloned. These studies advance our understanding of the mechanism of R gene and pathogen avirulence (Avr) gene interaction. Notably, these studies revealed a more complex interaction than originally thought. Advances in genomics help unravel these complexities, providing insights into the genes and genetic factors towards improving blackleg resistance. Here, we aim to discuss the existing R-gene-mediated resistance, make a summary of candidate R genes against the disease, and emphasise the role of players involved in the pathogenicity and resistance. The comprehensive result will allow breeders to improve resistance to L. maculans, thereby increasing yield.

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The Grapevine E3 Ubiquitin Ligase VriATL156 Confers Resistance against the Downy Mildew Pathogen Plasmopara viticola

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22020940 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 940

Author(s):

Elodie Vandelle ◽

Pietro Ariani ◽

Alice Regaiolo ◽

Davide Danzi ◽

Arianna Lovato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Downy Mildew ◽

Ubiquitin Ligase ◽

Control Measure ◽

Durable Resistance ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

E3 Ubiquitin Ligase ◽

Plasmopara Viticola ◽

Vitis Vinifera L ◽

Vitis Species ◽

Vitis Riparia

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most severe diseases of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Genetic resistance is an effective and sustainable control strategy, but major resistance genes (encoding receptors for specific pathogen effectors) introgressed from wild Vitis species, although effective, may be non-durable because the pathogen can evolve to avoid specific recognition. Previous transcriptomic studies in the resistant species Vitis riparia highlighted the activation of signal transduction components during infection. The transfer of such components to V. vinifera might confer less specific and therefore more durable resistance. Here, we describe the generation of transgenic V. vinifera lines constitutively expressing the V. riparia E3 ubiquitin ligase gene VriATL156. Phenotypic and molecular analysis revealed that the transgenic plants were less susceptible to P. viticola than vector-only controls, confirming the role of this E3 ubiquitin ligase in the innate immune response. Two independent transgenic lines were selected for detailed analysis of the resistance phenotype by RNA-Seq and microscopy, revealing the profound reprogramming of transcription to achieve resistance that operates from the earliest stages of pathogen infection. The introduction of VriATL156 into elite grapevine cultivars could therefore provide an effective and sustainable control measure against downy mildew.

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Identification of SNPs Associated with Somatic Cell Score in Candidate Genes in Italian Holstein Friesian Bulls

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 366

Author(s):

Riccardo Moretti ◽

Dominga Soglia ◽

Stefania Chessa ◽

Stefano Sartore ◽

Raffaella Finocchiaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Genetic Resistance ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Significant Snps ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Genotype Distribution ◽

Inflammatory Reactions ◽

Next Generation Sequencing Technology ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Holstein Bulls

Mastitis is an infectious disease affecting the mammary gland, leading to inflammatory reactions and to heavy economic losses due to milk production decrease. One possible way to tackle the antimicrobial resistance issue stemming from antimicrobial therapy is to select animals with a genetic resistance to this disease. Therefore, aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of the SNPs found in candidate genes related to mastitis resistance in Holstein Friesian bulls. Target regions were amplified, sequenced by Next-Generation Sequencing technology on the Illumina® MiSeq, and then analyzed to find correlation with mastitis related phenotypes in 95 Italian Holstein bulls chosen with the aid of a selective genotyping approach. On a total of 557 detected mutations, 61 showed different genotype distribution in the tails of the deregressed EBVs for SCS and 15 were identified as significantly associated with the phenotype using two different approaches. The significant SNPs were identified in intergenic or intronic regions of six genes, known to be key components in the immune system (namely CXCR1, DCK, NOD2, MBL2, MBL1 and M-SAA3.2). These SNPs could be considered as candidates for a future genetic selection for mastitis resistance, although further studies are required to assess their presence in other dairy cattle breeds and their possible negative correlation with other traits.

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