ASIP promoter variants predict sesame coat color in Shiba Inu dogs

Different patterns of coat color pigmentation in dogs are produced by a sophisticated interaction of several genes. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the diversity of coat colors and their inheritance is important for professional breeders because it helps to predict the phenotypes of the progeny. Although genetics of the main coat colors in dogs is extensively studied, there are types of coat pigmentation that are not explained yet. Recently a new model connected the variants in ASIP gene promoters with different coat colors in dogs. Here we used this model as a framework to investigate the genetics of the rare sesame coat color in Shiba Inu dogs. We determined the combination of two alleles of ASIP gene that determine sesame coat color. This finding can be used by the breeders to produce the dogs with this rare coat color pattern. We also demonstrate the incomplete dominance between the ASIP alleles involved in sesame coat formation. These results are in good agreement with the new model explaining how different levels of ASIP gene expression affect the regulation of pigment synthesis in melanocytes.

Evolution of Knockdown Resistance Haplotypes in Response to Pyrethroid Selection in Aedes aegypti

This study describes the evolution of knockdown resistance (kdr) haplotypes in Aedes aegypti in response to pyrethroid insecticide use over the course of 18 years in Iquitos, Peru. Based on the duration and intensiveness of sampling (~10,000 samples), this is the most thorough study of kdr population genetics in Ae. aegypti to date within a city. We provide evidence for the direct connection between programmatic citywide pyrethroid spraying and the increase in frequency of specific kdr haplotypes by identifying two evolutionary events in the population. The relatively high selection coefficients, even under infrequent insecticide pressure, emphasizes how quickly populations can evolve. The observed rapid increase in frequency of resistance alleles might have been aided by the incomplete dominance of resistance-conferring alleles over corresponding susceptibility alleles. In addition to dramatic temporal shifts, spatial suppression experiments reveal that genetic heterogeneity existed not only at the citywide scale, but also on a very fine scale within the city.

Inheritance of seed size in watermelon populations

Seed size is an important agronomic trait and is applicable to different abilities. Small seeds guarantee the greater use of the pulp, while larger seeds facilitate sowing. However, there is little work on the genetic control of this characteristic in watermelon. The objective of this work was to study the seed size inheritance in watermelon populations by crossing contrasting genotypes, seeking to gain information to provide technical support during the selection of seed size for the development of new watermelon genotypes. The seed lengths of six populations, P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2, were measured using the GENES software segregating and nonsegregating generations procedure. This trait is controlled by two genes with incomplete dominance. In addition, depending on the populations studied, inheritance for the characteristic in question may behave differently. Nevertheless, the selection of superior individuals within populations can be performed based on this phenotype, which allows the exploitation of these individuals within breeding programs to develop lines or hybrids.

Identification of two novel COL10A1 heterozygous mutations in two Chinese pedigrees with Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

Background: Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (MCDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by COL10A1 mutations, which is characterized by short stature, waddling gait, coxa vara and bowing of the long bones. However, descriptions of the expressivity of MCDS are rare. Methods: Two probands and available family members affected with MCDS were subjected to clinical and radiological examination. Genomic DNA of all affected individuals was subjected to whole-exome sequencing, and candidate mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in all available family members and in 250 healthy donors. A spatial model of the type X collagen (α1) C-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain was further constructed. Results: We found that the phenotype of affected family members exhibited incomplete dominance. Mutation analysis indicated that there were two novel heterozygous missense mutations, [c.1765T>A (p.Phe589Ile)] and [c.1846A>G (p.Lys616Glu)] in the COL10A1 gene in family 1 and 2, respectively. The two novel substitution sites were highly conserved and the mutations were predicted to be deleterious by in silico analysis. Furthermore, protein modeling revealed that the two substitutions were located in the NC1 domain of collagen X (α1), which potentially impacted the trimerization of collagen X (α1) and combination with molecules in the pericellular matrix. Conclusion: Two novel mutations were identified in the present study, which will facilitate diagnosis of MCDS and further expand the spectrum of the COL10A1 mutations associated with MCDS patients. In addition, our research revealed the phenomenon of incomplete dominance in MCDS.

Identification of two novel COL10A1 heterozygous mutations in two Chinese pedigrees with Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

Background: Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (MCDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by COL10A1 mutations, which is characterized by short stature, waddling gait, coxa vara and bowing of the long bones. However, descriptions of the expressivity of MCDS are rare. Methods: Two probands and available family members affected with MCDS were subjected to clinical and radiological examination. Genomic DNA of all affected individuals was subjected to whole-exome sequencing, and candidate mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in all available family members and in 250 healthy donors. A spatial model of the type X collagen (α1) C-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain was further constructed. Results: We found that the phenotype of affected family members exhibited incomplete dominance. Mutation analysis indicated that there were two novel heterozygous missense mutations, [c.1765T>A (p.Phe589Ile)] and [c.1846A>G (p.Lys616Glu)] in the COL10A1 gene in family 1 and 2, respectively. The two novel substitution sites were highly conserved and the mutations were predicted to be deleterious by in silico analysis. Furthermore, protein modeling revealed that the two substitutions were located in the NC1 domain of collagen X (α1), which potentially impacted the trimerization of collagen X (α1) and combination with molecules in the pericellular matrix. Conclusion: Two novel mutations were identified in the present study, which will facilitate diagnosis of MCDS and further expand the spectrum of the COL10A1 mutations associated with MCDS patients. In addition, our research revealed the phenomenon of incomplete dominance in MCDS.

Combined effects of dosage compensation and incomplete dominance on gene expression in triploid cyprinids

Hybridization and polyploidy are pervasive evolutionary features of flowering plants and frequent among some animal groups, such as fish. These processes always lead to novel genotypes and various phenotypes, including growth heterosis. However, its genetic basis in lower vertebrate is still poorly understood. Here, we conducted transcriptome-level analyses of the allopolyploid complex of Carassius auratus red var. (R) (♀) × Cyprinus carpio L. (C) (♂), including the allodiploid and allotetraploid with symmetric subgenomes, and the two allotriploids with asymmetric subgenomes. The gradual changes of gene silencing and novel gene expression suggested the weakening of the constraint of polymorphic expression in genotypic changes. Then, analyses of the direction and magnitude of homoeolog expression exhibited various asymmetric expression patterns, which supported that R incomplete dominance and dosage compensation were co-regulated in the two triploids. Under these effects, various magnitudes of R-homoeolog expression bias were observed in growth-regulated genes, suggesting that they might contribute to growth heterosis in the two triploids. The determination of R incomplete dominance and dosage compensation, which might be led by asymmetric subgenomes and multiple sets of homologous chromosomes, explained why various expression patterns were shaped and their potential contribution to growth heterosis in the two triploids.

Identification of two novel COL10A1 heterozygous mutations in two Chinese pedigrees with Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

Background Schmid-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (MCDS) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by COL10A1 mutations, which is characterized by short stature, waddling gait, coxa vara and bowing of the long bones. However, descriptions of the expressivity of MCDS are rare. Methods Two probands and available family members affected with MCDS were subjected to clinical and radiological examination. Genomic DNA of all affected individuals was subjected to whole-exome sequencing, and candidate mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in all available family members and in 250 healthy donors. A spatial model of the type X collagen (α1) C-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain was further constructed. Results We found that the phenotype of affected family members exhibited incomplete dominance. Mutation analysis indicated that there were two novel heterozygous missense mutations, [c.1765 T > A (p.Phe589Ile)] and [c.1846A > G (p.Lys616Glu)] in the COL10A1 gene in family 1 and 2, respectively. The two novel substitution sites were highly conserved and the mutations were predicted to be deleterious by in silico analysis. Furthermore, protein modeling revealed that the two substitutions were located in the NC1 domain of collagen X (α1), which potentially impacted the trimerization of collagen X (α1) and combination with molecules in the pericellular matrix. Conclusion Two novel mutations were identified in the present study, which will facilitate diagnosis of MCDS and further expand the spectrum of the COL10A1 mutations associated with MCDS patients. In addition, our research revealed the phenomenon of incomplete dominance in MCDS.

Genes

Charles Darwin proposed a mechanism that explained how organisms evolved, but nothing was known on the form those heritable changes took, what they were, and how they were passed from one generation to another. Gregor Mendel started experiments using the common pea studying easily observable characteristics. Genes are units of DNA carrying information about specific traits. Any given trait has two alleles that may be the same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous). Mendel's first theory studied one trait (monohybrid) in peas. Mendel's second theory studied two traits (dihybrid). Two examples of inheritance do not conform to Mendel's theories. In incomplete dominance, the expression of both alleles results in an intermediate phenotype. In codominance, both alleles are expressed resulting in a new phenotype comprised of both alleles. Mothers who are Rh- but bearing a Rh+ baby will need a Rh immunoglobulin shot to counteract the formation of antibodies against a future foetus. This chapter explores genes.

Genetic analysis of oleic acid сontent in the oil of maize on the basis of mutation Sugary-1

Aim. Genetic analysis of oleate content in the carriers of maize mutation su1. Methods. Experiments were conducted on a series of inbreds – carriers of mutation su1, as well as hybrids derived from their diallel and top cross crossings. Results. Inbreds – carriers of mutation su1 were notable as having the increased content of oleate, which was inherited by the type of incomplete dominance with the prevailing contribution of additive effects to the variance. Conclusions. Increasing the content of the oleic acid glycerides in the carriers of mutation su1 caused by the spatial coupling of the locus su1 with the oleate – encoding locus, the effect of which can be modified by the polygenic complex. Keywords: Zea mays L., mutation su1, oleic acid, genetic analysis.