Structural characterization of the DRF1 gene of Aegilops speltoides and comparison of its sequence with those of B and other Triticeae genomes

AbstractThe genus Aegilops L. has been intensively investigated due to its close relationship with wheat (Triticum L.) as contributor of B and D subgenomes. Because of their vast genetic diversity, Aegilops species represent a rich source of alleles of agronomic interest, which could be used to widen the wheat gene pool and improve tolerance to diseases, pests, drought, cold and other environmental stresses. We report the isolation and characterization of the Dehydration Responsive Factor 1 (DRF1) gene in three accessions of Ae. speltoides coming from different regions of the Fertile Crescent. The DRF1 gene belongs to the DREB gene family and encodes transcription factors which play a key role in plant response to water stress. As in other cereals, the DRF1 gene in Aegilops speltoides consists of four exons and three introns and undergoes alternative splicing. A processed pseudogene was also identified and compared with the sequence of an actual mRNA transcript, breaking new ground in the understanding of the complex regulation mechanism of this gene. The genetic diversity was evaluated by comparison of inter- and intra-species variation among some Aegilops and Triticeae, by considering both the whole gene and exon 4 sequences. The phylogenetic analyses were able to cluster the sequences in well-supported clades attributable to the genomes analysed. The overall results suggest that there is a high similarity between the B and S genome copies of the DRF1 gene but also features indicating that the two genomes have evolved independently

Genetic relationships among Italian and Mexican maize-rhizosphere Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) populations belonging to Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB and BCC6 group

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A close association between maize roots and <it>Burkholderia cepacia </it>complex (BCC) bacteria has been observed in different locations globally. In this study we investigated by MultiLocus Restriction Typing (MLRT) the genetic diversity and relationships among <it>Burkholderia cenocepacia </it>IIIB and BCC6 populations associated with roots of maize plants cultivated in geographically distant countries (Italy and Mexico), in order to provide new insights into their population structure, evolution and ecology.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 31 <it>B. cenocepacia </it>IIIB and 65 BCC6 isolates gave rise to 29 and 39 different restriction types (RTs), respectively. Two pairs of isolates of <it>B. cenocepacia </it>IIIB and BCC6, recovered from both Italian and Mexican maize rhizospheres, were found to share the same RT. The eBURST (Based Upon Related Sequence Types) analysis of MLRT data grouped all the <it>B. cenocepacia </it>IIIB isolates into four clonal complexes, with the RT-4-complex including the 42% of them, while the majority of the BCC6 isolates (94%) were grouped into the RT-104-complex. These two main clonal complexes included RTs shared by both Italian and Mexican maize rhizospheres and a clear relationship between grouping and maize variety was also found. Grouping established by eBURST correlated well with the assessment using unweighted-pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The standardized index of association values obtained in both <it>B. cenocepacia </it>IIIB and BCC6 suggests an epidemic population structure in which occasional clones emerge and spread.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together our data demonstrate a wide dispersal of certain <it>B. cenocepacia </it>IIIB and BCC6 isolates in Mexican and Italian maize rhizospheres. Despite the clear relationship found between the geographic origin of isolates and grouping, identical RTs and closely related isolates were observed in geographically distant regions. Ecological factors and selective pressure may preferably promote some genotypes within each local microbial population, favouring the spread of a single clone above the rest of the recombinant population.</p

A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO CHARACTERIZE TRITICALE ELITE LINES FOR INDUSTRIAL USES

Plant biomass and organic wastes from agriculture represent an effective resource to be exploited fora sustainable rural development, optimizing the land use, diversifying rural entrepreneurship, producing energyand new income.Among crops, triticale is considered particularly interesting, showing several advantages such as highgrain yield even in marginal environments, tolerance to drought, tolerance to more acid soils, lower productioncosts and lower susceptibility to biotic stresses.In the frame of a long collaboration with CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center-MX), eight triticale elite lines from Mexico were grown in Italy using marginal lands. An Italian triticalevariety and a bread wheat line, specifically bred for bioenergy applications, were used for comparison. Overthree growing seasons, different agronomic evaluations were obtained harvesting at milk phase. In the thirdgrowing season, a set of parcels was harvested also at maturity, to evaluate grain yields and quality parametersfrom seeds.Milk phase biomass were properly dried and characterized following reference procedures, then used assubstrate for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and methane in lab-scale experiments.Seeds from interesting lines were used to test different quality parameters including falling number inorder to evaluate the fermentation ability. RAPD technique by two different panels of primers was used togenotype a selection of lines

Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline

Chronic airway infection is a hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In the present study, sputum samples from CF patients were collected and characterized by 16S rRNA gene-targeted approach, to assess how lung microbiota composition changes following a severe decline in lung function. In particular, we compared the airway microbiota of two groups of patients with CF, i.e. patients with a substantial decline in their lung function (SD) and patients with a stable lung function (S). The two groups showed a different bacterial composition, with SD patients reporting a more heterogeneous community than the S ones. Pseudomonas was the dominant genus in both S and SD patients followed by Staphylococcus and Prevotella. Other than the classical CF pathogens and the most commonly identified non-classical genera in CF, we found the presence of the unusual anaerobic genus Sneathia. Moreover, the oligotyping analysis revealed the presence of other minor genera described in CF, highlighting the polymicrobial nature of CF infection. Finally, the analysis of correlation and anti-correlation networks showed the presence of antagonism and ecological independence between members of Pseudomonas genus and the rest of CF airways microbiota, with S patients showing a more interconnected community in S patients than in SD ones. This population structure suggests a higher resilience of S microbiota with respect to SD, which in turn may hinder the potential adverse impact of aggressive pathogens (e.g. Pseudomonas). In conclusion, our findings shed a new light on CF airway microbiota ecology, improving current knowledge about its composition and polymicrobial interactions in patients with CF

Behaviour of the Italian Bel 15 borosilicate glass incorporating MTR HLW with reference to the disposal in clay formations

The corrosion of the Italian BEL 15 borosilicate glass is characterized for experimental conditions designed to study glass/clay/water interactions. MCC-1 type static leach tests were carried out using distilled water, synthetic interstitial claywater and wet clay at 40 °C and 90 °C and at two SA/V ratios : 10 and 100 m*l. Direct clay-glass contact was simulated by using a specially designed apparatus, with contact time up to 4 months. The corrosion behaviour of the BEL 15 glass is strongly influenced by the leaching medium and pH. The formation of calcium and magnesium phases on the glass surface occurs under all conditions, with the exception of distilled water.Cantale Cristina, Castelli Stéphano, Donato Aldo, Guidi Gioli. Behaviour of the Italian Bel 15 borosilicate glass incorporating MTR HLW with reference to the disposal in clay formations. In: Proceedings of the 9th international Clay Conference, Strasbourg, 1989. Vol III : Geochemistry of clays. Nuclear waste disposal. Strasbourg : Institut de Géologie – Université Louis-Pasteur, 1990. pp. 97-106. (Sciences Géologiques. Mémoire, 87

Behaviour of the Italian Bel 15 borosilicate glass incorporating MTR HLW with reference to the disposal in clay formations

The corrosion of the Italian BEL 15 borosilicate glass is characterized for experimental conditions designed to study glass/clay/water interactions. MCC-1 type static leach tests were carried out using distilled water, synthetic interstitial claywater and wet clay at 40 °C and 90 °C and at two SA/V ratios : 10 and 100 m*l. Direct clay-glass contact was simulated by using a specially designed apparatus, with contact time up to 4 months. The corrosion behaviour of the BEL 15 glass is strongly influenced by the leaching medium and pH. The formation of calcium and magnesium phases on the glass surface occurs under all conditions, with the exception of distilled water.Cantale Cristina, Castelli Stéphano, Donato Aldo, Guidi Gioli. Behaviour of the Italian Bel 15 borosilicate glass incorporating MTR HLW with reference to the disposal in clay formations. In: Proceedings of the 9th international Clay Conference, Strasbourg, 1989. Vol III : Geochemistry of clays. Nuclear waste disposal. Strasbourg : Institut de Géologie – Université Louis-Pasteur, 1990. pp. 97-106. (Sciences Géologiques. Mémoire, 87

Expression Analysis of the TdDRF1 Gene in Field-Grown Durum Wheat under Full and Reduced Irrigation

Some of the key genes and regulatory mechanisms controlling drought response in durum wheat have been identified. One of the major challenges for breeders is how to use this knowledge for the achievement of drought stress tolerance. In the present study, we report the expression profiles of the TdDRF1 gene, at consecutive plant growth stages, from different durum wheat genotypes evaluated in two different field environments. The expression of a possible target gene (Wdnh13) of the TdDRF1 gene was also investigated and analogies with the transcript profiles were found. The results of the qRT-PCR highlighted differences in molecular patterns, thus suggesting a genotype dependency of the TdDRF1 gene expression in response to the stress induced. Furthermore, a statistical association between the expression of TdDRF1 transcripts and agronomic traits was also performed and significant differences were found among genotypes, suggesting a relationship. One of the genotypes was found to combine molecular and agronomic characteristics

Aspetti giuridici del brevetto biotecnologico: la materia vivente tra scoperta e invenzione

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Phenotyping of Different Italian Durum Wheat Varieties in Early Growth Stage With the Addition of Pure or Digestate-Activated Biochars

This study aims to highlight the major effects of biochar incorporation into potting soil substrate on plant growth and performance in early growth stages of five elite Italian varieties of durum wheat (Triticum durum). The biochars used were obtained from two contrasting feedstocks, namely wood chips and wheat straw, by gasification under high temperature conditions, and were applied in a greenhouse experiment either as pure or as nutrient-activated biochar obtained by incubation with digestate. The results of the experiment showed that specific genotypes as well as different treatments with biochar have significant effects on plant response when looking at shoot traits related to growth. The evaluated genotypes could be clustered in two main distinct groups presenting, respectively, significantly increasing (Duilio, Iride, and Saragolla varieties) and decreasing (Marco Aurelio and Grecale varieties) values of projected shoot system area (PSSA), fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and plant water loss by evapotranspiration (ET). All these traits were correlated with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.74 to 0.98. Concerning the treatment effect, a significant alteration of the mentioned plant traits was observed when applying biochar from wheat straw, characterized by very high electrical conductivity (EC), resulting in a reduction of 34.6% PSSA, 43.2% FW, 66.9% DW, and 36.0% ET, when compared to the control. Interestingly, the application of the same biochar after nutrient spiking with digestate determined about a 15–30% relief from the abovementioned reduction induced by the application of the sole pure wheat straw biochar. Our results reinforce the current basic knowledge available on biological soil amendments as biochar and digestate