Recent advancements in the breeding of sorghum crop: current status and future strategies for marker-assisted breeding

Sorghum is emerging as a model crop for functional genetics and genomics of tropical grasses with abundant uses, including food, feed, and fuel, among others. It is currently the fifth most significant primary cereal crop. Crops are subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which negatively impact on agricultural production. Developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient cultivars can be achieved through marker-assisted breeding. Such selection has considerably reduced the time to market new crop varieties adapted to challenging conditions. In the recent years, extensive knowledge was gained about genetic markers. We are providing an overview of current advances in sorghum breeding initiatives, with a special focus on early breeders who may not be familiar with DNA markers. Advancements in molecular plant breeding, genetics, genomics selection, and genome editing have contributed to a thorough understanding of DNA markers, provided various proofs of the genetic variety accessible in crop plants, and have substantially enhanced plant breeding technologies. Marker-assisted selection has accelerated and precised the plant breeding process, empowering plant breeders all around the world

Association of ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism with Elite Basketball Player Status and Training Responses

The α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene rs1815739 (C/T, R577X) polymorphism is a variant frequently associated with athletic performance among different populations. However, there is limited research on the impact of this variant on athlete status and physical performance in basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the association of ACTN3 rs1815739 polymorphism with changes in physical performance in response to six weeks of training in elite basketball players using 30 m sprint and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (IR 2) tests, and (2) to compare ACTN3 genotype and allelic frequencies between elite basketball players and controls. The study included a total of 363 individuals, comprising 101 elite basketball players and 262 sedentary individuals. Genomic DNA was isolated from oral epithelial cells or leukocytes, and genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using KASP genotyping method or by microarray analysis. We found that the frequency of the ACTN3 rs1815739 XX genotype was significantly lower in basketball players compared to controls (10.9 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.023), suggesting that RR/RX genotypes were more favorable for playing basketball. Statistically significant (p = 0.045) changes were observed in Yo-Yo IRT 2 performance measurement tests in basketball players with the RR genotype only. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the carriage of the ACTN3 rs1815739 R allele may confer an advantage in basketball

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

We have previously demonstrated that, ACE D allele may be related with a better performance in short duration aerobic endurance in a homogeneous cohort with similar training backgrounds. We aimed to study the variation in the short-duration aerobic performance development amongst ACE genotypes in response to identical training programs in homogeneous populations. The study group consisted of 186 male Caucasian non-elite Turkish army recruits. All subjects had undergone an identical training program with double training session per day and 6 days a week for 6 months. Performances for middle distance runs (2,400 m) were evaluated on an athletics track before and after the training period. ACE gene polymorphisms were studied by PCR analysis. The distribution of genotypes in the whole group was 16.7% II, n = 31; 46.2% ID, n = 86; 37.1% DD, n = 69. Subjects with ACE DD genotype had significantly higher enhancement than the ID (P ACE ID > ACE II (P value for Pearson chi(2) = 0.461 and P value for linear by linear association = 0.001). ACE DD genotype seems to have an advantage in development in short-duration aerobic performance. This data in unison with the data that we have obtained from homogenous cohorts previously is considered as an existence of threshold for initiation of ACE I allele effectiveness in endurance performance. This threshold may be anywhere between 10 and 30 min with lasting maximal exercises