Instability of chromosome number and DNA methylation variation induced by hybridization and amphidiploid formation between Raphanus sativus L. and Brassica alboglabra Bailey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Distant hybridization can result genome duplication and allopolyploid formation which may play a significant role in the origin and evolution of many plant species. It is unclear how the two or more divergent genomes coordinate in one nucleus with a single parental cytoplasm within allopolyploids. We used cytological and molecular methods to investigate the genetic and epigenetic instabilities associated with the process of distant hybridization and allopolyploid formation, measuring changes in chromosome number and DNA methylation across multiple generations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>F₁plants from intergeneric hybridization between <it>Raphanus sativus </it>L. (2n = 18, RR) and <it>Brassica alboglabra </it>Bailey (2n = 18, CC) were obtained by hand crosses and subsequent embryo rescue. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to identify the F₁hybrid plants. The RAPD data indicated that the hybrids produced specific bands similar to those of parents and new bands that were not present in either parent. Chromosome number variation of somatic cells from allotetraploids in the F₄to F₁₀generations showed that intensive genetic changes occurred in the early generations of distant hybridization, leading to the formation of mixopolyploids with different chromosome numbers. DNA methylation variation was revealed using MSAP (methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism), which showed that cytosine methylation patterns changed markedly in the process of hybridization and amphidiploid formation. Differences in cytosine methylation levels demonstrated an epigenetic instability of the allopolyploid of <it>Raphanobrassica </it>between the genetically stable and unstable generations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results showed that chromosome instability occurred in the early generations of allopolyploidy and then the plants were reverted to largely euploidy in later generations. During this process, DNA methylation changed markedly. These results suggest that, epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in intergeneric distant hybridization, probably by maintaining a genetic balance through the modification of existing genetic materials.</p

Hydrodynamic and Inundation Modeling of China's Largest Freshwater Lake Aided by Remote Sensing Data

China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, is characterized by rapid changes in its inundation area and hydrodynamics, so in this study, a hydrodynamic model of Poyang Lake was established to simulate these long-term changes. Inundation information was extracted from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing data and used to calibrate the wetting and drying parameter by assessing the accuracy of the simulated inundation area and its boundary. The bottom friction parameter was calibrated using current velocity measurements from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP). The results show the model is capable of predicting the inundation area dynamic through cross-validation with remotely sensed inundation data, and can reproduce the seasonal dynamics of the water level, and water discharge through a comparison with hydrological data. Based on the model results, the characteristics of the current velocities of the lake in the wet season and the dry season of the lake were explored, and the potential effect of the current dynamic on water quality patterns was discussed. The model is a promising basic tool for prediction and management of the water resource and water quality of Poyang Lake

Probing Single-Molecule Enzyme Active-Site Conformational State Intermittent Coherence

The relationship between protein conformational dynamics and enzymatic reactions has been a fundamental focus in modern enzymology. Using single-molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) with a combined statistical data analysis approach, we have identified the intermittently appearing coherence of the enzymatic conformational state from the recorded single molecule intensity-time trajectories of enzyme 6-Hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (HPPK) in catalytic reaction. The coherent conformational state dynamics suggests that the enzymatic catalysis involves a multi-step conformational motion along the coordinates of substrate-enzyme complex formation and product releasing, presenting as an extreme dynamic behavior intrinsically related to the time bunching effect that we have reported previously. The coherence frequency, identified by statistical results of the correlation function analysis from single-molecule FRET trajectories, increases with the increasing substrate concentrations. The intermittent coherence in conformational state changes at the enzymatic reaction active site is likely to be common and exist in other conformation regulated enzymatic reactions. Our results of HPPK interaction with substrate support a multiple-conformational state model, being consistent with a complementary conformation selection and induced-fit enzymatic loop-gated conformational change mechanism in substrate-enzyme active complex formation