12 research outputs found
Chromosome Walking in the Petunia Inflata Self-Incompatibility ( S -) Locus and Gene Identification in an 881-kb Contig Containing S 2 -RNase
Self-incompatibility (SI) in the Solanaceae, Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae is controlled by the polymorphic S locus, which contains two separate genes encoding pollen and pistil determinants in SI interactions. The S-RNase gene encodes the pistil determinant, whereas the pollen determinant gene, named the pollen S gene, has not yet been identified. Here, we set out to construct an integrated genetic and physical map of the S locus of Petunia inflata and identify any additional genes located at this locus. We first conducted chromosome walking at the S 2 locus using BAC clones that contained either S 2 -RNase or one of the nine markers tightly linked to the S locus. Ten separate contigs were constructed, which collectively spanned 4.4 Mb. To identify additional genes located at the S 2 locus, a 328-kb region (part of an 881-kb BAC contig) containing S 2 -RNase was completely sequenced. Approximately 76% of the region contained repetitive sequences, including transposon-like sequences. Other than S 2 -RNase , an F-box gene, named PiSLF 2 ( S 2 -allele of P. inflata S -locus F-box gene), was the only predicted gene whose deduced amino acid sequence was similar to the sequences of known proteins in the database. Two different cDNA selection methods were used to identify additional genes in the 881-kb contig; 11 groups of cDNA clones were identified in addition to those for S 2 -RNase and PiSLF 2 . RT-PCR analysis of expression profiles and PCR analysis of BAC clones and genomic DNA confirmed that seven of these 11 newly identified genes were located in the 881-kb contig.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43454/1/11103_2004_Article_DO00000142.pd
Small RNA Profiles from Virus-Infected Fresh Market Vegetables
Functional small RNAs, such as short
interfering RNAs (siRNAs)
and microRNAs (miRNAs), exist in freshly consumed fruits and vegetables.
These siRNAs can be derived either from endogenous sequences or from
viruses that infect them. Symptomatic tomatoes, watermelons, zucchini,
and onions were purchased from grocery stores and investigated by
small RNA sequencing. By aligning the obtained small RNA sequences
to sequences of known viruses, four different viruses were identified
as infecting these fruits and vegetables. Many of these virally derived
small RNAs along with endogenous small RNAs were found to be highly
complementary to human genes. However, the established history of
safe consumption of these vegetables suggests that this sequence homology
has little biological relevance. By extension, these results provide
evidence for the safe use by humans and animals of genetically engineered
crops using RNA-based suppression technologies, especially vegetable
crops with virus resistance conferred by expression of siRNAs or miRNAs
derived from viral sequences