Characterization of a New Biotype Moringa of Saudi Arabia Using Rapd and Issr Markers

Moringa peregrina and M. oleifera are the only Moringa species found in Saudi Arabia. Both species are drought resistant and have very high nutritional and medicinal properties. Detection of genetic diversity is of great value for the improvement of nutritional and medicinal value of these plants. The aim of the present study was to characterize a new biotype Moringa observed in Al Bahah Region, Saudi Arabia. We used 11 RAPD and 15 ISSR primers to characterize and compare the new biotype with M. peregrina and M. oleifera. Level of polymorphism generated by each marker was calculated. We also calculate Nei and Li\u27s coefficient to measure the genetic distance between the studied species. Level of polymorphism generated by RAPD and ISSR was 46% and 57%, respectively. RAPD and ISSR primers revealed that the new biotype shared 55 amplicons (45.08%) with both M. peregrina and M. oleifera, 28 amplicons with M. peregrina (22.95%), 21 amplicons (17.21%) with M. oleifera, and displayed 18 unshared amplicons (14.75%). Based on RAPD data, genetic distance between M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.32, whereas genetic distance between the new biotype and M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.21 and 0.29, respectively. For ISSR data, genetic distance between M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.5, whereas genetic distance between the new biotype and M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.36 and 0.34, respectively. Based on these results we suggested that the new biotype is a hybrid crossbred between M. peregrina and M. oleifera

Ethylene responsive transcription factor ERF109 retards PCD and improves salt tolerance in plant

Semi-quantitative RT-PCR for tobacco VIGS lines of 13 knocked down TFs induced 2 h post oxalic acid treatment (20 mM) as compared to their WT and VIGS line with empty pTRV2 (V2) plants. Amplicon sizes of different genes and primers used are shown in Additional file 5: Table S3. The Nbactin gene was used as the house-keeping control. Gene codes refer to those indicated in Additional file 3: Table S2. (DOCX 684 kb

Metabolomic Response of Calotropis procera Growing in the Desert to Changes in Water Availability

Water availability is a major limitation for agricultural productivity. Plants growing in severe arid climates such as deserts provide tools for studying plant growth and performance under extreme drought conditions. The perennial species Calotropis procera used in this study is a shrub growing in many arid areas which has an exceptional ability to adapt and be productive in severe arid conditions. We describe the results of studying the metabolomic response of wild C procera plants growing in the desert to a one time water supply. Leaves of C. procera plants were taken at three time points before and 1 hour, 6 hours and 12 hours after watering and subjected to a metabolomics and lipidomics analysis. Analysis of the data reveals that within one hour after watering C. procera has already responded on the metabolic level to the sudden water availability as evidenced by major changes such as increased levels of most amino acids, a decrease in sucrose, raffinose and maltitol, a decrease in storage lipids (triacylglycerols) and an increase in membrane lipids including photosynthetic membranes. These changes still prevail at the 6 hour time point after watering however 12 hours after watering the metabolomics data are essentially indistinguishable from the prewatering state thus demonstrating not only a rapid response to water availability but also a rapid response to loss of water. Taken together these data suggest that the ability of C. procera to survive under the very harsh drought conditions prevailing in the desert might be associated with its rapid adjustments to water availability and losses

Analysis of transcriptional response to heat stress in Rhazya stricta

Clusters of assembled transcripts of R. stricta SRA in mature leaves (A5-L8) at different time points of the day (A, morning; F-H, midday & L, dusk). Grey lines indicate expression patterns of individual transcripts in a given cluster. Blue lines indicate overall expression pattern across different transcripts of a given cluster. (PDF 397 kb

Assessing Phenotypic and Molecular Variability in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Varieties

Abstract: Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare is an annual herb belonging to the family Apiaceae is a wellknown aromatic and medicinal herb. Three fennel varieties namely Balady (Egyptian), Indian and Holland were used. The quantitative genetic studied characters were linear growth, plant height, number of primary branches, total number of branches, peduncle length and fruit yield of plant. Fifteen promising genotypes were established within each variety. The individual plant selection procedure was practiced on intracultivar populations. The analyses of variance, broad-sense heritability, genetic advance, genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were estimated. In addition, the present study was therefore aimed to focus on understanding the genetic relationship among the three studied varieties of fennel which may further assist in developing and planning breeding strategies for fennel improvement programs. Polymorphism was detected using five RAPD-PCR primers on different three fennel varieties. A total of 38 fragments were delineated out of them 26 were polymorphic. The genotypes frequencies of PCR-RAPD variants were 70.00, 80.00, 66.67, 57.14 and 70.00 with average of 68.42% polymorphism which indicated the presence of high genetic diversity in three fennel varieties. RAPD technique proved to be effective in studying inter and intra specific variation in fennel breeding and a molecular marker of germplasm conservation

Comparison of four DNA barcoding loci to distinguish between some Apiaceae family species

Abstract Background The Apiaceae family is among the most significant plant families because it contains both beneficial and poisonous plants. Due to their morphological similarity, these harmless and lethal species are frequently confounded. Cumin, fennel, and anise are the most prevalent members of the family Apiaceae in Egypt. Members of this family are routinely used as medical surrogates, so it is crucial that they are correctly identified and distinguished. DNA barcoding is a molecular technique used for identifying species and reconstructing phylogenetic trees. Results Six plants from this family were chosen for this study due to their medicinal importance, and four DNA barcoding loci (rbcL, matK, trnH-psaA, and ITS) were used to identify them. The amplicons were sequenced, and the comparative analysis was conducted between the sequences evaluated and the most significant Blast results. The DNA rbcL, trnH-psaA, and ITS barcodes exhibited similar amplicons among the six species of Apiaceae, while the trnH-psaA barcode exhibited different amplicons among the Apiaceae. Maximum likelihood approach was used to calculate the genetic distance between the sex species of Apiaceae. The most significant findings were that the one from four DNA barcoding was able to distinguish between distinct species and confirm their evolutionary belonging to this family. Conclusions The current study concludes that trnH-psbA and ITS DNA identifiers can be used to accurately identify, differentiate, and record Apiaceae species, while the rbcl DNA barcode appears to have fallen short of its intended purpose. So, the data that come from DNA barcodes could be used for the biodiversity assessment and the similarities between hazardous and commercial plants to resolve some of these deficiencies

Correlation of FXIII Val34Leu Polymorphism with Decreased Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Egypt

Aim: Factor XIII is a transglutaminase that crosslinks fibrin in the last steps of the coagulation process. A few polymorphic sites have been identified in this gene, one of them being a point mutation (FXIII Val34Leu), leading to an amino acid change of valine to leucine. Several studies were published on the association between FXIII 34Leu allele and a decreased incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) with high controversy results dependent on the population. The aim of our study was to further investigate the possible protective role of the FXIII 34Leu allele polymorphism against acute MI in Egyptian patients. Study Design: Clinical examination by cardiologist specialists, blood test for biochemical markers and DNA genotyping using specific molecular sensing probes in Real Time PCR. Place and Duration of Study: Patients were recruited from consecutive admission to the coronary care unit, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. Material and Methods: Total 107 subjects were recruited and subdivided into two main groups; patients (82) and control group (25). On admission, the following data were fulfilled: age, smoking, history of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HTN), family history of MI. Clinical examination: Blood pressure and Body Mass Index calculation were done and for patients a short outcome prognosis was done using left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF). Routine laboratory investigations for recruited groups including fasting and postprandial glucose level, Triglycerides, total Cholesterol, HDL-C and LDLC were carried out. Factor XIII Val34Leu was genotyped for all the recruited subjects using site specific molecular probes in real time PCR. Results: Obtained data were analyzed using OD and CI values, Pearson correlation coefficient Inter-correlations and Regression analysis model that showed insignificant association between FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism and MI patients. Conclusion: FXIII 34Leu variant has no association with reduced incidence of myocardial infarction in Egyptian patients