Learning from transgenics: Advanced gene editing technologies should also bridge the gap with traditional genetic selection

We highlight the importance of the mixed genetic approaches (classical and currents) to improve the social perception related to the GMOs acceptance. We pointed out that CRISPR/Cas9 events could carry DNA variability/rearrangements related to somaclonal variations or epigenetic changes that are independent from the editing per se. The transformation of single cells, followed by plant regeneration, is used to generate modified plants, transgenic or genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9). The incidence of undesirable somaclonal variations and/or epigenetic changes that might have occurred during in vitro multiplication and regeneration processes, must be carefully analyzed in replicates in field trials. One remarkable challenge is related to the time lapse that selects the modified elite genotypes, because these strategies may spend a variable amount of time before the results are commercialized, where in all the cases it should be take into account the genotype × environment interactions. Furthermore, this combination of techniques can create an encouraging bridge between the public opinion and the community of geneticists who are concerned with plant genetic improvement. In this context, either transgenesis or genomic editing strategies become complementary modern tools to facing the challenges of plant genetic improvement. Their applications will depend on case-by-case analysis, and when possible will necessary associate them to the schemes and bases of classic plant genetic improvement.How to cite: Arencibia A, D'Afonseca V, Chakravarthi M, et al. Learning from transgenics: Advanced gene editing technologies should also bridge the gap with traditional genetic selection. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.06.001 Keywords: CRISPR-Cas systems, DNA methylation, Epigenetics, Gene editing, Genetic improvement, Genome editing, Gmos, Mutagenesis, Somaclonal variants, Transgenesis, Transgenic technolog

Expressing OsiSAP8, a Zinc-Finger Associated Protein Gene, Mitigates Stress Dynamics in Existing Elite Rice Varieties of the 'Green Revolution'

Key message: Overexpression of OsiSAP8 driven by Port Ubi2.3 from Porteresia coarctata imparts drought and salinity stress tolerance in transgenic rice. Stress associated proteins (SAPs) possess the zinc-finger domains that are wildly evolving functional and conserved regions/factors in plants to combat abiotic stresses. In this study, the promoter region of OsiSAP8, an intron-less, multiple stress inducible gene, was compared in silico with a strong constitutive promoter, Port Ubi2.3. This resulted in developing rice, resistant to drought and salinity expressing OsiSAP8 promoted by Port Ubi2.3. (Porteresia coarctata), through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in the popular rice varieties, IR36 and IR64. Southern blot hybridization confirmed the integration of OsiSAP8, and the T0 transgenic lines of IR36 and IR64 were evaluated for their drought and salinity tolerance. The IR36-T1 progenies showed an enhanced tolerance to water withhold stress compared to wild type and IR64-T1 progenies. Physiological parameters, such as the panicle weight, number of panicles, leaf wilting, and TBARS assay, showed the transgenic IR36 to be superior. The transgenic lines performed better with higher 80-95% relative leaf water content when subjected to drought for 14 days. Gene expression analysis of OsiSAP8 in IR36 T1 showed a 1.5-fold upregulation under mannitol stress. However, IR64 T1 showed a two-fold upregulation in NaCl stress. An enhanced drought and salinity stress tolerance in the transgenic IR36 cultivar through overexpression of OsiSAP8 was observed as it had a native copy of OsiSAP8. This is perhaps the first study using a novel ubiquitin promoter (Port Ubi2.3) to generate drought and salinity stress-tolerant transgenic rice. Thus, we report the overexpression of a rice gene (OsiSAP8) by a rice promoter (Port Ubi2.3) in rice (IR36) to resist drought and salinity

Development of a RAD-Seq Based DNA Polymorphism Identification Software, AgroMarker Finder, and Its Application in Rice Marker-Assisted Breeding

Abstract Rapid and accurate genome-wide marker detection is essential to the marker-assisted breeding and functional genomics studies. In this work, we developed an integrated software, AgroMarker Finder (AMF: http://erp.novelbio.com/AMF), for providing graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate the recently developed restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing data analysis in rice. By application of AMF, a total of 90,743 high-quality markers (82,878 SNPs and 7,865 InDels) were detected between rice varieties JP69 and Jiaoyuan5A. The density of the identified markers is 0.2 per Kb for SNP markers, and 0.02 per Kb for InDel markers. Sequencing validation revealed that the accuracy of genome-wide marker detection by AMF is 93%. In addition, a validated subset of 82 SNPs and 31 InDels were found to be closely linked to 117 important agronomic trait genes, providing a basis for subsequent marker-assisted selection (MAS) and variety identification. Furthermore, we selected 12 markers from 31 validated InDel markers to identify seed authenticity of variety Jiaoyuanyou69, and we also identified 10 markers closely linked to the fragrant gene BADH2 to minimize linkage drag for Wuxiang075 (BADH2 donor)/Jiachang1 recombinants selection. Therefore, this software provides an efficient approach for marker identification from RAD-seq data, and it would be a valuable tool for plant MAS and variety protection

Genome Editing in Sugarcane: Challenges ahead

Genome editing opens new and unique opportunities for researchers to enhance crop production. Until 2013, the zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) were the key tools used for genome editing applications. The advent of RNA-guided engineered nucleases - the type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated) system from Streptococcus pyogenes holds great potential since it is simple, effective and more versatile than ZFNs and TALENs. CRISPR/Cas9 system has already been successfully employed in several crop plants. Use of these techniques is in its infant stage in sugarcane. Jung and Altpeter (2016) have reported TALEN mediated approach for the first time to reduce lignin content in sugarcane to make it amenable for biofuel production. This is so far the only report describing genome editing in sugarcane. Large genome size, polyploidy, low transformation efficiency, transgene silencing and lack of high throughput screening techniques are certainly great challenges for genome editing in sugarcane which would be discussed in detail in this review

Fruits as Prospective Reserves of bioactive Compounds: A Review

Abstract Bioactive natural products have always played a significant role as novel therapeutical agents irrespective of their source of origin. They have a profound effect on human health by both direct and indirect means and also possess immense medicinal properties. Fruit species are largely appreciated and highly consumed throughout the world. Epidemiologic information supports the association between high intake of fruits and low risk of chronic diseases. There are several biological reasons why the consumption of fruits might reduce or prevent chronic diseases. Fruits are rich sources of nutrients and energy, have vitamins, minerals, fiber and numerous other classes of biologically active compounds. Moreover, parts of the fruit crops like fruit peels, leaves and barks also possess medicinal properties and have been included in this review. The most important activities discussed in this review include antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, stimulation of the immune system, cell detoxification, cholesterol synthesis, anticonvulsant and their ability to lower blood pressure. Several phytochemicals involved in this context are described with special emphasis on their structural properties and their relativity with human diseases

Acute kidney injury recognition in low and middle income countries

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly common around the world. Given the low availability of effective therapies and resource limitations, early preventive and therapeutic measures are essential to decrease morbidity, mortality and cost. Timely AKI recognition and diagnosis requires a heightened degree of suspicion in the appropriate clinical and environmental context. In low and middle income countries (LMIC), early detection is impaired by limited resources and low awareness. In this article, we report the consensus recommendations of the 18th Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative meeting in Hyderabad, India, on how to improve recognition of AKI. We expect these recommendations will lead to an earlier and more accurate AKI diagnosis, and improved research to promote a better understanding of the epidemiology, etiology and histopathology of AKI in LMIC

Acute kidney injury recognition in low and middle income countries

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly common around the world. Given the low availability of effective therapies and resource limitations, early preventive and therapeutic measures are essential to decrease morbidity, mortality and cost. Timely AKI recognition and diagnosis requires a heightened degree of suspicion in the appropriate clinical and environmental context. In low and middle income countries (LMIC), early detection is impaired by limited resources and low awareness. In this article, we report the consensus recommendations of the 18th Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative meeting in Hyderabad, India, on how to improve recognition of AKI. We expect these recommendations will lead to an earlier and more accurate AKI diagnosis, and improved research to promote a better understanding of the epidemiology, etiology and histopathology of AKI in LMIC

One-year outcomes of a BioMime™ Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System with a biodegradable polymer in all-comers coronary artery disease patients: The meriT-3 study

Objectives: The aim of the merit-3 study was to determine the safety and performance of the BioMime Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System (SES) in all-comer patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in one-year clinical follow-up period. Methods: The meriT-3 was a multi-centre, observational, post-marketing study conducted in 1161 patients with CAD who were implanted with BioMime SES at 15 sites in India. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at one year defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Clinical follow-up was performed at 1, 6, and 12 months. Major adverse cardiac event occurred at 30 days and subsequently at 6 months and at long-term follow-up of 1 year was analyzed. Results: MACE observed at 1 and 6 months follow-up was 16 (1.38%) and 21 (1.83%) respectively. Cumulative 1 year MACE was 26 (2.35%) with 16 (1.39%) all cause death, 4 (0.35%) MI and 6 (0.52%) TLR. In addition, ST was observed in 1 (0.09%) patient. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the BioMime SES is safe and effective in a “real-world”, all-comers CAD patients, indicating low rates of MACE. CTRI Acknowledgement No: REF/2016/07/011808