Grapevine cultivar “Alfrocheiro” or “Bastardo Negro" plays a primary role in Iberian grapevine diversity

Trabajo presentado en la Final Conference Progress in Vitis Vinifera diversity evaluation and use, celebrada en Lisboa del 7 al 9 de octubre de 2014.Cost action FA1003 - GRAPENET. East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding.The grapevine cultivar known in Portugal as ‘Alfrocheiro’, and in Spain as ’Bastardo Negro’, ’Bruñal’ or ’Baboso Negro’, plays a central role in the genetic network of the Iberian Peninsula grapevine cultivars. ‘Alfrocheiro’ was already identified as a progenitor of several cultivars either by SSRs or by SNPs but until now it progenitors are unknown.Peer Reviewe

Grapevine cultivar "Alfrocheiro" or "Bruñal" plays a primary role in the relationship among iberian grapevines

The grapevine cultivar known in Portugal as 'Alfrocheiro', and in Spain as 'Bastardo Negro', 'Bruñal' or 'Baboso Negro', plays a central role in the genetic network of the Iberian Peninsula grapevine cultivars. Three sets of different molecular markers, SNPs, nSSRs and cpSSRs, revealed more than twenty parent-offspring links with this cultivar. 'Alfrocheiro' chlorotype is definitely Western European but their parents are still unknown. The distribution of the cultivar, their offspring as well as the two main co-parents direct to a geographic origin around the Portuguese and Spanish border. This cultivar and their progenies represent about 15 % of the total grapevine acreage in Portugal, stressing the importance of 'Alfrocheiro' in the Portuguese wine character.This research was supported by: IVV – Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (Ministério da Agricultura e do Mar-MAM); Programa de Desenvolvimento Rural (PRODER - Ação 2.2.3.1. - PA 18621 - MAM) and J. CUNHA was supported by a Post-doctoral fellowship >Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia> (SFRH/BPD/74895/2010) and a short scientific mission in the ICVV was part of COST action, FA 1003 from European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research. L. H. ZINELABIDINE was supported by a fellowship from the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional and a short-term scientific mission from COST FA1003 >East-West Collaboration for Grapevine Diversity Exploration and Mobilization of Adaptive Traits for Breeding>.Peer Reviewe

Functional proteomics outlines the complexity of breast cancer molecular subtypes

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising a variety of entities with various genetic backgrounds. Estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative tumors typically have a favorable outcome; however, some patients eventually relapse, which suggests some heterogeneity within this category. In the present study, we used proteomics and miRNA profiling techniques to characterize a set of 102 either estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/progesterone receptorpositive (PR+) or triple-negative formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast tumors. Protein expressionbased probabilistic graphical models and flux balance analyses revealed that some ER+/PR+ samples had a protein expression profile similar to that of triple-negative samples and had a clinical outcome similar to those with triple-negative disease. This probabilistic graphical model-based classification had prognostic value in patients with luminal A breast cancer. This prognostic information was independent of that provided by standard genomic tests for breast cancer, such as MammaPrint, OncoType Dx and the 8-gene Score

The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES Domain gene family in grapevine: Genome-wide characterization and expression analyses during developmental processes and stress responses

LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) DOMAIN (LBD) constitute a family of plant-specific transcription factors with key roles in the regulation of plant organ development, pollen development, plant regeneration, pathogen response, and anthocyanin and nitrogen metabolisms. However, the role of LBDs in fruit ripening and in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) development and stress responses is poorly documented. By performing a model curation of LBDs in the latest genome annotation 50 genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LBD genes can be grouped into two classes mapping on 16 out of the 19 V. vinifera chromosomes. New gene subclasses were identified that have not been characterized in other species. Segmental and tandem duplications contributed significantly to the expansion and evolution of the LBD gene family in grapevine as noticed for other species. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements and transcription factor binding sites in the VviLBD promoter regions suggests the involvement of several hormones in the regulation of LBDs expression. Expression profiling suggest the involvement of LBD transcription factors in grapevine development, berry ripening and stress responses. Altogether this study provides valuable information and robust candidate genes for future functional analysis aiming to clarify mechanisms responsible for the onset of fruit ripening and fruit defense strategies. © 2017 The Author(s)

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for energy efficiency in buildings: Review and analysis of results from EU pilot projects

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) can play a potential role in improving the energy performance of buildings by the implementation of effective solutions that take advantage of the energy interactions between all the elements included in a building. A revision of the 105 pilots implemented or under implementation in 18 projects in the area of ICTs for energy efficiency in buildings located in 23 European countries, through 88 cities with different types of climates, buildings and technologies have been carried out through documentary and field analysis of the energy, economic and social project results. These results have been extrapolated to assess the potential energy savings which could be expected at the EU level by implementing the solutions proposed by the projects. By the implementation of the different ICT solutions, buildings have achieved more than 20% energy savings. Pilots have demonstrated that the effectiveness of the ICT solution does not depend directly on the different climates where the solutions are implemented, but on several factors, such as the level of motivation, perceived thermal comfort, quality of social interaction and communication and ICT support

Solar ultraviolet radiation is necessary to enhance grapevine fruit ripening transcriptional and phenolic responses

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation modulates secondary metabolism in the skin of Vitis vinifera L. berries, which affects the final composition of both grapes and wines. The expression of several phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-related genes is regulated by UV radiation in grape berries. However, the complete portion of transcriptome and ripening processes influenced by solar UV radiation in grapes remains unknown.Results: Whole genome arrays were used to identify the berry skin transcriptome modulated by the UV radiation received naturally in a mid-altitude Tempranillo vineyard. UV radiation-blocking and transmitting filters were used to generate the experimental conditions. The expression of 121 genes was significantly altered by solar UV radiation. Functional enrichment analysis of altered transcripts mainly pointed out that secondary metabolism-related transcripts were induced by UV radiation including VvFLS1, VvGT5 and VvGT6 flavonol biosynthetic genes and monoterpenoid biosynthetic genes. Berry skin phenolic composition was also analysed to search for correlation with gene expression changes and UV-increased flavonols accumulation was the most evident impact. Among regulatory genes, novel UV radiation-responsive transcription factors including VvMYB24 and three bHLH, together with known grapevine UV-responsive genes such as VvMYBF1, were identified. A transcriptomic meta-analysis revealed that genes up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin were also enriched in homologs of Arabidopsis UVR8 UV-B photoreceptor-dependent UV-B -responsive genes. Indeed, a search of the grapevine reference genomic sequence identified UV-B signalling pathway homologs and among them, VvHY5-1, VvHY5-2 and VvRUP were up-regulated by UV radiation in the berry skin.Conclusions: Results suggest that the UV-B radiation-specific signalling pathway is activated in the skin of grapes grown at mid-altitudes. The biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites, which are appreciated in winemaking and potentially confer cross-tolerance, were almost specifically triggered. This draws attention to viticultural practices that increase solar UV radiation on vineyards as they may improve grape features. © 2014 Carbonell-Bejerano et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd