Genome of Wild Olive and the Evolution of Oil Biosynthesis

Here we present the genome sequence and annotation of the wild olive tree (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), called oleaster, which is considered an ancestor of cultivated olive trees. More than 50,000 protein-coding genes were predicted, a majority of which could be anchored to 23 pseudochromosomes obtained through a newly constructed genetic map. The oleaster genome contains signatures of two Oleaceae lineage-specific paleopolyploidy events, dated at similar to 28 and similar to 59 Mya. These events contributed to the expansion and neo-functionalization of genes and gene families that play important roles in oil biosynthesis. The functional divergence of oil biosynthesis pathway genes, such as FAD2, SACPD, EAR, and ACPTE, following duplication, has been responsible for the differential accumulation of oleic and linoleic acids produced in olive compared with sesame, a closely related oil crop. Duplicated oleaster FAD2 genes are regulated by an siRNA derived from a transposable element-rich region, leading to suppressed levels of FAD2 gene expression. Additionally, neofunctionalization of members of the SACPD gene family has led to increased expression of SACPD2,3, 5, and 7, consequently resulting in an increased desaturation of steric acid. Taken together, decreased FAD2 expression and increased SACPD expression likely explain the accumulation of exceptionally high levels of oleic acid in olive. The oleaster genome thus provides important insights into the evolution of oil biosynthesis and will be a valuable resource for oil crop genomics

Identification and sequence analysis of alkaloid biosynthesis genes in Papaver section Oxytona

The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) are secondary metabolites that are produced by many of the Papaver species including Papaver bracteatum, Papaver pseudo-orientale, and Papaver orientale, three representative members of the section Oxytona Bernh. The sequences and expression levels of the genes positioned on the BIA biosynthesis pathway were previously defined in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), one of the mostly studied species of the same genus. Nevertheless, the majority of predicted BIA-related gene sequences in the section Oxytona have not been specified. Here we are presenting new cDNA sequences that belong to the Oxytona species. In this study, partial sequences of norcoclaurine-6-O methyltransferase (6OMT), NADPH-dependent codeinone reductase (COR), salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase (SalAT), and (S)-tetrahydroprotoberberine cis-N methyltransferase (TNMT) in P. pseudo-orientale; 3-hydroxy-N-methylcoclaurine 4´-O-methyltransferase (4OMT) in P. bracteatum; and TNMT and 6OMT in P. orientale were identified for the first time, and some of the previously sequenced genes were resequenced in the section Oxytona. Furthermore, expressions of those genes were also detected by using qRT-PCR in leaves. The findings were used to construct phylogenetic trees demonstrating the evolutionary relationships of BIA-related genes among Oxytona species

Mass proliferation of Madonna lily (Lilium candidum L) under in vitro conditions

Mass proliferation from the lower half bulb scales and adventitious bulb regeneration from in vitro cultured leaf explants of Madonna Lilly (Lilium candidum L.) was achieved using various concentrations of BAP-IBA. Regenerated plantlets were transferred to greenhouse for adaptation where they flowered after two years