Genetic relationships among grapevine cultivars grown in Oltrepò Pavese (Italy)

In order to evaluate the genetic distance among 47 grapevine accessions, including major and minor local cultivars grown in Oltrepò pavese (Pavia, Italy), DNA has been analysed with the AFLP approach (VOS et al. 1995). The electrophoretic analysis of the products amplified by 3 primer combinations showed high polymorphism.Furthermore, considering that DNA markers for haploid, uniparentally inherited genomes, such as the chloroplast DNA, are important indicators of pedigree, CpSSR analysis was also performed and this identified cases of maternal common origin among the analysed cultivars. The results show that these molecular tools allow univocal genotype identification and that the analysed germplasm has a wide genetic dissimilarity. Results are coherent with the postulation of a polycentric origin for the Oltrepò pavese cultivars and of a multiple varietal flow from different viticultural regions. The molecular information gathered in this research is essential for the establishment of an appropriate presentation programme of autochthonous varieties

Molecular approach to assess the origin of cv. Marzemino

DNA marker analysis was used to determine the varietal identity of Marzemino accessions in public collections and private Italian vineyards; relationships among this varietal group and Vertzami, a traditional Greek cultivar, were also investigated through SSR and AFLP approaches. Molecular results strongly support the relationship among Vertzami cultivars growing in Greece, Marzemino and several Italian accessions selected on the basis of etymological similarity. SSR data exclude a direct descent of Marzemino, or other related Italian varieties, from Vertzami; on the other hand the level of similarity among Vertzami, Marzemino and some related varieties indicates a possible common ancestor. None of the accessions is considered as common ancestor but on the basis of genomic variability in the Marzemino group and of the relationships with the other Italian cultivars a probable Italian ancestor is supposed.

Proteome changes in the skin of the grape cultivar Barbera among different stages of ripening

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Grape ripening represents the third phase of the double sigmoidal curve of berry development and is characterized by deep changes in the organoleptic characteristics. In this process, the skin plays a central role in the synthesis of many compounds of interest (<it>e.g</it>. anthocyanins and aroma volatiles) and represents a fundamental protective barrier against damage by physical injuries and pathogen attacks. In order to improve the knowledge on the role of this tissue during ripening, changes in the protein expression in the skin of the red cultivar Barbera at five different stages from <it>véraison </it>to full maturation were studied by performing a comparative 2-DE analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proteomic analysis revealed that 80 spots were differentially expressed throughout berry ripening. Applying a two-way hierarchical clustering analysis to these variations, a clear difference between the first two samplings (up to 14 days after <it>véraison</it>) and the following three (from 28 to 49 days after <it>véraison</it>) emerged, thus suggesting that the most relevant changes in protein expression occurred in the first weeks of ripening. By means of LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, 69 proteins were characterized. Many of these variations were related to proteins involved in responses to stress (38%), glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (13%), C-compounds and carbohydrate metabolism (13%) and amino acid metabolism (10%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results give new insights to the skin proteome evolution during ripening, thus underlining some interesting traits of this tissue. In this view, we observed the ripening-related induction of many enzymes involved in primary metabolism, including those of the last five steps of the glycolytic pathway, which had been described as down-regulated in previous studies performed on whole fruit. Moreover, these data emphasize the relevance of this tissue as a physical barrier exerting an important part in berry protection. In fact, the level of many proteins involved in (a)biotic stress responses remarkably changed through the five stages taken into consideration, thus suggesting that their expression may be developmentally regulated.</p

Investigation of VvMybA1 and VvMybA2 berry color genes in ‘Aglianico’ biotypes

Research Not

Gravity and active acceleration limit the ability of killer flies (Coenosia attenuata) to steer towards prey when attacking from above.

Insects that predate aerially usually contrast prey against the sky and attack upwards. However, killer flies (Coenosia attenuata) can attack prey flying below them, performing what we term 'aerial dives'. During these dives, killer flies accelerate up to 36 m s-2. Although the trajectories of the killer fly's dives appear highly variable, proportional navigation explains them, as long as the model has the lateral acceleration limit of a real killer fly. The trajectory's steepness is explained by the initial geometry of engagement; steep attacks result from the killer fly taking off when the target is approaching the predator. Under such circumstances, the killer fly dives almost vertically towards the target, and gravity significantly increases its acceleration. Although killer flies usually time their take-off to minimize flight duration, during aerial dives killer flies cannot reach the lateral accelerations necessary to match the increase in speed caused by gravity. Since a close miss still leads the predator closer to the target, and might even slow the prey down, there may not be a selective pressure for killer flies to account for gravity during aerial dives

Identification of Factors Causing Sudden Coagulation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) evolving to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is due to the thrombotic occlusion of coronary vessels in the presence of destabilized atheroma, rich in inflammatory cells secreting proteolytic enzymes that induce the development of thrombosis. The aim of this study was to analyse the plasma of AMI patients for the detection of proteases or factors that may cause fast coagulation. Methods: The patients were analysed for the presence in plasma of cardiac troponin T (c-TnT) or proteases as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) using ELISA method and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) utilising flow cytometry technique and interleukin-8 (IL-8) using flow cytometry methodology. Results: The presence of AMI was demonstrated by high levels of c-TnT; in comparison with controls the AMI patients displayed a significant increase in the values of MMP-9 and low levels of antithrombin III: these markers were negatively correlated: MMP-9 appeared to cause the coagulation activity documented by the consumption of antithrombin III. The same patients also showed high levels of NGAL, which is known to modulate MMP-9 activity and to be involved in coagulation process: patients also exhibited an increased amount of IL-8 which appears to be associated with high levels of NGAL: this cytokine seems to affect the values of NGAL which is linked to coagulation process. Conclusion: The high levels of MMP-9, NGAL and IL-8 in AMI patients seemed to be interrelated and connected with the process leading to rapid coagulation. These markers may be measured in absence of AMI, particularly in CAD patients, as their detection may reveal a risk of sudden coronary coagulation