DEP1 gene in wheat species with normal, compactoid and compact spikes

Abstract Background In rice, a variant of DEP1 gene results in erect panicle architecture, well-developed vascular bundles, an increase in the number of grains per panicle and a consequent increase in the grain yield. Interestingly, DEP1 homologs are present in the other cereals including species of wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare), even though they do not produce panicles but spikes. In barley, HvDEP1 alleles do not differ between strains of various ear types and geographic origins, while in at least three OsDEP1 variants have been described. Results In this work, we have studied the DEP1 gene from eight accessions which belong to four wheat species, T. monococcum, T. durum, T. compactum, and T. spelta, with either compact, compactoid or normal spike phenotypes. The nucleotide sequences of the 5th exon of DEP1 were determined for all eight accessions. Obtained sequences were species specific. Despite the interspecies diversity, all wheat sequences encoded polypeptides of the same size, similarly to the 5th exons of the DEP1 homologs in T. aestivum, T. urartu, and H. vulgare. For further study, the full-length sequences of the DEP1 gene for all four species were studied. The full-length DEP1 genomic copies were isolated from the genomic sequences of T. aestivum, T. urartu, and Aegilops tauschii. The genome of tetraploid wheat T. durum contains two variants of the DEP1 originating from A and B genomes. In the hexaploid wheats T. aestivum, T. compactum, and T. spelta, three variants of this gene originating from A, B, and D genomes were detected. DEP1 genes of the diploid wheats T. monococcum and T. urartu differ. It seems that a precursor of the DEP1 gene in T. monococcum originates from the wild progenitor T. boeoticum. Conclusion No DEP1-related differences of nucleotide sequences between the compact (or compactoid) and normal spike phenotypes in the tested wheat species were detected. Therefore, DEP1 gene does not directly participate in the control of the spike architecture in wheats

VRN1 genes variability in tetraploid wheat species with a spring growth habit

Abstract Background Vernalization genes VRN1 play a major role in the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth in wheat. In di-, tetra- and hexaploid wheats the presence of a dominant allele of at least one VRN1 gene homologue (Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, Vrn-G1 or Vrn-D1) determines the spring growth habit. Allelic variation between the Vrn-1 and vrn-1 alleles relies on mutations in the promoter region or the first intron. The origin and variability of the dominant VRN1 alleles, determining the spring growth habit in tetraploid wheat species have been poorly studied. Results Here we analyzed the growth habit of 228 tetraploid wheat species accessions and 25 % of them were spring type. We analyzed the promoter and first intron regions of VRN1 genes in 57 spring accessions of tetraploid wheats. The spring growth habit of most studied spring accessions was determined by previously identified dominant alleles of VRN1 genes. Genetic experiments proof the dominant inheritance of Vrn-A1d allele which was widely distributed across the accessions of Triticum dicoccoides. Two novel alleles were discovered and designated as Vrn-A1b.7 and Vrn-B1dic. Vrn-A1b.7 had deletions of 20 bp located 137 bp upstream of the start codon and mutations within the VRN-box when compared to the recessive allele of vrn-A1. So far the Vrn-A1d allele was identified only in spring accessions of the T. dicoccoides and T. turgidum species. Vrn-B1dic was identified in T. dicoccoides IG46225 and had 11 % sequence dissimilarity in comparison to the promoter of vrn-B1. The presence of Vrn-A1b.7 and Vrn-B1dic alleles is a predicted cause of the spring growth habit of studied accessions of tetraploid species. Three spring accessions T. aethiopicum K-19059, T. turanicum K-31693 and T. turgidum cv. Blancal possess recessive alleles of both VRN-A1 and VRN-B1 genes. Further investigations are required to determine the source of spring growth habit of these accessions. Conclusions New allelic variants of the VRN-A1 and VRN-B1 genes were identified in spring accessions of tetraploid wheats. The origin and evolution of VRN-A1 alleles in di- and tetraploid wheat species was discussed

Mlig-SKP1 Gene Is Required for Spermatogenesis in the Flatworm Macrostomum lignano

In a free-living flatworm, Macrostomum lignano, an S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1) homologous gene was identified as enriched in proliferating cells, suggesting that it can function in the regulation of stem cells or germline cells since these are the only two types of proliferating cells in flatworms. SKP1 is a conserved protein that plays a role in ubiquitination processes as a part of the Skp1-Cullin 1-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex. However, the exact role of Mlig-SKP1 in M. lignano was not established. Here, we demonstrate that Mlig-SKP1 is neither involved in stem cell regulation during homeostasis, nor in regeneration, but is required for spermatogenesis. Mlig-SKP1(RNAi) animals have increased testes size and decreased fertility as a result of the aberrant maturation of sperm cells. Our findings reinforce the role of ubiquitination pathways in germ cell regulation and demonstrate the conserved role of SKP1 in spermatogenesis

<i>Mlig-SKP1</i> Gene Is Required for Spermatogenesis in the Flatworm <i>Macrostomum lignano</i>

In a free-living flatworm, Macrostomum lignano, an S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1) homologous gene was identified as enriched in proliferating cells, suggesting that it can function in the regulation of stem cells or germline cells since these are the only two types of proliferating cells in flatworms. SKP1 is a conserved protein that plays a role in ubiquitination processes as a part of the Skp1-Cullin 1-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex. However, the exact role of Mlig-SKP1 in M. lignano was not established. Here, we demonstrate that Mlig-SKP1 is neither involved in stem cell regulation during homeostasis, nor in regeneration, but is required for spermatogenesis. Mlig-SKP1(RNAi) animals have increased testes size and decreased fertility as a result of the aberrant maturation of sperm cells. Our findings reinforce the role of ubiquitination pathways in germ cell regulation and demonstrate the conserved role of SKP1 in spermatogenesis

Additional file 1: Table S1. of DEP1 gene in wheat species with normal, compactoid and compact spikes

Morphological characteristics of the wheat species used in the present study. Table S2. List of DEP1 gene sequences of Triticum and Aegilops species obtained from WGS database. Table S3. Set of primers and PCR conditions used in the present study. Table S4. p-distances between wheat DEP1 genes sequences from A, B and D genomes. Table S5. p-distances between wheat VRN1 genes sequences from A, B and D genomes. Figure S1. Schematic representation of the primer pairs positions. Figure S2. Nucleotide alignment of 5th exon of DEP1 gene from different wheat species, Ae. tauschii and barley. Sequence of T. aestivum (FAOM01374184) was used as a reference. Sequences obtained by experimental methods in the present study are marked in bold. Nucleotides, that match with reference sequence, are designated by dots. Nonsynonymous and synonymous amino acid substitutions are indicated by red and green arrows, respectively. (PDF 8916 kb

Additional file 1: Table S1. of VRN1 genes variability in tetraploid wheat species with a spring growth habit

List of tetraploid wheat species used in the study and their growth habit. Species names are given according to Dorofeev et al. [1] and Goncharov [2]. Table S2. Set of primers used in the present study. (PDF 444 kb

Testing a new alternative electric furnace for vermiculite concentrates heat treatment

Relevance. Vermiculite is one of the representatives of geo-resources that are widely used in various industries. The expanded vermiculite is obtained by heat treating of vermiculite ore concentrates in open flame furnaces. Expanded vermiculite, due to its layered-porous structure and high reflectivity, is the base for obtaining many thermo-insulating and refractory materials and products. Vermiculite is a part of building materials, and it is used to protect against radiation. Heat treating of vermiculite ores in flaming furnaces is an energyintensive process; therefore the designs of electric modular-trigger furnaces are being actively developed. These furnaces have not significantly reduced the specific energy intensity of the firing process, that is why the work on creation of electric furnaces is up-to-date. This research is aimed to develop and construct a furnace prototype of a fundamentally new design. The aim of the research is the experimental determination of operational specifications of a furnace model with a vibrating bottom platform which is a separate single-phase firing module during testing. Methods: analysis of information sources in the field of research, synthesis of constructive solutions, physical modeling, parametric and functional description, experimental studies. Results. The authors have developed the alternative electric furnace for firing vermiculite concentrates with a fundamentally new design structure which is a furnace with a vibrating bottom platform. A full-scale physical model of the furnace unit - a single-phase and single-module unit, was developed. Using the above-mentioned physical model the authors carried out the experiments and obtained the empirical data. During the experimental studies, the density of the expanded vermiculite was 90…91 kg/m3 and the productivity was 3,56 m3/h. The value of volume energy for various types of vermiculite roasting is 63,7…81,6 mJ/m3, which is almost three times less than that of existing open flame furnaces operating on hydrocarbon fuel

Testing a new alternative electric furnace for vermiculite concentrates heat treatment

Актуальность. Одним из представителей георесурсов, нашедших широкое применение в различных сферах промышленности, является вермикулит. После обжига концентратов обогащенных вермикулитовых руд в пламенных печах получают вспученный вермикулит. Вспученный вермикулит, благодаря своей слоисто-пористой структуре и высокой отражательной способности, является основой для получения многих термоизоляционных и огнеупорных материалов и изделий, входит в состав строительных материалов, применяется для защиты от радиации. Обжиг вермикулитовых руд в пламенных печах является энергоемким процессом, поэтому активно разрабатываются конструкции электрических модульно-спусковых печей. Данные печи снизили удельную энергоемкость процесса обжига, в связи с этим работы по созданию электрических печей актуальны. В работе рассмотрены вопросы, связанные c созданием и испытанием новой альтернативной электрической печи для обжига вермикулитовых концентратов. Цель исследования: экспериментальное определение энерготехнологических показателей опытного образца печи с вибрационной подовой платформой при его испытаниях. Методы исследования: анализ источников информации в области исследования, синтез конструктивных решений, физическое моделирование, параметрическое и функциональное описание, экспериментальные исследования. Результаты. Разработана альтернативная электрическая модульно-спусковая печь для обжига вермикулитовых концентратов с принципиально новой конструктивной структурой - печь с вибрационной подовой платформой. Создана полномасштабная физическая модель печного агрегата - однофазный одномодульный блок, на которой проведены эксперименты и получены эмпирические данные. При проведении экспериментальных исследований достигнута плотность вспученного вермикулита 90…91 кг/м3и производительность 3,56 м3/ч. Значение удельной энергоемкости обжига вермикулита различных видов составляет 63,7…81,6 мДж/м3, что почти втрое меньше, чем у существующих пламенных печей, работающих на углеводородном топливе.Relevance. Vermiculite is one of the representatives of geo-resources that are widely used in various industries. The expanded vermiculite is obtained by heat treating of vermiculite ore concentrates in open flame furnaces. Expanded vermiculite, due to its layered-porous structure and high reflectivity, is the base for obtaining many thermo-insulating and refractory materials and products. Vermiculite is a part of building materials, and it is used to protect against radiation. Heat treating of vermiculite ores in flaming furnaces is an energyintensive process; therefore the designs of electric modular-trigger furnaces are being actively developed. These furnaces have not significantly reduced the specific energy intensity of the firing process, that is why the work on creation of electric furnaces is up-to-date. This research is aimed to develop and construct a furnace prototype of a fundamentally new design. The aim of the research is the experimental determination of operational specifications of a furnace model with a vibrating bottom platform which is a separate single-phase firing module during testing. Methods: analysis of information sources in the field of research, synthesis of constructive solutions, physical modeling, parametric and functional description, experimental studies. Results. The authors have developed the alternative electric furnace for firing vermiculite concentrates with a fundamentally new design structure which is a furnace with a vibrating bottom platform. A full-scale physical model of the furnace unit - a single-phase and single-module unit, was developed. Using the above-mentioned physical model the authors carried out the experiments and obtained the empirical data. During the experimental studies, the density of the expanded vermiculite was 90…91 kg/m3 and the productivity was 3,56 m3/h. The value of volume energy for various types of vermiculite roasting is 63,7…81,6 mJ/m3, which is almost three times less than that of existing open flame furnaces operating on hydrocarbon fuel