Dynamic protein methylation in chromatin biology

Post-translational modification of chromatin is emerging as an increasingly important regulator of chromosomal processes. In particular, histone lysine and arginine methylation play important roles in regulating transcription, maintaining genomic integrity, and contributing to epigenetic memory. Recently, the use of new approaches to analyse histone methylation, the generation of genetic model systems, and the ability to interrogate genome wide histone modification profiles has aided in defining how histone methylation contributes to these processes. Here we focus on the recent advances in our understanding of the histone methylation system and examine how dynamic histone methylation contributes to normal cellular function in mammals

Identifying Leaf-Scale Wheat Aphids Using the Near-Ground Hyperspectral Pushbroom Imaging Spectrometer

Part 1: GIS, GPS, RS and Precision FarmingInternational audienceThis study is to identify leaf-scale wheat aphids using the near-ground hyperspectral Pushbroom Imaging Spectrometer (PIS). Firstly, the spectral characteristics between normal and aphid-infested wheat leaves were compared in spectral reflectance. Concerning the serious aphid damage level, it is obvious that its spectral curve is badly flattened such as green peak (centered around 550 nm), red valley (centered around 680 nm), due to the influence of aphid. Specifically, in the visible spectrum (500-701 nm), the maximum delta (the maximum value minus the minimum value) is 3.3 and it is 7.5 in the near-infrared spectrum (701-900 nm). Then, the spectral difference and change rate were further analyzed. It seems that both curves show the mirror symmetry and their maximum values are 55.8% and 17.4%, respectively. For the difference curve, the value is negative in the visible spectrum (400-700 nm), which shows that the reflectance of normal wheat leaf is less than that of the serious level. Conversely, it is greater in the near-infrared spectrum (700-900 nm). Finally, based on the high spatial resolution PIS image, ENvironment for Visualizing Images (ENVI-EX) was utilized to extract aphids and the overall accuracy reaches 97%. The result indicates that the PIS is sufficient to identify the wheat aphids and this study can lay a foundation for further applications in precision agriculture using such a hyperspectral imaging system

Genetic control of viviparity in common bean

ABSTRACT: In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) harvesting is carried out in the field. It is therefore necessary that cultivars be tolerant to viviparity, i.e., germination of grains still in the pods. Study of the percentage of germination of beans in the pods under laboratory conditions, where humidity content is high, has been proposed. Furthermore, under question is whether the thickness of the pod wall affects water uptake by the pods and, consequently, viviparity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify if there is variance among progenies for viviparity and if it is influenced by pod thickness. We assessed the parents, Pérola and ESAL 686, the F1, and a number of segregating generations in two crop seasons, in relation to the percentage of germination of seeds in the pods (PGSP) and pod wall thickness (PWT), and data on individual plants were obtained. The same traits were also assessed using the F2:3, F3:4 and F4:5 progenies. Taking into account the genetic and phenotypic parameters estimates, especially the level of high heritability, selection to less viviparity in common bean has to be carried out to evaluate PGSP in progenies