Genetic diversity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and its wild relatives based on the analysis of hypervariable regions of the genome

BACKGROUND: The genus Arachis is native to a region that includes Central Brazil and neighboring countries. Little is known about the genetic variability of the Brazilian cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea, genome AABB) germplasm collection at the DNA level. The understanding of the genetic diversity of cultivated and wild species of peanut (Arachis spp.) is essential to develop strategies of collection, conservation and use of the germplasm in variety development. The identity of the ancestor progenitor species of cultivated peanut has also been of great interest. Several species have been suggested as putative AA and BB genome donors to allotetraploid A. hypogaea. Microsatellite or SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers are co-dominant, multiallelic, and highly polymorphic genetic markers, appropriate for genetic diversity studies. Microsatellite markers may also, to some extent, support phylogenetic inferences. Here we report the use of a set of microsatellite markers, including newly developed ones, for phylogenetic inferences and the analysis of genetic variation of accessions of A. hypogea and its wild relatives. RESULTS: A total of 67 new microsatellite markers (mainly TTG motif) were developed for Arachis. Only three of these markers, however, were polymorphic in cultivated peanut. These three new markers plus five other markers characterized previously were evaluated for number of alleles per locus and gene diversity using 60 accessions of A. hypogaea. Genetic relationships among these 60 accessions and a sample of 36 wild accessions representative of section Arachis were estimated using allelic variation observed in a selected set of 12 SSR markers. Results showed that the Brazilian peanut germplasm collection has considerable levels of genetic diversity detected by SSR markers. Similarity groups for A. hypogaea accessions were established, which is a useful criteria for selecting parental plants for crop improvement. Microsatellite marker transferability was up to 76% for species of the section Arachis, but only 45% for species from the other eight Arachis sections tested. A new marker (Ah-041) presented a 100% transferability and could be used to classify the peanut accessions in AA and non-AA genome carriers. CONCLUSION: The level of polymorphism observed among accessions of A. hypogaea analyzed with newly developed microsatellite markers was low, corroborating the accumulated data which show that cultivated peanut presents a relatively reduced variation at the DNA level. A selected panel of SSR markers allowed the classification of A. hypogaea accessions into two major groups. The identification of similarity groups will be useful for the selection of parental plants to be used in breeding programs. Marker transferability is relatively high between accessions of section Arachis. The possibility of using microsatellite markers developed for one species in genetic evaluation of other species greatly reduces the cost of the analysis, since the development of microsatellite markers is still expensive and time consuming. The SSR markers developed in this study could be very useful for genetic analysis of wild species of Arachis, including comparative genome mapping, population genetic structure and phylogenetic inferences among species

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction XVIII : tissue specific changes in cell size and number in response to calorie restriction

Open Access via the OUP Agreement This work was supported by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grant Number: “China Partnering Award BB/J020028/1” and “Standard Grant BB/G009953/1”).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Female adipose tissue-specific Bscl2 knockout mice develop only moderate metabolic dysfunction when housed at thermoneutrality and fed a high-fat diet

The authors would like to thank the staff at the University of Aberdeen’s Medical Research Facility. We are very grateful for the gift of the Adiponectin-Cre mice from Dr. Evan Rosen (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA). Work was supported by the Medical Research Council (GDM/JJR; MR/L002620/1, MC/PC/15077), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (JJR; BB/K017772/1), the British Heart Foundation (MD; PG/14/43/30889) and The Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore (A*STAR) (WH). The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : IV. Non-linear change in behavioural phenotype of mice in response to short-term calorie restriction

We would like to acknowledge the BSU staff for their invaluable help with caring for the animals. The work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BBSRC (BB/G009953/1 and BB/J020028/1).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Ablation of Bscl2/Seipin in hepatocytes does not cause metabolic dysfunction in congenital generalised lipodystrophy

Funding Work was supported by the Medical Research Council (GDM/JJR; MR/L002620/1, MC/PC/15077), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (JJR; BB/K017772/1), Diabetes UK (GDM/JJR; 18/0005884), the British Heart Foundation (MD;PG/14/43/30889) and the Wellcome Trust and the University of Aberdeen ISSF Fund (GDM; ISSF Fellowship Support Fund).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : XI. Evaluation of the main hypotheses underpinning the life extension effects of CR using the hepatic transcriptome

We would like to acknowledge the BSU staff for their invaluable help with caring for the animals.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : V. Impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on physical activity in the C57BL/6 mouse

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A step toward precision gerontology : Lifespan effects of calorie and protein restriction are consistent with predicted impacts on entropy generation

Funding Information: Fellowships and Grant Programs, application number of 1059B141801348. The original experimental study was funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) BB/G009953/1 and the China Partnering Award BB/J020028/1. Funding Information: This research was financially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Science Fellowships and Grant Programs, application number of 1059B141801348. The original experimental study was funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) BB/G009953/1 and the China Partnering Award BB/J020028/1. Funding Information: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. This research was financially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Science Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2023 the Author(s).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction : II. Impact of short term calorie and protein restriction on circulating hormone levels, glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress in male C57BL/6 mice

This work was supported by BBSRC BB009953/1 awarded to JRS and SEM. PK and CD were funded by the Erasmus exchange programme. JRS, SEM, DD, CG, LC, JJDH, YW, DELP, DL and AD are members of the BBSRC China Partnership Award, BB/J020028/1.Peer reviewedPublisher PD