Production of haploids by the in vivo haploid induction method has now become routine for generating new inbred lines in maize. In previous studies, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) (qhir1) located in bin 1.04 was detected, explaining up to 66 % of the genotypic variance for haploid induction rate (HIR). Our objectives were to (1) fine-map qhir1 and (2) identify closely linked markers useful for marker-assisted breeding of new inducers. For this purpose, we screened a mapping population of 14,375 F2 plants produced from a cross between haploid inducer UH400 and non-inducer line 1680 to identify recombinants. Based on sequence information from the B73 reference genome, markers polymorphic between the two parents were developed to conduct fine mapping with these recombinants. A progeny test mapping strategy was applied to accurately determine the HIR of the 14 recombinants identified. Furthermore, F3 progeny of recombinant F2 plants were genotyped and in parallel evaluated for HIR. We corroborated earlier studies in that qhir1 has both a significantly positive effect on HIR but also a strong selective disadvantage, as indicated by significant segregation distortion. Altogether, we were able to narrow down the qhir1 locus to a 243 kb region flanked by markers X291 and X263.

TMs are the major allergens in allergy to crustaceans. Auto-antibodies against human TM isoform 5 have been implicated as a causative agent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Intriguingly, six of the 10 tilapia allergic patients had also been diagnosed with IBD, corroborating a connection between allergy and IBD. To our knowledge, this is the first report of tropomyosin from vertebrates as an allergen.

The JAK-STAT pathway plays a key role in mediating immune responses. The genetic effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in JAK2 and STAT5B were investigated for serum cytokines, mastitis indicators and productions traits in a population of 468 Chinese Holstein cattle. Pooled DNA sequencing revealed one SNP (BTA8:g.39645396A>G) in JAK2 and two SNPs (BTA19:g.43673888A>G and BTA19:g.43660093T>C) in STAT5B. A fixed effect model considering the effects of SNPs, parity, herd, season and year of calving was used by way of the general linear model procedure of sas. Genotype frequencies of these SNPs in the population were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). A novel SNP (g.39645396A>G) in JAK2 was predicted to change the amino acid from lysine to asparagine and was significantly associated with the somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS), whereas g.43673888A>G in STAT5B was significantly associated with SCC, SCS and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (P < 0.05). The dominant effect of g.39645396A>G in JAK2 was significant for SCS, and its additive effect was significant for SCC, whereas the dominant effect of g.43673888A>G in STAT5B was significant for SCS and IL-4 (P < 0.05). The combination of g.39645396A>G in JAK2 and g.43673888A>G in STAT5B showed a significant effect on SCC, SCS, IL-4 and TNF-α (P < 0.05). As for mRNA expression analysis, the AA genotype g.39645396A>G and GG genotype g.43673888A>G indicated higher mRNA expression level and were significantly different from other genotypes (P < 0.05). The results imply that JAK2 and STAT5B genes could be useful candidate genes, and the identified polymorphisms might potentially be strong genetic markers for selection of dairy cattle against mastitis development.

ABSTRACT. Isolation of sufficient quantities of high quality DNA is a prerequisite for molecular studies. Milk somatic cells can be used; however, inhibitors such as fats and proteins make milk a difficult medium for extracting large amounts of quality DNA. We optimized, evaluated and compared three methods, Modified Nucleospin Blood Kit method, Modified TianGen Kit method and Phenol-Chloroform method for genomic DNA extraction from bovine milk. Individual cows' milk and bulk milk samples were collected from a China agricultural university dairy farm. Genomic DNA extracted from each milk sample by the three methods was evaluated for quantity and purity by spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis, as well as PCR and sequencing. All the three methods were found suitable for genomic DNA isolation from bovine milk, PCR applications, and sequencing. Comparing the three methods, we found that the Modified Nucleospin Blood Kit method was significantly better than the Phenol-Chloroform method in terms of quantity as well as quality (amount, concentration, 260/280nm and 260/230nm absorbance ratio), whereas, the Modified TianGen Kit method was more efficient than the Phenol-Chloroform method and cheaper than the Modified Nucleospine Blood Kit method; it yielded reasonably good quantities of good quality DNA and would be suitable for large-scale genotyping of lactating cows.

Chromosome identification is critical for cytogenetic research and will accelerate studies on genetic variation and breeding, especially for those species with relatively little sequence information. So far, no reliable cytological landmarks have been developed to distinguish individual chromosomes in melon. In this study, using FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) combined with comparative genome information, we selected 21 cucumber fosmids anchored by SSR markers as chromosome-specific cytological markers for melon chromosomes. Moreover, with the help of melon centromeric satellite DNA repeats CentM, 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA, sequential FISH with 3 sets of multi-fosmid cocktails were conducted on the same metaphase cell, which allowed us to simultaneously identify each of the 12 metaphase chromosomes of melon and a standardized melon karyotype of somatic metaphase chromosomes was constructed. Finally, we compared the distribution of 21 FISH-mapped fosmids between melon and cucumber chromosomes, which allows a better understanding of the evolutionary process shaping these 2 species. Our study provides a basis for cytological characterization of the melon genome and comparative genomics of Cucurbitaceae.