Single Nucelotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) have become the most widely used markers in many current genetic applications. Here we report the discovery of nine new SNPs in olives by direct partial sequencing of two genes (OEX and OEW) in sixteen Tunisian cultivars. The SNP markers were then used to genotype 24 olive cultivars and assess the level of genetic diversity. Power of discrimination of SNP markers was then compared to that of microsatellites (SSRs). A combination of SSR and SNP markers was finally proposed that can be used for cultivars identification in juvenile step or for oil traceability.

Our results support a role for the 279R/Q polymorphism in physiological alterations that may affect progression and severity of COPD. These findings could be related to the decreased activity of MMP-9 among COPD patients carrying the 279Q variant.

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Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seeds were exposed to different copper (Cu) solutions to examine plant stress responses. Low Cu concentrations (0.02 and 0.2 mM) caused an increase of seed germination, whereas higher Cu amounts (2 mM) significantly inhibited seed germination, delayed hypocotyl elongation, increased seedling mortality, and reduced the germination index by more than 90%. Metal-related toxicity symptoms appeared after 15 d of 2 mM of Cu exposure. Biochemical activities such as amylase activity and redox balance elements were examined to study the relationship between external Cu amount and internal plant response. The present study showed that amylolytic activity was dose- and time-dependent. Likewise, H O production increased after exposure to Cu, which was correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) accumulation. Furthermore at low Cu concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased, suggesting that date palm seed stimulated its metal homeostasis networks. However, the highest cupric ion amounts increased cell oxidant accumulation and reduced enzyme production. Gene expression level measures of P. dactylifera phytochelatin synthase (Pdpcs) and P. dactylifera metallothionein (Pdmt) encoding genes have been carried out to investigate the implication of PdPCS and PdMT proteins in Cu homeostasis and/or its sequestration. Phoenix dactylifera metallothionein induction reached a peak after 30 d of exposure to 0.2 mM of Cu. However, it was down-regulated in plants exposed to higher Cu concentrations. In the same conditions, Pdpcs was overexpressed during 1 mo of exposure before it decreased thereafter. These observations provide a new insight into date palm cell response to Cu, a metal that can be toxic but that is also an essential element. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:797-806. © 2017 SETAC.