The UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase gene family in Populus: structure, expression, and association genetics

Genetic Diversity and Association Analysis of Traits Related to Water-Use Efficiency and Nitrogen-Use Efficiency of Populus deltoides Based on SSR Markers

Populus deltoides is one of the primary tree species for bioenergy production in temperate regions. In arid/semi-arid northern China, the scarcity of water and nitrogen significantly limits the productivity of poplar plantations. The identification of relevant molecular markers can promote the breeding of resource-efficient varieties. In this study, 188 genotypes of P. deltoides from six provenances served as experimental material. Genetic differentiation analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering, and genetic structure analysis were performed using selected simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Based on these analyses, the association analysis of water-use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) were conducted using general linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) approaches. The results showed that 15 pairs of SSR primers successfully amplified across all 188 individuals, with an average of 7.33 alleles (Na) observed per primer pair. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.060 to 0.897, with an average of 0.544, indicating high genetic diversity in the selected markers. The average inbreeding coefficient intra-population (Fis), inbreeding coefficient inter-population (Fit), and inter-population genetic fraction coefficient (Fst) values were 0.005, 0.135, and 0.132, respectively, indicating high heterozygosity, substantial inbreeding within populations, and moderate genetic differentiation, with an average gene flow (Nm) of 1.964, suggesting substantial gene flow between populations. Additionally, molecular variance was primarily within individuals (84.12%). Genetic structure analysis revealed four subgroups, with some degree of genetic admixture among the provenances. In the GLM model, 11 markers were significantly associated with five traits (p < 0.05), with an average contribution rate of 15.82%. Notably, SSR132 and SSR143 were significantly associated with multiple traits (p < 0.05). The MLM model identified two markers (SSR47 and SSR85) significantly associated with ground diameter (p < 0.05) and one marker (SSR80) significantly associated with NUE (p < 0.05). This study identifies loci associated with WUE and NUE, laying a foundation for future genetic improvement and marker-assisted breeding strategies in poplar.

Comprehensive analysis of the UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase (UXS) gene family in tobacco and functional characterization of NtUXS16 in Golgi apparatus in Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND

UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase (also named UXS) converts UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) to UDP-xylose (UDP-Xyl) by decarboxylation of the C6-carboxylic acid of glucuronic acid. UDP-Xyl is an important sugar donor that is required for the synthesis of plant cell wall polysaccharides.

RESULTS

In this study, we first carried out the genome-wide identification of NtUXS genes in tobacco. A total of 17 NtUXS genes were identified, which could be divided into two groups (Group I and II), and the Group II UXSs can be further divided into two subgroups (Group IIa and IIb). Furthermore, the protein structures, intrachromosomal distributions and gene structures were thoroughly analyzed. To experimentally verify the subcellular localization of NtUXS16 protein, we transformed tobacco BY-2 cells with NtUXS16 fused to the monomeric red fluorescence protein (mRFP) at the C terminus under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. The fluorescent signals of NtUXS16-mRFP were localized to the medial-Golgi apparatus. Contrary to previous predictions, protease digestion analysis revealed that NtUXS16 is not a type II membrane protein. Overexpression of NtUXS16 in Arabidopsis seedling in darkness led to a significant increase in hypocotyl length and a reduction in root length compared with the wild type. In summary, these results suggest Golgi apparatus localized-NtUXS16 plays an important role in hypocotyl and root growth in the dark.

CONCLUSION

Our findings facilitate our understanding of the novel functions of NtUXS16 and provide insights for further exploration of the biological roles of NtUXS genes in tobacco.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for related traits of stalk lodging resistance using genome-wide association studies in maize (Zea mays L.)

BACKGROUND

Stalk lodging is one of the main factors affecting maize (Zea mays L.) yield and limiting mechanized harvesting. Developing maize varieties with high stalk lodging resistance requires exploring the genetic basis of lodging resistance-associated agronomic traits. Stalk strength is an important indicator to evaluate maize lodging and can be evaluated by measuring stalk rind penetrometer resistance (RPR) and stalk buckling strength (SBS). Along with morphological traits of the stalk for the third internodes length (TIL), fourth internode length (FIL), third internode diameter (TID), and the fourth internode diameter (FID) traits are associated with stalk lodging resistance.

RESULTS

In this study, a natural population containing 248 diverse maize inbred lines genotyped with 83,057 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was used for genome-wide association study (GWAS) for six stalk lodging resistance-related traits. The heritability of all traits ranged from 0.59 to 0.72 in the association mapping panel. A total of 85 significant SNPs were identified for the association mapping panel using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) values of all traits. Additionally, five candidate genes were associated with stalk strength traits, which were either directly or indirectly associated with cell wall components.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic basis of maize stalk lodging and provide valuable theoretical guidance for lodging resistance in maize breeding in the future.

Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveals the complex molecular mechanisms underlying stone cell formation in Korla pear

Korla pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) is a landrace selected from a hybrid pear species in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China. In recent years, pericarp roughening has been one of the major factors that adversely affects fruit quality. Compared with regular fruits, rough-skin fruits have a greater stone cell content. Stone cells compose sclerenchyma tissue that is formed by secondary thickening of parenchyma cell walls. In this work, we determined the main components of stone cells by isolating them from the pulp of rough-skin fruits at the ripening stage. Stone cell staining and apoptosis detection were then performed on fruit samples that were collected at three different developmental stages (20, 50 and 80 days after flowering (DAF)) representing the prime, late and stationary stages of stone cell differentiation, respectively. The same batches of samples were used for parallel transcriptomic and proteomic analysis to identify candidate genes and proteins that are related to SCW biogenesis in Korla pear fruits. The results showed that stone cells are mainly composed of cellulose (52%), hemicellulose (23%), lignin (20%) and a small amount of polysaccharides (3%). The periods of stone cell differentiation and cell apoptosis were synchronous and primarily occurred from 0 to 50 DAF. The stone cell components increased abundantly at 20 DAF but then decreased gradually. A total of 24,268 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1011 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) were identified from the transcriptomic and proteomic data, respectively. We screened the DEGs and DAPs that were enriched in SCW-related pathways, including those associated with lignin biosynthesis (94 DEGs and 31 DAPs), cellulose and xylan biosynthesis (46 DEGs and 18 DAPs), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) metabolic processes (10 DEGs and 3 DAPs), apoplastic ROS production (16 DEGs and 2 DAPs), and cell death (14 DEGs and 6 DAPs). Among the identified DEGs and DAPs, 63 significantly changed at both the transcript and protein levels during the experimental periods. In addition, the majority of these identified genes and proteins were expressed the most at the prime stage of stone cell differentiation, but their levels gradually decreased at the later stages.

Biosynthesis and Transport of Nucleotide Sugars for Plant Hemicellulose

Hemicellulose is entangled with cellulose through hydrogen bonds and meanwhile acts as a bridge for the deposition of lignin monomer in the secondary wall. Therefore, hemicellulose plays a vital role in the utilization of cell wall biomass. Many advances in hemicellulose research have recently been made, and a large number of genes and their functions have been identified and verified. However, due to the diversity and complexity of hemicellulose, the biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms are yet unknown. In this review, we summarized the types of plant hemicellulose, hemicellulose-specific nucleotide sugar substrates, key transporters, and biosynthesis pathways. This review will contribute to a better understanding of substrate-level regulation of hemicellulose synthesis.

Development of EST-SSR markers and association mapping with floral traits in Syringa oblata

BACKGROUND

Lilac (Syringa oblata) is an important woody plant with high ornamental value. However, very limited genetic marker resources are currently available, and little is known about the genetic architecture of important ornamental traits for S. oblata, which is hindering its genetic studies. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop effective molecular markers and understand the genetic architecture of complex floral traits for the genetic research of S. oblata.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 10,988 SSRs were obtained from 9864 unigene sequences with an average of one SSR per 8.13 kb, of which di-nucleotide repeats were the dominant type (32.86%, 3611). A set of 2042 primer pairs were validated, out of which 932 (45.7%) exhibited successful amplifications, and 248 (12.1%) were polymorphic in eight S. oblata individuals. In addition, 30 polymorphic EST-SSR markers were further used to assess the genetic diversity and the population structure of 192 cultivated S. oblata individuals. Two hundred thirty-four alleles were detected, and the PIC values ranged from 0.23 to 0.88 with an average of 0.51, indicating a high level of genetic diversity within this cultivated population. The analysis of population structure showed two major subgroups in the association population. Finally, 20 significant associations were identified involving 17 markers with nine floral traits using the mixed linear model. Moreover, marker SO104, SO695 and SO790 had significant relationship with more than one trait.

CONCLUSION

The results showed newly developed markers were valuable resource and provided powerful tools for genetic breeding of lilac. Beyond that, our study could serve an efficient foundation for further facilitate genetic improvement of floral traits for lilac.

Association mapping for yield traits in Paeonia rockii based on SSR markers within transcription factors of comparative transcriptome

BACKGROUND

Allelic variation underlying the quantitative traits in plants is caused by the extremely complex regulation process. Tree peony originated in China is a peculiar ornamental, medicinal and oil woody plant. Paeonia rockii, one of tree peony species, is a precious emerging woody oil crop. However, in this valuable plant, the study of functional loci associated with yield traits has rarely been identified. Therefore, to explore the genetic architecture of 24 yield quantitative traits, the association mapping was first reported in 420 unrelated cultivated P. rockii individuals based on the next-generation sequencing (NGS) and single-molecule long-read sequencing (SMLRS).

RESULTS

The developed 58 pairs of polymorphic expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers from 959 candidate transcription factors (TFs) associated with yield were used for genotyping the 420 P. rockii accessions. We observed a high level of genetic diversity (polymorphic information content, PIC = 0.514) and low linkage disequilibrium (LD) between EST-SSRs. Moreover, four subpopulations in the association population were revealed by STRUCTURE analyses. Further, single-marker association analysis identified 141 significant associations, involving 17 quantitative traits and 41 EST-SSRs. These loci were mainly from AP2, TCP, MYB, HSF, bHLH, GATA, and B3 gene families and showed a small proportion of the phenotypic variance (3.79 to 37.45%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results summarize a valuable collection of functional loci associated with yield traits in P. rockii, and provide a precious resource that reveals allelic variation underlying quantitative traits in Paeonia and other woody oil crops.

Genome-Wide Association Studies to Improve Wood Properties: Challenges and Prospects

Wood formation is an excellent model system for quantitative trait analysis due to the strong associations between the transcriptional and metabolic traits that contribute to this complex process. Investigating the genetic architecture and regulatory mechanisms underlying wood formation will enhance our understanding of the quantitative genetics and genomics of complex phenotypic variation. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) represent an ideal statistical strategy for dissecting the genetic basis of complex quantitative traits. However, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying many favorable loci that contribute to wood formation and optimizing GWAS design remain challenging in this omics era. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in GWAS-based functional genomics of wood property traits in major timber species such as Eucalyptus, Populus, and various coniferous species. We discuss several appropriate experimental designs for extensive GWAS in a given undomesticated tree population, such as omics-wide association studies and high-throughput phenotyping technologies. We also explain why more attention should be paid to rare allelic and major structural variation. Finally, we explore the potential use of GWAS for the molecular breeding of trees. Such studies will help provide an integrated understanding of complex quantitative traits and should enable the molecular design of new cultivars.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in a sucrose synthase gene are associated with wood properties in Catalpa fargesii bur

BACKGROUND

Association study is a powerful means for identifying molecular markers, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with important traits in forest trees. Catalpa fargesii Bur is a valuable commercial tree in China and identifying SNPs that associate with wood property would make a foundation of the marker-assisted breeding in the future. However, related work has not been reported yet.

RESULTS

We cloned a 2887 bp long sucrose synthase (SUS) gene from the genome of C. fargesii, which is a key enzyme in sucrose metabolism and also associated to wood formation in trees, coding 806 amino acids that expressed mainly in young branches, xylem, and leaves according to real-time quantitative PCR. Then we identified allelic variations of CfSUS associated with nine wood quality associated traits in Catalpa fargesii Bur. Totally, 135 SNPs were identified through cloning and sequencing the CfSUS locus from a mapping population (including 93 unrelated individuals) and 47 of which were genotyped as common SNPs (minor allele frequency > 5%) in the association population that comprised of 125 unrelated individuals collected from main distribution area. Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed CfSUS has a relative low SNP diversity (πT = 0.0034) and low LD (r2 dropped below 0.1 within 1600 bp). Using the association analysis, we found 11 common SNPs and 14 haplotypes were significantly associated with the traits (false discovery rate, Q<0.1), explaining 3.21-12.41% of the phenotypic variance. These results provide molecular markers above associated with wood basic density, pore rate, and six other traits of wood, which have potential applications in breeding of Catalpa fargesii Bur.

CONCLUSION

We first cloned a SUS gene in C. fargesii, then identified several SNPs and haplotypes that associated with wood properties within this gene, suggesting CfSUS participates in the wood formation of C. fargesii. Moreover, molecular markers we identified in this study may be applied into marker-assisted breeding of C. fargesii in the future.

Integrated microRNA and mRNA expression profiling reveals a complex network regulating pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed hardness

The breeding of new soft-seeded pomegranate cultivars provides new products for the market and increases farmers' incomes, yet the genetic architecture mediating seed hardness is largely unknown. Here, the seed hardness and hundred-seed weights of 26 cultivars were determined in 2 successive years. We conducted miRNA and mRNA sequencing to analyse the seeds of two varieties of Punica granatum: soft-seeded Tunisia and hard-seeded Sanbai, at 60 and 120 d after flowering. Seed hardness was strongly positively correlated with hundred-seed weight. We detected 25 and 12 differentially expressed miRNA-mRNA pairs with negative regulatory relationships between the two genotypes at 60 and 120 d after flowering, respectively. These miRNA-mRNA pairs mainly regulated seed hardness by altering cell wall structure. Transcription factors including NAC1, WRKY and MYC, which are involved in seed hardness, were targeted by differentially expressed mdm-miR164e and mdm-miR172b. Thus, seed hardness is the result of a complex biological process regulated by a miRNA-mRNA network in pomegranate. These results will help us understand the complexity of seed hardness and help to elucidate the miRNA-mediated molecular mechanisms that contribute to seed hardness in pomegranate.

Genes and gene clusters related to genotype and drought-induced variation in saccharification potential, lignin content and wood anatomical traits in Populus nigra

Wood is a renewable resource that can be employed for the production of second generation biofuels by enzymatic saccharification and subsequent fermentation. Knowledge on how the saccharification potential is affected by genotype-related variation of wood traits and drought is scarce. Here, we used three Populus nigra L. genotypes from habitats differing in water availability to (i) investigate the relationships between wood anatomy, lignin content and saccharification and (ii) identify genes and co-expressed gene clusters related to genotype and drought-induced variation in wood traits and saccharification potential. The three poplar genotypes differed in wood anatomy, lignin content and saccharification potential. Drought resulted in reduced cambial activity, decreased vessel and fiber lumina, and increased the saccharification potential. The saccharification potential was unrelated to lignin content as well as to most wood anatomical traits. RNA sequencing of the developing xylem revealed that 1.5% of the analyzed genes were differentially expressed in response to drought, while 67% differed among the genotypes. Weighted gene correlation network analysis identified modules of co-expressed genes correlated with saccharification potential. These modules were enriched in gene ontology terms related to cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis and modification and vesicle transport, but not to lignin biosynthesis. Among the most strongly saccharification-correlated genes, those with regulatory functions, especially kinases, were prominent. We further identified transcription factors whose transcript abundances differed among genotypes, and which were co-regulated with genes for biosynthesis and modifications of hemicelluloses and pectin. Overall, our study suggests that the regulation of pectin and hemicellulose metabolism is a promising target for improving wood quality of second generation bioenergy crops. The causal relationship of the identified genes and pathways with saccharification potential needs to be validated in further experiments.

Recent advances in polysaccharide bio-based flocculants

Natural polysaccharides, derived from biomass feedstocks, marine resources, and microorganisms, have been attracting considerable attention as benign and environmentally friendly substitutes for synthetic polymeric products. Besides many other applications, these biopolymers are rapidly emerging as viable alternatives to harmful synthetic flocculating agents for the removal of contaminants from water and wastewater. In recent years, a great deal of effort has been devoted to improve the production and performance of polysaccharide bio-based flocculants. In this review, current trends in preparation and chemical modification of polysaccharide bio-based flocculants and their flocculation performance are discussed. Aspects including mechanisms of flocculation, biosynthesis, classification, purification and characterization, chemical modification, the effect of physicochemical factors on flocculating activity, and recent applications of polysaccharide bio-based flocculants are summarized and presented.

Protein expression in tension wood formation monitored at high tissue resolution in Populus

Tension wood (TW) is a specialized tissue with contractile properties that is formed by the vascular cambium in response to gravitational stimuli. We quantitatively analysed the proteomes of Populus tremula cambium and its xylem cell derivatives in stems forming normal wood (NW) and TW to reveal the mechanisms underlying TW formation. Phloem-, cambium-, and wood-forming tissues were sampled by tangential cryosectioning and pooled into nine independent samples. The proteomes of TW and NW samples were similar in the phloem and cambium samples, but diverged early during xylogenesis, demonstrating that reprogramming is an integral part of TW formation. For example, 14-3-3, reactive oxygen species, ribosomal and ATPase complex proteins were found to be up-regulated at early stages of xylem differentiation during TW formation. At later stages of xylem differentiation, proteins involved in the biosynthesis of cellulose and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of rhamnogalacturonan-I, rhamnogalacturonan-II, arabinogalactan-II and fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins were up-regulated in TW. Surprisingly, two isoforms of exostosin family proteins with putative xylan xylosyl transferase function and several lignin biosynthesis proteins were also up-regulated, even though xylan and lignin are known to be less abundant in TW than in NW. These data provided new insight into the processes behind TW formation.

The Interactions between the Long Non-coding RNA NERDL and Its Target Gene Affect Wood Formation in Populus tomentosa

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulatory factors for plant growth and development, but little is known about the allelic interactions of lncRNAs with mRNA in perennial plants. Here, we analyzed the interaction of the NERD (Needed for RDR2-independent DNA methylation) Populus tomentosa gene PtoNERD with its putative regulator, the lncRNA NERDL (NERD-related lncRNA), which partially overlaps with the promoter region of this gene. Expression analysis in eight tissues showed a positive correlation between NERDL and PtoNERD (r = 0.62), suggesting that the interaction of NERDL with its putative target might be involved in wood formation. We conducted association mapping in a natural population of P. tomentosa (435 unrelated individuals) to evaluate genetic variation and the interaction of the lncRNA NERDL with PtoNERD. Using additive and dominant models, we identified 30 SNPs (P < 0.01) associated with five tree growth and wood property traits. Each SNP explained 3.90-8.57% of phenotypic variance, suggesting that NERDL and its putative target play a common role in wood formation. Epistasis analysis uncovered nine SNP-SNP association pairs between NERDL and PtoNERD, with an information gain of -7.55 to 2.16%, reflecting the strong interactions between NERDL and its putative target. This analysis provides a powerful method for deciphering the genetic interactions of lncRNAs with mRNA and dissecting the complex genetic network of quantitative traits in trees.

Transcriptome-guided gene isolation and functional characterization of UDP-xylose synthase and UDP-D-apiose/UDP-D-xylose synthase families from Ornithogalum caudatum Ait

The present study first identified the involvement of OcUAXS2 and OcUXS1-3 in anticancer polysaccharides biosynthesis in O. caudatum. UDP-xylose synthase (UXS) and UDP-D-apiose/UDP-D-xylose synthase (UAXS), both capable of converting UDP-D-glucuronic acid to UDP-D-xylose, are believed to transfer xylosyl residue to anticancer polysaccharides biosynthesis in Ornithogalum caudatum Ait. However, the cDNA isolation and functional characterization of genes encoding the two enzymes from O. caudatum has never been documented. Previously, the transcriptome sequencing of O. caudatum was performed in our laboratory. In this study, a total of six and two unigenes encoding UXS and UAXS were first retrieved based on RNA-Seq data. The eight putative genes were then successfully isolated from transcriptome of O. caudatum by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the six putative UXS isoforms can be classified into three types, one soluble and two distinct putative membrane-bound. Moreover, the two UAXS isoenzymes were predicted to be soluble forms. Subsequently, these candidate cDNAs were characterized to be bona fide genes by functional expression in Escherichia coli individually. Although UXS and UAXS catalyzed the same reaction, their biochemical properties varied significantly. It is worth noting that a ratio switch of UDP-D-xylose/UDP-D-apiose for UAXS was established, which is assumed to be helpful for its biotechnological application. Furthermore, a series of mutants were generated to test the function of NAD⁺ binding motif GxxGxxG. Most importantly, the present study determined the involvement of OcUAXS2 and OcUXS1-3 in xylose-containing polysaccharides biosynthesis in O. caudatum. These data provide a comprehensive knowledge for UXS and UAXS families in plants.

Role of UDP-Glucuronic Acid Decarboxylase in Xylan Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

UDP-xylose (UDP-Xyl) is the Xyl donor used in the synthesis of major plant cell-wall polysaccharides such as xylan (as a backbone-chain monosaccharide) and xyloglucan (as a branching monosaccharide). The biosynthesis of UDP-Xyl from UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) is irreversibly catalyzed by UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase (UXS). Until now, little has been known about the physiological roles of UXS in plants. Here, we report that AtUXS1, AtUXS2, and AtUXS4 are located in the Golgi apparatus whereas AtUXS3, AtUXS5, and AtUXS6 are located in the cytosol. Although all six single AtUXS T-DNA mutants and the uxs1 usx2 uxs4 triple mutant show no obvious phenotype, the uxs3 uxs5 uxs6 triple mutant has an irregular xylem phenotype. Monosaccharide analysis showed that Xyl levels decreased in uxs3 uxs5 uxs6 and linkage analysis confirmed that the xylan content in uxs3 xus5 uxs6 declined, indicating that UDP-Xyl from cytosol AtUXS participates in xylan synthesis. Gel-permeation chromatography showed that the molecular weight of non-cellulosic polysaccharides in the triple mutants, mainly composed of xylans, is lower than that in the wild type, suggesting an effect on the elongation of the xylan backbone. Upon saccharification treatment stems of the uxs3 uxs5 uxs6 triple mutants released monosaccharides with a higher efficiency than those of the wild type. Taken together, our results indicate that the cytosol UXS plays a more important role than the Golgi-localized UXS in xylan biosynthesis.

Identification of additive, dominant, and epistatic variation conferred by key genes in cellulose biosynthesis pathway in Populus tomentosa†

Economically important traits in many species generally show polygenic, quantitative inheritance. The components of genetic variation (additive, dominant and epistatic effects) of these traits conferred by multiple genes in shared biological pathways remain to be defined. Here, we investigated 11 full-length genes in cellulose biosynthesis, on 10 growth and wood-property traits, within a population of 460 unrelated Populus tomentosa individuals, via multi-gene association. To validate positive associations, we conducted single-marker analysis in a linkage population of 1,200 individuals. We identified 118, 121, and 43 associations (P< 0.01) corresponding to additive, dominant, and epistatic effects, respectively, with low to moderate proportions of phenotypic variance (R(2)). Epistatic interaction models uncovered a combination of three non-synonymous sites from three unique genes, representing a significant epistasis for diameter at breast height and stem volume. Single-marker analysis validated 61 associations (false discovery rate, Q ≤ 0.10), representing 38 SNPs from nine genes, and its average effect (R(2) = 3.8%) nearly 2-fold higher than that identified with multi-gene association, suggesting that multi-gene association can capture smaller individual variants. Moreover, a structural gene-gene network based on tissue-specific transcript abundances provides a better understanding of the multi-gene pathway affecting tree growth and lignocellulose biosynthesis. Our study highlights the importance of pathway-based multiple gene associations to uncover the nature of genetic variance for quantitative traits and may drive novel progress in molecular breeding.

High-resolution genetic mapping of allelic variants associated with cell wall chemistry in Populus

Background

QTL cloning for the discovery of genes underlying polygenic traits has historically been cumbersome in long-lived perennial plants like Populus. Linkage disequilibrium-based association mapping has been proposed as a cloning tool, and recent advances in high-throughput genotyping and whole-genome resequencing enable marker saturation to levels sufficient for association mapping with no a priori candidate gene selection. Here, multiyear and multienvironment evaluation of cell wall phenotypes was conducted in an interspecific P. trichocarpa x P. deltoides pseudo-backcross mapping pedigree and two partially overlapping populations of unrelated P. trichocarpa genotypes using pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry, saccharification, and/ or traditional wet chemistry. QTL mapping was conducted using a high-density genetic map with 3,568 SNP markers. As a fine-mapping approach, chromosome-wide association mapping targeting a QTL hot-spot on linkage group XIV was performed in the two P. trichocarpa populations. Both populations were genotyped using the 34 K Populus Infinium SNP array and whole-genome resequencing of one of the populations facilitated marker-saturation of candidate intervals for gene identification.

Results

Five QTLs ranging in size from 0.6 to 1.8 Mb were mapped on linkage group XIV for lignin content, syringyl to guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, 5- and 6-carbon sugars using the mapping pedigree. Six candidate loci exhibiting significant associations with phenotypes were identified within QTL intervals. These associations were reproducible across multiple environments, two independent genotyping platforms, and different plant growth stages. cDNA sequencing for allelic variants of three of the six loci identified polymorphisms leading to variable length poly glutamine (PolyQ) stretch in a transcription factor annotated as an ANGUSTIFOLIA C-terminus Binding Protein (CtBP) and premature stop codons in a KANADI transcription factor as well as a protein kinase. Results from protoplast transient expression assays suggested that each of the polymorphisms conferred allelic differences in the activation of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin pathway marker genes.

Conclusion

This study illustrates the utility of complementary QTL and association mapping as tools for gene discovery with no a priori candidate gene selection. This proof of concept in a perennial organism opens up opportunities for discovery of novel genetic determinants of economically important but complex traits in plants.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1215-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Saturation transfer difference NMR to study substrate and product binding to human UDP-xylose synthase (hUXS1A) during catalytic event

The human form of UDP-xylose synthase (hUXS1A) is studied with respect to its substrate and co-enzyme binding in binary and ternary complexes using saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR and in situ NMR.

Association mapping for morphological and physiological traits in Populus simonii

BACKGROUND

To optimize marker-assisted selection programs, knowledge of the genetic architecture of phenotypic traits is very important for breeders. Generally, most phenotypes, e.g. morphological and physiological traits, are quantitatively inherited, and thus detection of the genes underlying variation for these traits is difficult. Association mapping based on linkage disequilibrium has recently become a powerful approach to map genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) in plants.

RESULTS

In this study, association analysis using 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was performed to detect the marker loci linked to 13 morphological traits and 10 physiological traits in a wild P. simonii population that consisted of 528 individuals sampled from 16 sites along the Yellow River in China. Based on a model controlling for both population structure (Q) and relative kinship (K), three SSR markers (GCPM_616-1 in 31.2 Mb on LG I, GCPM_4055-2 in 5.7 Mb on LG XV, and GCPM_3142 of unknown location) were identified for seven traits. GCPM_616-1 was associated with five morphological traits (R2 = 5.14-10.09%), whereas GCPM_3142 (15.03%) and GCPM_4055-2 (13.26%) were associated with one morphological trait and one physiological trait, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that this wild population is suitable for association mapping and the identified markers will be suitable for marker-assisted selection breeding or detection of target genes or QTL in the near future.

Allelic variation within the S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase gene family is associated with wood properties in Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa)

Background

S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) is the only eukaryotic enzyme capable of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) catabolism for the maintenance of cellular transmethylation potential. Recently, biochemical and genetic studies in herbaceous species have obtained important discoveries in the function of SAHH, and an extensive characterization of SAHH family in even one tree species is essential, but currently lacking.

Results

Here, we first identified the SAHH family from Populus tomentosa using molecular cloning method. Phylogenetic analyses of 28 SAHH proteins from dicotyledons, monocotyledons, and lower plants revealed that the sequences formed two monophyletic groups: the PtrSAHHA with PtoSAHHA and PtrSAHHB with PtoSAHHB. Examination of tissue-specific expression profiles of the PtoSAHH family revealed similar expression patterns; high levels of expression in xylem were found. Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the PtoSAHH family, sampled from P. tomentosa natural distribution, revealed that PtoSAHH harbors high single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity (π=0.01059±0.00122 and 0.00930±0.00079,respectively) and low LD (r² > 0.1, within 800 bp and 2,200 bp, respectively). Using an LD-linkage analysis approach, two noncoding SNPs (PtoSAHHB_1065 and PtoSAHHA_2203) and the corresponding haplotypes were found to significantly associate with α-cellulose content, and a nonsynonymous SNP (PtoSAHHB_410) within the SAHH signature motifs showed significant association with fiber length, with an average of 3.14% of the phenotypic variance explained.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that PtoSAHHs were split off prior to the divergence of interspecies in Populus, and SAHHs may play a key role promoting transmethylation reactions in the secondary cell walls biosynthesis in trees. Hence, our findings provide insights into SAHH function and evolution in woody species and also offer a theoretical basis for marker-aided selection breeding to improve the wood quality of Populus.

Biochemical and molecular changes associated with heteroxylan biosynthesis in Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae) during xylogenesis

Wood, derived from plant secondary growth, is a commercially important material. Both cellulose and lignin assembly have been well studied during wood formation (xylogenesis), but heteroxylan biosynthesis is less well defined. Elucidation of the heteroxylan biosynthetic pathway is crucial to understand the mechanism of wood formation. Here, we use Neolamarckia cadamba, a fast-growing tropical tree, as a sample to analyze heteroxylan formation at the biochemical and molecular levels during wood formation. Analysis of the non-cellulosic polysaccharides isolated from N. cadamba stems shows that heteroxylans dominate non-cellulosic polysaccharides and increase with xylogenesis. Microsomes isolated from stems of 1-year-old N. cadamba exhibited UDP-Xyl synthase and xylosyltransferase activities with the highest activity present in the middle and basal stem regions. To further understand the genetic basis of heteroxylan synthesis, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to generate transcriptomes of N. cadamba during xylogenesis. The RNA-seq results showed that genes related to heteroxylan synthesis had higher expression levels in the middle and basal part of the stem compared to the apical part. Our results describe the heteroxylan distribution and heteroxylan synthesis trait in N. cadamba and give a new example for understanding the mechanism of heteroxylan synthesis in tropical tree species in future.