Vol 53, No 4 (2019)

Information on the genetic control of awn development in bread wheat is currently limited to the identification of three genes that suppress awnedness, Hd, B1, and B2, and no promoters have yet been identified. Another Gramineae species, Oryza sativa, has more than ten genes involved in awn morphogenesis. This article presents results of the wheat genome sequence analysis for the search of genes orthologous to the known awn development regulators in rice, TOB1, ETT2, and DL. Using bioinformatic methods, three genes, TaTOB1, TaETT2, and TaDL, are identified in the bread wheat genome; their location is defined on the chromosomes of the second, third, and fourth homoeologous groups, respectively. The polymorphisms between homoeoalleles of the genes located on subgenomes A, B, and D are described. Identified polymorphisms include variation in the length of exons and introns in all the three genes, variation in the number of exons and introns for the TaETT2 gene homoeoalleles, inversion of TaDL-B homoeoallele relative to the TaDL-A and TaDL-D, and inversion of TaETT2-B and TaETT2-D relative to TaETT2-A. With the PCR method using primers designed for the TaTOB1 gene sequence, the homoeoalleles of this gene were identified in the genomes A^u, A^b, B, G, D, S^Sh, M, U, and T in diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid wheat species. The marker potential of two pairs of primers for the TaTOB1 gene for the study into the genome structure of the introgressive wheat lines in relation to this gene is shown.

Toll-like receptor 4 (encoded by TLR4 gene) has a variety of functions, including tissue homeostasis, regulation of cell death and survival via activation of signaling pathways which lead to interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) activation and type I interferon production. TLR4 may have a crucial role in pathogenesis of complex and infectious diseases. Functional polymorphism TLR4 +3725G/C substitution (rs11536889) leads to faster transcript degradation and receptors number decrease. The study investigated TLR4 rs11536889 genotype and allele distribution in healthy volunteers from Ukraine (n = 155), autoimmune hepatitis (AH) children (n = 56) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) adult patients with various fibrosis severity stages (n = 78). Genotyping was performed by allele-specific PCR. The obtained genotype frequencies in Ukrainian population were: GG genotype—0.813, GC—0.168, CC—0.019 and showed no significant deviation from the ones expected according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. AH and CHC patients were divided according to METAVIR fibrosis score into two groups—with stages F1–F2, and with F3–F4. The frequency of rs11536889 C allele carriers were higher in the group of AH patients with F3–F4 (0.179) comparing to patients with F1–F2 (0.071). This data did not reach the threshold for significance but showed a trend toward association between C allele carriers and higher fibrosis degree. Moreover, the significantly (p < 0.05) higher frequency of C allele carriers was observed in CHC patients with higher fibrosis degree (0.400) compared to patients with lower degree (0.057). Severe liver damage risk in such individuals is 11 increased (OR = 11.11, 95% CI: 2.70–45.66). Thus, TLR4 rs11536889 C allele is associated with higher level of fibrotic liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis.

The state of the art in research on the genes responsible for the resistance of soft wheat Triticum aestivum L. against cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae and root lesion nematode Pratylenchus neglectus and the use of these genes in plant breeding programs are described. Most genes responsible for the resistance to these plant pathogens are listed and their chromosomal localization and resistance specificity are described. The sources of resistance genes widely used to control the cereal cyst nematode are presented. The alternative methods for transferring nematode resistance genes into wheat are outlined.

Innate immunity functions as the first line against infection, which is mediated by series of innate immune receptors. RIG-I like receptors (RLR) recognize the cytosolic nucleic acids mainly from viruses, trigger the type I interferon (IFN) production, and thus play essential roles in the anti-viral immunity. Here we cloned the mouse RIG-I (mRIG-I) cDNA into the pENTR vector using the TOPO cloning technology, and transferred the FLAG tagged mRIG-I gene from pENTR vector to destination pLenti viral vector. The expression of mRIG-I in transfected cells was detected by immunoblotting using anti-FLAG and anti-RIG-I antibodies. The transfected mRIG-I was active capable of inducing downstream IFN stimulated gene (ISG) gene transcription as well as protein expression.

Hellenic wheat germplasm developed at the Cereal Institute of Thessaloniki, during the last fifty years, is depicted in the present study, using agronomical, biochemical and molecular criteria. The bread wheat germplasm is characterized by high yield potential, adaptation to the Mediterranean conditions, and advanced qualitative traits. The biochemical analysis revealed that three cultivars (“Acheron”, “Elissavet” and “Orpheus”) carry the 1BL.1RS wheat-rye translocation, which was further confirmed by molecular analysis. The cultivars “Acheron” and “Elissavet”, despite the presence of the translocation, have good bread making quality due to the presence of favorable genes controlling quality. Most of the Hellenic durum germplasm have high end product quality. The biochemical evaluation at the Gli-B1 locus revealed the presence of alleles related with the γ-45 component, indicative of high technological traits. On the other side, it was found that two older durum wheat cultivars and a population tested, had the allele in* at the same locus, which is related with the γ-42 component, indicative of inferior pasta quality. Most of the Hellenic germplasm, either durum or bread wheat, carries very good agronomical and qualitative traits and could be used to broaden wheat biodiversity in the S–E Mediterranean region.