Lidia Skuza

EPAS1 gene variants are associated with sprint/power athletic performance in two cohorts of European athletes

BackgroundThe endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1) activates genes that are involved in erythropoiesis and angiogenesis, thus favoring a better delivery of oxygen to the tissues and is a plausible candidate to influence athletic performance. Using innovative statistical methods we compared genotype distributions and interactions of EPAS1 SNPs rs1867785, rs11689011, rs895436, rs4035887 and rs1867782 between sprint/power athletes (n = 338), endurance athletes (n = 254), and controls (603) in Polish and Russian samples. We also examined the association between these SNPs and the athletes’ competition level (‘elite’ and ‘sub-elite’ level). Genotyping was performed by either Real-Time PCR or by Single-Base Extension (SBE) method.ResultsIn the pooled cohort of Polish and Russian athletes, 1) rs1867785 was associated with sprint/power athletic status; the AA genotype in rs1867785 was underrepresented in the sprint/power athletes, 2) rs11689011 was also associated with sprint/power athletic status; the TT genotype in rs11689011 was underrepresented sprint/power athletes, and 3) the interaction between rs1867785, rs11689011, and rs4035887 was associated with sprint/power athletic performance; the combinations of the AA genotype in rs4035887 with either the AG or GG genotypes in rs1867785, or with the CT or CC genotypes in rs11689011, were underrepresented in two cohorts of sprint/power athletes.ConclusionsBased on the unique statistical model rs1867785/rs11689011 are strong predictors of sprint/power athletic status, and the interaction between rs1867785, rs11689011, and rs4035887 might contribute to success in sprint/power athletic performance.

Molecular phylogenetics, seed morphometrics, chromosome number evolution and systematics of European Elatine L. (Elatinaceae) species

The genus Elatine contains ca 25 species, all of which are small, herbaceous annuals distributed in ephemeral waters on both hemispheres. However, due to a high degree of morphological variability (as a consequence of their amphibious life-style), the taxonomy of this genus remains controversial. Thus, to fill this gap in knowledge, we present a detailed molecular phylogenetic study of this genus based on nuclear (rITS) and plastid (accD-psaI, psbJ-petA, ycf6-psbM-trnD) sequences using 27 samples from 13 species. On the basis of this phylogenetic analysis, we provide a solid phylogenetic background for the modern taxonomy of the European members of the genus. Traditionally accepted sections of this tree (i.e., Crypta and Elatinella) were found to be monophyletic; only E. borchoni—found to be a basal member of the genus—has to be excluded from the latter lineage to achieve monophyly. A number of taxonomic conclusions can also be drawn: E. hexandra, a high-ploid species, is most likely a stabilised hybrid between the main sections; E. campylosperma merits full species status based on both molecular and morphological evidence; E. gussonei is a more widespread and genetically diverse species with two main lineages; and the presence of the Asian E. ambigua in the European flora is questionable. The main lineages recovered in this analysis are also supported by a number of synapomorphic morphological characters as well as uniform chromosome counts. Based on all the evidence presented here, two new subsections within Elatinella are described: subsection Hydropipera consisting of the temperate species of the section, and subsection Macropodae including the Mediterranean species of the section.

Use of Organelle Markers to Study Genetic Diversity in Soybean

Soybean is the most important crop provider of proteins and oil used in animal nutrition and for human consumption. Plant breeders continue to release improved cultivars with en‐ hanced yield, disease resistance, and quality traits. It is also the most planted genetically modified crop. The narrow genetic base of current soybean cultivars may lack sufficient al‐ lelic diversity to counteract vulnerability to shifts in environmental variables. An investiga‐ tion of genetic relatedness at a broad level may provide important information about the historical relationship among different genotypes. Such types of study are possible thanks to different markers application, based on variation of organelle DNA (mtDNA or cpDNA).

RAPD polymorphism in the prebreeding material for cultivation of synthetic variations of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

Genetic diversity between synthetic cultivars (Syn5, Syn7), inbred lines (D3, D5, E1/2, G1/1, G1/2) and ecotypes (E16, E51, E182, E231) of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was studied using the RAPD-PCR method. The plants differed in the efficiency of seed set and in the yield of green mass. The ecotypes E182 and E231 and the synthetic population Syn5 showed the highest fertility. Additionally, Syn5 also showed the highest efficiency of seed set and the yield of green mass. Among the inbred lines, D3 was characterised by the highest yield of green mass and E1/2 by the highest fertility. An optimal combination of yield and biomass was observed for the synthetic population Syn5, obtained by crossing the lines D3, D5 and G1/1, as demonstrated using comparative analysis. A total of 338 polymorphic products were generated using 20 arbitrary primers. Cluster analysis using the Unweighted-Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) in the Molecular image Gel Doc™ XR (Bio-Rad) software based on the Dice’s coefficient of genetic similarity showed a division of the studied forms into two groups based on genetic similarity. The ecotype E16 formed one of the groups whereas all of the other ecotypes observed in this study clustered into the second group. A high level of polymorphism among the studied lucerne forms was detected indicating an interesting gene pool awaiting future exploration. Analysis of variance also supported a high diversity among the studied forms. This study provides insightful information into the heterosis effect of synthetic populations or hybrids of F1 lucerine by providing correlations between the genetic background of the inbred lines and their ability to produce a specific yield.

Genetic relatedness in different Medicago sativa lines based on polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA specific sequences

Two synthetic populations (Syn-5 and Syn-7), four inbred lines and four landraces of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were studied for genetic relatedness. These forms were characterized by different amount of seeds set and green mass yield. Two primer pairs of specific nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA isolated from soybean were used. The mtDNA revealed the existence of significant polymorphism among the investigated forms of alfalfa. The genetic similarity (Dice coefficient) among studied forms of alfalfa ranged from 20.1 to 96.1. The greatest resemblances were noticed between D5 inbred line and the population of Syn-5. The lowest resemblances were noticed between Syn-7 and E1/2. The UPGMA dendrogram split investigated forms of alfalfa into two groups: first group include three landraces, the second consist of the rest analyzed forms. There are two landraces distinct with the highest seed set and yield of green mass: one in the first group, another one in the second group.

Intergenic Spacer Length Variability in Cultivated, Weedy and Wild Rye Species

Abstract Non-coding rDNA spacers (IGS) can vary substantially in size due to differences in the number of repetitive elements among closely related species. Three pairs of universal primers were used in this study for the amplification of non-coding regions of ribosomal (rRNA) IGS. The amplified IGS products obtained from 19 Secale accessions, which included both cultivated and noncultivated rye and which represented three species and four subspecies of the genus Secale, showed a high level of polymorphism. The PCR results were characterized by multiple bands (1-6), different sizes (750bp-3250bp) and 100% polymorphism. Cluster analysis using the neighborjoining method based on the Dice’s coefficient of genetic similarity showed a division of the studied species into two similarity groups. All the studied Secale cereale ssp. cereale were found to belong to the same similarity group. The variation in the size of the IGS among the species which was detected in this study could be due to dissimilarity between the sequences of their respective repetitive elements or between their tandem repeat numbers. The highly interspecific polymorphisms for the rDNA IGS regions suggested that IGS might be a useful molecular marker in studies of Secale species.