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Comparative mapping of ZYMV resistances in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and melon (Cucumis melo L.).

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) routinely causes significant losses in cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) and melon ( Cucumis melo L.). ZYMV resistances from the cucumber population 'TMG1' and the melon plant introduction (PI) 414723 show different modes of inheritance and their genetic relationships are unknown. We used molecular markers tightly linked to ZYMV resistances from cucumber and melon for comparative mapping. A 5-kb genomic region (YCZ-5) cosegregating with the zym locus of cucumber was cloned and sequenced to reveal single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels distinguishing alleles from ZYMV-resistant (TMG1) and susceptible (Straight 8) cucumbers. A low-copy region of the YCZ-5 clone was hybridized to bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones of melon and a 180-kb contig assembled. One end of this melon contig was mapped in cucumber and cosegregated with ZYMV resistance, demonstrating that physically linked regions in melon show genetic linkage in cucumber. However the YCZ-5 region segregated independently of ZYMV resistance loci in two melon families. These results establish that these sources of ZYMV resistances from cucumber TMG1 and melon PI414723 are likely non-syntenic.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Reproduction and cytogenetic characterization of interspecific hybrids derived from Cucumis hystrix Chakr. x Cucumis sativus L.

Interspecific hybrids between Cucumis hystrix Chakr. (2n = 2 x = 24) and Cucumis sativus L. (2n = 2 x = 14) were produced by means of F(1) (2n = 19) embryo rescue and subsequent chromosome doubling. The hybridity was confirmed by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and chromosome analysis. The amphidiploid (2n = 38) was self-pollinated and backcrossed to cucumber resulting in lines with improved crossability to C. sativus. Examination of shape, stainability, and germination rate of pollen grains and yield as a function of mature fruit set per ten pollinated flowers indicated a tendency for increased fertility in BC(1)S(1) progeny when compared to F(1) and amphidiploid offspring. Cytogenetic characterization of F(1) and amphidiploid progeny was performed. Generally normal meioses produced viable pollen grains, and fertilization resulted in partial fertility restoration in amphidiploid progeny. Chromosome anomalies such as "frying-pan trivalent", chromosome lagging and spindle mis-orientation were also observed. In most of the PMCs of the F(1) diploid hybrid progeny, 19 univalents were observed at diakinesis and MI. In the amphidiploid, more than 90% of the configurations at MI consisted of the predicted 19 bivalents and less than 5% contained multivalents [trivalents (2.3%) + quadrivalents (0.3%)], suggesting the presence of preferential pairing, and a distinctive parental genome as well. The chiasmata observed between homoeologous chromosomes further demonstrated the introgression of the C. hystrix genome into that of C. sativus.

Chimera↗

Organization of highly repetitive satellite DNA of two Cucurbitaceae species (Cucumis melo and Cucumis sativus).

The prominent satellites of the Cucurbitaceae Cucumis melo (melon) and Cucumis sativus (cucumber) have been characterized, in actinomycin/CsCl gradients where the satellite sequences can be separated from ribosomal, organelle, and main band DNA the location of the satellites is different indicating a different GC content. The purified satellite of C. melo is cut by HindIII into a repeat unit of 380 bp; AluI digestion gives rise to two bands (about 80 and 220 bp in size). The HindIII repeat unit if cloned into pBR325 exhibits new recognition sites for HpaII leaving two bands with 150 and 80 bp suggesting methylation of the C/CGG cutting site in the uncloned material. The restriction pattern indicates an internal sequence repeat within the 380 bp HindIII fragment. The C. sativus satellite is cut by AluI to a repeat unit of 180 bp showing no other recognition site for the restriction enzymes tested so far. About 10% sequence homology has been determined between the C. melo and C. sativus satellites by cross hybridization studies. A high methylation degree of cytosines has been measured for both satellites and the ribosomal DNA of C. sativus (about 30%). No transcription products of the C. melo satellite were found during seedling development.

Base Composition↗

Molecular phylogeny of Cucumis species as revealed by consensus chloroplast SSR marker length and sequence variation.

To investigate phylogenetic relationships in the genus Cucumis, 9 consensus chloroplast simple sequence repeat (ccSSR) primer pairs (ccSSR3, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, and 23) were employed for DNA fragment length variation and 5 amplified fragments, ccSSR4, 12, 13, 19, and 20, were sequenced using total DNA from 13 accessions representing 7 African Cucumis species (x = 12), 3 Cucumis melo L. (x = 12) accessions, 2 Cucumis sativus L. (x = 7) accessions, and 1 Cucumis hystrix Chakr. (x = 12) accession. A Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai (x = 11) accession was used as an outgroup. While fragment length analysis revealed the existence of 3 major species clusters (i.e., a group of African Cucumis species, a group composed of C. melo accessions, and a group containing C. sativus and C. hystrix species), sequence variation analysis identified 2 major species clusters (i.e., a group of African Cucumis species and a group composed of C. melo, C. sativus, and C. hystrix species). Comparative analysis using nuclear DNA (previous studies) and cpDNA sequence substitution data resulted in the placement of C. melo and C. sativus in different cluster groupings. Thus, both nuclear and cytoplasmic DNA should be employed and compared when a putative progenitor or specimens of an ancestral Cucumis species lineage is investigated. In addition, C. ficifolius (2x) and C. aculeatus (4x) of the African Cucumis species clustered together in this study. This result does not agree with reported isozyme analyses, but does agree with previously characterized chromosome homologies between these 2 species. Although African Cucumis species and C. hystrix do not share a close relationship, genetic affinities between C. sativus and C. hystrix are considerable. Combined evidence from previously published studies and data presented herein lend support to the hypothesis that C. hystrix is either a progenitor species of C. sativus or that they at least share a common ancestral lineage.

Cell Nucleus↗

Purification and characterization of a serine protease from Cucumis trigonus Roxburghi.

Kachri fruit, Cucumis trigonus Roxburghi, contains high protease activity and has been used as meat tenderizer in the Indian subcontinent. A 67 kDa serine protease from Kachri fruit was purified by DEAE-Sepharose and CM-Sepharose chromatography, whose optimum activity was at pH 11 and 70 degrees C. Its activity was strongly inhibited by PMSF, but not by EDTA, pepstatin, or cysteine protease inhibitors. The substrate specificity of the purified protease towards synthetic peptides was comparable to cucumisin, the first characterized subtilisin class plant protease from the sarcocarp of melon fruit (Cucumis melo). These characteristics, along with the N-terminal amino acid sequence, indicated that the isolated protease from Cucumis trigonus Roxburghi is a cucumisin homologue, which belongs to the serine protease family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Combined effect of copper, cadmium, and lead upon Cucumis sativus growth and bioaccumulation.

Cucumis sativus (cucumber) was tested to assess an ecotoxicity in soils contaminated by the heavy metals copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) separately and in combinations. The toxicity endpoint was plant growth, which was measured as shoot and root lengths after 5 day exposure. Sum of toxic unit (TU) at 50% inhibition for the mixture (EC50mix) was calculated from the dose (TU-based)-response relationships by the Trimmed Spearman-Karber method. Binary metal combinations of Cu+Cd, Cu+Pb, and Cd+Pb produced all three types of interactions; concentration additive (EC50mix=1TU), synergistic (EC50mix<1TU), and antagonistic (EC50mix>1TU) responses. Ternary combination of Cu+Cd+Pb produced an antagonistic response for the growth of Cucumis sativus. Bioaccumulations of Cu, Cd, and Pb were observed in Cucumis sativus and the bioaccumulation of one metal was influenced by the presence of other metals in metal mixtures. In general, antagonistic and/or synergistic responses reflected bioaccumulation patterns in some binary combinations, but the patterns in mixtures were not always consistent with toxicity data. This study indicated that TU approach appears to be a good model to estimate the combined effect of metals in plant systems, and mixture toxicity may be closely-related to the bioaccumulation pattern within plants. Combined effects of mixtures have to be taken into account to ecological risk assessment.

Biological Availability↗

Differential changes in the steady state levels of thylakoid membrane proteins during senescence in Cucumis sativus cotyledons.

Chloroplast structure and function is known to alter during foliar senescence. Besides, the alterations in the structural organisation of thylakoid membranes changes in the steady state levels of thylakoid membrane proteins occur due to leaf ageing. We monitored temporal changes in some of the specific proteins of thylakoid membrane protein complexes by western blotting in the Cucumis sativus cotyledons as a function of the cotyledon age. We observed that the levels of D1 and D2 proteins of photosystem II started declining at the early stages of senescence of Cucumis cotyledons and continued to decline with the progress of cotyledon age. Similarly the level of Cyt f of Cyt b6/f complex declined rapidly with progress of senescence in these cotyledons. The reaction centre proteins of photosystem I were relatively found to be more stable than that of photosystem II reaction centre proteins reflecting possibly the disorganisation of photosystem II prior to photosystem I. The 33 kDa extrinsic protein (MSP) of oxygen evolving complex, the LHCII apoprotein and the beta-subunit of ATPsynthase showed the declined levels with the progress of cotyledon age. However, the extents of loss of these proteins were not as high as the reaction centre proteins of photosystem II and the Cyt f. These results provide that during senescence, proteins of thylakoid membranes degrade in a specific temporal sequence and thereby affect the temporal photochemical functions in Cucumis sativus cotyledons.

Blotting, Western↗

Cusativin, a new cytidine-specific ribonuclease accumulated in seeds of Cucumis sativus L.

Dry seeds of Cucumis sativus L. were found to contain a heat-sensitive endoribonuclease of a novel type which we have named cusativin. It was purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity by chromatography through S-Sepharose Fast Flow, Sephadex G-75, CM-Sepharose, Superdex 75-FPLC (fast protein liquid chromatography) and Mono S-FPLC. It is a single unglycosylated polypeptide chain with an apparent molecular mass (M(r)) of 22900. Polyclonal anti-cusativin antibodies raised in rabbits only reacted with melonin, the translation inhibitor from Cucumis melo L. Functional, Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses indicated that cusativin is present in the coat and cotyledons of dry seeds, but not in embryonic axes. Cusativin is accumulated in maturing seeds. By contrast, after seed germination there is degradation of the cusativin present in cotyledons but not that present in the seed coat. The preference of cusativin for polynucleotide cleavage was poly(C) >> poly(A) acids, poly(U) and poly(G) being unaffected by cusativin. Under the denaturing conditions used for RNA sequencing, cusativin acted only on poly(C). Cusativin proved to be useful for RNA sequencing, in particular, complementing the data obtained with RNase CL3. Cusativin represents a new class of plant RNase and, as far as we are aware, is the first plant enzyme that shows cleavage specificity for cytidine under the denaturing conditions of RNA sequencing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete sequence and organization of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome.

The nucleotide sequence of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Baekmibaekdadagi) chloroplast genome was completed. The circular double-stranded DNA, consisting of 155,527 bp, contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 25,187 bp each, which were separated by small and large single copy regions of 86,879 and 18,274 bp, respectively. The presence and relative positions of 113 genes (76 peptide-encoding genes, 30 tRNA genes, four rRNA genes, and three conserved open reading frames) were identified. The major portion (55.76%) of the C. sativus chloroplast genome consisted of gene-coding regions (49.13% protein coding and 6.63% RNA regions; 27.81% LSC, 9.46% SSC and 18.49% IR regions), while intergenic spacers (including 20 introns) made up 44.24%. The overall G-C content of C. sativus chloroplast genome was 36.95%. Sixteen genes contained one intron, while two genes had two introns. The expansion/contraction manner of IR at IRb/LSC and IR/SSC border in Cucumis was similar to that of Lotus and Arabidopsis, and the manner at IRa/LSC was similar to Lotus and Nicotiana. In total, 56 simple sequence repeats (more than 10 bases) were identified in the C. sativus chloroplast genome.

Chloroplasts↗

Molecular cloning of a carotenoid-associated protein from Cucumis sativus corollas: homologous genes involved in carotenoid sequestration in chromoplasts.

Chromoplasts are carotenoid-accumulating plastids found in the corollas and fruits of many higher plants. In most cases, the pigment in these plastids is accumulated with the aid of carotenoid-associated proteins located within unique structures. This paper reports the isolation and characterization of the cDNA (CHRC) from Cucumis sativus corollas which encodes the chromoplast-specific carotenoid-associated protein CHRC. The transit peptide cleavage site was determined and, using a chloroplast uptake system, it is shown that CHRC can be post-translationally targeted to these plastids where it is peripherally associated with thylakoids. Analysis of CHRC transcript level in Cucumis sativus revealed its temporal and tissue-specific regulation: the transcript was detected only in corollas, where its level increased in parallel to flower development, peaking just before anthesis. CHRC shares significant homology (59%) with the gene coding for fibrillin-a protein in Capsicum annuum red fruits whose function is essentially identical to that of CHRC. A CHRC fragment including the potential active site of the protein was used as a probe in Northern blot analyses of floral and fruit tissues from various plants containing chromoplasts of different types: CHRC homologs of similar sizes were revealed in all cases. The existence of a group of homologous genes coding for chromoplast-specific proteins which aid in the sequestration of carotenoids within specific structures is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterisation of senescence-induced changes in light harvesting complex II and photosystem I complex of thylakoids of Cucumis sativus cotyledons: age induced association of LHCII with photosystem I.

Structure and function of chloroplasts are known to after during senescence. The senescence-induced specific changes in light harvesting antenna of photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI) were investigated in Cucumis cotyledons. Purified light harvesting complex II (LHCII) and photosystem I complex were isolated from 6-day non-senescing and 27-day senescing Cucumis cotyledons. The chlorophyll a/b ratio of LHCII obtained from 6-day-old control cotyledons and their absorption, chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and the circular dichroism (CD) spectral properties were comparable to the LHCII preparations from other plants such as pea and spinach. The purified LHCII obtained from 27-day senescing cotyledons had a Chl a/b ratio of 1.25 instead of 1.2 as with 6-day LHCII and also exhibited significant changes in the visible CD spectrum compared to that of 6-day LHCII, indicating some specific alterations in the organisation of chlorophylls of LHCII. The light harvesting antenna of photosystems are likely to be altered due to aging. The room temperature absorption spectrum of LHCII obtained from 27-day senescing cotyledons showed changes in the peak positions. Similarly, comparison of 77K chlorophyll a fluorescence emission characteristics of LHCII preparation from senescing cotyledons with that of control showed a small shift in the peak position and the alteration in the emission profile, which is suggestive of possible changes in energy transfer within LHCII chlorophylls. Further, the salt induced aggregation of LHCII samples was lower, resulting in lower yields of LHCII from 27-day cotyledons than from normal cotyledons. Moreover, the PSI preparations of 6-day cotyledons showed Chl a/b ratios of 5 to 5.5, where as the PSI sample of 27-day cotyledons had a Chl a/b ratio of 2.9 suggesting LHCII association with PSI. The absorption, fluorescence emission and visible CD spectral measurements as well as the polypeptide profiles of 27-day cotyledon-PSI complexes indicated age-induced association of LHCII of PSII with PSI obtained from 27-day cotyledons. We modified our isolation protocols by increasing the duration of detergent Triton X-100 treatment for preparing the PSI and LHCII complexes from 27-day cotyledons. However, the PSI complexes isolated from senescing samples invariably proved to have significantly low Chl a/b ratio suggesting an age induced lateral movement and possible association of LHCII with PSI complexes. The analyses of polypeptide compositions of LHCII and PSI holocomplexes isolated from 6-day control and 27-day senescing cotyledons showed distinctive differences in their profiles. The presence of 26-28 kDa polypeptide in PSI complexes from 27-day cotyledons, but not in 6-day control PSI complexes is in agreement with the notion that senescence induced migration of LHCII to stroma lamellae and its possible association with PSI. We suggest that the migration of LHCII to the stroma lamellae region and its possible association with PSI might cause the destacking and flattening of grana structure during senescence of the chloroplasts. Such structural changes in light harvesting antenna are likely to alter energy transfer between two photosystems. The nature of aging induced migration and association of LHCII with PSI and its existence in other senescing systems need to be estimated in the future.

Chlorophyll↗

Linkage map of Cucumis melo including phenotypic traits and sequence-characterized genes.

A new linkage map of Cucumis melo, derived from the F2 progeny of a cross between PI 414723 and C. melo 'TopMark' is presented. The map spans a total of 1421 cM and includes 179 points consisting of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The map also includes an aphid resistance trait (Vat) and the sex type gene, andromonoecious (a), the two of which are important in resistance breeding and the control of hybrid seed production, as well as a seed-color gene, Wt-2. Most RFLPs represent sequence-characterized cDNA probes from C. melo and Cucumis sativus. These include resistance gene homologues and genes involved in various aspects of plant development and metabolism. A sub-set of our SSR and RFLP markers were also mapped, as part of this study, on additional mapping populations that were published for this species. This provides important reference points ("anchors"), enabling us to identify several linkage groups with respect to other melon maps.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Development of microsatellite markers from an enriched genomic library for genetic analysis of melon (Cucumis melo L.).

BACKGROUND: Despite the great advances in genomic technology observed in several crop species, the availability of molecular tools such as microsatellite markers has been limited in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and cucurbit species. The development of microsatellite markers will have a major impact on genetic analysis and breeding of melon, especially on the generation of marker saturated genetic maps and implementation of marker assisted breeding programs. Genomic microsatellite enriched libraries can be an efficient alternative for marker development in such species. RESULTS: Seven hundred clones containing microsatellite sequences from a Tsp-AG/TC microsatellite enriched library were identified and one-hundred and forty-four primer pairs designed and synthesized. When 67 microsatellite markers were tested on a panel of melon and other cucurbit accessions, 65 revealed DNA polymorphisms among the melon accessions. For some cucurbit species, such as Cucumis sativus, up to 50% of the melon microsatellite markers could be readily used for DNA polymophism assessment, representing a significant reduction of marker development costs. A random sample of 25 microsatellite markers was extracted from the new microsatellite marker set and characterized on 40 accessions of melon, generating an allelic frequency database for the species. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.52, varying from 0.45 to 0.70, indicating that a small set of selected markers should be sufficient to solve questions regarding genotype identity and variety protection. Genetic distances based on microsatellite polymorphism were congruent with data obtained from RAPD marker analysis. Mapping analysis was initiated with 55 newly developed markers and most primers showed segregation according to Mendelian expectations. Linkage analysis detected linkage between 56% of the markers, distributed in nine linkage groups. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic library microsatellite enrichment is an efficient procedure for marker development in melon. One-hundred and forty-four new markers were developed from Tsp-AG/TC genomic library. This is the first reported attempt of successfully using enriched library for microsatellite marker development in the species. A sample of the microsatellite markers tested proved efficient for genetic analysis of melon, including genetic distance estimates and identity tests. Linkage analysis indicated that the markers developed are dispersed throughout the genome and should be very useful for genetic analysis of melon.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Resistance to Diaphania hyalinata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Cucumis species.

Diaphania hyalinata (L.), the melonworm, causes economic damage in cucurbit species in the Caribbean region. To control larvae feeding on leaves, frequent pesticide applications are needed, but this favors outbreaks of other pests. We looked for plant resistance to D. hyalinata in Cucumis melo L. and two wild Cucumis, C. metuliferus Meyer and C. pustulatus Naudin. Fifteen genotypes were observed using a 1-81 damage scale during 8 wk in two field trials in Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Among the C. melo genotypes, we observed different levels of damage (scores of 32-74 at the maximum damage date) ranging from partially resistant to susceptible genotypes. Both wild species scored <20 at the maximum damage date, and were more resistant in the field tests than the tested genotypes of C. melo. Five C melo genotypes and one C. pustulatus genotype were tested using a detached leaf test. Under controlled conditions, newly hatched larvae were fed with leaves from plants that were 5-9 wk old. Duration and mortality of immature stages were highly correlated. Strong antibiosis (long development and high mortality) was expressed by PI 140471 and Concombre Chien (two C. melo genotypes). For both genotypes, mortality was at least 87.9 versus 34% for Védrantais, a susceptible genotype. Because antibiosis and field resistance were not correlated, we hypothesize that some genotypes expressed antixenosis in the field trials. In addition, possibilities of breeding for C. melo resistance to D. hyalinata is discussed.

Animals↗

Quantitative structure-activity relationships: comparative inhibition of nitrogen-containing aromatics on germination of Cucumis sativus.

Comparative inhibition effect of selected nitrogen-containing aromatics on germination rate of Cucumis sativus was investigated, and quantitative structure-activity relationships were developed and mechanistically interpreted. Energy of lowest unoccupied orbital was found to successfully model the toxicity of the test chemicals. It was discovered that inhibition of nitrogen-containing aromatics to germination of Cucumis sativus was caused mainly by their in vivo redox reaction.

Aminopyridines↗

Simple sequence repeats in Cucumis mapping and map merging.

Thirty-four polymorphic simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) were evaluated for length polymorphism in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). SSR markers were located on three melon maps (18 on the map of 'Vedrantais' and PI 161375, 23 on the map of 'Piel de Sapo' and PI 161375, and 16 on the map of PI 414723 and 'Dulce'). In addition, 14 of the markers were located on the cucumber map of GY14 and PI 183967. SSRs proved to be randomly distributed throughout the melon and cucumber genomes. Mapping of the SSRs in the different maps led to the cross-identification of seven linkage groups in all melon maps. In addition, nine SSRs were common to both melon and cucumber maps. The potential of SSR markers as anchor points for melon-map merging and for comparative mapping with cucumber was demonstrated.

Chromosome Mapping↗

In vitro organogenesis and genetic transformation in popular Cucumis sativus L. through Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

The effect of growth regulators and culture conditions on the morphogenetic response of cotyledonary leaf discs was studied in popular cucumber variety (Cucumis sativus cv. Sheetal). Organogenesis was induced directly without any intervening callus phase on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of benzyladenine and indole propionic acid. Best results (93%) were obtained in the presence of the 4 mg/L benzyladenine and 1 mg/L IPA. The elongated shoots were rooted in basal medium with 1 mg/L indole butyric acid, hardened and transferred to the field conditions. Genetic transformation system has been established for Cucumis sativus cv. Sheetal, plants by infecting cotyledonary explants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 carrying binary plasmid pBI121, which contains scorable marker, beta-glucuronidase and selectable marker nptII under the CaMV 35S promoter. Infection was most effective when explants were infected with Agrobacterium for 15 min and co-cultivated for 2 days in the co-cultivation medium. Shoots were regenerated directly from cotyledonary leaf explants in the presence of kanamycin (50 microg/ml) and analysed. Southern blot analysis confirmed that transformation had occurred. This method will allow genetic improvement of this crop by the introduction of agronomically important genes.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

[Effect of extractive substances and total glycoside fraction from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer on root growth of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings].

We studied the effect of extractive substances (ES) and total glycoside fraction (TGF) from Panax ginseng on plant cell growth. The seeds of cucumber Cucumis sativus L., KIT variety, were used for the biological assay. The tested substances inhibited the primary root growth in Cucumis sativus seedlings. Actively growing seedlings were most sensitive to this effect.

Cucumis sativus↗