Genetic Diversity in the Modern Horse Illustrated from Genome-Wide SNP Data

Horses were domesticated from the Eurasian steppes 5,000-6,000 years ago. Since then, the use of horses for transportation, warfare, and agriculture, as well as selection for desired traits and fitness, has resulted in diverse populations distributed across the world, many of which have become or are in the process of becoming formally organized into closed, breeding populations (breeds). This report describes the use of a genome-wide set of autosomal SNPs and 814 horses from 36 breeds to provide the first detailed description of equine breed diversity. FST calculations, parsimony, and distance analysis demonstrated relationships among the breeds that largely reflect geographic origins and known breed histories. Low levels of population divergence were observed between breeds that are relatively early on in the process of breed development, and between those with high levels of within-breed diversity, whether due to large population size, ongoing outcrossing, or large within-breed phenotypic diversity. Populations with low within-breed diversity included those which have experienced population bottlenecks, have been under intense selective pressure, or are closed populations with long breed histories. These results provide new insights into the relationships among and the diversity within breeds of horses. In addition these results will facilitate future genome-wide association studies and investigations into genomic targets of selection. © 2013 Petersen et al.

Initial description of the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity of Atlantic spotted dolphins from Brazil and the Caribbean, inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

We provide initial information regarding the population structure and genetic diversity of Stenella frontalis from the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil from analyses of mitochondrial control region sequences and sequences from the first intron of the α-lactalbumin gene. Comparisons with previously described S. frontalis sequences showed a high number of haplotypes shared between populations throughout their distribution range. High diversity was found for southeastern Brazil and Caribbean samples, and population structure analyses indicate significant differentiation among population units at the FST level, but not at the ΦST level. Significant differentiation at the FST level was found between the Caribbean population unit and all other populations units. These results suggest historical or present connectivity between the Azores and Madeira and the southeastern Brazil groups and population differentiation between the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil, supporting the notion of two separate stocks in the waters around the Atlantic coast of South America. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Identification of polymorphisms in the osteopontin gene and their associations with certain semen production traits of water buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon

Contents: The osteopontin gene may influence the fertility of water buffaloes because it is a protein present in sperm. The aim of this work was to identify polymorphisms in this gene and associate them with fertility parameters of animals kept under extensive grazing. A total of 306 male buffaloes older than 18 months, from two farms, one in the state of Amapá and the other in the state of Pará, Brazil were used in the study. Seven SNPs were identified in the regions studied. The polymorphisms were in gene positions 1478, 1513 and 1611 in the region 5′upstrem and positions 6690, 6737, 6925 and 6952 in the region amplified in intron 5. The SNPs were associated with the traits, namely scrotal circumference, scrotal volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration and sperm pathology. There were significant SNPs (p < 0.05) for all the traits. The SNP 6690 was significant for scrotal circumference, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm pathology and the SNP 6737 for scrotal volume. The genotype AA of SNP 6690 presented the highest averages for scrotal circumference, sperm concentration and motility and the lowest total number of sperm pathologies. For the scrotal volume trait, the animals with the largest volume were correlated with the presence of the genotype GG of SNP 6737. These results indicate a significance of the osteopontin gene as it seems to exert a substantial influence on the semen production traits of male buffaloes. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The tonoplast intrinsic aquaporin (TIP) subfamily of Eucalyptus grandis: Characterization of EgTIP2, a root-specific and osmotic stress-responsive gene

Aquaporins have important roles in various physiological processes in plants, including growth, development and adaptation to stress. In this study, a gene encoding a root-specific tonoplast intrinsic aquaporin (TIP) from Eucalyptus grandis (named EgTIP2) was investigated. The root-specific expression of EgTIP2 was validated over a panel of five eucalyptus organ/tissues. In eucalyptus roots, EgTIP2 expression was significantly induced by osmotic stress imposed by PEG treatment. Histochemical analysis of transgenic tobacco lines (Nicotiana tabacum SR1) harboring an EgTIP2 promoter:GUS reporter cassette revealed major GUS staining in the vasculature and in root tips. Consistent with its osmotic-stress inducible expression in eucalyptus, EgTIP2 promoter activity was up-regulated by mannitol treatment, but was down-regulated by abscisic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that EgTIP2 might be involved in eucalyptus response to drought. Additional searches in the eucalyptus genome revealed the presence of four additional putative TIP coding genes, which could be individually assigned to the classical TIP1-5 groups. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

A proteína quinase dependente de ciclina NcPHO85 de Neurospora crassa. Estudos de caracterização molecular e bioquímica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo do papel das proteínas mitocondriais desacopladas na tolerância aos estresses abióticos empregando diferentes abordagens

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identificação de SNPs (Single Nucleiotide Polymorphisms) no gene colina monooxigenase relacionado ao metabolismo da glicina betaína em Eucalyptus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização de promotores de Eucalipto com expressão tecido-específica: raiz e folha

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Polimorfismo nos genes da leptina e do receptor de melatonina em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Embriogênese somática e transformação genética de soja via biobalística

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Polimorfismos no gene do hormônio da grelina (GHRL) e suas associações com características de interesse econômico em bovinos da raça Nelore

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise dos genes GL1 E PTCH1 em indivíduos com anomalias craniofaciais de linha média, olho e face

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo de dois genes de café (Coffea arabica) induzidos por estresse biótico e análise de suas regiões promotoras

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Genética) - IBB

Isolamento e caracterização de promotores órgão-específicos a partir de informações do Banco FORESTs (Eucalyptus Genome Sequencing Project Consortium)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Herbicidas mais empregados no cultivo de cana-de-açúcar no município de Araraquara (SP): desenvolvimento e validação de método de quantificação e avaliação do potencial de lixiviação em solos argiloso e arenoso (área de recarga do Sistema Aquífero Guarani)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)