Molecular tools for exploring polyploid genomes in plants

Polyploidy is a very common phenomenon in the plant kingdom, where even diploid species are often described as paleopolyploids. The polyploid condition may bring about several advantages compared to the diploid state. Polyploids often show phenotypes that are not present in their diploid progenitors or exceed the range of the contributing species. Some of these traits may play a role in heterosis or could favor adaptation to new ecological niches. Advances in genomics and sequencing technology may create unprecedented opportunities for discovering and monitoring the molecular effects of polyploidization. Through this review, we provide an overview of technologies and strategies that may allow an in-depth analysis of polyploid genomes. After introducing some basic aspects on the origin and genetics of polyploids, we highlight the main tools available for genome and gene expression analysis and summarize major findings. In the last part of this review, the implications of next generation sequencing are briefly discussed. The accumulation of knowledge on polyploid formation, maintenance, and divergence at whole-genome and subgenome levels will not only help plant biologists to understand how plants have evolved and diversified, but also assist plant breeders in designing new strategies for crop improvement.     

植物乳杆菌FS5-5在盐胁迫下的转录组学分析

以分离自东北自然发酵大酱中的一株耐盐植物乳杆菌FS5-5(Lactobacillus plantarum FS5-5)为实验对象,在转录水平上对该菌株盐胁迫相关基因表达进行了研究。结果表明:在对数生长期,表达显著下调的共29个基因,分别为参与碳水化合物转运和代谢的4个基因,氨基酸转运和代谢的9个基因,维生素代谢的3个基因,核苷酸代谢的6个基因,遗传信息翻译、核糖体结构和形成的7个基因;表达显著上调的有参与碳水化合物转运和代谢的4个基因。这些变化可能与L.plantarum FS5-5的盐胁迫机制密切相关。选取参与维生素代谢的3个基因和核苷酸代谢的1个基因,通过实时定量聚合酶链式反应对转录组学结果进行验证,结果表明两种方法中基因表达趋势一致。实验对L.plantarum FS5-5的盐胁迫反应进行了比较全面的分析,为提高工业生产中菌株的耐受性提供了理论依据。