Biology subjects

Yi Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Yi Zhang.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2016

Mapping and Inheritance analysis of a novel dominant rice male sterility mutant, OsDMS-1

We found a rice dominant genetic male sterile mutant OsDMS-1 from the tissue culture regenerated offspring of Zhonghua 11 (japonica rice). Compared to wild Zhonghua 11, OsDMS-1 mutant anthers were thinner and whiter, and could not release any pollen although the glume opened normally; most of the mutant pollen was small and malformed, and could not be stained by iodine treatment; a paraffin section assay showed the degradation of OsDMS-1 mutant tapetum was delayed, with no accumulation of starch in the mutant pollen, ultimately leading to pollen abortion. Classical genetic analysis indicated that only one dominant gene was controlling the sterility in the OsDMS-1 mutant. However, molecular mapping suggested three loci simultaneously control male sterility in this mutant: OsDMS-1A, flanked by InDel markers C1D4 and C1D5 with a genetic distance of 0.15 and 0.30 cM, respectively; OsDMS-1B, flanked by InDel markers C2D3 and C2D10 with a genetic distance of 0.44 and 0.88 cM, respectively; OsDMS-1C, flanked by InDel markers 0315 and C3D3 with a genetic distance of 0.44 and 0.88 cM, respectively. Molecular mapping disagreed with classical genetic analysis about the number of controlling genes in the OsDMS-1 mutant, indicating a novel mechanism underlying sterility in OsDMS-1. We present two hypotheses to explain this novel inheritance behavior: one is described as Parent-Originated Loci Tying Inheritance (POLTI); or the hypothesis is described as Loci Recombination Lethal (LRL).\n\nKey messageThree loci, which were localized on the chromosomes 1, 2 and 3 respectively, simultaneously control a dominant rice male sterility in this mutant: OsDMS-1.

Genetics↗

bioRxiv2015

The Arabidopsis Auxin F-box proteins AFB4 and AFB5 are Required for Response to the Synthetic Auxin Picloram

The plant hormone auxin is perceived by a family of F-box proteins called the TIR1/AFBs. Phylogenetic studies reveal that these proteins fall into four clades in flowering plants called TIR1, AFB2, AFB4, and AFB6 (Parry et al. 2009). Genetic studies indicate that members of the TIR1 and AFB2 groups act as positive regulators of auxin signaling by promoting the degradation of the Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors (Dharmasiri et al. 2005; Parry et al. 2009). In this report, we demonstrate that both AFB4 and AFB5 also function as auxin receptors based on in vitro assays. We also provide genetic evidence that both AFB4 and AFB5 are targets of the picloram family of auxinic herbicides. In contrast to previous studies we find that null afb4 alleles do not exhibit obvious defects in seedling morphology or auxin hypersensitivity. We conclude that AFB4 and AFB5 act in a similar fashion to other members of the family but exhibit a distinct auxin specificity.

Plant Biology↗

bioRxiv2013

Mechanism of β-Aminobutyric Acid-Induced Resistance in Wheat to the Grain Aphid, Sitobion avenae

The non-protein amino acid {beta}-aminobutyric acid (BABA) could induce plant resistance to a broad spectrum of biotic and abiotic stresses. However, BABA-induced plant resistance to insects is less well-studied, especially its underlying mechanism. In this research, we applied BABA to wheat seedlings and tested its effects on Sitobion avenae. When applied as a soil drench, BABA significantly reduced weight of S. avenae, whereas foliar spray and seed treatment had no such effects. BABA-mediated suppression of S. avenae growth is dose dependent and could last at least for 7 days. The aminobutyric acid concentration in phloem sap of BABA-treated plants accumulated to high levels and increased with BABA concentrations applied. Moreover, after 10 days of treatment, the aminobutyric acid content in BABA-treated plants was still higher than that in control treatment. S. avenae could not discriminate artificial diet containing BABA from standard diet, indicating that BABA itself is not a deterrent to this aphid. Also S. avenae did not show preference for control plants or BABA-treated plants. Consistent with choice test results, S. avenae had similar feeding activities on control and BABA-treated plants, suggesting that BABA did not induce antifeedants in wheat seedlings. In addition, aminobutyric acid concentration in S. avenae feeding on BABA-treated plants was significantly higher than those feeding on control palnts. S. avenae growth rate was reduced on artificial diet containing BABA, indicating direct toxic effects of BABA to this aphid. These results suggest that BABA application could enhance wheat plant resistance to S. avenae and the mechanism is possibly due to direct toxicity of high BABA contents in plant phloem.

Ecology↗