Project description:Steady-state expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) explain only a fraction of disease-associated loci identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), while eQTLs involved in gene-by-environment (GxE) interactions have rarely been characterized in humans due to experimental challenges. Using a baboon model, we found hundreds of eQTLs that emerge in adipose, liver, and muscle after prolonged exposure to high dietary fat and cholesterol. Diet-responsive eQTLs exhibit genomic localization and genic features that are distinct from steady-state eQTLs. Furthermore, the human orthologs associated with diet-responsive eQTLs are enriched for GWAS genes associated with human metabolic traits, suggesting that context-responsive eQTLs with more complex regulatory effects are likely to explain GWAS hits that do not seem to overlap with standard eQTLs. Our results highlight the complexity of genetic regulatory effects and the potential of eQTLs with disease-relevant GxE interactions in enhancing the understanding of GWAS signals for human complex disease using nonhuman primate models.
Project description:Soybean is a rich source of protein and oil and a primary feedstock for biodiesel production. Previous research on soybean indicated that protein, oil and yield are controlled quantitatively in soybean seeds. However, genetic mechanisms controlling seed composition and yield in soybean remain unknown. We used Affymetrix Soybean GeneChips® to identify genes that are differentially expressed between developing seeds of the Minsoy and Archer soybean varieties, which differ in seed weight, yield, protein content and oil content. Some of the differentially expressed genes identified in this study may play important roles in controlling these traits.
Project description:Comparing a Mixed Model Approach to Traditional Stability Estimators for Mapping Genotype by Environment Interactions and Yield Stability in Soybean
Project description:Here we derive candidate gene-environment interaction (GxE) variants from promoter-enhancer interacting regions that respond to dietary fatty acid challenge through altered chromatin accessibility in human primary adipocytes, and demonstrate that molecular genomics data produced in physiologically relevant contexts can illuminate new functional GxE mechanisms in humans and identify variants for GxE testing in large biobanks.
Project description:Soybean aphids are phloem-feeding pests that can cause significant yield losses in soybean plants. Soybean aphids thrive on susceptible soybean lines but not on resistant lines. We used microarrays to characterize the soybean plant's transcriptional defense against aphids in two related cultivars, a susceptible line and a resistant line with the Rag1 aphid-resistance gene. We measured trancript levels in leaves after one and seven days of aphid infestation.
Project description:Soybean is a rich source of protein and oil and a primary feedstock for biodiesel production. Previous research on soybean indicated that protein, oil and yield are controlled quantitatively in soybean seeds. However, genetic mechanisms controlling seed composition and yield in soybean remain unknown. We used Affymetrix Soybean GeneChips® to identify genes that are differentially expressed between developing seeds of the Minsoy and Archer soybean varieties, which differ in seed weight, yield, protein content and oil content. Some of the differentially expressed genes identified in this study may play important roles in controlling these traits. The soybean plants of two soybean varieties Minsoy and Archer and two recombinant inbred lines from the cross that are similar in maturity but differ in yield were grown in St Paul, Minnesota during the summers of 2007 and 2008. In 2007, each line was planted as a single row. In 2008, a randomized complete block (RCB) design was used and each line had 3 replicates planted 1-2 weeks apart. Within each replicate, two rows per line were planted. Seeds were harvested at three developmental stages, namely, seed length = 2 mm, 3.5 mm, and 5-6 mm, which correspond approximately to soybean reproductive stages R4, R5 and early R6, respectively. In 2007 three independent samples were collected for each line and developmental stage. In 2008, two seed samples (one from each row) were collected for each line at each stage within each replicate. The pairs of seed samples were then pooled. Thus, three sets of independent tissue samples were collected for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrys.
Project description:The centromeric histone H3 (CENH3) is of great importance in centromere identification identity, chromosome mobilization during cell division and thus genome stability. The imbalance of CENH3 loading rate or dosage on parental centromeres often leads to uniparental chromosome elimination in the offspring. A body of studies on the function of CENH3 in genome stability have been reported in Arabidopsis, cotton, and many other monocots, but not in soybean (Glycine max), an important dicot crop. In our study, we identified the a single-copy functional CENH3 in soybean and found its role in genome stability and parent-of-origin effect caused by a conserved glycine site and parental genetic background. This study identified the functional GmCENH3 and would shed light on the future development of CENH3-based haploid induction system and centromere biology in soybean.
Project description:Soybean sprout, a kind of year-round vegetable in Asia, is perceived as a part of a healthy diet. We found that supplemental Ca2+ could increase soybean sprout yield and improve its nutrition qualities. Ca2+-treated sprouts had higher yield than water-treated ones. Metabolism of selected anti-nutritional factors and bioactive substances in soybean sprouts was strengthened by Ca2+. To investigate the role of Ca2+ in soybean during germination, proteomic changes were analyzed. Total protein from soybean sprouts that treated with deionized water or with 6 mM Ca2+ were analyzed.
Project description:Soybean aphids are phloem-feeding pests that can cause significant yield losses in soybean plants. Soybean aphids thrive on susceptible soybean lines but not on resistant lines. Aphids do not normally kill their host and colonize plants for long periods of time, up to several months in soybean. However, our knowledge of plant responses to long-term aphid colonization is very limited. We used microarrays to characterize the soybean plant's transcriptional response against aphids in two related cultivars, a susceptible line and a resistant line with the Rag1 aphid-resistance gene. We measured transcript levels in leaves after 21 days of aphid infestation.
Project description:Pod dehiscence is an important agronomic trait. Pod dehiscence would cause huge yield losses before soybean maturity. Although some of soybean pod dehiscence associated genes have been identified, the underlying mechanism of pod dehiscence is still not comprehensively explained. In this study, we have identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between shattering-resistant and shattering-susceptible soybean accessions based on transcriptome analyses of 10 soybean accessions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be involved in soybean pod dehiscence were also identified, and we constructed co-expression networks between mRNAs and lncRNAs. RNA sequencing results were further verified by real-time PCR. Furthermore, DEGs were screened through analyzing positions of soybean pod dehiscence quantitative trait locus (QTLs) and phenotypes of soybean pod dehiscence for achieving pod-dehiscence candidate genes.