Publications (24)59.14 Total impact
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Article: Isolation and characterization of novel variants of BBI coding genes from the legume Lathyrus sativus.
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ABSTRACT: A pool of twelve cDNA sequences coding for Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBIs) was identified in the legume grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). The corresponding amino acid sequences showed a canonical first anti-trypsin domain, predicted according to the identity of the determinant residue P(1). A more variable second binding loop was observed allowing to identify three groups based on the identity of residue P(1): two groups (Ls_BBI_1 and Ls_BBI_2) carried a second reactive site specific for chymotrypsin, while a third group (Ls_BBI_3) was predicted to inhibit elastase. A fourth variant carrying an Asp in the P(1) position of the second reactive site was identified only from genomic DNA. A phylogenetic tree constructed using grass pea BBIs with their homologs from other legume species revealed grouping based on taxonomy and on specificity of the reactive sites. Five BBI sequences, representing five different second reactive sites, were heterologously expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant proteins demonstrated to be active against trypsin, while three of them were also active against chymotrypsin, and one against human leukocyte elastase. Comparative modeling and protein docking were used to further investigate interactions between two grass pea BBI isoforms and their target proteases. Thus two reliable 3D models have been proposed, representing two potential ternary complexes, each constituted of an inhibitor and its target enzymes.Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 05/2012; 57:45-53. · 2.84 Impact Factor -
Article: From the cradle of agriculture a handful of lentils: History of domestication
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ABSTRACT: Literature on lentil domestication is reviewed, particularly considering archeobotanical, phylogenetic, and molecular evidence. Lentils are one of the oldest crops cultivated and domesticated by man. Carbonized small lentil seeds have been found in several archaeological remains starting from the Neolithic. It is probable, however, that the most ancient remains refer to wild lentils; this is difficult to ascertain since seed size was probably selected after the establishment of a domesticated lentil. It is general opinion that cultivation occurred before domestication, but for how long is still an open question. It is now well accepted that the domestication of lentils was accomplished in the Near East, in an area called “the cradle of agriculture”. The genus Lens is very small, containing only 6 taxa. A wide range of morphological and molecular evidence supports the idea that the lentil wild progenitor is Lens culinaris ssp. orientalis. On the other hand, the most distantly related species within the genus appears to be L. nigricans, whose domestication was also attempted without success. The first characters involved in lentil domestication were pod dehiscence and seed dormancy. These traits are under a simple genetic control, and therefore mutants must have been fixed in a relatively short time. These and other morphological traits possibly involved in lentil domestication have been mapped in several linkage maps. However, generally these maps are not easily integrated since they are based on a limited number of markers. Newer maps, mainly built on different kinds of molecular markers, have been more recently produced. A consensus map is needed to fill the gap in lentil breeding and, at the same time, endow with deeper information on the genetics of lentil domestication, giving new insight into the origins of this crop, which present fragmented knowledge is unable.Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali 04/2012; 20(1):21-37. · 0.45 Impact Factor -
Article: On the origin of artichoke and cardoon from the Cynara gene pool as revealed by rDNA sequence variation
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ABSTRACT: The evolutionary history of artichoke and cultivated cardoon and their relationships to wild allies of the genus Cynara are not fully understood yet. To try resolve the evolutionary patterns leading to the domestication of these two crops, a study of molecular evolution was undertaken. The species C. cardunculus, including artichoke, cultivated and wild cardoon, together with four wild Cynara species were taken into consideration. Internal (ITS) and external (ETS) rDNA transcribed spacers were used as markers of nuclear genome, the psbA-trnH spacer as a marker of chloroplast genome. Sequences were analysed using phylogenetic analysis packages. Molecular data indicate that the whole genus is quite recent and that the domestication of artichoke and cultivated cardoon, crops diverging for reproduction system and use, are independent events which diverge in time and space. As for wild Cynara species, an evolutionary pattern consistent with their present geographical distribution was hypothesized in relation to the climatic changes occurring in the Mediterranean during the last 20 millennia: C. humilis and C. cornigera appeared to have differentiated first, C. syriaca and C. baetica were differentiated in a second period, while C. cardunculus showed to be the most recent and plastic species. The high plasticity of C. cardunculus has not only allowed its nowadays wide distribution, but has also given the potential for domestication.Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 04/2012; 54(3):483-495. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: The major Italian landraces of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.): Their molecular diversity and possible origin
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ABSTRACT: The eleven most known landraces from central and southern Italy were analysed using ISSR markers on 15 randomly chosen individuals for each landrace, with the aim of assessing genetic variation within and among landraces and possibly ascertaining their origin and genetic relationships. A total of 164 loci were observed, 128 of which (78.05%) were polymorphic. Gene diversity over all landraces was I=0.3759. The highest within-landrace diversity was observed in samples from the Apennine ridge and for one Sicilian landrace; on the other hand, samples from the small Sicily islands were less variable. Principal Component Analysis and AMOVA allowed the discrimination of groups of landraces with higher similarity. Analyses indicate that the small Sicily islands landraces are very closely related to one another and seem to be derived from the peninsular material; moreover, they help disclose relationships among geographically close landraces. The knowledge so acquired can, therefore, contribute to elaborate strategies for increasing the economical value of élite landraces and to protect producers from frauds.Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 04/2012; 54(5):1023-1031. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: Identification of artichoke SSR markers: molecular variation and patterns of diversity in genetically cohesive taxa and wild allies
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ABSTRACT: A set of 24 microsatellite markers was identified in the artichoke genome, using various approaches. A genomic library allowed the development of 14 SSR markers, whereas the other 10 were obtained from gene intron/UTR regions or from other species. Allelic variation was scored in C. cardunculus (artichoke, cultivated cardoon, and wild cardoon) samples, and in other wild Cynara allies. For the 23 polymorphic loci, a total of 165 alleles were scored, 135 of which in the artichoke primary genepool, and the remaining ones in the other Cynara species. Some allele combinations were able to identify artichoke varietal types, and some alleles were unique to specific groups. This makes these markers potentially useful in product traceability and in contributing to the saturation of genetic maps. The percentage of shared alleles between C. cardunculus taxonomic groups, and Nei’s genetic distances indicated that wild cardoons from the Eastern Mediterranean were more closely related to artichoke and less to cultivated cardoon in comparison to wild cardoons from the Western Mediterranean, and the genetic distance between the two wild cardoon genepools was rather high. The UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distances revealed that artichokes formed a fairly defined cluster, whereas Eastern wild cardoons occupied another branch, and Western wild cardoons were clustered together with cultivated cardoons. The transferability of microsatellite markers to other Cynara wild species was quite good. Sequencing alleles at three loci showed that, apart from microsatellite length variation, point mutations and insertion/deletions were quite abundant especially when comparing C. cardunculus to the other Cynara species. In the sequenced regions, some SNPs were identified which distinguished artichoke on one side, and cultivated and wild cardoon on the other, while other SNPs were apportioned according to the geographic distribution of Cynara wild species.Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 04/2012; 55(7):1029-1046. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: GIDL: a rule based expert system for GenBank Intelligent Data Loading into the Molecular Biodiversity database
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ABSTRACT: Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs (21-24 bp) providing an RNA-based system of gene regulation highly conserved in plants and animals. In plants, miRNAs control mRNA degradation or restrain translation, affecting development and responses to stresses. Plant miRNAs show imperfect but extensive complementarity to mRNA targets, making their computational prediction possible, useful when data mining is applied on different species. In this study we used a comparative approach to identify both miRNAs and their targets, in artichoke and safflower. Results Two complete expressed sequence tags (ESTs) datasets from artichoke (3.6·104 entries) and safflower (4.2·104), were analysed with a bioinformatic pipeline and in vitro experiments, identifying 17 potential miRNAs. For each EST, using RNAhybrid program and 953 non redundant miRNA mature sequences, available in mirBase as reference, we searched matching putative targets. 8730 out of 42011 ESTs from safflower and 7145 of 36323 ESTs from artichoke showed at least one predicted miRNA target. BLAST analysis showed that 75% of all ESTs shared at least a common homologous region (E-value < 10-4) and about 50% of these displayed 400 bp or longer aligned sequences as conserved homologous/orthologous (COS) regions. 960 and 890 ESTs of safflower and artichoke organized in COS shared 79 different miRNA targets, considered functionally conserved, and statistically significant when compared with random sequences (signal to noise ratio > 2 and specificity ≥ 0.85). Four highly significant miRNAs selected from in silico data were experimentally validated in globe artichoke leaves. Conclusions Mature miRNAs and targets were predicted within EST sequences of safflower and artichoke. Most of the miRNA targets appeared highly/moderately conserved, highlighting an important and conserved function. In this study we introduce a stringent parameter for the comparative sequence analysis, represented by the identification of the same target in the COS region. After statistical analysis 79 targets, found on the COS regions and belonging to 60 miRNA families, have a signal to noise ratio > 2, with ≥ 0.85 specificity. The putative miRNAs identified belong to 55 dicotyledon plants and to 24 families only in monocotyledon.BMC Bioinformatics 03/2012; · 2.75 Impact Factor -
Article: In-silico and in-vivo analyses of EST databases unveil conserved miRNAs from Carthamus tinctorius and Cynara cardunculus
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ABSTRACT: Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs (21-24 bp) providing an RNA-based system of gene regulation highly conserved in plants and animals. In plants, miRNAs control mRNA degradation or restrain translation, affecting development and responses to stresses. Plant miRNAs show imperfect but extensive complementarity to mRNA targets, making their computational prediction possible, useful when data mining is applied on different species. In this study we used a comparative approach to identify both miRNAs and their targets, in artichoke and safflower. Results Two complete expressed sequence tags (ESTs) datasets from artichoke (3.6·104 entries) and safflower (4.2·104), were analysed with a bioinformatic pipeline and in vitro experiments, identifying 17 potential miRNAs. For each EST, using RNAhybrid program and 953 non redundant miRNA mature sequences, available in mirBase as reference, we searched matching putative targets. 8730 out of 42011 ESTs from safflower and 7145 of 36323 ESTs from artichoke showed at least one predicted miRNA target. BLAST analysis showed that 75% of all ESTs shared at least a common homologous region (E-value < 10-4) and about 50% of these displayed 400 bp or longer aligned sequences as conserved homologous/orthologous (COS) regions. 960 and 890 ESTs of safflower and artichoke organized in COS shared 79 different miRNA targets, considered functionally conserved, and statistically significant when compared with random sequences (signal to noise ratio > 2 and specificity ≥ 0.85). Four highly significant miRNAs selected from in silico data were experimentally validated in globe artichoke leaves. Conclusions Mature miRNAs and targets were predicted within EST sequences of safflower and artichoke. Most of the miRNA targets appeared highly/moderately conserved, highlighting an important and conserved function. In this study we introduce a stringent parameter for the comparative sequence analysis, represented by the identification of the same target in the COS region. After statistical analysis 79 targets, found on the COS regions and belonging to 60 miRNA families, have a signal to noise ratio > 2, with ≥ 0.85 specificity. The putative miRNAs identified belong to 55 dicotyledon plants and to 24 families only in monocotyledon.BMC Bioinformatics 03/2012; · 2.75 Impact Factor -
Article: The miRNAome of globe artichoke: conserved and novel micro RNAs and target analysis.
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ABSTRACT: Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of several processes, including the response to biotic and abiotic stress, often contributing to the adaptive response of the plant to adverse conditions. In addition to conserved miRNAs, found in a wide range of plant species a number of novel species-specific miRNAs, displaying lower levels of expression can be found. Due to low abundance, non conserved miRNAs are difficult to identify and isolate using conventional approaches. Conversely, deep-sequencing of small RNA (sRNA) libraries can detect even poorly expressed miRNAs.No miRNAs from globe artichoke have been described to date. We analyzed the miRNAome from artichoke by deep sequencing four sRNA libraries obtained from NaCl stressed and control leaves and roots. Conserved and novel miRNAs were discovered using accepted criteria. The expression level of selected miRNAs was monitored by quantitative real-time PCR. Targets were predicted and validated for their cleavage site. A total of 122 artichoke miRNAs were identified, 98 (25 families) of which were conserved with other plant species, and 24 were novel. Some miRNAs were differentially expressed according to tissue or condition, magnitude of variation after salt stress being more pronounced in roots. Target function was predicted by comparison to Arabidopsis proteins; the 43 targets (23 for novel miRNAs) identified included transcription factors and other genes, most of which involved in the response to various stresses. An unusual cleaved transcript was detected for miR393 target, transport inhibitor response 1. The miRNAome from artichoke, including novel miRNAs, was unveiled, providing useful information on the expression in different organs and conditions. New target genes were identified. We suggest that the generation of secondary short-interfering RNAs from miR393 target can be a general rule in the plant kingdom.BMC Genomics 01/2012; 13:41. · 4.07 Impact Factor -
Article: Genetic map of artichoke × wild cardoon: toward a consensus map for Cynara cardunculus.
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ABSTRACT: An integrated consensus linkage map is proposed for globe artichoke. Maternal and paternal genetic maps were constructed on the basis of an F(1) progeny derived from crossing an artichoke genotype (Mola) with its progenitor, the wild cardoon (Tolfa), using EST-derived SSRs, genomic SSRs, AFLPs, ten genes, and two morphological traits. For most genes, mainly belonging to the chlorogenic acid pathway, new markers were developed. Five of these were SNP markers analyzed through high-resolution melt technology. From the maternal (Mola) and paternal (Tolfa) maps, an integrated map was obtained, containing 337 molecular and one morphological markers ordered in 17 linkage groups (LGs), linked between Mola and Tolfa. The integrated map covers 1,488.8 cM, with an average distance of 4.4 cM between markers. The map was aligned with already existing maps for artichoke, and 12 LGs were linked via 31 bridge markers. LG numbering has been proposed. A total of 124 EST-SSRs and two genes were mapped here for the first time, providing a framework for the construction of a functional map in artichoke. The establishment of a consensus map represents a necessary condition to plan a complete sequencing of the globe artichoke genome.Theoretical and Applied Genetics 07/2011; 123(7):1215-29. · 3.30 Impact Factor -
Article: Purification, biochemical characterization and cloning of a new cationic peroxidase isoenzyme from artichoke.
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ABSTRACT: A cationic soluble peroxidase isoenzyme (CysPrx) has been purified and characterized from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi) leaves by combination of aqueous two phase extraction, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The purification fold was 149 and the activity recovery 5.5%. CysPrx was stable from 5 to 45 °C with a pH optimum around 5.5; the pI was 8.3 and the MW of 37.7 ± 1.5 kDa. MALDI-TOF MS analysis provided partial peptide sequences and resolved CysPrx isoenzyme into two putative isoforms. The presence of these isoforms was confirmed by the isolation of full-length cDNA encoding CysPrx that generate two slightly different sequences coding for two putative CysPrx: CysPrx1 and CysPrx2. The obtained MS peptides showed a 35% coverage with 100% identity with the two CysPrx deduced protein sequences. A molecular modeling analysis was carried out to predict in silico the protein structure and compare it with other plant Prx structures. Considering that CysPrx is quite stable, the study carried out in this paper will offer new insights for the production of the recombinant protein for utilization of CysPrx as an alternative Prx for food technology, biomedical analysis and bioremediation.Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 02/2011; 49(4):395-403. · 2.84 Impact Factor -
Article: Novel hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferase genes from artichoke are involved in the synthesis of chlorogenic acid.
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ABSTRACT: Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus) extracts have high antioxidant capacity, due primarily to flavonoids and phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid [CGA]), dicaffeoylquinic acids, and caffeic acid, which are abundant in flower bracts and bioavailable to humans in the diet. The synthesis of CGA can occur following different routes in plant species, and hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A transferases are important enzymes in these pathways. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of two novel genes both encoding hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferases (HQT) from artichoke. The recombinant proteins (HQT1 and HQT2) were assayed after expression in Escherichia coli, and both showed higher affinity for quinate over shikimate. Their preferences for acyl donors, caffeoyl-coenzyme A or p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A, were examined. Modeling and docking analyses were used to propose possible pockets and residues involved in determining substrate specificities in the HQT enzyme family. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene expression indicated that HQT1 might be more directly associated with CGA content. Transient and stable expression of HQT1 in Nicotiana resulted in a higher production of CGA and cynarin (1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid). These findings suggest that several isoforms of HQT contribute to the synthesis of CGA in artichoke according to physiological needs and possibly following various metabolic routes.Plant physiology 07/2010; 153(3):1224-38. · 6.53 Impact Factor -
Article: DNA microsatellite region for a reliable quantification of soft wheat adulteration in durum wheat-based foodstuffs by real-time PCR.
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ABSTRACT: Italian industrial pasta and durum wheat typical breads must be prepared using exclusively durum wheat semolina. Previously, a microsatellite sequence specific of the wheat D-genome had been chosen for traceability of soft wheat in semolina and bread samples, using qualitative and quantitative Sybr green-based real-time experiments. In this work, we describe an improved method based on the same soft wheat genomic region by means of a quantitative real-time PCR using a dual-labeled probe. Standard curves based on dilutions of 100% soft wheat flour, pasta, or bread were constructed. Durum wheat semolina, pasta, and bread samples were prepared with increasing amounts of soft wheat to verify the accuracy of the method. Results show that reliable quantifications were obtained especially for the samples containing a lower amount of soft wheat DNA, fulfilling the need to verify labeling of pasta and typical durum wheat breads.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 11/2009; 57(21):10199-204. · 2.82 Impact Factor -
Article: Identification and characterization of protease inhibitors in Diplotaxis species.
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ABSTRACT: PCR analysis of the genomes of two wild Brassicaceae plants, Diplotaxis muralis and Diplotaxis tenuifolia, demonstrated the presence of several genes coding for potential protease inhibitors, classifiable within the mustard inhibitor family (MSI). This is a small family of plant protease inhibitors named after the mustard trypsin inhibitor MTI-2, the first protease inhibitor characterized in Brassicaceae. From identified sequences two recombinant inhibitors were expressed in Pichia pastoris. In comparison with MTI-2, they show a reduced activity against bovine trypsin. However, when tested against trypsin-like proteases present in the guts of Helicoverpa zea larvae, the Diplotaxis inhibitors and MTI-2 show similar activities, indicating that the usually adopted procedure of reporting activity of plant protease inhibitors against bovine trypsin may lead to wrong estimation of their effect on insect proteases. This issue is of particular relevance when planning the use of PI genes for developing insect resistant plants.Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 12/2008; 47(3):175-80. · 2.84 Impact Factor -
Article: Characterization and differential expression analysis of artichoke phenylalanine ammonia-lyase-coding sequences.
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ABSTRACT: Sequences encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were isolated from artichoke, by using a sequence homology strategy, by screening a genomic library and by 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technology. These analyses and Southern blots suggested that, in artichoke, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is encoded by a small gene family. The sequences isolated from genomic DNA possess two exons and one intron at the conserved position as in most plant pal characterized to date. The 3'-RACE analysis also indicated that each member of the artichoke pal gene family was present as a pool of transcripts, different in the length of 3'-untranslated region. The deduced amino acid sequences were highly similar to those of PAL from lettuce and sunflower. One of the artichoke pal genes was completely sequenced, and its 5' upstream region contained TATA, CAAT box and cis regulatory elements identified in other phenylpropanoid pathway genes as playing a role in UV and elicitor induction. The expression of three of the identified artichoke pal sequences was evaluated in different plant parts, in developmental stages and after wounding, using gene-specific primers/probe combinations in real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. The three putative genes were differentially expressed in the plant parts analysed and were developmentally regulated. Moreover, after leaf mechanical injury, all of them were differentially regulated. The possible involvement of the single pal genes in different physiological processes is discussed.Physiologia Plantarum 02/2008; 132(1):33-43. · 3.11 Impact Factor -
Article: The domestication of artichoke and cardoon: from Roman times to the genomic age.
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ABSTRACT: The history of domestication of artichoke and leafy cardoon is not yet fully understood and when and where it occurred remains unknown. Evidence supports the hypothesis that wild cardoon is the wild progenitor of both these crops. Selection for large, non-spiny heads resulted in artichoke and selection for non-spiny, large stalked tender leaves resulted in leafy cardoon. The two crops differ in their reproductive system: artichoke is mostly vegetatively propagated and perennial, while leafy cardoon is seed propagated and mostly grown as an annual plant. Here, new trends in artichoke cultivation are analysed, while the consequences of these tendencies on the conservation of artichoke genetic resources are highlighted. The historical and artistic records, together with recent literature on genetics and biosystematics, are examined with the aim of achieving a better understanding of the present-day knowledge on the domestication of these two crops. Historical, linguistic and artistic records are consistent with genetic and biosystematic data and indicate that the domestication of artichoke and cardoon diverged at different times and in different places. Apparently, artichoke was domesticated in Roman times, possibly in Sicily, and spread by the Arabs during early Middle Ages. The cardoon was probably domesticated in the western Mediterranean in a later period.Annals of Botany 12/2007; 100(5):1095-100. · 4.03 Impact Factor -
Article: Detection of soft wheat in semolina and durum wheat bread by analysis of DNA microsatellites.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to evaluate the analysis of DNA microsatellites for the detection of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in semolina and durum wheat bread (prepared from Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). The results enabled selection of an efficient D-genome-specific repetitive DNA sequence to detect common wheat in semolina and breads by qualitative PCR with a threshold of 3 and 5%, respectively, lowered to 2.5% by real-time PCR. This is of major importance for checking during production of some typical products recently awarded the European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) mark such as Altamura bread, which should not contain soft wheat flour. The feasibility of quantification of common wheat adulteration in semolina using real-time PCR was also demonstrated.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 05/2007; 55(9):3312-8. · 2.82 Impact Factor -
Article: Bowman-Birk inhibitors in Lens: identification and characterization of two paralogous gene classes in cultivated lentil and wild relatives.
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ABSTRACT: In order to investigate the genetic structure of lentil Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBIs), primers were designed on pea BBI sequences. The sequences obtained from lentil DNA, using these primers, indicate that lentil possesses at least two paralogous genes. Protein sequences translated in silico from lentil DNA sequences suggest that the two coded proteins are highly similar to Pisum trypsin inhibitor TI1 and TI6 BBIs, respectively. In fact, both are double-headed inhibitors, one class showing the presence of a trypsin- and a chymotrypsin-reactive site, the other showing two trypsin-inhibition sites, similar to pea TI1 and TI6, respectively. The same primers were used to amplify sequences from the DNA of other Lens species. The results strongly support that all species of Lens possess the same classes of BBI coding genes, orthologous to those identified in the cultivated lentil. Lens nigricans showed the most diverging sequences both at the nucleotide and the amino acid level. The similarity of the two gene classes identified in the genus Lens to those of Pisum and the observations that the patterns of expression of the Lens genes are equivalent to those of pea orthologous genes, possibly imply that BBIs in Lens are coded by gene classes with similar genome organization and function to those of pea. Finally, a phyletic analysis, based on the comparison of sequences obtained from other species belonging to the Vicieae tribe of the Fabaceae family, strongly suggests that all Vicieae could have a similar genome organization and function for BBI genes, and that this could be a general rule in all the Fabaceae family.Theoretical and Applied Genetics 03/2005; 110(3):596-604. · 3.30 Impact Factor -
Article: Wild artichokes of south Italy: did the story begin here?
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ABSTRACT: A collection of wild artichokes (Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lam.) Fiori) was conducted in south Italy. The distribution of the wild populations was not even all over the explored territory, from the coastline to the inner mountains, and in some areas wild artichokes were completely absent. A certain level of morphological variation for height and habit of plants, size and shape of capitula, length, shape, and position of bracteal spines, was observed. It has been noticed that picking capitula from the wild for human consumption is a common habit in southern Italy and Sicily. Historical data and etnobotanic inference suggest the idea that the artichoke could have been domesticated in south Italy, and Sicily in particular, and was spread by the Arabs to other regions of the Mediterranean Basin.Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 01/2004; 51(6):577-580. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: ITS sequence analysis and phylogenetic inference in the genus Lens mill.
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ABSTRACT: The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA from cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris) and its wild relatives was isolated and analysed for nucleotide sequence variation. Sequence divergence values ranged from no polymorphism within single species and between the cultigen and one accession of its wild progenitor (L. culinaris subsp. orientalis) to 14 base substitutions between L. nigricans and L. lamottei. Jukes and Cantor distance ranged from 0 to 1.79 %. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the divergence of L. nigricans from all species, and the closeness of cultivated lentil to its wild progenitor, although two gene pools could possibly be identified in subsp. orientalis. Based on this study, the two recently recognized species, L. lamottei and L. tomentosus were separated from the other species. Each wild species showed peculiar autapomorphies and, in general, did not display much variation among accessions. The trees using chickpea as an outgroup formed two main clusters, one constituted by L. nigricans only and the other including the remaining taxa. Within this larger group, small subclades could be identified.Annals of Botany 02/2003; 91(1):49-54. · 4.03 Impact Factor -
Article: Assessment of genetic variation in a collection of lentil using molecular tools
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ABSTRACT: A collection of lentil landraces, mostly from Italy, but including Mediterranean and foreign germplasm as reference, was evaluated using RAPDs, microsatellite-primed PCR and ISSRs. A low level of useful polymorphic bands was detected with the former two markers, whereas ISSRs revealed a higher degree of variation. The UPGMA trees, based on Jaccard similarity index matrices, obtained with RAPD and ISSR respectively, did not produce similar clusters. However, in both cases, the accession which differentiated the most from the others was from Ethiopia, a country where also other cultivated species have shown a remarkable degree of variation. On the other hand, Italian accessions showed a trend to group together. ISSR markers proved to be useful for distinguishing closely related genotypes, and possibly for substantiating the genetic peculiarity of ecotypes applying for the obtainment of origin and quality marks.Euphytica 06/2001; 120(2):301-307. · 1.55 Impact Factor
Top co-authors
Top Journals
Institutions
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2012
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IGB - Institute of Genetics and Biophysics - CNR
Bari, Apulia, Italy
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2003–2012
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National Research Council
- Institute of Plant Genetics IGV
Roma, Latium, Italy
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2008–2011
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Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari
Bari, Apulia, Italy
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