Shaobin Zhong

North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA

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Publications (19)61.24 Total impact

  • Article: Characterization of Puccinia psidii isolates in Hawaii using microsatellite DNA markers
    Shaobin Zhong, Baojun Yang, Krishna D. Puri
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    ABSTRACT: We studied genetic variation in Puccinia psidii, a newly introduced rust fungus in Hawaii, using microsatellite markers. All 36 Hawaiian P. psidii isolates analyzed had the same genotype at 11 microsatellite loci, while three genotypes were identified among four isolates from Florida and 11 genotypes among 18 isolates from Brazil. One of the isolates from Florida had 95% similarity to the Hawaiian isolates. We conclude that the genetically homogeneous P. psidii isolates in Hawaii might have derived from the same strain originally introduced into the Islands and are closely related to one of the strains found in Florida. Keywords Puccinia psidii –Genetic diversity–Ohia plants–Rust–Microsatellite DNA marker–Simple sequence repeat
    Journal of General Plant Pathology 04/2012; 77(3):178-181. · 0.69 Impact Factor
  • Article: Construction of hairpin RNA-expressing vectors for RNA-mediated gene silencing in fungi.
    Shaobin Zhong, Yueqiang Leng, Melvin D Bolton
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    ABSTRACT: RNA-mediated gene silencing is one of the major tools for functional genomics in fungi and can be achieved by transformation with constructs that express hairpin (hp) RNA with sequences homologous to the target gene(s). To make an hpRNA expression construct, a portion of the target gene can be amplified by PCR and cloned into a vector as an inverted repeat. The generic gene-silencing vectors such as the pSilent1 and pSGate1 have been developed and are available for RNA-mediated gene-silencing studies. In this protocol, we describe construction of hpRNA-expressing constructs using both pSilent1 and pSGate1. With pSilent1, the PCR products of the target gene are inserted into the vector by conventional cloning (i.e., restriction enzyme digestion and ligation). For pSGate1, the PCR products of the target gene are inserted into the vector through the Gateway-directed recombination system. In this chapter, we describe the construction of RNAi vectors for RNA-mediated gene silencing using both pSilent1 and pSGate1.
    Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) 01/2012; 835:623-33.
  • Article: Sfp-type 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase is required for lysine synthesis, tolerance to oxidative stress and virulence in the plant pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus sativus.
    Yueqiang Leng, Shaobin Zhong
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    ABSTRACT: Polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are the major enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, which have diverse activities, including roles as pathogenicity/virulence factors in plant pathogenic fungi. These enzymes are activated by 4'-phosphopantetheinylation at the conserved serine residues, which is catalysed by 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase). PPTase is also required for primary metabolism (α-aminoadipate reductase, AAR). In the genome sequence of the cereal fungal pathogen Cochliobolus sativus, we identified a gene (PPT1) orthologous to the PPTase-encoding genes found in other filamentous ascomycetes. The deletion of PPT1 in C. sativus generated mutants (Δppt1) that were auxotrophic for lysine, unable to synthesize melanin, hypersensitive to oxidative stress and significantly reduced in virulence to barley cv. Bowman. To analyse the pleiotropic effects of PPT1, we also characterized deletion mutants for PKS1 (involved in melanin synthesis), AAR1 (for AAR) and NPS6 (involved in siderophore-mediated iron metabolism). The melanin-deficient strain (Δpks1) showed no differences in pathogenicity and virulence compared with the wild-type strain. Lysine-auxotrophic mutants (Δaar1) induced spot blotch symptoms, as produced by the wild-type strain, when inoculated on wounded barley leaves or when lysine was supplemented. The Δnps6 strain showed a slightly reduced virulence compared with the wild-type strain, but exhibited significantly higher virulence than the Δppt1 strain. Our results suggest that an unknown virulence factor, presumably synthesized by PKSs or NRPSs which are activated by PPTase, is directly responsible for high virulence of C. sativus on barley cv. Bowman.
    Molecular Plant Pathology 10/2011; 13(4):375-87. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Identification and molecular mapping of two QTLs with major effects for resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat.
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    ABSTRACT: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. Novel sources of resistance are critical for improving FHB resistance levels in wheat. From a large-scale evaluation of germplasm for reactions to FHB, we identified one wheat accession (PI 277012) that consistently showed a high level of resistance in both greenhouse and field experiments. To characterize the FHB resistance in this accession, we developed a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population consisting of 130 lines from the cross between PI 277012 and the hard red spring wheat cultivar 'Grandin'. The DH population was then evaluated for reactions to FHB in three greenhouse seasons and five field environments. Based on a linkage map that consisted of 340 SSR markers spanning 2,703 cM of genetic distance, two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for FHB resistance were identified on chromosome arms 5AS and 5AL, with each explaining up to 20 and 32% of the variation in FHB severity, respectively. The two QTLs also showed major effects on reducing the percentage of Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation in seeds. FHB resistance has not previously been reported to be associated with this particular genomic region of chromosome arm 5AL, thus indicating the novelty of FHB resistance in PI 277012. Plant maturity was not associated with FHB resistance and the effects of plant height on FHB resistance were minor. Therefore, these results suggest that PI 277012 is an excellent source for improving FHB resistance in wheat. The markers identified in this research are being used for marker-assisted introgression of the QTLs into adapted durum and hard red spring wheat cultivars.
    Theoretical and Applied Genetics 07/2011; 123(7):1107-19. · 3.30 Impact Factor
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    Article: Obligate biotrophy features unraveled by the genomic analysis of rust fungi.
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    ABSTRACT: Rust fungi are some of the most devastating pathogens of crop plants. They are obligate biotrophs, which extract nutrients only from living plant tissues and cannot grow apart from their hosts. Their lifestyle has slowed the dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying host invasion and avoidance or suppression of plant innate immunity. We sequenced the 101-Mb genome of Melampsora larici-populina, the causal agent of poplar leaf rust, and the 89-Mb genome of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, the causal agent of wheat and barley stem rust. We then compared the 16,399 predicted proteins of M. larici-populina with the 17,773 predicted proteins of P. graminis f. sp tritici. Genomic features related to their obligate biotrophic lifestyle include expanded lineage-specific gene families, a large repertoire of effector-like small secreted proteins, impaired nitrogen and sulfur assimilation pathways, and expanded families of amino acid and oligopeptide membrane transporters. The dramatic up-regulation of transcripts coding for small secreted proteins, secreted hydrolytic enzymes, and transporters in planta suggests that they play a role in host infection and nutrient acquisition. Some of these genomic hallmarks are mirrored in the genomes of other microbial eukaryotes that have independently evolved to infect plants, indicating convergent adaptation to a biotrophic existence inside plant cells.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 05/2011; 108(22):9166-71. · 9.68 Impact Factor
  • Article: RNA-mediated gene silencing in the cereal fungal pathogen Cochliobolus sativus.
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    ABSTRACT: A high-throughput RNA-mediated gene silencing system was developed for Cochliobolus sativus (anamorph: Bipolaris sorokiniana), the causal agent of spot blotch, common root rot and black point in barley and wheat. The green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) and the proteinaceous host-selective toxin gene (ToxA) were first introduced into C. sativus via the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation method. Transformants with a high level of expression of GFP or ToxA were generated. A silencing vector (pSGate1) based on the Gateway cloning system was developed and used to construct RNA interference (RNAi) vectors. Silencing of GFP and ToxA in the transformants was demonstrated by transformation with the RNAi construct expressing hairpin RNA (hpRNA) of the target gene. The polyketide synthase gene (CsPKS1), involved in melanin biosynthesis pathways in C. sativus, was also targeted by transformation with the RNAi vector (pSGate1-CsPKS1) encoding hpRNA of the CsPKS1 gene. The transformants with pSGate1-CsPKS1 exhibited an albino phenotype or reduced melanization, suggesting effective silencing of the endogenous CsPKS1 in C. sativus. Sectors exhibiting the wild-type phenotype of the fungus appeared in some of the CsPKS1-silenced transformants after subcultures as a result of inactivation or deletions of the RNAi transgene. The gene silencing system established provides a useful tool for functional genomics studies in C. sativus and other filamentous fungi.
    Molecular Plant Pathology 04/2011; 12(3):289-98. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: The 3ADON population of Fusarium graminearum found in North Dakota is more aggressive and produces a higher level of DON than the prevalent 15ADON population in spring wheat.
    Krishna D Puri, Shaobin Zhong
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    ABSTRACT: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum in North America. Isolates of F. graminearum can be identified as one of three chemotypes: 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3ADON), 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15ADON), and nivalenol (NIV). In this study, we characterized F. graminearum isolates collected in 1980 to 2000 (old collection) and in 2008 (new collection) from North Dakota and found a 15-fold increase of 3ADON isolates in the new collection. Evaluation of randomly selected 3ADON isolates and 15ADON isolates on three spring wheat genotypes (Grandin, Steele-ND, and ND 2710) by single-floret inoculation indicated that the 3ADON population caused a higher disease severity and produced more DON at a significant level than the 15ADON population on Grandin (susceptible to FHB) and ND 2710 (with FHB resistance from Sumai 3). However, no significant differences in disease severity and DON production were observed between the two populations on Steele-ND (with moderate resistance from Triticum dicoccoides). The 3ADON isolates also exhibited a higher DON production in rice culture and produced more spores on agar media than the 15ADON isolates, suggesting a fitness advantage of the newly emerging 3ADON population over the prevalent 15ADON population. Population genetic analyses using DNA markers revealed a significant genetic differentiation between the two populations. The information obtained in this study could have an impact on development of FHB-resistant wheat cultivars and disease management.
    Phytopathology 10/2010; 100(10):1007-14. · 2.80 Impact Factor
  • Article: Transcription, translation, and the evolution of specialists and generalists.
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    ABSTRACT: We used DNA microarrays to measure transcription and iTRAQ 2D liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (a mass-tag labeling proteomic technique) to measure protein expression in 14 strains of Escherichia coli adapted for hundreds of generations to growth-limiting concentrations of either lactulose, methylgalactoside, or a 72:28 mixture of the two. The two ancestors, TD2 and TD10, differ only in their lac operons and have similar transcription and protein expression profiles. Changes in transcription and protein expression are observed at 30-250 genes depending on the evolved strain. Lactulose specialists carry duplications of the lac operon and show increased transcription and translation at lac. Methylgalactoside specialists are galS(-) and so constitutively transcribe and translate mgl, which encodes a transporter of methylgalactoside. However, there are two strains that carry lac duplications, are galS(-), and show increased transcription and translation at both operons. One is a generalist, the other a lactulose specialist. The generalist fails to sweep to fixation because its lac(+), galS(+) competitor expresses the csg adhesin and sticks to the chemostat wall, thereby preventing complete washout. Transcription and translation are sometimes decoupled. Lactulose-adapted strains show increased protein expression at fru, a fructose transporter, without evidence of increased transcription. This suggests that fructose, produced by the action of beta-galactosidase on lactulose, may leach from cells before being recouped. Reduced expression, at "late" flagella genes and the constitutive gat operon, is an adaptation to starvation. A comparison with two other long-term evolution experiments suggests that certain aspects of adaptation are predictable, some are characteristic of an experimental system, whereas others seem erratic.
    Molecular Biology and Evolution 09/2009; 26(12):2661-78. · 5.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Development of microsatellite markers for the guava rust fungus, Puccinia psidii.
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    ABSTRACT: We developed and characterized 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers present in the genome of the guava rust fungus, Puccinia psidii. The primers for these microsatellite markers were designed by sequencing clones from a genomic DNA library enriched for a simple sequence repeat (SSR) motif of (AG). All these 15 primer pairs successfully amplified DNA fragments from a sample of 22 P. psidii isolates, revealing a total of 71 alleles. The observed heterozygosity at the 15 loci ranged from 0.05 to 1.00. The SSR markers developed would be useful for population genetics study of the rust fungus.
    Molecular Ecology Resources 03/2008; 8(2):348-50. · 3.06 Impact Factor
  • Article: Molecular karyotyping and chromosome length polymorphism in Cochliobolus sativus.
    Shaobin Zhong, Brian J Steffenson
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    ABSTRACT: Fungi are known to have variable genomes that can generate new virulence types capable of attacking important crop plants. To assess chromosome length polymorphisms in the barley spot blotch pathogen (Cochliobolus sativus), we analyzed the karyotypes of 16 isolates using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis. The collection of isolates studied were from diverse regions of the world (USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, and Poland) and included representatives comprising the three known C. sativus pathotypes of 0, 1, and 2. Under two different running conditions, the number of CHEF bands observed ranged from 8 to 13 with a size range of 0.85 to 3.80 mega-bases (Mb). Each of the 16 isolates showed a unique banding pattern, except for two North Dakota isolates ND90Pr and ND91-Bowman, which were very similar. Single-copy DNA probes, previously assigned to each of the 15 chromosomes identified in reference isolate ND93-1, were hybridized to Southern blots of CHEF-separated chromosomes and revealed highly polymorphic chromosomes among isolates. Chromosomal rearrangements (translocations, deletions, duplications) were found in several isolates. DNA markers previously found linked to VHv1, a gene in pathotype 2 isolates conferring virulence on barley cultivar Bowman, also were used as probes in hybridizations with the CHEF blots. The results showed that the chromosome carrying the virulence gene in pathotype 2 isolates is larger than its counterpart without the gene in other isolates. This suggests that the genomic region carrying the virulence locus VHv1 is unique to pathotype 2 isolates. This study provides useful information on genome structure and divergence, which is essential for advancing our understanding of the genetics and biology of C. sativus.
    Mycological Research 02/2007; 111(Pt 1):78-86. · 2.81 Impact Factor
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    Article: Molecular mapping and marker-assisted selection of genes for septoria speckled leaf blotch resistance in barley.
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    ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT Septoria speckled leaf blotch (SSLB), caused by Septoria passerinii, has emerged as one of the most important foliar diseases of barley in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. To map and tag genes for SSLB resistance, we developed two populations derived from the resistant accessions CIho 4780 and CIho 10644 and the susceptible malting cv. Foster. Segregation analysis of F(2) plants or F(2:3) families from the Foster/CIho 4780 and Foster/CIho 10644 populations revealed that a single dominant gene conferred resistance at the seedling stage. Bulked segregant analysis identified an amplified fragment length polymorphism marker, E-ACT/M-CAA-170, that co-segregated with the SSLB resistance gene Rsp2 in the Foster/CIho 4780 F(2) population. Southern hybridization analysis with DNA from the wheat/barley addition lines localized E-ACT/M-CAA-170 on the short arm of the barley chromosome 5(1H). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with DNA clones previously mapped to the short arm of chromosome 5(1H) placed Rsp2 at a position flanked by the markers Act8 and ksuD14. A sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker (E-ACT/M-CAA-170a) was developed that co-segregated with not only Rsp2 in the Foster/CIho 4780 population but also resistance gene Rsp3 in the Foster/CIho 10644 population. This result indicates that Rsp3 is closely linked to Rsp2 on the short arm of chromosome 5(1H). The utility of SCAR marker E-ACT/M-CAA-170a for selecting Rsp2 in two different breeding populations was validated.
    Phytopathology 10/2006; 96(9):993-9. · 2.80 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evolutionary genomics of ecological specialization.
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    ABSTRACT: We used a combination of genomic techniques to monitor chromosomal evolution across hundreds of generations as Escherichia coli adapted to growth-limiting concentrations of either lactulose, methyl-galactoside, or a 72:28 mixture of the two. DNA microarrays identified 8 unique duplications and 16 unique deletions among 42 evolvants from 23 chemostat experiments. Each mutation was confirmed by sequencing PCR-amplified flanking genomic DNA and, except for one deletion, an insertion sequence was found at the break point. vPCR of insertion sequences identified these same mutations and 16 additional insertions (all confirmed by sequencing). The pattern of genomic evolution is highly reproducible. Statistical analyses show that duplications at lac and mutations in mgl are adaptations specific to lactulose and to methyl-galactoside, respectively. Adaptation to mixed sugars is characterized by similar mutations, but lac duplications and mgl mutations usually arise in different backgrounds, producing ecological specialists for each sugar. This suggests that an antagonistic pleiotropic tradeoff between duplications at lac and mutations in mgl retards the evolution of generalists. Other mutations that repeatedly appear in replicate experiments are adaptations to the chemostat environment and are not specific to one or the other sugar.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 09/2004; 101(32):11719-24. · 9.68 Impact Factor
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    Article: Rapid identification and mapping of insertion sequences in Escherichia coli genomes using vectorette PCR.
    Shaobin Zhong, Antony M Dean
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    ABSTRACT: Insertion sequences (IS) are small DNA segments capable of transposing within and between prokaryotic genomes, often causing insertional mutations and chromosomal rearrangements. Although several methods are available for locating ISs in microbial genomes, they are either labor-intensive or inefficient. Here, we use vectorette PCR to identify and map the genomic positions of the eight insertion sequences (IS1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 150, and 186) found in E. coli strain CGSC6300, a close relative of MG1655 whose genome has been sequenced. Genomic DNA from strain CGSC6300 was digested with a four-base cutter Rsa I and the resulting restriction fragments ligated onto vectorette units. Using IS-specific primers directed outward from the extreme ends of each IS and a vectorette primer, flanking DNA fragments were amplified from all but one of the 37 IS elements identified in the genomic sequence of MG1655. Purification and sequencing of the PCR products confirmed that they are IS-associated flanking DNA fragments corresponding to the known IS locations in the MG1655 genome. Seven additional insertions were found in strain CGSC6300 indicating that very closely related isolates of the same laboratory strain (the K12 isolate) may differ in their IS complement. Two other E. coli K12 derivatives, TD2 and TD10, were also analyzed by vectorette PCR. They share 36 of the MG1655 IS sites as well as having 16 and 18 additional insertions, respectively. This study shows that vectorette PCR is a swift, efficient, reliable method for typing microbial strains and identifying and mapping IS insertion sites present in microbial genomes. Unlike Southern hybridization and inverse PCR, our approach involves only one genomic digest and one ligation step. Vectorette PCR is then used to simultaneously amplify all IS elements of a given type, making it a rapid and sensitive means to survey IS elements in genomes. The ability to rapidly identify the IS complements of microbial genomes should facilitate subtyping closely related pathogens during disease outbreaks.
    BMC Microbiology 08/2004; 4:26. · 3.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Rapid identification and mapping of insertion sequences in Escherichia coli genomes using vectorette PCR
    Shaobin Zhong, Antony Dean
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    ABSTRACT: Abstract Background Insertion sequences ( IS ) are small DNA segments capable of transposing within and between prokaryotic genomes, often causing insertional mutations and chromosomal rearrangements. Although several methods are available for locating ISs in microbial genomes, they are either labor-intensive or inefficient. Here, we use vectorette PCR to identify and map the genomic positions of the eight insertion sequences ( IS1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 30 , 150 , and 186 ) found in E. coli strain CGSC6300, a close relative of MG1655 whose genome has been sequenced. Results Genomic DNA from strain CGSC6300 was digested with a four-base cutter Rsa I and the resulting restriction fragments ligated onto vectorette units. Using IS -specific primers directed outward from the extreme ends of each IS and a vectorette primer, flanking DNA fragments were amplified from all but one of the 37 IS elements identified in the genomic sequence of MG1655. Purification and sequencing of the PCR products confirmed that they are IS -associated flanking DNA fragments corresponding to the known IS locations in the MG1655 genome. Seven additional insertions were found in strain CGSC6300 indicating that very closely related isolates of the same laboratory strain (the K12 isolate) may differ in their IS complement. Two other E. coli K12 derivatives, TD2 and TD10, were also analyzed by vectorette PCR. They share 36 of the MG1655 IS sites as well as having 16 and 18 additional insertions, respectively. Conclusion This study shows that vectorette PCR is a swift, efficient, reliable method for typing microbial strains and identifying and mapping IS insertion sites present in microbial genomes. Unlike Southern hybridization and inverse PCR, our approach involves only one genomic digest and one ligation step. Vectorette PCR is then used to simultaneously amplify all IS elements of a given type, making it a rapid and sensitive means to survey IS elements in genomes. The ability to rapidly identify the IS complements of microbial genomes should facilitate subtyping closely related pathogens during disease outbreaks.
    BMC Microbiology. 01/2004;
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    Article: Molecular mapping of the leaf rust resistance gene rph6 in barley and its linkage relationships with rph5 and rph7.
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    ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT The barley cv. Bolivia carries two leaf rust (Puccinia hordei) resistance genes, Rph2 and Rph6, and is the only known source of the latter gene. A resistant line (Bolivia-Rph6) carrying Rph6 only was obtained in the F(4) generation of a cross between cv. Bolivia and the susceptible cv. Bowman via progeny testing with differential isolates of the leaf rust pathogen. Genetic analyses and bulk segregant analysis using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers localized Rph6 on the short arm of barley chromosome 3H at a distance of 4.4 centimorgans (cM) distal from RFLP marker MWG2021 and 1.2 cM proximal from RFLP marker BCD907. The allelic relationship of Rph6 to other leaf rust resistance genes mapping to this region of chromosome 3H (namely Rph5 and Rph7) were tested using crosses among cvs. Magnif 102 (carrying Rph5), Bolivia-Rph6 (Rph6), and Cebada Capa (Rph7). Segregation analyses indicated that Rph6 is allelic to Rph5 and closely linked to Rph7. The data generated from this study will facilitate breeding for leaf rust resistance via marker-assisted selection and provide a starting point for positional gene cloning.
    Phytopathology 06/2003; 93(5):604-9. · 2.80 Impact Factor
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    Article: A molecular genetic map and electrophoretic karyotype of the plant pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus sativus.
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    ABSTRACT: A molecular genetic map was constructed and an electrophoretic karyotype was resolved for Cochliobolus sativus, the causal agent of spot blotch of barley and wheat. The genetic map consists of 27 linkage groups with 97 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, two polymerase chain reaction amplified markers, the mating type locus (CsMAT), and a gene (VHv1) conditioning high virulence on barley cv. Bowman. These linkage groups covered a map distance of 849 cM. The virulence gene VHv1 cosegregated with six AFLP markers and was mapped on one of the major linkage groups. Fifteen chromosome-sized DNAs were resolved in C. sativus isolates ND93-1 and ND9OPr with contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis combined with telomere probe analysis of comigrating chromosome-sized DNAs. The chromosome sizes ranged from 1.25 to 3.80 Mbp, and the genome size of the fungus was estimated to be approximately 33 Mbp. By hybridizing genetically mapped RFLP and AFLP markers to CHEF blots, 25 of the 27 linkage groups were assigned to specific chromosomes. The barley-specific virulence locus VHv1 was localized on a chromosome of 2.80 Mbp from isolate ND9OPr in the CHEF gel. The total map length of the fungus was estimated to be at least 1,329 cM based on the map distance covered by the linked markers and the estimated gaps. Therefore, the physical to genetic distance ratio is approximately 25 kb/cM. Construction of a high-resolution map around target loci will facilitate the cloning of the genes conferring virulence and other characters in C. sativus by a map-based cloning strategy.
    Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 06/2002; 15(5):481-92. · 4.43 Impact Factor
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    Article: Virulence and Molecular Diversity in Cochliobolus sativus.
    S Zhong, B J Steffenson
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    ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT Spot blotch, caused by the fungal pathogen Cochliobolus sativus, is an important disease of barley in many production areas of the world. To assess genetic diversity in this pathogen, a worldwide collection of C. sativus isolates was evaluated for virulence on barley and DNA polymorphism. Three pathotypes (0, 1, and 2) were identified among the 22 isolates tested in this study and the 36 isolates characterized previously on three barley differentials (ND5883, Bowman, and NDB112) that differ in their resistance to C. sativus. Pathotype 2, which exhibits high virulence on cv. Bowman, was only found in North Dakota, whereas the other two pathotypes occurred in many other regions of the world. Genetic diversity of the 58 C. sativus isolates, together with isolates of three related pathogenic Cochliobolus spp. (C. heterostrophus, C. carbonum, and C. victoriae) was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A total of 577 polymorphic AFLP markers were recorded among the 70 isolates of the four Cochliobolus spp. using eight primer combinations. Cluster analysis revealed distinct groups corresponding to the four different species, except in one case where race 0 of C. carbonum was placed in an outgroup that may belong to a different species. In C. sativus, 95 polymorphic AFLP markers were detected with the eight primer pairs used, and each isolate exhibited a unique AFLP pattern. Allelic diversity in the pathotype 2 group was lower (0.10) than in the pathotype 0 (0.23) and pathotype 1 (0.15) groups, indicating that pathotype 2 may have arisen more recently. Cluster analysis did not reveal a close correlation between pathotypes and AFLP groups, although two AFLP markers unique to pathotype 2 isolates were identified. This low correlation suggests that genetic exchange may have occurred through parasexual recombination in the fungal population. Some isolates collected from different regions of the world were clustered into the same AFLP group, suggesting that migration of the fungal pathogen around these regions has occurred.
    Phytopathology 06/2001; 91(5):469-76. · 2.80 Impact Factor
  • Article: Molecular genetics of Cochliobolus sativus /
    Shaobin. Zhong
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    ABSTRACT: Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--North Dakota State University, 2000. Abstract: leaves iii-iv. Includes bibliographical references.
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    Article: Molecular and Cytogenetic Characterization of Wheat Introgression Lines Carrying the Stem Rust Resistance Gene Sr39.
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    ABSTRACT: The stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f.sp. tritici Eriks. and Henn.) resistance gene Sr39, which confers resistance to TTKSK (Ug99), has been incorporated into the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome from Aegilops speltoides in the form of a chromosome translocation but it has not been deployed into adapted cultivars. In this study, we characterized translocation lines carrying Sr39 in four different wheat backgrounds with fluorescent genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results indicated that RL5711 and RL6082 had translocation chromosomes of comparable structure. The translocation chromosome in PI 600683 has lost Ae. speltoides chromatin in the telomeric end of the 2S long arm. Six translocation lines derived from the cross PI 600683/3*HY438 had translocation chromosomes of comparable structure to the one found in PI 600683. However, one line (P9714-AM03C51), showed a substantial reduction in Ae. speltoides chromatin in the short arm of the translocated chromosome. The study demonstrated that it is apparently feasible to shorten Ae. speltoides chromatin in some wheat-Ae. speltoides translocation lines. These results and the identification of diagnostic SSR markers will be useful in guiding chromosome manipulation efforts to further shorten the Ae. speltoides chromosome segments in these materials. Greenhouse inoculation of translocation lines with stem rust indicated that the Sr39 gene conditions resistance to at least seven stem rust races.