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The genetic diversity of 45 farmers' varieties collected from agro-climatic zones of central India were characterized using 26 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and ten blast-linked markers. A total of 58 alleles representing 26 SSR loci were detected with frequency ranging from 2 to 4 (mean 2.23) alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content values for SSR markers varied from 0.50 to 0.88 for the primers RM449 and RM279, respectively. Further, the average marker index and effective multiplex ratio of 3.31 and 4.48 per primer, respectively could be observed. A dendrogram based on UPGMA exhibited clear-cut discrimination of the farmers' varieties into two major clusters representing their geographical origin. Out of ten blast resistance genes screened, only Pik-h was widely distributed with 97.8% frequency and farmers' variety Dihula Safed showed amplification for maximum of seven blast resistance genes. Inclusively, all the 45, indigenous farmers' varieties represented a wide range of genetic variability and SSR markers proved to be a powerful tool in revealing genetic diversity and relationships. The presence of different blast resistance genes in farmers' varieties with diverse traits can be utilized further in the future breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and adverse clinical outcomes among all breast cancer subtypes as there is no available targeted therapy. Overexpression of Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been shown to correlate with TNBC’s poor prognosis, but the contribution of EZH2 catalytic (H3K27me3) versus non-catalytic EZH2 (NC-EZH2) function in TNBC progression remains elusive. We reveal that selective hyper-activation of functional EZH2 (H3K27me3) over NC-EZH2 alters TNBC metastatic landscape and fosters its peritoneal metastasis, particularly splenic. Instead of H3K27me3-mediated repression of gene expression; here, it promotes KRT14 transcription by attenuating binding of repressor SP1 to its promoter. Further, KRT14 loss significantly reduces TNBC migration, invasion, and peritoneal metastasis. Consistently, human TNBC metastasis displays positive correlation between H3K27me3 and KRT14 levels. Finally, EZH2 knockdown or H3K27me3 inhibition by EPZ6438 reduces TNBC peritoneal metastasis. Altogether, our preclinical findings suggest a rationale for targeting TNBC with EZH2 inhibitors.Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been associated with poor prognosis in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, the authors suggest a potential role for trimethylation function of EZH2 in driving peritoneal metastasis in TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]