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This study aimed to identify and evaluate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miR-9 and miR-27a genes and their promoters, as well as 3′UTR regions of KITLG and IGF1 genes on litter size in Markhoz goats. PCR-SSCP analysis revealed different band patterns and sequencing results confirmed four SNPs including a C/A, a A/G, a C/T and a A/G substitution located in the promoter region of miR-9 gene, 48 bp upstream of miR-9 seed region within the 3′UTR of KITLG gene, 37 bp downstream of miR-27a gene and 39 bp upstream of miR-9 seed region within the 3′UTR of IGF1 gene, respectively. The results of the least-square analyses indicated that AA genotype of miR-9 gene strongly and positively affects litter size in Markhoz goats (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the results of the logistic regression analyses confirmed that the A allele of miR-9 gene has a tremendous impact on litter size in Markhoz goats (P < 0.01). Scanning the promoter region of miR-9 gene showed that changing C allele to A may prevent HES1, HES2, NRF1 and TCFL5 transcription factors (TFs) from binding to the promoter, which can reduce the expression of miR-9 gene. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that approximately 60% of the variation of the data set was explained by two of four SNPs. Also, the biplot from the PCA showed a strong association between litter size and C/A polymorphism of miR-9 promoter. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed a very slight linkage among investigated loci. • A novel variant within promoter of miR-9 gene have strong impact on litter size. • No polymorphism found within seed regions of KITLG and IGF1 genes. • Logistic regression showed the positive effect of A allele of miR-9 gene on litter size. • Principal component analysis showed a relationship among miR-9 gene and litter size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the genetic variability of 18 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes by quantitative agro-morphological traits, and to identify factors affecting the cultivars grain yield. A two years study (2017- 2019) was conducted at the Experimental Field of the Agricultural University of Tirana (altitude of 40 m above the sea level, Latitude 41°24'6.14"N and Longitude 19°44'9.93"E). Plant material used, is part of the 270 accessions of the base collection of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. During the growing crop years, the accessions were evaluated for different quantitative characters and morphological characterization of the accessions was conducted according to international standards. ANOVA, principal components and cluster analysis were carried out involving nine quantitative traits, such as tiller capacity, plant height, spike length, number of spikelet's per spike, number of seeds per spikelet, number of seeds per spike, weight of seeds per spike, weight of 1000 seeds and grain yield. According to PCA, three components exhibited about 75.51% of the variability within 18 wheat genotypes. Accessions were grouped into three major clusters based on Euclidean distance, suggesting that wheat genotypes with major level of dissimilarity between them were "Generozo" and "Ejesh". The results revealed that tiller capacity, number of seeds per spikelet, weight of seeds per spike/g and weight of 1000 seeds/g were the most important characters in differentiating the genotypes. Wheat genotypes used in this study reacted differently in the two growing seasons, giving high results in most of the traits that contribute directly in grain yield during 2017/2018 crop year. The use of principal component and correlation coefficient analysis in the wheat germplasm, simplify dependable classification of bread wheat germplasm, the identification of the superior genotypes and their relation with bio morphological traits with possibility expenditure in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of the p53–MDM2 interaction is a new therapeutic strategy to activate the wild-type function of p53 in tumors. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and calculations of binding free energies were performed to investigate the binding mechanisms of p53 and two inhibitors PMI and VZV to MDM2. The results show that van der Waals interaction is the main force to control the bindings of ligands to the hydrophobic cleft of MDM2, which basically agrees with the previous calculated and experimental studies. The results from the RMSF calculation, cross-correlation analysis and principal component (PC) analysis prove that the ligand bindings produce a significant effect on the conformation of the binding cleft of MDM2. In addition, the calculations of residue-based free energy decomposition suggest that the CH–CH, CH–π, and π–π interactions dominate the bindings of p53 and inhibitors to MDM2. This study can provide significant help for the design of potent inhibitors targeting the p53–MDM2 interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]