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Pakistan is rich in sheep genetic resources. Balkhi, Hashtnagri, and Michni are neighboring sheep populations found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. In this study, we analyzed the genetic structures and bottleneck incidents within these sheep populations using 31 microsatellite DNA markers. Total numbers of 116, 100, and 95 alleles, with average numbers of 3.20, 3.26, and 3.74 alleles per locus were observed, respectively, in Balkhi, Hashtnagri, and Michni population. Mean observed heterozygosity was 0.402 in Balkhi, 0.416 in Hashtnagri, and 0.522 in Michni population. All the three sheep populations showed significantly high inbreeding. Michni population was found to be in mutation drift equilibrium, showing the absence of genetic bottleneck. The data of Balkhi and Hashtnagri indicated the presence of genetic bottleneck in these populations. These results suggest a moderate level of genetic diversity within Michni population that may be useful for breed improvement programs. Hashtnagri and Balkhi populations having low within breed genetic variability may contain some valuable characteristics that need to be conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation was carried out to clone rice germin-like protein gene (OsRGLP9) under the transcriptional control of a constitutive promoter in tobacco. For the purpose OsRGLP9 gene, 995 bp was first successfully cloned in pENTRD/Topo® cloning vector and the target gene was sub-cloned in pH7WG2 vector in sense direction downstream of CaMV35S promoter. Presence of insert in the destination vector was confirmed through sequencing. After confirmation recombinant plasmid containing target gene was prepared on large scale by alkaline lysis method and purified using Eppendorf Perfectprep® Gel Cleanup kit. Transgenic plants were obtained through Agro-bacterium mediated transformation. The transgenic plants were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about genetic diversity among Brassica napus cultivars developed for many growing regions and their possible use as potential inbred lines for hybrid seed production is limited. We studied the genetic diversity and relationships among B. napus accessions using Sequence Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) markers, which preferentially amplify open reading frames. A total of 60 spring-type B. napus accessions were screened using 20 SRAP primers, which revealed 162 polymorphic fragments with an average of eight markers per primer combination. Genetic similarity estimates ranged from 40 to 100, which indicated sufficient diversity among the accessions. The majority of the accessions were uniquely identified by the markers with the exception of near-isogenic inbred lines. Cluster analysis displayed five major groups. The first major cluster comprised 23 accessions mostly of Australian origin, whereas the second cluster included 13 accessions mostly of Canadian origin. The accessions in the first and second clusters were identified as maintainers of cytoplasmic male sterility. The two restorer lines R-111 and R-101 along with their corresponding backcross progeny constituted the third cluster. Scandinavian cultivars made the fourth separate cluster. One cultivar Salam and its respective inbred line were the most divergent lines. Variations in the number of markers between open-pollinated cultivars and their respective selfed inbred lines were also observed. The clustering pattern mostly supported their respective pedigree and characteristic traits. Genetic diversity in genetically distinct groups in the tested maintainer and restorer lines can be exploited for hybrid development in B. napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of genetic diversity of Brassica germplasm provides the basis for rapeseed/mustard genetic improvement. Studies were undertaken to estimate the genetic diversity of 30 lines of Brassica napus using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. A total of 30 B. napus genotypes of local and exotic origin were characterized using molecular markers. Four RAPD primers were used to estimate the genetic distances among the genotypes in all the possible combinations. The genetic diversity study revealed different levels of genetic polymorphism for RAPD primers GLA05, GLA07, GLA09 and GLA 10, resulting in amplification of 5.7, 3.5, 3.1 and 5.4 scorable bands (loci) per genotype, respectively. Individual genetic distances observed among B. napus genotypes ranged from 6.5 to 51%. Bivariate data matrix was generated and genetic distances were calculated using Unweighted Pair Group of Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) procedure. The UPGMA cluster analyses revealed maximum genetic dissimilarity for 8966-1 and 8969-1 genotypes, closely followed by Ganyou-5, 89127-1, 89111-2 and Mlep-048. It is recommended that among the thirty B. napus genotypes, genetically distinct lines pointed out in the present study, should be used in future breeding programs for improvement of Brassica napus.