Research shows that producing fermented camel milk is hard because of the milk’s inability to form a firm coagulum, attributed to low levels of κ-casein and ꞵ-lactoglobulin and the large casein micelle size, leading...Research shows that producing fermented camel milk is hard because of the milk’s inability to form a firm coagulum, attributed to low levels of κ-casein and ꞵ-lactoglobulin and the large casein micelle size, leading to a weak network of casein formation. In an effort to address this issue, researchers turned to corn starch as a thickening agent, discovering that a concentration of 2.0% effectively improved the viscosity and significantly reduced syneresis in stirred camel milk yoghurt and cultured camel milk. This study explores alternatives to corn starch, focusing on butternut squash seeds as a promising substitute due to their hydrocolloid composition. By incorporating butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) seed powder (BSSP) as a thickening agent, this study aimed at enhancing the chemical and rheological properties of stirred camel milk yoghurt and cultured camel milk. Fermented camel milk was prepared using 4 litres of camel milk, 2% starter cultures (thermophilic culture for yoghurt and mesophilic aromatic culture for stirred cultured camel milk) and BSSP 0.0% (negative control), 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, 2.0% mixed with 0.4% gelatin. 2.0% corn starch mixed with 0.4% gelatin was used as a standard for comparison. Results showed that increasing the BSSP level significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the moisture content while increasing the total solid content of stirred fermented camel milk products. There was an increase in ash content with an increase in BSSP levels. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the pH, with an increase in BSSP levels in stirred fermented camel milk samples. Increasing the concentration of BSSP from 0.4% to 2.0% resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in viscosity and a reduction in syneresis of stirred camel milk yoghurt and stirred cultured camel milk samples. This study demonstrated that BSSP effectively enhances the viscosity, reduces syneresis and increases acidity in stirred fermented camel milk products during storage.展开更多
[Objective]The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit length of summer squash.[Method]Inheritance of the fruit length of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,B1,B2 and F2 from two crosses q-1 ×23-4G（...[Objective]The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit length of summer squash.[Method]Inheritance of the fruit length of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,B1,B2 and F2 from two crosses q-1 ×23-4G（cross 1） and q-1 ×A-7（cross 2） was investigated by the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits.[Result]The results showed that the fruit length was controlled by D2 model;Genetic effect of fruit length of cross 1 was mainly additive effect,but genetic effect of fruit length of cross 2 was mainly dominant effect.Heritability values of the genes of F2 were relatively high and the environmental effect was relatively low.[Conclusion]The fruit length breeding of summer squash should be selected in early generation selection.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit width of summer squash.[Method] Inheritance of the fruit width traits of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,BC1,BC2 and F2 from two crosses q-1×...[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit width of summer squash.[Method] Inheritance of the fruit width traits of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,BC1,BC2 and F2 from two crosses q-1×23-4G（cross 1）and q-1×A-7（cross 2）was investigated by the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits.[Result] The fruit width was controlled by B-1 model.Heritability values of the major genes of F2 were relatively high and the environmental effect was relatively low.[Conclusion] The fruit width breeding of summer squash should be selected in early generation selection.展开更多
[Objective]The aim was to study the inheritance of flesh thickness,so as to provide a theoretical basis for breeding of thicker-flesh summer squash variety.[Method]Using mixed major genes and polygene inheritance mode...[Objective]The aim was to study the inheritance of flesh thickness,so as to provide a theoretical basis for breeding of thicker-flesh summer squash variety.[Method]Using mixed major genes and polygene inheritance model,a joint analysis of six generations from two crosses q-1×23-4G（Cross 1）and q-1×A-7（Cross 2）was conducted to investigate the inheritance of the flesh thickness of summer squash.[Result]The results showed that the flesh thickness was controlled by D-2 model（a pair of additive major genes plus additive-dominant polygene）;genetic effect of flesh thickness in the two crosses was mainly the dominant effect of polygene.Heritability values of the genes of F2 generation were relatively low,while the environmental effect was great.[Conclusion]To flesh thickness,the method of individual selection on high separated generations was effective in the breeding of summer squash with thick flesh.展开更多
The expansion of hydroponics in many countries of the world in the last few decades may be ascribed to the ability of soilless growing systems to avoid various problems arising from the use of the soil. Cucumber （Cuc...The expansion of hydroponics in many countries of the world in the last few decades may be ascribed to the ability of soilless growing systems to avoid various problems arising from the use of the soil. Cucumber （Cucurnis sativus L.） and zucchini （Cucurbita pepo L.） plants were grown in closed-soilless culture under unheated-greenhouse conditions at the experimental farm of University of Tuscia, Central Italy to evaluate the effects of four substrates （rockwool, pumice, perlite, and cocofiber） on growth, yield and plant mineral composition. For both cultures, plants grown in cocofiber, perlite and pumice yielded more than those grown in rockwool. The better temperature regime in cocofiber, perlite and pumice was due to the greater thermal inertia compared to rockwool slabs. Thc concentration of N in zucchini and cucumber leaves was significantly higher in cocofiber, perlite and pumice in comparison to the rockwool treatment. The concentration of K was significantly affected by the substrate only for the zucchini squash with the highest value recorded on the organic substrate （cocofiber）, whereas the Ca concentration was significantly influenced by the growing media only for cucumber with the highest value observed on pumice. Finally, the lowest Mg concentration in leaf tissue was observed on plants grown with the rockwool substrate for both zucchini squash and cucumber. We can conclude that cocofiber, perlite and pumice are suitable for zucchini and cucumber production in closed soilless system, whereas the use of rockwool is more suitable for crops grown under heated greenhouse conditions.展开更多
[Objective] The aim of this study was to establish a feasible squashing technique for chromosome and obtain data of rice chromosome. [Method] With the materials of rice root tips and anther, the specimen was prepared ...[Objective] The aim of this study was to establish a feasible squashing technique for chromosome and obtain data of rice chromosome. [Method] With the materials of rice root tips and anther, the specimen was prepared by the modified squash method, and microscopic observation of mitosis and meiosis in rice cells was also carried out. [ Result] Mitosis in rice cells included interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Chromosome in metaphase shortened to the minmum, which was a good time for observing and investigating chromosome. However, meiosis in rice cells included meiosis Ⅰ and meiosis Ⅱ. Chromosome replication appeared in meiosis Ⅰ, while cell division only appeared in meiosis Ⅱ. [ Conclusion] The modified squashing technique for rice chromosome can obtain accurate data of rice chromosome, which provides evidence for genetic breeding.展开更多
It has been reported that squash leaf curl China virus(SLCCNV)infects some Cucurbitaceae crops except for melon(Cucumis melo L.).A new disease of melon exhibiting severe leaf curl and dwarfing was observed in Hainan P...It has been reported that squash leaf curl China virus(SLCCNV)infects some Cucurbitaceae crops except for melon(Cucumis melo L.).A new disease of melon exhibiting severe leaf curl and dwarfing was observed in Hainan Province of China.In this study,the pathogen was identified as SLCCNV through biological and molecular characterization.The isolate(SLCCNV-HN)possess a bipartite genome,DNA-A(HM566112.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062251.1)pumpkin and SLCCNV-Hn61(AM260205.1)squash isolates from China,whereas DNA-B(HM566113.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062252.1).Phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length SLCCNV-HN DNA-A and-B sequences indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate is clustered with SLCCNV-Hn pumpkin,SLCCNV-Hn61 and SLCCNV-SY squash isolates from southern China,forming an independent cluster.Infectious clone of SLCCNV-HN was constructed and the melon plants were inoculated and the infection rate is 100%,the systemic symptoms in melon showed identical to those of melon plants infected in fields.Additionally,melon plants transmission of this virus by Bemisia tabaci with a transmission rate of 95%(19/20)showed leaf curl and dwarf symptoms 15 days post transmission,thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates.Analysis of genomic organization and phylogenetic trees indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate belongs to the Begomovirus genus.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first characterization of meloninfecting SLCCNV through its genome,infectious clone and transmission.展开更多
Fruit yield, yield components, fruit mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and irrigation water use efifciency （IWUE） of summer squash responses to different irrigation quantities were evalua...Fruit yield, yield components, fruit mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and irrigation water use efifciency （IWUE） of summer squash responses to different irrigation quantities were evaluated with a ifeld study. Irrigations were done when the total evaporated water from a Class A pan was about 30 mm. Different irrigation quantities were adjusted using three different plant-pan coefifcients （Kcp, 100% （Kcp1）, 85% （Kcp2） and 70% （Kcp3））. Results indicated that lower irrigation quantities provided statistically lower yield and yield components. The highest seasonal fruit yield （80.0 t ha-1） was determined in the Kcp1 treatment, which applied the highest volume of irrigation water （452.9 mm）. The highest early fruit yield, average fruit weight and fruit diameter, length and number per plant were also determined in the Kcp1 treatment, with values of 7.25 t ha-1, 264.1 g, 5.49 cm, 19.95 cm and 10.92, respectively. Although the IWUE value was the highest in the Kcp1 treatment （176.6 kg ha-1 mm-1）, it was statistically similar to the value for Kcp3 treatment （157.1 kg ha-1 mm-1）. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fruits was higher in the Kcp1 （44.27 μg gallic acid equivalents （GAE） mg-1 fresh sample） and in the Kcp2 （84.75%） treatments, respectively. Major （Na, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S） and trace （Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B） mineral contents of squash fruits were the highest in the Kcp2 treatment, with the exception of P, Ca and Cu. Mineral contents and total phenolic content were signiifcantly affected by irrigation quantities, but antioxidant activity was not affected. It can be concluded that the Kcp1 treatment was the most suitable for achieving higher yield and IWUE. However, the Kcp2 treatment will be the most suitable due to the high fruit quality and relatively high yield in water shortage conditions.展开更多
Acorn squash(Cucurbita pepo)is an iconic fall vegetable in the United States,known for its unique fruit shape and also prized for its culinary properties.Little is known about the metabolism that underlies the develop...Acorn squash(Cucurbita pepo)is an iconic fall vegetable in the United States,known for its unique fruit shape and also prized for its culinary properties.Little is known about the metabolism that underlies the development of fruit quality attributes such as color,sweetness,texture and nutritional qualities in acorn squash,or any other winter squash grown worldwide.To provide insight into winter squash fruit and seed development and add to the genomic resources in the Cucurbita genus,RNA sequencing was used to generate an acorn squash fruit and seed transcriptome from the cultivar Sweet REBA at critical points throughout fruit development.141838600 high-quality paired-end Illumina reads were assembled into 55949 unigenes.85%of unigenes with predicted open reading frames had homology with previously identified genes and over 62%could be functionally annotated.Comparison with the watermelon and cucumber genomes provided confirmation that the unigenes are full-length and comprehensive,covering an average of 90%of the coding sequence of their homologs and 72%of the cucumber and watermelon exomes.Key candidate genes associated with carotenoid and carbohydrate metabolism were identified toward a resource for winter squash fruit quality trait dissection.This transcriptome represents a major advance in C.pepo genomics,providing significant new sequence information and revealing the repertoire of genes expressed throughout winter squash fruit and seed development.Future studies on the genetic basis of fruit quality and future breeding efforts will be enhanced by tools and insights developed from this resource.展开更多
Both the fruit mesocarp and the seeds of winter squash can be used for consumption,although the focus of breeding efforts varies by cultivar.Cultivars bred for fruit consumption are selected for fruit mesocarp quality...Both the fruit mesocarp and the seeds of winter squash can be used for consumption,although the focus of breeding efforts varies by cultivar.Cultivars bred for fruit consumption are selected for fruit mesocarp quality traits such as carotenoid content,percent dry matter,and percent soluble solids,while these traits are essentially ignored in oilseed pumpkins.To compare fruit development in these two types of squash,we sequenced the fruit transcriptome of two cultivars bred for different purposes:an acorn squash,‘Sweet REBA’,and an oilseed pumpkin,‘Lady Godiva’.Putative metabolic pathways were developed for carotenoid,starch,and sucrose synthesis in winter squash fruit and squash homologs were identified for each of the structural genes in the pathways.Gene expression,especially of known rate-limiting and branch point genes,corresponded with metabolite accumulation both across development and between the two cultivars.Thus,developmental regulation of metabolite genes is an important factor in winter squash fruit quality.展开更多
Previous studies reported that some plants, including butternut squash, exert positive effects on the brain. However, few studies have examined the effects of butternut squash on learning, memory, and neurogenesis. Th...Previous studies reported that some plants, including butternut squash, exert positive effects on the brain. However, few studies have examined the effects of butternut squash on learning, memory, and neurogenesis. This study studied the effects of butternut squash extract on spatial learning and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of healthy male rats. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg butternut squash extract once daily for 2 months. After the last administration, rat＇s spatial memory was studied using the Morris water maze. Finally, rats were sacrificed and hippocampal sections were prepared for light microscopy and bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry studies. The results revealed that escape latency and swim distance decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control rats, and that the number of bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells in the dentate gyrus was significantly increased in the treatment groups compared with the controls. These findings suggest that butternut squash extract improves the learning and memory abilities of male rats, and increases the proliferation of dentate gyrus cells.展开更多
文摘Research shows that producing fermented camel milk is hard because of the milk’s inability to form a firm coagulum, attributed to low levels of κ-casein and ꞵ-lactoglobulin and the large casein micelle size, leading to a weak network of casein formation. In an effort to address this issue, researchers turned to corn starch as a thickening agent, discovering that a concentration of 2.0% effectively improved the viscosity and significantly reduced syneresis in stirred camel milk yoghurt and cultured camel milk. This study explores alternatives to corn starch, focusing on butternut squash seeds as a promising substitute due to their hydrocolloid composition. By incorporating butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) seed powder (BSSP) as a thickening agent, this study aimed at enhancing the chemical and rheological properties of stirred camel milk yoghurt and cultured camel milk. Fermented camel milk was prepared using 4 litres of camel milk, 2% starter cultures (thermophilic culture for yoghurt and mesophilic aromatic culture for stirred cultured camel milk) and BSSP 0.0% (negative control), 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, 2.0% mixed with 0.4% gelatin. 2.0% corn starch mixed with 0.4% gelatin was used as a standard for comparison. Results showed that increasing the BSSP level significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the moisture content while increasing the total solid content of stirred fermented camel milk products. There was an increase in ash content with an increase in BSSP levels. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the pH, with an increase in BSSP levels in stirred fermented camel milk samples. Increasing the concentration of BSSP from 0.4% to 2.0% resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in viscosity and a reduction in syneresis of stirred camel milk yoghurt and stirred cultured camel milk samples. This study demonstrated that BSSP effectively enhances the viscosity, reduces syneresis and increases acidity in stirred fermented camel milk products during storage.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Development Project of Jinan City in2006(064034)~~
文摘[Objective]The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit length of summer squash.[Method]Inheritance of the fruit length of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,B1,B2 and F2 from two crosses q-1 ×23-4G（cross 1） and q-1 ×A-7（cross 2） was investigated by the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits.[Result]The results showed that the fruit length was controlled by D2 model;Genetic effect of fruit length of cross 1 was mainly additive effect,but genetic effect of fruit length of cross 2 was mainly dominant effect.Heritability values of the genes of F2 were relatively high and the environmental effect was relatively low.[Conclusion]The fruit length breeding of summer squash should be selected in early generation selection.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Development Project of Jinan in 2006(064034)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific basis for breeding on the fruit width of summer squash.[Method] Inheritance of the fruit width traits of summer squash in P1,P2,F1,BC1,BC2 and F2 from two crosses q-1×23-4G（cross 1）and q-1×A-7（cross 2）was investigated by the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits.[Result] The fruit width was controlled by B-1 model.Heritability values of the major genes of F2 were relatively high and the environmental effect was relatively low.[Conclusion] The fruit width breeding of summer squash should be selected in early generation selection.
文摘[Objective]The aim was to study the inheritance of flesh thickness,so as to provide a theoretical basis for breeding of thicker-flesh summer squash variety.[Method]Using mixed major genes and polygene inheritance model,a joint analysis of six generations from two crosses q-1×23-4G（Cross 1）and q-1×A-7（Cross 2）was conducted to investigate the inheritance of the flesh thickness of summer squash.[Result]The results showed that the flesh thickness was controlled by D-2 model（a pair of additive major genes plus additive-dominant polygene）;genetic effect of flesh thickness in the two crosses was mainly the dominant effect of polygene.Heritability values of the genes of F2 generation were relatively low,while the environmental effect was great.[Conclusion]To flesh thickness,the method of individual selection on high separated generations was effective in the breeding of summer squash with thick flesh.
文摘The expansion of hydroponics in many countries of the world in the last few decades may be ascribed to the ability of soilless growing systems to avoid various problems arising from the use of the soil. Cucumber （Cucurnis sativus L.） and zucchini （Cucurbita pepo L.） plants were grown in closed-soilless culture under unheated-greenhouse conditions at the experimental farm of University of Tuscia, Central Italy to evaluate the effects of four substrates （rockwool, pumice, perlite, and cocofiber） on growth, yield and plant mineral composition. For both cultures, plants grown in cocofiber, perlite and pumice yielded more than those grown in rockwool. The better temperature regime in cocofiber, perlite and pumice was due to the greater thermal inertia compared to rockwool slabs. Thc concentration of N in zucchini and cucumber leaves was significantly higher in cocofiber, perlite and pumice in comparison to the rockwool treatment. The concentration of K was significantly affected by the substrate only for the zucchini squash with the highest value recorded on the organic substrate （cocofiber）, whereas the Ca concentration was significantly influenced by the growing media only for cucumber with the highest value observed on pumice. Finally, the lowest Mg concentration in leaf tissue was observed on plants grown with the rockwool substrate for both zucchini squash and cucumber. We can conclude that cocofiber, perlite and pumice are suitable for zucchini and cucumber production in closed soilless system, whereas the use of rockwool is more suitable for crops grown under heated greenhouse conditions.
基金Supported by Natural Science Fund of Henan Province (2008A208019)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim of this study was to establish a feasible squashing technique for chromosome and obtain data of rice chromosome. [Method] With the materials of rice root tips and anther, the specimen was prepared by the modified squash method, and microscopic observation of mitosis and meiosis in rice cells was also carried out. [ Result] Mitosis in rice cells included interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Chromosome in metaphase shortened to the minmum, which was a good time for observing and investigating chromosome. However, meiosis in rice cells included meiosis Ⅰ and meiosis Ⅱ. Chromosome replication appeared in meiosis Ⅰ, while cell division only appeared in meiosis Ⅱ. [ Conclusion] The modified squashing technique for rice chromosome can obtain accurate data of rice chromosome, which provides evidence for genetic breeding.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31701941 and 31401810)the grants from the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-26-13)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ASTIP) (CAAS-ASTIP-2018-ZFRI-08)
文摘It has been reported that squash leaf curl China virus(SLCCNV)infects some Cucurbitaceae crops except for melon(Cucumis melo L.).A new disease of melon exhibiting severe leaf curl and dwarfing was observed in Hainan Province of China.In this study,the pathogen was identified as SLCCNV through biological and molecular characterization.The isolate(SLCCNV-HN)possess a bipartite genome,DNA-A(HM566112.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062251.1)pumpkin and SLCCNV-Hn61(AM260205.1)squash isolates from China,whereas DNA-B(HM566113.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062252.1).Phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length SLCCNV-HN DNA-A and-B sequences indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate is clustered with SLCCNV-Hn pumpkin,SLCCNV-Hn61 and SLCCNV-SY squash isolates from southern China,forming an independent cluster.Infectious clone of SLCCNV-HN was constructed and the melon plants were inoculated and the infection rate is 100%,the systemic symptoms in melon showed identical to those of melon plants infected in fields.Additionally,melon plants transmission of this virus by Bemisia tabaci with a transmission rate of 95%(19/20)showed leaf curl and dwarf symptoms 15 days post transmission,thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates.Analysis of genomic organization and phylogenetic trees indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate belongs to the Begomovirus genus.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first characterization of meloninfecting SLCCNV through its genome,infectious clone and transmission.
文摘Fruit yield, yield components, fruit mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and irrigation water use efifciency （IWUE） of summer squash responses to different irrigation quantities were evaluated with a ifeld study. Irrigations were done when the total evaporated water from a Class A pan was about 30 mm. Different irrigation quantities were adjusted using three different plant-pan coefifcients （Kcp, 100% （Kcp1）, 85% （Kcp2） and 70% （Kcp3））. Results indicated that lower irrigation quantities provided statistically lower yield and yield components. The highest seasonal fruit yield （80.0 t ha-1） was determined in the Kcp1 treatment, which applied the highest volume of irrigation water （452.9 mm）. The highest early fruit yield, average fruit weight and fruit diameter, length and number per plant were also determined in the Kcp1 treatment, with values of 7.25 t ha-1, 264.1 g, 5.49 cm, 19.95 cm and 10.92, respectively. Although the IWUE value was the highest in the Kcp1 treatment （176.6 kg ha-1 mm-1）, it was statistically similar to the value for Kcp3 treatment （157.1 kg ha-1 mm-1）. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fruits was higher in the Kcp1 （44.27 μg gallic acid equivalents （GAE） mg-1 fresh sample） and in the Kcp2 （84.75%） treatments, respectively. Major （Na, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S） and trace （Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B） mineral contents of squash fruits were the highest in the Kcp2 treatment, with the exception of P, Ca and Cu. Mineral contents and total phenolic content were signiifcantly affected by irrigation quantities, but antioxidant activity was not affected. It can be concluded that the Kcp1 treatment was the most suitable for achieving higher yield and IWUE. However, the Kcp2 treatment will be the most suitable due to the high fruit quality and relatively high yield in water shortage conditions.
基金This research was supported through funds from Cornell University and the Vegetable Breeding InstituteSupport for Lindsay Wyatt was provided by a Cornell University Presidential Life Sciences Fellowship,USDA National Needs Graduate Fellowship Competitive Grant No.2008-38420-04755 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculturethe Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No.2013-67011-21122 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
文摘Acorn squash(Cucurbita pepo)is an iconic fall vegetable in the United States,known for its unique fruit shape and also prized for its culinary properties.Little is known about the metabolism that underlies the development of fruit quality attributes such as color,sweetness,texture and nutritional qualities in acorn squash,or any other winter squash grown worldwide.To provide insight into winter squash fruit and seed development and add to the genomic resources in the Cucurbita genus,RNA sequencing was used to generate an acorn squash fruit and seed transcriptome from the cultivar Sweet REBA at critical points throughout fruit development.141838600 high-quality paired-end Illumina reads were assembled into 55949 unigenes.85%of unigenes with predicted open reading frames had homology with previously identified genes and over 62%could be functionally annotated.Comparison with the watermelon and cucumber genomes provided confirmation that the unigenes are full-length and comprehensive,covering an average of 90%of the coding sequence of their homologs and 72%of the cucumber and watermelon exomes.Key candidate genes associated with carotenoid and carbohydrate metabolism were identified toward a resource for winter squash fruit quality trait dissection.This transcriptome represents a major advance in C.pepo genomics,providing significant new sequence information and revealing the repertoire of genes expressed throughout winter squash fruit and seed development.Future studies on the genetic basis of fruit quality and future breeding efforts will be enhanced by tools and insights developed from this resource.
基金This research was supported through startup funds from Cornell UniversitySupport for Lindsay Wyatt was provided by a Cornell University Presidential Life Sciences Fellowship,USDA National Needs Graduate Fellowship Competitive Grant No.2008-38420-04755 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculturethe Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No.2013-67011-21122 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
文摘Both the fruit mesocarp and the seeds of winter squash can be used for consumption,although the focus of breeding efforts varies by cultivar.Cultivars bred for fruit consumption are selected for fruit mesocarp quality traits such as carotenoid content,percent dry matter,and percent soluble solids,while these traits are essentially ignored in oilseed pumpkins.To compare fruit development in these two types of squash,we sequenced the fruit transcriptome of two cultivars bred for different purposes:an acorn squash,‘Sweet REBA’,and an oilseed pumpkin,‘Lady Godiva’.Putative metabolic pathways were developed for carotenoid,starch,and sucrose synthesis in winter squash fruit and squash homologs were identified for each of the structural genes in the pathways.Gene expression,especially of known rate-limiting and branch point genes,corresponded with metabolite accumulation both across development and between the two cultivars.Thus,developmental regulation of metabolite genes is an important factor in winter squash fruit quality.
基金a grant from the Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine (RICM),Tehran University of Medical Sciences,No. p26/m/t/1088
文摘Previous studies reported that some plants, including butternut squash, exert positive effects on the brain. However, few studies have examined the effects of butternut squash on learning, memory, and neurogenesis. This study studied the effects of butternut squash extract on spatial learning and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of healthy male rats. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg butternut squash extract once daily for 2 months. After the last administration, rat＇s spatial memory was studied using the Morris water maze. Finally, rats were sacrificed and hippocampal sections were prepared for light microscopy and bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry studies. The results revealed that escape latency and swim distance decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control rats, and that the number of bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells in the dentate gyrus was significantly increased in the treatment groups compared with the controls. These findings suggest that butternut squash extract improves the learning and memory abilities of male rats, and increases the proliferation of dentate gyrus cells.
