Onion is one of the most widely consumed vegetables. There are many cultivars, which are grouped according to skin color as yellow, white or red. Onions can also be classified as sweet or non-sweet. Their importance in cooking comes from their typical taste and flavour. The sugars, pyruvic acid accumulation and transcript level of some transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis of high sugars and pyruvic acid was analyzed at different stages of bulb onion (Allium cepa) growing under light and dark condition using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Quantitative real time PCR. A genetic map and cultivar lines 36101and 36122 were used to identify transcription factors controlling pungency and sugar. We compared 2 different lines for low pungency and high sugars during water and photoperiod stress, which showed significant positive phenotypic and genetic correlations. These results could be presumably used as useful information to obtain onion varieties rich in sugars.

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease is a devastating disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), which is caused by begomoviruses generally referred to as tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). The breeding for TYLCV resistance has been based on the introgression of the Ty-3 resistance locus. Knowledge about the exact location of the Ty-3 on tomato chromosome 6 is needed to understand the genomic organization of the Ty-3 locus. In this study, we conducted a genetic analysis using a segregating population derived from a cross between resistant accession S. lycopersicum “A45” and susceptible accession S. lycopersicum “A39”. The F1 plants showed resistance to TYLCV and F1 was self-pollinated to produce F2 progeny. To screen the TYLCV resistance in 145 F2 plants, a leaf agroinfiltration method was used. F2 plants showed a classical Mendelian seregation (106 resistance : 39 susceptibility) for resistance to TYLCV respectively. SCAR and CAPS markers linked to the Ty-3 were tested for genotyping F2 plants and .genotyping and agroinfiltration results were cosegregated in the newly developed F2 population.

sy-2 (Seychelles-2) is a temperature sensitive mutant of Capsicum chinense and native to Seychelles Island in Africa. Previously we showed that sy-2 leaves were irregularly shaped and defective in chlorophyll development at temperatures lower than 24℃. A segregation test revealed that the sy-2 gene is controlled by a single recessive gene. To identify the sy-2 gene, we performed a map-based cloning approach using a total of 1,010 F2 plants derived from crossing sy-2 and the wild type C. chinense ‘No.3341’. sy-2 gene is located on chromosome 1, 0.3 cM and 0.1cM away from cosII markers C2_At4g29120 and C2_At1g09070, respectively. The tomato genome sequence between those two markers was compared with pepper genome sequence. We found three of pepper scaffold sequences in this region. We developed seven ingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers on the pepper scaffold sequences, among which five SNP markers were co-segregated with sy-2. To fill the gap between the scaffolds which contains co-segregating markers, we screened a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, and end-sequences of total of 22 AC clones were i. We found that five clones were overlapped to cover the gap. We fully sequenced four AC clones and found that the physical distance between C2_At4g29120 and C2_At1g09070 is 343kb. This region contains 70 putative genes such as HSP90-like ATPase family proteins, lipid-transfer proteins, calmodulin-domain protein kinases, and zinc finger proteins (ZFPs). To identify the sy-2 gene, we performed RT-PCR and found that a ZFP-like gene is differentially expressed between WT and sy-2 leaves. This result suggests that the ZFP-like gene is a strong candidate for the sy-2 gene. We are currently characterizing this candidate gene.

To select genes associated with the high-temperature tolerance from Brassica, two transcriptomic analyses have been used: microarray and RNA Seq. Using two contrasting inbred lines of B. rapa, Chiifu and Kenshin, version 3 microarray (135 K microarray) was conducted to RNA samples extracted from series of 45℃-treated leaves and 29 genes were selected for genomic DNA cloning of cabbage. Of 29 genes, 8 genes contain 40 SNPs, 11 SSRs and 23 In-Del markers that distinguish high-temperature tolerant and susceptible cabbages, BN1 and BN2. These 8 genes include a unknown gene, AP2, SMP, FBD, SKP2B, IAA16, HSP21 and OLI2-2. We also selected 16 cabbage genes from RNA Seq analysis using two inbred lines, BN1 and BN2: 5 genes for BN1-high expression, 5 genes for BN1-specific expression, 5 genes for BN2-specific expression, and BoCaMB. Using RNA sequences, genomic DNAs corresponding to 16 genes have been clones and analyzed to find out molecular markers. Markers were further transformed into PCR-based marker and confirmed with additional cabbage genetic lines. We are currently transforming PCR-makers into SNP markers. To examine function of high-temperature tolerant genes, we also transformed 5 genes into Arabidopsis plants. We will describe detailed methods and results in a poster. [This work was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (the Next-Generation Genomics Center No. PJ009085), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea]

Toxic (high phorbol esters) and nontoxic (low phorbol esters) jatropha accessions cannot be distinguished morphologically. Their seeds must be chemically analyzed through a complex and costly process using HPLC method. EST-SSR markers can be used to classify jatropha accessions with high and low phorbol esters. In this study, ninety-seven EST-SSR markers amplified the genomic DNA and showed polymorphism among 5 high phorbol esters accessions and 10 low phorbol esters accessions. These markers can be further exploited for jatropha improvement through marker-assisted breeding.

This study was carried out to analyze correlation between heterosis of F1 hybrids and the genetic distance of parental lines. Growth characteristics such as number of leaves, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bolting rate and marketable yield were examined in 15 F1 hybrids. The genetic distance among one male sterile line and fifteen restorer lines were analyzed with SSR markers. 21 primer pairs amplified polymorphic band and the average number of polymorphic allele was 3.4. As a result of UPGMA cluster analysis, the similarity coefficient value among parental lines ranged from 0.43 to 0.63. Combination of M1 and R14 is high similarity and number of leaves, plant height and yield are 10.2, 66.7cm and 6,818kg·10a-1. The case of the lowest value combination, they are 9.0 and 63.7cm and 7,728kg·10a-1, respectively. The results showed that there are no significant correlations between genetic distance and heterosis of F1 hybrids and only molecular marker does not predict growth traits and yield of onion.

양배추 엽색을 결정하는 주요한 요인은 안토시아닌의 합성 유무 또는 축적된 양의 차이에 기인한다. 양배추의 엽 색 관련 분자마커 개발을 위하여 안토시아닌 색소의 축적이 다른 양배추 계통을 이용하여 RNA Seq을 수행하고 분 석하였다. 양배추 시료는 자색양배추, 녹색양배추, 저온에서 안토시아닌 발현되는 양배추, 저온에서 안토시아닌 발현이 없는 양배추를 각 2종씩 사용하여 색 관련 유전자 마커의 선발과 분류를 용이하게 하였다. RNA Seq 데이터 분석을 통해 안토시아닌 합성관련 유전자의 발현 양상을 확인한 결과 자색양배추에서 MYB2, TT8, F3’H, DFR, ANS 유전자의 발현이 많았다. 또한 RNA Seq 데이터를 기반으로 SSR 마커로 활용가능한 프라이머 45개 세트를 선별, 작성하고 PCR방법으로 검정한 결과 9개의 프라이머 세트를 선발하였다. 그 중 1개를 양배추 F1 품종을 대상으로 검정하여 자색양배추 또는 저온에서 자색을 나타내는 양배추를 구분할 수 있었다. 안토시아닌 합성과 관련된 상 류유전자와 구조유전자들의 게놈 구조를 분석하고 상류유전자 18개, 구조유전자 15개의 염기서열을 분석하기위 해 각각 33개, 21개 프라이머 세트를 작성하였다. 염기서열 분석한 결과, F3’H, DFR, MYB2, 유전자에서 총 10개의 SNP(Exon 4개, Intron 6개)와 1개의 SSR(Intron)을 발굴하였다. [본 연구는 농림축산식품부․해양수산부․농촌진흥청․ 산림청 Golden Seed 프로젝트 사업(원예종자사업단, 과제번호 : 213003-04-2-SB230에 의해 이루어진 것임]

Cambial meristematic cells (CMCs) are innately undifferentiated cells located in the meristems of plant with function as a stem cell to renew itself or replace specialized tissues. Another interesting feature of plant stem cells is controlling the plant defense in response to various stresses. Several groups have studied for stem cell triggered immunity signaling however, the molecular basis of the stem cell triggered immunity remains unclear. We previously obtained deferentially expressed 563 stem cell specific gene profiles from transcriptome analysis between two different cell types, CMC and dedifferentiated dells (DDCs) of yew tree (Taxuscuspidate). In a line of comparative genomics approach, we have selected 30 Arabidopsis homologous immune regulator candidate genes that showed significantly enriched GO terms ; at “response to stress” and “defense response”. We obtained one of homologous knock-out (KO) Arabidopsis mutant line on the locus At1G71110 whose cognate yew homologous gene showed predominantly expressed in CMCs compared to DDCs (20 times higher). For the assessment of basal disease resistance KO mutant plants were inoculated with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 and counted pathogen isolated from inoculated leaves. Interestingly, the KO mutant plants were not compromised in basal disease resistant, however, the hypersensitive response was significantly enhanced in the mutant compared to wild type in response to PstavrB, suggesting R-gene mediated defense response involved. We also investigated there sponse to the small reactive redox molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that associated significantly in plant immune response. Notably the KO mutant plants exhibited hypersensitivity specifically under nitrosative stress condition derived by S-nitrosiglutathione (GSNO), anitrioxide (NO) donor. Taken all together, putative endomembrane components At1G71110 may play a pivotal role in R gene mediated plant immune system. To further investigate its role(s) and molecular signaling network various defense gene expression profiles and functional genomics approach are ongoing for the long term aim of muti-stress tolerant crop development

Transposon elements are widely distributed in the plant genomes. Maize genome consists of various transposable elements that constitute as much as 80% of the genome. Transposon display (TD) is a modified from AFLP, and can be used to generate and display hundreds of genomic fragments affixed to transposons, consequently tagging transposons. We developed maize specific transposon insertion- sequence characterized amplified regions (Ti-SCAR) using Isaac and CACTA transposons. Currently, we have developed 58 dominant Ti-SCAR markers. Validation of the Ti-SCARs is being carried out using a various maize germplasm. Since AFLP is tedious and unsuitable for large scale application in MAS, the Ti-SCAR markers displayed simple binary presence or absence pattern. Thus, the Ti-SCARs can provide a fast, cheap and reliable PCR based assay. A pipeline in developing the Ti-SCAR will be presented in the poster.

Rice is the most important staple food crop of almost half of the world`s population. In rice, seed longevity is major factor for production and storage potential of seeds. But it is faced with grain degradation and loss of seed viability. Lipoxygenases(LOX) are a family of enzymes related to the seed longevity. LOX activity in rice grain is present in a bran-milling fraction. It is also observed that rice embryos contains three isozymes activites, Lox1, Lox2 and Lox3. Among those, the Lox3 isozyme is known as the major component in the embryonic tissue. In this study, genetic structure variability of three seed longevity related genes, Lox1, Lox2 and Lox3 were examined by using whole-genome resequencing data of 137 accessions of rice core set. The new SNPs and InDels in the exon regions identified through haplotyping analysis would be useful to develop new varieties with improved storage ability of rice in the future molecular breeding.

Transgenic potatoes expressing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD), isolated from the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, had increased tolerance to salt stress (Jeong et al. 2001). To examine the physiological mechanisms enhancing salt tolerance in GPD transgenic rice plants, the salt tolerance of five GPD transgenic rice lines (T1–T5) derived from Dongjin rice cultivar was tested in a fixed 150-mM saline environment in comparison to two known wild-type rice cultivars, Dongjin (salt sensitive) and Pokali (salt tolerant). Transgenic lines T2, T3, and T5 showed a substantial increase in biomass and relative water content compared to Dongjin. Stomatal conductance and osmotic potential were higher in the GPD transgenic lines and were similar to those in Pokali. The results are discussed based on the comparative physiological response of GPD transgenic lines with those of the salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant rice cultivars.

네덜란드 와게닝건대학 식물육종연구실에서는 배추과 채소들을 형태적 지리적 근원을 찾아 대표 형태형을 나타 내는 수집단을 분류하는 Core Collection 연구가 이루어지고 있다. 배추과 채소들은 대부분 Heterogeneous 하고, Heterozygous 하기 때문에 본 실험실에서는 와게닝건 대학으부터 배추과 채소 중 8개의 형태형을 나타내는 19계통 (Chinese Cabbage 3계통, Chinese Turnip Cabbage 2계통, Pak Choi 3계통, Turnip 5계통, Broccolleto 3계통, Mizuna 1계 통, Komatsuna 1계통, Turnip green 1계통)을 분양 받아서 소포자배양을 진행 하였다. 소포자배양를 진행한 결과, 8 가지 종들 중, Komatsuna 와 Turnip Green을 제외한 6종에서 모두 배의 발생을 유도 할 수 있었고, 유도된 배들은 식 물체로의 재생을 위해 MS배지에 옮겨졌고, 토양순화, 저온처리 의 과정을 거쳤다. 이들 6종들 중 Broccolleto를 제 외한 5종에서 채종이 가능하였다. 배추과 채소의 Core Collection을 위한 19계통의 소포자배양 결과, 10계통에서 배 가 유도되었으며, 발생된 배의 개체 수에는 차이가 크게 나타났으나, MS 배지로 옮겨진 배들은 10계통 모두에서 정상적인 뿌리를 형성한 Adventitious shoot가 재생되었고, 토양에 4주 이상 적응한 식물체를 획득할 수 있었다. 10 계통 중 2계통을 제외한 8계통이 4주 동안 저온처리의 과정에 적응하였고, 이들 중 7계통에서 채종과정을 거쳐 종 자생산에 성공하였다.

본 연구는 강낭콩(Phaseolus vulgaris, PV)의 종피 색에 따른 항산화 활성 차이를 알아보고자 수행하였다. 유전자원 에 따른 16가지의 강낭콩을 적색 3종, 황색 1종, 적색얼룩무늬 3종, 흰색 얼룩무늬 1종, 회갈색얼룩무늬 2종, 흰색 2종, 회갈색 2종, 흑색2종으로 총 8가지 색으로 나누어 진행하였다. 연구결과를 요약하면 16가지 강낭콩을 콩 전체, 콩 종피 그리고 종피을 제외한 콩으로 분리하여 각각 80% 메탄올에 48시간 추출하였다. 추출 후 원액을 필터하여 실험에 사용하였다. 강낭콩에서 종피가 차지하는 비율은 6.93 ~ 10.20%이었으며, 총 폴리페놀 함량은 종피에서 7.05~180.33mg GAE/mL, 콩 전체에서 17.96 ~ 61.23mg GAE/mL, 그리고 콩 알맹이 16.58 ~ 22.24mg GAE/mL이었다. 종피 추출물에서 PV-151(적색얼룩무늬)이 180.33mg/mL로 가장 높은 폴리페놀 함량을 보였고, PV-132(회갈색)에 서 164.67mg/mL, PV-78(회갈색얼룩무늬)에서 158.36mg/mL, PV-133(회갈색얼룩무늬)에서 158.19mg/mL, PV-126(적색)에서 147.93mg/mL, PV-343(흑색)에서 121.49mg/mL으로 나타났다. 흰색 강낭콩은 폴리페놀 함량이 미비하였다. DPPH 라디칼 소거능은 종피 추출물 2.5배 희석 하였을 때, PV-151(적색얼룩무늬), PV-343(흑색), PV-78(회갈색얼룩무늬), PV-132(회갈색)에서 90%이상 소거능을 보였으며 농도 의존적으로 활성이 감소하는 것 을 확인하였다. ABTS 라디칼 소거능은 종피 추출물을 10배 희석 하였을 때, PV-78(회갈색얼룩무늬)가 88.16%, PV-132(회갈색)가 81.29%, PV-151(적색얼룩무늬)가 95.26%, PV-343(흑색)이 80.11%의 소거능을 보였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 색이 다른 강낭콩 종피마다 가지고 있는 폴리페놀 함량이 다르며 각각 다른 항산화 활성을 나타냈다. 적색얼룩무늬, 회갈색얼룩무늬, 회갈색 그리고 흑색처럼 강낭콩 종피의 색이 진할수록 총 폴리페놀 함량과 더불 어 항산화 활성이 높은 것으로 나타났다.

Green rice leafhopper(GRH), Nephotettix cincticeps Uhier, is one of the major insect pests of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the temperate growing region of East Asia. GRH sucks sap from both xylem and phoem of susceptible rice varieties, and increased GRH populations cause sooty mold disease on the ears of rice after heading stage. In addition to direct plant destruction, GRH also causes damage to rice plants by transmitting rice dwarf viruses causing rice dwarf viruses disease which could decrease the yield of rice. Development of GRH resistant rice varieties for reducing yield loss is an important objective in current breeding programs. In this study, we developed three SSR markers(RM18166, RM516, RM18171) and one Indel marker(Indel15040) which could select Grh1-resistant varieties using population derived from cross lines between Grh1-resistant variety ‘Singwang’ which contains Grh1 gene and susceptible variety ‘Ilpum’. PCR products of RM18166 which was one of the developed markers were easily detected in agarose gel. These markers will be useful for development of the Grh1-resistant varieties through marker-assisted selection(MAS) without bio-examination in rice breeding

MADS-box transcription factor (TF), primarily involved in the floral organ specification with other several aspects of plant growth and development. Whole genome survey of B. rapa revealed 167 MADS-box genes and categorized into MIKCc, MIKC*, Mα, Mβ and Mγ groups based on phylogeny, protein motif structure and exon-intron organizations. MIKCc group belongs 89 genes, which is the highest in number than in any other crops till date. The MIKCc group has further classified into 13 sub-families. In case of chromosomal localization, remarkably 57 MIKCc type MADS-box genes were found in the duplicated segments of B. rapa genome, whereas only 4 M-type genes have resulted from tandem duplications. Besides floral and vegetative tissue expression we also identified MADS-box genes with their male and female gametophyte specific expression in different stages of flower bud development. Furthermore, from a low temperature treated whole genome microarray data set 19 BrMADS genes were found to show variable transcript abundance in two contrasting double haploid lines of B. rapa. Subsequently, the responsive genes were investigated under three abiotic stresses where they showed differential and corresponsive expression patterns. An extensive annotation and transcriptome profiling undertaken in this study might be useful for understanding the involvement of MADS-box genes in stress resistance besides their growth and developmental functions, which ultimately will provide the basis for functional characterization and exploitation of the candidate genes in the genetic engineering study of B. rapa

Comparative time-course expression analyses were carried out to analyze the expression levels of 60 soybean WRKY genes during abiotic stress in order to search for the stress-inducible WRKY genes. Five GmWRKY(Glycine max WKRY) genes having the significant differential expression in response to the drought stress and abscisic acid(ABA) hormone application were further investigated for their expression profiles with various stresses such as drought, high salinity, cold and with ABA treatments by the quantitative real-time PCR analyses. In this research, the full-length cDNAs of five GmWRKY were isolated for the further studies. Five GmWRKY proteins were tested for their transcription activation in the yeast assay system. GmWRKY3 proteins showed the very high transcriptional activities and the other two GmWRKY proteins displayed moderate levels of transactivation while the remaining two GmWRKY proteins lacked transactivation in yeast. Subcellular localization of five GmWRKY proteins was analyzed via the green fluorescent protein-GmWRKY fusion protein in tobacco plant cell and all of GmWRKY proteins were targeted to the nucleus. In order to analyze the function of GmWRKY genes in plant, 35S:GmWRKY overexpression(OE) transgenic Arabidopsis were generated. Root growth and germination rates in transgenic OE plants were investigated in the media supplemented with mannitol, NaCl or ABA compared with that of wild-type(WT) plants. The 35S:GmWRKY42 transgenic Arabidopsis displayed reduced tolerance to drought stress compared to the WT. The results of this systematic analysis of the GmWRKY family responsive to abiotic stress will provide novel tools and resources for the development of improved drought tolerant transgenic soybean cultivars

The plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC)-domain proteins play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Comparative time-course expression analyses were carried out to analyze the expression levels of 62 soybean NAC genes during drought stress in order to search for the stress-inducible NAC genes. Ten GmSNAC (Glycine max stress-inducible NAC) genes having the significant differential expression in response to the drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) hormone application were further investigated for their expression profiles with various stresses such as drought, high salinity, cold and with ABA treatments by the quantitative real-time PCR analyses. In this research, the full-length cDNAs of eight GmSNAC were isolated for the further studies. Eight GmSNAC proteins were tested for their transcription activation in the yeast assay system. Two GmSNAC proteins showed the very high transcriptional activities and the other two GmSNAC proteins displayed moderate levels of transactivation while the remaining four GmSNAC proteins lacked transactivation in yeast. Subcellular localization of eight GmSNAC proteins was analyzed via the green fluorescent protein-GmSNAC fusion protein in tobacco plant cell. Three GmSNAC proteins with the C-terminal transmembrane domain were localized to the nucleus and cytoplasmic fractions. The other five GmSNAC proteins were targeted to the nucleus. The function of GmSNAC49 gene was further investigated using the overexpression transgenic Arabidopsis. Germination rate in transgenic plants over-expressing GmSNAC49 was delayed in the media supplemented with mannitol or ABA compared with that of wild-type (WT) plants. The 35S:GmSNAC49 transgenic Arabidopsis displayed improved tolerance to drought stress compared to the WT. The results of this systematic analysis of the GmSNAC family responsive to abiotic stress will provide novel tools and resources for the development of improved drought tolerant transgenic soybean cultivars

국내 밀 품종의 수발아 특성을 2009년부터 2013년까지 5년간 조사하였으며, 이러한 특성을 관련 표지인자 (TaVp-1A, TaSdr-B1와 TaPHS1)와 상관관계를 분석하였다. 이러한 결과를 토대로 국내 밀 육종 프로그램에서 수발 아 저항성 밀 계통 선발에 이용하고자 하였다. 국내 밀 품종의 수발아 특성은 모래묻이법으로 측정하였으며, 수발 아 특성은 품종 및 년차간 변이와 이들간의 상호작용에 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 국내 밀 품종의 수발아율은 1.57%에서 84.38%으로 나타났으며, 적립계 밀 품종의 수발아율은 11.39%로 백립계 밀 품종 (62.24%)보다 낮게 나 타났다. 국내 밀 품종의 TaVp-1A allele는 5 종류가 나타났지만 이들의 변이는 수발아율과 상관이 없는 것으로 나타 났다. 국내 밀 품종의 TaSdr-B1a 와 TaSdr-B1b allele 발현 빈도는 각각 79.2% 와 20.8%로 나타났으며, TaSdr-B1a allele를 지닌 품종의 수발아율은 16.50%로 TaSdr-B1b allele를 지닌 품종 (52.99%) 보다 낮아서 저항성이 있는 것으 로 생각된다. 국내 밀 품종의 TaPHS1 allele 변이는 2개의 haplotype (I 과 II)이 나타났으며, haplotype III는 국내 밀 품종에서 나타나지 않았다. haplotype I 과 II의 수발아율은 각각 27.19% 와 20.45%로 품종 간에 차이가 나타나지 않 았다.

Heat shock transcription factors(HSFs) are the major heat shock factors regulating the heat stress response. They participate in regulating the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are critical in the protection against stress damage and many other important biological processes. In this study, a genome-wide analysis was carried out to identify all HSFs soybean genes. Twenty six nonredundant HSF genes(GmHsf) were identified in the latest soybean genome sequence. Chromosomal location, protein domain and motif organization of GmHsfs were analyzed in soybean genome. The phylogenetic relationships, gene duplications and expression profiles of GmHsf genes were also presented in this study. According to their structural features, the predicted members were divided into the previously defined classes A–C, as described in Arabidopsis. Using RT-PCR, the expression patterns of 26 GmHsf genes were investigated under heat stress. The data revealed that these genes presented different expression levels in response to heat stress conditions. Real-time (q)RT-PCR was performed to investigate transcript levels of five GmHsfs in response to multiple abiotic stresses. Differential expression of five GmHsfs implies their role during abiotic stresses. Subcellular localization using GFP-fusion protein demonstrated that GmHsf12 and GmHsf34 were restricted to the nucleus and GmHsf28 was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm in plant. The results provide a fundamental clue for understanding of the complexity of the soybean HSF gene family and cloning specific function genes in further studies and applications.

Solanum nigrum is one of useful sources for improving resistance to several diseases in potato (S. tuberosum). For enhancing late blight resistance, introgression of late blight resistance from S. nigrum was attempted into the cultivated potatoes using somatic hybridization due to their sexual incompatibility. Therefore, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of S nigrum and compared it with those of Nicotiana tabacum, S. bulbocastanum, S. tuberosum and S. lycopersicum. The complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of S. nigrum consists of 155,432 bp in length including a pair of inverted repeat regions (Ira, Irb) of 25,589 bp each, a small single copy region of 18,402 bp and a large single copy region of 85,852 bp. The genome contains 107 genes. A comparison of chloroplast genome of five solanaceous species revealed that the gene contents and their relative positions of S. nigrum are similar to the other four species. Detailed comparison identified 35 indels, including 22 insertion and 13 deletion, in the intergenic and intragenic regions. The phylogenetic tree of chloroplast sequences of five solanaceous species shows that S nigrum is located at a same node with N. tabacum and is secondly close to S. lycopersicum. A sister clade with S. bulbocastanum and S. tuberosum is the farthest. The results obtained in this study will facilitate the development of PCR-based markers to select somatic fusion products.