Improvement of rice grain yield is an important goal in rice breeding. Yield improvement efficiency depends upon yield related components like grain number per panicle, grain weight, tillers number per plant, etc. Of these factors, grain number per panicle was shown to be highly correlated with yield. Pyramiding genes for grain number is highly indispensable in rice improvement programs. The high grain number genes, Apo1, Dep1, Ghd7are responsible for more seed production leading to increase in grain yield in rice. The length, sequence ID, chromosomal position and protein evidences of these genes were found from Orzabase, RAP-DB and Gramene database. The promoter, poly-A signal, DNA strand, open reading frame, initial signal/3’ splice site score, 5’ splice site, coding region, probability of exon and intron of high grain number genes under study were found out. These informations were used to design primers for these high grain number genes. The similarity search of designed primers showed 100% similarity with respective high grain number genes. The secondary structure prediction along with the comparative structural analysis of their respective proteins were performed. Three deigned primers for Dep1gene, one for Ghd7 gene and one for Apo1 gene were tested for amplification from high and low grain rice varieties, HGN1 and Heera, respectively. Two primers, Dep1-1 (promotor) for Dep1gene and Ghd7-2(Exon1) for Ghd7 gene amplified fragments from high grain variety, HGN1 while failed to amplify from low grain variety, Heera, indicating that these primers would be useful for introgression of genes from high grain varieties into low grain varieties to improve yield potential in rice through molecular breeding approach in future.
High grain number genes; Comparative structural analysis of high grain number proteins; Primer designing; Amplification of genes
Rice is cultivated in more than 100 countries worldwide on approximately 150 million hectares of land. Among the rice growing countries in the world, India has the largest area under rice crop and ranks second in production next to China. In India, it is grown in 44 million hectares accounting for 43% of food grain production and 46% of the total cerea production. Even though rice covers largest area under cultivation, the potential of rice production till has to be exploited. Rice productivity has more than doubled since the green revolution in the 1960s. Thus, further improving rice yield potential has posed tremendous challenges to rice breeders. Recent estimation suggests that a 40% increase in the production of rice is must by 2030 to meet the demands of the ever increasing population (Khush, 2003). The cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is rich in genetic diversity apart from highly diverse 21 wild progenitors and the African cultivated rice, OryzaglaberrimaSteud. In addition to staple food, rice has extensive protective and curative properties against human ailments like epilepsy, chronic headache, rheumatism, paralysis, skin diseases, diabetes, arthritis, indigestion, blood pressure, colon cancer, internal rejuvenation of tissues and overcoming postnatal weaknesses (Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). Identification and pyramiding of favorable/superior alleles for yield and its component traits would make a significant contribution to breeding high-yielding rice varieties.Improvement of rice grain yield is an important goal in rice breeding. Unfortunately, yield improvement efficiency is not adequate due to its complex property of related components like grain number per panicle, grain weight, tillers per plant, etc. Of these factors, grain number was shown to be highly correlated with yield (Hua et al., 2002). Three hundred sixty nine QTLs distributed across all over the 12 chromosomes of rice controlling grain number per-panicle have been identified (http://www.gramene.org) using various mapping populations derived from inter-specific, indica-japonica, indica-indicaand japonica-japonica crosses. Some of them were fine mapped to less than 1 cM intervals and few have been cloned using QTL-based near isogenic lines (NIL). Genes controlling grain number per-panicle directly or indirectly, i.e. Gn1a, Ghd7, Dep1, fz, Sp1, rcn2, lax1 and Apo1 also have been isolated from rice (Li et al., 2003; Jin et al.,2008; Tan et al., 2008; Li et al.,2009; Piao et al., 2009; Terao et al.,2010; Zha et al., 2009). The recent development in molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics has helped in the fine mapping and cloning of major genes/QTLs associated with rice yield traits at a rapid pace for the past 25 years. With the information on the cloned genes and closely linked markers associated with agronomic and yield traits in rice, accumulating beneficial alleles/genes using MAS has become a straight forward approach for improving target traits in rice (Wang et al., 2012). Pyramiding of genes in the elite genetic backgrounds has been reported to result in higher yield potential, longer grains, and a more suitable heading date. The novel genes are preserved in many related wild species, land races and cultivated varieties of rice. Therefore, pyramiding genes for grain number is highly indispensable in rice improvement programs. Here we have considered four different high grain number genes APO1, DEP1, GHD7, GN1A. The main objective of the work is to find out the exons and promoters of genes, to predict their restriction sites, comparative homology modeling of corresponding proteins, designing and validation of primers for high grain number for use in molecular breeding in rice.
1 Material and Methods
1.1 Retrieval of nucleotide sequence
The nucleotide sequences of the high grain number genes i.eApo1, Dep1, Ghd7, were retrieved from oryzabase, RAP-DB and gramene databases and from NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) by searching against nucleotide.
1.2 Similarity search for high grain number genes
Then the sequences were subjected for similarity search by using BlastP (http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ Blast.cgiPROGRAM=blastp&PAGE_TYPE=BlastSearch&LINK_LOC=blasthome).
1.3 Gene prediction
The coding and non-coding regions were predicted using Genscan tool (http://genes.mit.edu/GENSCAN. html). From this we could find out the exon (functional region) and intron (non-functional region).
1.4 Protein structure prediction
The secondary structures were predicted by using SOPMA server (http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/home/home.do). From this prediction it was easy to find out the helices, beta and turns. Then the comparative homology modeling was done by using modeller9.12 tool. The templates were identified from BlastP after similarity search and collected from PDBin fasta format. Then the align2d.py, model-single.py and evaluate model.py files were run on modeller9.12. The best model was selected on the basis of lowest DOPE score.
1.5 Model optimization and evaluation
Then the final models were visualized by using visualization tools i.epymol, rasmol and discovery studio visualiser. Then the backbone confirmation of the proteins were predicted by using PROCHECK Saves server (http://services.mbi.ucla.edu/SAVES/ Ramachandran/), which showed the allowed and disallowed regions of proteins from where it was easy to find out the suitable protein for further study.
1.6 Primer designing
Primers were designed to amplify the particular regions of the genes which can be further used for cloning purpose leading to high grain production in rice. Primer3 tool (http://primer3.ut.ee/) was used to find out the full length primers, and genomic primers, exon primer tool (ttp://ihg.gsf.de/ihg/ExonPrimer.html) was used to find the exon specific primers and multiple primer design with primer3tool (http://flypush.imgen.bcm.tmc.edu/primer/) was used to find out the overlapping primers.
1.7 In-silico amplification
The designed primers might amplify or not in wet lab technique, hence the in-silico method was performed to check the successful amplification. The Insilico PCR amplification tool (http://insilico.ehu.es/PCR/) was used to find out the amplification. Both forward and reverse primers were uploaded and after submitting it showed the amplification.
1.8 Genomic DNA isolation
The genomic DNA isolation process was followed by using CTAB powder method (Murray and Thompson, 1990). The cut pieces of rice leaf variety HEENA and HGN1 were homogenized using liquid nitrogen. The fine powder leaves were then kept in -20 degree centigrade freezer for 12 hours. 10ml of extraction buffer was added and incubated at 56 degree centigrade for 20minutes at 150rpm in shaker. 10ml of chloroform:isogamy alcohol mixture was added to get an emulsion. Emulsion was transferred to 30ml Oakridge polypropylene tube and centrifuged at 8000rpm for 25minutes at room temperature. 600ul of 10% CTAB and chloroform:isogamy alcohol (24:1) was added and subjected to centrifuge for 25minutes at room temperature. 0.7 volume of cold filter sterilized iso-propanol was added, precipitated dna was spooled out and again subjected to centrifuge at 5000-6000rpm/10minutes, rinsed in 70% ethanol,air dried or vaccum dried and dissolved in 4ml of TE buffer. The sample was then treated with 4ul of DNA free rnase and incubated at 37 degree centigrade for 1 hour. The DNA was re-precipitated with 0.1 volume of 3m sodium acetate and 2 volume of cold absolute ethanol. The precipitated DNA was spoole, rinsed in 70% ethanol, dissolved in 1ml of TE and stored at -20 degree centigrade for further analysis. Agarose gel electrophoresis method was done to find out the quality of the DNA. Gradient PCR was performed by setting the annealing temperature of 53oC, 54oC,56oC and 57oC. The PCR amplification was performed in a 20 µl reaction mixture volume containing 2 µl (30 ng) of genomic DNA, 1× PCR buffer, 200 µM dNTP mix, 4 pM of each of forward and reverse primers, 2 mM of magnesium chloride, 1 U of Taq (Thermos aquaticus)DNA polymerase.
The reaction mixture was mixed well, 18 µl was distributed to each of 12 tubes. Two µl of DNA sample each genotype was added to corresponding tube, mixed well, briefly centrifuged to collect drops from wall of tube.
1.9 Gel electrophoresis and detection of amplified products
After gradient PCR, the products were separated on 2.5- 3% agarose gel. Twelve micro liters of amplified products of each sample was loaded on 2.5% agarose gel in 1× TBE buffer to separate the amplified fragments. The electrophoresis was done for about 3 hours at 70 volts. The molecular weight marker (50 bp ladder) was used to compare the molecular weights of amplified products. 14 µl of Ethidium bromide was added to the molten gel and mixed well before pouring to the mold. The gel was visualized under UV and photographed using Chemi-Doc system (Alpha Innotech).
1.10 Data analysis
DNA fragment sizing and matching was done by scoring photographs directly. Individual bands within lanes were assigned to a particular molecular weight comparing with the DNA molecular weight marker. The amplified bands/alleles were scored as present (+) or absent (-) for each genotype and primer combination.
2 Results and Discussion
2.1 Similarity search analysis
The Apo1 gene showed 100% similarity with oryza sativa group Apo1 for panicle organization related protein and genomic DNA of oryza sativa on chromosome no.6. Dep1 gene showed 100% similarity with genomic DNA of japonica group on chromosome no.9 and with Dep1 complete cds. Ghd7 showed 100% similarity with indica group cultivator minghui63Ghd7 complete cds. The gene prediction which was performed is given in Table 1.
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Table 1 gene prediction of Apo1, Dep1, Ghd7 high grain number genes
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2.2 Secondary structure prediction analysis
The secondary structure prediction of the aberrant panicle organisation1 protein showed that it has 429 amino acids, 23.54% alpha helix, 20.28% extended strand, 9.09% beta turn, 47.09% random coils, whereas dense erect panicle1 protein has 426 amino acids, 12.68% alpha helix, 9.62% extended strand, 3.76% beta turn, 73.94% random coils and grain heading date7 protein has 257 amino acids, 17.90% alpha helix, 13.62% extended strand, 5.45% beta turn, 63.04% random coils.
2.3 Comparative homology analysis
The final models were visualized using pymol and discovery studio visualizer. The backbone confirmation of all the proteins were analyzed which showed thatApo1 protein lies in 84.9% of allowed region and 0.9% of disallowed region, Dep1 protein lies in 80.6% of allowed region and 2.6% of disallowed region, Ghd7 lies in 85.4% of allowed region and of disallowed region. The homology models are given in Figure 1-Figure 3 and the backbone confirmations of all the tertiary structures are given in Figure 4-Figure 6.
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Figure 1 3D structure of aberrant panicle organisation1 protein
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Figure 2 3D structure of dense erect panicle1 protein
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Figure 3 3D structure of grain heading date7 protein
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Figure 4 Ramachandran plot ofaberrant panicle organisation1 protein
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Figure 5 Ramachandran plot of dense erect panicle1 protein
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Figure 6 Ramachandran plot of grain heading date7 protein
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2.4 Final primers
The final primers were selected on the basis of gc%, tm, product size and hairpin loop sequence. The gc content must be 40%-80%, tm must be 55oC-65oC, hairpin loop sequence must be 0.00 and the product size must be more depending upon the sequence length.
These primers were ordered for checking amplification and following primers amplified successfully whereas Apo1-1 promoter primer showed negative amplification.
Four primer pairs( three for Dep1 gene, one for Ghd7 gene and one for Apo1 gene were used to amplify from high grain, HGN1 and low grain, Heera using six different temperature regime each with six different temperatures.
The primer pair Dep1-1 (Promoter) for Dep1 gene amplified band of 600bp in all the six temperatures from high grain variety, HGN1 while fail to amplify from Heera (Figure 7).
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Figure 7 Gradient PCR with Dep1 gene specific primer, Dep1-1 (Promo1 - HGN1 (high grain), 2- Heera( low grain)
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Optimum temperature of amplification was found to be 570C and 580C as amplified band found to be deeper as compared to other annealing temperature. This indicated that the primer pair Dep1-1 (Promoter) for Dep1 gene would be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain varieties in order to improve yield potential through molecular breeding approach.
The primer pair Dep1-2 (Exon1) for Dep1 gene amplified band of 600bp in all the six temperatures from both high and grain varieties, HGN1 and Heera, respectively, though variation was found in strength of amplified bands. Optimum temperature of amplification was found to be 570C and 580C as amplified band found to be deeper as compared to other annealing temperature (Figure 8).
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Figure 8 Gradient PCR with Dep1 gene specific primer, Dep1-2 (Exon1) 1 - HGN1 (high grain), 2- Heera( low grain)
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This indicated that the primer pair Dep1-2 (Promoter) for Dep1 gene would be not be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain rice varieties as there is no difference in length polymorphism. However, further investigation is necessary to find out whether there is difference in restriction site resulting in fragment size variation.
The primer pair Dep1-3 (Exon2) for Dep1 gene amplified band of 600bp in all the six temperatures from both high and grain varieties, HGN1 and Heera, respectively, though variation was found in strength of amplified bands in HGN1 and Heera. Optimum temperature of amplification was found to be 560C, 570C and 580C as amplified band found to be deeper as compared to other annealing temperature (Figure 9).
This indicated that the primer pair Dep1-3 (Promoter) for Dep1 gene would be not be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain rice varieties as there is no difference in length polymorphism. However, further investigation is necessary to find out whether there is difference in restriction site resulting in fragment size variation.
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Figure 9 Gradient PCR with Dep1 gene specific primer, Dep1-3 (Exon2) 1-HGN1 (high grain), 2- Heera( low grain) Annealing Temperatures are given on the top of gel
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The primer pair Ghd-7 (Exon1) for Ghd1 gene amplified band of 650bp in all the six temperatures from high grain variety, HGN1 while fail to amplify from Heera (Figure 10).
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Figure 10 Gradient PCR with Ghd7 gene specific primer, Ghd7-2 (Exon1) 1 - HGN1 (high grain), 2- Heera( low grain) Annealing Temperatures are given on the top of gel
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All the six temperature of amplification were found to be optimum as amplified band found to be medium to deeper at all six annealing temperature. This indicated that the primer pair Ghd-7 (Exon1) for Ghd1 gene would be not be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain rice varieties as there is no difference in length polymorphism.
The primer pair Apo1-1 (promoter) for Apo1 gene did not amplify any band at the six temperatures from either high or low grain varieties, HGN1 and Heera, respectively indicating that the primer pair Apo1-1 (promoter) for Apo1 gene would be not be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain rice varieties (Figure 11) (Table 2 and 3).
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Table 2 The primers which used for checking amplification
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Table 3 Amplification pattern of genomes of high and low grain rice varieties with designed primers
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Figure 11 Gradient PCR with Apo1 gene specific primer, Apo1-1 (promoter) 1 - HGN1 (high grain), 2- Heera( low grain) Annealing Temperatures are given on the top of gel
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3 Conclusions
As mentioned above the main objective was to find out the functional, non-functional regions of high grain number genes along with the comparative structural analysis of their respective proteins. Three deigned primers for Dep1gene, one for Ghd1 gene and one for Apo1 gene were tested for amplification from high and low grain varieties, HGN1 and Heera, respectively. Two primers, Dep1-2 (promotor) for Dep1gene and Ghd7-2(Exon1) for Ghd7 gene amplified fragments from high grain variety, HGN1 while failed to amplify from low grain variety, Heera, indicating that these primers would be useful for introgressing genes from high grain varieties into low grain varieties to improve yield potential through molecular breeding approach in future.
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