Genetic Variation Research Articles

Genetic Variation, Polyploidy, Hybridization Influencing the Aroma Profiles of Rosaceae Family.

The fragrance and aroma of Rosaceae plants are complex traits influenced by a multitude of factors, with genetic variation standing out as a key determinant which is largely impacted by polyploidy. Polyploidy serves as a crucial evolutionary mechanism in plants, significantly boosting genetic diversity and fostering speciation. This review focuses on the Rosaceae family, emphasizing how polyploidy influences the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are essential for the aromatic characteristics of economically important fruits like strawberries, apples, and cherries. The review delves into the biochemical pathways responsible for VOC biosynthesis, particularly highlighting the roles of terpenoids, esters alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenolics, hydrocarbons, alongside the genetic mechanisms that regulate these pathways. Key enzymes, such as terpene synthases and alcohol acyltransferases, are central to this process. This review further explores how polyploidy and hybridization can lead to the development of novel metabolic pathways, contributing to greater phenotypic diversity and complexity in fruit aromas. It underscores the importance of gene dosage effects, isoenzyme diversity, and regulatory elements in determining VOC profiles. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding strategies aimed at improving fruit quality and aligning with consumer preferences. Present review not only elucidates the complex interplay between genomic evolution and fruit aroma but also offers a framework for future investigations in plant biology and agricultural innovation.

Training deep learning models on personalized genomic sequences improves variant effect prediction.

Sequence-to-function models have broad applications in interpreting the molecular impact of genetic variation, yet have been criticized for poor performance in this task. Here we show that training models on functional genomic data with matched personal genomes improves their performance at variant effect prediction. Variant effect representations are retained even when transfer learning models to unseen cellular contexts and experimental readouts. Our results have implications for interpreting trait-associated genetic variation.

Widespread Evidence for Rapid Recent Changes in Global Range and Abundance of Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

ABSTRACTThe threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, has undergone dramatic increases in abundance in parts of its historical native range, and it is also undergoing a major range expansion. We review available information and discuss the vectors and sources of the species' range expansions, the genetic characteristics of recently founded populations and the ecological consequences of both stickleback introductions and increases in abundance. Dramatic range expansions occurred in the Caspian Sea drainage, large rivers in the Black Sea drainage, reservoirs of the Rhine basin, isolated lakes in North America and Japan and remote islands in the Arctic. Likely reasons for these range expansions include canal construction, accidental inclusion with stocking of commercially valuable fish, intentional release by aquarists and fishermen and climate change. In some cases, range expansions of stickleback were likely facilitated by genetic admixture of previously separated lineages, as well as by high‐standing genetic variation that promotes rapid adaptation to new habitats. Accordingly, range expansions are often accompanied by striking increases in abundance, although these are two distinct processes. Notably, population growth within the species' native range, particularly in the White and Baltic Seas, has been observed alongside expansions into new areas. Where stickleback colonise new habitats or increase in abundance, extensive ecological impacts on ecosystems typically occur. Given these massive and widespread changes, the species has the potential to provide considerable insight into the evolutionary and ecological effects of human impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

The use of the species Triticum petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch. to expand the genetic diversity of spring bread wheat

Background. The species Triticum petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch. has a number of positive traits, but has rarely been used in breeding programs to improve bread wheat cultivars. The introgression of genetic material from this species into the Triticum aestivum L. gene pool will not only expand the genetic diversity of bread wheat with a set of traits valuable for breeders, but also help to analyze the expression of genes from T. petropavlovskyi in a new genetic environment. Materials and methods. Spring bread wheat lines L163 and L164 produced with the participation of bread wheat cv. ‘Voevoda’ and an accession of T. petropavlovskyi were target materials of the study. Conventional methods were applied to perform phenological, phytopathological, genetic, and bread quality evaluations. Statistical processing of the resulting data was carried out using the Agros-2.10 software. Results. L163 and L164 were studied for their morphological and phenological indicators, resistance to pathogens, productivity, and grain quality. Differences in a number of traits between the lines and the recipient cultivar were observed. The introgression of the T. petropavlovskyi genetic material into bread wheat showed both positive and negative effects on some agronomic characteristics. L163 was identified for its resistance to the pathogens of leaf rust and powdery mildew, and tolerance to cereal aphids. It combined high productivity with an increased grain protein content compared to the recipient cultivar. In addition, this line demonstrated good rheological properties of its dough. Conclusion. Merging genetic materials from T. petropavlovskyi and bread wheat cv. ‘Voevoda’ made it possible to produce lines with a set of positive characteristics. The selected line, L163, combined effective resistance to a number of diseases, high grain productivity, and good breadmaking qualities, so it was included in the breeding process.

Genetic analysis of Vicia faba L.: Advancements, hereditary traits, and correlations in ‘Sakha 3’ × ‘Nubaria 3’

Genetic diversity, heritability, and genetic advance are crucial considerations in the field of plant breeding. This research aimed to evaluate these factors for traits related to yield in faba bean (Vicia faba L.), specifically focusing on the F3 and F4 generations resulting from the cross between ‘Sakha 3’ and ‘Nubaria 3’. In the initial season (2021/ 2022), 200 families from each F3 population were cultivated with specific spacing, and selection criteria included seed yield per plant (SYP) and the number of pods per plant (NPP). Top-performing plants were identified for the second cycle of pedigree selection. In the following season (2022/2023), the F4 families were arranged in a randomised complete block design. Traits like the number of branches per plant (NBP), NPP, SYP, and seed index (SI) showed substantial phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, indicating their noteworthy variation. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation analyses showed positive associations between SYP and the NBP and NPP. Additionally, path coefficient analysis indicated that these traits had high positive direct effects on SYP. This research provides valuable insights into the genetic variability, heritability, and selection parameters for yield-related traits in faba bean, offering a foundation for future breeding programs aimed at improving yield and productivity.

ATROPINE FOR MYOPIA CONTROL: EFFICACY, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is rapidly emerging as a major global health issue, with projections indicating that by 2050, it will affect nearly 50% of the world’s population. This condition arises from excessive elongation of the eyeball, leading to blurred vision at a distance and increasing the risk of severe ocular complications, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma. Effective management strategies are critical to mitigating the public health impact of this growing epidemic. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, has gained attention for its potential in myopia control. By inhibiting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the eye, atropine slows down axial elongation, the anatomical hallmark of myopia. Low-dose atropine (0.01%) has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, such as the ATOM2 study, which showed a 50% reduction in myopia progression with minimal side effects, including photophobia and blurred vision. Meanwhile, the LAMP study indicates that slightly higher concentrations (0.05%) may further balance efficacy and tolerability, especially in children at high risk of severe myopia. Despite these promising results, critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly concerning atropine’s long-term safety, optimal dosing, and the rebound effect, where myopia progression may accelerate after stopping treatment. Ethnic and genetic variability also calls for a more diverse research focus. Future studies should explore combining atropine with other interventions, such as orthokeratology or multifocal lenses, to optimize outcomes. As leading pharmacological option for myopia management, atropine holds potential for integration into multifaceted treatment strategies to address this pressing public health concern. KEYWORDS: Atropine, Myopia, Pediatric Populations, Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors, LAMP.

Haemoprotozoan and haemorickettsial carrier status in pet and community owned dogs of south India

The increasing population of dogs and changes in the climatic conditions have resulted in the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in canines. These vectors borne diseases in canines pose a diagnostic challenge to the field veterinarians because of co-infections with several pathogens. Comprehensive data on the prevalence of haemoparasites and haemorickettsiales in pet and community owned dogs from south India are scant. Hence, the present study aims to find and compare the prevalence of these infections in the pet and the community owned dogs of Kerala, a south Indian state. Two hundred and seventy-two pets and 150 community owned dogs were examined by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for infections with different heamoparasites and haemorickettsials from January 2018–November 2020 in the state of Kerala. A high prevalence of Babesia gibsoni infection (42.2–60.0 %) in pet and community owned dogs, followed by Babesia vogeli (5.8–39.3 %), Hepatozoon canis (0.7–28.0 %), Trypanosoma evansi (0.0–27.3 %), Ehrlichia canis (0.3–0.6 %) and Anaplasma platys (0.0–0.6 %) was observed in the present study. Eighty-eight per cent (132/150) of the community owned dogs and 49.2 % (134/272) of the pet dogs were positive for at least one pathogen. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA and TRAP gene of B. gibsoni, 18S rRNA genes of B. vogeli and H. canis and RoTat, 1.2 virB9 and 16S rRNA genes of T. evansi, E. canis and A. platys, respectively was carried out. B. vogeli, H. canis, E. canis and A. platys revealed genetic relatedness between the Indian isolates and the isolates from other countries. However, B. gibsoni isolates from the Indian sub-continent were genetically unique compared to other Asian isolates. The clustering of T. evansi isolates from India in two clades viz., livestock origin (cattle, buffalo) and others indicated their genetic variability. The present study summarizes the prevalence of some of the haemoparasites and haemorickettsials in the dog populations of Kerala (south India) and also determined their genetic relationship with the isolates prevalent in dogs in other countries.

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) breeding priorities and preferences among landraces in Zimbabwe

Background: Participatory approaches such as participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and participatory variety selection (PVS) methods empower farmers to play a greater role in the decision-making process and in shaping the future improvement of crops. However, few studies have established breeding priorities and assessed variety preferences for spider plant, a nutrient-rich and medicinal crop mainly grown as landraces by farmers.Aim: This study aims to set spider plant breeding priorities and select preferred varieties.Setting: This study was conducted at seven farmer field schools (FFSs) located in various districts of Zimbabwe during the 2021–2022 summer season.Methods: Landrace genotypes were planted in a variety of demonstration plots where farmers met, learned and discussed important breeding traits, ultimately ranking the landrace genotypes. Important traits of spider plant were identified and prioritised to establish breeding priorities. The final ranking was conducted at the end of the season, and the data were analysed for significance.Results: The top six most important breeding priorities across the FFS can be ranked as follows: size of leaves number of branches taste late maturity germination early leaf growth. Preferences for different genotypes varied among FFSs. CGGUR, CGMRGP-Marondera and CGUZG1 were preferred for higher branching habits. Landraces with larger leaf sizes, were CGNPGRC356, CGMRGP-Marondera.Conclusion: The preferred genotypes were as follows: Tsholotsho = CGGUR, Rushinga = CGKENYA, Chiredzi = CGMRG1, Mudzi = CGMRGP-Marondera, Horticulture Research Institution – Research community (HRI-R) = CGMRG1 and CGKENYA, and M-Chiota = CGZIM and CGUZG1. Across FFSs, significantly (p 0.001) higher preference ranks were in the following order: CGMRGP-Marondera CGMRG1 CGNPGRC355 CGKENYA.Contribution: These genotypes can be utilised for future genetic improvement, seed production and variety release.

Distinct genetic signals at the FGF21 locus complicate studies of FGF21's role in diet regulation using human cohort data

ObjectivesExperimental and genetic studies suggest that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) modulates macronutrient and alcohol preferences, but evidence of such regulation in humans remains scarce. To address this gap in translation, we aimed to map the relationships between plasma FGF21 levels, FGF21 genetic variation and habitual macronutrient intake in a large human population. MethodsWe fine-mapped and performed colocalization of the FGF21 genetic region in GWAS summary statistics of plasma FGF21 levels and macronutrient intake. UK Biobank data were used to investigate the associations between FGF21 genetic variants, plasma FGF21 protein levels, and macronutrient intake (including alcohol) assessed with repeated 24-hour recalls. One- and two-sample mendelian randomization were performed to estimate the effects of plasma FGF21 on macronutrient intake. ResultsWe show that the main macronutrient-associated variant rs838133 and the FGF21 cis-pQTL rs838131, both in the FGF21 gene, are distinct genetic signals. Effect directions also suggest that the influence of FGF21 variation on macronutrient intake appear more complex than by direct mediation through plasma FGF21. Only when considering this complexity at FGF21, is plasma FGF21 estimated to reduce alcohol and increase protein and fat intake using mendelian randomization. Importantly, plasma FGF21 levels also appear markedly elevated by primarily high alcohol and low protein intake. ConclusionsThese findings support the feedback diet-regulatory mechanism of FGF21 in humans, but highlights the need for mechanistic characterization of the complex FGF21 genetic region.

Enhancing Agro Morphological Traits of three Unique Traditional Rice Landraces of Chhattisgarh through Gamma Ray-Irradiation

Mutation breeding is a simple and effective technique for generating genetic variation within crops. Mutagens such as Gamma radiation induce changes in their DNA that could lead to the development of new traits, such as improved yield or disease resistance. In the present study, Gamma ray mutagenesis was performed on three traditional rice varieties (Gudma dhan, Dawar dhan, and Lohandi dhan) to identify potentially beneficial mutants with desirable agro-morphological agricultural characteristics. The major constraints to address were their tall statures and weak culms, fewer panicles and tillers, and late maturity. Using a fixed dose of 300 Gy, 35 mutants were identified in Dawar dhan, 33 in Gudma dhan, and 21 in Lohandi dhan. The selected mutants showed an average reduction in plant height that ranged from 42.69% to 33.11%, as compared to their respective landraces. Also, a substantial reduction (ranging from 3.08%-10.55%) in days to 50% flowering was observed. Importantly, these mutants showed an increase in yield of 38.11% (Dawar dhan), 32.63% (Gudma dhan), and 7.0% (Lohandi dhan). These findings demonstrate the utility of mutation breeding through Gamma radiation in alleviating the key constraints inherent to traditional rice landraces.

Promise and Peril of a Genotype-First Approach to Mendelian Cardiovascular Disease.

Precision medicine, which among other aspects includes an individual's genomic data in diagnosis and management, has become the standard-of-care for Mendelian cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, early identification and management of asymptomatic patients with potentially lethal and manageable Mendelian CVD through screening, which is the promise of precision health, remains an unsolved challenge. The reduced costs of genomic sequencing have enabled the creation of biobanks containing in-depth genetic and health information, which have facilitated the understanding of genetic variation, penetrance, and expressivity, moving us closer to the genotype-first screening of asymptomatic individuals for Mendelian CVD. This approach could transform health care by diagnostic refinement and facilitating prevention or therapeutic interventions. Yet, potential benefits must be weighed against the potential risks, which include evolving variant pathogenicity assertion or identification of variants with low disease penetrance; costly, stressful, and inappropriate diagnostic evaluations; negative psychological impact; disqualification for employment or of competitive sports; and denial of insurance. Furthermore, the natural history of Mendelian CVD is often unpredictable, making identification of those who will benefit from preventive measures a priority. Currently, there is insufficient evidence that population-based genetic screening for Mendelian CVD can reduce adverse outcomes at a reasonable cost to an extent that outweighs the harms of true-positive and false-positive results. Besides technical, clinical, and financial burdens, ethical and legal aspects pose unprecedented challenges. This review highlights key developments in the field of genotype-first approaches to Mendelian CVD and summarizes challenges with potential solutions that can pave the way for implementing this approach for clinical care.

Predicting genetic biodiversity in salamanders using geographic, climatic, and life history traits.

The geographic distribution of genetic variation within a species reveals information about its evolutionary history, including responses to historical climate change and dispersal ability across various habitat types. We combine genetic data from salamander species with geographic, climatic, and life history data collected from open-source online repositories to develop a machine learning model designed to identify the traits that are most predictive of unrecognized genetic lineages. We find evidence of hidden diversity distributed throughout the clade Caudata that is largely the result of variation in climatic variables. We highlight some of the difficulties in using machine-learning models on open-source data that are often messy and potentially taxonomically and geographically biased.

MEF2C is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker and is Correlated with Immune Infiltrates in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

The role of Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 C (MEF2C) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, we employed bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation in this study. This study investigated MEF2C expression across a spectrum of cancers, with a specific focus on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), utilizing Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to assess its potential as a diagnostic marker. The study also investigated correlations between MEF2C expression and clinical traits and prognostic indicators of LUAD. Additionally, this study also delved into the regulatory mechanisms of MEF2C, examining its connections to immune system interactions, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and the sensitivity of LUAD to various drugs. Through single-cell sequencing of LUAD cells and genetic variation of MEF2C in LUAD, we explored the expression of MEF2C in cell lines and verified it by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). MEF2C exhibited aberrant expression in both pan-cancer and LUAD. In individuals with LUAD, diminished levels of MEF2C expression were notably linked to the effectiveness of primary therapy outcome (p = 0.025), gender (p < 0.001), and the subdivision of anatomic neoplasms 2 (p = 0.011). A decline in MEF2C levels was also found to be significantly related to reduced overall survival (OS) in LUAD patients (p = 0.026). The presence of MEF2C was recognized as a standalone factor predictive of prognosis in LUAD (p = 0.029). MEF2C was found to be involved in multiple biological pathways, such as those involving cell adhesion molecules. Additionally, its expression was correlated with the extent of immune cell presence, the activity of immune checkpoint genes, and TMB in LUAD. Notably, an inverse relationship was observed between MEF2C expression and the sensitivity to several agents, including Topotecan, Irinotecan, Panobinostat, Nilotinib, and Tp38-279, within the context of LUAD. Furthermore, MEF2C was found to be significantly negatively regulated in LUAD cell lines. The results imply that MEF2C could be a valuable indicator for predicting outcomes and a possible target for immunotherapy for LUAD patients.

Quantitative genetics and breeding strategies in hybrid populations of Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii

Forestry companies SAFCOL and Sappi conducted a study in South Africa to examine genetic variation and select improved material in full-sib hybrid families of Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii. The results from the study on clonal and seedling hybrid populations of P. patula × P. tecunumanii low-elevation subpopulations (TECL) revealed a significantly larger impact of TECL compared to P. patula. The TECL parents exhibited higher general hybridising ability (GHA) variance for volume gain and modulus of elasticity (MOE). Consequently, future hybrid crosses should focus on increasing the number of TECL parents in the breeding programme to improve these traits. In the hybrid seedling population of P. patula × P. tecunumanii high-elevation subpopulation (TECH), P. patula exerted a substantial influence on volume gain and MOE. However, the TECH parents displayed zero estimates of GHA variance for volume and a low GHA variance for MOE, relative to GHA variance among P. patula parents for MOE. Thus, this study recommends testing more P. patula parents in new intercrosses of this variety to enhance volume and MOE gain.

Population-wide DNA methylation polymorphisms at single-nucleotide resolution in 207 cotton accessions reveal epigenomic contributions to complex traits.

DNA methylation plays multiple regulatory roles in crop development. However, the relationships of methylation polymorphisms with genetic polymorphisms, gene expression, and phenotypic variation in natural crop populations remain largely unknown. Here, we surveyed high-quality methylomes, transcriptomes, and genomes obtained from the 20-days-post-anthesis (DPA) cotton fibers of 207 accessions and extended the classical framework of population genetics to epigenetics. Over 287 million single methylation polymorphisms (SMPs) were identified, 100 times more than the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SMPs were significantly enriched in intragenic regions while depleted in transposable elements. Association analysis further identified a total of 5,426,782 cis-methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-meQTLs), 5078 cis-expression quantitative trait methylation (cis-eQTMs), and 9157 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Notably, 36.39% of cis-eQTM genes were not associated with genetic variation, indicating that a large number of SMPs associated with gene expression variation are independent of SNPs. In addition, out of the 1715 epigenetic loci associated with yield and fiber quality traits, only 36 (2.10%) were shared with genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci. The construction of multi-omics regulatory networks revealed 43 cis-eQTM genes potentially involved in fiber development, which cannot be identified by GWAS alone. Among these genes, the role of one encoding CBL-interacting protein kinase 10 in fiber length regulation was successfully validated through gene editing. Taken together, our findings prove that DNA methylation data can serve as an additional resource for breeding purposes and can offer opportunities to enhance and expedite the crop improvement process.

Molecular epidemiology of seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff associated Malassezia species from northern India.

Malassezia is a commensal that sometimes become pathogenic under the influence of diverse factors. Several species of Malassezia are difficult to culture, making traditional methods of identification challenging. The problem with molecular typing of Malassezia in association with seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff (SD/D) arises due to the unavailability of these fastidious yeast cultures. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) genotypes, disease state (SD/D), and the geographic distribution of M. globosa, M. restricta and M. arunalokei. In total 154 isolates representing M. globosa (n=85), M. restricta (n=55), and M. arunalokei (n=14) from lesional/non-lesional areas of SD/D patients and healthy controls residing in the rural (n=77) and urban (n=77) areas of northern India were included. A strategy based on the FAFLP methodology was developed using two endonuclease enzymes (EcoRI and HindIII). M. globosa, M. restricta, and M. arunalokei formed eleven, three, and two FAFLP clusters respectively. Disease-specific strains of M. restricta and M. arunalokei preferentially tend to cause SD/D. M. restricta and M. arunalokei showed less genetic variation. M. globosa showed higher genetic diversity. FAFLP clusters revealed the existence of geographically specific strains in M. restricta, M. arunalokei, and M. globosa. Our findings suggest that certain Malassezia strains are not only disease-specific but also geographically distinct.

Studies on Genetic Variability and Character Association in Chickpea Germplasm for Growth and Yield Attributes

Studies on Genetic Variability and Character Association in Chickpea Germplasm for Growth and Yield Attributes

Evaluation of blaOXA-48-like point mutation carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Prapokklao Hospital, Thailand.

In this study, we aimed to investigate genetic variation and CPE among blaOXA-48-like carrying isolates recovered from Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, during 2016-2017. A total of 122 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) were recovered from clinical samples in Prapokklao Hospital. All CRE samples were confirmed by standard biochemical tests and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test strips (E-test). The carbapenemase production was determined using the modified Hodge test (MHT), the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM), and EDTA-CIM (eCIM). Three single mutations (E168Q, S171A, and R214S) were characterized in this study. This mutation might reflect the hydrolysis of the modified β-lactam spectrum, especially carbapenem, by OXA-48-like. Our report provides evidence of the blaOXA-48-like point mutation and carbapenemase-producing phenotype of CRE detected in this healthcare setting. Effective control measures and active surveillance of drug resistance in nosocomial pathogens are crucial for controlling diseases associated with difficult-to-treat bacteria.

DNAJC13 influences responses of the extended reward system to conditioned stimuli: a genome-wide association study.

Reward system dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genes that influence activation strength of brain regions within the extended reward system in humans. A homogeneous sample of 214 participants was genotyped and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). All subjects performed the 'desire-reason dilemma' (DRD) paradigm allowing systematic investigation of systems-level mechanisms of reward processing in humans. As a main finding, we identified the single nucleotide variant rs113408797 in the DnaJ Heat Shock Protein Family Member C13 gene [DNAJC13], alias Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis 8 [RME-8], that was associated with the activation strength of the ventral tegmental area (VTA; p = 2.50E-07) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc; p = 5.31E-05) in response to conditioned reward stimuli. Moreover, haplotype analysis assessing the information across the entire DNAJC13 locus demonstrated an impact of a five-marker haplotype on VTA activation (p = 3.21E-07), which further corroborates a link between this gene and reward processing. The present findings provide first direct empirical evidence that genetic variation of DNAJC13 influences neural responses within the extended reward system to conditioned stimuli. Further studies are required to investigate the role of this gene in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Assessment of Genomic Integrity of Vitex negundoL., An Important Indian Medicinal Plant, Using RAPD Markers

Vitex negundo is an Indian medicinal plant containing steroids, flavonoids, lignans and terpenoids that can be used as a precursor for commercial production. An efficient marker system such as Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess the genetic integrity of V. negundo. The straightforward method RAPD can be used to evaluate genomic integrity because it uses a small amount of DNA for PCR amplification. Six out of thirteen RAPD primers generated 150 distinct bands, of which 31 were polymorphic, with an average of 5.16 polymorphic bands per primer. A maximum of up to 32 fragments were amplified, and an average of 25 per primer, and the amplicons varied in size between 100 and 2000bp. The percentage of polymorphism ranges from 12.9 to 22.5, with an average of 16.6. The PIC values ranged from 0.11 to 0.63 for RAPD primers. The study pointed out that RAPD markers evaluate the genetic fidelity in Vitex negundo. The UPGMA cluster analysis grouped all in vitro raised plantlets treated with different growth regulators such as BAP, DPU, TDZ, and mT. The principal component analysis also substantiates this clustering pattern. Thus, the phylogenetic relationship and a high genetic variation revealed in the present study could provide baseline data for the conservation and improvement of this plant in future. Also, the molecular marker identified in this study will be helpful in the authentication of this species to prevent adulteration in herbal medicine.