This study investigates the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of different Artemisia argyi germplasm resources to provide a basis for germplasm identification, variety selection, and resource protection. A total of 192 germplasm resources of A. argyi were studied, and EST-based simple sequence repeat(EST-SSR) primers were designed based on transcriptomic data of A. argyi. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification was performed on these resources, followed by fluorescence capillary electrophoresis to detect genetic diversity and construct DNA fingerprints. From 197 pairs of primers designed, 28 pairs with polymorphic and clear bands were selected. A total of 278 alleles were detected, with an average of 9.900 0 alleles per primer pair and an average effective number of alleles of 1.407 2. The Shannon's diversity index(I) for the A. argyi germplasm resources ranged from 0.148 1 to 0.418 0, with an average of 0.255 7. The polymorphism information content(PIC) ranged from 0.454 5 to 0.878 0, with an average of 0.766 9, showing high polymorphism. Cluster analysis divided the A. argyi germplasm resources into three major groups: Group Ⅰ contained 136 germplasm samples, Group Ⅱ contained 45, and Group Ⅲ contained 11. Principal component analysis also divided the resources into three groups, which was generally consistent with the clustering results. Mantel test results showed that the genetic variation in A. argyi populations was to some extent influenced by geographic distance, but the effect was minimal. Structure analysis showed that 190 germplasm materials had Q≥ 0.6, indicating that these germplasm materials had a relatively homogeneous genetic origin. Furthermore, 8 core primer pairs were selected from the 28 designed primers, which could distinguish various germplasm types. Using these 8 core primers, DNA fingerprints for the 192 A. argyi germplasm resources were successfully constructed. EST-SSR molecular markers can be used to study the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of A. argyi, providing theoretical support for the identification and molecular-assisted breeding of A. argyi germplasm resources.
Artemisia/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Genetic Variation ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; DNA, Plant/genetics* ; Genetic Markers

Forsythia suspensa is a traditional Chinese medicine and a commonly used landscaping plant. Its dried fruit is used in medicine for its functions of clearing heat, removing toxins, reducing swelling, dissipating masses, and dispersing wind and heat. It possesses extremely high medicinal and economic value. However, the genetic differentiation and diversity of its wild populations remain unclear. In this study, chloroplast genome sequences were obtained from 15 wild individuals of F. suspensa using high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequence characteristics and intraspecific variations were analyzed. The results were as follows:(1) The full length of the F. suspensa chloroplast genome ranged from 156 184 to 156 479 bp, comprising a large single-copy region, a small single-copy region, and two inverted repeat regions. The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes.(2) A total of 166-174 SSR loci, 792 SNV loci, and 63 InDel loci were identified in the F. suspensa chloroplast genome, indicating considerable genetic variation among individuals.(3) Population structure analysis revealed that F. suspensa could be divided into five or six groups. Both the population structure analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction results indicated significant genetic variation within the wild populations of F. suspensa, with no obvious correlation between intraspecific genetic differentiation and geographical distribution. This study provides new insights into the genetic diversity and differentiation within F. suspensa species and offers additional references for the conservation of species diversity and the utilization of germplasm resources in wild F. suspensa.
Genome, Chloroplast ; Forsythia/classification* ; Phylogeny ; Genetic Variation ; Chloroplasts/genetics* ; Microsatellite Repeats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Ig class switch recombination (CSR) and mismatch repair (MMR) protein, microsatellite phenotype in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). METHODS: Forty cases of MALT lymphoma archived in the Department of Pathology, Jiading District Central Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences were selected as the observation group, and twenty cases of benign lymphoid tissue hyperplasia were as the control group. The expressions of IgG, IgM, IgD, and IgA in both groups were detected by immunohistochemical double staining, and MMR proteins including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 in both groups were detected by immunohistochemistry. Multiplex fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis was used to detect microsatellite phenotype in tumor and adjacent tissues of the experimental group. RESULTS: In the observation group, the proportions of single Ig heavy chain expression (modeⅠ), negative expression (modeⅡ), and multiple expression (mode Ⅲ) were 65% (26/40), 27.5% (11/40), and 7.5% (3/40), respectively, while in the control group were 0 (0/20), 5% (1/20), and 95% (19/20). The proportion of Ig heavy chain expression mode Ⅰ+Ⅱ in the observation group was 92.5%, which was significantly higher than 5% in the control group (P < 0.01). In the observation group, partial deletion of MMR protein was observed in 3 cases (7.5%), including 2 cases of MSH6 deletion and 1 case of both MSH6 and PMS2 deletion. In the control group, there was 1 case (5%) with PMS2 deletion. There was no significant difference in the deletion rate of MMR protein between the two groups ( P >0.05). A total of 5 cases of microsatellite instability (MSI) were detected in the observation group, including 1 case of low-frequency MSI (MSI-L), 4 cases of high-frequency MSI (MSI-H), and 2 cases of MSI-H with MSH6 deletion. When the loss expression of MSI-H or MMR protein was counted as a positive result, the MSI-H rate detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis was 10% (4/40), which was slightly higher than the MMR protein deletion rate detected by immunohistochemistry (7.5%, 3/40), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P >0.05). The MMR protein deletion rates among the Ig heavy chain protein expression mode Ⅰ, mode Ⅱ, and mode Ⅲ groups were 0 (0/26), 18.2% (2/11), and 33.3% (1/3), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the constituent ratios among the three groups (P < 0.05). The MMR protein deletion rates among the MSS, MSI-L, and MSI-H groups were 2.9% (1/35), 0 (0/1), and 50% (2/4), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the constituent ratios among the three groups (P < 0.05). MMR protein deficiency was positively correlated with Ig heavy chain expression pattern and MSI ( r =0.41, P < 0.05; r =0.48, P < 0.05), but Ig heavy chain expression pattern was not correlated with MSI ( r =0.02, P >0.05). CONCLUSION Ig heavy chain CSR detection is helpful for the differential diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. Low frequency MMR protein deletion and MSI-H phenotype exist in MALT lymphoma, which may be of certain value for the study of its occurrence, development and clinical treatment.
Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/genetics* ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; Immunoglobulin Class Switching ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Phenotype ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; Mismatch Repair Endonuclease PMS2 ; Male

We studied the genetic diversity and established the DNA molecular identify for Prunus mume with both ornamental and edible values, aiming to collect, identify, evaluate, and breed new varities of this plant and promote the upgrading of the P. mume industry chain in northern China. We employed 13 pairs of primers with good polymorphism, clear bands, and good repeatability to analyze the genetic diversity and establish the molecular identify of 68 germplasm accessions of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values from Xingtai, Hebei Province. We then employed the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) to perform the cluster analysis based on genetic distance. After that, we analyzed the genetic structure of the 68 germplasm accessions based on a Bayesian model. The 13 pairs of SSR primers amplified a total of 124 alleles from 68 P. mume germplasm accessions, with the mean number of alleles (Na) of 9.538 5, the minor allele frequency (MAF) of 0.369 3, the mean number of effective alleles (Ne) of 4.483 5, and the mean Shannon genetic diversity index (I) of 1.712 4. The mean Nei's gene diversity index (H) of 0.763 7, the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.719 5, the mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.769 3, the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.733 6, and the mean genetic similarity (GS) of 0.772 9 suggested that there were significant genetic differences and rich genetic diversity among the studied P. mume germplasm accessions. The cluster analysis revealed that the 68 accessions were classified into three groups, with the mean genetic distance of 0.622 6. The population structure analysis classified the germplasm accessions into two populations. According to the PIC of primers, we selected primers for combination and constructed the combination with the fewest primers required for germplasm differentiation of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values. This study provides a theoretical basis for the innovation and industrial upgrading of P. mume with both ornamental and edible values in gardening and the improvement of breeding efficiency.
Prunus/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Genetic Variation ; China ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; DNA, Plant/genetics* ; Alleles

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic basis of a male patient with Kennedy disease(KD) presenting as secondary infertility. METHODS: A male patient who had presented at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital in August 2023 for secondary infertility for 5 years was selected as the study subject. Clinical data, laboratory findings, and auxiliary examination of the patient were collected. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the patient and his family members. Following DNA extraction, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Pathogenicity of candidate variant was predicted by bioinformatics analysis. Fluorescence probe PCR-capillary electrophoresis was employed to analyze the trinucleotide CAG repeat sequence variation in the AR gene to rule out dynamic mutation. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-697). RESULTS: The patient had presented with non-obstructive azoospermia and elevated androgen sensitivity index. Ultrasound scan indicated small testicular volume and seminal vesicle atrophy. WES and bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormal amplification in the patient's AR gene. Fluorescence probe PCR and capillary electrophoresis confirmed that both the proband and his nephew had harbored 52 CAG trinucleotide repeats in exon 1 of the AR gene, confirming the diagnosis of KD. The proband's mother, elder sister, and daughter were identified as carriers of the variant, while his second elder sister did not carry the mutation. CONCLUSION As a rare X-linked recessive genetic disease, KD mainly manifests with muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis and myofascial tremor, while cases with infertility and non-obstructive azoospermia as the initial symptoms are rare and can be easily missed. Diagnosis made by genetic testing needs to be taken seriously by the clinicians.
Humans ; Male ; Bulbo-Spinal Atrophy, X-Linked/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Receptors, Androgen/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Trinucleotide Repeats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a male with a normal phenotype and SRY gene-positive 46,XX/46,XY tetrazoospermia chimerism. METHODS: A male patient with an abnormal peripheral blood chromosomal karyotype detected at the Infertility Center of Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province on December 2, 2013 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the proband and his family members, together with a semen sample from the proband. Chromosomal karyotype analysis, red blood cell blood group identification, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene detection, and short tandem repeat (STR) microsatellite marker analysis were performed on the peripheral venous blood sample from the proband. Routine semen analysis, sperm FISH, and STR testing were also conducted. STR verification was performed on both parents. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: k20201009). RESULTS: The proband, a 37-year-old male, had normal secondary sexual characteristics and external genitalia development. The chromosomal karyotype of his peripheral blood sample was 46,XX[94]/46,XY[6]. ABO blood group typing was positive for Rh(D) type O and negative for Rh(D) type A, indicating the presence of two red blood cell populations. CMA result was arr[GRCh37](1-22)×2,(XX)×1. Autosomal and X chromosome SNP genotypes were BB-BB, AB-AB, and AA-AA, making it impossible to identify homozygous/heterozygous chimerism. FISH detection of interphase nuclei showed nuc ish XX[92]/XY[8]. Testing of the SRY gene was positive. STR analysis showed a single X peak (no Y peak) at the AMEL locus, 10/12 at the Penta D locus, and no third allele at other loci. Routine semen analysis were normal. Sperm FISH detection showed haploid nuclei nuc ish X[53]/Y[47]. Sperm STR analysis revealed an X/Y bimodal distribution at the AMEL locus and a 9/14 distribution at the Penta D locus, with no third allele observed at other loci. Above results suggested that the proband's blood and germ cell lines had originated from a heterozygous chimera formed by the fusion of two different zygotes. CONCLUSION Combined genetic techniques confirmed that the proband's peripheral blood AMEL genotype is X/X, while the sperm is X/Y. The Penta D locus showed a bi-allelic heterozygous pattern of 10/12 in the peripheral blood sample and 9/14 in the sperm sample, suggesting that the proband is a tetrazygotic chimera resulted from the fusion of 46,XX/46,XY zygotes.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Chimerism ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Sex-Determining Region Y Protein/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Genes, sry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping

To promote the conservation and utilization of the germplasm resources and provide a basis for the breeding of new varieties of Murraya paniculata, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of the germplasm resources and developed the molecular identity(ID) card of M. paniculata. Multiple fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis was performed for 65 germplasm accessions of M. paniculata based on 9 SSR markers identified from the M. paniculata genome, and the molecular weights and alleles of the amplified bands were analyzed. According to the banding patterns of the 9 SSR primers, this study analyzed the genetic diversity of each germplasm accession of M. paniculata and developed molecular ID cards for the test samples. The results showed that 9 pairs of SSR primers detected 78 alleles, with an average of 8.67 alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.338-0.831(average of 0.601) and 0.413-0.853(average of 0.721), respectively. The Shannon's information index varied within the range of 0.880-1.994, with an average of 1.41. The polymorphic information content was within the range of 0.391-0.835, with an average of 0.696, which indicated rich genetic diversity. When the genetic identity was 0.347, the 65 germplasm accessions were classified into 5 groups. Based on the results, this study employed the 5 SSR primers with higher polymorphisms to develop the molecular ID cards for the germplasm resources of M. paniculata and created QR code ID cards for the 49 core germplasm accessions preserved in the Yunfu germplasm nursery, laying a foundation for the new variety breeding, production, utilization, and traceability of M. paniculata.
Microsatellite Repeats ; DNA, Plant/genetics* ; Murraya/classification* ; Genetic Variation ; Alleles ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

To clarify the genetic diversity and structure of the nucleus population of F1-generation Litopenaeus vannamei, this study utilized 15 pairs of highly polymorphic microsatellite primers to analyze the simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and genetic diversity in 15 full-sib families of L. vannamei. A total of 112 alleles (N_a) and 60.453 effective alleles (N_e) were identified among the selected 15 SSR loci, with the average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.648. The average N_e, observed heterozygosity (H_o), and expected heterozygosity (H_e) in the 15 F1 families varied from 1.925 to 2.626, 0.425 to 0.783, and 0.403 to 0.572, respectively. The 15 full-sib families were primarily clustered into three categories in the phylogenetic analysis, with the genetic distance between families ranging from 0.252 to 0.574. Additionally, the genetic differentiation coefficient (F_st) among the families varied from 0.112 to 0.278, indicating substantial genetic differentiation. Overall, this study suggested that the genetic diversity of the 15 full-sib families was moderate, providing valuable genetic insights for the subsequent breeding initiatives aimed at enhancing the tolerance of L. vannamei to high levels of soybean meal.
Penaeidae/classification* ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Animals ; Genetic Variation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Phylogeny ; Alleles ; Genetic Markers

This study investigated the choroplast genome sequence of wild Atractylodes lancea from Yuexi in Anhui province by high-throughput sequencing, followed by characterization of the genome structure, which laid a foundation for the species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea. To be specific, the total genomic DNA was extracted from the leaves of A. lancea with the improved CTAB method. The chloroplast genome of A. lancea was sequenced by the high-throughput sequencing technology, followed by assembling by metaSPAdes and annotation by CPGAVAS2. Bioiformatics methods were employed for the analysis of simple sequence repeats(SSRs), inverted repeat(IR) border, codon bias, and phylogeny. The results showed that the whole chloroplast genome of A. lancea was 153 178 bp, with an 84 226 bp large single copy(LSC) and a 18 658 bp small single copy(SSC) separated by a pair of IRs(25 147 bp). The genome had the GC content of 37.7% and 124 genes: 87 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 29 tRNA genes. It had 26 287 codons and encoded 20 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Atractylodes species clustered into one clade and that A. lancea had close genetic relationship with A. koreana. This study established a method for sequencing the chloroplast genome of A. lancea and enriched the genetic resources of Compositae. The findings are expected to lay a foundation for species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea.
Phylogeny ; Atractylodes/genetics* ; Genome, Chloroplast ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Lamiales

Humans ; COVID-19/genetics* ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; RNA, Viral/genetics*