Identification of genetic loci for early maturity in spring bread wheat using the association analysis and gene dissection

Background

Early maturity in spring bread wheat is highly desirable in the regions where it enables the plants to evade high temperatures and plant pathogens at the end of the growing season.

Methods

To reveal the genetic loci responsible for the maturity time association analysis was carried out based on phenotyping for an 11-year period and high-throughput SNP genotyping of a panel of the varieties contrasting for this trait. The expression of candidate genes was verified using qPCR. The association between the SNP markers and the trait was validated using the biparental F2:3 population.

Results

Our data showed that under long-day conditions, the period from seedling to maturity is mostly influenced by the time from heading to maturity, rather than the heading time. The QTLs associated with the trait were located on 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 7A and 7B chromosomes with the 7BL locus being the most significant and promising for its SNPs accelerated the maturity time by about 9 days. Gene dissection in this locus detected a number of candidates, the best being TraesCS7B02G391800 (bZIP9) and TraesCS7B02G412200 (photosystem II reaction center). The two genes are predominantly expressed in the flag leaf while flowering. The effect of the SNPs was verified in F2:3 population and confirmed the association of the 4A, 5B and 7BL loci with the maturity time.

Molecular cytological analysis of alien introgressions in common wheat lines created by crossing of Triticum aestivum with T. dicoccoides and T. dicoccum

Wild and domesticated emmer (ВВАА, 2n = 28) are of significant interest for expanding the genetic diversity of common wheat as sources of a high protein and microelement grain content, resistance to many biotic and abiotic factors. Particular interest in these species is also determined by their close relationship with Triticum aestivum L., which facilitates interspecific hybridization. The objective of this work was to analyze the nature of alien introgressions in hybrid lines from crossing common wheat varieties with T. dicoccoides and T. dicoccum, and to assess the effect of their genome fragments on the cytological stability of introgression lines. A C-banding technique and genotyping with SNP and SSR markers were used to determine localization and length of introgression fragments. Assessment of cytological stability was carried out on the basis of chromosome behavior in microsporogenesis. A molecular cytogenetic analysis of introgression wheat lines indicated that the inclusion of the genetic material of wild and domesticated emmer was carried out mainly in the form of whole arms or large fragments in the chromosomes of the B genome and less extended inserts in the A genome. At the same time, the highest frequency of introgressions of the emmer genome was observed in chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, and 3B. The analysis of the final stage of meiosis showed a high level of cytological stability in the vast majority of introgression wheat lines (meiotic index was 83.0-99.0 %), which ensures the formation of functional gametes in an amount sufficient for successful reproduction. These lines are of interest for the selection of promising material with agronomically valuable traits and their subsequent inclusion in the breeding process.

Novel Genetic Loci from Triticum timopheevii Associated with Gluten Content Revealed by GWAS in Wheat Breeding Lines

The content and quality of gluten in wheat grain is a distinctive characteristic that determines the final properties of wheat flour. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on a wheat panel consisting of bread wheat varieties and the introgression lines (ILs) obtained via hybridization with tetraploid wheat relatives. A total of 17 stable quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) located on chromosomes 1D, 2A, 2B, 3D, 5A, 6A, 7B, and 7D that explained up to 21% of the phenotypic variation were identified. Among them, the QTLs on chromosomes 2A and 7B were found to contain three and six linked SNP markers, respectively. Comparative analysis of wheat genotypes according to the composition of haplotypes for the three closely linked SNPs of chromosome 2A indicated that haplotype TT/AA/GG was characteristic of ten ILs containing introgressions from T. timopheevii. The gluten content in the plants with TT/AA/GG haplotype was significantly higher than in the varieties with haplotype GG/GG/AA. Having compared the newly obtained data with the previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) we inferred that the locus on chromosome 2A inherited from T. timopheevii is potentially novel. The introgression lines containing the new locus can be used as sources of genetic factors to improve the quality traits of bread wheat.

Multivariate Genome-Wide Association Study of Concentrations of Seven Elements in Seeds Reveals Four New Loci in Russian Wheat Lines

Wheat is a cereal grain that plays an important role in the world's food industry. The identification of the loci that change the concentration of elements in wheat seeds is an important challenge nowadays especially for genomic selection and breeding of novel varieties. In this study, we performed a multivariate genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the seven traits-concentrations of Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca, Cu, Fe, and K in grain-of the Russian collection of common wheat Triticum aestivum (N = 149 measured in two years in two different fields). We replicated one known locus associated with the concentration of Zn (IAAV1375). We identified four novel loci-BS00022069_51 (associated with concentrations of Ca and K), RFL_Contig6053_3082 (associated with concentrations of Fe and Mn), Kukri_rep_c70864_329 (associated with concentrations of all elements), and IAAV8416 (associated with concentrations of Fe and Mn)-three of them were located near the genes TraesCS6A02G375400, TraesCS7A02G094800, and TraesCS5B02G325400. Our result adds novel information on the loci involved in wheat grain element contents and may be further used in genomic selection.

Identification of QTLs for Grain Protein Content in Russian Spring Wheat Varieties

Most modern breeding programs aim to develop wheat (T. aestivum L.) varieties with a high grain protein content (GPC) due to its greater milling and cooking quality, and improved grain price. Here, we used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to map single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with GPC in 93 spring bread wheat varieties developed by eight Russian Breeding Centers. The varieties were evaluated for GPC, grain weight per spike (GWS), and thousand-kernel weight (TKW) at six environments, and genotyped with 9351 polymorphic SNPs and two SNPs associated with the NAM-A1 gene. GPC varied from 9.8 to 20.0%, depending on the genotype and environment. Nearly 52% of the genotypes had a GPC > 14.5%, which is the threshold value for entry into high-class wheat varieties. Broad-sense heritability for GPC was moderate (0.42), which is due to the significant effect of environment and genotype × environment interactions. GWAS performed on mean GPC evaluated across six environments identified eleven significant marker-trait associations, of which nine were physically mapped on chromosome 6A. Screening of wheat varieties for allelic variants of the NAM-A1 gene indicated that 60% of the varieties contained the NAM-A1c allele, followed by 33% for NAM-A1d, and 5% for NAM-A1a alleles. Varieties with the NAM-A1d allele showed significantly (p < 0.01) smaller GPC than those with NAM-A1c and NAM-A1a. However, no significant differences between NAM-A1 alleles were observed for both GWS and TKW.

Regions of Chromosome 2A of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Associated with Variation in Physiological and Agronomical Traits under Contrasting Water Regimes

Understanding the genetic architecture of drought tolerance is of great importance for overcoming the negative impact of drought on wheat yield. Earlier, we discovered the critical role of chromosome 2A for the drought-tolerant status of wheat spring cultivar Saratovskaya 29. A set of 92 single-chromosome recombinant double haploid (SCRDH) lines were obtained in the genetic background of Saratovskaya 29. The lines carry fragments of chromosome 2A from the drought-sensitive cultivar Yanetzkis Probat. The SCRDH lines were used to identify regions on chromosome 2A associated with the manifestation of physiological and agronomical traits under distinct water supply, and to identify candidate genes that may be associated with adaptive gene networks in wheat. Genotyping was done with Illumina Infinium 15k wheat array using 590 SNP markers with 146 markers being polymorphic. In four identified regions of chromosome 2A, 53 out of 58 QTLs associated with physiological and agronomic traits under contrasting water supply were mapped. Thirty-nine candidate genes were identified, of which 18 were transcription factors. The region 73.8-78.1 cM included the largest number of QTLs and candidate genes. The variation in SNPs associated with agronomical and physiological traits revealed among the SCRDH lines may provide useful information for drought related marker-assisted breeding.

[Lodging in wheat: genetic and environmental factors and ways of overcoming]

Lodging is one of the main factors in reducing the yield and grain quality of winter and spring wheat varieties. The resistance of wheat cultivars to lodging largely depends on environmental factors, biological and morphological features of the stem and root systems. Selection of the varieties for resistance to lodging is relevant in many countries of the world and has a number of achievements. Plant height is one of the most important morphological characters associated with lodging resistance. Breeding of the varieties carrying the dwarfing genes (Rht) is the main direction to reduce the risk of lodging. The Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht8 and Rht11 genes are widely used throughout the world due to their significant influence on agronomically valuable traits, including lodging. It turned out to be important to study the anatomical and morphological features and chemical composition of stem tissues, which complement the assessment of resistance to lodging and allow the varietal material to be more fully characterized. The thickness of stem internodes and their anatomical structure play an important role in the stem strength. The diameter of the stem, its thickness and weight, a large number of vascular bundles and a wide ring of mechanical tissues correlate with resistance to lodging. The content of lignin, silicon and cellulose are important structural components and provide the stem strength of wheat plants. Molecular genetic analysis and mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci are of great importance in identifying the genetic basis of the relationship between the anatomical and morphophysiological characters of the stem and root system and lodging. Genetic factors reflecting correlations between the lodging and the thickness of the stem wall, the number of vascular bundles and other characters were mapped to chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2D, 3A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5D, 6D and 7D. It has been found that loci with high phenotypic effects on lodging tolerance are colocalized with loci responsible for plant height, stem diameter and stem strength. To increase resistance to lodging, it is necessary to develop a set of agrotechnical methods that reduce the influence of soil and climatic factors and create wheat varieties tolerant to lodging.

Genome-wide association study of leaf rust resistance in Russian spring wheat varieties

BACKGROUND

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks.) is one of the most dangerous diseases of common wheat worldwide. Three approaches: genome-wide association study (GWAS), marker-assisted selection (MAS) and phytopathological evaluation in field, were used for assessment of the genetic diversity of Russian spring wheat varieties on leaf rust resistance loci and for identification of associated molecular markers.

RESULTS

The collection, consisting of 100 Russian varieties of spring wheat, was evaluated over three seasons for resistance to the native population of leaf rust specific to the West Siberian region of Russia. The results indicated that most cultivars showed high susceptibility to P. triticina, with severity ratings (SR) of 60S-90S, however some cultivars showed a high level of leaf rust resistance (SR < 20MR-R). Based on the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed using the wheat 15 K genotyping array, 20 SNPs located on chromosomes 6D, 6A, 6B, 5A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 7A were revealed to be associated with leaf rust resistance. Genotyping with markers developed for known leaf rust resistance genes showed that most of the varieties contain genes Lr1, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr10, Lr17a, Lr20, Lr26 and Lr34, which are not currently effective against the pathogen. In the genome of three wheat varieties, gene Lr6Ai = 2 inherited from Th. intermedium was detected, which provides complete protection against the rust pathogen. It has been suggested that the QTL mapped to the chromosome 5AS of wheat cultivar Tulaikovskaya-zolotistaya, Tulaikovskaya-10, Samsar, and Volgouralskaya may be a new, previously undescribed locus conferring resistance to leaf rust. Obtained results also indicate that chromosome 1BL of the varieties Sonata, Otrada-Sibiri, Tertsiya, Omskaya-23, Tulaikovskaya-1, Obskaya-14, and Sirena may contain an unknown locus that provides a resistance response to local population.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of resistance to leaf rust in Russian spring wheat varieties. The SNPs significantly associated with leaf rust resistance can be used for the development and application of diagnostic markers in marker-assisted selection schemes.

Detection of Genomic Regions Associated with Resistance to Stem Rust in Russian Spring Wheat Varieties and Breeding Germplasm

Stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. is a dangerous disease of common wheat worldwide. Development and cultivation of the varieties with genetic resistance is one of the most effective and environmentally important ways for protection of wheat against fungal pathogens. Field phytopathological screening and genome-wide association study (GWAS) were used for assessment of the genetic diversity of a collection of spring wheat genotypes on stem rust resistance loci. The collection consisting of Russian varieties of spring wheat and introgression lines with alien genetic materials was evaluated over three seasons (2016, 2017 and 2018) for resistance to the native population of stem rust specific to the West Siberian region of Russia. The results indicate that most varieties displayed from moderate to high levels of susceptibility to P. graminis; 16% of genotypes had resistance or immune response. In total, 13,006 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained from the Infinium 15K array were used to perform genome-wide association analysis. GWAS detected 35 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) with SNPs located on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 3B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 7A and 7B. The most significant associations were found on chromosomes 7A and 6A where known resistance genes Sr25 and Sr6Ai = 2 originated from Thinopyrum ssp. are located. Common wheat lines containing introgressed fragments from Triticum timopheevii and Triticum kiharae were found to carry Sr36 gene on 2B chromosome. It has been suggested that the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapped to the chromosome 5BL may be new loci inherited from the T. timopheevii. It can be inferred that a number of Russian wheat varieties may contain the Sr17 gene, which does not currently provide effective protection against pathogen. This is the first report describing the results of analysis of the genetic factors conferring resistance of Russian spring wheat varieties to stem rust.

Identification of new heading date determinants in wheat 5B chromosome

BACKGROUND

Variability of heading date may assist in wheat adaptation to local environments. Thereafter, discovery of new heading date determinants is important for cereal improvement. In this study we used common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) and the substitution line of CS with 5B chromosome from T. dicoccoides (CS-5Bdic), different in their heading date by two weeks, to detect determinants of heading date on 5B chromosome.

RESULTS

The possible influence of the VRN-B1 gene, the most powerful regulator of flowering, located on 5B chromosome, to differences in heading time between CS and CS-5Bdic was studied. The sequencing of this gene from CS-5Bdic showed that an insertion of a nucleotide triplet produced an additional amino acid in the corresponding protein. No changes in the transcription levels of each homoeologous VRN-1 loci were found in CS-5Bdic by comparison with CS. To ascertain the loci determining heading date difference, a set of 116 recombinant inbred 5В chromosomal lines as a result of hybridization of CS with CS-5Bdic were developed and their heading dates were estimated. Using the Illumina Infinium 15 k Wheat platform, 379 5B-specific polymorphic markers were detected and a genetic map with 82 skeletal markers was constructed. Phenotype (heading date) - genotype association analysis revealed seventy eight markers in pericentromeric region of 5B chromosome significantly associated with heading date variation. Based on this estimation and synteny with model crop genomes we identified the three best candidate genes: WRKY, ERF/AP2 and FHY3/FAR1.

CONCLUSIONS

We supposed that the difference in activity of WRKY, ERF/AP2 and/or FHY3/FAR1 transcription factors between CS and CS-5Bdic to be a probable reason for the observed difference in heading dates. Data obtained in this study provide a good basis for the subsequent investigation of heading time pathways in wheat.

[Comparative Characteristic of Triticum aestivum/Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/Triticum dicoccum hybrid lines by genomic composition and resistance to fungal diseases under different environmental conditions]

The genetic diversity of common wheat hybrid lines Triticum aestivum/Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/Triticum dicoccum (2n = 42, F(6-7)) using chromosome-specific microsatellite (SSR) markers and C-staining of chromosomes was studied. Cluster analysis of data obtained by 42 SSR markers indicated that the hybrid lines can be broken into three groups according to their origin. There were two cases of complete genetic similarity between lines 183(2)-2/184(1)-6 and-208-3/213-1, which were obtained using common wheat as the parental plants. In cross combinations, when the stabilization of the nuclear genome of hexaploid lines occurred against a background of the cytoplasmic genome of tetraploid wheats, there was a high level of divergence between sister lines, in some cases exceeding 50%. The evaluation of the degree of susceptibility of the lines to powdery mildew, leaf and stem rust, and septoria leafblotch was performed under different environmental conditions. It was shown that resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust significantly depended on the region where assays were conducted. An evaluation of the field data showed that he lines 195-3, 196-1, and 221-1 with T. durum genetic material displayed complex resistance to fungal pathogens in Western Siberia and the Republic of Belarus. For lines 195-3 and 196-1, one shows a possible contribution of chromosomes 4B and 5B in the formation of complex resistance to diseases. Hybrid lines with complex resistance can be used to expand the genetic diversity of modern common wheat cultivars for genes of immunity.

[Comparative cytological and molecular analysis of introgressive common wheat lines containing genetic material of Triticum timopheevii Zhur]

A total of 40 introgressive lines of common wheat (2n = 42) Triticum aestivum L x T. timopheevii Zhuk., resistant to brown rust and partly to powdery mildew, were examined. Based on cytological analysis of meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMC), hybrid lines were subdivided into two groups characterized by either stable or unstable meiosis. In cytologically stable lines, chromosome configuration at the MI stage of meiosis was mostly bivalent (21II) with small proportion of defect cells (almost 10%), which at most contained two univalents (20II + + 21). Cytologically unstable group was comprised of the lines, containing high proportions of cells with abnormal chromosome pairing in meiotic PMC, as well as the cells with multivalents, and the lines containing aneuploid plants. Localization of the T. timopheevii fragments performed with the use of SSR markers showed that the lines with unstable meiosis were characterized by higher numbers of introgressions compared to stable lines. The influence of certain chromosomes of T. timopheevii on chromosome pairing stability was also demonstrated. In cytologically unstable lines, the increased frequency of 2A substitutions along with the high frequency of introgression of T. timopheevii genetic material into chromosome 7A was observed. Multivalents were scored in all cases of introgression in chromosome 7A. It was suggested that the reason for the genome instability in hybrid forms lied in insufficient compensating ability of certain T. timopheevii chromosomes and/or their parts, involved into recombination processes.

[Genetic analysis and location of loci controlling leaf rust resistance of introgressive Triticum aestivum x Triticum timopheevii]

Introgressive lines resulting from crossing common wheat Triticum aestivum with the tetraploid T. timopheevii are characterized by effective resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. Molecular analysis using 350 specific short sequence repeat (SSR) markers was used to locate the T. timopheevii genome to chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 5A, 5B, and 6B. A population of F2 offspring of crossing hybrid line 842-2 with common wheat cultivar Skala was obtained for mapping the loci controlling leaf rust resistance. Analysis of association of phenotypic and genotypic data by means of simple interval mapping (SIM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) has shown that the resistance of adult plants is determined by two loci in chromosomes 5B and 2A. The major locus QLr.icg-5B transferred from T. timopheevii chromosome 5G mapped to the interval of microsatellite loci Xgwm408-Xgwm1257 controls 72% of the phenotypic diversity of the trait. The other, minor locus QLr.icg-2A located to chromosome 2A at a distance of 10 cM from Xgwm312 accounts for 7% of the trait expression. Microsatellite markers located near these loci may be used for controlling the transfer of commercially valuable loci when new lines and cultivars are created.

[Molecular analysis of the triticale lines with different Vrn gene systems using microsatellite markers and hybridization in situ]

Hexaploid triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) lines were examined using molecular markers and the hybridization in situ technique. Triticale lines were generated based on wheat varieties differing by the Vrn gene systems and the earing times. Molecular analysis was performed using Xgwm and Xrms microsatellite markers with the known chromosomal localization in the common wheat Triticum aestivum, and rye Secale cereale genomes. Comparative molecular analysis of triticale lines and their parental forms showed that all lines contained A and B genomes of common wheat and also rye homeologous chromosomes. In the three lines the presence of D genome markers, mapped to the chromosomes 2D and 7D, was demonstrated. This was probably the consequence of the translocations of homeologous chromosomes from wheat genomes, which took part during the process of triticale formation. The data obtained by use of genomic in situ hybridization supported the data of molecular genetic analysis. In none of the lines wheat--rye translocations or recombinations were observed. These findings suggest that the change of the period between the seedling appearance and earing time in triticale lines compared to the initial wheat lines, resulted from the inhibitory effect of rye genome on wheat vernalization genes.

Wheat genome structure: translocations during the course of polyploidization

The genomic organization of Triticum timopheevii (2n=28, AtAtGG) was compared with hexaploid wheat T. aestivum (2n=42, AABBDD) by comparative mapping using microsatellites derived from bread wheat. Genetic maps for the two crosses T. timopheevii var. timopheevii x T. timopheevii var. typica and T. timopheevii K-38555xT. militinae were constructed. On the first population, 121 loci were mapped, and on the second population 103 loci. The transferability of the wheat markers to T. timopheevii was generally better for the A genome-specific markers (76-78% produced amplification products; 26 and 29% were polymorphic) than for B genome-specific markers (54% produced amplification products; 14 and 16% were polymorphic). Of the D genome-specific markers, one third produced amplification products in T. timopheevii, but only 5 and 2% were polymorphic in the corresponding mapping populations. The maps constructed confirmed the previously described translocation between chromosome arms 6AtS and 1GS and revealed at least two yet unknown rearrangements on chromosomes 4At and 6At09. The presence of other translocations and rearrangements between T. timopheevii and T. aestivum was demonstrated by a variety of markers mapping to nonhomoeologous positions.

[Molecular analysis of leaf-rust resistant introgression lines obtained by crossing hexaploid wheat Triticum aestivum with tetraploid wheat Triticum timopheevii]

Twenty-four Triticum eastivum x T. timopheevii hybrid lines developed on the basis of five varieties of common wheat and resistant to leaf rust were analyzed by the use of microsatellite markers specific for hexaploid common wheat T. aestivum. Investigation of intervarietal polymorphism of the markers showed that the number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 4, depending on the marker (2.5 on average). In T. timopheevii, amplification fragments are produced by 80, 55, and 30% of primers specific to the A, B, and D common wheat genomes, respectively. Microsatellite analysis revealed two major areas of introgression of the T. timopheevii genome: chromosomes of homoeological groups 2 and 5. Translocations were detected in the 2A and 2B chromosomes simultaneously in 11 lines of 24. The length of the translocated fragment in the 2B chromosome was virtually identical in all hybrid lines and did not depend on the parental wheat variety. In 15 lines developed on the basis of the Saratovskaya 29, Irtyshanka, and Tselinnaya 20, changes occurred in the telomeric region of the long arm of the 5A chromosome. Analysis with markers specific to the D genome suggested that introgressions of the T. timopheevii genome occurred in chromosomes of the D genome. However, the location of these markers on T. timopheevii chromosomes is unknown. Our data suggest that the genes for leaf-rust resistance transferred from T. timopheevii to T. aestivum are located chromosomes of homoeological group 2.

[Use of RAPD- and STS-analysis for marking genes of a homeologic group from chromosome 5 of common wheat]

The search for STS (sequence-tagged site) and RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers tightly linked to some genes of homeologous group 5 chromosomes of common wheat Triticum aestivum L., more specifically, awns inhibitor genes (B1), vernalization response gene (Vrn1), and homeologous chromosome pairing gene (Ph1), was conducted. To estimate the linkage of the gene with the marker, wheat lines marked with recessive alleles b1 and vrn1 were used. RELP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and SSR (simple sequence repeat) analyses of isogenic wheat lines were conducted to characterize the chromosomal region transferred to the isogenic line from the donor parent. In RAPD analysis of isogenic wheat lines marked with recessive alleles b1 and vrn1, 95 arbitrary primers were used. To develop STS markers, analysis of the primary structure of RELP markers Xpsr426 and Xcdo504, tightly linked to the Vrn1 gene, and the Xpsr1201 marker, located at the Ph1 locus, was carried out. Two markers that are tightly linked to the Vrn1 gene (5AL)--RAPD marker Xr405 and STS marker Xsts426--were obtained in this work. In addition, there is every reason to believe that Xsts426 can be used as a PCR marker of genes Vrn2 (5BL) and Vrn3 (5DL), while Xsts1201, of the gene Ph1 (5BL).

[The study of the structure of active center of membrane-bound cytochrome p-450 using 1-naphthoxyalcanthiols]

Homologous 1-naphtoxyalcanthiols of the type 1-C10H7O(CH2)nSH (n = 2-7) are used for structural studies of the microsomal cytochrome P450 active centre. It was found that the strongest complex of thiol with P450 is formed for n = 3. Microsomal oxidation of P450 substrates aminopyrine and benz(a) pyrene is inhibited by the 1-naphtoxyalcanthiols studied. A non-monotonous dependence of pI50 on n was found, the compound with a chain length n = 3 appeared to be the most effective inhibitor. The interaction of this thiol (n = 3) with both the heme group of P450 and the hydrophobic substrate zone is supposed and the distance between these points was estimated. It is possible to employ this approach for structural studies on the active centers of different isoforms of P450.

[Enzymatic systems of insecticide detoxication in a population of Colorado beetles resistant to permethrin]

The activity of enzymes providing for permetrin detoxication in the imago resistant natural population of the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata was studied with the view of elucidating the biochemical mechanisms of resistance to the insecticide. It was demonstrated that the activity of the main enzymes of insect detoxication, i.e., microsomal monooxygenases, nonspecific esterases and glutathione-S-transferases in the permetrin-resistant population of L-decemlineata is enhanced as compared with the permetrin-sensitive population. It was demonstrated that the inhibitors of microsomal monooxygenases, piperonyl butoxide, and of nonspecific esterases, butifos, significantly increase the sensitivity of the resistant population to permetrin. The experimental results suggest that the activity of microsomal monooxygenases and nonspecific esterases is the main factor which determines the resistance of the Colorado potato beetle to permetrin.

[Changes in the activity of enzyme systems of xenobiotic metabolism at different stages of insect development]

The cytochrome P-450 content, activity of microsomal monooxygenases, nonspecific esterases and glutathione S-transferases were studied at different stages of development of the Colorado beetle, cotton bollworm, cabbage butterfly, wax moth from the laboratory and natural populations. The data obtained demonstrate significant species, sexual and age differences in the activity of enzyme systems of insecticide detoxication. The toxic efficiency of insecticides at certain developmental stages depends on the level of activity of the enzyme systems involved in their metabolism. These data are discussed with respect to the problem of insects' sensitivity to insecticides at different developmental stages.

[Enzyme systems of insecticide detoxication in the Colorado beetle]

The activity of three enzymatic systems of xenobiotic metabolism (cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, non-specific esterases and glutathione S-transferases) was studied at different stages of development of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Significant sex and ontogenetic differences in the content of cytochrome P-450, position of maxima of CO-difference spectra of the cytochrome P-450 reduced form and substrate specificity of cytochrome P-450 were revealed. The activity of non-specific esterases was shown to increase depending on the age of larvae. The insecticide 1-naphtholenol methylcarbamate which is metabolized by the system of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases is more toxic in the larvae than at the imago stage, which is correlated with the activity of this system at different stages of ontogenesis. The microsomal monooxygenase inhibitor, piperonylbutoxide, increases the insecticide toxicity in the Colorado beetle imago more than 2-fold. The experimental results testify to different contribution of the detoxication systems to the sensitivity of the Colorado beetle to insecticides at various metamorphosis stages.

[The role of enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism in the resistance of insects to insecticides]

The activity of three enzymatic systems of xenobiotic metabolism (cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, non-specific esterases and glutathione S-transferases) was studied in sensitive (S) and resistant to tetrametrin (Rtetr.), permetrin (Rperm.), mecarbenyl (Rmec.) and chlorophos (Rchlor.) strains of the housefly M. domestica L. In Rtetr. and Rmec., the activity of microsomal monooxygenases was increased 2.7- and 2.3-fold, respectively, as compared to S. The position of maxima of CO-difference spectra of cytochrome P-450 in all resistant strains (with the exception of Rchlor.) were shifted towards the short-wave region by 1-2 nm. The activity of glutathione S-transferase in Rtetr. was increased as compared to S. Analysis of the total esterase activity and electrophoresis in starch gel revealed quantitative and qualitative differences between the strains under study. In all resistant strains, except for Rmec., additional bands corresponding to the esterase activity were observed. The experimental results are discussed in terms of resistance of insects to insecticides.

[Inhibition of enzymes of insecticide detoxication in insects by an alkylating analog of a cytochrome P-450 substrate]

It was shown that the alkylating analog of cytochrome P-450 substrate - 4-bromomethyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl effectively inhibits in vitro the activities of monooxygenases, glutathione-S-transferases and esterases from the abdomen of the house fly Musca domestica L. The non-alkylating analog (RH) appeared to be a very weak inhibitor of these enzymes. It was demonstrated that the inhibitory action of the alkylating analog consists in its covalent binding to the enzyme protein. Topical application of the cytochrome P-450 alkylating analog on insects led to a decrease of the enzyme activity by approximately 20%.

Interaction of the substrate analogue of cytochrome P-450 and mixed function oxidases

The interaction of a spin labeled compound carrying an alkylating group 4-(3-iodo-2-oxopropylidene)-2,2,3,5,5-pentamethylimidozolydene-1-oxyl (RJ) and capable of binding covalently to mixed function oxidases (MFO) was studied. Measurements of the difference spectrum of cytochrome P-450 demonstrated that RJ induces spectral changes characteristic of type I substrates (lambda max = 403 nm; lambda min = 418 nm). The spectral binding constant (Ks) was 66 microM as determined from the difference spectrum. RJ inhibited the microsomal oxidation of substrates of cytochrome P-450 (aniline, aminopyrine and benzo [a]pyrene). This inhibition was shown not to be associated with the conversion of cytochrome P-450 to cytochrome P-420, or with the suppression of the activities of NADPh-cytochrome c reductase and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Thus, evidence was obtained for the possible interaction of RJ with cytochrome P-450. RJ injected to rats (5 mg/100 g body wt, i.p.), inhibited the hydroxylation of benzo[a]pyrene, a type I substrate, (21%) and aniline, a type II substrate, (40%) in the microsomes from their livers. The presence of a paramagnetic center in RJ made it possible to study its interaction with microsomes. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of RJ was recorded in the rat liver microsomal fraction after in vivo administration of RJ. In rats treated with RJ (5 mg/100 g), hexobarbital sleeping time was prolonged 1.5-fold. Alkylating analogs of substrates of cytochrome P-450 are suggested as agents for structural studies of the active center of cytochrome P-450 and the development of efficient inhibitors of reactions catalyzed by this enzyme.