Cloning, Sequencing, and Characterization of Genomic Subtracted Sequences from Listeria monocytogenes

Individual sequences of a genomic subtracted, PCR-amplified, mixed-sequence probe (GS probe) were cloned and sequenced. The GS probe differentiated restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns for Listeria monocytogenes but did not hybridize with members of other bacterial genera. Sequence analysis identified several L. monocytogenes sequences already present in the GenBank database; the putative identities of other sequences were inferred from homology data, and still other sequences did not exhibit significant levels of homology with any GenBank sequences.     

Isolation and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes-specific nucleotide sequences.

Subtracter probe hybridization was used to screen a partial genomic library of a clinical isolate of Listeria monocytogenes. Three clones that hybridized with genomic DNA from 174 strains of L. monocytogenes but not with genomic DNA from 32 strains representing other Listeria spp. were recovered. These data establish the utility of subtracter probe hybridization for recovering L. monocytogenes-specific sequences.     

Molecular analysis and regulation of the glnA gene of the gram-positive anaerobe Clostridium acetobutylicum.

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.0-kilobase DNA segment containing the Clostridium acetobutylicum glnA gene was determined. The upstream region of the glnA gene contained two putative extended promoter consensus sequences (p1 and p2), characteristic of gram-positive bacteria. A third putative extended gram-positive promoter consensus sequence (p3), oriented towards the glnA gene, was detected downstream of the structural gene. The sequences containing the proposed promoter regions p1 and p2 or p3 were shown to have promoter activity by subcloning into promoter probe vectors. The complete amino acid sequence (444 residues) of the C. acetobutylicum glutamine synthetase (GS) was deduced, and comparisons were made with the reported amino acid sequences of GS from other organisms. To determine whether the putative promoter p3 and a downstream region with an extensive stretch of inverted repeat sequences were involved in regulation of C. acetobutylicum glnA gene expression by nitrogen in Escherichia coli, deletion plasmids were constructed lacking p3 and various downstream sequences. Deletion of the putative promoter p3 and downstream inverted repeat sequences affected the regulation of GS and reduced the levels of GS approximately fivefold under nitrogen-limiting conditions but did not affect the repression of GS levels in cells grown under nitrogen-excess conditions.     

Rapid confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods by a colony blot assay using a digoxigenin-labeled synthetic oligonucleotide probe.

An oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe based on the sequence of a 321-bp internal fragment of the msp gene encoding a major secreted polypeptide of Listeria monocytogenes was labeled with digoxigenin by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. The specificity of the digoxigenin-labeled probe was determined by dot blot assays. The probe reacted with all strains of L. monocytogenes tested (12 of 12 strains representing five serotypes). The probe did not react with any other Listeria species or with other gram-positive bacteria (Brochothrix, Erysipelothrix, Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus). The probe was used to develop a colony blot assay for the rapid confirmation of L. monocytogenes on Listeria-selective agars which had been streaked with food enrichment cultures. Forty-eight food samples were tested by conventional culture and DNA colony blot assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the DNA colony blot were 100 and 97%, respectively.     

Transcriptome generation and analysis from spleen of Indian catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) through normalized cDNA library

Catfishes are commercially important fish for both the fisheries and aquaculture industry. Clarias batrachus, an Indian catfish species is economically important owing to its high demand. A normalized cDNA library was constructed from spleen of the Indian catfish to identify genes associated with immune function. One thousand nine hundred thirty seven ESTs were submitted to the GenBank with an average read length of approximately 700 bp. Clustering analysis of ESTs yielded 1,698 unique sequences, including 184 contigs and 1,514 singletons. Significant homology to known genes was found by homology searches against data in GenBank in 576 (34 %) ESTs, including similarity to functionally annotated unigenes for 158 ESTs. Additionally, 433 ESTs revealed similarity to unigenes and ESTs in the dbEST but the remaining 658 EST sequences (39 %) did not match any sequence in GenBank. Of a total of 1,698 ESTs generated, 65 ESTs were found to be associated with immune functions. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses of C. batrachus ESTs collectively revealed a preponderance of immune relevant pathways apart from the presence of pathways involved in protein processing, localization, folding and protein degradation. This study constitutes first EST analysis of lymphoid organ in aquaculturally important Indian catfish species and could pave the way for further research of immune-related genes and functional genomics in this catfish.     

Primary structure and differential expression of glutamine synthetase genes in nodules, roots and leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris

In plants, glutamine synthetase (GS) is the enzyme primarily responsible for the assimilation of ammonia into organic nitrogen. In Phaseolus vulgaris a number of isoenzymic forms of GS are found, each of which consists of eight subunits of mol. wt 41 000-45 000. The GS subunits of P. vulgaris have previously been shown to be encoded by a small multigene family and a partial cDNA clone for a nodule-specific GS subunit has been obtained. We report here the isolation and nucleotide sequencing of two essentially full-length GS cDNA clones (pR-1 and pR-2) from a root cDNA library and the deduced amino acid sequences of the corresponding GS subunits (355 amino acid residues each). The coding sequences of pR-1 and pR-2 are closely related (80% nucleotide homology, 88% amino acid homology), but their 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions have diverged almost completely. Both pR-1 and pR-2 are related to, but distinct from, the nodule GS clone, pcPvNGS-01 (or pN-1). Hybridization to genomic Southern blots showed that the three GS mRNAs are encoded by three seperate genes and indicated the existence of a fourth class of GS gene. An S1 nuclease protection assay demonstrated the presence of R-1 and R-2 mRNA in both roots and leaves and confirmed that expression of the N-1 gene is nodule-specific. Expression of the R-1 and R-2 genes in the roots did not change significantly during nodulation. However, only the R-1 gene is expressed in the nodules themselves, indicating that the R-2 gene is specifically repressed during nodule development.     

黄瓜线粒体DNA类质粒pC1的性质和核酸序列研究

津研四号黄瓜线粒体中除主环ＤＮＡ外,还有４种ＤＮＡ类质粒：ｐＣ１、ｐＣ２、ｐＣ３、ｐＣ４。将环形类质粒ｐＣ１ｌｐｋ ｇｃ ｐＵＣ１９的ＥｃｏＲⅠ位点上,克隆至Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ ＪＭ１０９中。以克隆的ｐＣ１为探针,进行同源性检测,ｐＣ１与津研四号黄瓜的核基因组、叶绿体基因组、线粒体基因组和线粒体中其他类质粒不同源。对ｐＣ１进行序列测定和分析,ｐＣ１长度２ ８８９ｂｐ,含有多个正向和反向重复序列,有３个８     

Sequencing and analysis of a genomic fragment provide an insight into the Dunaliella viridis genomic sequence

Dunaliella is a genus of wall-less unicellular eukaryotic green alga.Its exceptional resistancesto salt and various other stresses have made it an ideal model for stress tolerance study.However,very littleis known about its genome and genomic sequences.In this study,we sequenced and analyzed a 29,268 bpgenomic fragment from DunalieIla viridis.The fragment showed low sequence homology to the GenBankdatabase.At the nucleotide level,only a segment with significant sequence homology to 18S rRNA wasfound.The fragment contained six putative genes,but only one gene showed significant homology at theprotein level to GenBank database.The average GC content of this sequence was 51.1%,which was muchlower than that of close related green algae Chlamydomonas (65.7%).Significant segmental duplicationswere found within this fragment.The duplicated sequences accounted for about 35.7% of the entireregion.Large amounts of simple sequence repeats (microsatellites) were found,with strong bias towards(AC)_n type (76%).Analysis of other Dunaliella genomic sequences in the GenBank database (total 25,749bp) was in agreement with these findings.These sequence features made it difficult to sequence Dunaliellagenomic sequences.Further investigation should be made to reveal the biological significance of these uniquesequence features.     

Unidentified Listeria-like bacteria isolated from cheese

Unidentified Listeria -like bacteria, which lack only one of the phenotypic characteristics used to confirm Listeria spp., were isolated from cheese during routine analysis for Listeria monocytogenes . The VIDAS Listeria assay and the Listeria specific PCR or DNA probe assays used did not identify these strains as Listeria species. This group of bacteria was studied for its homogeneity using rep-PCR and PFGE. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed a homology of 94% to established Listeria spp., implicating a closer relationship than that between Listeria spp. and Brochothrix spp.     

Cloning of chromosomal DNA encoding the F41 adhesin of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and genetic homology between adhesins F41 and K88.

The genetic determinant for production of the adhesive antigen F41 was isolated from a porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain by cosmid cloning. The cloned DNA included sequences homologous to those of hybridization probes prepared from the K88 adhesive antigen operon. Transposon insertions which inactivated F41 production mapped to the same region of DNA showing homology with the K88 genes, demonstrating the genetic relatedness of F41 and K88. Hybridization of a K88 gene probe to plasmid and total DNA from the porcine E. coli isolate from which the F41 gene was cloned indicated that F41 is chromosomally encoded by this strain. This observation was extended to other F41-producing animal isolates. A large number of animal E. coli isolates were examined with K88, F41, and K99 gene probes and for mannose-resistant hemagglutination of human group O erythrocytes and K88 and F41 antigen production. All K88 and F41 antigen producers possessed genetic homology with the K88 and F41 gene probes. Most, but not all, F41-producing strains possessed homology to the K99 gene probe, reflecting the previously observed association of F41 and K99 antigen production. In the strains examined, homology with the K99 gene probe was plasmid associated, whereas homology with the F41 gene probe was chromosomal. The K88 antigen-producing strains showed no homology with the K99 probe. A number of strains possessed homology with the K88 and F41 gene probes and were mannose-resistant hemagglutination positive, but did not produce K88 or F41 antigens. This suggests that there are adhesins among animal isolates of E. coli which are genetically related to but antigenically distinct from K88 and F41.     

金针菇漆酶基因的克隆及其在毕赤酵母中的表达研究

综合运用cDNA末端快速扩增 (RapidAmplificationofcDNAEnds ,RACE )和基因组步行等技术克隆到一个金针菇 (Flammulinavelutipes)的漆酶结构基因和其对应的全长cDNA ,经测序和BLAST比对分析表明该基因属于多铜氧化酶基因家族 ,与已发表的漆酶基因 (AF176 2 30 )的同源性最高 ,在氨基酸水平为 72 %。该结构基因命名为gl ccFv,cDNA命名为lccFv ,其序列提交GenBank ,登录号分别为AY4 85 82 6和AY4 5 0 4 0 6。将lccFv的开放阅读框克隆到毕赤酵母表达载体pHBM90 6 ,转化毕赤酵母GS115且实现了分泌表达。将重组毕赤酵母GS115 (pHBM5 6 5 )诱导产酶 ,在培养温度 2 0℃、甲醇流加量为 1 0 % (V V)的情况下 ,其分泌表达的LCCFv的最高酶活为 0 10 70U mL ,最适反应温度为 4 5℃ ,最适反应pH值为 3 9,在最适反应条件下其热稳定性和pH值稳定性均较好     

用mRNA差异显示法分离冷胁迫香蕉幼苗叶片内水杨酸诱导表达的基因

用mRNA差异显示法对7℃低温胁迫3 d后的香蕉幼苗叶片进行研究,回收了18条在低温下水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)诱导的差异带;反向Northern杂交证明,SA在低温胁迫下能诱导7条差异带高表达.对其中最显著表达的两条差异带(G和A)进行克隆和测序,结果显示,G片段序列与大豆在冷胁迫环境下两个高表达基因片段的部分序列有92%同源性;A片段未发现其同源性基因片段.     

Differential gene expression in wild-type and X-ray-sensitive mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cell lines.

Complementary DNA cloning, differential screening and Northern hybridization techniques were used to study differential gene expression in the wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K1 cell line and its two X-ray sensitive mutants, xrs-5 and xrs-6. 11 species of mRNAs were found underexpressed in the two independently isolated mutants. The steady-state levels of those mRNAs are 3-26-fold less in the two mutants, depending on the particular species. 6 of the underexpressed mRNAs have been identified by comparing the sequences of the cloned cDNAs to the known sequences in GenBank. 4 of them code for the structural proteins of ferritin heavy chain, nonmuscle myosin light chain 3nm, ribosomal protein S17 and L7, respectively. The other two have strong homology with mouse B2 or retroviral sequences. The remaining 5 mRNAs did not show significant homology with any of the known sequences and apparently represent newly isolated species. The effect of 137Cs gamma-rays on the expression of the 11 mRNAs has been studied. Radiation inhibited the expression of the B2-like gene in the mutants but not in the wild-type CHO cells. The levels of the other 10 mRNAs were not affected by radiation. The underexpression of this group of genes in both xrs-5 and xrs-6 mutants seems to be related to their radiation-sensitive phenotype, although the specific gene responsible has not been identified. Two models are proposed to explain the mechanism of underexpression. It is suggested that a cellular factor or/and chromosome structural changes are involved.     

外加紫杉醇对悬浮培养东北红豆杉细胞的诱导效应

研究表明外加紫杉醇能够诱导悬浮培养的东北红豆杉(Taxus cuspidata)细胞总DNA发生梯带化降解。利用mRNA差异显示技术比较了紫杉醇诱导凋亡与不诱导凋亡的东北红豆杉细胞基因表达的差异,得到了8个特异表达的cDNA克隆,经Northern杂交证实其中3个在不发生凋亡的细胞中表达,5个在凋亡的细胞中表达。对这8个cDNA克隆单向序列测定后,与GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ中同源序列进行了比较,结果表明：1个cDNA片段与拟南芥中ABA应答蛋白基因的保守区有86%的同源性;2个cDNA片段与番茄内切壳聚糖酶前体基因的保守区有50%的同源性;其他5个cDNA片段无明显的同源基因,可能是新基因。