棉铃虫幼虫感染棉铃虫微孢子虫后的组织病理变化

1997年田间调查时发现一种寄生于棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera（Hübner）的微孢子虫Nosema sp.,它对棉铃虫有较强的致病力并可经卵垂直传播。利用透射电镜对棉铃虫幼虫感染该微孢子虫后的组织病理变化进行了初步观察。结果表明：该微孢子虫可侵染棉铃虫的中肠、马氏管、脂肪体、神经等组织;侵染后可导致寄主中肠的微绒毛脱落,线粒体内脊排列方向发生变化,线粒体整体发生变形并最终瓦解;内质网发生断裂;细胞核体积变小并变形,但该微孢子虫并不入侵细胞核;马氏管膨大,边缘向外突出隆起;神经细胞的细胞核变成长条形,细胞界线模糊;在神经细胞内也发现了微孢子虫孢子,证明该微孢子虫也入侵寄主神经细胞。     

微孢子虫致病与传播及其对昆虫免疫繁殖作用的研究进展

微孢子虫Microsporidia是专性细胞内寄生的原生动物,是一种很有应用潜力的微生物杀虫剂。大部分微孢子虫能寄生于昆虫,侵染寄主的中肠、马氏管、脂肪体、卵巢甚至神经,从而影响昆虫的免疫健康和生殖健康,引起昆虫的流行病。本文简要概述了微孢子虫的致病机理、传播方式,介绍了微孢子虫影响昆虫生殖和免疫健康等方面的研究进展,以期为应用微孢子虫控制害虫提供参考。     

参与调控意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠基因表达的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫miRNA的组学解析及其调控网络

【目的】本研究结合前期已获得的miRNA和mRNA组学数据对东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae的差异表达miRNA(differentially expressed miRNA, DEmiRNA)靶向意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica工蜂中肠的mRNA和差异表达mRNA(differentially expressed mRNA, DEmRNA)进行生物信息学预测、数据库注释和调控网络分析,旨在解析东方蜜蜂微孢子虫对意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠的基因表达调控。【方法】比较东方蜜蜂微孢子虫感染7 d(AmT1)和10 d(AmT2)的意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠和未感染中肠(分别为AmCK1和AmCK2)的mRNA数据,筛选意大利蜜蜂工蜂的显著性DEmRNA;通过比较侵染AmT1和AmT2的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(分别为NcT1和NcT2)和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫纯净孢子(NcCK)的miRNA数据筛选出东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的DEmiRNA。利用TargetFinder软件预测东方蜜蜂微孢子虫DEmiRNA靶向的意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠DEmRNA。利用相关生物信息学工具对上述意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠靶DEmRNA进行GO和KEGG数据库注释。根据KEGG数据库注释信息筛选出意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠免疫防御和能量代谢通路相关DEmRNA,并构建和分析上述DEmRNA与相应的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫DEmiRNA之间的调控网络。【结果】NcCK vs NcT1比较组中东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的77条显著上调miRNA和52条显著下调miRNA可分别靶向AmCK1 vs AmT1比较组中意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠的118条显著下调mRNA和135条显著上调mRNA,这些mRNA可分别注释到31和25个GO条目,以及113和107条KEGG通路。NcCK vs NcT2比较组中东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的52条显著上调miRNA和49条显著下调miRNA可分别靶向AmCK2 vs AmT2比较组中意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠的97条显著下调mRNA和210条显著上调mRNA,这些mRNA可分别注释到27和30个GO条目以及97和127条KEGG通路。NcCK vs NcT1和NcCK vs NcT2比较组中的11条共同显著上调miRNA和19条共同显著下调miRNA分别靶向AmCK1 vs AmT1和AmCK2 vs AmT2比较组的6条共同显著下调和14条共同显著上调mRNA,可分别注释到7和10个GO条目以及0和9条KEGG通路。NcCK vs NcT1和NcCK vs NcT2比较组中东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的DEmiRNA可靶向AmCK1 vs AmT1和AmCK2 vs AmT2比较组中意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠的氧化磷酸化和硫代谢等能量代谢通路相关DEmRNA,以及胞吞作用、黑色素生成、溶酶体、自噬、Toll样受体信号通路、细胞凋亡、Ras信号通路、泛素介导的蛋白水解和MAPK信号通路等免疫防御通路相关DEmRNA。进一步分析发现,miR-216-x, miR-5119-y, bantam-y和miR-8-y在NcCK vs NcT1和NcCK vs NcT2比较组中皆显著上调表达,且靶向意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠的溶酶体、黑色素生成、泛素介导的蛋白水解、MAPK信号通路及Ras信号通路等免疫防御通路相关的显著下调mRNA。【结论】在侵染过程中,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的DEmiRNA对意大利蜜蜂工蜂的基因表达具有广泛的潜在影响,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫可能通过上调部分miRNA跨界调控意大利蜜蜂工蜂的免疫防御以促进侵染,通过下调部分miRNA跨界调控意大利蜜蜂工蜂的能量代谢以加强能量窃取并促进增殖。     

家蚕微孢子虫与家蚕ECH1和GAPDH蛋白的相互作用

【目的】在分子层面上研究家蚕微孢子虫Nosema bombycis与家蚕Bombyx mori蛋白的相互作用,初步探讨家蚕微孢子虫向家蚕细胞能量中心靠近的原因。【方法】采用Far-western blot分析与家蚕微孢子虫具有相互作用的家蚕中肠蛋白,质谱鉴定筛选出候选蛋白。PCR扩增候选蛋白的基因,连接到p ET30a载体并转入大肠杆菌Escherichia coli DH5α感受态细胞培养,测序选取正确的3个重组质粒,转化到大肠杆菌E.coli BL21感受态细胞中诱导表达候选蛋白,亲和层析柱纯化候选蛋白,制备多克隆抗体。用免疫共沉淀和间接免疫荧光技术验证候选蛋白与家蚕微孢子虫的相互作用。【结果】Far-western blot筛选到的anti-SWP9和anti-SWP5抗体与感染家蚕微孢子虫的家蚕中肠总蛋白的PVDF膜孵育,分别在26 k D和34 k D处检测到一条特异条带,说明家蚕微孢子虫与26 k D和34 k D的家蚕中肠蛋白发生了相互作用。对质谱鉴定结果进行蛋白质的分子量、肽段数以及功能的分析,筛选出与家蚕微孢子虫相互作用的候选家蚕蛋白烯酰辅酶A水合酶(ECH1)、甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GAPDH)和3-羟酰辅酶A脱氢酶(HCDH)。利用制备的能够特异识别ECH1,GAPDH和HCDH 3种蛋白的多克隆抗体anti-ECH1,anti-GAPDH和anti-HCDH进行免疫共沉淀,证实了家蚕微孢子虫与家蚕中肠蛋白ECH1和GAPDH具有相互作用;间接免疫荧光分析结果进一步说明GAPDH能与家蚕微孢子虫特异性结合。【结论】家蚕微孢子虫可以和家蚕蛋白ECH1和GAPDH特异性结合。由于ECH1是定位于线粒体膜上的脂肪酸β-氧化的关键酶,GAPDH是糖酵解途径的关键酶,推测家蚕微孢子虫可能通过和家蚕ECH1和GAPDH的相互作用,在空间上靠近宿主细胞的线粒体和糖酵解途径,便于摄取宿主细胞脂肪酸β-氧化和糖酵解途径产生的中间产物和ATP,满足家蚕微孢子虫的物质和能量需求。     

家蚕微孢子虫海藻糖酶3的表达、定位及功能

【目的】本研究旨在初步明确家蚕微孢子虫Nosema bombycis海藻糖酶3(NbTre3)的功能,为家蚕Bombyx mori微粒子病的防治提供理论依据和线索。【方法】通过PCR扩增NbTre3,构建原核表达载体pET28a-NbTre3;经IPTG诱导在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中表达重组蛋白NbTre3,Western blot检测目的蛋白;Ni柱亲和层析法对重组蛋白NbTre3进行纯化,用获得的NbTre3免疫新西兰兔制备多克隆抗体;利用间接免疫荧光技术对成熟家蚕微孢子虫中的NbTre3进行定位;qRT-PCR检测家蚕微孢子虫感染家蚕5龄起蚕后不同时间中肠中NbTre3的转录水平;通过分别注射siRNA-1, siRNA-2和siRNA-3进行RNAi,qRT-PCR检测RNAi后不同时间感染家蚕微孢子虫的家蚕5龄起蚕中肠中NbTre3和16S rRNA的转录水平。【结果】成功纯化并获得重组目的蛋白NbTre3,大小约为34 kD。免疫新西兰兔后,收集血清,纯化获得NbTre3多克隆抗体,经Western blot鉴定正确。间接免疫荧光结果显示NbTre3主要分布在成熟家蚕微孢子虫孢原质中。qRT-PCR结果表明,家蚕微孢子虫感染后6 h时家蚕5龄起蚕中肠中NbTre3的表达量最高;siRNA抑制NbTre3的表达后,家蚕微孢子虫16S rRNA的转录水平没有明显的变化。【结论】结果提示NbTre3可能在家蚕微孢子虫感染初期的发芽过程中发挥重要的作用。     

徐闻方斑东风螺暴发性疾病病原分离鉴定以及防治手段探索

为了明确引起方斑东风螺急性死亡症的病原,对2015年6月广东省徐闻县发生的方斑东风螺(Babylonia areolata)急性死亡症进行了病原分离纯化,获得1株优势细菌,命名为XW-01。将XW-01人工感染方斑东风螺,表现出自然发病症状,证实分离菌株为致病菌。分离的菌株经形态学观察、生理生化鉴定和病原16S r RNA序列分析,结果显示该病原菌为哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)。XW-01对方斑东风螺半致死剂量(LD50)测定值为6.3×106 cfu/m L。药敏试验结果显示,该病原菌对常见的7种抗菌药物氟哌酸、氟苯尼考、氨苄西林、恩诺沙星、头孢三嗪、左旋氧氟沙星和妥布霉素敏感。添加不同剂量的三联生物噬菌王产品到水族箱中,对方斑东风螺用浸泡法进行人工感染哈维氏弧菌试验,观察东风螺发病及死亡情况。试验结果表明,添加1%的此产品可以明显降低东风螺的死亡率,表明三联生物噬菌王产品对东风螺感染哈维氏弧菌所引起的急性坏死病有明显的预防作用。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂工蜂过程中nce-miR-10660及其靶基因表达谱

【目的】本研究旨在为探究nce-miR-10660调控东方蜜蜂微孢子虫Nosema ceranae侵染的作用机制提供理论和实验依据。【方法】采用Stem-loop RT-PCR对前期鉴定到的东方蜜蜂微孢子虫nce-miR-10660进行表达验证，再通过Sanger测序验证nce-miR-10660的序列。利用相关生物信息学软件预测和分析nce-miR-10660的靶基因。通过RT-qPCR检测nce-miR-10660及其靶基因在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica工蜂过程中中肠中的表达谱。【结果】Stem-loop RT-PCR和Sanger测序结果分别证实了nce-miR-10660在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫孢子中的表达和真实存在。靶向预测结果显示nce-miR-10660共靶向RRDRP和RCDP 42等9个基因；分别有2和6个靶基因可被分别注释到KEGG数据库中的4条通路和GO数据库中的23个条目。RT-qPCR结果显示，相较于东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染后1 d时意大利蜜蜂工蜂中肠中nce-miR-10660的表达量，东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染后2 d时意...     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶基因的克隆、分子特性及表达模式北大核心

【目的】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosme ceranae)专性侵染成年蜜蜂导致微孢子虫病,给养蜂生产造成很大损失。目前,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶(N6-adenine-specific methyltransferase,N6AMT)基因NcN6AMT的研究仍然缺失。本研究对NcN6AMT的编码序列(coding sequence,CDS)区进行克隆,并解析NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,进而测定东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)和中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)工蜂过程中NcN6AMT的相对表达量,以期丰富NcN6AMT的信息,并为探究东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程NcN6AMT的功能及表观调控机制提供基础。【方法】采用Protparam和ProtScale软件对NcN6AMT进行等电点和亲水性分析。通过SignalP 5.0、NetPhos 3.1、TMHMM-2.0、SOPMA和SWISS-MODEL等软件分别预测NcN6AMT的信号肽、磷酸化位点、跨膜结构域、二级结构和三级结构。使用WoLF PSORT II软件预测NcN6AMT的亚细胞定位。根据N6AMT氨基酸序列,通过TBtools软件对智人(Homo sapiens)、小鼠(Mus musculus)、褐飞虱(Nilaparvata lugens)、兔脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon cuniculi)、肠脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon intestinalis ATCC 50506)、蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon romaleae SJ-2008)、美洲思普雷格孢虫(Spraguea lophii 42_110)、家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis CQ1)、隐生菱形藻(Nitzschia inconspicua)和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的N6AMT进行结构域预测和分析。利用MEME软件和MEGA 11.0软件进行东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和其他物种N6AMT的保守基序预测及进化树构建。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)检测NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂过程的相对表达量。【结果】通过PCR扩增出大小约500 bp的目的片段,克隆测序结果显示其与GenBank数据库收录的预测序列一致;NcN6AMT蛋白的分子量约为18.7 kDa,分子式为C845H1374N214O249S6,理论等电点为5.88,脂溶系数是119.76,不稳定系数为37.47,平均亲水系数为0.025,含166个氨基酸和15个磷酸化位点,不含典型的跨膜结构域和信号肽,可同时定位于细胞质、线粒体、细胞核和液泡膜;NcN6AMT含1个甲基转移酶小结构域(methyltransferase small domain,MTS),该结构域同样存在于家蚕微孢子虫和兔脑炎微孢子虫等8个其他物种的N6AMT;在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT中均预测到5个相同的保守基序;NcN6AMT与家蚕微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT序列一致性达到70.92%;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT在系统进化树上聚为一支;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫接种后1–4 d,NcN6AMT在意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂中肠内均呈现先上升后下降的表达趋势。【结论】成功克隆到NcN6AMT基因的CDS区,明确了NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,并揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT蛋白具有较高的保守性,NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂的第一个增殖周期(1–4 dpi)内动态表达且均呈上升-下降的表达模式。     

东方蜜蜂微孢子虫N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶基因的克隆、分子特性及表达模式

【目的】东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosme ceranae)专性侵染成年蜜蜂导致微孢子虫病,给养蜂生产造成很大损失。目前,东方蜜蜂微孢子虫的N6-腺苷特异性甲基化转移酶(N6-adenine-specific methyltransferase,N6AMT)基因NcN6AMT的研究仍然缺失。本研究对NcN6AMT的编码序列(coding sequence,CDS)区进行克隆,并解析NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,进而测定东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)和中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)工蜂过程中NcN6AMT的相对表达量,以期丰富NcN6AMT的信息,并为探究东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染过程NcN6AMT的功能及表观调控机制提供基础。【方法】采用Protparam和ProtScale软件对NcN6AMT进行等电点和亲水性分析。通过SignalP 5.0、NetPhos 3.1、TMHMM-2.0、SOPMA和SWISS-MODEL等软件分别预测NcN6AMT的信号肽、磷酸化位点、跨膜结构域、二级结构和三级结构。使用WoLF PSORT II软件预测NcN6AMT的亚细胞定位。根据N6AMT氨基酸序列,通过TBtools软件对智人(Homo sapiens)、小鼠(Mus musculus)、褐飞虱(Nilaparvata lugens)、兔脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon cuniculi)、肠脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon intestinalis ATCC 50506)、蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫(Encephalitozoon romaleae SJ-2008)、美洲思普雷格孢虫(Spraguea lophii 42_110)、家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis CQ1)、隐生菱形藻(Nitzschia inconspicua)和东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的N6AMT进行结构域预测和分析。利用MEME软件和MEGA 11.0软件进行东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和其他物种N6AMT的保守基序预测及进化树构建。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)检测NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂过程的相对表达量。【结果】通过PCR扩增出大小约500 bp的目的片段,克隆测序结果显示其与GenBank数据库收录的预测序列一致;NcN6AMT蛋白的分子量约为18.7 kDa,分子式为C845H1374N214O249S6,理论等电点为5.88,脂溶系数是119.76,不稳定系数为37.47,平均亲水系数为0.025,含166个氨基酸和15个磷酸化位点,不含典型的跨膜结构域和信号肽,可同时定位于细胞质、线粒体、细胞核和液泡膜;NcN6AMT含1个甲基转移酶小结构域(methyltransferase small domain,MTS),该结构域同样存在于家蚕微孢子虫和兔脑炎微孢子虫等8个其他物种的N6AMT;在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT中均预测到5个相同的保守基序;NcN6AMT与家蚕微孢子虫、肠脑炎微孢子虫、兔脑炎微孢子虫和蚱蜢脑炎微孢子虫的N6AMT序列一致性达到70.92%;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT在系统进化树上聚为一支;东方蜜蜂微孢子虫接种后1–4 d,NcN6AMT在意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂中肠内均呈现先上升后下降的表达趋势。【结论】成功克隆到NcN6AMT基因的CDS区,明确了NcN6AMT蛋白的理化性质和分子特性,并揭示东方蜜蜂微孢子虫和家蚕微孢子虫的N6AMT蛋白具有较高的保守性,NcN6AMT在东方蜜蜂微孢子虫侵染意大利蜜蜂和中华蜜蜂工蜂的第一个增殖周期(1–4 dpi)内动态表达且均呈上升-下降的表达模式。     

家蚕微孢子虫感染对家蚕海龟蛋白(Bmtutl)基因表达水平的影响

【目的】本研究旨在阐明家蚕微孢子虫Nosema bombycis感染不同时间对家蚕Bombyx mori幼虫不同组织中家蚕海龟蛋白(Bombyx Turtle, Bmtutl)基因表达水平的影响,为揭示家蚕微孢子虫的侵染机制奠定基础。【方法】利用生物信息学方法对家蚕海龟蛋白3种亚型Bmtutl-464, Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810的序列结构特征进行了分析;利用qPCR检测家蚕微孢子虫感染后12, 24, 48, 72, 96和120 h,家蚕幼虫中肠、血淋巴与脂肪体组织中Bmtutl-464, Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810基因表达水平的变化情况。【结果】家蚕海龟蛋白3种亚型的二级结构均主要由无规则卷曲、α螺旋、β转角和延伸链组成,其中无规则卷曲所占比例最高。但是PredictProtein分析发现,Bmtutl-464, Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810之间的蛋白/多核苷酸结合位点存在较大差异。qPCR结果表明,感染家蚕微孢子虫后,家蚕幼虫中肠、血淋巴与脂肪体组织中Bmtutl-464, Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810基因的整体表达处于被抑制状态,尤其在脂肪体中最为明显：Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810基因的表达在家蚕微孢子虫感染家蚕后的72 h开始受到显著抑制,特别是Bmtutl-519基因,其相对表达水平均不到对照的5.0%。【结论】家蚕海龟蛋白这3种亚型的序列结构特征存在较大差异,家蚕微孢子虫感染在一定程度抑制了家蚕幼虫中肠、血淋巴与脂肪体组织中Bmtutl-464, Bmtutl-519和Bmtutl-810基因尤其是Bmtutl-519的表达。结果说明,与其他两种家蚕海龟蛋白亚型相比,Bmtutl-519蛋白可能在家蚕微孢子虫侵染宿主的过程中起主要作用。     

Spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium nelsoni and Haplosporidium costale (Haplosporidia), and incongruence of molecular phylogeny and spore ornamentation in the Haplosporidia

Spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium nelsoni and Haplosporidium costale was determined by scanning electron microscopy. For H. nelsoni, the spore surface was covered with individual ribbons that were tightly bound together and occurred as a single sheet. In some spores, this layer was overlaid with a network of branching fibers, about 0.05 microm in diameter, which often was dislodged from the spore at the aboral pole. For H. costale, ornamentation consisted of a sparse network of branching fibers on the spore surface. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the phylum Haplosporidia revealed that Urosporidium, Bonamia, and Minchinia were monophyletic but that Haplosporidium was paraphyletic. All species of Minchinia have ornamentation composed of epispore cytoplasm, supporting the monophyly of this genus. The presence of spores with a hinged operculum and spore wall-derived ornamentation in Bonamia perspora confounds the distinction between Bonamia and Haplosporidium. Species with ornamentation composed of outer spore wall material and attached to the spore wall do not form a monophyletic group in the molecular phylogenetic analysis. These results suggest that the widely accepted practice of assigning all species with spore wall-derived ornamentation to Haplospordium cannot be supported and that additional genera are needed in which to place some species presently assigned to Haplosporidium.     

Immunoassay Comparison of Haplosporidan Spores from Teredo navalis and Haplosporidium nelsoni Spores from Crassostrea virginica

Spores of a haplosporidan infecting Teredo navalis Linnaeus have been described as morphologically indistinguishable from spores of Haplosporidium nelsoni . To test the hypothesis that these organisms are conspecific, a colloidal gold immunoassay was used to compare antigenic characteristics of the spores from both hosts. Rabbit antibody to formalin-fixed spores from T. navalis was tested against paraffin sections of Crassostrea virginica infected with spores of H. nelsoni and against paraffin sections of infected 7". navalis . Application of primary antibody was followed by addition of affinity purified goat anti-rabbit IgG coaled on 5-nm colloidal gold particles. The reaction was enhanced by precipitation of metallic silver; a positive reaction appeared as a dark brown to black signal at the site of each antigen-antibody complex. Haplosporidium nelsoni spores did not react when assayed with the antibody made to spores from T. navalis . Spores from infected T. navalis tissue reacted positively with rabbit antibody. This result indicates that the spores from the 2 hosts are antigenicaliy distinct and suggests that they are different species.     

Scanning electron microscopy and molecular characterization of a new Haplosporidium species (Haplosporidia), a parasite of the marine gastropod Siphonaria pectinata (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Siphonariidae) in the Gulf of Mexico

Based on scanning electron microscopy and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), Haplosporidium tuxtlensis n. sp. (Haplosporidia), a parasite found in the visceral tissues of the false limpet Siphonaria pectinata (Linnaeus, 1758), is described. The spores are ellipsoidal (3.61 ± 0.15 μm × 2.69 ± 0.19 μm), with a circular lid (2.94 ± 0.5 μm) representing the operculum. The spore wall bears filaments occurring singly, or in clusters, of 2 to 8, fusing distally. Phylogenetic relationships of H. tuxtlensis n. sp. were assessed with other described species using the SSU rRNA sequence. Haplosporidium tuxtlensis n. sp. is sister taxon to Haplosporidium pickfordi Barrow, 1961. The morphological characteristics (spore wall structure, shape, size, and filament structure) and the unique host identity corroborate it as a new species. Additionally, this is the first record of Haplosporidia infecting striped false limpets in the Gulf of Mexico.     

Haplosporidium sp. (Alveolata: Haplosporidia) associated with mortalities among rock oysters Saccostrea cuccullata in north Western Australia

Haplosporidium sp. is described from rock oysters Saccostrea cuccullata Born, 1778 experiencing epizootics on the northwestern coast of Western Australia. All stages were observed as focal infections in the connective tissue of the gills, or as disseminated infections in the mantle and around digestive diverticulae. Haplosporidium sp. occurred between epithelial cells of the gut, in focal lesions in the gills, but not in the epithelium of the digestive diverticulae, and sporulation was confined to the connective tissue. Plasmodia developed into sporonts and sporocysts in a loose syncytium that gave rise to binucleate and uninucleate sporoblasts from which spores developed. Spores were flask-shaped, 5.6-6.7 x 3.3-4.0 microm, with a characteristic operculum, a few filamentous wrappings and rod-like structures in the posterior sporoplasm. Mature spores had a wall comprising inner (90 nm wide), middle (30 nm wide) and outer (130 nm wide) layers, and a surface coat of microtubules giving them a furry appearance. Oysters with empty gonad follicles were most heavily infected, and oyster condition and mortality appeared to be related to degree of infection.     

Ultrastructure of Minchinia Sp. Spores from Shipworms (Teredo Spp.) in the Western North Atlantic, with a Discussion of Taxonomy of the Haplosporidiidae

Electron microscopy of haplosporidan spores from Teredo navalis and T. furcifera revealed 4 distinct membrane-bound extensions, 1 apical extension opposite the opercular hinge, 1 terminal and 2 opposing lateral extensions. These extensions were not continuous with the spore wall, but contained microtubule-like structures and degrading epispore cytoplasm. No other known species in the family Haplosporidiidae is characterized by spores possessing four epispore extensions. There are currently two genera in this family, Minchinia and Haplosporidium. The genus Minchinia includes spores such as those of M. chitonis which bear two epispore cytoplasm extensions. Spores of the genus Haplosporidium have been characterized by spore wall derived filaments. A 3rd group of haplosporidan species with spores ornamented by wrappings have traditionally also been assigned to the genus Haplosporidium. Based on the presence of epispore cytoplasm extensions rather than spore wall filaments, the haplosporidan of Teredo spp. can be placed in the genus Minchinia.     

Spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium pickfordi Barrow, 1961 (Haplosporidia), a parasite of freshwater snails in Michigan, USA

Spore ornamentation is increasingly recognized as a key character for species differentiation and genus assignment in the phylum Haplosporidia. Unfortunately, spore ornamentation is known for only a small number of described species so it is difficult to assign most species to genera with any confidence. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the presence and morphology of spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium pickfordi collected from the digestive gland of the snail Physella parkeri in Douglas Lake, Michigan. Spores possess filaments that are derived from the spore wall and originate from two separate areas at the posterior end of the spore. When spores are first isolated from host tissue, filaments are fused into a sheet that wraps around the spore, passing under the opercular lid. These filaments gradually unravel when spores are held in water and after about 14 d most filaments project freely from the posterior end of the spore. The number of filaments could not be determined with certainty, but appears to be approximately nine. Filaments are 100 nm in diam. and up to 50 microm in length. The presence of spore wall-derived filaments confirms the placement of the parasite in the genus Haplosporidium.     

A Sensitive and Specific DNA Probe for the Oyster Pathogen Haplosporidium nelsoni

ABSTRACT. Haplosporidium nelsoni is a pathogen of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica , along the middle Atlantic coast of the U.S. Genomic DNA was extracted from H. nelsoni plasmodia and small subunit (SSU) rDNA was amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. The sequence of H. nelsoni SSU rDNA was aligned with that of another haplosporidian, Minchinia teredinis , and with SSU rDNA data of C. virginica and various protists in GenBank. A 21-base oligonucleotide unique to H. nelsoni , designated MSX1347, was commercially synthesized and tested for sensitivity and specificity. In dot blot hybridizations the probe detected 100 pg of cloned H. nelsoni rDNA and the presence of H. nelsoni in 1 μg of genomic DNA from an infected oyster. It did not hybridize with 1 μg of genomic DNA from uninfected C. virginica or with cloned SSU rDNA of M. teredinis. The probe was further tested for specificity with in situ hybridizations on AFA-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The probe hybridized well with H. nelsoni plasmodia and immature spores, but poorly with mature spores. The probe did not hybridize with oyster tissue, with other common oyster parasites such as P. marinus or Nematopsis sp., or with the haplosporidians Haplosporidium louisiana from mud crabs ( Panopeus spp.), Haplosporidium costale from C. virginica or M. teredinis from shipworms ( Teredo spp.).     

Ultrastructural description of the spore maturation stages of the clam parasite Minchinia tapetis (Vilela, 1951) (Haplosporida: Haplosporidiidae)

The fine structure of maturing spores of a haplosporidian parasite found in the gill, mantle and foot tissues of Ruditapes decussatus L. (Mollusca, Bivalvia), a species of commercial importance in Portugal, is described. When observed free in suspension, immature spores exhibit one or two epispore cytoplasmic extensions (ECE) which constitute a projection of a portion of the exosporoplasm, sometimes without ultrastructural organisation, surrounded by the plasmalemma. Free spores observed by light microscopy (LM) after 3-5 days of incubation in filtered sea-water exhibit no ECE attached to the spore wall. The mature spore is ovoid to ellipsoid, operculate, uninucleate and measures c. 4.8 microm long and c. 3.9 microm wide. The spore shape and size and the identity of the host living in the same geographical region suggest that this species is the same as previously described using LM observations as Haplosporidium tapetis Vilela, 1951 and later transferred to Minchinia Labbé, 1896.     

Ultrastructural developmental cycle of Haplosporidium montforti (phylum Haplosporidia) in its farmed abalone host, Haliotis tuberculata (Gastropoda)

The sequential developmental cycle of Haplosporidium montforti, a recently described species from farmed abalone Haliotis tuberculata (Gastropoda), was studied. Ornamented and operculated mature spores were electron dense. The nucleus of the uninucleated free cell divided successively, giving rise to multinucleate plasmodia, containing up to 100-120 nuclei. Later, the plasmodia developed into sporonts inside sporocysts with irregular contours. Each of their nuclei gave rise to uninucleate sporoblasts. At the next phase of development, a very irregular membranous group of cisternae began to differentiate in the cytoplasm of each sporoblast, surrounding each nucleus and the adjacent cytoplasm. Each sporoblast differentiated into a spore. This process was characterized by the appearance of dense blisters of amorphous material at the periphery that gradually formed the prespore wall and pre-operculum. Simultaneously, in the endosporoplasm, the spherulosome and several haplosporosomes were formed. During the final phase of the maturation process, the spores became gradually denser, and the endosporoplasmic structures were barely visible.