石榴种皮木质素合成相关转录因子基因PgMYB的克隆与表达

为初步探讨石榴(Punica granatum L.)籽粒硬度产生机理及转录因子基因PgMYB在石榴种皮木质素生物合成途径中的作用,测定了不同石榴品种籽粒硬度及种皮总木质素含量并分析两者关系,利用RT-PCR结合RACE技术,克隆了‘红玉石籽’石榴的1个MYB转录因子基因(PgMYB),通过实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了PgMYB的相对表达量。结果表明:(1)石榴籽粒硬度与种皮总木质素含量呈显著正相关关系,相关系数为0.906。(2)PgMYB基因cDNA全长1 088bp,开放阅读框921bp,编码蛋白由306个氨基酸组成,N端具有2个MYB DNA结合结构域,是植物中一个典型的R2R3-MYB转录因子;同源分析显示,该基因编码的氨基酸序列与银合欢的MYB1和拟南芥的MYB4一致性分别高达89%和84%。(3)在不同籽粒硬度石榴品种中PgMYB的表达与籽粒硬度和种皮总木质素含量呈负相关关系。(4)在石榴各个发育时期中,PgMYB表达与种皮总木质素含量同样呈负相关关系。推测该基因可能抑制石榴种皮总木质素的生物合成。     

石榴4-香豆酸辅酶A连接酶基因的克隆和表达分析

4-香豆酸辅酶A连接酶(4-coumarate-CoA ligase,4CL)是木质素合成途径的关键酶。该研究以‘红玉石籽’(Punica granatum cv.Hongyushizi)石榴为试验材料,采用RACE和RT-PCR方法获得4CL同源基因Pg4CL。Pg4CL基因cDNA全长2 121bp,编码544个氨基酸;序列比对和功能域分析发现,Pg4CL包含有2个保守域SSGTTGLPKGV和GEICIRG;系统进化树分析显示,Pg4CL与其他物种起源相同,而与赤桉Ec4CL亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR分析表明,Pg4CL基因在叶、果皮、种皮和茎等组织中均有表达,其中果皮和叶片中表达量较高,种皮中表达量最低;Pg4CL基因在6个石榴品种的种皮中均有表达,其中在‘突尼斯软籽’中表达较高,‘会理软籽’表达量最低;Pg4CL基因在‘红玉石籽’籽粒的不同时期均有表达,在15~60d相对表达量逐步上升,并在60d时达到最高;75d以后表达量急剧下降,仅维持较低水平表达。     

2个石榴品种果皮花色苷合成相关基因表达分析

以2个不同红色石榴品种‘红宝石’和‘墨石榴’为试验材料,采用荧光定量PCR方法,分析花色苷合成相关基因CHS、CHI、F3H、DFR、ANS、UFGT等6个基因在果实发育过程中的转录表达特性,同时分析基因表达量与果皮花色苷积累的关系。结果表明:(1)在整个果实发育期内‘墨石榴’花色苷含量明显高于‘红宝石’;随着果实的发育,‘红宝石’果皮中总花色苷含量不断增加,而‘墨石榴’中总花色苷含量初期很高,随后迅速下降,后期维持在较低水平。(2)‘红宝石’中CHS、CHI、F3H、DFR、UFGT等5个基因均在果实发育的早期和晚期出现2个表达高峰,而ANS基因的表达量在整个果实发育期内不断升高;在‘墨石榴’中CHS、CHI、F3H、DFR、ANS等5个基因的表达高峰均出现在早期,随着果实的发育表达量均呈下降变化趋势,但UFGT基因在中期时表达量最高。(3)‘红宝石’石榴的ANS基因表达量与总花色苷含量呈显著正相关,‘墨石榴’中CHS和ANS基因的表达水平与总花色苷含量显著相关。研究认为,花色苷合成相关基因的初期和末期表达差异是2个石榴品种着色差异的主要原因,ANS在‘红宝石’着色中起关键作用,CHS和ANS可能在‘墨石榴’花色苷积累中起重要作用。     

石榴木质素合成相关基因PgMYB308的克隆和表达分析

该研究以‘红玉石籽’(Punica granatumcv.Hongyushizi)石榴为试验材料,采用RACE和RT-PCR方法,获得与木质素的合成相关基因PgMYB308。PgMYB308基因cDNA全长792bp,编码263个氨基酸。分子量为29.56kD,理论等电点为9.07。序列比对和功能域分析发现,PgMYB308包含R2和R3保守域,以及C1、C2、C4和锌指基序。系统进化树分析显示,PgMYB308与其他物种起源相同,而与桉树EgMYB308亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR分析表明,PgMYB308在茎、叶和种子等组织中均有表达,其中茎中表达量最高,叶片中表达量最低;PgMYB308在‘突尼斯软籽’中表达最高,而在‘红玉石籽’和‘白玉石籽’中表达量较低;PgMYB308在‘红玉石籽’籽粒的不同时期均有表达,但在花后20d相对表达量最高,以后随发育进程呈现逐渐下降的趋势。     

石榴PgGPX基因克隆及盐胁迫下的表达分析

该研究以‘红玉石籽’籽粒为材料,通过RACE技术克隆了石榴GPX基因,利用Real-time PCR检测石榴在不同器官中及石榴叶片在盐胁迫处理下的相对表达量。结果表明:(1)PgGPX基因cDNA全长872bp,其中开放阅读框504bp,编码168个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,该蛋白具有植物GPX的典型结构,与可可树、荔枝、甜橙、玉米等植物的GPX基因相比,具有较高的一致性,分别为90.30%、87.40%、86.80%、86.20%。(2)PgGPX在石榴的叶片、花瓣和籽粒中均有所表达,且具有组织特异性,在盐胁迫下,石榴叶片中的PgGPX表达量显著上升。推测PgGPX基因在胁迫反应中可能发挥重要作用。     

石榴果色合成相关基因CHS和CHI的表达特性分析

花色苷是类黄酮家族中重要的一类次生代谢产物,对果实呈色起重要作用。CHS (查尔酮合成酶)和CHI (查尔酮异构酶)为花色苷合成提供了前体物质,是花色苷合成所不可或缺的。利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,本研究从石榴果皮中克隆了与花色苷合成相关的CHS基因和CHI基因的cDNA全长,同时采用qRT-PCR研究了这两个基因在三个不同色泽石榴品种‘红宝石’、‘水晶甜’、‘墨石榴’发育期内的表达模式,并分析了果皮花色苷含量变化与基因转录水平的关系。结果表明,石榴中CHS和CHI基因cDNA全长分别为1 197 bp和693 bp,分别编码398和230个氨基酸,命名为PgCHS和PgCHI,在GenBank中的登录号分别为KF841615和KF841616。在氨基酸水平上,Pg CHS与荔枝、葡萄、山竹等果树的同源性达到90%以上。Pg CHI与果树中龙眼、梨、美洲葡萄、桑树等同源性达到70%以上。qRT-PCR结果显示,CHS和CHI基因的表达模式随色泽发育期和品种不同而有差异。在‘红宝石’石榴中,该两个基因都有前期和后期两个表达高峰期;而‘水晶甜’石榴中这两个基因的表达高峰期均出现在中后期;‘墨石榴’发育初期时CHS和CHI的表达量最高,以后的表达量都较低。同一品种内,CHS和CHI的表达具有协同性,两者的协同性表达有利于花色苷及其他类黄酮相关产物的合成。3个品种中CHS和CHI基因的表达与花色苷的积累并不一致。     

桔小实蝇对石榴的产卵偏好性研究

明确石榴品种、成熟度以及果实的完整性对桔小实蝇产卵偏好的影响,可为石榴园桔小实蝇的行为调控提供重要理论依据。本研究以采自四川省会理市彰冠镇不同品种、不同成熟度石榴果实作为材料,通过选择性试验,统计果实上的产卵孔数和着卵量,分析桔小实蝇的产卵选择行为。研究结果显示,桔小实蝇对不同品种石榴的产卵偏好性为软籽石榴＞硬籽石榴＞野生硬籽石榴;对不同成熟度石榴的产卵偏好性为熟果＞完熟果＞生果;石榴裂果比正常果更吸引桔小实蝇产卵。相关性分析结果表明,在石榴正常果状态下,软籽石榴和野生硬籽石榴的可溶性固形物含量与产卵孔数、着卵量均呈显著正相关性,而硬籽石榴可溶性固形物含量与产卵孔数、着卵量均无显著相关性;在石榴裂果状态下,各石榴品种可溶性固形物含量和着卵量均无显著相关性。桔小实蝇更偏好于软籽石榴熟果、裂果以及可溶性固形物含量为14.00%~17.00%的果实上产卵,会理地区8-9月时石榴的生长处于熟果期且多裂果,因此该时期应为桔小实蝇发生为害的关键时期,要提前做好防控。     

桂花查尔酮异构酶OfCHI基因的克隆与表达分析

查尔酮异构酶CHI是花青素苷合成途径中的关键酶。为了解桂花花青苷的合成机理,该研究对3个桂花品种的花青苷含量进行了测定。结果显示:(1)‘橙红丹桂’花中的花青苷含量最高,‘金桂’和‘早银桂’中花青苷含量较低。(2)利用RACE和RT-PCR方法获得了桂花查尔酮异构酶基因(OfCHI)的全长cDNA序列1 069bp,该基因编码248个氨基酸,相对分子量为26.85kD,等电点为6.34。(3)多重序列比对显示,OfCHI与金花茶CnCHI、忍冬LjCHI、石榴PgCHI的相似性分别为68.13%、65.86%和63.53%,氨基酸序列中含有CHI蛋白的活性位点Thr47、Tyr108、Met115以及Ser192;系统进化树分析表明,OfCHI与其他物种起源相同,而与油橄榄OeCHI亲缘关系最近。(4)利用qRT-PCR对不同桂花品种、不同组织中OfCHI的表达量检测结果显示,OfCHI在‘橙红丹桂’花中表达量最高,在‘金桂’和‘早银桂’中表达量较低;OfCHI在‘橙红丹桂’、‘金桂’和‘早银桂’的花、茎、叶中均有表达,且表达趋势相同,均为叶中表达量最高。该研究为揭示桂花青素苷的合成机理奠定了理论基础,并为培育不同花色的桂花新品种提供了基因专利。     

石榴PgUFGT基因克隆及表达分析

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,从石榴(Punica granatum L.)果皮中克隆到一个类黄酮糖基转移酶(UFGT)基因(PgUFGT)全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号为KF841620)。PgUFGT基因编码区1 476bp,编码491个氨基酸。PgUFGT蛋白具有保守PSPG基序、UDP-糖基转移酶家族结构域和UDP-葡萄糖醛酸基/葡萄糖基转移酶保守域(UDPGT),与其他植物UFGT蛋白一致性较高;系统进化树分析结果表明,PgUFGT属于类黄酮3-O-糖基转移酶类。荧光定量qRT-PCR结果表明,PgUFGT基因在‘红宝石’和‘水晶甜’2个石榴品种的发育期内具有不同的表达模式,PgUFGT在‘红宝石’石榴中有2个转录表达高峰,而在‘水晶甜’石榴中仅有1个表达高峰,表明PgUFGT可能在2个石榴品种中具有不同的催化作用。该研究结果为进一步研究石榴果实色泽形成的分子机制奠定了基础。     

新疆6个大果红枣裂果性差异及其内在原因分析

该研究以新疆栽培的6个大果型红枣品种(‘骏枣’、‘赞新大枣’、‘金谷大枣’、‘蛤蟆枣’、‘晋赞大枣’、‘新郑大马牙’)全红期果实为对象,通过考察裂果性差异,观察果皮组织结构,测定细胞壁成分及代谢相关酶活性,分析扩展蛋白基因表达的变化,探讨造成枣品种裂果差异的内在规律,为栽培引种及抗裂品种选育提供理论基础。结果表明:(1)‘骏枣’、‘赞新大枣’、‘金谷大枣’属于易裂果品种,而‘蛤蟆枣’、‘晋赞大枣’、‘新郑大马牙’的抗裂果能力较强。(2)6个品种之间的果实角质层厚度差异显著,并以‘晋赞大枣’、‘蛤蟆枣’和‘新郑大马牙’较大;表皮层厚度在品种之间无显著差异;品种间的果肉空腔与果肉面积比例差异显著,由低到高依次为‘蛤蟆枣’‘新郑大马牙’‘晋赞大枣’‘骏枣’‘金谷大枣’‘赞新大枣’。(3)6个品种间果皮的纤维素含量、纤维素酶活性以及原果胶含量、可溶性果胶含量、果胶酶活性等指标均存在显著差异,且原果胶含量与裂果率具有相关性,抗裂品种‘晋赞大枣’和‘蛤蟆枣’的原果胶含量明显低于其他品种;其他指标与它们各自的裂果率未发现相关性。(4)扩展蛋白基因ZjEXP11和ZjEXP12在6个品种果皮中的表达水平差异显著,且与裂果率具有相关关系,并以抗裂果能力较强品种的表达量显著较低。研究发现,新疆大果型红枣的裂果性在品种间存在显著差异,抗裂果品种比易裂果品种具有更厚的角质层和表皮层,以及更小的果肉空腔面积、更低的原果胶含量和更低的扩展蛋白基因ZjEXP11、ZjEXP12表达水平。     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Ovule and seed anatomy ofCistaceae and relatedMalvanae

Ovule and especially seed anatomy of eight species ofCochlospermaceae, Bixaceae, Cistaceae, Monotoideae, Pakaraimaeoideae (two subfamilies ofDipterocarpaceae), andSarcolaenaceae were investigated. All representatives show a bixoid chalazal region in the seed as probable exclusive synapomorphy among angiosperms. The palisade layer of the exotegmen is curved inwards at its proximal end and forms a dome-shaped structure. A plug of hypostase tissue with an annulus/core structure fits into this dome. Moreover, two additional tissue types in the hypostase can be found in some representatives of the group. These and other micromorphological, wood anatomical, and floral morphological characters, indicate that the taxa form a monophyletic group close toMalvales s. str. The form of the starch grains in the endosperm is compared and is described for the first time forPakaraimaea (Dipterocarpaceae) andLeptolaena (Sarcolaenaceae). The position ofDiegodendron close toBixa and the presumably more distant positions ofMuntingia andNeuradaceae are discussed.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

Amino acids and sugars in nectar,and their putative evolutionary significance

Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.L. van der Pijl, Den Haag, in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant cyanidin glycosides in cherries and berries

Anthocyanins from tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton and Montmorency; sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae); bilberries, Vaccinum myrtillus L. (Ericaceae); blackberries, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); blueberries var. Jersey, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae); cranberries var. Early Black, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae); elderberries, Sambucus canadensis (Caprifoliaceae); raspberries, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae); and strawberries var. Honeoye, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. (Rosaceae), were investigated for cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The presence and levels of cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside 1 and cyanidin-3-rutinoside 2 were determined in the fruits using HPLC. The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was comparable to the commercial antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, and superior to vitamin E, at a test concentration of 125 microg/ml. Anthocyanins from raspberries and sweet cherries demonstrated 45% and 47% cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II inhibitory activities, respectively, when assayed at 125 microg/ml. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from these fruits were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 microM concentrations. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberry. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, sweet cherries and raspberries were 21, 16.5; 11, 5; 4.95, 21; and 4.65, 13.5 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 in yields of 24 and 22.5 mg/100 g, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.     

Pollen morphology ofSonchus and related genera,and a general discussion

The pollen morphology of the taxa belonging to the generaAetheorhiza Cass.,Launaea Cass.,Reichardia Roth andSonchus L. in the Iberian Peninsula has been studied with light and electron microscopy. The pollen is 3(-4)-zonocolporate and echinolophate (without polar lacunae, but in general with prelacunae), with equatorial ridges and 15–20 lacunae: 3–4 poral, 6–8 abporal and 6–8 paraporal. Small to medium size, P × E = 19–36 × 23–42 µm; sometimes two different sizes have been found. Exine 3–9 µm thick and ornamentation microreticulate and echinate. The results clearly show the relationships between genera. Moreno-Socías, E., Mejías, J. A., Díez, M. J., 1994: Morfología polínica deLactuceae (Asteraceae) en la Península Ibérica, I.Lactuca y géneros relacionados. — Acta Bot. Malacitana.19: 103–113.     

Utilized and potentially utilizable seaweeds on the Namibian coast: biogeography and accessibility

Of the 1500 km coast of Namibia, only 80 km is predominantly rocky, the remaining 1420 km being sandy with only minor rocky outcrops. At present two species are utilized, Gracilaria verrucosa for agar and Laminaria schinzii for human consumption. Other potentially utilizable seaweeds occurring on the coast are Ecklonia maxima for alginates, Suhria vittata for agar, Gigartina radula, G. stiriata and Aeodes orbitosa for carrageenans and Porphyra capensis for human consumption. Laminaria schinzii also can be used for alginate production. Due to the diamond-mining areas around the 80 km rocky area at Luderitz (26° 39 S), only 20 km are accessible; hence, at present the seaweeds are being exploited almost to their full potential. The species currently not being utilized could be used, however, to support the industry that already exists at Luderitz. To increase production, access to the diamond areas would have to be gained or a cultivation program initiated.     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.     

New species and new combinations in Peruvian Orchidaceae

seventeen new species and combinations are proposed in the generaChondrorhyncha, Cischweinfia, Cochlioda, Eloyella, Encyclia, Kefersteinia, Koellensteinia, Macroclinium, Rodriguezia, Solenidiopsis, andStenia. All new species are illustrated. A key is provided for 2-flowered species ofMacroclinium, PeruvianSigmatostalix, and PeruvianStenia. Solenidium (Solenidiopsis) peruvianum Schltr. is lectotypified.     

Phylogeny and biosystematics ofPseudomonotes (Dipterocarpaceae) based on molecular and morphological data

The placement of a recently discovered South American monotypic genus,Pseudomonotes tropenbosii, in subfam.Monotoideae (Dipterocarpaceae) extends the geographical range of the subfamily from Africa to the Neotropics. Although morphological and anatomical evidence suggest similarities betweenPseudomonotes andMonotes, the close alliance of these two genera was questionable due to their disjunct distribution and a lack of phylogenetic analysis. In the present study, we reconstructed the phylogeny ofPseudomonotes and other putatively related taxa usingrbcL sequence data. The analysis ofrbcL sequences of 20 taxa belonging to 15 genera and eight families recovered a single most parsimonious tree. The genusSarcolaena (Sarcolaenaceae) formed a clade sister to the monophyleticDipterocarpaceae clade.Monotes andPseudomonotes formed a strongly supported group, sister to the monophyletic clade withPakaraimaea and the remaining Asiatic dipterocarp species studied. The study strongly supports the placement ofPseudomonotes within subfam.Monotoideae of theDipterocarpaceae.