龙眼胚性愈伤组织DRM1基因的克隆及其定位与表达分析

该研究以龙眼胚性愈伤组织的转录组数据为基础,对龙眼胚性愈伤组织DlDRM1基因进行克隆和生物学信息分析,并检测其在体胚发生过程中不同发育阶段、不同浓度的外源激素(2,4-D、IAA、KT)处理下及不同组织部位的表达,以揭示DlDRM1基因在龙眼体胚发生过程中的功能。结果表明:(1)从龙眼转录组unigene序列筛选获得龙眼结构域重排甲基化酶1基因(命名为DlDRM1)全长序列,并利用RT-PCR法从‘红核子’龙眼胚性愈伤组织中克隆获得DlDRM1基因的cDNA全长序列(GenBank登录号为KY990493);DlDRM1基因cDNA全长2 574bp,包括494bp的5′UTR,184bp的3′UTR,可编码包含631个氨基酸的蛋白质。(2)生物信息学分析显示,DlDRM1是一个不稳定的亲水蛋白,不含信号肽,不存在跨膜结构域,其分子式为C_(3104)H_(4839)N_(851)O_(984)S_(28);序列比对和系统进化分析表明,龙眼DlDRM1与脐橙DRM相似度最高(76.85%),二者亲缘关系也最为接近。(3)实时荧光定量PCR分析发现,DlDRM1在龙眼各组织器官中均有表达,且在果肉中表达量最高,其次是花蕾,在叶中的表达量最低;DlDRM1基因在非胚性愈伤组织中表达量最高,而且在非胚性愈伤向胚性愈伤转变过程中DlDRM1基因的表达量呈逐步下降趋势,说明DlDRM1基因与体胚胚性呈负相关关系,在龙眼体胚发生过程中可能发挥着重要的作用;一定浓度的IAA和2,4-D能够促进DlDRM1基因的表达,而KT则抑制DlDRM1的表达。(4)亚细胞定位结果表明,DlDRM1定位于细胞核和细胞膜上。     

龙眼组蛋白去乙酰化酶基因DlHDT1的克隆与特性分析

组蛋白去乙酰化是植物表观遗传调控的重要组成部分,对染色体结构修饰和基因表达调控发挥着重要的作用。为深入探究组蛋白去乙酰化酶基因(histone deacetylase 1,HDT1)在龙眼体胚发生过程中的功能,该研究结合龙眼基因组数据,采用RT-PCR方法克隆得到龙眼组蛋白去乙酰化酶基因(DlHDT1),对其进行生物信息学分析及亚细胞定位观察,同时结合转录组数据分析DlHDT1在体胚发生过程中的FPKM值,并利用qRT-PCR技术检测PEG6000和NaCl处理下DlHDT1的表达模式。结果表明:(1)DlHDT1基因CDS序列全长918 bp,编码305个氨基酸,该蛋白为不稳定亲水性蛋白,不含信号肽和跨膜结构,共含43个磷酸化位点,相对分子量为32 585.54 Da,等电点为4.65;进化树分析显示龙眼DlHDT1与漾濞槭亲缘关系最近(78.76%)。(2)亚细胞定位显示,DlHDT1蛋白定位于细胞核中;顺式作用元件分析发现DlHDT1基因含有大量光响应元件和脱落酸、茉莉酸甲酯等激素及逆境胁迫响应元件;转录组数据显示,DlHDT1在龙眼体胚发生不同时期均有表达,在胚性愈伤组织(EC)阶段表达最低,在球形胚(GE)阶段表达最高。(3)qRT-PCR显示,在PEG6000和NaCl处理下DlHDT1基因,呈下调表达趋势,推测DlHDT1可能参与调控龙眼对干旱及盐胁迫的响应,并存在负调控关系。研究认为,DlHDT1为核定位基因,可能参与龙眼体胚形态建成并在龙眼响应非生物逆境胁迫过程中发挥重要作用。     

龙眼DCL家族基因的启动子分析及时空表达

为了解龙眼DCL基因的功能,该试验对龙眼基因组数据提取的DlDCL1、DlDCL2、DlDCL3和DlDCL4基因序列进行启动子顺式作用元件及其受miRNA调控的分析;并以龙眼胚性愈伤组织为材料,研究了DlDCLs不同基因成员在非生物胁迫和外源激素处理下的表达情况。结果显示:(1)龙眼DCL基因启动子中除了TATA和CAAT外,还具有大量的光反应元件、激素应答元件、胁迫响应元件、组织特异性调控元件及植物生长发育相关的顺式调控元件,提示龙眼DCL基因启动子转录活性可能受到光、激素信号及逆境胁迫因素的诱导。(2)对调控龙眼DCL基因的miRNA进行筛选,结果显示DlDCL1受miR162和miR1024调控,DlDCL4受miR390和miR396调控。(3)实时荧光定量PCR显示,在一定浓度范围内,外源激素GA3、ABA和ETH均能下调DlDCLs基因的表达,而高浓度ETH处理则显著上调DlDCLs的表达。(4)高浓度蔗糖(6%)处理时DlDCL2、DlDCL3和DlDCL4显著上调表达,而低浓度(0.1%)处理时DlDCL1显著上调表达;不同温度处理下,DlDCL1在34℃时显著上升,DlDCL3随着温度的提高相对表达量逐渐减低;而DlDCL2和DlDCL4表达量差异不明显;NaCl胁迫处理下,DlDCLs在1h处理时表达量下调,但在其他不同时间点则上调表达。研究表明,龙眼DCL基因在外源激素及非生物胁迫处理下,并非是简单的一对一响应,而是存在较为复杂的响应机制。     

龙眼DlPPO1基因的克隆及其表达调控分析

该研究根据同源克隆技术,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术,以‘四季蜜’龙眼叶片cDNA为模板,获得龙眼多酚氧化酶基因(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)的3个转录本DlPPO1-a、DlPPO1-b和DlPPO1-c的cDNA全长序列(KM387405、KM516087和KM516088)和1条DNA序列DlPPO1(KU837229)。DlPPO1-a、DlPPO1-b和DlPPO1-c的全长分别为1 969、1 960和1 920bp,包含相同的完整开放阅读框1 800bp并编码599个氨基酸;该基因与荔枝、橄榄和枣等物种的PPO基因同源性较高。生物信息学分析表明,DlPPO1保守结构域具有多酚氧化酶的典型结构域特征。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测DlPPO1表达结果表明,在龙眼体胚发生过程中,DlPPO1从心形胚时期开始上调表达至子叶胚时期达到最高,推测其在龙眼体胚发生中后期可能发挥重要作用;DlPPO1在龙眼叶片中表达量最高,其次是花芽,而在其他组织部位表达量较低。激素和非生物胁迫处理下的表达分析表明,水杨酸(SA)、低浓度茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)、NaCl、甘露醇及PEG可诱导DlPPO1基因上调表达,这些表达模式暗示其可能参与多种非生物胁迫应答过程。     

小麦TaLEC1基因的克隆及其表达特性分析

为了探讨LEC1基因在小麦(Triticum aestivum L)非生物胁迫应答中的功能,该研究通过RT-PCR结合RACE技术克隆小麦TaLEC1基因,并采用qRT-PCR方法分析了该基因在小麦不同组织以及不同处理下的表达模式,为深入研究小麦LEC1基因在干旱、高温和高盐胁迫下的响应机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)成功克隆到小麦TaLEC1基因,该基因cDNA序列全长为1 074 bp,其中5′端非编码区23 bp,开放阅读框为741 bp,3′端非编码区310 bp,编码246个氨基酸,具有典型的CBFD_NFYB结构域。(2)实时荧光定量分析显示,TaLEC1在不同组织间表达差异显著,10 d龄幼苗的叶中表达量最高。(3)TaLEC1基因可被植物激素ABA诱导而上调表达,属于ABA依赖型的表达调控通路。(4)PEG模拟干旱胁迫处理后的0.5～1 h,TaLEC1基因呈上调表达;42℃胁迫处理过程中,TaLEC1基因呈稳定上调表达趋势,并在胁迫处理后12 h和48 h时表达急剧上调,分别为对照的52.8倍和34.5倍;NaCl胁迫处理0.5 h时TaLEC1基因迅速上调表达。研究表明,小麦TaLEC1基因参与ABA依赖的胁迫响应,推测可能在小麦耐受高温胁迫和渗透胁迫过程中发挥着重要的脱水保护功能。     

龙眼体细胞胚胎发生过程中DlWUS的克隆与表达分析

以龙眼‘红核子’LC2悬浮细胞系诱导的胚性愈伤组织为基本材料,按照龙眼体细胞胚胎同步化方法诱导获得龙眼体胚不同阶段材料,并以龙眼体细胞胚胎发生不同阶段混合材料作为试验材料,采用RT-PCR结合RACE技术分离并克隆龙眼中编码同源异型结构域蛋白的转录因子WUSCHEL(简称DlWUS)的cDNA全长及DNA序列,并进行序列分析与表达分析。结果表明:DlWUS的cDNA全长1 110bp,开放阅读框(ORF)858bp,共编码285个氨基酸(GenBank登录号为KM017506),DlWUS的DNA包含2个内含子。序列分析表明,DlWUS是一个不稳定的亲水蛋白,不含信号肽,亚细胞定位于细胞核,具跨膜结构和Homeodomain超级家族的保守结构域以及WUS转录因子家族特有的WUS box和EAR-like结构域,推测该目的基因确实为WUS转录因子。系统进化分析显示,龙眼DlWUS与脐橙WUS归为一个分支,亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,在龙眼体细胞胚胎发生整个过程中,DlWUS均有表达,但仅在球形胚时期表达量较高,说明DlWUS可能主要在球形胚阶段发挥作用,并且在一定浓度范围内,外源施加IAA和GA3能够促进DlWUS基因的表达,而外源施加SA则抑制DlWUS基因的表达。     

小麦TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的克隆与表达分析

为了探究小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)WRKY基因的功能,采用同源克隆的方法,从小麦品种‘科农199’中克隆得到2个WRKY基因,分别命名为TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2,并对其进行生物信息学分析和不同逆境胁迫下的表达分析。生物信息学分析显示,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因都含有2个内含子和3个外显子,分别编码206和138个氨基酸,编码蛋白都属于亲水性不稳定非分泌型的核蛋白。系统进化分析表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37蛋白与其两个同源拷贝的亲缘关系最近,而TaWRKYⅡc-D2蛋白与粗山羊草亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR结果表明,TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在小麦根、茎和叶中均有表达,前者在根中表达量最高,后者在叶中表达量最高,二者均在茎中低表达;在苗期TaWRKYⅢ-A37基因受到PEG、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调,NaCl处理后4～8 h内表达下调且低于对照表达水平,而且在灌浆期受到PEG、NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达均上调;苗期TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因在NaCl、H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达下调,PEG处理2 h时表达上调且高于对照表达水平,并且在灌浆期经PEG和NaCl胁迫后表达下调,受H_2O_2和ABA胁迫后表达上调。该研究结果为深入探究TaWRKYⅢ-A37和TaWRKYⅡc-D2基因的抗逆功能奠定了理论基础。     

大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中内源激素含量及相关基因表达的变化特征

该研究以大蒜品种‘二水早’为材料,采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS),检测了大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中花序轴(EX)、愈伤组织(CA)、早期胚性愈伤组织(PC)、后期胚性愈伤组织(LC)和球形胚(GE)阶段的5种生长素及其类似物、4种细胞分裂素(CTK)和脱落酸(ABA)含量,结合激素合成和信号转导相关基因表达量的动态变化,探讨3类激素在大蒜体细胞胚发生中的调控作用,为大蒜体细胞胚发生的激素调控提供理论依据,也为进一步研究植物体细胞胚发生的分子机理奠定基础。结果表明:(1)在大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中,生长素及其类似物含量均呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,且在PC阶段最高而在GE阶段最低;异戊烯基腺嘌呤(IP)、反式玉米素(tZ)和ABA在EX阶段含量最高,其余4个阶段的含量均显著低于EX阶段,而顺式玉米素(cZ)在CA和PC阶段含量较高,在GE阶段含量最低。(2)在PC阶段,IAA合成基因AsYUCCA1和AsTA1以及生长素外运载体基因AsABCB1的表达量升高;在LC阶段,生长素内运载体基因AsAUX1表达量升高,生长素应答基因AsARF1和AsARF2表达量降低,cZ合成基因AsLOG1在CA阶段表达量最高,细胞分裂素运输相关基因AsENT2和信号转导相关基因AsORR-A1、AsORR-A2在PC阶段表达量最高。(3)ABA合成限速酶基因AsNCED1和AsNCED2的表达量在大蒜体细胞胚发生的后4个阶段显著低于EX阶段,ABA信号转导相关基因AsPP2C表达量在PC阶段升高,AsABI1表达量在LC阶段升高,AsPYL1表达量在GE阶段升高。研究认为,在大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中,吲哚-3-甲醛(ICAld)、吲哚-3-丁酸(IBA)和cZ的积累有助于促进大蒜愈伤组织的形成,高水平的生长素及其类似物和低水平的IP、tZ有利于大蒜早期胚性愈伤组织的形成,而低水平的生长素及其类似物、CTK和ABA更利于大蒜球形胚的形成,表明激素合成相关基因可调控内源激素含量的变化,激素信号转导相关基因参与了大蒜体细胞胚的发生。     

辣椒CaNAC55基因克隆与表达分析

为揭示辣椒NAC转录因子的功能,以高抗疫病辣椒CM334为试验材料,克隆获得CaNAC55基因全长gDNA和cDNA序列。生物信息学分析表明,CaNAC55基因gDNA全长4 164 bp, cDNA完整开放阅读框(ORF)为1 299 bp,基因编码的蛋白由432个氨基酸残基组成;基因序列比对和同源性分析结果表明,CaNAC55与辣椒(XM-016722474)、番茄(XM-004241285)和马铃薯(XM-006361027)的亲缘关系最近,氨基酸相似度分别达到99.87%、93.37%和92.62%。实时荧光定量分析表明,干旱、高盐、热激处理均可诱导CaNAC55基因表达,其中干旱、高盐、热激处理分别在24 h、24 h和12 h时表达量达到峰值,且分别为对照的3.01倍、20.92倍和8.84倍;ABA处理下,CaNAC55基因的相对表达量显著低于对照,说明CaNAC55基因的表达受到ABA的抑制。研究表明,辣椒CaNAC55转录因子对不同逆境胁迫的响应不同,推测辣椒CaNAC55基因可能作为重要的调节因子参与逆境胁迫响应。     

桑树MaPP2C8基因克隆及其干旱胁迫下的表达

该研究基于桑树转录组测序结果及基因组数据库,采用PCR技术,克隆获得桑树2C型蛋白磷酸酶基因MaPP2C8的cDNA及其启动子序列,运用生物信息学方法对序列进行分析,并采用qRT-PCR方法检测MaPP2C8在干旱胁迫处理下的表达特性,为进一步研究MaPP2C8基因在干旱胁迫响应中的功能奠定基础。结果显示:(1)MaPP2C8基因cDNA全长为1 309 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)全长为1 053 bp,编码350个氨基酸。(2)MaPP2C8蛋白与桑科其他植物亲缘关系较近,归属于PP2Cs家族中的A亚族。(3)MaPP2C8蛋白分布于细胞中的多个位置,包括细胞质、细胞核及细胞膜等。(4)克隆获得MaPP2C8基因编码起始位点上游长度为1 612 bp启动子序列,该启动子含有3类激素相关的顺式作用元件,且与ABA相关的元件多达3个。(5)MaPP2C8基因受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达,复水处理后,其表达量显著下调。研究表明,MaPP2C8基因在桑树响应干旱胁迫过程中可能起重要作用。     

Presence of Rhizobium Etli bv . Phaseoli and Rhizobium Gallicum bv . Gallicum in Egyptian Soils

Seven bean rhizobial strains EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29 identified as Rhizobium etli, and EBRI 32 identified as Rhizobium gallicum, isolated from Egyptian soils and which nodulated Phaseolus vulgaris efficiently, were subjected to hybridization with a nifH probe in order to estimate the copy number of this gene. Seven strains (EBRI 2, 3, 21, 24, 26, 27 and 29) which were only able to nodulate Phaseolus vulgaris, contained three copies of the nifH gene, consistent with their identification as Rhizobium etli bv. phaseoli. Only one strain (EBRI 32) which nodulated both Phaseolus vulgaris and Leucaena leucocephala, had one copy of nifH gene. This confirmed the classification of this strain as Rhizobium gallicum bv. gallicum.     

Effects of MULTIFOLIATE-PINNA, AFILA, TENDRIL-LESS and UNIFOLIATA genes on leafblade architecture in Pisum sativum

In order to dissect the genetic regulation of leafblade morphogenesis, 16 genotypes of pea, constructed by combining the wild-type and mutant alleles of MFP, AF, TL and UNI genes, were quantitatively phenotyped. The morphological features of the three domains of leafblades of four genotypes, unknown earlier, were described. All the genotypes were found to differ in leafblade morphology. It was evident that MFP and TL functions acted as repressor of pinna ramification, in the distal domain. These functions, with and without interaction with UNI, also repressed the ramification of proximal pinnae in the absence of AF function. The expression of MFP and TL required UNI function. AF function was found to control leafblade architecture multifariously. The earlier identified role of AF as a repressor of UNI in the proximal domain was confirmed. Negative control of AF on the UNI-dependent pinna ramification in the distal domain was revealed. It was found that AF establishes a boundary between proximal and distal domains and activates formation of leaflet pinnae in the proximal domain.     

Prosthecium species with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer

Data from microscopic morphology, single-spore cultures, and DNA analyses of teleomorphs and anamorphs support the recognition of five species of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs on Acer: P. acerinum sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. acerinum; P. acerophilum comb. nov., formerly known as Dictyoporthe acerophila; P. galeatum comb. nov., originally described as Massaria galeata; P. opalus sp. nov.; and P. pyriforme sp. nov., the teleomorph of S. pyriforme s. str. The morphology of both type specimens and freshly collected material was investigated. The teleomorphs have brown ellipsoidal ascospores with five distosepta and often a longitudinal distoseptum. The anamorphs of all species described here belong to Stegonsporium; their connection to the Prosthecium teleomorphs was demonstrated by morphology and DNA sequences of single spore cultures derived from both ascospores and conidia. The anamorphs and teleomorphs of all five Prosthecium species are described and illustrated by LM images, and a key to these species is provided. As perceived from this work, S. pyriforme is restricted to Europe and does not occur in North America, whereas S. acerinum is restricted to North America, not found in Europe. The host associations given in the literature are revised and evidence is provided that only A. opalus, A. pseudoplatanus, and A. saccharum are confirmed hosts of Prosthecium with Stegonsporium anamorphs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of tef1, ITS rDNA, and partial nuLSU rDNA sequences confirm that the species with Stegonsporium anamorphs are closely related to P. ellipsosporum, the generic type species. Stilbospora macrosperma is confirmed as the anamorph of P. ellipsosporum by DNA data of single spore isolates obtained from both ascospores and conidia.     

Characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactans-proteins (AGPs) and phenolics of Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola seeds

Many Cola plant species are endemic to West and Central Africa. Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are used as masticatory when fresh, while the dried nuts are used for beverages and pharmaceutical purposes in Europe and North America. Garcinia kola seeds, that serve as a substitute for the true kola nuts, are used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including colic, headache and liver cirrhosis. Seeds extracts of G. kola are also known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. To gain information on the chemical properties of the kolas, we have isolated and analyzed cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactan-proteins and phenolic substances from the seeds of the three kola species. The sugar composition of cell wall material of C. acuminata, C. nitida and G. kola revealed that Gal (up to 30%), Ara, GalA and Glc as the predominant monosaccharides, representing approximately 90% by mol of the total hydrolysable sugar present in this material. In Ammonium oxalate cell wall fraction, GalA was found to be the major sugar present in all kola species. In the alkali-soluble fraction, there were significant differences in the level of Glc and Gal. The level of Glc was high in C. acuminata and C. nitida while the level of Gal and Xyl were high in C. nitida and G. cola. Isolation and quantification of arabinogalactan-proteins demonstrate that G. kola seeds contained four to eight times more of these proteoglycans than the seeds of the other two species. Finally, analysis of soluble phenolic substances shows that caffeine and catechin were largely represented in C. acumina and C. nitida seeds, with caffeine accounting for 50% of all soluble phenolics. These findings indicate that the three Kola seeds are highly enriched in pectins and proteoglycans and that C. acuminata and C. nitida can be used as a possible source of caffeine and catechin.     

中国黑粉菌属和利罗黑粉菌属

黑粉菌属是Roussel 1806年建立的,全世界记载有三百余种,主要寄生于禾本科,是经济作物及牧草的重要致病菌·长期以来,对黑粉菌的邢子使用过各种名称,如厚垣孢子,冬孢子及黑粉孢子等.本文采用黑粉孢子以区别锈菌的冬孢子. 芳’(1979)在《中国真菌总汇》中列出黑粉菌属五十种及一个变型.作者经过显微结构和超显微结构的研究,承认其中二十九种为正确名称,八种及一变型为异名,顶黑粉菌(Ustilago acrearus Berk.)由于错拼而被废弃.埃地黑粉菌(Ustilago emodensis Berk.)被转移至利罗粉菌属(Liroa).另有十一种黑粉菌因缺少标本留待今后订正.自1979年以后,杨信东(1983)增加黑粉菌属二种我国新纪录,K.范基和郭林(1986)描述一新种,四种新纪录.在本文中,作者描述一新种:鸢尾蒜黑粉(Ustilago ixiolirii Guo L) ,孢子堆生在蒴果内,不开裂,黑色,粉末状.黑粉孢子球形,近球形,稀椭圆形, 12.5-21×10-21μm,黑褐色,壁厚1-1.Sμm,纹饰脑状.是迄今生在石蒜科植物上唯一黑粉菌的种,其它几种黑粉菌均属条黑粉菌属.本文增加七种我国新纪录.共计四十九种,寄生于六科四十四属植物,主要是禾本科和蓼科.这仅是黑粉菌属研究的初步报告,在全国范围内大量采集黑粉菌标本后,作者相信会有更多新种和我国新纪录被发现.利罗黑粉菌属(Liroa)是从黑粉菌属(Ustaligo)分出的,此属为单种属.     

Comparative study of Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Escherichiacoli, Lactobacilluscasei and Saccharomycesboulardii probiotic properties

The present work investigates some probiotic properties of four different microorganisms (Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis BB-12, Escherichia coli EMO, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to compare cell wall hydrophobicity, production of antagonistic substances, survival capacity in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice without pathological consequence, and immune modulation by stimulation of Küpffer cells, intestinal sIgA and IL-10 levels. In vitro antagonism against pathogenic bacteria and yeast was only observed for the probiotic bacteria B. animalis and L. casei. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was higher for B. animalis and E. coli EMO, and this property could be responsible for a better ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice. Higher levels of sIgA were observed mainly for S. boulardii, followed by E. coli EMO and B. animalis, and only S. boulardii induced a significant higher level of IL-10. In conclusion, for a probiotic use, S. boulardii presented better characteristics in terms of immunomodulation, and B. animalis and L. casei for antagonistic substance production. The knowledge of the different probiotic properties could be used to choice the better microorganism depending on the therapeutic or prophylactic application.     

Probing the Drosophila retinal determination gene network in Tribolium (II): The Pax6 genes eyeless and twin of eyeless

The Pax6 genes eyeless (ey) and twin of eyeless (toy) are upstream regulators in the retinal determination gene network (RDGN), which instructs the formation of the adult eye primordium in Drosophila. Most animals possess a singleton Pax6 ortholog, but the dependence of eye development on Pax6 is widely conserved. A rare exception is given by the larval eyes of Drosophila, which develop independently of ey and toy. To obtain insight into the origin of differential larval and adult eye regulation, we studied the function of toy and ey in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. We find that single and combinatorial knockdown of toy and ey affect larval eye development strongly but adult eye development only mildly in this primitive hemimetabolous species. Compound eye-loss, however, was provoked when ey and toy were RNAi-silenced in combination with the early retinal gene dachshund (dac). We propose that these data reflect a role of Pax6 during regional specification in the developing head and that the subsequent maintenance and growth of the adult eye primordium is regulated partly by redundant and partly by specific functions of toy, ey and dac in Tribolium. The results from embryonic knockdown and comparative protein sequence analysis lead us further to conclude that Tribolium represents an ancestral state of redundant control by ey and toy.     

Doc and copia instability in an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster stock

A high degree of heterogeneity and an overall increase in number of insertion sites of the mobile elements Doc and copia were revealed in one substock of an isogenic Drosophila melanogaster stock, while in two other substocks the distribution of copia sites was highly homogenous, but that of Doc sites was again heterogenous. We therefore concluded that copia was unstable in one of the substocks and Doc was unstable in all. Doc instability presumably arose earlier than copia instability. Doc and copia transpositions were directly observed in experiments with one substock. An abundance of copia insertions was revealed in the X chromosome where insertions with deleterious effects are exposed to selection in hemizygous condition. The locations of many other mobile elements (mdg1, mdg2, mdg3, mdg4, 297, B104, H.M.S. Beagle, I, P, BS, FB) were found to be conserved in each substock and did not differ between them, indicating that these mobile elements were stable. This homogeneity is a strong argument against any possibility of inadvertent contamination.