香蕉束顶病毒的纯化及理化特性

从具有典型香蕉束顶病(BBTD)症状的香蕉病组织中提纯了香蕉束顶病毒(Banana bunchy top virus,BBTV)。电镜下可观察到直径为18nm的球形病毒颗粒。最高紫外吸收在255nm,最低紫外吸收在240nm,A_(260)/A_(280)为1.30。用标准BBTV抗体通过ECL-Western转印法测定其外壳蛋白分子量为21kDa。其核酸经DNaseI、RNaseA和Mung Bean Nuclease分析,表明是约1kb的ssDNA。结果与国外文献报道一致。     

Two Circular Single-stranded DNAs Associated with Banana Bunchy Top Virus

Nucleic acids extracted from partially purified banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) consisted of 20 Kb DNA, 0.9–1.1 Kb DNA and 0.3 Kb RNA. Partially purified BBTV preparations predigested with DNase and RNase before particle disruption and nucleic acid isolation yielded only the 0.9–1.1 Kb DNA, but no corresponding nucleic acid band was obtained in total nucleic acid isolated from healthy banana tissue. Analysis of two BBTV cDNA clones showed that clone 1 consisted of 287 nucleotides and clone 2 contained a 1.0 Kb DNA insert. Clone 1 is not part of clone 2. When two pairs of primers, each pair in opposite orientation were used to amplify BBTV DNA by PCR using the total DNA from diseased banana tissues or DNA encapsidated in BBTV particle as the template, a DNA product of 1.1 Kb was generated by both, results indicating that the BBTV DNAs are circular. Additional results suggested that BBTV contained at least two circular ssDNAs designated BBTV cssDNA I (containing clone 1 nucleotide sequence) and BBTV cssDNA II (containing clone 2 nucleotide sequence).     

Two Circular Single-stranded DNAs Associated with Banana Bunchy Top Virus

Nucleic acids extracted from partially purified banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) consisted of 20 Kb DNA, 0.9-1.1 Kb DNA and 0.3 Kb RNA. Partially purified BBTV preparations predigested with DNase and RNase before particle disruption and nucleic acid isolation yielded only the 0.9-1.1 Kb DNA, but no corresponding nucleic acid band was obtained in total nucleic acid isolated from healthy banana tissue. Analysis of two BBTV cDNA clones showed that clone 1 consisted of 287 nucleotides and clone 2 contained a 1.0 Kb DNA insert. Clone 1 is not part of clone 2. When two pairs of primers, each pair in opposite orientation were used to amplify BBTV DNA by PCR using the total DNA from diseased banana tissues or DNA encapsidated in BBTV particle as the template, a DNA product of 1.1 Kb was generated by both, results indicating that the BBTV DNAs are circular. Additional results suggested that BBTV contained at least two circular ssDNAs designated BBTV essDNA I (containing clone 1 nucleotide sequence) and BBTV, cssDNA II (containing clone 2 nucleotide sequence).     

Spectral forms of protochlorophyllide in prolamellar bodies and prothylakoids fractionated from wheat etioplasts

The relation between the different protochlorophyllide (PChlide) forms in isolated etioplast inner membranes was dependent on the concentration of sucrose and NADPH in the isolation media. Etioplasts were prepared from wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Starke II, Weibull) by differential centrifugation. The etioplasts were freed of envelope and stroma and the etioplast inner membranes were exposed to a concentration series of sucrose. Fluorescence emission spectra revealed a positive correlation between the emission ratio 657/633 nm and the sucrose concentration in which the membranes were suspended. Addition of NADPH prevented the degradation of 657 nm emission caused by low sucrose concentrations. PChlide already altered to PChide_628–632 could not re-form PChlide_650–657 after the addition of NADPH in darkness. Prolamellar bodies and prothylakoids were separated in a bottom-loaded sucrose density gradient in the presence of NADPH. The dominating PChlide-protein complex in the prolamellar bodies was PClide_650–657. Only minor amounts of PChlide_628–632 were found in these membranes. The prothylakoids had a higher content of PChlide_628–632, relative to PChlide_650–657, than the prolamellar bodies, as judged from absorption and fluorescence spectra. After phototransformation the fluorescence emission at 633 nm increased relative to the emission from phototransformed PChlide indicating an efficient energy transfer between PChlide_628–632 and PChlide_650–657 before irradiation.     

Spread of an introduced vector-borne banana virus in Hawaii

Emerging diseases are increasing in incidence; therefore, understanding how pathogens are introduced into new regions and cause epidemics is of importance for the development of strategies that may hinder their spread. We used molecular data to study how a vector-borne banana virus, Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), spread in Hawaii after it was first detected in 1989. Our analyses suggest that BBTV was introduced once into Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. All other islands were infected with isolates originating from Oahu, suggesting that movement of contaminated plant material was the main driving factor responsible for interisland spread of BBTV. The rate of mutation inferred by the phylogenetic analysis (1.4 × 10⁻⁴ bp/year) was similar to that obtained in an experimental evolution study under greenhouse conditions (3.9 × 10⁻⁴ bp/year). We used these values to estimate the number of infections occurring under field conditions per year. Our results suggest that strict and enforced regulations limiting the movement of banana plant material among Hawaiian islands could have reduced interisland spread of this pathogen.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel mycovirus,PeSV, in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus eryngii</Emphasis> and the development of a diagnostic system for it

A novel mycovirus was isolated from a cultivated edible mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii, with severe epidemic symptoms. Purification of the virus was carried out by a sequential procedure of polyethylene glycol precipitation, differential centrifugation, and equilibrium centrifugation in a CsCl gradient. Nuclease digestion assay and protein analysis revealed that the virus consisted of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) genome of 7.8 kbp which was encapsulated by a coat protein of 22 kDa. Transmission electron microscope showed that it was spherical with a diameter of 31 nm. Since there was neither a previous report on discovery of a virus in P. eryngii, nor known mushroom viruses with similar characteristics, we concluded that this is a novel virus and thus have named it as P. e ryngii Spherical Virus (PeSV). Because of a diagnostic test would be helpful in preventing the PeSV-related disease outbreaks, we developed a triple antibody sandwich-ELISA (TAS–ELISA) system using anti-PeSV mouse monoclonal and anti-PeSV rabbit polyclonal antibodies. The TAS–ELISA system successfully detected less than 0.5 μg of the virus particles in 1 g diseased mushroom tissue collected from various commercial farms.     

Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to study transmission of banana bunchy top virus by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa)

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a ssDNA virus transmitted by the banana aphid, ( Pentalonia nigronervosa ). A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to study BBTV transmission efficiency, to determine the minimum acquisition-access period, the minimum inoculation-access period, the retention time, and to examine the possibility of transovarial transmission in this vector. BBTV was acquired by banana aphids within 4 h and was transmitted within 15 min feeding. On average, more than 65% of single viruliferous adult aphids transmitted BBTV. The aphids retained BBTV for their adulthood of 15–20 days. None of the 131 offspring from adult aphids reared on infected bananas were BBTV positive. Aphid transmission experiments were conducted to determine if taro and gingers are hosts of BBTV. None of the 87 taro and ginger plants exposed to aphid inoculation were infected by BBTV. The BBTV-free status of these plants was verified by PCR assay for 6 months post-inoculation. In addition, none of the taro and ginger samples collected from fields adjacent to BBTV-infected banana plants tested positive for BBTV.     

Characterisation of watermelon curly mottle virus, a geminivirus distinct from squash leaf curl virus

Purified preparations of watermelon curly mottle virus (WCMoV), a whitefly-transmitted geminivirus, contained dimeric or geminate particles of 20 times 30 nm and the virus was transmissible by mechanical means. Virus yields ranged from 100–150 μg/100 g leaf tissue. Purified preparations exhibited a typical nucleoprotein absorbance profile with a maximum absorbance at 258 nm, and A280 / A260 ratio of 0.61–0.64. Infectivity was associated with two light-scattering, virus-containing bands following sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The viral capsid protein was resolved as a doublet by SDS-PAGE. The estimated mol. wts of the two bands within the doublet were 29 100 (±1550) and 27 733 (±1550), respectively. DNA isolated from virus particles was resolved by gel electrophoresis into two circular single-stranded DNA bands of approximately 2.6 to 2.7 kb. The two bands are believed to represent the individual components of a bipartite genome, characteristic of previously described whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses.     

Direct extraction of microbial community DNA from humified upland soils

This paper describes a protocol effective at extracting high yields of high-purity microbial community DNA from humified soils. DNA was extracted from soil by lysozyme, SDS and freeze–thaw lysis, precipitated and then subjected to a double caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation stage before concentrating and washing. Evaluation using three soils yielded up to 30 μg DNA g⁻¹ dry soil, with absorbance ratios at 260 : 230 nm and 260 : 280 nm of 1·6–2·0. The DNA extracted from the three soils was digested by four restriction enzymes and a 16S rDNA eubacterial product was amplified by PCR. These tests indicated that the DNA obtained by the protocol was sufficiently pure for molecular biological analysis.     

Protochlorophyll forms in roots of dark-grown plants

Protochlorophyll was found in roots of dark-grown plants of seven species investigated. It was identified by absorbance and fluorescence spectra of acetone and ether extracts. Chlorophyll was also found in roots of one pea species. The concentration of protochlorophyll was usually highest in young root tips and decreased upwards along the roots. The maxima of the in vivo absorbance spectra of the species studied varied between 634 and 638 nm. Low temperature in vivo fluorescence emission spectra had two maxima, one at ca 633 and the other at ca 642 nm, when the wavelengths of the excitation light were 440 and 460 nm, respectively. In vivo fluorescence excitation spectra displayed a shift of the excitation maximum from 438 to 445 nm, when emission varied from 620 to 647.5 nm. Deconvolution of these three types of spectra into Gaussian components made it possible to identify two spectral forms of protochlorophyll: protochlorophyll_629–633 and protochlorophyll_638–642.     

香蕉束顶病毒复制酶基因克隆及转基因表达

以广州市郊获得的香蕉束项病毒(BBTV)的DNA为模板,进行PCR扩增得到香蕉束项病毒复制酶基因的1.1 kb DNA.所获得的DNA序列与澳大利亚的BBTV序列的同源性达90%,这部分序列编码香蕉束顶病毒复制酶基因的羧基端.将改造的BBTV复制酶基因克隆到pBll21的CaMV 35S和NOS终止序列之间,构建表达载体,并采用基因枪轰击香蕉试管苗生长点组织的方法,经PCR检测和Westem blot分析,获得4株具有BBTV复制酶基因整合表达的To代转基因香蕉.转基因植株的抗病性正在检测之中.     

Characterization of ferric reducing activity in roots of Fe-deficient Phaseolus vulgaris

Light-induced absorbance changes [LIAC; measured as Δ( A ₄₂₈– A ₄₁₀)] reflecting the reduction of a b -type cytochrome and mediated by an endogenous blue light absorbing receptor have been proposed to be related to blue light physiology of fungi and higher plants. It has also been suggested that the same cytochrome specifically can be reduced by red light in the presence of methylene blue. We have investigated the distribution of LIAC between different membrane fractions from corn ( Zea mays L.) coleoptiles and cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea L.) inflorescences. The membrane fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation followed by partition in an aqueous polymer two-phase system. By this procedure fractions rich in plasma membrane were obtained from both mitochondrial and microsomal fractions obtained by centrifugation. LIAC was by far most enriched in fractions also enriched in plasma membranes (identified by silicotungstic acid staining), but LIAC could be obtained also in other fractions. Our conclusion is that LIAC undoubtedly is caused by a b -cytochrome bound to the plasma membrane, but that LIAC also may be due to other b -cytochromes, one of which is probably located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the two assay procedures used for LIAC (blue and red light induced) could not disciminate between different b -cytochromes giving rise to LIAC.     

Antibody formation in experimental immunizations with Candida albicans ribosomal fractions

Sera of mice immunized with ribosomal fractions of Candida albicans showed the presence of anti-C. albicans antibodies, detected by the gel-immunodiffusion, agglutination and immune adherence tests.Candida infections are among the most prevalent opportunistic yeast infections, attacking debilitated individuals, and against which there is no effective prophylactic treatment currently available (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). In view of the succes reported in experimental immunizations with ribosomal fractions from various bacteria and some fungi, as summarized by Youmans and Tewari (7, 8), a similar approach for immunization in experimental candidiasis appears reasonable. The present work describes preliminary results on circulating antibodies elicited in the course of immunizations with ribosomal fractions of Candida albicans.Ribosomal preparations were obtained from mechanically disrupted cell-pellets of C. albicans by differential centrifugation and purification in a 15% sucrose and 5% ammonium sulfate solution (in sodium-magnesium-Tris buffer), using a modification of the procedure described by Rubin (6). Concentration of ribosomal-RNA was determined by the absorbance at 260 nm; ribosomal-protein concentration by the Lowry reaction; and purity of the ribosomal preparation checked by the ratio of absorbance at 260 nm to 280, and at 260 to 235 nm. Mice (ICR strain) were immunized with these ribosomal preparations in amounts of 50–100 g ribosomalprotein/mouse, by 2–3 subcutaneous inoculations with Frend's adjuvant, with a 10–21 day interval between the inoculations.This work constitutes part of Ruth Levy's research study towards the Ph.D. degree.     

SOME PROPERTIES OF BROAD-BEAN MOTTLE VIRUS

A severe disease affecting many plants in a crop of broad beans was found to be caused by a previously undescribed virus, provisionally named broad-bean mottle virus. The distribution of diseased plants suggested spread by a vector, but none of the six insects tested transmitted it. The virus was transmitted to several species of leguminous plants by mechanical inoculation of sap; infectivity for some hosts seemed to be increased by propagation in these hosts.
The virus has an unusual combination of properties. Its thermal inactivation point is about 95°C., whereas sap becomes non-infective within 3 weeks at room temperature. The infection end-point of broad-bean sap is 1/1000, only a little higher than the precipitation titre with specific antiserum. Precipitation with antiserum occurs over a smaller range of antigen/antibody ratios than with other viruses previously studied, possibly because of its greater solubility; it is not precipitated with (NH₄)₂SO₄ until the salt concentration exceeds 75% saturation.
A specific nucleoprotein, containing nucleic acid of the ribose type, can be isolated from infective broad-bean sap in yields up to 2 g./l. Purified preparations, made by salt precipitation and ultracentrifugation, contain uniform spherical particles approximately 17 mμ in diameter. It is suggested that much of this nucleoprotein is non-infective, but may otherwise resemble infective particles.     

特异扩增BBTV基因组Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅰ编码区部分序列及其在检测中的应用

香蕉束顶病(BBTD)是香蕉植株的一种毁灭性病害,正在世界(包括中国)的许多香蕉种植区蔓延[1～7].其病原物为香蕉束顶病毒(Banana Bunchy Top Virus,BBTV),被列为我国第三类检疫对象.目前生产上主要采用培育脱毒组培苗来防治BBTD的发生,因此建立一种能快速、灵敏、特异地检测BBTV的方法就显得很重要.国内现在大多采用ELISA方法,但其灵敏度不够高,且需要制备特异性强的抗血清,否则较易出现假阳性.     

Field evaluation of micropropagated bananas derived from plants containing Banana Bunchy-Top Virus

Micropropagated bananas derived from Banana Bunchy-Top Virus (BBTV) infected plants, but displaying no symptoms of the disease, were established in the field. They were grown for three years and produced a plant crop and ratoon crops. No disease symptoms were observed. There was uncertainty as to whether

A Synaptosomal Preparation from the Guinea Pig Ileum Myenteric Plexus

Abstract: Our interest in investigating the presynaptic modulation of acetylcholine release led to the development of a synaptosomal preparation from the guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle. A crude synaptosomal fraction (P₂) was obtained by homogenization and differential centrifugation. The preparation exhibited a specific uptake system for choline and for nor-adrenaline (NA), but not for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Synaptosomes were isolated from this P₂ fraction by an isoosmotic density gradient prepared from sucrose and metrizamide. The resultant synaptosomal fraction was enriched about sevenfold in both choline uptake and in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Choline was transported by a high-affinity system with a K_m of 6.5 × 10⁻⁷ M and a V_max of 41 pmol/mg protein/min. Electron microscopy confirmed the synaptosomal nature of the gradient fraction. Some synaptosomal profiles contained only small, translucent vesicles whereas others also contained large (approx. 100 nm diameter) electron-opaque vesicles. The crude synaptosomal fraction synthesized acetylcholine (ACh) from exogenous choline and it released the synthesized ACh in a calcium-dependent manner.     

Properties of the Iranian Isolate of Bermudagrass Etched-line Virus

The Iranian isolate of bermudagrass etched-line virus (BELV-I), purified by low-pH treatment of infected bermudagrass sap followed by several cycles of differential centrifugation and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation, formed two components in density-gradient columns. The top component consisted of empty protein shells. It had a major structural protein of c. 22 kDa and a minor of c. 25 kDa. The weight of the nucleic acid present only in bottom component particles, was calculated to be 1.82 × 10⁶ Da. Only Aconurella prolixa (Leth.) was able to transmit the virus under experimental conditions or contained the virus in natural populations. In ELISA tests the virus titer in the vector increased rapidly between days 14 and 29 after acquisition, results indicating a propagative relationship. BELV-1 was serologically closely related to the Moroccan isolate of BELV, and related to the American but not to the Costa Rican isolate of maize rayado fino virus (MRFV). Several graminaceous species were found to be experimental or natural hosts of the virus.     

重组逆转录病毒浓缩方法研究

选择含有新霉素磷酸转移酶Ⅱ（Neor)的重组逆转录病毒载体,通过包装细胞进行包装,得到了含有重组逆转录病毒粒子的病毒溶液,该病毒溶液分别采用差速离心和滤膜截留两种方法进行浓缩,浓缩前,后的病毒溶液体外感染靶细胞NIH3T3以测定其滴度。结果显示,差速离心法的浓缩效率要优于滤膜截留法的浓缩效率,其浓缩效率能达到34．5％。