一种适用于昆虫痕量DNA模板制备的方法

近年来分子生物学技术在昆虫学各领域中得到了广泛地运用 ,从昆虫样品中有效地获得DNA模板是实验成功的前提。但是由于许多昆虫体形微小 ,许多研究需要取单个个体的样品 ,用传统的酚∶氯仿抽提法难以从痕量样品中获得总DNA ,而某些生物公司的试剂盒相对而言价格昂贵。该文介绍一种快速简便、广泛适用于不同种类昆虫、各种不同保存方法保存的昆虫样品和标本的微量DNA模板制备方法     

分子生物学技术在蚧虫分类鉴定中的应用

近年来利用分子生物学技术对蚧虫进行分类的研究越来越多。本文主要介绍蚧虫分子生物学研究基础以及RFLP、RAPD、SSR、ISSR和DNA Barcoding技术在蚧虫种类鉴定中的应用概况,并对其应用前景及可能存在的问题进行讨论,以期促进蚧虫类昆虫分子生物学研究。     

随机扩增多态DNA技术在遗传育种中的应用

RAPD是一项可以在没有任何分子生物学研究的情况下找出DNA的多态性的技术。本综述了RAPD技术在遗传多样性研究、分类及亲缘关系分析、品种(杂种)鉴定、杂种优势预测、构建遗传图谱、基因定位及基于图谱的克隆,分子标记辅助育种等方面的应用;还总结了RAPD技术的原理、优点、缺点及对策。     

分子生物学技术在双翅目实蝇科昆虫系统发育研究中的应用

分子生物学技术如同工酶电泳、RFLP、RAPD、核酸序列分析、微卫星DNA和探针杂交等,在实蝇科昆虫系统发育研究中具有重要作用。利用这些技术对实蝇种群进行系统发育研究,揭示其亲缘及进化关系,从生命本质上寻找实蝇种群间的内在联系。文章综述上述几种分子生物学技术在实蝇科昆虫核酸结构、种内和种间的亲缘及进化关系等方面的研究进展,分析在应用中存在的问题,展望这些分子生物学技术在实蝇科昆虫系统发育中的应用前景。     

RAPD技术在昆虫学研究中的进展

综合论述了RAPD技术在昆虫分类学、物种的亲缘关系、系统发育、分子连锁图谱的构建、有害生物鉴定、害虫抗药性诊断、分子标记辅助育种和生态学这几方面研究中的应用,指出RAPD技术存在的问题,并提出一定的相关对策,阐明随着理论的发展和试验技术的进步,分子标记技术将使昆虫分子生物学研究迈上一个新台阶．     

分子遗传标记技术在蜻蜓目昆虫研究中的应用

分子生物学技术应用于昆虫系统学研究在近些年发展相当迅速。目前已出现了几十种分子遗传标记。该文简述了酯酶同工酶电泳、核酸序列分析以及AFLP、RAPD、核酸探针等分子生物学技术在蜻蜓目昆虫研究中的应用情况。     

昆虫分类学主要技术手段的研究进展

随着科学技术的进步,昆虫分类学由过去传统的形态分类学逐步向综合性学科发展,特别是现代生物技术是对传统昆虫分类方法的一个补充与完善。本文介绍了传统的昆虫分类方法,重点对一些常用的分子标记技术如同工酶电泳技术、核酸序列分析、Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA（RAPD）技术、Simple Sequence Repeat（SSR）技术和Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism（SSCP)技术的特点和它们在昆虫系统进化及昆虫分类等研究中的应用作了相关介绍。     

苔藓植物分子系统学研究概况

结合同工酶分析技术及随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）、限制性片段长度多态性（RFLP）和DNA序列测序3种分子生物学技术,对苔藓植物的分子系统学研究概况进行了介绍,并指出了在苔藓植物分子系统学研究中存在的一些问题。     

苔藓植物分子系统学研究概况

结合同工酶分析技术及随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)、限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)和DNA序列测序3种分子生物学技术,对苔藓植物的分子系统学研究概况进行了介绍,并指出了在苔藓植物分子系统学研究中存在的一些问题.     

基于RAPD改进的分子标记技术

随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)由于经济、快速简便、不需预知模板DNA信息、对模板DNA要求较低,因此被大量应用于昆虫学的研究中,如昆虫的鉴定分类、构建连锁图谱、系统发育分析等。但RAPD也有许多缺点,主要是一种显性标记而不能区分杂合体和纯合体,结果的重复性易受多因素的影响等。针对这些缺点,人们通过将RAPD与其它检测技术如聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳、单链构象多态(SSCP)、变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)等相结合,提高了其分析的灵敏度和稳定性;再者,还将RAPD标记发展成为其它更稳定的或共显性的标记,如SCAR、微卫星等,为RAPD进一步的应用开阔了前景。文章对这些检测和转化的改进技术进行综述。     

分子生物学技术在昆虫系统学研究中的应用

分子生物学技术应用于昆虫系统学研究,是８０年代末新兴起来的,近几年来发展相当迅速。为了把握这个研究方向,并促进这个研究领域的发展,作者从研究方法、研究内容、研究对象等方面着手,对近１０年来分子生物学技术应用于昆虫系统学中的研究进展进行了概括和总结。介绍了ＤＮＡ序列测定、ＲＦＬＰ,分子杂交技术、ＲＦＰＬ、分子杂交技术、ＲＡＰＤ、ＳＳＣＰ及ＤＳＣＰ等几种主要方法及其应用情况,并从种及种下阶元的分类鉴定     

Molecular marker systems in insects: current trends and future avenues

Insects comprise the largest species composition in the entire animal kingdom and possess a vast undiscovered genetic diversity and gene pool that can be better explored using molecular marker techniques. Current trends of application of DNA marker techniques in diverse domains of insect ecological studies show that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), microsatellites, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), expressed sequence tags (EST) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers have contributed significantly for progresses towards understanding genetic basis of insect diversity and for mapping medically and agriculturally important genes and quantitative trait loci in insect pests. Apart from these popular marker systems, other novel approaches including transposon display, sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (S-SAP), repeat-associated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers have been identified as alternate marker systems in insect studies. Besides, whole genome microarray and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays are becoming more popular to screen genome-wide polymorphisms in fast and cost effective manner. However, use of such methodologies has not gained widespread popularity in entomological studies. The current study highlights the recent trends of applications of molecular markers in insect studies and explores the technological advancements in molecular marker tools and modern high throughput genotyping methodologies that may be applied in entomological researches for better understanding of insect ecology at molecular level.     

The integrative taxonomic approach reveals host specific species in an encyrtid parasitoid species complex

Integrated taxonomy uses evidence from a number of different character types to delimit species and other natural groupings. While this approach has been advocated recently, and should be of particular utility in the case of diminutive insect parasitoids, there are relatively few examples of its application in these taxa. Here, we use an integrated framework to delimit independent lineages in Encyrtus sasakii (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid morphospecies previously considered a host generalist. Sequence variation at the DNA barcode (cytochrome c oxidase I, COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA loci were compared to morphometric recordings and mating compatibility tests, among samples of this species complex collected from its four scale insect hosts, covering a broad geographic range of northern and central China. Our results reveal that Encyrtus sasakii comprises three lineages that, while sharing a similar morphology, are highly divergent at the molecular level. At the barcode locus, the median K2P molecular distance between individuals from three primary populations was found to be 11.3%, well outside the divergence usually observed between Chalcidoidea conspecifics (0.5%). Corroborative evidence that the genetic lineages represent independent species was found from mating tests, where compatibility was observed only within populations, and morphometric analysis, which found that despite apparent morphological homogeneity, populations clustered according to forewing shape. The independent lineages defined by the integrated analysis correspond to the three scale insect hosts, suggesting the presence of host specific cryptic species. The finding of hidden host specificity in this species complex demonstrates the critical role that DNA barcoding will increasingly play in revealing hidden biodiversity in taxa that present difficulties for traditional taxonomic approaches.     

Identification of DNA polymorphism in cultivated groundnut using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay.

Construction of a genetic linkage map is necessary to apply marker-assisted selection tools in a crop improvement program. Except for the recent studies from two laboratories, most of the previous studies have shown little or no DNA polymorphism in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). In the present study, 70 selected genotypes, representing variability for several morphological, physiological, and other characters, were studied for polymorphism employing random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay with 48 oligonucleotide primers. Of the 48 oligonucleotide primers only 7 (14.6%) yielded polymorphic amplification products. The total number of bands from the 7 primers was 408, of which 27 were polymorphic. Detection of polymorphism in cultivated groundnut opens up the possibility of development of its molecular map by judicious selection of genotypes that show DNA polymorphism. This approach will be useful for developing marker-assisted selection tools for genetic enhancement of groundnut for desirable traits.     

Molecular characterization of Ephedra species found in Pakistan

Ephedra, also known as "ma huang", is a dioecious, drought- and frost-resistant, perennial, evergreen shrub with compelling medicinal value. The genus is represented by 42 species around the world, 9 of which were provisionally reported from Pakistan. Species of the genus have a controversial taxonomy due to their overlapping morphological features. Conventional tools alone are not sufficient for characterizing the species. The objective of present study was to assess the genetic variability present in different biotypes of Ephedra growing in Pakistan using molecular markers. A total of six genotypes collected from diverse geographic zones of Pakistan were used. The DNA of all genotypes was amplified using nine randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers to study genetic variability at the molecular level. The dissimilarity coefficient matrix based on the data of 9 RAPD primers was used to construct a dendrogram which was then used to group the genotypes in clusters. Based on the dendrogram and dissimilarity coefficient matrix, the RAPD markers used here revealed a moderate to high level of genetic polymorphism (6 to 49%) among the genotypes. It was found that the collection of genotype accessions from Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan was most distantly related to the other five collections. More molecular markers including functional genes and ribosomal spacer regions are suggested to find a better estimate of the genetic diversity present in Ephedra growing in Pakistan. The information provided here is useful for identifying valuable Ephedra variants which will be used for medicinal purposes and earning foreign currency.     

Detection of molecular variation in the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium using RAPD-PCR

Abstract DNA polymorphism among isolates of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and M. flavoviride was investigated by RAPD-PCR. DNA fragments of between 0.3 and 2.7 kb were obtained using eight 10-mer PCR primers of arbitrary nucleotide sequence, and each isolate differed in the size and number of RAPD products, indicating considerable polymorphism. Isolate-specific RAPD fingerprints were used to calculate relative genetic similarity; this differentiated isolates into two major groups, separating nine of the ten isolates of M. anisopliae from the two of M. flavoviride . However, an Australian M. anisopliae isolated from an Orthopteran host exhibited a higher degree of genetic similarity to the M. flavoviride group. M. anisopliae isolates were further segregated into three subgroups which were loosely related to their geographical origins. although considerable polymorphism was observed within these groups. There was no apparent association between genotype and original insect host.     

Molecular phylogeny in Indian Tinospora species by DNA based molecular markers

The phylogenetic relationships among the three species of Tinospora found in India are poorly understood. Morphology does not fully help to resolve the phylogeny and therefore a fast approach using molecular analysis was explored. Two molecular approaches viz Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay and restriction digestion of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA (PCR-RFLP) were used to evaluate the genetic similarities between 40 different accessions belonging to three species. Of the 38 random primers used only six generated the polymorphism, while as three out of 11 restriction enzymes used gave polymorphic restriction patterns. The average proportion of polymorphic markers across primers was 95%, however restriction endonucleases showed 92% polymorphism. RAPD alone was found suitable for the species diversions. In contrast PCR- RFLP showed bias in detecting exact species variation. The correlation between the two markers was performed by Jaccard's coefficient of similarity. A significant (r= 0.574) but not very high correlation was obtained. Further to authenticate the results obtained by two markers, sequence analysis of ITS region of ribosomal DNA (ITS1 and ITS2, including 5.8S rDNA) was performed. Three independent clones of each species T. cordifolia, T. malabarica and T. crispa were sequenced. Phylogenetic relationship inferred from ITS sequences is in agreement with RAPD data.     

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay and related techniques applied to genotoxicity and carcinogenesis studies: a critical review

More than 9000 papers using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) or related techniques (e.g. the arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR)) have been published from 1990 to 2005. The RAPD method has been initially used to detect polymorphism in genetic mapping, taxonomy and phylogenetic studies and later in genotoxicity and carcinogenesis studies. Despite their extensive use, these techniques have also attracted some criticisms, mainly for lack of reproducibility. In the light of their widespread applications, the objectives of this review are to (1) identify the potential factors affecting the optimisation of the RAPD and AP-PCR assays, (2) critically describe and analyse these techniques in genotoxicity and carcinogenesis studies, (3) compare the RAPD assay with other well used methodologies, (4) further elucidate the impact of DNA damage and mutations on the RAPD profiles, and finally (5) provide some recommendations/guidelines to further improve the applications of the assays and to help the identification of the factors responsible for the RAPD changes. It is suggested that after proper optimisation, the RAPD is a reliable, sensitive and reproducible assay, has the potential to detect a wide range of DNA damage (e.g. DNA adducts, DNA breakage) as well as mutations (point mutations and large rearrangements) and therefore can be applied to genotoxicity and carcinogenesis studies. Nevertheless, the interpretation of the changes in RAPD profiles is difficult since many factors can affect the generation of RAPD profiles. It is therefore important that these factors are identified and taken into account while using these assays. On the other hand, further analyses of the relevant bands generated in RAPD profile allow not only to identify some of the molecular events implicated in the genomic instability but also to discover genes playing key roles, particularly in the initiation and development of malignancy. Finally, to elucidate the potential genotoxic effects of environmental contaminants, a powerful strategy could be firstly to use the RAPD assay as a screening method and secondly to apply more specific methods measuring for instance DNA adducts, gene mutations or cytogenetic effects. It is also envisaged that these assays (i.e. RAPD and related techniques), which reflect effects at whole genome level, would continue to complement the use of emerging technologies (e.g. microarrays which aim to quantify expression of individual genes).     

Kohonen network study of the results of RAPD and ISSR analyses of genomic polymorphism in the genus Capsicum L

The results of studies based on multilocus molecular analyses, including random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses, are usually presented in the form of images (electrophoregrams, photographs, etc.). The interpretation of this information is complicated, labor-consuming, and subjective. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are ideal "image processors," may be useful when solving such tasks. The possibility of using ANNs for the treatment of the results of RAPD and ISSR analyses has been studied. The RAPD and ISSR spectra have been studied in fragments of DNA of plants from the genus Capsicum L. (peppers). The results of clustering the accessions studied by means of the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA), which is often used for phylogenetic constructions based on RAPD and ISSR data, serve as expert estimates. Fundamentally new methods of genetic polymorphism estimation using ANN technologies, namely, self-organizing feature maps (SOFMs) have been developed. The results show that the clusters obtained with the use of UPGMA and SOFM coincide by more than 90%; taking into account that ANNs can deal with high noise levels and incomplete or contradictory data, the approach proposed may prove to be efficient.