Analysis of the chromosomal distribution of transposon-carrying T-DNAs in tomato using the inverse polymerase chain reaction

We are developing a system for isolating tomato genes by transposon mutagenesis. In maize and tobacco, the transposon Activator (Ac) transposes preferentially to genetically linked sites. To identify transposons linked to various target genes, we have determined the RFLP map locations of Ac- and Dissociation (Ds)-carrying T-DNAs in a number of transformants. T-DNA flanking sequences were isolated using the inverse polymerase chain reaction (IPCR) and located on the RFLP map of tomato. The authenticity of IPCR reaction products was tested by several criteria including nested primer amplification, DNA sequence analysis and PCR amplification of the corresponding insertion target sequences. We report the RFLP map locations of 37 transposon-carrying T-DNAs. We also report the map locations of nine transposed Ds elements. T-DNAs were identified on all chromosomes except chromosome 6. Our data revealed no apparent chromosomal preference for T-DNA integration events. Lines carrying transposons at known map locations have been established which should prove a useful resource for isolating tomato genes by transposon mutagenesis.     

PCR-mediated screening and cloning of a malate synthase genefrom Streptomyces griseus NCIMB 9001

Malate synthase is an essential metabolic enzyme of the glyoxylate bypass that makes possible the replenishment of carbon intermediates to cells grown on acetate. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular screening investigation of full-length malate synthase genes from Streptomyces spp. was initiated by our group. To this end, consensus primers were designed based on known streptomycete malate synthase sequences and successful amplification was obtained for Streptomyces griseus, S. fimbriatus and S. lipmanii. The putative full-length malate synthase gene from S. griseus was subsequently cloned, sequenced and expressed. Sequence analysis of this gene showed very high identity with other streptomycete malate synthase genes. Furthermore, high malate synthase activity was detected after heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, thus demonstrating successfully the rapid cloning and functional verification of a streptomycete malate synthase gene. Growth studies of S. griseus revealed that malate synthase activity was induced by the presence of acetate, which is a two-carbon source. Interestingly, the activity peaked during late growth phase when the biomass was declining, suggesting that the enzyme may have a late role in metabolism.     

沙田柚无机焦磷酸酶基因的cDNA克隆及序列分析

植物自交不亲和性是植物生殖过程中普遍存在的一种现象,是植物特异性识别并拒绝自身花粉或亲缘关系很相近的花粉的一种遗传机制。无机焦磷酸酶(inorganic pyrophosphatase,IPPase)在植物生长发育方面起重要作用。该研究根据沙田柚花柱消减文库中EST序列(无机焦磷酸酶基因内部片段),设计了2对特异引物5'-GSP1,5'-n GSP1,3'-GSP2 and 3'-n GSP2,通过SMART-RACE PCR技术从所构建的沙田柚花柱抑制性消减文库中克隆了沙田柚无机焦磷酸酶基因的c DNA全长序列,利用Blastn、DNAman和Expasy软件对所克隆的基因进行同源性分析,以及基因编码的氨基酸的分子量、等电点、疏水性等理化性质分析。结果表明:IPPase基因c DNA全长为1 136 bp(Gen Bank登录号为KF990474),开放阅读框(ORF)全长为654 bp,共编码217个氨基酸,包括170 bp 5'UTR和312 bp的3'UTR;编码的蛋白质的分子量为24.4 k Da,等电点为5.96;蛋白结构域分析显示沙田柚IPPase与焦磷酸酶具有相同的保守结构域;对沙田柚IPPase蛋白质序列进行疏水性分析,结果表明沙田柚IPPase基因编码的肽链中疏水性最大值约为3.21,最小值约为-2.98,属于亲水性蛋白,无跨膜区域;Blastn搜索的结果显示,沙田柚IPPase基因序列与多种植物的IPP基因高度同源;序列分析表明,沙田柚IPPase基因核苷酸的同源性与毛果杨(Populus trichocarpa)和橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)IPPase基因均为87%;氨基酸序列与克莱门柚(Citrus clementina)无机焦磷酸酶完全一致。该研究结果可为深入研究无机焦磷酸酶在沙田柚自交不亲和中的作用机理提供基础。     

PCR with degenerate primers amplifies a subgenomic DNA fragment from the endoglucanase gene(s) of Torula thermophila, a thermophilic fungus

The aim of this study was to enable the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments within endoglucanase gene(s) of Torula thermophila, by using degenerate primers so that the amplified fragment(s) could be used as homologous probe(s) for cloning of full-length endoglucanase gene(s). The design of the degenerate PCR primers was mainly based on the endoglucanase sequences of other fungi. The endoglucanase gene sequence of Humicola insolens was the only sequence from a thermophilic fungus publicly available in the literature. Therefore, the endoglucanase sequences of the two Trichoderma species, Trichoderma reesei and Trichoderma longibrachiatum, were used to generalize the primers. PCR amplification of T. thermophila genomic DNA with these primers resilied in a specific amplification. The specificity of the amplified fragment was shown by Southern hybridization analysis using egl3 gene of T. reesei as probe. This result suggested that the degenerate primers used in this study may be of value for studies aimed at cloning of endoglucanase genes from a range of related fungi.     

A comparative analysis of the composition and organization of two subtelomeric repeat families in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops speltoides</Emphasis>Tausch. and related species

The structural organization and evolution of two tandemly repeated families, Spelt1 and Spelt52, located in the subtelomeric regions of Aegilops speltoides chromosomes were studied. The Spelt1 family of sequences with a monomer length of 178 bp was characterized by cloning and sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Members of the Spelt1 family revealed sequence similarities exceeding 95\%. This conservation has remained despite divergence of species in Aegilops section Sitopsis and after independent multiple amplification events in the genome of Ae. speltoides. Sequences representing the Spelt52 family were cloned, sequenced and compared with other sequences in databases. The Spelt52 repeat family contains monomers of two types, Spelt52.1 and Spelt52.2. The two monomers share a homologous stretch of 280 bp and have two regions without sequence similarity of 96 bp and 110 bp, respectively. PCR analysis was conducted to 15 lines in Ae. speltoidesTausch., Ae. longissimaSchw.&Mushc.,Ae. sharonensisEig.,Ae. bicornis(Forssk)Jaub.&Sp., andAe. searsii Feld.&Kis. using primers to the homologous and non- homologous regions of Spelt52 family. Intraspecies and interspecies differences in the occurrence and abundance of combinations of Spelt52.1 and Spelt52.2 monomers were detected. The use of primers to telomeric and subtelomeric repeats followed by Southern hybridization, cloning, and sequence analysis demonstrated that Spelt1 and Spelt52 are localized close to each other and to telomeric repeats. The efficiency of a PCR approach for the analysis of telomeric/subtelomeric junction regions of chromosomes is discussed.     

Cloning and molecular analysis of the bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene in the ciliated protozoanParamecium tetraurelia

We have cloned the first bifunctional gene dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) from a free-living, ciliated protozoan,Paramecium tetraurelia, and determined its macronuclear sequence using a modified ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that can be of general use in cloning strategies, especially where cDNA libraries are limiting. While bifunctional enzyme sequences are known from parasitic protozoa, none had previously been found in free-living protozoa. The AT-rich (68%) coding region spanning 1386 bp appears to lack introns. DHFR-TS localizes to a 500 kb macronuclear chromosome and is transcribed as an mRNA of 1.66 kb, predicted to encode a 53 kDa protein of 462 residues. The N-terminal one-third of the protein is encoded by DHFR, which is joined by a short junctional peptide of 12 amino acids to the highly conserved C-terminal TS domain. Among known DHFR-TS sequences, theP. tetraurelia gene is most similar to that fromToxoplasma gondii, based on primary sequence and parsimony analyses. The predicted secondary protein structure is similar to those of previously crystallized monofunctional sequences.     

Rapid isolation and sequence analysis of the beta-tubulin gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra yezoensis</Emphasis> (Rhodophyta)

Beta-tubulin, one of the cytoskeletal proteins, has been highly conserved throughout the evolution of eukaryotes. Degenerate PCR and inverse PCR (iPCR) were used to isolate the full-length beta-tubulin gene and its 5′ and 3′-flanking regions (2799bp) from the marine red alga Porphyra yezoensis. This gene, designated as TubB1, is devoid of introns. The canonical cis-acting elements such as TATA box, CAAT box and polyA signal AAUAAA are not found in flanking sequences, but another putative polyA signal CAYTG is found downstream of the stop codon. Comparison of the deduced 458 amino acid sequences shows higher similarity to the Protoflorideophycidae Cyanidioschyzon merolae (82%) than to the red alga Chondrus crispus (79%). Codon bias indicates strong expression of TubB1. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the beta-tubulin of P. yezoensis and C. merola go together with fungi and not with green plants. These nucleotide sequence data have been deposited in the DDB/EMBL/Genbank databases under the accession number AY221630.     

Molecular evolution and functional specialization of chalcone synthase superfamily from Phalaenopsis Orchid

Plant genomes appear to exploit the process of gene duplication as a primary means of acquiring biochemical and developmental flexibility. The best example is the gene encoding chalcone synthase (CHS, EC2.3.1.74), the first committed step in flavonoid biosynthesis. In this study, we examined the molecular evolution of three CHS family members of Phalaenopsis including a novel chs gene (phchs5), which is slowly evolved. The inferred phylogeny of the chs genes of Phalaenopsis with other two orchid plants, Bromoheadia finlaysoniana and Dendrobium hybrid, suggested that gene duplication and divergence have occurred before divergence of these three genera. Relatively quantitative RT-PCR analysis identified expression patterns of these three chs genes in different floral tissues at different developmental stages. Phchs5 was the most abundantly expressed chs gene in floral organs and it was specifically transcribed in petal and lip at the stages when anthocyanin accumulated (stage1–4). Phchs3 and phchs4 were expressed at much lower levels than phchs5. Phchs3 was expressed in pigmented tissue (including lip, petal and sepal) at middle stages (stages 2–4) and in colorless reproductive tissue at late stage (stage 5). Phchs4 was only expressed in petal at earlier stages (stage 1–3) and in lip at middle stage (stage 4). These results present new data on differentiation of gene expression among duplicate copies of chs genes in Phalaenopsis.     

鹅掌楸DHHC型锌指蛋白家族基因的克隆及表达分析

棕榈酰化修饰是一种最普遍且唯一可逆的翻译后脂质修饰方式,赋予蛋白质多样化的生理功能。DHHC( Asp-His-His-Cys)蛋白家族是一类与棕榈酰化修饰相关的蛋白,多数DHHC蛋白家族成员具有蛋白质酰基转移酶( protein S-acyltransferase,PAT)活性。该研究以鹅掌楸叶芽为材料,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,克隆获得了3个鹅掌楸DHHC蛋白家族基因cDNA全长,命名为LcPAT7、LcPAT22、LcPAT23。序列分析结果表明：LcPAT7、LcPAT22、LcPAT23基因全长分别为1933、2592、2217 bp,各包含1332、1839、1662 bp的开放阅读框( Open Reading Frame,ORF),编码433、612、533个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量分别为40.04、67.3、60.57 kDa,理论等电点为9.15、9.03、7.29。3个基因编码的蛋白均有4个跨膜区,并且都在跨膜域( transmembrane domain, TM) TM2和 TM3之间存在一个 DHHC 蛋白家族典型的 DHHC-CRD 结构域。同源性分析表明：鹅掌楸LcPAT7、LcPAT22、LcPAT23编码的氨基酸序列与其他植物中预测的PAT具有较高的相似性。利用荧光定量PCR技术检测3个基因在鹅掌楸不同组织中的表达特性,发现3个基因在不同组织中均有表达,但表达量具有明显区别。同一家族基因表达模式的变化表明其功能非冗余。该研究结果将为鹅掌楸生长发育与形态建成,以及逆境响应信号传导等相关基因的调控研究提供了参考。     

A chalcone synthase/stilbene synthase DNA probe for conifers

A probe for chalcone synthase (CHS) was generated by PCR using chalcone synthase conserved sequences. The cloned PCR product has high similarity to both chalcone synthase and stilbene synthase sequences. The probe was used to examine the organization of chalcone synthase and stilbene synthase genes in Abies procera, Pinus lambertiana, P. monticola, Picea glauca, P. sitchensis, Pseudostuga menziesii, Taxus brevifolia, and Thuja plicata. A large number of hybridizing bands were found in all species except T. plicata which did not cross hybridize. The hybridization patterns are highly polymorphic between the species and are also polymorphic within several of them.     

长春花丙二烯氧化物合酶基因的克隆与表达

利用RT-PCR和RACE相结合的方法,从长春花中克隆了丙二烯氧化物合酶(AOS)基因。结果显示:长春花AOS基因(CrAOS)cDNA全长为2 118bp,包括5′和3′非翻译区,polyA尾和一个长1 638bp的开放阅读框,其基因组中不含内含子;CrAOS基因编码的蛋白含545个氨基酸。多重比对表明CrAOS蛋白与其他的AOS蛋白具有较高的相似性,CrAOS蛋白序列中含有AOS家族应有的保守氨基酸残基。Southern杂交表明:CrAOS基因在长春花中为低拷贝。qRT-PCR结果显示:CrAOS在各个组织均有表达但表达量存在差异,在老叶中最高,在幼花中表达最低。对长春花幼苗进行不同处理,结果表明:伤害、低温、甲基茉莉酸、乙烯利处理等可使CrAOS基因表达量显著提高,水杨酸处理对基因表达影响不大。     

Rapid amplification of genomic DNA ends bynla III partial digestion and polynucleotide tailing

We report a simple and efficient method, which combines restriction endonuclease digestion and deoxynucleotide tailing, for cloning unknown genomic sequences adjacent to a known sequence. Total genomic DNA is partially digested with the frequent-cutting restriction enzymeNla III. A homo-oligomeric cytosine tail is added by terminal transferase. The tailed DNA fragments are used as the template for cloning flanking regions from all sequences of interest. A first round PCR amplification is performed with a gene-specific primer and the selective (modified polyguanine) anchor primer complementary to the cytosine tail and theNla III recognition site, with a universal amplification primer sequence at its 5′ end. This is followed by another PCR amplification with a nested gene-specific primer and the universal amplification primer. Finally, the amplified products are fractionated, cloned, and sequenced. Using this method, we cloned the upstream region of a salt-induced gene based upon a partial cDNA clone (RSC5-U) obtained from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).     

葡萄风信子MaANS基因及启动子的克隆与分析

该研究根据转录组测序结果,在葡萄风信子(Muscari armeniacum) ‘亚美尼亚’中克隆到花青素合酶(ANS)基因的cDNA与DNA序列,该基因命名为MaANS。采用荧光实时定量分析MaANS时空表达模型,同时利用染色体步移法克隆到MaANS上游1 044 bp的一段序列。信息学分析表明：MaANS开放阅读框为1 065 bp,编码355个氨基酸;DNA与cDNA的一致性为89.62%,DNA序列在ATG下游515~594 bp之间插入1个79 bp内含子;启动子序列在-70 bp位置有1个TATA-box,有多个光响应元件及MYB结合位点等。荧光实时定量分析表明,MaANS基因在花中优势表达,并且在完全着色期表达量最高。该研究结果为深入研究MaANS基因功能、分析葡萄风信子着色机理奠定了基础。     

Community analysis of betaproteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria using the <Emphasis Type="Italic">amoCAB</Emphasis> operon

The genes and intergenic regions of the amoCAB operon were analyzed to establish their potential as molecular markers for analyzing ammonia-oxidizing betaproteobacterial (beta-AOB) communities. Initially, sequence similarity for related taxa, evolutionary rates from linear regressions, and the presence of conserved and variable regions were analyzed for all available sequences of the complete amoCAB operon. The gene amoB showed the highest sequence variability of the three amo genes, suggesting that it might be a better molecular marker than the most frequently used amoA to resolve closely related AOB species. To test the suitability of using the amoCAB genes for community studies, a strategy involving nested PCR was employed. Primers to amplify the whole amoCAB operon and each individual gene were tested. The specificity of the products generated was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cloning, and sequencing. The fragments obtained showed different grades of sequence identity to amoCAB sequences in the GenBank database. The nested PCR approach provides a possibility to increase the sensitivity of detection of amo genes in samples with low abundance of AOB. It also allows the amplification of the almost complete amoA gene, with about 300 bp more sequence information than the previous approaches. The coupled study of all three amo genes and the intergenic spacer regions that are under different selection pressure might allow a more detailed analysis of the evolutionary processes, which are responsible for the differentiation of AOB communities in different habitats. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Pilar Junier and Ok-Sun Kim contributed equally to this work.     

Molecular cloning of BPL1, a pectate lyase-like gene in Brassica napus

Pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) is an enzyme involved in the maceration and soft rotting of plant tissue via degradation of cell wall in organisms. Plants as well as bacteria and fungi are capable of producing pectate lyases. Here we report the cloning of a novel full-length cDNA of pectate lyase gene, designated BPL1, from Brassica napus by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. BPL1 cDNA is 1787 bp containing a 1503 bp ORF encoding a 500 amino acid protein precursor. The protein precursor has a potential signal peptide with 22 amino acids. Alignment of sequences shows that there are some extremely conserved amino acids among pectate lyase-like proteins from different plant species, and novel C-terminal domains are found in Arabidopsis and Brassica. Phylogenetic analysis of 50 pectate lyase-like proteins from various species demonstrates the obvious distinction among pectate lyase-like proteins from plants, bacteria and fungi, which are subsequently clustered into three groups. The cloning of BPL1 enables us to explore its diverse roles in higher plants and potential application in crop improvement.     

A primer-based approach to genome walking

A genome walking strategy based on annealing and ligation of single-stranded DNA primers to 3′ overhangs following restriction endonuclease digestion was developed. A set of primers contains 4 nucleotides at the 3′ end that are complementary to overhangs formed by restriction endonucleasesApaI;PstI;SacI andSphI. Following ligation, 5′ end overhangs are formed on the DNA, which serves as sites for the adaptor primers and nested primers for PCR amplification in combination with the gene-specific primers. This strategy was verified by the amplification of up to 4 kb of a potato leafroll virus full-length infectious clone. The procedure could be adopted to target any upstream and downstream regions flanking known sequences within the plant genome.     

梨果黑斑病菌互隔交链孢(Alternaria alternata) hnr基因的克隆及其对侵染结构分化的调控

【背景】羟基萘还原酶(hydroxynaphthalene reductase,HNR)是1,8-间苯二酚(1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene,DHN)黑色素合成途径中起关键作用的酶,研究表明HNR不仅参与真菌黑色素合成,而且对其生长发育及致病性也具有一定的调控作用,但HNR对真菌病原物侵染结构分化的调控研究鲜见报道。【目的】在对梨果黑斑病菌互隔交链孢(Alternaria alternata) HNR的基因进行克隆与生物信息学分析的基础上,通过药理学方法初步探讨HNR对A.alternata生长及侵染结构分化的调控作用,为进一步揭示HNR在A.alternata侵染结构分化形成过程中的分子机制提供理论依据。【方法】对梨果黑斑病菌A.alternata的2个hnr基因进行了克隆;通过gene structure display server、open reading frame (ORF) Finder及conserved domain search等数据库及相关软件,对hnr基因及蛋白进行生物信息学分析,并利用HNR特异性抑制剂三环唑处理分析其对A.alternata生长发育、黑色素合成和侵染结构形成的影响,同时采用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)技术分析了hnr基因在A.alternata不同侵染结构分化时期的表达特性。【结果】从梨果黑斑病菌A.alternata克隆得到2个羟基萘还原酶基因hnr的编码区全长,分别命名为Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr,其中Aa4hnr基因全长为1 266 bp,编码了268个氨基酸,无内含子,有9个ORF;Aa3hnr基因全长为1 356 bp,编码了267个氨基酸,含有2个大小分别为51 bp和49 bp的内含子,有17个ORF;进化分析表明,Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr与Ophiobolus disseminans和Alternaria arborescens分别具有较高的一致性,同时Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr编码的蛋白均含有NAD (P)结合域,属于短链脱氢酶/还原酶(short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase,SDR)家族。药理学结果表明,三环唑处理显著降低了A.alternata DHN黑色素的生物合成,抑制了疏水性诱导的A.alternata侵染结构的形成;进一步分析Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr在疏水表面诱导的A.alternata孢子萌发阶段(2 h)、附着胞形成阶段(6 h)、侵染菌丝形成阶段(8 h)的基因表达量,Aa4hnr的基因表达量在A.alternata侵染结构分化的各个时期均发生下调,Aa3hnr在附着胞形成阶段(6 h)表达量下调,然而在侵染菌丝形成阶段(8 h)显著上调表达。【结论】Aa4hnr和Aa3hnr对梨果黑斑病菌侵染具有一定的调控作用。