条石鲷检出的虹彩病毒特性研究

2009年8月份辽宁地区某网箱养殖场出现条石鲷大量死亡病情,对病鱼组织切片观察,在脾脏和肾脏等器官内发现许多形态异常肿大的嗜碱性粒细胞。病鱼组织匀浆液感染GF细胞出现了明显的细胞病变效应(CPE)。经透射电镜观察发现,脾脏、肾脏、肝脏及肠组织细胞质内存在大量呈六边形的病毒粒子,该病毒由核衣壳(100~110nm)和囊膜构成,直径150~180nm,似虹彩病毒。使用真鲷虹彩病毒(RSIV)959bp PstI片段特异性引物对病鱼各脏器组织进行PCR扩增,在脾脏、肾脏、鳃、肠、心脏和脑扩增出570bp大小的目的片段。同时,针对虹彩病毒主衣壳蛋白序列进行PCR扩增后得到1 400 bp大小的基因片段。病毒主衣壳蛋白序列系统进化分析显示,该病毒与真鲷虹彩病毒(RSIV-U1)等几株病毒位于同一进化分枝内。根据上述实验结果,作者认为引发条石鲷大批死亡的病原为真鲷虹彩病毒(Red sea bream iridovirus,RSIV)。     

人博卡病毒基因克隆及衣壳编码基因序列变异分析

为了解人博卡病毒(Human Bocavirus,HBoV)VP1基因进化关系;阐明HBoV目前具体的变化规律,用PCR的方法扩增了1株HBoV的全基因和9株HBoV的VP1基因,克隆并测序,在此基础上,将HBoV的全基因序列和衣壳序列分别与细小病毒亚科其他14个有代表性的病毒进行遗传分析,构建进化树,对目前所有可得到的HBoV的17个衣壳蛋白进行二级结构分析和抗原性分析。结果显示:HBoV全基因序列与B19关系较远,但衣壳序列遗传关系较近。以有典型性的猫瘟细小病毒(Feline parvovirus,FPV)衣壳蛋白为参照,分析多个HBoV衣壳序列之间的变异情况,显示HBoV衣壳的二级结构基础表现出较高的保守性,序列之间的变化主要发生在高抗原区域和感染活性区域。衣壳病毒变异情况显示HBoV在稳定自身的情况下表现出一定的活跃性以逃避免疫反应,也表现出一定的感染适应力。     

我国蚊虫分离的一种新型胞质多形体病毒

0507BS3是从中国新疆喀什地区采集的库蚊和按蚊混合蚊标本分离的病毒株,对C6/36细胞致病变而对Ve-ro和BHK-21细胞不致病变。电镜观察显示病毒颗粒呈圆球形,直径约60nm(n=20),无包膜,单层衣壳,衣壳内有中央核。基因组核酸电泳显示基因组包括10条双链RNA(double stranded RNA,dsRNA)片段。病毒第10基因片段核酸序列测定显示该片段全长964bp(GenBankID:FJ150869),具有单一开放读码框,编码长度为275个氨基酸的蛋白,分子量约30.8kD。病毒第10基因片段核酸序列比对未发现相似的病毒核酸序列,氨基酸序列与胞质多形体病毒(Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus,CPV)第10基因片段编码的多形体蛋白部分区段匹配。病毒第10基因片段和已知各型CPV第10基因片段核酸序列共同进行系统进化分析显示该病毒位于独立的进化分枝,提示0507BS3病毒可能是一种新型CPV病毒。     

新型小鼠淋巴组织特异性肌动蛋白结合蛋白相关序列cDNA克隆

 应用抑制性差减杂交技术 ( SSH)克隆两种不同小鼠胸腺基质细胞的差异表达基因 ,获得新基因片段 C55.通过 Gen Bank检索及 RT- PCR扩增出一个全长 1 .4kb的 c DNA.杂交分析认为它是一个完整的 c DNA序列 .c DNA序列分析表明 ,它拥有一个 636bp的开放读码框架 ,编码 2 1 2个氨基酸 .同源序列比较发现 ,它编码一个肌动蛋白相关蛋白的新成员 ,该序列与多种已知的肌动蛋白相关蛋白 SM2 2 α及其同源蛋白在氨基酸水平上有 62 %～ 95%的同源性 .Northern杂交分析显示 ,该基因 m RNA转录本在两种不同胸腺基质细胞中的表达存在显著差异 . RT- PCR分析显示 ,该基因特异表达于小鼠淋巴相关组织中 ,而在非淋巴组织中无表达 .     

猪圆环病毒衣壳蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达研究

研究猪圆病毒衣壳蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达情况。以3个不同的质粒为基础,构建不同类型的猪圆环病毒衣壳蛋白基因(PCV2-ORF2)重组表达载体,并分别转化进入枯草芽孢杆菌168和WB800中。利用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测目的蛋白的表达,并通过实时荧光定量PCR检测目的基因的转录水平上的表达情况。结果显示,ORF2基因原序列在枯草芽孢杆菌中难以表达,经过密码子优化后,构建的截短ORF2基因表达载体在枯草芽孢杆菌内表达系统中成功表达目的蛋白。密码子优化促进了目的基因的表达。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒H株纤突蛋白基因的RT-PCR/RFLP分型

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)属于冠状病毒科冠状病毒属,可引起鸡呼吸道、输卵管、肾脏、肠道及腺胃等多部位病变.近年来,由于新的IBV变异毒株不断出现,从而导致鸡传染性支气管炎病的不断爆发,造成严重的经济损失[1].IBV的基因组为单股RNA,约27.6kb,该基因主要编码3种主要结构蛋白:纤突蛋白(S)、膜蛋白(M)和核衣壳蛋白(N),其中S蛋白成熟裂解为S1和S2两个蛋白亚基.S1蛋白是IBV的主要免疫原基因,可刺激机体产生中和抗体,决定病毒的组织亲嗜性,在病毒血清学分类中起主要作用[1,2].H株是1993年在河南省分离的典型肾病变IBV毒株,我们对IBV的H株S1基因进行了RT-PCR及酶切分析,并将其PCR产物克隆入质粒载体,为进一步研究IBV的H株分子生物学特性和研制IBV基因工程疫苗打下基础.     

IBV广东分离株GD05 S1基因的克隆、鉴定及其表达

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectious Brochitis virus,IBV)属于冠状病毒科冠状 病毒属,可引起鸡呼吸道、输卵管、肾脏、肠道及腺胃等多部位病变.近年来,由于新的I BV变异毒株不断出现,从而导致鸡传染性支气管炎病的不断爆发,造成严重的经济损失 [1, 2]}.IBV的基因组为单股RNA,主要编码3种主要结构蛋白:纤突蛋白(S)、膜蛋白(M) 和 核衣壳蛋白(N),其中S蛋白成熟裂解为S1和S2两个蛋白亚基.S1蛋白是IBV的主要免疫原 基因,可刺激机体产生中和抗体,决定病毒的组织亲嗜性,在病毒血清学分类中起主要作用 [1,3].     

棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒组织蛋白酶基因的序列分析和进化研究

对棉铃虫单核衣壳核多角体病毒(HaSNPV)的组织蛋白酶(ν-cath)基因进行了序列分析,此基因编码区长1098bp,预计编码一个366个氨基酸的蛋白产物.序列分析表明,HaSNPV的V-CATH蛋白与其它杆状病毒的同源蛋白具有相似的保守结构并保留有相同的酶活性位点,根据已知的杆状病毒组织蛋白酶序列构建了ν-cath基因的进化树,发现HaSNPV的ν-cath位于NPV组中一个单独的分枝,结合ν-cath基因在棉铃虫病毒基因组中的位置与其它NPV有较大不同,推测HaSNPV的ν-cath基因可能拥有特殊的进化历程.     

传染性支气管炎病毒核衣壳蛋白基因克隆及在E.coli中的表达

核衣壳蛋白基因 (N基因 )是传染性支气管炎病毒的重要结构基因 .根据已报道的序列设计引物 ,利用RT PCR技术从病毒RNA中扩增和克隆到了N基因的cDNA ,并测定了核苷酸序列 .克隆的N基因片段ORF全长 12 30bp ,编码 4 0 9个氨基酸 .将该片段序列与其他IBV病毒株比较 ,核苷酸的同一性为 87 0 %～ 98 6 %,氨基酸的同一性为 91 0 %～ 98 1%.将该cDNA亚克隆到pBV2 2 0表达载体 ,转化大肠杆菌DH5α菌株 ,Western印迹检测 ,获得了分子量约 4 5kD表达蛋白     

鹅源禽痘病毒的鉴定和基因分析

2016年6月,广西邕宁某场有20%的阳江鹅在喙、眼和脚出现赘肉状痘癍,临床无死亡病例。为了研究此病的病原和基因特征,采集痘癍样本、制备病理组织切片进行显微镜观察、并利用透射电镜进行形态学分析以及TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测,证实其病原为禽痘病毒属(Avipoxvirus,APV)成员,命名为YNE。通过对病毒核芯蛋白P4b编码基因(fpv167)和DNA聚合酶Popr编码基因(fpv094)的部分序列串联进行比对,发现该毒株与1991年分离于北美林鸳鸯的APV高度同源,属于A5.2基因分支。进一步序列分析发现,该毒株与同期发生在该场的麻鸭源APV相应序列的同源性可达99.9%,初步证实该病毒可以在鸭鹅间跨种传播。     

AMONG-FAMILY VARIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SEX DETERMINATION IN REPTILES

Unlike birds and mammals, in many reptiles the temperature experienced by a developing embryo determines its gonadal sex. To understand how temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) evolves, we must first determine the nature of genetic variation for sex ratio. Here, we analyze among-family variation for sex ratio in three TSD species: the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis), the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Significant family effects and significant temperature effects were detected in all three species. In addition, family-by-temperature interactions were evident in the alligator and the snapping turtle, but not in the painted turtle. Overall, the among-family variation detected in this study indicates potential for sex-ratio evolution in at least three reptiles with TSD. Consequently, climate change scenarios that are posited on the presumption that sex-ratio evolution in TSD reptiles is genetically constrained may require reevaluation.     

Cranial variation amongst independent lineages of the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)

Recent interest in diagnoses and relationships between lineages of the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) present conflicting patterns of molecular variation across the taxon's range. This study uses geometric morphometric techniques to test molecular hypotheses. We analyse alligator snapping turtle cranial variation amongst populations (i.e. drainages) with the hypothesis that populations of turtles recovered as monophyletic by previous molecular studies are more similar to each other in cranial shape. Dorsal, lateral and ventral cranial shape analyses corroborate the uniqueness of populations recovered by molecular genetic hypotheses. Additionally, analyses reveal near equal separation between drainages that were assigned to monophyletic clades by previous phylogenetic studies. These results reveal the potential for more independent lineages that have yet to be diagnosed, and unique cranial shapes are described for our three most heavily sampled drainages.     

Characterization of microsatellite DNA markers for the alligator snapping turtle,Macrochelys temminckii

Two trinucleotide and seven tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated from an alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii. To assess the degree of variability in these nine microsatellite loci, we genotyped 174 individuals collected from eight river drainage basins in the southeastern USA. These markers revealed a moderate degree of allelic diversity (six to 16 alleles per locus) and observed heterozygosity (0.166–0.686). These polymorphic microsatellite loci provide powerful tools for population genetic studies for a species that is afforded some level of conservation protection in every state in which it occurs.     

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae: Acanthostominae) from the alligator snapping turtle,Macroclemys temmincki

Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is described from specimens found in the intestine of an alligator snapping turtle Macroclemys temmincki from southern Mississippi. The most important diagnostic features of the new species are the general shape and proportions of the body, the position of the pharynx (relative length of the prepharynx and esophagus), the egg size, the relative length and position of the vitelline fields, and the number, shape, and size of the circumoral spines. The new species has a very elongated body (length-width ratio, 8.9-13.0:1), 26 circumoral spines, which are almost oval in shape, a long prepharynx and a very short (shorter than the pharynx) esophagus, a seminal receptacle situated between the ovary and the anterior testis, a uterus not extending posterior to the anterior margin of the ovary, a long-stemmed and short-armed excretory vesicle, and 2 anal openings. Some features of the external morphology, such as the suckers, circumoral spines, sensory papillae, tegumental spines, and morphology of the posterior end, are examined using scanning electron microscopy. A diagnosis differentiating A. macroclemidis n. sp. from some other acanthostomine digeneans is provided. Acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is the first digenean reported from an alligator snapping turtle and represents the northernmost record of an acanthostomine from turtles.     

PCR prevalence of Ranavirus in free-ranging eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) at rehabilitation centers in three southeastern US states

Ranaviruses (genus Ranavirus) have been observed in disease epidemics and mass mortality events in free-ranging amphibian, turtle, and tortoise populations worldwide. Infection is highly fatal in turtles, and the potential impact on endangered populations could be devastating. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of ranavirus DNA in blood and oral swabs, report associated clinical signs of infection, and determine spatial distribution of infected turtles. Blood and oral swabs were taken from 140 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) that were presented to the wildlife centers at the University of Tennessee (UT; n=39), Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV; n=34), and North Carolina State University (NCSU; n=36), as well as a free-ranging nonrehabilitation population near Oak Ridge, Tennessee (OR; n=39) March-November 2007. Samples were evaluated for ranavirus infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a conserved portion of the major capsid protein. Two turtles, one from UT and one from NCSU, had evidence of ranavirus infection; sequences of PCR products were 100% homologous to Frog Virus 3. Prevalence of ranavirus DNA in blood was 3, 0, 3, and 0% for UT, WCV, NCSU, and OR, respectively. Prevalence in oral swab samples was 3, 0, and 0% for UT, WCV, and NCSU, respectively. Wildlife centers may be useful in detection of Ranavirus infection and may serve as a useful early monitoring point for regional disease outbreaks.     

Could the elongate yellow-orange nostrils of Anguilla bicolor McClelland, 1844 function as fishing lures?

The shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor has elongate, yellow nostrils tipped with orange that protrude forward above the mouth. They are a striking, highly visible feature and it is hypothesised that they function as lures to attract prey, analogous to the illicium and esca of anglerfishes and frogfishes and the lingual appendage of the alligator snapping turtle. Another possible function is as an intraspecific signalling device. The first hypothesis is favoured here.     

The cDNA cloning and molecular evolution of reptile and pigeon lactate dehydrogenase isozymes

The cDNAs encoding lactate dehydrogenase isozymes LDH-A (muscle) and LDH-B (heart) from alligator and turtle and LDH-A, LDH-B, and LDH-C (testis) from pigeon were cloned and sequenced. The evolutionary relationships among vertebrate LDH isozymes were analyzed. Contrary to the traditional belief that the turtle lineage branched off before the divergence between the lizard/alligator and bird lineages, the turtle lineage was found to be clustered with either the alligator lineage or the alligator-bird clade, while the lizard lineage was found to have branched off before the divergence between the alligator/turtle and bird lineages. The pigeon testicular LDH-C isozyme was evidently duplicated from LDH-B (heart), so it is not orthologous to the mammalian testicular LDH-C isozymes.      

Reliability of non-lethal surveillance methods for detecting ranavirus infection

Ranaviruses have been identified as the etiologic agent in many amphibian die-offs across the globe. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is commonly used to detect ranavirus infection in amphibian hosts, but the test results may vary between tissue samples obtained by lethal and non-lethal procedures. Testing liver samples for infection is a common lethal sampling technique to estimate ranavirus prevalence because the pathogen often targets this organ and the liver is easy to identify and collect. However, tail clips or swabs may be more practicable for ranavirus surveillance programs compared with collecting and euthanizing animals, especially for uncommon species. Using PCR results from liver samples for comparison, we defined false-positive test results as occurrences when a non-lethal technique indicated positive but the liver sample was negative. Similarly, we defined false-negative test results as occurrences when a non-lethal technique was negative but the liver sample was positive. Using these decision rules, we estimated false-negative and false-positive rates for tail clips and swabs. Our study was conducted in a controlled facility using American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles; false-positive and false-negative rates were estimated after different periods of time following exposure to ranavirus. False-negative and false-positive rates were 20 and 6%, respectively, for tail samples, and 22 and 12%, respectively, for swabs. False-negative rates were constant over time, but false-positive rates decreased with post-exposure duration. Our results suggest that non-lethal sampling techniques can be useful for ranavirus surveillance, although the prevalence of infection may be underestimated when compared to results obtained with liver samples.     

Isolation and characterization of glycosylated and non-glycosylated prolactins from alligator and crocodile.

Two molecular forms of prolactin (PRL), glycosylated and non-glycosylated, were isolated from pituitary glands of two reptiles, alligator and crocodile. The reptilian PRLs were extracted under alkaline conditions from the precipitate obtained after pituitaries were first extracted with 0.25 M sucrose, 1 mM NH4HCO3, pH 6.3. Purification was performed by ion exchange chromatography on DE-52, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 superfine, and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Two forms of both alligator and crocodile PRL, designated PRLI and PRLII, with molecular weights of 26,000 and 24,000 were isolated. Alligator and crocodile PRLI and PRLII were stained specifically in immunoblots with anti-sea turtle PRL and anti-ostrich PRL. Sequence analysis revealed that both forms of alligator and crocodile PRLs consisted of 199 amino acid residues with a glycosylation consensus sequence (Asn-Ala-Ser) at position 60 in alligator and crocodile PRLs with a molecular weight of 26,000 (PRLI). In contrast, Thr was substituted for Asn at position 60 in the PRLs with a molecular weight of 24,000 (PRLII). The sequences of alligator PRLs differed from crocodile PRLs only in position 134: Val for alligator PRLs and Ile for crocodile PRLs. There is a high degree of structural conservation between the reptilian PRLs isolated in this study and avian PRL; each showed 92% sequence identity with chicken PRL and 89% with turkey PRL.