Structural analysis of a Lotus japonicus genome. II. Sequence features and mapping of sixty-five TAC clones which cover the 6.5-mb regions of the genome.

Sixty-five TAC (transformation-competent artificial chromosomes) clones were selected from a genomic library of Lotus japonicus accession MG-20 based on the sequence information of expressed sequences tags (ESTs), cDNA and gene information, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The average insert size of the TAC clone was approximately 100 kb, and the total length of the sequenced regions in this study is 6,556,100 bp. Together with the nucleotide sequences of 56 TAC clones previously reported, the regions sequenced so far total 12,029,295 bp. By comparison with the sequences in protein and EST databases and by analysis with computer programs for gene modeling, a total of 711 potential protein-encoding genes with known or predicted functions, 239 gene segments and 90 pseudogenes were identified in the newly sequenced regions. The average gene density assigned so far was 1 gene/9140 bp. The average length of the assigned genes was 2.6 kb, which is considerably larger than that assigned in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome (1.9 kb for 6451 genes). Introns were identified in approximately 73% of the potential genes, and the average number and length of the introns per gene were 3.4 and 377 bp, respectively. Simple sequence repeat length polymorphism (SSLP) or derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) markers were generated based on the nucleotide sequences of the genomic clones obtained, and each clone was mapped onto the linkage map using the F2 mapping population derived from a cross of two accessions of L. japonicus, Gifu B-129 and Miyakojima MG-20. The sequence data, gene information and mapping information are available through the World Wide Web at http://www.kazusa.or.jp/lotus/.     

Two new species of the genus Carminator Shaw from Japan, the northernmost record of extant Megalyridae (Hymenoptera)

The family Megalyridae is recorded from Japan for the first time on the basis of two new species, Carminator helios and C. japonicus. This is the northernmost record of living Megalyridae, although fossil species are known from regions of the Baltic Sea. Carminator helios can be distinguished from congeners of the Asian and Australian regions by the combination of a long head, deeply excavated frons with convex inner margins, entirely striated postgena, the number of fore tibial spines (more than 16), and a long R₁ vein. Carminator japonicus is distinguishable from other species by the combination of an orange‐colored metasoma, a weakly excavated frons, and an elongate vertex. This species was collected from the canopy of Acer pictum. Additional characters that distinguish species of the genus Carminator are discussed.     

Effect of increased pCO2 in seawater on survival rate of different developmental stages of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus

The rapid increase in carbon dioxide levels in seawater is causing ocean acidification and is expected to have significant effects on marine life. To explore the ability of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus japonicus to adapt to an increased concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) in seawater, we compared the survival rates of adult and nauplius stages at 400, 1000, and 1550?ppm pCO₂ over a 14-day period. The survival rate of T. japonicus dramatically decreased over time with increase in pCO₂ concentration. At 1550?ppm, the survival rate showed a decrease of more than 20% at the end of the experimental period over that at 400?ppm. Furthermore, the survival rate decreased by a greater amount at all concentrations in nauplii than in adults, with a greater effect in wild-collected specimens than in culture-derived individuals. The results suggest that future ocean acidification may negatively influence the sustainability of T. japonicus and thus may eventually influence benthic ecosystems.     

日本囊对虾Kunitz型蛋白酶抑制剂在毕赤酵母中的表达纯化及活性分析

SKPI(shrimp Kunitz-type protease inhibitor)是日本囊对虾(Marsupenaeus japonicus)体内的一个小分子多肽, 含有一个Kunitz型结构域, 属于丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂。目前已知丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂在节肢动物免疫系统中起着非常重要的作用, 为了了解SKPI在对虾天然免疫系统中的作用, 首先对其进行了重组表达。从日本囊对虾肝胰腺中扩增skpi的cDNA片段, 插入改造后的pPIC9K酵母表达载体, 获得的重组质粒转化至毕赤酵母GS115进行表达。由于改造的pPIC9K载体加入了6-His标签, 因此利用Ni?Sepharose?High?Performance对SKPI进行了高效纯化。初步的活性研究表明, 重组表达的SKPI能特异性地抑制胰蛋白酶的水解活性。     

Nod Factor/Nitrate-Induced CLE Genes that Drive HAR1-Mediated Systemic Regulation of Nodulation

Host legumes control root nodule numbers by sensing externaland internal cues. A major external cue is soil nitrate, whereasa feedback regulatory system in which earlier formed nodulessuppress further nodulation through shoot–root communicationis an important internal cue. The latter is known as autoregulationof nodulation (AUT), and is believed to consist of two long-distancesignals: a root-derived signal that is generated in infectedroots and transmitted to the shoot; and a shoot-derived signalthat systemically inhibits nodulation. In Lotus japonicus, theleucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, HYPERNODULATION ABERRANTROOT FORMATION 1 (HAR1), mediates AUT and nitrate inhibitionof nodulation, and is hypothesized to recognize the root-derivedsignal. Here we identify L. japonicus CLE-Root Signal 1 (LjCLE-RS1)and LjCLE-RS2 as strong candidates for the root-derived signal.A hairy root transformation study shows that overexpressingLjCLE-RS1 and -RS2 inhibits nodulation systemically and, furthermore,that the systemic suppression depends on HAR1. Moreover, LjCLE-RS2expression is strongly up-regulated in roots by nitrate addition.Based on these findings, we propose a simple model for AUT andnitrate inhibition of nodulation mediated by LjCLE-RS1, -RS2peptides and the HAR1 receptor-like kinase.     

Amphibian chytridiomycosis in Japan: distribution,haplotypes and possible route of entry into Japan

A serious disease of amphibians caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was first found in Japan in December 2006 in imported pet frogs. This was the first report of chytridiomycosis in Asia. To assess the risk of pandemic chytridiomycosis to Japanese frogs, we surveyed the distribution of the fungus among captive and wild frog populations. We established a nested PCR assay that uses two pairs of PCR primers to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of a ribosomal RNA cassette to detect mild fungal infections from as little as 0.001 pg (1 fg) of B. dendrobatidis DNA. We collected swab samples from 265 amphibians sold at pet shops, 294 bred at institutes and 2103 collected at field sites from northern to southwestern Japan. We detected infections in native and exotic species, both in captivity and in the field. Sequencing of PCR products revealed 26 haplotypes of the B. dendrobatidis ITS region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that three of these haplotypes were specific to the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) and appeared to have established a commensal relationship with this native amphibian. Many other haplotypes were carried by alien amphibians. The highest genetic diversity of B. dendrobatidis was found in the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Some strains of B. dendrobatidis appeared to be endemic to Japanese native amphibians, but many alien strains are being introduced into Japan via imported amphibians. To improve chytridiomycosis risk management, we must consider the risk of B. dendrobatidis changing hosts as a result of anthropogenic disturbance of the host‐specific distribution of the fungus.     

仿刺参多糖抗肿瘤及对荷瘤小鼠免疫调节作用

目的 观察仿刺参多糖(AJPS)抗肿瘤及免疫调节作用.方法 采用MTT法检测AJPS对人肝癌HepG-2细胞抑制率;以Hca-F肝癌小鼠为模型,采用MTT法、放免法测定荷瘤小鼠细胞免疫指标.结果 AJPS抑制HepG-2细胞生长,抑制小鼠移植瘤生长;增强脾淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞活性,促进TNF-α和IL-2的产生.结论 AJPS具有对HepG-2细胞的直接杀伤作用;AJPS对荷瘤小鼠有免疫调节活性,在肿瘤的免疫治疗中发挥作用.     

中国沿海日本囊对虾线粒体16S rRNA基因序列变异及遗传分化

对中国东南沿海4个日本囊对虾地理群体16S rRNA基因片段进行了序列测定和分析.在获得的467bp 序列中,共检测到45个变异位点,多态位点比例为9.64%.具有10种单倍型,三亚群体单倍型多样性最高(0.900±0.161).各群体的核苷酸多样性(π)为0.0007～0.0082,其中三亚群体核苷酸多样性最为丰富,远高于湛江、北海和海口群体.群体间遗传分化指数(F_(st))为0.000～0.945.结合已报道的16S rRNA基因序列,构建了NJ分子系统树,中国海域日本囊对虾可分为3支.香港至台湾沿岸所有单倍型聚集为一分支,湛江、海口和北海群体内的所有单倍型聚集成另一分支,两分支分别属于已报道的变种Ⅰ和变种Ⅱ,但三亚群体内的4个单倍型单独聚集成一分支,与前两分支的核苷酸序列差异大(7.95%～8.35%),遗传分化明显,可能为一亲缘关系很远的新种(或变种).研究结果可为日本囊对虾的资源管理和遗传选育提供参考.     

麦冬维管束个数观察

目的:观察麦冬维管束个数,为其鉴别提供依据.方法:对样品进行冷冻切片,用间苯三酚-浓盐酸(1:1)染色,统计维管束个数.结果:49批次样品中,28批次中出现维管束多于22个,最多达26个.结论:本结果可为麦冬的显微鉴别提供参考.     

Microsatellite DNA markers for population-genetic studies of blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) and cross-specific amplification in S. japonicus

Blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus) is targeted by large-scale purse-seiners in the western North Pacific, and its stock structure is still contentious. Herein, we described 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for blue mackerel. The number of alleles among 32 individuals surveyed ranged from five to 27 (average of 16.2 alleles per locus). Departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectation were observed at two loci. Cross-specific amplification in the congener, S. japonicus, was successful, except for one locus, revealed to be diagnostic for these congeners. These microsatellite loci will be useful tools to address queries in population genetic structure, fishery management unit and taxonomic species status in the genus Scomber.