Actinidia chlorotic ringspot‐associated virus: a novel emaravirus infecting kiwifruit plants

By integrating next‐generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, electron microscopy and conventional molecular biology tools, a new virus infecting kiwifruit vines has been identified and characterized. Being associated with double‐membrane‐bound bodies in infected tissues and having a genome composed of RNA segments, each one containing a single open reading frame in negative polarity, this virus shows the typical features of members of the genus Emaravirus. Five genomic RNA segments were identified. Additional molecular signatures in the viral RNAs and in the proteins they encode, together with data from phylogenetic analyses, support the proposal of creating a new species in the genus Emaravirus to classify the novel virus, which is tentatively named Actinidia chlorotic ringspot‐associated virus (AcCRaV). Bioassays showed that AcCRaV is mechanically transmissible to Nicotiana benthamiana plants which, in turn, may develop chlorotic spots and ringspots. Field surveys disclosed the presence of AcCRaV in four different species of kiwifruit vines in five different provinces of central and western China, and support the association of the novel virus with symptoms of leaf chlorotic ringspots in Actinidia. Data on the molecular features of small RNAs of 21–24 nucleotides, derived from AcCRaV RNAs targeted by host RNA silencing mechanisms, are also reported, and possible molecular pathways involved in their biogenesis are discussed.     

Growth form and distribution of introduced plants in their native and non-native ranges in Eastern Asia and North America

There is a growing interest in understanding the influence of plant traits on their ability to spread in non-native regions. Many studies addressing this issue have been based on relatively small areas or restricted taxonomic groups. Here, we analyse a large data base involving 1567 plant species introduced between Eastern Asia and North America or from elsewhere to both regions. We related the extent of species distributions in each region to growth form and the distinction between upland and wetland habitats. We identified significant relationships between geographical distribution and plant traits in both native and exotic ranges as well as regional differences in the relationships. Range size was larger for herbaceous graminoids and forbs, especially annuals compared to perennials, than for woody species, and range size also was larger for plants of wetland compared to upland habitats. Distributions were more extensive in North America than in Eastern Asia, although native plants from both regions had broader distributions than non-natives, with exotics from elsewhere intermediate. Growth form and environment explained more of the variance in distribution of plants in North America than in Eastern Asia. The influence of growth form and habitat on distribution suggests that these traits might be related to tolerance of ecological conditions. In addition, the smaller extents of species in non-native compared to native areas suggest roles for dispersal limitation and adaptation to region-specific ecological conditions in determining distribution.     

利用纤维床反应器固定化发酵生产丙酸

构建了一种纤维床反应器(FBB), 并将其应用于丙酸的生产。将棉纤维绕成桶状, 固定于反应器中, 即可用于丙酸固定化发酵。以40 g/L的葡萄糖为碳源, 与游离细胞相比, 利用FBB生产丙酸, 丙酸产量由14.58 g/L提高至20.41 g/L, 发酵时间由120 h缩短至60 h。研究了不同糖浓度条件下FBB生产丙酸情况, 并将补料策略应用于丙酸发酵中。结果表明: 补料发酵能够有效改善Propionibacterium freudenreichii CCTCC M207015在高糖条件下丙酸对葡萄糖转化率较低、副产物较多的问题。经补料发酵280 h, 丙酸产量达45.91 g/L, 丙酸质量约占有机酸总质量比例为72.31%。     

Soluble expression and purification of Brucella cell surface protein (BCSP31) of Brucella melitensis and preparation of anti-BCSP31 monoclonal antibodies

Brucella cell surface protein (BCSP31) is potentially useful for diagnosing brucellosis. We aimed to establish a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against Brucella melitensis BCSP31 and to investigate its distribution in diagnosis. Soluble recombinant BCSP31 was successfully expressed and purified. Two MAbs (1F1 and 1E5) against B. melitensis BCSP31, effective in detecting both recombinant and cellular proteins, were obtained and characterized. The MAbs did not react with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or Bacillus aeruginosus, but strongly reacted with BCSP31 and B. melitensis by ELISA and Western blot analysis. We also tested different Brucella species and brucellosis using the prepared anti-BCSP31 MAbs. BCSP31 and anti-BCSP31 MAbs may play important roles in future research in diagnosing brucellosis.     

苏铁蕨配子体发育的研究

用无机培养基培养苏铁蕨(Brainea insignis (Hook.)J.Sm.)的孢子,显微镜下观察记录其孢子萌发及配子体形态发育过程.结果表明:孢子褐色,单裂缝,具周壁,稍褶皱.接种3 d左右孢子萌发,萌发类型为书带蕨型(VittariaType),原叶体发育类型为槲蕨型(Drynaria Type).接种15 d左右发育为片状体.接种25 d左右发育为成熟原叶体,呈心形,其翼面和翼缘均分布有毛状体.精子器由3细胞构成,成熟颈卵器颈部由4列细胞组成,4～5层细胞高.