Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Exophiala jeanselmei and Exophiala dermatitidis

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis with Hae III, Hind. III and Msp I was performed in 45 Exophiala jeanselmei strains (30 Phialophora jeanselmei and 15 Phialophora gougerotii strains) and 31 Exophiala dermatitidis strains. The results were as follows, 1) P. jeanselmei and P. gougerotii are identical, 2) E. jeanselmei is classified into 18 types based on restriction profiles, 3) two strains of E. jeanselmei CBS 577.76 and CBS 578.76 are identified as E. dermatitidis, 4) E. dermatitidis has no intraspecific variation and is definitely distinct from E. jeanselmei, 5) E. jeanselmei is suggested to be a complex organism because of extensive mtDNA polymorphism.     

Invasion of a soft contact lens by Exophiala jeanselmei

The invasion of a soft contact lens by Exophiala jeanselmei is documented. All species in this genus are pathogenic. In humans E. jeanselmei is a recognized cause of mycetoma, phaeohyphomycosis and keratomycosis. This fungus has not been previously listed among lens invaders.     

Application of flow cytometry to differentiating Exophiala dermatitidis E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other

We applied a flow cytometry apparatus (FCM) to differenciating Exophiala dermatitidis, E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other. The wavelength of the argon laser emitted from the FCM was 488 nm and the aperture of nozzle from which the stream of fluid containing single cells was blown out was 100 m. By irradiating the stream with laser by either the forward light scatter (FLS) or by the perpendicular light scattr (PLS), we were able to get two pieces of informations. Histograms displayed by the FLS indicate the cell size, while dot displays by the PLS reflect the cell structure. As a result, E. dermatitidis was clearly differenciated from either E. moniliae or E. jeanselmei by their histograms by FLS. In addition, dot displays by the PLS differenciated E. moniliae from E. jeanselmei.In conclusion, flow cytometry is available for differenciating E. dermatitidis, E. moniliae and E. jeanselmei from each other.     

Degradation of monohydroxylated benzoates by strain KUFI-6N of the yeast-like fungus Exophiala jeanselmei

Strain KUFI-6N of Exophiala jeanselmei, a cyclohexanol-utilizing yeast-like fungus, was found to grow on 3 isomers of hydroxybenzoate that functioned as the sole carbon sources. Distinct and highly specific hydroxylases converted p- and m-hydroxybenzoate to protocatechuate and o-hydroxybenzoate to catechol.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis ofExophiala moniliae

Mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) analysis with restriction enzymes, Hae III, Hind III and Msp I was performed in 17Exophiala moniliae strains. The results were as follows: (1)E. moniliae could be classified into 10 types based on restriction patterns, (2)E. moniliae is suggested to be a complex organism because of extensive mtDNA polymorphism among strains likeE. jeanselmei and (3) two types ofE. moniliae are identical with two types ofE. jeanselmei. These results suggest thatE. moniliae is not genetically defined fromE. jeanselmei and the taxonomical status ofE. moniliae requires reevaluation     

Staurastrum dilatatum var.thomassonii var. nov.

The new varietyStaurastrum dilatatum Ehr. var.thomassonii is described and illustrated.     

Mitochondrial DNA diversity and male sterility in natural populations of Daucus carota ssp carota

Mitochondrial variability was investigated in natural populations of wild carrot (Daucus carota ssp carota) in different regions: South of France, Greece, and various sites in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. Total DNA was digested with two restriction endonucleases (EcoRV and HindIII) and probed with three mitochondrial DMA-specific genes (coxI, atp6, and coxII). Twenty-five different mitochondrial types were found in 80 analyzed individuals. Thirteen mitotypes were found among the 7 French populations studied. On average, 4.4 different mitotypes were observed per population, and these mitotypes were well-distributed among the populations. All of the mitochondrial types were specific to a single region. However, the proportion of shared restriction fragments between 2 mitotypes from different regions was not particularly lower than that which occurred among mitotypes from a single region. On the basis of the sexual phenotype [male-sterile (MS) or hermaphrodite] of the plants studied in situ and that of their progeny, 2 mitotypes were found to be highly associated with male sterility. Eighty percent of the plants bearing these mitotypes were MS in situ, and all of these plants produced more than 30% MS plants in their progeny. This association with male sterility was consistent in several populations, suggesting an association with a cytoplasmic male-sterility system. Moreover, these two mitotypes had very similar mitochondrial DNA restriction patterns and were well-differentiated from the other mitotypes observed in wild plants and also from those observed in the two CMS types already known in the cultivated carrot. This suggests that they correspond to a third cytoplasmic sterility.     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism induced by protoplast fusion in Cruciferae

Summary The mitochondrial genomes of five rapeseed somatic hybrid plants, which combine in a first experimentBrassica napus chloroplasts and a cytoplasmic male sterility trait coming fromRaphanus sativus, and in a second experiment chloroplasts of a triazine resistantB. compestris and a cytoplasmic male sterility trait fromR. sativus, were analyzed by restriction endonucleases. Restriction fragment patterns indicate that these genomes differ from each other and from both parents. The presence of new bands in the somatic hybrid mitochondrial DNA restriction patterns is evidence of mitochondrial recombination in somatic hybrid cells. In both parental and somatic hybrid plants large quantitative variations in a mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA have been observed. Our results suggest that the cytoplasmic support for male sterility is located in the chromosomal mitochondrial DNA instead of the plasmid-like DNA.     

Mitochondrial DNA rearrangements in somatic hybrids of Solanum tuberosum and Solanum brevidens

Summary Thirty somatic hybrids between Solanum tuberosum and Solanum brevidens were analysed for mitochondrial and chloroplast genome rearrangements. In all cases, the chloroplast genomes were inherited from one of the parental protoplast populations. No chloroplast DNA alterations were evident but a range of mitochondrial DNA alterations, from zero to extensive intra- and inter-molecular recombinations, were found. Such recombinations involved specific recombination hot spots in the mitochondrial genome. Not all hybrids regenerated from a common callus possessed identical mitochondrial genomes, suggesting that sorting out of mitochondrial populations in the callus may have been incomplete at the plant regeneration stage. Sorting out of organelles in planta was not observed.     

Mitochondrial DNA diversity in the genera of Triticum and Aegilops revealed by southern blot hybridization

Summary Southern blot hybridization of total DNA to defined mitochondrial DNA sequences provides a sensitive assay for mtDNA variation in the genera of Triticum and Aegilops. A clear distinction between cytoplasms of tetraploid species sharing the AG haploid genome is reported for the first time. The Sitopsis section of the genus Aegilops showed the most extensive intra- and inter-specific variation, whereas no variation could be detected among the cytoplasms of polyploid Triticum species (wheats) sharing the AB haploid genome. Extensive cytoplasmic intraspecific diversity was revealed in Ae. speltoides.     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in pearl millet and related species

Summary Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction endonuclease fragment patterns and patterns of mtDNA hybridized by mitochondrial gene probes were used to study phylogenetic relationships of seven Pennisetum species, including five P. americanum (pearl millet) ecotypes and a reference species from the distantly related genus, Panicum. The restriction patterns of the pearl millet ecotypes were uniform with the exception of the ecotype collected in Ethiopia. The probe hybridization method revealed more variability, with both the Rhodesian and Ethiopian ecotypes differing from the others and from each other. Considerable restriction pattern polymorphism was noted among different species of Pennisetum, and Panicum. Significant relationships were noted of Pennisetum polystachyon to P. pedicellatum and of P. purpureum to P. squamulatum using the restriction pattern method. In addition to those relationships, the hybridization method showed relationships of pearl millet to P. purpureum and to P. squamulatum. The relationships noted between species by the hybridization method agreed more closely to the cytological data than those indicated by the restriction pattern method. Therefore, the hybridization method appeared to be the preferred method for studying species relationships. The mitochondrial genome size of pearl millet was calculated to be 407 kb and the mitochondrial genome sizes of other Pennisetum species ranged from 341 to 486 kb.Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 8485.     

First environmental isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and var. gatti from the Gharbia Governorate,Egypt

Flowers from two Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees in the Qutur area and one tree from the Tanta area yielded three isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. Pigeon and sparrow droppings were also investigated for the occurrence of C. neoformans within the study area. Ninety five isolates of the neoformans variety of C. neoformans were recovered from 550 samples of avian droppings. This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Sporothrix schenckii clinical isolates from China

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) types based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)patterns with HaeIII were investigated in clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii in China. In addition to 23 mtDNA types (Types 1–23) so far reported, a new mtDNA type (Type 24) was found in this study. Type 24 was divided into two subtypes, Subtype 24A and 24B based on RFLP with EcoRV. Sixty-seven isolates in China consisted of 58 isolates of Type 4, 5 of Type 6, 1 of Type 5, 1 of Type 20 and 2 of Type 24. Based on the phylogeny of the mtDNA types (Types 1–24) constructed by estimating sequence divergences of mtDNA, mtDNA types clustered into two groups: Group A (Types 1–3, Type 11, Types 14–19 and Types 22–23) and Group B (Types 4–10, Types 12–13,Types 20–21 and Type 24). These results suggest that mostS. schenckii isolates in China belong to Group B.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mitochondrial DNA recombination in Brassica campestris

The structure of the mitochondrial genome in plants is unclear, but appears to consist of mostly linear DNA with some other structures, including branched molecules and subgenomic circles. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) recombination was analyzed in Brassica campestris, which has one of the smallest mitochondrial genomes (218 kb) in higher plants. Field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) separated mtDNA into discrete populations that each represents the entire genome. Electron microscopy revealed large, mostly linear molecules trapped in the wells, slower migrating populations with mostly linear DNA and a low level of circular and networked mtDNA molecules of 10–140 kbp, and a fast migrating population of 10–50 kbp linear mtDNA. Some smaller than genome size circular molecules and circles with tails were observed, and may represent recombination or rolling circle replication intermediates. Hybridization of end-labeled mtDNA suggests there may be specific ends (or recombination hotspots) for some linear molecules. Analysis of mtDNA enriched by BND-cellulose and separated by two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis shows the presence of complex recombination structures and the presence of significant single-stranded regions in mtDNA. These findings provide further evidence that DNA recombination contributes to the complex structure of mtDNA in plants.     

Mitochondrial DNA evolution in theobscura species subgroup ofDrosophila

Summary Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction site maps for nine species of theDrosophila obscura subgroup and forDrosophila melanogaster were established. Taking into account all restriction enzymes (12) and strains (45) analyzed, a total of 105 different sites were detected, which corresponds to a sample of 3.49% of the mtDNA genome. Based on nucleotide divergences, two phylogenetic trees were constructed assuming either constant or variable rates of evolution. Both methods led to the same relationships. Five differentiated clusters were found for theobscura subgroup species, one Nearctic, represented byDrosophila pseudoobscura, and four Palearctic, two grouping the related triads of speciesDrosophila subobscura, Drosophila madeirensis, Drosophila guanche, andDrosophila ambigua, Drosophila obscura, Drosophila subsilvestris, and two more represented by one species each,Drosophila bifasciata, andDrosophila tristis. The different Palearctic clusters are as distant between themselves as with the Nearctic one. For the related speciesD. subobscura, D. madeirensis, andD. guanche, the pairD. subobscura-D. madeirensis is the closest one. The relationships found by nucleotide divergence were confirmed by differences in mitochondrial genome size, with related species sharing similar genome lengths and differing from the distant ones. The total mtDNA size range for theobscura subgroup species was from 15.5 kb forD. pseudoobscura to 17.1 forD. tristis.     

土壤因子与华重楼生物量和药效成分含量相关性分析

为研究土壤因子对华重楼生长和药效成分积累的影响,该研究利用高效液相色谱技术(HPLC)以及相关性和多元线性回归分析方法,测定了华重楼不同产地土壤成分、样品的生物量和重楼皂苷的含量,分析了土壤因子与华重楼生物量和药效成分的相关性。结果表明:(1)不同产地土壤成分和华重楼产量及其重楼皂苷含量均有差异。(2)相关性分析显示,干重与有机质、全氮、碱解氮显著正相关,重楼皂苷Ⅰ与有机质和速效磷显著正相关,重楼皂苷Ⅱ与速效磷和速效钾显著正相关,而重楼皂苷Ⅶ与土壤各因子的相关性不显著。(3)多元线性回归分析显示,影响干重的主导因子为碱解氮,影响重楼皂苷Ⅰ的主导因子为有机质,影响重楼皂苷Ⅱ的主导因子为速效磷,而重楼皂苷Ⅱ与碱解氮呈线性负相关。综合分析认为,影响华重楼干重的土壤因子主要是碱解氮,而影响华重楼皂苷含量的土壤因子主要为有机质和速效磷,该研究结果为华重楼的人工栽培提供了理论依据。     

白菜CesA基因家族鉴定及表达模式分析

为探究CesA基因家族在白菜生长发育及纤维素合成过程中的作用机制,该文通过生物信息学的方法,以白菜的全基因组序列为研究区域,进行理化特征、基因结构、进化特征、保守基序及结构域、顺式作用元件和组织表达等鉴定分析。结果表明:(1)共鉴定出16个编码纤维素合成酶亚基的CesA基因,该家族成员所编码蛋白的理论等电点为4.76～9.12,相对分子量为17.76～122.67 kD,长度为153～1 089 aa。(2)15个基因不均匀地分布于白菜的7条染色体上,Bra036008定位于scaffold上。(3)大部分成员包含4～14个外显子,1～11个保守基序。(4)该家族具有保守的DDD-QXXRW 保守功能域。(5)该家族编码蛋白主要分布在质膜上,二级结构以无规则卷曲与α-螺旋为主,多数成员都含有CesA蛋白典型的N端、C端和跨膜区。(6)CesA基因在茎中表达量相对较高,其中Bra011865、Bra023952和Bra029874在茎、叶、花中显著表达。该研究结果为后续深入研究CesA基因功能以及白菜生长发育研究奠定了基础。     

基于叶绿体基因证据的民族药滇白珠复合群系统发育关系

滇白珠是我国重要的民族药用植物,广泛分布于长江以南地区,是一个分类困难的复合群。为了探讨其种下分类关系,该文对滇白珠复合群(包括毛滇白珠、秃果白珠和滇白珠3个变种)进行网罗式采样,基本覆盖了该复合群在中国的分布范围,同时包括菲律宾和马来西亚的各1个居群,共计81个居群241个个体,通过联合两个变异位点适中的叶绿体片段rpl33-psa J和trn L-rpl32,构建基于最大似然法(Maximum Likelihood)和贝叶斯法(Bayesian Inference)的系统发育树,以及Neighbor-Net法构建系统发育网络。结果表明:滇白珠复合群内具有明显的遗传差异,这种差异性相比形态,与地域分布相关性更大。系统发育分析显示,滇白珠复合群分为3个支系。其中:一支包括中国台湾和菲律宾南达沃的居群,为变种秃果白珠,符合前人分类结果;一支包括分布于横断山脉区域的居群,由变种毛滇白珠和滇白珠组成;剩余一支包括分布于华东南区域的居群,同样由变种毛滇白珠和滇白珠组成。分子证据支持基于形态分类的秃果白珠作为变种,而不支持毛滇白珠作为变种的处理。这样的遗传分化式样可能是由地理隔离导致,这一结果为...     

Relationships among Cichorium species and related genera as determined by analysis of mitochondrial RFLPs

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was employed to assess cytoplasmic diversity among cytoypes of the genus Cichorium and related genera of the tribe Lactuceae (Asteraceae). Hybridization patterns of total DNA using six restriction enzymes and five heterologous mtDNA probes were examined. From estimates of mtDNA diversity, Cichorium spinosum appeared as an ecotype of C. intybus rather than a separate species. Interspecific mtDNA polymorphism in the genus Cichorium was higher than that observed in Cicerbita Crepis, Lactuca and Tragopogon. Molecular data seemed to indicate that Catananche is very distant from the other genera examined. Intergeneric comparisons allowed the clustering of Cicerbita, Lactuca and Cichorium, genera which belong to different subtribes. However, further molecular investigations on a larger number of genera are needed to clarify the relationships among genera within and between subtribes of the tribe Lactuceae.