Trypanosomatids, Other Than Phytomonas spp., Isolated and Cultured from Fruit

Trypanosomatids were isolated from edible fruit. One of the isolates (from tangerine) presented a set of enzymes for the metabolism of arginine-ornithine similar to that of Leptomonas spp., and failed to be recognized by monoclonal antibodies specific for Phytomonas spp. The possibility that trypanosomatids other than Phytomonas spp. could infect fruit was further examined by inoculating tomatoes with species of Crithidia, Leptomonas and Herpetomonas. Some of these flagellates multiplied in tomatoes. Besides, house flies became infected with Crithidia sp. when fed on tomatoes experimentally inoculated with this flagellate. Therefore, isolation of a trypanosomatid from a plant should not constitute an absolute criterion for placing it in the genus Phytomonas.     

Restriction analysis of the plasmid and chromosomal DNA of the strain Streptomyces fradiae--a producer of neomycin

Plasmid DNA with a molecular weight of 53-55 Md was isolated from Streptomyces fradiae strain 676 producing neomycin on centrifugation of the DNA preparation at the density gradient of cesium chloride-ethidium bromide. The extrachromosomal DNA had 6 recognition sites for Bgl II, more than 13 recognition sites for Bam HI, more than 14 recognition sites for Kpn I, more than 18 recognition sites for Pst I, more than 20 recognition sites for Sac I, more than 21 recognition sites for Pvu II and no recognition sites for Eco RI, Eco RV, Hind III and Sla I.     

Physical map of Aspergillus nidulans mitochondrial genes coding for ribosomal RNA: an intervening sequence in the large rRNA cistron

Summary A detailed map of the 32 kb mitochondrial genome of Aspergillus nidulans has been obtained by locating the cleavage sites for restriction endonucleases Pst I, Bam H I, Hha I, Pvu II, Hpa II and Hae III relative to the previously determined sites for Eco R I, Hind II and Hind III. The genes for the small and large ribosomal subunit RNAs were mapped by gel transfer hybridization of in vitro labelled rRNA to restriction fragments of mitochondrial DNA and its cloned Eco R I fragment E3, and by electron microscopy of RNA/DNA hybrids.The gene for the large rRNA (2.9 kb) is interrupted by a 1.8 kb insert, and the main segment of this gene (2.4 kb) is separated from the small rRNA gene (1.4 kb) by a spacer sequence of 2.8 kb length.This rRNA gene organization is very similar to that of the two-times larger mitochondrial genome of Neurospora crassa, except that in A. nidulans the spacer and intervening sequences are considerably shorter.     

大熊猫线粒体DNA的九种限制酶图谱

本文用9种限制性内切酶（BamHⅠ,BglⅠ,BglⅡ,EcoRⅠ,EcoRⅤ,PstⅠ,PvuⅡ,SalⅠ,XhoⅠ）分析大熊猫的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）。构建其中5种酶（BamHⅠ,EcoRⅠ,EcoRⅤ,PstⅠ,PvuⅡ）的mtDNA物理图谱。大熊猫mtDNA的分子大小约为16.4 Kb,酶切位点是随机分布。我们的结果为进一步研究大熊猫mtDNA进化提供了基础资料。     

Localization of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in the N2-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica

Abstract A new, high copy number conjugative plasmid pSLG3 (10.9 kb) was isolated from vegetative mycelium of Streptomyces lavendulae-grasserius RIA746. The sensitivity of pSLG3 DNA to 9 restriction endonucleases was tested and the positions of the unique Bgl II and Pst I target site, 3 Kpn I target sites and 5 Pvu II target sites were mapped. The unique Bgl II target site was localized outside pSLG3 essential region and was used for the construction of recombinant plasmid pSR1, composed of pSLG3 and pIJ350 Streptomyces DNAs.     

Use of Monoclonal Antibodies for Differentiation of Different Isolates of Phytomonas (Plant Trypanosomatids)

The Phytomonas genus was created arbitrarily to designate plant trypanosomes. A serological study with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies was carried out to situate these trypanosomatids with respect to other trypanosomatids - Herpetomonas, Crithidia, Trypanosoma - and to compare different plant trypanosome strains with each other. The use of monoclonal antibodies directed against two different isolates makes it possible to distinguish plant trypanosomatids according to their geographical origin and to separate clearly the plant trypanosomatids from the South of France from other lower trypanosomatids, which seems to justify creating the Phytomonas genus.     

The use of phosphorothioate-modified DNA in restriction enzyme reactions to prepare nicked DNA

The RF IV form of M13 DNA was synthesized enzymatically in vitro, using the viral (+)strand as template, to contain phosphorothioate-modified internucleotidic linkages of the Rp configuration on the 5' side of every base of a particular type in the newly-synthesized (-)strand. Twenty nine restriction enzymes were then tested for their reactions with the appropriate modified DNA types having a phosphorothioate linkage placed exactly at the cleavage site(s) of these enzymes in the (-)strand. Eleven of the seventeen restriction enzymes tested that had recognition sequences of five bases or more could be used to convert the phosphorothioate DNA entirely into the nicked form, either by simply allowing the reaction to go to completion with excess enzyme (Ava I, Ava II, Ban II, Hind II, Nci I, Pst I or Pvu I) or by stopping the reaction at the appropriate time before the nicked DNA is linearized (Bam HI, Bgl I, Eco RI or Hind III). Only modification of the exact cleavage site in the (-)strand could block linearization by the first class of enzymes. The results presented imply that the restriction enzyme-directed nicking of phosphorothioate M13 DNA occurs exclusively in the (+)strand.     

Phylogenetic validation of the genera Angomonas and Strigomonas of trypanosomatids harboring bacterial endosymbionts with the description of new species of trypanosomatids and of proteobacterial symbionts

We comparatively examined the nutritional, molecular and optical and electron microscopical characteristics of reference species and new isolates of trypanosomatids harboring bacterial endosymbionts. Sequencing of the V7V8 region of the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene distinguished six major genotypes among the 13 isolates examined. The entire sequences of the SSU rRNA and glycosomal glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) genes were obtained for phylogenetic analyses. In the resulting phylogenetic trees, the symbiont-harboring species clustered as a major clade comprising two subclades that corresponded to the proposed genera Angomonas and Strigomonas. The genus Angomonas comprised 10 flagellates including former Crithidia deanei and C. desouzai plus a new species. The genus Strigomonas included former Crithidia oncopelti and Blastocrithidia culicis plus a new species. Sequences from the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) and size polymorphism of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles revealed considerable genetic heterogeneity within the genera Angomonas and Strigomonas. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences demonstrated that all of the endosymbionts belonged to the Betaproteobacteria and revealed three new species. The congruence of the phylogenetic trees of trypanosomatids and their symbionts support a co-divergent host-symbiont evolutionary history.     

Phytomonas iron superoxide dismutase: a possible molecular marker

We have isolated and biochemically characterized two iron superoxide dismutases activities (SODI and SODII) from a plant trypanosomatid isolated from Euphorbia characias. The isoenzyme FeSODII has immunogenic capacity, and the positivity of the anti-SODII serum persists to a dilution of 1/40,000, by Western blot. In addition, Western blot has been used to test the positivity of the anti-SODII serum against antigen fractions (SOD) from 17 isolates belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae and for which we had previously determined the isoenzymatic profile. The reaction proved positive only with those plant isolates considered to belong to the genus Phytomonas, whereas there was no reaction of the anti-SODII serum, against the antigen fractions from the species Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, Herpetomonas samuelpessoai, Herpetomonas davidi, Crithidia luciliae and Leptomonas collosoma. FeSODII is located mainly over the entire surface of the parasite, as well as in the nucleus, glycosomes and membranes. The above makes FeSODII promising as a molecular tool for diagnosis and identification, and as a potential chemotherapeutic target for designing drugs aimed at controlling not only of the diseases caused by Phytomonas species, but also for the great metabolic similarity to other trypanosomatids of animals and humans, it may be possible for these results to be extrapolated. Moreover, the sequencing of the amino-terminal end of the FeSODII enables the design of primers that in the near future will make it possible to sequence the gene of this isoenzyme.     

Complete sequence and structure of ribosomal RNA gene of Heterosporis anguillarum

The ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene region of the microsporidium Heterosporis anguillarum has been examined. Complete DNA sequence data (4060 bp, GenBank Accession No. AF402839) of the rRNA gene of H. anguillarum are presented for the small subunit gene (SSU rRNA: 1359 bp), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS: 37 bp), and the large subunit gene (LSU rRNA: 2664 bp). The secondary structures of the H. anguillarum SSU and LSU rRNA genes are constructed and described. This is the first complete sequence of an rRNA gene published for a fish-infecting microsporidian species. In the phylogenetic analysis, the sequences, including partial SSU rRNA, ITS, and partial LSU rRNA sequences of the fish-infecting microsporidia, were aligned and analysed. The taxonomic position of H. anguillarum as suggested by Lom et al. (2000; Dis Aquat Org 43:225-231) is confirmed in this paper.     

Actin expression in trypanosomatids (Euglenozoa: Kinetoplastea)

Heteroxenic and monoxenic trypanosomatids were screened for the presence of actin using a mouse polyclonal antibody produced against the entire sequence of the Trypanosoma cruzi actin gene, encoding a 41.9 kDa protein. Western blot analysis showed that this antibody reacted with a polypeptide of approximately 42 kDa in the whole-cell lysates of parasites targeting mammals (T. cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major), insects (Angomonas deanei, Crithidia fasciculata, Herpetomonas samuelpessoai and Strigomonas culicis) and plants (Phytomonas serpens). A single polypeptide of approximately 42 kDa was detected in the whole-cell lysates of T. cruzi cultured epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes and amastigotes at similar protein expression levels. Confocal microscopy showed that actin was expressed throughout the cytoplasm of all the tested trypanosomatids. These data demonstrate that actin expression is widespread in trypanosomatids.     

Chloroplast DNA differences between two species of Oenothera subsection Munzia: location in the chloroplast genome and relevance to possible interactions between nuclear and plastid genomes

Summary The chloroplast DNAs (cpDNAs) of Oenothera berteriana and Oe. odorata (subsection Munzia) were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis with Sal I, Pvu II, Kpn I, Pst I, Hind III, and Bam HI. The fragment patterns show that these cpDNAs have all 133 restriction sites in common as well as a lot of individual bands. Nevertheless the cpDNAs of the two species can be distinguished by distinct differences in size between a small number of fragments. The 42 cleavage sites produced by Sal I, Pvu II and Kpn I were mapped on the circular cpDNAs. This was achieved by an approach which combined experimental and mathematical procedures. The overall serial order of the fragments was found to be the same for both cpDNAs. The size differences of individual fragments in the Sal I, Pvu II and Kpn I patterns between Oe. berteriana and Oe. odorata cpDNA are located within five regions scattered along the plastid chromosome. Two of these regions have been localized in the larger and one in the smaller of the two single-copy parts of the cpDNA molecule. The remaining two overlap the borders between the large single-copy and each of the duplicated parts of the molecule. The positions of distinct restriction sites are altered among the two Oenothera plastome DNAs by 0.02–0.4 MDa (30–600 base pairs). These alterations probably result from insertions/deletions.Abbreviations cpDNA chloroplast, plastid DNA - Oe. Oenothera - MDa Megadalton - rRNA, rDNA ribosomal RNA, DNA Dedicated to Professor Berthold Schwemmle, Tübingen, on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

pBR322DNA与8-甲氧补骨脂素光化学反应部位的碱基顺序特异性

用限制性核酸内切酶酶切试验研究了质粒pBR322 DNA经8-MOP及近紫外线作用后损伤部位的碱基顺序特异性。实验研究发现PUVA损伤的DNA在HindⅢ及RsaⅠ识别位置上酶切反应受到严重抑制,而在SphⅠ,EcoRⅠ,PvuⅡ,BamHI,PstⅠ识到位置上抑制轻微。通过对不同识别位置上碱基顺序及其光化学反应敏感性的分析,推断出DNA的TpA顺序可能是最易接受8-MOP光化学反应的部位。     

Diversity and phylogeny of insect trypanosomatids based on small subunit rRNA genes: polyphyly of Leptomonas and Blastocrithidia

With the aim of further investigating phylogenetic relationships in insect trypanosomatids, we have determined the sequences of small subunit rRNA genes from ten isolates, which were originally classified as Leptomonas, Blastocrithidia, and Wallaceina based on their morphology in the hosts. The inferred maximum likelihood, parsimony, and distance trees indicate that the Leptomonas and Blastocrithidia are polyphyletic, and confirm the polyphyly of Herpetomonas and Crithidia. Blastocrithidia triatoma and Leptomonas collosoma were among the earliest branching lineages among the insect trypanosomatids, while most other isolates were found within a closely related terminal clade, which also included Crithidia fasciculata. This analysis has clearly demonstrated that the morphological classification system of insect trypanosomatids does not always reflect their genetic affinities warranting its revision in the future.     

Molecular diversity of the syndinean genus Euduboscquella based on single-cell PCR analysis

The genus Euduboscquella is one of a few described genera within the syndinean dinoflagellates, an enigmatic lineage with abundant diversity in marine environmental clone libraries based on small subunit (SSU) rRNA. The region composed of the SSU through to the partial large subunit (LSU) rRNA was determined from 40 individual tintinnid ciliate loricae infected with Euduboscquella sampled from eight surface water sites in the Northern Hemisphere, producing seven distinct SSU sequences. The corresponding host SSU rRNA region was also amplified from eight host species. The SSU tree of Euduboscquella and syndinean group I sequences from environmental clones had seven well-supported clades and one poorly supported clade across data sets from 57 to 692 total sequences. The genus Euduboscquella consistently formed a supported monophyletic clade within a single subclade of group I sequences. For most parasites with identical SSU sequences, the more variable internal transcribed spacer (ITS) to LSU rRNA regions were polymorphic at 3 to 10 sites. However, in E. cachoni there was variation between ITS to LSU copies at up to 20 sites within an individual, while in a parasite of Tintinnopsis spp., variation between different individuals ranged up to 19 polymorphic sites. However, applying the compensatory base change model to the ITS2 sequences suggested no compensatory changes within or between individuals with the same SSU sequence, while one to four compensatory changes between individuals with similar but not identical SSU sequences were found. Comparisons between host and parasite phylogenies do not suggest a simple pattern of host or parasite specificity.     

人乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)adr亚型基因组的多态性

由乙型肝炎adr亚型病毒(HBVadr)携带者26人的混合血清,得到了HBVadr基因组克隆株(PADR)158株,对这些克隆株进行四种限制性内切酶(BglⅡ,HindⅢ,PstⅠ,XhoⅠ)切点测定,并对其中S株的13种限制性内切酶图谱进行比较研究,发现同为adr亚型病毒,其基因组的限制性酶切图谱存在差异。另外,通过HindⅢ)切点得到的12个克隆株(PADR-H),也进行了酶切图谱分析。在这170个克隆株中,已经发现了5种类型的HBVadr基因组限制性酶切图谱,其中有6种酶(AvaⅠ,EglⅠ,BglⅡ,HincⅡ,HindⅢ,HpaⅠ)的7个变异点。本文报道了HBVadr基因组的多态性现象。