Phylogenetic positions of several amitochondriate protozoa-Evidence from phylogenetic analysis of DNA topoisomerase II

Several groups of parasitic protozoa, as represented by Giardia, Trichomonas, Entamoeba and Microsporida, were once widely considered to be the most primitive extant eukaryotic group―Archezoa. The main evidence for this is their 'lacking mitochondria' and possessing some other primitive features between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and being basal to all eukaryotes with mitochondria in phylogenies inferred from many molecules. Some authors even proposed that these organisms diverged before the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria within eukaryotes. This view was once considered to be very significant to the study of origin and evolution of eukaryotic cells (eukaryotes). However, in recent years this has been challenged by accumulating evidence from new studies. Here the sequences of DNA topoisomerase II in G. lamblia, T. vaginalis and E. histolytica were identified first by PCR and sequencing, then combining with the sequence data of the microsporidia Encephalitozoon cunicul and other eukaryotic groups of different evolutionary positions from GenBank, phylogenetic trees were constructed by various methods to investigate the evolutionary positions of these amitochondriate protozoa. Our results showed that since the characteristics of DNA topoisomerase II make it avoid the defect of 'long-branch attraction' appearing in the previous phylogenetic analyses, our trees can not only reflect effectively the relationship of different major eukaryotic groups, which is widely accepted, but also reveal phylogenetic positions for these amitochondriate protozoa, which is different from the previous phylogenetic trees. They are not the earliest-branching eukaryotes, but diverged after some mitochondriate organisms such as kinetoplastids and mycetozoan; they are not a united group but occupy different phylogenetic positions. Combining with the recent cytological findings of mitochondria-like organelles in them, we think that though some of them (e.g. diplomonads, as represented by Giardia) may occupy a very low evolutionary position, generally these organisms are not as extremely primitive as was thought before; they should be polyphyletic groups diverging after the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondrion to adapt themselves to anaerobic parasitic life.     

Phylogenetic positions of several amitochondriate protozoa——Evidence from phylogenetic analysis of DNA topoisomerase II

In the 1980s some special protozoa were gradually recognized: being eukaryotes, they possess some characteristics between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, for example, lack of eukaryotic organelle such as mi-tochondria, and even 70S ribosomes in some species, containing 16S, 23S rRNA like those of prokaryotes. These protozoa contain diplomonads (e.g. intestinal parasite Giardia), parabasalids (e.g. venereal disease pathogen Trichomonas), microsporidia (e.g. the human pathogen Encephalitozoon), a…     

Interleukin-2 induces the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II in HuT 78 cells

The induction by interleukin-2 of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II activities in the human T cell line HuT 78 was investigated. HuT 78 cells were treated with 1000 U of interleukin-2/ml, and extracts of the HuT 78 nuclei were prepared over a 24 h period. The extracts were assayed quantitatively for the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II. Three concomitant, transient increases of 3- to 11-fold in the specific activities of both DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II were observed following treatment with IL-2 at 0.5, 4, and 10 h after treatment with interleukin-2. The specific activities of both enzymes returned to base-line values after each of these transient increases. These results reveal that the activities of DNA topoisomerase I and DNA topoisomerase II are highly regulated in HuT 78 cells upon treatment with IL-2.     

Identification of Horizontal Gene Transfer from Phylogenetic Gene Trees

We suggest a new procedure to search for the genes with horizontal transfer events in their evolutionary history. The search is based on analysis of topology difference between the phylogenetic trees of gene (protein) groups and the corresponding phylogenetic species trees. Numeric values are introduced to measure the discrepancy between the trees. This approach was applied to analyze 40 prokaryotic genomes classified into 132 classes of orthologs. This resulted in a list of the candidate genes for which the hypothesis of horizontal transfer in evolution looks true.     

A non‐canonical function of topoisomerase II in disentangling dysfunctional telomeres

The decatenation activity of topoisomerase II (Top2), which is widely conserved within the eukaryotic domain, is essential for chromosomal segregation in mitosis. It is less clear, however, whether Top2 performs the same function uniformly across the whole genome, and whether all its functions rely on decatenation. In the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, telomeres are bound by Taz1, which promotes smooth replication fork progression through the repetitive telomeric sequences. Hence, replication forks stall at taz1Δ telomeres. This leads to telomeric entanglements at low temperatures (⩽20°C) that cause chromosomal segregation defects and loss of viability. Here, we show that the appearance of entanglements, and the resulting cold sensitivity of taz1Δ cells, is suppressed by mutated alleles of Top2 that confer slower catalytic turnover. This suppression does not rely on the decatenation activity of Top2. Rather, the enhanced presence of reaction intermediates in which Top2 is clamped around DNA, promotes the removal of telomeric entanglements in vivo, independently of catalytic cycle completion. We propose a model for how the clamped enzyme–DNA complex promotes proper chromosomal segregation.     

Illegitimate recombination as a possible mechanism of topoisomerase-II-induced chromosomal rearrangements

Using a semiquantitative PCR-based approach, a breakpoint cluster region of AML1 was associated with the nuclear matrix. Inhibition of topoisomerase II (topoII) by etoposide stimulated the appearance of histone γH2AX foci, indicative of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The majority of these foci were associated with the nuclear matrix. Nuclear matrix-associated multiprotein complexes involved in topoII-induced DNA DSB repair were visualized. Colocalization studies demonstrated that these complexes included the main components of the nonhomologous end joining repair system (Ku80, DNA-PKcs, and DNA ligase IV). Thus, it was suggested that nonhomologous DNA end joining is a possible mechanism of topoII-induced chromosomal rear-rangements.     

Identification, characteristic and phylogenetic analysis of type II DNA topoisomerase gene in Giardia lamblia

The genes encoding type II DNA topoisomerases were investigated in Giardia lamblia genome, and a type IIA gene,GlTop 2 was identified. It is a single copy gene with a 4476 bp long ORF without intron. The deduced amino acid sequence shows strong homology to eukaryotic DNA Top 2. However, some distortions were found, such as six insertions in the ATPase domain and the central domain, a -100 aa longer central domain; a ~200 aa shorter C-terminal domain containing rich charged residues. These features revealed by comparing with Top 2 of the host, human, might be helpful in exploiting drug selectivity for antigiardial therapy. Phylogenetic analysis of eukaryotic enzymes showed that kinetoplastids, plants, fungi, and animals were monophyletic groups, and the animal and fungi lineages shared a more recent common ancestor than either did with the plant lineage; microsporidia grouped with fungi. However, unlike many previous phylogenetic analyses, the ““amitochondriate““ G. lamblia was not the earliest branch but diverged after mitochondriate kinetoplastids in our trees. Both the finding of typical eukaryotic type IIA topoisomerase and the phylogenetic analysis suggest G, lamblia is not possibly as primitive as was regarded before and might diverge after the acquisition of mitochondria. This is consistent with the recent discovery of mitochondrial remnant organelles in G. lamblia.     

Inhibition of DNA polymerases and DNA topoisomerase II by triterpenes produced by plant callus

We found that some triterpene compounds could not only selectively inhibit the activities of mammalian DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) and beta (pol beta), but could also potently inhibit DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) [Biochem. J. 350 (2000) 757]. Here, we report that natural triterpenes produced by callus from an ancient Chinese medicinal plant were also inhibitors of the enzymes, and some were more selective than others. The natural triterpenes with a carboxyl group equally inhibited the activities of pol alpha, pol beta, and topo II, while the olide-type triterpenes with a ketone group suppressed the activities of pol beta and topo II, but not pol alpha. The other triterpenes from the callus hardly influenced these enzyme activities. As also described previously [J. Biochem. 130 (2001) 657], pol beta and topo II have a three-dimensionally similar triterpene-binding region, which is a pocket in which specific compounds can insert. The newly found triterpene inhibitors might structure-dependently insert into the pocket, and the pocket structure of each enzyme might, three-dimensionally but slightly, differ among them. The triterpene frames could be used for screening new inhibitors of the enzymes, and computer-simulated drug design using the frame and pocket structure may in theory be a possible approach to develop new inhibitors.     

Random mutagenesis of the B'A' core domain of yeast DNA topoisomerase II and large-scale screens of mutants resistant to the anticancer drug etoposide

Mutagenic PCR method was applied to introduce point mutations to the B'A' core domain of yeast DNA topoisomerase II. Screens for mutants resistant to the anticancer drug etoposide were carried out in a yeast ts system in the presence of high concentrations of the drug or in a drug-hypersensitive genetic background. 129 mutants were obtained from a total of 47,000 transformants. Nucleotide sequencing of 40 selected mutants showed that a large number of the mutations map to regions encoding the linker that joins the ATPase domain to the B' module and the B'A' linker. Significant reduction in catalytic activity was evident for a large fraction of mutant enzymes and all mutants were also resistant to amsacrine, another topoisomerase II drug with a different chemical structure, suggesting that few of the mutations reflect simple changes of specific amino acid side chains that are directly involved in enzyme-drug interactions.     

基于DNA条形码技术鉴定库尔勒机场的蝙蝠物种

随着航空业的发展,野生动物与航空器之间的冲突愈演愈烈,研究机场周边飞行动物对机场动物撞击防范工作具有重要意义。蝙蝠作为世界上唯一的飞行类哺乳动物,也是严重影响夜间飞机飞行安全的隐患之一,但由于蝙蝠体型较小,发生撞击后往往无法发现相对完整的尸体,多为血液和毛发等,因此物种鉴定比较困难。从库尔勒机场防鸟网采集到一具蝙蝠样本,基于DNA条形码技术（DNA barcoding）,通过16S rRNA遗传距离分析,发现棕蝠属（Eptesicus）与库尔勒样本群体间遗传距离为0.031~0.092,属内与库尔勒样本种间差异最大的是南美棕蝠（Eptesicus diminutus）,遗传距离为0.092;差异最小的是大棕蝠（Eptesicus serotinus）,遗传距离为0.031。结合形态学分析并通过解剖证实该个体的性腺尚未发育,确定了库尔勒机场挂网蝙蝠物种为大棕蝠。本研究为机场不易辨认或者保存不完整样本的物种鉴定提供方法依据。在确定物种后,了解其生活史特征,有利于机场动物撞击防范工作的精准实施,从而最大限度降低机场损失。     

基于DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅱ基因部分序列的侧耳属系统发育分析

对侧耳属（Pleurotus）14个种的14个菌株,亚侧耳属（Hohenbuehelia）1个种和离褶伞属（Lyophyllum）1个种的DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅱ（EC 5．99．1．3）部分序列进行扩增分析。以灰盖鬼伞（Coprinus cinereus）、新型隐球酵母（Cryptococcus neoformans）和玉米黑粉菌（Puccinia polysora）等担子菌为外群,采用最大距离法、最大简约法和最大似然法构建侧耳属的系统发育树。结果表明：作为外群的3个物种独立于所有供试材料;侧耳属菌株作为一大类与供试的离褶伞属和亚侧耳属分开。侧耳属14个种又可细分成6支：可能为侧耳属起源最早的P．flabellatus、P．salmoneostramineus和P．djamor组成一组;P．tuberregium和P．pulmonarius均自成一组;P．abalonus和P．cystidiosus均产生束梗孢,聚为同组;P．eryngii var．eryngii、P．eryngii var．ferulae和P．nebrodensis为一组;另一组由P．ostreatus、P．columbinus、P．cornucopiae和P．citrinopileatus组成。按照侧耳属物种菌丝类型的不同,构建的系统发育树将该属14个种进行系群划分,单、二系菌丝分属于各个不同的分支中,说明单、二系菌丝均为多系起源,与用28S rDNA序列进行系统分析的结果一致。     

饶氏藻系统位置的研究

用18S rDNA基因序列分析饶氏藻属(Jaoa)与相关藻类的亲缘关系。结果表明:饶氏藻18S rDNA的长度为1632 bp,GC%为50.6%,泡状饶氏藻18S rDNA的长度为1639 bp,GC%为50.3%。用最大简约法与饶氏藻上一级分类单元(目)构建的系统树表明有4个大的分支。两种饶氏藻与石莼目的 Ulva curvata、U.rigida、Enteromorpha intestinalis和Monostroma grevillei构成很强的支持分支(分支B),它们之间的核苷酸趋异性最低仅0.041,而与胶毛藻目的 Chaetophora incrassata的趋异性则很显著,达0.112,因此,饶氏藻应属于石莼目的一个类群,且饶氏藻和泡状饶氏藻构成一单系起源的分支,这两个物种的趋异性仅0.002,显示出它们具有非常紧密的亲缘关系,很可能是1种1变种而不是2种。     

基于DNA拓扑异构酶II基因部分序列的侧耳属系统发育分析

对侧耳属（Pleurotus）14个种的14个菌株,亚侧耳属（Hohenbuehelia）1个种和离褶伞属（Lyophyllum）1个种的DNA拓扑异构酶II（EC 5.99.1.3）部分序列进行扩增分析。以灰盖鬼伞（Coprinus cinereus）、新型隐球酵母（Cryptococcus neoformans）和玉米黑粉菌（Puccinia polysora）等担子菌为外群,采用最大距离法、最大简约法和最大似然法构建侧耳属的系统发育树。结果表明：作为外群的三个物种独立于所有供试材料;侧耳属菌株作为一大类与供试的离褶伞属和亚侧耳属分开。侧耳属14个种又可细分成六支：可能为侧耳属起源最早的P. flabellatus、P. salmoneostramineus和P. djamor组成一组;P. tuberregium和P. pulmonarius均自成一组;P. abalonus和P. cystidiosus均产生束梗孢,聚为同组;P. eryngii var. eryngii、P. eryngii var. ferulae和P. nebrodensis为一组;另一组由P. ostreatus、P. columbinus、P. cornucopiae和P. citrinopileatus组成。按照侧耳属物种菌丝类型的不同,构建的系统发育树将该属14个种进行系群划分,单、二系菌丝分属于各个不同的分支中,说明单、二系菌丝均为多系起源,与用28S rDNA序列进行系统分析的结果一致。