Genomic analysis and expression investigation of caleosin gene family in Arabidopsis

Caleosin is a common lipid-droplet surface protein, which has the ability to bind calcium. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is considered a model organism in plant researches. Although there are growing researches about caleosin in the past few years, a systemic analysis of caleosins in Arabidopsis is still scarce. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of caleosins in Arabidopsis was performed by bioinformatics methods. Firstly, eight caleosins in Arabidopsis are divided into two types, L-caleosin and H-caleosin, according to their molecular weights, and these two types of caleosin have many differences in characteristics. Secondly, phylogenetic tree result indicates that L-caleosin may evolve from H-caleosin. Thirdly, duplication pattern analysis shows that segmental and tandem duplication are main reasons for Arabidopsis caleosin expansion with the equal part. Fourthly, the expression profiles of caleosins are also investigated in silico in different organs and under various stresses and hormones. In addition, based on promoter analysis, caleosin may be involved in calcium signal transduction and lipid accumulation. Thus, the classification and expression analysis of caleosin genes in Arabidopsis provide facilities to the research of phylogeny and functions in this gene family.     

The secondary structure of human 28S rRNA: The structure and evolution of a mosaic rRNA gene

Summary We have determined the secondary structure of the human 28S rRNA molecule based on comparative analysis of available eukaryotic cytoplasmic and prokaryotic large-rRNA gene sequences. Examination of large-rRNA sequences of both distantly and closely related species has enabled us to derive a structure that accounts both for highly conserved sequence tracts and for previously unanalyzed variable-sequence tracts that account for the evolutionary differences in size among the large rRNAs.Human 28S rRNA is composed of two different types of sequence tracts: conserved and variable. They differ in composition, degree of conservation, and evolution. The conserved regions demonstrate a striking constancy of size and sequence. We have confirmed that the conserved regions of large-rRNA molecules are capable of forming structures that are superimposable on one another. The variable regions contain the sequences responsible for the 83% increase in size of the human large-rRNA molecule over that ofEscherichia coli. Their locations in the gene are maintained during evolution. They are G+C rich and largely nonhomologous, contain simple repetitive sequences, appear to evolve by frequent recombinational events, and are capable of forming large, stable hairpins.The secondary-structure model presented here is in close agreement with existing prokaryotic 23S rRNA secondary-structure models. The introduction of this model helps resolve differences between previously proposed prokaryotic and eukaryotic large-rRNA secondary-structure models.     

A comprehensive analysis of precursor microRNA cleavage by human Dicer

Dicer cleaves double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) or precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) to yield ∼22-nt RNA duplexes. The pre-miRNA structure requirement for human Dicer activity is incompletely understood. By large-scale in vitro dicing assays and mutagenesis studies, we showed that human Dicer cleaves most, although not all, of the 161 tested human pre-miRNAs efficiently. The stable association of RNAs with Dicer, as examined by gel shift assays, appears important but is not sufficient for cleavage. Human Dicer tolerates remarkable structural variation in its pre-miRNA substrates, although the dsRNA feature in the stem region and the 2-nt 3′-overhang structure in a pre-miRNA contribute to its binding and cleavage by Dicer, and a large terminal loop further enhances pre-miRNA cleavage. Dicer binding protects the terminal loop from digestion by S1 nuclease, suggesting that Dicer interacts directly with the terminal loop region.     

Primary structures of the 5S ribosomal RNAs of 11 arthropods and applicability of 5S RNA to the study of metazoan evolution

Summary 5S Ribosomal RNA sequences have proven to be useful tools in the study of evolutionary relationships among species. However, in reviewing previously published trees constructed from alignments of metazoan 5S RNAs, we noticed several discrepancies with classical evolutionary views. One such discrepancy concerned the phylum Arthropoda, where a crustacean,Artemia salina, seemed to be evolutionarily very remote from four insects. The cause of this phenomenon was studied by determining the 5S RNA sequences of additional arthropods, viz.Limulus polyphemus, Eurypelma californica, Lasiodora erythrocythara, Areneus diadematus, Daphnia magna, Ligia oceanica, Homarus gammarus, Cancer pagurus, Spirobolus sp.,Locusta migratoria, andTenebrio molitor. A tree was then constructed from a dissimilarity matrix by a clustering method known as weighted pair grouping. Application of a correction for unequal evolutionary rates improved the apparent evolutionary position of the arthropods and of some other metazoan species. However, neither the uncorrected nor the corrected tree permitted a completely acceptable reconstruction of metazoan evolution. We presume that this phenomenon is due to random deviations in the evolutionary rate of 5S RNA.Presented at the FEBS Symposium on Genome Organization and Evolution, held in Crete, Greece, September 1–5, 1986     

Evolution and sequence analysis of a human Y-chromosomal DNA fragment

Summary A Y-chromosomal DNA fragment has been isolated from a human Y-Charon 21A recombinant library. Evolutionary analysis of 1F5 indicates that the size and sequence of this fragment have been conserved in higher primates. Deletion mapping and in situ hybridization analysis have localized 1F5 to the middle euchromatic portion of the long arm of the human Y chromosome at Yq11.2. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of an atypical Alu element and two regions rich in polypyrimidine-polypurine residues.     

菜粉蝶线粒体基因组的全序列测定和分析

目前关于蝶类线粒体基因组全序列及其分子进化的研究还不多见。本研究通过长PCR和引物步移法对菜粉蝶Pieris rapae Linnaeus线粒体基因组全序列进行了测定和初步分析。结果表明：菜粉蝶线粒体基因组全长15 157 bp, 包含13个蛋白编码基因、22个tRNA和2个rRNA基因以及1个非编码的控制区域, 它们的长度分别是11 196 bp, 1 474 bp, 2 093 bp和393 bp。37个基因的位置与已报道的其他蝶类基本一致, 共有10对基因间存在总共59 bp的重叠, 重叠碱基数在1~35 bp之间; 基因间隔序列共计13处120 bp, 间隔长度1~46 bp不等, 最大的基因间隔46 bp, 位于tRNA^Ile和tRNA^Gln基因之间。另外, 基于13个蛋白质编码基因的氨基酸序列, 重建了基于蛋白质编码基因序列数据的11种代表性蝶类的NJ和MP系统树。结果表明:凤蝶类(包括凤蝶和绢蝶)为一大支系, 粉蝶类、 灰蝶类与蛱蝶类(包括蛱蝶、 珍蝶)构成另一大支系。结果不支持粉蝶科与凤蝶科（包括凤蝶类和绢蝶类）构成单系群, 却显示粉蝶科、 灰蝶科和蛱蝶科的组合为单系群。     

Systematic analysis and evolution of 5S ribosomal DNA in metazoans

Several studies on 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) have been focused on a subset of the following features in mostly one organism: number of copies, pseudogenes, secondary structure, promoter and terminator characteristics, genomic arrangements, types of non-transcribed spacers and evolution. In this work, we systematically analyzed 5S rDNA sequence diversity in available metazoan genomes, and showed organism-specific and evolutionary-conserved features. Putatively functional sequences (12 766) from 97 organisms allowed us to identify general features of this multigene family in animals. Interestingly, we show that each mammal species has a highly conserved (housekeeping) 5S rRNA type and many variable ones. The genomic organization of 5S rDNA is still under debate. Here, we report the occurrence of several paralog 5S rRNA sequences in 58 of the examined species, and a flexible genome organization of 5S rDNA in animals. We found heterogeneous 5S rDNA clusters in several species, supporting the hypothesis of an exchange of 5S rDNA from one locus to another. A rather high degree of variation of upstream, internal and downstream putative regulatory regions appears to characterize metazoan 5S rDNA. We systematically studied the internal promoters and described three different types of termination signals, as well as variable distances between the coding region and the typical termination signal. Finally, we present a statistical method for detection of linkage among noncoding RNA (ncRNA) gene families. This method showed no evolutionary-conserved linkage among 5S rDNAs and any other ncRNA genes within Metazoa, even though we found 5S rDNA to be linked to various ncRNAs in several clades.     

Mitochondrial DNA of the sea anemone,Metridium senile (Cnidaria): Prokaryote-like genes for tRNAf-Met and small-subunit ribosomal RNA,and standard genetic code specificities for AGR and ATA codons

The nucleotide sequence of a segment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the sea anemone Metridium senile (phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, order Actiniaria) has been determined, within which have been identified the genes for respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2), the small-subunit rRNA (s-rRNA), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II(COII), ND4, ND6, cytochrome b (Cyt b), tRNA^f-Met, and the large-subunit rRNA (1-rRNA). The eight genes are arranged in the order given and are all transcribed from the same strand of the molecule. The overall order of the M. senile mt-genes differs from that of other metazoan mtDNAs. In M. senile mt-protein genes, AGA and AGG codons appear to have the standard genetic code specification of arginine, rather than serine as found for other invertebrate mt-genetic codes. Also, ATA has the standard genetic code specification of isoleucine. TGA occurs in three M. senile mt-protein genes and may specify tryptophan as in other metazoan, protozoan, and some fungal mt-genetic codes. The M. senile mt-rRNA^f-Met gene has primary and secondary structure features closely resembling those of the Escherichia coli initiator tRNA, including standard dihydrouridine and TC loop sequences and a mismatch pair at the top of the aminoacyl stem. Determinations of the 5 and 3 end nucleotides of the M. senile mt-srRNAs indicated that these molecules have a homogenous size of 1,081 ntp, larger than any other known metazoan mt-s-rRNAs. Consistent with its larger size, the M. senile mt-s-rRNA can be folded into a secondary structure that more closely resembles that of the E. coli 16S rRNA than can any other metazoan mt-s-rRNA. These findings concerning M. senile mtDNA indicate that most of the unusual features regarding metazoan mt-genetic codes, rRNAs, and probably tRNAs developed after divergence of the Cnidarian line from the ancestral line common to other metazoa.Correspondence to: D.R. Wolstenholme     

Cloning and restriction analysis of ribosomal RNA genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis

A genomic library of Mycobacterium smegmatis DNA was constructed in phage EMBL3. A clone (gamma HB85) containing rRNA genes was isolated using as probes, fragments of E. coli rRNA cistron B. This cloned DNA fragment was mapped by restriction analysis and was shown to contain one complete set of rRNA genes (rRNA A). The physical mapping of the second set of rRNA genes of M. smegmatis (rRNA B) was done by restriction analysis of total chromosomal DNA. The two sets of rRNA genes showed highly conserved restriction sites within the respective sets but not in the flanking regions. The two rRNA sets of genes are organised like in the other eubacteria in the order 16S-23S-5S.     

A series of repetitive DNA sequences are associated with human core and H1 histone genes

Summary Repetitive DNA sequences, derived from the human β-globin gene cluster, were mapped within a series of human genomic DNA segments containing core (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4) and H1 histone genes. Cloned recombinant λCH4A phage with human histone gene inserts were analyzed by Southern blot analysis using the following³²P-labeled (nick translated) repetitive sequences as probes:Alu I,Kpn I and LTR-like. A cloned DNA designated RS002-5′C6 containing (i)a (TG)₁₆ simple repeat, (ii) an (ATTTT)n repeat and (iii)a 52 base pair alternating purine and pyrimidine sequence was also used as a radiolabelled hybridization probe. Analysis of 12 recombinant phage, containing 6 arrangements of core histone genes, indicated the presence ofAlu I,Kpn and RS002-5′C6 repetitive sequences. In contrast, analysis of 4 human genomic DNA segments, containing both core and H1 histone genes, indicated the presence of onlyAlu I family sequences. LTR-like sequences were not detected in association with any of the core or H1 histone genes examined. These results suggest that human histone and β-globin genes share certain aspects of sequence organization in flanking regions despite marked differences in their overall structure and pattern of expression.     

The evolutionary position of the rhodophytePorphyra umbilicalis and the basidiomyceteLeucosporidium scottii among other eukaryotes as deduced from complete sequences of small ribosomal subunit RNA

Summary The complete small ribosomal subunit RNA (srRNA) sequence was determined for the red algaPorphyra umbilicalis and the basidiomyceteLeucosporidium scottii, representing two taxa for which no srRNA sequences were hitherto known. These sequences were aligned with other published complete srRNA sequences of 58 eukaryotes. Evolutionary trees were reconstructed by a matrix optimization method from a dissimilarity matrix based on sections of the alignment that correspond to structurally conservative areas of the molecule that can be aligned unambiguously. The overall topology of the eukaryotic tree thus constructed is as follows: first there is a succession of early diverging branches, leading to a diplomonad, a microsporidian, a euglenoid plus kinetoplastids, an amoeba, and slime molds. Later, a nearly simultaneous radiation seems to occur into a number of taxa comprising the metazoa, the red alga, the sporozoa, the higher fungi, the ciliates, the green plants, plus some other less numerous groups. Because the red alga diverges late in the evolutionary tree, it does not seem to represent a very primitive organism as proposed on the basis of morphological and 5S rRNA sequence data. Asco- and basidiomycetes do not share a common ancestor in our tree as is generally accepted on the basis of conventional criteria. In contrast, when all alignment positions, rather than the more conservative ones, are used to construct the evolutionary tree, higher fungi do form a monophyletic cluster. The hypothesis that higher fungi and red algae might have shared a common origin has been put forward. Although the red alga and fungi seem to diverge at nearly the same time, no such relationship can be detected. The newly determined sequences can be fitted into a secondary structure model for srRNA, which is now relatively well established with the exception of uncertainties in a number of eukaryote-specific expansion areas. A specific structural model featuring a pseudoknot is proposed for one of these areas.     

Patterns of nucleotide change in mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes and the phylogeny of piranhas

The patterns and rates of nucleotide substitution in mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes are described and applied in a phylogenetic analysis of fishes of the subfamily Serrasalminae (Teleostei, Characiformes, Characidae). Fragments of 345 bp of the 12S and 535 bp of the 16S genes were sequenced for 37 taxa representing all but three genera in the subfamily. Secondary-structure models based on comparative sequence analysis were derived to characterize the pattern of change among paired and unpaired nucleotides, forming stem and loop regions, respectively. Base compositional biases were in the direction of A-rich loops and G-rich stems. Ninety-five percent of substitutions in stem regions were compensatory mutations, suggesting that selection for maintenance of base pairing is strong and that independence among characters cannot be assumed in phylogenetic analyses of stem characters. The relative rate of nucleotide substitution was similar in both fragments sequenced but higher in loop than in stem regions. In both genes, C-T transitions were the most common type of change, and overall transitions outnumbered transversions by a factor of two in 16S and four in 12S. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA sequences suggests that a clade formed by the generaPiaractus, Colossoma, andMylossoma is the sister group to all other serrasalmins and that the generaMyleus, Serrasalmus, andPristobrycon are paraphyletic. A previous hypothesis concerning relationships for the serrasalmins, based on morphological evidence, is not supported by the molecular data. However, phylogenetic analysis of host-specific helminth parasites and cytogenetic data support the phylogeny of the Serrasalminae obtained in this study and provide evidence for coevolution between helminth parasites and their fish hosts.     

Combinatorial analysis of interacting RNA molecules

Recently several minimum free energy (MFE) folding algorithms for predicting the joint structure of two interacting RNA molecules have been proposed. Their folding targets are interaction structures, that can be represented as diagrams with two backbones drawn horizontally on top of each other such that (1) intramolecular and intermolecular bonds are noncrossing and (2) there is no “zigzag” configuration. This paper studies joint structures with arc-length at least four in which both, interior and exterior stack-lengths are at least two (no isolated arcs). The key idea in this paper is to consider a new type of shape, based on which joint structures can be derived via symbolic enumeration. Our results imply simple asymptotic formulas for the number of joint structures with surprisingly small exponential growth rates. They are of interest in the context of designing prediction algorithms for RNA-RNA interactions.     

Interaction of rice and human SRP19 polypeptides with signal recognition particle RNA

The signal recognition particle (SRP) controls the transport of secretory proteins into and across lipid bilayers. SRP-like ribonucleoprotein complexes exist in all organisms, including plants. We characterized the rice SRP RNA and its primary RNA binding protein, SRP19. The secondary structure of the rice SRP RNA was similar to that found in other eukaryotes; however, as in other plant SRP RNAs, a GUUUCA hexamer sequence replaced the highly conserved GNRA-tetranucleotide loop motif at the apex of helix 8. The small domain of the rice SRP RNA was reduced considerably. Structurally, rice SRP19 lacked two small regions that can be present in other SRP19 homologues. Conservative structure prediction and site-directed mutagenesis of rice and human SRP19 polypeptides indicated that binding to the SRP RNAs occurred via a loop that is present in the N-domain of both proteins. Rice SRP19 protein was able to form a stable complex with the rice SRP RNA in vitro. Furthermore, heterologous ribonucleoprotein complexes with components of the human SRP were assembled, thus confirming a high degree of structural and functional conservation between plant and mammalian SRP components.     

Inheritance and chromosome locations of scald-resistance genes derived from Iranian and Turkish wild barleys

 A set of advanced backcross barley lines derived from crosses between cv Clipper and different Iranian and Turkish wild barleys, which are homozygous for particular isozyme-marked donor intervals, was screened for resistance to barley scald. Eight lines that consistently exhibited scald resistance were identified, and genetic analysis indicated that single dominant genes encoded resistance in five of the lines, single recessive genes were present in two lines, and a pair of unlinked, dominant genes encoded the resistance in the last line. Linkage between the scald-resistance gene and the isozyme marking the introgressed donor chromosome interval was detected in four lines, allowing the chromosome locations of these resistance genes to be determined. One such resistance gene resides on barley chromosome 5, to which no other scald-resistance genes have been mapped; this gene has been designated Rrs14. A survey of the effectiveness of the eight resistance genes against a set of virulent pathotypes of the scald pathogen revealed that four of the lines were completely resistant to all of them. In two instances, the recovery of more than one scald-resistance gene from a single original donor parent could be demonstrated. These scald-resistance genes should provide additional opportunities for breeding programs that aim to develop scald-resistant barley cultivars. Received: 8 August 1996/Accepted: 27 September 1996     

Genetic analysis of an introduced biological control agent reveals temporal and geographic change,with little evidence of a host mediated shift

The evolution of introduced biological control agents is largely un-explored. Although much is theorized, there is little empirical evidence quantifying the evolutionary dynamics of a biocontrol agent after release into a new environment. In this study we use Diachasmimorpha tryoni, a purposefully introduced biocontrol agent of Ceratitis capitata, to model and quantify spatial, temporal, and host-related evolutionary patterns. This parasitoid has undergone a host shift in its introduced environment, Hawaii, to the gall forming weed biocontrol agent, Eutreta xanthochaeta, an interaction likely mediated by competition for C. capitata with the egg-larval parasitoid Fopius arisanus. To elucidate potential evolutionary patterns we analyzed microsatellites and sequence data extracted from Hawaii and Australian population clusters defined by Structure, in Genepop, Canoco, and IBDWS. Our analysis revealed structuring of Hawaiian D. tryoni populations as defined by significant historic influences related to temporal structure, geographic space, host guild, and augmentative releases. The host-shift parasitoids were not genetically distinct from other Hawaii populations. There were small changes in microsatellite DNA at the population level, but only between Australia and Hawaii populations, not at the host level. These results show that D. tryoni has not undergone host-mediated evolution since introduction to Hawaii, despite the fact that they have expanded their host range in Hawaii to include the gall-forming E. xanthochaeta. To our knowledge this is the first study to quantify genetic differentiation of a biological control agent over geographic space and time using contemporary and museum specimens.     

臭柏天然居群遗传多样性及演变历史分析

为了合理有效地保育天然臭柏(Juniperus sabina L.)种质资源,追溯和阐释其分布格局的历史成因,本文对我国内蒙古自治区、陕西省、甘肃省和青海省共10个天然臭柏居群388个个体的核糖体内转录间隔区(ITS)序列片段进行测序分析。结果显示:臭柏ITS序列总长度为1089 bp,共含有25个变异位点,定义32个单倍型,其中H4和H6单倍型为共有单倍型;分子变异分析(AMOVA)显示,臭柏居群变异主要来源于居群内,遗传变异为95.04%,而居群间遗传变异仅4.96%,居群间差异水平极显著(F ST=0.0496,P<0.001);Network单倍型网络分析表明,H4和H6为古老单倍型,其他单倍型是由他们衍生而来;遗传分化系数N ST(0.072)0.05)。推测臭柏起源于第三纪中新世(Miocene)中期约12.38 Mya,在第四纪冰期可能存在多个小型避难所。沙埋产生不定根的扩繁能力和较好的有性更新环境可能是沙地居群遗传多样性高于山地居群的决定性因素。     

柞蚕微孢子虫Nosema pernyi微管蛋白基因的克隆及系统发育分析

【目的】柞蚕微粒子病的病原为柞蚕微孢子虫Nosemapernyi,为解明柞蚕微孢子虫微管蛋白基因的序列信息,明确柞蚕微孢子虫的系统分类学地位。【方法】采用RT-.PCR、3′RACE(Rapid amplification ofcDNAends)等技术克隆得到了柞蚕微孢子虫的α、β和y-微管蛋白基因,并利用α、β-微管蛋白序列,分别采用NJ、ML法构建进化树。【结果】将克隆得到的基因序列提交NCBI(GenBank登录号:KF154086、KF023271、KF740389)。构建的系统发育树显示,微孢子虫类以一个独立群位于真菌群体中,与真菌的虫霉门关系较近,且与担子菌、球囊菌、壶菌、接合菌及部分子囊菌互为姐妹群。从部分微孢子虫的系统发育分析结果可以看出,20种微孢子虫分为2个分支,柞蚕微孢子虫与其他Nosema属聚为一类。【结论】本研究克隆得到了柞蚕微孢子虫α、β和y-微管蛋白基因,系统发育分析为更进一步了解柞蚕微孢子虫奠定了基础。