阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌N1230-9两个甲基受体趋化蛋白的功能鉴定

【目的】作为海洋中的特有及优势种群,假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas)普遍拥有多个甲基受体趋化蛋白(methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, MCP),探究这些趋化受体的功能。【方法】以太平洋表层海水来源的一株阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis) N1230-9为研究对象,利用软琼脂平板法测试该菌株对23种碳源的趋化能力,继而利用同源重组策略构建2个含sCache结构域MCP编码基因(woc28264和woc27036)缺失突变体,并分析突变体对10种碳源的趋化能力。【结果】菌株N1230-9对海藻糖、麦芽糖、蔗糖、N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖、l-苹果酸、乙酸钠、丙酸钠、丙酮酸钠、柠檬酸和琥珀酸10种碳源具有趋化能力。WOC28264是l-苹果酸和蔗糖的特异性趋化受体,WOC27036则是柠檬酸和琥珀酸的特异性趋化受体。此外,WOC28264和WOC27036还均是N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖和海藻糖的趋化受体。【结论】WOC28264和WOC27036存在重叠的碳源效应物。     

一株太平洋表层海水来源阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌N1230-9的全基因组测序及比较基因组学分析

【目的】阐述阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis)的分子进化与生态适应策略。【方法】借助Illumina HiSeq X Ten和Oxford Nanopore PromethION测序平台对一株分离自太平洋表层海水的菌株Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis N1230-9进行全基因组测序,利用相关生物信息学分析软件对原始数据进行组装和基因组注释,并与一株分离自深海沉积物环境的模式菌株Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis JCM 17292进行比较基因组分析。【结果】菌株N1230-9基因组由2条染色体组成,基因组大小为4 627 470 bp,G+C含量为40.85%,共编码4 202个蛋白。功能基因注释结果显示,菌株N1230-9具有适应海洋环境的多种类型功能基因,包括重金属抗性基因、多种铁离子摄取系统编码基因、多种噬菌体防御系统编码基因、种类丰富的水解酶编码基因、多种碳水化合物代谢相关基因,以及数量众多的二元信号传导系统编码基因。通过比较基因组分析发现,菌株N1230-9和菌株JCM 17292拥有适应不同生态位的特有基因,这些基因主要涉及血红素摄取、重金属抗性、噬菌体防御、二元信号系统传导和横向基因水平转移。【结论】来自表层海水的菌株P. arabiensis N1230-9已演化出了适应其生态位的特有基因。     

鼠伤寒沙门菌小RNA RybB及伴侣蛋白Hfq对孔蛋白OmpD的表达调控

【目的】探究小RNA (small RNA, sRNA) RybB和伴侣蛋白Hfq对沙门氏菌孔蛋白OmpD表达的调控作用。【方法】以鼠伤寒沙门菌(Salmonella Typhimurium, STM)为研究对象,将含有编码β-半乳糖苷酶的lacZ报告基因的pCE40质粒转入ompD基因单缺失菌株中以获得lacZ报告菌株;在此基础上,利用P22噬菌体转导技术分在lacZ报告菌株中构建rybB全序列缺失、hfq全序列缺失、hfq点序列敲除和hfq序列截短以获得双突变实验菌株,以及rybB全序列缺失和hfq全序列缺失的三突变实验菌株。通过β-半乳糖苷酶活性试验和RT-qPCR探究sRNA RybB及伴侣蛋白Hfq对孔蛋白OmpD表达的调控作用。【结果】成功在lacZ报告菌中构建rybB全序列缺失、hfq全序列缺失、hfq点序列敲除和hfq序列截短等双缺失实验菌株,以及rybB全序列缺失和hfq全序列缺失的三突变实验菌株。与野生型(wild type, WT)菌株相比,在lacZ报告菌株中,hfq基因截短为87个氨基酸序列的突变株中的OmpD蛋白活性下调了2.16%,其余实验株OmpD蛋白的β-半乳糖苷酶活性均呈上升趋势。与WT菌株相比,实验菌株ompD基因转录水平除了STM LT2∆ompD::lacZΔhfq65的上调不具有显著性外,其余实验菌株均显著(P<0.05)上调,其中lacZ报告菌株、rybB全序列缺失和hfq全序列缺失的三突变实验菌株ompD基因转录水平上调最明显,为1.83倍。【结论】ompD基因的转录及蛋白表达主要受hfq基因和sRNA RybB的负反馈调节;Hfq的远端面在对ompD基因的转录抑制中起关键作用。通过多个基因突变菌株的构建,阐述了sRNA伴侣蛋白Hfq与孔蛋白OmpD的相互作用关系,探索了Hfq对ompD的调控关键区域,丰富了sRNA的调控理论。     

十字花科黑腐病菌一个新的III型效应物的鉴定

【目的】在全基因组范围内鉴定十字花科黑腐病菌Xcc 8004中新的Ⅲ型效应物(type Ⅲ secreted effector,T3SE)基因。【方法】通过构建与AvrBs1_59-445整合的Tn5转座子系统,进行文库筛选。在avrBs1缺失突变体背景下生成突变文库,在辣椒ECW-10R上进一步筛选。【结果】大规模HR测定筛选出7个具有明显过敏反应(hypersensitive response,HR)的克隆。通过质粒拯救和测序发现除了插入已知T3SE基因的3个突变体外,还鉴定了一个位于XC_0438和XC_0439之间且在Xcc 8004中未注释的新基因。结合生物信息学,我们将其命名为一个新的基因XC_0438a。易位实验证实XC_0438a信号区可引导报告蛋白AvrBs1的分泌和易位,并诱导辣椒ECW-10R产生HR反应。β-葡萄糖醛酸酶(β-glucuronidase,GUS)活性测定,XC_0438a在基本培养基中诱导表达,并由关键调控蛋白HrpG和HrpX激活。然而,在我们的实验条件下,XC_0438a对Xcc的致病力没有显著的贡献。【结论】我们鉴定了一种新的依赖于Ⅲ型分泌系统的效应基因XC_0438a。     

一种适用于链霉菌异源合成基因簇同框缺失的高效方法

【背景】对抗生素生物合成途径的阐明有助于提高目标化合物的产量并开发具有更高活性的新化合物。基因的同框缺失是天然产物生物合成研究的常规手段,通过分析突变菌株积累的中间产物,可以帮助推导天然产物的合成途径及相关基因的功能。天然产物生物合成基因簇的大小一般在20 kb以上,对每个基因进行同框缺失耗时耗力,因此,优化链霉菌来源的基因同框缺失的方法有重要的意义。【目的】基于PCR-targeting重新设计了一套在链霉菌柯斯文库质粒上进行基因同框缺失的方法,实现链霉菌基因在大肠杆菌中快速、高效的基因同框缺失的技术体系。【方法】使用氨苄青霉素抗性基因bla作为PCR-targeting DNA片段的筛选标记,同时使用体外的Pac I酶切和酶连系统代替体内的Flp/FRT系统来介导同框缺失的构建。【结果】利用这种方法,在6 d内完成了米多霉素生物合成基因簇中14个基因的同框缺失。【结论】此方法与传统的PCR-targeting方法相比,构建同框缺失载体的效率明显提高;Pac I识别序列在链霉菌基因组上的稀有性使得此方法在构建抗生素生物合成基因簇必需基因的同框缺失载体上具有普适性。     

双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR促进副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫的作用机制

【目的】探究双组分系统(two-component system,TCS)EnvZ/OmpR对副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VP)抵抗碱胁迫的作用机制。【方法】用SMART在线工具(https://smart.embl.de/)鉴定出副溶血弧菌基因组中的双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR,再利用同源重组技术将envZ和ompR基因分别进行缺失,构建相应回补株,比较各菌株的生长曲线来检测相应基因对细菌适应高渗透胁迫和碱胁迫的作用,并结合qRT-PCR及荧光检测系统,筛选参与EnvZ/OmpR抵抗碱胁迫的下游靶基因,鉴定该双组分系统对下游基因的调控机制。【结果】在副溶血弧菌基因组中鉴定出vp0155/vp0154编码EnvZ/OmpR双组分系统同源蛋白。△ompR菌株在高渗透胁迫和碱胁迫中的生长能力明显弱于野生株,而回补株C△ompR、△envZ和C△envZ菌株生长能力与野生株类似。在△ompR菌株中,孔道蛋白基因vp1218、vp0493、vpa1745、vpa0085与vpa1308的转录水平均明显低于野生株,并且发现这些孔道蛋白基因缺失株(△vpa1308除外)在碱性环境中生长能力均明显弱于野生株。OmpR蛋白可直接抑制调控因子AphB基因转录,而△aphB菌株在碱胁迫中的生长能力明显强于野生株。此外,AphB蛋白可直接抑制孔道蛋白基因vp0493和vpa0085转录。【结论】双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR促进副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫,其中OmpR蛋白可通过抑制调控因子AphB的表达,以促进部分孔道蛋白的表达,从而增强副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫的能力。     

牛支原体LRR5蛋白原核表达及其在牛支原体入侵宿主细胞过程中的作用分析

致病性支原体具有入侵宿主细胞的能力,这是其发挥致病作用的关键。介导支原体入侵宿主细胞的自身功能蛋白可能是一种潜在的药物或疫苗靶标。【目的】克隆表达牛支原体(Mycoplasmabovis) MBOVPG45_0564基因编码蛋白(命名为LRR5蛋白),并探究其在M. bovis入侵宿主细胞过程中的作用。【方法】利用NCBI数据库对MBOVPG45_0564基因进行同源性分析,用Discovery Studio Client系统对LRR5蛋白进行蛋白结构预测;原核表达LRR5蛋白并制备其小鼠多克隆抗体,利用免疫电镜对LRR5蛋白进行亚细胞定位;通过平板计数、激光共聚焦显微镜观察LRR5抗体封闭后M. bovis对胎牛肺(embryonic bovine lung, EBL)细胞入侵率的变化;将LRR5蛋白偶联至荧光微球表面后,以激光共聚焦显微镜及高内涵活细胞成像系统观察微球进入EBL细胞情况。【结果】MBOVPG45_0564基因在牛支原体属中为保守基因,其编码蛋白LRR5为膜相关蛋白,空间构象呈典型的月牙状,多个重复的亮氨酸基序以超螺旋方式组装并形成螺线管蛋白质结构单元。LRR5抗体封闭后,M. bovis对EBL细胞的入侵率显著降低(P<0.05),荧光微球偶联LRR5蛋白后,荧光微球可成功进入EBL细胞。【结论】MBOVPG45_0564基因编码的LRR5蛋白定位在M. bovis膜上,在M. bovis入侵宿主细胞过程中发挥着重要作用。     

wbnH2基因对北京欧文氏菌生物学特性及致病力的影响

【背景】北京欧文氏菌(Erwinia beijingensis)引起的刺芹侧耳细菌性软腐病(bacterial soft rot)给企业带来了严重的经济损失。wbnH2糖基转移酶基因在北京欧文氏菌中的生物学功能尚不明确。【目的】构建wbnH2基因的缺失株Δ-wbnH2和回补株C-wbnH2,探究wbnH2基因对北京欧文氏菌致病性的影响。【方法】采用同源重组方法构建北京欧文氏菌LMG 27579^TwbnH2基因缺失突变株Δ-wbnH2,并对基因缺失菌株的致病性、生长速度、运动能力、生物膜形成能力、黏附能力等生物学特性与野生型菌株进行比较分析;采用广宿主质粒pBBR1MCS2构建回补株C-wbnH2,排除了极性效应引起的突变株表型变化。【结果】与野生型菌株相比,基因缺失株Δ-wbnH2的生长速度无明显差别。但是wbnH2基因的缺失导致多糖分泌、生物膜形成能力、黏附能力、致病能力明显下降。【结论】wbnH2基因影响北京欧文氏菌多糖分泌、生物膜的形成能力、黏附能力及致病力,表明该基因在北京欧文氏菌致病过程中起重要作用,本研究为软腐病的防控提供了理论基础。     

拟态弧菌金属蛋白酶基因PrtV缺失株的构建及生物学特性分析

【背景】研究发现PrtV基因编码含多囊肾病(polycystic kidney disease)结构域的金属蛋白酶,其在多种细菌的致病过程中具有重要作用。拟态弧菌是一种感染多种水生动物的重要病原菌,PrtV基因在拟态弧菌致病中的作用尚不清楚。【目的】探究PrtV基因对拟态弧菌致病相关生物学特性的影响。【方法】采用自然转化的方法构建拟态弧菌PrtV基因缺失株(ΔPrtV),同时通过基因与质粒重组后电转化导入缺失株构建回补株(ΔPrtV/pPrtV),对突变株的生长特性、生化特征、生物被膜形成、自聚集能力、胞外产物卵磷脂酶和蛋白酶活性,以及致病性和细胞毒性等进行分析。【结果】与野生株相比,缺失株的生长特性、生物被膜形成、自聚集能力和卵磷脂酶活性无变化,但分解尿素、甘氨酸、香豆酸盐、鸟氨酸和赖氨酸的理化特性改变;胞外产物蛋白酶活性显著降低(P<0.05),细胞毒性显著下降(P<0.05),对杂交鲇的致病力下降10倍。【结论】PrtV基因与拟态弧菌的细胞毒性及致病性等多种生物学特性有关。该结果为进一步解析拟态弧菌PrtV基因功能及其致病机制提供了依据。     

Ensifer alkalisoli YIC4027趋化受体基因的比较及相关蛋白序列分析

[目的] 田菁共生根瘤菌Ensifer alkalisoli YIC4027是从宿主植物田菁的根瘤中分离出来的一株新型高效的固氮菌。本研究对E.alkalisoli的趋化受体基因与其他研究透彻的物种进行比较以及相关蛋白分析。[方法] 利用NCBI的BLAST对E.alkalisoli趋化受体基因进行序列相似性搜索。以Pfam数据库为基础,用HMMR3对甲基化趋化受体蛋白（MCP）进行比较分析。[结果] E.alkalisoli有2个趋化基因簇,共有13个MCP,含有不同的信号传感结构。此外,这些MCPs的胞质结构域除了一个是由40个七肽重复序列组成,其余都是由36个七肽重复序列组成。[结论] 尽管E.alkalisoli的趋化受体与已被广泛研究的物种的趋化受体具有较高的相似性,但仍显示出其特性。通过基因的比对以及相关蛋白的分析,我们能够更好地理解E.alkalisoli是如何通过趋化系统来响应外界变化的。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Demographic characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus)

Synopsis In a fourteen month study (May 1976 – June 1977) I examined the following characteristics of an intertidal bay goby (Lepidogobius lepidus) in Morro Bay, California, U.S.A.: annual and seasonal patterns of abundance, age composition and growth rates, survivorship and mortality patterns, and the reproductive cycle for female gobies. Fishes were collected with the aid of quinaldine and otoliths and ovaries removed. Age and growth rates were estimated from otolith annuli using a back calculation formula and a Brody-Bertalanffy growth curve. Mortality rates were derived using the methods of Heincke (1913), Robson & Chapman (1960), mean age, and a catch curve (Ricker 1975). A gonad index was used to describe the annual reproductive cycle. Results indicated that abundance fluctuated seasonally and that these fluctuations appeared to be caused by reproductive emigrations. Bay gobies reached an age of 7+ and a standard length of 87 mm. Growth was relatively constant (6 mm yr⁻¹) until age 5, at which point it began to decline. The mean rates of survivorship, mortality, and instantaneous mortality were 0.75, 0.25, and 0.29 respectively. Mortality rates for individual age classes ranged from 0.13 to 0.51 and increased with age. This stock appears to reproduce mainly during the winter.     

Systematic significance of mature embryo of bamboos

The mature embryo of seven species belonging to five genera of Indian bamboos is described. In all these the basic pattern of embryo organisation is same: the scutellar and coleoptilar bundles are not separated by an internode, the epiblast is absent, the lower portion of the scutellum and the coleorhiza are separated by a cleft and the margins of embryonic leaves overlap. The features unique to fleshy fruited bamboos are: presence of a massive scutellum, the juxtaposition of plumule and radicle and the occurrence of a bud in the axil of the coleoptile. The fleshy fruit bearing bamboos should be classified into one group, the tribeMelocanneae. Evidence is provided to recognise additional groups in the subfamilyBambusoideae.