Phylogenetic analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uromyces viciae-fabae</Emphasis> and its varieties on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum</Emphasis> in Japan

A pea rust fungus, Uromyces viciae-fabae, has been classified into two varieties, var. viciae-fabae and var. orobi, based on differences in urediniospore wall thickness and putative host specificity in Japan. In principal component analyses, morphological features of urediniospores and teliospores of 94 rust specimens from Vicia, Lathyrus, and Pisum did not show definite host-specific morphological groups. In molecular analyses, 23 Uromyces specimens from Vicia, Lathyrus, and Pisum formed a single genetic clade based on D1/D2 and ITS regions. Four isolates of U. viciae-fabae from V. cracca and V. unijuga could infect and sporulate on P. sativum. These results suggest that U. viciae-fabae populations on different host plants are not biologically differentiated into groups that can be recognized as varieties.Contribution no. 184, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplazium</Emphasis> hybrids involving <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. plantaginifolium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>. <Emphasis Type="Italic">ternatum</Emphasis> from Mexico and Central America

Here we evaluate the origins and relationships of Mexican and Central American Diplazium hybrids derived from crosses involving either D. plantaginifolium or D. ternatum. Based on study of live plants and herbarium specimens, we distinguish D. ×verapax from the similar D. riedelianum and present evidence that the former is a sterile hybrid derived from a cross between D. plantaginifolium and D. werckleanum. We also describe new hybrids, D. ×torresianum and D. ×subternatum from Mexico and northern Central America. Both involve D. ternatum as one parent. Diplazium. cristatum is the other putative parent of D. ×torresianum, and D. plantaginifolium is the second parent of D. ×subternatum. We also designate lectotypes for D. cordovense and D. dissimile.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>1<Emphasis Type="Italic">/copia</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ty</Emphasis>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">/gypsy</Emphasis>-like DNA sequences in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus </Emphasis>species

Two repeated DNA sequences isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of Helianthus annuus, p HaS13 and p HaS211, were shown to represent portions of the int gene of a Ty3 /gypsy retroelement and of the RNase-Hgene of a Ty1 /copia retroelement, respectively. Southern blotting patterns obtained by hybridizing the two probes to BglII- or DraI-digested genomic DNA from different Helianthus species showed p HaS13 and p HaS211 were parts of dispersed repeats at least 8 and 7 kb in length, respectively, that were conserved in all species studied. Comparable hybridization patterns were obtained in all species with p HaS13. By contrast, the patterns obtained by hybridizing p HaS211 clearly differentiated annual species from perennials. The frequencies of p HaS13- and p HaS211-related sequences in different species were 4.3x10(4)-1.3x10(5) copies and 9.9x10(2)-8.1x10(3) copies per picogram of DNA, respectively. The frequency of p HaS13-related sequences varied widely within annual species, while no significant difference was observed among perennial species. Conversely, the frequency variation of p HaS211-related sequences was as large within annual species as within perennials. Sequences of both families were found to be dispersed along the length of all chromosomes in all species studied. However, Ty3 /gypsy-like sequences were localized preferentially at the centromeric regions, whereas Ty1/ copia-like sequences were less represented or absent around the centromeres and plentiful at the chromosome ends. These findings suggest that the two sequence families played a role in Helianthusgenome evolution and species divergence, evolved independently in the same genomic backgrounds and in annual or perennial species, and acquired different possible functions in the host genomes.     

Taxonomic novelties in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhynchospora</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyperaceae</Emphasis>) from South America

Summary  Two new species of Rhynchospora, R. acanthoma and R. rupestris, are described and illustrated. Their geographical distributions are discussed. The status of R. exilis and its synonymy is clarified.     

Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis> species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penstemon</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccanthera</Emphasis> subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serrulati</Emphasis>

A revision of Penstemon sect. Saccanthera subsect. Serrulati includes a new species (P. salmonensis), a new variety (P. triphyllus var. infernalis), and the elevation of a subspecies to species (P. curtiflorus), bringing the total number of species to eight, which are keyed and described, complete with nomenclature and type citations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mellonella</Emphasis> are Resistant to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">murina</Emphasis> Infection

Studying Pneumocystis has proven to be a challenge from the perspective of propagating a significant amount of the pathogen in a facile manner. The study of several fungal pathogens has been aided by the use of invertebrate model hosts. Our efforts to infect the invertebrate larvae Galleria mellonella with Pneumocystis proved futile since P. murina neither caused disease nor was able to proliferate within G. mellonella. It did, however, show that the pathogen could be rapidly cleared from the host.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of callus cells of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crataegus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aronia</Emphasis>

A genetic transformation system has been developed for callus cells of Crataegus aronia using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Callus culture was established from internodal stem segments incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 mg l⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). In order to optimize the callus culture system with respect to callus growth and coloration, different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were tested. Results indicated that the best average fresh weight of red colored callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) (callus maintenance medium). Callus cells were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium harboring the binary plasmid pCAMBIA1302 carrying the mgfp5 and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hptII) genes conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) activity and hygromycin resistance, respectively. Putative transgenic calli were obtained 4 weeks after incubation of the co-cultivated explants onto maintenance medium supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ hygromycin. Molecular analysis confirmed the integration of the transgenes in transformed callus. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system in Crataegus aronia.     

Photoregulation of morphological structure and its physiological relevance in the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrospira</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">platensis</Emphasis>

The spiral structure of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis (Nordst.) Gomont was previously found to be altered by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm). However, how photosynthetic active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) and UVR interact in regulating this morphological change remains unknown. Here, we show that the spiral structure of A. platensis (D-0083) was compressed under PAR alone at 30°C, but that at 20°C, the spirals compressed only when exposed to PAR with added UVR, and that UVR alone (the PAR was filtered out) did not tighten the spiral structure, although its presence accelerated morphological regulation by PAR. Their helix pitch decreased linearly as the cells received increased PAR doses, and was reversible when they were transferred back to low PAR levels. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that a 52.0 kDa periplasmic protein was more abundant in tighter filaments, which may have been responsible for the spiral compression. This spiral change together with the increased abundance of the protein made the cells more resistant to high PAR as well as UVR, resulting in a higher photochemical yield.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe catalpae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe elevata</Emphasis> in Europe

The recent epidemic spread of the North American powdery mildew Erysiphe elevata in Europe is described and discussed. Since 2002, this plant pathogenic fungus has been collected on Catalpa bignonioides, C. erubescens and C. speciosa in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland. The diagnostically important anamorph of E. elevata, so far unknown, is described and illustrated in detail. Type material of Erysiphe catalpae and two specimens of E. catalpae recently collected in Poland have been examined and compared with E. elevata. The anamorph as well as the teleomorph of E. catalpae proved to be easily distinguishable from E. elevata. The supposition that E. catalpae, introduced in Armenia, was based on immature ascomata of E. elevata proved to be wrong. The origin and distribution of E. catalpae are discussed, and a key to powdery mildew fungi on Catalpa spp. in Europe is provided.     

Molecular Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus pyogenes</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus dysgalactiae</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">equisimilis</Emphasis>

We developed molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE), two streptococcal pathogens known to cause both pharyngitis and more invasive forms of disease in humans. Two real-time PCR assays coupled with an internal control were designed to be performed in parallel. One assay utilizes a gene target specific to GAS, and the other utilizes a gene target common to the two species. Both assays showed 2–3 orders of magnitude improved analytical sensitivity when compared to a commercially available rapid antigen test. In addition, when compared to standard culture in an analysis of 96 throat swabs, the real-time PCR assays resulted in clinical sensitivity and specificity of 91.7 and 100%, respectively. As capital equipment costs for real-time PCR can be prohibitive in smaller laboratories, the real-time PCR assays were converted to a low-density microarray format designed to function with an inexpensive photopolymerization-based non-enzymatic signal amplification (NESA™) method. S. pyogenes was successfully detected on the low-density microarray in less than 4 h from sample extraction through detection.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">briggsae</Emphasis> genome contains active <Emphasis Type="Italic">CbmaT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tcb1</Emphasis> transposons

The maT clade of transposons is a group of transposable elements intermediate in sequence and predicted protein structure to mariner and Tc transposons, with a distribution thus far limited to a few invertebrate species. We present evidence, based on searches of publicly available databases, that the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae has several maT-like transposons, which we have designated as CbmaT elements, dispersed throughout its genome. We also describe two additional transposon sequences that probably share their evolutionary history with the CbmaT transposons. One resembles a fold back variant of a CbmaT element, with long (380-bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that show a high degree (71%) of identity to CbmaT1. The other, which shares only the 26-bp ITR sequences with one of the CbmaT variants, is present in eight nearly identical copies, but does not have a transposase gene and may therefore be cross mobilised by a CbmaT transposase. Using PCR-based mobility assays, we show that CbmaT1 transposons are capable of excising from the C. briggsae genome. CbmaT1 excised approximately 500 times less frequently than Tcb1 in the reference strain AF16, but both CbmaT1 and Tcb1 excised at extremely high frequencies in the HK105 strain. The HK105 strain also exhibited a high frequency of spontaneous induction of unc-22 mutants, suggesting that it may be a mutator strain of C. briggsae.     

Ultrastructure of developing basidiospores in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizopogon roseolus</Emphasis> (= <Emphasis Type="Italic">R. rubescens</Emphasis>)

The ultrastructure of developing basidiospores in Rhizopogon roseolus is described. When viewed in the fruiting body chamber using scanning electron microscopy, basidiospores appear narrowly ellipsoid and have smooth walls. Eight basidiospores are usually produced on the apex of each sterigma on the basidium. Transmission electron micrographs showed that basidiospores formed by movement of cytoplasm (including the nuclei) via the sterigmata, and then each basidiospore eventually became separated from its sterigma by an electron-lucent septum. The sterigma and basidium subsequently collapsed, resulting in spore release. Freshly released spores retained the sterigmal appendage connected to the collapsed basidium. After spore release, the major ultrastructural changes in the spore concerned the lipid bodies and the spore wall. During maturation, lipid bodies formed and then expanded. Before release, the spore wall was homogeneous and electronlucent, but after release the spore wall comprised two distinct layers with electron-dense depositions at the inner wall, and the dense depositions formed an electron-dense third layer. The mature spore wall complex comprised at least four distinct layers: the outer electron-lucent thin double layers, the mottled electron-dense third layer, and the electron-lucent fourth layer in which electron-lucent granular substances were dispersed.     

In planta transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notocactus scopa</Emphasis> cv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Soonjung</Emphasis> by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">tumefaciens</Emphasis>

Notocactus scopa cv. Soonjung was subjected to in planta Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation with vacuum infiltration, pin-pricking, and a combination of the two methods. The pin-pricking combined with vacuum infiltration (20-30 cmHg for 15 min) resulted in a transformation efficiency of 67-100%, and the expression of the uidA and nptII genes was detected in transformed cactus. The established in planta transformation technique generated a transgenic cactus with higher transformation efficiency, shortened selection process, and stable gene expression via asexual reproduction. All of the results showed that the in planta transformation method utilized in the current study provided an efficient and time-saving procedure for the delivery of genes into the cactus genome, and that this technique can be applied to other asexually reproducing succulent plant species.     

Functional conservation of the human <Emphasis Type="Italic">EXT1</Emphasis> tumor suppressor gene and its <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> homolog <Emphasis Type="Italic">tout</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">velu</Emphasis>

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans play a vital role in signaling of various growth factors in both Drosophila and vertebrates. In Drosophila, mutations in the tout velu (ttv) gene, a homolog of the mammalian EXT1 tumor suppressor gene, leads to abrogation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis. This impairs distribution and signaling activities of various morphogens such as Hedgehog (Hh), Wingless (Wg), and Decapentaplegic (Dpp). Mutations in members of the exostosin (EXT) gene family lead to hereditary multiple exostosis in humans leading to bone outgrowths and tumors. In this study, we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that the human EXT1 (hEXT1) gene is conserved through species and can functionally complement the ttv mutation in Drosophila. The hEXT1 gene was able to rescue a ttv null mutant to adulthood and restore GAG biosynthesis.     

Molecular evolution of the clustered <Emphasis Type="Italic">MIC</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">3</Emphasis> multigene family of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium</Emphasis> species

The Gossypium MIC-3 (Meloidogyne Induced Cotton-3) gene family is of great interest for molecular evolutionary studies because of its uniqueness to Gossypium species, multi-gene content, clustered localization, and root-knot nematode resistance-associated features. Molecular evolution of the MIC-3 gene family was studied in 15 tetraploid and diploid Gossypium genotypes that collectively represent seven phylogenetically distinct genomes. Synonymous (d_S) and non-synonymous (d_N) nucleotide substitution rates suggest that the second of the two exons of the MIC-3 genes has been under strong positive selection pressure, while the first exon has been under strong purifying selection to preserve function. Based on nucleotide substitution rates, we conclude that MIC-3 genes are evolving by a birth-and-death process and that a ‘gene amplification’ mechanism has helped to retain all duplicate copies, which best fits with the “bait and switch” model of R-gene evolution. The data indicate MIC-3 gene duplication events occurred at various rates, once per 1 million years (MY) in the allotetraploids, once per ~2 MY in the A/F genome clade, and once per ~8 MY in the D-genome clade. Variations in the MIC-3 gene family seem to reflect evolutionary selection for increased functional stability, while also expanding the capacity to develop novel “switch” pockets for responding to diverse pests and pathogens. Such evolutionary roles are congruent with the hypothesis that members of this unique resistance gene family provide fitness advantages in Gossypium.     

New combinations and typifications in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bistorta</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Persicaria</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum,</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex</Emphasis> (Polygonaceae)

New combinations are proposed in anticipation of the Polygonaceae treatment in the forthcoming volume of Intermountain Flora: Polygonum kelloggii var. esotericum, P. kelloggii var. watsonii , Rumex densiflorus var. pycnanthus , R. salicifolius var. utahensis, and R. occidentalis var. tomentellus. Typifications are proposed to facilitate ongoing studies in Polygonaceae and to maintain current usage.     

Molecular analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus erecta</Emphasis> and its allies within the subsection <Emphasis Type="Italic">Frutescentiae</Emphasis> (Moraceae)

Ficus (Moraceae) is a keystone group in tropical and subtropical forests with remarkable diversity of species and taxonomical challenges as a consequence of fig–pollinator coevolution. Ficus subsect. Frutescentiae includes about 30 species that are predominantly shrubs or small trees with Terminalia branching. Many of these species are difficult to delimit morphologically, and the group includes a tangle of uncertain taxa and incorrectly applied names. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis with internal and external transcribed spacer data (ITS and ETS) and data from 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci to evaluate the species status of the most perplexing members of this subsection. The results confirm the monophyly of subsect. Frutescentiae, with F. pedunculosa as sister to the rest. The F. erecta complex comprises approximately 17 taxa: F. erecta, F. abelii, F. boninsimae, F. nishimurae, F. iidaiana, F. gasparriniana var. laceratifolia, F. gasparriniana var. viridescens, F. pyriformis, F. stenophylla, F. fusuiensis, F. fengkaiensis, F. sinociliata, F. tannoensis, F. vaccinioides, F. formosana, F. pandurata, and F. periptera. The last five of these were supported as good species, while the others were not well supported by the present evidence. Evidence also supported the status of the non-F. erecta complex species including. F. pedunculosa, F. ischnopoda, F. heteromorpha, and F. variolosa. Ficus filicauda and F. neriifolia are possibly conspecific. The species status of F. potingensis should be restored and it should be treated as a member of section Eriosycea. Identification of the remaining taxa (F. gasparriniana var. esquirolii, F. ruyuanensis, F. daimingshanensis, F. chapaensis, F. changii, F. trivia, and F. tuphapensis) and their relationships to the F. erecta complex were not clarified. As a whole, only ten species in this subsection are confirmed, one is excluded, one is synonymous, and the others are either unresolved or short of samples. There appears to be a consistent genetic background among these unresolved groups, which suggests that repeated hybridization (as a result of pollinator host shifts) has filled up the interspecific gaps during the fig–pollinator coevolution process.