Identification of Trichoderma strains from building materials by ITS1 ribotyping, UP-PCR fingerprinting and UP-PCR cross hybridization

To study the role of Trichoderma in sick building syndrome, it is essential to be able to accurately identify species. Forty-four strains of Trichoderma spp. isolated from Danish buildings damaged by water leaks were identified using ITS1 ribotyping and universally primed PCR, UP-PCR. Ribotyping allowed the assignment of the strains into three distinct groups. High similarity of UP-PCR banding profiles of the strains allowed species designation for almost all strains (43 out of 44) when compared with the UP-PCR banding profiles obtained from reference strains of T. atroviride, T. citrinoviride, T. harzianum, T. longibrachiatum and T. viride. However, cross hybridization of UP-PCR products showed that the latter strain had high DNA homology to the ex-type strain of T. hamatum. The combined approach is a convenient way for reliable identification of Trichoderma strains.     

Determination of RAPD Markers in Rice and their Conversion into Sequence Tagged Sites (STSs) and STS-Specific Primers

We produced 102 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markersmapped on all 12 chromosomes of rice using DNAs of cultivarsNipponbare (japonica) and Kasalath (indica) and of F2 populationgenerated by a single cross of these parents. Sixty random primers10 nucleotides long were used both singly and in random pairsand about 1,400 primer-pairs were tested. Using both agarosegel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis enabled us to detectpolymorphisms appearing in the range from <100 bp to 2 kb.The loci of the RAPD markers were determined onto the frameworkof our RFLP linkage map and some of these markers were mappedto regions with few markers. Out of the 102 RAPD markers, 20STSs (sequence-tagged sites) and STS-specific primer pairs weredetermined by cloning, identifying and sequencing of the mappedpolymorphic fragments.     

Rapid Detection and Identification of Six Tomato yellow leaf curl virus Isolates from Different Regions Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Enzyme Analysis

The combinational analysis of polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis (PCR‐RE) to distinguish six Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) isolates from five countries was developed. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus has spread from the Middle East to Western Europe, Central America and Eastern Asia, and occurs on infected crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits and beans. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus isolates from Jordan (TYLCV‐Mld[Jo:Cuc] and TYLCV‐IL[Jo:Cuc]), Israel (TYLCV‐IL[IL:Reo:86]), Spain (TYLCV‐Mld[ES72/97]), USA (TYLCV‐IL[US:F10:04]) and Korea (TYLCV‐KR) were collected, and the sequences of the six isolates were analysed to distinguish them by PCR‐RE combination analysis. Oligonucleotide primers for the six TYLCV isolates were designed to amplify approximately 740 base pairs including the intergenic region (IR) and parts of V1 and V2 ORF. Unique restriction enzyme sites were analysed to identify isolate‐specific restriction enzyme sites on the PCR products of each isolate. Three enzymes (DdeI, FauI and BssSI) were selected by in silico analysis, and then, the PCR products following the serial digestion of each restriction enzyme were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis to distinguish the TYLCV isolates. Taken together, the PCR‐RE combination analysis by serial digestion with three restriction enzymes could be a useful method for distinguishing the six isolates.     

Comparison of a Reversed Passive Latex Agglutination and a Polymerase Chain Reaction for Identification of Cholera Toxin Producing Vibrio cholerae O1

Production of cholera toxin (CT) in AKI medium and conservation of CT gene (ctx) of 49 strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 were compared by reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The production of CT agreed with conservation of the ctx in 48 out of the 49 strains. Ten strains were positive, and 38 strains were negative by both methods. Only one strain was negative in RPLA and positive in PCR. This suggested that the combination of AKI-SW and RPLA is comparable to PCR to identify CT-producing V. cholerae O1.     

Identification and characterization of three putative genes for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase from etiolated mung bean hypocotyl segments

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to produce 3 putative clones for ACC synthase from etiolated mung bean (Vigna radiata Rwilcz cv. Berken) hypocotyls. This was accomplished by utilizing genomic DNA from mung bean and degenerate primers made from information derived from highly conserved regions of ACC synthase from different plant tissues. The total length of pMAC-1, pMAC-2 and pMAC-3 are 308, 321, and 326 bp, respectively, all of which code for 68 amino acids. The introns for pMAC-1, pMAC-2 and pMAC-3 are 92, 105, and 110 bp, respectively. The degrees of homology at the DNA level for each of these clones is ca. 80% in their coding region and ca. 50% in their respective introns. This is the first report providing evidence that there are at least 3 genes for ACC synthase in etiolated mung bean.     

Purification and characterization of an endo-beta-(1-->6)-galactanase from Trichoderma viride

An endo-beta-(1-->6)-galactanase from Onozuka R-10, a commercial cellulase preparation from Trichoderma viride, was purified 57-fold. Apparent Mr values of the purified enzyme, estimated by denaturing gel electrophoresis and gel filtration, were 47,000 and 17,000, respectively. The enzyme was assayed with a galactan from Prototheca zopfii, which has a high proportion of beta-(1-->6)-linked galactosyl residues. It exhibited maximal activity toward the galactan at pH 4.3. The enzyme hydrolyzed specifically beta-(1-->6)-galactooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization higher than 3 and their acidic derivatives with 4-O-methyl-glucosyluronic or glucosyluronic groups at the nonreducing terminals. The methyl beta-glycoside of beta-(1-->6)-galactohexaose was degraded to reducing galactooligomers with a degree of polymerization 2-5 as the products at the initial stage of hydrolysis, and galactose and galactobiose at the final stage, indicating that the enzyme can be classified as an endo-galactanase. The extent of hydrolysis of the carbohydrate portion of a radish root arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) increased when alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl residues attached to beta-(1-->6)-linked galactosyl side chains of the AGP were removed in advance. The enzyme released galactose, beta-(1-->6)-galactobiose, and 4-O-methyl-beta-glucuronosyl-(1-->6)-galactose as major hydrolysis products when allowed to act exhaustively on the modified AGP.     

Search for and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in rice (Oryza sativa, Oryza rufipogon) and establishment of SNP markers.

We searched for SNPs in 417 regions distributed throughout the genome of three Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cultivars, two indica cultivars, and a wild rice (O. rufipogon). We found 2800 SNPs in approximately 250,000 aligned bases for an average of one SNP every 89 bp, or one SNP every 232 bp between two randomly selected strains. Graphic representation of the frequency of SNPs along each chromosome showed uneven distribution of polymorphism-rich and -poor regions, but little obvious association with the centromere or telomere. The 94 SNPs that we found between the closely related cultivars 'Nipponbare' and 'Koshihikari' can be converted into molecular markers. Our establishment of 213 co-dominant SNP markers distributed throughout the genome illustrates the immense potential of SNPs as molecular markers not only for genome research, but also for molecular breeding of rice.     

来源于02428ha的水稻双矮品系的获得与鉴定

突变体是研究植物基因功能和培育优质高产作物新品种的重要材料。本研究以半矮秆广亲和粳稻亲本02428为父本,以其半矮秆突变体02428ha为母本进行杂交,从其F6稳定群体中筛选到3个双矮品系08-4、08-12和08-19,2008年测量其株高分别为62.4±3.3 cm、66.0±1.5 cm和67.5±1.7 cm。分别以3个双矮品系为亲本,与南京6号、南京11号及培矮64S杂交进行遗传分析,结果表明,3个双矮品系的矮生性状均受两对隐性半矮秆基因控制,其中1对基因与半矮秆基因sd1等位,另1对为与sd1不等位的隐性半矮秆基因sd-h(t)。本研究为半矮秆基因sd-h(t)的分子定位、基因克隆及其作用机理的探究奠定了基础。     

小苍兰ACC合成酶FhACS1基因的克隆与序列分析

以小苍兰品种“上农金皇后”为研究对象,利用PCR技术和染色体步移技术首次克隆到了ACC合成酶FhACS1基因的全长序列和编码序列。结果表明：FhACS1基因全长为2 576 bp,包含长为433 bp的5′端非编码区序列（5′-UTR）以及长为373 bp的3′端非编码区序列（3′-UTR）;开放读码框（ORF）长度为1 371 bp,推定编码457个氨基酸。分析表明,该基因包含3个内含子和4个外显子。序列分析结果显示,FhACS1推导蛋白具备ACS蛋白的7个保守结构域;在氨基酸水平上,FhACS1与小果芭蕉的同源性最高（85%）;系统进化分析表明,FhACS1与孟宗竹BaACS（BAC56949.1）、水稻OsACS1（AAA33888.1）、小果芭蕉MaACS1（AAQ13435）的亲缘关系最近。在其已知启动子区域,发现有多个对脱落酸、赤霉素、细胞分裂素等激素响应的顺式元件,以及对干旱和低温等逆境胁迫响应的顺式元件。     

Molecular characterisation of Sargassum polycystum and S. siliquosum (Phaeophyta) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers

Genomic DNA was extracted from 13 samples of Sargassum polycystum and S. siliquosum collected from various localities around Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore by using four different extraction methods. The yields and the suitability of the DNA to be used as template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared. DNA samples were subjected to PCR analysis by using random primers. Only DNA samples that were extracted using the CTAB method were successfully amplified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Five of 31 random primers (OPA02, OPA03, OPA04, OPA13 and OPM10) tested amplified sequences of DNA from the DNA samples. Reproducible, amplified products were obtained using these primers and showed some potential to be useful in discriminating individual samples within the genus, in determining relationships between species within a genus and in developing individual fingerprints for individual samples.     

Stability of RAPD fingerprints in potato: Effect of source tissue and primers

Variations in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles from leaf, stem, root, and tuber tissues were observed in case of two glasshouse grown potato cultivars using 40 decamer primers suggesting possible danger of cultivar misidentification. Genomic DNA extracted from the above four tissues of four in vitro grown potato cultivars, however, produced more uniform RAPD fingerprints. A significant effect of random primers on fingerprint uniformity was observed in case of both glasshouse and in vitro grown samples. A new concept of stability index for random primers based on homogeneity of RAPD profiles obtained from different tissues of a single plant have been introduced. It is concluded that RAPD analysis of genomic DNA extracted from any tissue of in vitro grown potato plants using 14 selected decamer primers could be used to develop RAPD fingerprints for identification of Indian potato cultivars.     

Comparative Analysis and Molecular Characterization of a Gene BANF1 Encoded a DNA-Binding Protein During Mitosis from the Giant Panda and Black Bear

Barrier to autointegration factor 1 (BANF1) is a DNA-binding protein found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that functions to establish nuclear architecture during mitosis. The cDNA and the genomic sequence of BANF1 were cloned from the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus mupinensis) using RT-PCR technology and Touchdown-PCR, respectively. The cDNA of the BANF1 cloned from Giant Panda and Black Bear is 297 bp in size, containing an open reading frame of 270 bp encoding 89 amino acids. The length of the genomic sequence from Giant Panda is 521 bp, from Black Bear is 536 bp, which were found both to possess 2 exons. Alignment analysis indicated that the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence are highly conserved to some mammalian species studied. Topology prediction showed there is one Protein kinase C phosphorylation site, one Casein kinase II phosphorylation site, one Tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, one N-myristoylation site, and one Amidation site in the BANF1 protein of the Giant Panda, and there is one Protein kinase C phosphorylation site, one Tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, one N-myristoylation site, and one Amidation site in the BANF1 protein of the Black Bear. The BANF1 gene can be readily expressed in E. coli. Results showed that the protein BANF1 fusion with the N-terminally His-tagged form gave rise to the accumulation of an expected 14 kD polypeptide that formed inclusion bodies. The expression products obtained could be used to purify the proteins and study their function further.     

应用聚合酶链式反应快速特异鉴定假单胞菌和伯克霍尔德氏菌(R)-3-羟基酯酰载酯蛋白-辅酶A转酰基酶基因

聚羟基脂肪酸酯(PHA)是一类具有广泛应用前景的可降解生物塑料。因其可以以葡萄糖等廉价底物直接发酵生产PHA而日益受到重视。目前的研究表明在积累中长链PHA的假单胞菌中,由phaG基因编码的(R)-3-羟基酯酰载酯蛋白-辅酶A转酰基酶(PhaG)起关键作用,但目前为止对该蛋白还知之甚少。通过聚合酶链式反应(PCR)建立了一种快速、特异鉴定phaG基因的方法,应用该方法成功地从两株积累不同PHA的假单胞菌Pseudomonas stutzeri 1317和Pseudamanas nitroreducens 0802中分别克隆得到phaG基因,并在phaG基因突变株Pseudomonas putida PHAGx-21中表达成功。同时,还首次报道了从非假单胞菌菌株Burkholderia caryophylli AS 1．2741中鉴定得到phaG基因,提示PhaG介导的中长链PHA合成途径作为一种通用的代谢模式在细菌中广泛存在,为进一步实现从廉价的非相关底物合成中长链PHA提供了必要的分子生物学基础。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒两个地方分离株S1基因的扩增克隆与序列分析

对IBV肾型毒株JS/95 /0 3和呼吸型毒株SD/97/0 1的S1全基因进行了扩增、克隆和序列测定 ,将两毒株的S1基因序列与 10个参考毒株进行了比较。结果表明 ,JS/95 /0 3和SD/97/0 1分别与M41和H12 0株亲缘关系最近 ,它们可能是疫苗毒株的变异株。JS/95 /0 3和SD/97/0 1间的亲缘关系也较近 ,两者S1蛋白中只有 2 4个氨基酸的差异 ,其中有 15个位于前 130个氨基酸中 ,第 116位氨基酸可能与毒株的致病性有关。对两毒株S1蛋白的二级结构进行了预测和比较 ,结果发现 ,一个或极少数氨基酸的差异即可导致S1蛋白二级结构和抗原性的改变     

PCR-based methods for identification of species of the Anopheles minimus group: allele-specific amplification and single-strand conformation polymorphism

We report two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for distinguishing morphologically similar species based on amplification of a variable region of the 28S gene of ribosomal DNA. The four species we investigated are mosquitoes of the Anopheles minimus group: An. aconitus, An. varuna and An. minimus species A and C. The formally named species are vectors of human malaria parasites in south-east Asia but are difficult to distinguish with certainty on the basis of morphology. Allele-specific amplification was used to differentiate An. minimus A from An. minimus C. This technique has been widely used for the diagnosis of species. Single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCPs) were used to separate all four species. This technique, which has seldom been used for species identification, has many advantages: it does not require sequence information beyond that needed for amplification; it is ideally suited for the detection of heterozygotes; it utilizes more of the information in the PCR product than allele-specific amplification; it distinguishes all four species considered here and could easily be extended to other species; previously unknown intraspecific variation and additional species are likely to be detected. Thus, SSCPs provide valuable population genetic information which allele-specific amplification does not.     

Knowing your enemies: Integrating molecular and ecological methods to assess the impact of arthropod predators on crop pests

The importance of natural enemies as the foundation of integrated pest management (IPM) is widely accepted, but few studies conduct the manipulative field experiments necessary to directly quantify their impact on pest populations in this context. This is particularly true for predators. Studying arthropod predator–prey interactions is inherently difficult: prey items are often completely consumed, individual predator–prey interactions are ephemeral (rendering their detection difficult) and the typically fluid or soft‐bodied meals cannot be easily identified visually within predator guts. Serological techniques have long been used in arthropod predator gut‐contents analysis, and current enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are highly specific and sensitive. Recently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for gut‐contents analysis have developed rapidly and they now dominate the diagnostic methods used for gut‐contents analysis in field‐based research. This work has identified trophic linkages within food webs, determined predator diet breadth and preference, demonstrated the importance of cannibalism and intraguild predation within and between certain taxa, and confirmed the benefits (predator persistence) and potential disadvantages (reduced feeding on pest species) of the availability of alternative nonpest prey. Despite considerable efforts to calibrate gut‐contents assays, these methods remain qualitative. Available techniques for predator gut‐contents analysis can provide rapid, accurate, cost‐effective identification of predation events. As such, they perfectly compliment the ecological methods developed to directly assess predator impacts on prey populations but which are imperfect at identifying the key predators. These diagnostic methods for gut‐contents analysis are underexploited in agricultural research and they are almost never applied in unison with the critical field experiments to measure predator impact. This paper stresses the need for a combined approach and suggests a framework that would make this possible, so that appropriate natural enemies can be targeted in conservation biological control.     

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary Populations from Different Regions and Host Plants by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The genetic diversity and genetic structure of a population of isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary from different regions and host plants were investigated using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method with 20 random decamer primer pairs in order to provide some information on the phylogenetic taxa and breeding for resistance to sclerotinia stem rot. A minimum of three and a maximum of 15 unambiguously amplified bands were generated, furnishing a total of 170 bands ranging in size from 100to 3 200 bp, corresponding to an average of 8.5 bands per primer pair. One hundred and four of these 170bands (61.2%) were polymorphic, the percentage of polymorphic bands for each primer pair ranging from 0.0% to 86.7%. The genetic relationships among the isolates, based on the results of RAPD analysis, were examined. The genetic similarity of all selected isolates was quite high. At the species level, the genetic diversity estimated by Nei's gene diversity (h) was 0.197 and S hannon's index of diversity (I) was 0.300. The unweighted pair-group mean analysis (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed that most isolates from the same regions were grouped in the same cluster or a close cluster. The population of isolates from Hefei (Anhui Province, China) was more uniform and relatively distant to other populations. The Canadian population collected from carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.) was relatively close to the Polish population collected from oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants. There was no relationship between isolates from the same host plants. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the percentage of variance attributable to variation among and within populations was 50.62% and 49.38%, respectively. When accessions from China, Europe, and Canada were treated as three separate groups, the variance components among groups,among populations within groups, and within populations were -0.96%, 51.48%, and 49.47%, respectively.The genetic differentiations among and within populations were highly significant (P ＜ 0.001). Similarly, the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) in total populations calculated by population genetic analysis was 0.229 4, which indicated that the genetic variation among populations was 22.94%. The gene flow (Nm)was 1.68, which indicated that the gene permutation and interaction among populations was relatively high.