Extended latex proteome analysis deciphers additional roles of the lettuce laticifer

Lettuce is an economically important leafy vegetable that accumulates a milk-like sap called latex in the laticifer. Previously, we conducted a large-scale lettuce latex proteomic analysis. However, the identified proteins were obtained only from lettuce ESTs and proteins deposited in NCBI databases. To extend the number of known latex proteins, we carried out an analysis identifying 302 additional proteins that were matched to the NCBI non-redundant protein database. Interestingly, the newly identified proteins were not recovered from lettuce EST and protein databases, indicating the usefulness of this hetero system in MudPIT analysis. Gene ontology studies revealed that the newly identified latex proteins are involved in many processes, including many metabolic pathways, binding functions, stress responses, developmental processes, protein metabolism, transport and signal transduction. Application of the non-redundant plant protein database led to the identification of an increased number of latex proteins. These newly identified latex proteins provide a rich source of information for laticifer research.     

Differential expression profiling of hypothalamus genes in laying period and ceased period Huoyan geese

The hypothalamus plays a central role in controlling poultry reproductive activity. To increase our understanding of genes involved in egg laying of Huoyan geese, gene profiles in the hypothalamus of laying period and ceased period Huoyan geese were investigated using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. A total of 95 differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs), including 46 up-regulated and 49 down-regulated sequences showed homology to known genes of the non-redundant NCBI databases. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that these genes were mainly involved in anatomical structure development, signal transduction, cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process, biosynthetic process, cellular protein modification process, cell differentiation, transport, cell adhesion, and reproduction. Ten ESTs were selected for further analyses by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Whose most part of results were consistent with the SSH results. Of note, AdipoR2, Nrg1, and NCAM1, which related with secretion of GnRH and other hormones, were identified to be differentially expressed between laying period and ceased period. These findings provided a new source for mining genes related to higher laying performance of Huoyan geese, which facilitate our understanding of the reproductive biology of the goose.     

Profiling of differentially expressed genes in ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius responding to mycorrhiza helper Brevibacillus reuszeri MPt17

A cDNA library of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus Pisolithus tinctorius Pt2 after interaction with the mycorrhiza helper bacterium (MHB) Brevibacillus reuszeri MPt17 was constructed by suppression subtraction hybridization. Total RNA from B. reuszeri MPt17 exudates treated Pi. tinctorius Pt2 was used as a “tester” and total RNA from nonbacterial treated Pi. tinctorius Pt2 was used as a “driver.” Among the differentially expressed sequences, a BLASTX in the NCBI non-redundant protein sequence database revealed that 75% of the non-redundant sequences (147 out of 196) were highly similar to known proteins (E-value < e^?5). Twelve sequences were annotated as mycelium development function combining with a potential functional categories using gene ontology. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that all of the 3 symbiosis regulated acidic polypeptide genes were all up-regulated in the MPt17-treated Pt2. These results provide evidence that the MHB B. reuszeri MPt17 could significantly change the expression of symbiosis-related genes and genes in mycelium development in ECM fungus, and also support the hypothesis that the MHB functions as helper though promotion on fungal mycelium.     

Identification and comparative analysis of microRNAs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> infected by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</Emphasis>

Pine wilt disease seriously endangers pine tree growth and can lead to wilting and death. In this study, Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) was used as the donor plant to study miRNA expression by high-throughput sequencing in needle leaves of trees during the first 3 days after infection by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The results showed that the number of differentially expressed miRNAs first increased and then decreased in samples within 3 days of infection, with the highest expression in samples collected on day 2. Analysis of miRNA target genes in needles on different days after infection revealed enrichment in two pathways: plant hormone signal transduction and RNA transport. Further comparison of the samples indicated differential expression of 10 miRNAs on different days after infection, and the corresponding target genes, such as those participating in plant hormone signal transduction, were also significantly enriched. In addition, the concentrations of zeatin and indole acetic acid in needle tissues were significantly lower after infection than in the control sample. The above results indicated that B. xylophilus infection influenced the expression of miRNAs related to plant hormone signal transduction in P. massoniana, decreasing plant hormone synthesis and ultimately affecting the growth of Masson pine.