QsvR对副溶血弧菌VI型分泌系统1相关基因的转录调控

【目的】研究调控蛋白QsvR对副溶血弧菌VI型分泌系统1 （type VI secretion system 1,T6SS1）相关基因的转录调控关系。【方法】提取野生株（wild type,WT）和qsvR突变株（ΔqsvR）的总RNA,采用实时定量PCR （quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR）研究QsvR对靶基因的调控关系;进而采用引物延伸法定位靶基因的转录起始位点和核心启动子区,并根据引物延伸产物丰度判断QsvR对靶基因的调控关系;将靶基因的调控区DNA序列克隆入pHRP309质粒中的β-半乳糖苷酶基因上游（LacZ重组质粒）,并将重组质粒转化入WT和ΔqsvR中,通过LacZ报告基因融合试验研究QsvR对靶基因的调控关系;将LacZ重组质粒分别转化入含有pBAD33或pBAD33-qsvR的大肠杆菌100lpir中,进一步采用LacZ报告基因融合试验研究在异体宿主中QsvR对靶基因的调控关系;PCR扩增靶基因调控区DNA序列,同时表达并纯化His-QsvR重组蛋白,采用凝胶阻滞试验（electrophoresis mobility shift assay,EMSA）研究His-QsvR对靶基因调控区DNA序列是否具有直接的结合作用。【结果】qPCR结果显示,与WT相比,ΔqsvR中T6SS1相关基因VP1388 （操纵子VP1388-1390首基因）和hcp1 （操纵子VP1393-1406首基因）的转录水平显著性升高,表明QsvR抑制VP1388和hcp1的转录;引物延伸结果显示VP1388和hcp1各有一个转录起始位点,分别为C （-64）和T （-62）,且它们的转录活性受QsvR的抑制;LacZ报告基因融合试验结果显示QsvR可以抑制副溶血弧菌和EC100lpir中VP1388和hcp1的启动子区转录活性;EMSA结果显示His-QsvR对VP1388和hcp1的启动子区DNA序列具有直接的结合活性。【结论】QsvR对T6SS1相关操纵子VP1388-1390和VP1393-1406的转录具有直接的抑制作用。     

副溶血弧菌拟核相关蛋白H-NS间接抑制VP1687-1686的启动子区转录

为了探讨副溶血弧菌拟核相关蛋白H-NS对Ⅲ型分泌系统(T3SS) VP1687-1686基因位点的转录调控,本研究提取副溶血弧菌hns突变株(Δhns)和野生株(WT)的总RNA,采用引物延伸实验研究靶基因的转录起始位点,并根据产物的丰度判断H-NS对靶基因的调控关系;采用实时定量RT-PCR研究靶基因mRNA在WT和Δhns中转录丰度,以判定H-NS对靶基因的转录调控关系;将靶基因启动子区域DNA序列克隆至lacZ基因上游,将重组质粒转入WT和Δhns中,得到相应的LacZ菌株,通过LacZ报告基因融合实验研究H-NS对靶基因的调控关系;用PCR扩增靶基因的启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-H-NS蛋白,通过凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)研究His-H-NS是否对靶基因启动子区具有直接的结合作用。研究结果显示,T3SS的VP1687-1686只含有一个转录起始位点,位于翻译起始位点上游82 bp处,且H-NS能够抑制其转录活性,但不能直接结合到VP1687-1686区的启动子区。另外,H-NS对calR的转录无调控作用,His-H-NS也不能结合到其启动子区。本研究的结果初步说明,H-NS能够间接抑制VP1687-1686的转录,该抑制机制与CalR无关联。     

群体感应系统核心调控子对副溶血弧菌mshH基因的调控研究

【目的】探究副溶血弧菌群体感应(quorum sensing,QS)系统核心调控子AphA和OpaR对mshH基因的转录调控。【方法】提取特定条件下副溶血弧菌野生株(wild-type,WT)和调控子基因突变株(ΔaphA和ΔopaR)的总RNA,采用实时定量PCR (quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR)研究AphA和OpaR对mshH基因的转录调控关系以及mshH基因的时相依赖性表达特性;将mshH启动子区DNA序列克隆入pHRP309质粒β-半乳糖苷酶基因的上游,构建LacZ重组质粒,并将其转入WT、ΔaphA和ΔopaR中,获得LacZ实验菌株,再通过LacZ报告基因融合实验研究AphA和OpaR对mshH基因的调控关系以及mshH基因的时相依赖性表达特性;PCR扩增mshH上游启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-AphA和His-OpaR蛋白,通过凝胶阻滞实验(electrophoretic mobility shift assay,EMSA)和DNase I足迹实验,研究体外条件下His-AphA和His-OpaR对靶基因启动子区DNA片段是否具有直...     

副溶血弧菌拟核相关蛋白H-NS间接抑制VP1687-1686的启动子区转录

为了探讨副溶血性弧菌拟核相关蛋白H-NS对Ⅲ型分泌系统(T3SS) VP1687-1686基因位点的转录调控,本研究提取副溶血弧菌hns突变株(Δhns)和野生株(WT)的总RNA,采用引物延伸实验研究靶基因的转录起始位点,并根据产物的丰度判断H-NS对靶基因的调控关系;采用实时定量RT-PCR研究靶基因mRNA在WT和Δhns中转录丰度,以判定H-NS对靶基因的转录调控关系;将靶基因启动子区域DNA序列克隆至lacZ基因上游,将重组质粒转入WT和Δhns中,得到相应的LacZ菌株,通过LacZ报告基因融合实验研究H-NS对靶基因的调控关系;用PCR扩增靶基因的启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-H-NS蛋白,通过凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)研究His-H-NS是否对靶基因启动子区具有直接的结合作用。研究结果显示,T3SS的VP1687-1686只含有一个转录起始位点,位于翻译起始位点上游82 bp处,且H-NS能够抑制其转录活性,但不能直接结合到VP1687-1686区的启动子区。另外,H-NS对calR的转录无调控作用,His-H-NS也不能结合到其启动子区。本研究的结果初步说明,H-NS能够间接抑制VP1687-1686的转录,该抑制机制与CalR无关联。     

AphA蛋白促进副溶血弧菌c-di-GMP合成和生物膜形成

【目的】综合运用表型和分子生化实验研究AphA蛋白对副溶血弧菌生物膜形成的调节机制。【方法】利用菌落褶皱和结晶紫染色实验比较aphA突变株(ΔaphA)和野生株(WT)的表型差异;进而利用色谱串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)的方法分别检测ΔaphA和WT中c-di-GMP分子含量;提取ΔaphA和WT的总RNA,采用实时定量RT-PCR的方法研究AphA对scrABC和scrG的调控关系;分别构建克隆有scrABC和scrG上游启动子区的LacZ重组质粒,并将重组质粒转入ΔaphA和WT中,通过测定并比较两株菌中β-半乳糖苷酶活性差异来进一步研究AphA对scrABC和scrG的调控关系;PCR扩增scrABC和scrG的整个启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-AphA蛋白,通过凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)验证AphA对靶基因启动子区是否具有直接的相互作用。【结果】表型结果显示AphA能促进c-di-GMP的合成和生物膜形成;实时定量RT-PCR和LacZ结果表明AphA能抑制scrABC和scrG的转录表达;EMSA结果证明AphA不能结合到scrABC和scrG的启动子区DNA上。【结论】AphA间接抑制scrABC和scrG的表达是其促进副溶血弧菌c-di-GMP合成及生物膜形成的机制之一。     

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。     

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。     

副溶血弧菌LacZ报告基因融合实验方法的建立与应用

目的:建立副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VP)的LacZ报告基因融合实验方法。方法:PCR扩增靶基因的整个启动子区序列,并将其直接克隆入pHRP309质粒中,构建重组质粒;将重组质粒VPA1513转入VP野生株(WT)和opaR突变株(ΔopaR)中,而后通过比较两者β半乳糖苷酶活性的差异,确定OpaR对VPA1513的调控关系,以检验实验的稳定性。结果:构建出9个VP生物膜或毒力相关基因的LacZ重组质粒;OpaR对VPA1513的转录具有抑制作用。结论:建立了VP的LacZ报告基因融合实验方法,为后续转录调控机制的研究奠定了基础。     

AphA蛋白对副溶血弧菌vopT的转录调控研究

【目的】研究副溶血弧菌AphA对vopT的转录调控机制。【方法】提取野生株(WT)和aphA突变株(ΔaphA)的总RNA,采用引物延伸实验研究vopT的转录起始位点,并根据产物的丰度差异判断AphA对其调控关系。分别将WT和ΔaphA的总RNA逆转录成cDNA,利用实时定量RT-PCR进一步研究AphA对靶基因的调控关系。将vopT的启动子区克隆入pHRP309质粒的β-半乳糖苷酶基因上游,构建LacZ重组质粒,并将该重组质粒转入WT和ΔaphA中,通过测定并比较两株菌中β-半乳糖苷酶活性的差异来判定AphA对vopT的调控关系。PCR扩增靶基因整个启动子区DNA序列,并纯化His-AphA蛋白,利用凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)验证His-AphA对靶基因启动子区是否具有直接的结合作用。【结果】vopT只有一个转录起始位点A (?86),且其转录活性受AphA的间接抑制。RT-PCR和EMSA结果显示AphA对vtrA的转录也具有间接的抑制作用。【结论】AphA间接抑制vopT转录,且该间接抑制作用与VtrA无关。     

副溶血弧菌ToxR截短体蛋白的表达纯化及其DNA结合活性

【目的】利用大肠杆菌BL21λDE3表达系统,表达出有活性的副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VP)ToxR截短体蛋白,为进一步研究ToxR的转录调控机制奠定基础。【方法】以VP基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增ToxR蛋白DNA结合结构域(ToxR-N)的DNA片段,并将其直接克隆入pET28a中,获得重组质粒;将重组质粒导入大肠杆菌BL21λDE3中,所得菌株经IPTG诱导后能表达出His-ToxR-N蛋白。利用限制级凝血酶切除His-ToxR-N中的His-标签,进而以VP的calR和VP1687为靶基因,通过体外的凝胶阻滞实验(EMSA)验证ToxR-N蛋白的DNA结合活性。分别构建克隆有calR和VP1687上游启动子区的LacZ重组质粒,并将重组质粒转入野生株(WT)和toxR突变株(ΔtoxR)中,通过测定β-半乳糖苷酶活性来比较两株重组菌中靶基因启动子活性,以验证ToxR对calR和VP1687的调控关系。【结果】成功表达出有活性的ToxR-N蛋白,该蛋白对calR启动子区具有结合活性。LacZ结果显示ToxR对calR的转录具有激活作用,而对VP1687的转录具有抑制作用。【结论】所表达的ToxR-N可用于后续的转录调控机制研究;ToxR通过直接激活calR的转录表达,而间接抑制T3SS1相关基因的表达。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.

     

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.     

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.     

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.