克氏肺炎杆菌NiFe-氢酶基因的克隆与序列分析

采用CLUSTAL-W软件对Swiss-Prot蛋白数据库中已报道的NiFe-氢酶大亚基氨基酸序列进行比对分析,找到保守区并根据此设计兼并引物。利用其中一对引物进行PCR得到一条大小约为1000bp的DNA序列,并根据此序列设计引物进行反向PCR得到整个NiFe-氢酶的序列。再利用生物信息学软件对此氢酶的序列进行二、三级结构预测及大小亚基的对接(docking)。结果表明克氏肺炎杆菌的NiFe-氢酶属于一类膜结合放氢酶(Ech氢酶)。     

生物软件在序列分析过程中的运用

介绍了组合使用BLAST、FASTA/BLASTScan3.2,或用多序列比对软件,从数据库中快速提取大数量目标序列,最后用MEGA4快捷编辑整理大数量序列的方法。还介绍了一种生成核酸序列与其氨基酸序列相似性百分率整合表格的方法。简述了对引物设计的基本认识并介绍了多重引物兼容性筛选软件;对构建系统发育树的认识并引出分子进化树构建软件MEGA4的使用和PAUP 4.0常用建树命令模块。期望这些方法和软件的使用能解决生物序列分析过程的常见问题。     

八肋游仆虫第二类释放因子基因的克隆与序列分析

分离八肋游仆虫 (Euplotesoctocarinatus)大核eRF3基因 ,为进一步研究第二类释放因子结构与功能 ,探讨低等真核生物新生肽链释放机理提供实验素材 .以八肋游仆虫基因组DNA为材料 ,根据已知的第二类释放因子eRF3保守氨基酸序列设计引物 ,扩增克隆了该游仆虫的第二类释放因子基因片段 ,并对其核苷酸序列进行了分析 .根据测得的序列设计特异性引物 ,并利用游仆虫的端粒序列 (C4 A4 C4 A4 C4 A4 C4 )为引物 ,扩增得到该基因的全序列 .序列分析表明 ,该基因位于 2 782bp长的大核染色体上 ,编码区由 2 4 0 0bp组成 ,编码 80 0个氨基酸 ,不含内含子     

基于简并引物同步克隆两个红麻PDIL同源基因cDNA5'-末端序列

探索利用同一套简并引物结合通用引物同步扩增两个红麻PDIL同源基因的cDNA5’-末端序列,以期为同一转录组中两个旁系同源基因cDNA5' RACE的同步扩增提供借鉴.通过红麻HcPDIL5-2a和HcPDIL5-2b cDNA中间片段及3’-末端已知序列的比时,在其完全保守区段设计了一条引物用于两个基因5' RACE的共反转录;在其部分保守区段设计了两条简并引物,并利用其在两个基因的5'RACE扩增时退火温度的差异,结合通用引物巢式PCR同步扩增两个基因的cDNA 5 ’-末端未知序列.在两个基因全长cDNA拼接序列的基础上设计两对特异引物分别扩增它们的cDNA全长序列,测序结果进一步验证了序列拼接和cDNA 5' RACE同步扩增的可靠性.进化分析证实两个基因属于PDIL基因家族成员.     

新型α-芋螺毒素基因克隆的引物筛选

目的:优化PCR条件,建立能特异扩增出α-芋螺毒素基因片段的最理想PCR条件.方法:根据α-芋螺毒素基因保守的信号肽或内含子序列和非翻译区保守核苷酸序列设计了多组特异引物,并对引物浓度和退火温度等影响因素进行优化.结果:根据α-芋螺毒素基因保守的内含子序列为引物、引物浓度为0.1 μmol/L、退火温度为50℃时,能特异的扩增出α-芋螺毒素基因片段,分子量大约分别为180bp和300bp.结论:采用优化的PCR条件,能筛选出克隆新型的α--芋螺毒素基因片段的最理想引物,为α-芋螺毒素的化学合成、活性研究和应用提供基础.     

副干酪乳杆菌响应调节蛋白基因克隆与序列分析

根据HPK10亚家族氨基酸序列相似的特点,设计2对引物获得Lactobacillus paracasei HD1．7的HPK10亚家族保守区域序列,此片段长为330bp。根据此序列进行比对分析并设计简并引物,扩增获得整个响应调节蛋白（RR）序列,长为807bp。利用生物信息学软件对此序列进行了同源性分析、氨基酸组成分析、疏水性分析、磷酸化位点预测、CDS分析及二、三级结构预测。结果表明,该克隆片段为L．paracasei HD1．7的响应调节蛋白。     

罗氏沼虾SSR标记再开发及其影响因素初探

在NCBI的Nucleotide数据库中检索到592条罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)基因组序列,其中含有SSR( simple sequence repeats)的序列占总数的16.39％,重复基元共有29种,以二核苷酸重复类型和三核苷酸重复类型为主,出现频率分别为14.02％和6.08％.整理G-SSRs序列并设计44对引物,以罗氏沼虾上海地方种群样本DNA为模板,对设计引物进行筛选,有32对引物的扩增产物条带比较清晰,占所设计引物总数的72.72％.用初步筛选得到的26对设计引物和已报道的37对SSR引物对罗氏沼虾江苏、广西以及上海地方种群进行引物的多态性筛选,分别得到9对和7对多态性引物.结果表明,种群的不同、序列的筛选和引物的设计直接影响到获得多态性引物的数量.     

起始密码子区域相关序列多态性的开发及在苜蓿遗传多样性上的应用

目前广泛使用的基于PCR基础的分子标记多为扩增非编码区域,或是随机基因组中扩增,在QTL定位中得到的位点一般与目标性状基因距离较远,我们开发了一个新的基于启动子序列目的基因型分子标记技术——启动子区域相关序列多态性（SCRP）,试图使标记能够更为准确的反映不同品种的遗传基础。它利用启动子位置保守一致序列 （“Kozak”序列） 作为其上游引物,利用内含子富含“AATT”的特性,作为核心序列设计下游引物,上下游引物均为18bp,引物间通过组合配对的方式作为扩增引物对。设计了14条上游引物和10条下游引物,共140对引物组合,对34个苜蓿品种进行扩增,研究了34个苜蓿的遗传多样性。每个PCR反应产生3~16个50~2000bp的条带,结果表明该标记简单、可靠、具有较高多态性,并且扩增区域为一种目的基因型分子标记,在种质资源研究中具有重要价值。     

玉米大斑病菌小柱孢酮脱水酶基因(scd)的克隆与功能分析

根据已知植物病原真菌黑色素生物合成相关基因scd(scytalone dehydratase)氨基酸序列保守区域设计简并引物,分别以玉米大斑病菌基因组DNA和cDNA为模板,通过PCR技术获得scd基因的同源片段,利用SMART-RACE技术和3′RACE技术获得了scd的cDNA全长序列。并根据scd基因cDNA全长序列设计基因特异性引物扩增玉米大斑病菌基因组DNA获得了该基因DNA全长。通过DNA序列和cDNA序列对比分析发现scd基因编码一个180个氨基酸的开放阅读框架,DNA序列含有两个分别为50bp和78bp的内含子。生物信息学分析表明其氨基酸序列与水稻胡麻叶斑病菌的scd基因的相似性很高。DHN黑色素生物合成途径特异性抑制剂—Carpropamid处理玉米大斑病菌,在12~24h之内可以抑制病菌分生孢子的萌发和附着胞的产生,但随着处理时间的延长抑制剂的抑制作用变弱,并且经过抑制剂处理的病菌不能侵入寄主组织或不能在寄主组织内扩展。初步明确了scd与玉米大斑病菌黑色合成途径及致病性的关系。     

鲸类c - mos 基因的序列变异性及在系统发生分析中应用的初步研究

通过猪等的c-mos 基因保守区序列设计了用于扩增鲸类c-mos 基因的引物。应用此引物扩增并测定了齿鲸类5 个科12 个种546 bp 的c - mos 基因编码区序列。结果表明鲸类的c-mos 基因遗传变异水平较低。在系统发生重建中, 同科的物种聚为单系, 但不能很好地解决科下亚科间的关系, 提示c-mos 基因仅适于鲸类科级以上阶元的系统发生研究。     

A Method Enabling High-Throughput Sequencing of Human Cytomegalovirus Complete Genomes from Clinical Isolates

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous virus that can cause serious sequelae in immunocompromised patients and in the developing fetus. The coding capacity of the 235 kbp genome is still incompletely understood, and there is a pressing need to characterize genomic contents in clinical isolates. In this study, a procedure for the high-throughput generation of full genome consensus sequences from clinical HCMV isolates is presented. This method relies on low number passaging of clinical isolates on human fibroblasts, followed by digestion of cellular DNA and purification of viral DNA. After multiple displacement amplification, highly pure viral DNA is generated. These extracts are suitable for high-throughput next-generation sequencing and assembly of consensus sequences. Throughout a series of validation experiments, we showed that the workflow reproducibly generated consensus sequences representative for the virus population present in the original clinical material. Additionally, the performance of 454 GS FLX and/or Illumina Genome Analyzer datasets in consensus sequence deduction was evaluated. Based on assembly performance data, the Illumina Genome Analyzer was the platform of choice in the presented workflow. Analysis of the consensus sequences derived in this study confirmed the presence of gene-disrupting mutations in clinical HCMV isolates independent from in vitro passaging. These mutations were identified in genes RL5A, UL1, UL9, UL111A and UL150. In conclusion, the presented workflow provides opportunities for high-throughput characterization of complete HCMV genomes that could deliver new insights into HCMV coding capacity and genetic determinants of viral tropism and pathogenicity.     

Weak palindromic consensus sequences are a common feature found at the integration target sites of many retroviruses

Integration into the host genome is one of the hallmarks of the retroviral life cycle and is catalyzed by virus-encoded integrases. While integrase has strict sequence requirements for the viral DNA ends, target site sequences have been shown to be very diverse. We carefully examined a large number of integration target site sequences from several retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1, simian immunodeficiency virus, murine leukemia virus, and avian sarcoma-leukosis virus, and found that a statistical palindromic consensus, centered on the virus-specific duplicated target site sequence, was a common feature at integration target sites for these retroviruses.     

PCP Consensus Sequences of Flaviviruses: Correlating Variance with Vector Competence and Disease Phenotype

Background

Computational methods are needed to design multivalent vaccines against flaviviruses (FVs) such as the West Nile virus or the dengue virus (DENV).

Objective

We aimed to use physicochemical property (PCP) consensus sequences of FV strains to delineate conserved motifs, areas of maximum variability, and specific loci that correlate with arthropod vector, serotype, and disease severity.

Methods

PCP consensus sequences for 27 species were prepared from 928 annotated sequences catalogued in Flavitrack. Alignments of these correlated well with the known structures of the NS3 protease domain and envelope (E) proteins. The PCPMer suite was used to identify motifs common to all FVs. Areas of PCP variability that correlated with phenotype were plotted on the structures.

Results

Despite considerable diversity at the amino acid level, PCPs for both proteins were well conserved throughout the FVs. A series of insertions in E separated tick- from mosquito-borne viruses and all arthropod-borne viruses from isolates with no known vector or directly from insects. Comparison of a PCP consensus sequence of E derived from 600 DENV strains (DENV₆₀₀) with individual ones for DENV1-DENV4 showed that most major serotype-specific variation occurs near these insertions. The DENV₆₀₀ differed from one prepared from eight hemorrhagic or fatal strains from four DENV serotypes at only three positions, two of which overlap known escape mutant sites.

Conclusions

Comparing consensus sequences showed that substantial changes occur in only a few areas of the E protein. PCP consensus sequences can contribute to the design of multivalent vaccines.     

Deduced consensus sequence of Sindbis virus strain AR339: mutations contained in laboratory strains which affect cell culture and in vivo phenotypes.

The consensus sequence of the Sindbis virus AR339 isolate, the prototype alphavirus, has been deduced. THe results presented here suggest (i) that a substantial proportion of the sequence divergence evident between the consensus sequence and sequences of laboratory strains of AR339 has resulted from selection for efficient growth in cell culture, (ii) that many of these changes affect the virulence of the virus in animal models, and (iii) that such modified genetic backgrounds present in laboratory strains can exert a significant influence on genetic studies of virus pathogenesis and host range. A laboratory strain of Sindbis virus AR339 was sequenced and cloned as a cDNA (pTRSB) from which infectious virus (TRSB) could be derived. The consensus sequence was deduced from the complete sequences of pTRSB and HRsp (E. G. Strauss, C. M. Rice, and J. H. Strauss, Virology 133:92-110, 1984), from partial sequences of the glycoprotein genes of three other AR339 laboratory strains, and by comparison with the sequences of the glycoprotein genes of three other AR339 sequence. HRsp differed form the consensus sequence by eight coding changes, and TRSB differed by three coding changes. In the 5' untranslated region, HRsp differed from the consensus sequence at nucleotide (nt) 5. These differences were likely the result of cell culture passage of the original AR339 isolate. At three of the difference loci (one in TRSB and two in HRsp), selection of cell-culture-adaptive mutations was documented with Sindbis virus or other alphaviruses. Selection in cell culture often results in attenuation of virulence in animals. Considering the TRSB and HRsp sequences together, one noncoding difference from the consensus (an A-for-G substitution in the 5' untranslated region at nt 5) and six coding differences in the glycoprotein genes (at E2 amino acids 1, 3, 70, and 172 and at E1 amino acids 72 and 237) were at loci which, either individually or in combination, significantly affected alphavirus virulence in mice. Although the levels of virulence of isogenic strains containing either nt 5 A or nt 5 G did not differ significantly in neonatal mice, the presence of nt 5 A greatly enhanced the effect of a second attenuating mutation in the E2 gene. These results suggest that minimal differences in the "wild type" genetic background into which an additional mutation is introduced can have a dramatic effect on apparent virulence and pathogenesis phenotypes. A cDNA clone of the consensus AR339 sequence, a sequence devoid of occult attenuating mutations introduced by cell culture passage, will allow the molecular genetic examination of cell culture and in vivo phenotypes of a virus which may best reflect the sequence of Sindbis virus AR339 at the time of its isolation.     

Protein consensus sequence motifs

The large number of protein consensus sequences that may be recognized without computer analysis are reviewed. These include the extensive range of known phosphorylation site motifs for protein kinases; metal binding sites for calcium, zinc, copper, and iron; enzyme active site motifs; nucleotide binding and covalent attachment sites for prosthetic groups, carbohydrate, and lipids. Of particular note is the increasing realization of the importance for cellular regulation of protein-protein interaction motifs and sequences that target proteins to particular subcellular locations. This article includes an introduction to accessing the many suites of programs for analysis of protein structure, signatures of protein families, and consensus sequences that may be carried out on the internet.     

Molecular epidemiology of the foot-and-mouth disease virus outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001

The objective of this study was to quantify the extent to which the genetic diversity of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) arising over the course of infection of an individual animal becomes fixed, is transmitted to other animals, and thereby accumulates over the course of an outbreak. Complete consensus sequences of 23 genomes (each of 8,200 nucleotides) of FMDV were recovered directly from epithelium tissue acquired from 21 farms infected over a nearly 7-month period during the 2001 FMDV outbreak in the United Kingdom. An analysis of these consensus sequences revealed very few apparently ambiguous sites but clear evidence of 197 nucleotide substitutions at 191 different sites. We estimated the rate of nucleotide substitution to be 2.26 x 10(-5) per site per day (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75 x 10(-5) to 2.80 x 10(-5)) and nucleotide substitutions to accrue in the consensus sequence at an average rate of 1.5 substitutions per farm infection. This is a sufficiently high rate showing that detailed histories of the transmission pathways can be reliably reconstructed. Coalescent methods indicated that the date at which FMDV first infected livestock in the United Kingdom was 7 February 2001 (95% CI, 20 January to 19 February 2001), which was identical to estimates obtained on the basis of purely clinical evidence. Nucleotide changes appeared to have occurred evenly across the genome, and within the open reading frame, the ratio of nonsynonymous-to-synonymous change was 0.09. The ability to recover particular transmission pathways of acutely acting RNA pathogens from genetic data will help resolve uncertainties about how virus is spread and could help in the control of future epidemics.     

乙型肝炎病毒全基因序列的测定

测定７ 例慢性 Ｈ Ｂ Ｖ 携带者 Ｈ Ｂ Ｖ 基因组全序列,经同源性比较,确定基因型。２ 例基因型为 Ｂ 型,余均为 Ｃ 型;血清型ａｄｒ ４ 例,ａｄｗ ３ 例。各序列间 Ｘ 基因差异最大。未见 Ａ１８９６ 、 Ｔ１７６２ Ａ１７６４等重要位点的变异。结合已有的２ 株 Ｈ Ｂ Ｖ 中国流行株全基因序列,初步建立以中国流行株序列为基础的 Ｈ Ｂ Ｖ 标准序列,该标准序列与国外标准序列仅有２２ 个位点的差异