Unveiling the Organisms behind Novel Eukaryotic Ribosomal DNA Sequences from the Ocean

Despite the fact that the smallest eukaryotes (cells less than 5 μm in diameter) play key roles in marine food webs, particularly in open oligotrophic areas, the study of their in situ diversity started just one year ago. Perhaps the most remarkable finding of the most recent studies has been the discovery of completely new phylogenetic lineages, such as novel clades belonging to the stramenopile and alveolate phyla. The two new groups account for a significant fraction of clones in genetic libraries from North Atlantic, equatorial Pacific, Antarctic, and Mediterranean Sea waters. However, the identities and ecological relevance of these organisms remain unknown. Here we investigate the phylogenetic relationships, morphology, in situ abundance, and ecological role of novel stramenopiles. They form at least eight independent clades within the stramenopile basal branches, indicating a large phylogenetic diversity within the group. Two lineages were visualized and enumerated in field samples and enrichments by fluorescent in situ hybridization using specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. The targeted organisms were 2- to 3-μm-diameter, round-shaped, nonpigmented flagellates. Further, they were found to be bacterivorous. One lineage accounted for up to 46% (average during an annual cycle, 19%) of heterotrophic flagellates in a coastal environment, providing evidence that novel stramenopiles are important and unrecognized components of the total stock of bacterial grazers.     

Carcinogen-Mediated Amplification of Specific DNA Sequences

A model experimental system based on SV40-transformed Chinese hamster embryo cells and a highly sensitive in situ hybridization procedure was designed. Exposure of the cells to different categories of chemical and physical carcinogens resulted in the induction of SV40 DNA synthesis in the treated cells. Although the carcinogen-mediated amplification of SV40 DNA sequences is regulated by the viral “A” gene, neither infectious virus nor complete viral DNA molecules were rescued from the treated cells. A heterogenous collection of DNA molecules containing SV40 sequences was generated following treatment with DMBA. Restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified DNA molecules in the Hirt supernatant revealed that not all sequences in the integrated SV40 inserts are present. The possibility that the amplification of SV40 sequences is a reflection of a general gene amplification phenomenon mediated by carcinogens is discussed.     

水稻籼粳亚种间rDNA的ITS(internal transcribed spacer,ITS)序列分析

为探讨水稻亚种间的遗传背景及亲缘关系,运用PCR技术扩增并测序了水稻籼亚种的南京11号,9311、广陆矮4号三个品种和粳亚种的秋光、日本晴、爪哇稻三个品种的完整ITS区（包括5.8S区）。供试材料的5.8S rDNA的长度和G/C含量完全一致。ITSI的长度为193-195bp、G/C含量为72.31%-74.38;ITS2的长度为224-232bp,G/C含量为74.46%-76.86%。序列的相似性为94.4%-99.3%。CLUSTAL.W软件排序及分析表明;1）存在4个信息位点把6个品种分为籼粳两大类群;2）籼稻之间的ITS序列的同源性小于粳稻之间的同源性,由此可见,水稻核糖体DNA的ITS序列的变化规律与其传统的分类具有高度的一致性。     

Phylogenetic Analyses of Archaeal Ribosomal DNA Sequences from Salt Pan Sediment of Mumbai,India

The archaeal diversity in salt pan sediment from Mumbai, India, was investigated by 16S rDNA-dependent molecular phylogeny. Small-subunit rRNA (16S rDNA) from salt pan sediment metagenome were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific to the domain archaea. Thirty-two unique phylotypes were obtained by PCR-based RFLP of 16S rRNA genes using endonucleases Hae111 and Msp1, which were most suitable to score the genetic diversity. These phylotypes spanned a wide range within the domain Archaea including both Crenarchaeota and Euryarcheaota. However, none of the retrieved Crenarchaeota sequences could be grouped with previously cultured Crenarchaeota. Of all the Euryarcheaota sequences, three sequences were related to Haloarchaea, two were related to cultured Methanosarcina sp., and the remaining sequences were affiliated with uncultured Methanosarcina sp., Methanogenium sp., and Methanolobus sp. Most of the sequences determined were closely related to the sequences that had been previously obtained from metagenome of a variety of marine environments. The phylogenetic study of a site investigated for the first time revealed the presence of a highly diverse archaeal population and may represent novel sequences and organisms specially adapted to the salt pan sediment of Mumbai. These findings are of fundamental value for understanding the complexity of salt pan ecosystems.     

基于ITS序列探讨忍冬属的系统发育关系

以七子花(Heptacodium miconioides)为外类群,运用MEGA软件对20种忍冬属植物进行系统发育分析,采用邻接法(NJ)和最大简约法(MP)构建系统发育树,从分子系统学角度探讨忍冬属下的亲缘关系.结果表明:(1)在NJ和MP系统树中,没有形成系统树的基部分支,忍冬亚属(Subg.Chamaecerasus)和轮花亚属(Subg.Lonicera)没有形成姐妹群关系.(2)在各系统树中,囊管组内的各种没有聚为一支,故认为对囊管组的划分应进一步探讨.(3)忍冬属ITS区(ITS1+ITS2)的信息位点达到11.0%,信息位点比较丰富,证明ITS序列可以为解决忍冬属植物的系统发育问题提供较强的证据.     

山羊草属二倍体物种核rDNA ITS区序列及其系统发育关系分析

测定了山羊草属（Ａｅｇｉｌｏｐｓ）二倍物种核ｒＤＮＡ ＩＴＳ区序列,发现其碱基粉介于６０１－６０７之间,比报道的小ｒｉｕｃｅａｅ）其他属的ＩＴＳ区我略长,Ｇ＋Ｃ含量达６１．１％～６２．９％,序列间的分化距离为０．００５０～０．０４６８。用ＰＨＹＬＩＰ３．５ｅ软件包对所测得的ＤＮＡ数据进行聚类分析,结果显示：１．Ａｅ．ｓｐｅｌｔｏｉｄｅｓ与该组其他种相距很远,支持将其从Ｓｉｔｏｐｓｉｓ组中独立出来,     

杂交稻亲本核糖体DNA的ITS序列比较

以典型粳稻(O．sativa ssp．japonicn)秋光作为外类群,典型籼稻(O．sativa ssp．indica)南京11号作为对照,对两优培9、培两优288、汕优63三个籼型组合的6个亲本的核糖体基因(nrDNA)内转录间隔区(ITS)的全序列进行了比较分析,结果表明：供试材料的ITS序列有较丰富的遗传差异,以ITS序列信息构建的系统树能反映出品种间的亲缘关系,3个组合亲本间遗传距离以超级稻两优培九的亲本9311与培矮64S遗传距离最远．     

短尾猴样品常见污染的检测方法

为检测在野外通过非损伤取样法采集到的短尾猴样品是否受到其它常见哺乳动物及人源的污染,收集包括短尾猴(Macaca thibetana)、人以及7种常见哺乳动物的毛发、血液、粪便、精液或肌肉组织样品,提取并纯化基因组DNA,利用14对微卫星引物扩增不同物种的STR位点,以确定其在短尾猴样品检测中的应用价值。扩增结果表明,TH01等13对引物在人和短尾猴中均能扩增且扩增产物长度未见明显差异,F13A01产物长度在人和短尾猴之间相差240bp碱基,只有FGA位点在常见动物猪、羊、牛、狗、兔、小白鼠及豚鼠都未见扩增产物;因此,FGA、F13A01座位较高的分辨能力,可以排除短尾猴样品是否受到人及常见哺乳动物的污染,通过特异性STR引物结合PCR方法,检测短尾猴野外非损伤取样获得的样品是否受到哺乳动物及人源DNA污染,此方法简单、稳定性高、可重复性好,在短尾猴的遗传多样性分析及亲缘关系鉴定中有较大的应价值。     

国产“水山姜”的分类学研究—来自核糖体DNA ITS区序列的证据

用直接测序法对国产黑果山姜Alpinia nigra(Gaertn.)Burtt以及“水山姜Alpinia aquatica (Koen.)Rose”。的核糖体DNA中的内转录间隔区（ITS）序列进行了测定,结果显示两者序列完全一致;ITS1长度为178bp,ITS2长度为232bp,5.8S编码区长度为164bp,GC含量为56.9%,形态学特征结合DNA分子证据,认为《中国植物志》记载的水山姜实为黑果山姜。     

PCR Primers for Metazoan Nuclear 18S and 28S Ribosomal DNA Sequences

Background

Metagenetic analyses, which amplify and sequence target marker DNA regions from environmental samples, are increasingly employed to assess the biodiversity of communities of small organisms. Using this approach, our understanding of microbial diversity has expanded greatly. In contrast, only a few studies using this approach to characterize metazoan diversity have been reported, despite the fact that many metazoan species are small and difficult to identify or are undescribed. One of the reasons for this discrepancy is the availability of universal primers for the target taxa. In microbial studies, analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA is standard. In contrast, the best gene for metazoan metagenetics is less clear. In the present study, we have designed primers that amplify the nuclear 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequences of most metazoan species with the goal of providing effective approaches for metagenetic analyses of metazoan diversity in environmental samples, with a particular emphasis on marine biodiversity.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Conserved regions suitable for designing PCR primers were identified using 14,503 and 1,072 metazoan sequences of the nuclear 18S and 28S rDNA regions, respectively. The sequence similarity of both these newly designed and the previously reported primers to the target regions of these primers were compared for each phylum to determine the expected amplification efficacy. The nucleotide diversity of the flanking regions of the primers was also estimated for genera or higher taxonomic groups of 11 phyla to determine the variable regions within the genes.

Conclusions/Significance

The identified nuclear ribosomal DNA primers (five primer pairs for 18S and eleven for 28S) and the results of the nucleotide diversity analyses provide options for primer combinations for metazoan metagenetic analyses. Additionally, advantages and disadvantages of not only the 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA, but also other marker regions as targets for metazoan metagenetic analyses, are discussed.     

Phylogeographical Studies of Ascaris spp. Based on Ribosomal and Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Background

The taxonomic distinctiveness of Ascaris lumbricoides and A. suum, two of the world''s most significant nematodes, still represents a much-debated scientific issue. Previous studies have described two different scenarios in transmission patterns, explained by two hypotheses: (1) separated host-specific transmission cycles in highly endemic regions, (2) a single pool of infection shared by humans and pigs in non-endemic regions. Recently, A. suum has been suggested as an important cause of human ascariasis in endemic areas such as China, where cross-infections and hybridization have also been reported. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the molecular epidemiology of human and pig Ascaris from non-endemic regions and, with reference to existing data, to infer the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships among the samples.

Methodology

151 Ascaris worms from pigs and humans were characterized using PCR-RFLP on nuclear ITS rDNA. Representative geographical sub-samples were also analysed by sequencing a portion of the mitochondrial cox1 gene, to infer the extent of variability at population level. Sequence data were compared to GenBank sequences from endemic and non-endemic regions.

Principal Findings

No fixed differences between human and pig Ascaris were evident, with the exception of the Slovak population, which displays significant genetic differentiation. The RFLP analysis confirmed pig as a source of human infection in non-endemic regions and as a corridor for the promulgation of hybrid genotypes. Epidemiology and host-affiliation seem not to be relevant in shaping molecular variance. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses described a complex scenario, involving multiple hosts, sporadic contact between forms and an ancestral taxon referable to A. suum.

Conclusions/Significance

These results suggest the existence of homogenizing gene flow between the two taxa, which appear to be variants of a single polytypic species. This conclusion has implications on the systematics, transmission and control programs relating to ascariasis.     

基于nLSU rDNA序列分析探讨侧耳属系统发育关系

以PCR产物直接测序分析了侧耳属（Pleurotus）27个种41个茵株的nLSU rDNA序列,以Hohenbuehelia serotina和Lentinula edodes为外群,运用MEGA3．1软件中的邻接法（neighbor—joining）和最大简约法（maximums parsimony）分别构建侧耳属的系统发育树。分子系统发育树表明：Coremiopleurotus组和Pleurotus属内单、二系茵丝系统均为多系起源;P．rattenburyi,刺芹侧耳种族群（P．eryngii species—complex）与被划分在Lepiotarii组的栎侧耳P．dryinus能与侧耳属其他成员明显分开;红侧耳P．djamor、桃红侧耳P．salmoneostramineus、扇形侧耳P．flabellatus与贝盖侧耳P．calyptratus关系密切;金顶侧耳P．citrinopileatus与P．euosmus聚在一起,而与黄白侧耳P．conucopiae为不同的分类单元;肺形侧耳P．pulmonarius与P．abieticale亲缘关系较近。     

基于ITS序列探讨法落海的系统分类学地位

为研究法落海的系统分类地位,检测了法落海以及当归属和独活属共12种代表植物的核糖体DNA ITS序列,并结合GenBank中独活属4种代表植物的ITS序列,以羌活属的羌活(Notopterygium incisum)作为外类群,应用序列特征、遗传距离与系统树分析等方法对法落海的系统分类地位进行了分析。结果表明,依据不同的ITS区序列会得出不同甚至截然相反的结论:若依据ITS1序列,法落海应该归属到当归属;若依据ITS2序列,法落海应该归属到独活属。进一步分析法落海与当归属、独活属植物ITS区序列的碱基组成时发现,法落海在ITS1区拥有当归属植物的序列特征,而其ITS2区拥有独活属植物的序列特征。综上分析,支持法落海是介于当归属与独活属之间的一个分类群的系统分类观点。     

甘肃本地产当归、黄芪和大黄的rDNA ITS序列分析

本研究采用改良CTAB法分别提取18份甘肃本地产当归、黄芪和大黄基因组DNA,并用PCR分别扩增其ITS1-5.8S-ITS2序列、直接测序并作序列同源性比对分析。双向测序分析结果表明,甘肃6个不同产地当归rDNA的ITS1、5.8S和ITS2序列一致,片段长度分别为215bp、162bp和223bp;供试的黄芪ITS1、5.8S和ITS2序列分别为228bp、164bp和210bp;大黄ITS1、5.8S和ITS2序列分别为160bp、159bp和164bp。供试材料的ITS1-5.8S-ITS2核苷酸序列已提交GenBank。本研究为提供甘肃当归、黄芪和大黄指纹图谱鉴别的分子标记、其道地性药材的分子鉴定和品质评价提供参考。     

Comparison of Sequences from the Ribosomal DNA Intergenic Region of Meloidogyne mayaguensis and Other Major Tropical Root-Knot Nematodes

The unusual arrangement of the 5S ribosomal gene within the intergenic sequence (IGS) of the ribosomal cistron, previously reported for Meloidogyne arenaria, was also found in the ribosomal DNA of two other economically important species of tropical root-knot nematodes, M, incognita and M. javanica. This arrangement also was found in M. hapla, which is important in temperate regions, and M. mayaguensis, a virulent species of concern in West Africa. Amplification of the region between the 5S and 18S genes by PCR yielded products of three different sizes such that M. mayaguensis could be readily differentiated from the other species in this study. This product can be amplified from single juveniles, females, or egg masses. The sequences obtained in this region for one line of each of M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. javanica were very similar, reflecting the close relationships of these lineages. The M. mayaguensis sequence for this region had a number of small deletions and insertions of various sizes, including possible sequence duplications.