Small inverted repeats drive mitochondrial genome evolution in Lake Baikal sponges

Demosponges, the largest and most diverse class in the phylum Porifera, possess mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markedly different from that in other animals. Although several studies investigated evolution of demosponge mtDNA among major lineages of the group, the changes within these groups remain largely unexplored. Recently we determined mitochondrial genomic sequence of the Lake Baikal sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis and described proliferation of small inverted repeats (hairpins) that occurred in it since the divergence between L. baicalensis and the most closely related cosmopolitan freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri. Here we report mitochondrial genomes of three additional species of Lake Baikal sponges: Swartschewskia papyracea, Rezinkovia echinata and Baikalospongia intermedia morpha profundalis (Demospongiae, Haplosclerida, Lubomirskiidae) and from a more distantly related freshwater sponge Corvomeyenia sp. (Demospongiae, Haplosclerida, Metaniidae). We use these additional sequences to explore mtDNA evolution in Baikalian sponges, paying particular attention to the variation in the rates of nucleotide substitutions and the distribution of hairpins, abundant in these genomes. We show that most of the changes in Lubomirskiidae mitochondrial genomes are due to insertion/deletion/duplication of these elements rather than single nucleotide substitutions. Thus inverted repeats can act as an important force in evolution of mitochondrial genome architecture and be a valuable marker for population- and species-level studies in this group. In addition, we infer (((Rezinkovia+Lubomirskia)+Swartschewskia)+Baikalospongia) phylogeny for the family Lubomirskiidae based on the analysis of mitochondrial coding sequences from freshwater sponges.     

Incidence,complexity and diversity of simple sequence repeats across potexvirus genomes

An in-silico analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in genomes of 32 species of potexviruses was performed wherein a total of 691 SSRs and 33 cSSRs were observed. Though SSRs were present in all the studied genomes their incident frequency ranged from 11 to 30 per genome. Further, 10 potexvirus genomes possessed no cSSRs when extracted at a dMAX of 10 and wherein present, the highest frequency was 3. SSR and cSSR incidence, relative density and relative abundance were non-significantly correlated with genome size and GC content suggesting an ongoing evolutionary and adaptive phase of the virus species. SSRs present primarily ranged from mono- to tri-nucleotide repeat motifs with a greatly skewed distribution across the coding and non-coding regions. Present work is an effort for the undergoing compilation and analysis of incidence, distribution and variation of the viral repeat sequences to understand their evolutionary and functional relevance.     

Inverted terminal repeats and terminal proteins of the genomes of pneumococcal phages

The nucleotide (nt) sequence at the ends of the genomes of the Streptococcus pneumoniae phages Cp-5 and Cp-7 has been determined and compared with the corresponding sequence of phage Cp-1. The genomes of phages Cp-5 and Cp-7 have inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) 343 and 347 bp long, respectively. In Cp-1 DNA the ITR is 236 bp long and the following 116 bp are 93% homologous. Some regions within the ITRs are conserved in the three genomes although the complete sequence of the ITRs is no more conserved than the rest of their genomes. The chromatographic behavior of their tryptic peptides suggests that the terminal proteins (TPs) of at least two of the phages are similar and that the TPs of the three pneumococcal phages differ markedly from that of the Bacillus subtilis phage psi 29.     

Varied truncation and clustering characterize some short repeats identified in micronucleus-specific DNA of Tetrahymena thermophila

There are over 6000 internally eliminated DNA sequences (IESs) in the Tetrahymena genome that are deleted in a programmed fashion during the development of a polyploid, somatic macronucleus from a diploid germline micronucleus. Recently, based on several results, a homology and small RNA-based mechanism has been proposed for the efficient elimination of IES elements. Since the RNAi machinery is proposed to be intimately involved in silencing potentially harmful repeats such as transposons and viruses, characterization of repeats and the conditions for their developmental elimination from the somatic genome is warranted. Three short (500–600 bp) repeat families, members of which had been experimentally identified in IESs, that is, in micronucleus-specific DNA, are examined here using the Tetrahymena genome database. Members of all three families display varied degrees of truncation and are represented in macronuclear sequences. A 200 bp segment of one of the families can appear in the genome on its own, or as part of a 600 bp repeat detected experimentally, or in association with an unrelated 1 kb sequence to form a 1.2 kb repeat that is also frequently truncated. The 1 kb sequence contains a 300 bp section similar to a repeat associated with a non-long terminal repeat-like element and is often found accompanied by several more copies of this shorter repeat. These observations indicate that transposition may have had a role in the evolution of the short repeat families.     

华仁杏EST-SSR标记引物设计与开发

随着生物科技的进步,ESTs（表达序列标签）已经成为开发SSR（简单重复序列）标记的重要资源。本文利用NCBI公共数据库下载蔷薇科EST序列22 458条,使用SSRHunter1.3软件进行了SSR搜索,从中获得22 527条SSR,应用Primer5.0软件设计并经由Oligo7.0软件检测,共得到61对EST-SSR引物。利用这些引物对8个华仁杏品种进行了PCR扩增及检测,得到10对能产生清晰多态性条带的EST-SSR标记,标明了10对引物的序列,为进一步开展华仁杏SSR分子标记辅助育种研究奠定了基础。     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of metallothionein in squamates: New insights into the evolution of the metallothionein genes in vertebrates

Metallothioneins are cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins ubiquitously expressed in living organisms. In the last past years, a plethora of vertebrate metallothionein sequences have become available, but so far there has been an almost absolute lack of data about sequences of metallothionein of non-avian diapsida. In the framework of the investigations on structural and functional properties of non-mammalian metallothioneins, we have cloned and sequenced the cDNAs encoding for metallothioneins of 10 squamate reptiles, belonging to 5 different infraorders. These sequences have been used to gain insight into the evolutionary history of metallothioneins in reptiles. Phylogenetic analysis shows that reptilian metallothionein phylogeny is inconsistent with the species phylogeny. Such findings allow us to hypothesize that the identified metallothionein in each squamate species used for this study might be considered a paralogous gene derived from more events of gene duplication and losses occurred during the diversification of the squamate species. Finally, through vertebrate metallothionein comparisons and phylogenetic analysis, we also add a novel contribution to the understanding of the evolution of metallothionein genes along the major vertebrate lineages.     

蜜蜂EST中的微卫星分析

为加速分子标记在蜜蜂遗传、进化与行为等方面的利用,分析了简单重复序列(Simple Sequence Repeats,SSRs)在蜜蜂EST中的分布频率与密度。所分析的蜜蜂EST数据集包含15869条序列,总长为7．9Mb。结果显示,蜜蜂ESTs中SSRs的频率为1／0．52kb,其中6碱基重复基序占总SSRs的45．0％,是最丰富的重复单元,而2、1、3、4与5碱基重复基序分别占总SSRs的17．9％、14．1％、11．6％、9．2％和2．2％。同时,在各种SSRs重复单元中,富含A碱基的重复单元占据优势地位,如：A、AT、AG、AC、AAT、AAG、AAC、AAAT、AAAG、AAAAG、AAAAT、AATAT、AAAAAG和AAAAAT重复基序,而富含G碱基的重复单元在基因编码区中含量较低。进一步分析显示：蜜蜂SSRs在冗余与非冗余EST数据集中的分布频率与密度相似,仅存在极小的偏差,表明可从现有的部分ESTs数据中方便地获取有效的微卫星标记。     

Development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and their use in identification of Dendrobium varieties

The aim of this study was to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for Dendrobium varieties/species, many of which have medicinal and horticultural values. Two genomic DNA libraries of Dendrobium Sonia enriched with GA repeats and CA repeats were constructed. Fourteen polymorphic SSR markers were identified when screened against 42 popular commercial Dendrobium hybrids. The average allele number was 12.0 ± 1.9 and the observed heterozyosity was averaged at 0.70. All 42 hybrids tested, except for two tissue culture mutants, were uniquely identified with the markers used. Sibling hybrids were closely clustered. Hybrids were also closer to parents. These SSR markers can be used for molecular ecology research, genetic mapping and marker‐assisted breeding. They can also help protection for new Dendrobium varieties.     

Population genetic structure of Penaeus monodon, in relation to monsoon current patterns in Southwest, East and Andaman coastal waters of India

The black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a commercially important penaeid species, is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region. Genetic diversity in P. monodon collected from eight geographical regions in Southwest, East and Andaman coastal waters of India (N = 418) was investigated using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Average observed heterozygosity at sampled loci were high, ranging from 0.643 (Coromandel Coast) to 0.753 (South Andaman). Pairwise F_ST (ranged from 0.005 to 0.078) and R_ST (ranged from 0.005 to 0.171) estimates revealed surprisingly strong and statistically significant genetic structure among tiger shrimp populations. A synthetic map generated by multidimensional scaling shows an apparent cline in allele frequencies paralleling the roughly circular flow of surface currents in the Bay of Bengal. Significant heterozygote deficiencies were noted in most population samples at most loci. Andaman Island sites showed the highest diversity. Recognition of high genetic diversity and distinct population structuring of P. monodon in Indian seas has important implications for future domestication of this species in India, for two reasons: identification of the best wild founding stocks for aquaculture and, subsequently, the potential impacts of release of domesticates to the wild, either accidentally or deliberately (i.e. for stock enhancement).     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Dendrobium officinale,an endangered herb endemic to China

As an invaluable herb, Dendrobium officinale has been in severe danger since 1950 because of human exploitation and habitat deterioration. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci derived from two microsatellite‐enriched libraries. Twenty‐two individuals from Leye population were analysed. These loci were polymorphic and displayed three to 12 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.150 to 0.624 and from 0.162 to 0.605, respectively. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from D. officinale that will contribute to research on the conservation, genetic diversity, population structure and individual authentication.     

甜橙与酸橙体细胞杂种核质组成鉴定(英文)

采用流式细胞术(flow cytometry, FCM)、简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat, SSR)和酶切扩增多型性序列(cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence, CAPS)等技术分析酸橙(Citrus aurantium L. )叶肉原生质体和甜橙(C. sinenis Osbeck cv. Shamouti)胚性愈伤组织原生质体电融合再生的体细胞杂种。FCM研究结果表明,所有的体细胞杂种植株荧光强度是二倍体对照的2倍,说明所分析的植株为四倍体。用SSR和CAPS分析了体细胞杂种的核质遗传组成,在试验的4对SSR引物中,有2对能区分开融合亲本。在2对引物中,体细胞杂种植株包含双亲的全部特异带,表明它们为异核杂种。通用引物扩增结合限制性内切酶酶切能鉴别融合亲本,在具有多型性的引物/酶组合中,所有体细胞杂种的线粒体和叶绿体DNA带型与胚性亲本(甜橙)完全一样。结果表明体细胞杂种核基因组来自双亲,而胞质基因组来自悬浮系亲本。讨论了所用技术的特点、柑橘四倍体体细胞杂种核质遗传规律及本组合体细胞杂种的应用。     

In-silico analysis of simple and imperfect microsatellites in diverse tobamovirus genomes

An in-silico analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in 30 species of tobamoviruses was done. SSRs (mono to hexa) were present with variant frequency across species. Compound microsatellites, primarily of variant motifs accounted for up to 11.43% of the SSRs. Motif duplications were observed for A, T, AT, and ACA repeats. (AG)–(TC) was the most prevalent SSR-couple. SSRs were differentially localized in the coding region with ~ 54% on the 128 kDa protein while 20.37% was exclusive to 186 kDa protein. Characterization of such variations is important for elucidating the origin, sequence variations, and structure of these widely used, but incompletely understood sequences.     

甜橙与酸橙体细胞杂种核质组成鉴定

采用流式细胞术(flow cytometry,FCM)、简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat,SSR)和酶切扩增多型性序列(cleaved amplifiedpolymorphic sequence,CAPS)等技术分析酸橙(Citrus aurantium L.)叶肉原生质体和甜橙(C.sinenis Osbeck cv.Shamouti)胚性愈伤组织原生质体电融合再生的体细胞杂种.FCM研究结果表明,所有的体细胞杂种植株荧光强度是二倍体对照的2倍,说明所分析的植株为四倍体.用SSR和CAPS分析了体细胞杂种的核质遗传组成,在试验的4对SSR引物中,有2对能区分开融合亲本.在2对引物中,体细胞杂种植株包含双亲的全部特异带,表明它们为异核杂种.通用引物扩增结合限制性内切酶酶切能鉴别融合亲本,在具有多型性的引物/酶组合中,所有体细胞杂种的线粒体和叶绿体DNA带型与胚性亲本(甜橙)完全一样.结果表明体细胞杂种核基因组来自双亲,而胞质基因组来自悬浮系亲本.讨论了所用技术的特点、柑橘四倍体体细胞杂种核质遗传规律及本组合体细胞杂种的应用.     

Microsatellite marker development,mapping and applications in rice genetics and breeding

Microsatellites are simple, tandemly repeated di- to tetra-nucleotide sequence motifs flanked by unique sequences. They are valuable as genetic markers because they are co-dominant, detect high levels of allelic diversity, and are easily and economically assayed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results from screening a rice genomic library suggest that there are an estimated 5700-10 000 microsatellites in rice, with the relative frequency of different repeats decreasing with increasing size of the motif. A map consisting of 120 microsatellite markers demonstrates that they are well distributed throughout the 12 chromosomes of rice. Five multiple copy primer sequences have been identified that could be mapped to independent chromosomal locations. The current level of genome coverage provided by these simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) in rice is sufficient to be useful for genotype identification, gene and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, screening of large insert libraries, and marker-assisted selection in breeding. Studies of allelic diversity have documented up to 25 alleles at a single locus in cultivated rice germplasm and provide evidence that amplification in wild relatives of Oryza sativa is generally reliable. The availability of increasing numbers of mapped SSLP markers can be expected to complement existing RFLP and AFLP maps, increasing the power and resolution of genome analysis in rice.     

Development of microsatellite markers in Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook, an endangered Chinese endemic herb

As an endangered endemic herb, Dendrobium fimbriatum, is under threat from numerous impacts. In order to analyse the genetic diversity and structure of this endangered species, we provide details of 10 microsatellite loci (out of 15 primer pairs designed) which showed polymorphic for D. fimbriatum. These loci were used to screen 25 individuals from across the species' geographical range. Ten loci were polymorphic with 2 to 19 alleles; three loci were monomorphic, while the rest produced no amplification fragments. These loci will be used to investigate population genetic structure, genetic diversity, conservation, and individual authentication in the endangered D. fimbriatum.     

Occurrence and analysis of imperfect microsatellites in diverse potyvirus genomes

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellites are known to exhibit ubiquitous across all kingdoms of life including viruses. However, imperfections in simple sequence repeats have been analyzed in genomes of human, Escherichia coli and Human Immunodeficiency virus. The assessment of compound microsatellites in plant viral genomes is yet to be studied. Potyviruses severely affect crop plant growth and reduce economic yield in diverse cropping systems worldwide. Hence, we analyze the nature and distribution of compound microsatellites present in complete genome of 45 potyvirus species. The results indicate that compound microsatellites accounted for about 0% to 15.15% of all microsatellites and have low complexity as compared to that of prokaryotic genomes. Overall, 14% of compound microsatellites were of similar motifs and such motif duplications were observed for CA, TA and AG repeats. Among all 45 potyvirus genomes analyzed, SSR couple (AG)-x-(AC) was found to be the most abundant one. Hence it is apparent that in contrast to eukaryotes, majority of compound microsatellites in potyviruses were composed of variant motifs. We also highlight the relative frequency of different classes of compound microsatellites as well as their patterns of distribution and correlate with biology of potyviruses. Further characterization of such variation is important for elucidating the origin, mutational processes, and structure of these widely used, but incompletely understood sequences.     

叶绿体S S R标记:柑橘体细胞杂种胞质遗传分析的一种新方法

从水稻(Oryza sativa L.)、烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)和黑松(Pinus thunbergiiParl.)等植物的22对叶绿体SSR引物中筛选出 5对能用于柑橘叶绿体SSR分析的引物,应用这5对引物对9个组合的柑橘体细胞杂种的叶绿体遗传进行了分析.结果表明:这些组合再生的杂种中叶绿体都呈现随机分离,该现象与以前报道的RFLP分析结果一致,而且其可靠性已被CAPS分析所证实.表明柑橘叶绿体SSR同RFLP及CAPS一样可靠,并且更简单高效、易于操作,特别适合对柑橘等植物体细胞杂种进行早期胞质遗传组成分析.     

柱状田头菇EST-SSR的开发及应用研究

借鉴香菇EST序列设计的40对引物对柱状田头菇进行了EST-SSR引物通用性研究。结果显示,挑选的28对引物中多态性好且稳定的有13对,通用率达46.4%。PCR扩增产物获得具有多态性条带81条,每对引物扩增条带的数目范围为2–14,平均5.86条,扩增片段大小在100–400bp之间。多态信息含量（PIC）在0.3750–0.8032,平均0.7084。研究结果表明,EST-SSR分子标记在食用菌的遗传多样性和比较基因组学研究中起到重要的作用。     

简单重复DNA序列在哺乳动物mtDNA D-loop区的分布及进化特征

简单重复序列广泛分布于从原核到真核生物的基因组中, 其形成的分子机理目前尚不明确。对NCBI数据库中已有256种哺乳动物线粒体DNA (mtDNA) D-loop区进行序列比对分析, 根据其所含有的简单重复序列类型分为3组, 分别是53种哺乳动物含有六核苷酸重复序列; 104种哺乳动物含有非六核苷酸重复序列(＞6 bp); 99种哺乳动物不含有任何重复序列。通过碱基序列分析比对, 发现六核苷酸重复序列集中分布在CSB1-CSB2间隔区, 而非六核苷酸重复可以分布于终止区(TAS)、中央保守区(Central domain)以及CSB(Central sequence block)区。通过比较含有重复序列与不含重复序列的功能保守区发现, 简单重复序列的存在并不明确影响D-loop区内的中央保守区以及CSB1、CSB2、CSB3三个功能保守区的碱基序列保守性。在此基础上, 利用N-J法构建了256种哺乳动物的进化树, 分析了哺乳动物D-Loop区内重复序列在进化过程中的可能变化规律, 发现简单重复序列随着物种的进化地位的升高而呈现消失趋势。