Polyethylene glycol-mediated direct gene transfer in Nicotiana spp.

Direct gene transfer to protoplasts is a widespread experimental procedure. In this review, it is discussed in relation to the fate and expression of transforming DNA and its genetic transmission upon integration, and expression (in)stability during successive meiotic generations. The results suggest that the major differences between Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and N. tabacum were not in DNA uptake but rather in the specific fate of the transforming DNA. Differences between integrative transformation versus transient gene expression are discussed. Transient gene expression experiments with cotransformed independent constructs enable accurate assays of gene activity modulation, including both activation and repression. The study of the time of integration of foreign DNA using haploid mesophyll protoplasts showed that foreign DNA integration took place during the first two division cycles of the protoplasts. Most of the transfomants inherited the foreign genes as a monogenic trait: N. plumbaginifolia exhibited a higher proportion of multiple insertions compared with N. tabacum . Furthermore, gene integration occurs as a random process. Compared to 'simple' transformation, cotransformation with independent constructs showed a higher level of rearrangement of the inserted DNA. Foreign gene transmission, followed through different generations, indicated that inactivation of the inserted gene could happen through a variety of processes. These results open up a series of questions concerning the applied aspects of direct gene transfer to plants.     

Studies on homoveratric acid transformation by the ligninolytic fungus Pleurotus eryngii

Homoveratric acid (HVA) degradation was observed in cultures of Pleurotus eryngii lacking lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity. Extracellular enzymes seemed responsible for this transformation, and the lack of activity after ultrafiltration of the culture liquid suggests that the presence of some low-molecular-size compounds is required. This hypothesis is supported by rapid HVA transformation after addition of the synthetic laccase substrate 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) to the ultrafiltered liquid. HVA transformation by the extracellular enzymes from P. eryngii takes place via C-C breakdown and formation of veratryl alcohol, which is further transformed into veratraldehyde. The same major compounds were found during HVA transformation by LiP from Phanerochaete chrysosporium, but this reaction was not stimulated by ABTS. Although the involvement of other enzymes cannot be ruled out, purified laccase from Pleurotus eryngii caused the same HVA transformation pattern in presence of ABTS. Moreover, veratryl alcohol oxidation by P. eryngii laccase was demonstrated in the presence of ABTS. These results suggest that enzymatic systems lacking LiP could be responsible for natural degradation of lignin.     

农杆菌介导的刺芹侧耳遗传转化体系的建立

以刺芹侧耳菌丝球为受体,潮霉素（Hyg）为筛选标记,应用农杆菌介导法对刺芹侧耳菌丝进行了遗传转化研究。潮霉素敏感性测试结果表明,刺芹侧耳Hyg耐受浓度为50mg/L。农杆菌介导的刺芹侧耳菌丝最佳遗传转化体系为：菌液浓度OD₆₀₀=0.6-0.7,侵染时间30-35min,共培养时间2d,侵染液和共培养培养基中乙酰丁香酮（AS）浓度为1mg/mL;经潮霉素抗性筛选、PCR鉴定和GUS活性的组织化学分析,表明外源基因GUS已转入到刺芹侧耳菌丝中,并获得表达。本实验成功地建立了稳定的农杆菌介导的刺芹侧耳遗传转化体系。     

Functional expression of bovine growth hormone gene in Pleurotus eryngii

The expression of the bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene was examined in Pleurotus eryngii, which belongs to the family of oyster mushrooms. The region encoding mature bGH, which has a variety of regulatory effects on growth and metabolic processes, was amplified using designed primers containing initiation and termination codons and then subcloned into pPEV binary expression vector. The recombinant vector (pPEVbGH) was introduced in P. eryngii via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Recombinant bGH was expressed in P. eryngii harboring pPEVbGH vector under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter up to a level of approximately 26% of total cell proteins after 6 days of cultivation, after which the recombinant protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Interestingly, the growth rate of P. eryngii mycelia harboring pPEVbGH vector was approximately three times faster than that of control P. eryngii, suggesting that bGH affected the growth of P. eryngii. Biological activities were examined in Sprague-Dawley rats, which were administered regular feed mixed with mycelial extracts containing bGH (0.1 or 0.2 μg of bGH per g of animal feed). Mycelial extracts containing bGH significantly affected growth rates and lipid profiles; total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels were improved in rats fed mycelial extracts compared with those administered regular feed containing nontransgenic P. eryngii. This result indicates that P. eryngii harboring pPEVbGH vector could produce biologically active bGH. Further, levels of all growth-related factors increased, resulting in faster growth rates in bGH-treated groups. Accordingly, these data suggest that P. eryngii can be applied to the production of industrially useful proteins using a plant expression vector as an efficient mushroom host system.     

刺芹侧耳谷氨酰胺合成酶编码基因克隆和表达分析

谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）是真菌氮素同化代谢和谷氨酸合成中的关键酶,采用3’RACE和5’RACE实验技术,克隆获得刺芹侧耳（杏鲍菇）谷氨酰胺合成酶编码基因（PE-GS）全长序列,长度为1 271bp,具有4个内含子和5个外显子,编码353个氨基酸残基。系统进化树分析表明,刺芹侧耳PE-GS与糙皮侧耳GS在分子进化关系上相近。通过real time RT-PCR方法对PE-GS基因在刺芹侧耳基质菌丝体和子实体中的表达情况进行了分析,结果表明,刺芹侧耳PE-GS基因在子实体具有较高的表达水平,这暗示刺芹侧耳PE-GS基因在子实体的氮素代谢中可能承担重要功能。     

新疆阿魏菇与杏鲍菇中氨基酸含量的分析研究

对新疆阿魏菇与杏鲍菇的氨基酸成分进行系统分析,结果显示新疆本地的阿魏菇和杏鲍菇中17种氨基酸含量丰富,种类齐全,阿魏菇中氨基酸总量为16.80%高于杏鲍菇中氨基酸总量(14.34%);两种菇中必需氨基酸含量(EAA)占总氨基酸含量的比例分别为34.72%和37.92%。新疆阿魏菇与杏鲍菇种富含人体必需的氨基酸,可作为饮食氨基酸来源的重要补充。     

不同温度条件下白灵菇、杏鲍菇及其杂交菌株的生长情况

对5份白灵菇菌株、5份杏鲍菇菌株和3份杂交菌株进行了栽培出菇试验,比较分析了不同温度条件下白灵菇、杏鲍菇及其杂交菌株的生长情况。试验结果表明,在4~24℃范围内,白灵菇与杏鲍菇的菌丝体生长速度与温度的变化呈正相关,最适合菌丝体生长的温度为22℃。4~24℃范围内,白灵菇的原基形成周期与温度呈V型曲线变化,12~14℃原基形成周期最短;杏鲍菇的原基形成周期与温度呈负相关,随着温度的升高原基形成周期变短,22~24℃原基形成周期最短。3份杂交菌株11D、53D、70D的原基形成周期与其对应亲本白灵菇菌株的原基形成周期差异极显著(P0.01)。白灵菇子实体形成最短周期所需温度为12~14℃,而杏鲍菇子实体形成最短周期所需温度为22~24℃,3份杂交菌株11D、53D、70D的子实体形成周期与其对应亲本白灵菇菌株的子实体形成周期差异极显著(P0.01)。     

杏鲍菇抗烟草花叶病毒蛋白的筛选

采用离子交换层析和凝胶层析方法,从杏鲍菇干样中分离得到多个蛋白组分,经枯斑寄主检测,发现多个蛋白组分都有抗烟草花叶病毒(TMV)的活性,对TMV的抑制率均在70%以上,高者可达99%。其中xb68Ab已得到了纯化,分子量约为23.7kD,在心叶烟和苋色藜上它对TMV侵染的抑制率分别达到99.43%和98.9%。     

Enhancement of the antioxidants ergothioneine and selenium in Pleurotus eryngii var. eryngii basidiomata through cultural practices

Antioxidants are molecules that may reverse, prevent or slow cellular damage caused by free radicals. Increasing dietary intake of antioxidants is thought to reduce oxidative stress that may contribute to the development of several diseases. Mushrooms are known to contain antioxidants such as selenium, ergothioneine and phenolics that may serve this role. Here we sought to enhance selenium and ergothioneine concentration in Pleurotus eryngii var. eryngii basidiomata by modifying the techniques used for their commercial cultivation. To enhance selenium content in mushrooms, substrates were supplemented with sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) to reach selenium concentrations of 5 and 10 μg/g. Basidiomata of one commercial isolate (WC888) accumulated selenium up to 4.6 and 9.3 μg/g (d.w.), respectively. Therefore, a serving size (85 g) of fresh P. eryngii mushrooms produced on substrates supplemented with 5 and 10 μg/g of Na₂SeO₃ would supply 70.4 and 116.3% of the daily value of selenium (DV = 70 μg), respectively. Since selenium-enriched mushrooms would supply more than 20% of the DV, they could be considered an excellent source of selenium. Ergothioneine concentration was enhanced in mushrooms produced on low-moisture (55%) substrate compared to the commonly used 60% (high-moisture) in commercial cultivation. Mushrooms produced on low-moisture substrate had ergothioneine concentrations of 3.0 mg/g, while mushrooms produced on high-moisture substrate contained 2.2 mg/g or less. Use of a casing overlay for mushroom production resulted in significant yield increases on low-moisture substrate but not on high-moisture substrate.     

Expression of aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene is under the control of recA promoter

A novel expression vector using the 300 bp promotor-operator fragment of the recA gene of Escherichia coli has been constructed. The strength of the recA promotor was examined by assaying aminoglycoside phosphotransferase (APT) activity expressed from APT gene placed downstream of the promotor. We have observed, that some plasmids, containing N-portion of recA gene caused a large increase in radiosensitivity of host bacteria cells.     

Induction and Characterization of Laccase in the Ligninolytic Fungus Pleurotus eryngii

Two protein bands with laccase activity were found after PAGE of culture liquid or mycelium extract of Pleurotus eryngii, grown on glucose–ammonium tartrate–yeast extract medium with and without inducers. A major and a minor laccase band were observed in the basal medium. The intensity of the major band (laccase I) did not change after the addition of inducers. However, the minor band (laccase II), characterized by higher electrophoretic mobility, was strongly induced by wheat–straw alkalilignin and vanillic and veratric acids. Laccase activity in the basal medium had an optimum pH of 4.5 and was stable from pH 3 to 10 during 24 h at room temperature. This enzyme had wide substrate specificity on hydroquinones, methoxy-substituted monophenols, and aromatic amines. In general, laccase activity was found only with compounds having a redox potential lower than 0.5 mV. The highest activity was obtained with methoxy- and methyl-substituted p-hydroquinones and aromatic diamines. Some activity also occurred with the aliphatic compound 3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diol. Received: 22 April 1996 / Accepted: 29 June 1996     

刺芹侧耳菌渣对肺形侧耳（秀珍菇）生长和营养成分的影响

以常规棉籽壳培养料为对照,用刺芹侧耳Pleurotus eryngii工厂化生产的废料（简称菌渣）代替部分棉籽壳进行格氏侧耳Pleurotus geesterani栽培试验,并测定格氏侧耳的营养成分。结果表明,供试培养料中菌丝长势均良好,随着菌渣替代比例的增加,菌丝满袋时间、原基出现时间和转潮期缩短,生长周期变短;菌渣代替比例增加,产量呈降低趋势,其中替代比例33%（1:2）和55%（1.2:1）时培养料的生物学效率与对照无显著差异,替代比例55%和78%（3.5:1）时培养料对第四潮和第五潮菇产量影响明显,显著低于对照;供试菌渣培养料栽培格氏侧耳的粗蛋白和总氨基酸含量略高于或显著高于对照,说明添加适量的菌渣栽培格氏侧耳可提高子实体的营养成分。     

Heterologous expression of the Pleurotus ostreatus MnP3 gene by the laccase gene promoter in Lentinula edodes

Lentinula edodes (shiitake), which have a powerful ligninolytic system, is one of the most important edible mushrooms in Asia. In this study, we introduced the manganese peroxidase (MnP, EC 1.11.1.13) gene from Pleurotus ostreatus driven by L. edodes laccase 1 gene promoter into L. edodes for expression. The resulting transformant expressed the recombinant gene and showed a higher level of MnP activity than that of the wild-type strain.     

Isolation and characterization of a sporeless mutant in Pleurotus eryngii

A sporeless mutant dikaryon, completely defective in sporulation, was isolated from mycelial protoplasts of Pleurotus eryngii mutagenized by UV irradiation. Newly established dikaryons between one component monokaryon from the mutant, and 12 different wild type monokaryons from 3 other wild type dikaryons, all exhibited the sporeless phenotype, whereas those between the other monokaryon and the same wild type monokaryons all produced normal fruiting bodies. These results indicated that the sporeless mutation was induced in one of two nuclei of the mutant and was dominant. In the wild type basidia, the pattern of nuclear behavior during sporulation corresponded to the pattern C nuclear behavior as defined by Duncan and Galbraith. Cytological observation revealed that in the sporeless mutant meiosis was blocked at the meta-anaphase I in most basidia and hence basidiospores and sterigmata were not produced. Although fruiting bodies of the sporeless mutant showed a somewhat leaning growth, their gross morphology and its fruiting body productivity were comparable to that of the original wild type strain. Based on these results, it was considered that the sporeless mutant could serve as a potential material in breeding of sporeless P. eryngii commercial strains.     

Site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic tryptophan environment in Pleurotus eryngii versatile peroxidase

Lignin degradation by fungal peroxidases is initiated by one-electron transfer to an exposed tryptophan radical, a reaction mediated by veratryl alcohol (VA) in lignin peroxidase (LiP). Versatile peroxidase (VP) differs not only in its oxidation of Mn2+ at a second catalytic site but also in its ability to directly oxidize different aromatic compounds. The catalytic tryptophan environment was compared in LiP and VP crystal structures, and six residues near VP Trp164 were modified by site-directed mutagenesis. Oxidation of Mn2+ was practically unaffected. However, several mutations modified the oxidation kinetics of the high-redox-potential substrates VA and Reactive Black 5 (RB5), demonstrating that other residues contribute to substrate oxidation by the Trp164 radical. Introducing acidic residues at the tryptophan environment did not increase the efficiency of VP oxidizing VA. On the contrary, all variants harboring the R257D mutation lost their activity on RB5. Interestingly, this activity was restored when VA was added as a mediator, revealing the LiP-type behavior of this variant. Moreover, combination of the A260F and R257A mutations strongly increased (20-50-fold) the apparent second-order rate constants for reduction of VP compounds I and II by VA to values similar to those found in LiP. Dissociation of the enzyme-product complex seemed to be the limiting step in the turnover of this improved variant. Nonexposed residues in the vicinity of Trp164 can also affect VP activity, as found with the M247F mutation. This was a direct effect since no modification of the surrounding residues was found in the crystal structure of this variant.