Cultivation-independent analysis reveals a shift in ciliate 18S rRNA gene diversity in a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-polluted soil

Using cultivation-independent methods the ciliate communities of a clay-rich soil with a 90-year record of pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (4.5 g kg(-1) PAH) were compared with that of a nonpolluted soil collected in its vicinity and with similar properties. A ciliate-specific set of 18S rRNA gene targeting primers was designed and used to amplify DNA extracted from both soils (surface and 20 cm depth). Four clone libraries were generated with PCR products that covered an 18S rRNA gene fragment of up to 670 bp. Comparative sequence analysis of representative clones proved that the primer set was highly specific for ciliates. Calculation of similarity indices based on operational taxonomic units after amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis of the clones showed that the community from the nonpolluted surface soil was highly dissimilar to the other communities. The presence of several taxa, namely sequences affiliated to the orders Phyllopharyngia, Haptoria, Nassophorea, Peniculida and Scuticociliatia in samples from nonpolluted soil, points to the existence of various trophic functional groups. In contrast, the 18S rRNA gene diversity was much lower in the clone libraries from the polluted soil. More than 90% of these sequences belonged to the class Colpodea, a well-known clade of mainly bacterivorous and r-selected species, thus potentially also indicating a lower functional diversity.     

Monthly to interannual variability of microbial eukaryote assemblages at four depths in the eastern North Pacific

The monthly, seasonal and interannual variability of microbial eukaryote assemblages were examined at 5 m, the deep chlorophyll maximum, 150 m and 500 m at the San Pedro Ocean Time-series station (eastern North Pacific). The depths spanned transitions in temperature, light, nutrients and oxygen, and included a persistently hypoxic environment at 500 m. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the analysis of 237 samples that were collected between September 2000 and December 2010. Spatiotemporal variability patterns of microeukaryote assemblages indicated the presence of distinct shallow and deep communities at the SPOT station, presumably reflecting taxa that were specifically adapted for the conditions in those environments. Community similarity values between assemblages collected 1 month apart at each depth ranged between ∼20% and ∼84% (averages were ∼50–59%). The assemblage at 5 m was temporally more dynamic than deeper assemblages and also displayed substantial interannual variability during the first ∼3 years of the study. Evidence of seasonality was detected for the microbial eukaryote assemblage at 5 m between January 2008 and December 2010 and at 150 m between September 2000 and December 2003. Seasonality was not detected for assemblages at the deep chlorophyll a maximum, which varied in depth seasonally, or at 500 m. Microbial eukaryote assemblages exhibited cyclical patterns in at least 1 year at each depth, implying an annual resetting of communities. Substantial interannual variability was detected for assemblages at all depths and represented the largest source of temporal variability in this temperate coastal ecosystem.     

Quantification of vitellogenin mRNA induction in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

A method to quantify induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) mRNA in adult male mosquitofish was developed. Male mosquitofish were exposed to 0, 1, 20 and 250 ng l^-1 17β-oestradiol (E₂) for 4 and 8 days in static exposures, and liver Vtg mRNA and 18S rRNA expression were quantified in duplex RT-PCR. Liver 18S rRNA expression was very consistent among individuals, and there was a highly significant increase in Vtg mRNA expression after exposure of mosquitofish for just 4 days at 250 ng l^-1 E₂. Lower doses did not induce Vtg mRNA expression even at 4 or 8 days. This method could be used as a rapid test to detect exposure of mosquitofish to oestrogenic chemicals. Further work is needed to determine if increased Vtg mRNA levels in male mosquitofish induce Vtg synthesis, and to determine the usefulness of the method in field sampling.     

齿肋赤藓中半定量RT-PCR方法的探讨

目的:建立一种半定量RT-PCR方法,用于齿肋赤藓(Syntrichia caninervis)基因表达研究。方法:比较常用的几种内参照基因actin、tubulin及18S rRNA在齿肋赤藓中的表达情况,以确定表达稳定的内参基因;分析PCR扩增动力学,确定内参和靶基因的PCR体系。结果:琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测分析表明:18S rRNA作为齿肋赤藓的内参基因更稳定;同管扩增试验表明:18SrRNA的引物滞后6个循环加入PCR扩增体系中,至第26个循环,二者同时处于指数扩增期,且靶基因RT-A的扩增效率不受影响。结论:18S rRNA与RT-A可以同管扩增,18S rRNA可以作为半定量RT-PCR的内参照,为齿肋赤藓基因表达研究奠定基础。     

基于18S rRNA的中国大陆沿海石磺科贝类分类的初步分析

对采自上海崇明、福建宁德、海南海口等沿海地区9个群体的石磺科贝类进行外部形态特征差异分析和内部结构比较,在初步分类基础上利用核糖体小亚基18S rRNA基因部分序列对9个群体进行系统发育分析,以菊花螺为外群,结合GenBank上石磺科4个18S rRNA基因序列构建系统发生树来探讨我国大陆沿海石磺科属种间的亲缘关系.结果显示:我国石磺科贝类南方沿海种类多于北方沿海;除报道的瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma)和石磺(O.verruculatum)外,可能还有新记录5种:Onchidium属1种、Platevindex属2种、Peronia属1种和Paraoncidium属1种.分子系统发生树显示,我囝大陆沿海石磺科9个群体可分为4个亚群,分别为Onchidium、Platevindex、Paraoncidium、Peronia,其中Peronia亚群的置信度较高;Onchidium verruculatum应更名为Peronia verruculata.     

产β-甘露聚糖酶Aspergillus sp. LQ21的分离、鉴定及发酵条件的研究

β-甘露聚糖酶是一类能够水解甘露聚糖、葡甘露聚糖、半乳甘露聚糖的半纤维素酶类,广泛存在于动植物和微生物中,此酶在食品、医药、饲料、造纸、石油等方面已得到广泛应用;近年来,其作为食品和饲料添加剂方面倍受关注。对采自土壤和树皮的样品通过富集培养、平板初筛和摇瓶复筛,得到1株具产β-甘露聚糖酶能力的曲霉属菌株LQ21,结合形态特征、培养特征及18S rRNA基因序列分析,将该菌株鉴定为Aspergillussp.真菌。考察了培养时间、起始pH、培养温度、碳源和氮源对该菌株产酶的影响。初步确定了其最适产酶培养基组成:魔芋粉0.5%,蛋白胨1%,NaNO30.2%,K2HPO40.1%,KCl 0.05%,MgSO4.7H2O 0.05%,FeSO4.7H2O 0.001%;最适培养条件:初始pH4.5,温度35℃,转速200 r/min,培养60 h发酵液上清中酶活达到最高。     

Quantification of vitellogenin mRNA induction in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

Abstract

A method to quantify induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) mRNA in adult male mosquitofish was developed. Male mosquitofish were exposed to 0, 1, 20 and 250 ng l^?1 17β-oestradiol (E₂) for 4 and 8 days in static exposures, and liver Vtg mRNA and 18S rRNA expression were quantified in duplex RT-PCR. Liver 18S rRNA expression was very consistent among individuals, and there was a highly significant increase in Vtg mRNA expression after exposure of mosquitofish for just 4 days at 250 ng l^?1 E₂. Lower doses did not induce Vtg mRNA expression even at 4 or 8 days. This method could be used as a rapid test to detect exposure of mosquitofish to oestrogenic chemicals. Further work is needed to determine if increased Vtg mRNA levels in male mosquitofish induce Vtg synthesis, and to determine the usefulness of the method in field sampling.     

鸡球虫18S rRNA基因序列的测定与分析

为了利用18S rRNA基因进行鸡球虫系统进化分析,对巨型艾美耳球虫(Eimeria maxima)、柔嫩艾美耳球虫(E.tenella)、堆形艾美耳球虫(E.acervulina)3种共8个不同来源的虫株,分别提取总DNA进行18S rRNA基因的扩增和测序;将得到的序列登录GenBank进行同源性和趋异性分析,并结合GenBank中其它原虫的18S rRNA基因序列构建进化树.结果显示扩增获得8株鸡球虫18S rRNA基因长度为1746～1756 bp,序列比对显示同种不同株间的同源性大于不同种间的同源性,其中3株E.maxima株间同源性在98.7%～99.3%之间,4株E.tenella株间同源性在99.7%～99.9%之间;不同种间同源性为96.5%～98.1%,其中E.maxima与E.tenclla的遗传距离最大,为0.038;E.maxima与E.acervulina的遗传距离最小,为0.021.顶复器门9个不同属所构建的进化树结果显示,E.imeria和等孢属(Isospora)聚为一支,说明亲缘关系比较近.与GertBank中其它5株不同鸡球虫的18S rRNA基因共同构建的进化树显示,3株E.maxima聚为一支,与E.brunetti、E.mitis、E.mivati、E.praecox和E.acervulina聚为一大分支;4株E.tenella与1株E.necatrix共同形成一个分支,说明E.tenella与E.necattix的亲缘关系最近.本研究证实了在鸡球虫系统进化研究中,18S rRNA基因不仅可以区分不同种,而且有可能成为区分同种不同株的理想靶基因.     

A 5.8S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequence database: applications to ecology and evolution

We compiled a 5.8S nuclear ribosomal gene sequence database for animals, plants, and fungi using both newly generated and GenBank sequences. We demonstrate the utility of this database as an internal check to determine whether the target organism and not a contaminant has been sequenced, as a diagnostic tool for ecologists and evolutionary biologists to determine the placement of asexual fungi within larger taxonomic groups, and as a tool to help identify fungi that form ectomycorrhizae.     

Phylogenetic position of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus,Acaulospora gerdemannii, and its synanamorphGlomus leptotichum, based upon 18S rRNA gene sequence

We examined the phylogenetic position of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus which produces two types of spore,Acaulospora gerdemannii andGlomus leptotichum, based upon the DNA sequence of the 18S rRNA gene. DNA was extracted separately from bothGlomus-like orAcaulospora-like spores and partial 5′-terminus segments of 18S rRNA gene were amplified by the PCR method. Several clones derived from each spore type were sequenced and compared. The sequences from both spore types agreed well, confirming that these morphologically different spores were formed by the same fungus. Nucleotide substitutions were found among several clones, suggesting polymorphism of the rRNA gene in glomalean fungi. Further phylogenetic analysis based upon the whole sequence of the 18S rRNA gene showed thatA. gerdemannii may be within the order Glomales but is far from the fungi that have been analyzed and probably should be in a new family.     

Specific amplification of the 18S rRNA gene as a method to detect zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) larvae in plankton samples

An important issue in the management of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) populations is early, rapid, and accurate detection of the planktonic larvae (veliger) of the zebra mussel. The goal of this study was to explore the feasibility of developing a molecular approach for the detection of zebra mussel larvae in diverse environments. In this study a Dreissena polymorpha-specific 18S ribosomal RNA gene targeted oligonucleotide primer (ZEB-715a) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was developed and compared with cross-polarized microscopy as a means to detect zebra mussel veligers in plankton samples. The design of the zebra mussel-specific primer was facilitated by sequencing nearly the complete 18S rRNA gene from the zebra mussel and three other closely related freshwater Veneroids including the quagga mussel (D. bugensis), the dark false mussel (Mytilopsis leucophaeata), and the Asian freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea). The specificity of the primer for the zebra mussel was empirically tested by using the primer as a direct probe in a blot hybridization format. A single veliger in a plankton sample could be detected by PCR using this approach. Veliger detection sensitivity using the PCR approach was estimated to be over 300 times more sensitive than cross-polarized light microscopy based techniques. Cross-polarized light microscopy and the PCR technique were used to identify the presence of zebra mussel larvae in plankton samples that were collected from a variety of natural and industrial water sources. Detection results (presence or absence) were generally consistent between the two methods. Although additional studies will be required before routine application of molecular based veliger detection technology is available, a long-term goal of this work is the application of molecular technology to the development of a field device for the routine detection and quantification of zebra mussel veligers.     

基于形态特征和部分基因序列的中国蚱科四个种的分类订正

为了澄清形态相似种锯齿股蚱Tetrix dentifemura和粗体蚱T. grossus及红背悠背蚱Euparatettix erythronotus和九万山悠背蚱E. jiuwanshanensis的分类问题,我们分别从形态学分类和DNA数据对这4种蚱进行了分析。形态学特征分析结果显示：锯齿股蚱和粗体蚱形态相同之处非常多,而形态的不同之处主要表现在两者后翅的长度差异相对较大;红背悠背蚱和九万山悠背蚱在形态上共同之处很多,仅在头顶与颜面隆起的形状、触角与侧单眼着生位置以及后足股节长度等方面有微小差异。对蚱科2属4种昆虫的Cyt b,16S rRNA和18S rRNA基因部分序列进行了测定,3个片段共2 902 bp。发现蚱属的锯齿股蚱和粗体蚱的这三个基因同源序列完全一致,悠背蚱属的红背悠背蚱和九万山悠背蚱的同源序列也完全一致。结合形态学比较和基因序列分析结果,提出粗体蚱和九万山悠背蚱分别是齿股蚱和红背悠背蚱的同物异名。     

草鱼MYH mRNA表达量分析中采用的内参基因稳定性比较

本研究分别以β-actin、18S rRNA和GAPDH为内参基因,采用实时荧光定量PCR对草鱼早期发育时期肌球蛋白重链(myosin heavy light,MYH)基因的mRNA表达量进行分析,并比较不同内参基因对MYH基因mRNA表达水平检测结果的准确性.研究结果表明,以β-actin和GAPDH作为内参,MYH基因mRNA表达水平完全一致,其表达量从原肠到仔鱼阶段逐次递增,仔鱼与原肠期阶段相比表达量差异显著;当采用18S rRNA作为内参时,MYH基因mRNA在发育阶段的表达量呈不稳定状态.因此,β-actin和GAPDH均可作为内参基因,用于草鱼早期发育中MYH基因mRNA的相对定量研究:而18S rRNA作为内参时,可能会对检测结果造成偏差.本研究不仅准确的揭示了草鱼MYH基因mRNA的表达特征,并且为荧光定量PCR技术在鱼类基因表达研究方面提供了有价值的参考.