Generation of a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region Probe for Authentication of Mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis)

Mainland serow is an endanged artiodactyl of southern Anhui province, China, that is often subject to poaching. To provide an easy, rapid and reliable marker for identification of bushmeat, skin and other tissues of the species, we developed a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) based on a species-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. Initially, a 1012-bp species-specific DNA fragment of mainland serow was detected by a RAPD primer S1193. Then, a serow-specific primer pair (SCF/SCR) was designed according to the specific RAPD fragment, resulting in a 438-bp SCAR for the species. Finally, the reliability of the SCAR primers was tested by a common multiplex polymerase chain reaction using the combination of the SCAR and cyt b universal primers. The results that all mainland serow samples presented two target bands but the others failed to produce the SCAR indicated that the designed primers were highly diagnostic. Therefore, the SCAR probe developed in this study will be useful for quick authentication of mainland serow tissue samples for conservation biology and bushmeat regulation.     

Generation of a sequence characterized amplified region probe for authentication of crocodilian species

A 209-base pair (bp) crocodilian-specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) was identified from a 425-bp randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragment. The 209-bp SCAR was produced from amplifications of DNA extracted from fresh and/or dry meat samples from at least three species of Crocodylus, Caiman crocodylus, and Alligator mississippiensis. No amplification was observed from DNA of other common animal species. The use of SCAR opens the way for quick authentication of crocodilian samples for conservation biology and trade regulation.     

Characterization of a RAPD fragment unique to species with hairy fruit skin in the genus<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinidia</Emphasis>

To develop a SCAR primer related to the hairy-fruit trait in the genusActinidia, we took a PCR-RAPD approach using arbitrary 10-mer primers. PCR with the UBC 376 primer generated specific fragments from three species with hairy fruit skin. Those fragments were then cloned to determine their nucleotide sequences. Two SCAR primers were designed from the UBC 376 primer and nucleotide sequences were obtained from the PCR fragments. A SCAR primer, OKC385, specifically amplified a 385-bp fragment from one clone ofActinidia eriantha, four ofActinidia chinensis, and four ofActinidia deliciosa. Deduced amino acid sequences of this fragment showed high sequence homology with plant cellulose synthases, which are involved in the biosynthesis of cellulose, a major cell wall component. The 385-bp fragment was specifically detected only in the seriesPerfectae C.F. Liang of sectionStellatae Li. This type has many hairs on the leaves, fruits, and stems, suggesting that the gene containing the PCR fragment is involved in hair formation in this phylogenetic group. Taken together, our results suggest that the SCAR primer, OKC385, can be used as a specific primer for early selection of the non-hair trait in breeding of the genusActinidia.     

Use of intersimple sequence repeats markers to develop strain-specific SCAR markers for Lentinula edodes

Although Lentinula edodes is the second most important cultivated mushroom worldwide, most industrially cultivated strains have been identified only through traditional phenotypic analysis. Here, we report for the first time the use of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers for strain differentiation. SCAR markers were created by first generating and sequencing single intersimple sequence repeats fragments, and then designing primers based on these sequences to amplify strain-specific fragments of a certain size. One SCAR primer pair, ISL450F/R7 (amplifying a band of c. 450 bp), was designed to identify one strain of L. edodes (strain No. 7). The SCAR primer pair was then used to correctly amplify the single unique fragment from DNA samples taken from a total of 85 strains representing three separate species. Our data provide the foundation for a precise and rapid PCR-based strain-diagnostic system for L. edodes.     

黑麂MHC - DQA2 基因多态性

利用牛特异性扩增DQA2 第2 外显子的嵌套引物,对黑麂基因组DNA 进行PCR 扩增和克隆测序,基于该
序列设计出黑麂DQA2 基因第2 外显子特异性引物。利用该引物,通过PCR - SSCP 以及克隆测序技术,从40 个
黑麂样品中获得4 个不同的DQA2 等位基因。没有一个个体同时具有2 个以上的等位基因,所有序列均不含插入
或缺失突变,不含终止密码子,因此,本研究所扩增的DQA2 基因可能是表达的单基因座位。抗原结合区(Peptide
binding region,PBR)非同义替换率(dn)显著大于同义替换率(ds) (P <0.05),暗示该座位曾经历过明
显的正选择作用;进一步利用CODEML 程序中的相关模型以及贝叶斯法检测出4 个受选择作用的氨基酸位点
(α11、α58、α62、α66),这4 个位点均位于PBR 区。基于NJ 法构建的部分偶蹄类DQA 外显子2 系统发生关系
显示,黑麂4 个DQA2 等位基因与牛、羊以及梅花鹿的DQA2 等位基因构成独立的进化枝,在该进化枝内,黑麂
DQA2 等位基因优先与牛DQA2 等位基因聚类,暗示黑麂DQA2 基因在进化过程中存在跨物种进化现象。上述结
果表明平衡选择是维持黑麂DQA2 基因多态性的主要机制。然而,本研究从40 个样品中仅检测出2 个杂合子,
黑麂DQA2 等位基因之间的频率存在显著差异,推测可能是所检测的样品来源于不同种群,由于华伦德效应
(The Whalund effect)导致杂合度降低,也不排除本文所设计的引物在PCR 扩增过程中存在无效等位基因。     

Development of a sequence-characterized amplified region marker for diagnosis of dwarf bunt of wheat and detection of Tilletia controversa Kühn

Aims:  Dwarf bunt of wheat, caused by Tilletia controversa Kühn, is a destructive disease on wheat as well as an important international quarantined disease in many countries. The objective of this investigation was to develop a diagnostic molecular marker generated from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) for rapid identification of T . controversa .
Methods and Results:  A total of 30 primer combinations were tested by AFLP to detect DNA polymorphisms between T. controversa and related species. The primer combination E08/M02 generated a polymorphic pattern displaying a 451-bp DNA fragment specific for T. controversa . The marker was converted into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR), and specific primers (SC-01₄₉/SC-02₄₁₅), designed for use in PCR detection assays, amplified a unique DNA fragment in all isolates of T. controversa , but not in the related pathogens. The detection limit with the primer set SC-01₄₉/SC-02₄₁₅ was 10 ng of DNA which could be obtained from 11  μ g of teliospores in a 25- μ l PCR reaction.
Conclusions:  An approach to distinguish T. controversa from similar pathogenic fungi has been developed based on the use of a SCAR marker.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Development of the simple, high throughput assay kit for the rapid diagnosis of dwarf bunt of wheat and detection of T. controversa is anticipated in further studies.     

Use of inter-simple sequence repeat markers to develop strain-specific SCAR markers forFlammulina velutipes

In this paper, we report for the first time on authentication of Flammulina velutipes cultivars by using strain-specific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers developed from inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The genomic DNA polymorphism was analyzed by the ISSR technique in 7 strains of F. velutipes presently cultivated in China on a commercial scale. Eight primers selected from 20 ISSR primers amplified 104 clear and stable bands, of which 81 bands were polymorphic. Among the selected primers, primer ISSR9 can distinguish strain No. 12 from the other 6 strains by amplifying a unique and reproducible band of approximately 750 bp. According to the sequence of the strain-specific fragment, a pair of SCAR primers was designed to diagnose strain No. 12 on the molecular level. The validity of the SCAR marker was confirmed by using DNA samples from another 12 strains of F. velutipes obtained from different parts of China. Our data provided the foundation for a precise and rapid PCR-based strain-diagnostic system for F. Velutipes.     

Development of strain-specific SCAR markers for authentication of Ganoderma lucidum

In this study we report the application of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers in Ganoderma lucidum for strain identification, the first such study in this medicinal mushroom. One fragment unique to strain No. 9 was identified by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and then sequenced. Based on the specific fragment, one SCAR primer pair designated as GL₆₁₂F and GL₆₁₂R was designed to amplify a 612-bp DNA fragment within the sequenced region. Diagnostic PCR was performed using the primer pair. The results showed that this SCAR marker can clearly distinguish strain No. 9 from other related Ganoderma lucidum strains. Our data provided the foundation for a precise and rapid PCR-based strain-diagnostic system for Ganoderma lucidum.     

Specific PCR Assays for the Detection and Quantification of DNA from the Biocontrol Strain Trichoderma harzianum 2413 in Soil

Strain identification in situ is an important factor in the monitoring of microorganisms used in the field. In this study, we demonstrated the use of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers to detect genomic DNA from Trichoderma harzianum 2413 from soil. Two primers (SCAR A1/SCAR A1c) were tested against DNA of 27 isolates of Trichoderma spp. and amplified a 990-bp fragment from T. atroviride 11 and a 1.5-kb fragment from T. harzianum 2413, using an annealing temperature of 68°C. These fragments showed no significant homology to any sequence deposited in the databases. The primer pair, BR1 and BR2, was designed to the 1.5-kb fragment amplified from T. harzianum 2413, generating a SCAR marker. To test the specificity of these primers, experiments were conducted using the DNA from 27 Trichoderma spp. strains and 22 field soil samples obtained from four different countries. PCR results showed that BR1 and BR2 amplified an 837-bp fragment unique to T. harzianum 2413. Assays in which total DNA was extracted from sterile and nonsterile soil samples, inoculated with spore or mycelium combinations of Trichoderma spp. strains, indicated that the BR1 and BR2 primers could specifically detect T. harzianum 2413 in a pool of mixed DNA. No other soil-microorganisms containing these sequences were amplified using these primers. To test whether the 837-bp SCAR marker of T. harzianum 2413 could be used in real-time PCR experiments, new primers (Q2413f and Q2413r) conjugated with a TaqMan fluorogenic probe were designed. Real-time PCR assays were applied using DNA from sterile and nonsterile soil samples inoculated with a known quantity of spores of Trichoderma spp. strains.     

Development of IRAP-SCAR marker for strain identification in Lentinula edodes

Rapid and correct authentication of commercial strains is still important in today’s mushroom industry. Here for the first time we reported the using of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker developed from inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism (IRAP) marker to identify Lentinula edodes strain. Genomic polymorphism among 44 shiitake cultivars in China were surveyed by 24 IRAP primer combinations, from which primer combination LTR1L/MarY1R could generate a unique and reproducible 1712 bp fragment to distinguish strain No. 4 from other 43 strains. Based on this strain-specific fragment, a SCAR primer pair was designed and its validity was verified by correctly amplifying a single strain-specific fragment from DNA samples of 100 L. edodes strains. Our study lays the foundation for developing strain-specific SCAR marker by retrotransposon-based marker technique in fungi.     

Specific discrimination of chicken DNA from other poultry DNA in processed foods using the polymerase chain reaction

In the present study, specific discrimination of chicken DNA contamination in processed foods using the polymerase chain reaction was investigated. The primer pair was designed to amplify a 102-bp fragment of the chicken mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. While the DNA from chicken meat was amplified, the DNA from other poultry meat, mammalian meat, fish, shellfish, and cereals was not amplified. The primer amplified DNA fragments derived from model processed and nonprocessed food samples containing 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100% chicken.     

Specific Discrimination of Chicken DNA from Other Poultry DNA in Processed Foods Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

In the present study, specific discrimination of chicken DNA contamination in processed foods using the polymerase chain reaction was investigated. The primer pair was designed to amplify a 102-bp fragment of the chicken mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. While the DNA from chicken meat was amplified, the DNA from other poultry meat, mammalian meat, fish, shellfish, and cereals was not amplified. The primer amplified DNA fragments derived from model processed and nonprocessed food samples containing 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100% chicken.     

Molecular identification of AFLP fragments associated with elytra color variation of the Asian ladybird beetle,Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis shows polymorphism in elytra color patterns. However, it is uncertain whether these color patterns are regulated by genetic factors. This investigation used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to determine any genetic causes of the variability of color patterns. Using four individuals of each group, AFLP analysis produced 37 polymorphic bands. Among several polymorphic bands, six AFLP markers were associated with elytra color patterns after further analysis using six additional individuals of each group. These polymorphic sites were sequenced but did not match DNA sequence data deposited in GenBank. Based on the color-associated AFLP markers, SCAR primers were designed for PCR amplification of genomic DNA. These primers (SCAR 12 and SCAR 44) were used to analyze color-associated loci and/or alleles of H. axyridis DNA. SCAR 12 primers designed from a Spectabilis type-specific fragment (AFLP 12) amplified a specific band of 530 bp in four Spectabilis individuals, but not in the insects with other color patterns.     

Development of SCAR markers for the DNA-based detection of the Asian long-horned beetle,Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)

DNA markers were identified for the molecular detection of the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Mot.), based on sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs) derived from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments. A 2,740-bp DNA fragment that was present only in ALB and not in other Cerambycids was identified after screening 230 random primers in a PCR-based assay system. Three pairs of nested 22-mer oligonucleotide primers were designed on the basis of the sequence of this fragment and were used to perform diagnostic PCR. The first pair of primers (SCAR1) amplified a single 745-bp fragment of ALB DNA, but this did not differentiate ALB from other species. The other two pairs of SCAR primers (SCAR2 and SCAR3) amplified bands of 1,237- and 2,720-bp, respectively, that were capable of differentiating ALB from other closely related non-native and native Cerambycids, such as A. chinensis (Forster), A. malasiaca (Thomson), A. nobilis (Ganglbauer), Monochamus scutellatus (Say), Plectrodera scalator (Fab), Saperda tridentata (Olivier), and Graphisurus fasciatus (Degeer). The latter two SCAR markers could be amplified using DNA extracted from body parts of ALB such as the wing, the leg, and the antennae as well as tissues from all the developmental stages including the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. These markers were also capable of identifying ALB using the DNA extracted from frass. Our results demonstrate that the SCAR markers we have identified can be used for unambiguously identifying ALB from other closely related Cerambycids using a simple PCR procedure.     

AFLP 引物组合数量对准确研究竹子系统关系的影响

利用AFLP技术对26个竹子种类进行了多样性分析, 以探索引物组合数量对准确研究竹子类群系统关系的影响。实验共随机选取10对AFLP引物, 并对所得10组AFLP标记数据随机组合后进行Nei氏遗传距离/UPGMA聚类分析。每对AFLP引物 扩增数据为一组, 随着用于聚类统计的AFLP标记数据随机组合数量的增加, 26个竹子种类的聚类关系趋向一致。这提示我们,在系统学研究中, 足够数量的引物组合是获得供试材料间准确聚类关系的基础, 应采用对各AFLP引物组合数据随机累加后进行聚类分析的方法, 以聚类关系为标准来确定用于分析供试品种的最少引物组合数量。     

Development of male-specific SCAR marker in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Genetics of control mechanisms that underlies sex differentiation in date palm is not known. Sex of the plants becomes known only at the time of first flowering, which takes around 5 years. In comparison, molecular diagnosis (if available/feasible) promises quick and reliable identification of sex types very early when plantlets are growing in seedbeds. To develop such an assay, genomic DNA from 45 individual plants (25 female and 20 male) belonging to different varieties of date palm was subjected to PCR amplification using 100 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 104 intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. Initially, two bulk genomic DNA samples (each made by pooling DNA from ten male and female plants, separately) were used. A primer showing sex-specific band in bulked samples was further used for amplification of the genomic DNA of the individual samples of that bulk. Only one RAPD primer, OPA-02, amplified a fragment of ~1.0 kb in all the individual samples of male genotypes, whereas this fragment was absent in all the female genotypes. This male-specific fragment was cloned and sequenced (GenBank accession no. JN123357), and a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) primer pair was designed that amplified a 406-bp fragment in both female and male genotypes and a unique fragment of 354 bp in only male genotypes. The SCAR marker was further validated using 25 female and ten male date palm plants belonging to different varieties collected from different locations.     

Identification of a specific scar marker for detection of Tilletia foetida (Wall) Liro pathogen of wheat

Common bunt is one of the most important destructive diseases of wheat worldwide and is a domestic quarantined disease in China. However, a rapid and efficient method to identify the corresponding pathogens is currently limited. The objective of the present study was to develop a diagnostic molecular marker specific towards Tilletia foetida (Wall) Liro, a causal agent of the bunt disease. One specific DNA fragment for T. foetida (286 bp in length) was amplified using an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) assay and, this fragment was cloned and sequenced. One pair of specific primers (SC(286-1)/SC(286-2)), which was designed according to the sequence, could specifically amplify the corresponding fragment in all of the T. foetida isolates employed from both the People's Republic of China and United States, whereas this fragment could not be amplified by the other fungal species tested. Therefore, a specific Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) marker was developed. This SCAR marker could distinguish T. foetida from related pathogenic fungi efficiently and could be used for the early diagnosis of the common bunt of wheat in the field, and provide an efficient way for disease surveillance and disease forecasting in cereal crop.     

SCAR markers for discriminating species of two genera of medicinal plants, Liriope and Ophiopogon

The development of DNA markers that can closely discriminate between Liriope and Ophiopogon species is vital for efficient and accurate identification of these species, and to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines made from these plants. We developed species-specific molecular markers for these two genera. Forty RAPD primers were tested to detect polymorphism; species-specific RAPD bands were gel-purified, cloned, and sequenced. Primers for sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCARs) were then designed, based on nucleotide sequences of specific RAPD primers. SCAR markers SA06 and SB05, specific to Ophiopogon japonicus, amplified 460- and 553-bp DNA fragments, respectively. The marker SA12 amplified a 485-bp fragment specific to Liriope platyphylla. This is the first report of a species-specific SCAR marker for this group. These markers will be useful for rapid identification of closely related Liriope and Ophiopogon species.     

Development of a SCAR marker and a strain‐specific genomic marker for the detection of the biocontrol agent strain CPA‐8 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (formerly B. subtilis)

In this work, reliable tools were developed to detect and identify the biocontrol strain CPA‐8 using DNA amplification techniques. As a first approach, the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique was applied to a collection of 77 related Bacillus species. Among the primers tested, the primer pair OPG1/OPG6 amplified a 668 bp specific product to the strain CPA‐8 that was sequenced and used to design SCAR (sequence‐characterised amplified regions) primer pairs. The SCAR‐4 marker amplified a semi‐specific fragment of 665 bp not only for the strain CPA‐8 but also for other 12 strains whose morphology was completely different from CPA‐8. Another approach was developed to obtain a strain‐specific genomic marker related to ecological adaptations of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens species. The primer pair F2/R2 obtained from RBAM 007760, a gene involved in surface adhesion, amplified a 265 bp fragment unique for strain CPA‐8. Our results revealed that these two molecular markers, SCAR‐4 and RBAM 007760 F2/R2 provide suitable monitoring tools to specifically identify the biocontrol CPA‐8 when applied against brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. in stone fruit. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that the strain CPA‐8 is affiliated with B. amyloliquefaciens species that was formerly designated as Bacillus subtilis.     

耐盐绒毛白蜡特异性SCAR分子标记的鉴定

该研究以耐盐型和盐敏感型绒毛白蜡及其F1代为材料,采用混合品系分析法进行RAPD分析。结果显示:在随机选取的150个10碱基随机引物中,仅有引物S20在耐盐基因池和盐敏感基因池间扩增出特异而可重复的592bp的多态性片段,命名为S20-592。获得的RAPD标记S20-592经克隆、测序、重新设计一对特异性引物转化成更稳定的SCAR标记。通过F1代个体验证,耐盐型个体均能扩增出此差异条带而盐敏感型个体中不能扩增出此差异条带,证明该SCAR标记的特异引物可用于耐盐绒毛白蜡物种的快速分子鉴定。