Systematic implications of the sesquiterpene lactones in the “strumarium” morphological complex (Xanthium strumarium, Asteraceae) of Europe, Asia and Africa

In most populations of the “strumarium” morphological complex of Xanthium strumarium L. (sensu lato) in northern Europe and in India, a new compound, xanthinosin, is the only detectable sesquiterpene lactone. In populations of this morphological complex in Portugal and Egypt as well as in eastern Asia, USSR, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, xanthinin and xanthatin occur as major constituents along with xanthinosin. Experimental F, hybrids between pistillate Indian plants which contained only xanthinosin and staminate plants from Hong Kong which contained a mixture of xanthinin, xanthatin and xanthinosin produced a mixture of compounds in which the percentage of xanthinin increased relative to its percentage in the Hong Kong parent. The sesquiterpenoid data suggest that the various taxa in the “strumarium” morphological complex can be divided into three groups: (a) X. strumarium (sensu stricto) and X. indicum König, containing primarily or exclusively xanthinosin; (b) X. sibiricum Patrin and X. brasilicum Vell., with xanthinin and xanthinosin predominating; and (c) X. inaequilaterum DC., with almost equal proportions of xanthinin, xanthatin and xanthinosin. Two other taxa of the complex. X. japonicum Widd. and X. abyssinicum Wallr., were not available for inclusion in the present study.     

不同氮水平下瘤突苍耳、苍耳及其杂交种形态、光合及生长特征比较

入侵种与本地种杂交可能会改变其入侵性。为探讨入侵种与本地种杂交是否能促进植物入侵, 我们通过盆栽实验比较了高、中和低3种氮水平下入侵植物瘤突苍耳(Xanthium strumarium)、本地近缘种苍耳(X. sibiricum)及两者杂交种(X. strumarium♀ × X. sibiricum♂)的形态、光合及生长特征的差异。结果表明, 杂交种的总生物量在中氮和高氮水平下显著低于瘤突苍耳而高于苍耳。然而, 杂交种的茎粗在低氮水平下显著高于两个亲本, 叶绿素总含量和蒸腾速率在高氮水平下显著高于瘤突苍耳, 相对生长速率在低氮和高氮水平下显著高于两个亲本。此外, 在3种氮水平下瘤突苍耳的株高均显著小于苍耳, 而杂交种的株高在中氮和高氮水平下均与苍耳无显著差异。这些特性有可能提高了杂交种对资源的捕获和利用能力, 使其不仅能适应贫瘠的养分环境, 还能在有利条件下扩大自身优势。杂交带来较高的生长速率可能与瘤突苍耳的入侵性相关。     

Multiparasitism by the pupal parasitoids, Xanthopimpla stemmator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Pediobius furvus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on two African cereal stemborers, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The outcome of multiparasitism by two pupal parasitoids, the exotic solitary ichneumonid Xanthopimpla stemmator and the indigenous gregarious eulophid Pediobius furvus, was studied using the invasive crambid stem borer Chilo partellus and the indigenous noctuid Busseola fusca as hosts. Two parasitism sequences were observed, where X. stemmator oviposited before P. furvus, and vice versa. In addition, the effect of time between first and second parasitism on parasitoid emergence, development, sex ratio, and number of offspring was assessed. For most treatments, time interval between parasitism had no significant effect on the percentage if pupae producing either P. furvus or X. stemmator. In general, X. stemmator outcompeted P. furvus irrespective of the order of oviposition, time interval between ovipositions and host species. Further studies, especially on host finding capacity of the two parasitoid species are required to determine the competitiveness of the two species under field conditions.     

Analyzing the radiation of the proenkephalin gene in tetrapods: cloning of a Bombina orientalis proenkephalin cDNA.

Analyzing the Radiation of the Proenkephalin Gene in Tetrapods: Cloning of a Bombina orientalis Proenkephalin cDNA: A proenkephalin cDNA was cloned from the brain of the anuran amphibian, Bombina orientalis (Family: Discoglossidae). This cDNA is 1358 nucleotides in length, and contains an open reading frame that codes for 251 amino acids. Within the open reading frame there are seven opioid (YGGF) sequences. There were five Met-enkephalin (YGGFM) sequences that are flanked by sets of paired basic amino acid proteolytic cleavage sites and two C-terminally extended Met-enkephalin sequences: YGGFMRGY and YGGFMRF. No Leu-enkephalin sequences were found in B. orientalis proenkephalin. It was possible to align the amino acid sequences of proenkephalin from several vertebrate taxa (human, Australian lungfish, B. orientalis, Xenopus laevis, Spea multiplicatus) by inserting a minimum of nine gaps. This alignment was then used to analyze the corresponding nucleotides for each proenkephalin sequence using maximum likelihood. This analysis yielded a single tree. In this tree, the Australian lungfish sequence was the outgroup or the tetrapod ingroup. The amphibian sequences form a clade separate from the human sequence. The bootstrap value for the amphibian clade was 100%. Within the amphibian clade the Bombina sequence was the sister group to a clade composed of the X. laevis and S. multiplicatus sequences. The bootstrap value for the X. laevis/S. multiplicatus clade was 94%. Collectively, these data indicate that the sequence of Bombina proenkephalin may be more similar to the proposed ancestral anuran proenkephalin sequence, than either X. laevis or S. multiplicatus proenkephalin.     

植物提取物和药剂对蔬菜蚜虫种群的联合控制作用

研究白蝴蝶(Syngonium podophyllum)乙醇提取物、苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)乙醇提取物、机油乳剂和0.3%印楝素乳油对桃蚜(Myzus persicae)和萝卜蚜(Lipaphis erysimi)的控制效果.室内四因子(1/2实施)二次正交回归旋转组合设计测试对有翅蚜的忌避作用,结果表明,对有翅桃蚜的主要忌避作用物为苍耳乙醇提取物,当苍耳提取物与白蝴蝶乙醇提取物混用,以及机油乳剂和印楝素混用时,对桃蚜有翅蚜的忌避效果提高;而对萝卜蚜有翅蚜的忌避作用主要受苍耳提取物和白蝴蝶提取物的影响.这些干扰作用均是非线性的.田间试验结果,单独使用白蝴蝶提取物对有翅成蚜有较强的驱避作用;对萝卜蚜自然种群的干扰控制作用以4种植物提取物和药剂混配效果最好,达95.7%;对桃蚜自然种群干扰控制效果最好的则是白蝴蝶提取物,控制效果达87%;同时,白蝴蝶提取物与印楝素乳油混配以及苍耳提取物与印楝素乳油混配,对两种蚜虫的控制效果均达80%以上.     

Sensitive and specific detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris by PCR using species-specific primers based on hrpF gene sequences

A sensitive and specific assay was developed to detect bacterial black rot of crucifers caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (X. c. pv. campestris), in cabbage seed and plant. Primers XCF and XCR from hrpF homologous to nolX, host recognition protein, were used to amplify a 525 bp DNA fragment. PCR technique was applied to detect the pathogen in naturally infected seed and plant of cabbage. The PCR product was only produced from X. c. pv. campestris among 40 isolates of Xanthomonas strains, Escherichia coli (O157:H7), Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, and other reference bacteria.     

Bioactivity-guided fractionation for anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and constituents of Xanthium strumarium L.

The aim of this study was to fractionate an extract of Xanthium strumarium L. (EXS) and to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the extract and its fractions. The ethanol extract of X. strumarium (EXS) was fractionated on the basis of polarity. Among the different fractions, the n-butanol fraction showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity in the croton-oil-induced ear edema test and furthermore reduced the number of writhings induced by acetic acid in mice in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates that the n-butanol fraction of X. strumarium possesses potent analgesic effects which are likely to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity. Bioassay-guided fractionation of EXS led to the isolation and identification of ten caffeoylquinic acids and three heterocyclics by HPLC–DAD–MSⁿ from the active n-butanol fraction, implying that the active compounds are polar in nature. The isolated caffeoylquinic acids could partially explain the antinociceptive effect of X. strumarium polar extract.     

青藏高原东北部黄缨菊的谱系地理学

黄缨菊（Xanthopappus subacaulis）是青藏高原地区一种特有的高山草甸药用植物。为探讨第四纪冰期气候波动对黄缨菊居群遗传结构和空间分布格局的影响,对黄缨菊20个居群、123个个体的叶绿体DNA片段（psbA-trnH、rbcL和psbI-psbK）进行测序和数据分析。结果表明：黄缨菊居群共检测到6个单倍型,其中H1为古老单倍型,除居群P7外其余居群均具有单倍型H1,H3、H5和H6为特有单倍型,单倍型H3为居群P7的私有单倍型,单倍型H5和H6只存在于居群P18,单倍型H2和H4主要存在于青海湖流域的居群;总的遗传多样性（H_e）和核苷酸多样性（π）分别为3.101和0.008 903;居群间遗传变异（68.98%）大于居群内遗传变异（31.02%）,居群间遗传分化较高（F_ST=0.689 85,P<0.01）;居群遗传分化系数N_ST（0.727）大于G_ST（0.656）（P>0.05）,表明黄缨菊在分布区域内不存在明显的谱系地理结构;错配分布和中性检验结果显示,黄缨菊居群可能经历过近期扩张。据此,推测第四纪冰期黄缨菊可能在青海湖流域和甘肃临潭地区存在微型避难所,认为第四纪气候变迁及青藏高原隆升塑造了黄缨菊的现代地理分布格局。     

气候变化对中国大黄花虾脊兰及其传粉者适生区的影响

大黄花虾脊兰(Calanthe sieboldii)是典型的大陆与岛屿间间断分布的兰科物种, 适宜分布气候范围狭窄, 同时依赖特殊的传粉者传粉, 包括黄胸木蜂(Xylocopa appendiculata)、赤足木蜂(X. rufipes)和中华绒木蜂(X. chinensis)等3种木蜂属(Xylocopa)昆虫。本文通过R语言Biomod2程序包建立物种分布模型(SDM), 预测了2050年和2070年时大黄花虾脊兰及其传粉者在3种代表浓度路径(RCP2.6、RCP4.5与RCP8.5)下的分布格局, 以期为该濒危植物的保育提供参考。结果表明: 降水相关变量比温度相关变量对大黄花虾脊兰分布的平均解释率更高, 两者分别为25.4%和13.9%。当前大黄花虾脊兰适生区主要集中在华中和华东地区, 未来适生区的增减主要受到气候情景的影响, 其变化范围为-59.0%到34.7%, 并可能向更高海拔的地区移动; 未来木蜂适生区将净收缩16.4%-19.7%, 且主要向西北和东北移动; 因而两者共同分布的面积占大黄花虾脊兰适生区的比例未来相比当前的90.0%可能下降0.5%-11.4%, 表明大黄花虾脊兰分布可能受到未来气候变化和传粉者分布减少的双重影响, 因此对该物种或类似特化传粉的兰科植物进行保育时应当充分考虑传粉者因素。     

In silico analysis of nonribosomal peptide synthetases of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri: identification of putative siderophore and lipopeptide biosynthetic genes

The genomes of the plant pathogens Xanthomonas axonopodis (Xac) and Xanthomonas campestris (Xcc) were analysed with the aim of deducing their ability to produce nonribosomal peptides. Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes were identified in two separate loci of Xac. While the genes of locus 1 are common to both strains, locus 2 was only found in Xac. Dissection and phylogenetic analysis of the condensation and thioesterase domains of the NRPSs of loci 1 and 2 of Xac revealed homology, respectively, with siderophore and lipopeptide synthetases. Further analysis of locus 1 revealed genes related to polyketide and polyamine biosynthesis that could be involved in the assembly of substrates for siderophore biosynthesis in both strains. In vitro production of siderophores by both Xac and Xcc was confirmed. Since bacterial siderophores and lipopeptides can be pathogenic and are typically produced nonribosomally, these results suggest that the identified genes could be involved in phytotoxin production.     

石斛内生炭角菌DNA提取方法优化及分子鉴定

本文对石斛内生炭角菌DNA提取方法进行优化,并基于ITS序列及其ITS2二级结构对其进行分子鉴定。比较试剂盒法及不同浓度（2%、3%、4%）CTAB法的DNA提取效果并对CTAB法进行优化;进行ITS序列的扩增及ITS2二级结构的预测。结果表明：4%的CTAB提取效果最佳,优化的CTAB法大大缩短了DNA提取时间;ITS序列与炭角菌属3个种的相似度均为99%,ITS2二级结构仅与Xylaria arbuscula的二级结构100%相似。本研究所优化的CTAB法能为后续相关研究提供便利;结合ITS序列及ITS2二级结构能对石斛内生炭角菌进行准确的分子鉴定。     

Biological control of bacterial spot of tomato caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria by Rahnella aquatilis

Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria strain 2 was isolated from infected tomato seedlings grown in open field in Egypt. This strain produced irregular yellow-necrotic areas on tomato leaves and spotting of the stem. In an attempt to control this disease biologically, four experiments were conducted and tomato seedlings were pretreated, before the pathogen, with either of two antagonistic strains of Rahnella aquatilis through leaves, roots, soil or seeds. In all experiments, seedlings pretreated with R. aquatilis showed reduced susceptibility toward X. c. pv. vesicatoria. They also contained reduced protein concentration and showed reduced number of protein bands in SDS-PAGE analysis as well as increased fresh and dry weight relative to control seedlings inoculated with the pathogen only. This indicates that R. aquatilis reduced the deleterious effect and the stress exerted by X. c. pv. vesicatoria on tomato seedlings. Foliar application of R. aquatilis was the most effective method in disease reduction which could be attributed to the direct effect of the antagonistic bacteria on the pathogen. The highest amounts of fresh and dry weight ere obtained from seed treatment, which might suggest that bacterial seed inoculation provides earlier protection than could be achieved with foliar, soil or root treatment.     

Characterization of Ni-tolerant methylobacteria associated with the hyperaccumulating plant Thlaspi goesingense and description of Methylobacterium goesingense sp. nov

Various pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic (PPFM) bacteria (strains iEII3, iEIV1, iEI6, iEII1, iEIII3 iEIII4, iEIII5, iRII1, iRII2, iRIII1, iRIV1 and iRIV2) were obtained from the rhizosphere and endosphere of hyperaccumulating plant Thlaspi goesingense grown in Redschlag, Austria [R. Idris, R. Trifonova, M. Puschenreiter, W.W. Wenzel, A. Sessitsch, Bacterial communities associated with flowering plants of the Ni hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70 (2004) 2667–2677]. Due to their unexpected diversity, abundance and nickel tolerance they were further characterized by detailed 16S rRNA gene analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, fatty acid analysis, heavy metal tolerance, screening for known Ni resistance genes and phenotypic analysis. These strains were found to exhibit different multiple heavy metal resistance characteristics to Ni, Cd, Co, Zn and Cr. On the basis of their physiological and genotypic properties, strains could be grouped with Methylobacterium extorquens and M. mesophilicum. One endophyte, strain iEII3, was found to belong to a novel species for which the name M. goesingense is proposed.     

The cDNA encoding Xenopus laevis heat-shock factor 1 (XHSF1): nucleotide and deduced amino-acid sequences, and properties of the encoded protein

We have isolated a cDNA encoding Xenopus laevis (Xl) heat-shock factor 1 (XHSF1). XHSF1, translated from the mRNA synthesized in vitro, will bind specifically to the X1 hsp70 promoter (hsp70). Microinjection of XHSF1 mRNA into Xl oocytes leads to synthesis of XHSF1 which accumulates in the nucleus and selectively activates Xl phsp70p activity at 18°C.     

Evaporative water loss and intertidal vertical distribution in relation to body size and morphology of stichaeoid fishes from California

Five species of amphibious stichaeoid fishes (four stichaeids, one pholidid) with distinct but overlapping distribution patterns in the rocky intertidal zone of central California were studied in the laboratory with respect to body size and shape, survival out of water, evaporative water loss and water resorption upon re-immersion. Members of all species survived periods of emersion of at least 6 h, but maximum survival times varied with species and body size. Surface area to weight ratios in relation to body length were highest in Xiphister atropurpureus (Kittlitz) and X. mucosus (Girard), lowest in Cebidichthys violaceus (Girard) and Anoplarchus purpurescens Gill and most variable in Xererpes fucorum (Jordan & Gilbert) (the pholidid). Weight-specific water loss (mg · g⁻¹ · h⁻¹) was highest in the two species of Xiphister followed in order by Xererpes fucorum, Cebidichthys violaceus and Anoplarchus purpurescens.

In general, adaptive relationships were found between body size, surface area, tolerance of water loss and intertidal distribution patterns. Among juvenile stichaeoids, for which problems of emersion are most critical, those of Cebidichthys violaceus possess the combination of attributes, including small surface area to weight ratio, high water content and long tolerance of emersion, that should give them an adaptive edge in occupying the upper levels of the shore. In accordance with these characteristics, C. violaceus has the highest, most exposed vertical distribution of the five study species.     

Molecular cloning of genes involved in the production of the extracellular polysaccharide xanthan by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

Recombinant plasmids pIJ3040 and pIJ3041 containing overlapping fragments of the genome of wild type Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris restored the production of extracellularpolysaccharide to non-slimy mutants. Mutagenesis of the cloned DNA with the transposon Tn5 was used to localize the complementing region of the DNA. Marker-exchange of Tn5 insertions from cloned DNA into the X.c. campestris genome provided evidence for linked genes involved in EPS production. the EPS-deficient mutants retained pathogenicity in a seedlin bioassay.     

A library of linear undecapeptides with bactericidal activity against phytopathogenic bacteria

A 125-member library of synthetic linear undecapeptides was prepared based on a previously described peptide H-K¹KLFKKILKF¹⁰L-NH₂ (BP76) that inhibited in vitro growth of the plant pathogenic bacteria Erwinia amylovora, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae at low micromolar concentrations. Peptides were designed using a combinatorial chemistry approach by incorporating amino acids possessing various degrees of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity at positions 1 and 10 and by varying the N-terminus. Library screening for in vitro growth inhibition identified 27, 40 and 113 sequences with MIC values below 7.5 μM against E. amylovora, P. syringae and X. axonopodis, respectively. Cytotoxicity, bactericidal activity and stability towards protease degradation of the most active peptides were also determined. Seven peptides with a good balance between antibacterial and hemolytic activities were identified. Several analogues displayed a bactericidal effect and low susceptibility to protease degradation. The most promising peptides were tested in vivo by evaluating their preventive effect of inhibition of E. amylovora infection in detached apple and pear flowers. The peptide H-KKLFKKILKYL-NH₂ (BP100) showed efficacies in flowers of 63–76% at 100 μM, being more potent than BP76 and only less effective than streptomycin, currently used for fire blight control.     

The dawn of gene isolation

Ever since it became clear through the work of Watson and Crick that the gene is a stretch of double stranded helical DNA and is understandable in chemical terms, biochemists have striven to get their hands on isolated genes. The isolation of the ribosomal genes of Xenopus laevis in 1966 provided a first instance where a purified DNA of known function could be investigated, long before the advent of gene cloning technologies. The second instance was the purification of the Lac operon from Escherichia coli. Later, but still before the gene cloning days the 5S RNA genes of X. laevis and the histone genes of the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris were isolated by physico-chemical methods, but their isolation marked the end of an era. By 1975, gene cloning technology was well established and the isolation of genes quickly became an everyday occurrence.