全基因组重测序揭示青藏高原东缘及东南缘东方蜜蜂遗传多样性与适应性进化

【目的】对青藏高原东缘和东南缘及邻近地区东方蜜蜂Apis cerana样本进行群体遗传多样性与适应性进化研究,为进一步解析青藏高原东方蜜蜂的遗传资源多样性、种群扩散规律以及适应高原生境的分子进化机制提供参考。【方法】对青藏高原东缘和东南缘及邻近地区77群东方蜜蜂样本进行全基因组重测序;运用群体遗传学方法,基于群体结构、主成分分析、系统进化树、遗传分化指数、线粒体基因组单倍型以及选择信号分析对东方蜜蜂这77群及GenBank数据库下载的90群的全基因组重测序原始数据进行分析。【结果】这167群东方蜜蜂区分出来自川西高原、藏南高原、滇北高原和川北高原的4个高原型群,分属于两个进化支,平均遗传分化指数(Fst=0.1178)高于非高原型群的(Fst=0.0411)。基于种群间最小遗传距离分析,东南缘的藏南高原群、滇北高原群与滇南群具有更近的遗传关系;东缘的川西高原群、川北高原群分别与川西山地和秦巴群具有更近的遗传关系。结合线粒体基因组单倍型分析,初步推断出青藏高原东缘及东南缘高原型群体祖先单倍型及来源。选择性分析鉴定到了潜在的参与脂肪酸代谢、光转导、温度适应、卵巢发育等信号通路相关的潜在受选基因。在藏南高原和滇北高原群体中发现两个共同受选择基因ISL-1和FOXO,主要参与胰岛素分泌以应对细胞压力,暗示它们在东方蜜蜂适应青藏高原东南缘生境中发挥着重要作用。【结论】青藏高原东方蜜蜂遗传多样性丰富,东南缘的藏南高原和滇北高原群体以及东缘的川西高原和川北高原群体在遗传分化上明显区分,这4个高原群是由邻近地区非高原群扩散后的地理隔离形成了种群分化;初步筛选获得东方蜜蜂高原环境适应性潜在基因。本研究为进一步探析青藏高原东方蜜蜂适应高原生境下的分子进化机制奠定了基础。     

Distribution and Characterization of Salmonella enterica Isolates from Irrigation Ponds in the Southeastern United States

Irrigation water has been implicated as a likely source of produce contamination by Salmonella enterica. Therefore, the distribution of S. enterica was surveyed monthly in irrigation ponds (n = 10) located within a prime agricultural region in southern Georgia and northern Florida. All ponds and 28.2% of all samples (n = 635) were positive for Salmonella, with an overall geometric mean concentration (0.26 most probable number [MPN]/liter) that was relatively low compared to prior reports for rivers in this region. Salmonella peaks were seasonal; the levels correlated with increased temperature and rainfall (P < 0.05). The numbers and occurrence were significantly higher in water (0.32 MPN/liter and 37% of samples) than in sediment (0.22 MPN/liter and 17% of samples) but did not vary with depth. Representative isolates (n = 185) from different ponds, sample types, and seasons were examined for resistance to 15 different antibiotics; most strains were resistant to streptomycin (98.9%), while 20% were multidrug resistant (MDR) for 2 to 6 antibiotics. DiversiLab repetitive extragenic palindromic-element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) revealed genetic diversity and showed 43 genotypes among 191 isolates, as defined by >95% similarity. The genotypes did not partition by pond, season, or sample type. Genetic similarity to known serotypes indicated Hadar, Montevideo, and Newport as the most prevalent. All ponds achieved the current safety standards for generic Escherichia coli in agricultural water, and regression modeling showed that the E. coli level was a significant predictor for the probability of Salmonella occurrence. However, persistent populations of Salmonella were widely distributed in irrigation ponds, and the associated risks for produce contamination and subsequent human exposure are unknown, supporting continued surveillance of this pathogen in agricultural settings.     

Unusual Biosynthesis and Structure of Locillomycins from Bacillus subtilis 916

Three families of Bacillus cyclic lipopeptides—surfactins, iturins, and fengycins—have well-recognized potential uses in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical applications. This study outlines the isolation and characterization of locillomycins, a novel family of cyclic lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis 916. Elucidation of the locillomycin structure revealed several molecular features not observed in other Bacillus lipopeptides, including a unique nonapeptide sequence and macrocyclization. Locillomycins are active against bacteria and viruses. Biochemical analysis and gene deletion studies have supported the assignment of a 38-kb gene cluster as the locillomycin biosynthetic gene cluster. Interestingly, this gene cluster encodes 4 proteins (LocA, LocB, LocC, and LocD) that form a hexamodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase to biosynthesize cyclic nonapeptides. Genome analysis and the chemical structures of the end products indicated that the biosynthetic pathway exhibits two distinct features: (i) a nonlinear hexamodular assembly line, with three modules in the middle utilized twice and the first and last two modules used only once and (ii) several domains that are skipped or optionally selected.