Some characteristics of three groups in Flammulina velutipes classified by analysis of esterase isozymes

 Analysis of isozymes was carried out against wild and cultivated commercial stocks of Flammulina velutipes to analyze their genetic differences. Esterase isozymes from F. velutipes showed many bands and variations among the different stocks on the gel. The stocks of F. velutipes in Japan were largely classified into three groups (tentatively named groups A, B, and C) according to the cluster analysis of esterase isozymes. Some characteristics of the three groups were examined. Group C was characterized by a larger spore size, slower spawn running, and a paler pileus color than groups A and B. Furthermore, group B showed a smaller spore size, slower spawn running, and paler pileus color than group A. Received: August 27, 2002 / Accepted: October 10, 2002 Correspondence to:K. Nishizawa     

玉米种子老化过程中EST同工酶变化与染色体畸变的研究

对玉米自交系Mo17种子分别进行58℃热水和45℃恒温老化处理并对种子老化过程中种子发芽率、EST同工酶酶谱变化与染色体畸变规律进行了研究。结果显示：Mo17玉米种子萌发一天的种子胚EST酶谱共表现为14条清晰条带,58℃热水处理30min后,有四条酶带(Rf值为0．44、0．47、0．77、0．80)消失,酶带号为1、2、6、7、9的五条酶带着色变浅。由一、二级酶带变为二、三级酶带。45℃恒温老化处理60d后,Mo17种子EST酶谱中编号为2和5的两条酶带(Rf值为0．33、0．39)消失。处理70d后,种子发芽率降至39％,醇带号为11、12、13、14的四条酶带消失。随着老化时间延长。老化程度不断加重,发芽率低的玉米种子其根尖染色体畸变率相对较高,单桥、双桥、断片、落后及其它染色体畸变类型均被观察到。58℃热水老化其发芽率降至5％时,染色体畸变率上升为12．22％。     

Molecular characterization of esterase E3 gene associated with organophosphorus insecticide resistance in the New World screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax

Abstract.  The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is one of the most important myiasis-causing flies in South America. It is responsible for severe economic losses to livestock producers, mainly because it causes mortality in newborn calves and reductions in the quality of leather and in the production of milk and meat. The economic losses caused by myiasis, along with those caused by other internal and external parasites, are the main factors limiting meat production. In Brazil, C. hominivorax has been controlled by applying insecticides, particularly organophosphate (OP)-based compounds. However, the improper and continuous use of these chemicals can lead to the selection of OP-resistant strains. This, associated with the fast development of OP resistance in other myiasis-causing flies, shows the importance of investigating resistance in C. hominivorax. Based on the findings of previous studies, the objective of the current work was to isolate and sequence the E3 gene in C. hominivorax. Mutations at the positions (Gly137 and Trp251) responsible for conferring OP resistance in Lucilia cuprina and Musca domestica L. (Muscidae) were identified in C. hominivorax . In addition, the orthologous region in C. hominivorax contained motifs that are highly conserved among carboxyl/cholinesterases and contribute to the catalytic mechanism of the active site. The characterization of this gene in natural populations of New World screwworm can be an important tool for monitoring resistance to insecticides throughout its current geographic distribution. This will provide information for the selection and implementation of more effective pest management programmes.     

Identification of trophic interactions between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrolophus caliginosus</Emphasis> (Heteroptera: Miridae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> (Homoptera: Aphididae) using real time PCR

Understanding food web interactions in native or agricultural ecosystems is an important step towards establishing sustainable pest management strategies. While the role of generalist predators as biological control agents is increasingly appreciated, the study of trophic interactions between individual predator species and their prey provides practical difficulties. Recently, different approaches have been suggested to determine prey items from predator guts using molecular methods. Macrolophus caliginosus is a generalist predator active in herbaceous agro-ecosystems. We developed a system to identify the DNA of its prey after ingestion, using Myzus persicae as a model. Esterase (MpEST) and cytochrome oxidase I (MpCOI) genes were targeted in the aphid, while M. caliginosus COI gene was used as control for predator DNA. Real time PCR proved to be specific and sensitive enough to detect prey DNA upon ingestion after feeding experiments. The system provided a linear amplification response with only 10 fg of prey genomic DNA as template. The detection system of MpCOI gene was more sensitive than MpEST, while the detection period was similar for both genes. Possibilities for using the system in ecological and biosafety studies with regard to sustainable pest management are discussed.

Esterase as an enzymatic signature of Geodermatophilaceae adaptability to Sahara desert stones and monuments

Aim: To assess esterase profiling of members of Geodermatophilaceae isolated from desert stones and monuments in Tunisia and Egypt. Methods and Results: Members of Geodermatophilaceae family isolated from desert stones and monuments in Tunisia and Egypt were characterized by partial 16S rRNA sequences. Twenty‐five strains were clustered in three dissimilar groups of the genera Geodermatophilus (12 strains), Blastococcus (5 strains) and Modestobacter (3 strains). Isolates were also screened and typed based on major groups of esterase hydrolytic activity. Their esterase patterns were determined and compared to those of ten reference strains belonging to Geodermatophilaceae family. Strains exhibited a diverse and complex pattern of electrophoretic esterase bands, and 31 haplotypes were obtained for the 35 investigated strains. Esterases produced by members of Geodermatophilaceae family have an optimal activity around 40°C and at pH 8. Esterases from Geodermatophilus strains display a high resistance to thermal inactivation and alkaline pH and retaining 30 and 20% of activity after heating for 20 min at 120°C and at pH 12, respectively, and were completely inactivated after 30 min at 120°C. Enzyme activity has been strongly activated in the presence of Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺ ions and moderately by Zn²⁺ and was markedly inhibited by Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions. Conclusions: Geodermatophilaceae isolates share a rich and particular pool of esterase activities that could be directly linked to harsh conditions characterizing their ecological habitat including high level of aridity, temperature, ionic strength and low nutrient availability. Significance and Impact of the Study: Esterase could be considered as enzymatic signature that outlines adaptability of Geodermatophilaceae in arid area.     

Amplification and methylation of an esterase gene associated with insecticide-resistance in greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The greenbug aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) has developed resistance to organophosphorus insecticides by the over-production of esterases that have been classified as Type I and Type II. The first twenty N-terminal amino acids of the Type I esterase were determined and used to design an oligonucleotide, which in conjunction with an active site primer derived from conserved sequences of other insect esterases and two internal primers specific for esterases from another aphid species resulted in a 0.85 kb genomic DNA fragment from resistant greenbugs. This was extended by 5′ RACE which provided approximately 1.2 kb of the 5′ end of the esterase gene. The 5′ DNA sequence corresponded to 19 of the 20 known amino acids of the Type I esterase, with the last needing only a one base change (probably resulting from a PCR artifact). Furthermore, the sequence showed very close similarity to the amplified E4/FE4 esterase genes of Myzus persicae (Sulzer). A comparison of sequences suggested that the S. graminum gene has introns in the same positions as the first two introns of E4/FE4, with the second intron being considerably larger in S. graminum. Probing of Southern blots with the 0.85 kb esterase fragment showed that the gene encoding the Type I esterase is amplified 4- to 8-fold in resistant S. graminum and that the amplified sequences contain 5-methylcytosine at MspI/HpaII sites, again in agreement with previous findings for M. persicae genes.     

木耳栽培菌株酯酶同工酶的酶谱多样性研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术对木耳（Ａｕｒｉｃｕｌａｒｉａａｕｒｉｃｕｌａ（Ｈｏｏｋ）Ｕｎｄｅｒｗ）１０个栽培菌株酯酶同工酶的酶谱多样性进行了研究。１０个供试菌株的幼龄菌丝（７ｄ）中仅检测到２５条酶带,各个菌株分别具有２～３条酶带,１０个菌株仅有２种酶谱类型;老龄菌丝（７２ｄ）中共检测到４４条酶带,各个菌株分别具有３～６条酶带,１０菌株共有８种酶谱类型。研究表明,木耳双核体菌丝中某些酯酶同工酶基因位点在一定的发育时期才开始表达,老龄菌丝酯酶同工酶酶谱在木耳菌株鉴别和遗传育种研究中具有更大的应用价值。     

抗性库蚊酯酶基因在大肠杆菌中的克隆和表达

用抗性库蚊酯酶基因,引入原核表达载体pRL439,转化大肠杆菌HB101细胞,获得表达。通过酶切、Southern杂交鉴定重组质粒。研究了重组菌酯酶的活性,重组质粒pRLB1表达的酯酶具有高酶活并能高效降解酯酶的特异性底物α乙酸萘酯(αNA)和β乙酸萘酯(βNA);经对重组菌进行细胞固定化后降解农药三氯杀虫酯(7504),反应时间短,降解效率高     

海鲍分离微生物Acinetobacter sp.酯酶基因的表达和酶学性质

【目的】克隆源于海鲍内脏中一株不动杆菌Acinetobacter sp.的酯酶基因estA,并对其进行重组表达和性质研究。【方法】利用分子生物学技术克隆出酯酶基因estA并构建pPICZα-C-estA重组表达载体,并通过电转化方法将重组质粒转入毕赤酵母X33中;通过甲醇诱导培养重组菌获得重组酯酶,并对重组酯酶进行生化表征。【结果】克隆得到的estA基因序列全长912 bp,编码304个氨基酸;重组X33发酵上清液中酯酶酶活力达到1 200 U/L,重组酯酶的分子量约为33.7 kD;酶学性质研究表明重组酯酶催化底物对硝基苯乙酸乙酯水解反应的最适pH和温度为8.0和40?C,在pH 8.0-10.0温度及小于60?C时具有较好的稳定性。【结论】成功克隆了海洋来源的不动杆菌酯酶基因并在Pichia pastoris中实现了高效表达。     

超嗜热酯酶EST2在不同宿主中的异源高效表达研究

来源于超嗜热古菌Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius的酯酶EST2是目前报道的活性最高的超嗜热酯酶,具有极大的工业应用价值。为促进EST2的生产应用,将其分别在大肠杆菌及毕赤酵母中进行异源表达,并就不同宿主对表达情况和重组酶酶学性质的影响进行了分析。在大肠杆菌和毕赤酵母中重组表达的EST2酶学性质基本一致:最适温度分别为75℃和77.5℃,最适pH均为8.0,比活力分别为4656.6 U/mg和4078.3 U/mg,70℃水浴保温4.5 h,残余活力均在70%以上。在摇瓶发酵的基础上,于5 L发酵罐中进行了重组大肠杆菌及毕赤酵母的高密度发酵。毕赤酵母高密度发酵120 h菌体干重达68 g/L,最大表达酶活力为959.6 U/ml。大肠杆菌高密度发酵25 h菌体干重达60.8 g/L,最大酶活力14825.6 U/ml,表达量是毕赤酵母的15.4倍,单位时间产量是酵母的74.2倍。结果表明大肠杆菌发酵周期短、表达量高,更适合进行嗜热酯酶EST2的高效生产,这为促进嗜热酯酶在工业生物技术产业的应用奠定了基础。