Impact of microorganisms,humidity, and temperature on the enantioselective degradation of imazethapyr in two soils

Imazethapyr (IM) is a chiral herbicide composed of an (−)‐R‐enantiomer and an (+)‐S‐enantiomer with differential herbicidal activity. In this study, the effects of microbial organisms, humidity, and temperature on the selective degradation of the (−)‐R‐ and (+)‐S‐enantiomers of IM were determined in silty loam (SL) and clay loam (CL) soil with different pH values. The (−)‐R‐enantiomer of IM was preferentially degraded in two soils under different microorganism, humidity, and temperature conditions. The average half‐lives of R‐IM ranged from 43 to 66.1 days and were significantly shorter (P <  0.05) than those of S‐IM, which ranged from 51.4 to 79.8 days. The enantiomer fraction (EF = (+)‐S‐enantiomer/((−)‐R‐enantiomer + (+)‐S‐enantiomer)) values were used to describe the enantioselectivity of degradation of IM were >0.5 (P <  0.05) in two unsterilized soils under different humidity and temperature conditions. The highest EF values were observed at unsterilized CL soil samples under 50% maximum water‐holding capacity (MWHC) and 25 °C environmental conditions. The EF values of the IM enantiomers were significantly higher (P <  0.05) in CL soils (higher pH = 5.81) and were 0.581 (unsterilized) and 0.575 (50% MWHC; 25 °C) compared with those recorded in SL soil (lower pH = 4.85). In addition, this study revealed that microbial organisms preferentially utilized the more herbicidal active IM enantiomer.     

Comparative performance of double‐digest RAD sequencing across divergent arachnid lineages

Next‐generation sequencing technologies now allow researchers of non‐model systems to perform genome‐based studies without the requirement of a (often unavailable) closely related genomic reference. We evaluated the role of restriction endonuclease (RE) selection in double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) by generating reduced representation genome‐wide data using four different RE combinations. Our expectation was that RE selections targeting longer, more complex restriction sites would recover fewer loci than RE with shorter, less complex sites. We sequenced a diverse sample of non‐model arachnids, including five congeneric pairs of harvestmen (Opiliones) and four pairs of spiders (Araneae). Sample pairs consisted of either conspecifics or closely related congeneric taxa, and in total 26 sample pair analyses were tested. Sequence demultiplexing, read clustering and variant calling were performed in the pyRAD program. The 6‐base pair cutter EcoRI combined with methylated site‐specific 4‐base pair cutter MspI produced, on average, the greatest numbers of intra‐individual loci and shared loci per sample pair. As expected, the number of shared loci recovered for a sample pair covaried with the degree of genetic divergence, estimated with cytochrome oxidase I sequences, although this relationship was non‐linear. Our comparative results will prove useful in guiding protocol selection for ddRADseq experiments on many arachnid taxa where reference genomes, even from closely related species, are unavailable.     

Genes encoding longevity: from model organisms to humans

Ample evidence from model organisms has indicated that subtle variation in genes can dramatically influence lifespan. The key genes and molecular pathways that have been identified so far encode for metabolism, maintenance and repair mechanisms that minimize age-related accumulation of permanent damage. Here, we describe the evolutionary conserved genes that are involved in lifespan regulation of model organisms and humans, and explore the reasons of discrepancies that exist between the results found in the various species. In general, the accumulated data have revealed that when moving up the evolutionary ladder, together with an increase of genome complexity, the impact of candidate genes on lifespan becomes smaller. The presence of genetic networks makes it more likely to expect impact of variation in several interacting genes to affect lifespan in humans. Extrapolation of findings from experimental models to humans is further complicated as phenotypes are critically dependent on the setting in which genes are expressed, while laboratory conditions and modern environments are markedly dissimilar. Finally, currently used methodologies may have only little power and validity to reveal genetic variation in the population. In conclusion, although the study of model organisms has revealed potential candidate genetic mechanisms determining aging and lifespan, to what extent they explain variation in human populations is still uncertain.     

Ecological Risk Assessment and Regulation for Genetically-Modified Ornamental Plants

Classic plant breeding has increased the beauty and utility of ornamental plants, but biotechnology can offer completely new traits for plants used in homes and gardens. The creation of blue petal color in carnations and roses are examples where biotechnology has created novelty that conventional hybridization cannot match. However, all innovations have benefits and risks, and future commercialization of transgenic ornamental plants raises complex questions about potential negative impacts to managed landscapes and natural ecosystems. Predictive ecological risk assessment is a process that uses current knowledge to estimate future environmental harms or benefits arising from direct or indirect exposure to a genetically-modified (GM) plant, its genes, or gene products. This article considers GM ornamental plants in the context of current ecological risk assessment principles, research results, and current regulatory frameworks. The use of ecological risk assessment by government agencies to support decision-making is reviewed in the context of ornamental plants. Government risk assessments have usually emphasized the potential for pollen-mediated gene flow, weediness in managed areas, invasion of natural areas, and direct harm to nontarget organisms. Some of the major challenges for predictive risk assessment include characterizing gene flow over time and space, plant fitness in changing environments, and impacts to nontarget organisms, communities and ecosystems. The lack of baseline information about the ecology and biodiversity of urban areas, gardens, and natural ecosystems limits the ability to predict potential hazards, identify exposure pathways, and design hypothesis-driven research. The legacy of introduced ornamental plants as invasive species generates special concern about future invasions, especially for GM plants that exhibit increased stress tolerance or adaptability. While ecological risk assessments are a valuable tool and have helped harmonize regulation of GM plants, they do not define the acceptable level of risk or uncertainty. That responsibility belongs to regulators, stakeholders and citizens.     

Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci from Carex macrocephala (Cyperaceae)

Carex macrocephala (Cyperaceae) is a species of great conservation concern along the northwest coast of North America. Using a biotinylated-streptavidin bead protocol, we successfully isolated and characterized 11 microsatellite loci from a C. macrocephala genomic library. Although these loci are polymorphic, the scored populations exhibit a significant deficiency in heterozygosity. Carex macrocephala is a self-pollinating rhizomatously spreading sedge, consequently this may contribute to the observed patterns.     

An X‐linked Myh11‐CreERT2 mouse line resulting from Y to X chromosome‐translocation of the Cre allele

The Myh11‐CreER^T2 mouse line (Cre⁺) has gained increasing application because of its high lineage specificity relative to other Cre drivers targeting smooth muscle cells (SMCs). This Cre allele, however, was initially inserted into the Y chromosome (X/Y^Cre+), which excluded its application in female mice. Our group established a Cre⁺ colony from male ancestors. Surprisingly, genotype screening identified female carriers that stably transmitted the Cre allele to the following generations. Crossbreeding experiments revealed a pattern of X‐linked inheritance for the transgene (k > 1000), indicating that these female carries acquired the Cre allele through a mechanism of Y to X chromosome translocation. Further characterization demonstrated that in hemizygous X/X^Cre+ mice Cre activity was restricted to a subset arterial SMCs, with Cre expression in arteries decreased by 50% compared to X/Y^Cre+ mice. This mosaicism, however, diminished in homozygous X^Cre+/X^Cre+ mice. In a model of aortic aneurysm induced by a SMC‐specific Tgfbr1 deletion, the homozygous X^Cre+/X^Cre+ Cre driver unmasked the aortic phenotype that is otherwise subclinical when driven by the hemizygous X/X^Cre+ Cre line. In conclusion, the Cre allele carried by this female mouse line is located on the X chromosome and subjected to X‐inactivation. The homozygous X^Cre+/X^Cre+ mice produce uniform Cre activity in arterial SMCs.     

赤拟谷盗功能基因组学研究进展

赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum是一种重要的模式生物,在遗传、发育、生化与免疫等研究领域均取得了重要的研究进展。同时它也是一种危害极大的鞘翅目类储粮害虫,在世界各地都有分布,每年给储藏物造成了数十亿美元的经济损失。其全基因组测序的完成、遗传操作体系的构建及系统RNAi方法的应用都极大地促进了其功能基因组学的研究。本文综述了近年来赤拟谷盗基因组计划及功能基因组学的研究进展,拟为赤拟谷盗的生物学研究和防治奠定基础。