广东金山温泉沉积物中原核与真核微生物多样性初步分析

[目的]本研究旨在采用不同的PCR引物对广东省恩平市金山温泉的高温水底沉积物微生物多样性进行初步的分析.[方法]采用改进的玻璃珠法抽提温泉沉积物中环境基因组DNA,通过对用4对引物分别扩增得到的原核微生物16S rRNA基因和真核微生物ITS序列的分析,将所得到的数据与国际基因数据库GenBank进行相似性比较并构建系统发育树.[结果]研究发现原核类群G的 14个优势克隆中7个都属于蛭弧菌属(Bdellovibrio).与它们最相似的序列是从海洋中分离到的两个菌株 Bacteriovorax sp. NE1 (EF092445)和Bdellovibrio sp. JS5 (AF084859),相似性分别为96%和99%.原核类群X的4个序列主要属于蓝细菌类群,其中JS-X2与在美国黄石公园温泉发现的Uncultured Cyanobacterium (L35331)有95%的相似性,并且与已经全基因组测序的嗜热蓝细菌聚球藻Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 (47118315)有89%的相似性.真核类群Z有三个类群,分别是Penicillium sp.,Lodderomyces sp.和Gloeotinia sp..其中大部分序列与青霉属相似性在88%～ 90%之间.[结论]所得到的结果显示金山温泉中的微生物多样性十分丰富.     

中华鳖致病病原菌的分离及药物试验研究

嗜水气单胞菌为该病的条件致病菌。在适宜的条件下 ,该菌可通过体表伤口进入鳖体引起疾病。此病以体表腐皮与赤斑 ,有的中华鳖背部有明显的乳白色小点和出血性败血症为主要病理学表现 ,以各器官功能衰竭为致病原因。解剖后 ,肝脏病变呈污泥色 ,腐烂液化 ,肾呈青紫色、肿大 ,肠内无食物 ,呈灰白色 ,部分肠壁有出血点 ,脾脏明显肿大。经分离鉴定 ,生理生化特性分析 ,结果为典型的嗜水气单胞菌嗜水亚种 (Aeromonashydrophilasubsp .hydrophila)。     

Secondary Metabolites as Plant Traits: Current Assessment and Future Perspectives

Referee: Dr. Peter B. Kaufman, Dept. of Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048 Traditionally, secondary metabolites in plants have been investigated by phytochemists. Originally classified as waste products, these compounds more recently have been investigated extensively by ecologists and pharmacologists, and many complex biological functions have been discovered. Secondary metabolites occur nearly in all living organisms, within bacteria as well as in mammals, and are especially prominent in those organisms lacking an immune system. Functions of plant secondary metabolites comprise attractants, such as color pigments and scents, repellents such as antifeedants against insects and mammals, or toxins that affect growth and development of animal and microbial predators. Conversely, insects can employ plant-synthesized compounds to their own advantage, such as signals for feeding and oviposition and location of prey. Microbes also use secondary metabolites as carbon sources, and bacteria utilize them for quorum-sensing, an aspect recently discovered. Despite the diversity of recognized functions, the biochemical processes underlying these interactions are few. Primarily, they relate to the ability of these small molecules to bind to receptor regions of various proteins such as keys into locks. This review attempts a summary of current knowledge of secondary plant metabolism with focus on history of discovery, development of analytical techniques, theories of origin and function, signal pathways, biosynthesis, and assessment of biological activities. Outlined is current utilization by, and future perspectives in, different disciplines, such as chemosystematics, chemical ecology, and agricultural biotechnology. Examples illustrate the strong potential of research in secondary metabolism, particularly in comparison to more established disciplines such as developmental biology and physiology.     

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

The antifungal and fungicidal effects of hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis ) oil and its individual components were studied in a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungi Pyrenophora avenae and Pyricularia oryzae was completely inhibited by 0.4% hyssop oil. Volatile components diffusing from agar medium containing 0.4% hyssop oil also completely inhibited the growth of these two fungi. Various components of hyssop oil ( L -bornyl acetate, isopinocampheol and pinocamphone), used individually, reduced growth of P. avenae and, where combinations of individual components were used, any mixture containing isopinocampheol completely inhibited fungal growth. Growth of P. oryzae was less affected by individual components of the oil. Hyssop oil reduced germination of Botrytis fabae conidia and uredospores of Uromyces viciae-fabae , but in contrast to the data from in vitro experiments, its effects on pathogen infection were less clear cut. Thus, although 0.05% hyssop oil reduced rust infection of broad bean when applied 1, 2 or 3 days before, or 1 or 2 days after inoculation, its effects against barley powdery mildew and apple powdery mildew were variable. It is suggested that this variability might be the result of the volatile components of the oil diffusing away from leaf surfaces, thus reducing the concentration of active components on the leaf surface.     

Ecological genomics of mutualism decline in nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Anthropogenic changes can influence mutualism evolution; however, the genomic regions underpinning mutualism that are most affected by environmental change are generally unknown, even in well-studied model mutualisms like the interaction between legumes and their nitrogen (N)-fixing rhizobia. Such genomic information can shed light on the agents and targets of selection maintaining cooperation in nature. We recently demonstrated that N-fertilization has caused an evolutionary decline in mutualistic partner quality in the rhizobia that form symbiosis with clover. Here, population genomic analyses of N-fertilized versus control rhizobium populations indicate that evolutionary differentiation at a key symbiosis gene region on the symbiotic plasmid (pSym) contributes to partner quality decline. Moreover, patterns of genetic variation at selected loci were consistent with recent positive selection within N-fertilized environments, suggesting that N-rich environments might select for less beneficial rhizobia. By studying the molecular population genomics of a natural bacterial population within a long-term ecological field experiment, we find that: (i) the N environment is indeed a potent selective force mediating mutualism evolution in this symbiosis, (ii) natural variation in rhizobium partner quality is mediated in part by key symbiosis genes on the symbiotic plasmid, and (iii) differentiation at selected genes occurred in the context of otherwise recombining genomes, resembling eukaryotic models of adaptation.     

Rapid reprogramming of haemoglobin structure‐function exposes multiple dual‐antimicrobial potencies

The intrinsic cytotoxicity of cell‐free haemoglobin (Hb) has hampered the development of reliable Hb‐based blood substitutes for over seven decades. Notably, recent evidence shows that the Hb deploys this cytotoxic attack against invading microbes, albeit, through an unknown mechanism. Here, we unraveled a rapid molecular reprogramming of the Hb structure‐function triggered by virulent haemolytic pathogens that feed on the haem‐iron. On direct contact with the microbe, the Hb unveils its latent antimicrobial potency, where multiple antimicrobial fragments are released, each harbouring coordinated ‘dual‐action centres’: microbe binding and pseudoperoxidase (POX) cycle activity. The activated Hb fragments anchor onto the microbe while the juxtaposed POX instantly unleashes a localized oxidative shock, killing the pathogen‐in‐proximity. This concurrent action conceivably restricts the diffusion of free radicals. Furthermore, the host astutely protects itself from self‐cytotoxicity by simultaneously releasing endogenous antioxidants. We found that this decryption mechanism of antimicrobial potency is conserved in the ancient invertebrate respiratory protein, indicating its fundamental significance. Our definition of dual‐antimicrobial centres in the Hb provides vital clues for designing a safer Hb‐based oxygen carrier blood substitute.     

High levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization on Medicago truncatula reduces plant suitability as a host for pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum)

This study sheds light on a poorly understood area in insect-plant-microbe interactions,focusing on aphid probing and feeding behavior on plants with varying levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungus root colonization.It investigates a commonly occurring interaction of three species:pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum,barrel medic Medicago truncatula,and the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis,examining whether aphid-feeding behavior changes when insects feed on plants at different levels of AM fungus colonization(42% and 84% root length colonized).Aphid probing and feeding behavior was monitored throughout 8 h of recording using the electrical penetration graph(EPG)technique,also,foliar nutrient content and plant growth were measured.Summarizing,aphids took longer to reach their 1st sustained phloem ingestion on the 84% AM plants than on the 42% AM plants or on controls.Less aphids showed phloem ingestion on the 84% AM plants relative to the 42% AM plants.Shoots of the 84% AM plants had higher percent carbon(43.7%)relative to controls(40.5%),and the 84% AM plants had reduced percent nitrogen(5.3%)relative to the 42% AM plants(6%).In conclusion,EPG and foliar nutrient data support the hypothesis that modifications in plant anatomy(e.g.,thicker leaves),and poor food quality(reduced nitrogen)in the 84% AM plants contribute to reduced aphid success in locating phloem and ultimately to differences in phloem sap ingestion.This work suggests that M.truncatula plants benefit from AM symbiosis not only because of increased nutrient uptake but also because of reduced susceptibility to aphids.