中国美利奴羊不同时期卵巢组织cDNA消减文库(SSH)的构建及序列分析

季节性发情是制约我国绵羊(Ovis aries)产业发展的重要因素之一。母羊卵巢是重要的生殖器官,卵巢组织中周期性特异表达的基因很有可能直接或间接影响母羊的季节性发情。为探讨绵羊季节性发情的分子遗传机制,本研究采用抑制性消减杂交技术构建了发情期发情和未发情中国美利奴羊卵巢组织差异表达的消减cDNA文库。随机取样386个阳性克隆,经PCR鉴定获得有效克隆306个,测序后获得126条非冗余序列;用BLAST在线序列软件与GenBank、GenBank EST等数据库进行同源性序列比较,发现其中有21个未知序列,可能是和中国美利奴羊季节性产羔性状相关的新基因。从文库中选择差异表达的视黄酸受体应答1基因(RARRES1)、胸腺素β4基因(TMSB4X)、翻译延长因子基因(EEF1A1)、前胸腺素α基因(PTMA)以及12号和89号基因,在心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、卵巢、输卵管、下丘脑和垂体中对上述6种基因进行组织表达谱分析。结果发现,TMSB4X、PTMA、EEF1A1和12号基因在上述组织中均有表达,而RARRES1和89号基因仅在中国美利奴羊卵巢组织中高表达。为了进一步验证研究结果,对RARRES1、TMSB4X、EEF1A1、PTMA、12号和89号基因进行实时定量PCR检测,结果显示,上述基因在发情中国美利奴羊卵巢组织中的表达量显著高于未发情绵羊。本研究筛选出调控中国美利奴羊季节性繁殖相关的候选基因,为进一步研究卵巢功能与绵羊季节性繁殖相互作用的分子机制提供了基础资料。     

绵羊TSHR基因第10外显子T481C位点多态性分析

促甲状腺激素受体(thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, TSHR)在光周期介导的哺乳动物季节性繁殖过程中起着非常重要的作用,但在绵羊(Ovis aries)中的遗传特性与分子机制仍不明晰.本研究以筛选的绵羊TSHR基因第10外显子T481C位点SNP为候选分子标记,利用多聚酶链式反应-单链构象多态(polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymerase,PCR-SSCP)技术,检测该位点在繁殖特性不同的阿勒泰羊、中国美利奴羊、萨福克羊、多浪羊以及湖羊和小尾寒羊群体中的多态性.结果表明,绵羊TSHR基因在第10外显子481 bp处发生了T-C突变,为同义突变,SSCP检测出3种基因型:TT、TC和CC,T481C位点的TT基因型在常年发情的湖羊、小尾寒羊和多浪羊群体中属于优势基因型,而在季节性繁殖的阿勒泰羊、萨福克羊和中国美利奴羊群体中比率最低,仅为8％;方差分析结果表明,常年发情的多浪羊、小尾寒羊和湖羊群体T481C位点的基因型频率与季节性繁殖的阿勒泰羊、萨福克羊和中国美利奴羊存在极显著差异(P＜0.01).研究结果提示,绵羊TSHR基因第10外显子T481C位点多态性在常年发情与季节性繁殖绵羊群体中分布存在较大差异,该SNP可作为一个理想的分子标记应用于常年发情绵羊品种选育.     

绵羊BMP15组织表达特征及FecXGr、FecXO和G971A突变的检测

骨形态发生蛋白15(bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15)作为绵羊(Ovis aries)繁殖性状的重要调控因子,但其具体作用机制尚不完全清楚.为探究BMP15基因组织表达水平及BMP15基因突变与不同绵羊品种繁殖力之间的关系,本研究选择多羔品种(小尾寒羊)和单羔品种(滩羊和苏尼特羊)作对比,应用RT-PCR和qRT-PCR技术研究BMP15基因组织表达谱以及在不同绵羊品种卵巢组织表达差异;选择不同产羔率水平的多个绵羊群体,采用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性分析(polymerase chain reactionsingle strand conformation polymorphism,PCR-SSCP)和测序技术检测BMP15的3个突变(FecXGr,FecXO和G971A).结果发现,BMP15主要表达于绵羊卵巢、输卵管、子宫、脾脏、十二指肠、骨骼肌和皮下脂肪组织,且在卵巢组织表达丰度明显高于其他组织;绵羊BMP15在3个品种卵巢组织的表达量存在差异,且小尾寒羊(多羔品种)表达量显著低于滩羊和苏尼特羊(单羔品种)(P＜0.05),滩羊和苏尼特羊差异不显著(P＞0.05);最新发现的绵羊BMP15 3个突变(FecXGr,FecXO和G971A)在16个绵羊群体均未检测到.研究结果提示,绵羊BMP15在卵巢组织中高表达,表达水平与绵羊排卵和产羔数呈负相关.本研究可为揭示绵羊高繁殖力调控因子BMP 15的作用机制提供数据参考.     

山羊繁殖季节性相关基因DIO2与DIO3的表达分析

研究表明,2型脱碘酶基因(typeⅡiodothyronine deiodinase gene,DIO2)和3型脱碘酶基因(type Ⅲiodothyronine deiodinase gene,DIO3)对啮齿动物(Rodentia)和绵羊(Ovis aries)的季节性繁殖活动具有重要调控作用.本研究选择常年发情济宁青山羊(Capra hircus)和季节性发情辽宁绒山羊(C.hircus)作为实验对象,应用反转录PCR和定量PCR技术分别对两个基因的组织表达谱及繁殖轴组织中两个基因的表达差异进行检测分析.研究发现,(1)DIO2基因在所研究的24个组织都有一定量表达,DIO3基因主要在小脑、海马、下丘脑、垂体、脑桥以及卵巢和肾上腺等表达,品种间两基因组织表达谱相似;(2)济宁青山羊垂体DIO2基因表达量显著高于辽宁绒山羊(P＜0.05),下丘脑、卵巢表达量也均高于辽宁绒山羊,但两品种间差异不显著(P＞0.05),子宫表达量显著低于辽宁绒山羊(P＜0.05);(3)对于下丘脑组织DIO3基因,则济宁青山羊表达量比辽宁绒山羊明显要高(P＜0.05),而对于卵巢和子宫DIO3基因表达量,则济宁青山羊明显比辽宁绒山羊低(P＜0.05),济宁青山羊垂体DIO3基因表达量低于辽宁绒山羊,但两品种间差异不显著(P＞0.05).本研究提示DIO2和DIO3基因可能与山羊季节性繁殖调控有关,研究结果可为初步揭示山羊繁殖季节性分子调控机制提供参考.     

新疆多浪羊FecB突变检测及与产羔数的关系

骨形态发生蛋白受体IB基因(BMPR-IB)FecB突变是影响布鲁拉美利奴和小尾寒羊高繁殖力的主效基因.本研究采集产双羔及以上的多浪羊(Ovis aries)母羊135只及后代羔羊血样共353份,公羊血样211份,利用PCR-RFLP技术检测FecB突变,并分析不同基因型个体母羊的产羔数.结果表明:在多浪羊群体中检测到BB、B+和++基因型,基因型频率分别为0.005,0.146和0.849.B+型多浪羊产羔数均值比++型多0.51只(P<0.01),BB型多浪羊产羔数分别与B+和++型差异不显著.多浪羊群体在FecB位点上处于Hard-Weinberg平衡状态,表明在该位点上没有受到选择的影响.本研究首次在新疆多浪羊群体中发现了FecB突变BB基因型公、母羊个体(1只公羊和2只母羊),揭示多浪羊多羔产生的机理可能与布鲁拉美利奴和小尾寒羊相同,在生产过程中可以根据携带FecB突变的情况开展选种选配,组建多浪羊肉用高繁品系.     

小尾寒羊MTNR1A基因外显子2的克隆与序列分析

对常年发情的绵羊品种小尾寒羊和季节性发情的绵羊品种多赛特羊共20只母羊的褪黑激素受体1A(melatonin receptor 1A，MTNR1A)基因外显子2的824 bp扩增产物进行了克隆测序及序列比较分析。结果表明, 小尾寒羊MTNR1A基因外显子2的核苷酸序列与已发表的绵羊序列(GenBank登录号U14109)完全相同。小尾寒羊与多赛特羊MTNR1A基因外显子2的差异由5个变化的核苷酸(分别为C329T、G355T、C566T、C580A和A675G)组成，核苷酸同源性为99.4%。小尾寒羊与山羊、母牛、猪、人、小鼠、挪威大鼠、西伯利亚仓鼠和鸡之间MTNR1A基因外显子2的核苷酸序列同源性为73.2%～98.5%，氨基酸序列同源性为78.5%～98.5%。     

绵羊GlyCAM-1基因克隆、核苷酸变异及其组织表达分析

糖基化依赖细胞粘附分子(GlyCAM-1)是粘液素(mucin)糖蛋白家族的成员,是乳腺细胞合成的一种乳脂球膜蛋白(MFGMPs)的重要组成部分。GlyCAM-1在乳腺发育和泌乳中发挥着重要作用,为探究该基因的序列特征、核苷酸序列变异和表达特征,以高泌乳量的小尾寒羊(泌乳高峰期和空怀期)和低泌乳量的甘肃高山细毛羊(泌乳高峰期)的乳腺组织为研究对象,利用克隆测序、RT-qPCR、生物信息学等方法克隆绵羊GlyCAM-1基因的编码区,分析GlyCAM-1的理化性质和蛋白质结构,并检测GlyCAM-1基因的组织表达特性。结果表明,绵羊的GlyCAM-1基因CDS区全长465 bp,编码154个氨基酸。测序结果表明,在该基因CDS区检测到7个SNPs,其中2个为同义突变,5个为错义突变。GlyCAM-1二级结构主要以α-螺旋和无规则卷曲为主,延伸链则散布于整个蛋白质结构中。String分析结果表明,GlyCAM-1蛋白与CD34、MadCAM-1都作为L-选择素(L-selectin)的配体发挥作用;RT-qPCR结果表明,GlyCAM-1基因表达具有组织特异性、品种特异性和时空特异性,乳腺、心脏、肝脏、肺脏、脾脏、肾脏、卵巢和背最长肌8个组织中,GlyCAM-1基因只在乳腺和肺脏组织中表达,在其余6个组织中均不表达,其中乳腺中的表达量最高;在泌乳高峰期的乳腺组织中,GlyCAM-1在高泌乳量的小尾寒羊中的表达量显著高于甘肃高山细毛羊(P<0.05);在小尾寒羊的乳腺组织中,GlyCAM-1在泌乳高峰期的表达量极显著高于空怀期(P<0.01)。本研究结果丰富了绵羊基因组数据,为深入研究GlyCAM-1基因的泌乳生物学功能及其机理提供了基础数据。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.