西瓜枯萎病菌T-DNA插入转化子库的构建及其质量评价

为研究西瓜枯萎病菌的致病分子机理,开展了病原菌的转化子库构建工作。采用携带潮霉素抗性p TFCM双元载体的农杆菌AGL-1介导的ATMT转化方法 ,获得菌株FON-01的转化子,通过表型观察筛选突变体。结果表明:当乙酰丁香酮(AS)浓度为200μmol/L、农杆菌OD600为0.4、分生孢子浓度为1×106个/m L时,于28℃共培养48 h转化效率高达(663.33±24.95)个/106个孢子。构建了总数为3 832个的转化子库并对其进行了质量评价,从2 201个转化子中筛选出菌落形态、生长速度及产孢量等方面有所变异的突变体73个。病原菌转化子库的构建为进一步开展致病分子机理及相关基因克隆等方面研究奠定基础。     

甘蔗镰孢菌插入突变体库的构建、致病变异突变体筛选及突变基因定位

由镰孢菌复合种引起的甘蔗梢腐病（pokkah boeng disease, PBD）是甘蔗的主要病害之一。在广西,甘蔗镰孢菌（Fusarium sacchari）是PBD的优势病原菌。尽管PBD的研究已有较长的历史,但甘蔗镰孢菌的致病分子机理远未得到阐明。为研究甘蔗镰孢菌的致病分子机理,本研究采用农杆菌介导的遗传转化（Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation,ATMT）技术构建甘蔗镰孢菌FF001菌株的T-DNA插入突变体库。采用携带潮霉素B磷酸转移酶基因pTHR1-AH双元载体的农杆菌菌株AGL-1介导转化F. sacchari分生孢子,获得3018个转化子;随机选取12个转化子进行PCR检测和Southern杂交分析,结果显示所有检测突变株均插入潮霉素B磷酸转移酶基因,多数为单拷贝插入。采用离体叶片接种评价转化子的致病力,获得致病力明显减弱21个和致病力增强9个,共30个突变体。通过TAIL-PCR扩增测序并与甘蔗镰孢菌基因组序列比对,确定了其中27个突变株的T-DNA插入位点。观察到多个插入位点伴随有基因组片段缺失,导致1...     

7个木薯细菌性萎蔫病菌致病性相关突变体的鉴定及插入位点基因的分子分析

由地毯草黄单胞木薯萎蔫致病变种(Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.manihotis)侵染引起的细菌性萎蔫病是世界范围内木薯种植中的重要病害,也是为害中国木薯最严重的病害。目前,国内外有关该病病原菌致病分子机理方面的研究还很少,制约了相关防控工作的开展。本项目组在前期构建国内菌株Xam GX11的转化子库的基础上,开展了7个致病相关突变体的分子鉴定、表型变异评价、插入位点侧翼序列的分离和相关基因的分子分析等研究,发现氨基转移酶、葡萄糖-果糖氧化还原酶等基因可能参与病原菌的致病过程。     

油菜黑胫病菌T-DNA插入诱变因素优化及突变体筛选

油菜黑胫病是由Leptosphaeria biglobosa引起的一种真菌病害。这种病害在我国油菜产区广泛发生，并造成一定的经济损失。为通过获取突变体来研究L. biglobosa的生态适应性机制及致病机制，本文优化了影响农杆菌介导转化（ATMT）油菜黑胫病菌L. biglobosa菌株Lb731的因素，评估转化子质量，并筛选相关突变体。结果明确了农杆菌介导转化菌株Lb731的最佳因素：潮霉素B浓度为50 μg/mL，转化受体（分生孢子）培养时间为15 d (20℃)，浓度为2 × 10^7~8孢子/mL，农杆菌-受体共培养温度为25℃，共培养时间为72 h。在最适条件下的转化效率达到80个转化子/百万分生孢子。T-DNA插入基因组的频率为100%，单拷贝插入频率为72.7%，转化子抗潮霉素性状能稳定遗传。从2136个转化子中获得了11个菌丝生长减缓突变体，7个色素产生缺陷突变体和14个分生孢子产生缺陷突变体，并从这些突变体中鉴定出7个致病力丧失突变体。采用hiTAIL-PCR技术，从3个突变体中获得了T-DNA插入位点侧翼序列。上述结果为深入研究L. biglobosa的生态适应性机制及致病机制提供了材料和线索。     

根癌农杆菌介导柱花草炭疽菌遗传转化体系的优化

选取含有氯嘧磺隆抗性标记的ILV1基因和报告基因GFP二元载体的农杆菌AGL-1,采用单因子和双因子方法研究根癌农杆菌AGL-1介导柱花草炭疽菌CH008转化过程中各主要因素对转化率的影响,优化构建ATMT转化柱花草胶孢炭疽菌体系条件,使转化效率达到300 ～400个转化子/106个炭疽孢子,即根癌农杆菌AGL-1浓度OD600=0.8,炭疽菌分生孢子浓度为1x106个/mL,AS浓度为100 μmol/L,诱导时间为6h,共培养温度和时间分别为25 ℃和4d.经PCR检测都有GFP片段,并能够表达绿色荧光蛋白.这为进一步开展炭疽菌对柱花草的致病机理研究提供了依据,优化转化体系有利于后续突变体库的扩大、筛选突变体和致病功能基因的研究.     

木薯细菌性枯萎病菌hrpG基因突变体的获得

为研究hrpG基因在木薯萎蔫病菌致病机理方面的功能,开展了该基因的插入突变及其与致病性之间关系的初步研究.利用pK 18mob质粒载体构建了敲除载体,采用电击法将该载体转化野生型菌株.获得了该基因的突变体并进行了分子鉴定,同时对菌龄、电压、培养基等参数进行了优化.试验结果表明,该基因控制着病原菌的致病性.     

pBBR1MCS2-Tac-EGFP广宿主载体适宜标记Ralstonia solanacearum

利用标记基因追踪病原菌在植物体内的入侵和定殖,是研究病原菌-寄主互作的重要手段。本研究利用电转化法将广宿主载体pBBR1MCS2-Tac-EGFP导入青枯雷尔氏菌（Ralstonia solanacearum）GMI1000菌株中,获得了青枯雷尔氏菌带绿色荧光标记的转化子。转接试验结果表明,转化子的抗生素抗性和绿色荧光强度有良好的遗传稳定性。pBBR1MCS2-Tac-EGFP不影响GMI1000菌株的致病力,且EGFP蛋白能够在植物中稳定表达。灌根法接种试验结果表明,病原菌在第1天即完成对根系的侵染,并在第6天扩散至其他组织,随后造成植株萎蔫。研究结果表明所获转化子可用于后续的病原菌侵染机理等方面的研究。     

橡胶树胶孢炭疽菌T-DNA标记基因Lv1初步分析

通过对实验室已构建的胶孢炭疽菌T-DNA突变体库中各突变体致病力的测定,获得致病力丧失突变菌株T-900,利用TAIL-PCR克隆标记基因侧翼序列,进行比对和序列分析,获取假设基因Lv1的全序列,采用生物信息学方法进行Lv1基因预测及功能分析,最后通过敲除野生型菌株RC178中的基因Lv1进行功能分析。结果表明,获取的假定基因Lv1全序列共4 450 bp,基因预测显示T-DNA侧翼序列位于预测基因的1 727 bp处,正好处于预测基因的第1个外显子内;并且推测该基因为组蛋白H3基因,含有2个内含子,3个外显子;功能验证结果发现敲除突变体△T-900-16与T-900致病力表现一致,推测Lv1基因与RC178的致病力相关。     

橡胶树胶孢炭疽菌组蛋白乙酰转移酶CgGCN5调控致病力功能研究

胶孢炭疽菌引起的炭疽病害是造成海南省橡胶减产的主要原因之一。研究该病原菌致病力的分子机制能够为新型防控策略的研发提供理论依据。在橡胶树胶孢炭疽菌中,存在1个编码组蛋白乙酰转移酶的基因CgGCN5。在本研究中,通过同源重组原理及原生质体转化法构建了橡胶树胶孢炭疽菌CgGCN5的敲除突变株和互补菌株,并对其生长、产孢及致病力等表型进行了初步分析。结果表明,与野生型菌株相比,CgGCN5敲除突变株的生长速率、产孢能力均显著下降;并且突变株对橡胶树叶片的致病力也显著下降;进一步分析表明,突变株丧失了对玻璃纸的穿透力。与此同时,互补菌株能够恢复突变株的相应表型。以上结果表明,CgGCN5在调控胶孢炭疽菌的生长及致病力中起重要作用。     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Potential of dry fractionation of wheat bran for the development of food ingredients,part II: Electrostatic separation of particles

Wheat bran is a composite material made of several layers, such as pericarp, testa and aleurone. It could be fractionated into purified fractions, which might either be used as food ingredients, or serve as a starting material for extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of using electrostatic separation as a way to obtain purified fractions from wheat bran. Ultrafine-ground bran obtained either by cryogenic grinding or by grinding at ambient temperature was used as starting material. The ultrafine bran was then charged by tribo-electrification and introduced in a chamber containing two high voltage electrodes, where bran particles were separated depending on their acquired charge, allowing positively and negatively charged fractions to be collected separately. The particle size distribution, microstructure and biochemical composition of the obtained fractions were studied. The charge of the particles was influenced by their biochemical composition: particles rich in highly branched and cross-linked arabinoxylans (pericarp) were separated from particles rich in β-glucan, ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid (aleurone cell walls). The testa and the intracellular compounds from aleurone were not highly charged, neither positively nor negatively. The most positively charged fraction represented 34% of the initial bran, and contained 62% of the ferulic acid present in the initial bran. The yield of the separation process was good (5.4% loss), and could be further increased.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.