金花茶异戊烯焦磷酸异构酶基因全长cDNA的克隆与生物信息学分析

为深入研究金花茶花瓣类胡萝卜素合成的分子机理,在成功提取金花茶花瓣总RNA的基础上,利用同源克隆和RACE技术克隆得到了异戊烯焦磷酸异构酶基因的cDNA序列全长,命名为CnIPI。碱基序列分析表明:CnIPI基因全长916 bp,包含有一个长度为747 bp编码248个氨基酸的开发阅读框。生物信息学分析表明:该基因编码的CnIPI蛋白质分子量为27.97 kD,为稳定亲水性蛋白,无信号肽;CnIPI蛋白的二级结构以无规则卷曲为主,β-折叠所占比例最少;CnIPI蛋白含有一个典型的异戊烯焦磷酸异构酶结构域。氨基酸序列同源性分析结果表明:CnIPI蛋白与茶、月季、杜鹃等植物IPI蛋白的同源性高于86%。CnIPI基因的克隆使全面理解金花茶花瓣类胡萝卜素合成的分子途径取得了新的突破,为进一步深入研究CnIPI基因的功能及金花茶花瓣类胡萝卜素合成的分子机理奠定了良好的理论基础。     

甜橙液泡转化酶基因(CSVI)的分离及全序列分析

根据不同植物液泡转化酶基因序列的保守区设计合成引物，采用滤纸吸附噬菌体PCR法，首次从甜橙基因组文库筛选出含甜橙液泡转化酶基因的阳性X噬菌体，经过大量培养并提取其DNA，限制性内切酶消化后进行DIG southern印迹分析，将阳性条带回收、加工并克隆测序。序列分析表明，该基因全长4722bp，编码588个氨基酸，包括6个外显子和5个内含子。在GenBank进行Blast检索的结果表明，该基因编码的氨基酸序列与马铃薯、番茄和酸樱桃液泡转化酶基因编码的氨基酸序列同源性分别为68％、68％和62％。系统进化关系聚类分析结果表明，该基因属液泡转化酶基因类型。该基因已经在GenBank登录(登录号：AF433643)。该基因的获得为从分子水平研究柑桔果实发育过程中蔗糖积累和分解机制以及通过基因工程改良果实品质奠定了基础。     

荔波连蕊茶肌动蛋白基因全长cDNA的克隆及其表达分析

根据植物肌动蛋白(Actin)基因编码区的保守序列设计引物,以山茶属植物荔波连蕊茶幼嫩茎段为材料,提取总RNA,进行RT-PCR。采用RACE技术扩增获得1 631 bp的Actin基因全长cDNA序列,命名为ClActin1(GenBank登录号KF366912)。序列分析表明,ClActin1开放阅读框(ORF)为1 134 bp,编码377个氨基酸,5’非编码区90 bp,3’非编码区407 bp。预测的ClActin1蛋白分子量为41.69 kD,理论等电点为5.31,具有Actin超基因家族的保守结构域和肌动蛋白家族特有的特征信号序列。ClActin1与GenBank中收录的其它植物肌动蛋白核苷酸序列的相似性在82%以上,氨基酸序列的相似性在97%以上。与其它植物肌动蛋白比较并构建系统进化树,结果显示山茶肌动蛋白与茶树和杨树的肌动蛋白的亲缘关系最为密切。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,该基因在荔波边蕊茶不同组织器官及不同发育时期的表达量稳定,表明ClActin1基因可作为内参基因。     

天女木兰种子天冬氨酸蛋白酶基因的克隆与分析

天冬氨酸蛋白酶在天女木兰种子萌发过程中发挥着重要作用。以天女木兰种子为试验材料,利用同源克隆法RACE技术,从天女木兰种子中克隆得到天冬氨酸蛋白酶基因,全长1 545 bp,可以编码514个氨基酸残基。同源性分析显示,目的序列推导的氨基酸序列与其它植物中已知的天冬氨酸蛋白酶基因的氨基酸序列的同源性都在85%以上;采用生物信息学的方法进行分析,初步预测该基因编码的蛋白属于跨膜的分泌蛋白,大部分区域属于疏水结构;结构域的预测分析显示,此类蛋白包含约100个植物组织蛋白酶所特有的区域,该区域可能在植物液泡中发挥着重要作用。本研究为下一步系统、全面地研究天女木兰种子休眠的分子机理奠定了基础。     

月月桂AACT基因的cDNA全长克隆及生物信息学分析

为了克隆分离月月桂AACT(乙酰辅酶A酰基转移酶)全长基因,并研究其基因特征和蛋白结构,以月月桂花瓣RNA为模板,通过反转录PCR及RACCE技术分离克隆AACT全长。再利用NCBI网站及生物信息学软件对其碱基分布、氨基酸组成、亲疏水性、二级结构、保守区及三级结构进行预测和分析,并对10个物种的AACT氨基酸进行多重比对,对基因进行进化分析。分离克隆出AACT基因的cDNA序列长为1580bp,编码405个氨基酸,该蛋白质相对分子质量为41347.89D,等电点为5.66,其中Ala含量最高为14.53%,平均疏水值为0.215,属Cond-enzymes超家族。氨基酸序列比对中,胡黄连、假马齿苋氨基酸序列同源性最高。OsAACT基因稳定,编码的蛋白为疏水性蛋白,其在进化过程中相对保守。试验获得的基因信息为萜类物质合成途径进一步研究奠定基础。     

欧美杨107次生木质部纤维素合酶基因片段的克隆及序列分析

以欧美杨107次生木质部为材料提取总RNA,克隆得到了一个纤维素合酶基因片段.序列分析表明:该基因序列为883bp,与Populus tremula×Populus tremuloides木质部特异性纤维素合酶基因CesAl和Populus×canescen纤维素合酶基因的相似性均达到99%,与Populus tremuloides木质部特异性纤维素合酶基因Cex43的相似性达到98%.此片段拟表达的氨基酸序列具有纤维素合酶共有的锌指结构和一个不完全的高突变区,证明此DNA片段是纤维素合酶基因的片段,构建了重组质粒,并命名为pMD20-T-CesA1.     

慈竹β-tubulin基因片段的克隆及序列分析

利用Trizol一步法提取慈竹幼笋总RNA,运用RT-PCR方法首次在慈竹中克隆到3条β-tubulin基因部分序列,命名为Na-βtub1、Naβ-tub2、Naβ-tub3,长度分别为958bp、958bp和959bp,分别编码318、318和319个氨基酸。核酸和氨基酸的序列比对分析结果表明,慈竹中3条β-tubulin基因核酸和推测的氨基酸序列之间相似性分别为92.46%和98.22%,与禾本科植物水稻、玉米、小麦的β-tubulin基因核酸和氨基酸序列相似性分别在89%和95%以上。     

尾叶桉GLU4肉桂酰-辅酶A还原酶基因克隆及原核表达

肉桂酰-辅酶A还原酶(Cinnamoyl Co-A Reductase,CCR)是木质素合成中的关键酶,根据植物中CCR保守序列设计引物,以尾叶桉GLU4嫩茎为材料克隆到其CCR基因,命名为Eu CCR。该基因g DNA长2 918bp,c DNA长1 045 bp,CDS区编码336个氨基酸。EuCCR核酸序列与Gen Bank已登录的桉属植物CCR基因同源性达到96%以上,与伞房属、杯果木属植物CCR的同源性达85%以上,其编码的氨基酸序列经比对发现具有完整FR_SDR_e结构域及NADP结合位点和底物结合位点,与可可树等植物中CCR基因编码序列同源性也在84%以上,确定为CCR基因。对EuCCR蛋白序列理化性质及结构进行生物信息学分析,利用MEGA软件对基因序列进行系统进化树分析。采用pQE30/M15系统对EuCCR进行原核表达,重组质粒成功表达分子量约36 kD的目的蛋白。本研究从尾叶桉GLU4中克隆得到EuCCR基因并原核表达,为该基因的酶学分析以及利用该基因转化调控尾叶桉木质素合成奠定基础。     

巨龙竹AINTEGUMENTA基因的克隆研究

为进一步探索臣龙竹速生与巨大的分子机理,研究其AINTEGUMENTA（ANT）基因功能,研究试验以巨龙竹cDNA第一链为模板,用简并引物、基因特异引物以及运用RACE技术首次克隆出巨龙竹ANT基因全长cDNA序列。其序列全长为1914bp,与水稻、玉米、小麦等植物同类基因序列相似性高达85％;并且含有一个837bp的开放阅读框,编码278个与水稻、拟南芥和烟草ANT蛋白氨基酸序列有着较高同源性的巨龙竹ANT前体蛋白氨基酸序列。     

桃水孔蛋白基因克隆及序列分析

为给水孔蛋白(AQP)在低温对花芽发育和休眠调控中的作用研究奠定基础,以低温休眠的桃"满天红"花芽为试材,提取总RNA,根据其它植物AQP基因保守区设计简并引物,采用RT-PCR方法,扩增出3个编码长约147个氨基酸序列的水孔蛋白基因PpPIP1-1、PpPIP1-2和PpPIP2-1。同源性比对结果表明这些序列与其它物种AQP基因具有较高的同源性。这3个AQP基因的氨基酸序列均具有MIP家族的特征信号序列SGXHXNPAVT,还具有植物质膜水孔蛋白(PIP)家族的特征信号序列GGGANXXXXGY和TGI/TNPARSL/FGAAI/VI/VF/YN。经系统发育分析将这3个AQP基因分为2类,分属PIP蛋白的PIP1和PIP2亚家族成员。     

Improving the evaluation of multiple-dowel-type connection strength

Our study focuses on predicting the ultimate short-term load carrying capacity of timber-to-timber connections with dowel-type fasteners. The wide range of possible configurations in practice makes the resolution of these values by tests unrealistic. Moreover, different current regulations do not consider some specific failure mechanisms. In many countries, the reduction of resistance involved by this phenomenon is taken into account by considering an effective number of dowels (n_ef) smaller than the actual number of dowels (n) in the connection. However, these different regulations disagree on the values of n_ef and on other points (spacing, partial coefficient of security, formulas). These discrepancies in design rules invite the fundamental research on this topic and, therefore, new methods are sought in order to estimate the load carrying capacities of the connections. In the light of these, our approach consists of predicting the load carrying capacity with the neural network numerical tool. The results obtained by this analysis tool are satisfactory, although the model remains complex. Subsequently, we focus on the simplification of this numerical model with classical regression techniques in order to implement it in a design code.     

Rehabilitation of diseased cacao fields in Peru through shade regulation and timing of biocontrol measures

The objective of this case study was to test the effectiveness of biocontrol for the rehabilitation of abandoned, diseased (moniliasis, witches' broom and black pod) cocoa and to develop testable hypotheses regarding the effect of shade and biocontrol timing. Three trial fields differed in their shade regimes. Biocontrol was administered starting either at flowering or pod filling. Disease incidence and yield were compared with cultural control alone. Biocontrol reduced moniliasis from 49% to 25%, independent of the shading regime and application time. Witches' broom was most severe without shade and unaffected by biocontrol. No significant effects on black pod were observed. Although biocontrol increased percentage healthy fruit independent of shading and timing, only the shaded plot with biocontrol from flowering onwards responded with increased yield. Our hypothesis is: 'In the rehabilitation of abandoned cacao, only fields under sustainable shade management and early onset of biocontrol can realise their production potential.' This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Decomposition and nutrient loss from prunings of different contour hedgerow species in tea plantations in the sloping highlands of Sri Lanka

Contour hedgerows of multipurpose tree species in the sloping tea lands of Sri Lanka are expected to reduce soil erosion and also add significant amounts of plant nutrients to the soil via periodic prunings. The objective of this experiment was to characterize the biomass decomposition pattern and quantify the amount of nutrients added through prunings of six tree species (Calliandra calothyrsus, Senna spectabilis, Euphatorium innulifolium, Flemingia congesta, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia) currently being used in hedgerows associated with tea. Withered leaf and stem prunings (50 g) were enclosed in 2-mm litter bags, placed at 5-cm depth and retrieved after one, three, six, nine and 12 weeks. Loss of initial dry weight, N, P and K was measured. Single exponential decay function adequately described both dry weight and nutrient loss. Tree species differed significantly in their rate of breakdown with decomposition constants (k) varying from 0.0299 to 0.2006 week⁻¹ for leaves and from 0.0225 to 0.0633 week⁻¹ for stems. Gliricidia showed the highest k for leaves with the rest in the following descending order: Senna > Tithonia ≥ Euphatorium > Calliandra > Flemingia. A similar pattern was observed for loss of all nutrients with Calliandra and Flemingia always having lower k values than the rest. Although N immobilization was not observed, immobilization of P and K was observed during the first week of incubation in some species, particularly in stem prunings. Annual biomass of prunings differed significantly between tree species in the following descending order: Calliandra > Senna > Flemingia > Tithonia > Gliricidia > Euphatorium. Calliandra added the greatest amount of nutrients annually to the soil with Euphatorium adding the least. Calliandra prunings provided the annual total K requirement and 49% of the N requirement of mature tea. However, none of the species provided more than 5% of the P requirement. It is concluded that among the tree species tested, Calliandra and Flemingia are the most suitable for contour hedgerows in tea plantations of this agroclimatic region because of their higher soil nutrient enrichment capacity and slower decomposition rates which would minimize leaching losses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Insecticidal activity of certain medicinal plants

The methanol extracts of eight species of medicinal plants were tested for insecticidal activity in third instar larvae of Egyptian cottonworm (Spodoptera littoralis). All extracts showed a certain degree of larval toxicity. The extracts of Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana and Salvia officinalis appeared to be highly toxic. The extracts significantly affected the growth indexes [relative growth rate (RGR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD)].     

Trees and shrubs as sources of fodder in Australia

Experience with browse plants in Australia is briefly reviewed in terms of their forage value to animals, their economic value to the landholder and their ecological contribution to landscape stability. Of the cultivated species only two have achieved any degree of commercial acceptance (Leucaena leucocephala and Chamaecytisus palmensis). Both of these are of sufficiently high forage value to be used as the sole source of feed during seasonal periods of nutritional shortage. Both are also leguminous shrubs that establish readily from seed. It is suggested that a limitation in their present use is the reliance on stands of single species which leaves these grazing systems vulnerable to disease and insects. Grazing systems so far developed for high production and persistence of cultivated species involve short periods of intense grazing followed by long periods of recovery. Similar management may be necessary in the arid and semi-arid rangelands where palatable browse species are in decline.     

Populations of adult fungus gnats and shore flies in British Columbia container nurseries as related to nursery environment,and incidence of fungi on the insects

Adult fungus gnat and shore fly populations were monitored in four container nurseries near Victoria, British Columbia. In general, populations of both insects were larger in summer than in winter. Also, both insects were more abundant in the nursery with a plastic-covered, soil floor, which favored moisture accumulation and build up of algae, liverworts and mosses, than in nurseries with other types of floors such as cement. Results of fungus isolations revealed that gnats and flies both harbor the seedling pathogens Botrytis cinerea and species of Fusarium and Phoma, plus several non-pathogenic fungi. The results are discussed in relation to nursery sanitation practices, their effects on gnat and fly populations, and some possible roles of these insects in seedling disease epidemiology.     

Constituents of aromatic plants: carvacrol

Carvacrol is a component of numerous aromatic plants. Up to now, no toxicological data were available. Carvacrol show a weak activity in the mutagenicity studies. Moreover, in the metabolism study, carvacrol has shown to be excreted with urine after 24 h in large quantities or unchanged or as glucoronide and sulphate conjugates. The available data do not allow the assessment of the NOEL. Further toxicological studies are needed.     

Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptation can be conferred through grafting

Baobab leaves form an important part of the local diet in Sahel countries and elsewhere in Africa. Existing leaf nutritional data and agroforestry performance information are based solely on Adansonia digitata L., the baobab of continental Africa. The introduction potential of Adansonia species from the center of diversity in Madagascar and from Australia remains untapped. To assess this potential, the mineral contents and B₁ and B₂ vitamin levels of dried baobab leaves were determined for five-year old trees of A. digitata, A. gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. Baum, A. rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier (syn. A. fony Baill.), A. perrieri Capuron and A. za Baill. grown in an introduction trial in Mali. Nutritional data were evaluated against survival and vigor to identify promising germplasm. Leaf vitamin and crude protein contents were highest in the Madagascar species, especially A. rubrostipa (B₁ 88 mg 100 g⁻¹, B₂ 187 mg 100 g⁻¹, protein 20.7% dry weight). However, the local species far outperformed the introductions in survival, tree height, basal diameter and resistance to termites. We suggest grafting as a way of harnessing the vigor of well-adapted local baobab varieties to the superior nutritional profiles of A. rubrostipa and others. Cross-species grafting tests in Adansonia were successful, thus creating new agroforestry possibilities with different scion/rootstock combinations.     

Effects of thinning on growth of six tree species in north-temperate forests of Lithuania

This paper summarises the results from 35 years-observed thinning experiments on 256 permanent sample plots in 10–60 year-old stands of ash, aspen, birch, oak, pine and spruce in Lithuania. Thinning enhanced crown projection area increment of residual trees. The largest effect was observed in stands of aspen and birch (growth increase by 200%), followed by ash and oak (over 100%), and spruce and pine (about 80%). Thinning also promoted dbh increment, especially in younger stands, and the increase of dbh increment was positively correlated with the thinning intensity. The strongest reaction was exhibited by oak and aspen, while ash, birch and conifers reacted to a lower extent. Low and moderate intensities of thinning stimulated volume production in younger stands while the opposite was observed in older stands with increasing removals. Spruce stands exhibited relatively strongest increase of volume increment and pine, –the weakest, while the effect on deciduous species was intermediate. The results demonstrate that significant increase in volume increment is achievable with thinning of only young forest stands, e.g. 10–20 year-old pine, birch and ash, or 10–30 year-old oak, aspen and spruce.     

Fallow enrichment of a traditional slash/mulch system in southern Costa Rica: comparisons of biomass production and crop yield

The slash and mulch system of frijol tapado or covered bean is a pre-hispanic system of bean production found throughout much of Central America. However, land use pressures have forced farmers to shorten the traditional fallow period, thus resulting in decreasing productivity. A potential solution is to enrich the fallow by using leguminous nitrogen-fixing trees. The enriched fallow systems evaluated in this study include both single and mixed species treatments: 1) Erythrina poeppigiana; 2) Calliandra colothrysus; 3) Gliricidia sepium; 4) Inga edulis; 5) Inga edulis and Erythrina poeppigiana; 6) Inga edulis and Calliandra calothrysus; and 7) Inga edulis and Gliricidia sepium. Biomass production of the fallow vegetation is shown to be of greater quality and quantity in all fallow enrichment treatments. However, bean yields did not show a significant response to the fallow enrichment treatments.