In vivo growth and genomic characterization of rickettsia‐like organisms isolated from farmed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in New Zealand

A rickettsia‐like organism, designated NZ‐RLO2, was isolated from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farmed in the South Island, New Zealand. In vivo growth showed NZ‐RLO2 was able to grow in CHSE‐214, EPC, BHK‐21, C6/36 and Sf21 cell lines, while Piscirickettsia salmonis LF‐89^T grew in all but BHK‐21 and Sf21. NZ‐RLO2 grew optimally in EPC at 15°C, CHSE‐214 and EPC at 18°C. The growth of LF‐89 ^T was optimal at 15°C, 18°C and 22°C in CHSE‐24, but appeared less efficient in EPC cells at all temperatures. Pan‐genome comparison of predicted proteomes shows that available Chilean strains of P. salmonis grouped into two clusters (p‐value = 94%). NZ‐RLO2 was genetically different from previously described NZ‐RLO1, and both strains grouped separately from the Chilean strains in one of the two clusters (p‐value = 88%), but were closely related to each other. TaqMan and Sybr Green real‐time PCR targeting RNA polymerase (rpoB) and DNA primase (dnaG), respectively, were developed to detect NZ‐RLO2. This study indicates that the New Zealand strains showed a closer genetic relationship to one of the Chilean P. salmonis clusters; however, more Piscirickettsia genomes from wider geographical regions and diverse hosts are needed to better understand the classification within this genus.     

Detection and characterization of a rhabdovirus causing mortality in black bullhead catfish,Ameiurus melas

This study fully describes a severe disease outbreak occurred in 2016 in black bullhead catfish farmed in Italy. Affected fish showed nervous clinical signs as well as emaciations and haemorrhagic petechiae on the skin at the fin bases, abdomen and gills. Viral isolation in cell culture allowed the subsequent identification of a rhabdovirus, tentatively named ictalurid rhabdovirus (IcRV), through electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The newly isolated virus, together with 14 additional viral strains stored in our repository and detected during similar mortality episodes in the period 1993–2016, was phylogenetically analysed on the basis of the nucleoprotein and the glycoprotein nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The genetic distances among Italian IcRV strains were also estimated. Our results show that all the IcRV strains belong to the genus Sprivivirus and are closely related to the tench rhabdovirus (TenRV). Italian catfish production is constantly decreasing, mainly due to viral infections, which include the newly characterized IcRV. Data presented in this work will assist to investigate the molecular epidemiology and the diffusive dynamics of this virus and to develop adequate surveillance activities.     

Comparative genomic insights into the taxonomy of Edwardsiella tarda isolated from different hosts: Marine,freshwater and migratory fish

Edwardsiella tarda, a Gram‐negative member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, has been isolated from many animal species worldwide, especially fish species. Its broad host range indicates the diversity in taxonomy, which attracted the attention of many researchers. Here, we added genome of E. tarda strain isolated from freshwater fish to comparative genomics study for the first time. We sequenced and assembled the genome of E. tarda ASE201307 which was isolated from freshwater Asian swamp eel. ASE201307 genome contained a single circular chromosome of 3.68M with G+C 57.09% content. Comparative genomics including SNP calling, synteny block, Core/Pan genes analysis and phylogeny analysis was conducted among ASE201307 and other Edwardsiella strains isolated from different fish species. Results of SNP analysis and synteny block demonstrated the close relative of ASE201307, FL95.01 and DT which were all isolated from freshwater fish. In further analysis heat map of dispensable genes and phylogenetic tree, all E. tarda strains were divided into two groups. One was isolated from freshwater fish and the other was isolated from marine/migratory fish. Based on all studies above, we proposed the living environment of hosts as a new taxonomic character and divided E. tarda isolated from diseased fish into freshwater group and marine/migratory group.     

脊尾白虾不同发育期mtDNA拷贝数变化特征分析

为了解脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)在不同发育期线粒体基因组(mtDNA)拷贝数的变化特征,本研究共采集其8个时期(受精卵期、溞状幼体Ⅰ期、溞状幼体Ⅱ期、溞状幼体Ⅲ期、溞状幼体Ⅳ期、溞状幼体Ⅴ期、仔虾期和成虾期)的DNA样品,利用TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR技术,对上述各发育期单个细胞中的mtDNA拷贝数进行了测定。检测结果显示,脊尾白虾受精卵期、溞状幼体Ⅰ期、溞状幼体Ⅱ期、溞状幼体Ⅲ期、溞状幼体Ⅳ期、溞状幼体Ⅴ期、仔虾期和成虾期的mtDNA拷贝数的均值分别为2366、2648、2644、2873、3559、9948、6452和8872。进一步统计分析结果显示,mtDNA拷贝数与发育时间存在正相关性,相关系数为0.83。研究表明,随着脊尾白虾不断生长,其单个细胞中mtDNA拷贝数总体呈上升趋势。     

苹果茎沟病毒吉林沙果分离物全基因组序列分析

通过RT-PCR结合RACE技术扩增到苹果茎沟病毒（Apple stem grooving virus,ASGV）吉林沙果分离物（ASGV-JLSG）全长基因组（登录号：FM616381）,共含有6 496个核苷酸（nt）,编码两个彼此重叠的开放阅读框（Open reading frame,ORF）。ORF1（37 ~ 6 354 nt）编码1个241 kD的多聚蛋白,含有甲基转移酶（Methyltransferase）、木瓜蛋白酶（Papain-like-protease）、解旋酶（Nucleotide triphosphate-binding helicase）、RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶（RNA-dependent RNA polymerase）和C端的外壳蛋白（Coat protein,CP）等结构域。ORF2（4 788 ~ 5 750 nt）编码1个36 kD的运动蛋白（Movement protein,MP）。ASGV-JLSG分离物与GenBank公布的29个ASGV分离物全基因核苷酸序列一致性为79.20% ~ 86.60%。系统发育分析结果表明,30个ASGV分离物分成2个组,分离物间没有表现出寄主专一性和地理分布规律。重组分析发现,ASGV-JLSG分离物是苹果茎沟病毒黄花梨分离物（ASGV-HH,JN701424）和柑橘碎叶病毒满头红分离物（CTLV-MTHK,C588948）的重组体。本研究中获得的ASGV-JLSG分离物基因组是来源于中国东北地区的首个ASGV基因组序列。     

Molecular breeding technologies and strategies for rust resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) for sustained food security

Wheat is an important cereal food crop providing key nutrients to humankind. Rusts are the most destructive pathogens of cereal crops, with the exception of rice, across the world and resistant cultivars have been widely employed to reduce the yield losses caused by them. The modern intensive monoculture of cultivars and changing climatic conditions has created congenial conditions for the emergence of new virulent races such as Ug99, which is a great concern for world food security. Conventional breeding efforts have not been effective in quickly developing new varieties with durable and broad‐spectrum resistance against the rapidly evolving rust pathogen races. However, in the last two decades, biotechnological methods such as marker‐assisted selection (MAS) and transgenic technology have provided novel strategies for enhancing resistance levels and durability in crop plants in a short span of time. Nevertheless, broad application of transgenics in agriculture is hindered by biosafety apprehensions. In recent years, improved versions of biotechnological breeding methods such as genomic selection, genome editing technologies, cisgenesis and intragenesis, RNA‐dependent DNA methylation (RdDM), agroinfiltration and reverse breeding are gaining popularity. These technologies provide a tremendous capability to manipulate crop plants more precisely than before and accelerate crop improvement efforts for sustained food production as well as overcoming safety concerns associated with food crops.     

家蚕安全转基因技术研究现状与展望

转基因技术是实现基因功能研究和生物遗传改良的重要工具。转基因生物安全问题主要包括转基因操作技术安全与转基因产品安全这两个方面。近年来业内对转基因生物的安全性研究主要集中于转基因农作物、水生动物和家禽、家畜等大型动物在医药、农业和食品工业等领域的安全评估,而对于具有重要科研与经济价值的农业昆虫安全转基因技术研究的报道则较为有限,而且农业部至今未有转基因昆虫安全性评估的先例。家蚕（Bombyx mori）是重要的鳞翅目模式昆虫和农业经济昆虫,家蚕安全转基因技术的深入研究对于促进基础遗传学发展和推动蚕丝产业发展均具有重要价值和意义。自2000年第一例转基因家蚕建立以来,转基因技术已广泛应用于家蚕基因功能鉴定的基础研究和品种改良的应用研究领域,但转基因家蚕的安全性问题却成了限制转基因家蚕实用化应用的主要瓶颈。因此,开展家蚕安全转基因技术体系研究对促进转基因家蚕安全性评估和产业化具有重要意义。本文系统地概述了基于条件基因打靶的家蚕安全转基因技术体系的建立与研究现状,讨论了家蚕安全转基因技术的发展趋势和应用前景,以期为转基因动物特别是农业转基因昆虫的安全转基因技术建立和完善提供参考。     

胡椒瘟病生防菌 Bacillus subtilis VD18R19 全基因组测序及 比较基因组学分析

Bacillus subtilis VD18R19 具有促进胡椒生长和防治胡椒瘟病的效果,全基因组测序是其分子机理研究和开发 利用的重要基础。本研究采用第二代 Illumina 平台与第三代 PacBio 平台相结合的测序技术,对生防菌 VD18R19 进行 全基因组测序,并进行比较基因组学分析。结果发现,VD18R19 全基因组大小为 4 123 380 bp,GC 含量为 43.80%, 编码基因 4 245 个;含有 tRNA 85 个、rRNA 30 个、sRNA 33 个;含有串联重复序列 60 个,其中小卫星 DNA 43 个、 微卫星 DNA 1 个;共线性分析、core-pan 基因分析及基因家族分析结果均显示 VD18R19 与模式菌株 B. subtilis 168 具 有高度的同源性;antiSMASH 软件预测及同源序列比对结果显示,VD18R19 菌株中含有 6 个抑菌次生代谢产物合成基 因簇,编码 surfactin、plipastatin、bacillibactin、bacilysin、bacillaene、subtilosin A 等抑菌物质,其合成途径涵盖了核 糖体途径、非核糖体途径和聚酮合酶途径。本研究为深入研究生防菌 VD18R19 的分子机理奠定生物信息学基础,有利 于生防菌株及其抑菌次生代谢产物的开发和利用。     

竹子基因调查分析报告

竹子作为一种重要经济植物,具有经济、生态和文化价值。随着生物技术的快速发展,越来越多的以竹类植物为对象的基因序列得到克隆与验证,基于BPG(2012)更新系统,截至2014年底,已经有3913个竹子基因得到确证,这些基因覆盖了竹亚科的3个族,隶属19个属30个种。文章统计分析了已确认的基因描述、基因类型和参考序列情况,展望了竹子基因发展态势。     

黄瓜绿斑驳病毒河北分离物基因组克隆及序列分析

为揭示河北省黄瓜绿斑驳病毒(Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus,CGMMV)分类地位及系统进化情况,通过分子克隆测定了来自河北省西瓜产区分离获得的分离物CGMMV-chb的近全基因组序列,分析其基因组结构特征;并依据近全基因组核苷酸序列及外壳蛋白氨基酸序列进行了系统进化关系分析。结果表明,CGMMV-chb近全基因组大小为6 383 nts,Gen Bank登录号为KJ658958,含4个开放阅读框,编码4种蛋白;与Gen Bank库中的其它12个CGMMV分离物的核苷酸相似性为92%~100%,氨基酸相似性为98%~100%。CGMMV-chb与韩国分离物CGMMV-KW基因序列相似性最高,为98%~100%,与以色列分离物CGMMV isolate Ec基因序列相似性最低,为92%~99%;系统进化关系中CGMMV-chb与其它中国分离物、日韩分离物亲缘关系较近,处于同一亚组的不同分支中,与以色列分离物亲缘关系相对较远。