Molecular identification of blast resistance genes in rice landraces from northeastern India

Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating diseases causing huge losses worldwide. In the present study, major blast resistance genes were investigated in landraces originating from northeastern India. Based on phenotypic evaluation, 288 landraces were classified into three distinct groups: resistant (75), moderately resistant (127) and susceptible (86). The genetic frequencies of the 18 major blast resistance genes were between 6.2% and 27.4%, with only two genotypes possessing a maximum of nine blast resistance genes. The cluster and population structure analysis grouped the landraces into two groups. Through principal coordinate analysis, the scatter plots partitioned the resistant and moderately resistant landraces into different groups. Analysis of molecular variance showed maximum (96%) diversity within populations and least (4%) diversity between populations. Association analysis identified six markers, CRG4_2, RM72, tk59-2, pi21_79-3, RM1233 and RM6648, that are significantly associated with blast disease and explained a phenotypic variance of 1.1–6.5%. The associated genes could be used in marker-assisted rice breeding programmes for gene pyramiding to develop rice varietal resistance against blast disease. The present study represents a valuable blast resistance genetic resource that could be used for identification of new R genes, donors for blast resistance, and genomic studies.     

人溶菌酶密码子优化及其在牛乳腺细胞中高效表达

【目的】分析牛乳腺中7种主要乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好性,筛选高频密码子和低频密码子,依据其对人溶菌酶基因进行密码子局部优化和全局优化,通过牛乳腺上皮细胞等多种细胞对优化效果进行分析评价,为提高重组人溶菌酶表达量,开发新型、高效、安全的重组人溶菌酶提供理论依据。【方法】利用CodonW和EMBOSS等软件对7种主要牛乳蛋白和人溶菌酶基因密码子偏好进行生物信息学分析,筛选牛乳蛋白基因高频、低频密码子并根据牛乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好对人溶菌酶基因翻译起始区前22位密码子（LYZop22）和全局密码子(LYZop)分别进行优化。构建人溶菌酶-荧光素酶融合表达载体（pGL3-LYZcw/op22/op）和人溶菌酶过表达载体（pcDNA-LYZcw/op22/op）,将上述载体分别转染牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMEC)、牛成纤维细胞（BFFC）和C127小鼠乳腺上皮细胞等3种细胞,通过荧光素酶、实时荧光定量PCR及Western-blot等方法检测密码子优化对溶菌酶表达的影响。【结果】牛乳蛋白基因密码子偏好以GC结尾,GC3s平均含量为0.537±0.062,而人溶菌酶GC3s含量为0.407,偏好以AT结尾;聚类结果表明,牛乳中酪蛋白与乳清蛋白类基因在密码子使用偏好性上也存在一定差异。依据筛选获得的牛主要乳蛋白基因5个高频密码子（RSCU>1.5）和7个低频密码子（RSCU<0.5）对人溶菌酶基因密码子进行优化并转染多种细胞进行表达效果分析。荧光素酶分析发现,相比野生型溶菌酶密码子（LYZcw）,翻译起始区密码子优化类型LYZop22分别在BMEC、BFFC细胞中提高1.48倍（P<0.01）和1.30倍（P>0.05）;而全局密码子优化类型LYZop分别在BMEC、BFFC中提高2.2倍（P<0.01）和2.44倍（P<0.01）,说明密码子优化能明显提高人溶菌酶在多种细胞中表达量。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,LYZop22相比LYZcw在BMEC和BFFC细胞中分别提高了2.08倍（P<0.05）和1.5倍（P>0.05）,而LYZop则分别提高了22倍（P<0.01）和17.8倍（P<0.01）,mRNA表达水平与密码子优化后的mRNA二级结构稳定性呈正相关。Western-blot结果也进一步表明,密码子优化后的LYZop22和LYZop能明显提高重组人溶菌酶在牛乳腺上皮细胞中的表达量。上述结果表明,根据牛乳腺中主要乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好进行密码子优化,能显著提高人溶菌酶在牛乳腺上皮细胞及成纤维细胞中的表达量,且溶菌酶基因全局密码子优化效果优于翻译起始区密码子优化效果。【结论】通过生物信息学分析获得了牛乳蛋白基因使密码子使用偏好及高低频密码子;依据牛乳蛋白密码子使用偏好性对人溶菌酶密码子优化能显著提高重组人溶菌酶mRNA水平和蛋白水平的表达量,为今后利用生物反应器高效生产重组人溶菌酶奠定基础。     

生物炭连续施用对农田土壤氮转化微生物及N2O排放的影响

【目的】研究连续添加生物炭6年后对农田土壤氮转化相关微生物功能基因的影响,揭示生物炭影响作物产量和N₂O排放的微生物学机制,并为生物炭的推广使用提供理论依据。【方法】通过在潮土农田设置0（BC0,对照)、2.25（BCL,低量）、6.75（BCM,中量）和11.25 t·hm^-2（BCH,高量）4个秸秆生物炭量处理的田间定位试验,采用田间观测、化学分析、荧光定量PCR（qPCR）技术,系统研究施用生物炭对氧化亚氮（N₂O）排放、氨单加氧酶（amoA）、亚硝酸还原酶（nirK、nirS）、氧化亚氮还原酶（nosZ）基因丰度及夏玉米产量的影响。【结果】与对照BC0处理相比,施用生物炭可显著提高夏玉米籽粒产量,且BCM处理籽粒产量达到最大值10 811 kg·hm^-2,显著降低夏玉米生育期N₂O累积排放量,并以BCM处理减少N₂O排放效果最优。研究还发现,在夏玉米多个生育时期,与对照比较,生物炭施用可以显著提高耕层土壤无机氮储量和土壤含水量。此外,随着生物炭施用量增加,土壤氨氧化古菌（AOA）基因拷贝数在夏玉米大喇叭口期和成熟期均表现为先上升后下降趋势,且两个时期均以BCM处理最高,而氨氧化细菌（AOB）基因拷贝数在夏玉米大喇叭口期和成熟期分别为BCH处理和BCM处理最高。与对照相比,中、高量生物炭施用（BCM、BCH处理）可显著提高夏玉米大喇叭口期和成熟期土壤反硝化作用功能相关基因（nirK、nirS、nosZ）拷贝数。相关性分析表明,夏玉米成熟期土壤N₂O排放通量与土壤硝态氮、土壤含水量、AOA、AOB、nirK、nirS、nosZ呈显著负相关关系。【结论】施用生物炭通过增加土壤微生物氮转化功能基因丰度进而降低土壤N₂O排放,通过增加土壤耕层无机氮储量和土壤水分含量进而提高作物产量,并以中等用量（6.75 t·hm^-2）施用效果最优。     

Regulatory effect of astragaloside IV on SDF-1α/CXCR4 in EPCs

AIM: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and its mechanism. METHODS: Rat bone marrow-derived EPCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation, adhesion, migration, apoptosis and tube formation capacity of EPCs treated with AS-IV and AMD3100, a specific blocker of CXCR4, were observed. The effects of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR4 at mRNA and protein levels and the protein level of p-CXCR4 in the EPCs were determined. RESULTS: AS-IV significantly enhanced the proliferation, adhesion, migration and tube formation abilities of EPCs, reduced the apoptosis of EPCs, and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs. On the other hand, AMD3100 blocked the up-regulating effect of AS-IV on the mRNA and protein expression of CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs, but did not affect the effect of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α. CONCLUSION: AS-IV might enhance the biological function of EPCs by regulating the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR in EPCs.     

Role of IP3R in LH-EGFR-induced mouse oocyte meiotic resumption

AIM: To explore the effect of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisposphate receptor (IP₃R) in luteinizing hormone-epidermal growth factor receptor (LH-EGFR)-induced oocyte meiotic resumption. METHODS: Models of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexs (COCs) culture and follicle culture in vitro were generated to study the effects of 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (2-APB) and heparin (IP₃R specific inhibitors) on LH/EGF-induced oocyte meiotic resumption and EGF-induced cumulus cell expansion. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of cumulus expansion-related factors. The changes of the intracellular calcium level were monitored using Fluo 3-AM, and the cGMP level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The inhibitors of IP₃R, 2-APB and heparin, dramatically reversed EGF-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05) and decreased cGMP levels in COCs (P<0.05). In addition, 2-APB and heparin reversed EGF-induced cumulus expansion, and significantly inhibited EGF-induced cumulus expansion-related factor expression (P<0.05). The activation of IP₃R increased intracellular calcium level, and the study found that 2-APB and heparin dramatically reversed EGF-induced elevation of calcium level in cumulus cells (P<0.05). Follicular culture in vitro showed that 2-APB and heparin significantly reversed the LH-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LH-EGFR signaling pathway increases calcium level in cumulus cells through IP₃R, resulting in meiotic resumption.     

Achyranthes aspera (Prickly chaff flower) leaves- and seeds-supplemented diets regulate growth,innate immunity,and oxidative stress in Aeromonas hydrophila-challenged Labeo rohita

ABSTRACT

The immunostimulatory and disease-resistance properties of Achyranthes aspera were evaluated in rohu (Labeo rohita) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Experimental diets were enriched with leaves at 0.25% (D1) and 0.5% (D2) and seeds at 0.5% (D3); the control diet (D4) was without any enrichment. Rohu (2.02 ± 0.23 g) were cultured for 75 days and then challenged with bacteria. The highest average weight was observed in the D3 diet-fed fish. The cumulative mortality rates were 70%, 60%, 40%, and 30% in the D4, D1, D2, and D3 diets fed to rohu respectively. Enriched diets significantly increased myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide synthase, and serum lysozyme levels and decreased malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein content. Expressions of lysozyme C and lysozyme G were significantly (P < .05) higher in the D3 diet-fed fish. In the kidney, IL-1β and TLR 4 were up-regulated in enriched-diet-fed fish. Supplementation of seeds and leaves at 0.5% showed a positive impact in fish.     

牦牛瘤胃微生物抗生素抗性基因对3种外源性刺激因子的响应

通过给牦牛投喂硫酸头孢喹肟(CEF)、盐酸二氟沙星(DIF)和黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1),并进行瘤胃微生物宏基因组测序,旨在揭示这3种外源性刺激因子对抗生素抗性基因(ARGs)种类、抗性类型、抗性机制等的影响,对于深入研究微生物抗性组特征和抗性机制具有重要价值。选取15头牦牛,随机分5组。Cef组和Dif组分别根据说明书推荐剂量按体重计算、灌服CEF 1 mg·kg^-1和DIF 1 mL·kg^-1;E1组和E2组分别按采食量投喂AFB120、60μg·kg^-1;C组为对照组。处理7 d后,采集瘤胃液,提取DNA,Illumina HiSeq测序,对reads counts进行标准化得到TPM值,并进行方差分析。结果显示,对照组共获得132种ARGs,分属30种抗性类型,其中,四环素类tetQ和tetW基因丰度较高;Cef组tetW基因丰度增加(P<0.05),Dif组tetQ丰度增加(P<0.05);Cef组四环素类和头孢菌素类抗性基因丰度增加(P<0.05),Dif组四环素类和氨基香豆素类抗性基因丰度增加(P<0.05),E1组氨基香豆素和青霉烯类抗性基因丰度增加(P<0.05),E2组青霉烯类、头孢菌素类等9类抗性基因丰度均增多(P<0.05);Dif组Erm基因23S核糖体RNA甲基转移酶丰度增加(P<0.05),E2组中ATP结合盒超家族等3种抗性机制相关基因的丰度增加(P<0.05);3种因子均显著增加四环素类ARGs宿主的种类。结论:瘤胃是蕴含丰富ARGs的储藏库,其中,四环素类抗生素抗性基因tetQ和tetW是主要的ARGs。不仅CEF和DIF使部分ARGs的种类、抗性类型以及耐药机制相关酶等的丰度升高,增加瘤胃微生物的耐药性,而且AFB1也具有类似作用,且高剂量AFB1对抗性类型的影响范围较抗生素大。这3种因子还导致携带四环素类ARGs宿主微生物的种类数量增加,从而强化横向转移机制,加快ARGs传播,增强微生物对四环素类的耐药性。     

Gastrointestinal motility modulation by stress is associated with reduced smooth muscle contraction through specific transient receptor potential channel

Excessive stress response causes disability in social life. There are many diseases caused by stress, such as gastrointestinal motility disorders, depression, eating disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels underlie non-selective cation currents and are downstream effectors of G protein-coupled receptors. Ca²⁺ influx is important for smooth muscle contraction, which is responsible for gastrointestinal motility. Little is known about the possible involvement of TRP channels in the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in gastrointestinal motility caused by stress and to elucidate the mechanism of these changes. The stress model used the water immersion restraint stress. Gastrointestinal motility, especially the ileum, was recorded responses to electric field stimulation (EFS) by isometric transducer. EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Even under the conditions treated with atropine, EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. In addition, carbachol-induced, neurokinin A-induced, and substance P-induced contractions were all significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Furthermore, the expression of TRPC3 was decreased in the ileum of stressed mouse. These results suggest that the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress is associated with specific non-selective cation channel.