Revisiting rice breeding methods – evaluating the use of rapid generation advance (RGA) for routine rice breeding

Rice production needs to increase in the future in order to meet increasing demands. The development of new improved and higher yielding varieties more quickly will be needed to meet this demand. However, most rice breeding programmes in the world have not changed in several decades. In this article, we revisit the evidence in favour of using rapid generation advance (RGA) as a routine breeding method. We describe preliminary activities at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to re-establish RGA on a large scale as the main breeding method for irrigated rice breeding. We also describe experiences from the early adoption at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Evaluation of RGA breeding lines at IRRI for yield, flowering time and plant height indicated transgressive segregation for all traits. Some RGA lines were also higher yielding than the check varieties. The cost advantages of using RGA compared to the pedigree method were also empirically determined by performing an economic analysis. This indicated that RGA is several times more cost effective and advantages will be realized after 1 year even if facilities need to be built. Based on our experience, and previous independent research empirically testing the RGA method in rice, we recommend that this method should be implemented for routine rice breeding in order to improve breeding efficiency.     

Rapid sequence modification in the highly polymorphic region (HPR) of the hemagglutinin gene of the infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) suggests intra-segmental template switching recombination

The ISAV has a genome composed of eight segments of (–)ssRNA, segment 6 codes for the hemagglutinin–esterase protein, and has the most variable region of the genome, the highly polymorphic region (HPR), which is unique among orthomyxoviruses. The HPR has been associated with virulence, infectivity and pathogenicity. The full length of the HPR is called HPR0 and the strain with this HPR is avirulent, in contrast to strains with deleted HPR that are virulent to varying degrees. The molecular mechanism that gives rise to the different HPRs remains unclear. Here, we studied in vitro the evolution of reassortant recombinant ISAV (rISAV) in Atlantic salmon head kidney (ASK) cells. To this end, we rescued and cultivated a set of rISAV with different segment 6-HPR genotypes using a reverse genetics system and then sequencing HPR regions of the viruses. Our results show rapid multiple recombination events in ISAV, with sequence insertions and deletions in the HPR, indicating a dynamic process. Inserted sequences can be found in four segments of the ISAV genome (segments 1, 5, 6, and 8). The results suggest intra-segmental heterologous recombination, probably by class I and class II template switching, similar to the proposed segment 5 recombination mechanism.     

Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield-related traits under low and high planting densities in maize (Zea mays)

Average maize yield per hectare has increased significantly because of the improvement in high-density tolerance, but little attention has been paid to the genetic mechanism of grain yield response to high planting density. Here, we used a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross YE478 × 08–641 to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 16 yield-related traits under two planting densities (57,000 and 114,000 plants per ha) across four environments. These yield-related traits responded differently to high-density stress. A total of 110 QTLs were observed for these traits: 33 QTLs only under low planting density, 50 QTLs under high planting density and 27 QTLs across both densities. Only two major QTLs, qCD6 and qWKEL2-2, were identified across low- and high-density treatments. Seven environmentally stable QTLs were also observed containing qED6, qWKEL3, qRN3-3, qRN7-2, qRN9-2 and qRN10 across both densities, as well as qRN9-1 under low density. In addition, 16 and eight pairs of loci with epistasis interaction (EPI) were detected under low and high planting densities, respectively. Additionally, nine and 17 loci showed QTL × environment interaction (QEI) under low- and high-density conditions, respectively. These interactions are of lesser importance than the main QTL effects. We also observed 26 pleiotropic QTL clusters, and the hotspot region 3.08 concentrated nine QTLs, suggesting its great importance for maize yield. These findings suggested that multiple minor QTLs, loci with EPI and QEI, pleiotropy and the complex network of “crosstalk” among them for yield-related traits were greatly influenced by plant density, which increases our understanding of the genetic mechanism of yield-related traits for high-density tolerance.     

罗非鱼无乳链球菌LrrG-Sip融合蛋白免疫原性研究

为探究无乳链球菌LrrG(Leucine-rich repeat protein from GBS)和表面免疫原性蛋白Sip(surface immunogenic protein)串联表达的LrrG-Sip重组融合蛋白的免疫原性,该研究将原核表达的LrrG-Sip重组融合蛋白分别以0.5μg·g~(-1)(R1组)、1.0μg·g~(-1)(R2组)和1.5μg·g-1(R3组)每尾200μL腹腔注射免疫尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus),同时以Sip蛋白(S组)、LrrG蛋白(L组)以及PBS(P组)作为对照。2周后对所有免疫鱼体进行无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)人工攻毒,攻毒剂量为其半致死浓度(LD_(50):4.0×108CFU·mL~(-1))。结果显示LrrG-Sip重组融合蛋白R1组对尼罗罗非鱼的相对免疫保护率最高,达89.14%;且免疫后第14和第28天,该组鱼体血清抗体OD_(450nm)值分别达0.63和0.64,均显著高于单一蛋白对照组(S和L组)和PBS组(P0.05);R1组鱼体血清过氧化物酶(POD)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性在上述2个时间点也显著高于其他组(P0.05);但溶菌酶(LZM)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性与其他组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。初步表明LrrG-Sip重组融合蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,其免疫原性明显优于单个蛋白,且能有效减少免疫剂量。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合物对犬胫骨骨折愈合中4种相关细胞因子的作用

研究重组人骨形态发生蛋白2(rhBMP-2)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)、纤维蛋白凝胶(FG)与妥布霉素复合物加速骨折愈合。bFGF与rhBMP-2和妥布霉素以纤维蛋白胶为载体复合,将具有抗生素缓释系统的复合物注入犬胫骨骨折处,并做内固定,于术后第2周,采集犬胫骨骨折处样品,每隔2周采集1次,共采集4次,将每次采集的样品制成组织切片,采用免疫组织化学的方法检测4种因子,并对组织切片进行分析,用多功能真彩色细胞图象分析管理系统,分析所得数据用SPSS18.0版统计软件进行统计学分析。血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)在试验组第2周表达强阳性,而对照组阳性表达较弱;前4周,试验组血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)阳性率呈上升趋势,强于对照组;前8周,试验组胰岛素样生长因子(IGF)和转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)阳性率均高于对照组。说明bFGF与rhBMP-2和妥布霉素以纤维蛋白胶为载体的复合物在骨折愈合具有中促进细胞增殖、黏附、趋化、分化,以及骨折末端血管生长和形成的作用。     

鸡Prnp基因原核表达载体的构建及其在大肠埃希菌中的表达

试验旨在构建鸡Prnp基因原核表达载体,并在大肠埃希菌中进行表达,为制备鸡朊蛋白单克隆抗体提供材料。根据GenBank已报道的鸡Prnp基因组序列和pET-28a质粒多克隆位点设计引物,以健康的鸡全血基因组DNA为材料,采用PCR的方法扩增鸡的Prnp基因,将目的基因片段与pET-28a载体连接,构建重组原核表达载体。重组菌转化到E. coli BL21(DE3)感受态细胞中,并用异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside,IPTG)进行诱导表达,十二烷基磺酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)鉴定表达的重组蛋白。结果表明,重组蛋白在诱导剂的终浓度为0.08 mmol·L^-1,16 ℃,220 r·min^-1诱导7 h,蛋白表达量最高。综上所述,本研究成功构建了pET-28a-ChPrnp重组表达菌株,为Prnp朊蛋白的结构、生理功能和致病机制研究提供方法。     

条件性敲除D1133L基因的重组非洲猪瘟病毒的构建及增殖特性

前期研究初步表明非洲猪瘟病毒(ASFV)编码的D1133L基因对ASFV复制至关重要,本研究拟进一步探究D1133L在ASFV复制中的作用。利用同源重组技术结合大肠杆菌lac阻遏操作系统实现条件性敲除D1133L基因,以pUC118为骨架重组转移载体ASFVΔi130,将重组转移载体转染骨髓源巨噬细胞(BMDMs),以ASFV CN/GS/2018为亲本毒株感染BMDM,在β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)存在的条件下,经绿色荧光和PCR鉴定,获得条件性敲除D1133L重组毒株vD1133Li。利用荧光显微镜观察该重组毒株与亲本毒株在猪肺泡巨噬细胞(PAMs)中的复制差异,利用qPCR技术比较重组病毒与亲本毒株的复制差异,分析vD1133Li在无IPTG情况下回补D1133L蛋白后与在IPTG诱导情况下的复制差异。结果显示：本研究成功构建了条件性敲除D1133L的ASFV重组病毒vD1133Li,重组毒株不表达D1133L,在IPTG诱导下复制能力显著低于亲本毒株;在稳定表达D1133L的MA-104细胞系中,vD1133Li复制能力恢复。综上所述,D1133L基因对于ASFV复制至关重...     

Protectivity conferred by immunization with intranasal recombinant outer membrane protein H from Pasteurella multocida serovar A:1 in chickens

Recombinant outer membrane protein H (rOmpH) is a potential fowl cholera vaccine candidate. The present study was aimed at developing rOmpH formulations for intranasal administration. The rOmpH was purified and formulated with either Escherichia coli enterotoxin B (LTB) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as an adjuvant. Antibody responses in chickens intranasally immunized with rOmpH in combination with 2 different adjuvants were significantly increased (P<0.05) post immunization. Chicken survival rates showed that rOmpH formulated with ODN and LTB elicited 90% and 70% protection, respectively. Our findings indicated that rOmpH formulated with ODN elicited protection better than that formulated with LTB. Therefore, the vaccines formulations in the present study can be considered new intranasal vaccine formulations for fowl cholera in chickens.     

Effects of Manipulation of Proteases on Myofibril Protein Degradation of Tilapia Muscle in vitro and in vivo

This study investigated the role of three proteases in myofibril degradation. Tilapia muscle was soaked in MDL-28170, E-64, and AC-DEVD-CHO, specific inhibitors of calpain, cathepsin, and caspase, respectively, for 14 days to determine the in vivo degradation of myofibril. Desmin and troponin T were significantly inhibited after treatment with inhibitors compared to the control (p < .05). For in vitro analyses, myofibril was incubated with recombinant active μ-calpain, cathepsin B, and caspase-3. Desmin was significantly reduced when incubated with recombinant proteases (p < .05). However, troponin T showed significant degradation only in the μ-calpain and cathepsin B treatment groups (p < .05). Our results reveal μ-calpain and cathespin B have similar degradation patterns, while caspase-3 has partly similar degradation for myofibril in vivo and in vitro. This suggests that μ-calpain and cathespin B are the main proteases responsible for post-mortem myofibril degradation, while caspase-3 is minor.     

表达猪乳铁蛋白肽重组屎肠球菌对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响及其抗ETEC感染效果研究

本试验以表达猪乳铁蛋白肽的重组屎肠球菌（pNZ8112-PLFcin/Ef）饲喂断奶仔猪，研究其对仔猪生长性能的影响和抗产肠毒素大肠杆菌（enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli，ETEC）感染的效果。选取28日龄体重相近的健康断奶仔猪36头，随机分为3组（重组屎肠球菌组、空载体组和培养基组），每组3个重复，每个重复4头仔猪。重组屎肠球菌组和空载体组分别饲喂添加pNZ8112-PLFcin/Ef （6×10¹² CFU/kg）和pNZ8112/Ef （6×10¹² CFU/kg）的基础日粮，而培养基组饲喂含有相同体积的GM17液体培养基的基础日粮。试验期26 d。结果显示，与培养基组相比，重组屎肠球菌组断奶仔猪的平均日增重极显著提高（P<0.01）；料重比显著降低（P<0.05）；腹泻率明显降低，肠道菌群的均匀度和多样性指数均下降。为进一步探究表达猪乳铁蛋白肽的重组屎肠球菌对断奶仔猪抵抗ETEC感染的保护作用，在连续饲喂21 d后，每个重复中随机挑选1头体况相近的断奶仔猪灌服ETEC。结果发现，与培养基组相比，攻菌后重组屎肠球菌组断奶仔猪血清白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、免疫球蛋白G （IgG）含量、肠黏液中分泌型免疫球蛋白A （sIgA）水平均显著升高（P<0.05）；脾脏指数显著提高（P<0.05），但胸腺指数、肠段长度及重量则均无显著差异（P>0.05）。综上所述，表达猪乳铁蛋白肽的重组屎肠球菌能够起到促进断奶仔猪生长及抗ETEC感染的保护作用。