Resistance to azoxystrobin in Alternaria isolates from pistachio in California

Failure to control Alternaria late blight in a few California pistachio orchards was observed after only 3-4 years of consecutive applications of azoxystrobin-based fungicide programs. A total of 72 isolates of Alternaria alternata, Alternaria tenuissima, and Alternaria arborescens, the causal organisms of Alternaria late blight, were collected from pistachio orchards with (58 isolates) and without (14 isolates) a prior history of azoxystrobin applications. The sensitivity to azoxystrobin was determined in conidial germination assays. Isolates from orchards with a history of azoxystrobin applications had EC₅₀ values greater than 100 μg/ml, whereas isolates from orchards without a prior history of azoxystrobin usage had EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.008 to 0.045 μg/ml. Azoxystrobin resistance correlated with a single mutation in the cytochrome b (cyt b) gene causing a change of glycine to alanine at amino acid position 143. A pair of PCR primers AF and AR was developed that amplified a 226-bp DNA fragment of the cyt b gene containing the mutation site from all three Alternaria species but not from 30 other fungal species frequently found on pistachio. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis using the restriction enzyme Fnu4HI allowed differentiation of the PCR fragment of wild type cyt b gene from that of mutated gene. This method will aid in a fast detection of azoxystrobin resistance in these three Alternaria species.     

Gene-based analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia</Emphasis> species and development of PCR-based marker to detect <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> causing yellow rust of wheat

Stripe rust is considered as the current major rust disease affecting winter cereal production across the world. A quick, reliable PCR-based marker was developed here to detect, identify and rapidly monitor Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in wheat-growing areas. Three respective sets of primers, designed from β-tubulin, squalene monooxygenase and ketopantoate reductase genes selected from the full genome of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, amplified sequences of 239, 358 and 1518 bp, respectively, in Pst pathotypes. A fragment of 1518 bp unique to Pst pathotypes was amplified using primer set PstKeto F1_30/Pst KetoR1_1547 and distinguished the pathogen clearly from different Puccinia spp. and other fungal pathogens. The detection limit of the marker (KetoPstRA₁₅₀₀, accession no. KU240073) by conventional PCR assay was 10 pg. This marker could detect the pathogen in the host before symptom expression. The sensitivity and utility of the marker were further enhanced in a qPCR-based assay that was developed with a newly designed primer set PstKeto F1_1246/Pst KetoR1_1547, which amplified a product of 302 bp and detected as little as 10 fg of DNA. This PCR/qPCR based marker is suitable for studying cultivar resistance, which requires accurate quantification of the pathogen in diseased host tissue.     

抗苯醚菌酯(ZJ0712)小麦白粉病菌突变体的诱导及其生物学特性

经过药剂驯化10代后,从对苯醚菌酯(ZJ0712)敏感的小麦白粉病菌Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici 3个菌株中获得3个抗药突变体,突变体的抗性指数均大于80,且其抗性能够通过无性繁殖稳定遗传。室内接种试验发现,突变体的致病力与亲本菌株无明显差异。细胞色素b (cyt b)基因片段序列分析发现,突变体cyt b基因的第143位密码子均由敏感菌株的GGT(丙氨酸)突变成了GCT(甘氨酸)。研究结果表明,小麦白粉病菌对苯醚菌酯存在较高的抗性风险,该药剂在使用过程中需注意采取相应的抗性治理措施,以延缓抗性发生。     

Reference gene selection for qPCR gene expression analysis of rust-infected wheat

Real-time PCR (qPCR) is an effective method to quantify mRNA levels, but requires validated reference genes for data normalisation. The GeNorm-Plus algorithm was used to examine the expression stability of six candidate reference genes in resistant Avocet Yr1 wheat infected with Puccinia triticina, Puccinia striiformis and Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici respectively. Results indicated that within the first 48 h after inoculation, the expression stability of the candidate reference genes differed between the three incompatible interactions. The geometric mean of ARF and RLI showed the best stability in P. triticina-infected wheat, CDC and RLI in P. striiformis-infected wheat and CDC, 18S and TUBB in P. graminis f.sp. tritici-infected wheat respectively. This clearly emphasised the need for reference gene validation for each different plant–pathogen interaction.     

Cloning and expression of an atrazine inducible cytochrome P450, CYP4G33, from Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Previous studies performed in our laboratory have measured the effect of atrazine exposure on cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase activity and have found increased activity in midge larvae (Chironomus tentans) as a result of atrazine exposure (1-10 ppm). Here we report the cloning and expression of a specific C. tentans CYP4 gene that is responsive to atrazine induction with an open reading frame of 1678 bp which encodes a putative protein of 559 amino acid residues. Alignments of deduced amino acid sequences with other insect P450 genes and phylogenetic analysis indicated a high degree of similarity to other insect CYP4 genes. Northern blotting analysis employing a fragment of 1200 bp from the CYP4 gene as a probe indicated that the CYP4 gene was expressed in all developmental stages, but was expressed at highest levels in late instar larvae. Additionally, over-expression of CYP4 in C. tentans exposed to atrazine (10 mg/l) confirms the ability of atrazine to induce specific P450 genes and provides insight into potential consequences of atrazine exposure in aquatic organisms.     

Spatial genetic diversity and interregional spread of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> in Northwest China

In China, wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat. The Longnan and Linxia regions in Gansu Province and Qinghai Province are the major over-summering regions for the pathogen and key epidemiological zones in Northwest China. Population genetic diversity and interregional long-distance spread of the wheat stripe rust pathogen in Northwest China were studied using SSR markers. The genetic diversity in the Longnan population was much higher than those in the Linxia and Qinghai populations. Therefore, the molecular data confirmed that the Longnan region is a center of genetic diversity for P. striiformis f. sp. tritici in Northwest China. The low genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.15) and the extensive gene flow (Nm = 1.37) were found among the three regions in Northwest China. The most important conclusion of this study is that the stripe rust inoculum in Qinghai can come from both Longnan and Linxia, but mainly from Longnan directly in the spring.     

Developmental and tissue-specific expression of CHS1 from Plutella xylostella and its response to chlorfluazuron

The cDNA of chitin synthase-1 gene of Plutella xylostella (PxCHS1) was characterized and expression patterns of the two splice variants PxCHS1A and PxCHS1B were investigated in various developmental stages and in major body tissues by RT-PCR and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The PxCHS1 cDNA was 5461 bp in length with an open reading frame of 4701 bp that encoded a putative protein of 1567 amino acids with predicted molecular mass of 179 kDa. The two splice variants were expressed from the mutually exclusive exons which were same in size (177 bp) but showed only 66% identity at the nucleotide level. Both splice variants were expressed in all developmental stages. The qPCR data suggested an uneven expression of the two variants in the body where expression of PxCHS1A was 3.7-fold higher than that of PxCHS1B. The expression of PxCHS1A was 1.5-fold higher in the head than the body whereas in case of PxCHS1B the difference between head and body was 6.3-fold. Chlorfluazuron did not change the expression of PxCHS1 in larvae.     

Heterologous expression of the P450 sterol 14α-demethylase gene from Monilinia fructicola reduces sensitivity to some but not all DMI fungicides

The cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase gene (MfCYP51) from Monilinia fructicola (G. Wint.) Honey was cloned and sequenced. The gene was 1680 bp in length (including introns) and was predicted to have two introns of 54 and 57 bp. The nucleotide sequence was 82.1, 53.4, 47.1, 45.1, and 33.6% and the amino acid sequence was 89.7, 76.1, 76.1, 71.8, and 66.9% identical to the CYP51 genes from Botrytis cinerea, Tapesia yallundae, T. acuformis, Erysiphe graminis, and Uncinula necator, respectively. Expression of MfCYP51 in PDR5::TN5 deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in reduced sensitivity of the yeast transformants to myclobutanil but not to propiconazole, fenbuconazole or tebuconazole. A wildtype population of 33 M. fructicola isolates was significantly less sensitive to myclobutanil than to propiconazole, fenbuconazole, and tebuconazole. The sensitivity of the isolates to myclobutanil and the three other DMI fungicides included in this study was correlated positively, suggesting a similar or identical mode of action. The low sensitivity in M. fructicola wildtype isolates to myclobutanil could result from a less effective binding potential of the fungicide to the 14α-demethylase.     

Comet assay in gill cells of Prochilodus lineatus exposed in vivo to cypermethrin

Agricultural chemicals can induce genetic alterations on aquatic organisms that have been associated with effects on growth, reproduction and population dynamics. The evaluation of DNA damage in fish using the comet assay (CA) frequently involves the utilization of erythrocytes. However, epithelial gill cells (EGC) can be more sensitive, as they are constantly dividing and in direct contact with potentially stressing compounds from the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate (1) the sensitivity and suitability of epithelial gill cells of Prochilodus lineatus in response to different genotoxic agents through the application of the CA, (2) the induction of DNA damage in this cell population after in vivo exposure to cypermethrin. Baseline value of the CA damage index (DI) for EGC of juvenile P. lineatus was 144.68 ± 5.69. Damage increased in a dose-dependent manner after in vitro exposure of EGC to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and H₂O₂, two known genotoxic agents. In vivo exposure of fish to cypermethrin induced a significant increase in DNA DI of EGC at 0.150 μg/l (DI: 239.62 ± 6.21) and 0.300 μg/l (270.63 ± 2.09) compared to control (150.25 ± 4.38) but no effect was observed at 0.075 μg/l (168.50 ± 10.77). This study shows that EGC of this species are sensitive for the application of the CA, demonstrating DNA damage in response to alkylation (MMS), oxidative damage (H₂O₂), and to the insecticide cypermethryn. These data, together with our previous study on DNA damage induction on erythrocytes of this species, provides useful information for future work involving biomonitoring in regions where P. lineatus is naturally exposed to pesticides and other genotoxic agents.     

两种金小蜂体内Wolbachia的wsp基因分子检测及序列分析

采用Wolbachia的通用引物及A和B大组特异性引物对蝶蛹金小蜂Pteromalus puparum和丽蝇蛹集金小蜂Nasonia vitripennis体内Wolbachia的wsp基因进行PCR扩增及序列测定，并对测定的序列进行了同源性比较和基因特征分析。结果表明：蝶蛹金小蜂和丽蝇蛹集金小蜂均被A和B两个大组的Wolbachia复合感染；同种寄生蜂的雌蜂和雄蜂的wsp基因片段序列完全一致。采用通用引物从蝶蛹金小蜂中扩增出Wolbachia的wsp基因片段序列的长度为540bp，属于B大组中Pip组，而从丽蝇蛹集金小蜂中扩增出Wolbachia的wsp基因片段序列的长度为558bp，属于A大组中Uni组。用A-Wolbachia引物从蝶蛹金小蜂和丽蝇蛹集金小蜂中扩增出的wsp基因片段序列长度为548bp，同源性达99．8％；而用B-Wolbachia引物从两者中扩增的两条wsp基因片段序列长度分别为424bp和439bp同源性达87．5％．     

Single nucleotide polymorphism detection at the Hypothenemus hampeiRdl gene by allele-specific PCR amplification with Tm-shift primers

The resistant Rdl allele for dieldrin insecticide was detected on the Hypothenemus hampei populations from Colombia using conventional PCR methods. Based on this sequence, a melting temperature (T_m) shift genotyping method that relies on allele-specific PCR is described for insecticide resistance-associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the H. hampeiRdl gene. The method reported here uses GC-rich tails of unequal length attached to allele-specific primers containing 3′ terminal bases that correspond to SNP allelic variants. Specific PCR products are identified by inspection of a melting curve on a real-time PCR thermocycler using SYBR Green DNA binding dye. Resistant and susceptible alleles resulted in specific PCR products with T_m of 83.3 ± 0.1 °C and 86.0 ± 0.2 °C, respectively. The RdlT_m-shift genotyping method is a new method to identify the Rdl gene in the coffee berry borer H. hampei, the principal pest of coffee that in general show low genetic diversity and very few genetic strategies for control of this pest have been developed. The method supplies a high-throughput tool for dieldrin resistance-associated SNP diagnostic in the coffee berry borer which will be useful for resistance-management strategies and as genetic marker in the colombian insect populations for genetics research.     

Isolation and partial characterization of an antifungal protein from the endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain EDR4

An antifungal protein E2, from the culture filtrate of the endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain EDR4 of wheat with a high activity against numerous fungal species in vitro and take-all in wheat caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici in vivo, was purified by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, hydrophobic-interaction chromatography, anion-exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The molecular mass of the protein was about 377.0 kDa determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using a Superdex 200 10/300 GL pre-packed column and the pI value of the protein detected by isoelectric focusing PAGE was 6.59. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) the antifungal protein showed a band with a molecular mass of 39.1 kDa, which suggest that the native protein consists of multi-subunits. The amino acid sequences of three peptides from the antifungal protein were obtained by using a nano-ESI-MS/MS (Q-TOF2) System. The protein isolated may be regarded as a new protein according to amino acid sequences of three peptides. The purified protein exhibited inhibitory activity on mycelium growth of e.g. Fusarium graminearum, Macrophoma kuwatsukai, Rhizoctonia cerealis, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum, Botrytis cinerea and G. graminis var. tritici (Ggt). Scanning electron microscopy showed that hyphae of Ggt treated with the antifungal protein were severely deformed. The antifungal protein E2 exhibited ribonuclease and hemagglutinating activities as well as a trifle protease activity. However, no β-1,3-glucanase, β-1,4-glucanase, chitinase or protease inhibitory activities were detected.     

Biotransformation of clomazone in rice (Oryza sativa) and early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzoides)

Rice (Oryza sativa), a relatively tolerant species, and early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzoides; EWG), a relatively susceptible species, were exposed to ¹⁴C-labeled clomazone to determine accumulation, biotransformation, and mass balance. On a total mass basis, rice absorbed more clomazone than EWG (p < 0.05), but on a nmol/g basis, there was no significant difference between the two species (p > 0.05). Rice contained more extractable ¹⁴C residues (7.7 ± 0.5 vs. 4.8 ± 0.5 nmol in rice vs. EWG, respectively; p < 0.5), but the concentration in EWG was significantly higher (4.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 nmol/g in EWG vs. rice, respectively; p < 0.01). More metabolized residue was measured in EWG compared to rice (84.1% vs. 67.9%; p < 0.01). Both species produced hydroxylated forms, β-d-glucoside conjugates, and several other unidentified polar metabolites, but EWG generally produced higher metabolite concentrations. The concentration of the suspected active metabolite, 5-ketoclomazone, was significantly higher in EWG vs. rice (21 ± 2 vs. 5.7 ± 0.5 pmol/g, respectively; p < 0.01). Differences in sensitivity to clomazone between rice and EWG appear to be due to differential metabolism, but in this case the more susceptible EWG qualitatively and quantitatively metabolized more clomazone than the more tolerant rice. This is consistent with the action of a metabolically activated herbicide. This metabolic difference could be exploited to develop herbicide safeners for use with clomazone.     

甘肃省甘谷县小麦条锈菌群体遗传结构分析

为明确我国小麦条锈菌Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici主要越夏地区的群体遗传结构及演变情况,利用SSR荧光检测技术,对甘肃省甘谷县2013—2015年期间连续5个小麦生长季采集的141株小麦条锈菌单孢系基因组DNA进行分子标记分析,对小麦条锈菌季节亚群的遗传多样性进行分析。结果表明,甘谷地区小麦条锈菌的遗传多样性丰富,有效等位基因数为1.71,Shannon信息指数为0.66,2014年秋季(2014A)亚群体的基因型多样性低于其余亚群体。分子变异方差分析结果显示,小麦条锈菌季节亚群体间变异仅占21%,变异主要出现在亚群体内部,表明甘谷地区各季节亚群体间遗传分化水平差异较小,小麦条锈菌群体在一个小范围内基本能维持稳定状态。主坐标分析(PCoA)、遗传分化、基因流以及共享基因型分析均表明2014年秋季(2014A)亚群体的遗传结构与相邻季节亚群体存在一定差异,表明越夏过程对甘谷地区个别年份小麦条锈菌群体周年稳定性造成较大的影响,越冬过程对小麦条锈菌群体的影响相对较小,春季受外来菌源干扰的可能性较低。     

法国进境葡萄砧木中啤酒花矮化类病毒的检测与序列分析

为检测法国进境葡萄砧木中啤酒花矮化类病毒（Hop stunt viroid,HSVd）,对其进行了RT-PCR检测及序列测定,并构建系统进化树比较了不同地域来源HSVd间的分子差异性。结果表明基于HSVd基因序列设计合成的1对引物能够扩增出302 bp大小的目标片段,而健康植株无此扩增产物。法国葡萄砧木中检出的HSVd分离物,与国内外已报道毒株的核酸序列同源性达90%~97%,与已报道的HSVd全基因组序列间差异较小,表明HSVd的序列变异与地域、寄主等无明显相关性。     

Ultra-structural changes in the integument induced by the use of three of six forms of allylisothiocyanate tested against Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae larvae

The insecticidal activity of four forms of Hong Jing (HJ) allylisothiocyanate (AITC), AITC + cypermethrin (HJ_A, HJ_B, and HJ_C) with ratio of (1:1, 4:1, and 2:1), pure AITC (HJ_D), and two forms of Hong Du (HD) AITC, AITC + chlorpyrifos (HD_A and HD_B) with ratio of (2:1 and 2:1), respectively, were studied on the major cruciferous insect larvae Plutella xylostella (L.) and Pieris rapae (L.) by combining both spraying and dipping methods. The P. rapae was more susceptible than P. xylostella larvae. The LC₅₀ values 72 h after treatment of AITC forms (HJ_B, HJ_A, HJ_C, HJ_D, HD_B, and HD_A) on the P. rapae were; 0.07, 0.08, 0.16, 0.83, 0.26, 1.08 gL⁻¹, and 0.69, 0.26, 5.45, 0.93, 3.01, 5.98 gL⁻¹ on the P. xylostella, respectively. The toxicity of some of the AITC forms was very close to or better than that of the commercial contact insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (LC₅₀ = 0.03 and 0.04 gL⁻¹ on P. rapae and P. xylostella, respectively), and cypermethrin (0.65 and 0.78 gL⁻¹, respectively, against P. rapae and P. xylostella). The ultrastructural studies on the integument of the third larval instar of P. xylostella treated by sub-lethal concentration (LC₂₀) of HJ_B, HJ_D, and HD_B were carried out by using transmission electron microscope. The more pronounced alterations in the hypodermis and mitochondria cells. They exhibited changes in all treated samples. The hypodermis was almost completely destroyed, and the mitochondria exhibited morphological alterations, represented by enlargement, matrix rarefaction and vacuolization of the mitochondria matrix, quantity of cristae reduced, and density electron matrix lessened. These AITC forms have potential as contact insecticides, and the ultra structural observations confirm the insecticidal efficiency of different AITC forms on P. rapae and P. xylostella.     

Cytochrome b gene structure and consequences for resistance to Qo inhibitor fungicides in plant pathogens

The cytochrome b (cyt b) gene structure was characterized for different agronomically important plant pathogens, such as Puccinia recondita f sp tritici (Erikss) CO Johnston, P graminis f sp tritici Erikss and Hennings, P striiformis f sp tritici Erikss, P coronata f sp avenae P Syd & Syd, P hordei GH Otth, P recondita f sp secalis Roberge, P sorghi Schwein, P horiana Henn, Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers) Unger, Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd & P Syd, Hemileia vastatrix Berk & Broome, Alternaria solani Sorauer, A alternata (Fr) Keissl and Plasmopara viticola (Berk & Curt) Berlese & de Toni. The sequenced fragment included the two hot spot regions in which mutations conferring resistance to QoI fungicides may occur. The cyt b gene structure of these pathogens was compared with that of other species from public databases, including the strobilurin-producing fungus Mycena galopoda (Pers) P Kumm, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyer ex Hansen, Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter and Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet. In all rust species, as well as in A solani, resistance to QoI fungicides caused by the mutation G143A has never been reported. A type I intron was observed directly after the codon for glycine at position 143 in these species. This intron was absent in pathogens such as A alternata, Blumeria graminis (DC) Speer, Pyricularia grisea Sacc, Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) J Schr?t, M fijiensis, V inaequalis and P viticola, in which resistance to QoI fungicides has occurred and the glycine is replaced by alanine at position 143 in the resistant genotype. The present authors predict that a nucleotide substitution in codon 143 would prevent splicing of the intron, leading to a deficient cytochrome b, which is lethal. As a consequence, the evolution of resistance to QoI fungicides based on G143A is not likely to evolve in pathogens carrying an intron directly after this codon.     

中国小麦农家品种红锁条和白蚂蚱的抗条锈性遗传分析

为明确小麦农家品种所含抗条锈病基因组成及其抗病性和遗传特点,通过接种中国小麦条锈菌生理小种CYR31、CYR32和CYR33,对红锁条和白蚂蚱2个农家品种进行抗病性鉴定、基因推导及系谱分析和苗期抗病性遗传分析。结果显示,红锁条和白蚂蚱苗期均高抗3个流行小种CYR31、CYR32和CYR33,成株期高抗CYR32;红锁条和白蚂蚱均含有未知抗条锈病基因;红锁条对CYR31和CYR32的抗病性由2对隐性独立或重叠遗传基因控制,对CYR33的抗病性由1对隐性基因控制;白蚂蚱对CYR31的抗病性由2对显性互补基因控制,对CYR32的抗病性由1对显性基因控制,对CYR33的抗病性由2对隐性独立或重叠基因控制。农家品种红锁条和白蚂蚱含有抗条锈病基因,可以为抗病育种提供新抗源。     

Functional expression of Helicoverpa armigera CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Elevated oxidative detoxification is a major mechanism responsible for pyrethroid resistance in Helicoverpa armigera from Asia. Constitutive overexpression of CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 was associated with pyrethroid resistance in the YGF strain of H. armigera. CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 were functionally expressed in the W(R) strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) transformed with a plasmid shuttle vector pYES2. The cell lysates prepared from yeast transformed with CYP9A12 and CYP9A14, respectively, exhibited considerable O-demethylation activities against two model substrates p-nitroanisole (0.59 and 0.42 nmol p-nitrophenol min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹) and methoxyresorufin (2.98 and 5.41 pmol resorufin min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹), and clearance activity against the pyrethroid esfenvalerate (8.18 and 4.29 pmol esfenvalerate min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹). These results provide important evidence on the role of CYP9A12 and CYP9A14 in conferring pyrethroid resistance in H. armigera, and also demonstrate that the yeast expression system can provide necessary redox environment for insect P450s to metabolize xenobiotics.