Analysis of soluble Entamoeba histolytica antigen using enzyme-L inked electroimmunotransfer blots

Soluble antigens of ten strains of E. histolytica were studied by sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked electroimmunotransfer blots (EITB). No relations of immune replicas to virulence, geographical origin and method of cultivation (xenic or axenic culture) were found. Antigens of all ten strains tested precipitated with anti-E. histolytica human serum in the area of 30-43 kD. Antigen of HK-9 strain created in this area a characteristic pattern with all sera containing the specific anti-E. histolytica antibodies and, therefore, EITB can be used for excluding false positive results in ELISA.     

Entamoeba histolytica--the virulence of imported strains

We tested the virulence of 15 strains of Entamoeba histolytica, imported to Czechoslovakia, by intracaecal inoculation of laboratory rats. According to the scoring system of Neal, none of the 15 strains possessed the virulence index greater than 2. This indicates that all the organisms tested should be classified as avirulent. However, it should be noted that all the strains produced infection of the caecum and thus should be considered infective for rat. For 7 strains, isoenzyme patterns were determined for PGM, HK and ME. One imported strain, obtained from student from Congo, demonstrated isoenzyme pattern for PGM and HK indicated that the strain was virulent. This organisms had the index of virulence 1.8 (avirulent) in animal experiment; it was isolated from cysts of clinically asymptomatic patient. Examination of the rectal mucosa of the donor of the strain indicated typical chronic catarrhal proctitis of mild degree. Examination of the patient's serum demonstrated the presence of anti E. histolytica antibodies by CIEP, while the ELISA test was negative. Twenty-one cyst carriers were examined by rectoscopy. Pathologic changes were observed in 20 of these, as follows: altered vascular structure (13X), roughened mucosa (12X), mucosal reddening (10X), decreased glistening (7X), mucus in mucosa (5X), inflammatory pseudopolypes (2X), ulcers (2X), enanthema (1X). Histological biopsies were obtained in 15 cases. One was considered normal. Remaining 14 biopsies exhibited following morphological changes: increased mucus secretion (8X), edema (7X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration (6X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration in addition to the presence of eosinophilic granulocytes (6X), presence of mucophages (5X), haemorrhages (4X), increased vascularity (3X), lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration with presence of extremely abundant eosinophilic granulocytes (1X), erosive-ulcerative changes of mucosa (1X). The changes observed indicated chronic catarrhal proctitis with expression to greater or less degree of signs of chronic catarrhal inflammation.     

Virulent and attenuated lines of Leishmania major: DNA karyotypes and differences in metalloproteinase GP63

The Leishmania metalloproteinase GP63 has been reported to play important roles mainly in resistance of promastigotes to complement-mediated lysis and in interaction with macrophage receptors. On the other hand, its function in insect vectors is still unclear. We compared the structure and dosage of gp63 genes and the activity of GP63 in Leishmania major Yakimoff et Schokhor strains and lines differing in virulence for mice and ability to develop in sand flies. The results demonstrate considerable variability in amount and proteolytical activity of GP63 among L. major strains although genomic changes in the gp63 locus were not found. Attenuated LV561/AV line showed low amount and low enzymatic activity of GP63. Serial passages of attenuated parasites through either Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu-Lemaire or through mice led to a recovery of GP63 proteolytical activity to the level present in virulent LV561/V line. Overexpression of GP63 was found in two L major strains (L119, Neal) with defective lipophosphoglycan (LPG); both these strains were capable to cause mice infection but unable to survive and multiply in sand flies. Differences were found also in karyotypes and in amount of minichromosomes amplified in some lines of the LV561 strain. The results suggest that parasite virulence is not simply correlated with the activity of GP63; however, this enzyme plays a significant role in association with other surface molecules, especially LPG. Overexpression of GP63 can compensate LPG defect in the vertebrate host but in sand flies both molecules fulfil quite different functions and the defect in LPG is lethal for the parasite. On the other hand, linear minichromosomes of about 200 kb found in some lines of the LV561 strain are associated with development in vitro and in the vector but they are not essential for the infection of the vertebrate host.     

异源Harpin对软腐欧氏杆菌与植物互作关系的影响

 本文通过三亲交配将带有梨火疫欧文氏杆菌功能完整的hrp基因簇的重组粘粒pCPP430转移到了胡萝卜软腐欧氏杆菌(Erwinia carotovora) Se9R中。从接合子中提纯的质粒与pCPP430的大小、酶切图谱相同;以该质粒为模板,用针对hrpN序列的引物经PCR扩增得到与hrpN大小相同的片段;用地高辛标记的hrpN作为探针进行Southern blotting分析,在接合子中的质粒上得到预期的杂交带。接合子可以在烟草叶片上稳定地引起过敏反应。另外,接合子可以在寄主马铃薯叶片上引起过敏反应样枯斑,表明异源harpin的表达及功能不受软腐菌的抑制。该接合子在体外产生的果胶酸裂解酶活性与受体菌Se9R无明显差别。低浓度的接合子在马铃薯块茎上的软腐症状明显低于受体菌Se9R。外源harpin表达可能不改变软腐欧氏杆菌的致病力、而是通过诱导马铃薯抗性达到减轻发病的作用。     

Entamoeba polecki: morphology, immunology, antigen study and clinic of the first infections in Czechoslovakia

Entamoeba polecki Prowazek, 1912 was recorded for the first time in Czechoslovakia in two students from Kampuchea. Uninucleated cysts of diameter 14.2-15.7 micron with nuclei diameter 3.2-4.2 micron were found-repeatedly in stool samples taken from them. The nucleus accounted in average for 24.3% of the cyst diameter. The isolation and two following subinoculations on Dobell-Leidlaw medium were achieved, more abundant growth was recorded on medium with pig serum. Sera of both students were positive in serological tests using the E. histolytica antigen. No serious clinical symptoms were observed, both patients were cured successfully by metronidazole and ornidazole. Electroimmunotransfer blots were used to characterize E. polecki as a separate species. The antigenic structure of polyxenically grown E. polecki was compared with the antigenic structure of E. histolytica (axenically grown HK-9 strain and 3 polyxenically grown strains). Different blot patterns of both species were obtained, but common fractions of 30-40 kD probably responsible for serological cross-reactions were found.     

不同培养基继代培养蜡蚧轮枝菌对产孢量和烟粉虱毒力的影响

为了探究不同培养基继代培养的蜡蚧轮枝菌对烟粉虱的作用效果,通过继代培养方法测定JMC-01、JMC-02菌株的产孢量、对烟粉虱的毒力及其几丁质酶活性。结果表明,JMC-01、JMC-02菌株在添加蝉蜕和烟粉虱的PDA培养基中连续培养5代的产孢量、对烟粉虱的毒力、几丁质酶活性均高于无添加的PDA培养基,且JMC-01菌株的各项参数均高于JMC-02菌株。JMC-01菌株在添加蝉蜕的PDA培养基中T_1和T_3代的产孢量最大,均为1.279×10~7个/mL,T_3代对烟粉虱的毒力最大,为88.33%,T_5代的几丁质酶活最高,为0.268 3 U/mL;在添加烟粉虱的PDA培养基中,JMC-01菌株的最大产孢量、对烟粉虱的最高毒力和最高几丁质酶活分别出现在S_2、S_4和S_5代,分别为1.270×10~7个/mL、88.33%和0.325 4 U/mL。回归分析结果显示,JMC-01、JMC-02菌株几丁质酶活性与烟粉虱校正死亡率呈显著的正相关,且拟合优度较好。本试验表明JMC-01、JMC-02菌株均对烟粉虱具有较强的毒力,添加蝉蜕和烟粉虱的培养基可以维持菌株生长特性、增加产孢量、延缓菌株退化、增强菌株的几丁质酶活性,为烟粉虱的生物防治提供了新的菌种资源。     

Purification and characterization of a Bacillus cereus collagenolytic/proteolytic enzyme and its effect on Meloidogyne javanica cuticular proteins

A novel collagenolytic/proteolytic enzyme isolated from the bacterium Bacillus cereus was purified and characterized. The extracellular enzyme was secreted into the growth medium only after induction by collagen. It was purified by two-step chromatography, consisting of gel filtration through a Sephadex G-100 column and then through an anion-exchange column. Molecular mass, as determined by SDS-PAGE was 42.8. The 42.8-kDa collagenase band was eluted from the gel to obtain the purified enzyme. The enzyme was found to have a very wide range of optimal pHs for activity (5.4 – 8.2), and was stable at temperatures between 4 and 40 °C. In addition to its collagenolytic property, the enzyme revealed very strong proteolytic activity, demonstrated by its ability to digest bovine serum albumin. The enzyme's ability to damage nematode cuticles was demonstrated by the digestion of collagens extracted from intact cuticles of second-stage juveniles of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.     

Isolation and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia rubidaea</Emphasis> from dark brown spots of tomato fruits

Bacterial contamination of fresh tomato fruits is of great concern. From naturally infected tomato fruits showing dark brown irregularly shaped spots, 36 bacterial isolates were recovered and identified on phenotypic characteristics and sequences of the gene encoding the 16S rRNA. Five isolates showing spots on tomato fruits in the pathogenicity test with healthy tomato fruits belong to the genus Serratia on the basis of phenotypic characteristics. One representative isolate of these has been further identified as a Serratia rubidaea by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. This is the first evidence showing that a S. rubidaea strain can cause spots on tomato fruits. Virulence of the S. rubidaea was also confirmed by the production and secretion of a large variety of enzymes capable of degrading the complex polysaccharides of the plant cell wall and membrane constituents. Nineteen bacterial isolates of the 36 did not induce any spot symptoms in a pathogenicity test on artificially infected tomato fruits although these are known as phytopathogenic bacteria. Five of these 19 bacterial isolates were identified as Ralstonia species on the basis of biochemical tests. Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal gene of one representative isolate revealed that the isolate is closely related to Ralstonia solanacearum. Six isolates of the 19 were related to Xanthomonas vesicatoria on the basis of biochemical tests and eight were related to the Enterobacteriaceae. One representative isolate of the Enterobacteriaceae could be identified by the 16S rRNA gene as Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens. The 12 other strains were related to Proteus mirabilis based on the 16S RNA gene sequence of one representative isolate. The isolates related to P. mirabilis did not produce any symptoms on artificially infected tomato fruits. The nucleotide sequences of S. rubidaea strain E9, E. cloacae strain E23, P. mirabilis strain E11, and R. solanacearum strain E15 have been deposited in the GenBank nucleotide sequence database under accession numbers HM585373 to HM585376.     

几丁质酶基因在球孢白僵菌中的超表达提高其对马尾松毛虫的毒力

几丁质酶在虫生真菌穿透寄主体壁的过程中起一定作用,但其与真菌毒力的关系尚不清楚。本研究通过几丁质酶基因在球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana中的超表达以及超表达菌株的毒力变化研究了该基因与毒力的关系。将几丁质酶基因Bbchit1通过芽生孢子转入野生型球孢白僵菌中,获得多拷贝的转化子;转化菌株在胶体几丁质诱导培养基中酶活最大值高于出发株4.2倍,表明该几丁质酶基因在转化菌株中得到超表达。毒力测定发现转化子对马尾松毛虫Dendrolimus punctatus的致死中浓度比出发株降低84.5%,在2.5×107孢子/ml浓度下的致死中量减少84.5%,致死中时缩短0.7d,因此毒力大大提高。第2~9d感病死虫数与转化子第1~8d酶活呈极显著正相关（P〈0.01）,而与出发株不相关（P〉0.05）。这些证据表明,几丁质酶与毒力的关系是复杂的,在分泌达到一定阈值后与毒力才有明显的相关关系。     

Infection by Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1 strain A triggers reduced virulence and pathogenic race conversion of its host fungus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnaporthe oryzae</Emphasis>

Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1 strain A (MoCV1-A) is associated with an impaired growth phenotype of its host fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. In this report, we assayed the virulence and pathogenicity of MoCV1-A-infected and MoCV1-A-free M. oryzae on rice plants. MoCV1-A infection did not affect virulence-associated fungal traits, such as conidial germination and appressorium formation. However, after punch inoculation of leaves on rice plants, MoCV1-A-infected strain formed smaller lesions than the MoCV1-A-free strain did on all rice varieties tested, showing that MoCV1-A infection resulted in reduced virulence of host fungi in rice plants. In contrast, after spray inoculation of rice seedlings, in some cases, MoCV1-A-infected and MoCV1-A-free strains caused different lesion types (resistance to susceptible, or vice versa) on individual international differential rice varieties. However, we did not find any gain/loss of the fungal avirulence genes by PCR, suggesting that MoCV1-A infection can convert the pathogenicity of the host M. oryzae from avirulence to virulence, or from virulence to avirulence, depending on the rice variety. We also confirmed the correlation of these race conversion events and invasive hyphae growth of the fungi in a leaf sheath inoculation assay. These data suggested that MoCV1-A infection generally confers hypovirulence to the fungal host and could be a driving force to generate physiological diversity, including pathogenic races.     

四株对小地老虎有活性的苏云金芽胞杆菌的毒力评价

本文对4株苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt）的杀虫基因类型、杀虫蛋白表达类型、蛋白表达量以及杀虫活性进行了初步的评价分析。菌株PS9-D12和PS9-C12的基因类型与蛋白表达类型丰富,且其杀虫蛋白表达量是对照菌株HD-1的1.7倍。在相同培养条件下,制备菌株胞晶混合冻干粉对小地老虎Agrotis ypsilon的生测结果显示,菌株HD-1、PS9-D12、PS9-C12、PS9-D11和PS9-H9的LC50分别为0.71、0.19、0.14、0.24和1.16 mg·g^-1,菌株PS9-D12和PS9-C12的杀虫活性显著高于菌株HD-1（P〈0.05）;此4株菌株对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫的校正死亡率均大于78%,它们对甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫的活性均高于菌株HD-1;而对大猿叶甲Colaphellus bowringi幼虫均无活性。可见菌株PS9-D12和PS9-C12比商业化生产的HD-1有更好的杀虫活性,可作为Bt杀虫剂的候选材料。     

柑橘溃疡病菌gpd1基因在致病性中的功能分析

 甘油作为微生物重要的能量来源及抗逆因子,对其生存具有重要作用。gpd1基因编码甘油-3-磷酸脱氢酶(glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, G3PDH),是甘油合成代谢途径中关键的限速酶。本研究分析了gpd1基因在柑橘溃疡病菌(Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, Xcc)致病性中的功能。对Xcc强毒菌株Xcc021和弱毒菌株Xcc049E分别进行了gpd1的缺失突变,发现gpd1缺失仅影响强毒菌株Xcc021在感病柑橘寄主上的毒性以及gpd1缺失影响Xcc在营养贫乏培养基中的生长能力,功能互补子能够恢复毒性和生长能力至野生型水平。其他毒性相关表型显示:与野生型Xcc021相比,gpd1突变体菌体的沉降能力增加,游动性降低,生物膜形成能力增强,功能互补子能够恢复这些表型至野生型水平。这表明gpd1基因在强毒菌株中是重要的毒性因子,其涉及的甘油代谢途径可能在强弱毒菌株对于寄主柑橘的毒性具有不同的作用。     

柑橘溃疡病菌gpd1基因在致病性中的功能分析

 甘油作为微生物重要的能量来源及抗逆因子,对其生存具有重要作用。gpd1基因编码甘油-3-磷酸脱氢酶(glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, G3PDH),是甘油合成代谢途径中关键的限速酶。本研究分析了gpd1基因在柑橘溃疡病菌(Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, Xcc)致病性中的功能。对Xcc强毒菌株Xcc021和弱毒菌株Xcc049E分别进行了gpd1的缺失突变,发现gpd1缺失仅影响强毒菌株Xcc021在感病柑橘寄主上的毒性以及gpd1缺失影响Xcc在营养贫乏培养基中的生长能力,功能互补子能够恢复毒性和生长能力至野生型水平。其他毒性相关表型显示:与野生型Xcc021相比,gpd1突变体菌体的沉降能力增加,游动性降低,生物膜形成能力增强,功能互补子能够恢复这些表型至野生型水平。这表明gpd1基因在强毒菌株中是重要的毒性因子,其涉及的甘油代谢途径可能在强弱毒菌株对于寄主柑橘的毒性具有不同的作用。     

马铃薯块茎蛾幼虫致病黏质沙雷氏菌的分离鉴定及杀虫活性

从马铃薯田自然罹病马铃薯块茎蛾幼虫上,分离到1株对马铃薯块茎蛾幼虫具有较强致病作用的菌株ML-1,通过形态及16S rRNA序列测定分析,确定该菌株ML-1为黏质沙雷氏菌Serratia marcescens。采用饲喂法分别测定了该菌株ML-1菌悬液、发酵液及发酵上清液对马铃薯块茎蛾初孵3日龄幼虫的毒力。结果表明,用ML-1菌悬液、发酵液及发酵上清液饲喂后第7 d时,马铃薯块茎蛾3日龄幼虫的累积校正死亡率分别为63.16%、80.70%和49.12%,在3.0×10⁹ cfu/mL浓度下的LT₅₀分别为4.71、3.04和6.47 d,在发酵液处理后第3、5和7 d的LC₅₀分别为9.784×10¹⁰、1.855×10⁸和5.434×10⁵ cfu/mL。综上所述,黏质沙雷氏菌ML-1菌株对马铃薯块茎蛾幼虫有较强的毒力,在马铃薯块茎蛾绿色防控中具有一定的开发潜能。     

Avirulence and decreased virulence in mutants of Emmonsia crescens, a causative agent of adiaspiromycosis

Three mutants of Emmonsia crescens with altered morphology and pathogenicity for mice are described. The mutant M-1 is avirulent and does not form adiaspores of normal morphology on agar medium at 37 degree C. The mutants M-2 and M-12 have a considerably decreased virulence. The pathogenicity of E. crescens depends on the ability to differentiate adiaspores of perfect morphology. The loss of virulence and the decrease of virulence of mutants seem to be caused by the pleiotrophic effect of mutation of the genetic base, which regulates the differentiation of adiaspores. The conidia of the wild strain of E. crescens killed by UV-irradiation do not induce the formation of granulomas with adiaspores after i.p. inoculation into mice.     

小麦抗条锈病基因Yr26毒性小种的发现及其对我国小麦主栽品种苗期致病性分析

本文报道了从四川省郫县采集的对我国小麦条锈病菌鉴别寄主贵农22具有毒性的新致病类型,其重要特点为对Yr10和Yr26(=Yr24)2个重要抗条锈病主效基因具有毒性,按我国小麦条锈病鉴别体系将其划归为G22类群;同时明确了其在国际及欧洲鉴别寄主上的反应,将其命名为82E8,毒性公式(无毒性基因/毒性基因)为1、3、4、5、11、15、17、18、25、27、28、31、32、Sd、Sk、Sp/2、6、7、8、9、10、24、26、29、30、Su;根据条中33号小种的致病特点将其命名为43E190,毒性公式为5、10、15、24、26、27、Sk、Sp/1、2、3、4、6、7、8、9、11、12、17、18、25、28、29、30、31、32、A、Su,比较了两个致病类型对我国小麦主栽的115个小麦品种的致病性,提出了合理利用Yr10和Yr26的利用策略。     

对草地贪夜蛾高毒力的苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株筛选与杀虫活性研究

草地贪夜蛾是一种世界性重大农业害虫,给玉米等多种主要粮食和经济作物造成严重危害.为实现对草地贪夜蛾的高效、绿色、持续防控,亟需筛选高毒力苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株资源.本研究以前期实验室储备的对斜纹夜蛾、小地老虎具有杀虫活性的363株野生菌株库为候选菌株,基于菌株杀虫基因差异及进化关系,去除冗余菌株后获得172株候选菌株.通过...     

Role of secondary metabolites in the biocontrol activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas corrugata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas mediterranea</Emphasis>

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the causal agent of Camellia oleifera anthracnose, mainly infecting fruits and leaves. The fungus secretes degrading enzymes to destroy the cuticle of aerial plant parts and help infect the host successfully. To validate whether a cutinase gene (CglCUT1) was required for cutinase activity and pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides, the CglCUT1 gene was cloned and analyzed. The characterization of CglCUT1 predicted protein suggests that the cloned DNA encoded a cutinase in C. gloeosporioides affecting C. oleifera. The CglCUT1 showed a high homology to those from C. gloeosporioides causing papaya anthracnose and C. capsici causing pepper anthracnose, as well as those of other ascomycetes. The whole CglCUT1 gene was knocked-out and the knockout mutant (?CglCUT39) was subsequently complemented using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The knockout transformants exhibited significant decreases in cutinase activity and virulence compared with the wild-type strain. The complemented transformants of the disrupted transformant ?CglCUT39 showed a significant increase in cutinase activity and virulence compared with the disrupted transformant ?CglCUT39. This study suggests that the CglCUT1 gene has a positive effect on fungal virulence of the hemibiotrophic C. gloeosporioides on C. oleifera.     

Phytotoxin produced by the netted scab pathogen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces turgidiscabies</Emphasis> strain 65, isolated in Sweden

Streptomyces spp. are a highly diverse group of bacteria most of which are soil-inhabiting saprophytes. A few are plant pathogens that produce a family of phytotoxins called thaxtomins and cause significant economic losses, e.g., by reducing the marketability of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum). In northern Europe, S. scabies, S. turgidiscabies and S. europaeiscabiei are the most common plant pathogenic species. In this study, a Streptomyces strain isolated from a netted scab lesion on a tuber of potato cv. Bintje in northern Sweden was identified as S. turgidiscabies but was found to differ in the genomic region carrying genes required for thaxtomin biosynthesis. Our results showed that the strain did not produce thaxtomin but rather phytotoxin fridamycin E, which is an anthraquinone novel to plant pathogenic Streptomyces spp. Fridamycin E was shown to reduce or inhibit sprouting of potato microtubers in vitro. While fridamycin E is known to have antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria, the inhibitory activity of fridamycin E on plant growth is a novel finding.     

Eop1 from a Rubus strain of Erwinia amylovora functions as a host-range limiting factor

Strains of Erwinia amylovora, the bacterium causing the disease fire blight of rosaceous plants, are separated into two groups based on host range: Spiraeoideae and Rubus strains. Spiraeoideae strains have wide host ranges, infecting plants in many rosaceous genera, including apple and pear. In the field, Rubus strains infect the genus Rubus exclusively, which includes raspberry and blackberry. Based on comparisons of limited sequence data from a Rubus and a Spiraeoideae strain, the gene eop1 was identified as unusually divergent, and it was selected as a possible host specificity factor. To test this, eop1 genes from a Rubus strain and a Spiraeoideae strain were cloned and mutated. Expression of the Rubus-strain eop1 reduced the virulence of E. amylovora in immature pear fruit and in apple shoots. Sequencing the orfA-eop1 regions of several strains of E. amylovora confirmed that forms of eop1 are conserved among strains with similar host ranges. This work provides evidence that eop1 from a Rubus-specific strain can function as a determinant of host specificity in E. amylovora.