Identification of goose (Anser anser) and mule duck (Anasplatyrhynchos x Cairina moschata) foie gras by multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 5S RDNA gene.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the nuclear 5S rDNA gene has been used for the identification of goose and mule duck foie gras. Two species-specific reverse primers were designed and used in a multiplex reaction, together with a forward universal primer, to amplify specific fragments of the 5S rDNA in each species. The different sizes of the species-specific amplicons, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, allowed clear identification of goose and mule duck foie gras samples. This genetic marker can be useful for detecting fraudulent substitution of the duck liver for the more expensive goose liver.     

PCR-RFLP analysis of nuclear nontranscribed spacer for mackerel species identification

Scomber mackerel have been marketed in fresh and frozen forms and as processed seafood worldwide, and three species of Japanese mackerel S. japonicus, Pacific mackerel S. australasicus, and Atlantic mackerel S. scombrus have constituted a significant part of absolute Scombrid consumption in Japan. The present study was undertaken to develop a rapid and reliable method not only for differentiation of Scomber mackerel from related Scombrid fish by PCR amplification using Scomber genus-specific primers but also for identification of three Scomber mackerel species by PCR-RFLP analysis. Alignment of nucleotide sequences of the nuclear 5S ribosomal RNA gene (5S rDNA) among Scombrid fish allowed the selection of oligonucleotide primers specific for the Scomber genus. These primers enabled amplification of the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) of the 5S rDNA from S. japonicus, S. australasicus, and S. scombrus, whereas no amplification was demonstrated from other Scombrid fish. RFLP analysis of the PCR products with ScaI endonuclease generated unique restriction patterns for each Scomber species. This simple, robust, and reproducible PCR-RFLP technique using Scomber genus-specific primers can serve as a routine food inspection program to enforce labeling regulations of marketed Scombrid fish.     

Restriction Fragment Length Analysis of the Cytochrome b Gene and Muscle Fatty Acid Composition Differentiate the Cryptic Flatfish Species Solea solea and Solea aegyptiaca

Overlapping external morphometric characters easily confound the flatfishes Solea aegyptiaca and Solea solea (Soleidae) in areas of the Mediterranean Sea where both species live in sympatry. This leads to uncertainties in the fisheries and marketing of the species, in addition to misinterpretations in biogeography and conservation studies. This paper describes a simple restriction fragment length-based diagnostic test that differentiates S. solea from S. aegyptiaca, as well as from other species of the Soleidae family. Furthermore, the two species living in sympatry in the Gulf of Kavala (North Aegean Sea, Greece) present significant qualitative differences in muscle fatty acid composition, a property that can also be used to distinguish the two cryptic species.     

Identification of an Organism Associated with Mushroom Worker's Lung

Saccaromonospora viridis is a thermophilic actinomycetes organism which is found in mushroom compost, as well as being a causal agent of mushroom worker's lung (MWL) and other hypersensitivity pneumonitis conditions, including farmer's lung. Phenotypically, it is difficult to distinguish the seven species described for this genus based solely on chemtaxonomic characterization, therefore it was the aim of this study to examine partial 16S rDNA PCR amplification and direct sequencing, as an improved molecular means of identification of Saccharomonospora viridis, associated with MWL. The approach adopted in this study was to identify hypervariable regions within the 16S rRNA gene, which could be employed as signature sequences of the seven individual species within this genus and to employ highly conserved flanking primers to allow initial PCR amplification, prior to direct DNA sequencing of the 16S rDNA amplicon, in a partial 16S rDNA-sequence typing technique. Four universal 16S rDNA primer combinations [P11P/P13P, PSL/PSR, XB1(SV)/PSR and XB1(SV)/P13P] were compared for their ability to identify an unknown thermophilic Saccharomonospora organism from MWL. All PCR primer combinations coupled with direct sequencing allowed for the successful identification of the MWL isolate as S. viridis, demonstrating that universal 16S rDNA PCR primer pairs examined, including the P11P/P13P primer pair, flank regions within the 16S rRNA gene, of sufficient hypervariability to be able to reliably differentiate S. viridis from the other species within this genus. This approach may therefore be useful in the identification of Saccharomonospora spp. associated with composting, as well as with allergic alveolitis or pneumonitis associated occupational exposure in agricultural and horticultural environments, including mushroom production.     

Development of a method for the genetic identification of mussel species belonging to Mytilus, Perna, Aulacomya, and other genera

Legislation regarding the labeling of processed products is an important issue in the protection of consumer rights. This labeling is especially important in products that cannot be identified on the basis of their morphological characters, because these are removed from the animal in the transformation process. The goal of this study was the identification of mussel species using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS) methodologies. The molecular marker selected was 18S rDNA (nuclear small-subunit rDNA gene), which allows identification at the genus level and at the species level in some cases. The genera included in this study were Mytilus, Perna, Aulacomya, Semimytilus, Brachidontes, Choromytilus, and Perumytilus. Different markers were used for genetic identification at the species level. To identify the species included in the genus Perna and Choromytilus, a fragment of ITS 1 (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1) was amplified by multiplex PCR and digested with restrictases. The species of Mytilus were identified by length polymorphism and RFLP of the polyphenolic adhesive protein gene. This methodology was validated with products manufactured in the authors' pilot plant and applied to commercial samples. Therefore, this sequential method can be completely or partially used to determine the mussel genus or species present in any food product.     

Karyotype characterization reveals an up and down of 45S and 5S rDNA sites in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crotalaria</Emphasis> (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) species of the section Hedriocarpae subsection Macrostachyae

The genus Crotalaria is one of the largest within the family Leguminosae-Papilionoideae, with more than 600 species. However, few karyotypes have been described. In the present paper, five species belonging to the section Hedriocarpae were studied (subsection Machrostachyae), in order to better understand chromosomal evolution in Crotalaria. The results reveals that all species presented 2n = 2x = 16 with symmetrical karyotypes, and slight differences in the chromosome morphology. A secondary constriction was identified at short arm of the pair 1. The 45S rDNA was mapped in the secondary constriction and adjacent heterochromatin (NOR-heterochromatin) and a minor site was identified in C. ochroleuca. The 5S rDNA was mapped linked to 45S rDNA at chromosome 1 short arm in all species. Additional sites for 5S rDNA were identified in C. pallida, C. striata and C. mucronata. Heterochromatin blocks around the centromeres are not CMA⁺ neither DAPI⁺. The karyotypes of the subsection Macrostachyae are characterized by an inversion at chromosome pair one in relation to previous specialized floral species analyzed. Additional sites of 45S and 5S rDNA were assumed to be a result of transposition events by different ways. The results suggest heterochromatin differentiation and the position of ribosomal genes indicates chromosomal rearrangements during evolution. Karyotype characteristics corroborate the morphological infrageneric classification.     

Identification of the razor clam species Ensis arcuatus, E. siliqua, E. directus, E. macha, and Solen marginatus using PCR-RFLP analysis of the 5S rDNA region

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 5S ribosomal DNA region has been applied to the establishment of DNA-based molecular markers for the identification of five razor clam species: Ensis arcuatus, E. siliqua, E. directus, E. macha, and Solen marginatus. PCR amplifications were carried out using a pair of universal primers from the coding region of 5S rDNA. S. marginatus was simply distinguished by the different size of the amplicons obtained. Species-specific restriction endonuclease patterns were found with the enzymes Hae III for E. arcuatus, E. siliqua, and E. directus, and Acs I for E. macha, and when two enzymes were combined, the four species were also identified. Thus, this work provides a simple, reliable, and rapid protocol for the accurate identification of Ensis and Solen species in fresh and canned products, which is very useful for traceability and to enforce labeling regulations.     

Cytomolecular characterization of rDNA distribution in various Citrullus species using fluorescent in situ hybridization

The 18S–28S and 5S rDNA sites are useful chromosome landmarks and provide valuable evidence about genome organization and evolution. This investigation was the first attempt to study the dynamics, distribution and directionality of rDNA gains and losses, as well as to understand the contribution of site number variation in the speciation of the genus Citrullus. In this study, we employed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), using the18S–28S and 5S rDNA gene loci, to evaluate the differences between the (1) cultivated type watermelon C. lanatus var. lanatus (sweet watermelon), (2) the “bitter” desert watermelon C. colocynthis (colocynth) that is indigenous to the deserts of northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia, (3) the C. lanatus var. citroides (citron) “Tsamma” or “cow watermelon” that is known as and is indigenous to southern Africa, (4) and C. rehmii that thrive in the Namibian Desert. The FISH analyses showed that the sweet watermelon and colocynth have similar rDNA configuration. The sweet watermelon and colocynth genomes contain two 18S–28S rDNA gene loci, each located on a different chromosome, and one 5S rDNA locus which is co-localized with one of the 18S–28S rDNA gene loci. On the other hand, the C. rehmii has one 18S–28S rDNA locus and one 5S rDNA locus positioned on different chromosomes, while the citron has one18S–28S rDNA and two 5S rDNA loci, each located on a different chromosome. A FISH analysis of F₁ (citron × sweet watermelon) chromosome spreads revealed uniparental homeologous rDNA gene copies pertaining to the sweet watermelon versus the citron chromosomes, with the sweet watermelon chromosome containing the 18S–28S and 5S rDNA locus versus the citron homologue chromosome that has the 5S rDNA locus, but not the 18S–28S rDNA locus. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis, using the entire citron genome as a probe to be differentially hybridized on sweet watermelon chromosome spreads, revealed that the citron genomic probes mainly hybridize to subtelomeric and pericentromeric regions of the sweet watermelon chromosomes, suggesting extensive divergence between the citron and sweet watermelon genomes. The FISH and GISH cytogenetic analysis here indicate major differences in genome organization between the cultivated watermelon type sweet watermelon and its counterpart citron that thrive in southern Africa and considered a useful germplasm source for enhancing disease and pest resistance in watermelon cultivars.     

芽孢杆菌TS01的ARDRA评估和遗传分析

利用自主分离的芽孢杆菌菌株TS01和15种芽孢杆菌(地衣芽孢杆菌,枯草芽孢杆菌,短小芽孢杆菌,巨大芽孢杆菌,凝结芽孢杆菌,蜡状芽孢杆菌,迟缓芽孢杆菌,苏云金芽孢杆菌,嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌,解淀粉芽孢杆菌,环状芽孢杆菌,球形芽孢杆菌,侧孢短芽孢杆菌,多粘类芽孢杆菌,泛酸枝芽孢杆菌)模式菌种进行ARDRA分析。采用16S rDNA通用引物16S-27和16S-1525进行PCR扩增,16S rDNA扩增片段经六种限制性酶（Alu I、Taq I、Mse I、Bst UI、Hha I和Tsp509 I）酶切电泳,获得了TS01菌株的特征性ARDRA指纹图谱。ARDRA图谱通过GelcomparⅡ软件进行聚类分析(UPGMA),结果表明菌株TS01和地衣芽孢杆菌处于同一分支,亲缘关系最近。ARDRA分析鉴定结果与实验室前期菌株TS01形态、生化鉴定和16S rDNA序列分析结果一致,TS01是一株地衣芽孢杆菌菌株,从而证明ARDRA技术在菌种水平上对芽孢杆菌TS01进行鉴别具有可靠性。     

几株固氮芽孢杆菌的分离与鉴定

摘要： 从小麦（Triticum aestivum）、玉米（Zea mays）、黑麦草（Lolium sp.）和柳树（Salix sp.）的根际土壤中分离得到能在无氮培养基上生长的29株芽孢杆菌（Bacilli），通过固氮酶活的测定以及固氮酶结构基因 nifH 的PCR扩增得到7株固氮芽孢杆菌。对这7株固氮菌株进行了生理生化性状测定、16S rDNA序列分析(GenBank accession No. AY373358, AY373360,~AY373364和AY376876)、G+C mol%含量的测定及DNA-DNA杂交实验，结果表明，其中5株菌属于芽孢杆菌，另外2株菌属于类芽孢杆菌。在这7株被鉴定的菌株中，菌株T1被鉴定为Bacillus cereus；菌株G1、C4和C5被鉴定为B. megaterium；菌株W5的生理生化性状、16S rDNA和G+C mol%与Bacillus marisflavi 相近；G2的生理生化性状和16S rDNA 与Paenibacillus polymyxa 接近，但在基于16S rDNA的系统发育树中却与P. durus 聚在最小的分支内；T7可能是Paenibacillus属中的一个新种。     

实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应快速鉴定三种鳕鱼

为鉴定常见的3种鳕科鳕鱼(大西洋鳕鱼、太平洋鳕鱼和黑线鳕),选用16S rDNA基因设计区分鳕科和非鳕科鱼类的引物,选用线粒体Cytb基因设计区分3种鳕鱼的物种特异性引物,建立实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qPCR)体系,对其进行物种分析。结果表明,16S rDNA qPCR体系及3种鳕鱼品种特异性qPCR体系均具有良好的性能,结合标准曲线,可以对单一或混合样品中的目标鳕鱼进行定量检测。在模拟混合样品中目标鳕鱼的相对检测灵敏度可达0.01%。通过对13种市售样品的检测,本研究设计的qPCR体系可检测出原料及深加工产品中的鳕鱼成分。综上,所建立的qPCR体系具有很强的实用性,能满足日常检测的要求,并有望作为未来鳕鱼市场管理的检测方法。     

PCR-RFLP authentication of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), and goat (Capra hircus)

PCR-RFLP analysis has been applied to the identification of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), and goat (Capra hircus). PCR amplification was carried out using a set of primers flanking a conserved region of approximately 712 base pairs from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Restriction site analysis based on sequence data from this DNA fragment permitted the selection of MseI, MboII, BslI, and ApoI endonucleases for species identification. The restriction profiles obtained when amplicons were digested with the chosen enzymes allowed the unequivocal identification of all domestic and game meat species analyzed in the present work.     

Development of a method for the genetic identification of flatfish species on the basis of mitochondrial DNA sequences

In the present study a method for genetic identification of flatfish species was developed. The technique is based on DNA sequencing of amplified DNA by PCR and subsequent phylogenetic analysis ( FINS). A phylogenetic tree using the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was constructed and the bootstrap values calculated. The mentioned technique allows the genetic identification of more than 50 flatfish species in fresh, frozen, and precooked products. This analytical system was validated and subsequently applied to 30 commercial samples, obtaining 13 that were incorrectly labeled (43%). Four of the mislabeled samples were whole fish (31%), and nine were fillets (69%). The species with the higher rate of incorrect labeling were Pleuronectes platessa (17%) and Solea solea (10%). Other species incorrectly labeled were Hipoglossus hipoglossus (7%), Reinharditus hippoglossoides, Limanda ferruginea, and Microstomus kitt (3% each species). Therefore, this molecular tool is appropriate to clarify questions related with the correct labeling of commercial products, the traceability of raw materials, and the control of imported flatfish, and also can be applied to questions linked to the control of fisheries.     

Bioaccessibility and transport by Caco-2 cells of organoarsenical species present in seafood

Organoarsenical standards and raw and cooked seafood (DORM-2, sole, and Greenland halibut) were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to estimate arsenic bioaccessibility (maximum soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium). The in vitro digestion did not modify the chemical form of the organoarsenic species standards. In seafood, bioaccessibility was 67.5-100% for arsenobetaine (AB), 30% for dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), 45% for tetramethylarsonium ion (TETRA), and >50% for trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO). Cooking induced no changes in bioaccessible contents. In addition, transport by Caco-2 cells, an intestinal epithelia model, was evaluated from organoarsenical standards and DORM-2. For standards, transport ranged from 1.7% for AB to 15.5% for TETRA. In DORM-2, transport was observed for only AB (12%), with far higher efficiency than in the case of the standard solution, thus illustrating the interest of using whole foods for studying bioavailability.     

Metal stress selects for bacterial ARDRA-types with a reduced catabolic versatility

In a previous study, 76 out of 899 bacteria, isolated from uncontaminated and adjacent metal-contaminated experimental plots, were found to fall within 12 clusters on the basis of a fourfold ‘amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis’ (ARDRA). Eight of these 12 ARDRA-clusters were re-investigated in the present study by sequencing about 500 bp of the 16S rDNA of the pertaining 51 isolates. Sequencing confirmed that, with the stringent fourfold ARDRA applied, all isolates of a given ARDRA-cluster did indeed have identical 16S rDNA. Seven ARDRA-clusters had 16S rDNA similarities of 98% or more with reference species suggesting identification was at least at the genus level. With one ARDRA-cluster, having a similarity of only 93% with Sphingobacterium heparium, identification was less certain. An unequivocal assignment of the eight ARDRA-clusters to distinct species was not possible. However, similarities >99.3% of five ARDRA-clusters with five reference species from two genera suggested identification was eventually even at the species level.Isolates of seven ARDRA-clusters from increasingly metal-contaminated soil samples were decreasingly versatile with respect to aromatic acids they could utilise as sole sources of carbon and energy. Only in one ARDRA-cluster exhibiting 99.8% similarity with Arthrobacter nicotinovorans was this effect less pronounced. The data strongly suggest that the decrease in catabolic versatility observed with metal-affected bacterial communities also applies to the genus level, if not to the species level.     

PCR-ELISA for the semiquantitative detection of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) in sterilized fish muscle mixtures

A PCR-ELISA technique was developed for the semiquantitative detection of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) in experimentally sterilized fish muscle mixtures. Specific oligonucleotides derived from the 5S rDNA gene of Nile perch were selected. A forward primer, together with a reverse digoxigenin-labeled primer, permitted the amplification of specific 185 bp DNA fragments showing DNA intensities proportional to the contents of Nile perch muscle tissue in the fish mixtures. A biotinylated probe immobilized onto streptavidin-coated microplates was used to capture the digoxigenin-labeled fragments that were detected with peroxidase antidigoxigenin conjugate. Subsequent enzymatic conversion of substrate gave distinct absorbance differences when assaying fish binary mixtures containing different percentages of Nile perch muscle.     

Rapid identification and discrimination among Egyptian genotypes of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae and Sinorhizobium meliloti nodulating faba bean (Vicia faba L.) by analysis of nodC, ARDRA, and rDNA sequence analysis

Twenty-eight Rhizobium strains were isolated from the root nodules of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) collected from 11 governorates in Egypt. A majority of these strains (57%) were identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae (Rlv) based on analysis of a nodC gene fragment amplified using specific primers for these faba bean symbionts. The strains were characterized using a polyphasic approach, including nodulation pattern, tolerance to environmental stresses, and genetic diversity based on amplified ribosomal DNA-restriction analysis (ARDRA) of both 16S and 23S rDNA. Analysis of tolerance to environmental stresses revealed that some of these strains can survive in the presence of 1% NaCl and a majority of them survived well at 37 °C. ARDRA indicated that the strains could be divided into six 16S rDNA genotypes and five 23S rDNA genotypes. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA indicated that 57% were Rlv, two strains were Rhizobium etli, one strain was taxonomically related to Rhizobium rubi, and a group of strains were most closely related to Sinorhizobium meliloti. Results of these studies indicate that genetically diverse rhizobial strains are capable of forming N₂-fixing symbiotic associations with faba bean and PCR done using nodC primers allows for the rapid identification of V. faba symbionts.     

The 18S rDNA gene discriminates between red-listed and unexplored ethnomedicinal species of Myristicaceae restricted to humid tropics of India

A potentially diagnostic 18S rDNA (ribosomal DNA) gene was amplified reliably from red-listed ethnomedicinal species of Myristica and its wild and related genera. Individuals from nine species of Myristicaceae were utilized for the study. The sequences ranged from 1,767 to 1,794 nucleotide (nt) in length. The GC content (%) varied from 52.77 to 51.04. The frequencies (%) of nt were A (23.31), T (23.82), C (24.48) and G (28.39). The alignment of all sequences produced 195/1,516 variable sites and 1,257/1,516 conserved sites. Total numbers of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites found in the alignment were 146/1,516. Knema andamanica (Warb.) W.J. de Wilde was the most distinct that included 18 variable regions and 15 InDel with 27 SNP sites, specific to this species. The identified regions from nine species of Myristica and its wild and closely related genera were deposited in the GenBank Database (Accession numbers JN228257-JN228265). Comparison of morphological identifications and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the specimens were correctly assigned on the basis of a short stretch of 18S rDNA (~1,600 bp) making this a potentially useful marker for the rapid molecular assignment of an unknown related species also. Significant sequence homology ranging from 72 to 99 % was observed on comparison with 18S rDNA genes of other plants in the public domain. A comparison of intraspecific data information of nine 18S with that of 73 matK and 86 rbcL sequences from GenBank revealed that polymorphism, divergence and conservation is higher in 18S locus for Myristicaceae. Hence these markers may be utilized for phylogenetic analysis, evaluation of species richness during ecological surveys or for environmental assessments. These molecular markers are especially important due to the fact that the species studied are mostly vulnerable and red-listed with limited availability in endangered ecological niches.     

Speciation in the parthenogenetic oribatid mite genus Tectocepheus (Acari, Oribatida) as indicated by molecular phylogeny

Despite the lack of universal concepts for species and speciation, both sexual and asexual organisms are expected to diversify into discrete genotypic and morphological clusters. Species-rich clusters of parthenogenetic oribatid mites likely evolved in the absence of sexual reproduction. We used nucleotide sequences of the large and small rDNA genes (18S and 28S) and the coding genes for heat shock protein 82 (hsp82) and elongation factor-1 alpha (ef-1α) for phylogenetic analyses of three morphotypes of the parthenogenetic oribatid mite genus Tectocepheus. DNA sequence divergences of the different morphotypes were similar to those of sexual species in other organisms. Maximum likelihood analyses of single genes and combined data sets were largely congruent in reconstructing the phylogeny of the Tectocepheus species. The results suggest that the different morphotypes of Tectocepheus indeed evolved in the absence of sexual reproduction, and that Tectocepheus minor, Tectocepheus velatus and Tectocepheus sarekensis are best considered distinct species. Further, the results suggest that 18S rDNA, hsp82 and ef-1α are powerful markers for resolving phylogenetic relationships of oribatid mites. Saturation plots indicated that the D3-region of 28S is much more saturated than all other examined genes. This indicates that the D3-region is unsuitable for resolving ancient splits in oribatid mites.     

Molecular and physiological characterisation of psychrotrophic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolated from Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

A set of 21 Antarctic marine bacteria isolated from the Ross Sea and able to utilise diesel fuel as the sole carbon and energy source was characterised. Isolates were analysed by amplified 16S rDNA restriction analysis using the enzyme AluI, resulting in two different groups corresponding to different bacterial species. These species were assigned to the genera Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing. This low degree of inter-specific biodiversity was parallel to a low intra-specific biodiversity, as shown by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis. Then, a 550-bp DNA fragment coding for the inner region of alkane mono-oxygenase was PCR-amplified from the genome of each strain. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the putative AlkB protein coded for by the amplified DNA fragment revealed that these alkB genes were very likely inherited by horizontal gene transfer. Lastly, the analysis of the biodegradation ability of four strains revealed two different strategies of hydrocarbon uptake, mediated either by bio-surfactants and peculiar of Rhodococcus isolates, or by membrane modifications and shown by Alcaligenes isolates. In order to understand the interrelationships between hydrocarbon-degrading isolates, the dynamics of two strains, belonging to Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, grown together in a co-culture was also followed over a seventeen days period.