Survival and development of immature Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) feeding on Chaitophorus populeti (Panzer) propagated on transgenic Populus alba × P. glandulosa

Laboratory feeding experiments with the poplar aphid, Chaitophorus populeti (Panzer), feeding on transgenic poplar (P. alba × P. glandulosa) varieties C13-5 and C013-5, were carried out to study the effect of transgenic poplar on the ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). The mortality and development time of the immature stages, the eclosion rate and body mass of H. axyridis were measured. The results indicated that C. populeti feeding on different varieties of transgenic plants had no statistically significant effect on the mortality of H. axyridis larvae. The development time of larval and pupal stages were not significantly different between the two transgenic poplars and a non-transgenic poplar. Furthermore, the body mass and eclosion rate did not show any difference between the H. axyridis feeding on aphids reared on transgenic plants and those from non-transgenic plants. It is suggested that transgenic plants have no deleterious effect on the predatory ladybird.     

Antisense expression of a caffeic acidO-methyltransferase ofStylosanthes humilis in transgenic poplar: Effect of expression onO-methyltransferase activity and lignin composition

Poplar (Populus tremula) was transformed with a construct carrying an antisense caffeic acidO-methyltransferase (COMT) cDNA (pOMT8) from a tropical pasture legume,Stylosanthes humilis. pOMT8 shows 83% overall homology to the corresponding COMT gene (pPCLA) of poplar. Of the 200 putatively-transformed plants regenerated on selective media after co-cultivation of poplar stem explants withAgrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring a CaMV 35S-antisensepOMT8 construct, a subset of 20 plants were randomly chosen for further analysis. PCR and Southern blot analysis demonstrated the stable integration of T-DNA into the genome of these plants. Antisense expression ofpOMT8 resulted in reductions in total COMT activity in the majority of the transgenic plants with the lowest total COMT activities (61–70% of untransformed control plants) being observed in four transgenic plants. The composition of lignin in transgenic plants was also changed, as detected by reductions in the content of syringyl units using infrared spectroscopy. However, no changes were found in the amount of insoluble lignin in transgenic plants as compared to untransformed control plants. These results indicate the potential of thepOMT8 gene to partially suppress COMT activity and modify the composition of lignin in transgenic poplar. This work was partly supported by General Management of Turkish Pulp and Paper Mills.     

超量表达FBL1对84K杨根系和生长量影响研究

生长素及其信号转导系统对植物的生长发育具有重要的影响。本研究从银腺杨'84K'(Populus alba × P. glandulosa cl. '84K')中分离了生长素受体基因PtrFBL1,利用PMDC32构建了PMDC32-PtrFBL1超量表达载体,并通过遗传转化获得了超量表达植株17个。对温室定植的3个转基因株系和对照植株的根系、生长量和光合指标等性状分析结果显示:转基因株系总根长和总根面积达到显著或极显著差异,而根系干质量、平均不定根系长度、平均不定根直径差异不显著;株高、平均节间长、地径和高径比皆高于对照,且大多数转基因株系达到显著差异;除气孔限制值(Ls)低于对照外,气孔导度(Cd)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光能利用效率(LUE)和叶绿素相对含量皆高于对照,且大多数转基因株系达到显著或极显著差异。以上结果表明,可能是FBL1超表达增加了转基因株系根系面积,提高了水分和养分的吸收利用,进而导致转基因株系光能吸收和转化效率提高,引起转基因株系生长加快。     

Transgenic poplar with enhanced growth by introduction of the ugt and acb genes

The transgenic poplar (Populus tremula L.) was obtained by transfer of the ugt and acb genes via triparental mating, which was employed to deliver large fragments of TDNA as a cluster. Freshly harvested seeds of local poplar were placed on MS agar medium and plantlets were obtained. After 1 year of subcultivation, plantlets were infected with a transconjugant of triparental mating with target ugt and acb genes into axillary buds. The transformed sprouts so obtained were cut and subcultivated on agar medium with an addition of 0.6 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid as an auxin source. The transformed sprouts showed GUS activity and resistance to gentamycin and kanamycin. The integrity of the target ugt and acb genes into poplar genome was demonstrated via PCR and Southern blot hybridisation. The transgenic poplar plants revealed a higher growth energy, corresponding to a higher content of IAA as opposed to control plants. Both transgenic and non-transformed plants were potted into soil for outdoor acclimatisation and subsequently transferred to earth in beds. Growing outside during 3 years, the transgenic poplar demonstrated a higher growth rate with fast bud and branch development.     

杨树转基因研究进展及展望

杨树是重要的栽培树种,也是研究林木基因工程的重要模式植物。杨树转基因研究可以打破种属限制,具有高效性和专一性的特点,是对杨树进行遗传改良的重要手段。为了更好的进行该方面的工作,本文介绍了杨树转基因涉及到的抗虫、抗除草剂、木材材性改良、抗逆、抗病、激素调控、开花调控和植物修复等应用领域的研究进展及现状,分析了影响杨树农杆菌转化效率的主要因素,并探讨了杨树转基因研究存在的问题及发展方向,希望能为后期从事林木基因工程研究的科研工作者提供依据。     

Molecular cloning of a cellulose synthase gene PtoCesA1 from Populus tomentosa and its genetic transformation in tobacco

A 3 125 bp cellulose synthase gene, PtoCesA1, which has a 98% identity to PtrCesA1 from Populus tremuloides, was cloned from cDNA prepared from secondary xylem of P. tomentosa. Four anti-expression vectors with different fragments of PtoCesA1, named as pBIPF, pBICC1, pBIPR and pBIBR, were constructed. Some traits of transformed tobacco of pBICC1, pBIPR and pBIBR differed from wild types, such as small leaves, “dwarf” phenotype and thinner xylem and fiber cell walls than wild plants consistent with a loss of cellulose. It indicated that the growth of transgenic tobacco was restrained by the expression of anti-PtoCesA1. Transgenic tobacco was obtained and the contents of cellulose and lignin were analyzed as well as the width and length of fiber cells, and xylem thickness for both transgenic and control plants. Transformed tobacco showed a different phenotype from control plants and it implied that PtoCesA1 was essential for the cellulose biosynthesis in poplar stems. [Supported by the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (863) (2001AA244060 and 2003AA244020) and National Basic Research Program of China (973) (J1999016003)]     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CpTI</Emphasis> gene integration for 2-year-old transgenic poplars at DNA level

The putative transgenic hybrid triploid poplars [(P. tomentosa × P. bolleana) × P. tomentosa] with CpTI gene have been outplanted in test field for 2 years. Although the authors’ previous studies have proved that they are highly resistant to 3 species of poplar-threatening insect pests and contain high content of CpTI protein in foliage, incorporation status of foreign CpTI gene in poplar genome is uncertain. In this present study, the incorporation of foreign CpTI gene in genome of 5 transgenic poplars was confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting analysis. DNA amplification showed that there were clear DNA bands of about 450bp specific to CpTI gene in transgenic lanes, while no corresponding band in non-transgenic lane was observed. Correspondingly, clear DNA hybridization signals and no signal were exhibited on film for DNA Southern blotting analysis in transgenic lanes and non-transgenic lane, respectively, which further confirmed the stable integration of foreign CpTI gene in genome of 2-year-old transgenic poplar.     

Insect-resistant mechanism of transgenic triploid of Chinese white poplar

The activities of antidotal enzymes and digestive enzymes of Clostera anachoreta (Fabricius) instar larvae, feeding on leaves of three kinds of insect-resistant clones of transgenic triploid of Chinese white poplar, after 4, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, were investigated. The results showed that, feeding on clone 7, the activity of esterase, carboxylesterase, and mixed-function oxidases in the midgut of the larvae was very much decreased. Feeding on clone 10, those results were less than those of clone 7 and there were few changes on the larvae, which fed on clone 26. The changes of the amylase in the midgut of larvae were the same as those described above. However, the activities of glutathione S-transferase and proteinase were complex, increased markedly after 24 h feeding on clone 7, and then declined rapidly. The same changes were taking place on the larvae feeding on clone 10. There were many slight changes in glutathione S-transferase of the larvae, feeding on clone 26; no changes occurred in the proteinases of the midgut. Thus, the antidotal enzymes and digestive enzymes in the midgut of the larvae were inhibited. This may be the main mechanism of the transgenic triploid of Chinese white poplar. __________ Translated from Journal of Agricultural University of Hebei, 2005, 28(5) [译自: 河北农业大学学报, 2005, 28(5)]     

Assessment of rhizospheric microorganisms of transgenic Populus tomentosa with cowpea trypsin inhibitor ( CpTI ) gene

To have a preliminary insight into biosafety of genetically transformed hybrid triploid poplars (Populus tomentosa × P. bolleana) × P. tomentosa with the cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTI) gene, two layers of rhizospheric soil (from 0 to 20 cm deep and from 20 to 40 cm deep, respectively) were collected for microorganism culture, counting assay and PCR analysis to assess the potential impact of transgenic poplars on non-target microorganism population and transgene dispersal. When the same soil layer of suspension stock solution was diluted at both 1:1 000 and 1:10 000 rates, there were no significant differences in bacterium colony numbers between the inoculation plates of both transgenic and non-transgenic poplars. The uniform results were revealed for both soil layer suspension solutions of identical poplars at both dilution rates except for non-transgenic poplars at 1:10000 dilution rates from the same type of soil. No significant variation in morphology of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was observed under the microscope. The potential transgene dispersal from root exudates or fallen leaves to non-target microbes was repudiated by PCR analysis, in which no CpTI gene specific DNA band was amplified for 15 sites of transgenic rhizospheric soil samples. It can be concluded that transgenic poplar with the CpTI gene has no severe impact on rhizospheric microorganisms and is tentatively safe to surrounding soil micro-ecosystem. [Supported by the National Project in Transgenic Plant and Application (Grant No. J2002-2003)]     

烟草和毛白杨次生维管发育相关MYB转录因子分析

[目的]为探讨额河杨和银灰杨天然杂种的起源机制,[方法]应用18对SSR标记,从分子水平上对新疆额尔齐斯河流域杨属植物的种间关系进行分析研究。[结果]表明:(1)SSR系统发育树将整个流域天然杨属植物分为两大类群,即黑杨派和青杨派为一类,白杨派为一类;(2)白杨派派内系统聚类图显示,银白杨、欧洲山杨、银灰杨三个树种均有较大的遗传分化,特别是杂种银灰杨似乎更大;(3)黑杨派和青杨派的UPGMA分类图显示,青杨派和黑杨派分属于2个分支,其中,青杨派内部分化相对简单,分为2支,均为典型的苦杨;黑杨派内部的分化较为复杂,可分为4类,包括典型的欧洲黑杨、额河杨和回交子代。[结论]杂种额河杨具有更多的欧洲黑杨的遗传成分,因此,将额河杨放到黑杨派是正确的。     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of lombardy poplar (Populus nigra L. var.italica Koehne) using stem segments

Genetically transformed lombardy poplar (Populus nigra L. var.italica Koehne) plants were regenerated by co-cultivation of stem segments withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 that harbored a binary vector (pBI121) which included genes for β-glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phosphotransferase. Successful transformation was confirmed by the ability of stem segments to produce calli in the presence of kanamycin, histochemical and fluorometric assays of GUS activity in plant tissues, and Southern blot analysis.     

Establishment of genetic transformation system via Agrobacterium in tall fescue cultivar

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a cool-season turfgrass used on fairways in golf courses. The object of this study was to develop a more efficient, reliable, and repeatable approach in transforming the grass using Agrobacterium (EHA105), where β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was used as a reporter and hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hyg) as a selectable marker. An effective expression of transgene was observed in transforming 2-month-old calli derived from mature seeds (cv. Bingo) cultured on MS medium supplemented with 9 mg·L⁻¹ 2, 4-D. A two-step solid medium selection with increasing hygromycin concentration (from 30 to 50 mg·L⁻¹) was used to obtain resistant calli. Transgenic plants have been produced from many independent transformed calli. The presence of functional β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was detected in hygromycin-resistant calli. Transgenic plants were regenerated and PCR and Southern blot confirmed transgene integration in the tall fescue genome. Biography: QIAN Hai-feng (1973–), male, Ph.D., associate professor in Zhejiang University of Technology.     

Impact of defoliation caused by the sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Hymenoptera: Pamphilidae) on radial growth of larch (Larix decidua Mill.)

The period between 2000 and 2002 repeated outbreaks of the web spinning sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Wachtl 1898) around the village of Větrny Jeníkov, Czech Republic. The impact of defoliation, caused by C. lariciphila feeding, on tree-ring formation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) was studied using dendrochronological methods. Heavy defoliation resulted in much less growth in the years of insect attack, the average incremental loss being 67% for the 2000–2002 period. Also, defoliation resulted in the formation of latewood with fewer cells and reduced cell-wall thickness.     

AFLP fingerprinting of elite varieties (clones) from the genus Populus

Accurate identification of varieties (clones) and knowledge of their genetic relationships are essential for poplar breeding and variety management. In this study, 21 elite poplar varieties of Tacamahaca and Aigeiros in China were fingerprinted using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Four AFLP primer pairs developed generated totally 181 AFLP polymorphic fragments, and in particular, each primer pair generated fingerprint profiles specific to each of the tested varieties. The genetic relationships among the varieties were evaluated by dendrograms and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The results showed that the tested poplar can be classified into five groups, and indicated the clear separation of varieties of different sections of poplar and the primary distinction between native and exotic poplar varieties. This study indicated that tested poplar varieties could be identified by their fingerprint profiles and that genetic relationships deduced from the study were consistent with their genealogy. In addition, our results demonstrated that AFLP could be used to construct DNA fingerprints of polar clones at a large-scale level and to determine genetic relationships of poplar varieties. __________ Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2006, 28(1): 85–90 [译自: 云南植物研究]     

The role of competitors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomela lapponica</Emphasis>, a north Eurasian willow pest,in pioneering a new host plant

The Palaearctic leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica usually feeds upon willows in the northern region of its occurrence. However, in Central Europe, some populations are known that have specialised on birch. In this study, we investigated the significance of other herbivores occurring together on the same host plants as possible exploitative competitors of C. lapponica. Two populations were studied: a population from Finland specialised on the willow Salix borealis, and a population from the Czech Republic, specialised on the birch Betula pubescens. Abundances of folivorous and suctivorous insects on both host plants were recorded at both population sites. The willow leaf beetle Phratora vitellinae was the most abundant herbivorous insect at both study sites on willow. A field study was conducted to examine the effects of P. vitellinae on the performance of C. lapponica. The presence of P. vitellinae larvae on the same twig upon which C. lapponica larvae were feeding did not affect increase of body weight in C. lapponica larvae. Thus, the high resource availability of both willows and birches suggest that interspecific competition is unlikely to be a selection factor driving the evolution of host shift in C. lapponica.     

Improvement of wood properties by urea-formaldehyde resin and nano-SiO2

In order to improve wood properties of triploid clones of Populus tomentosa, urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin was compounded with nano-SiO₂, coupling agents and flame retardants in different ways to prepare five kinds of modifiers. The poplar wood samples were impregnated with the modifiers and heated to prepare UF-SiO₂-wood composites. The antiswelling efficiency, resistance of water absorption, oxygen index and hardness of the composites were measured. Results show that all of the modifiers reduced water absorption of poplar wood and enhanced flame resistance and hardness. Nano-SiO₂ showed a marked effect in improving the hardness of wood. In addition, all of the modifiers, except UF-C-SiO₂-polymer, improved the dimensional stability of poplar wood. The UF resin and nano-SiO₂ compound improved general properties of poplar wood. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(2): 123–128 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Psyllid resistance in Leucaena. Part 2. Quantification of production lossesfrom psyllid damage

The psyllid insect (Heteropsylla cubana) is known to reduce biomass production in Leucaena species, but little information is available on the level of reduction, or whether a commonly used plant damage rating scale can be related to production losses. Biomass production losses due to predation by the psyllid were determined for 12accessions of Leucaena in a randomised split-plot field experiment conducted at Brisbane, Australia. Regrowthfrom well-established Leucaena trees, cut back to bare stems 50 cm high, was measured over a 9–week period from plants subjected to psyllid damage and from plants with psyllids controlled by spraying with chlorpyrifos (1 mg ai/l water). Psyllid damage was scored using a ratings scale developed by the University of Hawaii. Lossof potential DM production due to psyllids ranged from 10% for L. trichandra OFI53/88 to 76% for L. collinsii ssp. zacapana OFI56/88. Production losses were significantly correlated with psyllid damage ratings for 10 of the 12 accessions, and also for a combined data set comprising these 10 accessions. From correlations for the combined data set, a 50% loss of potential DM production occurred at a psyllid damage rating of approximately3.2. Results indicated that a “0” rating should be added to the scale to indicate the absence of psyllids. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

大花蕙兰转齿兰环斑病毒外壳蛋白基因及检测

[目的]通过植物转基因技术获得抗病毒大花蕙兰种质资源,优化转化体系和鉴定方法.[方法]本研究克隆了齿兰环斑病毒外壳蛋白基因,并构建了该基因的pBI121表达载体,用根癌农杆菌介导法转化大花蕙兰,尝试以巢式PCR方法检测转基因再生植株.[结果]优化了大花蕙兰遗传转化体系,建立了利用巢式PCR技术检测转基因大花蕙兰植株的方法,获得了32株转基因株(系).[结论]优化了以类原球茎为外植体的农杆菌介导转化大花蕙兰的方法,确定以5%~10%类原球茎存活时的抗生素(卡那霉素)浓度为筛选浓度;获得了转ORSV CP基因大花蕙兰植株;对大花蕙兰转基因植株检测时,巢式PCR较普通PCR更灵敏、准确.