The evolution of resistance gene in plants

Resistance genes enable plants to fight against plant pathogens. Plant resistance genes (R gene) are organized complexly in genome. Some resistance gene sequence data enable an insight into R gene structure and gene evolution. Some sites like Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) are of specific interest since homologous recombination can happen. Crossing over, transposon insertion and excision and mutation can produce new specificity. Three models explaining R gene evolution were discussed. More information needed for dissection of R gene evolution though some step can be inferred from genetic and sequence analysis.     

猪圆环病毒3型河北株全基因组序列特征和遗传进化分析

【目的】扩增猪圆环病毒3型(PCV3)全基因组序列,对其进行序列特征及遗传进化分析.【方法】以PCV3阳性样品为模板,利用两对引物扩增全基因组片段并测序,通过DNA Star和MEGA-X软件进行遗传进化分析.【结果】发现1株新PCV3毒株(GenBank登录号:MK105924),PCV3 Cap蛋白为3b亚型,与河北省9株PCV3 Cap蛋白的同源性在97.8%～99.8%;所获得的PCV3与PCV1和PCV2全基因组序列的同源性均小于50%,遗传进化树分析3种PCV处于不同的分支,表明其属于不同的基因型;与国内外其他43株PCV3全基因组序列的同源性在98.7%～99.3%,其中与俄罗斯PCV3毒株(GenBank登录号:MG679916)的同源性最高,为99.3%,表明不同PCV3毒株之间的全基因组序列的同源性很高,尚未发现明显的变异;与GenBank上已发表的全部国内外174株PCV3的全基因组序列进行遗传进化树分析,发现全球PCV3及其亚型的分布有地域的差异.【结论】获得1株新PCV3毒株,其与PCV1、PCV2属于不同的基因型;不同PCV3毒株之间存在着较高的同源性;全球...     

The Chlamydomonas genome reveals the evolution of key animal and plant functions

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga whose lineage diverged from land plants over 1 billion years ago. It is a model system for studying chloroplast-based photosynthesis, as well as the structure, assembly, and function of eukaryotic flagella (cilia), which were inherited from the common ancestor of plants and animals, but lost in land plants. We sequenced the approximately 120-megabase nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas and performed comparative phylogenomic analyses, identifying genes encoding uncharacterized proteins that are likely associated with the function and biogenesis of chloroplasts or eukaryotic flagella. Analyses of the Chlamydomonas genome advance our understanding of the ancestral eukaryotic cell, reveal previously unknown genes associated with photosynthetic and flagellar functions, and establish links between ciliopathy and the composition and function of flagella.     

The Physcomitrella genome reveals evolutionary insights into the conquest of land by plants

We report the draft genome sequence of the model moss Physcomitrella patens and compare its features with those of flowering plants, from which it is separated by more than 400 million years, and unicellular aquatic algae. This comparison reveals genomic changes concomitant with the evolutionary movement to land, including a general increase in gene family complexity; loss of genes associated with aquatic environments (e.g., flagellar arms); acquisition of genes for tolerating terrestrial stresses (e.g., variation in temperature and water availability); and the development of the auxin and abscisic acid signaling pathways for coordinating multicellular growth and dehydration response. The Physcomitrella genome provides a resource for phylogenetic inferences about gene function and for experimental analysis of plant processes through this plant's unique facility for reverse genetics.     

Mobile elements: drivers of genome evolution

Mobile elements within genomes have driven genome evolution in diverse ways. Particularly in plants and mammals, retrotransposons have accumulated to constitute a large fraction of the genome and have shaped both genes and the entire genome. Although the host can often control their numbers, massive expansions of retrotransposons have been tolerated during evolution. Now mobile elements are becoming useful tools for learning more about genome evolution and gene function.     

The genome of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana: ecology, evolution, and metabolism

Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They are responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million-base pair draft nuclear genome of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand-base pair plastid and 44 thousand-base pair mitochondrial genomes. Sequence and optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid nuclear chromosomes. We identified novel genes for silicic acid transport and formation of silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes for several types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, use of a range of nitrogenous compounds, and a complete urea cycle, all attributes that allow diatoms to prosper in aquatic environments.     

杨柳科植物叶绿体基因组结构及变异分析

【目的】获取杨柳科叶绿体基因组的结构及序列特征,揭示杨柳科植物的系统发育关系。【方法】利用Excel和本地Blast,分析统计杨柳科已公布的23种植物叶绿体基因组大小、结构组成、基因数量、排列顺序及内含子等信息;同时基于55个共有单拷贝蛋白编码基因,采用NJ法进行系统发育分析。【结果】杨柳科23种植物叶绿体基因组大小在155～159 kb,主要由大单拷贝区(LSC)长度差异引起。各物种基因排列顺序基本一致,均为2个IRs和2个SCs的典型四元组合结构,4个边界主要位于rpl22、ycf1、rps19基因处。psbZ、ycf15、lhbA、infA、trnK、trnG、trnL、trnV、trnI、trnA等基因存在缺失现象,引起基因数量差异。内含子在细胞色素复合物(petB)基因、RNA聚合酶(rpoC2)基因和核糖体蛋白(rpl2)基因等内发生结构变异,引起基因长度差异。系统进化分析结果表明,杨树聚类为4个高支持率进化支,钻天柳等7种柳树分为2个进化支。【结论】叶绿体基因组支持杨属、柳属独立进化,为杨柳科系统分类和系统发育提供了分子证据。     

Managing the evolution of insect resistance to transgenic plants

The evolution of resistance in pests such as the European corn borer will imperil transgenic maize varieties that express insecticidal crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis. Patchworks of treated and untreated fields can delay the evolution of pesticide resistance, but the untreated refuge fields are likely to sustain heavy damage. A strategy that exploits corn borer preferences and movements can eliminate this problem. Computer simulation indicates that this approach can delay the evolution of resistance and reduce insect damage in the untreated fields of a patchwork planting regime.     

Genomics. Painting a picture of genome evolution

A new analysis of the genome sequences of two bacteria shows that genes can be lost as well as gained during evolution. Even more intriguingly, the work provides snapshots capturing gene decay in the act and thus illuminates the actual genomic changes that occurred over tens of millions of years of evolution. The research, which is described on page 2093, focuses on two pathogenic bacteria: Rickettsia conorii, the culprit in Mediterranean spotted fever, and R. prowazekii, which causes typhus.     

Polyploidy and the evolution of gender dimorphism in plants

Gender dimorphism and polyploidy are important evolutionary transitions that have evolved repeatedly in many plant families. We show that gender dimorphism in North American Lycium (Solanaceae) has evolved in polyploid, self-compatible taxa whose closest relatives are cosexual, self-incompatible diploids. This has occurred independently in South African Lycium. We present additional evidence for this pathway to gender dimorphism from 12 genera involving at least 20 independent evolutionary events. We propose that polyploidy is a trigger of unrecognized importance for the evolution of gender dimorphism, which operates by disrupting self-incompatibility and leading to inbreeding depression. Subsequently, male sterile mutants invade and increase because they are unable to inbreed.     

紫貂线粒体基因组全序列结构及其进化

利用PCR方法和直接测序技术获得的紫貂线粒体基因组全长为16523bp,包含13个蛋白质编码基因、2个rRNA基因、22个tRNA基因和1个非编码基因控制区(D-Loop区),碱基组成为A32.0%、C27.6%、G14.7%、T25.8%;在编码蛋白质基因的密码子第3位点处具有AC高偏向性(72.6%),并且频繁利用不完全终止密码子T或TA(7个)。将紫貂线粒体基因组序列提交到GenBank,并获得检索号为FJ429093。结合GenBank中已公布的鼬科其他6种动物的线粒体基因组全序列及貂属6种D-Loop区部分序列,分别以虎和狗獾为外类群,应用最大简约法构建鼬科和貂属物种的系统进化树。结果表明:鼬科7个物种分成3大支系,分别为水獭亚科和臭鼬亚科群、日本貂和貂熊群以及紫貂和狗獾群,说明鼬科并非是一个单系群,紫貂与鼬科中的獾亚科亲缘关系较近,而与貂属中的美洲貂和石貂亲缘关系最近。     

杭州西溪湿地现有维管植物区系多样性研究

西溪湿地有维管植物254种,隶属于204属91科。其中蕨类植物8科9属9种;裸子植物4科6属7种;双子叶植物67科146属184种;单子叶植物12科43属54种。在西溪湿地维管束植物属的分布区类型中,热带性质的属有91属,占总属数的47.5%,处于主导地位,反映出西溪湿地维管束植物的分布与本地所处的气候带相适应。世界分布有35属,占总属数的17.2%。也是湿地植被的主要组成成分或关键属,特有属匮乏。     

Casting a genetic light on the evolution of eyes

Light has been exploited for information by organisms through the evolution of photoreceptors and, ultimately, eyes in animals. Only a handful of eye types exist because the physics of light constrains photodetection. In the past few years, genetic tools have revealed several parallel pathways through which light guides behavior and have provided insights into the convergent evolution of eyes. The gene encoding opsin (the primary phototransduction protein) and some developmental genes had very early origins and were recruited repeatedly during eye evolution. Eye lens proteins arose separately and make up a diverse group, many of which were co-opted from other functions. A major challenge now is understanding how newly discovered pathways for processing light evolved and how they collaborate with eyes to harvest information from light.     

Mapping the antigenic and genetic evolution of influenza virus

The antigenic evolution of influenza A (H3N2) virus was quantified and visualized from its introduction into humans in 1968 to 2003. Although there was remarkable correspondence between antigenic and genetic evolution, significant differences were observed: Antigenic evolution was more punctuated than genetic evolution, and genetic change sometimes had a disproportionately large antigenic effect. The method readily allows monitoring of antigenic differences among vaccine and circulating strains and thus estimation of the effects of vaccination. Further, this approach offers a route to predicting the relative success of emerging strains, which could be achieved by quantifying the combined effects of population level immune escape and viral fitness on strain evolution.     

Embryo-mediated genome editing for accelerated genetic improvement of livestock

Selecting beneficial DNA variants is the main goal of animal breeding. However, this process is inherently inefficient because each animal only carries a fraction of all desirable variants. Genome editing technology with its ability to directly introduce beneficial sequence variants offers new opportunities to modernize animal breeding by overcoming this biological limitation and accelerating genetic gains. To realize rapid genetic gain, precise edits need to be introduced into genomically-selected embryos, which minimizes the genetic lag. However, embryo-mediated precision editing by homology-directed repair (HDR) mechanisms is currently an inefficient process that often produces mosaic embryos and greatly limits the numbers of available edited embryos. This review provides a summary of genome editing in bovine embryos and proposes an embryo-mediated accelerated breeding scheme that overcomes the present efficiency limitations of HDR editing in bovine embryos. It integrates embryo-based genomic selection with precise multi-editing and uses embryonic cloning with elite edited blastomeres or embryonic pluripotent stem cells to resolve mosaicism, enable multiplex editing and multiply rare elite genotypes. Such a breeding strategy would enable a more targeted, accelerated approach for livestock improvement that allows stacking of beneficial variants, even including novel traits from outside the breeding population, in the most recent elite genetic background, essentially within a single generation.     

北京植物区系资料增补

本文报道了北京地区植物区系新记录物种8种,分别为束伞亚菊、鼬瓣花、羽叶长柄山蚂蝗、铁木、白萼委陵菜、林生茜草、林繁缕和兴安繁缕。铁木材质优良,种群数量少,建议提升保护等级。同时对刚刚在北京地区发现的兰科新种北京无喙兰形态特征给予中文描述,提高公众对该濒危物种的认识。本文还对《北京植物志》记载的杓兰和狗枣猕猴桃进行文献、标本考证与野外调查,确认其分别为山西杓兰和葛枣猕猴桃。本研究为北京市珍稀濒危植物资源调查和保护提供了重要信息。      

Passive origins of stomatal control in vascular plants

Carbon and water flow between plants and the atmosphere is regulated by the opening and closing of minute stomatal pores in surfaces of leaves. By changing the aperture of stomata, plants regulate water loss and photosynthetic carbon gain in response to many environmental stimuli, but stomatal movements cannot yet be reliably predicted. We found that the complexity that characterizes stomatal control in seed plants is absent in early-diverging vascular plant lineages. Lycophyte and fern stomata are shown to lack key responses to abscisic acid and epidermal cell turgor, making their behavior highly predictable. These results indicate that a fundamental transition from passive to active metabolic control of plant water balance occurred after the divergence of ferns about 360 million years ago.     

植物抗寒基因工程研究进展

低温是影响植物分布、产量及品质的重要非生物胁迫因素,提高植物的抗寒性是作物育种的重要任务.近年来,植物抗寒分子机理研究不断深入,植物抗寒基因工程研究获得了长足的进展.对植物抗寒调控基因和保护基因的遗传转化研究进展作了综述,并提出了该领域未来重点研究的几个问题.