转Bt基因抗虫玉米发展状况及对非靶标昆虫的影响

转Bt基因抗虫玉米是目前商品化进程最快的转基因作物之一,并被广泛应用于农业生产,其抗虫性和经济效益已得到普遍肯定,但外源基因的导入一定程度上改变了玉米自身的基因序列,因此转Bt基因抗虫玉米对生态安全的影响也备受关注。本文从转Bt基因抗虫玉米发展现状及对非靶标昆虫影响的角度对转Bt基因玉米的安全性研究加以综述。     

玉米对几种主要害虫的抗性QTL分析

综述了玉米对4种主要害虫抗性基因定位的最新研究结果。受环境、样本及分析方法等因素的影响,不同的试验检测到的QTL结果不尽相同。通过引进染色体箱的概念,对各检测结果进行比较分析发现,玉米对同一种害虫的食叶抗性和茎秆抗性之间没有相关性,但对不同种害虫的食叶抗性和茎秆抗性却有相关性。这些抗性QTL不是随机分布的,而是以基因簇的形式存在于染色体上。玉米的抗虫性与植株组织硬度、蛋白含量、丁布和细胞壁成分相关,从分子水平上揭示了玉米的抗虫机制,为进一步的遗传分析研究和抗虫育种提供理论依据。     

Chitin Synthesis and Degradation in Crustaceans: A Genomic View and Application

Chitin is among the most important components of the crustacean cuticular exoskeleton and intestinal peritrophic matrix. With the progress of genomics and sequencing technology, a large number of gene sequences related to chitin metabolism have been deposited in the GenBank database in recent years. Here, we summarized the genes and pathways associated with the biosynthesis and degradation of chitins in crustaceans based on genomic analyses. We found that chitin biosynthesis genes typically occur in single or two copies, whereas chitin degradation genes are all multiple copies. Moreover, the chitinase genes are significantly expanded in most crustacean genomes. The gene structure and expression pattern of these genes are similar to those of insects, albeit with some specific characteristics. Additionally, the potential applications of the chitin metabolism genes in molting regulation and immune defense, as well as industrial chitin degradation and production, are also summarized in this review.     

Mass-rearing of insects for pest management: Challenges,synergies and advances from evolutionary physiology

Mass- and laboratory-rearing of insects is a key component of several integrated pest management strategies. However, mass- or laboratory-rearing can have dramatic effects on insect performance via laboratory adaptation, inbreeding depression, inadvertent selection or through direct rearing effects (e.g. crowding and artificial diets). Thus, when rearing insects intended for field release, or when research is intended to reflect wild population performance, there is a need to establish quality under these conditions. In reality, however, much of the focus on quality control of mass- or laboratory-reared insects concerns maintenance of facility output (i.e. numbers) and, to a much lesser extent, individual trait effects (e.g. mating competitiveness or field flight performance). This is due to both practical issues (time or budget constraints), but also to limited understanding of the relationship between laboratory and field assays and the basic biology of the species. Regardless, trait performance is widely acknowledged as an essential factor in integrated pest management success. Recent studies on basic insect biology have made significant progress in understanding several aspects of field performance, such as the ability for thermal treatments to mitigate poor performance via phenotypic plasticity or the effects of artificial selection, and have lessons which may transfer to applied quality control for pest management. Here, we review the key challenges faced in insect rearing when focussing on quality control for field performance, some major recent advances in understanding field performance of insects in relation to environmental factors (e.g. thermal adaptation), and the potential synergies between basic biology and quality control research foci.     

玉米抗虫性基因的研究进展

各种虫害是造成玉米产量损失的主要因素之一,利用种质资源中的抗虫性进行抗虫育种是解决该问题最有效的途径。近年来,通过应用分子标记技术(特别是数量性状位点QTL分析技术)对几种主要害虫(包括欧洲玉米螟、西南玉米螟、甘蔗螟和穗蠕虫等)的抗性进行了基因作图和标记,结合候选基因途径对抗虫性的分子机制进行了深入探讨,并对该领域目前的进展和发展趋势进行了评述。     

Management effect on bird and arthropod interaction in suburban woodlands

Background

The division of labor in social insect colonies involves transitions by workers from one task to another and is critical to the organization and ecological success of colonies. The differential regulation of genetic pathways is likely to be a key mechanism involved in plasticity of social insect task behavior. One of the few pathways implicated in social organization involves the cGMP-activated protein kinase gene, foraging, a gene associated with foraging behavior in social insect species. The association of the foraging gene with behavior is conserved across diverse species, but the observed expression patterns and proposed functions of this gene vary across taxa. We compared the protein sequence of foraging across social insects and explored whether the differential regulation of this gene is associated with task behaviors in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis of the coding region of the foraging gene reveals considerable conservation in protein sequence across insects, particularly among hymenopteran species. The absence of amino acid variation in key active and binding sites suggests that differences in behaviors associated with this gene among species may be the result of changes in gene expression rather than gene divergence. Using real time qPCR analyses with a harvester ant ortholog to foraging (Pofor), we found that the brains of harvester ant foragers have a daily fluctuation in expression of foraging with mRNA levels peaking at midday. In contrast, young workers inside the nest have low levels of Pofor mRNA with no evidence of daily fluctuations in expression. As a result, the association of foraging expression with task behavior within a species changes depending on the time of day the individuals are sampled.

Conclusions

The amino acid protein sequence of foraging is highly conserved across social insects. Differences in foraging behaviors associated with this gene among social insect species are likely due to differences in gene regulation rather than evolutionary changes in the encoded protein. The task-specific expression patterns of foraging are consistent with the task-specific circadian rhythms observed in harvester ants. Whether the molecular clock plays a role in regulating foraging gene expression (or vice versa) remains to be determined. Our results represent the first time series analysis of foraging gene expression and underscore the importance of assaying time-related expression differences in behavioral studies. Understanding how this gene is regulated within species is critical to explaining the mechanism by which foraging influences behavior.     

‘Insects as Food and Feed: If You Can’t Beat Them,Eat Them!’—To the Magnificent Seven and Beyond

The objective of this special issue is to highlight the current state of research in the field of insects as food and feed, but also other aspects on the exploitation of insect farming. In this editorial, we make a short introduction of the topic of the special issue, briefly present the contributions that are collected in it and offer some thoughts on the future research priorities and challenges that should be addressed. Regarding insect farming, there are additional applications, such as fertilizer, health-promoting products, and cosmetics, that can be produced and utilized, that go far beyond food and feed production.     

水稻株型相关基因的定位与克隆研究进展

水稻株型相关性状包括分蘖数、分蘖夹角、株高及穗部性状。株型相关性状都是重要的农艺性状,是水稻产量因素的重要组成部分。株型形成涉及到一系列基因的表达和表达产物行使功能,因此对这些基因的挖掘和功能分析具有重要意义。目前,虽尚未完全了解控制株型相关性状的基因及其功能,但也已取得了日新月异的进展。本文针对各个株型相关性状,综述了已鉴定的基因及其功能特点,以为分子育种运用及进一步遗传生理研究作理论基础。     

How many species of fungi are there at the tip of Africa?

Several recent studies have reviewed the extent of fungal biodiversity, and have used these data as basis for revised estimates of species numbers based on known numbers of plants and insects. None of these studies, however, have focused on fungal biodiversity in South Africa. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the National Collection of Fungi (PREM) in South Africa in 2005, it is thus timely to reflect on the taxonomic research that has been conducted in South Africa over the past Century. Information is presented on the extent of fungal collections preserved at PREM, and the associated research publications that have largely resulted from this resource. These data are placed in context of the known plant and insect biodiversity, and used as basis to estimate the potential number of fungi that could be expected in South Africa. The conservative estimate is of approximately 200 000 species without taking into account those associated with a substantial insect biodiversity.     

Low-Cost Live Insect Scouting Drone: iDrone Bee

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, e.g., drones) are a common tool for many civil applications, including precision agriculture, transportation, delivery services, rescue missions, law enforcement, and more. Remote sensing technologies used in conjunction with drones are a dominant application in precision agriculture. Multispectral instrumentation attached to UAVs allows the user to observe multiple parameters, including the normalized difference vegetation index which can represent crop stresses induced by various factors (e.g., drought, insect outbreak, nutrient loss, and other diseases). However, little research has been done to apply drones to accomplish a mission-oriented actionable task in agriculture, such as insect sampling. We propose a low-cost, open source-based live insect scouting drone named ‘iDrone Bee’ to benefit the integrated pest management (IPM) community by minimizing time and efforts of human interventions while collecting live insects in agricultural fields. Herein we present instruction and operation procedures to build and operate an iDrone Bee for insect scouting in an agricultural ecosystem and validate the system in an alfalfa seed field. The findings of this investigation demonstrate that a drone-based insect scouting method may be a valuable tool to benefit the IPM community.     

Crop losses and the economic impact of insect pests on Brazilian agriculture

Among the various sectors of the Brazilian economy, agriculture plays a prominent role, generating jobs and income for the country. However, the agricultural sector faces systematic annual losses due to pests and diseases. The damage caused by insect pests is one of the primary factors leading to the reduced production of major crops. The study presented here estimates the production losses of major crops caused by insects and the economic impact related to the direct damage caused by insects, to the purchase of insecticides, and to medical treatment for humans poisoned by insecticides. The results indicate that insect pests cause an average annual loss of 7.7% in production in Brazil, which is a reduction of approximately 25 million tons of food, fiber, and biofuels. The total annual economic losses reach approximately US$ 17.7 billion. These results are important for government policies in the agricultural sector, as well as indicate the need for updated data regarding the losses caused by insects in Brazil and the need for systematic monitoring of these losses.     

Development of Rice Leaves: How Histocytes Modulate Leaf Polarity Establishment

An ideal leaf shape is beneficial to the yield of rice. Molecular understanding of the leaf primordia and polarity establishment plays a significant role in exploring the genetic regulatory network of leaf morphogenesis. In recent years, researchers have cloned an array of coding genes and a few non-coding small RNAs involved in rice leaf development through regulating the development of leaf primordia, vascular bundles, sclerenchyma cells, bulliform cells, cell walls and epidermis cells. These genes and their interactions play critical roles in rice leaf development through the determination and regulatory role in gene expression, and their coordination with other genetic networks or signal pathways. But the relationship among these genes is poorly defined and the underlying network is still unclear. In this review, we introduced the regulatory pathways of leaf primordium development and leaf polarity establishment, mainly the relationship between cell development mechanism and leaf polarity establishment, focusing on how leaf tissue affects leaf shape. Hopefully, the regulation network reviewed here has immediate implications for future research and genomic design breeding.     

Monte Carlo simulation method for forecasting the timing of pest insect attacks

The timing of attack by pest insects can vary greatly both from region to region and from year to year because the rates at which insects complete their life cycles depend mainly on temperature. In addition, variation between individual insects in their rate of development can lead to a spread of activity. A simulation method, based on rates of insect development, has been produced for forecasting the timing of attack by pest insects. Variability is incorporated using the ‘same-shape property’ which implies that the coefficient of variation of the rate of insect development is independent of temperature. The method is feasible because it uses a fixed number of individuals from one generation to the next and simulates the timing of events rather than the population dynamics of the insects. The method is sufficiently flexible to allow insect resting phases to occur at the appropriate instant for each individual. Its effectiveness in predicting the behaviour of the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum), the carrot fly (Psila rosae), the bronzed blossom beetle (Meligethes aeneus) and the large narcissus fly (Merodon equestris) is demonstrated for one site in one season. To be of practical use, the method has been designed to use standard meteorological data. Estimation of soil temperatures at 6 cm and the derivation of equations for estimating diurnal variation are described in two appendices. The basis of the method is the integration of a temperature-dependent rate function over time. A third appendix describes a quicker and more accurate method of integration than that usually employed in pest forecasting work.     

抑制消减杂交在热带作物研究中的应用

介绍了抑制消减杂交（SSH）技术的原理和步骤以及在热带作物发育、逆境胁迫或人为诱导条件下不同组织中差异基因表达和突变等研究方面的应用。     

Disease and pest resistance in grains of sorghum and millets

In this review available information on the mechanisms of resistance to insect pests and fungal pathogens in sorghum and millets is discussed. The primary source of resistance lies in the chemical and physical make up of the grain. Phenolic compounds such as ferulic acid and tannins present in some sorghums are potent inhibitors of pests and pathogens. Grain hardness is a major deterrent to infection and infestation in low tannin grains. The prolamins, the grain storage proteins of sorghum, are organized into protein bodies and provide a physical and a nutritional barrier since they are resistant to digestion by insect and fungal proteases. A plethora of proteins that belong to the ‘pathogenesis related protein’ group are distributed in various parts of the grain. Some of them are located in protein bodies. Notwithstanding, sorghum is still susceptible to insect pests and fungal pathogens. An understanding of the natural mechanisms of resistance in the grain is paramount for the development of durable resistance against pests and pathogens. The pyramiding of resistance genes and the development of transgenic lines based on this understanding are two sources of hope for the future protection of sorghum and millets.     

昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展

昆虫对自然环境中复杂化学信号的识别多依赖于其灵敏的嗅觉系统,选择寄主、觅食、寻找配偶等行为的发生都以嗅觉识别为基础,而完成嗅觉识别还需要多种嗅觉相关蛋白的参与。嗅觉相关蛋白主要包括6种,即气味结合蛋白、化学感受蛋白、气味受体、感觉神经元膜蛋白、离子型受体和气味降解酶。不同种类和性别的昆虫中,嗅觉蛋白的种类、数量和分布各不相同。由于嗅觉蛋白在昆虫识别外界气味分子中的重要作用,国内外近年来对其展开了广泛、深入的研究。本文从几种嗅觉相关蛋白的生化特性、分子结构、生理功能、分布表达部位和研究概况等角度,较详细地综述了近年来国内外昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展。     

大豆抗食叶性害虫相关QTL与基因网络研究进展

大豆是重要的粮油作物,但其产量和品质受到食叶性害虫的严重影响。总结归纳了近10年来大豆抗虫分子遗传研究的成果,包括抗虫QTL定位、优异等位基因及载体材料发掘、优异杂交组合预测、抗虫相关基因鉴定及大豆与食叶性害虫交互调控基因网络分析等,并讨论了大豆抗虫研究面临的挑战和发展。     

野生稻优良基因资源的研究与应用进展

野生稻是栽培稻的野生近缘种,作为重要的基因资源,具有诸多的优良性状,如野生稻对病虫害的抗性、对各种逆境的耐受性以及胞质雄性不育等,已被广泛应用于现代栽培稻的育种改良,成为栽培稻遗传改良的丰富基因源和不可替代的物质基础。本文综述了野生稻优良基因的发掘和种质资源的利用现状,总结了野生稻保护和利用目前存在的问题,并对其在水稻育种中的应用潜力做出了展望。