Coniosporium epidermidis sp. nov., a new species from human skin

Coniosporium epidermidis sp. nov. is described from a superficial skin lesion with blackish discolouration in an 80-yr-old Chinese patient. The species produces dark, thick-walled, inflated, reluctantly liberating arthroconidia without longitudinal septa. Sequences of the ribosomal operon, as well as of the translation elongation factor 1-α support its novelty. The species is found in a lineage basal to the order Chaetothyriales, amidst relatives from rock, but also species repeatedly isolated from human skin and nails and eventually causing mild cutaneous infections. Coniosporium epidermidis is consistently found on humans, either asymptomatic or symptomatic. The species indicates a change of life style towards human pathogenicity, which is a recurrent type of ecology in derived Chaetothyriales. Superficial and cutaneous infection by melanized fungi is a new category in dermatology.Taxonomic novelties: Coniosporium epidermidis D.M. Li, de Hoog, Saunte & X.R. Chen, sp. nov.     

A rock-inhabiting ancestor for mutualistic and pathogen-rich fungal lineages

Rock surfaces are unique terrestrial habitats in which rapid changes in the intensity of radiation, temperature, water supply and nutrient availability challenge the survival of microbes. A specialised, but diverse group of free-living, melanised fungi are amongst the persistent settlers of bare rocks. Multigene phylogenetic analyses were used to study relationships of ascomycetes from a variety of substrates, with a dataset including a broad sampling of rock dwellers from different geographical locations. Rock-inhabiting fungi appear particularly diverse in the early diverging lineages of the orders Chaetothyriales and Verrucariales. Although these orders share a most recent common ancestor, their lifestyles are strikingly different. Verrucariales are mostly lichen-forming fungi, while Chaetothyriales, by contrast, are best known as opportunistic pathogens of vertebrates (e.g. Cladophialophora bantiana and Exophiala dermatitidis, both agents of fatal brain infections) and saprophytes. The rock-dwelling habit is shown here to be key to the evolution of these two ecologically disparate orders. The most recent common ancestor of Verrucariales and Chaetothyriales is reconstructed as a non-lichenised rock-inhabitant. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest Verrucariales as one of the independent ascomycetes group where lichenisation has evolved on a hostile rock surface that might have favored this shift to a symbiotic lifestyle. Rock-inhabiting fungi are also ancestral to opportunistic pathogens, as they are found in the early diverging lineages of Chaetothyriales. In Chaetothyriales and Verrucariales, specific morphological and physiological traits (here referred to as extremotolerance) evolved in response to stresses in extreme conditions prevailing on rock surfaces. These factors facilitated colonisation of various substrates including the brains of vertebrates by opportunistic fungal pathogens, as well as helped establishment of a stable lichen symbiosis.     

盐胁迫下玉米WRKY转录因子生信及表达分析

WRKY是一类在逆境胁迫响应中起重要调控作用的转录因子。基于盐胁迫下的玉米转录组数据,确定了16个差异表达的WRKY基因家族成员。利用生物信息学方法对各成员理化性质、染色体分布、蛋白保守结构域、系统进化、顺式作用元件及盐胁迫下的相对表达量进行分析验证。结果表明,16个差异表达的WRKY基因家族成员主要分布在玉米的7条染色体上,各成员之间理化性质存在差异。qRT-PCR 验证结果表明,不同基因家族成员对盐胁迫的敏感程度不同,对胁迫处理时间的响应也有所不同。ZmWRKY106、ZmWRKY108、ZmWRKY91、ZmWRKY27在盐胁迫后24 h内均未参与表达,经盐胁迫处理6 h后ZmWRKY63表达量达到最高。各家族成员对盐胁迫的响应及敏感程度不同,可能与各成员间理化性质和结构的差异以及所含的顺式作用元件、内含子和motif类型有关。     

Assessing meiofaunal variation among individuals utilising morphological and molecular approaches: an example using the Tardigrada

Background  

Meiofauna – multicellular animals captured between sieve size 45 μm and 1000 μm – are a fundamental component of terrestrial, and marine benthic ecosystems, forming an integral element of food webs, and playing a critical roll in nutrient recycling. Most phyla have meiofaunal representatives and studies of these taxa impact on a wide variety of sub-disciplines as well as having social and economic implications. However, studies of variation in meiofauna are presented with several important challenges. Isolating individuals from a sample substrate is a time consuming process, and identification requires increasingly scarce taxonomic expertise. Finding suitable morphological characters in many of these organisms is often difficult even for experts. Molecular markers are extremely useful for identifying variation in morphologically conserved organisms. However, for many species markers need to be developed de novo, while DNA can often only be extracted from pooled samples in order to obtain sufficient quantity and quality. Importantly, multiple independent markers are required to reconcile gene evolution with species evolution. In this primarily methodological paper we provide a proof of principle of a novel and effective protocol for the isolation of meiofauna from an environmental sample. We also go on to illustrate examples of the implications arising from subsequent screening for genetic variation at the level of the individual using ribosomal, mitochondrial and single copy nuclear markers.     

Biodiversity of the genus Cladophialophora

Cladophialophora is a genus of black yeast-like fungi comprising a number of clinically highly significant species in addition to environmental taxa. The genus has previously been characterized by branched chains of ellipsoidal to fusiform conidia. However, this character was shown to have evolved several times independently in the order Chaetothyriales. On the basis of a multigene phylogeny (nucLSU, nucSSU, RPB1), most of the species of Cladophialophora (including its generic type C. carrionii) belong to a monophyletic group comprising two main clades (carrionii- and bantiana-clades). The genus includes species causing chromoblastomycosis and other skin infections, as well as disseminated and cerebral infections, often in immunocompetent individuals. In the present study, multilocus phylogenetic analyses were combined to a morphological study to characterize phenetically similar Cladophialophora strains. Sequences of the ITS region, partial Translation Elongation Factor 1-α and β-Tubulin genes were analysed for a set of 48 strains. Four novel species were discovered, originating from soft drinks, alkylbenzene-polluted soil, and infected patients. Membership of the both carrionii and bantiana clades might be indicative of potential virulence to humans.Taxonomic novelties: Cladophialophora samoënsis Badali, de Hoog & Padhye, sp. nov., Cladophialophora subtilis Badali & de Hoog, sp. nov., Cladophialophora mycetomatis Badali, de Hoog & Bonifaz, sp. nov., Cladophialophora immunda Badali, Satow, Prenafeta-Boldú, Padhye & de Hoog, sp. nov.     

Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of nine species of Hypocrea with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma section Hypocreanum

Morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal gene repeat, a partial sequence of RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2), and a partial sequence of the large exon of tef1 (LEtef1) were used to investigate the taxonomy and systematics of nine Hypocrea species with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma sect. Hypocreanum. Hypocrea corticioides and H. sulphurea are reevaluated. Their Trichoderma anamorphs are described and the phylogenetic positions of these species are determined. Hypocrea sulphurea and H. subcitrina are distinct species based on studies of the type specimens. Hypocrea egmontensis is a facultative synonym of the older name H. subcitrina. Hypocrea with anamorphs assignable to Trichoderma sect. Hypocreanum formed a well-supported clade. Five species with anamorphs morphologically similar to sect. Hypocreanum, H. avellanea, H. parmastoi, H. megalocitrina, H. alcalifuscescens, and H. pezizoides, are not located in this clade. Protocrea farinosa belongs to Hypocrea s.s.Taxonomic novelties:Hypocrea eucorticioides Overton, nom. nov., Hypocrea victoriensis Overton, sp. nov., Hypocrea parmastoi Overton, sp. nov., Hypocrea alcalifuscescens Overton, sp. nov.     

Cladosporium leaf-blotch and stem rot of Paeonia spp. caused by Dichocladosporium chlorocephalum gen. nov.

Cladosporium chlorocephalum (= C. paeoniae) is a common, widespread leaf-spotting hyphomycete of peony (Paeonia spp.), characterised by having dimorphic conidiophores. During the season, one stage of this fungus causes distinct, necrotic leaf-blotch symptoms on living leaves of Paeonia spp. In late autumn, winter or after overwintering, a second morphologically distinct conidiophore type occurs on dead, blackish, rotting stems. Conspecificity of the two morphs, previously proposed on the basis of observations in culture, was supported by DNA sequence data from the ITS and LSU gene regions, using cultures obtained from leaf-blotch symptoms on living leaves, as well as from dead stems of Paeonia spp. Sequence data were identical, indicating a single species with two morphs. On account of its distinct conidiogenous loci and conidial hila, as well as its sequence-based phylogenetic position separate from the Davidiella/Cladosporium clade, the peony fungus has to be excluded from Cladosporium s. str., but still belongs to the Davidiellaceae (Capnodiales). The leaf-blotching (cladosporioid) morph of this fungus morphologically resembles species of Fusicladium, but differs in having dimorphic fruiting, and is phylogenetically distant from the Venturiaceae. The macronematous (periconioid) morph resembles Metulocladosporiella (Chaetothyriales), but lacks rhizoid conidiophore hyphae, and has 0-5-septate conidia. Hence, C. chlorocephalum is assigned to the new genus Dichocladosporium.Taxonomic novelties: Dichocladosporium K. Schub., U. Braun& Crous, gen. nov., Dichocladosporium chlorocephalum (Fresen.) K. Schub., U. Braun & Crous, comb. nov.     

R-Phycoerythrin Induces SGC-7901 Apoptosis by Arresting Cell Cycle at S Phase

R-Phycoerythrin (R-PE), one of the chemical constituents of red algae, could produce singlet oxygen upon excitation with the appropriate radiation and possibly be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. Documents reported that R-PE could inhibit cell proliferation in HepG2 and A549 cells, which was significative for cancer therapy. This is due to the fact that R-PE could kill cancer cells directly as well as by PDT. However, little is known about the cytotoxicity of R-PE to the SGC-7901 cell. In this study, it has been found that R-PE could inhibit SGC-7901 proliferation and induce cell apoptosis, which was achieved by arresting the SGC-7901 cell at S phase. CyclinA, CDK2 and CDC25A are proteins associated with the S phase, and it was found that R-PE could increase the expression of cyclin A protein and decrease the expression of CDK2 and CDC25A proteins. Thus, it was concluded that R-PE reduced the CDK2 protein activated through decreasing the CDC25A factor, which reduced the formation of Cyclin-CDK complex. The reduction of Cyclin-CDK complex made the SGC-7901 cells arrest at the S phase. Therefore, R-PE induced apoptosis by arresting the SGC-7901 cell at S phase was successful, which was achieved by the expression of the CDC25A protein, which reduced the CDK2 protein actived and the formation of Cyclin-CDK complex.     

Short internode,double podding and early flowering effects on maturity and other agronomic characters in chickpea

Chickpea is an indeterminate species, which continues to flower and set new pods over a long period under wet and cool growing conditions, resulting in excessive canopy development and delayed maturity. We hypothesized that the chickpea's long season requirement could be reduced through introgression of short internode, double podding and early flowering. Four populations E100Ym/CDC Anna, 272-2/CDC Anna, 298T-9/CDC Anna, and 298T-9/CDC Frontier were developed to test this hypothesis with the first parents of each cross being the donor of the short internode, double podding and early flowering traits, respectively. Also, the donor parents E100Ym, 272-2 and 298T-9 were intercrossed. Segregating populations of F₂ to F_3:6 generations were then evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions. When expressed well, double podding significantly reduced time to maturity as compared to the single podding counterparts. The best double podding lines were about 1 week earlier maturing than the early parent and standard checks. Days to flowering (DF) was positively associated with days to maturity (DM) (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), and partial path analysis revealed that DF contributed to DM mainly via days to first pod maturity (DFPM). In the two early flowering populations 298T-9/CDC Anna and 298T-9/CDC Frontier, DF determined about 32% of the variation in DFPM. Conversely, the short internode trait had an undesirable effect, in that all the short internode segregants were too late to mature. In conclusion, the alleles for double podding and early flowering may be used to improve early maturity in chickpea and subsequently minimize the risks associated with the production of this crop in environments where the growing conditions allow excessive crop canopy development, as in the Canadian prairies.     

Genetic markers for CslF6 gene associated with (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan concentration in barley grain

The amount of (1,3;1,4)-β-D glucan accumulated in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cell walls is an important consideration for grain end-use. One of the major genes responsible for (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan biosynthesis is HvCslF6, which was analyzed in this study to determine the allelic variation between low (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan (∼3.3%) cultivar CDC Bold and high β-glucan (∼5.2%) line TR251. The CDC Bold HvCslF6 allele showed 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two indels when genomic region downstream of the ATG start codon was compared to TR251 allele. Both indels added 16 nucleotides to HvCslF6 first intron of CDC Bold and a single SNP in the third exon altered alanine 590 codon in the CDC Bold sequence to a threonine codon in TR251 allele. Genetic markers were developed for five polymorphic sites and confirmed useful to select low and high β-glucan lines in a previously characterized CDC Bold/TR251 mapping population and a novel F₅ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a Merit/H93174006 (4.8 and 5.3% (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan) cross. An analysis of parental lines of six populations segregating for β-glucan concentration validated association between the TR251 HvCslF6 haplotype and high (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan concentration in populations showing a (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7H.     

小麦热激蛋白转录因子C家族基因的结构及其在干旱胁迫中的表达

小麦热激蛋白转录因子在热胁迫和耐热性产生的过程中发挥重要作用。为进一步了解小麦热激蛋白转录因子C亚家族,本研究采用全基因组信息保守结构域比对和进化聚类分析,共鉴定了24个小麦TaHsfC基因,并对TaHsfC亚家族成员染色体定位、基因结构、亚细胞定位、对应蛋白质的氨基酸特点、基因表达进行了分析。结果表明,24个TaHsfCs主要分布在5条染色体上,其中A基因组中有7个,B基因组中9个,D基因组中有6个,另外两个所在染色体位置不清楚。TaHsfCs含有0～2个内含子,其中 TaHsfC1亚族基因含有1～2个内含子, TaHsfC2亚族基因则含有0～1个内含子。聚类分析表明,小麦TaHsfC成员共分为 TaHsfC1和 TaHsfC2两个亚族。24个TaHsfCs成员全部定位于细胞核。在15%PEG模拟干旱条件下,干旱敏感品种矮抗58和耐旱品种晋麦47中有10个TaHsfC基因显著上调表达,其中 TaHsfC2亚族基因的表达量上调倍数均高于 TaHsfC1亚族基因(其中 TaHsfC2j和 TaHsfC2k未在晋麦47中检测到表达量)。本研究可为探索小麦热激蛋白转录因子C家族基因在小麦抗旱中的分子机制提供一定的理论支撑。     

Phylogeny and ecology of the ubiquitous saprobe Cladosporium sphaerospermum,with descriptions of seven new species from hypersaline environments

Saprobic Cladosporium isolates morphologically similar to C. sphaerospermum are phylogenetically analysed on the basis of DNA sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster, including the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2, the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and the small subunit (SSU) rDNA as well as β-tubulin and actin gene introns and exons. Most of the C. sphaerospermum-like species show halotolerance as a recurrent feature. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, which is characterised by almost globose conidia, is redefined on the basis of its ex-neotype culture. Cladosporium dominicanum, C. psychrotolerans, C. velox, C. spinulosum and C. halotolerans, all with globoid conidia, are newly described on the basis of phylogenetic analyses and cryptic morphological and physiological characters. Cladosporium halotolerans was isolated from hypersaline water and bathrooms and detected once on dolphin skin. Cladosporium dominicanum and C. velox were isolated from plant material and hypersaline water. Cladosporium psychrotolerans, which grows well at 4 °C but not at 30 °C, and C. spinulosum, having conspicuously ornamented conidia with long digitate projections, are currently only known from hypersaline water. We also newly describe C. salinae from hypersaline water and C. fusiforme from hypersaline water and animal feed. Both species have ovoid to ellipsoid conidia and are therefore reminiscent of C. herbarum. Cladosporium langeronii (= Hormodendrum langeronii) previously described as a pathogen on human skin, is halotolerant but has not yet been recorded from hypersaline environments.Taxonomic novelties: Cladosporium dominicanum Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. fusiforme Zalar, de Hoog& Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. halotolerans Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. psychrotolerans Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. salinae Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. spinulosum Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov., C. velox Zalar, de Hoog & Gunde-Cimerman, sp. nov.     

Nucleotide polymorphisms in OsAGP genes and their possible association with grain weight of rice

ADP-Glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a rate-limiting enzyme participating in starch biosynthesis, which may be responsible for the filling rate and starch accumulation in the developing rice kernel. However, it is still unknown whether the naturally occurring variation in the sequence of ADP-Glucose pyrophosphorylase of rice (OsAGP) is related to the grain weight (GW). In this study, we discovered a total of 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (InDels) in the partial sequences of six OsAGP isoform genes from 30 rice accessions with diverse agronomic traits. We then developed ten cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) and derived CAPS (dCAPS) markers for genotyping the SNPs and InDels for an association mapping population consisting of 416 rice accessions. Candidate gene association study indicated that an InDel of OsAGPL4 was associated with GW in two environments and an SNP of OsAGPL2 was associated with GW in one environment. Each gene marker only explained 1% of the variation of GW, thus it could be concluded that both genes contributed little to GW of rice. However, the markers identified in this study could be used for tagging other traits of interests and in molecular breeding.     

Nuclear and chloroplast diversity and phenotypic distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm from the democratic people’s republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea)

Background

Rice accounts for 43% of staple food production in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The most widely planted rice varieties were developed from a limited number of ancestral lines that were repeatedly used as parents in breeding programs. However, detailed pedigrees are not publicly available and little is known about the genetic, phenotypic, and geographical variation of DPRK varieties.

Results

We evaluated 80 O. sativa accessions from the DPRK, consisting of 67 improved varieties and 13 landraces. Based on nuclear SSR analysis, we divide the varieties into two genetic groups: Group 1 corresponds to the temperate japonica subpopulation and represents 78.75% of the accessions, while Group 2 shares recent ancestry with indica varieties. Interestingly, members of Group 1 are less diverse than Group 2 at the nuclear level, but are more diverse at the chloroplast level. All Group 2 varieties share a single Japonica maternal-haplotype, while Group 1 varieties trace maternal ancestry to both Japonica and Indica. Phenotypically, members of Group 1 have shorter grains than Group 2, and varieties from breeding programs have thicker and wider grains than landraces. Improved varieties in Group 1 also show similar and/or better levels of cold tolerance for most traits, except for spikelet number per panicle. Finally, geographic analysis demonstrates that the majority of genetic variation is located within regions that have the most intensive rice cultivation, including the Western territories near the capital city Pyungyang. This is consistent with the conscious and highly centralized role of human selection in determining local dispersion patterns of rice in the DPRK.

Conclusions

Diversity studies of DPRK rice germplasm revealed two genetic groups. The most widely planted group has a narrow genetic base and would benefit from the introduction of new genetic variation from cold tolerant landraces, wild accessions, and/or cultivated gene pools to enhance yield potential and performance.     

小麦中miR164的靶基因鉴定及其在衰老过程中的表达

miR164是植物中一种重要的非编码RNA,对植物的生长发育具有重要作用。为了解miR164靶基因与小麦衰老的关系,本研究通过在线软件对小麦中miR164家族成员进行了鉴定并对其进行生物信息学和表达分析。结果表明,从小麦中共鉴定出13个miR164家族成员,其不均匀分布在9条染色体上。系统进化分析表明,13个小麦miR164与同属于禾本科单子叶植物的水稻亲缘关系较近。13个Tae-miR164均能形成稳定的二级结构,成熟序列碱基具有高保守性,仅有3个Tae-miR164成员在第21位存在差异,成熟序列产生于前体中具有碱基高保守性的第1～21位。Tae-miR164的靶基因中,有18个为NAC转录因子,占所有靶基因总数的75%,表明Tae-miR164的主要靶基因为NAC转录因子。Tae-miR164家族成员在小麦叶片中的表达量明显高于其他组织;在小麦叶片衰老过程中,与其他Tae-miR164靶基因相比,有3个Tae-miR164靶基因表达差异显著,其ID分别为TraesCS4A02G225100、TraesCS5B02G054800和TraesCS5A02G04910,其中TraesC...     

Taxonomy,nomenclature and phylogeny of three cladosporium-like hyphomycetes,Sorocybe resinae,Seifertia azaleae and the Hormoconis anamorph of Amorphotheca resinae

Using morphological characters, cultural characters, large subunit and internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS) sequences, and provisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, this paper attempts to resolve the taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion surrounding three species of cladosporium-like hyphomycetes. The type specimen of Hormodendrum resinae, the basis for the use of the epithet resinae for the creosote fungus {either as Hormoconis resinae or Cladosporium resinae) represents the mononematous synanamorph of the synnematous, resinicolous fungus Sorocybe resinae. The phylogenetic relationships of the creosote fungus, which is the anamorph of Amorphotheca resinae, are with the family Myxotrichaceae, whereas S. resinae is related to Capronia (Chaetothyriales, Herpotrichiellaceae). Our data support the segregation of Pycnostysanus azaleae, the cause of bud blast of rhododendrons, in the recently described anamorph genus Seifertia, distinct from Sorocybe; this species is related to the Dothideomycetes but its exact phylogenetic placement is uncertain. To formally stabilize the name of the anamorph of the creosote fungus, conservation of Hormodendrum resinae with a new holotype should be considered. The paraphyly of the family Myxotrichaceae with the Amorphothecaceae suggested by ITS sequences should be confirmed with additional genes.     

Detect unique molecular structure associated with physiochemical properties in CDC varieties of oat grain with unique nutrient traits [Feed Type vs. Milling Type] in comparison with barley grain using advanced molecular spectroscopy as a non-destructive biological tool

The objective of this study was to determinate grain unique protein inherent molecular structure that are related physiochemical and nutrient profiles in CDC developed oat varieties [CDC Nasser (Feed Type) and CDC Seabiscuit (Milling Type)] grown in cool climate condition in western Canada in comparison with conventional barley variety of CDC Meredith as a control using advanced molecular spectroscopy. Multivariate analyses, including an agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis (CLA) and principal component analysis (PCA), were performed to identify protein molecular structural differences among the grains. The results revealed that CDC Seabiscuit contained greater (P < 0.05) protein structural Amide I and II than CDC Nasser and CDC Meredith, while the greater (P < 0.005) structural Amide I to II area and height ratios was detected in CDC Meredith. New oat grains had greater (P < 0.05) β-sheet height than barley grains, however, there was no difference in α-helix to β-sheet ratio values among the varieties. In conclusion, CDC Nasser and CDC Meredith had no difference in protein molecular structural features, while CDC Seabiscuit contains different protein structural characteristics as compared to CDC Meredith grain. The molecular structure features are highly associated with physiochemical and nutrient profiles in grains, which indicate that it also affect nutrient utilization and availability.     

橡胶树KT/HAK/KUP基因家族成员的鉴定与表达分析

为研究巴西橡胶树钾转蛋白(KT/HAK/KUP)基因家族在生长发育和逆境胁迫方面的生物学功能,从橡胶树基因组中鉴定得到31个KT/HAK/KUP基因家族成员,并从基因结构、染色体定位、系统进化和表达分析等方面进行全面系统的分析.研究结果发现,KT/HAK/KUP基因家族31个成员分布在3个Contig和15个染色体上,...