Single-base pair unwinding and asynchronous RNA release by the hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase

Nonhexameric helicases use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to unzip base pairs in double-stranded nucleic acids (dsNAs). Studies have suggested that these helicases unzip dsNAs in single-base pair increments, consuming one ATP molecule per base pair, but direct evidence for this mechanism is lacking. We used optical tweezers to follow the unwinding of double-stranded RNA by the hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase. Single-base pair steps by NS3 were observed, along with nascent nucleotide release that was asynchronous with base pair opening. Asynchronous release of nascent nucleotides rationalizes various observations of its dsNA unwinding and may be used to coordinate the translocation speed of NS3 along the RNA during viral replication.     

Germline transformation used to define key features of heat-shock response elements

The heat-shock consensus element (HSE), CTNGAANNTTCNAG, is found in multiple copies upstream of all heat-shock genes. Here, the sequence requirements for heat-shock induction are tested by Drosophila germline transformation with an hsp70-lacZ gene fused to a pair of synthetic HSEs. Certain single-base substitutions in either HSE cause a dramatic reduction (forty-fold) in expression. Surprisingly, variations in sequences immediately flanking the HSEs also reduced levels of induction. One such variant that contains two perfect 14-base pair HSEs, which are correctly spaced relative to each other and the TATA box, retained only 7% of wild type-induced expression. These and additional analyses indicate that the heat-shock regulatory element includes sequences beyond the 14-base pair HSE and may be better described as a dimer of a 10-base pair sequence, NTTCNNGAAN.     

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.     

A systematic survey of loss-of-function variants in human protein-coding genes

Genome-sequencing studies indicate that all humans carry many genetic variants predicted to cause loss of function (LoF) of protein-coding genes, suggesting unexpected redundancy in the human genome. Here we apply stringent filters to 2951 putative LoF variants obtained from 185 human genomes to determine their true prevalence and properties. We estimate that human genomes typically contain ~100 genuine LoF variants with ~20 genes completely inactivated. We identify rare and likely deleterious LoF alleles, including 26 known and 21 predicted severe disease-causing variants, as well as common LoF variants in nonessential genes. We describe functional and evolutionary differences between LoF-tolerant and recessive disease genes and a method for using these differences to prioritize candidate genes found in clinical sequencing studies.     

DNA: a programmable force sensor

Direct quantification of biomolecular interaction by single-molecule force spectroscopy has evolved into a powerful tool for materials and life sciences. We introduce an approach in which the unbinding forces required to break intermolecular bonds are measured in a differential format by comparison with a known reference bond (here, a short DNA duplex). In addition to a marked increase in sensitivity and force resolution, which enabled us to resolve single-base pair mismatches, this concept allows for highly specific parallel assays. This option was exploited to overcome cross-reactions of antibodies in a protein biochip application.     

沙田柚及其芽变株系的染色体核型和Giemsa带型比较研究

对沙田柚及其芽变株等4个材料的染色体核型及Giemsa带型进行了研究,结果表明,这些材料染色体数目的众数为2n=18,第6对染色体带随体,染色体长度比在2至3之间,臂指数(N.F)为36,核型属于1B类型。染色体核型不对称系数(A.S.K%)变化范围在56.99%～59.54%之间,均为对称型核型。7个材料Giemsa带型主要是着丝点带、端带和全带。     

含B染色体的黑麦基因组DNA甲基化变异研究

运用RAPD法检测黑麦JNK居群中含有和不含B染色体的基因组DNA的序列差异,并从100个10碱基随机引物中筛选出5个,采用CRED-RA法,检测含有和不含B染色体基因组DNA的甲基化变异。结果表明,含有和不含B染色体的黑麦基因组中均可以发生CmCGG甲基化修饰,但与不含B染色体的基因组相比,含有B染色体的黑麦基因组中发生了更广泛的CmCGG甲基化变异,这可能是B染色体产生表型抑制或基因沉默的一个重要原因。     

利用反向PCR克隆猪圆环病毒2型全基因组

参照GenBank数据库中PCV-2的ORF1基因序列,设计1对特异性引物和1对为反向引物,利用常规PCR扩增ORF1基因片段,再利用反向PCR扩增ORF1基因片段侧翼序列,将2次PCR产物克隆测序,经BLAST分析确认为PCV-2基因组序列,利用Vector NTI 8.0软件将两个序列进行拼接获得PCV-2全基因组。结果表明,克隆到的PCV-2全基因组长为1767bp。     

Landscape of somatic retrotransposition in human cancers

Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant in the human genome, and some are capable of generating new insertions through RNA intermediates. In cancer, the disruption of cellular mechanisms that normally suppress TE activity may facilitate mutagenic retrotranspositions. We performed single-nucleotide resolution analysis of TE insertions in 43 high-coverage whole-genome sequencing data sets from five cancer types. We identified 194 high-confidence somatic TE insertions, as well as thousands of polymorphic TE insertions in matched normal genomes. Somatic insertions were present in epithelial tumors but not in blood or brain cancers. Somatic L1 insertions tend to occur in genes that are commonly mutated in cancer, disrupt the expression of the target genes, and are biased toward regions of cancer-specific DNA hypomethylation, highlighting their potential impact in tumorigenesis.     

Molecular genetics: applications to the clinical neurosciences

Application of molecular biology, by means of linkage analysis and DNA probes that demonstrate restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), has resulted in the chromosomal localization of the genes responsible for a number of neurological disorders. Characterization of the structure and function of individual genes for these diseases is in an early stage, but information available indicates that the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic expression of neurological diseases encompass a wide range of genetic errors ranging from the most minor (a single-base pair mutation) to large chromosomal deletions. Linkage analysis can now be used for genetic counseling in several of these disorders.     

A direct repeat is a hotspot for large-scale deletion of human mitochondrial DNA

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) and progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) are related neuromuscular disorders characterized by ocular myopathy and ophthalmoplegia. Almost all patients with KSS and about half with PEO harbor large deletions in their mitochondrial genomes. The deletions differ in both size and location, except for one, 5 kilobases long, that is found in more than one-third of all patients examined. This common deletion was found to be flanked by a perfect 13-base pair direct repeat in the normal mitochondrial genome. This result suggests that homologous recombination deleting large regions of intervening mitochondrial DNA, which previously had been observed only in lower eukaryotes and plants, operates in mammalian mitochondrial genomes as well, and is at least one cause of the deletions found in these two related mitochondrial myopathies.     

拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的FISH核型分析

【目的】建立拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的FISH核型,分析明确不同来源拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的FISH核型特点,比较不同拟斯卑尔脱山羊草及其与普通小麦的FISH核型差异。【方法】以荧光标记的寡核苷酸Oligo-pTa535和Oligo-pSc119.2为探针,利用荧光原位杂交(fluorescence in situ hybridization,FISH)技术分析pTa535和pSc119.2在不同拟斯卑尔脱山羊草、四倍体小麦和普通小麦染色体上的杂交信号分布特点;以禾本科植物着丝粒专化寡核苷酸Oligo-CCS1为探针,明确拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的着丝粒位置,测量拟斯卑尔脱山羊草染色体相关参数;通过FISH核型比较明确不同拟斯卑尔脱山羊草及其与小麦核型的多态性差异。【结果】Oligo-pTa535主要分布在小麦的D和A组染色体上,在小麦的B组染色体上仅有零星分布,在5份拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的染色体中未显示Oligo-pTa535杂交信号。Oligo-pSc119.2杂交信号主要分布在小麦的B组染色体上,在小麦的A、D组染色体中分布较少,但在5份拟斯卑尔脱山羊草染色体上均有广泛分布。根据Oligo-pTa535和Oligo-pSc119.2杂交信号在小麦染色体上的分布特点,可以将小麦的不同染色体相互区分开来。Oligo-pSc119.2杂交信号在不同倍性、不同品种的小麦B组染色体上的分布特点基本相似,而不同来源拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的Oligo-pSc119.2的FISH核型差异较大,甚至在同一细胞内的2条同源染色体上Oligo-pSc119.2杂交信号的分布也具有明显差异。不同来源的拟斯卑尔脱山羊草与小麦B染色体组的FISH核型存在明显差异。PI542238的7对染色体均为中间着丝粒染色体,核型公式为2n=14=14m。其余4份拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的4S染色体均为近中着丝粒染色体,其余染色体均为中间着丝粒染色体,核型公式皆为2n=14=12m+2sm。【结论】拟斯卑尔脱山羊草染色体上含有丰富的与pSc119.2高度同源的重复序列,不含有与pTa535高度同源的重复序列。不同来源的拟斯卑尔脱山羊草之间以及同一来源的拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的个体间甚至同一个体内的同源染色体间在pSc119.2的分布上均具有遗传多样性。以Oligo-pSc119.2为探针建立的拟斯卑尔脱山羊草染色体FISH核型与小麦B组染色体的核型具有显著差异。利用荧光标记的Oligo-pTa535和Oligo-pSc119.2为探针进行FISH分析,可以准确区分拟斯卑尔脱山羊草的不同染色体,并能将拟斯卑尔脱山羊草与小麦的染色体区分开来。     

Whole-genome patterns of common DNA variation in three human populations

Individual differences in DNA sequence are the genetic basis of human variability. We have characterized whole-genome patterns of common human DNA variation by genotyping 1,586,383 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 71 Americans of European, African, and Asian ancestry. Our results indicate that these SNPs capture most common genetic variation as a result of linkage disequilibrium, the correlation among common SNP alleles. We observe a strong correlation between extended regions of linkage disequilibrium and functional genomic elements. Our data provide a tool for exploring many questions that remain regarding the causal role of common human DNA variation in complex human traits and for investigating the nature of genetic variation within and between human populations.     

松干基褐腐病菌的分子检测方法

松干基褐腐病菌是我国重要的植物检疫性病原菌,为建立该病原菌准确、灵敏、快速的检测方法,根据该病菌与同属内形态与寄主上最接近的4个种的ITS差异区域,设计出一对特异性引物IW1、IW2,经PCR扩增,只有松干基褐腐病菌可得到约165 bp的产物,而其余作为对照的菌株均无此产物,其检测灵敏度为100 pg基因组DNA。此外,特异性引物IW1和IW2还适合于Real-timePCR,其检测灵敏度更低,为0.1 pg基因组DNA（20μL反应体系）。应用此2种方法均能成功的从人工污染了的松干基褐腐病菌的木块中检测出病原菌。     

Common sequence polymorphisms shaping genetic diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana

The genomes of individuals from the same species vary in sequence as a result of different evolutionary processes. To examine the patterns of, and the forces shaping, sequence variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, we performed high-density array resequencing of 20 diverse strains (accessions). More than 1 million nonredundant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at moderate false discovery rates (FDRs), and approximately 4% of the genome was identified as being highly dissimilar or deleted relative to the reference genome sequence. Patterns of polymorphism are highly nonrandom among gene families, with genes mediating interaction with the biotic environment having exceptional polymorphism levels. At the chromosomal scale, regional variation in polymorphism was readily apparent. A scan for recent selective sweeps revealed several candidate regions, including a notable example in which almost all variation was removed in a 500-kilobase window. Analyzing the polymorphisms we describe in larger sets of accessions will enable a detailed understanding of forces shaping population-wide sequence variation in A. thaliana.     

Capturing chromosome conformation

We describe an approach to detect the frequency of interaction between any two genomic loci. Generation of a matrix of interaction frequencies between sites on the same or different chromosomes reveals their relative spatial disposition and provides information about the physical properties of the chromatin fiber. This methodology can be applied to the spatial organization of entire genomes in organisms from bacteria to human. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we could confirm known qualitative features of chromosome organization within the nucleus and dynamic changes in that organization during meiosis. We also analyzed yeast chromosome III at the G1 stage of the cell cycle. We found that chromatin is highly flexible throughout. Furthermore, functionally distinct AT- and GC-rich domains were found to exhibit different conformations, and a population-average 3D model of chromosome III could be determined. Chromosome III emerges as a contorted ring.     

The effects of artificial selection on the maize genome

Domestication promotes rapid phenotypic evolution through artificial selection. We investigated the genetic history by which the wild grass teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) was domesticated into modern maize (Z. mays ssp. mays). Analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 774 genes indicates that 2 to 4% of these genes experienced artificial selection. The remaining genes retain evidence of a population bottleneck associated with domestication. Candidate selected genes with putative function in plant growth are clustered near quantitative trait loci that contribute to phenotypic differences between maize and teosinte. If we assume that our sample of genes is representative, approximately 1200 genes throughout the maize genome have been affected by artificial selection.     

药敏试验与比较基因组揭示嗜水气单胞菌耐药潜力

为了揭示嗜水气单胞菌的耐药潜力,运用微量肉汤稀释法和比较基因组学方法对其进行了分析。结果显示：恩诺沙星、硫酸新霉素、氟苯尼考、盐酸多西环素对3株菌株有抑制作用,而磺胺间甲氧嘧啶对3株菌株均无抑制作用。菌株的耐药表型未与耐药基因一一对应,某些菌株虽然未注释到耐药基因,也可以表现出相关耐药表型;自测的3株菌株基因组大小差异较大,亲缘关系非近缘,但耐药基因数量基本一致;经ANI（平均核苷酸一致性）计算后,基因组比较分析发现嗜水气单胞菌基因组具有较强的可变性,即使是近缘菌株,其基因组间仍有较大差异;系统发育分析显示,不同宿主来源的菌株在进化树上呈现分散分布,近缘菌株分布在不同国家和地区;所有菌株在CARD（综合抗生素耐药性数据库）中共注释到21种耐药基因,其中7种耐药基因为所有菌株共享。造成这一现象的原因,很可能是由于嗜水气单胞菌基因组较强的可变性以及其宿主分布的广泛性,菌株间进行频繁的基因交流,促进了耐药基因在整个物种的快速扩散,所以即使菌株间基因组变化较大,但耐药基因在菌株间的变化较小。     

羊流产衣原体的PCR检测方法研究

根据羊流产衣原体16SrRNA基因保守序列,设计合成一对引物,通过优化PCR反应条件,成功地扩增出预期的523bp片段,而沙眼衣原体、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌及健康鸡胚的卵黄囊膜均未扩增出相应的片段。敏感性试验表明,该体系可检测到2pg的衣原体DNA。