圆斑星鲽MHC IIB基因结构、多态性及组织表达分析

通过表达序列标签法和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术,分离和克隆了圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)IIB的全长cDNA序列,该cDNA全长为1144bp,5'UTR(untranslated region)为7bp,3'UTR为450bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为687bp,可编码228个氨基酸,包含信号肽、抗原结合域(β1)、IGC区(β2)、跨膜区和胞质区5个结构域。同源分析表明,圆斑星鲽MHCIIB氨基酸序列与其他硬骨鱼具有49%～79%的同源性,与鼠、人、红原鸡和护士鲨的相似性较低,分别为34%、33%、31%和30%。圆斑星鲽MHC ⅡB基因含有5个内含子,与其他硬骨鱼不同,其β2结构域编码区内存在1个109bp的内含子。根据获得的MHC ⅡB基因组序列设计特异性引物,在10尾野生圆斑星鲽中扩增了包括完整内含子1和外显子2的长度约388bp的DNA片段,PCR产物直接测序后发现在270bp的抗原结合域中共有23个位点发生变异,密码子第1位和第2位的变异明显高于第3位。利用荧光定量PCR分析组织表达发现,MHCIIB基因在健康圆斑星鲽9种组织中均有...     

Screening for pollen tolerance to high temperatures in tomato

Among the abiotic stresses affecting plant reproduction, high temperature is one of the most prominent ones because it directly affects fruit set. So far, little attention has been paid to the investigation of the variation in high temperature tolerance among wild tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) germplasm. The objective of this study was to determine the tolerance of 17 different cultivated and wild tomato accessions to high temperature, using a pollen viability screening approach. Each of the 17 genotypes of tomato was analysed for their pollen quality under a 32 °C (day)/26 °C (night) regime. The total number of pollen per flower and the fraction of viable pollen were recorded. The number of pollen per flower varied between 35,547 and 109,490 whereas the fraction of viable pollen varied between 0.03 and 0.71. No correlation was found between these two traits. However, the combination of these traits could provide the best reproductive capability under high temperature. In this study, thermo-tolerant (LA2854, LA1478 and LA0417) as well as thermo-sensitive (LA1719, LA1580, and SWEET4) genotypes have been identified. Those genotypes can be used as novel genetic resources to get more insight into pollen thermo-tolerance mechanisms and be included in breeding programs.     

Goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to infection with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) in vivo

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine, using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, whether CAEV is capable of infecting goat uterine epithelial cells in vivo. Five CAEV seropositive goats confirmed as infected using double nested polymerase chain reaction (dnPCR) on leucocytes and on vaginal secretions were used as CAEV positive goats. Five CAEV-free goats were used as controls. Samples from the uterine horn were prepared for dnPCR, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence. The results from dnPCR confirmed the presence of CAEV proviral DNA in the uterine horn samples of infected goats whereas no CAEV proviral DNA was detected in samples taken from the uninfected control goats. The in situ hybridization probe was complementary to part of the CAEV gag gene and confirmed the presence of CAEV nucleic acids in uterine samples. The positively staining cells were seen concentrated in the mucosa of the lamina propria of uterine sections. Finally, laser confocal analysis of double p28/cytokeratin immunolabelled transverse sections of CAEV infected goat uterus, demonstrated that the virus was localized in glandular and epithelial cells. This study clearly demonstrates that goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to CAEV infection in vivo. This finding could help to further our understanding of the epidemiology of CAEV, and in particular the possibility of vertical transmission.     

Dispersal-based species pools as sources of connectivity area mismatches

Landscape Ecology - Prioritising is likely to differ depending on the species considered for connectivity assessments, leading to a lack of consensual decisions for territorial planning. The...