A Universal `One-tube' RT-PCR Protocol for Amplifying Isolates of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

The increase in the knowledge of the genetic variability of BVDV and the identification of some of the genetic determinants of its pathogenicity require robust and practical tools for rapid molecular characterization of the various genotypes of this virus. This study was undertaken to develop a standard protocol for RT-PCR that allows the amplification of various parts of the genome of BVDV without the need for optimizing each individual reaction. The reaction set-up is very flexible because it consists of two pre-mixes. These are a master mix, with all the required reagents except the desired primers, which are the components of the second pre-mix and are therefore easily interchangeable between the different reactions. After adding any primer-containing pre-mix to the fixed master mix, a non-interrupted cycling protocol led to the generation of amplicons of up to 4 kbp in size in amounts sufficient for subsequent sequencing reactions. The method was applied to five different regions of the BVDV genome: (i) the well-known 5-UTR to differentiate genotypes I and II; (ii) the entire E2 gene, or an approximately 550 bp region within the E2 gene, in order to find the molecular equivalent of antigenic varieties; (iii) the entire structural protein coding region covering the Npro, capsid, E ^RNS, E1 and E2 genes; (iv) a 2.1 kbp region embracing the NS2/3 junction which is known to be cleaved in cytopathic biotypes of BVDV; and (v) the region covering the entire NS4B and NS5A/B genes. All six RT-PCRs were successfully applied using (i) primers with lengths of between 20 and 52 nucleotides, (ii) an aliquot of RNA extracted from either 10⁶ infected bovine embryonal lung cells or the same number of leukocytes from viraemic cattle, and (iii) all the genotype I and II strains of BVDV tested. The technique described was used to generate various Sindbis virus/BVDV recombinants. The correct processing of the amplicon-derived E2 glycoprotein of BVDV strain PT810 was demonstrated by its reaction with a monoclonal antibody in an immunofluorescence assay. Given the variety of RT-PCRs tested, we conclude that this universal protocol may be useful with other RNA viruses.     

新扬州鸡早期增重的OPAY02-SCAR分子标记研究

OPAY02型2条多态性条带经克隆、测序和引物设计后,转换成SCAR标记,并对86个新扬州鸡随机交配后代基因组DNA进行了PCR扩增.2条带DNA序列与红色原鸡基因组序列比对结果表明,大分子量条带与位于红色原鸡第3号染色体上序列有98%的同源性,共检测到8个SNPS,其中195位的碱基T→G,316位的A→T,538位的G→A,731位的T→A,1 147位的G→A,1 329位的T→C,1 927位的C→T,2 081位的C→T,小分子量条带与红色原鸡没有同源序列,推测新扬州鸡野祖除红色原鸡外,还有其它来源.SCAR标记分析表明,经条件优化随机扩增的OPAY02型标记稳定、可靠,可用于遗传分析.2条带所在座位群体基因型平衡性测验结果表明,所测新扬州鸡群体处于平衡状态,选择可以打破平衡,有利于动物育种.     

PrP genotype and lamb birth weight in a scrapie-free environment: Is there an association?

The National Scrapie Plan (NSP) for Great Britain includes selective breeding programmes. These aim to reduce the frequencies of the ovine prion protein (PrP) genotypes at high risk of developing clinical disease (principally those containing the VRQ allele) within the national flock, and select for the low-risk ARR-containing genotypes. The aim of this work was to use available data from embryo transfer programmes in guaranteed scrapie-free environments to investigate whether there was a difference in lamb birth weight associated with the lamb's PrP genotype, which might affect survival. The first analysis utilised data from 355 Cheviot lambs born between 2001 and 2004. The analysis was then repeated using a larger data set of 737 Cheviot, Dorset and Suffolk lambs born between 1999 and 2003. The most important determinants of mean lamb birth weight were litter size, sex and recipient ewe breed, plus lamb breed in the three breed analysis. In both analyses the effects of all these variables are consistent and of the same order of magnitude. In the first analysis there was evidence for an apparent increase in mean lamb birth weight for the ARR-containing genotypes of 0.3 kg (95% C.I. 0.1–0.5 kg). Whereas, in the second data set there was evidence for a decrease in mean lamb birth weight for the VRQ-containing genotypes of − 0.6 kg (95% C.I. − 0.8 to − 0.4 kg). This had been masked in the first analysis by the categorisation of these genotypes with the ARQ/ARQ genotype. Within these flocks, in a scrapie-free environment, neither finding provides support for concerns that selection for low risk ARR-containing genotypes would be detrimental to lamb birth weight, which is considered to be the most important determinant of lamb survival. Extension of this work into field flocks, where scrapie-status cannot be easily assured, will require the collection of sufficient data to adjust for known direct effects as well as any additional potential confounding effects.     

Parentage testing of Thoroughbred horse in Korea using microsatellite DNA typing

The present study was to construct a parentage testing system for Thoroughbred (TB) horse. A total number of 1,285 TB horse samples including 962 foals for parentage testing, 9 sires and 314 dams for individual identification were genotyped. Genomic DNA was extracted from 5 hair roots and genotyped by using 14 microsatellite markers (AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425, HMS1, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG10, LEX3 and VHL20). This method consisted of multiplexing PCR procedure and showed reasonable amplification of all PCR products. Genotypes were determined by genetic analyzer. The number of alleles per locus varied from 3 to 9 with a mean value of 6.36 in TB horse. The expected heterozygosity was ranged from 0.548 to 0.831 (mean 0.699), and the total exclusion probability of 14 microstellite loci was 0.9998. Of the 14 markers, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, HMS7 and HTG10 loci have relatively high PIC value (> 0.7). Of the 962 foals, 960 foals were qualified by compatibility according to the Mendelism. These results suggest that the DNA typing method has high potential for parentage verification and individual identification of TB horses.     

Alpha-amylase/subtilisin Inhibitor Levels in Australian Barleys

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the bifunctional alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) content of barley grain from 11 cultivars grown in six diverse locations in Australia. The inhibitor ranged from 119 to 254 μg/g in 57 barley samples. Genotype had a significant (P<0·05) effect on BASI content but there was no effect due to environment. Total protein varied independently of BASI and was influenced by environment and genotype. BASI content was higher (P<0·05) in malting barley than in feed barley and was correlated positively (r=0·29;P<0·05) with alpha-amylase activity in corresponding malts. The ELISA used monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against purified BASI. In immunoblot analysis the monoclonal antibody showed high specificity for the inhibitor in barley and also detected the inhibitor in wheat. Low levels of inhibitor (mean 3·2 μg/g) were found in 12 Australian wheat cultivars using the ELISA developed for barley. The assay had a linear working range of 5–50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 2 ng/mL. Reproducibility between assays was good (CV=4·9%) but mean recoveries were high, ranging from 116–129% when purified inhibitor was added to barley extracts. The ELISA may have useful applications in brewing research and barley breeding programmes.     

牛源多杀性巴氏杆菌主要荚膜群和脂多糖基因型两组三重PCR检测方法

为掌握国内牛源多杀性巴氏杆菌流行的主要荚膜群及脂多糖基因型,建立了检测多杀性巴氏杆菌(Pm)及其A、B荚膜群的三重PCR(PmAB-3PCR)以及检测3个脂多糖基因型的三重PCR(LPS-3PCR)方法,检验了其特异性和敏感性,用感染Pm小鼠的组织和人工污染Pm的牛鼻拭子样品进行了临床模拟检验,并对30株P m进行了PCR检测和传统血清学分型比较。结果显示:PmAB-3PCR特异性好,PmAB-3PCR和LPS-3PCR的DNA检测限分别为10~100 pg和1 ng,二者对菌液的检测限分别为200~2000 CFU和2000~20000 CFU。模拟临床样品PmAB-3PCR检测结果与细菌分离结果100%一致。PmAB-3PCR与琼扩试验的符合率为84%,二者检出的阳性率分别为88%和72%,差异不显著(P>0.05);LPS-3PCR与琼扩试验的符合率为60%,检出的阳性率分别为90%和50%,差异显著(P<0.05)。结果表明,建立的两组三重PCR方法准确高效且重复性好,可取代常规血清学方法用于国内牛巴氏杆菌病的诊断、流调和疫苗株筛选。     

马尾松种源基因型×环境互作及其稳定性的研究

福建省4个地域91个种源10年生时试验结果表明:(1)各点马尾松种源生长上差异十分显著,树高、胸径和材积三个性状的遗传方差份量约占总变异的38.92%—42.75%;(2)种源×地点的效应,树高不明显,材积和胸径达显著水准,而种源基因型效应比较明显,其方差份量约为GE互作份量的1倍;(3)根据Francls和Kanuenbery模型计算种源GE互作效应及其稳定性,将参试种源划分为4种类型,其中高产稳定型种源26个,平均材积遗传增益达42.84%,可在全省各地区推广;(4)广西岑溪和广东罗定两个种源生长最为突出,平均村积遗传增益达88%。     

Phylogenetic analysis of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from wild birds in the Poyang Lake region of China

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes a highly contagious viral disease in poultry and wild birds, and it can cause significant economic loss worldwide. Eight viral strains were isolated by inoculating embryonated chicken eggs from the Poyang Lake region of China with swab samples. All eight of the NDV isolates were identified as class I genotype 3 strains, but they diverged notablely from class II viruses. Further analysis revealed that all eight NDV isolates were lentogenic strains containing the ¹¹²ERQER↓L¹¹⁷ motif at the F protein cleavage site. The strains were highly identical and were more species specific (chicken and waterfowl) than site specific (Nanchang and Duchang regions). The close phylogenetic proximity of these isolates indicates that viral transmission may happen between poultry and wild birds. Our study demonstrates that lentogenic class I NDVs exist in clinically healthy wild waterfowl and poultry within the Poyang Lake region. Active surveillance of these viruses to determine their evolution and origin is one of the most realistic strategies for preventing and controlling NDV outbreaks.     

珠母贝属6个种的ITS 2分子标记研究

对珠母贝属的大珠母贝、珠母贝、白珠母贝、黑珠母贝、长耳珠母贝、黑珠母贝和合浦珠母贝6个种的内部转录间隔区2(ITS2)序列及其两侧的5.8S和28S的部分序列进行了比较分析。其中黑珠母贝的序列来自GenBank。PCR扩增片段大小为600bp左右,测序结果表明,ITS2长211～254bp,两端的5.8S和28S分别长84bp和272bp(均含引物)。序列比对分析结果表明,5.8S和28S序列高度保守,不适合于种类鉴定,而ITS2序列高度变异,270个比对位点中有146个位点发生突变,其中72个位点发生插入/缺失突变。除白珠母贝和黑珠母贝之间的遗传距离较小外,其余种类之间的遗传距离远远大于种内遗传距离。基因型分析表明,每个种具有各自特有的基因型。基因型和序列变异分析表明ITS2序列可作为珍珠贝种类鉴定的分子标记。可用于种间、杂交育种、幼体和珍珠贝肉等材料的种类鉴定与遗传分析。     

Comparative digestibility of low‐quality grass hay by two breeds of cattle differing in mature live weight

The digestive capacity of the Portuguese native breed of Barrosão cattle and the Holstein–Friesian breed was measured when fed meadow hay (72–74 g CP and 641–671 g NDF/kg dry matter), offered either alone or supplemented with soya bean meal (150 g/kg dry matter), at maintenance level. Four mature cows of each breed were used. Average initial live weight (LW) was 457 and 635 kg for the Barrosão and the Holstein–Friesian cows respectively. The organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the meadow hay was higher in Holstein–Friesian than in Barrosão cows (p < 0.08) whether supplemented or not. The neutral detergent fibre digestibility of the hay was also higher in Holstein–Frisian when the hay was fed alone (p < 0.08). The soya bean meal supplementation increased the OMD and the NDFD digestibility of the total diet (p < 0.05), but not the OMD digestibility of the hay (p > 0.05). The results obtained in this study suggest a higher ability to digest fibre in the large dairy breed than in the small native breed. This suggestion is also supported by previous findings with sheep breeds largely differing in mature live weight.