Microbial and microfaunal community structure in cropping systems with genetically modified plants

Soils from field sites at Foulum (DK), Narbons (FR) and Varois (FR) planted with genetically modified maize expressing either the insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis protein (Bt) or herbicide tolerance (HT), as described elsewhere in this volume, were analysed for nematodes, protozoa and microbial community structure. These analyses were mirrored in single-species testing and in mesocosm experiments, and were coordinated with field samples taken for microarthropods, enchytraeids and earthworms so allowing for cross-comparison and a better understanding of the results observed in the field. Over the first 2 years of the field experiments (in 2002 and 2003), the effect of Bt-maize was within the normal variation expected in these agricultural systems. Sampling in 2004 and 2005 was expanded to include the effects of tillage (i.e. reduced tillage versus conventional tillage) and also the use of HT-maize. Tillage had major effects regardless of soil type (Varois or Foulum), with reduced-tillage plots having a greater abundance of microfauna and a different microbial community structure (measured both by phospholipid fatty-acid analysis (PLFA) and by community-level physiological profiling (CLPP)) from conventionally tilled plots. Grass, as a contrasting cropping system to maize, also had an effect regardless of soil type and resulted in greater microfaunal abundance and an altered microbial community structure. Differences in crop management, which for the Bt-maize was removal of the insecticide used to control European corn borer and for HT-maize was a change in herbicide formulation, were only tested at single sites. There were differences in microbial community structure (CLPP but not PLFA) and sporadic increases in protozoan abundance under the Bt-crop management. The HT-maize cropping system, which covered a shorter period and only one site, showed little change from the conventional system other than an altered microbial community structure (as measured by PLFA only) at the final harvest. The Bt-trait had a minimal impact, with fewer amoebae at Foulum in May 2003, fewer nematodes at Foulum in May 2004 but more protozoa at Varois in October 2002 and an altered microbial community structure (PLFA) at Foulum in August 2005. These were not persistent effects and could not be distinguished from varietal effects. Based on the field evaluations of microfauna and microorganisms, we conclude that there were no soil ecological consequences for these communities associated with the use of Bt- or HT-maize in place of conventional varieties. Other land management options, such as tillage, crop type and pest management regime, had significantly larger effects on the biology of the soil than the type of maize grown.     

Suppression of root-knot disease by Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 in tomato: importance of bacterial secondary metabolite, 2,4-diacetylpholoroglucinol

The antimicrobial metabolites 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) and pyoluteorin contribute to the ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 to control plant diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens. P. fluorescens strain CHA0 and its derivatives CHA89 (antibiotics-deficient) and CHA0/pME3424 (antibiotics overproducing) were investigated as potential biocontrol agents against Meloidogyne javanica the root-knot nematode. Exposure of root-knot nematode to culture filtrates of P. fluorescens under in vitro conditions significantly reduced egg hatch and caused substantial mortality of M. javanica juveniles. Nutrient broth yeast extract (NBY) medium amended with 2% (w/v) glucose or 1 mM EDTA markedly repressed hatch inhibition activity of the strain CHA0 but not that of CHA0/pME3424 or CHA89. On the other hand, NBY medium amended with glucose significantly enhanced nematicidal activity of the strain CHA0/pME3424. Neither glucose nor EDTA had an influence on the nematicidal activity of the strains CHA0 and CHA89. Under in vitro conditions, antibiotic overproducing strain CHA0/pME3424 and CHA0 expressed phl‘-’lacZ reporter gene but strain CHA89 did not. Expression of the reporter gene reflects actual production of DAPG. In general, CHA0/pME3424 expressed reporter gene to a greater extent compared to its wild type counterpart CHA0. Regardless of the bacterial strains, reporter gene expression was markedly enhanced when NBY medium was amended with glucose but EDTA had no such effect. A positive correlation between the degree of juvenile mortality and extent of phl‘-’lacZ reporter gene expression was also observed in vitro. Strain CHA0 produced zones of 4-6 mm on MM medium containing gelatin while strain CHA0/pME3424 and CHA89 did not. When MM medium containing gelatin was amended with 2% glucose of 1 mM EDTA size of haloes produced by the strain CHA0 reduced to 2 mm. Under glasshouse conditions aqueous cell suspension of the strains CHA0 or CHA0/pME3424 at various inoculum levels (10⁷, 10⁸ or 10⁹ cfu ml⁻¹) significantly reduced root-knot development. CHA89 caused significant reduction in galling when applied at 10⁹ cfu ml⁻¹. To better understand the mechanism of nematode suppression, split root bioassay was performed. Split-root experiments, that guarantee a spatial separation of inducing agent and a challenging pathogen, showed that soil treatment of one half of the root system with cell suspension of CHA0 or CHA0/pME3424 resulted in a significant systemic induced resistance leading to reduction of M. javanica infection of tomato roots in the non-baterized nematode treated half. The results clearly suggest that the antibiotic 2,4-DAPG from P. fluorescens CHA0 act as the inducing agents of systemic resistance in tomato roots. Populations of CHA0 and its derivatives declined progressively by 10-fold between first and fourth harvests (0-21 days after inoculation). However, bacterial populations increased at final harvest (28 days after application).     

利用QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR分析转基因玉米MON863含量

QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR (QuantStudioTM 3D digital PCR,3D-dPCR)是一种基于超高密度亲疏水微孔芯片实现数字PCR分液原理的新型核酸绝对定量平台,在转基因生物定量领域具有极大的应用前景.本研究基于3D-dPCR平台,以转基因玉米(Zea mays)MON863混合样品为例,建立基于单重和双重数字PCR体系的转基因生物(genetically modified organisms,GMOs)含量分析方法.与传统qRT-PCR比较发现,在缺乏样品纯度、纯合度信息的情况下,数字PCR能够较好地排除这些因素的影响,测定准确的量值.研究结果表明,QuantStudioTM 3D数字PCR是一种适用于转基因生物含量分析的精确定量方法,还可反映转基因玉米种子的基因型.本研究基于3D-dPCR建立的转基因玉米MON863单重和双重定量方法为转基因检测提供了新的方法和参考.     

利用微滴数字PCR分析转基因生物外源基因拷贝数

微滴数字PCR(droplet digital PCR,ddPCR)是一种基于泊松分布原理的核酸分子绝对定量技术,在核酸分子的绝对计数/定量领域具有极大的应用潜力。本研究基于ddPCR平台,以转基因水稻(Oryza sativa)T1c-19和转人乳铁蛋白基因基因山羊(Capra hircus)134为例,建立了转基因生物(genetically modified organisms,GMOs)外源基因拷贝数分析方法,并比较了其与传统的实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,qRT-PCR)和Southern blot方法的准确性。实验数据表明,T1c-19的杀虫晶体蛋白基因(insecticidal crystal protein,Cry1C*)在qRT-PCR和ddPCR测定结果比较一致,约为2拷贝,但已报道的Southern blot分析结果为1拷贝;ddPCR对bar基因的分析结果高于qRT-PCR,分别为2.09拷贝和1.51拷贝。转人乳铁蛋白基因(human lactoferrin,HLF)山羊134在qRT-PCR和ddPCR的分析结果基本一致,均测得含有1拷贝的HLF基因。研究结果表明,微滴数字PCR方法是一种经济、快速和准确的外源基因拷贝数分析新方法,灵敏度和准确性高,将会在拷贝数分析中广泛应用。     

口服急性毒性试验中Cry1C蛋白对鼠肠道菌群的影响

利用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)分析不同ICR(institute of cancer researcch)小鼠在口服急性毒性试验中摄入Cry1C蛋白前后其肠道菌群的变化,进而对该抗虫蛋白的食用安全性进行较为深入的研究.DGGE图谱经UPGAMA聚类分析显示:小鼠间菌群结构存在较明显的个体差异;实验期间,对照组小鼠灌胃前后其菌群基本保持稳定;实验组小鼠试验前后肠道菌群变化差异较对照组明显.随着灌胃的停止其变化差异在经历过高峰后会随着停喂时间的延长而减小,且菌相有逐渐恢复灌胃前结构的趋势.从肠道菌相的角度分析可知:该抗虫Cry1C蛋白对小鼠是基本安全的.     

玉米秸秆与废弃白菜的混合青贮品质及产沼气能力分析

为实现干玉米秸秆(dried maize straw,DMS)的长时间保质贮存,利用青贮原理将DMS与废弃白菜(cabbage waste,CW)连续混贮90 d,设置DMS单贮组和6个不同质量比例(DMS:CW=29:19、27:21、25:23、23:25、21:27和19:29)混贮组,间隔30 d分析其贮存品质,筛选适宜贮存条件,并考察秸秆贮存前后的微观结构变化和产沼气潜力。结果表明,与单贮组相比,6个混贮组的p H值均显著下降(P0.05),乳酸含量显著升高(P0.05),混贮品质优于单贮。6个混贮组贮存30 d时的p H值均为最低,乳酸含量最高,感官评价均为优级,30 d后p H值有所上升,乳酸含量急剧下降,60d时的木质素含量显著降低(P0.05),综纤维素含量显著升高(P0.05)。随着CW比例增加,混贮组p H值逐渐减小,乳酸含量逐渐增加,MEⅤ组(DMS:CW=21:27)p H值最低,乳酸含量最高,能使DMS连续贮存60 d不变质。扫描电镜结果显示,青贮发酵使干秸秆原先致密复杂的木质纤维结构开始瓦解,青贮秸秆表面有很多裂缝和孔洞,与微生物或酶的可接触面积增加。沼气发酵试验表明,MEⅤ组混贮秸秆的累积产气量略高于未贮存干秸秆,且累积甲烷产量提高了61.67%,是未贮存干秸秆的1.6倍。Modified Gompertz模型显示混贮秸秆的甲烷生成速率增加,产甲烷能力提高。总之,当DMS∶CW质量比为21∶27(含水率为73%)时DMS能连续保质贮存2月,且贮存后秸秆的甲烷产量明显提升。     

济南市消费者对转基因食品的认知态度的调查与分析

为了了解济南市消费者对转基因食品的认知度和态度，分析影响当地消费者对转基因食品态度的主要因素及对转基因食品发展前景的看法，对当地不同人群随机发放问卷进行了调查。调查结果表明，当地消费者对转基因食品认知度总体较低，大多数消费者对转基因食品采取中立态度。被调查者的心理因素、认知度及其所接触的媒体等与对转基因因食品态度有不同相关性，以媒体相关性最为显著；大多数消费者对转基因食品继续发展持支持态度。媒体极端的负面报道可能会对消费者的态度产生消极影响。当前转基因食品发展相对忽视了消费者的消费需求，但转基因食品发展前景乐观。     

双抗体夹心ELISA在转基因生物检测中的应用研究

随着转基因产品种类和数量的不断增加,转基因生物及其产品的安全性也越来越受到关注,各国一直以来也都高度重视转基因生物及产品的管理.作为转基因生物安全评价的第一步,转基因生物的准确检测显得格外重要.该文综述了双抗夹心ELISA方法的原理、技术要点及其在转基因植物及产品检测中的应用,并对该方法在转基因动物检测中的应用前景进行分析,为双抗夹心ELISA方法的合理利用提供依据.     

巴基斯坦转基因作物发展概况

近年来,发展中国家在转基因技术与商业化发展上取得了巨大进展。巴基斯坦是同中国有着深厚友谊的国家,是“一带一路”政策亚欧非大陆的重要一站。本文介绍了巴基斯坦转基因技术发展现状及转基因商业化情况,研究其管理框架及政策变化等,分析其在政策、监管、知识产权、消费者认知度等方面存在的问题。研究结果对中国转基因政策的制定具有借鉴意义。