Rapid screening of genetically modified ingredients in soybean and cotton processing by-product and waste using direct qPCR

To develop a simple and fast method for screening genetically modified ingredients from processing by-product and waste, direct quantitative PCR (qPCR) kit-Taqman which omitting multi genomic DNA preparing steps was developed in this study. A total of 18 oil crop processing by-products and wastes including 10 soybean and 8 cotton materials were collected from food processing factories. Compared with 2 commercial direct qPCR kits, conditions of DNA releasing procedure and PCR amplification were optimized. Element screening was performed at the initial step of genetically modified (GM) ingredient testing procedure via direct qPCR. GM event identification was carried out in positive samples by initial screening. Totally 5 screening elements (P–35S, T-NOS, Cp4-epsps, bar and pat) for soybean materials and 6 screening elements (P–35S, T-NOS, NPTII, Cry1Ac, bar and pat) for cotton samples were detected. In GM event identification, MON531 and MON1445 were found in cotton materials. Results were further confirmed by real-time PCR with DNA extraction and purification. The direct qPCR system proposed by this research was convenient for rapid screening and identification of GM ingredients in oil crop primary by-product and waste.     

Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield-related traits under low and high planting densities in maize (Zea mays)

Average maize yield per hectare has increased significantly because of the improvement in high-density tolerance, but little attention has been paid to the genetic mechanism of grain yield response to high planting density. Here, we used a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross YE478 × 08–641 to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 16 yield-related traits under two planting densities (57,000 and 114,000 plants per ha) across four environments. These yield-related traits responded differently to high-density stress. A total of 110 QTLs were observed for these traits: 33 QTLs only under low planting density, 50 QTLs under high planting density and 27 QTLs across both densities. Only two major QTLs, qCD6 and qWKEL2-2, were identified across low- and high-density treatments. Seven environmentally stable QTLs were also observed containing qED6, qWKEL3, qRN3-3, qRN7-2, qRN9-2 and qRN10 across both densities, as well as qRN9-1 under low density. In addition, 16 and eight pairs of loci with epistasis interaction (EPI) were detected under low and high planting densities, respectively. Additionally, nine and 17 loci showed QTL × environment interaction (QEI) under low- and high-density conditions, respectively. These interactions are of lesser importance than the main QTL effects. We also observed 26 pleiotropic QTL clusters, and the hotspot region 3.08 concentrated nine QTLs, suggesting its great importance for maize yield. These findings suggested that multiple minor QTLs, loci with EPI and QEI, pleiotropy and the complex network of “crosstalk” among them for yield-related traits were greatly influenced by plant density, which increases our understanding of the genetic mechanism of yield-related traits for high-density tolerance.     

秭归县退耕还林水源涵养效益计量

林地是森林水源涵养效益的主体,通过对秭归县10种退耕还林模式的土壤物理性状和林地水源涵养效益的研究,结果表明:(1)退耕还林后土壤总孔隙度增加4·3%~20·2%,除柏木林外,非毛管孔隙度增加6·8%~494·2%;(2)退耕还林后土壤饱和蓄水量增加5·7%~118·8%,非毛管蓄水量为坡耕地的2·58~19·13倍;(3)秭归县退耕还林森林土壤的蓄水量为171·6万m3/a,是相似立地条件下农耕地的3·21倍。     

基于NIR定量模型快速预测发酵麸皮中还原糖和可溶性蛋白成分的含量

为建立一种能快速预测发酵麦麸还原性糖和可溶性蛋白含量的定量分析模型,本研究以发酵麦麸为样本,采用3,5-二硝基水杨酸比色法（3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, DNS）和BCA蛋白浓度测定法分别测定样品的还原性糖和可溶性蛋白含量;利用近红外光谱技术（Near infrared spectrum instrument, NIR）结合偏最小二乘法（Partial least squares regression, PLS）,比较预处理方法、最佳波长及主成分因子的决定系数R²,建立发酵麦麸还原性糖和可溶性蛋白含量的NIR快速检测定量模型。结果表明：1）发酵麦麸还原性糖定量模型的预处理方法使用一阶导数 （First derivative, FD）+二阶导数 （Second derivative, SD）+标准正态变换 （Standard normal variate, SNV）,光谱范围为908~1 670 nm ,主因子数为7时,模型效果最优,其决定系数Rc²为0.904 8,校正均方根误差（Square error corrected, SEC）为1.576 1,相对分析误差（Relative percentage difference, RPD）为3.240 8;外部验证集决定系数Rp²为0.954 9且还原糖活性成分的验证集样本的测定值与NIR光谱预测值的P值为0.959 5>0.05。2）发酵麦麸可溶性蛋白定量模型的预处理方法使用一阶导数 （First derivative, FD）+二阶导数 （Second derivative, SD）+标准正态变换 （Standard normal variate, SNV）,光谱范围为908~1 670 nm ,主因子数为10时,模型效果最优,其决定系数Rc²为0.938 2,校正均方根误差（Square error corrected, SEC）为2.003,相对分析误差（Relative percentage difference, RPD）为4.021 9;外部验证集决定系数Rp²为0.994 4,且可溶性蛋白活性成分的验证集样本测定值与NIR光谱预测值的P值为0.901 9>0.05。综上,建立的NIR光谱定量模型稳定性和准确性较好,且预测准确度良好,可用于快速预测发酵麦麸样品的还原性糖和可溶性蛋白含量。     

Using genetic methods for analysis of fish meals and feeds employed in Greek mariculture

Large quantities of high protein fish meals are needed to sustain cultured species and thus the impact to marine ecosystem has been highly discussed. The aim of this study was to apply a PCR‐cloning methodology for a robust insight into the composition of commercial fish meals and feeds for farmed species of the Greek mariculture, assessing the risk posed by aquaculture to marine ecosystems but also the risk posed by commercial fish feeds to the increase in trophic level of species farmed in Greece. 89% of the sequences were identified to species level and only 11% to genus/family level. Overall, a total of 49 taxa were identified (44 fish species/taxon, five non‐fish species/taxon). Even though small pelagic fish like Engraulis sp. were the main portion, a wide range of species constituted the fish meals and feeds. Plant and animal species were also detected as an alternative protein source. Feed products employed in Greek mariculture still contain large portions of fish meals which increase the mean trophic level of farmed species causing a farming up trend. The results emphasize that such molecular methodologies are needed to certify aquafeeds allowing fish feed producers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable aquaculture.     

半滑舌鳎创伤弧菌分离鉴定及其荧光定量PCR方法的建立

为确定患病半滑舌鳎的病原,从其体内分离到3株革兰氏阴性菌,将其分别命名为ST-1、ST-3和ST-6,进行细菌理化特性、药敏试验、16S rDNA测序以及组织病理学观察等方面的研究,并建立了外膜蛋白(OMP)基因的SYBR Green I荧光定量PCR检测方法。结果显示,3株分离菌株的理化特性符合创伤弧菌特征,16S rDNA与创伤弧菌标准菌株ATCC29307序列相似性达99%以上,系统发育树分析显示,3株分离株与创伤弧菌自然聚为一支,最终鉴定为创伤弧菌;药敏试验显示,3株菌对头孢克肟、头孢哌酮、链霉素、亚胺培南和氟苯尼考等药物高度敏感。人工回归感染试验表明,分离株具有致病性,且半滑舌鳎、斑马鱼的临床症状与自然患病鱼症状相似;组织病理学观察显示,鳃丝上皮细胞增生,鳃小片肿胀黏连、颗粒细胞和黏液细胞增多,肝脏中央静脉淤血,肾脏出血、坏死,肠道黏膜固有层萎缩、黏液细胞增多等。进一步建立OMP基因的荧光定量PCR方法,结果显示,标准曲线的相关系数为0.995,检测下限为1.88×10~2 CFU/mL。以上结果可为半滑舌鳎弧菌病的致病机理、分子诊断和防治提供科学参考。     

Description and phylogeny of Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. and Zschokkella lophii sp. n. from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon (Jordan)

Two new species of myxozoans from the Japanese anglerfish, Lophius litulon, are described using myxospore morphology and small subunit rDNA sequences. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. is a parasite of the gall bladder and had a prevalence of 57%. Mature spores of C. anko sp. n. are arcuate to crescent shaped with valves tapering to rounded tips. A prominent sutural line runs centrally between the round adjacent polar capsules containing the polar filament coiled two to three times. Spore measurements: length 10.8 (9.7-11.9) microm, width 41.9 (36.9-47.2) microm, polar capsule diameter 4.6 (4.1-5.3) microm. Ceratomyxa anko sp. n. can be distinguished from other Ceratomyxa spp. due to its spore dimensions and shape. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. is a parasite of the urinary bladder and had a prevalence of 70%. Mature spores are ellipsoidal to semicircular with bluntly pointed ends. The sutural line is curved or sinuous and the valves have no discernable surface ornamentation. Two almost spherical polar capsules are located separately in the ends of the spore, opening in almost opposite directions and contain the polar filament with five coils. Spore measurements: length 20.1 (16.8-24.0) microm, width 14.9 (12.7-16.8) microm, polar capsule diameter 5.1 (3.6-5.8) microm. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. can be distinguished from other Zschokkella spp. due to the terminal opening of the polar capsules within the spores and the site of infection within the host fish. In the phylogenetic analyses, C. anko sp. n. grouped with other members of the same genus forming a monophyly. Zschokkella lophii sp. n. forms a discrete clade with another Zschokkella sp. that infects the urinary bladder of marine fish. This grouping forms a sister clade to one containing members of the genus Parvicapsula, all of which are parasites of the urinary system in marine fish.     

The use of a real-time PCR primer/probe set to observe infectivity of Yersinia ruckeri in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), and steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Yersinia ruckeri is the causative agent of enteric redmouth disease (ERM), a common pathogen affecting aquaculture facilities and implicated in large losses of cultured fish. Fisheries scientists continue to gain a greater understanding of the disease and the pathogen by investigating methods of identification and pre- and post-infection treatment. In this study, a real-time PCR probe set for Y. ruckeri was developed to detect daily changes in the bacterial load during pathogen challenges. Two species of fish, Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to two strains of Y. ruckeri (Hag and SC) during bath challenges. A subset of fish was killed daily for 14 days, and the kidney tissue was biopsied to enumerate copies of pathogen DNA per gram of tissue. While Chinook exposed to either the Hag or SC strains exhibited similar pathogen loads, those exposed to the Hag strain displayed higher mortality (～66%) than fish exposed to the SC strain (～24% mortality). Steelhead exposed to the Hag strain exhibited a greater pathogen load and higher mortality (～42%) than those exposed to the SC strain (<1% mortality). Steelhead challenged with either strain showed lower pathogen loads than Chinook. The study illustrates the efficacy of the probe set to enumerate Y. ruckeri bacterial growth in the kidneys of fish. Also, strains of Y. ruckeri display species-specific growth patterns that result in differential mortality and pathogen load.     

荧光实时定量PCR技术及其在水产养殖研究中的应用

荧光实时定量PCR技术是近年来快速发展起来的一门新技术,它是核酸探针技术、荧光共振能量传递技术(Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer,FRET)和PCR技术的有机结合。与常规PCR相比,它具有特异性更强、有效解决PCR污染问题、自动化程度高、能较准确定量等特点。本文综述了荧光实时定量PCR技术的基本原理及几种广泛应用的荧光化学方法,并概述了荧光实时定量PCR技术在水产养殖研究领域的应用现状,并对荧光实时定量PCR技术的应用前景进行了展望。     

拟穴青蟹卵泡抑素相关蛋白基因的克隆和表达分析

卵泡抑素相关蛋白(follistatin related protein,FRP)是一种细胞外基质糖蛋白,该蛋白参与细胞增殖、迁移、组织重塑、胚胎发育、细胞间相互作用等多种生理过程。迄今甲壳动物FRP的研究尚未见诸报道。实验采用RACE技术首次克隆了拟穴青蟹FRP基因部分cDNA序列。该序列长度1 948 bp,FRP肽段含有484个氨基酸残基,包括KAZAL-FS结构域、EFh结构域和两个Ig结构域。系统进化树显示拟穴青蟹FRP基因的分子进化地位与其生物学分类地位一致。半定量PCR及荧光定量PCR结果表明,FRP基因在拟穴青蟹的胸神经团、脑和卵巢中表达。FRP基因在卵巢发育各期的表达量各不相同,卵巢未发育期最高,据此我们推测FRP具有抑制卵巢发育的作用。