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。     

Identification of QTLs related to sugar and organic acid composition in melon using near-isogenic lines

The soluble sugar and organic acid composition of melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit flesh has become a major focus of plant breeding worldwide in an attempt to improve taste. Thus, sugar and organic acid profiles were characterized using near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from the Spanish cultivar Piel de Sapo (PS) and the exotic Korean accession Shongwan Charmi (PI 161375). Fruits were cultivated in only one environment. These data were used to map 60 quantitative trait loci (QTLs): 18 for individual sugars, eight for sucrose equivalents, five for the glucose-to-fructose ratio, seven for the total sugar content and 21 for organic acids. Within the QTLs that were associated with the sugar profile, 27 defined the sugar content: eight for fructose, six for glucose, four for sucrose, and nine for sucrose equivalents. Although increased sweetness of selected NILs compared with the parental PS was achieved by an increased glucose or fructose content, only glucose heritability was above 0.5. A total of 21 QTLs (two with positive effects and nineteen with detrimental effects compared with the PS levels) controlled the organic acid profile: l-glutamic, ascorbic and succinic acids (the principal ones) and fumaric, citric, oxalacetic, and isocitric acids. The levels of sugars imparted by the PI 161375 introgression frequently decreased the score grades given to NILs by consumers. Within the 32 QTLs mapped for sensory traits, 27 were associated with lower scores in taste (nine QTLs), sweetness (eight QTLs) or global quality appreciation (nine QTLs); two with increased fruit sourness or sweetness and three with increased fruit bitterness. The QTLs defined herein may assist breeders to understand the overall organoleptic balance (sweetness, sourness, and umami taste) in melon fruit, particularly those located within linkage groups III, V, VI, and VIII to XI.     

Comparative proteomics analysis of maize (Zea mays) leaves infected by small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus)

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is a viral disease caused by brown planthopper infestation, and leads to great yield loss, especially in China. Comparative proteomics was performed using maize inbred line Zheng 58 and LN 287. MRDD pathogen was detected as rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) in Shandong Province, China. The modified trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone method was used for soluble protein extraction from leaves. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis was performed on 24-cm long, pH 4–7 linear immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips, and gels were stained with silver and coomassie brilliant blue. We identified 944 proteins expressed in RBSDV infected maize leaves by proteomics approaches. Among these, 44 protein spots that revealed a 1.5-fold difference in intensity were identified by mass spectrometry between mock-inoculated and RBSDV infected samples. Among these, 17 and 26 spots were up-regulated, and 27 and 18 spots were down-regulated in the virus infected samples of Zheng 58 and LN 287, respectively. Differential protein spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry identification, which could be divided into six categories. Furthermore, the expression of stress-related proteins was detected and confirmed by qRT-PCR. This study lays the foundation for further investigations, enabling the enhancement of MRDD resistance in maize.     

富含多糖甜玉米幼穗RNA提取及高温胁迫基因表达分析

以改良Trizol试剂法从富含多糖的甜玉米幼穗中提取高质量、完整的总RNA,利用实时荧光定量PCR对高温胁迫下粤甜13雌穗发育的8个差异表达基因进行分析。结果表明,8个基因分为上调表达和下调表达,实时荧光定量PCR和测序法基因表达谱检测的基因上调或下调表达的趋势一致,上调表达基因ZM2G058057和下调表达基因ZM2G059964、ZM2G044670相对表达量较高,可能在高温胁迫影响甜玉米幼雌穗发育过程中起更重要的作用。     

小麦籽粒淀粉合成酶基因表达与酶活性特征的研究

为研究小麦籽粒淀粉合成酶基因表达与酶活性的特征,以普通小麦品种秦麦11(粒重36.942 mg/粒,淀粉含量61.02%)和中优9507(粒重50.636 mg/粒,淀粉含量68.36%)为材料,采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对灌浆期籽粒淀粉合成酶相关基因的表达进行了研究,并对其表达量与相应酶活性的相关性做了分析.结果表明,腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶基因(AGPase)、束缚态淀粉合成酶基因(GBSSI)、可溶性淀粉合成酶基因(SSS)、淀粉分支酶基因(SBE)表达均呈单峰曲线变化,在花后3 d 内检测不到其表达,花后4～6 d 这些基因开始表达.AGPase和SSS在花后12 d左右表达量达到高峰,GBSSI和SBE在花后15 d左右的表达量最大.自花后18 d开始,各基因的表达量均显著下降.中优9507在表达高峰期(即花后第12、15、18 d)的酶基因相对表达量均显著高于秦麦11,且差异均达显著水平.整个灌浆期间中优9507的四种淀粉合成酶活性高于秦麦11,尤其在灌浆中期差异更显著.相关分析表明,AGPase、SSS、SBE基因在花后15 d的相对表达量与相应酶活性间呈极显著正相关,而GBSS基因的相对表达量与GBSS酶活性间相关不显著,暗示AGPase、SSS、SBE基因在籽粒淀粉合成过程中属于转录水平调控,而GBSSI基因属于转录后调控.     

鱼糜制品中基因组DNA提取方法的比较

将分别采用普通酚-氯仿抽提法和试剂盒(柱吸附法)提取DNA的两种方法加以比较,以确定最适提取鱼糜制品DNA的方法.将鱼肉和鱼糜制品作为原料,用两种方法提取基因组DNA,利用分光光度计测定其A260与A280的吸光值,计算比率估计核酸的纯度,并利用琼脂糖凝胶电泳观察DNA片段在凝胶中的位置;并用线粒体16S rRNA基因PCR扩增产物鉴定所提取的基因组DNA.     

均匀设计优化毛竹EST-SSR PCR反应体系

本研究以毛竹叶片DNA为模板,利用均匀设计U10（54）表,对毛竹EST-SSRPCR反应体系的TaqDNA聚合酶、Mg2＋、dNTPs及引物浓度4因素5个水平进行优化筛选。优化实验结果表明,毛竹EST-SSRPCR的25μL优化反应体系为：10×PCRBuffer（含Mg2＋）2.5μL、TaqDNA聚合酶1.5U,Mg2＋、dNTPs及引物的最适浓度分别是1.0mmol/L、0.1mmol/L、0.48μmol/L;通过梯度PCR试验筛选得到相应引物的最佳退火温度为52.4℃。对优化出的EST-SSRPCR反应体系进行稳定性检测,结果均能获得丰富、稳定、清晰可辨的DNA谱带。该优化体系为利用EST-SSR分子标记对毛竹进行遗传多样性等相关研究工作提供了基础条件。     

Molecular characterization and PCR detection of a nitrogen-fixing Pseudomonas strain promoting rice growth

Nitrogen-fixing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the genus Pseudomonas have received little attention so far. In the present study, a nitrogen-fixing phytohormone-producing bacterial isolate from kallar grass (strain K1) was identified as Pseudomonas sp. by rrs (16S ribosomal RNA gene) sequence analysis. rrs identity level was high with an uncharacterized marine bacterium (99%), Pseudomonas sp. PCP2 (98%), uncultured bacteria (98%), and Pseudomonas alcaligenes (97%). Partial nifH gene amplified from strain K1 showed 93% and 91% sequence similarities to those of Azotobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas stutzeri, respectively. The effect of Pseudomonas strain K1 on rice varieties Super Basmati and Basmati 385 was compared with those of three non-Pseudomonas nitrogen-fixing PGPR (Azospirillum brasilense strain Wb3, Azospirillum lipoferum strain N4 and Zoogloea strain Ky1) used as single-strain inoculants. Pseudomonas sp. K1 was detected in the rhizosphere of inoculated plants by enrichment culture in nitrogen-free growth medium, which was followed by observation under the microscope as well as by PCR using a rrs-specific primer. For both rice varieties, an increase in shoot biomass and/or grain yield over that of noninoculated control plants was recorded in each inoculated treatment. The effect of Pseudomonas strain K1 on grain yield was comparable to those of A. brasilense Wb3 and Zoogloea sp. Ky1 for both rice varieties. These results show that nitrogen-fixing pseudomonads deserve attention as potential PGPR inoculants for rice.