Mitochondrial Genome Architecture and Evolutionary Origin of the Yao Silkworm,a Living Fossil of the Domestic Silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

The Yao silkworm is a unique silkworm resource producing yellow flat plate silk that has only been reared by the Baiku Yao ethnic group in Nandan County, Guangxi Province, China for a thousand years. Here, we report the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of five Yao silkworm strains and 10 local Guangxi strains of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), and use the resulting mitogenomes and the available Bombyx mitogenomes to characterize their genome architecture and trace the evolutionary origin of the Yao silkworm. The five Yao silkworm mitogenomes exhibited genome architectures identical to typical set of 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs) and a high level of genome sequence similarity with the domestic silkworm. Mitogenome-based phylogenetic reconstruction provided solid evidence that the Yao silkworm shares a common ancestor with the domestic silkworm. Sliding window analysis uncovered a distinct variation pattern in the mitogenome between the Yao silkworm and the other domestic silkworm strains. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a basal placement of the Yao silkworm among all available domestic silkworm strains, indicating that the Yao silkworm is an ancient population of the domestic silkworm. Our data indicated that the Yao silkworm (B. mori) is a lineage of the domestic silkworm, which for the first time provides insights into the origin of the Yao silkworm.     

Genetic Diversity and Global Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus （CTV） Strains

Citrus tristeza virus （CTV）, the most devastating viral pathogen in citrus, causes tremendous economic losses to citrus industry worldwide. The CTV isolates exhibit variable pathogenicities on their ho...     

福建省葡萄病毒病的调查和研究

１９９０～１９９２年作者对福建省葡萄产区进行了抽样调查，发现该省约３１％的果园有葡萄扇叶病（ＧＦＬＶ）和葡萄卷叶病（ＧＬＲＶ）。在调查的１１３００株葡萄中（６０２亩），ＧＦＬＤ株发病率为１３．２７％，造成葡萄减产２７．２％；ＧＬＲＶ株发病率为７．３％，减产２１．５％。病株表现为不同程度的种性退化，生长赢弱、停滞，果实品质下降，果粒成熟不齐。     

芜菁花叶病毒不同分离物3'-cDNA片段的克隆及序列分析

 从河北、北京、山东泰安和潍坊等地区的萝卜、大白菜、甘蓝、油菜上得到8个芜菁花叶病毒(Turnip mosaic virus,TuMV)分离物,测定了它们3'-末端cDNA片段的序列。根据衣壳蛋白基因(cp)核苷酸序列可以将这8个分离物与另外2个TuMV分离物分为3组:泰安旧镇大白菜(JZBC)、甘蓝(JZGL)和萝卜(JZLB)分离物为一组;北京(BJILB)、潍坊萝卜分离物(WFLB)与引起萝卜红心病的TuMV分离物(WFLB99)为一组;泰安范镇、河北、潍坊(WFLB04)萝卜和泰安旧镇油菜(JZYC)上的TuMV分离物为一组。农壳蛋白氨基酸序列比较结果与此基本一致,所不同的是分离物WFLB99与所有分离物的差异均较大,形成单独一个分支。有必要对TuMV的变异情况和致病机理进行深入研究。     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Sugarcane Rusts Based on Sequences of ITS, 5.8 S rDNA and D1/D2 Regions of LSU rDNA

Phylogenetic analysis of sugarcane rusts based on sequences of ITS and the 5.8 S rDNA revealed two highly divergent ITS groups among isolates of Puccinia sp. sensu Muta, 1987 and P. kuehnii specimens. Although there is sufficient divergence (exceeding normal intraspecific variation) between the ITS regions of the two groups to support separation into different species, unusually high homology of the ITS group I sequences with those of members of Cronartium and identical sequences of the D1/D2 regions of the LSU rDNA for all the isolates of “Puccinia sp.” and P. kuehnii that otherwise exhibited different ITS sequences, suggest that the two highly divergent sequences may have resulted from abnormal genetic events leading to non-orthologous, intraspeciflc polymorphisms. The other sugarcane rust, P. melanocephala and the grass rusts, P. miscanthi and P. rufipes, were separated from “Puccinia sp.” and P. kuehnii and from each other in D1/D2 region analyses, indicating that D1/D2 region sequences may more correctly reflect phylogenetic relationships in these rusts than do the ITS regions. Further studies to examine differences in patho-genicity or finer morphological features within P. kuehnii that may be correlated with the high divergence in ITS sequences and experiments to determine if these two sequence types represent intraspeciflc polymorphism are necessary. Received 11 October 2000/ Accepted in revised form 24 November 2000     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Field Isolates of Feline Calcivirus (FCV) in Japan by Sequencing Part of Its Capsid Gene

The molecular epidemiology of the infectious disease caused by feline calcivirus (FCV) in Japan was investigated by analysing the phylogenetic relationship among 21 Japanese field isolates, including the F4 strain, and 30 global isolates. Parts of the capsid gene (B–F) of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR, and the amino acid sequences were compared with those from the global isolates. Thirty-seven and 14 out of a total of 51 isolates were clustered into two distinct genogroups, I and II respectively, by UPGMA and NJ analysis. Seven of the 21 Japanese isolates (33%) fell into group I together with 30 global isolates, while the other 14 Japanese isolates (67%) belonged to group II. The bootstrap repetition analysis of groups I and II formed by the NJ method gave a value of 99.0%. The 14 latter Japanese isolates were clearly separated from the isolates in group I, and they were different from any previously known FCV, forming a new genogroup, which implies that this lineage has been confined to Japan. Comparing the amino acid sequences shared by groups I and II, the amino acid at position 377 in B region was asparagine (Asn or Asp (NH₂)) in group I, while it was lysine (Lys) in all the strains in group II. Similarly, the amino acid at position 539 in the F region was alanine (Ala) or proline (Pro) in group I, while it was valine (Val) in group II; glycine (Gly) at position 557 in group I was serine (Ser) in Group II; and phenylalanine (Phe) or leucine (Leu) at position 566 in genogroup I was tyrosine (Tyr) in group II.     

Necrosis of hippocampus and piriform lobe in 38 domestic cats with seizures: a retrospective study on clinical and pathologic findings

The clinical records of 38 cats (1985-1995) with a neuropathologically confirmed diagnosis of necrosis of the hippocampus and occasionally the lobus piriformis were evaluated retrospectively. There was no sex or breed predisposition. Most cats were between 1 and 6 years of age (mean age 35 months) and had either generalized or complex-partial seizures of acute onset and rapid progression. The seizures had a tendency to become recurrent and to present as clusters or even status epilepticus later in the course of the disease. Fourteen cats died spontaneously, and 24 were euthanized. Histopathologic examination revealed bilateral lesions restricted to the hippocampus and occasionally the lobus piriformis. The lesions seemed to reflect different stages of the disease and consisted of acute neuronal degeneration to complete malacia, affecting mainly the layer of the large pyramidal cells but sometimes also the neurons of the dentate gyrus and the piriform lobe. The clinical, neuropathologic, and epidemiologic findings suggest that the seizures in these cats were triggered by primary structural brain damage, perhaps resulting from excitotoxicity. The cause remains unknown, but epidemiologic analysis suggests an environmental factor, probably a toxin.     

山东地区三株鸽Ⅰ型副粘病毒的分离及鉴定

2005年在山东地区部分肉鸽养殖场出现鸽子大量死亡现象,从死亡鸽中分离到三株鸽Ⅰ型副粘病毒(SD05027,SD05028,SD05029),其鸡胚平均死亡时间(MDT)分别为69h,69.6h,81.6h;鸡脑内接种指数(ICPI)为1.31,1.43,1.48,证明此次分离的三株病毒株均属速发型新城疫病毒。应用RT-PCR技术对F基因重要功能区片段扩增后进行序列测定,分析表明,F蛋白裂解位点处的序列(112R/K-R-Q-K-R-117F)与新城疫强毒在这一区域的序列相符。与多株已报道的NDV参考株相应片段进行序列比对和基因进化树分析,将其鉴定为基因VIb型。     

Use of Degenerate Primers in a RT-PCR Assay for the Identification and Analysis of Some Filamentous Viruses, with Special Reference to Clostero- and Vitiviruses of the Grapevine

RT-PCR with degenerate primers was used for the screening of the genome of some members of the Closterovirus, Vitivirus and Trichovirus genera. Two sets of primers, targeted to conserved sequences of the heat shock protein 70 homologue of closteroviruses or to the RNA dependent RNA polymerase genes of tricho- and vitiviruses, amplified the expected fragments from total RNA extracts or double-stranded RNAs of infected plants. Amplified cDNAs were cloned, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Results support the allocation of grapevine viruses A, B, D and heracleum latent virus (HLV) in the genus Vitivirus, whereas, the detection of a HSP70 homologue in grapevine leafroll-associated viruses agrees with their assignment in the genus Closterovirus. The use of degenerate primers for the identification of grapevine viruses belonging to Vitivirus and Closterovirus genera is envisaged.     

Succession and phylogenetic profile of eukaryotic communities in rice straw incorporated into a rice field: Estimation by PCR-DGGE and sequence analyses

Abstract

Succession and the phylogenetic profile of eukaryotic communities associated with rice straw decomposition in a rice field were studied using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis followed by 18S rDNA sequencing. Nylon mesh bags containing leaf sheaths or blades were buried in the plow layer of a rice field under flooded conditions after transplanting (Experiment 1) and under drained conditions during the off-crop season (Experiment 2). In addition, rice straw samples in Experiment 2 were taken out before plowing in spring and re-placed in the rice field under flooded conditions at transplanting. Statistical analyses based on DGGE patterns showed that eukaryotic communities were divided into two groups, namely group A before the placement in soil, after the mid-season drainage in Experiment 1 and under the drained conditions in Experiment 2 and group B before the mid-season drainage in Experiment 1 and under the flooded conditions in Experiment 2. Based on the sequence analysis of DGGE bands, which characterized the eukaryotic communities, succession of the communities was revealed, that is, most of the bands in group A were closely related to fungi, whereas the bands in group B were closely related to protozoa. These results indicated that eukaryotic communities associated with rice straw decomposition in the rice field are mainly affected by soil conditions, such as oxic or reduced conditions, irrespective of rice straw parts (leaf sheaths and blades).