Genetic Engineering Approaches to Pig Production*

Modern biotechnology promises a number of new applications in animal breeding and production. Although conventional pig breeding has achieved a high level of efficiency and productivity numerous problems have been encountered with animal health and the loss of meat quality. Selection based on phenotypic performance data of individual animals does not take into account the importance of specific genes and their relevance within a complex regulatory system. In most cases it is therefore difficult to trace back the genetic origins of clinically important disorders. The application of genetic engineering techniques in pig production will facilitate diagnosis, improvement of productivity, and animal health by allowing direct genetic manipulation. Attention must be focussed on the physical and genetic analysis of the procine genome. The isolation and characterisation of genes, DNA-markers, polymorphic DNA-fragments, and their chromosomal assignment will be important prerequisites and tools for the elucidation of genetic disorders. Especially the detection of heterozygous carriers of recessive disorders and their elimination from the breeding stock will increase selection accuracy and decrease the generation intervals. But also the rapid and simple detection of infectious diseases, which is sometimes difficult if not impossible at present, will improve animal health and welfare. Although the production of transgenic animals either by DNA-microinjection into zygotes or the use of embryonal stem cells manipulated in vitro is less straightforward than DNA-based diagnosis it will play an important role in the direct manipulation of the porcine genome and genes. Breeding programmes including the use of transgenic livestock have already been developed. There is no doubt that genetic engineering has reached a degree of practical feasibility, allowing it to play an important role in pig breeding in particular and animal production in general.     

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of atrazine on the toxicity of organophosphorodithioate and organophosphorothioate insecticides to Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The acute toxicities of two organophosphorodithioate (dimethoate and disulfoton) and two organophosphorothioate (omethoate and demeton-S-methyl) insecticides were evaluated individually and in binary combination with the herbicide atrazine using fourth-instar larvae of the aquatic midge, Chironomus tentans. Atrazine alone up to 1000 μg/L did not show significant toxicity to the midges in a 48-h bioassay. However, atrazine concentrations as low as 1 μg/L in combination with dimethoate at EC₂₅ (concentration to affect 25% of tested midges), 100 μg/L in combination with disulfoton (EC₂₅), and 10 μg/L in combination with demeton-S-methyl (EC₂₅) significantly enhanced the toxicity of each organophosphate insecticide. In contrast, atrazine concentrations of 10 μg/L and above in combination with omethoate (EC₂₅) significantly decreased the toxicity of the insecticide. Biochemical analysis indicated that increased toxicity of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl in binary combination with atrazine correlated to the increased inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, cytochrome P450-dependent O-deethylation activity in the midges exposed to atrazine at 1000 μg/L was 1.5-fold higher than that in the control midges. Thus, atrazine appeared to induce cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the midges. Elevated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity may increase the toxicities of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl by enhancing the oxidative activation of dimethoate into omethoate, and disulfoton and demeton-S-methyl into their sulfoxide analogs with increased anticholinesterase activity. In contrast, atrazine reduced the toxicity of omethoate possibly by enhancing the oxidative metabolic detoxification since omethoate does not require oxidative activation.     

基于COI基因构建西北太平洋常见鱼类DNA条形码参考数据库

西北太平洋以其独特的地理位置和复杂的海洋环境,孕育了极为丰富的渔业资源,成为全球海洋生物多样性保护和渔业资源管理的热点区域。为了更有效地进行鱼类种类识别和多样性的调查,本研究建立了西北太平洋常见鱼类DNA条形码本地数据库。基于线粒体COI基因,对2023年6-8月在西北太平洋海域所采集的307份样品进行扩增和测序,共获得7目13科20属25种鱼类的COI基因序列。77.96%的COI序列在公共数据库中都能比对到高相似度序列。种间平均遗传距离为0.233,种内平均遗传距离为0.003,种间遗传距离是种内遗传距离的77.67倍,且能够形成明显的条形码间隙,不存在物种区分困难的现象。基于COI基因序列构建的系统发育树显示,同一属的鱼类首先聚为一支,随后与同一科的鱼类聚为一支,最后,同目不同科的鱼类聚为一支。综上所述,COI基因具有物种特异性,能够有效的区分西北太平洋常见鱼类物种,本数据库的初步建立,有利于后期利用环境DNA技术进行西北太平洋鱼类多样性的监测和调查,为西北太平洋海域生物多样性保护、资源管理和种群动态监测提供了技术支持。     

绿鳍马面鲀雌雄性腺转录组比较分析

为探明绿鳍马面鲀(Thamnaconus septentrionalis)性腺发育相关基因表达特征,优化亲本生殖调控技术,本研究对绿鳍马面鲀雌雄亲体的精巢和卵巢进行了转录组测序分析,经de novo拼装,最终获得119 219个单基因(unigene),N50长度为1 255 bp。在NR、NT、KO、SwissProt、PFAM、GO及KOG数据库分别注释到24 009、35 057、18 453、26 971、30 294、11 420和21 613个unigene。绿鳍马面鲀精巢和卵巢转录组中存在18 954个差异表达基因(DEG),相对于精巢,在卵巢中上调表达的基因有11 265个,下调表达的有7 689个。选取bmp2、sox3、figla、hsd17b1、cyp19a、cyp17、foxl2、star和amh 9个DEGs进行实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)验证,结果显示,qRT-PCR结果与RNA-Seq分析相一致。GO和KEGG富集结果分析发现,amh、cyp17和star可能在绿鳍马面鲀雄性精子发生过程中起关键作用;bmp2、foxl2、cyp19a、figla和hsd17b1在雌性卵子发生和卵巢类固醇生成过程中发挥重要作用。本研究通过比较绿鳍马面鲀精巢和卵巢的转录组表达差异,初步阐明了精巢和卵巢的基因表达特征,为进一步研究绿鳍马面鲀的性腺发育机制奠定了基础。     

β-Carotene from the Alga Dunaliella bardawil Decreases Gene Expression of Adipose Tissue Macrophage Recruitment Markers and Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are involved in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and inflammation. We examined the effect of dietary supplementation using all-trans and 9-cis β-carotene-rich Dunaliella bardawil alga as the sole source of vitamin A on obesity-associated comorbidities and adipose tissue dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Three-week-old male mice (C57BL/6) were randomly allocated into two groups and fed a high-fat, vitamin A-deficient diet supplemented with either vitamin A (HFD) or β-carotene (BC) (HFD-BC). Vitamin A levels in the liver, WATs, and BAT of the HFD-BC group were 1.5–2.4-fold higher than of the HFD group. BC concentrations were 5–6-fold greater in BAT compared to WAT in the HFD-BC group. The eWAT mRNA levels of the Mcp-1 and Cd68 were 1.6- and 2.1-fold lower, respectively, and the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 30% and 28% lower in the HFD-BC group compared with the HFD group. Dietary BC can be the exclusive vitamin A source in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by the vitamin A concentration in the plasma and tissues. Feeding BC rather than vitamin A reduces adipose tissue macrophage recruitment markers and plasma lipid concentrations.     

高粱炭疽病研究进展

高粱作为中国主要的酿造原料之一,在国民经济发展中占据重要地位。高粱炭疽病是高粱的主要病害之一,在整个生育期中均可发病,且在温暖湿润的热带和亚热带栽种地区更易发生和流行,不仅影响植株的正常生长,严重时会引起产量的大幅下降和籽粒品质的劣变。多年来,高粱病理学家和育种家对高粱炭疽病病原菌菌株分离、病害发生流行规律、发生原因、寄主抗性利用和抗炭疽病基因定位等方面进行了广泛的研究,取得了一些进展。这些研究为炭疽病的生化防控以及培育抗炭疽病品种奠定了基础。开展高粱炭疽病研究,发掘更丰富多样的优异抗性种质资源,减少农药使用,不仅可以满足中国高粱产业对天然有机高粱原料的巨大需求,还可以推动高粱生产向高产优质转变。对高粱炭疽病的分布和发病症状、炭疽病病原菌侵染机理、病害发生流行规律及流行原因、抗性资源鉴定和高粱抗炭疽病基因定位的相关研究进展进行了综合分析和论述,以期从分子水平上更好地认识高粱与炭疽病病原菌之间的相互作用,为高粱炭疽病研究提供参考。     

洋葱AcSCL4的克隆及其功能分析

【目的】初步探讨AcSCL4在洋葱成花中的功能,为解析洋葱成花分子调控机制提供理论基础。【方法】以长日生态型洋葱品系SB2为试验材料,根据已有的洋葱转录组数据,通过qRT-PCR筛选目的基因AcSCL4后进行基因克隆,并对其进行生物信息学分析;构建AcSCL4基因的过表达载体pB221-3300-AcSCL4并转化农杆菌,采用花序浸染法浸染拟南芥,并对T₃代纯系转基因植株进行表型分析和开花相关基因表达量分析。【结果】洋葱AcSCL4基因CDS长1 515 bp,编码504个氨基酸;AcSCL4蛋白N端高度变异,C端有GRAS结构域。聚类分析发现,AcSCL4与石刁柏和棉花的SCL4蛋白亲缘关系较近。与野生型拟南芥相比,AcSCL4过表达植株表现晚花表型。荧光定量PCR结果表明,与野生型拟南芥相比,AcSCL4过表达植株开花调控基因CO和FT的表达量极显著下降。【结论】AcSCL4通过调控CO及FT基因表达来抑制洋葱开花。     

牦牛MYL3基因的克隆及组织表达分析

【目的】研究牦牛MYL3基因的结构和表达特征,探究其生物学功能及影响牦牛肌肉生长发育的机制。【方法】以美仁牦牛cDNA为模板,PCR扩增MYL3基因编码区序列(CDS),利用MEGA11软件构建系统进化树,利用生物信息学软件对其编码蛋白进行分析。通过实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测MYL3基因在心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏（参照）、睾丸、肌肉和脂肪组织中的相对表达量。【结果】牦牛MYL3基因CDS区长600 bp,共编码199个氨基酸,存在1个碱基突变位点,位于第165位(A>T)。系统进化分析结果显示,牦牛与普通牛的亲缘关系最近,与单峰驼的亲缘关系最远。生物信息学分析结果显示,牦牛MYL3蛋白为不稳定的亲水性蛋白,无信号肽,不存在跨膜结构,主要存在于细胞质内,有8个磷酸化位点和2个N 糖基化位点,蛋白的二级结构以α-螺旋为主,主要与调控肌肉生长发育的相关蛋白相互作用。RT-qPCR结果表明,MYL3基因在心脏中的表达量最高,极显著高于其他组织;肌肉中次之,与除心脏外的其他组织存在极显著差异。【结论】MYL3基因可能与牦牛心脏发育有关,对肌肉的生长发育和肉质有一定影响。     

桂花OfWRKY120基因鉴定及盐胁迫响应功能研究

【目的】根据前期基因家族鉴定分析得到OfWRKY120,对该基因盐胁迫响应的功能进行分析,为桂花盐胁迫下的调控机制研究奠定基础。【方法】利用生物信息学方法对OfWRKY120保守结构域、系统进化进行分析,并采用qRT-PCR技术研究盐胁迫下OfWRKY120在桂花叶片中的相对表达量。构建OfWRKY120超表达载体,使用亚细胞定位、酵母自激活检测等探究其特性,将该基因瞬时转化本氏烟草后,对烟草进行盐处理,利用DAB、NBT染色和相关生理指标的测定,解析瞬时转化OfWRKY120对本氏烟草耐盐性的影响。【结果】OfWRKY120基因全长为1 422 bp,编码474个氨基酸,存在WRKY superfamily保守结构域。盐胁迫能够激活桂花叶片中OfWRKY120的表达,在72 h时相对表达量最高,与对照有显著差异。亚细胞定位结果表明,OfWRKY120定位于细胞核。酵母自激活结果显示OfWRKY120无自激活活性。盐胁迫后,OfWRKY120瞬时过表达植株的超氧阴离子(O^-₂·)和脯氨酸含量显著高于空载对照,且DAB和NBT染色表现出更深的颜色。本氏烟草中的qRT-PCR结果显示,OfWRKY120显著降低了NbCAT的表达,而显著提高了NbP5CS1、NbP5CS2和NbP5CR的表达。【结论】OfWRKY120过表达增加了盐胁迫下本氏烟草中活性氧（ROS）的含量,导致植物对盐胁迫的敏感性提高。     

副溶血弧菌VP-5的分离鉴定及其与鲈鱼免疫信号通路相互关系研究

为探讨福建省漳州市盛明养殖场鲈鱼的致病菌及其与鲈鱼免疫信号通路的相互关系,从而可以预防和治疗该疾病。解剖患病鲈鱼肝脏组织后划线培养分离纯化了致病菌VP-5。显微镜观察该致病菌VP-5形态为球杆状,弧形,有单鞭毛,运动活跃,革兰阴性菌。在VITEK-32全自动微生物分析仪鉴定后,该致病菌对酪氨酸、葡萄糖、甘露醇等反应阳性,对蔗糖,阿拉伯糖和棉子糖等反应阴性。分析了该致病菌16SrRNA和tdh1基因序列,发现其与副溶血弧菌的亲缘关系非常接近。综合后鉴定致病菌VP-5为副溶血弧菌。并研究了副溶血弧菌VP-5侵染鲈鱼后寄主免疫信号通路基因cd63/cxcr4/il-8的表达水平差异。鲈鱼腹腔注射感染副溶血弧菌VP-5,感染后0-96h解剖鲈鱼肝脏组织和表皮组织。采用Trizol试剂盒抽提鲈鱼总RNA,反转录后生成cDNA。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术对鲈鱼免疫信号通路基因cd63/cxcr4/il-8表达水平进行测定。鲈鱼受到副溶血弧菌VP-5感染后,免疫信号通路基因cd63/cxcr4/il-8在鲈鱼肝脏组织的表达量12h和24h时与对照组相比较差异显著(P<0.05);在表皮组织的表达量在24h和36h时与对照组相比较差异显著(P<0.05)。证实鲈鱼肝脏组织免疫信号通路基因的表达与副溶血弧菌VP-5的感染正相关,相对于表皮组织反应更快。因此鲈鱼的免疫信号通路基因cd63/cxcr4/il-8积极反应于致病菌,这些基因的快速表达会引发鲈鱼自身免疫应答,增强其抵抗致病菌的能力。