Generation of transgenic wheat resistant to wheat yellow mosaic virus and identification of gene silence induced by virus infection

The plasmid containing the promoter Act1, the coat protein (cp) gene of wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) and the selectable bar gene, was delivered via particle bombardment, directly into immature embryos of a wheat cultivars. PCR and PCR-RFLP were employed to screen the existence of the cp gene in T0 and T1 generations. Seeds from the positive T1 plants were sowed in fields heavily contaminated with WYMV to detect their resistance. In field trial of virus infection, one of the transgenic wheat lines, P8-T2, exhibited highly disease-resistance. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of cp gene in the resistant transgenic line was reduced greatly compared to those susceptible to WYMV infection. This provided evidence to presume that the resistance obtained by the transgenic wheat line was stimulated by the mechanism of the virus induced gene silencing.     

Construction of transposon-mediated baculovirus vector and expression of green fluorescent protein in insect cells and larvae

A transposon-shuttle vector Hanpvid was constructed by using wild-type genomic DNA fromHeliothis armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV). It could replicate inE. coli cells as a large plasmid and remain infectious when being induced into insect cells. Hanpvid comprises HaNPV DNA and a transposon cassette which includes a miniF replicon, a kanamycin resistance gene (kan), lacZa and an attachment site for Tn7 (attTn7). Recombinant virus rHa-FaGP was obtained after transposition of a donor plasmid carrying green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) and polyhedrin gene (ocu) into attTn7. SDS-PAGE analysis shows that both gfp and ocu genes were highly expressed inHeliothis armigera cells. Green Hemolymphocytes can be seen under a fluorescent microscope 4 d after recombinant virus rHa-FaGP infected the third-instar larvae. The infected larvae show strong green fluorescence 6 d post infection.     

Suppressor of RNA silencing encoded by Rice gall dwarf virus genome segment 11

Rice gall dwarf virus （RGDV） is an important rice pathogen in China and Southeast Asia. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of RGDV interactions with plant cells. Here, we have identified an RGDV protein, Pns11, which acts as a suppressor of RNA silencing in coinfiltration assays with the reporter, green fluorescent protein （GFP）in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana line 16c carrying GFP. Pns11 suppressed local and systemic silencing induced by sense RNA. The spread of mobile RNA silencing signals was blocked or inactivated by Pns11. Expression of Pns11 also enhanced Potato virus X pathogenicity in IV. benthamiana. This suppressor could reduce, but not eliminate, siRNA in the local and systemic RNA silencing suppression assays, suggesting that Pns11 functions by interfering with initial stages of RNA silencing.     

Isolation and identification of a novel coronavirus from wild bird

A novel coronavirus strain was isolated from laryngotracheal swab of wild partridge and designated as partridge/GD/S14/2003 (S14). Its whole genomic sequence was obtained (GenBank Accession number: AY646283) through RT-PCR amplification, cloning, nucleotide sequencing, and analysis by the DNASTAR program. To investigate the origin of the virus, we further analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the main structural proteins, and compared those with other available virus isolates. Our results showed that the highest nucleotide homologies between the S1 gene of S14 strain and those of nephrogenic-type strains JX1-99 and TJ2-96 were 94.6% and 93.4%, respectively. In addition, a relatively high genetic identity, 85% and 84.3%, respectively, was detected between S1 gene of S14 and those of strains QXIBV and LX4. The results suggested that the S14 strain may be originated from or related to nephrogenic-type and proventriculus-type infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The highest nucleotide homology between the S2 gene of S14 strain and those of QXIBV and LX4 was 85% and 84.3%, respectively and all of them belonged to group II coronaviruses. The highest nucleotide homology between the M gene of S14 strain and those of strains SAIB20 and GD6-98 was 90.6% and 90.2%, respectively by which S14 belonged to group III. Although they displayed high level of genetic identity in S1 and S2 gene, there was lower homology of M coding sequences between S14 and BJ, and between S14 and QXIBV strains. Phylogenetic analysis of N gene indicated that group I strains might evolve from RNA recombination between strain H52 and Gray; while group II strains from strain H120 and D1466. S14 strain had the highest N gene homology with strain QXIBV which was 95.7%, thus classified as a group III member. Strains SAIB20 and GD6-98 which were closely related to the M gene of S14 strain belonged to group I and IV, respectively. A possible role of partridge S14 strain may play in the process of coronavirus evolution is discussed.     

Efficient transformation and expression of gfp gene in the edible mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis

An efficient transformation method mediated by PEG-protoplasts was developed for the newly commercial edible mushroom Pleu-rotus nebrodensis. Two plasmids were used to co-transform protoplasts of P. nebrodensis. One plasmid is pAN7-1 containing a positive selectable marker gene hph conferring hygromycin B resistance. Another plasmid is pBIue-GFP containing a reporter gene gfp conferring green fluorescent protein. PCR and Southern blot analysis showed that hph gene or/and gfp gene were integrated into the genome of P.nebrodensis transformants. The transformation efficiency of the positive selectable marker gene hph was 3 transformants per microgram of plasmid pAN7-1 DNA, which was about 30 times higher than that previously reported in thoroughly studied Pleurotus species such as Pleurotus ostreatus. The transformation efficiency of the reporter gene gfp was 9 transformants per microgram of plasmid pBlu-GFP DNA. The co-transformation efficiency was 23.68%. This is the first report that a "reporter" gene, green fluorescent protein gene can be successfully stably expressed in this Pleurotus species.     

六安地区高粱花叶病毒P3基因的克隆和序列测定

从六安产甘蔗病叶中提取总RNA,逆转录获得甘蔗花叶病毒(Sorghun mosaic virus,SrMV)基因组cDNA。设计P3基因特异引物,通过PCR扩增P3基因,并将P3基因cDNA克隆、测序。     

RNA interference-mediated inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus replication

Persistent and recurrent infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents one of the most common and severe viral infections of humans, and has caused a formidable health problem in the affected countries. Currently used antiviral drugs have a very limited success on controlling HBV replication and infection. RNA interference (RNAi), a process by which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) directs sequence-specific degradation of target mRNA in mammalian and plant cells, has recently been used to knockdown gene expression in various species. In this study, we sought to determine whether RNAi-mediated silencing of HBV viral gene expression could lead to the effective inhibition of HBV replication. We first developed RNAi vectors that expressed small interfering RNA (siRNA) and targeted the HBV core or surface gene sequence. Our results demonstrated that these specific siRNAs efficiently reduced the levels of corresponding viral RNAs and proteins, and thus suppressed viral replication. Treatment with siRNA gave the greatest reduction in the levels of HBsAg (92%) and in HBeAg (85%) respectively in the cultured cell medium. Our findings further demonstrated that the RNAi-mediated antiviral effect was sequence-specific and dose-dependent. Therefore, our findings strongly suggest that RNAi-mediated silencing of HBV viral genes could effectively inhibit the replication of HBV, hence RNAi-based strategy should be further explored as a more efficacious antiviral therapy of HBV infection.     

Coat protein gene and 3′ non-coding region of tobacco mosaic virus and tomato mosaic virus are associated with viral pathogenesis in Nicotiana tabacum

The camellia isolate of tomato mosaic virus (ToMV-TL) can induce local necrotic lesions on the inoculated leaves in Nicotiana tabacum, whereas the broad bean isolate of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-B) produces the mosaic symptom on systemic leaves. To examine viral determinant for differential infection phenotype in N. tabacum, the coat protein gene and the 3′ non-coding region of TMV was replaced with that of ToMV, the chimeric virus induced similar local necrotic lesions to that induced by ToMV. The results indicate that the coat protein gene and the 3′ non-coding region of TMV and ToMV influence the virus-induced pathogenesis in N. tabacum.     

汉坦病毒CTL多表位重组腺病毒的构建及免疫学分析

目的：构建含汉坦病毒M基因（编码糖蛋白G1）和部分S基因（编码核蛋白主要抗原区段）以及S基因的多个 CTL表位的多种重组腺病毒表达载体,并对这些重组腺病毒的免疫学特性进行研究。方法：构建含目的基因的重组腺病毒载体,并对其表达产物进行鉴定。利用纯化后的重组腺病毒免疫BALB/C小鼠,通过多种免疫学方法检测其免疫反应。结果：成功表达出可被汉坦病毒核蛋白特异性单抗(mAb)及糖蛋白G1 的特异性单抗所识别的融合蛋白;重组的腺病毒可以有效刺激针对汉坦病毒NP及GP的免疫应答;同时结果表明在CTL多表位间加入间隔序列AAY的重组腺病毒免疫小鼠能产生更高的细胞免疫应答。结论： 构建的含CTL多表位的重组腺病毒可以有效的提高嵌合基因刺激细胞免疫应答的能力。间隔序列AAY对于各CTL表位的分隔有效地提高了重组腺病毒的免疫效果。     

汉滩病毒囊膜糖蛋白g2基因重组腺病毒的构建与表达

获得汉滩病毒G2 基因 ,构建其重组腺病毒并在HEK2 93细胞中包装表达 ,为研究汉滩病毒基因疫苗提供了实验基础。设计引物采用PCR从含汉滩病毒 \|76 1 1 8株M基因的M5 6质粒扩增出糖蛋白G2 基因片段 ,并将其克隆入腺病毒载体Adeno XviralDNA ,筛选获得重组腺病毒DNA ,转染HEK2 93细胞 ,包装、扩增后得到汉滩病毒G2 基因重组腺病毒原种 ;并在感染细胞内初步表达 ,用ELISA检测表达产物。得到了含汉滩病毒G2 基因的重组腺病毒 ,其滴度约为 1 0 10 pfu/mL ,同时在感染的HEK2 93细胞中检测到汉滩病毒糖蛋白G2 的表达。含汉滩病毒糖蛋白G2 基因重组腺病毒的成功构建 ,为研究汉滩病毒基因疫苗提供了实验基础     

Spike protein homology between the SARS-associated virus and murine hepatitis virus implies existence of a putative receptor-binding region

Coronavirus has been determined to be the cause of the recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Human coronavirus 229E had been studied well and its receptor-binding domain was restricted to aa417-547 of S protein. However, this region has no homology with the newly separated SARS-associated virus (Hong Kong isolate CUHK-W1). Then we analyzed the phyiogenesis of S1 subunit of the coronavirus spike protein (SARS-associatedvirus, Hong Kong isolate CUHK-W1). Interestingly, thehighest homology between murine hepatitis virus (MHV)and SARS-associated coronavirus was found. And the important sites (aa62-65 and aa214-216) on the spike proteinof MHV with receptor-binding capacity were highly conservative in comparison with the newly separated SARS-associated virus (the corresponding sites are aa51-54 and aa195-197). These results from bioinformatics analysis mighthelp us to study the receptor-binding sites of SARS-associated virus and the mechanism of the virus entry into the target cell, and design antiviral drugs and potent vaccines.     

植物抗病毒基因工程的研究进展

本文对近年来植物抗病毒基因工程的发展作一简介,介绍了利用病毒外壳蛋白基因,病毒卫星 ＲＮＡ,弱病毒全长ｃＤＮＡ,反义ＲＮＡ,核酶,抗体基因和干扰素基因,毒蛋白基因,病毒上基他基因以及植物上抗性基因等方法．     

GmGSL7c在大豆抗SMV过程中的作用

为了阐明大豆Glycine max(L.)Merr.胼脈质合酶在大豆抵御大豆花叶病毒(Soybean mosaic oirus,SMV)侵染过程中的关键作用,采用生物信息学方法在大豆中鉴定出24个胼胝质合酶,并挑选出受一氧化氮(NO)影响且参与SMV抗性调控的大豆胼胝质合酶Glyma.08G308200(GmGSL7c...     

植物抗病毒基因工程的研究进展

本文对近年来植物抗病毒基因工程的发展作一简介,介绍了利用病毒外壳蛋白基因,病毒卫星RNA,弱病毒全长cDNA,反义RNA,核酶,抗体基因和干扰素基因,毒蛋白基因,病毒上基他基因以及植物上抗性基因等方法．     

水稻黑条矮缩病毒基因组组分10编码的外壳蛋白基因的克隆及表达

从我国山东发病的玉米材料中提取水稻黑条矮缩病毒 ,抽提病毒RNA ,经RT PCR ,克隆了编码外层外壳蛋白的基因组组分 10 (S10 )的cDNA ,并进行了序列测定 .与已报道的日本株和湖北等地的S10进行了序列同源性比较 .结果表明 ,与日本株的同源性为 92 % ,与湖北等地的同源性在 97%～ 98%之间 .将该序列构建到pGEX 3X表达载体中 ,经IPTG诱导 ,表达了分子质量约为 76ku的GST融合蛋白 .经亲和层析纯化和Western印迹分析 ,证实了该基因以可溶性的GST融合蛋白形式在原核中表达 .     

Modification of a viral satellite DNA-based gene silencing vector and its application to leaf or flower color change in Petunia hybrida

Gene silencing conserved in plants and animals is mediated by mechanisms that involve sequence- specific RNA degradation[1,2]. Gene silencing has been proven to play an important role in the study of gene function. Recently, a procedure known as virus ind…     

AC2 and AC4 proteins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tobacco curly shoot virus</Emphasis> mediate suppression of RNA silencing

Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus Y10 isolate (TYLCCNV-Y10) alone could systemically infect host plants such as Nicotiana benthamiana without symptoms. In contrast, Tobacco curly shoot virus Y35 isolate (TbCSV-Y35) alone induces leaf curl symptoms in N. benthamiana. When inoculated into transgenic N. benthamiana plants expressing GFP gene (line 16c), TYLCCNV-Y10 neither reverses the established GFP silencing nor blocks the onset of GFP silencing. In contrast, TbCSV-Y35 can partially reverse the established GFP silencing and block the onset of GFP silencing in new leaves. In the patch co-infiltration assays, the AC2 and AC4 proteins of TYLCCNV-Y10 and TbCSV-Y35 could suppress local GFP silencing and delay systemic GFP silencing, suggesting that they are suppressors of RNA silencing. Comparison of the accumulation levels of GFP mRNA in the co-infiltration patches showed that Y10 AC2 and Y35 AC2 proteins had similar efficiency for suppression of RNA silencing. However, Y35 AC4 protein functioned as a stronger suppressor of RNA silencing than Y10 AC4 protein. There-fore, the pathogenicity difference between TbCSV-Y35 and TYLCCNV-Y10 may be related to the functional difference in their AC4 proteins.