The isolation and characterization of two members of a new series of naturally occurring biflavones

Résumé Quelques bisflavones qui contiennent un lien 6,8 ont été isolées et charactérisées pour la première fois. Les déplacements méthoxyliques permettent de décider si l'on a affaire à des éléments flavanoïdes liées 6, ou 8. Le contrôle enzymique de la production de bisflavones dans le genreAuraucariaceae est démontré.     

The draft genome of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis

Genome evolution studies for the phylum Nematoda have been limited by focusing on comparisons involving Caenorhabditis elegans. We report a draft genome sequence of Trichinella spiralis, a food-borne zoonotic parasite, which is the most common cause of human trichinellosis. This parasitic nematode is an extant member of a clade that diverged early in the evolution of the phylum, enabling identification of archetypical genes and molecular signatures exclusive to nematodes. We sequenced the 64-Mb nuclear genome, which is estimated to contain 15,808 protein-coding genes, at ～35-fold coverage using whole-genome shotgun and hierarchal map-assisted sequencing. Comparative genome analyses support intrachromosomal rearrangements across the phylum, disproportionate numbers of protein family deaths over births in parasitic compared to a non-parasitic nematode and a preponderance of gene-loss and -gain events in nematodes relative to Drosophila melanogaster. This genome sequence and the identified pan-phylum characteristics will contribute to genome evolution studies of Nematoda as well as strategies to combat global parasites of humans, food animals and crops.     

Reconsideration of the phylogenetic positions of three stichotrichous genera Holosticha, Anteholosticha and Pseudokeronopsis （Spirotrichea： Ciliophora） inferred from complete SSU rRNA gene sequences

The small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene for six marine stichotrichs, Pseudokeronopsis carnea, P. flava, Holosticha heterofoissneri, H. diademata, H. bradburyae and Anteholosticha manca, was sequenced and characterized. Using this molecular information, the phylogenetic positions of three related genera, Pseudokeronopsis, Holosticha and Anteholosticha were determined. The results indicate that the family Urostylidae is clearly separated from the family Pseudokeronopsidae. The present phylogenetic analyses unambiguously placed Pseudokeronopsis close to Holosticha, and support the conclusion that these genera should be regarded as the members of the order Urostylidae within the stichotrich clade. Furthermore, the results of this study also support the monophyly of the genus Pseudokeronopsis,the redefinition of Holosticha s. str. and the placement of Anteholosticha in a clade separate from Holosticha.     

Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution

We present a draft genome sequence of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. This monotreme exhibits a fascinating combination of reptilian and mammalian characters. For example, platypuses have a coat of fur adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; platypus females lactate, yet lay eggs; and males are equipped with venom similar to that of reptiles. Analysis of the first monotreme genome aligned these features with genetic innovations. We find that reptile and platypus venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved despite platypuses laying eggs; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. Expansions of protein, non-protein-coding RNA and microRNA families, as well as repeat elements, are identified. Sequencing of this genome now provides a valuable resource for deep mammalian comparative analyses, as well as for monotreme biology and conservation.     

中国、澳大利亚小麦、蔬菜以及棉花根部土传病害生物防治研究进展

土传病害是作物产量的经常性限制因素。在禾谷类生产中,某些病害在少耕制度下异常严重。因此,有利于保护土壤侵蚀的管理措施(例如减少耕作、保留农作物残体等)能导致病害发生更为严重,从而造成作物减产,这要求研究新的病害防治措施,而不能依靠农业耕作措施或轮作进行防治。生物防治是病害防治措施的一种,在中国和澳大利亚都已进行了研究。蔬菜和棉花的苗期病害一般是利用化学杀菌剂进行防治,或者病害严重发生导致毁种后重新播种。在这些病害防治方面,人们探索了生物防治措施,旨在发展安全、无残留的防治方法,本文介绍的合作研究,主要是在田间和盆栽条件下筛选、评价一系列澳大利亚和中国的土壤细菌和真菌在中国和澳大利亚东南部对土传病害的防治作用,从而建立有效可靠的作物病害生物防治方法。在两国进行的实验研究中,对象作物为小麦、蔬菜(番茄、黄瓜和辣椒)以及棉花。另外,还对枯草芽孢杆菌的作用机理以及重要植物病原菌如腐霉菌的生态学进行了研究。     

Common variants in ZNF365 are associated with both mammographic density and breast cancer risk

High-percent mammographic density adjusted for age and body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer. We conducted a meta analysis of five genome-wide association studies of percent mammographic density and report an association with rs10995190 in ZNF365 (combined P = 9.6 × 10(-10)). Common variants in ZNF365 have also recently been associated with susceptibility to breast cancer.     

Recent advances in the biosynthesis of modified tetrapyrroles: the discovery of an alternative pathway for the formation of heme and heme d 1

Hemes (a, b, c, and o) and heme d ₁ belong to the group of modified tetrapyrroles, which also includes chlorophylls, cobalamins, coenzyme F₄₃₀, and siroheme. These compounds are found throughout all domains of life and are involved in a variety of essential biological processes ranging from photosynthesis to methanogenesis. The biosynthesis of heme b has been well studied in many organisms, but in sulfate-reducing bacteria and archaea, the pathway has remained a mystery, as many of the enzymes involved in these characterized steps are absent. The heme pathway in most organisms proceeds from the cyclic precursor of all modified tetrapyrroles uroporphyrinogen III, to coproporphyrinogen III, which is followed by oxidation of the ring and finally iron insertion. Sulfate-reducing bacteria and some archaea lack the genetic information necessary to convert uroporphyrinogen III to heme along the “classical” route and instead use an “alternative” pathway. Biosynthesis of the isobacteriochlorin heme d ₁, a cofactor of the dissimilatory nitrite reductase cytochrome cd ₁, has also been a subject of much research, although the biosynthetic pathway and its intermediates have evaded discovery for quite some time. This review focuses on the recent advances in the understanding of these two pathways and their surprisingly close relationship via the unlikely intermediate siroheme, which is also a cofactor of sulfite and nitrite reductases in many organisms. The evolutionary questions raised by this discovery will also be discussed along with the potential regulation required by organisms with overlapping tetrapyrrole biosynthesis pathways.