A transformation model forLaminaria Japonica (Phaeophyta,Laminariales)

A genetic transformation model for the seaweedLaminaria japonica mainly includes the following aspects:

1. 1.

   The method to introduce foreign genes into the kelp,L. japonica

   Biolistic bombardment has been proved to be an effective method to bombard foreign DNA through cell walls into intact cells of both sporophytes and gametophytes. The expression ofcat andlacZ was detected in regenerated sporophytes, which suggests that this method could induce random integration of foreign genes.

   Promoters to drive gene expression

2. 2.

   The CaMV35S promoter was first used by us to induce the expression of GUS gene in brown algae. But results of further studies suggested that CaMV35S could be a tissue-specific promoter. Our use of SV40 promoter resulted in both transient and stable expression oflacZ andcat in sporophytes or gametophytes. No GUS or LacZ background was found in either sporophytes or gametophytes.The regeneration route of transgenic kelp

   The regeneration efficiency of explants is still very low. By using female gametophytes as gene hosts and parthenogenesis as regeneration route, CAT activity and LacZ activity were detected in regenerated sporophytes of parthenogenetic kelp. li]4.|The way to select transgenic kelp

3. 1.

   Results of sensitivity tests showed that kelp was only sensitive to chloramphenicol and hygromycin among many antibiotics. The regenerated sporophytes by parthenogenesis were more sensitive to hygromycin than to chloramphenicol. Resistant kelp was created by transforming female gametophytes with pSV40-CAT and stimulating parthenogenesis followed by selection in medium with lethal concentration of chloramphenicol.

   Safety consideration of transgenic kelp

   L. japonica was originally introduced from Japan. In China it is a cultured population. The possibility of its negative impact on natural populations is very low. 2) The vectors and target genes used for transformation should be restricted in order to avoid any negative impacts on human health and environment. 3) Specially devised containers (3.6 L, made of 200 μm membrane) were used to ensure that the kelp cannot escape or be eaten by marine animals. 4) To avoid the release of spores, it is very necessary to harvest the kelp at suitable age before the sporangium forms.

     

RAPD study on some common species ofPorphyra in China

Electroporation, PEC, PEG plus electroporation and Biolistics methods were tested in gene transformation ofP. yezoensis. The exogenousgus was from plasmid of pBI121 and pCAMBIA1301, both contain the CaMV35S promoter. The receptors included the protoplasts, tissues and free-living conchocelis filaments ofP. yezoensis. Several factors, for example, the voltage, capacitance and bivalent cations, etc., were studied. Results show that these four methods are all efficient for gene transformation inP. yezoensis; and that PEG is the best one, with transformation efficiency of up to 4×10⁻⁵. GUS activity was detected 26 days after transformation by using PEG method.

     

Genetic transformation of Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis (Prasinophyceae, Chlorophyta) using particle bombardment and glass-bead agitation

Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis is a unicellular marine green alga. It was found to be very sensitive to the herbicide Basta through a sensitivity test indicating it could be employed as a selective agent. The bar gene is a practicable and selectable marker gene. The vector containing the expression cassette of the bar gene was transferred to P. subcordiformis by both particle bombardment and glass-bead agitation and transformants were then selected using Basta. Finally, Southern blotting analysis indicated that the bar gene had been successfully integrated into the nuclear genome of P. subcordiformis using both of the transgenic techniques, with the transformation efficiency of the glass-bead method being slightly higher than that of particle bombardment. This is the first report on stable transformation of P. subcordiformis, and will improve fundamental research and enlarge application of this alga.     

Identification of suitable reference genes for quantitative gene expression analysis in clam Cyclina sinensis under salinity stress and Vibrio infection

The appropriate reference gene is a prerequisite for accurate normalization of gene expression level, and research on suitable reference genes in clam Cyclina sinensis is scarce. To improve the situation, we selected five commonly used housekeeping genes, including β-actin, Elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 40S ribosomal protein S18 (RPS18), and Tubulin α (TUB-α), then evaluated their expression stability in different adult tissues and under different experimental treatments (salinity stress and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection). Their expression stability was analyzed by three frequently used programs, geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. This analysis indicated that multiple genes should be used for normalization, and we concluded that the reference gene combination GAPDH-RPS18-β-actin, should be used for qRT-PCR analysis in different tissues of C. sinensis under normal physiological conditions. For the clams under salinity stress and Vibrio infection, EF1-α-GAPDH-RPS18 was recommended as the gene combination for qRT-PCR normalization. TUB-α was generally poorly ranked by all programs, and should not be used in future studies. This study should provide fundamental support for accurate quantitative gene expression analysis of this species.

     

Molecular identification,expression pattern,and in-vitro bioactivity analysis of insulin-like growth factor 2 in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are key regulators of development and growth. Here, we characterized the igf2 gene from olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and determined its temporal and spatial expression. We set up an in-vitro protein expression system in eukaryotic human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells and explored its effects on cell proliferation. The flounder igf2 cDNA contained a 648-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 215 amino acids (aa), which spanned the complete signal peptide (47 aa), mature peptide (70 aa), and E domain (98 aa). In adult flounder, igf2 mRNA was detected in all selected tissues. In early development, igf2 mRNA was detected throughout development from unfertilized eggs to hatching-stage embryos. In-situ hybridization analysis indicated that igf2 mRNA was specially expressed in the brain region, floor plate, hypochord, otic vesicle, and pectoral fin during embryogenesis. Western blotting analysis indicated that the soluble recombinant flounder IGF2 protein was successfully produced through eukaryotic expression in HEK293T cells. In addition, the recombinant IGF2 protein significantly promoted the proliferation of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and HEK293T cells. These results provide new information about the structural and functional conservation, expression patterns, and biological activity of the igf2 in teleosts.

     

Transient expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein(egfp) gene in Sargassum horneri

Sargassum horneri is a macroalga widespread in North Asia-Pacific region, and these years its bloom has caused huge damage to the environment and the economic in China. To make up the blank on genetic engineering research, a transient transformation system for the multicellular marine brown alga S. horneri was established in this research. The algae used in this research were collected from the Yellow Sea of China and verified as a same species S. horneri with analysis of molecular markers. The S. horneri parietal leaves were transformed with the enhanced green fluorescent gene as the reporter by micro-particle bombardment. The results show that green fluorescent protein(GFP) is an ef fective transgene reporter for S.horneri and that particle bombardment is a suitable method for transformation of S. horneri. Through selection of four dif ferent promoters for EGFP and six groups' bombardment characters, the highest transformation e ciency approximately 1.31% was got with the vector pEGFP-N1 at bombardment characters 900 spi and6 cm distance. This research paves a way for the further research and application of S. horneri.     

Construction of a new gene integration platform system for theSynechococcus sp. PCC7942

According to the known sequence of iron stress-induced gene (isiAB operon), we cloned its 1.5 kb fragment by PCR, and used this fragment as integration homologous fragment. After several steps of subcloning donor DNA into theisiAB fragment, a donor plasmid pZL which could be integrated into the chromosomal DNA ofSynechococcus sp. PCC7942 was constructed. In order to express the heterologous gene at a high level through the integration platform system, we constructed the donor DNA by the following steps. We cloned the strong promoter (240 bp) of heat shock genegroESL operon fromSynechococcus sp. PCC7942 by PCR. Then subcloned the multiple cloning sites (MCS),rbcS polyA into the downstream of thegroESL promoter. The kanamycin resistance gene, as the marker gene, was also subcloned into the donor DNA. Thus, in the donor plasmid pZL, the integration homologous fragment and several expression elements, such asgroESL promoter, MCS,rbcS polyA terminator and kanamycin resistance gene, were all included.

After naturally transformed and introduced the donor plasmid pZL intoSynechococcus sp. PCC7942, as in the pZL, the donor DNA sequence is flanked by two DNA fragments (0.4 kb and 0.7 kb) homologous to theisiAB fragment ofSynechococcus sp. PCC7942, the homologous DNA can recombine with the chromosomal DNA. After screening by kanamycin, the transformants which integrated the heterologous DNA were selected. The efficiency of transformation is about 1×10⁻⁶. By southern blot analysis, it was confirmed that the donor DNA had been integrated into the chromosomal DNA ofSynechococcus sp. PCC7942, located on the site of theisiAB gene, and can be replicated with the chromosomal DNA.

     

Primary molecular basis of androgenic gland endocrine sex regulation revealed by transcriptome analysis in Eriocheir sinensis

In crustaceans, the male sexual differentiation and maintenance are specially regulated by androgenic gland (AG). However, little is known about the genes involved in the regulation process. RNA-Seq was performed on AG with ejaculatory duct (AG_ED) and ejaculatory duct (ED) as control in Eriocheir sinensis, one of the most important economic and fishery crabs with typically sex dimorphism. A total of 925 unigenes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the expression of nine genes randomly selected was confirmed by qRT-PCR. 667 unigenes were up-regulated in AG_ED, being supposed to be AG preferential genes. Among them, the full length of insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) cDNA named as Es-IAG was obtained as a logo gene of AG, which together with the genes insulin-like receptor (INR), and single insulin binding domain protein (SIBD), might constitute the sex regulation pathway. Several sex related genes were identified, and their function will have to be investigated. Also, the identification of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase 1 (JHEH1), ecdysteroid 22-hydroxylase (DIB) and ecdysone receptor (ECR) preliminarily clarified the molecular regulation mechanism of eyestalk-AG-testis axis, which plays important roles in molting and reproduction. The results will enhance our understanding for the molecular basis of the AG involved in male sex regulation in crabs.

     

Efficient gusA Transient Expression in Porphyra yezoensis Protoplasts Mediated by Endogenous Beta-tubulin Flanking Sequences

1 Introduction Porphyra yezoensis is one of the most widely con-sumed and cultivated seaweeds in the world. Over the past decades, much effort has been made in improving the cultured stocks and developing breeding techniques of alga. At present, nuclear transformation systems of eu-karyotic algae such as green unicellular alga Chlamydo-monas reinhardii (Rochaix and Dillewijn, 1982), diatom Phseodactylum tricornutum (Lioudmila et al., 2000) and simple multicellular green alga Volvox carteri (…     

Expression profiles of sex-related genes in gonads of genetic male Takifugu rubripes after 17β-estradiol immersion

Estradiol treatment during early life stages of tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes induces feminization in genetic males. However, the ovaries in genetic males may revert to testes once estradiol treatment is halted.Therefore studies should investigate molecular mechanisms underlying ovary-to-testis recovery in genetic males after treatment. In the present study, tiger puffer were exposed to 10, and 100 μg/L 17 p-estradiol(E_2)from 15 to 100 days post-hatching(dph), then gonad phenotypes and expression profiles of six sex-related genes(cyp19a,foxl2, dmrtl, amh, sox9a, and sox9b) were characterized after the exposure. Results showed that both 10 and 100 μg/L E_2 induced ovarian development in genetic males at 100 dph. However, all ovaries induced by 10 μg/L E_2 first developed into intersexual gonads and subsequently reverted to testes after the exposure. As for treatment of 100 pg/L E_2, while the rest of the ovaries maintained morphological stability,percentages of intersexual gonads reached 38%-57%, and none were reverted to testes. Increased mRNA levels of cyp19 a,foxl2 and sox9b and decreased mRNA levels of dmrtl, amh, and sox9a were observed during the ovarian development in genetic males. While contrary gene expression profiles were detected during ovary-to-testis transformation. The mRNA levels of all the six genes were increased during the development of intersexual gonads. These results indicated that up-regulation of dmrtl, amh and sox9a is associated with initial ovary-to-intersexual transformation, and suppression of foxl2, cypl9a and sox9b is essential for complete ovary-to-testis recovery in genetic males. This research will help to trace the molecular processes underlying gonadal transformation in teleosts.     

Algicidal activities of secondary metabolites of marine macroalgal-derived endophytic fungi

Red tide occurrs frequently and causes signi?cant damage to the environment and human health. As a result, development of new effcient and environment friendly red-tide microalgae inhibitors has gained increasing attention in recent times. Algicolous endophytic fungi with unique habitats are promising sources for active agents owing to their abundant secondary metabolites and distinguished activities. In this study, the algicidal activities of 49 marine macroalgal-derived endophytic fungi against phytoplankton Alexandrium tamarense, Prorocentrum donghaiense, Heterosigma akashiwo, and Chattonella marina were examined using 96-well microplate. Four fungal strains, including Aspergillus wentii(pt-1), A. ustus(cf-42),and A. versicolor(dl-29, pt-20), exhibited potent algicidal activities. A total of 32 pure compounds isolated from these fungi were noted to possess dif ferent degrees of algicidal activities. Of those, 11 compounds comprising ?ve anthraquinones, two terpenoids, and four steroids showed high 24-h inhibition rates for the four red tide algae, with 24 h EC_(50) values ranging from 0.01 to 14.29 μg/mL. Among them, compound1(1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-7-methylanthraquinone) presented the strongest activity against H. akashiwo,and could decrease its chlorophyll a(Chl a) and superoxide dismutase contents and increase the soluble protein, malondialdehyde, and peroxidase contents. These results suggested that the identi?ed anti-algal compound might inhibit the growth of red tide algae by weakening photosynthesis(reducing Chl a content),destroying cell membrane, and damaging the antioxidant system.     

Response of Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis to acute temperature challenge: physiological and biochemical parameters

Water temperature is generally considered to be a major factor affecting the physiological and biochemical activities of marine bivalves. Here, the physiological and biochemical responses of Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, to acute water temperature changes in summer were studied. Scallops were transferred directly to a lower temperature (T_dec treatment) (from 23°C to 15°C) or to a higher temperature (T_dec treatment) (from 15°C to 23°C) for 72 h, respectively. Results showed that the oxygen consumption and ammonia-N excretion rates of P. yessoensis decreased significantly in the T_dec treatment but increased dramatically at 6 h in the T_dec treatment (P <0.05). In the T dec treatment, hepatopancreas antioxidant enzyme activities, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, increased substantially within 72 h (P <0.05). However, a significant decrease in CAT activity was found at 12 h in the T_dec treatment (P <0.01). A significant enhancement of acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected when scallops were acutely exposed to a temperature of 15°C. The levels of Cu/Zn-SOD gene expression in their gills up-regulated significantly in response to acute temperature changes (P <0.01). These data suggest that acute temperature change affects physiological and biochemical functions, and improve our knowledge of P. yessoensis under conditions of thermal stress.

     

Cloning and sequencing of the allophycocyanin genes fromSpirulina maxima (Cyanophyta)

The genes coding for the α-and β-subunit of allophycocyanin (apcA andapcB) from the cyanophyteSpirulina maxima were cloned and sequenced. The results revealed 44.4% of nucleotide sequence similarity and 30.4% of similarity of deduced amino acid sequence between them. The amino acid sequence identities betweenS. maxima andS. platensis are 99.4% for α subunit and 100% for β subunit.

     

Cloning and sequencing of the ferredoxin gene of blue-green algaAnabaena siamensis

The structure gene for ferredoxin,petFI, fromAnabaena siamensis has been amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and cloned into cloning vector pGEM-3zf(+). The nucleotide sequence ofpetFI has been determined with silver staining sequencing method. There is 96.8% homology between coding region ofpetFI fromA. siamensis and that ofpetFI fromA. sp. 7120. Amino acid sequences of seven strains of blue-green algae are compared.

     

High efficiency induction of callus and regeneration of sporophytes ofLaminaria japonica (Phaeophyta)

This study on the effects of ultrasonic treatment on female gametophytes ofLaminaria japonica showed that:

1. 1.

   Ultrasonic treatment had shortening effect on filaments of female gametophytes. Within certain period of time, the average length of filamentous female gametophytes was shortened.

2. 2.

   Ultrasonic treatment had emptying effect on cells. The number of empty cells increased with time of treatment. Ultrasonic treatment had harmful effect on cells.

3. 3.

   Ultrasonic treatment could break down cell walls. The combination of frequency of 20 kHz, output of 15 W, 40 s and 60 s of treatment was best for this purpose. After ultrasonic treatment, the regeneration of female gametophytes into sporophytes was effected. Female ganetophytes could not recover after too long period of treatment.

     

DNA barcoding discriminates Pampus minor (Liu et al., 1998) from Pampus species

Although Pampus minor has been classified as a new species, it still remains controversial. Was used a DNA barcoding technique based on homologous sequence analysis of the16S and COI genes to clarify the confusion over the identification of this species. Among 12 individuals whose genetic distance was 0.002, two haplotypes were found. According to the 16S sequences, the genetic distances ranged from 0.121 to 0.133 between P. minor and other Pampus species. Although the same the genetic distance between the two P. minor haplotypes was generated using COI sequences, the haplotype of Pm22-23, Pm28, and Pm32-33 was the same as that of Pci EF607462 and EF607466, while the haplotype of Pm24-27 and Pm29-31 was the same as that of Pci EF607461 and EF607463-65. In addition, the genetic distance ranged only from 0.002 to 0.005 between P. minor and Pa EF607460 and EF607458. Apart from this, the interspecies genetic distances varied from 0.135 to 0.143 between P. minor and other Pampus species according to the COI sequences. Phylogenetic trees, using combined 16S and COI data, strongly support the viewpoint that all the P. minor individuals form one clade that is in a sister position to Pampus sp. individuals (EU357803, FJ434342-FJ434343, and FJ652423-FJ652427).     

Extracellular release of β-lactamase by osmotic shock inSynechococcus transformant

A unicellular cyanobacteriumSynechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 was transformed with plasmid pQL1, on which β-lactamase gene (bla) and β-galactosidase gene (lacZ) were encoded. The transformant cells released β-lactamase into medium by an abrupt drop of osmotic pressure. This result indicates that this cyanobacterium recognizes and processes the signal sequence of β-lactamase, and accumulates the enzyme in periplasm. Repeated release of β-lactamase was possible by repeated osmotic shocks wihout, impairing cell viability. On the other hand, most of the β-galactosidase remained in cytoplasm under the osmotic shock.

     

Comparative studies on phosphorus uptake and growth kinetics of the microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis and the macroalga Ulva pertusa

Short-term uptake experiments and long-term semicontinuous culture experiments were performed under the condition of phosphorus (P) limitation to estimate and compare the P uptake and growth kinetics of the microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis and the macroalga Ulva pertusa. Two new parameters, the maximum specific uptake rate (V _m ^sp ) and the maximal growth efficiency (β), are introduced to achieve uniformity for the comparison of nutrient uptake and growth efficiency between microalgae and macroalgae. T. subcordiformis possesses 3 times lower half saturation uptake constant, 4 times higher maximal growth rate and 20 times higher maximum specific uptake rate than U. pertusa, while U. pertusa possesses 4 times higher maximal growth efficiency than T. subcordiformis.