Mycoparasitic species of Trichoderma are commercially applied as biological control agents against various fungal pathogens. The mycoparasitic interaction is host specific and includes recognition, attack and subseque...Mycoparasitic species of Trichoderma are commercially applied as biological control agents against various fungal pathogens. The mycoparasitic interaction is host specific and includes recognition, attack and subsequent penetration and killing of the host. Investigations on the underlying events revealed that Trichoderma responds to multiple signals from the host (e.g. lectins or other ligands such as low molecular weight components released from the host’s cell wall) and host attack is accompanied by morphological changes and the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes and antibiotics. Degradation of the cell wall of the host fungus is-besides glucanases and proteases-mainly achieved by chitinases. In vivo studies showed that the ech42 gene (encoding endochitinase 42) is expressed before physical contact of Trichoderma with its host, probably representing one of the earliest events in mycoparasitism, whereas Nag1 (N-acetylglucosaminidase) plays a key role in the general induction of the chitinolytic enzyme system of T. atroviride . Investigations on the responsible signal transduction pathways of T. atroviride led to the isolation of several genes encoding key components of the cAMP and MAP kinase signaling pathways, as alpha and β subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, adenylate cyclase, and three MAP kinases. Analysis of knockout mutants, generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, revealed that at least two alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins are participating in mycoparasitism-related signal transduction. The Tga1 G alpha subunit was shown to be involved in mycoparasitism-related processes such as chitinase expression and overproduction of toxic secondary metabolites, whereas Tga3 was found to be completely avirulent showing defects in chitinase formation and host recognition.展开更多
Rapid and reliable diagnostics and identification of pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria are at the top of the agenda. In the first case, they are important to control and prevent crop damages, and thus reduce economic ...Rapid and reliable diagnostics and identification of pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria are at the top of the agenda. In the first case, they are important to control and prevent crop damages, and thus reduce economic losses. In the second, it＇s necessary to design and monitor quality of biofertilizer to raise its effectiveness and crop capacity. Development of accurately, rapidly, technically and commercially accessible methods remains a critical problem for the bacteria with comprehensive phylogenetic structure. In this work, we investigated pathogenic Xanthomonas and Ralstonia and symbiotic Sinorhizobium. The aim of this investigation was to examine the applicability of the novel methods for phylogenetic study, identification and diagnostics of closely related species of these genera. The conventional phenotypic and genotypic （16S rRNA, gyrB） methods were applied as referents. Novel polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-based approaches, single-adapter amplified fragment length polymorphism （saAFLP） and comparative analyses of hin-region and Xcc0006-0007 sequences, were first employed for the investigations. Phenotypic tests, 16S rRNA and gyrB analysis distinguished bacteria at the genus level, but failed to identify them to the species robustly. The new methods identified bacteria at the inter-species level more precisely. This identification agreed with the accepted genera＇s classifications. The only exceptions were X. fuscans ＆ X. cirri and X. perforance ＆ X. euvesicatoria which clustered together. The further outcome of this study was achieved hin-region-based genus-specific PCR primers for the express-diagnostics of the genera. Summary, these new methods can be applied for genome-based phylogeny investigations and as convenient and accurate tools for identification and routine laboratory diagnostics of these comprehensive genera.展开更多
DNA barcoding is a new method for biological taxonomy, offering the ability to identify species from fragments in any life-history stage. Pleuronichthys cornutus and P. japonicus are two morphologically similar specie...DNA barcoding is a new method for biological taxonomy, offering the ability to identify species from fragments in any life-history stage. Pleuronichthys cornutus and P. japonicus are two morphologically similar species. Pleuronichthys japonicus has never been found previously in China. However, in this study, we identified both species using DNA barcoding （cytochrome c oxidase subunit I （COI））, the mtDNA control region and cytochrome b. The results reveal that： l） intraspecific variation in the DNA barcode is much less than interspecific variation; 2） the two morphologically similar species were placed into separate clades distinguishable by high bootstrap values; 3） COI barcodes are more powerful for identifying the two species than the other two mtDNA fragments.展开更多
The small GTPase Rap1 induces integrin activation via an inside-out signaling pathway mediated by the Rapl-interacting adaptor mol- ecule （RIAM）. Blocking this pathway may suppress tumor metastasis and other disease...The small GTPase Rap1 induces integrin activation via an inside-out signaling pathway mediated by the Rapl-interacting adaptor mol- ecule （RIAM）. Blocking this pathway may suppress tumor metastasis and other diseases that are related to hyperactive integrins. However, the molecular basis for the specific recognition of RIAM by Rap1 remains largely unknown. Herein we present the crystal structure of an active, GTP-bound GTPase domain of Rap1 in complex with the Ras association （RA）-pleckstrin homology （PH） structural module of RIAM at 1.65 A. The structure reveals that the recognition of RIAM by Rap1 is governed by side-chain interactions. Several side chains are critical in determining specificity of this recognition, particularly the Lys31 residue in Rap1 that is oppositely charged compared with the Glu31/Asp31 residue in other Ras GTPases. Lys31 forms a salt bridge with RIAM residue Glu212, making it the key specificity determinant of the interaction. We also show that disruption of these interactions results in reduction of Rapl：RIAM association, leadingto a loss of co-clustering and cell adhesion. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism by which RIAM med- iates Rapl-induced integrin activation. The crystal structure also offers new insight into the structural basis for the specific recruitment of RA-PH module-containing effector proteins by their smaU GTPase partners.展开更多
文摘Mycoparasitic species of Trichoderma are commercially applied as biological control agents against various fungal pathogens. The mycoparasitic interaction is host specific and includes recognition, attack and subsequent penetration and killing of the host. Investigations on the underlying events revealed that Trichoderma responds to multiple signals from the host (e.g. lectins or other ligands such as low molecular weight components released from the host’s cell wall) and host attack is accompanied by morphological changes and the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes and antibiotics. Degradation of the cell wall of the host fungus is-besides glucanases and proteases-mainly achieved by chitinases. In vivo studies showed that the ech42 gene (encoding endochitinase 42) is expressed before physical contact of Trichoderma with its host, probably representing one of the earliest events in mycoparasitism, whereas Nag1 (N-acetylglucosaminidase) plays a key role in the general induction of the chitinolytic enzyme system of T. atroviride . Investigations on the responsible signal transduction pathways of T. atroviride led to the isolation of several genes encoding key components of the cAMP and MAP kinase signaling pathways, as alpha and β subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, adenylate cyclase, and three MAP kinases. Analysis of knockout mutants, generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, revealed that at least two alpha-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins are participating in mycoparasitism-related signal transduction. The Tga1 G alpha subunit was shown to be involved in mycoparasitism-related processes such as chitinase expression and overproduction of toxic secondary metabolites, whereas Tga3 was found to be completely avirulent showing defects in chitinase formation and host recognition.
文摘Rapid and reliable diagnostics and identification of pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria are at the top of the agenda. In the first case, they are important to control and prevent crop damages, and thus reduce economic losses. In the second, it＇s necessary to design and monitor quality of biofertilizer to raise its effectiveness and crop capacity. Development of accurately, rapidly, technically and commercially accessible methods remains a critical problem for the bacteria with comprehensive phylogenetic structure. In this work, we investigated pathogenic Xanthomonas and Ralstonia and symbiotic Sinorhizobium. The aim of this investigation was to examine the applicability of the novel methods for phylogenetic study, identification and diagnostics of closely related species of these genera. The conventional phenotypic and genotypic （16S rRNA, gyrB） methods were applied as referents. Novel polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-based approaches, single-adapter amplified fragment length polymorphism （saAFLP） and comparative analyses of hin-region and Xcc0006-0007 sequences, were first employed for the investigations. Phenotypic tests, 16S rRNA and gyrB analysis distinguished bacteria at the genus level, but failed to identify them to the species robustly. The new methods identified bacteria at the inter-species level more precisely. This identification agreed with the accepted genera＇s classifications. The only exceptions were X. fuscans ＆ X. cirri and X. perforance ＆ X. euvesicatoria which clustered together. The further outcome of this study was achieved hin-region-based genus-specific PCR primers for the express-diagnostics of the genera. Summary, these new methods can be applied for genome-based phylogeny investigations and as convenient and accurate tools for identification and routine laboratory diagnostics of these comprehensive genera.
基金Supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (No. 201003068)Special Key Program of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology (No. 2008C12011)
文摘DNA barcoding is a new method for biological taxonomy, offering the ability to identify species from fragments in any life-history stage. Pleuronichthys cornutus and P. japonicus are two morphologically similar species. Pleuronichthys japonicus has never been found previously in China. However, in this study, we identified both species using DNA barcoding （cytochrome c oxidase subunit I （COI））, the mtDNA control region and cytochrome b. The results reveal that： l） intraspecific variation in the DNA barcode is much less than interspecific variation; 2） the two morphologically similar species were placed into separate clades distinguishable by high bootstrap values; 3） COI barcodes are more powerful for identifying the two species than the other two mtDNA fragments.
文摘The small GTPase Rap1 induces integrin activation via an inside-out signaling pathway mediated by the Rapl-interacting adaptor mol- ecule （RIAM）. Blocking this pathway may suppress tumor metastasis and other diseases that are related to hyperactive integrins. However, the molecular basis for the specific recognition of RIAM by Rap1 remains largely unknown. Herein we present the crystal structure of an active, GTP-bound GTPase domain of Rap1 in complex with the Ras association （RA）-pleckstrin homology （PH） structural module of RIAM at 1.65 A. The structure reveals that the recognition of RIAM by Rap1 is governed by side-chain interactions. Several side chains are critical in determining specificity of this recognition, particularly the Lys31 residue in Rap1 that is oppositely charged compared with the Glu31/Asp31 residue in other Ras GTPases. Lys31 forms a salt bridge with RIAM residue Glu212, making it the key specificity determinant of the interaction. We also show that disruption of these interactions results in reduction of Rapl：RIAM association, leadingto a loss of co-clustering and cell adhesion. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism by which RIAM med- iates Rapl-induced integrin activation. The crystal structure also offers new insight into the structural basis for the specific recruitment of RA-PH module-containing effector proteins by their smaU GTPase partners.
