Development of a High-throughput Sequencing Platform for Detection of Viral Encephalitis Pathogens Based on Amplicon Sequencing

Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing.Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing.Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing.Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.

Variation of microbiological and small molecule metabolite profiles of Nuodeng ham during ripening by high-throughput sequencing and GC-TOF-MS

The internal microbial diversity and small molecular metabolites of Nuodeng ham in different processing years(the first,second and third year sample)were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology and gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrography(GC-TOF-MS)to study the effects of microorganisms and small molecular metabolites on the quality of ham in different processing years.The results showed that the dominant bacteria phyla of Nuodeng ham in different processing years were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes,the dominant fungi phyla were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota,while Staphylococcus and Aspergillus were the dominant bacteria and fungi of Nuodeng ham,respectively.Totally,252 kinds of small molecular metabolites were identified from Nuodeng ham in different processing years,and 12 different metabolites were screened through multivariate statistical analysis.Further metabolic pathway analysis showed that 23 metabolic pathways were related to ham fermentation,of which 8 metabolic pathways had significant effects on ham fermentation(Impact>0.01,P<0.05).The content of L-proline,phenyllactic acid,L-lysine,carnosine,taurine,D-proline,betaine and creatine were significantly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Staphylococcus and Serratia,but negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Halomonas,Aspergillus and Yamadazyma.

Mechanism of Guangdong Shenqu in regulating intestinal flora in mice with food stagnation and internal heat based on 16S rDNA sequencing

Objective:To investigate the effect of Guangdong Shenqu(GSQ)on intestinal flora structure in mice with food stagnation through 16S rDNA sequencing.Methods: Mice were randomly assigned to control,model,GSQ low-dose(GSQL),GSQ medium-dose(GSQM),GSQ high-dose(GSQH),and lacidophilin tablets(LAB)groups,with each group containing 10 mice.A food stagnation and internal heat mouse model was established through intragastric administration of a mixture of beeswax and olive oil(1:15).The control group was administered normal saline,and the model group was administered beeswax and olive oil to maintain a state.The GSQL(2 g/kg),GSQM(4 g/kg),GSQH(8 g/kg),and LAB groups(0.625 g/kg)were administered corresponding drugs for 5 d.After administration,16S rDNA sequencing was performed to assess gut microbiota in mouse fecal samples.Results: The model group exhibited significant intestinal flora changes.Following GSQ administration,the abundance and diversity index of the intestinal flora increased significantly,the number of bacterial species was regulated,andαandβdiversity were improved.GSQ administration increased the abundance of probiotics,including Clostridia,Lachnospirales,and Lactobacillus,whereas the abundance of conditional pathogenic bacteria,such as Allobaculum,Erysipelotrichaceae,and Bacteroides decreased.Functional prediction analysis indicated that the pathogenesis of food stagnation and GSQ intervention were primarily associated with carbohydrate,lipid,and amino acid metabolism,among other metabolic pathways.Conclusion: The digestive mechanism of GSQ may be attributed to its role in restoring diversity and abundance within the intestinal flora,thereby improving the composition and structure of the intestinal flora in mice and subsequently influencing the regulation of metabolic pathways.

Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for Harpadon nehereus Based on High-Throughput Sequencing and Cross-Species Amplification in Three Myctophiformes Fishes

Harpadon nehereus is a widespread economical fish found in the coastal seas of China and has important ecological value in the marine ecosystem.H_(o)wever,its germplasm resources have been seriously degraded due to natural factors and anthropogenic activities.In this study,high-throughput sequencing was applied to search for microsatellite loci in H.nehereus transcriptome to provide references for its resource conservation and utilization.Polymorphic loci were developed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,and their cross-species amplified ability was detected in three related species.A total of 5652 microsatellites were identified from 16974320 unigenes.Among the primer pairs designed for 100 SSRs for PCR amplification,80%were successfully amplified,and 26 loci were polymorphic with a high number of alleles from 3 to 11 each.The expected(H_(e))and observed(H_(o))heterozygosities were 0.355–0.885 and 0.375–0.958,respectively.Most of the loci were highly polymorphic(polymorphism information content:0.316–0.852;mean:0.713),and these markers can be applied in the population genetic diversity research of H.nehereus.H_(o)wever,the transferability of these primers was low,probably because of the close relation of the collected species.In follow-up work,simple sequence repeats will be excavated with genome-based technologies,and related species will be gathered to address the present inadequacies.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples yield adequate DNA for next-generation sequencing:A cohort analysis

BACKGROUND Genetic tests are increasingly performed for the management of unresectable pancreatic cancer.For genotyping aimed samples current guidelines recommend using core specimens,although based on moderate quality evidence.However,in clinical practice among the endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) guided tissue acquisition methods,fine needle aspiration(FNA) is the most widely performed.AIM To assess the adequacy for next generation sequencing(NGS) of the DNA yielded from EUS-FNA pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PDAC) samples.METHODS Between November 2018 and December 2021,105 patients with PDAC confirmed by EUS-FNA were included in the study at our tertiary gastroenterology center.Either 22 gauge(G) or 19G FNA needles were used.One pass was dedicated to DNA extraction.DNA concentration and purity(A260/280,A260/230) were assessed by spectrophotometry.We assessed the differences in DNA parameters according to needle size and tumor characteristics(size,location) and the adequacy of the extracted DNA for NGS(defined as A260/280 ≥ 1.7,and DNA yield:≥ 10 ng for amplicon based NGS,≥ 50 ng for whole exome sequencing [WES],≥ 100 ng for whole genome sequencing [WGS]) by analysis of variance and ttest respectively.Moreover,we compared DNA purity parameters across the different DNA yield categories.RESULTS Our cohort included 49% male patients,aged 67.02 ± 8.38 years.The 22G needle was used in 71%of the cases.The DNA parameters across our samples varied as follows:DNA yield:1289 ng(inter quartile range:534.75-3101),A260/280 = 1.85(1.79-1.86),A260/230 = 2.2(1.72-2.36).DNA yield was > 10 ng in all samples and > 100 ng in 93% of them(one sample < 50 ng).There were no significant differences in the concentration and A260/280 between samples by needle size.Needle size was the only independent predictor of A260/230 which was higher in the 22G samples(P =0.038).NGS adequacy rate was 90% for 19G samples regardless of NGS type,and for 22G samples it reached 89% for WGS adequacy and 91% for WES and amplicon based NGS.Samples with DNA yield > 100 ng had significantly higher A260/280(1.89 ± 0.32 vs 1.34 ± 0.42,P = 0.013).Tumor characteristics were not corelated with the DNA parameters.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA PDAC samples yield DNA adequate for subsequent NGS.DNA amount was similar between 22G and 19G FNA needles.DNA purity parameters may vary indirectly with needle size.

Genome-wide identification of RNA editing in seven porcine tissues by matched DNA and RNA high-throughput sequencing

Background: RNA editing is a co/posttranscriptional modification mechanism that increases the diversity of transcripts, with potential functional consequences. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the identification of RNA edits at unprecedented throughput and resolution. However, our knowledge of RNA editing in swine is still limited.Results: Here, we utilized RES-Scanner to identify RNA editing sites in the brain, subcutaneous fat, heart, liver,muscle, lung and ovary in three 180-day-old Large White gilts based on matched strand-specific RNA sequencing and whole-genome resequencing datasets. In total, we identified 74863 editing sites, and 92.1% of these sites caused adenosine-to-guanosine(A-to-G) conversion. Most A-to-G sites were located in noncoding regions and generally had low editing levels. In total, 151 A-to-G sites were detected in coding regions(CDS), including 94 sites that could lead to nonsynonymous amino acid changes. We provide further evidence supporting a previous observation that pig transcriptomes are highly editable at PRE-1 elements. The number of A-to-G editing sites ranged from 4155(muscle) to 25001(brain) across the seven tissues. The expression levels of the ADAR enzymes could explain some but not all of this variation across tissues. The functional analysis of the genes with tissuespecific editing sites in each tissue revealed that RNA editing might play important roles in tissue function.Specifically, more pathways showed significant enrichment in the fat and liver than in other tissues, while no pathway was enriched in the muscle.Conclusions: This study identified a total of 74863 nonredundant RNA editing sites in seven tissues and revealed the potential importance of RNA editing in tissue function. Our findings largely extend the porcine editome and enhance our understanding of RNA editing in swine.

Complementary DNA sequencing (cDNA): an eff ective approach for assessing the diversity and distribution of marine benthic ciliates along hydrographic gradients

The Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM)is a distinct hydrographic phenomenon of the Yellow Sea,and the distribution pattern of meio-and macrobenthos diff ers inside and outside of the YSCWM.However,such a pattern has never been observed in the microbenthic ciliate communities.Therefore,we hypothesized that benthic ciliates followed a similar distribution pattern as meio-and macrobenthos,but this pattern has not been uncovered by morphological methods.We evaluated the diversity and distribution of benthic ciliates at fi ve stations along hydrographic gradients across the YSCWM and adjacent shallow water by using morphology and DNA and complementary DNA(cDNA)high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of 18S rRNA gene.Results showed that the diversity of benthic ciliates detected by DNA(303 OTUs),and the cDNA(611 OTUs)sequencing was much higher than that detected by the morphological method(79 species).Morphological method detected roughly diff erent ciliate communities inside and outside of the YSCWM,but without statistical signifi cance.No clear pattern was obtained by DNA sequencing.In contrast,cDNA sequencing revealed a distinct distribution pattern of benthic ciliate communities like meioand macrobenthos,which coincided well with the results of the environmental parameter analysis.More than half of the total sequences detected by DNA sequencing belonged to planktonic ciliates,most(if not all)of which were recovered from historic DNA originating through the sedimentation of pelagic forms because none of them were observed morphologically.The irrelevant historic DNA greatly infl uenced the recovery of rare species and thus limited the understanding of the benthic ciliate diversity and distribution.Our research indicates that the methods used have signifi cant eff ects on the investigation of benthic ciliate communities and highlights that cDNA sequencing has great advantages in estimating the diversity and distribution of benthic ciliates,as well as the potential for benthic environmental assessments.

Sequencing of hepatitis C virus cDNA with polymerase chain reaction directed sequencing *

AIM To explore a rapid and easy sequencing method for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, and establish a new sequencing method in China. METHODS Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was combined with DNA sequencing technique. PCR products were purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Polyethylene glycol (PEG) respectively. Then in the presence of a 5′ labeling PCR primer, purified PCR products were directly sequenced. By this method, HCV NS5b cDNA from two HCV infected individuals (HC 42 and HC 49) were sequenced.

DNA存储场景下的大小喷泉码模型设计

在DNA存储等应用场景中,传统喷泉码算法需要占用额外信道资源将源文件分组数目K传递给解码端。在实际应用中,虽然可以将K嵌入在每一个编码数据分组中进行传递,但这种做法会严重浪费信道的带宽。针对上述问题,提出了一种大小喷泉码模型,通过增加小喷泉码这一带外信道来优化关键参数的传递。小喷泉码将每个编码分组中有关参数K所占用空间的粒度降至1 bit,有效减少了带宽资源的消耗。此外,小喷泉码还能适应由于DNA存储介质不均匀所导致的编码序列不定长的限制条件,一定条件下甚至可以完全不占用额外信道带宽。

新型超声快速处理活检标本保存不同年限对DNA质量的影响

背景:新型超声组织处理技术越来越多地被用来进行分子生物学分析,研究新型超声处理不同存储年限组织DNA的质量,对进一步分子检测的标本质控具有重要意义。目的:探讨新型超声处理活检标本存储不同年限对DNA质量的影响,以期为分子检测探索最佳的标本存储时间。方法:收集40例乳腺穿刺小活检组织,采用超声技术制作石蜡标本,按照存储年限分为4组:<1年组、1-3年组、>3-5年组及>5年组,每组10例,对石蜡标本进行切片,每张切片厚3μm,切片10-15张,提取DNA后通过Nanophotometer N60超微量分光光度计和Qubit 4.0荧光计检测DNA的质量浓度,记录A_(260)/A_(280)比值判定DNA的纯度,利用全自动毛细管电泳核酸分析仪(Qsep 100)检测DNA片段完整性,以评估DNA片段的质量。结果与结论:4组样本A_(260)/A_(280)均值在1.8-2.0之间,达到纯度要求,无明显差异。4组样本的DNA质量浓度(Qubit浓度)均值分别为30.39,14.33,2.52,1.95 ng/μL;DNA的平均N/Q比值分别为6.48,14.18,24.56,29.86;DNA质量数均值分别为5.64,1.76,1.24,0.80;大片段占比均值分别为56.08%,17.72%,12.68%,7.90%。PCR检测内控基因Ct均值分别为15.32,17.09,18.39,21.24。与<1年组相比,其余3组DNA浓度显著降低,N/Q比值显著增加,DNA质量数和大片段占比均值显著降低,Ct值升高,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。实验结果表明,对于新型超声处理活检标本,应优先选择存储<1年的样本进行日常分子检测,储存3年内的样本可满足二代测序等检测要求,5年内样本仅可尝试进行PCR等检测,存储超过5年的样本不建议进行后续分子检测。

循环肿瘤DNA在膀胱癌中的研究进展及临床价值

随着生物技术的发展,液体活检技术在肿瘤方面的研究逐渐深入,循环肿瘤DNA(ctDNA)作为液体活检的主要方式之一,以其非侵入性、可重复性及可早期发现病变等特点备受关注。目前有研究表明ctDNA在膀胱癌(BCa)的早期诊断和分级、靶向治疗的选择和疗效分析、肿瘤的复发及进展等方面有一定的潜能,本文结合ctDNA的特点及其近年来在BCa中的研究进展和临床价值进行综述。ctDNA检测技术近年不断发展,人们在测序、突变测定技术发展及在增强其作为癌症检测生物标志物能力方面做出多项进展与尝试。对血浆样本中ctDNA的检测有助于在早期BCa的诊断中实现准确分类,但由于ctDNA含量低,需要更先进检测技术的支持;基于靶向测序的ctDNA分析是预测非肌层浸润性膀胱癌(NMIBC)患者疾病复发和侵袭性的一种有希望的方法。在晚期BCa患者中,可以应用ctDNA收集特有突变类型的特点,有针对性地指导用药、调整治疗及监测预后。尽管ctDNA在BCa的应用仍存在挑战,但已表现出广泛的应用前景。

DNA测序首段信号数据特别处理方法研究

针对荧光标记毛细管电泳DNA测序开始一段序列的信号杂乱特性以及不同碱基通道信号间的相对偏移问题,提出了一种用于首段信号特别处理的电泳迁移率自适应校正方法。分析设计基于四通道首段信号间峰重叠程度估计的运筹决策目标函数,通过目标函数动态寻优计算确定不同碱基通道信号的相对偏移系数,从而实现DNA测序首段信号的相对偏移校正,为提高首段信号碱基的合理判读及后续DNA精准排序提供了可靠的过程数据。

CMA、CNV-seq诊断引产胎儿DNA异常及病因效果

目的:探讨染色体微阵列芯片技术(CMA)、低深度全基因组测序技术(CNV-seq)对引产胎儿DNA异常的诊断价值及病因检出情况。方法:将2021年1月-2023年12月于本院进行引产的150例孕妇作为研究对象,以产前无创基因筛查(NIPT)技术检测结果作为引产胎儿DNA结果的金标准,对引产胎儿行CMA、CNV-seq检测。比较CMA、CNV-seq检测结果与金标准的符合情况;受试者特征曲线(ROC)分析CMA、CNV-seq检测对引产胎儿DNA异常的诊断价值;对比CMA、CNV-seq检测对引产胎儿DNA异常病因检测结果。结果:引产胎儿DNA异常的阳性检出率CNV-seq检测(85.9%)高于CMA检测(73.7%);CNV-seq检测诊断引产胎儿DNA异常的曲线下面积(0.870)高于CMA检测(0.761),CNV-seq检测对引产胎儿DNA异常病因的检出情况(85.9%)高于CMA检测(73.7%)(均P<0.05)。结论:CMA、CNV-seq对引产胎儿DNA异常及其病因均有较高检出率,且CNV-seq检测诊断效能更高,可为产前诊断胎儿DNA异常提供参考。

水生生物环境DNA监测技术的发展、应用与标准化

水生态系统是保障国家生态安全的重要基础。水生生物在水生态系统中扮演着核心角色,是研究水体演变的重要依据,是维护水生态健康的关键。传统水生生物调查和监测通常采用形态学方法,但其存在专业知识要求高、难以标准化和自动化及费时耗力等缺陷。环境DNA(Environmental DNA,简称eDNA)技术是一种通过监测环境中存在的DNA片段来识别特定生物物种的方法,可以实现基于水体中DNA分子进行水生生物的鉴定和监测,为水生生物的常态化监测提供了一个准确、便捷、可标准化和自动化实施的方案。文章介绍了eDNA技术的基本原理,总结回顾了eDNA技术从萌芽到广泛科研应用的发展历史和过程,介绍了基于eDNA的宏条形码和宏基因组等各类水生生物鉴定监测技术;阐述了eDNA技术在保护种、入侵种及生物类群监测和水生态评估等各领域的应用;分析了eDNA技术当前面临的物种参考序列数据库不完善等各类挑战;提出了通过优化完善数据库、样品采集方法、评价指标和参数、样品保藏、数据分析和存储等来推动eDNA技术标准化和自动化,以解决当前面临的挑战。同时,基于eDNA技术当前的发展阶段,提出了在我国水体结合专业形态分类鉴定开展水生生物eDNA技术标准化监测的实施建议。

DNA存储技术:挑战与未来

随着全球数据呈现指数级增长,当前的信息存储技术面临维护成本高昂、存储寿命有限等多个缺陷,逐渐无法满足日益凸显的需求。因此,迫切需要引入新的信息存储方法来解决这一问题。DNA作为一种天然的遗传信息载体,具备高存储密度、潜在低维护成本和长寿命等优势,因此被视为一种有潜力的新型信息存储介质。该文对DNA数据存储技术的基本原理和流程进行了概述,并回顾了其历史发展。同时,对当前基于DNA存储的领域仍面临的挑战进行了总结,如缓慢的数据写入和读取速度等,以及应对这些挑战的一些潜在策略。最后,为了满足全球对新存储方法的需求,该文指出了DNA数据存储技术的未来发展方向。

DNA存储系统中的数据写入

世界的数字化给人们的生活带来了极大的变化,但与此同时,史无前例的数据激增使得信息存储面临的挑战日益严峻。随着全球数据总量的指数级增长,传统存储介质将无法满足数字化带来的存储需求。使用DNA分子作为基本载体的信息存储展现出高存储密度、低维护成本和易于化学修饰等独特优势。DNA存储主要包括编码、写入、保存、检索、读取和解码六个主要步骤,其中数据的写入是实现DNA存储功能的基础。本文首先介绍DNA存储系统中体外写入数据的策略方法,主要分为将数据写入DNA序列和写入DNA结构两个部分,接着概述体内写入数据技术的发展,最后将讨论DNA存储系统中数据写入面临的写入成本高、写入速度慢等挑战,并对大规模合成高纯度DNA、改进生物酶等具有前景的应用技术进行展望。

High-throughput Sequencing Technology and Its Application

Gene sequencing is a great way to interpret life, and high-throughput sequencing technology is a revolutionary technological innovation in gene sequencing researches. This technology is characterized by low cost and high-throughput data. Currently, high-throughput sequencing technology has been widely applied in multi-level researches on genomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics. And it has fundamentally changed the way we approach problems in basic and translational researches and created many new possibilities. This paper presented a general description of high-throughput sequencing technology and a comprehensive review of its application with plain, concisely and precisely. In order to help researchers finish their work faster and better, promote science amateurs and understand it easier and better.

DNA甲基化修饰对金钱鱼卵巢Cyp17a1表达水平的影响

【目的】分析DNA甲基化修饰对金钱鱼(Scatophagus argus)卵巢Cyp17a1表达的影响,进一步认识卵巢发育成熟相关基因表达的调控机制。【方法】分别取卵巢发育III、IV期的金钱鱼,以及投喂添加0(对照)、50、100μg/g雌二醇饲料30 d的2龄雌鱼,用MethPrimer软件分析其Cyp17a1基因CpG二核苷酸位点分布特征,并预测CpG岛;采用亚硫酸氢盐测序法检测不同发育时期卵巢以及投喂雌二醇个体卵巢中的Cyp17a1的DNA甲基化修饰水平,并用实时荧光定量PCR分析Cyp17a1基因表达水平。【结果】金钱鱼Cyp17a1翻译起始位点2000 bp后无CpG岛,取第1外显子含有5个CpG位点(翻译起始位点后106、116、129、148和203 bp处)的区域用于DNA甲基化水平检测。金钱鱼III期卵巢Cyp17a1外显子1的DNA甲基化修饰水平显著高于IV期卵巢(P<0.05),与其mRNA表达水平呈负相关。116、129和203 bp处DNA甲基化存在发育时期差异,但106和148 bp处差异不显著(P>0.05)。投喂雌二醇后,金钱鱼卵巢Cyp17a1 mRNA表达水平和第1外显子CpG富集区域整体DNA甲基化修饰水平无显著变化(P>0.05),但雌激素处理雌鱼翻译起始位点后148、203 bp处甲基化水平明显上升(P<0.05)。【结论】金钱鱼卵巢Cyp17a1第一个外显子CpG富集区的整体甲基化水平与基因表达呈负相关,饲料E2可上调Cyp17a1第一个外显子148、205 bp处甲基化水平,表明甲基化修饰参与金钱鱼Cyp17a1的表达调控。

PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing method in detecting PTEN gene mutation and its signifi cance in human gastric cancer

AIM: To discuss the possible effect of PTEN gene mutations on occurrence and development of gastric cancer. METHODS: Fifty-three gastric cancer specimens were selected to probe PTEN gene mutations in genome of gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues using PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing method based on microdissection and to observe the protein expression by immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing indicated that 4 kinds of mutation sites were found in 5 of 53 gastric cancer specimens. One kind of mutation was found in exons. AA-TCC mutation was located at 40bp upstream of 3’ lateral exon 7 (115946 AA-TCC). Such mutations led to terminator formation in the 297th codon of the PTEN gene. The other 3 kinds of mutation were found in introns,including a G-C point mutation at 91 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5(90896 G-C),a T-G point mutation at 24 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5 (90963 T-G),and a single base A mutation at 7 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5 (90980 A del). The PTEN protein expression in gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues detected using immunohistochemistry technique indicated that the total positive rate of PTEN protein expression was 66% in gastric cancer tissue,which was significantly lower than that (100%) in paracancerous tissues (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: PTEN gene mutation and expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

Comparison of rumen archaeal diversity in adult and elderly yaks(Bos grunniens)using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing

This study was conducted to investigate the phylogenetic diversity of archaea in the rumen of adult and elderly yaks. Six domesticated female yaks, 3 adult yaks （（5.3±0.6） years old）, and 3 elderly yaks （（10.7±0.6） years old）, were used for the rumen contents collection. Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to examine the archaeal composition of rumen contents. A total of 92 901 high-quality archaeal sequences were analyzed, and these were assigned to 2 033 operational taxonomic units （OTUs）. Among these, 974 OTUs were unique to adult yaks while 846 OTUs were unique to elderly yaks; 213 OTUs were shared by both groups. At the phylum level, more than 99% of the obtained OTUs belonged to the Euryarchaeota phylum. At the genus level, the archaea could be divided into 7 archaeal genera. The 7 genera （i.e., Methanobrevibacter, Methanobacterium, Methanosphaera, Thermogymnomonas, Methanomicrobiu, Meth- animicrococcus and the unclassified genus） were shared by all yaks, and their total abundance accounted for 99% of the rumen archaea. The most abundant archaea in elderly and adult yaks were Methanobrevibacterand Thermogymnomonas, respectively. The abundance of Methanobacteria （class）, Methanobacteriales （order）, Methanobacteriaceae （family）, and Methanobrevibacter （genus） in elderly yaks was significantly higher than in adult yaks. In contrast, the abundance of Ther-mogymnomonas in elderly yaks was 34% lower than in adult yaks, though the difference was not statistically significant. The difference in abundance of other archaea was not significant between the two groups. These results suggested that the structure of archaea in the rumen of yaks changed with age. This is the first study to compare the phytogenetic differences of rumen archaeal structure and composition using the yak model.