Hippocampal mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase activity and gene expression in a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia

The present study established a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia using bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation to analyze cytochrome C oxidase activity and mRNA expression in hippocampal mitochondria. Results showed significantly decreased cytochrome C oxidase activity and cytochrome C oxidase II mRNA expression with prolonged ischemia time. Further analysis revealed five mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase II gene mutations, two newly generated mutations, and four absent mutational sites at 1 month after cerebral ischemia, as well as three mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase III gene mutations, including two newly generating mutations, and one disappeared mutational site at 1 month after cerebral ischemia. Results demonstrated that decreased cytochrome C oxidase gene expression and mutations, as well as decreased cytochrome C oxidase activity, resulting in energy dysmetabolism, which has been shown to be involved in the DatholoQical Process of ischemic brain iniurv.

细胞色素氧化酶P4502C19基因多态检测联合血清肝素辅助因子Ⅱ对下肢动脉硬化闭塞症介入术后再狭窄的预测价值

目的探讨细胞色素氧化酶P4502C19(CYP2C19)基因多态检测联合血清肝素辅助因子Ⅱ(HCⅡ)对下肢动脉硬化闭塞症(ASO)介入术后再狭窄的预测价值。方法收集2017年1月至2021年5月于绵阳市第三人民医院行介入治疗的146例ASO患者的临床资料,根据随访期间再狭窄发生情况将其分为再狭窄组(n=27)和无再狭窄组(n=119)。收集患者性别、年龄、体重指数(BMI)、吸烟史、心脑血管病史、高同型半胱氨酸病史、病变血管支数、术前狭窄情况、支架植入情况、纤维蛋白原水平、总胆固醇水平、红细胞计数、CYP2C19基因多态性、HCⅡ活性,分析ASO介入术后再狭窄的影响因素。结果有吸烟史、支架植入、CYP2C19慢代谢型及HCⅡ活性均为ASO支架植入术后发生再狭窄的独立危险因素(P﹤0.05)。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线结果显示,HCⅡ活性预测ASO支架植入术后再狭窄的截断值为95.80%,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.809(95%CI:0.719~0.900),灵敏度为74.80%,特异度为88.24%,Kappa=0.566。CYP2C19基因多态检测对ASO支架植入术后再狭窄的预测灵敏度为66.67%,特异度为89.07%,Kappa=0.537。联合检测对ASO支架植入术后再狭窄的预测灵敏度为96.30%,特异度为86.55%,Kappa=0.682。结论ASO介入术后再狭窄与吸烟史、支架植入情况、CYP2C19基因多态性及HCⅡ活性有关,CYP2C19基因多态性及HCⅡ活性检测均可用于预测ASO介入术后再狭窄,但联合检测可提高其诊断效能。

基于线粒体COⅠ基因序列的梭鲈野生群体遗传结构

为了解梭鲈种群的遗传结构,实验利用线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶Ⅰ亚基(COⅠ)基因部分序列分析了中国6个和中亚2个群体的遗传差异,并与欧洲群体的单倍型序列进行了比较。结果在640 bp的COⅠ基因序列中检测到5个变异位点,定义了7种单倍型,发现Hap1为8个梭鲈群体的共享单倍型,且与欧洲群体的HapA相同,在中国群体所占比例(93.36%)高于中亚群体(72.58%)和欧洲群体(53.85%);Hap2和Hap3是中国群体的特异单倍型,而Hap4~Hap7为中亚群体的特异单倍型。单倍型序列的聚类图和网络图均显示Hap1/A为梭鲈群体的原始单倍型,中国和中亚群体的特异单倍型相对于原始单倍型仅有1~2个位点的变异,属于Hap1/A的亚型,与欧洲群体的特异单倍型具有较大的差异。每个群体检测到1~4种单倍型,斋桑湖(ZS)群体单倍型最多,而中国的腾格里湖(NX)、兴凯湖(XK)和鸭绿江(YJ)群体仅有1个单倍型(Hap1);塔什干(TS)群体的单倍型多样性(Hd)和核苷酸多样性(π)最高(Hd=0.514±0.069;π=0.00079±0.00011),其次是ZS群体,而中国梭鲈群体的多样性参数较低。AMOVA分析结果显示,梭鲈群体间遗传变异占20.74%,群体间遗传分化程度较高(0.15≤F_(st)=0.20736<0.25),TS群体与ZS群体和中国群体间的遗传分化极大(F_(st)>0.25),中国群体中仅黑河(HH)群体与其他群体的遗传分化较大,而中国其他5个群体间无遗传分化。基于群体间遗传距离的系统进化树显示,来自中国的6个梭鲈群体与哈萨克斯坦的ZS群体聚为一支,而乌兹别克斯坦的TS群体独立为一支。研究结果为梭鲈群体的繁殖及放流管理提供了参考。

DNA barcoding of fishes from Zhoushan coastal waters using mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes

Accurate species identification is a key component of biodiversity research.DNA barcoding is an effective molecular method used for fish species identification.We aimed to study the DNA barcoding of fish in Zhoushan coastal waters,explore the differences and applicability of two gene fragments(12S rRNA and COI)of DNA barcoding in fish species identification,and established a comprehensive fish barcoding reference database.Two hundred and eighty-seven captured fish samples from Zhoushan coastal waters were identified using morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.A total of 26412S rRNA sequences(belonging to eight orders,31 families,55 genera,and 66 species)and 188 COI sequences(belonging to seven orders,30 families,48 genera,and 58 species)were obtained.The lengths of the 12S rRNA sequences ranged from 165 to 178 bp,and the guanine-cytosine(GC)content was 45.37%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.10%and 26.66%,respectively.The length of the COI sequence ranged 574–655 bp,and the content of GC was 45.97%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.16%and 27.45%,respectively.The minimum interspecific genetic distances of 12S rRNA and COI(1.23%and 1.86%)were both greater than their maximum intraspecific genetic distances(2.42%and 8.66%).Three molecular analyses(NJ tree,ABGD,and GMYC)were performed to accurately identify and delineate species.Clustering errors occurred when the 12S rRNA sequences were delimited using the NJ tree method,and the delimitation results of ABGD and GMYC are consistent with the final species identification results.Our results demonstrate that DNA barcoding based on 12S rRNA and COI can be used as an effective tool for fish species identification,and 12S rRNA has good application prospects in the environmental DNA(eDNA)metabarcoding of marine fish.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the sea star Asterias amurensis in the northern coast of China

The sea star Asterias amurensis is widely viewed as a severe“marine pest”because of its broad feeding habits.Over the past few decades,A.amurensis undergoes massive and sporadic population outbreaks worldwide,causing extensive economic and ecological losses to the local aquaculture industry and marine ecosystem.Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis can provide vital information for resource management.By analyzing the polymorphism of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I(COI)gene and ten simple sequence repeat(SSR)microsatellites markers,the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis of four populations along the northern coast of China was uncovered.A total of 36 haplotypes were identified,and a main haplotype was found in four populations.The Qingdao(QD)population displayed the highest genetic diversity among all the populations.The AMOVA and pairwise F_(st)showed that there was small but statistically significant population differentiation among the four populations,especially between QD and Weihai(WH).Moreover,the principal component analysis(PCA)and admixture analysis showed that several individuals in Yantai(YT)and Dalian(DL)had little genetic association with other individuals.Overall,this study provided useful information of the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis and will contribute to the resource management of A.amurensis in China.

基于In Silicon模拟消化的北极虾DPP-Ⅳ抑制肽活性分析

北极虾具有很高的营养价值,在食品领域已引起越来越多的关注。对北极虾蛋白进行In Silicon模拟消化获得寡肽,通过PeptideRanker活性评分及理化性质分析,从中筛选出具有潜在生物活性的寡肽。使用ToxinPred分析和BIOPEP-UWM生物活性预测,发现部分寡肽具有二肽基肽酶-Ⅳ(dipeptidyl peptidase-Ⅳ,DPP-Ⅳ)抑制活性,最终确定WFP(一种三肽,Trp-Phe-Pro)具有最优的DPP-Ⅳ抑制活性肽。分子对接表明,WFP和DPP-Ⅳ能够形成稳定的复合物,其结合能为-6.93 kcal/mol,进一步研究表明,WFP通过与DPP-Ⅳ S1、S2、S3三个活性口袋中的9个氨基酸残基发生相互作用而抑制其活性。本研究为阐释北极虾营养价值及生物活性肽的开发提供了理论依据。

Epiphytic zooplankton community profiles in a typical urban wetland as revealed by DNA metabarcoding

Zooplankton,a crucial component of urban wetland,are one of the effective bioindicators for monitoring the feeding stocks of organisms at higher trophic levels and assessing the ecological quality of ecosystems.However,information about the characteristics of epiphytic zooplankton community structure resulted from traditional methods is limited and hindered by the large amount of detritus and sludge attached to the macrophytes.We investigated the epiphytic zooplankton communities associated with macrophytes(Vallisneria,Nymphaea,and Thalia dealbata)in a subtropical wetland using as DNA markers of the 18 S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)gene.A total of 241 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from COI amplicons,including 194 OTUs of Rotifera,22 of Cladocera,and 25 of Copepoda,while only 62 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from 18 S rDNA amplicons including 34 OTUs of Rotifera and 28 of Copepoda.The zooplankton communities associated with the three macrophytes were similar,but they differed significantly from those in the open waters.However,there were no significant temporal differences among the zooplankton communities.Epiphytic zooplankton communities were dominated by littoral zooplankton such as Testudinella,Lecane,and Philodina.Microzooplankton,especially littoral species,utilize macrophytes as food sources and as refuges against predation.This further led to an increase inαandβdiversity of zooplankton communities in urban wetlands.Our result suggests that the joint use of multiple molecular markers could improve the taxonomic resolution and generate a comprehensive biodiversity profile of zooplankton.

嗜群血蜱和长角血蜱ITS-2、COⅠ和COⅡ基因序列变异与亲缘关系分析

本研究旨在阐明长角血蜱与嗜群血蜱间的亲缘关系。采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)技术从长角血蜱和嗜群血蜱基因组DNA中扩增得到核糖体第二内部转录间隔区基因(ITS-2)片段、线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ基因(COⅠ)片段和线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基II基因(COⅡ)片段,并进行测序,进而分析其基因变异与系统发育。结果表明,长角血蜱和嗜群血蜱的ITS-2、COⅠ和COⅡ基因片段的大小存在差异,长角血蜱3种基因分别为361、479和647bp,嗜群血蜱基因分别为354、474和661bp。长角血蜱与嗜群血蜱间ITS-2、COⅠ和COⅡ基因的相似性分别为84.2%、89.0%和88.4%。以3种基因构建的NJ进化树中,长角血蜱和嗜群血蜱均聚类。因此,认为长角血蜱和嗜群血蜱间ITS-2、COI和COII基因间变异较小,它们是血蜱属中亲缘关系较近的2个有效种,支持传统形态学的分类地位。

抗霉素A抑制PC12细胞线粒体COⅡ基因表达

采用不同浓度的抗霉素 A(一种能提高线粒体内活性氧水平的线粒体抑制剂 )处理 PC12细胞 ,利用血细胞计数、台盼蓝排除法以及 MTT法进行细胞活性检测。实验证明 ,当抗霉素 A的浓度达到 15 0 μmol/L时 ,PC12细胞开始出现损伤 ;进一步采用 RNA斑点杂交和 RT-PCR技术分析发现抗霉素 A所致的细胞损伤和线粒体内细胞色素 C氧化酶亚基 (CO )基因表达下降有关。本研究证实线粒体介导的活性氧的产生能早期诱导线粒体细胞色素氧化酶的活性的改变 ,逐步引起

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 regulates hypoxia-induced apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway mediated by cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ

Background:Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1(TRAP1)plays a protective effect in hypoxic cardiomyocytes,but the precise mechanisms are not well clarified.The study is aimed to identify the mechanism of TRAP1 on hypoxic damage in cardiomyocytes.Methods:In this study,the effects of TRAP1 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ(COXⅡ)on apoptosis in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes were explored using overexpression and knockdown methods separately.Results:Hypoxia induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis,and TRAP1 overexpression notably inhibited apoptosis induced by hypoxia.Conversely,TRAP1 silencing promoted apoptosis in hypoxic cardiomyocytes.Further investigation revealed that the proapoptotic effects caused by the silencing of TRAP1 were prevented by COXⅡ overexpression,whereas COXⅡ knockdown reduced the antiapoptotic function induced by TRAP1 overexpression.Additionally,changes in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol and the caspase-3 activity in the cytoplasm,as well as reactive oxygen species production,were found to be correlated with the changes in apoptosis.Conclusions:The current study uncovered that TRAP1 regulates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway mediated by COXⅡ,in which reactive oxygen species presents as an important component.

冠心病患者线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ基因片段的重排

采用玻璃粉微量吸附法获取DNA直接作为PCR反应的模板 ,利用巢式PCR技术 ,检测冠心病患者血细胞内编码细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ的线粒体DNA扩增片段多态性 ,探讨线粒体DNA的片段缺失与动脉粥样硬化发生发展的关系。研究发现在全部冠心病患者编码细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ的基因中出现了大约 10 0bp的缺失片段 ,其中 1例冠心病患者中还出现了大约 45 0bp核基因组和 6 0 0bp的线粒体DNA扩增片段 ,而在正常对照老人中没有出现片段的重排现象。表明冠心病患者中存在该基因片段的缺失和模板量减少的现象 ,该基因可能参与了冠状动脉粥样硬化的形成与发展 ,编码呼吸链复合物一些亚基线粒体DNA片段的重排可能是动脉粥样硬化进行性发展的恶化因素。

阿尔茨海默病患者血液细胞线粒体内细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ基因存在缺失

目的 调查 2 5例老年痴呆患者血细胞线粒体中细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ基因的突变情况 ,探讨线粒体DNA突变与阿尔茨海默病 (AD)性老年痴呆发生发展的关系。 方法 采用微量法提取血细胞总DNA直接作为PCR模板 ,进行巢式PCR扩增 ,最后采用DNA序列分析鉴定突变。 结果 在正常老人组 ,只扩增了 2 80bp的线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基Ⅱ基因 (COX2 )扩增片段 ,而在老年痴呆患者中出现了 4 6 4bp和 2 80bp的多态性扩增片段 ,并且发现了 1个 32 0bp的新的线粒体DNA缺失片段 ,1位AD患者的COX2基因存在一种新的缺失后重组现象 ,COX2基因的 1条单链在np75 0 3处断裂 ,另 1条单链在np7785处断裂 ,这两个断裂的游离片段通过插入 1个额外的胞嘧啶核苷酸重新连接起来。 结论 老年痴呆患者中的COX2基因存在片段扩增多态性。

3种蚊虫线粒体COⅡ基因的分子进化

测定和比较了中华按蚊、白纹伊蚊和致倦库蚊的细胞色素C氧化酶亚基 基因全序列,并与其他几种蚊虫的CO 基因序列进行了比较,根据CO 基因序列构建了分子系统树,对这些蚊虫的进化年代及亲缘关系进行了讨论。结果显示,这3种蚊虫以中华按蚊比较原始,在CO 分子结构上,白纹伊蚊与致倦库蚊具有更近的亲缘关系。CO 基因是蚊类分子系统学研究的有效分子标记.

核因子κB亚基65及细胞色素C氧化酶-Ⅱ在大鼠急性肝衰竭模型中的变化及意义

目的观察核因子κB亚基65(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB p65)及细胞色素C氧化酶-Ⅱ(cytochrom eCoxidase-Ⅱ,COX-Ⅱ)在大鼠急性肝衰竭(acute liver failure,ALF)模型中的变化。方法 Sprague-Dawley雄性大鼠40只随机分为5组:对照组、ALF4h组、ALF8h组、ALF12h组和ALF24h组。ALF组采用D-氨基半乳糖(800mg/kg)和脂多糖(100g/kg)联合腹腔注射构建ALF模型,对照组注射同等体积的0.9%氯化钠溶液。分别检测各组的ALT、AST、TBIL、ALB、PT、PTA及观察各时间点肝脏病理变化;实时荧光定量PCR法检测各组大鼠肝脏内NF-κBp65的mRNA水平,分光光度法检测各组大鼠肝脏线粒体中的COX-Ⅱ活性。结果光镜结果显示,ALF8h组可见明显肝细胞凋亡,而12h组和24h组可见明显肝细胞坏死。ALF组中8h、12h及24h肝脏NF-κBp65的mRNA水平明显低于对照组(P均<0.001),24h最低。COX-Ⅱ的活性在ALF4h开始升高,8h达到高峰(与对照组比较,P=0.008),12h开始下降,24h下降更为明显。结论 ALF大鼠肝脏NF-κBp65的mRNA水平降低,肝脏线粒体COX-Ⅱ活性在凋亡阶段升高,后期降低。二者均参与了ALF中肝细胞凋亡的发生,同时NF-κBp65还可能抑制了ALF过程中肝细胞的再生。

天敌体内玉米蚜的COⅡ标记检测

以玉米蚜Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch及玉米田的捕食性天敌为研究对象,筛选1对特异扩增玉米蚜细胞色素氧化酶Ⅱ(COⅡ)基因序列片段的引物。种特异性检验表明,该引物只对玉米蚜基因组DNA具有扩增效果,对与其同域发生的其他种类不具扩增作用;室内以该引物检测喂食单头玉米蚜的异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)成虫和大草蛉Chrysopa pallens(Rambur)成虫腹内靶标食物的衰变情况,结果表明,异色瓢虫成虫和大草蛉成虫阳性比率的半衰期分别为喂食后2·814和2·441h;对玉米田间捕食性天敌的检测结果表明,在所检测的6类群13种捕食性天敌中,大灰食蚜蝇幼虫、草蛉幼虫、异色瓢虫成虫和幼虫、龟纹瓢虫成虫和幼虫对玉米蚜的捕食作用检出率较高,大于40%。

渤海湾7种虾虎鱼科鱼类COI基因序列特征及分子分类研究

为获得渤海湾天津海域常见虾虎鱼线粒体条形码序列及系统分类信息,采集渤海湾7种虾虎鱼样本,通过形态初步鉴定物种,并提取DNA进行线粒体COI基因部分序列扩增测序,用系统进化分析及分子鉴定软件MEGA对渤海湾常见12种虾虎鱼COI基因部分片断进行序列特征分析及分子分类分析。扩增得到7种虾虎鱼COI基因片断,分析得到其平均GC含量低于AT含量,碱基在密码子位置分布中具有偏向性,且GC含量最高为第2位碱基,与多种鱼类COI基因碱基特点相似。基因密码子碱基变异率为19.4%,转换颠换比为1.3。遗传距离分析及系统进化树分析理清了渤海湾天津海域12种主要虾虎鱼的系统分类及进化关系。遗传距离显示,矛尾刺虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)和斑尾复虾虎鱼(Synechogobius ommaturus)为同种鱼。虾虎鱼COI编码基因密码子高变异率可能与其良好的环境适应性有关。

酮古龙酸菌细胞色素c氧化酶亚基Ⅱ的融合表达及纯化

目的:利用大肠杆菌融合表达酮古龙酸菌细胞色素c氧化酶亚基Ⅱ(CcoⅡ)与谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)并纯化。方法:根据酮古龙酸菌Y25基因组序列设计引物,通过PCR扩增CcoⅡ基因,酶切后连接pGEX-KG表达载体,转化至大肠杆菌获得重组菌,经IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白GST-CcoⅡ,用谷胱甘肽-Sepharose 4B树脂亲和纯化融合蛋白,并利用Western印迹及质谱对表达蛋白进行鉴定。结果:扩增得到867 bp的CcoⅡ基因,构建了pGEX-KG-CcoⅡ融合表达载体,重组菌经0.4 mmol/L IPTG于20℃诱导16 h,SDS-PAGE分析显示有可溶性表达条带,相对分子质量约为59×103;Western印迹及质谱分析表明,利用亲和层析方法纯化到了目的蛋白。结论:表达并纯化了GST-CcoⅡ融合蛋白,为酮古龙酸菌电子传递链的研究奠定了基础。

Identification of differentially expressed genes of primary spermatocyte against round spermatid isolated from human testis using the laser capture microdissection technique

The method of laser capture microdissection (LCM) combined with suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was developed to isolate specific germ cells from human testis sections and to identify the genes expressed during differentiation and development. In the present study, over 10,000 primary spermatocytes and round spermatid cells were successfully isolated by LCM. Using the cDNAs from primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, SSH cDNAs library of primary spermatocyte-specific was constructed. The average insert size of the cDNA isolated from 75 randomly picked white clones was 500 bp, ranging from 250 bp to 1.7 kb. Using the dot-blot method, a total of 421 clones were examined, resulting in the identification of 390 positive clones emitting strong signals. Partial sequence of cDNAs prepared from each clone was determined with an overall success rate of 84.4%. Genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase II and the rescue factor-humanin were most frequently expressed in primary spermatocytes, suggesting their roles involved in meiosis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Triuncina daii(Lepidoptera:Bombycidae) and its phylogenetic implications

The bombycid moth, Triuncina daii Xing Wang ＆ Zolotuhin, 2015, plays an important role for analyzing the phylogenetic relationships of the family Bombycidae （Lepidoptera： Bombycoidea）. Here we first describe the complete mitochondrial genome （mitogenome） of T. daii, which includes thirteen protein-coding genes （PCGs）, twenty-two transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and an A＋T-rich region, and we find the mitogenome is 15,482 bp in length （GenBank no. KY091643）. The genes order and orientation in the T. daii mitogenome are similar to other sequenced lepidopteran species. Except for cox1, all of the PCGs started with ATN. Twelve PCGs stopped at TAA except for cox1 which stops at a single T. Thirteen PCGs of available species are used to demonstrate the inner phylogenetic relationships of Bombycoidea. The bombycid species form a monophyletic clade with a bootstrap value of 100% and a posterior probability of 1.00.

Genetic difference of Chinese horseshoe crab(Tachypleus tridentatus) in southeast coast of China based on mitochondrial COI gene analysis

Population genetic structure and historical demography of Chinese horseshoe crab (T.tridentatus)along southeast coast of China were inferred from the sequence data of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COI) fragment.The sequence analysis for 964 bp COI fragment was conducted in 28 individuals collected from five localities:Ninghai in Zhejiang Province,Meizhou and Zhangpu in Fujian Province,Beihai of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Danzhou of Hainan Province.Sequence variation was relatively low with a total of seven transitions observed.In all localities,Haplotype H3 was the dominant type observed among eight haplotypes defined previously,and was at the center of radiation in Median-Joining network.The prolonged star-like network suggests a signature of population expansions.The level of diversity was low in total,with haplotype diversity ( Hd) being equal to 0.765 and nucleotide diversity (π) being equal to 0.00118,respectively.The genetic structure analysis revealed the significant genetic difference between Ninghai and Danzhou populations.Both mismatch distribution analysis and Fu's Fs test provided consistent inference of historic population expansion.The low genetic diversity of horseshoe crab observed along China coast indicated that urgent measures should be taken to protect this rare marine animal.