Molecular characterization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains isolated from different environments by three PCR-based methods

PCR-based DNA fingerprinting, REP-PCR(repetitive element PCR), RAPD(randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) and16 S r DNA sequence analyses were used to characterize 23 Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains isolated from different environments.(GTG)5 and BOXA1 R primer were selected for REP-PCR. Twenty arbitrary primers were used for RAPD to acquire DNA profiles from A. ferrooxidans. Both RAPD and REP-PCR produce complex banding patterns and show good discriminatory ability in differentiating closely related strains of A. ferrooxidans. The strains are clustered into 4 or 5 major groups and reveal genomic diversity using(GTG)5-PCR, BOX-PCR and RAPD analysis. Phylogenetic tree based on 16 S r DNA sequences of 23 strains and related strains shows that they are clustered into two distinct groups. Twelve strains are highly related to a new Acidithiobacillus named Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans. The results indicate that PCR-based methods are effective in revealing genetic diversity among A. ferrooxidans.

Association of hypomethylation of LINE-1 repetitive element in blood leukocyte DNA with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma

Global DNA hypomethylation has been associated with increased risk for cancers of the colorectum,bladder,breast,head and neck,and testicular germ cells.The aim of this study was to examine whether global hypomethylation in blood leukocyte DNA is associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).A total of 315 HCC cases and 356 age-,sex-and HBsAg status-matched controls were included.Global methylation in blood leukocyte DNA was estimated by analyzing long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) repeats using bisulfite-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pyrosequencing.We observed that the median methylation level in HCC cases (percentage of 5-methylcytosine (5mC)=77.7%) was significantly lower than that in controls (79.5% 5mC) (P=0.004,Wilcoxon rank-sum test).The odds ratios (ORs) of HCC for individuals in the third,second,and first (lowest) quartiles of LINE-1 methylation were 1.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-1.8),1.4 (95% CI 0.8-2.2),and 2.6 (95% CI 1.7-4.1) (P for trend <0.001),respectively,compared to individuals in the fourth (highest) quartile.A 1.9-fold (95% CI 1.4-2.6) increased risk of HCC was observed among individuals with LINE-1 methylation below the median compared to individuals with higher (>median) LINE-1 methylation.Our results demonstrate for the first time that individuals with global hypomethylation measured in LINE-1 repeats in blood leukocyte DNA have an increased risk for HCC.Our data provide the evidence that global hypomethylation detected in the easily obtainable DNA source of blood leukocytes may help identify individuals at risk of HCC.

A Profile of Native Integration Sites Used by φC31 Integrase in the Bovine Genome

The Streptomyces phage φC31 integrase can efficiently target attB-bearing transgenes to endogenous pseudo attP sites within mammalian genomes. To better understand the activity of φC31 integrase in the bovine genome, DNA sequences of 44 integration events were analyzed, and 32 pseudo attP sites were identified. The majority of these sites share a sequence motif that contains inverted repeats and has similarities to wild-type attP site. Genomic DNA flanking these sites typically contained repetitive sequence elements, such as short and long interspersed repetitive elements. These sequence features indicate that DNA sequence recognition plays an important role in guiding φC31-mediated site-specific integration. In addition, BF27 integration hotspot sites were identified in the bovine genome, which accounted for 13.6% of all isolated integration events and mapped to an intron of the deleted in liver cancer 1 （DLC1） gene. Also we found that the pseudo attP sites in the bovine genome had other features in common with those in the human genome. This study represents the first time that the sequence features of pseudo attP sites specific integrase system has great potential for applied modifications in the bovine genome were analyzed. We conclude that this site- of the bovine genome.

New horizons of regulatory RNA

Genetic information flows from DNA to protein through RNA in the central dogma.Different RNA species are known to accomplish essential tasks of protein encoding(mRNAs),amino acid loading(tRNAs),and translation machinery assembly(rRNAs).However,on top of these well-known roles,RNAs are central to various cellular regulatory pathways.Here we summarize newly emerging regulatory functions of RNA,specifically focusing on regulations through RNA modifications,RNP granules,and chromatin-associated regulatory RNA.In addition to being an essential building block of the central dogma,RNA can be critical to the regulation of many cellular processes.

The agents of natural genome editing

The DNA serves as a stable information storage medium and every protein which is needed by the cell is produced from this blueprint via an RNA intermediate code.More recently it was found that an abundance of various RNA elements cooperate in a variety of steps and substeps as regulatory and catalytic units with multiple competencies to act on RNA transcripts.Natural genome editing on one side is the competent agent-driven generation and integration of meaningful DNA nucleotide sequences into pre-existing genomic content arrangements,and the ability to(re-)combine and(re-)regulate them according to context-dependent(i.e.adaptational)purposes of the host organism.Natural genome editing on the other side designates the integration of all RNA activities acting on RNA transcripts without altering DNA-encoded genes.If we take the genetic code seriously as a natural code,there must be agents that are competent to act on this code because no natural code codes itself as no natural language speaks itself.As code editing agents,viral and subviral agents have been suggested because there are several indicators that demonstrate viruses competent in both RNA and DNA natural genome editing.