Complete nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence amplification and molecular analyses of Bangia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from China

Filamentous Bangia,which are distributed extensively throughout the world,have simple and similar morphological characteristics.Scientists can classify these organisms using molecular markers in combination with morphology.We successfully sequenced the complete nuclear ribosomal DNA.approximately 13 kb in length,from a marine Bangia population.We further analyzed the small subunit ribosomal DNA gene(nrSSU) and the internal transcribed spacer(ITS) sequence regions along with nine other marine,and two freshwater Bangia samples from China.Pairwise distances of the nrSSU and 5.8S ribosomal DNA gene sequences show the marine samples grouping together with low divergences(0-0.003;0-0.006,respectively) from each other,but high divergences(0.123-0.126;0.198,respectively) from freshwater samples.An exception is the marine sample collected from Weihai,which shows high divergence from both other marine samples(0.063-0.065;0.129,respectively) and the freshwater samples(0.097;0.120,respectively).A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree based on a combined SSU-ITS dataset with maximum likelihood method shows the samples divided into three clades,with the two marine sample clades containing Bangia spp.from North America,Europe,Asia,and Australia;and one freshwater clade,containing Bangia atropurpurea from North America and China.

Sequence analysis of the ITS region and 5.8S rDNA of Porphyra haitanensis

The sequences of the ITS(internal transcribed spacer) and 5.8S rDNA of three cultivated strains of Porphyra haitanensis thalli(NB,PT and ST) were amplified,sequenced and analyzed.In addition,the phylogenic relationships of the sequences identified in this study with those of other Porphyra retrieved from GenBank were evaluated.The results are as follows:the sequences of the ITS and 5.8S rDNA were essentially identical among the three strains.The sequences of ITS1 were 331 bp to 334 bp,while those of the 5.8S rDNA were 158 bp and the sequences of ITS2 ranged from 673 bp to 681 bp.The sequences of the ITS had a high level of homology(up to 99.5%) with that of P.haitanensis(DQ662228) retrieved from GenBank,but were only approximately 50% homologous with those of other species of Porphyra.The results obtained when a phylogenetic tree was constructed coincided with the results of the homology analysis.These results suggest that the three cultivated strains of P.haitanensis evolved conservatively and that the ITS showed evolutionary consistency.However,the sequences of the ITS and 5.8S rDNA of different Porphyra species showed great variations.Therefore,the relationship of Porphyra interspecies phyletic evolution could be judged,which provides the proof for Porphyra identification study.However,proper classifications of the subspecies and the populations of Porphyra should be determined through the use of other molecular techniques to determine the genetic variability and rational phylogenetic relationships.

Antioxidant properties of wheat germ protein hydrolysates evaluated in vitro

Wheat germ protein hydrolysates were prepared by protease hydrolysis, ultrafiltration and dynamical adsorption of resin. The total amount of amino acids in 100 g wheat germ protein hydrolysates is 93.95 g. Wheat germ protein hydrolysates are primarily composed of 4 fractions: 17.78% in the relative molecular mass range of 115631512, 17.50% in 1512842, 27.38% in 842372 and 30.65% in 37276, respectively. The antioxidant properties of wheat germ protein hydrolysates were evaluated by using different antioxidant tests in vitro. 1.20 g/L wheat germ protein hydrolysates exhibit 78.75% inhibition of peroxidation in linolei acid system; and 1.6g/L wheat germ protein hydrolysates show 81.11% scavenging effect on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhrazyl radical. The reducing power of 2.50 g/L wheat germ protein hydrolysates is 0.84. Furthermore, the scavenging activity of 0.60 g/L wheat germ protein hydrolysates against superoxide radical is 75.40%; 0.50 g/L wheat germ protein hydrolysates exhibit 63.35% chelating effect on ferrous ion. These antioxidant activities of wheat germ protein hydrolsates increase with the increase of its concentration. Experimental results suggest that wheat germ protein hydrolysate is a suitable natural antioxidant rich in nutrition and nontoxic.

Species diversity of Lachnum (Helotiales, Hyaloscyphaceae) from temperate China

Twenty-three temperate China species of Lachnum, Lachnum abnorme, L. angustum, L. brevipilosum, L. calosporum, L. calyculiforme, L. carneolum, L. ciliare, L. controversum, L. flavidulum, L. cf. fushanese, L. indicum, L. kumaonicum, L. lushanese, L. minutum, L. montanum, L. cf. pteridophyllum, L. pygmaeum, L. sclerotii var. sclerotii, L. sclerotii var. sichuanense, L. subpygmeaum, L. tenuissimum, L. virgineum and L. willisii are reported, whose main characteristics are given in a formula of the described species, some of which are discussed below.

High-quality reference genomes of swallowtail butterflies provide insights into their coloration evolution

Swallowtail butterflies(Papilionidae)are a historically significant butterfly group due to their colorful wing patterns,extensive morphological diversity,and phylogenetically important position as a sister group to all other butterflies and have been widely studied regarding ecological adaption,phylogeny,genetics,and evolution.Notably,they contain a unique class of pigments,i.e.,papiliochromes,which contribute to their color diversity and various biological functions such as predator avoidance and mate preference.To date,however,the genomic and genetic basis of their color diversity and papiliochrome origin in a phylogenetic and evolutionary context remain largely unknown.Here,we obtained high-quality reference genomes of 11 swallowtail butterfly species covering all tribes of Papilioninae and Parnassiinae using long-read sequencing technology.Combined with previously published butterfly genomes,we obtained robust phylogenetic relationships among tribes,overcoming the challenges of incomplete lineage sorting(ILS)and gene flow.Comprehensive genomic analyses indicated that the evolution of Papilionidae-specific conserved non-exonic elements(PSCNEs)and transcription factor binding sites(TFBSs)of patterning and transporter/cofactor genes,together with the rapid evolution of transporters/cofactors,likely promoted the origin and evolution of papiliochromes.These findings not only provide novel insights into the genomic basis of color diversity,especially papiliochrome origin in swallowtail butterflies,but also provide important data resources for exploring the evolution,ecology,and conservation of butterflies.

The P450-type carotene hydroxylase PuCHY1 from Porphyra suggests the evolution of carotenoid metabolism in red algae

Carotene hydroxylases catalyze the hydroxylation of a- and β-carotene hydrocarbons into xanthophylls.In red algae,β-carotene is a ubiquitously distributed carotenoid,and hydroxylated carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein are also found.However,no enzyme with carotene hydroxylase activity had been previously identified in red algae.Here,we report the isolation of a gene encoding a cytochrome P450-type carotene hydroxylase（PuCHY1） from Porphyra umbilicalis,a red alga with an ancient origin.Sequence comparisons found PuCHY1 belongs to the CYP97 B subfamily,which has members from different photosynthetic organisms ranging from red algae to land plants.Functional complementation in Escherichia coli suggested that PuCHY1 catalyzed the conversion from β-carotene to zeaxanthin.When we overexpressed PuCHYi in the Arabidopsis thaliana chy2 mutant,pigment analysis showed a significant accumulation of hydroxylated carotenoids,including neoxanthin,violaxanthin,and lutein in the leaves of transgenic plants.These results confirmed a β-hydroxylation activity of PuCHY1,and also suggested a possible ε-hydroxylation function.The pigment profile and gene expression analyses of the algal thallus under high-light stress suggested that P.umbilicalis is unlikely to operate a partial xanthophyll cycle for photoprotection.