scholarly journals Changes in Bacterial Endophyte Community Following Aspergillusflavus Infection in Resistant and Susceptible Maize Kernels

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3747
Author(s):  
Rajtilak Majumdar ◽  
Shyam L. Kandel ◽  
Jeffrey W. Cary ◽  
Kanniah Rajasekaran
Keyword(s):  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Maize Breeding ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Rrna Sequencing ◽  
Functional Profiling ◽  
Maize Kernels

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus)-mediated aflatoxin contamination in maize is a major global economic and health concern. As A. flavus is an opportunistic seed pathogen, the identification of factors contributing to kernel resistance will be of great importance in the development of novel mitigation strategies. Using V3–V4 bacterial rRNA sequencing and seeds of A. flavus-resistant maize breeding lines TZAR102 and MI82 and a susceptible line, SC212, we investigated kernel-specific changes in bacterial endophytes during infection. A total of 81 bacterial genera belonging to 10 phyla were detected. Bacteria belonging to the phylum Tenericutes comprised 86–99% of the detected phyla, followed by Proteobacteria (14%) and others (<5%) that changed with treatments and/or genotypes. Higher basal levels (without infection) of Streptomyces and Microbacterium in TZAR102 and increases in the abundance of Stenotrophomonas and Sphingomonas in MI82 following infection may suggest their role in resistance. Functional profiling of bacteria using 16S rRNA sequencing data revealed the presence of bacteria associated with the production of putative type II polyketides and sesquiterpenoids in the resistant vs. susceptible lines. Future characterization of endophytes predicted to possess antifungal/ anti-aflatoxigenic properties will aid in their development as effective biocontrol agents or microbiome markers for maize aflatoxin resistance.

scholarly journals Occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in maize kernels and molecular characterization of the producing organism, Aspergillus

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (40) ◽  
pp. 5839-5844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Muthusamy ◽  
Karthikeyan Arumugam ◽  
Velazhahan Rethinasamy ◽  
Madhavan Srinivasan ◽  
Jayaraj Thangamuthu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Maize Kernels

scholarly journals Characterization of Brown Streak Virus–Resistant Cassava

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi B. Anjanappa ◽  
Devang Mehta ◽  
M. N. Maruthi ◽  
Edward Kanju ◽  
Wilhelm Gruissem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Africa ◽  
Virus Titer ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Streak Virus ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Systemic Movement ◽  
Cassava Brown Streak Virus ◽  
Elite Breeding Lines ◽  
Brown Streak

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) has become a major constraint to cassava production in East and Central Africa. The identification of new sources of CBSD resistance is essential to deploy CBSD mitigation strategies, as the disease is progressing westwards to new geographical areas. A stringent infection method based on top cleft–grafting combined with precise virus titer quantitation was utilized to screen 14 cassava cultivars and elite breeding lines. When inoculated with mixed infections of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), the scions of elite breeding lines KBH 2006/18 and KBH 2006/26 remained symptom-free during a 16-week period of virus graft inoculation, while susceptible varieties displayed typical CBSD infection symptoms at 4 weeks after grafting. The identified CBSD resistance was stable under the coinoculation of CBSV and UCBSV with cassava geminiviruses. Double-grafting experiments revealed that transmission of CBSV and UCBSV to CBSD-susceptible top scions was delayed when using intermediate scions of elite breeding lines KBH 2006/18 and KBH 2006/26. Nonetheless, comparison of virus systemic movement using scions from KBH2006/18 and a transgenic CBSD resistant 60444 line (60444-Hp9 line) showed that both CBSV and UCBSV move at undetectable levels through the stems. Further, protoplast-based assays of virus titers showed that the replication of CBSV is inhibited in the resistant line KBH2006/18, suggesting that the identified CBSD resistance is at least partially based on inhibition of virus replication. Our molecular characterization of CBSD resistance in cassava offers a robust virus-host system to further investigate the molecular determinants of CBSD resistance.

A Maize Lectin-Like Protein with Antifungal Activity against Aspergillus flavus

2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. BAKER ◽  
R. L. BROWN ◽  
Z.-Y. CHEN ◽  
T. E. CLEVELAND ◽  
A. M. FAKHOURY
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Aflatoxin Contamination ◽  
Partial Characterization ◽  
Ear Rot ◽  
Sources Of Resistance ◽  
Fungistatic Activity ◽  
Maize Genotypes ◽  
Proteomics Approach ◽  
Maize Kernels

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus causes an ear rot on maize and produces a mycotoxin (aflatoxin) in colonized maize kernels. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic to humans and animals upon ingestion. Aflatoxin contamination results in a large loss of profits and marketable yields for farmers each year. Several research groups have worked to pinpoint sources of resistance to A. flavus and the resulting aflatoxin contamination in maize. Some maize genotypes exhibit greater resistance than others. A proteomics approach has recently been used to identify endogenous maize proteins that may be associated with resistance to the fungus. Research has been conducted on cloning, expression, and partial characterization of one such protein, which has a sequence similar to that of cold-regulated proteins. The expressed protein, ZmCORp, exhibited lectin-like hem-agglutination activity against fungal conidia and sheep erythrocytes. Quantitative real-time PCR assays revealed that ZmCOR is expressed 50% more in maize kernels from the Mp420 line, a type of maize resistant to A. flavus, compared with the expression level of the gene in the susceptible B73 line. ZmCORp exhibited fungistatic activity when conidia from A. flavus were exposed to the protein at a final concentration of 18 mM. ZmCORp inhibited the germination of conidia by 80%. A 50% decrease in mycelial growth resulted when germinated conidia were incubated with the protein. The partial characterization of ZmCORp suggests that this protein may play an important role in enhancing kernel resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation.

Application of solid-phase immune electron microscopy to study physical and stability characteristics of enterically transmitted non-a, non-b hepatitis virus

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
Charles D. Humphrey ◽  
E. H. Cook ◽  
Karen A. McCaustland ◽  
Daniel W. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Immune Electron Microscopy

Enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANBH) is a type of hepatitis which is increasingly becoming a significant world health concern. As with hepatitis A virus (HAV), spread is by the fecal-oral mode of transmission. Until recently, the etiologic agent had not been isolated and identified. We have succeeded in the isolation and preliminary characterization of this virus and demonstrating that this agent can cause hepatic disease and seroconversion in experimental primates. Our characterization of this virus was facilitated by immune (IEM) and solid phase immune electron microscopic (SPIEM) methodologies.Many immune electron microscopy methodologies have been used for morphological identification and characterization of viruses. We have previously reported a highly effective solid phase immune electron microscopy procedure which facilitated identification of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in crude cell culture extracts. More recently we have reported utilization of the method for identification of an etiologic agent responsible for (ET-NANBH).

Functional characterization of PGPR and its identification through 16 S rRNA sequencing

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmin M Dhingani ◽  
◽  
Manoj V Parakhia ◽  
Rukam S Tomar ◽  
Bipin J Malviya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Rrna Sequencing ◽  
16 S Rrna

Characterization of the Reproductive Mode in Guayule In Vitro

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 483a-483
Author(s):  
Roy N. Keys ◽  
Dennis T. Ray ◽  
David A. Dierig
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Reproductive Modes ◽  
Desert Southwest ◽  
2,4 Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray, Asteraceae) is a latex-producing perennial desert shrub that is potentially of economic importance as an industrial crop for the desert Southwest. It is known to possess complex reproductive modes. Diploids are predominantly sexual and self-incompatible, while polyploids show a range of apomictic potential and self-compatibility. This paper describes the development of a relatively rapid and simple technique for characterizing reproductive modes of breeding lines of P. argentatum. Initial field experiments were based on an auxin test used successfully to characterize reproductive mode in the Poaceae. The application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid inhibited embryo formation in P. argentatum, but this was not the case with other auxins tested. Results of field experiments were ambiguous because: 1) the floral structure of P. argentatum is such that auxins might not have penetrated to the ovules, and 2) there was potential self-fertilization by pollen released within isolation bags. Therefore, in vitro culture of flower heads was tested because it provided much better control of environmental conditions, growth regulator application, and pollen release. Auxin alone, or in combination with gibberellic acid or kinetin, inhibited parthenogenesis in vitro. Embryo production did not vary using two substantially different nutrient media. In vitro flower head culture using a (Nitsch and Nitsch) liquid nutrient medium without growth regulators, enabled characterization of the reproductive mode of seven breeding lines, ranging from predominantly sexual to predominantly apomictic. The results of this technique were substantiated using RAPD analyzes of progeny arrays from controlled crosses.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of two different lameness models in meat goats, a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily J Reppert ◽  
Michael D Kleinhenz ◽  
Abbie Viscardi ◽  
Shawnee R Montgomery ◽  
Alison R Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Interphalangeal Joint ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Distal Interphalangeal Joint ◽  
Livestock Species ◽  
Meat Goats ◽  
Distal Interphalangeal ◽  
Maximum Temperatures

Abstract Lameness is a serious health concern for livestock species. Understanding individual animal response to pain and characterization of lameness are critical when developing appropriate treatments. The objectives of this pilot study was to evaluate two different lameness models and measures for determining response to induced lameness in meat goats. Lameness was induced by intraarticular injection into the left hind lateral claw distal interphalangeal joint with either amphotericin B (Amp-B) or kaolin-carrageenan (K-C). Response to lameness was characterized by behavior scoring, visual lameness scoring (VLS), infrared thermography (IRT) of the affected digit, pressure mat gait analysis (PMT), and plasma cortisol (CORT) analysis. Lame goats had higher VLS compared to controls (P = 0.003). Maximum temperatures measured in hooves from lame vs control goats were significantly higher (P = 0.003). Pressure mat analysis demonstrated, when compared to controls, lame goats had decreased force (P = 0.013), impulse (P = 0.007), contact pressure (P = 0.007), and contact area of the left hind limb (P = 0.009). Mean CORT levels 4 and 6 h after lameness induction were higher in lame goats (P = 0.005, P = 0.01). The two lameness methods reliably induced lameness of varying severity in healthy meat goats.

scholarly journals Development of a User-Friendly Pipeline for Mutational Analyses of HIV Using Ultra-Accurate Maximum-Depth Sequencing

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1338
Author(s):  
Morgan E. Meissner ◽  
Emily J. Julik ◽  
Jonathan P. Badalamenti ◽  
William G. Arndt ◽  
Lauren J. Mills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Error Rates ◽  
Maximum Depth ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Background Error ◽  
High Background ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Viral Mutagenesis ◽  
Hiv 1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) accumulates fewer mutations during replication than HIV type 1 (HIV-1). Advanced studies of HIV-2 mutagenesis, however, have historically been confounded by high background error rates in traditional next-generation sequencing techniques. In this study, we describe the adaptation of the previously described maximum-depth sequencing (MDS) technique to studies of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 for the ultra-accurate characterization of viral mutagenesis. We also present the development of a user-friendly Galaxy workflow for the bioinformatic analyses of sequencing data generated using the MDS technique, designed to improve replicability and accessibility to molecular virologists. This adapted MDS technique and analysis pipeline were validated by comparisons with previously published analyses of the frequency and spectra of mutations in HIV-1 and HIV-2 and is readily expandable to studies of viral mutation across the genomes of both viruses. Using this novel sequencing pipeline, we observed that the background error rate was reduced 100-fold over standard Illumina error rates, and 10-fold over traditional unique molecular identifier (UMI)-based sequencing. This technical advancement will allow for the exploration of novel and previously unrecognized sources of viral mutagenesis in both HIV-1 and HIV-2, which will expand our understanding of retroviral diversity and evolution.

scholarly journals Functional profiling of COVID-19 respiratory tract microbiomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niina Haiminen ◽  
Filippo Utro ◽  
Ed Seabolt ◽  
Laxmi Parida
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Carbohydrate Metabolism ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Functional Profiling

AbstractIn response to the ongoing global pandemic, characterizing the molecular-level host interactions of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19 has been at the center of unprecedented scientific focus. However, when the virus enters the body it also interacts with the micro-organisms already inhabiting the host. Understanding the virus-host-microbiome interactions can yield additional insights into the biological processes perturbed by viral invasion. Alterations in the gut microbiome species and metabolites have been noted during respiratory viral infections, possibly impacting the lungs via gut-lung microbiome crosstalk. To better characterize microbial functions in the lower respiratory tract during COVID-19 infection, we carry out a functional analysis of previously published metatranscriptome sequencing data of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from eight COVID-19 cases, twenty-five community-acquired pneumonia patients, and twenty healthy controls. The functional profiles resulting from comparing the sequences against annotated microbial protein domains clearly separate the cohorts. By examining the associated metabolic pathways, distinguishing functional signatures in COVID-19 respiratory tract microbiomes are identified, including decreased potential for lipid metabolism and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, and increased potential for carbohydrate metabolism pathways. The results include overlap between previous studies on COVID-19 microbiomes, including decrease in the glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway and increase in carbohydrate metabolism. The results also suggest novel connections to consider, possibly specific to the lower respiratory tract microbiome, calling for further research on microbial functions and host-microbiome interactions during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Genomic investigation of a dengue virus outbreak in Thiès, Senegal, in 2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Gaye ◽  
Tolla Ndiaye ◽  
Mouhamad Sy ◽  
Awa B. Deme ◽  
Alphonse B. Thiaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Local Circulation ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Genomic Characterization ◽  
The City

AbstractDengue virus is a major and rapidly growing public health concern in tropic and subtropic regions across the globe. In late 2018, Senegal experienced its largest dengue virus outbreak to date, covering several regions. However, little is known about the genetic diversity of dengue virus (DENV) in Senegal. Here we report complete viral genomes from 17 previously undetected DENV cases from the city of Thiès. In total we identified 19 cases of DENV in a cohort of 198 individuals with fever collected in October and November 2018. We detected 3 co-circulating serotypes; DENV 3 was the most frequent accounting for 11/17 sequences (65%), 4 (23%) were DENV2 and 2 (12%) were DENV1. Sequences were most similar to recent sequences from West Africa, suggesting ongoing local circulation of viral populations; however, detailed inference is limited by the scarcity of available genomic data. We did not find clear associations with reported clinical signs or symptoms, highlighting the importance of testing for diagnosing febrile diseases. Overall, these findings expand the known range of DENV in Senegal, and underscore the need for better genomic characterization of DENV in West Africa.

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