浮游动物DNA宏条形码标志基因比较研究

DNA宏条形码技术作为一种新型生物监测方法,在未来生态环境监测中有巨大的应用潜力。目前,浮游动物DNA宏条形码监测仍在发展阶段,需要首先对其(采样方法、引物选择和数据分析等)进行标准化和调整,然后才能用于常规流域生态监测。其中,如何选择合适的PCR扩增引物是DNA宏条形码生物监测标准化的关键问题之一。本研究比较了COI、18SV9和16S通用引物在浮游动物DNA宏条形码监测中的差异,为初步建立规范化的浮游动物DNA宏条形码监测方法提供技术支撑。结果表明,16S引物对浮游动物具有更好的特异性,其产生的操作分类单元(operational taxonomic unit, OTU)有88.1%属于浮游动物。虽然18SV9引物具有更高的物种覆盖度,不仅能扩增出浮游动物,还能扩增出大量藻类和真菌,但其物种识别敏感性较差,不适合浮游动物物种水平多样性监测。COI引物的浮游动物物种特异性、物种覆盖度和物种识别敏感性都适中,检出的浮游动物物种数量高于18SV9引物和16S引物,更加适合浮游动物DNA宏条形码监测。     

DNA宏条形码(metabarcoding)技术在浮游植物群落监测研究中的应用

保护生物多样性和生态系统健康是维持生态系统功能和实现人类可持续发展的必要条件。浮游植物作为水生生态系统的初级生产者发挥着重要的生态功能,同时有毒藻类的爆发也会威胁水生态安全。然而,基于形态学的物种鉴定方法难以满足日益增长的水生态环境监测的需求。DNA条形码技术利用基因组特定基因的DNA序列来鉴别生物物种,目前已被广泛用于快速物种鉴别。然而其在水生生态系统浮游植物群落的监测中才刚刚起步。由于浮游植物物种多样性高,单基因DNA条形码往往难以识别所有浮游植物种类;近年来,采用多基因条形码、全叶绿体基因组序列的超级条形码,以及特定DNA条形码方法在浮游植物种类鉴别中有很大潜力。本文综述了浮游植物DNA条形码技术在物种鉴别研究方面的进展,以及DNA宏条形码技术(DNA metabarcoding)在水生浮游植物环境监测的应用现状及前景。     

DNA宏条形码（metabarcoding）技术在浮游植物群落监测研究中的应用

保护生物多样性和生态系统健康是维持生态系统功能和实现人类可持续发展的必要条件。浮游植物作为水生生态系统的初级生产者发挥着重要的生态功能,同时有毒藻类的爆发也会威胁水生态安全。然而,基于形态学的物种鉴定方法难以满足日益增长的水生态环境监测的需求。DNA条形码技术利用基因组特定基因上、短的DNA序列来鉴别生物物种,目前已广泛用于快速物种鉴别。然而其在水生生态系统浮游植物群落的监测中才刚刚起步。由于浮游植物物种多样性高,单基因DNA条形码往往不足以识别所有浮游植物种类;近年来,采用多基因条形码、全叶绿体基因组序列的超级条形码,以及特定DNA条形码方法在单物种和群落水平上区分浮游植物种类的潜力很大。本文综述了浮游植物DNA条形码技术在物种鉴别研究方面的进展,以及DNA宏条形码技术（DNA metabarcoding）在水生浮游植物环境监测的应用现状及前景。     

DNA条形码识别 Ⅵ：基于微型DNA条形码的果实蝇物种鉴定

选用双翅目实蝇科12属36种55个样本为材料,将其DNA条形码(mtDNACOI基因648 bp)与微型DNA条形码(mtDNACOI基因50～200 bp)数据进行比较分析,探讨微型DNA条形码对果实蝇物种鉴定的可行性.采用虚拟实验(Silico analysis),将BOLD数据库中49个样本的序列分别拆成648 bp、160 bp、50 bp三个片段,通过构建NJ树,并进行遗传距离分析,得出每个片段鉴定物种的准确性依次为100%、94%、84%.同时做了实体实验(Empirical test),得到了果实蝇属6个物种的COI序列,将其与虚拟实验中的49个样本序列合并,以DNA-barcode指定序列5'端160 bp序列为分析基础,通过遗传距离分析,得出其鉴定物种的准确性为94%,验证了虚拟实验结果.即微型DNA条形码(Minimalist-barcode)鉴定果实蝇物种的准确性与DNA条形码基本一致,均可作为果实蝇物种鉴定的有效依据.图2表1参29附1     

石油烃厌氧降解关键基因masD和bamA的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法与应用

masD和bamA是控制石油烃厌氧降解的关键基因，利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测masD和bamA基因具有简便快速和易操作等优点.但目前所用方法存在扩增效率低，方法灵敏度较差的问题.本文根据引物设计原则，利用Allele ID6软件重新设计了扩增masD和bamA的实时荧光定量PCR引物，将质粒DNA进行8次10倍梯度稀释后构建实时荧光定量PCR标准曲线.优化后的体系（20μL）为：FastStart Essential DNA Green Master 10.0μL，上下游引物各0.4μL,RNase-Free Water 4.2μL,5.0μL DNA模板.利用新设计的引物扩增masD和bamA基因的最适退火温度分别为61℃和57℃.优化后的检测方法扩增效率提高至97.5%和71.2%，比文献报道的方法提高了7.6%—44.5%，具有更高的重复性和灵敏度.利用设计的引物对陕北5个地区石油污染土壤中的masD和bamA基因进行定量检测结果表明，石油污染土壤中普遍存在着控制石油烃厌氧降解的关键基因，所测定的土壤中bamA降解基因的拷贝数远高于masD降解基因.     

光合细菌PCR检测技术的建立与应用

针对光合细菌传统的菌种鉴定方法和MPN定量方法存在费时、费力和准确性筹的问题,本研究建立了光合细菌特异PCR鉴定技术和实时荧光PCR定量的检测技术.以微生物肥料产品常用的光合细菌沼泽红假单胞菌和类球红细菌作为研究对象,分别依据16S rDNA序列和gyrB序列设计出具有种水平特异性的引物,优化并确定了PCR反应条件,其灵敏度达到100 pg/μL,对6个光合细菌产品鉴定的符合率为100%,结果表明建立的PCR鉴定技术具有特异性、灵敏性和实用性.再根据16S rDNA的保守序列设计了常用光合细菌通用引物,用其对系列稀释的已知菌含量样品的DNA模板进行荧光定量PCR,制作标准曲线.对10个光合细菌样品进行荧光定量PCR法测定,根据与标准曲线比较得出样品中的光合细菌含量,其结果与MPN法的相关系数为0.98,两者具有良好的相天性,结果表明建立的荧光定量PCR法可用于光合细菌的定量检测,并具有高特异性和快速等优点.     

马氏珠母贝hsp90基因的克隆及芘胁迫对其表达水平的影响

利用简并引物PCR(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)方法和cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术获得马氏珠母贝Pinctada martensii hsp90基因cDNA序列,全长为2 584 bp。根据所得序列设计定量特异性PCR引物,采用半定量RT-PCR以及实时荧光定量(real-time PCR)PCR检测了马氏珠母贝外套膜、鳃、肝胰腺、闭壳肌、性腺、腹足等组织中hsp90基因的表达水平。同时,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测了芘暴露处理前后马氏珠母贝肝胰腺组织中hsp90基因的表达水平。研究结果表明:马氏珠母贝hsp90基因在不同组织中的表达水平为性腺鳃肝胰腺外套膜腹足闭壳肌,表现出组织差异性。芘胁迫对马氏珠母贝hsp90基因的表达有一定的诱导作用,暴露后第1天和第5天,随染毒浓度的增加,hsp90基因的表达上调,呈现出一定的剂量-效应关系,于染毒后第7天基本恢复。研究结果显示,马氏珠母贝hsp90基因可以作为一种理想的分子生物标记物用于监测海洋环境中芘的污染。     

酸性河流中浮游动物群落分析

为研究浮游动物对广东大宝山矿区外排酸性废水的响应,以评估周边及下游水域的水生态环境现状,于2010年9月采样调查了广东大宝山矿区周边河流的浮游动物状况,对比分析了受矿山酸性废水影响严重的水域与影响较小的水域浮游动物的种类组成、丰度、生物多样性指数及均匀度等指标差异,并探讨了浮游动物群落与环境因子之间的关系.结果表明,检出的46种浮游动物中轮虫类种类最多,有24种,枝角类和桡足类分别为10种和9种,原生动物仅有3种.其中受污染较为严重的受损组(S1~S3)几乎未发现浮游动物,臂尾轮虫和异尾轮虫在相对受污染影响较小的恢复组(S4~S7)占有较大优势.调查得到的浮游动物最大丰度及生物量分别为378.26 ind./L和1.990 1 mg/L.相关分析表明,pH、总氮、氨氮、高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)、硅酸盐及重金属铅和铬等环境因子对浮游动物群落分布影响显著.     

利用室内微宇宙系统研究三唑酮对淡水浮游动物群落的影响

三唑酮广泛用于水稻田,常在水环境中残留。为研究三唑酮在环境暴露下的生态风险,通过室内标准微宇宙试验系统检验三唑酮对浮游动物的效应。结果表明,在试验初期,三唑酮对部分浮游动物种群表现出抑制作用:对枝角类生物有明显的抑制作用,对桡足类则展现出轻微的抑制作用。8种生物及桡足类无节幼虫对三唑酮的敏感性依次为:盘肠溞平突船卵溞隆线溞萼花臂尾轮虫低额溞≥锯缘真剑水蚤≥无节幼虫≥单趾轮虫≥中华薄壳介。在整个试验周期内,三唑酮对浮游动物群落的最大无作用剂量(NOEC_(community))2 078.88μg·L~(-1)。在水稻种植季节,三唑酮在沟渠水最大残留浓度为12.00μg·L~(-1),低于本研究中三唑酮的NOEC_(community)。由此可以推测,三唑酮对浮游动物群落的风险很小。     

食蚊鱼(Gambusia afinis)cat、gapdh和gst基因的克隆及其在生态毒理学中的应用

根据Ensembl、Genbank登录的鱼类cat、gapdh和gst基因的CDS序列设计普通PCR扩增引物,寻找食蚊鱼的cat、gapdh和gst基因的c DNA片段,并根据定量引物设计要求设计出相应的SYBR Green I荧光定量RT-q PCR引物,建立了食蚊鱼cat、gapdh和gst基因的SYBR Green I荧光定量RT-q PCR方法。该方法在104~108数量级范围内有良好线性关系(R=0.999~1.000);熔解曲线显示扩增产物特异性良好,均为单一峰值;质粒标准品最高浓度与最低浓度的批内试验变异系数与批间试验变异系数均低于2%。利用该方法监测和评价环境污染物对水生生物的影响,选择了水体中常见典型药物污染物——双氯芬酸,研究其对食蚊鱼抗氧化基因表达的影响。结果表明,雌性食蚊鱼暴露在不同浓度双氯芬酸钠(0.005、0.05、0.5和5 mg·L-1)24 h后,其肝脏cat、gapdh和gst的mRNA呈现显著变化,相对于对照组,在低浓度0.005 mg·L-1时,cat与gst mRNA的表达量均有极显著上升(p0.01),而其它浓度均极显著下降(p0.01)。试验表明该方法具有快速、精确、灵敏度高的优点,可为利用该类小型鱼类的原位污染物的生物监测和生态毒理评价提供有力的技术支持。     

Quantification of copepod gut content by differential length amplification quantitative PCR (dla-qPCR)

Quantification of feeding rates and selectivity of zooplankton is vital for understanding the mechanisms structuring marine ecosystems. However, methodological limitations have made many of these studies difficult. Recently, molecular based methods have demonstrated that DNA from prey species can be used to identify zooplankton gut contents, and further, quantitative gut content estimates by quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeted to the 18S rRNA gene have been used to estimate feeding rates in appendicularians and copepods. However, while standard single primer based qPCR assays were quantitative for the filter feeding appendicularian Oikopleura dioica, feeding rates were consistently underestimated in the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. In this study, we test the hypothesis that prey DNA is rapidly digested after ingestion by copepods and describe a qPCR-based assay, differential length amplification qPCR (dla-qPCR), to account for DNA digestion. The assay utilizes multiple primer sets that amplify different sized fragments of the prey 18S rRNA gene and, based on the differential amplification of these fragments, the degree of digestion is estimated and corrected for. Application of this approach to C. finmarchicus fed Rhodomonas marina significantly improved quantitative feeding estimates compared to standard qPCR. The development of dla-qPCR represents a significant advancement towards a quantitative method for assessing in situ copepod feeding rates without involving cultivation-based manipulation.     

Measurement of copepod predation on nauplii using qPCR of the cytochrome oxidase I gene

A method to directly measure predation rates by older stage copepods upon copepod nauplii using species-specific primers for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one gene (mtCOI) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was developed. The general approach is to determine the mtCOI gene copy number of an individual prey organism and the copy number of the same gene in the stomachs of predatory copepods collected in the field. From the knowledge of DNA disappearance rates in the stomachs, ingestion rates can be calculated. In October 2006, laboratory experiments were carried out with Acartia tonsa N1 and N2 as prey and adult female Centropages typicus as predator. The copepods were collected in Narragansett Bay, USA. A. tonsa mtCOI copy numbers copepod⁻¹ were determined for stages N1–C1 and for adults. A. tonsa DNA was detectable in the guts of the predators for as long as 3 h. Exponential rates of decline in prey DNA from the stomachs of the predators are similar to those measured for gut pigments. Because of the very small amount of DNA in an individual N1 or N2 nauplius, procedures were developed to maximize the quantitative extraction and recovery of DNA and to increase the sensitivity of the method. Two quite divergent haplotypes of A. tonsa were found in Narragansett Bay, which required separate qPCR primers; one was present in summer (July) and the other in fall and winter (October and February). With modification, the methods in this study can likely be applied to a range of predator–prey systems.     

Use of environmental DNA in assessment of fish functional and phylogenetic diversity

Assessing the impact of global changes and protection effectiveness is a key step in monitoring marine fishes. Most traditional census methods are demanding or destructive. Nondisturbing and nonlethal approaches based on video and environmental DNA are alternatives to underwater visual census or fishing. However, their ability to detect multiple biodiversity factors beyond traditional taxonomic diversity is still unknown. For bony fishes and elasmobranchs, we compared the performance of eDNA metabarcoding and long-term remote video to assess species’ phylogenetic and functional diversity. We used 10 eDNA samples from 30 L of water each and 25 hr of underwater videos over 4 days on Malpelo Island (pacific coast of Colombia), a remote marine protected area. Metabarcoding of eDNA detected 66% more molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) than species on video. We found 66 and 43 functional entities with a single eDNA marker and videos, respectively, and higher functional richness for eDNA than videos. Despite gaps in genetic reference databases, eDNA also detected a higher fish phylogenetic diversity than videos; accumulation curves showed how 1 eDNA transect detected as much phylogenetic diversity as 25 hr of video. Environmental DNA metabarcoding can be used to affordably, efficiently, and accurately census biodiversity factors in marine systems. Although taxonomic assignments are still limited by species coverage in genetic reference databases, use of MOTUs highlights the potential of eDNA metabarcoding once reference databases have expanded.     

Do corals select zooxanthellae by alternative discharge?

Loss of zooxanthellae (dinoflagellate Symbiodinium) from corals will sometimes lead to mass mortality of corals. To detect and quantify Symbiodinium released from corals, we developed a zooxanthellae “trap” and a quantitative PCR (qPCR) system with Symbiodinium clades A–F-specific primer sets. The trap was attached to a branch or the surface of several wild stony corals, and the water samples within the traps, including released Symbiodinium, were subjected to qPCR. All tested corals released clade C Symbiodinium at estimates of ~5,900 cells h⁻¹ cm⁻² of coral surface. Although all tested Pocillopora eydouxi harboured both clades C and D, some of these colonies released only clade C or released a lesser amount of clade D than that in the tissues. Our Symbiodinium quantification system revealed that wild hermatypic corals constantly release Symbiodinium to the environment. Our result suggests that some corals may discharge certain clades of Symbiodinium alternatively.     

Using environmental DNA to assess population‐wide spatiotemporal reserve use

Scientists increasingly rely on protected areas to assist in biodiversity conservation, yet the efficacy of these areas is rarely systematically assessed, often because of underfunding. Still, adaptive management strategies to maximize conservation success often rely on understanding the temporal and spatial dynamism of populations therein. Examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) is a time and cost‐effective way to monitor species’ distribution, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) provides information on organismal abundance. To date, however, such techniques remain underused for population assessments in protected areas. We determined eDNA concentration of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) to describe its occurrence, range, and use of the Tian e‐Zhou National Nature Reserve in Hubei, China, across seasons and hydrological depths. Despite the observation that total eDNA concentrations were highest in surface waters in summer, finless porpoise eDNA concentrations were significantly higher in deeper waters than in surface waters in summer. During the breeding season (spring), eDNA signals were site specific and restricted to the core area of the reserve. However, postbreeding eDNA concentrations were widespread across the reserve, encompassing sites previously thought to be unfrequented by the species. Our results suggest spatiotemporal idiosyncrasies in site, depth, and seasonal use of the reserve and a propensity for postbreeding population dispersal. With eDNA and qPCR we were able to assess an entire population's use of a protected area. Illuminating nuances in habitat use via eDNA could be valuable to set pragmatic conservation goals for this, and other, species.     

Design and use of group-specific primers and probes for real-time quantitative PCR

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has gained popularity as a technique to detect and quantify a specific group of target microorganisms from various environmental samples including soil, water, sediments, and sludge. Although qPCR is a very useful technique for nucleic acid quantification, accurately quantifying the target microbial group strongly depends on the quality of the primer and probe used. Many aspects of conducting qPCR assays have become increasingly routine and automated; however, one of the most important aspects, designing and selecting primer and probe sets, is often a somewhat arcane process. In many cases, failed or non-specific amplification can be attributed to improperly designed primer-probe sets. This paper is intended to provide guidelines and general principles for designing group-specific primers and probes for qPCR assays. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these guidelines by reviewing the use of qPCR to study anaerobic processes and biologic nutrient removal processes. qPCR assays using group-specific primers and probes designed with this method, have been used to successfully quantify 16S ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (16S rRNA) gene copy numbers from target methanogenic and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in various laboratory- and full-scale biologic processes. Researchers with a good command of primer and probe design can use qPCR as a valuable tool to study biodiversity and to develop more efficient control strategies for biologic processes.     

Community structure of zooplankton across environmental variables in a high-altitude lake of central Himalayas,India

We determined seasonal and spatial variation of zooplankton and their correlation with environment variables in a subtropical lake of the Himalayas. Thirty-eight species of zooplankton were identified, of which, 38.0% belonged to rotifera, 26.3% to cladocera, and 15.7% to copepoda. Nitrogen nutrients, total organic matter (TOM), and clay particles significantly influenced on the distribution pattern of zooplankton. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis showed homogeneous assemblages of dominant zooplankton species except Chydorus gibbus which has wider range of niche partitioning. Turbidity formed by suspended materials facilitated better avoidance of larger zooplankton like Daphnia similis from predators. Sedimentary silt particles influenced on the assemblages of sensitive species such as Tropocyclops prasinus, Asplanchna priodonta and Colurella obtuse. Changes within the land-use pattern in the catchment of the central Himalayan lakes either directly or indirectly impact on the distribution of zooplankton community.     

Measuring copepod naupliar abundance in a subtropical bay using quantitative PCR

Copepod nauplii are important in plankton food web dynamics, but limited information is available about their ecology due to methodological challenges. Reported here is a new molecular method that was developed, optimized, and tested in laboratory and field samples that uses quantitative PCR (qPCR) to identify and estimate the abundance of nauplii of the planktonic copepod, Parvocalanus crassirostris. The overall approach included collection of bulk zooplankton samples in the field, size fractionation to create artificial cohorts of relatively few developmental stages, obtaining DNA copy number for each size fraction by qPCR amplification of a target gene region, and estimation of the number of animals in each fraction through application of known DNA copy number across developmental stage. Method validation studies found that our qPCR-based approach has comparable accuracy to microscope-based counts of early developmental stages. Naupliar abundance estimates obtained using the two methods on cultured populations were similar; the regression of qPCR estimates on microscope-based counts resulted in a nearly 1:1 ratio (slope = 1.09). The qPCR-based method is superior to traditional identification and quantification methods for nauplii due to its higher taxonomic resolution, sensitive detection over a range of DNA quantities, and relatively high throughput sample processing.     

Single-step nested multiplex PCR to differentiate between various bivalve larvae

A nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been developed that allows the discrimination between six bivalve larvae common to Danish coastal waters (Cerastoderma edule, Macoma balthica, Mytilus edulis, Spisula subtruncata, Ensis americanus and members of the order Myoida). This assay involves the simultaneous use of a pair of general universally targeted 18S rRNA gene primers, five specific 18S rRNA gene targeted oligonucleotide primers internal (nested) to the universal primer pair and one species-specific primer that is not nested (Mya). The specificity of each primer was evaluated in silico, empirically, and verified further by sequencing of amplification products from single larvae collected from plankton samples. Identification of individually isolated bivalve larvae from plankton samples was based on the size of the PCR product produced by the specific primers after visualisation by agarose gel electrophoresis. Preliminary studies indicated that this method was suitable for use with freshly collected and preserved larvae, and is therefore suitable for field application.Communicated by M. Kühl, Helsingør