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X B Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to X B Zheng.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular mapping of two cultivar-specific avirulence genes in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea.

Rice blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea, is a globally important disease of rice that causes annual yield losses. The segregation of genes controlling the virulence of M. grisea on rice was studied to establish the genetic basis of cultivar specificity in the interaction of rice and M. grisea. The segregation of avirulence and virulence was studied in 87 M. grisea F(1) progeny isolates from a cross of two isolates, Guy11 and JS153, using resistance-gene-differential rice cultivars. The segregation ratio indicated that avirulence and virulence in the rice cultivars Aichi-asahi and K59, respectively, are controlled by single major genes. Genetic analyses of backcrosses and full-sib crosses in these populations were also performed. The chi(2 )test of goodness-of-fitness for a 1:1 ratio indicated that one dominant gene controls avirulence in Aichi-asahi and K59 in this population. Based on the resistance reactions of rice differential lines harboring known resistance genes to the parental isolates, two genetically independent avirulence genes, AVR-Pit and AVR-Pia, were identified. Genetic linkage analysis showed that the SSR marker m355-356 is closely linked to AVR-Pit, on the telomere of chromosome 1 at a distance of approximately 2.3 cM. The RAPD marker S487, which was converted to a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, was found to be closely linked to AVR-Pia, on the chromosome 7 telomere at a distance of 3.5 cM. These molecular markers will facilitate the positional cloning of the two AVR genes, and can be applied to molecular-marker-assisted studies of M. grisea populations.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of the avirulence gene PRE1, a gene for host-species specificity in the blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea.

We analyzed host-species specificity of Magnaporthe grisea on rice using 110 F1 progeny derived from a cross between the Oryza isolate CH87 (pathogenic to rice) and the Digitaria isolate 6023 (pathogenic to crabgrass). To elucidate the genetic mechanisms controlling species specificity in M. grisea, we performed a genetic analysis of species-specific avirulence on this rice population. Avirulent and virulent progeny segregated in a 1:1 ratio on the 2 rice cultivars 'Lijiangxintuanheigu' (LTH) and 'Shin2', suggesting that a single locus, designated PRE1, was involved in the specificity. In a combination between 'Kusabue' and 'Tsuyuake', the segregation of the 4 possible phenotypes of F1 progeny was significantly different from the expected 3:1:3:1 and instead fit a ratio of 2:0:1:1. This indicated that 2 loci, PRE1 and AVR2, were involved in specific parasitism on rice. These results suggest that the species specificity of M. grisea on rice is governed by species-dependent genetic mechanisms that are similar to the gene-for-gene interactions controlling cultivar specificity. Pathogenicity tests with various plant species revealed that the Digitaria isolate 6023 was exclusively parasitic on crabgrass. Genetic linkage analysis showed that PRE1 was mapped on chromosome 3 with respect to RAPD and SSR markers. RAPD marker S361 was linked to the avirulence gene at a distance of ~6.4 cM. Two SSR markers, m677-678 and m77-78, were linked to the PRE1 gene on M. grisea chromosome 3 at distances of 5.9 and 7.1 cM, respectively. Our results will facilitate positional cloning and functional studies of this gene.

Base Sequence↗

Geographical heterogeneity between Far Eastern and Western countries in prevalence of the virulence plasmid, the superantigen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen, and the high-pathogenicity island among Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis produces novel superantigenic toxins designated YPMa (Y. pseudotuberculosis-derived mitogen), YPMb, and YPMc and has a pathogenicity island termed HPI (high-pathogenicity island) and R-HPI (the right-hand part of the HPI with truncation in its left-hand part) on the chromosome. Analysis of the distribution of these virulence factors allowed for differentiation of species Y. pseudotuberculosis into six subgroups, thus reflecting the geographical spread of two main clones: the YPMa(+) HPI(-) Far Eastern systemic pathogenic type belonging to serotypes O1b, -2a, -2b, -2c, -3, -4a, -4b, -5a, -5b, -6, -10, and UT (untypeable) and the YPMs(-) HPI(+) European gastroenteric pathogenic type belonging to serotypes O1a and -1b. The YPMa(+) HPI(+) pathogenic type belonging to serotypes O1b, -3, -5a, -5b, and UT and the YPMb(+) HPI(-) nonpathogenic type belonging to non-melibiose-fermenting serotypes O1b, -5a, -5b, -6, -7, -9, -10, -11, and -12 were prevalent in the Far East. The YPMc(+) R-HPI(+) European low-pathogenicity type belonging to non-melibiose-fermenting serotype O3 and the YPMs(-) HPI(-) pathogenic type belonging to 15 serotypes were found to be prevalent all over the world. This new information is useful for a better understanding of the evolution and spread of Y. pseudotuberculosis.

Americas↗

Putative origin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in western and eastern countries. A comparison of restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmids.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from Russia east of Moscow, Korea and mainland China were used for restriction endonuclease analysis of virulence plasmid (REAP) and findings were compared with REAP of isolates from Japan and Western countries. An identical REAP pattern of each serogroup 1a, 1b, 3, 4a and 4b strain was observed among isolates from Russia, Korea, mainland China, and Japan but such was absent in West European strains. Therefore, the possibility that the origin of Y. pseudotuberculosis between West Europe and eastern Eurasia east of Moscow may be from a different clone should be considered.

Animals↗

Note: isolation, characterization and epidemiology of Yersinia enterocolitica from humans and animals.

During an 11-year period (1983 to 1994), 51 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated from humans and animals. Specimens were collected from a total of 3601 sources consisting of 956 patients with enteritis, 300 patients with urinary tract infection, 1564 healthy humans, 510 swine, 38 guinea-pigs, 118 rats and 115 rabbits. Five strains of Y. enterocolitica, bio/serogroups 2/O:9 and 4/O:3, virulence positive, were recovered from patients. Forty-two variants of Y. enterocolitica belonging to pathogenic serogroup O:3, Voges-Proskauer-negative biogroup 3 were recovered from swine, rats and rabbits. The rate of isolation of Y. enterocolitica from diarrhoeal swine was apparently greater than those from healthy swine. The incidence of human infections due to Y. enterocolitica was very low and bioserogroups of isolates were different from the strains which were isolated from animals. There was no evidence to suggest that swine were the source of Y. enterocolitica in humans.

Animals↗

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in China.

Thirty strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated from rabbits (17 strains), wild rats (9 strains) and house rats (4 strains) in China between 1990 and 1993. The biochemical properties of these isolates were identical with those of Y. pseudotuberculosis and no special characteristics were found in these strains. Serologically, serogroups 4b and 5b were identical to isolates found in Japan, and a new serogroup 1c and unclassified strains have also been detected. The existence of virulence-associated properties were different among strains. The pYV plasmid was detected from 6 strains of 30 isolates. This report documents the presence of Y. pseudotuberculosis in China, providing important epidemiological information.

Animals↗

Anticomplement activity in human aqueous humor.

Twenty-six samples of human aqueous humor from patients with cataract and glaucoma were analyzed on anticomplement activity. The mean inhibitory rate was 15.32 +/- 14.60%, ranging from 0.93 to 60.02%. The inhibitory effect appeared in a dose-dependent manner. No significant differences were found between males and females (p > 0.05) and between samples of different age (p > 0.05). We revealed that aqueous humor had an inhibitory effect on complement activity. This indicates that human aqueous humor has an immune regulatory function.

Adult↗

Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from the faeces of diarrhoeic swine.

In April and May 1983, a total of 124 samples of faeces from 124 swine was examined for the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica by a variety of isolation procedures. The organisms were recovered from 48.4% of the swine, which all had diarrhoea. The strain belonged to serotypes 0:3 and 0:9 which are considered to be pathogenic for humans.

Animals↗