Karyotypic diversity in polyploid gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio Bloch

Polyploid gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, is an excellent model system for evolutionary genetics owing to its specific genetic background and reproductive modes. Comparative karyotype studies were performed in three cultured clones, one artificially manipulated group, and one mated group between two clones. Both the clones A and P had 156 chromosomes in their karyotypes, with 36 metacentric, 54 submetacentric, 36 subtelocentric, 24 acrocentric, and six small chromosomes. The karyotype of clone D contained 162 chromosomes, with 42 metacentric, 54 submetacentric, 36 subtelocentric, 24 acrocentric, and six small chromosomes. All the three clones had six small chromosomes in common. Group G, being originated from the clone D by artificial manipulation, showed supernumerary microchromosomes or chromosomal fragments, in addition to the normal chromosome complement that was identical to the clone D. The offspring from mating between clones D and A had 159 chromosomes. Comparing with the clone A, the DA offspring showed three extra metacentric chromosomes. In addition, variable RAPD fingerprint patterns and unusual SCAR marker inheritance were, respectively, detected among individuals of artificial group G and in the mated DA offspring. Both the chromosome and molecular findings suggest that genome reshuffling might have occurred by manipulation or mating of the clones.

Genome mapping in aquatic animals: Progress and future perspectives

The genome of aquatic animals is poorly understood and information from different taxonomic groups is sketchy. While there have been intensive genomic studies on some fish models, investigations on other fishes and invertebrates have been scarce. Yet there are recently some coordinated studies on genome mapping in a number of aquaculture animals of economic importance. This review summarizes information available on genome mapping of the important fish models and aquaculture animals. The future perspectives of this field of studies are discussed.

Genetic diversity among different clones of the gynogenetic silver crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, revealed by transferrin and isozyme markers

Genetic diversity among four clones (A, D, E, F) of gynogenetic silver crucian carp was studied using transferrin and isozymes in the blood as markers. Of the five proteins investigated, three (transferrin, esterase and superoxide dismutase) indicated polymorphism and eight polymorphic loci were detected. These loci were probably encoded by codominant alleles and their inheritance patterns were analyzed. Intraclonal homogeneity and interclonal heterogeneity were observed in these clones, which allowed us to infer the clonal nature and evolutionary relationship between them. Clonal diversity in this population of silver crucian carp in China was also compared with data reported from gynogenetic crucian carp in Germany.

Differential gene expression in fully-grown oocytes between gynogenetic and gonochoristic crucian carps

Silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) is a unique triploid bisexual species that can reproduce by gynogenesis. As all other gynogenetic animals, it keeps its chromosome integrity by inhibiting the first meiosis division (no extrusion of the first pole body). To understand the molecular events governing this reproduction mode, suppression subtractive hybridization was used to identify the genes differentially expressed in fully-grown oocytes of the gynogenetic and gonochoristic crucian carp (gyno-carp and gono-carp). From two specific subtractive cDNA libraries, the clones screened out by dot blots and virtual Northern blots were chosen to clone, full-length cDNA by RACE. Four differentially expressed genes were obtained. Two are novel genes and are expressed specifically in the oocytes. The gyno-carp stores much more mRNA of cyclin A2, a new member of the fish A-type cyclin gene, in its fully-grown oocyte than in the gono-carp. The last gene is histone H2A. The histone H2As of these two closely related crucian carps are quite different in the C-terminus. Preliminary characterization of the four genes has been analyzed by nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence and Northern analysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular systematics of Xenocyprinae (Teleostei : Cyprinidae): Taxonomy, biogeography, and coevolution of a special group restricted in east Asia

We surveyed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in the subfamily Xenocyprinae from China and used these data to estimate intraspecific, interspecific, and intergeneric phylogeny and assess biogeographic scenarios underlying the geographic structure of lineages. We sequenced 1140 bp of cytochrome b from 30 individuals of Xenocyprinae and one putative outgroup (Myxocypris asiaticus) and also sequenced 297 bp of ND4L, 1380 bp of ND4, 68 bp of tRNA(His), and 69 bp of tRNA(Ser) from 17 individuals of Xenocyprinae and the outgroup (M. asiaticus). We detected high levels of nucleotide variation among populations, species, and genera. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that Distoechodon hupeinensis might be transferred to the genus Xenocypris, the taxonomic status of the genus Plagiognathops might be preserved, and species of Xenocypris and Plagiognathops form a monophyletic group that is sister to the genus Distoechodon and Pseudobrama. The introgressive hybridization might occur among the populations of X. argentea and X. davidi, causing the two species to not be separated by mtDNA patterns according to their species identification, and the process and direction of hybridization are discussed. The spatial distributions of mtDNA lineages among populations of Xenocypris were compatible with the major geographic region, which indicated that the relationship between Hubei + Hunan and Fujian is closer than that between Hubei + Hunan and Sichuan, From a perspective of parasite investigation, our data suggested that the fauna of Hexamita in Xenocyprinae could be used to infer the phylogeny of their hosts. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Genetic evidence for gonochoristic reproduction in gynogenetic silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio bloch) as revealed by RAPD assays

Sex evolution has been a debating focus in evolutionary genetics. In lower vertebrates of reptiles, amphibians, and fish, a species or a bioform reproduces either sexually or asexually but never both. A few species were found to consist of all females in fish. These all-female species can propagate by asexual reproduction modes, such as gynogenesis and hybridogenesis. However, the coexistence of sexuality and asexuality in a single species was recently noted only in a cyprinid fish silver crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio. This fish had been demonstrated to be capable of gynogenesis stimulated by sperm from other related species. Surprisingly, natural populations of this fish consist of a minor but significant portion (approx. 20%) of males. As different clones with specific phenotypic and genetic characteristics have been found, and RAPD markers specific to each clone have recently been identified, this fish offers many advantages for analyzing whether or not genetic recombination occurs between different clones. In this study, artificial propagation was performed in clone F and clone D. Ovulated eggs from clone F were divided into two parts and respectively inseminated with sperm from a clone D male and from a red common carp (Cyprinus carpio) male. The control clone D individuals were selected from gynogenetic offspring of clone D activated by sperm of red common carp. The phenotype and sex ratio in the experimental groups were also observed. Using RAPD molecular markers, which allow for reliable discrimination and genetic analysis of different clones, we have revealed direct molecular evidence for gonochoristic reproduction in the gynogenetic silver crucian carp and confirmed a previous hypothesis that the silver crucian carp might reproduce both gynogenetically and gonochoristically. Therefore, we conclude that the silver crucian carp possesses two reproductive modes, i.e., gynogenetic and gonochoristic reproduction. The response mechanism of two reproductive development modes may be the first discovery in vertebrates. Additionally, we discuss the evolutionary implication between gynogenetic and gonochoristic reproduction modes and the contribution of the minor proportion of males to genetic flexibility in the gynogenetic silver crucian carp.

A linkage map of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on AFLP and microsatellite markers

P>Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an important fish for aquaculture, but genomics of this species is still in its infancy. In this study, a linkage map of common carp based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite (SSR) markers has been generated using gynogenetic haploids. Of 926 markers genotyped, 151 (149 AFLPs, two SSRs) were distorted and eliminated from the linkage analyses. A total of 699 AFLP and 20 microsatellite (SSR) markers were assigned to the map, which comprised 64 linkage groups and covered 5506.9 cM Kosambi, with an average interval distance of 7.66 cM Kosambi. The normality tests on interval map distances showed a non-normal marker distribution. Visual inspection of the map distance distribution histogram showed a cluster of interval map distances on the left side of the chart, which suggested the occurrence of AFLP marker clusters. On the other hand, the lack of an obvious cluster on the right side showed that there were a few big gaps which need more markers to bridge. The correlation analysis showed a highly significant relatedness between the length of linkage group and the number of markers, indicating that the AFLP markers in this map were randomly distributed among different linkage groups. This study is helpful for research into the common carp genome and for further studies of genetics and marker-assisted breeding in this species.

不同小麦品质类型与生态环境关系的研究

小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）是世界上种植面积最大，总产量最高，食物加工种类最丰富的粮食作物，占世界人口35 ％－40 ％的人们以此为主要食物。因此小麦产量的高低和品质的优劣直接影响人们对食物需求的安全和满意程度，也影响着人类的营养平衡以及面粉和食品加工业的发展。随着生活水平的提高，人们对于小麦的品质越来越重视。培育优质专用小麦新品种，制定优质专用小麦品种品质生态区划，从而在不同程度上实现小麦的区域化种植和产业化经营具有重要的意义。 影响小麦品质的因素主要是遗传因素和环境因素，其中环境因素又包括各种自然生态因素和人为因素。研究表明，小麦品质的环境间的差异大于品种间的差异，气候条件是影响小麦品质的最重要的因子，小麦品质的地域间的差异反映出了小麦的品质区域分布规律。为了满足市场对不同品质小麦的需求，对小麦进行区域化研究具有重要的理论和现实意义。本研究结合四川的地理、气候特点，研究不同品质类型与生态环境的关系，为在复杂的生态环境内进行品质区划提供依据。 本研究首先根据四川省小麦种植区域的生态特点，在四川省多个典型生态区：川南丘陵的荣县、川西南高原的西昌、川西平原的双流布点种植，采用的小麦试验材料为不同品质类型：中筋小麦川育12、川育14、川育16由本所提供；弱筋小麦川麦32和强筋小麦川麦36由四川省农科院作物所提供。通过研究品质性状与品种及各个生态因子包括地点、土壤土质差异等的关系，明确不同生态环境中适宜种植的小麦品种类型，强筋小麦、中筋小麦更适合于在荣县、双流地区种植，弱筋小麦更适合于在西昌地区种植，为品种品质区划奠定基础。 其次，选择了本课题组育成的稳定中间品系，对其品质性状SDS沉降值进行了多年测定。分析了品质性状SDS沉降值与多种气候因子的相关性，结果表明SDS沉降值与日均温、日照时数成正相关，与降水量成负相关，为品质育种提供了理论依据。 此外，以中筋小麦新品种小麦川育14为材料，应用三元二次正交旋转回归模型设计试验，研究主要栽培因子播期、密度和施肥量对产量的影响，并建立函数模型。经计算机模拟寻优，筛选出了高产高效栽培组合措施，并确定了置信域。结合四川省不同的地理情况，在平原和丘陵地区分别进行实验，并各自建立了高产高效栽培组合措施，为川育14品种的推广提供了理论指导。 Wheat is one of the most important crops in the world. About 35%-40% people all over the world, take the wheat as their most important food. So the quality, as well as the quantity of the wheat makes a direct effect on people’s demands of food and their satisfaction. It also effects on human’s healthy, and the development of the Food processing industry. With the development of the living standard, people pay more attention to the quality of wheat. So, we set a special ecology zoning for wheat. It is significant to carry out planting the wheat in special zoning in varying degrees. The main factors affecting wheat quality are heredity and environment including many ecological factors and the factors in cultivation. As to the quality，the difference between ecology and cultivation is more important than the difference between special wheat. In so many factors, climate is the most important one. From the difference in quality between different zones，we can conclude the rule of distribution abort quality of wheat. Finding out the intersection of numerous wheat not only can meet the demand of food production，but also has important signification in theory and realism。In our research, according to the complex geography in Sichuan province, we study the relationship between numerous kinds of quality characters in wheat and the ecology. So, we can set a foundation for more research. In this research, firstly, we plant wheat in some typical ecological regions of SICHUAN province: RONGXIAN（south of SC）、XICHANG（south of SC）, SHUANGLIU(west of SC). The materials of the experiments: ChuanYu12, ChuanYu14, ChuanYu16(from our institute), Chuanmai32, Chuanmai36 (from the Chinese academy of agriculture sciences of Sichuan. Through the research on the relationship between the quality of wheat and those ecology factors, we can make a definition that which area is perfect matched with which kind of wheat. And it can satisfy the demand of people. Secondly, select many sorts of wheat from our research group. All of them are selected and bred more than 3 years(2003-2005). And we make every-year determination as well. We’ve gotten SDS value from those 9, and various data on factors of climate. We also got to know the relation ship between those numbers. Thirdly, use Chuanyu14 as material, the mathematical model of the relation between the production of wheat and main agricultural measures such as date, density and fertilizer. The model was established by association of three elements two return, rotate and regression. We set a suitable model and get a suitable method which can make high harvest. Based on various kinds of geographical regions in Sichuan province, we set different models which can be used in plain and hill. So, we can plant Chuan Yu 14 in Sichuan province under the result in research.

厌氧产氢菌的分离筛选、诱变选育及其产氢特性的研究

本文从四川绵竹酒厂、成都市龙泉长安垃圾填埋场以及四川大学荷花池底的厌氧污泥中先后分离得到63株厌氧产氢菌，其中H-8、H-61、HC-10等16株产氢细菌产氢能力较高，HC-10的产氢能力最高，最大产氢量和最大产氢速率分别达到2840 ml H2/L培养基和25.39 mmol H2/g drycell·h，对HC-10进行生理生化鉴定和分子生物学鉴定，判定其为clostridium sp.，对HC-10的产氢条件进行了研究，结果表明，该菌的最适生长温度为35 ℃，最适生长初始pH为7，以葡萄糖为最佳碳源，以蛋白胨为最佳氮源，不利用无机氮源，其产氢发酵液相产物以乙醇和乙酸为主，其发酵类型属于乙醇型发酵。此外，以酒糟废液作为底物，进行了菌株HC-10的生物强化试验，研究表明，投加了HC-10的强化系统其产氢量比对照高出40.32%。 同时为了获得厌氧产氢菌的高效突变株，分别以产氢菌H-8和H-61为原始菌株进行微波诱变处理，对微波诱变参数进行了优化，考察了突变株的遗传稳定性、产氢特性及耐酸性。菌株H-8经过微波诱变得到5株高产氢突变株HW7、HW33、HW181、HW184、HW195，经多次传代表明HW195是稳定的高产突变株。突变株HW195具有较好的耐酸性，在pH值为2.8时仍能生长。通过间歇发酵实验，其最大产氢量和最大产氢速率分别达到2460 mL/L培养基和27.97 mmol H2/g drycell·h，比原始菌分别提高了50.75%和41.7%。菌株H-61经过微波诱变后选育得到的突变株HW-18，其最大产氢量和最大产氢速率分别达到2190 mL/L培养基和25.86 mmol H2/g drycell·h，比原始菌分别提高了23.03%和31.00%。 为了对比各种诱变方式对产氢菌产氢能力的影响，以厌氧产氢菌H-61为原始菌株，先后经亚硝基胍(NTG)、紫外(UV)诱变，选育得到1株高产突变株HCM-23。在葡萄糖浓度为10 g/L的条件下，其产氢量为3024 mL/L培养基，比原始菌株提高了69.89%；其最大产氢速率为33.19 mmol H2/g drycell·h，比原始菌株提高了68.14%。经过多次传代实验，稳定性良好。其发酵末端产物以乙醇和乙酸为主，属于典型乙醇型发酵。其最适产氢初始pH为6.5，最适生长温度为36 ℃，以蔗糖为最佳碳源。与原始菌株相比，突变株HCM-23的产氢特性发生了改变，如生长延滞期延长，可利用无机氮源等。 From anaerobic activated sludge, 16 strains of hydrogen producing bacteria were newly isolated. One of them named as HC-10 had the highest hydrogen producing capability, under the batch fermentative hydrogen production condition, the maximal hydrogen yield and hydrogen production rate was 2840 mL/L culture and 25.39 mmol H2/g drycell·h. It was identified as clostridium sp.HC-10 by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Various parameters for hydrogen production, including substrates, initial pH and temperature, have been studied. The optimum condition for hydrogen producing of strain HC-10 were achieved as: initial pH 7.0, temperature 35 ℃, glucose as the favorite substrate, Moreover, using distiller's solubles wastewater as substrate, HC-10 strain was added in the biohydrogen producing system to research the bioaugmentation effection. The results showed that the hydrogen production of bioaugmentation system was 40.32% higher than the noaugmentation system. An anaerobic, hydrogen producing strain H-8 was irradiated by microwave to optimize the microwave mutagenesis condition, and to test the heredity, hydrogen-producing potential and aciduric of the mutants. An aciduric mutant named as HW195 with steady hydrogen-producing capability was obtained, which can grow at pH 2.8. Its capability of hydrogen production was tested in the batch culture experiments. The maximum hydrogen yield and hydrogen production rate was 2460 mL/L culture and 29.97 mmol H2/g drycell·h, which was 50.7% and 41.7% higher than those of the initial strain, respectively. When used the strain H-61 as original strain, a mutant named as HW18 was obtained. The maximum hydrogen yield and hydrogen production rate was 2190 mL/L culture and 25.86 mmol H2/g drycell·h, which was 23.03% and 31.00% higher than those of the initial strain, respectively. The results demonstrated that microwave mutagenesis could be used in the field of hydrogen producing microorganism. The hydrogen producing strain H-61 was used as an original strain which was induced by NTG and UV for increasing and the hydrogen production capability. One of the highest efficient H2-producing mutants was named as HCM-23 with its stable hydrogen production capability. which was tested in the batch culture experiments. With the condition of 10 g/L glucose, its cumulative hydrogen yield and hydrogen production rate was 3024 mL/L culture and 33.19 mmol H2/g drycell·h, 69.89％and 68.14％ higher than that of the original strain, respectively. The terminal liquid product compositions showed that the mutant HCM-23 fermentation was ethanol type, while the original strain H-61 fermentation was butyric acid type. Varieties of parameters of hydrogen production fermentation were studied, including time, carbon source, nitrogen source, glucose concentration, glucose utilization, initial pH and incubation temperature had been studied, indicated the optimum condition of hydrogen production for the mutant HCM-23 as initial pH6.5, temperature 36 ℃, and the favorite substrate was sucrose. The hydrogen production characters of the mutant and the original strain were different, such as, the growth lag phase and the utilization of inorganic nitrogen source, etc. This work shows a good application potential of NTG-UV combined mutation in the biohydrogen production. And the hydrogen production mechanism and metabolic pathway should be explored furthermore.

Comparative Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturases in Cyanobacterial Genomes

Fatty acid desaturases are enzymes that introduce double bonds into the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids. The fatty acid desaturases from 37 cyanobacterial genomes were identified and classified based upon their conserved histidine-rich motifs and phylogenetic analysis, which help to determine the amounts and distributions of desaturases in cyanobacterial species. The filamentous or N-2-fixing cyanobacteria usually possess more types of fatty acid desaturases than that of unicellular species. The pathway of acyl-lipid desaturation for unicellular marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus differs from that of other cyanobacteria, indicating different phylogenetic histories of the two genera from other cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater, soil, or symbiont. Strain Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 was isolated from calcareous rock and lacks thylakoid membranes. The types and amounts of desaturases of this strain are distinct to those of other cyanobacteria, reflecting the earliest divergence of it from the cyanobacterial line. Three thermophilic unicellular strains, Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 and two Synechococcus Yellowstone species, lack highly unsaturated fatty acids in lipids and contain only one Delta 9 desaturase in contrast with mesophilic strains, which is probably due to their thermic habitats. Thus, the amounts and types of fatty acid desaturases are various among different cyanobacterial species, which may result from the adaption to environments in evolution. Copyright (c) 2008 Xiaoyuan Chi et al.

Chromosomal localization and molecular marker development of the lipopolysaccharide and beta-1,3-glucan binding protein gene in the Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri (Jones et Preston) (Pectinoida, Pectinidae)

Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri(Jones et Preston) is an economically important species in China. Understanding its immune system would be of great help in controlling diseases. In the present study, an important immunity-related gene, the Lipopolysaccharide and Beta-1,3-glucan Binding Protein (LGBP) gene, was located on C. farreri chromosomes by mapping several lgbp-containing BAC clones through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Through the localization of various BAC clones, it was shown that only one locus of this gene existed in the genome of C. farreri, and that this was located on the long arm of a pair of homologous chromosomes. Molecular markers, consisting of eight single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) markers and one insertion-deletion (indel), were developed from the LGBP gene. Indel marker testing in an F1 family revealed slightly distorted segregation (p = 0.0472). These markers can be used to map the LGBP gene to the linkage map and assign the linkage group to the corresponding chromosome. Segregation distortion of the indel marker indicated genes with deleterious alleles might exist in the surrounding region of the LGBP gene.

Molecular cloning and expression of a Relish gene in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

P>NF-kappa B is a B-cell specific transcription factor that plays crucial roles in inflammation, immunity, apoptosis, development and differentiation. In the present study, a novel NF-kappa B-like transcription factor Relish was cloned from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (designated as EsRelish) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique based on expressed sequence tag (EST). The full-length cDNA of EsRelish was of 5034 bp, consisting of a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 57 bp, a 3' UTR of 1335 bp with two mRNA instability motifs (ATTTA), a polyadenylation signal sequence (AATAAA) and a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 3645 bp encoding a polypeptide of 1214 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 134.8 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.26. There were a typical Rel homology domain (RHD), two nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequences (KR), an inhibitor kappa B (I kappa B)-like domain with six ankyrin repeats, a PEST region and a death domain in the deduced amino acid sequence of EsRelish. Conserved domain, higher similarity with other Rel/NF-kappa Bs and phylogenetic analysis suggested that EsRelish was a member of the NF-kappa B family. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA transcripts of EsRelish in different tissues and its temporal expression in hemocytes of E. sinensis challenged with Pichia methanolica and Listonella anguillarum. The EsRelish mRNA was found to be constitutively expressed in a wide range of tissues. It could be mainly detected in the hemocytes, gonad and hepatopancreas, and less degree in the gill, muscle and heart. The expression level of EsRelish mRNA in hemocytes was up-regulated from at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after P. methanolica challenge. In L. anguillarum challenge, it was up-regulated at 9, 12 and 24 h. The results collectively indicated that EsRelish was potentially involved in the immune response against fungus and bacteria.

Genome-wide survey of putative serine/threonine protein kinases in cyanobacteria

Background: Serine/threonine kinases (STKs) have been found in an increasing number of prokaryotes, showing important roles in signal transduction that supplement the well known role of two-component system. Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes able to grow in a wide range of ecological environments, and their signal transduction systems are important in adaptation to the environment. Sequence information from several cyanobacterial genomes offers a unique opportunity to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of this kinase family. In this study, we extracted information regarding Ser/Thr kinases from 21 species of sequenced cyanobacteria and investigated their diversity, conservation, domain structure, and evolution. Results: 286 putative STK homologues were identified. STKs are absent in four Prochlorococcus strains and one marine Synechococcus strain and abundant in filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Motifs and invariant amino acids typical in eukaryotic STKs were conserved well in these proteins, and six more cyanobacteria- or bacteria-specific conserved residues were found. These STK proteins were classified into three major families according to their domain structures. Fourteen types and a total of 131 additional domains were identified, some of which are reported to participate in the recognition of signals or substrates. Cyanobacterial STKs show rather complicated phylogenetic relationships that correspond poorly with phylogenies based on 16S rRNA and those based on additional domains. Conclusion: The number of STK genes in different cyanobacteria is the result of the genome size, ecophysiology, and physiological properties of the organism. Similar conserved motifs and amino acids indicate that cyanobacterial STKs make use of a similar catalytic mechanism as eukaryotic STKs. Gene gain-and-loss is significant during STK evolution, along with domain shuffling and insertion. This study has established an overall framework of sequence-structure-function interactions for the STK gene family, which may facilitate further studies of the role of STKs in various organisms.

Genome-wide survey of putative serine/threonine protein kinases in cyanobacteria

Background: Serine/threonine kinases (STKs) have been found in an increasing number of prokaryotes, showing important roles in signal transduction that supplement the well known role of two-component system. Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes able to grow in a wide range of ecological environments, and their signal transduction systems are important in adaptation to the environment. Sequence information from several cyanobacterial genomes offers a unique opportunity to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of this kinase family. In this study, we extracted information regarding Ser/Thr kinases from 21 species of sequenced cyanobacteria and investigated their diversity, conservation, domain structure, and evolution. Results: 286 putative STK homologues were identified. STKs are absent in four Prochlorococcus strains and one marine Synechococcus strain and abundant in filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Motifs and invariant amino acids typical in eukaryotic STKs were conserved well in these proteins, and six more cyanobacteria- or bacteria-specific conserved residues were found. These STK proteins were classified into three major families according to their domain structures. Fourteen types and a total of 131 additional domains were identified, some of which are reported to participate in the recognition of signals or substrates. Cyanobacterial STKs show rather complicated phylogenetic relationships that correspond poorly with phylogenies based on 16S rRNA and those based on additional domains. Conclusion: The number of STK genes in different cyanobacteria is the result of the genome size, ecophysiology, and physiological properties of the organism. Similar conserved motifs and amino acids indicate that cyanobacterial STKs make use of a similar catalytic mechanism as eukaryotic STKs. Gene gain-and-loss is significant during STK evolution, along with domain shuffling and insertion. This study has established an overall framework of sequence-structure-function interactions for the STK gene family, which may facilitate further studies of the role of STKs in various organisms.