Deep RNA sequencing at single base-pair resolution reveals high complexity of the rice transcriptome

Understanding the dynamics of eukaryotic transcriptome is essential for studying the complexity of transcriptional regulation and its impact on phenotype. However, comprehensive studies of transcriptomes at single base resolution are rare, even for modern organisms, and lacking for rice. Here, we present the first transcriptome atlas for eight organs of cultivated rice. Using high-throughput paired-end RNA-seq, we unambiguously detected transcripts expressing at an extremely low level, as well as a substantial number of novel transcripts, exons, and untranslated regions. An analysis of alternative splicing in the rice transcriptome revealed that alternative cis-splicing occurred in similar to 33% of all rice genes. This is far more than previously reported. In addition, we also identified 234 putative chimeric transcripts that seem to be produced by trans-splicing, indicating that transcript fusion events are more common than expected. In-depth analysis revealed a multitude of fusion transcripts that might be by-products of alternative splicing. Validation and chimeric transcript structural analysis provided evidence that some of these transcripts are likely to be functional in the cell. Taken together, our data provide extensive evidence that transcriptional regulation in rice is vastly more complex than previously believed.

Sequencing, annotation and comparative analysis of nine BACs of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

A 10-fold BAC library for giant panda was constructed and nine BACs were selected to generate finish sequences. These BACs could be used as a validation resource for the de novo assembly accuracy of the whole genome shotgun sequencing reads of giant panda newly generated by the Illumina GA sequencing technology. Complete sanger sequencing, assembly, annotation and comparative analysis were carried out on the selected BACs of a joint length 878 kb. Homologue search and de novo prediction methods were used to annotate genes and repeats. Twelve protein coding genes were predicted, seven of which could be functionally annotated. The seven genes have an average gene size of about 41 kb, an average coding size of about 1.2 kb and an average exon number of 6 per gene. Besides, seven tRNA genes were found. About 27 percent of the BAC sequence is composed of repeats. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbor-join algorithm across five species, including giant panda, human, dog, cat and mouse, which reconfirms dog as the most related species to giant panda. Our results provide detailed sequence and structure information for new genes and repeats of giant panda, which will be helpful for further studies on the giant panda.

Phylogeny of fireflies (Coleoptera : Lampyridae) inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA, with references to morphological and ethological traits

We sequenced partial mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) of 18 firefly species from Southwest of China. Combined with homologous sequences previously reported, phylogenetic trees including Japanese, Korean and Chinese species were reconstructed by

A survey on relation of morphological, molecular and phylogenetic structure of zoanthids of the islands located in the Hormoz Strait (Hormoz, Qeshm, Larak, Hengam)

The order Zoantharia (Zoanthids) is one of the most neglected orders of cnidarians in the Persian Gulf. The present study aims to investigate the biodiversity of this order with morphological and molecular examination in the Persian Gulf. For this purpose, 123 colonies of zoanthids with variety of shape and colors have been collected from intertidal and shallow water zone of four islands, i. e. Hengam, Qeshm, Larak and Hormoz. After sampling, morphological characteristics of each specimen were recorded based on in situ photographs. Then DNA was extracted using the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Both mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (mt 16S rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragments were amplified and sequenced. The results of preliminary morphological identification integrated with two mitochondrial markers sequencing demonstrated the presence of five different species in this region; Zoanthus sansibaricus, Palythoa mutuki, Palythoa cf. mutuki, Palythoa tuberculosa and Neozoanthus persicus?. Although at first sight, morphological properties were not successful to delineate zoanthid species, they become reliable criteria to identify and delineate species in field studies after molecular identification.

High penetrance of sequencing errors and interpretative shortcomings in mtDNA sequence analysis of LHON patients

For identifying mutation(s) that are potentially pathogenic it is essential to determine the entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from patients suffering from a particular mitochondrial disease, such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Howe

rRNA ———行使核糖体功能的主体

高分辨率的核糖体精细结构揭示,核糖体行使功能的主体是RNA。核糖体的主要功能:催化肽键形成,识别、 选择tRNA 等都主要由rRNA 来完成。

从18S rRNA基因序列探讨盾腹吸虫的系统发育关系

盾腹亚纲吸虫被认为是寄生扁形动物中古老的类群,包括盾腹科、多萼科、裂杯科和皱腹科,科间系统发育关系尚存争议。本研究收集GenBank数据库中所有的盾腹吸虫18S rRNA基因序列,测定了三种盾腹吸虫的相应序列,分别采用最大简约法和最大似然法构建分子系统发育树。结果显示,多萼科的分类地位不成立,多萼属应还原到盾腹科;盾腹科的盾腹亚科和杯盾亚科均非单系,吸槽列数可能是平行进化特征,不能反映盾腹科各亚科间的系统发育关系。建议将具有边缘器的吸槽型腹吸盘,以及不具边缘器的吸杯型和皱褶型腹吸盘分别鉴定为盾腹科、裂杯科

细胞色素b和12S rRNA基因序列变异与东方鲀属鱼类系统发育

东方鲀属鱼类是一个区域性分布类群,该属目前包括22个有效种,主要分布区域从日本海西部到中国沿海.本研究通过联合17种(21尾)东方鲀属鱼类的细胞色素b(1137bp)和12SrRNA(952bp)基因全序列研究了东方鲀属鱼类的系统发育关系.采用了邻接法(NJ)、最大简约法(MP)、最大似然法(ML)和Baysian方法构建了分子系统树.结果表明:(ⅰ)东方鲀属鱼类为一单系类群;(ⅱ)基于分子系统发育分析,东方鲀属鱼类可划分为6个亚群;(ⅲ)在分子水平上,本属各鱼类物种的遗传距离比较接近,这显示了其物种间分

海洋喇叭虫rRNA基因18S -ITS1序列及其系统发育分析(英文)

海洋喇叭虫Maristentordinoferus 1996年在关岛(Guam)的珊瑚暗礁上被发现 ,至今尚未阐明其确切的系统发育地位。克隆到的海洋喇叭虫的 18S ITS1 5 8SrDNA序列包括 2 2 2bp的 18S序列 ,77bp的ITS1序列和 2 2bp的 5 8S序列。比较分析了纤毛虫主要类群的ITS1序列后得出 :短的ITS1序列可能是异毛类纤毛虫的特征。根据 18S序列 ,利用邻接法构建 ,最大简约法和最大似然法构建系统发育树。其拓扑结构显示海洋喇叭虫属于异毛纲纤毛虫 ,但并不隶属喇

用mtDNA 12S rRNA序列变异检验鲤形目鱼类系统发育关系(英文)

通过对鲤形目鱼类 5个科的代表类群的完整线粒体 12SrRNA进行测序和分析 ,以检验目前的形态学假说。经序列比对后 ,有 10 0 0个位点 ,其中 467个位点在茎区 ,53 3个在环区 ;有 3 95个位点为变化位点 ,其中 2 67个为系统发育信息位点。采用邻接法和最大简约法进行了系统发育分析 ,其结果支持鲤科鱼类成为一个单系群 ,非鲤科的鲤形目鱼类成为另一个单系群的观点 ,这与Siebert提出的假说相一致。鲤科鱼类包含 3个主要的分支 ,即鱼丹系、鲤系和雅罗鱼系 ;但在非鲤科鲤形目鱼类中 ,其

6种累枝虫(Epistylis)rRNA基因18S-ITS1序列及其分子系统发育关系

建立了由采自自然界中的样品、不经实验室培养而直接用于大核DNA提取和PCR反应的原位（in situ）方法;在此基础上,测定并比较了6种累枝虫（Epistylis wenrichi,E.urceolata,E.chrysemydis,E.plicatilis,E.hentscheli,E.galea）的18S-ITS1序列,结果显示:E.wenrichi,E.urceolata,E.chrysemydis,E.plicatilis和E.hentscheli间18S和ITS1区序列的碱基相似性很高,而它们与

上海四膜虫和两株嗜热四膜虫的rRNA基因ITS-1序列及分子系统关系

测定并比较了自接型的上海四膜虫 (Tetrahymenashanghaienisis)和两株接合型的嗜热四膜虫(T thermophilaⅡ和T thermophilaⅥ )的ITS - 1序列 ,以多态喇叭虫 (Stentorpolymorphrus)为外来群 ,利用最大简约法和邻接法构建了它们的系统发育树。分析指出 :三者中 ,T shanghaienisis较早地从祖先种中分化出来 ;自接型可能是一种较接合型原始的生殖方式。

Transcriptome of embryonic and neonatal mouse cortex by high-throughput RNA sequencing

Brain structure and function experience dramatic changes from embryonic to postnatal development. Microarray analyses have detected differential gene expression at different stages and in disease models, but gene expression information during early brain development is limited. We have generated >27 million reads to identify mRNAs from the mouse cortex for>16,000 genes at either embryonic day 18 (E18) or postnatal day 7 (P7), a period of significant synapto-genesis for neural circuit formation. In addition, we devised strategies to detect alternative splice forms and uncovered more splice variants. We observed differential expression of 3,758 genes between the 2 stages, many with known functions or predicted to be important for neural development. Neurogenesis-related genes, such as those encoding Sox4, Sox11, and zinc-finger proteins, were more highly expressed at E18 than at P7. In contrast, the genes encoding synaptic proteins such as synaptotagmin, complexin 2, and syntaxin were up-regulated from E18 to P7. We also found that several neurological disorder-related genes were highly expressed at E18. Our transcriptome analysis may serve as a blueprint for gene expression pattern and provide functional clues of previously unknown genes and disease-related genes during early brain development.

Plankton community composition in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region revealed by PCR-DGGE and its relationships with environmental factors

To explore the relationships between community composition and the environment in a reservoir ecosystem, plankton communities from the Three Gorges Reservoir Region were studied by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting. Bacterial and eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs), generated by DGGE analysis of the PCR-amplified 16S and 18S rRNA genes, were used as surrogates for the dominant "biodiversity units". OTU composition among the sites was heterogeneous; 46.7% of the total bacteria] OTUs (45) and 64.1% of the eukaryotic OTUs (39) were identified in less than half of the sampling sites. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) clustering of the OTUs suggested that the plankton communities in the Xiangxi Rive sites were not always significantly different from those from the Yangtze River sites, despite clear differences in their environmental characterizations. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to further investigate the relationships between OTU composition and the environmental factors. The first two CCA ordination axes suggested that the bacterial community composition was primarily correlated with the variables of NO3--N, dissolved oxygen (DO), and SiO32--Si, whereas, the eukaryotic community was mainly correlated with the concentrations of DO, PO43--P, and SiO32--Si.