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The 11α-hydroxylation of 16α, 17-epoxyprogesterone (EP) catalyzed by Rhizopus nigricans is crucial for the steroid industry. However, lower conversion rate of the biohydroxylation restricts its potential industrial application. The 11α-steroid hydroxylase CYP509C12 from R. oryzae were reported to play a crucial role in the 11α-hydroxylation in recombinant fission yeast. In the present study, the CYP509C12 of R. oryzae (RoCYP) was introduced into R. nigricans using the liposome-mediated mycelial transformation. Heterologous expression of RoCYP resulted in increased fungal growth and improved intracellular reactive oxygen species content in R. nigricans. The H2O2 levels in RoCYP transformants were approximately 2-folder that of the R. nigricans wild type (RnWT) strain, with the superoxide dismutase activities increased approximately 45% and catalase activities decreased approximately 68%. Furthermore, the 11α-hydroxylation rates of EP in RoCYP transformants (C4, C6 and C9) were 39.7%, 38.3% and 38.7%, which were 12.1%, 8.2% and 9.4% higher than the rate of the RnWT strain, respectively. This paper investigated the effect of heterologous expression of RoCYP in R. nigricans, providing an effective genetic method to construct the engineered strains for steroid industry.

Only a few transcription factors involved in mushroom development have been reported till now, Therefore, identification of transcription factors in common edible mushroom has commercial and scientific importance. In this study, the Pofst3 gene from Pleurotus ostreatus was cloned and characterized. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Pofst3 protein had 71% sequence similarity with fst3 of model mushroom Schizophyllum commune. Furthermore, the function of Pofst3 gene was analyzed by overexpression and antisense silencing in P. ostreatus via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Expression verification of Pofst3 in transformants through qRT-PCR showed that compared with the wild type strains, the transcription level was about 1.26 ∼ 9.59 and 0.01 ∼ 0.30 fold in Pofst3 overexpressing and silencing strains, respectively. Petri dish and bag cultivation tests of transgenic strains showed that the number of primordia and the type of fruiting bodies of Pofst3 overexpressing strains were consistent with the wild type strains, i.e. fewer primordia and larger fruiting bodies; the number of primordia formed by Pofst3 silencing strains were more than those of wild type strains, but fruiting bodies were smaller. It was very likely that Pofst3 was involved in the regulation of P. ostreatus development through inhibiting the formation of clusters of primordia.

For the present work, a dual channel optical sensing composite for the detection of picric acid (PA) was constructed, using luminescent lanthanide MOF as supporting substrate and a rhodamine-based dye as sensing probe, respectively. This composite material was discussed in detail by means of electron microscopy images, XRD, IR, TGA, absorption and emission spectra. These rod-liked composite nanocrystals had dual sensing channels towards PA, including colorimetric sensing and ratiometric fluorescent sensing. A linear working curve with limit of detection as low as 10 μM was obtained. Good selectivity towards PA was confirmed. Their sensing mechanism was discussed and found as the combination of proton-triggered rhodamine structural transformation and nitrophenyl-triggered Eu emission quenching. This composite material showed a superior sensing performance over literature ones owing to its dual sensing channels and the possibility of naked eye detection.

Pleurotus ostreatus laccase gene poxc is transcriptionally induced by copper, and several putative MREs have been found and confirmed in its promoter region. However, the related transcription factors mediating copper response via MREs have not been reported. To isolate MRE binding proteins, we carried out yeast one-hybrid screens. Reporter genes containing two trimers of the cMRE2 and cMRE3 element were prepared and introduced into a yeast strain. The yeast was transformed with library cDNA that represents RNA isolated from CuSO4-treated fungi of P. ostreatus. From the screen of yeast transformants, we isolated ltf4 which encoded protein with HTH DNA binding domain. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested direct and specific interaction of ltf4 with the MRE2 of poxc. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the transcription of ltf4 was significantly up-regulated after the copper addition, and the expression trend was consistent with the poxc after copper introduction. The results indicated that ltf4 could interact with cMRE2 and thus participated in the regulation of copper mediated poxc transcription in P. ostreatus.

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is a strong metabolism-dependent chemoattractant for the plant beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas sp. UW4. It is unknown whether enhancing the metabolic rate of ACC can intensify the chemotaxis activity towards ACC and rhizocompetence. In this study, we selected four promoters to transcribe the UW4 ACC deaminase (AcdS) gene in the UW4 &Delta, AcdS mutant. PA is the UW4 AcdS gene promoter, PB20, PB10 and PB1 are synthetic promoters. The order of the AcdS gene expression level and AcdS activity of the four strains harboring the promoters were PB20 &gt, PA &gt, PB10 &gt, PB1. Interestingly, the AcdS activity of the four strains and their parent strain UW4 was significantly positively correlated with their chemotactic activity towards ACC, rhizosphere colonization, roots elongation and dry weight promotion. The results released that enhancing the AcdS activity of PGPRenable them to achieve strong chemotactic responses to ACC, rhizocompetence and plant growth promotion.

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is a strong metabolism-dependent chemoattractant for the plant beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas sp. UW4. It is unknown whether enhancing the metabolic rate of ACC can intensify the chemotaxis activity towards ACC and rhizocompetence. In this study, we selected four promoters to transcribe the UW4 ACC deaminase (AcdS) gene in the UW4 ΔAcdS mutant. PA is the UW4 AcdS gene promoter, PB20, PB10 and PB1 are synthetic promoters. The order of the AcdS gene expression level and AcdS activity of the four strains harboring the promoters were PB20 > PA > PB10 > PB1. Interestingly, the AcdS activity of the four strains and their parent strain UW4 was significantly positively correlated with their chemotactic activity towards ACC, rhizosphere colonization, roots elongation and dry weight promotion. The results released that enhancing the AcdS activity of PGPRenable them to achieve strong chemotactic responses to ACC, rhizocompetence and plant growth promotion.

To simplify industrial mushroom cultivation, we introduced a bacterial Pseudomonas sp. UW4 acdS gene, encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase (AcdS), into fungus Agaricus bisporus. Transformant A. bisporus-acdS14 cased with sterilized-vermiculite generated primordia 5 days sooner than wild-type strain, confirming the specific role of the AcdS enzyme. Being consistent with the AcdS enzyme activity increased by 84%, the mycelium growth rate was increased by 25%; but, the ACC and ethylene concentrations were reduced by 71% and 36%, respectively, in the A. bisporus-acdS14 transformant. And the bacterium P. sp. UW4 attachment on the mycelium of the A. bisporus-acdS14 transformant was drastically reduced. We conclude that the heterogeneously expressed bacterial acdS gene degrades ACC and reduces ethylene-synthesis, eliminating ethylene inhibition on the mycelium growth and primordium formation in A. bisporus. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism underlying casing soil bacterium, and help formulate a casing-less cultivation for the next-generation mushroom industry.

Blue light is necessary for initiation of mushroom formation of Pleurotus ostreatus. In this study, we isolated homologues of the blue light receptor genes wc-1 and wc-2 from P. ostreatus, PoWC-1 and PoWC-2. The PoWC-1 contained three typical PAS domains and one PAS domain exhibited significant similarity to the LOV domain of known blue light receptors. The PoWC-2 had one typical PAS domain and one ZnF domain. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that PoWC-1 and PoWC-2 expression increased in a short time, and the final level tended to be stable along with the light illumination. The PoWC-1 and PoWC-2 expression levels of the primordium period was higher than that of mature fruiting-body period; and in the pileus were the highest, followed by the stipe and the gills. The expression of PoWC-1 and PoWC-2 in pre-primordial mycelia was induced by light exposure. In vivo analysis through yeast two-hybrid experiment disclosed that PoWC-1 and PoWC-2 could form heterologous complex to activate the reporter genes and the complex perform the transcription factor function requiring the addition of FAD.

This paper reported two rhodamine-derived chemosensors for cysteine optical sensing. To minimize their photobleaching, up-conversion NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanocrystals were prepared and modified with α-cyclodextrin, serving as excitation host. Efficient energy transfer between this excitation host and our chemosensors was confirmed by spectral analysis, energy transfer radius analysis and emission decay lifetime comparison. Detailed analysis suggested that our chemosensors followed a simple recognition mechanism towards cysteine with binding stoichiometry of 1:1. Chemosensor emission was increased with increasing cysteine concentration. Good selectivity and linear sensing behavior were obtained. The correlation between sensing performance and chemosensor structure was tentatively discussed.

It is unknown whether the ssDNA-binding-protein (SSB) possesses the ability to catalyze DNA recombination. We investigated the recombination function of SSB and the recombination kinetics of Escherichia coli using a new transformation method with a modified double-layered plate. We found that SSB catalysed intermolecular recombination in vitro. Its intermolecular recombination rate versus substrate concentration or homologous sequence length fitted the Hill equation, and while the plasmid intramolecular recombination rate versus substrate concentration fitted a positively linear correlation, the dominant intermolecular recombination was a non-homologous recombination in vivo, similar to RecA. However, ssb-dependent recombination occurred later and at a lower recombination rate than the recA-dependent, probably because ssb expression was about two-fold lower than recA during the E. coli earlier growth stage. The affinity to substrate and the recombination efficiency of SSB was lower than RecA, whereas SSB enhanced the catalytic efficiency of RecA. Knocking out both recA and ssb led to loss of recombination. Our results confirmed that as SSB has the recombination function itself as an allosteric enzyme, recA-independent recombination in E. coli should be ssb-dependent. ssb-dependent recombination may be the third DNA double-strand break repair pathway, in addition to recA-dependent recombination and non-homologous end joining.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi-bacterial biofilms are both important biofertilizer inoculants for sustainable agriculture. However, the strongest chemoattractant for bacteria to colonize the rhizosphere and mycelia is not clear. Coincidentally, almost all the PGPRs possess 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase (AcdS) and can utilize ACC as the sole nitrogen source. Here, we found that ACC was a novel, metabolic dependent and methyl-accepting chemoreceptor-involved chemoattractant for

For efficient extraction of amplifiable DNA from edible vegetable oils, we developed a novel DNA extraction approach based on the non-silica-based dipolar nanocomposites. The nanoparticle comprises a hydrophilic polymethyl methacrylate core with abundant capillaries, hydrophilic vesicles decorated with molecules having DNA affinity and a coating hydrophobic polystyrene layer. The nanoparticles are soluble in oil, adsorb the DNA from the aqueous phase and gave a high DNA recovery ratio. All DNA extracts from fully refined vegetable oil soybean, peanut, rapeseed, and cottonseed oils, including their blends, were sufficiently pure to be amplified by real-time PCR targeting the chloroplast ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate gene (rbcL), therefore, the species of origin and their ratios in mixed vegetable oils blended from two or three oil-species could be determined. These results indicate that the novel DNA isolation and real-time PCR kit is a simple, sensitive and efficient tool for the species identification and traceability in refined vegetable oils.

Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb), encoded by the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb), is highly effective at binding oxygen and delivering it to both prokaryotes and eukaryotes under hypoxic conditions. In this study, we introduced the vgb gene into shiitake mushrooms, and the mycelia of the transformatants grew faster. In particular, they spread into the solid substrate located in the lower part of the test tubes and bags where the oxygen was hypoxic and produced more β-glucan and plant biomass degrading enzymes compared to the original strain. The maximum growth rate of the transformants was 8.5%–15.9% higher than that of the original strain on sawdust-based cultures in plastic bags. The laccase and amylase activities were 17.7%–40.3% and 16.7%–37.9% higher than that of the original strain, respectively. In addition, the β-glucan contents of the transformant mycelia from the submerged fermentation were 12.9%–24.0% higher than that of the original strain. These results reveal that the expression of VHb in mushroom fungi promots the mycelial growth in solid-state cultures under the hypoxic condition as well as enhances β-glucan and plant biomass degrading enzymes production.

The 11α-hydroxylation of 16α, 17-epoxyprogesterone (EP) catalyzed by Rhizopus nigricans is crucial for the steroid industry. However, lower conversion rate of the biohydroxylation restricts its potential industrial application. The 11α-steroid hydroxylase CYP509C12 from R. oryzae were reported to play a crucial role in the 11α-hydroxylation in recombinant fission yeast. In the present study, the CYP509C12 of R. oryzae (RoCYP) was introduced into R. nigricans using the liposome-mediated mycelial transformation. Heterologous expression of RoCYP resulted in increased fungal growth and improved intracellular reactive oxygen species content in R. nigricans. The H2O2 levels in RoCYP transformants were approximately 2-folder that of the R. nigricans wild type (RnWT) strain, with the superoxide dismutase activities increased approximately 45% and catalase activities decreased approximately 68%. Furthermore, the 11α-hydroxylation rates of EP in RoCYP transformants (C4, C6 and C9) were 39.7%, 38.3% and 38.7%, which were 12.1%, 8.2% and 9.4% higher than the rate of the RnWT strain, respectively. This paper investigated the effect of heterologous expression of RoCYP in R. nigricans, providing an effective genetic method to construct the engineered strains for steroid industry.

In order to isolate the differentially expressed genes in the primordium stage of Pleurotus ostreatus, the SSH cDNA library was constructed using the cDNA from dikaryotic mycelium stage as a driver and the cDNA from primordium stage as a tester. There were 423 significantly differently expressed clones among 2055 positive clones after three times of reverse Northern blot differential screening. After the repeated sequences being removed, 46 genes were identified which were putatively involved in cell rescue and defense, energy metabolism, transcription and protein regulation, membrane proteins, and signal transduction; 18 genes encoding hypothetical proteins with unknown function; 5 genes without any homology. PoALDH1 and its full-length cDNA sequence were cloned using the Aldehyde dehydrogenase EST isolated from the library. The amino acid sequence of PoALDH1 contains conservative glutamic acid and cysteine residues active sites of aldehyde dehydrogenase family. When exposed to different concentrations of sodium chloride, the mycelium growth was inhibited and the expression level of PoALDH1 was significantly higher than that of the control one, which indicated that PoALDH1 may have the ability to relieve salt stress. The results of this study will provide useful information for isolating growth and development related genes of P. ostreatus.

Ethylene biosynthesis and function in Agaricus bisporus (the button mushroom) remain uncertain. The enzyme activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO) were detectable in A. bisporus AS2796 and inhibited by α-aminooxyacetic acid and Co2+. We cloned and sequenced 2 ACS genes (Ab-ACS1 and Ab-ACS2) and 1 ACO gene (Ab-ACO) from the mushroom strain. Ab-ACS1 and Ab-ACS2 demonstrated low amino acid sequence similarity. Ab-ACO demonstrated an amino acid sequence completely identical to that of ACO1_AGABI from A. bisporus. Antisense ACO significantly reduced ACO gene expression level, ACO enzyme activity, and ethylene production in the mushroom transformants. The transformants grew faster than the wild-type strain in sterilized compost and normally formed primordia when cultivated in sterilized compost with the sterilized casing vermiculite, but the wild-type strain did not. Our results show that ethylene is synthesized in button mushrooms via the ACC pathway. Ethylene inhibited button mushroom mycelial growth and development.

The button mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus ) produces ethylene and respiration climacteric bursts coupling with rapidly maturation and senescence during postharvest storage. However, the molecular mechanism for the ethylene regulation of button mushroom maturation and senescence is still unclear. In this study, postharvest button mushrooms were treated with ethephon and the plant ethylene receptor inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and the results showed that ethylene accelerated postharvest mushroom maturation and senescence and upregulated maturation- and senescence-related genes, which was in contrast to the effect of 1-MCP. Plant ethylene response elements were predicted in the promoter regions of all 19 maturation- and senescence-related genes in the button mushroom, and the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase (ACO) gene promoter region contained three ethylene response elements, which all expressed the GUS gene in transgenic onion epidermal cells by exogenous ethylene induction. The ACO gene was also highly expressed in postharvest mushrooms by ethylene induction. The results suggest that the ethylene response elements harbored in the promoter regions of the maturation- and senescence-related genes are probably responsible for the ethylene and respiration bursts as well as maturation and senescence of the postharvest button mushroom. The molecular mechanism for the ethylene regulation of postharvest button mushroom maturation and senescence may be similar to that of climacteric fruits.

Liposome-mediated transformation is common for cells with no cell wall, but has very limited usage in cells with walls, such as bacteria, fungi, and plants. In this study, we developed a procedure to introduce DNA into mycelium of filamentous fungi, Rhizopus nigricans LH 21 and Pleurotus ostreatus TD 300, by liposome-mediation but with no protoplast preparation. The DNA was transformed into R. nigricans via plasmid pEGFP-C1 and into P. ostreatus via 7.2 kb linear DNA. The mycelia were ground in 0.6 M mannitol without any grinding aids or glass powder for 15 min to make mycelial fragments suspension; the suspension was mixed with a mixture of the DNA and Lipofectamine 2000, and placed on ice for 30 min; 100 μL of the transformation solution was plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate and cultivated at 28 °C for transformant screening. The plasmid and the linear DNA were confirmed to be integrated into the host chromosome, proving the success of transformation. The transformation efficiencies were similar to those of electroporation-mediated protoplast transformation (EMPT) of R. nigricans or PEG/CaCl2-mediated protoplast transformation (PMT) of P. ostreatus, respectively. The results showed that our procedure was effective, fast, and simple transformation method for filamentous fungi.

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. enzyme, respiration intensity, cultivation, Pleurotus ostreatus SUMMARY. We investigated a practical method for immobilizing liquid spawn of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) to prolong the storage time and provide convenient transportation of liquid spawn of edible mushrooms. The method was based on the mycelial pellets of liquid spawn adsorbed in carriers. Selected carriers were similar to cultivation substrates, and the best carrier was a mixture of cottonseed hull, corn core, and wheat bran with a ratio of 4.5:4.5:1 by weight. Immobilized spawn were prepared by mixing the pellets from liquid spawn with carriers using a ratio of 1:8 by weight. Within the first 15 days of storage at 20‐25 � C, the immobilized spawn grew strongly, respiration intensity and cellulase activitiesroserapidly,andthecountandbrightnessoftheisozymebandsofesterase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase increased remarkably as well. From days 30 to 60, the cellulase activities fell and the brightness of the peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase bands gradually decreased, whereas the respiration intensity and the band count of esterase and peroxidase remained constant. After 60 days, the cultivated characteristics of the immobilized spawn were same as the fresh conventional solid cottonseed hull spawn. The results showed that immobilized spawn on the basis of the mycelial pellets of liquid spawn adsorbed in carrier can be used to extend the storage time and simplify transportation of liquid spawn of edible mushroom.

The Suaeda salsa glutathione S-transferase gene (GST) was introduced into arabidopsis under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Transformants were selected for their ability to grow on medium containing kanamycin. Southern and northern blot analyses confirmed that GST was transferred into the arabidopsis genome, and the GST and GPX activities in transgenic plants (GT) were much higher than in wild-type plants (WT). There were no obvious morphological or developmental differences between transgenic and wild-type plants. One transgenic homozygous line (GT6–8) and WT plants were evaluated for salt tolerance and gene expression. Seed germination and seedling salt tolerance were improved after overexpression of GST in arabidopsis; the photosynthesis rate and the fresh weight of the GT6–8 line were distinctly higher than those of WT plants after NaCl treatment. Glutathione content increased substantially in salt-stressed arabidopsis plants of both genotypes, and the glutathione pool in GT6–8 plants was more oxidized than in WT plants under both control and stressful conditions. The MDA content, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased in WT plants but was not affected distinctly in GT6–8 seedlings after NaCl treatment. Results from different tests indicated that the expression of the GST gene promoted a higher level of salt tolerance in vivo in transgenic arabidopsis plants.

The immune mechanisms by which early host-mycobacterium interaction leads to the development of severe tuberculosis (TB) remain poorly characterized in humans. Here, we demonstrate that severe TB in juvenile rhesus monkeys down-regulated many genes in the blood but up-regulated selected genes constituting gene networks of Th17 and Th1 responses, T cell activation and migration, and inflammation and chemoattractants in the pulmonary and lymphoid compartments. Overexpression (450-2740-fold) of 13 genes encoding inflammatory cytokines and receptors (IL-22, CCL27, MIP-1alpha, IP-10, CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR3), immune dysfunctional receptors and ligands (PD1 and PDL2), and immune activation elements (IL-3, IFN-beta, TIM1, and TLR2) was seen in tissues, with low antigen-specific cellular responses. Thus, severe TB in macaques features unbalanced up-regulation of immune-gene networks without proportional increases in antigen-specific cellular responses.

Little is known about the immune distribution and localization of antigen-specific T cells in mucosal interfaces of tissues/organs during infection of humans. In this study, we made use of a macaque model ofMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection to assess phosphoantigen-specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells regarding their tissue distribution, anatomical localization, and correlation with the presence or absence of tuberculosis (TB) lesions in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs/tissues in the progression of severe pulmonary TB. Progression of pulmonaryM. tuberculosisinfection generated diverse distribution patterns of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, with remarkable accumulation of these cells in lungs, bronchial lymph nodes, spleens, and remote nonlymphoid organs but not in blood. Increased numbers of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in tissues were associated withM. tuberculosisinfection but were independent of the severity of TB lesions. In lungs with apparent TB lesions, Vγ2Vδ2 T cells were present within TB granulomas. In extrathoracic organs, Vγ2Vδ2 T cells were localized in the interstitial compartment of nonlymphoid tissues, and the interstitial localization was present despite the absence of detectable TB lesions. Finally, Vγ2Vδ2 T cells accumulated in tissues appeared to possess cytokine production function, since granzyme B was detectable in the γδ T cells present within granulomas. Thus, clonally expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells appeared to undergotrans-endothelial migration, interstitial localization, and granuloma infiltration as immune responses toM. tuberculosisinfection.

Gene networks of protective lymphocytes after immune activation with live attenuated vaccines remain poorly characterized. Because Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine can confer protection against fatal forms of tuberculosis in humans and monkeys, we made use of macaque models to optimally study immune gene networks after BCG vaccination/infection. We first established and validated a large-scale real-time quantitation system and then used it to measure expression levels of 138 immune genes after BCG vaccination/infection of rhesus macaques. Systemic BCG vaccination induced up to 600-fold increases in expression of 78 immune genes among the 138 genes tested at the time when BCG-elicited T cell responses and immunity were apparent. These up-regulated transcripts constituted multiple gene networks that were linked to various aspects of immune function. Surprisingly, the up-regulation of most of these immune genes in the gene networks occurred at 1 week and was sustained ator = 6 weeks after BCG vaccination/infection. Although early activation of immune gene networks was an immune correlate of anti-BCG immunity, prolonged up-regulation of these networks coincided with the development of vaccine-elicited T cell responses after BCG vaccination/infection. These findings provide molecular evidence suggesting that the BCG-induced gene networks may represent global transcriptomes and proteomes underlying the development of T cell responses and, ultimately, immunity to mycobacteria.

Dikarya is a subkingdom of fungi that includes Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The gene expression patterns of dikaryon are poorly understood. In this study, we bred a dikaryon DK13 × 3 by mating monokaryons MK13 and MK3, which were from the basidiospores of Pleurotus ostreatus TD300. Using RNA-Seq, we obtained the transcriptomes of the three strains. We found that the total transcript numbers in the transcriptomes of the three strains were all more than ten thousand, and the expression profile in DK13 × 3 was more similar to MK13 than MK3. However, the genes involved in macromolecule utilization, cellular material synthesis, stress-resistance and signal transduction were much more up-regulated in the dikaryon than its constituent monokaryons. All possible modes of differential gene expression, when compared to constituent monokaryons, including the presence/absence variation, and additivity/nonadditivity gene expression in the dikaryon may contribute to heterosis. By sequencing the urease gene poure sequences and mRNA sequences, we identified the monoallelic expression of the poure gene in the dikaryon, and its transcript was from the parental monokaryon MK13. Furthermore, we discovered RNA editing in the poure gene mRNA of the three strains. These results suggest that the gene expression patterns in dikaryons should be similar to that of diploids during vegetative growth.

The immune mechanisms associated with the evolution from latent to clinically active mycobacterial coinfection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected humans remain poorly understood. Previous work has demonstrated that macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) can develop persistentMycobacterium bovisBCG coinfection and a fatal SIV-related tuberculosis-like disease by 4 months after BCG inoculation. In the present study, SIVmac-infected monkeys that developed clinically quiescent mycobacterial infection after BCG inoculation were followed prospectively for the reactivation of the BCG and the development of SIV-related tuberculosis-like disease. The development of clinically latent BCG coinfection in these SIVmac-infected monkeys was characterized by a change from high to undetectable levels of bacterial organisms, with or without measurable BCG mRNA expression in lymph node cells. The reactivation of clinically latent BCG coinfection and development of SIV-related tuberculosis-like disease were then observed in these SIVmac-BCG-coinfected monkeys during a 21-month period of follow-up. The reactivation of SIV-related tuberculosis-like disease in these animals coincided with a severe depletion of CD4 T cells and a loss of BCG-specific T-cell responses. Interestingly, bacterial superantigen challenge of the SIVmac-BCG-coinfected monkeys resulted in an up-regulation of clinically latent BCG coinfection, suggesting that infection with superantigen-producing microbes may increase the susceptibility of individuals to the reactivation of AIDS-related mycobacterial coinfection. Thus, reactivation of latent mycobacterial infections in HIV-1-infected individuals may result from a loss of T-cell immunity or from a superimposed further compromise of the immune system.

Adaptive immune responses of γδ T cells during active mycobacterial coinfection of human immunodeficiency virus-infected humans have not been studied. Macaques infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) SIVmac were employed to determine the extent to which a coincident AIDS virus infection might compromise immune responses of mycobacterium-specific Vγ2Vδ2+T cells during active mycobacterial infection. Control SIVmac-negative macaques developed primary and recall expansions of phosphoantigen-specific Vγ2Vδ2+T cells afterMycobacterium bovisBCG infection and BCG reinfection, respectively. In contrast, SIVmac-infected macaques did not exhibit sound primary and recall expansions of Vγ2Vδ2+T cells in the blood and pulmonary alveoli following BCG infection and reinfection. The absence of adaptive Vγ2Vδ2+T-cell responses was associated with profound CD4+T-cell deficiency and subsequent development of SIVmac-related tuberculosis-like disease in the coinfected monkeys. Consistently, Vγ2Vδ2+T cells from coinfected monkeys displayed a reduced capacity to expand in vitro following stimulation with phosphoantigen. The reduced ability of Vγ2Vδ2+peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to expand could be restored to some extent by coculture of these cells with CD4+T cells purified from PBL of SIV-negative monkeys. Furthermore, naïve monkeys inoculated simultaneously with SIVmac and BCG were unable to sustain expansion of Vγ2Vδ2+T cells at the time that the coinfected monkeys developed lymphoid depletion and a fatal tuberculosis-like disease. Nevertheless, no deletion in Vδ2 T-cell receptor repertoire was identified in SIVmac-BCG-coinfected macaques, implicating an SIVmac-induced down-regulation rather than a clonal exhaustion of these cells. Thus, an SIVmac-induced compromise of the adaptive Vγ2Vδ2+T-cell responses may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of the SIV-related tuberculosis-like disease in macaques.

To examine the role of T cell receptor (TCR) in γδ T cells in adaptive immunity, a macaque model was used to follow Vγ2Vδ2+T cell responses to mycobacterial infections. These phosphoantigen-specific γδ T cells displayed major expansion duringMycobacterium bovisBacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection and a clear memory-type response after BCG reinfection. Primary and recall expansions of Vγ2Vδ2+T cells were also seen duringMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection of naı̈ve and BCG-vaccinated macaques, respectively. This capacity to rapidly expand coincided with a clearance of BCG bacteremia and immunity to fatal tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated macaques. Thus, Vγ2Vδ2+T cells may contribute to adaptive immunity to mycobacterial infections.

Dominant Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell subset exist only in primates, and recognize phosphoantigen from selected pathogens including M. tuberculosis(Mtb). In vivo function of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in tuberculosis remains unknown. We conducted mechanistic studies to determine whether earlier expansion/differentiation of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells during Mtb infection could increase immune resistance to tuberculosis in macaques. Phosphoantigen/IL-2 administration specifically induced major expansion and pulmonary trafficking/accumulation of phosphoantigen-specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, significantly reduced Mtb burdens and attenuated tuberculosis lesions in lung tissues compared to saline/BSA or IL-2 controls. Expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells differentiated into multifunctional effector subpopulations capable of producing anti-TB cytokines IFNγ, perforin and granulysin, and co-producing perforin/granulysin in lung tissue. Mechanistically, perforin/granulysin-producing Vγ2Vδ2 T cells limited intracellular Mtb growth, and macaque granulysin had Mtb-bactericidal effect, and inhibited intracellular Mtb in presence of perforin. Furthermore, phosphoantigen/IL2-expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells produced IL-12, and their expansion/differentiation led to enhanced pulmonary responses of peptide-specific CD4+/CD8+ Th1-like cells. These results provide first in vivo evidence implicating that early expansion/differentiation of Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells during Mtb infection increases resistance to tuberculosis. Thus, data support a rationale for conducting further studies of the γδ T-cell-targeted treatment of established TB, which might ultimately help explore single or adjunctive phosphoantigen expansion of Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell subset as intervention of MDR-tuberculosis or HIV-related tuberculosis., Author Summary Tuberculosis(TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While CD4+/CD8+ T cells are protective, role of γδ T cells in TB and other infections remains unknown in humans. Vγ2Vδ2 T cells exist only in primates, represent a dominant circulating γδ T-cell subpopulation, and recognize phosphoantigen from Mtb and some selected pathogens. Here, we determined whether earlier expansion/differentiation of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells during Mtb infection increased resistance to TB in macaques. Phosphoantigen plus IL-2 administration induced expansion and pulmonary accumulation of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells, significantly reduced Mtb counts and attenuated TB lesions in lung tissues. Expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells produced anti-TB cytokines IFNγ, perforin and granulysin, and co-produced perforin and granulysin in lung tissue. Perforin/granulysin-co-producing Vγ2Vδ2 T cells limited intracellular Mtb growth, and macaque granulysin killed Mtb bacteria, and inhibited intracellular Mtb in presence of perforin. Furthermore, expansion of Vγ2Vδ2 T effectors enhanced pulmonary responses of peptide-specific CD4+/CD8+ T cells, which correlated with the ability of Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells to produce IL-12. These results provide first evidence implicating a protective role of Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells in TB, supporting a rationale to explore Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell-targeted treatment of drug-resistant TB or HIV-related TB.

Mushroom β-glucans are potent immunological stimulators in medicine, but their productivities are very low. In this study, we successfully improved its production by promoter engineering in Pleurotus ostreatus. The promoter for β-1,3-glucan synthase gene (GLS) was replaced by the promoter of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of Aspergillus nidulans. The homologous recombination fragment for swapping GLS promoter comprised five segments, which were fused by two rounds of combined touchdown PCR and overlap extension PCR (TD-OE PCR), and was introduced into P. ostreatus through PEG/CaCl2-mediated protoplast transformation. The transformants exhibited one to three fold higher transcription of GLS gene and produced 32% to 131% higher yield of β-glucans than the wild type. The polysaccharide yields had a significant positive correlation to the GLS gene expression. The infrared spectra of the polysaccharides all displayed the typical absorption peaks of β-glucans. This is the first report of successful swapping of promoters in filamentous fungi.

Three hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene expression systems for culinary-medicinal Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, plasmid pSHC, pAN7-1, and pBHt1 were evaluated through PEG/CaCl(2)-mediated protoplast transformation. Plasmid pSHC is a newly constructed hph gene expression system, composed of Escherichia coli hph gene, the P. ostreatus sdi promoter, and the CaMV35S terminator. The vector pAN7-1 was commonly used for integrative transformation in filamentous fungi. Plasmid pBHtl is a T-DNA binary vector, usually introduced into fungi by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The results showed that plasmids pSHC, pAN7-1, and pBHt1 were all integrated into the host chromosomes and expressed hygromycin B resistance in P. ostreatus. pAN7-1 had the highest transformation efficiency and hph gene expression level, pSHC the second, and pBHt1 the lowest. Growth rates of the transformants on plates containing hygromycin B were in correspondence with their hph gene expression levels. To our knowledge, this is the first report on integrated transformation of plasmid pAN7-1 and pBHt1 in P. ostreatus.

Background We previously demonstrated that unvaccinated macaques infected with large-dose M.tuberculosis(Mtb) exhibited delays for pulmonary trafficking of Ag-specific αβ and γδ T effector cells, and developed severe lung tuberculosis(TB) and “secondary” Mtb infection in remote organs such as liver and kidney. Despite delays in lungs, local immunity in remote organs may accumulate since progressive immune activation after pulmonary Mtb infection may allow IFNγ-producing γδ T cells to adequately develop and traffic to lately-infected remote organs. As initial efforts to test this hypothesis, we comparatively examined TCR repertoire/clonality, tissue trafficking and effector function of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in lung with severe TB and in liver/kidney without apparent TB. Methodology/Principal Findings We utilized conventional infection-immunity approaches in macaque TB model, and employed our decades-long expertise for TCR repertoire analyses. TCR repertoires in Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell subpopulation were broad during primary Mtb infection as most TCR clones found in lymphoid system, lung, kidney and liver were distinct. Polyclonally-expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T-cell clones from lymphoid tissues appeared to distribute and localize in lung TB granuloms at the endpoint after Mtb infection by aerosol. Interestingly, some TCR clones appeared to be more predominant than others in lymphocytes from liver or kidney without apparent TB lesions. TCR CDR3 spetratyping revealed such clonal dominance, and the clonal dominance of expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in kidney/liver tissues was associated with undetectable or low-level TB burdens. Furthermore, Vγ2Vδ2 T cells from tissue compartments could mount effector function for producing anti-mycobacterium cytokine. Conclusion We were the first to demonstrate clonal immune responses of mycobacterium-specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in the lymphoid system, heavily-infected lungs and lately subtly-infected kidneys or livers during primary Mtb infection. While clonally-expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells accumulated in lately-infected kidneys/livers without apparent TB lesions, TB burdens or lesions appeared to impact TCR repertoires and tissue trafficking patterns of activated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells.

Clonal responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4+ or CD8+ T effector cells producing antituberculosis cytokine IFN-γ in the context of immune protection against tuberculosis remain poorly characterized in humans. Utilizing decade-long TCR expertise, we previously developed a useful method to isolate clonotypic TCR sequences from Ag-specific IFN-γ–producing T cells and to specifically measure clonotypic TCR frequencies in the T cell pool. In this study, we investigated TCR Vβ repertoires/CDR3 usage, clonal expansion or dominance, and pulmonary trafficking or accumulation for purified protein deritative (PPD)-specific T effector cells producing IFN-γ during bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and subsequent M. tuberculosis challenge of macaques. We found that while PPD-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T effector clones employed diverse TCR Vβ repertoires, 30–33% of IFN-γ+CD4+ T cell clones from three M. tuberculosis-infected macaques expressed TCR bearing a conserved residue leucine in CDR3. Many Ag-specific IFN-γ+ CD4+ and few CD8+ T effector cells emerged as dominant clones during mycobacterial infections and underwent major recall expansion after pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection of BCG-vaccinated macaques. PPD-specific T cell clones readily trafficked to the airway or lung after BCG vaccination or M. tuberculosis infection, and some of them continuously accumulated in lungs during M. tuberculosis infection even after they became undetectable in the circulation. Importantly, remarkable recall expansion and pulmonary accumulation of T effector cells coincided with BCG-induced protection against tuberculosis. Thus, rapid clonal expansion and pulmonary accumulation of Ag-specific T effector cells appear to be one of the immune mechanisms underlying immunity against tuberculosis.