Advances and Application of DNA-functionalized Nanoparticles.

DNA-functionalized nanoparticle (DfNP) technology, the integration of DNA with nanotechnology, has emerged over recent decades as a promising biofunctionalization tool in the light of biotechnological approaches. The development of DfNPs has exhibited significant potential for several biological and biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the mechanism of a series of DNA-NP nanocomposites and highlight the superstructures of DNA-based NPs. We also summarize the applications of these nanocomposites in cell imaging, cancer therapy and bioanalytical detection.

Occurrence and Multilocus Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in Yunnan Black Goats in China.

Giardia duodenalis is an important zoonotic parasite which can parasitize in the intestines of humans and various animals. However, the information about the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in goats in China is limited. It is yet to be known whether Yunnan black goats, a unique goat breed in subtropical Yunnan province, southwestern China, are infected with G. duodenalis. Thus, a total of 907 fecal samples were collected from Yunnan black goats in five regions in Yunnan province, to estimate the prevalence and genotypes of G. duodenalis using a PCR-based approach. The G. duodenalis prevalence is 4.2% (38/907) in Yunnan black goats by nested amplification of the ß-giardin (bg) gene, and the genotypes are identified as assemblage E, with 5 novel subtypes (E11-E15). Multilocus sequence typing revealed that 11, 18, and 38 samples were amplifiable on tpi (triose phosphate isomerase), gdh (glutamate dehydrogenase), and bg locus, respectively, and identified three novel multilocus genotypes (MLGs): MLGE9-MLGE11. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. duodenalis prevalence and genotypes in Yunnan black goats in China, which extended the host range of G. duodenalis and provided basic data for controlling G. duodenalis infection in Yunnan black goats.

[Divergence and systematical evolution of three Leuciscus species in Xinjiang based on mitochondrial DNA control region sequences].

Nucleotide sequence of fish mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region from Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis, L. merzbacheri, and L. idus in Xinjiang, China, were examined by sequencing 667 - 669 bp length of homological fragments in the D-loop from 24 individuals of the three fish species. DNA divergence ranged from 6.39% - 9.89% among the three fish species in the genius of Leuciscus cuvier. The sequence similarity is high and the variation is low between L. Leuciscus baicalensis and L. idus. In contract, the genetic distance is larger between L. Leuciscus baicalensis and L. merzbacheri. The average nucleotide variation within each of the two geographical populations (Sailimu lake and E' erqis river) of L. leuciscus baicalensis is 1.07% and 1.08%, respectively, and such variation is 1.07% between the two populations. These results demonstrate that the two geographic populations of L. leuciscus baicalensis do not appear to have significant genetic differentiation. Sequencing data showed the existence of sufficient genetic variations among three species of fish, as illustrated by distinct haplotypes for each species. The phylogenetic trees built with MEGA1.02 pointed out that the relationship between L. leuciscus baicalensis and L. idus is close, and L. merzbacheri is ancient among three Leuciscus.

[Polymorphism and original analysis of mtDNA D-loop of three Leuciscus species in Xinjiang].

PCR-RFLP technique was employed to amplify about 827bp of mtDNA D-loop hypervariable region of Leuciscus baicalensis, L.merzbacheri and L.idus in Xinjiang. The PCR products of 56 samples with four restriction enzymes were digested: ScaI,HinfI,AluI,DdeI,and RFLP analysis was done then. The study indicates that all of L. species and populations have six haplotypes, L.merzbacheri has two haplotypes: BDAA,BDBA; L.baicalensis has three:AAAA,ABAA,ACAA; L.idus has one:CAAA. It is primarily considered that L.merzbacheri and L.baicalensis have more intra-population mutations. The UPGMA trees with 6 haplotypes and net genetics distance pointed out that L.merzbacheri might be original species, L.baicalensis and L.idus are evolved from L.merzbacheri.