Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 851 in total

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  1. Fulltext Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore
    Jusoh WFA, Ballantyne L, Chan SH, Wong TW, Yeo D, Nada B, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Mar 04;11(3).
    PMID: 33806564 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687
    The firefly genus Luciola sensu McDermott contains 282 species that are distributed across major parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Due to phenotypic similarities, species identification using external morphological characters can be unreliable for this group. Consequently, decades of piecemeal taxonomic treatments have resulted in numerous erroneous and contentious classifications. Furthermore, our understanding of the group's evolutionary history is limited due to the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework that has also impeded efforts to stabilize its taxonomy. Here, we constructed molecular phylogenies of Luciola and its allies based on combined mitogenomes and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) sequences including a newly sequenced mitogenome of an unidentified taxon from Singapore. Our results showed that this taxon represents a distinct and hitherto undescribed evolutionary lineage that forms a clade with L. filiformis from Japan and L. curtithorax from China. Additionally, the Singaporean lineage can be differentiated from other congeners through several external and internal diagnostic morphological characters, and is thus described herein as a new species. Our phylogeny also strongly supported the paraphyly of Luciola with regard to L. cruciata and L. owadai, which were inferred to be more closely related to the genus Aquatica as opposed to other members of Luciola sensu stricto. The genus Hotaria was inferred as a derived clade within Luciola (sister to L. italica), supporting its status as a subgenus of Luciola instead of a distinct genus. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries, such as Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  2. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Flavobacterium sp. Strain PL002, Isolated from Antarctic Porphyra Algae
    Teoh CP, Lavin P, Najimudin N, Lee PC, Iancu L, Purcarea C, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 Feb 25;10(8).
    PMID: 33632855 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00063-21
    Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Flavobacterium sp. strain PL002, isolated from Antarctic Porphyra algae. The 4,299,965-bp genome sequence is assembled into 170 contigs, has 32.92% GC content, and 3,734 predicted genes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  3. Fulltext From 18S to 28S rRNA Gene: An Improved Targeted Sarcocystidae PCR Amplification, Species Identification with Long DNA Sequences
    Lee FCH, Muthu V
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2021 02 22;104(4):1388-1393.
    PMID: 33617472 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0767
    Sarcocystosis outbreaks in Tioman and Pangkor islands of Malaysia between 2011 and 2014 have raised the need to improve Sarcocystis species detection from environmental samples. In-house works found that published primers amplifying the 18S rRNA gene of Sarcocystis either could not produce the target from environmental samples or produced Sarcocystis DNA sequence that was insufficient for species identification. Using the primer pair of 18S S5 F (published) and 28S R6 R (new), this study improved the PCR amplification of Sarcocystidae to overcome these two difficulties. The PCR product spanned from the 18S to 28S rRNA genes, providing more information for species identification. The long DNA sequence allowed comparison between the "Ident" and "Query Cover" sorting in GenBank identity matching. This revealed the ambiguity in identity matching caused by different lengths of reference DNA sequences, which is seldom discussed in the literature. Using the disparity index test, a measurement of homogeneity in nucleotide substitution pattern, it is shown that the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 and 28S genes are better than the 18S gene in indicating nucleotide variations, implying better potentials for species identification. The example given by the handful of Sarcocystidae long DNA sequences reported herein calls for the need to report DNA sequence from the 18S to the 28S rRNA genes for species identification, especially among emerging pathogens. DNA sequence reporting should include the hypervariable 5.8S and ITS2 regions where applicable, and not be limited to single gene, per the current general trend.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence/genetics*
  4. Fulltext A Linkage-Based Genome Assembly for the Mosquito Aedes albopictus and Identification of Chromosomal Regions Affecting Diapause
    Boyle JH, Rastas PMA, Huang X, Garner AG, Vythilingam I, Armbruster PA
    Insects, 2021 Feb 16;12(2).
    PMID: 33669192 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020167
    The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an invasive vector mosquito of substantial public health concern. The large genome size (~1.19-1.28 Gb by cytofluorometric estimates), comprised of ~68% repetitive DNA sequences, has made it difficult to produce a high-quality genome assembly for this species. We constructed a high-density linkage map for Ae. albopictus based on 111,328 informative SNPs obtained by RNAseq. We then performed a linkage-map anchored reassembly of AalbF2, the genome assembly produced by Palatini et al. (2020). Our reassembled genome sequence, AalbF3, represents several improvements relative to AalbF2. First, the size of the AalbF3 assembly is 1.45 Gb, almost half the size of AalbF2. Furthermore, relative to AalbF2, AalbF3 contains a higher proportion of complete and single-copy BUSCO genes (84.3%) and a higher proportion of aligned RNAseq reads that map concordantly to a single location of the genome (46%). We demonstrate the utility of AalbF3 by using it as a reference for a bulk-segregant-based comparative genomics analysis that identifies chromosomal regions with clusters of candidate SNPs putatively associated with photoperiodic diapause, a crucial ecological adaptation underpinning the rapid range expansion and climatic adaptation of A. albopictus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  5. Fulltext Characterization of the mitogenomes of long-tailed giant rat, Leopoldamys sabanus and a comparative analysis with other Leopoldamys species
    Jahari PNS, Mohd Azman S, Munian K, Ahmad Ruzman NH, Shamsir MS, Richter SR, et al.
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2021 Feb 11;6(2):502-504.
    PMID: 33628904 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1872433
    Two mitogenomes of long-tailed giant rat, Leopoldamys sabanus (Thomas, 1887), which belongs to the family Muridae were sequenced and assembled in this study. Both mitogenomes have a length of 15,973 bp and encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one control region. The circular molecule of L. sabanus has a typical vertebrate gene arrangement. Phylogenetic and BLASTn analysis using 10 Leopoldamys species mitogenomes revealed sequence variation occurred within species from different time zones. Along with the taxonomic issues, this suggests a landscape change might influence genetic connectivity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  6. Fulltext The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Nephelium lappaceum (rambutan)
    Liu J, Zheng C, Liu ZY, Niu YF
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2021 Feb 09;6(2):485-487.
    PMID: 33628898 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1872449
    Nephelium lappaceum is a popular tropical fruit belonging to the Sapindaceae family. The plant originated in Malaysia and Indonesia and is commonly called rambutan. Because of its refreshing flavor and exotic appearance, rambutan is widely accepted in the World. Due to its significant medicinal properties, the fruit has also been employed in traditional medicine for centuries. The chloroplast genome of rambutan was sequenced, assembled, and annotated in the present study. The chloroplast genome length was 161,356 bp and contained 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. It possessed the typical quadripartite circle structure with a large single-copy region (86,009 bp), a small single-copy region (18,153 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (28,597 bp). A total of 35 SSR markers were found in the chloroplast genome of Nephelium lappaceum, of which 33 were monomer, 1 was dimer and 1 was tetramer. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete chloroplast genome sequences of 21 plant species showed that rambutan was closely related to Pometia tomentosa. These results provide a foundation for further phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of the Sapindaceae family.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  7. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Antarctic Psychrotroph Streptomyces fildesensis Strain INACH3013, Isolated from King George Island Soil
    Lavin P, Henríquez-Castillo C, Yong ST, Valenzuela-Heredia D, Oses R, Frez K, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 Feb 04;10(5).
    PMID: 33541887 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.01453-20
    The draft genome sequence of Streptomyces fildesensis strain INACH3013, a psychrotrophic bacterium isolated from Northwest Antarctic soil, was reported. The genome sequence totaling 9,306,785 bp resulted from 122 contigs characterized by a GC content of 70.55%.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  8. Two New and Nontoxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia species (Bacillariophyceae) from Chinese Southeast Coastal Waters
    Chen XM, Pang JX, Huang CX, Lundholm N, Teng ST, Li A, et al.
    J Phycol, 2021 Feb;57(1):335-344.
    PMID: 33174223 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13101
    To explore the species diversity and toxin profile of Pseudo-nitzschia, monoclonal strains were established from Chinese southeast coastal waters. The morphology was examined under light and transmission electron microscopy. The internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analyses, and the secondary structure of ITS2 was predicted and compared among allied taxa. A combination of morphological and molecular data showed the presence of two new species, Pseudo-nitzschia hainanensis sp. nov. and Pseudo-nitzschia taiwanensis sp. nov. Pseudo-nitzschia hainanensis was characterized by a dumpy-lanceolate valve with slightly blunt apices and a central nodule, as well as striae comprising two rows of poroids. Pseudo-nitzschia taiwanensis was characterized by a slender-lanceolate valve, and striae comprising one row of split poroids. The poroid structure mainly comprised two sectors. Both taxa constituted their own monophyletic lineage in the phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS2 rDNA and were well differentiated from other Pseudo-nitzschia species. Morphologically, P. hainanensis and P. taiwanensis could be assigned to the Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima and the Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima complex, respectively. Particulate domoic acid was measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), but no detectable pDA was found. With the description of the two new species, the species diversity of genus Pseudo-nitzschia reaches 58 worldwide, among which 31 have been recorded from Chinese coastal waters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  9. Fulltext Extended survival of Pleistocene Siberian wolves into the early 20th century on the island of Honshū
    Niemann J, Gopalakrishnan S, Yamaguchi N, Ramos-Madrigal J, Wales N, Gilbert MTP, et al.
    iScience, 2021 Jan 22;24(1):101904.
    PMID: 33364590 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101904
    The Japanese or Honshū wolf was one the most distinct gray wolf subspecies due to its small stature and endemicity to the islands of Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū. Long revered as a guardian of farmers and travellers, it was persecuted from the 17th century following a rabies epidemic, which led to its extinction in the early 20th century. To better understand its evolutionary history, we sequenced the nuclear genome of a 19th century Honshū wolf specimen to an average depth of coverage of 3.7✕. We find Honshū wolves were closely related to a lineage of Siberian wolves that were previously believed to have gone extinct in the Late Pleistocene, thereby extending the survival of this ancient lineage until the early 20th century. We also detected significant gene flow between Japanese dogs and the Honshū wolf, corroborating previous reports on Honshū wolf dog interbreeding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  10. Developing critical thinking in STEM education through inquiry-based writing in the laboratory classroom
    Jeon AJ, Kellogg D, Khan MA, Tucker-Kellogg G
    Biochem Mol Biol Educ, 2021 01;49(1):140-150.
    PMID: 32746505 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21414
    Laboratory pedagogy is moving away from step-by-step instructions and toward inquiry-based learning, but only now developing methods for integrating inquiry-based writing (IBW) practices into the laboratory course. Based on an earlier proposal (Science 2011;332:919), we designed and implemented an IBW sequence in a university bioinformatics course. We automatically generated unique, double-blinded, biologically plausible DNA sequences for each student. After guided instruction, students investigated sequences independently and responded through IBW writing assignments. IBW assignments were structured as condensed versions of a scientific research article, and because the sequences were double blinded, they were also assessed as authentic science and evaluated on clarity and persuasiveness. We piloted the approach in a seven-day workshop (35 students) at Perdana University in Malaysia. We observed dramatically improved student engagement and indirect evidence of improved learning outcomes over a similar workshop without IBW. Based on student feedback, initial discomfort with the writing component abated in favor of an overall positive response and increasing comfort with the high demands of student writing. Similarly, encouraging results were found in a semester length undergraduate module at the National University of Singapore (155 students).
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  11. Fulltext Genome-Wide Analysis of Targets for Post-Transcriptional Regulation by Rsm Proteins in Pseudomonas putida
    Huertas-Rosales Ó, Romero M, Chan KG, Hong KW, Cámara M, Heeb S, et al.
    Front Mol Biosci, 2021;8:624061.
    PMID: 33693029 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.624061
    Post-transcriptional regulation is an important step in the control of bacterial gene expression in response to environmental and cellular signals. Pseudomonas putida KT2440 harbors three known members of the CsrA/RsmA family of post-transcriptional regulators: RsmA, RsmE and RsmI. We have carried out a global analysis to identify RNA sequences bound in vivo by each of these proteins. Affinity purification and sequencing of RNA molecules associated with Rsm proteins were used to discover direct binding targets, corresponding to 437 unique RNA molecules, 75 of them being common to the three proteins. Relevant targets include genes encoding proteins involved in signal transduction and regulation, metabolism, transport and secretion, stress responses, and the turnover of the intracellular second messenger c-di-GMP. To our knowledge, this is the first combined global analysis in a bacterium harboring three Rsm homologs. It offers a broad overview of the network of processes subjected to this type of regulation and opens the way to define what are the sequence and structure determinants that define common or differential recognition of specific RNA molecules by these proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  12. Fulltext Detection of mumps virus of genotype g in Bangladeshi children suffering from encephalitis
    Daisuke, Mori, Wahida Khanam, Kamruddin Ahmed
    Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021;15(1):73-79.
    MyJurnal
    Although mumps virus (MuVi) is an important agent of encephalitis, however, mumps vaccine has not yet been included in the national immunization programme of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the genotype distribution of this virus in Bangladesh is unknown. Cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from 97 children with encephalitis from April 2009 to March 2010 were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to determine the causative agents. MuVi was detected in two samples, these samples were further subjected to conventional PCR using specific primers, then amplicons were sequenced, and genotype was determined as genotype G. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these strains were clustered with strains from Nepal, India, the UK, Thailand, and the USA. By Bayesian inference, we also determined that the ancestor of Bangladeshi and Indian MuVi were same and segregated only about two decades back. These results will help future surveillance and the detection of invading MuVi strains from other countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  13. Fulltext Sequencing and Annotated of Goat's Milk using Bioinformatics Tool: ClustalX
    Muhammad Najmi Mohammad Fauzi, Aisyah Aqilah Abu Bakar, Liyana Amalina Adnan, Tg Ainul Farha Tg Abdul Rahman, A’wani Aziz Nurdalila
    Malaysian Journal of Science, Health & Technology, 2021;7(1):28-33.
    MyJurnal
    Bioinformatics tool is a software program made to extract meaningful information from the mass of molecular biology or biological databases and carry out sequence or structural analysis. The method of determining the order of nucleotides within a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule is known as DNA sequencing. This analysis is meant to be run to the commercialized or factorymade goat's milk (pasteurised) from various states in Malaysia to identify the milk's authenticity, either it is pure or mixed with other foreign substances from other animals. The main objective is to compare DNA sequences of commercialized and raw goat's milk (handmilking and non-pasteurised). To achieve this, we used ClustalX to align and compare the obtained DNA from both milk samples. The sequences will be aligned using ClustalX software. ClustalX is a provider of an automated system for performing multiple alignments of sequences and profiles and evaluating the outcomes. The usage of ClustalX is helpful as it is cost-effective, user-friendly, and showing a high accuracy of the analysis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  14. Fulltext Emergence of equine-like G3 strains as the dominant rotavirus among children under five with diarrhea in Sabah, Malaysia  during 2018-2019
    Amit LN, Mori D, John JL, Chin AZ, Mosiun AK, Jeffree MS, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(7):e0254784.
    PMID: 34320003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254784
    Rotavirus infection is a dilemma for developing countries, including Malaysia. Although commercial rotavirus vaccines are available, these are not included in Malaysia's national immunization program. A scarcity of data about rotavirus genotype distribution could be partially to blame for this policy decision, because there are no data for rotavirus genotype distribution in Malaysia over the past 20 years. From January 2018 to March 2019, we conducted a study to elucidate the rotavirus burden and genotype distribution in the Kota Kinabalu and Kunak districts of the state of Sabah. Stool specimens were collected from children under 5 years of age, and rotavirus antigen in these samples was detected using commercially available kit. Electropherotypes were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of genomic RNA. G and P genotypes were determined by RT-PCR using type specific primers. The nucleotide sequence of the amplicons was determined by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was performed by neighbor-joining method. Rotavirus was identified in 43 (15.1%) children with watery diarrhea. The male:female ratio (1.9:1) of the rotavirus-infected children clearly showed that it affected predominantly boys, and children 12-23 months of age. The genotypes identified were G3P[8] (74% n = 31), followed by G1P[8] (14% n = 6), G12P[6](7% n = 3), G8P[8](3% n = 1), and GxP[8] (3% n = 1). The predominant rotavirus circulating among the children was the equine-like G3P[8] (59.5% n = 25) with a short electropherotype. Eleven electropherotypes were identified among 34 strains, indicating substantial diversity among the circulating strains. The circulating genotypes were also phylogenetically diverse and related to strains from several different countries. The antigenic epitopes present on VP7 and VP4 of Sabahan G3 and equine-like G3 differed considerably from that of the RotaTeq vaccine strain. Our results also indicate that considerable genetic exchange is occurring in Sabahan strains. Sabah is home to a number of different ethnic groups, some of which culturally are in close contact with animals, which might contribute to the evolution of diverse rotavirus strains. Sabah is also a popular tourist destination, and a large number of tourists from different countries possibly contributes to the diversity of circulating rotavirus genotypes. Considering all these factors which are contributing rotavirus genotype diversity, continuous surveillance of rotavirus strains is of utmost importance to monitor the pre- and post-vaccination efficacy of rotavirus vaccines in Sabah.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  15. Fulltext Somatic mitochondrial DNA D-loop mutations in meningioma discovered: A preliminary data
    Mohamed Yusoff AA, Mohd Khair SZN, Wan Abdullah WS, Abd Radzak SM, Abdullah JM
    J Cancer Res Ther, 2020 12 22;16(6):1517-1521.
    PMID: 33342822 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_1132_16
    Background and Objective: Meningiomas are among the most common intracranial tumors of the central nervous system. It is widely accepted that the initiation and progression of meningiomas involve the accumulation of nucleus genetic alterations, but little is known about the implication of mitochondrial genomic alterations during development of these tumors. The human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contains a short hypervariable, noncoding displacement loop control region known as the D-Loop. Alterations in the mtDNA D-loop have been reported to occur in most types of human cancers. The purpose of this study was to assess the mtDNA D-loop mutations in Malaysian meningioma patients.

    Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 21 fresh-frozen tumor tissues and blood samples of the same meningioma patients. The entire mtDNA D-loop region (positions 16024-576) was polymerase chain reaction amplified using designed primers, and then amplification products were purified before the direct DNA sequencing proceeds.

    Results: Overall, 10 (47.6%) patients were detected to harbor a total of 27 somatic mtDNA D-loop mutations. Most of these mtDNA mutations were identified in the hypervariable segment II (40.7%), with 33.3% being located mainly in the conserved sequence block II of the D310 sequence. Furthermore, 58 different germline variations were observed at 21 nucleotide positions.

    Conclusion: Our results suggest that mtDNA alterations in the D-loop region may be an important and early event in developing meningioma. Further studies are needed, including validation in a larger patient cohort, to verify the clinicopathological outcomes of mtDNA mutation biomarkers in meningiomas.

    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence/genetics
  16. Applicability of Brugia malayi immune antibody library for the isolation of a human recombinant monoclonal antibody to Echinococcus granulosus antigen B
    Rahumatullah A, Ahmad A, Noordin R, Lai JY, Baharudeen Z, Lim TS
    Exp Parasitol, 2020 Dec;219:108029.
    PMID: 33096112 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108029
    Echinococcus granulosus is a worldwide zoonotic infection that causes human cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatid disease. The present study describes the isolation and production of a monoclonal antibody against recombinant AgB protein using the developed Human AntibodY Disease ENhanced (HAYDEN)-Filariasis library. The DNA sequences of the isolated clones were analyzed, followed by gene analysis and binding assays. Clone E1 showed a full-length sequence and represents the IgHV5-LV3 antibody gene family. The antibody protein yield was satisfactory, and it reacted specifically against rAgB. The novel E1 protein is potentially useful for the development of an antigen detection assay for CE. The ability of the Brugia malayi immune antibody library to isolate antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus antigens highlights the broad coverage of immune antibody libraries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  17. Fulltext Whole genome sequencing data of a clinical Enterococcus gallinarum strain EGR748 from Sabah, Malaysia
    Mastor NN, Subbiah VK, Bakar WNWA, Begum K, Alam MJ, Hoque MZ
    Data Brief, 2020 Dec;33:106370.
    PMID: 33102652 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106370
    Enterococcus gallinarum is a gram positive facultatively anaerobic bacteria that is typically found in mammalian intestinal tracts. It is generally not considered pathogenic to humans and is rarely reported. Here, we present the draft genome sequence data of Enterococcus gallinarum strain EGR748 isolated from a human clinical sample, and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 system. The estimated whole genome size of the strain was 3,730,000 bp with a G + C content of 40.43%. The de novo assembly of the genome generated 55 contigs with an N50 of 208,509 bp. In addition, the Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence data accurately clustered EGR748 with other E. gallinarum strains. The data may be useful to demonstrate the capacity of this enterococcal species becoming the causal agents of nosocomial blood-stream infections. The genome dataset has been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession number JAABOR000000000.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  18. Fulltext Diet Composition of the Wild Stump-Tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides) in Perlis State Park, Peninsular Malaysia, Using a Chloroplast tRNL DNA Metabarcoding Approach: A Preliminary Study
    Osman NA, Abdul-Latiff MAB, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Yaakop S, Nor SM, Md-Zain BM
    Animals (Basel), 2020 Nov 26;10(12).
    PMID: 33255964 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122215
    Understanding dietary diversity is a fundamental task in the study of stump-tailed macaque, Macaca arctoides in its natural habitat. However, direct feeding observation and morphological identification using fecal samples are not effective and nearly impossible to obtain in natural habitats because this species is sensitive to human presence. As ecological methods are challenging and time-consuming, DNA metabarcoding offers a more powerful assessment of the diet. We used a chloroplast tRNL DNA metabarcoding approach to identify the diversity of plants consumed by free-ranging M. arctoides in the Malaysia-Thailand border region located in Perlis State Park, Peninsular Malaysia. DNA was extracted from three fecal samples, and chloroplast tRNL DNA was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiniSeq platform. Sequences were analyzed using the CLC Genomic Workbench software. A total of 145 plant species from 46 families were successfully identified as being consumed by M. arctoides. The most abundant species were yellow saraca, Saraca thaipingensis (11.70%), common fig, Ficus carica (9.33%), aramata, Clathrotropis brachypetala (5.90%), sea fig, Ficus superba (5.44%), and envireira, Malmea dielsiana (1.70%). However, Clathrotropis and Malmea are not considered Malaysian trees because of limited data available from Malaysian plant DNA. Our study is the first to identify plant taxa up to the species level consumed by stump-tailed macaques based on a DNA metabarcoding approach. This result provides an important understanding on diet of wild M. arctoides that only reside in Perlis State Park, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  19. Fulltext Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of the First Complete Genome of Ricetungro spherical virus in Malaysia
    Kannan M, Mohamad Saad M, Zainal Z, Kassim H, Ismail I, Talip N, et al.
    Iran J Biotechnol, 2020 Oct;18(4):e2566.
    PMID: 34056024 DOI: 10.30498/IJB.2020.2566
    Background: Rice tungro disease (RTD) is a viral disease mainly affecting rice in Asia. RTD caused by Rice tungro bacilliform virus and Rice tungro spherical virus. To date, there are only 5 RTSV isolates have been reported.

    Objectives: In this study, we aimed to report the complete nucleotide sequence of Malaysian isolate of Rice tungro spherical virus Seberang Perai (RTSV-SP) for the first time. RTSV-SP was characterized and its evolutionary relationship with previously reported Indian and Philippines isolates were elucidated.

    Materials and Methods: RTSV-SP isolate was isolated from a recent outbreak in a paddy field in Seberang Perai zone of Malaysia. Its complete genome was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned and sequenced.

    Results: Sequence analysis indicated that the genome of RTSV-SP consisted of 12,173 nucleotides (nt). Comparative analysis of 6 complete genome sequences using Clustal Omega showed that Seberang Perai isolate shared the highest nucleotide identity (96.04%) with Philippine-A isolate, except that the sORF-2 of RTSV-SP is shorter than RTSV Philippine-A by 27 amino acid residues. RTSV-SP found to cluster in Southeast Asia (SEA) group based on the whole genome sequence phylogenetic analysis using MEGA X software.

    Conclusions: Phylogenetic classification of RTSV isolates based on the complete nucleotide sequences showed more distinctive clustering pattern with the addition of RTSV-SP whole genome to the available isolates. Present study described the isolation and molecular characterization of RTSV-SP.

    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
  20. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Phenol-Degrading Variovorax boronicumulans Strain c24
    Abdul Aziz FA, Suzuki K, Amano K, Moriuchi R, Dohra H, Tashiro Y, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2020 Sep 10;9(37).
    PMID: 32912906 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00597-20
    We report the draft genome sequence of Variovorax boronicumulans strain c24, which was isolated from a soil-inoculated chemostat culture amended with phenol as a sole carbon and energy source. The genome data will provide insights into phenol and other xenobiotic compound degradation mechanisms for bioremediation applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Base Sequence
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