Pu Zang

A transgenic ginseng vaccine for bovine viral diarrhea

BackgroundBovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections are endemic in cattle populations worldwide and cause major economic losses. Thus, an effective vaccine is needed against the transmission of BVDV. The glycoprotein Erns is one of the envelope proteins of this virus and shows BVDV-related immunogenicity. Here, we report the use of Panax ginseng as an alternative production platform for the expression of glycoprotein Erns via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.ResultPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analyses showed that pBI121-Erns was stably integrated into the chromosome of transformants. ELISA assay and Western blot analysis confirmed the antigenicity of plant-derived Erns glycoprotein. Immunogenicity was evaluated subcutaneously in deer using a soluble protein extract of dried transgenic ginseng hairy roots. Specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against BVDV were detected following immunization.ConclusionThese results demonstrated that the Erns glycoprotein could be expressed in ginseng hairy roots and that plant-derived glycoprotein Erns retained its antigenicity and immunogenicity.

The evaluation of contents of nine ginsenoside monomers in four commercial ginseng by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)

Nine ginsenoside monomers (Rg1, Rg2, Rf, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc) were simultaneously determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to assay chemical components in white ginseng, red ginseng, sugar ginseng and fresh ginseng. The results demonstrated that four different processing ginseng contained the same type of ginsenosides (Rg1, Rg2, Rf, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc), but the content of each ginsenoside monomer varied significantly (P<0.05). The quality of those four different types of ginseng was evaluated according to the total content of nine ginsenoside monomers, and the results showed that white ginseng was the best, followed by sugar and fresh ginseng was the worst.

Generation of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus E0 Protein in Transgenic Astragalus and Its Immunogenicity in Sika Deer

The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a single-stranded RNA virus, can cause fatal diarrhea syndrome, respiratory problems, and reproductive disorders in herds. Over the past few years, it has become clear that the BVDV infection rates are increasing and it is likely that an effective vaccine for BVDV will be needed. In this study, transgenic Astragalus was used as an alternative productive platform for the expression of glycoprotein E0. The immunogenicity of glycoprotein E0 expressed in transgenic Astragalus was detected in deer. The presence of pBI121-E0 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transcription was verified by reverse transcription- (RT-) PCR, and recombinant protein expression was confirmed by ELISA and Western blot analyses. Deer that were immunized subcutaneously with the transgenic plant vaccine developed specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against BVDV. This study provides a new method for a protein with weak immunogenicity to be used as part of a transgenic plant vaccine.

Mineral elements in root of wild Saposhnikovia divaricata and its rhizosphere soil.

Mineral elements are important components of medicinal herbs, and their concentrations are affected by many factors. In this study, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations in wild Saposhnikovia divaricata and its rhizosphere soil collected from seven locations at two different times in China were measured, and influences of rhizosphere soil on those minerals in plant were evaluated. The results showed that mean concentrations of eight minerals in plant samples decreased in the order: Ca > Mg > Na > K > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu, and those in the soil samples followed the following order: Na > Fe > Ca > K > Mg > Mn > Zn > Cu. Mean concentrations of Ca, Na, Mg, and K in plants were higher than those in soils, while higher mean concentrations of the other four minerals were found in soils. It was found that there was a positive correlation of Mg, Na, and Cu concentrations in the plant with those in the soil respectively, but a negative correlation of Mn concentration in plant with that in the soil. Except Ca, K, and Mn, the other five minerals in plant were all directly affected by one or more chemical compositions of soil. The results also indicate that pH value and concentrations of total nitrogen, Mg, Mn, and Cu in soil had significant correlations with multimineral elements in plant. In a word, mineral elements uptake of S. divaricata can be changed by adjusting the soil fertility levels to meet the need of appropriate quality control of S. divaricata.

Effect of four trace elements on Paenibacillus polymyxa Pp-7250 proliferation, activity and colonization in ginseng

Trace elements are essential nutrients for the growth of microorganisms and play an important role in their proliferation. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore the optimal C and N sources for large-scale culture of Paenibacillus polymyxa, and to screen trace elements that can promote their proliferation and improve the activity. First, the concentration of Paenibacillus polymyxa Pp-7250, the number of spores were used as evaluation index. It was found that the four trace elements Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ could promote the proliferation of Paenibacillus polymyxa at their optimal concentrations. Next, when using wheat starch as carbon source and soybean meal as nitrogen source, it was most suitable for large-scale culture. Finally, field experiments were carried out, and it was discovered that the combination of four trace elements plus the wheat soybean meal group could significantly improve the disease prevention, growth promotion ability of Pp-7250 and its colonization in ginseng. Moreover, the ability of Pp-7250 to transform ginseng roots and leaf saponins were also significantly improved. The group also affected the rhizosphere bacterial community of ginseng and the number showed a significant promotion or inhibition.