黑木耳菌丝体核糖体失活蛋白的研究

目的：由悬浮培养的黑木耳菌丝体中分离纯化黑木耳的核糖体失活蛋白,对其生化性质及生物学活性进行研究。方法：实验中采用了DEAE-离子交换纤维素,Affi-Gel Blue Gel亲和与Bio-Gel 100柱层析方法。结果：从100g悬浮培养黑木耳菌丝体中得到4.14mg的核糖体失活蛋白,命名为Auriculin。同时证明它在家兔网织红细胞裂解系统中具有抑制蛋白质的翻译活性。结论：经试验证明和文献检索,Auriculin为黑木耳菌分离纯化获得的核糖体失活蛋白,一种新蛋白质。     

重组蓖麻毒素A链与几种天然单链核糖体失活蛋白的活性研究

采用ｐＥｘＳｅｃⅠ载体系统进行了蓖麻毒素Ａ链的原核表达,经ＣＭ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ一步纯化后,获得了纯度约８０％的重组蓖麻毒素Ａ链．将其与几种天然单链核糖体失活蛋白进行了超螺旋ＤＮＡ裂解研究和无细胞体系中蛋白合成抑制试验,结果表明,重组蓖麻毒素Ａ链具有类似于天然单链核糖体失活蛋白的活性,但两种测活方法之间没有明显的相关性     

一种金针菇核糖体失活蛋白的分离纯化研究

获得一种为研究其他菌类核糖体失活蛋白的对照品,并论述一种金针菇核糖体失活蛋白的分离纯化及其活性的研究结果。实验中采用了DEAE和CM-离子交换纤维素与Bio-Gel 100柱层析方法。从1 000 g新鲜金针菇中得到5.58 mg的核糖体失活蛋白-Velutin,并证明其具有明显的抑制蛋白质的翻译作用,同时简要介绍了它的应用及展望。分离纯化到具有活性的Velutin,分子量为13.8 ku。     

核糖体失活蛋白—RNA N—糖苷酶

本文概述了双链和单链植物核糖体失活蛋白的基本特性,在分子水平上讨论了核糖体失活蛋白作用于真核细胞核糖体的机制。扼要介绍了免疫毒素及其在癌症治疗中的应用。同时,也讨论了目前有关核糖体失活蛋白的研究状况和今后的发展趋向。     

核糖体失活蛋白的结构功能与分布

核糖体失活蛋白是一类在植物中较广泛存在的毒蛋白。植物核糖体失活蛋白具有RNAN-糖苷酶活力,可作用于核糖体RNA,使核糖体失去蛋白质合成的功能。根据一级结构,核糖体失活蛋白可分为两种类型。Ⅰ型核糖体失活蛋白由一条链组成,分子量在25—30 kDa之间。Ⅱ型核糖体失活蛋白由两条以二硫键相连的链(A、B链)组成,分子量在60 kDa左右。B链可以与细胞表面含半乳糖的受体结合,有助于A链进入细胞,作用于核糖体。目前至少已从9个科31种植物中分离纯化了Ⅰ型RIP。Ⅱ型RIP较少,仅在6科8种植物中发现。除了具有RNA N-糖苷酶活性,还发现一些核糖体失活蛋白可以切割超螺旋双链DNA,产生缺口环状和线状DNA。此外,一种Ⅰ型RIP,克木毒蛋白还具有超氧化物歧化酶活性。     

麻疯树核糖体失活蛋白基因的克隆和表达

麻疯树(Jatropha curcas L.)核糖体失活蛋白(curcin)是存在于麻疯树种子中的一种毒性较强的蛋白,它与蓖麻毒蛋白和相思子毒蛋白的性质相似,属Ⅰ型核糖体失活蛋白。从麻疯树种子中分离得到一种分子量为28.2kD的蛋白质,其对无细胞系统中蛋白质合成的抑制活性较强,IC_(50)为(0.19±0.01)nmol/L,具有RNA N-糖苷酶活性。依据curcin的N端部分氨基酸设计简并引物,通过RT-PCR和5′-RACE技术从未成熟种子总RNA中克隆到curcin全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长由1 173个碱基组成,包含一个编码293个氨基酸的前体蛋白,前42个氨基酸为信号肽。推测的多肽序列与测定的蛋白质N端序列相同,与多种已发表的Ⅰ型核糖体失活蛋白和Ⅱ型核糖体失活蛋白的A链有一定的同源性。将curcin的编码区与表达载体pQE-30相连后,转入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coil)M15菌株中得到了有效的表达。将表达的融合蛋白纯化后发现,它具有抑制无细胞系统蛋白质合成的能力。     

麻疯树核糖体失活蛋白基因的克隆和表达

麻疯树(Jatropha curcas L.)核糖体失活蛋白(curcin)是存在于麻疯树种子中的一种毒性较强的蛋白,它与蓖麻毒蛋白和相思子毒蛋白的性质相似,属Ⅰ型核糖体失活蛋白.从麻疯树种子中分离得到一种分子量为28.2 kD的蛋白质,其对无细胞系统中蛋白质合成的抑制活性较强,IC50为(0.19±0.01)nmol/L,具有RNA N-糖苷酶活性.依据curcin的N端部分氨基酸设计简并引物,通过RT-PCR和5'-RACE技术从未成熟种子总RNA中克隆到curcin全长cDNA序列.该cDNA全长由1 173个碱基组成,包含一个编码293个氨基酸的前体蛋白,前42个氨基酸为信号肽.推测的多肽序列与测定的蛋白质N端序列相同,与多种己发表的Ⅰ型核糖体失活蛋白和Ⅱ型核糖体失活蛋白的A链有一定的同源性.将curcin的编码区与表达载体pQE-30相连后,转入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coil)M15菌株中得到了有效的表达.将表达的融合蛋白纯化后发现,它具有抑制无细胞系统蛋白质合成的能力.     

植物中的核糖体失活蛋白及其抗病毒机制

植物中的核糖体失活蛋白是一类分布于植物体内的毒蛋白,其作用于真核细胞大亚基28S导致核糖体失活,抑制蛋白质的生物合成,从而对细胞产生毒害作用.文章简述了植物核糖体失活蛋白的酶活性和抗病毒的可能分子机制.     

植物单链核糖体失活蛋白的研究概况

本文扼要地介绍了单链核糖体失活蛋白的植物学分布和一般性质,特别是对无细胞系核糖体蛋白合成的抑制作用,并对其应用和研究前景提出初步看法。     

研究: 核糖体失活蛋白及其在黄瓜中的表达分析

核糖体失活蛋白是一类具有高度特异性rRNA N-糖苷酶活性的蛋白,它们能够使原核或真核细胞的核糖体失活因而具有细胞毒性．由于其独特的生物学性质,核糖体失活蛋白被认为在农业和医学中都有着巨大的应用潜力．我们之前的研究表明,黄瓜的基因组中共包含2个2类核糖体失活蛋白基因,分别命名为CumsaAB1和CumsaAB2．以蓖麻毒蛋白Ricin为代表,2类核糖体失活蛋白通常由2条二硫键连接的肽链组成：具有N-糖苷酶活性的A链与具有凝集素活性的B链．本文研究了黄瓜中核糖体失活蛋白的表达情况．亚细胞定位研究表明CumsaAB1经过蛋白分泌通路表达于细胞外,这与蛋白质序列分析显示的CumsaAB1包含一个信号肽而不含转膜区域相一致．对黄瓜的不同生长阶段的不同组织中的转录水平分析表明,CumsaAB1在大部分组织中以极低的水平表达,而CumsaAB2表达水平则明显更高,尤其在第一片真叶阶段和刚开花的植物中．最后,我们使用分子模拟对黄瓜中核糖体失活蛋白的结构及糖结合位点进行了分析．本研究对黄瓜中核糖体失活蛋白的亚细胞定位、表达水平和可能的蛋白质结构进行了研究,为其进一步的生物学功能研究提供了重要信息．     

Some relationships between the 'calling' posture and sexual receptivity in unmated females of the moth, Ephestia cautella

ABSTRACT. A positive relationship is shown between the frequency of successful completions of courtship and the extent of development of the 'calling' posture of E. cautella females. Further relationships are shown between the frequency of successful completions of courtship and the positions in which calling females hold their antennae. During late photophase, calling females which hold their antennae forward are less likely to mate than are similarly calling females which hold their antennae back over the wings, whereas in early scotophase this relationship is reversed, and calling females which hold their antennae forward are more likely to mate than are similarly calling females which hold their antennae back. These observations are discussed in relation to the diel rhythm of the species, disturbance, and female receptivity to male courtship.     

Colicin biology.

Colicins are proteins produced by and toxic for some strains of Escherichia coli. They are produced by strains of E. coli carrying a colicinogenic plasmid that bears the genetic determinants for colicin synthesis, immunity, and release. Insights gained into each fundamental aspect of their biology are presented: their synthesis, which is under SOS regulation; their release into the extracellular medium, which involves the colicin lysis protein; and their uptake mechanisms and modes of action. Colicins are organized into three domains, each one involved in a different step of the process of killing sensitive bacteria. The structures of some colicins are known at the atomic level and are discussed. Colicins exert their lethal action by first binding to specific receptors, which are outer membrane proteins used for the entry of specific nutrients. They are then translocated through the outer membrane and transit through the periplasm by either the Tol or the TonB system. The components of each system are known, and their implication in the functioning of the system is described. Colicins then reach their lethal target and act either by forming a voltage-dependent channel into the inner membrane or by using their endonuclease activity on DNA, rRNA, or tRNA. The mechanisms of inhibition by specific and cognate immunity proteins are presented. Finally, the use of colicins as laboratory or biotechnological tools and their mode of evolution are discussed.     

FISH CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN ESTUARIES: PRESSURES,PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Summary

A review of the conservation status of fish in the estuarine environment around the South African coastline reveals that some species face serious problems associated either with habitat destruction, and its associated biological, physical and chemical components or exploitation. The 65 species considered fall into three categories; truly estuarine species, which are dependent on estuaries for their entire life; marine species dependent on estuaries during the juvenile phase of their life cycle; and marine species whose juveniles occur mainly in estuaries but are also found at sea. Included in the first two categories are 14 species of fish which are on the South African Red Data list. These comprise one species which is endangered, five which are vulnerable and eight which are rare. All groups are considered in relation to factors in estuaries which are affecting their populations. A conservation strategy is suggested for certain estuarine types or for specific estuaries which could ensure the survival of the entire range of estuarine faunas.     

Colicin Biology

Colicins are proteins produced by and toxic for some strains of Escherichia coli. They are produced by strains of E. coli carrying a colicinogenic plasmid that bears the genetic determinants for colicin synthesis, immunity, and release. Insights gained into each fundamental aspect of their biology are presented: their synthesis, which is under SOS regulation; their release into the extracellular medium, which involves the colicin lysis protein; and their uptake mechanisms and modes of action. Colicins are organized into three domains, each one involved in a different step of the process of killing sensitive bacteria. The structures of some colicins are known at the atomic level and are discussed. Colicins exert their lethal action by first binding to specific receptors, which are outer membrane proteins used for the entry of specific nutrients. They are then translocated through the outer membrane and transit through the periplasm by either the Tol or the TonB system. The components of each system are known, and their implication in the functioning of the system is described. Colicins then reach their lethal target and act either by forming a voltage-dependent channel into the inner membrane or by using their endonuclease activity on DNA, rRNA, or tRNA. The mechanisms of inhibition by specific and cognate immunity proteins are presented. Finally, the use of colicins as laboratory or biotechnological tools and their mode of evolution are discussed.     

The plasma membrane of myxosporidian valve cells: freeze fracture data

Freeze fracturing of Myxosporidian spores reveals the occurrence of a continuous layer of transmembrane particles all over the surface area of the valve cells which form the spore envelope. These particles are densely packed all over the P face membrane. Due to their polygonal outline, their diameter (6-7 nm) and their central core, they resemble the particles forming the connections of gap junctions which metabolically couple the neighboring cells in animal tissues. In the present report, the role of the transmembrane particles is still hypothetical. However, they might represent a membrane structural specialization of the spores which are submitted to osmotic variations of the fluid external medium. Furthermore similar transmembrane particles are observed at the level of the septate junction which seals the valve cells. In this occurrence, they are arranged in a series of 40 double rows parallel to the suture of the spore envelope. These findings support the view that Myxosporidia are Metazoa and raise the problem of their origin.     

Circulating tumour cells: The Good,the Bad and the Ugly

This review is an overview of the current knowledge regarding circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which are potentially the most lethal type of cancer cell, and may be a key component of the metastatic cascade. The clinical utility of CTCs (the "Good"), includes their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. Conversely, their complex biology (the "Bad"), including the existence of CD45+/EpCAM+ CTCs, adds insult to injury regarding their isolation and identification, which in turn hampers their clinical translation. CTCs are capable of forming microemboli composed of both non-discrete phenotypic populations such as mesenchymal CTCs and homotypic and heterotypic clusters which are poised to interact with other cells in the circulation, including immune cells and platelets, which may increase their malignant potential. These microemboli (the "Ugly") represent a prognostically important CTC subset, however, phenotypic EMT/MET gradients bring additional complexities to an already challenging situation.     

The Plasma Membrane of Myxosporidian Valve Cells: Freeze Fracture Data

Freeze fracturing of Myxosporidian spores reveals the occurrence of a continuous layer of transmembrane particles all over the surface area of the valve cells which form the spore envelope. These particles are densely packed all over the P face membrane. Due to their polygonal outline, their diameter (6-7 nm) and their central core, they resemble the particles forming the connections of gap junctions which metabolically couple the neighboring cells in animal tissues. In the present report, the role of the transmembrane particles is still hypothetical. However, they might represent a membrane structural specialization of the spores which are submitted to osmotic variations of the fluid external medium. Furthermore similar transmembrane particles are observed at the level of the septate junction which seals the valve cells. In this occurrence, they are arranged in a series of 40 double rows parallel to the suture of the spore envelope. These findings support the view that Myxosporidia are Metazoa and raise the problem of their origin.     

The nature of centromeric dots in Nigella chromosomes

Derived telocentric chromosomes in Nigella doerfleri have pairs of Giemsa staining dots at their terminal centromeres which appear in size and behaviour to be identical with the centromeric dots of their submetacentric homologue. The telocentric chromosomes are stable and therefore their centromeres are functional and probably complete. That the centromeres also possess centromeric dots indicates that the dots represent essential components of the centromere, a conclusion which supports the contention that they are kinetochores.     

Cervical screening performance in general practice. An evaluation in a single health district

This paper describes a study of cervical screening in 50 general practices in the East Berkshire Health District over a period of 2 1/2 years. Six practices organized their own practice based screening scheme. Thirty-nine participated in a district organized scheme and five did not actively participate in any scheme. The proportion of women screened was highest among the practices which organized their own scheme. These practices were large, in non-urban locations and employed a practice nurse. In contrast, practices which had a poor record of screening were small, single handed, in an urban location and were unwilling to participate in a district call scheme or organize their own scheme. It is recommended that the practices which are prepared to organize their own screening programmes should be encouraged to do so. The resources which are saved could then be more usefully spent on providing assistance to the practices which do not offer a cervical screening service to women on their practice lists.