蓖麻蚕两种凝集素在蚕体内的出现与分布

蓖麻蚕Philosamia cynthia ricni血淋巴含两种凝集素,一种凝集兔新鲜红血球,凝血活力被L-鼠李糖和D-半乳糖抑制;另一种凝集戊二醛固定的人和鸡的红血球,凝血活力被岩藻糖抑制.它们在蚕的不同生长阶段及在蚕体各组织中的分布和凝血活力显著不同.血淋巴中这两种凝集素的凝血活力明显比其他组织中高.卵中测不到这两种凝集素活力.本文对这两种凝集素在蚕体中可能的生理功能进行了讨论.     

三齿草藤(Vicia bungei Ohwi)凝集素的细胞表面受体研究

应用亲和层析法从三齿草藤(Vicia bungei Ohwi)种子中纯化的三齿草藤凝集素(VBL),可以凝集兔和豚鼠的红细胞,也可凝集人、牛和羊的精细胞,说明这些细胞表面存在有VBL的受体。用FITC和~(125)I进行标记,可得到FITC-VBL和~(125)I-VBL,其生物学活性不受影响。氯胺T法的标记率可达55％;应用FITC-VBL研究牛精细胞和兔红细胞膜上VBL受体的分布,发现二者由胞膜上受体分布据不一致。VBL与牛精细胞结合条件的正交试验表明细胞浓度的影响最大。用不同量的未标记的VBL对~(125)I-VBL与兔红细胞和人精细胞的结合实验,以Scatchard法作图,兔红细胞得一类似于双曲线的凹形曲线,提示该细胞膜上受体的性质有所不同,而人精细胞却有很大差异。若以兔红细胞膜上存在有高低亲和力两种受体进行计算,可求得结合常数和每个细胞上的受体数。应用几种单糖和外源凝集素影响~(125)I-VBL与兔红细胞的结合,当单糖(D-Man,D-Glc)浓度为0.01M时,相对结合率开始急剧下降,单糖浓度若增至0.1M时,其相对结合率仅为40％,而PHA-P和SML浓度为1mg/ml时,相对结合率开始下降,当浓度达10mg/ml时,相对结合率下降至30％左右。     

紫藤凝集素的分离纯化及理化性质研究

用常规方法处理的ＤＥＡＥ离子交换纤维素柱,通过线性离子强度梯度洗脱,从紫藤种子的蛋白粗提液中得到一定纯度的紫藤凝集素。纯化的凝集素凝集兔红血球的比活提高４０倍,总活力回收率为１９．２％。紫藤凝集素的分子量经ＰＡＧＥ鉴定为２０５ｋｄ,是由两种亚基构成的四聚体,这两种亚基各有２个,分子量ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ鉴定分别为７７６００ｄ和２５１００ｄ。紫藤凝集素是一种糖蛋白,等电点约为４．６０。它可凝集人的各种血     

粘虫幼虫血淋巴中的凝集素

粘虫Mythlmna separata Walker幼虫血淋巴中含有凝集某些脊椎动物红细胞的凝集素,凝集活性可被乳糖、岩藻糖或神经氨酸抑制.用CNBr-sepharose 4B 进行亲和层析从血淋巴中分离的凝集素成分比较复杂,聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳显示三条区带,SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳出现6个亚基,亚基分子量分别为71000、65000、56000、35000、33000及31000道尔顿.     

中性红染色后细胞对凝集素的反应性

中性红染色后的小鼠胸腺细胞。肝、脾和肾细胞,人扁桃体细胞,以及体外培养的不同肿瘤细胞(HL60,K562,Molt-4,MLA和L1210)都能够被凝集素凝集。除小鼠肝细胞和肾细胞外,它们的凝集特征都与红细胞的凝集特征相同。不同来源的细胞,其对凝集素的反应性不同,其中,以肿瘤细胞对凝集素的反应最敏感。结果说明,中性红染色法可以作为用凝集素初步检测一些无色细胞表面凝集素受体变化的一种简便方法。     

家蝇幼虫血淋巴中凝集素的研究

家蝇幼虫血淋巴中凝集素不但能凝集兔、羊、鸡、豚鼠、小鼠和大鼠的红细胞,而且能凝集任何血型人的红细胞,其凝集活性能被D-半乳糖和乳糖所抑制。比较了不同诱导源诱导后血凝活性的动力学变化,发现体壁损伤后凝集素应答较快,活性高、消退快;~(60)Coγ射线诱导后凝集素应答较慢、活性低、消退较慢;超声波和紫外线几乎无诱导作用。还发现化蛹后24小时的血淋巴其凝集活性也较正常的高。     

香灰菌凝集素的纯化及其部分性质

香灰菌菌丝体经磷酸缓冲液抽提、20%-70%饱和浓度的硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE-Cellulose和SephadexG-100柱层析纯化得到香灰菌凝集素(Hypoxylonsp.lectin,简称HSL)。HSL经PAGE检测为单一蛋白条带,SDS-PAGE测得其亚基分子量为15.9kD。过碘酸-Schiff染色法表明HSL为一种糖蛋白,糖基的含量为15.5%,β-消去反应测得其糖和蛋白质的连接键为O-型糖肽键。HSL能凝集多种动物红细胞和人的红细胞,在所测试的红细胞中,对兔红细胞的凝集作用最强。HSL对热较敏感,经50°C处理10min,其凝集活性明显降低,其在碱性环境中较稳定,而在酸性环境中较不稳定。HSL的凝集活性受Al3+、Fe3+、Ca2+和Zn2+等阳离子的影响。对鼠红细胞的凝集作用可被半乳糖和乳糖所抑制。     

甘薯品种F3282凝集素的提取及性质研究

甘薯品种Ｆ３２８２的浸取液,经硫酸铵分级,甲壳素层析后,再经分子筛过滤,获得在ＰＡＧＥ上呈现单一蛋白质带的甘薯凝集素（Ｉｐｏｍｏｅａ Ｂａｔａｔａｓ Ｌｅｃｔｉｎ,ＩＢＬ）。ＩＢＬ对鸽、兔、人血等红细胞均有凝集作用,其中对鸽血的凝集活性最高,最低凝集浓度为０．０５μｇ／ｍｌ。ＩＢＬ除凝集红细胞外,还可凝集小鼠脾细胞和肿瘤细胞;其对热相当稳定,９０℃加热１０ｍｉｎ,仍有部分活性;ＩＢＬ对酸处理较碱处理稳定,但可被阿拉伯糖或乳糖等解除凝集活性。ＩＢＬ的中性糖含量为５．４％。     

西藏21种真菌的血凝活性测定

选用了21种野生真菌,分别以PBS(磷酸缓冲液)浸提,浸提液进行兔红血球血凝活性测定,结果显示:冬虫夏草(Cordyceps sinensis)、蜜环菌(Armillariella mellea)、翘鳞肉齿菌(Sarcodon imbricatus)等不能使兔红血球凝集,显阴性;其余真菌均能使兔红血球凝集,其中以棱柄白马鞍菌(Helvella crispa)和美味牛肝菌(Boletus edulis)效价最高26;盘状马鞍菌(Helvella pezizoids)次之25;其余的均为20～23.取PBS浸提效价较高的6种样品棱柄白马鞍菌、盘状马鞍菌、真姬离褶伞(Lyophyllum shimeji)、红菇腊伞(Hygrophorus russula)、美味牛肝菌、离褶伞(Lyophyllum)等分别用Tris、NaAcetate(乙酸钠)、Glycin(甘氨酸)等不同pH缓冲液浸提,浸提液进行兔红血球血凝活性测定,结果显示:显弱酸性或弱碱性的缓冲液浸提时,浸提液对兔红血球血凝活性效价高于中性缓冲液,浸提真菌样品时最好使用弱酸或弱碱性缓冲液.     

桑寄生凝集素的纯化及部分性质研究

利用DEAE一纤维素柱盐离子浓度梯度洗脱,再经猪胃粘蛋白-Sepharose 4 B亲和柱可以从中药桑寄生中分离纯化出桑寄生凝集素。经pH8.9,Tris-EDTAN_2a-borate的PACE和SDS-PAGE测定均呈现单一蛋白带,测得其分子量为67 500,中性糖含量为14.6％,DNS法测得N-末端氨基酸为缬氨酸。氨基酸组成分析表明,该凝集素富含酸性氨基酸,而碱性氨基酸含量较少,不含精氨酸。当凝集素浓度为15.6μg/mL时,即可凝集兔红细胞,而对人的A、B、O型血细胞,凝集素浓度高达1000μg/mL,也不发生凝集反应。Gal、GalNAc、山梨糖、岩藻糖和松三糖对凝集兔红细胞的能力有抑制作用。桑寄生凝集素是一种促有丝分裂原,对猪血淋巴细胞的转化率达78％,细胞分裂比率为11.2％。     

Surface-Modified Liposomal Formulation of Amphotericin B: <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> Evaluation of Potential Against Visceral Leishmaniasis

Surface modification of liposomes with targeting ligands is known to improve the efficacy with reduced untoward effects in treating infective diseases like visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In the present study, modified ligand (ML), designed by modifying polysaccharide with a long chain lipid was incorporated in liposomes with the objective to target amphotericin B (Amp B) to reticuloendothelial system and macrophages. Conventional liposomes (CL) and surface modified liposomes (SML) were characterized for size, shape, and entrapment efficiency (E.E.). Amp B SML with 3% w/w of ML retained the vesicular nature with particle size of ～205 nm, E.E. of ～95% and good stability. SML showed increased cellular uptake in RAW 264.7 cells which could be attributed to receptor-mediated endocytosis. Compared to Amp B solution, Amp B liposomes exhibited tenfold increased safety in vitro in RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 cell lines. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies revealed high t _1/2, area under the curve (AUC)_0–24, reduced clearance and prolonged retention in liver and spleen with Amp B SML compared to other formulations. In promastigote and amastigote models, Amp B SML showed enhanced performance with low 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) compared to Amp B solution and Amp B CL. Thus, due to the targeting ability of ML, SML has the potential to achieve enhanced efficacy in treating VL.     

The gene encoding the human spasmolytic protein (SML1/hSP) is in 21q 22.3, physically linked to the homologous breast cancer marker gene BCEI/pS2

The human spasmolytic protein, SML1/hSP, an inhibitor of spasmolytic activity and gastric acid secretion in the pig, has been shown to exhibit homology to the pS2 protein, an estrogen-dependent breast cancer marker. Moreover, SML1/hSP and pS2 are expressed at the same localization in the normal stomach and during healing of the gastrointestinal tract. Here we report the chromosomal localization, obtained by in situ hybridization, of the hSP gene (SML1) to chromosome 21 at 21q22.3. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we found SML1 to be within 230 kb of the BCEI/pS2 gene.     

Spatial Homogeneity of Bacterial Communities Associated with the Surface Mucus Layer of the Reef-Building Coral Acropora palmata

Coral surface mucus layer (SML) microbiota are critical components of the coral holobiont and play important roles in nutrient cycling and defense against pathogens. We sequenced 16S rRNA amplicons to examine the structure of the SML microbiome within and between colonies of the threatened Caribbean reef-building coral Acropora palmata in the Florida Keys. Samples were taken from three spatially distinct colony regions—uppermost (high irradiance), underside (low irradiance), and the colony base—representing microhabitats that vary in irradiance and water flow. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) values of coral SML bacteria communities were greater than surrounding seawater and lower than adjacent sediment. Bacterial diversity and community composition was consistent among the three microhabitats. Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Alphaproteobacteria, and Proteobacteria, respectively were the most abundant phyla represented in the samples. This is the first time spatial variability of the surface mucus layer of A. palmata has been studied. Homogeneity in the microbiome of A. palmata contrasts with SML heterogeneity found in other Caribbean corals. These findings suggest that, during non-stressful conditions, host regulation of SML microbiota may override diverse physiochemical influences induced by the topographical complexity of A. palmata. Documenting the spatial distribution of SML microbes is essential to understanding the functional roles these microorganisms play in coral health and adaptability to environmental perturbations.     

Relation between bacterial activity in the surface microlayer and estuarine hydrodynamics

Bacterial communities of the surface microlayer (SML) of the estuary Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) were characterized in terms of abundance and activity during a 2-year survey at two sites with distinct hydrodynamic properties (marine and brackish water zones). The hydrodynamic conditions were simulated using a bidimensional numerical model and related to the microbiological observations. The pattern of variation of bacterial biomass productivity (BBP) was distinct between the two sampling sites. At the outer site, BBP was significantly lower at the SML, whereas at the inner site, it was significantly enhanced at the SML. Although the total bacterial abundance was similar in the SML and underlying water (UW), the fraction of cells attached to particles was significantly higher at the SML (two to three times). The integration of microbiological results with environmental and hydrological variables shows that strong currents in the marine zone promote the vertical mixing, inhibiting the establishment of an SML bacterial community distinct from that of UW. In contrast, in the brackish water zone, lower current velocities provide conditions for enhancing the bacterial activity in the enriched SML. Estuarine dynamics influence the distribution and activity of microorganisms at the SML and in the water column, with anticipated impacts for the carbon cycle in the estuarine environment.     

End-point immobilization of recombinant thrombomodulin via sortase-mediated ligation

We report an enzymatic end-point modification and immobilization of recombinant human thrombomodulin (TM), a cofactor for activation of anticoagulant protein C pathway via thrombin. First, a truncated TM mutant consisting of epidermal growth factor-like domains 4-6 (TM(456)) with a conserved pentapeptide LPETG motif at its C-terminal was expressed and purified in E. coli. Next, the truncated TM(456) derivative was site-specifically modified with N-terminal diglycine containing molecules such as biotin and the fluorescent probe dansyl via sortase A (SrtA) mediated ligation (SML). The successful ligations were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and fluorescence imaging. Finally, the truncated TM(456) was immobilized onto an N-terminal diglycine-functionalized glass slide surface via SML directly. Alternatively, the truncated TM(456) was biotinylated via SML and then immobilized onto a streptavidin-functionalized glass slide surface indirectly. The successful immobilizations were confirmed by fluorescence imaging. The bioactivity of the immobilized truncated TM(456) was further confirmed by protein C activation assay, in which enhanced activation of protein C by immobilized recombinant TM was observed. The sortase A-catalyzed surface ligation took place under mild conditions and occurs rapidly in a single step without prior chemical modification of the target protein. This site-specific covalent modification leads to molecules being arranged in a definitively ordered fashion and facilitating the preservation of the protein's biological activity.     

Preserving the viscous coral surface mucus layer using low-acid glycol methacrylate (GMA) resin

The surface mucus layer (SML) is of critical importance in health, disease, and stress responses of corals; however, visualising the intact SML is challenging. Dehydration during histological preparation causes shrinkage and deformation of the mucus gel layer, while fragile, unattached mucus exudates are typically lost altogether. Here, we describe a novel technique using water-soluble glycol methacrylate resin embedding that more accurately preserves the in situ SML. Thickness of the preserved SML is similar to that previously measured on live corals using a glass microprobe. The technique allows microscopic visualisation of the SML structure, as well as thickness and continuity measurements, which are important indicators of SML function in health and disease.

     

Alzheimer's disease meets the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Ubiquitin-positive deposits are histopathologically found in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is not understood why ubiquitin is accumulated in intra- and extra-cellular deposits or how it is involved in AD pathogenesis. Interestingly, recent evidence, including studies of E2-25K/Hip-2, has elucidated the molecular mechanism of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) malfunction in AD. The neurotoxicity and proteasome inhibition by Abeta, a main cause of AD pathogenesis, are mediated by increased E2-25K/Hip-2 in the brains of patients with AD. Furthermore, E2-25K/Hip-2 is required for the neurotoxicity that is mediated by a ubiquitin B mutant (UBB+1), which is a potent inhibitor of proteasomes that is found in patients with AD. Intensive research is required to identify the components of the UPS that are involved in AD pathogenesis.     

Structural characterization of a rhamnose-binding glycoprotein (lectin) from Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorous niphonius) eggs

A rhamnose-binding glycoprotein (lectin), named SML, was isolated from the eggs of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorous niphonius) by affinity and ion-exchange chromatographies. SML was composed of a non-covalently linked homodimer. The SML subunit was composed of 201 amino acid residues with two tandemly repeated domains, and contained 8 half-Cys residues in each domain, which is highly homologous to the N-terminal lectin domain of calcium-independent alpha-latrotoxin receptor in mammalian brains. Each domain has the same disulfide bonding pattern; Cys10-Cys40, Cys20-Cys99, Cys54-Cys86 and Cys67-Cys73 were located in the N-terminal domain, and Cys108-Cys138, Cys117-Cys195, Cys152-Cys182 and Cys163-Cys169 were in the C-terminal domain. SML was N-glycosylated at Asn168 in the C-terminal domain. The structure of the sugar chain was determined to be NeuAc-Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-2Manalpha1-6-(NeuAc-Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-2Manalpha1-3)Manbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc-Asn.     

Quorum Sensing Signal Production and Microbial Interactions in a Polymicrobial Disease of Corals and the Coral Surface Mucopolysaccharide Layer

Black band disease (BBD) of corals is a complex polymicrobial disease considered to be a threat to coral reef health, as it can lead to mortality of massive reef-building corals. The BBD community is dominated by gliding, filamentous cyanobacteria with a highly diverse population of heterotrophic bacteria. Microbial interactions such as quorum sensing (QS) and antimicrobial production may be involved in BBD disease pathogenesis. In this study, BBD (whole community) samples, as well as 199 bacterial isolates from BBD, the surface mucopolysaccharide layer (SML) of apparently healthy corals, and SML of apparently healthy areas of BBD-infected corals were screened for the production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) and for autoinducer-2 (AI-2) activity using three bacterial reporter strains. AHLs were detected in all BBD (intact community) samples tested and in cultures of 5.5% of BBD bacterial isolates. Over half of a subset (153) of the isolates were positive for AI-2 activity. AHL-producing isolates were further analyzed using LC-MS/MS to determine AHL chemical structure and the concentration of (S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD), the biosynthetic precursor of AI-2. C6-HSL was the most common AHL variant detected, followed by 3OC4-HSL. In addition to QS assays, 342 growth challenges were conducted among a subset of the isolates, with 27% of isolates eliciting growth inhibition and 2% growth stimulation. 24% of BBD isolates elicited growth inhibition as compared to 26% and 32% of the bacteria from the two SML sources. With one exception, only isolates that exhibited AI-2 activity or produced DPD inhibited growth of test strains. These findings demonstrate for the first time that AHLs are present in an active coral disease. It is possible that AI-2 production among BBD and coral SML bacteria may structure the microbial communities of both a polymicrobial infection and the healthy coral microbiome.