甘蔗金属硫蛋白基因(ScMT2-1-4)的克隆及表达分析

从甘蔗热带种Badila(Saccharum officinarum L.)中克隆获得1个2型金属硫蛋白基因的c DNA序列,命名为Sc MT2-1-4(Gen Bank登录号:KJ504375)。生物信息学分析显示,Sc MT2-1-4基因c DNA长459 bp,开放读码框为243 bp,编码80个氨基酸,富含14个半胱氨酸残基。推导的Sc MT2-1-4蛋白为亲水性蛋白,分子量为7.82 k D,等电点为5.59,该蛋白的二级结构由无规则卷曲和延伸链构成。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,Sc MT2-1-4基因是重金属胁迫的快速响应基因,其对Cu2+、Zn2+和Cd2+胁迫的应答模式提示了:甘蔗不同组织中Sc MT2-1-4对Cu2+胁迫应答的分功不同;Sc MT2-1-4对甘蔗抵御Zn2+胁迫起积极的作用;但该基因不直接参与甘蔗对Cd2+的螯合和解毒的过程。研究结果有助于进一步深入探究MT2基因在甘蔗应答重金属胁迫过程中的作用,为阐明甘蔗富集和耐受重金属的分子机制研究奠定基础。     

家蝇金属硫蛋白基因的克隆、原核表达及活性检测

金属硫蛋白是一类普遍存在于生物体内、富含半胱氨酸的小分子蛋白,能螯合多种金属离子。本研究根据EST序列信息,利用RACE技术克隆到1条家蝇Musca domestica金属硫蛋白基因MdMtn（GenBank登录号为GU289398）。序列分析表明,MdMtn cDNA全长408 bp,包含1个123 bp的开放阅读框,编码40个氨基酸残基,其中半胱氨酸残基10个,呈-C-X-C-方式排列。此蛋白理论分子量为3.8 kD,等电点为878。为了解家蝇金属硫蛋白对重金属的结合活性,构建了pET-DsbA-MT表达载体,并转化Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）宿主菌进行融合表达。研究发现MT重组菌对重金属镉的耐受性得到了明显加强,提示MdMtn基因可能在家蝇适应重金属环境中起到积极作用。     

二色补血草硫氧还蛋白(Trx)的克隆和表达分析

从二色补血草cDNA文库中分离出1个硫氧还蛋白基因全长cDNA序列。基因全长1138bp,其中,5’非翻译（UTR）区128bp,3＇非翻译区212bp,开放阅读框（ORF）全长798bp,编码265个氨基酸,编码蛋白的分子量为28．58kDa,理论等电点（pI）为9．68。BlastP分析表明二色补血草Trx与拟南芥Trx序列同源性为52％,与葡萄7h序列同源性为76％,从11个物种的氨基酸多序列比对可以看出Trx氨基酸序列保守性较高。实时定量RT-PCR方法检测低温、NaCl和PEG胁迫不同时间后的基因在二色补血草中表达模式的结果表明,NaCl能诱导Trx基因在二色补血草叶中表达,胁迫24h后达到高峰,而聚乙二醇和低温处理则抑制Trx在二色补血草根和叶的表达。     

凡纳滨对虾MT基因序列及其在卵巢发育和低温胁迫中的表达分析

在低温处理仔虾全长cDNA文库的筛选测序中, 获得凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannmei)金属硫蛋白基因全长cDNA序列, 该序列含有425个碱基, 包含177 bp开放阅读框, 上游98 bp的非编码区及下游150 bp 的非编码区, 编码58个氨基酸, 其中半胱氨酸含量丰富, 富含金属硫蛋白典型的Cys-X(1-3)-Cys 结构。多序列比对表明, 凡纳滨对虾MT蛋白序列与美洲螯龙虾(Homarus americanus)MT蛋白序列具最高同源性72.4%。Real-time PCR结果表明, 凡纳滨对虾MT基因在卵巢组织中呈优势表达, 在不同发育期的卵巢中的表达量都很高, 在低温处理凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺组织中上调表达。实验所得结果为研究凡纳滨对虾金属硫蛋白基因在生殖发育和低温应激中的功能提供了参考。       

海洋酸化条件下Cd2+和Hg2+对斧文蛤幼贝急性毒性效应

为研究在海洋酸化条件下重金属污染物对滩涂贝类的影响,采用半静态急性毒性实验的研究方法,利用海洋酸化人工模拟系统,分析了不同酸化条件下(对照组pH 8.20、酸化组pH分别为7.80、7.60和7.40)Cd2+和Hg2+对斧文蛤(Meretrix lamarckii)幼贝急性毒性效应的影响。实验结果表明:在实验设定的海洋酸化范围内,单一的海洋酸化对斧文蛤幼贝的存活没有显著性影响,但海洋酸化显著增强了Cd2+和Hg2+的急性毒性。与对照组相比,酸化组Cd2+和Hg2+的毒性随着酸化程度的加剧而呈现出逐渐增强的趋势; Cd2+和Hg2+均在pH 7.40时对斧文蛤的毒性最强,其96h半致死(96h LC50)浓度分别为4.068 mg/L(Cd2+)和10.332 mg/L(Hg2+),明显低于pH 8.20、7.80和7.60时其对斧文蛤幼贝的96h LC50浓度(其值分别为Cd2+ 6.458、5.947、4.728 mg/L和Hg2+ 12.027、11.169、10.595 mg/L)。研究有助于丰富海洋酸化与重金属毒理作用在海洋贝类中的研究内容,为斧文蛤资源恢复和海洋环境保护提供科学依据。     

斑节对虾金属硫蛋白基因cDNA克隆与表达分析

采用RACE-PCR方法从斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)总RNA反转录产物中获得了502 bp的金属硫蛋白(Pm-MT)基因cDNA序列。该序列包含69 bp 的5非编码区(UTR)和256 bp 的3非编码区(UTR)以及177 bp的开放阅读框(ORF), 可编码58个氨基酸。在其编码的氨基酸序列中半胱氨酸含量丰富, 不含芳香族氨基酸, 存在有无脊椎动物金属硫蛋白的特征序列CKCXXXCXCX, 预测的分子量约为6.05 kD, 理论等电点7.75。序列比对分析表明Pm-MT与北美淡水蟹(Pacifastacus leniusculus)的相似性高达91.4%, 与美国龙虾(Homarus americanus)的同源性最高为84.5%。实时定量PCR显示在所检测组织中, Pm-MT的mRNA在卵巢的表达量最高, 其次为胃、肠、心脏、脑和肝胰腺; Pm-MT的mRNA在斑节对虾6个不同发育期的卵巢中的表达量都很高, 其中在Ⅱ期卵巢中的表达量最高。实验所得结果以期为Pm-MT进一步在卵巢发育的功能研究提供基础材料。       

三角帆蚌金属硫蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

采用RACE技术,获得了三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)金属硫蛋白基因的全长cDNA序列.该序列全长467 bp,由长92 bp的5'UTR(untranslated region),159 bp的3'UTR,和216 bp的开放阅读框(openreading frame,ORF)组成.共编码71个氨基酸,分子量大约为7.1 ku,理论等电点为7.24.该蛋白序列中半胱氨酸含量最丰富(29.6%),其次是甘氨酸(14.1%),存在软体动物金属硫蛋白的特征序列CKCXXXCXCX,且C-末端的氨基酸序列也符合软体动物金属硫蛋白标签序列C-X-C-X(3)-C-T-G-X(3)-C-X-C-X(3)-C-X-C-K.蛋白序列特征分析表明,该序列与其他贝类的金属硫蛋白基因具有很高的相似性,具备金属硫蛋白的典型特征,是金属硫蛋白家族的成员.     

三穗麻鸭MT基因克隆与序列分析

目的:为三穗麻鸭金属硫蛋白(MT)的结构与功能研究提供基础材料。方法:应用MT特异引物,通过RT-PCR从三穗麻鸭肝组织总RNA中扩增目的基因,克隆测序后应用生物信息学软件对该编码蛋白二级结构、亚细胞定位、跨膜结构及信号肽进行预测。结果:三穗麻鸭MT基因全长185bp,可编码61个氨基酸,其中半胱氨酸19个,丝氨酸9个,不含芳香族氨基酸;该基因序列与绿头鸭MT基因的核苷酸同源性为99%,氨基酸同源性达100%;该蛋白为可溶性蛋白,可分布细胞核内和核外,不含信号肽。结论:首次克隆出三穗麻鸭金属硫蛋白基因。     

蛹虫草金属硫蛋白分离纯化及性质研究

研究探讨锌离子胁迫下蛹虫草Cordyceps militaris金属硫蛋白的产生及性质。蛹虫草菌丝体以15g/L Zn2+在10L发酵罐中诱导培养56h后收集,产率为每升发酵液收集12.021g菌丝体（干重）,细胞破碎取上清液通过两次凝胶柱层析,冷冻干燥得到蛹虫草金属硫蛋白纯品。利用Bradford法进行蛋白质含量测定,用银饱和分析法结合原子吸收光谱（AAS）测定MT含量,发酵终点处金属硫蛋白含量为12.876mg/g菌丝体（湿重）。用电喷雾质谱法测得金属硫蛋白的分子量为7 390Da,用Ellman’s方法和火焰原子吸收法分别测得每分子蛋白质含有14个巯基、结合5个Zn原子。氨基酸组成分析结果显示,每分子蛋白质共含57个氨基酸,其中含有13个半胱氨酸,疏水氨基酸占29.8%,且含有组氨酸。以上表明,研究中的蛹虫草金属硫蛋白与哺乳动物金属硫蛋白结构差异较大,但与酵母菌金属硫蛋白结构组成类似。     

文蛤胞内铜锌超氧化物歧化酶基因的克隆与序列分析

文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)是我国重要的滩涂养殖贝类之一,由于病害等原因,特别是红肉病的蔓延,文蛤增养殖业的发展受到严重制约。铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu/Zn-SOD)是活性氧清除酶系中最重要的酶,在生物体内参与清除氧自由基,防御分子损伤和机体衰老等诸多生物事件。通过构建SMART全长cDNA文库和RACE的方法,克隆得到了文蛤胞内Cu/Zn-SOD(icCu/Zn-SOD)的全长cDNA序列。生物学软件分析表明,该序列全长为1383bp,5′UTR为45bp,3′UTR为876bp,开放阅读框长度为462bp,编码153个氨基酸,Cu原子分别与His46、His48、His63、His119配位,Zn则与His63、His71、His80和Asp83配位,半胱氨酸Cys57和Cys145之间形成唯一的链内二硫键。蛋白质结构中心是由8条反向平行的β折叠围成的圆桶状结构。文蛤icCu/Zn-SOD与紫贻贝等其它9种海洋贝类的Cu/Zn-SOD具有较高的同源性。     

Cloning and sequencing of a novel metallothionein gene in Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam

Metallothionein (MT) is a ubiquitous, metal-inducible protein with an important role in the homeostasis and in the detoxification of heavy metals. This work reports the cloning and sequencing of a MT gene encoding a MT isoform (MT20-IIIa) in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam, a lamellibranch mollusc known to accumulate and to detoxify large amounts of metal. The MT gene, lacking the 5' promoter region, is 1865 bp long and has a tripartite structure consisting of three exons and two introns. The putative open reading frame (ORF) encodes a polypeptide of 72 amino acids, which corresponds to the MT-I class, type 2 family (http://www.unizh.ch/~mtpage/classif.html). The structure of the gene and the putative MT20-III protein have been compared with those of other species. The putative biological significance of the differences at the amino acid level among the different MTs is discussed.     

Isolation and characterization of Mytilus edulis metallothionein genes

Metallothioneins (MTs) are crucial proteins in all organisms for the regulation of essential metals and the detoxification of heavy metals. Many studies have estimated MT levels in mussel tissues to detect marine metal pollution. In this study, we investigated the MT gene structures of the forms present in Mytilus edulis (blue mussel). One MT-10 (2413 bp) gene and one MT-20 (1906 bp) gene were obtained. These MT genes contain three exons and two long introns. The splicing signals for MT-10 and MT-20 were GTA(T/A)GT-(C/T)AG. The structural organization (length of intron, splicing signals, AT content) of MT-10 and MT-20 is compared with other MT genes.     

水生动物金属硫蛋白分子毒理学研究进展

随着现代工业的迅速发展,重金属污染问题日益严重。重金属离子主要通过水及食物进入生物机体并累积,对机体的生长发育与新陈代谢产生危害。金属硫蛋白（MT）是一种低分子量、富含半胱氨酸的蛋白质,广泛存在于大多数生物体内,在必需金属元素稳态调节、非必需金属元素解毒以及抗氧化等过程中具有重要作用,因此,MT可作为检测水生生态系统中重金属污染的潜在生物标记,其分子毒理学已成为研究热点。综述了MT的结构、功能、分类与分布,以及鱼类、甲壳类和软体动物的MT分子毒理学研究概况。     

Type 1 metallothionein (ZjMT) is responsible for heavy metal tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ziziphus jujuba</Emphasis>

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins that are able to make cells to uptake heavy metals from the environment. Molecular and functional characterization of this gene family improves understanding of the mechanisms underlying heavy metal tolerance in higher organisms. In this study, a cDNA clone, encoding 74-a.a. metallothionein type 1 protein (ZjMT), was isolated from the cDNA library of Ziziphus jujuba. At the N- and C-terminals of the deduced amino acid sequence of ZjMT, six cysteine residues were arranged in a CXCXXXCXCXXXCXC and CXCXXXCXCXXCXC structure, respectively, indicating that ZjMT is a type 1 MT. Quantitative PCR analysis of plants subjected to cadmium stress showed enhanced expression of ZjMT gene in Z. jujuba within 24 h upon Cd exposure. Escherichia coli cells expressing ZjMT exhibited enhanced metal tolerance and higher accumulation of metal ions compared with control cells. The results indicate that ZjMT contributes to the detoxification of metal ions and provides marked tolerance against metal stresses. Therefore, ZjMT may be a potential candidate for tolerance enhancement in vulnerable plants to heavy metal stress and E. coli cells containing the ZjMT gene may be applied to adsorb heavy metals in polluted wastewater.     

From heavy metal‐binders to biosensors: Ciliate metallothioneins discussed

Metallothioneins (MTs) are ubiquitous proteins with the capacity to bind heavy metal ions (mainly Cd, Zn or Cu), and they have been found in animals, plants, eukaryotic and prokaryotic micro‐organisms. We have carried out a comparative analysis of ciliate MTs (Tetrahymena species) to well‐known MTs from other organisms, discussing their exclusive features, such as the presence of aromatic amino acid residues and almost exclusive cysteine clusters (CCC) present in cadmium‐binding metallothioneins (CdMTs), higher heavy metal‐MT stoichiometry values, and a strictly conserved modular–submodular structure. Based on this last feature and an extensive gene duplication, we propose a possible model for the evolutionary history of T. thermophila MTs. We also suggest possible functions for these MTs from consideration of their differential gene expressions and discuss the potential use of these proteins and/or their gene promoters for designing molecular or whole‐cell biosensors for a fast detection of heavy metals in diverse polluted ecosystems.     

Detoxification of Multiple Heavy Metals by a Half-Molecule ABC Transporter,HMT-1, and Coelomocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans

Background

Developing methods for protecting organisms in metal-polluted environments is contingent upon our understanding of cellular detoxification mechanisms. In this regard, half-molecule ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters of the HMT-1 subfamily are required for cadmium (Cd) detoxification. HMTs have conserved structural architecture that distinguishes them from other ABC transporters and allows the identification of homologs in genomes of different species including humans. We recently discovered that HMT-1 from the simple, unicellular organism, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, SpHMT1, acts independently of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) and detoxifies Cd, but not other heavy metals. Whether HMTs from multicellular organisms confer tolerance only to Cd or also to other heavy metals is not known.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Using molecular genetics approaches and functional in vivo assays we showed that HMT-1 from a multicellular organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, functions distinctly from its S. pombe counterpart in that in addition to Cd it confers tolerance to arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) while acting independently of pcs-1. Further investigation of hmt-1 and pcs-1 revealed that these genes are expressed in different cell types, supporting the notion that hmt-1 and pcs-1 operate in distinct detoxification pathways. Interestingly, pcs-1 and hmt-1 are co-expressed in highly endocytic C. elegans cells with unknown function, the coelomocytes. By analyzing heavy metal and oxidative stress sensitivities of the coelomocyte-deficient C. elegans strain we discovered that coelomocytes are essential mainly for detoxification of heavy metals, but not of oxidative stress, a by-product of heavy metal toxicity.

Conclusions/Significance

We established that HMT-1 from the multicellular organism confers tolerance to multiple heavy metals and is expressed in liver-like cells, the coelomocytes, as well as head neurons and intestinal cells, which are cell types that are affected by heavy metal poisoning in humans. We also showed that coelomocytes are involved in detoxification of heavy metals. Therefore, the HMT-1-dependent detoxification pathway and coelomocytes of C. elegans emerge as novel models for studies of heavy metal-promoted diseases.     

Effects of dexamethasone on metallothionein induction by Zn, Cu, and Cd in Chang liver cells

Metallothioneins (MTs) were induced in Chang liver cells by the metals, Zn, Cu and Cd, and the glucocorticoid hormone, dexamethasone. When 116 microM Zn, 32 microM Cu and 18 microM Cd, and 10(-7) M dexamethasone, respectively, were administered for 9 h, MTs induced by each inducer in the cells reached maximum levels. The maximum accumulation of MT level induced by dexamethasone was the lowest of the four inducers investigated; the levels induced by Zn, Cu and Cd were 4.7, 1.2 and 1.5 times of that induced by dexamethasone. When dexamethasone was added to the cells together with the heavy metals (Zn, Cu and Cd), dexamethasone had an additive effect on the maximum MT accumulations induced by heavy metals as compared to when induction was conducted using one of heavy metals alone or by dexamethasone alone. However, dexamethasone did almost not effect the metal accumulations in the cells, although the maximum MT levels induced by heavy metal increased by dexamethasone. These results suggest that the process of MT induction by heavy metals and that by dexamethasone are independent of one another. When dexamethasone was added to the cells together with a high concentration of Cu (32 microM) induced the maximum MT accumulation, Cu transport into the cells decreased by 20-40% of that into non-treated cells, which was statistically significant.     

镉污染对不同生境拟水狼蛛氧化酶和金属硫蛋白应激的影响

为探讨镉(Cd)对机体抗氧化功能及金属硫蛋白(MT)的影响,在室内分别用不添加Cd2 和添加浓度为20 mgkg-1 Cd2 培养基培养的黑腹果蝇来饲喂4种不同生境下(S1,S2,S3和S4)拟水狼蛛,于饲喂5d、10d和20d后,分别测定其体内MT和丙二醛 (MDA)的含量及超抗氧化酶(GST、SOD和CAT)活性。结果表明：1,不同生境拟水狼蛛用不添加Cd2 培养基培养的黑腹果蝇饲喂后,不添加Cd2 对照组拟水狼蛛镉的积累量和MT含量无显著变化,但均显著低于添加Cd2 污染组。添加Cd2 污染组拟水狼蛛镉的积累量和MT含量都显著高于对照组,且均随着饲喂时间的延长而显著升高,具有明显的时间–效应关系(p<0.05)。2,在饲喂5d和10d后,不添加Cd饲喂的拟水狼蛛MDA含量和抗氧化酶系差异都不显著。添加Cd2 污染组(S1,S2和S3)MDA含量显著高于对照组(S4),MDA含量与饲喂时间呈显著正相关(p<0.05);GST、SOD和CAT等抗氧化酶活性污染组显著低于对照组,与饲喂时间呈显著负相关(p<0.05);饲喂20d后,污染组MDA含量和抗氧化酶（SOD和CAT）活性均与对照组无显著差异,但GST活性差异显著。     

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of an inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) from Asiatic hard clam Meretrix meretrix

Inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) is an important member of Rel/NF-κB signaling pathway, which is an important mediator of immune responses in innate immune system. In this study, the IκB cDNA of hard clam Meretrix meretrix (designated as Mm-IκB) was cloned and characterized. The full-length cDNA of Mm-IκB was of 2098 bp, containing a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 123 bp, a 3' UTR of 810 bp with a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1164 bp encoding a polypeptide of 387 amino acids. The high similarity of Mm-IκB with other IκBs from invertebrates indicated that Mm-IκB should be a member of IκB family. Similar to most IκBs, Mm-IκB possessed all conserved features critical for the fundamental structure and function of IκBs, such as five ankyrin repeats and a conserved degradation motif (DS(44)RYSS(48)). Two PEST domains and a phosphorylation site motif (S(367)EEE(370)) at the C-terminus of Mm-IκB were identified. By quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis, mRNA level of Mm-IκB was found to be most abundantly expressed in the tissues of mantle, gill and hepatopancreas, weakly expressed in muscle, foot and haemocyte. The Mm-IκB gene expression was significantly up-regulated at 24 h in haemocyte and at 12 h in gill after Vibrio anguillarum challenge, respectively. The results suggested the involvement of Mm-IκB in response against bacterial infection and further highlighted its functional importance in the immune system of M. meretrix.