Key enzymes of the protocatechuate branch of the β-ketoadipate pathway for aromatic degradation in Corynebacterium glutamicum

The β-ketoadipate pathway, a primarily chromo-somally encoded catabolic route that plays a signifi-cant role in the degradation of aromatic compounds, is widely distributed in soil bacteria and fungi[1]. This pathway consists of two parallel branches of which the aromatic rings are cleaved by either protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase or catechol 1,2-dioxygenase. The two branches converge at β-ketoadipate enol-lactone in bacteria, and three additional steps complete the con-version of the latter…     

Genomic compositions and phylogenetic analysis of Shigella boydii subgroup

Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) microarray analysis was used to compare the genomic compositions of all eighteen Shigella boydii serotype representative strains. The results indicated the genomic “backbone” of this subgroup contained 2552 ORFs homologous to nonpatho-genic E. coli K12. Compared with the genome of K12199 ORFs were found to be absent in all S. boydii serotype representatives, including mainly outer membrane protein genes and O-antigen biosynthesis genes. Yet the specific ORFs of S. boydii subgroup contained basically bacteriophage genes and the function unknown (FUN) genes. Some iron metabolism, transport and type II secretion system related genes were found in most representative strains. According to the CGH phylogenetic analysis, the eighteen S. boydii serotype representatives were divided into four groups, in which serotype C13 strain was remarkably distinguished from the other serotype strains. This grouping result corresponded to the distribution of some metabolism related genes. Furthermore, the analysis of genome backbone genes, specific genes, and the phylogenetic trees allowed us to discover the evolution laws of S. boydii and to find out important clues to pathogenesis research, vaccination and the therapeutic medicine development.     

Evolutionary conservation and DNA binding properties of the Ssh7 proteins fromSulfolobus shibatae

The thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus shibatae synthesizes a large amount of the 7-ku DNA binding proteins known as Ssh7. Our hybridization experiments showed that two Ssh7-encoding genes existed in the genome of S. shibatae. These two genes, designated ssh7a and ssh7b, have been cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The two Ssh7 proteins differ only at three amino acid positions. In addition, the cis-regulatory sequences of the ssh7a and ssh7b genes are highly conserved. These results suggest the presence of a selective pressure to maintain not only the sequence but also the expression of the two genes. We have also found that there are two genes encoding the 7-ku protein in Sulfolobus solfataricus. Based on this and other studies, we suggest that the gene encoding the 7-ku protein underwent duplication before the separation of Sulfolobus species. Binding of native Ssh7 and recombinant (r)Ssh7 to short duplex DNA fragments was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Both native and recombinant forms of the protein behaved in a similar fashion in the assays, suggesting that the interaction of Ssh7 with DNA is not affected either by specific lysine methylation found in the native Ssh7 proteins or by the difference between the two Ssh7 isomers in amino acid sequence. Our data show that Ssh7 binds duplex DNA fragments with a binding size of ~ 6.6 base pairs and an apparent dissociation constant of (0.7—1.0)×10^-7 mol/L under the assay conditions employed in the present study. In addition, Ssh7 binds more tightly to negatively supercoiled DNA than to linear or relaxed DNA. :     

G protein β1γ2 subunits purification and their interaction with adenylyl cyclase

A preliminary study on the interaction of G protein (guanine triphosphate binding protein) b1g2 subunits and their coupled components in cell signal transduction was conducted in vitro. The insect cell lines, Sf9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) and H5 (Trichoplusia ni) were used to express the recombinant protein Gβ₁γ₂. The cell membrane containing Gβ₁γ₂ was isolated through affinity chromatography column with Ni-NTA agarose by FPLC method, and the highly purified protein was obtained. The adenylyl cyclase 2 (AC2) activity assay showed that the purified Gβ₁γ₂ could significantly stimulate AC₂ activity. The interaction of β₁γ₂ subunits of G protein with the cytoplasmic tail of various mammalian adenylyl cyclases was monitored by BIAcore technology using NTA sensor chip, which relies on the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The experiments showed the direct binding of Gβ₁γ₂ to the cytoplasmic tail C2 domain of AC2. The specific binding domain of AC2 with Gβ₁γ₂ was the same as AC2 activity domain which was stimulated by Gβ₁γ₂.     

Identification of the alga known as <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nannochloropsis</Emphasis> Z-1 isolated from a prawn farm in Hainan,China as <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis>

An alga known as “Nannochloropsis”, isolated from a prawn farm in Hainan, China, has been critically investigated and identified as Chlorella, a member of the Chlorophyceae based on fatty acid composition, ultrastructure, and 18S rDNA. Cells of this alga were spherical, measured by 1–6 μm in diameter and were enclosed in thin walls of approximately 0.04 μm thickness. They contained several small mitochondria, two to three thylakoids and had no vacuoles. There were many pyrenoids in the algal cells and their thylakoid lamellae were sparse and not translucent. Many lipid droplets were present in the cytoplasm. The total lipid content of this alga was 3% per gram dry weight and its major fatty acids were C_16:0, C_18:0, C_18:1, C_18:2, C_18:3 and C_20:0. Eicosapentaenoic acid (C_20:5, EPA) was not detected. The length of its 18S rDNA sequence was 1,712 bp. 18S rDNA sequence analyses indicated that this alga was a species of Chlorella.     

Preliminarily functional analysis of a cloned novel human geneADAM29

ADAM is a family of type I integral membrane proteins which are characterized by sharing a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain and involved in many important physiological processes such as fertilization, neurogenesis and inflammatory response. A novel human ADAM gene——ADAM29, which was cloned in our laboratory, is exclusively expressed in human testis and contains a potential fusion domain. A full-length cDNA of ADAM299 was obtained by using multiple-step PCR. Phylogenetic tree of known mammalian ADAMs specifically expressed in testis was reconstructed. Polyclonal antiserum was raised by immunizing the rabbits with sub-peptide of ADAM29 (Leu268—Asp374) as immunogen. The result of immunohistochemical test on human testis showed that ADAM29 is expressed in different stages of spermatogenesis and in interstitial cells. ADAM29 may play a certain role in the signal transduction during the maturation of testis-associated cells.     

Enhancing disease resistances of Super Hybrid Rice with four antifungal genes

A plant expression vector harboring four antifungal genes was delivered into the embryogenic calli of ‘9311’, an indica restorer line of Super Hybrid Rice, via modified biolistic particle bombardment. Southern blot analysis indicated that in the regenerated hygromycin-resistant plants, all the four anti-fungal genes, including RCH10, RAC22, β-Glu and B-RIP, were integrated into the genome of ‘9311’, co-transmitted altogether with the marker gene hpt in a Mendelian pattern. Some transgenic R1 and R2 progenies, with all transgenes displaying a normal expression level in the Northern blot analysis, showed high resistance to Magnaporthe grisea when tested in the typical blast nurseries located in Yanxi and Sanya respectively. Furthermore, transgenic F₁ plants, resulting from a cross of R₂ homozygous lines with high resistance to rice blast with the non-transgenic male sterile line Peiai 64S, showed not only high resistance to M. grisea but also enhanced resistance to rice false smut (a disease caused by Ustilaginoidea virens) and rice kernel smut (another disease caused by Tilletia barclayana).     

Calcium disodium edetate enhances type A monoamine oxidase activity in monkey brain

The effects of metal chelators on monoamine oxidase (MAO) isozymes, MAO-A and MAO-B, in monkey brain mitochondria were investigated in vitro. MAO-A activity increased to about 40% with 0.1 μM calcium disodium edetate (CaNa₂EDTA) using serotonin as a substrate, and this activation was proportional to the concentration of CaNa₂EDTA. On the other hand, MAO-A activities were decreased gradually with an increasing concentration of o-phenanthroline and diethyldithiocarbamic acid, but these metal chelators had no effect on MAO-B activity in monkey brain. The activation of MAO-A activity by CaNa₂EDTA was reversible. CaNa₂EDTA did not activate both MAO-A and MAO-B activities in rat brain mitochondria. Zn and Fe ions were found in the mitochondria of monkey brain. Zn ions potently inhibited MAO-A activity, but Fe ions did not inhibit either MAO-A or MAO-B activity in monkey brain mitochondria. These results indicate that the activating action of CaNa₂EDTA on MAO-A was the result of the chelating of Zn ions contained in mitochondria by CaNa₂EDTA. These results also indicate the possibility that Zn ions may regulate physiologically the level of serotonin and norepinephrine content in brain by inhibiting a MAO-A activity.     

β-adrenergic modulation of in vivo long-term potentiation in area CA1 and its role in spatial learning in rats

Activation of β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 of the hippocampus facilitates in vitro long-term potentiation (LTP) in this region. However, it is unclear if in vivo LTP in area CA1 and hippocampus-dependent learning are subjected to β-adrenergic regulation. To address this question, we investigated the effects of the β-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol or antagonist DL-propranolol on in vivo LTP of area CA1 and the spatial learning in Morris water maze. In the presence of L-isoproterenol (through local infusion into area CA1), the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 10 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 1 train, a frequency weakly modifying synaptic strength, induced a robust LTP, and this effect was blocked when DL-propranolol was co-administered. By contrast, the theta-pulse stimulation with the parameter of 5 Hz, 150 pulses/train, 3 trains, a frequency strongly modifying synaptic strength, induced a significantly smaller LTP when DL-propranolol was administered into area CA1. Accordingly, DL-propranolol impaired the spatial learning in the water maze when infused into area CA1 20 min pretraining. Compared with control rats, the DL-propranolol-treated rats showed significantly slower learning in the water maze and subsequently exhibited poor memory retention at 24-h test. These results suggest that β-adrenoceptors in area CA1 are involved in regulating in vivo synaptic plasticity of this area and are important for spatial learning.     

Effect of light and nitrates on nitrate reductase activity and stability in seedling leaves of selected barley genotypes

Parental genotypes (cv. Aramir and line R567) and the selected doubled haploid (DH) lines C23, C47/1, C41, C55 did not differ in NR activity when they grew on a nutrient solution containing 10 mM KNO₃ and were illuminated with light at 124 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ intensity. A decrease of nitrate content in the nutrient medium to 0.5 mM at 44 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ light intensity caused a significant reduction of NR activity in the parental genotypes as well as in the lines C41 and C55. An increase in light intensity to 124 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ raised NR activity in the leaf extracts of these genotypes. However, independently of light intensity, a high level of this enzyme activity was maintained in the line C23 growing on the nutrient medium with 10 mM and 0.5 mM KNO₃. The NR activity in that line dropped only when nitrate content in the medium decreased to 0.1 mM. NR in the leaves of the line C23, as compared to C41, was characterized by a higher thermal stability in all experimental combinations. An increase in light intensity had no significant influence on NR thermal stability in the leaves of the line C41, but induced a significant increase of this enzyme stability in the line C23. The lines C23 and C41 growing on the nutrient medium with 0.5 mM KNO₃ differed appreciably by nitrate concentration in leaves. A higher accumulation of nitrates was detected in the leaves of the line C41.     

Glycine origin of the methyl substituent on C7′-N of octodiose for the biosynthesis of apramycin

Apramycin is unique in the aminoglycoside family due to its octodiose moiety. However, either the biosynthesis process or the precursors involved are largely unknown. Addition of glycine, as well as serine or threonine, to the Streptomyces tenebrabrius UD2 fermentation medium substantially increases the production of apramycin with little effect on the growth of mycelia, indicat-ing that glycine and/or serine might be involved in the biosynthesis of apramycin. The ¹³C-NMR analysis of [2-¹³C] glycine-fed (25% enrichment) apramycin showed that glycine specifically and efficiently incorporated into the only N-CH₃ substituent of apramycin on the C7′ of the octodiose moiety. We noticed that the in vivo concentration of S-adenosyl methionine increased in parallel with the addition of glycine, while the addition of methione in the fermentation medium significantly decreased the productivity of apramycin. Therefore, the methyl donor function of glycine is proposed to be involved in the methionine cycle but methionine itself was proposed to inhibit the methylation and methyl transfer processes as previously reported for the case of rapamycin. The ¹⁵N NMR spectra of [2-¹³C,¹⁵N]serine labeled apramycin indicated that serine may also act as a limiting precursor contributing to the ―NH₂ substituents of apramycin.     

Cloning, mapping and mutation analysis of human gene GJB5 encoding gap junction protein β-5

By homologous EST searching and nested PCR a new human gene GJB5 encoding gap junction protein β-5 was identified. GJB5 was genetically mapped to human chromosome 1p33-p35 by FISH. RT-PCR revealed that it was expressed in skin, placenta and fetal skin. DNA sequencing of GJB5 was carried out in 142 patients with sensorineural hearing impairment and probands of 36 families with genetic diseases, including erythrokeratodermia (5 families), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (13), ptosis (4), and retinitis pigmentosa and deafness (14). Two missense mutations (686A→G, H229R; 25C→T, L9F) were detected in two sensorineural hearing impairment families. A heterologous deletion of 18 bp within intron was found in 3 families with heredity hearing impairment, and in one of the 3 families, a missense mutation (R265P) was identified also. But the deletion and missense mutation seemed not segregating with hearing impairment in the family. No abnormal mRNA or mRNA expression was detected in deletion carriers by RT-PCR analysis in skin tissue. Mutation analysis in 199 unaffected individuals revealed that two of them were carriers with the same 18 bp deletion.     

The effect of Cu2+ on uptake and assimilation of ammonium by cucumber seedlings

The ammonium uptake by cucumber seedlings was estimated from ammonium ions depletion in an uptake solution. The uptake of NH ₄ ⁺ was decreased by about 60 % after one hour and by about 90 % after two hours of 100 μM Cu²⁺ treatment. On the contrary the accumulation of ammonium in roots of Cu²⁺-treated seedlings at the same time was higher than in the control. Cu²⁺ in the concentration inhibiting NH ₄ ⁺ absorption during one hour inhibited also glutamine synthetase (GS) (EC 6.3.1.2) and NADH-glutamate dehydrogenase (NADH-GDH) (EC 1.4.1.2) activities both localized in the roots of seedlings. After one hour and at least up to the 4th hour Cu²⁺ accumulated mainly in roots (95 %). It was probably the reason of the GS activity in cotyledons of seedling treated with Cu²⁺ that it was at the same level as in the control. NADH-GDH activity in cotylcdons after one hour of the Cu²⁺ treatment was lower than in the control but the influence of Cu²⁺ action on the activity of this enzyme in roots was by far stronger. 100 μM Cu²⁺ did not affect the activities of both enzymes in in vitro experiments. Copper added into the incubation medium in 1000 μM concentration decreased GS activity, but still did not change NADH-GDH activity. These results suggested the indirect Cu²⁺ action on the investigated enzymes in in vivo experiments. However, no substantial effect on enzyme activities extracted from control plants was observed after the addition of the extract from Cu²⁺-treated plants into the incubation medium. The data suggest that the influence of Cu²⁺ on uptake and assimilation of ammonium may be connected not only with changes of plasma membrane properties in the root cells of Cu²⁺ treated seedlings but also with Cu²⁺ action on two major enzymes involved in NH ₄ ⁺ assimilation: glutamate synthetase and NADH-glutamate dehydrogenase.     

Prokaryotic Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide CATH PR1–2 from the Skin of Paa robertingeri in Escherichia coli

The aim of this study was to investigate the prokaryotic expression of antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin(CATH) PR1 and PR2 from the skin of Paa robertingeri in Escherichia coli. Two active peptides, CATH PR1 and CATH PR2, belong to the CATH family in the skin of P. robertingeri. CATH PR1 has a relatively high antimicrobial activity, especially for the drug-resistant strains found in clinical practice; however, no antimicrobial activity has been found in CATH PR2. The molecular weights of both CATH PR1 and CATH PR2 are relatively low(3195.88 and 2838.34 Da, respectively). Thus, the genetic processes, as well as the expression and purification of these proteins, are difficult to perform. Therefore, in this study, CATH PR1 and CATH PR2 genes were tandem ligated and then connected to the plasmid p ET-32 a. This reconstructed plasmid was then transfected into the expression vector E. coliBL21 to construct the recombinant expression system. The fusion expression of peptide PR was stable in E. coli after induction with 1.0 mol/L isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside at 37°C for 4 h. The antimicrobial activity assay using Staphylococcus aureus(Song) and Candida albicans 08030102 showed that the antimicrobial activity of PR was similar to the antimicrobial activity of CATH PR1. This study showed that artificial modification of the amino acid sequences of PR1 and PR2 could result in better protein expression in prokaryotes, and the fusion protein expressed had relatively high antimicrobial and other biological activities. In conclusion, the findings suggest future prospects of the commercialization of this method.     

Lactic acid production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> expressing a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizopus oryzae</Emphasis> lactate dehydrogenase gene

This work demonstrates the first example of a fungal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expressed in yeast. A L(+)-LDH gene, ldhA, from the filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae was modified to be expressed under control of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae adh1 promoter and terminator and then placed in a 2μ-containing yeast-replicating plasmid. The resulting construct, pLdhA68X, was transformed and tested by fermentation analyses in haploid and diploid yeast containing similar genetic backgrounds. Both recombinant strains utilized 92 g glucose/l in approximately 30 h. The diploid isolate accumulated approximately 40% more lactic acid with a final concentration of 38 g lactic acid/l and a yield of 0.44 g lactic acid/g glucose. The optimal pH for lactic acid production by the diploid strain was pH 5. LDH activity in this strain remained relatively constant at 1.5 units/mg protein throughout the fermentation. The majority of carbon was still diverted to the ethanol fermentation pathway, as indicated by ethanol yields between 0.25–0.33 g/g glucose. S. cerevisiae mutants impaired in ethanol production were transformed with pLdhA68X in an attempt to increase the lactic acid yield by minimizing the conversion of pyruvate to ethanol. Mutants with diminished pyruvate decarboxylase activity and mutants with disrupted alcohol dehydrogenase activity did result in transformants with diminished ethanol production. However, the efficiency of lactic acid production also decreased. Electronic Publication     

Kinetin regulates plant growth and biochemical changes during maturation and senescence of leaves,flowers, and pods of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cajanus cajan</Emphasis> L.

Aspects of plant growth such as height, branch number, leaf number, leaf area, pod area, 100-seed mass, etc., were correlated with biochemical changes such as contents of chlorophyll (Chl), proteins, DNA, and RNA, and protease activity during development and senescent phases in leaves, flowers, and pods of Cajanus cajan L. cv. UPAS-120 after treatments with kinetin (Kn). A significant increase was noticed in branch number, leaf number, leaf area, and seed mass while other growth processes registered a small increase after Kn application. Effectiveness of 5 μM Kn was also noticed in minimizing the loss of Chls, proteins, and nucleic acids as well as reducing the protease activity during maturity and senescence. Chl a/b ratio maintained a high value up to 30-d followed by a decline in leaves while flowers registered much lower ratio at 20-d-age. Pods were unique in having relatively lower ratio of Chl a/b in comparison to leaves.     

GIS-based seasonal pattern of Rhinopithecus roxellana’s habitat selection in Shennongjia Reserve, Central China

Rhinopithecus roxellana’s habitat condition is directly related to its long-term survival and reproduction. Research, with large-scale, on R. roxellana’s habitat selection of seasonal changes is conducive to the protection and construction of its habitat, and it is essential protecting the rare species. Our research is based on the results of previous studies in biological and behavioral ecological field. With the support of GIS and RS technology, we conducted a lot of field investigations. In addition, we also took R. roxellana’s selection bias of seven kinds of ecological factors into consideration. Through the above efforts, we got a selection intensity distribution layer about R. roxellana’s habitat selection of seasonal changes. Our study shows that in spring, the area of weak intensity is 1507.96 hm² while less weak area is 33868.72 hm². The strong intensity area is 266 hm² while the less strong area is 36818.84 hm².
In summer, the area of weak intensity is 4683.4 hm² while less weak area is 28392.4 hm². The strong intensity area is 4078.52 hm² while the less strong area is 35307.2 hm².
In autumn, the area of weak intensity is 1972.08 hm² while less weak area is 33254.72 hm². The strong intensity area is 1516.84 hm² while the less strong area is 35717.88 hm².
In winter, the area of weak intensity is 542.76 hm² while less weak area is 28230.84 hm². The strong intensity area is 392.44 hm² while the less strong area is 43295.48 hm².
The results show that the most forestry areas of the Shennongjia Mt. lie in strong intensity area and these areas provides optimal habitat for the Snub-nosed Monkey.
The distribution layer analyses show that eastern part of the Shennongjia area is coincidence with the current natural distribution of the Snub-nosed Monkey, whereas north-western, south-western and southern part of the area is located in the weak intensity areas and is unfit for the Snub-nosed Monkey. In the central part, the strong intensity areas are fragmented by the highways and no Snub-nosed Monkey is found in this highly disturbed area. However, it is probably a potential habitat for the Snub-nosed Monkey.
Survival and reproduction of the Snub-nosed Monkey was ensured by large and continuous habitat in the eastern part of the Shennongjia Mt. Much effort is needed to intensify the connection of the fragmented central area of the Shennongjia Mt.     

Cloning and sequencing of nifBHDKENX genes of Paenibacillus massiliensis T7 and its nif promoter analysis

A 324 bp of nifH fragment was PCR amplified from Paenibacillus massiliensis T7 using the universal degenerate primers. The PCR-amplified nifH fragment was labeled with DIG and then used as a probe in Southern blot analysis. Southern blot result showed that there were two positive signals, indicating that there might be two copies of nifH in P. massiliensis T7. A total of 10254 bp DNA sequence containing purD and nifBHDKENX was obtained by five rounds of inverse-PCR amplification. The predicted proteins of nifBHDKENX had high homology with those from other nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Only one putative σ⁵⁴-dependent promoter sequence was detected upstream of the nifB gene and nifBHDKENX were likely to be organized in one operon. Assays of β-galactosidase activity of P. massiliensis T7PB carrying a nifB-lacZ fusion under different concentrations of NH⁺₄ and O₂ showed that the expression of nifB-lacZ was strongly inhibited by O₂.     

Copper and zinc concentrations and the activities of ceruloplasmin and superoxide dismutase in atherosclerosis obliterans

The relationships among concentrations of copper and zinc, the oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp) in serum, and Cu,Zn-SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity in erythrocytes were investigated in men with atherosclerosis obliterans (AO) and a control group. The oxidase activity of Cp was measured with o-dianisidine dihydrochloride as a substrate, and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes by using the RANSOD kit. The lipid profile and uric acid concentration were determined in AO and control groups. The results showed higher copper and zinc concentrations in serum in the AO group (20.0±3.5 and 18.0±3.2 μmol/L, respectively) in comparison with the control group (15.6±2.3 and 14.7±1.9 μmol/L). The Cp activity in serum was higher in the AO group (174.2±61.8 U/L) than in the control group (93.7±33.9 U/L), and a significant difference was found in the activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in erythrocytes (2389±1396 and 1245±365 U/g Hb, respectively) between both groups. The activity of Cu,Zn-SOD was positively correlated with copper in the control group (r=0.73), but not in AO, and negatively with uric acid concentration (r=−0.63) in the AO group. The oxidase activity of Cp was correlated with copper, but not zinc, in AO and control groups (r≥0.65). Negative correlation coefficients were calculated for uric acid and copper and zinc concentrations in the AO group (−r≥0.61). Increased copper concentrations and oxidase activity of Cp in serum in AO and the activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in erythrocytes could result from atherosclerotic disease, accompanied by chronic ischemia of a lower limb. These results suggest also that relationship between copper concentration and Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes found in the serum of healthy subjects may be disturbed in pathologic conditions.     

Construction,expression and characterization of the engineered antibody against tumor surface antigen,p185^c—erbB—2

The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene encodes a 185kD protein p185,which belongs to epidermal growth factor receptor family.Amplification of this gene has been shown to correlate with poor clinical prognosis for certain cancer patients.The monoclonal antibody A21 which directed against p185 specifically inhibits proliferation of tumor cells overexpressing p185,hence allows it to be a candidate for targeted therapy.In order to overcome several drawbacks of murine MAb,we cloned its VH and VL genes and constructed the single-chain FV(scFv)through a peptide linker.The recombinant scFv A21 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by the affinity column.Subsequently it was characterized by ELISA,Western blot,cell immunohistochemistry and FACS.All these assays showed the binding activity to extracellular domain(ECD)of p185.Based on those properties of scFvA21,we further constructed the scFv-Fc fusion molecule with a homodimer form and the recombinant product was expressed in mammalian cells.In a series of subsequent analysis this fusion protein showed identical antigen binding site and activity with the parent antibody.These anti-p185 engineered antibodies have promised to be further modified as a tumor targeting drugs,with a view of application in the diagnosis and treatment of human breast cancer.