Purification and characterization of alpha2-macroglobulin from grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus: cloning a segment of the corresponding gene

The plasma protein alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M) was purified by gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatography from grass carp plasma. The alpha2M consists of two different subunits of molecular weight 95 kDa and 80 kDa, respectively. The characteristics of grass carp alpha2M are similar to mammalian alpha2M, in that grass carp alpha2M exists in two forms: a fast-form and a slow-form. The former is complexed with protease. The sequence of grass carp alpha2M-conserved region and a region containing the bait region was determined by sequence analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The deduced amino acid sequence of the conserved region is similar to the alpha2M sequence of common carp, however, the bait region amino acid sequence is dramatically distinct from that of common carp. This may partially explain the differential ability of alpha2M of different species to inhibit different proteases. The alpha2M was able to inhibit Aeromonas hydrophila extracellular protease (AhECPase) and thus may play a role in resistance to infection by this pathogen.     

Molecular characterization and tissue-specific expression of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase α gene from Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC1), the major regulatory enzyme of fatty acid biosynthesis, catalyzes the conversion of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. The full-length cDNA coding ACC1 isoform was cloned from liver of grass carp. The cDNA obtained was 7515 bp with a 7173 bp open reading frame encoding 2389 amino acids. The ACC1 protein has a calculated molecular weight of 269.2 kDa and isoelectric point of 6.23. Tissue distribution of ACC1 mRNA in brain, mesenteric adipose, spleen, white muscle and liver of grass carp was analyzed by real-time PCR method using β-actin as an internal control for cDNA normalization. The results showed that the expressions of ACC1 mRNA were detected in all examined tissues. Relative expression profile of ACC1 mRNA in liver normalized with β-actin level was 15, 92, 135 and 165-fold compared with the level in brain, white muscle, mesenteric adipose and spleen, respectively. In addition, we present evidence for the presence of two isoforms of ACC1 (265.7 kDa and 267.2 kDa) in grass carp liver that differ from the 269.2 kDa ACC1 by the absence of 34 and 15 amino acids. In conclusion, the liver is one of the main ACC1 producing tissues in grass carp and ACC1 gene was highly homologous to that of mammals.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a hypoxia-responsive CITED3 cDNA from grass carp

We have isolated a 1586-bp full-length CITED3 cDNA from grass carp which specifies for a cAMP-responsive element-binding protein/p300-interacting transactivator with glutamic acid (E)/aspartic acid (D)-rich C-terminal domain protein. The cDNA, designated as gcCITED3, has an open reading frame of 762 bp and encodes a protein of 253 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 28.3 kDa and pI of 6.4. Pairwise comparison showed that gcCITED3 shares high sequence identity with the CITED3 of zebrafish (94%), chicken (72%) and Xenopus (59%). Northern blot analysis indicated that gcCITED3 is most highly expressed and responsive to hypoxia in the carp kidney. Hypoxic induction was also observed in heart, albeit at a lower level. This is the first report on the isolation of a hypoxia-responsive CITED3 gene from fish.     

Purification and characterization of an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-specific lectin from seeds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A novel lectin (CAA-II) was isolated and purified from the seeds of Cicer arietinum by ammonium sulphate fractionation and affinity chromatography on an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-linked agarose column. The lectin is composed of four identical subunits of 30 kDa and the molecular mass of the native lectin was estimated to be 120 kDa by gel filtration chromatography and confirmed by mass spectrometry. The lectin showed agglutination activity against rabbit erythrocytes (trypsin-treated and untreated) as well as against human erythrocytes. Haemagglutination inhibition assays showed that the lectin is a galactose-specific protein having a high affinity for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. The molecular weight, haemagglutination pattern, carbohydrate specificity and N-terminal amino acid sequence indicated that the lectin is clearly distinct from the previously reported chickpea lectin CAA-I.     

Production and purification of a recombinant human 14 kDa β-galactoside-binding lectin

The cDNA for a 14 kDa human β-galactoside-binding lectin was inserted into a plasmid carrying a taq promoter, and the lectin protein was expressed in E. coli cells. The recombinant lectin was extracted from the cells and purified to apparent homogeneity by a single-step chromatography on an asialofetuin-agarose column. Subunit molecular mass (14 kDa), hemagglutinating activity and antigenicity were indistinguishable from those of the human placental lectin. Though the N-terminal of the placental lectin is blocked with an acetyl group, the recombinant lectin was found to have a free amino group. However, the N-terminal amino acid sequences were identical. The recombinant lectin was considered to have the same three-dimensional structure as the placental lectin.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒HZ08株S4基因序列分析

草鱼呼肠孤病毒HZ08株是本实验室从患出血病草鱼体内分离到的一个新毒株,已完成部分基因序列的分析,其氨基酸序列的同源性和873株相比,仅为20%~30%之间.因序列差异较大,无法通过设计特异性引物来扩增和分析其基因序列,采用单引物扩增技术,对HZ08株S4基因进行序列分析表明:S4全长为2263 bp,最大的ORF编码717个氨基酸,推导出其表达的蛋白约为79 kDa.正如其他基因节段,基因末端也含有保守碱基序列5′(GUAAUUU…UUCAUC),3′.S4基因推导的氨基酸序列与同宿主的其他呼肠孤病毒的非结构蛋白NS1同源性最大,其次是和哺乳动物正呼肠孤病毒的非结构蛋白mu-NS以及禽呼肠孤病毒非结构蛋白NS1同源性较大,表明S4可能表达细胞骨架相关蛋白.基于S4推导出的氨基酸序列构建的系统进化树HZ08株单独作为一个分支,与同宿主的其他呼肠孤病毒亲缘关系比较近,而与其他呼肠孤病毒则相对较远.这提示HZ08株可能是多个毒株的遗传信息经长期的遗传进化而得,综合其它已知序列信息,推测HZ08株可能为呼肠孤病毒的一个新成员.     

Lectins from seeds of Crotalaria pallida (smooth rattlebox)

A lectin from the seeds of Crotalaria pallida (CPL), with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa, determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed human type A and B erythrocytes agglutination activity, which is inhibited by raffinose and galactose. The lectin requirement for divalent cation was demonstrated with EDTA/EGTA blocking hemagglutination activity. Although the N-terminal amino acid sequence of CPL is identical to another lectin from Crotalaria striata, which is taxonomically synonymous to Crotalaria pallida, these lectins differ in amino acid composition and hemagglutination properties.     

A novel homodimeric lectin from Astragalus mongholicus with antifungal activity

A novel lectin (AMML) was isolated from a Chinese herb, i.e., the roots of Astragalus mongholicus, using a combination of ammonium sulfate fraction and ion exchange chromatographies. The molecular mass of intact AMML was determined to be 66,396 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 61.8 kDa by gel filtration, respectively. AMML was a dimeric protein composed of two identical subunits each with a molecular mass of 29.6 kDa. The lectin was a glycoprotein with a neutral carbohydrate content of 19.6%. The purified lectin hemagglutinated both rabbit and human erythrocytes, and showed preference for blood types O (native) and AB (trypsin-treated). Among various carbohydrates tested, the lectin was best inhibited by D-galactose and its derivatives with pronounced preference for lactose (3.13 mM). N-terminal amino acid sequence of AMML was determined as ESGINLQGDATLANN. The optimal pH range for lectin activity was between pH 4.5 and 7.5, and the lectin was active up to 65 degrees C. It also exerted antifungal activity against Botrytis cincerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletorichum sp., and Drechslera turcia but not against Rhizoctonia solani and Mycosphaerella arachidicola.     

Affinity purification and characterization of a seed lectin from Crotalaria medicaginea

Purification of lectin from the seeds of Crotalaria medicaginea Lamk by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica, yielded a single band on non-denatured PAGE at pH 4.5 and 8.3 and, a single peak on HPLC size exclusion and cation exchange columns. The molecular mass of the native C. medicaginea lectin was determined to be 125 kDa by gel filtration. In SDS-PAGE, the lectin migrated as a single band of M(r) 31.6 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions, indicating that it is a tetramer of apparently identical subunits. It agglutinated red blood cells (RBCs) from rabbit and human ABO blood groups. It also reacted with RBCs from rat, sheep, goat and guinea pig but after desialylation with neuraminidase. The hemagglutination activity of the lectin was inhibited by D-galactose and its derivatives. Amino acid analysis showed that lectin was rich in aspartic and glutamic acid and, did not contain sulphur containing amino acids. The lectin is a glycoprotein having 1.41% of neutral sugars. It is labile at temperature above 60 degrees C. It needs divalent cations for its activity, as a loss of activity was observed on removal of Ca2+ and Mn2+. Denaturing agents like urea, thiourea and guanidine-HCl have no effect on its activity.     

Seed lectin from pisum arvense: isolation, biochemical characterization and amino acid sequence

A glucose/mannose lectin was purified by affinity chromatography from Pisum arvense seeds (PAL) and the 50 kDa molecular mass in solution determined by size exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry showed two distinct polypeptide chains: alpha (Mr. 5591 Da) and beta (19986 Da). The lectin was extensively characterized in terms of its biochemical and biological aspects. The amino acid sequence was established by Edman degradation of overlapping peptides. PAL in solution behaves as a dimer and has its monomeric structure formed by two distinct polypeptide chains named alpha (Mr. 5591 Da) and beta (19986 Da) by Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. PAL possesses identical amino acid sequences to that of pea seed lectin but undoubtedly does not exhibit sequence heterogeneity. It is discussed that P. arvense should be considered as a synonym of P. sativum. Furthermore, like pea lectin, PAL discriminates biantennary fucosylated glycan, determined by surface plasmon resonance.     

草鱼瘦素受体基因片段序列的克隆及其组织表达分析

根据斑马鱼、大西洋鲑和人等物种巴知的瘦素受体基因核苷酸保守区序列设计一对简并引物,通过RT-PCR法从草鱼肝胰脏中首次克隆获得草鱼瘦素受体基因的片段序列.该片段序列长713 bp,编码237个氨基酸,氨基酸序列分析表明草鱼瘦素受体基因片段氨基酸序列与其他物种的相似性在35％ -86％之间.通过邻接法(Neighbor Joining,NJ)构建系统进化树显示,鱼类的瘦素受体独立聚成一支,草鱼与金鱼、斑马鱼聚成一支,再与日本青鳉、黑点青鳉、红鳍东方鲀和大西洋鲑聚成一支.通过实时荧光定量PCR分析草鱼瘦素受体基因的组织差异表达,结果表明,草鱼瘦素受体基因在肝胰脏、肌肉、脑、心脏、脾和肠系膜脂肪组织中均有表达,其中在脾脏组织中表达量最多,显著高于其他组织(P＜0.05),其次是心脏、脑、肌肉和肠系膜脂肪组织,在肝胰脏组织中表达量最低,且显著低于其他组织(P＜0.05).     

Isolation and characterization of a thermolabile beta-2 macroglycoprotein ('thermolabile substance' or 'Hakata antigen') detected by precipitating (auto) antibody in sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A novel thermolabile beta-2 macroglycoprotein ('thermolabile substance' (TLS) or 'Hakata antigen' (HA], which was detected by the precipitating (auto) antibodies of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, was isolated and characterized. The purification procedure entailed the following steps: isoelectric precipitation in the range between pH 5.2-6.1, hydroxyapatite absorption chromatography, 35% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, Pevikon block electrophoresis, lentil lectin affinity chromatography and immobilized rabbit anti-human whole serum IgG column chromatography. Utilizing these procedures, 0.1 mg of HA was purified from 3 1 of pooled human serum. The molecular mass of HA was determined as 650 kDa by Sepharose 4B gel filtration. On SDS-PAGE analysis, HA showed a single band at 35 kDa under reduced conditions and numerous ladder bands between 35 kDa to more than 300 kDa under nonreduced conditions. On analytical ultracentrifugation, HA gave a molecular mass of 520 kDa with a single meniscus and a sedimentation constant of 12.0. The amino acid and carbohydrate analysis of reduced and S-pyridylethylated HA revealed that it contained five residues of hydroxyproline and an N-linked type sugar chain.     

A second form of collagenous lectin from the tunicate, Styela plicata

This study characterised a 90 kDa lectin from an invertebrate chordate, the tunicate Styela plicata. One- and two-dimensional electrophoresis showed that the apparent molecular weight of this protein is maintained under both reducing and non-reducing conditions, suggesting that its native form is a monomer. The 90 kDa lectin was localised within a single type of hemocyte (morula cells), but was secreted from those cells when tunicates were challenged with the inflammatory elicitor, zymosan. Functional studies showed that the 90 kDa protein binds to galactose-based sugars in a divalent cation-dependent manner. Amino acid composition analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequencing indicated that the 90 kDa lectin is related to a previously characterised, collagenous lectin from S. plicata, splic43. However, peptide mass fingerprinting identified numerous differences between the two proteins. This suggests that the 90 kDa molecule represents a novel protein that is involved in host defence.     

Subunit structure of the galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable adherence lectin of Entamoeba histolytica

The galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable adherence lectin of Entamoeba histolytica is a cell surface protein which mediates parasite adherence to human colonic mucus, colonic epithelial cells, and other target cells. The amebic lectin was purified in 100-micrograms quantities from detergent-solubilized trophozoites by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. The adherence lectin was purified 500-fold as judged by radioimmunoassay. The nonreduced lectin had a molecular mass of 260 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and an isoelectric point of pH 6.2. The amebic lectin reduced with beta-mercaptoethanol consisted of 170- and 35-kDa subunits. Both subunits could be labeled on the cell surface with 125I, and both were metabolically labeled with [3H]glucosamine. The amino termini of the subunits had unique amino acid sequences, and polyclonal antisera to the heavy subunit did not cross-react with the light subunit. The yield of phenylthiohydantoin derivatives from the second and third positions in the sequence of the heavy and light subunits gave a molar ratio of one 170- to one 35-kDa subunit. Antibodies directed to the heavy subunit inhibited amebic adherence to Chinese hamster ovary cells by 100%, suggesting that the heavy subunit is predominantly responsible for mediating amebic adherence.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of the S10 genome segment of grass carp reovirus (GCRV)

Hemorrhagic disease, caused by the grass carp reovirus (GCRV), is one of the major diseases of grass carp in China. Little is known about the structure and function of the gene segments of this reovirus. The S10 genome segment of GCRV was cloned and the complete nucleotide sequence is reported here. The S10 is 909 nucleotides long and contains a large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 276 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of approximately 29.7 kDa. Comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequence of GCRV S10 with those of other reoviruses revealed no significant homologies. However, GCRV S10 shared a putative zinc-finger sequence and a similar distribution of hydrophilic motifs with the outer capsid proteins encoded by Coho salmon aquareovirus (SCSV) S10, striped bass reovirus (SBRV) S10, and mammalian reovirus (MRV) S4. It was predicted that this segment gene encodes an outer capsid protein.     

Chemical and physicochemical characterization of the sialic acid-specific lectin from Cepaea hortensis

A sialic acid-specific lectin was isolated from the albumin glands of the garden snail Cepaea hortensis by affinity chromatography on fetuin-Sepharose following gel filtration on Superdex 200. The purified native lectin showed a molecular mass of about 95 kDa by gel filtration and 100 kDa by SDS electrophoresis. It was cleaved by boiling in buffer containing SDS in three serological identical bands corresponding to molecular masses of about 24, 20 and 16 kDa, respectively. From these three fragments, only the 24- and the 20-kDa bands were found to be glycosylated. Only the three sugars mannose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine could be detected in a molar ratio of 3:8.6:2. The oligosaccharide moieties seem to be N- and partially O-glycosidic bound. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of the purified lectin revealed a heterogeneous pattern with bands in the pH range of 4.3-5.0. Isolated bands of different isoelectric points showed in SDS electrophoresis the same three fragments with molecular masses of 24, 20 or 16 kDa. The heterogeneity of the lectin was revealed either by IEF or amino acid sequencing of internal tryptic peptides.     

Purification and some properties of a lectin from the seeds ofTrichosanthes anguina

A galactose-binding lectin was isolated in electrophoretically pure form from the seeds of the snake gourd,Trichosanthes anguina, by affinity chromatography on an immobilised lactose column, as well as on a cross-linkedGuar Gum column. The lectin agglutinates native erythrocytes of human A, B and 0 phenotypes and of rabbit, rat and mouse. The molecular mass of the lectin, as estimated bySephadex G-200 gel chromatography, is 49 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, after reduction with β-mercaptoethanol, revealed two polypeptide chains linked by disulphide bonds in the lectin molecule. It contains no covalently linked sugars. Amino acid analysis of the lectin revealed a high content of acidic amino acids, relatively lower proportion of basic amino acids and traces of cysteine and methionine. The lectin has good thermal stability, and is inactivated when oxidised by metaperiodate.     

Isolation and Characterization of a Sialic Acid-specific Lectin from Hemolymph of the Southeast Asian Horseshoe Crab Tachypleus gigas

A lectin was isolated from hemolymph of the Southeast Asian horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas by using glycophorin HA affinity chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The purified lectin had a molecular mass of approximately 396 kDa and was composed of 13 identical subunits with molecular masses of 31 kDa. The serological specificity of the purified lectin was specifically inhibited by sialic acids sialoglycoproteins, but not by neutral sugars, hexosamines, N-acetylhexosamines, or asialoglycoproteins. Although the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the lectin from T. gigas was identical to that from American horseshoe crab (liphemin) by the same purification method and cross reacted with the anti-liphemin serum, the calcium concentration of hemagglutinating activity of the purified lectin showed a smaller optimal concentration than that of liphemin.