梅花CBF转录因子的克隆及表达

根据GenBank中与梅花同属的桃、甜樱桃等已发表CBFs转录因子序列设计简并引物,采用PCR和RT-PCR方法,从梅花基因组DNA和cDNA中克隆CBF转录因子片段。结果表明,两种途径获得的CBF基因序列一致,基因全长821bp,编码238个氨基酸,其氨基酸序列具有典型的CBF蛋白特征,包含保守的AP2/EREB DNA结合结构域及CBF家族蛋白特征短多肽序列(PKK/RPAGRxKFxETRHP和DSAWR)。氨基酸相似性分析结果表明,该基因与欧洲甜樱桃、矮扁桃等CBF转录因子相似性较高。相对荧光定量PCR结果显示,4℃低温胁迫下,其表达量符合CBF转录因子表达特点,随着胁迫时间的增长表达量呈上升趋势,8h时达峰值,说明该基因在低温胁迫下上调表达。     

中华绒螯蟹性腺特异表达蛋白EsSOX21b-like的原核表达与抗体制备

Sox(SRY-related HMG-box)基因编码一类重要的转录因子,其产物都具有一个HMG基序保守区。之前我们在中华绒螯蟹分离鉴定了一个只在性腺中特异表达转录本Es Sox21b-like,为了验证EsSOX21b-like蛋白是否也在中华绒螯蟹性腺中特异表达,本研究原核表达了EsSOX21b-like蛋白,即将EsSox21b-like基因序列克隆到pGEX-2T表达载体,构建重组表达质粒pGEX-2T-Es Sox21b-like,转化大肠杆菌BL21,IPTG诱导融合表达,经SDS-PAGE分析表明,融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在,分子量约为54 k D。利用Ni柱亲和纯化融合蛋白后免疫家兔,制备了多克隆抗体,Western blotting检测表明该抗体能特异地识别性腺组织中EsSOX21b-like蛋白,而在其他组织未检测到其表达,目的蛋白分子量约为28 k D,在精巢组织中的表达量比在卵巢中高,该结果暗示Es SOX21b-like可能在性腺发育过程中起重要调控作用。     

家蝇Thymosin(THY)基因的克隆及原核表达

采用EST测序技术从构建的家蝇(Musca domestica)幼虫c DNA质粒文库中筛选到胸腺肽(Thymosin,THY)基因,以该基因的c DNA文库质粒为模板,设计引物,通过PCR扩增,测序鉴定,获得THY基因完整编码序列。运用生物信息学方法对该基因及其编码蛋白的基本理化性质、信号肽和亚细胞定位等方面进行预测和分析。构建p ET-28a(+)-THY重组质粒,转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达。研究结果表明,THY基因ORF全长384 bp,编码127个氨基酸,理论分子量14.3 k D,等电点为5.22,具有THY家族的蛋白保守结构域。构建重组原核质粒p ET-28a(+)-THY,经IPTG诱导,蛋白在大肠杆菌中获得表达,经亲和层析柱纯化获得目的蛋白,Western blot检测发现纯化的目的蛋白大小正确。     

红笛鲷p38β MAPK基因的克隆及原核表达

鱼类p38 MAPK基因在宿主免疫调控及抵御病原侵染的过程中具有重要作用。利用RACE技术克隆了红笛鲷p38βMAPK基因(Ls-p38β,Gen Bank登录号为KJ502277)。序列分析结果显示,Ls-p38βc DNA全长1 628 bp,开放阅读框1 086 bp,可编码361个氨基酸,预测其编码蛋白的分子量为41.6 k D,理论等电点为5.74。该基因推导的氨基酸序列含有p38 MAPK家族保守的双磷酸化激活环(TGY),与尼罗罗非鱼的p38β有97%的相似性。将此基因定向插入原核表达载体构建重组表达质粒p ET32-p38β后导入BL21(DE3)菌株,利用IPTG进行诱导表达。SDS-PAGE与Western blot分析显示约在60 k D出现特异蛋白条带,与预期分子量大小相符,说明Ls-p38β融合蛋白表达成功。     

沙眼衣原体Ahpc蛋白的原核表达、纯化及活性分析

本研究根据Ct Ahpc基因序列设计特异性引物,以Ct DNA为模版PCR扩增Ahpc基因到大小为585 bp,将其连接到p ET28a获得重组质粒p ET28a-Ahpc,将该质粒转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)获得重组菌BL/p ET28a-Ahpc,利用IPTG诱导重组Ahpc蛋白表达,目的蛋白分子量大小约为26 k D。利用Ni-NAT亲和层析法纯化得到的重组Ahpc蛋白。氧化铁二甲酚橙法检测发现Ahpc蛋白能够分解双氧水和叔丁基过氧化氢,具有分解过氧化合物的活性。测定重组大肠杆菌在百草枯所致氧化胁迫下的生长曲线,发现表达Ahpc蛋白的重组菌的生长情况比对照好。本研究成功表达和纯化得到沙眼衣原体Ahpc蛋白并测定其活性,为解析沙眼衣原体的抗氧化机制提供实验证据。     

甘蔗内生固氮菌Klebsiella variicola DX120E nifD基因的克隆、原核表达及纯化

基于NCBI数据库中固氮菌nif D基因的核苷酸序列,设计并合成特异性引物,以甘蔗内生固氮菌Klebsiella variicola DX120E为模板,通过PCR方法获得了Klebsiella variicola DX120E nif D基因的ORF;以p ET30a(+)为原核表达载体,构建重组表达质粒p ET30a-nif D。将正确的重组质粒转入原核表达菌株BL21(DE3),在28℃培养条件下经1 mmol/L的异丙基硫代半乳糖苷(isopro-ply-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside,IPTG)诱导表达;通过SDS-PAGE电泳检测融合蛋白表达情况。结果表明,本研究克隆得到甘蔗内生固氮菌Klebsiella variicola DX120E nif D基因的ORF为1 452 bp,编码483个氨基酸;原核诱导表达后经提纯和质谱鉴定,该蛋白等电点为5.90,分子量为53.87 k D,与预期大小一致。该蛋白在原核表达系统中以包涵体的形式成功表达。利用Ni柱亲和层析方法进一步获得了纯度较高的重组蛋白,为今后单克隆抗体的制备、蛋白质印记杂交检测(Western Bloting)等研究奠定了基础。     

家蝇溶菌酶MDLZM2基因的克隆、序列分析及原核表达

对家蝇溶菌酶(Musca domestica lysozyme,MDLZM2)基因进行克隆、序列分析,构建原核表达载体并在大肠杆菌中表达。从Gen Bank家蝇基因组中筛选获得MDLZM2基因。以该基因的序列设计引物,进行PCR扩增,测序分析获得该基因完整编码序列。运用生物信息学方法对该基因及其编码蛋白的基本理化性质、信号肽、二级结构、三级结构和保守结构域等方面进行预测和分析。构建p EASY-E1-MDLZM2重组质粒,转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)p Lys S Chemically Competent Cell中进行诱导表达及纯化。结果表明MDLZM2基因ORF全长552 bp,编码183个氨基酸,理论分子量21.2 k Da;等电点为6.13,具有Lysozyme家族的蛋白保守结构域。成功构建重组原核表达p EASY-E1-MDLZM2并诱导表达、纯化重组蛋白,为进一步研究该蛋白的生物学及免疫学活性奠定了基础。     

玉米JAZ家族基因ZmJAZ4的克隆及功能分析

JAZ(Jasmonate ZIM-domain)蛋白是植物特有的一类转录因子,通过抑制茉莉素调控基因的表达,在植物的生长发育及非生物胁迫等方面发挥重要的功能。从玉米B73自交系中克隆到一个新的JAZ家族基因Zm JAZ4,该基因c DNA全长为651bp,编码蛋白含有216个氨基酸,分子量约为23.1 k D,p I为10.78,属于碱性蛋白。Real-time RT-PCR结果表明,Zm JAZ4主要在茎端分生组织、雄穗、发育早期的种子以及胚乳中表达。系统进化分析显示,Zm JAZ4与At JAZ10转录因子相似性较高。亚细胞定位试验表明,Zm JAZ4定位于细胞核内。Zm JAZ4在酵母细胞中不具有转录激活活性。激素及胁迫处理表明,Zm JAZ4在地上部的表达受PEG、Na Cl、SA、GA和ABA诱导,而在地下部的表达受到ABA和GA诱导。结果分析表明,Zm JAZ4可能是一个重要的转录调控因子,参与调控多种激素信号通路及非生物胁迫响应。     

KDP胞外502～764位氨基酸基因合成、表达及功能鉴定

应用基因搭桥法及 Taq酶聚合反应合成了编码人血管内皮生长因子受体 - ( h VEGFR- ,KDR)第 50 2～ 764位 2 62个氨基酸的基因片段 .DNA序列分析表明 ,合成的 786bp的基因片段与文献报道的 KDR相应 c DNA序列完全一致 .将该基因与原核融合蛋白表达载体 p GEX- 3X重组 ,在大肠杆菌 JM1 0 9中表达了 GST- KDR2 62融合蛋白 ,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的 35% .表达产物依次经包涵体分离、变性、复性、亲合层析纯化和 Xa因子酶解 ,获得了 KDR2 62目的蛋白纯品 .GST-KDR2 62融合蛋白和纯化产物经 Western blot分析 ,两者均可被 VEGF1 65特异性识别 ,前者分子量约 56k D,后者分子量约 30 k D;这两种蛋白用 VEGF1 65及其抗体进行的 ELISA分析结果均显示阳性 ,并有剂量依赖关系 ,而用 Xa因子酶解 GST- KDR2 62融合蛋白获得的 GST和空载体诱导产物对照均为阴性 .以上结果表明表达的 KDR2 62蛋白可特异性地与 VEGF结合 .     

苏云金芽胞杆菌Sigma K在大肠杆菌中的表达与纯化

【目的】在大肠杆菌中表达纯化苏云金芽胞杆菌HD73的转录调控因子Sigma K(σK)。【方法】PCR扩增出苏云金芽胞杆菌HD73中sig K基因的ORF(Open reading frame)装载到带有His标签的表达载体p ET21b上,转入到表达菌株BL21(DE3)中获得重组菌株BL21(p ETsig K),通过SDS-PAGE、镍柱亲和纯化、阴离子交换纯化和凝胶迁移实验(EMSA)等方法对Sigma K蛋白进行提取、纯化和生物活性分析。【结果】正确表达出大小约为27 k D的His-Sigma K蛋白,并获得了纯化的蛋白。EMSA结果表明纯化的His-Sigma K蛋白可以与受其控制的cry1Ac基因启动子结合。【结论】表达和纯化了His-Sigma K蛋白,His-Sigma K具有与受其控制的启动子结合的功能。     

A Unique Protease Cleavage Site Predicted in the Spike Protein of the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Potentially Related to Viral Transmissibility

正Dear Editor,In December 2019, a novel human coronavirus caused an epidemic of severe pneumonia(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei, China(Wu et al. 2020; Zhu et al. 2020). So far, this virus has spread to all areas of China and even to other countries. The epidemic has caused 67,102 confirmed infections with 1526 fatal cases     

Curcuminoids as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase: A receptor based pharmacophore study with distance mapping of the active site

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric that interacts irreversibly forming an adduct with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme responsible for redox control of cell and defence against oxidative stress. Docking at both the active sites of TrxR was performed to compare the potency of three naturally occurring curcuminoids, namely curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and bis-demethoxy curcumin. Results show that active sites of TrxR occur at the junction of E and F chains. Volume and area of both cavities is predicted. It has been concluded by distance mapping of the most active conformations that Se atom of catalytic residue SeCYS498, is at a distance of 3.56 from C13 of demethoxy curcumin at the E chain active site, whereas C13 carbon atom forms adduct with Se atom of SeCys 498. We report that at least one methoxy group in curcuminoids is necessary for interation with catalytic residues of thioredoxin. Pharmacophore of both active sites of the TrxR receptor for curcumin and demethoxy curcumin molecules has been drawn and proposed for design and synthesis of most probable potent antiproliferative synthetic drugs.     

Comparative morphology of the carpel in the Liliaceae: Hewardieae, Petrosavieae, and Tricyrteae

The young pistils in the melanthioid tribes, Hewardieae, Petrosavieae and Tricyrteae, are uniformly tricarpellate and syncarpous. They lack raphide idioblasts. All are multiovulate, with bitegmic ovules. The Petrosavieae are marked by the presence of septal glands and incomplete syncarpy. Tepals and stamens adhere to the ovary in the Hewardieae and the Petrosavieae but not in the Tricyrteae. Two vascular bundles occur in the stamens of the Hewartlieae and Tricyrtis latifolia. Ventral bundles in the upper part of the ovary of the Hewardieae are continuous with compound septal bundles and placental bundles in the lower part. Putative ventral bundles occur in the alternate position in the Tricyrteae and putative placental bundles in the opposite. position in the Petrosavieae. The dichtomously branched stigma in each carpel of the Tricyrteae is supplied by a bifurcated dorsal bundle.     

Enterovirus 71 3C proteolytically processes the histone H3 N-terminal tail during infection

Highlights
1. The N-terminal tail of histone H3 is specifically cleaved during EV71 infection.
2. Viral protease 3C is identified as a protease responsible for proteolytically processing the N-terminal H3 tail.
3. Our finding reveals a new epigenetic regulatory mechanism for Enterovirus 71 in virus-host interactions.     

Detection of EBV and HHV6 in the Brain Tissue of Patients with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis

Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare pediatric neurological disorder, and the exact etiology is not clear. Viral infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of RE, but conflicting results have reported. In this study, we evaluated the expression of both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus (HHV) 6 antigens in brain sections from 30 patients with RE and 16 control individuals by immunohistochemistry. In the RE group, EBV and HHV6 antigens were detected in 56.7% (17/30) and 50% (15/30) of individuals, respectively. In contrast, no detectable EBV and HHV6 antigen expression was found in brain tissues of the control group. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in 20.0% (6/30) of individuals. In particular, a 4-year-old boy had a typical clinical course, including a medical history of viral encephalitis, intractable epilepsy, and hemispheric atrophy. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in neurons and astrocytes in the brain tissue, accompanied by a high frequency of CD8⁺ T cells. Our results suggest that EBV and HHV6 infection and the activation of CD8⁺ T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RE.     

Perinatal Vertical Transmission of Chikungunya Virus in Ruili,a Town on the Border between China and Myanmar

正Dear Editor,Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus in the family of Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, is transmitted by the A.aegyptii or A. albopictus mosquito, and causes disease in humans characterized by fever, rash, and arthralgia (Silva and Dermody 2017; Suhrbier 2019). It was first reported in 1953 in Tanzania, and caused only a few outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa and Asia in last century. However, in the epidemic in 2004, CHIKV acquired mutations that conferred enhanced transmission by the A. albopictus mosquito(Schuffenecker et al. 2006). Since then, it has successively caused outbreaks in Africa, the Indian Ocean, South East Asia, the South America, and Europe (Zeller et al. 2016).     

Development of a Novel Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

In conclusion, the novel visual RT-LAMP assay is a simple, rapid, and sensitive approach for detection of SARS-CoV-2, and it is ready for application in primary care and community hospitals or health care centers, and even patients' own houses in response to the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic because the assay does not require sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Furthermore, it is also ready to be used in fields for screening samples from wild animals and environments to facilitate the identification of potential intermediate hosts that mediate the cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans.