乙酰化修饰调控结核杆菌异柠檬酸裂合酶的研究

目的:探索结核杆菌异柠檬酸裂合酶(ICL)蛋白322位点赖氨酸(Lys322)的乙酰化修饰对蛋白功能的调控作用。方法:构建结核杆菌ICL蛋白原核表达载体p ET28a-icl,并对Lys322位点进行定点突变为精氨酸(Arg,R)和谷氨酰胺(Glu,Q),体外表达纯化获得重组蛋白ICLWT、ICL322R和ICL322Q。通过Western blotting和酶活性测定来揭示Lys322位点突变前后对蛋白的乙酰化修饰水平及蛋白功能的影响。结果:Western blotting检测发现大肠杆菌表达体系获得的ICLWT、ICL322R和ICL322Q蛋白均有较高水平的蛋白赖氨酸乙酰化修饰信号,较ICLWT,ICL322R和ICL322Q突变蛋白的酶活性分别下降了大约50%和70%。结论:在大肠杆菌的表达体系中,ICL蛋白可以获得乙酰化修饰。ICL322Q突变蛋白酶活性的显著下降,揭示Lys322位点乙酰化修饰对ICL蛋白的功能存在负向调控。为未来深入探索赖氨酸乙酰化修饰对结核杆菌代谢,潜伏感染的调控作用奠定了基础。     

Arg77和Glu80定点突变同时去除葡激酶中的T和B细胞抗原表位

【目的】对葡激酶的T和B细胞抗原表位重叠的关键氨基酸Arg77和Glu80进行定点突变以降低葡激酶的免疫原性。【方法】基于Arg77和Glu80的溶剂可及表面积设计葡激酶的突变体;突变体在大肠杆菌DH5α中进行表达。经过三步层析法纯化后,分析突变体的纤溶活性和免疫原性。【结果】免疫学实验提示,葡激酶导致Th2免疫反应;Glu80突变为丙氨酸和丝氨酸减少了溶剂可及表面积,同时去除了部分T和B细胞抗原表位;Arg77突变为天冬酰胺、谷氨酰胺和赖氨酸仅去除了部分T细胞抗原表位;6个组合突变体中,Sak(R77Q/E80A)和Sak(R77Q/E80S)有效去除了部分B和T细胞抗原表位,降低了葡激酶的免疫原性;Sak(R77Q/E80A)and Sak(R77Q/E80S)的纤溶活性和催化效率与r-Sak相当。     

组蛋白修饰对酿酒酵母复制起始相关蛋白基因表达的调控

真核生物的DNA复制是一个复杂且有序的过程,其中DNA复制起始参与调控众多生物学活动,对生物正常的生长发育具有重要作用。组蛋白修饰在调节DNA复制过程中具有重要作用。为了检测组蛋白特定位点的修饰对DNA复制起始的影响,本研究以酿酒酵母组蛋白H3/H4定点突变菌株为研究对象,采用倍比稀释表型分析法检测了组蛋白11种H3/H4甲基化、乙酰化突变菌株的生长情况,显示,以野生型菌株BY4741为对照,组蛋白H3/H4乙酰化突变菌株H3K64A、H3K56A、H3K14Q、H4K5R、H4K16Q以及组蛋白H4甲基化突变菌株H4K20Q表现为生长缺陷,其他菌株与BY4741生长情况基本一致;通过GeNorm和NormFinder软件分析得出本实验最适内参基因为β-actin;采用Real-time PCR检测了菌株细胞内复制起始相关蛋白基因mcm2、mcm10、cdc45的表达情况,表明,组蛋白H3/H4甲基化突变菌株H3K9A、H3R72K、H4K59A、H4K20Q胞内mcm2、mcm10、cdc45基因表达均显著下调(p0.01),而H4R3A胞内mcm2、mcm10表达显著上调(p0.05)、cdc45显著下调(p0.01),组蛋白H3/H4乙酰化突变菌株H3K14Q、H4K5R、H4K8A、H4K16Q胞内mcm2表达显著下调(p0.01),而在H3K64A、H3K56A胞内无显著变化,mcm10在6种组蛋白H3/H4乙酰化突变菌株内表达均下调(p0.01),cdc45基因在H4K5R胞内表达无显著变化,在其余5种乙酰化突变菌株中表达均显著下调(p0.01),为进一步阐明组蛋白特定位点修饰调控DNA复制起始的深入研究提供理论帮助。     

酿酒酵母转运蛋白Agp1p泛素化对氮源利用的影响

摘要:【目的】研究酿酒酵母细胞膜关键氮源转运蛋白Agp1p的泛素化对其氮源利用的影响。【方法】构建一个基于双分子荧光互补技术的泛素化检测载体,检测Agp1p是否受到泛素化。采取定点突变的方法对Agp1p中可能的泛素化位点进行突变,研究其泛素化的关键作用位点及其对酿酒酵母氮源利用的影响。【结果】在谷氨酰胺、精氨酸、脯氨酸及铵盐为唯一氮源的培养基中,转运蛋白Agp1p均受到泛素化调控。定点突变实验结果显示,与出发菌株相比,潜在泛素化位点突变后,菌体荧光强度均有一定程度减弱。其中四重突变体Agp1pK11,14,98,112R荧光强度最弱,表明泛素化过程被显著抑制。系列突变菌株在9种氨基酸为复合氮源以及尿素为单一氮源的发酵实验表明,四重突变体菌体氮源利用率提高效果显著。【结论】转运蛋白Agp1p的泛素化受到不同氮源的影响,泛素化位点突变可以显著影响其泛素化过程,从而改变细胞对氮源的利用过程。     

乙酰化修饰降低Ku蛋白的DNA结合活性

【目的】研究乙酰化修饰对Ku蛋白活性的影响。【方法】利用耻垢分枝杆菌为表达菌株,转入Ku蛋白表达质粒,纯化具有乙酰化修饰的Ku蛋白和无乙酰化的Ku蛋白突变体,比较两类蛋白的生化活性;分析氧化压力和酸性环境下耻垢分枝杆菌细胞内Ku蛋白乙酰化水平的变化。【结果】Ku蛋白过量表达的耻垢分枝杆菌比转入空质粒的对照菌株生长缓慢;乙酰化Ku蛋白比未发生乙酰化Ku蛋白修复断裂DNA的活性降低、DNA结合活性降低;氧化压力和酸性压力环境下,耻垢分枝杆菌细胞内Ku蛋白数量降低,乙酰化Ku蛋白数量变化不大。【结论】乙酰化修饰能够调节Ku蛋白的DNA结合活性,从而调节非同源末端连接修复系统的活性;Ku蛋白乙酰化程度升高是耻垢分枝杆菌对不良生长环境的反应。     

利用CRISPR/Cas9系统检测果蝇细胞中组蛋白甲基化修饰对20E信号传导的调控

【目的】利用CRISPR/Cas9基因敲除系统在黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster细胞中筛选并检测组蛋白甲基化修饰对蜕皮激素20 羟基蜕皮酮(20-hydroxyecdysone, 20E)信号传导的调控。【方法】通过Flybase网站分析并总结黑腹果蝇组蛋白甲基转移酶及其修饰位点;将5个组蛋白甲基转移酶基因［trr, Mes-4, ash1, Su(var)3-9和egg］的sgRNA插入到敲除载体pAc-sgRNA-Cas9骨架中并转染黑腹果蝇Kc细胞,利用TA克隆和测序鉴定突变位点。以Trr正调控20E初级应答基因Br-C的转录表达为阳性对照,利用qRT-PCR和Western blot检测该系统敲除靶基因的有效性;通过检测20E应答元件(20E response element, EcRE)双荧光素酶活性确定trr, Mes-4, ash1, Su(var)3-9和egg是否参与20E信号传导。【结果】果蝇组蛋白甲基化修饰主要发生在组蛋白H3的赖氨酸残基上,H3的精氨酸残基和组蛋白H4的甲基化修饰较少。trr敲除载体pAc-trr-sgRNA-Cas9转染Kc细胞后成功突变trr,降低H3K4三甲基化水平并阻断20E对其初级应答基因Br-C的转录诱导,证明该敲除系统的有效性。除trr之外,Mes-4和egg的敲除降低EcRE的双荧光素酶活性。【结论】插入靶标基因sgRNA序列的pAc-sgRNA-Cas9敲除载体在果蝇Kc细胞中可以有效快捷地突变靶基因。利用该敲除系统发现,除Trr之外,Mes-4和egg影响EcRE的活性而参与20E信号传导。本研究为昆虫细胞CRISPR/Cas9介导的基因敲除和组蛋白甲基化修饰调控20E信号传导的深入研究提供了理论依据与工作基础。     

定点突变提高N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶酶活和温度稳定性

【目的】提高N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶(N-acylhomoserine lactonase,AiiA)酶活及温度稳定性。【方法】本研究基于AiiA同源蛋白的三维结构对AiiA进行定点突变,分析野生型AiiA及其突变蛋白酶活和温度稳定性。【结果】野生型AiiA较不稳定,在45℃下温浴30 min,或4℃储存5 d后均失去降解N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(N-acylhomoserine lactone,AHL)的活性。但是突变AiiA蛋白(N65K,T195R和A206E)的酶活力较野生型AiiA均提高了20%以上,且4℃储存时间延长到7 d。此外,突变株N65K比野生型AiiA对高温具有更强的耐受性,在45℃温浴后剩余酶活力达到45%以上,55℃温浴30 min后仍保留5.0%的酶活力。【结论】通过定点突变改造AiiA蛋白结构,提升了AiiA蛋白的酶活和温度稳定性。     

水稻细菌性条斑病菌RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc双组分系统的功能

【目的】旨在阐明双组分系统RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc在水稻细菌性条斑病菌(Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzicola,Xoc)DSF(diffusible signal factor)合成、致病性等相关方面的生物学功能。【方法】以Xoc野生型菌株Rs105为母体,利用自杀载体pK18mobsacB缺失突变rpfCxoc、rpfGxoc和rpfGCxoc(rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc双基因),测定突变体及其互补菌株的DSF合成水平、对水稻的致病性、胞外多糖(extracellular polysaccharide,EPS)产量、菌体形态及群体结构。【结果】从Rs105基因组中克隆了rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc基因,并获得了相应的单基因或双基因缺失突变体。与Rs105相比,ΔrpfCxoc和ΔrpfGCxoc过量合成DSF信号分子,但是ΔrpfGxoc合成DSF的能力显著下降;rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc单基因或双基因的缺失突变均导致Xoc的致病性丧失,EPS合成水平下降34.1%-48.5%,形成菌体高度聚集的生物膜结构。【结论】RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc双组分系统调控Xoc的DSF生物合成、EPS产生和生物膜的驱散,是Xoc保持致病性所必需的因子。     

嗜酸热脂环酸杆菌中甘露聚糖酶活性位点的确立

【目的】通过定点突变确定嗜酸热脂环酸杆菌中甘露聚糖酶的活性催化位点。【方法】根据序列比对和GH53家族的结构信息选择可能的催化活性位点,利用重叠PCR法构建定点突变体,采用薄层层析(TLC)法和3,5-二硝基水杨酸(DNS)法检测各酶蛋白活性。【结果】通过重叠PCR法成功构建了7个位点的突变体,其中第150和159位的氨基酸突变对活性改变甚少或几乎没有,而第151和231位谷氨酸的羧基基团的改变以及双位点突变体E2Q则导致其对各种底物催化活性的丧失,说明位于β4和β7折叠的C末端的E151和E231的羧基基团作为功能基团参与了催化反应。【结论】E151和E231分别是新型甘露聚糖酶AaManA的酸碱催化位点和亲核催化位点。     

细菌群体感应参与铜绿假单胞菌胞内聚羟基脂肪酸酯合成的调控

群体感应是细菌根据细胞密度变化调控基因表达的一种调节机制。铜绿假单胞菌中QS系统由lasI和rhlI合成的信号分子3OC12-HSL和C4-HSL以及各自的受体蛋白LasR、RhlR组成,它们以级联方式调控多个基因表达。【目的】研究细菌群体感应(QS)对聚羟基脂肪酸酯合成的调控。【方法】利用铜绿假单胞菌PAO1及其QS突变株为材料通过气相色谱、荧光定量PCR在生理和分子水平上研究QS对聚羟基脂肪酸酯合成的调控。【结果】QS信号分子合成抑制剂阿奇霉素处理铜绿假单胞菌PAO1和QS突变株导致胞内PHA积累量显著减少;铜绿假单胞菌PAO1中C4-HSL合成酶基因rhlI缺失突变株PAO210胞内PHA积累量与野生型无差别;而3OC12-HSL合成酶基因lasI缺失突变株PAO55、3OC12-HSL受体合成酶基因lasR缺失突变株PAO56以及lasI/lasR双缺失突变株PAO57胞内PHA含量与野生型相比明显减少;lasI和lasR的突变株体内PHA合成酶基因phaC1的表达量显著降低,信号分子3OC12-HSL回补实验使phaC1的表达量可恢复到野生株水平,但只可部分恢复lasI缺失导致的胞内PHA合成。【结论】由此推测,铜绿假单胞菌群体感应系统中lasI/lasR系统参与胞内聚羟基脂肪酸酯合成的调控。     

Acetylation of sphingosine kinase 1 regulates cell growth and cell-cycle progression

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPK1) is a key enzyme in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway. It forms an essential checkpoint to regulate the relative levels of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites, ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Here, we present evidence that SPK1 is acetylated by the intrinsic acetyltransferase activity of p300/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) at a conserved acetylation motif (the GK motif). This post-translational modification may be an important regulator of SPK1 protein, as acetylation by p300 or CBP increased its stability. Mutation of two lysine (K) residues in its GK motif to either arginine (R) or glutamine (Q) blocked SPK1 ubiquitination and prevented its degradation by the proteasome. The processes of acetylation and ubiquitination may compete for the same lysine residues and, therefore, form a switch for SPK1 protein regulation. Intriguingly, human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells stably expressed the mutated form of SPK1, in which the K residue was mutated to Q (Q-SPK1), and this mutated form mimicked acetylated SPK1. These cells were larger in size and had a slower growth rate compared to cells that expressed wild-type SPK1 (W-SPK1) or the K/R-mutated SPK1 (R-SPK1). These data suggest that SPK1 acetylation plays a key role in cell growth, cell size, and cell-cycle control.     

Characterization of acetyl-CoA synthetase kinetics and ATP-binding

BackgroundThe superfamily of adenylating enzymes is a large family of enzymes broadly distributed from bacteria to humans. Acetyl-CoA synthetase (Acs), member of this family, is a metabolic enzyme with an essential role in Escherichia coli (E. coli) acetate metabolism, whose catalytic activity is regulated by acetylation/deacetylation in vivo.MethodsIn this study, the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of deacetylated and acetylated E. coli Acs were studied for the adenylating step. Moreover, the role of the T264, K270, D500 and K609 residues in catalysis and ATP-binding was also determined by Isothermal titration calorimetry.ResultsThe results showed that native Acs enzyme binds ATP in an endothermic way. The dissociation constant has been determined and ATP-binding showed no significant differences between acetylated and deacetylated enzyme, although k_cat was much higher for the deacetylated enzyme. However, K609 lysine mutation resulted in an increase in ATP-Acs-affinity and in a total loss of enzymatic activity, while T264 and D500 mutant proteins showed a total loss of ATP-binding ability and a decrease in catalytic activity. K609 site-specified acetylation induced a change in Acs conformation which resulted in an exothermic and more energetic ATP-binding.ConclusionsThe differences in ATP-binding could explain the broadly conserved inactivation of Acs when K609 is acetylated.General SignificanceThe results presented in this study demonstrate the importance of the selected residues in Acs ATP-binding and represent an advance in our understanding of the adenylation step of the superfamily of adenylating enzymes and of their acetylation/deacetylation regulation.     

酿酒酵母组氨酸转运蛋白Hip1p的泛素化水平对组氨酸利用的影响

【目的】为了研究泛素化对组氨酸转运及调控的影响。【方法】应用泛素化位点预测及定点突变等技术手段,Hip1p的3个潜在的泛素化位点K30、K42和K52被突变。这些突变的Hip1p被克隆到泛素化检测质粒中,检测泛素化位点突变对Hip1p的泛素化水平的影响。同时这些突变对细胞生长及组氨酸利用的影响也进一步做了检测。【结果】Hip1p的3个赖氨酸位点K30、K42和K52突变能有效降低其泛素化水平。同时,双重突变对其泛素化水平有明显的协同作用,并进一步影响了细胞生长和组氨酸利用。【结论】泛素化水平调控能有效调节组氨酸代谢,引起细胞对组氨酸利用的改变,为进一步研究氨基酸转运蛋白的调控机制提供了重要的依据。     

嗜热II型内含子Tel3c/4c-RT结构域活性位点分析

【背景】嗜热Ⅱ型内含子是一类由内含子RNA和内含子编码蛋白(intron encoded protein,IEP)组成且在高温条件下能够在染色体上高频移动的反转录转座子,目前已被开发为高效基因打靶工具Thermotargetron,阐明其活性催化位点,对深入研究其“归巢”机制及开发新型遗传工具具有重要意义。【目的】筛选嗜热Ⅱ型内含子Tel3c/4c-RT结构域关键活性位点,并获得失活反转录功能的内含子编码蛋白突变体。【方法】先利用生物信息学技术分析并筛选可能影响Tel3c/4c-RT反转录功能的关键氨基酸位点;然后对筛选到的关键氨基酸位点进行定点突变,并以Thermotargetron质粒为基础构建失活反转录功能的突变型嗜热Ⅱ型内含子打靶系统;最后以大肠杆菌lacZ基因为例,通过蓝白斑计数分析突变型Thermotargetron系统的打靶效率,体内验证Tel3c/4c-RT结构域关键活性位点突变对嗜热Ⅱ型内含子打靶效率的影响。【结果】共筛选到15个可能影响反转录活性的氨基酸位点,包括D194、I195、S196、G197、C198、F199、Q241、G242、R274、Y275、A2...     

L1.LtrB内含子编码蛋白反转录结构域关键催化位点分析及功能验证

【目的】筛选影响Ll.LtrB内含子编码蛋白(Intron encoded protein,IEP)反转录功能的关键催化位点,并获得无反转录活性的IEP突变体。【方法】首先,利用NCBI数据库,通过序列比对及同源建模方法筛选影响IEP反转录功能的关键氨基酸催化位点;然后,对筛选获得的关键催化位点进行定点突变,同时以Targetron载体为模板,构建无反转录功能的突变型Targetron打靶系统;最后,以大肠杆菌lacZ基因为例,体内验证IEP突变体的功能及其对Ⅱ型内含子"归巢"效率的影响。【结果】筛选到C164和G214两个位点是影响内含子编码蛋白反转录功能的关键氨基酸残基,并获得C164K和G214W两个突变体。体内功能分析表明,此两个位点突变完全失活了Ⅱ型内含子的"归巢"功能。【结论】筛选并获得了失活反转录功能的Ll.LtrB内含子编码蛋白突变体,为深入研究Ⅱ型内含子的结构和"归巢"机理奠定了基础。     

Acetylation of p53 at lysine 373/382 by the histone deacetylase inhibitor depsipeptide induces expression of p21(Waf1/Cip1)

Generally, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor-induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression is thought to be p53 independent. Here we found that an inhibitor of HDAC, depsipeptide (FR901228), but not trichostatin A (TSA), induces p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression through both p53 and Sp1/Sp3 pathways in A549 cells (which retain wild-type p53). This is demonstrated by measuring relative luciferase activities of p21 promoter constructs with p53 or Sp1 binding site mutagenesis and was further confirmed by transfection of wild-type p53 into H1299 cells (p53 null). That p53 was acetylated after depsipeptide treatment was tested by sequential immunoprecipitation/Western immunoblot analysis with anti-acetylated lysines and anti-p53 antibodies. The acetylated p53 has a longer half-life due to a significant decrease in p53 ubiquitination. Further study using site-specific antiacetyllysine antibodies and transfection of mutated p53 vectors (K319/K320/K321R mutated and K373R/K382R mutations) into H1299 cells revealed that depsipeptide specifically induces p53 acetylation at K373/K382, but not at K320. As assayed by coimmunoprecipitation, the K373/K382 acetylation is accompanied by a recruitment of p300, but neither CREB-binding protein (CBP) nor p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), to the p53 C terminus. Furthermore, activity associated with the binding of the acetylated p53 at K373/K382 to the p21 promoter as well as p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression is significantly increased after depsipeptide treatment, as tested by chromatin immunoprecipitations and Western blotting, respectively. In addition, p53 acetylation at K373/K382 is confirmed to be required for recruitment of p300 to the p21 promoter, and the depsipeptide-induced p53 acetylation at K373/K382 is unlikely to be dependent on p53 phosphorylation at Ser15, Ser20, and Ser392 sites. Our data suggest that p53 acetylation at K373/K382 plays an important role in depsipeptide-induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression.     

Acetylation of αA-crystallin in the human lens: Effects on structure and chaperone function

α-Crystallin is a major protein in the human lens that is perceived to help to maintain the transparency of the lens through its chaperone function. In this study, we demonstrate that many lens proteins including αA-crystallin are acetylated in vivo. We found that K70 and K99 in αA-crystallin and, K92 and K166 in αB-crystallin are acetylated in the human lens. To determine the effect of acetylation on the chaperone function and structural changes, αA-crystallin was acetylated using acetic anhydride. The resulting protein showed strong immunoreactivity against a N^ε-acetyllysine antibody, which was directly related to the degree of acetylation. When compared to the unmodified protein, the chaperone function of the in vitro acetylated αA-crystallin was higher against three of the four different client proteins tested. Because a lysine (residue 70; K70) in αA-crystallin is acetylated in vivo, we generated a protein with an acetylation mimic, replacing Lys70 with glutamine (K70Q). The K70Q mutant protein showed increased chaperone function against three client proteins compared to the Wt protein but decreased chaperone function against γ-crystallin. The acetylated protein displayed higher surface hydrophobicity and tryptophan fluorescence, had altered secondary and tertiary structures and displayed decreased thermodynamic stability. Together, our data suggest that acetylation of αA-crystallin occurs in the human lens and that it affects the chaperone function of the protein.     

Direct determination of acetyl-enzyme intermediate in the acetylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetylcholine and acetylthiocholine

Acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus was acetylated during the hydrolysis of [3H]acetylcholine and [3H]acetylthiocholine. The steady state levels of [3H]acetyl-enzyme were measured at different pH and different concentrations of substrate. The maximum acetylation fraction [S)----infinity) at pH 7.0 in 0.5 M salt was 0.65 with acetylcholine as substrate and 0.57 with acetylthiocholine as substrate. Acetylation is faster than deacetylation. The fraction of acetyl-enzyme was not affected by pH which indicates that acetylation and deacetylation are equally affected by changes in pH. This results supports the concept that acetylation and deacetylation involve similar mechanisms.