棉花抗逆基因GhAREB4的克隆及功能分析

AREBs转录因子家族基因主要参与干旱、高盐、低温等胁迫应答反应,在植物抵御各种逆境胁迫中起着非常重要的作用。该研究经序列电子拼接克隆了陆地棉GhAREB4基因,该基因全长1 784bp,其开放阅读框为1 227bp,编码408个氨基酸,预测分子量为44.3kD,等电点为8.88。蛋白结构预测发现,该蛋白二级结构中含有bZIP基因家族的保守结构域。系统进化树分析表明,GhAREB4与可可的AREB转录因子同源性最高。绿色荧光蛋白亚细胞定位分析表明,GhAREB4蛋白分布在细胞核内。qRT-PCR分析表明,GhAREB4基因在花中的表达量最高;且GhAREB4基因表达受到干旱、高盐、低温、脱落酸(ABA)等处理的诱导,其可能调控棉花对非生物逆境的耐性响应。研究结果为进一步研究该基因对棉花耐逆调控机制奠定了基础。     

茶树CsCIGR基因克隆及表达特性分析

该研究以茶树基因组数据库为基础,采用RT-PCR技术,从茶树‘龙井43’中克隆得到基因CsCIGR。序列分析显示,CsCIGR基因开放阅读框长度为1 677 bp,编码588个氨基酸。进化分析表明,CsCIGR属于GRAS家族的PAT1亚家族。多序列比对显示,茶树CsCIGR蛋白与其他植物的GRAS蛋白氨基酸序列具有很高的相似性。氨基酸理化性质分析显示,CsCIGR转录因子属于亲水性蛋白。亚细胞定位预测显示,CsCIGR可能位于细胞核中。启动子预测分析发现,CsCIGR启动子区域包含胁迫响应元件(STRE)、干旱应答元件(MYC)、厌氧诱导元件(ARE)等多种与逆境响应相关的顺式作用元件。荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,CsCIGR基因在低温(4℃)、高温(38℃)、干旱(200 g·L~(-1) PEG)、高盐(200 mmol·L~(-1) NaCl)胁迫下均能诱导表达,且对高盐,低温和高温胁迫响应更为明显,推测CsCIGR基因在茶树响应逆境胁迫中发挥重要作用。该研究为茶树抗性育种筛选基因提供了重要理论依据。     

旱麦草EtAP2基因的克隆及其对干旱胁迫的响应表达

以旱麦草(Eremopyrum triticeum)为实验材料,利用RT-PCR技术从旱麦草叶片中克隆了1个AP2/ERF家族基因,命名为EtAP2(GenBank登录号KX622583)。EtAP2基因含有1 128bp开放阅读框,编码375个氨基酸,相对分子质量40.87kD,等电点为5.36。多序列比对和进化树分析表明,该基因编码蛋白具有2个AP2保守结构域,与小麦AP2/ERF家族蛋白具有较近的亲缘关系。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,15%PEG 6000模拟干旱胁迫可诱导EtAP2基因在根和叶中表达,且在根中对干旱胁迫的响应大于叶片。研究表明,EtAP2可能参与旱麦草对干旱逆境胁迫应答的调节。     

矮牵牛PhUGT74E2基因的克隆及对逆境胁迫的响应

糖基化转移酶(UGTs)能够维持植物体内的激素平衡,广泛参与植物的生长发育及逆境胁迫应答。该研究从矮牵牛(Petunia hybrida var. Mitchel diploid)中克隆了UGT74E2的同源基因PhUGT74E2及其启动子序列,并分析了序列特征和蛋白结构特点,同时采用qRT-PCR对该基因在不同组织、不同逆境胁迫下的转录水平进行了检测,以探讨矮牵牛UGT74E2基因的功能,为揭示其调控矮牵牛抗逆性的分子机制奠定基础。结果显示:(1)成功克隆获得矮牵牛UGT74E2基因全长序列,命名为PhUGT74E2。(2)PhUGT74E2基因cDNA全长1 986 bp,包含一个1 347 bp开放阅读框,编码448个氨基酸;其蛋白分子式为C_(2278)H_(3544)N_(586)O_(676)S_(18),分子量为50.53 kDa,等电点为5.18;PhUGT74E2无信号肽和跨膜域,主要定位于叶绿体;同时克隆了PhUGT74E2基因上游2 083 bp启动子序列,该序列中含有脱落酸、赤霉素、光及逆境等响应元件。(3)系统进化树分析显示,PhUGT74E2与其他物种UGT74E2起源相同,而与烟草NtUGT74E2的亲缘关系最近。(4)荧光定量PCR分析表明,PhUGT74E2基因在叶片、茎、根、叶腋和顶端5个组织中均有表达,其中叶腋中的表达量最高,而茎和根中的表达量最低;PEG6000模拟干旱处理及NaCl处理均引起了PhUGT74E2表达水平的显著上调,且随着时间的延长表达水平相应增加,说明PhUGT74E2能够参与矮牵牛对干旱及盐胁迫的响应。     

茶树CsLEA5基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究以茶树‘龙井长叶’为材料,克隆获得了茶树胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白基因CsLEA5的cDNA序列,该序列全长515 bp,包含一个375 bp的开放阅读框,编码124个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为13.5 kD,理论等电点为5.92。蛋白序列分析结果显示,CsLEA5为高亲水性和稳定性蛋白,且含有一个典型的LEA_3保守结构域,属于LEA蛋白中LEA_3亚家族成员。CsLEA5基因启动子区域包含多种与逆境响应相关的顺式作用元件,如乙烯响应元件（ERE）、胁迫响应元件（STRE）、创伤响应元件（WUN motif）及MYB、MYC转录因子识别位点等。qRT PCR分析显示,CsLEA5基因表达具有明显的组织特异性,在叶片中的表达量最高,其次是嫩茎,而在其他组织器官中的表达量较低,且CsLEA5基因表达受低温和干旱胁迫的诱导。研究表明,CsLEA5基因可能在茶树响应低温和干旱胁迫过程中发挥重要作用。该研究对了解茶树抗逆分子机制,筛选抗性候选基因资源提供了重要理论依据。     

桑树MaPP2C8基因克隆及其干旱胁迫下的表达

该研究基于桑树转录组测序结果及基因组数据库,采用PCR技术,克隆获得桑树2C型蛋白磷酸酶基因MaPP2C8的cDNA及其启动子序列,运用生物信息学方法对序列进行分析,并采用qRT-PCR方法检测MaPP2C8在干旱胁迫处理下的表达特性,为进一步研究MaPP2C8基因在干旱胁迫响应中的功能奠定基础。结果显示:(1)MaPP2C8基因cDNA全长为1 309 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)全长为1 053 bp,编码350个氨基酸。(2)MaPP2C8蛋白与桑科其他植物亲缘关系较近,归属于PP2Cs家族中的A亚族。(3)MaPP2C8蛋白分布于细胞中的多个位置,包括细胞质、细胞核及细胞膜等。(4)克隆获得MaPP2C8基因编码起始位点上游长度为1 612 bp启动子序列,该启动子含有3类激素相关的顺式作用元件,且与ABA相关的元件多达3个。(5)MaPP2C8基因受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达,复水处理后,其表达量显著下调。研究表明,MaPP2C8基因在桑树响应干旱胁迫过程中可能起重要作用。     

小麦胁迫相关基因TaSF3B2的克隆及表达特性分析

为研究小麦剪接因子在逆境胁迫中的作用,通过分析小麦抗性相关EST数据库,筛选并克隆获得1条2 327bp的核苷酸序列。该序列包含了一个1 854bp的开放阅读框,编码一个由617个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白,氨基酸同源比对发现,该蛋白含有GUS1结构域(Splicing Factor 3B,Subunit 2),属于剪接因子3b亚基中的一员,将该蛋白命名为TaSF3B2。生物信息学分析显示,TaSF3B2平均亲水系数(GRAVY)为-0.895,不稳定系数为43.92,且在细胞核中发挥作用的可能性最大。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,TaSF3B2基因在不同组织中存在差异表达,不同发育时期其表达也存在差异;在幼苗叶片中,该基因表达受高盐、低温、条锈菌、干旱及ABA激素胁迫明显下调表达,而在幼苗根中变化不明显。推测TaSF3B2基因参与了小麦正常条件下的生长发育,同时在小麦应对逆境胁迫的过程中具有重要的作用。     

辣椒CaNAC55基因克隆与表达分析

为揭示辣椒NAC转录因子的功能,以高抗疫病辣椒CM334为试验材料,克隆获得CaNAC55基因全长gDNA和cDNA序列。生物信息学分析表明,CaNAC55基因gDNA全长4 164 bp, cDNA完整开放阅读框(ORF)为1 299 bp,基因编码的蛋白由432个氨基酸残基组成;基因序列比对和同源性分析结果表明,CaNAC55与辣椒(XM-016722474)、番茄(XM-004241285)和马铃薯(XM-006361027)的亲缘关系最近,氨基酸相似度分别达到99.87%、93.37%和92.62%。实时荧光定量分析表明,干旱、高盐、热激处理均可诱导CaNAC55基因表达,其中干旱、高盐、热激处理分别在24 h、24 h和12 h时表达量达到峰值,且分别为对照的3.01倍、20.92倍和8.84倍;ABA处理下,CaNAC55基因的相对表达量显著低于对照,说明CaNAC55基因的表达受到ABA的抑制。研究表明,辣椒CaNAC55转录因子对不同逆境胁迫的响应不同,推测辣椒CaNAC55基因可能作为重要的调节因子参与逆境胁迫响应。     

小麦TaLEC1基因的克隆及其表达特性分析

为了探讨LEC1基因在小麦(Triticum aestivum L)非生物胁迫应答中的功能,该研究通过RT-PCR结合RACE技术克隆小麦TaLEC1基因,并采用qRT-PCR方法分析了该基因在小麦不同组织以及不同处理下的表达模式,为深入研究小麦LEC1基因在干旱、高温和高盐胁迫下的响应机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)成功克隆到小麦TaLEC1基因,该基因cDNA序列全长为1 074 bp,其中5′端非编码区23 bp,开放阅读框为741 bp,3′端非编码区310 bp,编码246个氨基酸,具有典型的CBFD_NFYB结构域。(2)实时荧光定量分析显示,TaLEC1在不同组织间表达差异显著,10 d龄幼苗的叶中表达量最高。(3)TaLEC1基因可被植物激素ABA诱导而上调表达,属于ABA依赖型的表达调控通路。(4)PEG模拟干旱胁迫处理后的0.5～1 h,TaLEC1基因呈上调表达;42℃胁迫处理过程中,TaLEC1基因呈稳定上调表达趋势,并在胁迫处理后12 h和48 h时表达急剧上调,分别为对照的52.8倍和34.5倍;NaCl胁迫处理0.5 h时TaLEC1基因迅速上调表达。研究表明,小麦TaLEC1基因参与ABA依赖的胁迫响应,推测可能在小麦耐受高温胁迫和渗透胁迫过程中发挥着重要的脱水保护功能。     

番茄LeRma1基因的克隆与表达

以番茄‘哈大粉801’为试材,利用RT-PCR技术,克隆得到1个E3泛素蛋白连接酶基因LeRma1（GenBank登录号XM_004243764.1）。对LeRma1基因进行序列分析,并对LeRma1基因在番茄植株的不同部位以及在非生物胁迫（干旱、盐、碱、高温、低温）下的表达和生理特性进行研究,为培育和改良番茄品种提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）序列分析显示,LeRma1基因的cDNA全长序列729 bp,编码242个氨基酸,分子量为27.05 kD,理论pI 7.97;同源分析显示,番茄LeRma1蛋白与马铃薯的一致性最高（91%）。（2）半定量PCR检测表明, LeRma1基因在番茄根、茎、叶、花、果实中均有表达,且表达差异不明显。（3）干旱胁迫下,LeRma1基因在番茄叶片中优势表达,而在整个干旱过程中根部的LeRma1基因表达量变化不明显;抗旱相关基因LEA、 DREB2A、ABI3在干旱胁迫过程中,番茄叶片中均有表达,且其表达量呈上升趋势,而在根部DREB2A、ABI3基因基本没有检测到。（4）干旱胁迫过程中,番茄植株中丙二醛（MDA）含量呈显著升高趋势,质膜系统严重损伤,体内保护酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性上升,且根部活性总体明显高于叶片。（5）在非生物逆境（盐、碱、高温、低温）胁迫过程中,LeRma1基因在番茄叶片和根部的表达几乎都有增强的趋势,且在叶片中均是胁迫3 h后诱导起始增强表达。研究认为,LeRma1基因是一个受干旱胁迫诱导增强表达的基因,且在叶片中优势表达,说明LeRma1基因对植物耐受干旱胁迫所起的作用存在一定的组织差异性,而且LeRma1基因可能参与番茄的干旱应答及信号转导过程,在番茄抵抗其他非生物胁迫中LeRma1基因也可能具有一定的作用。     

Involvement of plastoquinone bound within the isolated cytochrome b6-f complex from chloroplasts in oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b6

(1) Oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b₆ is completely dependent on a reduced component within the isolated cytochrome b₆-f complex. This component can be reduced by dithionite or by NADH/N-methylphenazonium methosulfate. It is a 2H⁺/2e⁻ carrier with a midpoint potential of 100 mV at pH 7.0, which is very similar to the midpoint potential of the plastoquinone pool in chloroplasts. (2) Oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b₆ is stimulated by plastoquinol-1 as well as by plastoquinol-9. The midpoint potential of the transient reduction of cytochrome b₆, however, was not shifted by added plastoquinol. (3) Quinone analysis of the purified cytochrome b₆-f complex revealed about one plastoquinone per cytochrome f. The endogenous quinone is heterogeneous, a form more polar than plastoquinone-A, probably plastoquinone-C, dominating, This is different from the thylakoid membrane where plastoquinone-A is the main quinone. (4) The endogenous quinone can be extracted from the lyophilized cytochrome b₆-f complex by acetone, but not by hydrocarbon solvents. Oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b₆ was observed in the lyophilized and hexane-extracted complex, but was lost in the acetone-extracted complex. Reconstitution was achieved either with plastoquinol-1 or plastoquinol-9, suggesting that a plastoquinol molecule is involved in oxidant-induced reduction of cytochrome b₆.     

转CBF_1基因棉花的耐旱生理研究

以转CBF_1基因棉花及其野生型棉花为材料,设置轻度(900 mL)、中度(400 mL)、重度(300 mL)和对照(1 200mL)浇水处理的不同干旱胁迫和复水处理,考察各种处理后对盆栽植株不同部位叶片光合性能和离体叶片在暗处理条件下叶绿素含量的变化,以及在大田苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期断水胁迫对棉花产量的影响,为转基因抗旱棉花新品种的培育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)在盆栽试验中,随着干旱胁迫时间的延长和复水3d处理,各浇水处理的转基因和野生型棉花叶片净光合速率(P_n)、原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)表现出先降低后增加的变化趋势,受到胁迫后对顶部叶片的影响比中部叶片大,且转基因棉花叶片保留数量显著高于野生型棉花;它们的离体叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b的含量随着干旱胁迫时间的延长而逐渐下降,但转基因棉花的下降速率显著低于野生型棉花。(2)在田间试验的苗期、蕾期、花期、铃期干旱胁迫下,各干旱胁迫处理的转基因植株的皮棉产量、衣分、种子质量、株高均显著高于野生型棉花;转基因棉花的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低了78.4%、55.1%、12.7%、8.3%,野生型棉花则分别降低了80.4%、55.4%、19.2%、14.4%,不同时期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但是转基因棉花的籽棉产量显著高于野生型棉花。研究认为,在不同干旱胁迫条件下,转CBF_1基因棉花表现出优良的生长和生理优势,可提高棉花的耐旱性。     

Photoreactions of cytochrome b6 in systems using resolved chloroplast electron-transfer complexes

Photoreactions of cytochrome b₆ have been studied using resolved chloroplast electron-transfer complexes. In the presence of Photosystem (PS) II and the cytochrome b₆-f complex, photoreduction of the cytochrome can be observed. No soluble components are required for this reaction. Cytochrome b₆ photoreduction was found to be inhibited by quinone analogs, which inhibit at the Rieske iron-sulfur center of the cytochrome complex, by the addition of ascorbate and by depletion of the Rieske center and bound plastoquinone from the cytochrome complex. Photoreduction of cytochrome b₆ can also be demonstrated in the presence of the cytochrome complex and PS I. This photoreduction requires plastocyanin and a low-potential electron donor, such as durohydroquinone. Cytochrome b₆ photoreduction in the presence of PS I is inhibited by quinone analogs which interact with the Rieske iron-sulfur center. These results are discussed in terms of a Q-cycle mechanism in which plastosemiquinone serves as the reductant for cytochrome b₆ via an oxidant-induced reductive pathway.     

Pulmonary NO and CO2 uptake during pressure-induced lung expansion in rabbits

In artificially ventilated animals we investigated the dependence of the pulmonary diffusing capacities of nitric oxide (NO) and doubly 18O-labeled carbon dioxide (DLNO, DLC18O2) on lung expansion with respect to ventilator-driven increases in intrapulmonary pressure. For this purpose we applied computerized single-breath experiments to 11 anesthetized paralyzed rabbits (weight 2.8-3.8 kg) at various alveolar volumes (45-72 ml) by studying the almost entire inspiratory limb of the respective pressure/volume curves (intrapulmonary pressure: 6-27 cmH2O). The animals were ventilated with room air, employing a computerized ventilatory servo-system that we designed to maintain mechanical ventilation and to execute the particular lung function tests automatically. Each single-breath maneuver was started from residual volume (13.5+/-2 ml, mean+/-SD) by inflating the rabbit lungs with 35-55 ml indicator gas mixture containing 0.05% NO in N2 or 0.9% C18O2 in N2. Alveolar partial pressures of NO and C18O2 were measured by respiratory mass spectrometry. Values of DLNO and DLC18O2 ranged between 1.55 and 2.49 ml/(mmHg min) and 11.7 and 16.6 ml/(mmHg min), respectively. Linear regression analyses yielded a significant increase in DLNO with simultaneous increase in alveolar volume (P<0.005) and intrapulmonary pressure (P<0.023) whereas DLC18O2 was not improved. Our results suggest that the ventilator-driven lung expansion impaired the C18O2 blood uptake conductance, finally compensating for the beneficial effect of the increase in alveolar volume on DLC18O2 values.     

Modulation of the reductive metabolism of halothane by microsomal cytochrome b5 in rat liver

To study the modulation of the reductive metabolism of halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) by microsomal cytochrome b₅, formation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CTE) and 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethylene (CDE), major reduced metabolites of halothane, was analyzed in vivo and in vitro. Rats were pretreated with both malotilate (diisopropyl-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidenemalonate) and sodium phenobarbital (malotilate-treated rats) or only with sodium phenobarbital (control rats). The microsomes of malotilate-treated rats had significantly more cytochrome b₅ than the controls, whereas the cytochrome P-450 content was not different between the two groups. At the end of 2-h exposure to 1% halothane in 14% oxygen, the ratio of CDE to CTE in arterial blood was significantly higher in malotilate-treated rats than in the controls. Under anaerobic conditions, the formation of CDE and the ratio of CDE to CTE were significantly greater in microsomal preparations of malotilate-treated rats than those of the controls. In a reconstituted system containing cytochrome P-450_PB purified from rabbit liver, addition of cytochrome b₅ to the system enhanced the formation of CDE and increased the ratio of CDE to CTE. These results suggested that cytochrome b₅ enhances the formation ratio of CDE to CTE by stimulating the supply of a second electron to cytochrome P-450, which might reduce radical reactions in the reductive metabolism of halothane.     

Cytochrome b5 reductase–cytochrome b5 as an active P450 redox enzyme system in Phanerochaete chrysosporium: Atypical properties and in vivo evidence of electron transfer capability to CYP63A2

Two central redox enzyme systems exist to reduce eukaryotic P450 enzymes, the P450 oxidoreductase (POR) and the cyt b₅ reductase–cyt b₅. In fungi, limited information is available for the cyt b₅ reductase–cyt b₅ system. Here we characterized the kinetic mechanism of (cyt b₅r)–cyt b₅ redox system from the model white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Pc) and made a quantitative comparison to the POR system. We determined that Pc-cyt b₅r followed a “ping-pong” mechanism and could directly reduce cytochrome c. However, unlike other cyt b₅ reductases, Pc-cyt b₅r lacked the typical ferricyanide reduction activity, a standard for cyt b₅ reductases. Through co-expression in yeast, we demonstrated that the Pc-cyt b₅r–cyt b₅ complex is capable of transferring electrons to Pc-P450 CYP63A2 for its benzo(a)pyrene monooxygenation activity and that the efficiency was comparable to POR. In fact, both redox systems supported oxidation of an estimated one-third of the added benzo(a)pyrene amount. To our knowledge, this is the first report to indicate that the cyt b₅r–cyt b₅ complex of fungi is capable of transferring electrons to a P450 monooxygenase. Furthermore, this is the first eukaryotic quantitative comparison of the two P450 redox enzyme systems (POR and cyt b₅r–cyt b₅) in terms of supporting a P450 monooxygenase activity.     

转天山雪莲sikPIP3基因烟草的获得及抗逆性鉴定

利用PCR技术从实验室建立的天山雪莲DNA文库中克隆了天山雪莲质膜水孔蛋白基因sikPIP3,构建了植物表达载体pBI121-sikPIP3,通过农杆菌介导法转化烟草品种NC89,经PCR和RT-PCR检测证明目的基因成功导入并得到了表达,采用水分胁迫进行抗旱分析和采用冷冻胁迫进行抗寒性分析。结果显示:(1)克隆出具有水孔蛋白基因特性的sikPIP3基因。(2)经断水干旱处理,转基因烟草的生长表型优于野生型烟草,特别是在断水9d的情况下,野生型烟草已经完全萎蔫,转基因烟草萎蔫症状较轻;生理指标测量结果显示,转基因烟草的相对电导率和MDA的含量低于野生型烟草,相对含水量和CAT活性高于野生型烟草。试验表明转sikPIP3烟草的抗旱性高于野生型烟草。(3)经不同温度胁迫处理,转基因烟草的生长表型优于野生型烟草,特别是在-4℃冷处理6h情况下,野生型烟草已经完全萎蔫,转基因烟草只出现少量伤斑;生理指标分析结果表明,转基因烟草的相对电导率和MDA的含量低于野生型烟草,CAT活性高于野生型烟草。试验表明转sikPIP3烟草的抗寒性高于野生型烟草。综合结果表明:sikPIP3基因在抗逆基因工程方面具有较高的应用前景。     

α2-macroglobulin ‘fast’ forms inhibit superoxide production by activated macrophages

Mouse peritoneal macrophages activated by bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were incubated with human α₂-macroglobulin converted to its ‘fast’ form with either trypsin or methylamine before being stimulated with phorbol myrystate acetate. Both α₂-macroglobulin-trypsin and α₂-macroglobulin-methylamine inhibited macrophage production of superoxide anion (O₂⁻) while native α₂-macroglobulin had little effect except at high concentration. The α₂-macroglobulin ‘fast’ forms, which bind with a K_d of about 8 nM, inhibited 50% generation of O₂⁻(ID₅₀) at a concentration of 7 nM while α₂-macroglobulin inhibited O₂⁻ production with an ID₅₀ of 141 nM. The ‘fast’ forms of α₂-macroglobulin may play a role in the feedback regulation of inflammatory reactions.     

Investigation into the Concanavalin A reactivity, fucosylation and oligosaccharide microheterogeneity of α1-acid glycoprotein expressed in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

α₁-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) exists as an heterogeneous population of glycosylated variants (glycoforms) in plasma. The concentration of AGP increases some 2–5 fold in certain pathophysiological states exemplified by the chronic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Moreover, the expressed glycosylation pattern alters in such conditions, indicating functional significance that is likely to be related to the oligosaccharide heterogeneity. We have investigated the heterogeneity of AGP glycosylation using the technique of high pH anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). AGP was isolated from the blood of RA sufferers, partially separated by Concanavalin A (Con A) affinity chromatography into bound and non-bound fractions and was enzymatically deglycosylated. Chromatography on the pellicular HPAE resin at pH 13 separated the released oligosaccharides and allowed a comparison of profiles in terms of branching and fucosylation. Results demonstrate an abnormal RA AGP glycosylation, with a tendency towards tri- and tetra-antennary oligosaccharides and enhanced fucosylation, in addition to the possible existence of penta-sialylated RA AGP glycoforms.     

Involvement of plastoquinone and lipids in electron transport reactions mediated by the cytochrome b6-f complex isolated from spinach

The isolation of a cytochrome b₆-f complex from spinach, which is depleted of plastoquinone (and lipid), is reported. The depleted complex no longer functions as a plastoquinol-plastocyanin oxidoreductase but can be reconstituted with plastoquinone and exogenous lipids. The lipid classes digalactosyldiacylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were active in reconstitution while monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol were not. Neither plastoquinone nor lipid alone fully reconstitutes electron transport in the depleted complex. Saturation of plastoquinol-plastocyanin oxidoreductase activity in the depleted complex occurs at 1 plastoquinone per cytochrome f.