蛛丝蛋白研究及其应用前景

蛛丝是由高度特化的上皮细胞分泌的多聚蛋白纤维组成的,这些多聚蛋白质纤维又是由存在着高度重复序列的水溶性的蛋白单体聚合而成的,蛛网牵引丝的强度,韧性和模系数都可与人工合成的高性能的纤维相媲美,故称生物钢,已经在哺乳动物细胞中获得表达的有60,110和140kD等几种不同分子量的重组蛛丝蛋白,而且表达的这些重组蛋白质都是分泌性的,利用表达的这些重组蛋白质经过抽丝和牵拉等工艺之后获得的人造蛛丝具备了天然蛛丝的各项机械性能,作为一种新兴的生物材料,具有巨大的开发应用前景。     

次壶腹腺丝蛋白功能模块的研究

蜘蛛丝是天然的生物材料,具有潜在的巨大应用价值。研究蜘蛛丝蛋白质的结构与功能,有助于破解蜘蛛丝蛋白质的成丝机理,为制备优良材料学性能的仿生蜘蛛丝纤维提供理论依据。以MiSp蜘蛛丝的重复区和C端非重复区蛋白多肽为研究对象,在不同pH值和离子条件下,在体外研究其二级结构与成丝的关系。CD图谱显示:表达纯化的重组蜘蛛丝蛋白R1R2在pH 7.5、6.5和5.5时二级结构相似,均为无规则卷曲,而R1R2CT则主要呈现为α螺旋构象;扫描电镜结果表明:在以上3种pH条件下,只有pH 5.5时R1R2和R1R2CT才形成重组丝纤维,R1R2CT纤维形态较平整,类似于天然蛛丝纤维形态,而R1R2丝纤维则呈条带状,表面粗糙。另外,氯化钠不利于形成形态平整的丝纤维。该成果为研究蛛丝蛋白的成丝机理奠定基础,也为制备仿生蛛丝蛋白纤维提供理论依据。     

植物蛋白质SUMO化修饰体外高效检测系统

蛋白质SUMO化修饰是一种调控蛋白命运的关键修饰方式, 广泛参与植物生长发育及逆境胁迫响应。SUMO化修饰过程主要由激活酶(E1)-结合酶(E2)-连接酶(E3)组成的级联酶促反应催化, 其关键酶组分将SUMO分子缀合至底物蛋白的赖氨酸残基, 形成共价异肽键以完成SUMO化修饰过程。该文报道了1种植物蛋白质SUMO化修饰体外高效检测系统, 通过在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中构建拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana) SUMO化修饰的关键通路实现对底物蛋白的SUMO化修饰, 结果可通过免疫印迹进行检测。该系统可以简化植物蛋白质SUMO化修饰的检测流程, 为植物细胞SUMO化修饰的功能研究提供了有力工具。     

蛋白质SUMO化修饰研究进展

SUMO(small ubiquitin-related modifier)是类泛素蛋白家族的重要成员之一,可与多种蛋白结合发挥相应的功能,其分子结构及SUMO化反应途径都与泛素类似,但二者功能完全不同。SUMO化修饰可参与转录调节、核转运、维持基因组完整性及信号转导等多种细胞内活动,是一种重要的多功能的蛋白质翻译后修饰方式。SUMO化修饰功能的失调可能导致某些疾病的发生。     

蜘蛛丝蛋白研究进展

由于蜘蛛丝蛋白分子高度重复的一级结构、特殊的溶解特性和分子折叠行为以及具有形成非凡力学特性丝纤维的能力而引人注目。本文从蛛丝蛋白基因、天然蛛丝形成过程、蛛丝蛋白的基因工程生产及蛛丝蛋白的应用前景等几个方面着重介绍了近20年来对蛛丝蛋白的研究进展。围绕蛛丝蛋白展开的研究将有助于揭示蛋白质一级结构、蛋白质分子折叠与蛋白质大分子特性之间的内在联系。     

重组杂合蛛丝蛋白MiSpNT-PySpRp-MiSpCT的二级结构表征

重组蛛丝纤维作为一种性能优异的生物材料,具有良好的生物相容性,在生物医学工程领域具有极大的潜在应用价值。已有研究表明,重组蛛丝蛋白可用作血管、神经导管及药物载体等,但其生物学功能仍有待研究。本研究以大腹园蛛基因组为模板,设计特异性引物,通过PCR扩增获得大腹园蛛梨状腺丝（piriform spidroin: PySp）一个完整重复区（Rp）编码序列;此Rp模块与MiSpNT/CT模块重组,构建微小型杂合蛛丝蛋白MiSpNT-PySpRp-MiSpCT,成功在大肠杆菌BL21中高效表达,借助8 mol/L尿素裂解缓冲液进行变性纯化,得到纯度较高的杂合蛛丝蛋白MiSpNT-PySpRp-MiSpCT,产量约100 mg/L。CD图谱显示,MiSpNT-PySpRp-MiSpCT蛋白质溶液主要以α-螺旋和无规卷曲形式存在,随着溶液pH值降低,部分α-螺旋向β-折叠转变;红外光谱显示,在自然成丝及冻干过程中,部分α-螺旋转化为β-折叠,符合天然蛛丝蛋白成丝过程的二级结构变化特征。本研究结果为今后获得具有天然蛛丝纤维优异性能的人工重组蛛丝纤维材料提供一种新的可能。     

蛋白质的类泛素化修饰

SUMO(small ubiquitin-related modifier)是一类重要的类泛素蛋白,在生物进化过程中高度保守,其三维结构及生化修饰过程与泛素类似,但该两类蛋白质修饰的生物学意义却不尽相同。SUMO化修饰作为一种重要的蛋白质翻译后修饰,广泛参与细胞活动的各个方面,且SUMO化修饰异常与许多人类重大疾病密切相关。     

泛素化和SUMO化对DEC1的拮抗调控作用

分化的胚软骨表达蛋白1(differentiated embryo-chondrocyte expressed gene 1,DEC1)作为一种时钟蛋白,除了在周期节律的调控中发挥转录抑制作用外,还在能量代谢以及多种肿瘤相关的信号通路的调控中发挥重要作用。此外,蛋白质的翻译后修饰是实现蛋白质功能精细调控的一种重要方式。目前发现,DEC1主要可被两种翻译后修饰,即泛素化和SUMO化修饰。尽管泛素化和SUMO化是两种过程非常类似的蛋白质翻译后修饰方式,但是它们对目的蛋白功能的调控却截然不同。由于泛素化和SUMO化与底物的作用靶点都是赖氨酸(Lys),因此在多数情况下,泛素化和SUMO化以拮抗性的方式调控底物蛋白的功能。鉴于此,该文旨在阐述泛素化和SUMO化修饰对DEC1功能的拮抗调节过程,为了解时钟蛋白DEC1对多种信号通路的调控过程中的分子机制提供新的思路。     

SUMO化修饰与早幼粒白血病蛋白核体形成

早幼粒白血病蛋白核体(promyelocytic leukaemia nuclear bodies,PMLNBs)是哺乳动物细胞中普遍存在的一种亚核结构,广泛参与如转录调节、基因组稳定性维持、抗病毒、细胞凋亡、肿瘤抑制等一系列的生物学事件.SUMO(smallubiquitinmodifier)修饰是蛋白质翻译后修饰领域中的研究热点,SUMO修饰对PML核体的形成与降解都发挥着重要作用.近年来研究发现,人的E3泛素连接酶RNF4(RING finger protein4),可促进依赖SUMO-2/3修饰的PML核体的泛素化连接,并且ATO(三氧化二砷)可加速其对PML核体的降解.荧光共振能量转移(fluorescence resonance energy transfer,FRET)技术可完全应用于活细胞内PML核体和SUMO蛋白之间在时间和空间上的精确互作.因此,更深入地研究PML核体形成和降解的机理以及在这个过程中重要蛋白质之间的相互作用具有重要而深远的意义.     

SUMO化修饰在核受体功能调控中的作用

小泛素相关修饰蛋白(small ubiquitin related modifier,SUMO)修饰作用是蛋白质翻译后修饰的重要方式。SUMO化修饰与泛素化作用极为相似,并且在某些靶蛋白上可以与泛素竞争结合位点,从而起到稳定靶蛋白的作用,并参与调节靶蛋白的细胞定位、膜离子通道功能、DNA损伤修复以及转录活性等。核受体是一类在生物体内广泛分布的、配体依赖的转录因子超家族,参与机体生长发育、细胞分化,以及体内许多生理、病理过程中的基因表达调控。最近研究发现,核受体的SU-MO修饰可通过影响核受体的稳定性、转录活性、亚细胞定位等多重途径影响核受体的功能,并影响机体炎症反应及相关疾病的发生发展。本文对核受体的SUMO修饰在核受体功能调控中的作用,以及与机体相关疾病之间的关系做一简要综述。     

Chimeric spider silk proteins mediated by intein result in artificial hybrid silks

Hybrid silks hold a great potential as specific biomaterials due to its controlled mechanical properties. To produce fibers with tunable properties, here we firstly made chimeric proteins in vitro, called W2C4CT and W2C8CT, with ligation of MaSp repetitive modules (C) with AcSp modules (W) by intein trans splicing technology from smaller precursors without final yield reduction. Intein mediated chimeric proteins form fibers at a low concentration of 0.4 mg/mL in 50 mM K₃PO₄ pH 7.5 just drawn by hand. Hybrid fibers show smoother surface, and also have stronger chemical resistance as compared with fibers from W2CT (W fibers) and mixture of W2CT/C8CT (MHF8 fibers). Fibers from chimeric protein W2C4CT (HFH4) have improved mechanical properties than W fibers; however, with more C modules W2C8CT fibers (HFH8) properties decreased, indicates the length proportion of various modules is very important and should be optimized for fibers with specific properties. Generally, hybrid silks generated via chimeric proteins, which can be simplified by intein trans splicing, has greater potential to produce fibers with tunable properties. Our research shows that intein mediated directional protein ligation is a novel way to make large chimeric spider silk proteins and hybrid silks. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 385–392, 2016.     

蜘蛛丝蛋白的模块结构性能和重组表达

蜘蛛丝是一类天然蛋白质纤维,具有独特的机械性能（高强度、高弹性和高断裂功等）和卓著的生物学特性（生物可降解性和与生物组织的相容性等）,在生物医学、材料、纺织和军事等领域都有着很高的潜在应用价值。综述了不同蜘蛛丝蛋白的模块结构特征及与其功能的关系,扼要介绍了目前利用各种基因工程方法表达重组蜘蛛丝蛋白的研究进展。     

Microbial production of amino acid-modified spider dragline silk protein with intensively improved mechanical properties

Spider dragline silk is a remarkably strong fiber with impressive mechanical properties, which were thought to result from the specific structures of the underlying proteins and their molecular size. In this study, silk protein 11R26 from the dragline silk protein of Nephila clavipes was used to analyze the potential effects of the special amino acids on the function of 11R26. Three protein derivatives, ZF4, ZF5, and ZF6, were obtained by site-directed mutagenesis, based on the sequence of 11R26, and among these derivatives, serine was replaced with cysteine, isoleucine, and arginine, respectively. After these were expressed and purified, the mechanical performance of the fibers derived from the four proteins was tested. Both hardness and average elastic modulus of ZF4 fiber increased 2.2 times compared with those of 11R26. The number of disulfide bonds in ZF4 protein was 4.67 times that of 11R26, which implied that disulfide bonds outside the poly-Ala region affect the mechanical properties of spider silk more efficiently. The results indicated that the mechanical performances of spider silk proteins with small molecular size can be enhanced by modification of the amino acids residues. Our research not only has shown the feasibility of large-scale production of spider silk proteins but also provides valuable information for protein rational design.     

Complete gene sequence of spider attachment silk protein (PySp1) reveals novel linker regions and extreme repeat homogenization

Spiders use a myriad of silk types for daily survival, and each silk type has a unique suite of task-specific mechanical properties. Of all spider silk types, pyriform silk is distinct because it is a combination of a dry protein fiber and wet glue. Pyriform silk fibers are coated with wet cement and extruded into “attachment discs” that adhere silks to each other and to substrates. The mechanical properties of spider silk types are linked to the primary and higher-level structures of spider silk proteins (spidroins). Spidroins are often enormous molecules (>250 kDa) and have a lengthy repetitive region that is flanked by relatively short (∼100 amino acids), non-repetitive amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions. The amino acid sequence motifs in the repetitive region vary greatly between spidroin type, while motif length and number underlie the remarkable mechanical properties of spider silk fibers. Existing knowledge of pyriform spidroins is fragmented, making it difficult to define links between the structure and function of pyriform spidroins. Here, we present the full-length sequence of the gene encoding pyriform spidroin 1 (PySp1) from the silver garden spider Argiope argentata. The predicted protein is similar to previously reported PySp1 sequences but the A. argentata PySp1 has a uniquely long and repetitive “linker”, which bridges the amino-terminal and repetitive regions. Predictions of the hydrophobicity and secondary structure of A. argentata PySp1 identify regions important to protein self-assembly. Analysis of the full complement of A. argentata PySp1 repeats reveals extreme intragenic homogenization, and comparison of A. argentata PySp1 repeats with other PySp1 sequences identifies variability in two sub-repetitive expansion regions. Overall, the full-length A. argentata PySp1 sequence provides new evidence for understanding how pyriform spidroins contribute to the properties of pyriform silk fibers.     

Expression and characterization of chimeric spidroins from flagelliform-aciniform repetitive modules

Spiders can produce up to seven different types of silks or glues with different mechanical properties. Of these, flagelliform (Flag) silk is the most elastic, and aciniform (AcSp1) silk is the toughest. To produce a chimeric spider silk (spidroin) Flag_R-AcSp1_R, we fused one repetitive module of flagelliform silk from Araneus ventricosus and one repetitive module of aciniform silk from Argiope trifasciata. The recombinant protein expressed in E. coli formed silk-like fibers by manual-drawing. CD analysis showed that the secondary structure of Flag_R-AcSp1_R spidroin remained stable during the gradual reduction of pH from 7.0 to 5.5. The spectrum of FTIR indicated that the secondary structure of Flag_R-AcSp1_R changed from α-helix to β-sheet. The conformation change of Flag_R-AcSp1_R was similar to other spidroins in the fiber formation process. SEM analysis revealed that the mean diameter of the fibers was around 1 ~ 2 μm, and the surface was smooth and uniform. The chimeric fibers exhibited superior toughness (~33.1 MJ/m³) and tensile strength (~261.4 MPa). This study provides new insight into design of chimeric spider silks with high mechanical properties.     

Functionalized silk assembled from a recombinant spider silk fusion protein (Z‐4RepCT) produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Functional biological materials are a growing research area with potential applicability in medicine and biotechnology. Using genetic engineering, the possibility to introduce additional functions into spider silk‐based materials has been realized. Recently, a recombinant spider silk fusion protein, Z‐4RepCT, was produced intracellularly in Escherichia coli and could after purification self‐assemble into silk‐like fibers with ability to bind antibodies via the IgG‐binding Z domain. In this study, the use of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris for production of Z‐4RepCT has been investigated. Temperature, pH and production time were influencing the amount of soluble Z‐4RepCT retrieved from the extracellular fraction. Purification of secreted Z‐4RepCT resulted in a mixture of full‐length and degraded silk proteins that failed to self‐assemble into fibers. A position in the C‐terminal domain of 4RepCT was identified as being subjected to proteolytic cleavage by proteases in the Pichia culture supernatant. Moreover, the C‐terminal domain was subjected to glycosylation during production in P. pastoris. These observed alterations of the CT domain are suggested to contribute to the failure in fiber assembly. As alternative approach, Z‐4RepCT retrieved from the intracellular fraction, which was less degraded, was used and shown to retain ability to assemble into silk‐like fibers after enzymatic deglycosylation.     

蜘蛛丝的组成结构与生物学功能

蜘蛛是纺丝种类最多的一种节肢动物,目前共发现有8种丝腺,各纺出具有不同生物学功能的丝纤维,可分别用于织网、捕食、逃避、扩散、织制卵袋等行为活动。蜘蛛丝是一种天然的动物蛋白纤维,是随蜘蛛4亿年进化的结果,也是为蜘蛛的生存与繁殖所设计的,蜘蛛丝的适应与进化使蜘蛛丝具有多样化的生物学功能。但蜘蛛不是唯一能纺丝的节肢动物,除蛛形纲以外,还有其它很多节肢动物,如昆虫纲和多足纲的动物都有具有丝腺,能纺出一种或多种丝蛋白纤维。本文将以昆虫作为比较来概述蜘蛛丝腺的起源与种类,蜘蛛丝的化学组成、结构、种类与其生物学功能。     

DNA展示系统介导的断裂蛋白质内含子体外定向进化方法的研究

蛋白质内含子对于外显子的选择性限制了它的应用范围。目前,已经建立的卡那霉素定向进化系统适用于微小蛋白质内含子,但不适用于断裂蛋白质内含子。为了研究适用于断裂蛋白质内含子的定向进化的方法,我们引入了DNA展示系统。在该系统中,生物素化基因在人工细胞中与其表达的融合蛋白（内含子C端-外显子-生物素结合蛋白）形成DNA 蛋白质连接体。只有能与后续加入的N端蛋白质内含子前体（Flag-内含子N端）发生剪接反应的DNA 蛋白质连接体,才能被加上旗帜标签（Flag）,从而被抗旗帜标签抗体纯化柱（Anti Flag antibody M2 agarose）筛选富集。为了验证该系统的可行性,实验构建了2个基因,即含有具剪接活性的蛋白质内含子的阳性基因IRC和含有不具剪接活性的蛋白质内含子的阴性基因IRCM。实验首先通过Western印迹和琼脂糖凝胶电泳证明,人工细胞中的体外转录翻译系统不仅可高表达500个氨基酸的蛋白质,而且表达的蛋白中内含子仍保持原有的剪接能力。生物素结合蛋白能结合95%的DNA,并且形成的DNA 蛋白质连接体可以被筛选富集,最终证明了该系统用于断裂蛋白质内含子定向进化筛选的可行性。随后,为了检测系统的富集效率,制备了人为的基因“突变库”,即将基因IRC和IRCM以摩尔比1:10的比例混合,经过2轮筛选后,阳性基因IRC可以被10倍富集,进一步证明了体外筛选方法的可行性。该方法为后续针对不同宿主进化出不同的断裂蛋白质内含子提供筛选方法支持,也为断裂蛋白质内含子的在生物技术和研究领域的应用奠定了基础。     

Synthetic Spider Silk Production on a Laboratory Scale

As society progresses and resources become scarcer, it is becoming increasingly important to cultivate new technologies that engineer next generation biomaterials with high performance properties. The development of these new structural materials must be rapid, cost-efficient and involve processing methodologies and products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Spiders spin a multitude of different fiber types with diverse mechanical properties, offering a rich source of next generation engineering materials for biomimicry that rival the best manmade and natural materials. Since the collection of large quantities of natural spider silk is impractical, synthetic silk production has the ability to provide scientists with access to an unlimited supply of threads. Therefore, if the spinning process can be streamlined and perfected, artificial spider fibers have the potential use for a broad range of applications ranging from body armor, surgical sutures, ropes and cables, tires, strings for musical instruments, and composites for aviation and aerospace technology. In order to advance the synthetic silk production process and to yield fibers that display low variance in their material properties from spin to spin, we developed a wet-spinning protocol that integrates expression of recombinant spider silk proteins in bacteria, purification and concentration of the proteins, followed by fiber extrusion and a mechanical post-spin treatment. This is the first visual representation that reveals a step-by-step process to spin and analyze artificial silk fibers on a laboratory scale. It also provides details to minimize the introduction of variability among fibers spun from the same spinning dope. Collectively, these methods will propel the process of artificial silk production, leading to higher quality fibers that surpass natural spider silks.     

Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands

Modern spiders spin high-performance silk fibers with a broad range of biological functions, including locomotion, prey capture and protection of developing offspring ^1,2. Spiders accomplish these tasks by spinning several distinct fiber types that have diverse mechanical properties. Such specialization of fiber types has occurred through the evolution of different silk-producing glands, which function as small biofactories. These biofactories manufacture and store large quantities of silk proteins for fiber production. Through a complex series of biochemical events, these silk proteins are converted from a liquid into a solid material upon extrusion.Mechanical studies have demonstrated that spider silks are stronger than high-tensile steel ³. Analyses to understand the relationship between the structure and function of spider silk threads have revealed that spider silk consists largely of proteins, or fibroins, that have block repeats within their protein sequences ⁴. Common molecular signatures that contribute to the incredible tensile strength and extensibility of spider silks are being unraveled through the analyses of translated silk cDNAs. Given the extraordinary material properties of spider silks, research labs across the globe are racing to understand and mimic the spinning process to produce synthetic silk fibers for commercial, military and industrial applications. One of the main challenges to spinning artificial spider silk in the research lab involves a complete understanding of the biochemical processes that occur during extrusion of the fibers from the silk-producing glands.Here we present a method for the isolation of the seven different silk-producing glands from the cobweaving black widow spider, which includes the major and minor ampullate glands [manufactures dragline and scaffolding silk] ^5,6, tubuliform [synthesizes egg case silk] ^7,8, flagelliform [unknown function in cob-weavers], aggregate [makes glue silk], aciniform [synthesizes prey wrapping and egg case threads] ⁹ and pyriform [produces attachment disc silk] ¹⁰. This approach is based upon anesthetizing the spider with carbon dioxide gas, subsequent separation of the cephalothorax from the abdomen, and microdissection of the abdomen to obtain the silk-producing glands. Following the separation of the different silk-producing glands, these tissues can be used to retrieve different macromolecules for distinct biochemical analyses, including quantitative real-time PCR, northern- and western blotting, mass spectrometry (MS or MS/MS) analyses to identify new silk protein sequences, search for proteins that participate in the silk assembly pathway, or use the intact tissue for cell culture or histological experiments.