红球菌R04联苯/多氯联苯代谢相关调控蛋白RHOGL007659的生理功能

【目的】研究红球菌(Rhodococcus sp.)R04调控蛋白RHOGL007659的生理功能及其缺陷菌株的代谢特性,初步探究红球菌R04降解联苯的调控机制。【方法】通过基因同源重组敲除红球菌R04联苯代谢相关基因RHOGL007659。比较红球菌R04(野生型)和缺陷型菌株R04Δ7659(基因RHOGL007659缺陷型的R04)在不同碳源培养下的生长情况,HPLC分析R04和R04Δ7659转化联苯的能力。提取R04和R04Δ7659的总RNA,实时荧光定量PCR检测联苯降解关键基因的转录表达。纯化Bph B(联苯降解脱氢酶)和Bph D(联苯降解水解酶),制备多克隆抗体。Western blot分析Bph B和Bph D蛋白在R04和R04Δ7659中的表达水平。【结果】获得了RHOGL007659基因的缺陷型菌株R04Δ7659,与R04相比,R04Δ7659在联苯培养条件下的生物量趋近于零。HPLC分析表明,RHOGL007659基因的缺失使红球菌R04丧失转化联苯的能力。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,在联苯培养条件下,缺失RHOGL007659后的R04,其联苯降解关键基因均有不同程度的下调表达。Western blot分析显示RHOGL007659缺失后,联苯降解关键酶Bph B和Bph D表达量均降低,这与实时荧光定量PCR结果相一致。【结论】RHOGL007659是红球菌R04联苯降解关键基因簇的调控蛋白,该蛋白对红球菌R04代谢联苯过程具有正调控作用。     

红球菌R04细胞的不对称分裂及其在联苯胁迫下的分裂抑制

【目的】研究红球菌R04细胞的分裂方式及联苯对其形态和细胞分裂的影响。【方法】以一株多氯联苯降解菌株(Rhodococcus sp.R04)为研究对象,利用荧光显微镜、扫描电子显微镜及透射电子显微镜分析红球菌R04在不同培养条件下的细胞分裂。【结果】红球菌R04细胞表现出对称分裂(约占30%)和不对称分裂(约占70%)两种分裂方式,且培养条件不影响不对称分裂细胞所占的比例。细胞分裂过程中,隔膜主要分布于细胞长度的30%–50%。在联苯的分解代谢过程中,红球菌R04细胞的生长分裂会受到联苯的抑制,但不影响红球菌R04细胞的分裂方式,在联苯胁迫下,细胞形成丝状化,表现出异常分裂,随着培养时间的延长,在细胞生长指数后期至转换期,细胞能够进行正常分裂。【结论】环境异生型化合物联苯/多氯联苯对其降解菌株——红球菌R04细胞的生长和分裂有较强影响,但是并不影响其分裂方式。     

联苯培养条件下红球菌R04转录表达和苯甲酸代谢途径解析

摘要:【目的】研究不同碳源,特别是联苯条件下红球菌的细胞转录应答,以挖掘与多氯联苯(PCBs)转运、代谢及其调控相关的基因,为进一步全面理解PCB微生物降解的分子机制奠定基础。【方法】以一株多氯联苯降解菌红球菌(Rhodococcus sp.R04)为材料,分别提取不同碳源(乙醇、葡萄糖和联苯)培养条件下菌体的总RNA,反转录合成cDNA。采用高通量测序法分别对这三种样品进行转录组测序,分析测序数据得出全基因组表达模式,并对不同条件下的基因表达进行差示分析,进而对联苯代谢网络和红球菌中其他基因的转录调节和代谢应答反应做出相关性分析。Q-RT-PCR分析不同碳源培养条件下的基因表达情况。【结果】测序结果表明,与葡萄糖和乙醇相比,联苯培养条件下明显上调(log2 Ratio 1)基因个数分别为375和332个。与葡萄糖相比,联苯培养条件下,相关基因上调表达量与Q-RT-PCR实验结果基本一致。功能分类获得细胞组分、分子功能和生物学过程三大类别160多个细小分支的差示表达基因,部分基因参与联苯代谢转录调控、联苯转运、抗氧化应激反应以及信号传导通路系统等多种生理过程。参与联苯上游代谢途径的众多同工酶基因中,只有bphC2和bphD1在联苯中大量上调表达,其余同工酶在联苯中基本量不变或下调表达。转录组注释及差示分析推测,红球菌R04中苯甲酸的代谢主要是通过儿茶酚邻位途径、间位途径以及原儿茶酸途径三条代谢途径完成。【结论】与葡萄糖和乙醇相比,红球菌R04在联苯培养条件下基因表达差异明显,这为我们进一步解析多氯联苯代谢特征和代谢调控提供理论依据。     

N端缺失的锰过氧化氢酶生理生化特性

【目的】在红球菌(Rhodococcus sp.)R04中发现了一种高表达,N端缺失的锰过氧化氢酶(Mn-CAT),为了明确其在活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)清除与多氯联苯(Polychlorinated biphenyls,PCBs)代谢中所起的作用,本文对其生理生化特性进行了研究。【方法】利用DNAMAN对Rhodococcus sp.R04与Rhodococcus sp.R1101Mn-CAT的核酸和蛋白序列进行比对。化学合成和PCR搭桥法获取Mn-CAT全长基因。分别构建了原核表达载体p ETm3c-Mn-CAT,p ETm3c-Mn CAT-C,转入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)BL21,得到重组菌p ETm3c-Mn-CAT/BL21,p ETm3c-Mn CAT-C/BL21。工程菌诱导表达后,粗酶液经Q-sepharose和硫铵沉淀进行纯化。构建了锰过氧化氢酶C端(Mn CAT-C)基因的敲除载体p K18mobsac B-ΔMn CAT-C,电击法转入Rhodococcus sp.R04。荧光极化测定ROS的含量,HPLC分析多氯联苯的降解率。【结果】与Rhodococcus sp.R1101Mn-CAT基因序列相比,Rhodococcus sp.R04Mn-CAT缺少N端(R1101的Mn-CAT序列长度为915bp,R04的Mn CAT-C序列长度为468bp)。获得了纯度较高的Mn CAT-C,SDS-PAGE分析表明分子量约为23 k Da。以H2O2为底物时,Mn CAT-CKm比Mn-CATKm大,约为0.02357mol/L。通过基因同源重组的方式,得到菌株R04的Mn CAT-C敲除菌株,与野生菌株相比,敲除菌株体内ROS浓度显著增高,生长速率和多氯联苯降解速率明显下降。【结论】发现了一种N端缺失的锰过氧化氢酶,该酶具有原酶的大部分活性,且可以清除体内的ROS。Mn CAT-C基因的缺失影响了菌株的生长速率和多氯联苯的降解速率。     

耐辐射球菌基因DR1709与DR2523的突变分析

摘要：【目的】检测在耐辐射球菌抵抗外来辐射和氧自由基的过程中,锰离子转运蛋白基因（DR1709和DR2523）是否发挥了作用。探讨锰离子、锰离子转运蛋白基因与耐辐射球菌辐射抗性之间的关系。【方法】分别构建这两个基因的突变体。对突变体和野生型进行紫外线照射和过氧化氢处理。对处理后的菌株存活率进行分析。【结果】DR2523被突变以后,耐辐射球菌在tryptone-glucose-yeast extract (TGY)培养液中的生长受影响很小。而DR1709突变体M1709在对数生长阶段的生长速度远低于野生型。     

嗜碱芽孢杆菌N16-5木寡糖结合蛋白XynE的功能表征

嗜碱芽孢杆菌(Bacillus sp.)N16-5是本实验室从内蒙古乌都淖湖沉积物中分离的嗜碱菌,含有丰富的多糖水解酶,能够利用广泛的单糖和多糖。实验室前期转录组研究发现其基因组上存在一个21 kb大小的木聚糖利用相关基因簇,其中包括xyn EFG基因簇编码的ABC转运蛋白。【目的】生物信息学分析预测xyn E编码转运蛋白的底物结合蛋白,通过敲除xyn E基因研究它对菌株N16-5利用木聚糖的影响。【方法】利用温敏型载体p NNB194介导的同源交换重组的方法构建了xyn E基因敲除菌株N16-5(Δxyn E),并通过基因回补对敲除菌株表型进行验证。通过检测菌株在木聚糖培养基中的生长情况及培养基中还原糖含量的变化来分析xyn E基因对菌株利用木聚糖的影响;通过HPLC检测分析不同培养时间点木聚糖培养基的组分,结合缺失菌株和野生型菌株在以木糖为唯一碳源的培养基中的生长情况来分析Xyn E所属ABC转运蛋白的底物特异性。【结果】相比野生型菌株,缺失型菌株N16-5(Δxyn E)在木聚糖培养基的生长曲线对数期明显延迟,最大生物量略低,且培养过程中出现了明显的还原糖的累积与消耗过程;回补菌株恢复了野生型表型,且最大生物量比野生型略高。HPLC检测分析显示,相比野生型菌株,缺失菌株培养过程底物消耗速度较慢,且16 h后出现明显的木四糖、木三糖和木二糖的累积,直至60 h后仍有较大量木二糖的存在;在木糖培养基中培养时,缺失型菌株和野生型菌株的生长趋势较一致。【结论】Xyn E蛋白特异性结合木寡糖,其所属ABC转运蛋白在嗜碱芽孢杆菌N16-5降解利用木聚糖过程中发挥着重要作用。     

华癸根瘤菌urtB基因突变株的构建与共生固氮表型分析

【目的】尿素ABC转运体透性酶亚基编码基因urtB可能参与尿素代谢及支链氨基酸转运;本文旨在获得实验证据阐明urtB基因对华癸根瘤菌结瘤和固氮的影响,为深入研究其功能机制提供一定的科学依据。【方法】利用生物信息学分析urtB基因的结构特征及生物学功能,通过荧光定量检测urtB基因在自生和共生条件下的时空表达特征和启动子原位表达技术检测urtB基因组织表达特征,采用插入突变构建urtB突变株,通过植物盆栽并结合添加氮素处理,检测与分析突变体的共生固氮表型变化。【结果】分析表明urtB基因对于氮素转运非常重要,在共生条件下的表达水平比自生培养条件下显著上调表达;在成熟根瘤的固氮区中大量表达;正确构建和筛选获得了根瘤菌urtB突变株;接种urtB突变株与野生型菌株7653R相比较,突变体根瘤发育异常;植株地上部分生物量和根瘤固氮酶活性显著降低;添加氮素可恢复其共生缺陷表型。【结论】华癸中慢生根瘤菌urtB基因可能通过影响根瘤中氮转运或同化,进而在根瘤发育与共生固氮中发挥重要作用。     

黄色粘球菌发育阶段外膜蛋白表达的变化

【目的】黄色粘球菌是研究原核发育的一种模式生物,对其膜蛋白的研究仍然十分缺乏。【方法】利用6种预测软件,在黄色粘球菌的基因组中筛选编码外膜蛋白(OMP)的基因。根据报告基因lacZ,检测这些基因在营养性生长和发育阶段的表达。【结果】基于生物信息学分析,筛选出11个编码外膜蛋白的基因。其中2个基因(MXAN3106和MXAN3883)在发育阶段表达量上升,它们分别编码Secretin家族和Fimbrial usher protein (FUP)家族转运蛋白。其余9个基因在发育起始阶段表达量降低或保持较低水平,它们均编码TonB依赖型受体或外排蛋白。【结论】这些数据提示,黄色粘球菌由生长到发育的转换过程,伴随着膜蛋白表达的显著变化。     

嗜吡啶红球菌R04的联苯降解途径的研究

通过GC-MS测定出嗜吡啶红球菌R04菌降解联苯的中间代谢物2,3-二氢二羟基联苯、2,3-二羟基联苯和苯甲酸,并测定了该菌的2,3-二羟基联苯双加氧酶、2-羟基-6-酮基-6-苯基-2,3-己二烯酸(HOPDA)水解酶和苯甲酸双加氧酶活性。最终确定了R04菌降解联苯的途径为2,3-二羟基联苯双加氧酶途径。     

水稻条斑病菌pilT基因在致病性中的功能分析

【目的】本实验室前期研究发现水稻条斑病菌(Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzicola,Xoc)RS105菌株中pil T基因Tn5转座子插入突变体在寄主水稻上致病性明显降低,在非寄主烟草上激发过敏反应(hypersensitive response,HR)的能力也明显减弱。为了揭示pilT基因在Xoc菌株中的功能,本文进行了深入研究。【方法】本实验通过无标记双交换敲除的方法获得Xoc RS105菌株pil T基因缺失突变体RΔpilT,并对该突变体的游动性以及生物膜等表型进行了检测。【结果】与野生型RS105菌株相比,敲除突变体RΔpilT不仅在感病水稻IR24上的致病性显著降低,在非寄主烟草上产生过敏反应的能力减弱,而且突变体游动性降低,生物膜含量增加,互补子能够恢复上述缺陷至野生型水平。qRT-PCR结果显示,在RΔpil T中,hrpG、hrpX、hrcC、clp、rpfG、pilA、pilC基因表达量明显降低。【结论】Xoc中pilT为重要的毒性相关基因,其致病性与游动性和生物膜含量变化相关,并且受clp、rpfG、pilA、pilC等基因调控。pil T基因编码的Pil T蛋白是构成IV型菌毛的亚基之一,为菌体运动提供能量。本文对pilT基因的功能研究,为进一步分析IV型菌毛在Xoc中的功能提供了线索。     

Structure and expression of a hybrid proline-rich protein gene in the solanaceous species,Solanum brevidens, Solanum tuberosum, andLycopersicum esculentum

The full-length cDNA of a previously identified Solanum brevidens gene was isolated and characterised. DNA sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame that encodes a hybrid proline-rich cell wall protein of 407 amino acids. The putative protein was designated SbrPRP. The SbrPRP harbours three parts, an N-terminal signal peptide followed by a repetitive proline-rich domain and a cysteine-rich C-terminus resembling non-specific lipid-transfer proteins. The repetitive proline-rich domain contains two repeated motifs, PPHVKPPSTPK and PTPPIVSPP extended with TPKYP and TPKPPS motifs, respectively, at their N- or C-terminal. The SbrPRP gene of the non-tuberising Solanum species, Solanum brevidens, possesses highly homologous counterparts in the tuberising species, Solanum tuberosum (StPRP) and in the related species, Lycopersicum esculentum (TFM7). All three genes are present in single- or low copy number in the corresponding genome. Organ-specific expression of the genes, however, is different in the three solanaceous species.     

Expression of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae major outer membrane protein PI in Escherichia coli

Summary To actively express an outer membrane protein, protein I (PI), from different strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in E.␣coli, PI gene fragments from two reference strains and four clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were obtained with PCR amplification. They were cloned into the PCR cloning vector pBS-T to form pBS-T-PI and sequenced. Subsequently, they were cloned into an expression vector pET-30b (+) to generate pET-PI recombinants. After inducing with isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), the expressed PI proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and ELISA. The results implied that we had successfully constructed the PI gene recombinants from both reference strains and clinical isolates and obtained the recombinant proteins expressed in E. coli at relatively high levels, and the expressed proteins had the immunological activity with the corresponding antibodies. This research will be very helpful for the further study of these proteins in generating preventive vaccines on Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and clinical diagnosis.     

A cDNA encoding a putative lipid transfer protein expressed in sunflower seeds

Based on the N-terminal sequence of a sunflower antifungal protein, a full length cDNA (Ha-LTP5) encoding a putative lipid transfer protein from sunflower seeds was cloned using a RT-PCR based strategy. However, the sequence of the deduced protein is not identical to that of the antifungal protein previously isolated. The nucleotide sequence presents an ORF of 116 amino acids with a putative signal peptide, thus encoding a mature protein of 90 amino acids that is basic and hydrophobic. In contrast to the pattern of expression described for most LTP-like genes from dicots, Northern blot analyses detected constitutive expression of Ha-LTP5 in seeds, but not in aerial parts of sunflower plants.     

Contrasting Evolutionary Patterns in Drosophila Immune Receptors

Vertebrate immune system molecules that bind directly to parasites are commonly subject to strong directional natural selection, probably because they are engaged in an evolutionary arms race with parasites. We have investigated whether similar patterns of evolution are seen in components of the Drosophila immune system that bind parasite-derived molecules. In insects, TEPs (thioester-containing proteins) function as opsonins, binding to parasites and promoting their phagocytosis or encapsulation. The Drosophila melanogaster genome encodes four TEPs, three of which are upregulated after an immune challenge. We report that two of these three Drosophila genes evolve rapidly under positive selection and that, in both TepI and TepII, the “bait-like region” (also known as the variable region) shows the strongest signature of positive selection. This region may be the site of proteolytic cleavage that leads to the activation of the molecule. It is possible that the proteolytic activation of TEPs is a target of host-parasite coevolution, with parasites evolving to prevent proteolysis, which in turn favors mutations in the bait-like region that restore the response. We also sequenced three gram-negative binding proteins (GNBPs) and two immune-induced peptides with strong homology to the GNBPs. In contrast to the Tep genes, the GNBP genes are highly conserved. We discuss the reasons why different components of the immune system have such different patterns of evolution. [Reviewing Editor: Dr. Willie Swanson]     

An allele of theProt locus in maize is a variant for the site of protein processing

An allele of theProt locus, which encodes a major globulin of the maize scutellum, is a variant for a site of protein processing. Segregation analysis and recombination mapping indicate that the variant is an allele of theProt locus. DesignatedProt-V, this allele specifies three polypeptides, V1, V2, and V3. The V1 polypeptide is incompletely processed during the proteolytic processing step catalyzed by the product of theMep locus. Cyanogen bromide cleavage studies support the precursor-product relationship between V1 and V2. The V1 product is shortened with respect to other PROT′ proteins and it is postulated that the normal site of MEP processing has been removed by this foreshortening. This work was done with the support of United States Department of Agriculture Grant GM84-CRCR-1-1479.     

Structure,function, and biogenesis of SecY,an integral membrane protein involved in protein export

TheE. coli secY (prlA) gene, located in the operator-distal part of thespec ribosomal protein operon, codes for an integral membrane protein, SecY. The phenotypes of temperature-sensitive and cold-sensitive mutations insecY suggest that the SecY protein plays an essential rolein vivo to facilitate protein translocation, whereas theprlA mutations in this gene suggest that SecY may interact with the signal sequence of translocating polypeptides. SecY contains most probably six cytoplasmic and five periplasmic domains, as well as 10 transmembrane segments. Such membrane-embedded structure may confer the SecY protein a translocator function, in which it provides a proteinaceous pathway for passage of secreted as well as membrane proteins. Results obtained byin vitro analyses of the translocation reactions, as well as some new phenotypes of thesecY mutants, are consistent with this notion. Possible interaction of SecY with other secretion and chaperone-like factors is also discussed.     

Immunogold localization of acyl carrier protein in plants and Escherichia coli: Evidence for membrane association in plants

Immunogold labelling was used to study the distribution of acyl carrier protein (ACP) in Escherichia coli and a variety of plant tissues. In E. coli, ACP is distributed throughout the cytoplasm, confirming the observation of S. Jackowski et al. (1985, J. Bacteriol., 162, 5–8_. In the mesocarp of Avocado (Persea americana) and maturing seeds of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus cv. Jet Neuf), over 95% of the ACP is localised to plastids. The protein is almost exclusively located in the chloroplasts of leaf material from oil-seed rape. Approximately 80% of the gold particles associated with the ACP were further localized to the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast. Since acetyl-CoA carboxylase has been reported to be localized to the thylakoid membrane (C.G. Kannangara and C.J. Jensen, 1975, Eur. J. Biochem., 54, 25–30), these results are consistent with the view that the two sequential enzymes in fatty-acid synthesis are in close spacial proximity.Abbreviations ACC acetyl CoA carboxylase - ACP acyl carrier protein - FAS fatty-acid synthetase     

Caspase-resistant VirD2 protein provides enhanced gene delivery and expression in plants

Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirD2 protein is one of the key elements of Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, a process of transfer of T-DNA sequence from the Agrobacterium tumour inducing plasmid into the nucleus of infected plant cells and its integration into the host genome. The VirD2 protein has been shown to be a substrate for a plant caspase-like protease activity (PCLP) in tobacco. We demonstrate here that mutagenesis of the VirD2 protein to prevent cleavage by PCLP increases the efficiency of reporter gene transfer and expression. These results indicate that PCLP cleavage of the Agrobacterium VirD2 protein acts to limit the effectiveness of T-DNA transfer and is a novel resistance mechanism that plants utilise to combat Agrobacterium infection. Brian Reavy and Svetlana Bagirova contributed equally to this work.