应用酵母双杂交系统筛选新基因Collectrin相关蛋白

Collectrin是在小鼠 5 6肾切除后 ,在肾小球的高滤过、高增生期分离克隆的一个新基因 .通过酵母双杂交系统从人肾脏cDNA文库中筛选与collectrin相互作用的蛋白 ,可以为该基因的功能研究提供线索 .构建collectrin的真核表达载体collectrin pGBKT7 c myc ,转化酵母菌AH10 9.Western印迹证实 ,collectrin蛋白能够在酵母中正常表达 ,对酵母细胞无毒性 ,不存在自激活现象 .将AH10 9 collectrin pGBKT7 c myc与转化了成人肾脏cDNA文库的酵母菌Y187接合 ,共筛选到 5个与细胞代谢有关的蛋白 ,包括鞘磷脂激活蛋白、精氨琥珀酸合成酶、氨基酸转运蛋白XAT2、NADH脱氢酶 1和金属硫蛋白 2A .由此推论 ,collectrin可能通过与细胞内某些酶类相互作用而影响细胞代谢 ,为新基因collectrin的功能研究提供了重要线索 .     

血管紧张素转换酶的克隆及序列分析

根据GenBank上公布的小鼠血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因序列,经多重比较设计1对特异性引物,从小鼠Balb/c肺部组织中提取总RNA,进行RT-PCR。产物经纯化回收,克隆到pMD-18T载体,转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞,检测阳性克隆、测序并进行序列分析。测序结果显示,该片段全长4 023 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)包含3 985 bp,编码1 328个氨基酸,相对分子质量为152.77 kD,等电点6.35。此序列与GenBank已登录的小鼠ACE同源性达99%,差异的5个碱基位于基因的非关键部位,说明小鼠ACE成功克隆。经同源性比较分析,达50%以上相同性的物种有17个,且符合种属之间的进化关系。因此,该序列可于研究物种亲缘关系或遗传距离的理想标记,为下一步研究其在酵母中的表达、生物活性和应用奠定了一定的基础。     

ACE2及其特殊功能

血管紧张素转换酶2（angiotensin—converting enzyme 2,ACE2）是新发现的与血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）相关的羧肽酶,在肾素-血管紧张素系统（rennin-angiotensin system,RAS）中ACE2可以使AngⅡ转换为Ang1-7,从而产生与血管紧张素Ⅱ相反的效应,同时ACE2还可使Ang I转换为Ang1-9。研究发现：ACE2与高血压、SARS以及肾脏、生殖等系统的疾病有着密切的关系。     

作为肾素-血管紧张素系统调节器和SARS病毒受体的人血管紧张素转换酶2

人血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)是目前已知的惟一的人血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)的同源物,是一种新型的金属羧肽酶,很多特性与ACE截然不同.ACE2在肾素-血管紧张素系统(RAS)中具有独特的作用,调节心脏功能和机体血压.最近ACE2被鉴定为SARS病毒的功能受体.ACE2已经成为目前药物研发的新靶点.对ACE2的认识才刚刚开始,有待进-步深入研究.     

血管紧张素转换酶2调节肺肾素血管紧张素系统减轻肢体缺血再灌注诱导的急性肺损伤

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2,ACE2)对小鼠肢体缺血再灌注诱导的急性肺损伤的保护作用和机制。方法雄性野生型和ACE2转基因(过表达ACE2基因) ICR小鼠随机分为6组(n=18):野生对照组、野生模型组、ACE2对照组、ACE2模型组、ACE2模型+A779干预组和ACE2模型+MLN-4760干预组。采用橡皮筋结扎双侧后肢根部的方法建立急性肺损伤模型(缺血2 h,再灌注4 h)。HE染色观察肺组织病理学变化;肺组织脏器系数、湿/干重比、支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)细胞计数和蛋白浓度检测肺组织含水量和肺泡毛细血管通透性;酶联免疫吸附法检测BALF中白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α),以及肺组织血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensin Ⅱ,Ang Ⅱ)/Ang-(1-7)的浓度。qRT-PCR法分析肺组织ACE/ACE2的mRNA表达。Western Blot法检测肺组织ACE/ACE2和AT1/Mas受体的蛋白表达。结果与野生模型组相比,过表达ACE2基因可减轻肺组织病变,降低肺泡毛细血管通透性,降低BALF炎性细胞因子表达,逆转肺组织肾素-血管紧张素系统(renin angiotensin system,RAS)稳态失衡。而且ACE2的这些保护作用被特异性ACE2抑制剂MLN-4760和Mas受体阻断剂A779所消除。结论 ACE2可通过ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas轴改善肺组织局部RAS稳态失衡减轻急性肺损伤。     

小鼠睾丸特异表达基因TSEG-1的克隆及序列分析

从表达序列标签(expressed sequence tags, ESTs)数据库ZooDDD中获得小鼠正常睾丸表达的EST, 通过dbEST数据库检索出与其高度同源的EST序列, 构建EST叠加群(contigs), Biolign软件拼接, GeneScan软件预测contigs对应的基因组序列中的外显子、内含子; 针对开放阅读框设计引物序列, 采用RT-PCR从小鼠睾丸组织中克隆新基因的cDNA, 分析该基因在小鼠各脏器中的mRNA表达, 并对测序结果进行生物信息学分析。结果表明: 在小鼠X染色体的1 668~2 011 kb间克隆出一新基因TSEG-1, 全长为510 bp, 开放阅读框为336 bp, 编码111氨基酸, 分子量12.84258 kDa, 等电点11.4000。RT-PCR证实该基因开放阅读框正确, 在小鼠睾丸组织中特异性表达, 且与小鼠其他cDNA 无同源性, 获得GenBank 登录号EU079024。功能区分析发现TSEG-1蛋白可能为一种跨膜蛋白, 跨膜区位于第41~61氨基酸残基。TSEG-1基因与人类睾丸特异性组蛋白2a变异体基因有较高同源性, 在TSEG-1基因5′-端非编码侧翼预测发现存在1个启动子区域, 范围为680 bp。 TSEG-1蛋白可能有4个抗原性位点, 2个特异性蛋白激酶的磷酸化位点, 其亚细胞定位可能位于线粒体。小鼠睾丸特异性基因TSEG-1的克隆为进一步研究其生物学功能和表达调控奠定了基础。     

牛Irak-1基因的电子克隆及生物信息学分析

电子克隆提供了一种利用基因组数据库克隆新基因全长cDNA序列的策略。利用小鼠Irak-1基因编码序列(NM_008363)为种子序列进行电子克隆获得了牛Irak-1基因完整编码序列。然后,用生物信息学方法分析了该基因的结构,微卫星位点,密码子偏性和氨基酸的同源性等。结果表明:该基因cDNA全长2 645bp,无内含子,最大开放阅读框2 157bp,编码718个氨基酸,与小鼠的同源性为77%。     

小鼠Smad3基因的克隆及其在小鼠组织中的表达

采用PCR获得的Smad3cDNA片段作为探针筛选小鼠脑cDNA文库 .克隆了小鼠全长的Smad3基因 .对小鼠Smad3基因的全编码区进行了序列测定 .结果表明 ,小鼠SMAD3与人SMAD3氨基酸同源性高达 99% .与小鼠Smad2基因相比 ,碱基同源性高达 91 8% .Northern杂交显示 ,Smad3基因在小鼠胚胎发育和各成体器官中普遍表达 .原位杂交显示 ,Smad3基因表达在小鼠胚胎期E16 5d的软骨、骨髓和皮肤角质细胞中     

蝙蝠SARS样冠状病毒WIV1利用小鼠ACE2受体研究

严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)是一种感染人类的高致病性病毒,由蝙蝠SARS样冠状病毒(SL-CoV)演化而来。血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)是SARS-CoV受体,影响病毒宿主范围、致病性和种间传播。先前研究表明,SARS-CoV和一些SL-CoV株(如WIV1)可以有效利用人、果子狸、蝙蝠ACE2入侵细胞,而SARS-CoV可以低效利用小鼠ACE2。啮齿动物种类多,分布广,包括多种重要的试验动物模型,不过SL-CoV利用啮齿动物ACE2的研究较少。本研究通过假病毒感染试验,比较了SARS-CoV BJ01株和SL-CoV WIV1株利用人类、果子狸、蝙蝠、小鼠ACE2及其突变体进入细胞的效率,并利用蛋白结合试验比较了BJ01和WIV1受体结合结构域(RBD)结合不同ACE2及其突变体的能力。结果显示,SL-CoV WIV1可以有效利用小鼠ACE2进入细胞,且WIV1 RBD与小鼠ACE2结合效率与人和果子狸ACE2相同,强于蝙蝠ACE2;而不同物种ACE2的L440P突变能显著降低其与BJ01及WIV1的RBD结合的能力,抑制假病毒入侵。研究结果表明,小鼠ACE2是SL-CoV WIV1的功能受体,且ACE2的L440是影响病毒入侵的关键氨基酸位点。本研究有助于进一步了解SL-CoV的受体识别、跨种传播机制,对今后类似冠状病毒的防控具有重要意义。     

牛Pbx-1基因的电子克隆及生物信息学分析

新基因全长cDNA序列很难获得,但电子克隆却提供了基因克隆的一种策略.利用小鼠Pbx-1基因编码序列(NM_183355)为种子序列进行电子克隆获得牛Pbx-1基因完整编码序列.然后,用生物信息学方法分析了牛的Pbx-1基因的结构,密码子偏性和氨基酸的同源性等.结果表明:该基因cDNA全长1 754 bp,无内含子,最大开放阅读框1 305 bp.编码434个氨基酸.预测其编码的蛋白分子量为47 189.5 Da,与小鼠的同源性为81%.     

Nephrocan, a novel member of the small leucine-rich repeat protein family, is an inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta signaling

In a search of new, small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan/protein (SLRP) family members, a novel gene, nephrocan (NPN), has been identified. The gene consists of three exons, and based on the deduced amino acid sequence, NPN has 17 leucine-rich repeat motifs and unique cysteine-rich clusters both in the N and C termini, indicating that this gene belongs to a new class of SLRP family. NPN mRNA was predominantly expressed in kidney in adult mice, and during mouse embryogenesis, the expression was markedly increased in 11-day-old embryos at a time when early kidney development takes place. In the adult mouse kidney, NPN protein was located in distal tubules and collecting ducts. When NPN was overexpressed in cell culture, the protein was detected in the cultured medium, and upon treatment with N-glycosidase F, the molecular mass was lowered by approximately 14 kDa, indicating that NPN is a secreted N-glycosylated protein. Furthermore, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-responsive 3TP promoter luciferase activity was down-regulated, and TGF-beta-induced Smad3 phosphorylation was also inhibited by NPN, suggesting that NPN suppresses TGF-beta/Smad signaling. Taken together, NPN is a novel member of the SLRP family that may play important roles in kidney development and pathophysiology by functioning as an endogenous inhibitor of TGF-beta signaling.     

A new family of heparin-binding factors: strong conservation of midkine (MK) sequences between the human and the mouse

A retinoic acid responsive gene, MK, specifies for a heparin binding factor termed midkine (MK), which is the initial member of a new protein family involved in regulation of growth and differentiation. A cDNA clone of human MK was isolated from a fetal kidney cDNA library. Human MK mRNA was expressed in PA1 teratocarcinoma cells as well as in the kidney. Sequence analysis of the cDNA clone and of a part of the genomic clone yielded the predicted protein sequence of human MK. Human and mouse MK sequences are highly conserved: 87% of amino acids are identical and all amino acid changes are conservative except for an insertion. Comparison of MK and HB-GAM/pleiotrophin (another member of the family) from various species revealed sequences conserved in the family and those specific for each protein.     

Molecular cloning of a novel NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily gene, ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic K1735 murine melanoma cells

We have cloned a novel gene, Ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic but not in low-metastatic K-1735 murine melanoma cells. The Ehm2 gene encodes a protein of 527 amino acid residues, showing up to 41% amino acid identity with the FERM domain of NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins, which have the function of connecting cell surface transmembrane proteins to cytoskeletal molecules. The Ehm2 gene was mapped to chromosome 4 and was expressed in the liver, lung, kidney, and testis and in 7- to 17-day embryos. The highest level of homology was observed with NBL4, which is a new subfamily protein of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily. A human homologue of the mouse Ehm2 gene, showing significant homology (83% identity), was identified in the genomic DNA and EST databases. Furthermore, seven rat EST clones and one pig EST clone in the GenBank EST database were identified as having 83-92% sequence homology with the cDNA sequence of the mouse Ehm2 gene. Thus, Ehm2 is a highly conserved gene that encodes a novel member of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins.     

Molecular cloning, characterization, and chromosomal localization of the mouse homologue of CD84, a member of the CD2 family of cell surface molecules

 CD84 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily (IgSF) with two Ig-like domains expressed primarily on B lymphocytes and macrophages. Here we describe the cloning of the mouse homologue of human CD84. Mouse CD84 cDNA clones were isolated from a macrophage library. The nucleotide sequence of mouse CD84 was shown to include an open reading frame encoding a putative 329 amino acid protein composed of a 21 amino acid leader peptide, two extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, a hydrophobic transmembrane region, and an 87 amino acid cytoplasmic domain. Mouse CD84 shares 57.3% amino acid sequence identity (88.7%, considering conservative amino acid substitutions) with the human homologue. Chromosome localization studies mapped the mouse CD84 gene to distal chromosome 1 adjacent to the gene for Ly-9, placing it close to the region where other members of the CD2 IgSF (CD48 and 2B4) have been mapped. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of mouse CD84 was predominantly restricted to hematopoietic tissues. Two species of mRNA of 3.6 kilobases (kb) and 1.5 kb were observed. The finding that the pattern of expression was restricted to the hematopoietic system and the conserved sequence of the mouse CD84 homologue suggests that the function of the CD84 glycoprotein may be similar in humans and mice. Received: 1 July 1998 / Revised: 31 August 1998