高比活人睫状神经营养因子突变体基因的构建及其在巴斯德毕赤酵母中的表达

人睫状神经营养因子(hCNTF)及其突变体有望成为治疗肥胖症的新型药物。为了减少hCNTF的副反应,提高其疗效,在hCNTF四重突变体AX15 (R13K)的基础上引入S16 5D Q16 6H突变,构建了高比活的DH_AX15 (R13K)突变体。体外和体内实验表明DH_AX15 (R13K)的活性约是AX15 (R13K)的5倍。同时体内实验还发现DH_AX15(R13K)的作用比AX15 (R13K)更为持久。这种更为持久的作用可能是由于活性提高而非半衰期延长引起的。高比活的hCNTF突变体一方面可以在保证疗效的前提下减少蛋白用量,减少副反应;另一方面可以在不增加副反应的前提下增加最大耐受剂量,提高疗效,在临床应用上具有潜在的优势     

蛋白酶抗性人睫状神经营养因子突变体基因的构建及其在巴斯德毕赤酵母中的表达

AX15是一种比天然睫状神经营养因子具有更高的生物学活性、更好的稳定性和可溶性的hCNTF突变体。在巴斯德毕赤酵母中表达时AX15易发生降解。氨基酸序列分析表明降解位于由12和13位氨基酸残基组成的双碱性氨基酸之后。根据KEX2蛋白酶的底物专一性把双碱性氨基酸从RR变为RK,构建了KEX2抗性的AX15突变体AX15（R13K）。AX15（R13K）的稳定性得到了显著的提高,在诱导100 h后也未发生降解。利用超滤浓缩和凝胶过滤得到了纯度>90%的AX15（R13K）。TF-1细胞存活实验表明AX15（R13K）具有与AX15相同的生物学活性。蛋白酶抗性人睫状神经营养因子突变体可能具有更好的体内稳定性,在临床应用上具有潜在的优势。     

人睫状神经营养因子结构和功能的研究

睫状神经营养国子在神经系统的发育和损伤修复过程中具有重要作用。本文根据由核苷酸序列推导的氨基酸序列预测了人睫状神经营养因子和二级结构。参考结构预测结果,用片段插入法和缺失地,改造人睫状神经营养因子编码基因,在大肠菌中表达并纯化了五系人睫状神经营养因子的突变体,观察结构改造对人睫状神经营养因子神经营养活性的影响。     

人CNTF突变体(CNTFM)基因的克隆、表达和产物纯化及活性鉴定

采用PCR的方法对睫状神经营养因子(CNTF)基因进行改造,获得CNTF突变体基因(CNTFM) ,将CNTFM基因克隆入表达载体pBV2 2 0 ,在大肠杆菌BL 2 1(Gold)中进行了表达.目的蛋白占细胞总蛋白5 5 %左右,以包涵体形式存在,经Superdex 75凝胶过滤柱一步纯化和复性,获得纯度达90 %目的蛋白.纯化的重组CNTFM蛋白能促进培养的鸡胚背根神经节长出神经突起,能明显减轻实验小鼠的体重,表明CNTFM具有良好的体内、体外生物学活性,为开发新型高效的减肥药奠定了基础.     

PEG定点修饰重组人睫状神经营养因子及其生物活性评价

采用分子质量为40k Da的马来酰亚胺聚乙二醇(m PEG-MAL),对重组人睫状神经营养因子突变体CNTF-C17的第17位半胱氨酸巯基进行定点修饰,通过离子交换层析获得单修饰产物Mono-PEG-CNTF-C17,并对其结构及体内外活性进行评价。实验结果表明,在p H 7.5的Tris-HCl缓冲液体中,蛋白质与修饰剂的为1∶3,4℃下反应12h,修饰率可达到90%以上,修饰混合物通过一步阴离子交换层析可获得纯度98%以上的单修饰产物。荧光光谱(FL)及圆二色(CD)图谱显示Mono-PEG-CNTF-C17与原蛋白二、三级结构一致。TF-1.CN5a.1细胞增殖活性检测表明,MonoPEG-CNTF-C17的比活达到了6.51×105IU/mg,体内循环半衰期相对原蛋白显著提高了30.3倍。该研究可为开发CNTF长效产品提供基础。     

重组人睫状神经营养因子的聚乙二醇化修饰

目的:研究重组人睫状神经营养因子(rhCNTF)突变体的聚乙二醇(PEG)化修饰,对rhCNTF的PEG化产物进行初步分离纯化及相关生物活性检测。方法:采用分子生物学技术经点突变得到rhCNTF的突变体CN10,通过实验设计研究CN10的最佳PEG化条件;采用分子筛层析方式对偶联产物进行初步纯化,最后用ELISA和小鼠体重增长抑制法检测PEG化后的CN10蛋白的生物活性。结果:能运用mPEG-MAL对CN10进行定点修饰,PEG化后用Superdex200能够分离CN10;PEG化后的CN10每2 d腹腔注射1次,对小鼠体重的增长抑制率可达50%,与rhCNTF每天注射2次的体重增长抑制作用相当。结论:CN10蛋白在PEG化修饰后,其减重效应持续时间明显延长。     

人睫状神经营养因子的基因克隆与高效表达

人睫状神经营养因子的基因克隆与高效表达范明,杜方勇,咸海清,刘淑红,甘思德（军事医学科学院基础医学研究所北京１００８５０）睫状神经营养因子（ｃｉｌｉａｒｙｎｅｕｒｏｔｒｏｐｈｉｃｆａｃｔｏｒ,ＣＮＴＦ）以最早发现于鸡睫状神经节而命名,是目前已知的神经...     

睫状神经营养因子突变体蛋白的活性研究

为了进一步研究我室应用计算机分子模拟设计并表达纯化的睫状神经营养因子突变体蛋白的生物学活性,分别采用鸡胚背根神经节无血清培养法、TF-1细胞增殖法、正常小鼠减重法对其活性进行研究。结果是突变体蛋白能促进鸡胚背根神经节的生长;促进TF-1细胞增殖,MTT测定法表明突变体蛋白与国际参考品相比,比活不低于2.0×106U/mg;使正常小鼠的体重减轻,摄食量减少,脂肪指数下降,并且体重的减轻与突变体蛋白的给药剂量呈现良好的剂量依赖关系,其ED50为：150.986?g/kg/d。以上实验表明CNTF突变体蛋白具有促神经生长、促TF-1细胞增殖和减重的生物学活性。从而为其进一步的应用和开发提供了线索。     

定量测定重组人睫状神经营养因子活性的新方法

目的：建立一种能定量测定重组人睫状神经营养因子（ciliary neurotrophic factor,CNTF）生物学活性的新方法。方法：从鸡胚中分离出背根神经节并制成神经细胞,将重组人睫状神经营养因子加入到细胞中继续培养64h后,用酸性磷酸酶法检测活细胞内酸性磷酸酶的活性,从而定量测定重组人睫状神经营养因子的生物活性。结果：重组人睫状神经营养因子有促原代鸡胚背根神经细胞存活作用,细胞存活率与加入重组人睫状神经营养因子的量成正相关。结论：通过检测存活的原代鸡胚背根神经细胞内酸性磷酸酶的含量来定量测定重组人睫状神经营养因子生物活性的实验方法具有干扰因素少、定量准确、重复性好等优点。     

转铁蛋白-PEG-睫状神经营养因子的制备及其生物活性评价

为了实现在体内更持久的药效作用,根据睫状神经营养因子CNTF第17位为游离半胱氨酸残基,而转铁蛋白Tf无游离半胱氨酸的特点,采用N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺-聚乙二醇5K-马来酰亚胺(NHS-PEG5k-MAL)作为偶联剂,实现了两者定点偶联,然后结合蛋白自身特性制定纯化方法,制备获得纯度高于90%的转铁蛋白-聚乙二醇5k-睫状神经营养因子(Tf-PEG5k-CNTF)耦合物。高效凝胶色谱和动态光散射分析显示耦合物的表观分子体积大于两蛋白之和。细胞试验结果显示耦合物的活性下降至原蛋白的65.8%。大鼠药代动力学试验显示Tf-PEG5k-CNTF耦合物在体内的代谢半衰期延长至8.2小时,与CNTF原蛋白相比提高了约17倍。小鼠动物试验显示在每周2次的给药频率,每次1.0 mg/kg的剂量下,Tf-PEG5k-CNTF能更为显著地影响小鼠对食物摄入量和减轻体重。因此,转铁蛋白偶联技术可用于脑部靶向蛋白药物的长效递送。     

Degradation of HSA-AX15(R13K) when expressed in Pichia pastoris can be reduced via the disruption of YPS1 gene in this yeast

Expression of recombinant protein HSA-AX15(R13K) in Pichia pastoris GS115 strain produced both the intact protein and its two degradation products with molecular weights of around 43kDa and 66.2kDa, respectively. To reduce or avoid the degradation, a modified P. pastoris GS115 stain, in which YPS1 gene was disrupted, was constructed via homologous recombination and used as a host strain for the HSA-AX15(R13K) expression. After 60h of induction during culture, it was found that the degradation product of around 66.2kDa was reduced significantly in the supernatant of yps1-disrupted strain compared with that in the supernatant of wild-type strain. By the Western blot analysis of culture supernatants from wild-type and yps1-disrupted strains expressing HSA-AX15(R13K), the significant improvement was also seen in the degradation product of around 43kDa. Comparison of cell growth between the two strains demonstrated a similar growth tendency, thereby indicating that the disruption of YPS1 gene has no effect on the normal physiology of GS115 strain. Following induction for 60h, the yield of intact HSA-AX15(R13K) in the yps1 disruptant was three-fold higher than that in the wild-type strain. Therefore, such a P. pastoris mutant deficient in YPS1 activity is suitable for the high-level expression of recombinant protein HSA-AX15(R13K).     

Mast cell stabilization improves cardiac contractile function following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is associated with cardiac contractile dysfunction. Mast cell (MC) degranulation is hypothesized to mediate the cardiodepressant effect. Cardiac function was assessed after HS and resuscitation (HS/R) with the administration of the MC stabilizers to prevent MC degranulation. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to sham-operated control or HS/R groups and underwent 60 min of HS followed by 2 h of resuscitated reperfusion. Animals in the HS/R groups were randomized to receive cromolyn (5 mg/kg), ketotifen (1 mg/kg), or saline 15 min before shock. Hearts were excised following HS or 2 h of reperfusion, and function was assessed on a Langendorff apparatus. A second group of randomized animals had serial blood samples taken to assess MC degranulation by quantifying levels of serum beta-hexosaminidase. Hearts were excised at 0 min (before HS) and following 60 min of HS (before resuscitation) for a histological evaluation of MC density and degranulation. In vivo MC stabilization using ketotifen and cromolyn improved cardiac peak systolic pressure (P < 0.05), contractility (P < 0.05), and relaxation (P < 0.05) compared with that of HS controls. Serum beta-hexosaminidase increased during HS/R and was inhibited by MC stabilization (P < 0.05). Degranulation was inhibited when assessed by histochemistry and immune fluorescence. The inhibition of MC degranulation can significantly improve cardiac function following HS/R.     

Ubiquitin-H2AX fusions render 53BP1 recruitment to DNA damage sites independent of RNF8 or RNF168

The mammalian E3 ubiquitin ligases RNF8 and RNF168 facilitate recruitment of the DNA damage response protein 53BP1 to sites of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The mechanism involves recruitment of RNF8, followed by recruitment of RNF168, which ubiquitinates histones H2A/H2AX on K15. 53BP1 then binds to nucleosomes at sites of DNA DSBs by recognizing, in addition to methyl marks, histone H2A/H2AX ubiquitinated on K15. We report here that expressing H2AX fusion proteins with N-terminal bulky moieties can rescue 53BP1 recruitment to sites of DNA DSBs in cells lacking RNF8 or RNF168 or in cells treated with proteasome inhibitors, in which histone ubiquitination at sites of DNA DSBs is compromised. The rescue required S139 at the C-terminus of the H2AX fusion protein and was occasionally accompanied by partial rescue of ubiquitination at sites of DNA DSBs. We conclude that recruitment of 53BP1 to sites of DNA DSBs is possible in the absence of RNF8 or RNF168, but still dependent on chromatin ubiquitination.     

Imaging surface plasmon resonance system for screening affinity ligands

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system for screening ligands for application in affinity chromatography is described. A combinatorial library of 13 ligands was synthesised, characterised and immobilised to agarose beads and gold SPR devices. Binding and elution behaviour and a range of K(AX) values (10(3) to 10(5) M(-1)) were measured against two target proteins, an insulin analogue (MI3) and a recombinant clotting factor (rFVIIa), in order to create a relational database between the traditional chromatographic format and the new SPR screening system. The SPR transducer surface was fabricated with affinity ligands in a two-dimensional, spatially addressable format, which was durable (>100 cycles) and stable over 6 months. The imaging SPR system comprised a direct optical, CCD-based, instrument capable of imaging the change in refractive index created by biochemical interactions and allowed affinity ligands to be evaluated 15-fold faster with 130-fold less target protein than conventional chromatographic methods. The binding and elution data from both the SPR and chromatographic systems for both target proteins were comparable, with the K(AX) value generating a nearly linear correlation (R(2)=0.875) and a slope bias of approximately 2.5+/-0.25-fold higher for the SPR system. The imaging SPR system has proven capable of screening and evaluating affinity ligands for potential use in the recovery of biopharmaceutical proteins.     

Determination of HS270, a new histone deacetylase inhibitor, in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS--application to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and fully validated to determine HS270, a new histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in rat plasma using SAHA as the internal standard (IS). After a single step liquid-liquid extraction with acetoacetate, analytes were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis using positive electro-spray ionization (ESI(+)) under selected reaction monitoring mode (SRM). The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Hypurity C(18) column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, i.d., 5 μm). The MS/MS detection was conducted by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 392.3→100.1 for HS270, m/z 265.1→232.1 for IS. The method had a chromatographic running time of 2.5 min and linear calibration curves over the concentrations of 0.5-1000 ng/mL. The recovery of the method was 70.8-82.5% and the lower limit of quanti?cation (LLOQ) was 0.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-batch precisions were less than 15% for all quality control samples at concentrations of 1.0, 100.0, and 750.0 ng/mL. The validated LC-MS/MS method has successfully applied to a HS270 pharmacokinetic study after oral doses of 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg, and i.v. dose of 5 mg/kg to rats.     

Suppression of an IL-13 autocrine growth loop in a human Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg tumor cell line by a novel IL-13 antagonist

IL-13 has been proposed to be an autocrine growth factor for Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg tumor cells (H/RS cells). Since we have recently identified and produced a novel IL-13 antagonist (IL-13E13K) that can suppress the biological activity of IL-13, here we examined whether IL-13E13K can inhibit growth of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)-derived cell lines. IL-13E13K not only inhibited the growth of an unstimulated H/RS cell line (L1236) but also cells that were stimulated by exogenous IL-13 in a dose-dependent manner. Several HL-derived cell lines expressed IL-13 message and protein and message for various chains of IL-13R. H/RS cell lines expressed mRNA for the IL-13R alpha 1, IL-4R alpha, and IL-2R gamma chains. However, none of these cell lines expressed the IL-13R alpha 2 chain. An H/RS cell line (L1236) internalized the ligand-receptor complex after binding to a fusion protein composed of IL-13 and a mutated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (IL-13-PE38QQR, or IL-13 cytotoxin), as IL-13 cytotoxin was specifically cytotoxic to H/RS cells in vitro. These results indicate that IL-13E13K and IL-13 cytotoxin can effectively suppress growth of a L1236 H/RS cell line. Therefore, additional studies should be performed to determine the expression of IL-13 and IL-13R in primary clinical samples of Hodgkin's lymphoma and both agents should be further tested in vitro and in vivo as possible therapeutic agents for HL.     

Fusion protein mediated prodrug activation (FMPA) in vivo

A two component system, consisting of a fusion protein and an appropriate prodrug, suited to perform selective tumor therapy in vivo, is presented. The fusion protein, owing to its humanized carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-specific variable region, specifically binds to CEA-expressing tumors and has an enzymatic activity comparable to human β-glucuronidase. The prodrug is a nontoxic glucuronide-spacer-derivative of doxorubicin decomposing to doxorubicin by enzymatic deglucuronidation. In vivo studies in nude mice bearing human CEA-expressing tumor xenografts revealed that 7 d after injection of 20 mg/kg fusion protein, a high specificity ratio (>100:1) was obtained between tumor and plasma. Injection of 250 mg/kg of prodrug at d 7 resulted in tumor therapeutic effects superior to conventional chemotherapy without any detectable toxicity. These superior therapeutic effects that were observed using established human tumor xenografts can be explained by the approx 10-fold higher drug concentrations found in tumors of mice treated with fusion protein and prodrug than in those treated with the maximal tolerable dose of drug alone.     

Inhibition of Protein Kinase C Restores Na+, K+-ATPase Activity in Sciatic Nerve of Diabetic Mice

We have tested if inhibition of protein kinase C is able to prevent and/or to restore the decrease of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in the sciatic nerve of alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Mice were made diabetic by subcutaneous injection of 200 mg of alloxan/kg of body weight. The activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase decreased rapidly (43% after 3 days) and slightly thereafter (58% at 11 days). We show that intraperitoneal injection of 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, prevents completely the loss of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity produced by alloxan. Also, H7 injected into diabetic mice, 4-9 days after the injection of alloxan, restores the activity of the enzyme. The amount of activity recovered depends on the dose of H7 administered; complete recovery was reached with injection of 15 mg of H7/kg of body weight. The effect of H7 is transient, with a half-life of approximately 1 h.