油茶Pht1;2的克隆及生物信息学分析

目的:克隆和分析油茶高亲和磷转运蛋白基因,为研究其结构和功能打下基础。方法:以油茶品种‘华硕’为试材,通过RT-PCR和RACE的方法克隆出油茶磷酸转运子Pht1基因家族一个成员的全长cDNA序列,命名为CoPht1;2(GenBank登录号:JX412956.1),通过生物信息学技术对其序列的理化性质、结构与功能进行分析和预测。结果:CoPht1;2 CDS长度为1 590bp,编码530个氨基酸,与其它物种的Pht1氨基酸序列具有较高的相似性,其中与杨柳科毛果杨的Pht1相似性最高,达到77.5%;该基因所编码蛋白质的分子量为58.02 kDa,理论等电点pI为8.97,二级结构主要由α-螺旋、β-折叠和不规则卷曲构成,包含12个明显的跨膜螺旋拓扑结构。结论:预测显示该蛋白是一个疏水跨膜蛋白,具有磷转运蛋白的主要特征,初步判定其与油茶磷吸收有关,其功能有待进一步验证。     

甘草Pht1基因家族鉴定与表达分析

Pht1家族磷酸盐(Pi)转运体介导植物中磷(P)的吸收和再动员。为探讨甘草Pht1基因的结构及表达模式,该研究利用生物信息学方法对甘草Pht1(GuPht1)基因家族进行分析,结合转录组数据和实时荧光定量(qRT-PCR)分析GuPht1在非生物胁迫下的表达,并采用RT-PCR克隆4个GuPht1基因。结果显示：(1)甘草中有8个Pht1家族成员(GuPht1;1—GuPht1;8),都位于细胞膜上,且具有12个跨膜结构,属于MFS超家族,氨基酸长度介于521～570 aa之间,含有Pht1保守的特征序列GGDYPLSATIMSE。(2)系统进化分析显示,甘草GuPht1基因家族成员与豆科植物亲缘关系较近;启动子区含有与磷饥饿有关的W-box、G-box、PHO-like和P1BS元件;甘草GuPht1基因家族在Scaffold定位分布均匀,三级结构均为单体。(3)转录组数据分析显示,GuPht1响应干旱、盐、激素等胁迫,且表达有组织特异性。qRT-PCR结果表明,低磷胁迫下GuPht1基因有明显的时空表达差异性,GuPht1;1/1;6/1;8在根中表达明显上调,GuPht1;5/...     

油茶长链脂肪酰基CoA合成酶基因1(CoLACS1)分子特征与表达分析

长链脂肪酰基Co A合成酶(LACS)在脂肪酸的合成与分解代谢中起着重要作用。本研究以油茶(Camellia oleifera Abel)国家审定品种华硕(Camellia oleifera Huashuo)种仁转录组数据为基础,根据LACS基因Unigene序列设计引物,分离克隆了油茶LACS1基因全长c DNA序列,命名为CoLACS1(Gene Bank登录号:KJ960228),全长2114 bp,开放阅读框2088 bp,编码695个氨基酸;生物信息学分析显示CoLACS1具有3个B1ock,从分子特征可判断CoLACS1属于LACS家族;氨基酸同源比对显示与其他物种的LACS氨基酸序列具有较高的相似性,其中与拟南芥LACS7相似性为78%,与麻风树、大豆、毛果杨等物种LACS6(peroxisomal)相似性可达80%以上;对CoLACS1进行原核表达分析,构建的p ET30a-CoLACS1载体成功转化至BL21(DE3)中经1 mmol/L IPTG诱导表达,菌液检测获得预测的目的蛋白(分子量约为76 k D);分析转录组数据中CoLACS1的Unigene序列RTKM值并对CoLACS1进行实时荧光定量PCR分析,结果表明CoLACS1在油茶华硕种子发育各时期平稳表达,表达丰度变化不大,荧光定量结果变化规律与转录组数据分析一致;同时分析华硕种仁不同时期含油率和脂肪酸成分变化,双变量统计分析发现CoLACS1表达模式与油茶油脂积累规律呈显著相关性。本研究为进一步研究油茶油脂积累与代谢的基因调控提供理论依据。     

茶树CsCBF1基因克隆和转录活性分析

采用RACE技术克隆了一个受冷诱导的茶树CBF基因全长cDNA,命名为CsCBF1(GenBank登录号为EU563238)。CsCBF1cDNA全长序列为1 211bp,开放阅读框编码259个氨基酸。氨基酸序列分析表明,CsCBF1具有CBF家族典型的保守结构域,与其他植物的CBF具有较高的相似性;与拟南芥、辣椒和橡胶树编码的CBF相似性分别为56%、63%和56%。亚细胞定位结果表明,CsCBF1位于细胞核内。分别将10个CsCBF1缺失突变体与GAL4DNA结合域融合的结果显示,CsCBF1的羧基末端酸性结构域(第137位氨基酸至259位氨基酸)在酵母中具有转录激活活性。实时定量RT-PCR分析表明,CsCBF1基因受低温的快速诱导表达。     

油茶柠檬酸合成酶(CS)基因的克隆和表达分析

采用RT-PCR技术从油茶中分离出一个柠檬酸合成酶基因,该基因的c DNA全长1 416 bp,编码471个氨基酸,推导的蛋白分子量为52.74 k D,理论等电点(PI)为6.95。同源比对显示其与其他植物的CS蛋白序列高度同源,将该基因命名为Co CS(Gen Bank登录号:KU161147)。系统进化树分析表明油茶Co CS与杜鹃和葡萄的CS蛋白的亲缘关系较近。荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,油茶受到低磷胁迫后根系Co CS基因的表达受到低磷诱导,表达量呈现先升高后降低的趋势;不同油茶品种不同组织(根、茎、叶)中的Co CS基因在不用磷处理下的表达模式不同。     

玉米磷转运蛋白基因ZmPht3;1的克隆和功能分析

Pht3(phosphate transporter 3)磷转运子家族属于一类低亲和力磷转运蛋白,在调节植株体内磷素的动态平衡中发挥重要作用。为了初步探讨玉米中Zm Pht3;1基因的结构特征及其磷饥饿的响应机制,利用同源克隆的方法从耐低磷玉米自交系Mo17中分离得到Zm Pht3;1基因,并运用实时荧光定量PCR和亚细胞定位的方法对其进行深入研究。结果表明,Zm Pht3;1的编码区全长1 101 bp,编码366个氨基酸,含有典型的线粒体转运家族(mitochondrial carrier family,MCF)结构特征与6个疏水跨膜结构。荧光定量PCR分析表明,该基因在两个极端材料的根系与叶片中均有表达,而表达模式差异显著,在耐低磷玉米自交系Mo17的根系和叶片中表现为缺磷胁迫前期的一般性反应和后期的特异性反应。转化烟草的亚细胞定位结果显示,Zm Pht3;1主要分布于细胞膜上,可能是一个双亲和转运体,在玉米响应磷饥饿胁迫过程中发挥重要的适应性调节作用。     

苹果砧木SH40 MdNCED1基因克隆与表达分析

9-顺式-环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶基因是脱落酸合成途径的关键基因。本试验通过RT-PCR结合RACE技术从苹果SH40(Malus domestica×Malus Honanensis)茎尖组织中克隆了1条NCED基因,命名为MdNCED1(GenBank登录号为KC816734)。该cDNA序列全长2179 bp,包含1个编码606个氨基酸的开放阅读框。氨基酸同源性分析表明,MdNCED1与已报道的其他植物物种的氨基酸序列具有63.7%~93.0%的相似性。构建MdNCED1基因的原核表达载体pDEST15-MdNCED1,转入大肠杆菌(DE3),用IPTG诱导。SDS-PAGE分析表明,MdNCED1基因在大肠杆菌中被诱导表达的蛋白质分子量与预期结果一致。荧光定量结果表明,MdNCED1基因在SH28、M26、SH40及其嫁接品种嘎啦的表达趋势均呈先上升后下降的趋势,同时与其矮生程度呈正相关。     

海州香薷Actin基因片段克隆及表达分析

通过克隆海州香薷Actin基因片段并分析其组织表达,为研究海州香薷重金属抗性相关基因的表达调控奠定基础。根据Gen Bank中其他植物Actin基因保守序列设计兼并引物,以海州香薷根总RNA为模板,利用RT-PCR技术分离得到Actin基因片段。序列分析结果表明,海州香薷Actin基因片段长576 bp,编码192个氨基酸,与其他植物同源基因的氨基酸序列相似性为84%-97%,所克隆的序列为Actin基因的同源片段,将其命名为Eh ACT,在Gen Bank中提交序列,获得登录号AGT37260。半定量RT-PCR分析结果表明,Eh ACT在海州香薷的根、茎和叶中表达相对稳定,初步表明其可作为研究海州香薷基因表达的内参基因。     

陆地棉低磷胁迫应答基因GhERF5的克隆与表达分析

该研究基于前期陆地棉根部低磷胁迫基因表达谱芯片差异表达序列数据分析及基因组数据库,从陆地棉‘新陆早19’中克隆AP2/ERF基因(GhERF5),并对其基因组DNA与cDNA测序分析,借助生物信息学方法分析其基因结构和进化关系;采用半定量RT-PCR技术与荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法检测该基因于根、茎、叶、花等组织的表达变化以及低磷胁迫不同时间的相对表达。结果表明：(1)成功克隆获得一个AP2/ERF基因,命名为GhERF5;GhERF5基因开放阅读框序列长度963 bp,共编码320个氨基酸;该基因在177～241处存在一个AP2保守结构域,属于AP2家族。(2)多序列比对发现,GhERF5与亚洲棉GaERF5、雷蒙德氏GoraiERF5L相似性达到95%;系统进化树分析显示,陆地棉GhERF5蛋白序列与陆地棉GhERF5L(NP＿001386305)的相似性最高,推测GhERF5基因是位于D亚基因组的基因。(3)半定量RT-PCR和qRT-PCR检测发现,GhERF5基因在陆地棉根、茎、叶和花中均有表达,但主要在叶中表达,其次为根和茎,花中的表达量最低;低磷处理0～72 h...     

华贵栉孔扇贝Akirin 2基因的克隆与表达分析

为了解Akirin在华贵栉孔扇贝(Chlamys nobilis)中的作用,本研究分离了华贵栉孔扇贝Akirin 2基因(命名为CnAkirin 2),并描述了CnAkirin 2的特征。使用转录组分析和PCR方法获得了CnAkirin 2 cDNA序列,通过序列比对分析了Akirin氨基酸序列在不同物种中的保守性,使用MEGA 7.0软件的邻接法构建了Akirin 2的系统进化树,使用实时定量PCR分析了Akirin 2在华贵栉孔扇贝6种不同组织中的表达。结果显示:该基因序列全长1 888 bp,开放阅读框长597 bp,编码氨基酸198个;CnAkirin 2的预测分子量为22.11 kD,理论等电点pI为9.30,具有核定位信号PKRRRCM;不同物种Akirin氨基酸多序列比对结果显示,推译的CnAkirin 2氨基酸序列与其他物种Akirin氨基酸序列在N端和C端具有高度相似性;使用邻接法构建的系统进化树显示CnAkirin 2与牡蛎和其它扇贝等贝类Akirin聚为一支;实时定量PCR结果表明CnAkirin 2在不同组织中均有表达,其中在精巢表达量最高,其次为卵巢,在其它组织中的表达水平最低,推测其可能在性腺发育过程中发挥重要作用。本研究为探索Cn Akirin 2在华贵栉孔扇贝中的作用奠定了基础。     

细胞色素P450 1A1和1B1靶向抗肿瘤前药研究进展

细胞色素P450（CYP）能催化各种内源性及外源性化合物的代谢,与多种肿瘤发生有关。其中CYP1A1参与多种前致癌物和致突变物的代谢活化,CYP1B1被认为在许多人癌细胞中特异性表达,参与药物的氧化代谢和前药的活化。CYP1A1和181已成为靶向抗肿瘤前药研究的新靶点。相继有大量相关研究报道,本文就近年来文献报道的CYP1A1和1B1靶向抗肿瘤前药研究进展。     

NPC1L1:固醇脂质吸收的关键蛋白质

NPC1L1是最近发现的一种与NPC1同源的蛋白质。在体内的分布有物种差异性,其亚细胞定位存在很大争议。近些年发现NPC1L1在固醇类脂质代谢途径中起着重要作用,是肠道吸收固醇类脂质尤其是胆固醇的关键蛋白质,这项新发现使得人们对固醇类脂质的吸收机制有了了解。高胆固醇血症是心血管系统疾病的一个高危因子,因此,对NPC1L1的研究具有重大的实际意义,正逐渐成为研究的热点。     

Association of SULT1A1 and UGT1A1 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk and phenotypes in Russian women

Estrogens are critical for breast cancer initiation and development. Sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) conjugate and inactivate both estrogens and their metabolites, thus preventing estrogen-mediated mitosis and mutagenesis. SULT1A1 and UGT1A1 are both polymorphic, and different alleles encode functionally different allozymes. We hypothesize that low-activity alleles SULT1A1*2 and UGT1A1*28 are associated with higher risk for breast cancer and more severe breast tumor phenotypes. We performed a case-control study, which included 119 women of Russian ancestry with breast cancer and 121 age-matched Russian female controls. We used PCR followed by pyrosequencing to determine the SULT1A1 and UGT1A1 genotypes. Allele UGT1A1*28 was present at a higher frequency than the wild-type UGT1A1*1 allele in breast cancer patients as compared to controls (P = 0.002, OR = 1.79, CI 1.23–2.63). Consistently, the frequency of genotypes that contain allele UGT1A1*28 in the homozygous or the heterozygous state was greater in breast cancer patients as compared with the frequency of the wild-type UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype (P = 0.003, OR = 4.00, CI 1.49–11.11 and P = 0.014, OR = 2.04, CI 1.14–3.57, respectively). Individuals carrying allele UGT1A1*28 in the homo-or heterozygous state had larger breast tumors (>2 cm) as compared to the group with high-activity genotypes (P = 0.011, IR = 3.44, CI 1.42–8.36). No association was observed between any of the SULT1A1 genotypes and breast cancer risk or phenotypes. Our data suggest that UGT1A1, but not SULT1A1, genotypes are important for breast cancer risk and phenotype in Russian women. Published in Russian in Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, 2006, Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 263–270. The article was translated by the authors.     

Isolation and Characterization of Ubiquitin-activating Enzyme E1-domain Containing 1, UBE1DC1

Ubiquitin and other ubiquitin-like proteins play important roles in post-translational modification. They are phylogenetically well-conserved in eukaryotes. Activated by other proteins, ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins can covalently modify target proteins. The enzymes responsible for the activation of this modification have been known to include UBA1, SAE2, UBA3, SAE1 and ULA1. Here we report a new ubiquitin activating enzyme like cDNA, named ubiquitin activating enzyme E1-domain containing 1 (UBE1DC1), whose cDNA is 2654 base pairs in length and contains an open reading frame encoding 404 amino acids. The UBE1DC1 gene consists of 12 exons and is located at human chromosome 3q22. The result of RT-PCR showed that UBE1DC1 is expressed in most of human tissues. These two authors contributed equally to this paper. The nucleotide sequence reported in this paper has been submitted to GenBank under accession number AY253672.     

Upregulation of MAPKAPK5-AS1, PXN-AS1 and URB1-AS1 lncRNAs in non-functioning pituitary adenoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be dysregulated in a variety of malignant and non-malignant lesions including non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). In the current experimental study, we have selected six lncRNAs, namely MAPKAPK5-AS1, NUTM2B-AS1, ST7-AS1, LIFR-AS1, PXN-AS1 and URB1-AS1 to assess their expression in a cohort of Iranian patients with NFPA. MAPKAPK5-AS1, PXN-AS1 and URB1-AS1 were shown to be over-expressed in NFPA tissues compared with control samples (Expression ratios (95% CI) = 10 (3.94–25.36), 11.22 (4.3–28.8) and 9.33 (4.12–21.12); p values < 0.0001, respectively). The depicted ROC curves showed the AUC values of 0.73, 0.80 and 0.73 for MAPKAPK5-AS1, PXN-AS1 and URB1-AS1, respectively. Relative expression level of PXN-AS1 was associated with tumour subtype (p value = 0.49). Besides, relative expression levels of MAPKAPK5-AS1 and LIFR-AS1 were associated with gender of patients (p values = 0.043 and 0.01, respectively). Cumulatively, the current study indicates the possible role of MAPKAPK5-AS1, PXN-AS1 and URB1-AS1 lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of NFPAs.     

Bmi1 cooperates with Dnmt1-associated protein 1 in gene silencing

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are involved in gene silencing through chromatin modifications. Among polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs), PRC1 exhibits H2A-K119 ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PRC1-mediated gene silencing remain largely obscure. In this study, we found that Bmi1 directly interacts with Dnmt-associated protein 1 (Dmap1), which has been characterized to associate with the maintenance DNA methyltransferase, Dnmt1. Bmi1 was demonstrated to form a ternary complex with Dmap1 and Dnmt1 with Dmap1 in the central position. Chromatin immunoprecipitations confirmed the ternary complex formation within the context of the PRC1 at the Bmi1 target loci. Loss of Dmap1 binding to the Bmi1 target loci was tightly associated with derepressed gene expression in Bmi1-/- cells. Dmap1 knockdown exhibited the same impact as Bmi1 knockout did on the expression of Bmi1 targets, including Hox genes. Collectively, our findings suggest that Bmi1 incorporates Dmap1 in polycomb gene silencing.     

Acid-dependent Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Cleavage Limits Available Pro-IL-1β for Caspase-1 Cleavage

Noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart attack), cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and are worsened by inflammation. IL-1 is a driver of inflammation and implicated in many noncommunicable diseases. Acidosis is also a key feature of the inflammatory microenvironment; therefore it is vital to explore IL-1 signaling under acidic conditions. A HEK-IL-1 reporter assay and brain endothelial cell line were used to explore activity of mature IL-1α and IL-1β at pH 7.4 and pH 6.2, an acidic pH that can be reached under inflammatory or ischemic conditions, alongside cathepsin D-cleaved 20-kDa IL-1β produced under acidic conditions. We report that mature IL-1 signaling at IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) is maintained at pH 6.2, but the activity of the decoy receptor, IL-1R2, is reduced. Additionally, cathepsin D-cleaved 20-kDa IL-1β was minimally active at IL-1R1 and was not further cleaved to highly active 17-kDa IL-1β. Therefore formation of the 20-kDa form of IL-1β may prevent the generation of mature bioactive IL-1β and thus may limit inflammation.