恶性疟原虫pfs25多拷贝基因在毕赤酵母中的表达分析

目的:对恶性疟原虫pfs25的多拷贝基因重组菌株在毕赤酵母中进行表达分析,研究基因拷贝数对Pfs25蛋白表达量的影响。方法:构建重组质粒pAO815-αpfs25,利用BglⅡ-BamHⅠ同尾酶的特点,将基因表达框AOX1-αpfs25-AOX1(TT)插入到单拷贝表达质粒,依次重复,构建多拷贝重组质粒pAO815-(αpfs25)n,线性化后电转化毕赤酵母GS115,用MD平板筛选并进行表达分析。结果:构建得到1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8、10、12和14个pfs25基因拷贝的重组菌株,8拷贝pfs25基因的重组菌株表达量最高。结论:成功得到了pfs25基因的多拷贝表达重组菌株,经分析,多拷贝pfs25基因的目的蛋白表达量与其拷贝数并不呈线性正相关。     

重组蛋白表达系统的研究进展

利用基因重组表达外源蛋白在现代生物学技术的发展与应用中起着重要的作用。根据外源基因表达宿主不同,可以将表达系统大致分为两类:原核和真核表达系统。该文比较了常见的几种表达系统的优缺点,并探讨了在选择适合的表达系统时所需要考虑的因素如目标蛋白的产量、生物学活性、用途及其物理化学性质以及表达系统本身的成本、便利性及其安全性等,以便于选择适合的表达系统,优化提高重组蛋白产量等,进而更好地服务于科学研究。     

G蛋白偶联受体在不同表达系统中高水平表达的研究进展

G蛋白偶联受体(guanosine-binding protein coupled receptors,GPCRs)是一大类膜蛋白超级家族,具有7个跨膜域的特殊结构,并在机体内发挥着重要的生理作用.目前的研究主要集中在蛋白结构、功能、药物筛选等方面,然而,GPCRs在研究中也可以作为受体配基检测的重要工具.GPCRs体内本底含量很低,如果需要大量的GPCRs活性蛋白进行应用研究,体外异源表达是一种重要途径.通过对GPCRs在不同表达系统的高水平表达策略进行综述,将为GPCRs在体外的高含量表达提供有效参考,为探索GPCRs分子结构以及结构与功能的关系,更好地在各个领域应用GPCRs奠定基础.     

恶性疟原虫抗原变异机制的研究进展

近几年来疟疾变异的进展主要在于变异抗原基因的转录和转换以及主要变异抗原区的功能性表达。而且,随着疟疾基因组计划的进展,已发现新的变异基因家族。     

重组恶性疟原虫DNA质粒免疫小鼠及抗原表达的调控

将恶性疟原虫MSP1-31基因序列,引入四环素(Tc)控制的真核表达载体pTRE,获得重组质粒pTRE-31。将MSP1-31的原核表达载体pDS56T1转化大肠杆菌表达MSP1-31,亲和纯化后作检测用抗原。pTRE-31与辅助质粒pTet-off(tTA)肌肉注射4周龄BALB/c小鼠,观察DNA介导免疫情况。结果显示,四环素饲喂的小鼠4周时血清抗体阳转率为7.1%(1/14),而不饲喂四环素组可达100%(14/14),表明用pTRE-31/pTet-off重组质粒组合直接注射小鼠有效地引发了针对疟原虫MSP1-31抗原的体液免疫反应,且可受控于四环素。不饲喂四环素组小鼠在12周后仍能维持抗体阳性,倍比稀释ELISA显示血清抗体滴度在4周、8周和12周内持续上升。饲喂四环素组小鼠4周后停止饲喂Tc,第8周和第12周检测仍有部分(60%)小鼠血清抗体阳转,而继续饲喂Tc的小鼠未有抗体阳转,暗示重组质粒DNA在小鼠体内可持续存在至少4周并仍具备表达功能。     

利用植物系统表达重组蛋白的的研究进展

植物是可以生产不同生物药剂品的成本低廉的生物反应器,综述了稳定转化系统、瞬时表达系统以及叶绿体基因组转化方法,这三种不同的植物表达系统的特点和研究现状,并对其存在的问题及未来的前景进行了分析。     

中国海南岛人恶性疟原虫基因文库的构建及环子孢子蛋白基因的筛选

本文介绍了以噬菌体λEMBL3为载体的中国海南岛人恶性疟原虫FCC1/HN分离株基因文库的构建。所得重组体的数目为3.3×10~4pfu,其相当于构建完整基因库理论计算值的6倍。作者以人工合成的巴西株恶性疟环子孢子蛋白基因重复序列区的24-mer寡核苷酸(AATGCAAACCCAAATGCAAACCCA)作探针,进行噬斑原位杂交,筛得三株阳性克隆。对其一重组体进行酶谱分析和Southern印迹实验,环子孢子蛋白基因被定位于HindⅢ和BamHI联合降解后所得的的4kb大小的片段上。     

恶性疟原虫SURFIN4.1蛋白氨基端在介导蛋白转运过程中作用机制的研究

明确SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白氨基(N)端在转运过程中的作用。通过恶性疟原虫转染筛选表达SURFIN_(4.1)~(2Myc-N-T-Cyt)重组蛋白的MS822转染株;通过IFA和Western Blot方法对比分析N端Myc标签对SURFIN_(4.1)重组蛋白定位和可溶性影响;通过免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)和质谱分析(LC-MS/MS)方法,明确SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白N端转运过程中的相互作用蛋白。成功筛选并获得表达SURFIN_(4.1)~(2Myc-N-T-Cyt)重组蛋白的恶性疟原虫MS822转染株;SURFIN_(4.1)~(2Myc-N-T-Cyt)与SURFIN_(4.1)~(N-T-Cyt)的定位和可溶性无明显差异。Co-IP和LC-MS/MS结果显示,SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白N端与茂氏点定位蛋白MAHRP1,PTEX复合体成员EXP2,棒状体蛋白RAP3,红细胞膜表面多种原虫蛋白及HSP60相互作用。结果表明,SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白N端在转运过程中不水解,且N端Myc标签不影响蛋白可溶性和定位;SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白N端与多种恶性疟致病性相关蛋白相互作用,提示SURFIN_(4.1)蛋白作为红内期疫苗候选抗原研制靶位的可能性。     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白-7表达系统研究进展

骨形态发生蛋白-7（BMP-7）在胚胎发育、肾脏保护、骨形成、代谢、再生等各个方面发挥着重要的作用,现已进入了临床应用阶段。我们简要综述了重组人BMP-7（rhBMP-7）的原核表达系统及真核表达系统,并对各表达系统的优缺点进行了分析。     

Amino acid substitution and modification resulting from Escherichia coli expression of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein II

The histidine-rich protein II (HRP II) from Plasmodium falciparum is an unusual protein composed of 40% alanine, 36% histidine, and 11% aspartate residues. Expression of HRP II in Escherichia coli results in the isolation of a heterogeneous protein. Mass spectrometry reveals a reduction in mass by multiples of 9 Da from the expected molecular mass that can be attributed to the substitution of glutamine for some histidine residues in the sequence. The extent of the glutamine for histidine substitution can be reduced by slowing the expression rate. Mass spectral analysis of HRP II also revealed alpha-amino methylation of the N-terminal alanine residue of HRP II.     

The 230-kDa gamete surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum is also a target for transmission-blocking antibodies

Immunization with extracellular sexual stages of the malaria parasites can induce the production of antibodies which block the development of the parasites in the midgut of a mosquito after a blood meal. We have generated a number of monoclonal antibodies against gametes and zygotes of the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reacting with a 230-kDa gamete surface protein (mAb 1B3 and 2B4 both isotype IgG2a) were found to block transmission of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. Blocking was complement dependent and this was verified in vitro by the rapid lysis of newly formed gametes and zygotes in the presence of the mAb and active complement. Both mAb reacted by immunofluorescence with the surface of gametes and zygotes from isolates of P. falciparum from various geographical areas. Each mAb immunoprecipitated a 230-kDa protein from 125I-labeled surface proteins of newly formed gametes and zygotes and immunoblotted a protein doublet of about molecular mass 260 and 230 kDa from gametocytes and gametes of P. falciparum. Only the 230-kDa protein is expressed on the surface of newly formed macrogametes and zygotes. The 230-kDa gamete surface protein forms a molecular complex with two proteins of 48 and 45 kDa. The 48- and 45-kDa gamete surface proteins have previously been shown to be targets of mAb which block infectivity of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. The present study now demonstrates that antibodies against the 230-kDa gamete surface protein block transmission of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. The 230-kDa gamete protein is thus a potential candidate for a gamete vaccine.     

Optimized expression of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 domains in Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND: Removal of exhaled air from total body emanations or artificially standardising carbon dioxide (CO2) outputs has previously been shown to eliminate differential attractiveness of humans to certain blackfly (Simuliidae) and mosquito (Culicidae) species. Whether or not breath contributes to between-person differences in relative attractiveness to the highly anthropophilic malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto remains unknown and was the focus of the present study. METHODS: The contribution to and possible interaction of breath (BR) and body odours (BO) in the attraction of An. gambiae s.s. to humans was investigated by conducting dual choice tests using a recently developed olfactometer. Either one or two human subjects were used as bait. The single person experiments compared the attractiveness of a person's BR versus that person's BO or a control (empty tent with no odour). His BO and total emanations (TE = BR+BO) were also compared with a control. The two-person experiments compared the relative attractiveness of their TE, BO or BR, and the TE of each person against the BO of the other. RESULTS: Experiments with one human subject (P1) as bait found that his BO and TE collected more mosquitoes than the control (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively), as did his BO and the control versus his BR (P < 0.001 and P = 0.034, respectively). The TE of P1 attracted more mosquitoes than that of another person designated P8 (P < 0.021), whereas the BR of P8 attracted more mosquitoes than the BR of P1 (P = 0.001). The attractiveness of the BO of P1 versus the BO of P8 did not differ (P = 0.346). The BO from either individual was consistently more attractive than the TE from the other (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated for the first time that human breath, although known to contain semiochemicals that elicit behavioural and/or electrophysiological responses (CO2, ammonia, fatty acids) in An. gambiae also contains one or more constituents with allomonal (~repellent) properties, which inhibit attraction and may serve as an important contributor to between-person differences in the relative attractiveness of humans to this important malaria vector.     

Plasmodium falciparum: glycosylation status of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein expressed in the baculovirus system

We expressed the main surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites, the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), in High Five (Trichoplusia ni) insect cells using the baculovirus system. Significant amounts of the recombinant protein could be obtained, as judged by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis. The cellular localization for recombinant CSP was determined by immunofluorescence. The high fluorescence signal of the permeabilized cells, relative to that of fixed nonpermeabilized cells, revealed a clear intracellular localization of this surface antigen. Analysis of possible posttranslational modifications of CSP showed that this recombinant protein is only N-glycosylated in the baculovirus system. Although DNA-sequence analysis revealed a GPI-cleavage/attachment site, no GPI anchor could be demonstrated. These analyses show that the glycosylation status of this recombinant protein may not reflect its native form in P. falciparum. The impact of these findings on vaccine development will be discussed.     

Purification and properties of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase

Recombinant S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity and characterized. Comparison of the malaria parasite SAH hydrolase with that derived from the human gene indicated marked differences in kcat values. The values of both forward and reverse reactions of P. falciparum SAH hydrolase are more than 21-fold smaller than those of the human enzyme. Km values of the parasite and human SAH enzymes are 1.2 and 7.8 microM, respectively. On the other hand, IC50 values of neplanocin A, a strong inhibitor of SAH hydrolase and a growth inhibitor of P. falciparum, are 101 nM for the parasite enzyme and 47 nM for human enzyme. P. falciparum SAH hydrolase has been thought to be a target for a chemotherapeutic agent against malaria. This study may make it possible to develop a specific inhibitor for the parasite SAH hydrolase.     

Plasmodium falciparum: recombinant baculoviruses direct the expression of circumsporozoite proteins in Spodoptera frugiperda cell cultures

The DNA coding for the circumsporozoite protein (CPS) of Plasmodium falciparum has been cloned into the baculovirus expression vector pAcYM1 and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells. Three DNA constructs have been made: the first one directs the synthesis of the complete CSP (aa 1–412), the second leads to the production of a species devoid of the anchor domain (aa 1–391) and the third one to a molecule lacking both signal and membrane anchor sequences (aa 18–391). All three recombinant CPS were produced at about 3 g per 10⁶ infected cells and were characterized in terms of immunoreactivity and apparent molecular weight. Analytical purification of the recombinant proteins was achieved by a combination of heat treatment, acidification, isoelectric focusing and ion exchange chromatography. The purified material, when injected into mice, generated only modest antibody responses, although antisera from immunized mice reacted with control CSP antigens carrying or not the major immunodominant repeat region.Abbreviations AcNPV Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus - CSP circumsporozoite protein     

Traffic jams: protein transport in Plasmodium falciparum

Protein targeting in malaria parasites is a complex process, involving several cellular compartments that distinguish these cells from more familiar systems, such as yeast or mammals. At least a dozen distinct protein destinations are known. The best studied of these is the vestigial chloroplast (the apicoplast), but new tools promise rapid progress in understanding how Plasmodium falciparum and related apicomplexan parasites traffic proteins to their invasion-related organelles, and how they modify the host by trafficking proteins into its cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Here, Giel van Dooren and colleagues discuss recent insights into protein targeting via the secretory pathway in this fascinating and important system. This topic emerged as a major theme at the Molecular Approaches to Malaria conference, Lorne, Australia, 2-5 February 2000.     

Protein farnesyltransferase and protein prenylation in Plasmodium falciparum

Comparison of the malaria parasite and mammalian protein prenyltransferases and their cellular substrates is important for establishing this enzyme as a target for developing antimalarial agents. Nineteen heptapeptides differing only in their carboxyl-terminal amino acid were tested as alternative substrates of partially purified Plasmodium falciparum protein farnesyltransferase. Only NRSCAIM and NRSCAIQ serve as substrates, with NRSCAIM being the best. Peptidomimetics, FTI-276 and GGTI-287, inhibit the transferase with IC(50) values of 1 and 32 nm, respectively. Incubation of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes with [(3)H]farnesol labels 50- and 22-28-kDa proteins, whereas [(3)H]geranylgeraniol labels only 22-28-kDa proteins. The 50-kDa protein is shown to be farnesylated, whereas the 22-28-kDa proteins are geranylgeranylated, irrespective of the labeling prenol. Protein labeling is inhibited more than 50% by either 5 microm FTI-277 or GGTI-298. The same concentration of inhibitors also inhibits parasite growth from the ring stage by 50%, decreases expression of prenylated proteins as measured with prenyl-specific antibody, and inhibits parasite differentiation beyond the trophozoite stage. Furthermore, differentiation specific prenylation of P. falciparum proteins is demonstrated. Protein labeling is detected predominantly during the trophozoite to schizont and schizont to ring transitions. These results demonstrate unique properties of protein prenylation in P. falciparum: a limited specificity of the farnesyltransferase for peptide substrates compared with mammalian enzymes, the ability to use farnesol to label both farnesyl and geranylgeranyl moieties on proteins, differentiation specific protein prenylation, and the ability of peptidomimetic prenyltransferase inhibitors to block parasite differentiation.