甜菜夜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因全长cDNA的克隆及序列分析

昆虫中肠膜上的类钙粘蛋白(cadherin-like protein)是Bt毒素的一类重要受体,它与Bt毒素对昆虫的杀虫作用机制以及昆虫对Bt毒素的抗性等密切相关。本研究根据已报道的其它昆虫的类钙粘蛋白基因的保守区设计简并引物,应用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆了迁飞性重要害虫甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)类钙粘蛋白基因全长cDNA序列(命名为SeCAD,GenBank登录号为HQ647122),全长5582bp,编码1739个氨基酸,推导的氨基酸序列包括1个信号肽、1个前蛋白区、11个钙粘蛋白重复、1个近膜区、1个跨膜区和1个胞质区。预测的分子量和等电点分别为196.447ku和4.47。该蛋白与同科的大螟Sesamia inferens、蛀茎夜蛾S.nonagrioides、烟芽夜蛾Heliothi svirescens、烟夜蛾Helicover paassulta亲缘关系更近,氨基酸序列一致性分别为61.28%、60.34%、60.14%、60.08%。这些结果对于揭示转Bt基因作物对非靶标、迁飞性甜菜夜蛾的杀虫作用机制以及评价其潜在的对Bt毒素抗性机制等奠定了基础。     

棉铃虫中肠钙粘蛋白基因的克隆、表达及Cry1A结合区定位

钙粘蛋白是动物糖蛋白的一个家族, 在细胞与细胞间粘附过程中起着重要作用. 最近的研究表明, 昆虫中肠膜上的钙粘蛋白是Bt毒素Cry1A的受体, 它的变异与昆虫对Bt产生抗性有关. 通过简并引物PCR扩增结合RACE技术克隆了编码棉铃虫中肠钙粘蛋白的完整cDNA序列, 该cDNA全长5581 bp(已经在GenBank中登记, 序列号为AF519180), 编码1730个氨基酸, 预测分子量和等电点分别为195.39 kD和4.23. 推导的氨基酸序列包括一个信号肽、一个前蛋白区、11个钙粘蛋白重复、一个靠近细胞膜的区域、一个跨膜区和细胞质内部分. 序列比较结果表明, 推导的氨基酸序列与烟蚜夜蛾钙粘蛋白氨基酸序列同源性最高, 达到84.2%; 与家蚕、烟草天蛾和棉红铃虫的钙粘蛋白氨基酸序列同源性分别为60.3%, 57.5%和51.0%. 用PCR方法获得了不同大小的钙粘蛋白基因片段, 缺失体表达和配体结合试验表明, 重组钙粘蛋白能与Cry1Ac发生结合, 结合区位于第1217～1461位的244个氨基酸组成的肽链上. 半定量RT-PCR结果表明, 钙粘蛋白主要在棉铃虫中肠表达, 在前肠和后肠表达量很低, 在肠道以外的组织中不表达. 棉铃虫对Cry1Ac产生抗性后, 钙粘蛋白的表达量明显降低. 证实了棉铃虫中肠钙粘蛋白是Bt毒素Cry1Ac的受体, 并且将钙粘蛋白与Cry1Ac结合的区域定位到244个氨基酸组成的肽链上, 推测钙粘蛋白表达量降低是棉铃虫对Cry1Ac产生抗性的主要原因之一. 以上研究对于明确棉铃虫对Bt产生抗性的机制以及发展分子技术快速检测田间抗性基因的频率具有非常重要的意义.     

大螟中肠氨肽酶N基因的克隆及表达谱分析

昆虫中肠氨肽酶N是Bt毒素的重要受体之一, 与Bt毒素的杀虫机制及昆虫Bt抗性的产生密切相关。本研究通过简并引物PCR结合RACE技术克隆并获得大螟 Sesamia inferens Bt受体蛋白--氨肽酶N （aminopeptidase N, APN）基因的cDNA序列全长, 经NCBI同源比对分析, 认为该基因为APN3基因, 并将其命名为SiAPN3（GenBank登录号为HQ636624）。序列分析表明, 该基因的cDNA序列全长为3 411 bp, 开放阅读框为3 018 bp, 编码1 006个氨基酸; 预测蛋白质分子量为114 kD, 等电点为4.95; 其推导的氨基酸序列中具有鳞翅目昆虫氨肽酶N典型的结构特征, 即含有1个N-和12个O-连接的糖基化位点, N-末端具有18个氨基酸的剪切信号肽, 谷氨酸锌化氨肽酶保守结构GAMEN, 锌结合位点HEXXHX18E, C-末端具有22个氨基酸的糖基磷脂酰肌醇(GPI)锚信号肽。采用实时定量PCR研究了SiAPN3在大螟4龄幼虫肠道不同部位和幼虫不同龄期的转录表达谱。结果表明, 该基因在幼虫中肠中的表达量最高, 其次为后肠, 前肠中表达量最低, 且中肠和后肠中的表达量显著高于前肠（P＜0.05）; SiAPN3在3龄幼虫中的表达量最高, 1龄幼虫中最低, 虽然3、 4日龄之间的表达量没有显著差异, 但二者均显著高于其他日龄, 1, 2和5日龄之间不存在显著差异（P>0.05）。该研究为阐明APN基因的功能及大螟对Bt抗性产生的分子机制奠定了基础。     

小菜蛾中肠Polycalin蛋白的基因克隆、表达及与Cry1Ac毒素的结合特性分析

【目的】Polycalin蛋白是一种新发现的Bt毒素受体,可能与昆虫对Bt的抗性有关。本研究旨在明确小菜蛾Plutella xylostella Polycalin蛋白与Bt Cry1Ac毒素的关系。【方法】本研究通过PCR结合RACE技术从小菜蛾3龄幼虫中肠克隆获得Polycalin蛋白基因的全长cDNA序列,采用实时定量PCR技术研究Polycalin蛋白在小菜蛾不同发育阶段、4龄幼虫不同组织及用不同浓度Cry1Ac毒素饲喂3龄幼虫后的表达量。提取小菜蛾幼虫中肠的刷状缘膜囊泡(BBMV),运用合成多肽的方法制备Polycalin蛋白抗体,利用Western blot和Ligand blot技术对小菜蛾Polycalin蛋白进行鉴定,分析其与Cry1Ac毒素的结合特性。【结果】克隆得到的小菜蛾Polycalin蛋白基因的cDNA序列全长为9 102 bp(GenBank登录号:MF138149),其中,开放阅读框为8 778 bp,编码2 925个氨基酸;预测蛋白质分子量为326.38 kD,等电点为4.39;在推导的氨基酸序列中,前20个氨基酸为N-末端信号肽序列,含有14个N-糖基化位点,67个O-糖基化位点,6个脂质运载蛋白特征序列,6个脂质运载蛋白位点和13个类脂质运载蛋白结构域,并且在第20和21位(TSG-QVV)氨基酸之间存在一个裂解位点,在C-末端存在2个GPI结合位点,具有Bt毒素受体的特征。该蛋白在幼虫期的表达量较高,尤其在3龄幼虫体内表达量最高,在蛹和成虫中的表达量最低;在4龄幼虫的头、胸、腹中均有表达,在幼虫腹部中的表达量最高;3龄幼虫取食不同浓度的Cry1Ac毒素后,Polycalin蛋白的表达量下降,且Cry1Ac毒素浓度越高,下降越明显。通过Western blot检测到小菜蛾中肠刷状缘膜囊泡(BBMV)上存在大约300 kD的Polycalin蛋白条带;Ligand blot实验证明了小菜蛾Polycalin蛋白能与Cry1Ac毒素结合。【结论】本研究首次初步明确了小菜蛾Polycalin蛋白具有与Bt毒素结合的特性,为研究Bt对昆虫的作用机理和利用Bt防治害虫提供一定的理论基础和参考价值。     

甜菜夜蛾围食膜肠粘蛋白基因SeM-8的克隆、序列分析及在不同组织中的表达检测

昆虫肠粘蛋白（invertebrate intestinal mucin, IIM）是围食膜（peritrophic membrane, PM）的重要蛋白组分之一,在保护昆虫免受微生物侵染方面起着非常重要的作用。本研究以甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua 5龄幼虫中肠总RNA为模板,根据已知的甜菜夜蛾肠粘蛋白SeIIM-8基因的cDNA序列（GenBank登录号：ABW06596）设计引物,利用RT-PCR技术扩增得到甜菜夜蛾肠粘蛋白基因SeM-8,序列分析发现其开放阅读框（open reading frame, ORF）长2 703 bp,编码900个氨基酸残基,预测分子量为95.7 kDa。序列分析表明,其氨基酸序列（GenBank登录号：GU255994）与棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera（Hübner）,粘虫Mamestra configurata和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella肠粘蛋白的一致性分别为48%,49% 和45%。Western blot分析结果表明,SeM-8粘蛋白在甜菜夜蛾即将孵化的卵和5龄幼虫的围食膜、中肠和粪便中都有存在,在5龄幼虫马氏管、脂肪体、唾腺、血淋巴等组织部位没有发现。本研究为进一步研究IIM结构和功能,寻找生物防治新靶标奠定了理论基础。     

粘虫hsc70克隆及其密度胁迫下的表达模式

【目的】昆虫种群密度的升高往往成为一种胁迫因子。粘虫在低密度下形成散居型,而在高密度下则形成群居型。本研通过比较hsc70在两型粘虫中的表达模式,究旨在探索hsc70在粘虫Mythimna separata响应密度胁迫中的作用。【方法】采用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆粘虫hsc70cDNA全长序列,利用生物信息学软件分析该基因及其编码蛋白质的序列特性;运用实时荧光定量PCR技术(qRT-PCR)分析该基因在两型粘虫不同发育阶段(卵、1-6龄幼虫、蛹和成虫)、5龄幼虫不同组织(头、表皮、前肠、中肠、后肠和马氏管)以及群居和分离处理后mRNA表达量的变化。【结果】克隆得到的HSC70基因命名为Mshsc70(GenBank登录号:MH669276),全长cDNA长2 184 bp,开放阅读框为1 965 bp,编码653个氨基酸。序列分析发现MsHSC70具有HSP70家族典型的结构域,即IDLGTTYS(11-18aa),IFDLGGGTFDVSLL (198-211 aa)和IVLVGGSTRIPKVQQ (341-355 aa)。序列比对结果显示,MsHSC70与斜纹夜蛾Spodopteralitura,棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera,大螟Sesamiainferens、甘蓝夜蛾Mamestra brassicae HSC70的相似性高达99%;基于HSC70的系统发育分析显示,粘虫与夜蛾科(Noctuidae)昆虫的亲缘关系最近。Mshsc70在两型粘虫的各个发育阶段均表达,hsc70的表达量在1龄和5龄中的表达量较散居型显著上调,而在2-3龄中的表达量显著下调。除表皮和前肠外,群居型粘虫的其他组织中hsc70的表达量显著高于散居型。散居型粘虫经群聚饲养36h后,hsc70显著上调表达,表达量是对照的3.17倍,而群居型粘虫经分离饲养36 h后,hsc70的表达量与对照无显著差异。【结论】粘虫的种群密度是决定粘虫hsc70表达的一个重要因子。     

RNAi介导的棉铃虫氨肽酶N基因Haapnl和钙粘蛋白基因Ha_BtR沉默对Cry1Ac毒力的影响

氨肽酶N(aminopeptidase N,APN)和钙粘蛋白(cadherin)是存在于鳞翅目昆虫中肠刷状缘膜囊(brush border membrane vesicles,BBMV)上Bt毒素Cry1A的受体.本实验将棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera氨肽酶N1基因Haapnl和钙粘蛋白基因Ha_BtR双链RNA(dsRNA)注入棉铃虫4龄幼虫体内,以研究这两种受体基因沉默后对Cry1Ac毒力的影响.结果表明:注射dsRNA(1 μg/头)进行基因沉默后,Haapnl mRNA表达量比注射缓冲液(elution solution,ES)的对照下降了30%～49%,Ha_BtR mRNA表达量下降了30%～37%.注射Haapnl dsRNA的幼虫在40和70 μg/cm2 Cry1Ac活化毒素下的死亡率显著低于注射ES的幼虫,而在100和170 μg/cm2 Cry1Ac原毒素处理下两者死亡率无显著差异;Cry1Ac活化毒素以及原毒素对注射Ha_BtR dsRNA幼虫与注射ES幼虫的毒力均无显著差异.当同时注射Haapnl及Ha_BtR dsRNA后,干扰后的幼虫对Cry1Ac活化毒素和原毒素的敏感性均显著下降.本研究进一步证明了棉铃虫Haapnl和Ha_BtR均是Bt毒素Cry1Ac的功能受体,这两种受体蛋白共同参与Cry1Ae的毒杀作用过程.该结果也提示.Haapnl或Ha_BtR基因产生突变都可能导致棉铃虫对CrylAc产生抗性.     

甜菜夜蛾肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA的克隆及功能鉴定

【目的】本研究旨在阐明甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua幼虫体内肽聚糖识别蛋白(peptidoglycan recognition protein, PGRP)在响应苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)感染过程中的功能。【方法】利用PCR方法扩增甜菜夜蛾幼虫肽聚糖识别蛋白基因SePGRP-SA全长cDNA;采用qRT-PCR分析SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾不同发育阶段(卵、1-5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹)及4龄幼虫不同组织(中肠、马氏管、围食膜、脂肪体、血淋巴和表皮)中的表达。通过RNAi技术沉默SePGRP-SA基因72 h后,qRT-PCR检测SePGRP-SA沉默效率及甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫中肠抗菌肽相关基因(Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin)和细菌载量的变化。RNAi沉默SePGRP-SA 24 h后,以苏云金芽胞杆菌菌株Bt-GS57饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫0, 24, 48, 72, 96和120 h,计算幼虫校正死亡率;饲喂甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫Bt-GS57后0, 24, 48和72 h,利用qRT-PCR检测中肠SePGRP-SA, Ceropin, Attacin和Defensin的相对表达量。【结果】克隆获得甜菜夜蛾SePGRP-SA全长DNA(GenBank登录号：MW265930),开放阅读框长576 bp,编码191个氨基酸,其编码蛋白的预测分子量为21.59 kD。序列分析结果表明,SePGRP-SA具有典型的PGRP和Ami2保守结构域,信号肽为19个氨基酸,为分泌型蛋白;系统进化分析发现,SePGRP-SA与斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura的SlPGRP亲缘关系最近,氨基酸序列一致性达91.1%。发育表达谱结果表明SePGRP-SA在甜菜夜蛾4和5龄幼虫、预蛹和蛹中高表达;组织表达谱结果表明,SePGRP-SA在4龄幼虫各组织中均表达,其中以血淋巴中表达量最高。与注射dsEGFP(对照)相比,注射dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫在72 h时中肠SePGRP-SA基因表达量下调了95.26%,Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量显著下调,中肠细菌载量显著升高。注射dsEGFP和dsSePGRP-SA的甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫饲喂Bt-GS57,72 h时幼虫校正死亡率分别为50.00%和73.33%,表明幼虫对Bt-GS57的敏感性明显增加。甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫取食Bt-GS57后,中肠SePGRP-SA, Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin表达量在48 h均显著增加,72 h时降低。【结论】Bt侵染能够引起甜菜夜蛾SePGRP SA基因激活抗菌肽相关基因Cecropin, Attacin和Defensin的表达。     

粘虫过氧化氢酶基因的克隆与表达分析

【目的】过氧化氢酶(CAT)的主要功能是将过氧化氢分解成水和氧气,从而使生物免受氧化损伤的伤害。本研究旨在探索CAT在粘虫Mythimna separata抗氧化胁迫中的作用。【方法】采用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆粘虫CAT基因的cDNA全长序列和基因组序列,利用生物信息学软件分析该基因及其编码蛋白质的序列特性;运用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)技术分析该基因在不同发育阶段(卵、1-6龄幼虫、蛹和成虫)、5龄幼虫不同组织(头、表皮、前肠、中肠、后肠和马氏管)以及毒死蜱、高温和密度胁迫下幼虫中的表达谱。【结果】克隆得到的粘虫CAT基因命名为MsCAT(GenBank登录号:MF737386),其全长cDNA长1 846 bp,开放阅读框为1 602 bp,编码533个氨基酸。序列分析发现MsCAT具有CAT家族典型的结构域,包括一个基部活化位点标签(~(88)FDRERIPERVVHAKGAGA~(105)),一个NADPH结合位点(~(216)VTHQVLYLFGD~(226))和一个亚铁血红蛋白结合位点(~(379)RLFSYSDTH~(386))。DNA序列分析表明,在MsCAT编码区99 bp处插入了一个612 bp的内含子。系统发育分析显示,MsCAT与夜蛾科(Noctuidae)昆虫的亲缘关系最近。MsCAT在粘虫的各个发育阶段和5龄幼虫各组织中均表达,分别在6龄幼虫和幼虫中肠中的表达量最高。取食经1μg/mL毒死蜱处理的玉米叶片24 h后,幼虫体内MsCAT表达量显著上调,但随浓度提高,表达量反而下降;在33~37℃温度处理后,幼虫MsCAT的表达量显著高于对照(24℃),而39℃处理幼虫MsCAT的表达量下调;此外,随饲养密度的增加幼虫体内MsCAT的表达显著下调。【结论】本研究克隆得到的粘虫CAT基因的cDNA全长序列(MsCAT)是可靠的,并且MsCAT在粘虫发育及抗氧化胁迫中具有重要的作用。     

蜕皮激素和有效霉素对粘虫几丁质合成酶B基因表达的影响

【目的】克隆粘虫Mythimnaseparata几丁质合成酶B基因的全长cDNA序列,研究该基因的时空表达特性,分析蜕皮激素(20-hydroxy ecdysone, 20 E)和有效霉素(Validamycin)对该基因表达水平的影响。【方法】本试验通过高通量测序法获得粘虫几丁质合成酶B基因的cDNA全长序列,利用RT-qPCR技术分析粘虫几丁质合成酶B基因在不同发育阶段和不同组织的特异性表达及蜕皮激素和有效霉素对其表达的影响。【结果】基因cDNA全长4 617 bp,包含一个完整开放阅读框,编码1个1 538个氨基酸组成的多肽,分子量为175.629 ku,理论等电点为5.96,包含17个跨膜螺旋,4个几丁质合成酶的标签序列CATMWHET,DGD,EDR和QRRRW及1个催化结构域。该基因命名为MsCHSB,GenBank登录号为KY348776。氨基酸序列比对表明,该基因与其他昆虫的几丁质合成酶B基因同源性高于52%,其中与蓓带夜蛾Mamestra configurata和棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera的几丁质合成酶B基因同源性最高,分别为92%和83%。RT-qPCR技术表明粘虫在不同发育阶段和组织中均有mRNA的特异性表达,其中3龄第1天和中肠中MsCHSB基因相对表达量最高。注射10μg/μL浓度的蜕皮激素6 h和12 h后,表现为对该基因的诱导效应,与对照组差异显著;有效霉素处理后该基因相对表达量均被显著抑制,其中注射20μg/μL浓度的有效霉素48h后,抑制作用最为明显。【结论】本试验得到了一条新的粘虫几丁质合成酶B基因cDNA序列全长。蜕皮激素对MsCHSB基因的表达有一定的诱导作用,有效霉素对MsCHSB基因的表达有一定的抑制作用,该结果为进一步研究昆虫几丁质合成酶B打下了基础。     

Gene cloning and expression of cadherin in midgut of Helicoverpa armigera and its Cry1A binding region

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a Gram-positive bacte-rium, produces insecticidal crystal proteins during sporulation. Bt has been used as biopesticides to con-trol a number of insect pests from Lepidoptera, Dip-tera and Hymenoptera and also has become so far the leading gene sources of transgenic plants resistant toinsect pests[1,2]. In China, the use of Bt cotton began in 1997 in Hebei, Shandong and Henan provinces, etc. and rapidly increased to more than 2 million ha in 2002, which is effe…     

Gene cloning and expression of cadherin in midgut of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> and its Cry1A binding region

Cadherins belong to one of the families of animal glycoproteins responsible for calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Recent literatures showed that the cadherin-like in midgut of several insects served as the receptor of Bt toxin Cry1A and the variation of cadherin-like is related to insect’s resistance to Cry1A. The full-length cDNA encoding cadherin-like of Helicoverpa armigera is cloned by degenerate PCR and RACE techniques and the gene was designated as BtR-harm, which is 5581 bp in full-length, encoding 1730 amino acid residues (BtR-harm was deposited in GenBank and the accession number is AF519180). Its predicted molecular weight and isoelectric point were 195.39 kDa and 4.23, respectively. The inferred amino acid sequence includes a signal sequence, 11 cadherin repeats, a membrane-proximal region, a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic region. Sequence analysis indicated that the deduced protein sequence was most similar to the cadherin-like from Heliothis virescens with 84.2% identity and highly similar to three other lepidopteran cadherin from Bombyx mori, Manduca sexta and Pectinophora gossypiella, with the sequence identities of 60.3.6%, 57.5% and 51.0%, respectively. The cDNA encoding cadherin gene was expressed successfully in E. coli and the recombinant proteins can bind with Cry1Ac. Truncation analysis and binding experiment of BtR-harm revealed that the Cry1A binding region was a contiguous 244-amino acid sequence, which located between amino acid 1217 and 1461. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that BtR-harm was highly expressed in midgut of H. armigera, very low expressed in foregut and hindgut and was not expressed in other tissues. After H. armigera producing resistance to Cry1Ac, the expression quantity of BtR-harm significantly decreased in midgut of H. armigera. It is the first confirmation that BtR-harm can function as receptor of Cry1Ac in H. armigera and the binding region was located on a contiguous 244 amino acid sequence, suggesting that the decrease of expression quantity of BtR-harm is one of the main reasons for H. armigera resistance to Cry1Ac.     

利用RNAi技术沉默小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因

RNA干扰（RNA interference, RNAi）是一种调控基因表达的方法, 其通过体外合成一段与内源靶基因同源的双链RNA（dsRNA）或siRNA, 导入生物体内, 使内源靶基因中同源mRNA降解, 从而达到阻抑基因表达的目的。类钙粘蛋白（cadherin-like protein）是位于昆虫中肠刷状缘膜囊(brush border membrane vesicles, BBMV)上与钙粘蛋白(cadherin)结构相似的物质, 是多种昆虫体内Bt杀虫蛋白的受体。本研究利用基因特异引物通过RT-PCR扩增了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的2个片段（CAD1和CAD2）, 合成相对应的双链RNA（double-stranded RNA, dsRNA）; 并将dsRNA通过显微注射导入小菜蛾3龄幼虫体内, 测定了不同靶位点、不同剂量、不同检测时间对目的基因mRNA表达量的影响。结果表明: 将70 nL CAD1对应的dsRNA注射到幼虫体内48 h后, 基因表达量显著下降, 72 h后恢复。免疫印迹检测结果表明, 类钙粘蛋白在注射dsRNA 48 h后幼虫BBMV中的含量明显下降。本实验成功实现了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的沉默, 该体系的成功建立为利用RNAi技术分析小菜蛾及其他鳞翅目昆虫基因的功能提供了参考。     

cDNA cloning, functional expression and cellular localization of rat liver mitochondrial electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase protein

A 64 kD protein was enriched from rat liver mito-chondria during the purification of choline dehydro-genase (CHDH)[1]. Homologous comparison and func-tional experiments demonstrated that the protein was electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreduc-tase protein (ETF-QO). The N-terminal sequence determination of rat liver ETF-QO protein purified by various methods did not provide unequivocal result. However, when the protein was digested with V8 protease, peptide fragments could b…     

cDNA cloning,functional expression and cellular localization of rat liver mitochondrial electron-transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase protein

A membrane-bound protein was purified from rat liver mitochondria. After being digested with V8 protease, two peptides containing identical 14 amino acid residue sequences were obtained. Using the 14 amino acid peptide derived DNA sequence as gene specific primer, the cDNA of correspondent gene 5′-terminal and 3′-terminal were obtained by RACE technique. The full-length cDNAthat encoded a protein of 616 amino acids was thus cloned, which included the above mentioned peptide sequence. The full length cDNA was highly homologous to that of human ETF-QO, indicating that it may be the cDNA of rat ETF-QO. ETF-QO is an iron sulfur protein located in mitochondria inner membrane containing two kinds of redox center: FAD and [4Fe-4S] center. After comparing the sequence from the cDNA of the 616 amino acids protein with that of the mature protein of rat liver mitochondria, it was found that the N terminal 32 amino acid residues did not exist in the mature protein, indicating that the cDNA was that of ETF-QOp. When the cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with inducible vectors, the protein product was enriched in mitochondrial fraction and exhibited electron transfer activity (NBT reductase activity) of ETF-QO. Results demonstrated that the 32 amino acid peptide was a mitochondrial targeting peptide, and both FAD and iron-sulfur cluster were inserted properly into the expressed ETF-QO. ETF-QO had a high level expression in rat heart, liver and kidney. The fusion protein of GFP-ETF-QO co-localized with mitochondria in COS-7 cells.     

Characterization of a full-length petunia cDNA encoding a polypeptide of the light-harvesting complex associated with photosystem I

We have isolated and characterized a full-length cDNA clone (LHCI-15) which specifies a new chlorophyll-binding protein. This protein is associated with the light-harvesting complex of photosystem I (LHCI). The DNA sequence predicts a precursor protein of 270 amino acids, which shares significant homology with the amino acid sequence of another chlorophyll-binding protein; the chlorophyll a/b-binding (Cab) protein of the photosystem II light-harvesting complex (LHCII). There are two extensive regions of homology (at least 45 residues each) which have approximately 50% amino acid sequence identity. These regions coincide with two of the proposed membrane-spanning alpha helices in the Cab proteins of the LHCII and probably include conserved chlorophyll-binding sites. The LHCI-15 cDNA hybridizes to at least 7 genomic EcoRI DNA fragments, which are very closely related at the nucleotide sequence level.     

Gene cloning and expression of aminopeptidase N and cadherin from midgut of the rice stem borer,Chilo suppressalis

Abstract The rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis Walker is one of the most important insect pests on rice in Asia, north Africa and southern Europe. Transgenic Bt rice has been developed in the laboratory with good resistance to this pest and other Lepidopteran insects, which will provide a possible alternative tool for this pest control. The full-length cDNAs encoding an aminopeptidase N (CsAPN) and a cadherin (CsCad) were cloned from C. suppressalis. CsAPN showed common features of, and high identities to, other insect APNs in its deduced amino acid sequence. Although a full-length cDNA encoding cadherin-like protein has been reported in GenBank, the newly isolated cadherin here (CsCad) showed some differences in its amino acid sequence, especially at the 7th cadherin repeat region (CR7), which indicated the newly isolated CsCad might be another allele. CsAPN and CsCad were successfully expressed in insect Tn cells, and the blot analysis showed these two proteins could bind Bt toxin Cry1Ab. The results will provide valuable information for the studies of toxin mode of action and the possible toxin resistance mechanisms in this pest.     

扩展青霉PF898碱性脂肪酶cDNA的克隆及序列分析

扩展青霉 (Penicilliumexpansum)PF898可产生一种具有工业价值的碱性脂肪酶 (PEL) .在测定了其N端 12个氨基酸残基序列的基础上 ,通过RT PCR、5′RACE、基因克隆及序列测定 ,获得了PEL完整的cDNA序列 (GenBank登录号为AF2 84 0 6 4 ) .cDNA全长 10 5 0bp ,包括PEL编码区、3′非翻译区和部分 5′非翻译区基因的序列 .编码区cDNA由 85 5个碱基组成 ,编码 1个由 2 85个氨基酸残基组成的酶蛋白 ,其信号肽及前肽部分由 2 7个氨基酸残基组成 ,成熟肽部分由 2 5 8个氨基酸残基组成 .根据氨基酸组成推导该脂肪酶蛋白的分子量为 2 7 3kD .该脂肪酶的氨基酸序列 130～ 134位上有各类脂肪酶中普遍存在的G X S X G保守序列