敬钊缨毛蛛毒素-Ⅷ的分离纯化与鉴定

从敬钊缨毛蛛（Chilobrachys jingzhao）粗毒中,通过阳离子交换色谱和反相高效液相色谱分离得到一种新的多肽神经毒素,命名为敬钊缨毛蛛毒素-Ⅷ（jingzhaotoxin-Ⅷ,JZTX-Ⅷ）.经MALDI-TOF分析表明该多肽分子质量为4 329.37 Da,结合氨基酸序列分析和RACE的cDNA快速扩增法得到了敬钊缨毛蛛毒素-Ⅷ的氨基酸序列和全长cDNA,序列为LFECSFSCDIKKNGKPCKGSGEKKCSGGWRCKMNFCVKV-COOH,其中6个半胱氨酸形成3对二硫键.敬钊缨毛蛛毒素-Ⅷ能阻断小鼠膈神经-膈肌标本的神经肌肉接头传递,经初步膜片钳实验分析,表明该多肽是一种钙离子通道抑制剂.     

Kv1.5通道蛋白参与人脑胶质瘤细胞的自噬

脑胶质瘤是原发性颅内恶性肿瘤。患者的5年存活率不足1%。目前,除手术切除外,尚无有效的治疗手段。近年来发现,脑胶质瘤发病可能与多种钾离子通道的异常表达有关。自噬是膜包裹部分胞质和细胞内需降解的蛋白质、细胞器,并与溶酶体一起降解其所包裹内容物的生理过程。诱导胶质瘤细胞的自噬,促进其凋亡是肿瘤治疗的一种新策略。本室前期研究发现,电压依赖型钾通道1.5(Kv1.5)参与胞膜小窖标志蛋白质(caveolae,Cav-1)介导的多种肿瘤细胞的增殖和凋亡,但是否参与胶质瘤细胞的自噬并不清楚。本文首先利用不同浓度的K+通道阻断剂四乙胺(tetra-ethylammonium,TEA)、Kv通道阻断剂四氨基吡啶(4-amino-pyridine,4-AP)和Kv1.5通道特异性阻断剂DPO-1(diphenyl phosphine oxide-1)分别在不同时间,作用于人脑胶质瘤细胞U251,观察其对细胞存活的影响。发现DPO-1对U251细胞具有双向作用:低浓度促进存活,高浓度抑制存活。其中,1 mmol/L DPO-1处理6 h,可促进自噬相关蛋白质LC3的表达,而抑制mTOR信号蛋白质的磷酸化水平,表明Kv1.5通道可能参与胶质瘤细胞的自噬。然后,利用基因转染技术分别敲低和过表达Kv1.5通道的蛋白质水平,发现敲低Kv1.5通道蛋白,促进胶质瘤细胞的自噬,激活ERK信号通路,而过表达Kv1.5通道蛋白,则抑制胶质瘤细胞的自噬。进一步利用流式细胞技术观察细胞凋亡,发现改变Kv1.5通道蛋白的表达水平,可诱发细胞早期凋亡。提示Kv1.5通道参与人脑胶质瘤细胞的自噬过程。这为临床利用特异性Kv通道阻断剂靶向治疗胶质瘤提供了新的理论和实验依据。     

钙激活性氯离子通道的电生理研究

目的:研究大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞上钙激活性氯离子通道的电流、电压电流关系等电生理特性.方法:采用急性酶分离法(胶原酶Ⅰ型和木瓜蛋白酶)分离出单个肺动脉平滑肌细胞,应用膜片钳技术,测定各组大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞上钙激活性氯离子通道电流和电压电流.结果:急性酶分离法能成功分离出适用于膜片钳记录的单个大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞,并测到稳定的钙激活性氯离子通道电流,该电流表现出时间、电压及钙离子依赖性,并呈外向整流特征.结论:大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞的钙激活氯离子通道具有时间依赖性、钙离子依赖性和电压依赖性,并具有外向整流特征.     

一个东亚钳蝎蝎毒素BmTXKβ基因的克隆及其基因表达调控

从东亚钳蝎 (ButhusmartensiiKarsch ,BmK)毒腺组织cDNA文库中分离的长链钾通道毒素BmTXKβcDNA序列 ,克隆了BmTXKβ基因组序列 .BmTXKβ基因含有一个长度为 886bp的内含子 ,定位于BmTXKβ成熟肽中 ,与其它蝎毒素基因内含子定位于信号肽的基因结构不同 .并且 ,BmTXKβ基因的内含子特征也与其它蝎毒素基因不同 .研究结果从基因水平上证实了BmTXKβ是一个新的蝎毒素样肽 .以BmTXKβcDNA序列为探针与蝎基因组DNASouthern杂交出现 2条特异性杂交带 .杂交结果为蝎毒素基因可能通过DNA重排、多拷贝或多基因家族来调控基因表达提供了证据 .     

用于治疗囊性纤维化的药物Lumacaftor

囊性纤维化(CF)是一种严重威胁生命的遗传性疾病,该病系由CF跨膜传导调节蛋白(CFTR)的缺陷所引起。正常的CFTR为1种存在于细胞膜上的氯离子通道蛋白,氯离子可通过此通道蛋白自由进出细胞,细胞也可分泌1层稀薄的黏液以保护气道上皮。若cftr基因出现G551D突变,CFTR的通道就不能正常开放,氯离子也就无法自由地进出细     

敬钊毒素-Ⅴ的合成、复性及其钾通道活性鉴定

敬钊毒素-Ⅴ(jingzhaotoxin-Ⅴ,JZTX-Ⅴ)是从敬钊缨毛蛛粗毒中纯化得到的一种新型河豚毒素不敏感型钠通道抑制剂.为了深入研究该毒素的功能,应用芴甲氧羰基(Fmoc)固相方法化学合成了JZTX-Ⅴ,合成多肽经谷胱甘肽法氧化复性后,利用反相高效液相色谱(RP-HPLC)进行分离纯化.复性产物的相对分子质量经质谱测定为3 605.51,而与天然毒素混合进行HPLC共洗脱实验时也只得到单一峰.全细胞膜片钳实验显示,JZTX-Ⅴ能够抑制大鼠背根神经节细胞上的A型钾电流,却对外向延迟整流钾电流没有影响,对处于静息关闭状态的A-型钾通道也表现出较高的亲和性.JZTX-Ⅴ对A型钾通道的这种抑制作用具有浓度依从性, 其半数有效抑制浓度(IC50)为52.3 nmol/L. JZTX-Ⅴ通过引起A型钾通道的活化曲线往去极化方向漂移,和失活曲线往超极化方向漂移来改变通道的门控特征.目前的研究结果为深入开展JZTX-Ⅴ的功能研究及分子改造奠定了基础.     

日本三角涡虫热休克蛋白70(DjHSP70)C-端多肽表达及其抗血清制备

首先运用在线生物学软件对日本三角涡虫(Degusia japonica)热休克蛋白70(DjHSP70)氨基酸序列进行亲水区分析,发现该蛋白C-端含有较多亲水性氨基酸,然后以该段多肽序列为基础构建原核表达载体.采用PCR方法扩增450 bp cDNA片段,编码DjHSP70 C-端150个氨基酸多肽.将双酶切的cDNA...     

人脑源性神经营养因子基因表达

用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)从人基因组DNA中扩增了人脑源性神经营养因子(hBDNF) cDNA和hBDNF成熟蛋白编码片段,分别克隆到pUC18中.经测序确认两个插入片段序列正确.hBDNF cDNA在CMV启动子控制下在NIH/3T3细胞中表达,用RT-PCR检测转染细胞确有BDNF mRNA存在.BDNF成熟蛋白编码序列在T7启动子控制下在E.coli中表达,SDS-PAGE表明,BDNF得到表达,以包涵体形式存在.     

Nav1.5/SCN5A基因新的变构体编码人脑组织Nav1.5 Na+通道

河豚毒-抵抗性(TTX-R)Nav1.5 Na 通道是心肌的特异性Na 通道,虽然研究发现神经元中也存在河豚毒-抵抗性Na 电流及Nav1.5/SCN5A mRNA的表达,但其确切的cDNA序列尚不清楚.采用RT-PCR法对人脑组织Nav1.5/SCN5A基因cDNA进行克隆发现:人脑组织Nav1.5/SCN5A基因cDNA有2种变构体,hB1和hB2(accession number EF629346,EF629347),其中hB1全长6201个碱基,其开放读码框架(ORF)参与编码2016个氨基酸,和人心肌Nav1.5 Na 通道氨基酸序列相同率高达98%,共有28个不同的氨基酸,其中7个集中位于第6A外显子与第6外显子编码区.与人心肌Nav1.5/SCN5A基因cDNA不同的是,在对人脑组织Nav1.5/SCN5A基因cDNA的克隆中未发现该基因第18外显子的选择性剪接,但却发现其第24外显子的选择性剪接,2种选择性剪接体(hB1和hB2)在脑组织中基本同时表达,表达比率接近1∶1,但在心脏中二者的表达比率却与年龄有关.人Nav1.5/SCN5A基因的第24外显子定位于染色体3P21区,共有54个碱基,参与编码18个氨基酸.RT-PCR法证实第24外显子的选择性剪接也可发生在大鼠心脑之外的其他组织中,竞争性PCR法证明,不同组织中2种选择性剪接体的表达比率不同,且随着周龄的增加,2种选择性剪接体在各组织中表达的变化趋势不同.此外,RT-PCR法还发现Wistar大鼠全身16种组织中均可检测到Nav1.5/SCN5A mRNA的表达.上述实验结果说明,Nav1.5 Na 通道在全身组织中分布广泛,但编码人脑组织Nav1.5 Na 通道与心肌组织该离子通道的cDNA序列不同,是Nav1.5/SCN5A基因的2种变构体,这为深入研究不同组织中Nav1.5 Na 通道的功能提供了基础.     

他莫昔芬对SHG-44人胶质瘤细胞增殖的抑制作用研究

目的：探讨他莫昔芬对人胶质瘤细胞SHG-44生长的作用及其机制。方法：SHG-44细胞PKC和雌激素受体（E11）的表达用免疫组化,细胞活性分析用四唑盐比色试验,细胞增殖和凋亡通过流氏细胞仪检测,氯通道电流的记录应用全细胞膜片钳技术。结果：细胞PKC表达阳性,ER表达阴性,加入他莫昔芬后,SHG-44细胞变老、脱落,细胞总数减少,G2／M期细胞增多,凋亡细胞比例增加,氯离子通道电流受到抑制。结论：他莫昔芬对人胶质瘤细胞SHG--44有明显的抑制作用,其机制可能是通过对PKC及氯通道的抑制。     

Structure-function study of a chlorotoxin-chimer and its activity on Kv1.3 channels

Chlorotoxin has been isolated from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus and characterized as a 4.1kDa peptide, containing a lysine at position 27 that is also present in many Kv-blocking toxins. Because chlorotoxin shows no affinity for Kv-channels, we intended to design, express and purify a chlorotoxin-chimer, containing the active binding site (beta-sheet) of a very potent Kv1-channel blocking peptide, agitoxin 2, by mutating three original residues in the chlorotoxin molecule. Several derivatives of the chimer, gradually missing one additional amino acid residue at the N-terminal side of the peptide, were produced and identified chromatographically. In contrast to chlorotoxin, these chimer derivatives are capable of blocking cloned Kv1-channels.     

Purification, synthesis and characterization of AaCtx, the first chlorotoxin-like peptide from Androctonus australis scorpion venom

AaCtx is the first chlorotoxin-like peptide isolated from Androctonus australis scorpion venom. Its amino acid sequence shares 70% similarity with chlorotoxin from Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpion venom, from which it differs by twelve amino acids. Due to its very low concentration in venom (0.05%), AaCtx was chemically synthesized. Both native and synthetic AaCtx were active on invasion and migration of human glioma cells. However, their activity was found to be lower than that of chlorotoxin. The molecular model of AaCtx shows that most of amino acids differing between AaCtx and chlorotoxin are localized on the N-terminal loop and the α-helix. Based on known compounds that block chloride channels, we suggest that the absence of negative charged amino acids on AaCtx structure may be responsible for its weak activity on glioma cells migration and invasion. This finding serves as a starting point for structure-function relationship studies leading to design high specific anti-glioma drugs.     

Purification and the partial amino acid sequence of an insect neurotoxin from the venom of scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch

1. A neurotoxic peptide was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch collected in Henan Province, China. 2. This toxin showed the highest neurotoxic potency to crickets amongst all components in the venom examined. 3. The amino acid composition of the toxin was similar to that of insect toxin 1 of Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus. 4. The partial primary sequence of the toxin at the N-terminal was very similar to that of an insect toxin of Androctonus australis Hector. 5. We conclude that the neurotoxin we isolated is indeed an insect toxin and thus named it as BmK IT.     

Inhibition of ClC-2 Chloride Channels by a Peptide Component or Components of Scorpion Venom

ClC chloride channels play essential roles in membrane excitability and maintenance of osmotic balance. Despite the recent crystallization of two bacterial ClC-like proteins, the gating mechanism for these channels remains unclear. In this study we tested scorpion venom for the presence of novel peptide inhibitors of ClC channels, which might be useful tools for dissecting the mechanisms underlying ClC channel gating. Recently, it has been shown that a peptide component of venom from the scorpion L. quinquestriatus hebraeus inhibits the CFTR chloride channel from the intracellular side. Using two-electrode voltage clamp we studied the effect of scorpion venom on ClC-0, -1, and -2, and found both dose- and voltage-dependent inhibition only of ClC-2. Comparison of voltage-dependence of inhibition by venom to that of known pore blockers revealed opposite voltage dependencies, suggesting different mechanisms of inhibition. Kinetic data show that venom induced slower activation kinetics compared to pre-venom records, suggesting that the active component(s) of venom may function as a gating modifier at ClC-2. Trypsinization abolished the inhibitory activity of venom, suggesting that the component(s) of scorpion venom that inhibits ClC-2 is a peptide.     

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding the main beta-neurotoxin from the venom of the South American scorpion Tityus serrulatus.

A cDNA encoding the main Tityus serrulatus beta-neurotoxin was isolated from a venom gland cDNA library by using an oligonucleotide probe. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA nucleotide sequence indicated that the toxin is the processed product of a precursor containing: (i) a signal peptide of 20 residues; (ii) the amino acid sequence of the mature toxin; and (iii) an extra Gly-Lys-Lys tail at the C-terminal end before the termination codon. Thus, in addition to the removal of the signal peptide by a signal peptidase, the generation of the mature toxin requires both a post-translational cleavage by a carboxypeptidase specific for basic residues and the action of an alpha-amidating enzyme. These results also show that the biosynthetic pathway for beta-toxins of 'New World' scorpion venoms is similar to that already described for alpha-toxins of 'Old World' scorpion venoms.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA for factor V activating enzyme.

The complete amino acid sequence of a factor V activator (VLFVA) is deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding the enzyme. The cDNA was isolated by PCR screening a venomous gland cDNA library of Central Asian Vipera lebetina snake. The full-length cDNA clone, derived from two overlapping fragments, comprises 1563 basepairs which encode an open reading frame of 259 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of VLFVA (235 amino acids) shows significant homology with snake venom and mammalian serine proteinases. It contains 12 half-cysteines which form, by analogy with other serine proteinases, 6 disulfide bridges. VLFVA has the catalytic triad His43-Asp88-Ser182. The amino terminal amino acid valine is preceded by 24 amino acids: a putative signal peptide of 18, mainly hydrophobic, amino acids and an activating peptide of 6, mainly hydrophilic amino acid residues. This is the first cloned factor V activating enzyme from snake venom.     

Cloning and characterization of a novel cDNA sequence encoding the precursor of a novel venom peptide (BmKbpp) related to a bradykinin-potentiating peptide from Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch

Based on the amino acid sequence of a bradykinin-potentiating peptide (Bpp) (peptide K-12) from scorpion Buthus occitanus, a full-length cDNA sequence encoding the precursor of a novel venom peptide (named BmKbpp) related to this Bpp, has been isolated and analyzed. The cDNA encodes a precursor of 72 amino acid residues, including a signal peptide of 22 residues and an extra Arg-Arg-Arg tail at the C-terminal end of the precursor, which have to be removed in the processing step. The C-terminal region (21 residues) of the precursor is homologous (57% identical) with the sequence of peptide K-12. Thus, according to the primary structure of the BmKbpp precursor, there may be a propeptide between the signal peptide and the putative mature BmKbpp at the C-terminal region of the precursor.     

cDNA cloning of bradykinin-potentiating peptides-C-type natriuretic peptide precursor, and characterization of the novel peptide Leu3-blomhotin from the venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffi.

A cDNA clone, 1.8 kb long, was isolated from a venom gland cDNA library of Agkistrodon blomhoffi that encodes a large plurifunctional precursor composed of 263 amino-acid residues. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this clone revealed that sequences which code for blomhotin and a novel peptide Leu3-blomhotin are located in the N-terminal region of the precursor polypeptide, followed by four tandemly aligned sequences which code for three types of bradykinin-potentiating peptide. In the C-terminal region, the sequence for the C-type natriuretic peptide was located along with a preceding processing signal. The deduced amino-acid sequences for the four bradykinin-potentiating peptides coincided exactly with previously known sequences for potentiator B, potentiator C and potentiator E. The actual Leu3-blomhotin peptide was subsequently isolated from the venom of A. blomhoffi and characterized. Leu3-blomhotin possesses contractile activity in isolated rat stomach fundus smooth muscle in the same manner as blomhotin. Furthermore, it was shown that blomhotin and Leu3-blomhotin retained activity to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a new cDNA sequence encoding a venom peptide from the centipede <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolopendra subspinipes</Emphasis> mutilans

Many studies have been performed on venomous peptides derived from animals. However, little of this research has focused on peptides from centipede venoms. Here, a venom gland cDNA library was suc-cessfully constructed for the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. A new cDNA encoding the precursor of a venom peptide, named SsmTx, was cloned from the venomous gland cDNA library of the centipede S. subspinipes mutilans. The full-length SsmTx cDNA sequence is 465 nt, including a 249 nt ORF, a 45 nt 5′ UTR and a 171 nt 3′ UTR. There is a signal tail AATAAA 31 nt upstream of the poly (A) tail. The precursor nucleotide sequence of SsmTx encodes a signal peptide of 25 residues and a mature peptide of 57 residues, which is bridged by two pairs of disulfide bonds. SsmTx displays a unique cysteine motif that is completely different from that of other venomous animal toxins. This is the first reported cDNA sequence encoding a venom peptide from the centipede S. subspinipes mutilans.