毕赤酵母截短PGK1启动子与不同终止子组合调控外源基因表达

【目的】调控多基因表达对于优化代谢途径和合成生物学应用至关重要,构建不同的启动子和终止子组合,可作为毕赤酵母代谢途径改造和优化外源基因表达的有力分子调控工具。【方法】首先,将毕赤酵母组成型磷酸甘油酸激酶基因的启动子P_PGK1进行截短,构建截短启动子分别调控报告基因（绿色荧光蛋白基因egfp和β-半乳糖苷酶基因lac Z）表达的毕赤酵母重组菌。检测重组菌的报告基团转录水平、荧光强度和β-半乳糖苷酶产量。然后,构建了不同强度启动子和终止子组合（共27种组合）调控egfp表达的重组菌。最后,选取能调控基因高、中、低表达的6个启动子-终止子组合,调控β-呋喃果糖苷酶基因表达,构建β-呋喃果糖苷酶分泌表达的重组菌。【结果】构建的截短启动子(P_PP、P_PE、P_PG和P_PD)的强度是野生型启动子P_PGK1的70%–190%,最强的启动子为P_PD。分别与9个终止子组合时,P_PG、P_PE和P_PD     

基因串联策略强化枯草芽孢杆菌终止子的功能及其在基因表达中的应用

在底盘微生物中使用高性能终止子能够显著增强基因终止效率,维持新合成mRNA的稳定性,提升外源基因表达性能。而目前缺乏专一用于枯草芽孢杆菌的终止子元件,限制了复杂功能基因电路的设计。[目的] 在枯草芽孢杆菌中挖掘新的高性能终止子,并进一步重新设计,丰富适用于这一底盘的高性能人工终止子。[方法] 将枯草芽孢杆菌终止子和枯草芽孢杆菌噬菌体终止子分别构建至终止子检测质粒中,测定各终止子的终止效率（terminator efficiency,TE）。将不同强度单终止子按强弱、强强、弱弱组合构建串联终止子,测定不同组合体的终止性能。利用高性能串联终止子进行天冬氨酸氨基裂解酶（AspA）和β-葡萄糖苷酸酶（GusA）的表达功能验证,检测高性能终止子对基因表达水平的作用。[结果] 经过检测,TB5终止子终止效率最强,TE为98%。含有TB5终止子的表达体系中GFP水平比对照上调2.2倍,RFP的表达水平下调27倍。双串联组合体终止子中,TH1.5b-TB5（TE=97%）和TB5-TB5（TE=98%）串联终止子可将RFP的表达水平下调30倍。而三串联终止子中,TB2-TB5-TB5组合体与相应的双组合体相比,GFP的表达水平虽无进一步提升,但RFP的表达仅有参照的1/300。最后,通过AspA和GusA的重组表达确证了串联终止子TH1.5b-TB5和TB10-TB5对基因表达水平的提升作用。[结论] 高终止效率的终止子可以显著提升上游基因的表达水平,通过一定规律的基因串联能够进一步提升终止子的工作效率。这种人工再设计的终止子可方便、快捷地构建至细菌基因表达系统,实现基因表达的高效调控。     

人Tudor-SN基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因表达质粒的构建及活性检测

目的 将人类Tudor-SN基因的启动子序列片段定向连入pGL3-Basic质粒载体,并进行鉴定和启动子活性检测.方法 以HeLa细胞全基因组DNA为模板,PCR法扩增出目的基因,利用XhoⅠ和HindⅢ双酶切法将目的片段连接到pGL3-Basic载体上.再将构建成功的pGL3-Basic-Tudor-SN-promoter重组质粒和内参质粒β-gal瞬时共转染入宫颈癌HeLa细胞,培养48 h后检测萤火虫荧光素酶活性.结果 双酶切和基因测序法鉴定构建的重组质粒无误,转染重组质粒后可检测到萤火虫荧光素酶活性.结论 成功构建了人类Tudor-SN基因启动子重组质粒,为Tudor-SN蛋白基因调控机制的研究奠定基础.     

茶碱激活型RNA分子开关的构建及在枯草芽胞杆菌中调节外源基因表达的性能

枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillussubtilis在工业生物技术以及合成生物学领域作为一种重要的微生物可广泛用作代谢工程、重组蛋白表达以及新型基因电路的底盘。在B. subtilis中构建基于非编码RNA的高精准调节元件,能够实现不依赖蛋白质因子的基因表达调控,丰富B.subtilis基因表达通用工具。通过基因工程手段,设计了基于茶碱适体域的核糖开关E和适体核酶AZ调节元件,并与不同的B.subtilis内源组成型启动子适配,构建出茶碱激活型基因表达控制元件。测定这两种调节元件与6种组成型启动子组合匹配下报告基因GFP的荧光强度,鉴定并分析各调控元件的工作性能。并进一步以红色荧光蛋白mCherry和普鲁兰酶两种不同的异源蛋白验证核糖开关或适体核酶与启动子的最优组合。结果表明,同一种RNA调节元件与不同启动子组合呈现不同水平的调控效率。在核糖开关与启动子的组合中,启动子PsigW和核糖开关E组合(sigWE)对GFP表达的诱导率最高,达到16.8。在适体核酶与启动子的组合中,AZ与启动子P43、PrpoB组合(P43AZ和rpoBAZ)的诱导率最高,分别达到了6.1和6.2。进一步验证结果显示,sigWE调控mCherry的诱导率最高(9.2),而P43E调控普鲁兰酶的诱导率最高(32.8),产酶水平达到了81U/mL。核糖开关和适体核酶对GFP、mCherry、普鲁兰酶均能实现调控,但是不同元件组合的调控性能有所差异,对不同基因的调控效果也不尽相同。     

促DNA修复多效蛋白诱导因子pprI逆转录病毒载体系统的构建及其鉴定

目的:为实现耐辐射球菌pprI基因在哺乳动物细胞中的稳定遗传与表达,构建重组逆转录病毒载体质粒pLXIN-pprI。方法:将目的基因pprI亚克隆经过双酶切后定向连接到pLXIN质粒上,构建逆转录病毒重组质粒pLXIN-pprI。将pLXIN-pprI转化大肠杆菌感受态细胞DH5α,氨苄青霉素筛选后抽提获得重组质粒pLXIN-pprI,双酶切及DNA测序鉴定。结果:酶切鉴定及测序结果显示结果与预期相符,pprI基因成功插入pLXIN逆转录病毒载体中。结论:重组逆转录病毒载体质粒pLXIN-pprI构建成功,为实现耐辐射球菌pprI基因在哺乳动物细胞中的重组与表达奠定了基础。     

新型基因表达调控元件——人工核糖开关的构建及筛选

核糖开关作为一种新发现的RNA元件,可以高效、准确、快速地执行基因调控任务,且免疫原性低,有可能在将来以顺式模块的方式应用于未来的基因治疗。近年来已经成功构建了多种人造核糖开关,构建方法主要是利用人工适体元件与基因表达调控元件组装,或者是在天然核糖开关基础上进行改造。文中全面综述了涉及人工核糖开关设计及筛选的技术,讨论了可以用于哺乳细胞、响应非天然配体信号、调控特征为热力学和动力学控制的核糖开关的设计新策略,并对核糖开关的筛选构建策略及其在基因治疗及新型药物开发领域的应用前景进行了展望。尽管目前将核糖开关设计成为功能强大的新型基因调控系统还面临很大的困难,但通过构效关系的研究、计算机辅助设计、体外筛选及细胞内筛选技术、高通量优化筛选等技术的综合应用,核糖开关一定可以成为有力的基因调控工具,如能成功应用则可大大促进基因治疗临床化的进程。     

三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum)通用转化载体的构建

三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum)是开展微藻生物柴油研究的理想材料。克隆了内源fcp基因簇的多个调控序列(启动子、终止子),构建了包括fcpB启动子-bar基因-fcpA终止子、以及fcpA启动子-多克隆位点(MCS)-fcpA终止子两个表达盒的通用转化载体pfcpA-MCS/fcpB-Bar,其特征是以bar基因作为选择标记,MCS区方便插入一至多个目的基因。新载体可用于三角褐指藻的重组蛋白表达、或油脂代谢相关基因的功能验证和代谢调控研究。     

基于CRISPR/Cas9系统构建精准调控Wnt信号通路的表达载体及其效果的验证

目的:构建基于CRISPR/cas9系统调控Wnt信号通路的载体,并在细胞水平验证其调控基因表达的效率。方法:选取Wnt信号中负性调控分子,设计并合成能够表达靶向上述分子gRNA的互补DNA克隆序列,BsmBI限制性内切酶酶切载体后,采用分子克隆的方法将上述序列克隆至目的载体lenti-sgRNA-Ms2-zeo,测序正确的克隆通过Lipofectamine2000与lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine共同转染入293细胞;转染24h后收集细胞,qRt-PCR检测目的基因的表达。结果:筛选了Wnt信号通路中已知的19个负性调控基因;针对每个基因设计了两对gRNA序列,并构建了能够表达gRNA和MS2融合序列的载体,测序结果显示重组质粒的DNA序列与预期完全相符。随机挑选了4个表达载体与lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine共转进入细胞,qPCR结果显示构建的目的载体联合lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine载体可以协同促进靶分子表达。结论:本研究成功构建了基于CRISPR/cas9基因编辑系统调控Wnt信号的载体。     

Curcuminoids as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase: A receptor based pharmacophore study with distance mapping of the active site

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric that interacts irreversibly forming an adduct with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme responsible for redox control of cell and defence against oxidative stress. Docking at both the active sites of TrxR was performed to compare the potency of three naturally occurring curcuminoids, namely curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and bis-demethoxy curcumin. Results show that active sites of TrxR occur at the junction of E and F chains. Volume and area of both cavities is predicted. It has been concluded by distance mapping of the most active conformations that Se atom of catalytic residue SeCYS498, is at a distance of 3.56 from C13 of demethoxy curcumin at the E chain active site, whereas C13 carbon atom forms adduct with Se atom of SeCys 498. We report that at least one methoxy group in curcuminoids is necessary for interation with catalytic residues of thioredoxin. Pharmacophore of both active sites of the TrxR receptor for curcumin and demethoxy curcumin molecules has been drawn and proposed for design and synthesis of most probable potent antiproliferative synthetic drugs.     

A Unique Protease Cleavage Site Predicted in the Spike Protein of the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Potentially Related to Viral Transmissibility

正Dear Editor,In December 2019, a novel human coronavirus caused an epidemic of severe pneumonia(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei, China(Wu et al. 2020; Zhu et al. 2020). So far, this virus has spread to all areas of China and even to other countries. The epidemic has caused 67,102 confirmed infections with 1526 fatal cases     

Comparative morphology of the carpel in the Liliaceae: Hewardieae, Petrosavieae, and Tricyrteae

The young pistils in the melanthioid tribes, Hewardieae, Petrosavieae and Tricyrteae, are uniformly tricarpellate and syncarpous. They lack raphide idioblasts. All are multiovulate, with bitegmic ovules. The Petrosavieae are marked by the presence of septal glands and incomplete syncarpy. Tepals and stamens adhere to the ovary in the Hewardieae and the Petrosavieae but not in the Tricyrteae. Two vascular bundles occur in the stamens of the Hewartlieae and Tricyrtis latifolia. Ventral bundles in the upper part of the ovary of the Hewardieae are continuous with compound septal bundles and placental bundles in the lower part. Putative ventral bundles occur in the alternate position in the Tricyrteae and putative placental bundles in the opposite. position in the Petrosavieae. The dichtomously branched stigma in each carpel of the Tricyrteae is supplied by a bifurcated dorsal bundle.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒研究进展

传染性法氏囊病(Infection bursal disease, IBD)是由鸡传染性法氏囊病毒(Infectious bursal disease virus, IBDV)引起的鸡和火鸡的一种高度接触性传染病,给世界各国的禽养殖业带来了巨大损失.自IBDV发现至今新的变异株不断出现,分子结构的改变导致病毒致病力的改变及宿主对疫苗应答的改变,使得传统的疫苗已不能控制其流行,因此各国学者对其基因组结构和功能进行了广泛深入的研究,并积极研制新型有效的疫苗以达到防治的目的.     

Development of a Novel Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

In conclusion, the novel visual RT-LAMP assay is a simple, rapid, and sensitive approach for detection of SARS-CoV-2, and it is ready for application in primary care and community hospitals or health care centers, and even patients' own houses in response to the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic because the assay does not require sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Furthermore, it is also ready to be used in fields for screening samples from wild animals and environments to facilitate the identification of potential intermediate hosts that mediate the cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans.     

Perinatal Vertical Transmission of Chikungunya Virus in Ruili,a Town on the Border between China and Myanmar

正Dear Editor,Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus in the family of Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, is transmitted by the A.aegyptii or A. albopictus mosquito, and causes disease in humans characterized by fever, rash, and arthralgia (Silva and Dermody 2017; Suhrbier 2019). It was first reported in 1953 in Tanzania, and caused only a few outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa and Asia in last century. However, in the epidemic in 2004, CHIKV acquired mutations that conferred enhanced transmission by the A. albopictus mosquito(Schuffenecker et al. 2006). Since then, it has successively caused outbreaks in Africa, the Indian Ocean, South East Asia, the South America, and Europe (Zeller et al. 2016).     

Enterovirus 71 3C proteolytically processes the histone H3 N-terminal tail during infection

Highlights
1. The N-terminal tail of histone H3 is specifically cleaved during EV71 infection.
2. Viral protease 3C is identified as a protease responsible for proteolytically processing the N-terminal H3 tail.
3. Our finding reveals a new epigenetic regulatory mechanism for Enterovirus 71 in virus-host interactions.