蜜蜂表皮蛋白apidermin (apd)基因家族3个新成员的特性鉴定及昆虫APD家族序列特征的分析

Apidermin (APD)蛋白家族是一个新的昆虫结构性表皮蛋白家族。本研究结合生物信息学和RT-PCR扩增, 对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica（简称“意蜂”）的apd-1-like, apd-3-like和中华蜜蜂Apis cerena cerena（简称“中蜂”）的apd-2 等3个新的apd基因的结构特征和表达进行了分析, 并分析了昆虫APD蛋白家族的序列特征。结果显示, 在西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera（简称“西蜂”）中, apd基因家族的6个成员串联排列在基因组序列第4号连锁群上, 它们在A. m. ligustica雄蜂头部中的转录水平差异明显, 且其启动子序列所含顺式元件也不同。中蜂apd-2和意蜂apd-1-like都含有3个外显子和2个内含子, 而意蜂apd-3-like则由4个外显子和3个内含子组成。蛋白序列分析结果显示, 目前已知的10条APD蛋白序列N末端均具有相似的信号肽序列, 其成熟蛋白分子量为6.0~37.0 kD, pI为6.2~10.8。其中西蜂的APD1-3、APD-like和东方蜜蜂Apis cerena的APD-2等5条较短的多肽中疏水氨基酸残基达52%~67%, 且Ala含量最为丰富（占25%~34%）; 而丽蝇蛹集金小蜂Nasonia vitripennis的APD 1-3和西蜂APD-1-like, APD-3-like等另外5条APD多肽富含Gly（21%~30%）, 其序列中疏水氨基酸残基含量为35%~41%。多肽序列多重比对和系统进化分析结果显示, APD家族可划分为2个亚家族。亚家族Ⅰ含有西蜂APD 1-3和东方蜜蜂APD-2等4条较短的多肽序列, 其N末端为一个长33 aa的保守基序; 亚家族Ⅱ由另外6条相对较长的多肽序列组成, 其N末端保守基序长50 aa, C末端保守基序长16 aa。本文所描述的APD蛋白家族序列特征有助于以后从其他昆虫中鉴定新的apd基因。     

羽化和性成熟时中华蜜蜂蜂王和雄蜂转录组分析

【目的】为了系统了解中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana蜂王和雄蜂转录组特征,丰富蜜蜂转录组数据信息。【方法】本研究利用高通量测序的方法分别检测中华蜜蜂蜂王和雄蜂刚出房、性成熟时期以及性成熟期蜂王生殖系统和雄蜂生殖系统之间转录组表达差异。【结果】经过测序获得质量值不低于20的碱基比例（Q20）均高于90%;所有reads组装成90 839个unigenes,平均长度1 549 bp;基于5个数据库(NR,Swiss Prot,GO,COG和KEGG)进行比对,共有45 112个unigenes被注释。差异基因表达分析发现,与刚出房时相比,性成熟的蜂王和雄蜂均在表皮蛋白、细胞色素P450、气味结合蛋白等家族基因上存在显著差异表达,而且这些差异表达基因与蜜蜂生长发育和性成熟过程中蜜蜂骨骼发育、生殖系统发育、嗅觉发育等方面有关;性成熟蜂王与性成熟雄蜂之间以及它们生殖系统之间在气味结合蛋白基因方面存在显著差异。【结论】结果表明,中华蜜蜂在性成熟过程中,体内大量基因的表达发生了变化。这些结果揭示了中华蜜蜂性成熟发育的整体基因表达特征,在得到大量转录组unigene序列的同时,获得了一批与蜜蜂性成熟有关的基因序列,为深入开展中华蜜蜂生长发育与繁殖研究提供了丰富的数据资源。     

雌激素受体2（ESR2）mRNA 5′非翻译区内部核糖体进入位点活性的鉴定与分析

真核生物除了传统的帽依赖型翻译机制外,还存在内部核糖体进入位点（internal ribosome entry site, IRES）介导的翻译机制。雌激素受体2（estrogen receptor 2, ESR2）是雌激素受体家族成员之一,其编码的蛋白质在许多肿瘤中发挥重要的作用。ESR2蛋白的异常表达会导致众多肿瘤的发生,但其蛋白质翻译水平的调控机制至今仍不清楚。研究发现,在药物刺激的条件下,乳腺癌细胞MCF7/WT中ESR2蛋白的表达提高,但是其转录水平基本未见发生改变。猜测ESR2 mRNA 5′非翻译区（5′ untranslated region, 5′ UTR）具有IRES活性。为了验证ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR是否具有IRES元件,将ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR插入到双顺反子报告基因载体（pRF）中,构建pRL-ESR2-FL重组质粒载体,将其瞬时转染到HEK293细胞。结果发现,ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR有假定的IRES活性。并且通过3个排除实验验证了ESR2 IRES活性与其5′ UTR中的内部潜在启动子（P<0.0001）、内部剪切位点以及核糖体通读无关。进一步对其序列进行截短研究发现,ESR2 IRES活性发挥的关键区域是3′端的439～468 nt,且ESR2 IRES最大活性的发挥依赖于5′ UTR序列的完整性。并且发现,ESR2 IRES活性的发挥不但需要特定的一级核酸序列,还要有稳定的二级茎环结构。此研究有望为ESR2蛋白调控的相关疾病提供新的药物治疗靶点。     

快速碱化因子基因BcRALF在菜心中的克隆及序列分析

快速碱化因子是近年来新发现的一种植物多肽类信号分子,广泛存在于高等植物中。通过已得到的普通白菜的快速碱化因子基因BcMF14（GenBank序列登录号EF523516）的核苷酸序列,在其编码框两侧设计引物,从菜心中克隆出该类信号分子基因,命名为BcRALF（登陆号：GU086228）。序列同源比对表明该基因与花椰菜、拟南芥等的快速碱化因子基因有很高的相似性,证明BcRALF属于快速碱化因子家族。蛋白质特征预测以及蛋白序列结构分析发现BcRALF蛋白包含有多个生物活性位点,符合其作为多肽类信号分子类蛋白的特征。     

O-糖基化起始糖基转移酶的活性与结构研究

多肽：N-乙酰氨基半乳糖转移酶（ppGalNAc-T） 是催化N-乙酰氨基半乳糖（GalNAc）结合到蛋白质Ser或Thr上的糖基转移酶,是黏蛋白型O-糖基化修饰的起始糖基转移酶。ppGalNAc-T是一个酶家族,表达产物均为Ⅱ型膜蛋白。虽然氨基酸序列高度同源,但各成员具有独特的底物特异性和动力学特征。因此,ppGalNAc-T的底物作用机制是O-糖基化研究领域中的关键课题。近年来,通过利用定点突变及晶体结构解析技术,ppGalNAc-T中与底物相互作用的重要氨基酸残基以及由这些残基所形成的对底物结合起关键作用的空间构象逐渐被揭示,为了解ppGalNAc-T酶家族的底物作用机制及其蛋白结构与催化活性间的关系提供了理论依据。     

芜菁类黄酮3′-羟化酶基因的功能鉴定及启动子初步分析

类黄酮3′-羟化酶（Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase,F3′H）是细胞色素P450单加氧酶,在花青素合成途径中催化二氢山奈酚生成二氢槲皮素,进而形成矢车菊色素。利用津田芜菁BrF3′H1和赤丸芜菁BrF3′H2基因构建过量表达载体后遗传转化烟草,转基因植株的花色加深。通过染色体步移法克隆了BrF3′H1和BrF3′H2基因上游846和851 bp的启动子序列。生物信息学分析表明,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P均包含TATA box、CAAT box、光调控元件、MRE、ABRE、ATGCAAAT-motif、ERE、O2-site、RY-element、LTR等多个顺式作用元件;二者的核苷酸序列在7个位点存在差异。利用BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P序列替换pCAMBIA1301植物表达载体的35S启动子后遗传转化烟草。GUS组织化学染色结果表明,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P序列均能驱动GUS基因表达。通过PCR方法获得了BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P的一系列缺失片段,融合GUS基因后转化烟草。染色结果显示,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P系列缺失片段均具有起始GUS基因表达的活性。BrF3′H1和BrF3′H2基因的功能鉴定及启动子的初步分析将为揭示津田芜菁和赤丸芜菁F3′H基因的光诱导表达调控机理奠定研究基础。     

蛇苔细胞色素C（Cyt C）的序列分析及功能预测

通过核酸序列比对,在蛇苔cDNA文库中获得细胞色素C（Cyt C）基因序列,并对其编码的蛋白质产物从同源性、氨基酸组成、理化性质、亚细胞位点、结构和功能等进行生物信息学分析和预测。结果表明,该cDNA序列具有完整的开放阅读框（ORF,104—442bp）,推测编码蛋白为112个氨基酸,与向日葵、荞麦、玉米等Cyt C存在着较高的保守性（相似性分别为84％、85％和84％）,同属于细胞色素C超家族;蛇苔CytC蛋白的分子量为11998．7Da,不含信号肽,成熟的CytC起始于Ala2,其活性位点为Cys23、Cys26、His27和Met89;对蛋白质的翻译后修饰预测表明Ala2存在乙酰化修饰,Lys81和Lys95分别进行三甲基赖氨酸修饰。这些特点与其他植物CytC保持一致,表明该基因为蛇苔cyt c基因,在进化上相对保守。     

鼻咽癌细胞系CNE2中NPCEDRG基因mRNA剪接变异体的分析

NPCEDRG基因是采用基因定位候选克隆策略获得的1个鼻咽癌候选抑瘤基因. NPCEDRG在鼻咽癌细胞和组织中表达下调,重新恢复NPCEDRG基因在CNE2细胞系的表达,可部分逆转CNE2 的恶性表型. 本研究对CNE2细胞所表达的NPCEDRG基因mRNA剪接变异体克隆、鉴定,发现NPCEDRG基因至少有7个转录起始位点,其中NM_032316的TSS位于ATG上游-85 nt处,AF538150和AK094248的TSS位于-25 nt处;AF538150不存在第2外显子中6核苷酸序列（5′-TTGCAG-3′）的缺失,其CDs为516 bp,编码1种由171个氨基酸组成的蛋白质（而非GenBank中公布的CDs为510 bp,1种由169个氨基酸组成的蛋白质）. 本研究成功克隆得到1种新的NPCEDRG基因的mRNA剪接变异体V2,其TSS位于-23 nt处,其CDs为297 bp,编码1种由98个氨基酸组成的蛋白质.     

稀有的黑檀体基因（ebony）5′UTR自发突变导致黑腹果蝇的黑条体突变

由于果蝇Drosophila群体中有很多自发突变其中包括多种体色突变, 因此它是一个研究自发突变的优秀的模式体系。本研究证实我们实验室发现的一个可以引起果蝇体色突变的自发突变（bsr）是一个黑檀体（e）的等位基因, 将其命名为e^bsr。序列分析显示e^bsr的5′端缺失了953个碱基, 其中包括外显子1后端的206个碱基及相连的内含子1的747个碱基。逆转录PCR结果显示5′端的缺失导致内含子1不能从mRNA中剪接掉, 由此导致该mRNA的翻译起始密码子AUG前端增加了一个3.2 kb的序列。该序列导致e^bsr的mRNA的5′UTR（5′-untranslated region）区较野生型基因增加近3 kb的长度。通过mRNA二级结构分析发现这个增加的3 kb的片段可以形成复杂的颈环结构（stem-loop）。免疫印迹结果显示该突变基因没有基因产物产生。本研究进一步证实了由于mRNA的5′UTR序列结构的改变可以影响到蛋白质的翻译。     

Novel cuticular proteins revealed by the honey bee genome

With the completion of the honey bee genome project, a transition is now occurring from the acquisition of gene sequence to understanding the role and context of gene products within the genome. Here we annotated and characterised a cluster of three genes in a GC-rich 11 kb genomic region on the linkage group 4 encoding highly hydrophobic polypeptides (named apidermins; APD 1-3) containing both sequence motifs characteristic of cuticular proteins and distinctly novel features. Five amino acids, Ala, Gly, Leu, Pro and Val, account for 74-86% of their respective sequences with Ala being the most abundant residue (at least 30% of each peptide). A conserved tetra-peptide AAPA/V is found in all three proteins, but none has the 'R and R' signature implicated in chitin binding. Two proteins, APD-1 and APD-2, contain an arginine-rich motif RERR in short non-hydrophobic stretches near the N-terminal of mature proteins and in both proteins tryptophan is the C-terminal residue. All three genes are spliced and highly expressed in a defined spatio-temporal pattern. apd-1 is expressed in the exoskeletal epidermis, but only during a restricted period of a few days of late pupal and early adult life when the cuticle becomes dark. APD2 appears to be a protein of "internal" cuticles and is expressed in the tracheas, oesophagus and stomach, and also in the embryo. The expression of apd-3 partly overlaps with both apd-1 and apd-3, but apd-3 also is uniquely associated with non-pigmented cuticles such as the eye cover and external cuticle of white pupae. This study expands the collection of genes encoding cuticular proteins by three novel and well characterised members.     

Muscle force arises by actin filament rotation and torque in the Z-filaments

Cytochrome P450 partial sequences were isolated by PCR using genomic DNA from two hymenopteran insects of agronomical importance, Trichogramma cacoeciae, a parasitoid wasp, and Apis mellifera, the honeybee. Four new P450 genes were identified: one honeybee gene belongs to the CYP4 family and was named CYP4G11; the three other genes were from Trichogramma and belong to the CYP4 family (CYP4G12) and to a novel family, the CYP48 one (CYP48A1 and CYP48A2). The four genes contain a short intron (72-95 bp) at the same position as already described for other insect species. The two genes CYP48A1 and CYP48A2 have a supernumary intron (57-71 bp) upstream the first one. Only the two CYP4 genes were constitutively transcribed, at a high level for CYP4G12 and at a low level for CYP4G11. No expression was observed for CYP48A1 and CYP48A2.     

Role of maximum rate of depolarization in predicting action potential duration during ventricular fibrillation

During ventricular fibrillation (VF) only 39% of the variation in action potential duration (APD) is accounted for by the previous diastolic interval [DI((n-1))], i.e., restitution, and the previous APD [APD((n-1))], i.e., memory. We tested the hypothesis that a characteristic of the AP upstroke, the maximum rate of depolarization (V(max)), also helps account for its APD. A floating microelectrode was used to make transmembrane recordings at 16,000 samples/s from the anterior left ventricular wall during four 20-s episodes of VF in each of six pigs. V(max), time from V(max) to 60% repolarization (APD(60)), and DI were calculated throughout all episodes. Stepwise linear regression was used to determine how well each APD(60) (APD(60n)) was predicted by V(max) of that AP, the four previous DIs (n-1, n - 2, n - 3, n - 4), and the three previous APD(60)s (n-1, n - 2, n - 3). V(max) entered in the regression equation significantly more often (86% of VF episodes) than either APD((n-1)) (47% of episodes) or DI((n-1)) (58% of episodes). When these three variables entered first or second, their coefficients were almost always positive, consistent with a longer APD associated with 1) a larger V(max), 2) a longer APD((n-1)), and 3) a longer DI((n-1)). R(2) of the regression for all entered variables was 0.51 +/- 0.01 (mean +/- SD). During the first 20 s of VF in swine, V(max) is a more important determinant of APD than the previous DI (restitution) or the previous APD (memory). All variables together account for only one-half of APD variation during VF.     

Expression and hormonal control of a new larval cuticular multigene family at the onset of metamorphosis of the tobacco hornworm

The pattern of cuticular protein synthesis by the epidermis of the tobacco hornworm larva changes during the final day of feeding, leading to an alteration in cuticular structure and a stiffening of the cuticle. We have isolated a small multigene family which codes for at least three of the new cuticular proteins made at this time. The five genes which were isolated from this family map to two different genomic regions. Sequencing shows that one of the genes is 1.9 kb and consists of three exons coding for a 12.2-kDa acidic (pI = 5.26) protein that is predominantly hydrophilic. The deduced amino acid sequence shows regions of similarity to proteins from flexible lepidopteran cuticles and from Drosophila larval and pupal cuticles, but not to proteins found in highly sclerotized cuticles. This gene family is first expressed late on the penultimate day (Day 2) of feeding in the final larval instar and ceases expression 2 days later when metamorphosis begins. In situ hybridization shows that this gene family is expressed in all the epidermal cells of Day 3 larvae except the bristle cells and those at the muscle attachment site. Expression can be induced in Day 1 epidermis by exposure to 50 ng/ml 20-hydroxyecdysone in vitro, but only if juvenile hormone is absent. Its developmental expression, tissue specificity, and hormonal regulation strongly suggest that this multigene family is involved in the structural changes that occur in the larval cuticle just prior to the onset of metamorphosis.     

一种新的蜜蜂细菌性幼虫病病原的分离鉴定

2005年早春,在浙江部分地区出现了一种严重的蜜蜂细菌性幼虫病,该病导致蜜蜂幼虫颜色发黄,失去光泽;严重时幼虫死亡腐烂。从10批发病死亡幼虫样品中,分离得到并保存了5类纯培养物。通过蜂群接种试验和实验室人工培养的幼虫接种,确定L2菌株能引起与自然发病相似的症状,且能从接种发病的幼虫上再次分离到相同菌株,证明L2菌株是该蜜蜂细菌性幼虫病的致病菌。进一步对分离到的该致病菌从发病特征、病原形态学、生理生化特性、16SrRNA序列等方面进行了分析鉴定,结果显示:该菌株属于肠球菌属的屎肠球菌(Enterococcusfaecium),不是目前报道的任何一种已知蜜蜂细菌性幼虫病的病原。     

Cuticular hydrocarbons fromVarroa jacobsoni

The cuticular hydrocarbons fromVarroa mites collected in Florida and Italy and their honeybee hosts were characterized by gas chromatography (GC) and by coupled GC-mass spectrometry (MS). AVarroa mite has a hydrocarbon pattern that is qualitatively identical to that of its honeybee host. Mites and all stages of honeybees share a characteristic pattern of prominant alkane components including heneicosane, tricosane, pentacosane, heptacosane, nonacosane and hentriacontane. Adult honey bees and mites from adult bees also have as major components the alkenes 8-nC31:1, 10-nC31:1 and 10-nC33:1, while pupae and mites from pupae have only traces of these alkenes. Coupled GC-MS analysis after addition of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) was used to determine the location of the double bound in the three prominent alkenes above. The question as to whether the mites simply acquire the hydrocarbons from their hosts or possibly synthesize them was not resolved. No characteristic differences between the hydrocarbons of mites from Italy and from Florida were found. We speculate that the hydrocarbons help the mites avoid desiccation and may help integrate the mites into honeybee colony life.Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-02473.     

The Tub alpha 3 gene from Zea mays: structure and expression in dividing plant tissues.

A gene (Tub alpha 3) coding for an alpha-Tub, expressed in dividing tissues, has been cloned from Zea mays. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence, 450 aa long, is very similar to the other plant alpha-Tub (85-89% homology) so far reported, and in particular to the other two aa sequences (alpha 1-Tub and alpha 2-Tub) already published from the same species (93% homology). The genomic structure is also very similar, having three introns located at the same positions as in the Tub alpha 1 and Tub alpha 2 genes, one of them placed at the same position in the homologous genes from Arabidopsis thaliana. Nevertheless, the noncoding sequences are very different from the two other maize genomic sequences. In particular, no homology has been found either in the 5' upstream or in the 3'-untranslated sequences. Using specific 3' probes, it has been possible to detect the mRNA coded by this gene in many of the plant organs measured, but its highest abundance is observed in the organs rich in dividing cells, a pattern correlated with that of the histone H4-encoding gene. A cDNA clone has been identified in maize coleoptiles and sequenced, confirming the expression of the Tub alpha 3 in this organ. No preferential accumulation in any organ of the plant was found, in contrast with what was observed in the Tub alpha 1 and Tub alpha 2 genes already described. The Tub alpha gene family seems to consist in maize by at least two groups of homologous sequences, each one including a maximum of two or three coding units.     

Cloning and characterization of GLOSSY1, a maize gene involved in cuticle membrane and wax production

The cuticle covering the aerial organs of land plants plays a protective role against several biotic and abiotic stresses and, in addition, participates in a variety of plant-insect interactions. Here, we describe the molecular cloning and characterization of the maize (Zea mays) GLOSSY1 (GL1) gene, a component of the pathway leading to cuticular wax biosynthesis in seedling leaves. The genomic and cDNA sequences we isolated differ significantly in length and in most of the coding region from those previously identified. The predicted GL1 protein includes three histidine-rich domains, the landmark of a family of membrane-bound desaturases/hydroxylases, including fatty acid-modifying enzymes. GL1 expression is not restricted to the juvenile developmental stage of the maize plant, pointing to a broader function of the gene product than anticipated on the basis of the mutant phenotype. Indeed, in addition to affecting cuticular wax biosynthesis, gl1 mutations have a pleiotropic effect on epidermis development, altering trichome size and impairing cutin structure. Of the many wax biosynthetic genes identified so far, only a few from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were found to be essential for normal cutin formation. Among these is WAX2, which shares 62% identity with GL1 at the protein level. In wax2-defective plants, cutin alterations induce postgenital organ fusion. This trait is not displayed by gl1 mutants, suggesting a different role of the maize and Arabidopsis cuticle in plant development.