LIM蛋白家族的研究进展

LIM蛋白是分子结构中含有一个或多个LIM结构域的蛋白质家族,该家族中的蛋白质通过其LIM结构域与某些结构蛋白,激酶,转录调控因子等多种蛋白质相互作用,对某些基因的表达,细胞分化与发育,细胞骨架形成等发挥重要调控作用。本文介绍LIM蛋白家族的分类与功能,LIM蛋白及其与其他蛋白之间的相互作用,以及LIM蛋白在心血管系统中的作用。     

牦牛CSRP3基因的克隆及组织表达分析

CSRP3基因(Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3,CSRP3)编码CRP3蛋白,是一个肌发生的正调节因子,可通过多种方式在肌肉发育和肌肉细胞结构维持中起重要作用。通过对牦牛CSRP3基因进行克隆及组织表达谱分析,为后续提高牦牛肉品质的研究提供基础数据。采用RT-PCR方法克隆牦牛CSRP3基因CDS区;再对其进行序列分析及蛋白结构和功能预测等生物信息学分析;最后利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测该基因在牦牛不同组织中的表达量。牦牛CSRP3基因CDS区长585 bp,编码194个氨基酸;CSRP3基因的系统进化树结果显示,牦牛与黄牛的亲缘性最近,其次是绵羊。牦牛CSRP3基因编码的蛋白为偏碱性不稳定亲水蛋白,无跨膜结构和信号肽,为非分泌蛋白,含有磷酸化位点22个,N-糖基化位点2个,O-糖基化位点7个;存在两个LIM结构域,属于LIM结构域蛋白质超家族成员,主要分布于细胞核中;二级结构以无规卷曲为主,三级结构的最佳模型为1b8t.1.A;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,牦牛CSRP3基因在臀大肌中有较高表达量。生物信息学分析结果显示,CRP3蛋白含有两个LIM结构域,主要分布在细胞核中,实时荧光定量PCR结果显示牦牛CSRP3基因在臀大肌中具有较高表达量,为牦牛CSRP3基因在牦牛肉品质方面的调控机制研究提供了基础数据。     

FHL1的结构和功能及其与疾病的关系

FHL（four and a half LIM domain）家族是含有4 个半LIM结构域的蛋白家族,现发现该家族由5 个成员,即FHL1、FHL2、FHL3、FHL4、FHL5 /ACT 组成,其表达具有组织特异性.它们通过LIM结构域与某些结构蛋白、激酶、转录调控因子等多种蛋白质相互作用,对某些基因的表达、细胞分化与发育、细胞骨架形成等发挥重要调控作用.FHL1（four and a half LIM domain 1）是FHL家族中表达最广泛的成员,尤其在骨骼肌和心肌中高表达.近年研究表明其参与某些病理过程,与心血管疾病、肌肉疾病、肿瘤疾病等相关.     

一个新的家蚕LIMonly蛋白基因的序列分析和原核表达

LIM蛋白是一类含有LIM结构域的真核蛋白家族,它可介导细胞分化和发育,转录调控和激活、参与细胞骨架形成等多种重要的生物调节过程。从家蚕蛹cDNA文库获得一个新的编码LIM only蛋白的基因,我们将其命名为BmLIMO（BombyxmoriLIMonly protein）。该基因ORF长度为561 bp,编码长度为186个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,预测分子量为21.6 kDa,等电点为9.14。对BmLIMO基因进行了生物信息学方面的分析,并用DNA重组技术将Bm-LIMO片段克隆到原核表达载体pET-28α中,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中成功表达了可溶性BmLIMO蛋白,这为进一步研究该蛋白功能奠定了基础。     

hhLIM与actin相互作用依赖其C端LIM结构域

hhLIM是LIM蛋白家族成员之一,该蛋白质含有两个LIM结构域,在基因表达调节、细胞骨架组构及细胞肥大过程中发挥重要作用.构建hhLIM不同LIM结构域的突变体,探讨其两个LIM结构域在与actin相互结合中的作用及其可能机制.GST-pull down和hhLIM及其突变体与actin细胞定位关系的免疫荧光分析结果表明,C端的LIM结构域2是hhLIM与actin结合所必需的,该结构域中的两个Cys置换为Ser后可使hhLIM结合actin的功能完全丧失,N端的LIM结构域1突变使hhLIM结合actin的能力下降.F-actin交联实验结果显示,hhLIM通过LIM结构域2与actin直接结合并起到交联F-actin的作用.结果表明,LIM结构域2在hhLIM与actin相互作用及调节actin细胞骨架组构中起决定性作用.     

FHL家族功能研究进展

FHL是含有4个半LIM结构域的蛋白家族,体内现已发现5个成员,即FHL1、FHL2、FHL3、FHL4、FHL5/ACT,不同成员在组织中表达具有特异性。FHL家族通过LIM结构域与其他蛋白质相互作用,在各种肌细胞的生长与分化、肿瘤的发生发展以及基因的转录调节中发挥重要的作用。     

LIM—only转录因子研究进展

LIM—only转录因子是LIM基因家族中的LIM—only基因编码的转录调节因子,其蛋白(LMO蛋白)结构中含1个或多个LIM结构域。LIM结构域由两个串联重复的种间高度保守的LIM基元组成。现已发现属于该家族的基因主要有LMO1、LMO2、LMO3、LMO4、dLMO、XLMO、PDLP、FHL等,并且还会有新的发现。迄今的研究结果表明,LMO蛋白是一种蛋白相互作用的适配器,它的LIM结构域可与核内广泛分布的LIM结构域结合蛋白或其他的转录调节因子结合形成转录复合体,启动特异基因的转录,调节生物的发育和分化,并与肿瘤的形成有关。     

LIM蛋白的功能

LIM结构域的主要作用是参与蛋白质之间的相互作用,目前已发现多种蛋白含有这种结构域,将它们统称为“LIM蛋白”。目前LIM蛋白主要分为4类：LIM同源异型结构域蛋白(LHX)、单纯LIM结构域蛋白(LMO)、LIM激酶以及其它LIM蛋白。LHX蛋白的功能主要是通过激活转录参与细胞命运的决定,LMO蛋白的功能主要是通过调节转录来控制细胞的异常增生,LIM激酶的作用则是参与细胞骨架的组织。因此,LIM蛋白在机体的生长发育中发挥着重要的作用,了解LIM蛋白功能将对于我们进一步解释相关的生理和病理现象、控制疾病的发生提供一定的基础。     

拟南芥CBF1与植物对低温和干旱的抗性

对冷驯化过程中基因表达差异的认识,使抗冻基因(COR)的克隆及其功能的分析成为研究冷驯化过程的主要目标。在拟南芥和其他抗冻植物中,分离了许多COR基因,这些基因对植物抗冻起着非常重要的作用。在拟南芥COR调控的研究中,发现了CBF转录因子的基因家族,其中CBF1能调控一组COR基因的表达。近年来,在冷敏植物如番茄和玉米中也发现了CBF类似基因,拟南芥CBF1基因在转基因番茄中的过量表达提高了植株的抗寒和抗旱性。这一研究结果展示了拟南芥CBF1类似基因的应用可能为冷敏植物抗寒和抗旱性的品种改良提供一条新的途径。     

Sequence analysis of expressed sequence tags from an ABA-treated cDNA library identifies stress response genes in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

Partial cDNA sequencing was used to obtain 169 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in the moss, Physcomitrella patens. The source of ESTs was a random cDNA library constructed from 7 day-old protonemata following treatment with 10(-4) M abscisic acid (ABA). Analysis of the ESTs identified 69% with homology to known sequences, 61% of which had significant homology to sequences of plant origin. More importantly, at least 11 ESTs had significant similarities to genes which are implicated in plant stress-responses, including responses which may involve ABA. These included a cDNA associated with desiccation tolerance, two heat shock protein genes, one cold acclimation protein cDNA and five others that may be involved in either oxidative or chemical stress or both, i.e., Zn/Cu-superoxide dismutase, NADPH protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (PorB), selenium binding protein, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S transferase. Analysis of codon usage between P. patens and seed plants indicated that although mosses and higher plants are to a large extent similar, minor variations also exists that may represent the distinctiveness of each group.     

Cold-induced ependymin expression in zebrafish and carp brain: implications for cold acclimation.

Cold acclimation has been suggested to be mediated by alternations in the gene expression pattern in the cold-adapted fish. To investigate the mechanism of cold acclimation in fish brain at the molecular level, relevant subsets of differentially expressed genes of interest were identified and cloned by the PCR-based subtraction suppression hybridization. Characterization of the selected cold-induced cDNA clones revealed one encoding ependymin. This gene was shown to be brain-specific. The expression of ependymin was induced by a temperature shift from 25 degrees C to 6 degrees C in Cyprinus carpio or 12 degrees C in Danio rerio. Activation of ependymin was detected 2 h after cold exposure and peaked at more than 10-fold at 12 h. This peak level remains unchanged until the temperature returns to 25 degrees C. Although the amount of soluble ependymin protein in brain was not changed by cold treatment, its level in the fibrous insoluble polymers increased 2-fold after exposure to low temperature. These findings indicate that the increase in ependymin expression is an early event that may play an important role in the cold acclimation of fish.     

Abscisic acid-induced freezing tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens is accompanied by increased expression of stress-related genes

Abscisic acid (ABA)-induced genes are implicated in the development of freezing tolerance during cold acclimation in higher plants, but their roles in lower land plants have not been determined. We examined ABA- and cold-induced changes in freezing tolerance and gene expression in the moss Physcomitrella patens. Slow equilibrium freezing to -4 degrees C of P. patens protonemata grown under normal growth conditions killed more than 90% of the cells, indicating that the protonema cells are freezing-sensitive. ABA treatment for 24 h dramatically increased the freezing tolerance of the protonemata, while cold treatment only slightly increased the freezing tolerance within the same period. We examined the expressions of fourteen Physcomitrella patens ABA-responsive genes (PPARs), isolated from ABA-treated protonemata. ABA treatment resulted in a remarkable increase in the expression of all the PPAR genes within 24 h. Several of the PPAR genes (PPAR 1 to 8, and 14) were also responsive to cold, but the response was much slower than that to ABA. Treatment with hyperosmotic concentrations of NaCl and mannitol increased freezing tolerance of protonemata and also increased the expression levels of eleven PPAR genes (PPAR2, 3, 5 to 8, and 10 to 14). These results suggest that ABA and environmental stresses positively affect the expression of common genes that participate in protection of protonema cells leading to the development of freezing tolerance.     

珙桐中一个与低温相关基因的克隆及其表达研究

低温诱导膜蛋白是由低温诱导表达蛋白基因编码的一类疏水性蛋白,在植物抵御寒冷环境时起着一定的保护作用。从珙桐cDNA文库中获得一个未知基因（DiRCI）,该基因长539bp,其中包括174bp的开放阅读框,92bp的5′末端非编码区和273bp的3′末端非编码区,编码57个氨基酸残基蛋白,在氨基酸水平上同源性较高的是车前草的低温诱导膜蛋白（登入号：ACA66247.1）,其相似性为89.5%。半定量RT-PCR分析发现,25℃以上,该基因在珙桐各器官中基本上均未表达,但经8℃低温处理时,在成熟叶片、叶柄和成熟未萌发的种子中均有表达,但是在根中基本没有表达,进一步研究发现该基因在24h～48h内表达量增多并达到最高值,48h后其表达量逐渐减弱直至消失,说明该基因确实与低温诱导相关,从而初步推测该基因为低温诱导膜蛋白基因。该基因的克隆丰富和保存了珙桐基因资源,并为进一步研究冷胁迫的分子机制奠定了基础。     

Cold shock and cold acclimation proteins in the psychrotrophic bacterium Arthrobacter globiformis SI55.

The psychrotrophic bacterium Arthrobacter globiformis SI55 was grown at 4 and 25 degrees C, and the cell protein contents were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Cells subjected to cold shocks of increasing magnitude were also analyzed. Correspondence analysis of protein appearance distinguished four groups of physiological significance. Group I contained cold shock proteins (Csps) overexpressed only after a large temperature downshift. Group II contained Csps with optimal expression after mild shocks. Group III contained proteins overexpressed after all cold shocks. These last proteins were also overexpressed in cells growing at 4 degrees C and were considered to be early cold acclimation proteins (Caps). Group IV contained proteins which were present at high concentrations only in 4 degrees C steady-state cells and appeared to be late Caps. A portion of a gene very similar to the Escherichia coli cspA gene (encoding protein CS7.4) was identified. A synthetic peptide was used to produce an antibody which detected a CS7.4-like protein (A9) by immunoblotting two-dimensional electrophoresis gels of A. globiformis SI55 total proteins. Unlike mesophilic microorganisms, this CS7.4-like protein was still produced during prolonged growth at low temperature, and it might have a particular adaptive function needed for balanced growth under harsh conditions. However, A9 was induced at high temperature by chloramphenicol, suggesting that CS7.4-like proteins have a more general role than their sole implication in cold acclimation processes.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel cold-regulated gene from Capsella bursa-pastoris.

A novel cor gene was cloned from Capsella bursa-pastoris (designated Cbcor15b) by RACE-PCR. The full-length cDNA of Cbcor15b was 652bp and contained a 417bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 139-amino acid hydrophilic protein. Multiple alignments showed that Cbcor15b had high similarity with other cold-regulated genes from Arabidopsis thaliana (cor15b, cor15a), Brassica napus (bn115, bn19 and bn26) and genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. The predicted CbCOR15B protein was found to have a potential chloroplast signal sequence cleavage site, two cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA and PKG) phosphorylation sites. Cold acclimation assay showed that Cbcor15b was relevant to cold acclimation. Our study implies that Cbcor15b might have similar functions possessed by other cor genes in increasing plants' freezing tolerance.