M41型A群链球菌的Ⅰ型胶原样蛋白与人低密度脂蛋白的相互作用

【目的】检测M41型A群链球菌(GAS)ATCC12373中Ⅰ型胶原样蛋白(Scl1)与人低密度脂蛋白(LDL)的相互作用。【方法】克隆了M41型GAS ATCC12373的Ⅰ型胶原样蛋白(Scl1)及其V区(Scl1-V)基因,并表达、纯化重组蛋白rScl1(C176)和rScl1-V(C176V)。通过重组蛋白与人血浆的亲和色谱层析、Western blot及酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测C176、C176V与LDL的相互作用;通过GAS与LDL的ELISA试验和人血浆与GAS的共孵育试验,检测GAS与LDL的相互作用。【结果】结果证明C176和C176V可以与LDL特异性结合;表达Scl1的M41型GAS可以与LDL相结合。【结论】M41型GAS的Scl1可以与LDL特异性结合。     

铜绿假单胞菌二氢硫辛酸酰胺脱氢酶的重组表达及其与脂蛋白(a)的相互作用

【目的】二氢硫辛酸酰胺脱氢酶(Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase,Lpd)是铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)表面的一种纤溶酶原(Plasminogen,Plg)受体,旨在研究Lpd与脂蛋白(a)[Lipoprotein(a),Lp(a)]以及Plg之间的相互作用。【方法】用大肠杆菌表达rLpd及其突变分子(rLpd K476A、rLpd K477A、rLpdΔKKR),用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)、亲和色谱层析及Western blot等技术检测rLpd及其突变分子与Lp(a)、Plg的相互作用。【结果】ELISA及亲和色谱层析实验结果表明,rLpd可以与Lp(a)结合但不与LDL结合,Lp(a)与rLpdΔKKR的结合能力显著低于其与rLpd的结合能力。1 mmol/L的赖氨酸类似物6-氨基己酸(EACA)对rLpd与Lp(a)的结合有显著的抑制作用。1 000μg/L的Lp(a)对rLpd与Plg的结合起到显著的抑制作用。【结论】Lpd能够与Lp(a)特异性结合,其476和477两个相邻的赖氨酸残基是与Lp(a)结合的主要位点,Lp(a)可以竞争性地抑制rLpd与Plg的结合。     

天然属性抗LDL 及oxLDL IgM 亚类抗体的制备与鉴定

目的:制备天然属性抗低密度脂蛋白(LDL)及抗氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxLDL)IgM亚类抗体。方法:给予Babl/c小鼠高胆固醇饮食,4周后取脾细胞直接与SP2/0细胞融合,以纯化的LDL及oxLDL为抗原,对阳性杂交瘤细胞生长孔进行间接ELISA筛选。鉴定杂交瘤上清的免疫球蛋白亚类,进而采用免疫沉淀和免疫印迹法对获得的抗体进行免疫学反应性鉴定。结果:杂交瘤细胞分泌的抗LDL及抗oxLDL的天然抗体通过ELISA法被筛选出来,可以与LDL或oxLDL发生高亲和力结合,经过4次克隆化,最终获得2株稳定分泌天然抗LDL的抗体,命名为5G8和2H7,及1株稳定抗oxLDL的抗体,命名为3A6,3株抗体均属于IgM亚类,无交叉反应,可以满足免疫印迹、免疫沉淀等实验要求。结论:成功制备了抗LDL及抗oxLDL IgM亚类抗体,为研究天然抗体在体内脂质代谢和相关心脑血管疾病如动脉粥样硬化等发生发展中的作用提供了重要的研究工具。     

血浆糖蛋白β2-GPI分子结构域与ox-LDL结合机制

通过酵母重组P.rβ_2-GPI-DV(β2糖蛋白I第5结构域)蛋白的荧光、圆二色谱及分子对接模拟,分析血浆糖蛋白β2-GPI-DV分子结构域与ox-LDL的结合机制。SDS-PAGE、Western blotting验证重组蛋白P.rβ_2-GPI-DV表达正确性及纯度;荧光、圆二色光谱、分子对接模拟解析重组蛋白与oxLDL、oxLDL配体oxLig-1可能存在的结合机制和位点。SDS-PAGE、Western blotting显示,在12 kDa大小处有目的蛋白存在且与特异性抗体结合;荧光、圆二色谱的发色基团、二级结构的变化趋势及分子对接模拟结果揭示,P.rβ_2-GPI-DV的Cys281-Lys-Asn-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys287和Leu313-Ala-Phe-Trp316区域组成的活性口袋与oxLig-1的ω-COOH羧基是实现二者结合的关键。以上结果表明,β2-GPI通过其第5结构域(DV)的赖氨酸阳性区域与ox-LDL的ω-COOH基团识别结合,为血清中β2-GPI特异性结合ox-LDL的机制研究提供理论依据。     

粟酒裂殖酵母核糖体蛋白RPL21表达不足引发细胞粘附

【目的】随机选择裂殖酵母核糖体蛋白RPL21作为研究对象,分析其表达不足对细胞的影响。【方法】通过同源臂交换的方法,敲除裂殖酵母基因组中RPL21蛋白的编码基因rpl21-1和rpl21-2,观察突变菌株rpl21-1Δ和rpl21-2Δ细胞内的核糖体合成情况以及细胞表型变化。【结果】突变菌株rpl21-1Δ和rpl21-2Δ细胞内总的rpl21(rpl21-1+rpl21-2)表达水平与野生型菌株相比分别减少了66.5%和58.7%,合成的核糖体总量较野生型菌株分别下降了62.8%和50.4%。突变菌株在YEPD液体培养基中培养时发生细胞粘附现象,而基因回补的重组菌株rpl21-1Δ/RPL21-1和rpl21-2Δ/RPL21-2突变株细胞中粘附现象消失。【结论】核糖体蛋白损伤造成核糖体合成受阻,进而引发细胞生长过程中的粘附在粟酒裂殖酵母中是普遍存在的现象。     

天然属性抗LDL及oxLDL IgM亚类抗体的制备与鉴定

目的：制备天然属性抗低密度脂蛋白（LDL）及抗氧化低密度脂蛋白（oxLDL）IgM亚类抗体。方法：给予Babl/c小鼠高胆固醇饮食,4周后取脾细胞直接与SP2/0细胞融合,以纯化的LDL及oxLDL为抗原,对阳性杂交瘤细胞生长孔进行间接ELISA筛选。鉴定杂交瘤上清的免疫球蛋白亚类,进而采用免疫沉淀和免疫印迹法对获得的抗体进行免疫学反应性鉴定。结果：杂交瘤细胞分泌的抗LDL及抗oxLDL的天然抗体通过ELISA法被筛选出来,可以与LDL或oxLDL发生高亲和力结合,经过4次克隆化,最终获得2株稳定分泌天然抗LDL的抗体,命名为5G8和2H7,及1株稳定抗oxLDL的抗体,命名为3A6,3株抗体均属于IgM亚类,无交叉反应,可以满足免疫印迹、免疫沉淀等实验要求。结论：成功制备了抗LDL及抗oxLDL IgM亚类抗体,为研究天然抗体在体内脂质代谢和相关心脑血管疾病如动脉粥样硬化等发生发展中的作用提供了重要的研究工具。     

嗜碱芽孢杆菌N16-5木寡糖结合蛋白XynE的功能表征

嗜碱芽孢杆菌(Bacillus sp.)N16-5是本实验室从内蒙古乌都淖湖沉积物中分离的嗜碱菌,含有丰富的多糖水解酶,能够利用广泛的单糖和多糖。实验室前期转录组研究发现其基因组上存在一个21 kb大小的木聚糖利用相关基因簇,其中包括xyn EFG基因簇编码的ABC转运蛋白。【目的】生物信息学分析预测xyn E编码转运蛋白的底物结合蛋白,通过敲除xyn E基因研究它对菌株N16-5利用木聚糖的影响。【方法】利用温敏型载体p NNB194介导的同源交换重组的方法构建了xyn E基因敲除菌株N16-5(Δxyn E),并通过基因回补对敲除菌株表型进行验证。通过检测菌株在木聚糖培养基中的生长情况及培养基中还原糖含量的变化来分析xyn E基因对菌株利用木聚糖的影响;通过HPLC检测分析不同培养时间点木聚糖培养基的组分,结合缺失菌株和野生型菌株在以木糖为唯一碳源的培养基中的生长情况来分析Xyn E所属ABC转运蛋白的底物特异性。【结果】相比野生型菌株,缺失型菌株N16-5(Δxyn E)在木聚糖培养基的生长曲线对数期明显延迟,最大生物量略低,且培养过程中出现了明显的还原糖的累积与消耗过程;回补菌株恢复了野生型表型,且最大生物量比野生型略高。HPLC检测分析显示,相比野生型菌株,缺失菌株培养过程底物消耗速度较慢,且16 h后出现明显的木四糖、木三糖和木二糖的累积,直至60 h后仍有较大量木二糖的存在;在木糖培养基中培养时,缺失型菌株和野生型菌株的生长趋势较一致。【结论】Xyn E蛋白特异性结合木寡糖,其所属ABC转运蛋白在嗜碱芽孢杆菌N16-5降解利用木聚糖过程中发挥着重要作用。     

胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌鞭毛钩基因flgK 的功能

【目的】为了研究鞭毛钩基因flgK在胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp.carotovorum,P.c.c)的功能。【方法】本研究采用两亲同源交换法构建了基因缺失突变体ΔflgKpcc并构建了互补菌株ΔflgKpcc-KH,测定突变体及其互补菌株的菌体形态、运动性、致病因子、致病性等表型。【结果】与野生菌株PccS1相比,ΔflgKpcc鞭毛缺失,菌体易沉降,在0.3%半固体培养基上运动能力明显降低,生长速率无明显变化,但是纤维素酶和蛋白酶的活性、生物膜形成能力明显下降,对感病寄主的致病力显著减弱。基因互补可以使上述突变表型恢复。【结论】实验表明,鞭毛基因flgK突变导致了菌体的运动性降低、病原菌毒性相关的酶活力下降,从而导致致病力下降。     

转录因子PaPho与丝状真菌Podospora anserina中磷元素的吸收和利用研究

作为生物体必需的营养元素之一,磷在物质代谢、信号传导和能量储存中起着关键作用。【目的】研究丝状真菌Podospora anserina中调控磷酸盐代谢相关转录因子的作用,可进一步阐明真核微生物中磷元素吸收的调控机制。【方法】利用同源重组的方法定点敲除P.anserina中2个磷代谢相关转录因子PaPho1和PaPho2,遗传杂交构建双重突变体ΔPaPho1ΔPaPho2;通过表型分析、无机磷含量测定和酸性磷酸酶活性测定分析各突变菌株的变化;利用实时定量聚合酶链反应(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)分析磷代谢相关基因的表达情况。【结果】在无机磷作为唯一磷来源的培养基上,ΔPaPho1ΔPaPho2无法生长;在添加有机磷的培养基中,ΔPaPho1ΔPaPho2和野生型菌株生长无显著性差异。在同时添加有机磷和无机磷的培养基中,ΔPaPho1ΔPaPho2的无机磷含量和酸性磷酸酶活性比野生型菌株的分别下降了25.0%和61.9%,ΔPaPho1ΔPaPho2中无机磷酸盐转运蛋白基因的表达水平显著降低。【结论】在P...     

毕赤酵母蛋白质糖基化途径的改造

【背景】以酵母为宿主生产的蛋白往往发生过糖基化，形成高甘露糖型的N-糖基化。高甘露糖型的结构易在人体中引起免疫反应，这是酵母不能用于绝大部分糖蛋白药物生产的主要限制因素。因此，构建表达人源糖基化糖蛋白的酵母底盘细胞将为糖蛋白药物的生产提供强有力的工具。库德里阿兹威氏毕赤酵母(Pichia kudriavzevii)具有极强的抗逆性且生长迅速，是一种近年来备受关注的非典型性酵母，对其进行糖基化途径的改造将具有巨大的应用前景。【目的】对酵母N-糖基化途径的改造，首先要使其N-糖基化转变为Man₅GlcNAc₂核心结构，本研究对P. kudriavzevii的och1基因进行敲除并引入源自曲霉的msd S基因，以改变其分泌糖蛋白N-糖链的糖型结构。【方法】通过基因编辑对P. kudriavzevii的N-糖基化途径进行改造，获得P. kudriavzeviiΔura3Δoch1::msd S菌株，分析P. kudriavzeviiΔura3Δoch1::msd S菌株分泌糖蛋白上N-糖组的变化。【结果】与野生型P. kudriavzevii相...     

Atorvastatin increases human serum levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has gained attention as a key regulator of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. This novel protease causes the degradation of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors. In humans, gain-of-function mutations in PCSK9 cause a form of familial hypercholesterolemia, whereas loss-of-function mutations result in significantly decreased LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have demonstrated that statins upregulate PCSK9 mRNA expression in cultured cells and animal models. In light of these observations, we studied the effect of atorvastatin on circulating PCSK9 protein levels in humans using a sandwich ELISA to quantitate serum PCSK9 levels in patients treated with atorvastatin or placebo for 16 weeks. We observed that atorvastatin (40 mg/day) significantly increased circulating PCSK9 levels by 34% compared with baseline and placebo and decreased LDL-C levels by 42%. These results suggest that the addition of a PCSK9 inhibitor to statin therapy may result in even further LDL-C decreases.     

The apoE isoform binding properties of the VLDL receptor reveal marked differences from LRP and the LDL receptor

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) associates with lipoproteins and mediates their interaction with members of the LDL receptor family. ApoE exists as three common isoforms that have important distinct functional and biological properties. Two apoE isoforms, apoE3 and apoE4, are recognized by the LDL receptor, whereas apoE2 binds poorly to this receptor and is associated with type III hyperlipidemia. In addition, the apoE4 isoform is associated with the common late-onset familial and sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease. Although the interaction of apoE with the LDL receptor is well characterized, the specificity of other members of this receptor family for apoE is poorly understood. In the current investigation, we have characterized the binding of apoE to the VLDL receptor and the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP). Our results indicate that like the LDL receptor, LRP prefers lipid-bound forms of apoE, but in contrast to the LDL receptor, both LRP and the VLDL receptor recognize all apoE isoforms. Interestingly, the VLDL receptor does not require the association of apoE with lipid for optimal recognition and avidly binds lipid-free apoE. It is likely that this receptor-dependent specificity for various apoE isoforms and for lipid-free versus lipid-bound forms of apoE is physiologically significant and is connected to distinct functions for these receptors.     

The glycosylation-dependent interaction of perlecan core protein with LDL: implications for atherosclerosis

Perlecan is a major heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan in the arterial wall. Previous studies have linked it to atherosclerosis. Perlecan contains a core protein and three HS side chains. Its core protein has five domains (DI–DV) with disparate structures and DII is highly homologous to the ligand-binding portion of LDL receptor (LDLR). The functional significance of this domain has been unknown. Here, we show that perlecan DII interacts with LDL. Importantly, the interaction largely relies on O-linked glycans that are only present in the secreted DII. Among the five repeat units of DII, most of the glycosylation sites are from the second unit, which is highly divergent and rich in serine and threonine, but has no cysteine residues. Interestingly, most of the glycans are capped by the negatively charged sialic acids, which are critical for LDL binding. We further demonstrate an additive effect of HS and DII on LDL binding. Unlike LDLR, which directs LDL uptake through endocytosis, this study uncovers a novel feature of the perlecan LDLR-like DII in receptor-mediated lipoprotein retention, which depends on its glycosylation. Thus, perlecan glycosylation may play a role in the early LDL retention during the development of atherosclerosis.     

Relation between insulin resistance and fast-migrating LDL subfraction as characterized by capillary isotachophoresis

The proportion of the electronegative low density lipoprotein [LDL(-)] subfraction, which is atherogenic, is increased in type 2 diabetes but is not reduced by glycemic control. Therefore, we evaluated the ability of a new technique, capillary isotachophoresis (cITP), to quantify charge-based LDL subfractions and examined the relation between insulin resistance and the cITP fast-migrating (f) LDL levels. Seventy-five 10-year-old boys were included. The two cITP LDL subfractions, fLDL and major LDL subfractions, were proportional to the LDL protein content within the range of 0.1-0.8 mg/ml LDL protein. Levels of cITP fLDL were positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) levels and negatively correlated with LDL size. Insulin resistance as assessed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was positively correlated (P < 0.01) with cITP fLDL levels (r = 0.41). The relation between HOMA-IR and cITP fLDL levels depended on TG levels but was independent of body mass index and LDL size. cITP lipoprotein analysis is an accurate and sensitive method for quantifying charge-based LDL subfractions in human plasma, and insulin resistance is related to cITP fLDL independent of LDL size.     

LDL and HDL transfer rates across peripheral microvascular endothelium agree with those predicted for passive ultrafiltration in humans

The mechanisms by which LDLs and HDLs cross the vascular endothelium from plasma into interstitial fluid are not understood, and have never been studied in humans in vivo. We determined whether the plasma-to-lymph clearance rates of LDL and HDL conform with those predicted by passive ultrafiltration through intercellular pores, or if it is necessary to invoke an active process such as receptor-mediated transcytosis. Plasma and afferent peripheral lymph were collected under steady-state conditions from 30 healthy men, and assayed for seven globular proteins of molecular radii 2.89–8.95 nm, complement C3, and apo AI, apo AII, and apo B. Plasma-to-lymph clearance rates of the seven proteins fitted the relation expected for molecules of their size when transported through two populations of pores of radius 4.95 and 20.1 nm. The same model parameters were then found to accurately predict the clearance rates of both HDL and LDL. The apparent clearance of complement C3, previously shown to be secreted by cultured endothelium, exceeded that predicted by the model. We conclude that the transport of HDL and LDL from plasma into interstitial fluid across the peripheral vascular endothelium in healthy humans can be explained by ultrafiltration without invoking an additional active process such as transcytosis.     

Electronegative LDLs from familial hypercholesterolemic patients are physicochemically heterogeneous but uniformly proapoptotic

A highly electronegative fraction of human plasma LDLs, designated L5, has distinctive biological activity that includes induction of apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). This study was performed to identify a relationship between LDL density, electronegativity, and biological activity, namely, the induction of apoptosis in BAECs. Plasma LDLs from normolipidemic subjects and homozygotic familial hypercholesterolemia subjects were separated into five subfractions, with increasing electronegativity from L1 to L5, and into seven subfractions according to increasing density, D1 to D7. L1 to L5 were also separated according to density, and D1 to D7 were separated according to charge. The density profiles of L1 to L5 were similar (maximum density = 1.030 +/- 0.002 g/ml). Induction of apoptosis by all seven density subfractions was confined to the highly electronegative fraction, L5, and within each density subfraction the magnitude of apoptosis correlated with the L5 content. Electronegative LDL is heterogeneous with respect to density and composition, and induction of apoptosis is more strongly associated with LDL electronegativity than with LDL size or density.     

Lipoprotein separation in a novel iodixanol density gradient, for composition, density, and phenotype analysis

Separation of lipoproteins by traditional sequential salt density floatation is a prolonged process ( approximately 72 h) with variable recovery, whereas iodixanol-based, self-generating density gradients provide a rapid ( approximately 4 h) alternative. A novel, three-layered iodixanol gradient was evaluated for its ability to separate lipoprotein fractions in 63 subjects with varying degrees of dyslipidemia. Lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins were measured in 21 successive iodixanol density fractions. Iodixanol fractionation was compared with sequential floatation ultracentrifugation. Iodixanol gradient formation showed a coefficient of variation of 0.29% and total lipid recovery from the gradient of 95.4% for cholesterol and 84.7% for triglyceride. Recoveries for VLDL-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins were approximately 10% higher with iodixanol compared with sequential floatation. The iodixanol gradient effectively discriminated classic lipoproteins and their subfractions, and there was evidence for improved resolution of lipoproteins with the iodixanol gradient. LDL particles subfractionated by the gradient showed good correlation between density and particle size with small, dense LDL (<25.5 nm) separated in fractions with density >1.028 g/dl. The new iodixanol density gradient enabled rapid separation with improved resolution and recovery of all lipoproteins and their subfractions, providing important information with regard to LDL phenotype from a single centrifugation step with minimal in-vitro modification of lipoproteins.     

Levels of atherogenic lipoproteins are unexpectedly reduced in interstitial fluid from type 2 diabetes patients

At a given level of serum cholesterol, patients with T2D have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis compared with nondiabetic subjects. We hypothesized that T2D patients have an increased interstitial fluid (IF)-to-serum gradient ratio for LDL, due to leakage over the vascular wall. Therefore, lipoprotein profiles in serum and IF from 35 T2D patients and 35 healthy controls were assayed using fast performance liquid chromatography. The IF-to-serum gradients for VLDL and LDL cholesterol, as well as for apoB, were clearly reduced in T2D patients compared with healthy controls. No such differences were observed for HDL cholesterol. Contrary to our hypothesis, the atherogenic VLDL and LDL particles were not increased in IF from diabetic patients. Instead, they were relatively sparser than in healthy controls. The most probable explanation to our unexpected finding is that these lipoproteins are more susceptible to retainment in the extravascular space of these patients, reflecting a more active uptake by, or adhesion to, tissue cells, including macrophages in the vascular wall. Further studies are warranted to further characterize the mechanisms underlying these observations, which may be highly relevant for the understanding of why the propensity to develop atherosclerosis is increased in T2D.     

Thematic review series: patient-oriented research. What we have learned about VLDL and LDL metabolism from human kinetics studies

Lipoprotein metabolism is the result of a complex network of many individual components. Abnormal lipoprotein concentrations can result from changes in the production, conversion, or catabolism of lipoprotein particles. Studies in hypolipoproteinemia and hyperlipoproteinemia have elucidated the processes that control VLDL secretion as well as VLDL and LDL catabolism. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding apolipoprotein B (apoB) metabolism, focusing on selected clinically relevant conditions. In hypobetalipoproteinemia attributable to truncations in apoB, the rate of secretion is closely linked to the length of apoB. On the other hand, in patients with the metabolic syndrome, it appears that substrate, in the form of free fatty acids, coupled to the state of insulin resistance can induce hypersecretion of VLDL-apoB. Studies in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, familial defective apoB, and mutant forms of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 show that mutations in the LDL receptor, the ligand for the receptor, or an intracellular chaperone for the receptor are the most important determinants in regulating LDL catabolism. This review also demonstrates the variance of results within similar, or even the same, phenotypic conditions. This underscores the sensitivity of metabolic studies to methodological aspects and thus the importance of the inclusion of adequate controls in studies.