FEN1酶介导的功能核酸生物传感器的研究进展

瓣状核酸内切酶-1(Flap endonuclease 1,FEN1)是一种可以识别三碱基重叠结构(三核酸)并对其进行切割,释放出5’-flap片段的结构特异性酶,并且有着高效稳定的切割效率。基于此种特性,通过不同的信号输出方式,FEN1酶现被用于DNA、RNA、病毒等放大检测中。首先对FEN1酶的发现、性质以及作用方面做了相应介绍,然后根据所检测的靶物质不同,对FEN1酶所介导的生物传感器进行分类,主要包括对单核苷酸多态性的检测、甲基化检测、基因型检测、RNA检测、病毒检测、肿瘤检测和微生物检测等。此外,对FEN1酶与纳米材料的结合以及体内表征及治疗也进行了较为详细的介绍。同时,还对传感器之间的原理、灵敏度、特异性及适用领域等方面进行比较和优缺点的简单评价。最后,对FEN1酶所介导的生物传感器的中存在的不足,以及未来的发展方向进行了展望,旨在为今后研发更便携、更灵敏、更准确的FEN1功能核酸生物传感器提供理论参考。     

火球菌Pyrococcus furious瓣状核酸内切酶1的表达纯化及酶学特征

【目的】克隆表达和纯化火球菌Pyrococcus furious来源的瓣状核酸内切酶1基因pFEN1(PF1414),对该蛋白的活性和酶学特征进行鉴定和分析。【方法】将pFEN1在大肠杆菌中进行重组表达,经亲和层析纯化得到电泳纯蛋白;利用人工合成的荧光标记的寡核苷酸片段作为底物,用变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定pFEN1在体外的酶学特性以及与其他蛋白的相互作用。【结果】pFEN1重组蛋白能在大肠杆菌中进行高效表达;高于100 mmol/L的NaCl会抑制pFEN1的活性;pFEN1的核酸酶活性依赖于金属离子Mg~(2+)或Mn~(2+),且Mn~(2+)的催化效率优于Mg~(2+);来自嗜热古菌的pFEN1是一种耐高温蛋白,最适反应温度为60–65°C;增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)能促进pFEN1的内切酶活性。【结论】本研究证实pFEN1是一种Mg~(2+)或Mn~(2+)依赖的核酸内切酶,且PCNA能促进该酶的活性。     

分选酶A(SrtA)的GST融合表达、纯化及活性测定

构建GST/金黄色葡萄球菌分选酶A (SrtA)的原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌中表达、纯化分选酶,并利用展示在酵母表面的底物检测分选酶的活性.以pMD20-SrtA为模板,PCR扩增得到SrlA△N59基因,经BamH I和Xho I双酶切,连接到原核表达栽体pGEX-4T-1中,构建重组表达栽体pGEX-SrtA△N59,转化大肠杆菌BL21( DE3),IPTG诱导表达,GST亲和层析分离纯化得到SrtA△N59,与展示在酵母表面的底物序列QALPETGEE-linker-EGFP作用,产生游离的EGFP,通过酶标仪检测EGFP荧光强度确定分选酶的活性.结果显示,重组表达栽体pGEX-SrtA△N59经IPTG诱导,表达出相对分子质量约为42 kD的融合蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析,该融合蛋白是以可溶形式表达.分离纯化得到的分选酶与底物作用,其荧光强度由568.66±12.14增加至921.43±13.02.以上结果表明,成功构建了重组表达裁体pGEX-SrtA△N59,并在大肠杆菌中获得了可溶表达的有活性的分选酶.     

疏棉状嗜热丝孢菌脂肪酶在大肠杆菌中的表达与纯化

目的:实现疏棉状嗜热丝孢菌脂肪酶(Thermomyces lanuginosus Lipase,TLL)在大肠杆菌中的可溶性表达,并建立有效的纯化方法。方法:根据疏棉状嗜热丝孢菌脂肪酶序列和大肠杆菌密码子的偏爱性,合成了疏棉状嗜热丝孢菌脂肪酶DNA序列,克隆至大肠杆菌表达载体PET-32a(+)中,通过筛选得到阳性重组载体,并转化入大肠杆菌Rosetta(DE3),诱导表达并利用SDS-PAGE电泳检测重组脂肪酶表达情况,并通过Ni柱亲和层析对目的蛋白TLL进行纯化,透析脱盐后,TEV酶切重组融合蛋白,再利用亲和层析纯化得到酶切后的脂肪酶,检测其酶活。结果:得到了可溶性表达的TLL,检测酶切前后脂肪酶的比活性:酶切前达5.7×106U/mg,酶切后达8.9×105U/mg。结论:实现了疏棉状嗜热丝孢菌脂肪酶的可溶性表达,并得到有效纯化,同时证明TEV酶切目的蛋白对其活性影响微小,为之后对其进行环化打下基础。     

稻瘟病菌MoDUO1基因的克隆、原核表达及纯化

MoDUO1基因是稻瘟病菌的致病基因,主要与稻瘟病菌的营养生长、分生孢子发育及致病性相关。本研究旨在构建稻瘟病菌MoDUO1基因原核表达载体,诱导表达并纯化MoDuo1重组蛋白,为后续研究蛋白互作奠定基础。通过RT-PCR扩增得到MoDUO1基因的ORF,酶切回收后与线性化p ET-30a相连,构建了原核表达载体pET-30a-Duo1,将其转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中,扩大培养至OD值为0.6~0.8,加入IPTG至终浓度为0.2 mmol/L,37℃,200 r/min诱导2 h,大量表达得到MoDuo1基因重组蛋白,纯化后得到MoDuo1蛋白。     

肠出血性大肠杆菌转移紧密黏附素受体的表达及其活性鉴定

目的:在原核表达基因工程茵中实现肠出血性大肠杆菌(EHEC)O157:H7转移紧密黏附素受体(Translocated Intimin Receptor,Tit)蛋白的高效表达,并对其活性进行初步鉴定.方法:采用PCR方法从EHEC O157:H7基因组中调取tir基因,插入pEASY-T1 克隆栽体.克隆质粒测序鉴定后,采用Nde Ⅰ、Xho Ⅰ限制性核酸内切酶双酶切pEASY-Tl-tit质粒获得tir基因,连接同样经过双酶切的pET-22b(+).表达质粒转化E.coli BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达,SDS-PAGE检测相对分子质量,Western blotting验证抗原活性.荧光显微镜观察蛋白是否具有嵌入细胞膜的活性.结果:PCR扩增得到1686bp的目的片段.构建的原核表达质粒pET-22b(+)-tir经酶切鉴定及测序与预期序列一致.目的蛋白以裂解上清形式表达,表达量约3mg/ml.经镍柱纯化后纯度达90%以上.重组表达的Tir具有嵌入细胞膜的生物学功能.结论:成功表达了具有生物活性的重组Tir蛋白,为Tir的功能研究奠定基础.     

抗菌肽Cec4a的重组表达和抗菌活性研究*

目的:构建Cec4a的原核重组表达体系,通过诱导表达、酶切纯化获得重组蛋白,并检测产物的抗菌活性。方法:基于Cec4a的序列设计引物,克隆Cec4a基因的DNA片段。利用原核表达载体(pCold-SUMO)构建重组原核表达质粒,并将其转化到大肠杆菌C41(DE3)等感受态细胞,使用IPTG进行诱导表达。通过Ni-NTA亲和层析柱纯化,获得含有His-SUMO标签的重组Cec4a融合蛋白。在SUMO蛋白酶酶切后,再次使用Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化,得到目的蛋白,最后用鲍曼不动杆菌(ATCC19606)作为指示菌检测表达产物的抗菌活性。结果:成功构建pCold-SUMO-Cec4a原核表达质粒,测序分析其序列与预期结果一致。Cec4a融合蛋白表达量为42.8mg/L,纯化后的Cec4a重组蛋白对鲍曼不动杆菌的MIC为4 μg/mL。结论:通过原核表达,并经Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化,获得了具有抗菌活性的重组蛋白Cec4a,为研究Cec4a的生物活性、抗菌机制及应用奠定了基础。     

大肠杆菌肠毒素ST1-LTB融合基因表达条件的优化

目的:对已构建的含有大肠杆菌肠毒素ST1-LTB融合基因的重组菌株进行鉴定和表达条件优化。方法:采用限制性核酸内切酶酶切鉴定含ST1-LTB融合基因的重组质粒,同时用SDS-PAGE检测不同条件下ST1-LTB融合基因的表达情况。结果:酶切鉴定证实重组质粒pXSL1含有ST1-LTB融合基因且阅读框架正确,以IPTG为诱导剂诱导ST1-LTB融合基因表达的优化条件是:培养基pH7.5,培养温度37℃,IPTG浓度0.8mmol/L,菌体生长密度OD600达到0.8时加入IPTG,诱导时间5h,此时ST1-LTB融合蛋白表达量达35.2%。结论:实现ST1-LTB融合基因的高效表达,为大肠杆菌肠毒素双价基因工程菌苗的生产工艺研究提供了可靠的实验数据。     

灵杆菌非特异性核酸酶的原核表达、纯化及活性分析

以灵杆菌基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增非特异性核酸酶 (Non-specific nuclease,NU) 基因,并克隆到pMAL-c4X载体上构建重组表达载体pMAL-c4X-NU。经测序及 BLASTN发现其与灵杆菌Serratia marcescens核酸酶基因的同源性为97％。将构建的表达载体pMAL-c4X-NU转入大肠杆菌BL21,经IPTG诱导实现了胞内表达78 kDa的麦芽糖结合蛋白-NU融合蛋白 (Maltose-binding protein-NU,MBP-NU),其最佳诱导表达条件为37 ℃,0.75 mmol/L IPTG诱导1.5 h。用Amylose resin纯化得到了目的蛋白。活性检测表明MBP-NU具有同时降解DNA和RNA的活性,在37 ℃、pH 8.0时活性最高,比活力为1.11×106 U/mg,目标蛋白的纯化效率可达10.875 mg/L。纯化的目标蛋白中无蛋白酶活性存在。0.5 mmol/L乙二胺四乙酸 (Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid,EDTA)、1 mmol/L苯甲基磺酰氟 (Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride,PMSF) 以及150 mmol/L KCl对MBP-NU的活性几乎无影响,因此MBP-NU可作为蛋白质纯化过程中核酸的高效降解酶。     

重组人βNGF在大肠杆菌中的可溶表达、纯化及活性鉴定

旨在大肠杆菌中可溶表达重组人神经生长因子(Recombinant humanβnerve growth factor,rhβNGF),并对表达产物进行分离纯化和生物学活性鉴定。成功扩增h NGFβ亚基基因,将其克隆入pMAL-c2X表达载体,构建了hβNGF-MBP的大肠杆菌表达体系并进行诱导表达,表达产物经纯化后以Factor Xa酶切去除麦牙糖结合蛋白(MBP),Western blot鉴定后以TF-1细胞法检测生物学活性。结果显示,pMAL-c2X-hβNGF经酶切和测序证实构建正确,25℃、180 r/min、0.5 mmol/L IPTG诱导下可溶表达hβNGF-MBP融合蛋白。hβNGF-MBP经Factor Xa酶切后可去除MBP标签,SDS-PAGE分析纯化的hβNGF位于13 k D左右,纯度可达95%。Western blot鉴定为hβNGF,结果表明,比活约为1×10~6 U/mg。在大肠杆菌中成功可溶表达hβNGF,并具有较高的生物学活性。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Detection of EBV and HHV6 in the Brain Tissue of Patients with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis

Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare pediatric neurological disorder, and the exact etiology is not clear. Viral infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of RE, but conflicting results have reported. In this study, we evaluated the expression of both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus (HHV) 6 antigens in brain sections from 30 patients with RE and 16 control individuals by immunohistochemistry. In the RE group, EBV and HHV6 antigens were detected in 56.7% (17/30) and 50% (15/30) of individuals, respectively. In contrast, no detectable EBV and HHV6 antigen expression was found in brain tissues of the control group. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in 20.0% (6/30) of individuals. In particular, a 4-year-old boy had a typical clinical course, including a medical history of viral encephalitis, intractable epilepsy, and hemispheric atrophy. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in neurons and astrocytes in the brain tissue, accompanied by a high frequency of CD8⁺ T cells. Our results suggest that EBV and HHV6 infection and the activation of CD8⁺ T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RE.     

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).     

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.