胆汁三烯结合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达、复性与纯化

目的：合成胆汁三烯结合蛋白（BBP）基因并在大肠杆菌中表达,获得重组BBP纯化制品。方法：根据天然BBP的基因序列和大肠杆菌偏好密码子设计并合成BBP基因的引物,PCR扩增优化的BBP基因序列,克隆至载体pEasy-T3;测序正确后,将该序列克隆至表达载体pET-32a上,构建表达质粒,转化至大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）pLysS,在IPTG诱导下表达融合蛋白;采用Ni柱纯化融合蛋白。结果：PCR扩增获得了优化后的BBP基因序列,构建了表达载体pET-32a-BBP;SDS-PAGE分析表明表达的融合蛋白相对分子质量为20×10^3,以包涵体形式存在,占全菌蛋白的40%以上;变性、复性后经Ni2＋柱纯化,获得纯度达98%以上的重组蛋白。结论：优化并合成了BBP全基因序列,获得了高纯度重组融合蛋白,为进一步鉴定其生物活性及筛选小分子的研究奠定了基础。     

Down-regulation of p27Kip1 expression is required for development and function of T cells

The proliferation of T cells is regulated in a development-dependent manner, but it has been unclear whether proliferation is essential for T cell differentiation. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) is abundant throughout development in cells of the T cell lineage, with the exception of late stage CD4(-)CD8(-) thymocytes and activated mature T cells, both of which show a high rate of proliferation. The role of down-regulation of p27(Kip1) expression in T cell development and function has now been investigated by the generation and characterization of three strains of p27 transgenic mice that express the transgene at various levels specifically in the T cell lineage. The numbers of thymocytes at CD4(+)CD8(+), CD4(+)CD8(-), and CD4(-)CD8(+) stages of development as well as those of mature T cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues were reduced in transgenic mice in a manner dependent on the level of p27(Kip1) expression. The development of thymocytes in the transgenic strain in which p27(Kip1) is most abundant (p27-Tg(high) mice) appeared to be blocked at the CD4(-)CD8(-)CD25(+)CD44(low) stage. Peripheral T cells from p27-Tg(high) mice exhibited a reduced ability to proliferate in response to mitogenic stimulation compared with wild-type T cells. Moreover, Ag-induced formation of germinal centers and Ig production were defective in p27-Tg(high) mice. These results suggest that down-regulation of p27(Kip1) expression is required for the development, proliferation, and immunoresponsiveness of T cells.     

BRCA1 phosphorylation by Aurora-A in the regulation of G2 to M transition

Aurora-A/BTAK/STK15 localizes to the centrosome in the G(2)-M phase, and its kinase activity regulates the G(2) to M transition of the cell cycle. Previous studies have shown that the BRCA1 breast cancer tumor suppressor also localizes to the centrosome and that BRCA1 inactivation results in loss of the G(2)-M checkpoint. We demonstrate here that Aurora-A physically binds to and phosphorylates BRCA1. Biochemical analysis showed that BRCA1 amino acids 1314-1863 binds to Aurora-A. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that Ser(308) of BRCA1 is phosphorylated by Aurora-A in vitro. Anti-phospho-specific antibodies against Ser(308) of BRCA1 demonstrated that Ser(308) is phosphorylated in vivo. Phosphorylation of Ser(308) increased in the early M phase when Aurora-A activity also increases; these effects could be abolished by ionizing radiation. Consistent with these observations, acute loss of Aurora-A by small interfering RNA resulted in reduced phosphorylation of BRCA1 Ser(308), and transient infection of adenovirus Aurora-A increased Ser(308) phosphorylation. Mutation of a single phosphorylation site of BRCA1 (S308N), when expressed in BRCA1-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts, decreased the number of cells in the M phase to a degree similar to that with wild type BRCA1-mediated G(2) arrest induced by DNA damage. We propose that BRCA1 phosphorylation by Aurora-A plays a role in G(2) to M transition of cell cycle.     

宏基因组来源耐Mn2+、热稳定细菌漆酶的分子克隆及酶学特性

【背景】漆酶和锰过氧化物酶(Manganese peroxidase,Mnp)是木质素降解的主要酶,二者有协同效应。Mnp活性依赖于Mn~(2+),而Mn~(2+)是大多数漆酶的抑制剂。【目的】获得耐Mn~(2+)的细菌漆酶用于木质素降解。【方法】构建许昌市某污水河污泥宏基因组文库,通过活性筛选获得细菌漆酶基因lac1542。使用大肠杆菌异源表达Lac1542,研究纯化后的重组蛋白酶学性质并进一步检测了含Lac1542复合酶系降解木质素能力。【结果】测序结果显示lac1542编码一个含513个氨基酸的蛋白。以ABTS为底物Lac1542最适反应pH为4.0,在pH 3.0-6.5范围内酶活性稳定。最适反应温度是75°C,在70°C以下酶活性稳定;100 mmol/L的Mn~(2+)仍能提高酶的活性。动力学参数研究发现,该酶的最适底物顺序为:ABTS丁香醛联氮儿茶酚2,6-DMP愈创木酚。Lac1542/Mnp复合酶系对木质素降解率为47.8%,比单独使用Mnp木质素降解率(22.4%)提高25.4%。Lac1542/Mnp/灰盖鬼伞过氧化物酶(Coprinus cinereus Peroxidase,CIP)复合酶系木质素降解高达71.5%,比Mnp/CIP酶系木质素降解率(48.9%)提高22.6%,加入Lac1542后的复合酶系能明显提高木质素的降解率。【结论】Lac1542的可溶性表达、耐受高浓度Mn~(2+)、热稳定性使得Lac1542可以替代一些经典的真菌漆酶应用于制浆、造纸、纤维素乙醇生产、染料脱色等工业。     

The efficacy of biological response modifiers against murine cytomegalovirus infection in normal and immunodeficient mice

The host-mediated antiviral effect of two biological response modifiers (BRM), OK-432 and PS-K, against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) was evaluated in normal and immunologically deficient mice of the same litters. In normal littermate mice, BALB/c (nu/+) or C57BL/6 (bg/+), the BRM-induced resistance against MCMV infection was evidenced by increase in fifty percent lethal doses, decrease in titers of viruses replicated in the target organs and augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity of the spleen cells. In T cell-deficient, athymic nude mice, BALB/c (nu/nu), the protective effect was manifested by prolongation of the survival, decrease in the virus titers, and increase in the NK-cell activity, but without decrease in mortality. In NK cell-deficient, beige mutant mice, C57BL/6 (bg/bg), the BRM-induced protection was nullified or minimized, and there was little difference in those parameters between BRM-treated and untreated mice. However, with higher doses of OK-432, but not PS-K, or with sublethal doses of MCMV, the NK cell activity was slightly augmented in the beige mutant mice. Thus both NK cell and T cell activity are essential for mice to overcome acute MCMV infection and it is likely that the protective effect of BRM manifests itself fully, at least in immunologically intact mice.     

Embryology of Plagiopteron suaveolens Griffith (Plagiopteraceae) and its systematic implications

A study of the embryology of Plagiopteron suaveolens Griffith is presented in order to evaluate the affinities of the genus. Anther wall formation is of the dicotyledonous type. The anther tapetum is glandular and its cells become two to four nucleate. Cytokinesis in the microspore mother cell is simultaneous and the resultant tetrad is tetrahedral. The mature pollen grains are two-celled. The anther has 4-locules at anthesis. The ovule is anatropous, bitegmic and weakly crassinucellate with only one cell-layered parietal tissue. The micropyle is zig-zag in section and formed by both inner and outer integuments which are three and three to four cell layers thick respectively. The megaspore archesporium is one-celled and the embryo sac development is of the Polygonum type. An endothelium is formed with early disintegration of nucellar tissue. The antipodals multiply to 15 to 20 cells. Embryological evidence supports the placement of Plagiopteron in its own family, Plagiopteraceae, with closest relationship with Celastraceae and close relationship with Elaeocarpaceae, Rhizophoraceae and some families of the Geraniales.     

Carboxyl terminal of rhodopsin kinase is required for the phosphorylation of photo—activated rhodopsin

Human rhodopsin kinase (RK) and a carboxyl terminus-truncated mutant RK lacking the last 59 amino acids (RKC) were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells to investigate the role of the carboxyl terminus of RK in recognition and phosphorylation of rhodopsin.RKC,like the wild-type RK,was detected in both plasma membranes and cytosolic fractions.The Cterminal truncated rhodopsin kinase was unable to phosphorylate photo-activated rhodopsin,but possesses kinase activity similar to the wild-type RK in phosphorylation of small peptide substrate.It suggests that the truncation did not disturb the gross structures of RK catalytic domain.Our results also show that RKC failed to translocate to photo-activated rod out segments.Taken together,our study demonstrate the carboxyl terminus of RK is required for phosphorylation of photo-activated rhodopsin and strongly indicate that carboxyl-terminus of RK may be involved in interaction with photo-activated rhodopsin.     

丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白抑制乙型肝炎病毒转录的分子机理

为研究丙型肝炎病毒 (HCV)核心蛋白抑制乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV)表达的分子机理 ,从HCV和HBV共感染中国病人血清中分离了 5个含HCV 5′非编码区 ( 5′NCR)和核心区 (CR)cDNA序列的克隆 .序列比较和系统发育分析显示 :从共感染病例中分离的HCV序列与其它已发表的从单独HCV感染病例中分离的序列没有显著差异 .共转染实验证实采用从其中 1例共感染病人中分离的核心蛋白cDNA基因所表达的核心蛋白 ,可抑制HBV表面抗原 (HBsAg)和HBVe抗原 (HBeAg)的表达 ,缺失突变分析说明HCV核心蛋白的C端疏水区对这种抑制作用是必需的 ,报道基因产物分析进一步说明了HBVC启动子和增强子Ⅱ是HCV核心蛋白的效应靶序列之一 ,而HCV核心蛋白在肝细胞和非肝细胞中均对HBV和其他细胞和病毒的基因的转录起负调节作用 .因此 ,认为HCV核心蛋白是一种多功能的负调节因子 ,与HCV和HBV以及HCV与细胞之间的相互作用密切相关     

Role of Macrophages in Acute Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection

It has been recognized that macrophages play an important role in controlling virus infection in experimental animal models. To evaluate the role of macrophages in acute murine cytomegalovirus infection, macrophages in the spleen and the liver were eliminated by an intravenous injection of liposomes containing a cytolytic agent, dichloromethylene diphosphonate. The depletion of macrophages led to a significant increase of virus titer in the spleen and lungs in both susceptible BALB/c and resistant C57BL/6 mice during the first three days after intravenous infection. In the spleen, the increase of virus titer in macrophage-depleted BALB/c mice was much greater than that in NK cell-depleted mice. These results suggest that macrophages contribute to protection mainly by the mechanisms which are independent of NK cells during the first three days after infection. The increase of virus titer in macrophage-depleted C57BL/6 mice was as great as that in NK cell-depleted mice because of the high contribution of NK cells to protection in C57BL/6 mice. In the liver in both strains of mice, the effects of macrophage depletion on virus titer were not as much as those in the spleen and lungs. Furthermore, the local depletion of peritoneal macrophages resulted in a great increase of virus titer in the spleen at three days after intraperitoneal infection. We conclude that macrophages greatly contribute to decreasing the virus load in some organs possibly through either or both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms in the early phase of primary infection with murine cytomegalovirus.     

Induction of apoptosis and change of bcl—2 expression in macrophage Ana—1 cells by all—trans retinoic acid

Macrophage cells play an important role in the initiation and regulation of the immune response.All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and its natural and synthetic analogs (retinoids)affect a large number of biological processes.Recently,retinoids have been shown promise in the therapy and prevention of various cancers.However,many interesting questions related to the activities of retinoids remain to be answered:(I) Molecular mechanisms by which retinoids exert their effects;（Ⅱ)why the clinical uses of retinoids give undesirable side effects of varying severity with a higher frequency of blood system symptoms;(Ⅲ)little is known for its impacts on macrophage cells etc.We set up this experiment,therefore,to examine the apoptosis of ATRA on macrophage Ana-1 cell line.Apoptosis of the cells was quantitated,after staining cells with propidium iodide(PI),by both accounting nuclear condensation and flow cytometry.When the cells were treated with ATRA at or higher than 1μM for more than 24h,significant amount of the apoptotic cells was observed.Induction of apoptosis of Ana-1 cells by ATRA was in time-and dose-dependent manners,exhibiting the similar pattern as the apoptosis induced by actinomycin D (ACTD).ATRA treatment of Ana-1 cells also caused the changes of the mRNA levels of apoptosis-associated gene bcl-2,as detected by Northern blot analysis.The temporal changes of bcl-2 expression by ATRA was also parallel to that by ACTD.In conclusion,ATRA can induce apoptosis in macrophage cells,which may be helpful in understanding of immunological functions retinoids.