Molecular characterization and functional analyses of a diapause hormone receptor-like gene in parthenogenetic Artemia

In arthropods, mature females under certain conditions produce and release encysted gastrula embryos that enter diapause, a state of obligate dormancy. The process is presumably regulated by diapause hormone (DH) and diapause hormone receptor (DHR) that were identified in the silkworm, Bombyx mori and other insects. However, the molecular structure and function of DHR in crustaceans remains unknown. Here, a DHR-like gene from parthenogenetic Artemia (Ar-DHR) was isolated and sequenced. The cDNA sequence consists of 1410 bp with a 1260-bp open reading frame encoding a protein consisting of 420 amino acid residues. The results of real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis showed that the mRNA and protein of Ar-DHR were mainly expressed at the diapause stage. Furthermore, we found that Ar-DHR was located on the cell membrane of the pre-diapause cyst but in the cytoplasm of the diapause cyst by analysis of immunofluorescence. In vivo knockdown of Ar-DHR by RNA interference (RNAi) and antiserum neutralization consistently inhibited diapause cysts formation. The results indicated that Ar-DHR plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of embryonic diapause in Artemia. Thus, our findings provide an insight into the regulation of diapause formation in Artemia and the function of Ar-DHR.     

Subcellular Localization Analysis of Bovine Foamy Virus Borfl Protein

The Borfl protein is encoded by an immediate-early gene of the bovine foamy virus （BFV） and plays a key role in the viral life cycle. Borfl is a DNA binding protein which can transactivate both the long terminal repeat （LTR） and the internal promoter （IP） of BFV by specifically binding to the transactivation responsive element （TRE）. To analyze the subcellular localization of Borfl during the BFV life cycle, this gene was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed in a soluble form. After the purification and immunization, we raised the mouse anti-Borfl serum with a high titer based on ELISA results. Western blot analysis showed that the antiserum could specifically recognize the Borfl protein that was expressed in 293T cells. With this specific serum, we revealed the nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of Borfl in HeLa cells that was transfected with Borfl. Moreover, the immuno-fluorescence assay also showed that the localization of Borfl during the infection and transfection of BFV was identical.     

Histopathological study of rabbit intestinal mucosa infected with a hybrid strain of Shigella dysenteriae 1 carrying LPS biosynthesis genes of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium

The rfb gene cluster and the rfc gene of Salmonella enterica were introduced earlier into an invasive Shigella dysenteriae 1 strain by triparental cross. Antiserum was raised in rabbit against lipopolysaccharide isolated from the hybrid strain. Both the hybrid and the invasive S. dysenteriae 1 strain were found to have a titer of 1:2560 while for S. enterica, it was 1:640. Ligated ileal loops were prepared in rabbit, which were inoculated with 10(8) CFU ml(-1) each of the hybrid strain, and invasive S. dysenteriae 1 strain used as positive control. Escherichia coli K12 was also used as a negative control. After 18 h, the fluid accumulation ratios were 0.2 and 1.6 for hybrid and invasive strains of S. dysenteriae 1, respectively. Rabbit intestinal mucosa infected with hybrid S. dysenteriae 1 strain showed the presence of intact villus tips and unruptured intestinal mucosa whereas total necrosis of intestinal mucosa and villi was observed in the S. dysenteriae 1-infected region.     

Richard Pfeiffer and Alexandre Besredka: creators of the concept of endotoxin and anti-endotoxin

Richard Pfeiffer, working with Robert Koch in Berlin, intellectually and experimentally conceived the concept of endotoxin as a heat-stable bacterial poison responsible for the pathophysiological consequences of certain infectious diseases. Pfeiffer's definition of endotoxin included the inability to evoke neutralizing antibodies against this bacterial toxin. Alexandre Besredka, Ilya (Elie) Metchnikoff's successor at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, was the first to demonstrate that, in fact, antibodies could be engendered which were capable of suppressing the poisonous effects of endotoxin. Endotoxin and anti-endotoxin antibodies have since then fascinated researchers of many disciplines and continue to do so, particularly in the fields of diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of severe Gram-negative infections.     

绿僵菌属血清学的初步研究

本文采用凝集试验和免疫电泳的方法对不同来源的七株绿僵菌属真菌进行了免疫学对比研究。抗原是孢子悬液和菌丝体清液,通过对家兔接种抗原而获得抗血清。每一种抗原与其同源抗血清和异源抗血清进行交叉试验,并对凝集试验的结果以及免疫电泳反应产生的沉淀弧数目和免疫电泳图谱加以对比分析,试验结果表明:不同菌株间存在着明显的抗原类似性,同时各菌株间也表现出一定的抗原专一性。根据试验数据对供试菌株进行血清学分型的结果与形态学分类相符合。     

钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白功能结构域Ⅳ在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化及其抗血清的制备

为了研究钙蛋白酶系统在细胞发育及其它生理过程的功能 .应用 PCR从鼠钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白 ( calpastatin) c DNA中扩增了保守的具有功能的结构域 ( 40 4 bp) ,克隆于 p GEX- KG载体 .重组质粒 p GEX- Calp4在大肠杆菌中经 IPTG诱导可表达分子量约 4 5 k D融合蛋白 GST- Galp4 .诱导表达后的菌体超声裂解液经谷胱甘肽 - Sepharose4 B亲和层析柱得到纯化的 GST- Calp4融合蛋白 ,纯度达电泳纯 .纯化的 GST- Calp4免疫兔 8周后 ,抗血清的效价达 1∶ 64 .Western- blot分析表明制备的抗血清确实可以与肌细胞中分子量为 1 4 0 k D左右蛋白 (亦即完整 calpastatin)发生特异的免疫交叉反应 ,此表明实验获得了高特异性多克隆抗体     

Subcellular localization analysis of bovine foamy virus Borf1 protein

The Borf1 protein is encoded by an immediate-early gene of the bovine foamy virus (BFV) and plays a key role in the viral life cycle. Borf1 is a DNA binding protein which can transactivate both the long terminal repeat (LTR) and the internal promoter (IP) of BFV by specifically binding to the transactivation responsive element (TRE). To analyze the subcellular localization of Borf1 during the BFV life cycle, this gene was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed in a soluble form. After the purification and immunization, we raised the mouse anti-Borf1 serum with a high titer based on ELISA results. Western blot analysis showed that the antiserum could specifically recognize the Borf1 protein that was expressed in 293T cells. With this specific serum, we revealed the nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of Borf1 in HeLa cells that was transfected with Borf1. Moreover, the immuno-fluorescence assay also showed that the localization of Borf1 during the infection and transfection of BFV was identical.     

鹅细小病毒vp基因片段的原核表达及抗血清的制备

以鹅细小病毒(Goose parvovirus, GPV)HG5/82株基因组作为PCR反应模板,扩增vp基因3'端长864bp的基因片段,将其克隆到pMD18-T Simple克隆载体后转化入大肠杆菌TG1.筛选阳性质粒,并通过BamHⅠ和Hind Ⅲ将外源基因定向克隆到原核表达载体pET-30a,阳性重组质粒经确证性序列测定,证明外源片断插入到pET-30a的预期位置.将其转入大肠杆菌BL21,经终浓度为0.6mmol/L的IPTG诱导,SDS-PAGE表明外源基因获得表达,融合蛋白分子量约为34kDa.将诱导后的工程菌用6mol/L盐酸胍裂解,经超声处理后离心,利用镍离子亲和树脂对裂解产物的上清进行纯化.用纯化的融合蛋白免疫新西兰白兔制备兔抗该融合蛋白的抗血清.Western blotting结果表明制备的兔抗血清与该融合蛋白及亲本病毒的结构蛋白都具有反应性.结合前期工作进展对GPV VP蛋白的B细胞线性抗原表位进行定位.     

昆虫杆状病毒系统表达口蹄疫病毒3ABC基因

以O型口蹄疫病毒为研究对象,经过RT-PCP扩增得到非结构蛋白3ABC基因,克隆到转移载体pFastbacHT,将其转入含穿梭载体Bacmid的DH10Bac,与Bacmid发生位点特异性转座作用,得到3ABC的重组穿梭载体Bacmid-3ABC,再将其转染昆虫细胞Hi Five.PCR鉴定证实3ABC基因正确地插入到病毒基因组的多角体蛋白基因启动子下游,经过SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测,3ABC基因在昆虫细胞中表达了大小约为50kDa的蛋白条带,3ABC基因在Bac-to-Bac系统中的成功表达为建立以基因工程产品为抗原、鉴别诊断自然感染和免疫动物的方法提供了技术条件.     

Antiserum to the milk fat globule membrane. Preparation and capacity to suppress milk secretion

A procedure is described for preparing rabbit antiserum to goat milk fat globule membrane. This membrane is derived from the secretory surface of the lactating cell. Immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that antibody development reached maximal levels in about 6–8 weeks. Infusion of 5–10 ml of this antiserum into the lactating mammary gland of goats via the teat canal depressed milk yields temporarily on the infused side to 60–80% of normal. Ordinary serum from rabbit, goat or human did not evoke such a response and rabbit complement was not essential for the effect. Fractionation showed that the globulin fraction of the antiserum contained the milk-suppressing principle. Milk from the antiserum-infused side of the udder showed extensive and tenacious clumping of fat globules on standing 12–24 h. The inhibition of milk flow by antibodies to the secretory membrane resembles a previously observed inhibition following infusion of concanavalin A or its succinyl derivative. Binding of antibodies or lectins which recognize specific surface protein components of the lactating cell appears to be involved in the suppression mechanism. The possible relevance of our findings to autoimmune suppression of exocytosis is noted.