A Trichoderma harzianum chitinase destroys the cell wall of the phytopathogen Crinipellis perniciosa,the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cocoa

A Trichoderma harzianum isolate (1051), which was able to antagonize in field the phytopathogen Crinipellis perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cocoa, produces several hydrolytic enzymes. A chitinase, with molecular mass of about 37 kDA, which was secreted by the Trichoderma in the culture medium containing chitin, was partially purified by gel filtration followed by hydrophobic chromatography. The optimal pH and temperature for chitin hydrolysis by the partially purified enzyme were 4.0 and 37 °C, respectively. Chitobiose, laminarin, cellulosic substrates including aryl-glucosides, xylan, starch and -galactomannan were not hydrolysed by the enzyme. Remarkably, the partially purified enzyme drastically affected the cell wall of the phytopathogen C. perniciosa in vitro.     

Two closely related human members of chitinase-like family, CHI3L1 and CHI3L2, activate ERK1/2 in 293 and U373 cells but have the different influence on cell proliferation

The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) has been associated with specific outcomes. Sustained activation of ERK1/2 by nerve growth factor (NGF) is associated with translocation of ERKs to the nucleus of PC12 cells and precedes their differentiation into sympathetic-like neurons whereas transient activation by epidermal growth factor (EGF) leads to cell proliferation. It was demonstrated that different growth factors initiating the same cellular signaling pathways may lead to the different cell destiny, either to proliferation or to the inhibition of mitogenesis and apoptosis. Thus, further investigation on kinetic differences in activation of certain signal cascades in different cell types by biologically different agents are necessary for understanding the mechanisms as to how cells make a choice between proliferation and differentiation.It was reported that chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) protein promotes the growth of human synovial cells as well as skin and fetal lung fibroblasts similarly to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Both are involved in mediating the mitogenic response through the signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2. In addition, CHI3L1 which is highly expressed in different tumors including glioblastomas possesses oncogenic properties. As we found earlier, chitinase 3-like 2 (CHI3L2) most closely related to human CHI3L1 also showed increased expression in glial tumors at both the RNA and protein levels and stimulated the activation of the MAPK pathway through phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in 293 and U87 MG cells. The work described here demonstrates the influence of CHI3L2 and CHI3L1 on the duration of MAPK cellular signaling and phosphorylated ERK1/2 translocation to the nucleus. In contrast to the activation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by CHI3L1 that leads to a proliferative signal (similar to the EGF effect in PC12 cells), activation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by CHI3L2 (similar to NGF) inhibits cell mitogenesis and proliferation.     

微生物几丁质酶研究进展及其在N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖制备中的应用

几丁质是自然界含量丰富的多糖,难溶于水,常被作为废弃物丢弃,造成资源浪费和环境污染。然而,其水解产物N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖(GlcNAc)是一种重要的功能氨糖类化合物,广泛应用于医药、保健及护肤品等领域,市场需求量大。因此,将几丁质转换为高附加值的GlcNAc具有重要意义。几丁质酶可专一性水解几丁质产生GlcNAc,用于GlcNAc的酶法制备,从而替代化学加工方法,降低环境污染,提高产品质量。本文介绍了微生物来源几丁质酶的特点与分类,重点阐述了微生物来源的几丁质内切酶、几丁二糖外切酶及β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶在几丁质降解生产GlcNAc过程中的作用、方式和产率,这将为酶法生产GlcNAc提供一定的借鉴。     

脐腹小蠹高致病力虫生真菌菌株的筛选

【目的】脐腹小蠹Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov是白榆的钻蛀性害虫之一,为找到对脐腹小蠹的高致病力虫生真菌菌株。【方法】通过室内喷雾法研究了5株虫生真菌菌株对脐腹小蠹幼虫的致病力,结合各菌株菌落直径、孢子萌发率、产孢量和菌落生长速率4个培养特征,筛选到Bb773和Pc546 2株优良的菌株,在此基础上,进一步对这2株菌株的几丁质酶、蛋白质酶和荧光素二乙酸酯(FDA)水解酶活性进行了测定。【结果】菌株Bb773和菌株Pc546在浓度为1×107孢子/mL悬浮液处理后,10 d的后脐腹小蠹幼虫的校正死亡率分别达96.67%和90.00%,致死中时分别为3.61 d和4.18 d。菌株Bb773的几丁质酶、FDA水解酶和蛋白质酶活性在接种后第2~10天均高于菌株Pc546,2株菌株蛋白质酶活性差异均达到了显著水平(P<0.05)。【结论】确定了菌株Bb773在脐腹小蠹害虫生物防治中具有潜在的应用价值。     

Characterisation of Isaria fumosorosea isolates and their virulence toward the Diamondback Moth,Plutella xylostella

Some morphological and physiological characteristics of an Isaria fumosorosea isolate with diminished virulence, IFCF01-D, and its parent isolate, IFCF01, were evaluated and laboratory bioassays were performed to assess their virulence against Plutella xylostella. The relationship among these traits and virulence against P. xylostella is discussed. There were no significant differences in conidial viability, spore production and the time required for 50% germination (GT₅₀). Spore viability after incubation for 24 h at 25°C was greater than 98% for both isolates tested. Spore production on potato dextrose agar after 14 days incubation at 25°C was 4.68 × 10⁸ and 4.59 × 10⁸ conidia/mL for IFCF01 and IFCF01-D, respectively. When exposed to high temperatures (40, 45, 50 or 55°C) through a water bath for 10 min, conidial germination ranged from 0.83% to 84.0% for IFCF01 and 0% to 86% for IFCF01-D. Germination rate showed a negative relationship with the exposure temperature for both isolates. The per cent germination of isolate IFCF01 24 h after ultraviolet (UV) radiation (18 W, 240–260 nm) varied from 0% to 92% and 0% to 81% for IFCF01-D. Germination rate and the exposure time exhibited a negative correlation for both isolates tested. Conidial surface hydrophobicity of IFCF01 (60%) was significantly higher than that of isolate IFCF01-D (53%). Subsequently, using the cicada exuviae as the substrate for enzymatic analysis, Pr1 and chitinase activity demonstrated the contrasting virulence traits: higher specific activities for the more virulent IFCF01 and lower enzymatic levels for isolate IFCF01-D.     

AMCase、Eotaxin-3及IL-13在动物模型中的研究进展

人类疾病的动物模型（AnimalModelofHumanDiseases）是生物医学科学研究中所建立的动物实验对象和材料。近年来,随着对动物模型的研究,各种人类疾病的实验模型得到广泛应用。酸性哺乳动物壳多糖酶（AMCase）作为壳多糖酶家族重要成员之一,与其下游信号分子嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（eotaxin．3）以及白细胞介素13（IL-3）的级联免疫反应,近年来成为了动物模型研究中的热点。本文总结了AMCase、eotaxin．3及IL-13在动物模型中的研究进展及其临床意义。     

Extracellular chitinases of mutant superproducing strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia marcescens</Emphasis> M-1

Four extracellular proteins with chitinase activity capable of binding chitin substrates have been revealed in the culture liquid of chitinase superproducing mutant strain M-1 of Serratia marcescens. Proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Based on the data obtained, the proteins were identified as typical chitinases of S. marcescens: ChiA, ChiB, ChiC, and CBP21.     

微生物几丁质酶研究进展

微生物几丁质酶不仅在生物降解几丁质方面起着重要作用,而且可通过水解病原真菌的细胞壁而有效地抑制其生长。到目前为止,人们已经分离和克隆出了大量的微生物几丁质酶及其基因。尽管这些几丁质酶各不相同,但它们却具有类同的蛋白质结构域:信号肽、催化结构域和几丁质结合结构域等。本文着重介绍几丁质酶的结构和分子特征、表达和调控机理,并且分析了该酶的应用前景。     

昆虫来源的几丁质酶的分离纯化及酶学性质

几丁质酶在真菌和昆虫的生理和发育过程中起着关键作用,该酶本身及其酶抑制剂是获取生物农药的重要途径。本研究从蚕蛹体内提取几丁质粗酶,经硫酸铵分级沉淀和Sephadex G-150分离得到几丁质酶。用SDS-PAGE测得该酶的分子量为88kDa。水解胶体几丁质的Km值为22.3μmol/L。酶反应的最适温度为45℃,最适pH值为6.0,金属离子和有机试剂对几丁质酶活性都有影响,其中高浓度的Mn2+对酶有较强的激活作用,而Cu2+、SDS则有较强的抑制作用。研究结果为基于几丁质酶的生物农药筛选研究奠定了基础。