14-3-3 proteins, FHA domains and BRCT domains in the DNA damage response

The DNA damage response depends on the concerted activity of protein serine/threonine kinases and modular phosphoserine/threonine-binding domains to relay the damage signal and recruit repair proteins. The PIKK family of protein kinases, which includes ATM/ATR/DNA-PK, preferentially phosphorylate Ser-Gln sites, while their basophilic downstream effecter kinases, Chk1/Chk2/MK2 preferentially phosphorylate hydrophobic-X-Arg-X-X-Ser/Thr-hydrophobic sites. A subset of tandem BRCT domains act as phosphopeptide binding modules that bind to ATM/ATR/DNA-PK substrates after DNA damage. Conversely, 14-3-3 proteins interact with substrates of Chk1/Chk2/MK2. FHA domains have been shown to interact with substrates of ATM/ATR/DNA-PK and CK2. In this review we consider how substrate phsophorylation together with BRCT domains, FHA domains and 14-3-3 proteins function to regulate ionizing radiation-induced nuclear foci and help to establish the G₂/M checkpoint. We discuss the role of MDC1 a molecular scaffold that recruits early proteins to foci, such as NBS1 and RNF8, through distinct phosphodependent interactions. In addition, we consider the role of 14-3-3 proteins and the Chk2 FHA domain in initiating and maintaining cell cycle arrest.     

Heterogeneity in E. coli RecBCD Helicase-DNA Binding and Base Pair Melting

E. coli RecBCD, a helicase/nuclease involved in double stranded (ds) DNA break repair, binds to a dsDNA end and melts out several DNA base pairs (bp) using only its binding free energy. We examined RecBCD-DNA initiation complexes using thermodynamic and structural approaches. Measurements of enthalpy changes for RecBCD binding to DNA ends possessing pre-melted ssDNA tails of increasing length suggest that RecBCD interacts with ssDNA as long as 17–18 nucleotides and can melt at least 10–11 bp upon binding a blunt DNA end. Cryo-EM structures of RecBCD alone and in complex with a blunt-ended dsDNA show significant conformational heterogeneities associated with the RecB nuclease domain (RecB^Nuc) and the RecD subunit. In the absence of DNA, 56% of RecBCD molecules show no density for the RecB nuclease domain, RecB^Nuc, and all RecBCD molecules show only partial density for RecD. DNA binding reduces these conformational heterogeneities, with 63% of the molecules showing density for both RecD and RecB^Nuc. This suggests that the RecB^Nuc domain is dynamic and influenced by DNA binding. The major RecBCD-DNA structural class in which RecB^Nuc is docked onto RecC shows melting of at least 11 bp from a blunt DNA end, much larger than previously observed. A second structural class in which RecB^Nuc is not docked shows only four bp melted suggesting that RecBCD complexes transition between states with different extents of DNA melting and that the extent of melting regulates initiation of helicase activity.     

Stool DNA test targeting methylated syndecan-2 (SDC2) as a noninvasive screening method for colorectal cancer

Despite the steadily increasing worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), an effective noninvasive approach for early detection of CRC is still under investigation. The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) have gained popularity as noninvasive CRC screening tests owing to their convenience and relatively low costs. However, the FOBT and FIT have limited sensitivity and specificity. To develop a noninvasive tool for the detection of CRC, we investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a stool DNA test targeting methylated syndecan-2 (SDC2), which is frequently methylated in patients with CRC. The present study enrolled 62 patients diagnosed as having stage 0-IV CRC and 76 healthy participants between July 2018 and June 2019 from two institutions. Approximately 4.5 g of stool sample was collected from each participant for detection of human methylated SDC2 gene. In total, 48 of 62 (77.4%) patients with CRC showed positive results, whereas 67 out of 76 (88.2%) healthy participants showed negative results. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve constructed was 0.872 for discrimination between patients with CRC and healthy individuals. The present study highlights the potential of the fecal methylated SDC2 test as a noninvasive detection method for CRC screening with a relatively favorable sensitivity of 77.4%, a specificity of 88.2% and a positive predictive value of 84.2% compared with other available fecal tests. Further multicenter clinical trials comprising subjects of varied ethnicities are required to validate this test for the mass screening of patients with CRC.     

Development and characterization of 33 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Trachurus japonicus by SLAF-seq technology

Trachurus japonicus is an economically important fish in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. However, its resources have declined seriously and there is an urgent need for a wide-range of investigations of the existing genetic resources. This requires a large number of diverse molecular markers with high discriminating power. In this study, we identified 43,264 perfect SSRs in T. japonicus genome using SLAF-seq technology. Of these, we randomly selected 106 SSRs (tri-nucleotide to hexa-nucleotide) to test for polymorphism. Eventually, we successfully developed a total of 33 loci including 8 tri-nucleotide and 25 long repeat motifs (tetra-nucleotide to hexa-nucleotide). The number of alleles (Na) of these loci ranged from 4 to 24 (mean 12.6). The observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.258 to 0.969 (mean 0.723) and from 0.452 to 0.962 (mean 0.827), respectively. All loci except TJ6-7 were highly informative (PIC > 0.5). These results showed that the shortlisted 33 loci exhibited moderate to relatively high genetic diversity, of which 18 were regarded as highly polymorphic and well-resolved. In summary, these diverse and potential microsatellites detected in our study provide substantial genetic basis for the screening of polymorphic SSR markers of T. japonicus and also provide a powerful tool to perform further studies on the genetic resource assessment and conservation of T. japonicus.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of selected lacustrine and riverine populations of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), in Kenya

Determining the genetic characteristics of natural fish stocks is useful for conservation and aquaculture programs. For African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, genetic characterization could help identify populations suitable as brood stock for culture, and those in need of conservation. This study determined the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of C. gariepinus from Lakes Victoria (LV), Kenyatta (LKE), Kamnarok (LKA), and Rivers Nyando (NR), Tana (TR) and Sosiani (SR) in Kenya. Using 128 DNA sequences of D-loop control region, 34 haplotypes were recovered, of which 79.4% were singletons. Only 7 haplotypes were shared between sites, implying little gene flow between sites. Number of haplotypes was highest in LKE and NR populations and lowest in SR. Haplotype diversity was highest in LV, and lowest in SR, while, nucleotide diversity was highest in LKA and lowest in LV. Phylogenetic analyses revealed five clusters: Lakes Victoria, Kamnarok and Kenyatta, and Rivers Tana and Nyando, from both maximum likelihood tree and minimum spanning network. This, together with significant F _ST values among the sites imply population differentiation. Mismatch distributions were multi-modal in LKA, LKE, NR and TR, signifying demographic equilibria. Neutrality tests Tajima`s D values for the sampled populations were negative and significantly different, suggesting stable populations. These results show the existence of genetically distinct populations of C. gariepinus that require spatially explicit management actions such as reducing fishing pressure, pollution, minimizing habitat destruction and fragmentation for sustainable utilisation of stocks.     

单细胞拉曼技术在病原微生物检测中的研究进展

单细胞拉曼技术是基于拉曼光谱分析原理实现非培养、无标签、快速、高效、低成本揭示物质本质的新方法。近年来,单细胞拉曼技术也开始在病原微生物检测领域崭露头角。本文结合单细胞拉曼技术基本原理这一理论基础,阐述该技术在病原微生物鉴定、药物敏感性检测中的研究进展及最新技术方向,并探讨其在临床实验室应用的可行性,为未来病原微生物检测技术提供新的方向。     

表观遗传的化学干预对金龟子绿僵菌次生代谢产物影响的研究

[背景] 表观遗传酶类化学抑制剂对真菌的影响研究主要集中在新次生代谢产物挖掘方面,而对大量已知次生代谢物含量的变化却关注较少。金龟子绿僵菌是一种常用杀虫真菌,能代谢出多种已知生物活性物质,其含量可能会影响到该菌与环境间关系及利用潜力。[目的] 评估组蛋白去乙酰化酶和DNA甲基转移酶的化学抑制剂对金龟子绿僵菌代谢物安全性和可利用性的影响。[方法] 在金龟子绿僵菌培养基中添加表观遗传酶类化学抑制剂,培养一定时间后用高分辨液质联用及标准品对照方法分析次生代谢产物变化。根据差异代谢物的生物活性评估化学抑制剂的影响。[结果] 高分辨液质联用分析结果表明当抑制剂浓度达500μmol/L时,金龟子绿僵菌有16种主要次生代谢产物出现明显量的变化,包括destruxin A、A1、A2、B、B1、B2、E、E2、Ed、didesmethyldestruxin C、dihydrodestruxin A、desmethyldestruxin B、12-hydroxyovalicin、subglutinol C、fungerin和ustilagic Acid C。其中,丁酸钠处理可使15种主要代谢物含量升高。苯甲酰胺可使12种主要代谢物含量升高。伏立诺他虽然仅能使10种主要代谢物含量升高,但部分代谢物的升高幅度明显高于前两者。2种DNA甲基转移酶抑制剂可使金龟子绿僵菌代谢物中绿僵菌素类代谢物含量普遍下降。[结论] 组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂可引起金龟子绿僵菌主要代谢物含量普遍升高,而DNA甲基转移酶抑制剂使金龟子绿僵菌的绿僵菌素含量普遍下降。由于变化的代谢物都具有显著的杀虫、免疫抑制或抗菌抗癌等生物活性,因此上述化学抑制剂可增强或降低金龟子绿僵菌对环境中昆虫毒性,同时也增加或降低其代谢物利用潜力。另外,subglutinol C、fungerin和ustilagic Acid C是首次在金龟子绿僵菌中被发现。     

常见肠道菌群代谢产物作为疾病诊断的指针的研究进展

人类肠道菌群能够产生多种代谢产物或与人体相互作用产生肠道菌群-宿主共代谢物,显著影响人体各大系统的生理功能。当人体健康状态以及肠道菌群发生变化时,肠道代谢物的种类和含量也会相应受到影响,因此肠道菌群代谢产物具有作为疾病诊断指针的巨大潜力。本文总结了常见的几类肠道微生物代谢产物,包括糖类、胆碱代谢物、脂质、氨基酸与肽类、维生素、胆汁酸、短链脂肪酸、酚、苯甲酰基和苯基衍生物等,及其在不同疾病状态下的作用机理,以期更好地理解肠道菌群、代谢产物和疾病之间的相关性,为疾病的预防、诊断和治疗提供新的靶点。     

极端嗜热古菌8oxoG DNA糖苷酶的研究进展

7,8二氢-8-氧鸟嘌呤(7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine,8oxoG)是一种常见的DNA损伤碱基。由于8oxoG能够与腺嘌呤配对,在DNA中的8oxoG被修复之前进行复制,DNA将会产生GC→TA的突变,从而造成基因组的不稳定。目前,碱基切除修复(Base excision repair,BER)是修复DNA中8oxoG的经典途径,其中8oxoGDNA糖苷酶(8-oxoguanineDNAglycosylases,OGG)是启动BER途径的关键酶。研究发现,OGG能够识别和切除DNA中的8oxoG,从而阻止细胞内GC→TA突变的积累。目前,OGG分为3个家族:OGG1、OGG2和AGOG (archaeal 8oxoG DNA glycosylase),广泛分布于细菌、古菌和真核生物。古菌基因组的序列表明,它们至少编码一种OGG。目前,对源自细菌和真核生物的OGG已进行了大量的研究,但是关于极端嗜热古菌OGG的研究相对较少,尚处于初期阶段。本文综述了极端嗜热古菌OGG的研究进展,并对今后的研究提出了展望。