重组蛋白GST-OsCATB的表达特性研究

为了阐明水稻Catalase（CAT）的酶学功能,首先需要获得出足量的、活性的该酶蛋白。本研究克隆了水稻OsCAT_B基因(GenBank accession No.D26484),构建到原核表达载体pGEX-6p-3中形成重组蛋白,继而转入E.coli菌株BL21中进行表达特性研究。结果表明,GST-OsCAT_B融合蛋白在E.coli中进行了过量表达,表达受到诱导剂浓度、诱导时间、诱导温度和诱导体系等多因素影响;通过谷胱甘肽Sepharose-4B亲合层析,纯化出足量、活性的融合蛋白GST-OsCAT_B,每克表达细胞（干重）中得率为51 mg GST-OsCAT_B。     

多杀菌素对天敌昆虫白蛾周氏啮小蜂的毒力评估

[目的] 生物防治与化学防治相结合是害虫综合防治的重要策略,蛹寄生蜂白蛾周氏啮小蜂是一种重要的天敌昆虫,在美国白蛾的生物防控中起关键作用。本研究旨在评估农林生产中常用的广谱、低毒杀虫剂多杀菌素对白蛾周氏啮小蜂的安全性。[方法] 采用药膜法检测多杀菌素对小蜂的毒力,并检测亚致死浓度多杀菌素处理后,小蜂体内解毒酶活性的变化。[结果] 多杀菌素对小蜂无短期（1 h）触杀作用,但随施药时间延长,其对小蜂的毒杀作用增强,25 mg·L^-1多杀菌素施药2 h后,可诱导约18.67%小蜂个体死亡。施药4 h后,不同浓度多杀菌素对小蜂的毒杀作用差异最明显,低浓度（5 mg·L^-1）多杀菌素可诱导11.33%小蜂死亡,而中、高浓度多杀菌素（≥ 15 mg·L^-1）可诱导77.33%~88.00%个体死亡。施药6 h后,LC₅₀值达7.44 mg·L^-1,安全系数为0.31,属高风险性农药。此外,亚致死浓度多杀菌素可明显诱导小蜂羧酸酯酶活性提高,对乙酰胆碱酯酶与谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性具有剂量效应。[结论] 多杀菌素对白蛾周氏啮小蜂的毒力作用较强,在美国白蛾生防区需慎用。     

Heterooligomeric complexes formed by human small heat shock proteins HspB1 (Hsp27) and HspB6 (Hsp20)

Formation of heterooligomeric complexes of human small heat shock proteins (sHsp) HspB6 (Hsp20) and HspB1 (Hsp27) was analyzed by means of native gel electrophoresis, analytical ultracentrifugation, chemical cross-linking and size-exclusion chromatography. HspB6 and HspB1 form at least two different complexes with apparent molecular masses 100–150 and 250–300 kDa, and formation of heterooligomeric complexes is temperature dependent. These complexes are highly mobile, easily exchange their subunits and are interconvertible. The stoichiometry of HspB1 and HspB6 in both complexes is close to 1/1 and smaller complexes are predominantly formed at low, whereas larger complexes are predominantly formed at high protein concentration. Formation of heterooligomeric complexes does not affect the chaperone-like activity of HspB1 and HspB6 if insulin or skeletal muscle F-actin was used as model protein substrates. After formation of heterooligomeric complexes the wild type HspB1 inhibits the rate of phosphorylation of HspB6 by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The 3D mutant mimicking phosphorylation of HspB1 also forms heterooligomeric complexes with HspB6, but is ineffective in inhibition of HspB6 phosphorylation. Inside of heterooligomeric complexes HspB6 inhibits phosphorylation of HspB1 by MAPKAP2 kinase. Thus, in heterooligomeric complexes HspB6 and HspB1 mutually affect the structure of each other and formation of heterooligomeric complexes might influence diverse processes depending on small heat shock proteins.     

Honokiol: A non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist from nature

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists are clinically used to counteract hyperglycemia. However, so far experienced unwanted side effects, such as weight gain, promote the search for new PPARγ activators.

Methods

We used a combination of in silico, in vitro, cell-based and in vivo models to identify and validate natural products as promising leads for partial novel PPARγ agonists.

Results

The natural product honokiol from the traditional Chinese herbal drug Magnolia bark was in silico predicted to bind into the PPARγ ligand binding pocket as dimer. Honokiol indeed directly bound to purified PPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) and acted as partial agonist in a PPARγ-mediated luciferase reporter assay. Honokiol was then directly compared to the clinically used full agonist pioglitazone with regard to stimulation of glucose uptake in adipocytes as well as adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. While honokiol stimulated basal glucose uptake to a similar extent as pioglitazone, it did not induce adipogenesis in contrast to pioglitazone. In diabetic KKAy mice oral application of honokiol prevented hyperglycemia and suppressed weight gain.

Conclusion

We identified honokiol as a partial non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist in vitro which prevented hyperglycemia and weight gain in vivo.

General significance

This observed activity profile suggests honokiol as promising new pharmaceutical lead or dietary supplement to combat metabolic disease, and provides a molecular explanation for the use of Magnolia in traditional medicine.     

GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTA1 genetic variants are not associated with coronary artery disease in Taiwan

Background and objective

The genetic variants of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, such as those encoded by glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes, may be associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate the genetic factors for CAD, we examined the GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTA1 genotypes in a CAD cohort in Taiwan.

Methods

Our study included 458 CAD participants and 209 control participants who received coronary angiography to assess CAD. The severity of CAD was defined as the number of coronary vessels with 50% or greater stenosis. Sequence variation of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes was determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GSTP1 (Ile105Val), and GSTA1 (-69C > T) genetic variants were identified using a combination of PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Among the GST genetic variants examined, the GSTT1 null genotype was more prevalent in CAD participants with 3 stenosed vessels than in control participants (OR = 1.64, P = .02). This association was no longer observed after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes mellitus, and serum levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.28, P = .40). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses found no significant associations between CAD and the other genetic variants, either separately or in combination. In addition, no effects of interactions between the genotypes and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking, were significantly associated with the risk of CAD.

Conclusion

The GST genetic variants examined were not associated with susceptibility to CAD in our Taiwanese cohort. This null association requires further confirmation with larger samples.     

乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的毒性及风险评估

【目的】明确乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂Bombus terrestris的毒性, 探讨这两种农药亚致死浓度对地熊蜂体内乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)和羧酸酯酶(CarE) 3种解毒酶活性的影响。【方法】采用饲喂法测定60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性,依据农药对蜜蜂生态风险的危害熵(hazard quotient, HQ)值评估这两种农药对地熊蜂的风险。同时测定了这两种农药亚致死剂量(LD₅₀和LD₈₀)处理后地熊蜂AchE, GST和CarE的活性变化。【结果】60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性测定48 h时LD₅₀值分别为3.590和1 447 μg a.i./蜂,其中60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素表现为中毒,43%联苯肼酯表现为低毒。两种农药对地熊蜂采集蜂的HQ值均低于50,表现为低风险。LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量的乙基多杀菌素处理组与对照组相比,3 h时地熊蜂AchE活性被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的1.45和1.23倍,24 h后活性受到抑制,两个剂量处理组AchE活性均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05);CarE活性3 h时同样被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性分别为对照组的1.24和1.53倍, 24 h后活性受到抑制,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05);LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的2.24和2.58倍,24 h后活性降低,但两个剂量处理组GST活性仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05)。43%联苯肼酯处理后,与对照组相比3 h时LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组AchE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后AchE活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),分别是对照组的75%和80%;CarE活性3 h时被抑制,LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性低于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后CarE活性被激活,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性高于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);LD₅₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h时被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),24 h后活性降低,但仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),3 h和24 h的活性分别为对照组的2.04和1.72倍,LD₈₀剂量处理组3 h的GST活性与对照组无显著差异(P＞0.05),24 h后活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05)。【结论】乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的HQ 评估均表现为低风险,其中联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的安全性较高,在熊蜂授粉过程中可以按照推荐剂量应用,但过量施用或者长期施用可能会造成熊蜂体内药剂积累引起生理或者行为的变化,乙基多杀菌素在温室及大田授粉期的使用剂量和方法有待进一步研究。     

c-Src is a PDZ interaction partner and substrate of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Ligand-of-Numb protein X1

The very C-terminus of c-Src is a ligand for PDZ domains. In a screen for PDZ domains that interact with c-Src, we identified one of the PDZ domains of the Ligand-of-Numb protein X1 (LNX1), a multiple PDZ domain scaffold and RING type E3 ubiquitin ligase. We demonstrate that the interaction of c-Src with LNX1 depends on the C-terminal PDZ ligand of c-Src. Furthermore, we show that c-Src phosphorylates LNX1. Moreover, c-Src itself is ubiquitinated by LNX1, suggesting an interdependent regulation of c-Src and LNX1.     

辣椒碱对小菜蛾的驱避活性及其体内谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶和Na+，K+-ATP酶活性的影响

采用常规生测方法和酶活力测定方法,初步研究了辣椒碱对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella L.的产卵忌避和拒食作用,及其对小菜蛾体内谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶、Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性的影响,以期阐明辣椒碱对害虫的作用机制。结果表明,辣椒碱对小菜蛾表现出较强的产卵忌避活性和拒食活性。在6.25×10⁴ mg/L浓度下,处理24 h辣椒碱对小菜蛾的非选择性产卵忌避率达96.55%,选择性产卵忌避率为84.30%;在相同浓度下,处理48 h辣椒碱对小菜蛾的非选择性拒食率达81.47%,选择性拒食率为69.69%。 另外,经1.25×10⁵ mg/L辣椒碱不同时间处理后,小菜蛾体内的谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶酶活力和Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活力与对照相比均产生了波动,处理18 h时小菜蛾体内GSTs活力最高,为152.01 U·mg^-1pro·min^-1,处理1 h时小菜蛾体内Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活力最高,为19.99 U·mg^-1pro·min^-1。结果说明辣椒碱能够影响小菜蛾产卵和取食行为,并且对其体内的酶系也产生了影响。