Myosin binding protein C： Structural abnormalities in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The muscle protein myosin binding protein C (MyBPC) is a large multi-domain protein whose role in the sarcomere is complex and not yet fully understood. Mutations in MyBPC are strongly associated with the heart disease familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) and these experiments of nature have provided some insight into the intricate workings of this protein in the heart. While some regions of the MyBPC molecule have been assigned a function in the regulation of muscle contraction, the interaction of other regions with various parts of the myosin molecule and the sarcomeric proteins, actin and titin, remain obscure. In addition, several intra-domain interactions between adjacent MyBPC molecules have been identified. Although the basic structure of the molecule (a series of immunoglobulin and fibronectin domains) has been elucidated, the assembly of MyBPC in the sarcomere is a topic for debate. By analysing the MyBPC sequence with respect to FHC-causing mutations it is possible to identify individual residues or regions of each domain that may be important either for binding or regulation. This review looks at the current literature, in concert with alignments and the structural models of MyBPC, in an attempt to understand how FHC mutations may lead to the disease state.     

Structural Basis of Glycan Recognition in Globally Predominant Human P[8] Rotavirus

Rotavirus(RV)causes acute gastroenteritis in infants and children worldwide.Recent studies showed that glycans such as histo-blood group antigens(HBGAs)function as cell attachment factors affecting RV host susceptibility and prevalence.P[8]is the predominant RV genotype in humans,but the structural basis of how P[8]RVs interact with glycan ligands remains elusive.In this study,we characterized the interactions between P[8]VP8~*s and glycans which showed that VP8~*,the RV glycan binding domain,recognized both mucin core 2 and H type 1 antigens according to the ELISA-based oligosaccharide binding assays.Importantly,we determined the structural basis of P[8]RV-glycans interaction from the crystal structures of a Rotateq P[8]VP8~*in complex with core 2 and H type 1 glycans at 1.82.3 ?,respectively,revealing a common binding pocket and similar binding mode.Structural and sequence analysis demonstrated that the glycan binding site is conserved among RVs in the P[Ⅱ]genogroup,while genotype-specific amino acid variations determined different glycan binding preference.Our data elucidated the detailed structural basis of the interactions between human P[8]RVs and different host glycan factors,shedding light on RV infection,epidemiology,and development of anti-viral agents.     

Recombinant neural protein PrP can bind with both recombinant and native apolipoprotein E in vitro

The most essential and crucial step during the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiformencephalopathy is the conformational change of cellular prion protein (PrP~C) to pathologic isoform (PrP~(Sc)).Alot of data revealed that caveolae-like domains (CLDs) in the cell surface were the probable place where theconversion of PrP proteins happened.Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is an apolipoprotein which is considered toplay an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases byforming protein complex through binding to the receptor located in the clathrin-coated pits of the cell surface.In this study,a 914-bp cDNA sequence encoding human ApoE3 was amplified from neuroblastoma cell lineSH-SY5Y.Three human ApoE isomers were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli.ApoE-specificantiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with the purified ApoE3.GST/His pull-down assay,immunoprecipitation and ELISA revealed that three full-length ApoE isomers interact with the recombinantfull-length PrP protein in vitro.The regions corresponding to protein binding were mapped in the N-terminalsegment of ApoE (amino acid 1-194) and the N-terminal of PrP (amino acid 23-90).Moreover,the recombinantPrP showed the ability to form a complex with the native ApoE from liver tissues.Our data provided directevidence of molecular interaction between ApoE and PrP.It also supplied scientific clues for assessing thesignificance of CLDs on the surface of cellular membrane in the process of conformational conversion fromPrP~C to PrP~(Sc) and probing into the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.     

Heavy Metal Accumulation and Ecological Responses of Turfgrass to Rubbish Compost with EDTA Addition

Domestic rubbish compost is a complex-polluted system, containing multiple heavy metals,which limits its application. In the present study, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb accumulation and ecological responses of turfgrass to rubbish compost were investigated following the addition of EDTA. The results showed that the addition of EDTA significantly increased heavy metal accumulation in Lolium perenne L.and Festuca arundinacea L. Most heavy metal concentrations in L. perenne increased with increasing EDTA supply. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Cd in L. perenne were highest following the addition of 30 mmol/kg EDTA and the concentrations of Cr and Ni at this point reached concentrations of1914.17 and 521.25 μg/g, respectively. When the EDTA level was ＜ 20 mmol/kg, the accumulation of most heavy metals in F. arundinacea increased with increasing EDTA supply, but showed a tendency to decrease at EDTA concentrations ＞20 mmol/kg. The highest concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn in F.arundinacea reached 268.01, 110.94, 161.52 and 1 354.97 μg/g, respectively, following the addition of 20mmol/kg EDTA. The EDTA-induced increase in the accumulation of heavy metals in turfgrass was plantand metal-specific. L. perenne had a relatively high ability to accumulate Cr, Ni, and Zn. The highest Zn concentration was 2 979.58 μg/g and, following the addition of EDTA, the concentrations of the three metals were increased 26.23, 20.03, and 10.49-fold, respectively, compared with control. However, F. arundinacea showed a high ability to accumulate Cr, with the highest concentration (596.02 μg/g) seen following the addition of 30 mmol/kg EDTA; the concentration of Cr increased 15.51-fold compared with control. With EDTA addition, ecological responses of both turfgrass species showed that EDTA at concentrations ＜10mmol/kg increased seed germination and aboveground net primary production (ANP) of L. perenne and slightly inhibited those of F.arundinacea, but EDTA at concentrations ＞20 mmol/kg inhibited these parameters significantly for both species. Moreover, EDTA increased the chlorophyll and proline content at all concentrations tested. On the basis of the synthetic remediation index, the optimal EDTA concentration for turfgrass remediation of heavy metals in compost is approximately 10 mmol/kg.     

Crystal Structures of Human Dipeptidyl Peptidase Ⅳ in its Apo and Diprotin B-complexed Forms

Dipeptidyl peptidase Ⅳ (DPPIV), which belongs to the prolyl oligopeptidase family of serine proteases, is known to have a variety of regulatory biological functions and has been shown to be implicated in type 2 diabetes. It is therefore important to develop selective human DPPIV (hDPPIV) inhibitors. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of apo hDPPIV at 1.9 A resolution. Our high-resolution crystal structure of apo hDPPIV revealed the presence of sodium ion and glycerol molecules at the active site. In order to elucidate the hDPPIV binding mode and substrate specificity, we determined the crystal structure of hDPPIV-diprotin B (Val-Pro-Leu) complex at 2.1 A resolution, and clarified the difference in binding mode between diprotin B and diprotin A (Ile-Pro-Ile) into the active site of hDPPIV. Comparison between our crystal structures and the reported apo hDPPIV structures revealed that positively charged functional groups and conserved water molecules contributed to the interaction of ligands with hDPPIV. These results are useful for the design of potent hDPPIV inhibitors.     

Structural changes of cellobiohydrolase I (1,4-beta-D-glucan-cellobiohydrolase I, CBHI) and PNPC (p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside) during the binding process

Conformational changes to 1,4-β-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI) in response to its binding with p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobioside (PNPC) were analyzed by second-derivative fluorescence spectrometry at the saturation binding point. Irreversible changes to the configuration of PNPC during the course of the binding process were characterized by UV spectral analysis. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to determine the stoichiometry of binding (i.e. the number of molar binding sites) of PNPC to CBHI. Two points on the surface of the CBHI molecule interact with PNPC, and irreversible changes to the configuration of PNPC occur during its conversion to p-nitrophenyl (PNP). The ITC studies demon-strated that the binding of PNPC to CBHI is an irreversible process, in which heat is released, but where there is no reversible equilibrium between PNPC-CBHI and CBHI and PNPC. On the other hand, PNP and cellobiose need to be released from the PNPC-CBHI complex to facilitate the repeated binding of new PNPC molecules to the renewable CBHI molecules. Therefore, we speculate that the energy, which powers the configurational change of PNPC as it is converted to PNP, is generated from cyclic changes in the conformation of CBHI during the binding/de-sorption process. These new insights may provide a basis for a better understanding of the binding mechanism in enzyme-substrate interactions.     

Structural changes of cellobiohydrolase I (1,4-β-D-glucan-cellobiohydrolase I, CBHI) and PNPC (p-nitro-phenyl-β-D-cellobioside) during the binding process

Conformational changes to 1,4-β-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI) in response to its binding with p-nitrophenyl β-D-cellobioside (PNPC) were analyzed by second-derivative fluorescence spectrometry at the saturation binding point. Irreversible changes to the configuration of PNPC during the course of the binding process were characterized by UV spectral analysis. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to determine the stoichiometry of binding (i.e. the number of molar binding sites) of PNPC to CBHI. Two points on the surface of the CBHI molecule interact with PNPC, and irreversible changes to the configuration of PNPC occur during its conversion to p-nitrophenyl (PNP). The ITC studies demonstrated that the binding of PNPC to CBHI is an irreversible process, in which heat is released, but where there is no reversible equilibrium between PNPC-CBHI and CBHI and PNPC. On the other hand, PNP and cellobiose need to be released from the PNPC-CBHI complex to facilitate the repeated binding of new PNPC molecules to the renewable CBHI molecules. Therefore, we speculate that the energy, which powers the configurational change of PNPC as it is converted to PNP, is generated from cyclic changes in the conformation of CBHI during the binding/de-sorption process. These new insights may provide a basis for a better understanding of the binding mechanism in enzyme-substrate interactions.     

Ran binding protein 9(RanBPM) binds IFN-λR1 in the IFN-λsignaling pathway

Like the type I interferons(IFNs),the recently discovered cytokine IFN-λ displays antiviral,antiproliferative,and proapoptotic activities,mediated by a heterodimeric IFN-λ receptor complex composed of a unique IFN-λR1 chain and the IL-10R2 chain.However,the molecular mechanism of the IFN-λ-regulated pathway remains unclear.In this study,we newly identified RAN-binding protein M(RanBPM) as a binding partner of IFN-λR1.The interaction between RanBPM and IFN-λRl was identified with a glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay and coimmunoprecipitation experiments.IFN-λ1 stimulates this interaction and affects the cellular distribution of RanBPM.However,the interaction between RanBPM and IFN-λR1 does not correlate with their conserved TRAF6-binding sites.Furthermore,we also found that RanBPM is a scaffolding protein with a modulatory function that regulates the activities of IFN-stimulated response elements.Therefore,RanBPM plays a novel role in the IFN-λ-regulated signaling pathway.     

The structure analysis and antigenicity study of the N protein of SARS-CoV

The Coronaviridae family is characterized by a nucleocapsid that is composed of the genome RNA molecule in combination with the nucleoprotein (N protein) within a virion. The most striking physiochemical feature of the N protein of SARS-CoV is that it is a typical basic protein with a high predicted pI and high hydrophilicity, which is consistent with its function of binding to the ribophosphate backbone of the RNA molecule. The predicted high extent of phosphorylation of the N protein on multiple candidate phosphorylation sites demonstrates that it would be related to important functions, such as RNA-binding and localization to the nucleolus of host cells. Subsequent study shows that there is an SR-rich region in the N protein and this region might be involved in the protein-protein interaction. The abundant antigenic sites predicted in the N protein, as well as experimental evidence with synthesized polypeptides, indicate that the N protein is one of the major antigens of the SARS-CoV. Compared with o     

Transcytosis of Junonia coenia densovirus VP4 across the gut epithelium of Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

The Junonia coenia densovirus rapidly traverses the gut epithelium of the host lepidopteran without replicating in the gut cells.The ability of this virus to transcytose across the gut epithelium is of interest for the potential use of virus structural proteins as delivery vehicles for insecticidal peptides that act within the insect hemocoel,rather than in the gut.In this study,we used fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda to examine the binding of the virus to brush border membrane vesicle proteins by two-dimensional ligand blot analysis.We also assessed the rate of flux of the primary viral structural protein,VP4 fused to eGFP with a proline-rich linker(VP4-P-eGFP)through the gut epithelium ex vivo in an Ussing chamber.The mechanisms involved with transcytosis of VP4-P-eGFP were assessed by use of inhibitors.Bovine serum albumin(BSA)and eGFP were used as positive and negative control proteins,respectively.In contrast to BSA,which binds to multiple proteins on the brush border membrane,VP4-P-eGFP binding was specific to a protein of high molecular mass.Protein flux was significantly higher for VP4-P-eGFP after 2 h than for albumin or eGFP,with rapid transcytosis of VP4-P-eGFP within the first 30 min.In contrast to BSA which transcytosed following clathrin-mediated endocytosis,the movement of VP4-P-eGFP was vesicle-mediated but clathrin-independent.The specificity of binding combined with the efficiency of transport across the gut epithelium suggest that VP4 will provide a useful carrier for insecticidal peptides active within the hemocoel of key lepidopteran pests including S.frugiperda.     

Interaction between Mnk2 and CBCVHL ubiquitin ligase E3 complex

MAP kinase-interacting kinase-2 (Mnk2) is one of the downstream kinases activated by MAP kinases. It phosphorylates the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (elF4E), although the role of elF4E phosphorylation and the role of Mnk2 in the process of protein translation are not well understood. Except for elF4E, other physiological substrates of Mnk2 are still unidentified. To look for these unidentified substrates and to reveal the physiological function of Mnk2, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening with Mnk2 as the bait. The results demonstrated Mnk2 could interact with VHL (von Hip-pel-Lindau tumor suppressor), Rbx1 (ring-box 1) and Cul2 (Cullin2) proteins in yeast cells. Furthermore, we validated the interaction between Mnk2 and VHL proteins in mammalian cells by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Because the three proteins VHL, Rbx1 and Cul2 are all components of the CBCVHL ubiquitin ligase E3 complex, it has been shown that Mnk2 can interact with CBCVHL complex, and is probably one of the new substrates of the CBCVHL complex. Furthermore, during the interaction of Mnk2 with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor- binding protein 1 (VBP1), it appears that Mnk2 also joins to modulate cell shape as VBP1 plays an important role in the process of the maturation of the cytoskeleton and in the process of morphogenesis.     

东南景天对锌、镉复合污染的反应及其对锌、镉的吸收和积累特性

Sedum alfredii Hance has been identified as a new Zn-hyperaccumulator native to China. In this study, responses and metal accumulation of S. alfredii were examined under Zn/Cd complex polluted conditions. The results showed that optimal growth of S. alfredii in terms of the maximum dry matter yield was observed at Zn/Cd complex level of 500/100 祄ol/L. Plant cadmium (Cd) or zinc (Zn) concentrations increased with increasing Cd or Zn supply. During the 20 d treatment, the highest Cd concentration in the leaves reached 12.1 g/kg at Zn /Cd level of 50/400 祄ol/L and that of Zn in the stems was 23.2 g/kg at Zn/Cd level of 1 000/50 祄ol/L. The distribution of Cd in different plant parts decreased in the order: leaf ＞ stem≥ root, whereas that of Zn was: stem ＞ leaf ≥ root. The accumulation of Cd and Zn in the shoots and roots of S. afredii increased with the increasing of Zn/Cd supply levels, peaked at Zn/Cd levels of 250/400 and 500/100 祄ol/L, respectively. The highest Cd and Zn uptake by the shoots was approximately 5 and 11 mg/plant, and was over 20 and 10 times higher than those in the roots, respectively. Zn supply at levels ≤ 500 祄ol/L increased plant Cd concentrations, whereas high Zn supply decreased root Cd but did not affect leaf Cd concentrations in S. alfredii. Low Cd supply increased Zn concentration in the leaves, but Cd supply higher than 50 祄ol/L considerably reduced root Zn concentrations, especially at low Zn level. These results indicate that S. alfredii can tolerate high Zn/Cd complex levels and has an extraordinary ability to hyperaccumulate not only Zn but also Cd. It could provide a new valuable plant material for understanding the mechanisms responsible for co-hyperaccumulation of Zn and Cd as well as for phytoremediation of the Cd/Zn complex polluted soils.     

Structure-function relationship of the mammarenavirus envelope glycoprotein

Mammarenaviruses, including lethal pathogens such as Lassa virus and Junín virus, can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Entry is a key step for virus infection, which starts with binding of the envelope glycoprotein(GP) to receptors on target cells and subsequent fusion of the virus with target cell membranes. The GP precursor is synthesized as a polypeptide, and maturation occurs by two cleavage events, yielding a tripartite GP complex(GPC) formed by a stable signal peptide(SSP), GP1 and GP2. The unique retained SSP interacts with GP2 and plays essential roles in virion maturation and infectivity. GP1 is responsible for binding to the cell receptor, and GP2 is a class I fusion protein. The native structure of the tripartite GPC is unknown.GPC is critical for the receptor binding, membrane fusion and neutralization antibody recognition.Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlining the structure–function relationship of the three subunits is the key for understanding their function and can facilitate novel avenues for combating virus infections. This review summarizes the basic aspects and recent research of the structure–function relationship of the three subunits. We discuss the structural basis of the receptor-binding domain in GP1, the interaction between SSP and GP2 and its role in virion maturation and membrane fusion, as well as the mechanism by which glycosylation stabilizes the GPC structure and facilitates immune evasion. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these aspects will contribute to the development of novel vaccines and treatment strategies against mammarenaviruses infection.