Phosphorylation of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases by bacterial Flagellin

Molecular mechanisms that distinguish self and non-self are fundamental in innate immunity to prevent infections in plants and animals. Recognition of the conserved microbial components triggers immune responses against a broad spectrum of potential pathogens. In Arabidopsis, bacterial flagellin was perceived by a leucine-rich repeat-receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) FLS2. Upon flagellin perception, FLS2 forms a complex with another LRR-RLK BAK1. The intracellular signaling events downstream of FLS2/BAK1 receptor complex are still poorly understood. We recently identified a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK) BIK1 that associates with flagellin receptor complex to initiate plant innate immunity. BIK1 is rapidly phosphorylated upon flagellin perception in an FLS2- and BAK1-dependent manner. BAK1 directly phosphorylates BIK1 with an in vitro kinase assay. Plants have evolved a large number of RLCK genes involved in a wide range of biological processes. We provided evidence here that additional RLCKs could also be phosphorylated by flagellin and may play redundant role with BIK1 in plant innate immunity.     

微紫青霉外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶（CBHI）的纤维素结合结构域及其链结区非水解性破坏纤维素结晶区结构

天然纤维素的结晶区必需在内、外切纤维素酶的协同作用下,始可被降解,这是纤维素降解的限速步骤。内、外切纤维素酶均为β－1,4－糖苷键的水解酶,但单一的内、外切纤维素酶却都不能水解天然纤维素的结晶区。内、外切纤维素酶怎样协同降解纤维素的机理一直未得阐明,是天然纤维素降解机制研究中的难点。纤维素酶分子是由具有催化功能的催化结构域（catalytic domain,CD）和具有结合纤维素功能的纤维素结合（吸附）结构域（cellulse biding domain,CBD）及涟结它们的链结区（linker）序列组成。已知一细菌的CBD在吸附纤维素后,纤维素聚合物断裂形成短小纤维,但这一现象还未在真菌中有类似发现,通过对插入质粒pUC-18上的微紫青霉外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶CBHI的 cDNA基因,进行系列序列定向缺失等体外操作,得到了催化结构域序列缺失的重组质粒,转化大肠杆菌JM109后,利用纤维素结合结构域CBD可吸附纤维素的特性,筛选到含CBD编码区的转化子PUC18G,生产出了LacZ－CBD融合蛋白,经木瓜蛋白酶有限酶切后,分离纯化得到了CBD结构域及其链结区称为：CBDCBHI。经X光衍射、红外光谱分析、热活力测定和扫描电镜观察表明,CBDCBHI吸附纤维素后,能够导致纤维素聚合物氢键断裂,结晶度减低和形成短纤维,从而在底物可及性上为内切葡聚糖酶的水解糖化作用提供了条件,为真菌内、外切纤维素酶协同降解天然纤维素的作用机制提供了实验支持,并提出了内切纤维素酶的水解作用可为外切纤维素酶吸附纤维素提供能量的推论。     

L-谷氨酸氧化酶与CBD的融合表达及其在微晶纤维素上固定化分析

酶的固定化作为一种重要的技术,已在生物催化领域得到了广泛的应用。现将来源于普拉特链霉菌3304(Streptomyces platensis NTU3304)产生的胞外L-谷氨酸氧化酶(L-glutamate oxidase,Gox)基因gox融合到来源于粪碱纤维单胞菌Cellulomonas fimi的纤维素结合域(CBDcex)的基因上,构建表达载体p ETM10-Gox-CBD,并在大肠杆菌中表达。通过蛋白纯化获得融合蛋白,并命名为Gox-CBD。利用CBD对微晶纤维素特异性吸附的特性将其固定在微晶纤维素上,并对固定化酶的制备条件、结合量、酶学性质及其微晶纤维素结合稳定性等进行了研究。在4℃条件下结合约1 h,融合蛋白Gox-CBD结合在纤维素上的结合量即可达到9.0 mg/g。通过对重组型、融合表达游离的以及固定化在微晶纤维素上的谷氨酸氧化酶的酶学性质进行比较发现,固定化酶的比酶活有所降低;但固定化酶的热稳定性相对于游离酶有了很大的提高,在60℃孵育30 min后还保留有约70%的活性,而游离的重组Gox在相同条件下几乎完全失去活性。当固定化结合蛋白在p H10或者盐浓度5 mmol/L的Na Cl条件下可以牢固结合。并且可以通过一步纯化方法固定化融合蛋白Gox-CBD于微晶纤维素上。因此,L-谷氨酸氧化酶与纤维素结合域融合表达的研究为蛋白的纯化及酶的固定化提供了一种新策略。     

Investigation of the function of mutated cellulose-binding domains of Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I.

The function of the cellulose-binding domain (CBD) of the cellobiohydrolase I of Trichoderma reesei was studied by site-directed mutagenesis of two amino acid residues identified by analyzing the 3D structure of this domain. The mutant enzymes were produced in yeast and tested for binding and activity on crystalline cellulose. Mutagenesis of the tyrosine residue (Y492) located at the tip of the wedge-shaped domain to alanine or aspartate reduced the binding and activity on crystalline cellulose to the level of the core protein lacking the CBD. However, there was no effect on the activity toward small oligosaccharide (4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-lactoside). The mutation tyrosine to histidine (Y492H) lowered but did not destroy the cellulose binding, suggesting that the interaction of the pyranose ring of the substrate with an aromatic side chain is important. However, the catalytic activity of this mutant on crystalline cellulose was identical to the other two mutants. The mutation P477R on the edge of the other face of the domain reduces both binding and activity of CBHI. These results support the hypothesis that both surfaces of the CBD are involved in the interaction of the binding domain with crystalline cellulose.     

Production,purification, and characterization of a fusion protein of carbonic anhydrase from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and cellulose binding domain from Clostridium thermocellum

Carbon dioxide capture technologies have the potential to become an important climate change mitigation option through sequestration of gaseous CO₂. A new concept for CO₂ capture involves use of immobilized carbonic anhydrase (CA) that catalyzes the reversible hydration of CO₂ to HCO₃^? and H⁺. Cost‐efficient production of the enzyme and an inexpensive immobilization system are critical for development of economically feasible CA‐based CO₂ capture processes. An artificial, bifunctional enzyme containing CA from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and a cellulose binding domain (CBD) from Clostridium thermocellum was constructed with a His₆ tag. The chimeric enzyme exhibited both CA activity and CBD binding affinity. This fusion enzyme is of particular interest due to its binding affinity for cellulose and retained CA activity, which could serve as the basis for improved technology to capture CO₂ from flue gasses. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

Differentiation of Cells in the Hypophysis and in Pancreatic Islets

Deparaffinized, 3-5μ, sections are brought to water, oxidized 3.5 min in an equal-parts mixture of 0.3% H₂SO₄ and 0.3% KMnO₄, and decolorized with 4% K₂S₂O₅. Nuclei are stained with Gomori's (1939) chromium-hematoxylin, and cell granules with Cason's (1950) mixture. The eosinophilic cells of the hypophysis and the alpha cells of pancreatic islets (of Langerhans) stain carmine red; basophilic and beta cells stain dark blue. Heidenhain's _susa is the most suitable fixative for hypophysis, Bouin's fluid for pancreas; but a satisfactory result is obtainable after formalin-sublimate or plain formalin. Besides studying the ratio of the cell types in the hypophysis or in pancreatic islets, it is possible to estimate the granule content of the cells. The method works on human autopsy material provided fixation of hypophysis occurs within 24 hr, and. pancreas, 12 hr post mortem, and it is suitable also for quite fresh organs.     

Toll样受体识别机制及其生物学意义

Toll样受体介导的信号转导通路在对抗外来病原体的天然免疫应答中起重要作用。Toll样受体是一个天然模板识别受体家族,能识别固有性模板(微生物和哺乳动物所共有的病原相联的分子模板PAMPs)。Toll样受体通过巨噬细胞和其他免疫细胞来识别,其中TLR4识别内毒素、TLR2识别肽聚糖、TLR9识别细菌DNA、TLR5识别鞭毛蛋白、TLR3识别双链RNA等。本探讨了多种Toll受体家族成员在动物体内识别机理及功能,概述了其应用研究进展。     

新型抗体结合蛋白CBD—SPG的设计与表达

设计并表达可用于纯化IgG的新型高栽量抗体结合蛋白CBD—SPG。利用基因重组技术将纤维素结合结构域（Cellulose Binding Domain,CBD）基因插入到表达载体pET28a—SPG中,获得重组质粒pET28a—CBD—SPG,并转化大肠杆菌曰位J（DE3）。IPTG诱导CBD—SPG融合蛋白表达,并用SDS—PAGE和Westernblot对表达产物进行鉴定。重组表达质粒pET28a—CBD-SPG经双酶切及测序验证无误;表达产物经SDS．PAGE和WesternBlot分析表明融合蛋白的表观分子量约为40kD;CBD—SPG具有良好的结合纤维素和抗体的能力,晶体纤维素Avicelphl01对CBD—SPG的载量可达11．61mg／g（w／w）。成功构建并运用原核系统表达CBD-SPG;CBD—SPG在保持良好抗体结合能力的同时,更具有了结合纤维素的能力,有望成为一种新型的亲和材料。     

昆虫免疫识别与病原物免疫逃避机理研究进展

昆虫在长期进化过程中形成复杂的天然免疫系统,病原识别是启动下游免疫反应的第一步,这一过程主要是由不同的模式识别蛋白来完成的。目前发现并鉴定的昆虫模式识别蛋白主要包括肽聚糖识别蛋白、类免疫球蛋白、β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白、C型凝集素及具多功能的载脂蛋白等,不同的蛋白种类具有不同的结构、功能及识别对象。与昆虫免疫识别相对应的是,不同昆虫病原物在进化过程中发展出不同策略的免疫逃避能力,以战胜宿主免疫而致病或最终杀死昆虫。本文就昆虫免疫过程中不同模式识别蛋白的结合对象、结构与功能,以及逐渐兴起的病原物通过分子伪装等进行免疫逃避的研究进展进行了综述。并在此基础上,作者就昆虫免疫与昆虫病理研究的发展方向进行了展望,认为只有当两方面研究相结合时,才能更好地揭示昆虫宿主与病原物之间免疫与抗免疫的动态相互作用过程。     

Effect of physical conditions and chemicals on the binding of a mini-CbpA from Clostridium cellulovorans to a semi-crystalline cellulose ligand

Aims:  To investigate the effect that environmental factors have on Clostridium cellulovorans cellulose binding domain (CBD) binding to a semi-crystalline cellulose ligand, namely Avicel.
Methods and Results:  The behaviour of a 58 kDa mini-CbpA protein containing the CBD from the scaffoldin protein of C. cellulovorans was studied in the presence of various environmental factors, in order to determine whether such factors promote or reduce CBD binding to its ligand, thus potentially affecting its activity on the substrate. The amount of binding was found to be dependent on the Avicel concentration and optimal binding occurred when the ligand concentration was 15 mg ml⁻¹. Optimal CBD binding occurred at pH 7·0 and at an incubation temperature of 28°C. The effects of dithiothreitol (DTT), 2-mercaptoethanol, acetone, butanol, ethanol and butyric acid were also investigated.
Conclusions:  Temperature, pH, DTT, 2-mercaptoethanol and solvents were shown to affect the binding of C. cellulovorans CBD to Avicel.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Clostridium cellulovorans CBD binding to Avicel is affected by physical conditions and chemicals.     

Host plant development, water level and water parameters shape Phragmites australis-associated oomycete communities and determine reed pathogen dynamics in a large lake

In a 3-year-study, we analysed the population dynamics of the reed pathogen Pythium phragmitis and other reed-associated oomycetes colonizing fresh and dried reed leaves in the littoral zone of a large lake. Oomycete communities derived from internal transcribed spacer clone libraries were clearly differentiated according to substrate and seasonal influences. In fresh leaves, diverse communities consisting of P. phragmitis and other reed-associated pathogens were generally dominant. Pythium phragmitis populations peaked in spring with the emergence of young reed shoots, and in autumn after extreme flooding events. In summer it decreased with falling water levels, changing water chemistry and rising temperatures. Another Pythium species was also highly abundant in fresh leaves throughout the year and might represent a new, as-yet uncultured reed pathogen. In dried leaves, reed pathogens were rarely detected, whereas saprophytic species occurred abundantly during all seasons. Saprophyte communities were less diverse, less temperature sensitive and independent of reed development. In general, our results provide evidence for the occurrence of highly specialized sets of reed-associated oomycetes in a natural reed ecosystem. Quantitative analyses (clone abundances and quantitative real-time PCR) revealed that the reed pathogen P. phragmitis is particularly affected by changing water levels, water chemistry and the stage of reed development.     

Functionalization of cellulose acetate fibers with engineered cutinases

In the present work, we describe for the first time the specific role of cutinase on surface modification of cellulose acetate fibers. Cutinase exhibits acetyl esterase activity on diacetate and triacetate of 0.010 U and 0.007 U, respectively. An increase on the hydroxyl groups at the fiber surface of 25% for diacetate and 317% for triacetate, after a 24 h treatment, is estimated by an indirect assay. Aiming at further improvement of cutinase affinity toward cellulose acetate, chimeric cutinases are genetically engineered by fusing the 3′‐end coding sequence with a bacterial or a fungal carbohydrate‐binding module and varying the linker DNA sequence. A comparative analysis of these genetic constructions is presented showing that, the superficial regeneration of cellulose hydrophilicity and reactivity on highly substituted cellulose acetates is achieved by chimeric cutinases. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010