Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding ferric leghemoglobin reductase from soybean nodules.

A cDNA encoding soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) ferric leghemoglobin reductase (FLbR), an enzyme that is postulated to play an important role in maintaining leghemoglobin in its functional ferrous state, has been cloned and characterized. A group of highly degenerate oligonucleotides deduced from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of FLbR was used to prime the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on soybean nodule mRNA and cDNA. A full-length clone of FLbR cDNA was isolated by screening a lambda gt11 soybean nodule cDNA library using the specific PCR-amplified FLbR cDNA fragment as a probe. The cDNA contained about 1.8 kb and had a coding sequence for 523 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 55,729 D, which included a putative 30-residue signal peptide and a 493-residue mature protein. Computer-aided analysis of the deduced FLbR amino acid sequence showed considerable homology (varied from 20-50% with enzymes and species) to dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (EC 1.8.1.4), glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), mercuric reductase (EC 1.16.1.1), and trypanothione reductase (EC 1.6.4.8) in a superfamily of pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductases from various organisms. Northern blot analysis using FLbR cDNA as a probe showed that the FLbR gene was expressed in soybean nodules, leaves, roots, and stems, with a greater level of expression in nodules and leaves than in roots and stems. Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA showed the presence of two homologous FLbR genes in the soybean genome.     

Comparison of Al-induced gene expression in sensitive and tolerant soybean cultivars

In order to identify genes involved in soybean resistance to aluminium (Al) stress differential gene expression patterns of Al-stressed and non-stressed tolerant and sensitive soybean cultivars were compared. Out of eight described genes, potentially related to mechanisms of aluminium stress, only phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) revealed enhanced expression in roots of tolerant as compared to sensitive soybean cultivars under stress conditions. Additionally, two novel full-length cDNA sequences, homologous to translationally controlled tumour proteins (TCTP, clone 58, GenBank accession number AF421558) and inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenases (IMPDH, clone 633, GenBank accession number AF421559) with enhanced expression of the corresponding genes only in roots of Al-tolerant soybean cultivar under stress conditions were isolated and characterized. For functional analysis full-length cDNA 633 was transferred in Arabidopsis thaliana. Only 6% of the seedlings from the wild type survived Al stress, whereas 86% of transgenics were vital demonstrating superiority in stress protection. Compared with the wild type, transgenic plants showed diminished Al penetration into the roots after the stress treatment especially in the division and elongation zones of the roots. Formation of numerous lateral roots in transgenic plants with low elicited callose accumulation under stress conditions indicated ability of the IMPDH homologue to mediate aluminium tolerance in transgenic plants. Possible functional activities of Al up-regulated genes in resistance mechanisms are discussed.     

Identification of Delta12-fatty acid desaturase from arachidonic acid-producing mortierella fungus by heterologous expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungus Aspergillus oryzae.

Based on the sequence information for the omega3-desaturase genes (from Brassica napus and Caenorhabditis elegans), which are involved in the desaturation of linoleic acid (Delta9, Delta12-18 : 2) to alpha-linolenic acid (Delta9, Delta12, Delta15-18 : 3), a cDNA was cloned from the filamentous fungal strain, Mortierella alpina 1S-4, which is used industrially to produce arachidonic acid. Homology analysis with protein databases revealed that the amino acid sequence showed 43.7% identity as the highest match with the microsomal omega6-desaturase (from Glycine max, soybean), whereas it exhibited 38.9% identity with the microsomal omega3-desaturase (from soybean). The evolutionary implications of these enzymes will be discussed. The cloned cDNA was confirmed to encode a Delta12-desaturase, which was involved in the desaturation of oleic acid (Delta9-18 : 1) to linoleic acid, by its expression in both the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of yeast and fungus transformants demonstrated that linoleic acid (which was not contained in the control strain of S. cerevisiae) was accumulated in the yeast transformant and that the fungal transformant contained a large amount of linoleic acid (71.9%). Genomic Southern blot analysis of the transformants with the Mortierella Delta12-desaturase gene as a probe confirmed integration of this gene into the genome of A. oryzae. The M. alpina 1S-4 Delta12-desaturase is the first example of a cloned nonplant Delta12-desaturase.     

蚕豆豆类胰岛素基因的cDNA克隆及序列分析

为探明豆科植物中豆类胰岛素基因的结构特征与进化关系,在已获得大豆豆类胰岛素基因的基础上,以蚕豆种子胚根mRNA为材料,采用RT-PCR技术,克隆了蚕豆豆类胰岛素基因的cDNA序列,编码的前体多肽包括信号肽、成熟型豆类胰岛素及另一多肽的45个氨基酸残基。DNA序列分析表明,克隆片段与大豆和豌豆的同源性分别为62.5%和58.7%。在氨基酸水平上分别具有44.2%和43.6%的同源性,其中存在着高度保守的半胱氨酸位点,它们在维持豆类胰岛素的空间结构与生理功能方面,可能具有重要的作用。 Abstract:In order to elucidate the relationship between the structural features of leginsulin gene in legume plants and their phylogenetic significance,we have cloned the cDNA sequence of leginsulin gene from radicles of broad bean (Vicia faba) via RT-PCR techniques according to the leginsulin gene sequence we previously obtained from soybean (Glycine max).The cloned cDNA encoded for a precursor protein consisting of the signal peptide,mature leginsulin and an additional 45 amino acids of another polypeptide.A sequence search for homology comparison revealed the cloned leginsulin cDNA fragment shares 62.5% and 58.7% similarity to soybean and pea,respectively.The results also shown that leginsulin cDNA from broad bean presents 44.2% and 43.6% amino acid sequence homology with soybean and pea (Pisum sativum),respectively,and that there exists highly conserved cysteine sites among the leginsulin cDNAs,which may play a crucial role in maintaining the three-dimensional structure and the physiological functions of leginsulin.     

Sequencing and characterization of the citrus weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus, trypsin cDNA. Effect of Aedes trypsin modulating oostatic factor on trypsin biosynthesis.

Trypsin mRNA from the citrus weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus, was reverse transcribed and amplified by PCR. A cDNA species of 513 bp was cloned and sequenced. The 3' and 5' ends of the gene (262 bp and 237 bp, respectively) were amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends, cloned and sequenced. The deduced sequence of the trypsin cDNA (860 bp) encodes for 250 amino acids including 11 amino acids of activation and signal peptides and exhibited 16.8% identity to trypsin genes of selected Lepidoptera and Diptera. A three-dimensional model of Diaprepes trypsin contained two domains of beta-barrel sheets as has been found in Drosophila and Neobellieria. The catalytic active site is composed of the canonical triad of His41, Asp92 and Ser185 and a specificity pocket occupied by Asp179 with maximal activity at pH 10.4. Southern blot analysis indicated that at least two copies of the gene are encoded by Diaprepes midgut. Northern blot analysis detected a single RNA band below 1.35 kb at different larval ages (28-100 days old). The message increased with age and was most abundant at 100 days. Trypsin activity, on the other hand, reached a peak at 50 days and fell rapidly afterwards indicating that the trypsin message is probably regulated translationally. Feeding of soybean trypsin inhibitor and Aedes aegypti trypsin modulating oostatic factor affected trypsin activity and trypsin biosynthesis, respectively. These results indicate that Diaprepes regulates trypsin biosynthesis with a trypsin modulating oostatic factor-like signal.     

野生大豆P5CS基因的克隆及对盐胁迫反应

逆境下植物大量积累脯氨酸是减轻胁迫伤害的一种自我保护机制。本研究应用同源克隆方法从NaCl处理的野生大豆中克隆获得一个脯氨酸合成酶(P5CS)基因,命名为GsP5CS。该基因核苷酸序列全长2.232 kb,含一个2148bp开放阅读框,编码715个氨基酸,包含有高等植物P5CS蛋白质的5个主要功能域,与菜豆PvP5CS1基因核苷酸序列相似性高达98.79%。Real Time PCR分析显示该基因受轻度盐胁迫诱导上调表达,根中表达高峰出现在200 mmol/L NaCl处理下,相对表达量为对照的5.83倍;叶片中表达高峰出现在300 mmol/L NaCl处理条件下,相对表达量为对照的12.78倍。并且该基因在根和叶片中的表达模式和脯氨酸含量的变化模式相同。上述结果说明,GsP5CS可能参与野生大豆脯氨酸合成。     

反馈抑制不敏感邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶基因作为筛选标记基因用于大豆遗传转化研究

目前广泛采用的抗菌素或抗除草剂基因作为植物转化筛选标记基因可能带来转基因逃逸,因此寻找能够用于植物转化的来源于植物本身的筛选基因是解决这一问题的方法之一。通过从烟草中克隆的邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶基因(ASA2)作为筛选标记基因,并采用氨基酸的类似物5—甲基色氨酸为筛选剂,进行了农杆菌介导的大豆成熟胚尖转化研究。Southern杂交结果表明ASA2基因成功整合到大豆基因组,Northern杂交也显示该基因在转化大豆叶片中表达。HPLC检测转化大豆叶片游离色氨酸的含量比野生型要高59％～123％。PCR检测转化子1代结果显示转化基因通过孟德尔规律稳定遗传。这些结果表明反馈抑制不敏感ASA2基因可以作为筛选标记基因用于大豆遗传转化。同时也证实来源于一种植物(烟草)编码的邻氨基苯甲酸α—亚基能够与另一种植物(大豆)编码该酶的β—亚基结合形成具有完整活性的邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶。对ASA2基因作为一种新的植物转化筛选标记基因的优缺点进行了讨论。     

凋亡抑制因子Survivin在大肠杆菌TB1中的表达纯化及鉴定

 本文旨在克隆凋亡抑制因子Survivin基因,并在大肠杆菌中进行可溶性表达与初步纯化. 采用RT-PCR法,扩增人凋亡抑制因子survivin cDNA,并克隆入原核表达载体pMAL p2X中,转化TB1大肠杆菌感受态细胞.经0.3 mmol/L IPTG诱导2 h后,收集菌体蛋白,进行SDS-PAGE、ELISA及Western 印迹鉴定. 实验获得凋亡抑制因子survivin编码区cDNA,以构建的原核表达载体pMAL-p2X survivin转化菌株后,可表达凋亡抑制因子survivin和麦芽糖结合蛋白(MBP)的融合蛋白,相对分子质量(Mr) 为58 000.并成功利用Factor Xa将融合蛋白裂解开.ELISA和Western 印迹表明,融合蛋白能与抗凋亡抑制因子survivin单克隆抗体特异性结合.获得的凋亡抑制因子survivin全长cDNA可在大肠杆菌TB1中以MBP survivin融合蛋白的形式表达,成功地将survivin目的蛋白和MBP蛋白分离,为深入研究survivin的结构和功能奠定了基础.     

大豆抗病基因同源序列的克隆与分析

已克隆的植物抗病基因序列存在一些相对保守的结构区域.利用根据核苷酸结合位点(NBS)结构域扩增所获得的大豆抗病基因同源片段为混合探针,进行大豆cDNA文库筛选.通过筛库和5'RACE-PCR扩增后,获得一全长基因KR3.KR3的长度为2353 bp,编码636个氨基酸.KR3蛋白在结构上与烟草抗花叶病毒N基因蛋白有较高的同源性,具有Toll/白细胞介素-1受体(TIR)、NBS等抗病基因的分子特征.Southern杂交显示KR3在基因组中为低拷贝;RT-PCR分析表明,该基因的表达受外源水杨酸的诱导.     

大豆抗病基因同源序列的克隆与分析

已克隆的植物抗病基因序列存在一些相对保守的结构区域。利用根据核苷酸结合位点(NBS)结构域扩增所获得的大豆抗病基因同源片段为混合探针,进行大豆cDNA文库筛选。通过筛库和5′RAcE-PcR扩增后,获得一全长基因KR3。KR3的长度为2353 bp,编码636个氨基酸。KR3蛋白在结构上与烟草抗花叶病毒N基因蛋白有较高的同源性,具有Toll／白细胞介素-1受体(TIR)、NBS等抗病基因的分了特征。Southern 杂交显KR3在基因组中为低拷贝：RT-PCR分析表明,该基因的表达受外源水杨酸的诱导。     

Characterization of a cDNA clone, encoding a 70 kDa heat shock protein from the dermatophyte pathogen Trichophyton rubrum

Trichophyton rubrum is an anthropophilic fungus causing up to 90% of chronic cases of dermatophytosis. To characterize T. rubrum proteins at the molecular level, we established a cDNA library of this pathogen. Here we describe a recombinant cDNA clone identical to eukaryotic 70kDa heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Western blot analysis using an anti HSP70 monoclonal antibody detected a recombinant fusion protein in Escherichia coli transformed with the expression vector containing the cloned cDNA insert. Southern blot analysis of T. rubrum genomic DNA detected no other members of the HSP70 gene family. Further analysis revealed the presence of two introns within the ORF of the HSP70 gene. In Northern blot analysis, the cDNA clone was hybridized to a RNA species of about 3.5kb which was constitutively expressed by cells cultured at 27 degrees C and was strongly up-regulated after culture at 37 degrees C. In summary, we have cloned the first member of the HSP family of dermatophytes and characterized it as a member of the Dnak subfamily of 70kDa HSPs.     

两个大豆类受体蛋白激酶基因的克隆及其结构和功能的初步分析

利用高等植物类受体蛋白激酶基因的保守域设计简并引物的通过RT-PCR方法,从大豆叶片中克隆到两个新的,可能的类受体蛋白激酶基因的部分cDNA片段。对其基因结构的分析表明：在RLPK2的激酶保守域Vib与Ⅸ之间有一个407bp长的内含子。利用RT-PCR方法对它们的表达特性进行初步研究。发现这两个基因可能参与了对大豆叶片衰老和/或细胞分裂素延缓衰老过程的调节机制。     

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the cDNA for sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase-C from mouse.

Mouse sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase-C (LDH-C) cDNA was cloned and sequenced from lambda gt11 expression library. The LDH-C cDNA insert of 1236 bp consists of the protein-coding sequence (999 bp), the 5' (54 bp) and 3' (113 bp) non-coding regions, and the poly(A) tail (70 bp). The Northern blot analysis of poly(A)-containing RNAs from mouse testes and liver indicates that the LDH-C gene is expressed in testes but not in liver, and that its mRNA is approx. 1400 nucleotides in length. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the mouse LDH-C cDNA show 73% and 72% homologies, respectively, with those of the mouse LDH-A. The Southern blot analysis of genomic DNAs from mouse liver and human placenta indicates the presence of multiple LDH-C gene-related sequences.     

Cloning and expression of sterol Delta 14-reductase from bovine liver.

Biosynthesis of cholesterol represents one of the fundamental cellular metabolic processes. Sterol Delta 14-reductase (Delta 14-SR) is a microsomal enzyme involved in the conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol in mammals. Amino-acid sequence analysis of a 38-kDa protein purified from bovine liver in our laboratory revealed > 90% similarity with a human sterol reductase, SR-1, encoded by the TM7SF2 gene, and with the C-terminal domain of human lamin B receptor. A cDNA encoding the 38-kDa protein, similar to human TM7SF2, was identified by analysis of a bovine expressed sequence tag (EST) database. The cDNA was synthesized by RT-PCR, cloned, and sequenced. The cDNA encodes a 418 amino-acid polypeptide with nine predicted transmembrane domains. The deduced amino-acid sequence exhibits high similarity with Delta 14-SR from yeasts, fungi, and plants (55-59%), suggesting that the bovine cDNA encodes Delta 14-SR. Northern blot analysis of bovine tissues showed high expression of mRNA in liver and brain. The polypeptide encoded by the cloned cDNA was expressed in COS-7 cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of transfected cells revealed a distribution of the protein throughout the ER. COS-7 cells expressing the protein exhibited Delta 14-SR activity about sevenfold higher than control cells. These results demonstrate that the cloned bovine cDNA encodes Delta 14-SR and provide evidence that the human TM7SF2 gene encodes Delta 14-SR.     

Two subtilisin-like proteases from soybean

Two subtilisin-like proteases (SLP) were identified in soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.). The first, SLP-1, was localized in seed coats early in seed development, but became undetectable with anti-SLP-1 antibodies as seed fill progressed. A partial purification of SLP-1 was achieved using a two step chromatographic procedure. NH₂-terminal sequence analysis of the partially purified enzyme permitted primers to be designed that were used to amplify cDNA encoding SLP-1. A genomic clone encoding SLP-1 was also obtained. Characterization of the cDNA and partially purified SLP-1 revealed the initial translation product was an 82 694 MW precursor. After removal of a signal peptide, the mature protein was formed by removal of an NH₂-terminal propeptide. A COOH-terminal peptide also appeared to be removed from some of the protease molecules. DNA blot analysis suggested that at least one additional SLP gene was present in soybean. The second gene, SLP-2, was subsequently cloned and characterized. Although the coding regions for SLP-1 and SLP-2 were homologous, their promoters were quite divergent. RT-PCR revealed that SLP-2 message was found in the mature plant and in cotyledons of germinating seeds. Although SLP-2 mRNA could be identified in developing seeds, the message was at least an order of magnitude less abundant than that for SLP-1, and it was mis-spliced such that a chain termination event would preclude obtaining a product. As with SLPs from other organisms, the functions of the soybean proteases are unknown. However, SLP-1 is one of only a few proteins from soybean seed coats that have been described.