马胎盘提取物对淋巴细胞的免疫调节作用

采用MTT法测定不同浓度马胎盘提取物(EPE)对正常、ConA和LPS诱导的小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖活性以及NK细胞杀伤活性的影响;并用氨基酸自动分析仪检测马胎盘提取物中氨基酸的含量。MTT实验结果表明:马胎盘提取物(187.5～750μg/mL)明显增强正常淋巴细胞的活性;23.44～1500μg/mL明显抑制ConA诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖活性,750～1500μg/mL明显抑制LPS诱导的B淋巴细胞增殖活性,其对ConA诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖的抑制作用强于对LPS诱导的B淋巴细胞增殖的抑制作用;93.75～500μg/mL明显增强NK细胞对PC-3癌细胞的杀伤活性;氨基酸含量分析表明:其含有丰富的氨基酸,其中谷氨酸(7.53%)、天门冬氨酸(5.64%)和亮氨酸(5.54%)含量较高。因此马胎盘提取物对淋巴细胞可能具有一定的免疫调节作用。     

Prokaryotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein Pup Is Intrinsically Disordered

The prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein Pup targets substrates for degradation by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome through its interaction with Mpa, an ATPase that is thought to abut the 20S catalytic subunit. Ubiquitin, which is assembled into a polymer to similarly signal for proteasomal degradation in eukaryotes, adopts a stable and compact structural fold that is adapted into other proteins for diverse biological functions. We used NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that, unlike ubiquitin, the 64-amino-acid protein Pup is intrinsically disordered with small helical propensity in the C-terminal region. We found that the Pup:Mpa interaction involves an extensive contact surface that spans S21-K61 and that the binding is in the “slow exchange” regime on the NMR time scale, thus demonstrating higher affinity than most ubiquitin:ubiquitin receptor pairs. Interestingly, during the titration experiment, intermediate Pup species were observable, suggesting the formation of one or more transient state(s) upon binding. Moreover, Mpa selected one configuration for a region undergoing chemical exchange in the free protein. These findings provide mechanistic insights into Pup's functional role as a degradation signal.     

Pichia anomala DBVPG 3003 Secretes a Ubiquitin-Like Protein That Has Antimicrobial Activity

The yeast strain Pichia anomala DBVPG 3003 secretes a killer toxin (Pikt) that has antifungal activity against Brettanomyces/Dekkera sp. yeasts. Pikt interacts with β-1,6-glucan, consistent with binding to the cell wall of sensitive targets. In contrast to that of toxin K1, secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pikt killer activity is not mediated by an increase in membrane permeability. Purification of the toxin yielded a homogeneous protein of about 8 kDa, which showed a marked similarity to ubiquitin in terms of molecular mass and N-terminal sequences. Pikt is also specifically recognized by anti-bovine ubiquitin antibodies and, similar to ubiquitin-like peptides, is not absorbed by DEAE-cellulose. However, Pikt differs from ubiquitin in its sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes. Therefore, Pikt appears to be a novel ubiquitin-like peptide that has killer activity.     

The Cell Division Protein FtsZ from Streptococcus pneumoniae Exhibits a GTPase Activity Delay

The cell division protein FtsZ assembles in vitro by a mechanism of cooperative association dependent on GTP, monovalent cations, and Mg²⁺. We have analyzed the GTPase activity and assembly dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae FtsZ (SpnFtsZ). SpnFtsZ assembled in an apparently cooperative process, with a higher critical concentration than values reported for other FtsZ proteins. It sedimented in the presence of GTP as a high molecular mass polymer with a well defined size and tended to form double-stranded filaments in electron microscope preparations. GTPase activity depended on K⁺ and Mg²⁺ and was inhibited by Na⁺. GTP hydrolysis exhibited a delay that included a lag phase followed by a GTP hydrolysis activation step, until reaction reached the GTPase rate. The lag phase was not found in polymer assembly, suggesting a transition from an initial non-GTP-hydrolyzing polymer that switches to a GTP-hydrolyzing polymer, supporting models that explain FtsZ polymer cooperativity.     

Comparison of Aromatase Activity in Human Prostatic,Testicular and Placental Tissues

Abstract

The aromatase enzyme was quantified by the release of tritiated water from [1β-³H] androstenedione. Tritiated water was released by the crude homogenates in 4 of 18 samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue and one of 5 samples of prostate carcinoma tissue. However, this apparent aromatase activity was not inhibited by 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (0.5 and 5.0μM), and none of the particulate fractions (100,000 g pellet) prepared from each of the prostatic tissues exhibited aromatase activity. Particulate fractions from rat ovary (n = 3) and human testes (n = 6) displayed significant aromatase activity (mean values of 9.9 and 0.033 nmol estrone formed/g protein/h, respectively). The testicular aromatase was inhibited by aminoglutethimide, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione and CGS 16949A with IC₅₀ values of 6.4, 0.17 and 0.0017 μM. respectively. These are of a similar order to values obtained with the aromatase enzyme from human placental microsomes (14, 0.43 and 0.0075μM, respectively).     

人胎盘碱性磷酸酯酶基因在毕赤酵母中的表达和活性检测

将人胎盘碱性磷酸酯酶 (hPLAP)基因克隆到质粒ppICZαA中并在巴斯德毕赤酵母Pichiapastoris蛋白酶缺陷菌株SMD1 1 6 8中诱导表达。结果表明 :2拷贝子的重组酵母诱导表达产物酶活性最高 ,拷贝Mut 和Muts 表型不同对hPLAP酶活性没有显著影响     

仙人掌多糖提取过程中脱蛋白方法的研究

用水提取的仙人掌多糖常含有蛋白质C,实验以多糖损失率和脱蛋白率为衡量指标,选用了Sevag法、三氯乙酸法和酶法对仙人掌多糖提取物进行脱蛋白处理。实验结果表明,酶法、三氯乙酸法和Sevag法的脱蛋白率分别为89.67%、56.20%和45.65%,多糖损失率分别为7.19%、9.49%和13.75%。因此,酶提取法是替代常规方法的一种有效方法。     

Prokayrotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein (Pup) Proteome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the first known post-translational small protein modifier in prokaryotes, and targets several proteins for degradation by a bacterial proteasome in a manner akin to ubiquitin (Ub) mediated proteolysis in eukaryotes. To determine the extent of pupylation in Mtb, we used tandem affinity purification to identify its “pupylome”. Mass spectrometry identified 55 out of 604 purified proteins with confirmed pupylation sites. Forty-four proteins, including those with and without identified pupylation sites, were tested as substrates of proteolysis in Mtb. Under steady state conditions, the majority of the test proteins did not accumulate in degradation mutants, suggesting not all targets of pupylation are necessarily substrates of the proteasome under steady state conditions. Four proteins implicated in Mtb pathogenesis, Icl (isocitrate lyase), Ino1 (inositol-1-phosphate synthase), MtrA (Mtb response regulator A) and PhoP (phosphate response regulator P), showed altered levels in degradation defective Mtb. Icl, Ino1 and MtrA accumulated in Mtb degradation mutants, suggesting these proteins are targeted to the proteasome. Unexpectedly, PhoP was present in wild type Mtb but undetectable in the degradation mutants. Taken together, these data demonstrate that pupylation regulates numerous proteins in Mtb and may not always lead to degradation.     

A Secreted Protein with Plant-Specific Cysteine-Rich Motif Functions as a Mannose-Binding Lectin That Exhibits Antifungal Activity

Plants have a variety of mechanisms for defending against plant pathogens and tolerating environmental stresses such as drought and high salinity. Ginkbilobin2 (Gnk2) is a seed storage protein in gymnosperm that possesses antifungal activity and a plant-specific cysteine-rich motif (domain of unknown function26 [DUF26]). The Gnk2-homologous sequence is also observed in an extracellular region of cysteine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases that function in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we report the lectin-like molecular function of Gnk2 and the structural basis of its monosaccharide recognition. Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed that mannan was the only yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell wall polysaccharide that interacted with Gnk2. Gnk2 also interacted with mannose, a building block of mannan, with a specificity that was similar to those of mannose-binding legume lectins, by strictly recognizing the configuration of the hydroxy group at the C4 position of the monosaccharide. The crystal structure of Gnk2 in complex with mannose revealed that three residues (asparagine-11, arginine-93, and glutamate-104) recognized mannose by hydrogen bonds, which defined the carbohydrate-binding specificity. These interactions were directly related to the ability of Gnk2 to inhibit the growth of fungi, including the plant pathogenic Fusarium spp., which were disrupted by mutation of arginine-93 or the presence of yeast mannan in the assay system. In addition, Gnk2 did not inhibit the growth of a yeast mutant strain lacking the α1,2-linked mannose moiety. These results provide insights into the molecular basis of the DUF26 protein family.Plants have evolved to survive in environments that expose them to various stress factors. Being sessile, plants have developed specific mechanisms for defending against plant pathogens and responding to environmental stress conditions. These mechanisms serve to minimize damage while conserving valuable resources for growth and reproduction. For the biotic stresses caused by pathogen infections, plants have a variety of defense mechanisms such as hypersensitive responses, reinforcement of cell walls, and synthesis of phytoalexins and antifungal proteins (Hammond-Kosack and Jones, 1996; de Wit, 2007; Hamann, 2012). Abiotic stresses such as drought and high salinity also have adverse effects on plant physiology and metabolism. Plant cells respond and adapt to these adverse conditions by sensing them through receptor proteins on the plasma membrane and by mechanisms such as abscisic acid (ABA) signaling (Umezawa et al., 2010; Miyakawa et al., 2013; Osakabe et al., 2013). In fact, there is intricate cross talk among these stress responses on multiple molecular levels (Atkinson and Urwin, 2012).The genes coding the plant-specific Cys-rich motif (domain of unknown function26 [DUF26]) make up a large gene family, and the motif was initially found in the extracellular region of cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) and Cys-rich secretory proteins from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; Chen, 2001). Several CRKs are involved in resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens, hypersensitive response-related cell death, oxidative stress responses, and salicylic acid-dependent defense pathways (Czernic et al., 1999; Du and Chen., 2000; Ohtake et al., 2000; Chen et al., 2003; Acharya et al., 2007; Wrzaczek et al., 2010; Rayapuram et al., 2012). A recent study also showed that some CRKs regulate ABA signaling and osmotic stress responses (Tanaka et al., 2012). In addition, another DUF26-containing secretory protein, Oryza sativa root meander curling, was implicated in the salt stress response in rice (Oryza sativa; Zhang et al., 2009). These findings support the idea that the DUF26 proteins have evolved to cope with various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. However, the molecular basis of DUF26 proteins remains unclear in spite of their physiological significance.In a previous study, we identified a secreted DUF26 protein with antifungal activity, ginkbilobin2 (Gnk2), from gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba seeds (Sawano et al., 2007). Gnk2 consists of 108 amino acids as a mature protein and inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum. This antifungal protein shows no sequence similarity to other antifungal proteins (Sawano et al., 2007) and thus exhibits a structure quite distinct from theirs (Miyakawa et al., 2009). Gnk2 orthologs are also found as embryo abundant proteins in two other gymnosperm species: Picea abies and Picea glauca (Sawano et al., 2007). Their sequences are not homologous to any classes of late-embryogenesis abundant proteins (Dong and Dunstan, 1999; Hong-Bo et al., 2005). In addition, the gene expressions of embryo abundant proteins are not affected by ABA, a stimulator for somatic embryo maturation, unlike the gene expressions of late-embryogenesis abundant proteins (Dong and Dunstan, 1999). These findings raise the possibility that Gnk2-like proteins function in biotic stress responses and in seed development via a specific molecular mechanism.Many pathogenesis-related proteins with antifungal activity initially target the cell wall components of fungi, including the cell wall structure and plasma membrane (Selitrennikoff, 2001). Using a NMR technique, we show that mannan is the only cell wall component with which Gnk2 interacts. Our series of structural and biochemical experiments revealed that Gnk2 functions as a lectin and that its carbohydrate-binding properties are tightly related to its antifungal activity; these are the first insights into the molecular basis of the functioning of DUF26 protein family members.     

侧柏乙醇提取物对21种植物病原真菌的抑菌活性

采用菌丝生长速率法测定了侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)叶、小枝、球果和种子4个不同部位乙醇提取物对21种植物病原真菌的抑菌活性。结果显示:(1)在供试浓度为50g/L(相当于干样)时,侧柏各部位乙醇提取物对4种供试植物病原真菌均具有较好抑制作用,其中侧柏叶提取物的抑菌效果最好,对供试葡萄白腐病菌(Conio-thyrium diplodiella)、葡萄黑痘病菌(Elsinoe ampelina)、番茄绵腐病菌(Phytophthora melongenae)和青霉病菌(Penicilliu mexpansum)的EC50分别为:5.424、3.186、8.913和19.000g/L。(2)侧柏叶乙醇提取物的石油醚萃取物和乙酸乙酯萃取物抑菌活性均较好,在供试浓度为0.5g/L时,石油醚萃取物对苹果腐烂病菌(Valsa mali)和葡萄黑痘病菌(E.ampelina)的抑菌率分别为80.35%和60.23%;乙酸乙酯萃取物对以上2种植物病原菌的抑菌率分别为81.88%和64.06%。结果表明:侧柏叶、小枝、球果和种子乙醇提取物均具有一定抑菌活性,叶乙醇提取物的活性最好,活性成分主要集中在石油醚萃取物和乙酸乙酯萃取物中。     

核桃青皮乙醇提取物抑菌活性研究

以34种植物病原真菌和5种细菌为供试菌,采用离体试验方法对核桃青皮乙醇提取物及其萃取相进行抑菌效果研究.结果表明:核桃青皮乙醇提取物对供试病原真菌均有一定的抑制活性;在浓度为40 mg·mL~(-1)时,乙酸乙酯萃取相抑菌效果最好,对番茄灰霉、棉花立枯和小麦纹枯3种病原真菌的抑制率均为100%,对枯草芽孢杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌圈直径达12.07 mm和12.54 mm;不同浓度乙酸乙酯萃取相对相同病原菌的抑制效果差异显著,对番茄灰霉、棉花立枯、苹果炭疽、小麦纹枯和小麦赤霉5种病原菌的EC_(50)分别为:7.263 4、6.219 1、9.069 5、5.591 2和10.310 2 mg·mL~(-1).     

Oxygen-Sensitive K+ Channels Modulate Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Secretion from Human Placental Trophoblast

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a key autocrine/paracrine regulator of placental syncytiotrophoblast, the transport epithelium of the human placenta. Syncytiotrophoblast hCG secretion is modulated by the partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and potassium (K⁺) channels. Here we test the hypothesis that K⁺ channels mediate the effects of pO₂ and ROS on hCG secretion. Placental villous explants from normal term pregnancies were cultured for 6 days at 6% (normoxia), 21% (hyperoxia) or 1% (hypoxia) pO₂. On days 3–5, explants were treated with 5mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or tetraethylammonium (TEA), blockers of pO₂-sensitive voltage-gated K⁺ (K_V) channels, or ROS (10–1000μM H₂O₂). hCG secretion and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, a marker of necrosis, were determined daily. At day 6, hCG and LDH were measured in tissue lysate and ⁸⁶Rb (K⁺) efflux assessed to estimate syncytiotrophoblast K⁺ permeability. hCG secretion and ⁸⁶Rb efflux were significantly greater in explants maintained in 21% pO₂ than normoxia. 4-AP/TEA inhibited hCG secretion to a greater extent at 21% than 6% and 1% pO₂, and reduced ⁸⁶Rb efflux at 21% but not 6% pO₂. LDH release and tissue LDH/hCG were similar in 6%, 21% and 1% pO₂ and unaffected by 4-AP/TEA. H₂O₂ stimulated ⁸⁶Rb efflux and hCG secretion at normoxia but decreased ⁸⁶Rb efflux, without affecting hCG secretion, at 21% pO₂. 4-AP/TEA-sensitive K⁺ channels participate in pO₂-sensitive hCG secretion from syncytiotrophoblast. ROS effects on both hCG secretion and ⁸⁶Rb efflux are pO₂-dependent but causal links between the two remain to be established.     

Lauryl Gallate Inhibits the Activity of Protein Tyrosine Kinase c-Src Purified from Human Platelets

The inhibitory effect of gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), and its ester derivatives methyl, propyl, octyl and lauryl has been tested on the tyrosine kinase activity of affinity purified c-Src from human platelets, using the artificial substrate Poly (Glu.Na, Tyr) 4:1. When tested as inhibitor of the autophosphorylation of the enzyme and the phosphorylation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 by c-Src, lauryl gallate was found to be a more potent inhibitor than other widely used protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors such as genistein and herbimycin A. However, lauryl gallate did not inhibit the activity of the serine threonine kinases protein kinase A (PKA) and casein kinase II (CKII) from rat brain.     

Protein Profiling of Preeclampsia Placental Tissues

Preeclampsia is a multi-system disorder involved in pregnancy without an effective treatment except delivery. The precise pathogenesis of this complicated disorder is still not completely understood. The objective of this study is to evaluate the alterations of protein expression and phosphorylations that are important in regulating placental cell function in preterm and term preeclampsia. Using the Protein Pathway Array, 38 proteins in placental tissues were found to be differentially expressed between preterm preeclampsia and gestational age matched control, while 25 proteins were found to be expressed differentially between term preeclampsia and matched controls. Among these proteins, 16 proteins and their associated signaling pathways overlapped between preterm and term preeclampsia, suggesting the common pathogenesis of two subsets of disease. On the other hand, many proteins are uniquely altered in either preterm or term preeclampsia and correlated with severity of clinical symptoms and outcomes, therefore, providing molecular basis for these two subsets of preeclampsia. Furthermore, the expression levels of some of these proteins correlated with neonatal small for gestational age (PAI-1 and PAPP-A) and adverse outcomes (Flt-1) in women with preterm preeclampsia. These proteins could potentially be used as candidate biomarkers for predicting outcomes of preeclampsia.