人p53启动子萤光素酶报告基因的构建及其活性测定

目的：克隆p53基因的启动子,插入萤光素酶报告基因载体,并检测启动子活性。方法：采用PCR技术从人肝癌细胞系HepG2基因组中扩增人p53启动子,插入萤光素酶报告基因载体pGL4．0-empty,将重组质粒转染293T、ZR75-1、HepG2、A549细胞,测定p53启动子的转录活性。结果：构建了p53启动子的萤光素酶报告基因;通过测序及质粒酶切鉴定,所构建的p53启动子正确;活性实验表明,报告基因在多种细胞中显示构建的p53启动子活性,并呈现一定的剂量效应;转录因子USF能以剂量效应方式提高p53报告基因的转录活性。结论：克隆了人p53启动子,为进一步研究调控p53的转录因子奠定了基础。     

含p27启动子的荧光素酶报告基因的构建和活性测定

目的:克隆p27基因的启动子,插入荧光素酶报告基因载体中,并检测其活性。方法:采用PCR技术从人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7基因组中扩增出p27启动子,插入荧光素酶报告基因载体pGL3-basic中,确定所扩增的DNA序列,在293T细胞中检测其活性。结果:测序结果显示扩增的p27启动子序列正确,活性实验表明构建的报告基因具有启动子活性,雌激素受体(ER)α能以剂量依赖的方式升高p27报告基因的转录。结论:克隆了p27启动子,为ERα共调节子的功能研究提供了重要基础。     

含p21启动子的荧光素酶报告基因的构建和活性测定

目的:克隆p21基因的启动子,插入荧光素酶报告基因载体中,并检测其活性。方法:采用PCR技术从人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7基因组中扩增出p21启动子,插入荧光素酶报告基因载体pGL3-basic中,确定所扩增的DNA序列,在293T细胞中检测其活性。结果:测序结果表明扩增的p21启动子序列正确,活性实验表明构建的报告基因具有启动子活性,雌激素受体(ER)α能以剂量依赖的方式升高p21报告基因的转录。结论:克隆了p21启动子,为ERα共调节子的功能研究提供了重要基础。     

鳜鱼传染性脾肾坏死病毒的胞嘧啶5-甲基转移酶基因结构及其序列分析

对鳜鱼传染性脾肾坏死病毒（infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus,ISKNV）的胞嘧啶5－甲基转移酶（MTase）基因的结构及序列进行了分析。序列比较分析表明,ISKNV MTase编码区全长684bp,编码长227个氨基酸的蛋白质,推测分子量为25855D。与一些细菌的MTase比较,ISKNV MTase也含有负责转移甲基的4个保守区,但缺乏识别靶序列的保守区。比较ISKNV与其它6种脊椎动物虹彩病毒的MTase序列并建立系统树,ISKNV显著不同于蛙病毒属和淋巴囊肿病毒属。7种脊椎动物虹彩病毒MTase具有高度保守区,可以此设计引物用PCR方法鉴定脊椎动物虹彩病毒。     

Characterization of a novel cyclomaltodextrinase expressed from environmental DNA isolated from Bor Khleung hot spring in Thailand

A novel gene belonging to the alpha-amylase family was isolated directly from community DNA obtained from soil sediments collected from Bor Khleung hot spring in Thailand. Partial sequences harboring four conserved regions of the alpha-amylase family were amplified by PCR using degenerate primers. Upstream and downstream sequences of these fragments were obtained by a genome walking approach to identify a full-length gene (Env cda13A) encoding 619 amino acids. Amino acid sequence alignments of Env Cda13A with other enzymes suggested that this enzyme was a cyclomaltodextrinase. The Env cda13A gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris as a secreted functional protein of 68 kDa. The partially purified enzyme was shown to be monomeric and hydrolyzed various maltodextrins from maltotriose to maltoheptaose and cyclomaltodextrins to give maltose and glucose as the main products. The enzyme also hydrolyzed pullulan and soluble starch to yield glucose, but the rate of hydrolysis was slow. This study demonstrated the possibility of isolating potentially novel enzymes directly from natural environments and opens an unexplored biodiversity resource in Thailand for future novel gene discoveries.     

狮子头热泉菌席样品环境总DNA提取方法的比较研究

通过对狮子头热泉7个环境菌席样品所提取的总DNA进行纯度检测、提取得率计算和DGGE分析,比较了3种直接和1种间接DNA提取方法。结果表明：综合利用多种裂解方式比单一裂解方式更能充分释放环境DNA;其中3种方法获得的DNA片段能够进行后续16S rDNA扩增;针对同一样品,不同方法提取的环境DNA,可获得不同DGGE群落指纹图谱;间接提取法提取的总DNA,能更好地反映狮子头热泉菌席的微生物多样性。     

Identification and Diversity of Putative Aminoglycoside-Biosynthetic Aminotransferase Genes from Deep-Sea Environmental DNA

We obtained DNA fragments encoding putative aminotransferases possibly involved in the biosynthesis of aminoglycoside antibiotics from deep-sea sediments of the northwest Pacific Ocean by nested PCR, and 34 individual genes (total 89 clones) were identified. About half of the deep-sea sequences showed similarity with genes of known aminoglycoside-producers, but others were deep-sea specific genes. Furthermore, we found that temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) can be an effective tool in the analysis of these DNA fragments.     

Environmental DNA enables detection of terrestrial mammals from forest pond water

Terrestrial animals must have frequent contact with water to survive, implying that environmental DNA (eDNA) originating from those animals should be detectable from places containing water in terrestrial ecosystems. Aiming to detect the presence of terrestrial mammals using forest water samples, we applied a set of universal PCR primers (MiMammal, a modified version of fish universal primers) for metabarcoding mammalian eDNA. The versatility of MiMammal primers was tested in silico and by amplifying DNAs extracted from tissues. The results suggested that MiMammal primers are capable of amplifying and distinguishing a diverse group of mammalian species. In addition, analyses of water samples from zoo cages of mammals with known species composition suggested that MiMammal primers could successfully detect mammalian species from water samples in the field. Then, we performed an experiment to detect mammals from natural ecosystems by collecting five 500‐ml water samples from ponds in two cool‐temperate forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan. MiMammal amplicon libraries were constructed using eDNA extracted from water samples, and sequences generated by Illumina MiSeq were subjected to data processing and taxonomic assignment. We thereby detected multiple species of mammals common to the sampling areas, including deer (Cervus nippon), mouse (Mus musculus), vole (Myodes rufocanus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), rat (Rattus norvegicus) and shrew (Sorex unguiculatus). Many previous applications of the eDNA metabarcoding approach have been limited to aquatic/semiaquatic systems, but the results presented here show that the approach is also promising even for forest mammal biodiversity surveys.     

Environmental DNA phylogeography: Successful reconstruction of phylogeographic patterns of multiple fish species from cups of water

Phylogeography is an integrative field of science linking micro- and macro-evolutionary processes, contributing to the inference of vicariance, dispersal, speciation, and other population-level processes. Phylogeographic surveys usually require considerable effort and time to obtain numerous samples from many geographical sites covering the distribution range of target species; this associated high cost limits their application. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has been useful not only for detecting species but also for assessing genetic diversity; hence, there has been growing interest in its application to phylogeography. As the first step of eDNA-based phylogeography, we examined (1) data screening procedures suitable for phylogeography and (2) whether the results obtained from eDNA analysis accurately reflect known phylogeographic patterns. For these purposes, we performed quantitative eDNA metabarcoding using group-specific primer sets in five freshwater fish species belonging to two taxonomic groups from a total of 94 water samples collected from western Japan. As a result, three-step data screening based on the DNA copy number of each haplotype detected successfully eliminated suspected false positive haplotypes. Furthermore, eDNA analysis could almost perfectly reconstruct the phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns obtained for all target species with the conventional method. Despite existing limitations and future challenges, eDNA-based phylogeography can significantly reduce survey time and effort and is applicable for simultaneous analysis of multiple species in single water samples. eDNA-based phylogeography has the potential to revolutionize phylogeography.     

白菜型油菜种子胰蛋白酶抑制剂纯化及部分性质研究

采用热变性、硫酸铵分步盐析及离子交换层析和分子筛层析等方法,从白菜型油菜种子中得到胰蛋白酶抑制剂(BNTI)。SDS-PAGE检测为单一条带,表明纯化的胰蛋白酶抑制剂电泳均一。SDS-PAGE测定其分子量约为14．4kD,等电聚焦测定其等电点约为4．7。BNTI具有较高的热稳定性。本文还考察了温度对溶液中BCH蛋白构象的影响,荧光光谱和测定抑制活力结果表明BNTI中的色氨酸和酪氨酸残基位于疏水部位。     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Newly Isolated Pyrethroid-Degrading Esterase Gene from a Genomic Library of Ochrobactrum anthropi YZ-1

A novel pyrethroid-degrading esterase gene pytY was isolated from the genomic library of Ochrobactrum anthropi YZ-1. It possesses an open reading frame (ORF) of 897 bp. Blast search showed that its deduced amino acid sequence shares moderate identities (30% to 46%) with most homologous esterases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PytY is a member of the esterase VI family. pytY showed very low sequence similarity compared with reported pyrethroid-degrading genes. PytY was expressed, purified, and characterized. Enzyme assay revealed that PytY is a broad-spectrum degrading enzyme that can degrade various pyrethroids. It is a new pyrethroid-degrading gene and enriches genetic resource. Kinetic constants of Km and Vmax were 2.34 mmol·L⁻¹ and 56.33 nmol min⁻¹, respectively, with lambda-cyhalothrin as substrate. PytY displayed good degrading ability and stability over a broad range of temperature and pH. The optimal temperature and pH were of 35°C and 7.5. No cofactors were required for enzyme activity. The results highlighted the potential use of PytY in the elimination of pyrethroid residuals from contaminated environments.     

普通小麦7B染色体两类低拷贝专化DNA序列的特性

研究表明 ,多倍体小麦基因组中存在一类低拷贝、染色体专化的DNA序列 ,其在多倍体形成时常表现出不稳定性。这类序列被认为在异源多倍体的建立和稳定中起着关键作用。为进一步研究这一问题 ,对通过染色体显微切割从普通小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)中分离的 5个 7B染色体专化DNA序列的特性进行了研究。以这些序列为探针对大量的多倍体小麦和它们的二倍体祖先物种进行了Southern杂交分析。结果表明 ,这些序列可被分为两种类型 :其中的 4个序列与所有的多倍体物种均杂交 ,但是在二倍体水平上 ,它们却只与和多倍体小麦B基因组紧密相关的物种杂交 ,这说明这些序列是在二倍体物种分化以后产生的 ,然后垂直传递给多倍体 ;其中的 1个序列与所有的二倍体及多倍体物种均杂交 ,暗示在多倍体形成后这些序列从A和D基因组中消除了。用这一序列分别与一个人工合成的六倍体和四倍体小麦进行Southern杂交的结果表明 ,序列消除是一个迅速的事件而且很可能与这些序列的甲基化状态有关。认为这些低拷贝的染色体专化序列对于多倍体形成后部分同源染色体之间的进一步分化起着重要作用。     

普通小麦7B染色体两类低拷贝专化DNA序列的特性

研究表明, 多倍体小麦基因组中存在一类低拷贝、染色体专化的DNA序列, 其在多倍体形成时常表现出不稳定性.这类序列被认为在异源多倍体的建立和稳定中起着关键作用.为进一步研究这一问题, 对通过染色体显微切割从普通小麦( Triticum aestivum L.)中分离的5个7B染色体专化DNA序列的特性进行了研究.以这些序列为探针对大量的多倍体小麦和它们的二倍体祖先物种进行了Southern杂交分析.结果表明, 这些序列可被分为两种类型:其中的4个序列与所有的多倍体物种均杂交, 但是在二倍体水平上, 它们却只与和多倍体小麦B基因组紧密相关的物种杂交, 这说明这些序列是在二倍体物种分化以后产生的,然后垂直传递给多倍体; 其中的1个序列与所有的二倍体及多倍体物种均杂交, 暗示在多倍体形成后这些序列从A和D基因组中消除了. 用这一序列分别与一个人工合成的六倍体和四倍体小麦进行Southern杂交的结果表明, 序列消除是一个迅速的事件而且很可能与这些序列的甲基化状态有关. 认为这些低拷贝的染色体专化序列对于多倍体形成后部分同源染色体之间的进一步分化起着重要作用.     

小小卫星DNA阳性克隆的鉴定及DNA指纹分析

提取四种近交系小鼠的肝脏ＤＮＡ,分别用ＨｉｎｆＩ和Ｈａｅ　Ⅲ酶切。用３３．１５和本课题组克隆的小鼠小卫星阳性克隆ＤＮＡ片断作探针,用［α－３２Ｐ］ｄＣＴＰ随机引物标记,Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交,获得了理想的小鼠ＤＮＡ指纹图谱。初步确定阳性克隆ＤＮＡ片断Ｖ２具有较好的多态性,可作为小鼠基因组小卫星探针,用于实验动物的遗传监测、基因连锁分析和小鼠遗传图谱的研究。     

Characterization of a small cryptic plasmid from Salmonella enteritidis that affects the growth of Escherichia coli

Abstract We examined the plasmid content of 25 clinical isolates of Salmonella enteritidis , and detected the presence of small plasmids (3–5.3 kb) in 9 of them, alone, or in addition to the large, so-called virulence plasmid. A 5.3-kb plasmid isolated as unique extrachromosomal DNA from a strain responsible for a high-mortality outbreak was characterized by restriction mapping and cloning. The plasmid replicon was localized in a 1.7-kb fragment, that hybridized with three of the small plasmids detected in S. enteritidis , and with another small plasmid from Salmonella typhimurium . A strain of Escherichia coli carrying this plasmid, or a cloned 3.7-kb Pvu II restriction fragment, showed a slower growth rate, especially in minimal medium, as well as a noticeable increase in DNA methyltransferase activity.     

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

The DNA nanorobot is a hollow hexagonal nanometric device, designed to open in response to specific stimuli and present cargo sequestered inside. Both stimuli and cargo can be tailored according to specific needs. Here we describe the DNA nanorobot fabrication protocol, with the use of the DNA origami technique. The procedure initiates by mixing short single-strand DNA staples into a stock mixture which is then added to a long, circular, single-strand DNA scaffold in presence of a folding buffer. A standard thermo cycler is programmed to gradually lower the mixing reaction temperature to facilitate the staples-to-scaffold annealing, which is the guiding force behind the folding of the nanorobot. Once the 60 hr folding reaction is complete, excess staples are discarded using a centrifugal filter, followed by visualization via agarose-gel electrophoresis (AGE). Finally, successful fabrication of the nanorobot is verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with the use of uranyl-formate as negative stain.     

Characterization of a thermophilic DNA ligase from the archaeon Thermococcus fumicolans

A PCR protocol was used to identify and sequence a gene encoding a DNA ligase from Thermococcus fumicolans (Tfu). The recombinant enzyme, expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) pLysS, was purified to homogeneity and characterized. The optimum temperature and pH of Tfu DNA ligase were 65 degrees C and 7.0, respectively. The optimum concentration of MgCl2, which is indispensable for the enzyme activity, was 2 mM. We showed that Tfu DNA ligase displayed nick joining and blunt-end ligation activity using either ATP or NAD+, as a cofactor. In addition, our results would suggest that Tfu DNA ligase is likely to use the same catalytic residues with the two cofactors. The ability for DNA ligases, to use either ATP or NAD+, as a cofactor, appears to be specific of DNA ligases from Thermococcales, an order of hyperthermophilic microorganisms that belongs to the euryarchaeotal branch of the archaea domain.     

Characterization of an ATP-dependent type I DNA ligase from Arabidopsis thaliana

Here we report the purification and biochemical characterization of recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana DNA ligase I. We show that this ligase requires ATP as a source for adenylation. The calculated K _m [ATP] for ligation is 3 M. This enzyme is able to ligate nicks in oligo(dT)/poly(dA) and oligo(rA)/poly(dT) substrates, but not in oligo(dT)/poly(rA) substrates. Double-stranded DNAs with cohesive or blunt ends are also good substrates for the ligase. These biochemical features of the purified enzyme show the characteristics typical of a type I DNA ligase. Furthermore, this DNA ligase is able to perform the reverse reaction (relaxation of supercoiled DNA) in an AMP-dependent and PPi-stimulated manner.