Molecular Cloning of a Genomic DNA Encoding Yam Class IV Chitinase

Genomic DNA for a class IV chitinase was cloned from yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb) leaves and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 50 to 59% identity to class IV chitinases from other plants. The yam chitinase, however, has an additional sequence of 8 amino acids (a C-terminal extension) following the cysteine that was reported as the last amino acid for other class IV chitinases; this extension is perhaps involved in subcellular localization. A homology model based on the structure of a class II chitinase from barley was used as an aid to interpreting the available data. The analysis suggests that the class IV enzyme recognizes an even shorter segment of the substrate than class I or II enzymes. This observation might help to explain why class IV enzymes are better suited to attack against pathogen cell walls.     

The Production of Phenylacetaldehyde from l-Phenylalanine in Tea Fermentation

Tea leaves macerated with l-phenylalanine generated rose like aroma. The gas chromatogram of the essential oil obtained from these leaves showed extremely large peak of phenylacetaldehyde. The evidence for degradation of l-phenylalanine to phenylacetaldehyde and carbon dioxide was given by the radioactive tracer experiment using l-phenylalanine-U-¹⁴C. The phenylacetaldehyde was presumed to be an intermediate product in tea fermentation from the data on the changes of the compound in tea fermentation process.     

Role of Tryptophan Residues in a Class V Chitinase from Nicotiana tabacum

Tryptophan residues located in the substrate-binding cleft of a class V chitinase from Nicotiana tabacum (NtChiV) were mutated to alanine and phenylalanine (W190F, W326F, W190F/W326F, W190A, W326A, and W190A/W326A), and the mutant enzymes were characterized to define the role of the tryptophans. The mutations of Trp326 lowered thermal stability by 5–7 °C, while the mutations of Trp190 lowered stability only by 2–4 °C. The Trp326 mutations strongly impaired enzymatic activity, while the effects of the Trp190 mutations were moderate. The experimental data were rationalized based on the crystal structure of NtChiV in a complex with (GlcNAc)₄, in which Trp190 is exposed to the solvent and involved in face-to-face stacking interaction with the +2 sugar, while Trp326 is buried inside but interacts with the ?2 sugar through hydrophobicity. HPLC analysis of anomers of the enzymatic products suggested that Trp190 specifically recognizes the β-anomer of the +2 sugar. The strong effects of the Trp326 mutations on activity and stability suggest multiple roles of the residue in stabilizing the protein structure, in sugar residue binding at subsite ?2, and probably in maintaining catalytic efficiency by providing a hydrophobic environment for proton donor Glu115.     

沙藏、维生素C和亚硫酸氢钠对薯蓣块茎贮藏期间褐变的影响

沙藏、维生素C和亚硫酸氢钠（NaHSO3）处理的薯蓣,贮藏前期多酚氧化酶活性的上升速度低于而后期酶活性下降速度则高于不作处理的,与后期这3种处理的褐变度几乎不上升相一致。各处理的过氧化物酶活性变化差异大,但与褐变度的关系不大。超氧化物歧化酶活性均呈先升后降趋势,各处理中酶活性的下降速度均低于不作处理的。丙二醛含量均呈持续上升趋势,不作处理的高于处理的。在防止或削弱贮藏期间薯蓣褐变的处理中,以沙藏和NaHSO3处理的效果较好。     

一株Sanguibacter sp.C4产几丁质酶基因的克隆与表达

Chi58是Sanguibacter sp．strain C4产生的一种胞外几丁质酶。通过chiA的特异性PCR引物探测到菌株C4中存在几丁质酶,并将扩增到的几丁质酶基因片段（chiA-F）克隆、测序后,提交GenBank数据库进行同源性搜索。对从GenBank中获得的高同源性序列进行比对,并根据保守区域设计2对PCR引物进行嵌套PCR,扩增出Chi58基因的开放阅读框（ORF）。测序结果表明该酶的ORF由1692个核苷酸组成,编码563个氨基酸,在N端有23个氨基酸的信号肽,其成熟蛋白的分子量应为58．544kDa。对其推导氨基酸的序列分析表明Chi58与沙雷氏菌的几丁质酶（如徂）有高度同源性（88．9％-99．6％）,其结构主要包括信号肽序列、PKD结构域和18家族糖苷水解酶结构域。将该基因克隆到pET32a（＋）载体构建重组质粒pChi58,转入大肠杆菌BL-21（DE3）进行融合表达。经IPTG诱导后,可见分子量约81．1kDa的融合蛋白的表达。     

Production and Secretion of a Recombinant Vibrio parahaemolyticus Chitinase by Escherichia coli and Its Purification from the Culture Medium

An open reading frame encoding the chitinase gene and its signal sequence was cloned from the Vibrio parahaemolyticus KN1699 genome. An expression plasmid containing the gene was introduced into Escherichia coli cells, and recombinant chitinase (Pa-rChi) was produced and secreted into the culture medium with the aid of the signal peptide. Pa-rChi was purified and its substrate specificity was determined.     

水稻几丁质酶基因克隆RCH8的DNA结构分析

用DNA外切核酸酶Ⅲ和S1核酸酶生成连续缺失突变体,用Sanger双脱氧链终止法对该克隆进行双向DNA顺序测定,测序全长2049个碱基,初步确定了1057bp的5'端上游顺序,966bp不含内含子的完整编码区和可能的TATAbox等。所编码的322个氨基酸包括N-端20个氨基酸的信号肽,其后40个氨基酸长度的含8个半胱氨酸的hevein结构域和一个催化结构域。     

Intracellular expression of a single-chain antibody directed against type IV collagenase inhibits the growth of lung cancer xenografts in nude mice

It was documented that type IV collagenase with two subtypes of 72 ku/MMP-2 and 92 ku/MMP-9 plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- retained, single chain Fv antibody fragment (scFv) was used to inhibit the function of type IV collagenase. For expression in mammalian cells, the assembled scFv M97 gene with ER retention signal encoding 6 additional amino acids (SEKDEL) was reamplified by PCR. The amplified fragments were cloned into the pcDNA3.1 vector. The resulting plasmid was sequenced and then introduced into PG cells, a highly metastatic human lung cancer cell line, by lipofectAMINE method. The result of intrabody gene therapy showed that type IV collegenase expression was down regulated significantly as measured by ELISA. The biological behavior of PG cell, such as the ability of in vitro invasion through Matrigel, colony formation on soft agar, was also inhibited by scFv M97 transfection. Animal experiments in a xenograft model of human lung cancer showed that scFv M97 transfection significantly prolonged the survival time of nude mice. The results indicate that intracellular antibody technology represents a novel and efficient way to abrogate selectively the activity of type IV collagenase.     

山葡萄几丁质酶基因VCH3启动子的分离及鉴定

利用接头PCR技术首次分离了长度为1 216bp的"双优"山葡萄(Vitis amurensis Rupr.)classⅢ几丁质酶基因VCH3上游启动子序列(GenBank登录号AF441123),并用引物延伸方法鉴定了该启动子的转录起始位点,为5'-ATCAAGCAC-31序列中的第二个A.序列分析结果表明,代表真核基因启动子特征的CAAT盒和TATA盒分别位于VCH3启动子转录起始位点上游-122和-29处.另外,在转录起始位点上游-1 181 bp和-293 bp处各有一个水杨酸(SA)响应的顺式作用元件TGACG.为了鉴定该启动子的功能,将该启动子连接到β-葡糖苷酸酶基因(GUS)编码区的上游构建了VCH3启动子-GUS融合基因,并用农杆菌介导叶盘转化法将该融合基因转入烟草栽培品种NC89中.SA处理的转基因烟草根系和叶片GUS酶活性的荧光和组织化学检测结果表明VCH3启动子的驱动作用被SA诱导,因而该启动子在基因工程中将具有潜在的应用价值.     

Intracellular expression of a single-chain antibody directed against type IV collagenase inhibits the growth of lung cancer xenografts in nude mice

It was documented that type IV collagenase with two subtypes of 72 ku/MMP-2 and 92 ku/MMP-9 plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- retained, single chain Fv antibody fragment (scFv) was used to inhibit the function of type IV collagenase. For expression in mammalian cells, the assembled scFv M97 gene with ER retention signal encoding 6 additional amino acids (SEKDEL) was reamplified by PCR. The amplified fragments were cloned into the pcDNA3.1 vector. The resulting plasmid was sequenced and then introduced into PG cells, a highly metastatic human lung cancer cell line, by lipofectAMINE method. The result of intrabody gene therapy showed that type IV collegenase expression was down regulated significantly as measured by ELISA. The biological behavior of PG cell, such as the ability of in vitro invasion through Matrigel, colony formation on soft agar, was also inhibited by scFv M97 transfection. Animal experiments in a xenograft model of human lung cancer     

Mutational Analysis of a CBM Family 5 Chitin-Binding Domain of an Alkaline Chitinase from Bacillus sp. J813

Chitinase J from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. J813 comprises a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 18 catalytic domain (CatD), a fibronectin type III like domain, and a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) family 5 chitin-binding domain (ChBD). It has been suggested that the ChBD binds to insoluble chitin and enhances its degradation by the CatD. To investigate the roles of two aromatic residues (Trp541 and Trp542), which are exposed on the surface of the ChBD, mutational analysis was performed. Single and double mutations of the two aromatic residues decreased binding and hydrolyzing abilities toward insoluble chitin. This result suggests that the ChBD binds to chitin by hydrophobic interactions via two surface-exposed aromatic residues. However, the double mutant, which has no such aromatic residue, bound to chitin at pH 5.2, probably by electrostatic interactions. Moreover, the ChBD bound to insoluble chitosan by electrostatic interactions.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of a novel subgroup of class IV polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase genes from the genus Bacillus

Many microorganisms harbor genes necessary to synthesize biodegradable plastics known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). We surveyed a genomic database and discovered a new cluster of class IV PHA synthase genes (phaRC). These genes are different in sequence and operon structure from any previously reported PHA synthase. The newly discovered PhaRC synthase was demonstrated to produce PHAs in recombinant Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of a series of tetrachloridoplatinum(IV) complexes

Two platinum(IV) complexes, [Pt(4bt)Cl₄] (4) and [Pt(dpyam)Cl₄]·DMF (5) (where 4bt is 4,4′-bithiazole and dpyam is 2,2′-dipyridylamine) were prepared from the reaction of H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O with 4,4′-bithiazole and 2,2′-dipyridylamine, respectively, in methanol. Both complexes were fully characterized and their structures were determined by the X-ray diffraction method. These complexes have a bidentate nitrogenous ligand with four chloride anions attached to a Pt(IV) metal in a distorted octahedral environment. These complexes along with three previously reported analogous complexes were used for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation against four cultures, NIH-3T3, Caco-2, HT-29 and T47D by MTT assay. The methyl group position in the ligand plays an important role in the cytotoxicity of relevant compounds in different cultures. Interestingly, in some cases, the IC₅₀ values of the new complexes were higher for normal cells but lower against cancer cells in comparison with cisplatin, especially in T47D (breast ductal carcinoma).     

Expression of desiccation-related proteins from the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum in transgenic tobacco

Three cDNAs encoding desiccation-induced proteins from the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum were each ligated to a triplicated CaMV 35S promoter and a nopaline synthase 3-flanking region in an Agrobacterium vector and introduced into tobacco. Transgenic plants expressed the encoded Craterostigma proteins at high levels. This did not lead to changes in the phenotype, in the growth habit or in basic photosynthetic parameters. In tobacco, one protein was targeted to the chloroplast stroma which is its normal location in Craterostigma. These desiccation-related proteins are not sufficient per se to increase drought tolerance as measured by ion-leakage tests.     

八肋游仆虫第二类肽链释放因子核定位信号分析

蛋白质合成终止过程中肽链释放因子负责终止密码子的识别.真核生物第二类肽链释放因子（eRF3）是一类GTP酶,协助第一类肽链释放因子（eRF1）识别终止密码子和水解肽酰 tRNA酯键.之前的研究表明,两类肽链释放因子在细胞核中发挥功能,参与蛋白质合成和纺锤体的组装.本研究根据软件预测结果,构建了一系列八肋游仆虫eRF3的截短型突变体,分析在其N端是否存在引导eRF3的核定位信号.结果表明,在eRF3的N端有两个区域（NLS1:23-36 aa 和 NLS2: 236-272 aa）可以引导eRF3进入细胞核中,而且这两个区域具有典型的核定位信号的氨基酸序列特征. eRF3的核定位与其作为一种穿梭蛋白的功能相一致,即参与细胞有丝分裂纺锤体的形成和无义介导的mRNA降解途径.     

Triorganotin(IV) complexes of Schiff base derived from 6-amino-2-mercaptobenzothiazole: Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structures

Nine triorganotin(IV) complexes of the type R₃SnL (L = L1 R = Me 1, Ph 2, PhCH₂3; L = L2 R = Me 4, Ph 5, PhCH₂6; L = L2 R = Me 7, Ph 8, PhCH₂9) have been obtained by reaction of new Schiff base HL1, HL2 or HL3 with triorganotin(IV) chloride in the presence of sodium ethoxide. All the complexes 1-9 were characterized by elemental, IR and NMR spectra analyses. Except for complexes 3, 4, 6, 9, the others were also characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which revealed that complexes 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 were four coordinated and displayed a capped tetrahedron.     

小球藻NADP—谷氨酸脱氢酶的cDNA克隆及转基因烟草分析

用RT_PCR方法从小球藻 (Chlorellasorokiniana)中克隆了铵诱导表达的以辅酶Ⅱ为辅基的谷氨酸脱氢酶(NADP_GDH)基因的cDNA片段 ,DNA测序分析表明与已报道的该基因cDNA序列同源性为 94%。将NADP_GDH基因先插入到SPDK6 2 1质粒的 2CaMV35S启动子和Ω增强序列之后 ,然后将 2CaMV35S_Ω_GDH_NOS表达单元构建到RokⅡ质粒的HindⅢ与EcoRⅠ之间 ,从而获得高效植物表达载体。将RokⅡ_GDH质粒转移到根癌土壤杆菌(Agrobacteriumtumefaciens (SmithetTownsend)Conn)EHA10 5中 ,对烟草 (NicotianatabacumL .)进行转化并得到阳性转化后代。对转基因烟草分析表明 ,在低氮培养基或在低氮蛭石中其生长速度和叶片数明显高于对照 ;铵毒性实验表明 ,无论在低铵或高铵条件下 ,接种在MS固化培养基上的转基因绿叶圆片存活时间长 ,叶绿素含量高。这些结果说明外源NADP_GDH增强了植物对氮素的吸收和利用。另外 ,转化后代还表现了对除草剂膦化麦黄酮 (PPT)具有较强的抗性 ;培养在含有不同浓度PPT的MS固化培养基上的转基因绿叶圆片 ,其愈伤化程度明显高于对照 ;在MS培养基中用 0 .5 μg/mL的PPT可以代替卡那霉素对转化后代进行筛选 ,这暗示NADP_GDH基因可以作为一种新的选择标记用于植物基因工程的研究。     

Spectroscopic evidence on the interaction of prephenate, a shikimate pathway intermediate, with oxidovanadium(IV) species

The interaction of the oxidovanadium(IV) cation with the sodium salt of prephenic acid was investigated by electron absorption and electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies in aqueous solution at different pH values. The study allows to demonstrate once more the effectiveness of oxidovanadium(IV) to interact with carboxylate groups. The most probable binding modes of the solution complexes were determined by EPR method. Two main coordination environments around the metal center were established: one includes four-carboxylate moieties and the other the set probably involves alkoxide and hydroxide groups.     

3种渗透剂对转基因烟草根系枯草芽孢杆菌纤溶酶(BSFE)分泌的调节

用0.05%～8.00%的甘露醇、山梨醇和聚乙二醇6000等3种渗透调节剂可提高转枯草芽孢杆菌纤溶酶(Bacillus subtilis fibrinolytic enzyme, BSFE)转基因烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)根系BSFE的分泌表达水平,其水培液BSFE活性在15 d内基本呈抛物线型变化趋势.经3种渗透剂处理后转BSFE基因烟草水培液的BSFE活性峰值明显高于对照,且出现时间比对照相对延迟1-2d.甘露醇、山梨醇和聚乙二醇6000可作为该转基因烟草根系BSFE分泌表达的有效化学调节剂.