Deletion in the Genes Encoding Outer Surface Proteins OspA and OspB of Borrelia garinii Isolated from Patients in Japan

We detected the expression of outer surface proteins OspA and OspB, and characterized the genes encoding the two Osps of eight Borrelia garinii isolates from patients in Japan. Six of the eight strains shared a common antigenic epitope in their OspA and/or OspB proteins to monoclonal antibody P3134 against OspB, and were identified to have a conserved carboxyl terminus on their ospA and ospB genes by Southern blot hybridization. One strain, JEM4, did not express OspB protein, which was due to lack of the ospB gene. Gene cloning and sequencing analysis revealed that it had only one osp open reading frame with 819 nucleotides, which was similar to the ospA gene. The deletion of the ospB gene could be explained by a homologous recombination based on the common C-terminal sequences on the ospAB operon.     

Presence of Common Antigenic Epitope in Outer Surface Protein (Osp) A and OspB of Japanese Isolates Identified as Borrelia garinii

Japanese Borrelia strains FujiP2, AP83, NT24, NT29 and HT2 which had a 31-kilodalton protein non-reactive with monoclonal antibody (MAb) H5332 to outer surface protein A (OspA) were identified as B. garinii by the DNA hybridization method. MAb P3134 raised to strain NT24 reacted with OspA and the OspB-ranging protein of these isolates and cross-reacted with the OspB-ranging protein of some other isolates. Since the reactive protein was extracted by the Triton X-114 phase partitioning method, the MAb recognized the common epitope present in OspA and OspB. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MAb reactive to both OspA and OspB.     

Levels of Endogenous lnterleukin-1, Interleukin-6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor in Congenic Mice Infected with Borrelia garinii

This study describes the levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the sera and parenchymal organs of various congenic mouse strains infected with Borrelia garinii. A significant elevation of inflammatory cytokine levels was found in the organs of C3H/HeN (H-2^k) and B10.BR (H-2^k) mice but not in those of BALB/c mice (H-2^d). Focally produced cytokines can contribute to antimicrobial defense against these organisms. High levels of IL-1α were observed in the sera of C3H/HeN, B10.BR and B10 (H-2^b) mice infected with B. garinii and they were associated with the presence of spirochetes in the skin. Thus, susceptible mice demonstrated a stronger cytokine response than resistant mice. This study presents in vivo evidence that B. garinii infection affects the immunopathogenesis of Lyme disease.     

Characterization of Borrelia garinii isolated from Lyme disease patients in Hokkaido, Japan, by sequence analysis of OspA and OspB genes

The outer surface proteins OspA and OspB genes of clinical Borrelia garinii isolates (JEM1–8) from Hokkaido, Japan were sequenced. One strain, JEM4, has a single ospA gene which is similar to European B. garinii strains PBr (sequence homology value: 94.1%) and T25 (91.2%). Five of the other seven strains exhibit a homologous C-terminus (300 bp) on both ospA and ospB genes (88.7–97.3%). The other two strains seem to be derived from the five strains by ospA or ospB alterations. In a phylogenetic analysis based on ospA, these strains could be classified into B. garinii, but formed independent branches and separated from the typical B. garinii isolates from Europe and Russia.     

Identification of Borrelia burgdorferi Isolated in Korea Using Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) Serotyping System

Two characteristic strains (935T, 934U) of B. burgdorferi isolated from Ixodes persulcatus and a wild rodent (Apodemus agrarius) in Korea were selected and analyzed by an immunoblot method using the monoclonal antibodies directed to different epitopes of outer surface protein A (OspA). The reactive pattern of strain 934U with these monoclonal antibodies was identical to that of strains belonging to B. afzelii and that of strain 935T was different from other isolates. Monoclonal antibody (5TEE3) which is specific to strain 935T did not react with any other Western and Japanese isolates. So, it was suggested that there exist at least two groups of B. burgdorferi in Korea. One could be classified as B. afzelii and the other is a divergent group from three known species of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and B. afzelii.     

An Overlapping Region between the Two Terminal Folding Units of the Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) Controls Its Folding Behavior

Although many naturally occurring proteins consist of multiple domains, most studies on protein folding to date deal with single-domain proteins or isolated domains of multi-domain proteins. Studies of multi-domain protein folding are required for further advancing our understanding of protein folding mechanisms. Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) is a β-rich two-domain protein, in which two globular domains are connected by a rigid and stable single-layer β-sheet. Thus, OspA is particularly suited as a model system for studying the interplays of domains in protein folding. Here, we studied the equilibria and kinetics of the urea-induced folding–unfolding reactions of OspA probed with tryptophan fluorescence and ultraviolet circular dichroism. Global analysis of the experimental data revealed compelling lines of evidence for accumulation of an on-pathway intermediate during kinetic refolding and for the identity between the kinetic intermediate and a previously described equilibrium unfolding intermediate. The results suggest that the intermediate has the fully native structure in the N-terminal domain and the single layer β-sheet, with the C-terminal domain still unfolded. The observation of the productive on-pathway folding intermediate clearly indicates substantial interactions between the two domains mediated by the single-layer β-sheet. We propose that a rigid and stable intervening region between two domains creates an overlap between two folding units and can energetically couple their folding reactions.     

Differentiation of Coxiella burnetii by Sequence Analysis of the Gene (com1) Encoding a 27-kDa Outer Membrane Protein

The gene (com1) encoding a 27-kDa outer membrane protein in 21 strains of Coxiella burnetii from a variety of clinical and geographical sources was sequenced for strain differentiation. The com1 gene was highly conserved among all the strains tested but there were several differences in nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences. Based on the com1 gene-specific nucleotides and deduced amino acids, the 21 strains were divided into four groups. Group 1 contained 14 strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever. Groups 2 and 3 included 2 and 3 strains, respectively, originating from human cases of chronic Q fever. Group 4 contained 2 strains originating from a human case of acute Q fever and a goat with abortion. The results indicated that the strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever differed at the molecular level from those of human chronic Q fever. This study suggests that a sequence analysis of the com1 gene can be used for strain differentiation of C. burnetii.     

Epitope mapping of the outer surface protein A (OspA) of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and lanthanide competition fluoroimmunoassay

A panel of fourteen different monoclonal antibodies was used for detection and analysis of antigenic determinants located on the outer surface protein A (OspA) of the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is a causative agent of tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease). Two main and several minor partially overlapping antigenic determinants have been found on the surface of the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (strain 297) by lanthanide competition fluoroimmunoassay. One of the main antigenic determinants is located in the N- and the other in the C-half of the OspA molecule. The involvement of the OspA protein in intact Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (four bacterial strains have been analyzed: 297, B31, FR90-594, and CA90-742) is associated with retention of the above-mentioned two major antigenic determinants, but unlike the case of the isolated OspA they are partially overlapping with each other and with other antigenic determinants. The protein of the spirochete Borrelia afzelii (two bacterial strains have been analyzed: Ip-21 and Pko) contains only one antigenic determinant, which is the same as the main determinant of the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto located in the N-half of the OspA molecule.     

一类新的编码PRPs基因的分离及其在棉花纤维等组织细胞中的表达

富含脯氨酸的细胞壁蛋白(proline-rich proteins,PRPs)在植物中广泛分布,它们在建造围绕特定细胞类型的细胞壁结构上起着很重要的作用.从棉花的cDNA文库中分离了5个编码富含脯氨酸的细胞壁蛋白质基因,这5个基因推断的氨基酸序列最普遍的特点就是脯氨酸含量非常高.根据氨基酸组成、富含脯氨酸的重复单元和结构域组织的特点,将这5个蛋白质分成2个亚类:一类(包括GhPRP3-6)与典型的PRPs结构相似,由N端疏水区(或信号肽)与不同富含脯氨酸的重复序列组成;另一类(GhPRPL)与典型的PRPs结构不同,这个蛋白质的N端为亲水序列,GhPRPL在靠近C端有8个5肽(类似PPKKE)的重复基序,与典型PRPs所含有的重复序列PPVYK非常相似.实时RT-PCR(Real-time RT-PCR)分析表明,GhPRP3和GhPRP5在10dpa纤维中特异表达,而GhPRPL在子叶中优势表达.GhPRP4和GhPRP6在所分析的组织中都有表达,GhPRP4mRNA在下胚轴中最丰富,在花药中次之,而GhPRP6在10dpa纤维中表达最强,在10dpa胚珠中次之.此外,GhPRP3,GhPRP5基因表达受纤维发育调节,表明它们可能在棉纤维发育中起重要作用.     

恶性疟裂殖子表面蛋白1合成基因在毕赤酵母中的表达

恶性疟原虫裂殖子表面蛋白1是当今疟疾疫苗主要的候选抗原。由于天然MSP1基因AT含量异常高(为74%),使得克隆全长天然基因无法实现。本文已全合成了msp1基因(4940bp),解决了该天然基因在异源系统中不稳定的问题。为制备大量msp1重组蛋白进行疫苗有效性试验,本研究建立了msp1基因在毕赤酵母中的表达,将合成的msp1基因克隆到毕赤酵母胞内表达载体pPIC3.5,构建了重组质粒pPIC3.5/msp1,用电击转化毕赤酵母得到重组转化子,经PCR证实msp1基因已整合于毕赤酵母染色体中。含有重组表达质粒的毕赤酵母菌经甲醇诱导后表达出全长msp1重组蛋白。表达产物能与识别MSP1分子二硫键依赖构象表位的特异性单抗发生很强的反应,表明msp1重组蛋白至少在该表位构象上与天然蛋白一致。从毕赤酵母中分离得到大量msp1为开展该蛋白的结构与功能,特别是测定其疟疾保护性免疫提供可能。     

4株鹅源新城疫病毒融合蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

测定了4株鹅源新城疫病毒(NDV)融合蛋白(F)基因5’端1700核苷酸片段的序列,并由此推导了F蛋白氨基酸序列,并对鹅源NDV的基因型分类地位进行探讨。结果表明,4株病毒F基因的同源性大于97%,与DNV标准强毒株F48E8 F基因的同源性为860%～868%,F基因转录起始序列及起始密码子位置与已知NDV完全相同;F蛋白具有和已知NDV相似的各种功能区,F蛋白前体F0裂解位点附近的氨基酸序列为112RRQKRF117,符合NDV强毒株的特征。对F基因第334～1682位核苷酸之间3种限制性内切酶HinfⅠ、BstoⅠ\,\%Rsa\%Ⅰ酶切图谱的分析表明,4株病毒的基因型与文献报道的I～Ⅷ型有明显差异。     

Characterization of fcp4 and fcp12, Two Additional Genes Encoding Light Harvesting Proteins of Cyclotella cryptica (Bacillariophyceae) and Phylogenetic Analysis of this Complex Gene Family

Abstract: Two additional cDNA clones containing genes which encode fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding proteins (Fcps) of the centric diatom Cyclotella cryptica have been sequenced. The first cDNA clone containing fcp12 had an insert size of 871 base pairs (bp). The open reading frame (ORF) of 693 bp corresponds to a precursor protein of 231 amino acids with a molecular weight (Mr) of 25 200. For the mature Fcp12, a protein of 196 amino acids with a Mr of 21 700 is proposed. The second cDNA clone contained the fragmentary fcp4 with an insert of 805 bp. The ORF of 492 bp corresponds to a polypeptide of 164 amino acids with a Mr of 18 050. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the proteins Fcp1, Fcp2, Fcp3 and Fcp5 are closely related to the Fcps of other diatoms, whereas Fcp6, Fcp7 and Fcp12 share the highest homology to the Fcp of the haptophyte Isochrysis galbana and to the light inducible proteins LI818r3 and LI818 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas eugametos. The subunit Fcp4 revealed some homology with the red algal LH subunits LhcaR1 and LhcaR2 of Porphyridium cruentum.     

Role of Adaptor Proteins and Clathrin in the Trafficking of Human Kidney Anion Exchanger 1 (kAE1) to the Cell Surface

Kidney anion exchanger 1 (kAE1) plays an important role in acid–base homeostasis by mediating chloride/bicarbornate (Cl^?/HCO₃^?) exchange at the basolateral membrane of α‐intercalated cells in the distal nephron. Impaired intracellular trafficking of kAE1 caused by mutations of SLC4A1 encoding kAE1 results in kidney disease – distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). However, it is not known how the intracellular sorting and trafficking of kAE1 from trans‐Golgi network (TGN) to the basolateral membrane occurs. Here, we studied the role of basolateral‐related sorting proteins, including the mu1 subunit of adaptor protein (AP) complexes, clathrin and protein kinase D, on kAE1 trafficking in polarized and non‐polarized kidney cells. By using RNA interference, co‐immunoprecipitation, yellow fluorescent protein‐based protein fragment complementation assays and immunofluorescence staining, we demonstrated that AP‐1 mu1A, AP‐3 mu1, AP‐4 mu1 and clathrin (but not AP‐1 mu1B, PKD1 or PKD2) play crucial roles in intracellular sorting and trafficking of kAE1. We also demonstrated colocalization of kAE1 and basolateral‐related sorting proteins in human kidney tissues by double immunofluorescence staining. These findings indicate that AP‐1 mu1A, AP‐3 mu1, AP‐4 mu1 and clathrin are required for kAE1 sorting and trafficking from TGN to the basolateral membrane of acid‐secreting α‐intercalated cells.      

家蚕浓核病毒(镇江)株主要结构蛋白基因的克隆及表达

家蚕浓核病毒(Bombyx mori densovirus,BmDNV)是一种昆虫细小病毒.与其它昆虫细小病毒感染昆虫体内多种组织不同,家蚕浓核病毒只感染家蚕中肠上皮组织的圆筒型细胞,感染该病毒细胞的细胞核可以被孚尔根和甲基绿浓染,在病毒感染的早期中肠上皮组织细胞数量增加,形成褶皱,最后感染细胞脱落到肠腔中[1-3].自从20世纪70年代末日本学者证实家蚕浓核病是由于家蚕浓核病毒感染引起的以来[4],已经分离得到了多个病毒株系[5-8].根据它们在血清学、理化特性、品种感受性和病理特征等方面的差异,分为BmDNV-1(伊那株)和BmDNV-2(以山梨株为代表)[8-11].     

Investigations on Gene Copy Number, Introns and Chromosomal Arrangement of Genes Encoding the Fucoxanthin Chlorophyll a/c-Binding Proteins of the Centric Diatom Cyclotella cryptica

The gene arrangement, existence of introns and the number of gene copies of genes (fcps) encoding fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (Fcps) of the centric diatom Cyclotella cryptica were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blotting and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) experiments. PCR-mediated amplification of the fcp genes using chromosomal DNA as template demonstrated the absence of introns within the amplified regions. Clustering of genes could not be demonstrated in these experiments. Digestion of chromosomal DNA of Cy. cryptica followed by Southern blotting and hybridization with specific fcp probes revealed minimum and maximum values of 12 and 20, respectively, for the gene copies. In addition, the DGGE technique confirmed and strengthened the results obtained from Southern blotting experiments as amplification of gene fragments from genomic DNA with different sets of specific primers revealed values of 21 and 23, for the minimum and maximum gene copy number, respectively.     

阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者脂蛋白(a)及CETP水平的影响

目的:分析阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者脂蛋白(a)、血清胆固醇酯转运蛋白(CETP)水平的影响及临床疗效。方法:将112例冠心病患者随机分为对照组与观察组,每组56例。对照组患者采用辛伐他汀治疗,观察组患者采用阿托伐他汀治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后血清LP(a),CETP,超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及脑钠肽(BNP)水平,冠状动脉血流储备、舒张期峰流速及收缩期峰流速变化,左心室后壁厚度(LVPWT)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)及左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)情况,以及临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组LP(a),CETP,hs-CRP及BNP水平均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组冠状动脉血流储备、舒张期峰流速、收缩期峰流速均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组LVPWT、LVESD、LVEDD均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组安全性比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者的临床疗效比较明确,可下调LP(a)及血清CETP表达。     

Sequence,biophysical, and structural analyses of the PstS lipoprotein (BB0215) from Borrelia burgdorferi reveal a likely binding component of an ABC‐type phosphate transporter

The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted via a tick vector, is dependent on its tick and mammalian hosts for a number of essential nutrients. Like other bacterial diderms, it must transport these biochemicals from the extracellular milieu across two membranes, ultimately to the B. burgdorferi cytoplasm. In the current study, we established that a gene cluster comprising genes bb0215 through bb0218 is cotranscribed and is therefore an operon. Sequence analysis of these proteins suggested that they are the components of an ABC‐type transporter responsible for translocating phosphate anions from the B. burgdorferi periplasm to the cytoplasm. Biophysical experiments established that the putative ligand‐binding protein of this system, BbPstS (BB0215), binds to phosphate in solution. We determined the high‐resolution (1.3 Å) crystal structure of the protein in the absence of phosphate, revealing that the protein's fold is similar to other phosphate‐binding proteins, and residues that are implicated in phosphate binding in other such proteins are conserved in BbPstS. Taken together, the gene products of bb0215‐0218 function as a phosphate transporter for B. burgdorferi.     

Effects of virus infection and growth irradiance on fitness components and photosynthetic properties of Eupatorium makinoi (Compositae)

We examined the effects of geminivirus infection on fitness components and on photosynthetic properties of the host plant, Eupatorium makinoi, grown at two irradiance levels in a natural-light greenhouse. Under the low-light condition (13% full sunlight), more than a half of the infected plants died during the 9-mo experiment, while most of uninfected plants survived. Growth rate was also lowered by infection. At high light (50% full sunlight), by contrast, virus infection did not cause mortality despite slight decrease in growth rate. Flowering occurred only at high light, and reproductive outputs of the plants were markedly reduced by the infection. Infected leaves had distinct yellow variegations and, when compared with uninfected leaves, they showed (1) comparable light-saturated photosynthetic rate per unit area, but (2) lower initial slope of light-response curve of photosynthesis on an incident irradiance basis. The lower initial slope was mainly due to reduction of light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complexes in the variegated parts. Since the differences in plant performance, depending both on infection and on growth irradiance, were largely explained by the differences in growth rate and/or plant size, the reduced photosynthetic production in the infected plants would be a major factor explaining the inferior performance of the host plants.