蛙病毒同源蛋白RGV-27R和ADRV-85L的表达及其免疫原性分析

沼泽绿牛蛙病毒(Rana grylio virus,RGV)和大鲵蛙病毒(Andrias davidianus ranavirus,ADRV)同属虹彩病毒科(Iridoviridae)蛙病毒属(Ranavirus)成员,是引起水产动物高死亡率的病原。其同源早期蛋白RGV-27R和ADRV-85L与蛙病毒代表株蛙病毒3型(Frog virus 3,FV3)25R基因所编码的大小为31kD的早期蛋白P31K(FV3-P31K)同一性超过99%。我们在观察和比较RGV与ADRV感染大鲵胸腺细胞(Giant salamander thymus cell,GSTC)显微病变的基础上,将ADRV-85L和RGV-27R基因分别克隆到原核表达载体pET-32a与pMAL-p5X中,转化宿主菌E·coli BL21(DE3)并诱导表达,经十二烷基硫酸钠聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,SDS-PAGE)检测,对这两种蛋白的原核表达及其产物免疫原性进行分析。结果显示这两种基因在载体pET-32a中的表达效率要显著高于pMAL-p5X。随后,取高效诱导表达的pET-32a-RGV-27R产物,经Ni-NTA His-Bind亲和层析分离提纯,获得浓度为1.2 mg/mL的融合蛋白His-RGV-27R,用其免疫动物,制备了抗体27R-Ab,酶联免疫吸附法(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测抗体的效价为1∶6.25×10~6。用经正常大肠杆菌菌液和正常GSTC细胞悬液吸附处理后的抗体作为一抗,对被RGV或ADRV感染的GSTC细胞悬液进行Western Blot检测,并以重组原核质粒表达的融合蛋白His-RGV-27R和HisADRV-85L作为阳性对照,以正常GSTC细胞悬液为阴性对照,分别从RGV或ADRV感染的GSTC细胞悬液中,检出大小同为31kD的特异性蛋白条带。本研究证实两种蛙病毒同源早期蛋白RGV-27R和ADRV-85L不仅都能在两栖动物细胞中表达,且具有相同的抗原特性,这为深入研究这类病毒蛋白对蛙病毒复制的影响及其与宿主相互作用的分子机制提供了实验材料。     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌YN-1抑菌蛋白TasA基因的克隆及原核表达

本文以解淀粉芽孢杆菌YN-1菌株为研究对象,利用PCR方法从基因组DNA中扩增出编码TasA抑菌基因的全长DNA,并构建pGEX-4T2/TasA原核表达载体,获得TasA-GST融合表达的抑菌蛋白。测序结果表明,解淀粉芽孢杆菌YN-1TasA基因核苷酸序列全长为786bp(GenBank登录号:EU131674),编码261个氨基酸残基;同源性分析表明,它与解淀粉芽孢杆菌B.amyloliquefaciens FZB42(YP_001421886)序列的同源性最高,达98%,预测蛋白分子量为31kD。SDS-PAGE分析表明,TasA基因能在大肠杆菌BL21中表达,Western印迹分析pGEX-4T2/TasA原核表达载体,检测到约57kD的TasA-GST融合外源蛋白,与预测的融合蛋白分子量大小相符。表达产物细胞裂解液上清经Ni柱层析,表明浓度为500mmol/L咪唑洗脱缓冲液时获得较高浓度和纯度的纯化蛋白。进一步抑菌活性分析表明表达产物对黄瓜灰霉病病原菌检测平板上显示出较好的抑菌活性。本研究结果将为今后深入研究TasA抑菌蛋白基因以及抗病转基因工程提供了参考。     

麦二叉蚜体内病毒结合蛋白基因的克隆和原核表达

从麦二叉蚜体内克隆了一个DNA片段,经序列测定表明该片段全长为1647bp,编码548个氨基酸.与禾谷缢管蚜的病毒结合蛋白基因核苷酸同源性为92%,氨基酸的同源性为96%,从而认为这是病毒结合蛋白基因(GenBank登录号为AF434719).构建了该基因的原核表达载体pBVSG和pETSG,用pBVSG表达出63kD的非融合目的蛋白,用pETSG表达出69kD的融合蛋白,二者均有较高的表达量.以纯化的融合蛋白免疫家兔,制备了此病毒结合蛋白的抗血清,用琼脂双扩散法测定效价为1∶512.     

斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒ⅡORF146基因的克隆、表达与启动子活性分析

【目的】研究斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒II ORF146基因的结构与功能。【方法】根据SpltMNPV IIORF146基因序列设计引物,经PCR扩增克隆ORF146基因。在生物信息学分析基础上进行启动子活性分析和转录时相分析。构建ORF146片段的原核表达载体,表达并纯化融合蛋白后制备多克隆抗体。【结果】核苷酸序列分析表明,读码框含1383 bp,编码460个氨基酸的蛋白质,推定分子量为50.4 kDa。启动子活性分析和转录时相分析都表明该基因是个早、晚期都表达的基因,在病毒感染8 h和18 h有两个转录峰,24 h以后转录水平略有下降,但趋于稳定。pET-28a-ORF13原核表达的融合蛋白经纯化后制备的多克隆抗体特异性高,效价可达1∶3200以上。【结论】SpltMNPV II ORF146基因是一个早期和晚期都表达的病毒组成型结构蛋白基因。推测ORF146基因可能与SpltMNPV II病毒感染宿主细胞后病毒DNA复制有关。制备的多克隆抗体可用于深入研究该蛋白的生物学特性与功能。     

茶树黄酮醇合成酶基因的克隆与原核表达

本研究采用EST测序技术和RT-PCR技术,获得了一个茶树茶多酚代谢中的重要基因--黄酮醇合成酶(FLS)基因,在GenBank登录(GenBank accessionNo.EF205150),其序列全长1317 bp,其中开放阅读框长996bp,编码331个氨基酸,3′端有一个明显的多聚腺苷酸加尾信号,推测的蛋白分子量约为37.5kD,理论等电点为5.80.序列分析表明它与葡萄FLS基因序列的亲缘关系比较近.将该基因重组到表达载体pET-32a(+)中进行原核表达,经IFTG诱导、SDS-PAGE检测,结果表明茶树黄酮醇合成酶基因能在大肠杆菌BL21中表达,电泳检测到一条大约61 kD的外源蛋白,与预测的融合蛋白分子量相符.用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱对融合蛋白进行纯化,得到了纯度在90%以上的纯化蛋白,为进一步研究PET-FLS融合蛋白的活性及功能奠定了基础.     

小麦Fe超氧歧化酶基因的原核表达分析

采用RT-PCR技术分离小麦Fe超氧歧化酶基因(FeSOD)的ORF全长cDNA,然后构建其原核表达载体,并对其表达的诱导时间、IPTG浓度、温度进行优化,以期获得较大量的重组蛋白。结果表明:实验获得了小麦FeSOD基因的ORF全长（600 bp）,ORF全长与原核表达载体pET-Dute1相连接构建了原核表达载体pET-FeSOD,将pET-FeSOD导入宿主菌Rosetta(DE3)中,经SDS-PAGE电泳结果显示,可以高效表达融合蛋白且表达的蛋白均主要以包涵体的形式存在;重组质粒表达出25.8 kD的融合蛋白,除去载体pET-Duet1自身表达的3.0 kD蛋白后,与FeSOD编码的约为22.8 kD蛋白的大小一致;对诱导表达条件的优化结果显示,融合蛋白 pET-FeSOD最佳的诱导表达条件为:0.5 mmol/L的IPTG浓度,37 ℃诱导5 h。该研究结果为进一步深入研究该基因的特性与功能奠定了基础。     

拟南芥转录因子NF-YC的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

采用PCR方法扩增NF-YC基因得到其全长cDNA序列,并将其克隆至原核表达载体pET-48b中,在大肠杆菌BL21中用IPTG诱导出分子量约为45 kD的融合蛋白,SDS-PAGE和Western blotting检测鉴定表达产物。利用亲和层析技术对融合蛋白进行纯化,纯化后的目的蛋白免疫新西兰兔制备多克隆抗体。间接ELISA检测抗体效价大于1 62 500,Western blotting结果显示,该抗体可特异性识别NF-YC蛋白。     

鳜传染性脾肾坏死病毒主衣壳蛋白基因结构及序列分析

分析了鳜传染性脾肾坏死病毒(infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus,ISKNV)的主衣壳蛋白(MCP)基因结构及其序列。对ISKNV DNA Kpn I L酶切片段的序列分析结果发现,该序列中含有完整的MCP基因。ISKNV MCP基因完整读码框为1362bp,比含量为56．24％,编码一个长为453aa、分子量为49．61kD、等电点为6．25的推定蛋白。结构分析发现,该基因具有启动子元件TATA框和CAAT基序。根据对虹彩病毒MCP系统进化树和脊椎动物虹彩病毒的生物学特性的分析比较发现,ISKNV、RSIV、SBIV、GIV和ALIV等在养殖海、淡水鱼类中引起其脾、肾、固有层和表皮细胞肿大的虹彩病毒,是独立于蛙病毒属和淋巴囊肿病毒属的又一新脊椎动物虹彩病毒类群。     

大鲵蛙病毒编码96L蛋白(ADRV-96L)的腺苷三磷酸酶活性和促进细胞生长作用

【背景】腺苷三磷酸酶(ATPase,ATP酶)是控制DNA复制起始及宿主对病原微生物的应答开关。近期关于水生动物虹彩病毒基因组学的研究表明,它们共享编码ATPase的基因。【目的】大鲵蛙病毒(Andrias davidianus ranavirus,ADRV)属于虹彩病毒科,是世界现存最大两栖动物——中国大鲵的致死性病毒病原体。为了鉴定病毒基因及其表达产物对病毒复制和宿主细胞的影响,对ADRV编码ATPase的基因ADRV-96L进行了克隆、表达及功能分析,阐明这个虹彩病毒核心基因的功能。【方法】采用Predic Protein软件分析序列,构建重组原核表达质粒p ET32a/His ADRV-96L,经IPTG(Isopropylβ-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside)诱导在大肠杆菌DE3中表达蛋白,用镍树脂纯化和咪唑液洗脱。钼蓝分光光度法检测产生的无机磷(Pi)以确定纯化ADRV-96L的ATPase活性。建立表达蛋白的稳定转染细胞系并进行鉴定,再分别通过绘制病毒的一步生长曲线和评估转染细胞的生长速率来测定该蛋白对病毒复制及细胞生长的影响。【结果】多重序列比对显示ADRV-96L存在含Walker A和Walker B基序的AAA-ATPase(ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities,与各种细胞活性相关的ATPase)结构域(20-159位氨基酸)及两个高度保守的精氨酸。重组原核质粒表达了含ADRV-96L的52 k D融合蛋白,该蛋白质具有ATPase活性(酶的比活性平均为4.68 U/mg)。结果未检出ADRV-96L对病毒的复制影响,但显示该蛋白可促细胞生长。【结论】大鲵蛙病毒96L基因(ADRV-96L)编码一个促细胞增殖和生长的ATPase。     

重叠延伸PCR法扩增EB病毒BZLF1N-BLRF2融合基因及生物信息学分析

利用重叠延伸PCR技术扩增EB病毒BZLF1N-BLRF2融合基因,构建原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1-BZLF1N-BLRF2,并进行了蛋白的诱导表达。通过序列测定和ORF软件分析,该融合基因含有1个1 005 bp的ORF,编码335个氨基酸。应用生物信息学方法,对该融合基因编码的蛋白ZtaN-p23从氨基酸组成、理化性质、信号肽、疏水性/亲水性、二级结构、亚细胞定位、功能域和高级结构等方面进行了预测和分析。结果表明,该蛋白的预测分子量为46.2 kD,理论等电点约为8.97,是亲水性蛋白,推测它定位于细胞质中。序列分析表明,该蛋白可能具有信号转导、转录调控、免疫应答等功能。预测的二级结构及三级结构都表明该蛋白含有较多的不规则卷曲和α-螺旋,三级结构上呈对称形状。     

Characterization of an iridovirus from the cultured pig frog Rana grylio with lethal syndrome

Three virus isolates, RGV-9506, RGV-9807 and RGV-9808, were obtained from cultured pig frogs Rana grylio undergoing lethal infections. Previously, the first isolate, RGV-9506, was shown to be an iridovirus based on ultrastructural and morphological studies. In the present study, the original isolate, along with 2 recent ones, were more extensively characterized by experimental infection studies, histopathology, electron microscopy, serological reactivity, gel electrophoresis of viral polypeptides and DNA restriction fragments, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid sequence analysis of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene. The 3 isolates were shown to be identical to each other, and very similar to FV3, the type species of the genus Ranavirus (family Iridoviridae). These results suggest that RGV should be considered a strain of FV3, and indicate that FV3-like iridoviruses are capable of causing widespread, severe disease among cultured frogs.     

Rana grylio Virus (RGV) 50L Is Associated with Viral Matrix and Exhibited Two Distribution Patterns

Background

The complete genome of Rana grylio virus (RGV) was sequenced and analyzed recently, which revealed that RGV 50L had homologues in many iridoviruses with different identities; however, the characteristics and functions of 50L have not been studied yet.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We cloned and characterized RGV50L, and revealed 50L functions in virus assembly and gene regulation. 50L encoded a 499-amino acid structural protein of about 85 kDa in molecular weight and contained a nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a helix- extension-helix motif. Drug inhibition assay demonstrated that 50L was an immediate-early (IE) gene. Immuno-fluorescence assay revealed that 50L appeared early and persisted in RGV-infected cells following two distribution patterns. One pattern was that 50L exhibited a cytoplasm-nucleus- viromatrix distribution pattern, and mutagenesis of the NLS motif revealed that localization of 50L in the nucleus was NLS-dependent; the other was that 50L co-localized with viral matrix which plays important roles in virus assembly and the life circle of viruses.

Conclusions/Significance

RGV 50L is a novel iridovirus IE gene encoded structural protein which plays important roles in virus assembly.     

Cloning,expression and subcellular distribution of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana grylio</Emphasis> virus late gene encoding ERV1 homologue

An essential for respiration and viability (ERV1) homologue, 88R, was cloned and characterized from Rana grylio virus (RGV). Database searches found its homologues in all sequenced iridoviruses, and sequence alignment revealed a highly conserved motif shared by all ERV1 family proteins: Cys-X-X-Cys. RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that 88R begins to transcribe and translate at 6 h postinfection (p.i.) and remains detectable at 48 h p.i. during RGV infection course. Furthermore, using drug inhibition analysis by a de novo protein synthesis inhibitor and a viral DNA replication inhibitor, RGV 88R was classified as a late (L) viral gene during the in vitro infection. 88R-EGFP fusion protein was observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of pEGFP-N3-88R transfected EPC cells. Although result of immunofluorescence is similar, 88R protein was not detected in viromatrix. Moreover, function of RGV 88R on virus replication were evaluated by RNAi assay. Nevertheless, effect of knockdown of RGV 88R expression on virus replication was not detected in cultured fish cell lines. Collectively, current data indicate that RGV 88R was a late gene of iridovirus encoding protein that distributed both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The sequence reported in this paper has been deposited in GenBank with the accession number, EU239358.     

Iridoviruses associated with epizootic haematopoietic necrosis (EHN) in aquaculture

Systemic infections of teleost fishes caused by iridoviruses have recently been recognized in Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA. These iridoviruses are different from those of the established genera Lymphocystivirus and Goldfish Virus 1-like Viruses of the family Iridoviridae. The agents exhibit similar physicochemical properties, are antigenically related and prove to be of high virulence to different teleost fishes in aquaculture. The first iridovirus, epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus, responsible for an epizootic outbreak of haematopoietic necrosis in redfin perch, was reported in Australia. Some years later, similar iridovirus epizootics occurred in sheatfish and catfish in Europe. The Australian and the European isolates proved to be antigenically related and showed properties in common with frog virus 3, the type species of the genus Ranavirus of the Iridoviridae. Further iridovirus isolates from fish, amphibians and reptiles exhibited a close relationship with each other and with frog virus 3. It is important to note that the Australian amphibian iridovirus, Bohle iridovirus, was experimentally transmitted to teleost fish inducing high mortalities. The occurrence of similar viruses in different host species in the aquatic environment and their inter-species transmission emphasize the importance of health control in aquaculture.     

Mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis induced by Rana grylio virus infection in fish cells

A fish cell line, fathead minnow (FHM) cell, was used to investigate the alteration of mitochondrial dynamics and the mechanism of apoptosis under Rana grylio virus (RGV) infection. Microscopy observations, flow-cytometry analysis and molecular marker detection revealed the apoptotic fate of the RGV-infected cells. Some typical apoptotic characteristics, such as chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial fragmentation, were observed, and significantly morphological changes of mitochondria, including size, shape, internal structure and distribution, were revealed. The mitochondria in RGV-infected cells were aggregated around the viromatrix, and the aggregation could be blocked by colchicine. Moreover, the Δψm collapse was induced, and caspase-9 and caspase-3 were activated in the RGV-infected cells. In addition, NF-κB activation and intracellular Ca²⁺ increase were also detected at different times after infection. The data revealed the detailed dynamics of mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis induced by an iridovirus, and provided the first report on mitochondrial fragmentation during virus-induced apoptosis in fish cells.     

Viral Envelope Protein 53R Gene Highly Specific Silencing and Iridovirus Resistance in Fish Cells by AmiRNA

Background

Envelope protein 53R was identified from frog Rana grylio virus (RGV), a member of the family Iridoviridae, and it plays an important role in the virus assembly. Although inhibition of iridovirus major capsid protein (MCP) by small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) has been shown to cause resistance to viral infection in vitro, RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit aquatic animal virus envelope protein gene product has not been reported.

Methodology

We devised artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) that target a viral envelope protein gene RGV 53R. By incorporating sequences encoding amiRNAs specific to 53R of RGV into pre-miRNA155 (pSM155) vectors, which use the backbone of natural miR-155 sequence and could intracellularly express 53R-targeted pre-amiRNAs. The pre-amiRNAs could be processed by the RNase III-like enzyme Dicer into 21–25 nt amiRNAs (amiR-53Rs) in fish cell lines. The levels of 53R expression were analyzed through real-time PCR and RGV virions assembly were observed by electronic microscopy in fish cells transfected with or without amiR-53Rs at 72 h of RGV infection.

Conclusion/Significance

The results argue that viral envelope protein RGV 53R can be silenced and the virions assembly was deficient by amiR-53R-1, and further identified the first amiRNA of envelope protein gene from iridovirus that was able to cause resistance to virus infection in fish cells. The data demonstrate that the viral infection is efficiently suppressed (58%) by amiR-53R-1 targeting positon 36–57 of RGV 53R. Moreover, electron microscopic observations revealed virion assembly defect or reduced virions assembly capacity was closely correlated to expression of amiR-53R-1. Based on real time PCR of the Mx gene, we found no evidence of activation of IFN by amiR-53R-1.     

Intracytoplasmic inclusions in circulating leukocytes from an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) with iridoviral infection

A free-ranging adult female eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was presented to the University of Tennessee in October 2003 because of suspected trauma and blindness. Physical examination revealed lethargy, clear ocular and nasal discharges, and white oral and laryngeal plaques. Intracytoplasmic inclusions within heterophils and large mononuclear leukocytes were observed on routine blood smear examination. Postmortem findings included necrosis of epithelial and parenchymal cells with intracytoplasmic inclusions. Ultrastructurally, the leukocyte inclusions consisted of variably electron-dense granular material and viral particles consistent with the Iridoviridae family of viruses. The virus shared 100% sequence identity to a 420-base pair sequence of frog virus 3 (family Iridoviridae, genus Ranavirus) as determined by polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing targeting a portion of the Ranavirus major capsid protein gene.     

Characterization of a novel ranavirus isolated from grouper Epinephelus tauvina

A large icosahedral virus was isolated from diseased grouper Epinephelus tauvina. The virus grew well in several cultured fish cell lines, with stable and high infectivity after serial passages in grouper cell line (GP). The virus was sensitive to both acid and heat treatments. Virus replication was inhibited by 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUDR), indicative of a DNA-containing genome. The virus infectivity was reduced with ether treatment, suggesting that the virus was lipid-enveloped. Electron micrographs showed abundant cytoplasmic icosahedral virons in the virus-infected GP cells. The size of the intracellular nucleocapsid was 154 nm between the opposite sides, or 176 nm between the opposite vertices with an inner electron-dense core of 93 nm. Virus particles were released through budding from plasma membranes with a size of 200 nm in diameter. SDS-PAGE of purified virus revealed 20 structural protein bands and a major capsid protein (MCP) of 49 kDa. A DNA fragment of approximately 500 nucleotides was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers from conserved regions of the MCP gene of frog virus 3 (FV3), the type species of Ranavirus. Subsequent multiple alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that the newly isolated grouper virus was closely related to largemouth bass virus (LMBV), FV3 and Regina ranavirus (RRV). Our data suggests that the virus isolate is a novel member of genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae. We tentatively name the virus as Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV). SGIV was able to cause serious systemic disease capable of killing 96% of grouper fry.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid protein gene of iridovirus isolates from cultured flounders Paralichthys olivaceus in Korea

In 2003, 13 isolates of iridovirus were obtained from cultured flounders Paralichthys olivaceus during epizootics in Korea. The full open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the major capsid protein (MCP) (1362 bp) from the 13 flounder iridoviruses (FLIVs) were sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis of the MCP revealed that all 13 FLIVs were the same species as rock bream iridovirus (RBIV), red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), and were grouped into an unknown genus which was different from the 2 genera known to infect fish, Ranavirus and Lymphocystivirus. This is the first report on the isolation and phylogenetic analysis of the iridovirus of unknown genus from flounders during epizootics.     

Response of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) to a Ranavirus, frog virus 3: a model for viral emergence in naïve populations

Ranavirus (family Iridoviridae) is a genus of pathogens of poikilotherms, and some ranaviruses may play a role in widespread mortality of amphibians. Ecology of viral transmission in amphibians is poorly known but can be addressed through experimentation in the laboratory. In this study, we use the Ranavirus frog virus 3 (FV3) as an experimental model for pathogen emergence in naive populations of tadpoles. We simulated emerging disease by exposing tadpoles of the Italian agile frog (Rana latastei), to the North American Ranavirus FV3. We demonstrated that mortality occurred due to viral exposure, exposure of tadpoles to decreasing concentrations of FV3 in the laboratory produced dose-dependent survival rates, and cannibalism of virus-carrying carcasses increased mortality due to FV3. These experiments suggest the potential for ecological mechanisms to affect the level of exposure of tadpoles to Ranavirus and to impact transmission of viral pathogens in aquatic systems.