血清白蛋白序列中的相似氨基酸突变特点分析

血清白蛋白是必不可少的生命物质,在生命运动和发展延续中起着重要的作用。它不仅能维持正常的血浆渗透压,最重要的是能够储存和运输众多的内源性和外源性物质。本文利用生物信息学的方法分析了几种不同物种的血清白蛋白的结构信息和疏水性特点,研究表明人、牛、猴、兔、狼、猫的血清白蛋白序列均属于亲水性蛋白质,在100 bp以内的疏水性值差别比较明显。通过对血清白蛋白进行多序列比对分析,发现兔血清白蛋白的氨基酸突变的数目是最多的。在这几种血清白蛋白序列中,氨基酸突变更容易发生在结构相似、极性相似和能量比较接近的氨基酸之间,如D和L、E和D。对于人血清白蛋白来说,从疏水性的丙氨酸A到酸性的谷氨酸E的突变比较多,使得人血清白蛋白在进化过程中的亲水性增强,是个很好的储存和运输小分子的载体。这些基于生物信息学方面的血清白蛋白的突变及其进化关系的研究,为进一步研究药物与血清白蛋白的相互作用在其他物种中表现和特点提供了良好的基础。     

科技信息与服务

日发现杀死艾滋病毒新物质日本明治乳业公司研究人员最近发现一种能杀死艾滋病毒的新物质。该物质是从人体血液中的血红素和血清白蛋白中提取的,能直接作用于受艾滋病毒感染的细胞,对人体的副作用很小。在试验中,将重为100g的这种物质     

利用转基因猪生产人血清白蛋白

人血清白蛋白 (HSA)是人血浆中重要组成部分 ,它在肝脏中合成进入血液 ,可运输脂类物质、维持血浆渗透压和增强机体免疫力。这在医学临床上广泛应用于治疗失血、创伤、癌症所引起的休克、水肿和低蛋白血症等病。但是目前医疗中所用的HSA由人血中提取。这种人血资源也极为有限 ,且有的还含有各种不同的病原污染 ,不能广泛地取材。为扩大HSA的来源 ,湖北省农科院生物技术研究所郑新民、华文君、肖作焕等研究人员利用转基因猪生产HSA已基本获得成功。他们用含猪血清白蛋白测翼序列的微小人血清白蛋白基因、用显微注射法导入猪的基因组中 ,…     

蓖麻籽饼粕的加工利用

蓖麻籽饼粕过去一直被当作肥料使用,而不能作为饲料蛋白使用,因为它含有三种毒性物质:蓖麻子白蛋白,这是一种有毒的蛋白,蓖麻碱,一种有毒的生物碱,以及CB—1A过敏素。蓖麻子白蛋白很容易通过加热法摧毁,并且,在用溶剂提取之后,进行脱溶剂处理     

天然水体中两种主要异嗅物质的来源及迁移转化研究进展

近年来,水中嗅味问题逐渐引起关注。研究发现,天然水体中异嗅物质主要是微生物和藻类的挥发性次级代谢产物。总结了天然水体中常见的两种异嗅物质土臭素(GSM)和二甲基异莰醇(MIB)的来源及其在生物体内的合成途径。介绍了异嗅物质通过吸附、挥发、光解、生物降解等一系列作用在饮用水水源中的迁移转化以及其进入水体生物的途径。     

中国微生物学会地质微生物学专业委员会正式成立

正微生物是地球上生物量最大的生物类群,在生物圈和地球其它各圈层的物质和能量循环中发挥着重要的作用,也在生态系统演化、地球环境变迁、资源能源形成等一系列地质过程中扮演着极其重要的角色,没有微生物也就没有地球表层系统的一系列地质过程。地质微生物学(Geomicrobiology)涉及地质学和微生物学,是一门研究地质环境与微生物相互作用的交叉学科。地球早期微生物的起源得益于地球环境的演化,而微生物活动反过来又改造地球环境,加速     

萜类化合物在植物间接防御中的作用

植物受到虫害后释放萜类化合物吸引害虫天敌的间接防御是一种新颖且环保的抗虫模式。植物受到害虫危害等因素诱导后做出响应,在体内经过一系列复杂调控,释放萜类物质,害虫天敌顺着这些萜类物质找到害虫,通过捕食或寄生于害虫体内的方法来消灭害虫。在实际应用中,可考虑利用直接和间接防御相结合的防治方法。     

中国蔬菜、水果抗氧化作用与有效成分的研究进展

蔬菜、水果中除了含有人体必需的维生素、矿物质和膳食纤维等营养成分外,还含有各种抗氧化物质,在预防细胞氧化损伤和抗衰老过程中发挥着积极作用。近年来,国内一些研究团队开展了一系列蔬菜、水果抗氧化作用与有效成分的研究工作,取得可喜的研究进展。体外研究结果表明,大部分蔬菜、水果均具有一定的抗氧化活性,以及清除多种自由基的作用;多酚类物质可能是蔬菜、水果发挥抗氧化作用的重要物质。     

唐古特白刺黄酮类物质及其药用研究进展CSCD

唐古特白刺(Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.)是一种具有药用、食用和饲用价值的荒漠植物,主要分布于我国西北干旱半干旱地区。白刺被誉为沙漠樱桃,含有多种营养物质,还富含黄酮、生物碱等多种药用成分,因此人们对其药用成分、含量、功效及药理展开了一系列研究。本文对现有唐古特白刺黄酮类物质相关的研究进行了调研,首先对唐古特白刺中已分离出的黄酮类物质进行分类,其次对唐古特白刺主要组织中总黄酮含量进行整理和分析,另外对唐古特白刺中各种黄酮化合物的含量进行分析,最后对唐古特白刺中总黄酮、各类黄酮、黄酮单体化合物的药效及药理进行综述。通过对上述内容的整理和分析,总结出白刺黄酮类物质药用研究中存在的一系列问题,并基于此提出解决现有问题的思路并对未来白刺黄酮药用研究提出建议,以期为唐古特白刺植物黄酮类物质药用研究和开发提供理论参考,推动中医药行业的发展。     

转基因产品检测标准物质量值一致性研究进展

转基因产品检测标准物质是转基因生物安全管理的物质基础,是检测结果可比性、有效性和溯源性的保障。当前国际上转基因产品检测标准物质研发机构主要有欧盟联合研究中心、美国油脂化学家学会等。我国近年也研发了一系列转基因成分检测标准物质。对各机构研发的标准物质种类、数量、量值表述方式以及量值转换进行汇总、统计、分析,挖掘异同点,并在国内外交流合作、新型标准物质研发以及标准物质应用方面提出合理化建议,以期为我国转基因产品检测标准物质研发和应用提供支撑。     

Water-in-silicone oil emulsion stabilizing surfactants formed from native albumin and alpha,omega-triethoxysilylpropyl-polydimethylsiloxane

Contact with hydrophobic silicones frequently leads to protein denaturation. However, it is demonstrated that albumin in water-in-silicone oil emulsions retains its native structure in the presence of a functional, triethoxysilyl-terminated silicone polymer, TES-PDMS. Both HSA and TES-PDMS were essential for the formation of stable water-in-silicone oil emulsions: attempts to generate stable emulsions using independently either the protein or the functionalized silicone as a surfactant failed. Confocal microscopy indicated that the human serum albumin (HSA) preferentially adsorbed at the oil/water interface, even in the presence of another protein (glucose oxidase). A variety of experiments demonstrated that the hydrolysis of the Si-OEt groups on the functional silicone occurred only to a limited extent, consistent with the absence of a covalent linkage between the silicone and protein, or of cross-linked silicones at the interface. The fluorescence spectra of HSA extracted from the emulsions, front-faced fluorescence experiments on the HSA/silicone emulsion itself, and HSA/salicylate binding studies all demonstrated that the stability of the water/oil interface decreased as the protein began to unfold: unfolding of the protein in the emulsion was slower than in aqueous solution. The experimental evidence indicated that the interaction between HSA and TES-PDMS is not associated with either homomolecular (HSA/HSA; TES-PDMS/TES-PDMS) interactions or with covalent linkage between two the polymers. Rather, the data is consistent with the direct binding of unhydrolyzed Si(OEt) 3 groups to native HSA. The nature of these interactions is discussed.     

A chloroplast transgenic approach to hyper-express and purify Human Serum Albumin, a protein highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation

Human Serum Albumin (HSA) accounts for 60% of the total protein in blood serum and it is the most widely used intravenous protein in a number of human therapies. HSA, however, is currently extracted only from blood because of a lack of commercially feasible recombinant expression systems. HSA is highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation in recombinant systems and is expensive to purify. Expression of HSA in transgenic chloroplasts using Shine-Dalgarno sequence (SD), which usually facilitates hyper-expression of transgenes, resulted only in 0.02% HSA in total protein (tp). Modification of HSA regulatory sequences using chloroplast untranslated regions (UTRs) resulted in hyper-expression of HSA (up to 11.1% tp), compensating for excessive proteolytic degradation. This is the highest expression of a pharmaceutical protein in transgenic plants and 500-fold greater than previous reports on HSA expression in transgenic leaves. Electron micrographs of immunogold labelled transgenic chloroplasts revealed HSA inclusion bodies, which provided a simple method for purification from other cellular proteins. HSA inclusion bodies could be readily solubilized to obtain a monomeric form using appropriate reagents. The regulatory elements used in this study should serve as a model system for enhancing expression of foreign proteins that are highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation and provide advantages in purification, when inclusion bodies are formed.     

Pollutant-induced modulation in conformation and β-lactamase activity of human serum albumin

Structural changes in human serum albumin (HSA) induced by the pollutants 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol and 8-quinolinol were analyzed by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The alteration in protein conformational stability was determined by helical content induction (from 55 to 75%) upon protein-pollutant interactions. Domain plasticity is responsible for the temperature-mediated unfolding of HSA. These findings were compared to HSA-hydrolase activity. We found that though HSA is a monomeric protein, it shows heterotropic allostericity for β-lactamase activity in the presence of pollutants, which act as K- and V-type non-essential activators. Pollutants cause conformational changes and catalytic modifications of the protein (increase in β-lactamase activity from 100 to 200%). HSA-pollutant interactions mediate other protein-ligand interactions, such as HSA-nitrocefin. Therefore, this protein can exist in different conformations with different catalytic properties depending on activator binding. This is the first report to demonstrate the catalytic allostericity of HSA through a mechanistic approach. We also show a correlation with non-microbial drug resistance as HSA is capable of self-hydrolysis of β-lactam drugs, which is further potentiated by pollutants due to conformational changes in HSA.     

Probing the interaction of anticancer drug temsirolimus with human serum albumin: molecular docking and spectroscopic insight

The binding interaction between temsirolimus, an important antirenal cancer drug, and HSA, an important carrier protein was scrutinized making use of UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. Hyper chromaticity observed in UV spectroscopy in the presence of temsirolimus as compared to free HSA suggests the formation of complex between HSA and temsirolimus. Fluorescence quenching experiments clearly showed quenching in the fluorescence of HSA in the presence of temsirolimus confirming the complex formation and also confirmed that static mode of interaction is operative for this binding process. Binding constant values obtained through UV and fluorescence spectroscopy reveal strong interaction; temsirolimus binds to HSA at 298 K with a binding constant of 2.9 × 10⁴ M^?1implying the strength of interaction. The negative Gibbs free energy obtained through Isothermal titration calorimetry as well as quenching experiments suggests that binding process is spontaneous. Molecular docking further provides an insight of various residues that are involved in this binding process; showing the binding energy to be -12.9 kcal/mol. CD spectroscopy was retorted to analyze changes in secondary structure of HSA; increased intensity in presence of temsirolimus showing changes in secondary structure of HSA induced by temsirolimus. This study is of importance as it provides an insight into the binding mechanism of an important antirenal cancer drug with an important carrier protein. Once temsirolimus binds to HSA, it changes conformation of HSA which in turn can alter the functionality of this important carrier protein and this altered functionality of HSA can be highlighted in variety of diseases.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel exendin-4 human serum albumin fusion protein expressed in Pichia pastoris.

A novel recombinant exendin-4 human serum albumin fusion protein (rEx-4/HSA) expressed in Pichia pastoris was prepared and characterized. Ex-4 is a 39-amino acid peptide isolated from the salivary gland of the lizard Heloderma suspectum and is thought to be a novel therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes. But to gain a continued effect, the peptide has to be injected twice a day owing to its short plasma half-life (t(1/2) = 2.4 h). To extend the half-life of Ex-4 molecule in vivo, we designed a genetically engineered Ex-4/HSA fusion protein. Between Ex-4 and HSA, a peptide linker GGGGS was inserted and the fusion protein was expressed in methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris with native HSA secretion signal sequence. The recombinant protein was secreted correctly and was obtained with high purity (typically > 98%) by a three-step purification procedure. cAMP assay demonstrated that the fusion protein had a bioactivity similar to Ex-4 for interaction with GLP-1 receptors in vitro. Results from oral glucose tolerance test indicated that rEx-4/HSA could effectively improve glucose tolerance in diabetic db/db mice. Pharmacokinetics studies in cynomologus monkeys also showed that rEx-4/HSA had a much longer plasma half-life. Therefore, rEx-4/HSA fusion protein could potentially be used as a new recombinant biodrug for type 2 diabetes therapy.     

Tobacco plastidial thioredoxins as modulators of recombinant protein production in transgenic chloroplasts

Thioredoxins (Trxs) are small ubiquitous disulphide proteins widely known to enhance expression and solubility of recombinant proteins in microbial expression systems. Given the common evolutionary heritage of chloroplasts and bacteria, we attempted to analyse whether plastid Trxs could also act as modulators of recombinant protein expression in transgenic chloroplasts. For that purpose, two tobacco Trxs (m and f) with different phylogenetic origins were assessed. Using plastid transformation, we assayed two strategies: the fusion and the co-expression of Trxs with human serum albumin (HSA), which was previously observed to form large protein bodies in tobacco chloroplasts. Our results indicate that both Trxs behave similarly as regards HSA accumulation, although they act differently when fused or co-expressed with HSA. Trxs-HSA fusions markedly increased the final yield of HSA (up to 26% of total protein) when compared with control lines that only expressed HSA; this increase was mainly caused by higher HSA stability of the fused proteins. However, the fusion strategy failed to prevent the formation of protein bodies within chloroplasts. On the other hand, the co-expression constructs gave rise to an absence of large protein bodies although no more soluble HSA was accumulated. In these plants, electron micrographs showed HSA and Trxs co-localization in small protein bodies with fibrillar texture, suggesting a possible influence of Trxs on HSA solubilization. Moreover, the in vitro chaperone activity of Trx m and f was demonstrated, which supports the hypothesis of a direct relationship between Trx presence and HSA aggregates solubilization in plants co-expressing both proteins.     

Effect of ionic liquids on the solution structure of human serum albumin

The effect of several ionic liquids (ILs) on the solution structure of human serum albumin (HSA) is revealed by continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and nanoscale distance measurements with double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy. HSA, the most abundant protein in human blood, is able to bind and transport multiple fatty acids (FAs). Using spin-labeled FA, the uptake of the FA by the protein and their spatial distribution in the protein can be monitored. The FA distribution provides an indirect yet effective way to characterize the structure of the protein in solution. Addition of imidazolium-based ILs to an aqueous solution of HSA/FA conjugates is accompanied by significant destabilization and unfolding of the protein's tertiary structure. In contrast, HSA maintains its tertiary structure when choline dihydrogenphosphate (dhp) is added. The comparison of FA distance distributions in HSA with and without choline dhp surprisingly revealed that with this IL, the FA anchoring units are in better agreement with the crystallographic data. Furthermore, the FA entry point distribution appears widened and more asymmetric than in pure buffer. These results indicate that choline dhp as a cosolvent may selectively stabilize HSA conformations closer to the crystal structure out of the overall conformational ensemble.     

Sulfenic acid in human serum albumin

Summary. Sulfenic acid (RSOH) is a central intermediate in both the reversible and irreversible redox modulation by reactive species of an increasing number of proteins involved in signal transduction and enzymatic pathways. In this paper we focus on human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant plasma protein, proposed to serve antioxidant functions in the vascular compartment. Sulfenic acid in HSA has been previously detected using different methods after oxidation of its single free thiol Cys34 through one- or two-electron mechanisms. Since recent evidence suggests that sulfenic acid in HSA is stabilized within the protein environment, this derivative represents an appropriate model to examine protein sulfenic acid biochemistry, structure and reactivity. Sulfenic acid in HSA could be involved in mixed disufide formation, supporting a role of HSA-Cys34 as an important redox regulator in extracellular compartments.     

Participation of kin17 protein in replication factories and in other DNA transactions mediated by high molecular weight nuclear complexes

The Homo sapiens kin17 ((HSA)kin17) protein is a chromatin-associated protein conserved during evolution and overproduced in certain human tumor cell lines. For the first time, immunoelectron microscopy analysis of endogenous (HSA)kin17 protein revealed an ultrastructural co-localization of (HSA)kin17 and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) at sites of DNA replication after either short (15 min) or long (120 min) pulses of BrdUrd labeling. After hydroxyurea (HU) or L-mimosine (Mimo) block and withdrawal, we observed that (HSA)kin17 was recruited onto the chromatin during the re-entry and the progression in the S phase. These results are consistent with a major role of (HSA)kin17 protein in DNA replication factories. Other treatments hampering replication fork progression and/or inducing double-strand breaks also triggered an accumulation and a concentration of the chromatin-bound (HSA)kin17 protein into large intranuclear foci 24 h post-treatment. Moreover, HU- and Mimo-induced (HSA)kin17 foci were retained in the nucleus after detergent extraction, suggesting a strong association with nuclear structures. Gel filtration analyses of cellular extracts showed that endogenous (HSA)kin17 protein co-eluted with both replication proteins RPA32 and RPA70 in a fraction containing complexes of M(r) 600,000. Interestingly, HU-induced G(1)-S arrest triggered an increase in the molecular weight of complexes containing (HSA)kin17 protein. Hence, treatments interfering with either initiation and/or elongation of DNA replication also recruited chromatin-bound (HSA)kin17 protein. We hypothesize that in the presence of unrepaired DNA damage, (HSA)kin17 protein concentrated into high molecular weight complexes probably to create a bridge that contributes to the harmonization of DNA replication and repair.