溶藻弧菌溶血活性检测及溶血素基因、启动子区功能

[目的]研究溶藻弧菌的溶血现象,溶血素基因vah的分布及vah基因、vah启动子区对溶藻弧菌溶血活性的贡献.[方法]对46株分离自华南沿海水生动物体内和海水的溶藻弧菌环境株及溶藻弧菌标准株1.1587进行溶血实验;比较具有溶血活性的溶藻弧菌野生株ZJ051、vah基因大肠杆菌BL21重组表达株、vah缺失突变株和基因回补株间溶血能力的差异;检测vah基因在溶藻弧菌中的分布,比较溶血株与非溶血株vah基因及上游启动子区的序列差异.[结果]47.8％的溶藻弧菌菌株产生溶血活性,因此溶血现象普遍存在于溶藻弧菌环境株中;vah基因的表达产物具有溶血活性,vah基因缺失突变株不具有溶血活性,而vah基因回补株恢复溶血活性.vah基因普遍存在于溶藻弧菌中,且基因序列非常相似,氨基酸序列完全相同,然而不同菌株的启动子区第188-190碱基位点存在差异.[结论]溶藻弧菌vah基因是造成溶藻弧菌溶血的直接原因,但溶藻弧菌溶血能力的差异并非是由vah基因本身差异决定,极有可能与启动子区第188-190碱基位点相关.     

嗜水气单胞菌J-1株弹性蛋白酶的表达、纯化及特性分析

摘要：【目的】表达、纯化嗜水气单胞菌J-1株弹性蛋白酶,并对弹性蛋白酶的性质进行分析。【方法】以pET-32a为表达载体将弹性蛋白酶基因ahyB转化至大肠杆菌BL21菌株中进行诱导表达,表达重组酶用His TaqNi2+亲和层析柱纯化并用6 mol/L盐酸胍进行复性;利用硫酸铵分级沉淀、阴离子交换层析和分子筛层析对嗜水气单胞菌培养上清液中的弹性蛋白酶进行纯化。将【结果】从嗜水气单胞菌培养上清液中获得的弹性蛋白酶原酶的最适pH 为8.5,而表达重组酶为 10.0;对热的稳定性,原酶高于表达酶。两种形式酶的性     

苏云金芽胞杆菌Rpp39杀虫晶体蛋白基因的鉴定及cry2Aa12基因的克隆表达

[目的]本研究的目的是分析从四川生态条件下分离的苏云金芽胞杆菌Rpp39菌株的特性,从分子水平上揭示该菌株对鳞翅目高毒力的原因;进一步从中分离克隆cry2Aa基因,并对其进行初步的表达研究.[方法]本研究主要采用扫描电镜观察、PCR-RFLP鉴定法和SDS-PAGE分析法研究菌株的特性;采用PCR直接克隆法克隆cry2Aa全长基因,并亚克隆到原核表达载体pET-30a中,构建重组表达质粒pET-2Aa,再转入受体菌E.coli.BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达;采用室内生物测定法测定表达产物对小菜蛾和水稻二化螟的毒力.[结果]经扫描电镜观察菌株Rpp39主要产生菱形、方形和圆形3种伴胞晶体;SDS-PAGE分析表明主要产生130 kDa和60 kDa左右2种蛋白;经PCR-RFLP鉴定,该菌株含有cry1Aa、cry1Ab、cry1Ac、cry1Ia和cry2Aa五类杀虫晶体蛋白基因;1种cry2Aa类杀虫晶体蛋白全长基因被克隆,序列分析显示该基因的开放阅读框(ORF)为1902 bps,编码由634个氨基酸组成的蛋白质,氨基酸序列与Cry2Aa1蛋白同源性为99.7%,被国际Bt杀虫晶体蛋白基因命名委员会命名为cry2Aa12.重组表达质粒pET-2Aa在E.coli BL21(DE3)中,经IPTG诱导能正常表达,SDS-PAGE电泳验证含有65 kDa表达蛋白.生物活性测定表明表达的包涵体蛋白对小菜蛾和二化螟具有杀虫活性,LC50分别为5.4 μg/mL和22.3μg/mL.[结论]菌株Rpp39及从中分离克隆的cry2Aa12基因来自四川生态条件,丰富了菌株及基因的资源,在资源积累方面具有重要意义.     

Identification of a new RTX-like gene cluster in Vibrio cholerae

A gene cluster containing two genes in tandem has been identified in Vibrio cholerae ElTor N16961. Each has more than one cadherin domain and is homologous to the RTX toxin family and was common in various V. cholerae strains. Insertional mutagenesis demonstrated that each gene has a role in Hep-2 cell rounding, hemolytic activity towards human and sheep RBCs and biofilm formation. The mutants showed reduced adherence to intestinal epithelial cells as well as reduction of in vivo colonization in suckling mice. These two genes thus code for RTX-like toxins in V. cholerae and are associated with the pathogenecity of this organism.     

Characterization of a new isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Psd as a potential biocontrol agent

Aims:  Evaluation of a new isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens for its biocontrol properties.
Methods and Results:  Strain Psd identified as Ps. fluorescens , produces secondary metabolites that are toxic to some plant-pathogenic fungi. Inhibition of fungal growth of Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae in the presence of bacterial culture filtrate provided the first clue to its biocontrol properties. In order to determine the basis for antifungal properties, antibiotics were extracted and analysed by TLC. Both pyrrolnitrin and phenazines could be detected in the culture of Psd. Presence of response regulator gene gacA of the two component regulatory system (GacS/GacA) was established by PCR amplification and sequencing. Sequence comparison of gacA justified the taxonomic position of this strain among the known members of Pseudomonadaceae. Synthesis of other compounds like toxic lipodepsipeptide, siderophores, and HCN was also confirmed by appropriate biochemical tests.
Conclusion:  Characterization of strain Psd by various biochemical/plate tests followed by chromatographic identification of antibiotics, demonstrates its multifunctional biocontrol property. Response regulator gene gacA provides an additional genetic marker for the phylogenetic studies.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Ps. fluorescens strain Psd with its multifunctional biocontrol property can be used to bioprotect the crop plants from phytopathogens.     

基于表观基因组学的DNA元件鉴定方法研究进展

在人类基因组测序已经完成的"后基因组"时代,对基因组序列的功能注释,尤其是各种DNA调控元件的鉴定,已成为进一步理解人类基因组复杂机制的瓶颈问题.最近,针对染色质状态图谱的大规模研究工作,揭示了各类DNA元件特征性的染色质修饰标记.这些研究结果推动了一系列基于有监督和无监督学习的DNA元件预测方法的产生,其中一些方法已经成功应用于多个基因组的DNA元件预测,并且已成为未知基因组的常规注释工具.这些预测方法因其算法特点和预测策略不同而适用于不同类型的DNA元件预测任务.大多数情况下,使用者需要联合使用多个预测方法来达到预测敏感性和特异性的平衡.尽管各类算法在DNA元件预测中都有一些成功的应用,但每一类算法都有其特有的弊端,需要使用者认真避免.本文回顾了前期和当下DNA元件预测方法的主要类型,全面分析了各类方法的优缺点,指出了下一步可以改进的方向.本综述中的分析和观点有助于读者深入理解DNA元件预测算法的主要原则,进而在相关研究中更好地应用这些方法.     

家蝇新型抗菌肽Muscin的基因克隆、表达模式及抑菌活性

【目的】鉴定家蝇 Musca domestica (Linnaeus)中一种新型抗菌肽(Muscin)基因,并分析其功能。【方法】通过数字基因表达谱和生物信息学分析,在家蝇转录组中筛选得到一条抗菌肽基因,命名为 muscin。以实时荧光定量PCR技术研究该基因的组织分布以及用大肠杆菌Escherichia coli和金黄色葡萄球菌Staphylococcus aureus混合细菌刺激后的表达量变化。并对合成肽Muscin进行抑菌活性检测及溶血率测定。【结果】muscin基因cDNA序列全长379 bp,包含完整的开放阅读框153 bp。推导Muscin多肽序列由50个氨基酸残基组成,N端含有由25个氨基酸残基组成的信号肽。成熟肽中富含疏水性氨基酸残基和带正电荷的氨基酸残基,理论等电点为9.39。基因定量结果显示 muscin 基因在血细胞和脂肪体中表达量最高。通过细菌刺激进行免疫诱导后,幼虫体内该基因的表达水平明显上调,并在6 h达到高峰。抑菌和溶血实验显示c-Muscin对革兰氏阳性菌和革兰氏阴性菌具有广谱抑菌活性,且溶血活性较低。【结论】Muscin是一种新型的广谱抗菌肽,可能参与家蝇抗菌免疫反应,且具有一定药物开发潜质。     

Identification of a functional SNP in the 3′‐UTR of caprine MTHFR gene that is associated with milk protein levels

Xinong Saanen (n = 305) and Guanzhong (n = 317) dairy goats were used to detect SNPs in the caprine MTHFR 3′‐UTR by DNA sequencing. One novel SNP (c.*2494G>A) was identified in the said region. Individuals with the AA genotype had greater milk protein levels than did those with the GG genotype at the c.*2494 G>A locus in both dairy goat breeds (P < 0.05). Functional assays indicated that the MTHFR:c.2494G>A substitution could increase the binding activity of bta‐miR‐370 with the MTHFR 3′‐UTR. In addition, we observed a significant increase in the MTHFR protein level of AA carriers relative to that of GG carriers. These altered levels of MTHFR protein may account for the association of the SNP with milk protein level.     

Novel markers of gene methylation and expression in breast cancer

An optimized methylation-sensitive restriction fingerprinting technique was used to search for differentially methylated CpG islands in the tumor genome and detected seven genes subject to abnormal epigenetic regulation in breast cancer: SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4, and PSMF1. For each gene, the rate of promoter methylation and changes in expression were estimated in tumor and morphologically intact paired specimens of breast tissue (N = 100). Significant methylation rates of 38, 18, and 8% were found for SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3, respectively. The genes were not methylated in morphologically intact breast tissue. The expression of SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4, and PSMF1 was decreased in 44–94% of tumor specimens by the real-time RT-PCR assay. The most profound changes in SEMA6B and LAMC3 suggest that these genes can be included in biomarker panels for breast cancer diagnosis. Fine methylation mapping of the most frequently methylated CpG islands (SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3) provides a fundamental basis for developing efficient methylation tests for these genes.     

Characterization of Aeromonas encheleia strains isolated from aquatic environments in the Czech Republic

Aims:  Characterization and identification of Aeromonas strains isolated from surface and underground waters using phenotypic and genotyping methods.
Methods and Results:  Biotyping using the ENTEROtest 24 kit and conventional biochemical and physiological tests assigned four strains to Aeromonas encheleia , whereas three isolates were identified as ambiguous Aeromonas bestiarum/Aeromonas caviae and one strain as Aeromonas eucrenophila/Aeromonas encheleia . Further characterization grouped the analysed strains together with Aer. encheleia CCM 4582^T and assigned the analysed group as members of Aer. encheleia species using ribotyping, whole-cell protein analysis and ERIC-PCR fingerprinting. The results obtained were verified by DNA gyrase A subunit gene sequencing. All analysed isolates showed unique molecular patterns, except for isolates P 1769 and CCM 7407, which revealed the same Eco RI ribotype profile and proved to be identical strains.
Conclusions:  Our results imply that Aer. encheleia strains occur in unpolluted surface as well as in underground waters and demonstrate applied methods as suitable for their identification.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  To our best knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation and identification of Aer. encheleia in the Czech Republic.     

Identification and characterization of Clostridium difficile promoter element that is functional in Escherichia coli

The promoter element involved in the expression of a previously characterized cloned clostridial antigen was isolated and characterized. A restriction fragment containing the promoter element of the Clostridium difficile insert was cloned using the promoter probe vector, pGA46. Subclones of the clostridial DNA insert in pGA46 were then analyzed by nucleotide sequencing and by S1 nuclease experiments. The clostridial promoter element exhibits a high degree of homology with typical Escherichia coli promoter elements. This sequence probably represents a unique class of clostridial promoter elements which, given their ability to function in E. coli and C. difficile, can be used in the construction of a shuttle vector capable of gene expression in E. coli and C. difficile.     

类胡萝卜素产生菌种的鉴定

于福建红酒酒糟中分离、筛选得到1株编号为B-5的产色素菌株。对该菌株所产色素进行定性分析,结果表明该色素为类胡萝卜素;对菌株进行常规形态和生理生化特性分析,结果表明该菌株为单细胞,呈卵圆形,芽殖;在固体培养基上,菌落呈深红色,菌落表面湿润、粘稠,边缘整齐,易被挑起;在液体培养基中,产生沉淀。无子囊孢子;无假菌丝形成。葡萄糖发酵试验为阴性,硝酸钾试验为阳性,耐高渗试验为阴性,产类淀粉化合物为阴性,37℃生长为阳性。利用26S rDNA D1/D2区域序列分析法对该菌株进行序列比对鉴定,结果表明,该酵母菌的序列与粘性红圆酵母（Rhodotorula mucilaginosa）模式菌株的序列同源性100%,结合该菌株常规形态和生理生化特性,鉴定该菌株为粘性红圆酵母（Rhodotorula mucilaginosa）。     

链霉菌Streptom yces olivaceusFXJ7.023多功能葡糖淀粉酶SoGA的克隆、表达及鉴定

根据海洋来源链霉菌Streptomyces olivaceus FXJ7.023基因组测序结果设计特异引物,通过PCR扩增获得1条全长为1 788 bp的糖苷水解酶15家族蛋白新成员完全编码区DNA片段,该片段编码1个595个氨基酸残基、分子量为66.2 k D的预测蛋白。利用基因工程技术将该片段重组入原核表达质粒p ET32a并转化宿主菌BL21(DE3)ply Ss,IPTG诱导融合蛋白表达,表达的包涵体融合蛋白经纯化、复性后利用DNS法测定其在不同温度、p H条件下催化不同底物产生还原糖的活性。结果表明,该酶能够水解纤维素、淀粉等多种底物产生还原糖活性,且对不同底物表现不同的最适p H和最适反应温度。     

靶向性DNA甲基化酶在pET32a原核表达载体中的表达和鉴定

目的:在pET32a原核表达载体中表达融合myc-6his标签的靶向性甲基化酶B1-3a并进行鉴定。方法:以含有B1-3a基因的pcDNA4.0-B1-3a-myc-6his质粒为模板,通过PCR的方法扩增获得融合有myc-6his标签序列的目的区段B1-3a,然后克隆入表达载体pET32a;以SDS-PAGE和Western blot方法对表达产物进行鉴定。结果:表达产物中在分子量43kD左右可见与目的蛋白分子量相符的条带,该条带可被6his标签单克隆抗体特异识别。结论:正确构建了靶向性甲基化酶B1-3a的原核表达载体,靶向性甲基化酶能够在pET32a中成功表达。     

Identification and characterization of Clostridium difficile promoter element that is functional in Escherichia coli

The promoter element involved in the expression of a previously characterized cloned clostridial antigen was isolated and characterized. A restriction fragment containing the promoter element of the Clostridium difficile insert was cloned using the promoter probe vector, pGA46. Subclones of the clostridial DNA insert in pGA46 were then analyzed by nucleotide sequencing and by S1 nuclease experiments. The clostridial promoter element exhibits a high degree of homology with typical Escherichia coli promoter elements. This sequence probably represents a unique class of clostridial promoter elements which, given their ability to function in E. coli and C. difficile, can be used in the construction of a shuttle vector capable of gene expression in E. coli and C. difficile.     

Influence of N-acylation of a peptide derived from human lactoferricin on membrane selectivity

Increasing numbers of bacterial strains being resistant to conventional antibiotics emphasize the urgent need for new antimicrobial agents. One strategy is based on host defence peptides that can be found in every organism including humans. We have studied the antimicrobial peptide LF11, derived from the pepsin cleavage product of human lactoferrin, known for its antimicrobial and lipid A-binding activity, and peptide C12LF11, the N-lauryl-derivative of LF11, which has owing to the attached hydrocarbon chain an additional hydrophobic segment. The influence of this hydrocarbon chain on membrane selectivity was studied using model membranes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), mimicking bacterial plasma membranes, and of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a model system for mammalian membranes. A variety of biophysical techniques was applied. Thereby, we found that LF11 did not affect DPPC bilayers and showed only moderate effects on DPPG membranes in accordance with its non-hemolytic and weak antimicrobial activity. In contrast, the introduction of the N-lauryl group caused significant changes in the phase behaviour and lipid chain packing in both model membrane systems. These findings correlate with the in vitro tests on methicillin resistant S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and human red blood cells, showing increased biological activity of C12LF11 towards these test organisms. This provides evidence that both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions are crucial for biological activity of antimicrobial peptides, whereas a certain balance between the two components has to be kept, in order not to loose the specificity for bacterial membranes.     

西伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)致病性维氏气单胞菌的分离鉴定

摘要：【目的】本研究旨在寻找引起养殖西伯利亚鲟鱼(Acipenser baerii)病害的致病因子。【方法】从北京地区自然患病的西伯利亚鲟鱼体内分离到致病菌株X-1-06909,采用生理生化鉴定结合16S rRNA基因序列的系统发育学分析确定该菌株的系统发育地位。同时采用琼脂扩散法对抗菌类药物的敏感性进行测定。【结果】菌株X-1-06909与Aeromonas veronii ATCC 35624T的16S rRNA基因序列相似性达99.6％;结合形态特征与生理生化测定结果,革兰氏阴性杆菌,具极生单鞭毛     

DNA diversity of human populations from Eastern Europe and Siberia studied by multilocus DNA fingerprinting

We used DNA fingerprinting with M13 phage DNA as a probe to estimate the degree of genomic variability and genetic relationships in a heterogeneous group of 13 populations from Eastern Europe and Siberia. The popultaions belong to three language families: Indo-European (Slavonic: Russians, Byelorussians), Uralic (Finno-Ugric: Maris, Mordvinians, Udmurts), and Altaic (Turkic: Bashkirs, Tatars, Chuvashes, Yakuts). Multivariate statistical analyses were used (multidimensional scaling, cluster, and multiple correspondence analyses), and coefficients of gene differentiation (Gst) were evaluated. The level of interpopulation subdivision in the various ethnic groups appeared to be different: the Byelorussian populations revealed no regional differences, in contrast to the Bashkir populations, which formed a heterogeneous group. The populations subdivided into three general clusters: Slavonic populations formed a separate tight cluster characterized by a minimal level of interpopulation diversity, Bashkir and Yakut populations formed the second cluster, and the Finno-Ugric and several populations of the Turkic linguistic groups formed the third cluster. The robustness of these results obtained by different statistical data treatments reveals that multilocus DNA fingerprinting can be reliably used for population studies.Communicated by G. P. Georgiev     

Physiological and genomic properties of Thermus tenuipuniceus sp. nov., a novel slight reddish color member isolated from a terrestrial geothermal spring

Two closely related, thermophilic bacteria, designated strains YIM 76954^T and YIM 76947, were isolated from the Rehai Geothermal Field, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Polyphasic approach and whole genome sequencing were used to determine the taxonomy status and genomic profiles of the novel strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates were closely related to Thermus scotoductus SE-1^T (97.1% sequence similarity), and T. amyloliquefaciens YIM 77409^T (96.6%). The strains could be differentiated from most recognized Thermus species by their whitish to slight reddish colony color, distinct DNA fingerprinting profiles and low ANI values. Cells stained Gram-negative, rod-shaped of diameter 0.2–0.5 μm and length 1.5–5.0 μm. Growth occurred at 50–75 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and in the presence of up to 1.0% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Thiosulfate was found to enhance cell growth, besides improving the intensity of its colony color. Oxygen, nitrate, sulfur, and Fe(III) could be used as terminal electron acceptors for growth. MK-8 was the major respiratory menaquinone. Major fatty acids were iso-C_17:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, and anteiso-C_15:0. The genome size was 2.26 Mbp with 65.5% average GC content. A total of 2374 genes was predicted, comprising 2322 protein-coding and 52 RNA genes. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, it is proposed that strain YIM 76954^T represents a novel species of the genus Thermus, for which the name Thermus tenuipuniceus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 76954^T (=JCM 30350^T = KCTC 4677^T).