A genome-specific repeat sequence from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa)

Summary Six members of a family of moderately repetitive DNA sequences from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa) have been cloned and characterized. The repeat family is composed of elements that have a unit length of 463 bp, are highly methylated, occur in tandem arrays of at least 50 kb in length, and constitute about 0.5% of the kiwifruit genome. Individual elements diverge in nucleotide sequence by up to 5%, which suggests that the repeat sequence is evolving rapidly. Homologous sequences were found in A. deliciosa var. chlorocarpa. The repeat sequence was not found under low stringency hybridization conditions in the diploid A. chinensis, the species most closely related to the hexaploid kiwifruit, or in eight other Actinidia species. However, homologous repeats were detected in a tetraploid species, A. chrysantha. The results provide the first molecular evidence to suggest that kiwifruit may be an allopolyploid species.     

Plasmodium falciparum: Differential Sensitivity In Vitro to E-64 (Cysteine Protease Inhibitor) and Pepstatin A (Aspartyl Protease Inhibitor)

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of a cysteine proteinase inhibitor (E-64) and an aspartyl proteinase inhibitor (Pepstatin A) on asexual erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum in culture. These two protease inhibitors showed different patterns of activity. E-64 acted preferentially against trophozoite and schizont stages. After 48 h incubation at high concentrations of E-64 (28, 140, 280 μM), growth was totally abolished and the parasites presented characteristic enlarged food vacuoles. Morphological alterations were also seen after shorter incubation periods (6 h at 28 μM) or 12 h at the inhibitory concentration 50% (12 μM), but an additional culture period (24 h) in inhibitor-free medium allowed normal parasite development, demonstrating a parasitostatic effect. E-64 acts on parasite multiplication; the normal merozoite maturation was altered and the normal reinvasion process partially impaired. Pepstatin A used at the inhibitory concentration 50% (4 μM) killed the parasites before trophozoite development and had a major effect on schizonts maturation. No altered parasite development occurred during an additional culture period without Pepstatin A, demonstrating a parasiticidal effect. E-64 and Pepstatin A used in combination inhibit the parasite growth with a strong synergistic effect.     

In Search of Selective Inhibitors of Cysteine Protease,Cathepsin K

Two potential azapeptide inhibitors of cathepsin K were designed and synthesized. To analyze in detail interactions between these azainhibitors and the investigated cysteine protease, molecular dynamics simulations were performed. For the obtained compounds the equilibrium constants for dissociation of inhibitor – enzyme complex, K_i, were determined. The examined azapeptides proved to be not as potent inhibitors of cathepsin K as they were expected to be according to the results of simulations. However, these calculations provide valuable information about probable structures of this type of peptidomimetics in the catalytic pocket of cathepsin K, which could be useful in designing of more selective inhibitors of this cysteine protease.     

日本囊对虾Kunitz型蛋白酶抑制剂在毕赤酵母中的表达纯化及活性分析

SKPI(shrimp Kunitz-type protease inhibitor)是日本囊对虾(Marsupenaeus japonicus)体内的一个小分子多肽, 含有一个Kunitz型结构域, 属于丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂。目前已知丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂在节肢动物免疫系统中起着非常重要的作用, 为了了解SKPI在对虾天然免疫系统中的作用, 首先对其进行了重组表达。从日本囊对虾肝胰腺中扩增skpi的cDNA片段, 插入改造后的pPIC9K酵母表达载体, 获得的重组质粒转化至毕赤酵母GS115进行表达。由于改造的pPIC9K载体加入了6-His标签, 因此利用Ni?Sepharose?High?Performance对SKPI进行了高效纯化。初步的活性研究表明, 重组表达的SKPI能特异性地抑制胰蛋白酶的水解活性。     

Plant regeneration from protoplasts of long-term callus cultures of Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayword (Kiwifruit)

Plant regeneration of Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa cv. Hayword was obtained from protoplasts isolated from petiole derived long-term callus cultures. Protoplasts were cultured in liquid medium over agarose gelled medium. Regenerated green callus, plated on solid medium, could develop shoots that rooted spontaneously in hormone-less medium. The plants obtained are growing fast in soil and present a normal phenotype.Abbreviations BAP benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DTT dithiotreitol - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - Kin kinetin - MES 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulphonic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - NAA naphthalene-1-acetic acid - SH Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) medium This Research was supported by JNICT and INIC     

日本囊对虾Kunitz型蛋白酶抑制剂在毕赤酵母中的表达纯化及活性分析

SKPI(shrimp Kunitz-type protease inhibitor)是日本囊对虾(Marsupenaeus japonicus)体内的一个小分子多肽, 含有一个Kunitz型结构域, 属于丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂。目前已知丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂在节肢动物免疫系统中起着非常重要的作用, 为了了解SKPI在对虾天然免疫系统中的作用, 首先对其进行了重组表达。从日本囊对虾肝胰腺中扩增skpi的cDNA片段, 插入改造后的pPIC9K酵母表达载体, 获得的重组质粒转化至毕赤酵母GS115进行表达。由于改造的pPIC9K载体加入了6-His标签, 因此利用Ni?Sepharose?High?Performance对SKPI进行了高效纯化。初步的活性研究表明, 重组表达的SKPI能特异性地抑制胰蛋白酶的水解活性。     

Granulosain I,a Cysteine Protease Isolated from Ripe Fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum granuloso</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">-leprosum</Emphasis> (Solanaceae)

A new cysteine peptidase (Granulosain I) was isolated from ripe fruits of Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dunal (Solanaceae) by means of precipitation with organic solvent and cation exchange chromatography. The enzyme showed a single band by SDS-PAGE, its molecular mass was 24,746 Da (MALDI-TOF/MS) and its isoelectric point was higher than 9.3. It showed maximum activity (more than 90%) in the pH range 7-8.6. Granulosain I was completely inhibited by E-64 and activated by the addition of cysteine or 2-mercaptoethanol, confirming its cysteinic nature. The kinetic studies carried out with PFLNA as substrate, showed an affinity (Km 0.6 mM) slightly lower than those of other known plant cysteine proteases (papain and bromelain). The N-terminal sequence of granulosain I (DRLPASVDWRGKGVLVLVKNQGQC) exhibited a close homology with other cysteine proteases belonging to the C1A family.     

水稻巯基蛋白酶抑制剂的分子修饰与其对稻瘟病菌的抑制作用

水稻巯基蛋白酶抑制剂（ＣＰＩ）经用二硫苏糖醇,对氯汞苯甲酸和碘乙酸修饰后,对木瓜蛋白酶的抑制活性并无改变;用Ｎ－乙基顺丁烯二酰亚胺与ＣＰＩ反应,可以测出ＣＰＩ分子内有１９个巯基被修饰,被修饰后,抑制活性仍无改变,表明水稻ＣＰＩ的抑制活性不需要巯基参与;应用Ｎ－溴代丁二酰亚胺与ＣＰＩ反应,可测出ＣＰＩ分子内有２个Ｔｒｐ被修饰,修饰后,抑制活性全部丧失,表明Ｔｒｐ是保持抑制活性所必需的基团。水稻巯基蛋白酶抑制剂和丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂对稻瘟病菌丝体的生长均有抑制作用,但后者的抑制作用比前者更强,若将两种抑制剂混合使用,则对稻瘟病菌丝体的抑制作用非常强烈;当抑制剂加入量达７２μｇ时,即可产生明显的抑制作用。     

Kunitz型丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂IsKuI-1的原核表达、纯化及活性研究

目的:原核表达并制备重组蜱kunitz型丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂IsKuI-1,检测其抗凝血及抑制蛋白酶活性。方法:构建pET32a-sumo/IsKuI-1原核表达质粒,并转入到E. coli BL21(DE3)中,用IPTG诱导表达。表达产物经Ni-NTA亲和层析,在层析柱上用SUMO蛋白酶切割融合伴侣,纯化后得到重组目的多肽rIsKuI-1。用PT及aPTT法检测重组目的多肽的抗凝活性,发色底物法检测rIsKuI-1对丝氨酸蛋白酶的抑制活性。结果:用原核表达系统获得了rIsKuI-1,其无延长PT及aPTT活性,对人中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶具有较好的抑制活性(IC50=1.83μM),且特异性强。结论:IsKuI-1是一种活性较好的人NE抑制剂。因此为进一步探讨rIsKuI-1的生物学功能及其作为新药开发应用奠定了基础。     

In Vivo Neuronal Synthesis and Axonal Transport of Kunitz Protease Inhibitor (KPI)-Containing Forms of the Amyloid Precursor Protein

Abstract: We have shown previously that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is synthesized in retinal ganglion cells and is rapidly transported down the axons, and that different molecular weight forms of the precursor have different developmental time courses. Some APP isoforms contain a Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI) domain, and APP that lacks the KPI domain is considered the predominant isoform in neurons. We now show that, among the various rapidly transported APPs, a 140-kDa isoform contains the KPI domain. This APP isoform is highly expressed in rapidly growing retinal axons, and it is also prominent in adult axon endings. This 140-kDa KPI-containing APP is highly sulfated compared with other axonally transported isoforms. These results show that APP with the KPI domain is a prominent isoform synthesized in neurons in vivo, and they suggest that the regulation of protease activity may be an important factor during the establishment of neuronal connections.     

猕猴桃高频直接再生体系的建立

为了建立猕猴桃高频再生体系,以MS为基本培养基,猕猴桃(Actinidia deliciosaQinmei)茎及叶片为外植体,研究了2,4-D、6-BA和NAA在美味猕猴桃愈伤组织形成及分化过程中的作用。方差分析结果表明,6-BA能够显著促进愈伤组织形成,6-BA和NAA可以显著促进愈伤组织形成和分化,而2,4-D抑制愈伤组织形成。附加2.0 mg/L 6-BA、1.0 mg/L NAA和600 mg/L水解酪蛋白的MS培养基是茎段培养的最佳培养基,在该培养基上,以再生的无菌苗为起始材料,一个月时叶圆盘的直接再生频率达到100%,平均每个叶圆盘产生9.33个芽,其中23.21%芽高度超过0.5 cm。     

蛋白酶抑制剂对含水生菜种子耐冻性的影响

选取生菜(Lactuca sativa)种子作为试材,外源添加蛋白酶抑制剂2-硝基苯甲酸[5,5'-Dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid),DTNB]对种子吸胀处理,通过程序降温,分析2-硝基苯甲酸对低温下种子发芽率及生理活性的影响。结果表明,低温下含水生菜种子的致死温度为–20 ℃;外源添加2-硝基苯甲酸2 mmol·L–1时种子发芽率最高,即对种子活性的保护效果显著;在此浓度下种子内SOD活性比对照提高1.38倍,羟基自由基清除能力提高1.17倍;与对照组相比产生两种新的蛋白11 S种子贮藏球蛋白Jug r4和11 S种子贮藏球蛋白2,均属于球蛋白家族,可提高含水种子的耐冻性;低温下种子内积累更小分子量的球蛋白多肽,对种子具有低温保护效果。综上,低温条件下生菜种子产生一定的抗冷反应,外源添加2 mmol·L–1 2-硝基苯甲酸可提高含水种子发芽率及生理活性,产生抗冻蛋白,积累更小分子量的球蛋白多肽进而提高种子抗冻性。     

用聚焦层析法纯化人巯基蛋白酶抑制肽C-hCRI_c

以肾衰病人尿为材料,通过碱变性、酸变性和热变性除去部分杂质和尿蛋白。然后用羧甲基-木瓜蛋白酶-琼脂糖4B亲和层析,最后用多缓冲剂聚焦层析,把人的巯基蛋白酶抑制肽C(human cysteine proteinase inhibitor C,简称 hCPI_C)和其他的hCPI_C分开,制备得高纯度、高活性的hCPI_C。在SDS-PAGE中为均一条带,每mg蛋白可抑制50单位木瓜蛋白酶活性的50-63％。     

The allopolyploid origin of kiwifruit,Actinidia deliciosa (Actinidiaceae)

The genetic origin of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var.deliciosa) was studied using phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences derived from the polygalacturonase gene. Results indicate that hexaploid kiwifruit had an allopolyploid origin with the diploidA. chinensis contributing one genome (genome A) and another (as yet unidentified) diploid species contributing a second genome (genome B). The results leave open the question of whether a third, distinct species contributed to the hexaploid kiwifruit genome. A tetraploid race ofA. chinensis is also suggested to be allopolyploid containing genomes A and B.     

Antifungal Activity of a Bowman–Birk-type Trypsin Inhibitor from Wheat Kernel

A trypsin inhibitor from wheat kernel (WTI) was found to have a strong antifungal activity against a number of pathogenic fungi and to inhibit fungal trypsin-like activity. WTI inhibited in vitro spore germination and hyphal growth of pathogens, with protein concentration required for 50% growth inhibition (IC₅₀) values ranging from 111.7 to above 500 μg/ml. As observed by electron microscopy, WTI determined morphological alterations represented by hyphal growth inhibition and branching. One of the fungal species tested, Botrytis cinerea produced a trypsin-like protease, which was inhibited by the trypsin inhibitor. WTI, as well as other seed defence proteins, appear to be an important resistance factor in wheat kernels during rest and early germination when plants are particularly exposed to attack by potential soil-borne pathogens.     

Elucidation of Crucial Structures for a Catechol-Based Inhibitor of Plasma Hyaluronan-Binding Protein (Factor VII Activating Protease) Autoactivation

Plasma hyaluronan-binding protein (PHBP) is a serine protease the activation of which is implicated in inflammation. Previous investigations have suggested the presence of catechol-binding sites in its proenzyme form, pro-PHBP. Here we found that compounds with plural catechol groups conjugated with strong electron-withdrawing groups, such as tyrphostin AG 537 (IC₅₀=18 nM), were potent inhibitors of pro-PHBP activation.     

Recombinant expression, purification, and functional analysis of two novel cystatins from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

Phytocystatins are cysteine proteinase inhibitors from plants implicated in the endogenous regulation of protein turnover, programmed cell death, and in defense mechanisms against pathogens. To date, only few cystatin genes have been characterized in most plant species. We have previously characterized the protein Canecystatin, the first cystatin described in sugarcane. In an attempt to study novel Canecystatins, we identified two ORFs encoding cystatins (referred as CaneCPI-2 and CaneCPI-3) using the data from the Sugarcane EST genome project. These ORFs were then subcloned and expressed in Escherichia coli using pET28 expression vector. High amounts (approximately 20 mg/L) of pure recombinant proteins were obtained by affinity chromatography in a single step of purification. Polyclonal antibodies against the recombinant Canecystatins were raised, allowing the immunodetection of the endogenous proteins in the plant tissues. Moreover, the proteins were able to inhibit papain in a fluorometric assay with K(i) values of 0.2 and 0.25 microM for CaneCPI-2 and CaneCPI-3, respectively. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the activity of sugarcane cystatins and encourage future activity and structural studies of these proteins.     

Interaction of Subtilisin BPN′ and Recombinant Fungal Protease Inhibitor F from Silkworm with Substituted P1 Site Residues

Fungal protease inhibitor F (FPI-F) from silkworm inhibits subtilisin and fungal proteases. FPI-F mutants P₁ residues of which, Thr²⁹, were replaced with Glu, Phe, Gly, Leu, Met, and Arg, were prepared. The inhibitory activities of mutated FPI-F against subtilisin and other mammalian proteases indicated that FPI-F might be a specific inhibitor toward subtilisin-type protease.     

Letter to the Editor: 1H, 15N and 13C NMR Resonance Assignments of Staphostatin A, a Specific Staphylococcus Aureus Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor

The increasing antibiotic resistance of an important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus calls for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Staphylococcal cysteine proteases have been suggested as targets for such therapies. The recent discovery of staphostatins, specific protein inhibitors of these enzymes, gives prospects for the design and production of synthetic, low molecular weight analogs which might become drugs. We have decided to structurally characterize staphostatin A, a representative inhibitor of staphylococcal cysteine proteases, and to assess its binding mode to the target protease with the view of clarifying the specificity determinants. Here we report the (1)H, (15)N and (13)C NMR resonance assignments of staphostatin A.     

Taurine Biosynthesis in Rat Brain In Vivo: Lack of Relationship with Cysteine Sulfinate Decarboxylase Glutamate Decarboxylase-Associated Activity (GAD/CSDII)

Two distinct forms of cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD), respectively, CSDI and CSDII, have already been separated in rat brain. One of them, CSDII, appeared to be closely associated with glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). We have investigated whether the taurine concentration in brain was dependent on CSDII activity in vivo. CSDI and CSDII activities were specifically measured in crude brain extracts after selective immunotrapping. After 4 days of chronic treatment of mice with gamma-acetylenic gamma-aminobutyric acid, a drastic and identical decrease in CSDII and GAD activities was observed in the brain. Taurine concentration and CSDI activities were not significantly altered. Following striato-nigral pathway lesioning in the rat brain, GAD and CSDII show an identical 80% decrease in the substantia nigra. In contrast, CSDI activity and taurine concentration in the substantia nigra were similarly but only slightly affected with an about 30% decrease. Our results provide further evidence that GAD and CSDII are indeed the same enzyme. They show that CSDII does not play any role in the biosynthesis of taurine in vivo. Our findings suggest that CSDI might be the biosynthetic enzyme for taurine in vivo and that there might be some endings projecting into the substantia nigra that contain CSDI and taurine.