Alpha-actinin-2, a cytoskeletal protein, binds to angiogenin

Angiogenin is an angiogenic factor which is involved in tumorigenesis. However, no particular intracellular protein is known to interact directly with angiogenin. In the present study, we reported the identification of alpha-actinin-2, an actin-crosslinking protein, as a potential angiogenin-interacting partner by yeast two-hybrid screening. This interaction was confirmed by different approaches. First, angiogenin was pulled down together with His-tagged alpha-actinin-2 by Ni(2+)-agarose resins. Second, alpha-actinin-2 was coimmunoprecipitated with angiogenin by anti-angiogenin monoclonal antibody. Third, the in vivo interaction of these two proteins was revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. Since members of alpha-actinin family play pivotal roles in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, the interaction between alpha-actinin-2 and angiogenin may underline one possible mechanism of angiogenin in angiogenesis. Our finding presents the first evidence of an interaction of a cytosolic protein with angiogenin, which might be a novel interference target for anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor therapy.     

Prokaryotic expression,purification and functional characterization of human FHL3

Four and a half LIM domain protein 3 (FHL3) is a member of the family of LIM proteins and is involved in myogenesis, cytoskeleton reconstruction, cell growth and differentiation. The full-length FHL3 cDNA was cloned from human spleen cDNA library and inserted in a prokaryotic expression vector pBV220 and then the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli JM109. The expression of the recombinant protein was induced at 42°C. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that recombinant human FHL3 (rhFHL3) was mainly expressed as an inclusion body. After purification by HisTrap FF crude, the rhFHL3 was renatured by dialysis against renaturing buffer and identified by Western blot analysis using human FHL3 polyclonal antibody. The MTT assay showed that the purified rhFHL3 could inhibit HepG2 cell growth but promote the proliferation of ECV304 cells. In addition, the expression of angiogenin (Ang) gene was increased when ECV304 cells were pretreated with rhFHL3.     

Internalization and processing of human angiogenin by cultured aortic smooth muscle cells

Human angiogenin is a 14-kDa plasma protein with angiogenic and ribonucleolytic activities. Angiogenin binds specifically to aortic smooth muscle cells, activates second messenger pathways, and inhibits their proliferation. Human and bovine aortic smooth muscle cells were used to study the internalization and intracellular fate of human angiogenin at 37 degrees C. Using a specific antibody against angiogenin, we found that the internalized native protein was localized in the perinuclear region at 30 min and then dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. In conditions favoring receptor-mediated endocytosis, internalization of iodinated angiogenin showed a first peak at 5 min and then further increased for up to 24 h. The half-life of the molecule, calculated as 12 h in chase experiments, could contribute to its intracellular accumulation. In cell extracts, in addition to the 14-kDa protein, a 8.7-kDa fragment was observed at 24 h, and three fragments with molecular mass of 10.5, 8.7, and 6. 1 kDa were detected at 48 h. Our data point to a specific internalization and processing of human angiogenin by aortic smooth muscle cells.     

Prokaryotic Expression,Purification, and Production of Polyclonal Antibody Against Novel Human Serum Inhibited Related Protein I (SI1)

A novel serum inhibited related gene (SI1) has been cloned in our lab by using mRNA differential display analysis of U251 cells in the presence or absence of serum, the expression of SI1 was dramatically inhibited by the addition of serum to serum starved cells. Previous reports suggested the potential significance of SI1 in regulating the cell cycle. In this study, the plasmid construction, protein expression and purification, as well as the generation of anti-SI1 polyclonal antibody are described. A full-length cDNA of Si1 was inserted in a prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28-b(+) and efficiently expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain after induction by isopropyl-b-d-thiogalactoside. The expressed 6His-tagged SI1 fusion protein was purified by Ni⁺ affinity column and then used to immunize Balb/C mice, and the anti-SI1 polyclonal antibody was purified by protein A column. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody against SI1, a cell lysate of pEGFP-N2-SI1 plasmid transiently transfected Hela cell was identified by anti-GFP monoclonal antibody and anti-SI1 polyclonal antibody. Both the GFP-SI1 fusion protein and endogenous SI1 protein in Hela cell can be recognized by the anti-SI1 polyclonal antibody. The anti-SI1 polyclonal antibody will provide a useful tool for further characterization of SI1.     

Rhizosecretion of a monoclonal antibody protein complex from transgenic tobacco roots

The secretion of a functional, full-length monoclonal antibody complex from transgenic Nicotiana tabacum roots has been demonstrated. Initially, seeds were germinated on nitrocellulose membranes and antibody secretion detected from the developing roots. Plants were then established in hydroponic culture and secretion into the growth medium measured over 25 days. Western blotting indicated that full-length antibody was present in the medium along with other fragments. Secreted antibody was shown to be functional by binding to antigen in ELISA studies. In contrast, no antibody could be detected from transgenic Nicotiana in which the same antibody was expressed as a membrane protein in the plasmalemma. These results indicate that antibody accumulation in the growth medium is genuinely caused by rhizosecretion and not cell damage. Addition of gelatin to plant growth medium markedly increased levels of antibody accumulation. The mean antibody yield per plant was calculated to be 11.7 g per gram root dry weight per day. Rhizosecretion may be a viable alternative to agricultural production or cell culture for the generation of monoclonal antibodies in transgenic plants. It may also give rise to novel applications for antibodies expressed in plants such as removal or neutralisation of environmental pollutants and attenuation of pathogens which infect the plant via the rhizosphere.     

人免疫缺陷病毒I型Vif蛋白的原核表达、纯化及单克隆抗体制备

目的：克隆、表达、纯化人免疫缺陷病毒I型（HIV-1）Vif蛋白,制备其单克隆抗体。方法：提取感染了HIV的细胞基因组DNA,PCR扩增vif基因,插入表达载体pET32a,转化大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）获得工程菌株,IPTG诱导蛋白表达,Western印迹鉴定目的蛋白,亲和层析纯化目的蛋白;免疫BALB／c小鼠,制备单克隆抗体。结果：构建了Vif蛋白的原核表达载体vif-pET32a,并在大肠杆菌中获得高表达,目的蛋白以包涵体形式存在;纯化获得高纯度的重组Vif蛋白,蛋白浓度可达0．56mg／mL;建立了抗Vif蛋白单克隆抗体细胞株,制备了腹水,滴度可达1：16×10^6,抗体纯化后保持了活性和特异性。结论：在原核表达系统中表达、纯化了重组Vif蛋白,制备了针对Vif蛋白的单克隆抗体,为研究Vif蛋白的功能和抗原性奠定了基础。     

Comparison of the dynamics of bovine and human angiogenin: a molecular dynamics study

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for 1 ns on human and bovine angiogenin systems in an effort to compare and contrast their dynamics. An analysis of their dynamics is done by examining the rms deviations, following hydrogen-bonding interactions and looking at the role of water in and around the protein. The C-terminus of bovine angiogenin moves appreciably during dynamics suggesting a better structure for ligand binding. However, we do not find any evidence of a conformation where the glutamate residue that obstructs the active site takes on a different conformation. We observe a differential hydrogen-bonding pattern in the active site regions of bovine and human angiogenins, which could have a bearing on the different catalytic activities of the proteins. We also propose that the differential binding of the monoclonal antibody toward the two proteins might be due sequential and not conformational differences. Water molecules might play an important functional role in both proteins given their subtle functional differences. A simple computation on the molecular dynamics data has been carried out to identify locations in and around the protein that are invariably occupied by water. The locations of nearly half the waters we have identified from the simulation as being invariant in bovine angiogenin occupy similar locations in the bovine angiogenin crystal structure. The positions of the waters identified in human angiogenin differ considerably from that of bovine angiogenin.     

Anti-solasodine glycoside single-chain Fv antibody stimulates biosynthesis of solasodine glycoside in plants

We constructed a recombinant antibody fragment—single chain fragment-variable (scFv) antibody—derived from hybridoma cell lines to control the concentration of solasodine glycosides in hairy root cultures of Solanum khasianum transformed by the anti-solamargine (As)-scFv gene. The properties of the As-scFv protein expressed in Escherichia coli were almost identical to those of the parent monoclonal antibody (MAb). Up to 220 ng recombinant As-scFv was expressed per milligram of soluble protein in transgenic hairy root cultures of S. khasianum. The concentration of solasodine glycosides was 2.3-fold higher in the transgenic than in the wild-type hairy root, as reflected by the soluble As-scFv level and antigen binding activities. These results suggested that the scFv antibody expressed in transgenic hairy roots controlled the antigen level, thus representing a novel plant breeding methodology that can produce secondary metabolites.Communicated by F. Sato     

Expression of human aspartyl beta-hydroxylase and preparation of its monoclonal antibody

We investigated the mechanism of human aspartyl beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) in early diagnosis of tumors. The encoding gene of HAAH was cloned from the hepatic carcinoma by RT-PCR and expressed as a fused protein in the prokaryotic vector pBV-IL1. The expressed HAAH was purified by Ni(2+)-NTA purification column and the purified protein was then used to immunize Balb/c mice. Three hybridoma cell lines (respectively designated H3/E10, E4/F12 and G4/D8) stably expressing the monoclonal antibody specific to HAAH fusion protein were obtained. The specificity and sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody were assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Finally, the monoclonal antibody expressed by H3/E10 cell line was used to detect the expression of HAAH in several tumor cell lines by indirect immuno-fluorescence, and the specific fluorescence was observed. In conclusion, this study successfully constructed the recombinant prokaryotic vector pBV-IL1-HAAH and prepared HAAH-specific monoclonal antibody for further study of the structure and function of the protein. The result may also lay solid foundation for the research of the molecular mechanism of HAAH in early diagnosis of tumors.     

Solid-phase refolding of poly-lysine tagged fusion protein of hEGF and angiogenin

A fusion protein, consisting of a human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) as the recognition domain and human angiogenin as the toxin domain, can be used as a targeted therapeutic against breast cancer cells among others. The fusion protein was expressed as inclusion body in recombinantE. coli, and when the conventional, solution-phase refolding process was used the refolding yield was very low due to severe aggregation. It was probably because of the opposite electric charge at a neutral pH resulting from the vastly different pI values of each domain. The solidphase refolding process that exploited the ionic interactions between ionic exchanger surface and the fusion protein was tried, but the adsorption yield was also very low, below 30%, regardless of the resins and pH conditions used. Therefore, to provide a higher ionic affinity toward the solid matrix, six lysine residues were tagged to theN-terminus of the hEGF domain. When heparin-Sepharose was used as the matrix, the adsorption capacity increased 2.5–3 times to about 88%. Besides the intrinsic affinity of angiogenin to heparin the poly-lysine tag provided additional ionic affinity. And the subsequent refolding yield increased nearly 13-fold, fromc.a 4.8% in the conventional refolding of the untagged fusion protein to 63.6%. The process was highly reproducible. The refolded protein in the column eluate retained R Nase bioactivity, of angiogenin.     

Interaction between angiogenin and fibulin 1: evidence and implication

Angiogenin is an angiogenic factor involved in tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism of angiogenin's action remains elusive. In the present study, we identified fibulin 1, an extracellular matrix and plasma glycoprotein, as an angiogenin-interacting molecule by yeast two-hybrid screening. This interaction was further confirmed by two different approaches. First, fibulin 1 was co-immunoprecipitated with angiogenin by anti-angiogenin monoclonal antibody in vitro , suggesting angiogenin binds with fibulin 1 directly. Then fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis showed that fibulin 1 interacted with angiogenin in COS-7 cells, showing that the binding could occur in a cellular context. As fibulin 1 plays an important role in cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and stabilizes new-forming blood vessel wall, the interaction between fibulin 1 and angiogenin might underline one possible mechanism of angiogenin in angiogenesis and/or tumorigenesis.     

High level expression of soluble angiogenin in Escherichia coli

Human angiogenin was genetically engineered and contained the E. coli Omp A signal sequence for secreting soluble angiogenin to the periplasm under tac promoter control. The angiogenin sequence was encoded in a single gene and expressed as a 14.4 kilodalton soluble protein in E. coli. It was purified by CM-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and by a heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography procedure. The biological activity of angiogenin was established by its ability to inhibit mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte cell-free translation.     

Expression of Met-(-1) angiogenin in Escherichia coli: conversion to the authentic less than Glu-1 protein

A method for obtaining authentic human angiogenin utilizing an Escherichia coli recombinant expression system is described. A synthetic gene encoding angiogenin was placed into a vector for direct expression under the control of a modified E. coli trp promoter. The protein was produced by the bacteria in an insoluble form and purified to homogeneity by cation-exchange and reversed-phase HPLC following reduction/solubilization and reoxidation. The protein isolated was identified as Met-(-1) angiogenin by amino acid analysis and tryptic peptide mapping; the latter demonstrated that all three disulfide bonds had formed correctly. Both the enzymatic and angiogenic activities of the Met-(-1) protein were equivalent to those of native angiogenin. A Met-(-1) Leu-30 derivative of angiogenin was also isolated and found to be fully active. Conversion of Met-(-1) angiogenin to the authentic less than Glu-1 protein was achieved by treatment with Aeromonas aminopeptidase under conditions in which the new N-terminal glutamine readily cyclizes nonenzymatically. This aminopeptidase treatment may have more general applicability for removal of undesirable N-terminal methionine residues from foreign proteins expressed in bacteria.     

基于N蛋白单克隆抗体的小反刍兽疫病毒抗体检测胶体金试纸条的研制

本研究旨在建立一种简便、快捷、可直观检测小反刍兽疫病毒(peste des petits ruminants virus,PPRV)抗体的检测方法。将pET-32a-N重组质粒转化至大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) Rosetta(DE3)感受态细胞中进行诱导表达,以纯化的PPRVN蛋白免疫8周龄BALB/c小鼠,取其脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,间接酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, ELISA)筛选及亚克隆,获得了抗PPRV N蛋白的单克隆抗体。将PPRV N蛋白分别作为金标抗原及检测线(T线)包被抗原、单克隆抗体作为质控线(C线)包被抗体,组装成检测PPRVN蛋白抗体的胶体金免疫层析试纸条。结果显示：成功获得1株能稳定分泌抗N蛋白抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,命名为1F1;间接ELISA检测1F1腹水效价为1:128000;亚类鉴定结果为IgG1,轻链为kappa链。Westernblotting结果显示,1F1能与PPRV N蛋白特异性结合;间接免疫荧光(indirect immunofluorescent ass...     

Homotypic leukocyte aggregation triggered by a monoclonal antibody specific for a novel epitope expressed by the integrin β1 subunit: Conversion of nonresponsive cells by transfecting human integrin α4 subunit cDNA

The monoclonal antibody 33B6 was found to be specific for the β1 integrin subunit. Treatment of leukocytes with this antibody induced a vigorous homotypic aggregation that had similar physiologic conditions as aggregation induced by a monoclonal antibody specific for the α4 subunit. Expression of a β1 subunit on the cell surface was not sufficient for mAb 33B6-mediated aggregation to occur, since cells of the K562 erythroleukemia line failed to respond even though they expressed the β1 subunit and the 33B6 epitope. However, after transfection with cDNA encoding the α4 subunit, K562 cells acquired the ability to aggregate in response to mAb 33B6 binding. By contrast, mAb 33B6 blocked cell binding to the endothelial surface protein vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. These results suggest that the β1 epitope defined by mAb 33B6 may play a novel role in regulating leukocyte adhesive interactions.     

A pilot study of angiogenin in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a novel potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis?

Characteristics of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) have not yet been fully understood. The objectives of this pilot study are to detect protein expression profile in the sera of HFPEF patients, and to identify potential biomarkers for the disease. Five hundred and seven proteins were detected in the sera of healthy volunteers and patients with either HFPEF or hypertension using antibody microarrays (three in each group). The results showed that the serum concentrations of 17 proteins (e.g. angiogenin, activin A and artemin) differed considerably between HFPEF and non‐HFPEF patients (hypertensive patients and healthy controls), while a protein expression pattern distinct from that in non‐HFPEF patients was associated with HFPEF patients. The up‐regulation of angiogenin in both HFPEF patients with LVEF ≥50% (P = 0.004) and a subset of HFPEF patients with LVEF = 41–49% (P < 0.001) was further validated in 16 HFPEF patients and 16 healthy controls. Meanwhile, angiogenin distinguished HFPEF patients from controls with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (P < 0.001) and a diagnostic cut‐off point of 426 ng/ml. Moreover, the angiogenin levels in HFPEF patients were positively correlated with Lg(N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, NT‐proBNP) (P < 0.001). In addition, high angiogenin level (≥426 ng/ml) was a predictor of all‐cause death within a short‐term follow‐up duration, but not in the longer term of 36 months. This pilot study indicates that the aforementioned 17 potential biomarkers, such as angiogenin, may hold great promise for both diagnosis and prognosis assessment of HFPEF.     

Production of an anti-mouse MHC class II monoclonal antibody with biological activity in transgenic tobacco

To produce a monoclonal antibody specific to a mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II protein, we synthesized the complementary DNAs for the heavy and light chains of a monoclonal antibody by PCR amplification. These cDNAs were then introduced separately into tobacco plant cells. After performing Northern blot analysis to confirm the expression of each of the chain genes in the transformed plants, we constructed transgenic plants expressing both the heavy and light chains by sexual crossing. The expression of the heavy and light chain genes in the sexually crossed plant was confirmed by Northern and Western blot analyses, respectively. Fluorocytometric analysis showed that the plant-derived antibodies, which we purified using a protein G affinity column, bound specifically to target cells that expressed the cognate MHC class II molecules on their cell surfaces. The results of this study demonstrate that a monoclonal antibody against mouse MHC class II proteins can be expressed in transgenic plants. They also show the specific binding activity of plant-derived antibodies to cognate antigens.