RhoB分子靶蛋白MHY9的鉴定

鉴定能与活性RhoB分子结合的靶蛋白。制备GST融合的活性RhoB蛋白(GST-RhoB),与LPS刺激的DC2.4细胞裂解物混合后实施pull-down实验,沉降复合物通过SDS-PAGE分析、金染色后,对与GST-RhoB结合的蛋白条带进行基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)分析。然后制备小鼠的树突状细胞,LPS刺激12 h后,进行荧光标记的抗体染色。激光共聚焦显微镜下观察RhoB与MYH9的细胞内定位。通过MALDI-TOF质谱分析,鉴定到一个新的可以与RhoB的活性形式结合的马达分子MYH9。激光共聚焦显微镜的结果表明,RhoB在LPS刺激前后均与MYH9在树突状细胞内共定位。该研究首次发现MYH9可与活性RhoB结合,可能是RhoB下游的一个靶蛋白。     

HRB2慢病毒表达质粒的构建核蛋白细胞内定位的研究

目的:构建重组HIV-1相关结合蛋白2(HIV-1 rev binding protein 2)基因的真核融合表达质粒plenti-OFP-HRB2,用慢病毒表达系统感染HEKTER细胞.对过表达GFP-HRB2基因的细胞在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察,研究HRB2蛋白在细胞中的分布规律.方法:Trizol法提取人睾丸组织总RNA进行RT-PCR,将纯化的扩增产物HRB2与克隆载体plp-GFP-Cl连接、转化感受态细菌E.coli XLblue.测序正确后将质粒plp-GFP-HRB2与真核表达质粒plenti-Cl分别进行双酶切,连接后转化.将构建正确的plenti-GFP-HRB2重组质粒、△8.91、pvsvg瞬时共转染293T细胞后,用荧光显微镜观察绿色荧光蛋白的表达.收集包装病毒后感染HEKTER细胞.细胞生长一周后,将细胞铺玻片上用激光共聚焦显微镜观察.结果:构建的plenti-GFP-HRB2真核表达质粒经PCR鉴定及测序均说明人源HRB2基因已与plenti-GFP载体正确重组.瞬时转染293T细胞后能观察到绿色荧光.稳定感染后的HEKTER细胞经激光共聚焦显微镜观察后发现,HRB2蛋白在核仁处富集,在细胞核的其它部位少量分布,在胞浆中几乎没有分布.结论:人源HRB2基因表达的相关蛋白具有一个KH结构域,属于KH结构域家族的成员.稳定表达GFP-HRB2融合蛋白的细胞系的成功构建,为深入研究HRB2的入核机制、HRB2蛋白的在细胞分裂、RNA剪切等生物活动中的作用奠定了重要的实验基础.     

酿酒酵母荧光定位报告菌株的开发

【目的】为了给外源蛋白在酿酒酵母细胞中的定位提供参考,构建酿酒酵母荧光定位报告菌株。【方法】运用染色体同源重组的方法,将突变的、已进行酵母表达优化的红色荧光蛋白RedStar分别整合到12个酵母细胞器标记蛋白的C端,与之进行融合表达,用特异性引物对每一个酵母荧光定位报告菌株进行PCR扩增和测序验证,用激光共聚焦显微镜进行荧光检测,对线粒体和细胞核进行特异性染料染色,用EGFP标记沙门氏菌已知定位蛋白SipA,与构建的相应荧光定位报告菌株进行共定位。【结果】构建的酿酒酵母荧光定位报告菌株可分别标示酵母细胞的肌动蛋白、晚期胞内体、细胞核、核周质、纺锤体、线粒体、过氧化物酶体、脂滴、初级内吞体、次级内吞体、高尔基体顺面及高尔基体反面。PCR扩增及测序验证、荧光检测、染料与相应报告菌株的共定位、已知定位蛋白SipA与相应报告菌株的共定位均提示报告菌株构建成功。【结论】这些报告菌株的构建,为日后在酵母中观察细胞器动态变化,以及未知蛋白在酵母中的定位提供了基础性工具。     

PML(NLS~–)蛋白在NB4细胞及其裸鼠移植瘤中定位的验证

验证中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶(neutrophil elastase,NE)切割PML-RARα后,PML(NLS–)蛋白的存在和定位。将质粒pCMV-HA-NE电转染NB4细胞,用Western blot法验证质粒转染成功;提取电转染质粒成功的NB4细胞的胞浆蛋白,用Western blot法检测NB4细胞中PML(NLS–)蛋白的表达;免疫荧光法和激光共聚焦检测电转染质粒成功的NB4细胞中PML(NLS–)蛋白的表达及定位;同时,建立NB4细胞、K562细胞和电转染质粒成功的NB4细胞裸鼠皮下瘤模型,用Western blot、免疫组化法检测PML(NLS–)蛋白在移植瘤组织细胞中的表达与定位。结果表明,Western blot检测电转染质粒pCMV-HA-NE的NB4细胞成功表达NE蛋白;NE酶成功切割PML-RARα,Western blot检测到电转染质粒pCMV-HA-NE的NB4细胞表达PML(NLS–)蛋白;免疫荧光和激光共聚焦均可检测到电转染质粒成功的NB4细胞中PML(NLS–)蛋白定位于细胞胞浆;Western blot和免疫组化法检测到电转染质粒成功的NB4细胞裸鼠移植瘤中的PML(NLS–)蛋白的表达且定位于细胞胞浆,而NB4和K562细胞裸鼠皮下瘤中PML蛋白主要定位于胞核。综上所述,该文成功将质粒pCMV-HA-NE电转染NB4细胞并用Western blot、免疫荧光、激光共聚焦、免疫组化验证PML(NLS–)蛋白存在于NB4细胞胞浆,这一现象可以为急性早幼粒细胞白血病的临床早期诊断与治疗提供新的依据。     

大鼠谷氨酰胺转运蛋白SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白的表达与鉴定

谷氨酰胺转运蛋白是中枢神经系统中一种重要的中性氨基酸转运蛋白,对谷氨酰胺的跨膜转运十分重要。为了更方便地研究大鼠谷氨酰胺转运蛋白2(SNAT2)在细胞膜上的表达与定位,利用亚克隆技术将增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)构建于SNAT2的C端,通过菌液PCR、酶切和DNA测序鉴定重组真核表达质粒;将测序正确的重组质粒瞬时转染人胚胎肾细胞(HEK293T cells),用Western blot和激光共聚焦电子显微镜荧光检测技术鉴定SNAT2-EGFP的表达与亚细胞定位。结果表明,SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白重组质粒在细胞中表达并正确定位于细胞膜上。SNAT2-EGFP融合蛋白重组质粒的成功构建为今后深入研究SNAT2的结构和功能提供了一个有效的工具。     

多聚精氨酸融合增强型绿色荧光蛋白制备方法及穿膜效果

为了方便细胞穿膜肽R9融合蛋白的可溶性表达及功能上的研究,构建了pSUMO (小分子泛素样修饰蛋白) -R9-EGFP (增强型绿色荧光蛋白) 原核表达载体。分别纯化EGFP及R9-EGFP蛋白后,作用于HepG2,细胞经流式细胞仪及激光共聚焦检测R9细胞穿膜肽的作用效果。实验结果显示在SUMO分子伴侣的作用下,R9-EGFP融合蛋白获得可溶性表达。经流式细胞仪检测,R9细胞穿膜肽可以快速有效的携带目的蛋白进入细胞内部且呈时间、剂量依赖性,大约1.5 h以后荧光强度进入平台期。共聚焦显微镜检测结果表明R9细胞穿膜肽可以有效携带EGFP进入HepG2细胞,并显示主要聚集在细胞浆内。同时体外经肝素抑制实验显示,肝素抑制R9-EGFP穿膜的效率达到50％。这些结果表明,可以利用pSUMO-R9/Ni-NTA表达纯化系统,快速、有效地表达出可溶性多聚精氨酸融合蛋白,同时R9细胞穿膜肽可以有效地携带目的蛋白进入细胞内,为进一步研究多聚精氨酸的穿膜机制提供了基础。     

人PIRH2b与ARF4相互作用的初步研究

目的 利用酵母双杂交技术筛选PIRH2b的相互作用蛋白。方法 以PIRH2b为诱饵蛋白,利用酵母双杂交技术筛选人胎肝cDNA文库,用GST—pull down验证PIRH2b与ARF4在体外的相互作用,并用绿色荧光蛋白标记PIRH2b,红色荧光蛋白标记ARF4,观察两者在肝癌细胞株Hep3B中的亚细胞定位。结果利用酵母双杂交筛选到一个能与PIRH2b相互作用的蛋白ARF4,GST—pull down验证了两者在体外的相互作用,荧光标记共定位结果显示两个蛋白共定位于Hep3B细胞的核周区域。结论首次发现并证实了PIRH2b与ARF4的相互作用,PIRH2b对ARF4的功能可能有重要影响。     

RPAP3 蛋白中TPR 结构域的功能研究

目的:构建针对RPAP3 TPR区域的慢病毒载体,观察过表达对细胞周期的影响。方法:通过生物信息学软件比较RPAP3结构域组成,推测功能;分析RPAP3核定位信号,构建瞬时表达质粒pEGFP-N2-RPAP3,激光共聚焦显微镜观察RPAP3蛋白的亚细胞定位;通过酵母双杂交和GST-Pulldown实验研究RPAP3与HSP70的相互作用及作用靶点;构建慢病毒载体pLJM.1-RPAP3,转染293T细胞,收病毒感染MCF7细胞,嘌呤霉素筛选获得稳定转染细胞系,流式细胞分析对细胞周期的影响。结果:RPAP3在多物种广泛存在,有高度保守性;蛋白存在典型核定位信号,激光共聚焦显微镜下,GFP标记的RPAP3蛋白主要分布在细胞核;酵母双杂交和GST-Pulldown实验证实RPAP3与HSP70间存在相互作用,且作用发生在RPAP3的三联TPR结构域和HSP70的GPTIEEVD末端之间;流式细胞显示RPAP3 TPR区域的高表达阻滞细胞周期且凋亡增加。结论:RPAP3与HSP70间的相互作用发生在RPAP3的三联TPR结构域和热休克蛋白70的GPTIEEVD末端之间;构建高表达细胞株发现其对细胞周期及凋亡有影响。     

超正电荷绿荧光蛋白+36GFP作为核酸载体的细胞穿透性分析

旨在通过原核表达纯化超正电荷绿色荧光蛋白+36GFP,研究其与核酸的结合作用及作为核酸载体的细胞转导功能。将pET+36GFP-HA2质粒转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中,然后表达纯化+36GFP蛋白。将得到的目的蛋白在特定浓度下分别转导293细胞、HepG2细胞、A549细胞和B16细胞,流式细胞仪检测+36GFP的转导效率;+36GFP蛋白(100 nmol/L)转导A549细胞,激光共聚焦显微镜观察结果;将+36GFP蛋白与质粒DNA按不同比例孵育,凝胶阻滞实验检测+36GFP与DNA的结合能力;激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪检测+36GFP蛋白携带质粒DNA转导细胞后报告基因的表达。结果显示,+36GFP蛋白具有较高的细胞转导效率,且随浓度升高转导效率增加,呈浓度依赖性。凝胶阻滞实验显示,+36GFP能够与质粒DNA结合,阻滞DNA在凝胶中迁移,且呈现一定的浓度依赖性。+36GFP包裹质粒转导细胞后,可高效携带质粒DNA转导进入细胞,使质粒报告基因得到表达。本研究成功表达纯化了+36GFP蛋白,证实该蛋白具有较高的细胞转导效率,可将外源核酸携带入细胞使外源基因得到表达。     

微流控芯片监测绿色荧光蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达

目前主要使用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察绿色荧光蛋白的表达,但需要昂贵的仪器并耗费大量时间。本研究开发了一种新型激光诱导的微流芯片检测系统来监测绿色荧光蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达。该系统主要由激光装置、光路系统、微流控芯片、光电倍增管和计算机处理系统等5部分组成。对该系统的测试结果显示,随着诱导强度的增强监测信号峰也随之增强,并且与激光共聚焦显微镜观察的结果一致。利用该芯片系统能够快速准确地筛选和鉴定用绿色荧光蛋白作为标记的细胞克隆,可以替代PCR鉴定方法。但该系统仅仅能够监测表达强度,不能够满足蛋白定位等高水平研究,因此,该系统适合应用于环境的微生物监测、药物筛选和其他无需观察蛋白定位等研究。     

Calbindin D28k and calretinin in oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus

The aim of the present study was to examine quantitatively whether two calcium-binding proteins, calbindin D28k and calretinin, are localized in oxytocin and vasopressin neurons of the supraoptic nucleus of the male rat. We used a triple-labeling immunofluorescence method with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Of the oxytocin-labeled cells, 70% were stained for both calbindin D28k and calretinin, 15% were stained for only calbindin D28k, 13% were stained for only calretinin, and 2% were stained for neither protein. Of the vasopressin-labeled cells, 73% were stained for neither calbindin D28k nor calretinin, 21% were stained for only calbindin D28k, 4% were stained for only calretinin, and 2% were stained for both proteins. Calbindin D28k and calretinin have been shown previously to contribute to calcium homeostasis by buffering [Ca2+]i. Therefore, these findings suggest that most of the oxytocin neurons may have a higher Ca(2+)-buffering capacity than most of the vasopressin neurons.     

Immunodetection and intracellular localization of caldesmon-like proteins in Amoeba proteus

Summary. Caldesmon immunoanalogues were detected in Amoeba proteus cell homogenates by the Western blot technique. Three immunoreactive bands were recognized by polyclonal antibodies against the whole molecule of chicken gizzard caldesmon as well as by a monoclonal antibody against its C-terminal domain: one major and two minor bands corresponding to proteins with apparent molecular masses of 150, 69, and 60 kDa. The presence of caldesmon-like protein(s) in amoebae was revealed as well in single cells after their fixation, staining with the same antibodies, and recording their total fluorescence in a confocal laser scanning microscope. Proteins recognized by the antibodies bind to filamentous actin. This was established by a cosedimentation assay in cell homogenates and by colocalization of the caldesmon-related immunofluorescence with the fluorescence of filamentous actin stained with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin, demonstrated in optical sections of single cells in a confocal microscope. Caldesmon is colocalized with filamentous actin in the withdrawn cell regions where the cortical actomyosin network contracts and actin is depolymerized, in the frontal zone where actin is polymerized again and the cortical cytoskeleton is reconstructed, inside the nucleus and in the perinuclear cytoskeleton, and probably at the cell-to-substratum adhesion sites. The regulatory role of caldesmon in these functionally different regions of locomoting amoebae is discussed.Correspondence and reprints: Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, ulica Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.Received October 7, 2002; accepted December 2, 2002; published online August 26, 2003     

Antibodies to tubulin and actin bind to the surface of a human monocytic cell line, U937

Intermittent reports of cytoskeleton proteins (actin and tubulin) on the cell surface have appeared over the last 13 years. Whereas most have concentrated on lymphocytes, this study provides evidence for the presence of these proteins on the surface of a human cultured monocyte-like cell line, U937. Both actin and tubulin were detected on the surface of U937 cells by flow cytometry, using an indirect staining procedure based on biotin-streptavidin-phycoerythrin, chosen for greater sensitivity. By use of this procedure, the majority of viable unstimulated U937 cells stained positively for actin and tubulin, although the level of fluorescence intensity was low. With an antibody specific for tyrosine-tubulin, most of the surface tubulin was also found to be tyrosinylated. For vimentin, an intermediate filament protein abundantly present in the cytoplasm of U937 cells, no staining could be detected. Confirmation of the flow cytometry data for surface actin and tubulin on unstimulated U937 cells was achieved by direct vesualization using a confocal laser scanning microscope. When U937 cells were activated with PMA and LPS, a marked reduction in the level of cell surface actin and tubulin occurred. The role of cell surface actin and tubulin on unstimulated U937 cells, in terms of monocyte function, remains to be elucidated.     

BTI基因转染诱导EC9706细胞凋亡及G_1阻滞

为了研究荞麦胰蛋白酶抑制剂(buckwheat trypsin inhibitor,BTI)对肿瘤细胞凋亡与细胞周期的影响,构建增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)与BTI融合蛋白真核表达质粒.将BTI基因成功克隆至pEGFP-N1中转染食管癌EC9706细胞后,激光共聚焦显微镜镜检显示,BTI-EGFP获得良好表达.表达的融合蛋白大部分分布于细胞核,在细胞质中有少量分布.Western印迹检测可见约27kD和36 kD的特异性条带.流式细胞术分析结果显示,BTI能够诱导EC9706细胞发生凋亡,并使细胞停滞于G0/G1期.     

Incidence of protein on actin bridges between endothelium and smooth muscle in arterioles demonstrates heterogeneous connexin expression and phosphorylation

Although much physiology in resistance vessels has been attributed to the cytoplasmic connection between endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), little is known of the protein expression between the two cell types. In an attempt to identify the proteins between ECs and VSMCs, mouse cremaster arterioles were stained with phalloidin-Alexa 594 and viewed on a confocal microscope that resolved "actin bridges" within the internal elastic lamina between ECs and VSMCs. To determine the incidence of protein, the pixel intensity from the antibodies on actin bridges were compared with the pixel intensity from antibodies within ECs or VSMCs. N-cadherin, desmin, connexin (Cx)40, and Cx43 and phosphorylated Cx43 at serine-368 were identified on actin bridges, but NG2, CD31, and Cx45 were not evident. Cx37 expression was more variable than the other connexins examined. Using this method on rat mesentery, we confirm the previously published predominance of Cx37 and Cx40 at the myoendothelial junction that was determined using electron microscopy. We conclude that this new method represents an important screening mechanism in which to rapidly test for protein expression between ECs and VSMCs and possibly a first-step in quantifying protein expression at the myoendothelial junction.     

Confocal images of marrow stromal (Westen-Bainton) cells

A cytochemical method was used for imaging a defined subset of marrow stromal cells (alkaline phosphatase-positive reticulum cells, hereinafter referred to as Westen-Bainton cells), which are endowed with membrane-associated alkaline phosphatase. The use of two different types of confocal microscopes was compared: a tandem scanning reflected light microscope and a laser scanning confocal microscope equipped with a 633 nm (helium-neon) laser. Sharp confocal reflection images of the cytochemically stained stromal cells were obtained with both microscopes. Three-dimensional reconstructions were generated with both systems, revealing morphological features of Westen-Bainton cells related to both their actual shape and organization within tissue architecture, which were not otherwise appreciated. The observations were extended to individual cases of bone pathology, and demonstrated the value of confocal microscopy for the investigation of marrow-bone relationships in physiology and disease.     

Reliable and global measurement of fluorescence resonance energy transfer using fluorescence microscopes

Green fluorescence protein (GFP)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is increasingly used in investigation of inter- and intramolecular interactions in living cells. In this report, we present a modified method for FRET quantification in cultured cells using conventional fluorescence microscopy. To reliably measure FRET, three positive control constructs in which a cyan fluorescence protein and a yellow fluorescence protein were linked by peptides of 15, 24, or 37 amino acid residues were prepared. FRET was detected using a spectrofluorometer, a laser scanning confocal microscope, and an inverted fluorescence microscope. Three calculation methods for FRET quantification using fluorescence microscopes were compared. By normalization against expression levels of GFP fusion proteins, the modified method gave consistent FRET values that could be compared among different cells with varying protein expression levels. Whole-cell global analysis using this method allowed FRET measurement with high spatial resolutions. Using such a procedure, the interaction of synaptic proteins syntaxin and the synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) was examined in PC12 cells, which showed strong FRET on plasma membranes. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified method for FRET measurement in live cell systems.     

Porous poly (L-lactic acid) scaffolds are optimal substrates for internal colonization by A6 mesoangioblasts and immunocytochemical analyses

In this study, mouse mesoangioblasts were seeded onto bidimensional matrices within three-dimensional porous scaffolds of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA), in the presence or absence of a type I collagen coating. The cells were observed under a scanning electron microscope and tested for their adhesion, survival and proliferation. Immunolocalization of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, an abundant and ubiquitous intracellular protein in these cells, was also performed in sectioned cell-containing scaffolds under a confocal fluorescence microscope to determine if in situ analysis of intracellular constituents was feasible. The data show that PLLA films allow direct cell adhesion and represent an optimal support for cell growth, and that the internal surfaces of PLLA polymeric sponges can be colonized by mesoangioblasts, which can be submitted for in situ confocal microscopic analyses for possible monitoring of time-dependent expression of differentiation markers.     

Hamster pulmonary endocrine cells with neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) immunostaining

Pulmonary endocrine cells of Syrian golden hamster were stained for neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) with indirect fluorescent immunostaining and observed with a confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with an argon laser. Sections 100 m thick of hamster lung fixed with phosphate-buffered 4% paraformaldehyde were prepared. The sections were incubated with rat monoclonal antibody against NCAM, followed by fluorescence-labeled antibody against rat immunoglobulin. Some were doubly immunostained for NCAM and one of the following endocrine markers: neuron-specific enolase, calcitonin gene-related peptide and serotonin. Expression of NCAM in the hamster airway epithelium was seen in cell nests resembling neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs). NCAM immunostaining was positive at the lateral cell borders between the cells composing the nest, but negative at the border with the adjacent, presumably non-endocrine cells. Double immunostaining confirmed that the grouped cells with NCAM immunoreactivity were of an endocrine nature, but that single endocrine cells did not show NCAM immunoreactivity. An electron microscopic study with NCAM immunostaining confirmed the light microscopic study. These suggest that NCAM expression could be important for the morphogenesis of NEBs. A confocal laser microscope was used to make theee-dimensional images of NEBs after NCAM immunostaining and the spatial interaction between NEBs and the surrounding microenvironment was studied.     

Frequency of M-cadherin-stained satellite cells declines in human muscles during aging.

To answer the question of whether the satellite cell pool in human muscle is reduced during aging, we detected satellite cells in 30- microm-thick transverse sections under the confocal microscope by binding of M-cadherin antibody. The basal lamina was detected with laminin. Nuclei were stained with bisbenzimide or propidium iodide. Satellite cells were counted by applying the disector method and unbiased sampling design. To determine if there are age-related differences in muscle fiber types, morphometric characteristics of muscle fibers were examined on thin sections stained for myofibrillar ATPase. Autopsy samples of vastus lateralis muscle from six young (28.7 +/- 2.3 years) and six old (70.8 +/- 1.3 years) persons who had suffered sudden death were analyzed. Numbers of satellite cells per fiber length (Nsc/Lfib) and number of satellite cells per total number of nuclei (satellite cell nuclei + myonuclei) (Nsc/Nnucl) were significantly lower in the old group (p < 0.05). We demonstrate the importance of proper sampling and counting in estimation of sparsely distributed structures such as satellite cells. Our results support the hypothesis that the satellite cell fraction declines during aging.