Analysis of the NH2-Terminal 87th Amino Acid of Escherichia coli GyrA in Quinolone-Resistance

The functional contributions of amino acid residue Asp87 of Escherichia coli gyrase A protein (GyrA) was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. We generated a series of mutants, in which Asp87 of GyrA was changed to Ala, Val, Phe, Asn, Ser, and Lys. By genetic analysis of gyrA genes in a gyrA temperature-sensitive (Ts) background, it was shown that all these mutations caused the quinolone-resistance. These results indicate that the 87th amino acid of E. coli GyrA must have negative charge in expressing the phenotype of quinolone sensitivity. These findings also suggest that the carboxyl group of Asp87 may interact with quinolone drugs.     

Inhibition of HIV-1 infection by synthetic peptide analogues derived from the NH(2)-Terminal extracellular region of GPR1

Several shortened peptide analogues of the N-terminal domain of GPR1, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), were prepared and their anti-HIV-1 activities were evaluated. Some of the prepared compounds, especially sulfated derivatives, showed potent inhibitory activity against a broad range of HIV-1, including T cell-tropic, dual cell-tropic and brain-derived (BT) cell-tropic HIV-1 strains.     

Analysis of the NH2-Terminal 83rd Amino Acid of Escherichia coli GyrA in Quinolone-Resistance

Artificial mutations of Gyrase A protein (GyrA) in Escherichia coli by site-directed mutagenesis were generated to analyze quinolone-resistant mechanisms. By genetic analysis of gyrA genes in a gyrA temperature sensitive (Ts) background, exchange of Ser at the NH₂-terminal 83rd position of GyrA to Trp, Leu, Phe, Tyr, Ala, Val, and Ile caused bacterial resistance to the quinolones, while exchange to Gly, Asn, Lys, Arg and Asp did not confer resistance. These results indicate that it is the most important for the 83rd amino acid residue to be hydrophobic in expressing the phenotype of resistance to the quinolones. These findings also suggest that the hydroxyl group of Ser would not play a major role in the quinolone-gyrase interaction and Ser83 would not interact directly with other amino acid residues.     

基因敲除技术及其在JNK-2研究中的应用

基因敲除技术,是利用同源重组的基因打靶技术,将打靶构建物与野生型的等位基因同源重组并交叉互换,经筛选得到所需的某一目的基因缺失的DNA片段,并创建出表达特异性状的动物模型.由于干细胞培养和稳定转染技术的发展,使基因敲除在JNK-2的基因功能、酶学功能研究中的作用日益受到重视.本文就该技术及其在JNK-2研究中的应用、进展及存在的问题做一综述.     

小麦高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基5基因序列

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滨麦低分子量谷蛋白亚基（LMW-GS）基因的分离与序列分析

采用PCR方法,从滨麦(Leymus mollis)基因组中分离出8条LMW-GS基因序列.核苷酸序列分析表明,序列GQ169791在起始密码子上游包含318 bp的启动子序列,该序列包含-300元件、GCN4 motif、种子贮藏蛋白盒等基因特异表达的顺式或反式作用调控元件.推导的氨基酸序列分析表明,8条序列的编码区依次有信号肽,N-末端区,中部重复区和C-末端Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ区等典型LMW-GS多肽一级结构特征;序列HQ416909、HQ416914和HQ416915具有单一完整的开放阅读框(ORF);序列GQ169791、HQ416910、HQ416911、HQ416912和HQ416913在中部重复区和C-末端区出现了4个或5个提前终止密码子,推断其为假基因.8条序列都含有8个或9个半胱氨酸残基(C),N-末端区起始氨基酸序列为METSRIPG-或METTRIPG-,推断其为LMW-m型LMW-GS基因.系统进化分析表明,8条序列与华山新麦草(Psathyrostachys huashanica)LMW-GS基因(HM475146,GQ223386)和野大麦(Hordeum brevisubulatum)的B-hordein基因(AY695368)具有相对较近的同源关系.该研究为挖掘利用滨麦LMW-GS的基因提供了理论依据,对小麦品质改良具有一定参考价值.     

Amino Acid Sequence and Molecular Weight of Native NADP Malate Dehydrogenase from the C(4) Plant Zea mays

N-terminus amino acid analysis of purified corn (Zea mays) NADP malate dehydrogenase showed that the mature protein begins at serine-41 of the preprotein sequence and not threonine-58 as previously concluded; therefore, the transit peptide consists of 40 amino acids. The theoretical molecular weight of the mature subunit protein (392 amino acids) is 42,564, agreeing with an experimental value of about 43,000. The molecular weight of the native unactivated (dark form) and activated (light form) of NADP malate dehydrogenase, determined by analytical ultracentrifugation analysis, was about 84,000, indicating that both forms are dimers. However, conventional and high performance liquid chromatography gel filtration procedures indicated apparent molecular weights of about 110,000 to 120,000 for the unactivated native enzyme and about 143,000 to 150,000 for the active enzyme; in these cases, the molecular weight may be overestimated due to the effect of an unusual molecular conformation on the mobility of the enzyme.     

雪花莲外源凝集素基因的克隆及序列分析

外源凝集素(lectin)是自然界中广泛分布的一组蛋白质,在多种生物中均有发现。外源凝集素为一类能特异地识别并可逆结合糖类复合物的糖基部分而不改变被识别糖基的共价结构的非免疫性蛋白。它对植物有很重要的生理作用。例如保护功能,在植物生长的各个阶段以不同的方式保护植物免于害虫的侵害;作为储藏蛋白,在植物发芽和幼苗生长阶段,裂解的外源凝集素为其提供氨基酸;外源凝集素还可能参与细胞间的识别,如在植物建立共生关系中,根部的外源凝集素可能是宿主特异性的重要决定因素。     

Purification of Bacillus subtilis Spore Coat Protein by Electrophoretic Elution Procedure and Determination of NH2-Terminal Amino Acid Sequences

Spore coat protein of Bacillus subtilis was purified by electrophoretic elution procedure. Solubilized coat protein components were separated on SDS-PAGE and the desired protein was recovered from the gel pieces under the optimal condition examined. Two purified polypeptides with molecular weights of about 40 kDa were obtained; each of them was in very closed size on SDS-PAGE, both retaining antigenic activity against anti-spore coat protein serum on immunoblot analysis. The N-terminal 23 and 30 amino acid sequences of them were determined, and they were not identical to each other and also not homologous in the sequences of coat proteins previously reported.     

犬黑素皮质素受体-2基因的分子克隆及序列分析

目的分离犬MC2R基因cDNA5′末端,分析其启动区域特点。方法采用了RNA连接酶介导的RACE（RLM-RACE）技术分离了犬MC2R基因和局部序列比对工具（Basic Local Alignment Search Tool,BLAST）对CDS区进行了初步验证。结果新分离了犬MC2RcDNA的5′末端,并对其启动区序列作了初步分析。序列分析显示,该基因至少由两个外显子（exon1和exon2）组成,exon1和exon2的一部分编码5′非翻译区（5′-UTR）,exon2其余的部分编码整个编码区。结论克隆了犬MC2R基因的5′末端,在其启动区发现了inr、SF-1、SP1、CRE、PPRE、AP-1等多个顺式作用元件,为犬MC2R表达调控研究奠定基础。     

大口黑鲈MyoD cDNA的克隆和序列分析

MyoD基因是生肌调节因子MRFs家族的主要成员之一,是脊椎动物胚胎期肌肉发育的主导调控基因之一,对骨骼肌的形成和分化起主要作用。采用RT-PCR和RACE方法获得大口黑鲈MyoD基因的cDNA序列长为1 157bp,其中3'非编码区为314bp,开放阅读框长843bp,编码280个氨基酸。结构分析表明该肽链无信号肽,第1～110个氨基酸为MyoD基因的Basic区(碱性氨基酸区),第124～167个氨基酸为MyoD基因的HLH结构(螺旋环螺旋结构)。通过对比分析已知GenBank中其它脊椎动物MyoD基因发现,该基因编码的氨基酸肽链随动物由低等向高等进化有加长的趋势,且核苷酸以及推测的氨基酸同源性和动物之间的亲缘关系相一致;大口黑鲈MyoD基因的克隆为研究该基因打靶和鱼类肌肉发育调控机理奠定基础。     

Electrochemical investigations of platinum-methyluracil-blue and the related binuclear complex [(NH3)2Pt(MeU)2Pt(NH3)2](NO3)2

The redox behavior of the head-to-head bis(μ- (1-methyluracilato-N³,O²)-bis(cis-diammine platinum(II)) dinitrate, PtMeU, and platinum 1-methyluracil blue, PtMeUB, was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk voltammetry (RDV), and controlled-potential coulometry (CPC). Redox titrimetry, electrochemistry/electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), and liquid chromatography (LC) served as complementary techniques. The former reactant exhibits two-step electro-oxidation, consistent with the formation of a mixed-valence Pt(II, III) state en route to Pt(III, III). The latter also appears to oxidize to a uniform Pt(III) state. Although the oxidative-reductive electrochemistry of both reactants exhibits chemical reversibility, the heterogeneous electron-transfer kinetics are notably sluggish. The latter appears to be associated with the formation of an inhibiting film on the electrode surface. A slow conversion of PtMeU to a PtMeUB-like state was revealed by CV and LC. The complex, oligomeric nature of PtMeUB was revealed by means of gradient LC examination. Comparing oxidative and reductive electrolysis curves for PtMeUB yielded an average platinum oxidation state of 2.08. All observed behavior for PtMeUB, as well as for PtMeU, is accounted for by invoking +2 and +3 oxidation states for platinum; redox titrimetry using Ce(IV) revealed inconsequential oxidation of both of these systems beyond the III state. An estimate of molecular weight for the platinum blue was made by employing RDV in conjunction with the Einstein-Stokes equation.     

Genetic Heterogeneity of a Diploid Grass Aegilops tauschii Revealed by Chromosome Banding Methods and Electrophoretic Analysis of the Seed Storage Proteins (Gliadins)

Russian Journal of Genetics - Genetic diversity of diploid grass Ae. tauschii Coss (2n = 2x = 14, DD), the D-genome progenitor of common wheat, was assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization...     

Dissimilatory Reduction of NO(2) to NH(4) and N(2)O by a Soil Citrobacter sp

Dissimilatory reduction of NO(2) to N(2)O and NH(4) by a soil Citrobacter sp. was studied in an attempt to elucidate the physiological and ecological significance of N(2)O production by this mechanism. In batch cultures with defined media, NO(2) reduction to NH(4) was favored by high glucose and low NO(3) concentrations. Nitrous oxide production was greatest at high glucose and intermediate NO(3) concentrations. With succinate as the energy source, little or no NO(2) was reduced to NH(4) but N(2)O was produced. Resting cell suspensions reduced NO(2) simultaneously to N(2)O and free extracellular NH(4). Chloramphenicol prevented the induction of N(2)O-producing activity. The K(m) for NO(2) reduction to N(2)O was estimated to be 0.9 mM NO(2), yet the apparent K(m) for overall NO(2) reduction was considerably lower, no greater than 0.04 mM NO(2). Activities for N(2)O and NH(4) production increased markedly after depletion of NO(3) from the media. Amendment with NO(3) inhibited N(2)O and NH(4) production by molybdate-grown cells but not by tungstate-grown cells. Sulfite inhibited production of NH(4) but not of N(2)O. In a related experiment, three Escherichia coli mutants lacking NADH-dependent nitrite reductase produced N(2)O at rates equal to the wild type. These observations suggest that N(2)O is produced enzymatically but not by the same enzyme system responsible for dissimilatory reduction of NO(2) to NH(4).     

Molecular Analysis of South African Ovine Herpesvirus 2 Strains Based on Selected Glycoprotein and Tegument Genes

Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), is the causative agent of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), a generally fatal disease of cattle and other captive wild ruminants. Information on the OvHV-2 strains circulating in South Africa (SA) and other African countries with regard to genetic structure and diversity, and pattern of distribution is not available. This study aimed to characterize the OvHV-2 strains circulating in SA using selected genes encoding glycoproteins and tegument proteins. To establish the genetic diversity of OvHV-2 strains, four genes, Ov 7, Ov 8 ex2, ORF 27 and ORF 73 were selected for analysis by PCR and DNA sequencing. Nucleotide and amino acid multiple sequence analyses revealed two genotypes for ORF 27 and ORF 73, and three genotypes for Ov 7 and Ov 8 ex2, randomly distributed throughout the regions. Ov 7 and ORF 27 nucleotide sequence analysis revealed variations that distinguished SA genotypes from those of reference OvHV-2 strains. Epitope mapping analysis showed that mutations identified from the investigated genes are not likely to affect the functions of the gene products, particularly those responsible for antibody binding activities associated with B-cell epitopes. Knowledge of the extent of genetic diversity existing among OvHV-2 strains has provided an understanding on the distribution patterns of OvHV-2 strains or genotypes across the regions of South Africa. This can facilitate the management of SA-MCF in SA, in terms of introduction of control measures or safe practices to monitor and control OvHV-2 infection. The products encoded by the Ov 7, Ov 8 ex2 and ORF 27 genes are recommended for evaluation of their coded proteins as possible antigens in the development of an OvHV-2 specific serodiagnostic assay.     

Regulation of leukocyte adhesion to heart by the tripeptides feG and feG(NH2)

The role of the D-isomeric form of the salivary gland tripeptide FEG (feG) and its carboxyl-amidated derivative, feG(NH2), in regulating leukocyte adherence to nonfixed atrial slices from Sprague-Dawley rats was examined under static conditions. Optimal binding of the leukocytes was seen if the leukocytes were treated with platelet activating factor (PAF; 10(-9)M). The increased adherence of PAF-treated peripheral blood leukocytes was totally inhibited by both feG and feG(NH2) (10-9M), as well as by antibodies against CD18 and CD49d. In contrast, the binding of peritoneal leukocytes was blocked only by CD49d antibody. Circulating leukocytes obtained from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated (2 mg/kg ip) rats did not bind to atrial slices obtained from normal hearts, but readily bound to atrial slices obtained from LPS-treated rats. This leukocyte binding was inhibited by in vivo feG treatment (100 microg/kg ip, 24 h before harvest) or by treating the isolated cells with feG (10(-9)M). The amidated peptide feG(NH2) reduced neutrophil accumulation in the atrium elicited by ip injection of LPS, whereas feG was ineffective. The reduction in neutrophil infiltration into the myocardium by feG(NH2) and the prevention of leukocyte interaction with myocytes seen with both feG and feG(NH2) probably results in hindered leukocyte migration in the inflamed heart, resulting in less tissue damage. The inhibition by these tripeptides on neutrophil adhesion to myocytes suggests that salivary glands hormones regulate the severity of cardiac inflammation.     

外显子拼接法克隆紫杉烷2α-羟基化酶基因与生物信息学分析

紫杉烷2α-羟基化酶是形成紫杉醇核心骨架的羟基化反应关键酶之一,以taxusin作为底物进行氧化生成2α,7β-dihydroxytaxusin.利用蔓地亚红豆杉的总DNA为模板,采用PCR技术克隆出紫杉烷2α-羟基化酶的DNA序列,利用在线比对和生物学软件分析其内含子,采用外显子拼接法克隆出紫杉烷2α-羟基化酶基因的cDNA序列.测序结果表明该基因含有1个1 488 bp的开放阅读框,编码495个氨基酸的多肽;同源性比较分析结果表明,其碱基序列及氨基酸序列与已经报道的加拿大红豆杉的紫杉烷2α-羟基化酶基因的一致性为分别为98%和89%.利用SWISS-PROT、DNAMAN等生物信息学工具对其列进行了序列分析,为利用代谢工程的方法生产紫杉醇或其前体物质提供了分子基础.