昆虫杆状病毒的蜕皮甾体尿苷二磷酸葡糖转移酶

昆虫杆状病毒的蜕皮甾体尿苷二磷酸葡糖转移酶（ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase, EGT）能催化UDP-糖基连接到蜕皮甾体上,使之失活,从而阻止或推迟蜕皮,有利于病毒复制,所以缺失egt基因的病毒能改良杀虫效果,如加速死亡和减少摄食量等.最近几年的研究进展主要集中在基因和蛋白质的一级结构、酶催化反应、以及对宿主的生物学功能等几方面.     

Ergothioneine; antioxidant potential, physiological function and role in disease

Since its discovery, the unique properties of the naturally occurring amino acid, L-ergothioneine (EGT; 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine), have intrigued researchers for more than a century. This widely distributed thione is only known to be synthesized by non-yeast fungi, mycobacteria and cyanobacteria but accumulates in higher organisms at up to millimolar levels via an organic cation transporter (OCTN1). The physiological role of EGT has yet to be established. Numerous in vitro assays have demonstrated the antioxidant and cytoprotective capabilities of EGT against a wide range of cellular stressors, but an antioxidant role has yet to be fully verified in vivo. Nevertheless the accumulation, tissue distribution and scavenging properties, all highlight the potential for EGT to function as a physiological antioxidant. This article reviews our current state of knowledge. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Antioxidants and Antioxidant Treatment in Disease.     

Molecular and cellular characterisation of LjAMT2;1, an ammonium transporter from the model legume Lotus japonicus

Two related families of ammonium transporters have been identified and partially characterised in plants in the past; the AMT1 and AMT2 families. Most attention has focused on the larger of the two families, the AMT1 family, which contains members that are likely to fulfil different, possibly overlapping physiological roles in plants, including uptake of ammonium from the soil. The possible physiological functions of AMT2 proteins are less clear. Lack of data on cellular and tissue location of gene expression, and the intracellular location of proteins limit our understanding of the physiological role of all AMT proteins. We have cloned the first AMT2 family member from a legume, LjAMT2;1 of Lotus japonicus, and demonstrated that it functions as an ammonium transporter by complementing a yeast mutant defective in ammonium uptake. However, like AtAMT2 from Arabidopsis, and unlike AMT1 transporters from several plant species, LjAMT2;1 was unable to transport methylammonium. The LjAMT2;1 gene was found to be expressed constitutively throughout Lotus plants. In situ RNA hybridisation revealed LjAMT2;1 expression in all major tissues of nodules. Transient expression of LjAMT2;1-GFP fusion protein in plant cells indicated that the transporter is located on the plasma membrane. In view of the fact that nodules derive ammonium internally, rather than from the soil, the results implicate LjAMT2;1 in the recovery of ammonium lost from nodule cells by efflux. A similar role may be fulfilled in other organs, especially leaves, which liberate ammonium during normal metabolism.     

Fates of Evolutionarily Distinct,Plastid‐type Glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate Dehydrogenase Genes in Kareniacean Dinoflagellates

The ancestral kareniacean dinoflagellate has undergone tertiary endosymbiosis, in which the original plastid is replaced by a haptophyte endosymbiont. During this plastid replacement, the endosymbiont genes were most likely flowed into the host dinoflagellate genome (endosymbiotic gene transfer or EGT). Such EGT may have generated the redundancy of functionally homologous genes in the host genome—one has resided in the host genome prior to the haptophyte endosymbiosis, while the other transferred from the endosymbiont genome. However, it remains to be well understood how evolutionarily distinct but functionally homologous genes were dealt in the dinoflagellate genomes bearing haptophyte‐derived plastids. To model the gene evolution after EGT in plastid replacement, we here compared the characteristics of the two evolutionally distinct genes encoding plastid‐type glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in Karenia brevis and K. mikimotoi bearing haptophyte‐derived tertiary plastids: “gapC1h” acquired from the haptophyte endosymbiont and “gapC1p” inherited from the ancestral dinoflagellate. Our experiments consistently and clearly demonstrated that, in the two species examined, the principal plastid‐type GAPDH is encoded by gapC1h rather than gapC1p. We here propose an evolutionary scheme resolving the EGT‐derived redundancy of genes involved in plastid function and maintenance in the nuclear genomes of dinoflagellates that have undergone plastid replacements. Although K. brevis and K. mikimotoi are closely related to each other, the statuses of the two evolutionarily distinct gapC1 genes in the two Karenia species correspond to different steps in the proposed scheme.     

嗜水气单胞菌ntrC调控的生理功能及其机制研究

[目的] NtrC是一种与DNA结合的转录调控因子,在激活氮同化基因的转录和维持氮源供应中具有重要作用,本研究拟探究其对嗜水气单胞菌生理功能的影响及其作用机理。[方法] 本研究采用同源重组方法构建了嗜水气单胞菌ATCC 7966 ntrC的缺失株,并以野生株为对照,对缺失株的生理表型进行测定和分析,利用定量蛋白质组学技术比较野生株和ntrC缺失株的蛋白表达差异。[结果] 发现敲除ntrC基因后,嗜水气单胞菌在缺氮、渗透压、重金属离子、氧化以及不同抗生素胁迫下的耐受性都发生显著变化,且这些表型在其补救菌株中均能得到恢复。定量蛋白质组学分析发现,野生株和ntrC缺失株的差异表达蛋白可能参与氨基酸生物合成、抗坏血酸和醛糖酸盐等代谢通路的调控。[结论] 本研究阐明了ntrC在嗜水气单胞菌中的重要作用及其对细菌生物学功能的影响,探讨了ntrC直接或间接调控的蛋白与生理表型之间的联系,研究结果可为未来水产致病菌的防治提供理论支持。     

新生隐球菌半胱氨酸转运蛋白Mup1鉴定及其表达调控研究

【目的】鉴定新生隐球菌(Cryptococcus neoformans)的半胱氨酸转运蛋白及其对致病性的影响。【方法】构建候选基因敲除株,检测突变株以半胱氨酸为唯一硫源的生长情况;检测半胱氨酸转运蛋白Mup1对新生隐球菌毒力因子表达和不同胁迫条件下生长的影响;通过新生隐球菌大蜡螟(Galleria mellonella)和小鼠感染模型分析Mup1对致病性的影响;通过转录组分析和酵母单杂交研究硫代谢核心转录因子Cys3与Mup1的调控关系。【结果】Mup1具有转运半胱氨酸、胱氨酸、胱硫醚和同型半胱氨酸的能力。基因MUP1缺失不影响毒力因子表达和细胞对应激的反应。大蜡螟和小鼠隐球菌感染模型表明Mup1对新生隐球菌的致病性无显著影响。转录组分析和酵母单杂交实验显示Cys3可能间接调控MUP1的转录。【结论】新生隐球菌Mup1具有转运半胱氨酸、胱氨酸、胱硫醚和同型半胱氨酸的功能,但不影响致病性,基因转录可能受Cys3的间接调控。     

蓝灰链霉菌中Aco类信号分子合酶ScyA1全局性功能的研究北大核心

【目的】研究蓝灰链霉菌中Aco类群感效应信号分子合酶基因scy A1缺失对细胞生理代谢和调控网络造成的广泛性扰动,揭示Scy A1对细胞生命活动的全局性调控作用。【方法】通过测定细胞干重确定scy A1缺失对液体发酵条件下细胞生长的影响。采用RNA-Seq比较分析探究蓝灰链霉菌scy A1突变株和野生型NMWT1发酵培养3d和6d全基因组范围内的显著差异表达基因。【结果】scy A1缺失不影响液体发酵条件下细胞生物量的积累。比较转录组分析显示scy A1缺失后,糖酵解和三羧酸循环途径基因表达表现出双向显著差异变化趋势;L-半乳糖形成UDP-葡萄糖途径、戊糖磷酸途径、氨基酸(L-缬氨酸、L-异亮氨酸和L-色氨酸)合成途径和嘌呤核苷酸降解途径相关基因均表现出显著上调趋势。众多次级代谢生物合成基因簇、保守转录调控因子和菌丝体结构性蛋白组分编码基因表达显著下调,而少数则表达水平显著上调。【结论】Scy A1广泛影响了菌株的初级代谢、次级代谢、保守调控因子和菌丝体结构相关基因的表达。总之,本研究丰富了我们对Aco类群感效应信号分子合酶功能的认知。     

Cloning, expression and function of phosphate transporter encoded gene in Oryza sativa L.

OsPT6:1, a phosphate transporter encoding gene from the leaf samples of Oryza sativa, was identified through PCR with specifically designed primers. The phylogenetic analysis and the conserved amino acid residue site detection suggested OsPT6:1 a possible high-affinity phosphate transporter encoding gene. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of OsPT6:1 in both roots and leaves. The peak expression signal was observed in mesophyll cells under low phosphorus (P) induction. A homologous recombination study indicated that OsPT6:1 can enhance the Pi uptake efficiency of Pichia pastoris. At the meantime, the introduction of OsPT6:1 was able to complement the Pi uptake function of yeast cells with high-affinity phosphate transporters deficient. Those results substantiated our contention that OsPT6:1 encoded a high-affinity phosphate transporter of Oryza sativa.     

Cloning, expression and function of phosphate transporter encoded gene in Oryza sativa L.

OsPT6:1, a phosphate transporter encoding gene from the leaf samples of Oryza sativa, was identified through PCR with specifically designed primers. The phylogenetic analysis and the conserved amino acid residue site detection suggested OsPT6:1 a possible high-affinity phosphate transporter encoding gene. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of OsPT6:1 in both roots and leaves. The peak expression signal was observed in mesophyll cells under low phosphorus (P) induction. A homologous recombination study indicated that OsPT6:1 can enhance the Pi uptake efficiency of Pichia pastoris. At the meantime, the introduction of OsPT6:1 was able to complement the Pi uptake function of yeast cells with high-affinity phosphate transporters deficient. Those results substantiated our contention that OsPT6:1 encoded a high-affinity phosphate transporter of Oryza sativa. These authors contributed equally to this work.     

嗜水气单胞菌zntR调控的生理功能及其机制研究

【目的】ZntR是一种金属调控蛋白,可催化锌外排基因的转录激活,防止细胞内二价Zn离子过量,但其对细菌生理功能的影响目前尚不清楚。【方法】本研究构建了嗜水气单胞菌ATCC7966(Aeromonas hydrophila,A.h)的zntR缺失株及补救株,对菌株的生物被膜形成能力、溶血活性、运动能力和响应金属离子胁迫等生理表型进行评估。【结果】敲除zntR基因的菌株对锌和铬离子胁迫敏感、对钴离子胁迫耐受,并且生物被膜形成能力下降、运动能力增强,这些表型在其补救菌株中均能得到恢复。进一步利用DIA定量蛋白质组学技术比较野生株和zntR缺失株的蛋白表达差异,发现ZntR还可能参与双组分系统、细菌的趋化性等代谢通路的调控。【结论】该研究结果可为今后深入探讨zntR转录因子参与细菌生理功能的调控机制提供理论依据。     

Ergothioneine attenuates varicocele-induced testicular damage by upregulating HSP90AA1 in rats

This study investigates the therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanisms of ergothioneine (EGT) on the testicular damage caused by varicocele (VC) in vivo, in vitro, and in silico. This preclinical study combines a series of biological experiments and network pharmacology analyses. A total of 18 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly and averagely divided into three groups: the sham-operated, VC model, and VC model with EGT treatment (VC + EGT) groups. The left renal vein of the VC model and the VC + EGT groups were half-ligated for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the VC + EGT group was intragastrically administrated with EGT (10 mg/kg). GC1 and GC2 cells were exposed to H₂O₂ with or without EGT treatment to re-verify the conclusion. The structure disorder of seminiferous tubules ameliorated the apoptosis decrease in the VC rats receiving EGT. EGT can also increase the sperm quality of the VC model rats (p < 0.05). The exposure to H₂O₂ decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of GC1 and GC2 cells, which was revisable by adding EGT to the plates (p < 0.05). The network pharmacology and molecular docking were conducted to explore the potential targets of EGT in VC, and HSP90AA1 was identified as the pivotal gene, which was validated by western blot, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR both in vivo and in vitro (p < 0.05). Overall, EGT attenuates the testicular injury in the VC model both in vivo and in vitro by potentially potentiating the expression of HSP90AA1.     

Wide tolerance to amino acids substitutions in the OCTN1 ergothioneine transporter

BackgroundOrganic cation transporters transfer solutes with a positive charge across the plasma membrane. The novel organic cation transporter 1 (OCTN1) and 2 (OCTN2) transport ergothioneine and carnitine, respectively. Mutations in the SLC22A5 gene encoding OCTN2 cause primary carnitine deficiency, a recessive disorders resulting in low carnitine levels and defective fatty acid oxidation. Variations in the SLC22A4 gene encoding OCTN1 are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn disease.MethodsHere we evaluate the functional properties of the OCTN1 transporter using chimeric transporters constructed by fusing different portion of the OCTN1 and OCTN2 cDNAs. Their relative abundance and subcellular distribution was evaluated through western blot analysis and confocal microscopy.ResultsSubstitutions of the C-terminal portion of OCTN1 with the correspondent residues of OCTN2 generated chimeric OCTN transporters more active than wild-type OCTN1 in transporting ergothioneine. Additional single amino acid substitutions introduced in chimeric OCTN transporters further increased ergothioneine transport activity. Kinetic analysis indicated that increased transport activity was due to an increased V_max, with modest changes in K_m toward ergothioneine.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the OCTN1 transporter is tolerant to extensive amino acid substitutions. This is in sharp contrast to the OCTN2 carnitine transporter that has been selected for high functional activity through evolution, with almost all substitutions reducing carnitine transport activity.General significanceThe widespread tolerance of OCTN1 to amino acid substitutions suggests that the corresponding SLC22A4 gene may have derived from a recent duplication of the SLC22A5 gene and might not yet have a defined physiological role.     

炭团木霉中非核糖体多肽基因NRPS1的功能研究

[目的] 木霉属真菌是应用最为广泛和潜力最大的生防真菌,其产生的典型化合物哌珀霉素（peptaibols）类抗生素在生物防治中发挥重要作用。本研究采用基因组挖掘技术（genome mining）发现炭团木霉（Trichoderma hypoxylon）的潜在哌珀霉素生物合成基因簇及对病原菌的防治作用。[方法] 生物信息学分析预测合成哌珀霉素的基因簇,利用Quick-change技术构建基因骨架敲除盒,通过PEG介导的原生质体转化方法获得敲除突变株,通过平板对峙法和菌丝生长毒力实验验证该基因簇对炭团木霉生物活性的影响。[结果] 基因挖掘鉴定一个非核糖体多肽合成酶（nonribosomal peptide synthetases,NRPS）可能合成哌珀霉素类抗生素,命名为NRPS1,对该基因进行部分敲除,成功获得3株NRPS1缺失突变株。对峙实验表明,突变株对寄生曲霉（Aspergillus parasiticus）、尖孢镰刀菌（Fusarium oxysporum）、黑白轮枝菌（Verticillium alboatrum）等9株植物病原真菌的抑制作用与野生株相比显著下降,且突变株的粗提物的抑菌活性明显弱于野生型。[结论] NRPS1是一个潜在的哌珀霉素合成基因,该基因在宿主与病原真菌对抗过程中起关键作用,该研究为炭团木霉哌珀霉素结构解析及生物防治机理研究奠定了基础。     

Functional analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsPUT1</Emphasis>, a rice polyamine uptake transporter

Polyamines are nitrogenous compounds found in all eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and absolutely essential for cell viability. In plants, they regulate several growth and developmental processes and the levels of polyamines are also correlated with the plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. In plant cells, polyamines are synthesized in plastids and cytosol. This biosynthetic compartmentation indicates that the specific transporters are essential to transport polyamines between the cellular compartments. In the present study, a phylogenetic analysis was used to identify candidate polyamine transporters in rice. A full-length cDNA rice clone AK068055 was heterologously expressed in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spermidine uptake mutant, agp2∆. Radiological uptake and competitive inhibition studies with putrescine indicated that rice gene encodes a protein that functioned as a spermidine-preferential transporter. In competition experiments with several amino acids at 25-fold higher levels than spermidine, only methionine, asparagine, and glutamine were effective in reducing uptake of spermidine to 60% of control rates. Based on those observations, this rice gene was named polyamine uptake transporter 1 (OsPUT1). Tissue-specific expression of OsPUT1 by semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that the gene was expressed in all tissues except seeds and roots. Transient expression assays in onion epidermal cells and rice protoplasts failed to localize to a cellular compartment. The characterization of the first plant polyamine transporter sets the stage for a systems approach that can be used to build a model to fully define how the biosynthesis, degradation, and transport of polyamines in plants mediate developmental and biotic responses.     

Functional analysis of drug resistance‐associated mutations in the Trypanosoma brucei adenosine transporter 1 (TbAT1) and the proposal of a structural model for the protein

The Trypanosoma brucei aminopurine transporter P2/TbAT1 has long been implicated in the transport of, and resistance to, the diamidine and melaminophenyl arsenical classes of drugs that form the backbone of the pharmacopoeia against African trypanosomiasis. Genetic alterations including deletions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been observed in numerous strains and clinical isolates. Here, we systematically investigate each reported mutation and assess their effects on transporter function after expression in a tbat1^?/? T. brucei line. Out of a set of six reported SNPs from a reported ‘resistance allele’, none significantly impaired sensitivity to pentamidine, diminazene or melarsoprol, relative to the TbAT1‐WT allele, although several combinations, and the deletion of the codon for residue F316, resulted in highly significant impairment. These combinations of SNPs, and ΔF316, also strongly impaired the uptake of [³H]‐adenosine and [³H]‐diminazene, identical to the tbat1^?/? control. The TbAT1 protein model predicted that residues F19, D140 and F316 interact with the substrate of the transporter. Mutation of D140 to alanine resulted in an inactive transporter, whereas the mutation F19A produced a transporter with a slightly increased affinity for [³H]‐diminazene but reduced the uptake rate. The results presented here validate earlier hypotheses of drug binding motifs for TbAT1.     

Sulphur deprivation limits Fe-deficiency responses in tomato plants

The aim of this work was to clarify the role of S supply in the development of the response to Fe depletion in Strategy I plants. In S-sufficient plants, Fe-deficiency caused an increase in the Fe(III)-chelate reductase activity, ⁵⁹Fe uptake rate and ethylene production at root level. This response was associated with increased expression of LeFRO1 [Fe(III)-chelate reductase] and LeIRT1 (Fe²⁺ transporter) genes. Instead, when S-deficient plants were transferred to a Fe-free solution, no induction of Fe(III)-chelate reductase activity and ethylene production was observed. The same held true for LeFRO1 gene expression, while the increase in ⁵⁹Fe²⁺ uptake rate and LeIRT1 gene over-expression were limited. Sulphur deficiency caused a decrease in total sulphur and thiol content; a concomitant increase in ³⁵SO₄ ²⁻ uptake rate was observed, this behaviour being particularly evident in Fe-deficient plants. Sulphur deficiency also virtually abolished expression of the nicotianamine synthase gene (LeNAS), independently of the Fe growth conditions. Sulphur deficiency alone also caused a decrease in Fe content in tomato leaves and an increase in root ethylene production; however, these events were not associated with either increased Fe(III)-chelate reductase activity, higher rates of ⁵⁹Fe uptake or over-expression of either LeFRO1 or LeIRT1 genes. Results show that S deficiency could limit the capacity of tomato plants to cope with Fe-shortage by preventing the induction of the Fe(III)-chelate reductase and limiting the activity and expression of the Fe²⁺ transporter. Furthermore, the results support the idea that ethylene alone cannot trigger specific Fe-deficiency physiological responses in a Strategy I plant, such as tomato.     

Herbivory-induced glucose transporter gene expression in the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens

Nilaparvata lugens, the brown planthopper (BPH) feeds on rice phloem sap, containing high amounts of sucrose as a carbon source. Nutrients such as sugars in the digestive tract are incorporated into the body cavity via transporters with substrate selectivity. Eighteen sugar transporter genes of BPH (Nlst) were reported and three transporters have been functionally characterized. However, individual characteristics of NlST members associated with sugar transport remain poorly understood. Comparative gene expression analyses using oligo-microarray and quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the sugar transporter gene Nlst16 was markedly up-regulated during BPH feeding. Expression of Nlst16 was induced 2 h after BPH feeding on rice plants. Nlst16, mainly expressed in the midgut, appears to be involved in carbohydrate incorporation from the gut cavity into the hemolymph. Nlst1 (NlHT1), the most highly expressed sugar transporter gene in the midgut was not up-regulated during BPH feeding. The biochemical function of NlST16 was shown as facilitative glucose transport along gradients. Glucose uptake activity by NlST16 was higher than that of NlST1 in the Xenopus oocyte expression system. At least two NlST members are responsible for glucose uptake in the BPH midgut, suggesting that the midgut of BPH is equipped with various types of transporters having diversified manner for sugar uptake.