A型肉毒神经毒素(BoNT/A)基因序列分析及其B细胞表位预测

比较GenBank中4个不同毒株的A型肉毒神经毒素（BoNT／A）的基因组序列,发现其基因序列的一致性高迭92．2％-99．9％。基于保守性高的BoNT／A氨基酸序列,根据BioSun和LaserGene软件包中的表住分析相关参数,辅以对BoNT／A蛋白的二级结构的分析,综合预测BoNT／A的B细胞表位。结果表明,BoNT／A轻链的142-150、284-292区段,轻链的284-292,重链的440-450、465-480、538-549、699-710、751-760、1087-1095、1224-1231、1263-1270区段是B细胞表位优势区的可能性较大。多参数方案井结合不同软件综合预测BoNT／A蛋白的B细胞表位,为进一步实验鉴定BoNT／A的B细胞表位及其多表位疫苗设计和研究奠定了基础。     

B型肉毒毒素重链抗原表位的预测及表位合成肽抗原性的检测

目的:预测B型肉毒毒素蛋白抗原表位,研究表位合成肽的生物学活性。方法:利用生物信息学,结合Anthwine分析软件及网络平台,预测B型肉毒毒素蛋白重链的B细胞抗原表位。人工合成4条(P1,P2,P3,P4)表位多肽,与抗B型肉毒毒素类毒素的马血清反应;采用腹腔注射的方式用合成肽免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫血清与合成肽的结合;对免疫小鼠腹腔注射B型肉毒毒素。结果:合成的多肽能与抗B型肉毒毒素的类毒素的马血清结合;多肽免疫小鼠后能产生针对多肽的抗体,其中P1、P3、P4产生的抗体对受毒素攻击的小鼠具有保护作用。结论:成功预测了抗原表位,合成的表位多肽具有较好的抗原性。     

B型肉毒毒素重链C端基因的表达与保护作用的初步研究

肉毒毒素是肉毒梭状杆菌产生的外毒素,有7种血清型(A～G),是目前已知的毒性最强的细菌蛋白质。人类肉毒中毒主要是由A、B和E型引起。本研究克隆了B型肉毒毒素重链C端片段(Hc),在大肠杆菌中进行了诱导表达,并用Ni离子亲和柱进行了纯化。Hc蛋白免疫后的BALB/c小鼠可以抵抗6×103LD50B型肉毒毒素攻击。     

A型肉毒毒素单克隆抗体的制备和鉴定

目的:制备并鉴定抗A型肉毒毒素重链C端(BoNT/AHc)鼠源单抗。方法:以BoNT/AHc蛋白为抗原免疫小鼠,利用杂交瘤技术获得鼠源单抗,通过抗体分型、SDS-PAGE、Western印迹及ELISA法分析鉴定。结果:筛选得到3株鼠单抗1B1、1B2、1C6,重链类型均为IgG1,轻链类型均为κ型;3株纯化抗体的纯度达90%以上,均能与抗原BoNT/AHc特异性结合,亲和力常数分别为1.43×10~8、2.31×10~8、1.44×10~9L/mol;叠加ELISA结果显示3株抗体与抗原BoNT/AHc结合位点相同或相近。结论:筛选得到3株能与BoNT/AHc特异性结合的鼠源单抗,为A型肉毒毒素中和抗体的研发,以及快速有效的肉毒毒素检测方法的建立奠定了基础。     

鼠源抗B型肉毒毒素Fab抗体库的构建及初步筛选

目的:应用重组噬菌体抗体库技术制备抗B型肉毒毒素Fab抗体。方法:用重组B型肉毒毒素重链C端片段(BoNTB/Hc)免疫BALB/c小鼠,从其脾淋巴细胞扩增免疫球蛋白Fd段和κ链基因,克隆至表达载体pComb3中,并将抗体Fab段表达于噬菌体表面,建立容量为5.96×106cfu的噬菌体抗体库。以BoNTB/Hc为抗原对所建抗体库进行4轮亲和筛选,获得与B型肉毒毒素特异性结合的克隆,并进行序列测定。结果:构建了抗B型肉毒毒素Fab抗体库,筛选出特异性克隆1个。结论:从鼠源噬菌体免疫抗体库中初步获得了特异性抗B型肉毒毒素的Fab抗体。     

B型肉毒毒素轻链的高效制备及活性鉴定

目的:在大肠杆菌中高效表达B型肉毒毒素轻链(BoNT/BLC)并纯化,研究其生物学活性。方法:根据报道的BoNT/B LC基因序列设计引物,从肉毒梭菌中扩增BoNT/BLC基因片段,将其克隆至原核表达载体pET-22b中,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)Rosetta感受态细胞,构建重组大肠杆菌pET-22b BoNT/BLC/BL21(DE3)Rosetta,在20℃条件下用IPTG诱导目的蛋白表达,表达产物经His Trap FF柱纯化,用SDS-PAGE对目的蛋白进行鉴定,并利用相应底物对纯化产物进行生物活性分析。结果与结论:构建了重组大肠杆菌pET-22b BoNT/BLC/BL21(DE3)Rosetta,BoNT/BLC表达量达到了细菌总蛋白的30%左右,通过一步亲和纯化目的蛋白后经SDS-PAGE检测其纯度在95%以上,制备的重组LC的酶活略高于B型肉毒毒素全毒素,可作为试剂用于BoNT/BLC抑制剂高通量体外检测方法的研究。     

A型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc在重组SFV复制子载体中的表达

为了在哺乳动物细胞中表达A型肉毒毒素Hc抗原, 构建了含A型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc基因的基于RNA和DNA的重组Semliki森林病毒(Semliki forest virus, SFV)复制子表达载体。RNA和DNA复制子载体转染BHK21细胞后, 经间接免疫荧光、Western印迹和ELISA检测, 结果表明非分泌型和分泌型的Hc抗原在细胞中都得到了有效地表达; 而且复制子表达载体与辅助病毒载体共转染均可制备高滴度的重组病毒颗粒, 该重组病毒颗粒感染细胞后, 也都能表达Hc抗原。以上结果表明, 基于RNA和DNA的重组SFV复制子表达载体在细胞中均可有效地表达Hc抗原和制备具有感染能力并能表达Hc抗原的重组病毒颗粒。基于RNA和DNA的重组SFV复制子表达载体的构建和含A型肉毒毒素受体结合区Hc基因的重组病毒颗粒的获得, 为进一步观察SFV复制子疫苗的免疫原性奠定了基础, 从而为A型肉毒毒素新型疫苗的研制提供了新途经。     

B型肉毒毒素单克隆抗体的制备及其检测试剂盒的研制

目的 建立B型肉毒毒素(botulinum toxin B, BoNT/B)快速检测方法,研制B型肉毒毒素酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)检测试剂盒。方法 以B型肉毒类毒素为抗原免疫小鼠,用杂交瘤技术获得鼠源单克隆抗体(单抗),体内法扩大制备单抗。间接ELISA测定杂交瘤细胞株分泌单抗的稳定性、腹水效价以及单抗的亚型、理化性质和抗原识别表位。过碘酸钠法对抗原表位差异较大的抗体进行HRP标记,筛选最佳包被抗体和标记抗体,并确定包被抗体包被浓度和标记抗体工作浓度。将其配制成试剂盒,对试剂盒的线性、定量限、准确度和重复性等进行研究。结果 筛选、鉴定8株能稳定分泌B型肉毒毒素特异性单抗的杂交瘤细胞株。8株单抗腹水效价1∶32 000～1∶512 000,重链为IgG类、轻链为κ型,均耐碱、耐热,不耐酸,其中4C11、4D7、7F9和8D2 4株单抗抗原表位差异较大。以4D7为包被抗体、8D2为标记抗体配制试剂盒,B型肉毒毒素滴度在2～32 LD₅₀/mL范围内呈现良好的线性(r=0.996),定量限为0.96 LD₅₀/mL,试剂盒2～8℃有效期为12...     

重组抗A型肉毒毒素人鼠嵌合单克隆抗体的瞬时表达及中和活性研究

为了制备重组抗A型肉毒毒素(botulinum neurotoxin A,BoNT/A)人鼠嵌合单克隆抗体并分析中和活性,以BoNT/A作为抗原筛选鼠源抗BoNT/A噬菌体单链抗体库,将筛选得到的鼠源抗BoNT/A特异性单链抗体的重链和轻链可变区分别克隆到pGP5KCγ和pGP5KCκ载体构建表达质粒。表达质粒共转染HEK-293EBNA1细胞,瞬时表达抗BoNT/A人鼠嵌合单克隆抗体(monoclonal antibody,mAb)。蛋白A亲和纯化mAb,分子排阻高效液相色谱(size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography,SEC-HPLC)分析mAb纯度,小鼠中和试验评价mAb中和活性。结果显示,经过筛选得到4个序列正确且各不相同的抗BoNT/A单链抗体。4个抗BoNT/A人鼠嵌合mAb表达质粒均构建成功并转染HEK-293EBNA1细胞,根据转染效率指示绿色荧光蛋白的表达推测,50%～62. 5%的细胞表达抗BoNT/A抗体。表达上清经过蛋白A亲和纯化,浓度均200μg/mL,单体纯度均90%。小鼠中和试验显示mA1、mA2、mA3和mA4单株抗体均不能完全中和4 LD_(50)的A型肉毒毒素,但从延迟小鼠生存时间可以得出4个抗体的中和活性为mA3mA2mA1mA4。mA1、mA2、mA4中任何一个抗体与mA3连用中和活性为80 LD_(50)/mg。本研究制备了4个具有不同程度中和活性的抗BoNT/A人鼠嵌合mAb,为A型肉毒神经毒素鸡尾酒疗法奠定了基础。     

肉毒杆菌神经毒素作用机制的研究进展

肉毒杆菌神经毒素(BoNT)作用机制的研究近年取得的主要进展是：a.证明BoNT是通过降低神经递质释放系统对Ca²⁺的敏感性阻遏突触传递;直接将BoNT导入胞内不显示胆碱能专一性.b.BoNT与细胞表面的结合包括低亲和与高亲和相继两步,有不同的受体.c.BoNT的作用包括毒素与受体的结合,内吞和导入,变构、易位以及毒素作为酶在胞内酶裂与胞吐有关的蛋白质等过程.毒素重链的C端半段、N端半段及轻链分别是与上述过程有关的功能域.     

Differential entry of botulinum neurotoxin A into neuronal and intestinal cells

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are often acquired from the digestive tract and specifically target neuromuscular junctions where they cause an inhibition of acetylcholine release. A transcytotic mechanism has been evidenced in epithelial intestinal cells, which delivers whole BoNTs across the intestinal barrier, whereas BoNTs enter motoneurons through a pathway that permits the translocation of light chain into the cytosol. We used fluorescent BoNT/A C-terminal part of H chain (Hc) that mediates toxin binding to cell receptors to monitor toxin entry into NG108-15 neuronal cells as well as into Caco-2 and m-IC_cl2 intestinal cells. BoNT/A Hc receptors were found to be distributed in membrane structures closely associated to cholesterol-enriched microdomains, but distinct from detergent-resistant microdomains in both cell types. BoNT/A Hc was trapped into endocytic vesicles, which progressively migrated to a perinuclear area in NG108-15 cells, and in a more scattered manner in intestinal cells. In both cell types, BoNT/A Hc entered through a dynamin- and intersectin-dependent pathway, reached an early endosomal compartment labelled with early endosome antigen 1. In neuronal cells, BoNT/A Hc entered mainly via a clathrin-dependent pathway, in contrast to intestinal cells where it followed a Cdc42-dependent pathway, supporting a differential toxin routing in both cell types.     

Probing the structure and function of the protease domain of botulinum neurotoxins using single-domain antibodies

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the deadliest of bacterial toxins. BoNT serotype A and B in particular pose the most serious threat to humans because of their high potency and persistence. To date, there is no effective treatment for late post-exposure therapy of botulism patients. Here, we aim to develop single-domain variable heavy-chain (VHH) antibodies targeting the protease domains (also known as the light chain, LC) of BoNT/A and BoNT/B as antidotes for post-intoxication treatments. Using a combination of X-ray crystallography and biochemical assays, we investigated the structures and inhibition mechanisms of a dozen unique VHHs that recognize four and three non-overlapping epitopes on the LC of BoNT/A and BoNT/B, respectively. We show that the VHHs that inhibit the LC activity occupy the extended substrate-recognition exosites or the cleavage pocket of LC/A or LC/B and thus block substrate binding. Notably, we identified several VHHs that recognize highly conserved epitopes across BoNT/A or BoNT/B subtypes, suggesting that these VHHs exhibit broad subtype efficacy. Further, we identify two novel conformations of the full-length LC/A, that could aid future development of inhibitors against BoNT/A. Our studies lay the foundation for structure-based engineering of protein- or peptide-based BoNT inhibitors with enhanced potencies and cross-subtypes properties.     

Purification and scale-up of a recombinant heavy chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin serotype E in Pichia pastoris GS115

A recombinant C-terminus heavy chain fragment from botulinum neurotoxin serotype E (BoNT/E) is proposed as a vaccine against the serotype E neurotoxin. This fragment, rBoNTE(Hc), was produced intracellular in Pichia pastoris GS115 by a three-step fermentation process, i.e., glycerol batch phase and a glycerol fed-batch phase to achieve high cell densities, followed by a methanol fed-batch induction phase. The rBoNTE(Hc) protein was purified from the soluble fraction of cell lysates using three ion-exchange chromatography steps (SP Sepharose Fast Flow, Q Sepharose Fast Flow, Sp Sepharose High Performance) and polished with a hydrophobic charge induction chromatography step (MEP HyperCel). Method development at the bench scale was achieved using 7-380 mL columns and the process was performed at the pilot scale using 0.5-3.1 L columns in preparation for technology transfer to cGMP manufacturing. The purification process resulted in greater than 98% pure rBoNTE(Hc) based on HPLC and yielded up to 1.01g of rBoNTE(Hc)/kg cells at the bench scale and 580mg vaccine/kg cells at the pilot scale. N-terminal sequencing showed that the purified rBoNTE(Hc) N-terminus is intact and was found to protect mice against a challenge of 1000 mouse intraperitoneal LD50's of BoNT/E.     

Molecular architecture of botulinum neurotoxin E revealed by single particle electron microscopy

Clostridial botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) causes a neuroparalytic condition recognized as botulism by arresting synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Although the crystal structures of full-length BoNT/A and BoNT/B holotoxins are known, the molecular architecture of the five other serotypes remains elusive. Here, we present the structures of BoNT/A and BoNT/E using single particle electron microscopy. Labeling of the particles with three different monoclonal antibodies raised against BoNT/E revealed the positions of their epitopes in the electron microscopy structure, thereby identifying the three hallmark domains of BoNT (protease, translocation, and receptor binding). Correspondingly, these antibodies selectively inhibit BoNT translocation activity as detected using a single molecule assay. The global structure of BoNT/E is strikingly different from that of BoNT/A despite strong sequence similarity. We postulate that the unique architecture of functionally conserved modules underlies the distinguishing attributes of BoNT/E and contributes to differences with BoNT/A.     

Structure and activity of a functional derivative of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin B

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause flaccid paralysis by inhibiting neurotransmission at cholinergic nerve terminals. BoNTs consist of three essential domains for toxicity: the cell binding domain (Hc), the translocation domain (Hn) and the catalytic domain (LC). A functional derivative (LHn) of the parent neurotoxin B composed of Hn and LC domains was recombinantly produced and characterised. LHn/B crystallographic structure at 2.8? resolution is reported. The catalytic activity of LHn/B towards recombinant human VAMP was analysed by substrate cleavage assay and showed a higher specificity for VAMP-1, -2 compared to VAMP-3. LHn/B also showed measurable activity in living spinal cord neurons. Despite lacking the Hc (cell-targeting) domain, LHn/B retained the capacity to internalize and cleave intracellular VAMP-1 and -2 when added to the cells at high concentration. These activities of the LHn/B fragment demonstrate the utility of engineered botulinum neurotoxin fragments as analytical tools to study the mechanisms of action of BoNT neurotoxins and of SNARE proteins.     

Effect of Nicking the C-terminal Region of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium botulinum</Emphasis> Serotype D Neurotoxin Heavy Chain on its Toxicity and Molecular Properties

A unique strain of Clostridium botulinum serotype D 4947 produces toxin complexes that are composed of un-nicked components, including a neurotoxin (BoNT) and auxiliary proteins. This BoNT showed aberrant elution upon Superdex gel filtration, indicating a much lower molecular weight, due to hydrophobic interaction with the column. Limited trypsin proteolysis of BoNT produces two nicks; first nick yielded a BoNT 50 kDa light chain disulfide linked to a 100 kDa heavy chain (Hc), and a second nick arose in Hc C-terminal 10 kDa. The second nick occurred in the putative binding domain of the BoNT molecule and induced alterations in its secondary structure, leading to a significant reduction of mouse toxicity in comparison with that of the fully-activated singly nicked BoNT. These results help to clarify the role of the C-terminal half of the Hc in the oral toxicity of single-chain and more complex forms of BoNT.     

Fine and domain-level epitope mapping of botulinum neurotoxin type A neutralizing antibodies by yeast surface display

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the most poisonous substance known, causes naturally occurring human disease (botulism) and is one of the top six biothreat agents. Botulism is treated with polyclonal antibodies produced in horses that are associated with a high incidence of systemic reactions. Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are under development as a safer therapy. Identifying neutralizing epitopes on BoNTs is an important step in generating neutralizing mAbs, and has implications for vaccine development. Here, we show that the three domains of BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) can be displayed on the surface of yeast and used to epitope map six mAbs to the toxin domains they bind. The use of yeast obviates the need to express and purify each domain, and it should prove possible to display domains of other BoNT subtypes and serotypes for epitope mapping. Using a library of yeast-displayed BoNT/A binding domain (H(C)) mutants and selecting for loss of binding, the fine epitopes of three neutralizing BoNT/A mAbs were identified. Two mAbs bind the C-terminal subdomain of H(C), with one binding near the toxin sialoganglioside binding site. The most potently neutralizing mAb binds the N-terminal subdomain of H(C), in an area not previously thought to be functionally important. Modeling the epitopes shows how all three mAbs could bind BoNT/A simultaneously and may explain, in part, the dramatic synergy observed on in vivo toxin neutralization when these antibodies are combined. The results demonstrate how yeast display can be used for domain-level and fine mapping of conformational BoNT antibody epitopes and the mapping results identify three neutralizing BoNT/A epitopes.     

鼠源抗B型肉毒毒素单链抗体噬菌体文库的构建筛选及抗体免疫学活性的初步研究

B型肉毒毒素重链C-端片段(BoNTB/Hc)经金属螯和层析法纯化后免疫Balb/c小鼠,从其脾淋巴细胞中提取总RNA,反转录成cDNA,用抗体可变区混合引物进行全套抗体重、轻链可变区基因的扩增,体外随机装配成单链抗体(scFv)。将其克隆至pCANTAB5E中,构建单链抗体噬菌体抗体库。结果表明经过4轮"吸附-洗脱-扩增"的富集过程,筛选获得高亲和力的克隆。序列测定符合抗体可变区结构特点。     

以表位模拟肽为亲和靶标的肉毒毒素受体结合抑制剂的筛选及鉴定

以设计合成的A型肉毒毒素表位模拟肽为亲和靶标,对噬菌体随机肽库进行筛选,寻找能与A型肉毒毒素表位模拟肽特异结合并能拮抗毒素毒性效应的分子,通过ELISA鉴定阳性克隆,并对鉴定的阳性克隆进行特异性分析及DNA测序。氨基酸序列同源性分析发现,针对P4、P5表位模拟肽获得了两条特异的结合序列,并通过动物保护实验在噬菌体展示肽水平对特异结合分子的毒素毒性拮抗效应进行了初步研究,初步证明结合肽对A型肉毒毒素有一定的保护作用。     

Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Alpha-Exosite of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype/A Inhibit Catalytic Activity

The paralytic disease botulism is caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT), multi-domain proteins containing a zinc endopeptidase that cleaves the cognate SNARE protein, thereby blocking acetylcholine neurotransmitter release. Antitoxins currently used to treat botulism neutralize circulating BoNT but cannot enter, bind to or neutralize BoNT that has already entered the neuron. The light chain endopeptidase domain (LC) of BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) was targeted for generation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that could reverse paralysis resulting from intoxication by BoNT/A. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries from immunized humans and mice were displayed on the surface of yeast, and 19 BoNT/A LC-specific mAbs were isolated by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Affinities of the mAbs for BoNT/A LC ranged from a K_D value of 9.0×10⁻¹¹ M to 3.53×10⁻⁸ M (mean K_D 5.38×10⁻⁹ M and median K_D 1.53×10⁻⁹ M), as determined by flow cytometry analysis. Eleven mAbs inhibited BoNT/A LC catalytic activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8.3 ~73×10⁻⁹ M. The fine epitopes of selected mAbs were also mapped by alanine-scanning mutagenesis, revealing that the inhibitory mAbs bound the α-exosite region remote from the BoNT/A LC catalytic center. The results provide mAbs that could prove useful for intracellular reversal of paralysis post-intoxication and further define epitopes that could be targeted by small molecule inhibitors.