Functional consequences of T-stem mutations in E. coli tRNAThrUGU in vitro and in vivo

The binding affinities between Escherichia coli EF-Tu and 34 single and double base-pair changes in the T stem of E. coli tRNA(Thr)(UGU) were compared with similar data obtained previously for several aa-tRNAs binding to Thermus thermophilus EF-Tu. With a single exception, the two proteins bound to mutations in three T-stem base pairs in a quantitatively identical manner. However, tRNA(Thr) differs from other tRNAs by also using its rare A52-C62 pair as a negative specificity determinant. Using a plasmid-based tRNA gene replacement strategy, we show that many of the tRNA(Thr)(UGU) T-stem changes are either unable to support growth of E. coli or are less effective than the wild-type sequence. Since the inviable T-stem sequences are often present in other E. coli tRNAs, it appears that T-stem sequences in each tRNA body have evolved to optimize function in a different way. Although mutations of tRNA(Thr) can substantially increase or decrease its affinity to EF-Tu, the observed affinities do not correlate with the growth phenotype of the mutations in any simple way. This may either reflect the different conditions used in the two assays or indicate that the T-stem mutants affect another step in the translation mechanism.     

磷蛋白组的研究技术及其进展

真核细胞中蛋白质磷酸化是一个重要事件。真核细胞利用可逆的蛋白磷酸化来控制许多细胞过程包括信号转换、基因表达、细胞周期等。磷蛋白组的研究涉及磷蛋白的分离和鉴定 ,磷酸化残基定位和定量分析。由于蛋白质磷酸化是一个动态过程 ,在细胞中磷蛋白含量低 ,磷酸化位点可变 ,且磷酸肽的质谱信号常常会受到抑制 ,所以磷蛋白的分析存在更多的困难。本文介绍了国内外在磷酸蛋白的分离鉴定及定量分析方面的研究技术以及进展情况。目前 ,质谱仍然是核心的鉴定技术 ,寻找更好富集方法是最大的挑战。定量蛋白组学是对蛋白质的差异表达进行精确的定量分析。目前还不存在一种独立的方法可以完成磷蛋白的分离、鉴定 ,以及磷酸位点的定位和定量分析。随着样品分离技术和相关仪器的发展 ,磷酸蛋白快速、准确、全面分析鉴定将能够实现。     

Functional Compartmentalization of the Translation Apparatus and Channeling of tRNA/Aminoacyl-tRNA in Cells of Higher Eukaryotes

Literature data and authors' results on the structural and functional organization of the translation apparatus in higher eukaryotes are considered. Proofs are presented of the channeling of tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA in the course of eukaryotic protein synthesis. The concept of the shuttle role of eEF1A is grounded; the factor, being in a GTP-bound form, delivers aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome and then, in the having undergone to a GDP -form after hydrolysis of GTP on the ribosome, forms a complex with the deacylated tRNA and delivers it to the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. The notion of a translational compartment is defined.     

Ternary complex between elongation factor Tu•GTP and Phe-tRNA

The effect of aminoacylation and ternary complex formation with elongation factor Tu•GTP on the tertiary structure of yeast tRNA^Phe was examined by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Esterification of phenylalanine to tRNA^Phe does not lead to changes with respect to the secondary and tertiary base pair interactions of tRNA. Complex formation of Phe-tRNA^Phe with elongation factor Tu•GTP results in a broadening of all imino proton resonances of the tRNA. The chemical shifts of several NH proton resonances are slightly changed as compared to free tRNA, indicating a minor conformational rearrangement of Phe-tRNA^Phe upon binding to elongation factor Tu•GTP. All NH proton resonances corresponding to the secondary and tertiary base pairs of tRNA, except those arising from the first three base pairs in the aminoacyl stem, are detectable in the Phe-tRNA^Phe•elongation factor Tu•GTP ternary complex. Thus, although the interactions between elongation factor Tu and tRNA accelerate the rate of NH proton exchange in the aminoacyl stem-region, the Phe-tRNA^Phe preserves its typical L-shaped tertiary structure in the complex. At high (> 10⁻⁴ M) ligand concentrations a complex between tRNA^Phe and elongation factor Tu•GDP can be detected on the NMR time-scale. Formation of this complex is inhibited by the presence of any RNA not related to the tRNA structure. Using the known tertiary structures of yeast tRNA^Phe and Thermus thermophilus elongation factor Tu in its active, GTP form, a model of the ternary complex was constructed.     

双向凝胶电泳缺陷胶及其原因

双向凝胶电泳是蛋白质组学研究中的关键技术之一,涉及较多的实验步骤和试剂,常出现缺陷胶而导致实验失败。从数千张电泳胶图中选取了21张典型的缺陷胶图,对它们进行了归类和总结,分析和讨论了形成缺陷胶的多种原因,提出了实验改进的方法和注意事项。     

The nitrate/nitrite ABC transporter of Phormidium laminosum: Phosphorylation state of NrtA is not involved in its substrate binding activity

Most cyanobacteria take up nitrate or nitrite through a multisubunit ABC transporter (ATP-binding cassette) located in the cytoplasmic membrane. Nitrate and nitrite transport activity is instantaneously blocked by the presence of ammonium in the medium. Previous biochemical studies reported the existence of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events of the nitrate transporter (NRT) related to the presence of ammonium-sensitive kinase/phosphatase activities in plasma membranes of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301. In this work, we have analyzed the biochemical properties of the periplasmic nitrate/nitrite-binding subunit (NrtA) of NRT from the thermophilic nondiazotrophic cyanobacterium Phormidium laminosum. Our results show that cyanobacterial NrtA is phosphorylated in vivo. However, substrate binding activity in vitro is not affected by the phosphorylation state of the protein, ruling out the possibility that phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of NrtA is involved in the regulation of the nitrate/nitrite uptake by NRT transporter. Moreover, NrtA is present as multiple isoforms showing the same molecular mass but different isoelectric points ranging from pI 5 to 6. Mass spectrometric characterization of NrtA isoforms shows that the protein is phosphorylated at residue Tyr²⁰³, and contains several methionine sulphoxide residues which account for the observed isoforms. Both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of NrtA are active in vitro, showing comparable binding affinity for nitrate and nitrite. Both substrates behave as pure competitive inhibitors with a binding stoichiometry of one molecule of anion per NrtA monomer.     

Comparative effects of hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor on motility,morphology, mitogenesis,and signal transduction of primary rat hepatocytes

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are major hepatacyte mitogens, but HGF, also known as scatter factor (SF), has also been shown as a potent motogen for epithelial and endothelial cells. The mechanisms by which HGF is a stronger motogen compared to other mitogens are not understood. Here we report a comparative study of the effect of the two growth factors on cultured primary rat hepatocytes regarding their differential effects on morphology, mitogenicity, and motility as well as the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal-associated proteins. Using three different motility assays, both HGF and EGF increased the motility of hepatocytes, but HGF consistently elicited a significantly greater motility response than EGF. Additionally, HGF induced a more flattened, highly spread morphology compared to EGF. To examine if HGF and EGF phosphorylated different cytoskeletal elements as signal transduction targets in view of the observed variation in morphology and motility, primary cultures of ³²P-loaded rat hepatocytes were stimulated by either HGF or EGF for up to 60 min. Both mitogens rapidly stimulated four isoforms of MAP kinase with similar kinetics and also rapidly facilitated the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal-associated F-actin. Two cytoskeletal-associated proteins, however, were observed to undergo rapid phosphorylation by HGF and not EGF during the time points described. One protein of 28 kDa was observed to become phosphorylated fivefold over controls, while the EGF-stimulated cells showed only a slight increase in the phosphorylation of this protein. Another protein with an apparent mwt of 42 kDa was phosphorylated 20-fold at 1 min and remained phosphorylated over 50-fold over control up to the 60 min time point. This protein was observed to become phosphorylated by EGF only after 10 min, and to a lesser extent (20-fold). Taken together, the data suggest that HGF and EGF stimulate divergent as well as redundant signal transduction pathways in the hepatocyte cytoskeleton, and this may result in unique HGF- or EGF-specific motility, morphology, and mitogenicity in hepatocytes. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

定量蛋白质组学分析方法及应用

蛋白质组学经历了近10年的发展,现在已经初具规模。但是由于它是动态地观察生物体不断变化的所有蛋白质,所以技术难度非常之大。为使研究简化并更具针对性,人们着重进行比较蛋白质组学的研究。为了具体量化这些蛋白质的变化产生了定量蛋白质组学,近几年各种标记技术的进步使得该学科得以迅猛发展。     

蛋白质组学在细菌应激反应研究中的应用

当外部生存环境发生变化时,细菌会在短时间内发生应激反应。利用双向凝胶电泳技术结合生物质谱鉴定的方法对细菌蛋白表达谱变化进行研究,是细菌转录谱变化研究的深入和扩展,是细菌应激反应研究中的新热点。综述了蛋白质组学在细菌应激反应研究中的应用现状和存在问题。     

Concepts and approaches towards understanding the cellular redox proteome

The physiological activity of a significant subset of cell proteins is modified by the redox state of regulatory thiols. The cellular redox homeostasis depends on the balance between oxidation of thiols through oxygen and reactive oxygen species and reduction by thiol-disulfide transfer reactions. Novel and improved methodology has been designed during recent years to address the level of thiol/disulfide regulation on a genome-wide scale. The approaches are either based on gel electrophoresis or on chromatographic techniques coupled to high end mass spectrometry. The review addresses diagonal 2D-SDS-PAGE, targeted identification of specific redox-interactions, affinity chromatography with thioredoxins and glutaredoxins, gel-based and non-gel based labelling techniques with fluorophores (such as Cy3, Cy5, ICy), radioisotopes, or with isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT), differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and combined fractional diagonal chromatography (COFRADIC). The extended methodological repertoire promises fast and new insight into the intricate regulation network of the redox proteome of animals, bacteria, and plants.     

Analysis of leaf proteins in late flowering mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Late flowering monogenic mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. at the loci co, gi, fca, fve, fwa, fha, fpa, fy and their corresponding wild type, Landsberg erecta , were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. All plants were grown under continuous light and proteins were extracted from leaves of the same age (20-day-old). The polypeptide patterns of the mutants at the loci co, gi, fca, fve, fwa, fha, fpa , and Landsberg erecta were identical. The mutant at the fy locus showed a qualitative difference with Landsberg erecta . Crosses were made between this line and the wild type Landsberg erecta . F2 plants, resulting from autopollination of the hybrid, were analysed and showed no cosegregation between the observed protein and the flowering phenotype, indicating that these two lines differ by more than a single mutation.     

Two-dimensional electrophoresis as a tool for control of quality and consistency in production systems using animal cells

A nonrecombinant human melanoma cell line and recombinant chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were used as examples for long-termin vitro cultivation in protein-free media. The method used to monitor the consistency of protein release by these mammalian cells was two-dimensional electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradient. Secreted proteins from a melanoma cell line cultivated in a continuous fermentation system over a period of 22 months were monitored. Two-dimensional patterns of secreted proteins were compared and the stability of their composition was determined over a period of nearly 14 months, with significant pattern variation being observed after 14 months. The protein pattern from this extendedin vitro culture was compared to those of the very same melanoma cell line recultivated after being frozen in liquid nitrogen for more than 2 years. Due to the high resolution of complex polypeptide mixtures and the possibility to detect even minor differences in the composition of protein patterns, we propose the two-dimensional electrophoresis as a tool for quality assessment in animal cell culture technology.     

Gel electrophoresis in studies of protein conformation and folding

Electrophoresis through polyacrylamide gels is a useful method for distinguishing conformational states of proteins and analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of transitions between conformations. Although the relationship between protein conformation and electrophoretic mobility is quite complex, relative mobilities provide qualitative estimates of compactness. Conformational states which interconvert slowly on the time scale of the electrophoretic separation can often be resolved, and the rates of interconversion can be estimated. If the transitions are more rapid, then the electrophoretic mobility represents the equilibrium distribution of conformations. Protein unfolding transitions induced by urea are readily studied using slab gels containing a gradient of urea concentration perpendicular to the direction of electrophoresis. Protein applied across the top of such a gel migrates in the presence of continuously varying urea concentrations, and a profile of the unfolding transition is generated directly. Transitions induced by other agents could be studied using analogous gradient gels. Electrophoretic methods are especially suited for studying small quantities of protein, and complex mixtures, since the different components can be separated during the electrophoresis.     

桔小实蝇幼虫总蛋白双向电泳技术体系的建立和优化

【目的】建立和优化桔小实蝇幼虫Bactrocera dorsalis(Hendel)总蛋白的双向电泳条件。【方法】使用BPP法和3种TCA-丙酮法(TCA-丙酮-A法:直接加入裂解液磨样;TCA-丙酮-B法:样品提取液中加入40 mmol/L DTT;TCA-丙酮-C法:样品提取液中加入0.07%β-巯基乙醇)提取桔小实蝇幼虫总蛋白;使用13 cm和24 cm p H 4~7的IPG胶条分离桔小实蝇幼虫总蛋白;使用考马斯亮蓝法及硝酸银染色法对双向电泳凝胶进行染色;使用5800 MALDI-TOF-TOF MS/MS质谱分析仪对BPP法获得的特异蛋白进行质谱鉴定,并将检索数据库物种分别设为Metazoa(Animals)与Drosophila(Fruit flies)进行数据库检索。【结果】TCA-丙酮法中,TCA-丙酮-C法提取效果最好,BPP法优于所有TCA-丙酮法;使用考马斯亮蓝染色与硝酸银染色效果相当;使用24 cm胶条的蛋白分辨率明显高于13 cm胶条;检索数据库物种设为Metazoa(Animals)可获得比Drosophila(Fruit flies)更加全面的信息。【结论】使用24 cm p H 4~7的IPG胶条对BPP法提取的桔小实蝇幼虫总蛋白进行双向电泳,采用考马斯亮蓝法对双向电泳凝胶进行染色,可得到更好的双向电泳图谱,检索数据库时检索物种可优先设为Metazoa(Animals)。     

Derangement of Hypothetical Proteins in Fetal Down's Syndrome Brain

The success of the Human Genome Project (HGP) enables prediction of proteins by computer programs from nucleic acid sequences and for which there is no experimental evidence. Clues for function of hypothetical proteins are provided by sequence similarity with proteins of known function in model organisms. The availability of this bulk of new data is of immediate importance to Down's syndrome (DS) research. DS is the most common human chromosomal abnormality caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and is characterized by somatic anomalies and mental retardation. In addition, overexpression of chromosome 21 genes is directly or indirectly responsible for mental retardation and other phenotypic abnormalities of DS. To allow insight into how trisomy 21 represents the phenotype of DS, we constructed a two-dimensional protein map and investigated expression of 8 hypothetical proteins in fetal DS (n = 7) and control (n = 7) brains (cortex). Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) with subsequent in-gel digestion of spots and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) spectroscopic identification followed by quantification of spots with specific software was applied. Quantitative analysis of hypothetical protein FLJ10849, hypothetical protein FLJ20113, and activator of hsp90 ATPase homologue 1 (AHA1) revealed levels comparable between DS and controls. By contrast, expression levels of hypothetical protein KIAA1185, hypothetical protein 55.2 kDa, hypothetical protein 58.8 kDa, actin-related protein 3beta (ARP3beta), and putative GTP-binding protein PTD004 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in fetal DS brain, and domain analysis suggests involvement in cytoskeleton, signaling, and chaperone system abnormalities.     

Quantitative changes in cytoplasmic and microsomal proteins associated with aluminium toxicity in two cultivars of winter wheat

Abstract. Seedlings of two sister lines of hard red winter wheat, Tx78 (Al-sensitive) andTx84 (Al-tolerant), were given a 24-h pulse of Al sufficient to irreversibly inhibit growth in the sensitive but not the tolerant cultivar. Proteins were then extracted from root tips of both cultivars, separated by 2D-PAGE, and quantified using computer analysis of gels. The objective of the work was to determine if the major changes in protein expression associated with Al stress were cultivar-specific, if the changes correlated with Al tolerance, and if they occurred in a specific fraction of cell proteins. Of the approximately 600 proteins examined, 14 cytoplasmic proteins and eight microsomal proteins were induced or enhanced by Al treatment in one or both cultivars, while nine cytoplasmic and 12 microsomal proteins were diminished or repressed. Among the 43 proteins significantly altered by Al treatment, three cytoplasmic proteins, and no microsomal proteins, were induced or enhanced solely in the-AI-tolerant cultivar. Al affected the programme of formation of both cytoplasmic and microsomal proteins, but appeared to cause the greater change in proteins associated with the cytoplasm. The results indicate that most of the changes in protein expression associated with Al stress probably result from effects of Al on cell metabolism, and that only a few proteins may be induced or enhanced as part of a cultivar-specific mechanism of Al tolerance.     

Influence of gel dimensions on resolution and sample throughput on two-dimensional gels

To achieve high throughput and economical format of 2-D PAGE, comparison between gel size and resolution was conducted on human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7/AZ) proteins. SDS gel length showed a weaker influence of separation length on resolution in the second dimension, and there was little benefit of separation distances greater than 15 to 19 cm. IPG strip separation distances were very important with dramatic increase in resolution of longer gels compared with smaller gels, and maximal resolution was obtained using 18- and 24-cm IPG strips. Loading optimal amount of proteins on 2-D gels can also increase the number of detected spots. Therefore, taken together, compromise 2-D gels are crucial for higher capacity and higher throughput.     

Immobilization of beta-galactosidase for application in organic chemistry using a chelating peptide

The strong interaction of hexa-histidine fusion proteins with metal chelate adsorbents was utilized to immobilize beta-galactosidase with a hexa-histidine peptide at the N-terminus to the Ni(2+)-nitrilotriacetic acid adsorbent. The fusion protein was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified soluble fusion protein showed the same specific activity as the purified beta-galactosidase and retained 64 percent of its beta-galactosidase activity when bound to the adsorbent. To demonstrate the potential of the immobilized beta-galactosidase in organic chemistry, allyl-beta-D-galactosidase was synthesized from lactose and allyl alcohol on a gram scale. The same enzyme preparation was reused in three subsequent batches to prepare the model compound with high yield. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure of the cytoskeleton of Spiroplasma melliferum BC3 and its interactions with the cell membrane

Spiroplasma melliferum is a wall-less bacterium with dynamic helical symmetry. Taking advantage of the simplicity of this primitive lifeform, we have used structural (electron tomography and freeze fracture of whole cells; cryoelectron tomography and diffraction analysis of isolated cytoskeletons) and proteomic approaches to elucidate the basic organizing principles of its minimal yet functional cytoskeleton. From among ∼ 30 Spiroplasma proteins present in a highly purified cytoskeletal fraction, we identify three major putative structural proteins: Fib, MreB, and elongation factor Tu. Fib assembles into a single flattened ribbon that follows the shortest helical line just under the plasma membrane and acts as a linear motor, whereas MreB is present as a matching array of membrane-associated fibrils parallel and associated with the motor. We also identify a prominent previously unknown filamentous network that occupies much of the cytoplasm and appears to cross-link the ribosomes. The abundant potentially filament-forming protein elongation factor Tu may be a component of this network, but the tomography data are most consistent with DNA as the core component. The results provide new information on the minimal organization necessary to support the scaffolding and motile functions of a minimal cytoskeleton.     

糠秕马拉色菌酵母态和菌丝态蛋白差异表达的研究

目的通过双向电泳及串联质谱技术鉴定糠秕马拉色菌酵母态及菌丝态差异蛋白,在蛋白水平探讨两态转化机制及致病机理。方法分别诱导糠秕马拉色菌标准株酵母态和菌丝态菌体,利用玻璃珠研磨和超声波破碎细胞壁,三氯乙酸/丙酮沉淀获取总蛋白。双向电泳分离蛋白,PDQuest软件比对找出差异蛋白点。电喷雾串联质谱对差异点进行肽段测序,用Mascot和NCBI的Blast软件经蛋白质数据库鉴定蛋白质。结果经双向电泳分离的糠秕马拉色菌酵母态、菌丝态蛋白各有800多个蛋白点、64个蛋白点表达量有3倍以上差异,其中11个为酵母态特有,9个菌丝态特有。在选取的40个差异点中,成功鉴定出22个点,共16个蛋白。经Mascot和Blast软件检索,有明确功能的蛋白中,肌动蛋白、丝切蛋白等9个蛋白在菌丝态上调,谷胱甘肽转移酶、细胞支架信号蛋白等5个蛋白下调。结论鉴定出16个蛋白分别与细胞代谢、运动、氧化应激等功能相关,为了解糠秕马拉色菌表型转换机制和致病机理提供重要信息。