A new strategy for full-length Ebola virus glycoprotein expression in E.coli

Ebola virus(EBOV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates with high rates of fatality. Glycoprotein(GP) is the only envelope protein of EBOV, which may play a critical role in virus attachment and entry as well as stimulating host protective immune responses.However, the lack of expression of full-length GP in Escherichia coli hinders the further study of its function in viral pathogenesis. In this study, the vp40 gene was fused to the full-length gp gene and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector. We showed that the VP40-GP and GP-VP40 fusion proteins could be expressed in E.coli at 16 ℃. In addition, it was shown that the position of vp40 in the fusion proteins affected the yields of the fusion proteins, with a higher level of production of the fusion protein when vp40 was upstream of gp compared to when it was downstream. The results provide a strategy for the expression of a large quantity of EBOV full-length GP, which is of importance for further analyzing the relationship between the structure and function of GP and developing an antibody for the treatment of EBOV infection.     

GNA成熟蛋白基因亚克隆及其原核表达载体构建

雪花莲外源凝集素（GNA）对刺吸式昆虫和某些咀嚼式昆虫以及多种线虫均有毒性,从含GNA前体蛋白基因的质粒中亚克隆出GNA的成熟蛋白基因MGNA,将MGNA基因插入大肠杆菌表达载体pET22b的不同位点,再经测序验证,得到了三种不同表达形式的GNA原核表达载体;22bG1(分泌型融合GNA蛋白）,22bG2(包涵体型GNA蛋白）,22bG3(分泌型天然GNA蛋白）,这为进一步在大肠杆菌中表达GNA和将GNA制成生物农药奠定了基础。     

Ectodomain shedding of the glycoprotein GP of Ebola virus

In this study, release of abundant amounts of the Ebola virus (EBOV) surface glycoprotein GP in a soluble form from virus-infected cells was investigated. We demonstrate that the mechanism responsible for the release of GP is ectodomain shedding mediated by cellular sheddases. Proteolytic cleavage taking place at amino-acid position D637 removes the transmembrane anchor and liberates complexes consisting of GP1 and truncated GP2 (GP(2delta)) subunits from the cell surface. We show that tumor necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme (TACE), a member of the ADAM family of zinc-dependent metalloproteases, is involved in EBOV GP shedding. This finding shows for the first time that virus-encoded surface glycoproteins are substrates for ADAMs. Furthermore, we provide evidence that shed GP is present in significant amounts in the blood of virus-infected animals and that it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection by efficiently blocking the activity of virus-neutralizing antibodies.     

补体C3与BPI活性区融合蛋白（CB）的构建与表达

补体C3和杀菌通透性增加蛋白（BPI）对血液中的病原体均有黏附、促吞噬甚至杀灭作用,但两者的作用机制不同,制备两者活性区融合蛋白,可能具有更好的清除血液病原的作用。通过重叠延伸PCR融合人补体C3的补体受体Ⅰ、Ⅲ两个结合区,同时调取了杀菌通透性增加蛋白（BPI）活性区段rBPI,先后将补体C3活性区与BPI蛋白功能区基因克隆入原核表达载体pET28a中,获得融合蛋白（CB）表达载体pET28-CB,在大肠杆菌中进行了高表达产量、可溶性表达等条件的摸索,CB融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式表达,Western印迹证明CB具有C3的抗原活性,将包涵体蛋白变性与复性后,利用Ni2+固相化的螯合Sepharose Fast Flow亲和层析柱进行浓缩和纯化,最后得到了纯度较高的CB原核表达蛋白。CB融合蛋白的构建和高效表达、纯化为下步探讨其在促进血液病原清除上的功能鉴定和应用奠定了基础。     

Analysis of antigenic determinant profiles of the Ebola virus VP35 protein N-terminal region using its short recombinant fragments

cDNA of fragments of gene VP35 of the Ebola virus (EV) were expressed in vector pQE30 for the purpose of isolation of recombinant fragments of protein VP35. Five short affinity-purified fragments of the EV VP35 protein were analyzed, by using the methods of IEA and immunoblotting, with polyclonal antiviral sera (PAS) against EV and with hybrid monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) IC6 and 6F7 specific to EV VP35 protein. All fragments of protein VP35 with an intact N-terminal region and removed C-terminal region were found to interact effectively with PAS and with Mabs IC6 and 6F7. Rec86N, the smallest of the above fragments, comprised the initial 86 amino acid residues of the VP35 N-terminal region. A removal of 36 amino acid residues from the N-terminal region of Rec310N, the largest recombinant fragment, resulted in a loss of interaction with Mabs IC6 and 6F7, while the interaction with polyclonal antibodies remained intact. The obtained results show that the initial 86 amino acid residues of the N-terminal region of EV VP35 are of the key importance in forming the antigenic structure of VP35 and that they contain multiple B-cell epitopes. Finally, the initial 36 amino acids of VP35 predetermine the shaping-up of two antigenic determinants for Mabs IC6 and 6F7.     

A chimeric Anabaena/ Escherichia coli KdpD protein (Anacoli KdpD) functionally interacts with E. coli KdpE and activates kdp expression in E. coli

The kdpFABC operon, coding for a high-affinity K(+)-translocating P-type ATPase, is expressed in Escherichia coli as a backup system during K(+) starvation or an increase in medium osmolality. Expression of the operon is regulated by the membrane-bound sensor kinase KdpD and the cytosolic response regulator KdpE. From a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. strain L-31, a kdpDgene was cloned (GenBank accession no. AF213466) which codes for a KdpD protein (365 amino acids) that lacks both the transmembrane segments and C-terminal transmitter domain and thus is shorter than E. coli KdpD. A chimeric kdpD gene was constructed and expressed in E. coli coding for a protein (Anacoli KdpD), in which the first 365 amino acids of E. coli KdpD were replaced by those from Anabaena KdpD. In everted membrane vesicles, this chimeric Anacoli KdpD protein exhibited activities, such as autophosphorylation, transphosphorylation and ATP-dependent dephosphorylation of E. coli KdpE, which closely resemble those of the E. coli wild-type KdpD. Cells of E. coli synthesizing Anacoli KdpD expressed kdpFABC in response to K(+) limitation and osmotic upshock. The data demonstrate that Anabaena KdpD can interact with the E. coliKdpD C-terminal domain resulting in a protein that is functional in vitro as well as in vivo.     

A metallothionein-like protein of rice (rgMT) functions in E. coli and its gene expression is induced by abiotic stresses

A metallothionein-like (rgMT) gene was isolated from a rice (Oryza sativa L.) root cDNA library that was prepared from plants grown under NaHCO₃ stress. The rgMT gene expression was induced in rice leaves and roots under several abiotic stresses from salts (NaCl and NaHCO₃), drought (PEG) and metals (CuCl_2, ZnCl₂, CdCl₂). The results suggested that the rgMT gene was expressed in response to environmental stresses. The rgMT gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the final yield of the purified rgMT protein was 4.8 mg g⁻¹ dry cells. Tolerance of E. coli expressing GST-rgMT fusion protein to Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was enhanced, and cells dry weight increased 0.04 mg, 0.17 mg and 0.07 mg in 1 ml culture treated with either CuCl₂, ZnCl₂ or CdCl₂, respectively, compared with control after 6 h culture.     

美洲鲽抗冻蛋白基因的克隆及在E.coli中的表达

本文报告了美洲鲽抗冻蛋白基因的克隆及在E.coli中表达的研究,以质粒P~(CT5)作为抗冻蛋白基因的供体,p~(ORF-2)作为表达载体。用HpaⅡ酶从质粒p~(CT5)上切下抗冻蛋白基因片段,再经Bal 31酶,绿豆核酸酶处理,连接上BglⅡ接头,然后插入到p~(ORF-2)的BglⅡ位点上,借助于p~(ORF-2)上的β-半乳糖苷酶基因的活性,使含正确插入抗冻蛋白基因的克隆呈现出蓝色菌落,共获得4000多个转化子,其中有201个蓝色克隆。对于50个蓝色克隆提取质粒DNA,电泳后发现均大于p~(ORF-2)。用BglⅡ消化后,可以发现有300—1500bpDNA片段,同时确定了抗冻蛋白基因在p~(ORF-2)中的插入方向,对于正确插入的克隆作出部分限制性内切酶图谱,测定出插入的抗冻蛋白基因片段的DNA序列,然后将重组质粒从E.coli MH1000菌株转化到E.coliTK1046中,研究分析表达产物,SDS—聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳结果证明插入的抗冻蛋白的基因已表达,有明显的融合蛋白带,分子量大于β-半乳糖苷酶、是由大肠杆菌的外膜蛋白F,抗冻蛋白和β-半乳糖苷酶组成。融合蛋白含量占总蛋白的20％左右。     

Differential expression and localization of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) fragments in mouse submandibular glands

It has been demonstrated that dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an essential regulator in the formation of bone and tooth. In addition to the mineralized tissues, DMP1 is also expressed in the non-mineralized tissues such as kidney, brain and salivary glands. Some studies have shown that the expression of DMP1 is significantly elevated in cancerous glands, while details about the expression and localization patterns of DMP1 in these glandular tissues still remain largely unknown. In this study, with multiple approaches, we systematically analyzed the expression and localization of DMP1 in mouse submandibular glands (SMGs). The results showed that although DMP1 was expressed in both female and male mouse SMGs, the mRNA levels of DMP1 in male mice were higher than those in female mice after the appearance of granular convoluted tubule (GCT). In mouse SMGs, DMP1 was primarily present as the 46 kDa C-terminal fragment and the 37 kDa N-terminal fragment. The C-terminal fragment was mainly localized in the nuclei of acinar and ductal cells, while the N-terminal fragment was restricted to the cytoplasm of ductal cells. This study showed the expression of DMP1 in the GCT of male mice, a novel finding different from the result of previous reports. Collectively, the differential localization patterns of DMP1 fragments indicate that different forms of DMP1 may play distinct roles in the SMGs.     

Thermal transitions in E. coli +RNA fMet and two of its molecular fragments

Melting curves of tRNA^fMet and two fragments derived from this molecule by limited ribonuclease T1 digestion (i.e., the anticodon arm and loop [K fragment] and the larger fragment representing three-fourths of the tRNA chain from the 3′ terminus including two potential limbs of the cloverleaf structure [L fragment]) are presented. The profiles observed are consistent with the presence of base paired structures in all those molecules. At low salt concentration (0.02M Na⁺) the stabilities of these molecules measured by the apparent midpoints of the denaturation profiles are in the order K > L > tRNA. The relative stabilities approach each other at 0.2M Na⁺ (the tRNA profile being biphasic), while at high salt (2M) the L fragment seems to be more stable than either K or t-RNA ^fMet. Estimation of the enthalpy of denaturing the K structure in 0.02M Na⁺ gives a value of 40 ± 3 kcal/mole corresponding to an enthalpy per effective G.C. base pair disrupted of 10 ± 1 kcal/mole.     

丙型肝炎病毒依赖于RNA的RNA聚合酶基因克隆与原核表达

丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）依赖于ＲＮＡ的ＲＮＡ聚合酶（ＲｄＲｐ）是参与病毒基因组ＲＮＡ复制的一个关键蛋白因子,是研究抗ＨＣＶ新型药物的重要靶标,获得纯化的ＲｄＲｐ产物是建立靶向ＲｄＲｐ药物高通量筛选体系和抗病毒药物研究的关键步骤。以ＨＣＶ病毒基因组全长ｃＤＮＡ质粒（ｐ９０／ＨＣＶ ＦＬ－ｌｏｎｇ ｐＵ）为模板,设计了特异性扩增ＲｄＲｐ的引物,通过ＣＰＲ扩增获得编码ＲｄＲｐ的基因。将该基因克隆到Ｔ载体中     

Localization of the lactose permease protein(s) in the E. coli envelope.

The amino acid double labeling technique was used to identify and localize membrane-bound lactose operon proteins in $\text{E.}\text{coli}$. Both the “M” protein, thought to be the $\text{y}$ gene product, and a polypeptide of MW ～15,000 appeared in the membrane following $\text{lac}$ operon induction. The amounts of these two proteins were approximately equal.The inner and outer membrane layers of the cell envelope were separated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation or by selective solubilization of inner membranes with the detergent Sarkosyl. When gentle lysis conditions were employed to prepare membrane vesicles, both $\text{lac}$ induced proteins fractionated with the inner membrane. However, the “M” protein was more easily randomized in the envelope structure by sonication than the 15,000 dalton component or an inner membrane marker enzyme.     

抗菌肽-X基因的克隆及在大肠杆菌中的表达

用PCR技术获得抗菌肽—X基因、TNFα基因,与温度诱导的表达载体pRC连接成为重组表达载体,导入大肠杆菌TG1,通过温度诱导表达重组蛋白。将重组质粒转入不同的表达菌中进行表达,经SDS—PAGE选出E.coil BL21(DE3)为最佳表达的宿主菌。培养后,离心得菌体,经超声破碎离心得包涵体,溶解后用CNBr切割并透析,最后经CM52纤维素柱分离纯化得到有活性高纯度的抗菌肽—X。     

用E．coli表达Canstatin—N及其表达条件优化

以重组质粒DET—CN为模板设计引物CASN1N和CASN2,PCR方法扩增约267bp的人血管能抑素N端1～89氨基酸基因片段,用EcoRI和Sal I双酶切将其克隆进pET-22b（＋）载体获得重组表达质粒pET-22b（＋）一CN,转化E．coliBL21（DE3）,用IPTG诱导表达Canstatin-N,产物以包涵体形式存在。本文在摇瓶发酵条件下研究了诱导剂浓度、诱导培养时间对目标蛋白表达的影响,结果表明IPTG的最佳诱导浓度为0．1mmol／L;37℃下诱导培养2h时产物表达量最高。纯化获得的融合hiS6的重组Canstatin—N具有免疫和抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜（CAM）新生血管生成活性。     

Zoonotic risk factors associated with seroprevalence of Ebola virus GP antibodies in the absence of diagnosed Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo

BackgroundEbola virus (EBOV) is a zoonotic filovirus spread through exposure to infected bodily fluids of a human or animal. Though EBOV is capable of causing severe disease, referred to as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), individuals who have never been diagnosed with confirmed, probable or suspected EVD can have detectable EBOV antigen-specific antibodies in their blood. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with detectable antibody levels in the absence of an EVD diagnosis.MethodologyData was collected from September 2015 to August 2017 from 1,366 consenting individuals across four study sites in the DRC (Boende, Kabondo-Dianda, Kikwit, and Yambuku). Seroreactivity was determined to EBOV GP IgG using Zaire Ebola Virus Glycoprotein (EBOV GP antigen) ELISA kits (Alpha Diagnostic International, Inc.) in Kinshasa, DRC; any result above 4.7 units/mL was considered seroreactive. Among the respondents, 113 (8.3%) were considered seroreactive. Several zoonotic exposures were associated with EBOV seroreactivity after controlling for age, sex, healthcare worker status, location, and history of contact with an EVD case, namely: ever having contact with bats, ever having contact with rodents, and ever eating non-human primate meat. Contact with monkeys or non-human primates was not associated with seroreactivity.ConclusionsThis analysis suggests that some zoonotic exposures that have been linked to EVD outbreaks can also be associated with EBOV GP seroreactivity in the absence of diagnosed EVD. Future investigations should seek to clarify the relationships between zoonotic exposures, seroreactivity, asymptomatic infection, and EVD.     

棉铃虫保幼激素环氧水解酶基因的克隆及其原核表达

通过兼并引物PCR结合RACE技术,克隆了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hubner)保幼激素环氧水解酶(juven-ile hormone epoxide hydrolase,JHEH)的基因,该基因的开放阅读框为1389 bp,编码463个氨基酸.预测蛋白分子量为52 kD,等电点为6.39.N末端存在由20个氨基酸组成的疏水性信号肽序列,存在组成JHEH催化三联体的氨基酸Asp(227)、Glu(403)和His(430)以及组成阴氧离子洞的氨基酸Tyr(298)、Tyr(373)和HGWP花样结构.其氨基酸序列与其它鳞翅目昆虫有很高的同源性.在大肠杆菌中表达JHEH基因的编码区,Western blot结果表明,棉铃虫JHEH已被成功表达.利用该基因序列可以在分子水平上研究棉铃虫JHEH基因的时空表达情况,进一步研究保幼激素(juvenile hormone,JH)的代谢途径及其功能.