Identification of Prolificacy‐Related Differentially Expressed Proteins from Sheep (Ovis aries) Hypothalamus by Comparative Proteomics

Reproduction, as a physiologically complex process, can significantly affect the development of the sheep industry. However, a lack of overall understanding to sheep fecundity has long blocked the progress in sheep breeding and husbandry. In the present study, the aim is to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) from hypothalamus in sheep without FecB mutation in two comparison groups: polytocous (PF) versus monotocous (MF) sheep at follicular phase and polytocous (PL) versus monotocous (ML) sheep at luteal phase. Totally 5058 proteins are identified in sheep hypothalamus, where 22 in PF versus MF, and 39 proteins in PL versus ML are differentially expressed, respectively. A functional analysis is then conducted including Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis to reveal the potential roles of these DEPs. The proteins ENSOARP00000020097, ENSOARP00000006714, growth hormone (GH), histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), and 5′‐3′ exoribonuclease 2 (XRN2) in PF versus MF, and bcl‐2‐associated athanogene 4 (BAG4), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF1R), hydroxysteroid 11‐beta dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1), and transthyretin (TTR) in PL versus ML appear to modulate reproduction, presumably by influencing the activities of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH). This study provides an alternative method to identify DEPs associated with sheep prolificacy from the hypothalamus. The mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD013822.     

采用定量蛋白质组学技术筛选小鼠肝癌淋巴道转移相关蛋白

淋巴道转移是上皮来源恶性肿瘤转移的早期阶段,其发生机制不清,一直是肿瘤学研究面临的难题,为寻找淋巴道转移相关蛋白,以一对来源于同一亲本细胞,且淋巴道转移潜能显著不同的小鼠肝癌腹水型细胞株为研究对象,其中Hca-F为高淋巴道转移力细胞株,Hca-P为低淋巴道转移力细胞株,采用定量蛋白质组学技术——荧光差异双向凝胶电泳,建立了高低淋巴道转移力小鼠肝癌细胞荧光差异蛋白表达图谱,高通量筛选与肿瘤淋巴道转移相关的蛋白质.经DeCyde软件分析,共得到163个有统计学差异的蛋白质点,选择2倍以上的差异性蛋白质点23个,经质谱鉴定得到17个蛋白质,在Hca-F中高表达的蛋白质有7个:转羟乙醛酶、波形蛋白、肌酸激酶(脑)、膜联蛋白7、膜联蛋白5、烯酰辅酶A水合酶1(过氧化物酶体)、核内异质核糖核蛋白A2/B1异构体1.而在Hca-F中低表达的蛋白质有10个:真核翻译延长因子2、Ero1样蛋白、乙醛脱氢酶2(线粒体)、苹果酸盐脱氢酶2(NAD)、β-内酰胺酶2、谷胱甘肽S转移酶"1、泛素C末端水解酶同工酶L3、内质网蛋白29(前体)、溶血磷脂酶1、微管不稳定蛋白.这些差异性蛋白质的功能涉及到代谢、蛋白质分泌、蛋白质结合、核苷酸结合,钙离子结合、凋亡和调节生长等过程.对这些蛋白质功能的进一步验证,将有助于解析肿瘤淋巴道转移的分子机制.     

定量蛋白质组学分析PknG在分枝杆菌中的功能

丝氨酸苏氨酸蛋白激酶G(PknG)是分枝杆菌中一个类似于真核生物蛋白激酶C的蛋白质,对结核分枝杆菌的生长和新陈代谢等生理过程,以及结核分枝杆菌的耐药和在宿主细胞中的存活都起着重要的调节作用.本文在耻垢分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium smegmatis)mc2155中构建了过表达结核分枝杆菌PknG的重组菌株PknG-mc2155,并发现PknG-mc2155的生长速度慢于mc2155.应用化学修饰结合LC-LC-MS/MS的定量蛋白质组学方法,在mc2155和PknG-mc2155中鉴定到了176种有差异表达的蛋白,其中152种蛋白在PknG-mc2155中表达下调,24种蛋白表达上调.这些差异表达的蛋白参与了多个细胞过程,包括代谢、蛋白翻译等.基于这些结果,我们推测PknG-mc2155生长速度慢的原因是因为代谢相关酶如GlpK,ALD和DesA1等蛋白表达的下调;而Ag85A,Ag85C,SecA2等蛋白的上调则增强细菌的感染性;另外KatG蛋白的下调提示PknG的过表达增强了菌株的抗药性.代谢组学分析发现谷氨酸和谷氨酰胺在PknG-mc2155中的水平低于在mc2155中水平,证实了PknG影响谷氨酰胺的稳态平衡.利用蛋白质磷酸化分析,我们发现PknG的苏氨酸残基T-320上有一个自磷酸化修饰,而且在PknG-mc2155菌株中,也鉴定到gltA和glmM上的磷酸化修饰,显示gltA和glmM是PknG的底物.本研究为理解PknG的功能和作用机制提供了新的依据和解释,为深入研究PknG在结核分枝杆菌中的功能奠定了基础,我们的结果也表明蛋白质组学技术是系统研究细菌蛋白质功能的重要工具.     

蛋白质组学中新蛋白质鉴定的研究方法和策略

当前,基于生物质谱进行蛋白质鉴定的技术已经成为蛋白质组学研究的支撑技术之一.产生的数据主要使用数据库搜索的方法进行处理,这种方法的一大缺陷是不能鉴定数据库中未包含的蛋白质,因此如何充分利用质谱数据对蛋白质组研究的意义很大,而新蛋白质鉴定更是其中一个重要的内容.新蛋白质鉴定是蛋白质鉴定的一个方面,新蛋白质的定义按照序列和功能的已知程度分为3个层次;以蛋白质鉴定的方法为基础,目前新蛋白质鉴定的方法可分为denovo测序和相似序列搜索结合的方法以及搜索EST、基因组等核酸数据库的方法2大类;两者各有利弊.存在各自的问题和相应处理的策略.不同的研究者可以根据具体目的应用和发展不同的鉴定方法,同时新蛋白质的鉴定也将随着蛋白质组学研究的发展而更加完善.     

应用蛋白组方法筛选血浆中乙肝病毒PreS1结合蛋白

目的筛选血浆中乙型肝炎病毒PreS1结合蛋白。方法表达纯化了PreS1-谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶（glutathione—S-transferase,GST）融合蛋白,利用该蛋白与血浆进行Pull—down实验,并设立GST与血浆Pull—down,GST、PreS1-GST与PBS Pull—down对照,Pull-down产物进行双向电泳分离（2-DE）,差异蛋白点通过质谱鉴定。结果成功表达纯化出PreS1-GST融合蛋白,通过双向电泳分析发现一个PreS1特异结合蛋白,经质谱鉴定为含锚蛋白重复序列的蛋白57（ANKRD57）。结论锚蛋白重复序列的主要功能是介导蛋白质与蛋白质之间的相互作用,ANKRD57与PreS1特异结合后的生理功能值得深入研究。     

Quantitative Proteomics Reveals the Effects of Resveratrol on High‐Altitude Polycythemia Treatment

High‐altitude polycythemia (HAPC) is a common plateau chronic disease in which red blood cells are compensatory hyperproliferative due to high altitude hypoxic environment. HAPC severely affects the physical and mental health of populations on the plateau. However, the pathogenesis and treatment of HAPC has been rarely investigated. Here, the hypoxia‐induced HAPC model of rat is established, in which hemoglobin concentration significantly increases and platelets clearly decrease. The effect of resveratrol upon hypoxia enables HAPC remission and makes hemoglobin and platelet tend to a normal level. Furthermore, quantitative proteomics is applied to investigate the plasma proteome variation and the underlying molecular regulation during HAPC occurrence and treatment with resveratrol. Hypoxia promotes erythrocyte developing and differentiating and disrupts cytoskeleton organization. Notably, the resveratrol administration reverses the proteome change pattern due to hypoxia and contributes to plateau adaption. Quantitative verification of differentially expressed proteins confirms the roles of resveratrol in HAPC. Resveratrol is expected to be useful for HAPC treatment.     

iTRAQ‐Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Duck Eggshell During Biomineralization

The avian egg is a valuable model for the calcitic biomineralization process as it is the fastest calcification process occurring in nature and is a clear example of biomineralization. In this study, iTRAQ MS/MS is used to detect and study for the first time: 1) the overall duck eggshell proteome; 2) regional differences in the proteome between the inner and outer portions of the duck eggshell. The new reference protein datasets allow us to identify 179 more eggshell proteins than solely using the current release of Ensembl duck annotations. In total, 484 proteins are identified in the entire duck eggshell proteome. Twenty‐eight novel proteins of unknown function that are involved in eggshell formation are also identified. Among the identified eggshell proteins, 54 proteins show differential abundances between the inner, partially mineralized eggshell (obtained 16 h after ovulation) compared to the overall complete eggshell (normally expulsed eggshell). At least 64 of the abundant matrix proteins are common to eggshell of 4 different domesticated bird species (chicken, duck, quail, turkey) and zebra finch. This study provides a new resource for avian eggshell proteomics, and augments the inventory of eggshell matrix proteins that will lead to a deeper understanding of calcitic biomineralization.     

稳定同位素化学标记结合质谱技术在定量蛋白质组学中的应用

传统的蛋白质组定量策略主要是通过双向凝胶电泳来进行相对定量。由于该方法不能对相对分子质量极高或极低、等电点极酸或极碱和含量低的蛋白质以及膜蛋白质等进行有效分离和检测,所以已不能适应目前蛋白质组研究深入发展的需要。近年来,定量蛋白质组学的发展主要是以同位素亲和标签试剂为代表的、以质谱检测为核心的稳定同位素化学标记方法。稳定同位素化学标记结合质谱技术,使定量蛋白质组的分析更趋简单、准确和快速,具有良好的发展前景。本文对稳定同位素化学标记结合质谱技术在定量蛋白质组学中的研究进展进行了评述。     

应用蛋白质组学技术筛选胃癌SGC-7901细胞中的let-7a功能相关蛋白

为探讨let-7a表达下调在胃癌发病中的机制,高通量地检测了与let-7a功能相关的蛋白质.首先采用基因克隆技术稳定过表达SGC-7901细胞系的let-7a基因,然后用蛋白质组学技术研究稳定过表达该基因对SGC-7901细胞蛋白质表达谱的影响.通过对SGC-7901/let-7a细胞的蛋白质表达谱改变的研究,并用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)分析鉴定了10个差异表达蛋白质.这些差异表达蛋白质可能是let-7a功能相关蛋白质,其中抗氧化蛋白2、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白2、二硫化蛋白异构酶A2、四氢叶酸合成酶、细胞周期素依赖性激酶抑制蛋白1、Rho-GTPsae激活蛋白4表达上调,Skp2蛋白、血小板黏附蛋白CD41、纤维连接蛋白、Cks1蛋白表达下调.部分差异表达蛋白质如细胞周期素依赖性激酶抑制蛋白1、Skp2蛋白和纤维连接蛋白经蛋白质印迹分析进行了验证.在SGC-7901/let-7a中鉴定的10个差异表达蛋白质涉及到细胞周期的调控、分子基因表达调控、细胞黏附、细胞代谢等众多事件,它们可能作为let-7a功能相关蛋白质,为阐明let-7a表达下调在胃癌发病中的机制提供了重要线索.     

Label‐Free Quantitative Proteomics Distinguishes General and Site‐Specific Host Responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection at the Ocular Surface

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics enables the unbiased and sensitive profiling of cellular proteomes and extracellular environments. Recent technological and bioinformatic advances permit identifying dual biological systems in a single experiment, supporting investigation of infection from both the host and pathogen perspectives. At the ocular surface, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly associated with biofilm formation and inflammation of the ocular tissues, causing damage to the eye. The interaction between P. aeruginosa and the immune system at the site of infection describes limitations in clearance of infection and enhanced pathogenesis. Here, the extracellular environment (eye wash) of murine ocular surfaces infected with a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa is profiled and neutrophil marker proteins are detected, indicating neutrophil recruitment to the site of infection. The first potential diagnostic markers of P. aeruginosa‐associated keratitis are also identified. In addition, the deepest murine corneal proteome to date is defined and proteins, categories, and networks critical to the host response are detected. Moreover, the first identification of bacterial proteins attached to the ocular surface is reported. The findings are validated through in silico comparisons and enzymatic profiling. Overall, the work provides comprehensive profiling of the host–pathogen interface and uncovers differences between general and site‐specific host responses to infection.     

Quantitative Proteomics by SWATH‐MS Suggest an Association Between Circulating Exosomes and Maternal Metabolic Changes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Several factors including placental hormones (PH) released from the human placenta have been associated with the development of insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, circulating levels of PH does not correlate well with maternal insulin sensitivity across gestation, suggesting that other, previously unrecognized, mechanisms may be involved. The levels of circulating exosomes are higher in GDM compared to normal. GDM derived exosomes produce greater release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines from endothelial cells compared to exosomes from normal, suggesting that their contents may differ compared to normal pregnancies. Using a quantitative, information‐independent acquisition (Sequential Windowed Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectra [SWATH]) approach, differentially abundant circulating exosome proteins are identified in women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and GDM at the time of GDM diagnosis. A total of 78 statistically significant proteins in the relative expression of exosomal proteins in GDM are compared with NGT. Bioinformatic analysis shows that the exosomal proteins in GDM target pathways are mainly associated with energy production, inflammation, and metabolism. Finally, an independent cohort of patients is used to validate some of the proteins identified by SWATH. The data obtained may be of utility in elucidating the underlying physiological mechanisms associated with insulin resistance in GDM.     

Protease cleavage site fingerprinting by label‐free in‐gel degradomics reveals pH‐dependent specificity switch of legumain

Determination of protease specificity is of crucial importance for understanding protease function. We have developed the first gel‐based label‐free proteomic approach (DIPPS—direct in‐gel profiling of protease specificity) that enables quick and reliable determination of protease cleavage specificities under large variety of experimental conditions. The methodology is based on in‐gel digestion of the gel‐separated proteome with the studied protease, enrichment of cleaved peptides by gel extraction, and subsequent mass spectrometry analysis combined with a length‐limited unspecific database search. We applied the methodology to profile ten proteases ranging from highly specific (trypsin, endoproteinase GluC, caspase‐7, and legumain) to broadly specific (matrix‐metalloproteinase‐3, thermolysin, and cathepsins K, L, S, and V). Using DIPPS, we were able to perform specificity profiling of thermolysin at its optimal temperature of 75°C, which confirmed the applicability of the method to extreme experimental conditions. Moreover, DIPPS enabled the first global specificity profiling of legumain at pH as low as 4.0, which revealed a pH‐dependent change in the specificity of this protease, further supporting its broad applicability.     

Salt‐Treated Roots of Oryza australiensis Seedlings are Enriched with Proteins Involved in Energetics and Transport

Salinity is a major constraint on rice productivity worldwide. However, mechanisms of salt tolerance in wild rice relatives are unknown. Root microsomal proteins are extracted from two Oryza australiensis accessions contrasting in salt tolerance. Whole roots of 2‐week‐old seedlings are treated with 80 mM NaCl for 30 days to induce salt stress. Proteins are quantified by tandem mass tags (TMT) and triple‐stage Mass Spectrometry. More than 200 differentially expressed proteins between the salt‐treated and control samples in the two accessions (p‐value <0.05) are found. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis shows that proteins categorized as “metabolic process,” “transport,” and “transmembrane transporter” are highly responsive to salt treatment. In particular, mitochondrial ATPases and SNARE proteins are more abundant in roots of the salt‐tolerant accession and responded strongly when roots are exposed to salinity. mRNA quantification validated the elevated protein abundances of a monosaccharide transporter and an antiporter observed in the salt‐tolerant genotype. The importance of the upregulated monosaccharide transporter and a VAMP‐like protein by measuring salinity responses of two yeast knockout mutants for genes homologous to those encoding these proteins in rice are confirmed. Potential new mechanisms of salt tolerance in rice, with implications for breeding of elite cultivars are also discussed.     

Identification of a female spawn‐associated Kazal‐type inhibitor from the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina

Abalone (Haliotis) undergoes a period of reproductive maturation, followed by the synchronous release of gametes, called broadcast spawning. Field and laboratory studies have shown that the tropical species Haliotis asinina undergoes a two‐week spawning cycle, thus providing an excellent opportunity to investigate the presence of endogenous spawning‐associated peptides. In female H. asinina, we have isolated a peptide (5145 Da) whose relative abundance in hemolymph increases substantially just prior to spawning and is still detected using reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography chromatograms up to 1‐day post‐spawn. We have isolated this peptide from female hemolymph as well as samples prepared from the gravid female gonad, and demonstrated through comparative sequence analysis that it contains features characteristic of Kazal‐type proteinase inhibitors (KPIs). Has‐KPI is expressed specifically within the gonad of adult females. A recombinant Has‐KPI was generated using a yeast expression system. The recombinant Has‐KPI does not induce premature spawning of female H. asinina when administered intramuscularly. However it displays homomeric aggregations and interaction with at least one mollusc‐type neuropeptide (LRDFVamide), suggesting a role for it in regulating neuropeptide endocrine communication. This research provides new understanding of a peptide that can regulate reproductive processes in female abalone, which has the potential to lead to the development of greater control over abalone spawning. The findings also highlight the need to further explore abalone reproduction to clearly define a role for novel spawning‐associated peptide in sexual maturation and spawning. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Protease Inhibitor of the Serpin Family Is a Major Protein in Carp Perimeningeal Fluid: I. Protein Purification and Characterization

Abstract: Two isoforms of a protease inhibitor of the serpin family (p62) have been purified from bighead carp perimeningeal fluid. Both isoforms migrate with an apparent molecular mass of 62 kDa on reducing and nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Both proteins inhibited the activities of bovine trypsin, bovine chymotrypsin, and porcine pancreatic elastase. They also formed complexes with these proteases that were resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment. p62 exists in the extracts of all tissues examined, including brain, head kidney, kidney, liver, muscle, ovary, pituitary, and spleen. It is also present in serum, ovarian fluid, and milt as well as perimeningeal fluid. The protease inhibitor is a glycoprotein, and its carbohydrate moiety could be removed by endoglycosidase F. Because p62 resembles mammalian α₁-antitrypsin in many aspects, it is likely a fish equivalent of α₁-antitrypsin.     

Quantitative Proteome Analysis of Brain Subregions and Spinal Cord from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by TMT‐Based Mass Spectrometry

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS); its cause is unknown. To understand the pathogenesis of MS, researchers often use the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. Here, the aim is to build a proteome map of the biological changes that occur during MS at the major onset sites—the brain and the spinal cord. Quantitative proteome profiling is performed in five specific brain regions and the spinal cord of EAE and healthy mice with high‐resolution mass spectrometry based on tandem mass tags. On average, 7400 proteins per region are quantified, with the most differentially expressed proteins in the spinal cord (1691), hippocampus (104), frontal cortex (83), cerebellum (63), brainstem (50), and caudate nucleus (41). Moreover, region‐specific and commonly expressed proteins in each region are identified and bioinformatics analysis is performed. Pathway analysis reveals that protein clusters resemble their functions in disease pathogenesis (i.e., by inducing inflammatory responses, immune activation, and cell–cell adhesion). In conclusion, the study provides an understanding of the pathogenesis of MS in the EAE animal model. It is expected that the comprehensive proteome map of the brain and spinal cord can be used to identify biomarkers for the pathogenesis of MS.     

采用蛋白质组学技术筛选鼻咽癌细胞的甲基化沉默基因

为筛选鼻咽癌的甲基化沉默基因,采用二维凝胶电泳(2-DE)技术分离甲基转移酶抑制剂5-杂氮-2'-脱氧胞苷(5-aza-2-dC)处理与未处理鼻咽癌细胞5-8F的蛋白质,PDquest图像分析软件识别差异蛋白质点,基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)鉴定差异蛋白质.然后采用Western blotting和RT-PCR检测差异蛋白质nm23-H1在药物处理与未处理5.8F细胞中的表达水平,采用甲基化特异性PCR(MS-PCR)检测nm23-H1基因在药物处理与未处理5-8F细胞中的甲基化水平.建立了5-aza-2-dC处理与未处理5.8F细胞蛋白质的2-DE图谱,识别了49个差异表达的蛋白质点,鉴定了33个差异表达的蛋白质,其中包括rim23.H1在内的15个蛋白质在5-aza-2-dC处理后的5-8F细胞中表达上调,而18个蛋白质表达下调.Western blotting和RT-PCR结果显示,nm23-H1在5-aza-2-dC处理5-8F细胞后表达上调,MS-PCR结果显示,在5-aza-2-dC处理5-8F细胞后nm23-H1基因甲基化水平下降,结果证实,nm23-H1基因是5-8F细胞中的甲基化沉默基因.15个5-aza.2-dC处理后表达上调的基因可能是5-8F细胞中的甲基化沉默基因,为筛选鼻咽癌甲基化失活基因提供了科学依据.