Rat supernatant protein factor-like protein stimulates squalene monooxygenase and is activated by protein kinase A

Rat supernatant protein factor-like protein (SPF2) shares 90% sequence identity with rat SPF and 77% identity with human SPF, both of which have been shown to stimulate squalene monooxygenase in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. SPF2 appears to be predominantly expressed in respiratory and epithelial tissues, whereas SPF is expressed in liver. To determine if SPF2 was also able to stimulate squalene monooxygenase activity, we have cloned, expressed, and purified the protein following heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. SPF2 was only half as effective as SPF in stimulating squalene epoxidation and was more strongly inhibited by GTP and GDP. The inhibition by guanine nucleotides was fully prevented by alpha-tocopherol, a reported ligand for these proteins. Incubation of SPF2 with protein kinase A and ATP increased its activity by about twofold, has been found for SPF. These results indicate that SPF2 activity is modulated by guanine nucleotides and alpha-tocopherol, as well as by phosphorylation.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor produced by cloned L3T4a+, class II-restricted T cells induces HT-2 cells to proliferate

Cloned L3T4a+ antigen-specific, class II-restricted T cells can be subdivided by function and by cytokine production. All cloned T cell lines produce T cell growth factors that can be distinguished by the ability of monoclonal antibodies to inhibit the proliferation of cytokine-dependent T cell lines induced by these T cell growth factors. From these types of analyses, it has been shown that all cloned T cells that help hapten-specific B cells secrete immunoglobulin, produce interleukin 4 (IL 4). Those cloned T cells that fail to help for anti-hapten responses produce neither IL 4 nor interleukin 2 (IL 2), yet release an activity that induces the proliferation of the cytokine-dependent T cell line, HT-2. Additional analysis of the HT-2 stimulating activity has shown that it is indistinguishable from granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)--this activity being produced by all cloned T cells tested. Thus GM-CSF is a product of all cloned L3T4a+ T cell lines tested thus far, and can serve as a T cell growth factor for HT-2, as well as a co-factor for in vivo derived T cells.     

Expression and purification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SecA N-terminal domain: stimulation of ATPase activity of the SecAL43P mutant protein

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium which secretes a wide range of hydrolytic enzymes, toxins, and virulence factors into the extracellular medium. Although P. aeruginosa possesses numerous specific systems for the export of proteins across its double-membrane envelopes, the Sec system is still the major and essential mechanism. However, very little is known about its molecular basis. We constructed, cloned, and expressed the N-terminal 236 amino acids of PaSecA domain (PaSecAN236), and SecAL43P mutants of P. aeruginosa in Escherichia coli BL21.19 (secA(ts)). Here, we describe the purification of PaSecAN236 by using osmotic shock as the first step to efficiently release targeted protein from cells, followed by cation-exchange and size exclusion columns to obtain homogeneous PaSecAN236. The purified PaSecA N-terminal domain was functional in stimulating the ATPase activity of mutant SecAL43P protein of P. aeruginosa.     

Comparative Proteomics of Milk Fat Globule Membrane Proteins from Transgenic Cloned Cattle

The use of transgenic livestock is providing new methods for obtaining pharmaceutically useful proteins. However, the protein expression profiles of the transgenic animals, including expression of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins, have not been well characterized. In this study, we compared the MFGM protein expression profile of the colostrum and mature milk from three lines of transgenic cloned (TC) cattle, i.e., expressing recombinant human α-lactalbumin (TC-LA), lactoferrin (TC-LF) or lysozyme (TC-LZ) in the mammary gland, with those from cloned non-transgenic (C) and conventionally bred normal animals (N). We identified 1, 225 proteins in milk MFGM, 166 of which were specifically expressed only in the TC-LA group, 265 only in the TC-LF group, and 184 only in the TC-LZ group. There were 43 proteins expressed only in the transgenic cloned animals, but the concentrations of these proteins were below the detection limit of silver staining. Functional analysis also showed that the 43 proteins had no obvious influence on the bovine mammary gland. Quantitative comparison revealed that MFGM proteins were up- or down-regulated more than twofold in the TC and C groups compared to N group: 126 in colostrum and 77 in mature milk of the TC-LA group; 157 in colostrum and 222 in mature milk of the TC-LF group; 49 in colostrum and 98 in mature milk of the TC-LZ group; 98 in colostrum and 132 in mature milk in the C group. These up- and down-regulated proteins in the transgenic animals were not associated with a particular biological function or pathway, which appears that expression of certain exogenous proteins has no general deleterious effects on the cattle mammary gland.     

Evidence for Shared Receptor Proteins for Human Interleukin-3 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in the Human M-07 Cell Line

Abstract

The biologic response of the human leukemia cell line M-07 to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) is mediated by a low number of high affinity receptors. Cross-competition studies revealed that IL-3 and GM-CSF partially inhibited the specific binding of the heterologous radiolabeled ligand, whereas IL-4 binding was not affected by these cytokines. The molecular mechanism of cross-competition was investigated by chemical crosslinking and immuno-precipitation. Trimolecular receptor complexes consisting of a major 73kDa and two minor 120 and 128kDa membrane proteins for IL-3, and a major 84kDa and two minor 120 and 130 kDa proteins for GM-CSF were found on M-07 cells. The 73 and 84kDa proteins represent distinct and non-linked membrane proteins and are identical with the cloned, low affinity IL-3 and GM-CSF receptor proteins (Gearing et al, 1989, Hayashida et al, 1990). The higher molecular weight proteins share common binding sites as evidenced by immunoprecipitation of double-crosslinked membranes. The 120/128kDa proteins are most likely identical with the recently cloned and shared β-subunit of the IL-3 and GM-CSF receptor (Kitamura et al, 1991) containing a single or two IL-3 and/or GM-CSF molecules.     

Cloning, characterization and expression of complete coding sequences of three IgE binding Malassezia furfur allergens, Mal f 7, Mal f 8 and Mal f 9.

Malassezia furfur, formerly known as Pityrosporum orbiculare or P. ovale, is a yeast that colonizes human skin. Normally, this yeast is nonpathogenic but under the influence of predisposing factors it may induce IgE reactivity in patients with atopic dermatitis. Approximately 40-65% of atopic dermatitis patients have IgE antibodies and/or skin reactivity against M. furfur and a higher T-cell response against this yeast is found in atopic dermatitis patients than in healthy individuals. By making a cDNA library displayed on a phage surface, we previously cloned five different IgE-binding proteins, Mal f 5, Mal f 6, MF 7, MF 8 and MF 9, from this yeast. The cDNAs encoding these allergens were sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The sequences of MF 7, MF 8 and MF 9 were not full length (missing their 5'-ends) giving only partial gene products. To obtain complete cDNA sequences, we performed RACE-PCR to amplify the 5'-ends of each cDNA. These PCR products were sequenced and analyzed. The coding sequences of Mal f 7, Mal f 8 and Mal f 9 encode proteins with ORFs of 141 (16.2 kDa), 179 (19.2 kDa) and 126 (14.0 kDa) amino-acid residues, respectively. None of the putative proteins showed significant sequence homology with other known proteins in the searched database. The proteins encoded by the complete cDNA sequences were expressed in E. coli as recombinant proteins. Immunoblotting and radioallergosorbant test data showed that all of the expressed recombinant proteins have the ability to bind serum IgE from atopic dermatitis patients and furthermore, the M. furfur extract could specifically inhibit this IgE binding.     

New insights into the normal menstrual cycle-regulatory molecules

Although the growth and regression of the endometrium is primarily a function of the ovarian hormones, recent studies indicate a potential autocrine/paracrine role for regulatory molecules. Thus, growth factors, angiogenesis stimulating factors and proliferating cell markers are high in the proliferative phase endometrium contributing to its regeneration. At the same time, other proteins promote endometrial cell survival by preventing extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis. As glandular proliferation persists in the early secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, the activity of some proteins stimulating growth remains unchanged, but declines significantly thereafter, shifting the balance between proliferation and apoptosis in favour of apoptosis. During this period, several other regulatory substances are expressed at high levels, suggesting a role in endometrial maturation. If, however, implantation of a fertilized ovum fails to take place, menstruation occurs probably as the result of matrix metalloprotinases which antagononizes the anti-degradation factors (inhibitors of metalloproteinases). This review examines the changing endometrial patterns of a normal menstrual cycle in relation to these regulatory molecules.     

Sodium cotransport proteins.

Significant advances have been made in elucidating the structure of Na+ cotransport proteins. Some fifteen of these low-abundance proteins have been cloned, sequenced and functionally expressed. They are members of the 12 membrane-spanning superfamily and they segregate into two groups, the Na+/glucose (SGLT1) and Na+/Cl-/GABA (GAT-1) families. SGLT1 transporters are expressed in bacteria and animal cells, while GAT-1 transporters are mostly expressed in the brain. None have yet been found in plants.     

Intracellular localization of the viral polymerase proteins in cells infected with influenza virus and cells expressing PB1 protein from cloned cDNA.

The biosynthesis, nuclear transport, and formation of a complex among the influenza polymerase proteins were studied in influenza virus-infected MDBK cells by using monospecific antisera. To obtain these monospecific antisera, portions of cloned cDNAs encoding the individual polymerase proteins (PB1, PB2, or PA) of A/WSN/33 influenza virus were expressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, and the purified fusion proteins were injected into rabbits. Studies using indirect immunofluorescence showed that early in the infectious cycle (4 h postinfection) of influenza virus, PB1 and PB2 are present mainly in the nucleus, whereas PA is predominantly present in the cytoplasm of the virus-infected cells. Later, at 6 to 8 h postinfection, all three polymerase proteins are apparent both in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus. Radiolabeling and immunoprecipitation analyses showed that the three polymerase proteins remain physically associated as a complex in either the presence or the absence of ribonucleoproteins. In the cytoplasm, the majority of the polymerase proteins remain unassociated, whereas in the nucleus they are present as a complex of three polymerase proteins. To determine whether a polymerase protein is transported into the nucleus individually, PB1 was expressed from the cloned cDNA by using the simian virus 40 late promoter expression vector. PB1 alone, in the absence of the other polymerase proteins or the nucleoprotein, accumulates in the nucleus. This suggests that the formation of a complex with other viral protein(s) is not required for either nuclear transport or nuclear accumulation of PB1 protein and that the PB1 protein may contain an intrinsic signal(s) for nuclear transport.     

Identification and characterization of App: an immunogenic autotransporter protein of Neisseria meningitidis

In a search for immunogenic virulence factors in Neisseria meningitidis, we have identified a gene encoding a predicted 160 kDa protein with homology to the autotransporter family of proteins. Members of this family are secreted or surface exposed and are often associated with virulence in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. We named the gene adhesion and penetration protein (app), because of its extensive homology to the hap gene of Haemophilus influenzae. We reconstructed the gene with reference to genomic sequence data and cloned and expressed the protein in Escherichia coli. Rabbit antiserum raised against recombinant App reacted with proteins in all meningococcal isolates examined, which represented clonal groups responsible for the majority of meningococcal invasive disease. Antibodies to the protein were detected in the sera of patients convalescing from meningococcal infection. Purified App had strong stimulating activity for T cells isolated from a number of healthy donors and from one convalescent patient. We confirmed that App is surface localized, cleaved and secreted by N. meningitidis. Importantly, the rabbit anti-App serum killed the organism in the presence of complement. Thus, App is conserved among meningococci, immunogenic in humans and potentially involved in virulence. It therefore merits further investigation as a component of a future multivalent vaccine.     

编码新型转录因子样蛋白的小鼠及人类同源cDNA的克隆(英文)

 通过检索GenBank的表达序列标签 (EST)数据库并结合cDNA末端快速扩增法 (RACE) ,从小鼠胸腺克隆到一个新的cDNA序列 ,并从人类肝癌组织中克隆出了其同源cDNA .根据读码框架分析 ,这两个cDNA分别编码 541和 555个氨基酸的蛋白质 两个蛋白质之间氨基酸序列一致率为77% ,和已知蛋白无显著同源性 .分子生物学软件和网上分析表明 ,两个蛋白质所含功能序列与STAT家族成员极为相似 ,均含有包括酪氨酸蛋白激酶在内的多种蛋白激酶的磷酸化位点和核定位信号 (NLS) ,可能是一种新型转录因子 .RT PCR分析显示 ,两个基因在正常组织中选择性表达 ,其分布相似 ,而且都具有一定程度的与分化或增殖相关的趋势 .     

Identification and characterization of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate granule-associated protein, PGA12 and PGA16 in Zoogloea ramigera I-16-M

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules of Zoogloea ramigera I-16-M contained two major PHB granule-associated proteins (PGA12 and PGA16) as revealed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel elecrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequences of these proteins were determined. The genes encoding these proteins were cloned and sequenced. The structural genes of PGA12 and PGA16 were 351 and 447 bp long, which encode polypeptides with deduced molecular masses of 12.3 and 16.0 kDa, respectively. PGA12 and PGA16 were expressed in Escherichia coli. PHB granules were isolated from cells of recombinant strains of E. coli JM109, which harbored and expressed the PHB-synthetic genes of Ralstonia eutropha H16 and PGA12 or PGA16. These PHB granules contained PGA12 or PGA16 as a major protein. The presence of pga12 or pga16 did not affect the amount of PHB synthesized in E. coli. PGA12 and PGA16 bound to crystalline and amorphous PHB granules.     

Expression and bioactivity analysis of Staphylococcal enterotoxin M and N

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are powerful superantigens that stimulate non-specific T-cell proliferation produced by Staphylococcus aureus and draw considerable attention as ideal drugs for cancer therapy. The filtrate of S. aureus culture has been used as ampul named Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection in clinic for 10 years in China and proved to be effective. The superantigen SEC claimed to be the only active component without certifiable evidences. For further investigations of the active components of this injection and establishment of foundations for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs, in this research we extracted total DNA from S. aureus (FRI 1230), cloned, expressed and purified recombinant proteins of Staphylococcal enterotoxin M and N (rSEM and rSEN). The MTT assay of the purified rSEM and rSEN demonstrated that their abilities of stimulating T cells and inhibiting the proliferation of K562-ADM cells and B16 cells were equivalent to that of purified SEC2 in vitro. These findings suggested that SEC was not the only active component of Staphylococcal enterotoxin C injection and the effective procedure of expression and purification may be useful for mass productions of these therapeutically important proteins.     

Steel factor stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the proto-oncogene product, p95vav, in human hemopoietic cells.

Steel factor (SF) (also called stem cell factor, mast cell growth factor, or c-kit ligand) is a recently cloned hemopoietic growth factor that is produced by bone marrow stromal cells, fibroblasts, and hepatocytes. In both mouse and man it acts synergistically with several colony stimulating factors, including interleukin-3 (IL-3) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), to induce the proliferation and differentiation of primitive hemopoietic precursor cells. In order to study its mechanism of action and to explore the molecular basis for its synergistic activity we have examined the proteins that become tyrosine phosphorylated in response to SF, IL-3, and GM-CSF. We report herein that SF, but not IL-3 or GM-CSF, dramatically stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the product of the recently discovered proto-oncogene, vav, in two SF-responsive human cell lines, M07E and TF-1. Although phosphorylation is very rapid, reaching maximal levels within 2 min at 37 degrees C, co-immunoprecipitation studies suggest that c-kit may either not associate directly with p95vav or bind to it with very low affinity. Nonetheless, our data suggest that c-kit may utilize p95vav to mediate downstream signaling in hemopoietic cells.     

Expression of human papillomavirus types 6b and 16 L1 open reading frames in Escherichia coli: detection of a 56,000-dalton polypeptide containing genus-specific (common) antigens.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) genome contains two large open reading frames (ORFs), designated L1 and L2. To characterize the antigenic properties of the L1 ORF-encoded proteins, we cloned the L1 ORFs of HPV6b and HPV16 in plasmids, and these were expressed in Escherichia coli. First, the HPV6b DNA, representing 85.2% of the L1 ORF, was cloned in pUC19 and expressed in E. coli JM83 and RB791 as a 160,000-molecular-weight (160K) fusion protein with E. coli beta-galactosidase (6bL1/beta-gal). Second, the HPV16 DNA, representing 89.8% of the L1 ORF, was cloned in pKK233-2 and expressed as a 56K protein (16L1) in strain RB791. Both the 6bL1/beta-gal and 16L1 proteins cross-reacted with anti-bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) antibody raised against disrupted BPV1 particles. An antibody raised against the 6bL1/beta-gal fusion protein reacted with the 16L1 protein and also with native papillomavirus antigens in human genital condyloma and bovine fibropapilloma tissues, as determined by biotin-streptavidin staining. Furthermore, the anti-6bL1/beta-gal antibody recognized a 54K protein which seemed to be a major capsid protein of BPV1 and also a 56K protein of biopsies harboring HPV6 or HPV11. From these results we concluded that the papillomavirus L1 gene product contains genus-specific (common) antigens and that the HPV6 and HPV11 L1 genes specify the 56K capsid protein.     

Cloning, expression, and purification of Brucella suis outer membrane proteins

Brucella, an aerobic, nonsporeforming, nonmotile Gram-negative coccobacillus, is a NIH/CDC category B bioterror threat agent that causes incapacitating human illness. Medical defense against the bioterror threat posed by Brucella would be strengthened by development of a human vaccine and improved diagnostic tests. Central to advancement of these goals is discovery of bacterial constituents that are immunogenic or antigenic for humans. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are particularly attractive for this purpose. In this study, we cloned, expressed, and purified seven predicted OMPs of Brucella suis. The recombinant proteins were fused with 6-His and V5 epitope tags at their C termini to facilitate detection and purification. The B. suis surface genes were PCR synthesized based on their ORF sequences and directly cloned into an entry vector. The recombinant entry constructs were propagated in TOP 10 cells, recombined into a destination vector, pET-DEST42, then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 cells for IPTG-induced protein expression. The expressed recombinant proteins were confirmed with Western blot analysis using anti-6-His antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. These B. suis OMPs were captured and purified using a HisGrab plate. The purified recombinant proteins were examined for their binding activity with antiserum. Serum derived from a rabbit immunized intramuscularly with dialyzed cell lysate of Brucella rough mutant WRR51. The OMPs were screened using the rabbit antiserum and purified IgG. The results suggested that recombinant B. suis OMPs were successfully cloned, expressed and purified. Some of the expressed OMPs showed high binding activity with immunized rabbit antiserum.