肺炎链球菌假想蛋白SPD0873的表达纯化及保守性分析

目的通过构建原核表达载体,获得纯化的肺炎链球菌S．pn重组假想蛋白SPD0873,并制备多克隆抗体,进一步分析其在常见S．pn菌株中的保守性。方法分离培养D39型肺炎链球菌,获取其基因组DNA。利用PCR方法扩增去除信号肽的spd0873序列,采用基因体外重组法将spd0873序列克隆到原核表达载体pET-32（a）内,测序鉴定。将重组质粒转化到E．coli Rossetta（DE3）中,经IPTG诱导大量表达融合6个组氨酸标签的SPD0873重组蛋白,经Ni—NTA树脂纯化后,获得的重组蛋白用SDS—PAGE和Western印迹鉴定;将鉴定后纯化的蛋白免疫BALB／C小鼠制备多克隆抗体,并用间接ELISA检测多克隆抗体的效价,Western印迹方法分析多克隆抗体的特异性,同时,鉴定该蛋白在5种常见肺炎链球菌分离株的保守性。结果克隆的spd0873序列与GenBank中的数据相符,并实现了SPD0873蛋白高水平的可溶表达。纯化蛋白免疫BALB／C小鼠获得高滴度、高特异性的的多克隆抗体,Western印迹验证SPD0873蛋白在5株常见肺炎链球菌菌株中均有表达。结论成功制备了高滴度、高特异性的SPD0873蛋白多克隆抗体,同时,检测到SPD0873蛋白在5种常见的肺炎链球菌菌株中非常保守,为研究该蛋白的生物学功能及肺炎链球菌多肽联合疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

肺炎链球菌SP0306蛋白的表达纯化及结晶研究

SP0306蛋白是肺炎链球菌TIGR4菌株中的一种假想的转录因子,但其蛋白三维结构及生物学功能尚未明了,生物信息学分析提示其可能调控碳水化合物代谢相关基因的表达。成功构建了SP0306蛋白的全长表达载体PET28a-sp0306,利用大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株进行原核表达,获得了以可溶形式表达的目的蛋白。经Ni-NTA柱亲和层析及DEAE阴性离子交换层析纯化后,获得了高纯度的目的蛋白。采用悬滴气相扩散法获得了质量较好的SP0306蛋白晶体,并初步进行了晶体X射线衍射,为其最终的三维结构解析及生物学功能研究奠定了基础。     

津田芜菁MYB77蛋白的原核表达及纯化

目的:建立津田芜菁转录因子MYB77的原核表达系统,并在大肠杆菌中获得表达。方法:RT-PCR获得MYB77的编码序列,将其克隆至pGEM-T载体中,在上下游引物中分别引入HindⅢ和EcoRⅠ酶切位点,PCR获得带酶切位点的目的片段并将其连接到重组表达载体pGEX-KG中,转化大肠杆菌DE3工程菌株,IPTG诱导重组质粒pGEX-KG-MYB77在大肠杆菌DE3中表达带有GST标签的融合蛋白,超声裂解大肠杆菌,用MagneGST ProteinPurification System纯化目的蛋白,通过SDS-PAGE和Western印迹验证GST-MYB77融合蛋白的表达。结果:重组菌株可以表达GST-MYB77融合蛋白,用Western印迹鉴定纯化的融合蛋白,在相对分子质量为55.56×103处检测到目的条带。结论:利用大肠杆菌表达系统获得了较高纯度的GST-MYB77融合蛋白,为进一步研究津田芜菁MYB77蛋白的功能奠定了基础。     

苏云金芽胞杆菌LM1212菌株cry基因启动子的活性分析

【背景】前期发现一株具有独特分化表型的苏云金芽胞杆菌(Bacillusthuringiensis,Bt)LM1212,该菌株共有14种杀虫基因,组成了10个转录单元。利用源自菌株LM1212的晶体产生细胞调控因子(crystal producing cell regulator, CpcR)以及其可以激活的cry35-like基因启动子,已在典型Bt菌株HD73中成功构建了非芽胞杀虫蛋白表达体系。【目的】比较菌株LM1212的不同杀虫基因启动子的转录活性,明确可被转录因子CpcR激活的且转录活性较高的启动子,以此为基础优化非芽胞杀虫蛋白表达体系。【方法】将10个启动子区域分别与lacZ报告基因融合构建在pHT304-18Z载体上,得到了10个重组质粒;然后将cpcR基因及其启动子(PcpcR-cpcR)分别反向构建在选取的启动子区域与lacZ报告基因的上游,得到可以表达CpcR且与上述构建相对应的10个重组质粒,将这些重组质粒分别转入不含CpcR的菌株HD73,即获得20个可用于测定β-半乳糖苷酶活性的重组菌株。通过光学显微镜观察和SDS-PAGE检测明确杀虫蛋白表达的情况。【结果】在...     

肺炎链球菌血红素结合脂蛋白PiuA的表达、纯化和表征

【背景】肺炎链球菌是社区获得性肺炎最常见的致病菌之一,它也会引起脑膜炎、鼻窦炎、中耳炎、菌血症等一系列疾病,对人类(特别是儿童、老人、免疫缺陷患者)健康造成重大威胁。铁是肺炎链球菌生存和感染所必需的元素之一,其中血红素转运系统PiuABCD是肺炎链球菌最重要的铁转运系统。【目的】克隆、表达和纯化肺炎链球菌血红素转运系统脂蛋白PiuA,并在体外表征PiuA蛋白的血红素结合特性。【方法】将肺炎链球菌D39菌株中的piuA(spd_1652)基因连接到载体pBAD-HisA上,在大肠杆菌Top10菌株中进行异源表达,然后运用Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化PiuA-His蛋白,并用肠激酶切掉His标签获得不含标签的PiuA蛋白,最后运用圆二色谱、紫外光谱和荧光光谱表征PiuA蛋白的血红素结合特性。【结果】构建了pBAD/HisA-PiuA重组表达载体,获得了纯度大于95%的PiuA蛋白,圆二色谱显示PiuA蛋白与Hemin结合后,其二级结构不发生改变;紫外光谱结果显示PiuA蛋白具有血红素结合能力;荧光光谱结果显示apo-PiuA蛋白与Hemin结合常数K=3.4×10~5 L/mol。【结论】肺炎链球菌血红素转运系统脂蛋白PiuA能够特异地结合血红素,为肺炎链球菌的生存和感染提供必需的铁源,PiuA蛋白的体外表征结果为针对PiuABCD血红素转运系统设计抗菌药物奠定了基础。     

荧光假单胞杆菌2P24中gacA、dsbA和phoP/phoQ基因对小RNA因子RsmZ的转录调控

Pseudomonas fluorescens 2P24是分离自麦田的植物病害生物防治菌株,产生抗生素2, 4-二乙酰基间苯三酚（2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol;2,4-DAPG）是其主要防病机制。菌株2P24中小RNA基因rsmZ正调控抗生素2,4-DAPG的产量。【目的】本文研究上游调控因子对RsmZ转录表达的影响,以进一步理解抗生素产生机制。【方法】构建了rsmZ: : lacZ的转录融合结构,将含有该结构的报告载体转入2P24的多个调控基因缺失突变体中,检测相应的缺失基因对rsmZ转录水平的调控作用。【结果】结果表明,反应调控因子GacA对rsmZ基因的转录具有正调控作用,二硫键合成蛋白DsbA对其负调控;双因子调控系统PhoP/PhoQ突变后,rsmZ基因的转录明显滞后。【结论】小RNA基因rsmZ在菌株2P24中受到多个基因的调控,并在信号传递网络中起到重要作用。     

苏云金芽胞杆菌Sigma K在大肠杆菌中的表达与纯化

【目的】在大肠杆菌中表达纯化苏云金芽胞杆菌HD73的转录调控因子Sigma K(σK)。【方法】PCR扩增出苏云金芽胞杆菌HD73中sig K基因的ORF(Open reading frame)装载到带有His标签的表达载体p ET21b上,转入到表达菌株BL21(DE3)中获得重组菌株BL21(p ETsig K),通过SDS-PAGE、镍柱亲和纯化、阴离子交换纯化和凝胶迁移实验(EMSA)等方法对Sigma K蛋白进行提取、纯化和生物活性分析。【结果】正确表达出大小约为27 k D的His-Sigma K蛋白,并获得了纯化的蛋白。EMSA结果表明纯化的His-Sigma K蛋白可以与受其控制的cry1Ac基因启动子结合。【结论】表达和纯化了His-Sigma K蛋白,His-Sigma K具有与受其控制的启动子结合的功能。     

桑黄Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白转录因子及其在不同碳氮源条件下的表达

Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白转录因子（C6 zinc）在真菌次生代谢产物合成中发挥重要作用。本研究首先利用本地BLAST,从桑黄Sanghuangporus sanghuang全基因组中获得Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白转录因子编码基因,并利用生物信息学手段分析编码蛋白保守结构域、一级结构及二级结构,构建蛋白系统发育树,最后利用半定量PCR对它们在不同碳源和氮源培养条件下的表达情况进行检测。结果显示:从桑黄基因组中分析获得的11个Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白均具有Cy6型锌指基序,属于GAL4型锌簇蛋白转录因子;它们均为不稳定亲水性蛋白,具磷酸化修饰位点,糖基化修饰位点较少或没有,定位于细胞核中;其二级结构主要以无规卷曲和α螺旋为主;系统发育树分析结果显示,桑黄Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白分为2个大分支,其中Ⅰ类分支转录因子的保守结构域分布于蛋白N-端,Ⅱ类分支转录因子的保守结构域则分布于蛋白C-端;11个桑黄Zn(II)2Cys6锌簇蛋白转录因子在不同培养基培养的菌丝体中呈现差异化表达,其中,肌醇培养基和乳糖培养基能够有效促进大部分锌簇蛋白转录因子的表达;另外,基因簇分析显示桑黄锌簇蛋白SHCZ4可能是NRPS-PKS杂合基因簇体系的途经特异性转录因子。该结果将为桑黄次生代谢产物合成调控相关转录因子的研究以及潜在次生代谢相关基因簇的挖掘提供参考依据。     

变形链球菌耐氟菌株耐酸相关基因ropA的克隆及蛋白表达

克隆并表达变形链球菌耐氟菌株耐酸相关基因ropA。以变形链球菌UA159的耐氟菌株全基因组为模版,PCR扩增ropA基因并与p MD-18T克隆载体连接构建重组克隆质粒,测序鉴定。Bam HⅠ、HindⅢ双酶切重组克隆质粒,回收目的基因片段并与p Pro EX HTa表达载体通过粘性末端连接构建重组表达质粒,转化入大肠埃希菌感受态细胞DH5α,IPTG诱导,SDS-PAGE检测Rop A表达量。测序结果为变形链球菌UA159的耐氟菌株ropA基因碱基序列与亲代菌株UA159完全一致。SDS-PAGE结果显示IPTG成功诱导Rop A蛋白表达,并且随诱导时间的延长蛋白表达增多。变形链球菌UA159耐氟菌株的耐酸相关基因ropA未发生突变,说明变形链球菌耐氟菌株耐酸性增强不是由ropA碱基序列的改变导致。本研究成功诱导Rop A蛋白表达,为后续研究Rop A蛋白功能奠定了基础。     

CodY在单核细胞增生李斯特菌运动和毒力方面的作用

目的:探究全局性转录调控因子CodY在单核细胞增生李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes,Lm)鞭毛运动和细菌毒力方面的作用。方法:通过同源重组的方法敲除Lm染色体上CodY的编码基因codY并成功构建缺失菌株的回复菌株;利用平板泳动法观测鞭毛运动的变化,RT-qPCR检测与鞭毛运动相关基因的转录表达;比较野生型菌株EGDe与CodY缺失菌株对细菌溶血活性、棉铃虫幼虫的半致死剂量和主要的毒力因子LLO和毒力基因调控蛋白PrfA转录表达的影响。结果:同野生型菌株相比,CodY缺失菌株鞭毛运动和相关基因,以及主要的毒力因子LLO和PrfA的转录表达显著降低(P≤0.01),溶血活性显著降低(P≤0.01),对棉铃虫幼虫的半致死剂量上升了5.8倍。结论:CodY在Lm鞭毛运动和细菌毒力调控方面具有重要作用。     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Relations of the Al,B, Ba,Br, Ca,Cl, Cu,Fe, K,Li, Mg,Mn, Na,P, S,Si, Sr,and Zn mass fractions to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands

The variation with age of the 18 trace element mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0–30 years was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet tissue) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Al 28.5 ± 9.0, B 0.40 ± 0.11, Ba 1.48 ± 0.44, Br 10.5 ± 1.5, Ca 241 ± 30, Cl 3,203 ± 278, Cu 3.51 ± 0.89, Fe 33.7 ± 4.1, K 2,364 ± 145, Li 0.020 ± 0.004, Mg 153 ± 23, Mn 0.46 ± 0.06, Na 2,286 ± 130, P 1,391 ± 100, S 1,698 ± 132, Si 62 ± 11, Sr 0.38 ± 0.08, and Zn 27.6 ± 2.3. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Al 7.2 ± 1.4, B 0.21 ± 0.05, Ba 0.25 ± 0.06, Br 5.8 ± 1.0, Ca 433 ± 81, Cl 2,314 ± 201, Cu 1.77 ± 0.13, Fe 20.9 ± 1.6, K 2,585 ± 118, Li 0.0088 ± 0.0014, Mg 232 ± 27, Mn 0.34 ± 0.04, Na 1,875 ± 107, P 1,403 ± 98, S 1,673 ± 73, Si 22.2 ± 3.1, Sr 0.22 ± 0.03, and Zn 93.3 ± 8.9. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. This work’s results confirm that the Zn mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter. For the first time it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Ca, Mg, and Zn accumulation and that the stroma is a main pool of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Si accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 0–30 years. It was concluded that the Ca, Mg, and Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.     

Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS

The goal of this article was to establish reference ranges of the concentration of trace elements in human serum and to compare these results with those reported by other authors. We describe the sample preparation and measurement conditions that allow the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum samples (n=110) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were determined by analyzing three reconstituted reference serum samples by comparison with other methods and by the standard addition procedure. The advantages of the ICP-MS method include short time of analysis of the elements mentioned, low detection limit, high precision, and high accuracy. Disadventages include a high risk of contamination due to the presence of some of the elements of interest in the environment, the relatively delicate sample handling, and the high cost of the equipment.     

Reference values for the concentrations of As,Cd, Co,Cr, Cu,Fe, I,Hg, Mn,Mo, Ni,Pb, Se,and Zn in selected human tissues and body fluids

This report attempts to formulate reference ranges of elemental concentrations for 15 trace elements in selected human tissues and body fluids. A set of samples consisting of whole blood, blood serum, urine, milk, liver, and hair were chosen and considered for 15 elements of biological significance: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, I, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The results represent wholly or partially data received from 40 countries of the global regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North, South, and Central America, Australia, and New Zealand. This survey, even if qualitative, has been useful in demonstrating certain trends of trace-element scenarios around the world. It is of course recognized that both diet and environment exert a strong influence on the distribution pattern of several elements, such as As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. A limited comparison of the available information on soil status of different countries reflected some interesting associations for elements, such as Mn and Zn. Importantly, this study revealed that only a few countries were in a position to identify a reasonable amount of data on samples requested for this project. Regretably, for a number of countries, any dependable data for even such essential elements as Cu, Fe, and Zn were not available. In view of the nutritional importance of many elements, the time is ripe for concerted efforts by intergovernmental agencies to initiate investigations or commission task forces/projects to generate reliable reference data for selected global regions, which sadly lack data of any kind at present.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, V, and Zn Contents in Rib Bone of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15–55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54?±?0.16, 171,400?±?4,050, 1.35?±?0.22, 140?±?11, 1,874?±?71, 0.049?±?0.011, 2,139?±?38, 5,378?±?88, 75,140?±?1,660, 1,881?±?51, 291?±?20, and 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.     

Potential Compounds for Oral Cancer Treatment: Resveratrol,Nimbolide, Lovastatin,Bortezomib, Vorinostat,Berberine, Pterostilbene,Deguelin, Andrographolide,and Colchicine

Oral cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in South-Asian countries. There are very limited treatment options available for oral cancer. Research endeavors focused on discovery and development of novel therapies for oral cancer, is necessary to control the ever rising oral cancer related mortalities. We mined the large pool of compounds from the publicly available compound databases, to identify potential therapeutic compounds for oral cancer. Over 84 million compounds were screened for the possible anti-cancer activity by custom build SVM classifier. The molecular targets of the predicted anti-cancer compounds were mined from reliable sources like experimental bioassays studies associated with the compound, and from protein-compound interaction databases. Therapeutic compounds from DrugBank, and a list of natural anti-cancer compounds derived from literature mining of published studies, were used for building partial least squares regression model. The regression model thus built, was used for the estimation of oral cancer specific weights based on the molecular targets. These weights were used to compute scores for screening the predicted anti-cancer compounds for their potential to treat oral cancer. The list of potential compounds was annotated with corresponding physicochemical properties, cancer specific bioactivity evidences, and literature evidences. In all, 288 compounds with the potential to treat oral cancer were identified in the current study. The majority of the compounds in this list are natural products, which are well-tolerated and have minimal side-effects compared to the synthetic counterparts. Some of the potential therapeutic compounds identified in the current study are resveratrol, nimbolide, lovastatin, bortezomib, vorinostat, berberine, pterostilbene, deguelin, andrographolide, and colchicine.