天山雪莲SiSAD基因与拟南芥AtFAB2基因转化 烟草的抗寒性分析

通过转基因烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)验证天山雪莲(Saussurea involucrata) Δ9硬脂酰-ACP脱饱和酶基因SiSAD与拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中同源基因AtFAB2的抗寒性功能。利用农杆菌介导法将植物表达载体P_SiSAD:AtFAB2和P_SiSAD:SiSAD导入烟草, 然后将2种转基因和野生型烟草分别置于20°C、10°C、5°C、0°C及-2°C下处理2小时, 检测其相对电导率、丙二醛(MDA)含量、叶绿素荧光参数(F_v/F_m)及脂肪酸含量。将-2°C处理2小时后的植株置于25°C培养1周进行生长恢复实验。结果表明, 生长恢复实验中转SiSAD基因烟草的恢复效果显著优于转AtFAB2基因和野生型烟草。在0°C和-2°C处理2小时后, 转SiSAD、AtFAB2基因型和野生型烟草的相对电导率和丙二醛含量呈现显著递增趋势; 转SiSAD、AtFAB2基因型烟草的F_v/F_m显著高于野生型烟草, 其中, 转SiSAD基因烟草的F_v/F_m显著高于转AtFAB2基因烟草。转AtFAB2基因型和野生型烟草的油酸(C18:1)含量随着温度的降低逐渐升高后降低并在0°C时达到最高值; 而转SiSAD基因型烟草C18:1含量持续升高, 并在-2°C时达到最高值, 其含量分别是转AtFAB2基因型和野生型烟草的1.58倍和1.7倍。以上结果表明, 天山雪莲Δ9硬脂酰-ACP脱饱和酶基因SiSAD与拟南芥中同源基因AtFAB2均可以显著增强非低温驯化烟草的抗寒性, 但是SiSAD基因效果显著优于AtFAB2。     

副干酪乳杆菌β-葡糖苷酶的表达、纯化及酶学性质研究 *

为了实现糖苷类物质的高效转化,将来源于副干酪乳杆菌(Lactobacillus paracasei)TK1501 β-葡糖苷酶基因连接于表达载体pET28a(+)上,在E. coli BL21中表达,重组酶经镍离子亲和层析分离得到纯酶,其分子质量和比酶活分别为86.63kDa和675.56U/mg。最适作用温度和pH分别为30℃和6.5。 Mg ²⁺和Ca ²⁺对β-葡糖苷酶酶活抑制作用最小,Cu ²⁺几乎使其丧失催化活性。其底物特异性较宽泛,对大豆异黄酮、栀子苷、水杨苷、七叶苷、虎杖苷、熊果苷均有降解作用。以β-pNPG为底物时,该酶的K_m和V_max分别为1.44mmol/L和58.32mmol/(L·s),催化系数k_cat为3 982/s。结果与分析表明,来源于副干酪乳杆菌TK1501 β-葡糖苷酶对水解大豆异黄酮和合成糖苷将会发挥重要作用。     

紫陀螺菌化学成分及其抑制肿瘤细胞增殖活性的研究

以紫陀螺菌为对象,研究其子实体的化学成分及其抑制肿瘤细胞增殖活性。采用溶剂提取、柱层析和高效液相色谱等方法分离纯化化学成分,通过核磁共振和质谱技术鉴定单体化合物结构,运用结晶紫法评价单体化合物抑制肿瘤细胞增殖活性。从乙酸乙酯提取物中共分离鉴定6个单体化合物,分别为(22E,24R)-麦角甾-5,7,22-三烯-3β-醇(1)、3β,5α-二羟基-(22E,24R)-麦角甾-7,22-二烯-6-酮(2)、(22E,24R)-麦角甾-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇(3)、吲哚-3-甲酸甲酯(4)、4,4-二甲基-1,7-庚二酸(5)和(8E,10E)-12羰基十八碳-8,10-二烯酸(6),其中化合物1为主要成分,相对含量为23.8%。活性测试结果表明3对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7 细胞、人胰腺癌细胞株PANC-1细胞和人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231细胞具有微弱的细胞增殖抑制活性。本研究首次报道了紫陀螺菌化学成分,对深入挖掘其在健康领域中的开发价值具有重要意义。     

北京2种阔叶树不同高度枝干的呼吸速率及其对温度的敏感性

该研究采用红外气体分析法(IRGA)于2013年3-12月原位测定了北京市东升八家郊野公园中2个主要阔叶树种(槐(Sophora japonica)、旱柳(Salix matsudana)) 3个高度上的枝干呼吸(R_w)日进程, 旨在量化R_w的种间差异, 探索种内R_w及其温度敏感系数(Q₁₀)的时间动态和垂直分布格局。研究结果显示: (1) R_w在不同树种之间差异明显, 相同月份(4月份除外)槐R_w是旱柳的1.12 (7月)-1.79倍(5月)。两树种枝干表面CO₂通量速率均表现出明显的单峰型季节变化, 峰值分别出现在7月((5.13 ± 0.24) μmol·m^-2·s^-1)和8月((3.85 ± 0.17) μmol·m^-2·s^-1)。同一树种在生长月份内的平均呼吸水平显著高于非生长季, 但其Q₁₀值季节变化趋势与之相反。(2) R_W随测量高度的增加而升高, 并在3个高度上表现出不同的日变化规律: 其中, 树干基部及胸高位置为单峰格局, 而一级分枝处的呼吸速率在一天内存在两个峰值, 中间出现短暂的“午休”现象。温度是造成一天内呼吸变化的主要原因。此外, 顶部R_w及其对温度的敏感程度明显高于基部。温度本身和Q₁₀值差异可在一定程度上解释R_W的垂直梯度变化。(3)在生长月份, 单位体积木质组织的日累积呼吸速率(mmol·m^-3·d^-1)与受测部位直径倒数(D^-1)呈极显著正相关关系。单位面积(μmol·m^-2·s^-1)可准确表达两树种在生长期间的R_W水平, 能合理有效地比较不同个体的呼吸差异及同一个体的时空变异。这些结果表明, 采用局部通量法上推至树木整体呼吸时, 应全面考虑R_w的时、空变异规律, 并选择恰当的表达单位, 以减小估测误差。     

盐穗木金属硫蛋白HcMT的体外自由基清除活性及抗氧化能力*

目的: 原核表达盐穗木(Halostachys caspica C. A. Mey.)金属硫蛋白HcMT并探究其抗氧化活性。方法: 构建原核表达载体pET-32a-HcMT,转化至大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21,加入Zn²⁺胁迫培养(终浓度为200 μmol/L),分离纯化得到Zn-HcMT,测定Zn-HcMT自由基清除活性和总抗氧化能力,制备复合物Zn-HcMT/TiO₂并做FTIR表征。结果: 通过原核表达获得融合蛋白Zn-HcMT,对·OH、O₂·^-、DPPH自由基具有较强的清除活性,对·OH、O₂·^-的IC₅₀分别为0.386 mg/mL、0.038 mg/mL。融合蛋白浓度为0.01 mg/mL时,对DPPH清除率达(37.43 ± 0.006 8)%,浓度为0.3mg/mL时TEAC(trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity)值为(1.023 ± 0.01)mmol/L,融合蛋白还原力A₇₀₀为0.142 ± 0.055,FTIR图谱同时表现了Zn-HcMT和TiO₂吸收特性。结论: Zn-HcMT具有良好的清除ROS活性及较强的抗氧化能力,在化妆品领域有潜在应用前景。     

提高源自Bacillus circulans 251的β-CGTase对麦芽糖亲和性及其在生产海藻糖中的应用 *

将B. circulans 251 β-CGTase应用于海藻糖制备,海藻糖转化率从50.4%提高至71.9%。为进一步提高底物的转化率,运用易错PCR-高通量筛选技术筛选对以麦芽糖为歧化反应受体的亲和性提高的B. circulans 251 β-CGTase突变体。利用低底物浓度的96孔板4,6-亚乙基-对硝基苯-α-D-麦芽七糖苷(EPS)显色法,最终筛选得到了一株对麦芽糖亲和性提高的突变体M234I。将野生型β-CGTase和突变体酶M234I进行蛋白质纯化,测定其酶学性质。结果表明,突变体的比活为345.25U/mg,野生型则为357.63U/mg;突变体M234I对麦芽糖的K_m为0.258 2mmol/L,仅为野生型(0.474 9mmol/L)的54.4%,对麦芽糖的亲和性显著提高;突变体的最适温度、最适pH较野生型未发生较大变化。以麦芽糊精(DE值16)为底物,将突变体M234I用于多酶复配体系生产海藻糖,酶反应结果表明海藻糖的转化率最高达74.9%,较野生型β-CGTase提高约3%。     

毕赤酵母Kex2蛋白酶的同源表达及酶学性质 *

Kex2蛋白酶是一种来源于酵母的前体加工蛋白酶。利用毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris)同源表达来源于毕赤酵母的Kex2蛋白酶(PPKex2),研究其表达特性和酶学性质,同时与毕赤酵母表达的酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)Kex2蛋白酶(SCKex2)进行比较。首先,分别从毕赤酵母和酿酒酵母基因组中获得Kex2基因,将其插入到表达载体pPIC9K中,并转化毕赤酵母菌株GS115。重组菌株经甲醇诱导表达后,结果表明PPKex2的发酵上清液比活是SCKex2的7倍。Kex2蛋白酶经Q-FF强阴离子交换柱纯化后进行酶学性质研究。酶学性质研究结果表明,PPKex2的最适反应pH是8.0~9.0,最适反应温度是37℃,与SCKex2性质相近。在稳定性方面,PPKex2在pH 7.0时最稳定,在碱性条件下的稳定性高于SCKex2,在酸性条件下的稳定性低于SCKex2,另外PPKex2的温度稳定性略低于SCKex2。酶促反应动力学研究表明,PPKex2的k_cat和k_cat/K_m值分别为SCKex2的4.8倍和3.3倍。首次报道了同源表达毕赤酵母Kex2蛋白酶的表达特性及酶学性质,为其今后的研究及应用奠定了基础。     

基于双作物系数法估算不同水分条件下温室番茄蒸发蒸腾量

2015—2016年在中国农业科学院新乡综合试验基地,以华北地区典型日光温室滴灌番茄为研究对象,分析2种灌溉水平[参考20 cm标准蒸发皿的累积蒸发量(E_p),设置2种灌溉水平(高水: 0.9E_p;低水:0.5E_p)]下番茄不同生育期土壤蒸发(E)、作物蒸腾(T)、蒸发蒸腾(ET)和土壤蒸发占蒸发蒸腾比值(E/ET)的变化,探讨水分亏缺对作物系数(K_c)的影响以及水分胁迫系数(K_s)在全生育期的动态变化.采用双作物系数法分别估算E、T和ET,并与实测结果进行对比分析.结果表明: 2015和2016年全生育期高水处理的E分别比低水处理高21.5%和20.4%, 占总蒸发蒸腾量的24.0%和25.0%,E/ET在生育初期最大、中期最小;高水处理的K_c值在生育初期、发育期、生育中期和生育后期分别为0.45、0.89、1.06和0.93,低水处理下分别为0.45、0.89、0.87和0.41;低水处理的K_s值在0.32～1.0,生育初期、发育期、生育中期和生育后期分别为0.98、0.93、0.78和0.39.双作物系数法可较精确地估算不同水分处理的ET,其平均绝对误差(MAE)为0.36～0.48 mm·d^-1,均方根误差(RMSE)为0.44～0.65 mm·d^-1;该方法也可精确地估算E和T,其MAE分别为0.15～0.19和0.26～0.56 mm·d^-1,RMSE分别为0.20～0.24和0.33～0.72 mm·d^-1.     

东方白鹳幼鸟渤海湾越冬群体的迁徙策略

东方白鹳(Ciconia boyciana)主要在俄罗斯远东和中国东北繁殖, 在中国主要有两个越冬群体(长江越冬群体, 迁徙距离约2,600 km; 渤海湾越冬群体, 迁徙距离约1,500 km)。本文基于2016-2018年的卫星追踪数据(N = 14), 分析了渤海湾越冬群体幼鸟春季和秋季的迁徙策略和利用风的方式, 总结了850 mb压力下风速和风向对日迁徙飞行速度的影响。该群体春秋两季迁徙距离相似, 但春季的顺风条件(2.2 ± 6.3 m/s)显著优于秋季的逆风条件(-2.4 ± 4.1 m/s, P < 0.05), 这使得春季迁徙飞行速度(280.4 ± 62.0 km/d)显著快于秋季(185.5 ± 72.0 km/d, P < 0.05), 春季迁徙飞行时间(5.9 ± 2.5 d)显著短于秋季(10.3 ± 6.5 d, P < 0.05); 同时, 春季停歇时间(5.4 ± 9.7 d)短于秋季(17.8 ± 18.2 d, P = 0.05)。基于以上原因, 东方白鹳春季迁徙持续时间(11.2 ± 8.7 d)显著短于秋季(28.0 ± 21.2 d, P < 0.05)。渤海湾越冬群体幼鸟迁徙时, 春季利用顺风更快到达度夏地, 秋季逆风迁徙, 迁徙飞行速度慢, 迁徙飞行时间和停歇时间长。因此, 东方白鹳迁徙时虽然主要利用上升热气流翱翔, 但顺风也是其成功迁徙的有利因素。     

基于FvCB模型分析盐分胁迫对棉花叶片光合作用的影响

为深入理解叶片光合特性对盐胁迫的响应机理,以棉花为试验材料,设置5个盐分(NaCl)浓度处理:0(CK)、50、100、150和200 mmol·L^-1,利用FvCB模型分析盐胁迫对棉花幼苗叶片光合特性的影响。结果表明:与CK相比,50和100 mmol·L^-1盐分处理增加了棉花叶片的最大羧化速率(V_{c max})和最大电子传递速率(J_max),但150和200 mmol·L^-1盐分处理显著降低了V_{c max}和J_max。叶片净光合速率(P_n)、叶肉导度(g_m)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)随盐分浓度升高而下降;与CK相比,50和100 mmol·L^-1盐分处理对g_m无显著影响,但P_n和R_d显著降低。150和200 mmol·L^-1盐分处理明显降低了P_n、g_m和R_d,且与0、50和100 mmol·L^-1盐分处理间存在显著差异;利用FvCB模型模拟了不同盐分胁迫下叶片净光合速率。与不考虑g_m的模拟结果相比,考虑g_m提高模拟值和实测值间的决定系数,并降低了平均绝对误差。棉花幼苗耐盐阈值为100～150 mmol·L^-1,随盐分浓度的增加,光合限制因素由叶肉因素转变为光合机构受损;引入g_m可以提高FvCB模型的模拟精度。     

Immobilization of the Solanum tuberosum epoxide hydrolase and its application in an enantioconvergent process

Five supports have been evaluated for the immobilization of the epoxide hydrolase from Solanum tuberosum (StEH) by adsorption. The highest immobilization yield (90-99%) and the maximum EH (epoxide hydrolase) activity (0.6 U g^-1 wet support) were obtained by ionic adsorption onto DEAE-cellulose. Although the activity recovered upon immobilization of StEH onto DEAE-cellulose was low, a notable stabilization factor of 6.9 at 65°C was obtained. In addition, the immobilized StEH showed a higher temperature for maximal activity (57°C) and the optimal pH (5.0) was shifted one unit towards the acidic region as compared to the free enzyme. Immobilized StEH was successfully reused in six consecutive hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of rac-pCSO without noticeable loss in activity. Finally, the sequential use of immobilized StEH with the immobilized EH from Aspergillus niger (AnEH) in a repeated batch reactor, operated for five cycles, enabled the enantioconvergent preparation of the corresponding (R)-diol, which was thus obtained with an ee of 89% and an overall yield of 100%.     

Lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of methyl 2-fluoro-2-arylpropionates in water-saturated isooctane

Lipases from Candida rugosa, Candida antartica B and Carica papaya are employed as the biocatalyst for the hydrolytic resolution of methyl 2-fluoro-2-arylpropionates in water-saturated isooctane, in which excellent to good enantioselectivity without the formation of byproducts is obtained for the papaya lipase when using (R,S)-2-fluoronaproxen methyl ester (1) and methyl (R,S)-2-fluoro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionate (2), but not methyl (R,S)-2-fluoro-2-(naphth-1-yl)propionate (3) as the substrates. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the enantiomer discrimination for the papaya lipase is driven by the difference in activation enthalpy for compound 1, 2 or (R,S)-naproxen methyl ester (4). The kinetic analysis also demonstrates that in comparison with (S)-4, the insertion of the 2-fluorine moiety in (R)-1 has increased k₂, but not K_m, and consequently the lipase activity.     

Studies on the continuous production of (R)-(−)-phenylacetylcarbinol in an enzyme-membrane reactor

The optimization of a continuous enzymatic reaction yielding (R)-(−)-phenylacetylcarbinol ((R)-PAC), a key intermediate of the (1R,2S)-(−)-ephedrine synthesis, is presented. We compare the suitability of different mutants of the pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) from Zymomonas mobilis with respect to their application in biotransformation using pyruvate or acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde as substrates, respectively. Starting from 90 mM pyruvate and 30 mM benzaldehyde, (R)-PAC was obtained with a space time yield of 27.4 g/(L·day) using purified PDCW392I in an enzyme-membrane reactor. Due to the high stability of the mutant enzymes PDCW392I and PDCW392M towards acetaldehyde, a continuous procedure using acetaldehyde instead of pyruvate was developed. The kinetic results of the enzymatic synthesis starting from acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde demonstrate that the carboligation to (R)-PAC is most efficiently performed using a continuous reaction system and feeding both aldehydes in equimolar concentration. Starting from an inlet concentration of 50 mM of both aldehydes, (R)-PAC was obtained with a space-time yield of 81 g/(L·day) using the mutant enzyme PDCW392M. The new reaction strategy allows the enzymatic synthesis of (R)-PAC from cheap substrates free of unwanted by-products with potent mutants of PDC from Z. mobilis in an aqueous reaction system.     

胡颓子属5种植物果实主要类胡萝卜素成分及含量

利用高效液相色谱法对华东地区常见的胡颓子属(Elaeagnus) 4种生态型的胡颓子(E. pungens)、2个变种的大叶胡颓子(E. macrophylla)、蔓胡颓子(E. glabra)、银果胡颓子(E. magna)和佘山胡颓子(E. argyi) 9个样品成熟果实所含主要类胡萝卜素成分及含量进行了检测。结果表明, 5种胡颓子属植物成熟果实中的主要类胡萝卜素成分为番茄红素, 且在不同种间含量差异显著, 含量最高的是浙江嵊州的胡颓子, 其值为(259.89±26.22) µg·g^-1FW, 最低的是佘山胡颓子, 其含量为(91.19±7.74) µg·g^-1FW; 其中4种生态型的胡颓子的番茄红素含量都较高。研究表明这5种胡颓子属植物果实富含番茄红素, 是一类珍贵的天然番茄红素资源, 具有较大的市场开发应用价值。研究结果为揭示果实高积累番茄红素的机理提供了理想的研究材料。     

Industrial production of (R)-1,3-butanediol by new biocatalysts

We have developed the economical and convenient biocatalytic process for the preparation of (R)-1,3-butanediol (BDO) by stereo-specific microbial oxido-reduction on an industrial scale. (R)-1,3-BDO is an important chiral synthon for the synthesis of various optically active compounds such as azetidinone derivatives lead to penem and carbapenem antibiotics.

We studied on two approaches to obtain (R)-1,3-BDO. The first approach was based on enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of 4-hydroxy-2-butanone; the second approach was based on enantio-selective oxidation of the undesired (S)-1,3-BDO in the racemate. As a result of screening for yeasts, fungi and bacteria, the enzymatic resolution of racemic 1,3-BDO by the Candida parapsilosis IFO 1396, which showed differential rates of oxidation for two enantiomers, was found to be the most practical process to produce (R)-1,3-BDO with high enantiomeric excess and yield.

We characterized the (S)-1,3-BDO dehydrogenase purified from a cell-free extract of C. parapsilosis. This enzyme was found to be a novel secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (CpSADH). We have attempted to clone and characterize the gene encoding CpSADH and express it in Escherichia coli. The CpSADH activity of a recombinant E. coli strain was more than two times higher than that of C. parapsilosis. The production yield of (R)-1,3-BDO from the racemate increased by using the recombinant E. coli strain. Interestingly, we found that the recombinant E. coli strain catalyzed the reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxo-butanoate to ethyl (R)-4-chloro-3-hyroxy-butanoate with high enantiomeric excess.     

Chiral phase analysis of warfarin enantiomers in patient plasma in relation to CYP2C9 genotype

A direct chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for measuring the ratio of S-warfarin/R-warfarin in patient plasma is described. Plasma samples are first extracted using solid-phase C₁₈ extraction columns, and the concentrated extracts analyzed using an (R,R) Whelk-O 1 column with a mobile phase of 0.5% glacial acetic acid in acetonitrile. The resulting chromatography provides baseline resolution of the warfarin enantiomers and internal standard (racemic ethylwarfarin), and is free from interference from other plasma components. Calibration curves were linear (mean r² of 0.999 for both enantiomers) over the concentration range 0.25–1.5 μg/ml. The intra-day and inter-day coefficients of variation for analysis of plasma spiked with 0.33 μg/ml S-warfarin and 0.67 μg/ml R-warfarin (S/R=0.5:1) was less than 7% for each enantiomer, with an accuracy of more than 93%. Plasma extracts from thirty-one patients homozygous for wild-type CYP2C9*1 provided an S/R ratio of 0.51±0.15. Two warfarin patients homozygous for the mutant CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 alleles exhibited elevated S/R ratios relative to the mean for individuals homozygous for the wild-type CYP2C9*1 allele. This method is suitable for population studies aimed at establishing the effect of polymorphic expression of CYP2C9 alleles on S-warfarin elimination in humans.     

Microfluidic separation of (S)-ibuprofen using enzymatic reaction

This study was investigated for the enantioselective separation of (S)-ibuprofen using the ionic liquid in the microfluidic device. A stable and thin ionic liquid flow (ILF) was made by controlling the flow rate of the ILF in the microfluidic channel. In addition, coupling lipase as a biocatalyst with the ILF based on the microfluidic device showed the facilitative and selective transport of (S)-ibuprofen across the ILF, indicating successful optical resolution of a racemic mixture. Subsequently, the enantioselectivity was evaluated in the transport ratio (η) of (R)- and (S)-ibuprofen, the optical resolution ratio () and enantiomeric excess of (S)-ibuprofen (ee_S).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol, a key intermediate of HIV protease inhibitor, indinavir

The synthesis of (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol, a key component of HIV protease inhibitor is accomplished in four steps starting from indanone efficiently and with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The starting material is converted into 2-acetoxy-1-indanone involving Manganese (III) acetate oxidation . The 2-acetoxyketone is hydrolyzed to 2-hydroxy-1-indanone enantioselectively using Rhizopus oryzae. Selective reduction of 2-hydroxyoxime derivative, derived from the 2-hydroxyketone, gives the amino alcohol up to 98% diastereo- and enantioselectivity.     

An over expression and high efficient mutation system of a cobalt-containing nitrile hydratase

A superior novel recombinant strain, E. coli BL21(DE3)/pETNH^M, containing the start codon mutation of the subunit, was constructed and selected as an overexpression and high efficient mutation platform for the genetic manipulation of the nitrile hydratase (NHase). Under optimal conditions, the specific activity of the recombinant strain reached as high as 452 U/mg dry cell. Enzymatic characteristics studies showed that the reaction activation energy of the recombinant NHase^M was 24.4 ± 0.5 kJ/mol, the suited pH range for catalysis was 5.5–7.5, and the K_m value was 4.34 g/L (82 mM). To assess the feasibility of the NHase improvement by protein rational design using this E. coli, site-directed mutagenesis of S122A, S122C, S122D and βW47E of the NHase^M were carried out. The NHase^M (S122A) and NHase^M (S122D) mutants were entirely inactive due to the charge change of the side-chain group. The product tolerance of the NHase^M (S122C) mutant was enhanced while its activity decreased by 30%. The thermo-stability of the NHase^M (βW47E) mutant was significantly strengthened, while its activity reduced by nearly 50%. These results confirmed that the specific activity of the mutant NHase expressed by the recombinant E. coli BL21(DE3)/pETNH^M can reasonably change with and without mutations. Therefore, this recombinant E. coli can be efficiently and confidently used for the further rational/random evolution of the NHase to simultaneously improve the activity, thermo-stability and product tolerance of the target NHase.     

Synthesis, radiolabeling and receptor binding of [3H][(1S,2R)ACPC2]endomorphin-2

Previously, we have shown that substitution of Pro² for cis-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid, ACPC in endomorphin-2 results in an analogue with greatly augmented proteolytic stability, high μ-opioid receptor affinity and selectivity. We now report the synthesis and biochemical characterization of [³H][(1S,2R)ACPC²]endomorphin-2 with a specific activity of 1.41 TBq/mmol (38.17 Ci/mmol). Specific binding of [³H][(1S,2R)ACPC²]endomorphin-2 was saturable and of high affinity with an equilibrium dissociation constant, K_d = 1.80 ± 0.21 nM and receptor density, B_max = 345 ± 27 fmol × mg protein⁻¹ at 25 °C in rat brain membranes. Similar affinity values were obtained in kinetic and displacement assays. Both Na⁺ and Gpp(NH)p decreased the affinity proving the agonist character of the radioligand. [³H][(1S,2R)ACPC²]endomorphin-2 retained the μ-specificity of the parent peptide. The new radioligand will be a useful tool to map the topographical requirements of μ-opioid peptide binding due to its high affinity, selectivity and enzymatic stability.