Analysis of ligand-binding to the kringle 4 fragment from human plasminogen

The interaction of the isolated human plasminogen kringle 4 with the four -amino acid ligands -aminocaproic acid (ACA), N-acetyl-l-lysine (AcLys), trans-aminomethyl(cyclohexane)carboxylic acid (AMCHA) and p-benzylaminesulfonic acid (BASA) has been further characterized by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy at 300 and 600 MHz. Pronounced high-field shifts, reaching 3 ppm, are observed for AMCHA resonances upon binding to kringle 4, which underscores the relevance of ligand lipophilic interactions with aromatic side chains at the binding site. Ligand titration curves for the nine His and Trp singlets found in the kringle 4 aromatic spectrum reveal a striking uniformity in the kringle response to the various ligands. The average binding curves exhibit a clear Langmuir absorption isotherm saturation profile and the data were analyzed under the assumption of one (high affinity) binding site per kringle. Equilibrium association constants (K _a ) and first order dissociation rate constants (k _off) were derived from linearized expressions of the Langmuir isotherm and of the spectral line-shapes, respectively. The results for the four ligands, at 295 K, pH^* 7.2, indicate that: (a) AMCHA exhibits the strongest binding (K _a =159 mM ^-1) and ACA the weakest (K _a =21 mM ^–1) with AcLys and BASA falling in between; (b) ACA dissociates readily (k _off = 5.3 × 10³ s^–1) and AMCHA associates the fastest (k _off = 2.0 × 10⁸ M ^–1 s^–1) while the kinetics for BASA exchange is relatively slow (k _off = 0.8 × 10³ s^–1, k _on = 0.6 × 10⁸ M ^–1s^–1); (c) the ligand-binding kinetics is close to diffussion-controlled.Abbreviations ACA -aminocaproic acid - AcLys N-acetyl-l-lysine - AMCHA t-aminomethyl(cyclohexane)carboxylic acid - BASA p-benzylaminesulfonic acid - K4 kringle 4 - NOE nuclear Overhauser effect - ppm parts-per-million - pH^* glass electrode pH reading uncorrected for deuterium isotope effects - K _a ligand-kringle 4 equilibrium association constant - k _off ligand-kringle 4 dissociation rate constant - k _on ligand-kringle 4 association rate constant     

Direct binding of recombinant plasminogen kringle 1-3 to angiogenin inhibits angiogenin-induced angiogenesis in the chick embryo CAM

Angiogenin is one of the most potent angiogenesis-inducing proteins. Angiostatin is one of the most potent angiogenesis inhibitors, and it contains the first four kringle domains of plasminogen (K1-4). Recombinant human plasminogen kringle 1-3 (rK1-3) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The binding of t-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid with the purified kringle 1-3 was determined by changes in intrinsic fluorescence. rK1-3 exhibits comparable ligand-binding properties as native human plasminogen kringle 1-3. The purified rK1-3 inhibits neovascularization in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Interaction of angiogenin with rK1-3 was examined by immunological binding assay and surface plasmon resonance kinetic analysis, and the equilibrium dissociation constants for the complex, K_d, are 0.89 and 0.18 μM, respectively. rK1-3 inhibits angiogenin-induced angiogenesis in the chick embryo CAM in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that rK1-3 directly binds to angiogenin and thus rK1-3 inhibits the angiogenic activity of angiogenin.     

Structural/functional properties of the Glu1-HSer57 N-terminal fragment of human plasminogen: conformational characterization and interaction with kringle domains.

The Glu1-Val79 N-terminal peptide (NTP) domain of human plasminogen (Pgn) is followed by a tandem array of five kringle (K) structures of approximately 9 kDa each. K1, K2, K4, and K5 contain each a lysine-binding site (LBS). Pgn was cleaved with CNBr and the Glul-HSer57 N-terminal fragment (CB-NTP) isolated. In addition, the Ile27-Ile56 peptide (L-NTP) that spans the doubly S-S bridged loop segment of NTP was synthesized. Pgn kringles were generated either by proteolytic fragmentation of Pgn (K4, K5) or via recombinant gene expression (rK1, rK2, and rK3). Interactions of CB-NTP with each of the Pgn kringles were monitored by 1H-NMR at 500 MHz and values for the equilibrium association constants (Ka) determined: rK1, Ka approximately 4.6 mM(-1); rK2, Ka approximately 3.3 mM(-1); K4, Ka approximately 6.2 mM-'; K5, K, 2.3 mM(-1). Thus, the lysine-binding kringles interact with CB-NTP more strongly than with Nalpha-acetyl-L-lysine methyl ester (Ka < 0.6 mM(-l), which reveals specificity for the NTP. In contrast, CB-NTP does not measurably interact with rK3. which is devoid of a LBS. CB-NTP and L-NTP 1H-NMR spectra were assigned and interproton distances estimated from 1H-1H Overhauser (NOESY) experiments. Structures of L-NTP and the Glul-Ile27 segment of CB-NTP were computed via restrained dynamic simulated annealing/energy minimization (SA/EM) protocols. Conformational models of CB-NTP were generated by joining the two (sub)structures followed by a round of constrained SA/EM. Helical turns are indicated for segments 6-9, 12-16, 28-30, and 45-48. Within the Cys34-Cys42 loop of L-NTP, the structure of the Glu-Glu-Asp-Glu-Glu39 segment appears to be relatively less defined, as is the case for the stretch containing Lys5O within the Cys42-Cys54 segment, consistent with the latter possibly interacting with kringle domains in intact Glul-Pgn. Overall, the CB-NTP and L-NTP fragments are of low regular secondary structure content-as indicated by UV-CD spectra- and exhibit fast amide 1H-2H exchange in 2H2O, suggestive of high flexibility.     

High efficacy and minimal peptide required for the anti‐angiogenic and anti‐hepatocarcinoma activities of plasminogen K5

Kringle 5(K5) is the fifth kringle domain of human plasminogen and its anti‐angiogenic activity is more potent than angiostatin that includes the first four kringle fragment of plasminogen. Our recent study demonstrated that K5 suppressed hepatocarcinoma growth by anti‐angiogenesis. To find high efficacy and minimal peptide sequence required for the anti‐angiogenic and anti‐tumour activities of K5, two deletion mutants of K5 were generated. The amino acid residues outside kringle domain of intact K5 (Pro452‐Ala542) were deleted to form K5mut1(Cys462‐Cys541). The residue Cys462 was deleted again to form K5mut2(Met463‐Cys541). K5mut1 specifically inhibited proliferation, migration and induced apoptosis of endothelial cells, with an apparent two‐fold enhanced activity than K5. Intraperitoneal injection of K5mut1 resulted in more potent tumour growth inhibition and microvessel density reduction than K5 both in HepA‐grafted and Bel7402‐xenografted hepatocarcinoma mouse models. These results suggested that K5mut1 has more potent anti‐angiogenic activity than intact K5. K5mut2, which lacks only the amino terminal cysteine of K5mut1, completely lost the activity, suggesting that the kringle domain is essential for the activity of K5. The activity was enhanced to K5mut1 level when five acidic amino acids of K5 in NH₂ terminal outside kringle domain were replaced by five serine residues (K5mut3). The shielding effect of acidic amino acids may explain why K5mut1 has higher activity. K5, K5mut1 and K5mut3 held characteristic β‐sheet spectrum while K5mut2 adopted random coil structure. These results suggest that K5mut1 with high efficacy is the minimal active peptide sequence of K5 and may have therapeutic potential in liver cancer.     

人纤溶酶原饼环区5基因的原核表达及活性测定

 人纤溶酶原饼环区 5 (hPgnK5 )是新的血管生成抑制因子 .PCR法改造hPgnK5基因 ,所得hPgnK5基因包括编码人纤溶酶原C4 62 到P54 4共 83个氨基酸残基 ,而且在 5′ ,3′分别引入了EcoRⅠ和BamHⅠ位点 .以pThiohisA构建hPgnK5基因原核表达载体 ,在大肠杆菌TOP10中表达该蛋白 .通过柱层析法获得hPgnK5纯化蛋白 .免疫印迹反应表明该蛋白具有hPgnK5免疫活性 .体外实验表明 ,该蛋白具有抑制血管内皮细胞增殖活性 .提示hPgnK5可能具有良好应用前景     

Increased suppression of oncolytic adenovirus carrying mutant k5 on colorectal tumor

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the development of a wide variety of malignant tumors. The approach of targeting antiangiogenesis has become an important field of cancer gene therapy. In this study, the antiangiogenesis protein K5 (the kringle 5 of human plasminogen) has been mutated by changing leucine71 to arginine to form mK5. Then the ZD55-mK5, which is an oncolytic adenovirus expressing mK5, was constructed. It showed stronger inhibition on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell. Moreover, in tube formation and embryonic chorioallantoic membrane assay, ZD55-mK5 exhibited more effective antiangiogenesis than ZD55-K5. In addition, ZD55-mK5 generated obvious suppression on the growth of colorectal tumor xenografts and prolonged the life span of nude mice. These results indicate that ZD55-mK5 is a potent agent for inhibiting the tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth.     

人纤溶蛋白酶原K5在毕赤酵母中的表达及其生物活性鉴定

化学合成人纤溶蛋白酶原K5 (pK5 )的编码基因并克隆到毕赤氏酵母表达系统的分泌型载体pPIC9K上 ,将重组质粒经BglⅡ单酶切后电转化PichiapastorisGS115菌株 ,筛选出对G4 18有高抗性和在MM培养基上生长缓慢的转化子。经摇瓶发酵和甲醇诱导后 ,用 15 %SDS PAGE检测发酵上清液 ,表明有重组蛋白pK5的高表达。经CM-Sepherose离子交换柱和Superdex 75分子筛层析两步分离纯化 ,获得了纯度达到 98%的rpK5。用MTT方法检测的结果表明 ,纯化的rpK5可显著地抑制人血管内皮细胞的生长     

High level expression of kringle 5 fragment of plasminogen in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">pastoris</Emphasis>

Angiogensis can be blocked by inhibitors such as endostatin and angiostatin. The kringle 5 fragment of plasminogen also has a potent inhibitory effect on endothelial cell proliferation and leads to the inhibition of angiogenesis. It has promise in anti-angiogenic therapy due to its small size and potent inhibitory effect. Preparation of kringle 5 has been achieved through the proteolysis of native plasminogen and recombinant DNA technology. Bacterially expressed recombinant kringle 5 is mainly insoluble and expressed at low level. The refolding yield is also low. To produce recombinant human kringle 5 in a large quantity, we have genetically modified a strain of Pichia pastoris. On methanol induction, this strain expressed and secreted biologically active, recombinant kringle 5. The expression level of the engineered strain in culture reached more than 300mgl^-1. Purification was easily achieved by precipitation, hydrophobic and DEAE ion exchange chromatography. The recovery of recombinant kringle 5 was about 50% after purification. Yeast-expressed kringle 5 has a higher activity in anti-endothelial proliferation than bacterially expressed kringle 5.Revisions requested 9 November 2004; Revisions received 2 December 2004     

人血纤维蛋白溶酶原K5环的基因合成、表达、纯化与活性鉴定

 根据大肠杆菌遗传密码的偏爱性 ,人工合成人血纤维蛋白溶酶原 K5全基因 ,并在原核系统中以硫氧还蛋白融合蛋白的形式实现了高效表达 .重组蛋白通过 Ni2 +金属螯合层析得到初步纯化 ,通过肠激酶切割去除了融合标签 .应用鸡胚尿囊膜实验检测切割后的 rh K5的生物学活性 ,发现与对照组相比 ,rh K5能明显地降低血管管径、血管总面积以及血管总面积与视野面积的比值 ,表明切割后的产物具有显著抑制新生血管生成的生物学活性 .为进一步研究和开发抗血管生成药物奠定了基础 .     

人纤溶酶原Kringle5在酵母中的表达及其活性研究

抽提人肝组织总RNA,通过RT-PCR方法扩增出纤溶酶原Kringle5片段,将其和分泌表达载体pPIC9K相连,转化毕赤酵母GS115,筛选获得在酵母细胞中遗传稳定表达Kringle5重组蛋白的工程菌。经甲醇诱导表达5d后,发酵液总蛋白分泌量约120mg/L,SDS-PAGE呈现相对分子质量约为15×103特异表达带。经Ni-NTA-Agarose纯化后,重组蛋白对人脐静脉内皮细胞有明显的抑制作用,ID50约为4.0μg/ml。     

Down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and up-regulation of pigment epithelium-derived factor: a possible mechanism for the anti-angiogenic activity of plasminogen kringle 5.

We have previously shown that intravitreal injection of plasminogen kringle 5 (K5), a potent angiogenic inhibitor, inhibits ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization in a rat model. Here we report that K5 down-regulates an endogenous angiogenic stimulator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and up-regulates an angiogenic inhibitor, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in a dose-dependent manner in vascular cells and in the retina. The regulation of VEGF and PEDF by K5 in the retina correlates with its anti-angiogenic effect in a rat model of ischemia-induced retinopathy. Retinal RNA levels of VEGF and PEDF are also changed by K5. K5 inhibits the p42/p44 MAP kinase activation and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, which may be responsible for the down-regulation of VEGF. Down-regulation of endogenous angiogenic stimulators and up-regulation of endogenous angiogenic inhibitors, thus leading toward restoration of the balance in angiogenic control, may represent a mechanism for the anti-angiogenic activity of K5.     

一种含精-甘-天冬氨酰三肽人纤溶酶原K区缺失突变体在巴斯德毕赤酵母中的表达、纯化与特性

为获得具有抗血小板聚集作用的重组人纤溶酶原 (hPLG),本研究尝试了一种含有精-甘-天冬氨酰 (RGD) 三肽的hPLG K区缺失突变体 (RGD-hPLG-?K)。首先,从pDNR-LIB-HPLG.中克隆出HPLG-?K。然后定点突变激活环内的Pro559为Asp559,形成RGD模序。构建的pPICZαA-RGD-HPLG-?K电转化巴斯德毕赤酵母GS115,甲醇诱导表达后可产生0.16 g/L培液的RGD-hPLG-?K,Ni-NTA层析后纯度可达90％以上;Western blotting证实所获RGD-hPLG-?K可与兔抗hPLG抗血清反应;其24 h尿激酶激活速率和纤溶活性与hPLG-?K无显著差别 (P=0.630,n=5);经尿激酶激活后,RGD-hPLG-?K的血小板聚集抑制率 (21.8％±1.57％) 显著高于hPLG-?K (3.8％±0.33％) (P=0.000,n=5)。表明成功构建、表达了一种具有抗血小板聚集活性的hPLG突变体,为研究新型多功能溶栓药物奠定了基础。     

Enhanced plasminogen activation by staphylokinase in the presence of streptokinase beta/betagamma domains: plasminogen kringles play a role

Presence of isolated beta or betagamma domains of streptokinase (SK) increased the catalytic activity of staphylokinase (SAK)-plasmin (Pm) complex up to 60%. In contrast, fusion of SK beta or betagamma domains with the C-terminal end of SAK drastically reduced the catalytic activity of the activator complex. The enhancement effect mediated by beta or betagamma domain on Pg activator activity of SAK-Pm complex was reduced greatly (45%) in the presence of isolated kringles of Pg, whereas, kringles did not change cofactor activity of SAK fusion proteins (carrying beta or betagamma domains) significantly. When catalytic activity of SAK-microPm (catalytic domain of Pm lacking kringle domains) complex was examined in the presence of isolated beta and betagamma domains, no enhancement effect on Pg activation was observed, whereas, enzyme complex formed between microplasmin and SAK fusion proteins (SAKbeta and SAKbetagamma) displayed 50-70% reduction in their catalytic activity. The present study, thus, suggests that the exogenously present beta and betagamma interact with Pg/Pm via kringle domains and elevate catalytic activity of SAK-Pm activator complex resulting in enhanced substrate Pg activation. Fusion of beta or betagamma domains with SAK might alter these intermolecular interactions resulting in attenuated functional activity of SAK.     

RAB5A蛋白G81R位点突变对其功能的影响

为探讨G81R位点突变对RAB5A蛋白功能的影响,将RAB5A G81R突变体和正常RAB5A反义RNA分别插入pcDNA3．1／V5-His TOPO真核表达载体,并转染到Anip973细胞。用Western blot方法检测稳定转染后细胞RAB5A蛋白的表达水平,通过血清饥饿法使Anip973和转染后的细胞同步化,停滞于G0～G1期,再恢复血清培养使细胞从G0～G1期释放,用流式细胞分析仪分析细胞周期各时相细胞百分比。结果显示RAB5A G81R突变体的反义RNA可完全封闭Anip973细胞中RAB5A的表达,正常RAB5A反义RNA部分封闭RAB5A表达。并且,Anip973细胞周期的长短与RAB5A的表达程度成反比。RAB5A G81R反义RNA能够有效地阻断Anip973细胞中RAB5A蛋白的表达。阻断或降低RAB5A的表达可延长细胞周期。     

Design of a novel plasminogen activator based on the structure of hirudin

Using a phage library, seven peptide sequences with high affinity to human microplasminogen were obtained. Caseinolytic assay indicated that only the synthesized peptide P07 had slight fibrinolytic activity. To enhance its plasminogen activation ability, peptide P07 was fused into loop 32-35 of hirudin. In vitro assay demonstrated that this hirudin-like fusion protein can activate human plasminogen and retain the function of thrombin inhibition. Fusing the sequence ＂SPDASRL＂ into hirudin generated a plasminogen activation activity 100 times higher than peptide P07 in chromogenic and radial caseinolytic assay. This significant functional improvement might originate from a more specific active structure due to the hirudin scaffold.     

Enhanced N2-fixing ability of a deletion mutant of arctic rhizobia with sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia)

Summary Mutagenesis provoked by exposure at elevated temperature of the cold-adapted, arctic Rhizobium strain N31 resulted in the generation of five deletion mutants, which exhibited loss of their smaller plasmid (200 kb), whereas the larger plasmid (> 500 kb) was still present in all mutants. Deletion mutants did not show differences from the wild type in the antibiotic resistance pattern, the carbohydrates and organic acids utilization, and the growth rate at low temperature. However, deletion mutants differed from the wild type and among themselves in the ex planta nitrogenase activity, the nodulation index, and the symbiotic effectiveness. The deletion mutant N31.6rif ^r showed higher nodulation index and exhibited higher nitrogenase activity and symbiotic efficiency than the other deletion mutants and the wild type. The process of deletion mutation resulted in the improvement of an arctic Rhizobium strain having an earlier and higher symbiotic nitrogen fixation efficiency than the wild type.     

铜绿假单胞菌PAO1 ku基因缺失菌株的构建及其对生物被膜耐药性的影响

【背景】铜绿假单胞菌是常见的条件致病菌,易形成生物被膜,具有基因突变率高、耐药性强的特点。非同源末端连接是DNA双链断裂的主要修复途径之一,修复过程会导致DNA突变产生。【目的】研究非同源末端连接对生物被膜中的铜绿假单胞菌基因突变率和耐药性的影响。【方法】通过基因无痕敲除的方法构建PAO1菌株的ku基因缺失突变株Δku并构建其回补株。对比研究突变株和野生菌株生物被膜形成能力、生物被膜状态下各菌的基因突变率以及对抗生素的耐受性。通过荧光定量PCR检测生物被膜中PAO1菌株ku基因的表达水平。【结果】各突变株生物被膜形成能力无显著差异;与野生菌株相比,突变株Δku在生物被膜中的基因突变率以及对环丙沙星和庆大霉素的最低抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)下降。荧光定量PCR结果表明,ku基因在生物被膜形成早期转录水平有明显上调。【结论】非同源末端连接修复途径对生物被膜中的铜绿假单胞菌基因突变率以及耐药性的提高有一定的作用。本研究将为后续进一步阐释铜绿假单胞菌耐药产生机制提供一定的理论依据。     

Generation of bivalent and bispecific kringle single domains by loop grafting as potent agonists against death receptors 4 and 5

Bivalent or bispecific binding activity of proteins has been mainly achieved by assembling two or more domains in a single molecule. Here we report bivalent/bispecific single-domain proteins based on the kringle domain (KD), which has a cystine knot structural motif and is highly tolerant of sequence modifications. KD has seven loops protruding from the core fold into two largely opposite directions, dubbed loop cluster regions (LCRs) 1 and 2. Mutational analysis of previously isolated agonistic KD variants against human death receptors (DRs) 4 and 5 revealed that they can simultaneously recognize two target molecules of DR4 and/or DR5 via the two independent binding sites of LCR1 and LCR2. Binding loop mapping of yeast-surface-displayed KD mutants identified high-affinity target binding loops in LCR2, which were then grafted into conformationally compatible loops located on the opposite side of LCR1 within the same or different KD variants to generate bivalent/bispecific KD variants against DR4 and/or DR5 with improved affinity. The loop-grafted bivalent/bispecific KD variants showed enhanced cell-death-inducing activity of tumor cells compared with their monovalent/monospecific and bivalent/monospecific counterparts, demonstrating an advantage of bispecific targeting to both DR4 and DR5 over the targeting of only one of the two pro-apoptotic receptors. Our results suggest that the KD with the two independent binding surfaces for target recognition is an appropriate scaffold for the development of bivalency and/or bispecificity by loop grafting on the single domain, which offers a distinct advantage over other protein scaffolds with a single binding surface.     

Selection and characterization of a rice mutant resistant to 5-methyltryptophan

Summary A rice plant resistant to 5-methyltryptophan (5MT) was selected from mutagenized M3 seeds (Oryza sativa L. var. Sasanishiki) originating from panicles treated with ethylene imine (0.2%) 2 h after flowering. When germinated on 5MT-containing medium, the seeds (M4) from selfed plants segregated with a 3 resistant:1 sensitive ratio, indicating that the plant was heterozygous for a resistance gene and that the resistance was dominant. The resistance was also expressed in callus derived from seeds. Analysis of the free amino acids in seeds, seedlings, and calli showed that homozygous resistant plants (TR1) contained higher levels of total free amino acids than sensitive plants. In particular the levels of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and histidine were, respectively, 8.5, 5.4, and 4.9 times higher than those in the sensitive plants.