Sequence analysis of keratin-like proteins and cloning of intermediate filament-like cDNA from higher plant cells

Two keratin-like proteins of 64 and 55 ku were purified from suspension cells of Daucus carota L.,and their partial amino acid sequences were determined.The homological analysis showed that the sequence from the 64 ku protein was highly homological to b -glucosidase,and that from the 55 ku protein had no significant homologue in GenBank.Using conservative sequence of animal IF proteins as primer,we cloned a cDNA fragment from Daucus carota L.Southern blot and Northern blot results indicated that this cDNA fragment was a single copy gene and expressed both in suspension cells and leaves.Homological analysis revealed that it had moderate homology to a variety of a -helical proteins.Our results might shed more light on molecular characterization of IF existence in higher plant.     

Isolation of development-related genes in somatic embryo radicle of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using modified cDNA RDA

Using modified cDNA RDA capitalizing on the high affinity of streptavidin for biotin and magnetic-absorption-based separation, we have obtained four bands of specifically expressed cDNA in the carrot somatic embryo deregulated for 12 h, which were designated as NR-1, NR-2, NR-3 and NR-4, respectively. As revealed by homology analysis of their DNA sequences after cloning them into pBS, remarkable homology was demonstrated in NR-2, NR-3 and NR-4 with the genes coding for LEA (late embryogenesis abundant protein), Dna J and xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase in plants. On the other hand, NR-1 showing no homology with any known sequence may have come from unknown genes. Using³²P-labeled NR-1 as probe, hybridization with cDNA fragment population has shown that we have actually cloned a new gene fragment related to radicle development. As shown by further Southern hybridization, these genes may be present in carrot genome in the form of single or low copies.     

Plant Growth Retarding Activity of the 4-Substituted-7-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Anticytokinins

Three protease inhibitors (OTI-1-3) have been purified from onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs. Molecular masses of these inhibitors were found to be 7,370.2, 7,472.2, and 7,642.6 Da by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), respectively. Based on amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence, OTI-1 and -2 are the N-terminal truncated proteins of OTI-3. All the inhibitors are stable to heat and extreme pH. OTI-3 inhibited trypsin, chymotrypsin, and plasmin with dissociation constants of 1.3×10^-9 M, 2.3×10^-7 M, and 3.1×10^-7 M, respectively. The complete amino acid sequence of OTI-3 showed a significant homology to Bowman-Birk family inhibitors, and the first reactive site (P₁) was found to be Arg¹⁷ by limited proteolysis by trypsin. The second reactive site (P₁) was estimated to be Leu⁴⁶, that may inhibit chymotrypsin. OTI-3 lacks an S-S bond near the second reactive site, resulting in a low affinity for the enzyme. The sequence of OTI-3 was also ascertained by the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone encoding a 101-residue precursor of the onion inhibitor.     

Molecular cloning and analysis of a cDNA coding for the bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase of Daucus carota

Molecular cloning of dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) of Daucus carota was achieved by immunoscreening of a cDNA library obtaining a 2 kbp clone which contains an open reading frame of 1528 bp. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with those from other sources revealed the presence of motifs typical of DHFR and TS thus confirming the bifunctional nature of the carrot protein. As in other organisms, a higher degree of conservation was observed in the TS domain. Analysis of the dhfr-ts gene content in carrot revealed the presence of several copies per diploid genome.     

Morphogenetic and Histological Events during Somatic Embryogenesis in Intact Carrot Plantlets (Daucus carota L.) in Various Nutrient Media

It is shown that the induction of somatic embryogenesis neither requires the isolation of explants from intact carrot plants nor mechanical or chemical “wounding”.     

Production and analysis of plants that are somatic hybrids of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.)

In order to obtain plants that were somatic hybrids of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L.), we fused protoplasts that had been isolated from 6-month-old suspension cultures of carrot cells with protoplasts isolated from barley mesophyll by electrofusion. After culture for 1 month at 25°C , the cells were cultured for 5 weeks at 4°C , and were then returned to 25°C for culture on a shoot-inducing medium. Three plants (nos. 1, 2 and 3) were regenerated from the cells. The morphology of the regenerated plants closely resembled that of the parental carrot plants. A cytological analysis of callus cultures induced from these plants indicated that most of the cells had about 24 chromosomes, fewer than the sum of the numbers of parent chromosomes which was 32. Southern hybridization analysis with fragments of the rgp1 gene used as probe showed that the regenerated plants contained both barley and carrot genomic DNA. Chloroplast (ct) and mitochondrial (mt) DNAs were also analyzed with several probes. The ctDNA of the regenerated plants yielded hybridization bands specific for both barley and carrot when one fragment of rice ctDNA was used as probe. Furthermore, the regenerated plants yielded a barley specific band and a novel band with another fragment of rice ct DNA as a probe. One of the regenerated plants (no. 1) yielded a novel pattern of hybridized bands of mt DNA (with an atp6 probe) that was not detected with either of the parents. These results indicated that the regenerated plants were somatic hybrids of barley and carrot and that recombination of both the chloroplast genomes and the mitochondrial genomes might have occurred. Received: 28 May 1996 / Accepted: 2 August 1996     

胡萝卜(Daucus carota L.)胚性细胞蛋白的分离研究

应用IEF/SDS-PAGE双向电泳技术,比较了胡萝卜胚性细胞、非胚性细胞和不同发育时期的胚状体中可溶性蛋白的双向电泳图谱,结果发现在胚性细胞中特异存在的胚性细胞蛋白在不同发育时期的胚状体中也存在,但在非胚性细胞中不存在。因此,推测体细胞胚胎发生所需的一些基因在胚性细胞中就早已表达了。我们还成功地分离和测定了ECP 45-2 N-末端和中央部分氨基酸序列。与已知氨基酸序列相比,ECP 45-2部分氨基酸序列与ECP 45-1 部分氨基酸序列具有较高比例的同源性。因此, ECP 45-1和45-2可能属于同一因基家族。     

The keratin intermediate filament—like system in maize protoplasts

The application of Penman‘s method of cell fractionation to plant protoplasts leads to our finding of keratin intermediate filament(IF)-like system in maize protoplasts,which was identified by using immunogold labelling with monoclonal antibody of cytokeratin from animal cells.Many gold particles were found to be bound on filaments,linked by 3 nm filaments.After further digestion and extraction with DNase I and ammonium sulphate.IF-like framework-lamina-nuclear matrix system was shown under electron microscope.That IF system exists in plant protoplasts just like in animal cells,and their main component is keratin-like protein.     

鲢鱼轻酶解肌球蛋白的cDNA克隆及结构解析

与栖息温度相关的鲢鱼两种轻酶解肌球蛋白重链(light meromyosin,LMM)同工型(低温型,sc-w;高温型,sc-s)的氨基酸序列解析结果表明:sc-w与sc-s在LMM的氨基酸序列上显示91.8%的同源性,但与已经报道的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)低温型(gc10)有96.9%的...     

Isolation and characterization of a rabbit epididymal secretory glycoprotein that associates to the spermatozoon surface

Using a combination of gel filtration and hydroxyapatite chromatography, a major secretory glycoprotein (EP140) was purified from rabbit epididymal fluid. The protein had an apparent Mr of approximately 140 kDa under native conditions but dissociated into 2 equimolar amounts of glycosilated subunits, α and β of Mr 35 and 33 kDa, upon sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in absence of reducing agents. Thus EP140 appears to be a tetramer composed of 2 α and 2 β subunits, held together by noncovalent forces. Proteolytic peptide mapping, amino acid analysis, and determination of partial aminoacid sequences suggested that the 2 subunits were very similar, differing only at some punctual residues in their primary structures. The amino acid sequences obtained did not show significant similarity to any known protein. Western blot determinations with a specific antibody indicated that no EP140-immunorelated protein was detected either in testis or blood from the rabbit nor in epididymides from rats or hamsters. EP140 was shown to associated to the spermatozoon surface, mainly at the acrosomal zone and in the middle piece, and this association progressively increased during the transit of the spermatozoon through the epididymis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 46:337–343, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Isoforms of soybean seed oil body membrane protein 24 kDa oleosin are encoded by closely related cDNAs

We have characterized two cDNA clones for 24 kDa soybean oleosin, the seed oil body membrane protein. Differences in the predicted amino acid sequences of the two clones and the presence of a doublet on immunoblots indicate that 24 kDa oleosin exists in at least two isoforms in soybean. The predicted amino acid sequence also contains a unique carboxy terminal region that is dominated by a series of different tandem amino acid repeats.     

Morphological changes in homeotic cytoplasmic male-sterile carrots combined with fertile cytoplasm by asymmetrical cell fusion

 The cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus) with the petaloid phenotype was asymmetrically fused with eight different fertile cytoplasms to convert the CMS to a fertile state. Restoration to the fertile phenotype was successful with an over 20% efficiency. Cybrids with brown anther sterile, incomplete petaloid sterile, or "combined flower" fused on the same axis were also observed. Restricted DNA fragment patterns revealed that the mitochondrial genome organizations of the cybrids were not identical to those of their parents but were of an intermediate type. Repeated cell fusion to introduce two different foreign cytoplasms into the CMS cytoplasm was effective for obtaining fertile plants. The role of mitochondrial factors which regulate flower organ morphogenesis was demonstrated. Received: 14 December 1998 / Revision received: 7 March 1999 · Accepted: 3 June 1999     

Purification and Properties of Benzyl Alcohol Oxidase from Botrytis cinerea

A benzyl alcohol oxidase (BAO) was purified to homogeneity from Botrytis cinerea. The enzyme was found to have a molecular mass of 214 kD with a trimeric structure, and optimal pH and temperature of 5.0 and 30°C, respectively. The enzyme activity was not sensitive to metal ions or to metal ion chelators, while thiol blocking reagents strongly inhibited BAO activity. Sulfur dioxide irreversibly inhibited the enzyme activity and the inhibitory effect of ethanol was weak and reversible. Benzyl alcohol was the most effective alcohol substrate for BAO. Para or meta monosubstituted benzyl alcohol with methyl or methoxy groups were good substrates. BAO also oxidized cinnamyl alcohol, furfuryl alcohol, and some terpenic alcohols· with an alkenyl group near the reactive carbinol. Secondary alcohol, methanol and phenol were not substrates. Product inhibition studies suggested that benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol were bound at different places to the active site. O₂ was the only electron acceptor identified and Botrytis cinerea benzyl alcohol oxidase was classified .as EC 1.1.3.7 according to stoichiometrical studies. We discuss the metabolic role of BAO in the Botrytis cinerea-grape host-parasite relationship.     

Baboon carboxylesterases 1 and 2: sequences, structures and phylogenetic relationships with human and other primate carboxylesterases

Background  Carboxylesterase (CES) is predominantly responsible for the detoxification of a wide range of drugs and narcotics, and catalyze several reactions in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. Studies of the genetic and biochemical properties of primate CES may contribute to an improved understanding of human disease, including atherosclerosis, obesity and drug addiction, for which non-human primates serve as useful animal models.
Methods  We cloned and sequenced baboon CES1 and CES2 and used in vitro and in silico methods to predict protein secondary and tertiary structures, and examined evolutionary relationships for these enzymes with other primate and mouse CES orthologs.
Results and Conclusions  We found that baboon CES1 and CES2 proteins retained extensive similarity with human CES1 and CES2, shared key structural features reported for human CES1, and showed family specific sequences consistent with their multimeric and monomeric subunit structures respectively.     

中国人白细胞介素-12 cDNA基因的克隆及序列分析与比较

为研究中国人ＩＬ－１２的基因特征,采用逆转录巢式聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ｎＰＣＲ）从中国人脐带血单核细胞中分别克隆了Ｐ３５、Ｐ４０两亚基ｃＤＮＡ基因,包括完整的前体蛋白编码序列,其中Ｐ３５ ｃＤＮＡ编码２１９个氨基酸的多肽,Ｐ４０ ｃＤＮＡ编码３２８个氨基酸的多肽,与国外序列（ＮＫＳＦ、ＣＬＭＦ）比较结果发现：所克隆序列Ｐ３５同ＮＫＳＦ相比,第４４ａａ密友子由ＧＴＣ（Ｖａｌ）→ＧＴＧ（Ｖａｌ）,但未改     

胡萝卜精、卵细胞、助细胞和中央细胞的分离

用两个解剖针挤压胡萝卜花粉使其破裂释放出精细胞。用酶解-解剖方法分离胡萝卜胚囊中的卵细胞、助细胞和中央细胞。胡萝卜胚珠先在酶液中酶解40~50min,然后将其转移到不含酶的分离液中用解剖针解剖胚珠。将胚珠的合点端切破,轻轻挤压胚珠的珠孔,卵细胞、助细胞和中央细胞即可逸出。在最佳条件下,20min可从20个胚珠中分离出5个卵细胞。对分离胚囊细胞的渗透压和酶液成分进行了筛选。分离出的卵细胞用显微操作仪收集。胡萝卜精、卵细胞的成功分离为在双子叶植物中进行离体受精探索创造了条件。     

药用寄生植物菟丝子属,列当属和无根藤属氨基酸的分析

本文测定了菟丝子属、列当属和无根藤属某些种的种子和植株氨基酸的种类组成和含量。结果表明,3个属种子和植株氨基酸均在15种以上,且含量丰富,特别是必需氨基酸的含量较高。文中讨论了氨基酸的药用和在种子鉴定与化学分类上的作用,探讨了开发应用的前景。