微生物传感器测定维生素B12的研究

将大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)215用吸附法固定于醋酸纤维素膜上,与氧电极配合组成微生物电极,建立了对维生紊B₁₂的快速测定系统。测定浓度范围5×10^-6mg—2．5×10^-5mg／ml;测定温度范围在28—39℃;最适Ph为6．7—7．8,测定一个样品所需时间为2h,比常用的生物学测定方法所需时间缩短10倍以上。该系统对维生素B₁₂重复测定的相对误差为±3％。固定化菌体在－25℃保存25天后再进行测定,应答电流不低于初始值的92%。     

荧光法研究维生素B6和芦丁与白蛋白的相互作用

芦丁是一些中药的有效成份。研究药物与白蛋白的作用能说明蛋白质的结构与功能的关系和药物的作用机制。本文应用荧光偏振和能量转移技术研究了药物Vit B₆和芦丁与白蛋白的作用。给出了这些药物分子与白蛋白的缔合离解常数,Vit B₆和芦丁在人血清白蛋白中的结合位置与第214位色氨酸残基的距离分别为23.4Å和24.02Å。     

C3和C4植物寄主对华北地区棉铃虫越冬代和第一代的影响

确定华北越冬代棉铃虫虫源及其对第一代棉铃虫种群的影响是制定棉铃虫防治策略的基础。以越冬代棉铃虫蛾翅的稳定同位素δ¹³C为天然标记直接判定这些成虫的幼虫期寄主类型,并将雌虫接到春小麦植株上,调查其产卵、孵化、幼虫发育至化蛹、羽化等特征。结果表明,越冬代来自C₃植物(主要为棉花)的成虫个体数量占全部越冬羽化种群的53.1%,所产生的下一代老熟幼虫也较C₄来源的多(55.1%);雌蛾受精率都比较高;卵孵化率较高(52.9%>41.6%);幼虫发育在低龄阶段较比后者快,存活率低,但在高龄幼虫阶段相对后者慢,存活率高;与C₄植物(主要玉米)的来源个体后代的幼虫发育总历期接近,总存活率也相近。显示寄主植物小麦提供的营养条件在第一代棉铃虫的幼虫发育中具有决定性意义,即小麦只在特定阶段才适合幼虫的发育;而且不论是C₃还是C₄寄主来源的越冬代棉铃虫已经适应了这一限制。有效地评价了玉米和棉花等寄主植物对华北地区越冬代和次年第一代棉铃虫的影响,对于分析越冬代棉铃虫的虫源性质和第一代棉铃虫的防治及Bt抗性的治理有重要参考价值。     

PM2.5对呼吸系统的影响及其作用机制的研究

现如今PM_2.5已成为我国主要的大气污染物,它会导致各种呼吸系统疾病的发生。PM_2.5是粒径小于2.5 μm的细颗粒物,可以携带多种有毒物质。PM_2.5与其他颗粒物相比,体积较小,表面积较大,更容易进入人体,对人体健康造成危害,其中呼吸系统首当其冲。许多流行病学证据表明PM_2.5与呼吸系统疾病密切相关,在体内和体外均证实了细颗粒物对呼吸系统的损伤。而PM_2.5对呼吸系统的毒性机制是国内外专家和学者研究的重点,主要包括氧化应激、炎性损伤、细胞内钙稳态失衡、免疫细胞功能不全和功能障碍、致突变性、微生态学改变、气道上皮防御功能缺陷等。本文综述了PM_2.5的定义、特征和对呼吸系统的影响及毒性机制。     

圣草酚对Aβ25-35诱导的PC12细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制

目的:探讨圣草酚对Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法:采用MTT法筛选圣草酚对Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞损伤的有效保护浓度,进一步采用流式细胞术检测圣草酚对Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞的凋亡率的影响,并通过试剂盒检测圣草酚对Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞胆碱能系统受体活性的影响。结果:MTT结果显示2×10~(-3)μmol/L圣草酚可显著促进Aβ2_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞增殖(P0.05)。流式细胞术结果显示2×10~(-3)μmol/L圣草酚和雌二醇均可以显著抑制Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞凋亡(P0.05),提高其乙酰胆碱及乙酰胆碱转移酶活性并且降低乙酰胆碱酯酶的活性(P0.05),且二者的作用相当,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:圣草酚可能通过提高Ach及ChAT的含量,降低AchE的含量,调节胆碱能系统相关酶的活性,发挥对Aβ_(25-35)诱导的PC12细胞的保护作用。     

CO2浓度升高条件下内生真菌感染对宿主植物的生理生态影响

以内蒙古草原常见伴生种、感染内生真菌的天然禾草羽茅为研究对象,通过比较不同CO₂浓度和不同养分供应条件下,带内生真菌和不带菌植物在种子发芽和幼苗生长等方面的差异,探讨带内生真菌的天然禾草对CO₂浓度增加的响应。结果表明:CO₂浓度增加对带菌种子发芽率和发芽速度均无显著影响,但CO₂浓度增加显著降低了不带菌种子的发芽率和发芽速度,即CO₂浓度升高加大了带菌和不带菌种子发芽率之间的差异;内生真菌感染显著提高了宿主植物的最大净光合速率和水分利用效率;羽茅的营养生长受CO₂浓度和养分供应的交互影响,高CO₂浓度对生长的促进作用只出现在充足养分供应条件下;CO₂浓度升高和内生真菌感染对植物根系形态有显著的交互作用,在正常CO₂浓度下,带菌植株根径>1.05 mm的根系比例显著高于不带菌植株,随着CO₂浓度的升高,带菌植株上述根径根系所占比例无显著变化而不带菌植株所占比例显著升高,CO₂浓度升高导致带菌和不带菌不同根径根系分配之间的差异缩小。     

干旱胁迫对2种光合类型C4荒漠植物叶片光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响

以荒漠C₄草本植物蔷薇猪毛菜(NADP苹果酸酶型,NADP-ME）和粗枝猪毛菜（NAD苹果酸酶型,NAD-ME）为研究对象,采用盆栽控水试验设置正常供水和轻度、中度、重度干旱处理（土壤含水量分别为田间持水量80%、60%、45%和35%）,通过测定不同程度干旱胁迫下叶片含水量、C₄光合特征酶和抗氧化酶活性等指标,探讨不同类型C₄荒漠植物光合特征酶和抗氧化系统对干旱逆境的适应机制。结果显示：（1）2种植物叶片含水量均随干旱胁迫的加剧不同程度降低。（2）叶片磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（PEPC）活性在中度干旱胁迫下显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下急剧下降;蔷薇猪毛菜NAD-ME活性和粗枝猪毛菜NADP-ME活性都很低,且它们基本不受干旱胁迫的影响;随干旱胁迫的加剧,蔷薇猪毛菜NADP-ME活性呈下降趋势,而粗枝猪毛菜NAD-ME活性先显著增加而在重度干旱胁迫下显著降低。（3）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性呈下降趋势,过氧化物酶（POD）活性在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度增加;过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性在中度干旱胁迫下均有不同程度的增加,但在重度干旱胁迫下蔷薇猪毛菜CAT活性降低,而粗枝猪毛菜CAT活性显著增加;丙二醛（MDA）含量随干旱胁迫的加剧均有不同程度的增加。研究认为,一定程度干旱胁迫下,2种荒漠植物的PEPC活性均有增加;不同光合类型C₄植物叶片脱羧酶（NADP-ME和NAD-ME）对干旱胁迫的响应有明显的差异。POD和CAT是这两种C₄植物适应干旱胁迫的主要抗氧化酶,但蔷薇猪毛菜CAT在重度干旱胁迫下没有起到积极保护作用。     

透明颤菌vgb基因在脱氮假单胞菌中的表达及对维生素B12合成的碳中心代谢流分析

在为维生素B₁₂生产菌株脱氮假单胞菌确立合适的接合转移操作条件的基础上,通过单交换的方式,将vgb基因整合到脱氮假单胞菌染色体上,获得了vgb重组菌株Pvgb-16,并通过¹³C同位素标记实验,探索VHb蛋白对脱氮假单胞菌碳中心代谢流变化和维生素B₁₂合成的影响。研究结果表明,在相同的供氧条件下,vgb重组菌株Pvgb-16拥有更高的比生长速率和比产物合成速率,与出发菌株相比分别提升了22%和52%。碳代谢通量分布分析表明,vgb重组菌株Pvgb-16的PP途径改善,提升了NADPH合成通量;甘氨酸由甜菜碱合成的通量上升,促进了前体物质氨基乙酰丙酸的合成,进一步加速维生素B₁₂的合成。总体来看,含vgb基因的重组菌株与出发菌株相比在促进菌体的生长、维生素B₁₂的合成速率及得率上都有显著效果,对进一步的发酵生产应用研究具有重要意义。     

高CO2浓度对杂交水稻光合作用日变化的影响——FACE研究

大气二氧化碳(CO_2)浓度增高导致全球变暖,但作为光合作用底物促进绿色作物的光合作用。为了明确高CO_2浓度对杂交水稻结实期光合日变化的影响,2014年利用稻田FACE(Free Air CO_2Enrichment)平台,以生产上曾创高产纪录的两个杂交稻新组合甬优2640和Y两优2号为供试材料,设置环境CO_2和高CO_2浓度(增200μmol/mol)两个水平,测定杂交稻抽穗期和灌浆中期光合作用日变化和成熟期生物量。结果表明,高CO_2浓度环境下两组合抽穗期叶片净光合速率均大幅增加(全天平均52%),但灌浆中期的平均增幅减半,其中Y两优2号这种光合下调表现更为明显。大气CO_2浓度升高使两杂交稻组合抽穗和灌浆中期叶片气孔导度均大幅下降,导致蒸腾速率下降而水分利用效率大幅增加,Y两优2号气孔导度和蒸腾速率对CO_2的响应上午大于下午,而甬优2640表现相反。尽管大气CO_2浓度升高使杂交稻结实期不同时刻胞间CO_2浓度均大幅增加,但对气孔限制值特别是胞间CO_2与空气CO_2浓度之比多无显著影响,两品种趋势一致。大气CO_2浓度升高对甬优2640地上部生物量及其组分的影响明显大于Y两优2号,CO_2与品种间多存在互作效应。以上结果表明,与甬优2640相比,Y两优2号最终生产力从高CO_2浓度环境中获益较少可能与该品种生长后期存在明显的光合适应有关,但这种光合适应似乎不是由气孔限制造成的。     

Processing of glutathionylcobalamin by a bovine B12 trafficking chaperone bCblC involved in intracellular B12 metabolism

Glutathionylcobalamin (GSCbl) is a biologically relevant vitamin B₁₂ derivative and contains glutathione as the upper axial ligand thought formation of a cobalt-sulfur bond. GSCbl has been shown to be an effective precursor of enzyme cofactors, however processing of the cobalamin in intracellular B₁₂ metabolism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we discovered that bCblC, a bovine B₁₂ trafficking chaperone, catalyzes elimination of the glutathione ligand from GSCbl by using the reduced form of glutathione (GSH). Deglutathionylation products are base-off cob(II)alamin and glutathione disulfide, which are generated stoichiometrically to GSH. Although cob(I)alamin was not detected due to its instability, deglutathionylation is likely analogous to dealkylation of alkylcobalamins, which uses the thiolate of GSH for nucleophilic displacement. The catalytic turnover number for the deglutathionylation of GSCbl is ?1.62 ± 0.13 min⁻¹, which is, at least, an order of magnitude higher than that for elimination of upper axial ligands from other cobalamins. Considering the prevalence of GSH at millimolar concentrations in cells, our results explain the previous finding that GSCbl is more effective than other cobalamins for synthesis of enzyme cofactors.     

Glutathione increases the binding affinity of a bovine B12 trafficking chaperone bCblC for vitamin B12

Intracellular B₁₂ metabolism involves a B₁₂ trafficking chaperone CblC that is well conserved in mammals including human. The protein CblC is known to bind cyanocobalamin (CNCbl, vitamin B₁₂) inducing the base-off transition and convert it into an intermediate that can be used in enzyme cofactor synthesis. The binding affinity of human CblC for CNCbl was determined to be K_d = ≈6–16 μM, which is relatively low considering sub-micromolar B₁₂ concentrations (0.03–0.7 μM) in normal cells. In the current study, we discovered that the base-off transition of CNCbl upon binding to bCblC, a bovine homolog of human CblC, is facilitated in the presence of reduced form of glutathione (GSH). In addition, GSH dramatically increases the binding affinity for CNCbl lowering the K_d from 27.1 ± 0.2–0.24 ± 0.09 μM. The effect of GSH is due to conformational change of bCblC upon binding with GSH, which was indicated by limited proteolysis and urea-induced equilibrium denaturation of the protein. The results of this study suggest that GSH positively modulates bCblC by increasing the binding affinity for CNCbl, which would enhance functional efficiency of the protein.     

Holotranscobalamins in B12 and non B12 requiring prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Transcobalamins, vitamin B₁₂ binding proteins, deliver B₁₂ to cell surface receptors which then permit B₁₂ to cross cell membranes for metabolic use. There is little documentation concerning B₁₂ binding proteins in bacteria and protists. We found that prokaryotes and eukaryotes requiring B₁₂, as well as those protists synthesizing B₁₂, also produce several transcobalamins for functionally transporting B₁₂ similar to humans.     

Enhancement of chemiluminescence for vitamin B12 analysis

In the current article, chemiluminescence (CL) from the vitamin B₁₂ and luminol reaction was studied under alkaline conditions to develop a sensitive analytical method for vitamin B₁₂ using the carbonate enhancement effect. The method was successfully applied to the determination of vitamin B₁₂ in vitamin B₁₂ tablets, multivitamin capsules, and vitamin B₁₂ injections. Experimental parameters were optimized, including luminol concentration, urea-hydrogen peroxide (urea-H₂O₂) concentration, effect of pH, and sequence of addition of reactants for obtaining maximum CL, which was not explored previously. The limit of detection was 5 pg/ml, and the linear range was 10 pg/ml to 1 μg/ml with a regression coefficient of R² = 0.9998. The importance of these experimental parameters and the carbonate enhancement effect is discussed based on the knowledge of the mechanism of oxidation of luminol and decomposition of urea-H₂O₂ in the presence of vitamin B₁₂. Extraction of vitamin B₁₂ was carried out, and the observed recovery was 97-99.2% with a relative standard deviation in the range of 0.30-1.09%. The results obtained were compared with those of the flame atomic absorption spectrometry method.     

Lessons in biology from patients with inborn errors of vitamin B12 metabolism

Background

Since 1975 cells lines from patients with suspected inborn errors of vitamin B₁₂ metabolism have been referred to our laboratory because of elevations of homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, or both.

Design

Cultured fibroblasts from patients were subjected to a battery of tests: incorporation of labelled propionate and methyltetrahydrofolate into cellular macromolecules, to test the functional integrity of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase, respectively; uptake of labelled cyanocobalamin and synthesis of adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin; and, where applicable, complementation analysis.

Results

This approach has allowed for the discovery of novel steps in the cellular transport and metabolism of vitamin B₁₂, including those involving cellular uptake, the efflux of vitamin B₁₂ from lysosomes, and the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin. For all of these disorders, the responsible genes have been discovered.

Conclusion

The study of highly selected patients with suspected inborn errors of metabolism has consistently resulted in the discovery of previously unknown metabolic steps and has provided new lessons in biology.     

Towards the synthesis of light-stable coenzyme B12 analogs

The organometallic complex coenzyme B₁₂ (adenosyl cobalamin, AdoCbl) is not only an essential coenzyme in many biochemical reactions of most if not all living organisms but has lately been shown to play a crucial role in the regulation of B₁₂ related genes. As a consequence, coenzyme B₁₂ has been a target of intense research. However, the investigations of AdoCbl have often been hampered due to its high light-sensitivity leading to decomposition of the compound within a few seconds. Here, we describe a strategy to synthesize more light-stable coenzyme B₁₂ analogs, which show similar steric properties as adenosyl cobalamin. The synthesis, structural characterization as well as the pH dependent “base-on/base-off” behavior of cyanide bridged vitamin B₁₂ conjugates with either a cis-[(NH₃)₂Pt]²⁺ or an [enPt]²⁺ moiety, leading to cis-[(NH₃)₂PtCl-vitB₁₂]⁺ (1) and [enPtCl-vitB₁₂]⁺ (2) are reported. The subsequent reaction of cis-[(NH₃)₂PtCl-vitB₁₂]⁺ with the model nucleobase 9-methyladenine leads to the corresponding adduct, where the adenine moiety is coordinated to the Pt²⁺ center either via N1 or N7. This compound is light-stable and harbors the adenine moiety in the same distance of 5 Å above the corrin plane as present in the highly light-sensitive adenosyl cobalamin.     

Methyl-transfer reaction to alkylthiol catalyzed by a simple vitamin B12 model complex using zinc powder

The catalytic methyl-transfer reaction from methyl tosylate to 1-octanethiol was carried out in the presence of a simple vitamin B₁₂ model complex, [Co(III){(C₂C₃)(DO)(DOH)pn}Br₂], with zinc powder as the reducing reagent at 50 °C. Such a catalytic reaction proceeded via the formation and dissociation of a cobalt-carbon bond in the simple vitamin B₁₂ model complex under non-enzymatic conditions. The mechanism for the methyl-transfer reaction was investigated by electronic and mass spectroscopies. The Co(I) species, which is generated from the reduction of the catalyst by the zinc powder, and its methylated CH₃-Co complex were found to be indispensable intermediates.     

Role of amino acids, betaine and choline in vitamin B12 biosynthesis by strains of Propionibacterium

This paper reports the role of amino acids, betaine and choline on vitamin B₁₂ biosynthesis in Propionibacterium shermanii 566, P. shermanii and Propionibacterium arl AKU 1251. l-Glutamic acid supplemented at the 0.05% (w/v) level in whey permeate stimulated vitamin B₁₂ production in the three organisms, whereas the influence of other amino acids differed in the three strains. A uniform increase in product formation in Propionibacterium cultures with increasing doses of betaine and choline was recorded, but with variable relative effectiveness. However, no significant difference at the 0.50 and 0.75% (w/v) levels of these two compounds was observed. The addition of betaine at 0.5% (w/v) concentration was considered optimal for maximum fermentation efficiency in the cultures. An increase of 2.8–25.7% and 5.1–40.8% in vitamin B₁₂ yield as compared to the control was observed by supplementing whey permeate medium with l-glutamic acid and betaine, respectively, at their optimum values in the organisms studied.     

Simulation of fermentation conditions for vitamin B12 biosynthesis from whey

Vitamin B₁₂ production in fermentation of Propionibacterium shermanii and Propionibacterium arl AKU 1251 in whey permeate medium has been studied. The observed results and simulated expected values obtained by fitting statistical equations to the recorded data showed that 24 h old inoculum, 5 mg iron l^?1 and 4% whey lactose were optimal for vitamin B₁₂ biosynthesis in both strains when fermentation was carried out under anerobic (84 h) and aerobic (84 h) conditions at 30°C. The supplementation of whey medium with 0.5% (NH₄)₂HPO₄ enhanced further the metabolite yield; however, the preference for a mixed carbon source (lactose + d-glucose or lactose + d-fructose) at different levels varied in the strains under study. P. shermanii, under optimal cultural conditions, was found to be a better strain than Propionibacterium arl AKU, 1251 in fermenting whey lactose for product (vitamin B₁₂) formation.     

Vitamin B12 in neurology and ageing; Clinical and genetic aspects

The classic neurological and psychiatric features associated with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency have been well described and are the subject of many excellent review articles. The advent of sensitive diagnostic tests, including homocysteine and methylmalonic acid assays, has revealed a surprisingly high prevalence of a more subtle ‘subclinical’ form of B₁₂ deficiency, particularly within the elderly. This is often associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Metabolic evidence of B₁₂ deficiency is also reported in association with other neurodegenerative disorders including vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. These conditions are all associated with chronic neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress. It is possible that these clinical associations reflect compromised vitamin B₁₂ metabolism due to such stress. Physicians are also increasingly aware of considerable inter-individual variation in the clinical response to B₁₂ replacement therapy. Further research is needed to determine to what extent this is attributable to genetic determinants of vitamin B₁₂ absorption, distribution and cellular uptake.