Molecular cloning and expression of hctB encoding a strain-variant chlamydial histone-like protein with DNA-binding activity.

Two DNA-binding proteins with similarity to eukaryotic histone H1 have been described in Chlamydia trachomatis. In addition to the 18-kDa histone H1 homolog Hc1, elementary bodies of C. trachomatis possess an antigenically related histone H1 homolog, which we have termed Hc2, that varies in apparent molecular mass among strains. We report the molecular cloning, expression, and nucleotide sequence of the hctB gene encoding Hc2 and present evidence for in vivo DNA-binding activity of the expressed product. Expression of Hc2 in Escherichia coli induces a compaction of bacterial chromatin that is distinct from that observed upon Hc1 expression. Moreover, isolated nucleoids from Hc2-expressing E. coli exhibit markedly reduced sensitivity to DNase I. These properties of Hc2 are consistent with a postulated role in establishing the nucleoid structure of elementary bodies.     

意大利蝗卵发育过程中血蓝蛋白基因表达分析

【目的】意大利蝗Calliptamus italicus是新疆草原的主要优势危害种,以卵在土壤中越冬。呼吸代谢可反映蝗卵的生理状态,呼吸蛋白对于呼吸系统不完善的蝗卵尤为重要。本研究旨在明确意大利蝗卵发育过程中血蓝蛋白基因的表达情况。【方法】采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测不同发育阶段的蝗卵以及1龄蝗蝻的血蓝蛋白2个亚基基因Hc1和Hc2的表达量。【结果】根据解剖形态观察,将意大利蝗越冬卵的整个发育过程分为10个阶段,包括9个卵发育阶段(C-Ⅰ-C-Ⅹ)和1龄蝗蝻阶段(C-Ⅹ)。Hc1和Hc2在越冬蝗卵各发育阶段以及1龄蝗蝻中均有表达。其中,在蝗卵早期发育阶段(C-Ⅰ, C-Ⅱ和C-Ⅲ),Hc1表达量逐渐增加,C-Ⅲ阶段表达量显著高于C-Ⅰ和C-Ⅱ阶段;滞育阶段(C-Ⅳ, C-Ⅴ和C-Ⅵ),胚胎发育停滞,Hc1表达量较C-Ⅲ,C-Ⅶ和C-Ⅷ阶段低;滞育后发育阶段(C-Ⅶ和C-Ⅷ),蝗卵解除滞育,快速发育,Hc1表达量较早期发育阶段和滞育阶段高,其中,C-Ⅷ阶段Hc1表达量最高(212.3156±10.5470),显著高于其他所有阶段;1龄蝗蝻(C-Ⅹ)的Hc1表达量最低,为0.4017±0.1010。Hc2表达量在C-Ⅴ阶段最高(679.7511±54.5719),显著高于其他所有阶段;除C-Ⅴ阶段外,其他各阶段之间Hc2表达量差异均不显著。Hc1在蝗卵滞育后阶段高表达,而Hc2在蝗卵滞育阶段高表达。【结论】血蓝蛋白亚基基因Hc1和Hc2在整个意大利蝗卵发育过程均有表达,且具有阶段特异性。Hc1与Hc2协同作用为蝗卵发育供氧,其中,Hc1主要负责蝗卵滞育后发育期间的氧气运载,而Hc2主要维持滞育期间的氧气运载,且载氧效率较低。研究结果可为进一步探讨意大利蝗卵的抗逆机制提供科学依据。     

The chlamydial EUO gene encodes a histone H1-specific protease.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular pathogen, long recognized as an agent of blinding eye disease and more recently as a common sexually transmitted infection. Recently, two eukaryotic histone H1-like proteins, designated Hc1 and Hc2, have been identified in Chlamydia. Expression of Hc1 in recombinant Escherichia coli produces chromatin condensation similar to nucleoid condensation observed late in the parasite's own life cycle. In contrast, chromatin decondensation, observed during the early life cycle, accompanies down-regulation and nondetection of Hc1 and Hc2 among internalized organisms. We reasoned that the early upstream open reading frame (EUO) gene product might play a role in Hc1 degradation and nucleoid decondensation since it is expressed very early in the chlamydial life cycle. To explore this possibility, we fused the EUO coding region between amino acids 4 and 177 from C. trachomatis serovar Lz with glutathione S-transferase (GST) and examined the effects of fusion protein on Hc1 in vitro. The purified fusion protein was able to digest Hc1 completely within 1 h at 37 degrees C. However, GST alone exhibited no Hc1-specific proteolytic activity. The chlamydial EUO-GST gene product also cleaves very-lysine-rich calf thymus histone H1 and chicken erythrocyte histone H5 but displays no measurable activity towards core histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 or chlamydial RNA polymerase alpha-subunit. This proteolytic activity appears sensitive to the serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) and aspartic protease inhibitor pepstatin but resistant to high temperature and other broad-spectrum protease inhibitors. The proteolytic activity specified by the EUO-GST fusion product selectively digested the C-terminal portion of chlamydial Hc1, the domain involved in DNA binding, while leaving the N terminus intact. At a molar equivalent ratio of 1:1 between Hc1 and DNA, the EUO gene product cleaves Hc1 complexed to DNA and this cleavage appears sufficient to initiate dissociation of DNA-Hc1 complexes. However, at a higher molar equivalent ratio of Hc1/DNA (10:1), there is partial protection conferred upon Hc1 to an extent that prevents dissociation of DNA-Hc1 complexes.     

Initial analysis of the hemocyanin subunit type 1 (Hc1 gene) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Locusta migratoria manilensis</Emphasis>

Hemocyanins are copper-containing (Cu⁺) proteins that transport oxygen in many arthropods hemolymph. We characterized Hc1 gene from the grasshopper species Locusta migratoria manilensis. In particular, we cloned and sequenced the corresponding cDNAs and studied their expression at different developmental stages. The cDNA of Hc1 gene (GenBank accession no.:HQ213937) is 2271 bp in length and the open reading frame is 2016 bp, which encodes a 672 amino acids protein with a calculated molecular mass of 77.9 kD and the isoelectric point of 6.06. Sequence alignment analysis result showed that this gene shares 94.7% identity with Schistocerca americana EHP. In addition, analysis of quantitative RT-PCR indicated that, LmiHc1 was expressed in the embyro (24, 39, 62, 86, 144, and 193 h after hatch), nymphs (1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar, 4th instar and 5th instar) and in adult. These results showed that Hc1 plays an important role in grasshopper, which may be related to an enhanced oxygen supply. Phylogenetic analysis of insecta based on Hc1 are basically consistent with the morphology.     

Single-step Protein A and Protein G avidity purification methods to support bispecific antibody discovery and development

ABSTRACT

Heavy chain (Hc) heterodimers represent a majority of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) under clinical development. Although recent technologies achieve high levels of Hc heterodimerization (HD), traces of homodimer contaminants are often present, and as a consequence robust purification techniques for generating highly pure heterodimers in a single step are needed. Here, we describe two different purification methods that exploit differences in Protein A (PA) or Protein G (PG) avidity between homo- and heterodimers. Differential elution between species was enabled by removing PA or PG binding in one of the Hcs of the bsAb. The PA method allowed the avidity purification of heterodimers based on the VH3 subclass, which naturally binds PA and interferes with separation, by using a combination of IgG3 Fc and a single amino acid change in VH3, N82aS. The PG method relied on a combination of three mutations that completely disrupts PG binding, M428G/N434A in IgG1 Fc and K213V in IgG1 CH1. Both methods achieved a high level of heterodimer purity as single-step techniques without Hc HD (93–98%). Since PA and PG have overlapping binding sites with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), we investigated the effects of our engineering both in vitro and in vivo. Mild to moderate differences in FcRn binding and Fc thermal stability were observed, but these did not significantly change the serum half-lives of engineered control antibodies and heterodimers. The methods are conceptually compatible with various Hc HD platforms such as BEAT® (Bispecific Engagement by Antibodies based on the T cell receptor), in which the PA method has already been successfully implemented.     

Host membrane glycosphingolipids and lipid microdomains facilitate Histoplasma capsulatum internalisation by macrophages

Recognition and internalisation of intracellular pathogens by host cells is a multifactorial process, involving both stable and transient interactions. The plasticity of the host cell plasma membrane is fundamental in this infectious process. Here, the participation of macrophage lipid microdomains during adhesion and internalisation of the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) was investigated. An increase in membrane lateral organisation, which is a characteristic of lipid microdomains, was observed during the first steps of Hc–macrophage interaction. Cholesterol enrichment in macrophage membranes around Hc contact regions and reduced levels of Hc–macrophage association after cholesterol removal also suggested the participation of lipid microdomains during Hc–macrophage interaction. Using optical tweezers to study cell‐to‐cell interactions, we showed that cholesterol depletion increased the time required for Hc adhesion. Additionally, fungal internalisation was significantly reduced under these conditions. Moreover, macrophages treated with the ceramide‐glucosyltransferase inhibitor (P4r) and macrophages with altered ganglioside synthesis (from B4galnt1^?/? mice) showed a deficient ability to interact with Hc. Coincubation of oligo‐GM1 and treatment with Cholera toxin Subunit B, which recognises the ganglioside GM1, also reduced Hc association. Although purified GM1 did not alter Hc binding, treatment with P4 significantly increased the time required for Hc binding to macrophages. The content of CD18 was displaced from lipid microdomains in B4galnt1^?/? macrophages. In addition, macrophages with reduced CD18 expression (CD18^low) were associated with Hc at levels similar to wild‐type cells. Finally, CD11b and CD18 colocalised with GM1 during Hc–macrophage interaction. Our results indicate that lipid rafts and particularly complex gangliosides that reside in lipid rafts stabilise Hc–macrophage adhesion and mediate efficient internalisation during histoplasmosis.     

RNA interference mediated knockdown of apolipophorin-III leads to knockdown of manganese superoxide dismutase in Hyphantria cunea

Apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III), a hemolymph protein that facilitates lipid transport in aqueous media in insects was recently shown to play a role in insect immune activation. Here, we report another novel possible function of apoLp-III in insects. To identify genes affected by apoLp-III expression in larvae, we decreased endogenous apoLp-III mRNA in Hyphantria cunea (Hc) through RNA interference; subsequently, we observed lower levels of antioxidant enzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione S-transferase, and immune proteins. Knockdown of Hc apoLp-III led to decreased MnSOD expression in fat body tissues and elevated superoxide anion levels in Hc fat body cells, suggesting that Hc apoLp-III is involved in the action and/or expression of antioxidant enzymes, especially MnSOD.     

Complement factor C5 deficiency significantly delays the progression of biliary fibrosis in bile duct-ligated mice

Fibrogenesis represents the universal response of the liver to chronic liver injury. Complement factor C5 has been linked to fibrosis in murine toxic liver injury and human chronic hepatitis C. C5 may also play a central role in chronic cholestatic disorders, since the BA receptor FXR has been characterized as an activator of the C3 gene. We aimed to investigate, whether C5 deficiency is able to prevent biliary fibrosis in the mouse bile-duct-ligation model. BDL for 1-4 weeks was performed in either Hc(0)/Hc(0) mice (deficient for C5) or WT controls. BA levels were measured by RIA. Histological examination included H&E, sirius-red and immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression was quantified by RT-PCR. Protein expression levels were determined by Western blotting or ELISA. Enzymatic MMP-activity was analysed by zymography. One week BDL leads to fibrosis in WT (F2.0 ± 0), while it is almost absent in Hc(0)/Hc(0) mice (F0.5 ± 0.5). No differences in fibrosis can be detected at week-4. Together with delayed fibrogenesis at week-1, fibrotic markers are decreased in Hc(0)/Hc(0) mice. Expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α is decreased in Hc(0)/Hc(0) mice. In parallel C5 deficiency leads to an attenuated peribiliary infiltration of CD45(+) cells in fibrotic areas together with decreased MMP-9 expression and gelatinase activity. The present study proves a functional role of C5 during biliary fibrogenesis. C5 deficiency leads to attenuated inflammation and normalized MMP-9 activity concomitantly with a significant reduction of fibrosis. C5 appears to be an attractive target for future therapeutic intervention in chronic cholestatic liver disease.     

Involvement of glycan chains in the antigenicity of Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin

Functional unit (FU) RtH2-e from Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin (Hc) was degraded into small fragments with chymotrypsin. The glycopeptides were separated from the non-glycosylated peptides by chromatography on Concanavalin-A-Sepharose and characterized by mass spectrometry. The glycan part of the glycopeptides (all with common peptide stretch of 14 amino acids) consists of the classical trimannosyl-N,N-diacetylchitobiose core for N-glycosylation, predominantly extended with a unique tetrasaccharide that is branched on fucose. In inhibition ELISA experiments, the glycopeptides interfered in the complex formation between FU RtH2-e and rabbit antibodies against Rapana Hc (about 30% of inhibition). The inhibition also was retained after treatment of the glycopeptides with pronase in order to completely destroy the peptide part. The inhibitory effect of the non-glycosylated peptides, on the other hand, was very low. This study thus demonstrates that the glycans attached to FU RtH2-e contribute to the antigenicity of Rapana Hc.     

FSHIP2 regulates epithelial cell polarity through its lipid product,which binds to Dlg1, a pathway subverted by hepatitis C virus core protein

The main targets of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are hepatocytes, the highly polarized cells of the liver, and all the steps of its life cycle are tightly dependent on host lipid metabolism. The interplay between polarity and lipid metabolism in HCV infection has been poorly investigated. Signaling lipids, such as phosphoinositides (PIs), play a vital role in polarity, which depends on the distribution and expression of PI kinases and PI phosphatases. In this study, we report that HCV core protein, expressed in Huh7 and Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, disrupts apicobasal polarity. This is associated with decreased expression of the polarity protein Dlg1 and the PI phosphatase SHIP2, which converts phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2). SHIP2 is mainly localized at the basolateral membrane of polarized MDCK cells. In addition, PtdIns(3,4)P2 is able to bind to Dlg1. SHIP2 small interfering RNA or its catalytically dead mutant disrupts apicobasal polarity, similar to HCV core. In core-expressing cells, RhoA activity is inhibited, whereas Rac1 is activated. Of interest, SHIP2 expression rescues polarity, RhoA activation, and restricted core level in MDCK cells. We conclude that SHIP2 is an important regulator of polarity, which is subverted by HCV in epithelial cells. It is suggested that SHIP2 could be a promising target for anti-HCV treatment.     

Contribution of the copper ions in the dinuclear active site to the stability of Carcinus aestuarii hemocyanin

We have investigated the effect of copper binding on the structural properties of hemocyanin (Hc). To this aim, we have studied the holo- and apo-form of the protein, both in the hexameric and in the monomeric state (CaeSS2 subunit), with experimental approaches that report on the protein aggregation and conformational stability. The results of gel-filtration chromatography and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) provide evidence that the hydrodynamic and gyration radius (R(g)) of Hc in the hexameric form only slightly increase upon copper removal, whereas a remarkable enhancement in the R(g) value is observed for the CaeSS2 monomer. CD measurements in the far- and near-UV region indicate that removal of copper only marginally affects the conformation of the hexameric Hc. Instead, copper depletion in the CaeSS2 strongly alters the tertiary structure of the monomer (near-UV CD), even though it is almost inconsequential on the secondary structure content (far-UV CD). These findings are fully consistent with the results of limited proteolysis experiments showing that the hexameric Hc is similarly resistant to proteolysis by trypsin both in the holo- and apo-form. Conversely, the apo-form of CaeSS2 monomer is much more susceptible to proteolytic attack by trypsin than the holo-form. Based on SAXS measurements, the concentration-dependent oligomerization process for apo-CaeSS2 has been analyzed on the basis of a thermodynamic model involving a concentration-dependent equilibrium between a monomer in a native-like and an hexameric aggregate of monomers.     

The C‐terminal domain of tetanus toxin protects motoneurons against acute excitotoxic damage on spinal cord organotypic cultures

The C‐terminal domain of tetanus toxin (Hc‐TeTx) has been suggested to act as a neuroprotective agent by activating signaling pathways related to neurotrophins and also to exert anti‐apoptotic effects. Here, we show the beneficial properties of the recombinant protein Hc‐TeTx to protect spinal motoneurons against excitotoxic damage. In vitro spinal cord organotypic cultures were used to assess acute glutamate excitotoxic damage. Our results indicate that Hc‐TeTx treatment improves motoneuron survival within a short therapeutical window (the first 2 h post‐injury). Within this interval, we found that p44/p42 MAP kinase (ERK1/2) and glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3β) signaling pathways play a crucial role in the neuroprotective effect. Moreover, we demonstrated that Hc–TeTx treatment initiate autophagy which is ERK1/2‐ and GSK3β‐dependent. These findings suggest a possible therapeutical tool to improve motoneuron survival immediately after excitotoxic insults or during the secondary injury phase that occurs after spinal cord trauma.