对虾白斑综合征病毒的细胞因子受体基因的分析与表达

在对虾白斑综合征病毒(White spot syndrome virus,WSSV)的基因组中发现一个具有细胞因子受体特征的开放阅读框,该阅读框全长2022个核苷酸,编码674个氨基酸,蛋白质理论分子量为76kDa。该基因含有真核生物细胞因子gp130受体特征序列。为了研究该基因的功能,采用PCR方法从病毒基因组中扩增出基因片段,克隆到pGEM-T Easy载体中,经BamH I和Sal I双酶切后插入pET28b表达载体中。重组质粒转化到大肠杆菌BL21中,IPTG诱导后,经SDS-PAGE电泳表明在。76kDa处有目的蛋白表达。用冰浴超声波对诱导后的菌液进行处理以获得初步纯化的蛋白,作为抗原人工免疫实验兔子以获得含特异性抗体的抗血清。该基因的表达成功,为其功能的进一步深入研究奠定了基础。     

对虾白斑综合征病毒的细胞因子受体基因的分析与表达

在对虾白斑综合征病毒(White spot syndrome virus,WSSV)的基因组中发现一个具有细胞因子受体特征的开放阅读框,该阅读框全长2022个核苷酸,编码674个氨基酸,蛋白质理论分子量为76kDa.该基因含有真核生物细胞因子gpl30受体特征序列.为了研究该基因的功能,采用PCR方法从病毒基因组中扩增出基因片段,克隆到pGEM-T Easy载体中,经BamH I和Sal I双酶切后插入pET28b表达载体中.重组质粒转化到大肠杆菌BL21中,IPTG诱导后,经SDS-PAGE电泳表明在76kDa处有目的蛋白表达.用冰浴超声波对诱导后的菌液进行处理以获得初步纯化的蛋白,作为抗原人工免疫实验兔子以获得含特异性抗体的抗血清.该基因的表达成功,为其功能的进一步深入研究奠定了基础.     

Structural and Functional Analysis of BipA,a Regulator of Virulence in Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

The translational GTPase BipA regulates the expression of virulence and pathogenicity factors in several eubacteria. BipA-dependent expression of virulence factors occurs under starvation conditions, such as encountered during infection of a host. Under these conditions, BipA associates with the small ribosomal subunit. BipA also has a second function to promote the efficiency of late steps in biogenesis of large ribosomal subunits at low temperatures, presumably while bound to the ribosome. During starvation, the cellular concentration of stress alarmone guanosine-3′, 5′-bis pyrophosphate (ppGpp) is increased. This increase allows ppGpp to bind to BipA and switch its binding specificity from ribosomes to small ribosomal subunits. A conformational change of BipA upon ppGpp binding could explain the ppGpp regulation of the binding specificity of BipA. Here, we present the structures of the full-length BipA from Escherichia coli in apo, GDP-, and ppGpp-bound forms. The crystal structure and small-angle x-ray scattering data of the protein with bound nucleotides, together with a thermodynamic analysis of the binding of GDP and of ppGpp to BipA, indicate that the ppGpp-bound form of BipA adopts the structure of the GDP form. This suggests furthermore, that the switch in binding preference only occurs when both ppGpp and the small ribosomal subunit are present. This molecular mechanism would allow BipA to interact with both the ribosome and the small ribosomal subunit during stress response.     

肠道病毒ECHO20血清型鉴定和VP1序列初步分析

肠道病毒(Enterovirus)是最常见的人类致病病毒之一,包括脊髓灰质炎病毒、柯萨奇A组病毒、柯萨奇B组病毒和ECHO病毒.一般认为大多数肠道病毒感染症状轻微或不明显,然而有时肠道病毒感染也可能是严重甚至致命的[1].2004年云南省潞西县局部地区发生小规模的甲肝流行,我们从当地部分患者粪便标本中分离到多株甲肝病毒,同时,经过肠道病毒组合血清和单价血清的中和试验,证明患者为甲肝和ECHO20病毒双重感染.通过文献检索我们发现,国内对ECHO20病毒的相关研究极少,且多限于病毒的血清学分离鉴定,而对其重要的衣壳蛋白编码基因vp1的测定和分析尚未见报道,为阐明ECHO20分离株的分子流行病学特征,分析其基因变异规律,探讨我国分离株和国外分离株的区别和联系,我们测定了编码重要抗原决定簇的整个vp1序列,并和GenBank中已有的ECHO20病毒vp1基因序列进行了比较分析.     

肠道病毒ECHO20血清型鉴定和VP1序列初步分析

肠道病毒(Enterovirus)是最常见的人类致病病毒之一,包括脊髓灰质炎病毒、柯萨奇A组病毒、柯萨奇B组病毒和ECHO病毒。一般认为大多数肠道病毒感染症状轻微或不明显,然而有时肠道病毒感染也可能是严重甚至致命的[1]。2004年云南省潞西县局部地区发生小规模的甲肝流行,我们从当地     

Complete Genome Sequence of Borrelia afzelii K78 and Comparative Genome Analysis

The main Borrelia species causing Lyme borreliosis in Europe and Asia are Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi and B. bavariensis. This is in contrast to the United States, where infections are exclusively caused by B. burgdorferi. Until to date the genome sequences of four B. afzelii strains, of which only two include the numerous plasmids, are available. In order to further assess the genetic diversity of B. afzelii, the most common species in Europe, responsible for the large variety of clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis, we have determined the full genome sequence of the B. afzelii strain K78, a clinical isolate from Austria. The K78 genome contains a linear chromosome (905,949 bp) and 13 plasmids (8 linear and 5 circular) together presenting 1,309 open reading frames of which 496 are located on plasmids. With the exception of lp28-8, all linear replicons in their full length including their telomeres have been sequenced. The comparison with the genomes of the four other B. afzelii strains, ACA-1, PKo, HLJ01 and Tom3107, as well as the one of B. burgdorferi strain B31, confirmed a high degree of conservation within the linear chromosome of B. afzelii, whereas plasmid encoded genes showed a much larger diversity. Since some plasmids present in B. burgdorferi are missing in the B. afzelii genomes, the corresponding virulence factors of B. burgdorferi are found in B. afzelii on other unrelated plasmids. In addition, we have identified a species specific region in the circular plasmid, cp26, which could be used for species determination. Different non-coding RNAs have been located on the B. afzelii K78 genome, which have not previously been annotated in any of the published Borrelia genomes.     

Isolation and Serological Characterization of a Cell Wall Antigen of Rothia dentocariosa

A soluble polysaccharide antigen from the cell wall of Rothia dentocariosa ATCC 17931 has been isolated, purified and characterized by serological and chemical procedures. The polysaccharide (RPS) was found to be located at the surface of cells grown under diverse environmental conditions, and could be easily detected on cells in pure culture or in clinical samples from humans and experimentally infected hamsters by fluorescent-antibody techniques. Fructose, glucose, galactose, and ribose were the major constituents of RPS. Although purified RPS was not immunogenic in rabbits, it was presumed to be a major antigen of the cell because it could specifically absorb approximately one-third of the antibody nitrogen in antisera prepared against whole cells of R. dentocariosa. Haptene inhibition studies indicated that fructose was the principal determinant of serological specificity in RPS. This polysaccharide was found to be serologically unique and did not cross-react with the polysaccharides and surface polymers of other oral actinomycetes and filamentous organisms.     

Nucleotide Sequence of a Putative Sensory Kinase Gene from the Cyanobacterium, Anacystis nidulans 6301

The nucleotide sequence of a 2,146 bp portion of the Anacystisnidulans (Synechococcus PCC6301) genome has been determined.This region contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 392 codons,whose predicted protein sequence shows partial homology to thoseof E. coli phoM and envZ. Hence ORF392 is suggested to be asensory kinase gene in cyanobacteria.     

Polymerisation of a T Cell Epitope with an Immunostimulatory C3d Peptide Sequence Enhances Antigen Specific T Cell Responses

The complement protein C3d and C3d derived peptides that bind CD21 are known to enhance immunity to co-immunised antigens. In this study we have synthesised the minimal CD21 binding sequence of C3d (¹²²⁷LYNVEA¹²³²) as mono, di and tri tandem repeats and derivatised the N-terminus with an acryloyl moiety. These acryloyl-(C3d) _n peptides were co-polymerised with a acryloyl-T cell epitope (PAS1K) from the Porphyromonas gingivalis antigen the RgpA–Kgp proteinase–adhesin complex. The ability of C3d containing polymers to enhance T cell immunity in vitro and in vivo was evaluated. When used to stimulate in vitro PAS1K-primed or RgpA–Kgp complex-primed T cells the C3d containing PAS1K polymers induced a mixed and significantly (p < 0.05) higher IL-4 and IFNγ T cell response compared to that induced by the PAS1K peptide or polymer. PAS1K polymers containing tandem repeats of C3d induced a significantly (p < 0.05) stronger maximal proliferative response, at the same antigenic dose, compared to that induced by the PAS1K peptide or polymer. When used as immunogens to prime T cells all of the C3d containing PAS1K polymers induced a dominant IFNγ T cell response and reduced the antigen dose required for maximal proliferation 150-fold compared to that required for the PAS1K-peptide or polymer primed T cells. In conclusion, the 6 residue sequence LYNVEA from C3d is sufficient to enhance immunity to an antigen and that the effect is more pronounced when C3d is part of the immunising antigen rather than an in vitro stimulating antigen.     

Messenger RNA Sequence Rather than Protein Sequence Determines the Level of Self-synthesis and Antigen Presentation of the EBV-encoded Antigen,EBNA1

Unique purine-rich mRNA sequences embedded in the coding sequences of a distinct group of gammaherpesvirus maintenance proteins underlie the ability of the latently infected cell to minimize immune recognition. The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen, EBNA1, a well characterized lymphocryptovirus maintenance protein has been shown to inhibit in cis antigen presentation, due in part to a large internal repeat domain encoding glycine and alanine residues (GAr) encoded by a purine-rich mRNA sequence. Recent studies have suggested that it is the purine-rich mRNA sequence of this repeat region rather than the encoded GAr polypeptide that directly inhibits EBNA1 self-synthesis and contributes to immune evasion. To test this hypothesis, we generated a series of EBNA1 internal repeat frameshift constructs and assessed their effects on cis-translation and endogenous antigen presentation. Diverse peptide sequences resulting from alternative repeat reading frames did not alleviate the translational inhibition characteristic of EBNA1 self-synthesis or the ensuing reduced surface presentation of EBNA1-specific peptide-MHC class I complexes. Human cells expressing the EBNA1 frameshift variants were also poorly recognized by antigen-specific T-cells. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the mRNA sequences of the corresponding repeat regions of different viral maintenance homologues highlights the high degree of identity between the nucleotide sequences despite very little homology in the encoded amino acid sequences. Based on these combined observations, we propose that the cis-translational inhibitory effect of the EBNA1 internal repeat sequence operates mechanistically at the nucleotide level, potentially through RNA secondary structural elements, and is unlikely to be mediated through the GAr polypeptide. The demonstration that the EBNA1 repeat mRNA sequence and not the encoded protein sequence underlies immune evasion in this class of virus suggests a novel approach to therapeutic development through the use of anti-sense strategies or small molecules targeting EBNA1 mRNA structure.     

Nucleotide Sequence of the SrRNA Gene of Entamoeba gingivalis: Applications for Construction of a Species-Specific DNA Probe and Phylogenetic Analysis

The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SrRNA) gene of Entamoeba gingivalis was amplified by PCR and the product of 1.9-kbp sequence was cloned into a plasmid vector pUC18. Four clones were isolated and sequenced. The insert DNAs were 1918- to 1921-bp long and A+T rich (65.5%). The four SrRNA sequences of E. gingivalis were found to be aligned with those of nine related protozoans while searching for E. gingivalis-specific sequences. A sequence of 28 oligonucleotides was chosen, chemically synthesized, and labeled with digoxigenin for use as a DNA probe. The probe thus constructed was shown to hybridize only with either the SrRNA-coding DNAs or the cells of the two E. gingivalis strains and not with those of other protozoans or oral fungi tested. A representative SrRNA-sequence was analyzed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Among the protists examined, E. gingivalis was placed next to Entamoeba histolytica as expected from the traditional taxonomy.     

Independent, Interactive, and Species-Specific Responses of Leaf Litter Decomposition to Elevated CO2 and O3 in a Northern Hardwood Forest

The future capacity of forest ecosystems to sequester atmospheric carbon is likely to be influenced by CO₂-mediated shifts in nutrient cycling through changes in litter chemistry, and by interactions with pollutants like O₃. We evaluated the independent and interactive effects of elevated CO₂ (560 μl l⁻¹) and O₃ (55 nl l l⁻¹) on leaf litter decomposition in trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) at the Aspen free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) site (Wisconsin, USA). Fumigation treatments consisted of replicated ambient, +CO₂, +O₃, and +CO₂ + O₃ FACE rings. We followed mass loss and litter chemistry over 23 months, using reciprocally transplanted litterbags to separate substrate quality from environment effects. Aspen decayed more slowly than birch across all treatment conditions, and changes in decomposition dynamics of both species were driven by shifts in substrate quality rather than by fumigation environment. Aspen litter produced under elevated CO₂ decayed more slowly than litter produced under ambient CO₂, and this effect was exacerbated by elevated O₃. Similarly, birch litter produced under elevated CO₂ also decayed more slowly than litter produced under ambient CO₂. In contrast to results for aspen, however, elevated O₃ accelerated birch decay under ambient CO₂, but decelerated decay under enriched CO₂. Changes in decomposition rates (k-values) were due to CO₂- and O₃-mediated shifts in litter quality, particularly levels of carbohydrates, nitrogen, and tannins. These results suggest that in early-successional forests of the future, elevated concentrations of CO₂ will likely reduce leaf litter decomposition, although the magnitude of effect will vary among species and in response to interactions with tropospheric O₃.     

Genome Sequence of Borrelia afzelii Strain HLJ01, Isolated from a Patient in China

We report here the genome sequence of Borrelia afzelii strain HLJ01, isolated from a patient with Lyme disease in China. It is the first report of the whole genome of a B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolate from a human in China.     

Sequence Divergence of Microsatellites and Phylogeny Analysis in Tetraploid Cotton Species and Their Putative Diploid Ancestors

To determine the level of microsatellite sequence differences and to use the information to construct a phylogenetic relationship for cultivated tetraploid cotton （Gossypium spp.） species and their putative diploid ancestors, 10 genome-derived microsatellite primer pairs were used to amplify eight species, including two tetraploid and six diploid species, in Gossypium. A total of 92 unique amplicons were resolved using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Each amplicon was cloned, sequenced, and analyzed using standard phylogenetic software. Allelic diversities were caused mostly by changes in the number of simple sequence repeat （SSR） motif repeats and only a small proportion resulted from interruption of the SSR motif within the locus for the same genome. The frequency of base substitutions was 0.5%-1.0% in different genomes, with only few indels found. Based on the combined 10 SSR flanking sequence data, the homology of A-genome diploid species averaged 98.9%, even though most of the amplicons were of the same size, and the sequence homology between G. gossypioides （Ulbr.） Standl. and three other D-genome species （G. raimondii Ulbr., G. davidsonii Kell., and G. thurberi Tod.） was 98.5%, 98.6%, and 98.5%, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of the two allotetraploid species and their putative diploid progenitors showed that homoelogous sequences from the A- and D-subgenome were still present in the polyploid subgenomes and they evolved independently. Meanwhile, homoelogous sequence interaction that duplicated loci in the polyploid subgenomes became phylogenetic sisters was also found in the evolutionary history of tetraploid cotton species. The results of the present study suggest that evaluation of SSR variation at the sequence level can be effective in exploring the evolutionary relationships among Gossypuim species.     

SmbFT,a Putative ABC Transporter Complex,Confers Protection against the Lantibiotic Smb in Streptococci

Streptococcus mutans, a dental pathogen, secretes different kinds of lantibiotic and nonlantibiotic bacteriocins. For self-protection, a bacteriocin producer strain must possess one or more cognate immunity mechanisms. We report here the identification of one such immunity complex in S. mutans strain GS-5 that confers protection against Smb, a two-component lantibiotic. The immunity complex that we identified is an ABC transporter composed of two proteins: SmbF (the ATPase component) and SmbT (the permease component). Both of the protein-encoding genes are located within the smb locus. We show that GS-5 becomes sensitized to Smb upon deletion of smbT, which makes the ABC transporter nonfunctional. To establish the role SmbFT in providing immunity, we heterologously expressed this ABC transporter complex in four different sensitive streptococcal species and demonstrated that it can confer resistance against Smb. To explore the specificity of SmbFT in conferring resistance, we tested mutacin IV (a nonlantibiotic), nisin (a single peptide lantibiotics), and three peptide antibiotics (bacitracin, polymyxin B, and vancomycin). We found that SmbFT does not recognize these structurally different peptides. We then tested whether SmbFT can confer protection against haloduracin, another two-component lantibiotic that is structurally similar to Smb; SmbFT indeed conferred protection against haloduracin. SmbFT can also confer protection against an uncharacterized but structurally similar lantibiotic produced by Streptococcus gallolyticus. Our data suggest that SmbFT truly displays immunity function and confer protection against Smb and structurally similar lantibiotics.     

弓形虫GRA6蛋白和P30蛋白的融合表达、纯化及抗原性分析

利用基因工程技术制备抗原性好的弓形虫GRA6蛋白和P30蛋白的融合蛋白,并用作抗原检测弓形虫抗体。根据弓形虫GRA6蛋白和P30蛋白的氨基酸序列,通过计算机分析,筛选出其中较强的抗原决定簇。用PCR方法分别扩增含抗原决定簇的基因片段。将这两个基因片段克隆至同一质粒pET28a(+)内,表达一个融合蛋白。将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),筛选表达该融合蛋白的工程菌。纯化表达的融合蛋白,用已知的6份抗弓形虫IgM阳性血清和大量正常人血清,ELISA法检测纯化融合蛋白的抗原性和特异性。获得了高效表达含弓形虫GRA6蛋白和P30蛋白抗原表位的工程菌,表达的融合蛋白约占菌体蛋白总量的25%。纯化获得了表达的融合蛋白,该蛋白有较好的抗原性和特异性。表达的弓形虫GRA6和P30融合蛋白可用做抗原检测弓形虫抗体,用于临床及孕妇检测,对优生优育有较大意义。     

Sequence analysis and characterization of a 40-kilodalton Borrelia hermsii glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase homolog.

We report the purification, molecular cloning, and characterization of a 40-kDa glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase homolog from Borrelia hermsii. The 40-kDa protein was solubilized from whole organisms with 0.1% Triton X-100, phase partitioned into the Triton X-114 detergent phase, and purified by fast-performance liquid chromatography (FPLC). The gene encoding the 40-kDa protein was cloned from a B. hermsii chromosomal DNA lambda EXlox expression library and identified by using affinity antibodies generated against the purified native protein. The deduced amino acid sequence included a 20-amino-acid signal peptide encoding a putative leader peptidase II cleavage site, indicating that the 40-kDa protein was a lipoprotein. Based on significant homology (31 to 52% identity) of the 40-kDa protein to glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases of Escherichia coli (GlpQ), Bacillus subtilis (GlpQ), and Haemophilus influenzae (Hpd; protein D), we have designated this B. hermsii 40-kDa lipoprotein a glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (Gpd) homolog, the first B. hermsii lipoprotein to have a putative functional assignment. A nonlipidated form of the Gpd homolog was overproduced as a fusion protein in E. coli BL21(DE3)(pLysE) and was used to immunize rabbits to generate specific antiserum. Immunoblot analysis with anti-Gpd serum recognized recombinant H. influenzae protein D, and conversely, antiserum to H. influenzae protein D recognized recombinant B. hermsii Gpd (rGpd), indicating antigenic conservation between these proteins. Antiserum to rGpd also identified native Gpd as a constituent of purified outer membrane vesicles prepared from B. hermsii. Screening of other pathogenic spirochetes with anti-rGpd serum revealed the presence of antigenically related proteins in Borrelia burgdorferi, Treponema pallidum, and Leptospira kirschneri. Further sequence analysis both upstream and downstream of the Gpd homolog showed additional homologs of glycerol metabolism, including a glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT), a glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GlpD), and a thioredoxin reductase (TrxB).