拟态弧菌金属蛋白酶基因PrtV缺失株的构建及生物学特性分析

【背景】研究发现PrtV基因编码含多囊肾病(polycystic kidney disease)结构域的金属蛋白酶,其在多种细菌的致病过程中具有重要作用。拟态弧菌是一种感染多种水生动物的重要病原菌,PrtV基因在拟态弧菌致病中的作用尚不清楚。【目的】探究PrtV基因对拟态弧菌致病相关生物学特性的影响。【方法】采用自然转化的方法构建拟态弧菌PrtV基因缺失株(ΔPrtV),同时通过基因与质粒重组后电转化导入缺失株构建回补株(ΔPrtV/pPrtV),对突变株的生长特性、生化特征、生物被膜形成、自聚集能力、胞外产物卵磷脂酶和蛋白酶活性,以及致病性和细胞毒性等进行分析。【结果】与野生株相比,缺失株的生长特性、生物被膜形成、自聚集能力和卵磷脂酶活性无变化,但分解尿素、甘氨酸、香豆酸盐、鸟氨酸和赖氨酸的理化特性改变;胞外产物蛋白酶活性显著降低(P<0.05),细胞毒性显著下降(P<0.05),对杂交鲇的致病力下降10倍。【结论】PrtV基因与拟态弧菌的细胞毒性及致病性等多种生物学特性有关。该结果为进一步解析拟态弧菌PrtV基因功能及其致病机制提供了依据。     

溶藻弧菌VcrV基因缺失株的构建及生物学特性

为研究溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统VcrV基因的功能和生物学特性,采用同源重组技术成功构建了溶藻弧菌缺失株ΔVcrV,并用PCR检测其遗传稳定性。结果显示,缺失株遗传稳定;与野生株相比,生长和自凝集能力无显著变化;但生物膜形成能力降低,半致死剂量升高16.5倍;游动性和涌动性极显著升高,细胞粘附能力极显著降低(P<0.01),对H₂O₂和NaCl的耐受性降低;对头孢呋辛、麦迪霉素、克林霉素抗生素敏感度上升,对丁胺卡那、多粘菌素B抗生素敏感度降低;活性氧含量极显著降低(P<0.01),脯氨酸、肽聚糖、β-内酰胺酶、过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶指标均极显著升高(P<0.01)。缺失株生物学特性表明,VcrV基因参与溶藻弧菌Ⅲ型分泌系统性的致病性和多种生物学功能。     

副溶血弧菌VP2918基因缺失株的构建及功能研究

[目的] 以副溶血弧菌VP2918为研究对象,研究其对副溶血弧菌的生物学特性和致病性的影响。[方法] 利用同源重组技术构建了vp2918基因的基因缺失株（Δvp2918）和互补株（CΔvp2918）,并对野生株、缺失株和互补株的细菌生长曲线、运动性、生物被膜形成能力、对HeLa细胞的黏附能力、细胞毒性、对小鼠的致死率和组织载菌量进行分析。[结果] 缺失vp2918基因不影响副溶血弧菌的生长特性、运动性、生物被膜形成能力以及对HeLa细胞的黏附能力。但与野生株相比,Δvp2918对HeLa细胞的毒性作用显著降低;感染Δvp2918的小鼠症状明显减轻,存活率更高;Δvp2918在小鼠脾脏和肝脏中的载菌量显著低于野生株,互补株毒力基本恢复至野生株水平。[结论] vp2918不参与副溶血弧菌的运动性和生物被膜形成能力等过程,但与该菌的致病性相关,为潜在的毒力因子。     

双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR促进副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫的作用机制

【目的】探究双组分系统(two-component system,TCS)EnvZ/OmpR对副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VP)抵抗碱胁迫的作用机制。【方法】用SMART在线工具(https://smart.embl.de/)鉴定出副溶血弧菌基因组中的双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR,再利用同源重组技术将envZ和ompR基因分别进行缺失,构建相应回补株,比较各菌株的生长曲线来检测相应基因对细菌适应高渗透胁迫和碱胁迫的作用,并结合qRT-PCR及荧光检测系统,筛选参与EnvZ/OmpR抵抗碱胁迫的下游靶基因,鉴定该双组分系统对下游基因的调控机制。【结果】在副溶血弧菌基因组中鉴定出vp0155/vp0154编码EnvZ/OmpR双组分系统同源蛋白。△ompR菌株在高渗透胁迫和碱胁迫中的生长能力明显弱于野生株,而回补株C△ompR、△envZ和C△envZ菌株生长能力与野生株类似。在△ompR菌株中,孔道蛋白基因vp1218、vp0493、vpa1745、vpa0085与vpa1308的转录水平均明显低于野生株,并且发现这些孔道蛋白基因缺失株(△vpa1308除外)在碱性环境中生长能力均明显弱于野生株。OmpR蛋白可直接抑制调控因子AphB基因转录,而△aphB菌株在碱胁迫中的生长能力明显强于野生株。此外,AphB蛋白可直接抑制孔道蛋白基因vp0493和vpa0085转录。【结论】双组分系统EnvZ/OmpR促进副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫,其中OmpR蛋白可通过抑制调控因子AphB的表达,以促进部分孔道蛋白的表达,从而增强副溶血弧菌抵抗碱胁迫的能力。     

两株不同宿主源化脓隐秘杆菌分离鉴定及其plo基因生物信息学分析

【背景】化脓隐秘杆菌是一种能够感染人类及多种动物的条件致病菌,常引起动物的各种非特异性化脓性感染。【目的】探究不同宿主疑似化脓隐秘杆菌感染的菌属种类和病原特性。【方法】对林麝皮下脓肿和鸭跗关节脓肿进行细菌分离,通过革兰氏染色、细菌16S rRNA基因分析等方法对病原菌进行鉴定,通过生长曲线测定、药敏试验和毒力基因检测分析2株病原菌的生物学特性,对溶血素plo基因进行序列分析和结构预测。【结果】分离鉴定到林麝源和鸭源化脓隐秘杆菌各1株,分别命名为FTP-1和DTP-1;生长曲线测定发现,2株病原菌的生长繁殖速度差异较大;药敏试验表明,2株病原菌对β-内酰胺类、磺胺类和利福霉素类抗生素耐药,对氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类抗生素敏感;毒力基因检测显示,2株病原菌均携带plo、nanH、nanP、fimA和fimE基因,鸭源分离株还携带有fimC基因;生物信息学分析软件预测显示,2株病原菌溶血素plo基因核苷酸序列存在宿主特异性差异,但二者氨基酸序列相同,蛋白结构预测发现化脓隐秘杆菌溶血素(pyolysin, PLO)与胆固醇依赖性溶细胞素家族其他成员之间相似性较高。【结论】在云南宜良地区分离到林麝源和鸭源化脓隐秘杆菌各1株,二者plo基因亲缘关系较近,相关生物学特性分析可为推进该病原菌的研究和防控提供参考。     

ycjX和ycjF基因在布鲁氏菌热应激中的作用

【背景】细菌应对环境压力的能力对其存活和增殖及引起感染具有重要意义。充分揭示布鲁氏菌应激机制,可为防控布鲁氏菌病提供理论依据。研究发现,ycjX基因在细菌热应激时高表达且可能受σ³²调节,ycjF基因在细菌败血症期间表达显著上升,二者在革兰阴性菌中可能构成操纵子。【目的】研究ycjX和ycjF基因在布鲁氏菌热应激中的作用。【方法】对布鲁氏菌(Brucella)及其ycjX和ycjF双基因缺失株(△ycjXF)和回补株(C△ycjXF)进行热应激试验,计算3株菌的存活率。利用RT-PCR和β-半乳糖苷酶活性检测试验鉴定ycjX和ycjF的操纵子模式和启动子区域活性。利用ChIP试验分析σ³²与ycjX和ycjF的靶向调节关系。表达并纯化pGEX-4T-1-σ³²重组蛋白,凝胶电泳迁移试验分析σ³²与ycjX和ycjF之间的结合关系。【结果】热刺激后△ycjXF存活显著低于Brucella suis S2和C△ycjXF。明确布鲁氏菌ycjX和ycjF为同一转录本,确定其启动子区域具有活性。ChIP试验表明,σ³²可靶向富集在ycjXF启动子区,凝胶电泳迁移试验确定σ³²可与ycjXF体外直接结合。【结论】在σ³²的调节下,ycjX和ycjF在布鲁氏菌热应激中发挥正向作用。     

不同浓度壳聚糖对炭黑曲霉和硫色镰刀菌生长和发育的影响

【背景】壳聚糖是广泛存在于甲壳动物的一种多糖,具有广谱的抗真菌活性,但壳聚糖是否影响炭黑曲霉(Aspergillus carbonarius)和硫色镰刀菌(Fusarium sulphureum)生长和发育尚未见报道。【目的】明确不同浓度壳聚糖对A. carbonarius和F. sulphureum生长和发育的影响。【方法】通过在PDA培养基中添加不同浓度壳聚糖,测定两种真菌的菌落直径、生物量和菌丝干重,观察产孢量、孢子萌发和芽管长度,比较抑菌的差异。【结果】壳聚糖处理可显著改变两种真菌的菌落形态,处理浓度越高菌落皱缩和变形越明显;壳聚糖还可以有效抑制两种真菌的菌落生长、菌丝干重和菌丝生物量,抑制效果呈明显的浓度依赖,对F. sulphureum的抑制效果更好。壳聚糖可抑制两种真菌的产孢量、孢子萌发和芽管伸长,处理浓度越高抑制效果越好,对F. sulphureum的抑制效果更为明显。壳聚糖对A. carbonarius和F. sulphureum的EC₅₀值分别为0.12 mg/mL和0.075 mg/mL。【结论】壳聚糖可有效抑制A. carbonarius和F. sulphureum的生长发育,抑制效果呈浓度依赖,F. sulphureum对壳聚糖更为敏感。     

丝状真菌Podospora anserina中光敏色素基因的鉴定及功能分析

光敏色素在细菌和植物发育中起着关键作用,但它们在真菌中的生物学功能尚不完全清楚。【目的】探究光敏色素基因PaPhy1和PaPhy2在Podospora anserina有性生殖和无性发育中的作用及其调控机制。【方法】利用同源重组方法对P.anserina中2个光敏色素基因PaPhy1和PaPhy2进行定点敲除,获得光敏色素基因缺失菌株ΔPaPhy1和ΔPaPhy2,并通过遗传杂交构建双重突变体ΔPaPhy1ΔPaPhy2;分析突变型菌株和野生型菌株在不同光照下有性生殖、无性发育、生长速率和活性氧代谢等方面的差异,明确光敏色素基因在P.anserina中的主要功能。【结果】白光和蓝光诱导P.anserina子实体的形成,ΔPaPhy在光照下产生子实体的数量减少,ΔPaPhy的生命周期延长。【结论】光敏色素基因与P.anserina有性生殖密切相关;ΔPaPhy的衰老延迟和活性氧代谢有关。本研究的结果为进一步探索光照对丝状真菌繁殖调控机制以及抗衰老研究提供了新的思路。     

基于MS2噬菌体lys基因的质粒型条件自溶菌的构建与应用

【背景】传统外源蛋白的原核表达通常需要以超声破碎或者酶解的方式破碎菌体,过程比较烦琐。【目的】构建基于MS2噬菌体lys基因的质粒型条件自溶菌,以简化外源蛋白的获取流程。【方法】从MS2噬菌体中克隆lys基因,构建重组表达质粒,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中异源表达,以此构建质粒型条件自溶菌,通过生长曲线和菌落形成单位反映自溶菌裂解效率,利用SDS-PAGE检测外源蛋白释放情况。【结果】构建了pBAD-lys BL21(DE3)、pBAD-Opti-lys BL21(DE3)及pCDF-BAD-Opti-lys BL21(DE3)这3种质粒型条件自溶菌。以上自溶菌在阿拉伯糖诱导后其宿主裂解效率均为99.99%以上,CFU结果显示含pCDF-BAD-Opti-lys质粒的宿主裂解效果更优,在此自溶菌BL21(DE3)中表达含His标签的重组绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent protein,eGFP),经阿拉伯糖诱导后菌体中约63.00%以上的eGFP释放至胞外,利用Ni-NTA可以直接从培养基中纯化得到约30 kDa的单一目的蛋白。【结论】基于MS2噬菌体lys基因成功构建了阿拉伯糖诱导的质粒型条件自溶菌,此自溶菌能够以自我裂解的方式释放大部分胞内外源蛋白,简化传统外源蛋白获取流程。     

Sprouty1 and Sprouty2 limit both the size of the otic placode and hindbrain Wnt8a by antagonizing FGF signaling

Multiple signaling molecules, including Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Wnt, induce two patches of ectoderm on either side of the hindbrain to form the progenitor cell population for the inner ear, or otic placode. Here we report that in Spry1, Spry2 compound mutant embryos (Spry1^−/−; Spry2^−/− embryos), the otic placode is increased in size. We demonstrate that the otic placode is larger due to the recruitment of cells, normally destined to become cranial epidermis, into the otic domain. The enlargement of the otic placode observed in Spry1^−/−; Spry2^−/− embryos is preceded by an expansion of a Wnt8a expression domain in the adjacent hindbrain. We demonstrate that both the enlargement of the otic placode and the expansion of the Wnt8a expression domain can be rescued in Spry1^−/−; Spry2^−/− embryos by reducing the gene dosage of Fgf10. Our results define a FGF-responsive window during which cells can be continually recruited into the otic domain and uncover SPRY regulation of the size of a putative Wnt inductive center.     

Identification of novel oocyte and granulosa cell markers

Here we present novel gene expression patterns in the ovary as part of an ongoing assessment of published micro-array data from mouse oocytes and embryos. We present the expression patterns of 13 genes that had been determined by micro-array to be expressed in the mature egg, but not during subsequent preimplantation development. In-situ hybridization of sectioned ovaries revealed that these genes were expressed in one of two distinct patterns: (1) oocyte-specific or (2) expressed in both the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Despite the fact that micro-array data demonstrated expression in the egg, several of these genes are expressed at low levels in the oocyte, but strongly expressed in granulosa cells. Eleven of these genes have no reported function or expression during oogenesis, indicating that this approach is a necessary step towards functional annotation of the genome. Also of note is that while some of these gene products have been well characterized in other tissues and cell types, others are relatively unstudied in the literature. Our results provide novel gene expression information that may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of follicular recruitment, oocyte maturation and ovulation and will direct further experimentation into the role these genes play during oogenesis.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Effect of retinoic acid signaling on Wnt/β-catenin and FGF signaling during body axis extension

Cell–cell signaling regulated by retinoic acid (RA), Wnt/β-catenin, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is important during body axis extension, and interactions between these pathways have been suggested. At early somite stages, Wnt/β-catenin and FGF signaling domains exist both anterior and posterior to the developing trunk, whereas RA signaling occurs in between in the trunk under the control of the RA-synthesizing enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (Raldh2). Previous studies demonstrated that vitamin A deficient quail embryos and Raldh2^−/− mouse embryos lacking RA synthesis exhibit ectopic expression of Fgf8 and Wnt8a in the developing trunk. Here, we demonstrate that Raldh2^−/− mouse embryos display an expansion of FGF signaling into the trunk monitored by Sprouty2 and Pea3 expression, and an expansion of Wnt/β-catenin signaling detected by expression of Axin2, Tbx6, Cdx2, and Cdx4. Following loss of RA signaling, the caudal expression domains of Fgf8, Wnt8a, and Wnt3a expand anteriorly into the trunk, but no change is observed in caudal expression of Fgf4 or Fgf17 plus caudal expression of Fgf18 and Cdx1 is reduced. These findings suggest that RA repression of Fgf8, Wnt8a, and Wnt3a in the developing trunk functions to down-regulate FGF signaling and Wnt/β-catenin signaling as the body axis extends.     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.     

旱麦草EtAP2基因的克隆及其对干旱胁迫的响应表达

以旱麦草(Eremopyrum triticeum)为实验材料,利用RT-PCR技术从旱麦草叶片中克隆了1个AP2/ERF家族基因,命名为EtAP2(GenBank登录号KX622583)。EtAP2基因含有1 128bp开放阅读框,编码375个氨基酸,相对分子质量40.87kD,等电点为5.36。多序列比对和进化树分析表明,该基因编码蛋白具有2个AP2保守结构域,与小麦AP2/ERF家族蛋白具有较近的亲缘关系。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,15%PEG 6000模拟干旱胁迫可诱导EtAP2基因在根和叶中表达,且在根中对干旱胁迫的响应大于叶片。研究表明,EtAP2可能参与旱麦草对干旱逆境胁迫应答的调节。     

Putative tumor suppressor Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L)

Lats2, also known as Kpm, is the second mammalian member of the novel Lats tumor suppressor gene family. Recent studies have demonstrated that Lats2 negatively regulates the cell cycle by controlling G1/S and/or G2/M transition. To further understand the role of Lats2 in the control of human cancer development, we have expressed the protein in human lung cancer cells by transduction of a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing human Lats2 (Ad-Lats2). Using a variety of techniques, including Annexin V uptake, cleavage of PARP, and DNA laddering, we have demonstrated that the ectopic expression of human Lats2 induced apoptosis in two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299. Caspases-3, 7, 8, and 9 were processed in the Ad-Lats2-transduced cells; however, it was active caspase-9, not caspase-8, that initiated the caspase cascade. Inhibitors specific to caspase-3 and 9 delayed the onset of Lats2-mediated apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-x(L), but not the pro-apoptotic protein, BAX, were downregulated in Ad-Lats2-transduced human lung cancer cells. Overexpression of either Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) in these cells lead to the suppression of Lats2-mediated caspase cleavage and apoptosis. These results show that Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-x(L), in human lung cancer cells.