Bioinformatic identification of genes encoding C1q-domain containing proteins in zebrafish

C1q is the first subcomponent of classical pathway in the complement system and a major link between innate and acquired immunities. The globular (gC1q) domain similar with C1q was also found in many non-complement C1q-domain-containing (C1qDC) proteins which have similar crystal structure to that of the multifunctional tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family, and also have diverse functions. In this study, we identified a total of 52 independent gene sequences encoding C1q-domain-containing proteins through comprehensive searches of zebrafish genome, cDNA and EST databases. In comparison to 31 orthologous genes in human and different numbers in other species, a significant selective pressure was suggested during vertebrate evolution. Domain organization of C1q-domain-containing (C1qDC) proteins mainly includes a leading signal peptide, a collagen-like region of variable length, and a C-terminal C1q domain. There are 11 highly conserved residues within the C1q domain, among which 2 are invariant within the zebrafish gene set. A more extensive database searches also revealed homologous C1qDC proteins in other vertebrates, invertebrates and even bacterium, but no homologous sequences for encoding C1qDC proteins were found in many species that have a more recent evolutionary history with zebrafish. Therefore, further studies on C1q-domain-containing genes among different species will help us understand evolutionary mechanism of innate and acquired immunities.     

Bioinformatic identification of genes encoding Clq-domaincontaining proteins in zebrafish

C1q is the first subcomponent of classical pathway in the complement system and a major link between innate and acquired immunities. The globular （gC1q） domain similar with C1q was also found in many non-complement C1q-domain-containing （C1qDC） proteins which have similar crystal structure to that of the multifunctional tumor necrosis factor （TNF） ligand family, and also have diverse functions. In this study, we identified a total of 52 independent gene sequences encoding C1q-domain-containing proteins through comprehensive searches of zebrafish genome, cDNA and EST databases. In comparison to 31 orthologous genes in human and different numbers in other species, a significant selective pressure was suggested during vertebrate evolution. Domain organization of C1q-domain-containing （C1qDC） proteins mainly includes a leading signal peptide, a collagen-like region of variable length, and a C-terminal C1q domain. There are 11 highly conserved residues within the C1q domain, among which 2 are invariant within the zebrafish gene set. A more extensive database searches also revealed homologous C1qDC proteins in other vertebrates, invertebrates and even bacterium, but no homologous sequences for encoding C1qDC proteins were found in many species that have a more recent evolutionary history with zebrafish. Therefore, further studies on C1q-domain-containing genes among different species will help us understand evolutionary mechanism of innate and acquired immunities.     

Interaction of the globular domain of human C1q with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide

Gram-negative bacteria can bind complement protein C1q in an antibody-independent manner and activate classical pathway via their lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Earlier studies have implicated the collagen-like region of human C1q in binding LPS. In recent years, a number of C1q target molecules, previously considered to interact with collagen-like region of C1q, have been shown to bind via the globular domain (gC1q). Here we report, using recombinant forms of the globular head regions of C1q A, B and C chains, that LPS derived from Salmonella typhimurium interact specifically with the B-chain of the gC1q domain in a calcium-dependent manner. LPS and IgG-binding sites on the gC1q domain appear to be overlapping and this interaction can be inhibited by a synthetic C1q inhibitor, suggesting common interacting mechanisms.     

石斑鱼-防御素的酵母表达及其产物抗菌活性分析

防御素是一类阳离子抗菌肽。研究从石斑鱼垂体SMART cDNA 文库中扩增出129 bp 石斑鱼-防御素成熟肽序列, 将其克隆到毕赤酵母表达载体pPCIZA 中, 构建了石斑鱼-防御素的真核表达载体, 电击转化毕赤酵母GS115。Western Blot 分析表明石斑鱼-防御素在酵母菌中获得了表达。体外抗菌实验表明纯化的重组蛋白具有抑制大肠杆菌以及嗜水气单胞菌的作用, 但是对革兰氏阳性菌, 如金黄色葡萄球菌和藤黄微球菌的生长没有抑制作用。实验结果表明酵母表达的石斑鱼-防御素能够特异地抑制革兰氏阴性菌的生长。       

用GAP启动子在毕节酵母中组成型表达人血管抑制素

为探索用GAP启动子(PGAP)取代AOX1启动子(PAOX1),在毕节酵母(P．pastortis)中组成型表达外源蛋白的可能性,应用PCR方法从P．pastoris染色体中扩增了GAP启动子,以其取代诱导型表达载体pPIC9K上的PAOX1,构建了组成型表达载体pGAP9K。将人血管抑制素(AS)基因重组于pGAP9K的多克隆位点,获得含As基因的重组质粒pGAP9K-AS。转化P．pastorisGSll5,对获得的高拷贝转化子P．pastorisGSll5(pGAP9K-AS)进行组成型表达,同时以诱导型转化子P．pastoris GSll5(pPIC9K-AS)作为对照。SDS-PAGE结果显示：组成型转化子于培养4d后AS的表达水平已达到高峰,分泌量为58mg／L;而诱导型转化子诱导4d后表达的AS仅是组成型表达的70％,诱导6d后达到高峰,表达量也只是组成型表达系统表达高峰时(4d)的86％。CAM分析和抗癌实验结果显示：P．pastortis GS115(pGA．P9K-S)和P．pastoris GS115(pPIC9K-AS)表达的AS均具有抑制血管生成和C57BL／6J实验小鼠的B16黑色素瘤的生长,其平均瘤重抑制率分别达到90．61％和90．54％。以上结果表明,以GAP启动子构建的组成型表达系统具有发酵时间较短、表达水平较高、不用甲醇诱导、操作系统比较简单等优点,PGAP可以取代PAOX1在P．pastoris中表达AS及其他外源蛋白。     

C1q蛋白家族的结构、分布、分类和功能

C1q蛋白家族由众多含C1q结构域的蛋白组成, 从细菌到高等哺乳动物中都有分布。这类蛋白由一条信号肽、胶原样区(Collage-like region, CLR)和C1q球状结构域(Globular C1q domain, gC1q)组成。C1q蛋白家族根据其结构特点, 可分为三大类分子：C1q、C1q-like和ghC1q。C1q是补体经典途径的起始分子, 能够识别免疫复合物, 启动补体系统经典途径; 此外, 作为一种模式识别受体分子(Pattern recognition receptor, PRR), 它可以结合种类繁多的配体。C1q-like蛋白的结构类似于C1q分子, 含有CLR和gC1q结构域, 在水蛭中参与神经系统的修复, 在脊椎动物中实现从凝集素到免疫球蛋白结合分子的功能转变, 参与补体系统的激活。ghC1q蛋白只具有gC1q结构域和一段短的N末端序列, 包括分泌型蛋白(sghC1q)和非分泌型蛋白(cghC1q)。sghC1q在无脊椎动物固有免疫系统中发挥重要作用; 脊椎动物中的sghC1q可作为一类新型跨神经元调节因子, 在大脑的许多区域调节突触发育和突触可塑性。cghC1q基因最早可追溯至芽孢杆菌属的细菌中, 具有典型的gC1q果冻卷结构, 说明gC1q结构域有着非常悠久的进化历程且结构高度保守。文章对C1q蛋白家族的结构、分布、分类以及功能进行综述, 以期为从事该领域研究的科研人员提供有益参考。     

The complete complement of C1q-domain-containing proteins in Homo sapiens

The C-terminal domains of the A, B, C chains of C1q subcomponent of C1 complex represent a common structural motif, the C1q domain, that is found in a diverse range of proteins. We analyzed the human genome for the complete complement of this family and have identified a total of 31 independent gene sequences. The predominant organization of C1q-domain-containing (C1qDC) proteins includes a leading signal peptide, a collagen-like region of variable length, and a C-terminal C1q domain. There are 15 highly conserved residues within the C1q domain, among which 8 are invariant within the human gene set and these are predicted to cluster within the hydrophobic core of the protein. We suggest a 3-subfamily classification based on sequence homology. For some C1qDC-encoding genes, strict orthology has been retained throughout vertebrate evolution and these examples suggest a highly specific functional role for C1qDC proteins that has been under significant selective pressure. Alternatively, individual species have co-opted C1qDC proteins for roles that are highly specific to their biology, suggesting an evolutionary strategy of gene duplication and functional diversification. A more extensive analysis of the evolutionary relationship of C1qDC proteins reveals an ancient rooting, with clear members found in eubacterial species. Curiously, we have been unable to identify C1qDC-encoding genes in many eukaryotic genomcs, such as Sacchromyces cerivisae and C. elegans, suggesting that the retention or loss of this gene family throughout evolution has been sporadic.     

应用双质粒共表达体系提高融合蛋白GGH在毕赤酵母GS115中的表达量

为实现人胰高血糖素样肽-1-人血清白蛋白融合蛋白 ((GLP-1A2G)2-HSA,简称GGH) 的规模化制备,通过pPICZαB与pPIC9K双质粒共表达体系提高融合蛋白GGH在毕赤酵母中的表达量。首先运用PCR技术扩增出融合蛋白GGH的基因片段,构建了表达质粒pPICZαB-ggh,并电转至经载体pPIC9K-ggh异位整合的GGH分泌型菌株——毕赤酵母GS115/F2;然后采用免疫学方法并结合高浓度抗生素筛选获得高产菌GS115/F3,在30 ℃,3％甲醇诱导80 h后GGH的表达量达到了491 m     

Peptide signal molecules and bacteriocins in Gram-negative bacteria: a genome-wide in silico screening for peptides containing a double-glycine leader sequence and their cognate transporters

Quorum sensing (QS) in Gram-negative bacteria is generally assumed to be mediated by N-acyl-homoserine lactone molecules while Gram-positive bacteria make use of signaling peptides. We analyzed the occurrence in Gram-negative bacteria of peptides and transporters that are involved in quorum sensing in Gram-positive bacteria. Many class II bacteriocins and inducing factors produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and competence stimulating peptides (CSPs) synthesized by streptococci are processed by their cognate ABC-transporters during their secretion. During transport, a conserved leader sequence, termed the double-glycine motif (GG-motif), is cleaved off by the N-terminal domain of the transporter, which belongs to the Peptidase C39 protein family. Several peptides containing a GG-motif were recently described in Gram-negative bacteria (Trends Microbiol 2001;9:164-8). To screen for additional putative GG-motif containing peptides, an in silico strategy based on MEME, HMMER2.2 and Wise2 was designed. Using a curated training set, a motif model of the leader peptide was built and used to screen over 120 fully sequenced bacterial genomes. The screening methodology was applied at the nucleotide level as probably many small peptide genes have not been annotated and may be absent from the non-redundant databases. It was found that 33% of the screened genomes of Gram-negative bacteria contained one or more transporters carrying a Peptidase C39 domain, compared to 44% of the genomes of Gram-positive bacteria. The transporters can be subdivided into four classes on the basis of their domain organization. Genes coding for putative peptides containing 23-142 amino acids and a GG-motif were found in close association with genes coding for Peptidase C39 domain containing proteins. These peptides show structural similarity to bacteriocins and peptide pheromones of Gram-positive bacteria. The possibility of signal transduction based on peptide signaling in Gram-negative bacteria is discussed.     

Two novel ficolin-like proteins act as pattern recognition receptors for invading pathogens in the freshwater crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

To isolate pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-binding molecules, the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus was used as an affinity matrix to find bacteria-binding proteins in the plasma of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. Two new bacteria-binding ficolin-like proteins (FLPs) were identified by 2-DE and MS analysis. The FLPs have a fibrinogen-related domain (FReD) in their C-terminal and a repeat region in their N-terminal regions with putative structural similarities to the collagen-like domain of vertebrate ficolins and mannose binding lectins (MBLs). Phylogenetic analysis shows that the newly isolated crayfish FLP1 and FLP2 cluster separately from other FReD-containing proteins. A tissue distribution study showed that the mRNA expression of FLP occurred mainly in the hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) and in the hepatopancreas. Recombinant FLPs exhibited agglutination activity of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila in the presence of Ca(2+) . The FLPs could bind to A. hydrophila, E. coli as well as S. aureus as judged by bacteria adsorption. Moreover, the FLPs may help crayfish to clear Gram-negative bacteria, but not Gram-positive bacteria which had been injected into the hemolymph. When Gram-negative bacteria coated with FLPs were incubated with Hpt cells, a lower death rate of the cells was found compared with control treatment. Our results suggest that FLPs function as pattern recognition receptors in the immune response of crayfish.     

用GAP启动子在Pichia pastoris GS115中组成型表达鼠灰链霉菌腺苷酸脱氨酶

【目的】构建产AMP脱氨酶的重组毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris GS115)菌株,并初步优化其发酵条件。【方法】以鼠灰链霉菌(Streptomyces murinus)基因组为模板PCR扩增获得腺苷酸脱氨酶基因AMPD,以pGAP9K为载体构建重组表达质粒pGAP9K-AMPD并通过电转化法转入Pichia pastoris GS115,筛选转化子对其酶活进行测定,并初步优化其发酵条件。【结果】构建了毕赤酵母重组菌,通过分光光度法测定,显示重组菌有明显的酶活;初步优化发酵条件为:该重组菌最适发酵培养基为:甘油2%,蛋白胨2%,酵母膏1%,KH2PO40.5%,MgSO4·7H2O0.05%,pH 6.0;发酵条件为:接种龄24 h,转接量3%,30°C﹑200 r/min培养96 h,取发酵上清液测定酶活,重组菌腺苷酸脱氨酶酶活达到2 230±60 U/mL。【结论】构建了一株产AMP脱氨酶活性较高的重组毕赤酵母菌株,并通过优化发酵条件使其酶活达到2 230±60 U/mL。为AMP脱氨酶工业化生产奠定了一定的基础。     

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the Streptomyces coelicolor gene encoding glutamine synthetase

The Streptomyces coelicolor glutamine synthetase (GS) structural gene (glnA) was cloned by complementing the glutamine growth requirement of an Escherichia coli strain containing a deletion of its glnALG operon. Expression of the cloned S. coelicolor glnA gene in E. coli cells was found to require an E. coli plasmid promoter. The nucleotide sequence of an S. coelicolor 2280-bp DNA segment containing the glnA gene was determined and the complete glnA amino acid sequence deduced. Comparison of the derived S. coelicolor GS protein sequence with the amino acid sequences of GS from other bacteria suggests that the S. coelicolor GS protein is more similar to the GS proteins from Gram-negative bacteria than it is with the GS proteins from two Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium acetobutylicum.     

人白介素2受体γ链胞外区在巴斯德毕赤酵母中的表达

目的:在毕赤酵母GS115中表达重组人白细胞介素2受体γ链(rhsIL-2Rγ)胞外区。方法:用RT-PCR法从正常人淋巴细胞中获得IL-2Rγ胞外区基因;构建重组质粒pPIC9K-hsIL-2Rγ,用聚乙二醇法转入感受态GS115菌株,MD平板筛选His+转化子,用BMMY培养基诱导表达rhsIL-2Rγ;对重组蛋白进行免疫酶染色、SDS-PAGE及Western印迹鉴定。结果:克隆到目的片段,构建了重组质粒pPIC9K-hsIL-2Rγ;免疫酶染色、Western印迹等结果显示,重组质粒已成功转化GS115,并获得诱导表达的rhsIL-2Rγ。结论:在毕赤酵母GS115中表达了rhsIL-2Rγ,其蛋白条带有上移现象,分子较大,可能其糖基化过度或存在二聚体。