A type 1 diabetes-related protein from wheat (Triticum aestivum). cDNA clone of a wheat storage globulin,Glb1, linked to islet damage

The development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes involves complex interactions among several genes and environmental agents. Human patients with type 1 diabetes show an unusually high frequency of wheat gluten-sensitive enteropathy; T-cell response to wheat proteins is increased in some patients, and high concentrations of wheat antibodies in blood have been reported. In both major models of spontaneous type 1 diabetes, the BioBreeding (BB) rat and non-obese diabetic mouse, at least half of the cases are diet-related. In studies of BB rats fed defined semipurified diets, wheat gluten was the most potent diabetes-inducing protein source. A major limitation in understanding how wheat or other dietary antigens affect type 1 diabetes has been the difficulty in identifying specific diabetes-related dietary proteins. To address this issue, we probed a wheat cDNA expression library with polyclonal IgG antibodies from diabetic BB rats. Three clones were identified, and the intensity of antibody binding to one of them, WP5212, was strongly associated with pancreatic islet inflammation and damage. The WP5212 putative protein has high amino acid sequence homology with a wheat storage globulin, Glb1. Serum IgG antibodies from diabetic rats and humans recognized low molecular mass (33-46 kDa) wheat proteins. Furthermore, antibodies to Glb1 protein were found in serum from diabetic patients but not in age-, sex-, and HLA-DQ-matched controls. This study raises the possibility that in some individuals, type 1 diabetes may be induced by wheat proteins. Also, it provides a first candidate wheat protein that is not only antigenic in diabetic rats and human patients but is also closely linked with the autoimmune attack in the pancreas.     

小麦种子过氧化物酶WP1 基因的原核表达、纯化及多克隆抗体制备

WP1是小麦种子中最主要的阳离子过氧化物酶,该酶不仅参与种子的发育过程,而且影响面粉的加工品质。首先构建了WP1基因原核表达载体pET28a-WP1,并将其转化到T7 Expression大肠杆菌菌株中诱导表达。His-tag融合的WP1主要以包涵体形式存在,使用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱在变性条件下进行纯化,获得纯度大于98％的重组蛋白。重组WP1经尿素梯度透析复性溶解后免疫新西兰大白兔,最终获得WP1多克隆抗体。ELISA分析结果显示制备的WP1兔抗血清的效价大于1∶625 000;Western blotting结果证明制备的多克隆抗体对WP1具有很好的专一性。     

5-Aminolevulinic acid level and dye-decolorizing peroxidase expression regulate heme synthesis in Escherichia coli

Biotechnology Letters - To investigate the level of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a key precursor of heme, and expression of heme-peroxidase on the regulation of heme synthesis in E. coli. A...     

施磷对间套作玉米叶面积指数、干物质积累分配及磷肥利用效率的影响

通过2011、2012年连续两年田间试验, 研究了“小麦/玉米/大豆”间套作体系中不同施磷处理（小麦0、45、90、135、180 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2, 记为WP₀、WP₁、WP₂、WP₃、WP₄; 玉米0、37.5、75、112.5、150 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2, 记为MP₀、MP₁、MP₂、MP₃、MP₄）对玉米叶面积指数、干物质积累动态和磷肥利用效率的影响.结果表明: 在玉米与小麦共生期, 施磷明显增加了玉米叶面积指数（LAI）和群体光合势（LAD）, 促进了茎、叶干物质的积累（DMA）; 玉米拔节以后LAI、LAD、生长率（CGR）和DMA均随磷肥施用量的增加呈先增加后减少的趋势, 最大值都出现在MP₂或MP₃处理; 玉米生殖生长期营养器官的干物质输出随着磷肥施用量的增加而增加.玉米籽粒产量和体系总产量均随磷肥施用量的增加先增大后减少,都以P₃处理为最高,分别为6588和11955 kg·hm^-2.玉米磷肥表观利用率（PARE）以MP₂处理最高（26.3%）,分别比MP₁（14.4%）、MP₃（19.0%）、MP₄（10.4%）处理高82.6%、38.4%和152.9%.综上,在麦/玉/豆间套作体系中,适量施用磷肥可促进玉米的生长、减轻小麦对玉米的影响,同时可提高玉米当季磷肥利用率,玉米的磷肥施用量在75～112.5 kg P₂O₅·hm^-2为宜.     

Efficient mosquitocidal toxin production by Bacillus sphaericus using cheese whey permeate under both submerged and solid state fermentations

Whey permeate (WP) was used efficiently for production of mosquitocidal toxin by Bacillus sphaericus 2362 (B. sphaericus 2362) and the Egyptian isolate, B. sphaericus 14N1 (B. sphaericus 14N1) under both submerged and solid state fermentation conditions. Under submerged fermentation, high mosquitocidal activity was produced by B. sphaericus 2362 and B. sphaericus 14N1 at 50-100% and 25-70% WP, respectively. Initial pH of WP was a critical factor for toxin production by both tested organisms. The highest toxicity was obtained at initial pH 7. Egyptian isolate, B. sphaericus 14N1 was tested for growth and toxin production under solid state fermentation conditions (SSF) by using WP as moistening agent instead of distilled water. The optimum conditions for production of B. sphaericus 14N1 on wheat bran-WP medium were 10 g wheat bran/250 ml flask moistened with 10-70% WP at 50% moisture content, inoculum size ranged between 17.2 × 10⁷ and 34.4 × 10⁷ and 6 days incubation under static conditions at 30 °C. Preliminary pilot-scale production of B. sphaericus 14N1 under SSF conditions in trays proved that wheat bran-WP medium was efficient and economic for industrial production of mosquitocidal toxin by B. sphaericus.     

共转化大肠杆菌hemA和hemL基因增强小麦过氧化物酶WP1在原核系统中的功能性表达

小麦种子过氧化物酶WP1属于含血红素的植物Ⅲ型过氧化物酶,该酶不仅具有抗真菌活性,而且影响面粉加工品质。为提高WP1在大肠杆菌中的功能性表达,构建了用于提高大肠杆菌内源血红素合成,包含hemA和hemL基因的重组质粒pACYC-A-L,将其分别与包含WP1基因的分泌型和非分泌型表达载体pMAL-p4x-WP1与pET21a-MBP-WP1共同转化大肠杆菌T7 Express菌株;利用直链淀粉(Amylose)亲和层析柱纯化获得MBP-WP1融合蛋白,并以2,2’-联氮-二(3-乙基苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)二铵盐(ABTS)为底物检测重组WP1的催化能力。结果表明,含pACYC-A-L的宿主菌28℃诱导12 h后,培养液中5-氨基乙酰丙酸(5-ALA)含量可达146.73 mg/L,卟啉类物质含量也显著上升。共转化pACYC-A-L和pMAL-p4x-WP1比单独转化pET21a-MBP-WP1获得的重组WP1的比活力提高14.6倍。该研究不仅成功地增强了小麦WP1在大肠杆菌中的功能性表达,同时为其他具有重要生物学功能并含血红素辅基蛋白的功能性表达提供了有益参考。     

Chemical modification of wheat protein-based natural polymers: grafting and cross-linking reactions with poly(ethylene oxide) diglycidyl ether and ethyl diamine

Mobile poly(ethylene oxide) diglycidyl ether (PEODGE) segments were chemically grafted onto a soluble wheat protein (WP), and different network structures were formed via coupling reactions with ethyl diamine (EDA) in different PEODGE/EDA (PE) ratios. When the PE ratio was 1:1, linear PEs were the predominant segments grafted onto WP chains and the whole WP-PEODGE-EDA (WPE) system was still soluble with an increased molecular weight. Reducing the amount of EDA in the systems produced insoluble cross-linked WPE networks. The broad distribution of network structures and chain mobility resulted in a broad glass transition for the WPE materials. However, the glass transition started at lower temperatures, and the materials became flexible at room temperature. The PE segments were present in all rigid, intermediate, and mobile phases in WPE networks, while the proportion of mobile WP chains was increased as a result of the plasticization effect from the mobile PE segments. The mobility of the most mobile component lipid was also restricted to some extent when forming the cross-linked WPE networks. The study demonstrated that the formation of different network structures with PE segments could significantly improve the flexibility of WP materials, vary the solubility, and modify the mechanical performance of WP-based natural polymer materials.     

三种杀虫剂对麦田蚜虫和天敌的影响

通过对施用杀虫剂吡虫啉、抗蚜威、广谱性杀虫剂氧化乐果对麦田蚜虫和天敌的影响进行分析 ,结果表明 ,施用杀虫剂对麦田蚜虫防效高 ,对其天敌有保护作用 ,且瓢蚜比降低。使用 1 0 %吡虫啉( 1 0g 667m2 )后 5～ 2 5天瓢蚜比为 1∶34～ 1∶1 70 ;用 50 %抗蚜威 ( 5g 667m2 )后 1 0～ 2 0天瓢蚜比为 1∶31～1∶1 95;而广谱性杀虫剂氧化乐果 ( 50mL 667m2 )对麦田蚜虫防效好 ,对天敌杀伤力大 ,药后 1 5天瓢蚜比为1∶2 65。施用化学农药可使蚜茧蜂寄生率提高。     

Identification of three wheat globulin genes by screening a Triticum aestivum BAC genomic library with cDNA from a diabetes-associated globulin

Background  

Exposure to dietary wheat proteins in genetically susceptible individuals has been associated with increased risk for the development of Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Recently, a wheat protein encoded by cDNA WP5212 has been shown to be antigenic in mice, rats and humans with autoimmune T1D. To investigate the genomic origin of the identified wheat protein cDNA, a hexaploid wheat genomic library from Glenlea cultivar was screened.     

炔草酯降解菌Sphingopyxis sp. WP68的分离鉴定与降解特性

【背景】炔草酯可以高效防除麦田恶性杂草,但炔草酯的生产和使用也对环境造成了破坏,对动物和人类健康造成了威胁。【目的】分离筛选炔草酯高效降解菌株,研究其降解特性,为炔草酯污染生物修复提供优良菌种资源。【方法】采集农药厂活性污泥样品,通过富集培养和含有炔草酯的LB培养基进行炔草酯降解菌株的分离,通过形态和生理生化特性以及16S rRNA基因序列分析确定其分类学地位,通过单因素试验从温度、pH、接种量和底物浓度等方面考察菌株对炔草酯的降解特性,并利用UPLC-MS分析降解产物。【结果】筛选出一株炔草酯高效降解菌株WP68,经鉴定为鞘氨醇盒菌(Sphingopyxis sp.),该菌株在37°C和pH值为8.0时,10 h内可将200 mg/L的炔草酯降解98.26%。利用UPLC-MS鉴定菌株WP68降解炔草酯的产物为炔草酸。确定了该菌株降解炔草酯的最适温度、pH值、接种量、底物浓度分别是37°C、8.0、5%、200mg/L。菌株WP68还能降解氰氟草酯和精喹禾灵。【结论】Sphingopyxis sp. WP68对炔草酯有较强的降解能力和较高耐受性,在炔草酯污染土壤修复中具有潜在的应用前景。     

Bio-antimutagenic effects of tannic acid on UV and chemically induced mutagenesis in Escherichia coli B/r

Tannic acid suppressed the mutagenesis in E. coli B/r WP2 trp- induced by UV or 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), but not that induced by gamma-rays or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The depression of mutations induced by UV was most remarkable in the DNA-repair-proficient strain (WP2). Tannic acid, however, showed no bio-antimutagenic effect in the excision repair-deficient strain (WP2s uvrA- or ZA159 uvrB-) under the test conditions where no cellular toxicity was observed. The effect ceased within 30 min after UV irradiation. The inhibition of the expression of Trp+ phenotype and the delay of the first cell division after UV irradiation were not observed in the presence of tannic acid. From these results we conclude that tannic acid may enhance the excision-repair system probably by activating the repair enzymes or by interacting with DNA.     

日光温室地面覆盖对嫁接与未嫁接黄瓜生长发育、产量及土壤环境的影响

研究了秸秆、地膜和秸秆+地膜覆盖对日光温室嫁接与未嫁接黄瓜生长发育、产量及土壤环境的影响.结果表明,地面覆盖不仅能促进雌花分化、缩短成瓜时间、增加单瓜重、提高黄瓜产量,而且能降低畸形瓜比例,提高产品的商品性.其中以覆盖秸秆+地膜作用最明显、增产幅度最大,覆盖秸秆和覆盖地膜次之;嫁接黄瓜的处理效果优于未嫁接黄瓜.此外,地面覆盖对土壤环境也具有重要影响,但不同处理之间差异较大.地温日变化呈单峰曲线, 5cm、10 cm地温的波峰出现在14:30,随着土层的加深而波峰推迟出现,峰值也逐渐减小.秸秆覆盖具有降低最高地温和提高最低地温的作用,使土壤温度保持相对稳定;地膜覆盖对最高地温的增幅最大、对最低地温的增幅最小,从而使地温变幅最大;秸秆+地膜覆盖既增温又保温.地面覆盖的土壤呼吸速率均显著高于对照(P＜0.01),并以秸秆+地膜覆盖的土壤呼吸速率最高,地膜覆盖与秸秆覆盖次之,土壤呼吸速率日变化也呈单峰曲线,与 5cm、10 cm地温日变化趋势一致,峰值出现在14:30左右,土壤呼吸速率与 5cm、10 cm地温达显著或极显著相关.秸秆覆盖与秸秆+地膜覆盖的0～20 cm土层土壤容重显著小于地膜覆盖与对照(P＜0.01),地膜覆盖的土壤容重略小于对照,随着土层的加深,各处理间土壤容重差异渐小.     

In vitro protein digestion kinetics of protein sources for pigs

In current feed evaluation systems, the nutritional value of protein sources in diets for pigs is based on the ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids, which does not account for the kinetics of protein digestion along the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of the present study was to determine the in vitro protein digestion kinetics of different protein sources (soya bean meal (SBM), wheat gluten (WG), rapeseed meal (RSM), whey powder (WP), dried porcine plasma protein, yellow meal worm larvae and black soldier fly larvae (BSF)). Protein sources were incubated with pepsin at pH 3.5 for 0 to 90 min and subsequently with pancreatin at pH 6.8 for 0 to 210 min at 39°C. The in vitro protein digestion kinetics were described as the kinetics of nitrogen (N) solubilisation and the release of low molecular weight peptides (LMW) (<500 Da). The N solubilisation rate ranged from 0.025 min⁻¹ for BSF to 0.685 min⁻¹ for WP during the incubation with pepsin, and from 0.027 min⁻¹ for RSM to 0.343 min⁻¹ for WP during the incubation with pancreatin. The release rate of LMW peptides ranged from 0.027 min⁻¹ for WG to 0.093 min⁻¹ for WP during the incubation with pepsin, and from 0.029 min⁻¹ for SBM to 0.385 min⁻¹ for WP. Black soldier fly larvae showed a similar release rate of LMW peptides as WP during the incubation with pancreatin. At the end of the sequential incubation with pepsin (90 min) and pancreatin (210 min), WG and WP showed the highest percentage of N present in LMW peptides relative to total N (78% and 79%, respectively), whereas SBM showed the lowest (35%). In conclusion, protein sources for pig diets show substantial differences in in vitro protein digestion kinetics as measured by the kinetics of N solubilisation and the release of LMW peptides. The rate of release of LMW peptides was not correlated to the rate of N solubilisation for each of the protein sources evaluated.     

Inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid repair in Escherichia coli by caffeine and acriflavine after ultraviolet irradiation.

The effects of caffeine and acriflavine on cell survival, single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid break formation, and postreplication repair in Escherichia coli wild-type WP2 and WP2 uvrA strains after ultraviolet irradiation was studied. Caffeine (0.5 mg/ml) added before and immediately after ultraviolet irradiation inhibited single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid breakage in wild-type WP2 cells. Single-strand breaks, once formed, were no longer subject to repair inhibition by caffeine. At 0.5 to 2 mg/ml, caffeine did not affect postreplication repair in uvrA strains. These data are consistent with the survival data of both irradiated WP2 and uvrA strains in the presence and absence of caffeine. In unirradiated WP2 and uvrA strains, however, a high caffeine concentration (greater than 2 mg/ml) resulted in gradual reduction of colony-forming units. At a concentration insufficient to alter survival of unirradiated cells, acriflavine (2 microgram/ml) inhibited both single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid breakage and postreplication repair after ultraviolet irradiation. These data suggest that although the modes of action for both caffeine and acriflavine may be similar in the inhibition of single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid break formation, they differ in their mechanisms of action on postreplication repair.     

Changes in soil properties and in the growth of Lolium multiflorum in an acid soil amended with a solid waste from wineries

The agronomic utility of a solid waste, waste perlite (WP), from wine companies was assessed. In this sense, the natural characteristics of the waste were measured, followed by the monitoring of its effects on the chemical properties of acid soils and the growth of Lolium multiflorum. Taking into account that heavy metals associated to the waste (such as Cu, Zn and Mn) could cause problems when used as amendment, the changes in their total levels and in their soil fractionation were also studied, together with their total contents in L. multiflorum. The high content in C (214gkg(-1)), N (25gkg(-1)), P (534mgkg(-1)) and K (106gkg(-1)) of WP turned it into an appropriate amendment to increase soil fertility, solving at the same time its disposal. WP contributed to increase soil pH (in 2 pH units) and cation exchange capacity (CEC increased in 3cmolckg(-1)units), but reduced the potential Cu phytotoxicity due to a change in Cu distribution towards less soluble fractions. The growth of L. multiflorum adequately responds to the treatment with WP at addition rates below 2.5gkg(-1), whereas the imbalance between nutrients can justify the reduction in biomass production at higher WP addition rates. The levels of heavy metals analyzed in L. multiflorum biomass (8-85gkg(-1)) do not seem to cause undesirable effects on its growth.     

Micropropagation of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizandra chinensis</Emphasis> BAILLON using glucose from cotyledonary nodes

A protocol for the micropropagation ofSchizandra chinensis has been developed using regenerated shoots from axillary bud explants. In preparing to do so, we found that seed type (i.e., mature vs. pre-mature) significantly influenced the rate of germination. The Woody Plant (WP) medium proved to be superior to the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium for germination purposes. Multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes of axenic seedlings on WP media containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) alone or in combination with 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA). High frequencies of shoot proliferation and the greatest number of shoots per explant (11.6) were observed with the use of 1.0 mg L^-1 BA. We also established a culture method for proliferating shoots by repeatedly subculturing the original cotyledonary nodes on a shoot multiplication medium each time newly formed shoots were harvested. To induce root formation, glucose was supplied as a carbon-source substitution for sucrose. The best rooting rate was obtained from a WP medium supplemented with 3% glucose and 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA. Following transplantation in the field, 82% of the plantlets survived.     

The pyrogallol related compounds reduce UV-induced mutations in Escherichia coli B/r WP2

Plant components with bio-antimutagenic activity were screened on UVC (254 nm)-induced mutagenesis using E. coli B/r WP2. The components with a pyrogallol moiety including gallic acid, (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) reduced the mutation induction, but other components such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and quercetin did not. The above compounds with a pyrogallol moiety were also effective on UVAB (295-400 nm)-induced mutagenesis, while they showed little effect on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced mutagenesis. As this bio-antimutagenic effect was not seen in the DNA excision-repair-deficient strains WP2s and ZA159, the activity by the above plant components might be based on the promotion of the excision-repair system in E. coli B/r WP2.     

Genetic analysis of D-xylose metabolism by endophytic yeast strains of Rhodotorula graminis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

Two novel endophytic yeast strains, WP1 and PTD3, isolated from within the stems of poplar (Populus) trees, were genetically characterized with respect to their xylose metabolism genes. These two strains, belonging to the species Rhodotorula graminis and R. mucilaginosa, respectively, utilize both hexose and pentose sugars, including the common plant pentose sugar, D-xylose. The xylose reductase (XYL1) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XYL2) genes were cloned and characterized. The derived amino acid sequences of xylose reductase (XR) and xylose dehydrogenase (XDH) were 32%～41% homologous to those of Pichia stipitis and Candida. spp., two species known to utilize xylose. The derived XR and XDH sequences of WP1 and PTD3 had higher homology (73% and 69% identity) with each other. WP1 and PTD3 were grown in single sugar and mixed sugar media to analyze the XYL1 and XYL2 gene regulation mechanisms. Our results revealed that for both strains, the gene expression is induced by D-xylose, and that in PTD3 the expression was not repressed by glucose in the presence of xylose.     

New findings in the study on the intercalation of bisdaunorubicin and its monomeric analogues with naked and nucleus DNA

DNA is a target molecule for anthracycline anticancer drugs. We have used new anthracycline derivatives, bisdaunorubicin (WP631) and its monomeric analogues (WP700 serie), and look if there was a relation between the drug binding affinity to naked DNA and to cell nucleus in the cell with its cytotoxicity. Circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence were used to follow the interaction of anthracycline derivatives with naked DNA and cell nuclei. WP631 interacts with DNA at two distinct stoichiometries, 6:1 and 3:1 base pair (bp)/WP631 molecule (3:1 and 1.5:1 per anthracycline rings). Monomeric daunorubicin (DNR) with its amino sugar N-bound to amino- and nitro-substituted benzyl moiety, representing p-xylenyl linker present in WP631 bisintercalator, is much more binding to DNA than DNR or WP631. These findings are supported by the study of drug binding by nuclei of K562 cells. Around 70% of WP700 intercalate to nucleus DNA in the steady-state, while only 45% of DNR intercalate DNA in the cell. The binding of WP631 by K562 cells is even less effective ( approximately 20%). WP 700 compounds, which are very similar to each other in their binding to DNA, self-association and cell accumulation, differ very distinctly in their cytotoxicity power. The most effective compounds are amino-benzyl derivatives of WP 700 series. The nitro-benzyl compounds have very low toxicity, even if they bind to DNA with similar power with that of the amino derivatives. The comparison of the all data clearly indicates no relation between cytotoxicity of the drug and its ability to intercalate DNA.     

Hyperglycemia after protein ingestion concurrent with injection of a GLP-1 receptor agonist in rats: a possible role for dietary peptides

Protein ingestion after injection of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist Exendin-4 (Ex-4) causes hyperglycemia in rats. The objectives of this study were to determine the components of protein digestion responsible for this effect and to associate it with changes in the concentrations of other metabolites and hormones. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, food-deprived rats were gavaged with intact whey (WP) or albumin protein, their hydrolysates, amino acid mixtures (1 g/2.5 ml), or water 5 min after injection of either PBS or Ex-4 (0.5 microg/rat). Tail vein blood was analyzed for glucose over 2 h. In the second experiment, food-deprived rats were gavaged with WP with or without Ex-4. Groups of conscious rats were killed by decapitation either before, or at selected times after gavage. Plasma concentrations of glucose, amino acids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, insulin, glucagon, and leptin were measured. In experiment 1, blood glucose was higher when intact proteins and protein hydrolysates, but not amino acid mixtures, were given with than without Ex-4 (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, concentrations of glucose, FFA, and the ratio of tyrosine to branched-chain amino acid were higher (P < 0.01), but leptin and essential amino acid concentrations were lower (P < 0.05), and insulin, glucagon, and glycerol were similar when WP was given with or without Ex-4. We conclude that the hyperglycemia caused by the administration of Ex-4 concurrently with dietary protein arises from the action of peptides released during digestion and their interaction with Ex-4 in the regulation of glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism.