耐辐射球菌基因DRB0099缺失突变株的构建及逆境分析

耐辐射球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans R1)有着极强的辐射抗性.研究其抗辐射的机理对于处理放射性废料有着潜在的应用价值.在耐辐射球菌的基因组中,许多序列的功能未知.其中DRB0099尤为引人注意.将DRB0099缺失突变构建该基因的突变株.对野生型和突变体进行比较后发现,在正常生长条件下的前期阶段(0～16 h),突变体生长速度比野生型慢.16 h以后,野生型逐渐进入稳定生长期.这时,突变株的生长速度高于野生型.但是,野生型的浓度一直高于突变株.表明在DRB0099被删除后,耐辐射球菌的生长可能受到了阻滞.在紫外线照射的条件下,尽管野生型随着照射剂量的增加,存活率越来越低,但是要比突变体高许多.野生型具有比突变体更强的修复DNA双链断裂的能力.DRB0099可能直接参与了对DNA的修复.突变体对H2O2的敏感程度高于野生型,表明野生型耐辐射球菌在对抗活性氧保护其蛋白质、DNA或者DNA修复方面具有比突变体更强的功能.在低浓度H2O2处理条件下,尽管野生型和突变体的存活率都出现下降趋势,但二者的差值并不大.随着H2O2剂量的增加,二者的差值越来越大.表明随着活性氧浓度的增加,蛋白质和DNA损伤的数量增加,失去DRB0099基因功能的突变体比野生型更容易受到损伤.在紫外线照射处理或者H2O2处理条件下,DRB0099能够保护蛋白质和DNA.     

红球菌R04苯甲酸转运相关膜蛋白RHOGL009301的生理功能

【目的】探究红球菌(Rhodococcus sp.)R04膜蛋白RHOGL009301的生理功能和突变菌株的代谢特性,确定该膜蛋白的生理功能与苯甲酸转运的关系。【方法】将RHOGL009301基因与绿色荧光蛋白基因在Rhodococcus erythropolis进行融合表达,Delta Vision观察该基因蛋白产物的定位。通过基因同源重组敲除RHOGL009301基因,并对比野生型菌株和缺陷型菌株在不同碳源培养下的生长情况。HPLC测定红球菌R04野生型菌株和缺陷型菌株代谢联苯和苯甲酸时细胞内外代谢物,分析不同生长条件下代谢物的浓度变化。【结果】RHOGL009301基因与绿色荧光蛋白基因在Rhodococcus erythropolis中实现共表达,并定位在细胞膜上。获得了RHOGL009301基因的缺陷型菌株R04ΔMP,与野生型菌株相比,缺陷型菌株在联苯和苯甲酸培养条件下的生物量明显降低,生长速度减慢。HPLC分析表明RHOGL009301基因的缺失抑制了苯甲酸的转运。【结论】膜蛋白RHOGL009301是苯甲酸代谢和转运相关的蛋白,基于序列同源性分析,该膜蛋白是一种新型的苯甲酸转运蛋白。     

新生隐球菌一个新的产孢相关蛋白Srp1的鉴定与功能分析

【目的】研究产孢相关蛋白Srp1在新生隐球菌有性产孢和致病性中的作用及机理。【方法】采用基因枪转化技术构建新生隐球菌SRP1基因缺失突变体及其互补菌株,并通过小鼠致病性实验和菌株交配实验检测Srp1在新生隐球菌有性产孢和致病性中的作用。【结果】与野生型菌株相比,srp1Δ突变体小鼠致病性无差异;srp1Δ突变体能够交配并形成双核菌丝,但丧失产生担孢子的能力;初步机理分析表明srp1Δ突变体交配后其减数分裂过程被阻断,从而导致srp1Δ突变体不能产生担孢子。【结论】产孢相关蛋白Srp1不影响新生隐球菌的致病性,但可通过调控减数分裂过程影响新生隐球菌的有性生殖。     

耐辐射奇球菌铁结合蛋白DRA0258的抗氧化功能

【目的】通过对极端环境耐受的耐辐射奇球菌Deinococcus radiodurans R1全基因组进行序列比对分析,获得具有铁储备蛋白Ferritin类似功能基序的未知功能蛋白DRA0258,采用分子生物学技术对该蛋白的功能和性质进行了验证和分析。【方法】首先对DRA0258进行克隆表达和纯化,并经络合物显色法测定蛋白上铁结合含量;通过三段连接敲除法构建dra0258突变株,检测突变株在双氧水协迫下的生存率、总抗氧化活性及过氧化氢酶活性;利用实时定量PCR检测突变株内抗氧化酶类及铁转运相关性调控蛋白的基因转录水平。【结果】经体内外蛋白铁含量检测证实DRA0258具有一定的铁结合能力;双氧水生存率实验表明dra0258的缺失导致细胞的抗氧化能力显著下降;过氧化氢酶活性、总抗氧化活性检测及抗氧化酶类的基因转录水平检测证实dra0258基因的缺失导致细胞内一些抗氧化基因转录水平下调,细胞的抗氧化应激系统受到损伤,并影响了一些铁调控网络蛋白的基因转录水平。【结论】本研究证实DRA0258是一种铁结合蛋白,该编码基因的缺失影响胞内铁转运系统并使细胞抗氧化能力下调。     

耐辐射异常球菌dlp基因缺失突变株构建及其生物学功能研究

耐辐射异常球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans,DR)因其具有对非生物胁迫超强的抵抗能力而备受关注。旨在了解该菌亲水蛋白Dlp在细胞耐受非生物胁迫中的作用,采用融合PCR和基因同源重组技术,获得了dlp基因缺失突变株Δdlp,对野生型DR及突变株Δdlp进行非生物胁迫。结果表明,dlp的缺失导致DR细胞对高盐和氧化胁迫敏感。体外检测氧化胁迫条件下Dlp蛋白对苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性的保护,结果显示,Dlp蛋白的加入能缓解氧化胁迫条件下MDH、LDH酶活性的损失。由此表明,亲水蛋白Dlp增强了耐辐射异常球菌对非生物胁迫的抗性,并能以类似分子伴侣的形式保护胁迫条件下酶的活性。     

新生隐球菌半胱氨酸转运蛋白Mup1鉴定及其表达调控研究

【目的】鉴定新生隐球菌(Cryptococcus neoformans)的半胱氨酸转运蛋白及其对致病性的影响。【方法】构建候选基因敲除株,检测突变株以半胱氨酸为唯一硫源的生长情况;检测半胱氨酸转运蛋白Mup1对新生隐球菌毒力因子表达和不同胁迫条件下生长的影响;通过新生隐球菌大蜡螟(Galleria mellonella)和小鼠感染模型分析Mup1对致病性的影响;通过转录组分析和酵母单杂交研究硫代谢核心转录因子Cys3与Mup1的调控关系。【结果】Mup1具有转运半胱氨酸、胱氨酸、胱硫醚和同型半胱氨酸的能力。基因MUP1缺失不影响毒力因子表达和细胞对应激的反应。大蜡螟和小鼠隐球菌感染模型表明Mup1对新生隐球菌的致病性无显著影响。转录组分析和酵母单杂交实验显示Cys3可能间接调控MUP1的转录。【结论】新生隐球菌Mup1具有转运半胱氨酸、胱氨酸、胱硫醚和同型半胱氨酸的功能,但不影响致病性,基因转录可能受Cys3的间接调控。     

黄色粘球菌发育阶段外膜蛋白表达的变化

【目的】黄色粘球菌是研究原核发育的一种模式生物,对其膜蛋白的研究仍然十分缺乏。【方法】利用6种预测软件,在黄色粘球菌的基因组中筛选编码外膜蛋白(OMP)的基因。根据报告基因lacZ,检测这些基因在营养性生长和发育阶段的表达。【结果】基于生物信息学分析,筛选出11个编码外膜蛋白的基因。其中2个基因(MXAN3106和MXAN3883)在发育阶段表达量上升,它们分别编码Secretin家族和Fimbrial usher protein (FUP)家族转运蛋白。其余9个基因在发育起始阶段表达量降低或保持较低水平,它们均编码TonB依赖型受体或外排蛋白。【结论】这些数据提示,黄色粘球菌由生长到发育的转换过程,伴随着膜蛋白表达的显著变化。     

香蕉枯萎病菌中Hog1 MAPK同源基因FoHog1敲除突变体的生物学特性

【目的】研究香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种中促分裂原活化蛋白激酶基因FoHog1的结构特点及其功能【方法】通过PCR和RT-PCR的方法获得了FoHog1基因序列并进行生物信息学分析,利用PEG介导的原生质体转化法得到了FoHog1基因缺失突变体,分析敲除突变体与野生型的生物学特性差异【结果】FoHog1基因编码一个含有357个氨基酸的蛋白,该蛋白在不同种镰刀菌中高度保守。通过对敲除突变体的研究发现,该基因缺失后菌丝密度下降,产孢量与菌丝干重明显降低,对乙酸钠和氯化铵的利用率下降,对温度、pH及渗透压等外源胁迫更为敏感。通过致病力实验发现,基因敲除突变体的定殖能力有所降低【结论】尖孢镰刀菌古巴专化型4号生理小种中FoHog1基因参与调控菌丝生长、分生孢子生成、乙酸钠和氯化铵代谢、渗透压胁迫反应及致病相关过程。     

耐辐射奇球菌crtI基因缺失突变株的构建及其功能研究

利用PCR方法和体内同源重组技术,对耐辐射奇球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans)中控制色素合成的关键基因———crtI进行缺失突变,成功获得红色色素缺失突变株M61。对突变株分别进行不同剂量电离辐射(IR)和不同浓度过氧化氢(H2O2)处理,结果表明:与野生型菌株R1相比,突变株M61对电离辐射的抗性降低;对过氧化氢的敏感性明显上升,在高浓度H2O2条件下表现异常敏感。HPLC分析结果显示,crtI基因的完全缺失对色素合成途径产生重要影响,导致番茄红素和其他红色类胡萝卜素的合成被抑制。证明crtI基因是耐辐射奇球菌中控制红色类胡萝卜素合成的一个关键基因。为阐明耐辐射奇球菌中类胡萝卜素参与的抗辐射和抗氧化机制奠定了一定基础,为进一步研究类胡萝卜素在耐辐射奇球菌中的合成途径及功能提供了思路。     

耐辐射球菌recQ双突变株的构建及逆境分析

RecQ解螺旋酶是生物有机体在进化中高度保守的SF1超级家族解螺旋酶的一个亚族,它对维持基因组的稳定性有重要的作用。耐辐射球菌野生型菌株R1有两个具有特殊结构的解螺旋酶DR1289和DR2444,运用PCR突变法克隆具有自身groEL启动子、KAT启动子与卡那霉素抗性基因、氯霉素抗性基因融合的DNA片段反向重组到基因组中,首次构建并鉴定了卡那霉素抗性完全突变株ΔDR1289,氯霉素抗性完全突变株ΔDR2444,双突变株ΔrecQ。辐射条件下和H2O2氧化压力下突变株生存率结果表明:ΔDR2444与R1存活率趋势线基本一致,而ΔDR1289和ΔrecQ双突变株较为敏感。根据上述结果推测,DR1289是一个对R1保持极端抗性的必须基因,而DR2444则是极端抗性的非必须基因。     

耐辐射奇球菌dps突变株的构建和蛋白功能初步研究

Dps(DNAprotection during starvation)蛋白是原核生物中特有的一类具有铁离子结合和抗氧化损伤功能的重要蛋白。利用体外PCR扩增技术和体内同源重组方法,获得了耐辐射奇球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans)dps全基因(DRB0092)缺失突变株。对突变株和野生型分别进行不同浓度过氧化氢(H₂O₂)处理,结果表明:与野生型菌株R1相比,dps突变株在低浓度H₂O₂(≤10mmol/L)条件下存活率急剧下降,而高浓度(≥30mmol/L)下则完全致死。Native-PAGE活性染色结果显示,稳定生长期dps突变株体内两种过氧化氢酶(KatA和KatB)的活性较野生型R1分别上调2.3倍和2.6倍。通过质粒构建和大肠杆菌诱导表达,获得可溶性Dps蛋白。体外结合和DNA保护实验结果显示:Dps具有明显的DNA结合功能,并能保护质粒DNA免受羟自由基攻击。本研究证明,Dps蛋白在耐辐射奇球菌抗氧化体系中发挥重要作用,可能对该菌极端抗性机制有重要贡献。     

Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of carotenoids from Deinococcus radiodurans through targeted mutagenesis, chemiluminescence, and DNA damage analyses

Deinococcus radiodurans is highly resistant to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant effect of carotenoids in D. radiodurans was investigated by using a targeted mutation of the phytoene synthase gene to block the carotenoid synthesis pathway and by evaluating the survival of cells under environmental stresses. The colorless mutant R1DeltacrtB of D. radiodurans failed to synthesize carotenoids, and was more sensitive to ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, and desiccation than the wild type, suggesting that carotenoids in D. radiodurans help in combating environmental stresses. Chemiluminescence analyses showed that deinoxanthin, a major product in the carotenoid synthesis pathway, had significantly stronger scavenging ability on H2O2 and singlet oxygen than two carotenes (lycopene and beta-carotene) and two xanthophylls (zeaxanthin and lutein). Deinoxanthin also exhibited protective effect on DNA. Our findings suggest that the stronger antioxidant effect of deinoxanthin contribute to the resistance of D. radiodurans. The higher antioxidant effect of deinoxanthin may be attributed to its distinct chemical structure which has an extended conjugated double bonds and the presence of a hydroxyl group at C-1' position, compared with other tested carotenoids.     

The effect of manganese(II) on the structure of DNA/HMGB1/H1 complexes: electronic and vibrational circular dichroism studies

The interactions were studied of DNA with the nonhistone chromatin protein HMGB1 and histone H1 in the presence of manganese(II) ions at different protein to DNA and manganese to DNA phosphate ratios by using absorption and optical activity spectroscopy in the electronic [ultraviolet (UV) and electronic circular dichroism ECD)] and vibrational [infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD)] regions. In the presence of Mn2+, the protein-DNA interactions differ from those without the ions and cause prominent DNA compaction and formation of large intermolecular complexes. At the same time, the presence of HMGB1 and H1 also changed the mode of interaction of Mn2+ with DNA, which now takes place mostly in the major groove of DNA involving N7(G), whereas interactions between Mn2+ and DNA phosphate groups are weakened by histone molecules. Considerable interactions were also detected of Mn2+ ions with aspartic and glutamic amino acid residues of the proteins.     

Spectroscopic investigations of the structure of DNA complexes with Mn2+ in UV and IR regions

Based on the data of UV and IR spectroscopy, electronic and vibrational circular dichroism, the interaction of manganese ions with DNA was investigated. It was shown that the binding of ions to DNA proceeds in three stages depending on the manganese-to-DNA phosphates molar ratio [Mn]/[P]. At the first stage ([Mn]/[P] < or = 1), the interaction of manganese ions with DNA phosphates occurs, causing a partial screening of their negative charge and the stabilization of the double helix. At the second stage (1 < [Mn]/[P] < 6), the ions interact with both the phosphates and the nitrogen bases of DNA. At this stage, it is possible for the manganese ion to coordinate simultaneously to the oxygen atom of the phosphate and the neighbouring base of DNA. At a higher [Mn]/[P] ratio, the destabilization of the double helix begins, and partial breakage of the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases occurs.     

Effects of Mn and Fe levels on Bacillus subtilis spore resistance and effects of Mn2+, other divalent cations, orthophosphate, and dipicolinic acid on protein resistance to ionizing radiation

Spores of Bacillus subtilis strains with (wild type) or without (α(-)β(-)) most DNA-binding α/β-type small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) were prepared in medium with additional MnCl(2) concentrations of 0.3 μM to 1 mM. These haploid spores had Mn levels that varied up to 180-fold and Mn/Fe ratios that varied up to 300-fold. However, the resistance of these spores to desiccation, wet heat, dry heat, and in particular ionizing radiation was unaffected by their level of Mn or their Mn/Fe ratio; this was also the case for wild-type spore resistance to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). However, α(-)β(-) spores were more sensitive to H(2)O(2) when they had high Mn levels and a high Mn/Fe ratio. These results suggest that Mn levels alone are not essential for wild-type bacterial spores' extreme resistance properties, in particular ionizing radiation, although high Mn levels sensitize α(-)β(-) spores to H(2)O(2), probably by repressing expression of the auxiliary DNA-protective protein MrgA. Notably, Mn(2+) complexed with the abundant spore molecule dipicolinic acid (DPA) with or without inorganic phosphate was very effective at protecting a restriction enzyme against ionizing radiation in vitro, and Ca(2+) complexed with DPA and phosphate was also very effective in this regard. These latter data suggest that protein protection in spores against treatments such as ionizing radiation that generate reactive oxygen species may be due in part to the spores' high levels of DPA conjugated to divalent metal ions, predominantly Ca(2+), much like high levels of Mn(2+) complexed with small molecules protect the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans against ionizing radiation.     

Three tandem HRDC domains have synergistic effect on the RecQ functions in Deinococcus radiodurans

The RecQ family of DNA helicases performs essential functions in the maintenance of genomic stability in all organisms. In Deinococcus radiodurans, DR1289 is a special member of RecQ family with unique arrangement of three tandem HRDC domains in the C-terminus. A dr1289 mutant is hypersensitive to gamma-irradiation, UV, H2O2 and mitomycin C. By complementing the dr1289 mutant with various domains of Dr1289 in vivo, we have determined that the helicase and all three HRDC domains are indispensable for complete DNA damage resistance. Using a continuous fluorescent dye-displacement assay, we investigated the optimal conditions for Dr1289 unwinding function at various concentrations of ATP and metal ions to show that the helicase activity is comparable to what observed in Escherichia coli RecQ. We also found that the helicase domain is necessary for the unwinding and ATPase activity and that the three tandem HRDC domains increase the efficiency of these activities. Based on these data, we propose that the C-terminus of Dr1289 has evolved in D. radiodurans to confront the types and amounts of DNA damage.