Tools for resolving complexity in the electron transfer networks of multiheme cytochromes c

Examining electron transfer between two proteins with identical spectroscopic signatures is a challenging task. It is supposed that several multiheme cytochromes in Shewanella oneidensis form a molecular "wire" through which electrons are transported across the cellular space and a direct study of this transient protein-protein interaction has not yet been reported. In this study, we present variations on catalytic protein film voltammetry and an anaerobic affinity chromatography assay to demonstrate unidirectional electron transfer between proposed protein pairs. Through use of these techniques, we are able to confirm the transient interactions between these cytochromes, supporting the model of electron transfer that is present in the literature.     

简单高效的根癌农杆菌介导的水稻基因转化方法

本文在研究影响农杆菌介导的水稻转化的主要因素基础上,建立了一套简单、高效的水稻转基因系统。将水稻成熟胚来源的愈伤组织用农杆菌EHA101／pHQ9,EHA101／pHQ10,EHA101／pHQT3感染后,筛选抗性愈伤,经分化获得转化株。抗性愈伤的平均得率为约100个愈伤／g愈伤外植体,抗性愈伤的分化频率平均高达85％。转基因植株的GUS染色、Southern杂交结果表明,T-DNA上的外源基因已整合进转基因植物的基因组中。转基因植株T1代对潮霉素的抗性表明,多数转基因株系符合孟德尔分离比3：1。该系统的建立将有助于应用T—DNA标签法和基因打靶法进行水稻功能基因组的研究。     

一种快速、简便、高效cDNA合成及克隆策略

以鱼呼肠孤病毒双链ＲＮＡ为模板,建立一种快速、简便、高效的ｃＤＮＡ合成及克隆策略。在一定量模板条件下,采用随机六聚体为引物合成ｃＤＮＡ第一链。以退火方式形成双链ｃＤＮＡ,直接通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测其ｃＤＮＡ合成产量。双链ｃＤＮＡ经两端补齐后,平头连接于具有阳性选择标记的载体中,以高效电转化的方式进行快速克隆。     

A rapid and highly efficient method for transformation of sugarcane callus

Modern sugarcane cultivars have complex genetic characteristics and low fertility that render their genetic improvement through traditional breeding difficult. Genetic engineering methodology to introduce foreign genes provides new opportunities for the genetic improvement of sugarcane cultivars. One of prerequisites for successful insertion of a gene cassette into the plant genome is the availability of an efficient transformation protocol. An improved protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sugarcane is described. Between 85 and 100% of calli transformed using this procedure produced new calli, and 100% of them were positive for the inserted gene. The whole procedure permitted the production of transgenic calli in a short time (1.5 mo). The transformed calli can be cultured further for the production of the inserted gene-encoded enzyme by using cell culture, or they can be regenerated into transgenic plants. This protocol may be implemented also for the generation of transgenic plants from other species.     

A simple,rapid, efficient and inexpensive strategy for sequencing clones from cDNA libraries

In this report, we describe a simple, rapid, efficient and inexpensive strategy for sequencing inserted DNAs from clones of cDNA or gDNA libraries. This strategy uses PCR products directly amplified from transformed bacterial colonies, with universal primers within the vector. The method can be applied for sequencing cDNA or gDNA libraries with up to 4 ∼ 5 kb insert sizes, without overnight liquid culture or plasmid DNA preparation steps. We successfully used this method to analyze clones from full-length, enriched cDNA libraries. Although simple, following this strategy will significantly help researchers to avoid unnecessary steps in the analysis of a cDNA library.     

A simple and rapid assay for heme attachment to apocytochrome c

A method for assaying the covalent attachment of heme to apoprotein of cytochrome c was developed. 125I-labeled apoprotein was chemically prepared from 125I-labeled yeast cytochrome c (iso-1-cytochrome c). After incubation of 125I-apocytochrome c with yeast mitochondria, the product was extracted with Triton X-100, digested with trypsin in the presence or absence of a reducing agent, and then precipitated in trichloroacetic acid. The resulting precipitates were collected on nitrocellulose membranes and counted for radioactivity. The radioactivity correlated well with the appearance of a heme-containing peptide in the trypsin digested peptide fragments of cytochrome c. This procedure is simpler and faster than the previously reported methods.     

A simple and rapid gene amplification from Arabidopsis leaves using AnyDirect system

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful technique in molecular biology and is widely used in various fields. By amplifying DNA fragments, PCR has facilitated gene cloning procedures, as well as molecular genotyping. However, the extraction of DNA from samples often acts as a limiting step of these reactions. In particular, the extraction of PCR-compatible genomic DNA from higher plants requires complicated processes and tedious work because plant cells have rigid cell walls and contain various endogenous PCR inhibitors, including polyphenolic compounds. We recently developed a novel solution, referred to as AnyDirect, which can amplify target DNA fragments directly from whole blood without the need for DNA extraction. Here, we developed a simple lysis system that could produce an appropriate template for direct PCR with AnyDirect PCR buffer, making possible the direct amplification of DNA fragments from plant leaves. Thus, our experimental procedure provides a simple, convenient, non-hazardous, inexpensive, and rapid process for the amplification of DNA from plant tissue.     

A highly efficient gene-targeting system for Aspergillus parasiticus

Aims: To establish a system that greatly increases the gene‐targeting frequency in Aspergillus parasiticus. Methods and Results: The ku70 gene, a gene of the nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathway, was replaced by the nitrate reductase gene (niaD) in A. parasiticus RHN1 that accumulates O‐methylsterigmatocystin (OMST). The NHEJ‐deficient strain, RHΔku70, produced conidia, sclerotia and OMST normally. It had identical sensitivity as RHN1 to the DNA‐topoisomerase I complex inhibitor, camptothecin, and the DNA‐damaging agent, melphalan. For targeting an aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway gene, adhA, partial restriction enzyme recognition sequences in its flanking regions were manipulated to create homologous ends for integration. Using a linearized DNA fragment that contained Aspergillus oryzae pyrithiamine resistance gene (ptr) marker the adhA‐targeting frequency in RHΔku70 reached 96%. Conclusions: The homologous recombination pathway is primarily responsible for repair of DNA damages in A. parasiticus. The NHEJ‐deficient RHΔku70, easy creation of homologous ends for integration, and the ptr‐based selection form a highly efficient gene‐targeting system. It substantially reduces the time and workload necessary to obtain knockout strains for functional studies. Significance and Impact of the Study: The developed system not only streamlines targeted gene replacement and disruption but also can be used to target specific chromosomal locations like promoters or intergenic regions. It will expedite the progresses in the functional genomic studies of A. parasiticus and Aspergilllus flavus.     

A novel, highly efficient gene-cloning system for Micromonospora strains.

A highly efficient gene-cloning system for Micromonospora olivasterospora, a producer of the antibiotic fortimicin A (astromicin), suited to shotgun cloning has been developed. The system is supported by two new advancements accomplished in this study. One is the construction of novel plasmid vectors pMO116, pMO126, pMO133, pMO136, and pMO217, all consisting of replicons from newly found Micromonospora plasmids and selectable markers cloned from a neomycin-producing Micromonospora strain. The other advancement is the establishment of a new protocol for bacterial protoplasting in which some kinds of sugar alcohols are added in precultures. Such sugar alcohols were found to sensitize a wide taxonomical range of bacteria to lysozyme. The system is reproducible and reliable and has a high efficiency of more than 10(6) CFU/micrograms of DNA.     

A simple and efficient expression and purification system using two newly constructed vectors

Structural biology places a high demand on proteins both in terms of quality and quantity. Although many protein expression and purification systems have been developed, an efficient and simple system which can be easily adapted is desirable. Here, we report a new system which combines improved expression, solubility screening and purification efficiency. The system is based on two newly constructed vectors, pEHISTEV and pEHISGFPTEV derived from a pET vector. Both vectors generate a construct with an amino-terminal hexahistidine tag (His-tag). In addition, pEHISGFPTEV expresses a protein with an N-terminal His-tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion to allow rapid quantitation of soluble protein. Both vectors have a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site that allows for production of protein with only two additional N-terminal residues and have the same multiple cloning site which enables parallel cloning. Protein purification is a simple two-stage nickel affinity chromatography based on the His tag removal. A total of seven genes were tested using this system. Expression was optimised using pEHISGFPTEV constructs by monitoring the GFP fluorescence and the soluble target proteins were quantified using spectrophotometric analysis. All the tested proteins were purified with sufficient quantity and quality to attempt structure determination. This system has been proven to be simple and effective for structural biology. The system is easily adapted to include other vectors, tags or fusions and therefore has the potential to be broadly applicable.     

Tandem gene amplification in vitro for rapid and efficient expression in animal cells

Plasmid vectors pHSG293 and pHSG747, suitable for in vitro gene amplification for subsequent animal-cell expression, were developed. A cosmid vector pHSG293 confers Km resistance to Escherichia coli host cells and G418 resistance to animal cells and contains a single BstXI recognition/cleavage site, CCACGGGG/CTGG, near the cos site (the recognition site is underlined). The cassette vector plasmid pHSG747 contains a multiple cloning site (MCS) between the simian virus 40 early promoter and the poly(A) signal sequence flanked by the same BstXI sites and confers Cm resistance to E. coli host cells. After inserting a coding fragment for human protein C or its derivative in the appropriate orientation in the MCS of pHSG747, the BstXI expression unit fragment was purified, mixed with BstXI-digested pHSG293 DNA at a molecular ratio of 20 to 40:1 and ligated. This allowed for tandem gene amplification due to asymmetric cohesive ends. Ligation products were packaged in lambda phage particles, amplified in E. coli cells as large cosmid molecules, and then introduced into CHO cells. G418R transformants were found to produce and secrete recombinant protein molecules at a high level. The plasmid vectors developed in this work will provide a rapid screening system useful for protein engineering in animal cells.     

A rapid, highly efficient trapping system for the collection of 3-indoleacetic acid from a gas chromatography column.

A technique is described in which the entire effluent from a microcolumn is led directly into the flow-stream of an autoanalyzer and mixed with a fluorogenic substrate in buffer. The result is a continuous trace of the elution profile of enzyme activity on the recorder chart. Good separations of four N-acetyl-β-d-hexosaminidase components of human tissues were achieved in less than 30 min on 5 μl samples from 1% $\text{w}\text{v}$ homogenates.