Characterization of Human Recombinant Transglutaminase 1 Purified from Baculovirus-infected Insect Cells

Transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1) is required for the formation of a cornified envelope in stratified squamous epithelia. Recombinant human TGase 1 expressed in baculovirus-infected cells was purified in a soluble form at the molecular mass of 92 kDa. Recombinant TGase 1 was susceptible to limited proteolysis by both μ- and m-calpains, the calcium-dependent intracellular cysteine proteases. Although the proteolysis did not induce the elevation of the specific enzyme activity of TGase 1, the requirement of calcium ion in the enzymatic reaction was reduced. Furthermore, the effects of GTP, nitric oxide, and sphingosylphosphocholine, known as regulatory factors for tissue-type isozyme (TGase 2), on the enzymatic activity of TGase 1 were investigated.     

Characterization of a Mouse Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Purified from Mammalian Cells

Abstract: A serotonin 5-HT₃ receptor was functionally expressed to high levels and on a large scale in mammalian cells with the Semliki Forest virus system. Conditions were optimized to maximize detergent solubilization of the receptor, while preserving ligand binding activity. An efficient one-step purification yielding ∼50% of the histidine-tagged 5-HT₃ receptor was achieved with immobilized metal ion chromatography. The expressed receptor, in both membranes and purified preparations, exhibited wild-type ligand binding properties, characterized by one class of binding sites. The purity of the receptor was shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, yielding a single band at 65 kDa, and was confirmed by the specific ligand binding activity of ∼5 nmol/mg of protein. Deglycosylation of the receptor reduced the estimated relative molecular mass to 49 kDa. The apparent molecular mass of the functional receptor complex was determined by size exclusion chromatography to be 280 kDa, suggesting that the 5-HT₃ receptor is a pentameric homooligomer. The secondary structure of the 5-HT₃ receptor as determined by circular dichroism appeared to consist of mainly α-helices (50%) and β-strands (24%), with minor contributions from nonregular structure (9%). The binding of either agonist or antagonist did not alter the secondary structure of the receptor.     

Recombinant Candida rugosa LIP2 expression in Pichia pastoris under the control of the AOX1 promoter

The LIP2 isoenzyme gene from Candida rugosa has been completely synthesised and functionally expressed under the AOX1 promoter control in Pichia pastoris. The on-line monitoring and control of methanol, the key inducer carbon source in fed-batch cultures, has enhanced the yield product/biomass 7.8-fold and the productivity 12.8-fold compared to the best batch cultivation with the Pichia system and, 10-fold compared to the fed-batch cultivation process using the native C. rugosa strain.Nevertheless, the high ionic strength of culture broth favoured aggregation of Lip2, leading to total loss of lipolytic activity. After cultivation, a diaultrafiltration process was implemented to diminish ionic strength, allowing for the recovery of lipolytic activity in the diaultrafiltrate. The developed bioprocess resulted into a reproducible product in terms of quality and productivity.     

表达结核分枝杆菌CFP10基因的重组腺病毒对A549细胞炎性因子的影响

通过构建表达结核分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mtb）CFP10基因的重组腺病毒,探讨CFP10蛋白对A549细胞炎性因子表达的影响。采用酶切、连接的方法将CFP10编码基因插入到腺病毒穿梭质粒pShuttle-AdV4中,构建重组穿梭质粒pShuttle-AdV4-CFP10,重组穿梭质粒经测序验证后和骨架质粒pGP-Ad-Pac Vector经限制性内切酶PacⅠ酶切线性化后共转染至HEK 293A细胞中进行病毒包装,获得重组腺病毒AdV4-CFP10,经定量PCR和Western blot验证后进行病毒扩增,CsCl密度梯度离心纯化获得高纯度的重组腺病毒。AdV4-CFP10感染Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞A549,利用荧光定量PCR和ELISA技术检测A549细胞中细胞因子IL-1α、IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α等的表达水平,初步探究CFP10对A549细胞炎性因子分泌的影响。成功构建了表达结核分枝杆菌CFP10基因的重组腺病毒AdV4-CFP10,AdV4-CFP10转染至A549细胞后,与空病毒相比,过表达CFP10显著上调A549细胞炎性因子的分泌水平。为进一步深入研究结核分枝杆菌CFP10蛋白对A549细胞炎性反应的调控机制提供参考。     

Cloning and characterization of PhPI9 involved in floral development from Phalaenopsis Orchid

In the attempt to discover new genes involved in the floral development in monocotyledonousin species, we have cloned and characterized the homologous PISTALLATA-like (PI-like) gene from Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar named PhPI9 (Ph alaenopsis PI STILLATA # 9). The cDNA of PhPI9 has a fragment of 834 bp and has 60% identity with the PISTILATA from Arabidopsis. The deduced amino acid sequence of PhPI9 had the typical PI-motif. It also formed a subclade with other monocot PI-type genes in phylogenetic analysis. Southern analysis showed that PhPI9 was present in the Phalaenopsis orchid genome as a single copy. Furthermore, it was expressed only in the lip of the Phalaenopsis flower and no expression was detected in vegetative organs. Thus, as a B-function MADS-box gene, PhPI9 specifies floral organ identity in orchids. __________ Translated from Journal of Fudan University (Natural Science), 2006, 45(3): 277–282 [译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版)]     

Expression of protocadherin-9 and protocadherin-17 in the nervous system of the embryonic zebrafish

In this study we analyzed expression patterns of two δ-protocadherins, protocadherin-9 and protocadherin-17, in the developing zebrafish using in situ hybridization and RT-PCR methods. Both protocadherins were mainly detected in the embryonic central nervous system, but each showed a distinct expression pattern. Protocadherin-9 message (Pcdh9) was expressed after 10 h post fertilization (hpf). It was found mainly in small clusters of cells in the anteroventral forebrain and ventrolateral hindbrain, and scattered cells throughout the spinal cord of young embryos (24 hpf). Pcdh9 expression in the hindbrain was segmental, reflecting a neuromeric organization, which became more evident at 34 hpf. As development proceeded, Pcdh9 expression increased throughout the brain, while its expression in the spinal cord was greatly reduced. Pcdh9 was also found in the developing retina and statoacoustic ganglion. Protocadherin-17 message (Pcdh17) expression began much earlier (1.5–2 hpf) than Pcdh9. Similar to Pcdh9 expression, Pcdh17 expression was found mainly in the anteroventral forebrain at 24 hpf, but its expression in the hindbrain and spinal cord, confined mainly to lateroventral regions of the hindbrain and anterior spinal cord, was more restricted than Pcdh9. As development proceeded, Pcdh17 expression was increased both in the brain and spinal cord: detected throughout the brain of two- and three-day old embryos, strongly expressed in the retina and in lateral regions of spinal cord in two-day old embryos. Its expression in the retina and spinal cord was reduced in three-day old embryos. Our results showed that expression of these two protocadherins was both spatially and temporally regulated.     

共表达PDI1、MDH1和HAC1基因对重组毕赤酵母分泌表达葡糖氧化酶的影响

葡糖氧化酶(GOD)可催化葡萄糖生成过氧化氢和葡萄糖酸,在工业上被广泛应用。在构建的一株整合多拷贝GOD基因且含有HAC1表达单元的重组毕赤酵母G/GMH1的基础上,共表达分子伴侣二硫键异构酶基因PDI1和苹果酸脱氢酶基因MDH1,考察PDI1、MDH1基因与HAC1共表达后对GOD分泌表达的影响。这些基因共表达后对重组菌的生长无明显影响。PDI1和MDH1分别与HAC1共表达后,重组菌G/GMH1-PDI1和G/GMH1-MDH1的胞外GOD产量达到11 731. 9U/g DCW和1 1047. 6U/g DCW,比出发菌提高了17. 3%和10. 4%,前者达到了目前所报道摇瓶培养的最高单位菌体酶活水平。而三基因共表达重组菌G/GMH1-PDI1-MDH1的GOD产量略有下降。在所构建的菌株中,GOD基因的转录水平仅在G/GMH1-PDI1-MDH1中略有提高,与酶产量的提高无直接关系。与出发菌相比,共表达基因的转录水平在新构建的菌中有不同程度的升高,说明这些基因被成功转录。PDI1和MDH1基因转录在G/GMH1-PDI1和G/GMH1-MDH1中分别被上调,可能与GOD产量提高有关。虽然GOD、HAC1、PDI1和MDH1基因在G/GMH1-PDI1-MDH1中均被上调,但并未促进酶产量的提高。     

烟草花青素苷转运相关基因NtAN9的分离与表达分析

为研究花青素苷的转运,利用电子克隆和RT-PCR方法,从普通烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)花中分离了1个编码谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)基因,命名为NtAN9(GenBank登录号KX356542)。NtAN9包含一个690bp的开放阅读框,编码229个氨基酸残基,属于phi型GST。NtAN9基因组结构由3个外显子和2个内含子组成。多序列比对分析表明,NtAN9与矮牵牛(Petunia hybrida)花青素苷转运相关的GST基因PhAN9具有88%的一致性。系统进化分析显示,NtAN9与花青素苷转运相关的GST基因聚为一支,是PhAN9的直系同源基因。定量PCR分析表明,NtAN9基因在含有花青素苷的四个花发育时期中均有表达,其中在开花前的第Ⅲ期(2cm花芽4cm)表达丰度达到最高,而在不含花青素苷的根、茎和叶中不表达。由此推测,分离得到的NtAN9可能具有类似PhAN9的功能,与烟草花青素苷的转运与积累相关。NtAN9基因的分离与表达分析,为进一步研究烟草花青素苷的转运奠定了基础。     

Evolution of Vertebrate Adam Genes; Duplication of Testicular Adams from Ancient Adam9/9-like Loci

Members of the disintegrin metalloproteinase (ADAM) family have important functions in regulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions as well as cell signaling. There are two major types of ADAMs: the somatic ADAMs (sADAMs) that have a significant presence in somatic tissues, and the testicular ADAMs (tADAMs) that are expressed predominantly in the testis. Genes encoding tADAMs can be further divided into two groups: group I (intronless) and group II (intron-containing). To date, tAdams have only been reported in placental mammals, and their evolutionary origin and relationship to sAdams remain largely unknown. Using phylogenetic and syntenic tools, we analyzed the Adam genes in various vertebrates ranging from fishes to placental mammals. Our analyses reveal duplication and loss of some sAdams in certain vertebrate species. In particular, there exists an Adam9-like gene in non-mammalian vertebrates but not mammals. We also identified putative group I and group II tAdams in all amniote species that have been examined. These tAdam homologues are more closely related to Adams 9 and 9-like than to other sAdams. In all amniote species examined, group II tAdams lie in close vicinity to Adam9 and hence likely arose from tandem duplication, whereas group I tAdams likely originated through retroposition because of their lack of introns. Clusters of multiple group I tAdams are also common, suggesting tandem duplication after retroposition. Therefore, Adam9/9-like and some of the derived tAdam loci are likely preferred targets for tandem duplication and/or retroposition. Consistent with this hypothesis, we identified a young retroposed gene that duplicated recently from Adam9 in the opossum. As a result of gene duplication, some tAdams were pseudogenized in certain species, whereas others acquired new expression patterns and functions. The rapid duplication of Adam genes has a major contribution to the diversity of ADAMs in various vertebrate species.     

35S标记重组植物钙调素的制备方法

利用³⁵S标记的氨基酸混合物喂养工程菌,成功地制备了³⁵S标记的拟南芥钙调素亚型2（³⁵S-ACaM2）,对其纯度、放射活度、电泳行为及其灵敏性等进行了检测.结果表明从工程菌中制备的³⁵S-ACaM2纯度高、放射活度高、Ca²⁺与EGTA存在时的电泳行为与未标记的ACaM2相同,可作为一种高灵敏性的探针用于检测钙调素结合蛋白.     

Cloning and sequencing of complement component C9 and its linkage to DOC-2 in the pufferfish Fugu rubripes

The Japanese pufferfish Fugu rubripes has a 400 Mb genome with high gene density and minimal non-coding complexity, and is therefore an ideal vertebrate model for sequence comparison. The identification of regions of conserved synteny between Fugu and humans would greatly accelerate the mapping and ordering of genes. Fugu C9 was cloned and sequenced as a first step in an attempt to characterize the region in Fugu homologous to human chromosome 5p13. The 11 exons of the Fugu C9 gene share 33% identity with human C9 and span 2.9 kb of genomic DNA. By comparison, human C9 spans 90 kb, representing a 30-fold difference in size. We have also determined by cosmid sequence scanning that DOC-2, a tumour suppresser gene which also maps to human 5p13, lies 6–7 kb from C9 in a head-to-head or 5′ to 5′ orientation. These results demonstrate that the Fugu C9/DOC-2 locus is a region of conserved synteny. Sequence scanning of overlapping cosmids has identified two other genes, GAS-1 and FBP, both of which map to human chromosome 9q22, and lie adjacent to the Fugu C9/DOC-2 locus, indicating the boundary between two syntenic regions.     

Inhibition of Tryptase TL2 from Human T4+ Lymphocytes and Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication in H9 Cells by Recombinant Aprotinin and Bikunin Homologues

The serine esterase TL₂ from human T4+ lymphocytes is a binding component to HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 and seems to play a role in the HIV-1 infection mechanism. Recombinant variants of the Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor aprotinin were investigated for their ability to inhibit tryptase TL₂ and the binding of gp120 to this enzyme. Furthermore, the viral replication of HIV-1 was investigated in H9 cell cultures under the influence of recombinant aprotinin and bikunin variants. In contrast to native aprotinin, the recombinant variant [Arg¹⁵, Phe¹⁷, Glu⁵²]aprotinin with a reactive-site sequence homologous to the V3 loop of HIV-1 gp120 showed a specific inhibition of tryptase TL₂ (>80%). However, the [Leu¹⁵, Phe¹⁷, Glu⁵²]aprotinin variant with hydrophobic subsites was the most potent inhibitor of the binding of gp120 to tryptase TL₂ (68%). Our results show that the enzyme activity of purified tryptase TL₂ is inhibited not only by variants with basic amino acids, but also those with hydrophobic residues in the reactive-site region. Therefore, tryptase TL₂ is not a typical trypsin-like or chymotrypsin-like protease. Investigations on inhibition of HIV-1 replication in H9 cell cultures showed that tryptase TL₂ is involved in the mechanism of virus internalization into human lymphocytes. The [Leu¹⁵, Phe¹⁷, Glu⁵²]aprotinin showed a significant retardation of syncytium formation over a period of 5 days in a 1 M concentration. Similar investigations were performed with recombinant variants of bikunin, the light chain of human inter--trypsin inhibitor. Only the single-headed variant [Arg⁹⁴]⁸²bikunin inhibited slightly the syncytium formation over a period of 2 days in a 2.2 M concentration. Wild-type bikunin and all full-length variants showed no effect, possibly due to steric hindrance by the second domain of the double-headed inhibitor.     

sgf73基因敲除对粟酒裂殖酵母细胞有丝分裂的影响

sgf73基因编码的Sgf73蛋白对SAGA复合物的功能具有重要作用。为探究sgf73基因缺失后sgf73Δ菌株有丝分裂中纺锤体、染色体、肌动蛋白的动力学变化,以粟酒裂殖酵母（Schizosaccharomyces pombe）为材料,对sgf73Δ菌株进行生长曲线和减数分裂产孢实验;采用荧光蛋白标记和活细胞成像的方法,对sgf73Δ菌株有丝分裂进行观察。生长曲线结果分析发现,sgf73基因敲除极显著影响粟酒裂殖酵母的生长,并导致子囊孢子数目显著减少。活细胞成像结果分析发现,在有丝分裂间期,sgf73Δ菌株微管数量显著增加、微管长度趋于增长但无显著差异;sgf73Δ菌株在分裂期纺锤体出现组装缺陷,单极纺锤体极显著增加,前期和中期纺锤体伸长速率显著下降、后期纺锤体伸长速率极显著下降、分裂中期和后期时间分别显著和极显著延长,有丝分裂总时间极显著延长,细胞长度也增长。肌动蛋白分裂环在有丝分裂中维持及收缩时间出现极显著和显著延长,总速率显著降低。同时,染色体分离出现缺陷。以上结果表明,sgf73基因缺失会导致菌株微管、染色体、肌动蛋白缺陷。     

Mode of action of the gcr9 and cat3 mutations in restoring the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae tps1 mutants to grow on glucose

Mutations in the TPS1 gene, which encodes trehalose-6-P synthase, cause a glucose-negative phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Antimycin A or disruption of the QCR9 gene, which encodes one subunit of the cytochrome bc ₁ complex, restore the ability to grow in glucose-containing media. Under these conditions the cell excreted a large amount of glycerol, corresponding to about 20% of the glucose taken up. Suppression appears to be achieved by diversion of accumulated glycolytic intermediates to the production of glycerol, thereby providing NAD⁺ and phosphate for the glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase reaction. Analysis of the mutation scil-1, which also suppresses the glucose-negative phenotype of tps1 mutants, showed that glucose transport was decreased in scil-1 mutants. The gene SCI1 was cloned and its nucleotide sequence revealed it to be identical to CAT3/SNF4. The suppression mediated by scil-1 is attributable to a decrease in glycolytic flux.This paper is dedicated to Professor Friedrich K. Zimmermann on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday     

Characterization and Developmental Expression of Pax9, a Paired-Box-Containing Gene Related to Pax1

Pax9, a recently identified mouse paired-box-containing gene, is highly homologous to Pax1 and belongs to the same subfamily as Pax1, Hup48, PAX9, and pox meso. Two overlapping cDNA clones spanning the entire coding region of Pax9 were isolated and sequenced. A comparison of the Pax1 and -9 protein sequences reveals a high degree of similarity even outside the paired box, while the carboxy-terminus of the two proteins diverges completely. We demonstrate that Pax9 can bind to the e5 sequence from the Drosophila even skipped promoter, which is also recognized by Pax1. We analyzed the expression of Pax9 during embryo-genesis of wildtype, Undulated short-tail (Un^s), and Danforth's short tail (Sd) mice. In wildtype embryos Pax9 is expressed in the pharyngeal pouches and their derivatives, the developing vertebral column, the tail, the head, and the limbs. Expression of Pax9 is unaffected in Un^s embryos, in which the Pax1 gene is deleted, arguing that expression of Pax9 is not dependent on Pax1. The expression of Pax9 is lost in the caudal part of Sd homozygous embryos, suggesting that expression of Pax9 in the vertebral column independent on the notochord. These results indicate that both Pax9 and -1 may act in parallel during morphogenesis of the vertebral column.     

Microdystrophin基因重组腺病毒的构建及转染mdx骨髓间充质干细胞的表达

构建含有人microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,来感染dystrophin基因敲除小鼠mdx的骨髓间充质干细胞(ＭＳＣ)进行基因修饰,为同种异体基因修饰的干细胞移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定基础。用NotⅠ酶切含microdystrophin基因的pBSK-MICRO质粒,获得microdystrophin基因。片段回收后定向插入腺病毒穿梭质粒pShuttle-CMV,获得重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO。PmeⅠ线性化重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO,去磷酸化后回收后与腺病毒骨架质粒pAdeasy-1共电转化BJ5183感受态细胞。同源重组后用选择性培养基筛选阳性克隆,提取质粒,用脂质体介导转染293细胞,通过观察293细胞病变及PCR扩增目的基因等方法鉴定重组的腺病毒。然后将病毒上清转染DMD模型鼠mdx小鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞,通过RT-PCR以及间接免疫荧光检测microdystrophin的转录及蛋白表达。成功构建了含有microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,病毒滴度为5.58×10¹²vp/mL。间接免疫荧光检测可见microdystrophin蛋白在mdx小鼠MSCs中高效表达。该重组腺病毒载体的构建及成功转染到mdx MSCs内表达为下一步用microdystrophin基因修饰的mdx MSCs进行同种异体移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定了基础。     

Microdystrophin基因重组腺病毒的构建及转染mdx骨髓间充质干细胞的表达

构建含有人microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,来感染dystrophin基因敲除小鼠mdx的骨髓间充质干细胞(ＭＳＣ)进行基因修饰,为同种异体基因修饰的干细胞移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定基础。用NotⅠ酶切含microdystrophin基因的pBSK-MICRO质粒,获得microdystrophin基因。片段回收后定向插入腺病毒穿梭质粒pShuttle-CMV,获得重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO。PmeⅠ线性化重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO,去磷酸化后回收后与腺病毒骨架质粒pAdeasy-1共电转化BJ5183感受态细胞。同源重组后用选择性培养基筛选阳性克隆,提取质粒,用脂质体介导转染293细胞,通过观察293细胞病变及PCR扩增目的基因等方法鉴定重组的腺病毒。然后将病毒上清转染DMD模型鼠mdx小鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞,通过RT-PCR以及间接免疫荧光检测microdystrophin的转录及蛋白表达。成功构建了含有microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,病毒滴度为5.58×10¹²vp/mL。间接免疫荧光检测可见microdystrophin蛋白在mdx小鼠MSCs中高效表达。该重组腺病毒载体的构建及成功转染到mdx MSCs内表达为下一步用microdystrophin基因修饰的mdx MSCs进行同种异体移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定了基础。     

Germinal and somatic products of Mu1 excision from the Bronze-1 gene of Zea mays

Summary Germinal and somatic excision products of Mu1 from the insertion allele bz::mu1 were selectively amplified from maize cob tissue. The sequence of these footprints often included deletions at the target site, suggesting that substantial exonucleolytic degradation occurs upon excision of the element. In addition to deletions of target site sequences, single base insertions were also found. The isolation of an excision product including a 4 by inverted duplication of the target site provides evidence that the double-stranded chromosomal break generated by Mu excision may be terminated by a covalently closed hairpin structure. The majority of excision products, however, do not include inverted duplications of target site sequences, suggesting that such structures are the result of occasional repair activities, rather than an essential step in the mechanism of Mu excision. The sequence of the Mu insertion sites of the bz::mu1 and bz::mu2 alleles is also presented.     

酵母PMT1与PMT5双基因缺失对细胞复制性寿命的影响

为研究蛋白质O-甘露糖转移酶-1(Protein O-mannosyltransferase-1,Pmt1p)与Pmt5p基因对酵母细胞寿命的影响,采用一步基因置换法构建PMT5基因缺失菌株(pmt5Δ),在此基础上,缺失PMT1基因,构建PMT1和PMT5双基因缺失菌株(pmt1Δpmt5Δ)。显微镜下分离和计数酵母子细胞的数目,统计菌株的复制性寿命;检测细胞吸光度值来评价细胞分裂增殖速度。结果发现,与对照组酵母细胞的平均复制性寿命(25代)比较,pmt5Δ菌株(26代)的寿命无明显变化(P 0. 05),而pmt1Δpmt5Δ菌株(21代)的寿命明显缩短(P 0. 01);热量限制条件下,与对照组酵母细胞比较,pmt5Δ菌株的生长曲线无明显变化,而pmt1Δpmt5Δ菌株的生长曲线低平,细胞分裂增殖减慢。结果表明,PMT1与PMT5双基因缺失明显缩短酵母细胞的寿命,机制可能与细胞的增殖活力下降有关。