白喉毒素A片段的表达纯化与单克隆抗体制备

白喉毒素 (Diphtheriatoxin ,DT)A片段 (DTA)是白喉毒素的酶活性区 ,也是DT类免疫毒素的关键结构域。DTA蛋白及其单克隆抗体在免疫毒素的毒性机理、检测与纯化研究等方面具有重要价值。通过在E .coli中表达了DTA ,经Q SepharoseFF和Ni²⁺ Sepharose两步层析纯化 ,得到纯度约为 90 %的融合蛋白。以DTA为抗原免疫BalB c小鼠 ,获得了分泌抗DTA特异单抗的杂交瘤细胞株 3B6和 3B9。单抗为IgG1亚型 ,滴度达 1∶10⁶ 以上 ,与DTA的结合可被抗DT马血清竞争抑制。抗DTA单抗用于免疫印迹试验 ,或制备成免疫亲和柱纯化基于DT的重组免疫毒素 ,均获得较好效果 ,为免疫毒素的研究奠定了良好基础     

白喉毒素DT386片段的表达纯化及细胞毒性研究

基于白喉毒素 (diphtheriatoxin ,DT)的免疫毒素在临床试验中普遍发现毒性反应 ,但机制尚不清楚。据推测 ,免疫毒素的细胞毒性源自DT的酶活性区和跨膜转运区 (N端 386～ 388个氨基酸 ,DT₃₈₆)。为考察DT₃₈₆毒素片段与毒性反应的关系 ,将DT₃₈₆在E .coli中进行了表达、纯化 ,并初步观察了其细胞毒性。经Q SepharoseFF离子交换层析 ,获得纯度达 95 %的DT₃₈₆蛋白。DT₃₈₆杀伤HL60细胞的IC50 为 2× 1 0 -6mol L ,比免疫毒素的特异杀伤毒性低 1 0 0倍以上 ;但在高浓度下 ,DT₃₈₆可非特异性杀伤多种细胞。小鼠体内实验初步结果表明 ,给药剂量高则体内毒性反应强烈。结果提示免疫毒素的剂量限制毒性与DT₃₈₆的非特异细胞毒性有一定相关性 ,为进一步开展免疫毒素毒性相关研究提供了有益线索。     

Purification and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Bordetella pertussis S1S3FHA Fusion Protein Expressed by Streptococcus gordonii

Acellular pertussis vaccines typically consist of antigens isolated from Bordetella pertussis, and pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) are two prominent components. One of the disadvantages of a multiple-component vaccine is the cost associated with the production of the individual components. In this study, we constructed an in-frame fusion protein consisting of PT fragments (179 amino acids of PT subunit S1 and 180 amino acids of PT subunit S3) and a 456-amino-acid type I domain of FHA. The fusion protein was expressed by the commensal oral bacterium Streptococcus gordonii. The fusion protein was secreted into the culture medium as an expected 155-kDa protein, which was recognized by a polyclonal anti-PT antibody, a monoclonal anti-S1 antibody, and a monoclonal anti-FHA antibody. The fusion protein was purified from the culture supernatant by affinity and gel permeation chromatography. The immunogenicity of the purified fusion protein was assessed in BALB/c mice by performing parenteral and mucosal immunization experiments. When given parenterally, the fusion protein elicited a very strong antibody titer against the FHA type I domain, a moderate titer against native FHA, and a weak titer against PT. When given mucosally, it elicited a systemic response and a mucosal response to FHA and PT. In Western blots, the immune sera recognized the S1, S3, and S2 subunits of PT. These data collectively indicate that fragments of the pertussis vaccine components can be expressed in a single fusion protein by S. gordonii and that the fusion protein is immunogenic. This multivalent fusion protein approach may be used in designing a new generation of acellular pertussis vaccines.     

esat6基因表达载体的构建及其在戈登链球菌中的表达

为了构建结核分枝杆菌(MTb)esat6基因表达载体并在戈登链球菌GP251中进行分泌表达, 以结核杆菌H37Rv基因组DNA为模板扩增esat6基因, 将esat6基因TA克隆到pMD18-T, 构建pMD18-esat6重组载体。酶切消化pMD18-esat6, 将esat6基因亚克隆到质粒PSMB104, 生成PSMB104-esat6重组载体, 用于转化感受态戈登链球菌表达菌株GP251。用Tricine-SDS-PAGE和Western印迹检测esat6蛋白的表达, 并用ELISA技术检测该蛋白     

Expression and immunogenicity of a recombinant diphtheria toxin fragment A in Streptococcus gordonii

A nontoxic mutant diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) was genetically fused in single, double, or triple copy to the major surface protein antigen P1 (SpaP) and surface expressed in Streptococcus gordonii DL-1. The expression was verified by Western immunoblotting. Mouse antisera raised against the recombinant S. gordonii recognized the native diphtheria toxinm suggesting the recombinant DTA was immunogenic. When given intranasally to mice with cholera toxin subunit B as the adjuvant, the recombinant S. gordonii expressing double copies of DTA (SpaP-DTA(2)) induced a mucosal immunoglobulin A response and a weak systemic immunoglobulin G response. S. gordonii SpaP-DTA(2) was able to orally colonize BALB/c mice for a 15-week period and elicited a mucosal response, but a serum immunoglobulin G response was not apparent. The antisera failed to neutralize diphtheria toxin cytotoxicity in a Vero cell assay.     

Expression of measles virus antigens in Streptococcus gordonii

The measles virus proteins haemagglutinin (HA) and fusion protein (F), which together mediate attachment and penetration of the virus in the host cell and can elicit production of neutralising antibodies in the course of natural infection were expressed in the vaccine vector Streptococcus gordonii, a Gram-positive bacterium normally present in the human oral cavity. HA and F were expressed as fusion proteins attached to the bacterial surface, and were both found to be immunogenic when the recombinant S. gordonii were inoculated subcutaneously in mice.     

抗HIV-1白喉免疫毒素的构建及原核表达

目的：构建重组DTA—hS120融合基因表达载体,并诱导其在大肠杆菌中表达。方法：通过PCR扩增,获得只含白喉毒素（DT）活性部位（DTA）的基因片段,将其克隆入原核表达载体pET-28a,转化大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）,IPTG诱导表达,经SDS—PAGE和Western印迹分析鉴定。结果：酶切及DNA序列测定鉴定质粒构建正确;SDS—PAGE和Western印迹分析证实,可表达出相对分子质量为54000的融合蛋白,与DTA—hS-20融合蛋白的分子量一致;经凝胶成像分析,其表达量约占菌体总蛋白的23％,表达形式主要为包涵体。结论：构建了DTA—hS-20重组表达质粒,并获得了高效表达,为进一步研究抗HIV-1治疗药物奠定了基础。     

The Effects of Inhibitors Upon Pore Formation by Diphtheria Toxin and Diphtheria Toxin T Domain

The formation of pores by membrane-inserted diphtheria toxin is closely linked to the translocation of its catalytic chain across membranes. In this report a number of aromatic polyanionic molecules were identified that inhibit toxin-induced leakage of molecules from model membrane vesicles. One inhibitor, Cibacron blue, totally blocked pore formation. Aniline blue and Fast Green decreased the size of the molecule released by a given concentration of toxin. Amaranth appeared to reduce the maximal amount of leakage, without greatly affecting the size of the molecule released at a given toxin concentration. Finally, Ponceau S and Cibacron brilliant red appeared to exhibit a mixture of these various types of inhibition. The inhibitors neither prevented the conformational transition of the toxin to form a hydrophobic state at low pH, nor (with the exception of Cibacron Brilliant Red) appeared to strongly inhibit toxin binding to model membranes. Additional experiments showed release of trapped materials from model membranes by isolated T domain of the toxin was similar to that by whole toxin. The effects of inhibitors on T domain induced release was also similar to that they have on whole toxin. Therefore, it is likely that the inhibition of pore formation by whole toxin involves inhibitor interaction with the T domain. The inhibitors identified in this study may be helpful for development of agents that interfere with toxin action in vivo. Received: 10 March 1999/Revised: 22 June 1999     

破伤风毒素C部分的克隆及在大肠杆菌中的表达

用ＣＲ方法从破伤风杆菌基因组ＤＮＡ上坟增出破伤风毒素Ｃ部分（ｔｅｔａｎｕｓ ｔｏｘｉｎ ｆｒａｇｍｅｎｔ Ｃ,ＴＴＣ）,经测序其基因片段由１３５６ｂｐ组成,可编码４５１个氨基酸残基的多肽。将其插入原核表达载体ｐＥＴ－２８ａ（＋）中,并在大肠杆力ＢＬ２１９ＤＥ３）中表达,其表达量占可溶性总蛋白质的８．２％;ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和免疫印迹分析表明,ＴＴＣ基因（该基因ＧｅｎＢａｎｋ登录号为ＡＦ１５４８２）表     

Expression and purification of histidine-tagged proteins from the gram-positive Streptococcus gordonii SPEX system

Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) has been used as a gram-positive bacterial expression vector for secreted or surface-anchored recombinant proteins. Fusion of the gram-positive bacterial N-terminal signal sequence to the target protein is all that is required for efficient export. This system is termed SPEX for Surface Protein EXpression and has been used to express proteins for a variety of uses. In this study, the SPEX system has been further developed by the construction of vectors that express polyhistidine-tagged fusion proteins. SPEX vectors were constructed with an N-terminal or C-terminal histidine tag. The C-repeat region (CRR) from Streptococcus pyogenes M6 protein and the Staphylococcus aureus nuclease A (NucA) enzyme were tested for expression. The fusion proteins were purified using metal affinity chromatography (MAC). Results show that the fusion proteins were expressed and secreted from S. gordonii with the His tag at either the N- or C-terminal position and could be purified using MAC. The M6 fusions retained immunoreactivity after expression and purification as determined by immunoblots and ELISA analyses. In addition, NucA fusions retained functional activity after MAC purification. The M6-His and NucA-His fusions were purified approximately 15- and 10-fold respectively with approximately 30% recovery of protein using MAC. This study shows that the polyhistidine tag in either the N- or C-terminal position is a viable way to purify secreted heterologous proteins from the supernatant of recombinant S. gordonii cultures. This study further illustrates the value of the SPEX system for secreted expression and purification of proteins.     

Stress-Induced Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Phenotype Associated with Transient Reduction in Neurogenesis in Adult Nestin-CreERT2/Diphtheria Toxin Fragment A Transgenic Mice

Depression and anxiety involve hippocampal dysfunction, but the specific relationship between these mood disorders and adult hippocampal dentate gyrus neurogenesis remains unclear. In both humans with MDD and rodent models of depression, administration of antidepressants increases DG progenitor and granule cell number, yet rodents with induced ablation of DG neurogenesis typically do not demonstrate depressive- or anxiety-like behaviors. The conflicting data may be explained by the varied duration and degree to which adult neurogenesis is reduced in different rodent neurogenesis ablation models. In order to test this hypothesis we examined how a transient–rather than permanent–inducible reduction in neurogenesis would alter depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors. Transgenic Nestin-CreER^T2/floxed diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) mice (Cre+DTA+) and littermates (Cre+DTA-; control) were given tamoxifen (TAM) to induce recombination and decrease nestin-expressing stem cells and their progeny. The decreased neurogenesis was transient: 12 days post-TAM Cre+DTA+ mice had fewer DG proliferating Ki67+ cells and fewer DCX+ neuroblasts/immature neurons relative to control, but 30 days post-TAM Cre+DTA+ mice had the same DCX+ cell number as control. This ability of DG neurogenesis to recover after partial ablation also correlated with changes in behavior. Relative to control, Cre+DTA+ mice tested between 12–30 days post-TAM displayed indices of a stress-induced anxiety phenotype–longer latency to consume highly palatable food in the unfamiliar cage in the novelty-induced hypophagia test, and a depression phenotype–longer time of immobility in the tail suspension test, but Cre+DTA+ mice tested after 30 days post-TAM did not. These findings suggest a functional association between adult neurogenesis and stress induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, where induced reduction in DCX+ cells at the time of behavioral testing is coupled with stress-induced anxiety and a depressive phenotype, and recovery of DCX+ cell number corresponds to normalization of these behaviors.     

A host-vector system for heterologous gene expression in Streptococcus gordonii

We have developed a host-vector system for heterologous gene expression in Streptococcus gordonii (Sg) Challis (formerly Streptococcus sanguis), a commensal bacterium of the human oral cavity. The system is based on (i) integration of plasmid insertion vectors into the chromosome of specially engineered recipient hosts, and (ii) the use of the M6-protein-encoding gene (emm6) as a partner for construction of translational gene fusions. M6 is a streptococcal surface protein already proven useful as a fusion partner for the delivery of foreign antigens to the surface of Sg [Pozzi et al., Infect. Immun. 60 (1992) 1902–1907]. Insertion vectors carry a drug-resistance marker, different portions of emm6 and a multiple cloning site to allow construction of a variety of emm6-based fusions. Upon transformation of a recipient host with an insertion vector, 100% of transformants acquire both the drug-resistance marker and the capacity of displaying the M6 molecule on the cell surface. Chromosomal integration occurred at high frequency in recipient host GP1221. Transformation with 1 μg of insertion vector DNA yielded 8.1 x 10⁵ transformants per ml of competent cells     

Biological Activity of Heated Diphtheria Toxin

Diphtheria toxin splits into two fragments when heated at 100 C for 10 min in a phosphate buffer. The separated fragments have molecular weights of 24,000 and 39,000, respectively. These molecular weights are similar to those of the A and B fragments found in diphtheria toxin preparations after thiol reduction. Since the separation of toxin into fragments is not complete, it is likely that only nicked toxin molecules having a cleaved peptide bond are split by heating. When toxin is suspended in phosphate buffer at pH 6.4, the B-like fragment precipitates, but at pH 7.8 it does not. Heated toxin is unable to intoxicate sensitive cells or cause a necrodermal response in animals. Fragment A produced by heating is active in inhibiting cell-free protein synthesis. It is able to intoxicate both HeLa and L cells when the uptake of the fragment is facilitated by addition of polyornithine to the cultures. Fragment B produced by heating is involved with binding to the cell surface. It is able to delay the action of toxin on KB cell cultures preincubated with fragment B.     

Expression of active monomeric and dimeric nuclease A from the gram-positive Streptococcus gordonii surface protein expression system

We used the surface protein expression (SPEX) system to express an anchored and a secreted form of staphylococcal nuclease A (NucA) from gram-positive bacteria. NucA is a small ( approximately 18 kDa), extracellular, monomeric enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus. A deletion of amino acids 114-119 causes monomeric NucA to form homodimers. The DNA sequence encoding either wild-type or deletion mutant NucA was cloned via homologous recombination into Streptococcus gordonii. S. gordonii strains expressing either anchored or secreted, monomeric or dimeric NucA were isolated and tested for enzymatic activity using a novel fluorescence enzyme assay. We show that active monomeric and dimeric NucA enzyme can be expressed either anchored on the cell surface or secreted into the culture medium. The activity of the dimer NucA was approximately 100-fold less than the monomer. Secreted and anchored, monomeric NucA migrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels at approximately 18 or approximately 30 kDa, respectively. In addition, similar to S. aureus NucA, the S. gordonii recombinant NucA enzyme was dependent on CaCl(2) and was heat stable. In contrast, however, the recombinant NucA activity was maximal at pH 7.0-7.5 whereas S. aureus NucA was maximal at pH 9.0. These results show, for the first time, expression of active enzyme and polymeric protein in secreted and anchored forms using SPEX. This further demonstrates the utility of this gram-positive surface protein expression system as a potential commensal bacterial delivery system for active, therapeutic enzymes, biopharmaceuticals, or vaccines.     

抗HIV-1重组导向毒素SL120在毕赤酵母中的表达及其活性检测

以pPIC9K为载体,构建抗HIV 1gp12 0单链抗体scFv12 0与葡萄球菌肠毒素A(StaphylococcalenterotoxinA ,SEA)融合基因表达质粒,线性化、电转化法整合入巴斯德毕赤酵母菌,经表型鉴定、PCR分析和G418筛选得到Muts型多拷贝整合菌,甲醇诱导培养可分泌表达5 7kD的预期大小蛋白—重组导向毒素SL120 ,表达量达50.1mg/L。通过单链抗体亲和力测定,表明蛋白SEA和scFv120的构象有微弱的相互影响,但此重组导向毒素仍可高效介导CTLs杀伤HIV-1靶细胞。     

Characterisation of a novel homodimeric N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase from Streptococcus gordonii

An N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GcnA) from Streptococcus gordonii FSS2 was cloned and sequenced. GcnA had a deduced molecular mass of 72,120 Da. The molecular weight after gel-filtration chromatography was 140,000 Da and by SDS-PAGE was 70,000 Da, indicating that the native protein was a homodimer. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant homology to a glycosyl hydrolase from Streptococcus pneumoniae and the conserved catalytic domain of the Family 20 glycosyl hydrolases. GcnA catalysed the hydrolysis of the synthetic substrates, 4-methylumbelliferyl (4MU)-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide, 4MU-N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminide, 4-MU-beta-D-N,N'-diacetylchitobioside, and 4-MU-beta-D-N,N',N'-chitotrioside as well as the respective chito-oligosaccharides. GcnA was optimally active at pH 6.6 and 42 degrees C. The Km for 4-MU-beta-D-N,N',N'-chitotrioside, 45 microM, was the lowest for all the substrates tested. Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ completely inhibited while Co2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ partially inhibited activity. S. gordonii FSS2 and a GcnA negative mutant grew equally well on chito-oligosaccharides as substrates. The S. gordonii sequencing projects indicate two further N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activities.     

Expression of Mutant Dynamin Protects Cells against Diphtheria Toxin but Not against Ricin

Diphtheria toxin is believed to enter sensitive mammalian cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis from clathrin-coated pits, while ricin can enter via both clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytosis. The present study has confirmed this by determining the toxin sensitivity of COS-7y cells which were transiently overexpressing atransdominant negative mutant of dynamin, a GTPase required for the budding of clathrin-coated vesicles from the plasma membrane. Cells overexpressing wild-type dynamin showed normal receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin and remained sensitive to both diphtheria toxin and ricin. Cells overexpressing a mutant dynamin defective in GTP binding and hydrolysis were unable to endocytose transferrin and were protected against diphtheria toxin, but they remained completely sensitive to ricin intoxication. Treating nontransfected cells or cells overexpressing mutant dynamin with nystatin caused a redistribution of the caveolae membrane marker protein VIP21-caveolin from the cell surface to intracellular locations, but did not affect their sensitivity to ricin. The redistribution of caveolin seen after nystatin treatment may reflect the disappearance of caveolae. If this is the case, caveolae are not responsible for the endocytosis of ricin. An alternative clathrin-independent route may operate for ricin, since cellular uptake, intracellular transport, and translocation into the cytosol remain unaffected when clathrin-dependent endocytosis is effectively blocked.