Novel hydrophobic surface binding protein, HsbA, produced by Aspergillus oryzae

Hydrophobic surface binding protein A (HsbA) is a secreted protein (14.5 kDa) isolated from the culture broth of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 grown in a medium containing polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA) as a sole carbon source. We purified HsbA from the culture broth and determined its N-terminal amino acid sequence. We found a DNA sequence encoding a protein whose N terminus matched that of purified HsbA in the A. ozyzae genomic sequence. We cloned the hsbA genomic DNA and cDNA from A. oryzae and constructed a recombinant A. oryzae strain highly expressing hsbA. Orthologues of HsbA were present in animal pathogenic and entomopathogenic fungi. Heterologously synthesized HsbA was purified and biochemically characterized. Although the HsbA amino acid sequence suggests that HsbA may be hydrophilic, HsbA adsorbed to hydrophobic PBSA surfaces in the presence of NaCl or CaCl(2). When HsbA was adsorbed on the hydrophobic PBSA surfaces, it promoted PBSA degradation via the CutL1 polyesterase. CutL1 interacts directly with HsbA attached to the hydrophobic QCM electrode surface. These results suggest that when HsbA is adsorbed onto the PBSA surface, it recruits CutL1, and that when CutL1 is accumulated on the PBSA surface, it stimulates PBSA degradation. We previously reported that when the A. oryzae hydrophobin RolA is bound to PBSA surfaces, it too specifically recruits CutL1. Since HsbA is not a hydrophobin, A. oryzae may use several types of proteins to recruit lytic enzymes to the surface of hydrophobic solid materials and promote their degradation.     

The Non-Specific Binding of Fluorescent-Labeled MiRNAs on Cell Surface by Hydrophobic Interaction

Background

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs about 22 nt long that play key roles in almost all biological processes and diseases. The fluorescent labeling and lipofection are two common methods for changing the levels and locating the position of cellular miRNAs. Despite many studies about the mechanism of DNA/RNA lipofection, little is known about the characteristics, mechanisms and specificity of lipofection of fluorescent-labeled miRNAs.

Methods and Results

Therefore, miRNAs labeled with different fluorescent dyes were transfected into adherent and suspension cells using lipofection reagent. Then, the non-specific binding and its mechanism were investigated by flow cytometer and laser confocal microscopy. The results showed that miRNAs labeled with Cy5 (cyanine fluorescent dye) could firmly bind to the surface of adherent cells (Hela) and suspended cells (K562) even without lipofection reagent. The binding of miRNAs labeled with FAM (carboxyl fluorescein) to K562 cells was obvious, but it was not significant in Hela cells. After lipofectamine reagent was added, most of the fluorescently labeled miRNAs binding to the surface of Hela cells were transfected into intra-cell because of the high transfection efficiency, however, most of them were still binding to the surface of K562 cells. Moreover, the high-salt buffer which could destroy the electrostatic interactions did not affect the above-mentioned non-specific binding, but the organic solvent which could destroy the hydrophobic interactions eliminated it.

Conclusions

These results implied that the fluorescent-labeled miRNAs could non-specifically bind to the cell surface by hydrophobic interaction. It would lead to significant errors in the estimation of transfection efficiency only according to the cellular fluorescence intensity. Therefore, other methods to evaluate the transfection efficiency and more appropriate fluorescent dyes should be used according to the cell types for the accuracy of results.     

一种新的乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原结合蛋白的筛选、表达及其生物学活性的初步研究

为了研究乙肝病毒侵染肝细胞过程中的功能蛋白 ,通过印迹免疫分析技术从人肝cDNA噬菌体表达库中筛选出一株编码乙肝表面抗原结合蛋白 (hepatitisBsurfaceantigenbindingprotein ,HBsAg BP)的cDNA克隆 .基因测序结果表明 ,该cDNA具有独立的开放阅读框架 ,编码 1个由 344个氨基酸残基构成的可溶性蛋白分子 ,属于免疫球蛋白超家族成员 .将该基因克隆到原核表达载体pTriplEx后 ,在E .coliXL1 Blue菌株中获得 4 4kD的重组蛋白 .重组蛋白经Western印迹和ELISA实验证明具有与乙肝表面抗原特异性结合的能力 .进一步经流式细胞仪实验显示 ,在纯化的重组蛋白存在的情况下 ,天然的HBsAg与肝细胞株HepG2的亲和力显著增高 .结果显示 ,该乙肝表面抗原结合蛋白可能是介导乙肝病毒对肝细胞亲和侵染的可溶性辅助受体 .     

Biosynthesis of L-DOPA by Aspergillus oryzae

The present investigation deals with the biosynthesis of L-DOPA by parental (GCB-6) and mutant (UV-7) strains of Aspergillus oryzae. There was a marked difference between the mycelial morphology and pellet type of parental and UV-irradiated mutant culture. The mutant strain of A. oryzae UV-6 exhibited pellet-like mycelial morphology and improved tyrosinase activity. Mould mycelium was used for biochemical conversion of L-tyrosine to L-DOPA because tyrosinase is an intracellular enzyme. The mutant was found to yield 3.72 fold higher production of L-DOPA than the parental strain. The mutant strain is stable and D-glc-resistant. The comparison of kinetic parameters was also done which showed the greater ability of the mutant to yield L-DOPA (i.e., Yp/x 40.00+/-0.01 d mg/mg with parent and 182.86+/-0.02a mg/mg in case of mutant). When cultures grown for various incubation periods, were monitored for Qp, Qs and q(p), there was significant enhancement (p < 0.0025-0.005) in these variables by the mutant strain of A. oryzae UV-7 over GCB-6 on all the rates. L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy phenyl L-alanine) is a drug of choice in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and myocardium following neurogenic injury.     

米曲霉中的紫草色素诱导物对滇紫草细胞代谢的影响

在滇紫草细胞培养第８天时加入来源于米曲霉的紫草色素诱导物,１２ｈ后滇紫草细胞中紫草色素含量增加,其衍生物之一的乙酰紫草素的相对含量增加,胞内可溶蛋白合成量上升,细胞对碳源消耗增多,而细胞生长受到抑制。处理１２ｈ后,培养液电导率下降,ｐＨ上升,Ｋ＋外泄和Ｎａ＋大量内流,表明离子跨膜运输发生改变。     

Repetitive attack by Aspergillus oryzae alpha amylase

The action of Aspergillus oryzae alpha amylase on reducing-end, and uniformly radiolabeled maltotriose through maltodecaose has been studied. The enzyme is found to hydrolyze more than a single glycosidic bond during some enzyme-substrate encounters. The extent of this repetitive attack is quantitated.     

Microbial degradation of monocrotophos by Aspergillus oryzae

Organophosphorus pesticides are widely used in India for protection of agricultural yields. However, these pesticides pose various threats to organisms, including humans, and hamper soil microbial activity; thus, they are a cause for concern. As a measure of bioremediation, soil fungi capable of degrading monocrotophos (MCP) were isolated from various geographical and ecological sites. Twenty-five strains were isolated by an enrichment method using MCP as a carbon and phosphorus source. On the basis of MCP tolerance capacity exhibited in gradient agar plate assay the isolate M-4, identified as Aspergillus oryzae ARIFCC 1054, was selected for further studies. The ability of the isolate to mineralize MCP was investigated under different culture conditions. The isolate was found to possess phosphatase activity. The course of the degradation process was studied using HPTLC and FTIR analyses. The results suggest that this organism could be used for bioaugmentation of soil contaminated with MCP and for treatment of aqueous wastes.     

Invasion of paranasal sinuses by Aspergillus oryzae

A 24-year-old male patient receiving chemotherapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia developed fever, right periorbital swelling and mild right proptosis. A head scan showed opacification of the right maxillary and ethmoid sinuses with adjacent soft tissue swelling. Biopsy of the nasal mucosa demonstrated the typical septate hyphae of Aspergillus species which was later shown on culture to be Aspergillus oryzae. A. oryzae has only rarely been reported in human disease and there is confusion as to its precise identification and role. We would like to confirm the pathogenicity of A. oryzae with this uncommon presentation of aspergillosis and also emphasize the need to take adequate and multiple cultures in suspected cases so that the possibility of species identification will be maximized.     

米曲霉发酵纯化无患子皂苷的工艺研究

采用微生物发酵法对无患子皂苷水提取液进行纯化.比较了采用自然发酵、接种酵母菌发酵和接种米曲霉发酵纯化无患子皂苷的效果.结果表明,提取液不灭菌,接种米曲霉发酵纯化效果较为明显,优化后的发酵条件为:温度30℃、接种龄12 h、接种量为3％、摇床转速150 r/min,发酵7d后,皂苷含量稍有下降,但皂苷纯度可从48.71％提高到82.47％.米曲霉发酵法明显优于水提醇沉法、絮凝法和正丁醇萃取法.     

Toxic Metabolite Produced by Aspergillus wentii

Mycelial extracts of an Aspergillus wentii strain grown on yeast-extract sucrose medium and initially isolated from country-cured ham were highly toxic when inoculated into chicken embryos or fed to mice. Moldy corn and rice were less toxic when fed to mice. Water extracts of moldy corn or rice or culture filtrates from yeast-extract sucrose medium were not toxic. Purification by thin-layer chromatography followed by crystallization yielded orange-red crystals that showed high toxicity and had a melting point of 285 to 286 C. Chloroform solutions of the crystals had absorption maxima at 270, 295, and 452 nm. The smallest amount of this component necessary to have zero hatchability of fertile eggs was 50 mug/egg.     

Alpha-galactosidase production by Aspergillus oryzae in solid-state fermentation

Comparisons were made for alpha-galactosidase production using red gram plant waste (RGPW) with wheat bran (WB) and other locally available substrates using the fungus Aspergillus oryzae under solid-state fermentation (SSF). RGPW proved to be potential substrate for alpha-galactosidase production as it gave higher enzyme titers (3.4 U/g) compared to WB (2.7 U/g) and other substrates tested. Mixing WB with RGPW (1:1, w/w) resulted enhanced alpha-galactosidase yield. The volume of moistening agent in the ratio of 1:2 (w/v), pH 5.5 and 1 ml (1 x 10(6) spores) of inoculum volume and four days incubation were optimum for alpha-galactosidase production. Increase in substrate concentration (RGPW+WB) did not decrease enzyme yield in trays.     

米曲霉Aspergilus oryzae发酵生产曲酸的研究

分离到Ａｓｐｅｒｇｉｌｕｓｏｒｙｚａｅ１３个菌株,其曲酸产量变化幅度１６６—４８６ｍｇ／ｍｌ,从中选出４个高产菌株。在１％酵母提取物和１５％蔗糖培养液中３０℃发酵培养,８—１０天菌体生长量和曲酸产量达到最大值,随后曲酸产量迅速下降。蔗糖浓度对菌体生长和曲酸产量影响甚大,最适蔗糖浓度为１５％。天冬氨酸、甘氨酸、赖氨酸、谷氨酸、吡哆醇、叶酸和抗坏血酸有利于菌体生长并显著提高曲酸产量。将在ＹＥＳ培养液中培养１０天的菌体重新悬浮于含１５％蔗糖的ＹＥＳ培养液或０２Ｍ磷酸缓冲液（ｐＨ６５）中８—１０天曲酸产量仍可达到４５ｍｇ／ｍｌ以上。低温条件下制备的培养８—１０天的Ａｏｒｙｚａｅ菌体匀浆反应系统仅有痕量曲酸形成。     

Lipid production by Aspergillus oryzae from starch substrates

Summary Reports that starch is a poor substrate for lipid production are attributed to the low available C:N ratio which occurs because starch is not directly available to the microbial cell. If cultural conditions were established which gave rapid and extensive amylase activity, sufficient starch hydrolysis would occur to give a high ratio of available C:N, conditions favourable to lipid accumulation. This hypothesis was tested experimentally with Aspergillus oryzae and mycelium with 37% lipid content was obtained with starch as sole carbon source in defined culture media.     

Structures of Antafumicins A and B,Novel Antifungal Substances Produced by the Fungus Aspergillus niger NH-401

Novel antifungal substances, antafumicins A and B, were isolated from a culture of Aspergillus niger NH-401 and determined to be trans- and cis-4-(3-acetyl-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methoxy-4- butanolide, respectively, by spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray analyses.