Improved Microbial Production of Colominic Acid,a Homopolymer of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid

A culture medium has been devised for producing colominic acid in improved yields. Major improvements were obtained by using sorbitol as a source of carbon, by adding phosphate in high concentrations, and by supplementing a limited amount of yeast extract. E. coli O 16: Kl: HNM produced approximately 3000 µg/ml of colominic acid on cultivation at 37°C for 46 hr with a liquid medium consisting of sorbitol (2.0%), (NH₄)₂SO₄ (0.5%), K₂HPO₄ (1.4%), MgSO₄·7H₂O (0.05%), and yeast extract (0.05%).

Isolation and purification by deproteinization with ammonium sulfate, precipitation with ethanol, and by column chromatography on anion exchange resins resulted in a pure colominic acid preparation devoid of internal ester linkages.

In producing colominic acid, strains forming S-type colonies were more active than those forming R-type colonies.     

Effects of different carbon sources on trichothecene production and Tri gene expression by Fusarium graminearum in liquid culture

Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is a disease of cereal crops that not only reduces crop yield and quality but also results in contamination with trichothecenes such as nivalenol and deoxynivalenol (DON). To analyze the trichothecene induction mechanism, effects of 12 carbon sources on the production of DON and 3-acetyldexynivalenol (3ADON) were examined in liquid cultures incubated with nine strains of 3ADON-producing F. graminearum. Significantly high levels of trichothecene (DON and 3ADON) production by sucrose, 1-kestose and nystose were commonly observed among all of the strains tested. On the other hand, the levels of trichothecene biosynthesis induced by the other carbon sources were strain-specific. Tri4 and Tri5 expressions were up-regulated in the sucrose-containing medium but not in glucose. Trichothecene accumulation in the sucrose-containing medium was not repressed by the addition of glucose, indicating that trichothecene production was not regulated by carbon catabolite repression. These findings suggest that F. graminearum recognizes sucrose molecules, activates Tri gene expression and induces trichothecene biosynthesis.     

Inactivation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 2 by Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species

Reactive oxygen species are byproducts of mitochondrial respiration and thus potential regulators of mitochondrial function. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 (PDHK2) inhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, thereby regulating entry of carbohydrates into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Here we show that PDHK2 activity is inhibited by low levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generated by the respiratory chain. This occurs via reversible oxidation of cysteine residues 45 and 392 on PDHK2 and results in increased pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity. H₂O₂ derives from superoxide (O₂^˙̄), and we show that conditions that inhibit PDHK2 also inactivate the TCA cycle enzyme, aconitase. These findings suggest that under conditions of high mitochondrial O₂^˙̄ production, such as may occur under nutrient excess and low ATP demand, the increase in O₂^˙̄ and H₂O₂ may provide feedback signals to modulate mitochondrial metabolism.     

丛枝菌根对喜树幼苗喜树碱含量的影响

喜树（Camptotheca acuminata）是我国特有的多年生亚热带落叶阔叶树种,因其次生代谢产物喜树碱具有良好的抗肿瘤活性而受到人们的广泛关注.通过温室盆栽接种试验,观察了2属6种丛枝菌根真菌对喜树幼苗喜树碱含量的影响.结果表明,接种的6种丛枝菌根真菌与喜树幼苗均形成了共生体系并且发育良好.透光球囊霉（Glomus diaphanum）、幼套球囊霉（G.etunicatum）、蜜色无梗囊霉（Acaulospora mellea）和光壁无梗囊霉（A.laevis）侵染形成丛枝菌根有利于提高喜树幼苗的喜树碱含量,地表球囊霉（G.versiforme）则影响不大,而木薯球囊霉（G.manihot）却降低了喜树幼苗的喜树碱含量.丛枝菌根形成对喜树幼苗喜树碱代谢的影响还表现在喜树碱的器官分配上,菌根幼苗根中的喜树碱比例均高于无菌根幼苗.     

The Deoxynucleoside Triphosphate Triphosphohydrolase Activity of SAMHD1 Protein Contributes to the Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Associated with Genetic Deficiency of Deoxyguanosine Kinase

The dNTP triphosphohydrolase SAMHD1 is a nuclear antiviral host restriction factor limiting HIV-1 infection in macrophages and a major regulator of dNTP concentrations in human cells. In normal human fibroblasts its expression increases during quiescence, contributing to the small dNTP pool sizes of these cells. Down-regulation of SAMHD1 by siRNA expands all four dNTP pools, with dGTP undergoing the largest relative increase. The deoxyguanosine released by SAMHD1 from dGTP can be phosphorylated inside mitochondria by deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) or degraded in the cytosol by purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Genetic mutations of dGK cause mitochondrial (mt) DNA depletion in noncycling cells and hepato-cerebral mtDNA depletion syndrome in humans. We studied if SAMHD1 and dGK interact in the regulation of the dGTP pool during quiescence employing dGK-mutated skin fibroblasts derived from three unrelated patients. In the presence of SAMHD1 quiescent mutant fibroblasts manifested mt dNTP pool imbalance and mtDNA depletion. When SAMHD1 was silenced by siRNA transfection the composition of the mt dNTP pool approached that of the controls, and mtDNA copy number increased, compensating the depletion to various degrees in the different mutant fibroblasts. Chemical inhibition of purine nucleoside phosphorylase did not improve deoxyguanosine recycling by dGK in WT cells. We conclude that the activity of SAMHD1 contributes to the pathological phenotype of dGK deficiency. Our results prove the importance of SAMHD1 in the regulation of all dNTP pools and suggest that dGK inside mitochondria has the function of recycling the deoxyguanosine derived from endogenous dGTP degraded by SAMHD1 in the nucleus.     

Effect of Aging on the Metabolism of Pyruvate and 3-Hydroxybutyrate in Nonsynaptic and Synaptic Mitochondria from Rat Brain

Abstract: Age-dependent changes in the oxidative metabolism in nonsynaptic and synaptic mitochondria from brains of 3, 12, and 24-month-old rats were investigated. When pyruvate and malate were used in conjunction as substrates, a significant reduction in State 3 respiration was observed in both mitochondrial populations from 12-and 24-month-old rats compared with 3-month-old animals. A similar age-dependent reduction in the oxidation of [1-¹¹C]pyruvate was also observed in nonsynaptic and synaptic mitochondria from senescent rats. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity (both active and total) was, however, not decreased in the two mitochondrial populations from brains of 3, 12, and 24-month-old rats. When DL-3-hydroxybutyrate plus malate were used as substrates, a decrease in State 3 respiration was observed only in synaptic mitochondria from 24-month-old rats compared with 3- month-old animals. Similarly, an age-dependent reduction in the oxidation of 3-hydroxy[3-¹¹C]butyrate was also observed only in synaptic mitochondria from 12-and 24-month-old rats. However, a significant reduction in the activities of ketone body-metabolizing enzymes, namely, 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 3-ketoacid CoA transferase, and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase was observed in both mitochondrlal populations from 12- and 24-month-old rats compared with 3 month-old animals. These findings show that specific alterations in oxidative metabolism occur in nonsynaptic and synaptic mitochondria from aging rats. The data also suggest that in addition to alterations in enzyme activities, permeability of anions (e.g. pyruvate) across the inner mitochondrial membrane may be altered in nonsynaptic and synaptic mitochondria from senescent animals.     

对水稻4号染色体上一个编码二氢黄酮醇还原酶类似蛋白基因簇的结构和进化分析

通过对水稻 4号染色体一段 32 3kb的序列测定和分析 ,在其中 56kb的区域内发现了一个由 7个编码二氢黄酮醇还原酶 (DFR)类似蛋白基因组成的基因簇。这 7个基因在基因簇中串联排列 ,每个基因都由 6个外显子和 5个内含子组成。这 7个基因的预测蛋白质序列都和DFR以及BANYULS蛋白序列类似。DFR和BANYULS都是植物次生代谢类黄酮醇生物合成途径中的结构基因 ,它们的缺失或突变都会造成植物花色素合成代谢的不正常。RT PCR实验证明这 7个基因在水稻的 5个组织中表达不同。文中讨论了这 7个基因的结构和功能特性以及它们的进化关系。     

病毒感染影响宿主细胞代谢研究进展

作为专性的细胞内寄生物,病毒没有独立代谢的能力,因此完全依赖于宿主细胞的代谢机制。病毒利用宿主细胞代谢网络提供的能量和生物合成前体物质来驱动其复制、装配和释放。因此,病毒挟持宿主细胞代谢以实现自身的复制和增殖。此外,病毒还可以通过编码辅助代谢基因(auxiliary metabolic genes,AMGs)调控宿主的细胞代谢,影响碳、氮、磷、硫循环,参与微生物驱动的生物地球化学循环。本文主要从细胞葡萄糖代谢、谷氨酰胺代谢、脂肪酸代谢、病毒AMGs调控宿主代谢影响生物地球化学循环4个方面总结病毒感染对宿主核心代谢途径影响的研究,以期为深入理解病毒-宿主相互作用提供参考,也将为通过代谢干预治疗病毒性疾病提供一定的理论依据。     

Characterization of Substrates That Have a Differential Effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae Protein Kinase A Holoenzyme Activation

The specificity in phosphorylation by kinases is determined by the molecular recognition of the peptide target sequence. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the protein kinase A (PKA) specificity determinants are less studied than in mammalian PKA. The catalytic turnover numbers of the catalytic subunits isoforms Tpk1 and Tpk2 were determined, and both enzymes are shown to have the same value of 3 s⁻¹. We analyze the substrate behavior and sequence determinants around the phosphorylation site of three protein substrates, Pyk1, Pyk2, and Nth1. Nth1 protein is a better substrate than Pyk1 protein, and both are phosphorylated by either Tpk1 or Tpk2. Both enzymes also have the same selectivity toward the protein substrates and the peptides derived from them. The three substrates contain one or more Arg-Arg-X-Ser consensus motif, but not all of them are phosphorylated. The determinants for specificity were studied using the peptide arrays. Acidic residues in the position P+1 or in the N-terminal flank are deleterious, and positive residues present beyond P-2 and P-3 favor the catalytic reaction. A bulky hydrophobic residue in position P+1 is not critical. The best substrate has in position P+4 an acidic residue, equivalent to the one in the inhibitory sequence of Bcy1, the yeast regulatory subunit of PKA. The substrate effect in the holoenzyme activation was analyzed, and we demonstrate that peptides and protein substrates sensitized the holoenzyme to activation by cAMP in different degrees, depending on their sequences. The results also suggest that protein substrates are better co-activators than peptide substrates.     

基于CRISPR/Cas9技术的基因敲入/敲除策略

成簇的规律间隔性短回文序列(CRISPR)基因编辑系统,因其设计简单操作方便和无种属限制,已成为一种广泛应用的基因组定点编辑工具,在复杂的基因组编辑,例如基因的人源化改造以及条件等位基因的构建中有所应用。在自然界中,CRISPR系统拥有多种类别。其中,CRISPR/Cas9系统是研究最深入、应用最成熟的一种。本文针对CRISPR/Cas9系统,分别从基因敲入/敲除片段的大小、同源臂长短、构型即递送方式等技术环节进行综述,阐述不同设计及操作条件下由CRISPR/Cas9系统介导的基因敲入/敲除的效率差异。     

CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用

细胞中脂滴(Lipid droplets, LDs)表面存在多个调控脂肪储存和分解的蛋白, 这些蛋白对机体的脂肪代谢起着很重要的调控作用。CGI-58(Comparative gene identification-58)分布在LDs表面, 属于α/β水解酶折叠家族, 是脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(Adipose triglyceride lipase, ATGL)和依赖酰基辅酶A溶血磷脂酸酰基转移酶(Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, LPAAT)的激活剂。在脂肪分解过程中, CGI-58结合PAT蛋白家族成员之一的脂滴包被蛋白(Perlipin)和ATGL, 促进脂肪分解, 同时CGI-58对ATGL的激活功能受脂滴包被蛋白家族成员间蛋白质与蛋白质相互作用的影响。文章结合国内外研究热点, 针对CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用进行了综述。     

The Effect of 15-Ketosterol Analogues with a 5,6-Dimethylhept-3-en-2-yl Chain at C17 on Cholesterol Metabolism in Hep G2 Hepatoma Cells

The effect on cholesterol metabolism in Hep G2 hepatoma cells was studied for new analogues of 15-ketosterol [3-hydroxy-5-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one] (I): (24S)-3-hydroxy-24-methyl-5-cholesta-8(14),22-diene-15-one (II), (24S)-3-hydroxy-24-methyl-5-cholesta-8(14),22-diene-15-one (III), and (24S)-24-methyl-5-cholesta-8(14),22-diene-3,15-dione (IV). Analogues (I) and (II) were found to be equally effective inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis after a 3-h incubation with Hep G2 cells; however, (II) produced a stronger inhibitory effect after a 24-h incubation or after an incubation of cells preliminarily treated with the inhibitor in a medium containing no ketosterol. The ability of ketosterols to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis decreased in the order (II) > (IV) > (III). Ketosterol (II) inhibited, whereas ketosterol (III) stimulated the biosynthesis of cholesteryl esters. (IV) stimulated the biosynthesis of cholesteryl esters at a concentration of 1–10 M and exerted no marked effect at a concentration of 30 M. These results indicate that 8(14)-15-ketosterols containing a modified side chain are of interest as regulators of cholesterol metabolism in liver cells.     

Effect of Modulators of Protein Kinase C Activity on Ca2+ Transport in Retinal Rod Microsomes

The effect of modulators of protein kinase C (PKC) activity on Ca²⁺ translocation in retinal rod microsomes was studied. It is shown that PKC activators (phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and diacylglycerol (DAG)) and inhibitors (chelerythrine chloride, polymyxin B, and phloretin) stimulate and inhibit ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake in retinal rod microsomes, respectively. This effect is apparently due to an influence of PKC on Ca-ATPase contained in these vesicular structures. It was found that PKC inhibitors (chelerythrine chloride, polymyxin B, and phloretin) and activators (PMA and DAG) potentiate Ca²⁺ release from Ca²⁺ -loaded retinal rod microsomes. Specific and nonspecific mechanisms of Ca-release stimulation by the modulators of PKC activity are discussed.     

核基质结合区对转爬山虎芪合酶基因烟草中产生白藜芦醇的作用

采用核基质结合区(MARs)来提高转芪合酶基因(STS)烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)中白藜芦醇产物的含量。MARs是细胞中能与核基质特异紧密结合的DNA片段,体外结合实验表明克隆自酵母的MARs序列能特异地与烟草核基质结合。芪合酶是白藜芦醇生物合成中的关键酶,用RT-PCR方法从川鄂爬山虎(Parthenocissus henryana(Hemsl.) Diels et Gilg)中克隆了与葡萄芪合酶基因有较高同源性的芪合酶编码区,将其置于CaMV35SW强启动子下,分别构建两侧带有MARs及不含MARs序列的表达载体,通过农杆菌介导转化烟草。Northern blot及HPLC等分析表明STS基因已整合至烟草染色体中并正常转录,且表达的外源芪合酶在烟草中可催化其底物合成白藜芦醇产物。与对照相比,MARs的存在使转芪合酶基因烟草中白藜芦醇的含量平均提高了约一倍。MARs在转芪合酶基因植物中的应用也为获得抗病性更强、白藜芦醇含量更高、更保健的转基因果蔬的研究奠定了基础。     

水稻响应缺铁的韧皮部汁液蛋白质组学分析

为鉴定水稻(Oryza sativa)响应缺铁的根冠长距离信号转导物质, 采用TMT标记技术分析了不同浓度铁处理下水稻韧皮部汁液的蛋白质组学变化, 共鉴定出206个差异蛋白, 其中54个蛋白表达丰度上调, 152个蛋白表达丰度下调。差异蛋白的KEGG通路分类主要包括激素信号代谢、谷胱甘肽代谢、碳代谢以及mRNA转运等代谢途径。此外, 对差异蛋白对应的生理指标进行测定, 发现激素、蔗糖、谷胱甘肽和转运蛋白等在缺铁条件下变化显著, 后续对这些差异蛋白的功能研究有助于揭示水稻响应铁素营养的长距离信号途径。     

核基质结合区对转爬山虎芪合酶基因烟草中产生白藜芦醇的作用

采用核基质结合区(MARs)来提高转芪合酶基因(STS)烟草(Nicotianatabacum L.)中白藜芦醇产物的含量.MARs是细胞中能与核基质特异紧密结合的DNA片段,体外结合实验表明克隆自酵母的MARs序列能特异地与烟草核基质结合.芪合酶是白藜芦醇生物合成中的关键酶,用RT-PCR方法从川鄂爬山虎(Parthenocissus henryana(Hemsl.)Diels et Gilg)中克隆了与葡萄芪合酶基因有较高同源性的芪合酶编码区,将其置于CaMV35SΩ强启动子下,分别构建两侧带有MARs及不含MARs序列的表达载体,通过农杆菌介导转化烟草.Northern blot及HPLC等分析表明STS基因已整合至烟草染色体中并正常转录,且表达的外源芪合酶在烟草中可催化其底物合成白藜芦醇产物.与对照相比,MARs的存在使转芪合酶基因烟草中白藜芦醇的含量平均提高了约一倍.MARs在转芪合酶基因植物中的应用也为获得抗病性更强、白藜芦醇含量更高、更保健的转基因果蔬的研究奠定了基础.     

镉(Cd)与UV-B复合胁迫影响大豆胚轴生长的生理调节机制研究

通过研究大豆胚轴生长及内源吲哚乙酸(IAA)、赤霉素(GAs)、过氧化物酶(POD)和吲哚乙酸氧化酶(IAA oxidase)活性变化对Cd、UV-B辐射和Cd UV-B(复合胁迫)的响应。分析了激素水平、酶活性变化以及胚轴生长变化特性。结果表明,UV—B辐射引起大豆上胚轴伸长减小;但Cd对上胚轴伸长无明显影响;Cd UV—B使上胚轴长度比UV—B作用时明显增加。UVB辐射显著降低了胚轴IAA含量;而GAs含量却显著升高;Cd胁迫下IAA和GAs变化并不明显;但Cd UV—B使IAA含量显著升高,而对GAs无明显影响。UVB辐射使IAA氧化酶和POD活性显著增强,而Cd对这两种酶活性影响并不明显;但Cd UV—B复合胁迫下胚轴的IAA水平较高。尽管UVB辐射引起胚轴中GAs含量显著增加,但研究结果显示IAA含量变化是胁迫下引起胚轴生长改变的更直接原因。研究还表明Cd UV—B时,大大削弱了UV—B辐射下IAA氧化酶活性增强,加之Cd对POD活性的抑制,导致复合胁迫下胚轴的IAA水平较高。证明复合胁迫可以改变单一胁迫下植物激素的调控机制。