Ancestral sequence reconstruction for protein engineers

In addition to its value in the study of molecular evolution, ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) has emerged as a useful methodology for engineering proteins with enhanced properties. Proteins generated by ASR often exhibit unique or improved activity, stability, and/or promiscuity, all of which are properties that are valued by protein engineers. Comparison between extant proteins and evolutionary intermediates generated by ASR also allows protein engineers to identify substitutions that have contributed to functional innovation or diversification within protein families. As ASR becomes more widely adopted as a protein engineering approach, it is important to understand the applications, limitations, and recent developments of this technique. This review highlights recent exemplifications of ASR, as well as technical aspects of the reconstruction process that are relevant to protein engineering.     

DREB2s转录因子基因的表达调控机制研究进展

DREB2s是植物特有的转录因子,隶属于AP2/EREBP转录因子家族,对干旱、高盐或低温、高温等非生物胁迫应答基因的表达有重要的调控作用。不同植物来源的DREB2在基因结构上有细微差异,对非生物胁迫的响应亦有不同表现。本文阐述了DREB2s的蛋白质结构特征及其对多种非生物胁迫的应答反应,并深入分析了DREB2s转录水平和转录后加工水平的表达调控分子机制的最新研究进展,为理解DREB2s基因功能、分子调控机制及作物抗逆基因工程提供理论依据。