Wax moth,Galleria mellonella fat body receptor for high-density lipophorin (HDLp)

To identify and characterize the HDLp (high-density lipophorin) receptor from Galleria mellonella (LpRGm), we used techniques of ligand blotting. This method was, to our knowledge, first used to characterize the lipophorin receptor (LpR) in insects. LpRGm had an approximate molecular weight of 97 kDa under non-reducing conditions and bound the HDLp specifically. The time-course of lipophorin binding to their receptor protein was rapid. The binding of lipophorins to their receptors was saturable with a Kd of 34.33+/-4.67 microg/ml. Although Ca2+ was essentially required in the binding of HDLp to their receptors, interestingly increasing concentration of Ca2+ has shown to have a slight inhibitory effect. EDTA was used here as Ca2+ chelating reagent, because Mg2+ in the binding buffer did not affect the binding of HDLp to their receptors, and inhibited the binding of HDLp and LpRGm absolutely. Suramin (polysulfated polycyclic hydrocarbon), known to inhibit the binding of lipoproteins to their receptors, effectively abolished the binding of HDLp to their receptors. LpRGm showed the stage specific binding activity especially in day 1-3 last instar larval, prepupal, and day 1-3 adult stages.     

Lipophorin uptake by the larval fat body and adult ovary in the wax moth Galleria mellonella

Lipophorin (Lp) acts in the circulation of insects to selectively deliver lipids to target tissues. In the present study, we wanted to show that Lp is taken up into larval fat body cells and the adult ovary in Galleria mellonella. Larval fat body and adult ovary tissues were incubated at room temperature for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled Lp. Fluorescence microscopy and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed that fat body and ovary tissues internalize fluorescence‐labeled Lp. The results suggest that both lipids and proteins are taken up by fat body cells and the ovary and also that large amounts of proteins and lipids taken up can serve as building blocks and as a source of energy. Immunological relationships with other insects were investigated using western blotting. The data showed that the Lp of Galleria mellonella is related to that of Hyphantria cunea.     

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of lipid and lipophorin by the larval fat body, adult ovary and testis in the wax moth Galleria mellonella

Lipophorin (Lp) in the hemolymph of insects is known to selectively deliver lipids from sites of absorption or synthesis to sites of storage and utilization, such as the fat body, ovary and testis; however, no study regarding this has been reported in Galleria mellonella. In the present study, we examined the process by which Lp is taken up into the larval fat body, adult ovary and adult testis, and the transfer of lipid by Lp to these tissues in Galleria mellonella. To investigate the involvement of a receptor in Lp endocytosis, the larval fat body, adult ovary and adult testis were incubated for 1 h at room temperature with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐Lp, FITC‐Lp plus unlabeled Lp, and FITC‐Lp plus suramin, a receptor endocytic inhibitor. The amounts of FITC‐Lp in the three tissues were significantly decreased in the presence of unlabeled Lp and suramin, indicating that endocytosis of Lp by the tissues is mediated by a receptor. To examine the transfer of lipid by Lp, the tissues were incubated for 1 h at room temperature with 1,1′‐dilinoleyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI)‐Lp, DiI‐Lp plus unlabeled Lp, and DiI‐Lp plus suramin. The transfer of lipid by Lp was inhibited in the presence of unlabeled Lp and suramin, which is consistent with a receptor‐mediated process. Our results show that the transfer process of lipid by Lp and uptake of Lp itself is by receptor‐mediated endocytosis.     

Cloning and expression of male-specific protein (MSP) from the hemolymph of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L

Male-specific protein (MSP) is a soluble protein that accumulates in high amounts in the hemolymph and other organs of adult male wax moth. The MSP was purified from adult male wax moth by gel filtration and reversed phase column chromatography, and its amino acid sequence was determined. Because of blocked N-terminus, several internal amino acid sequences of MSP were obtained by the in-gel digestion method using trypsin. RT-PCR was conducted using degenerate primers designed from the internal amino acid sequences. 5'-RACE PCR was used to obtain the complete coding region and 5'-UTR sequence. The full length MSP cDNA sequence encodes a 239 amino acid polypeptide with an 18 amino acid signal peptide. The putative mature MSP has a molecular mass of 24,317 Da and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.00, but shows a molecular mass of 27 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Sequence alignment showed a significant similarity between MSP and juvenile hormone binding proteins (JHBPs) of several lepidopteran species, including G. mellonella.     

嗜线虫致病杆菌血腔毒素Tp40对大蜡螟幼虫体内酶活和中肠组织的影响

嗜线虫致病杆菌Xenorhabdus nematophila在侵入到寄主昆虫血腔后能够成功地逃避或抑制寄主昆虫的免疫反应并快速杀死昆虫。为深入了解嗜线虫致病杆菌的杀虫机理,明确关键的致病因子,作者应用盐析和制备型非变性凝胶电泳等方法,从嗜线虫致病杆菌HB310菌株的细胞内分离纯化了一种新的杀虫蛋白——Tp40,该蛋白对大蜡螟Galleria mellonella具有高血腔注射活性,对大蜡螟5龄幼虫的LD₅₀为68.54 ng/头。本文检测了该毒素对大蜡螟幼虫的致病特性,注射Tp40毒素后,大蜡螟幼虫表现出兴奋和痉挛等症状,当以不低于（70±0.02）ng/头的剂量注射Tp40,大蜡螟幼虫均在20 min内死亡,但试虫的体色 、血淋巴的颜色以及血细胞的形态没有发生明显的变化。对大蜡螟体内酶活性的测定结果显示,在注射LD₅₀剂量的Tp40蛋白后,试虫体内羧酸酯酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶活力都明显的高于对照（P<0.05）,而酚氧化酶活力显著低于对照（P<0.05）。对大蜡螟幼虫中肠的组织病理学研究显示：这种42 kDa蛋白能够破坏试虫的中肠组织,导致其肠壁细胞出现排列紊乱、脱落和围食膜消失。据此推测,Tp40与嗜线虫致病杆菌对寄主昆虫的免疫抑制有关,寄主中肠组织可能是其作用靶标之一。     

Influence of diet upon the composition of pheromone volatiles in Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) males

The composition of pheromone volatiles from calling males of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella reared on their native (ND) or artificial (AD) diet was studied by GC-MS. The comparison of effluvium of two laboratory races of insects fed ND or AD was carried out for populations of greater wax moth from three regions of Russia. The experiments suggest that the AD changes the ratio and amounts of major components of pheromone, which are different for different regions. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 36:129–138, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

大蜡螟气味受体基因Gmel/Orco的克隆与序列分析

为进一步研究大蜡螟嗅觉通讯分子机制和寻求新的大蜡螟防治技术,本研究克隆了大蜡螟Galleria mellonella L.的气味受体基因Gmel/Orco,并对其序列进行生物信息学分析。根据GenBank中已发表的鳞翅目昆虫非典型气味受体家族基因的氨基酸保守序列设计简并引物,采用RT-PCR方法扩增目的基因,将其克隆至T载体并测序。克隆获得大蜡螟气味受体Orco的cDNA序列,命名为Gmel/Orco(GenBank登录号:KT020861),序列分析结果显示,Gmel/Orco开放阅读框长1425 bp,编码474个氨基酸,分子量为53.36 k D,等电点为8.44,序列中有7个跨膜区,N-端在细胞膜内,C-端在细胞膜外。通过在Gen Bank中进行序列的同源性比较,该基因与已公布的鳞翅目螟蛾科、夜蛾科昆虫的非典型气味受体基因序列有较高的同源性。克隆所获得的基因属于非典型气味受体家族基因。     

拟双角斯氏线虫D43品系鞘蛋白对大蜡螟幼虫的免疫抑制作用

侵染期的拟双角斯氏线虫Steinernema ceratophorum D43品系体外都包裹着一个透明的体鞘。为探明体鞘对线虫侵染力的影响, 了解鞘蛋白（sheath proteins, SPs）对大蜡螟Galleria mellonella 幼虫的免疫抑制作用, 本研究通过化学方法使拟双角斯氏线虫D43脱鞘, 以对寄主的致死率和侵入点数量为指标, 与包鞘线虫比较对大蜡螟幼虫的侵染力; 采用乙醇提取的方法获得线虫鞘蛋白, 利用双向电泳和质谱技术对鞘蛋白进行鉴定分析; 从血细胞数量和酚氧化酶活力两个方面评价鞘蛋白对大蜡螟幼虫免疫反应的抑制作用。结果表明： 0.5%次氯酸钠处理20 min可以保证95%以上的线虫存活和脱鞘。与包鞘线虫相比, 脱鞘线虫对大蜡螟幼虫的致死率显著降低, 致死时间延后, 节间膜侵入点数量显著减少。以35%乙醇提取的鞘蛋白提取物可鉴定出6种鞘蛋白, 其中一个被鉴定为丝氨酸蛋白酶。此外, 血腔注射鞘蛋白提取物可导致试虫血细胞数量明显降低, 酚氧化酶活力受到显著抑制。由此说明, 体鞘对拟双角斯氏线虫D43的侵染力具有显著影响, 鞘蛋白在抑制寄主昆虫免疫反应中发挥重要作用。     

Ingestion of the anti‐bacterial agent,gemifloxacin mesylate,leads to increased gst activity and peroxidation products in hemolymph of Galleria mellonella l. (lepidoptera: pyralidae)

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GEM) is a synthetic, fourth‐generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial antibiotic that has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria. GEM inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV activities. Recent research into insect nutrition and mass‐rearing programs, in which antibiotics are incorporated into the culture media to maintain diet quality, raised a question of whether clinical antibiotics influence the health or biological performance of the insects that ingest these compounds. Because some antibiotics are pro‐oxidant compounds, we addressed the question with experiments designed to assess the effects of GEM (mesylate salt) on oxidative stress indicators, using Galleria mellonella larvae. The insects were reared from first‐instar larvae to adulthood on artificial diets amended with GEM at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0%. Feeding on the 1% diets led to significantly increased hemolymph contents of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde and protein oxidation products, protein carbonyl. All GEM concentrations led to increased hemolymph glutathione S‐transferase activity. We inferred that although it was not directly lethal to G. mellonella larvae, dietary exposure to GEM exerts measurable oxidative damage, possibly on insects generally. Long‐term, multigenerational effects remain unknown.     

Ultrastructural localization of calcium in prothoracic gland cells of Galleria mellonella L. (Insecta,Lepidoptera) in relation to secretory activity

Summary Localization of intracellular calcium was demonstrated by precipitation with potassium hexahydroxoantimonate in the fixation medium containing osmium tetroxide or osmium tetroxide and glutaraldehyde. The presence of calcium in the precipitates was confirmed by X-ray microanalysis. Cells from active prothoracic glands contain more calcium deposits than inactive glands. The calcium precipitates are mainly localized in the nucleus, in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, in the hyaloplasm and to a lesser degree in the mitochondria. These findings are consistent with the proposed role of calcium in the stimulation of steroidogenesis.     

Characterization of New Entomopathogenic Nematodes from Thailand: Foraging Behavior and Virulence to the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their associated bacteria (Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp., respectively) are lethal parasites of soil dwelling insects. We collected 168 soil samples from five provinces, all located in southern Thailand. Eight strains of EPNs were isolated and identified to species using restriction profiles and sequence analysis. Five of the isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis indica, and one as Heterorhabditis baujardi. Two undescribed Steinernema spp. were also discovered which matched no published sequences and grouped separately from the other DNA restriction profiles. Behavioral tests showed that all Heterorhabditis spp. were cruise foragers, based on their attraction to volatile cues and lack of body-waving and standing behaviors, while the Steinernema isolates were more intermediate in foraging behavior. The infectivity of Thai EPN strains against Galleria mellonella larvae was investigated using sand column bioassays and the LC(50) was calculated based on exposures to nematodes in 24-well plates. The LC(50) results ranged from 1.99-6.95 IJs/insect. Nine centimeter columns of either sandy loam or sandy clay loam were used to determine the nematodes' ability to locate and infect subterranean insects in different soil types. The undescribed Steinernema sp. had the greatest infection rate in both soil types compared to the other Thai isolates and three commercial EPNs (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema riobrave).     

Spectroscopic and Structural Characterization,Enzyme Inhibitions,and Antioxidant Effects of New Ru(II) and Ni(II) Complexes of Schiff Base

The new complex compounds [RuLCl(p‐cymene)] ? 3H₂O and [NiL₂(H₂O)₂] ? 3H₂O (L: 1‐{4‐[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)amino]phenyl}ethanone) were prepared and characterized using FT‐IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, mass spectroscopy, TGA, elemental analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction and magnetic moment techniques. Octahedral geometry for new Ni(II) and Ru(II) complexes was proposed. Thermal decomposition confirmed the existence of lattice and coordinated water molecule in the complexes. To determine the antioxidant properties of Schiff base ligand and its Ni(II), Ru(II) metal complexes, FRAP, CUPRAC, ABTS and DPPH methods of antioxidant assays were used. Moreover, enzyme inhibition of complexes was evaluated against carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes (CA I and CA II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). For CA I and CA II, the best inhibition enzymes, was the Ni(II) complex with 62.98±18.41, 86.17±23.62 Ki values, whereas this inhibition effect showed ligand with 24.53±2.66 Ki value for the AChE enzyme.     

Pseudomonas fluorescens sp-f铁载体高效液相凝胶色谱分析

利用高效液相凝胶色谱法对荧光假单胞菌所产铁载体进行了分析,结果显示高产铁载体P.fluorescens sp-f与P.fluorescens AB92001均可分泌3种铁载体,其中具有荧光的pyoverdine容易被细胞外的铁抑制。高效液相凝胶色谱法适用于假单胞菌铁载体的分析检测。     

Iron release from transferrin induced by mixed ligand complexes of copper(II)

Summary Copper(II) complexes CuL₁L₂ with the ligand pairs 3-phosphoglycerate (PG)/ethylenediamine (en), phosphoserine (PS)/ethylenediamine, phosphoserine/malonate (mal) are shown to be effective in inducing the release of both iron atoms from di-ferric transferrin (Fe2Tf; human serum transferrin) at pH 7.3 in 1 M NaCl at 25°C. Half-times of the reaction with Cu(PG)(en)^– were less than 1 min at 0.02 M concentration. The iron(III) products are polynuclear hydroxo complexes. There is weaker interaction with Cu(PS) ₂ ^4– and virtually none with Cu(serine)(en) nor Cu(PS)(2,2-bipyridyl)^–, revealing crucial effects of the combined ligand sphere including the phosphomonoester group. The results suggest that the release of iron from Fe2Tf, or from either monoferric transferrins, occurred due to the breakdown of the stability of iron binding in conjunction with the expulsion of the synergistic anion carbonate (or oxalate). The active copper(II) complexes are postulated to be models of membrane components that could liberate iron from transferrin succeeding its uptake at the receptor sites of cells.Abbreviations PG phosphoglycerate - PS phosphoserine - en ethylenediamine - Fe2Tf diferric transferrin - Fe_cTf and Fe_NTf transferrin with iron bound to the lobe containing the C- or N-terminus, respectively - apoTf apotransferrin - K-3 all-cis-1,3,5-tris(trimethylammonio)-2,4,6-cyclo-hexanetriol - NTA nitrilotriacetic acid; bipy, 2,2-bipyridine; mal, malonate     

内皮细胞抑制素酵母工程菌的高密度发酵及产物纯化和活性分析

用 30升发酵罐研究了内皮细胞抑制素 (EDN)酵母工程菌P .pastorisGS115 (pPIC9K EDN)的高密度发酵工艺 ,摸索出发酵培养基 ,pH ,诱导时间等对菌体生长和基因表达的影响 .根据所确定的最适条件进行发酵 ,通过补料和甲醇诱导 4 8h后 ,工程菌GS115 (pPIC9K EDN)生物量的A60 0 值达到 2 5 0 ,分泌量为 15 0mg L .发酵液经StreamlineSP ,SepharoseSPFF离子交换柱和Sepharose HeparinHiTrap亲和柱纯化 ,产物纯度达 97%以上 ,回收率为 6 0 % .Western印迹结果表明 ,酵母工程菌GS115 (pPIC9K EDN)表达的重组人内皮细胞抑制素具有天然EDN的免疫原性 .MTT法和抑癌实验结果显示 :纯化产物能抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖并能抑制移植于小鼠的黑色素瘤的生长 ,其平均抑瘤率是 94 2 % .     

Lipoprotein(a) Catabolism Is Regulated by Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 through the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) have been identified as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Plasma Lp(a) levels are reduced by monoclonal antibodies targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). However, the mechanism of Lp(a) catabolism in vivo and the role of PCSK9 in this process are unknown. We report that Lp(a) internalization by hepatic HepG2 cells and primary human fibroblasts was effectively reduced by PCSK9. Overexpression of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) in HepG2 cells dramatically increased the internalization of Lp(a). Internalization of Lp(a) was markedly reduced following treatment of HepG2 cells with a function-blocking monoclonal antibody against the LDLR or the use of primary human fibroblasts from an individual with familial hypercholesterolemia; in both cases, Lp(a) internalization was not affected by PCSK9. Optimal Lp(a) internalization in both hepatic and primary human fibroblasts was dependent on the LDL rather than the apolipoprotein(a) component of Lp(a). Lp(a) internalization was also dependent on clathrin-coated pits, and Lp(a) was targeted for lysosomal and not proteasomal degradation. Our data provide strong evidence that the LDLR plays a role in Lp(a) catabolism and that this process can be modulated by PCSK9. These results provide a direct mechanism underlying the therapeutic potential of PCSK9 in effectively lowering Lp(a) levels.     

大熊猫生长激素受体(GHR)cDNA的克隆与序列分析

根据已报道的若干物种GHR 基因cDNA 序列设计引物, 利用RT- PCR 技术首次从大熊猫肝脏组织总RNA中扩增出GHR 基因编码区全长cDNA 序列, 克隆于pGEM®-T 载体后进行测序和序列分析。结果表明,大熊猫GHR 的ORF为1 917 bp , 编码638 个氨基酸的前体蛋白, 由18 个氨基酸的信号肽和620 个氨基酸的成熟肽组成,与人、狗、猪GHR 结构相似, 大熊猫GHR 成熟肽由246 个氨基酸的胞外区、24 个氨基酸的跨膜区和350 个氨基酸的胞内区组成, 并具GHR 的特征性结构。序列相似性比较显示, 大熊猫GHR 与哺乳类GHR 具有69 %～93 %的高序列相似性, 与爬行类和鸟类的序列相似性也达到60 % , 而与鱼类的序列相似性较低, 仅为30 %左右。与其它哺乳动物GHR 相比, 大熊猫GHR 在氨基酸序列上也存在明显的特异性。     

苦荞谷胱甘肽转移酶(FtGST)基因的克隆与序列分析

采用RACE技术,从苦荞(Fagopyrum tatarium)中克隆得到一个谷胱甘肽转移酶(Glutathione S-transferase protein,FtGST)基因。序列分析表明,FtGST基因全长DNA序列和cDNA序列编码区分别为746 bp和666 bp,DNA序列含有一个长度为80 bp(342-421 bp)的内含子;开放阅读框(ORF)长666 bp,编码221个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明,FtGST基因推导的蛋白质含有Tau家族典型的底物结合口袋、谷胱甘肽结合位点(G-site)和疏水性底物结合位点(H-site)氨基酸残基,表明FtGST为Tau家族蛋白。     

中蜂（Apis cerana）蛹期脂肪体营养细胞蛋白质颗粒液晶性质的证明

本文以差热分析法（ＤＴＡ）,小角Ｘ－射线散射（ＳＡＸＳ）及偏光显微镜等方法证明、中峰（Ａｐｉｓｃｅｒａｎａ）蛹期脂肪体内营养细胞蛋白质颗粒（ｐｒｏｔｅｉｎｇｒａｎｕｌｅ）呈液晶态,表现出结构有序的特征。正交偏光下,“蛋白质颗”显示出外区具强双折射的马尔它十字消光现象;以ＤＴＡ等方法测得,液晶态“蛋白质颗粒”在２６℃时可向各向同性态转变,且具可逆性,由于“蛋白质颗粒”的大量存在、以ＳＡＸＳ直接测定脂肪体,证实中蜂蛹期体内营养细胞液晶态“蛋白质颗粒”的Ｂｒａｇｇ间距为４４Ａ,属于液晶片层相。     

小菜蛾中肠氨肽酶基因PxAPN5的克隆、原核表达及蛋白质同源建模分析

【目的】克隆和表达小菜蛾Plutella xylostella氨肽酶基因,并进行基因序列分析和同源建模分析。【方法】以小菜蛾中肠cDNA为模板克隆分析氨肽酶基因序列, 原核表达氨肽酶蛋白并进行酶活性测定, 应用配体印迹分析氨肽酶与Cry2Ab蛋白的结合, 通过蛋白质建模对突变位点进行分析。【结果】从小菜蛾中肠cDNA 扩增出氨肽酶基因, 该基因全长2 853 bp, 编码950个氨基酸, 预测蛋白分子量为107.3871 kDa, 等电点为5.24; 进化树分析显示, 克隆得到的氨肽酶基因属于APN家族5, 将其命名为PxAPN5（GenBank登录号: KM034756）。PxAPN5蛋白具有鳞翅目昆虫氨肽酶蛋白的保守性特征, 即含有N-糖基化位点、O-糖基化位点和GPI锚定位点, 具有“HEXXH”锌蛋白酶结构域和C端跨膜区域。在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中原核表达PxAPN5, 表达产物经SDS-PAGE电泳, 在110 kDa附近出现特异性条带; 酶活性测试显示菌体破碎上清液具有氨肽酶活性, 比活力为1 047.2 U/g。配体印迹结果显示表达的PxAPN5能与Cry2Ab蛋白特异性结合。多序列比对结果表明, 与其他已报道的小菜蛾氨肽酶相比, PxAPN5氨基酸序列有3个保守性位点发生了突变,并通过蛋白质建模的方式表征突变位点。【结论】本研究成功克隆和表达了具有氨肽酶活性的小菜蛾氨肽酶, 并发现其能与Cry2Ab蛋白特异性结合; 通过蛋白质建模对氨肽酶突变位点的特征及功能进行了预测。 这些结果对小菜蛾氨肽酶的功能性研究提供了理论基础。