Intracellular distribution, assembly and effect of disease-associated connexin 31 mutants in HeLa cells

Mutations in connexin 31 （Cx31） are associated with erythrokeratodermia variabilis （EKV）,hearing impairment and peripheral neuropathy; however, the pathological mechanism of Cx31 mutants remains unknown. This study analyzed 11 disease-associated Cx31 variants and one non-disease-associated Cx31 variant and compared their intracellular distribution and assembly in HeLa cells and their effect on these cells. The fluorescent localization assay showed no gap junction plaque formation in the cells expressing the recessive EKV-associated mutant （L34P） and four hearing impairment-associated mutants （66delD,141delI, R180X and E183K）, significantly reduced plaque formation in the cells with five EKV-associated dominant mutants （G12R, G12D, R42P, C86S and F137L） and no obvious change in the cells with two other mutants （I 141V and 652del 12）. Immunoblotting analysis showed that 12 mutated Cx31 s, like WTCx31, are able to form the Triton X-100 insoluble complex; however, the quantity of Triton X-100 insoluble complex in the transfected HeLa cells varied among different Cx31 mutants. Additionally, the expression of five EKV-associated dominant mutants （G12R, G12D, R42P, C86S and F137L） caused cell death in HeLa cells. However, the five heating impairment-associated mutants did not induce cell death. The above results suggest that disease-associated mutants gain deleterious functions differentially. In summary, diseaseassociated Cx31 mutants impair the formation of normal gap junctions at different levels, and the diseases associated with Cx31 mutations may result from the abnormal assembly, trafficking and metabolism of the Cx31 mutants.     

Connexin31 相互作用蛋白筛选、证实与功能研究

筛选间隙连接蛋白 31 (connexin31 , Cx31) 相互作用蛋白并研究其在 Cx31 运输中的功能 . 运用制备的抗 Cx31 多克隆抗体免疫沉淀, SDS- 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分离,蛋白质条带回收,蛋白质胶块酶解,电喷雾 - 四极杆 - 飞行时间质谱分析,数据库扫描筛选可能相互作用蛋白,可能互作蛋白经免疫共沉淀、细胞免疫共定位等证实,确定 actin 为 Cx31 相互作用蛋白 . 用药物处理细胞,抑制 actin 的功能,观察 Cx31 定位与间隙连接通道的通透性,确定 actin 在 Cx31 运输中的功能 . 当药物抑制 actin 的功能时, Cx31 很少能到达细胞膜上形成间隙连接通道, Cx31 主要分布在胞质中;当药物抑制 tublin 的功能时, Cx31 能到达细胞膜上形成间隙连接通道,细胞免疫荧光实验显示间隙连接斑有增多的现象,但染料转移实验表明细胞膜上间隙连接通道并没有增加 . Actin 在 Cx31 运输至细胞膜上形成间隙连接通道的过程中具有重要作用 .     

非综合征性耳聋(NSHL)患者Cx26基因突变分析及两种突变体的亚细胞定位

为分析中国人群非综合征性耳聋(Nonsyndromic hearing loss, NSHL)患者Cx26基因的突变情况和特性, 研究其中两种突变的亚细胞定位情况, 文章运用PCR直接测序的方法对139例无亲缘关系的NSHL患者进行突变筛查, 将两种突变p.F115C和p.V37I构建到pEGFP表达载体, 并转染Hela细胞, 研究其细胞表达和定位情况。在139例无亲缘关系的NSHL患者中, 31例患者检测到Cx26基因突变, 检出率为22.3%。一共检测到10种不同类型的碱基变异, 包括6种突变和4种多态, 其中包括1种未见报道的新变异p.F115C。p.F115C和p.V37I两种突变体转染Hela细胞后, 亚细胞定位情况与野生型无差异, 初步研究表明这两种突变不影响该蛋白形成细胞间隙连接通道。     

氨基酸定点突变提高灵芝蛋白LZ-8热稳定性的研究

通过氨基酸定点突变技术提高灵芝免疫调节蛋白LZ-8的热稳定性。通过分子动力学模拟结合温度因子预测对LZ-8氨基酸突变位点进行理性设计,在毕赤酵母X33菌株内构建并表达LZ-8突变体蛋白,采用HeLa细胞生长抑制实验和差示量热扫描分析检测并比较了LZ-8突变前后生物学活性及热力学参数。结果显示,LZ-8 N-端α螺旋为理论预测的温度敏感区域,在该区域进行F8W和R9K氨基酸双位点突变,突变后的LZ-8热稳定性提高,相变温度Tm上升0.92℃,相转变焓值ΔH提高23.14 kJ/mol,但突变后LZ-8生物学活性基本不变,LZ-8和LZ-8突变体对HeLa细胞生长抑制的IC50值分别是2.238μg/mL和2.407μg/mL。通过理性设计氨基酸突变位点,获得了稳定性提高但生物学活性不变的灵芝免疫调节蛋白LZ-8的突变体。     

FtsZ(236-245)区域的两性螺旋特性对大肠埃希氏菌FtsZ组装和功能的影响

【目的】探索大肠埃希氏菌(Escherichia coli,E.coli)FtsZ(236-245)结构域两性螺旋特性对FtsZ组装和FtsZ-FtsA相互作用的影响。【方法】利用分子克隆和定点突变技术,构建FtsZ及其突变体表达载体,亲和纯化获得相应目标蛋白;通过同源重组和Pl转导构建QN23-QN29菌株;利用活细胞成像观察FtsZ及其突变体的胞内定位特点;膜蛋白分离和Western blot分析FtsZ突变体的膜结合特性变化;非变性胶分离和体外聚合分析检测定点突变对FtsZ单体组装特性的影响;免疫沉淀和Far Western blot实验检测FtsZ/FtsZ~*-FtsA间的相互作用。【结果】FtsZ~(E234A/K)和FtsZ~(E241A/K)突变体的功能活性降低、备突变体在E.coli内不能正确定位和形成功能性Z环;E237A/K和E241A/K位点突变致备突变体聚合能力降低、FtsZ*-FtsA的相互作用减弱和FtsZ的膜结合特性变化。【结论】E237和E241是影响FtsZ(236-245)区域两性螺旋特性和FtsZ组装及FtsZ-FtsA相互作用的重要氨基酸。     

人类间隙连接蛋白β-5基因的克隆、表达及突变分析

利用同源筛选与巢式PCR的方法克隆了编码人类间隙连接蛋白b -5的基因GJB5,确定了基因组结构,FISH将其定位于1p33-p35.经RT-PCR分析,GJB5在胎儿皮肤、成人皮肤、胎盘中有表达.采用直接测序的方法对142个感觉神经性听力下降患者及36个其他遗传性疾病家系(5个变异性红皮肤角化病家系,13个Charcot-Marie-Tooth病家系,4个上睑下垂家系和14个视网膜色素变性伴耳聋家系)患者进行了GJB5的突变分析.在两个感觉神经性耳聋患者(M1883,M1589)中发现了两种错义突变(686A→G,H229R;25C→T,L9F);在3个遗传性听力下降的耳聋家系中发现了一种位于内含子剪接受体位点的18 bp的杂合缺失,其中一个家系(娄底家系)中伴有一种错义改变(R265P),18 bp的杂合缺失和错义改变在家系中均不与突变共分离.对缺失携带者进行RT-PCR分析,未能在皮肤组织中发现任何异常的mRNA,mRNA的表达量也未见明显异常.群体分析时发现,199个正常人中有两例此18 bp缺失的携带者.     

Parkin功能丧失增强细胞自噬

Parkin(PARK2)基因的突变与家族性帕金森综合症的发生密切相关,其蛋白Parkin是细胞内的E3泛素连接酶。当线粒体受到损伤时,Parkin会募集到线粒体上,介导线粒体自噬,在生理条件下,Parkin及Parkin突变体是否会引起细胞自噬还不清楚。本文研究了病理性Parkin突变体对细胞自噬的影响。通过构建一系列Parkin功能缺失的突变体,并转染到HeLa以及ATG5-/-MEF细胞中,利用免疫荧光技术和Western-blot分析这些突变体对细胞自噬的影响。结果表明,Parkin突变体的表达促进细胞自噬的标志分子LC3由LC3-Ⅰ型变为LC3-Ⅱ型。突变体R275W在细胞内形成蛋白聚集体,并与LC3共定位。当细胞自噬的关键基因ATG5被敲除后,Parkin突变体引起的细胞自噬受到显著抑制。我们的初步结果提示Parkin突变体通过Atg5影响细胞自噬,并可能与帕金森症的发生有一定的相关性。     

长双歧杆菌N-乙酰氨基己糖1-位激酶的活性位点

【目的】研究长双歧杆菌(Bifidobacterium longum)JCM1217的N-乙酰氨基己糖1-位激酶(Nacetylhexosamine 1-kinase,Nah K)中对催化活性有影响的位点。【方法】利用点突变试剂盒,获得Nah K的4个位点的共10种单点突变体表达菌株。诱导表达并纯化野生型和突变体酶,用DNS法和NADH偶联的微孔板分光光度法检测野生型及突变体酶的最适p H和最适Mg~(2+)浓度,并测定酶促反应动力学参数。【结果】D208A、D208N、D208E和I24A四种突变体的催化活性几乎丧失。突变体H31A、H31V、F247A和I24V的最适p H由野生型的7.5变为7.0,突变体H31A和F247A的最适Mg~(2+)浓度由野生型的5 mmol/L变为10 mmol/L。反应动力学参数测定结果表明,突变体F247Y对底物Glc NAc/Gal NAc及ATP的催化活性均高于野生型。【结论】通过定点突变,确定了对Nah K催化活性有影响的4个位点,并且获得了一个催化效率提高的突变体(F247Y),为进一步对Nah K进行分子改造奠定了一定基础。     

人Polo样激酶1活性缺失突变体和结构域在293细胞中的瞬时表达

目的:构建人Polo样激酶1(Plk1)活性缺失突变体及结构域突变体的真核表达载体,并在293细胞中表达。方法:用二次PCR方法扩增Plk1基因并点突变,将82位赖氨酸突变为精氨酸,定向克隆到pcDNA3-Flag载体中;用普通PCR方法扩增Plk1激酶区域及Polo盒区域(PBD)基因,定向克隆到pcDNA3-Flag载体中;将上述质粒转染293细胞进行瞬时表达,Western印迹检测Plk1蛋白的表达。结果:构建了Flag-Plk1(K82R)、Flag-Plk1KD、Flag-Plk1PBD真核表达质粒,在293细胞中均可有效表达,蛋白相对分子质量分别为68×103、45×103、31×103。结论:在293细胞中表达了Flag-Plk1(K82R)、Flag-Plk1KD、Flag-Plk1PBD蛋白,有助于进一步探究Plk1对底物的功能。     

应用DNA芯片鉴定HPV18 E6-siRNA诱导HeLa 细胞凋亡的分子机制

高危型人乳头瘤病毒（human papillomavirus,HPV）的E6基因在宫颈癌的发生中起关键作用,特异siRNA能有效抑制宫颈癌HeLa 细胞内HPV18 E6基因的表达,诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.为进一步探讨HPV18 E6-siRNA诱导HeLa 细胞凋亡的分子机制,针对HPV18-E6基因设计siRNA序列,利用人源U6启动子为模板,经PCR表达框架法体外扩增,转染宫颈癌HeLa细胞抑制HPV18 -E6基因表达,从而诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.对转染前后HeLa细胞总RNA样品进行荧光标记后,与Agilent Human 1A寡核苷酸芯片杂交、扫描、数据分析及标准化处理,确定表达差异的基因并经荧光定量PCR对部分基因进行验证,结合PANTHER数据分析系统,将这些基因按照生物学功能进行归类,查阅GenBank数据库及相关文献,对其结果进行深入分析及讨论.在检测的18 716个基因和EST中,共筛出差异表达基因359个,其中307个基因表达上调,52个基因表达下调,主要包括细胞周期相关基因CCNG1、p21;凋亡相关基因CASP4、CASP6、IGFBP3、DFFA;泛素蛋白酶解途径相关基因E6-AP、UBE2C;角化细胞分化相关基因KRT4、KRT6E、KRT18;抑癌基因RECK、VHL等.研究结果表明,HPV18 -E6基因抑制引起的细胞凋亡效应主要是通过P53信号途径和泛素蛋白酶解信号途径调节细胞周期相关基因和凋亡相关基因的表达,从而抑制HeLa细胞增殖、促进细胞凋亡.同时,抑癌基因的激活,角化细胞分化和免疫相关基因的表达上调,都说明了E6抑制后肿瘤细胞恶性转化程度的下降.     

Recent advances in the study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis

It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.     

The structure, reproduction and taxonomy of Vidalia and Osmundaria (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae)

Comprises species occurring mostly in subtidal habitats in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the world. An analysis of the type species, V. spiralis (Sonder) Lamouroux ex J. Agardh, a species from Australia, establishes basic characters for distinguishing species in the genus. These characters are (1) branching patterns of thalli, (2) flat blades that may be spiralled on their axis, (3) width of the blade, (4) primary or secondary derivation of sterile and fertile branchlets and (5) position of sterile and fertile branchlets on the thalli. Application of the latter two characters provides an important basic method for separation of species into three major groups. Osmundaria , a genus known only in southern Australia, was studied in relation to Vidalia , and its separation from the Vidalia assemblage is not accepted. Species of Vidalia therefore are transferred to the older genus name, Osmundaria. Two new species, Osmundaria papenfussii and Osmundaria oliveae are described from Natal. Confusion in the usage of the epithet, Vidalia fimbriala Brown ex Turner has been clarified, and Vidalia gregaria Falkenberg, described as an epiphyte on Osmundaria pro/ifera Lamouroux, is revealed to be young branches of the host, Osmundaria prolifera.     

New or rare chromosome counts in Artemisia L. (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and related genera from Kazakhstan

Fifteen chromosome counts of six Artemisia taxa and one species of each of the genera Brachanthemum, Hippolytia, Kaschgaria, Lepidolopsis and Turaniphytum are reported from Kazakhstan. Three of them are new reports, two are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very scarce (one to four) earlier records. All the populations studied have the same basic chromosome number, x = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 6x. Some correlations between ploidy level, morphological characters and distribution are noted.     

肝癌中HBV和HCV基因和抗原的分布及意义

采用原位分子杂交方法检测HCV RNA及HBV X基因;采用免疫组织化学方法研究HCV核心抗原,非结构区C33c抗原及HBxAg在肝细胞肝癌中的定位及分布.结果表明(1)HCV RNA、HBV X基因在肝细胞肝癌组织检出率分别为40%(55/136)和82%(112/136).HCV RNA定位于癌细胞的胞浆内,阳性细胞呈散在、灶状及弥漫分布三种形式;HBV X基因在肝癌细胞中的分布呈胞浆型、核型及核浆型,阳性细胞也呈上述三种分布形式;(2)HCV C33c抗原、核心抗原在肝细胞肝癌中的阳性率为81%(133/164)及86%(141/164).C33c抗原定位于癌细胞及肝细胞的胞浆内;核心抗原既定位于癌细胞核中,又可定位于胞浆中.C33c抗原阳性细胞以灶状分布为主;而核心抗原阳性细     

Selection with two alleles and complete dominance

For a plant selection model with frequency-independent viabilities, fertilities and selfing rates, it is shown that apart from global fixation, for certain parameter combinations a protected polymorphism and facultative fixation (either allele may become fixed according to initial frequencies) may both occur. Facultative fixation requires different selling rates for the dominant and recessive type. Protection of the polymorphism requires resource allocation for male and female function. In this connection the problem of purely genetically caused population extinction is discussed.
For general frequency dependence and regular segregation, the chances for establishment of a completely recessive gene are compared to those of a completely dominant gene. It is proven that the process of establishment of the recessive gene, despite a fitness advantage, may be considerably endangered by drift effects if random mating prevails. The recessive gene may reach the same effectivity in establishment as a dominant gene, only if the recessive homozygote mates exclusively with its own type during the period of establishment.