戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白同源二聚体的相互作用结构域

为了探讨戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白同源二聚体形成的关键区域和相互作用结构域,以及二聚体形成与主要天然中和表位的形成之间的关系,通过末端缺失、定点突变技术研究戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）ORF2的aa394-aa606片段NE2的聚合现象,发现其C端的aa597-aa602（AVAVLA）疏水区是该片段同源聚合的核心区域,提高该区域氨基酸的亲水性将妨碍聚合现象的发生;半胱氨酸化学交联实验表明NE2形成同源二聚体时,aa597在空间位置上相接近,处于可生成化学键的距离,提示所处区域为疏水聚合的作用结构域;通过Blast程序估算核心区域的天然突变率,发现其疏水性高度保守;N端缺失实验表明,至少65个氨基酸既不影响同源聚合也不直接参与主要的天然中和表位的形成,但可协助中和表位构象的形成,而这种协助作用可被ORF2的末端肽段所代替。Aa597-aa602（AVAVLA）疏水区为戊肝病毒衣壳组装的第一步骤的核心区域,并与重要的天然中和表位的形成直接相关,从而为戊肝病毒疫苗的研究提供更详细的信息。     

PDZ结构域的结构特点及其识别特异性配体的机制

PDZ结构域作为介导蛋白质之间相互作用的重要结构域之一,参与到细胞内运输、离子通道、以及各种信号传导通路等多种生物学过程.PDZ结构域是由80~100个氨基酸组成的小的球状结构域,对某些多PDZ结构域蛋白来说,需要一前一后形成串联体才能正确折叠.另外,PDZ结构域相互之间也可以形成同源或异源二聚体.这些PDZ结构域的突出特点是能特异性地识别配体靶蛋白C末端短的氨基酸序列,但有些也能识别靶蛋白的内部β发夹结构.而一些支架蛋白的PDZ结构域与细胞膜上脂类的相互作用则增加了其与膜的亲和性.本文简要概括了PDZ结构域的结构特点及其对配体的各种特异性识别的机制,从而为研究各种PDZ蛋白的功能提供了结构基础.     

凋亡诱导因子与非受体酪氨酸激酶c-Abl的相互作用

目的:研究凋亡诱导因子(apoptosis-inducingfactor,AIF)与非受体酪氨酸激酶c-Abl的相互作用及其功能。方法:应用免疫共沉淀法研究蛋白质的相互作用;用抗磷酸化酪氨酸抗体研究蛋白质的体内磷酸化;与GFP质粒共转染研究蛋白在细胞内的表达量。结果:AIF与c-Abl在细胞内能形成复合物;AIF可以被c-Abl磷酸化,且c-Abl能提高AIF的表达量。结论:AIF与c-Abl具有相互作用;AIF可以被c-Abl磷酸化,且c-Abl能提高AIF的表达量。     

转录因子AP-2及其在癌症中的作用

本文综述了关于AP-2基因家族的最近期研究进展。AP-2是一个分子量为52-kDa的转录因子,有其独特的蛋白质分子结构,其N端是富含脯氨酸和谷氨酸的转录激活域,C端的helix-span-helix结构可以形成二聚体并与特异的DNA序列结合。AP-2家族都能以同源或异源二聚体的方式与一段保守序列5’-GCCNNNGGC-3’结合。AP-2α是最早被鉴定和研究的家族成员,很多研究表明AP-2α是一个抑癌基因。     

甜荞木瓜类半胱氨酸蛋白酶基因FeRD21的克隆与表达分析

该研究以旱区小杂粮作物甜荞(Fagopyrum esculentum)为材料,采用同源克隆、RACE技术和实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对其半胱氨酸蛋白酶基因(FeRD21)进行了分离和表达分析。结果表明:(1)FeRD21基因cDNA全长1 750bp,包含1个1 407bp的完整开放阅读框,编码468个氨基酸。(2)蛋白序列比对发现,甜荞FeRD21全酶包括信号肽、N末端自主抑制前体区域、蛋白酶、脯氨酸富含结构域和C末端颗粒体蛋白结构域,同时,其蛋白酶结构域包含1个木瓜类蛋白酶家族保守的催化三连体活性位点:Cys168-His304-Asn324。(3)分子系统发生分析证实,其与拟南芥的RD21一致性最高,属类RD21半胱氨酸蛋白酶类。(4)基因表达分析表明,FeRD21能被干旱、高盐、ABA和衰老胁迫诱导。     

接头蛋白c-Crk的结构和功能

接头蛋白c-CrK是原癌基因c-CrK表达的产物,参与了受体酪氨酸激酶和整合蛋白等多种分子的信号转导。C-CrK是最初发现于禽类病毒中的v-CrK在组织细胞中的同源物,通过mRNA选择性剪接产生两种形式的蛋白质c-CrKI和c-CrKⅡ,在各种组织中广泛表达。C-CrK分子在N端包含有一个SH2结构域,在C端两个SH3结构域。CrKL是CrK家族的另一个成员,但由不同的基因编码,其结构与c-CrKII十分相似。C-CrK蛋白质本身不具备任何酶活性,它通过SH2和SH3结构域连接蛋白质,使得不能直接相互作用的信号分子发生相互作用。c-CrK II的SH2结构域可以与含有磷酸化酪氨酸YXXP模体的蛋白质结合,如桩蛋白(paxillin)、Cas、c-Cbl和自身磷酸化的酪氨酸蛋白激酶受体等。SH3结构域与蛋白质中富含脯氨酸的PXLPXK模体结合,如C3G和DOCKl80等信号分子。由于c-CrK能够同众多的蛋白质信号分子结合,使得c-CrK广泛参与细胞内不同信号途径的信号转导。     

甜荞木瓜类半胱氨酸蛋白酶基因FeRD21的克隆与表达分析（英文）

该研究以旱区小杂粮作物甜荞(Fagopyrum esculentum)为材料,采用同源克隆、RACE技术和实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对其半胱氨酸蛋白酶基因(FeRD21)进行了分离和表达分析。结果表明:(1)FeRD21基因cDNA全长1 750bp,包含1个1 407bp的完整开放阅读框,编码468个氨基酸。(2)蛋白序列比对发现,甜荞FeRD21全酶包括信号肽、N末端自主抑制前体区域、蛋白酶、脯氨酸富含结构域和C末端颗粒体蛋白结构域,同时,其蛋白酶结构域包含1个木瓜类蛋白酶家族保守的催化三连体活性位点:Cys168-His304-Asn324。(3)分子系统发生分析证实,其与拟南芥的RD21一致性最高,属类RD21半胱氨酸蛋白酶类。(4)基因表达分析表明,FeRD21能被干旱、高盐、ABA和衰老胁迫诱导。     

过表达△2△fosb蛋白促进小鼠原代前成骨细胞的分化(简报)

小鼠骨肉瘤基因B(Finkel-Biskis-Jinkinsmurine osteosarcoma B,fasb)是具亮氨酸拉链结构的转录因子激活剂蛋白-1(activator protein-1,AP-1)家族的成员之一.fosb基因在转录拼接过程中会自发地发生剪切截去C端的101个富含脯氨酸的氨基酸区域而形成△fosb,被截断的区域包括转录激活结构域,但是△fosb基因仍然保留N端的fos同型结构域(Fos homology domain FHD),并能够在成骨细胞中表达.     

过表△2△fosb蛋白促进小鼠原代前成骨细胞的分化（简报）

小鼠骨肉瘤基因B（Finkef—Biskis—Jinkins murine osteosarcoma B,fosb）是具亮氨酸拉链结构的转录因子激活剂蛋白-1（activator protein-1,AP-1）家族的成员之一。fosb基因在转录拼接过程中会自发地发生剪切截去C端的101个富含脯氨酸的氨基酸区域而形成△fosb,被截断的区域包括转录激活结构域,     

PDZ支架蛋白 PDZK1通过PDZ1与PDZ3结构域与磷脂酶Cβ2羧基末端PDZ结合模块相互作用

磷脂酶C β (PLCβ)在G蛋白偶联受体 (GPCR)介导的细胞信号转导中发挥重要作用. 通过水解磷脂酰肌醇4,5二磷酸 (PIP2),磷脂酶C β可以产生3种重要的第二信使分子：二乙酰甘油 (DAG)、三磷酸肌醇 (IP3)和质子. 在果蝇中,磷脂酶C β通过它的羧基末端盘状同源区域结合模块 (PBM)与盘状同源区域 (PDZ)支架蛋白-失活无后电位D蛋白 (INAD)相互作用,从而调节果蝇的光信号传导 . 在哺乳动物中,磷脂酶C β家族有4个亚型,每1个亚型的羧基末端都有1个典型的盘状同源区域结合模块. 这一结构特点提示我们,磷脂酶C β可能通过其羧基末端的盘状同源区域结合模块与盘状同源区域支架蛋白相互作用,进而调节它们自身的细胞定位和功能. 然而,目前仍对哺乳动物磷脂酶C β家族的盘状同源区域结合蛋白知之甚少. 本文运用分析型凝胶过滤和等温滴定量热技术,系统地研究了不同磷脂酶Cβ亚型的羧基末端盘状同源区域结合模块与不同盘状同源区域蛋白质的结合. 结果表明,磷脂酶Cβ2的羧基末端盘状同源区域结合模块,可以特异地与含有4个盘状同源区域的支架蛋白-盘状同源区域蛋白1 (PDZK1）以2∶1的方式相互结合. 进一步的测定显示,磷脂酶C β2羧基末端盘状同源区域结合模块在盘状同源区域蛋白1上的结合位点为第1和第3个盘状同源区域,而它们与磷脂酶Cβ2的解离常数分别为11.8±3.4 μmol/L 和33.3±8.7 μmol/L.     

The C-terminal sequence of LMADS1 is essential for the formation of homodimers for B function proteins

LMADS1, a lily (Lilium longiflorum) AP3 orthologue, contains the complete consensus sequence of the paleoAP3 (YGSHDLRLA) and PI-derived (YEFRVQPSQPNLH) motifs in the C-terminal region of the protein. Interestingly, through yeast two-hybrid analysis, LMADS1 was found to be capable of forming homodimers. These results indicated that LMADS1 represents an ancestral form of the B function protein, which retains the ability to form homodimers in regulating petal and stamen development in lily. To explore the involvement of the conserved motifs in the C-terminal region of LMADS1 in forming homodimers, truncated forms of LMADS1 were generated, and their ability to form homodimers was analyzed using yeast two-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The ability of LMADS1 to form homodimers decreased once the C-terminal paleoAP3 motif was deleted. When both paleoAP3 and PI-derived motifs were deleted, the ability of LMADS1 to form homodimers was completely abolished. This result indicated that although the paleoAP3 motif promotes the formation of LMADS1 homodimers, the PI-derived motif is essential. Deletion analysis indicated that two amino acids, RV, of the 5 final amino acids, YEFRV, in the PI-derived motif are essential for the formation of homodimers. Further, point mutation analysis indicated that amino acid Val was absolutely necessary, whereas residue Arg played a less important role in the formation of homodimers. Furthermore, Arabidopsis AP3 was able to form homodimers once its C-terminal region was replaced by that of LMADS1. This result indicated that the C-terminal region of LMADS1 is responsible and essential for homodimer formation of the ancestral form of the B function protein.     

The formation of the central element of the synaptonemal complex may occur by multiple mechanisms: the roles of the N- and C-terminal domains of the Drosophila C(3)G protein in mediating synapsis and recombination

In Drosophila melanogaster oocytes, the C(3)G protein comprises the transverse filaments (TFs) of the synaptonemal complex (SC). Like other TF proteins, such as Zip1p in yeast and SCP1 in mammals, C(3)G is composed of a central coiled-coil-rich domain flanked by N- and C-terminal globular domains. Here, we analyze in-frame deletions within the N- and C-terminal regions of C(3)G in Drosophila oocytes. As is the case for Zip1p, a C-terminal deletion of C(3)G fails to attach to the lateral elements of the SC. Instead, this C-terminal deletion protein forms a large cylindrical polycomplex structure. EM analysis of this structure reveals a polycomplex of concentric rings alternating dark and light bands. However, unlike both yeast and mammals, all three proteins deleted for N-terminal regions completely abolished both SC and polycomplex formation. Both the N- and C-terminal deletions significantly reduce or abolish meiotic recombination similarly to c(3)G null homozygotes. To explain these data, we propose that in Drosophila the N terminus, but not the C-terminal globular domain, of C(3)G is critical for the formation of antiparallel pairs of C(3)G homodimers that span the central region and thus for assembly of complete TFs, while the C terminus is required to affix these homodimers to the lateral elements.     

Functional interaction between the c-Abl and Arg protein-tyrosine kinases in the oxidative stress response

The Abl family of mammalian nonreceptor tyrosine kinases consists of c-Abl and Arg. Recent work has shown that c-Abl and Arg are activated in the cellular response to oxidative stress. The present studies demonstrate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce the formation of c-Abl and Arg heterodimers. The results show that the c-Abl SH3 domain binds directly to a proline-rich site (amino acids 567-576) in the Arg C-terminal region. Formation of c-Abl.Arg heterodimers also involves direct binding of the Arg Src homology 3 domain to the C-terminal region of c-Abl. The results further demonstrate that the interaction between c-Abl and Arg involves c-Abl-mediated phosphorylation of Arg. The functional significance of the c-Abl-Arg interaction is supported by the demonstration that both c-Abl and Arg are required for ROS-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that ROS induce c-Abl.Arg heterodimers and that both c-Abl and Arg are necessary as effectors in the apoptotic response to oxidative stress.     

Homodimerization of human mu-opioid receptor overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells

In this study, we demonstrate that human mu-opioid receptors do form SDS-resistant homodimers and examine the ability of human mu-opioid receptors to dimerize and the role of agonists in the dimerization. Increasing concentrations and longer exposure of agonists reduce the levels of dimmer with a corresponding increase in the levels of monomer. This effect is achieved with both peptide and alkaloid opioid agonists and it is antagonist reversible. These results suggest that human mu-opioid receptors are present as receptor oligomers and interconversion between dimeric and monomeric forms may be important for biological activity.     

How often does the myristoylated N-terminal latch of c-Abl come off?

The myristoylated N-terminal latching to the C-terminal lobe of c-Abl was recently demonstrated to be an important regulatory element for the kinase, playing a role similar to that of the tyrosine-phosphorylated C-terminal tail of c-Src. A potential mechanism for activating c-Abl is the dissociation of the myristoylated N-terminal latch. How often does this latch spontaneously come off? A recent theoretical model along with the experimental results of Superti-Furga, Kuriyan, and co-workers suggests that the equilibrium fraction of c-Abl in which the myristoylated N-terminal is unlatched is approximately 0.5%.     

Bcl-x(L) sequesters its C-terminal membrane anchor in soluble, cytosolic homodimers

Bcl-x(L) is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. While Bcl-x(L) can be bound to mitochondria, a substantial fraction, depending on the cell type or tissue, is found in the cytosol of healthy cells. Gel filtration and crosslinking experiments reveal that, unlike monomeric Bax, Bcl-x(L) migrates in a complex of approximately 50 kDa in the cytosol. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that Bcl-x(L) in the cytosol forms homodimers. The C-terminal hydrophobic tails of two Bcl-x(L) molecules are involved in homodimer formation, and analysis of mutants demonstrates that the C-terminal lysine residue and the G138 residue lining the BH3-binding pocket are required for homodimerization. The flexible loop preceding the C-terminal tail in Bcl-x(L) is longer than that of several monomeric Bcl-2 family members and is a requisite for the homodimer formation. Bad binding to Bcl-x(L) dissociates the homodimers and triggers Bcl-x(L) binding to mitochondrial membranes. The C-terminal tail of Bcl-x(L) is also required to mediate Bcl-x(L)/Bax heterodimer formation. Both mitochondrial import and antiapoptotic activity of different Bcl-x(L) mutants correlate with their ability to form homodimers.     

Inhibition of c-Abl tyrosine kinase activity by filamentous actin

The catalytic activity of c-Abl tyrosine kinase is reduced in fibroblasts that are detached from the extracellular matrix. We report here that a deletion of the extreme C terminus of c-Abl (DeltaF-actin c-Abl) can partially restore kinase activity to c-Abl from detached cells. Because the extreme C terminus of c-Abl contains a consensus F-actin binding motif, we investigated the effect of F-actin on c-Abl tyrosine kinase activity. We found that F-actin can inhibit the kinase activity of purified c-Abl protein. Mutations of the extreme C-terminal region of c-Abl disrupted both the binding of c-Abl to F-actin and the inhibition of c-Abl by F-actin. Mutations of the SH3, SH2, and DNA binding domains did not abolish the inhibition of c-Abl kinase by F-actin. Catalytic domain substitutions that affect the regulation of c-Abl by the retinoblastoma protein or the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated kinase also did not abolish the inhibition of c-Abl by F-actin. Interestingly, among these c-Abl mutants, only the DeltaF-actin c-Abl retained kinase activity in detached cells. Taken together, the data suggest that F-actin is an inhibitor of the c-Abl tyrosine kinase and that this inhibition contributes in part to the reduced Abl kinase activity in detached cells.     

Identification of B cell adaptor for PI3-kinase (BCAP) as an Abl interactor 1-regulated substrate of Abl kinases

In previous work we showed that Abl interactor 1 (Abi-1), by linking enzyme and substrate, promotes the phosphorylation of Mammalian Enabled (Mena) by c-Abl. To determine whether this mechanism extends to other c-Abl substrates, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to search for proteins that interact with Abi-1. By screening a human leukocyte cDNA library, we identified BCAP (B-cell adaptor for phosphoinositide 3-kinase) as another Abi-1-interacting protein. Binding experiments revealed that the SH3 domain of Abi-1 and the C-terminal polyproline structure of BCAP are involved in interactions between the two. In cultured cells, Abi-1 promoted phosphorylation of BCAP not only by c-Abl but also by v-Abl. The phosphorylation sites of BCAP by c-Abl were mapped to five tyrosine residues in the C-terminal region that are well conserved in mammals. These results show that Abi-1 promotes Abl-mediated BCAP phosphorylation and suggest that Abi-1 in general coordinates kinase-substrate interactions.     

c-Abl tyrosine kinase regulates the human Rad9 checkpoint protein in response to DNA damage

The ubiquitously expressed c-Abl tyrosine kinase is activated in the apoptotic response of cells to DNA damage. The mechanisms by which c-Abl signals the induction of apoptosis are not understood. Here we show that c-Abl binds constitutively to the mammalian homolog of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad9 cell cycle checkpoint protein. The SH3 domain of c-Abl interacts directly with the C-terminal region of Rad9. c-Abl phosphorylates the Rad9 Bcl-2 homology 3 domain (Tyr-28) in vitro and in cells exposed to DNA-damaging agents. The results also demonstrate that c-Abl-mediated phosphorylation of Rad9 induces binding of Rad9 to the antiapototic Bcl-x(L) protein. The regulation of Rad9 by c-Abl in the DNA damage response is further supported by the demonstration that the interaction between c-Abl and Rad9 contributes to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate that Rad9 is regulated by a c-Abl-dependent mechanism in the apoptotic response to genotoxic stress.