大肠杆菌热稳定肠毒素表位与霍乱毒素B亚单位的重组与表达

霍乱毒素B亚单位(CTB)是半抗原的良好载体,选择CTB基因的翻译调控元件,实现了串联重复的突变型大肠杆菌热稳定肠毒素(ST)表位与CTB的重组,在大肠杆菌中高效分泌表达,经过亲和层析获得了高纯度的重组蛋白,ELISA表明重组蛋白仍保留与神经节苷脂GMl的结合能力和CTB的免疫原性。     

肺炎支原体双蛋白多抗原表位表达载体的构建

目的构建肺炎支原体(Mp)双蛋白多特异抗原表位表达载体,提高重组蛋白抗原的敏感性。方法应用生物信息学方法筛选Mp P116粘附蛋白抗原表位序列,PCR点突变技术获取P116蛋白基因片段,与pMD-T载体重组,转入大肠埃希菌JM109,通过限制性酶切图谱和基因序列分析鉴定重组质粒。酶切回收P116基因片段与pGEX 6P-1-P1 DNA重组,转入大肠埃希菌JM109菌株。用Glutathione Sepharose 4B纯化重组蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析表达产物的相对分子量,用Mp免疫血清进行免疫印迹试验,鉴定重组蛋白的免疫原性。结果 PCR点突变扩增Mp黏附蛋白P116的基因片段为597 bp,该基因片段与已知的基因库序列分析比较,除两个突变位点由UAG突变为UGG外,其余核苷酸序列同源性为100%。SDS-PAGE分析多表位重组蛋白相对分子质量(Mr)为77.8 kDa。免疫印迹结果显示,Mp兔多价血清能与纯化的78KDa的重组蛋白发生免疫反应。结论本研究成功构建了Mp双蛋白多表位的表达载体。该表达载体表达的重组蛋白具有Mp特异的免疫反应性。重组蛋白的敏感性有待进一步鉴定。     

转基因烟草表达霍乱毒素B亚单位的研究

将霍乱毒素Ｂ亚单位（ＣＴＢ）基因克隆到质粒ｐＢｉｎ４３８中,分别构建植物表达载体ｐＢＩ－ＣＴＢ、ｐＢＩ－ＳＰＣＴＢ和ｐＢＩ－ＣＴＢＥＲ。采用叶盘法分别转化烟草Ｋ３２６,各表达载体得到了一批较基因植株。转基因烟草的ＰＣＲ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ分析表明ＣＴＢ基因整合到了烟草基因组中。转基因植株的ＥＬＩＳＡ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ分析表明ｐＢＩ－ＳＰＣＴＢ和ｐＢＩ－ＣＴＢＥＲ的转基因植株能有效表     

霍乱毒素B亚基融合蛋白表达载体的构建

采用PCR技术将霍乱弧菌CTB基因的终止密码子定点突变并引入一个EcoR Ⅰ位点,然后与人工合成的Linker连接,构建成了新颖的融合蛋白表达载体。在CTB 3′端的Linker上有四个单一人酶切位点,在任何限制性位点融合外源基因序列后,都可在3′端形成转译终止密码子。     

Construction of a pTOC-T vector using GST-ParE toxin for direct cloning and selection of PCR products

Using linker insertion mutations, we determined the most stable region of the parE gene which encodes a toxic protein (ParE) that inhibits growth of Escherichia coli. The toxicity of ParE was sustained until a 144bp linker was inserted into this region. We have developed a 3 T-overhang vector based on these characteristics of the GST-ParE toxin, and named pTOC-T. Because pTOC-T uses a post-segregational killing system, all transformants grown up on the plates can be considered as recombinants containing foreign DNA. pTOC-T not require X-Gal, IPTG or other substrates for selection. This T-vector using a positive selection system can be applied to various E. coli strains such as XL1-Blue, BL21, DH5, JM109, and JM110.Revisions requested 28 July 2004; Revisions received 7 September 2004     

Expression of cholera toxin B subunit oligomers in transgenic potato plants

A gene encoding the cholera toxin B subunit protein (CTB), fused to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (SEKDEL) was inserted adjacent to the bi-directional mannopine synthase P2 promoter in a plant expression vector containing a bacterial luciferase AB fusion gene (luxF) linked to the P1 promoter. Potato leaf explants were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying the vector and kanamycin-resistant plants were regenerated. The CTB-SEKDEL fusion gene was identified in the genomic DNA of bioluminescent plants by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Immunoblot analysis indicated that plant-derived CTB protein was antigenically indistinguishable from bacterial CTB protein, and that oligomeric CTB molecules (Mr 50 kDa) were the dominant molecular species isolated from transgenic potato leaf and tuber tissues. Similar to bacterial CTB, plant-synthesized CTB dissociated into monomers (Mr 15 kDa) during heat or acid treatment. The maximum amount of CTB protein detected in auxin-induced transgenic potato leaf and tuber tissues was approximately 0.3% of total soluble plant protein. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods indicated that plant-synthesized CTB protein bound specifically to GM1-ganglioside, the natural membrane receptor of cholera toxin. In the presence of the SEKDEL signal, CTB protein accumulates in potato tissues and is assembled into an oligomeric form that retains native biochemical and immunological properties. The expression of oligomeric CTB protein with immunological and biochemical properties identical to native CTB protein in edible plants opens the way for preparation of inexpensive food plant-based oral vaccines for protection against cholera and other pathogens in endemic areas throughout the world     

Very efficient extracellular production of cholera toxin B subunit using Bacillus brevis

Abstract We have constructed a very efficient synthesis and secretion system for cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) of Vibrio cholerae 569B using Bacillus brevis . The constructed expression-secretion vector has the multiple promoters and the signal peptide coding region of the mwp gene, a structural gene for one of the major cell wall proteins of B. brevis strain 47, directly followed by the gene encoding the mature CTB. A large amount of mature CTB (1.4 g per liter of culture) was secreted into the medium. It had the same amino terminal amino acid sequence as that of authentic CTB and was fully active in GM1 ganglioside binding assay.     

A novel vector for a rapid generation of fiber-mutant adenovirus based on one step ligation and quick screening of positive clones

The generation of fiber-modified adenoviral vector has proven difficult. In the paper, we developed a new system for rapid construction of fiber-modified adenoviral vector containing foreign peptides in the HI loop or C-terminal of the fiber knob. The new system was established through the following processes. First, a unique BamHI mutation was made in the genome of Ad5 without causing amino acid change. Second, two unique restriction enzymes BamHI and SfuI, both with sticky end, were introduced in the HI loop or C-terminal of Ad5 fiber knob. Third, a lacza expression cassette was placed between BamHI and SfuI sites for a quick identification of positive cloning based on white-blue color screening. This system allows generation of recombinant adenoviral vector by a single step, in vitro ligation followed by quick white-color positive clone screening. To prove the principle of the method, Ad5HI-RGD by modifying HI-loop of the fiber knob with RGD motif and Ad5Cter-PK7 by modifying C-terminal of the knob with poly-lysine (pK7) were successfully generated in vitro. Ad5 with a knob modified in the HI loop of the fiber with Tat-PTD, NGR or SIKVAV peptide were also successfully developed. The transduction of the modified viruses for Hela, U87 MG and MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated in vitro compared with unmodified Ad5. In conclusion, the new vector system allows for a rapid generation of fiber-mutant adenovirus and provides useful tool for gene function analysis and cancer gene therapy.     

Synthesis of cholera toxin B subunit gene: cloning and expression of a functional 6XHis-tagged protein in Escherichia coli

Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been extensively studied as immunogen, adjuvant, and oral tolerance inductor depending on the antigen conjugated or coadministered. It has been already expressed in several bacterial and yeast systems. In this study, we synthesized a versatile gene coding a 6XHis-tagged CTB (359 bp). The sequence was designed according to codon usage of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, and Salmonella typhimurium. The gene assembly was based on a polymerase chain reaction, in which the polymerase extends DNA fragments from a pool of overlapping oligonucleotides. The synthetic gene was amplified, cloned, and expressed in E. coli in an insoluble form, reaching levels about 13 mg of purified active pentameric rCTB per liter of induced culture. Western blot and ELISA analyses showed that recombinant CTB is strongly and specifically recognized by polyclonal antibodies against the cholera toxin. The ability to form the functional pentamers was observed in cell culture by the inhibition of cholera toxin activity on Y1 adrenal cells in the presence of recombinant CTB. The 6XHis-tagged CTB provides a simple way to obtain functional CTB through Ni²⁺-charged resin after refolding and also free of possible CTA contaminants as in the case of CTB obtained from Vibrio cholerae cultures.     

Cautionary note on the use of the B subunit of cholera toxin as a ganglioside GM1 probe: detection of cholera toxin A subunit in B subunit preparations by a sensitive adenylate cyclase assay

The use of the B subunit of cholera toxin, a protein that binds specifically to ganglioside GM1, has provided a new paradigm for studying physiological functions of ganglioside GM1. The B subunit inhibited the growth of rat glioma C6 cells that had been pretreated with ganglioside GM1. In some preparations of the B subunit, the inhibition was independent of adenylate cyclase activation and was due to the binding of the B subunit to ganglioside GM1 inserted onto the cell surface. However, in other preparations of the B subunit, there was an additional inhibitory effect due to small contaminations with the A subunit, which caused increases in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and concomitant growth inhibition. This vanishingly small contamination with the A subunit could not be detected by conventional protein sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis but could be measured utilizing a sensitive adenylate cyclase activation assay. Thus caution must be used to ensure that any biological effects of the B subunit are not due to contaminating A subunit and are due solely to the binding of the B subunit to ganglioside GM1 exposed on the cell surface. This is especially important in cyclic nucleotide-sensitive systems.     

日本血吸虫32kDa蛋白质基因在真核表达载体中的亚克隆

设计和合成特定寡核苷酸引物,TRIZOL提取日本血吸虫成虫RNA,RT-PCR法扩增日本血吸虫32kDa蛋白质(Sj32)基因编码序列,将扩增产物连接pGEM-T克隆载体,再亚克隆到真核表达载体pBKCMV中.结果RT-PCR法特异性扩增出Sj32编码基因片段,其大小约为1270bp,经双酶切、PCR鉴定表明所构建的质粒pGEM-Sj32和pBK-Sj32中含有目的基因.pBK-Sj32重组质粒的成功构建,为进一步表达Sj32及其在血吸虫病免疫诊断、免疫预防中的作用研究提供了条件.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a Tetrahymena pyriformis ubiquitin fusion gene coding for a 53-amino-acid extension protein.

Summary The genome of Tetrahymena pyriformis has been shown to contain a ubiquitin multigene family consisting of several polyubiquitin genes and at least one ubiquitin fusion gene. We report here the isolation and characterization of one genomic clone (pTUl1), that encodes a ubiquitin extension protein. A comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the ubiquitin extension protein gene of T. pyriformis with those from other organisms indicated a high degree of homology. However, the Tetrahymena ubiquitin extension protein contains 53 and not 52 amino acids. This feature is different from all ubiquitin 52-amino-acid extension protein genes thus far sequenced. Furthermore, we found an array of four cysteine residues similar to those found in nucleic acid binding proteins. Also, the C-terminal sequence possesses a conserved motif which may represent a nuclear translocation signal. The ubiquitin 53-amino-acid extension protein gene encodes the smallest class of ubiquitin mRNAs in T. pyriformis.     

New Mos1 mariner transposons suitable for the recovery of gene fusions in vivo and in vitro.

The Drosophila Mos1 element can be mobilized in species ranging from prokaryotes to protozoans and vertebrates, and the purified transposase can be used for in vitro transposition assays. In this report we developed a ‘mini-Mos1’ element and describe a number of useful derivatives suitable for transposon mutagenesis in vivo or in vitro. Several of these allow the creation and/or selection of tripartite protein fusions to a green fluorescent protein–phleomycin resistance (GFP-PHLEO) reporter/selectable marker. Such X-GFP-PHLEO-X fusions have the advantage of retaining 5′ and 3′ regulatory information and N- and C-terminal protein targeting domains. A Mos1 derivative suitable for use in transposon-insertion mediated linker insertion (TIMLI) mutagenesis is described, and transposons bearing selectable markers suitable for use in the protozoan parasite Leishmania were made and tested. A novel ‘negative selection’ approach was developed which permits in vitro assays of transposons lacking bacterial selectable markers. Application of this assay to several Mos1 elements developed for use in insects suggests that the large mariner pM[cn] element used previously in vivo is poorly active in vitro, while the Mos1-Act-EGFP transposon is highly active.     

An efficient and rapid method for gene cloning from eukaryotic genomic DNA using overlap-PCR: With an example of cattle Ghrelin gene

In this study, overlap-PCR, an efficient and rapid method, was used to clone cattle Ghrelin gene CDS (coding sequence) from genomic DNA. The procedure included seven primers and three-step PCRs. Cattle Ghrelin gene consists of four exons and the CDS contains 351 bps. In the first step three PCRs were performed to generate extended exon1, exon2, and exon3 that contained overlapped nucleotides and were used as the templates for second ligation PCR. Secondly, exon1 and exon2 were spliced together. And it was same with exon3 and exon4. Lastly, the four exons were linked together with outermost primers and the templates from the second step. Comparison analysis on the obtained CDS of Ghrelin gene and cDNA by RT-PCR showed that the two sequences were same. As an efficient and rapid method, overlap-PCR is feasible and acceptable for gene cloning from genomic DNA.     

Expression of a synthetic cholera toxin B subunit in tobacco using ubiquitin promoter and bar gene as a selectable marker

A protocol has been developed to produce a cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) in tobacco tolerant to the herbicide phosphinothricin (PPT) by means of in vitro selection. The synthetic CTB subunit gene was altered to modify the codon usage to that of tobacco plant genes. The gene was then cloned into a plant expression vector and was under the control of the ubiquitin promoter and transformed into tobacco plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic plantlets were selected in a medium supplemented with 5 mg/L PPT. Polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed stable integration of the synthetic CTB gene into a chromosomal DNA. A high level of CTB (1.8% of total soluble protein) was expressed in transgenic plants, which was 18-fold higher than that under the control of the expressed CaMV 35S promoter with native gene. The transgenic plants when transferred to a greenhouse proved to be resistant to 2% PPT.     

Vectors for ligation-independent construction of lacZ gene fusions and cloning of PCR products using a nicking endonuclease

Several ligation-independent cloning methods have been developed that offer advantages for construction of recombinant plasmids at high efficiency while minimizing cloning artifacts. Here we report new plasmid vectors that use the nicking endonuclease Nt.BspQI to generate extended single stranded tails for direct cloning of PCR products. The vectors include pLacCOs1, a ColE1-derivative plasmid imparting resistance to ampicillin, which allows facile construction of lacZ translational fusions and pKanCOs1, a pSC101-derivative cloning vector that imparts resistance to kanamycin, for cloning of PCR amplicons from genomic DNA as well as from ampicillin-based plasmids. We have successfully used these plasmids to directionally clone and characterize bacterial promoters that exhibit temperature regulated expression, as well as for cloning a variety of PCR products. In all cases, constructs with the correct configurations were generated at high efficiency and with a minimal number of manipulations. The cloning vectors can also be easily modified to incorporate additional reporter genes or to express epitope-tagged gene products.