羊瘙痒病263K毒株感染的仓鼠脑中PrP分子形式多样性的动态测定

正常细胞的朊蛋白(PrPC)代谢和构象的改变是引发动物和人类可传播性海绵状脑病(transmissiblespongiformencephalopathies,TSEs)的根本原因。将羊瘙痒病(scrapie)仓鼠适应株263K颅内接种仓鼠,在接种后的第20、40、50、60、70、80天,通过Westernblot动态检测仓鼠脑中PrP存在的形式。结果在接种后第40天,在感染动物脑组织中即检测到PrPSc分子,比临床症状出现的时间早(平均潜伏期为66 7±1 1天),且无糖基化形式的PrP分子所占百分比在接种后期增加明显。除了标准分子量大小(30kD～35kD)的PrP分子外,在感染动物脑中存在着高分子量和低分子量形式的PrP分子。定量分析显示,随着接种潜伏期的延长,不同形式PrP分子的含量也在增加,其中低分子量形式的PrP分子与临床症状的出现密切相关。蛋白去糖基化实验表明,在感染动物脑组织中,除了标准分子量大小的PrP蛋白外,还存在一条更小分子量的PrP条带,而正常动物脑组织仅存在标准大小的PrP分子。低分子量形式的PrP分子具有与全长PrP分子相类似的糖基化模式。结果提示,scrapie263K感染的仓鼠脑组织中存在不同分子形式的PrPSc,其PrP分子的代谢可能不同于正常动物。     

淀粉样前体蛋白的原核表达、纯化及抗血清的制备和应用

提取SH-SY5Y细胞的总RNA并合成单链cDNA,用PCR方法扩增出APP基因羧基端片段.测序后克隆至表达载体,在大肠杆菌M15中分别表达APP-C100和GST-APP-C100融合蛋白,纯化的GST-APP-C100分子量约为38 kD,APP-C100约为18 kD,此外在APP-C100纯化产物中还存在有超过97 kD 的聚合物.体外蛋白酶消化实验显示纯化的GST-APP-C100和APP-C100单体对蛋白酶K消化敏感,而APP-C100聚合物具有抵抗蛋白酶消化能力.以GST-APP- C100免疫实验用兔后得到的APP抗血清经Western 印迹鉴定可特异性识别重组及细胞内源性APP.     

多种缺损及突变的PrP蛋白在杆状病毒中的表达和纯化

PrP蛋白多肽序列上存在有不同的功区域,影响着蛋白质构象、理化特性和生物学功能。为了获得不同缺损及突变的仓鼠PrP蛋白,以PCR方法获得不同大小的PrP基因片段,利用PCR大引物点诱变法获得带有突变糖基化位点PrP序列。所有PCR产物测序鉴定正确后,分别与pFASTBAC Hb质粒连接,与穿梭载体DH10BAC转座,构建各种重组病毒。Western blot证实,8种不同长度的仓鼠PrP蛋白可在昆虫细胞Sf9中表达,包括全序列的PrP1-231,信号肽缺失的PrP23-231;N端缺损的PrP90-231和PrP120-231;C端缺损的PrP1-199、PrP1-174和PrP1-160。糖基化位点突变：PrP23-231(N181Q).其中不带信号肽序列的PrP蛋白均呈HIS融合蛋白,而N端带有信号肽的PrP蛋白则不能与Ni-NTA琼脂糖亲和层析柱结合,但可以用PrP特异性抗体发生免疫沉淀反应。这提示PrP信号肽序列在昆虫细胞中可能也发挥着与哺乳动物细胞相似的作用。不同缺损及突变的PrP蛋白的表达和纯化为进行蛋白生物学性状研究奠定了基础。     

抗癌胚抗原单链抗体基因与核心链霉亲和素基因融合在昆虫细胞中的表达

将抗癌胚抗原单链抗体基因与核心链霉亲和素基因融合插入昆虫杆状病毒供体质粒 pFastBacHTa中 ,在粉纹夜蛾Tn 5B1 4细胞中进行表达。SDS PAGE分析结果表明 ,表达产物分子量为 4 1kD左右 ,Western印迹分析结果表明 ,以HRP标记的生物素进行蛋白质印迹在 4 1kD处可见表达条带 ,表明融合蛋白能特异性的与生物素结合 ,放射免疫分析表明重组杆状病毒表达产生的ScFv CS蛋白能特异性结合癌胚抗原     

硫醇基团的氧化还原过程对人正常朊蛋白聚集和纤维化特征的影响

本研究旨在通过体外对纯化的原核重组人正常朊蛋白硫醇基团的氧化还原过程,探究二硫键的改变对其生化特性的影响。蛋白沉淀实验显示重组正常人朊病毒蛋白经过硫醇基团的氧化还原过程明显增加了其聚集性;硫磺素T(Thioflavin T ,ThT)实验测定发现,经过硫醇基团的氧化还原过程重组PrP蛋白的纤维形成增多;圆二色谱（Circular Dichroism, CD）测定显示,处理后的重组PrP蛋白二级结构发生改变,其β-折叠结构比例显著增多;蛋白酶K消化实验也进一步显示硫醇基团的氧化还原后PrP的蛋白酶K抵抗能力有所增加。这些结果提示二硫键的形成可明显地改变PrP的二级结构,促进朊蛋白聚集和成纤维过程。     

人结合珠蛋白cDNA 克隆及其在大肠杆菌中的表达和鉴定

目的：克隆人结合珠蛋白（haptoglobin,Hp）cDNA ,并在大肠杆菌中表达和鉴定。方法：从Hela 细胞中分离总RNA,采用RT-PCR 方法获得人Hp cDNA,分别克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a和PGEX-4T-1,转化至大肠杆菌BL21,IPTG 诱导表达,并进行SDS-PAGE 及Western blot 鉴定。结果: 成功构建了高效原核表达质粒PET-32a-Hp 和PGEX-4T1-Hp;Western 印迹结果表明,经IPTG 诱导,在大肠杆菌中表达了分子量约30 kD和37 kD 的目的蛋白;表达产物经Ni2+-NTA 离子交换树脂纯化, 纯度>90%。结 论：在E.coli成功表达和纯化了人Hp 融合蛋白,为进一步开发人Hp 诊断试剂打下基础。     

人结合珠蛋白cDNA克隆及其在大肠杆菌中的表达和鉴定

目的：克隆人结合珠蛋白（haptoglobin,Hp）cDNA,并在大肠杆菌中表达和鉴定。方法：从Hela细胞中分离总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法获得人Hp cDNA,分别克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a和PGEX-4T-1,转化至大肠杆菌BL21,IPTG诱导表达,并进行SDS—PAGE及Western blot鉴定。结果：成功构建了高效原核表达质粒PET-32a-Hp和PGEX-4T1-Hp;Western印迹结果表明,经IPTG诱导,在大肠杆菌中表达了分子量约30kD和37kD的目的蛋白;表达产物经Ni2^＋-NTA离子交换树脂纯化,纯度〉90％。结论：在E．coli成功表达和纯化了人Hp融合蛋白,为进一步开发人Hp诊断试剂打下基础。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒核蛋白基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及抗原性初步研究

为了研究重组鸡传染性支气管炎病毒核蛋白能否作为群特异性诊断抗原加以应用,将鸡传染性支气管炎病毒国内分离株IBV—LX4核蛋白基因亚克隆于大肠杆菌原核表达载体pPROEX^TM HT中。构建拟表达重组鸡传染性支气管炎病毒核蛋白的重组质粒pPROEX^TM HT—N。经核苷酸序列测定后,阳性质粒转化大肠杆菌DH5α,并进行诱导表达。表达产物经SDS-PAGE、Western blot鉴定,表明核蛋白在大肠杆菌中获得了表达,表达产物是分子量分别为约56kD和45kD的蛋白,其中分子量为56kD的蛋白表达量约为菌体总蛋白的13％。包涵体被6mol盐酸胍裂解后。通过镍离子亲和树脂进行了纯化,并用纯化的分子量为56kD的重组蛋白免疫新西兰白兔,所获得的兔抗鸡传染性支气管炎病毒核蛋白多克隆抗体,分别与不同致病型的鸡传染性支气管炎病毒进行琼脂扩散反应,结果表明。该多克隆抗体可与各不同致病型毒株发生反应。这初步表明重组鸡传染性支气管炎病毒核蛋白。可作为群特异性诊断抗原用于该病毒的诊断中。     

GOLPH2的原核表达、纯化、抗体制备和初步应用

目前发现GOLPH2蛋白与肝癌密切相关,将golph2基因进行克隆、表达并制备多克隆抗体,为进一步研究其功能奠定基础.应用RT-PCR技术,从人肝癌细胞系HepG2细胞中扩增得到golph2 cDNA,将其克隆到原核表达载体pET21a(+)-TRX内、转化大肠杆菌DH5a,用IPTG诱导其在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达.His-tag磁珠纯化试剂盒纯化重组蛋白GOLPH2,SDS-PAGE鉴定.将纯化的重组蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体,采用ELISA、Western blot方法检测抗体的灵敏度和特异性,并测定临床血清标本中GOLPH2蛋白水平.成功地构建了表达TRX-GOLPH2融合蛋白的原核表达质粒pET21a(+)-TRX-GOLPH2.并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)内得以高效表达,且以可溶性的形式存在.SDS-PAGE和Western blot证实,重组GOLPH2蛋白质与预期结果一致.抗血清能够特异地识别52 kD重组蛋白、73 kD细胞裂解液和血清蛋白质.成功制备了GOLPH2蛋白质和多克隆抗体,能用于后续研究.     

哈维氏弧菌胞外蛋白酶基因的克隆表达及免疫原性

根据实验室分离的大黄鱼弧菌病主要病原菌哈维氏弧菌(Vib rio harveyi)GYC1108-1株的胞外蛋白酶基因序列,设计胞外蛋白酶基因(ΔProA)特异性引物,扩增获得1552bp的ΔProA基因,克隆于pUC57-T载体;将ΔProA基因亚克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a进行融合表达,SDS-PAGE电泳检测发现,ΔProA融合蛋白经IPTG诱导后在大肠杆菌中以包涵体形式表达,分子量大小约55kD,诱导5h的表达蛋白产量约占细菌总蛋白的21%。Western blot分析,表达的55kD蛋白具有较高免疫原性。用纯化的ΔProA融合蛋白对大黄鱼进行免疫试验,结果免疫保护率达到75%。       

Conversion of bacterially expressed recombinant prion protein

The infectivity associated with prion disease sets it apart from a large group of late-onset neurodegenerative disorders that shares the characteristics of protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. The unconventional infectious agent, PrP(Sc), is an aberrantly folded form of the normal prion protein (PrP(C)) and the PrP(C)-to-PrP(Sc) conversion is a critical pathogenic step in prion disease. Using the Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification technique, we converted folded bacterially expressed recombinant PrP into a proteinase K-resistant and aggregated conformation (rPrP-res) in the presence of anionic lipid and RNA molecules. Moreover, high prion infectivity was demonstrated by intracerebral inoculation of rPrP-res into wild-type mice, which caused prion disease with a short incubation period. The establishment of the in vitro recombinant PrP conversion assay makes it feasible for us to explore the molecular basis behind the intriguing properties associated with prion infectivity.     

Recombinant neural protein PrP can bind with both recombinant and native apolipoprotein E in vitro

The most essential and crucial step during the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiformencephalopathy is the conformational change of cellular prion protein (PrP~C) to pathologic isoform (PrP~(Sc)).Alot of data revealed that caveolae-like domains (CLDs) in the cell surface were the probable place where theconversion of PrP proteins happened.Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is an apolipoprotein which is considered toplay an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases byforming protein complex through binding to the receptor located in the clathrin-coated pits of the cell surface.In this study,a 914-bp cDNA sequence encoding human ApoE3 was amplified from neuroblastoma cell lineSH-SY5Y.Three human ApoE isomers were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli.ApoE-specificantiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with the purified ApoE3.GST/His pull-down assay,immunoprecipitation and ELISA revealed that three full-length ApoE isomers interact with the recombinantfull-length PrP protein in vitro.The regions corresponding to protein binding were mapped in the N-terminalsegment of ApoE (amino acid 1-194) and the N-terminal of PrP (amino acid 23-90).Moreover,the recombinantPrP showed the ability to form a complex with the native ApoE from liver tissues.Our data provided directevidence of molecular interaction between ApoE and PrP.It also supplied scientific clues for assessing thesignificance of CLDs on the surface of cellular membrane in the process of conformational conversion fromPrP~C to PrP~(Sc) and probing into the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.     

Efficient inhibition of prion replication by PrP-Fc(2) suggests that the prion is a PrP(Sc) oligomer

Soluble dimeric prion protein (PrP-Fc(2)) binds to the disease-associated prion protein PrP(Sc), and inhibits prion replication when expressed in transgenic mice. Prion inhibition is effective even if PrP-Fc(2) is expressed at low levels, suggesting that its affinity for PrP(Sc) is higher than that of monomeric PrP(C). Here, we model prion accumulation as an exponential replication cycle of prion elongation and breakage. The exponential growth rate corresponding to this cycle is reflected in the incubation period of the disease. We use a mathematical model to calculate the exponential growth rate, and fit the model to in vivo data on prion incubation times corresponding to different levels of PrP(C) and PrP-Fc(2). We find an excellent fit of the model to the data. Surprisingly, targeting of PrP(Sc) can be effective at concentrations of PrP-Fc(2) lower than that of PrP(C), even if PrP-Fc(2) and PrP(C) have the same affinity for PrP(Sc). The best fit of our model to data predicts that the replicative prion consists of PrP(Sc) oligomers with a mean size of four to 15 units.     

Transgenic mice expressing hamster prion protein produce species-specific scrapie infectivity and amyloid plaques

Three transgenic mouse lines designated Tg 69, 71, and 81 were produced harboring a Syrian hamster (Ha) prion protein (PrP) gene; all expressed the cellular HaPrP isoform in their brains. Inoculation of Tg 81 mice or hamsters with Ha prions caused scrapie in integral of 75 days; nontransgenic control mice failed to develop scrapie after greater than 500 days. Tg 71 mice inoculated with Ha prions developed scrapie in integral of 170 days. Both Tg 71 and Tg 81 mice exhibited spongiform degeneration and reactive astrocytic gliosis, and they produced the scrapie HaPrP isoform in their brains. Tg 81 brains also showed HaPrP amyloid plaques characteristic of Ha scrapie and contained integral of 10(9) ID50 units of Ha prions based on Ha bioassays. Our findings argue that the PrP gene modulates scrapie susceptibility, incubation times, and neuropathology; furthermore, they demonstrate synthesis of infectious scrapie prions programmed by a recombinant DNA molecule.     

Identifying key components of the PrPC-PrPSc replicative interface

In prion disease, direct interaction between the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) and its misfolded disease-associated conformer PrP(Sc) is a crucial, although poorly understood step promoting the formation of nascent PrP(Sc) and prion infectivity. Recently, we hypothesized that three regions of PrP (corresponding to amino acid residues 23-33, 98-110, and 136-158) interacting specifically and robustly with PrP(Sc), likely represent peptidic components of one flank of the prion replicative interface. In this study, we created epitope-tagged mouse PrP(C) molecules in which the PrP sequences 23-33, 98-110, and 136-158 were modified. These novel PrP molecules were individually expressed in the prion-infected neuroblastoma cell line (ScN2a) and the conversion of each mutated mouse PrP(C) substrate to PrP(Sc) compared with that of the epitope-tagged wild-type mouse PrP(C). Mutations within PrP 98-110, substituting all 4 wild-type lysine residues with alanine residues, prevented conversion to PrP(Sc). Furthermore, when residues within PrP 136-140 were collectively scrambled, changed to alanines, or amino acids at positions 136, 137, and 139 individually replaced by alanine, conversion to PrP(Sc) was similarly halted. However, other PrP molecules containing mutations within regions 23-33 and 101-104 were able to readily convert to PrP(Sc). These results suggest that PrP sequence comprising residues 98-110 and 136-140 not only participates in the specific binding interaction between PrP(C) and PrP(Sc), but also in the process leading to conversion of PrP(Sc)-sequestered PrP(C) into its disease-associated form.     

Seeded conversion of recombinant prion protein to a disulfide-bonded oligomer by a reduction-oxidation process

The infectious form of prion protein, PrP(Sc), self-propagates by its conversion of the normal, cellular prion protein molecule PrP(C) to another PrP(Sc) molecule. It has not yet been demonstrated that recombinant prion protein can convert prion protein molecules from PrP(C) to PrP(Sc). Here we show that recombinant hamster prion protein is converted to a second form, PrP(RDX), by a redox process in vitro and that this PrP(RDX) form seeds the conversion of other PrP(C) molecules to the PrP(RDX) form. The converted form shows properties of oligomerization and seeded conversion that are characteristic of PrP(Sc). We also find that the oligomerization can be reversed in vitro. X-ray fiber diffraction suggests an amyloid-like structure for the oligomerized prion protein. A domain-swapping model involving intermolecular disulfide bonds can account for the stability and coexistence of two molecular forms of prion protein and the capacity of the second form for self-propagation.     

Breakage of PrP aggregates is essential for efficient autocatalytic propagation of misfolded prion protein

The conversion of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to the disease-associated misfolded isoform (PrP(Sc)) is an essential process for prion replication. This structural conversion can be modelled in protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) reactions in which PrP(Sc) is inoculated into healthy hamster brain homogenate, followed by cycles of incubation and sonication. In serial transmission PMCA experiments it has recently been shown that the protease-resistant PrP obtained in vitro (PrPres) is generated by an autocatalytic mechanism. Here, serial transmission PMCA experiments were compared with serial transmission reactions lacking the sonication steps. We achieved approximately 200,000-fold PrPres amplification by PMCA. In contrast, although initial amplification was comparable to PMCA reactions, PrPres levels quickly dropped below detection limit when samples were not subjected to ultrasound. These results indicate that aggregate breakage is essential for efficient autocatalytic amplification of misfolded prion protein and suggest an important role of aggregate breakage in prion propagation.     

Dissociation of infectivity from seeding ability in prions with alternate docking mechanism

Previous studies identified two mammalian prion protein (PrP) polybasic domains that bind the disease-associated conformer PrP(Sc), suggesting that these domains of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) serve as docking sites for PrP(Sc) during prion propagation. To examine the role of polybasic domains in the context of full-length PrP(C), we used prion proteins lacking one or both polybasic domains expressed from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as substrates in serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) reactions. After ～5 rounds of sPMCA, PrP(Sc) molecules lacking the central polybasic domain (ΔC) were formed. Surprisingly, in contrast to wild-type prions, ΔC-PrP(Sc) prions could bind to and induce quantitative conversion of all the polybasic domain mutant substrates into PrP(Sc) molecules. Remarkably, ΔC-PrP(Sc) and other polybasic domain PrP(Sc) molecules displayed diminished or absent biological infectivity relative to wild-type PrP(Sc), despite their ability to seed sPMCA reactions of normal mouse brain homogenate. Thus, ΔC-PrP(Sc) prions interact with PrP(C) molecules through a novel interaction mechanism, yielding an expanded substrate range and highly efficient PrP(Sc) propagation. Furthermore, polybasic domain deficient PrP(Sc) molecules provide the first example of dissociation between normal brain homogenate sPMCA seeding ability from biological prion infectivity. These results suggest that the propagation of PrP(Sc) molecules may not depend on a single stereotypic mechanism, but that normal PrP(C)/PrP(Sc) interaction through polybasic domains may be required to generate prion infectivity.     

Novel heparan mimetics potently inhibit the scrapie prion protein and its endocytosis

During prion diseases the normal prion protein PrP(C) is refolded into an abnormal conformer PrP(Sc). We have studied the PrP(Sc) inhibiting activity of a library of synthetic heparan mimetic (HM) biopolymers. HMs are chemically derived dextrans obtained by successive substitutions with carboxymethyl, benzylamide, and sulfate groups on glucose residues. Some HMs eliminated PrP(Sc) from prion-infected cells after a 5 day course at 100 ng/ml and were 15 x potent than pentosan sulfate in this system. The anti-PrP(Sc) activity of HMs correlated with the degree of sulfation but was increased by benzylamidation. HMs did not reduce the synthesis of PrP(C) nor its attachment to lipid rafts, but instead blocked its conversion into PrP(Sc). The anti-PrP(Sc) HMs also prevented the uptake of prion rods by cultured cells. HMs may thus block the interaction of PrP(Sc) with a putative cellular receptor, possibly heparan sulfate. HMs provide an attractive chemical approach for the synthesis of TSE therapeutic and prophylactic reagents.     

High-level expression and characterization of a glycosylated covalently linked dimer of the prion protein

There is evidence that prion protein dimers may be involved in the formation of the scrapie prion protein, PrP(Sc), from its normal (cellular) form, PrP(c). Recently, the crystal structure of the human prion protein in a dimeric form was reported. Here we report for the first time the overexpression of a human PrP dimer covalently linked by a FLAG peptide (PrP::FLAG::PrP) in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. FLAG-tagged human PrP (aa1-aa253) (huPrP::FLAG) was also expressed in the same system. Treatment with tunicamycin and endoglycosidase H showed that both fusion proteins are expressed as various glycoforms. Both PrP proteins were completely digested by proteinase K (PK), suggesting that the proteins do not have a PrP(Sc) structure and are not infectious. Plasma membrane fractionation revealed that both proteins are transported to the plasma membrane of the cell. The glycosylated proteins might act as powerful tools for crystallization trials, PrP(c)/PrP(Sc) conversion studies and other applications in the life cycle of prions.