重组抗凝蛋白-新蛭素的原核表达研究

目的:重组新蛭素(EH)是在抗凝蛋白水蛭素的氨基末端添加3个氨基酸(EPR)的衍生物,以往EH的表达工艺沿用水蛭素的酵母表达工艺,生产周期长、目标蛋白表达效率相对较低。而水蛭素类的蛋白在大肠杆菌中往往以包涵体形式表达,后期的分离纯化收率较低,无法适应产业化。为了提高EH的生产效率,探索了EH在大肠杆菌中的可溶性表达。方法:首先通过PCR的方法获得eh的cDNA,PCR产物连接入原核表达载体pET-22或pET-24中获得重组表达质粒,将重组表达质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)或BL21(plySs),获得重组工程菌BL21(DE3)-pET-24-eh,BL21(DE3)-pET-22-eh,BL21(plySs)-pET-22-eh。重组工程菌进行IPTG诱导,SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定表达产物。结果:EH在3个重组工程菌中均可实现可溶性表达。表达水平较高的为BL21(DE3)-pET-24-eh工程菌;之后通过优化诱导温度,时间,诱导剂浓度、诱导前菌种密度,确定最佳条件为:37℃,诱导6h,IPTG浓度为0.4μmol/L,诱导前菌种密度在OD₆₀₀=1左右。诱导产物经分离纯化,其纯度可达96.93%。最后通过蛋白含量测定及抗凝活性检测,确定表达的EH蛋白本身无抗凝活性,被FXa裂解后可以释放出水蛭素的抗凝活性。结论:实现了EH在大肠杆菌中的可溶性表达,表达周期短,有望提高EH的生产效率,为EH的产业化奠定了基础,也为水蛭素类产品的生产提供了新的工艺途径。     

Shotgun proteome analysis of Bordetella pertussis reveals a distinct influence of iron availability on the bacterial metabolism,virulence, and defense response

One of the mechanisms involved in host immunity is the limitation of iron accessibility to pathogens, which in turn provokes the corresponding physiological adaptation of pathogens. This study reports a gel‐free nanoLC‐MS/MS‐based comparative proteome analysis of Bordetella pertussis grown under iron‐excess and iron‐depleted conditions. Out of the 926 proteins covered 98 displayed a shift in their abundance in response to low iron availability. Forty‐seven of them were found to be increased in level while 58 were found with decreased protein levels under iron starvation. In addition to proteins previously reported to be influenced by iron in B. pertussis, we observed changes in metabolic proteins involved in fatty acid utilization and poly‐hydroxybutyrate production. Additionally, many bacterial virulence factors regulated by the BvgAS two‐component system were found at decreased levels in response to iron limitation. These results, together with the increased production of proteins potentially involved in oxidative stress resistance, seem to indicate that iron starvation provokes changes in B. pertussis phenotype that might shape host–pathogen interaction.     

The interaction of the vanadyl(IV) cation with phytic acid

The interactions of VO²⁺ with phytate to form both soluble and insoluble complexes, have been studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy. A soluble 1∶1 VO²⁺: phytate complex is formed at pH <1. At higher pH-values insoluble complexes are produced. Two different solid complexes, obtained respectively at pH=2 and 4, were isolated and characterized. The maximal bonding ratio of VO²⁺: phytate was found to be 4, on the basis of a pH binding profile.     

The proteomic to biology inference,a frequently overlooked concern in the interpretation of proteomic data: A plea for functional validation

Proteomics will celebrate its 20th year in 2014. In this relatively short period of time, it has invaded most areas of biology and its use will probably continue to spread in the future. These two decades have seen a considerable increase in the speed and sensitivity of protein identification and characterization, even from complex samples. Indeed, what was a challenge twenty years ago is now little more than a daily routine. Although not completely over, the technological challenge now makes room to another challenge, which is the best possible appraisal and exploitation of proteomic data to draw the best possible conclusions from a biological point of view. The point developed in this paper is that proteomic data are almost always fragmentary. This means in turn that although better than an mRNA level, a protein level is often insufficient to draw a valid conclusion from a biological point of view, especially in a world where PTMs play such an important role. This means in turn that transformation of proteomic data into biological data requires an important intermediate layer of functional validation, i.e. not merely the confirmation of protein abundance changes by other methods, but a functional appraisal of the biological consequences of the protein level changes highlighted by the proteomic screens.     

肺炎支原体P1蛋白羧基端基因片段在大肠杆菌中的表达及应用研究

目的:克隆、表达和鉴定肺炎支原体(Mycoplasma pneumoniae,MP)P1蛋白羧基端基因序列,为制备抗体和基因工程疫苗打下基础。方法 在成功克隆肺炎支原体P1蛋白羧基端基因片段并测序的基础上,将基因序列克隆到表达载体pET32a(+)上,构建了重组表达质粒pET32a(+)/P1(3 520~4 563bp),转化大肠杆rosetta,IPTG诱导表达,利用Ni^2＋亲和层析柱对重组蛋白进行纯化,并用ELISA和Western blotting方法检测其抗原性。重组蛋白免疫小鼠,制备单克隆抗体。结果 重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中可以高效表达,SDS-PAGE显示其相对分子质量与预计大小一致,蛋白质纯度达95％以上。ELISA和Western blotting实验证实,重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性。并成功获得两株高效价单克隆抗体。结论:本研究成功克隆和表达了肺炎支原体P1蛋白羧基端基因序列,制备了抗肺炎支原体P1蛋白单克隆抗体,为肺炎支原体诊断试剂和疫苗的开发等进一步的研究奠定了基础。     

Photoactivated DNA analogs of substrates of the nucleotide excision repair system and their interaction with proteins of NER-competent HeLa cell extract

Photoactivated DNA analogs of nucleotide excision repair (NER) substrates have been created that are 48-mer duplexes containing in internal positions pyrimidine nucleotides with bulky substituents imitating lesions. Fluorochloroazidopyridyl, anthracenyl, and pyrenyl groups introduced using spacer fragments at 4N and 5C positions of dCMP and dUMP were used as model damages. The gel retardation and photo-induced affinity modification techniques were used to study the interaction of modified DNA duplexes with proteins in HeLa cell extracts containing the main components of NER protein complexes. It is shown that the extract proteins selectively bind and form covalent adducts with the model DNA. The efficiency and selectivity of protein modification depend on the structure of used DNA duplex. Apparent molecular masses of extract proteins, undergoing modification, were estimated. Mutual influence of simultaneous presence of extract proteins and recombinant NER protein factors XPC-HR23B, XPA, and RPA on interaction with the model DNA was analyzed. The extract proteins and RPA competed for interaction with photoactive DNA, mutually decreasing the yield of modification products. In this case the presence of extract proteins at particular concentrations tripled the increase in yield of covalent adducts formed by XPC. It is supposed that the XPC subunit interaction with DNA is stimulated by endogenous HR23B present in the extract. Most likely, the mutual effect of XPA and extract proteins stimulating formation of covalent adducts with model DNA is due to the interaction of XPA with endogenous RPA of the extract. A technique based on the use of specific antibodies revealed that RPA present in the extract is a modification target for photoactive DNA imitating NER substrates.     

Endo-xyloglucan transferase,a new class of transferase involved in cell wall construction

Cell shape in plants is constrained by cell walls, which are thick yet dynamic structures composed of crystalline cellulose microfibrils and matrix polymers. Xyloglucans are the principal component of the matrix polymers and bind tightly to the surface of cellulose microfibrils and thereby cross-link them to form an interwoven xyloglucan-cellulose network structure. Thus, cleavage and reconnection of the cross-links between xyloglucan molecules are required for the rearrangement of the cell wall architecture, the process essential for both cell wall expansion and the wall deposition occurring during cell growth and differentiation. Endoxyloglucan transferase (EXT) is a newly identified class of transferase that catalyzes molecular grafting between xyloglucan molecules. This enzyme catalyzes both endo-type splitting of a xyloglucan molecule and reconnection of a newly generated reducing terminus of the xyloglucan to the non-reducing terminus of another xyloglucan molecule, thereby mediating molecular grafting between xyloglucan cross-links in plant cell walls. Molecular cloning and sequencing of EXT-cDNAs derived from five different plant species includingA. thaliana andV. angularis has revealed that the amino acid sequence of the mature protein is extensively conserved in the five different plant species, indicating that EXT protein is ubiquitous among higher plants. This structural study has also disclosed the presence of a group of xyloglucan related proteins (XRPs) with transferase activity in higher plants. Current data strongly suggest that these proteins are involved in a wide spectrum of physiological activities including cell wall expansion and deposition in growing cell walls. Recipient of the Botanical Sociaty Award of Young Scientists, 1993.     

The association between sociodemographic,hormonal, tubo-ovarian factors and bacterial count in Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with infertility

Aim: To determine if there is an association between the Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with socio-demographic and clinical factors, and also with infertility. Methods: We conducted a study on 100 infertile married women and 100 control group, and collected data on the socio-demographic, hormonal and tubo-ovarian factors. The results of the endocervical swabs were analyzed for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infection, the bacterial counts were also determined. Results: The percentage positivity to infection was significantly more among the infertile group compared to the control group, and also significantly more among the age group <30 years old. The positivity for infection with Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Further sub-analysis of the infertile group showed that positivity to Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma infection was significantly correlated to hormonal factors, ovarian factors, irregular menstruation, and previous abortion. Regression analysis showed that hormonal, ovarian factors, and irregular menstruation were the most significant factors in the positivity to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infection. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Conclusion: Infection to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma is associated to younger age (?30 years old), and occurs in the infertile women. There is an interplay between infection in younger women, irregular menstruation, hormonal, and tubo-ovarian factors with infertility. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion.     

The cell wall-associated serine protease PrtA: a highly conserved virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The surface-associated subtilisin-like serine protease PrtA was identified by screening a genomic expression library from Streptococcus pneumoniae using a convalescent-phase serum. In Western blot analysis two forms of PrtA were detected in whole cell lysate and a truncated form only in culture supernatant suggesting that PrtA is produced as a precursor protein, translocated to the cell surface, truncated, and released into the surroundings. A 5' fragment of the gene was found highly conserved among 78 pneumococcal isolates of clinical relevance. Immunogenicity of PrtA, limited genetic variation, and the involvement in pneumococcal virulence demonstrated in in vivo experiments might identify PrtA as a promising candidate for a protein based vaccine.     

A novel and simple method of production and biophysical characterization of a mini-membrane protein, Ost4p: a subunit of yeast oligosaccharyl transferase

Asparagine-linked glycosylation is an essential and highly conserved protein modification reaction. In eukaryotes, oligosaccharyl transferase (OT), a multi-subunit membrane-associated enzyme complex, catalyzes this reaction in newly synthesized proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, OT consists of nine nonidentical membrane proteins. Ost4p, the smallest subunit, bridges the catalytic subunit Stt3p with Ost3p. Mutation of transmembrane residues 18-24 in Ost4p has negative effect on OT activity, disrupts the Stt3p-Ost4p-Ost3p complex, results in temperature-sensitive phenotype, and hypoglycosylation. Heterologous expression and purification of integral membrane proteins are the bottleneck in membrane protein research. The authors report the cloning, successful overexpression and purification of recombinant Ost4p with a novel but simple method producing milligram quantities of pure protein. GB1 protein was found to be the most suitable tag for the large scale production of Ost4p. The cleavage of Ost4p conveniently leaves GB1 protein in solution eliminating further purification. The precipitated pure Ost4p is reconstituted in appropriate membrane mimetic. The recombinant protein is highly helical as indicated by the far-UV CD spectrum. The well-dispersed heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectrum indicates that this minimembrane protein is well-folded. The successful production of pure recombinant Ost4p with a novel yet simple method may have important ramification for the production of other membrane proteins.     

合成人干细胞cDNA在大肠杆菌中的高效表达与纯化

以pBV220为载体,进行了合成可溶型人干细胞因子(SCF)cDNA在大肠杆菌中的温控型的高效表达。SDS-PAGE检测表明,在实验室摇瓶培养中,目的蛋白可占菌体可溶蛋白的40％左右。表达产物复性后,经过凝胶过滤、离子交换层析,得到了电泳纯的重组rhSCF,经测定,纯化的rhSCF相对分子质量为19000,氨基端15个氨基酸的序列与天然可溶形式的hSCF成熟分子的序列完全一致。     

Construction of a dual-tag system for gene expression, protein affinity purification and fusion protein processing

An E. coli vector system was constructed which allows the expression of fusion genes via a l-rhamnose-inducible promotor. The corresponding fusion proteins consist of the maltose-binding protein and a His-tag sequence for affinity purification, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Smt3 protein for protein processing by proteolytic cleavage and the protein of interest. The Smt3 gene was codon-optimized for expression in E. coli. In a second rhamnose-inducible vector, the S. cerevisiae Ulp1 protease gene for processing Smt3 fusion proteins was fused in the same way to maltose-binding protein and His-tag sequence but without the Smt3 gene. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was used as reporter and protein of interest. Both fusion proteins (MalE-6xHis-Smt3-eGFP and MalE-6xHis-Ulp1) were efficiently produced in E. coli and separately purified by amylose resin. After proteolytic cleavage the products were applied to a Ni-NTA column to remove protease and tags. Pure eGFP protein was obtained in the flow-through of the column in a yield of around 35% of the crude cell extract.