结核分枝杆菌抗原蛋白的研究及其应用新进展

结核病(tuberculosis, TB)是由结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MTB)感染引起的慢性传染病,是仅次于正在暴发的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的第二大单一感染致死病因。COVID-19的大流行对TB的诊断及治疗造成了破坏性的影响,全球实现终结TB目标的进展偏离了轨道。因此,早诊断、早治疗依然是防控TB蔓延的关键。TB精准诊断一直受MTB抗原特异性、检测技术特异性和灵敏度的影响,因此亟需挖掘高特异性新抗原、开发新检测技术。随着蛋白质基因组学(proteogenomics)和质谱技术的快速发展,从临床体液、组织样本中高效、精准靶向检测MTB特异性已知、甚至新抗原的表达,以及监测治疗过程中的抗原表达量的动态变化,是TB诊断及治疗的发展趋势。在MTB标准菌株H37Rv的4 008个注释基因中(NC＿000 962.3, NCBI),国内外报道的已注释抗原虽有140多个,但仅有极少的抗原应用于TB的筛查及辅助诊断,离世界卫生组织(World Health Organization, WHO)的诊断标准尚远。本文通过对MTB已报道抗原以及基...     

结核分枝杆菌PhoP系统研究进展

Pho P与Pho R组成的Pho PR是结核分枝杆菌重要的双组分调节系统。Pho P作为应答调节子调节基因的表达,这些基因参与细胞壁脂质合成,并对结核分枝杆菌毒力有重要调控作用。本文综述了Pho P的结构、性质以及相关的结核分枝杆菌疫苗研发情况,并提出了未来可能的研究趋势。     

结核分枝杆菌Rv3194c蛋白的表达、纯化及活性鉴定北大核心CSCD

【目的】Rv3194c基因编码的是结核分枝杆菌的PDZ信号蛋白,本研究对其是否具有黏附素特性进行了探索。【方法】对Rv3194c进行原核表达,然后Rv3194c蛋白分别与透明质酸、硫酸软骨素、Ι型胶原蛋白在不同温度(37、38、39、40°C)的缓冲液中孵育过夜,然后用Western blot和ELISA分析其上清液中组分含量的变化。【结果】Western blot鉴定结果表明,His-Rv3194c蛋白以可溶形式表达,蛋白质的分子质量大小为35 k Da。Western blot表明,39°C实验组的上清中His-Rv3194c蛋白含量(***P<0.001)显著小于其它实验组(37、38、40°C);ELISA表明,39°C实验组的上清中透明质酸(HA)、硫酸软骨素(CS)、Ι型胶原蛋白(CollagenΙ)的含量(***P<0.001)极显著小于其它实验组(37、38、40°C)。【结论】首次证实了Rv3194c蛋白具有黏附素特性,可成为研发新型抗结核药物的靶点蛋白。     

结核分枝杆菌膜蛋白的异源表达与纯化研究进展

膜蛋白是一类与生物膜相互作用、具有重要功能和独特结构的蛋白质。异源表达纯化一直是了解膜蛋白结构和功能的重要瓶颈。结核分枝杆菌作为典型的胞内致病菌,其膜蛋白的研究具有很好的代表性以及重要意义。目前用于表达膜蛋白的有大肠杆菌、酵母、哺乳动物细胞等表达系统,但结核菌膜蛋白的表达宿主还往往局限于大肠杆菌。异源表达需要综合考虑蛋白的来源、疏水性、跨膜区等特性。低温、加入共表达因子以及改变培养条件有助于结核菌膜蛋白的可溶性表达。另外,包涵体复性也是获得结核菌目的膜蛋白的重要途径。随着新的表达系统,新的促可溶表达策略,新的包涵体复性手段,新的纯化方法的应用,将有更多的膜蛋白异源表达纯化成功,为蛋白质功能研究奠定基础。     

结核分枝杆菌基因组学与基因组进化

在后基因组时代,特别是在新的测序理论和设备大发展的背景下,一些重大传染性致病微生物基因组序列正在被逐一测定,并且随后的基因功能注释,蛋白质三维结构重建等工作也正在开展,以期对致病微生物的生物学特性、诊断策略和治疗方法等有突破性的认识.作为对人类健康一直存在严重威胁的结核分枝杆菌,其基因组在进化中所发生的各种遗传事件对其生物学性质、致病能力和抗药性等各方面有重要作用.本文旨在阐述结核分枝杆菌的起源及其基因组特征,论述其基因组进化的研究进展.     

耐多药结核分枝杆菌的研究进展

耐多药结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mtb)的产生和播散,尤其是泛耐药菌株的出现,已成为新世纪结核病控制的三大难题之一。Mtb耐药机制的研究有助于快速分子诊断工具的发展,且能指导抗结核新药的开发。了解耐多药结核分枝杆菌的耐药机制、分子特征及治疗的研究进展,将为耐多药Mtb的防治提供依据。     

Insights into battles between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and macrophages

As the first line of immune defense for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), macrophages also provide a major habitat for Mtb to reside in the host for years. The battles between Mtb and macrophages have been constant since ancient times. Triggered upon Mtb infection, multiple cellular pathways in macrophages are activated to initiate a tailored immune response toward the invading pathogen and regulate the cellular fates of the host as well. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on macrophages can recognize pathogen-associated-molecular patterns (PAMPs) on Mtb and mediate the production of immune-regulatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and type I Interferons (IFNs). In addition, Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Vitamin D-1-hydroxylase are up-regulated in Mtb-infected macrophages, by which Vitamin D participates in innate immune responses. The signaling pathways that involve TNF, typeI IFNs and Vitamin D are inter-connected, which play critical roles in the regulation of necroptosis, apoptosis, and autophagy of the infected macrophages. This review article summarizes current knowledge about the interactions between Mtb and macrophages, focusing on cellular fates of the Mtb-infected macrophages and the regulatory molecules and cellular pathways involved in those processes.     

结核分枝杆菌中O-甘露糖基化蛋白功能的研究进展

蛋白质的O-甘露糖基化修饰不仅在真菌和哺乳类细胞中广泛存在,在原核生物中例如分枝杆菌属、棒状杆菌属和链霉菌属中也存在,尤其在引起人类疾病的结核分枝杆菌中研究最多。许多O-甘露糖基化蛋白在结核分枝杆菌毒力以及与宿主相互作用过程中发挥了重要作用。本文就结核分枝杆菌中O-甘露糖基化蛋白生物学功能的进展加以综述。     

结核分枝杆菌sRNA Mpr5的功能验证

【目的】探究结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. tb)中sRNA Mpr5对分枝杆菌的抗逆性及宿主细胞生理的影响。【方法】构建结核分枝杆菌sRNA Mpr5过表达的重组耻垢分枝杆菌(Mycolicibacterium smegmatis, M. smeg) M3-Atc,以转入空载质粒(pSI)的野生型耻垢分枝杆菌T1-Atc作为对照,观察细菌体外生长能力和菌落形态变化。通过非生物胁迫处理(低氧、饥饿、0.02%十二烷基硫酸钠)探究重组菌株的抗逆能力。用重组耻垢分枝杆菌侵染人非小细胞肺癌上皮细胞系A549,活菌涂板计算细菌的胞内增殖能力,利用免疫荧光染色观察感染后细胞的生理结构变化。【结果】sRNA Mpr5过表达菌株的体外生长与菌落形态均与野生型相似。抗逆性实验表明Mpr5过表达菌株(M3-Atc)的抗表面活性剂能力在4 h时显著提高(P<0.05);在饥饿模型中M3-Atc早期(2–12 h)就表现出生长劣势(P<0.05);低氧模型中M3-Atc菌株0–3 d均处于生长优势状态,增长均高于对照组(P<0.05),3d后增长...     

结核分枝杆菌Rv0081基因编码蛋白的生物信息学分析

运用生物信息学分析软件预测结核分枝杆菌（Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mtb）Rv0081蛋白的生物学特征及筛选潜在的优势抗原表位。 从NCBI数据库获取Mtb Rv0081蛋白的氨基酸序列，利用生物信息学分析软件ProtParam、ProtScale及TMPRED分析Rv0081蛋白的理化性质及亲疏水性；TMHMM、SignalP-5.0 Server预测蛋白的跨膜区及信号肽；NetNGlyc-1.0 Server、NetPhos 3.1 Server分别预测蛋白的糖基化位点及磷酸化位点；STRING预测能与Rv0081相互作用的蛋白；分别运用SOPMA、SWISS-MODEL预测蛋白的二、三级结构；综合运用softberry、WoLF PSORT预测蛋白的亚细胞定位；运用DNAStar预测蛋白的B细胞抗原表位；综合运用SYFPEITHI、NetCTL 1.2 Server、Net MHC pan 4.1 server预测蛋白的CTL细胞抗原表位；综合运用SYFPEITHI、Net MHCII pan 4.0 server预测蛋白的Th细胞抗原表位。 结果表明，Rv0081蛋白由114个氨基酸组成，相对分子质量为12 356.32，亚细胞定位于细胞质中，为稳定的疏水性蛋白，无跨膜区和信号肽，含有1个糖基化位点及9个磷酸化位点；二级结构主要由α-螺旋和无规则卷曲构成，结构较松散；与hycE、hycP、Rv0088、Rv0083、hycD、hycQ、Rv0082、devR、Rv0080及Rv0079蛋白存在相互作用关系；综合分析各软件预测结果筛选出6个优势B细胞抗原表位、6个优势CTL细胞抗原表位及7个优势Th细胞抗原表位。Mtb Rv0081蛋白具有较多潜在的候选B、T细胞抗原表位，可作为研发新型结核疫苗的候选抗原。     

Use of visual loop-mediated isotheral amplification of rimM sequence for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis are pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agents of most cases of tuberculosis (TB). Detection of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis using conventional culture- and biochemical-based assays is time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, a simple and sensitive method for rapid detection has been anxiously awaited. In the present study, a visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was designed from the rimM (encoding 16S rRNA-processing protein) gene sequence and used to rapidly detect M. tuberculosis and M. bovis from clinical samples in South China. The visual LAMP reaction was performed by adding calcein and manganous ion, allowing the results to be read by simple visual observation of color change in a closed-tube system, and which takes less than 1 h at 65 °C. The assay correctly identified 84 M. tuberculosis isolates, 3 M. bovis strains and 1 M. bovis BCG samples, but did not detect 51 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates and 8 other bacterial species. Sensitivity of this assay for detection of genomic DNA was 1 pg. Specific amplification was confirmed by the ladder-like pattern of gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme HhaI digestion. The assay successfully detected M. tuberculosis and M. bovis not only in pure bacterial culture but also in clinical samples of sputum, pleural fluid and blood. The speed, specificity, sensitivity of the rimM LAMP, the lack of a need for expensive equipment, and the visual readout show great potential for clinical detection of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.     

Novel recombinant RD2- and RD11-encoded Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens are potential candidates for diagnosis of tuberculosis infections in BCG-vaccinated individuals

Proteins encoded by region of deletions (RD) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are useful in development of vaccines and diagnostic reagents. In the present study, six M. tuberculosis genes from RD2 and RD11, rv1978, nrdf1, mpt64, cfp-21, ppe57 and ppe59, were cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. All six purified recombinant proteins could distinguish tuberculosis (TB) patients and latent TB infected subjects (LTBI), or called subclinical TB infection, from BCG-vaccinated healthy controls by T-cell IFN-γ releasing ELISPOT. ELISPOT of Rv1978, NrdF1, Mpt64, CFP-21, Ppe57 and Ppe59 achieved sensitivities of 59%, 60%, 82%, 48%, 59% and 47% respectively in the detection of active TB and specificities of 94%, 90%, 76%, 93%, 100% and 93% respectively in BCG-vaccinated healthy controls. Combination of Ppe57 or NrdF1 with early secreted antigen target 6 (ESAT-6) or 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP-10) in the IFN-γ releasing ESLIPOT assay could increase the sensitivities in detecting active TB, for ESAT-6 from 82.1% to 85.7% or 92.9% (P = 0.5 or 0.03, respectively) and for CFP-10 from 67.9% to 78.6% or 83.9%, respectively (both P < 0.05). The high sensitivities, specificities and promising antigenic combination of NrdF1 and Ppe57 in detection of TB in BCG-vaccinated controls suggest their potential application in TB diagnosis.     

结核分枝杆菌Rv3194c蛋白的亚细胞定位

【目的】Rv3194c基因编码的是结核分枝杆菌的PDZ信号蛋白,本研究探讨该蛋白的亚细胞定位,为其细胞结合蛋白的筛选奠定基础。【方法】从H37Rv基因组中扩增出编码只含有PDZ结构域的tRv3194c (Rv3194c 1–234 aa)的基因片段,在3′端加T2A和EGFP序列,一并插入真核表达载体构建出pcDNA3.1-tRv3194c-T2A-EGFP。将构建好的质粒瞬时转染L929细胞,并共感染重组痘苗病毒vTF7-3,用间接免疫荧光、流式细胞分选以及Western blotting检测融合蛋白的表达以及亚细胞定位。【结果】成功构建出真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-tRv3194c-T2A-EGFP,瞬时转染L929细胞后融合蛋白tRv3194c定位于线粒体膜上,且重组痘苗病毒vTF7-3的感染有助于靶蛋白表达水平的提高。【结论】Rv3194蛋白的PDZ结构域与线粒体外膜相关蛋白结合,为了解该蛋白在细胞内的致病机制提供重要线索。     

Simplified amplified-fragment length polymorphism method for genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates

A simplified amplified-fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method was developed and applied to genotype 52 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. This method can be carried out using only one restriction enzyme (XhoI), one double strand adapter, and one PCR primer. The amounts of DNA and DNA polymerase, and the concentrations of primer and Mg²⁺ in the PCR step were optimized using the Basic Sequential Simplex method. AFLP analysis of the isolates generated a total of 24 differently sized bands ranging from 1537 to 121 bp, and 52 different band patterns, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 13 bands. The results were compared with the well-established IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (IS6110-RFLP) typing method, which rendered a total of 32 differently sized bands from 1 to 12 kbp, and 52 different band patterns, with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 bands. Therefore, both genotyping methods showed a discriminatory power of samples of 100%. Nevertheless, pairwise comparisons of the 1326 similarity indexes calculated for both typing methods showed a total absence of correlation between the similarity indexes of the two methods. The simplified AFLP method is expected to be more useful for genotyping M. tuberculosis isolates compared to the IS6110-RFLP method, since the former evaluates genetic variations throughout the M. tuberculosis genome. Furthermore, the relatively rapid and low-cost simplified AFLP method compares favorably to the IS6110-RFLP or conventional AFLP methods, and shows great promise for genotyping M. tuberculosis isolates, especially in developing countries or for preliminary screening.     

异烟肼耐药结核分枝杆菌感染人源巨噬细胞的蛋白质组学研究

利用双向电泳技术,对人源巨噬细胞U937感染异烟肼耐药结核分枝杆菌前后的全细胞蛋白表达图谱进行差异比较和分析,发现其中产生差异的有32个蛋白质斑点,利用基质辅助激光解吸/电离飞行时间质谱技术,对其中5个表达明显上调的蛋白质斑点进行分析鉴定,获得5个明确的肽质量指纹图谱,通过在数据库中进行检索分析,确定这5个蛋白质分别为热休克蛋白105_β、凋亡抑制蛋白-1、磷酸甘油酸变位酶1、组织蛋白酶B、桥粒胶蛋白3.上述发现有助于了解耐药结核分枝杆菌入侵早期导致的巨噬细胞蛋白质组表达变化,为深入研究耐药结核分枝杆菌-宿主相互作用提供了探索方向.     

One-step purification and characterization of a fully active histidine-tagged Class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Rv0363c (fba), encoding Class II fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), is one of the potential drug targets identified in our laboratory based on minimal gene set concept. The wild-type enzyme overproduction in E. coli had been reported. However, the purification procedure was relatively tedious and the yield was low. In this study, five histidine codons were introduced into the 3′ end of the amplified fba fragments. The expressed C-terminal histidine-tagged Class II FBA was produced in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and easily purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The purified his-tagged FBA was characterized. Its biochemical properties were compared to the non-his-tagged enzyme purified according to the previous report. Both FBAs have similar characteristics such as native/subunit molecular mass, kinetic parameters, and temperature/pH optima and stability. The C-terminal his-tagged FBA can be a surrogate for the native enzyme and used for screening of inhibitors of FBA. This developed expression system will pave the way for high-throughput screening and crystallization studies. Moreover, in this study, a colorimetric FBA assay has been simplified to facilitate the mass screening of inhibitor of FBA.     

A novel bicistronic vector for overexpressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins in Escherichia coli

A putative DNA glycosylase encoded by the Rv3297 gene (MtuNei2) has been identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our efforts to express this gene in Escherichia coli either by supplementing tRNAs for rare codons or optimizing the gene with preferred codons for E. coli resulted in little or no expression. On the other hand, high-level expression was observed using a bicistronic expression vector in which the target gene was translationally coupled to an upstream leader sequence. Further comparison of the predicted mRNA secondary structures supported the hypothesis that mRNA secondary structure(s) surrounding the translation initiation region (TIR), rather than codon usage, played the dominant role in influencing translation efficiency, although manipulation of codon usage or tRNA supplementation did further enhance expression in the bicistronic vector. Addition of a cleavable N-terminal tag also facilitated gene expression in E. coli, possibly through a similar mechanism. However, since cleavage of N-terminal tags is determined by the amino acid at the P₁′ position downstream of the protease recognition sequence and results in the addition of an extra amino acid in front of the N-terminus of the protein, this strategy is not particularly amenable to Fpg/Nei family DNA glycosylases which carry the catalytic proline residue at the P₁′ position and require a free N-terminus. On the other hand, the bicistronic vector constructed here is potentially valuable particularly when expressing proteins from G/C rich organisms and when the proteins carry proline residues at the N-terminus in their native form. Thus the bicistronic expression system can be used to improve translation efficiency of mRNAs and achieve high-level expression of mycobacterial genes in E. coli.     

MKP-1在结核分枝杆菌感染中的作用和研究进展

有丝分裂原激活的蛋白激酶(Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase,MAPK)信号通路是细胞感知外源性刺激并作出有效免疫应答的最重要的细胞内信号通路之一。近年来的研究表明:MAPK的表达异常与结核病的发生、发展密切相关。MAPK磷酸酶(MAPK phosphatases,MKPs)是一类在细胞内水解MAPKs家族的磷酸酶,通过负向调控MAPKs的活性,从而在调节细胞的应激、分化、增殖、凋亡等过程中发挥重要的作用,其中MKP-1是MKPs家族中被报道最多的成员,具有最强的去磷酸化能力。本文综述了MKP-1在结核分枝杆菌感染中的作用和研究进展。     

用小鼠模型分析可溶性表达结核分枝杆菌Ag85A的免疫原性

【目的】可溶性表达结核分枝杆菌Ag85A蛋白,并评价其免疫原性。【方法】利用冷休克表达质粒和含有伴侣质粒的大肠杆菌对Ag85A蛋白进行可溶性原核表达,并进行纯化与鉴定,通过C57BL/6小鼠模型对Ag85A蛋白的免疫原性,包括诱导机体特异性体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答水平进行分析。【结果】重组菌诱导后裂解上清中检测到可溶性Ag85A蛋白的表达,经过亲和层析纯化收获了纯度在90%以上的Ag85A蛋白,Western blot鉴定显示其具有较好的免疫反应性。Ag85A蛋白免疫小鼠后,血清中可以检测到高水平的Ig G抗体效价,其中Ig G2b水平要高于Ig G1。通过特异性多肽、蛋白刺激脾脏和腹股沟淋巴结细胞可分泌高水平的IFN-γ、TNF-α等Th1型细胞因子。【结论】实现了Ag85A蛋白的可溶性表达,免疫特性评价显示Ag85A蛋白可诱导机体产生强烈的特异性体液免疫应答及Th1型的细胞免疫应答,从而为其进一步免疫学功能的研究奠定了重要基础。     

Biochemical and physiological characterization of the GTP-binding protein Obg of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background  

Obg is a highly conserved GTP-binding protein that has homologues in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. In bacteria, Obg proteins are essential for growth, and they participate in spore formation, stress adaptation, ribosome assembly and chromosomal partitioning. This study was undertaken to investigate the biochemical and physiological characteristics of Obg in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis in humans.