LTCI, a novel chymotrypsin inhibitor of the potato I family from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Purification, cDNA cloning, and expression

A novel chymotrypsin inhibitor of the potato I protease inhibitor family from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was purified. The inhibitor, named LTCI, was isolated by methanol extraction, affinity chromatography on immobilized methylchymotrypsin, and ion exchange chromatography followed by RP–HPLC. The 7076 Da inhibitor consists of a single polypeptide chain of 64-amino-acid residues without disulfide bridges. LTCI is the first of the potato I protease inhibitors with Tyr in position P1 of the reactive site. cDNA analysis revealed that LTCI is produced as a 86-amino-acid precursor with a 22-amino-acid secretory signal peptide. RT–PCR analysis demonstrates that LTCI mRNA is expressed in body wall, intestine, and coelomocytes. The recombinant LTCI was produced in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with intein and chitin binding domain using IMPACT™–CN system.     

Miniature RT–PCR system for diagnosis of RNA-based viruses

This paper presents an innovative portable chip-based RT–PCR system for amplification of specific nucleic acid and detection of RNA-based viruses. The miniature RT–PCR chip is fabricated using MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical-system) techniques, and comprises a micro temperature control module and a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic control module. The heating and sensing elements of temperature control module are both made of platinum and are located within the reaction chambers in order to generate a rapid and uniform thermal cycling. The microfluidic control module is capable of automating testing process with minimum human intervention. In this paper, the proposed miniature RT–PCR system is used to amplify and detect two RNA-based viruses, namely dengue virus type-2 and enterovirus 71 (EV 71). The experimental data confirm the ability of the system to perform a two-step RT–PCR process. The developed miniature system provides a crucial tool for the diagnosis of RNA-based viruses.     

微量RNA的cDNA PCR文库的构建

使用PCR（polymerase chain reaction)技术,调制了mRNA的cDNA PCR文库,实验证明,cDNA PCR文库能使原cDNA的量放大数百倍,同时,使用人体K562培养细胞的总RNA,对cDNA PCR文库法和反转录中的β-Actin的cDNA量进行了比较,cDNA PCR文库法中的β-Actin的cDNA量大于高于反转录中的β-Actin的cDNA量,使用75pg的人体K562培养细胞的总RNA,调制成50ul的CDNA PCR文库,使用1ul的CDNA PCR文库进行了PCR反应时,可对文库中β-Actin的CDNA进行PCR检测,因此,CDNA PCR文库显示了良好的信息放大性能。