Accumulation of Polyphosphates and Expression of High Molecular Weight Exopolyphosphatase in the Yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

The effect of cultivation time and concentration of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) in the culture medium on the accumulation of polyphosphates (polyP) and the activity of two cytosolic exopolyphosphatases of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied: an exopolyphosphatase of 40 kD encoded by PPX1 and a high molecular weight exopolyphosphatase encoded by another gene. Depletion of polyP in the cells on P(i) starvation is a signal factor for the accumulation of polyP after the subsequent addition of 5-20 mM P(i) and glucose to the cells or spheroplasts. A high activity of both exopolyphosphatases does not prevent the accumulation of polyP. The expression of the high molecular weight exopolyphosphatase is due to the acceleration of metabolism in cells that have reached the stage of growth deceleration on the addition of P(i) and glucose or complete culture medium. This process may occur independently from the accumulation of polyP. The activity of exopolyphosphatase PPX1 depends less on the mentioned factors, decreasing 10-fold only under conditions of phosphate surplus at the stationary growth stage.     

Fetuin: a serum component associated with rat Sertoli and spermatogenic cells in coculture

Cocultures of rat Sertoli-spermatogenic cells plated in a culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for 6-12 h and then maintained in serum free, hormone/growth factor-supplemented medium accumulated an acidic glycoprotein of molecular weight of 68,000 dalton (68 kD) and isoelectric point range of about 4.2-3.5. Anion exchange chromatography has allowed the partial purification of this protein, which consists of a major protein band of 68 kD and two minor, low molecular weight components. A rabbit antiserum raised against the 68 kD component also crossreacts with the two low molecular weight components, thus suggesting that these two minor components are antigenically related to the 68 kD protein. The 68 kD protein has been identified as fetuin, the major component of fetal bovine serum, based on similar molecular weight, isoelectric point, immunoreactivity and trypsin inhibitory activity. Labeling experiments with [14C]amino acid mixture show that 68 kD protein is not synthesized by cocultured rat Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot approaches carried out under various experimental conditions support the view that the fetuin-68 kD protein is taken up from serum by both Sertoli cells and pachytene spermatocytes. Because fetuin 1) behaves as a carrier protein for growth factors, 2) has protease inhibitory activity, 3) is preferentially internalized by Sertoli cells and pachytene spermatocytes and 4) fetal bovine serum-supplemented medium impairs spermatogenic cell viability, there is a need to further define appropriate conditions for optimizing long-term viability and differentiation of spermatogenic cells in vitro.     

The effect of the nature of the strain on the character of the production of iron-dependent proteins by meningococci]

The comparative study of three Neisseria meningitidis strains (15, 125, 2394) was carried out by the method of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and by the method of immunoblotting. The intensive expression of 8 iron-regulated proteins (IRP) was shown to occur in iron-deficient culture medium. The major IRP with a molecular weight of 35 kD was expressed by all above-mentioned N. meningitidis strains under the conditions of iron deficiency and cross-reacted with 10 mouse and rabbit antisera to N. meningitidis of different groups, i.e. it was common to all Neisseria species. The antigenic activity of various IRP essentially differed with respect to antisera of animals and sera of patients with meningococcal infection.     

The splitting of the acceptor proteins of the protein kinase system in eukaryotic cells by Legionella cytolysin

In the process of protein kinase reaction carried out in the mixture consisting of tris-HCl buffer, EDTA, MgCl2, gamma-32P-ATP and the cytoplasmic fraction of rabbit pulmonary cells the phosphorylation of proteins with molecular weights of 150 and 55 kD took place. The addition of L. pneumophila culture fluid to the reaction mixture resulted in the splitting of phosphorylated proteins with the formation of the component having a molecular weight of 45 kD. These disturbances in protein kinase reaction were found to occur due to the involvement of Legionella cytoplasm, a previously characterized protein with a molecular weight of 37 kD, into the process. In this connection, the participation of cytolysin in the pathogenesis of Legionella infection may also be considered from the viewpoint of the effect produced by cytolysin on the regulatory processes affecting the metabolism of target cells.     

Selective disappearance of two secreted host proteins in the course of Semliki Forest virus infection of Aedes albopictus cells.

One secreted host protein of molecular weight 54,000 (SP 54) disappeared (from 24 to 48 h after infection) in Semliki Forest virus-infected Aedes albopictus cell clone C6/36 grown in both Mitsuhashi-Maramorosch basal medium and tissue culture medium 199 and reappeared when cells went into the permanently infected state. C6/36 is a high virus producer showing a cytopathic effect. A second secreted host protein of molecular weight 62,000 (SP 62) was prominent if cell clone C6/36 was grown in tissue culture medium 199. After infection in this medium, the protein showed a behavior similar to that described for SP 54. These secreted proteins were not affected in two original Aedes albopictus cell lines. SP 54 and SP 62 are monomeric proteins and structurally not related.     

De novo synthesis of peroxidase in cotton ovule culture medium

The biosynthesis of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. 'Stoneville 208') peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) has been investigated in an organ culture system, since this enzyme may play a role in cell wall biogenesis or host defense mechanisms. Electrophoretic analysis of proteins from cotton ovule cultures indicated relatively few proteins being released into the surrounding medium. De novo synthesis of released peroxidase and other medium proteins was determined by in vivo labeling of ovule cultures with [³⁵S]-methionine. Analysis of labeled culture medium by denatured gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography showed incorporation of isotope into 2 major proteins with molecular weights of 30 kD and 56 kD, as well as a limited number of minor proteins. Similar analysis of native isoelectric focusing gels coupled with autoradiography demonstrated [³⁵S]-methionine incorporation into 2 major proteins with pI values of 4.3 and 5.0. The pI 5.0 protein was shown to have a molecular weight of 30 kD. The pI 4.3 protein had a molecular weight of 56 kD and was shown to be peroxidase by activity staining. Minor radiolabeled proteins were observed in the cationic region of the isoelectric focusing gels.     

Dried nutrient media for the cultivation of pneumococcus and meningococcus

Dried synthetic nutrient medium for the cultivation of meningococci and the accumulation of their biomass has been developed. The kinetics of the culture growth, changes in pH and in the content of dissolved oxygen in the medium during prolonged controlled processes of the cultivation of meningococci in a bioreactor with the use of this medium have been studied. The stable physico-chemical properties and composition of the polysaccharide-protein complex isolated from the biomass of meningococci grown in the above-mentioned medium have made it possible to use it for the preparation of the samples of group B meningococcal vaccine. In addition, dried semi-synthetic nutrient medium for the accumulation of pneumococci without the necessity of introducing blood or serum into the medium has been developed. As regards its biological properties, this newly developed medium make it not inferior to meat media, containing blood or serum, and ensures good yield of biomass.     

兔多杀性巴氏杆菌C51-3株黏附蛋白的表达、纯化及其抗原性检测

应用PCR从兔多杀性巴氏杆菌C51-3株基因组DNA中扩增出编码36 kD黏附蛋白的cp36基因, 将其克隆到pMD18-T载体并对插入片段进行测序。以重组质粒pMD18-cp36为模板, 用PCR扩增得到编码信号肽除外的成熟黏附蛋白基因cpm36, 并克隆到原核表达质粒pQE30中, 得到重组质粒pQE30-cpm36, 转化大肠杆菌M15, 在IPTG诱导下表达融合蛋白CPM36, 经Ni2+-NTA亲和层析纯化。DNA测序结果表明cp36基因片段大小为1032 bp, 与已报道的16个血清型多杀性巴氏杆菌cp36基因的核苷酸序列比较, 同源性在76.9%~100%之间。SDS-PAGE结果显示, 表达分子量约为37 kD的带有6×His标签的CPM36蛋白, 与预期分子量相符。Western blotting结果表明, 抗重组蛋白抗体分别能与CPM36蛋白和多杀性巴氏杆菌36 kD蛋白发生特异性反应, 证明原核表达蛋白具有抗原性, 为进一步开展多杀性巴氏杆菌免疫保护性抗原的研究奠定了基础。     

Production and characterisation of Campylobacter jejuni enterotoxin in a synthethic medium and its assay in rat ileal loops

A synthetic medium for production of Campylobacter jejuni enterotoxin was developed for the purposes of its purification by modifying syncase medium, replacing sucrose with glucose, and supplementing with 0.025% sodium pyruvate, 0.25% sodium metabisulphite, 0.001% ferric chloride and 0.1% L-cysteine, adjusted to pH 6.7. Culture filtrates of a human diarrhoeal and a chicken isolate, grown in this medium caused fluid accumulation ranging between 0.50-0.70 ml/cm of rat ileal loop. The kinetics of toxin production indicated a peak at 36 h and decline by 72 h, coinciding with the period of release of protease by the organism. At least 0.4 rat ileal loop units of enterotoxic activity was recovered per ml of culture filtrates and one unit of this toxin contained only 14 micrograms of protein. The toxin is heat-labile, pH dependent, nonhaemolytic, resistant to trypsin, sensitive to papain and pronase and may show subunit molecular weight analogy with CT subunits.     

汉滩病毒核蛋白的分段表达及抗原表位分析

在大肠杆菌中对汉滩病毒Ｓ基因４种不同长度片段的重组表达质粒进行诱导表达。结果表明表达的４种ＧＳＴ－ＮＰ融合蛋白均以不溶性包含体形式存在于茵体细胞内,表达量分别占菌体蛋白总量的２９－３６％,分子量分别约为７２ｋＤ、６６ｋＤ、５４ｋＤ和４４ｋＤＤ。Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ显示５４ｋＤ和７２ｋＤ融合蛋白用酶标记汉滩病毒ＮＰＭｃＡｂｌＡ８和抗ＧＳＴ ＭｃＡｂ ３Ｃ１１染色呈阳反应。６６ｋＤ和４４ｋＤ融合蛋     

Klebsiella pneumoniae secreted protein-containing antigens in the system of adaptive immunity

The study was aimed at the evaluation of the antigenic properties of K. pneumoniae secreted protein-containing antigens with a molecular weightt of 21 and 34-35 kD, obtained from supernatant culture fluid. As confirmed by the method of flow cytofluorimetry, the protein-containing fractions belonged to the secreted components of the microbial cell. The fraction with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD possessed high antigenic activity and contributed to the formation of specific antibodies after the immunization of mice. At the same time none of the protein fractions lead to an increase in the level of autoantibodies in mouse blood sera to organ-unspecific and organ-specific antigens. As revealed by the method of solid-phase, in 6 (27.3%) from 22 patients of patients with rhizomelic spondylitis had an increased level of IgG to K. pneumoniae cell-wall antigens with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD. An increase in the level of IgG to the secreted protein-containing fraction with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD was detected only in one patient (4.5%) (p<0.05).     

Alterations in immunolocalization of the phosphoprotein B23 in HeLa cells during serum starvation

Bright nucleolar immunofluorescence was observed in HeLa S3 cells by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody to the nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 (MW 37 kD/pI 5.1). After 48 h of incubation in a serum-free medium, the nucleolar fluorescence was diminished and a general nuclear immunofluorescence was observed. This change in localization of fluorescence indicated that protein B23 had migrated out of the nucleoli. No gross morphological change in nucleoli was observed by light microscopy and the immunolocalization of another nucleolar phosphoprotein, C23, was unaffected by serum deprivation. Relocation of protein B23 in nucleoli was observed after refeeding with serum-containing medium. This re-entry process was not observed after treatment with actinomycin D (50 ng/ml-5 micrograms/ml), but the process was unaffected by cycloheximide (0.2 mM). Quantitation of protein B23 in the nucleoli of the control (fed) or starved HeLa cells was done by ELISA immunoassay. A marked decrease in the amount of protein B23 occurred in the nucleoli of the starved cells (11.8 micrograms B23/mgDNA) as compared with the control nucleoli (20.8 micrograms B23/mgDNA). The amount of protein B23 in the nucleoplasm (excluding nucleoli) was 70% higher in the starved cells. Protein B23 was analysed by one- and two-dimensional PAGE. Three components of protein B23 with slightly different molecular weights and pIs (37 kD/5.1, 35 kD/5.1 and 35 kD/5.3) were observed in nucleoli. The lower molecular weight components were predominantly found in the nucleoplasm.     

Protective and other biological properties of Bacillus anthracis soluble antigens

The soluble antigens were explored of the culture filtrate (CF) derived during static growth of B. anthracis vaccine strain 34F2 on a medium containing casein hydrolysate. Electrofocusing of CF preparations revealed that the protective activity was distributed over a wide range of pH 3-7. The most pronounced and stable protective activity was observed at pH 4.6-4.8. Following toxin factors were isolated and identified: protective antigen (87 kD), oedema factor (87 kD) and lethal factor (78-81 kD). The greatest protective activity was associated with antigens characterized by a molecular weight of 78-87 kD and toxic activity. Preparations of the oedema and lethal factors had the same protective activity as protective antigen (PA) preparations. Other CF soluble antigens protected about 30% of immunized guinea pigs. A protein was isolated with a molecular weight of 80 kD and isoelectric point at pH 5.3-5.7 which was not toxic and did not form toxic mixtures in association with other toxin factors; this protein featured a high immunogenic activity, however, it protected only 31% of immunized animals. Factors are analyzed which determine differences in the protective effects of live and chemical vaccines.     

小鼠抗天花粉蛋白IgE型单抗的酶解及其Fab的制备

研究了Ｐａｐａｉｎ及Ｔｒｙｐｓｉｎ裂解小鼠抗天花粉蛋白ＩｇＥ单抗的条件及Ｆａｂ的制备。Ｐａｐａｉｎ和Ｔｒｙｐｓｉｎ两者都可产生Ｆ（ａｂ′）_２,分子量在１５０～１６０ｋＤ左右;经Ｐａｐａｉｎ裂解的主要产物中还有Ｆａｂ,分子量７２ｋＤ,可通过凝胶过滤获得纯的Ｆａｂ。而Ｔｒｙｐｓｉｎ裂解物经ＤＴＴ还原、碘乙酰胺烷化虽然也可得到Ｆａｂ′（ｔ）,但不易纯化;可见,要制备Ｆａｂ以采用Ｐａｐａｉｎ裂解为好,而制备Ｆ（ａｂ′）_２则可采用Ｔｒｙｐｓｉｎ裂解。这二个酶的裂解速度是Ｔｒｙｐｓｉｎ大于Ｐａｐａｉｎ。     

In vitro expression of a 38,000 dalton heparin-binding glycoprotein by morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells

In vitro, high density monolayer cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells can be induced to form multicellular nodules. The nodular cells appear to be morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare the proteins synthesized and secreted by monolayer and nodular cultures of smooth muscle cells. Although most proteins appeared to be similar, the nodular cultures contained a unique heparin binding protein of Mr = 38,000 (38kD protein) (Millis, A.J.T., Hoyle, M., Reich, E., and Mann, D.M., 1985, J. Biol. Chem., 260:3754-3761). The 38kD protein was glycosylated and its apparent molecular weight was shifted to Mr = 32,500 after synthesis in the presence of tunicamycin or digestion with endoglycosidase F. The production of 38kD protein by nodular cell cultures did not appear to result from the degradation of a high molecular weight precursor in nodular conditioned medium. Further, it was not detected in monolayer cell conditioned medium that had been incubated with nodular cells. Finally, its synthesis was not induced in monolayer cell cultures that had been labeled in nodular cell conditioned medium. The 38kD protein appears to be uniquely associated with nodular cultures of smooth muscle cells.     

人黑色素瘤细胞分泌的组织纤溶酶原激活剂(t-PA)的纯化

 本文报道了培养的人黑色素瘤细胞分泌的组织纤溶酶原激活剂(t-PA)的纯化方法。Bowes株人黑色素瘤细胞的分泌产物,经CM-Sephadex C--50层析,赖氨酸-Sepharose 4B,苯甲眯-sepharose 4B亲和层析后,即可得到纯化470倍的蛋白纯品。样品经聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定为均一单带,测得其分子量约为72kD。纯化的t-PA与尿激酶相比较,发现前者有更高亲和纤维蛋白的能力。     

中华卵索线虫雌雄成虫可溶性蛋白双向电泳分析

昆虫寄生线虫 (又称虫生线虫、昆虫病原线虫)是本世纪发展起来的一种有潜能的生物防治因子 ,它寄主范围广、能主动寻找寄主、对人畜及环境安全无毒。中华卵索线虫是昆虫寄生线虫的一种 ,由我国学者发现并命名的新种 (陈果等 ,1 9 91 ) ,具有广泛的寄主范围 ,可杀灭粘虫 (任慧芳等 ,1 989)、烟青虫、烟蚜 (侯茂林等 ,2 0 0 2 )及棉铃虫 (陈果 ,1 994)等危害十分严重的害虫 ,其寄生率等于宿主的死亡率。因此在生物防治手段日益突出的今天 ,中华卵索线虫无疑有着广泛的应用前景。然而 ,在线虫培养的过程中 ,无论是体内培养还是体外培养 ,我们发…     

The release of iron by Sertoli cells in culture

In seminiferous tubules, iron transport from the blood to the abluminal germinal cells must occur through the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. We investigated the release of previously accumulated iron by cultured Sertoli cells. We found that Sertoli cells contain easily releasable and less easily releasable iron pools. Iron is released in a low molecular weight form (molecular weight less than 30,000). A high concentration of this low molecular weight iron in the medium reduces further iron release by Sertoli cells, whereas the addition of more medium or fresh medium increases further iron release. Apotransferrin stimulates the release of iron in a dose-dependent manner by chelating the low molecular weight iron. Rat and human apotransferrin are completely competitive in this respect. Diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (DTPA), an extracellular iron chelator, and apotransferrin compete for iron binding and stimulation of iron release, indicating that no binding or uptake of the chelator by the cells is required. Desferrioxamine (DFO), an intracellular iron chelator, on the other hand, increases iron release more drastically, and apotransferrin cannot compete with it for iron. The addition of extracellular iron also increases the amount of 59Fe in the medium, probably by reducing the re-uptake of 59Fe. This is also demonstrated with primaquine, which blocks endocytosis and increases the amount of 59Fe in the medium. The presence of germinal cells also stimulates the release of iron by Sertoli cells. When cocultured, the germinal cells internalize iron as it is release by Sertoli cells.     

Regulation of scatter factor production via a soluble inducing factor

Scatter factor (SF) (also known as hepatocyte growth factor [HGF]) is a fibroblast-derived cytokine that stimulates motility, proliferation, and morphogenesis of epithelia. SF may play major roles in development, repair, and carcinogenesis. However, the physiologic signals that regulate its production are not well delineated. We found that various human tumor cell lines that do not produce SF secrete factors that stimulate SF production by fibroblasts, suggesting a paracrine mechanism for regulation of SF production. Conditioned medium from these cell lines contained two distinct scatter factor-inducing factor SF-IF activities: a high molecular weight (> 30 kD), heat sensitive activity and a low molecular weight (< 30 kD) heat stable activity. Further studies revealed that SF-producing fibroblasts also secrete factors that stimulate their own SF production. We characterized the < 30-kD SF-IF activity from ras-3T3 (clone D4), a mouse cell line that overproduces both SF and SF-IF. The < 30-kD filtrate from ras-3T3 conditioned medium induced four- to sixfold increases in expression of SF biologic activity, immunoreactive protein, and mRNA by multiple SF- producing fibroblast lines. Ras-3T3 SF-IF activity was stable to boiling, extremes of pH, and reductive alkylation, but was destroyed by proteases. We purified ras-3T3 SF-IF about 10,000-fold from serum-free conditioned medium by a combination of ultrafiltration, cation exchange chromatography, and reverse phase chromatography. The purified protein exhibited electrophoretic mobility of about 12 kD (reduced) and 14 kD (nonreduced) by SDS-PAGE. The identity of the protein was verified by elution of biologic activity from gel slices. Purified SF-IF stimulated SF production in a physiologic concentration range (about 20-400 pM). Its properties and activities were distinct from those of IL-1 and TNF, two known inducers of SF production. We suggest that SF-IF is a physiologic regulator of SF production.     

Constitutive production and characterization of interferon-gamma in a human T-lymphoblastoid cell line transformed by a human retrovirus

A human T-lymphoblastoid cell line, TCL-Fuj, constitutively produced a large amount of human gamma interferon (IFN) in culture fluids and has sustained stable IFN production for more than two years. When cells were incubated in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum for three days, IFN activity was detectable at a cell density of 6 X 10(4) cells/ml, whereas 2,000-16,000 units of IFN per ml were produced at 5-10 X 10(5) cells/ml. IFN production was also detected even in serumfree medium and as early as 2 hr after cultivation in fresh medium. IFN was inhibited by treatment of cells with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide, indicating the requirement of IFN-mRNA and protein for de novo synthesis. The molecular weight of the IFN was 45,000-60,000 as determined by Sephacryl S200 gel filtration. Two activity peaks corresponding to molecular weights of 22,000 and 39,000 were obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analysis by isoelectric focusing revealed charge heterogeneity with four species at pIs of 6.0, 7.1, 8.6, and 9.3. Conventional IFN-gamma inducers, concanavalin A and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, further enhanced the production of IFN in this cell line.