苹果中磷酸蔗糖合酶家族基因的表达特性及其与蔗糖含量的关系

磷酸蔗糖合酶(sucrose phosphate synthase,SPS)是植物中蔗糖合成的主要限速酶,影响植物的生长发育和果实中蔗糖的含量。为探明苹果中SPS基因家族特性及其在蔗糖合成中的作用,该研究从苹果基因组中分离了MdSPS家族基因,分析了它们的进化关系以及mRNA表达特性与酶活性和蔗糖含量的关系。结果显示:(1)在苹果基因组中有8个SPS家族基因表达,它们分别属于双子叶植物的3个SPS亚家族。(2)荧光定量PCR分析显示,苹果C类的MdSPS6基因和A类的MdSPS1a/b基因是苹果中表达丰度最高的SPS基因成员,其中MdSPS6在苹果成熟果中表达丰度最高,其次是成熟叶片,而MdSPS1a/b在不积累蔗糖的幼果中表达丰度最高。(3)在果实发育过程中,除MdSPS1a/b之外,其它5个苹果MdSPS家族基因均随果实的生长表达丰度增加,与SPS活性和蔗糖含量明显呈正相关关系。研究表明,C类家族MdSPS6是苹果果实发育后期和叶片中蔗糖合成的主要SPS基因。     

Concerning the thermal stability of E. coli 23S ribosomal RNA

Total RNA prepared from E. coli by several extraction procedures behaves as a mixture of covalently continuous heat stable 23S, 16S and 4-5S components. 16S rRNA remains heat stable after isolation from such preparations, whereas isolated 23S rRNA is heat labile but becomes heat stable after EDTA treatment. This and other evidence leads to the conclusion that heat lability of purified 23S rRNA is due, not to nuclease contamination of the type observed in earlier studies of the stability of this RNA, but to polyvalent cation catalyzed temperature-dependent scission of phosphodiester bonds. Heat stability of 23S rRNA in total RNA is due to the presence in these preparations of a contaminant which appears to act as a chelator of polyvalent cations. This material is similar or identical to the pyrogenic E. coli lipopolysaccharide described by Westphal and coll.     

蔗糖脂肪酸脂对离体和活体大豆蔗糖酶活力和构象的影响

研究了蔗糖脂肪酸脂(SFE)对离体和活体大豆蔗糖酶活力和构象的影响。当SFE的浓度大于1.0mmol/L后,开始激活离体蔗糖酶的活力。在大豆的开花期和结荚期,SFE可以增加蔗糖酶的活力。荧光实验结果表明,在小于2mmol/L时,SFE不改变蔗糖酶的荧光最大发射峰峰位和峰高。施用SFE后,大豆叶片中果糖、葡萄糖和蔗糖酶的含量,分别是对照的170%±10%,190%±10%,和260%±20%;而蔗糖的含量几乎不变。对蔗糖酶 的SDS-凝胶电泳图进行扫描分析的结果表明,经SFE处理后的蔗糖酶含量比对照高两倍左右。这些结果说明SFE可以显著增加活体蔗糖酶的活力,但活力的增加既不是因为蔗糖酶构象的改变,也不是蔗糖(作为底物)诱导所致,而是SFE增加了大豆叶片中蔗糖酶的含量引起的。     

Deletion of EFL1 results in heterogeneity of the 60 S GTPase-associated rRNA conformation

Previous work suggested that the release of the nucleolar Tif6 from nascent 60 S subunits occurs in the cytoplasm and requires the cytoplasmic EF-2-like GTPase, Efl1. To check whether this release involves an rRNA structural rearrangement mediated by Efl1, we analyzed the rRNA conformation of the GTPase center of 80 S ribosomes in three contexts: wild-type, Deltaefl1 and a dominant suppressor R1 of Deltaefl1. This analysis was restricted to domain II and VI of 25 S rRNA. The rRNA analysis of R1 ribosomes allows us to distinguish the effects due to depletion of Efl1 from the resulting nucleolar deficit of Tif6. Efl1 inhibits the EF-2 GTPase activity, suggesting that the two proteins share a similar ribosome-binding site. The 80 S ribosomes from either type failed to show any difference of conformation in the two rRNA domains analyzed. However, the same analysis performed on the pool of free 60 S subunits reveals several rRNA conformational differences between wild-type and Deltaefl1 subunits, whereas that from the suppressor strain is similar to wild-type. This suggests that the nucleolar deficit of Tif6 during assembly of the 60 S preribosomes is responsible for the changes in rRNA conformation observed in Deltaefl1 60 S subunits. We also purified 60 S preribosomes from the three genetic contexts by TAP-tagging Tif6. The protein content of 60 S preribosomes associated with Tif6p in a Deltaefl1 strain are obtained at a lower yield but have, surprisingly, a protein composition that is a priori similar to that of wild-type and the suppressor strain.     

植物体内蔗糖转运蛋白的功能和调控

蔗糖转运蛋白（sucrose transporter,SUT）负责蔗糖的跨膜运输,在韧皮部介导的源-库蔗糖运输和为库组织供应蔗糖的生理活动中起关键作用。本文介绍植物体内蔗糖转运蛋白基因家族、细胞定位与功能调节以及高等植物的蔗糖感受机制的研究进展。     

Hormonal Control of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase and Sucrose Synthase in Sugar Beet

We studied the effects of synthetic analogs of phytohormones (benzyladenine, IAA, and GA) on the activities of the enzymes catalyzing sucrose synthesis and metabolism, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS, EC 2.4.1.14) and sucrose synthase (SS, EC 2.4.1.13), and on the content of chlorophyll and protein during the sugar-beet (Beta vulgaris L.) ontogeny. Plant spraying with phytohormonal preparations activated SPS in leaves; direct interaction between phytohormones and the enzyme also increased its activity. The degree of this activation differed during the ontogeny and in dependence on the compound used for treatment. Analogs of phytohormones maintained high protein level in leaves, retarded chlorophyll breakdown, and, thus, prolonged leaf functional activity during development. Phytohormonal preparations practically did not affect the SS activity both after plant treatment and at their direct interaction with the enzyme. It is supposed that the SS activity in sugar-beet roots is controlled by sucrose synthesized in leaves rather than by phytohormones. The effects of hormones on leaf metabolism were mainly manifested in growth activation.     

小麦开花后旗叶中蔗糖合成与籽粒中蔗糖降解

在小麦开花后,旗叶中蔗糖磷酸合成酶（SPS）活性在开花后14d内一直维持较高水平,蔗糖合成酶（SS）的活性在开花后14-28d较高,蔗糖的含量与SPS活性呈显著正相关,籽粒中蔗糖合成酶（SS）在开花后28d内一直维持较高的活性;与此相对应,籽粒蔗糖的含量在开花后28d内呈明显的下降趋势。而旗叶和籽粒中SS活性均与籽粒淀粉的积累速率呈极显著正相关。     

植物蔗糖转运蛋白及其功能调节研究进展

综述了高等植物蔗糖转运蛋白基因家族的分类,蔗糖转运蛋白的细胞定位,蔗糖转运蛋白的功能调节,以及果实中糖运转的特性等方面的研究进展,并提出了深入研究果实蔗糖运转蛋白的展望。     

Sucrose metabolism in stele and cortex isolated from roots of Pisum sativum

Stele and cortex were separated from the region 6–24 mm from the tip of roots of seedlings of Pisum sativum L. that had been grown in the dark for 5 days. The activities of sucrose synthetase (E.C. 2.4.1.13) and sucrose phosphate synthetase (E.C. 2.4.1.14) in extracts of stele were 34 and 5·9 nmol product formed/min per mg protein, respectively. The corresponding figures for extracts of cortex were 17 and 5·2. Appreciable labelling of sucrose occurred when samples of either stele or cortex were incubated in [¹⁴C]glucose for 90 min. The labelling of sucrose after incubation of the tissues for 45 min in [¹⁴C]glucose followed by 45 min in glucose suggested some turnover of sucrose in the cortex but none in the stele. These results are discussed in relation to the control of sucrose metabolism in the root.     

Proline in alpha-helix: stability and conformation studied by dynamics simulation

Free-energy simulations have been used to estimate the change in the conformational stability of short polyalanine alpha-helices when one of the alanines is replaced by a proline residue. For substituting proline in the middle of the helix the change in free energy of folding (delta delta G degrees) was calculated as 14 kJ/mol (3.4 kcal/mol), in excellent agreement with the one available experimental value. The helix containing proline was found to be strongly kinked; the free energy for reducing the angle of the kink from 40 degrees to 15 degrees was calculated, and found to be small. A tendency to alternate hydrogen bonding schemes was observed in the proline-containing helix. These observations for the oligopeptide agree well with the observation of a range of kink angles (18-35 degrees) and variety of hydrogen bonding schemes, in the rare instances where proline occurs in helices in globular proteins. For substituting proline at the N-terminus of the helix the change in free energy of folding (delta delta G degrees) was calculated as -4 kJ/mol in the first helical position (N1) and +6 kJ/mol in the second helical position (N2). The observed frequent occurrence of proline in position N1 in alpha-helices in proteins therefore has its origin in stability differences of secondary structure. The conclusion reached here that proline may be a better helix former in position N1 than (even) alanine, and thus be a helix initiator may be testable experimentally by measurements of fraction helical conformation of individual residues in oligopeptides of appropriate sequence. The relevance of these results in regards to the frequent occurrence of proline-containing helices in certain membrane proteins is discussed.     

Disassembly and reconstitution of yeast 60S ribosomal subunits

Summary Yeast 60S ribosomal subunits have been dissociated by reversible modification with dimethylmaleic anhydride. Treatment with 40 mol reagent/ml releases 35% of the protein, producing core particles inactive in polyphenylalanine synthesis, which are totally or highly deficient in 17 different proteins. This preparation of residual particles recovers 45% of the original activity upon incubation with the released proteins. The reconstituted particles can be isolated by centrifugation without loss of activity, having the protein composition of the original subunits.Abbreviations DMMA Dimethylmaleic Anhydride     

高等植物中蔗糖降解酶及其基因表达与调控

大多数植物的库器官都是以蔗糖的形式接受碳源和能源,蔗糖进入库代谢需要转化酶和蔗糖合成酶降解成为葡萄糖和果糖,而糖又调节植物代谢过程中许多酶的基因表达,因此蔗糖降解酶是植物生长发育中起关键作用的酶．综述了近年来蔗糖合成酶和转化酶的作用及它们基因表达和调节的研究进展．     

植物蔗糖转运蛋白的基因与功能

蔗糖是植物体内碳水化合物长距离转运的主要（甚至唯一）形式，为植物生长发育提供碳架与能量。蔗糖转运蛋白（sucrose transporter，SUT）负责蔗糖的跨膜运输，在韧皮部介导的源-库蔗糖运输，以及库组织的蔗糖供给中起关键作用。自从菠菜中克隆到第一个SUT基因以来，已先后有多个SUT基因的cDNA得到克隆与功能分析，涉及34种双子叶与单子叶植物。每种植物都有一个中等规模的SUT基因家族，其不同成员之间具有较高的氨基酸序列同源性，但在蔗糖吸收的动力学特性、转运底物的特异性和表达谱等方面存在差异。本文系统介绍国内外（主要是国外）在植物SUT基因的克隆、分类与进化、细胞定位与功能，以及研究方法等方面的研究进展，并简要介绍我们在橡胶树SUT基因研究上的初步结果。     

The 2'-OH group of the peptidyl-tRNA stabilizes an active conformation of the ribosomal PTC

The ribosome accelerates the rate of peptidyl transfer by >10(6)-fold relative to the background rate. A widely accepted model for this rate enhancement invokes entropic effects whereby the ribosome and the 2'-OH of the peptidyl-tRNA substrate precisely position the reactive moieties through an extensive network of hydrogen bonds that allows proton movement through them. Some studies, however, have called this model into question because they find the 2'-OH of the peptidyl-tRNA to be dispensable for catalysis. Here, we use an in vitro reconstituted translation system to resolve these discrepancies. We find that catalysis is at least 100-fold slower with the dA76-substituted peptidyl-tRNA substrate and that the peptidyl transferase centre undergoes a slow inactivation when the peptidyl-tRNA lacks the 2'-OH group. Additionally, the 2'-OH group was found to be critical for EFTu binding and peptide release. These findings reconcile the conflict in the literature, and support a model where interactions between active site residues and the 2'-OH of A76 of the peptidyl-tRNA are pivotal in orienting substrates in this active site for optimal catalysis.     

Sucrose absorption and synthesis by excised Lycopersicon esculentum roots

Asymmetrically-labelled sucrose was absorbed intact by excised roots of tomato, grown in sucrose. Glucose-grown roots possessed sucrose synthetase and sucrose phosphate synthetase activity.     

Solution structure and thermal stability of ribosomal protein L30e from hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus celer

To understand the structural basis of thermostability, we have determined the solution structure of a thermophilic ribosomal protein L30e from Thermococcus celer by NMR spectroscopy. The conformational stability of T. celer L30e was measured by guanidine and thermal-induced denaturation, and compared with that obtained for yeast L30e, a mesophilic homolog. The melting temperature of T. celer L30e was 94 degrees C, whereas the yeast protein denatured irreversibly at temperatures >45 degrees C. The two homologous proteins also differ greatly in their stability at 25 degrees C: the free energy of unfolding was 45 kJ/mole for T. celer L30e and 14 kJ/mole for the yeast homolog. The solution structure of T. celer L30e was compared with that of the yeast homolog. Although the two homologous proteins do not differ significantly in their number of hydrogen bonds and the amount of solvent accessible surface area buried with folding, the thermophilic T. celer L30e was found to have more long-range ion pairs, more proline residues in loops, and better helix capping residues in helix-1 and helix-4. A K9A variant of T. celer L30e was created by site-directed mutagenesis to examine the role of electrostatic interactions on protein stability. Although the melting temperatures of the K9A variant is approximately 8 degrees C lower than that of the wild-type L30e, their difference in T(m) is narrowed to approximately 4.2 degrees C at 0.5 M NaCl. This salt-dependency of melting temperatures strongly suggests that electrostatic interactions contribute to the thermostability of T. celer L30e.     

The effect of substrate binding on the conformation and structural stability of Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase

The structure of Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK(HSV1)) is known at high resolution in complex with a series of ligands and exhibits important structural similarities to the nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) kinase family, which are known to show large conformational changes upon binding of substrates. The effect of substrate binding on the conformation and structural stability of TK(HSV1), measured by thermal denaturation experiments, far-UV circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence is described, and the results indicate that the conformation of the ligand-free TK(HSV1) is less ordered and less stable compared to the ligated enzyme. Furthermore, two crystal structures of TK(HSV1) in complex with two new ligands, HPT and HMTT, refined to 2.2 A are presented. Although TK(HSV1):HPT does not exhibit any significant deviations from the model of TK(HSV1):dT, the TK(HSV1):HMTT complex displays a unique conformationally altered active site resulting in a lowered thermal stability of this complex. Moreover, we show that binding affinity and binding mode of the ligand correlate with thermal stability of the complex. We use this correlation to propose a method to estimate binding constants for new TK(HSV1)substrates using thermal denaturation measurements monitored by CD spectroscopy. The kinetic and structural results of both test substrates HPT and HMTT show that the CD thermal denaturation system is very sensitive to conformational changes caused by unusual binding of a substrate analog.     

Sucrose and fructan metabolism of different wheat cultivars at chilling temperatures

Four wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties cultivated in different climates from subtropics to North Patagonia were used to study sucrose and fructan metabolism in plants when submitted to a cold period. Higher levels of sugars were found in the more cold tolerant cultivars. Sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) activities showed a 2–3 fold increase when plants were grown at 4°C for 10 days. The more cold-tolerant wheat cultivars also showed the higher levels of enzyme activities. These metabolical changes were not due to anatomical or morphological differences produced during growth at 4°C     

Roles of positive and negative feedback in biological systems

We discuss the influence of positive and negative feedback on the stability of a system, which is not clear-cut, and involves complex, mathematical problems. We show in particular that positive feedback can have a stabilising effect on some systems. We also point out the role that positive feedback plays in the digital treatment of signals required by cellular signalling, drawing on analogies from electronics, and the role that negative feedback plays in making a system robust against alteration of its parameters. Both positive and negative feedback can be seen as important enhancers of the properties of biological systems.