人多瘤病毒BK株VP1的C端阳电荷残基对病毒样颗粒形成的影响

VP1是人多瘤病毒BK株的主要结构蛋白,使用重组杆状病毒表达系统在体外表达VP1可以形成病毒样颗粒(VLP).为了探讨VP1的C末端阳电荷残基R-281,R-285,K-288,R-290,R-292,K-293,R-294,和K297对VLP形成和其结合DNA的影响,我们分别改变将阳电荷残基变成丙氨酸,然后表达VP1蛋白.结果发现用丙氨酸替代K-288,R-290,R-292,K-293,R-294后仍能形成VLP,但与野毒株相比,在VLP分泌以及衣壳蛋白与细胞DNA的结合方面有差异.有趣的是,R-281被丙氨酸取代后仅在细胞中形成少量的VLP,而R-285被丙氨酸取代后不能形成VLP.该研究证实阳电荷氨基酸残基R-281和R-285是形成VLP所必须的,K-288、R-290、R-292、K-293、R-294和K-297则影响VLP和DNA的结合.     

伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白C-端系列缺失突变体的构建及亚细胞定位分析

以绿荧光蛋白(GFP)为标记,构建了一系列伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白的C-端缺失突变体与GFP融合表达的真核表达质粒,脂质体介导转染Hela细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察分析各个缺失突变体的亚细胞定位,发现伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白与核定位有关的结构域在第60个到第90个氨基酸残基之间,第111个到第159个氨基酸残基有可能与形成细胞核内的颗粒有关,与微管蛋白结合有关的结构域可能在第187到第241个氨基酸残基之间。上述研究结果为进一步深入研究伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白的结构与功能奠定了基础。     

伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白C-端系列缺失突变体的构建及亚细胞定位分析

以绿荧光蛋白(GFP)为标记,构建了一系列伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白的C-端缺失突变体与GFP融合表达的真核表达质粒,脂质体介导转染Hela细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察分析各个缺失突变体的亚细胞定位,发现伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白与核定位有关的结构域在第60个到第90个氨基酸残基之间,第111个到第159个氨基酸残基有可能与形成细胞核内的颗粒有关,与微管蛋白结合有关的结构域可能在第187到第241个氨基酸残基之间.上述研究结果为进一步深入研究伪狂犬病毒VP22蛋白的结构与功能奠定了基础.     

人Polo样激酶1活性缺失突变体和结构域在293细胞中的瞬时表达

目的:构建人Polo样激酶1(Plk1)活性缺失突变体及结构域突变体的真核表达载体,并在293细胞中表达。方法:用二次PCR方法扩增Plk1基因并点突变,将82位赖氨酸突变为精氨酸,定向克隆到pcDNA3-Flag载体中;用普通PCR方法扩增Plk1激酶区域及Polo盒区域(PBD)基因,定向克隆到pcDNA3-Flag载体中;将上述质粒转染293细胞进行瞬时表达,Western印迹检测Plk1蛋白的表达。结果:构建了Flag-Plk1(K82R)、Flag-Plk1KD、Flag-Plk1PBD真核表达质粒,在293细胞中均可有效表达,蛋白相对分子质量分别为68×103、45×103、31×103。结论:在293细胞中表达了Flag-Plk1(K82R)、Flag-Plk1KD、Flag-Plk1PBD蛋白,有助于进一步探究Plk1对底物的功能。     

犬细小病毒VP2蛋白在真核细胞中的分泌表达及特性

摘要:【目的】利用真核细胞分泌表达犬细小病毒VP2蛋白和研究其特性。【方法】为构建犬细小病毒（Canine parvovirus, CPV）VP2基因的真核分泌型表达载体,首先通过酶切从含有人CD5信号肽序列的质粒中将CD5信号肽基因片段切出,将其连接到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1A的多克隆位点上,构建成pcDNA3.1-CD5sp质粒。然后再通过PCR方法从含有犬细小病毒VP2基因的质粒中扩增VP2基因,并将其插入到pcDNA3.1- CD5sp载体中CD5信号肽的下游,构建成VP2基因的真核分泌型表达载体pcDNA-CD5sp-VP2。经磷酸钙介导转染293T细胞,使其在真核细胞中进行分泌表达,并通过ELISA检测表达的VP2蛋白与犬转铁蛋白受体（TfR）结合的活性。【结果】序列分析结果表明,本实验构建的犬细小病毒VP2基因真核分泌型表达载体结构正确,将该表达载体转染的293T细胞,在培养基中通过Western-blot检测到有VP2重组蛋白的存在。经ELISA检测表明表达的重组VP2蛋白具有与犬转铁蛋白受体结合的活性。【结论】 利用人的CD5信号肽实现了犬细小病毒VP2蛋白在真核细胞中的分泌表达,表达的VP2蛋白具有与犬转铁蛋白受体结合的活性。     

Ydj1p二聚体中β14~β15与domain-III分离的拉伸分子动力学模拟研究

分子伴侣Hsp40是一种以二聚体的形式调控非天然多肽折叠的热激蛋白。本文通过拉伸分子动力学研究了酵母Hsp40家族成员Ydj1p二聚体中β14-β15与domain-Ⅲ的分离过程,深入探讨了影响Ydj1p二聚体稳定性的重要残基和相互作用力。研究表明,残基Thr366、Asp368、Cys370、Leu372和Phe375在Ydj1P二聚体的形成过程中发挥着重要的作用。其中,β14-β15中的残基Thr366和Asp368分别通过与domain-Ⅲ内的残基Asp291、Trp292和Trp292、Lys294之间形成的氢键,Asp368通过与domain-Ⅲ内的残基Lys314形成盐桥,Cys370、Leu372和Phe375则是通过与domain-Ⅲ形成疏水作用力来稳定Ydj1p二聚体结构。     

鼠伤寒沙门氏菌PurR阻遏蛋白Trp-147, Gln-218和Gln-292氨基酸残基的功能分析

对从purR超阻遏突变体(purR^s)出发分离的purR(am)突变体进行了purR编码区DNA片段的克隆和测序,确定了6个purR(am)突变体的am突变位点,其中3个位于C⁹³³(Gln-218),2个位于G⁷²¹(Trp-147),1个位于C¹¹⁵⁵(Gln-292).进而对位于PurR辅阻遏物结合区的这3个不同am位点,通过引入tRNA抑制基因(sup),进行了5种不同氨基酸取代,并测定了对PurR阻遏蛋白功能的影响.结果显示,Cys,Glu,Gly,His和Arg5种氨基酸分别取代Trp-147,都不能明显恢复purR阻遏蛋白的调节功能,证实了Trp-147是影响PurR调节功能的重要氨基酸残基.Cys等5种氨基酸对Gln-292的取代也不能恢复PurR阻遏蛋白的调节功能,证明了Gln-292也是影响PurR阻遏蛋白调节功能的重要氨基酸.     

人酪蛋白激酶1激酶区真核表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的:构建带Flag标签的酪蛋白激酶1α(CK1α)激酶区截短突变体CK1α(1-285aa)的真核表达载体,获得其表达产物,并验证该激酶区与已知相互作用蛋白Myc-Cdc25A之间的相互作用。方法:用PCR技术从人全长CK1α真核表达载体中扩增CK1α(1-285aa),将其克隆到Flag载体中,将重组质粒转染人胚肾293T细胞,Western印迹检测其在人293T细胞中的表达情况,免疫共沉淀分别检测Flag-CK1α全长、Flag-CK1α(1-285aa)与Myc-Cdc25A的相互作用。结果:双酶切和基因测序鉴定显示Flag-CK1α(1-285aa)真核表达载体克隆构建成功;Western印迹结果表明Flag-CK1α(1-285aa)转染人胚肾细胞293T细胞后获得表达;免疫共沉淀结果显示Flag-CK1α全长、Flag-CK1α(1-285aa)与Myc-Cdc25A在蛋白质水平上具有相互作用,证实其具有生物学活性。结论:构建了Flag-CK1α(1-285aa)的真核表达载体,为进一步探讨Flag-CK1α激酶区对细胞信号通路的调节作用奠定了实验基础。     

与α疱疹病毒VP22蛋白融合增强“自杀性”DNA疫苗的免疫反应

α疱疹病毒VP22具有独特的蛋白转导特性,能通过一种不依赖于高尔基体的非经典途径从原始表达细胞转导到邻近的非表达细胞中,而且VP22还能使与之融合的外源蛋白在细胞间转导.因此,VP22是一种极具开发潜力的免疫增强分子.本研究以牛疱疹病毒1型(BHV- 1)的VP22为研究对象,以β-半乳糖苷酶（β-gal）为模式抗原,构建了BHV-1 VP22(BVP22)与β-gal融合的“自杀性"DNA疫苗表达质粒pSCAB-gal,转染BHK 21细胞.X-gal染色结果表明,表达的融合蛋白BVP22-gal仍具有蛋白转导能力,而单独表达β-gal的“自杀性"DNA疫苗表达质粒pSCA-gal不具有这种能力.进一步将pSCAB-gal和pSCA-gal分别免疫BALB/c小鼠,结果pSCAB-gal免疫能显著增强β-gal特异性ELISA抗体和细胞毒T细胞（CTL）活性,表明与BVP22融合能显著增强“自杀性”DNA疫苗的体液免疫和细胞免疫反应.     

截短型人乳头瘤病毒58型L1蛋白的表达及其体外生物活性研究

利用PCR技术克隆截短型HPV58 L1基因并重组入杆状病毒表达系统穿梭质粒pFastBac-Htb,通过转座反应,将目的基因片段重组入杆状病毒基因组,分离重组的Bacmid DNA, 并转染Sf-9昆虫细胞,收集被转染的Sf-9细胞,提取细胞蛋白,SDS-PAGE检测可见在大约58Kda处出现一新生蛋白条带,Western blot 证实为HPV58L1蛋白。用ProBondTM纯化系统纯化所表达的蛋白。小鼠红细胞凝集试验证实纯化的蛋白可介导小鼠红细胞凝集,透射电镜观察证实纯化蛋白可自组装成VLP。结果表明昆虫杆状病毒表达系统可高效表达截短型HPV58L1蛋白,纯化后的截短型HPV58L1蛋白在体外可自组装VLP,并具有介导小鼠红细胞凝集的生物学活性。     

Mutagenesis and molecular dynamics suggest structural and functional roles for residues in the N-terminal portion of the cytochrome P450 2B1 I helix

To investigate their potential roles in ligand access, binding, and subsequent metabolism, residues in the N-terminal portion of the cytochrome P450 2B1 I helix were mutated to alanine and phenylalanine. Of the 18 mutants from E286 to S294 only 7 yielded holoprotein in an Escherichia coli expression system. Substitutions at positions 289, 290, 292, and 294 caused >/= 2-fold changes in kcat and/or Km for two or more of the 2B1 substrates examined, testosterone, 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin, 7-benzyloxyresorufin, and benzphetamine. I290 substitutions had the largest effects on steady-state parameters for three substrates and increased benzphetamine affinity. Steered molecular dynamics simulations of testosterone egress along the I helix identified hydrophobic interactions with I290, L293, and S294 and water bridges to E286 and S294. Sensitivity of holoprotein formation to substitution and effects on substrate binding and metabolism suggest structural and functional roles for residues in the N-terminus of the cytochrome P450 2B1 I helix.     

DNA Binding and Condensation Properties of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Triplex Protein VP19C

Herpesvirus capsids are regular icosahedrons with a diameter of a 125 nm and are made up of 162 capsomeres arranged on a T = 16 lattice. The capsomeres (VP5) interact with the triplex structure, which is a unique structural feature of herpesvirus capsid shells. The triplex is a heterotrimeric complex; one molecule of VP19C and two of VP23 form a three-pronged structure that acts to stabilize the capsid shell through interactions with adjacent capsomeres. VP19C interacts with VP23 and with the major capsid protein VP5 and is required for the nuclear localization of VP23. Mutation of VP19C results in the abrogation of capsid shell synthesis. Analysis of the sequence of VP19C showed the N-terminus of VP19C is very basic and glycine rich. It was hypothesized that this domain could potentially bind to DNA. In this study an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and a DNA condensation assay were performed to demonstrate that VP19C can bind DNA. Purified VP19C was able to bind to both a DNA fragment of HSV-1 origin as well as a bacterial plasmid sequence indicating that this activity is non-specific. Ultra-structural imaging of the nucleo-protein complexes revealed that VP19C condensed the DNA and forms toroidal DNA structures. Both the DNA binding and condensing properties of VP19C were mapped to the N-terminal 72 amino acids of the protein. Mutational studies revealed that the positively charged arginine residues in this N-terminal domain are required for this binding. This DNA binding activity, which resides in a non-conserved region of the protein could be required for stabilization of HSV-1 DNA association in the capsid shell.     

Roles of disulfide linkage and calcium ion-mediated interactions in assembly and disassembly of virus-like particles composed of simian virus 40 VP1 capsid protein

The simian virus 40 capsid is composed of 72 pentamers of VP1 protein. Although the capsid is known to dissociate to pentamers in vitro following simultaneous treatment with reducing and chelating agents, the functional roles of disulfide linkage and calcium ion-mediated interactions are not clear. To elucidate the roles of these interactions, we introduced amino acid substitutions in VP1 at cysteine residues and at residues involved in calcium binding. We expressed the mutant proteins in a baculovirus system and analyzed both their assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) in insect cells and the disassembly of those VLPs in vitro. We found that disulfide linkages at both Cys-9 and Cys-104 conferred resistance to proteinase K digestion on VLPs, although neither linkage was essential for the formation of VLPs in insect cells. In particular, reduction of the disulfide linkage at Cys-9 was found to be critical for VLP dissociation to VP1 pentamers in the absence of calcium ions, indicating that disulfide linkage at Cys-9 prevents VLP dissociation, probably by increasing the stability of calcium ion binding. We found that amino acid substitutions at carboxy-terminal calcium ion binding sites (Glu-329, Glu-330, and Asp-345) resulted in the frequent formation of unusual tubular particles as well as VLPs in insect cells, indicating that these residues affect the accuracy of capsid assembly. In addition, unexpectedly, amino acid substitutions at any of the calcium ion binding sites tested, especially at Glu-157, resulted in increased stability of VLPs in the absence of calcium ions in vitro. These results suggest that appropriate affinities of calcium ion binding are responsible for both assembly and disassembly of the capsid.     

A role of the C-terminal region adjacent to the zinc-fingers in the DNA binding ability of Rme1p, a regulator of meiosis in S. cerevisiae.

Rme1p is a zinc-finger protein and has a pivotal role in control of meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The DNA binding domain of Rme1p consists of three zinc-finger segments and the C-terminal 16 amino acid residues (called C-TR). To examine the role of C-TR, a series of mutant Rme1p fused with maltose binding protein (MBP) were constructed, purified, and characterized, in terms of the DNA binding ability. The basic amino acid residues R287 and K290, and the hydrophobic residues F288, L292, 1295, and L296 play an important role for DNA binding, suggesting that the C-TR forms an amphipathic alpha-helix. Also, it was shown that the mutations in the basic amino acid residues abolish the repression and inhibition of spore formation by Rme1p in vivo. Hence, the C-TR is important for in vivo function of Rme1p.     

The last C-terminal residue of VP3, glutamic acid 257, controls capsid assembly of infectious bursal disease virus

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a nonenveloped virus with an icosahedral capsid composed of two proteins, VP2 and VP3, that derive from the processing of the polyprotein NH(2)-pVP2-VP4-VP3-COOH. The virion contains VP1, the viral polymerase, which is both free and covalently linked to the two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomic segments. In this study, the virus assembly process was studied further with the baculovirus expression system. While expression of the wild-type polyprotein was not found to be self-sufficient to give rise to virus-like particles (VLPs), deletion or replacement of the five C-terminal residues of VP3 was observed to promote capsid assembly. Indeed, the single deletion of the C-terminal glutamic acid was sufficient to induce VLP formation. Moreover, fusion of various peptides or small proteins (a green fluorescent protein or a truncated form of ovalbumin) at the C terminus of VP3 also promoted capsid assembly, suggesting that assembly required screening of the negative charges at the C terminus of VP3. The fused polypeptides mimicked the effect of VP1, which interacts with VP3 to promote VLP assembly. The C-terminal segment of VP3 was found to contain two functional domains. While the very last five residues of VP3 mainly controlled both assembly and capsid architecture, the five preceding residues constituted the VP1 (and possibly the pVP2/VP2) binding domain. Finally, we showed that capsid formation is associated with VP2 maturation, demonstrating that the protease VP4 is involved in the virus assembly process.     

Sequence and structure of human rhinoviruses reveal the basis of receptor discrimination

The sequences of the capsid protein VP1 of all minor receptor group human rhinoviruses were determined. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that minor group HRVs were not more related to each other than to the nine major group HRVs whose sequences are known. Examination of the surface exposed amino acid residues of HRV1A and HRV2, whose X-ray structures are available, and that of three-dimensional models computed for the remaining eight minor group HRVs indicated a pattern of positively charged residues within the region, which, in HRV2, was shown to be the binding site of the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor. A lysine in the HI loop of VP1 (K224 in HRV2) is strictly conserved within the minor group. It lies in the middle of the footprint of a single repeat of the VLDL receptor on HRV2. Major group virus serotypes exhibit mostly negative charges at the corresponding positions and do not bind the negatively charged VLDL receptor, presumably because of charge repulsion.     

VP40 octamers are essential for Ebola virus replication

Matrix protein VP40 of Ebola virus is essential for virus assembly and budding. Monomeric VP40 can oligomerize in vitro into RNA binding octamers, and the crystal structure of octameric VP40 has revealed that residues Phe125 and Arg134 are the most important residues for the coordination of a short single-stranded RNA. Here we show that full-length wild-type VP40 octamers bind RNA upon HEK 293 cell expression. While the Phe125-to-Ala mutation resulted in reduced RNA binding, the Arg134-to-Ala mutation completely abolished RNA binding and thus octamer formation. The absence of octamer formation, however, does not affect virus-like particle (VLP) formation, as the VLPs generated from the expression of wild-type VP40 and mutated VP40 in HEK 293 cells showed similar morphology and abundance and no significant difference in size. These results strongly indicate that octameric VP40 is dispensable for VLP formation. The cellular localization of mutant VP40 was different from that of wild-type VP40. While wild-type VP40 was present in small patches predominantly at the plasma membrane, the octamer-negative mutants were found in larger aggregates at the periphery of the cell and in the perinuclear region. We next introduced the Arg134-to-Ala and/or the Phe125-to-Ala mutation into the Ebola virus genome. Recombinant wild-type virus and virus expressing the VP40 Phe125-to-Ala mutation were both rescued. In contrast, no recombinant virus expressing the VP40 Arg134-to-Ala mutation could be recovered. These results suggest that RNA binding of VP40 and therefore octamer formation are essential for the Ebola virus life cycle.     

A C-terminal segment with properties of alpha-helix is essential for DNA binding and in vivo function of zinc finger protein Rme1p

Rme1p plays important roles in the control of meiosis and in cell cycle progression through binding to upstream regions of IME1 and CLN2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rme1p has three zinc finger segments, and two of them are atypical. To determine DNA binding domain of Rme1p, a series of Rme1p derivatives fused with maltose-binding protein were purified and characterized by gel mobility shift assay. We show that not only three zinc fingers, but also the neighboring C-terminal region is essential for DNA binding. Mutational analysis of this region revealed that basic residues Arg-287, Lys-290, and Arg-291 and the hydrophobic residues Phe-288, Leu-292, Ile-295, and Leu-296 are critical for DNA binding. In addition, double substitutions by proline at Asn-289 and Lys-293, each of which was not essential for DNA binding, abolished DNA binding. These results suggest that the C-terminal segment forms an amphipathic helical structure. Furthermore, it was shown that the mutations in the important basic residues abolish or impair Rme1p function in vivo for repression and inhibition of spore formation. Thus, the C-terminal segment is essential and acts as a novel accessory domain for DNA binding by zinc fingers.     

Enterovirus 71 Binding to PSGL-1 on Leukocytes: VP1-145 Acts as a Molecular Switch to Control Receptor Interaction

Some strains of enterovirus 71 (EV71), but not others, infect leukocytes by binding to a specific receptor molecule: the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). We find that a single amino acid residue within the capsid protein VP1 determines whether EV71 binds to PSGL-1. Examination of capsid sequences of representative EV71 strains revealed that the PSGL-1-binding viruses had either a G or a Q at residue 145 within the capsid protein VP1 (VP1-145G or Q), whereas PSGL-1-nonbinding viruses had VP1-145E. Using site-directed mutagenesis we found that PSGL-1-binding strains lost their capacity to bind when VP1-145G/Q was replaced by E; conversely, nonbinding strains gained the capacity to bind PSGL-1 when VP1-145E was replaced with either G or Q. Viruses with G/Q at VP1-145 productively infected a leukocyte cell line, Jurkat T-cells, whereas viruses with E at this position did not. We previously reported that EV71 binds to the N-terminal region of PSGL-1, and that binding depends on sulfated tyrosine residues within this region. We speculated that binding depends on interaction between negatively charged sulfate groups and positively charged basic residues in the virus capsid. VP1-145 on the virus surface is in close proximity to conserved lysine residues at VP1-242 and VP1-244. Comparison of recently published crystal structures of EV71 isolates with either Q or E at VP1-145 revealed that VP1-145 controls the orientation of the lysine side-chain of VP1-244: with VP1-145Q the lysine side chain faces outward, but with VP1-145E, the lysine side chain is turned toward the virus surface. Mutation of VP1-244 abolished virus binding to PSGL-1, and mutation of VP1-242 greatly reduced binding. We propose that conserved lysine residues on the virus surface are responsible for interaction with sulfated tyrosine residues at the PSGL-1 N-terminus, and that VP1-145 acts as a switch, controlling PSGL-1 binding by modulating the exposure of VP1-244K.     

Distinct residues of human p53 implicated in binding to DNA, simian virus 40 large T antigen, 53BP1, and 53BP2.

We identified a minimal domain of human p53 required for the transactivation of a p53 response element in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This domain contains the central region of p53 sufficient for specific DNA binding, which colocalizes with the region responsible for binding simian virus 40 large T antigen, 53BP1, and 53BP2. Thirty amino acid positions, including natural mutational hot spots (R175, R213, R248, R249, and R273), in the minimal DNA-binding domain were mutated by alanine substitution. Alanine substitutions at positions R213, R248, R249, D281, R282, R283, E286, and N288 affected transactivation but allowed binding to at least one of the three interacting proteins; these amino acids may be involved in amino acid-base pair contacts. Surprisingly, alanine substitution at the mutational hot spot R175 did not affect DNA binding, transactivation, or T-antigen binding, although it nearly eliminated binding to 53BP1 and 53BP2. Mutation of H168 significantly affected only T-antigen binding, and mutation of E285 affected only 53BP1 binding. Thus, we implicate specific residues of p53 in different DNA and protein interactions.