Site-directed, Ligase-Independent Mutagenesis (SLIM): a single-tube methodology approaching 100% efficiency in 4 h

Site-directed, Ligase-Independent Mutagenesis (SLIM) is a novel PCR-mediated mutagenesis approach that can accommodate all three sequence modification types (insertion, deletion and substitution). The method utilizes an inverse PCR amplification of the template by two tailed long primers and two short primers in a single reaction with all steps carried out in one tube. The tailed primers are designed to contain the desired mutation on complementary overhangs at the terminus of PCR products. Upon post-amplification denaturation and re-annealing, heteroduplex formation between the mixed PCR products creates the desired clonable mutated plasmid. The technique is highly robust and suitable for applications in high-throughput gene engineering and library constructions. In this study, SLIM was employed to create sequence insertions, deletion and substitution within bacteriophage T7 gene 5. The overall efficiency for obtaining the desired product was >95%.     

A two-step procedure for efficient electrotransfer of both high-molecular-weight (greater than 400,000) and low-molecular-weight (less than 20,000) proteins

We have developed conditions for the efficient electrotransfer from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets of a broad size range of proteins (Mr 8,000 to Mr greater than 400,000). The important features of this procedure include a two-step electrotransfer, beginning with elution of low-molecular-weight polypeptides at a low current density (approximately 1 mA/cm2) for 1 h, followed by prolonged electrotransfer (16-20 h) at high current density (approximately 3.5-7.5 mA/cm2) in conditions that favor the elution of high-molecular-weight proteins. The transfer buffer includes 0.01% sodium dodecyl sulfate to enhance protein elution, and 20% methanol to improve the retention of proteins on the nitrocellulose sheet. The nitrocellulose is air-dried after transfer is complete to eliminate loss of proteins during subsequent processing. This transfer procedure works well with proteins prepared from many different cell types, and is suitable for use with all polyacrylamide gel systems tested. With little or no modification, our method should also be applicable to transfer membranes other than nitrocellulose.     

In vitro amplification of DNA fragments greater than 10 kb.

The synthesis of a 10.9-kb DNA fragment from a bacteriophage lambda template was used in the search for conditions to extend the range for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using the same primer sequences and conditions (denaturation at 94 degrees C, 1 min; annealing at 57 degrees C, 1 min; polymerization at 70 degrees C, 20 to 30 min) as published by W. Rychlik, W. J. Spencer, and R. E. Rhoads [(1990) Nucleic Acids Res. 18, 6409-6412], unsatisfactory results were obtained with AmpliTaq and native Taq polymerase (poor reproducibility, low product yield, nonspecific products), whereas Tub polymerase completely failed to amplify this fragment. Only after changes in the following parameters were reliable results obtained but only with Tub polymerase: A two-step PCR procedure with primer annealing and extension at 65 degrees C followed by DNA denaturation at 94 degrees C for 1.5 min was performed. The DNA fragment desired was specifically amplified when the enzyme concentration was reduced to 0.4 U/50 microliters and extension times as low as 4 to 12 min with an optimum at 8 min were used. A prolongation to 20 min or more resulted in an accumulation of unspecific products with a concomitant reduction in the yield of the fragment. Under the conditions described above it was also possible to amplify a DNA fragment even significantly longer (15.6 kb).     

PZR基因的定点突变、表达和纯化

为获得纯化的单磷酸化PZR蛋白,使用双磷酸化位点的His-PZR重组原核表达载体为模板,采用重叠延长PCR 定点突变技术分别构建：PZRPhe263(TTT)和PZR-Phe241(TTT)重组原核表达载体,并与C-Src重组原核表达载体共同转化E.coli BL21菌株,通过IPTG诱导表达,Ni-NTA纯化,获得了单磷酸化的PZR a和PZR b蛋白,为进一步研究PZR内的不同ITIM基序与酪氨酸磷酸酶间的作用机制及其在信号转导过程中的功能奠定了基础。     

One-step,highly efficient site-directed mutagenesis by toxic protein selection

A fast and efficient site-directed mutagenesis method has been developed, using the newly constructed plasmid pTPS19, which expresses the toxic CcdB protein originally encoded by the E. coli F plasmid. Once the target gene is cloned into pTPS19, desired mutations can be introduced with two primers. The first contains the desired mutation, and the second is designed to create a +1 frame shift in the ccdB gene to inactivate the CcdB protein. The mutants can be directly selected on LB plates containing IPTG, through which the toxic CcdB protein is induced, thereby eliminating cells carrying wild-type parental plasmids. Based on stringent selection through the toxic CcdB protein, mutagenesis efficiency of 90%-100% was reached even after one round of transformation.     

凝乳酶原(凝乳酶)二硫键Cys206-Cys210的定位突变

在对凝乳酶原二硫键Cys206\|Cys210进行定位突变过程中发现,在相应的模板序列中有自身形成自由能为-16.1kcal/mol的茎环结构倾向,妨碍与引物结合,从而难以合成突变的DNA,采用快退火可解决此矛盾。5个突变基因均能在大肠杆菌中高效表达,除C206A外,约占细胞总蛋白的50%左右。突变体的复性结果表明,Cys206\|Cys210对凝乳酶原正确折叠不是绝对必需的,但相应位置的氨基酸取代对复性效率有显著影响,在5个突变体中,C206A/C210A的复性率分别为C206S/C210S\,C210A\,C210S的4.5倍、20倍和30倍,而C206A完全不能复性。C206A/C210A与C206S/C210S的远紫外CD光谱与野生型基本相同,其荧光发射光谱与野生型相比最大发射峰不变,而荧光强度有显著增加。由于上述3个蛋白具有相同比活,说明突变分子能形成具有生物活性的空间构象,而只是某些色氨酸残基微环境受到微扰。     

Site-directed mutagenesis of the reactive center (serine 394) of antithrombin III

Human antithrombin III (AT) shares significant sequence homology and a common inhibitory mechanism with the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. AT has a reactive site in which the P1 residue is primarily responsible for protease specificity. The P1' residue, almost invariably serine, is critical in the inactive natural variant AT-Denver, which has a leucine substitution in that position (Stephens, A.W., Thalley, B.S., and Hirs, C.H.W. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 1044-1048). In the present study site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate eight variants with altered P1' residues. All were secreted efficiently by COS cells transiently transfected with the AT cDNA in a eukaryotic shuttle vector. All variants also bound heparin as effectively as wild-type AT. Variants were grouped into three categories with respect to thrombin-AT complex formation: 1) no detectable inhibitory activity (proline, methionine); 2) low activity (cysteine, valine, leucine); and 3) near normal activity (glycine, alanine, threonine). The leucine variant, which is in the low activity group, exhibited the same physical and functional properties as AT-Denver. We conclude that the serine hydroxyl is not critical for functional activity and that there is a side chain size optimum which is modulated by hydrophobic effects.     

凝乳酶原（凝乳酶）二硫键Ｃys206—Cys210的定位突变

在对凝乳酶原二硫键Ｃys206-Cys210进行定位突变过程中发现,在相应的模板序列中有自身形成自由能为－１６．１kcal/mol的茎环结构倾向,妨碍与引物结合,从而难以合成突变的ＤＮＡ,采用快退火可解决此矛盾。５个突变基因均能在大肠杆菌中高效表达,除Ｃ２０６Ａ外,约占细胞总蛋白的５０％左右,突变的复性结果表明,Ｃys206-Cys210对凝乳酶原正确折叠不是绝对必需的,但相应位置的氨基酸取代对复性效率有显著影响,在５个突变体中,Ｃ２０６Ａ／Ｃ２１０Ａ的复性率分别为Ｃ２０６Ｓ／Ｃ２１０Ｓ、Ｃ２１０Ａ、Ｃ２１０Ｓ的４．５倍、２０倍和３０倍,而C206A不能复性。Ｃ２０６Ａ／Ｃ２１０Ａ与Ｃ２０６Ｓ／Ｃ２１０Ｓ的远紫外ＣＤ光谱与野生型基本相同,其荧光发射光谱与野生型相比最大发射峰不变,而荧光强度有显著增加由于上述３个蛋白具有相同比活,说明突变分子能形成具有生物活性的空间构象,而只是某些色氨酸残基微环境受到微扰。     

Site-directed mutagenesis and CBM engineering of Cel5A (Thermotoga maritima)

In order to make cost-effective bioethanol from dynamic lignocellulosic material, we require potentially acting and stable cellulolytic enzymes. In our investigation, the hyperthermostable endoglucanase Cel5A from Thermotoga maritima was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis and carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) engineering. For this purpose, amino acids around the active-site region were targeted. Results indicated that five single mutants showed a shift in optimal pH from 5 to 5.4. The N147E mutant displayed 10% higher activity than native Cel5A. Domain engineering was performed with fungal and bacterial CBM. In addition, CBM1 from (CBHII) Trichoderma reesei and CBM6 from Clostridium stercorarium xylanase A were fused with Cel5A. Both the CBM-engineered Cel5A showed 14-18-fold higher hydrolytic activity towards Avicel. Immuno-gold labeling assay of engineered enzymes further indicated the relativity that exists between binding ability and activity.     

Rapid and highly efficient method for scarless mutagenesis within the Salmonella enterica chromosome

Direct manipulation of bacterial chromosomes by recombination-based techniques has become increasingly important for both cognitive and applied research. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the combination of the Red recombinase system with I-SceI endonuclease-based selection of successful recombinants after electroporation with short synthetic oligonucleotides. We show the generation of scarless gene knockouts as well as site-directed mutagenesis using the Salmonella virulence-associated two component signaling system PhoPQ. The presented approach is very versatile for generating in-frame deletions, point mutations or insertions within bacterial chromosomes.     

Site-directed mutagenesis of beta-galactosidase (E. coli) reveals that tyr-503 is essential for activity

By using the technique of site-directed mutagenesis we have succeeded in replacing tyr-503 of beta-galactosidase (E. coli) with a phe. A study of the kinetic and stability properties of this mutant enzyme (F-503 beta-galactosidase) showed that the loss in activity upon this change is due to the loss of a catalytic group (rather than a detrimental change in the enzyme's overall structure or a change in the enzyme's binding capacity). This confirms previous suggestions that this tyr residue is involved in catalysis.     

简单节杆菌3-甾酮-△1 -脱氢酶基因的克隆表达及定点突变研究

目的:将来源于简单节杆菌的3-甾酮-△~1-脱氢酶(3-ketosteroid-Delta(1)-dehydrogenase,KSDD)在大肠杆菌中进行表达,获得具有活性的脱氢酶;利用计算机预测KSDD的三级结构,并通过定点突变确定酶的关键位点以期优化脱氢酶的活性及性质。方法:克隆简单节杆菌编码KSDD的基因ksdd构建原核表达载体,以Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)为表达宿主构建重组菌并诱导表达,HPLC法检测重组酶催化4-AD脱氢的转化率;通过SWISS-MODEL同源建模分析KSDD结构,对预测的催化关键位点氨基酸残基进行定点突变并研究突变后重组酶的活性变化。结果:成功构建了表达脱氢酶KSDD的重组菌E.coli pET-22-ksdd,21℃下诱导表达后,重组酶对4-AD的转化率为27%;通过SWISS-MODEL同源建模预测出脱氢酶结构并对4个关键位点进行定点突变设计,获得突变子Y120R、Y320L、Y488F和G492Y。突变子Y120R和Y488F失活,证明其为酶的活性位点;突变子Y320L的转化率与野生型基本一致,但37℃反应条件下稳定性有所提高;突变子G492Y对4-AD的转化率是野生型的1.2倍,37℃条件下稳定性有所提高,是突变后氨基酸位点疏水性增加和周围静电作用改变所导致。结论:目前对简单节杆菌3-甾酮-△~1-脱氢酶结构分析及催化机理相关的研究较少,本研究验证了KSDD的活性位点,优化了酶的稳定性,为进一步对酶的性质进行定向改造打下了基础。     

Site-directed mutagenesis enhances the activity of NADH-FMN oxidoreductase (DszD) activity of Rhodococcus erythropolis

Microbial desulfurization is potentially an alternative process to chemical desulfurization of fossil fuels and their refined products. The dibenzothiophene desulfurizing system of Rhodococcus erythropolis includes DszD which is an NADH-dependent FMN oxidoreductase with 192 residues that is responsible for supplying reducing equivalents in the form of FMNH₂ to monooxygenases, DszA and DszC. We performed amino acid sequence comparisons and structural predictions based on the crystal structure of available pdb files for three flavin reductases PheA2, HpaC_Tt and HpaC_St with the closest structural homology to IGTS8 DszD. The Thr62 residue in DszD was substituted with Asn and Ala by site-directed single amino acid mutagenesis. Variants T62N and T62A showed 5 and 7 fold increase in activities based on the recombinant wild type DszD, respectively. This study revealed the critical role of position 62 in enzyme activity. These results represent the first experimental report on flavin reductase mutation in R. erythropolis and will pave the way for further optimization of the biodesulfurization process.     

Site-directed mutagenesis of the phosphorylatable serine (Ser8) in C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from sorghum. The effect of negative charge at position 8.

The properties of the dephospho and in vitro phosphorylated forms of recombinant sorghum phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase have been compared with those of the authentic dark (dephospho) and light (phospho) leaf enzyme forms and two mutant enzymes in which the phosphorylatable serine residue (Ser8) has been changed by site-directed mutagenesis to Cys (S8C) or Asp (S8D). Kinetic analysis of the purified recombinant, mutant, and leaf enzyme forms at pH 8.0 indicated virtually identical Vmax, apparent Km (phosphoenolpyruvate), and half-maximal activation (glucose 6-P) values of about 44 units/mg, 1.1 mM, and 0.23 mM, respectively. In contrast, the Ser8, S8C, and dark leaf enzymes were about 3-fold more sensitive to inhibition by L-malate at pH 7.3 than the Ser8-P, S8D, and light leaf enzyme forms. These comparative results indicate that: (i) Ser8 is an important determinant in the regulation of sorghum phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity by negative (L-malate), but not positive (glucose 6-phosphate) metabolite effectors, (ii) phosphorylation of this target residue can be functionally mimicked by Asp, but not Cys, and (iii) negative charge contributes to the effect of regulatory phosphorylation on this C4-photosynthesis enzyme.     

巨型引物PCR法对抗CD3改型单链抗体

亲和力是影响改型单链抗体应用于临床的重要因素之一.利用巨型引物PCR定点诱变方法,设计并化学合成出两组含多个突变位点的简并引物,在第一轮PCR中使用简并引物分别扩增出含突变碱基的两条特异性的DNA片段,即巨型引物,将其经琼脂糖凝胶电泳分离纯化后,作为3′和5′的两端引物应用于第二轮PCR反应中.通过改变标准PCR反应条件,调整引物与模板的浓度,扩增出特异性较强的目的DNA条带.PCR产物经回收后,进行DNA测序.测序结果表明利用该方法扩增得到特异的抗CD3改型单链抗体的突变体库.     

Site-directed (IS30-FljA) transposon mutagenesis system to produce nonflagellated mutants of Salmonella Enteritidis

Site-directed integration/mutagenesis systems are used to carry out targeted transpositions on DNA. The well-characterized IS30-element and its transposase have numerous advantages that predestine it to be a good candidate for such applications. In order to generate nonflagellated mutants of Salmonella Enteritidis, a new site-directed mutagenesis system has been developed and applied. The system was constructed based on the assumption that the DNA-binding FljA component of the fusion transposase would bind to its target (the operator of fliC), and as a consequence, insertions could be concentrated in the flagellin operon. The system consists of two components: one expresses the fusion transposase and the other is an integration donor plasmid harbouring the (IS30)(2) reactive structure. The application of this site-directed mutagenesis system on a strain of S. Enteritidis 11 (SE11) resulted in several nonmotile mutants with fliD insertion that could serve as negatively markered vaccine candidates. Analysis of less motile mutants generated by the fusion transposase revealed further hot spot sequences preferred by the fusion construct.     

Site-directed mutagenesis to enable and improve crystallizability of Candida tropicalis (3R)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase

The N-terminal part of Candida tropicalis MFE-2 (MFE-2(h2Delta)) having two (3R)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases with different substrate specificities has been purified and crystallized as a recombinant protein. The expressed construct was modified so that a stabile, homogeneous protein could be obtained instead of an unstabile wild-type form with a large amount of cleavage products. Cubic crystals with unit cell parameters a=74.895, b=78.340, c=95.445, and alpha=beta=gamma=90 degrees were obtained by using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. The crystals exhibit the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and contain one molecule, consisting of two different (3R)-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases, in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to a resolution of 2.2A at a conventional X-ray source.