肌钙蛋白I2辅助活化多种核受体的反式作用

为深入研究乳腺癌中孤儿受体ERRα1参与基因表达调控的详细机理,特别是核受体辅激活蛋白在其中的作用,以ERRα1的LBD为诱饵,用酵母双杂交系统筛选人乳腺组织cDNA文库得到了与其有明显相互作用的快速骨骼肌型肌钙蛋白I(TNNI2).应用酵母双杂交技术研究表明,TNNI2与多种核受体存在相互作用,且这种作用依赖于功能性的核受体AF2结构域.在哺乳细胞瞬时共转染实验中,TNNI2显示了对多种核受体反式激活功能的辅助活化作用.研究证明,TNNI2与许多辅激活蛋白类似,以配体依赖(对类固醇激素受体而言)或非依赖(对孤儿受体而言)的方式与核受体功能性AF2结构域相互作用,并增强多种核受体介导的反式作用.     

免疫磁珠分选降低分化体系中胚胎干细胞的比例

研究目的:采用免疫磁珠分选系统（magnetic activated cell sorting, MACS）分离去除小鼠胚胎干细胞（murine embryonic stem cells, mES）向神经细胞分化时培养体系中的ES细胞,即对分化细胞进行纯化,以期减少移植致瘤性。方法：诱导mES细胞向神经细胞分化,取分化第四期的细胞,胰酶消化制成单细胞悬液,用mES特异性表面抗原SSEA-1（special stage embryonic antigen-1）单抗标记,间接免疫磁珠分选系统分离去除SSEA-1阳性细胞,流式细胞仪检测分选前后细胞中mES细胞的比例,台盼蓝染色检测分选前后细胞存活率。结果：经MACS分选后的阴性细胞中的SSEA-1阳性率可以由分选前的（7.19±1.36）%下降到（1.34±0.80）%,结果具有显著性差异;分选后的细胞存活率仍为92%左右,与分选前存活率无明显变化。结论 用SSEA-1作为表面标志,用MACS方法能有效地去除胚胎干细胞分化细胞中残存的胚胎干细胞,得到高纯度的分化细胞,并且细胞存活率不受影响,为下一步进行移植实验奠定基础。     

AP-1辅助激活因子JAB1的分子克隆及其与肝细胞生成素的相互作用

利用酵母双杂交方法,用肝细胞生成素(HPO)作为诱饵蛋白在人胎肝cDNA文库中筛选到能与HPO相互作用的蛋白：AP-1辅助激活因子JAB1.并用PCR方法从人胎肝cDNA文库中扩出JAB1全长cDNA,进行GST-JAB1原核融合蛋白表达与纯化.蛋白质结合实验表明,JAB1与人重组HPO以及COS7真核表达的HPO在体外有结合作用.     

细胞核受体LXRβ的体外酶标测活方法的建立与应用

目的:克隆并表达大鼠细胞核受体LXRβ配体结合区(LBD)序列,并进行配体依赖性受体与共激活因子结合区短肽相互作用的酶标法分析,建立简易经济可靠的体外高通量筛选LXR调节剂方法.方法:从含大鼠LXRβ cDNA序列的pSG5/rLXRβ上扩增LBD区序列,测序核实序列后,将此序列克隆入表达载体,构建原核表达载体pET28a(+)-rLXRβ-LBD;将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达重组蛋白,通过SDS-PAGE、Western blotting检测及Ni2+亲和层析柱分离纯化;建立ELISA方法检测配体依赖性受体-共激活短肽相互作用.结果:重组蛋白rLXRβ-LBD在大肠杆菌中高效表达(占菌体总蛋白30%),SDS-PAGE显示在36kDa处有免疫特异性蛋白,纯化后全长蛋白占90%以上.ELISA结合测试显示在激动剂猪脱氧胆酸二甲酰胺存在时,rLXRβ-LBD能与共激活短肽结合,亲和力与双荧光酶报告基因测活结果吻合.结论:成功克隆并表达rLXRβ-LBD序列,建立起ELISA筛选方法,为LXR-LBD配体功能活性的研究和配体的高通量筛选提供新方法.     

日本七鳃鳗类淋巴细胞的分离及细胞学特征

为分离纯化并鉴定日本七鳃鳗(Lampetra japonica)血液中的类淋巴细胞,采用Ficoll密度梯度离心法分离出单个核细胞层,并得到分离单个核细胞层的最佳分离液比重为1.092。利用流式细胞仪对分离到的单个核细胞层细胞进行分选,根据细胞的前向光及侧向光散射特征成功分选出类淋巴细胞,分选效率为95.68%,每毫升外周血可分离纯化得到类淋巴细胞2.4×106个。通过透射电镜观察七鳃鳗类淋巴细胞,细胞为圆形或椭圆形,细胞表面有突起、无微绒毛,胞质内含有板状嵴线粒体、粗面内质网、游离核糖体和液泡等。淋巴细胞异质性实验结果表明,日本七鳃鳗血液白细胞中尚未发现T淋巴细胞、B淋巴细胞的分化。     

流式细胞仪分选人外周血T淋巴细胞的方法建立与评价

目的:利用流式细胞仪同时分离外人周血单个核细胞中T淋巴细胞并检测其分离纯度及存活率。方法:本文采用流式细胞仪同时分选人外周血CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞为例,推而广之,采用人外周血淋巴细胞分离液梯度离心法制备外周血单个核细胞,采用流式细胞仪同时分选CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞,分离细胞再通过流式细胞仪回测其分离纯度并通过台盼蓝染色检测分离细胞的存活率。结果:采用此方法能有效人外周血细胞CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞,分选前CD4~+淋巴细胞纯度为(50.5±11.5)%、CD8~+T淋巴细胞纯度为纯度为(15.4±7.1)%;分选后CD4~+T淋巴细胞纯度为(94.3±1.3)%、CD8~+T淋巴细胞纯度为(93.6±1.6)%;分选后CD4~+T淋巴细胞存活率为(95.3±1.8)%,CD8~+T淋巴细胞存活率为(94.8±1.5)%,细胞的形态完整。结论:采用人外周血淋巴细胞分离液梯度离心法制备外周血单个核细胞后利用流式细胞仪分选的方法能够高效、快速的分离人外周血CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞,且存活率高,为进一步研究其功能提供了保证。采用不同的荧光抗体标记其他淋巴细胞亚群,也能高效、快速的分离出细胞。     

水稻精细胞差异表达基因RSG6的克隆和初步研究

用水稻 (Oryza sativa L.)精细胞优势表达克隆BF475207为探针,筛选水稻精细胞cDNA文库,得到一全长为1 176 bp的序列,其开放读码框编码281个氨基酸,与已知蛋白质无明显同源性,属于一新发现的基因,GenBank登录号为AF442490.Southern杂交显示该基因可能含有内含子.RT-PCR结果显示该基因在根、叶、二细胞花粉、成熟花粉、授粉子房和精细胞中均有表达,但在精细胞中的表达量要高得多,是精细胞差异表达基因.将此基因命名为RSG6 (rice sperm gene 6).将RSG6的编码区克隆到表达载体pQE30上,构建重组质粒.在大肠杆菌M15中表达出N端融合了6×His的融合蛋白.用纯化的融合蛋白免疫家兔,制得高效价、高特异性的抗体.     

利用酵母双杂交技术筛选与生殖支原体黏附蛋白(MgPa)相互作用的宿主蛋白

从利用基于分离的泛素介导膜蛋白酵母双杂交系统构建的人尿道上皮细胞cDNA文库中筛选生殖支原体(Mg)黏附蛋白(MgPa)的互作蛋白。以pET30a-MgPa为模板,经PCR扩增MgPa基因,将其分别连接到pBT3STE和pBT3SUC载体以构建诱饵质粒pBT3STE-MgPa和pBT3SUC-MgPa;将诱饵质粒分别转化到酵母菌株NMY32内,检测其毒性和自激活活性;将人尿道上皮细胞cDNA文库质粒pPR3-N-207-Zeng转入到含pBT3SUC-MgPa诱饵质粒的酵母菌株中,筛选阳性克隆。检测阳性克隆LacZ报告基因的活性。提取阳性克隆质粒进行DNA测序与BLAST分析。结果显示,成功构建的诱饵质粒pBT3STE-MgPa和pBT3SUC-MgPa两者都没有自激活功能,且pBT3SUC-MgPa的活性强于pBT3STE-MgPa。用pBT3SUC-MgPa转化NMY32酵母作为受体酵母细胞。经DNA测序与BLAST分析结果表明筛选到的28个阳性克隆归属于23个不同的蛋白。从利用分离的泛素介导膜蛋白酵母双杂交系统构建的人尿道上皮细胞cDNA文库中筛选到23个与MgPa相互作用的蛋白,为阐明MgPa的功能及Mg可能的致病机制提供参考。     

免疫磁珠法分离鼻咽癌基质的T淋巴细胞

肿瘤内环境与肿瘤的发生密切相关.肿瘤细胞周围的组织在癌变发生时不会是一个沉默的旁观者,可能在肿瘤的发生和发展中扮演十分重要的角色.本研究分别采用不同的磁珠分选技术分离T淋巴细胞.采用CK LMP1,CD105和成纤维细胞表面蛋白,结合全血总T细胞试剂盒,间接法分离鼻咽癌基质的T淋巴细胞;采用CD3直接磁分选法分离鼻咽癌基质的T淋巴细胞,然后用免疫组化法鉴定分选的效果和细胞的质量.结果表明,免疫组化显示间接磁分选法分离出来的T淋巴细胞不能完全去除肿瘤细胞,RNA的质量不佳;而直接磁分选分离出来的T淋巴细胞为纯净的T淋巴细胞,而且RNA的质量良好.提示直接磁分选技术是分离鼻咽癌基质T淋巴细胞的首选方法.     

棉花锌指蛋白GhZFP1相互作用蛋白的酵母双杂交筛选

GhZFP1蛋白是从盐胁迫棉花幼苗cDNA文库中分离的一种CCCH型锌指蛋白.初步的生物学功能研究表明,过量表达该基因的转基因烟草耐盐性和抗病性显著提高.为深入研究GhZFP1蛋白的作用机制,构建pGBKT7-m1诱饵表达载体,利用酵母双杂交系统从盐胁迫诱导棉花cDNA文库中筛选与其相互作用的蛋白.通过阳性克隆的表型确定、PCR和限制性内切酶检测以及测序和生物信息学分析,获得9个与诱饵蛋白相互作用的靶蛋白.双分子荧光互补实验证明,GhZFP1与GZIRD19A确实存在互作关系.通过分析这些靶蛋白的已知功能,为研究GhZFP1锌指蛋白的未知生物学功能提供重要信息.     

Heterodimerization of γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor subunits as revealed by the yeast two-hybrid system

Several lines of evidence suggested that the first gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor to be cloned required an additional factor for functional expression. GABA(B1) was retained within the endoplasmic reticulum and failed to couple to signal transduction pathways on stimulation with agonists. In radioligand binding experiments it was found that although the affinity of antagonists showed a close agreement between rat brain membranes and membranes expressing the cloned receptor, agonist ligands were significantly weaker at recombinant receptors. Using the C-terminal tail as bait, a yeast two-hybrid screen was run against a human brain cDNA library and identified a second receptor, GABA(B2), as a major interacting protein. This interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation as well as extensive colocalization studies. Coexpression of the two seven-transmembrane proteins generated a fully functional receptor, which was expressed at the cell surface confirming the importance of receptor heterodimerization for GABA(B) receptor activity.     

Heterodimerization of gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor subunits as revealed by the yeast two-hybrid system

Several lines of evidence suggested that the first gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor to be cloned required an additional factor for functional expression. GABA(B1) was retained within the endoplasmic reticulum and failed to couple to signal transduction pathways on stimulation with agonists. In radioligand binding experiments it was found that although the affinity of antagonists showed a close agreement between rat brain membranes and membranes expressing the cloned receptor, agonist ligands were significantly weaker at recombinant receptors. Using the C-terminal tail as bait, a yeast two-hybrid screen was run against a human brain cDNA library and identified a second receptor, GABA(B2), as a major interacting protein. This interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation as well as extensive colocalization studies. Coexpression of the two seven-transmembrane proteins generated a fully functional receptor, which was expressed at the cell surface confirming the importance of receptor heterodimerization for GABA(B) receptor activity.     

A novel system for convenient detection of low-affinity receptor-ligand interactions: chelator-lipid liposomes engrafted with recombinant CD4 bind to cells expressing MHC class II

The interactions of cell surface receptors with their ligands, crucial for initiating many immunological responses, are often stabilized by receptor dimerization/oligomerization, and by multimeric interactions between receptors on one cell with their ligands or cognate receptors on the apposing cell. Current techniques for studying receptor-ligand interactions, however, do not always allow receptors to move laterally to enable dimerization/ oligomerization, or to interact multimerically with ligands on cell surfaces. For these reasons detection of low- affinity receptor-ligand interactions has been difficult. Utilizing a novel chelator-lipid, nitrilotriacetic acid di-tetradecylamine (NTA-DTDA), we have developed a convenient liposome system for directly detecting low-affinity receptor-ligand interactions. Our studies using recombinant soluble forms of murine CD40 and B7.1, and murine and human CD4, each possessing a hexhistidine tag, showed that these proteins can be anchored or 'engrafted' directly onto fluorescently labelled liposomes via a metal-chelating linkage with NTA-DTDA, permitting them to undergo dimerization/oligomerization and multimeric binding with ligands on cells. Fluorescence- activated cell sorter (FACS) analyses demonstrated that while there is little if any binding of soluble forms of murine CD40 and B7.1, and murine and human CD4 to cells, engrafted liposomes bind specifically to cells expressing the appropriate cognate receptor, often giving a fluorescence 4-6-fold above control cells. Such liposomes could detect directly the low-affinity interaction of murine CD40 and B7.1 with CD154- and CD28-expressing cells, respectively, and the interaction of CD4 with MHC Class II, which has hitherto defied direct detection except through mutational analysis and mAb blocking studies.     

Cutting edge: identification of a novel chemokine receptor that binds dendritic cell- and T cell-active chemokines including ELC, SLC, and TECK

Searching for new receptors of dendritic cell- and T cell-active chemokines, we used a combination of techniques to interrogate orphan chemokine receptors. We report here on human CCX CKR, previously represented only by noncontiguous expressed sequence tags homologous to bovine PPR1, a putative gustatory receptor. We employed a two-tiered process of ligand assignment, where immobilized chemokines constructed on stalks (stalkokines) were used as bait for adhesion of cells expressing CCX CKR. These cells adhered to stalkokines representing ELC, a chemokine previously thought to bind only CCR7. Adhesion was abolished in the presence of soluble ELC, SLC (CCR7 ligands), and TECK (a CCR9 ligand). Complete ligand profiles were further determined by radiolabeled ligand binding and competition with >80 chemokines. ELC, SLC, and TECK comprised high affinity ligands (IC50 <15 nM); lower affinity ligands include BLC and vMIP-II (IC50 <150 nM). With its high affinity for CC chemokines and homology to CC receptors, we provisionally designate this new receptor CCR10.     

EP24.15 interacts with the angiotensin II type I receptor and bradykinin B2 receptor

The carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) is known to interact with several classes of intracellular proteins that may modulate receptor function. Employing yeast two-hybrid screening of a human embryonic kidney cDNA library with the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the AT1 receptor as a bait, we have isolated EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15, thimet oligopeptidase) as a potentially interacting protein. EP24.15 is widely distributed and is known to degrade bioactive peptides such as angiotensin I and II and bradykinin. In addition, EP24.15 was previously identified as a putative soluble angiotensin II binding protein. Two-hybrid screening also determined that EP24.15 can interact with the B2 bradykinin receptor. Transient expression of EP24.15 in a porcine kidney epithelial cell line stably expressing full length AT1 and full length B2 followed by affinity chromatography and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed EP24.15 association with both AT1 and B2 receptors. EP24.15 was also co-immunoprecipitated with AT1 and B2 in rat kidney brush border membranes (BBM) and basolateral membranes (BLM). Both AT1 and B2 undergo ligand-induced endocytosis. Analysis of endosomal fractions following immunoprecipitation with AT1 or B2 antibodies detected strong association of EP24.15 with the receptors in both light and heavy endosomal populations. Therefore, the present study indicates that EP24.15 associates with AT1 and B2 receptors both at the plasma membrane and after receptor internalization and suggests a possible mechanism for endosomal disposition of ligand that may facilitate receptor recycling.     

Molecular characterization of a family of ligands for eph-related tyrosine kinase receptors.

A family of tyrosine kinase receptors related to the product of the eph gene has been described recently. One of these receptors, elk, has been shown to be expressed only in brain and testes. Using a direct expression cloning technique, a ligand for the elk receptor has been isolated by screening a human placenta cDNA library with a fusion protein containing the extracellular domain of the receptor. This isolated cDNA encodes a transmembrane protein. While the sequence of the ligand cDNA is unique, it is related to a previously described sequence known as B61. Northern blot analysis of human tissue mRNA showed that the elk ligand's mRNA is 3.5 kb long and is found in placenta, heart, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas. Southern blot analysis showed that the gene is highly conserved in a wide variety of species. Both elk ligand and B61 mRNAs are inducible by tumour necrosis factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, both proteins show promiscuity in binding to the elk and the related hek receptors. Since these two ligand sequences are similar, and since elk and hek are members of a larger family of eph-related receptor molecules, we refer to these ligands as LERKs (ligands for eph-related kinases).     

Cloning and expression of a cDNA for mouse prostaglandin E receptor EP3 subtype.

A functional cDNA clone for mouse EP3 subtype of prostaglandin (PG) E receptor was isolated from a mouse cDNA library using polymerase chain reaction based on the sequence of the human thromboxane A2 receptor and cross-hybridization screening. The mouse EP3 receptor consists of 365 amino acid residues with putative seven-transmembrane domains. The sequence revealed significant homology to the human thromboxane A2 receptor. Ligand binding studies using membranes of COS cells transfected with the cDNA revealed specific [3H]PGE2 binding. The binding was displaced with unlabeled PGs in the order of PGE2 = PGE1 greater than iloprost greater than PGF2 alpha greater than PGD2. The EP3-selective agonists, M&B 28,767 or GR 63799X, potently competed for the [3H]PGE2 binding, but no competition was found with EP1- or EP2-selective ligands. PGE2 and M&B 28,767 decreased forskolin-induced cAMP formation in a concentration-dependent manner in Chinese hamster ovary cells permanently expressing the cDNA. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the EP3 mRNA is expressed abundantly in kidney, uterus, and mastocytoma P-815 cells and in a lesser amount in brain, thymus, lung, heart, stomach, and spleen.     

Farnesyl pyrophosphate is a novel transcriptional activator for a subset of nuclear hormone receptors

In silico docking of a chemical library with the ligand-binding domain of thyroid hormone nuclear receptor-beta (TRbeta) suggested that farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), a key intermediate in cholesterol synthesis and protein farnesylation, might function as an agonist. Surprisingly, addition of FPP to cells activated TR as well as the classical steroid hormone receptors but not peroxisome proliferative-activating receptors, farnesoid X receptor, liver X receptor, or several orphan nuclear receptors the ligands of which are unknown. FPP enhanced receptor-coactivator binding in vitro and in vivo, and elevation of FPP levels in cells by squalene synthetase or farnesyl transferase inhibitors leads to activation. The FPP effect was blocked by selective receptor antagonists, and in silico docking with 143 nuclear receptor ligand-binding domain structures revealed that FPP only docked with the agonist conformation of those receptors activated by FPP. Our results suggest that certain nuclear receptors maintain a common structural feature that may reflect an action of FPP on an ancient nuclear receptor or that FPP could function as a ligand for one of the many orphan nuclear receptors the ligands of which have not yet been identified. This finding also has potential interesting implications that may, in part, explain the pleotropic effects of statins as well as certain actions of farnesylation inhibitors in cells.     

Isolation, characterization, and expression of cDNA clones encoding the mouse Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII)1

We have isolated cDNA clones encoding a mouse low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) from a cDNA library of BALB/c splenic B cells activated with LPS and IL-4. The 2.2-kb cDNA clone encodes a 331 amino acid membrane glycoprotein that is homologous to human Fc epsilon RII (CD23) and a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. COS7 cells transfected with the cDNA clones expressed a 45,000 m.w. protein that bound IgE and the anti-Fc epsilon RII mAb, B3B4. Fc epsilon RII mRNA was up-regulated in mouse B cells by culture with IL-4, but not in B cells cultured with IgE. Fc epsilon RII mRNA was detected in IgM+/IgD+ B cell lines, but not in pre-B cell lines or in B cell lines which have undergone differentiation to secrete Ig. The monocyte line P388D1, mast cell lines MC/9 and PT18, and peritoneal macrophages stimulated with IL-4 lacked detectable Fc epsilon RII mRNA, as did Thy-1.2+, CD4+, and CD8+ normal T cells and Thy-1.2+ T cells from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected mice.