Antimicrobial Actions of Human and Macaque Sperm Associated Antigen (SPAG) 11 Isoforms: influence of the N-terminal peptide

In addition to their role in sperm maturation, recent evidence has indicated that epididymal proteins have a role in male reproductive tract innate immunity. Herein we demonstrate that human and macaque epididymal protein isoforms in the SPAG (sperm associated antigen) 11 family, full length SPAG11C, K and L exhibit potent antibacterial activity against E. coli. Analysis of activities of the N- and C-terminal domains revealed that the human N-terminal peptide is bactericidal, while the C-terminal domains that contain the defensin-like 6 cysteine array in SPAG11C and partial arrays in SPAG11K and SPAG11L, lack antibacterial activity. The N-terminal peptide does not appear to contain all the determinants of activity since full-length human SPAG11C is more active than the isolated N-terminal peptide and since sulfhydryl reduction and alkylation, which would affect primarily the C-terminal peptides, completely abolished activities of the whole proteins. These results suggest that the structure conferred by the disulfide bonds in human SPAG11C contributes to the antibacterial activity of the whole molecule. The activities of the N-terminal peptide and of full length human SPAG11C were somewhat reduced in increasing NaCl concentrations. In contrast, the antibacterial activities of full length macaque SPAG11C, K and L were unaffected by the presence of NaCl suggesting a mechanism in the macaque that is less dependent upon electrostatic interactions. SPAG11C, K and L disrupted E. coli membranes but had no effect on erythrocyte membranes. Inhibition of E. coli RNA, DNA and protein synthesis by nonlethal concentrations of SPAG11 isoforms indicated an additional mechanism of bacterial killing. Abbreviation: SPAG11, sperm associated antigen 11; CFUs, colony forming units; NPN, N-phenyl-1-napthylamine; diSC3-5, 3,5-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide; IAA, iodoacetamide; BME, β-mercaptoethanol     

小麦NBS类抗病基因同源cDNA序列的克隆与特征分析

根据已克隆植物抗病(R)基因NBS保守结构域设计简并引物,采用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE),在小麦抗叶锈病近等基因系材料TcLr19中进行抗病同源基因cDNA全长的扩增。获得了1个通读的NBS类抗病同源基因S11A11cDNA序列,该序列全长2923bp,编码878个氨基酸序列。生物信息学分析结果表明,该片段含有NB-ARC保守结构域和多个LRR结构域。聚类分析表明,S11A11编码的蛋白与小麦抗叶锈病基因Lr1编码的蛋白亲缘关系较近,而与Lr10亲缘关系较远。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,该基因在小麦叶片中为低丰度组成型表达。本研究在TcLr19小麦中成功获得了抗病基因同源序列,为最终克隆小麦抗叶锈病目的基因奠定了基础。     

cDNA Cloning of the Human Homologues of the MouseKe4andKe6Genes at the Centromeric End of the Human MHC Region

cDNA clones corresponding to theHKE4andHKE6genes at the centromeric end of the HLA region on human chromosome 6p21.3 were isolated and characterized. The predicted amino acid sequences of HKE4 and HKE6 exhibited 81.5 and 85.6% identity to the mouse homologues, Ke4 and Ke6, respectively.HKE4may encode a membrane protein with histidine-rich charge clusters. HKE6 possesses remarkable amino acid sequence conservation with several bacterial proteins with oxidoreductase function and also shows significant homology with the two unique functional domains containing the nucleotide cofactor binding site and the consensus motif characteristic of the members of the superfamily of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases such as human and rat steroid and prostaglandin dehydrogenases.     

人类新基因ACBP5cDNA的克隆及其同源物在小鼠/鸡胚发育过程中的表达

利用电子克隆的方法寻找具有重要结构域的人类新基因ACBP5 ,根据得到的序列信息用RT PCR的方法获得全长基因 .通过生物信息学方法预测其结构 ,采用整体原位杂交和组织RT PCR的实验方法 ,在小鼠和鸡胚胎实验模型中研究该基因在发育过程中的表达情况 ,并对其功能进行初步的预测 ,获得一个含有乙酰辅酶A结合蛋白 (acyl CoAbindingprotein ,ACBP)结构域的人类新基因ACBP5 .ACBP5基因的cDNA长度为 10 83bp ,生物信息学方法预测其定位在人第 1号染色体上 ,包含 7个外显子 ,6个内含子 ,包含一个 35 4bp的完整阅读框架 ,编码一个 118个氨基酸残基的蛋白 .在以小鼠胚胎和鸡胚为模型的整体原位杂交中 ,以ACBP5基因全长编码区为探针的结果均显示该基因在胚胎头部特异表达 ,并且主要集中在中脑与间脑之间的峡部 .成体小鼠的组织RT PCR的结果显示 ,ACBP5的同源基因在各组织中均有表达 .这提示ACBP5基因在不同物种中的表达可能比较保守 ,并与头部发育有密切关系 ,同时也对维持细胞的正常功能起到重要的作用 .     

毛白杨PtoGSTF4基因克隆及相关特性鉴定

该研究从毛白杨中克隆到1个Phi类谷胱苷肽S-转移酶（GST）基因（PtoGSTF4）,编码213个氨基酸。表达模式分析发现,PtoGSTF4在正常生长、H₂O₂和莠去津处理后的茎、叶以及茎的韧皮部均表达,属于组成型表达基因。在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化了PtoGSTF4重组蛋白,酶学性质分析表明PtoGSTF4对CDNB、NBD-Cl、NBC和Cum-OOH等4种底物均有活性。动力学分析发现,PtoGSTF4对GSH具有较高的亲和力,而对CDNB的亲和力相对较低。在不同pH及温度条件下对PtoGSTF4蛋白进行活性检测,发现PtoGSTF4在pH 7.5~10.5范围内或30 ℃~60 ℃温度范围内有较高的活性。研究推测,PtoGSTF4可能在毛白杨的抗逆生理中发挥重要作用。     

人IL-16C端cDNA的克隆表达及初步鉴定

人 Ｉ Ｌ １６ 是近年报道的一个新的细胞因子,其 Ｃ 端 １３０ 个氨基酸的分泌型 Ｉ Ｌ １６ 广泛地参与了体内的免疫调节及炎症反应,并具有抑制 Ｈ Ｉ Ｖ 复制等多种功能．经从 Ｃｏｎ Ａ 刺激的人外周血单核细胞中分离总 Ｒ Ｎ Ａ,采用 Ｒ Ｔ Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ、分子克隆及序列测定的方法获得了 Ｉ Ｌ １６ Ｃ 端 １３０ 个氨基酸编码区的 ｃ Ｄ Ｎ Ａ,并在生物 素化融合蛋白表达系统中表达和纯化了该蛋白．结果表明：所得到的中国人 Ｉ Ｌ １６ Ｃ端的编码序列与国外报道的序列完全一致;已获得的 ３３ ｋ Ｄ 融合蛋白易于纯化,这一工作为进一步研究 Ｉ Ｌ １６ 的功能奠定了基础 ．     

Cloning and Characterization of a Gene (RFN22) Encoding a Novel Brain Expressed Ring Finger Protein (BERP) That Maps to Human Chromosome 11p15.5

We have recently identified a novel RING finger protein expressed in the rat brain, which associates with myosin V and α-actinin-4. Here we have cloned and characterized the orthologous human BERP cDNA and gene (HGMW-approved symbol RNF22). The human BERP protein is encoded by 11 exons ranging in size from 71 to 733 bp, and fluorescence in situ hybridization shows that the BERP gene maps to chromosome 11p15.5, 3′ to the FE65 gene. The human BERP protein is 98% identical to the rat and mouse proteins, and we have identified a highly conserved potential orthologue in Caenorhabditis elegans. BERP belongs to the RING finger–B-box–coiled coil (RBCC) subgroup of RING finger proteins, and a cluster of these RBCC protein genes is present in chromosome 11p15. Chromosome region 11p15 is thought to harbor tumor suppressor genes, and deletions of this region occur frequently in several types of human cancers. These observations indicate that BERP may be a novel tumor suppressor gene.     

甘菊ClCOL16基因的克隆与功能初步研究

CO基因通过光周期途径整合昼夜规律、光信号以及分生组织相关基因来调节开花时间,在植物成花过程中起着至关重要的作用。该研究利用RT-PCR法从甘菊(Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium)中克隆得到一个CO家族基因,命名为ClCOL16(GenBank登录号：AOA52174);采用农杆菌介导的花序浸染法转化拟南芥,抗性筛选并经过PCR鉴定得到T3代转基因植株;随机抽取6个转基因拟南芥株系与野生型(WT)共同于长日照环境(16 h/8 h光暗交替)培养,观察其表型,并于定植后37 d检测WT和转基因拟南芥植株叶片的ClCOL16表达,以明确甘菊ClCOL16基因在植物光周期调控开花中的作用,为进一步解析菊花花期调控机理奠定基础。结果显示：(1)甘菊ClCOL16基因含有一个1 278 bp的编码框,编码425个氨基酸;ClCOL16编码蛋白含有一个B-box和一个CCT保守结构域,为典型的CO家族第Ⅲ组成员。(2)NCBI同源比对分析显示,ClCOL16蛋白与除虫菊COL16蛋白(GenBank登录号：GEZ38716.1)的一致性最高,达到94.38%。(3)荧光定...     

青杄中sPPa1的cDNA序列克隆及其生物信息学分析

以青杄(Picea wilsonii)均一化cDNA文库为模板,通过RACE方法克隆得到青杄PPa1基因cDNA全长,对该cDNA序列、核苷酸序列的相似性、理化性质、疏水性、二级结构、三级结构及是否跨膜进行了分析预测;进行了多序列比对并构建了系统树,同时对PPa1在青杄各组织中的表达量进行了检测。结果表明:青杄PPa1基因共由216个氨基酸组成,分子量为24.55 kD,理论PI为5.83,属可溶性蛋白;二级结构主要由α-螺旋、不规则卷曲和β-折叠构成;PPa1在青杄花粉中表达量最高。研究为进一步研究青杄PPa1的功能奠定了基础。     

Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Member of the Human Mad Gene Family (MADH6)

MAD (mothers against decapentaplegic)-related proteins (MADRs) are intracellular components that play critical roles in signal-transduction pathways involving the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. Some Mad genes are candidates for tumor-suppressor functions. From a human fetal brain cDNA library we have isolated a novel Mad-related gene. Two alternatively transcribed mRNAs encode deduced 430- and 467-amino-acid peptides that showed high levels of similarity to MADR1/Smad1/hMAD1 (about 80% identity at the amino acid level). This gene, which we designated MADH6, resides on 13q12–q14 between BRCA2 and RB, a region that frequently displays loss of heterozygosity in breast, liver, and prostate cancers.     

Cloning, Characterization, and Chromosomal Localization of a Human 5-HT6 Serotonin Receptor

Abstract: We describe the cloning and characterization of a human 5-HT₆ serotonin receptor. The open reading frame is interrupted by two introns in positions corresponding to the third cytoplasmic loop and the third extracellular loop. The human 5-HT₆ cDNA encodes a 440-amino-acid polypeptide whose sequence diverges significantly from that published for the rat 5-HT₆ receptor. Resequencing of the rat cDNA revealed a sequencing error producing a frame shift within the open reading frame. The human 5-HT₆ amino acid sequence is 89% similar to the corrected rat sequence. The recombinant human 5-HT₆ receptor is positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase and has pharmacological properties similar to the rat receptor with high affinity for several typical and atypical antipsychotics, including clozapine. The receptor is expressed in several human brain regions, most prominently in the caudate nucleus. The gene for the receptor maps to the human chromosome region 1p35–p36. This localization overlaps that established for the serotonin 5-HT_1Dα receptor, suggesting that these may be closely linked. Comparison of genomic and cDNA clones for the human 5-HT₆ receptor also reveals an Rsa I restriction fragment length polymorphism within the coding region.     

Characterization of a Mouse Gene (Fbxw6) That Encodes a Homologue of Caenorhabditis elegans SEL-10

The SCF complex is a type of ubiquitin ligase that consists of the invariable components SKP1, CUL1, and RBX1 as well as a variable component, known as an F-box protein, that is the main determinant of substrate specificity. The Caenorhabditis elegans F-box- and WD40-repeat-containing protein SEL-10 functionally and physically associates with LIN-12 and SEL-12, orthologues of mammalian Notch and presenilin, respectively. We have now identified a gene (which we call Fbxw6) that encodes a mouse homologue (F-box–WD40 repeat protein 6, or FBW6) of SEL-10 and is expressed mainly in brain, heart, and testis. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis showed that FBW6 interacts with SKP1 and CUL1, indicating that these three proteins form an SCF complex. Comparison of the genomic organization of Fbxw6, which is located on mouse chromosome 3.3E3, with that of mouse Fbxw1, Fbxw2, and Fbxw4 showed only a low level of similarity, indicating that these genes diverged relatively early and thereafter evolved independently.     

人CNTF突变体(CNTFM)基因的克隆、表达和产物纯化及活性鉴定

采用PCR的方法对睫状神经营养因子(CNTF)基因进行改造,获得CNTF突变体基因(CNTFM) ,将CNTFM基因克隆入表达载体pBV2 2 0 ,在大肠杆菌BL 2 1(Gold)中进行了表达.目的蛋白占细胞总蛋白5 5 %左右,以包涵体形式存在,经Superdex 75凝胶过滤柱一步纯化和复性,获得纯度达90 %目的蛋白.纯化的重组CNTFM蛋白能促进培养的鸡胚背根神经节长出神经突起,能明显减轻实验小鼠的体重,表明CNTFM具有良好的体内、体外生物学活性,为开发新型高效的减肥药奠定了基础.     

水稻组蛋白脱乙酰化酶基因HDA705启动子的克隆与表达特性分析

为探讨水稻(Oryza sativa)组蛋白脱乙酰化酶基因HDA705的功能和表达特性,根据NCBI上登录的水稻HDA705基因(GenBank登录号:AK111861)的序列,克隆了5′端2 kb的启动子片段proHDA705,并构建了proHDA705:GUS表达载体。通过农杆菌介导法转化水稻,并获得了转基因株系。GUS检测结果表明,proHDA705仅在水稻的根、茎、叶及部分颖壳的表皮毛等器官中表达,而在花器官中不表达,这表明HDA705具有组织表达特异性。