Gamma integrase complementation at the level of DNA binding and complex formation

Site-specific recombinases of the gamma Int family carry out two single-strand exchanges by binding as head-to-head dimers on inverted core-type DNA sites. Each protomer may cleave its own site as a monomer in cis (as for Cre recombinase), or it may recruit the tyrosine from its partner in trans to form a composite active site (as for Flp recombinase). The crystal structure of the gamma Int catalytic domain is compatible with both cleavage mechanisms, but two previous biochemical studies on gamma integrase (Int) generated data that were not in agreement. Support for cis and trans cleavage came from assays with bispecific DNA substrates for gamma and HK022 Ints and from functional complementation between recombination-deficient mutants, respectively. The data presented here do not provide new evidence for cis cleavage, but they strongly suggest that the previously described complementation results cannot be used in support of a trans-cleavage mechanism. We show here that IntR212Q retains some residual catalytic function but is impaired in binding to core-type DNA on linear substrates and in forming higher-order attL intasome structures. The binding-proficient mutant IntY342F can stabilize IntR212Q binding to core-type DNA through protein-protein interactions. Similarly, the formation of higher-order Int complexes with arm- and core-type DNA is boosted with both mutants present. This complementation precedes cleavage and thus precludes any conclusions about the mechanism of catalysis. Cross-core stimulation of wild-type HK022-Int cleavage on its cognate site (in cis) by mutant gamma Ints on bispecific core DNA suicide substrates is shown to be independent of the catalytic tyrosine but appears to be proportional to the respective core-binding affinities of the gamma Int mutants.     

Computational identification of novel entry inhibitor scaffolds mimicking primary receptor CD4 of HIV-1 gp120

Virtual screening of novel entry inhibitor scaffolds mimicking primary receptor CD4 of HIV-1 gp120 was carried out in conjunction with evaluation of their potential inhibitory activity by molecular modeling. To do this, pharmacophore models presenting different sets of the hotspots of cellular receptor CD4 for its interaction with gp120 were generated. These models were used as the templates for identification of CD4-mimetic candidates by the pepMMsMIMIC screening platform. Complexes of these candidates with gp120 were built by high-throughput ligand docking and their stability was estimated by molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations. As a result, five top hits that exhibited strong attachment to the two well-conserved hotspots of the gp120 CD4-binding site were selected for the final analysis. In analogy to CD4, the identified compounds make hydrogen bonds with Asp-368_gp120 and multiple van der Waals contacts with the gp120 residues that bind to Phe-43_CD4, resulting in destruction of the critical interactions of gp120 with Phe-43_CD4 and Arg-59_CD4. The complexes of the CD4-mimetic candidates with gp120 show relative conformational stability within the molecular dynamics simulations and expose the high percentage occupancies of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, in line with the data on the binding free energy calculations. In light of these findings, the identified compounds are considered as good scaffolds for the development of new functional antagonists of viral entry with broad HIV-1 neutralization.     

Changes in DNA base sequences in the mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana induced by low-energy N+ implantation

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh has many advantages for genome analysis, including a short generation time, small size, large number of offspring, and a relatively small nuclear genome in comparison to other angiosperms and contains a low proportion of repetitive DNA comparatively. Furthermore, the analysis of the completed genome sequence of A. thaliana has been reported[1]. Low-energy ion implantation has attracted more and more attention from researchers in China and Japan since recent s…     

贝壳状革耳菌和黄孢平革菌固体培养酶系比较

白腐菌黄孢平革菌(Phanerochaete chrysosporium) 与贝壳状革耳菌(Panus conchatus)在类似自然状态的固体培养条件下酶的分泌情况有 较大差异。P.conchatus和P.chrysosporium的主要木素降解酶分别是漆酶和锰过氧化物酶 ;两种菌均产生较高水平的木聚糖酶;P.conchatus在整个培养过程中所产生的内切葡 聚糖酶、微晶纤维素酶和纤维二糖酶活力均比P.chrysosporium相应酶的活力低得多, 尤其是内切葡聚糖酶。研究结果初步揭示了P.conchaus降解木素的主要酶系及选择性降 解木素的原因。     

抗单纯疱疹病毒单克隆抗体的研究——Ⅱ.单克隆抗体介导细胞毒效应的研究

建立了单克隆抗体(McAb)介导细胞毒作用(ADCC)~(51)Cr释放试验的测定力法。确定了最适工作条件。ADCC测定结果表明,5株抗HSV McAb介导ADCC的活性不同:McAb 1A12、2A8和1G8无ADCC活性;而1D10和2C5两株McAb作1:10稀释时,~(51)Cr释放率分别为27.09％和25.07％,稀释至1:100或1:1000时仍有ADCC活性。结果提示,不同的McAb抗原决定族诱导产生的抗体,在介导ADCC免疫保护作用上有差异,并为McAh治疗临床单纯疱疹病毒感染的可能性提供了实验资料。     

用投影寻踪回归方法研究红蜡蚧在枸骨球上的空间分布

用投影寻踪回归方法研究红蜡价在枸骨球上的空间分布结果表明,枸骨球上红蜡故的空间分布与枸骨球的方位和层次有关。雌成虫主要聚集在植物的外层和中层,并以球顶部和西面为重,内层和南面轻。用PP回归方法客观地分析和描述了数据的内在结构,为综合治理提供了可靠的依据。     

Point and deletion mutations eliminate one or both methyl group transfers catalysed by the yeast TRM1 encoded tRNA (m22G26)dimethyltransferase.

Guanosine at position 26 in eukaryotic tRNAs is usually modified to N2 , N2 -dimethylguanosine (m22G26). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae , this reaction is catalysed by the TRM1 encoded tRNA (m22G26)dimethyltransferase. As a prerequisite for future studies, the yeast TRM1 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the His-tagged Trm1 protein (rTrm1p) was extensively purified. rTrm1p catalysed both the mono- and dimethylation of G26 in vivo in Escherichia coli tRNA and in vitro in yeast trm1 mutant tRNA. The TRM1 gene from two independent wild-type yeast strains differed at 14 base positions causing two amino acid exchanges . Exchange of the original Ser467 for Leu caused a complete loss of enzyme activity in vitro against trm1 yeast tRNA. Comparatively short N- or C-terminal deletions from the 570 amino acid long Trm1 polypeptide decreased or eliminated the enzyme activity, as did some point mutations within these regions. This indicated that the protein is not a two domain peptide with the enzyme activity localised to one of the domains, but rather that both ends of the polypeptide seem to interact to influence the conformation of those parts that make up the RNA-binding site and/or the active site of the enzyme.     

Similarities and differences among 105 members of the Int family of site-specific recombinases.

Alignments of 105 site-specific recombinases belonging to the Int family of proteins identified extended areas of similarity and three types of structural differences. In addition to the previously recognized conservation of the tetrad R-H-R-Y, located in boxes I and II, several newly identified sequence patches include charged amino acids that are highly conserved and a specific pattern of buried residues contributing to the overall protein fold. With some notable exceptions, unconserved regions correspond to loops in the crystal structures of the catalytic domains of lambda Int (Int c170) and HP1 Int (HPC) and of the recombinases XerD and Cre. Two structured regions also harbor some pronounced differences. The first comprises beta-sheets 4 and 5, alpha-helix D and the adjacent loop connecting it to alpha-helix E: two Ints of phages infecting thermophilic bacteria are missing this region altogether; the crystal structures of HPC, XerD and Cre reveal a lack of beta-sheets 4 and 5; Cre displays two additional beta-sheets following alpha-helix D; five recombinases carry large insertions. The second involves the catalytic tyrosine and is seen in a comparison of the four crystal structures. The yeast recombinases can theoretically be fitted to the Int fold, but the overall differences, involving changes in spacing as well as in motif structure, are more substantial than seen in most other proteins. The phenotypes of mutations compiled from several proteins are correlated with the available structural information and structure-function relationships are discussed. In addition, a few prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes with partial homology with the Int family of recombinases may be distantly related, either through divergent or convergent evolution. These include a restriction enzyme and a subgroup of eukaryotic RNA helicases (D-E-A-D proteins).