Expression and purification of SARS coronavirus proteins using SUMO-fusions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) proteins belong to a large group of proteins that is difficult to express in traditional expression systems. The ability to express and purify SARS-CoV proteins in large quantities is critical for basic research and for development of pharmaceutical agents. The work reported here demonstrates: (1) fusion of SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier), a 100 amino acid polypeptide, to the N-termini of SARS-CoV proteins dramatically enhances expression in Escherichia coli cells and (2) 6x His-tagged SUMO-fusions facilitate rapid purification of the viral proteins on a large scale. We have exploited the natural chaperoning properties of SUMO to develop an expression system suitable for proteins that cannot be expressed by traditional methodologies. A unique feature of the system is the SUMO tag, which enhances expression, facilitates purification, and can be efficiently cleaved by a SUMO-specific protease to generate native protein with a desired N-terminus. We have purified various SARS-CoV proteins under either native or denaturing conditions. These purified proteins have been used to generate highly specific polyclonal antibodies. Our study suggests that the SUMO-fusion technology will be useful for enhancing expression and purification of the viral proteins for structural and functional studies as well as for therapeutic uses.     

Calcineurin-independent regulation of plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase-4 in the vascular smooth muscle cell cycle

Calcineurin mediates repression of plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase-4 (PMCA4) expression in neurons, whereas c-Myb is known to repress PMCA1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Here, we describe a novel mouse VSMC line (MOVAS) in which ⁴⁵Ca efflux rates decreased 50%, fura 2-AM-based intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i) increased twofold, and real-time RT-PCR and Western blot revealed a 40% decrease in PMCA4 expression levels from G₀ to G₁/S in the cell cycle, where PMCA4 constituted 20% of total PMCA protein. Although calcineurin activity increased fivefold as MOVAS progressed from G₀ to G₁/S, inhibition of this increase with either BAPTA or retroviral transduction with peptide inhibitors of calcineurin (CAIN), or its downstream target nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) (VIVIT), had no effect on the repression of PMCA4 mRNA expression at G₁/S. By contrast, Ca²⁺-independent activity of the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMK-II) increased eightfold as MOVAS progressed from G₀ to G₁/S, and treatment with an inhibitor of CaMK-II (KN-93) or transduction of a c-Myb-neutralizing antibody significantly alleviated the G₁/S-associated repression of PMCA4. These data show that G₁/S-specific PMCA4 repression in proliferating VSMC is brought about by c-Myb and CaMK-II and that calcineurin may regulate cell cycle-associated [Ca²⁺]_i through alternate targets. calcineurin; c-Myb; plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase-4; cell cycle     

Prolonged expression of c-Fos protein in the lateral habenular nucleus of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) after eye enucleation

To elucidate the effect of traumatic stress on the lateral habenular nucleus, we investigated the time course of the expression of c-Fos protein in this nucleus of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) after enucleation of one eye using c-Fos protein immunocytochemistry. c-Fos protein-like immunoreactive neurons were significantly increased; the increase started 1 h after the enucleation and remained high for 3-9 h in the lateral habenular nucleus on both sides. These results suggest that the prolonged expression of c-Fos protein occurred in the lateral habenular nucleus after traumatic stress through multiple transsynaptic activations.     

IGF-1 induces growth, survival and morphological change of primary hepatocytes on a galactose-bared polymer through both MAPK and beta-catenin pathways

PVLA poly-(N-p-vinylbenzyl-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-gluconamide) is a glycopolymer composed of hydrophilic carbohydrate side chain and hydrophobic styrene polymer. The hydrophilic carbohydrate residue of PVLA can be recognized as a ligand for hepatocytes asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R), which is abundant on the hepatocyte cell surface. Adhering to the PVLA coated dishes, hepatocytes try to form aggregates that have a long time survival and also cells in these aggregates exhibit better maintenance of specific hepatocyte functions. Stimulation of the cells with IGF-1 in this culture condition results in the formation of lower aggregates. In addition to the morphological influences of IGF-1 to these cells, we have also found that IGF-1 transmits growth stimulatory responses to hepatocytes on PVLA through both mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and beta-catenin pathways. The phosphorylation of MAPK can take place within 5 min of stimulation with IGF-1 and within at least 10 ng/ml of IGF-1 concentration. Inhibition of MAPK activation by MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059 reduces IGF-1 induced MAPK phosphorylation, and also IGF-1 stimulated DNA synthesis. Similarly, the use of PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 also inhibits IGF-1 stimulated DNA synthesis. IGF-1 stimulation enhances the migration of beta-catenin from the cytoskeleton and cell membrane to the cytoplasm which also is the reason behind formation of spheroids and lower aggregates. IGF-1 stimulation also shows increased translocalization of beta-catenin to the nucleus that is essentially important to produce beta-catenin responsive effects to the cells. These studies thus suggest that IGF-1 can stimulate the growth and survival of hepatocytes on PVLA through both MAPK and beta-catenin signaling pathways, and that the activation of beta-catenin signaling pathway produces the morphological changes of IGF-1 induced cells.     

Maximum likelihood analysis of mammalian p53 indicates the presence of positively selected sites and higher tumorigenic mutations in purifying sites

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 (p53) maintains genome stability. Mutation or loss of p53 is found in most cancers. Analysis of evolutionary constrains and p53 mutations reveal important sites for concomitant functional studies. In this study, phylogenetic analyses of the coding sequences of p53 from 26 mammals were carried out by applying a maximum likelihood method. The results display two branches under adaptive evolution in mammals. Moreover, each codon of p53 was analyzed by the PAML method for presence of positively selected sites. PAML identified several statistically significant amino acids that undergo positive selection. The data indicates that amino acids responsible for the core functions of p53 are highly conserved, while positively selected sites are predominantly located in the N- and C-terminus of p53. Further analysis of evolutionary pressure and mutations showed the occurrence of more frequent tumorigenic mutations in purifying sites of p53.     

Frequent 14-3-3 sigma promoter methylation in benign and malignant prostate lesions

14-3-3Sigma is a putative tumor suppressor gene involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis following DNA damage. 14-3-3Sigma loss of expression has been reported is several human cancers, including prostate adenocarcinoma and precursor lesions, and promoter hypermethylation has been proposed as the mechanism underlying gene silencing. Here, we investigate the frequency and extent of 14-3-3sigma promoter methylation in benign and cancerous prostate tissues. We examined tumor tissue from 121 patients with prostate carcinoma (PCa), 39 paired high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasias (HGPIN), 29 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), as well as four prostate cancer cell lines using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMSP). The percentage of methylated alleles (PMA) was calculated and correlated with clinical and pathological parameters. RT-PCR was performed in the cell lines to assess 14-3-3sigma mRNA expression. PCa, HGPIN, BPH, and cancer cell lines showed ubiquitous 14-3-3sigma promoter methylation. However, the PMA of HGPIN was significantly lower than that of PCa or BPH (P < 0.0001), while PCa and BPH did not significantly differ. The PMA did not correlate with any clinicopathological parameter. All prostate cancer cell lines expressed 14-3-3sigmamRNA. 14-3-3Sigma promoter methylation is a frequent event in prostate tissues and cancer cell lines. Furthermore, there is a progressive accumulation of neoplastic cells with 14-3-3sigma methylated alleles from HGPIN to PCa, suggesting a role for this epigenetic event in prostate carcinogenesis. However, other mechanisms besides promoter methylation might be required for effective 14-3-3sigma downregulation.     

Effects of Selenium and Zinc Status in Biological Samples of Hepatitis C Patient After Herbal and Pharmaceutical Supplements

The use of natural remedies and pharmacological mineral supplements for liver disease treatment has a long history. In present study, the levels of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined in biological samples (serum and whole blood) of female hepatitis C patients (n?=?132), age ranged 30–45 years, before and after 30 days treatment with herbal/pharmaceutical supplements. For comparative study, 128 age-matched female subjects, residing in the same residential areas and have socioeconomic status, were selected as referents. The Se and Zn in supplements, blood, and sera were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. It was observed that Zn and Se in blood and serum samples of viral hepatitis C (HCV) patients were reduced in the range of 28.6–39 % and 24–36 %, respectively, as compared to those of referents. After herbal/pharmaceutical supplementations, 20.6–25.0 and 9.15–13.2 % of Zn and 10.6–12.1 and 19.6–21.4 % of Se were enhanced in sera and blood samples of HCV patients, respectively. The resulted data indicated that the levels of Se and Zn in addition to some biochemical parameters were improved in HCV patients after herbal/pharmaceutical supplementation. The effects of both supplements were not significantly different (p?>?0.05).     

Determination of Lead in Biological Samples of Children with Different Physiological Consequences Using Cloud Point Extraction Method

In present study, lead (Pb) level in biological samples of children with physiological disorders (liver, bone, and gastrointestinal; age ranged 1–10 years) have been assessed. For comparison purpose, age-matched healthy children were also selected. Cloud point extraction (CPE) was employed for preconcentration of Pb in acid-digested biological samples prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Dithizone (diphenylthiocarbazone) and nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 (TX-114) were used as complexing reagent and extractant, respectively. The effects of several experimental variables on proposed CPE were evaluated. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the observed detection limit (LOD) and the enhancement factor (EF) were 0.08 μg L^?1 and 53, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10 μg L^?1 Pb was 3.4 %. It was observed that children with liver-, bone-, and gastrointestinal-related disorders had three- to fourfold higher Pb level in blood and scalp hair samples.     

Prevalence of NDM‐1 carbapenemase in patients with diarrhoea in Pakistan and evaluation of two chromogenic culture media

Aims

To evaluate two chromogenic media, Brilliance CRE and chromID CARBA, with stool samples referred to the Public Health Laboratories Division of the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, and assess the prevalence of carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in this population.

Methods and Results

One hundred and fifty‐two stool samples from patients with diarrhoea were referred to the Microbiology Department and were investigated for the presence of CPE using two chromogenic culture media, Brilliance CRE and chromID CARBA. Thirteen patients (8·6%) were found to be colonized with CPE and all produced NDM‐1 carbapenemase. Twelve of these patients (92%) were found to be colonized by culture on chromID CARBA compared with seven (54%) using Brilliance CRE.

Conclusions

If only coloured colonies were considered as presumptive CPE, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 54, 23 and 6% for Brilliance CRE and 85, 85 and 36% for chromID CARBA, respectively.

Significance and Impact of the Study

We conclude that Enterobacteriaceae that produce NDM‐1 carbapenemase can be found in patients from all major provinces of Pakistan and that chromID CARBA was the most effective of the two chromogenic media in this setting.     

Mapping of durable stripe rust resistance in a durum wheat cultivar Wollaroi

Wollaroi, an Australian durum wheat cultivar, produced a low stripe rust response and the alternative parent Bansi was highly susceptible. The Wollaroi/Bansi recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was phenotyped across three consecutive crop seasons. A genetic map of the Wollaroi/Bansi RIL population comprising 799 markers (diversity arrays technology and simple sequence repeat markers) was used to determine the genomic location of stripe rust resistance genes carried by the cultivar Wollaroi. Composite interval mapping detected three consistent quantitative trait loci (QTL) in chromosomes 2A, 3B and 5B. These QTL were named QYr.sun-2A, QYr.sun-3B and QYr.sun-5B. Another QTL, QYr.sun-1B, was detected only in the 2009 crop season. QTL in chromosomes 1B, 2A, 3B and 5B explained on average 6, 9.3, 26.7 and 8.7 %, respectively, of the variation in stripe rust response. All QTL were contributed by Wollaroi. RILs carrying these QTL singly produced intermediate stripe rust severities ranging from 46.2 to 55.7 %, whereas RILs with all four QTL produced the lowest disease severity (34.3 %). The consistently low stripe rust response of Wollaroi for 20 years demonstrated the durability of the resistance loci involved. The QTL combination detected in this study is being transferred to common wheat.