Using multidimensional patterns of amino acid attributes for QSAR analysis of peptides

On the basis of exploratory factor analysis, six multidimensional patterns of 516 amino acid attributes, namely, factor analysis scales of generalized amino acid information (FASGAI) involving hydrophobicity, alpha and turn propensities, bulky properties, compositional characteristics, local flexibility and electronic properties, are proposed to represent structures of 48 bitter-tasting dipeptides and 58 angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Characteristic parameters related to bioactivities of the peptides studied are selected by genetic algorithm, and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models are constructed by partial least square (PLS). Our results by a leave-one-out cross validation are compared with the previously known structure representation method and are shown to give slightly superior or comparative performance. Further, two data sets are divided into training sets and test sets to validate the characterization repertoire of FASGAI. Performance of the PLS models developed by training samples by a leave-one-out cross validation and external validation for test samples are satisfying. These results demonstrate that FASGAI is an effective representation technique of peptide structures, and that FASGAI vectors have many preponderant characteristics such as straightforward physicochemical information, high characterization competence and easy manipulation. They can be further applied to investigate the relationship between structures and functions of various peptides, even proteins.     

Nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on ultrasonic-electrodeposition of bimetallic PtM (M = Ru, Pd and Au) nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes–ionic liquid composite film

We report here for the first time on the fabrication of highly dispersed PtM (M = Ru, Pd and Au) nanoparticles on composite film of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)–ionic liquid (IL, i.e., trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) by using ultrasonic-electrodeposition method. The PtM nanoparticles are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and we find that they are well-dispersed and exhibit alloy properties. Electrochemical experiments show that the PtRu(1:1, i.e., ratio of c(H₂PtCl₆)/c(RuCl₃))–MWNT–IL nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (PtRu(1:1)–MWNT–IL/GCE) has smaller electron transfer resistance and larger active surface area than PtRu(1:1)/GCE, PtRu(1:1)–MWNT/GCE, PtPd(1:1)–MWNT–IL/GCE and PtAu(1:1)–MWNT–IL/GCE. The PtRu(1:1)–MWNT–IL/GCE also presents stronger electrocatalytic activity toward the glucose oxidation than other electrodes. At −0.1 V, the electrode responds linearly to glucose up to 15 mM in neutral media, with a detection limit of 0.05 mM (S/N = 3) and detection sensitivity of 10.7 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹. Meanwhile, the interference of ascorbic acid, uric acid, acetamidophenol and fructose is effectively avoided. The as-made sensor was applied to the determination of glucose in serum and urine samples. The results agreed closely with the results obtained by a hospital. This novel nonenzyme sensor thus has potential application in glucose detection.     

Medium optimization for the production of avermectin B1a by Streptomyces avermitilis 14-12A using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the composition of medium for the production of avermectin B1a by Streptomyces avermitilis 14-12A in shaker flask cultivation. Corn starch and yeast extract were found to have significant effects on avermectin B1a production by the Plackett–Burman design. The steepest ascent method was used to access the optimal region of the medium composition, followed by an application of response surface. The analysis revealed that the optimum values of the tested variables were 149.57 g/l corn starch and 8.92 g/l yeast extract. A production of 5128 mg/l, which was in agreement with the prediction, was observed in verification experiment. In comparison to the production of original level (3528 mg/l), 1.45-fold increase had been obtained.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel shikonin analogues

A series of shikonin analogues with side chain variants have been synthesized and evaluated for antitumor activity. These novel analogues show a broad spectrum of in vitro cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. Additionally, some analogues were also found to have the ability to decrease the expression level of HIF-1α in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 under hypoxia. The features of these analogues suggest their potential in cancer therapy.     

The discovery of novel calcium sensing receptor negative allosteric modulators

The design and profile of a series of zwitterionic calcium sensing receptor negative allosteric modulators is described. Evaluation of key analogues using a rat model demonstrate a robust response, significantly improved potency over ronacaleret and have the potential as an oral, anabolic treatment for osteoporosis.     

拟南芥TAG1基因对脂类合成调控作用的研究进展

三酰甘油（TAG）是真核生物中能量贮存的最主要形式。植物中贮存的三酰甘油是食用油类和工业用油的主要来源。TAG1基因的表达产物甘油二酯酰基转移酶（DGAT）能够调控三酰甘油的合成。as11是TAG1基因突变获得的脂类代谢相关突变体。该文概述了拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）突变体as11的生物学特征及TAG1基因对脂类合成调控的最新进展。     

桂花SRAP—PCR体系的确立及验证

以桂花[Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb. ) Lour. ]品种'早银桂'的总DNA为模板,对SRAP-PCR扩增体系中的模板DNA用量,Mg2+、 dNTPs和引物浓度以及Taq DNA聚合酶用量进行单因子实验, 确立了适合桂花总DNA的 SRAP-PCR反应体系:反应体系总体积10 μL,包括30 ng模板DNA、 2.5 mmol·L-1 Mg2+ 、 0.20 mmol·L-1dNTPs、 0.4 μmol·L-1上下游引物和0.75 U Taq DNA聚合酶及1×PCR buffer.采用SRAP引物组合pm21-em8,以78个桂花品种的总DNA为样品,对优化的SRAP-PCR反应体系进行初步验证,共扩增出632条带,多态性条带百分率75.32%;扩增位点15个,多态性位点百分率为86.67%.运用优化的SRAP-PCR体系,使用筛选出的18对SRAP引物组合对88个桂花品种、1个桂花野生种以及2个外类群[柊树O. heterophyllus (G. Don) P. S. Green和华东木犀O. cooperi Hemsl. ]的总DNA进行扩增,共扩增出296个位点,其中多态性位点248个,多态性位点百分率为83.78%.实验结果显示,运用优化的SRAP-PCR反应体系获得的DNA条带清晰、扩增结果稳定、多态性较丰富;SRAP分子标记可用于桂花遗传多样性、品种资源鉴定、亲缘关系以及系统进化等方面的研究.     

地衣芽胞杆菌培养条件的研究

应用单因素和正交试验设计试验法对地衣芽胞杆菌在摇瓶水平上进行了培养基配方和培养条件的研究。结果表明：最适培养基配方为山芋淀粉1．0％,豆粕0．6％,玉米芯粉0．8％,K2HPO4 0．1％,MgSO40．1％。最适培养条件为37℃,摇床转速150r／min,250mL三角瓶装液50mL,接种量5．0％,振荡培养48h,pH7．0。在20L自动发酵罐中进行了扩大培养试验,考察溶氧对菌体生长的影响,并根据试验结果进一步扩大至1m^3发酵罐,通过控制搅拌速度和通气量,1m^3发酵罐中地衣芽胞杆菌培养液菌浓为7．2×10^9efu／mL,芽胞率达到90％。     

油菜（Brassica napus）油酸性状的遗传规律研究

以高油酸油菜品系04-863(油酸含量80.5%)与低油酸油菜品系湘油15号自交系04-1020(油酸含量62.7%)为材料,通过杂交获f1、F2代和回交一代,研究了油菜油酸性状的遗传规律.结果表明:1)油菜油酸性状属数量性状.呈连续变异.很难明确分组;2)杂种一代表现为两亲本的中间类型,但受母本的影响较大,当以高油酸品系04-863为母本时,F1代的油酸含量(X=73.41)分布倾向高油酸亲本,相反,若以低油酸湘油15号自交系04-1020为母本,F1代油酸含量(X=67.75)分布则倾向低油酸亲本;3)对环境条件变化比较敏感,亲代(P1、P2)或F1代都存在着由于环境条件差异而引起的表型差异.F2代广泛分离既有基因型分离的差异,又有环境引起的表型差异.度量这种差异分别以方差和标准差来表示离开平均数的变异程度,在各世代中以F2的方差和标准差最大,分别为V=52.81,S=7.28;4)各代变异的次数分布大体上符合正态分布,即极端类型个体少,中间类型多;5)支配油菜油酸性状的基因数为一对主基因符合孟德尔的3:1分离规律,其回交比例为1:1,油酸性状的遗传力为69%～71%,是由于遗传差异引起的,另31%～29%则是由于环境差异引起的.说明数量性状与质量性状的区分是相对的.     

Cloning, expression and characterization of recombinant elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Picha pastoris

The gene lasB from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which encoded elastase, was cloned and firstly successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris stain KM71 under the control of AOX promoter. The effects on the recombinant elastase activities of different pH, different temperatures and different metal ions were assayed. The full-length gene (1497 bp) encodes a preproenzyme including an N-terminal signal peptide (23 aa), a propeptide (197 aa) and mature elastase (301 aa). The recombinant elastase was secreted into culture supernatants using signal sequence from lasB and showed a single band at about 34 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The recombinant elastase expression hit the highest level of approximately 450 mg/L and the specific elastolytic activity of the recombinant elastase was 130 U/ml, which was approximately 26-fold higher than that of elastase obtained from P. aeruginosa. The optimal temperature and pH of the recombinant elastase was 28 degrees C and 7.4, respectively. The enzyme possessed high resistance to heat, and can be activated by Ca(2+). These enzyme properties suggested that it could be produced in an industrial scale and has the potential to be a commercial enzyme.