Isolation and characterization of a novel thermostable non-specific lipid transfer protein-like antimicrobial protein from motherwort (Leonurus japonicus Houtt) seeds

In screening for potent antimicrobial proteins from plant seeds, a novel heat-stable antimicrobial protein, designated LJAMP2, was purified from seeds of the motherwort (Leonurus japonicus Houtt), a medicine herb, with a procedure involving cation exchange chromatography on a CM FF column, and reverse phase HPLCs on C8 column and C18 column. LJAMP2 exhibited a molecular mass of 6.2 kDa determined. Automated Edman degradation determined the partial N-terminal sequence of LJAMP2 to be NH2-AIGCNTVASKMAPCLPYVTGKGPLGGCCGGVKGLIDAARTTPDRQAVCNCLKTLAKSYSG, which displays homology with plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs). In vitro bioassays showed that LJAMP2 inhibits the growth of a variety of microbes, including filamentous fungi, bacteria and yeast. The growth of three phytopathogenic fungi, Alternaria brassicae, Botrytis maydis, and Rhizoctonia cerealis, are inhibited at 7.5 μM of LJAMP2, whereas Bacillus subtilis is about 15 μM. The IC₅₀ of LJAMP2 for Aspergillus niger, B. maydis, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium digitatum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are 5.5, 6.1, 9.3, 40.0, and 76.0 μM, respectively.     

A monoclonal antibody targeting a highly conserved epitope in influenza B neuraminidase provides protection against drug resistant strains

All influenza viral neuraminidases (NA) of both type A and B viruses have only one universally conserved sequence located between amino acids 222–230. A monoclonal antibody against this region has been previously reported to provide broad inhibition against all nine subtypes of influenza A NA; yet its inhibitory effect against influenza B viral NA remained unknown. Here, we report that the monoclonal antibody provides a broad inhibition against various strains of influenza B viruses of both Victoria and Yamagata genetic lineage. Moreover, the growth and NA enzymatic activity of two drug resistant influenza B strains (E117D and D197E) are also inhibited by the antibody even though these two mutations are conformationally proximal to the universal epitope. Collectively, these data suggest that this unique, highly-conserved linear sequence in viral NA is exposed sufficiently to allow access by inhibitory antibody during the course of infection; it could represent a potential target for antiviral agents and vaccine-induced immune responses against diverse strains of type B influenza virus.     

红茶菌抗菌蛋白提取与纯化

红茶菌液经过滤、离心、减压浓缩 ,丙酮加盐沉淀 ,Sephadex G-50柱层析后 ,得到两个分子量部分 ,其中小分子量部分有抗菌活性 ,采用尿素— SDS—PAGE测定抗菌蛋白分子量未获成功     

Reduction of SOST gene promotes bone formation through the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and compensates particle-induced osteolysis

The increase in bone resorption and/or the inhibition of bone regeneration caused by wear particles are the main causes of periprosthetic osteolysis. The SOST gene and Sclerostin, a protein synthesized by the SOST gene, are the characteristic marker of osteocytes and regulate bone formation and resorption. We aimed to verify whether the SOST gene was involved in osteolysis induced by titanium (Ti) particles and to investigate the effects of SOST reduction on osteolysis. The results showed osteolysis on the skull surface with an increase of sclerostin levels after treated with Ti particles. Similarly, sclerostin expression in MLO-Y4 osteocytes increased when treated with Ti particles in vitro. After reduction of SOST, local bone mineral density and bone volume increased, while number of lytic pores on the skull surface decreased and the erodibility of the skull surface was compensated. Histological analyses revealed that SOST reduction increased significantly alkaline phosphatase- (ALP) and osterix-positive expression on the skull surface which promoted bone formation. ALP activity and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells also increased in vitro when SOST was silenced, even if treated with Ti particles. In addition, Ti particles decreased β-catenin expression with an increase in sclerostin levels, in vivo and in vitro. Inversely, reduction of SOST expression increased β-catenin expression. In summary, our results suggested that reduction of SOST gene can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, promoting bone formation and compensated for bone loss induced by Ti particles. Thus, this study provided new perspectives in understanding the mechanisms of periprosthetic osteolysis.     

Monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) suppresses stress granule formation and determines apoptosis under stress

It is unclear how stress granule (SG) formation and cellular apoptosis are coordinately regulated. MCPIP1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1), also known as Zc3h12a, is a critical regulator of the inflammatory response and immune homeostasis. However, the role of MCPIP1 in stress response remains unknown. Here, we report that overexpression of MCPIP1 inhibited the assembly of SGs in response to various stresses. Conversely, MCPIP1-deficient splenocytes developed more SGs even without stress. On the other hand, overexpression of MCPIP1 sensitized RAW 264.7 cells to apoptosis under stress, whereas MCPIP1-deficient cells were resistant to stress-induced apoptosis. Mutagenesis study showed that the ability of MCPIP1 to repress SG formation is dependent on its deubiquitinating activity. Consistently, MCPIP1 negatively regulated stress-induced phosphorylation of eIF2α and thus released stress-induced inhibition of protein translation. However, MCPIP1 also inhibited 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2)-induced SG formation, which was reported to be independent of eIF2α phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest that MCPIP1 coordinates SG formation and apoptosis during cellular stress and may play a critical role in immune homeostasis and resolution of macrophage inflammation.     

Characterization of the agent of "high plains disease": mass spectrometry determines the sequence of the disease-specific protein

The "32-kDa" protein specifically associated with high plains disease was characterized by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, after the agent had been isolated in pure culture by "vascular puncture inoculation," a novel mechanical means of transmission. Two isolates from different geographic locations each consisted of a mixture of subpopulations that were highly homologous to an amino acid sequence derived from a nucleotide sequence (U60141) deposited in GenBank trade mark by the Nebraska group as "the probable N-protein of high plains virus." However, the U60141 sequence was found to be incomplete; de novo sequencing of peptides produced by proteolytic digestions of the 32-kDa band from an SDS-PAGE separation showed that an additional 18 amino acid residues were present at the N terminus. BLAST (basic local alignment search tool) examination of the sequence showed no significant homology with any protein in the databases, indicating that the infectious agent of high plains disease is likely a member of a hitherto unclassified virus group.     

Covalent attachment of proteins to solid supports and surfaces via Sortase-mediated ligation

Background

There is growing interest in the attachment of proteins to solid supports for the development of supported catalysts, affinity matrices, and micro devices as well as for the development of planar and bead based protein arrays for multiplexed assays of protein concentration, interactions, and activity. A critical requirement for these applications is the generation of a stable linkage between the solid support and the immobilized, but still functional, protein.

Methodology

Solid supports including crosslinked polymer beads, beaded agarose, and planar glass surfaces, were modified to present an oligoglycine motif to solution. A range of proteins were ligated to the various surfaces using the Sortase A enzyme of S. aureus. Reactions were carried out in aqueous buffer conditions at room temperature for times between one and twelve hours.

Conclusions

The Sortase A transpeptidase of S. aureus provides a general, robust, and gentle approach to the selective covalent immobilization of proteins on three very different solid supports. The proteins remain functional and accessible to solution. Sortase mediated ligation is therefore a straightforward methodology for the preparation of solid supported enzymes and bead based assays, as well as the modification of planar surfaces for microanalytical devices and protein arrays.