Evaluation of Antigen Retrieval Buffer Systems

The introduction of antigen retrieval (AR) techniques has dramatically improved the sensitivity of immunohistochemical detection of various antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The microwave-heating and pressure-cooking procedures are the most effective AR methods reported to date. Although extensive efforts have been made to optimize AR procedures using these two methods, previous studies have not led to a standard protocol applicable to all antibodies derived from different clones. In this study we have investigated the optimal AR buffer conditions for 29 antibodies that are in common use for diagnostic purposes in hospitals worldwide. Borate (pH 8.0) and Tris buffer (pH 9.5) yielded the highest retrieved antigen immunoreactivity against most antibodies as compared to other buffers tested. In addition, the microwave pressure-cooking gave better results than microwave-heating alone. Therefore, borate (pH 8.0) or Tris (pH 9.5) buffer used in conjunction with the pressure-cooking procedure is strongly recommended for standard routine use.     

Characterization of a novel amylolytic enzyme encoded by a gene from a soil-derived metagenomic library

It has been estimated that less than 1% of the microorganisms in nature can be cultivated by conventional techniques. Thus, the classical approach of isolating enzymes from pure cultures allows the analysis of only a subset of the total naturally occurring microbiota in environmental samples enriched in microorganisms. To isolate useful microbial enzymes from uncultured soil microorganisms, a metagenome was isolated from soil samples, and a metagenomic library was constructed by using the pUC19 vector. The library was screened for amylase activity, and one clone from among approximately 30,000 recombinant Escherichia coli clones showed amylase activity. Sequencing of the clone revealed a novel amylolytic enzyme expressed from a novel gene. The putative amylase gene (amyM) was overexpressed and purified for characterization. Optimal conditions for the enzyme activity of the AmyM protein were 42 degrees C and pH 9.0; Ca2+ stabilized the activity. The amylase hydrolyzed soluble starch and cyclodextrins to produce high levels of maltose and hydrolyzed pullulan to panose. The enzyme showed a high transglycosylation activity, making alpha-(1, 4) linkages exclusively. The hydrolysis and transglycosylation properties of AmyM suggest that it has novel characteristics and can be regarded as an intermediate type of maltogenic amylase, alpha-amylase, and 4-alpha-glucanotransferase.     

Interaction between glucose-regulated destruction domain of DNA topoisomerase IIalpha and MPN domain of Jab1/CSN5

DNA topoisomerase (topo) IIalpha, an essential enzyme for cell proliferation, is targeted to a proteasome-dependent degradation pathway when human tumor cells are glucose-starved. Here we show that the topo IIalpha destabilization depends on the newly identified domain, GRDD (glucose-regulated destruction domain), which was mapped to the N-terminal 70-170 amino acid sequence. Indeed, the deletion of GRDD conferred a stable feature on topo IIalpha, whereas the fusion of GRDD rendered green fluorescent protein unstable under glucose starvation conditions. Nuclear localization was a prerequisite for GRDD function, because the inhibition of nuclear translocation resulted in the suppression of GRDD-mediated topo IIalpha degradation. Further, GRDD was identified as an interactive domain for Jab1/CSN5, which promoted the degradation of topo IIalpha in a manner dependent on the MPN (Mpr1p/Prd1p N terminus) domain. Depleting Jab1/CSN5 by antisense oligonucleotide and treating cells with the CSN-associated kinase inhibitor, curcumin, inhibited topo IIalpha degradation induced by glucose starvation. These findings demonstrate that GRDD can act as a stress-activated degron for regulating topo IIalpha stability, possibly through interaction with the MPN domain of Jab1/CSN5.     

转染人乳头瘤病毒16型E6E7重组基因及感染模型细胞建立

人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)是性传播疾病的主要病原之一,高危型人乳头瘤病毒感染和宫颈癌的关系已被肯定[1],在约50%~90%的宫颈癌组织中可检出HPV16 DNA。为了解与HPV相关疾病的的分子生物学致病基础,尚待深入研究其生物特性和病理特征,方能逐步解决临床简便易行的试验诊断方法和抗HPV感染的治疗问题。目前已经证实HPV16 E6/E7基因是转化基因,它们编码的蛋白可分别使抑癌蛋白P53和PRb失活,在宫颈癌的发生中起着重要作用[2],被认为是宫颈癌的始动因子。本文选择HPV16 E6E7作为研究对象,利用基因重组技术构建EGFP-…     

大豆蚜细胞色素氧化酶Ⅱ基因的克隆及其在捕食性天敌昆虫鉴定中的应用

利用通用引物,对大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsumura的细胞色素氧化酶Ⅱ（COⅡ）基因序列进行克隆和测序。测得的序列长度为810 bp,并与已在GenBank上登录的其他蚜虫COⅡ基因序列进行比较分析,验证其同源性,同时将该序列在GenBank进行了登记 (登录号为DQ265743)。根据此片段的碱基序列设计了1对大豆蚜特异引物,其扩增片段约为270 bp;种特异性检验结果表明,该引物只对大豆蚜具有扩增能力,对其他相关蚜虫种类不具有扩增效果;并用此引物对大豆蚜捕食性天敌进行定性检测,结果表明,在取食过大豆蚜的异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis、龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica、大草蛉Chrysopa septempunctata幼虫以及小花蝽Orius similes 成虫和幼虫等捕食性昆虫的中肠中均能检测到大豆蚜的DNA片段; 而在未取食蚜虫的上述天敌中却未能扩增出来。     

Membrane fusion induced by neuronal SNAREs transits through hemifusion

Synaptic transmission requires the controlled release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles by membrane fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane. SNAREs are the core constituents of the protein machinery responsible for synaptic membrane fusion. The mechanism by which SNAREs drive membrane fusion is thought to involve a hemifusion intermediate, a condition in which the outer leaflets of two bilayers are combined and the inner leaflets remain intact; however, hemifusion has been observed only as an end point rather than as an intermediate. Here, we examined the kinetics of membrane fusion of liposomes mediated by recombinant neuronal SNAREs using fluorescence assays that monitor both total lipid mixing and inner leaflet mixing. Our results demonstrate that hemifusion is dominant at the early stage of the fusion reaction. Over time, hemifusion transitioned to complete fusion, showing that hemifusion is a true intermediate. We also show that hemifusion intermediates can be trapped, likely as unproductive outcomes, by modulating the surface concentration of the SNARE proteins.     

Alternatively spliced human genes by exon skipping--a database (ASHESdb)

Alternative splicing of mRNA allows many gene products with different functions to be produced from a single coding sequence. Exon skipping is the most commonly known alternative splicing mechanism. A comprehensive database of alternative splicing by exon skipping is made available for the human genome data. 1,229 human genes are identified to exhibit alternative splicing by exon skipping. Availability: http://sege.ntu.edu.sg/wester/ashes/.     

黄鳝一种新的生殖腺发育状况报道

早在六十年前,刘建康就报道过黄鳝存在着自然性逆转现象[1]。在随后的几十年里,众多的学者对于黄鳝性逆转开展了较为广泛的研究[2—8]。目前一般认为黄鳝属于雌性先熟的雌雄同体鱼类,其性别发育为单方向进行,雌性发育阶段→间性发育阶段→雄性发育阶段。黄鳝雌性成熟发育第一次性周期内黄鳝个体全部表现为雌性发育,性成熟产卵后,卵巢内卵细胞败育,卵巢结构逐渐退化,与此同时雌性生殖细胞开始发育,通过雌雄间性发育过渡到雄性发育[2、3、7]。在这一发育程序中尚未有黄鳝同一个体生殖腺中精、卵巢结构均为成熟发育的报道。作者在对于黄鳝生殖…     

Structural chemoproteomics and drug discovery

Our laboratories have developed several technologies to accelerate drug discovery process on the basis of structural chemoproteomics. They include SPS technology for the efficient determination of protein structures, SCP technology for the rapid lead generation and SDF technology for the productive lead optimization. Using these technologies, we could determine many 3D structures of target proteins bound with biologically active chemicals including the structure of phosphodiesterase 5/Viagra complex and obtain highly potent compounds in animal models of obesity, diabetes, cancer and inflammation. In this paper, we will discuss concepts and applications of structural chemoproteomics for drug discovery.