Phage display of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2): identification of selective inhibitors of collagenase-1 (metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1))

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) is a broad spectrum inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which function in extracellular matrix catabolism. Here, phage display was used to identify variants of human TIMP-2 that are selective inhibitors of human MMP-1, a collagenase whose unregulated action is linked to cancer, arthritis, and fibrosis. Using hard randomization of residues 2, 4, 5, and 6 (L1) and soft randomization of residues 34-40 (L2) and 67-70 (L3), a library was generated containing 2 × 10(10) variants of TIMP-2. Five clones were isolated after five rounds of selection with MMP-1, using MMP-3 as a competitor. The enriched phages selectively bound MMP-1 relative to MMP-3 and contained mutations only in L1. The most selective variant (TM8) was used to generate a second library in which residues Cys(1)-Gln(9) were soft-randomized. Four additional clones, selected from this library, showed a similar affinity for MMP-1 as wild-type TIMP-2 but reduced affinity for MMP-3. Variants of the N-terminal domain of TIMP-2 (N-TIMP-2) with the sequences of the most selective clones were expressed and characterized for inhibitory activity against eight MMPs. All were effective inhibitors of MMP-1 with nanomolar K(i) values, but TM8, containing Ser(2) to Asp and Ser(4) to Ala substitutions, was the most selective having a nanomolar K(i) value for MMP-1 but no detectable inhibitory activity toward MMP-3 and MMP-14 up to 10 μM. This study suggests that phage display and selection with other MMPs may be an effective method for discovering tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase variants that discriminate between specified MMPs as targets.     

拟口蘑属一新种

本文报道产自吉林省舒兰县的拟口蘑属(Tricholomopsis)一新种:舒兰拟口蘑(T.shulanensis X.He)。文中还对作为该属模式种的赭红拟口蘑(T.rutilans)的侧囊体存在与否阐述了意见。     

共表达IL-15和CCL19的EGFRvⅢCAR-T细胞的构建和功能探究

本研究分析了共表达白细胞介素-15(interleukin-15,IL-15)和趋化因子配体19(C-C chemokine ligand 19,CCL19)的EGFRvⅢCAR-T细胞的功能特性及其体外特异性杀伤效果,旨在优化CAR-T细胞多项功能,提高靶向EGFRvⅢ的CAR-T细胞对胶质母细胞瘤(glioblastoma,GBM)的治疗效果。通过基因工程技术获得重组慢病毒质粒,转染293T细胞获得慢病毒并感染T细胞获得靶向EGFRvⅢ的第四代CAR-T细胞(EGFRvⅢ-IL-15-CCL19 CAR-T)。利用流式细胞仪、细胞计数仪、趋化小室、凋亡试剂盒等检测了第四代和第二代CAR-T细胞(EGFRvⅢCAR-T)的CAR分子表达率、增殖、趋化能力、体外特异性杀伤能力及抗凋亡能力等。结果表明,与EGFRvⅢCAR-T细胞相比,EGFRvⅢ-IL-15-CCL19 CAR-T细胞能成功分泌IL-15和CCL19,具有更强的体外增殖能力、趋化能力以及抗凋亡能力(P值均<0.05),而体外特异性杀伤能力无显著差异。因此,靶向EGFRvⅢ且同时分泌IL-15和CCL19的CAR-T细胞有望提高胶质母细胞瘤的治疗效果,为临床试验提供一定的参考依据。     

Allosteric peptides bind a caspase zymogen and mediate caspase tetramerization

The caspases are a family of cytosolic proteases with essential roles in inflammation and apoptosis. Drug discovery efforts have focused on developing molecules directed against the active sites of caspases, but this approach has proved challenging and has not yielded any approved therapeutics. Here we describe a new strategy for generating inhibitors of caspase-6, a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative disorders, by screening against its zymogen form. Using phage display to discover molecules that bind the zymogen, we report the identification of a peptide that specifically impairs the function of caspase-6 in vitro and in neuronal cells. Remarkably, the peptide binds at a tetramerization interface that is uniquely present in zymogen caspase-6, rather than binding into the active site, and acts via a new allosteric mechanism that promotes caspase tetramerization. Our data illustrate that screening against the zymogen holds promise as an approach for targeting caspases in drug discovery.     

A novel C-type lectin activates the complement cascade in the primitive oyster Crassostrea gigas

The ancient origin of the lectin pathway of the complement system can be traced back to protochordates (such as amphioxus and tunicates) by the presence of components such as ficolin, glucose-binding lectin, mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP), and C3. Evidence for a more primitive origin is offered in the present study on the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. C3 protein in C. gigas (CgC3) was found to be cleaved after stimulation with the bacteria Vibrio splendidus. In addition, we identified a novel C-type lectin (defined as CgCLec) with a complement control protein (CCP) domain, which recognized various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and bacteria. This protein was involved in the activation of the complement system by binding CgMASPL-1 to promote cleavage of CgC3. The production of cytokines and antibacterial peptides, as well as the phagocytotic ratio of haemocytes in CgCLec-CCP-, CgMASPL-1-, or CgC3-knockdown oysters, decreased significantly after V. splendidus stimulation. Moreover, this activated CgC3 participated in perforation of bacterial envelopes and inhibiting survival of the infecting bacteria. These results collectively suggest that there existed an ancient lectin pathway in molluscs, which was activated by a complement cascade to regulate the production of immune effectors, phagocytosis, and bacterial lysis.     

茴香薄翅野螟发生动态的调查

经调查研究表明:在青海省的油菜种植区,茴香薄翅野螟Evergestis extimalis Scopoli越冬幼虫从6月初开始化蛹,6月中旬化蛹率达为80%,到6月下旬化蛹率达到100%;成虫于7月上旬开始羽化,7月15～20日为成虫羽化高峰;田间卵始见期为6月下旬至7月上旬,7月中旬达到产卵高峰期;越冬幼虫平均死亡率为96.63%。     

GFP为报告基因的酵母哺乳动物细胞穿梭载体的构建及其在人血管内皮细胞中的表达

为研究酵母作为载体在口服基因治疗及免疫中的作用 ,需要一种能够在酵母中复制而在哺乳动物细胞中表达的穿梭载体 .利用通用载体质粒融合系统 (UPS)构建了一种以GFP为报告基因的新载体 ,以常规的氯化锂法对酿酒酵母进行转化 ,证明该载体能够在酵母中复制 ;以脂质体介导向人血管内皮细胞进行了转染 ,有绿色荧光 ,证明该载体能够在哺乳动物细胞中表达 .所获得的新型的穿梭载体为口服酵母在基因治疗中的应用提供了物质准备     

The XA21 binding protein XB25 is required for maintaining XA21‐mediated disease resistance

Plant genomes encode a large number of proteins that potentially function as immune receptors in the defense against pathogen invasion. As a well‐characterized receptor kinase consisting of 23 tandem leucine‐rich repeats, a transmembrane domain and a serine/threonine kinase, the rice (Oryza sativa) protein XA21 confers resistance to a broad spectrum of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) races that cause bacterial blight disease. We report here that XA21 binding protein 25 (XB25) belongs to the plant‐specific ankyrin‐repeat (PANK) family. XB25 physically interacts, in vitro, with the transmembrane domain of XA21 through its N–terminal binding to transmembrane and positively charged domain (BTMP) repeats. In addition, XB25 associates with XA21 in planta. The downregulation of Xb25 results in reduced levels of XA21 and compromised XA21‐mediated disease resistance at the adult stage. Moreover, the accumulation of XB25 is induced by Xoo infection. Taken together, these results indicate that XB25 is required for maintaining XA21‐mediated disease resistance.