Recent advances in genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis,hyphal development,energy metabolism and pathogenicity in Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae)

The ascomycete fungus, Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae), is the most common causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease for cereal crops worldwide. F. graminearum produces ascospores (sexual spores) and conidia (asexual spores), which can serve as disease inocula of FHB. Meanwhile, Fusarium-infected grains are often contaminated with mycotoxins such as trichothecenes (TRIs), fumonisins, and zearalenones, among which TRIs are related to the pathogenicity of F. graminearum, and these toxins are hazardous to humans and livestock. In recent years, with the complete genome sequencing of F. graminearum, an increasing number of functional genes involved in the production of secondary metabolites, hyphal differentiation, sexual and asexual reproduction, virulence and pathogenicity have been identified from F. graminearum. In this review, the secondary metabolite synthesis, hyphal development and pathogenicity related genes in F. graminearum were thoroughly summarized, and the genes associated with secondary metabolites, sexual reproduction, energy metabolism, and pathogenicity were highlighted.     

RBRDetector: Improved prediction of binding residues on RNA‐binding protein structures using complementary feature‐ and template‐based strategies

Computational prediction of RNA‐binding residues is helpful in uncovering the mechanisms underlying protein‐RNA interactions. Traditional algorithms individually applied feature‐ or template‐based prediction strategy to recognize these crucial residues, which could restrict their predictive power. To improve RNA‐binding residue prediction, herein we propose the first integrative algorithm termed RBRDetector (RNA‐Binding Residue Detector) by combining these two strategies. We developed a feature‐based approach that is an ensemble learning predictor comprising multiple structure‐based classifiers, in which well‐defined evolutionary and structural features in conjunction with sequential or structural microenvironment were used as the inputs of support vector machines. Meanwhile, we constructed a template‐based predictor to recognize the putative RNA‐binding regions by structurally aligning the query protein to the RNA‐binding proteins with known structures. The final RBRDetector algorithm is an ingenious fusion of our feature‐ and template‐based approaches based on a piecewise function. By validating our predictors with diverse types of structural data, including bound and unbound structures, native and simulated structures, and protein structures binding to different RNA functional groups, we consistently demonstrated that RBRDetector not only had clear advantages over its component methods, but also significantly outperformed the current state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. Nevertheless, the major limitation of our algorithm is that it performed relatively well on DNA‐binding proteins and thus incorrectly predicted the DNA‐binding regions as RNA‐binding interfaces. Finally, we implemented the RBRDetector algorithm as a user‐friendly web server, which is freely accessible at http://ibi.hzau.edu.cn/rbrdetector . Proteins 2014; 82:2455–2471. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

角蛋白酶基因gm2886在密旋链霉菌ACT12中的表达及鉴定

通过生物信息学分析,在本实验室分离得到的1株羽毛高效降解菌微白黄链霉菌Fea-10基因组中发现基因gm2886(GenBank Accession Number:KY368946)可能编码一新的角蛋白酶,通过在该基因5'端和3'端分别连接红霉素抗性基因启动子(PermE)和组氨酸标签编码序列并构建在大肠杆菌-链霉菌穿梭质粒pSET152上,接合转入密旋链霉菌Streptomyces pactum ACT12,从而实现了异源表达,蛋白纯化后对其酶学性质进行了研究。实验结果表明,带有组氨酸标签编码序列的gm2886在密旋链霉菌ACT12中可以表达分泌得到1个大小约为36 kDa的蛋白。多种底物检测表明异源表达得到的重组蛋白GM2886-His6具有蛋白酶活性,可以降解水不溶性的天青角蛋白和羽毛粉;其最适温度和pH分别为50℃和pH 10.0。PMSF可抑制GM2886-His6的酶活,而EDTA不能,说明该酶为丝氨酸蛋白酶。本研究为从分子水平上解析羽毛高效降解菌Fea-10的活性机理,从而进一步开发其应用潜力提供了基础,同时可为该类蛋白酶的研究提供借鉴。     

High frequency of plant regeneration from hypocotyl explants of Brassica carinata A. Br.

An efficient tissue culture system for high frequency of plant regeneration from hypocotyl explants of Brassica carinata was developed via manipulation of culture medium and selection of explants. Explants grown on medium containing combinations of 2 mg l^-1 BA and 0.01 mg l^-1 NAA or 4 mg l^-1 kinetin and 0.01 mg l^-1 2,4-D regenerated shoots at 100% frequency. High frequency shoot regeneration occurred only from explants originating from 6 to 7-day-old but not younger or older seedlings. Explants showed higher regeneration capacity at the distal end than the proximal end, and the upper segment was more regenerative than the lower segment of hypocotyl. Regenerants were rooted on half-strength growth regulator-free medium, acclimatized and developed into normal, fertile plants.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2-4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog     

离子转运蛋白调控钝齿棒杆菌离子和pH稳态促进L-精氨酸合成

L-精氨酸是一种半必需氨基酸,广泛应用于食品、制药、饲料等行业。【目的】当前对L-精氨酸生产菌株的研究,极少涉及离子转运领域。在本研究中,发现在发酵时适量添加外源K~+有利于促进钝齿棒杆菌(Corynebacterium crenatum) SYPA5-5合成L-精氨酸。【方法】在C. crenatum SYPA5-5发酵培养基外源添加0.5 g/L和2.5 g/L的K_3PO_4,取对数期发酵样品进行转录组数据分析,挖掘出K~+转运相关的阳离子转运ATP酶CTAP1以及单价阳离子/H~+逆转运蛋白Mrp1A,研究其在C. crenatum SYPA5-5快速合成L-精氨酸阶段,对菌株生长及L-精氨酸合成的影响。【结果】对基因ctap1和mrp1分别进行敲除和过表达,深入研究突变株对L-精氨酸合成的影响。研究发现同时过表达离子转运蛋白CTAP1和Mrp1A更有利于胞内离子、pH稳态和渗透压调节,最终提高L-精氨酸的产量。在补料分批发酵中分别过表达Mrp1A、CTAP1以及同时过表达Mrp1A和CTAP1的菌株L-精氨酸产量分别达到61.4 g/L、63.9 g/L和65.3 g/L,产率分别为0.383 g/g、0.392 g/g和0.395 g/g,比C. crenatum SYPA5-5分别提高了34.9%、38.0%和39.1%。【结论】CTAP1是特异性的K~+转运ATP酶,可以将培养基中的K~+运输到胞内。同时Mrp1A可将胞内K~+和Na~+等单价阳离子运输到胞外,将胞外H~+运输至胞内,中和胞内L-精氨酸所导致的碱性环境,从而维持胞内pH稳定。CTAP1和Mrp1A的研究为解析离子转运机制和L-精氨酸合成之间的联系奠定了基础。     

Integrative investigation of lipidome and signal pathways in human endothelial cells under oxidative stress

Phospholipids in human endothelial cells (ECs), cell line EA.hy926, were profiled by a novel lipidomics approach, combining liquid chromatography (LC)-ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) and LC-tandem quadrupole MS. More than 200 species of phospholipids were quantified. Twenty-eight were identified as the most discriminant species in response to different levels of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). H(2)O(2) treatment induced phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) via the activation of extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), increasing the production of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). The release of arachidonic acid (AA, 20?:?4) increased from no H(2)O(2) exposure to 1 h exposure, decreased from 1 h to 2 h, and increased again from 2 h to 4 h exposure time. The particular increase seen of phosphatidylcholine (PC) species that include AA chains from 1 h to 2 h indicates that the released AA is reincorporating into PC molecules to reduce the extension of the AA cascade. The change in free AA levels seen suggests possible defense mechanisms to oxidative injury in ECs. We further verified nine species as potential biomarkers by adding inhibitor and demonstrated direct correlation to the activity of the cPLA(2)-AA pathway. The oxidative injury to cell line EA.hy926 provided a novel application for a combined lipidomics and signal transduction approach. This combined approach has enabled future investigations for possible therapeutic interventions in phospholipids and cPLA(2) activity for defense against oxidative cellular stress.     

A high-affinity anti-salbutamol monoclonal antibody: key to a robust lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay

Among the components that make up a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (ICA), antibody is the key. In this paper, salbutamol (SAL) as a model analyte was meticulously designed to prepare immunogen and coating antigen in distinctly different ways. Four hybridoma cell lines were prepared and identified. Among them, C9 had highest affinity, best dose-response behavior, lowest limit of detection, and highest specificity and was chosen to be labeled with colloidal gold as the detector reagent and applied on the conjugate pad. Goat anti-mouse antibody and SAL-BSA conjugate were sprayed on a nitrocellulose membrane as test line and control line, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the ICA strip was constructed based on a binding inhibition format. Color intensity on the test line was visually distinguishable from that of the negative sample within 5 min, with the visual detection limit of 1 ngml(-1) in phosphate-buffered saline. Cross-reactions with other β-agonists were not found (<1%). The results from ICA were in a good agreement with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The developed ICA has potential as a useful on-site screening tool for SAL in swine urine.     

Large-scale identification of proteins in human salivary proteome by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

Human saliva contains a large number of proteins and peptides (salivary proteome) that help maintain homeostasis in the oral cavity. Global analysis of human salivary proteome is important for understanding oral health and disease pathogenesis. In this study, large-scale identification of salivary proteins was demonstrated by using shotgun proteomics and two-dimensinal gel electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (2-DE-MS). For the shotgun approach, whole saliva proteins were prefractionated according to molecular weight. The smallest fraction, presumably containing salivary peptides, was directly separated by capillary liquid chromatography (LC). However, the large protein fractions were digested into peptides for subsequent LC separation. Separated peptides were analyzed by on-line electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using a quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer, and the obtained spectra were automatically processed to search human protein sequence database for protein identification. Additionally, 2-DE was used to map out the proteins in whole saliva. Protein spots 105 in number were excised and in-gel digested; and the resulting peptide fragments were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry and sequenced by LC-MS/MS for protein identification. In total, we cataloged 309 proteins from human whole saliva by using these two proteomic approaches.