Alpha-Galactosyl trisaccharide epitope: Modification of the 6-primary positions and recognition by human anti-αGal antibody

Galactose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.9, GAO) was used to convert the C-6′ OH of Galβ(1 → 4)Glcβ–OBn (5) to the corresponding hydrated aldehyde (7). Chemical modification, through dehydratative coupling and reductive amination, gave rise to a small library of Galβ(1 → 4)Glcβ–OBn analogues (9a–f, 10, 11). UDP-[6-³H]Gal studies indicated that α1,3-galactosyltransferase recognized the C-6′ modified Galβ(1 → 4)Glcβ–OBn analogues (9a–f, 10, 11). Preparative scale reactions ensued, utilizing a single enzyme UDP-Gal conversion as well as a dual enzymatic system (GalE and α1,3GalT), taking full advantage of the more economical UDP-Glc, giving rise to compounds 6, 15–22. Galα(1 → 3)Galβ(1 → 4)Glcβ–OBn trisaccharide (6) was produced on a large scale (2 g) and subjected to the same chemoenzymatic modification as stated above to produce C-6″ modified derivatives (23–30). An ELISA bioassay was performed utilizing human anti-αGal antibodies to study the binding affinity of the derivatized epitopes (6, 15–30). Modifications made at the C-6′ position did not alter the IgG antibody's ability to recognize the unnatural epitopes. Modifications made at the C-6″ position resulted in significant or complete abrogation of recognition. The results indicate that the C-6′ OH of the αGal trisaccharide epitope is not mandatory for antibody recognition. Published in 2004. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Localization of the HIV-1 gp120 Conformational Epitope Recognized by Virus-Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies 2G12

A phage peptide library was used to select peptides interacting with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2G12 which recognize a discontinuous surface epitope of HIV-1 gp120. With the published X-ray data, gp120 regions involved in the antigenic determinant were predicted. Binding with mAb 2G12 was ascribed to Thr297, Phe383, Tyr384, Arg419, Ile240, Thr415, Leu416, Pro417, Lys421, and Trp112. Though distant in the gp120 sequence, these residues are close in space and form the 2G12 epitope on the gp120 surface.     

小麦种子过氧化物酶WP1 基因的原核表达、纯化及多克隆抗体制备

WP1是小麦种子中最主要的阳离子过氧化物酶,该酶不仅参与种子的发育过程,而且影响面粉的加工品质。首先构建了WP1基因原核表达载体pET28a-WP1,并将其转化到T7 Expression大肠杆菌菌株中诱导表达。His-tag融合的WP1主要以包涵体形式存在,使用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱在变性条件下进行纯化,获得纯度大于98％的重组蛋白。重组WP1经尿素梯度透析复性溶解后免疫新西兰大白兔,最终获得WP1多克隆抗体。ELISA分析结果显示制备的WP1兔抗血清的效价大于1∶625 000;Western blotting结果证明制备的多克隆抗体对WP1具有很好的专一性。     

A 14 000-year record of paleoenvironmental change in the western basin of China's third largest lake,Lake Taihu

Effect of leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum on (i) the specific and non-specific immune responses and (ii) disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated in Oreochromis mossambicus. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Heat aggregated bovine serum albumin (HA-BSA) were used as antigens for specific and non-specific immune response studies, respectively. Antigens were administered through intraperitoneal route. Anti-SRBC antibody titres were determined by direct haemagglutination and anti-bacterial antibodies were determined by bacterial agglutination. Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay was used to determine neutrophil activity. Disease resistance was measured in terms of relative percent survival (RPS). The immunostimulatory effect of the leaf extract of O. sanctum, when administered through intraperitoneal and oral routes was obvious. Leaf extract of O. sanctum, when administered intraperitoneally, stimulated both antibody response and neutrophil activity. Dietary intake of O. sanctum also enhanced the antibody response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila. Possibility of using O. sanctum as immunostimulant in the maintenance of finfish health in intensive freshwater aquaculture is suggested.     

Cyclin D1 regulates p27 stability in B cells

p27^Kip1 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that plays a critical role in regulating G₁/S transition, and whose activity is, in part, regulated through interactions with D-type cyclins. We have generated the BD1-9 cell line, a BaF3 pro-B cells derivative in which cyclin D1 can be induced rapidly and reversibly by ponasterone A. The induction of cyclin D1 expression leads to a targeted p27^Kip1 accumulation in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. But, only the p27^Kip1 form phosphorylated on serine 10 (pSer10-p27^Kip1) accumulates in BD1-9 cells. We found that the binding of cyclin D1 and pSer10-p27^Kip1 prevents p27^Kip1 degradation by the cytoplasmic Kip1 ubiquitylation-promoting complex (KPC) proteosomic pathway. Importantly, the nuclear CDK2 activity which is crucial for G₁/S transition is not altered by p27^Kip1 increase. Using siRNA techniques, we revealed that p27^Kip1 inhibition does not affect the distribution of BD1-9 cells in the different phases of the cell cycle. Our study demonstrates that aberrant cyclin D1 expression acts as a p27^Kip1 trap in B lymphocytes but does not induce p27^Kip1 relocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and does not modulate the G₁/S transition. Since our cellular model mimics what observed in aggressive lymphomas, our data bring new insights into the understanding of their physiopathology.     

Aggregation risk prediction for antibodies and its application to biotherapeutic development

Aggregation is a common problem affecting biopharmaceutical development that can have a significant effect on the quality of the product, as well as the safety to patients, particularly because of the increased risk of immune reactions. Here, we describe a new high-throughput screening algorithm developed to classify antibody molecules based on their propensity to aggregate. The tool, constructed and validated on experimental aggregation data for over 500 antibodies, is able to discern molecules with a high aggregation propensity as defined by experimental criteria relevant to bioprocessing and manufacturing of these molecules. Furthermore, we show how this tool can be combined with other computational approaches during early drug development to select molecules with reduced risk of aggregation and optimal developability properties.     

Egg cannibalism in Helicoverpa armigera on sorghum and pigeonpea

Egg cannibalism by Helicoverpa armigeraHübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was studied in the laboratory and in the field. In laboratory experiments, first instars were exposed to increasing densities of H. armigera eggs on sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. The number of eggs eaten per larva increasedsignificantly as egg availability increased on both sorghum and pigeonpea. In small cages 21–37% of eggs were eaten on sorghum, 4–12%on pigeonpea. Plant feeding declinedsignificantly on both sorghum and pigeonpea asegg density increased. Cannibalism was greateron sorghum than on pigeonpea while plantfeeding was greater on pigeonpea than onsorghum. Only around 8% of eggs were eaten inlarger cages with sorghum. The response toincreasing egg availability in all experimentswas linear. Immunoassay with an anti-vitellinmonoclonal antibody showed that egg cannibalismoccurs on pigeonpea under field conditions.Seven percent of all larvae had egg protein intheir gut. Cannibalism may make a significantcontribution to H. armigera populationsuppression.     

人巨细胞病毒抗体检测方法的应用研究

目的确定用于筛选人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)IgG阳性血浆的ELISA试剂和用于HCMV免疫球蛋白成品检定的中和试验方法。方法比较目前国内外现有的人巨细胞病毒IgG抗体检测方法(3家ELISA试剂和3种病毒中和试验)的相关性。结果德国赛润和意大利德塞的ELISA试剂与成都蓉生微量中和试验及台湾宝血的蚀斑减少中和试验的相关性很好(r299%)。结论从成本和使用便利性考虑,建议使用意大利德赛的ELISA试剂盒用于原料血浆的筛选,使用成都蓉生的微量中和试验作为成品效价检定的方法。     

人SUMO-3基因原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

构建人SUMO-3基因的原核表达载体pET41a(+)-SUMO-3,表达重组GST-SUMO-3融合蛋白,制备人SUMO-3多克隆抗体。试验结果显示,通过PCR方法从重组质粒pEYFP-SUMO-3中克隆到的SUMO-3 N端93个氨基酸的基因序列与NCBI上提供的序列一致,重组质粒pET41a(+)-SUMO-3构建成功;重组pET41a(+)-SUMO-3在E.coli.BL21 (DE3) pLysS中表达GST-SUMO-3融合蛋白,分子量为44.0 kDa,与预期分子量一致;采用亲和层析纯化融合蛋白GST-SUMO-3并免疫家兔,获得人SUMO-3抗体;Western blot 检测显示该抗体可以特异性识别SUMO-3,ELISA检测结果成阳性,抗体效价约为1: 20000。实验结果为进一步研究人SUMO-3及SUMO第二类家族的功能提供了有用工具。     

Engineering of a broad-specificity antibody: detection of eight fluoroquinolone antibiotics simultaneously

Recombinant sarafloxacin-recognizing antibody was engineered with the use of novel fluoroquinolone (FQ) derivatives. A monoclonal FQ antibody, 6H7, was targeted to random mutagenesis to broaden the specificity of the antibody in development of a generic assay for FQ antibiotics. Engineering involved the synthesis of different small-sized FQ molecules to immobilize and detect the mutant antibodies. Selections with labeled FQs resulted in several mutant antibodies with increased affinity or wider specificity toward different FQs. The best characterized mutant antibody was capable of recognizing seven of eight targeted FQs below maximum residue limits set by the European Union. The results are promising in regard to the development of a multiresidue immunoassay for FQs based on a single antibody.