人轮状病毒NSP4蛋白的表达及其致小鼠腹泻作用的初步研究

研究人轮状病毒非结构蛋白NSP4在轮状病毒致病性中的作用。分离得到我国人轮状病毒97SZ8株,以谷胱甘肽S-转移酶融合蛋白的形式在大肠杆菌BL-21中表达NSN蛋白C端86-175氨基酸并用G1utathione SepharoseTM 4B亲和纯化。将纯化蛋白分别以0．4nmol和1．5nmol的剂量腹腔注射新生Balb／C乳鼠,记录腹泻发生和体重变化情况。当注射0．4nmol GST-NSP4重组蛋白时,有1只小鼠发生-过性腹泻(1／6),给予1．5nmol重组蛋白时,实验组所有乳鼠都先后出现了腹泻,存在一定的剂量依赖性。本研究初步在新生小鼠建立了一种人轮状病毒腹泻动物模型,该模型有望在人轮状病毒的致腹泻机理、治疗和预防研究中发挥重要作用。     

Nectin-3 expression is elevated in limbal epithelial side population cells with strongly expressed stem cell markers

Corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs) are essential for maintaining the ocular surface. However, the lack of surface markers for CESCs remains a serious obstacle in the identification of CESCs. Previously, we showed that rabbit limbal epithelial side population (rLE-SP) cells exhibited stem cell phenotypes including increased expression of CD61, a marker for mouse hematopoietic stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that nectin-3, an immunoglobulin-like cell-cell adhesion molecule, is highly expressed in rLE-SP cells. Additionally, nectin-3⁺ cells were significantly enriched among CD61⁺rLE-SP cells as compared to CD61⁻rLE-SP cells. In mouse bone marrow side population cells, a correlation between expression of nectin-3 and CD61 was also observed. These data strongly suggest that nectin-3 may contribute to the identification of CESCs.     

On the Mechanism of Intracellular Membrane Fusion: In Search of the Genuine Fusion Factor

Intracellular membrane fusion events require a general protein machinery that functions in vesicular traffic and in assembly and maintenance of organelles. An array of cytosolic and integral membrane proteins are currently identified, and in conjunction with ongoing detailed structural studies, rapid progress is made in understanding basic features of the overall mechanism of the fusion machinery, but above all a proper appreciation of its enormous complexity. Thus a highly sophisticated level of regulation of the different steps involved in tethering, docking and merging itself is apparent. Apart from the relevance of protein–protein interactions, also a role of distinct lipids is gradually emerging, particularly in fusion. However, although various suggestions have been made recently, largely based upon in vitro studies, the identity of the actual fusion factor(s) remains to be determined.     

Multi-stage structure-based virtual screening approach towards identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase inhibitors

On account of its crucial role in the virus life cycle, SARS-COV-2 NSP13 helicase enzyme was exploited as a promising target to identify a novel potential inhibitor using multi-stage structure-based drug discovery approaches. Firstly, a 3D pharmacophore was generated based on the collected data from a protein-ligand interaction fingerprint (PLIF) study using key interactions between co-crystallised fragments and the NSP13 helicase active site. The ZINC database was screened through the generated 3D-pharmacophore retrieving 13 potential hits. All the retrieved hits exceeded the benchmark score of the co-crystallised fragments at the molecular docking step and the best five-hit compounds were selected for further analysis. Finally, a combination between molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA based binding free energy calculations was conducted on the best hit (compound FWM-1) bound to NSP13 helicase enzyme, which identified FWM-1 as a potential potent NSP13 helicase inhibitor with binding free energy equals −328.6 ± 9.2 kcal/mol.     

Assessing the impact of shellfish harvesting area closures on neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) incidence during red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms

Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) is caused by the consumption of molluscan shellfish meat contaminated with brevetoxins produced by the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis (K. brevis). During a prolonged and intermittent K. brevis bloom starting in 2005 lasting through early 2007 in the Gulf of Mexico off southwest Florida coast, there were 24 confirmed cases of NSP linked to the consumption of clams recreationally harvested in, or in close proximity to, regulated shellfish harvesting areas; these shellfish beds had already been officially closed to harvesting due to the presence of the K. brevis bloom. The majority of NSP cases (78%) were in “visitors,” either non-Florida residents or Florida residents living outside the county of harvest. The number of confirmed NSP cases was likely an underestimate of the actual number of cases.Current management strategy appears to be effective in limiting the number of NSP cases associated with shellfish harvested commercially during red tide events. In contrast, public notification that shellfish beds are closed to harvest, due to red tides or pathogens, is not reaching all recreational shellfish harvesters and consumers, particularly visitors from outside the county or state. The constantly changing closure status of shellfish harvesting areas in combination with overlooked notifications may lead to an apparent disregard of harvesting restrictions. It is important, therefore, to provide the general public, including visitors and those with language barriers, with improved access to up-to-date information concerning the daily openings and closings of shellfish harvesting areas. Furthermore, the risks of consuming potentially toxic shellfish should be disseminated more broadly.     

The microRNA miR171h modulates arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of Medicago truncatula by targeting NSP2

Most land plants live symbiotically with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Establishment of this symbiosis requires signals produced by both partners: strigolactones in root exudates stimulate pre‐symbiotic growth of the fungus, which releases lipochito‐oligosaccharides (Myc‐LCOs) that prepare the plant for symbiosis. Here, we have investigated the events downstream of this early signaling in the roots. We report that expression of miR171h, a microRNA that targets NSP2, is up‐regulated in the elongation zone of the root during colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis (formerly Glomus intraradices) and in response to Myc‐LCOs. Fungal colonization was much reduced by over‐expressing miR171h in roots, mimicking the phenotype of nsp2 mutants. Conversely, in plants expressing an NSP2 mRNA resistant to miR171h cleavage, fungal colonization was much increased and extended into the elongation zone of the roots. Finally, phylogenetic analyses revealed that miR171h regulation of NSP2 is probably conserved among mycotrophic plants. Our findings suggest a regulatory mechanism, triggered by Myc‐LCOs, that prevents over‐colonization of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by a mechanism involving miRNA‐mediated negative regulation of NSP2.     

A组人轮状病毒NSP2基因的克隆、表达及免疫学性质研究

轮状病毒非结构蛋白NSP2在病毒基因组复制过程中起重要作用。在原核系统中重组表达了来自中国的第一株全基因组被克隆和研究了的轮状病毒NSP2,并进一步对其免疫学性质进行了研究。结果显示,在大肠杆菌中能够高效表达重组NSP2蛋白,而且该蛋白能够诱发豚鼠产生特异性抗体。Western blot和免疫荧光检测表明所得抗体不仅能与该重组NSP2蛋白发生特异性反应,而且可以与轮状病毒SA11株或Wa株感染的MA104细胞中表达的NSP2发生反应。以上这些结果为进一步研究该重组NSP2蛋白的结构、功能及免疫学性质奠定了基础.     

A组轮状病毒NSP6蛋白表达及免疫学性质研究

轮状病毒(RV）NSP6与NSP5由同一基因片段编码,至今对NSP6 性质了解很少。用基因重组表达和免疫学方法,重组表达了A组人RV NSP6蛋白,进行了NSP6的动物免疫及其抗原反应性、免疫原性研究以及RV感染细胞中NSP6的合成及亚细胞分布研究。研究结果表明,NSP6可在原核系统中高效表达,表达蛋白占菌体总蛋白的34.2%;NSP6免疫豚鼠血清抗体可特异性识别菌体细胞中表达的NSP6和SA11及Wa病毒感染的MA104细胞中合成的NSP6蛋白;病毒感染细胞中合成的NSP6在感染后3h就可检测到,12h表达量达到最高;NSP6在病毒感染细胞质中呈弥散状分布,并主要积聚在细胞核的周围,未观察到毒质体样结构。研究结果对深入了解RV NSP6的结构与功能具有重要的意义,具有重要的潜在应用价值。