Analysis of detergent-resistant membranes associated with apical and basolateral GPI-anchored proteins in polarized epithelial cells

Detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) represent specialized membrane domains resistant to detergent extraction, which may serve to segregate proteins in a specific environment in order to improve their function. Segregation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) in DRMs has been shown to be involved in their sorting to the apical membrane in polarized epithelial cells. Nonetheless, we have shown that both apical and basolateral GPI-APs associate with DRMs. In this report we investigated the lipid composition of DRMs associated with an apical and a basolateral GPI-AP. We found that apical and basolateral DRMs contain the same lipid species although in different ratios. This specific lipid ratio is maintained after mixing the cells before lysis indicating that DRMs maintain their identity after Triton extraction.     

A novel twist on molecular interactions between thioredoxin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐dependent thioredoxin reductase

The ubiquitous disulfide reductase thioredoxin (Trx) regulates several important biological processes such as seed germination in plants. Oxidized cytosolic Trx is regenerated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)‐dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR) in a multistep transfer of reducing equivalents from NADPH to Trx via a tightly NTR‐bound flavin. Here, interactions between NTR and Trx are predicted by molecular modelling of the barley NTR:Trx complex (HvNTR2:HvTrxh2) and probed by site directed mutagenesis. Enzyme kinetics analysis reveals mutants in a loop of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)‐binding domain of HvNTR2 to strongly affect the interaction with Trx. In particular, Trp42 and Met43 play key roles for recognition of the endogenous HvTrxh2. Trx from Arabidopsis thaliana is also efficiently recycled by HvNTR2 but turnover in this case appears to be less dependent on these two residues, suggesting a distinct mode for NTR:Trx recognition. Comparison between the HvNTR2:HvTrxh2 model and the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli NTR:Trx complex reveals major differences in interactions involving the FAD‐ and NADPH‐binding domains as supported by our experiments. Overall, the findings suggest that NTR:Trx interactions in different biological systems are fine‐tuned by multiple intermolecular contacts. Proteins 2014; 82:607–619. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

RNA binding is more critical to the suppression of silencing function of Cucumber mosaic virus 2b protein than nuclear localization

Previously, we found that silencing suppression by the 2b protein and six mutants correlated both with their ability to bind to double-stranded (ds) small RNAs (sRNAs) in vitro and with their nuclear/nucleolar localization. To further discern the contribution to suppression activity of sRNA binding and of nuclear localization, we have characterized the kinetics of in vitro binding to a ds sRNA, a single-stranded (ss) sRNA, and a micro RNA (miRNA) of the native 2b protein and eight mutant variants. We have also added a nuclear export signal (NES) to the 2b protein and assessed how it affected subcellular distribution and suppressor activity. We found that in solution native protein bound ds siRNA, miRNA, and ss sRNA with high affinity, at protein:RNA molar ratios ~2:1. Of the four mutants that retained suppressor activity, three showed sRNA binding profiles similar to those of the native protein, whereas the remaining one bound ss sRNA at a 2:1 molar ratio, but both ds sRNAs with 1.5-2 times slightly lower affinity. Three of the four mutants lacking suppressor activity failed to bind to any sRNA, whereas the remaining one bound them at far higher ratios. NES-tagged 2b protein became cytoplasmic, but suppression activity in patch assays remained unaffected. These results support binding to sRNAs at molar ratios at or near 2:1 as critical to the suppressor activity of the 2b protein. They also show that cytoplasmically localized 2b protein retained suppressor activity, and that a sustained nuclear localization was not required for this function.     

Cofactor‐binding sites in proteins of deviating sequence: Comparative analysis and clustering in torsion angle,cavity, and fold space

Small molecules are recognized in protein‐binding pockets through surface‐exposed physicochemical properties. To optimize binding, they have to adopt a conformation corresponding to a local energy minimum within the formed protein–ligand complex. However, their conformational flexibility makes them competent to bind not only to homologous proteins of the same family but also to proteins of remote similarity with respect to the shape of the binding pockets and folding pattern. Considering drug action, such observations can give rise tounexpected and undesired cross reactivity. In this study, datasets of six different cofactors (ADP, ATP, NAD(P)(H), FAD, and acetyl CoA, sharing an adenosine diphosphate moiety as common substructure), observed in multiple crystal structures of protein–cofactor complexes exhibiting sequence identity below 25%, have been analyzed for the conformational properties of the bound ligands, the distribution of physicochemical properties in the accommodating protein‐binding pockets, and the local folding patterns next to the cofactor‐binding site. State‐of‐the‐art clustering techniques have been applied to group the different protein–cofactor complexes in the different spaces. Interestingly, clustering in cavity (Cavbase) and fold space (DALI) reveals virtually the same data structuring. Remarkable relationships can be found among the different spaces. They provide information on how conformations are conserved across the host proteins and which distinct local cavity and fold motifs recognize the different portions of the cofactors. In those cases, where different cofactors are found to be accommodated in a similar fashion to the same fold motifs, only a commonly shared substructure of the cofactors is used for the recognition process. Proteins 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

采前壳寡糖处理对杏果实黑斑病的抗性诱导

以新疆赛买提杏为试验材料,分别在果实坐果期、膨大期、转色期及采收前48h,采用分子量为5 000、浓度为0.05%的壳寡糖(GOS)溶液对杏果实进行喷施处理,以喷施清水为对照(CK);采收后的杏果实在机械损伤接种链格孢菌后置于4℃、相对湿度90%~95%的条件下贮藏,定期统计接种链格孢菌杏果实的病斑直径和发病率,测定抗病相关酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶(GLU)和几丁质酶(CHT)的活性及木质素、富含羟脯氨酸糖蛋白(HRGP)的含量,探讨采前壳寡糖处理对杏果实黑斑病的抗性诱导及其生理机制。结果显示,贮藏结束时,采前壳寡糖处理的果实发病率与病斑直径分别比对照显著降低了16.37%和17.57%。随着贮藏期间的延长,壳寡糖处理杏果实PAL、GLU、CHT的活性和木质素、HRGP的含量均表现出先上升后下降的变化趋势,且始终显著高于同期对照,并分别在接种后第21、28、21、28和14天达到峰值,峰值比同期对照分别显著提高12.17%、78.22%、31.41%、34.81%和77.44%。研究表明,采前壳寡糖处理能通过诱导提高杏果实病程相关蛋白及细胞壁HRGP和木质素的含量来增强杏果实对黑斑病的抗性。     

In silico and bio assay of juvenile hormone analogs as an insect growth regulator against Galleria mellonella (wax moth) – Part I

Juvenile hormone (JH) analogs are nowadays in use to control harmful pests. In order to develop new bioactive molecules as potential pesticides, we have incorporated different active structural features like sulfonamide, aromatic rings, amide group, and amino acid moiety to the base structure. We have screened a series of designed novel JH analogs against JH receptor protein (jhbpGm-2RCK) of Galleria mellonella in comparison to commercial insect growth regulators (IGRs) – Pyriproxyfen (T₁) and Fenoxycarb (T₂). All analogs exhibit the binding energy profile comparable to commercial IGRs. Based upon these results, a series of sulfonamide-based JHAs (T₃–T₈) as IGRs have been synthesized and characterized. Further, the efficacy of synthesized analogs (T₃–T₈) and commercial IGRs (Pyriproxyfen and Fenoxycarb) has been assessed against fourth instars larvae of G. mellonella under the laboratory conditions. LC₅₀ values of all the analogs (T₁–T₈) against the fourth instars larvae were 9.99, 10.12, 24.76, 30.73, 38.45, 34.15, 34.14, 19.48 ppm and the LC₉₀ 153.27, 131.69, 112.15, 191.46, 427.02, 167.13, 217.10, 172.00 ppm, respectively. Among these analogs, N-(1-isopropyl-2-oxo-3-aza-3-N-ethyl-pentanyl)-p-toluene sulfonamide (T₈) and N-(1-isopropyl-2-oxo-3-aza-3-N-ethyl-pentanyl) benzene sulfonamide (T₇) exhibited the good pest larval mortality at different exposure periods (in hours) and different concentrations (in ppm) in comparison to in use IGRs- T₁ and T₂. Bio assay results are supported by docking at higher concentration. The present investigation clearly exhibits that analog T₈ could serve as a potential IGR in comparison to in use IGRs (T₁ and T₂). The results are promising and provide new array of synthetic chemicals that may be utilized as IGRs.     

尿蛋白膜保存法与直接冻存法的成本效益分析

为了比较尿液蛋白PVDF膜富集保存法(尿膜)和尿液直接冻存法两种方法的优缺点。通过比较两种方法在时间、所占空间、费用、蛋白降解程度及大样本临床实践性方面的区别。发现在所占空间、电费方面及临床实践性方面尿膜保存法优于直接冻存法,而在时间及耗材花费方面直接冻存法优于尿膜保存法。因此尿蛋白的尿膜保存法比直接冻存法有更强的实际应用价值。     

含蛋白转导域的SARA/SBD融合蛋白对腹膜透析大鼠

目的：探讨含蛋白转导域的SARA融合蛋白（PTD-SAR／SBD）对腹膜透析大鼠腹膜纤维化的抑制作用。方法：每日腹腔注射4．25％葡萄糖腹膜透析液（PDF）制备腹膜透析大鼠模型。28只Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分为正常对照组（n=8）;腹膜透析模型组（n=10）;PTD-SARA／SBD蛋白干预组（n=10）。4周后行腹膜平衡试验,检测超滤量、葡萄糖吸收率;留取壁层腹膜组织行HE染色;免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠壁层腹膜间皮细胞转分化指标E-cadherin和Twist的表达;Westemblotting测定E-cadherin、twist,以及CollagenⅠ、TGF-β1、P-Smad3、t-Smad3的表达。结果：①与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠壁层腹膜增厚,糖转运率增加,超滤量降低（P〈0．01）;免疫组织化学与westernblotting检测结果显示E-cadherin表达下调,Twist表达上调;CollagenⅠ、P-Smad3、TGF-β1表达增加。②与模型组比较,PTD-SARA／SBD蛋白干预组大鼠壁层腹膜糖转运率降低,超滤量增加（P〈0．05）;E-cadherin表达上调,Twist表达下调;CollagenⅠ、TGF-β1、P-Smad3表达减少,各组t-Smad3无明显变化。结论：PTD-SARA／SBD融合蛋白通过抑制TGF-WSmads信号通路部分逆转腹膜间皮细胞转分化从而改善腹膜结构和功能,为防治腹膜透析所致腹膜纤维化奠定基础。     

胸膜肺炎放线杆菌RTX毒素与宿主的相互作用

摘要：胸膜肺炎放线杆菌引起猪传染性胸膜肺炎,给养猪业造成严重的经济损失。RTX毒素是胸膜肺炎放线杆菌主要的毒力因子,在该病原的感染与免疫中发挥“双刃剑”的作用。本文综述了近十多年来国内外在胸膜肺炎放线杆菌RTX毒素的研究进展,提出了毒素与宿主互作研究的必要性和技术可行性,认为毒素与宿主相互作用研究将诠释此病原的分子致病机理。