On the functional role of Arg172 in substrate binding and allosteric transition in Escherichia coli glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase

Glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase from Escherichia coli (EC 3.5.99.6) is an allosteric enzyme, activated by N-acetylglucosamine 6-phosphate, which converts glucosamine-6-phosphate into fructose 6-phosphate and ammonia. X-ray crystallographic structural models have showed that Arg172 and Lys208, together with the segment 41-44 of the main chain backbone, are involved in binding the substrate phospho group when the enzyme is in the R activated state. A set of mutants of the enzyme involving the targeted residues were constructed to analyze the role of Arg172 and Lys208 in deaminase allosteric function. The mutant enzymes were characterized by kinetic, chemical, and spectrometric methods, revealing conspicuous changes in their allosteric properties. The study of these mutants indicated that Arg172 which is located in the highly flexible motif 158-187 forming the active site lid has a specific role in binding the substrate to the enzyme in the T state. The possible role of this interaction in the conformational coupling of the active and the allosteric sites is discussed.     

Advances in the Plant Isoprenoid Biosynthesis Pathway and Its Metabolic Engineering

Although the cytosolic isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, mavolonate pathway, in plants has been known for many years, a new plastidial 1-deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) pathway was identified in the past few years and its related intermediates, enzymes, and genes have been characterized quite recently.With a deep insight into the biosynthetic pathway of isoprenoids, investigations into the metabolic engineering of isoprenoid biosynthesis have started to prosper. In the present article, recent advances in the discoveries and regulatory roles of new genes and enzymes in the plastidial isoprenoid biosynthesis path way are reviewed and examples of the metabolic engineering of cytosolic and plastidial isoprenoids biosnthesis are discussed.     

代谢组学在临床研究中的应用及进展

代谢组学是"后基因组学"时期新兴的一门学科,也是系统生物学的重要组成部分。代谢组学通过全面、定量检测生物样本中多种类型小分子化合物,来了解在内在和外界因素作用下生物体内源性物质的变化及规律,特别适合于临床上研究机体因受到遗传、生长、生理、环境因素和异物、病源等刺激的影响而产生的变化。借助于代谢组学技术不仅能够描述疾病发生、发展以及治疗过程中机体代谢机能的状态和变化,为临床疾病的诊断、病理机制的探索、新治疗靶点的发现等提供新的途径和思路,还可以揭示外界干扰因素(药物/毒物、环境、饮食、生活方式等)对机体的影响,为药效评价和疾病病因的筛查提供基础数据。近年来,代谢组学在临床研究方面得到了广泛的应用,取得了巨大的进展并展现了鼓舞人心的应用前景。该文分别就代谢组学在描述疾病发展状态、研究疾病诊断方法、探索疾病发病原因和发病机理、药效学评价等几个方面的应用及进展进行回顾和综述。     

脂质组学研究进展

综述了脂质组学的研究现状和发展趋势.脂质组学是对生物体、组织或细胞中的脂质以及与其相互作用的分子进行系统分析的一门新兴学科.脂质具有多种重要的生物功能,脂质代谢异常可引发诸多人类疾病,包括糖尿病、肥胖症、癌症以及神经退行性疾病等.目前,脂质组学研究已成为一个前景广阔的热门领域,并广泛地应用到包括药物研发、分子生理学、分子病理学、功能基因组学、营养学以及环境与健康等重要领域.     

体重和温度对褐牙鲆标准代谢的影响

研究表明,褐牙鲆标准代谢率随体重的增加而增加,二者呈幂函数关系;褐牙鲆标准代谢率随温度的升高而增加,二者为指数关系;褐牙鲆标准代谢率与体重和温度的关系用Rs=0.2340W^0.6695e^0.0372T表示。体重和温度对褐牙鲆的标准代谢率没有显著的交互作用。     

Photosynthetic carbon assimilation and associated metabolism in relation to water deficits in higher plants

Experimental studies on CO2 assimilation of mesophytic C3 plants in relation to relative water content (RWC) are discussed. Decreasing RWC slows the actual rate of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (A) and decreases the potential rate (Apot). Generally, as RWC falls from c. 100 to c. 75%, the stomatal conductance (gs) decreases, and with it A. However, there are two general types of relation of Apot to RWC, which are called Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 has two main phases. As RWC decreases from 100 to c. 75%, Apot is unaffected, but decreasing stomatal conductance (gs) results in smaller A, and lower CO2 concentration inside the leaf (Ci) and in the chloroplast (Cc), the latter falling possibly to the compensation point. Down-regulation of electron transport occurs by energy quenching mechanisms, and changes in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism are considered acclimatory, caused by low Ci and reversible by elevated CO2. Below 75% RWC, there is metabolic inhibition of Apot, inhibition of A then being partly (but progressively less) reversible by elevated CO2; gs regulates A progressively less, and Ci and CO2 compensation point, Gamma rise. It is suggested that this is the true stress phase, where the decrease in Apot is caused by decreased ATP synthesis and a consequent decreased synthesis of RuBP. In the Type 2 response, Apot decreases progressively at RWC 100 to 75%, with A being progressively less restored to the unstressed value by elevated CO2. Decreased gs leads to a lower Ci and Cc but they probably do not reach compensation point: gs becomes progressively less important and metabolic limitations more important as RWC falls. The primary effect of low RWC on Apot is most probably caused by limited RuBP synthesis, as a result of decreased ATP synthesis, either through inhibition of Coupling Factor activity or amount due to increased ion concentration. Carbohydrate synthesis and accumulation decrease. Type 2 response is considered equivalent to Type 1 at RWC below c. 75%, with Apot inhibited by limited ATP and RuBP synthesis, respiratory metabolism dominates and Ci and Gamma rise. The importance of inhibited ATP synthesis as a primary cause of decreasing Apot is discussed. Factors determining the Type 1 and Type 2 responses are unknown. Electron transport is maintained (but down-regulated) in Types 1 and 2 over a wide range of RWC, and a large reduced/oxidized adenylate ratio results. Metabolic imbalance results in amino acid accumulation and decreased and altered protein synthesis. These conditions profoundly affect cell functions and ultimately cause cell death. Type 1 and 2 responses may reflect differences in gs and in sensitivity of metabolism to decreasing RWC.     

Cold exposure suppresses serum adiponectin levels through sympathetic nerve activation in mice

Objective: Several lines of evidence suggest important roles for adiponectin in glucose and lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin production are still not completely understood. Our aim was to determine whether adiponectin synthesis is physiologically regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Research Methods and Procedures: Mice were exposed to cold (4 °C) for 12 hours and for 24 hours with or without inhibition of noradrenaline synthesis or pan‐β adrenergic function, followed by measurement of serum adiponectin concentrations and levels of adiponectin and uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 expressions in various white adipose tissues (WATs). Results: Cold exposure significantly reduced serum adiponectin concentrations without changing body weights or WAT sizes in either subcutaneous or intra‐abdominal fat tissues. The serum adiponectin reduction was associated with a decrease in adiponectin mRNA expression in subcutaneous, epididymal, and mesenteric fat tissues. In these adipose tissues, UCP1 expression was markedly enhanced, suggesting SNS activation in these tissues. Administration of α‐methyl‐p‐tyrosine or a combination of SR59230A and propranolol reversed the cold‐exposure‐induced decreases in serum adiponectin concentrations and adiponectin mRNA expression in these tissues. In contrast, in retroperitoneal fat, the effects of cold exposure on adiponectin and UCP1 expressions were strikingly weak but were not reversed by SNS inhibitors. Discussion: SNS physiologically regulates serum adiponectin levels and adiponectin synthesis in WATs in vivo, although responsiveness to SNS stimulation differs markedly among WATs. Sympathetic activation might be involved in development of the metabolic syndrome by modulation of serum adiponectin concentrations.     

基于Petri网T不变量的PHB新陈代谢建模分析(英文)

从拓扑结构的角度分析生化反应网络是生物信息学研究中的一个热点问题。通过将两种传统的途径分析方法(基元模式和极端途径)与Petri网的T不变量分析进行了比较,结果表明:它们本质上是一致的,但是采用Petri网的T不变量分析更便捷。然后,利用Petri网技术构建了PHB代谢模型。对该模型作了结构分析,将计算得到的23个T不变量进行了分组:I组表示简单的可逆反应,II组表示循环的反应,III组可用于调控ATP/ADP比率,IV组是与PHB生产直接相关的反应,可用于代谢工程以提高PHB的产率。最后讨论了Petri网的T不变量分析在这个领域中的应用。     

Characterization of cyanobacterial β‐carotene ketolase and hydroxylase genes in Escherichia coli,and their application for astaxanthin biosynthesis

Carotenoid biosynthesis is highly conserved and well characterized up to the synthesis of β‐carotene. Conversely, the synthesis of astaxanthin from β‐carotene is less well characterized. Regardless, astaxanthin is a highly sought natural product, due to its various industrial applications and elevated antioxidant capacity. In this article, 12 β‐carotene ketolase and 4 β‐carotene hydroxylase genes, isolated from 5 cyanobacterial species, are investigated for their function, and potential for microbial astaxanthin synthesis. Further, this in vivo comparison identifies and applies the most promising genetic elements within a dual expression vector, which is maintained in Escherichia coli. Here, combined overexpression of individual β‐carotene ketolase and β‐carotene hydroxylase genes, within a β‐carotene accumulating host, enables a 23.5‐fold improvement in total carotenoid yield (1.99 mg g^?1), over the parental strain, with >90% astaxanthin. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 944–955. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.