Structural stability and properties of three isoforms of the major light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b complexes of photosystem II

Three isoforms of the major light-harvesting chlorophyll (Chl) a/b complexs of photosystem II (LHCIIb) in the pea, namely, Lhcb1, Lhcb2, and Lhcb3, were obtained by overexpression of apoprotein in Escherichia coli and by successfully refolding these isoforms with thylakoid pigments in vitro. The sequences of the protein, pigment stoichiometries, spectroscopic characteristics, thermo- and photostabilities of different isoforms were analysed. Comparison of their spectroscopic properties and structural stabilities revealed that Lhcb3 differed strongly from Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 in both respects. It showed the lowest Qy transition energy, with its reddest absorption about 2 nm red-shifted, and the highest photostability under strong illuminations. Among the three isoforms, Lhcb 2 showed lowest thermal stability regarding energy transfer from Chl b to Chl a in the complexes, which implies that the main function of Lhcb 2 under high temperature stress is not the energy transfer.     

Prefibrillar transthyretin oligomers and cold stored native tetrameric transthyretin are cytotoxic in cell culture

Recent studies suggest that soluble, oligomeric species, which are intermediates in the fibril formation process in amyloid disease, might be the key species in amyloid pathogenesis. Soluble oligomers of human wild type transthyretin (TTR) were produced to elucidate oligomer properties. Employing ThT fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy of pyrene-labeled TTR, chemical cross-linking, and electron microscopy we demonstrated that early formed soluble oligomers (within minutes) from A-state TTR comprised on the average 20-30 TTR monomers. When administered to neuroblastoma cells these early oligomers proved highly cytotoxic and induced apoptosis after 48 h of incubation. More mature fibrils (>24 h of fibrillation) were non-toxic. Surprisingly, we also found that native tetrameric TTR, when purified and stored under cold conditions (4 °C) was highly cytotoxic. The effect could be partially restored by increasing the temperature of the protein. The cytotoxic effects of native tetrameric TTR likely stems from a hitherto unexplored low temperature induced rearrangement of the tetramer conformation that possibly is related to the conformation of misfolded TTR in amyloigogenic oligomers.     

Identification of two catalytic domains in a luciferase secreted by the copepod Gaussia princeps

Gaussia luciferase secreted by the copepod Gaussia princeps catalyzes the oxidation of coelenterazine to produce blue light. The primary structure of Gaussia luciferase deduced from the cDNA sequence shows two repeat sequences of 71 amino acid residues, suggesting the luciferase consists of two structural domains. Two domains in Gaussia luciferase were expressed independently in Escherichia coli cells, purified and characterized. We found that both domains have luminescence activity with coelenterazine, and the catalytic properties including luminescence spectrum, optimal pH, substrate specificity and luminescence stimulation by halogen ions (Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻) are identical to intact Gaussia luciferase. Thus, Gaussia luciferase has two catalytic domains for the luminescence reaction.     

Development and precise characterization of phospho-site-specific antibody of Ser(357) of IRS-1: elimination of cross reactivity with adjacent Ser(358)

Antibodies that recognize specifically phosphorylated sites on proteins are widely utilized for studying the regulation and biological function of phosphoproteins. The proposed strategy is a powerful, analytical tool allowing the generation of phospho-site specific antibodies albeit adjacent phosphorylation sites are present. Here, we demonstrate the assessment and elimination of cross reactivity of phospho-site-specific-Ser³⁵⁷ IRS-1 antibody. While determining the specificity of p-Ser³⁵⁷ antiserum we came across the cross reactivity of the antiserum with adjacent Ser³⁵⁸ which was successfully abolished by an improved immuno-purification method. The specificity of the purified antiserum was then verified by indirect ELISA, results of ELISA were also mirrored in the experiments carried out in BHK-IR cells using different mutants of IRS-1 carrying mutations at either Ser³⁵⁷/Ser³⁵⁸/Ser^357/358. Immuno-purified-p-Ser³⁵⁷ did not react with IRS-1 Ala³⁵⁷ and IRS-1 Ala^357/358. In conclusion, the present study describes generation and characterization of p-Ser³⁵⁷ IRS-1 antibody, which reacts with IRS-1 in site specific and phosphorylation state-dependent manner without showing cross reactivity to adjacent Ser³⁵⁸. This antibody can be effectively used to further clarify the inhibitory role of Ser³⁵⁷ in insulin signal transduction.     

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic investigations of selenium-containing phycocyanin from selenium-rich algae (Spirulina platensis)

The selenium-containing phycocyanin from the selenium-rich algae (Spirulina platensis) has been crystallized in two crystal forms by the hanging-drop vapor diffusion techniques. A chromatographic procedure of gel filtration and anion exchange was used for purification. Form I crystal with space group P2₁ and cell parameters a =108.0 Å , b = 117.0 Å , c = 184.0 Å , β = 90.2° and 12(αβ ) units in the asymmetric unit was obtained by using (NH₄)₂SO₄ as precipitant. These crystals diffract up to 2.8 Å . Form II crystal obtained by using PEG4000 as precipitant belongs to space group P63 with unit cell constants a = 155.0 Å , c = 40.3 Å , γ =120.0° and one(αβ ) unit in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract beyond 2.9 Å . The possible stacking forms of phycocyanin molecules in the first crystal form were discussed.     

茶条木化学成分的研究

茶条木（Delavaya yunnanensis Franch)是无患子科独属独种植物,也是亚洲特有植物,是一种很好的油料植物,有润发、治疗疥癣等作用。本文采用多 方法首次从茶条木乙醇提取物中分离得到了十余种化学成分,并运用现代谐波学技术（MS,NMR)鉴定了其中九种化合物的结构,它们分别是：Nonaconsane,Nentriacontane,Triacontano,Dotriacontanol,Tatratriacontaol,β－Sitosterol,2-O-methylinositol,(-)-Epicatechin和Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside.     

柔嫩艾美耳球虫第二代裂殖子表面抗原基因（λMZ5—7）在大肠杆菌中的表达

将重组克隆质粒（PGEM－λMZ）用EooRⅠ酶切后,电泳回收目的的片段,克隆到经EooRⅠ酶切、CIAP处理的表达载体pET－28a中,转化大肠杆菌JM109感受态细胞,得到的转子化经PCR鉴定和酶切分析,筛选出符合正确阅读框的重组子,构建成重组表达质粒（PET－λMZ）,并在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）表达菌中成功地表达了含目的蛋白的融合蛋白,融合蛋白的分子量的34KDa,加入IPIG诱导6h后,蛋白表达接近最高 水平。表达产物经Ni-NTA亲和层析柱纯化,SDS－PAGE检测为要带。经Western-blotting杂交实验,纯化出的目的蛋白能与兔抗E．tenella第二代裂殖子抗血清发生反应,说明MZP蛋白是E．tenella第二代裂殖子抗原蛋白,具有一定的免疫原性,为进一步研究重组疫苗创造了一定的条件。     

重庆缙云山针阔混交林林隙树木更替规律研究

 研究了重庆缙云山大面积分布的亚热带次生性针阔混交林林隙树木更替规律,预测了该类型林林隙演替趋势。结果表明：马尾松(Pinus massoniana)种群表现出强烈的相互更替模式,四川大头茶(Gordonia acuminata)、四川山矾(Symplocos setchuanensis)等常绿阔叶树种自我更替与相互更替两种模式共存;林隙现实树木更替过程不能维持群落现有组成;Markov转移矩阵分析表明未来林冠层组成中马尾松种群将失去优势地位,整个群落将由针阔混交林向常绿阔叶林方向演替。     

水面和水下长航对艇员肠道菌群影响的比较及意义探讨

比较研究和水下两种长期航行条件对航艇和核潜艇艇员肠道菌群的影响并对其意义进行初步探讨。结果显示两种长航条件均对人体肠道菌群产生显著影响,可打破肠道微生态平衡,但两者所致的肠道菌群构成变化的特点不同。提示不同长航条件可造成不同的微生态失调,需区别对待。