Maximum tag to body size ratios for an endangered coho salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">O. kisutch</Emphasis>) stock based on physiology and performance

Many coho salmon stocks (Oncorhynchus kisutch) have been in decline during the past three decades. Canada’s most endangered salmon stock, the Thompson River coho salmon, is being studied extensively as managers attempt to reverse these population declines. Investigators are using acoustic telemetry to track the migratory behaviour and survival of the Thompson River (and other) coho salmon stocks. Coho salmon pre-smolts are relatively small compared with salmonid species that are typically studied using acoustic telemetry; therefore the identification of the appropriate sizes of fish and tags to use is critical. This study tested the effects of surgically implanting the three smallest sizes of acoustic tags currently available on the growth, survival, tag retention, swimming performance and physical condition of coho salmon pre-smolts for 300 days post-surgery. Maximum tag size to body size ratios ranged from 15–17% by fork length and 7–8% by mass for the three tag sizes (11 cm fork length for a 6 × 19 mm tag, 12.5 cm for a 7 × 19 mm tag, and 14 cm for a 9 × 21 mm tag). Based on our results, it is unlikely that coho salmon pre-smolts implanted with acoustic transmitters following these size guidelines would have poor survival in studies of freshwater migratory behaviour as a result of the surgery or the tag.     

Site-directed chemically-modified magnetic enzymes: fabrication,improvements, biotechnological applications and future prospects

Numerous enzymes of biotechnological importance have been immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) via random multipoint attachment, resulting in a heterogeneous protein population with potential reduction in activity due to restriction of substrate access to the active site. Several chemistries are now available, where the modifier can be linked to a single specific amino acid in a protein molecule away from the active-site, thus enabling free access of the substrate. However, rarely these site-selective approaches have been applied to immobilize enzymes on nanoparticles. In this review, for the first time, we illustrate how to adapt site-directed chemical modification (SDCM) methods for immobilizing enzymes on iron-based MNP. These strategies are mainly chemical but may additionally require genetic and enzymatic methods. We critically examine each method and evaluate their scope for simple, quick, efficient, mild and economical immobilization of enzymes on MNP. The improvements in the catalytic properties of few available examples of immobilized enzymes are also discussed. We conclude the review with the applications and future prospects of site-selectively modified magnetic enzymes and potential benefits of this technology in improving enzymes, including cold-adapted homologues, modular enzymes, and CO₂-sequestering, as well as non-iron based nanomaterials.     

PHD2基因原核表达载体的构建及其在大肠埃希菌中的表达

目的构建PHD2基因原核表达载体pET-43.1b（＋）-PHD2,实现Nus-PHD2融合蛋白在大肠埃希菌中的可溶性表达。方法用SacⅠ酶切pET-43.1b（＋）制备线性化载体,设计与线性化载体两端具有至少15个同源序列的特异性引物,以真核重组质粒pCMV6-Entry-EGLN1为模板,PCR法扩增PHD2目的基因。采用In-Fusion技术构建原核表达载体pET-43.1b（＋）-PHD2,并将其导入大肠埃希菌BL21（DE3）中诱导表达。用SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析并鉴定表达出的融合蛋白。用Ni-NTA亲和层析法纯化目的蛋白。结果成功构建了PHD2原核表达载体;SDS-PAGE结果显示融合蛋白以可溶性形式表达;Western blot鉴定表明融合蛋白可以与PHD2单克隆抗体特异性结合。结论实现了Nus-PHD2融合蛋白在大肠埃希菌中的可溶性表达,为PHD2生物学功能的研究奠定了基础。     

Solution NMR views of dynamical ordering of biomacromolecules

Background

To understand the mechanisms related to the ‘dynamical ordering’ of macromolecules and biological systems, it is crucial to monitor, in detail, molecular interactions and their dynamics across multiple timescales. Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an ideal tool that can investigate biophysical events at the atomic level, in near-physiological buffer solutions, or even inside cells.

A novel tag-free probe for targeting molecules interacting with a flavonoid catabolite

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) is one of the colonic microflora-produced catabolites of quercetin 4′-glucoside (Q4′G). Although the interaction of DOPAC with cellular proteins might be involved in its biological activity, the actual proteins have not yet been identified. In this study, we developed a novel tag-free DOPAC probe to label the targeted proteins by the copper(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and verified its efficacy. Various labeled proteins were detected by the DOPAC probe with the azide labeled biotin and a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-streptavidin complex. Furthermore, a pulldown assay identified Keap1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as the target proteins for the phase 2 enzyme up-regulation.     

重组标签蛋白在蛋白质纯化中的研究进展

重组蛋白的表达纯化是研究蛋白质结构与功能的重要环节之一,表达重组蛋白宿主细胞的监测筛选和重组蛋白低水平可溶性表达、低回收率以及不稳定易水解等问题一直是蛋白质高通量纯化工艺中的难题。近年来,将多肽或蛋白质作为标签,与目标蛋白共表达的方法已经很大程度地解决了这一问题。因此,针对不同特性的蛋白质选择合适的标签纯化策略在重组蛋白纯化研究中是相当关键的环节。本文回顾了几种传统标签蛋白的研究概况(His-tag,Arg-tag,Flag-tag,GST-tag,MBP-tag等),着重对近年来新开发的了几种标签蛋白(Si-tag,Halo-tag,Intein-CBD-tag,ELPs-tag等)进行了深入探讨,并对新标签蛋白在蛋白质纯化中的应用前景作以展望。     

Extracellular HspBP1 inhibits formation of a cytotoxic Tag7-Hsp70 complex in vitro and in human serum

Tag7 (PGRP-S) was described as an innate immunity protein. Earlier we have shown that Tag7 forms with Hsp70 a stable complex with cytotoxic and antitumor activity. The same complex is formed in and secreted by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. We have also found that Hsp-binding protein HspBP1 incapacitates the Tag7-Hsp70 complex. Here we have studied the interaction of extracellular Tag7 and HspBP1. We have shown that HspBP1 binds Tag7 in the conditioned medium of tumor CSML0 cells, thereby preventing formation of the cytotoxic Tag7-Hsp70 complex. We have also found that Tag7, if present in serum (in every third donor on average), is always in complex with HspBP1. This may be a protective measure against indiscriminate attack of the cytotoxic complex on normal cells.     

Histone deacetylase complexes: functional entities or molecular reservoirs

Using the dextran-binding domain (DBD) of a type of glucosyltransferase (GTF) from Streptococcus sobrinus, we have developed a novel method for purifying recombinant proteins. DBD-tagged green and red fluorescent proteins as well as the parent GTF and DBD moiety were adsorbed well to commercially available cross-linked dextran (such as Sephadex beads and Sephacryl beads), and eluted efficiently with water-soluble dextran. The purity of the eluted proteins after this one-step affinity purification was 90% or better. The results suggest that DBD can be used as a powerful carrier for purification of various recombinant proteins.