小鼠鸟氨酸脱羧酶抗酶1功能基因的克隆及原核表达

目的克隆小鼠鸟氨酸脱羧酶抗酶1(OAZ1)功能基因,原核表达并纯化OAZ1重组蛋白。方法采用RT-PCR法从小鼠黑色素瘤细胞总RNA中扩增OAZ1基因,通过重叠延伸PCR技术构建无需移码即可全长翻译的功能基因,并构建重组表达质粒pET15b/OAZ1-T,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达。表达的重组蛋白经Ni2+-NTA亲和层析纯化后,进行SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析。结果重叠PCR法扩增出692bp的OAZ1功能基因,重组表达质粒经酶切及测序鉴定正确,重组蛋白可在大肠杆菌中以包涵体形式高效表达。纯化的重组蛋白纯度可达79.96%,且可与抗His标签抗体特异性结合。结论已成功克隆了小鼠OAZ1功能基因,原核表达并纯化了重组OAZ1蛋白。     

Expression and Functional Studies on the Noncoding RNA,PRINS

PRINS, a noncoding RNA identified earlier by our research group, contributes to psoriasis susceptibility and cellular stress response. We have now studied the cellular and histological distribution of PRINS by using in situ hybridization and demonstrated variable expressions in different human tissues and a consistent staining pattern in epidermal keratinocytes and in vitro cultured keratinocytes. To identify the cellular function(s) of PRINS, we searched for a direct interacting partner(s) of this stress-induced molecule. In HaCaT and NHEK cell lysates, the protein proved to be nucleophosmin (NPM) protein as a potential physical interactor with PRINS. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed an elevated expression of NPM in the dividing cells of the basal layers of psoriatic involved skin samples as compared with healthy and psoriatic uninvolved samples. Others have previously shown that NPM is a ubiquitously expressed nucleolar phosphoprotein which shuttles to the nucleoplasm after UV-B irradiation in fibroblasts and cancer cells. We detected a similar translocation of NPM in UV-B-irradiated cultured keratinocytes. The gene-specific silencing of PRINS resulted in the retention of NPM in the nucleolus of UV-B-irradiated keratinocytes; suggesting that PRINS may play a role in the NPM-mediated cellular stress response in the skin.     

小鼠微RNA miR-21真核表达质粒的构建及其在小鼠肾小球系膜细胞中的表达

目的构建小鼠微RNA miR-21真核表达质粒,并在小鼠肾小球系膜细胞中表达。方法人工合成小鼠miR-21基因序列,构建miR-21真核表达质粒pGenesil-miR-21。使用脂质体Lipofectamine2000转染小鼠肾小球系膜细胞后,G418筛选,获得稳定转染克隆,提取总RNA,通过实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测miR-21的表达。结果经酶切鉴定和测序证实,合成的miR-21基因序列完全正确,并已成功克隆到真核表达质粒pGenesil-1上。重组真核表达质粒转染小鼠肾小球系膜细胞后,筛选出的阳性克隆可稳定高表达miR-21。结论已成功构建miR-21真核表达质粒,并在小鼠肾小球系膜细胞中高效表达,为进一步探讨miR-21的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

Comparison of L- and D-Amino Acids for Bacterial Imaging in Lung Infection Mouse Model

The effectiveness of L- and D-amino acids for detecting the early stage of infection in bacterial imaging was compared. We evaluated the accumulation of ³H-L-methionine (Met), ³H-D-Met, ³H-L-alanine (Ala), and ³H-D-Ala in E. coli EC-14 and HaCaT cells. Biological distribution was assessed in control and lung-infection-model mice with EC-14 using ³H-L- and D-Met, and ¹⁸F-FDG. A maximum accumulation of ³H-L- and D-Met, and ³H-L- and D-Ala occurred in the growth phase of EC-14 in vitro. The accumulation of ³H-L-Met and L-Ala was greater than that of ³H-D-Met and D-Ala in both EC-14 and HaCaT cells. For all radiotracers, the accumulation was greater in EC-14 than in HaCaT cells at early time points. The accumulation was identified at 5 min after injection in EC-14, whereas the accumulation gradually increased in HaCaT cells over time. There was little difference in biodistribution between ³H-L-and D-Met except in the brain. ³H-L- and D-Met were sensitive for detecting areas of infection after the spread of bacteria throughout the body, whereas ¹⁸F-FDG mainly detected primary infection areas. Therefore, ¹¹C-L- and D-Met, radioisotopes that differ only in terms of ³H labeling, could be superior to ¹⁸F-FDG for detecting bacterial infection in lung-infection-model mice.     

激活素受体相互作用蛋白2在小鼠Hepa1-6细胞中的表达及调控

目的研究激活素受体相互作用蛋白2(ARIP2)在小鼠肝细胞中的表达及调控。方法采用半定量PCR技术检测ARIP2 mRNA在Hepal-6细胞中转录水平的动力学变化规律及其调控因素。结果Activin A刺激Hepal-6细胞ARIP2 mRNA的转录水平呈时间依赖性升高,刺激早期(4h)无明显变化,12h后显著升高。信号传导激动剂PMA和LPS刺激He- pal-6细胞24h,均可上调ARIP2 mRNA的转录水平,而A23187则抑制其转录。ARIP2过表达明显抑制Hepal-6细胞ActRIIA mRNA的转录水平,对ActRIIB则无影响。结论ARIP2作为激活素信号传导抑制蛋白,其表达受多种因素影响。ARIP2可能通过影响ActRIIA表达,参与激活素作用后期的信号传导负反馈调节过程。     

Functional Expression of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor on Nano-Sized Bacterial Magnetic Particles in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

The measurement of autoantibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) is important for the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease such as Graves’ disease (GD). Although TSHR from porcine thyroid membrane is commonly used for the measurement of TSHR autoantibodies (TRAb), recombinant human TSHR (hTSHR) remains ideal in terms of stable supply and species identity. Here we set out to express recombinant hTSHR on the lipid-bilayer surface of magnetic nanoparticles from a magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Using a tetracycline-inducible expression system, we successfully overexpressed functional hTSHR on bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) in AMB-1 via an anchor protein specific for BacMPs. The overexpressed hTSHR was membrane integrated and possessed both ligand and autoantibody binding activity. Our data suggest that hTSHR-displayed BacMPs have potential as novel tools for ligand-receptor interaction analysis or for TRAb immunoassay in GD patients.     

Structural and Functional Differences between Homologous Bacterial Ribonucleases

Small cationic guanyl-preferring ribonucleases (RNases) produced by the Bacillus species share a similar protein tertiary structure with a high degree of amino acid sequence conservation. However, they form dimers that differ in conformation and stability. Here, we have addressed the issues (1) whether the homologous RNases also have distinctions in catalytic activity towards different RNA substrates and interactions with the inhibitor protein barstar, and (2) whether these differences correlate with structural features of the proteins. Circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering assays revealed distinctions in the structures of homologous RNases. The activity levels of the RNases towards natural RNA substrates, as measured spectrometrically by acid-soluble hydrolysis products, were similar and decreased in the row high-polymeric RNA >>> transport RNA > double-stranded RNA. However, stopped flow kinetic studies on model RNA substrates containing the guanosine residue in a hairpin stem or a loop showed that the cleavage rates of these enzymes were different. Moreover, homologous RNases were inhibited by the barstar with diverse efficiency. Therefore, minor changes in structure elements of homologous proteins have a potential to significantly effect molecule stability and functional activities, such as catalysis or ligand binding.     

Expression and Purification of EPHA2 Tyrosine Kinase Domain for Crystallographic and NMR Studies

The receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2 is overexpressed in several cancers (breast, head and neck, non‐small‐cell lung cancer). Small‐molecule‐based inhibition of the EPHA2 kinase domain (KD) is seen as an important strategy for therapeutic intervention. However, obtaining structural information by crystallography or NMR spectroscopy for drug discovery is severely hampered by the lack of pure, homogeneous protein. Here, different fragments of the EPHA2 KD were expressed and purified from both bacterial (Escherichia coli, BL21(DE3) cells) and insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf9 cells).¹H,¹⁵N HSQC was used to determine the proper folding and homogeneity of all the constructs. Protein from E. coli was well‐folded but unstable, and it did not crystallize. However, a construct (D596–G900) produced in Sf9 cells yielded homogenous, well‐folded protein that crystallized readily, thereby resulting in eleven new EPHA2–ligand crystal structures. We have also established a strategy for selective and uniform ¹⁵N‐amino acid labeling of EPHA2 KD in Sf9 cells for investigating dynamics and EPHA2–drug interactions by NMR.     

Enzymatic Properties and Mutational Studies of Chalcone Synthase from Physcomitrella patens

PpCHS is a member of the type III polyketide synthase family and catalyses the synthesis of the flavonoid precursor naringenin chalcone from p-coumaroyl-CoA. Recent research reports the production of pyrone derivatives using either hexanoyl-CoA or butyryl-CoA as starter molecule. The Cys-His-Asn catalytic triad found in other plant chalcone synthase predicted polypeptides is conserved in PpCHS. Site directed mutagenesis involving these amino acids residing in the active-site cavity revealed that the cavity volume of the active-site plays a significant role in the selection of starter molecules as well as product formation. Substitutions of Cys 170 with Arg and Ser amino acids decreased the ability of the PpCHS to utilize hexanoyl-CoA as a starter molecule, which directly effected the production of pyrone derivatives (products). These substitutions are believed to have a restricted number of elongations of the growing polypeptide chain due to the smaller cavity volume of the mutant's active site.     

人与鼠源内皮抑制素不同标签重组蛋白的表达纯化及活性分析

根据文献报道和NCBI数据库确定人源内皮抑制素(HE)和鼠源内皮抑制素(ME)DNA序列,以DNA合成法分别获得长度为554 bp的人源内和长度为565 bp的鼠源内皮抑素基因;分别构建携带谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(GST)表达标签的原核表达质粒pGEX-4T1-HE和携带硫氧还蛋白A(TrxA)表达标签的原核表达质粒pET-32a-ME,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,获得不同表达标签的HE、ME重组蛋白. 最后通过鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜(CAM)试验验证重组蛋白的抗血管生成活性. 结果表明,构建了人与鼠源内皮抑制素基因不同标签表达载体,在大肠杆菌中成功诱导表达. 获得具有活性的人与鼠源ES重组蛋白. 纯化复性后的重组蛋白能明显抑制新生血管的生长. GST和TrxA标签对增进重组ES可溶表达没有显著差异,两组标签的重组蛋白都主要存在于包涵体内.     

小鼠白细胞介素-18的克隆及在原核细胞中的表达

目的克隆小鼠白细胞介素-18(mIL-18)全长cDNA,并使其在大肠杆菌中表达。方法利用RT-PCR和巢式-PCR,从活化小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞中扩增成熟IL-18的全长cDNA。经双酶切,将该cDNA片断插入表达载体pRSET-C,构建含T7启动子的原核表达载体pRSET-mIL-18。测序鉴定后,将重组体转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),在IPTG和/或乳糖的诱导下,使重组质粒获得表达。结果重组质粒读码框及mIL-18的序列与预期一致,表达产物经SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析获得证实。结论已成功构建了原核表达载体pRSET-mIL-18,并使其在大肠杆菌中获得了融合表达。     

Induction of Axonal Outgrowth in Mouse Hippocampal Neurons via Bacterial Magnetosomes

Magnetosomes are membrane-enclosed iron oxide crystals biosynthesized by magnetotactic bacteria. As the biomineralization of bacterial magnetosomes can be genetically controlled, they have become promising nanomaterials for bionanotechnological applications. In the present paper, we explore a novel application of magnetosomes as nanotool for manipulating axonal outgrowth via stretch-growth (SG). SG refers to the process of stimulation of axonal outgrowth through the application of mechanical forces. Thanks to their superior magnetic properties, magnetosomes have been used to magnetize mouse hippocampal neurons in order to stretch axons under the application of magnetic fields. We found that magnetosomes are avidly internalized by cells. They adhere to the cell membrane, are quickly internalized, and slowly degrade after a few days from the internalization process. Our data show that bacterial magnetosomes are more efficient than synthetic iron oxide nanoparticles in stimulating axonal outgrowth via SG.     

Searching for New Beneficial Bacterial Isolates of Wild Raspberries for Biocontrol of Phytopathogens-Antagonistic Properties and Functional Characterization

The threat caused by plants fungal and fungal-like pathogens is a serious problem in the organic farming of soft fruits. The European Commission regulations prohibit some commercially available chemical plant protection products, and instead recommend the use of natural methods for improving the microbial soil status and thus increasing resistance to biotic stresses caused by phytopathogens. The solution to this problem may be biopreparations based on, e.g., bacteria, especially those isolated from native local environments. To select proper bacterial candidates for biopreparation, research was provided to preliminarily ensure that those isolates are able not only to inhibit the growth of pathogens, but also to be metabolically effective. In the presented research sixty-five isolates were acquired and identified. Potentially pathogenic isolates were excluded from further research, and beneficial bacterial isolates were tested against the following plant pathogens: Botrytis spp., Colletotrichum spp., Phytophthora spp., and Verticillium spp. The eight most effective antagonists belonging to Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Rhodococcus genera were subjected to metabolic and enzymatic analyses and a resistance to chemical stress survey, indicating to their potential as components of biopreparations for agroecology.     

猪链球菌2型溶菌酶释放蛋白功能性片段的原核表达及其免疫保护性

目的表达猪链球菌2型(SS2)溶菌酶释放蛋白(MRP)的功能性片段(tmrp),并检测其对小鼠的免疫保护性。方法将构建的重组克隆载体pMD-tmrp经BamHⅠ、EcoRⅠ双酶切,将切下的目的基因tmrp亚克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-3X中,转化E.coliBL21(DE3),鉴定正确后,用IPTG诱导,谷胱甘肽亲和层析纯化GST-tmrp,免疫BALB/c小鼠,测定其免疫保护率。结果阳性工程菌经IPTG诱导,表达了可溶性目的蛋白,相对分子质量约为73000。0.8mmol/LIPTG,37℃,pH7.2诱导4h,表达量最高,为25.36%。经亲和层析纯化,融合蛋白纯度达93.7%。免疫BALB/c小鼠后,免疫保护率可达60%。结论已成功获得了具有免疫活性的GST-tmrp。     

Harnessing Fluorescent Moenomycin A Antibiotics for Bacterial Cell Wall Imaging Studies

The imaging of peptidoglycan (PGN) dynamics in living bacteria facilitates the understanding of PGN biosynthesis and wall-targeting antibiotics. The main tools for imaging bacterial PGN are fluorescent probes, such as the well-known PGN metabolic labeling probes. However, fluorescent small-molecule probes for labeling key PGN-synthesizing enzymes, especially for transglycosylases (TGases), remain to be explored. In this work, the first imaging probe for labeling TGase in bacterial cell wall studies is reported. We synthesized various fluorescent MoeA-based molecules by derivatizing the natural antibiotic moenomycin A (MoeA), and used them to label TGases in living bacteria, monitor bacterial growth and division cycles by time-lapse imaging, and study cell wall growth in the mecA-carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains when the β-lactam-based probes were unsuitable.