Nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors in teleost fish: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors (NLRs) are a group of intracellular pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) that play key roles in pathogen recognition and subsequent activation of innate immune signalling pathways. Expressions of several NLR subfamily members, including NOD1, NOD2, NLR‐C3, NLR‐C5 and NLR‐X1 have been reported in many different teleost fish species. These receptors are activated by a variety of ligands, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycans (PGN) and polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)]. Synthetic dsRNA and bacterial or viral infections are known to stimulate these receptors both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we focus on the identification, expression and function of teleost NLRs in response to bacterial or viral pathogens. Additionally, NLR ligand specificity and signalling pathways involved in the recognition of bacterial or viral stimuli are also summarized. This review focuses on current knowledge in this area and provides future perspectives regarding topics in need of additional investigation. Understanding the response of innate immune system to bacterial or viral infections in diverse species could inform the development of more effective therapies and vaccines.     

两种方法测定绿盲蝽气味结合蛋白AlucOBP21配体结合特性的结果比较

【目的】比较荧光竞争结合试验(fluorescence competitive binding assay)和微量热涌动(microscale thermophoresis,MST)技术在研究绿盲蝽(Apolygus lucorum)气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)Aluc OBP21配体结合特性上的差异,探索一种新的测定昆虫OBPs结合功能的方法。【方法】提取绿盲蝽雌、雄成虫触角总RNA并进行反转录,获得绿盲蝽成虫触角c DNA。采用特异性克隆引物,以绿盲蝽成虫触角c DNA为模板进行PCR扩增,构建p ET32a/Aluc OBP21重组质粒。将重组质粒转化至BL21(DE3)感受态细胞进行原核表达,获得含表达标签的重组Aluc OBP21蛋白。通过高亲和Ni-NTA纯化介质对重组粗蛋白进行纯化,采用重组肠激酶切掉His-tag标签,最终获得无表达标签的重组Aluc OBP21蛋白。利用荧光竞争结合试验,以1-N-phenylnaphthylamine(1-NPN)为荧光探针研究重组Aluc OBP21蛋白与候选配体的结合特性,其中1-NPN和气味标样均溶解在质谱纯级的甲醇中。同时,利用MST技术解析重组Aluc OBP21蛋白与候选配体的结合特性,候选配体标样溶解在二甲基亚砜(dimethyl sulfoxide,DMSO)溶液中。候选配体化合物包括8种潜在的盲蝽性信息素及性信息素类似物、12种植物绿叶挥发物和绿盲蝽驱避剂主要组分二甲基二硫醚等。【结果】重组Aluc OBP21蛋白在上清液和包涵体均能够表达,最终选择上清组分进行目标蛋白纯化,利用重组肠激酶在22℃切除His-tag标签得到无标签的重组Aluc OBP21蛋白。荧光竞争结合试验结果显示,重组Aluc OBP21与荧光探针1-NPN的解离常数为(6.88±0.31)μmol·L~(-1),Aluc OBP21能够与β-紫罗兰酮和β-石竹烯结合,解离常数分别为(13.74±1.93)和(13.24±2.12)μmol·L~(-1),而其他候选配体均不能与重组Aluc OBP21有效结合。MST测试结果显示,Aluc OBP21可以与β-石竹烯、β-紫罗兰酮、β-蒎烯和柠檬烯有效结合,解离常数分别为(0.20±0.02)、(0.05±0.01)、(0.70±0.04)和(0.40±0.06)μmol·L~(-1)。其余候选配体化合物与Aluc OBP21的热涌动不能随配体浓度变化而表现有规律的变化,故这些气味化合物不能与Aluc OBP21发生结合作用。【结论】MST检测与荧光竞争结合试验相比,MST所得配体结合谱更广,不会遗漏一些结合力较弱的气味配体。     

小菜蛾三个普通气味受体基因的克隆及表达谱

【目的】克隆小菜蛾（Plutella xylostella）触角中3个气味受体基因,明确这3个气味受体在不同组织中的表达分布,进而推测这3个基因的功能,为进一步深入研究奠定基础。【方法】通过新一代高通量测序技术对小菜蛾成虫触角进行转录组测序,获得小菜蛾的转录组数据信息,通过对高质量序列的拼接组装、基因鉴定和功能注释,并通过Blastx基于数据库进行相似性比对分析,预测小菜蛾的气味受体候选基因;设计引物通过克隆得到3条普通气味受体基因的全长序列,并利用半定量RT-PCR研究其在雌、雄成虫9个不同组织中的表达。【结果】根据预测的基因序列,设计特异引物,克隆得到3条普通气味受体基因的全长序列,分别命名为PxylOR16、PxylOR17和PxylOR18（GenBank登录号分别为KF717601-KF717603）。PxylOR16开放阅读框全长为1 218 bp,编码406个氨基酸;PxylOR17开放阅读框全长为1 200 bp,编码400个氨基酸;PxylOR18开放阅读框全长为 1 191 bp,编码397个氨基酸。选择已报道的鳞翅目昆虫家蚕（Bombyx mori）、烟芽夜蛾（Heliothis virescens）和棉铃虫（Helicoverpa armigera）的气味受体,以及已报道的小菜蛾的6条性信息素受体与1条非典型气味受体与本实验克隆得到的3个气味受体进行序列比对和进化树分析,结果显示这3个气味受体基因与非典型气味受体和性信息素受体同源性低,而与其他的普通气味受体聚类在一起,且PxylOR16、PxylOR17和PxylOR18彼此同源性较低。半定量的结果显示,3个普通气味受体基因均在触角中表达量最大,在其他嗅觉感器,如喙、下唇须和头部中也有一定量的表达,雌、雄间无显著差异。另外,PxylOR17在雌蛾生殖器中,PxylOR18在雌蛾腹中也有一定表达。但3种气味受体基因在雌、雄蛾的胸、足和翅等组织中均不表达。【结论】鉴定和克隆了3个小菜蛾气味受体基因,明确这些气味受体基因在小菜蛾不同组织中的表达水平,通过进化树分析、序列比对和组织表达谱分析确定PxylOR16、PxylOR17和PxylOR18为3条普通气味受体,且在功能上高度分化。根据半定量RT-PCR的结果,推测这3个基因可能参与了普通气味分子的识别过程,此外PxylOR17和PxylOR18还可能参与了信息素的产生和释放过程。     

Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship on Theonellasterol, a New Chemotype of FXR Antagonist, from the Marine Sponge Theonella swinhoei

Using theonellasterol as a novel FXR antagonist hit, we prepared a series of semi-synthetic derivatives in order to gain insight into the structural requirements for exhibiting antagonistic activity. These derivatives are characterized by modification at the exocyclic carbon-carbon double bond at C-4 and at the hydroxyl group at C-3 and were prepared from theonellasterol using simple reactions. Pharmacological investigation showed that the introduction of a hydroxyl group at C-4 as well as the oxidation at C-3 with or without concomitant modification at the exomethylene functionality preserve the ability of theonellasterol to inhibit FXR transactivation caused by CDCA. Docking analysis showed that the placement of these molecules in the FXR-LBD is well stabilized when on ring A functional groups, able to form hydrogen bonds and π interactions, are present.     

金黄色葡萄球菌对小尾寒羊乳腺组织TLR2表达的影响

Toll样受体能够识别细菌等病原微生物及介导炎症反应信号通路,在先天免疫和获得性免疫中发挥着重要作用。为了解Toll样受体2(TLR2)在小尾寒羊正常乳腺组织及由金黄色葡萄球菌引起的乳腺炎乳腺组织中的表达情况,探讨TLR2在金黄色葡萄球菌乳腺炎致病过程中的作用机制及乳腺上皮细胞在乳腺免疫防御中所起的作用,采用qRT-PCR技术和免疫组织化学染色(IHC)法检测了正常小尾寒羊及金黄色葡萄球菌乳腺炎病理模型小尾寒羊乳腺组织中TLR2基因mRNA及其蛋白的表达情况。结果显示,小尾寒羊正常乳腺组织、金黄色葡萄球菌感染乳腺组织均有TLR2 mRNA及其蛋白表达;但金黄色葡萄球菌感染后乳腺组织中TLR2基因及TLR2蛋白显著高于正常乳腺组织,且感染后48 h TLR2 mRNA和TLR2蛋白相对表达量最高(P0.05),96 h TLR2 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量较48 h显著降低(P0.05),正常对照组TLR2的相对表达量最低。通过免疫组织化学染色发现,正常乳腺组织中TLR2蛋白主要定位于乳腺腺泡上皮,而感染金黄色葡萄球菌后乳腺组织中TLR2蛋白主要表达在乳腺腺泡腔中脱落的乳腺上皮细胞和以淋巴细胞为主的炎性细胞上。结果表明,乳腺感染金黄色葡萄球菌后,乳腺上皮细胞是病原菌作用的靶标,通过上调表达TLR2识别病原菌,激发先天免疫。     

昆虫类胰岛素及其功能研究进展

胰岛素是一类生物体内在进化上非常保守的具有调控代谢、生长、发育、生殖和寿命等多种功能的肽类激素。在昆虫中,以多基因家族编码的类胰岛素为主,在结构上与脊椎动物胰岛素同源。近年来,有关昆虫类胰岛素及其信号通路等方面已有较多研究,特别是对黑腹果蝇的研究,为人类胰岛素相关疾病诊断与治疗提供了较好的试验模型。本文主要介绍昆虫类胰岛素及其受体、类胰岛素表达与释放、类胰岛素信号通路及其在调控昆虫生殖、寿命、代谢、生长与发育和翅型分化等生理功能的最新研究进展,为促进其在害虫控制或天敌保护利用等方面的应用提供参考。     

A larval specific OBP able to bind the major female sex pheromone component in Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)

Odorant binding proteins(OBPs) in insects are postulated to solubilize and transport the hydrophobic odorants across the hydrophilic antennal lymph to the olfactory receptors(ORs) located on the dendrite membrane of the sensory neurons. OBPs in adult insects have been intensively reported, but those in larvae are rarely addressed. In our study, a full-length OBP c DNA, namely Sexi OBP13, was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE strategy from the heads of Spodoptera exigua larvae. The quantitative real-time PCR(q PCR) measurement indicated that Sexi OBP13 was highly expressed in larval head, but very low in other parts of larva and was not detected in any tissues of adult. The binding affinities of Sexi OBP13 to plant volatiles and female sex pheromone components were measured by competitive binding assays. Interestingly, Sexi OBP13 displayed a high binding affinity(Ki=3.82 μmol L–1) to Z9,E12–14:Ac, the major sex pheromone component of S. exigua, while low affinities to the tested host plant volatiles(Ki27 μmol L–1). The behavioral tests further confirmed that Z9,E12–14:Ac was indeed active to elicit the behavioral activity of the third instar larvae of S. exigua. Taken together, our results suggest that Sexi OBP13 may play a role in reception of female sex pheromone in S. exigua larvae. The ecological significance of the larvae preference to the adult female sex pheromone was discussed.     

细胞凋亡机制研究进展

细胞凋亡是细胞生命活动中的基本现象,是当今生命科学研究的热点。文章通过检索国内外主要数据库,对细胞死亡受体途径、线粒体途径及交织旁路途径进行简要综述。文章可为后续该领域研究提供借鉴,更好的解决实际问题。     

荆豆凝集素-1受体在兔子宫内的分布与激素调节

采用组织化学方法对荆豆凝集素-1(ulex europaeus agglutinin-1,UEA-1)受体在兔发情周期及早期妊娠子宫内的分布以及激素调节进行了研究.结果显示,UEA-1受体主要存在于兔子宫内膜腔上皮,其表达量随妊娠阶段的不同而发生动态性变化.UEA-1受体在休情期兔子宫内未见表达,而在发情期兔子宫内的表达量较高.在早期妊娠兔子宫内,在妊娠第1天子宫内膜腔上皮表面UEA-1受体的表达量较高,妊娠第2天和第3天时在子宫内膜腔上皮表面仅见有少量UEA-1受体的表达,妊娠第4天时,子宫内膜腔上皮表面UEA-1受体的表达量很高,此后其表达量又迅速下降,在妊娠第5至第7天时未见表达.在假孕兔子宫内UEA-1受体的表达方式与正常妊娠时相似.注射雌激素可明显促进卵巢切除后兔子宫内膜UEA-1受体的表达,而注射孕酮对其表达有明显抑制作用.结果表明,兔子宫内UEA-1受体的分布与着床前胚胎与子宫内膜之间的黏附和植入有关,UEA-1受体在兔子宫内的表达受母体分泌的激素所调控.     

Expression profiles and functional prediction of ionotropic receptors in Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Genes involved in chemosensation are essential for odorant-mediated insect behaviors. Odorant receptors (ORs) bind and respond to pheromones and plant volatiles, regulating insect behaviors such as mating and host-plant selection, while ionotropic receptors (IRs), which are present at lower levels in insects than ORs, influence ion channels, especially in agricultural pests. Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, is the main pest of maize that causes huge economic losses in Asia. Twenty-one OfurIRs have been identified, but none has been characterized. In this study, tissue-specific expression profiling, phylogenetic analysis, and electroantennography (EAG) analysis were applied to characterize the evolution, expression, and the potential function of OfurIRs. It was found that 20 OfurIRs were highly expressed in the antennae, except for OfurIR75p3, whereas 10 and nine OfurIRs were highly expressed in the proboscis and genitalia, respectively, indicating that these OfurIRs were functionally associated with feeding and oviposition. EAG results showed that seven acids elicited responses in the antennae of O. furnacalis and that 2-oxopentanoic acid displayed a significant female-biased response. Combined with the phylogenetic analysis, 10 OfurIRs in clade 4 were roughly predicted to be candidate receptors for 2-oxopentanoic acid and other tested acids. These results provide basic information about OfurIRs and may help advance the knolwedge on the olfactory system of O. furnacalis.