Distinct kinetic changes in neurotransmitter release after SNARE protein cleavage

Neurotransmitter release is triggered by calcium ions and depends critically on the correct function of three types of SNARE [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (SNAP) receptor] proteins. With use of the large calyx of Held presynaptic terminal from rats, we found that cleavage of different SNARE proteins by clostridial neurotoxins caused distinct kinetic changes in neurotransmitter release. When elevating calcium ion concentration directly at the presynaptic terminal with the use of caged calcium, cleavage of SNAP-25 by botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) produced a strong reduction in the calcium sensitivity for release, whereas cleavage of syntaxin using BoNT/C1 and synaptobrevin using tetanus toxin (TeNT) produced an all-or-nothing block without changing the kinetics of remaining vesicles. When stimulating release by calcium influx through channels, a difference between BoNT/C1 and TeNT emerged, which suggests that cleavage of synaptobrevin modifies the coupling between channels and release-competent vesicles.     

Botulinum neurotoxin is shielded by NTNHA in an interlocked complex

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are highly poisonous substances that are also effective medicines. Accidental BoNT poisoning often occurs through ingestion of Clostridium botulinum-contaminated food. Here, we present the crystal structure of a BoNT in complex with a clostridial nontoxic nonhemagglutinin (NTNHA) protein at 2.7 angstroms. Biochemical and functional studies show that NTNHA provides large and multivalent binding interfaces to protect BoNT from gastrointestinal degradation. Moreover, the structure highlights key residues in BoNT that regulate complex assembly in a pH-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings define the molecular mechanisms by which NTNHA shields BoNT in the hostile gastrointestinal environment and releases it upon entry into the circulation. These results will assist in the design of small molecules for inhibiting oral BoNT intoxication and of delivery vehicles for oral administration of biologics.     

Association of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 E6 proteins with p53

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is a DNA tumor virus that is associated with human anogenital cancers and encodes two transforming proteins, E6 and E7. The E7 protein has been shown to bind to the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene product, pRB. This study shows that the E6 protein of HPV-16 is capable of binding to the cellular p53 protein. The ability of the E6 proteins from different human papillomaviruses to form complexes with p53 was assayed and found to correlate with the in vivo clinical behavior and the in vitro transforming activity of these different papillomaviruses. The wild-type p53 protein has tumor suppressor properties and has also been found in association with large T antigen and the E1B 55-kilodalton protein in cells transformed by SV40 and by adenovirus type 5, respectively, providing further evidence that the human papillomaviruses, the adenoviruses, and SV40 may effect similar cellular pathways in transformation.     

A network of control mediated by regulator of calcium/calmodulin-dependent signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a major effector for the intracellular actions of Ca2+ in nearly all cell types. We identified a CaM-binding protein, designated regulator of calmodulin signaling (RCS). G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent activation of protein kinase A (PKA) led to phosphorylation of RCS at Ser55 and increased its binding to CaM. Phospho-RCS acted as a competitive inhibitor of CaM-dependent enzymes, including protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B, also called calcineurin). Increasing RCS phosphorylation blocked GPCR- and PP2B-mediated suppression of L-type Ca2+ currents in striatal neurons. Conversely, genetic deletion of RCS significantly increased this modulation. Through a molecular mechanism that amplifies GPCR- and PKA-mediated signaling and attenuates GPCR- and PP2B-mediated signaling, RCS synergistically increases the phosphorylation of key proteins whose phosphorylation is regulated by PKA and PP2B.     

U1-specific protein C needed for efficient complex formation of U1 snRNP with a 5' splice site

One of the functions of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) in the splicing reaction of pre-mRNA molecules is the recognition of the 5' splice site. U1 snRNP proteins as well as base-pair interactions between U1 snRNA and the 5' splice site are important for the formation of the snRNP-pre-mRNA complex. To determine which proteins are needed for complex formation, the ability of U1 snRNPs gradually depleted of the U1-specific proteins C, A, and 70k to bind to an RNA molecule containing a 5' splice site sequence was studied in a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. The most significant effect was always observed when protein C was removed, either alone or together with other U1-specific proteins; the binding was reduced by 50 to 60%. Complementation of protein C-deficient U1 snRNPs with purified C protein restored their 5' splice site binding activity. These data suggest that protein C may potentiate the base-pair interaction between U1 RNA and the 5' splice site.     

Two classes of PDGF receptor recognize different isoforms of PDGF

Previous studies involving platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) have been based on the premise that a single cell-surface receptor binds all three isoforms of PDGF (AA, BB, and AB). It is now shown that two populations of PDGF receptor exist and can be distinguished by their ligand binding specificity. The B receptor binds only the BB dimer, whereas the A/B receptor binds AA, BB, and AB dimers. Human dermal fibroblasts appear to express seven times as much B receptor as A/B receptor. The B receptor is responsible for most PDGF receptor phosphorylation.     

表达含前S的乙肝病毒表面抗原重组CHO细胞株的建立和特性检测

为建立表达含前S基因乙肝病毒表面抗原的细胞株,将笔者所在实验室构建的表达含前S基因乙肝病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)的真核表达质粒共转染CHO/dhfr 细胞,通过筛选,获得可表达含前S基因乙肝病毒表面抗原的重组CHO细胞,然后进行亚克隆,用氨甲喋呤(MTX)加压选择,以 ELISA 法检测目的蛋白表达量,筛选获得稳定表达目的蛋白的细胞株,并对其进行特性鉴定.最终获得了ClO和A10两株稳定高表达含前S基因乙肝病毒表面抗原的细胞株.     

慢病毒介导shRNA干扰MAT2A与MAT2B基因抑制猪肌内脂肪细胞分化

【目的】腺苷甲硫氨酸转移酶(MAT)在ATP的作用下,催化生成体内重要的甲基供体S-腺苷甲硫氨酸(SAMe)。通过构建慢病毒介导的pLenti-H1干扰载体,探究腺苷甲硫氨酸转移酶MAT2A和MAT2B对猪肌内脂肪细胞分化的影响。【方法】无菌条件下采集3—7日龄小猪背最长肌,采用差速贴壁法分离猪肌内脂肪细胞。根据GenBank中猪MAT2A基因序列（Accession No.NM_001167650.1）和MAT2B基因序列（Accession No. NM_001142832.1）,获得其CDS序列。利用Invitrogen 公司在线软件BLOCK-iTTM RNAi Designer分别设计shRNA靶序列, 将合成的单链寡核苷酸退火形成双链,与经过Bam H I和Xho I (TaKaRa) 双酶切后的pLenti-Hl载体连接,转化,并提取质粒进行酶切和测序鉴定。采用X-tremeGENE-HP DNA转染试剂与测序成功的重组质粒以及包装质粒（CMV-Δ8.9和CMV-VSVG）共转染293T细胞,48 h后观察绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的表达,并进行滴度测定。在猪原代脂肪细胞密度达到70%—80%时,侵染病毒;细胞密度融合时诱导分化。提取分化第8天的猪肌内脂肪细胞的RNA,按照反转录试剂盒操作说明进行反转录,合成cDNA第一链。采用primer primer 5软件设计MAT2A、MAT2B、PPARγ、aP2、CEBP/α、β-actin基因的定量引物,实时定量和Western blot试验检测MAT2A和MAT2B基因的干扰效率。油红O染色和实时定量鉴定MAT2A和MAT2B基因对猪肌内脂肪脂质积累的影响。【结果】酶切及测序证明重组慢病毒载体pLenti-Hl-MAT2A/MAT2B构建成功;包装的慢病毒sh-MAT2A和sh-MAT2B病毒滴度分别为6.7×10 ⁷和7×10 ⁷ pfu/mL,侵染肌内脂肪细胞72 h后,可出现90%的绿色荧光蛋白(GFP),表明所包装的病毒可满足侵染猪前体肌内脂肪细胞需要。实时定量结果显示其显著抑制了MAT2A和MAT2B的mRNA水平表达,其干扰效率分别在70%和60%以上;进一步采用Western blot试验及蛋白分析表明,干扰MAT2A基因后,MAT2A蛋白表达水平降低40%左右,差异达到极显著水平(P<0.01);干扰MAT2B基因后,MAT2B蛋白表达水平降低25%左右,差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。油红O染色和吸光度定量结果显示,与sh-scramble对照组相比,干扰MAT2A和MAT2B基因后,脂滴聚积能力显著抑制猪肌内脂肪细胞脂质积累。实时定量结果显示,干扰MAT2A和MAT2B基因抑制成脂标志基因PPARγ,aP 2及CEBP/α的表达。 【结论】成功构建了猪MAT2A和MAT2B基因的慢病毒sh-MAT2A和sh-MAT2B干扰载体。获得的重组慢病毒感染细胞后,能有效降低猪肌内前体脂肪细胞内MAT2A和MAT2B基因的mRNA和蛋白水平表达;进一步试验证明,干扰MAT2A及MAT2B基因后,显著抑制猪肌内脂肪细胞的脂质积累以及成脂关键基因表达。     

原花青素对脂多糖诱导的环氧合酶-2表达的抑制作用

以脂多糖(LPS)诱导的RAW264.7细胞为模型,研究原花青素对LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7细胞中环氧合酶-2(COX-2)mRNA转录的抑制机制。采用RT-PCR法测定原花青素对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞中COX-2mRNA转录的影响,采用Western blot和免疫组化法考察原花青素对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞核转录因子κB(NF-κB)亚基p65(NF-κB/p65)及NF-κB结合蛋白(I-κB)表达的影响。结果发现LPS处理RAW264.7细胞可以明显上调COX-2 mRNA的表达,同时降低胞质蛋白I-κB的表达水平,增加NF-κB的水平。原花青素对RAW264.7细胞中COX-2 mRNA的转录有较强抑制作用,抑制NF-κB/p65的表达及I-κB的降解,原花青素可能是通过抑制NF-κB/p65的表达及I-κB/p65的降解而抑制COX-2的表达。     

ARID4B在牛磺酸调节成肌细胞C2C12蛋白质合成中的作用

肌肉细胞蛋白质合成能力与畜禽产肉量性状有关,试验旨在探究转录因子AT富集区4B(AT-rich interaction domain 4B,ARID4B)对牛磺酸(Taurine,Tau)调节成肌细胞C2C12蛋白质合成的影响.向体外培养C2C12细胞培养液中分别添加0、60、120、180和240μmol·L-1 T...     

Unwinding of duplex DNA from the SV40 origin of replication by T antigen

The T antigen specified by SV40 virus is the only viral-encoded protein required for replication of SV40 DNA. T antigen has two activities that appear to be essential for viral DNA replication: specific binding to duplex DNA at the origin of replication and helicase activity that unwinds the two DNA strands. As judged by electron microscopy, DNA unwinding is initiated at the origin of replication and proceeds bidirectionally. Either linear or circular DNA molecules containing the origin of replication are effective substrates; with closed circular DNA, a topoisomerase capable of removing positive superhelical turns is required for an efficient reaction. Presence of an origin sequence on duplex DNA and a single-strand DNA-binding protein appear to be the only requirements for T antigen to catalyze unwinding. This reaction mediated by T antigen defines a likely pathway to precise initiation of DNA replication: (i) the sequence-specific binding activity locates the origin sequence, (ii) the duplex DNA is unwound at this site, and (iii) the DNA polymerase and primase begin DNA replication. A similar pathway has been inferred for the localized initiation of DNA replication by bacteriophage lambda and by Escherichia coli in which a sequence-specific binding protein locates the origin and directs the DnaB helicase to this site. Observations with the SV40 system indicate that localized initiation of duplex DNA replication may be similar for prokaryotes and eukaryotes.     

3种吸附剂对黄曲霉毒素B1吸附能力的研究

 【目的】体外试验评价3种吸附剂（吸附剂A：主成分为酵母细胞壁提取物;吸附剂B：主成分为水合铝硅酸盐;吸附剂C为复合物,主成分是酵母细胞壁及水合铝硅酸盐）对黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）的吸附效果,并通过吸附剂对摄入AFB1肉仔鸡生长性能及血清蛋白水平的影响验证体外试验结果。【方法】（1）pH为2.0、6.0、8.0的磷酸盐缓冲溶液（PBS溶液）、人工胃液和人工肠液环境下吸附剂对AFB1的吸附能力;（2）吸附剂对AFB1的结合速率;（3）吸附剂结合AFB1形成的复合体的稳定性;（4）240只1日龄雄性AA肉仔鸡,随机分为8个处理,比较吸附剂对摄入AFB1肉仔鸡生长性能及血清蛋白水平的影响。【结果】（1）5种酸碱条件下吸附剂结合AFB1的能力大小顺序为B＞C＞A;（2）吸附剂B在10 min内对AFB1吸附率达到97.69 %,且60 min内一直处在96.03 %以上,而吸附剂A、C在60 min内对AFB1的吸附能力不稳定;（3）与吸附剂A、C相比较,体外条件下吸附剂B与AFB1形成的复合体解吸附率最低;（4）与基础组比较,AFB1组肉仔鸡采食量、体重增加显著下降,料重比显著增加（P＜0.05）,血清总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）、球蛋白（GLOB）水平均显著下降（P＜0.05）。3种吸附剂均能提高肉仔鸡生长性能,吸附剂B能显著改善摄入AFB1污染日粮（98.98 μg?kg-1）的肉仔鸡血清蛋白水平的降低,添加吸附剂A或C效果不显著。【结论】3种吸附剂对AFB1均有一定的吸附作用,吸附剂B的作用效果优于吸附剂A和吸附剂C。结果提示,将吸附剂B应用于被AFB1污染的家禽饲料中,与其它霉菌毒素管理措施相结合,能降低AFB1对肉仔鸡的危害。     

丙型肝炎病毒NS4B蛋白调控Hep3B细胞非折叠蛋白质反应研究

研究表达的丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)NS4B对Hep3B细胞非折叠蛋白质反应的影响。NS4B重组真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1(-)NS4B通过脂质体转染Hep3B细胞,G418筛选和Western blot鉴定稳定转染细胞;RT-PCR检测稳定转染细胞内XBP1 mRNA剪接,Western blot鉴定ATF6蛋白切割,荧光素酶试验检测稳定转染细胞内GRP78和XBP1启动子活性。G418筛选和Western Blot鉴定证实获得稳定表达NS4B的Hep3B细胞;在该细胞内,XBP1 mRNA剪接、ATF6切割、XBP1和Grp78启动子激活均被检测到。NS4B在Hep3B的稳定表达诱导了非折叠蛋白质反应。     

Crystal structures of human cytochrome P450 3A4 bound to metyrapone and progesterone

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) metabolize a wide range of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics, such as pollutants, environmental compounds, and drug molecules. The microsomal, membrane-associated, P450 isoforms CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, and CYP1A2 are responsible for the oxidative metabolism of more than 90% of marketed drugs. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolizes more drug molecules than all other isoforms combined. Here we report three crystal structures of CYP3A4: unliganded, bound to the inhibitor metyrapone, and bound to the substrate progesterone. The structures revealed a surprisingly small active site, with little conformational change associated with the binding of either compound. An unexpected peripheral binding site is identified, located above a phenylalanine cluster, which may be involved in the initial recognition of substrates or allosteric effectors.     

Immunologic inhibition of ultraviolet radiation-induced tumor suppressor cell activity

Long-term exposure of C3H mice to ultraviolet radiation resulted in the formation of suppressor T cells that recognize ultraviolet radiation-induced regressor skin cancers as a class before the appearance of overt tumors. Administration of monoclonal antibodies to the product of the I-Jk subregion of the major histocompatibility complex or low doses of cyclophosphamide in vivo inhibited the development or activity of these cells. This activity of the monoclonal antibody was eliminated by adsorption on B10.BR (I-Jk) but not B10.D2 (I-Jd) splenocytes. These findings provide evidence that elements expressing the I-J determinant are important in regulating the host response prior to the overt development of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin cancers and suggest novel therapeutic approaches to malignancies or other diseases involving suppressor T cells in their pathogenesis.     

脑部特异表达SV40Tag转基因动物模型的建立

将猿猴病毒抗原蛋白(SV40Tag)片段克隆进脑部特异表达载体pMM279中,通过显微注射法制作转基因小鼠。采用PCR和Southern blotting检测目的基因整合,并通过RT-PCR检测目的基因的表达。结果表明:共出生29只仔鼠,经PCR检测出3只阳性,Southern blotting检测出2只阳性。RT-PCR检测到SV40Tag仅在前脑部皮层和海马表达。成功获得的脑部特异表达SV40Tag转基因小鼠模型,为SV40Tag的致病机制及脑肿瘤的治疗等研究提供工具。     

M蛋白基因shRNA抑制PRRSV在Marc145细胞中复制的研究

 【目的】通过靶向PRRSV基因组中的M基因的siRNA来抑制PRRSV在Marc145细胞中的复制。【方法】构建4个能转录小发夹RNA（shRNA）的质粒,将其与靶蛋白表达质粒共转染HEK293A细胞,观察荧光或进行半定量PCR;或将其转染Marc145细胞,感染PRRSV后进行IFA、TCID50和实时PCR检测。【结果】shRNA表达质粒对M融合蛋白表达的抑制率约为50％,使M真核质粒表达蛋白的mRNA水平降低54%～64%,表达的shRNA在PRRSV感染后48 h使病毒的TCID50和mRNA水平均降低到1/10～1/100倍,间接免疫荧光结果表明shRNA表达质粒转染孔的荧光细胞数显著减少。【结论】shRNA表达质粒特异性的抑制了靶蛋白M和PRRSV的复制,靶向PRRSV基因组M基因不同区域的siRNA可以作为控制该病毒传播的候选策略。