Cloning and characterization of a plasminogen-binding enolase from the saliva of the argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata

Significant amounts of enolase have recently been found in the saliva of the argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata, raising the question as to what the function of enolase in the tick–host interface is. Enolase is a multifunctional glycolytic enzyme known to act as a plasminogen receptor on cellular surfaces, promoting fibrinolysis and extracellular matrix degradation. Fibrinolysis could be important for ticks to dissolve clots that might be formed during feeding as well as to prevent clotting of the ingested blood meal in the tick midgut. Additionally, enolase-mediated extracellular matrix degradation could contribute to the tick feeding lesion. Moreover, previous observations suggested an additional antihaemostatic role for O. moubata enolase as a P-selectin antagonist ligand. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of the O. moubata salivary enolase as a plasminogen receptor and P-selectin ligand, and to evaluate its potential as an antigen target for anti-O. moubata vaccines. The study included the cloning, sequencing and recombinant production of the O. moubata enolase, plasminogen binding and activation assays, P-selectin binding assays, animal immunization trials, and RNAi knockdown of the enolase gene. Here we confirmed that enolase is secreted to the saliva of the tick and provide convincing evidence for a role of this salivary enolase as a plasminogen receptor, most likely stimulating host fibrinolysis and maintaining blood fluidity during tick feeding. The RNAi experiments and immunization trials indicated that enolase could be also involved in the regulation of tick reproduction, suggesting new potential control strategies. Finally, the P-selectin binding experiments demonstrated that this enolase is not a P-selectin ligand.     

Purification, N-terminal sequencing and diagnostic value of the major antigens of Ornithodoros erraticus and O. moubata

To enhance the specificity and sensitivity of serological detection of swine exposed to Ornithodoros erraticus or O. moubata, we purified the 158, 186, 215 and 260 kDa antigens from the former species and the designated (owing to their MW and charge) 19C, 17A, 20A1 and 20A2 antigens of the latter by HPLC and gel electroelution methods. All the O. erraticus antigens share epitopes and are difficult to purify individually by reverse phase and ion-exchange chromatography due to their molecular similarity. Tested individually by ELISA, all of them give the same optical densities (OD) with anti-O. erraticus sera, and these ODs are always lower with anti-immature than with anti-adult sera. Although immature and adult specimens have the same antigens, immature forms induce more anti-carbohydrate antibodies than adults. This is the reason for the lower ODs of the anti-immature sera against purified antigens, since these latter antigens essentially react with anti-peptide antibodies (hence, increasing the specificity and sensitivity of the serology). The N-terminus of the 260 kDa antigen shows 80-90% similarity with the hemoglobin alpha-chain of many mammals. The antigens of O. moubata are proteins that are very different from one another and are, therefore, readily purified by ion exchange chromatography. The 20A1 antigen appears to be the most immunogenic and is recognized equally by anti-immature and anti-adult sera. This antigen does not give false positive reactions with the negative control sera analyzed and its N-terminus region shares 46.2% homology with the alpha-chain of the C3 component of rabbit complement.     

Pathogenicity of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi to Ornithodoros erraticus and Ornithodoros moubata (Acari: Argasidae)

The argasid ticks O. erraticus and O. moubata are of great medical and veterinary importance because they are vectors of the African swine fever virus and several species of human relapsing fever borreliae. Biocontrol of these ticks using entomopathogenic fungi has not been previously reported. We examined the pathogenicity to different developmental stages of these two argasids of six strains of the fungal species Beauveria bassiana (strains Bb1764 and Bb2157), Lecanicillium lecanii (strains Ll586, Ll618 and Ll3047) and Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (strain Tc3398). Three strains, Bb1764, Bb2157, and Tc3398, caused in Spanish O. erraticus mean mortality rates between 34.4% and 62% in 14-28 days post-inoculation. Additionally, Bb2157 also induced in African O. moubata mean mortality rates of 31.9%. The remaining strains caused lower mortality rates and were not considered effective. This is the first study in which some strains of entomopathogenic fungi are found to be effective against argasid ticks of the genus Ornithodoros, and its results might justify further efforts towards the application of entomopathogenic fungal strains as anti-argasid biocontrol agents.     

Development, characterization, and lethal effect of monoclonal antibodies against hemocytes in an adult female tick, Ornithodoros moubata (Acari: Argasidae)

In the present study, 19 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against adult Ornithodoros moubata hemocytes were established, and the reactivity of the hemocytes to these mAbs was examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyses. It was shown that the reactivities of the hemocytes to the mAbs varied among morphologically similar hemocyte types, and most mAbs produced in the present study showed the multiple band reactivity. However, the presence of shared epitopes among peptide subunits of the same protein or entirely different proteins are not common, so their reactivity could not be explained in detail. These results suggest that there are morphologically similar but functionally differentiated hemocytes. Therefore, in addition to morphological classification, the molecular-based classification of the hemocytes is also required. In order to assess the lethal effect of blood meal containing each mAb, artificial feeding was performed. The OmHC 31 showed the strongest lethal effect on adult female O. moubata. In conclusion, anti-hemocyte mAbs produced in this study are useful not only for the immunological classification of hemocytes but also for the immunological control of the tick.     

Immunohistochemical examination of PDGF-AB, TGF-beta and their receptors in the hemocytes of a tick, Ornithodoros moubata (Acari: Argasidae)

Growth factors, Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-beta, were demonstrated in vertebrate and invertebrate immmunocytes. It is generally known that the growth factors are important in various biological processes, such as the regulation of cell differentiation, development and wound healing. In the present study, the presence of TGF-beta1 and PDGF-receptor-alpha in plasmatocytes and PDGF-AB in granulocytes of a soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata, was confirmed immunohistochemically. The tick midgut might be damaged by intracellular digestion and penetration of protozoa. Therefore, it is considered that PDGF from granulocytes may affect the PDGF-receptor-alpha in plasmatocytes and TGF-beta from plasmatocytes may function to repair the midgut. The results obtained here add to the elucidation of the functions of tick hemocytes.     

Cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding a prohibitin-like protein from Theileria orientalis

A cDNA clone encoding a prohibitin-like protein (Toprh) was isolated from a piroplasm cDNA library of Theileria orientalis and its nucleotide sequence was determined. An open reading frame, encoding a polypeptide of 278 amino acid residues, was found in Toprh cDNA sequence. An intron of 89 bp was identified when this cDNA clone was compared with the Toprh gene in the genome of T. orientalis. The deduced amino acid sequence of Toprh shares 93.8, 93.1 and 69.1% identities with the prohibitins of T. parva (from chromosome 1), T. annulata (from chromosome 1), and Plasmodium falciparum, (from chromosome 10), respectively. By Western blot analysis, Toprh was found to be expressed in the piroplasm stage of the parasites.     

柱花草磷转运蛋白SgPT1的克隆和表达分析

磷是植物生长所必需的大量元素。高亲和磷转运子是控制植物对磷吸收和转运的主要蛋白。本研究以磷高效的柱花草基因型TPRC2001-1为对象,首先建立低磷胁迫下TPRC2001-1根系全长cDNA文库。通过同源克隆的方法,首次克隆到编码柱花草高亲和磷转运蛋白的基因,SgPT1。该基因全长cDNA为1 994 bp,编码538个氨基酸残基,蛋白分子量为59 kD。SgPT1蛋白具有高亲和磷转运子的结构特点,即含有“6+6”跨膜结构。而且,定量PCR分析结果表明低磷胁迫显著促进SgPT1在根部的表达,表明该基因可能参与低磷胁迫下磷的吸收和转运的过程。总之,以上结果表明SgPT1的加强表达可能是TPRC2001-1适应低磷胁迫的分子机制之一,为进一步研究柱花草适应低磷的分子机制提供候选基因。     

Cloning, expression, and characterization of the MSP1a and MSP1b recombinant proteins from PR1 Anaplasma marginale strain, Brazil

The Anaplasma marginale is a bacterium that has obligate intraerythrocytic multiplication in cattle causing important economic loss. The A. marginale major surface protein 1 (MSP1) complex, heterodimer composed of MSP1a and MSP1b, has been identified as adhesins for bovine erythrocytes. The objectives of this study were to sequences the msp1β gene and produce and characterize recombinant MSP1a and MSP1b from a Brazilian strain of A. marginale, PR1. The msp1α and msp1β genes from the PR1 strain were cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 Star using the vectors pET102 and pET101/D-TOPO. Antibodies were produced against the recombinant proteins and were shown to react with rMSP1a and rMSP1b demonstrating a molecular mass of 70 kDa to 105 kDa and 100 kDa, respectively for these proteins. Bovine erythrocytes were agglutinated by BL21/rMSP1a and BL21/rMSP1b and, this agglutination was inhibited by the presence of the IgY anti-rMSP1a, confirming the adhesion function of these proteins. Additionally, using the IgY anti-rMSP1a and rMSP1b in a IFI, the presence of rMSP1a and rMSP1b was confirmed on the outer membrane of the recombinant E. coli BL21. Our results show that the msp1β gene from the PR1 strain has both the conserved region and contain the defined polymorphism regions previously described for other strains of A. marginale. The results from this study confirm adhesive functions for rMSP1a and rMSP1b from PR1 strain in bovine erythrocytes invasion.     

Cloning, expression, and characterization of TonB2 from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and potential use as an antigenic vaccine candidate and diagnostic marker

In this study the tonB2 gene was cloned from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae JL01 (serovar 1) and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The GST fusion protein was recognized by antibodies in serum positive for A. pleuropneumoniae by Western blot analysis. Purified soluble GST-TonB2 was assessed for its ability to protect BALB/c mice against A. pleuropneumoniae infection. Mice were vaccinated with GST-TonB2 subcutaneously and challenged intraperitoneally with either ~4.0 × 10(5) colony-forming units (CFU) or ~1.0 × 10(6) CFU of A. pleuropneumoniae 4074. They were examined daily for 7 d after challenge. The survival rate of the TonB2-vaccinated mice was significant higher than that of the mice given recombinant GST or adjuvant alone. These results demonstrate that A. pleuropneumoniae TonB2 is immunogenic in mice and should be further assessed as a potential candidate for a vaccine against A. pleuropneumoniae infection. In addition, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the GST-TonB2 recombinant protein was developed. Compared with the ApxIVA ELISA, the TonB2 ELISA provided earlier detection of antibodies in pigs at various times after vaccination with A. pleuropneumoniae live attenuated vaccine. When compared with an indirect hemagglutination test, the sensitivity and specificity of the TonB2 ELISA were 95% and 88%, respectively. The TonB2 ELISA provides an alternative method for rapid serologic diagnosis of A. pleuropneumoniae infection through antibody screening, which would be especially useful when the infection status or serovar is unknown.     

绵羊肺炎支原体Y98 P30基因的克隆、表达及免疫试验

根据猪肺炎支原体（Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Mhp）跨膜蛋白P30基因序列设计引物,通过PCR克隆出绵羊肺炎支原体（Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae,MO）膜蛋白P30基因片段。通过对该序列的同源性分析表明MOP30基因与Mhp P30基因核苷酸序列同源性为79%。抗原表位及跨膜结构预测的结果表明,MO P30基因与Mhp P30基因的抗原表位及跨膜结构均具有高度的一致性。该片段中含1个TGA编码Trp,而不是终止密码子。将P30基因与原核表达载体pET-28a连接构建pET-28a-P30表达质粒,转化受体菌Rossta得到重组菌株Rossta（pET-28a-P30）。经诱导后SDS-PAGE表明有30 000左右的目的条带出现;Western blot表明Rossta（pET-28a-P30）表达的30 000蛋白主要以包涵体的形式存在;小鼠免疫试验表明Rossta（pET-28a-P30）原核表达的蛋白对小鼠具有一定的保护作用。     

Development and characterization of a potential diagnostic monoclonal antibody against capsid protein VP1 of the chicken anemia virus

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is an important viral pathogen that causes anemia and severe immunodeficiency syndrome in chickens worldwide. In this study, a potential diagnostic monoclonal antibody against the CAV VP1 protein was developed which can precisely recognize the CAV antigen for diagnostic and virus recovery purposes. The VP1 gene of CAV encoding the N-terminus-deleted VP1 protein, VP1Nd129, was cloned into an Escherichia (E.) coli expression vector. After isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyronoside induction, VP1Nd129 protein was shown to be successfully expressed in the E. coli. By performing an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay using two coating antigens, purified VP1Nd129 and CAV-infected liver tissue lysate, E3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was found to have higher reactivity against VP1 protein than the other positive clones according to the result of limiting dilution method from 64 clones. Using immunohistochemistry, the presence of the VP1-specific mAb, E3, was confirmed using CAV-infected liver and thymus tissues as positive-infected samples. Additionally, CAV particle purification was also performed using an immunoaffinity column containing E3 mAb. The monoclonal E3 mAb developed in this study will not only be very useful for detecting CAV infection and performing histopathology studies of infected chickens, but may also be used to purify CAV particles in the future.     

油梨果肉捕光叶绿素a/b结合蛋白基因PaCAB1的克隆、序列分析及表达

以油梨品系 “RN-5”为实验材料,克隆出叶绿素a/b结合蛋白同源基因,命名为PaCAB1,其开放阅读框为777 bp,编码259个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比较分析表明,PaCAB1独自聚类成为一组,与其它21种物种CAB同源性相对较低。实时荧光定量PCR检测表明,在油梨果肉发育过程中,PaCAB1的表达量逐渐地缓慢降低,到S-III时期降到最低点,其变化趋势与叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b的含量变化趋势一致。     

Cloning,expression and characterization of a feruloyl esterase C from Penicillium chrysogenum

Objective:To clone feruloyl esterase gene C from Penicillium chrysogenum and characterize the general properties of the enzyme.Methods:The feruloyl esterase C gene was amplified by PCR based on the Penicillium chrysogenum feruloyl esterase C gene sequence and cloned into the expression vector p PIC9K,resulting the recombinant plasmid p PIC9K-Pcfae C.The recombiant plasmid was linerized and transformed into P.pastoris by electroporation.The transformants was screened based on the transparent zone technology.The screened transformants was then induced by methanol.the enzymatic properties of the protein were then measured.Results:SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the molecular mass of the enzyme was about 30 k D.The length of the gene was 762 bp.It comprised one open reading framwork(ORF)and annotated to encode 249 amino acid.The optimal temperature and p H was found to be 40℃and 6,respectively.Moreover,the recombinant enzyme was stable at 40-50℃and p H 5-7.Conclusion:The enzyme successfully expressed in P.pastoris could laid theoretical foundation in food,fodder and paper making industry.     

Cloning, expression and characterization of a cell wall surface protein, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, of Haemophilus parasuis

Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis) is a swine pathogen responsible for the Glässer’s disease. In order to understand the pathogenesis of the H. parasuis infection, the gnd gene encoding a cell surface protein, 6-phosphogluconate-dehydrogenase (6PGD) of H. parasuis was inducibly expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 with a hexahistidyl N-terminus to permit its purification. Western blotting using the r6PGD-specific antiserum showed that the 6PGD protein is on the cell surface of H. parasuis. The characterization of 6PGD in H. parasuis pathogenesis involved as an adhesion and its immunogenicity in mice was further investigated. The adherence assay with H. parasuis and swine alveolar epithelial cells (SJPLC) pre-incubated with (His)₆6PGD and non-incubated SJPLC showed a noticeable reduction in the adhesion of H. parasuis in the (His)₆6PGD pre-incubated SJPLC compared to the non-incubated SJPLC. Further, the r6PGD protein induces the production of IL-8 and IL-6 by SJPLC. Furthermore, immunization with the r6PGD protein can provide the protective efficacy by 75% following intraperitoneal administration of a 5 × LD₅₀ dose of H. parasuis SH0165, and elicited a good protective immune response, which demonstrated the importance of 6PGD to bacterial pathogenesis. Identification and characterization of the role of H. parasuis 6PGD in adhesion and immunogenicity will allow us to use this protein to develop new antimicrobial therapies and/or vaccines.     

Isolation, characterization, and quantitative analysis of C-reactive protein from horses

C-reactive protein (CRP) was isolated from equine serum by use of calcium-dependent affinity chromatography conjugated pneumococcal C-polysaccharide, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. It was identified as genuine CRP by its immunochemical cross-reactivity with anti-human CRP, its homology with human CRP in amino acid composition, and its pentameric structure as revealed by electron microscopy. Purified equine CRP had a molecular weight of approximately 118,000 and was composed of 5 identical, nonglycosylated and noncovalently associated subunits with molecular weight of approximately 23,000 each. Equine CRP migrated in the region between beta- and gamma-globulin by results of immunoelectrophoresis, and its isoelectric point was about 7.0. In horses, increased CRP concentration was associated with clinical pneumonitis, enteritis, and arthritis, compared with values obtained in clinically normal horses by use of single radial immunodiffusion method. After IM administration of turpentine oil or castration, serum CRP concentration increased to 6 times higher than baseline values. Results indicate that CRP may be an acute-phase reactant protein in horses.     

Cloning, expression and characterization of a cell wall surface protein, 6-phosphogluconate-dehydrogenase, of Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis type 2 is a pathogen responsible for diverse diseases in both pigs and humans. In order to understand the pathogenesis of the S. suis type 2 infection, the gene encoding a cell surface protein, 6-phosphogluconate-dehydrogenase (6PGD) of S. suis type 2 was cloned and sequenced, and recombinant 6PGD protein (r6PGD) was produced in a prokaryotic expression system. Sequence analysis of the cloned 6 pdg gene showed 82% similarity with Streptococcus pneumoniae 6 pdg at the nucleic acid level. Western blotting using r6PGD-specific antiserum confirmed the cell surface location of the 6PGD protein of S. suis type 2. The role of 6PGD in S. suis type 2 pathogenesis as an adhesin and its immunogenicity in mice was further investigated. The results showed that the recombinant protein interfered with the adhesion of S. suis type 2 to Hep2 and HeLa cells by 72% and 66%, respectively. Immunization of CD-1 mice with r6PGD increased the protective efficacy by 80% following intraperitoneal administration of a lethal dose of S. suis type 2. Immunization of CD-1 mice with r6PGD elicited a significant protective immune response, which demonstrated the importance of 6PGD to bacterial pathogenesis. Identification and characterization of the role of S. suis type 2 6PGD in adhesion and immunogenicity will allow us to use this protein to develop new antimicrobial therapies and/or vaccines.