Diversity of G proteins in signal transduction

The heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) act as switches that regulate information processing circuits connecting cell surface receptors to a variety of effectors. The G proteins are present in all eukaryotic cells, and they control metabolic, humoral, neural, and developmental functions. More than a hundred different kinds of receptors and many different effectors have been described. The G proteins that coordinate receptor-effector activity are derived from a large gene family. At present, the family is known to contain at least sixteen different genes that encode the alpha subunit of the heterotrimer, four that encode beta subunits, and multiple genes encoding gamma subunits. Specific transient interactions between these components generate the pathways that modulate cellular responses to complex chemical signals.     

水稻GS3蛋白及其与Gβ蛋白复合物的表达及结晶初筛

【目的】阐明GS3蛋白在水稻中的调控机制,为解析植物G蛋白的结构及完善G蛋白的调控网络打下基础。【方法】分别采用表达载体pGEX-6p-1和pET-28b-sumo诱导表达GS3蛋白N端结构域OSR和GS3蛋白C端结构域,再使用凝胶过滤柱Superdex 200/7510/300和阴例子交换层析柱Mono Q 5/50纯化表达蛋白,通过筛选优化晶体和X射线衍射的方法对GS3及GS3与Gβ共表达复合物的结构进行研究。【结果】将构建的重组蛋白OSR-pGEX-6p-1与GβN- pET-28b-sumo转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中共表达,经GST beads亲和层析可获得2条条带,分别为OSR-GST(31 kD)和GβN-sumo(26 kD),再过Ni2+ beads亲和层析同样有2条条带,而SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳结果显示有4条条带,分别为GST(26 kD)、sumo(17 kD)、GβN(9 kD)和OSR(5 kD)。经阴例子交换层析柱Mono Q 5/50分离纯化可获得GβN(9 kD)和OSR(5 kD)二者的复合物。将纯化后的复合物浓缩至12 mg/mL进行晶体初筛,但未获得结晶。【结论】GS3和Gβ互作是通过GS3蛋白N端结构域OSR与Gβ N端结构域的结合而实现,其结果符合经典的G蛋白异源三聚体模型。     

Resolution of a signal transfer region from a general binding domain in gbeta for stimulation of phospholipase C-beta2

Signaling by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) involves sequential protein-protein interactions. G protein-betagamma subunit (Gbetagamma) interactions with phospholipase C-beta2 (PLC-beta2) were studied to determine if all Gbeta contacts are required for signaling. A peptide encoding Gbeta amino acid residues 86 to 105 stimulated PLC-beta2. Six residues (96 to 101) within this sequence could transfer signals and thus constitute a core signal transfer region. Another peptide, encoding Gbeta amino acid residues 115 to 135, did not substantially stimulate PLC-beta2 by itself but inhibited Gbetagamma stimulation, indicating that residues 115 to 135 constitute a general binding domain. Resolution of signal transfer regions from general binding domains indicates that all protein-protein contacts are not required for signal transfer and that it may be feasible to synthesize agonists and antagonists that regulate intracellular signal flow.     

Bioinformatic analysis and functional characterization of the cfem proteins in maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola

Fungal secreted proteins that contain the Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane(CFEM) domain are important for pathogenicity. The hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum graminicola causes the serious anthracnose disease of maize. In this study, we identified 24 CgCFEM proteins in the genome of C. graminicola. Phylogenic analysis revealed that these 24 proteins(CgCFEM1–24) can be divided into 2 clades based on the presence of the trans-membrane domain. Sequence alignment analysis indicated that the amino acids of the CFEM domain are highly conserved and contain 8 spaced cysteines, with the exception that CgCFEM1 and CgCFEM24 lack 1 and 2 cysteines, respectively. Ten CgCFEM proteins with a signal peptide and without the trans-membrane domain were considered as candidate effectors and, thus were selected for structural prediction and functional analyses. The CFEM domain in the candidate effectors can form a helical-basket structure homologous to the Csa2 protein in Candida albicans, which is responsible for haem acquisition and pathogenicity. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that these effectors accumulate in the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytosolic bodies. Additionally, 5 effectors, CgCFEM6, 7, 8, 9 and 15, can suppress the BAX-induced programmed cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana with or without the signal peptide. These results demonstrate that these 10 CgCFEM candidate effectors with different structures and subcellular localizations in host cells may play important roles during the pathogenic processes on maize plants.     

家蚕谷光甘肽-S-转移酶GSTe3基因的鉴定及其真核表达

【目的】谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(Glutathiones S-tansferases,GSTs)是一类由多基因编码的多功能同工酶超家族,在解毒内源和外源性有毒物质中起着重要作用,家蚕GSTs的研究,可为解析家蚕解毒机制奠定基础。【方法】利用生物信息学和分子生物学方法克隆和分析家蚕GSTe3(BmGSTe3),利用RT-PCR分析该基因在家蚕体内的表达情况,利用重组杆状病毒真核表达系统在sf9细胞中真核表达BmGSTe3。【结果】在家蚕中克隆了家蚕的GSTe3,该基因由5个外显子与4个内含子组成,外显子总长度为512bp,属于昆虫特异的Epsilon家族。BmGSTe3包含N-末端和C-末端2个结构域,N-末端由β-α-β-α-β-β-α共7个结构基序组成,而C-末端则由5个α螺旋构成,在启动子上游2500bp区域内共发现了15个可能的转录调控元件。BmGSTe3的表达具有较高的组织特异性,它只在家蚕血液和头部表达。BmGSTe3在sf9细胞中表达的BmGSTe3蛋白具有较好的GSTs酶活性。【结论】BmGSTe3属于昆虫特异的Epsilon家族,其蛋白具有较好的GSTs酶活性。     

Structure of Galphaq-p63RhoGEF-RhoA complex reveals a pathway for the activation of RhoA by GPCRs

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor p63RhoGEF is an effector of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) Galphaq and thereby links Galphaq-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to the activation of the small-molecular-weight G protein RhoA. We determined the crystal structure of the Galphaq-p63RhoGEF-RhoA complex, detailing the interactions of Galphaq with the Dbl and pleckstrin homology (DH and PH) domains of p63RhoGEF. These interactions involve the effector-binding site and the C-terminal region of Galphaq and appear to relieve autoinhibition of the catalytic DH domain by the PH domain. Trio, Duet, and p63RhoGEF are shown to constitute a family of Galphaq effectors that appear to activate RhoA both in vitro and in intact cells. We propose that this structure represents the crux of an ancient signal transduction pathway that is expected to be important in an array of physiological processes.     

Crystal structure of glycoprotein B from herpes simplex virus 1

Glycoprotein B (gB) is the most conserved component of the complex cell-entry machinery of herpes viruses. A crystal structure of the gB ectodomain from herpes simplex virus type 1 reveals a multidomain trimer with unexpected homology to glycoprotein G from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV G). An alpha-helical coiled-coil core relates gB to class I viral membrane fusion glycoproteins; two extended beta hairpins with hydrophobic tips, homologous to fusion peptides in VSV G, relate gB to class II fusion proteins. Members of both classes accomplish fusion through a large-scale conformational change, triggered by a signal from a receptor-binding component. The domain connectivity within a gB monomer would permit such a rearrangement, including long-range translocations linked to viral and cellular membranes.     

Programmed cell death of T cells signaled by the T cell receptor and the alpha 3 domain of class I MHC

As well as being activated or rendered unresponsive, mature T lymphocytes can be deleted, depending on the signals received by the cell. Deletion by programmed cell death (apoptosis) is triggered if a T cell that has received a signal through its T cell receptor complex also receives a signal through the alpha 3 domain of its class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Such a signal can be delivered by a CD8 molecule, which recognizes the alpha 3 domain, or by an antibody to this domain. Precursors of both cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL's) and T helper cells are sensitive to this signal but become resistant at some point before completing differentiation into functioning CTL's or T helper cells. Because CTL's carry CD8, they can induce cell death in T cells that recognize them. This pathway may be important in both removal of autoreactive T cells and immunoregulation.     

Closing of the nucleotide pocket of kinesin-family motors upon binding to microtubules

We have used adenosine diphosphate analogs containing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin moieties and EPR spectroscopy to show that the nucleotide-binding site of kinesin-family motors closes when the motor.diphosphate complex binds to microtubules. Structural analyses demonstrate that a domain movement in the switch 1 region at the nucleotide site, homologous to domain movements in the switch 1 region in the G proteins [heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins], explains the EPR data. The switch movement primes the motor both for the free energy-yielding nucleotide hydrolysis reaction and for subsequent conformational changes that are crucial for the generation of force and directed motion along the microtubule.     

马尾松胶合木胶层对声发射信号传播特性的影响

采用NI高速采集设备构建木材声发射信号采集平台,通过铅芯折断的方式在马尾松胶合木表面模拟产生AE源。然后对采集的原始信号进行5层小波分解并重构AE信号波形,进而获得AE信号的时频域特征。最后,根据信号相关性分析和时差定位方法,研究AE信号沿胶接横纹和指接横纹方向上的传播速率。研究表明,AE信号在胶合木表面传播时,AE信号中频率较低的成分在通过胶层时能量衰减更加显著,并且在胶接横纹和指接横纹方向上的传播速率存在明显差异,进一步指出指接胶层对信号传播速率的影响比胶接胶层更明显。     

Type-specific regulation of adenylyl cyclase by G protein beta gamma subunits

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) dissociate into guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound alpha subunits and a complex of beta and gamma subunits after interaction with receptors. The GTP-alpha subunit complex activates appropriate effectors, such as adenylyl cyclase, retinal phosphodiesterase, phospholipase C, and ion channels. G protein beta gamma subunits have been found to have regulatory effects on certain types of adenylyl cyclase. In the presence of Gs alpha, the alpha subunit of the G protein that activates adenylyl cyclase, one form of adenylyl cyclase was inhibited by beta gamma, some forms were activated by beta gamma, and some forms were not affected by beta gamma. These interactions suggest mechanisms for communication between distinct signal-transducing pathways.     

猪干扰素α、β和γ的融合表达及活性

【目的】研制高效的猪基因工程干扰素制剂用于猪病毒性和肿瘤性疾病的防治。【方法】采用重叠延伸PCR（splicing by overlap extension PCR,SOE-PCR）技术将PoIFN-α、PoIFN-β和PoIFN-γ成熟肽基因进行连接,形成3种融合基因PoIFN-α/β、PoIFN-α/γ和PoIFN-β/γ,并构建到原核表达载体pET30a进行融合表达,用细胞病变抑制试验和淋巴细胞转化试验测定融合蛋白rPoIFN-α/β、rPoIFN-α/γ和rPoIFN-β/γ的生物学活性,同时与非融合干扰素rPoIFN-α、rPoIFN-β和rPoIFN-γ进行比较分析。【结果】成功构建了3种融合基因,并在大肠杆菌中实现表达,经纯化、复性得到3种具有生物学活性的融合蛋白rPoIFN-α/β、rPoIFN-α/γ和rPoIFN-β/γ。细胞病变抑制试验结果表明,无论是在Marc-145还是在PK-15细胞上,3种融合蛋白均具有较强的抗病毒活性,其抗PRRSV或VSV活性明显高于非融合的rPoIFN-α、rPoIFN-β和rPoIFN-γ,体现出一定的叠加效应;MTT法检测淋巴细胞转化试验结果显示,rPoIFN-α/γ和rPoIFN-β/γ能有效刺激淋巴细胞转化,具有良好的免疫学活性;而rPoIFN-α/β效果不明显。说明Ⅰ型与Ⅱ型PoIFN之间能协同调节免疫,而Ⅰ型的不同亚型之间无明显协同作用。【结论】3种融合干扰素具有较强的抗病毒活性,可以用于猪病毒性和肿瘤性疾病的防治,其中rPoIFN-α/γ和rPoIFN-β/γ还具有较强的免疫增强作用,可被开发成新型的免疫增强剂。     

Characterization of subunits encoded by SnRK1 and dissection of combinations among these subunits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Sucrose nonfermenting-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) is one of the critical serine/threonine protein kinases. It commonly mediates plant growth and development, cross-talks with metabolism processes and physiological responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. It plays a key role in distributing carbohydrates and sugar signal transporting. In the present study, eight SnRK1 coding genes were identified in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) via sequences alignment, with three for α subunits (SnRK1α1 to SnRK1α3), three for β (SnRK1β1 to SnRK1β3), and one for both γ (SnRK1γ) and βγ (SnRK1βγ). These eight corresponding genes located on five chromosomes (Chr) of Chr1–3, Chr7, and Chr9 and presented collinearities to SnRK1s from maize and rice, exhibiting highly conserved domains within the same subunits from the three kinds of cereals. Expression results via qRT-PCR showed that different coding genes of SnRK1s in sorghum possessed similar expression patterns except for SnRK1α3 with a low expression level in grains and SnRK1β2 with a relatively high expression level in inflorescences. Results of subcellular localization in sorghum leaf protoplast showed that SnRK1α1/α2/α3/γ mainly located on organelles, while the rest four of SnRK1β1/β2/β3/βγ located on both membranes and some organelles. Besides, three combinations were discovered among eight SnRK1 subunits in sorghum through yeast two hybrid, including α1-β2-βγ, α2-β3-γ, and α3-β3-γ. These results provide informative references for the following functional dissection of SnRK1 subunits in sorghum.     

L型结构木材中声发射信号传播特征

针对木材结构尺寸及介质改变对应变能传播的影响,研究应力波在变结构的L型试件中的声发射（acoustic emission,AE）特性。首先,参照ASTM-E976标准,在樟子松L型试件表面不同位置产生AE源,并利用采样频率为500 kHz的AE采集系统获取试件表面4个固定位置的AE信号。其次,依据小波分析原理对原始AE信号进行降噪并重构AE波形,进而研究木材结构变化对AE信号频域特征的影响。最后,基于对比分析,研究空气介质对于信号传播特性的影响。结果表明,当AE源位于锯材处时,信号以纵波和横波混合的形式单向传播,木材的结构变化主要影响低频信号成分,使得信号呈现高频带分布;而空气介质对于其时频域均有显著影响;当AE源位于薄板时,木材结构变化、传播路径及空气介质对于AE信号时频域特性均有显著影响。     

海水青鳉雌激素受体基因的克隆、组织表达特性及环境雌激素EE2对其表达的影响

为了获得海水青鳉Oryzias melastigma雌激素受体的基因信息及其表达特性,采用RACE-PCR技术和实时荧光定量PCR方法,进行了雌激素受体基因的克隆、表达特性分析及其在17α-炔雌醇(EE2)暴露下的基因响应研究。结果表明:海水青鳉雌激素受体基因与其他脊椎动物雌激素受体基因同源性较高,特别是DNA结合结构域(DBD)在进化上高度保守,配体结合结构域(LBD)次之;OM-ERα/β1/β2在所检测的10种组织中均有表达,其中在青鳉肝脏、性腺、脾脏和肠中表达量较高;OM-ERα在肝脏中的表达和OM-ERβ1/β2在性腺中的表达,雌雄间存在显著性差异(P0.05);在EE2浓度为5、50、500ng/L的水体中暴露96 h后,海水青鳉仔鱼中的分子标志物卵黄蛋白原基因(vtg1)被显著诱导(P0.05),且呈浓度依赖关系;中浓度(50 ng/L)的EE2诱导仔鱼OM-ERβ1基因表达,OM-ERβ2对EE2暴露呈现低浓度诱导、高浓度抑制的趋势;攻毒试验结果表明,OM-ERα和vtg1之间存在一种正相关关系,暗示EE2可能主要通过ERα调控vtg1基因的表达;EE2攻毒下,β亚型存在一种倒U型的剂量-反应关系。研究表明:克隆获得的海水青鳉3个雌激素受体亚型基因OM-ERα/β1/β2,为后续开展海水模式鱼类雌激素受体相关研究提供了基础信息;OM-ERα/β1/β2的组织表达特性及EE2对仔鱼OM-ERα/β1/β2表达的不同调控,显示出海水青鳉3种ER亚型基因存在着不同的生理功能,且其对环境污染物的应答模式不同。