Expression and possible role of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the placenta of the goat

20Alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone to its inactive form 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20alpha-OHP). 20Alpha-HSD is expressed in the murine placenta, suggesting a role, yet unidentified, played by this enzyme during the course of pregnancy. To elucidate the possible roles of 20alpha-HSD during pregnancy, 20alpha-HSD gene expression in the placenta was examined by Northern blot analysis, and progestin (progesterone and 20alpha-OHP) concentrations in the maternal and fetal sera and the amniotic fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay in pregnant Shiba goats. The expression of 20alpha-HSD mRNA was observed in the placenta and the intercaruncular part of the uterus during mid to late pregnancy. Analysis by in situ hybridization revealed that 20alpha-HSD mRNA was mainly localized in the endometrial epithelium of the caruncle side of the placenta. Considerable enzyme activity of 20alpha-HSD was also detected in the cytosolic fraction of the placenta and intercaruncular part of the uterus. Although concentrations of progesterone and 20alpha-OHP in the maternal serum showed similar profiles, progesterone levels in the fetal serum stayed extremely low throughout the pregnancy. The 20alpha-OHP concentration in the fetal serum was always higher than that in the maternal serum. In the amniotic fluid, the concentrations of both progesterone and 20alpha-OHP remained at very low levels throughout the pregnancy. These results support the notion that 20alpha-HSD protects the fetus from the cytotoxic effects of progesterone, and thereby maintains the normal development of the fetus.     

Involvement of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the maintenance of pregnancy in mice

The enzyme 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) catabolizes progesterone into a biologically inactive steroid, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20alpha-OHP). In the corpora lutea of rats and mice, 20alpha-HSD is considered to be involved in functional luteolysis. It is also distributed in other tissues including the placenta, endometrial epithelia and fetal skin, although the roles it plays in these tissues remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the role of 20alpha-HSD in the maintenance of pregnancy using mice with targeted disruption of the 20alpha-HSD gene. We first confirmed that the number of pups was significantly smaller in 20alpha-HSD-/- pairs than in 20alpha-HSD+/+ pairs. We then mated 20alpha-HSD+/- males and females so that each pregnant female produced 20alpha-HSD+/+, 20alpha-HSD+/- and 20alpha-HSD-/- offspring. The genotype ratio of the offspring did not match the Mendel's law of inheritance, and the numbers of 20alpha-HSD+/- and 20alpha-HSD-/- offspring were smaller than expected values. Although the genotype ratio of fetuses on days 13, 15 and 18 of pregnancy matched the Mendel's law, the total number of fetuses on day 18 was significantly smaller than that on day 13, suggesting that fetal loss occurred during late pregnancy. Next, we transferred 20alpha-HSD+/+ embryos to 20alpha-HSD+/+ or 20alpha-HSD-/- females and found that the number of offspring was significantly smaller in 20alpha-HSD-/- dams than in 20alpha-HSD+/+ dams. Expression of 20alpha-HSD mRNA in the fetus, placenta and uterus progressively increased from day 11 to 18 of pregnancy. In addition, concentrations of progesterone were significantly higher in the 20alpha-HSD-/- fetuses than in the 20alpha-HSD+/+ fetuses, while those of 20alpha-OHP were lower in the 20alpha-HSD-/- fetuses than in the 20alpha-HSD+/+ fetuses. These results suggest that both maternal and fetal 20alpha-HSD play a role in maintaining normal pregnancy at least partially by reducing progesterone concentrations in fetuses.     

Reproductive phenotypes in mice with targeted disruption of the 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene

In the corpus luteum of rats and mice, 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive metabolite, 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20alpha-OHP). The reduction of progesterone by 20alpha-HSD is believed to be important for functional luteolysis in these rodent species. In addition to the corpus luteum, expression of 20alpha-HSD has been demonstrated in tissues such as the placenta, endometrial epithelia, and fetal skin, although the roles it plays in the latter tissues remain to be determined. To determine the contribution of 20alpha-HSD to functional luteolysis and to the rodent reproductive system more generally, we generated a strain of mice with targeted disruption of the 20alpha-HSD gene. In the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice we obtained, which lacked the genomic region essential for catalytic reaction, neither 20alpha-HSD activity in the corpus luteum nor an increase in the serum concentrations of 20alpha-OHP during pseudopregnancy or pregnancy was detected. The durations of the estrous cycle, pseudopregnancy, and pregnancy were significantly prolonged in the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice, although the serum progesterone levels decreased to levels low enough for delivery of pups at term of pregnancy. In addition, the number of pups, especially live pups, was markedly decreased in the 20alpha-HSD-/- mice. These findings suggest that the role of 20alpha-HSD in functional luteolysis is relatively minor but that it is involved in the survival of newborn mice.     

山羊妊娠早期胎儿胎盘血管形成及相关基因的表达

旨在探究大足黑山羊妊娠早期胎儿胎盘血管发育、分布和血管生成相关因子表达状况,并对血管生成相关因子表达之间和血管发育进行相关性分析。本研究随机选取15只8月龄、体格相近、身体健康的国家级畜禽遗传资源—大足黑山羊青年母羊,经同一种公羊自然交配后(以末次配种当天记为0 d),经剖腹产手术采集妊娠第20、25和30天的胎儿和胎儿胎盘以及经屠宰采集妊娠第45和60天的胎儿和胎儿胎盘作为研究对象,通过免疫组化法评估胎盘血管发育和分布情况,采用qRT-PCR技术检测主要血管生成相关基因的mRNA表达水平,分析血管生成相关基因之间以及与胎盘血管发育分布的相关性。结果显示,胎儿体重和体长随着妊娠的进行逐渐增加,且血管内皮细胞阳性率处于较高水平(>26%)。山羊胎儿胎盘毛细血管总面积/组织区域面积(CAD)逐渐升高;毛细血管总数/单位组织区域面积(CND)在妊娠25~30 d增加,30~60 d降低,毛细血管总面积/毛细血管根数(APC)呈相反趋势;毛细血管总周长/单位组织区域面积(CSD)无显著变化。妊娠早期胎儿胎盘VEGFA的表达量随着妊娠的进行逐渐升高,且与血管分布存在一定的相关性,其受体FLT1和KDR表达量呈先增高后降低的趋势,分别在30和45 d达到峰值。血管生成相关基因ANGPT1/2及其受体TEK和FGF2及其受体FGFR2的表达均在妊娠30 d时较高。综上表明,在妊娠30 d前,胎儿胎盘主要通过毛细血管形成分支促进血管面积的增加;而在30~60 d,主要通过单位血管的增粗促进血管面积的增加,并且血管生成相关基因的表达在妊娠30 d时较高,这可能和子叶开始形成有关。山羊妊娠早期胎儿胎盘中VEGFA可能通过其受体结合与其他血管生成因子共同作用调控胎儿胎盘血管形成。     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of CD9 cDNA from Sheep and Cashmere Goat

CD9 is a glycoprotein of the transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF) and is involved in various cellular processes. Some CD9 cDNA have been cloned in mammals and certain fish genera in recent years, but goat and sheep counterparts of cattle, human and mouse have not been identified. To facilitate the studies, we cloned the cDNA encoding for CD9 of cashmere goat (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries), and expressed sheep CD9 in Escherichia coli cells. Structural analysis indicated for both goat and sheep that a 1123 bp cDNA spanned an open reading frame of 681 bp which predicted a protein of 226 amino acids with a typical TM4SF structure, including four highly conserved transmembrane domains, two extracellular domains and a CCG motif, which is a hallmark of the TM4SF. The predicted amino acid sequences were highly homologous to those of cattle, mouse and human CD9. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on CD9 cDNA sequences indicated that goat and sheep CD9 were closely related to CD9 of cattle, which is in agreement with their morphological taxonomy.     

Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes in the corpus luteum and placenta of the Japanese Shiba goat

In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD), cytochrome 17alpha-hydroxylase P450 (P450c17), and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) in the corpus luteum and placenta of Shiba goats. The aim was to clarify the steroidogenic capability of the corpus luteum and placenta of Shiba goats. Ovaries containing corpora lutea were obtained from four adult Shiba goats during the luteal phase (day10; n=2) and pregnancy (90 and 120 days of gestation). Placenta was obtained from one Shiba goat on day 120 of gestation. The sections of the ovaries and placentae were immunostained using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method (ABC) with polyclonal antibodies generated against steroidogenic enzymes of mammalian origin. All luteal cells expressed P450scc, 3betaHSD, P450c17 and P450arom. The distribution of P450scc, 3betaHSD, P450c17 and P450arom were not different during the luteal phase and pregnancy. P450arom showed a weak positive staining in late pregnancy (120 days). In addition, immunoreactions for P450c17 and P450arom were observed in syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta of one Shiba goat. These results indicate that, in Shiba goats, corpus luteum is not only an important source of progesterone but also has the ability to synthesize androgen and estrogen during the luteal phase and pregnancy. Also the placenta has the ability to synthesize androgen and estrogen in late pregnancy.     

Cytosolic 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in spontaneous neoplasms in the dog and cat.

Steroid-producing tissues such as ovary, placenta, testis and adrenal gland and non-steroid-producing cells including lymphocytes are known to contain 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD). In the present study, we measured and partially characterized the 20 alpha-HSD in 11 neoplastic tissues surgically removed from dogs and a cat. The tissues were pathologically classified as 4 benign and 7 malignant. The enzyme activities in the cytoplasmic fraction were positive in 6 of the 7 malignant tissues and 2 of the 4 benign ones. Following DEAE chromatography analysis of 2 malignant tumour samples, multiple forms of enzyme activities with different electric charges were detected. Furthermore, 20 alpha-HSD activity in the cytosol fraction from malignant tumours was increased dramatically by passage through the DEAE column, suggesting that the enzyme is present in the cytosol as an inactive or sequestered form.     

Flutamide Influences Placental Aldo–Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C1 (AKR1C1) Expression in Pigs

Aldo–keto reductase family 1 member C1 (AKR1C1) catalyses the conversion of progesterone into inactive 20α‐dihydroxyprogesterone. It is suggested that AKR1C1 expression in the placenta prevents from the cytotoxic effect of progesterone on foetuses during late pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine whether the anti‐androgen flutamide administered during late pregnancy (83–89 days of gestation) or before parturition (101–107 days of gestation) influences AKR1C1 expression in the porcine placenta. AKR1C1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using real‐time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Immunolocalization of AKR1C1 within placentas was also performed. Flutamide significantly increased AKR1C1 mRNA (p = 0.008) and protein (p = 0.019) expression only during the pre‐parturient period in pigs. AKR1C1 protein was immunolocalized in the epithelial and stromal cells of foetal and maternal part of placenta at both stages of gestation. Following flutamide treatment, the intensity of staining was higher (p = 0.045) on day 108 of gestation. In conclusion, porcine placental AKR1C1 expression seems to be regulated by an androgen signalling pathway and may be involved in foetal survival by preventing the detrimental effect of progesterone.     

徐淮山羊H-FABP基因克隆、表达产物亚细胞定位的研究及转基因小鼠的制备

旨在克隆徐淮山羊心脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)基因的cDNA,探讨其生物信息学功能。通过EGFP融合蛋白对该基因亚细胞水平的表达定位,探究该基因在异种生物体内表达情况,探索制备异种转基因动物的可能性。采用反转录PCR(RT-PCR)方法克隆徐淮山羊H-FABP基因cDNA,进行生物信息学分析,构建其融合表达载体pEGFP-H-FABP。脂质体(LTX)介导基因转染山羊成纤维细胞(GEF),48h后进行荧光检测,RT-PCR检测mRNA在细胞内的表达。利用睾丸注射将目的基因转入小鼠体内,在DNA和蛋白水平上检测目的基因的表达情况。结果,徐淮山羊H-FABP基因完整编码区(CDS)大小为402bp,编码133个氨基酸,GenBank登录号为AY466498.1。徐淮山羊H-FABP序列与人、鸡、褐家鼠、奶牛、野猪、驴及斑马鱼相应编码区同源性为89%、76%、85%、84%、93%、91%、70%,氨基酸序列同源性为90%、79%、88%、97%、95%、94%、72%。成功构建融合表达载体pEGFP-H-FABP,目的基因在mRNA水平上成功表达。目的蛋白定位于细胞质中,与在线预测结果相同(无信号肽,定位于细胞质中)。通过尾静脉注射和睾丸注射,该基因可以在小鼠体内实现暂态表达和持续性表达。本研究成功克隆了徐淮山羊H-FABP基因cDNA,而且H-FABP基因在进化过程中是保守的。该蛋白无信号肽,在单细胞水平上可表达于细胞质中,在小鼠体内也可以成功表达。     

Molecular structure, phylogenetic analysis, tissue distribution, and function characterization of interferon-γ-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) gene in sheep (Ovis aries)

Interferon-γ-inducible-lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays a key role in the processing and presentation of MHC class II-restricted antigen (Ag) by catalyzing disulfide bond reduction. In this study, a sheep cDNA, sGILT, encoding GILT protein was isolated from the spleen cDNA library of Ovis aries. It codes for a deduced protein of 244 amino acids with a putative molecular weight of 27.6 kDa, which has all the typical structural features of GILT protein including an active-site CXXC motif, a GILT signature sequence CQHGX(2)ECX(2)NX(4)C, and 5 conserved cysteines. Sequence comparison indicated the amino acid sequence of sGILT showed high identity to cow GILT (93.03%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that sGILT and cow GILT shared the greatest homology. The result of real-time PCR suggested that sGILT mRNA was expressed in a tissue-specific manner and obviously up-regulated in splenocytes and PBMCs after induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recombinant sGILT fused with His(6) tag was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Its expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis. Thiol reductase activity was assessed using antibody as the substrate. These results suggest that sGILT has the activity of disulfide bond reduction and indicate that sheep also express a protein that has been found to maintain first line of innate immune defense at basal level.     

精子黏附分子-1 cDNA的克隆及表达

为了解精子黏附分子-1(SPAM-1)在内蒙古白绒山羊受精中的作用,采用RT-PCR技术克隆了成年白绒山羊睾丸组织中SPAM-1基因,并用RT-PCR技术检测其mRNA在睾丸及附睾中的表达。结果表明获得291bp的SPAM-1基因cDNA序列,且该基因mRNA在睾丸和附睾尾部有表达,而在附睾头部和体部均不表达或低表达。     

Changes in the activities of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in mouse oocytes during meiotic maturation

The activities of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) were histochemically demonstrated in mouse oocytes in the process of maturation in vivo and in vitro, and the changes in steroid metabolism during meiotic maturation and also the relationship between nuclear maturation and changes in steroid metabolism in the cytoplasm were examined. In mouse oocytes 0 h after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection, the activities of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD (with DHA, pregnenolone and 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone as the substrates), 17beta-HSD (estradiol-17beta and testosterone) and 20beta-HSD (17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20beta-hydroxyprogesterone) were observed in 87 to 97% of those, but that of 20alpha-HSD (20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone) was not. The percentages of oocytes showing the activities of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD, 17beta-HSD and 20beta-HSD did not change during maturation in vivo or in vitro. Oocytes with 20alpha-HSD activity appeared 4 h after the hCG injection or after culture for 4 h and the rates of those reached 92 and 100%, respectively, 14 h after the hCG injection or after culture for 14 h. In oocytes cultured for 8 h with olomoucine or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, nuclei were almost all in the germinal vesicle stage, and activity of 20alpha-HSD was observed in 84 and 89% of the treated oocytes, respectively. On the other hand, 81% of control oocytes showed 20alpha-HSD activity, with no significant difference from the rate for the olomoucine- or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-treated oocytes. The present findings suggested that the metabolic abilities of progesterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxyprogesterone, 20beta-hydroxyprogesterone, androgen and estradiol-17beta in the cytoplasm are constantly present in mouse oocytes in the process of maturation in vivo and in vitro. The results also suggested that the metabolic ability of 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in mouse oocytes increases during maturation, but the change in the metabolic ability of such a steroid is not related to nuclear maturation.     

家蚕类免疫球蛋白(hemolin)基因的克隆及表达特征和抗菌活性研究

Hemolin是昆虫的一种重要先天性免疫蛋白,属于免疫球蛋白超家族。克隆了家蚕hemolin基因,其序列全长5 100bp,含有5个外显子和4个内含子,基因cDNA编码含410个氨基酸的蛋白质,预测蛋白的分子质量约44.79 kD,pI 5.12。对该基因表达规律和生物学活性的结果研究表明:该基因只在家蚕蛹期脂肪体内特异性转录和表达,并能够被细菌和病毒诱导在幼虫期表达;该基因体外表达获得的重组蛋白具有抗菌生物学活性,能够有效抑制苏云金芽孢杆菌等的生长,由此暗示家蚕Hemolin蛋白可能在蚕体抵御病毒与细菌的感染过程中发挥重要作用。     

Cathepsin gene expression in mouse placenta during the latter half of pregnancy

Gene expressions and their interaction are complex and have not been definitely clarified in the placenta. To identify interactions of gene products previously not studied, we applied cDNA subtraction analyses to the placenta between days 12 and 16, days 12 and 14, days 14 and 16 of pregnancy. Among subtracted cDNAs cathepsin M, Q and R in PECs were specifically identified on days 14 and 16 pregnancy. All of these gene expressions exhibited a similar pattern to the mPL-II gene expression determined by northern blot and RT-PCR analyses. By means of in situ hybridization, these mRNAs were localized in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Double staining studies of cathepsin Q or cathepsin R mRNA by in situ hybridization followed by immunohistochemical staining of mPL-II in the same section revealed that signals for cathepsin Q and cathepsin R mRNAs were colocalized in mPL-II immunopositive trophoblast cells in the basal and labyrinth zones of the placenta on day 16 of pregnancy. Possible association of cathepsins with mPL-II may play important roles in placental functions during the latter half of pregnancy in mice.     

山羊RORα基因的克隆、表达载体构建及功能分析

旨在克隆山羊维甲酸相关孤儿受体α(RORα)基因并构建其真核表达载体,然后利用生物信息学工具系统分析RORα的生物学特性,最后对其在山羊生物钟系统中的作用机制进行初步探究。本研究以1只健康的12月龄雄性西农萨能奶山羊为试验动物,提取其肝组织总RNA,经逆转录PCR反转录为cDNA后,利用常规PCR扩增山羊RORα基因的编码区(coding sequence,CDS)片段,使用同源重组法将其与pcDNA3.1-Puro-N-3HA载体相连接; 重组载体经PCR、酶切和测序鉴定后,将阳性质粒命名为pcDNA3.1-3HA-gRORα; 将pcDNA3.1-Puro-N-3HA和pcDNA3.1-3HA-gRORα质粒分别转染至HEK293T细胞后,通过实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative PCR,qPCR)和蛋白质免疫印迹(western blotting,WB)技术检测山羊RORα的表达; 同时利用ExPASy、ProtScale等软件对山羊RORα基因进行系统的生物信息学分析。另外,使用同源重组法分别构建含有山羊生物钟基因BMAL1和NR1D1启动子片段的pGL4.10-BMAL1-Promoter-Luc及pGL4.10-NR1D1-Promoter-Luc的荧光素酶报告质粒,并通过双荧光素酶报告试验探究山羊RORα蛋白调控BMAL1和NR1D1基因启动子转录活性的作用机制。PCR、酶切和测序鉴定结果表明,pcDNA3.1-3HA-gRORα重组质粒构建成功; qPCR和WB结果显示,pcDNA3.1-3HA-gRORα转染组RORα基因的mRNA表达水平和蛋白表达水平均显著高于pcDNA3.1-Puro-N-3HA转染组(P < 0.01)。生物信息学分析结果显示,山羊RORα基因CDS区序列与绵羊、牛和猪的相似性较高,分别为97.5%、97.1%和95.2%。山羊的RORα蛋白是一种亲水性蛋白。二级结构由α-螺旋、延伸链、β-转角和无规则卷曲组成,有信号肽的概率较小,无跨膜区; 三级结构与小鼠和人的RORα蛋白差异性极小,三者具有高度相似性。此外,PCR、酶切和测序结果表明,pGL4.10-BMAL1-Promoter-Luc和pGL4.10-NR1D1-Promoter-Luc重组质粒构建成功。双荧光素酶报告试验结果表明,山羊RORα蛋白可以显著上调山羊BMAL1和NR1D1基因启动子的转录活性。本研究成功构建了山羊RORα基因的真核表达载体,并证明了RORα蛋白可以正向调控山羊BMAL1和NR1D1基因的启动子活性,这为进一步探究山羊核受体RORα的功能及山羊生物钟的转录调控机制提供了前期基础。     

西农萨能羊两个泌乳阶段差异表达基因SAA3的克隆和序列分析

为了研究不同泌乳期乳腺组织中差异表达基因，利用抑制性削减杂交技术构建西农萨能羊泌乳60d乳腺组织及泌乳28d乳腺组织中差异表达基因文库，用Real-Time PCR技术验证阳性克隆血清淀粉样蛋白A3（SAA3）基因，通过RT-PCR方法克隆西农萨能羊乳腺组织SAA3，并进行序列比对和功能预测。结果成功构建了西农萨能羊不同泌乳期乳腺组织中差异表达基因文库，筛选克隆了乳腺组织SAA3基因，GenBank登录号为：DQ839400，编码区长度为396bp，含有131个氨基酸。西农萨能羊乳腺组织中SAA3与牛（GenBank：NM_181016）、兔（GenBank：M64696．1）、人（GenBank：BC020795）、鼠（GenBank：NM_011315）核苷酸同源性分别为95％、84．3％、81.3％和81.9％，氨基酸同源性为93％、76％、72％、72％；在编码区261-287位较人、兔、鼠SAA编码区多27个碱基，连续大于5个氨基酸的保守区域有6个，较人SAA多3个潜在功能基序。     

野桑蚕肌球蛋白轻链2基因(MLC2)的克隆和序列分析

利用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术克隆了野桑蚕间接飞行肌(in-direct flight muscle,IFM)的肌球蛋白轻链2(myosin light chain2,MLC2)基因(GenBank登录号:EU332913),其cDNA序列全长979 bp,包括63 bp的5′端非翻译区序列(5′-UTR)、603 bp的开放读码框(ORF)、终止密码子TAA和310bp的3′端非翻译区序列(3′-UTR)。克隆该基因的内含子序列并分析基因结构表明,该基因包括3个外显子和2个内含子,编码201个氨基酸,预测蛋白质分子质量约22.0 kD,等电点4.67。用在线软件SMART分析显示,野桑蚕MLC2蛋白有2个Ca2+结合基序(EFh)结构域,可以结合Ca2+,属于肌钙蛋白C超家族成员,并且含有保守的可以磷酸化的氨基酸残基,有可能具有磷酸化过程,参与肌动球蛋白ATPase活性的调节。     

猪β-防御素-2基因在大肠杆菌中的融合表达及抑菌活性检测

将猪β-防御素-2基因(pBD-2)片段正确连接到pET32a载体上,从而得到稳定表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌表达株。根据已报道的pBD-2基因序列,按大肠杆菌密码子优化原则合成了5条pBD-2基因片段,通过重叠延伸PCR(SOE PCR)方法将这5段延伸成完整的pBD-2基因序列,将该基因定向插入原核表达质粒pET32a的多克隆位点上,成功地在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达出TrxA-pBD2融合蛋白。结果显示,表达的融合蛋白用肠激酶切掉TrxA后做琼脂孔穴扩散法检测,pBD-2对金黄色葡萄球菌有较好的抑菌活性,表明试验获得表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌菌株。     

Expression of Aldo-keto Reductase 1C23 in the Equine Corpus Luteum in Different Luteal Phases

Regression of the corpus luteum (CL) is characterized by a decay in progesterone (P₄) production (functional luteolysis) and disappearance of luteal tissues (structural luteolysis). In mares, structural luteolysis is thought to be caused by apoptosis of luteal cells, but functional luteolysis is poorly understood. 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) catabolizes P₄ into its biologically inactive form, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP). In mares, aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C23, which is a member of the AKR superfamily, has 20α-HSD activity. To clarify whether AKR1C23 is associated with functional luteolysis in mares, we investigated the expression of AKR1C23 in the CL in different luteal phases. The luteal P₄ concentration and levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA were higher in the mid luteal phase than in the late and regressed luteal phases (P<0.05), but the level of 3β-HSD protein was higher in the late luteal phase than in the regressed luteal phase (P<0.05). The luteal 20α-OHP concentration and the level of AKR1C23 mRNA were higher in the late luteal phase than in the early and mid luteal phases (P<0.05), and the level of AKR1C23 protein was also highest in the late luteal phase. Taken together, these findings suggest that metabolism of P₄ by AKR1C23 is one of the processes contributing to functional luteolysis in mares.