Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 1

Eukaryotic ribosomes are substantially larger and more complex than their bacterial counterparts. Although their core function is conserved, bacterial and eukaryotic protein synthesis differ considerably at the level of initiation. The eukaryotic small ribosomal subunit (40S) plays a central role in this process; it binds initiation factors that facilitate scanning of messenger RNAs and initiation of protein synthesis. We have determined the crystal structure of the Tetrahymena thermophila 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) at a resolution of 3.9 angstroms. The structure reveals the fold of the entire 18S ribosomal RNA and of all ribosomal proteins of the 40S subunit, and defines the interactions with eIF1. It provides insights into the eukaryotic-specific aspects of protein synthesis, including the function of eIF1 as well as signaling and regulation mediated by the ribosomal proteins RACK1 and rpS6e.     

Distribution of protein and RNA in the 30S ribosomal subunit

In Escherichia coli, the small ribosomal subunit has a sedimentation coefficient of 30S, and consists of a 16S RNA molecule of 1541 nucleotides complexed with 21 proteins. Over the last few years, a controversy has emerged regarding the spatial distribution of RNA and protein in the 30S subunit. Contrast variation with neutron scattering was used to suggest that the RNA was located in a central core of the subunit and the proteins mainly in the periphery, with virtually no separation between the centers of mass of protein and RNA. However, these findings are incompatible with the results of efforts to locate individual ribosomal proteins by immune electron microscopy and triangulation with interprotein distance measurements. The conflict between these two views is resolved in this report of small-angle neutron scattering measurements on 30S subunits with and without protein S1, and on subunits reconstituted from deuterated 16S RNA and unlabeled proteins. The results show that (i) the proteins and RNA are intermingled, with neither component dominating at the core or the periphery, and (ii) the spatial distribution of protein and RNA is asymmetrical, with a separation between their centers of mass of about 25 angstroms.     

Recognition of cognate transfer RNA by the 30S ribosomal subunit

Crystal structures of the 30S ribosomal subunit in complex with messenger RNA and cognate transfer RNA in the A site, both in the presence and absence of the antibiotic paromomycin, have been solved at between 3.1 and 3.3 angstroms resolution. Cognate transfer RNA (tRNA) binding induces global domain movements of the 30S subunit and changes in the conformation of the universally conserved and essential bases A1492, A1493, and G530 of 16S RNA. These bases interact intimately with the minor groove of the first two base pairs between the codon and anticodon, thus sensing Watson-Crick base-pairing geometry and discriminating against near-cognate tRNA. The third, or "wobble," position of the codon is free to accommodate certain noncanonical base pairs. By partially inducing these structural changes, paromomycin facilitates binding of near-cognate tRNAs.     

A complete mapping of the proteins in the small ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli

The relative positions of the centers of mass of the 21 proteins of the 30S ribosomal subunit from Escherichia coli have been determined by triangulation using neutron scattering data. The resulting map of the quaternary structure of the small ribosomal subunit is presented, and comparisons are made with structural data from other sources.     

A tunnel in the large ribosomal subunit revealed by three-dimensional image reconstruction

A better understanding of the molecular mechanism of protein biosynthesis depends on the availability of a reliable model for the ribosome particle. The application of a diffraction technique, namely, three-dimensional image reconstruction from two-dimensional sheets of the large ribosomal subunits of Bacillus stearothermophilus at a resolution of 30 angstroms is described. The resulting three-dimensional model shows at least four projecting arms, arranged radially near the presumed interface with the 30S subunit. The projecting arms are positioned around a cleft, which turns into a tunnel with a length of 100 to 120 angstroms and a diameter of up to 25 angstroms. This tunnel spans the particle and may provide the path taken by the nascent polypeptide chain.     

The complete atomic structure of the large ribosomal subunit at 2.4 A resolution

The large ribosomal subunit catalyzes peptide bond formation and binds initiation, termination, and elongation factors. We have determined the crystal structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui at 2.4 angstrom resolution, and it includes 2833 of the subunit's 3045 nucleotides and 27 of its 31 proteins. The domains of its RNAs all have irregular shapes and fit together in the ribosome like the pieces of a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle to form a large, monolithic structure. Proteins are abundant everywhere on its surface except in the active site where peptide bond formation occurs and where it contacts the small subunit. Most of the proteins stabilize the structure by interacting with several RNA domains, often using idiosyncratically folded extensions that reach into the subunit's interior.     

Crystal structure of an initiation factor bound to the 30S ribosomal subunit

Initiation of translation at the correct position on messenger RNA is essential for accurate protein synthesis. In prokaryotes, this process requires three initiation factors: IF1, IF2, and IF3. Here we report the crystal structure of a complex of IF1 and the 30S ribosomal subunit. Binding of IF1 occludes the ribosomal A site and flips out the functionally important bases A1492 and A1493 from helix 44 of 16S RNA, burying them in pockets in IF1. The binding of IF1 causes long-range changes in the conformation of H44 and leads to movement of the domains of 30S with respect to each other. The structure explains how localized changes at the ribosomal A site lead to global alterations in the conformation of the 30S subunit.     

Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 60S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 6

Protein synthesis in all organisms is catalyzed by ribosomes. In comparison to their prokaryotic counterparts, eukaryotic ribosomes are considerably larger and are subject to more complex regulation. The large ribosomal subunit (60S) catalyzes peptide bond formation and contains the nascent polypeptide exit tunnel. We present the structure of the 60S ribosomal subunit from Tetrahymena thermophila in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6), cocrystallized with the antibiotic cycloheximide (a eukaryotic-specific inhibitor of protein synthesis), at a resolution of 3.5 angstroms. The structure illustrates the complex functional architecture of the eukaryotic 60S subunit, which comprises an intricate network of interactions between eukaryotic-specific ribosomal protein features and RNA expansion segments. It reveals the roles of eukaryotic ribosomal protein elements in the stabilization of the active site and the extent of eukaryotic-specific differences in other functional regions of the subunit. Furthermore, it elucidates the molecular basis of the interaction with eIF6 and provides a structural framework for further studies of ribosome-associated diseases and the role of the 60S subunit in the initiation of protein synthesis.     

Stereostructure of the archaebacterial C40 diol

The stereostructure of the archaebacterial C40 diol has been established as (3R,7R,11R,15S,18S,22R,26R,30R)-3,7,11,15,18,22,26,30- octamethyldotriacontane-1,32-diol by stereorational total synthesis. This provides the final evidence necessary to establish the structure of an archaebacterial membrane substance that is a 72-membered-ring tetraether with 18 stereocenters.     

Protein components in the 40s ribonucleoprotein particles in Escherichia coli

The 40S ribonucleoprotein particle in Escherichia coli cells, accumulated in the presence of a low concentration of chloramphenicol, lacks at least four ribosomal structural protein components which are present in the mature 50S ribosomal subunit. The 40S ribonucleoprotein prepared by exposing the 50S ribosomal subunit to a concentrated lithium chloride solution may also be deficient in the same protein components.     

Neoplastic transformation of hamster astrocytes in vitro by simian virus 40 and polyoma virus

Astrocytes in cultures of brain cells from fetal or newborn hamsters undergo neoplastic transformation after infection with simian virus 40 or polyoma virus. Subcutaneous or intracerebral inoculation of the transformed brain cells into newborn or adult hamsters produces progressively enlarging astrocytomas at the sites of injection. Astrocytomas produced by polyomatransformed cell lines are histologically better differentiated, but grow more rapidly and metastasize more frequently, than astrocytomas produced by cell lines transformed by simian virus 40. These observations make available in vitro models of virus-induced oncogenesis in astrocytes and provide simple techniques for obtaining astrocytoma cell lines suitable for screening studies of chemical agents effective against astrocytomas.     

Simian virus 40 in polio vaccine: follow-up of newborn recipients

Soon after birth, when susceptibility to carcinogens should be enhanced, a group of children received oral polio vaccine which was later found to contain significant amounts of simian virus 40. Eight years after the incident, no cancer deaths have been observed among the vaccinated children, but continued surveillance is needed before concluding that simian virus 40 is innocuous to man.     

Simian virus 40: replication in the presence of specific antiserum and adenovirus 4

Twelve consecuttive passages of simian virus 40, made in the presence of adenovirus 4 and antiserum to simian virus 40, indicated that simian virus 40 would multiply almost indefinitely under these conditions. The adenovirus and the simian virus had previously replicated together in the absence of antiserum. These data support the conclusion that the SV-40 genome is incorporated within the protein coats of adenovirus 4.     

Tet-on系统诱导猿猴病毒40T在CHO细胞中的表达

四环素诱导表达系统（Tet-off／Tet-on系统）是比较成熟的真核生物基因诱导表达系统之一,具有高效、无毒、严密开／关功能的特点。猿猴病毒40T（SV40T）是一种病毒癌蛋白,其与肿瘤抑制蛋白p53和Rb结合,并使之失活,从而消除它们抑制细胞生长的功能,使细胞分裂加速,形成肿瘤。利用Tet-on系统首先稳定筛选获得了表达Tet-on系统调节元件rtTA的阳性细胞CHO-pTet-on,再通过稳定筛选又成功得到导入其反应元件的双阳性细胞CHO-pTet-on-pTRE2-SV40T-Hyg,经强力霉素诱导表达了目的基因SV40T,建立了Tet-on基因诱导表达系统的细胞诱导表达研究平台。     

Neoplastic transformation in vitro of hamster lens epithelium by simian virus 40

Hamster lens epithelium infected with simian virus 40 underwent transformation in vitro and produced tumors when injected into homologous hosts. Undisturbed lens epithelium in man and experimental animals has not been observed to undergo neoplastic change. The virus-induced tumors contained undifferentiated cells that were either polygonal or spindle-shaped. Their origin from lens epithelium seems certain since it is possible to isolate this unique structure free of connective tissue and blood vessels.     

犬瘟热H基因亚单位的克隆和融合表达

将犬瘟热H基因亚单位片段(Hs)克隆人原核表达载体pGEX-6p-1中,克隆采用限制性内切酶EcoR I和Xho I酶切pGEX-6p-1以及Hs基因PCR产物,连接成pCEX-6p-1-Hs重组质粒,并将它转化进入大肠杆菌表达受体菌B121(DE3)中.经异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(ran3)诱导,可见预计大小为32 kDa的融合蛋白,诱导菌体裂解物经SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE))后,用GST单克隆抗体进行Western-blotting试验,结果确证了GST-Hs融合蛋白的正确表达,这为今后的进一步研究奠定了基础.     

Research and development of a novel subunit vaccine for the currently circulating pseudorabies virus variant in China

Pseudorabies (PR) is a devastating viral disease which leads to fatal encephalitis and respiratory disorders in pigs. Commercial gE-deleted live pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccine has been widely used to control this disease in China. However, the new-emerging variants of PRV compromises the protection provided by current vaccines and lead to the outbreak of PR in vaccinated pig herds. Several killed and live vaccine candidates based on current PRV variants have been reported to be effective to control the disease. A subunit vaccine based on gB protein, one major PRV glycoprotein which elicits strong humoral and cellular immune responses, however, was never evaluated for protection against the current circulating PRV variants. In this study, full-length PRV gB protein was successfully expressed in baculovirus/insect cells in the soluble format and was tested on 3-week-old piglets as a subunit vaccine. Compared with unvaccinated pigs, the gB-vaccinated pigs developed specific antibody-mediated responses and were protected from the virulent PRV HN1201 challenge. All vaccinated pigs survived without showing any PRV-specific respiratory and neurological signs, but all unvaccinated pigs died within 7 days after HN1201 challenge. Hence, this novel gB-based vaccine could be applied as an effective subunit vaccine to control PRV variant in China.