Bidirectional transmembrane signaling by cytoplasmic domain separation in integrins

Although critical for development, immunity, wound healing, and metastasis, integrins represent one of the few classes of plasma membrane receptors for which the basic signaling mechanism remains a mystery. We investigated cytoplasmic conformational changes in the integrin LFA-1 (alphaLbeta2) in living cells by measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer between cyan fluorescent protein-fused and yellow fluorescent protein-fused alphaL and beta2 cytoplasmic domains. In the resting state these domains were close to each other, but underwent significant spatial separation upon either intracellular activation of integrin adhesiveness (inside-out signaling) or ligand binding (outside-in signaling). Thus, bidirectional integrin signaling is accomplished by coupling extracellular conformational changes to an unclasping and separation of the alpha and beta cytoplasmic domains, a distinctive mechanism for transmitting information across the plasma membrane.     

The amyloid precursor protein has a flexible transmembrane domain and binds cholesterol

C99 is the transmembrane carboxyl-terminal domain of the amyloid precursor protein that is cleaved by γ-secretase to release the amyloid-β polypeptides, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy show that the extracellular amino terminus of C99 includes a surface-embedded "N-helix" followed by a short "N-loop" connecting to the transmembrane domain (TMD). The TMD is a flexibly curved α helix, making it well suited for processive cleavage by γ-secretase. Titration of C99 reveals a binding site for cholesterol, providing mechanistic insight into how cholesterol promotes amyloidogenesis. Membrane-buried GXXXG motifs (G, Gly; X, any amino acid), which have an established role in oligomerization, were also shown to play a key role in cholesterol binding. The structure and cholesterol binding properties of C99 may aid in the design of Alzheimer's therapeutics.     

Identification of synaptophysin as a hexameric channel protein of the synaptic vesicle membrane

The quaternary structure and functional properties of synaptophysin, a major integral membrane protein of small presynaptic vesicles, were investigated. Cross-linking and sedimentation studies indicate that synaptophysin is a hexameric homo-oligomer, which in electron micrographs exhibits structural features common to channel-forming proteins. On reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers, purified synaptophysin displays voltage-sensitive channel activity with an average conductance of about 150 picosiemens. Because specific channels and fusion pores have been implicated in vesicular uptake and release of secretory compounds, synaptophysin may have a role in these processes.     

A selective activity-dependent requirement for dynamin 1 in synaptic vesicle endocytosis

Dynamin 1 is a neuron-specific guanosine triphosphatase thought to be critically required for the fission reaction of synaptic vesicle endocytosis. Unexpectedly, mice lacking dynamin 1 were able to form functional synapses, even though their postnatal viability was limited. However, during spontaneous network activity, branched, tubular plasma membrane invaginations accumulated, capped by clathrin-coated pits, in synapses of dynamin 1-knockout mice. Synaptic vesicle endocytosis was severely impaired during strong exogenous stimulation but resumed efficiently when the stimulus was terminated. Thus, dynamin 1-independent mechanisms can support limited synaptic vesicle endocytosis, but dynamin 1 is needed during high levels of neuronal activity.     

A calcium-dependent protein kinase with a regulatory domain similar to calmodulin.

Calcium can function as a second messenger through stimulation of calcium-dependent protein kinases. A protein kinase that requires calcium but not calmodulin or phospholipids for activity has been purified from soybean. The kinase itself binds calcium with high affinity. A complementary DNA clone for this kinase has been identified; it encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 57,175 daltons. This protein contains a catalytic domain similar to that of calmodulin-dependent kinases and a calmodulin-like region with four calcium binding domains (EF hands). The predicted structure of this kinase explains its direct regulation via calcium binding and establishes it as a prototype for a new family of calcium-regulated protein kinases.     

Influence of synaptic vesicle position on release probability and exocytotic fusion mode

Neurotransmission depends on movements of transmitter-laden synaptic vesicles, but accurate, nanometer-scale monitoring of vesicle dynamics in presynaptic terminals has remained elusive. Here, we report three-dimensional, real-time tracking of quantum dot-loaded single synaptic vesicles with an accuracy of 20 to 30 nanometers, less than a vesicle diameter. Determination of the time, position, and mode of fusion, aided by trypan blue quenching of Qdot fluorescence, revealed that vesicles starting close to their ultimate fusion sites tended to fuse earlier than those positioned farther away. The mode of fusion depended on the prior motion of vesicles, with long-dwelling vesicles preferring kiss-and-run rather than full-collapse fusion. Kiss-and-run fusion events were concentrated near the center of the synapse, whereas full-collapse fusion events were broadly spread.     

A novel, highly stable fold of the immunoglobulin binding domain of streptococcal protein G

The high-resolution three-dimensional structure of a single immunoglobulin binding domain (B1, which comprises 56 residues including the NH2-terminal Met) of protein G from group G Streptococcus has been determined in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on the basis of 1058 experimental restraints. The average atomic root-mean-square distribution about the mean coordinate positions is 0.27 angstrom (A) for the backbone atoms, 0.65 A for all atoms, and 0.39 A for atoms excluding disordered surface side chains. The structure has no disulfide bridges and is composed of a four-stranded beta sheet, on top of which lies a long helix. The central two strands (beta 1 and beta 4), comprising the NH2- and COOH-termini, are parallel, and the outer two strands (beta 2 and beta 3) are connected by the helix in a +3x crossover. This novel topology (-1, +3x, -1), coupled with an extensive hydrogen-bonding network and a tightly packed and buried hydrophobic core, is probably responsible for the extreme thermal stability of this small domain (reversible melting at 87 degrees C).     

新型叶用芥菜hau细胞质雄性不育杂种组合的加工模式

以新型叶用芥菜细胞质雄性不育hau CMS所获的杂种为主要研究对象,选育获得1个叶用芥菜强优势组合(0912A×X2),在已经明确杂种优势的基础上,通过正交设计试验研究杂交组合(0912A×X2)腌制加工过程中安全标准的硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐的最优处理模式。结果表明:腌制前期(0~15 d),低含量硝酸盐的优化组合是腌制温度为30℃,亚硫酸钠添加量为75 mg/kg,食盐质量分数为3%,Vc添加量为0.02 g/kg;低含量的亚硝酸盐优化组合模式为腌制温度为10.7℃,亚硫酸钠添加量为50 mg/kg,食盐质量分数为1%,Vc添加量为0.01 g/kg;腌制后期(16~31 d)低含量硝酸盐的优化组合是腌制温度为25℃,亚硫酸钠添加量为0 mg/kg,食盐质量分数为1%,Vc添加量为0.03 g/kg;低含量的亚硝酸盐优化组合是腌制温度为10.7℃,亚硫酸钠添加量为50mg/kg,食盐质量分数为1%,Vc添加量为0.01 g/kg。利用新型芥菜细胞质雄性不育源选育而成的叶用芥菜杂交组合不仅杂种优势明显,而且腌制加工品质与对照没有明显差异。     

A cytoplasmic protein inhibits the GTPase activity of H-Ras in a phospholipid-dependent manner

A cytoplasmic protein has been identified that inhibits the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity of bacterially synthesized, cellular H-Ras protein. This GTPase inhibiting protein is able to counteract the activity of GTPase activating protein (GAP), which has been postulated to function as a negative regulator of Ras activity. The potential biological importance of the GTPase inhibiting protein is further supported by its interaction with lipids. Phospholipids produced in cells as a consequence of mitogenic stimulation increase the activity of the GTPase inhibiting protein, as well as inhibit the activity of GAP. The interaction of such lipids with each of these two regulatory proteins would, therefore, tend to increase the biological activity of Ras and stimulate cell proliferation.     

新型叶用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系0912A的花药发育特征

采用石蜡切片方法,对叶用芥菜细胞质雄性不育系0912A及其保持系0912B的花药发育过程进行细胞学观察,以确定其花药败育的时期、方式和特点。结果表明:0912A不育系的败育形式多样,主要有花药发育受阻于孢原细胞分化期,无花粉囊的形成;部分花药在花粉母细胞期至单核小孢子期出现发育异常:有的花粉母细胞液泡化后浓缩解体,还有的花粉母细胞因绒毡层细胞径向肥大或液泡化而受挤压解体;有的花粉母细胞虽能进行减数分裂,但发育到四分体时期或单核时期细胞解体,花粉败育。同时对0912A的花器官形态进行观察,发现其雄蕊退化为细丝状,败育彻底。     

版纳微型猪近交系RNF4基因克隆、多组织qPCR表达及功能生物信息学分析

目的以版纳微型猪近交系(Banna mini-pig inbred line, BMI)为材料,初步研究STRA8基因的功能,为该基因在猪精子形成过程的作用研究奠定基础。方法以GenBank下载的猪STRA8基因序列JQ965783及多条猪EST序列为参考序列,设计特异性引物扩增版纳微型猪近交系(BMI) STRA8基因。对STRA8蛋白质进行理化特性和功能生物信息学分析,包括二级结构、蛋白功能域、疏水性、跨膜结构、信号肽、亚细胞定位、磷酸化位点以及蛋白质功能分析;搜索并下载其他物种的STRA8蛋白质序列构建多物种系统进化树。应用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测BMI STRA8在版纳微型猪近交系15个组织中的mRNA转录表达水平。结果获得了包含编码序列1 101 bp的全长序列1 316 bp,编码366个氨基酸,序列已提交GenBank,基因登录号KU705622,蛋白质分子量(Mw) 41.06 ku,等电点(pI) 4.52。STRA8二级结构中α螺旋含量最高,占52.19%;含有1个蛋白功能域;在氨基端有1个HLH结构域和1个卷曲螺旋区域,在羧基端有2个低复杂度区域;疏水性结果表明STRA8基因N末端、C末端均亲水;无跨膜结构,无信号肽序列;该蛋白质位于细胞核中的概率是56.5%;STRA8蛋白共有34个磷酸化位点;系统进化结果表明：BMI与羊、水牛的相似度最高。STRA8基因mRNA在检测的BMI 15个组织中呈现差异表达现象,睾丸中表达量最高。结论结果将为进一步研究STRA8基因在猪精子发生方面的作用及功能提供参考。     

玉米GDS细胞质雄性不育系的育性观察

玉米是最早利用杂种优势的作物.60年代末,中国开始应用玉米雄性不育系,但由于各种原因,目前已育成的细胞质雄性不育系,都未能大面积应用于生产.因此,采用各种途径扩大细胞质类型范围,进一步选育和应用具有不育性状稳定、高度抗病,又便于实现三系配套的新的玉米不育系,具有...     

Mutation in LDL receptor: Alu-Alu recombination deletes exons encoding transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains

The molecular size of the plasma LDL (low density lipoprotein) receptor synthesized by cultured fibroblasts from a patient with the internalization-defective form of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH 274) was smaller by 10,000 daltons than the size of the normal LDL receptor. The segment of the gene encoding the truncated portion of the FH 274 receptor was cloned into bacteriophage lambda. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the normal and FH 274 genes revealed a 5-kilobase deletion, which eliminated the exons encoding the membrane-spanning region and the carboxyl terminal cytoplasmic domain of the receptor. The deletion appeared to be caused by a novel intrastrand recombination between two repetitive sequences of the Alu family that were oriented in opposite directions. The truncated receptors lack membrane-spanning regions and cytoplasmic domains; they are largely secreted into the culture medium, but a small fraction remains adherent to the cell surface. The surface-adherent receptors bind LDL, but they are unable to cluster in coated pits, thus explaining the internalization-defective phenotype.     

Connectivity patterns of crayfish giant interneurons: visualization of synaptic regions with cobalt dye

Intracellular injection of cobalt dye was used to visualize electrical synapses between two pairs of central giant interneurons and giant motoneurons in the crayfish central nervous system. A pair of giant motoneurons in each ganglion contacts the interneurons, but not all contact points are functional synapses. Cobalt dye reveals numerous fine projections that are present at synaptic contact points and absent at nonsynaptic contacts; intracellular recording confirms this correlation. The different connectivity patterns of the two pairs of interneurons are consistent with the different behavior patterns which they evoke.     

Design of a novel globular protein fold with atomic-level accuracy

A major challenge of computational protein design is the creation of novel proteins with arbitrarily chosen three-dimensional structures. Here, we used a general computational strategy that iterates between sequence design and structure prediction to design a 93-residue alpha/beta protein called Top7 with a novel sequence and topology. Top7 was found experimentally to be folded and extremely stable, and the x-ray crystal structure of Top7 is similar (root mean square deviation equals 1.2 angstroms) to the design model. The ability to design a new protein fold makes possible the exploration of the large regions of the protein universe not yet observed in nature.     

Cloning and sequencing of porcine LH-hCG receptor cDNA: variants lacking transmembrane domain

Complementary DNA clones, encoding the LH-hCG (luteinizing hormone-human choriogonadotropic hormone) receptor were isolated by screening a lambda gt11 library with monoclonal antibodies. The primary structure of the protein was deduced from the DNA sequence analysis; the protein contains 696 amino acids with a putative signal peptide of 27 amino acids. Hydropathy analysis suggests the existence of seven transmembrane domains that show homology with the corresponding regions of other G protein-coupled receptors. Three other types of clones corresponding to shorter proteins were observed, in which the putative transmembrane domain was absent. These probably arose through alternative splicing. RNA blot analysis showed similar patterns in testis and ovary with a major RNA of 4700 nucleotides and several minor species. The messenger RNA was expressed in COS-7 cells, yielding a protein that bound hCG with the same affinity as the testicular receptor.     

新型红菜薹细胞质雄性不育系的花药发育细胞学观察

采用石蜡切片方法,对新型红菜薹细胞质雄性不育系及其保持系俞优的花药发育过程进行细胞学观察,以确定其花药败育的时期、方式和特点。研究结果表明:此红菜薹胞质不育系的花药败育发生于单核小孢子早期,表现为绒毡层细胞异常膨大,挤压单核早期小孢子,从而导致其败育。     

Cytological study of anther abortion in a novel cytoplasmic male-sterile line of purple Cai-tai

采用石蜡切片方法,对新型红菜薹细胞质雄性不育系及其保持系俞优的花药发育过程进行细胞学观察,以确定其花药败育的时期、方式和特点.研究结果表明:此红菜薹胞质不育系的花药败育发生于单核小孢子早期,表现为绒毡层细胞异常膨大,挤压单核早期小孢子,从而导致其败育.     

小鼠跨膜蛋白68 编码基因的克隆与分析

跨膜蛋白68（TP68）是一个结构和功能未知的蛋白。采用逆转录PCR 的方法克隆了TP68 编码 cDNA 序列,并对其进行了生物信息学分析。研究发现,小鼠TP68 编码cDNA 全长990 bp,编码329 个氨基 酸;结构域分析显示小鼠TP68 具有典型的甘油磷脂酰基转移酶结构域,并含有2 个跨膜结构域,很可能是内 质网上的一种膜蛋白;序列比对和三维建模表明其具有典型的甘油磷脂酰基转移酶的底物结合位点和催化 位点以及空间构象。这些结果首次鉴定了小鼠TP68 的编码cDNA 序列,为进一步研究其结构和功能奠定了 基础。