马立克氏病毒UL36蛋白的表达及其去泛素化酶活性分析

选取马立克氏病毒(MDV)去泛素化酶UL36蛋白N端具有蛋白酶活性的一段氨基酸序列,表达纯化并分析UL36的去泛素化酶活性特点。利用p Cold TF为表达载体,并在UL36-323的C端连接Strep tagⅡ作为纯化标签,构建重组质粒p Cold TF-UL36-Strep。应用大肠杆菌表达体系,低温诱导表达,并对该段蛋白进行纯化,得到可溶且纯度较高的蛋白后,通过Western blot确定所纯化的蛋白即是UL36蛋白。应用Di-Ub(K48)和SUMO1-GST作为底物鉴定其去泛素化酶活性。最终得到了可溶且纯度较高的UL36-323-Strep蛋白,并且通过酶切反应确定了其去泛素化酶活性,为进一步探究UL36在MDV感染及复制中的作用奠定前期基础,也为探究MDV的致病机理提供了必要的前提条件。     

鸡去泛素化相关因子1基因原核表达载体的构建及表达

构建鸡去泛素化相关因子1(Chicken ubiquitin-related factor 1,chUAF1)的原核表达载体,并对表达产物进行鉴定.将提取的鸡法氏囊cDNA根据哺乳动物基因组的特性5'-端GC含量高3'-端GC含量低的特点设计2对引物,PCR获取2段基因片段.将两者用搭桥部分的酶切位点进行酶切,胶回收,连接成chUAF1基因全长,再将基因克隆入pMD18-T载体,酶切鉴定后,将chUAF1基因亚克隆到pET28a原核表达载体,构建重组质粒pET28a-UAF1.转化BL21(DE3)大肠杆菌中,IPTG诱导表达并鉴定.结果显示,所构建的chUAF1基因表达载体pET28a-chUAF1经PCR及DNA测序结果表明构建正确,SDS-PAGE鉴定在预期位置出现阳性条带.结果表明,已成功构建了pET28a-chUAF1原核表达载体,为下一步试验提供了依据.     

猪ASC及Ub基因的克隆及真核表达重组质粒的构建

炎症小体不仅参与机体的天然免疫反应,同时还参与机体抗病毒等多种宿主防御反应。在多种疾病相关信号通路反应中都伴随着蛋白质的泛素化修饰。NOD样受体(NLRs)介导的炎症小体信号通路中,凋亡相关点状样蛋白(ASC)是关键的接头蛋白。为了解猪瘟病毒(CSFV)感染对ASC泛素化水平的影响,通过RT-PCR从猪血管内皮细胞(ECs)中扩增获得ASC和泛素(Ub)的全长cDNA双链片段,连接至克隆载体pMD-18T,获得重组克隆质粒pMD-ASC和pMD-Ub。双酶切pMD-ASC获得ASC目的序列,连接至pcDNA3.1-Flag,双酶切pMD-Ub获得Ub目的序列,连接至pcDNA3.0-HA,获得重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1-Flag-ASC和pcDNA3.0-HA-Ub。将pcDNA3.1-Flag-ASC和pcDNA3.0-HA-Ub转染ECs,Western blot在蛋白水平检测ASC和Ub的表达。结果表明,成功构建了带有Flag标签的ASC真核表达质粒和带有HA标签的Ub真核表达质粒,且在ECs中获得高效表达,为进一步体外研究CSFV调控猪血管内皮细胞ASC泛素化的机制提供了实验基础。     

泛素蛋白酶体途径及其在体外受精中的作用研究进展

泛素蛋白酶体途径(ubiquitin proteasome pathway,UPP)是生物体内最主要的蛋白质降解途径,与多种疾病有关,在生物体内具有十分重要的作用,主要降解错误折叠的、多余的蛋白质。UPP是一个循环途径,其主要作用起始于泛素(ubiquitin,Ub)的激活,是受泛素激活酶(ubiquitin-activating enzyme,E1,酵母菌中是UbE1)、泛素结合酶(ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme,E2,UbE2)、泛素连接酶(ubiquitin-protein ligase,E3,UbE3)和去泛素化酶(deubiquitinating enzymes,DUBs)调控的级联过程,最终使被多聚泛素化(polyubiquitination,polyubiquitination,PolyUb)标记的蛋白底物在UPP的蛋白水解核心——26S蛋白酶体内被降解成寡肽,寡肽可以进入新的蛋白循环,Ub则由DUBs去除进入下一个UPP循环。UPP在海鞘类和一些哺乳类体外受精(in vitro fertilization,IVF)过程中具有十分重要的作用,能够参与精子获能和顶体反应(acrosomal reaction,AR),促进精子顶体胞吐,在精卵结合时降解透明带(zona pellucida,ZP)蛋白,辅助精子穿透卵母细胞ZP,促进精子与卵母细胞ZP的融合,从而促使IVF的成功。通过在IVF液中添加一些UPP相关的抗体或抑制剂能够抑制IVF过程中的多精入卵,提高IVF率。作者综述了UPP的主要组成成分及其对IVF的辅助作用及相关抗体的研究进展,以期为今后研究UPP循环在生物体内的作用机制、与生物体内各种疾病的关系、在IVF过程中的作用机制及抑制多精入卵等提供一定的理论依据。     

马立克病毒UL36~（USP）蛋白的表达及其抗体制备

UL36USP是马立克病毒UL36基因编码的蛋白UL36上具有去泛素化酶活性的N-端部分片段（UL36USP）,本试验以提取MDCC-MSB1细胞的基因组为模板通过PCR获得目的基因,将UL36USP基因克隆入pMD18T载体,测序正确并酶切鉴定后,将目的基因亚克隆到pET28a原核表达载体,构建重组质粒pET28a-UL36USP。将重组质粒转化BL21（DE3）E.coli中,IPTG诱导表达并使用Ni-NTA Agarose亲和层析进行纯化得到目的蛋白。应用纯化后的UL36USP免疫獭兔制备多克隆抗体。使用昆虫细胞表达系统表达的UL36片段检测多克隆抗体的特异性。结果显示成功制备特异性的UL36USP抗体。     

马立克病毒UL36~(USP)蛋白的表达及其抗体制备

UL36USP是马立克病毒UL36基因编码的蛋白UL36上具有去泛素化酶活性的N-端部分片段(UL36USP),本试验以提取MDCC-MSB1细胞的基因组为模板通过PCR获得目的基因,将UL36USP基因克隆入pMD18T载体,测序正确并酶切鉴定后,将目的基因亚克隆到pET28a原核表达载体,构建重组质粒pET28a-UL36USP。将重组质粒转化BL21(DE3)E.coli中,IPTG诱导表达并使用Ni-NTA Agarose亲和层析进行纯化得到目的蛋白。应用纯化后的UL36USP免疫獭兔制备多克隆抗体。使用昆虫细胞表达系统表达的UL36片段检测多克隆抗体的特异性。结果显示成功制备特异性的UL36USP抗体。     

泛素蛋白酶体途径及其在体外受精中的作用研究进展

泛素蛋白酶体途径（ubiquitin proteasome pathway,UPP）是生物体内最主要的蛋白质降解途径,与多种疾病有关,在生物体内具有十分重要的作用,主要降解错误折叠的、多余的蛋白质。UPP是一个循环途径,其主要作用起始于泛素（ubiquitin,Ub）的激活,是受泛素激活酶（ubiquitin-activating enzyme,E1,酵母菌中是UbE1）、泛素结合酶（ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme,E2,UbE2）、泛素连接酶（ubiquitin-protein ligase,E3,UbE3）和去泛素化酶（deubiquitinating enzymes,DUBs）调控的级联过程,最终使被多聚泛素化（polyubiquitination,polyubiquitination,Poly-Ub）标记的蛋白底物在UPP的蛋白水解核心--26S蛋白酶体内被降解成寡肽,寡肽可以进入新的蛋白循环,Ub则由DUBs去除进入下一个UPP循环。UPP在海鞘类和一些哺乳类体外受精（in vitro fertilization,IVF）过程中具有十分重要的作用,能够参与精子获能和顶体反应（acrosomal reaction,AR）,促进精子顶体胞吐,在精卵结合时降解透明带（zona pellucida,ZP）蛋白,辅助精子穿透卵母细胞ZP,促进精子与卵母细胞ZP的融合,从而促使IVF的成功。通过在IVF液中添加一些UPP相关的抗体或抑制剂能够抑制IVF过程中的多精入卵,提高IVF率。作者综述了UPP的主要组成成分及其对IVF的辅助作用及相关抗体的研究进展,以期为今后研究UPP循环在生物体内的作用机制、与生物体内各种疾病的关系、在IVF过程中的作用机制及抑制多精入卵等提供一定的理论依据。     

家蚕5龄幼虫体内共轭酶和二氢叶酸还原酶的基本性质

共轭酶 (EC 3 4 2 2 12 )和二氢叶酸还原酶 (EC 1 5 1 3)是生物体内重要的叶酸代谢酶。以家蚕幼虫为材料分析了这两种酶的基本性质。 5龄幼虫体液共轭酶反应的最适pH为 7 8,最适温度为 5 0℃ ;反应体系中添加巯基乙醇、K+ 或Mg2 + 可显著提高酶活性 ,而对羟高汞苯磺酸、Co2 + 、Zn2 + 、Fe2 + 等对酶活性具有明显的抑制作用 ;以叶酸五谷氨酸为基质的水解产物为叶酸 ;另以叶酸三谷氨酸为底物 ,采用 33mmol/LHepse Ches缓冲液 (pH 7 8)在 37℃的反应条件下 ,求得Km 为 9 6 μmol/L。幼虫脂肪体等组织中二氢叶酸还原酶以NADPH为供氢体 ;在pH 4 5～7 5的范围内具有较强活性 ,最适反应温度 35℃ ;巯基乙醇、胍 ,以及高浓度的 1价金属离子 (K+ 、Na+ 等 )对酶具有活性化作用 ,对氯高汞苯甲酸、甲酰胺、Co2 + 等具有强烈的抑制作用 ;采用 35mmol/L柠檬酸 磷酸钠缓冲液 (pH 5 .0 ,10g/L抗坏血酸 )在 30℃的反应条件下 ,求得Km 值为 2 7μmol/L。家蚕体液可作为共轭酶的新酶源而加以利用。     

鸡SUMO1的HIS/GST双融合纯化标签载体的构建及表达分析

SUMO(small ubiquitin-related modifier,小泛素样相关修饰物)是一种重要的蛋白翻译后修饰物,对调节蛋白质的活性、功能和细胞定位都起着至关重要的作用。虽然SUMO和泛素的空间结构很相似,但是发挥的功能却有很大的不同,SUMO不像泛素那样介导蛋白质的降解,反而可以增强蛋白质的稳定性。近年来,研究发现人的SUMO作为一种融合标签和分子伴侣来可以显著增加一些难溶解蛋白的可溶性表达。本研究以原核表达载体pET-28a为基础构建了鸡SUMO1重组质粒HIS-SUMO1-GST-pET28a,并在SUMO1和GST之间插入IL2得到重组质粒HIS-SUMO1-IL2-GST-pET28a,经IPTG诱导表达,并分别使用Ni-NTA及Glutathione-sepharose 2次亲和层析纯化,获得了纯度较高的融合蛋白。活性分析发现去SUMO化酶人的SENP1可完全切开纯化融合的蛋白经。结果表明,此SUMO融合的HIS/GST双标签表达载体不但可以用于提高难溶蛋白的溶解度,而且表达产物也作为去SUMO化酶研究的底物。     

鸡毒支原体磷酸酶PrpC活性检测

HPr激酶/磷酸酶(PrkC/PrpC)系统在细菌和支原体中高度保守,不仅参与糖酵解酶类的磷酸化/去磷酸化,也与毒力、生物被膜等生命活动相关。克隆并突变获得编码鸡毒支原体磷酸酶PrpC的ptc1基因,经原核表达纯化后,利用底物PNPP体外检测其酶活性,并对影响该酶活性的pH、金属离子、温度等影响因子进行分析。结果表明,Ptc1蛋白具有磷酸酶活性,Mn2+为该酶辅因子,最适离子浓度为2mol/L,最适pH为8.5,最适温度为37℃。相同浓度的Li+、Na+、K+、Mg2+、Ca2+、Ba2+、Al 3+、Hg2+等金属离子均对表达产物具有不同程度的抑制活性。初步建立了PrpC功能检测体系,为进一步深入研究PrkC/PrpC调节系统奠定基础。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein