Recognition of histone H3 lysine-4 methylation by the double tudor domain of JMJD2A

Biological responses to histone methylation critically depend on the faithful readout and transduction of the methyl-lysine signal by "effector" proteins, yet our understanding of methyl-lysine recognition has so far been limited to the study of histone binding by chromodomain and WD40-repeat proteins. The double tudor domain of JMJD2A, a Jmjc domain-containing histone demethylase, binds methylated histone H3-K4 and H4-K20. We found that the double tudor domain has an interdigitated structure, and the unusual fold is required for its ability to bind methylated histone tails. The cocrystal structure of the JMJD2A double tudor domain with a trimethylated H3-K4 peptide reveals that the trimethyl-K4 is bound in a cage of three aromatic residues, two of which are from the tudor-2 motif, whereas the binding specificity is determined by side-chain interactions involving amino acids from the tudor-1 motif. Our study provides mechanistic insights into recognition of methylated histone tails by tudor domains and reveals the structural intricacy of methyl-lysine recognition by two closely spaced effector domains.     

Heterochromatic silencing and HP1 localization in Drosophila are dependent on the RNAi machinery

Genes normally resident in euchromatic domains are silenced when packaged into heterochromatin, as exemplified in Drosophila melanogaster by position effect variegation (PEV). Loss-of-function mutations resulting in suppression of PEV have identified critical components of heterochromatin, including proteins HP1, HP2, and histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase. Here, we demonstrate that this silencing is dependent on the RNA interference machinery, using tandem mini-white arrays and white transgenes in heterochromatin to show loss of silencing as a result of mutations in piwi, aubergine, or spindle-E (homeless), which encode RNAi components. These mutations result in reduction of H3 Lys9 methylation and delocalization of HP1 and HP2, most dramatically in spindle-E mutants.     

Role of histone H3 lysine 9 methylation in epigenetic control of heterochromatin assembly

The assembly of higher order chromatin structures has been linked to the covalent modifications of histone tails. We provide in vivo evidence that lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3 Lys9) is preferentially methylated by the Clr4 protein at heterochromatin-associated regions in fission yeast. Both the conserved chromo- and SET domains of Clr4 are required for H3 Lys9 methylation in vivo. Localization of Swi6, a homolog of Drosophila HP1, to heterochomatic regions is dependent on H3 Lys9 methylation. Moreover, an H3-specific deacetylase Clr3 and a beta-propeller domain protein Rik1 are required for H3 Lys9 methylation by Clr4 and Swi6 localization. These data define a conserved pathway wherein sequential histone modifications establish a "histone code" essential for the epigenetic inheritance of heterochromatin assembly.     

Role of histone H3 lysine 27 methylation in Polycomb-group silencing

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins play important roles in maintaining the silent state of HOX genes. Recent studies have implicated histone methylation in long-term gene silencing. However, a connection between PcG-mediated gene silencing and histone methylation has not been established. Here we report the purification and characterization of an EED-EZH2 complex, the human counterpart of the Drosophila ESC-E(Z) complex. We demonstrate that the complex specifically methylates nucleosomal histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3-K27). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that H3-K27 methylation colocalizes with, and is dependent on, E(Z) binding at an Ultrabithorax (Ubx) Polycomb response element (PRE), and that this methylation correlates with Ubx repression. Methylation on H3-K27 facilitates binding of Polycomb (PC), a component of the PRC1 complex, to histone H3 amino-terminal tail. Thus, these studies establish a link between histone methylation and PcG-mediated gene silencing.     

A complex with chromatin modifiers that occupies E2F- and Myc-responsive genes in G0 cells

E2F-6 contributes to gene silencing in a manner independent of retinoblastoma protein family members. To better elucidate the molecular mechanism of repression by E2F-6, we have purified the factor from cultured cells. E2F-6 is found in a multimeric protein complex that contains Mga and Max, and thus the complex can bind not only to the E2F-binding site but also to Myc- and Brachyury-binding sites. Moreover, the complex contains chromatin modifiers such as a novel histone methyltransferase that modifies lysine 9 of histone H3, HP1gamma, and Polycomb group (PcG) proteins. The E2F-6 complex preferentially occupies target promoters in G0 cells rather than in G1 cells. These data suggest that these chromatin modifiers contribute to silencing of E2F- and Myc-responsive genes in quiescent cells.     

Establishment and maintenance of a heterochromatin domain

The higher-order assembly of chromatin imposes structural organization on the genetic information of eukaryotes and is thought to be largely determined by posttranslational modification of histone tails. Here, we study a 20-kilobase silent domain at the mating-type region of fission yeast as a model for heterochromatin formation. We find that, although histone H3 methylated at lysine 9 (H3 Lys9) directly recruits heterochromatin protein Swi6/HP1, the critical determinant for H3 Lys9 methylation to spread in cis and to be inherited through mitosis and meiosis is Swi6 itself. We demonstrate that a centromere-homologous repeat (cenH) present at the silent mating-type region is sufficient for heterochromatin formation at an ectopic site, and that its repressive capacity is mediated by components of the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. Moreover, cenH and the RNAi machinery cooperate to nucleate heterochromatin assembly at the endogenous mat locus but are dispensable for its subsequent inheritance. This work defines sequential requirements for the initiation and propagation of regional heterochromatic domains.     

酵母双杂交筛选与小黑杨PsnWRKY70相互作用的蛋白质

小黑杨PsnWRKY70是能够响应盐胁迫的转录因子。为了进一步探究该转录因子在参与盐胁迫应答途径中与哪些蛋白质之间存在相互作用关系,本研究以140 mmol/L NaCl溶液处理过的小黑杨叶片为材料,利用热稳定核酸酶(DSN)构建了均一化的pGADT7-DEST酵母双杂交cDNA文库,将PsnWRKY70基因亚克隆至pGBKT7载体,形成BD-WRKY重组质粒,并以之为诱饵蛋白表达载体筛选小黑杨酵母双杂交cDNA文库。经过2轮酵母双杂交筛选以及回转验证试验,初步选出了5种与PsnWRKY70相互作用的蛋白质。对所筛选出的5种蛋白质进行保守结构域分析发现:有2种预测蛋白(HP1和HP2,其中HP1包含ClpP结构域),1种环化酶相关蛋白(CAP1),1种包含RNA识别基序的蛋白(RRM)以及1种泛素样修饰蛋白酶(Ulp1);对CAP1、HP1、RRM、HP2和Ulp1的毛果杨同源基因编码区上游2 000 bp范围内的顺式作用元件进行分析发现:CAP1、HP1、RRM、HP2和Ulp1的毛果杨同源基因上游启动子区均富含能够特异性结合WRKY转录因子的W-box。采用GST-pull down技术验证CAP1、HP1、RRM、HP2、Ulp1蛋白全长与PsnWRKY70转录因子之间是否存在直接的相互作用关系,将等量的His-X(X:CAP1、HP1、RRM、HP2或Ulp1)融合蛋白分别上样于正常谷胱甘肽琼脂糖树脂以及结合了GST或GST-WRKY蛋白的谷胱甘肽琼脂糖树脂中,SDS-PAGE电泳分离互作蛋白,最终Western blot结果显示:在体外状态下,HP1、RRM和Ulp1蛋白能够直接与PsnWRKY70相互作用,而CAP1和HP2则不能直接与PsnWRKY70相互作用。      

家蚕Bm-mrg15基因的克隆与序列分析

含MRG结构域的基因大多在基因的转录调节中起着重要作用.利用电子克隆,在家蚕中得到了一个含MRG结构域的基因Bm-MRG15,并对其进行了克隆测序和序列分析.该基因cDNA长1113bp,有6个外显子,编码区长1020bp,序列的1091bp处有2个重叠的poly（A）加尾信号.推定的蛋白质编码339个氨基酸,N端含有一个染色质域,序列内有5个保守的结构域.RT-PCR显示该基因在所检测家蚕的各时期和组织中均有表达.     

小鼠CHD5基因siRNA重组腺病毒载体的构建及鉴定

目的:构建小鼠染色质区解旋酶DNA结合蛋白5(CHD5)基因干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA)重组腺病毒载体并在NIH3T3细胞中验证其干扰作用.方法:人工合成靶向CHD5的siRNA干扰序列,用分子克隆的方法插入到穿梭载体pSES-HUS上,并与腺病毒骨架质粒pAdeasy-1在BJ5183细菌中进行同源重组,得到pAdeasy-SES-HUS-CHD5siRNA重组质粒,在HEK293细胞中包装成重组腺病毒Adr-simCHD5,然后感染NIH3T3细胞,用RT-PCR和Western Blot方法检测其对CHD5mRNA和蛋白表达的干扰效果.结果:得到高滴度Adr-CHD5siRNA重组腺病毒,RT-PCR和Western Blot结果表明该重组腺病毒能有效地降低CHD5基因的表达.结论:成功构建Adr-CHD5siRNA重组腺病毒载体,并在NIH3T3细胞上实现CHD5基因表达抑制,为进一步研究CHD5基因功能奠定了基础.     

鸭疫巴氏杆菌的分离、鉴定及防制

从郑州、信阳等地鸭场的发病或死亡鸭的脑、心血、肝、脾等脏器中分离到 3株革兰氏阴性小杆菌 (HP1 、HP2 、HP3) ,经形态学检查、生化试验、血清学试验 ,3株分离菌被鉴定为I型鸭疫巴氏杆菌。药敏试验表明 ,分离株对蒽诺沙星等抗菌药物都较为敏感。     

马立克氏病毒DNA转录区和非转录区甲基化及脱甲基化的探讨

实验以鸡马立克氏病脾脏淋巴瘤继代细胞系MDCC MSB 1和感染马立克氏病毒的鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)为主要试验材料,作为参考系也使用了鸡马立克氏病卵巢淋巴瘤继代细胞系MDCC JP1、MDCC JP2、MDCC HP1及MDCC HP2细胞。用Suothern斑点分子杂交放射自显影等方法,验证了MDCC MSB 1等细胞株DNA的转录区和非转录区都存在着甲基化现象。转录区甲基化程度高于非转录区。用5 氮胞苷可以阻断DNA甲基化,阻断效果在转录区最好。     

饲喂高蛋白日粮对雏鹅血清尿酸水平、肝脏和肾脏超微结构及ABCG2表达的影响

通过建立雏鹅高尿酸血症模型,研究高蛋白日粮对雏鹅血清尿酸水平、肝脏和肾脏超微结构及AB-CG2表达的影响.超微结构观察发现,对照组(CP)肝脏和肾脏细胞器结构完好,高蛋白1组(HP1)、高蛋白2组(HP2)肝脏部分线粒体开始出现肿胀、空泡变性,内质网肿胀消失,糖原减少.肾脏细胞部分线粒体开始出现肿胀、空泡变性,核膜间隙...     

Regulation of replication fork progression through histone supply and demand

DNA replication in eukaryotes requires nucleosome disruption ahead of the replication fork and reassembly behind. An unresolved issue concerns how histone dynamics are coordinated with fork progression to maintain chromosomal stability. Here, we characterize a complex in which the human histone chaperone Asf1 and MCM2-7, the putative replicative helicase, are connected through a histone H3-H4 bridge. Depletion of Asf1 by RNA interference impedes DNA unwinding at replication sites, and similar defects arise from overproduction of new histone H3-H4 that compromises Asf1 function. These data link Asf1 chaperone function, histone supply, and replicative unwinding of DNA in chromatin. We propose that Asf1, as a histone acceptor and donor, handles parental and new histones at the replication fork via an Asf1-(H3-H4)-MCM2-7 intermediate and thus provides a means to fine-tune replication fork progression and histone supply and demand.     

ATP-driven exchange of histone H2AZ variant catalyzed by SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex

The conserved histone variant H2AZ has an important role in the regulation of gene expression and the establishment of a buffer to the spread of silent heterochromatin. How histone variants such as H2AZ are incorporated into nucleosomes has been obscure. We have found that Swr1, a Swi2/Snf2-related adenosine triphosphatase, is the catalytic core of a multisubunit, histone-variant exchanger that efficiently replaces conventional histone H2A with histone H2AZ in nucleosome arrays. Swr1 is required for the deposition of histone H2AZ at specific chromosome locations in vivo, and Swr1 and H2AZ commonly regulate a subset of yeast genes. These findings define a previously unknown role for the adenosine triphosphate-dependent chromatin remodeling machinery.     

大孔吸附树脂纯化岗稔果皮花色苷的研究

以岗稔果皮为原料,研究大孔树脂对岗稔果皮花色苷的吸附特性,优化岗稔花色苷的动态吸附条件。通过AB-8、D101和XAD-7HP等3种大孔树脂对岗稔花色苷吸附效果的比较,选用XAD-7HP大孔树脂,并研究其对岗稔花色苷的动态吸附情况。结果显示,岗稔果皮花色苷在XAD-7HP树脂上的最佳吸附解吸条件:吸附流速为1 mL/min,上样液的花色苷浓度为11.2mg/L,用4倍柱床体积的70%(体积分数)酸性乙醇(pH 1.0)作为洗脱液,洗脱流速为1 mL/min。岗稔果皮花色苷经XAD-7HP大孔树脂纯化后,花色苷含量提高3.6倍。     

猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌血清学调查—2—ME试管凝集试验

应用2巯基乙醇(2—ME)试管凝集反应对1987年由黑龙江省哈尔滨市、齐齐哈尔市、佳木斯市肉联厂及牡丹江地区密山县收集的317头份猪血清进行了猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌(以下简称H.P)抗体检测,阳性反应为38头份(占11.98％),其中H.P1型阳性反应为17头份,H.P4型阳性反应为21头份。抗体滴度最高达1:80。可见,我国猪群中已感染猪胸膜肺炎嗜血杆菌。