昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展

昆虫对自然环境中复杂化学信号的识别多依赖于其灵敏的嗅觉系统,选择寄主、觅食、寻找配偶等行为的发生都以嗅觉识别为基础,而完成嗅觉识别还需要多种嗅觉相关蛋白的参与。嗅觉相关蛋白主要包括6种,即气味结合蛋白、化学感受蛋白、气味受体、感觉神经元膜蛋白、离子型受体和气味降解酶。不同种类和性别的昆虫中,嗅觉蛋白的种类、数量和分布各不相同。由于嗅觉蛋白在昆虫识别外界气味分子中的重要作用,国内外近年来对其展开了广泛、深入的研究。本文从几种嗅觉相关蛋白的生化特性、分子结构、生理功能、分布表达部位和研究概况等角度,较详细地综述了近年来国内外昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展。     

Polymerisation of gluten proteins in developing wheat grain as affected by desiccation

The breadmaking quality of wheat is affected by the composition of gluten proteins and the polymerisation of subunits that are synthesised and accumulated in developing wheat grain. The biological mechanisms and time course of these events during grain development are documented, but not widely confirmed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitor the accumulation of gluten protein subunits and the size distribution of protein aggregates during grain development. The effect of desiccation on the polymerisation of gluten proteins and the functional properties of gluten were also studied. The results showed that the size of glutenin polymers remained consistently low until yellow ripeness (YR), while it increased during grain desiccation after YR. Hence, this polymerisation process was presumed to be initiated by desiccation. A similar polymerisation event was also observed when premature grains were dried artificially. The composition of gluten proteins, the ratios of glutenin to gliadin and high molecular weight-glutenin subunits to low molecular weight-glutenin subunits, in premature grain after artificial desiccation showed close association with the size of glutenin polymers in artificially dried grain. Functional properties of gluten in these samples were also associated with polymer size after artificial desiccation.     

Characterization of Amaranthus cruentus L. seed proteins by 2-DE and LC/MS–MS: Identification and cloning of a novel late embryogenesis-abundant protein

Amaranth is taking great attention as an important cereal crop that could fulfill food requirements for the growing population, especially in developing countries. However, the protein composition of these seeds is not well known yet. We have used the proteomics tools to characterize amaranth seed proteome. About 400 proteins spots were resolved on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and protein spots were analyzed by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry). Identified proteins were related to stress and defense responses, metabolic, respiratory, and oxide-reduction processes. One abundant spot was identified as a Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) protein and the gene was cloned and characterized. The AcLEA cDNA contains a 418 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 139 amino acids. Bioinformatics analysis showed that AcLEA belongs to LEAs Group 5. Proteomics is a powerful technique that could be used even in non-sequenced organisms such as amaranth. The obtained information reveals that amaranth seed, beyond the classical seed storage proteins, contains proteins related to protection against stress. The identification of these proteins opens the door to the application of new strategies to improve the quality of amaranth production.     

Quantitative proteomic analysis of wheat grain proteins reveals differential effects of silencing of omega-5 gliadin genes in transgenic lines

Novel wheat lines with altered flour compositions can be used to decipher the roles of specific gluten proteins in flour quality. Grain proteins from transgenic wheat lines in which genes encoding the omega-5 gliadins were silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) were analyzed by quantitative 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The precise effects of the genetic modifications on the proteome were assessed in four homozygous lines generated with the same RNAi construct. Two of the lines showed >80% decreases in omega-5 gliadins with only small changes in the levels of other gluten proteins. In the other two lines, omega-5 gliadins were not detectable by 2-DE. However, there were notable reductions in all omega-1,2 gliadins. Small decreases in several other gluten proteins were also detected in one of the lines. The other line showed notable decreases in three HMW-GS and an s-type LMW-GS, increases in two m-type LMW-GS and several alpha gliadins, as well as increases in both serpins and triticin. The study demonstrates that the same RNAi construct can have differential effects on the wheat grain proteome and highlights the importance of detailed proteomic analyses of transgenic grain prior to selecting lines for further assessment of flour quality and allergenic potential.     

Characterization of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Landraces Cultivated in Central Italy

Eight Phaseolus vulgaris L. landraces cultivated on farm in marginal areas of Central Italy (Lazio region) were investigated in order to evaluate chemical composition of storage proteins and secondary metabolites fractions. The total protein content showed some differences among landraces; the maximum value was next to 30 g for 100 g of dry weight. The seed storage proteins were screened by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE): seven landraces exhibited phaseolin patterns type S, one landrace showed a phaseolin pattern type T. A morphological analysis of cotyledon parenchyma performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed differences in size of starch granules. Moreover the polyphenolic composition was investigated using HPLC-APCI; from the methanol extracts a flavonoid, kaempferol, and a coumarin, 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin, were identified. To our knowledge, this is the first time that 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin has been reported in P. vulgaris seeds.     

天然橡胶低温诱导结晶的影响因素研究

天然橡胶(NR)的结晶性能是其具有优异力学性能的重要原因之一。本研究采用不同的凝固方法制备了NR生胶,通过差示扫描量热仪(DSC)研究蛋白质、水溶物、丙酮溶物对NR生胶低温诱导结晶过程中的结晶速率和结晶度的影响。结果表明,蛋白质和丙酮溶物可以促进NR的结晶并提高结晶度,水溶物则阻碍NR结晶。     

An Overview of the Medical Applications of Marine Skeletal Matrix Proteins

In recent years, the medicinal potential of marine organisms has attracted increasing attention. This is due to their immense diversity and adaptation to unique ecological niches that has led to vast physiological and biochemical diversification. Among these organisms, marine calcifiers are an abundant source of novel proteins and chemical entities that can be used for drug discovery. Studies of the skeletal organic matrix proteins of marine calcifiers have focused on biomedical applications such as the identification of growth inducing proteins that can be used for bone regeneration, for example, 2/4 bone morphogenic proteins (BMP). Although a few reports on the functions of proteins derived from marine calcifiers can be found in the literature, marine calcifiers themselves remain an untapped source of proteins for the development of innovative pharmaceuticals. Following an overview of the current knowledge of skeletal organic matrix proteins from marine calcifiers, this review will focus on various aspects of marine skeletal protein research including sources, biosynthesis, structures, and possible strategies for chemical or physical modification. Special attention will be given to potential medical applications and recent discoveries of skeletal proteins and polysaccharides with biologically appealing characteristics. In addition, I will introduce an effective protocol for sample preparation and protein purification that includes isolation technology for biopolymers (of both soluble and insoluble organic matrices) from coralline algae. These algae are a widespread but poorly studied group of shallow marine calcifiers that have great potential for marine drug discovery.     

Physico-chemical properties and acceptability of yam flour substituted with soy flour

Yam flour was substituted 10, 20 and 40% with defatted and full fat soy flour. The effect of the substitution on the proximate composition, swelling power, solubility, water binding capacity and Brabender visco amylograph cooking properties of the yam flour and acceptability of the cooked paste (amala), were evaluated. Protein contents of the mixtures were 23.0 and 25.5% on substituting 40% full-and defated soy flours for yam flour; ash and crude fibre contents increased while carbohydrate content, swelling power, Brabender paste viscosities decreased with increase in soy flour substitution of yam flour. Colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability of pastes (amala) from the mixed flours were rated lower than that of yam flour. Up to 10% defated and 20% full fat soy flour substitution for yam flour was acceptable for amala.     

基因工程菌表达效率对细菌总蛋白和包涵体中目的蛋白含量的影响

测定了猪生长激素基因工程菌不同表达效率时细菌总蛋白的含量以及包涵体中重组猪生长激素占包涵体总蛋白的比值。结果表明:随着表达效率的提高,细菌总蛋白含量缓慢增加,最后稳定在一定水平上;当表达效率增加,包涵体中重组猪生长激素占包涵体中总蛋白的百分数也增加,两者上升趋势基本一致。     

高毒力苏云金杆菌CAB109菌株的蛋白质特性及其田间防效

对甜菜夜蛾等害虫具有高毒力的苏云金杆菌CAB109菌株进行生物学特性调查结果表明,CAB109菌株的伴孢晶体具有典型的菱形结构;其原毒素蛋白的分子量为133kDa,经胰蛋白酶处理后水解为66kDa的活性毒素蛋白．DNA凝胶电泳显示：CAB19菌株的质粒DNA与同样H,血清型的已知HD-133菌株不同．CAB109菌株对葱田甜菜夜蛾的平均防效达75．3％,高于常用化学农药和微生物农药的防效;平均挽回损失率也达26．0%表现出优良的开发潜力．