Molecular cloning of a fulllength cDNA for ECBP21 from Angelica dahurica

ECBP21 is an extracellular calmodulin-binding protein which was first detected and purified from extracellular extracts of suspension-cultured cells of Angelica dahurica. The purified protein was electroblotted onto PVDF membrane and the amino acid sequences from 1 to 20 were determined. Using degenerate oligonucleotides of the sequence, a full-length cDNA coding for ECBP21 was isolated by a combination of RT-PCR and 5′-RACE cloning. The cDNA contains 947 nucleotides and codes for a precursor protein of 216 amino acids. The N-terminal 1–25 amino acid sequence is a predicted signal peptide and the other 26–216 amino acid sequence is a mature peptide. The 26–45 amino acid sequence shows identity with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified ECBP21 from Angelica dahurica. The fragment of encoding the mature protein was cloned into pET-28b(+) and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). A protein with relative molecular mass 21 ku was expressed in E. coli. Using a biotinylated-CaM gel overlay technique, the expression protein was tested for its ability to bind CaM. The results indicated that the expression protein is a Ca²⁺-dependent CaM-binding protein. Thus, these results further defined the cDNA clone for ECBP21. This work laid a foundation for elucidating biological functions of ECBP21 by using molecular biological means.     

Evolutionary mode of metallothioneins inferred from Cd-MT genes of Tetrahymena

FromTetrahymena thermophila (strain BF5), the coding region ofCd-MT gene was cloned and sequenced, and identified as MTTI isoform. A serial duplicate structure is discovered in its amino acid sequence, which separates the coding region into three parts (Part 1: 7–61: Part 2: 64–118; Part 3: 122–162). The alignments among them and comparison with the corresponding parts of MT1 isoform suggest that MT1 and MTT1 isoforms both come from the same ancient gene that is homologous to Part 1, and Cd-MTs ofTetrahymena are aroused by such ancient gene duplication. The prediction of secondary structures and the analysis of the disulfide-bonding state of cysteine show that there are a lot of differences between MT1 and MTT1 isoforms, which maybe relate to their function mechanism. Foundation item: Supported by KSCX of Chinese Academy of Sciences Grant (SW-102) and the Allocation from the Earmaarked Grant for Hong Kong. Biography: WAN Mingliang (1980-). male, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: molecular ecotoxicology of protozoan.     

Studies on the overexpression of the soybean GmNHX1 in Lotus corniculatus： The reduced Na^＋ level is the basis of the increased salt tolerance

Soil salinity is one of the major factors reducing plant growth and productivity. The detrimental effects of salt on plants are a consequence of both a water deficit resulting in osmotic stress and the excess so- dium ions on critical biochemical processe…     

A tumor suppressor genefhit prokaryotic expression and identification

The recombinant expression vector pGEMD-fhit which contains full encoding region offhit gene was constructed. The recombinant was introduced into the BL21 (DE3) strain ofE. coli and induced by 1 mmol/L IPTG to express a 29×10³ polypeptide offhit fusion protein. And the 29×10³ protein was sensitive and specific in reaction with anti-fhit antibody in Western blot. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (39770373) Biography: SUN Yan (1975−), female, Master of science, Research direction: gene engineering     

Cloning and functional analysis of the sequences flanking mini-Tn5 in the magnetosome-deleted mutant NM21 of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1

A magnetosome-deleted mutant NM21 of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1 was generated by mini-Tn5 lacZ2 transposon mutagenesis, and a 3073-bp fragment flanking mini-Tn5 lacZ2 in NM21 was cloned by Anchored PCR. Sequencing analysis showed that this fragment involved three putative ORFs; the mini-Tn5 lacZ2 was inserted into ORF1. Functional complementary test indicated that the 3073-bp fragment was required for biosynthesis of magnetosomes in M. gryphiswaldense MSR-1. The majority of proteins, which had homology with the protein encoded by ORF1, were the cation transporter. Transmembrane domain analysis showed that the protein encoded by ORF1 contained four transmembrane domains. It may be a transmembrane protein. The protein encoded by ORF1 contained two putative conserved domains: COG0053 and PRK09509. The MMT1 and FieF, containing conserved domains COG0053 and PRK09509 too, were Fe²⁺ transporter (cation diffusion facilitator superfamily). It was suggested that the protein encoded by ORF1 might take part in the magnetosomes biosynthesis as Fe²⁺ transporter. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30570023) and Scientific Research Project of Huaibei City, Anhui Province (Grant No. 070114)     

Molecular cloning, identification and characteristics of NYD-SP9: Gene coding protein kinase presumably involved in spermatogenesis

Using cDNA microarray hybridization from a human testicular cDNA library, one gene exhibiting ten-fold difference at expression level between adult and embryo human testes was cloned and named NYD-SP9, which was believed to be involved in spermatogenesis. Southern blot hybridization results showed that NYD-SP9 expressed highly in testis but low in ovary. Protein motif analysis of this cDNA sequence revealed a cluster of phosphorylation sites, indicating its potential involvement in signal pathways during spermatogenesis. Furthermore, one transmembrane helix was predicted in N-terminal region, indicating that putative NYD-SP6 may be served as a transmembrane protein. The proximity of these potential phosphorylation sites to each other indicates that there may be interaction among these sites to regulate spermatogenesis. These findings suggested that protein kinase NYD-SP9 might play a role in male germ cell differentiation.     

核桃JrEFM1转录因子响应逆境及激素的表达模式

MYB转录因子在调控植物生长发育和逆境响应方面发挥着重要的作用.通过克隆获得了核桃的1条R1-MYB类转录因子EFM基因(命名为JrEFM1),利用生物信息学和实时荧光定量RT-PCR(RT-qPCR)技术,分析在不同非生物及植物激素处理下JrEFM1的表达规律,探究了JrEFM1的基本生物学功能.结果显示,JrEFM1的编码区长为1 320 bp,编码蛋白含439个氨基酸,分子量为48.322 KDa,理论等电点为9.26.与葡萄、番薯等具有较近的进化关系.其启动子包含干旱胁迫(MBS)、热激响应(HSE)、水杨酸(SA)、玉米素(O2-site)和赤霉素响应(GARE-motif)等相关元件.对JrEFM1在干旱,冷害,热激,ABA,JA,SA处理下的表达情况进行分析,发现JrEFM1可被这些处理不同程度地诱导,同时根和叶表现出不同的转录水平.表明JrEFM1可响应逆境胁迫,并与激素信号通路相关;JrEFM1可作为核桃逆境响应机制研究及抗逆育种的优良候选基因.     

Cloning,expression of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> phytoene desaturase gene and preparation of antiserum against it

A 2 149 bp full length phytoene desaturase (PDS) cDNA was first cloned from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma using RT-PCR technique and a rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) strategy. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 1 697 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 565 amino acids. The coding region of the cDNA was inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-21a(+) and over-expressed inE. coli BL21 (DE3). The fusion proteins were found largely in an insoluble inclusion bodies. The purified fusion protein was used to immunize rabbits to obtain polyclonal antiserum with titer of 1×10⁵. Western blot analysis by using this particular antiserum showed that the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in leaves and stamen, and the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in young stigma. Foundation item: Supported by the Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education, P. R. China and the Young Science Foundation of Sichuan University (Grant 0020405505012) Biography: Bai Jie (1968-), female, Ph. D candidate, research direction: plant developmental biology and reproductive engineering.     

斜带石斑鱼ERP44基因的克隆与表达分析

为进一步了解内质网蛋白44基因(ERP44)在石斑鱼免疫反应中的作用,本研究根据实验室石斑鱼转录组数据中ERP44的表达序列标签(EST)设计引物,克隆了斜带石斑鱼(Epinephelus coioides)Ec-ERP44基因的开放阅读框序列(ORF),利用生物信息学手段分析Ec-ERP44基因及其编码蛋白的序列结构和特征,并通过实时荧光定量PCR检测该基因的组织分布特征,以及脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide, LPS)、聚肌胞苷酸(Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, Poly I:C)刺激后该基因在石斑鱼脾脏中的表达变化。研究结果表明,Ec-ERP44基因ORF全长1 233 bp,编码410个氨基酸;该蛋白具有蛋白质二硫键异构酶(PDI)家族保守的硫氧还蛋白结构域。同时,Ec-ERP44基因在健康石斑鱼体内的多种组织均有表达,其中在脑组织中的表达量最高;在LPS与Poly I:C刺激后,石斑鱼脾脏中Ec-ERP44基因的表达显著上调。本研究结果表明,Ec-ERP44基因参与了石斑鱼抗病原感染的免疫反应。     

上海菠菜霜霉病菌生理小种鉴定及分子检测

明确我国不同区域菠菜(Spinacia oleracea L.)霜霉病菌(Peronospora effuse)生理小种的类别,是筛选和鉴定抗病菠菜种质资源和选育抗病新品种的基础.对采集于上海的2份菠菜霜霉病病原菌进行了鉴定,并根据内部转录间隔区(ITS)通用引物对其ITS序列进行克隆和分析.结果表明:上海地区的菠菜霜霉病菌为9号生理小种,属于Peronospora effusa.本研究明确了上海地区生理小种类别,为菠菜抗霜霉病育种提供参考.     

Molecular characterization of a K+ channel blocker in the scorpionButhus martensii Karsch

K⁺ channel blockers of scorpion venoms are of important value in studying pharmacology and physiology of specific K⁺ channel of cells. Based on the amino acid sequences of BmP01 previously characterized as a small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel blocker, two “back to back” degenarate primers have been designed and synthesized for inverse PCR strategy, its full-length cDNA has been cloned from the venom gland of the Chinese scorpionButhus martensii. The cDNA is composed of 3 parts: 5′ UTR, ORF and 3′ UTR. The flanking sequence of translation initiation codon ATG is AAAATGA, which is highly conserved in scorpion Na⁺ channel toxin and protozoan genes, suggesting that these genes may have followed a common mechanism for translation initiation. The 3′ UTR contains poly(A) signal AATAAA. The open reading frame encodes a precursor of 57 residues with a signal peptide of 28 residues and a mature peptide of 29 residues. The signal peptide is rich in hydrophobic amino acid residues and its length is significantly different from that of the determined scorpion Na⁺ channel toxin. The deduced amino acid sequence of mature peptide is completely consistent with BmP01 previously determined by primary structure analysis.     

Characterization of the flagellar biosynthesis regulatory geneflbD inAzospirillum brasilense

A flagellar gene cluster fragment includingflbD ofAzospirillum brasilense was cloned and sequenced. TheflbD mutant strain was found to be nonmotile—losing both polar and lateral flagella (Fla⁻Laf⁻). Motility and flagella were regained by complementation with plasmid-borne multicopyflbD, but altered with larger swarming circle and fewer lateral flagella on the semisolid plate. This result indicated that FlbD plays an important role in the regulation of both polar and lateral flagellar biosynthesis inA. brasilense.     

Expression of E1 gene of a hepatitis C virus inE. coli and protein purification

The cDNA containing full encoding region of E1 antigen of HCV was cloned into an expression plasmid pRSETHisB. The recombinant plasmid pRSETE1 was introduced into the BL21 (DE3) strain ofE. coli. The engineering bacteria harbouring the pRSETE1 was cultivated in 2YT medium at 37°C. When the Expression of E1 protein was induced by 1 mmol IPTG, the bacteria was killed and the number of living cell was droped down from 10⁷ to 10³ cell/mL one hour post induction. Suggest that E1 protein is poisoned toE. coli. However, the 26kD polypeptide of E1 fussion protein still synthesized in appropriate condition. The expression level was about 10% of total protein 4 h after inducing. The E1 protin was purified by Ni²⁺-NTA-Agarose column chromatography to homogeneous. The purified E1 protein was sensitive and specific in reaction with anti-HCV antibody in sera. Supported by the Science Committec of Hubei Province Ye Linbai: born in Feb. 1948. Professor     

Evolution of the serum resistance-associated SRA gene in African trypanosomes

Serum resistance-associated (SRA) protein, a protein unique for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, is responsible for resistance of this parasite to the lysis by normal human serum (NHS) and is a vital molecular marker to distinguish this species from other African trypanosomes. We cloned and sequenced the SRA basic copy (SRAbc) gene from T. b. rhodesiense and related species and found that this gene is confined to the subgenus Trypanozoon. The average 82% identity among the sequenced SRAbc genes indicates that they may have a common origin and are highly conserved. Since SRAbc coexists in the T. b. rhodesiense genome with SRA, we propose that SRAbc might be the ‘donor VSG’, which after duplication became inserted into the expression site by recombination. Under natural selection, SRAbc could reform into SRA following mosaic formation. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 30570245, 30670275), Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. DPCKSCU/IRT0447), International Foundation for Science of Sweden (Grant No. B/4318-1), Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (Grant No. Z60220518) and Education Foundation of the Czech Republic (Grant No. 2B06129)     

Molecular cloning, in vitro expression and enzyme activity analysis of violaxanthin de-epoxidase from Oryza sauva L.

The violaxanthin de-epoxidase gene was cloned from rice (Oryza sauva subsp japonica). The full length of the cDNA is 1887 bp, encoding a 446-amino acids protein with the transit peptide of 98 amino acids. The bacterial expression vector pET-Rvde was constructed and the expression quantity of the exogenous protein increased with the induction time by 0.4 mmol/L IPTG. Its molecular weight was similar with that of the native VDE. Western blotting indicated that the expressed protein has immunological reaction with the VDE polyclonal antibody. The absorbance spectrum together with xanthophyll pigments quantification by HPLC demonstrated that the expressed VDE has its enzyme activity, which can de-epoxidate violaxanthin into antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin in vitro.     

桂西北光皮桦和马尾松人工幼林生长量的比较研究

为了进一步弄清桂西北种植光皮桦(Betula luminfera)的生长量,于1997年4月在广西林朵林场营造光皮桦人工纯林,与马尾松纯林进行对比研究,结果表明:3.5年生光皮桦林分的平均树高、平均胸径和平均蓄积量分别为7.42 m、7.50 cm和30.06 m³·hm^-2,分别比同龄马尾松林分的平均高(4.58m)、平均胸径(4.96cm)、平均蓄积(18.193m³/hm²)提高62.0%、51.2%和65.3%。说明该区营造光皮桦人工幼林的生长量较大,建议在相似立地条件下局部推广营造光皮桦人工林。