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     

An explanation to the high efficiency ofm-THPC (temporfin) used in photodynamic therapy

Meso-tetrahydroxylphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) is one of the most efficient prospective sensitizers used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). ESR spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching experiments and cyclic voltammogram measurement were used to study its redox properties. The results showed that the ability of m-THPC generating superoxide radical anions was very strong, and the rate constant of m-THPC fluorescence quenching by oxygen k_q (O₂)=1.46×10¹⁰ mol^-1·s^-1. The values of fluorescence quen- ching rate constant of m-THPC by some other electron acceptors, such as methyl viologen (MV²⁺) and anthraquinone (An), were also measured. And they were k_q (MV²⁺)=5.51×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1, k_q (An)=7.81×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1. The oxidation potential of m-THPC was examined to be +0.62 V (vs. NHE) in acetonitrile. All these suggested that m-THPC should be a much stronger electron donor than photofrin, the currently used in clinical photodrug, and may react easily through electron transfer with biological matter to yield various radicals. So it seemed reasonable that the type Ⅰ reaction may play an important role in the high activity of m-THPC-PDT.     

Microcalorimetric study on the antibiotic activity of clarithromycin and erythromycin

By using LKB-2277 Bioactivity Monitoring System, the heat effect changes in the process of inhibitory action of clarithromycin and erythromycin onEscherichia coli at 37°C were determined. Quantitative analysis showed that relationship between antibiotic concentrationc and rate contantk ofEscherichia coli growth, and half inhibitory ratio concentration IC₅₀: clarithromycin:k=0. 030 03–1. 1736×10⁻³ c, 8. 45 mg ·L⁻¹; erythromycin:k=0.031 08–8.4657×10⁻⁴ c, 14. 45 mg·L⁻¹. As a result of the microcalorimetry experiments, it not only indicated that antibacterial activity of clarithromycin was stronger than that of erythromycin, but also reported the changeable features of thermodynamics of the bacterial cell in biological, biochemical and metabolic process under different drug action. Foundation item: Supported by Natinal Natural Science Fundation of China (29973030), Natural Science Fundation of Hubei Province (98J052) and Post-doctoral Science Fundation of China Biography, SHEN Xue-song (1956-), Associate professor Research direction: biothermochemistry.     

The Escherichia coli O157:H7 DNA detection on a gold nanoparticle-enhanced piezoelectric biosensor

This paper presents development of a quartz crystal microbalance （QCM） biosensor for real-time detection of E. coil O157：H7 DNA based on nanogold particles amplification. Many inner Au nanoparticles were immobilized onto the thioled surface of the Au electrode, then more specific thiolated sin- gle-stranded DNA （ssDNA） probes could be fixed through Au-SH bonding. The hybridization was induced by exposing the ssDNA probe to the complementary target DNA of E. coli O157：H7 gene eaeA, then resulted in a mass change and corresponding frequency shifts （ △f ） of the QCM. The outer avidin-coated Au nanoparticles could combine with the target DNA to increase the mass. The electrochemical techniques, cyclic voltammetry （CV） and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） were adopted to manifest and character each step. The target DNA corresponding to 2.0×10^3 colony forming unit （CFU）/mL E. coil O157：H7 cells can be detected by this biosensor, so it is practical to develop a sensitive and effective QCM biosensor for pathogenic bacteria detection based on specific DNA analysis. The piezoelectric biosensing system has potential for further applications, such as food safety and environment monitoring, and this approach lays the groundwork for incorporating the method into an integrated system for in-field bacteria detection.     

Efficient transfer and expression of human clotting factor IX cDNA in neonatal hemophilia B mice mediated by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus

The feasibility of in vivo gene therapy for hemophilia B by VSV-G pseudotyped retroviral vector was introduced. The novel packaging cell line 293GPG was used to produce VSV-G/G1NaBAIX pseudotyped virus with the highest titers up to 8.5×10⁸ cfu·mL^-1. In contrast to the conventional retrovirus, VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more resistant to inactivation by serum complements (P＜0.001). Our results also demonstrated that VSV-G pseudotyped virus was more stable in neonatal mice serum than in adult mice serum (P＜0.01). After intraperitoneal injection of different doses of virus, hFIX antigen was detected and lasted for more than 120 d, the highest level reached (72.5±6.1) ng·mL^-1. Moreover, the functional activity was improved to some extent in all hFIX-treated mice, the most remarkable improvement was observed in the mice treated with higher dose of virus whose clotting activity increased to (3.4±1.5)% and APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) reduced to (43.2±7.2) s. The anti-hFIX antibody was not detected by the method of Bethesda, no germ line transmission and any side effects associated with gene transfer were found. Our results indicated that neonatal gene therapy for hemophilia B mice by VSV-G pseudotyped retrovirus is promising.     

An interspecies conserved antigen ofPlasmodium falciparum containing clusters of asparagine residues

An interspecies conservedPlasmodium asparagine rich antigen, designated as ARK26, was isolated by immunoscreeningP. falciparum genomic DNA expression library with mouse convalescent anti-P. yeolii serum. Partial DNA sequence analysis reveals that ARK26 contains clusters of asparagines and no randomly repeated amino acid sequence motifs are observed. A 65×10³ GST fusion protein is expressed by recombinant plasmid PGEX-5X-1 (ARK26) inE. coli C strain ABLE-K. Computer programs predict that two asparagine rich regions are among the possible antigenic epitopes of p37 encoded by ARK26. Interestingly, the sequence of ARK26 displays significant similarity to yeast and several other species’ mitochondrial genes, and its possible function is discussed. Supported by a fellowship offered by International Center for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology(ICGEB) Ma Donghui: born in 1969, Graduate student     

Sensitive Determination of DNA by RLS Enhancement of Metal Ions

0　IntroductionThequantitativeanalysisofnucleicacids,especiallythemi cro determinationofnucleicacids,isbecomingmoreandmoreimportantinmanybiologicalstudies.Recently ,apromisingspectraltechnique ,whichwasbasedonthemeasurementofen hancedresonancelightscattering (RLS) [1 ,2 ] ,hasgivenrisetostronginterestbyanalystsandbiochemistsfornucleicacidsandproteinassay[3 9] .Uptonow ,manykindscompoundshavebeenfoundRLSenhancementwhilebindingtoDNA ,andallthesecompoundsarecharacterizedofpositivechargewhicha…     

Organic media enhanced spectrofluorimetric determination of L-ascorbic acid

A novel spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of L-ascorbic acid is proposed. It is based on the inhibition of L-ascorbic acid on the formation of 2,3-diaminophenazine, which is an oxidation product ofo-phenylenediamine catalyzed by laccase. The fluorescence (at λ_cx/λ_cm=464 nm /530 nnm) was enhanced strongly in the presence of organic media. The mechanism ofo-phenylenediamine oxidation reaction catalyzed by laccase in the presence of L-ascorbic acid is discussed. L-ascorbic acid is determined in the ethanol, 1,4-dioxane and acetone over the linear range of 4.0×10⁻⁷≈1.2×10⁻⁴ mol/L, 4.0×10⁻⁷≈8.0×10⁻⁵ mol/L and 4.0×10⁻⁷≈1.0×10⁻⁴ mol/L with a detection limit of 1.20×10⁻⁵ mol/L, 1.19×10⁻⁵ mol/L and 1.24×10⁻⁸ mol/L, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the simple and rapid determination of L-ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals and milk powder. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Special Funds of State Education Committe for Doctorate Research Huang Zuyun: born in Aug. 1963. Ph.D     

不同轮伐期对巨尾桉人工林碳固存的影响

【目的】深入探讨不同轮伐期对巨尾桉人工林碳固存的影响,为从应对全球气候变化的视角确定合理轮伐期提供理论依据。【方法】以轮伐期为短(7a)、中(13a)和长周期(21a)的巨尾桉人工林为研究对象,通过对不同轮伐期桉树林分生物量、碳固存、年平均固碳量的分析,揭示不同轮伐期对桉树林分碳固存的影响。【结果】巨尾桉人工林的生物量碳随着轮伐期的延长而逐渐增加,由7a轮伐期的(75.81±5.12)t·C/hm~2增至13a轮伐期的(180.11±19.97)t·C/hm~2以及21a轮伐期的(192.08±16.50)t·C/hm~2,方差分析表明,13a和21a轮伐期的总生物量碳显著高于7a轮伐期,而13a和21a轮伐期之间的差异不显著。巨尾桉人工林土壤有机碳随轮伐期延长而显著降低,由7a轮伐期的(89.99±0.35)t·C/hm~2、13a轮伐期的(85.42±0.76)t·C/hm~2下降到21a轮伐期的(74.64±0.24)t·C/hm~2。7~13a仍是巨尾桉人工林固碳能力迅速增长期,年平均总生物量碳由7a时的10.78t·C/(hm~2·a)迅速提高到13a的19.54t·C/(hm~2·a),增长81%;21a时巨尾桉人工林进入固碳能力下降期,年平均总生物量碳降至3.78t·C/(hm~2·a),固碳能力只是13a的19.34%。【结论】在南亚热带,巨尾桉人工林的最佳轮伐期确定在13a左右较为适宜,这与经济效益的最大化一致。     

Expression, purification and characterization of the soluble CuA domain of cytochrome c oxidase ofParacoccus versutus

The key subunit Ⅱ of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) contains a soluble binuclear copper center (Cu_A) domain. The Cu_A domain of Paracoccus versutus was cloned, expressed, purified and characterized. The gene encoding the Cu_A domain in pET11d vector was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The results showed that the Cu_A domain was expressed mostly in inclusion bodies and the Cu_A domain protein synthesized in E. coli cells represents approximately 10 percent of the total cellular proteins. Dissolved in urea, dialyzed and recombined with Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ and purified by the Q-sepharose fast flow anion-exchange column and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration column, the soluble purple-colored protein, which shows a single band in electrophoresis, was obtained. The UV-visible absorption spectrum of Cu_A domain showed that there are intense band at 478 nm and a shoulder peak at 530 nm, and two weak bands at 360 and 806 nm respectively, which can be assigned to the charge transfer and the interactions of obitals of Cu—S and Cu——Cu in the mixed-valence binuclear metal center (Cu₂S₂R₂). The far-UV CD spectrum indicated that this domain is predominantly in β-sheet structure. The fluorescence spectra showed that its maximal excitation wavelength and maximal emission wavelength are at 280 and 345 nm, respectively.     

Isotopic composition of helium in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains, central China and its geological significance

Isotopic geochemical characteristics of helium in garnet and omphacite of eclogite in the Dabie Mountains are discussed. Concentrations of³He and⁴He in garnet and omphacite are 3.9 × 10⁻¹⁴–24.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ and 0.48 × 10⁻⁷–9.42 × 10⁻⁷cm¹³.g⁻¹, respectively. Values of³He/⁴He have a range of (1.19–4.63) × 10⁻⁷. Helium In the eclogite is derived from both mantle and crust. Isotopic geochemical data of helium indicate that eclogite in the Dabie Mountains might be formed in depleted mantle and the age of the cologite would be Indo-China epoch.     

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     

Construction and characterization of partiallyntrC-deleted mutants inAlcaligenes faecalis

To study the effect of ntrC gene product on the expression and regulation of other important nitrogen-fixing genes in Alcaligenes faecalis, partially ntrC-deleted mutants of A. faecalis have been generated. To start with, the ntrC gene of A. faecalis was cloned into a suicide plasmid pSUP202 to create a recombinant plasmid pSUM1. The ntrC gene in pSUM1 was then replaced by a lacZ-Km^r fragment resulted in the generation of a plasmid pSUM2. The lacZ fragment in pSUM2 was further removed and a plasmid pSUM3 produced. As a second step, the plasmid pSUM2 or pSUM3 was introduced into the wild type of A. faecalis A1501 by conjugation and two partially ntrC-deleted mutants A15CM1 (ntrC∷lacZ) and A15CM2 (ntrC ^- ) were obtained. To understand the regulatory effect of the NtrC on the expression of nifH and nifA, a nifH-lacZ gene or a nifH-lacZ gene was introduced into the ntrC^- mutant by conjugation. The results indicated that: (ⅰ) although the ntrC^-mutant was nif ⁺ , its nitrogen fixation activity was only 20% that of the wild type; (ⅱ) the ntrC^- mutant failed to grow on the medium containing nitrate as a sole nitrogen source; (ⅲ) the regulation of ntrC gene expression did not require its own product; (ⅳ) the expression of nifH in A . faecalis was positively regulated by the ntrC. Deletion of the ntrC resulted in the reduction of nifH expression or even totally inactivated nitrogen fixation; (ⅴ) there was no obvious influence on the expression of nifA in A. faecalis if the ntrC gene was deleted.     

Heterologous expression of amylase gene from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera in an industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

An α-amylase encoding gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction fromSaccharomycopsis fibuligera and inserted into a shuttle vector YEp352, together with the yeast phosphoglycerate kinase 1 promoter and α-factor signal gene. The recombinant expression plasmid pLA8α was transformed into an industrial strain ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae Sc-11. The activity of the α-amylase produced by the transformant Sc-11-pLA8α was 6.3 U/mL and the starch utilization rate in YPS medium was 42%. The purified amylase was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, showing a molecular weight of 55×10³ protein band. Furthermore, the residual sugar, ethanol and some volatile compounds in the fermented worts under simulating brewing conditions were determined by chromatographic analyses. The fermentation characteristics of Sc-11-pLA8α were similar to that of Sc-11 and only minor changes in the concentration of flavor compounds could be observed. Foundation item: Supported by the National Tenth Five-Year Hi-Technique Project (2001BA708B05-04). Biography: LIU Zeng-ran (1964-), fenale, Ph. D., research, direction: food and biotechnology.     

Comparison of infection of different cell lines by uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Studying the interaction between uropathogenic Escherichia coil （UPEC） and uroepithelial cells is important in elucidating the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection. In this study, the African green monkey kidney cells （Vero）, human kidney carcinoma cells （Ketr-3） and bladder carcinoma cells （EJ） were infected by UPEC132, a clinical strain isolated from Tianjin, China, and were compared for their capacities to allow the adherence and invasion by this strain. The results revealed that all these cell lines could be attached and invaded by UPEC132. The adherence rates for Vero, Ketr-3 and EJ cells were （49,20 ±7.55）%, （55.22 ±4.09）% and （73.20 ±5.26）%, respectively, and invasion frequencies were （2.61 ±0.32）×10^-3, （3.00 ±0.34）×10^-3 and （3.25 ± 0.20）×10^-3, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that the adherence rate for EJ cells was significantly higher than those for the other two cell lines （P〈0.05）, and the invasion frequencies for EJ and Ketr-3 cells had no statistical differences （P〉0.05） but were higher than that for Vero cells （P〈0.05）. Three cell lines were detected for the receptors for P pill of UPEC by using indirect immunofluorescence. The results showed that receptors existed on the surfaces of all cell lines, and the highest distribution was found on the surface of EJ cells. Additionally, the invasion of EJ cells by recombinant UPEC132/pSELECT-GFP could be directly visualized using confocal microscopy. These data strongly implicated that EJ cells could be more easily infected by UPEC132 than the other cells, and thus could serve as a good experimental target for further investigation of UPEC infection.     

Purification and inhibition fungal growth of chitinases from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio pacini</Emphasis>

Vibrio pacini synthesizes multiple chitinases, of which three have been purified in this study by ammonium sulphate fractionation, chitin affinity chromatography and gel chromatography. Molecular weights of the three chitinases, Chi1, Chi2 and Chi3 are 27×10³, 39×10³ and 46×10³ respectively, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified enzymes have optimal activity at pH 7–8, and retain 50% enzymatic activity pH 4–9. The activities of chitinases are inhibited by Pb²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺, and increased by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Chi3 is found to inhibit the growth of six species of fungi. Such characters of chitinase are different from those of any other chitinase that were reported before. Foundation item: Supported by the Key Technologies Research and Development Programme of the Tenth Five-Year Plan of the Nation Scientific and Technological Development (2001 BA708B04-07) Biography: HAN Bao-qin (1963-), female, Professor.     

Neuropeptide Y receptors in a protozoaStylonychia mytilus

Radio ligand binding assays(RLBA) were used to study neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors in a protozoa Stylonychia mytilus. The experimental results showed that 2-3×10+3/mL Stylonychia cells incubated in Pringsheim solution which contained 3H-NPY could specifically bind 3H-NPY and concomitantly present saturable characteristic. This suggested that Stylonychia possessed some specific binding sites for NPY. Scatchard transformations of binding assay for the NPY receptors at 25℃ are compatible with the specific activity of 42.47 fmol/10+3 cells and the binding equilibrium constant of 0.113 nmol/L. The data of 125I-NPY binding assay to the membrane protein extract of Stylonychia indicated that there was a significant difference between the amount of total bound and nonspecific bound of 125I-NPY. This result indicated that NPY receptors were probably localized mainly on the cell membrane.     

Description of mechanism function about dehydration of cobalt oxalate dihydrate by multiple rates isotemperature method

0　IntroductionThetechnologyofthermalanalysishasbeenwidelyusedinthestudyofthermalbehaviorandthermalcharacterofsolidstatereaction ,theprimaryintentionofthermalanalysiskineticsistoestablishseparatevaluesofapparentactivationenergyE ,themostprobablemechanism g(α)andthepre exponentialfactorA ,meanwhilethedeterminationofg(α)hasgraduallybeenthefocusofthisfield .Inthisfield ,therearemostlygeneralkineticsmethodsused presently ,suchasCoats Redfern’s[1 ] integralmethod ,Achar’s[2 \〗differentialmet…