棉花细胞壁蛋白基因分离鉴定与表达分析

棉纤维起源于棉花胚珠外层表皮细胞．研究棉纤维发育,具有重要理论和实践意义．从棉纤维等组织cDNA文库中分离了186个棉花细胞壁结构蛋白基因,按照所编码的蛋白质结构特点,可将这些基因分为三类;富含脯氨酸细胞壁蛋白（Proline—rich cell wall proteins,PRPs）基因、伸展蛋白（Extensins）或者富含羟脯氨酸糖蛋白（Hydroxyproline—rich glycoprotein,HRGP）基因,富含甘氨酸蛋白（Glycine—rich proteins,GRPs）基因．采用cDNA microarray技术,比较上述基因在开花后10天的野生型棉花纤维和无絮无绒（fuzzless—lintless,fl）突变体胚珠表皮中表达谱发现,其中有7个基因在野生型纤维中特异性或高效性表达,表明它们可能与纤维发育有关．     

人类RING型锌指蛋白DTX2的全长cDNA克隆与序列分析

鉴定了一个人类WWE与RING型锌指基因DTX2,位于人染色体7q11.23. 通过RACE获得的全长cDNA显示,DTX2编码包含两个WWE区域与一个RING锌指区域的蛋白.     

醋酸纤维薄膜电泳法分离测定鸡血清蛋白质

应用醋酸纤维薄膜电泳法分离测定了鸡血清中不同蛋白质。对电流强度、电泳时间和点样量等影响分离效果的条件进行了选择。并用光度计和薄层扫描仪对样品进行了定量测定。     

Digoxin and ouabain increase the synthesis of cholesterol in human liver cells

Digoxin and ouabain are steroid drugs that inhibit the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, and are widely used in the treatment of heart diseases. They may also have additional effects, such as on metabolism of steroid hormones, although until now no evidence has been provided about the effects of these cardioactive glycosides on the synthesis of cholesterol. Here we report that digoxin and ouabain increased the synthesis of cholesterol in human liver HepG2 cells, enhancing the activity and the expression of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme of the cholesterol synthesis. This effect was mediated by the binding of the sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) to the HMGCR promoter, and was lost in cells silenced for SREBP-2 or loaded with increasing amounts of cholesterol. Digoxin and ouabain competed with cholesterol for binding to the SREBP-cleavage-activating protein, and are critical regulators of cholesterol synthesis in human liver cells. Received 10 January 2009; received after revision 11 February 2009; accepted 6 March 2009     

Functions and pathologies of BiP and its interaction partners

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in a variety of essential and interconnected processes in human cells, including protein biogenesis, signal transduction, and calcium homeostasis. The central player in all these processes is the ER-lumenal polypeptide chain binding protein BiP that acts as a molecular chaperone. BiP belongs to the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family and crucially depends on a number of interaction partners, including co-chaperones, nucleotide exchange factors, and signaling molecules. In the course of the last five years, several diseases have been linked to BiP and its interaction partners, such as a group of infectious diseases that are caused by Shigella toxin producing E. coli. Furthermore, the inherited diseases Marinesco-Sj?gren syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, Wolcott-Rallison syndrome, and several cancer types can be considered BiP-related diseases. This review summarizes the physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of BiP and its interaction partners. Received 20 November 2008; received after revision 09 December 2008; accepted 12 December 2008     

Biogenesis of β-barrel membrane proteins in bacteria and eukaryotes: evolutionary conservation and divergence

Membrane-embedded β-barrel proteins span the membrane via multiple amphipathic β-strands arranged in a cylindrical shape. These proteins are found in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. This situation is thought to reflect the evolutionary origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts from Gram-negative bacterial endosymbionts. β-barrel proteins fulfil a variety of functions; among them are pore-forming proteins that allow the flux of metabolites across the membrane by passive diffusion, active transporters of siderophores, enzymes, structural proteins, and proteins that mediate protein translocation across or insertion into membranes. The biogenesis process of these proteins combines evolutionary conservation of the central elements with some noticeable differences in signals and machineries. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the functions and biogenesis of this special family of proteins.     

Breaking biological symmetry in membrane proteins: The asymmetrical orientation of PsaC on the pseudo-C2 symmetric Photosystem I core

The elucidation of assembly pathways of multi-subunit membrane proteins is of growing interest in structural biology. In this study, we provide an analysis of the assembly of the asymmetrically oriented PsaC subunit on the pseudo C₂-symmetric Photosystem I core. Based on a comparison of the differences in the NMR solution structure of unbound PsaC with that of the X-ray crystal structure of bound PsaC, and on a detailed analysis of the PsaC binding site surrounding the F_X iron-sulfur cluster, two models can be envisioned for what are likely the last steps in the assembly of Photosystem I. Here, we dissect both models and attempt to address heretofore unrecognized issues by proposing a mechanism that includes a thermodynamic perspective. Experimental strategies to verify the models are proposed. In closing, the evolutionary aspects of the assembly process will be considered, with special reference to the structural arrangement of the PsaC binding surface. Received 22 October 2008; received after revision 17 November 2008; accepted 05 December 2008     

Molecular mechanisms of phagocytic uptake in mammalian cells

Phagocytosis is a highly conserved, complex process that has evolved to counter the constant threat posed by pathogens, effete cells and debris. Classically defined as a mechanism for internalising and destroying particles greater than 0.5 mum in size, it is a receptor-mediated, actin-driven process. The best-studied phagocytic receptors are the opsono-receptors, FcgammaR and CR3. Phagocytic uptake involves actin dynamics including polymerisation, bundling, contraction, severing and depolymerisation of actin filaments. Recent evidence points to the importance of membrane remodelling during phagocytosis, both in terms of changes in lipid composition and delivery of new membrane to the sites of particle binding. Here we review the molecular mechanisms of phagocytic uptake and some of the strategies developed by microbial pathogens to manipulate this process.     

极端嗜热微生物分子伴侣蛋白研究与嗜热功能蛋白质的规模化制备技术研究

极端微生物是丰富的资源宝库,有着巨大的生物技术开发前景。本文从特殊功能蛋白质的发现与表征、结构与功能及潜在性应用．以及特殊功能蛋白质的规模化制备技术两个方面,对极端微生物的资源开发与利用进行了探讨。重点介绍了极端嗜热古菌Pyrococcus furiosus分子伴侣蛋白系统的一些研究,并以P．furiosus胞外α-淀粉酶PFA为例,对工业生物技术领域重组蛋白质的规模化制备技术进行了讨论。