Complementation in monocyte hybrids revealing genetic heterogeneity in chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare syndrome, found predominantly in male children and characterized by life-threatening, recurrent infections. The superoxide (O2-)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generating system in the granulocytes and monocytes of CGD patients is completely defective. Furthermore, a novel type of cytochrome b, detected by the optical spectrum of phagocytes from healthy subjects, is lacking in those of most male CGD patients. In female CGD patients, the cytochrome b is present, but cannot, as in normal cells, be reduced on metabolic stimulation of the phagocytes in anaerobic conditions. Here, to demonstrate the importance of cytochrome b in this system and to investigate the genetic background of the various forms of CGD, we have hybridized monocytes from a cytochrome b negative, X-linked male CGD patient with monocytes from a cytochrome b positive, male CGD patient with unknown genetic background. Monocytes were used because they are the only blood phagocytes that show an active protein synthesis, whereas fibroblasts or lymphocytes do not express the O2-/H2O2 generating system. The heterologous hybrids were positive in the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) slide test, indicating the complementation of the O2-/H2O2 generating system, whereas the homologous hybrids remained negative, as did the non-fused cells of these patients. We thus conclude that cytochrome b is part of the O2-/H2O2 generating system and that somatic cell hybridization experiments with monocytes provide a means of studying the genetic background of CGD patients. We believe this to be the first report of genetic complementation by somatic cell hybridization experiments using monocytes instead of fibroblasts.     

Activation of the NADPH oxidase involves the small GTP-binding protein p21rac1

Professional phagocytes, such as neutrophils and monocytes, have an NADPH oxidase that generates superoxide and other reduced oxygen species important in killing microorganisms. Several components of the oxidase complex have been identified as targets of genetic defects causing chronic granulomatous disease. The complex consists of an electron transport chain that has as its substrate cytosolic NADPH and which discharges superoxide into the cavity of the intracellular phagocytic vacuole. The only electron transport component identified so far is a low-potential cytochrome b, apparently the only membrane component required. At least three cytosolic factors are also necessary, two of which, p67phOx and p47phOx, have been identified by their absence in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. A third component, sigma 1, is required for stimulation of oxidase activity in a cell-free system. The active components of purified sigma 1 are two proteins that associate as heterodimers, and here we report that these are the small GTP-binding protein p21rac1 and the GDP-dissociation inhibitor rhoGDI.     

Structure of a Ran-binding domain complexed with Ran bound to a GTP analogue: implications for nuclear transport

The protein Ran is a small GTP-binding protein that binds to two types of effector inside the cell: Ran-binding proteins, which have a role in terminating export processes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and importin-beta-like molecules that bind cargo proteins during nuclear transport. The Ran-binding domain is a conserved sequence motif found in several proteins that participate in these transport processes. The Ran-binding protein RanBP2 contains four of these domains and constitutes a large part of the cytoplasmic fibrils that extend from the nuclear-pore complex. The structure of Ran bound to a non-hydrolysable GTP analogue (Ran x GppNHp) in complex with the first Ran-binding domain (RanBD1) of human RanBP2 reveals not only that RanBD1 has a pleckstrin-homology domain fold, but also that the switch-I region of Ran x GppNHp resembles the canonical Ras GppNHp structure and that the carboxy terminus of Ran is wrapped around RanBD1, contacting a basic patch on RanBD1 through its acidic end. This molecular 'embrace' enables RanBDs to sequester the Ran carboxy terminus, triggering the dissociation of Ran x GTP from importin-beta-related transport factors and facilitating GTP hydrolysis by the GTPase-activating protein ranGAP. Such a mechanism represents a new type of switch mechanism and regulatory protein-protein interaction for a Ras-related protein.     

The X-linked chronic granulomatous disease gene codes for the beta-chain of cytochrome b-245

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited disorder associated with a profound predisposition to infection due to the lack of a microbicidal oxidase system in the phagocytes of these patients. This syndrome is most commonly inherited through a defect on the X chromosome and the only clearly defined component of the oxidase system, the very unusual cytochrome b (b-245), has been shown to be missing from the cells of these patients. This cytochrome is a heterodimer composed of an alpha-chain of relative molecular mass (Mr) 23,000 (23K) and a 76-92K beta-chain; neither are detectable in neutrophils from X-linked CGD subjects. The defective X-CGD gene has recently been cloned by 'reverse genetics' but the protein predicted from the proposed complementary DNA sequence was not identified. We have purified the beta-chain of the cytochrome and sequenced 43 amino acids from the N terminus. Almost complete homology was obtained between this sequence and that of the complementary nucleotides 19-147 of the sequence of the X-CGD gene, originally designated as a non-coding region.     

Identification of the BAL-labile factor

One of us has previously reported that treatment of the Keilin and Hartree heart-muscle preparation with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL), in the presence of air, leads to the complete inactivation of the succinate oxidase system with little if any effect on the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (until more than half the BAL was oxidized) or cytochrome c oxidase. The inactivation of the complete succinate oxidase system requires the oxidation of BAL by air in the presence of the enzyme. It is not caused by H2O2 or BAL disulphides produced during the oxidation of BAL. Spectroscopic studies identified the block as lying between cytochromes b and c. It was suggested that a BAL-labile factor is present which transfers electrons from cytochrome b to cytochrome c and which is destroyed by coupled oxidation with BAL. The factor is also required for NADH oxidation. Subsequent work showed it is not identical with cytochrome c1 (ref. 4), myoglobin present in the preparation or the antimycin-binding site. We report here that this factor is identical to the iron-sulphur protein in the central portion of the respiratory chain first identified by Rieske.     

Rat liver protein linking chemical and immunological detoxification systems.

Mammals have separate enzymatic and cellularly mediated detoxification systems. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) protect against xenobiotic chemicals which continuously enter the body, largely through mucous membranes. These enzymes catalyse the conjugation of glutathione with a wide variety of electrophilic compounds rendering them non-toxic. Mammals also mount a cellular immunological response on entry of foreign cells, viruses or macromolecules into the body. T lymphocytes mobilize at the site of foreign body entry and secrete protein messengers called lymphokines. Secondary to T lymphocytes, macrophages concentrate at the infection site and function in antigen processing and phagocytosis. In vitro, macrophage movement is arrested by one class of lymphokines known as macrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIFs). We report here the purification of milligram quantities of a unique multifunctional protein from rat liver which links enzymatic and immunological detoxification systems. This protein actuates both GST and MIF activity and matches the primary structure of a human MIF in 25 out of 26 amino-terminal amino acids. Primary structure comparisons revealed significant similarity between GSTs and MIF. The glutathione affinity chromatography purification described here yields a 100-fold increase in obtaining MIF and will aid understanding of its precise biological function.     

人RANKL胞外结构域原核表达载体的构建及表达条件优化

细胞核因子κB受体活化因子配体(Receptor activator of the NF-κB ligand,RANKL)是TNF超家族的重要成员之一,属于Ⅱ型跨膜蛋白,通过与其受体核因子κB受体活化因子(RANK)构建的信号通路参与乳腺癌的发生、肿瘤骨转移、骨质疏松、关节炎等病理过程。人RANKL胞外结构域基因片段与原核表达载体pET-21b融合并转化至表达菌Rosetta,并对其表达条件进行了优化。通过对诱导时机,诱导温度,异丙基-β-D-硫代吡喃半乳糖苷(IPTG)浓度,诱导时间及甘油浓度的条件优化表明,当IPTG的浓度为0.2 mmol/mL,20℃振荡诱导培养6 h时,甘油浓度为4%时,可在上清中获得高效表达的pET-21bRANKL融合蛋白,为该蛋白的进一步纯化及结构与功能研究打下了良好的基础。     

人细胞色素P450氧化还原酶的克隆表达和抗体的制备

细胞色素P450还原酶(CPR)是人细胞色素P450酶系的电子供给者,对后者活性的发挥起到重要作用.本研究将从人胚胎cDNA文库中得到的人CPR的编码基因,连接入pT7450表达载体中,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中高效表达并纯化.每升发酵液可得到纯化蛋白49 mg,占总蛋白含量的10%,以细胞色素C为底物检测酶活性,比活为65 u/mg.利用纯化的CPR作为抗原,常规免疫纯系大耳家兔,获得高效价、高特异性的抗血清,抗体滴度为1∶200 000(ELISA法),纯化后抗体应用于不同组织中CPR含量的评价,证明重组CPR及其抗体可用于细胞色素P450的体外药物代谢及细胞色素P450与CPR作用机理的研究.     

结合HowNet的可拓策略生成软件研制

 针对现有可拓策略生成软件自然语言理解能力不高的现状, 研制了一种结合HowNe(t 知网)的可拓策略生成软件, 通过学习HowNet 的知识组织, 改进可拓策略生成软件的基础知识库结构, 并通过人机界面的智能引导, 减轻计算机对自然语言理解的困难。以企业提高客户价值需求为案例研制的结合HowNet 的可拓策略生成软件, 能利用人和计算机各自的优势, 为企业提高客户价值提供技术支持。以服装企业客户数据进行测试, 结果表明该可拓策略生成软件有效地满足了服装企业提高客户价值的目标。     

The glycoprotein encoded by the X-linked chronic granulomatous disease locus is a component of the neutrophil cytochrome b complex

The bacteriocidal capacity of phagocytic cells is impaired in X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), a disorder characterized by the absence of functional plasma-membrane-associated NADPH oxidase. The components of this oxidase system, their correspondence with specific genetic loci, and the primary protein defect in X-CGD remain incompletely defined. We recently reported cloning of the putative X-CGD gene on the basis of DNA linkage. To identify the predicted protein in vivo, antibodies were raised to a synthetic peptide derived from the complementary DNA sequence and to a fusion protein produced in Escherichia coli. In Western blots antisera detect a neutrophil protein of relative molecular mass in 90,000 (90K) that is absent in X-CGD patients. Antisera also react with the larger component of cytochrome b recently purified from neutrophil plasma membranes as a complex of glycosylated 90K and non-glycosylated 22K polypeptides. Based on our identification of the X-CGD protein in vivo, we propose that one of its critical roles is to interact with the 22K species to form a functional cytochrome b complex.     

Stimulated neutrophils from patients with autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease fail to phosphorylate a Mr-44,000 protein

Phagocytosing neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages and eosinophils produce a burst of non-mitochondrial respiration that is important for the killing and digestion of microbes. Much of the information about the oxidase system involved comes from studies on patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a syndrome in which an undue predisposition to infection results from complete absence of this burst of stimulated respiratory activity. The basis of the oxidase activity is an electron transport chain, the only established component of which is a very unusual b-type cytochrome (b-245) (ref. 2). The molecular defect in the X-linked subgroup of CGD is the absence of this cytochrome b-245, which, however, appears to be normal in those subjects with the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. In an attempt to identify an abnormality of activation, or an absence or malfunction of a proximal component of the electron transport chain in this latter group, we examined protein phosphorylation in neutrophils after activation of the oxidase with phorbol myristate acetate. All four of the patients studied demonstrated a selective lack of the enhanced phosphorylation of a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 44,000 (44K) that was observed in normal subjects and in two CGD patients with an X-linked inheritance. This molecule, therefore, could be an important functional component of the oxidase.     

An atypical haem in the cytochrome b(6)f complex

Photosystems I and II (PSI and II) are reaction centres that capture light energy in order to drive oxygenic photosynthesis; however, they can only do so by interacting with the multisubunit cytochrome b(6)f complex. This complex receives electrons from PSII and passes them to PSI, pumping protons across the membrane and powering the Q-cycle. Unlike the mitochondrial and bacterial homologue cytochrome bc(1), cytochrome b(6)f can switch to a cyclic mode of electron transfer around PSI using an unknown pathway. Here we present the X-ray structure at 3.1 A of cytochrome b(6)f from the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The structure bears similarities to cytochrome bc(1) but also exhibits some unique features, such as binding chlorophyll, beta-carotene and an unexpected haem sharing a quinone site. This haem is atypical as it is covalently bound by one thioether linkage and has no axial amino acid ligand. This haem may be the missing link in oxygenic photosynthesis.     

Influence of site-directed mutation of cytochrome b5 Phe35 on the protein’s structure and properties

Kinetic studies of the heme dissociation from the wild type and Phe35Tyr, Phe35Leu mutants of bovine liver microsomal ferricytochrome b 5 indicate that the oxidized Phe35Tyr mutant is more stable towards denaturant than wild type but Phe35Leu mutant proceeded with a different mechanism compared with wild type cytochrome b 5 and Phe35Tyr mutant protein. Because of the decrease of side chain volume in Phe35Leu mutant, a cavity produced in the interior of the protein may offer a channel for urea molecule to enter the hydrophobic pocket. When urea concentration is larger than 5 mol/L, the urea molecule may compete to coordinate the iron of heme with His39, that results in sharp increase of the rate of heme dissociation. The interaction between cytochrome b 5 and cytochrom c demonstrated that a 1:1 protein complex was formed between the two proteins. The binding constants of cytochrome b 5 with cytochrome c are: wild type K A=4.2(±0.01)×10 6(mol/L) -1 , Phe35Tyr K A=3.7(±0.01)×10 6(mol/L) -1 and Phe35Leu K A=4.7(±0.01)×10 6(mol/L) -1 respectively ( I =1 m mol/L, pH 7.0 soldium phosphate buffer, 25℃). These results clearly show that the mutation at Phe35 has no influence on the binding of cytochrome b 5 with cytochrome c and that the hydrophilic patch residues are not involved in the binding of cytochrome b 5 and cytochrome c.     

The structure of complement C3b provides insights into complement activation and regulation

The human complement system is an important component of innate immunity. Complement-derived products mediate functions contributing to pathogen killing and elimination. However, inappropriate activation of the system contributes to the pathogenesis of immunological and inflammatory diseases. Complement component 3 (C3) occupies a central position because of the manifold biological activities of its activation fragments, including the major fragment, C3b, which anchors the assembly of convertases effecting C3 and C5 activation. C3 is converted to C3b by proteolysis of its anaphylatoxin domain, by either of two C3 convertases. This activates a stable thioester bond, leading to the covalent attachment of C3b to cell-surface or protein-surface hydroxyl groups through transesterification. The cleavage and activation of C3 exposes binding sites for factors B, H and I, properdin, decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46), complement receptor 1 (CR1, CD35) and viral molecules such as vaccinia virus complement-control protein. C3b associates with these molecules in different configurations and forms complexes mediating the activation, amplification and regulation of the complement response. Structures of C3 and C3c, a fragment derived from the proteolysis of C3b, have revealed a domain configuration, including six macroglobulin domains (MG1-MG6; nomenclature follows ref. 5) arranged in a ring, termed the beta-ring. However, because neither C3 nor C3c is active in complement activation and regulation, questions about function can be answered only through direct observations on C3b. Here we present a structure of C3b that reveals a marked loss of secondary structure in the CUB (for 'complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1') domain, which together with the resulting translocation of the thioester domain provides a molecular basis for conformational changes accompanying the conversion of C3 to C3b. The total conformational changes make many proposed ligand-binding sites more accessible and create a cavity that shields target peptide bonds from access by factor I. A covalently bound N-acetyl-l-threonine residue demonstrates the geometry of C3b attachment to surface hydroxyl groups.     

The chemotactic receptor for human C5a anaphylatoxin.

Host defence and inflammatory responses are controlled and amplified by receptor-mediated events often initiated by a chemotactic factor that directs the approach of phagocytic cells. Complement receptors CR1 and CR3 are responsible for the phagocytic and adhesive properties of neutrophils, whereas the C5a receptor mediates the pro-inflammatory and chemotactic actions of the complement anaphylatoxin C5a. In addition to stimulating chemotaxis, granule enzyme release and superoxide anion production, this receptor stimulates upregulation of expression and activity of the adhesion molecule MAC-1, and of CR1, and a decrease in cell-surface glycoprotein 100MEL-14 on neutrophils. In vivo, the C5a receptor may participate in anaphylactoid and septic shock. The human C5a receptor was cloned from U937 and HL-60 cells and identified by high affinity binding when expressed in COS-7 cells. The deduced amino-acid sequence of the receptor reveals the expected motifs befitting its interaction with cellular GTP-binding proteins.     

Bcr encodes a GTPase-activating protein for p21rac

More than thirty small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins related to the ras-encoded oncoprotein, termed Ras or p21ras, are known. They regulate many fundamental processes in all eukaryotic cells, such as growth, vesicle traffic and cytoskeletal organization. GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate the intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis of Ras-related proteins, leading to down-regulation of the active GTP-bound form. For p21ras, two GAP proteins are known, rasGAP and the neurofibromatosis (NF1) gene product. There is evidence that rasGAP may also be a target protein for regulation by Ras and be involved in downstream signalling. We have purified a GAP protein for p21rho, which is involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Partial sequencing of rhoGAP reveals significant homology with the product of the bcr (breakpoint cluster region) gene, the translocation breakpoint in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemias. We show here that the carboxy-terminal domains of the bcr-encoded protein (Bcr) and of a Bcr-related protein, n-chimaerin, are both GAP proteins for the Ras-related GTP-binding protein, p21rac. This result suggest that Bcr could be a target for regulation by Rac and has important new implications for the role of bcr translocations in leukaemia.     

牛血超氧化物歧化酶(bovine superoxide dismutase)生产工艺研究

将红细胞连续分离、热变性以及超滤技术应用在牛血SOD生产制备中，使SOD生产成本大幅降低，实现牛血SOD生产工业化，实现表明，冷冻血球和新鲜血球在酶的收率、纯度以及比活等方面无明显差别；热变性、超滤、丙酮沉淀等各工艺步骤酶的活性以及收率基本稳定；通过重组SOD技术使失去铜锌离子失活的酶蛋白恢复酶的催化活性。     

Oxygen intermediates are triggered early in the cytolytic pathway of human NK cells

The mechanism of tumour cell destruction by natural killer (NK) cells or other lymphocytes is not understood. NK cells appear to represent a primitive anti-tumour surveillance system more analogous to macrophages than lymphocytes. Free oxygen radicals (O-2, OH) and H2O2 are thought to be involved in cell destruction by macrophages and therefore we looked for similar cytocidal intermediates of oxygen in NK cells. These highly reactive molecular species can easily be detected in the presence of luminol by the emission of light. We show here that highly enriched human NK cells respond to NK-sensitive but not NK-insensitive tumour cells with a rapid burst of oxygen metabolites as detected both by chemiluminescence and cytochrome c reduction. Agents which can prevent chemiluminescence and cytochrome c reduction, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced NK-mediated cytolysis and agents which increased chemiluminescence, such as interferon, also increased NK-mediated cytolysis. These results suggest that the production of oxygen species may be the earliest event to occur in the NK cell following tumour cell contact, and these products are involved in NK-mediated cytolysis.