蛋白质二级结构预测的结构表达方法研究

蛋白质二级结构预测时,描述窗口内氨基酸残基序列的各种物理化学和分子结构参数的数量非常大,而且不能很好地直接体现氨基酸的连接顺序,这样就造成二级结构预测工作既费时效果又低下,因此,对这些数据预处理是非常必要的.研究发现,这些初始数据对应的变换矩阵的本征值谱与氨基酸残基序列情况无关,只与氨基酸的类别、数量性质有关,而其本征函数数据能够直接反映氨基酸残基的序列情况,利用有显著大小的本征值对应的本征函数作为描述参数,在进行蛋白质二级结构预测时,不但能够显著减少描述参数的个数,而且它体现了氨基酸顺序的变化,这将有效提高蛋白质二级结构预测研究效果.     

蛋白质折叠二维HP模型中的关联条件及其应用

蛋白质折叠是生物信息学中的一个重要问题，因为蛋白质是生物功能的主要承载者，几乎所有的生物功能都与蛋白质有关。在本文中，我们主要讨论了二维HP模型下蛋白质折叠中疏水核的关联关系，并利用关联关系避免了在求解蛋白质链的空间结构时陷入能量局部最小值，有效地找出了蛋白质的最低能量，同时，利用关联关系去除了大量的无效构象，进而提高搜索构象的收敛速度。     

Finding finer functions for partially characterized proteins by protein-protein interaction networks

Based on high-throughput data, numerous algorithms have been designed to find functions of novel proteins. However, the effectiveness of such algorithms is currently limited by some fundamental factors, including (1) the low a-priori probability of novel proteins participating in a detailed function; (2) the huge false data present in high-throughput datasets; (3) the incomplete data coverage of functional classes; (4) the abundant but heterogeneous negative samples for training the algorithms; and (5) the lack of detailed functional knowledge for training algorithms. Here, for partially characterized proteins, we suggest an approach to finding their finer functions based on protein interaction sub-networks or gene expression patterns, defined in function-specific subspaces. The proposed approach can lessen the above-mentioned problems by properly defining the prediction range and functionally filtering the noisy data, and thus can efficiently find proteins’ novel functions. For thousands of yeast and human proteins partially characterized, it is able to reliably find their finer functions (e.g., the translational functions) with more than 90% precision. The predicted finer functions are highly valuable both for guiding the follow-up wet-lab validation and for providing the necessary data for training algorithms to learn other proteins.     

植物热激蛋白研究进展

热激蛋白是一类在有机体受到高温等逆境刺激后大量表达的蛋白,主要参与生物体内新生肽的运输、折叠、组装、定位以及变性蛋白的复性和降解,是细胞内含量最丰富的蛋白质之一,已成为当今分子生物学、蛋白质生物化学和植物抗逆生理学的一个重要研究内容.论述了植物热激蛋白的研究概况、合成及分布、生物学功能、基因表达调控,提出植物热激蛋白今后的研究方向。     

Multifunctions of histone H1 proteins

Among various histones, histone H1 proteins have been appreciated for their multiple functions in diverse biological processes. In addition to being a structural protein in chromatin, H1 proteins also play critical roles in cell cycle, gene expression, and development. Recent studies reveal the possible effects of H1 in some diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review different variants of HI, the functions, and post translational modifications of ill variants are also discussed.     

Rapid regulation of steroidogenesis by mitochondrial protein import

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes and imported into mitochondria. The imported proteins are directed to one of four submitochondrial compartments--the outer mitochondrial membrane, the inner mitochondrial membrane, the intramembraneous space, or the matrix--where the protein then functions. Here we show that the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a mitochondrial protein required for stress responses, reproduction, and sexual differentiation of male fetuses, exerts its activity transiently at the outer mitochondrial membrane rather than at its final resting place in the matrix. We also show that its residence time at this outer membrane and its activity are regulated by its speed of mitochondrial import. This may be the first example of a mitochondrial protein exerting its biological activity in a compartment other than that to which it is finally targeted. This system enables steroidogenic cells to initiate and terminate massive levels of steroidogenesis within a few minutes, permitting the rapid regulation of serum steroid hormone concentrations.     

细胞凋亡过程中热休克蛋白的调节

热休克蛋白(heatshockproteins,HSPs)是一类进化上高度保守,广泛存在于自然界原核、真核细胞中的蛋白质。HSPs在正常细胞中呈基础性表达,维持细胞的基本形态和功能;它在应激环境下的细胞中,可参与细胞的损伤和修复,发挥应激保护作用。新近的研究发现,HSPs在细胞凋亡中发挥重要作用。     

G蛋白信号转导调节因子的研究

G蛋白信号转导调节因子（Regulator of Gprotein signaling,RGS）是G蛋白的信号转导系统的负性调节因子,大部分RGS蛋白通过GTP酶激活蛋白方式发挥作用．本文概述了G蛋白信号转导调节因子的结构、功能、意义及国际最新的研究趋势．对RGS的深入研究有利于对信号转导调节的了解．     

The yeast DNA repair gene RAD6 encodes a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme

The RAD6 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for a variety of cellular functions including DNA repair. The discovery that the RAD6 gene product can catalyse the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to other proteins suggests that the multiple functions of the RAD6 protein are mediated by its ubiquitin-conjugating activity.     

酶催化功能混杂性研究进展

酶催化生物体内化学反应,是生命代谢形成运转的动力。与传统观点认为酶具有专一性催化功能相对,近年来生物信息与实验分析都证实了酶具有多种混杂催化功能是普遍存在的现象。在过去的几十亿年里,古老酶一直不断演化以适应变化的环境,形成现代功能多样的酶蛋白家族。基于独特底物结合模式和动态蛋白结构的催化功能混杂性是酶蛋白适应性演化的基础。酶的混杂活性有望被开发应用于药物酶法合成及环境修复领域。本文就酶催化功能混杂性的普遍性、分子机理、可进化性等方面的相关研究进展进行综述。     

The language of covalent histone modifications

Histone proteins and the nucleosomes they form with DNA are the fundamental building blocks of eukaryotic chromatin. A diverse array of post-translational modifications that often occur on tail domains of these proteins has been well documented. Although the function of these highly conserved modifications has remained elusive, converging biochemical and genetic evidence suggests functions in several chromatin-based processes. We propose that distinct histone modifications, on one or more tails, act sequentially or in combination to form a 'histone code' that is, read by other proteins to bring about distinct downstream events.     

Evolutionary conservation of biogenesis of beta-barrel membrane proteins

The outer membranes of mitochondria and chloroplasts are distinguished by the presence of beta-barrel membrane proteins. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria also harbours beta-barrel proteins. In mitochondria these proteins fulfil a variety of functions such as transport of small molecules (porin/VDAC), translocation of proteins (Tom40) and regulation of mitochondrial morphology (Mdm10). These proteins are encoded by the nucleus, synthesized in the cytosol, targeted to mitochondria as chaperone-bound species, recognized by the translocase of the outer membrane, and then inserted into the outer membrane where they assemble into functional oligomers. Whereas some knowledge has been accumulated on the pathways of insertion of proteins that span cellular membranes with alpha-helical segments, very little is known about how beta-barrel proteins are integrated into lipid bilayers and assembled into oligomeric structures. Here we describe a protein complex that is essential for the topogenesis of mitochondrial outer membrane beta-barrel proteins (TOB). We present evidence that important elements of the topogenesis of beta-barrel membrane proteins have been conserved during the evolution of mitochondria from endosymbiotic bacterial ancestors.     

小麦非醇溶性蛋白(non-prolamins)的研究进展

小麦非醇溶性蛋白主要由非贮藏蛋白部分(清蛋白和球蛋白)和贮藏蛋白部分(麦豆球蛋白和高分子量清蛋白)组成,主要是一些代谢过程中的酶类、抑制因子和贮藏蛋白等,它们对小麦生长发育及其品质具有重要作用.本文重点介绍小麦种子非醇溶性蛋白的非贮藏蛋白部分的主要类型、功能、分离方法、营养品质,及其与某些疾病的关系等.     

磷脂酰肌醇转移蛋白质家族的研究进展

脂类的单体转移是由一娄蛋白质来执行的，这组蛋白质把脂类结合到疏水腔，从而使脂娄避开了含水环境、其中的这样一组蛋白质是磷脂酰肌醇转移蛋白质家族(PITPs)，能结合磷脂酰肌醇和磷脂酰胆碱，把它们从一个膜区转移到另一膜区．PITPs是在单细胞和多细胞组织中发现的，但在细菌中没有发现．在鼠和人类中，人们发现负责脂类转移的PITP结构域有五个蛋白，按照序列分成两类：类型I PITPs由两个家族成员α，β构成，它们是小蛋白35kDa，有一个PITP结构域，可以普遍表达；类型Ⅱ A PITPs(RdgBαI和Ⅱ)是很大的蛋白质，有另外的结构域，把蛋白质靶向膜，仅能结合脂类，但不能介导转移．类型Ⅱ B PITP(RdgBβ)与类型I在大小(38kDA)上相似，也是普遍表达的．类型Ⅲ PITPs，以secl4P家族为代表，是在酵母和植物中发现的，但是在序列和结构上与类型I和类型Ⅱ PITPs相似．讨论了PITP蛋白是被动转运蛋白辽是调节蛋白，在行使肌醇酯类和膜转换的专门的生物功能时，能否把转运和结合性质偶连起来．     

癌症相关促凋亡蛋白Par-4的信号转导途径预测研究

利用支持向量机(SVM)技术构建Par-4关联的蛋白质相互作用网络,预测出与Par-4有相互作用的蛋白质82个;这些蛋白质按照功能划分为8大类,主要包括:蛋白激酶、泛素化蛋白酶、死亡受体相关因子、与细胞周期或DNA复制相关蛋白质、调节蛋白质、与疾病相关蛋白质、具有特定结构域结合蛋白质和其他蛋白质等。结合文献挖掘和数据库检索信息,推断出了Par-4的2条可能新的信号转导途径。首次预测到Par-4与一大类泛素化蛋白有密切的关系。研究发现,Par-4与多种蛋白质具有复杂的相互作用,并且,在多个细胞凋亡途径中扮演了重要角色。     

A potential fusion peptide and an integrin ligand domain in a protein active in sperm-egg fusion.

The union of sperm and egg is a special membrane fusion event that gives a signal to begin development. We have hypothesized that proteins mediating cell-cell fusion events resemble viral fusion proteins and have shown that PH-30, a sperm surface protein involved in sperm-egg fusion, shares biochemical characteristics with viral fusion proteins. We report here the complementary DNA and deduced amino-acid sequences of the mature alpha and beta subunits of PH-30. Both are type-I integral membrane glycoproteins. The alpha subunit contains a putative fusion peptide typical of viral fusion proteins and the beta subunit contains a domain related to a family of soluble integrin ligands found in snake venoms. Thus, the PH-30 alpha/beta complex resembles many viral fusion proteins in both its membrane topology and its predicted binding and fusion functions.     

Evolution of increased complexity in a molecular machine

Many cellular processes are carried out by molecular 'machines'-assemblies of multiple differentiated proteins that physically interact to execute biological functions. Despite much speculation, strong evidence of the mechanisms by which these assemblies evolved is lacking. Here we use ancestral gene resurrection and manipulative genetic experiments to determine how the complexity of an essential molecular machine--the hexameric transmembrane ring of the eukaryotic V-ATPase proton pump--increased hundreds of millions of years ago. We show that the ring of Fungi, which is composed of three paralogous proteins, evolved from a more ancient two-paralogue complex because of a gene duplication that was followed by loss in each daughter copy of specific interfaces by which it interacts with other ring proteins. These losses were complementary, so both copies became obligate components with restricted spatial roles in the complex. Reintroducing a single historical mutation from each paralogue lineage into the resurrected ancestral proteins is sufficient to recapitulate their asymmetric degeneration and trigger the requirement for the more elaborate three-component ring. Our experiments show that increased complexity in an essential molecular machine evolved because of simple, high-probability evolutionary processes, without the apparent evolution of novel functions. They point to a plausible mechanism for the evolution of complexity in other multi-paralogue protein complexes.     

抗冻蛋白的作用机制及基因工程研究进展抗冻蛋白的作用机制及基因工程研究进展汪少芸

分析了抗冻蛋白的作用机制及基因工程的研究进展.抗冻蛋白是一类具有热滞效应、冰晶形态效应和重结晶抑制效应的蛋白质.近些年的工作主要集中在该类蛋白质抗冻机制及基因工程的研究上.抗冻蛋白具有广泛的应用前景,它不但可以应用于食物的冷鲜贮存及移植器官的低温保存,还可通过转基因提高经济作物的抗冻能力.     

Copper metallothionein, a copper-binding protein from Neurospora crassa

Copper is an essential constituent of many proteins which participate in biologically important reactions. In contrast to iron, where different metal storage and transport proteins have been extensively characterised, the existence of copper proteins serving such functions is still a matter of controversy. Studies on the biosynthesis of tyrosinase from Neurospora crassa with respect to the copper status of this fungus have shown that this organism accumulates copper with the concomitant synthesis of a small molecular weight copper-binding protein. This protein is now shown to have a striking sequence homology to the zinc- and cadmium-containing metallothioneins from vertebrates. Growth experiments suggest that this molecule fulfills several important physiological functions in this organism such as copper storage, copper detoxification and provision of copper for tyrosinase.     

EB1蛋白在调节微管动态、纺锤体定位和染色体稳定性中的作用

EB1(the end-binding protein 1)蛋白家族是一群广泛存在且高度保守的微管相关蛋白,存在于从酵母到人类的广泛的生物体中.它与微管正极和中心体结合,参与了绝大部分基于微管的生理过程,包括:维持细胞极性,调节染色体稳定性,有丝分裂纺锤体的定位,将微管锚定到成核位点.自从1995年,Su等人在人细胞中发现了EB1基因,各种生物体中EB1的同源物质被相继报道.十年来,人们通过对不同生物体的研究,试图揭开EB1在细胞中的分布以及它的生理功能.然而到目前为止,对于EB1的了解还非常有限.本文结合国外的研究成果,对EB1蛋白在调节微管动态、纺锤体定位和染色体的稳定性方面以及它与APC(the adenomatous polyposis coli)之间的相互作用作以综述.