Tissue-specific expression of three distinct types of rabbit protein kinase C

We examined the structure of protein kinase C in an attempt to understand the molecular events connecting protein kinase C activation with the cellular response. Rabbit complementary DNA clones coding for three distinct types of protein kinase C, named alpha, beta and gamma, have been identified and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence for alpha, beta and gamma (673, 671 and 672 amino acids, respectively) are closely related. Kinases alpha and beta share an identical N-terminal sequence of 621 amino acid residues and their messenger RNAs arise from a single gene. The C-terminal halves of alpha, beta and gamma are protein kinase domains and are highly homologous to other protein kinases. The mRNAs for alpha, beta and gamma are expressed in various tissues with strikingly different tissue specificities. The one for gamma is found ubiquitously among various tissues, while those for alpha and beta predominate in the brain.     

Is sequence conservation in interferons due to selection for functional proteins?

The human alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) gene family consists of at least 14 potentially functional non-allelic members; the amino acid sequences they encode differ from each other by up to approximately 20% of their residues. Human IFN-beta, which is encoded by a single gene, is distantly related to the IFN-alpha family; it differs in 67% of its residues from IFN-alpha 2. There is considerable evidence that IFN-alpha and -beta compete for the same receptors on their target cells. Comparison of 14 non-allelic human IFN-alpha sequences and the IFN-beta sequence has revealed that 37 of 166 residues are completely conserved and that several of these are arranged in clusters, for example at positions 29-33, 47-50 and 136-150. It is commonly held that evolutionary conservation of amino acids indicates that the residues in question are essential for function. To test this hypothesis in the case of IFNs, we have introduced single site-directed point mutations into the strictly conserved codons 48 and 49 of the IFN-alpha 2 gene which form part of the longest uninterrupted cluster (position 47-50). We report here that the mutant proteins, containing Tyr, Ser and Cys instead of Phe48, or His instead of Gln49, have biological activities indistinguishable from those of wild-type IFN-alpha. In addition, when Glu62, a residue conserved in all known alpha and beta IFNs of man, mouse and cattle, was replaced by Lys, antiviral activity remained unchanged.     

Docking and molecular dynamics studies on CYP2D6

Drug-metabolizing enzymes, also known as cytochrome P450s, are a superfamily of hemoglobin responsible for metabolizing more than 90% clinical drugs. Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a significant member of cytochrome P450s for the reason of metabolizing about 20% clinical drugs. In this paper, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations are used to investi- gate the active site of CYP2D6, roles of essential amino acids within the active site and time-dependent protein energy changes. The results suggest that amino acids Glu216, Asp301, Ser304 and Ala305 in the active site are likely to form hydrogen bonding interac-tions with substrates; the benzene ring of Phe120 and aromatic ring in the substrates form ∏-∏ interactions. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations prove that the catalytic conformation of CYP2D6 without ligands can be obtained by their own atomic fluctuations. The impact of ligands on protein system energy and large conformational shift is not very large. Cytochrome P450s is known for their genetic polymorphisms, which will result in severe adverse drug reactions. Ideally, we hope to use mo- lecular modeling to investigate the differences between the substrates of wild-type and mutants while they are bonded with drugs, and predict the drug metabolizing ability of mutants. Reduce the possibility for people taking drugs that they can not metabolize, therefore reduce the rate of adverse drug reactions, and eventually establish a platform of personalized drugs to largely benefit human health.     

环糊精水解酶cds1-3底物通道氨基酸的定点突变研究

本研究对具有大分子水解能力的环糊精水解酶cds1-3的蛋白结构进行分析,选取底物通道相关氨基酸进行定点突变。通过比较突变酶和野生酶的功能差异,定位决定cds1-3特殊功能的氨基酸。采用sybyl 1.2进行蛋白质底物结合分析,选取和多聚体形成、底物结合以及底物通道相关的氨基酸Glu66、Pro48、Phe289为突变位点,反向PCR构建pSE380/E66G、pSE380/P48H、pSE380/F289A表达质粒并进行表达,获得酶活突变体并与原始酶进行底物特异性比较分析。其结果显示,突变酶E66G降解大分子底物木薯淀粉和支链淀粉的相对酶活力分别提高26.96%和23.15%,而对小分子底物普鲁兰糖的水解能力下降13.14%。因此,cds1-3是一个能水解大分子底物的特殊环糊精水解酶,氨基酸Glu66是cds1-3水解大分子支链淀粉的关键氨基酸之一。     

Structural identification of beta- and gamma-human atrial natriuretic polypeptides

Atrial natriuretic polypeptides (ANPs) of varying chain length have been identified recently in human and rat atrial tissue. Their potent natriuretic-diuretic activities indicate their key role in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte balance. Furthermore, human and rat cDNAs encoding their precursor have been cloned and identified. Natriuretic-diuretic activity in human atrial extract comprises three distinct components (alpha, relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 3,000; beta, Mr approximately 6,000; gamma, Mr approximately 13,000). However, only the 3,000-Mr peptide, alpha-human atrial polypeptide (alpha-hANP), comprising 28 amino acids, has so far been identified. We report here the purification and sequence analysis of two novel hANPs of higher Mr, beta- and gamma-hANP, both of which exhibit natriuretic and hypotensive activity. gamma-hANP, composed of 126 amino acids, carries the alpha-hANP sequence at its carboxy terminus. The identification of gamma-hANP reveals that the peptide, being the largest form of hANP, is processed directly from a 151-residue precursor by removal of a 26-residue signal peptide. In contrast, beta-hANP (56 residues) comprises an anti-parallel dimer of alpha-hANP; such a dimeric peptide possessing bioactivity has never been found in the tissue as an endogenous entity.     

复合氨基酸营养价值及对小鼠体内酶活性的影响

以豆类蛋白水解液中提取的复合氨基酸为原料，小白鼠为对象，研究复合氨基酸的营养价值及对小鼠体内酶活性的影响。结果表明它有调节小鼠体内酶活性的作用。可使ＳＯＤ、过氧化氢酶和精氨酸酶的活性升高，乳酸脱氢酶活性降低，蛋白质的表观消化率、食物转化效能及血红蛋白和血清蛋白总量提高。     

日本沼虾胚胎发育时期消化酶活力和氨基酸含量

采用生物化学方法测定了日本沼虾胚胎发育过程中四种消化酶的比活力和氨基酸的含量.结果显示：卵内可溶性蛋白的含量随着胚胎的发育逐渐下降,但在原肠期的可溶性蛋白含量略高于囊胚期.四种消化酶中类胰蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶和淀粉酶活力在胚胎发育早期和后期较高,中期较低.纤维素酶活力较低且在胚胎发育过程中变化规律不明显.总氨基酸含量在胚胎发育早期下降较快,胚胎发育至后无节幼体期氨基酸含量下降幅度变缓.必需氨基酸中亮氨酸的含量高,非必需氨基酸中谷氨酸的含量最高.单个必需氨基酸含量与必需氨基酸总量的比值（A/E）在整个胚胎发育过程中的变化基本趋于一致.     

A novel protease from yeast with specificity towards paired basic residues

Paired basic residues have been observed as sites of proteolytic processing of prohormones in a wide range of eukaryotic species. This strongly suggests that proteases exhibiting specificity towards paired basic residues may be involved in prohormone processing, but candidate enzymes have not so far been identified. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-cells synthesize and secrete alpha-mating factor, a peptide of 13 amino acids, the processing of which from a larger precursor involves cleavage at paired basic residues (-Lys-Arg-). We have therefore used them as a simple model system for the study of prohormone processing and report here the identification, in cell lysates, of a novel protease which specifically recognizes and cleaves the peptide bonds between consecutive basic residues. The purified enzyme, which we have called propheromone -convertase Y, has a molecular weight (MW) of around 43,000. It cleaves various peptide substrates at paired basic residues, but not at single basic residues, implying it is distinct from trypsin-like proteases. Its unique substrate specificity suggests the enzyme may be involved in propheromone processing in vivo.     

Structural insights into the evolutionary paths of oxylipin biosynthetic enzymes

The oxylipin pathway generates not only prostaglandin-like jasmonates but also green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which confer characteristic aromas to fruits and vegetables. Although allene oxide synthase (AOS) and hydroperoxide lyase are atypical cytochrome P450 family members involved in the synthesis of jasmonates and GLVs, respectively, it is unknown how these enzymes rearrange their hydroperoxide substrates into different products. Here we present the crystal structures of Arabidopsis thaliana AOS, free and in complex with substrate or intermediate analogues. The structures reveal an unusual active site poised to control the reactivity of an epoxyallylic radical and its cation by means of interactions with an aromatic pi-system. Replacing the amino acid involved in these steps by a non-polar residue markedly reduces AOS activity and, unexpectedly, is both necessary and sufficient for converting AOS into a GLV biosynthetic enzyme. Furthermore, by combining our structural data with bioinformatic and biochemical analyses, we have discovered previously unknown hydroperoxide lyase in plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, AOS in coral, and epoxyalcohol synthase in amphioxus. These results indicate that oxylipin biosynthetic genes were present in the last common ancestor of plants and animals, but were subsequently lost in all metazoan lineages except Placozoa, Cnidaria and Cephalochordata.     

支链淀粉水解酶水解支链淀粉的特异氨基酸分析

【目的】通过对具有支链淀粉水解能力的环糊精水解酶的结构进行分析,探寻决定酶与支链淀粉水解相关的关键氨基酸残基。【方法】对底物特异性发生改变的环糊精水解酶cds1-3进行功能鉴定,并利用分子模拟方法对其底物作用特异氨基酸序列和空间结构进行分析。【结果】环糊精水解酶cds1-3具有特殊的底物作用方式,它水解支链淀粉的能力强于水解环糊精。cds1-3和ThMA的蛋白质序列只有30个氨基酸的差异,主要位于远离底物结合区域的蛋白质中段,与环糊精水解酶的底物通道聚集位置相近。【结论】环糊精水解酶cds1-3的功能鉴定及对其关键氨基酸进行序列和空间结构分析,为揭示大分子底物,特别是支链淀粉底物的水解方式提供新的切入点。     

甘蔗UGPase cDNA的克隆及序列分析

以甘蔗(FN95-1702)为材料,通过RT-PCR,首次克隆得到了甘蔗UGPase cDNA片段.该片段长1 495 bp,其中包含完整的ORF为1 431 bp,共编码476个氨基酸,并含有5个重要的Lys残基位点,分别为Lys257、Lys321、 Lys367、 Lys408、 Lys409,它们对维持UGPase活性及与底物结合方面发挥着重要作用.     

Ⅱ型抗癌晶体蛋白的芳香族氨基酸及其与抗肝癌活性间的关系

利用氨基酸序列比对,蛋白质间相互作用位点预测和蛋白质与蛋白质对接,研究Ⅱ型抗癌晶体蛋白的氨基酸组成与其抗肝癌活性之间关系.结果表明:Ⅱ型抗癌晶体蛋白分子上位点49,51,52,55～60,194和205～212的氨基酸残基,特别是芳香族氨基酸在配体和受体蛋白质间的相互作用中起着重要作用;在Hex的蛋白质与蛋白质对接中,配体P11和P32与受体甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GAPDH)的结合能量最低,表明P11和P32更容易与GAPDH结合.     

细胞色素P450酶生物转化及新催化反应的最新进展

细胞色素P450酶(P450s或CYPs)是一类广泛存在于生命体中,依赖于亚铁血红素催化多种底物的单加氧酶。一方面,它涉及许多高活性天然产物生物合成的关键步骤,对其生物转化研究有助于提高活性分子的产率和活性;另一方面,其催化涉及金属元素以及辅助因子,其蛋白质改造和新催化反应的研发也不断取得新突破。本文就细胞色素P450酶这两方面的最近研究进展进行了总结与论述。     

鲢鱼鱼鳞胶原蛋白肽抗氧化作用研究

研究鲢鱼鱼鳞胶原蛋白肽-SCSCP-的抗氧化活性. 依次采用截留分子量为5, 3, 1ku的超滤膜对鲢鱼鱼鳞胶原蛋白肽进行分离分级，通过6种体外抗氧化指标评价各超滤组分抗氧化活性的强弱，分子量小于1ku的SCSCP-IV体外抗氧化活性最强-P＜005- ；氨基酸组成分析表明，SCSCP-IV中总疏水性氨基酸和精氨酸含量均较高，推测可能与其较高的抗氧化活性有关；建立高脂动物模型，考察SCSCP-IV在大鼠体内的抗氧化作用，结果显示SCSCP-IV能显著提高大鼠血清中抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶与谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力以及降低丙二醛含量-P＜0 05- ，表明SCSCP-IV在大鼠体内具有较好的抗氧化作用；结果表明SCSCP在体外和体内均具有良好的抗氧化活性.     

石斛碱生物合成途径及萜类化合物CYP450酶的研究进展

为了对石斛碱生物合成途径进一步解析,对石斛碱生物合成途径研究进展、5 种药用萜类生物 合成的 CYP450 酶功能、CYP450 酶研究手段三个方面进行文献综述。 通过综述石斛碱生物合成研究进展, 提出 CYP450 酶在石斛碱合成途径中羟基化中间体的作用;总结对药用萜类青蒿酸、丹参酮、鼠尾草酸、人参 皂苷、甘草甜素等合成途径中 CYP450 酶的功能研究与鉴定,发现 CYP450 酶在萜类化合物中的主要功能为 羟基化、酮基化等氧化功能;总结 CYP450 酶的研究手段:一方面基因的筛选可以通过数据库检索或植物组 织、多因子诱导表达差异筛选,另一方面基因的表达和功能鉴定通过基因工程的多种手段,转入原核或真核 宿主细胞中表达出酶蛋白,然后加入底物鉴定其催化活性。 最后,展望下一步石斛碱生物合成 CYP450 酶的 挖掘,认为可以通过已有的转录组中筛选出差异 CYP450 酶基因并进行蛋白表达,然后通过上游酶催化或从 植物中分离纯化的方式获得底物,从酶蛋白与底物的催化挖掘与石斛碱合成相关 CYP450 酶类。     

棒状链霉菌扩环酶R306位点的定点突变

目的:通过对棒状链霉菌的脱乙酰氧基头孢菌素C合酶(DAOCS)C末端R306位点突变,改变酶的活力和底物专一性。方法:利用生物信息学和空间结构分析推测,利用定点突变技术,对DAOCS的C-末端R306位点进行定点突变。结果:将DAOCS的C末端R306位点突变为其它3种性质相异的氨基酸,显示酶的活力和底物专一性都有一定改变。结论:DAOCS的C末端修饰对于提高酶活力或改变酶的底物专一性是一个非常有效的策略。     

川丁特罗对大鼠细胞色素P450酶的影响

研究新型抗哮喘药川丁特罗（trantinterol）对大鼠细胞色素P450酶的影响. 大鼠连续7 d灌胃给予川丁特罗后, 测定肝微粒体中CYP450的质量摩
尔浓度和主要3种亚型CYP1A2,CYP2D6和CYP3A4活性的变化. 实验结果表明, 与对照组相比,  川丁特罗给药组的大鼠肝微粒体中CYP450的总质量摩尔浓度未受影响(P>0.05), 对主要亚型CYP1A2,CYP2D6和CYP3A4的活性也无影响(P>0.05), 表明该药物对肝微粒体中的主要代谢酶无抑制或诱导作用.     

斑马鱼cGnRH-Ⅱ的基因克隆与序列分析

从斑马鱼脑组织提取总RNA,应用RT--PCR方法克隆eGnRH cDNA,其长度为646bp,包括一个258bp开放阅读框;编码的cGnRH-Ⅱ前体为86个氨基酸残基,由一个信号肽、GnRH十肽和一个由蛋白水解位点（Gly—Lys—Arg）连接的促性腺激素释放激素相关肽（GAP）组成;其中信号肽和联接肽的长度分别为24和49个氨基酸．该eDNA编码的cGnRH-Ⅱ的前体氨基酸序列与其他物种的cGnRH-Ⅱ前体一致．表明物种问cGnRH—Ⅱ cDNA的蛋白编码区高度保守,而非编码区的保守性程度很低．进化分析表明,斑马鱼与鲤鱼、鲫鱼、拟鲤、黑头软口鲦等淡水的鲤科鱼类的同源性较高．     

Predominant use of a V alpha gene segment in mouse T-cell receptors for cytochrome c

The T-cell receptor is a cell surface heterodimer consisting of an alpha and a beta chain that binds foreign antigen in the context of a cell surface molecule encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), thus restricting the T-cell response to the surface of antigen presenting cells. The variable (V) domain of the receptor binds antigen and MHC molecules and is composed of distinct regions encoded by separate gene elements--variable (V alpha and V beta), diversity (D beta) and joining (J alpha and J beta)--rearranged and joined during T-cell differentiation to generate contiguous V alpha and V beta genes. T-helper cells, which facilitate T and B cell responses, bind antigen in the context of a class II MHC molecule. The helper T-cell response to cytochrome c in mice is a well-defined model for studying the T-cell response to restricted antigen and MHC determinants. Only mice expressing certain class II molecules can respond to this antigen (Ek alpha Ek beta, Ek alpha Eb beta, Ev alpha Ev beta and Ek alpha Es beta). Most T cells appear to recognize the C-terminal peptide of cytochrome c (residues 81-104 in pigeon cytochrome c). We have raised helper T cells to pigeon cytochrome c or its C-terminal peptide analogues in four different MHC congenic strains of mice encoding each of the four responding class II molecules. We have isolated and sequenced seven V alpha genes and six V beta genes and analysed seven additional helper T cells by Northern blot to compare the structure of the V alpha and V beta gene segments with their antigen and MHC specificities. We have added five examples taken from the literature. These data show that a single V alpha gene segment is responsible for a large part of the response of mice to cytochrome c but there is no simple correlation of MHC restriction with gene segment use.