Characterization and expression of a cDNA, AmphiSDHD,encoding the amphioxus cytochrome b small subunit in mitochondrial succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase

In this study, an amphioxus cDNA, AmphiSDHD, encoding the cytochrome b small subunit in mitochondrial succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, was isolated from the gut cDNA library of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. It is 1429 bp in length, with an open reading frame of 465 bp coding for a protein of 154 amino acids. The deduced protein contains a mitochondrial targeting presequence of 65 amino acids rich in basic residues like arginine and hydroxy residues such as serine and threonine. Alignment of the amino acid sequences of AmphiSDHD and other eukaryotic SDHD proteins showed that AmphiSDHD has three transmembrane segments, and includes two histidine residues in the second transmembrane segment that are the putative binding sites for the heme b molecule. The phylogenetic tree constructed suggests that AmphiSDHD appears more closely related to vertebrate SDHD proteins than invertebrate ones. Northern blotting demonstrated that AmphiSDHD is ubiquitously expressed in amphioxus, being in line with the fact that SDHD is a house-keeping protein.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression of the coat protein gene of Cocksfoot mottle virus

The coat protein (CP) gene of Cocksfoot mottle virus (CfMV) was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and the resulting plasmid was designated as pGEXCfMV-JANCP. The fusion protein GST-CP was expressed in BL21 (DE3) pLysS after IPTG induction. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the CfMV-CP gene was efficiently expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS through IPTG induction and the 56.0 kD protein was obtained.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression of the coat protein gene of Cocksfoot mottle virus

The coat protein (CP) gene of Cocksfoot mottle virus (CfMV) was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and the resulting plasmid was designated as pGEXCfMV-JANCP. The fusion protein GST-CP was expressed in BL21 (DE3) pLysS after IPTG induction. The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that the CfMV-CP gene was efficiently expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS through IPTG induction and the 56.0 kD protein was obtained.     

Cloning, prokaryotic expression,purification and sequence analysis of 20S proteasome subunit gene from T.harzianum

The gene encoding the 20S proteasome subunit（PR29） was cloned from cDNA library of Trichoderma harzianum and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 （D3） using a pET-28a expression system. The molecular weight of the protein was found to be approximately 29 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE on gels. The target protein was insoluble when induced at 22℃ with 0.4 mmol/L IPTG, while dissoluble if induced at 37℃ with 0.8mmoL/L IPTG. The expressed product was purified through Ni-magnetic beads His Bind. The purity of the fusion protein reached above 80%. The entire eDNA sequence consisted of 1094 bp with 173 and 135 bp in 5＇ and 3＇ untranslated regions respectively. The gene encoding 261 amino acids has no signal peptide sequence. These results could provide a basis for validating the func-tions of PR29. It also provided a preliminary indication for further study of the mechanism and function of proteasome, and more information of proteasome mechanism in T.harzianum could be obtained.     

Characterization and expression of a cDNA, AmphiSDHD , encoding the amphioxus cytochrome b small subunit in mitochondrial succinate ubiquinone oxidoreductase

Succinate ubiquinone oxidoreductase ,alsoknownascomplexII ,isthesmallestenzymecomplexfunctioninginboththetricarboxylicacidcycle(TAC)andtheaerobicrespiratorychainofeukaryoticcellmitochondriaandprokaryoticcells[1] .Itiscom posedoffournuclear encoded proteins ,SDHAorflavoprotein (70kD) ,SDHBoriron sulfurprotein(2 7kD) ,SDHCorCII 3(15kD)andSDHDorCII 4 (7— 9kD)inmosteukaryotes[2 ] .Thetwoproteins ,SDHAandSDHB ,comprisethesuccinatedehydroge nase (SDH) ,anenzymeoftheTACandaperipher…     

Cloning of lea cDNA fragment of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and analysis of its expression features

Addition of concentrated sucrose to MS culture arrests the development of carrot somatic embryo at the stage of cotyledon embryo and, with the sucrose concentration restored to normal level, the embryo thus arrested is reactivated into post-embryonic development. Using the method of RT-PCR, the cDNA fragment of a new member of the Dc3 family of lea has been obtained from carrot somatic embryo under regulated state. As revealed by Northern blotting, strong expression has been observed in carrot somatic embryo under regulated state but the expression was much reduced 12 h after deregulation, and nearly disappeared 24 h after. Based on this finding as well as results of related studies, it is surmised that changing the sucrose concentration in culture enabled carrot somatic embryo under suspension culture to undergo a specific course of development which is comparable to the dormancy-germination process of seeds.     

Cloning and expression of ophc2, a new organphosphorus hydrolase gene

The amino acid sequences of N-terminal and internal peptide of OPHC2, purified from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain C2-1 in our lab, are determined. The full-length organphosphorus hydrolase gene ophc2 is cloned by PCR using the degenerate primers designed according to the sequences and future inverse PCR. The ophc2 gene is 975 bp long with G C content of 63%, comprising one open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 324 amino acids with a molecular weight of 36 kD. The nucleotide sequence of ophc2 shows low homologies with those organphosphorus hydrolase genes deposited in GenBank, one of which exhibits the highest homology of 46.4% with ophc2. The organphosphorus hydrolase protein expressed in E. coli bears normal bioactivity.     

Cloning of the full-length gene of activin receptor-interacting protein2a and characterization of its interaction with ActRⅡA

To investigate the mechanism of intracellular signal transduction mediated by activin receptors, the full-length gene encoding a novel activin receptor-interacting protein2a (ARIP2a) was identified from a mouse brain cDNA library. The sequences of ARIP2a and ARIP2, distribution of ARIP2a and ARIP2 mRNA in mouse tissues, and expression of ARIP2a and ARIP2 in activin-induced RAW264.7 cell were compared, and the interaction between ARIP2a and ActRIIA was confirmed. The sequence analysis revealed that the full-length gene of ARIP2a, which composed of 1008 bp and encoded 153 amino acid residues, shared high sequence identity with ARIP2 except the position of the 99th amino acid. RT-PCR assay showed that ARIP2a mRNA was highly expressed in brain, pituitary and testis, and moderately in pancreas and ovary, but undetectable in other tissues. Whereas, ARIP2 mRNA was widely distributed in all mouse tissues that we tested. Moreover, expression of ARIP2a mRNA was significantly decreased in activin-stimulated RAW264.7 cells; however, the expression of ARIP2 mRNA was increased. Additionally, the interaction between ARIP2a and activin type IIA receptor (ActRIIA) was further demonstrated by mammalian two-hybrid assays and pull-down assays. Taken together, those results indicate that although ARIP2a is homologous to ARIP2, they are different in tissue distribution and responses to activin. ARIP2a could also interact with activin type II receptor as a novel member of ARIP family.     

Cloning of the full-length gene of activin receptor-interacting protein2a and characterization of its interaction with ActR Ⅱ A

To investigate the mechanism of intracellular signal transduction mediated by activin receptors, the full-length gene encoding a novel activin receptor-interacting protein2a (ARIP2a) was identified from a mouse brain cDNA library. The sequences of ARIP2a and ARIP2, distribution of ARIP2a and ARIP2 mRNA in mouse tissues, and expression of ARIP2a and ARIP2 in activin-induced RAW264.7 cell were compared, and the interaction between ARIP2a and ActRIIA was confirmed. The sequence analysis revealed that the full-length gene of ARIP2a, which composed of 1008 bp and encoded 153 amino acid residues, shared high sequence identity with ARIP2 except the position of the 99th amino acid. RT-PCR assay showed that ARIP2a mRNA was highly expressed in brain, pituitary and testis, and moderately in pancreas and ovary, but undetectable in other tissues. Whereas, ARIP2 mRNA was widely distributed in all mouse tissues that we tested. Moreover, expression of ARIP2a mRNA was significantly decreased in activin-stimulated RAW264. 7 cells; however, the expression of ARIP2 mRNA was increased. Additionally, the interaction between ARIP2a and activin type IIA receptor (ActRIIA) was further demonstrated by mammalian two-hybrid assays and pull-down assays. Taken together, those results indicate that although ARIP2a is homologous to ARIP2, they are different in tissue distribution and responses to activin. ARIP2a could also interact with activin type II receptor as a novel member of ARIP family.     

Cloning and expression of DnaJ homolog in carrot somatic embryo

As the co-chaperone of DnaK/Hsp70 protein, DnaJ/Hsp40 protein influences the synthesis and assembly of the protein complex by regulating ATPase activity of DnaK/Hsp70 protein. By employing the modified method of cDNA representational difference analysis, a homologous fragment of DnaJ was isolated from the deregulated carrot somatic embryos, and it was further used as the probe to screen the cDNA library of carrot somatic embryo deregulated for 12 h. As the result, DcJ1 gene, the homologous gene of DnaJ, was isolated from carrot. Sequence analysis showed that its coding region is 1257 bp, which codes 418 amino acids and comprises 3 highly-conserved characteristic domains. Southern blot analysis suggested that the DcJ1 gene seems to be a single copy in the genome, while Northern blot result indicated that DcJ1 expresses only in roots and its degree of expression changes obviously with the regulation-deregulation process. These results suggest that DcJ1 is correlated with the early development of carrot somatic embryo radicle.     

Cloning,sequencing and structural analysis of a pea cDNA encoding EF-1α

A cDNA library with the capacity of 2.0 × 10⁶ was constructed using mRNA extracted, from gibberellic acid (GA)-treated G2 pea seedlings and a 1.6 kb cDNA with 100 nucleotides of 5′ non-coding region and 223 nucleotides of 3′ non-coding region was obtained by random screening. The DNA fragment contains an open reading frame of 1 344 nucleotides and encodes 447 amino acids. Sequence analysis of DNA and deduced polypeptide demonstrated that it encoded for a pea elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α). The functional domains of EF-1α is well conserved and EF-1α can be a good candidate for studying molecular evolution.     

Cloning and expression of putative ethylene receptor genes in soybean plant

Ethylene plays important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses, and ethylene receptors have been identified and studied extensively in various plant species. Here we report the cloning of four ethylene receptor genes from soybean, i.e. GmETR1, GmERS1, GmETR2 and GmEIN4. Construction of the phylogenic tree showed that GmETR1 and GmERS1 belong to subfamily I whereas GmETR2 and GmEIN4 belong to subfamily II. The four ethylene receptor genes showed different tissue-specific expression patterns in roots, stems, leaves, cotyledons, flowers, pods and seeds of soybean. These genes were differentially regulated by various abiotic stresses and plant hormones. The possible roles of the four genes in soybean plant were also discussed.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression analysis of cDNA encoding a constitutive heat shock protein 70 （HSC70） in Fenneropenaeus chinensis

The cDNA encoding hsc70 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis was cloned from hepatopancreas by RT-PCR based on its EST sequence. The full length cDNA of 2090 bp contained an open reading frame of 1956 nucleotides and partial 5‘- and 3‘-untranslated region(5‘- and 3‘-UTR). PCR amplification and sequencing analysis showed the existence of introns in the region of 1--547 bp, but they did not exist in the region of 548--2090 bp of hsc70 cDNA. When the deduced 652 amino acid sequence of HSC70 was compared with the members of HSP70 family from other organisms, the results showed 85.9% similarity with HSC71 from Oncorhynchus mykiss and HSC70 from Homo sapiens. It also exhibited 85.8% similarity with HSP70 from Mus musculu and 85.4% with HSC70 from Manduca sexta. Expression analysis showed that hsc70 mRNA was espressed constitutively in hepatopancreas, muscle, eyestalks, haemocytes, heart, ovary, intestine and gills in Fenneropenaeus chinensis. No difference could be detected on hsc70 mRNA level in muscle between heat-shocked and control animals.     

Analysis of cDNA sequence, protein structure and expression of parotid secretory protein in pig

Parotid secretory protein (PSP) secreted abundantly in saliva, whose function is related with the anti-bacterial effect. The PSP cDNA has been isolated from pig parotid glands by 3′ and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE), based on the conserved signal peptide region among the known mammalian PSP. The result of homologous comparison shows that pig PSP and human PSP shares the high identity at the level of the primary, secondary and tertiary protein structure. A search for functionally significant protein motifs revealed a unique amino acid sequence pattern consisting of the residues Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(7)-Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(6)-Leu near the amino-terminal portion of the protein, which is important to its function. RT-PCR, Dot blot and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that PSP was strongly expressed in parotid glands, but not in other tissues.     

cDNA cloning and expression of earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme component A

Earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme component A(EFEa),a protein with dual fibrinolytic activity ,is one of the major therapeutically important earthworm fibrinoltic enzyme components .The cDNA fragment encoded the mature protein was cloned from earthworm (Eisenia fetida )by the RT-PCR technique,The deduced amino acid sequence of the EFE component A show high homology with some members of serine proteases trypsin family,and the amino acid residues constituting the active sites are conserved in the EFEa as compared with the other proteins of the trypsin family ,The cDNA fragment was subcloned into the expression vector pQE31 and pMAL-c2X of E.coli.The resulting expression plasmids,pQE-efea and pMAL-efea ,were used to transform the E.coli strain M15.Recombinant protein bands corresponding with calcuated molecular witht were induced .The induced His6-EFEa fusion protein with pQE-efea was accumulated into inclusion body ,while the induced MBP-EFEa fusion protein with pMAL-efea was soluble and showed fibrinoloytic activities.