Snapshots of tRNA sulphuration via an adenylated intermediate

Uridine at the first anticodon position (U34) of glutamate, lysine and glutamine transfer RNAs is universally modified by thiouridylase into 2-thiouridine (s2U34), which is crucial for precise translation by restricting codon-anticodon wobble during protein synthesis on the ribosome. However, it remains unclear how the enzyme incorporates reactive sulphur into the correct position of the uridine base. Here we present the crystal structures of the MnmA thiouridylase-tRNA complex in three discrete forms, which provide snapshots of the sequential chemical reactions during RNA sulphuration. On enzyme activation, an alpha-helix overhanging the active site is restructured into an idiosyncratic beta-hairpin-containing loop, which packs the flipped-out U34 deeply into the catalytic pocket and triggers the activation of the catalytic cysteine residues. The adenylated RNA intermediate is trapped. Thus, the active closed-conformation of the complex ensures accurate sulphur incorporation into the activated uridine carbon by forming a catalytic chamber to prevent solvent from accessing the catalytic site. The structures of the complex with glutamate tRNA further reveal how MnmA specifically recognizes its three different tRNA substrates. These findings provide the structural basis for a general mechanism whereby an enzyme incorporates a reactive atom at a precise position in a biological molecule.     

鸡溶菌酶和重组大肠杆菌融合蛋白(NADP-GDH)体外分子交联的初步研究

用PCR方法克隆的大肠杆菌NADP特异性谷氨酸脱氢酶 (NADP specificglutamatedehydrogenase ,NADP GDH)基因和其突变基因 ,插入表达载体pTrcHisC构建重组蛋白质表达体系 .经过IPTG诱导表达 ,用Talon固定化金属亲和层析树脂纯化出重组的天然和突变NADP GDH ,将它们和溶菌酶 (Lysozyme)通过热诱导去折叠方法进行体外蛋白质分子交联实验 ,在去折叠反应液中加入还原剂二硫苏糖醇 (DTT)后 ,不但没有分子间二硫键交联形成 ,同时也没有其他分子间共价键 (异肽键 )交联的形成 .另外 ,半胱氨酸残基定点突变后的NADP GDH重组蛋白质 ,无法参与形成分子间二硫键 ,实验证实经过热诱导去折叠后也没有分子间共价键 (异肽键 )交联 .这些结果进一步证明蛋白质分子间二硫键的形成能够促进蛋白质其他分子间共价键 (异肽键 )的形成 .     

Autocatalytic cyclization of an excised intervening sequence RNA is a cleavage-ligation reaction

The intervening sequence (IVS) of the Tetrahymena ribosomal RNA precursor is excised as a linear RNA molecule which subsequently cyclizes itself in a protein-independent reaction. Cyclization involves cleavage of the linear IVS RNA 15 nucleotides from its 5' end and formation of a phosphodiester bond between the new 5' phosphate and the original 3'-hydroxyl terminus of the IVS. This recombination mechanism is analogous to that by which splicing of the precursor RNA is achieved. The circular molecules appear to have no direct function in RNA splicing, and we propose the cyclization serves to prevent unwanted RNA from driving the splicing reactions backwards.     

Reverse self-splicing of group II intron RNAs in vitro.

Group II introns, which are classed together on the basis of a conserved secondary structure, are found in organellar genes of lower eukaryotes and plants. Like introns in nuclear pre-messenger RNA, they are excised by a two-step splicing reaction to generate branched circular RNAs, the so-called lariats. A remarkable feature of group II introns is their self-splicing activity in vitro. In the absence of a nucleotide cofactor, the intron RNAs catalyse two successive transesterification reactions which lead to autocatalytic excision of the lariat IVS from pre-mRNA and concomitantly to exon ligation. By virtue of its ability to specifically bind the 5' exon, the intron can also catalyse such reactions on exogenous RNA substrates. This sequence-specific attachment could enable group II introns to integrate into unrelated RNAs by reverse splicing, in a process similar to that described for the self-splicing Tetrahymena group I intron. Here we report that group II lariat IVS can indeed reintegrate itself into an RNA composed of the ligated exons in vitro. This occurs by a process of self-splicing that completely reverses both transesterification steps of the forward reaction: it involves a transition of the 2'-5' phosphodiester bond of the lariat RNA into the 3'-5' bond of the reconstituted 5' splice junction.     

Role of arginine-tRNA in protein degradation by the ubiquitin pathway

Degradation of intracellular proteins through the ubiquitin and ATP-dependent proteolysis pathway involves several steps. Initially, ubiquitin is covalently linked to the proteolytic substrate in an ATP-requiring reaction. Proteins marked by ubiquitin may then be selectively lysed in a reaction that also requires ATP (for reviews see refs 1-3). A major question concerns the structural features of a protein that make it a specific substrate for ubiquitin-mediated degradation. It was shown that a free alpha-NH2 group is one important feature of the protein structure recognized by the ubiquitin ligation system, and that the half-life in vivo of a protein with an exposed amino terminus depends on its amino terminal residue. We have previously demonstrated that transfer RNA (tRNA) is essential for conjugation of ubiquitin and for the subsequent degradation of proteins with acidic amino termini (aspartate or glutamate). We now show that tRNA is required for post-translational conjugation of arginine to acidic amino termini of proteins, a modification that is essential for their degradation by the ubiquitin pathway.     

肽酰转移酶催化肽键形成机理的理论计算研究

蛋白质合成过程关键的一步,由肽酰转移酶参与的肽键形成机理是一个基础的被长期讨论的生物分子学问题．早在三十几年前,就已经知道肽酰转移酶对肽键的合成起至关重要的作用．并且也知道肽酰转移酶是一个大的核蛋白,即包括很多蛋白质和RNA的大分子．但是一直以来科学家都认为,这个反应机理应该和丝氨酸水解酶水解蛋白质一样,是一个基于蛋白质催化的过程．     

Complete crystallographic analysis of the dynamics of CCA sequence addition

CCA-adding polymerase matures the essential 3'-CCA terminus of transfer RNA without any nucleic-acid template. However, it remains unclear how the correct nucleotide triphosphate is selected in each reaction step and how the polymerization is driven by the protein and RNA dynamics. Here we present complete sequential snapshots of six complex structures of CCA-adding enzyme and four distinct RNA substrates with and without CTP (cytosine triphosphate) or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The CCA-lacking RNA stem extends by one base pair to force the discriminator nucleoside into the active-site pocket, and then tracks back after incorporation of the first cytosine monophosphate (CMP). Accommodation of the second CTP clamps the catalytic cleft, inducing a reorientation of the turn, which flips C74 to allow CMP to be accepted. In contrast, after the second CMP is added, the polymerase and RNA primer are locked in the closed state, which directs the subsequent A addition. Between the CTP- and ATP-binding stages, the side-chain conformation of Arg 224 changes markedly; this is controlled by the global motion of the enzyme and position of the primer terminus, and is likely to achieve the CTP/ATP discrimination, depending on the polymerization stage. Throughout the CCA-adding reaction, the enzyme tail domain firmly anchors the TPsiC-loop of the tRNA, which ensures accurate polymerization and termination.     

稠油减压渣油中镍的分布及其在热转化过程中的变化

将辽河欢喜岭稠油的减压渣油在16种不同的反应条件下进行热转化,考察了残渣油中镍的分布,讨论了裂化残渣戊烷可溶质及其色谱组分中镍的脱除率与反应温度及反应时间的变化规律。对部分裂化残渣油的戊烷可溶质采用硅胶吸附色谱法,将其分离成含有弱极性非卟啉镍、强极性非卟啉镍三个组分,考察了它们在热转化过程中的变化。研究结果认为,采用热转化和溶剂脱沥青相结合,可脱除脱沥青油中的大部分金属镍。弱极性非卟啉镍的脱除率最大,而强极性非卟啉镍和卟啉镍的脱除率较低。本文还对含镍组分的热转化反应动力学进行了探讨。     

Watching DNA polymerase η make a phosphodiester bond

DNA synthesis has been extensively studied, but the chemical reaction itself has not been visualized. Here we follow the course of phosphodiester bond formation using time-resolved X-ray crystallography. Native human DNA polymerase η, DNA and dATP were co-crystallized at pH?6.0 without Mg(2+). The polymerization reaction was initiated by exposing crystals to 1?mM Mg(2+) at pH?7.0, and stopped by freezing at desired time points for structural analysis. The substrates and two Mg(2+) ions are aligned within 40?s, but the bond formation is not evident until 80 s. From 80 to 300?s structures show a mixture of decreasing substrate and increasing product of the nucleotidyl-transfer reaction. Transient electron densities indicate that deprotonation and an accompanying C2'-endo to C3'-endo conversion of the nucleophile 3'-OH are rate limiting. A third Mg(2+) ion, which arrives with the new bond and stabilizes the intermediate state, may be an unappreciated feature of the two-metal-ion mechanism.     

Electrogenic glutamate uptake in glial cells is activated by intracellular potassium

Uptake of glutamate into glial cells in the CNS maintains the extracellular glutamate concentration below neurotoxic levels and helps terminate its action as a neurotransmitter. The co-transport of two sodium ions on the glutamate carrier is thought to provide the energy needed to transport glutamate into cells. We have shown recently that glutamate uptake can be detected electrically because the excess of Na+ ions transported with each glutamate anion results in a net current flow into the cell. We took advantage of the control of the environment, both inside and outside the cell, provided by whole-cell patch-clamping and now report that glutamate uptake is activated by intracellular potassium and inhibited by extracellular potassium. Our results indicate that one K+ ion is transported out of the cell each time a glutamate anion and three Na+ ions are transported in. A carrier with this stoichiometry can accumulate glutamate against a much greater concentration gradient than a carrier co-transporting one glutamate anion and two Na+ ions. Pathological rises in extracellular potassium concentration will inhibit glutamate uptake by depolarizing glial cells and by preventing the loss of K+ from the glutamate carrier. This will facilitate a rise in the extracellular glutamate concentration to neurotoxic levels and contribute to the neuronal death occurring in brain anoxia and ischaemia.     

Protein biosynthesis in organelles requires misaminoacylation of tRNA

In the course of our studies on transfer RNA involvement in chlorophyll biosynthesis, we have determined the structure of chloroplast glutamate tRNA species. Barley chloroplasts contain in addition to a tRNA(Glu) species at least two other glutamate-accepting tRNAs. We now show that the sequences of these tRNAs differ significantly: they are differentially modified forms of tRNA(Gln) (as judged by their UUG anticodon). These mischarged Glu-tRNA(Gln) species can be converted in crude chloroplast extracts to Gln-tRNA(Gln). This reaction requires a specific amidotransferase and glutamine or asparagine as amide donors. Aminoacylation studies show that chloroplasts, plant and animal mitochondria, as well as cyanobacteria, lack any detectable glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase activity. Therefore, the requirement for glutamine in protein synthesis in these cells and organelles is provided by the conversion of glutamate attached to an 'incorrectly' charged tRNA. A similar situation has been described for several species of Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, it appears that the occurrence of this pathway of Gln-tRNA(Gln) formation is widespread among organisms and is a function conserved during evolution. These findings raise questions about the origin of organelles and about the evolution of the mechanisms maintaining accuracy in protein biosynthesis.     

乙醇自由基代谢机理的理论研究*1

目的：从原子尺度对乙醇与自由基的反应进行探索，提高对乙醇自由基代谢机理的微观认识。方法在 CCSD（T）／6-311G（2d，2p）／／B3LYP／6-31G（d，p）计算水平下，采用量子化学方法详细研究了 C2 H5 OH 与·OH、H2 O2和·O2 H 的反应。结果（1）乙醇与·OH 和·O2 H 自由基的反应都存在3类反应（氢抽提、C—C 键断裂和 SN 2取代）。（2）在乙醇与 H2 O2的反应中，以 H 2 O2形成的水合氧自由基（·OOH2）直接插入乙醇的 C—H 键生成乙二醇为主，此外 H2 O2也可均裂为2个·OH 和异裂为· H＋·O2 H 自由基。结论乙醇与自由基（·OH、·O2 H）和 H2 O2反应中，分别以α氢抽提过程和· OOH2插入乙醇的α-C—H 键生成乙二醇为主要反应。     

不饱和聚酯顺-反异构机理研究

本文对某些不饱和聚酯应用ＮＭＲ分析、研究确认，不饱和聚酯顺－反异构转化不是在 Ｈ＋催化作用下进行，而是在反应温度下聚酯分子链中顺式双键瞬间发生断裂成单键，实现了顺－ 反异构转化．其异构化程度与聚酯分子链节结构有关，与分子量大小无关．     

Pituitary FSH is released by a heterodimer of the beta-subunits from the two forms of inhibin

Inhibin is a gonadal protein that specifically inhibits the secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Two forms of inhibin (A and B) have been purified from porcine follicular fluid and characterized as heterodimers of relative molecular mass (Mr) 32,000 (ref. 2). Each inhibin is comprised of an identical alpha-subunit of Mr 18,000 and a distinct but related beta-subunit of Mr 13,800-14,700 linked by interchain disulphide bond(s). Throughout the purification of inhibins, we consistently observed two fractions which stimulated the secretion of pituitary FSH. We report here the isolation of one of the FSH-releasing proteins; it has a Mr of 24,000 and its N-terminal sequences up to residue 32 are identical to those of each beta-subunit of inhibins A and B. In the presence of reducing agents, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolves the FSH-releasing substance into two subunits which are identical in their migration behaviour to the reduced beta-subunits of inhibins A and B. Based on the N-terminal sequence data and Mr of the intact and reduced molecules, we propose that the FSH-releasing substance, which is active in picomolar concentrations, is a heterodimeric protein composed of the two beta-subunits of inhibins A and B linked by interchain disulphide bond(s). The structural organization of the FSH-releasing substance is homologous to that of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which also possesses FSH-releasing activity in the same bioassay. We suggest that the substance be called activin to signify the fact that it has opposite biological effects to inhibin.     

可转换债券的最优发行策略设计

综合考虑可转换债券发行条件中所涉及的相关因素,以公司总价值最大化为目标,建立了转换速率与公司资产变化量之间的关系模型.运用泛函变分原理,求出最优转换速率,并且进一步得到可转换债券的最优发行策略,为可转换债券发行条件的设计提供了一种新的方法.以首钢转债为例,利用该方法分析了票面利率和最优转股期限对初始转股溢价率的影响,得出的结论与发行公司对可转换债券发行条款的实际运用一致,证明了该方法的有效性.     

半知菌曲霉族真菌胞外多糖的研究Ⅱ:爪哇正青霉胞外多糖化学结构的研究

 经形态鉴定和18srRNA基因组序列分析,编号Ym31794菌株的分类学地位属于半知菌类丛梗孢科曲霉族青霉属丝状真菌,种名爪哇正青霉(Eupenicillium javanicum).该菌发酵液经离心弃菌体,除脂类及乙醇分级提取,分离、纯化的胞外多糖相对分子量为2.6×10⁴,糖的质量分数为89%.真菌胞外多糖经红外光谱(IR),簿层层析(TLC),色质联用(GC-MS),核磁共振(¹³C-NMR,¹H-NMR)等分析可知爪哇正青霉菌胞外多糖为1-6连接的葡萄糖和1-2连接半乳糖构成主干,侧链由1-3连接的甘露糖和1-2连接的葡萄糖构成,结构应为吡喃糖.     

Catalytic functionalization of unactivated primary C-H bonds directed by an alcohol

New synthetic methods for the catalytic functionalization of C-H bonds have the potential to revolutionize the synthesis of complex molecules. However, the realization of this synthetic potential requires the ability to functionalize selectively one C-H bond in a compound containing many such bonds and an array of functional groups. The site-selective functionalization of aliphatic C-H bonds is one of the greatest challenges that must be met for C-H bond functionalization to be used widely in complex-molecule synthesis, and processes catalysed by transition-metals provide the opportunity to control selectivity. Current methods for catalytic, aliphatic C-H bond functionalization typically rely on the presence of one inherently reactive C-H bond, or on installation and subsequent removal of directing groups that are not components of the desired molecule. To overcome these limitations, we sought catalysts and reagents that would facilitate aliphatic C-H bond functionalization at a single site, with chemoselectivity derived from the properties of the catalyst and site-selectivity directed by common functional groups contained in both the reactant and the desired product. Here we show that the combination of an iridium-phenanthroline catalyst and a dihydridosilane reagent leads to the site-selective γ-functionalization of primary C-H bonds controlled by a hydroxyl group, the most common functional group in natural products. The scope of the reaction encompasses alcohols and ketones bearing many substitution patterns and auxiliary functional groups; this broad scope suggests that this methodology will be suitable for the site-selective and diastereoselective functionalization of complex natural products.     

Structure of yeast Argonaute with guide RNA

The RNA-induced silencing complex, comprising Argonaute and guide RNA, mediates RNA interference. Here we report the 3.2 ? crystal structure of Kluyveromyces polysporus Argonaute (KpAGO) fortuitously complexed with guide RNA originating from small-RNA duplexes autonomously loaded by recombinant KpAGO. Despite their diverse sequences, guide-RNA nucleotides 1-8 are positioned similarly, with sequence-independent contacts to bases, phosphates and 2'-hydroxyl groups pre-organizing the backbone of nucleotides 2-8 in a near-A-form conformation. Compared with prokaryotic Argonautes, KpAGO has numerous surface-exposed insertion segments, with a cluster of conserved insertions repositioning the N domain to enable full propagation of guide-target pairing. Compared with Argonautes in inactive conformations, KpAGO has a hydrogen-bond network that stabilizes an expanded and repositioned loop, which inserts an invariant glutamate into the catalytic pocket. Mutation analyses and analogies to ribonuclease H indicate that insertion of this glutamate finger completes a universally conserved catalytic tetrad, thereby activating Argonaute for RNA cleavage.     

Preparation and Characteristic of Rosin Glycerin Ester and Its Bromide

1 Introduction As a natural and renewable resource product ,rosin andits derivatives have been usedin paint ,vanishes ,printingink,paper and wood products for their fil mforming properties . But rosin is liable to oxidation be-cause of its double bonds . Rosin can be modified by two different methods which are based on the reactionwith carboxyl groups and unsaturated part of the rosin molecular .That is ether esterificationreaction or addi-tionreaction.In this paper ,two modified methods were…