Computational approaches to structural and functional analysis of plastocyanin and other blue copper proteins

Computational techniques are becoming increasingly important in structural and functional biology, in particular as tools to aid the interpretation of experimental results and the design of new systems. This review reports on recent studies employing a variety of computational approaches to unravel the microscopic details of the structure-function relationships in plastocyanin and other proteins belonging to the blue copper superfamily. Aspects covered include protein recognition, electron transfer and protein-solvent interaction properties of the blue copper protein family. The relevance of integrating diverse computational approaches to address the analysis of a complex protein system, such as a cupredoxin metalloprotein, is emphasized.Received 9 May 2003; received after revision 24 November 2003; accepted 28 November 2003     

Neurofilament proteins in neurodegenerative diseases

The function of neurofilaments, the major component in large myelinated neurons, is not well understood even though they were discovered as structures over 100 years ago. Recent studies have suggested that neuro-filaments are closely related to many neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease Alzheimer disease, and diabetes. Using in vitro assays, cultures and transgenic mice, these studies provided new insights into neurofilament function. The function of each subunit, the relationship of neurofilaments with other cytoskeletal elements and their clinical significance are topics of increasing attention.Received 22 June 2004; received after revision 4 August 2004; accepted 19 August 2004     

蛋白质结构中氨基酸残基聚集体的识别与分析

在蛋白质结构中，氨基酸残基并不是单独行使其功能．几个残基通常聚集在一起，共同承担生物学角色．本文通过对蛋白质结构内残基的空间分布进行分析，提取出从两个残基到五个残基的组合，并统计出它们出现的频率和频率分布．二元组在维系蛋白质三级结构中起重要作用，而三元组、四元组和五元组与蛋白质的功能有着密切的关系．这些多元组可为蛋白质结构及功能的研究提供必要的信息．     

植物细胞钙靶蛋白的研究进展

简述了植物细胞的钙离子调控过程，对钙调蛋白、钙调磷酸酶B类蛋白和钙离子依赖型蛋白质激酶3类钙靶蛋白的最新研究进展进行了综述。     

HMBA诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞分化过程中核基质蛋白表达变化

应用选择性抽提、双向聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术分析5mmol/LHMBA诱导处理前后人成骨肉瘤MG 63细胞核基质蛋白表达变化,鉴定与人成骨肉瘤细胞增殖分化相关的特异核基质蛋白.实验结果显示在HMBA诱导处理MG 63细胞分化过程中,核基质蛋白NMP 1、NMP 2、NMP 3、NMP 4、NMP 5、NMP 6和NMP 7等7个蛋白点表达发生显著变化.其中NMP 1仅在MG 63细胞中表达,NMP 6则为经HMBA诱导处理后新出现的蛋白质,NMP 2、NMP 7在HMBA诱导分化细胞中表达减弱,而NMP 3、NMP 4和NMP 5则在诱导分化后细胞中表达增强.首次表明在人成骨肉瘤MG 63细胞诱导分化过程中伴有核基质蛋白表达的差异,证实了与肿瘤细胞增殖分化相关的特异核基质蛋白的存在.这对于揭示核基质蛋白与细胞癌变和逆转的关系、阐明细胞增殖分化的基因表达调控原理,均具有重要意义.     

影响南瓜种子蛋白溶出率几种因素的初步探讨

探讨了料液比、pH值、温度、时间以及介质等因素对南瓜种子蛋白质溶出率的影响 .结果表明 :蛋白质的溶出率受pH值、介质的影响较大 ,其次为料液比、浸提温度和浸提时间 .初步确定南瓜种子蛋白质提取的较佳条件为 :料液比 1∶1 0 0 ,pH值 1 2 0的碱性条件下 ,37℃浸提 1 0h .     

杨树新梢萌发过程中贮藏蛋白质的动态变化

采用凝胶电泳技术(SDS-PAGE)对1年生杨树无性系797杨春季芽萌发阶段皮层、木质部和根系中的蛋白质含量及营养贮藏蛋白质组分进行了测定分析。结果表明:杨树体内(木质部、皮层、根部)蛋白质含量在芽萌发期间处于最低水平;木质部和皮层是杨树越冬期间贮藏蛋白质的主要场所;杨树新梢萌发期间贮藏蛋白质组分变化最明显的是36、32、181、6 kD等蛋白,其中36、32 kD蛋白在萌发前均可以清晰地辨认,叶子展开4周以后逐渐消失,而18、16 kD两种蛋白仅在发叶期间出现,之后完全消失,36、32 kD蛋白是杨树营养贮藏蛋白质的主要类型。     

低温驯化对锯缘青蟹可溶性蛋白与可溶性糖的影响

本研究采用生物化学方法对不同低温驯化的锯缘青蟹(Scylla serrata)鳃,肝胰腺和肌肉可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量变化进行研究.结果显示3个驯化温度下鳃和肌肉中可溶性蛋白随驯化温度的降低而下降,但仅肌肉可溶性蛋白在15℃组显著高于27℃组(p＜0.05),其它与27℃组无显著性差异(p＞0.05);肝胰腺可溶性蛋白随驯化温度的降低而升高,在5℃和10℃驯化组显著高于27℃组(p＜0.01或p＜0.05),15℃驯化组也高于27℃组,但无显著性差异(p＞0.05).低温驯化下青蟹鳃,肝胰腺和肌肉中可溶性糖含量随驯化温度的降低而降低.鳃和肌肉可溶性糖在15℃驯化组显著高于27℃组(p＜0.01),其它与27℃组之间无显著性差异(p＞0.05);肝胰腺在15℃驯化组也高于27℃组,但无显著性差异(p＞0.05);而5℃和10℃驯化组却显著低于27℃组(p＜0.01或p＜0.05).结果表明,鳃和肌肉中可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖及肝胰腺中可溶性糖在15℃驯化下增加是对低温的的一种积极适应;随着驯化温度的降低而下降,是由于较低温度下蛋白质和糖在生理代谢中大量消耗所致.而肝胰腺中可溶性蛋白却显示出与鳃和肌肉不同的变化,这是由于不同器官、组织执行的生理功能和代谢调控不同所致.     

Progress and perspective of the kinetochore-associated motor proteins

The kinetochore is structurally composed of four layers,We know that three microtubule-based motor protcins such as CENP-E,dynein,and MCAK are located at the outmost region of the kinctochore,Experimentation of these motot functions betters our understanding of mitotic regulation,and chromaosme movements in particular,With real-time studies of chromosome movements in live cells,we hope to illustrate the molecular mechanisms under lying mitotic regulation.