Characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis serine protease Rv1043c in enzymology and pathogenicity in mice

The serine proteases of Mycobacteria tuberculosis(Mtb)are important contributors to the process of bacterial invasion and its pathogenesis.In the present study,we systematically characterized the role of the Rv1043c protein in Mycobacterium infection by purifying the Rv1043c protein in Escherichia coli and constructing a Mycobacterium smegmatis(Msg)strain overexpressing Rv1043c(Msg_Rv1043c).We found that Rv1043c had serine protease activity and localized to the surface of Mtb.We determined that the optimal pH and temperature for the Rv1043c serine protease were 9.0 and 45°C,respectively.Moreover,the serine protease activity of Rv1043c was enhanced by divalent metal ions of Ca^(2+)and Mg^(2+).Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the serine 279 residue in Rv1043c plays a catalytic role.Additionally,mouse model studies confirmed that Rv1043c significantly enhanced the survival of Msg in vivo,induced pulmonary injury and lung cell apoptosis,and promoted the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1βand interleukin-6 in mice.This study presents novel insights into the relationship between mycobacterial serine protease and the pathogenesis of the disease.

Serine protease inhibitors LmSPN2 and LmSPN3 co-regulate embryonic diapause in Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)via the Toll pathway

Female adults of the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen),can sense seasonal photoperiod changes,which induces embryonic diapause as a key strategy to overwinter.Serine protease inhibitor genes(SPNs)were thought to play key roles during diapause,while few SPNs were functionally characterized.LmSPN2 was one of those genes differentially expressed between diapause and non-diapause eggs;however,its biological function remained to be explored.So,we conducted RNAi knockdown of LmSPN2,resulting in a significant decrease of the egg diapause rate by 29.7%.Using yeast two-hybrid assays,co-immunoprecipitation,and pull-down methods,we found an interaction between LmSPN2 and LmSPN3,which was proved to be mediated by a glutamate(E331)binding site of LmSPN2.RNAi knockdown of LmSPN3 resulted in a significant increase in diapause rate by 14.6%,indicating an inverse function of LmSPN2 and LmSPN3 on diapause regulation.Double knockdown of two SPN genes resulted in a 26.4%reduction in diapause rate,indicating that LmSPN2 was the dominant regulatory signal.Moreover,we found four Toll pathway genes(easter,spätzle,pelle,and dorsal)upregulated significantly after the knockdown of LmSPN2 while downregulated after the knockdown of LmSPN3.Therefore,we speculate that two SPNs regulate diapause through the Toll pathway.Our results indicated that LmSPN2 positively regulates locust egg entry into diapause,while LmSPN3 is a negative regulator of embryonic commitment to diapause.Their interaction is mediated by the binding site of E331 and influences egg diapause through the Toll pathway.This mechanistic understanding of diapause regulation expands our understanding of insect developmental regulation and provides functional targets for developing locust management strategies.

Effects of Dietary Soybean Stachyose and Phytic Acid on Gene Expressions of Serine Proteases in Japanese Flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus)

Soybean stachyose (SBS) and phytic acid (PA) are anti-nutritional factors (ANF) which have deleterious effects on the growth and digestibility in fish. The present research studied the effects of dietary SBS and PA on the expression of three serine protease genes in the liver of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). These genes are trypsinogen 1 (poTRY), elastase 1 (poEL) and chymotrypsinogen 1 (poCTRY). Eight artificial diets with graded levels of supplemented ANFs were formulated to 4 levels of SBS (0.00, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.50%), 4 levels of PA (0.00, 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80), respectively.Japanese flounder (initial weight 2.45 g ± 0.01 g) were fed with these diets for 10 weeks with three replications per treatment. At the end of 10 weeks, supplementation of 0.40% of dietary SBS or PA significantly increased the gene expression of poTRY and poCTRY (P<0.05). The same level of dietary SBS significantly decreased the gene expression of poEL. In comparison with the control group (ANF-free),dietary PA (0.2% and 0.8%) significantly decreased the gene expression of poTRY, poCTRY and poEL (P<0.05). However, excessive supplement of dietary SBS (1.5%) has no significant effects on these gene expressions (P>0.05). These results suggested that dietary SBS and dietary PA could directly affect the serine protease genes at the transcriptional level in Japanese flounder, and these genes'expression was more sensitive to dietary PA than to SBS under the current experimental conditions.

Evaluation of cytotoxic and anti-tumor activity of partially purified serine protease isolate from the Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma

Objective:To isolate,partially purify and evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of a serine protease from the chosen Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma.Methods:Whole animal extract was prepared and purified its protein constituents by size and charge based chromatographic separation techniques using Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-Cellulose resin respectively.Average molecular weight of the protein isolate was determined and analyzed for its cytotoxic property against Vero cells in different dilutions(1:20 and 1:40)and anti-tumor activity by MTT assay(a colorimetric assay)using breast cancer cell line MCF-7,with tamoxifen as standard.Results:One of the protein constituents after purification was characterized as serine protease by Caseinolytic plate diffusion assay.Average molecular weight of this purified isolate was determined,by SDS-PAGE analysis with standard protein ladder,as of 15 kDa.The performed tests suggested that the 15kDa fraction has potent cytotoxic activity and satisfactory antitumor activity as well in vitro.Conclusions:Exact molecular mechanism of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities is yet to be explored and currently we are working on ultra-purification and biophysical characterization of this fraction.Further investigation into the mechanism(s)of cytotoxic and antitumor activities at molecular level would be useful in treatment of various classes of cancer and viral infections in future.

Serine protease HtrA1 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: HtrA1, a serine protease, is down-regulated in various human solid tumors. Overexpression of HtrA1 in human cancer cells inhibits cell growth and proliferation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its possible role as a tumor suppressor. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of HtrA1 in 50 hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and adjacent liver tissues. The correlation between the expression of HtrA1 and the clinico-pathologic data were analyzed. RESULTS: The levels of HtrA1 were lower in tumor tissues than in their adjacent liver tissues. Moreover, an inverse relationship was found between HtrA1 expression and the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Loss of HtrA1 was more frequently found in tumors in Edmondson grade especially in those with venous invasion, compared to tumors in Edmondson grade I-II. Most importantly, patients with higher HtrA1 expression had a better survival rate. CONCLUSION: All these data suggest an important role of HtrA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression, which may be a new target for its treatment.

Cloning,Expression and Activity Analysis of a Bacterial Serine Protease

In the study, a serine protease gene from Pantoea ananatis was cloned and expressed in prokaryotic cells. The activity of recombinant serine protease was analyzed. The results showed that the recombinant serine protease gene was 1 062 bp, encoding 352 amino acids ; the optimal reaction temperature for recombinant serine protease was 50 ℃, and the optimal pH was 5. 0. The serine protease could be developed into a new tool enzyme in biological engineering and food processing.

Association between calcium sensing receptor gene polymorphisms and chronic pancreatitis in a US population:Role of serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type and alcohol

AIM: To test the hypothesis that calcium sensing receptor (CASR) polymorphisms are associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and to determine whether serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1type (SPINK1) N34S oralcohol are necessary co-factors in its etiology. METHODS: Initially, 115 subjects with pancreatitis and 66 controls were evaluated, of whom 57 patients and 21 controls were predetermined to carry the high-risk SPINK1 N34S polymorphism. We sequenced CASR gene exons 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, areas containing the majority of reported polymorphisms and novel mutations. Based on the initial results, we added 223 patients and 239 controls to analyze three common nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 7 (A986S, R990G, and Q1011E). RESULTS: The CASR exon 7 R990G polymorphism was signifi cantly associated with CP (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.12-3.59; P = 0.015). The association between CASR R990G and CP was stronger in subjects who reported moderate or heavy alcohol consumption (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.14-9.13; P = 0.018). There was no association between the various CASR genotypes and SPINK1 N34S in pancreatitis. None of the novel CASR polymorphisms reported from Germany and India was detected. CONCLUSION: Our United States-based study confirmed an association of CASR and CP and for the first time demonstrated that CASR R990G is a signifi cant risk factor for CP. We also conclude that the risk of CP with CASR R990G is increased in subjects with moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A with sequence variation at amino-terminus has different serine protease activities and inhibitory activities on IFN-β induction and p53-dependent transcriptional activation

Objective： To construct the point mutation plasmids expressing HCV NS3/4A with different secondary structures at the N-terminus, and to analyze their serine protease activities. Methods： The point mutation plasmid constructs were generated by using the QuickChange site-directed mutagenesis kit with the backbone of M-H05-5 （AI-1）, and were named as subgroup A1-2, A2-1, A2-2, BI-1, B1-2, B2-1, and B2-2 respectively. The transient expression of the constructs was investigated by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis. The difference in in cis and in trans NS3 serine protease activity between each subgroup was determined by Western blot analysis. Luciferase reporter assay was used to observe the inhibitory effects of the constructs on RIG-I induced IFN-β promoter activity and on p53-dependent transcriptional activation. Results： The point mutation plasmid constructs were verified for the correct sequence by DNA sequencing. The immunofluorescence assay revealed 4 subcellular localization patterns of NS3, including dot-like staining, diffuse staining, doughnut-like staining, and rod-shape staining. Western blot analysis indicated that the incomplete cleavage of NS3/4A appeared in subgroups A2-1 and B2-1, indicating that the in cis NS3 serine protease activities of subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 were weaker when compared with the other subgroups. By using NS5A/SBAC as a substrate for NS3/4A serine protease, it was also found that the in trans NS3 serine protease activities of subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 were also weaker compared the other subgroups. Differences in inhibitory effects of HCV NS3 on RIG-I induced IFN-β promoter activity and on p53-dependent transcriptional activation were also observed between subgroup A2-1, B2-1 and the other subgroups. Conclusion： The results suggest that subgroup A2-1 and B2-1 has weaker serine protease activities and weaker inhibitory activities on host cell functions than the other subgroups, which might be explained by the different secondary structure of the 120-aa sequence at N-terminus of NS3.

Crystal Structures of the Serine Protease Domain of Murine Plasma Kallikrein

Plasma kallikrein（PK）, a serine protease in the trypsin clan（SA）, plays critical roles in many physiological and pathological pathways. Regulating the abnormal activity of PK has been successfully used in the clinical therapy of hereditary angioedema. In this study, the serine protease domain of murine plasma kallikrein（m PK） was expressed in the pichia pastoris system. The recombinant protein was a glycosylated active enzyme after purification by the cation exchange and size-exclusion chromatography, and was crystallized at the precipitant condition of 25% PEG 3350, 0.1 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5 and 0.1 M Na Cl. The crystal structure of m PK was determined at 2.6 . This is the first published crystal structure of m PK, showing some distinctive features at S2＇ and S3＇ pockets when compared to its human analogue（human plasma kallikrein, h PK）. In addition, m PK show unique structural features in the non-conservative 67-72 and 76-81 loops when compared to other serine proteases. These results provide insights for the design of potent and selective PK inhibitors.

Transmembrane serine protease 2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 anti-inflammatory receptors for COVID-19/inflammatory bowel diseases treatment

long-term,and relapsing inflammatory disorders.IBD may spontaneously grow in the colon,and in severe cases may result in tumor lesions such as invasive carcinoma in inflamed regions of the intestine.Recent epidemiological reports indicate that old age and underlying diseases such as IBD contribute to severity and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Currently,the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused serious morbidity and mortality worldwide.It has also been shown that the transmembrane serine protease 2 is an essential factor for viral activation and viral engulfment.Generally,viral entry causes a'cytokine storm'that induces excessive generation of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines including interleukin(IL)-6,IL-2,IL-7,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interferon-γ.Future research could concentrate on developing inflammatory immunological responses that are efficient to encounter COVID-19.Current analysis elucidates the role of inflammation and immune responses during IBD infection with COVID-19 and provides a list of possible targets for IBD-regulated therapies in particular.Data from clinical,in vitro,and in vivo studies were collected in English from PubMed,Google Scholar,Scopus,and the Cochrane library until May 2021.

Cloning, Expression and Activity Analysis of a Novel Fibrinolytic Serine Protease from Arenicola cristata

The full-length c DNA of a protease gene from a marine annelid Arenicola cristata was amplified through rapid amplification of c DNA ends technique and sequenced. The size of the c DNA was 936 bp in length, including an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 270 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequnce consisted of pro- and mature sequences. The protease belonged to the serine protease family because it contained the highly conserved sequence GDSGGP. This protease was novel as it showed a low amino acid sequence similarity(< 40%) to other serine proteases. The gene encoding the active form of A. cristata serine protease was cloned and expressed in E. coli. Purified recombinant protease in a supernatant could dissolve an artificial fibrin plate with plasminogen-rich fibrin, whereas the plasminogen-free fibrin showed no clear zone caused by hydrolysis. This result suggested that the recombinant protease showed an indirect fibrinolytic activity of dissolving fibrin, and was probably a plasminogen activator. A rat model with venous thrombosis was established to demonstrate that the recombinant protease could also hydrolyze blood clot in vivo. Therefore, this recombinant protease may be used as a thrombolytic agent for thrombosis treatment. To our knowledge, this study is the first of reporting the fibrinolytic serine protease gene in A. cristata.

Expression and Purification of Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 1 from Escherichia coli Expression System

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1(SRSF1), as a prototype member of the highly conserved serine/arginine family of RNA binding proteins, plays an important role in mRNA alternative splicing, stabilization, nuclear export, and translation. Here, the expression system was established to purify full-length human SRSF1 from Escherichia coli(E. coli). The SRSF1 coding sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and inserted into the pET-28 a-ppSUMO vector with His-tag to construct a recombinant plasmid His-SUMO-SRSF1. Then the plasmid was transformed into BL21(DE3) competent cells for expression. After purification by affinity chromatography and cleavage of His-SUMO moiety, a highly purified SRSF1 with a molecular weight of around 28 kg/mol was obtained. The protein was analyzed by sizing chromatography and it was found that SRSF1 would form a polymer structure in the solution. According to Expasy bioinformatics analysis, SRSF1 is extremely unstable. Purification of full-length SRSF1 protein provides an opportunity to study mRNA splicing in vitro.

沙蚕蛋白酶高效降解变异新冠病毒S蛋白作用与S蛋白的生化特性分析

从今年3月起,WHO不再将新冠病毒感染,列为全球关注的灾害性卫生事件,但是新感染病例依然存在,其原因与病毒基因组经常突变,引起特异抗体失效和免疫逃逸有关,同时特异性治疗药物依然有限。病毒S蛋白是病毒感染宿主细胞的关键结构,S蛋白质突变,导致其结构生化特征和功能等随之变化。我们曾分析了世卫组织(WHO)认定的野生型和5种关切变异毒株的生化特征,并研究证实了日本刺沙蚕碱性丝氨酸蛋白酶(ASP_(NJ))可以高效与相对特异地降解野生型病毒S蛋白。本文分析了Omicron变异毒株(BA.2、BF.7、XBB.1)S蛋白质与ASP_(NJ)相关的生物化学特征,并经SDS-PAGE分析,直观证实了ASP_(NJ)可以高效降解这些S蛋白质,但变异株S蛋白抵抗ASP_(NJ)消化能力更强一些。本文还报告了ASP_(NJ)对野生型假病毒的影响,初步结果显示,ASP_(NJ)可能具有减少野生型假病毒感染293T-CAE2受体细胞的作用。这些结果表明,ASP_(NJ)有可能成为一种新工具酶,用于研究新冠病毒的结构与功能。

种植体支抗联合闭合式牵引在颌骨内埋伏牙、阻生牙患者中的应用效果及对治疗后康复、口腔健康的影响

目的探讨种植体支抗联合闭合式牵引在颌骨内埋伏牙、阻生牙患者中的应用效果及对治疗后康复、口腔健康的影响。方法选取2019年1月—2022年5月收治的颌骨内埋伏牙、阻生牙90例,根据治疗方法不同将其分为观察组和对照组2组各45例。观察组采取种植体支抗联合闭合式牵引治疗,对照组采取闭合式开窗术加传统固定治疗。比较2组治疗后临床效果、康复情况,治疗前和治疗后4个月龈沟液细胞因子、口腔健康微生态环境、咀嚼功能,以及治疗后4个月内不良反应发生情况。结果治疗后,观察组总有效率95.56%(43/45)高于对照组80.00%(36/45),疼痛程度低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后4个月,2组龈沟液丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂、基质金属蛋白酶-3、白细胞介素-1β和牙周袋探诊深度、牙龈指数、龈沟出血指数、菌斑指数、牙齿松动度均较治疗前升高,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.01)。治疗后4个月,2组咀嚼效率、咬合力均高于治疗前,咀嚼疼痛评分低于治疗前,且观察组咀嚼效率、咬合力高于对照组,咀嚼疼痛评分低于对照组(P<0.01)。治疗后4个月内,2组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论种植体支抗联合闭合式牵引应用于颌骨内埋伏牙、阻生牙效果显著,可促进牙齿萌出、恢复咀嚼功能,改善治疗后口腔健康微生态环境及炎症状态,具有较好安全性。

子宫动脉血流多普勒超声联合血清PIGF、Vaspin、ESM-1诊断HDP价值

目的:探讨妊娠高血压疾病(HDP)患者子宫动脉血流多普勒超声、血清促血管生成因子(PIGF)、丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂(Vaspin)、内皮细胞特异分子-1(ESM-1)水平及其诊断价值。方法:回顾性收集2020年6月-2021年12月本院接诊的HDPL患者86例为病例组,产前检查健康孕妇75例为对照组,检测两组血清PIGF、Vaspin、ESM-1水平及子宫动脉血流参数,分析在诊断HDP价值。结果:病例组血清PIGF(271.56±45.56 pg/ml)低于对照组(330.15±50.35 pg/ml),Vaspin(0.46±0.04 ng/ml)、ESM-1(1.38±0.51μg/L)高于对照组(0.39±0.08 ng/ml、1.01±0.07μg/L),多普勒超声子宫动脉血流阻力指数(RI)(0.79±0.14)、搏动指数(PI)(0.83±0.21)、收缩期峰值流速与舒张末期血流速度比值(S/D)(2.26±0.74)均高于对照组(0.51±0.20、0.44±0.19、1.41±0.35),且病例组妊娠期高血压、轻度子痫前期、重度子痫前期患者上述各指标均有差异(均P<0.05)。受试者工作特征曲线分析,血清PIGF、Vaspin、ESM-1、RI、PI、S/D及各项联合,诊断HDP的曲线下面积分别为0.811、0.780、0.691、0.944、0.860、0.813、0.999,截断值分别为291.56 pg/ml、0.43 ng/ml、1.12μg/L、0.58、0.53、1.87,联合检测的特异度(96.5%)、准确度(93.4%)最高(均P<0.05)。结论:HDP患者血清PIGF、Vaspin、ESM-1、子宫动脉血流参数异常改变,且对HDP有较好诊断价值,本次研究也为靶向药物治疗HDP提供了新思路。

叉角厉蝽丝氨酸蛋白酶及抑制剂基因的克隆与表达分析

为明确叉角厉蝽Eocanthecona furcellata(Wolff)丝氨酸蛋白酶基因EfSP1及抑制剂基因EfSPI20的基因序列特征和时空转录特征,为其生理功能研究奠定基础。利用PCR克隆技术获得叉角厉蝽唾液腺EfSPI20和EfSP1的完整开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)序列,使用生物信息学软件进行序列分析以及系统进化分析,采用实时荧光定量PCR(Real time quantitativate PCR,RT-qPCR)分析两个基因分别在叉角厉蝽不同发育时期和组织中的表达特征。结果表明,EfSPI20与EfSP1基因完整开放阅读框长度分别为378 bp和921 bp,分别编码125个氨基酸和306个氨基酸,预测均为亲水蛋白质,理论分子量分别为13.48 kDa和33.82 kDa,等电点分别为6.68和5.80,分别有30个和23个氨基酸残基的信号肽序列,EfSPI20有跨膜结构域,EfSP1无跨膜结构域。序列比对显示叉角厉蝽EfSPI20与茶翅蝽Halyomorpha halys PPI同源性最高,氨基酸序列一致性达58%;EfSP1与稻绿蝽Nezara viridula SP同源性最高,氨基酸序列一致性达66%;系统发育树显示叉角厉蝽与同为蝽科的茶翅蝽和稻绿蝽物种亲缘关系近。EfSPI20基因在雌雄成虫和唾液腺中高表达,推测EfSPI20可能具有抑制胰蛋白酶活性的功能和与叉角厉蝽的捕食消化相关;EfSP1基因在卵期、卵巢和肠道中高表达,推测EfSP1可能与叉角厉蝽的生殖功能和蛋白消化相关。

叉角厉蝽毒液丝氨酸蛋白酶基因EfSP2克隆、表达及捕食功能分析

【目的】通过对叉角厉蝽[Eocanthecona furcellata(Wolff)]毒液丝氨酸蛋白酶(Serine protease,SP)基因EfSP2的克隆、序列分析、表达谱分析及RNA干扰(RNAinterference,RNAi),解析EfSP2蛋白的功能,为EfSP2基因的分子特征研究及功能注释提供科学依据。【方法】从叉角厉蝽唾液腺转录组中获得EfSP2基因序列,利用PCR技术扩增EfSP2基因完整开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)序列,对其进行生物信息学分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析EfSP2基因在叉角厉蝽不同发育阶段(卵、1~5龄若虫和雌雄成虫)唾液腺及雌成虫不同组织(马氏管、唾液腺、脂肪体、卵巢、中肠、头)中的表达情况;通过RNAi技术检测其对叉角厉蝽雌雄成虫存活及捕食的影响。【结果】克隆获得EfSP2基因ORF序列长861 bp,编码286个氨基酸;EfSP2氨基酸序列中具有1个完整的Tryp-SPc结构域,含有胰蛋白酶N末端保守的起始氨基酸序列(IVGG);含有保守的SP三联体催化活性中心,属于丝氨酸蛋白酶家族的类胰蛋白酶亚家族;与稻绿蝽(Nezara viridula)SP同源性最高,氨基酸序列一致性为44.69%。EfSP2基因在叉角厉蝽雌雄成虫和唾液腺中有极高的表达量。注射dsEfSP2能显著抑制靶标基因的表达(P<0.05,下同),且显著降低叉角厉蝽雌雄成虫的存活率和捕食量。【结论】成功克隆了叉角厉蝽毒液丝氨酸蛋白酶EfSP2基因。时空表达谱及RNAi结果表明,EfSP2可能是叉角厉蝽生长发育、捕食和消化过程中的重要蛋白之一。

中华蜜蜂酚氧化酶和丝氨酸蛋白酶相关基因及其全长转录本发掘与分析

为深入开展中华蜜蜂相关研究提供参考信息和基础,利用已获得的纳米孔(Nanopore)测序数据对中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的酚氧化酶(phenoloxidase,PO)和丝氨酸蛋白酶(serine protease,SP)相关基因和全长转录本进行发掘和分析。通过Blast工具将中华蜜蜂所有全长转录本比对KEGG和Nr数据库以筛选出PO和SP相关基因和全长转录本。采用gffcompare软件将PO和SP相关全长转录本与东方蜜蜂参考基因组(ACSNU-2.0)已注释基因进行比较以优化结构。使用Astalavista软件鉴定PO和SP相关基因的可变剪接(alternative splicing,AS)事件,再利用IGV浏览器进行结构可视化。通过PCR验证AS事件的真实性。利用TAPIS pipeline预测和分析可变多聚腺苷酸化(alternative polyadenylation,APA)位点,并通过TBtool软件鉴定APA位点上游的基序(motif)。鉴定到中华蜜蜂PO和SP相关的42个基因与146条转录本。优化了16个参考基因组已注释PO和SP相关基因的结构,其中5′端延长和3′端延长的基因均有7个,5′端和3′端同时延长的基因有2个。鉴定到PO和SP相关的10个基因的389次AS事件,其中最丰富的AS类型是5′端可变剪接。PCR结果证实了2次AS事件的真实性。共鉴定到34个PO和SP相关基因含有1个及以上的APA位点,其中含有3个APA位点的基因数量最多;在APA位点上游鉴定到多个motif,一致性序列为:GGHKSYWSHHTRATWTCNBHDMRRYWYRTNYTVACNGCKGCDCAYTGYR。鉴定到中华蜜蜂PO和SP相关的42个基因和146条全长转录本,优化了东方蜜蜂参考基因组已注释的PO和SP相关基因结构,并发掘出PO和SP相关基因的389次AS事件和237个APA位点。

草鱼丝氨酸蛋白粗酶的提取、酶学特性及大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂对其活性的影响

【目的】探究草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)肌原纤维结合型丝氨酸蛋白酶(MBSP)粗酶的提取方法、酶学特性,以及大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂(STI)对草鱼鱼糜凝胶品质的影响,为改善传统草鱼鱼糜制品品质提供理论基础。【方法】从草鱼背肌中提取MBSP粗酶液,探究提取过程中漂洗次数(1~5次)、热处理温度(35、40、45、50、55℃)、酸洗脱pH值(pH 4.0、pH 5.5)对提取液酶活性的影响,获得最佳提取条件;设置梯度实验探究所得酶的最适温度、pH、稳定性等酶学特性,最后探究大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂对粗酶酶活性的影响及其对草鱼鱼糜凝胶性能的调控。【结果及结论】经3次漂洗、45℃热处理、pH 4.0酸洗脱后得到的草鱼MBSP粗酶液酶活性最高(P<0.05);所得MBSP最适pH值在9.0附近,最适温度为45℃,具有较好的温度稳定性(P<0.05),其活性可被Na^(+)在一定程度上抑制且被K+、Ca^(2+)激活(P<0.05);STI添加可以显著改善草鱼鱼糜质构,其对草鱼肌原纤维结合型丝氨酸蛋白酶有可逆竞争性抑制作用,半抑制质量浓度为10.85μg/mL,抑制常数Ki=0.24μmol/L。

蠋蝽丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂基因鉴定及其表达特征分析

丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂(Serine protease inhibitor,SPI)是调控昆虫生长发育和免疫的关键因子,本文从蠋蝽Arma custos基因组中鉴定出12个SPI基因(AcusSPI1-12),并对其序列特征进行分析,采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,RT-PCR)技术分析了SPI基因在成虫不同组织中的表达特征。结果表明,鉴定出的SPI基因可根据其作用机制分为serpin类和经典类(canonical SPI)。多序列比对结果表明,serpin类AcusSPI2-3与其它昆虫已知抑制性serpin铰链区的氨基酸残基是保守的,经典类AcusSPI7和AcusSPI8具有多个抑制结构域,AcusSPI12只具有单个抑制结构域,但它们都具有保守的半胱氨酸残基。RT-PCR结果显示,AcusSPI4、AcusSPI7和AcusSPI9基因在蠋蝽毒液器官中高表达,且在主腺前叶、主腺后叶和副腺中的表达存在差异。AcusSPI6和AcusSPI10基因在脂肪体中高表达。AcusSPI3在副腺、肠道和脂肪体中具有较高的表达量,AcusSPI10则在主腺后叶和脂肪体中高表达。研究结果,不仅表明蠋蝽部分SPI可作为毒液成分参与调控猎物免疫反应,而且为后期揭示它们的生理功能奠定了基础。