Ammonia metabolism capacity of HepG2 cells with high expression of human glutamine synthetase

BACKGROUND: Currently, one of the tough problems for the application of bioartificial liver (BAL) is the shortage of suitable hepatocytes. There are reports on different types of BAL assistance developed with porcine hepatocytes and HepG2 C3A cells, but their defects are obvious. In recent years, some studies focus more on liver cells with features of human origin and improved detoxification. In this study, a hepatocyte line with high expression of human glutamine synthetase (hGS) was raised and its capacity for ammonia metabolism was investigated. METHODS: hGS cDNA and alpha-fetoprotein transcription regulatory element (AFP-TRE) were cloned with the designed primers. The eukaryotic expression vectors, pLNChGS and pLNAFhGS, were constructed and transfected into PA317 cells. Recombinant retroviruses (Retro-hGS and Retro-AFhGS) were produced and then infected into HepG2 cells. G418-resistant cell clones, HepG2/pLNChGS and HepG2/pLNAFhGS, were selected and amplified. Then hGS mRNA was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR; hGS enzymatic activity and ammonia metabolism analysis in different concentration of NH(4)(+) were detected with a quantitative biochemistry kit. The cell proliferation was also detected by MTT chromatometry. RESULTS: The expression of hGS mRNA in HepG2/pLNChGS cells (8.306+/-0.336) and HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells (21.358+/-1.716) was much stronger than in control cells (P<0.05), and that in HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells was markedly stronger than in HepG2/pLNChGS cells (P<0.05). The hGS enzymatic activities of HepG2/pLNChGS cells (3.279+/-0.328 U/mg prot) and HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells (4.557+/-0.253 U/mg prot) were higher than those of control cells (P<0.05), and those of HepG2/ pLNAFhGS cells were also higher than the activities of HepG2/pLNChGS cells (P<0.05). In addition, the effect of hGS introduction on HepG2 cell proliferation was not significant. The amount of glutamine synthesis in HepG2/pLNChGS or HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells in three different concentrations of NH(4)(+) was higher than in the two control cells (P<0.05). The amount of glutamine synthesis and cell proliferation in the higher concentrations of NH(4)(+) (5 or 10 mmol/L) in HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells increased more than those in HepG2/pLNChGS cells (P<0.05). NH(4)(+) at a high concentration (10 mmol/L) was toxic to HepG2 and HepG2/pLNCX cells, but less toxic to HepG2/pLNChGS and HepG2/pLNAFhGS cells. CONCLUSION: The constructed hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) with specific high-expression of hGS have a powerful ability to degrade ammonia in vitro, and provide necessary experimental data for the selection of biomaterials in BAL.

Influences of Mo on Nitrate Reductase, Glutamine Synthetase and Nitrogen Accumulation and Utilization in Mo-Efficient and Mo-Inefficient Winter Wheat Cultivars

The objective is to study whether the accumulation and utilization of plant N are controlled by Mo status in winter wheat cultivars. Mo-efficient cultivar 97003 （eft） and Mo-inefficient cultivar 97014 （ineff） were grown in severely Mo-deficient acidic soil （Tamm-reagent-extractable Mo 0.112 mg kg^-1） with （＋Mo） and without （-Mo） the application of 0.13 mg kg^-1 Mo. The accumulation and use efficiency of plant total N were significantly higher in ＋Mo than that in -Mo and in eft than that in ineff under Mo deficiency. N use efficiency was remarkably higher in maturity but it was forwarded to jointing stage after Mo supply, thus indicating that Mo supply promoted the N use efficiency besides N uptake and eff was efficient in N uptake and utilization. The overall activity of nitrate reductase （NR, EC 1.6.6.1） was significantly higher in ＋Mo than in -Mo and ratio of ＋Mo/-Mo was even to 14.8 at filleting stage for ineff. Activity of glutamine synthetase （GS, EC 6.3.1.2） was significantly lower in ＋Mo than in -Mo. Concentration of nitrate and glutamate were also significantly lower in ＋Mo than in -Mo, thus provided evidences for enhancing N use efficiency by Mo supply. Activities of NR and GS were significantly higher and concentrations of nitrate and glutamate were significantly lower in eff than ineff under Mo deficiency, thus indicated eff was more efficient in N reduction and utilization. It is therefore concluded that Mo could promote N accumulation and utilization in winter wheat which was directly related to NR and feedback regulated by GS. Higher Mo status also results in higher accumulation and utilization of plant N in eft.

Glutamine synthetase as an early marker for hepatocellular carcinoma based on proteomic analysis of resected smal hepatocel ular carcinomas

BACKGROUND:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis.Because small HCCs possess most of the characteristics of early HCC,we investigated small HCCs to screen potential biomarkers for early diagnosis.METHODS:Proteins were extracted from 10 sets of paired tissue samples from HBV-infected small-HCC patients.The extracted proteins were well resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis.These HCC-associated proteins were then identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS following image analysis.Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess glutamine synthetase(GS)and phenazine biosynthesislike domain-containing protein(PBLD)expression in liver tissue.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 152 serum samples(from 49 healthy donors,24 patients with liver cirrhosis,and 79 with HCC)were used to further assess the significance of GS clinically.RESULTS:Fifteen up-regulated and three down-regulated proteins were identified.Western blotting confirmed GS overexpression and decreased PBLD expression in liver tissue.Immunohistochemistry showed that GS was expressed in 70.0%(84/120)of HCCs and 35.8%(43/120)of nontumor tissues;PBLD was expressed in 74.2%(89/120) of nontumor tissues and 40.8%(49/120)of HCCs.The Chi-square test showed significant expression differences between HCCs and adjacent tissues.Consistent with this,serum GS levels in HCC patients were significantly higher than those in liver cirrhosis patients and healthy donors,while the latter two groups were also significantly different.In addition, a diagnostic cutoff value of 2.6 mg/ml was used for GS;it was elevated in 19(76.0%)of 25 HCC patients with AFP≤20 ng/ml and 47(88.7%)of 53 HCC patients with AFP≤200 ng/ml.CONCLUSION:GS and PBLD are abnormally expressed in most HCCs.GS may be a novel serum marker for early HCC, especially for those patients with low AFP levels(≤200 ng/ml).

Changes of Levels of Glutamine Synthetase Isoforms in Roots and Leaves in Responseto Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Different Growth Stages in Irrigated Rice

Nitrogen is a key element to control the growth and yield of crops. Fertilizer urea nitrogen (N) 60,45, and 30 kg/hm2 was applied at three different stages, midtillering, panicle initiation, and flowering, of the growth and development of rice plants, respectively. At both midtillering and panicle initiation, the total activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in rice roots and leaves was incrased remarkably as a result of a large amount of ammonia absorbed by roots. Native-PAGE and activity staining showed that the increase of total activity in rice roots and leaves was due to the synthesis of GSrb in roots and GS2 in leaves and that the activity of GSra in roots and GS1 in leaves remained constant. The results showed that the assimilation of external nitrogen was carried out by GSrb but not GSra in rice roots and that the activitry of GS2 was induced also by the external nitrogen, and that GSrb played main role in meeting the needs of the rapid tillering for nitrogen. At flowering, the activity of GS in rice roots and leaves did not change almost after topdressing. These rssults suggest that the change of GS activity in rice roots may use as a measure of the utilization efficiency of the fertilizer.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on astrocyte expression and glutamine synthetase activity in the hippocampal region of epileptic rats

BACKGROUND： Recent studies have demonstrated that astrocyte dysfunction plays a central role in inhibiting epileptic seizures and that regulation of astrocyte function may be a new target for treatment of epilepsy. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder （GLSP） on astrocyte morphology and glutamine synthetase （COS） activity in the hippocampal region of epileptic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Function Laboratory, College of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University between October and December 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 30 Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomized to three groups （n = 10）： control, model, and GLSP. GLSP was sourced from Jiamusi Wild Ganoderma Lucidum Planting Base and prepared to 30 g/L with physiological saline before use. Pentylenetetrazol （PTZ） （10 g/L） was provided by Sigma Company, USA. METHODS： The control group received intraperitoneal （i.p.） and intragastric （i.g.） physiological saline. Following epilepsy induction by i.p. administration of PTZ （35 mg/kg）, rats from the mode/and GLSP groups were ig injected with physiological saline and GLSP （300 mg/kg）, respectively. Each compound was administered once per day, for a total of 28 successive days. Epileptic seizure convulsions were graded 0-5. A higher grade indicated more severe epilepsy. Only those rats showing stage 2 or higher convulsions at least 5 times successively were included in further experiments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immediately alter injection, seizure activity was monitored for 30 minutes to determine the latent period and seizure duration; simultaneously, astrocyte numbers and GS activity in the hippocampal region of rats with epilepsy were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： All 30 rats were included in the final analysis. On day 28, following PTZ administration epileptic seizures were not found in the control group. In the GLSP group, rats exhibited rhythmic head nodding or facial spasms, and the latent period was significantly longer than that of the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In the model group, the majority of rats exhibited myoclonus or generalized convulsions, and epileptic seizure duration was slightly （but not significantly） longer than that in the GLSP group （P 〉 0.05）. Within 2-3 minutes of PTZ injection, the model group exhibited grade 4 or 5 epileptic seizures, and the GLSP group mostly showed grade 2 or 3, and occasionally grade 4 or 5, epileptic seizures. All rats recovered within 30 minutes. The model group exhibited significantly increased astrocytes （P 〈 0.05）, with thicker cellular processes and a higher number of cellular processes, and significantly decreased GS activity （P 〈 0.05） tban the control group. The astrocyte count was significantly decreased but GS activity was significantly increased in the GLSP group when compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）; however, astrocyte appearance was similar in both groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： GLSP can effectively inhibit astrocyte numbers and elevate GS activity in the hippocampal region of rats with epilepsy, thereby reducing epileptic seizures.

Advances in the functional study of glutamine synthetase in plant abiotic stress tolerance response

Plant glutamine synthetase(GS,EC6.3.1.2)catalyzes the synthesis of glutamine from glutamate and ammonium ions and acts as a key enzyme in the nitrogen metabolic pathway in organisms.Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth and development and plays an important role in crop yield and quality formation.Therefore,GS is crucial in many physiological processes in plants.Currently,nitrogen regulation by GS in plants is well-studied in terms of its effect on plant growth and development.This article reviews the regulatory role of plant GS and its molecular mechanism in mitigating stress injury,such as low or high temperature,salinity,drought and oxidation.The function of plant GS in stress tolerance response is focused.The review aims to provide a reference for the utilization of plant GS in crop stress tolerance breeding.

Optimization of crude enzyme preparation methods for analysis of glutamine synthetase activity in phytoplank-ton and field samples

Glutamine synthetase （GS） is an important enzyme involved in nitrogen assimilation and metabolism in marine phytoplankton. However, little work has been done in situ due to the limitation of crude enzyme preparation methods. In this study, three enzyme preparation methods, high-speed centrifugation （HC, 〈10 000 g）, ultracentrifugation （UC, 70000 g）, and ultrafiltration （UF） with 100 kit molecular weight cutoff, were compared using two diatom species （Asterionellopsis glacialis and Thalassiosira weissflogii）, and two dinoflagellate species （Alexandriura catenella and Prorocentrum donghaiense） as experimental materials together with field samples collected from Xiamen Harbor, China. The results showed that HC is the best method to prepare crude enzymes for glutamine synthetase activity （GSA） in diatom species and diatom-dominant samples, while UF is the best method to extract GS from dinoflagellate species and dinoflagellate-dominant samples. For the HC method, the optimal centrifugal speed and time were 10 000 g and 35 min, respectively, and under these conditions, the highest GSA was obtained in all samples. This study indicates that both methods （HC and UF） overcome the limitation of centrifugal speed and could be applied to in situ GSA analysis, especially at sea.

Effect of Nitrate on Activities and Transcript Levels of Nitrate Reductase and Glutamine Synthetase in Rice

Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to compare the effect of NO-3on the activities of nitrate reductase(NR)and glutamine synthetase(GS),and the transcript levels of two NR genes,OsNia1 and OsNia2,two cytosolic GS1 genes,OsGln1;1 and OsGln1;2,and one plastid GS2 gene OsGln2,in two rice(Oryza sativa L.)cultivars Nanguang(NG)and Yunjing(YJ).Both cultivars achieved greater biomass and higher total N concentration when grown in a mixed N supply than in sole NH+ 4nutrition.Supply of NO -3increased NR activity in both leaves and roots.Expression of both NR genes was also substantially enhanced and transcript levels of OsNia2 were significantly higher than those of OsNia1.NO-3also caused an increase in GS activity,but had a complex effect on the expression of the three GS genes.In roots,the OsGln1;1 transcript increased,but OsGln1;2 decreased.In leaves,NO-3had no effect on the GS1 expression,but the transcript for OsGln2 increased both in the leaves and roots of rice with a mixed supply of N.These results suggested that the increase in GS activity might be a result of the complicated regulation of the various GS genes. In addition,the NO-3 induced increase of biomass,NR activity,GS activity,and the transcript levels of NR and GS genes were proportionally higher in NG than in YJ,indicating a stronger response of NG to NO-3nutrition than YJ.

Glutamine synthetase activity and glutamate uptake in hippocampus and frontal cortex in portal hypertensive rats

AIM: To study glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and glutamate uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (FC) from rats with prehepatic portal vein hypertension. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into shamoperated group and a portal hypertension (PH) group with a regulated stricture of the portal vein. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation 14 d after portal vein stricture. GS activity was determined in the hippocampus and FC. Specific uptake of radiolabeled L-glutamate was studied using synaptosome-enriched fractions that were freshly prepared from both brain areas. RESULTS: We observed that the activity of GS increased in the hippocampus of PH rats, as compared to control animals, and decreased in the FC. A significant decrease in glutamate uptake was found in both brain areas, and was more marked in the hippocampus. The decrease in glutamate uptake might have been caused by a deficient transport function, signif icantly and persistent increase in this excitatory neurotransmitter activity. CONCLUSION: The presence of moderate ammonia blood levels may add to the toxicity of excitotoxic glutamate in the brain, which causes alterations in brain function. Portal vein stricture that causes portal hypertension modif ies the normal function in some brain regions.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Metformin and Garlic Extract on Hippocampal Na⁺/K⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺ATPase and Glutamine Synthetase Activities in Type II Diabetic Wistar Rat

Diabetes mellitus has not ceased to be on rise in spite of the continuous research on its management. Brain dysfunction associated with Diabetes mellitus especially Type II has been the great concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of insulin sensitizing drug metformin and ethanolic extract of garlic on membrane bound enzymes Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and glutamate-glutamine cycle enzyme, Glutamine Synthetase activities in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced Type II Diabetic rats. Twenty four male wistar rats weighted 120 - 150 g were used and divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group A was non-diabetic (Control) and Groups B, C and D were diabetic. Group B received no treatment (DNT) while Groups C and D were treated with 1000 mg/kg of ethanolic garlic extract (EGE) and 50 mg/kg of metformin (MET) respectively orally for three weeks. All the groups were fed on standard rat chow with water ad libitum. Blood glucose was monitored weekly. Animals were sacrificed and the brains were removed and hippocampi were carefully excised and homogenate were obtained. Homogenate was analyzed for Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and Glutamine Synthetase (GS) activities. MET and EGE significantly reduced the blood glucose levels. There was a significant increase in the activities of hippocampal Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and GS in MET and EGE when compared to DNT. The results suggest that both MET and EGE increase the activities of hippocampal Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and GS which were reduced by diabetes mellitus, thus garlic and metformin administration exhibiting neuroprotective effect during hippocampal-related disorders associated with diabetes mellitus.

Interaction of Glufosinate and <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i>on Ammonia Levels and Glutamine Synthetase Activity in Hemp Sesbania

The use of microbes and microbial products as bioherbicides has been studied for several decades, and combinations of bioherbicides and herbicides have been examined to discover possible synergistic interactions to improve weed control efficacy. Bioassays were conducted to assess possible interactions of the herbicide glufosinate [2-amino-4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid] and Colletotrichum truncatum (CT), a fungal bioherbicide to control hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata)]. Glufosinate acts as a glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitor that causes elevated ammonia levels, but the mode of action of CT is unknown. GS has also been implicated in plant defense in certain plant-pathogen interactions. The effects of spray applications of glufosinate (1.0 mM) orbioherbicide (8.0 × 104 conidia ml-1), applied alone or in combination were monitored (88 h time-course) on seedling growth, GS activity and ammonia levels in hypocotyl tissues under controlled environmental conditions. Growth (elongation and fresh weight) and extractable GS activity were inhibited in tissues by glufosinate and glufosinate plus CT treatments as early as 16 h, but CT treatment did not cause substantial growth reduction or GS inhibition until after ~40 h. Generally, ammonia levels in hemp sesbania tissues under these various treatments were inversely correlated with GS activity. Localization of hemp sesbania GS activity on electrophoretic gels indicated a lack of activity after 30 h in glufosinate and glufosinate plus CT-treated tissue. Untreated control tissues contained much lower ammonia levels at 24, 64, and 88 h after treatment than treatments with CT, glufosinate or their combination. CT alone caused elevated ammonia levels only after 64 - 88 h. Glufosinate incorporated in agar at 0.25 mM to 2.0 mM, caused a 10% - 45% reduction of CT colony radial growth, compared to fungal growth on agar without glufosinate, and the herbicide also inhibited sporulation of CT. Although no synergistic interactions were found in the combinations of CT and glufosinate at the concentrations used, further insight on the biochemical action of CT and its interactions with this herbicide on hemp sesbania was achieved.

Prokaryotic Expression and Preparation of Polyantibody of Human Histydyl-tRNA Synthetase Related Gene

Summary: The aim of this study was to express and purify human histydyl-tRNA synthetase related gene and to prepare its polyantibody. The open reading frame was amplified by PCR, and then recombined into prokaryotic expression vector pQE30 and transformed into E. coli M15 for expression. The expressed products were induced by IPTG after the reconstructed pQE30 was transferred into M15. After purified by Ni affinity chromatography, the product was identified to be a single band by SDS-PAGE. The rabbits were inoculated with purified products. High-titer polyantibody was successfully prepared. Highly-purified expression product and prepared polyantibody may provide a good basis for further study.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Citrulline-Nitric Oxide Cycle Enzymes and Glutamine Synthetase in Different Regions of Brain in Epilepsy Rat Model

The aim of this study was to determine the immunoreactivity of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthetase, argininosuccinate synthetase, argininosuccinate lyase, glutamine synthetase in different regions of brain in rats of kainic acid mediated epilepsy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The acute group animals were sacrificed after 2 hours and the chronic group animals were sacrificed after 5 days of a single subcutaneous injection of kainic acid (15 mg/kg body weight). The cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain stem slices were fixed and immunohistostained for the above enzymes. Images were captured and analyzed. In acute group, argininosuccinate synthetase and inducible nitric oxide synthetase were increased in cerebral cortex and cerebellum, neuronal nitric oxide synthetase increased in cerebral cortex and brain stem, and there was no change in argininosuccinate lyase immunoreactivity compared to control group. In chronic group, glutamine synthetase was decreased and all other enzymes immunoreactivity was increased in all the brain regions tested. This study demonstrated the up-regulation of citrul-line-nitric oxide cycle enzymes and may contribute to enhancing recycling of citrulline to arginine to support the increased production of nitric oxide in epilepsy. The decreased glutamine synthetase may increase glutamate in chronic epilepsy and may lead to neurodegeneration.

Glutamine synthetase-negative hepatocellular carcinoma has better prognosis and response to sorafenib treatment after hepatectomy

Background:Glutamine synthetase(GS)and arginase 1(Arg1)are widely used pathological markers that discriminate hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma;however,their clinical significance in HCC remains unclear.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 431 HCC patients:251 received hepatectomy alone,and the other 180 received sorafenib as adjuvant treatment after hepatectomy.Expression of GS and Arg1 in tumor specimens was evaluated using immunostaining.mRNA sequencing and immunostaining to detect progenitor markers(cytokeratin 19[CK19]and epithelial cell adhesion molecule[EpCAM])and mutant TP53 were also conducted.Results:Up to 72.4%(312/431)of HCC tumors were GS positive(GS+).Of the patients receiving hepatectomy alone,GS negative(GS-)patients had significantly better overall survival(OS)and recurrence-free survival(RFS)than GS+patients;negative expression of Arg1,which is exclusively expressed in GS-hepatocytes in the healthy liver,had a negative effect on prognosis.Of the patients with a high risk of recurrence who received additional sorafenib treatment,GS-patients tended to have better RFS than GS+patients,regardless of the expression status of Arg1.GS+HCC tumors exhibit many features of the established proliferation molecular stratification subtype,including poor differentiation,high alpha-fetoprotein levels,increased progenitor tumor cells,TP53 mutation,and upregulation of multiple tumor-related signaling pathways.Conclusions:GS-HCC patients have a better prognosis and are more likely to benefit from sorafenib treatment after hepatectomy.Immunostaining of GS may provide a simple and applicable approach for HCC molecular stratification to predict prognosis and guide targeted therapy.

Effect of Exogenous Ammonium on GlutamineSynthetase, Glutamate Synthase, and Glutamate Dehydrogenase in the Root of Rice Seedling

Root biomass of rice seedlings was increased at lower concentration of exogenous NH 4 + , but it was decreased at higher concentration of exogenous NH 4 + . The level of free NH 4 + in the roots was accumulated gradually with the increase of NH 4 + concentration in the nutrient solution. The content of the soluble proteins was essentially constant at higher NH 4 + . The activities of glutamine synthetase (GS), NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT), and NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NADH-GDH) were risen with exogenous NH 4 + concentration at the lower NH 4 + concentration range. But the activities of GS and NADH-GOGAT were declined, and the level of NADH-GDH activity was kept constant under higher NH 4 + concentration. The GS/GDH ratio suggested that NH 4 + was assimilated by GS-GOGAT cycle under lower NH 4 + concentration, but NADH-GDH was more important for NH 4 + assimilation and detoxifying NH 4 + to the tissue cells at the higher NH 4 + level. According to the growth and the activity changes of these ammonium-assimilating enzymes of rice seedling roots, 10. 0 μg/mL NH 4 + -N in nutrient solution was more suitable to the rice growth.

Studies on Glutamine Synthetase Activity in Sugar Beet （BetavulgarisL．） under Different Levels of Nitrogen

It was shown from the experiment that glutamine synthetase activity (GSA) in both leaf blades and roots under different nitrogen levels rose rapidly to reach its peak from seedling stage to foliage rapid growth stage and declined to its lowest level at the latter stage of root rapid growth, and then increased slightly. GSA in leaf blades had positive correlation with nitrogen level during the whole period of growth. GSA in roots showed the same tendency as it in leaf blades at the early middle stage of growth, but at the latter stage of growth, no positive correlation was established. GSA in leaf blades was the strongest compared with crowns, petioles and roots, and could represent the highest enzyme activity of the whole plant. GSA had quadratic curvilinear correlation with root yield and sugar production. GSA in leaf blades had significant positive correlation with α-NH2-N at the foliage rapid growth stage.

STUDIES ON GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE FROM Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. jinggangensis

Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. jinggangensis produces validamycin, an important antibiotic used in agriculture. It was found that thexe was a positive correlation between the specific activity of mycelial glutamine synthetase （GS） and validamycin biosynthesis in our laboratory. So, in this paper, the purification, characteristics and regulatory properties of GS are reported. The native enzyme had a molecular weight of approximately 530,000 and was composed of 12 identical subunits, each 43,000. Electronic microscopic examination of preparations negatively stained disclosed that the subunits were arranged in two hexagonal rings that lay one on top of the other in a face-to-face fashion. Mg2+ or Mn2+ was absolutely needed as cofactor for GS activity. The enzyme activity was regulated by feedback inhibition and cumulative feedback inhibition. In addition, it was also regulated through a covalent modification, adenylylation and deadenylylation, suggesting that the covalent modification of GS exists

Co-suppressed glutamine synthetase2 gene modifies nitrogen metabolism and plant growth in rice

A full-length cDNA that encodes the rice chloroplastic glutamine synthetase 2 gene was isolated from a Minghui 63-normalized cDNA library; and GS2 rice transformants were obtained by an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. Transcripts of the GS2 gene were shown to accumulate at higher levels in the primary transgenic plants in the T0 generation; whereas plants in the T1 generation exhibited a co-suppressed chlorosis phenotype (yellow leaves) accompanied by decreased plant height, few tillers and decreased dry weight. The plants with yellow leaves also displayed a significant decline in GS2 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcriptional level and chlorophyll content; a decrease in total GS activities of ~50% was also found. Although there was no decrease in the concentration of total free amino acids, a change in the concentration of individual amino acids was observed. Our result also indicates a decreased metabolic level (soluble protein content and ammonium concentration) in GS2 co-suppressed plants. A correlation between chlorophyll content and GS2 mRNA expression level was also observed. The GS2 co-suppressed plants showed better performance when complemented with exogenous glutamine, indicating that the lack of an organic nitrogen pool inside the cell is the possible reason for the chlorosis phenotype of the transformants.

Construction of plant expression vectors carrying glnA gene encoding glutamine synthetase and regeneration of transgenic rice plants

The glnA gene encoding glutamine synthetase (GS) was amplified from Azospirillum brasilenseSp7 with PCR technique.The amplified 1.4-kb DNA fragment flanked with a BamH Ⅰ site at each end wascloned into EcoR V site of Bluescript-SK vector.A recombinant plasmid pGSJ1 containing this 1.4-kb DNA frag-ment was selected by restriction digestion analysis.The sequencing data also confirmed that the amplified 1.4-kbDNA fragment was undoubtedly the glnA gene of A.brasilense Sp7.Then the 1.4-kb BamH Ⅰ fragment was ex-cised from pGSJ1.A glnA plant expression vector pAGNB92 with rice actin 1 (Act1) promoter was constructedby using colony in situ hybridization to screen positive clones,and 3 rounds of ligation and transformation wereperformed.Protoplasts isolated from rice (Oryza sativa,L.Japonica) cell suspension line (cv.T986) weretransformed with the glnA plant expression vector pAGNB92 carrying neomycin phosphotransferase Ⅱ (NPT Ⅱ)gene by PEG fusion or electroporation.G418~ calli were used to detect NPT Ⅱ enzyme activity.The resultsshow that G418~ calli possess high positive hybridization signal with the frequency of 37%.The regeneratedG418~NPTII^+ rice plants were used for PCR amplification of glnA gene,and a 1.4-kb DNA fragment was ampli-fied from glnA-transgenic rice plants (R0 generation).The results of Southern blot hybridization prove that the1.4-kb DNA fragment amplified from the total DNA of glnA transgenic rice plants is indeed the glnA gene of A.brasilense Sp7.Northern blot hybridization was carried out using the same glnA gene as probe.The glnAgene was expressed in the transgenic rice plants.Bioassays also confirmed that the glnA transgenic rice plantsgrew much better than that of the control plants under a condition with nitrogen poor source (0.75 mmol/L).