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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A midgut-specific serine protease, BmSP36, is involved in dietary protein digestion in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Serine proteases play important roles in digestion and immune responses during insect development. In the present study, the serine protease gene BmSP36, which encodes a 292-residue protein, was cloned from the midgut cells ofBombyx mori. BmSP36 contains an intact catalytic triad （H57, D102 and S195） and a conserved substrate-binding site （G189, H216 and G226）, suggesting that it is a serine protease with chymotrypsin- like specificity. The temporal and spatial expression patterns of BmSP36 indicated that its messenger RNA and protein expression mainly occurred in the midgut at the feeding stages. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses revealed secretion of BmSP36 protein from epithelial cells into the midgut lumen. The transcriptional and translational expression of BmSP36 was down- regulated after starvation but up-regulated after refeeding. Moreover, expression of the BmSP36 gene could be up-regulated by a juvenile hormone analogue. These results enable us to better define the potential role of BmSP36 in dietary protein digestion at the feeding stages during larval development.

Cloning, expression and localization of a trypsin-like serine protease in the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana

A trypsin-like molting-related serine protease cDNA （CfMRSP） was cloned from the spruce budworm, Choristoneurafumiferana. The full-length CfMRSP complementary DNA （cDNA） encoded a 43 kDa protein that contained a trypsin-like serine protease catalytic domain, but no clip domain. The C-terminal extension contained five cystein residues, which may allow the protein to form a homodimer through interchain disulfide bonds and regulate the activity of CfMRSE Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that CfMRSP clusters with lepidopteran homologues such as serine protease 1 of Lonomia obliqua, hemolymph proteinase 20 （HP20）, pattern recognition serine proteinase precursor （ProHP14） and a trypsin-like protein ofManduca sexta. Northern blot analysis of developmental expression of CfMRSP indicated that its transcripts were found primarily in the epidermis and were produced during all of the tested stadia, from 4th instar larvae to pupae, but increased levels of CfMRSP transcripts were always found after each molt. A high level of the protein was found in the epidermis by immunohistochemistry analysis. Altogether these data suggest that CfMRSP plays a role in the epidermis during molting and metamorphosis.

Identification of two clip domain serine proteases involved in the pea aphid's defense against bacterial and fungal infection

Phenoloxidases(POs)are required for the pea aphid s defense against bacterial and fungal infection.Prophenoloxidases(PPOs)are protcolytically converted to its active form PO through a clip domain serine protease cascade.In this study,we identified five clip domain serine proteases in the pea aphids.The messenger RNA levels of two of them,Ap.SPLP and Ap_VP,were upregulated by Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and fungus Beauveha bassiana infections.Double-stranded RNA-based expression knockdown of these two genes resulted in reduced PO activity of the aphid hemolymph,higher loads of S.aureus and B.bassiana in the aphids,and lower survival rates of the aphids after infections.Our data suggest that Ap.SPLP and Ap_VP are involved in PPO activation pathway in the pea aphid.

Homeodomain proteins POU-M2, antennapedia and abdominal-B are involved in regulation of the segment-specific expression of the clip-domain serine protease gene CLIP13 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Clip-domain serine proteases (CLIPs) play important roles in insect innate immunity and development. Our previous studies indicated that CLIP13, an epidermis-specific gene, was involved in cuticle remodeling during molting and metamorphosis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism and regulatory pathways of CLIP13 remained unclear. In the present study, we investigated CLIP13 expression and the regulation pathway controlled by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in the silkworm. At the transcriptional level, expression of CLIP13 exhibited pronounced spatial and temporal specificity in different regions of the epidermis;homeodomain transcription factors POU-M2, antennapedia (Antp), and abdominal-B (Abd-B) showed similar expression change trends as CLIP13 in the head capsule, thorax, and abdomen, respectively. Furthermore, results of cell transfection assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that POU-M2, Antp, and Abd-B were involved in the transcriptional regulation of CLIP13 by directly binding to their cis-response elements in CLIP13 promoter. RNA interference-mediated silencing of POU-M2, Antp, and Abd-B led to a decrease of CLIP13 expression in the head capsule, the epidermis of the 1st to 3rd thoracic segments and the 7th to 10th abdominal segments, respectively. Consistent with CLIP13, 20E treatment significantly upregulated expression of POU-M2, Antp, and Abd-B in the silkworm epidermis. Taken together, these data suggest that 20E positively regulates transcription of CLIP13 via homeodomain proteins POU-M2, Antp, and Abd-B in different regions of the silkworm epidermis during metamorphosis, thus affecting the molting process. Our findings provide new insight into the functions of homeodomain transcription factors in insect molting.

Exploring the potential mechanisms of impairment on genitourinary system associated with coronavirus disease 2019 infection:Bioinformatics and molecular simulation analyses

Objective:The novel coronavirus(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2)has been spreading worldwide since December 2019,posing a serious danger to human health and socioeconomic development.A large number of clinical trials have revealed that coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)results in multi-organ damage including the urogenital system.This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of genitourinary damage associated with COVID-19 infection through bioinformatics and molecular simulation analysis.Methods:We used multiple publicly available databases to explore the expression patterns of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2),transmembrane serine protease 2(TMPRSS2),and CD147 in major organs in the healthy and disease-specific populations,particularly the genitourinary organs.Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the cell-specific expression patterns of ACE2,TMPRSS2,CD147,cytokine receptors,and cytokine interacting proteins in genitourinary organs,such as the bladder,kidney,prostate,and testis.Additionally,gene set enrichmentanalysis was used to investigate the relationship between testosterone levels and COVID-19 vulnerability in patients with prostate cancer.Results:The results revealed that ACE2,TMPRSS2,and CD147 were highly expressed in normal urogenital organs.Then,they were also highly expressed in multiple tumors and chronic kidney diseases.Additionally,ACE2,TMPRSS2,and CD147 were significantly expressed in a range of cells in urogenital organs according to single-cell RNA sequencing.Cytokine receptors and cytokine interacting proteins,especially CCL2,JUN,and TIMP1,were commonly highly expressed in urogenital organs.Finally,gene set enrichment analysis results showed that high testosterone levels in prostate cancer patients were significantly related to the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway which were associated with COVID-19.Conclusion:Our study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 damage to urogenital organs from multiple perspectives,which may draw the attention of urologists to COVID-19 and contribute to the development of targeted drugs.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Omi/HtrA2 Expression in Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

To study the expression and significance of the serine protease Omi/HtrA2 in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The expression of Omi/HtrA2 was assayed by means of immunohistochemical technique in 41 prostate cancer （Cap）,20 benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） and 10 normal prostate （NP） specimens. Omi/HtrA2 expression was positive in 30 （73.17%） prostate cancer specimens, and the positive rate of Omi/HtrA2 was lower in well differentiated than in poorly and moderately differentiated groups （P〈0.05）. By contrast, the cells in normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia groups showed no or weak expression of Omi/HtrA2. Prostate cancer cells in vivo may need Omi/HtrA2 expression for apoptosis, and that Omi/HtrA2 expression might be involved in prostate cancer development.

Liver injury in COVID-19:A minireview

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2),has escalated into a global tragedy afflicting human health,life,and social governance.Through the increasing depth of research and a better understanding of this disease,it has been ascertained that,in addition to the lungs,SARS-CoV-2 can also induce injuries to other organs including the liver.Liver injury is a common clinical manifestation of COVID-19,particularly in severe cases,and is often associated with a poorer prognosis and higher severity of COVID-19.This review focuses on the general existing information on liver injury caused by COVID-19,including risk factors and subpopulations of liver injury in COVID-19,the association between preexisting liver diseases and the severity of COVID-19,and the potential mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects the liver.This review may provide some useful information for the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies for COVID-19-associated liver injury.

Preparation and Structure of a New Coagulation Factor XI Catalytic Domain for Drug Discovery

Human blood coagulation factor XI （FXI） is a key enzyme in the amplification phase of blood coagulation cascade, and is recognized as an important target for anti-coagulant development in recent years. We designed a new mutant form of FXIa catalytic domain rhFXI370-607 （N73Q-N113Q-C123S）, and report here the facile preparation, protein crystallization, and crystal structure of this protein. We highlight a few unique structural features of FXIa after comparison with the trypsin family serine proteases at sequence and structural levels. This work provides a foundation to develop new small molecular FXIa inhibitors with increased potency and specificity.

A missense variant of MASP2 is associated with increased risk of radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients treated with radiation therapy

Objective In this study,mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2(MASP2)gene variant was evaluated to assess the risk of radiation pneumonitis(RP)in patients with pulmonary malignancies.Methods A total of 169 lung cancer patients with radiotherapy were included in our prospective study(NCT02490319)and genotyped using the Sanger sequencing method.Multivariate Cox hazards analysis and multiple testing were applied to estimate the hazard ratio(HR)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)of all factors possibly associated with RP risk.Results Patients with mean lung disease≥15 Gy and V20≥24%had higher risk of RP≥grade 2 compared with their counterparts(HR=1.888,95%CI:1.186-3.004,P=0.007;HR=2.126,95%CI:1.338-3.378,P=0.001,respectively).Importantly,CC+CA genotype of MASP2:rs12711521 was strongly associated with an increased occurrence of RP≥grade 2(HR=1.949,95%CI:1.278-2.971,P=0.002).Conclusion MASP2:rs12711521 was found to be significantly associated with RP≥grade 2 in our cohort and may thus be one of the important predictors of severe RP before radiotherapy,if further validated in larger population.

新型冠状病毒相关TMPRSS2蛋白结构特征和抗原表位分析

采用生物信息学方法分析预测新型冠状病毒(Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2)跨膜蛋白酶丝氨酸2(transmembrane protease serine 2,TMPRSS2)的理化特性、结构特征和抗原表位,为抗SARS-CoV-2药物研发提供参考。利用ProtParam、ProtScale分析预测TMPRSS2蛋白酶的理化特性;利用COILS Server、SignalP、TMPred、TargetP Server、NetPhos Server、NetNGlyc Server服务器对TMPRSS2蛋白酶结构进行功能结构的分析预测;利用SOPMA、Pfam、SWISS MODEL分析预测TMPRSS2蛋白酶高级结构;利用IEBD分析预测TMPRSS2蛋白酶B细胞、T细胞表位。TMPRSS2蛋白酶氨基酸组成数为492个,其中丝氨酸占比最高;亲水性较高,含10个跨膜螺旋区;具有4个磷酸化位点,3个糖基化修饰点;二级结构中无规则卷曲占据主导地位,三级结构能与已知的5ce.1.1.A(SMTL ID)模型同源建模;存在13个潜在的B细胞表位,12个得分较高的T细胞表位。

Mechanism and potential treatments for gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with COVID-19

The global coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has become one of the biggest threats to the world since 2019.The respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts are the main targets for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection for they highly express angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and transmembrane protease serine 2.In patients suffering from COVID-19,gastrointestinal symptoms have ranged from 12%to 61%.Anorexia,nausea and/or vomiting,diarrhea,and abdominal pain are considered to be the main gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19.It has been reported that the direct damage of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells,malnutrition,and intestinal flora disorders are involved in COVID-19.However,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Thus,in this study,we reviewed and discussed the correlated mechanisms that cause gastrointestinal symptoms in order to help to develop the treatment strategy and build an appropriate guideline for medical workers.

SARS-CoV-2 effects in the genitourinary system and prospects of sex hormone therapy

Object:Corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which leads to acute respiratory infection symptoms.SARS-CoV-2 infection is not always limited to the respiratory tract,and renal infection and dysfunction have been shown to be specific risk factors for death.In addition,COVID-19 has a higher incidence,severity and mortality in men than women.This disparity is due to biological rather than comorbid or behavioral sex differences.Because the male reproductive system is unique,the function of sex hormones in COVID-19 infection may explain the differences between males and females.Understanding these factors will provide appropriate prevention measures and adequate triage strategies and guide the drug discovery process.Methods:An electronic search was completed in PubMed,ARXIV,MEDRXIV and BIORXIV.The most relevant articles were systematically reviewed.In addition,single cell RNA sequencing analysis of tissue samples from human cell landscape was conducted.Results:The influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the urogenital system,the possibility of urinary tract transmission and the functions of sex hormones were discussed in this review.Conclusion:Corona viruses can invade the genitourinary system,causing urological symptoms.Identifying the potential genitourinary organ impairments and protecting them from damage are necessary.Since sex hormones have potential as specific drugs,the gonadal hormones substitution therapy should be considered in both sexes in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The putative propeptide of MycP1 in mycobacterial type VII secretion system does not inhibit protease activity but improves protein stability

Mycosin-1 protease(MycP1)is a serine protease anchored to the inner membrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and is essential in virulence factor secretion through the ESX-1 type VII secretion system(T7SS).Bacterial physiology studies demonstrated that MycP1 plays a dual role in the regulation of ESX-1 secretion and virulence,primarily through cleavage of its secretion substrate EspB.MycP1 contains a putative N-terminal inhibitory propeptide and a catalytic triad of Asp-His-Ser,classic hallmarks of a sub-tilase family serine protease.The MycP1 propeptide was previously reported to be initially inactive and activated after prolonged incubation.In this study,we have deter-mined crystal structures of MycP1 with(MycP124-422)and without(MycP1^(63-422))the propeptide,and conducted EspB cleavage assays using the two proteins.Very high struc-tural similarity was observed in the two crystal structures.Interestingly,protease assays demonstrated positive EspB cleavage for both proteins,indicating that the putative propeptide does not inhibit protease activity.Molecu-lar dynamic simulations showed higher rigidity in regions guarding the entrance to the catalytic site in MycP124-422 than in MycP1^(63-422),suggesting that the putative propeptide might contribute to the conformational stability of the active site cleft and surrounding regions.