The double-shelled grass carp reovirus （GCRV） is capable of endogenous RNA transcription and processing.Genome sequence analysis has revealed that the protein VP2,encoded by gene segment 2 （S2）,is the putative RNA...The double-shelled grass carp reovirus （GCRV） is capable of endogenous RNA transcription and processing.Genome sequence analysis has revealed that the protein VP2,encoded by gene segment 2 （S2）,is the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRp）.In previous work,we have ex-pressed the functional region of VP2 that is associated with RNA polymerase activity （denoted as rVP2390-900） in E.coil and have prepared a polyclonal antibody against VP2.To characterize the GCRV RNA polymerase,a recombinant full-length VP2 （rVP2） was first constructed and expressed in a baculovirus system,as a fusion protein with an attached His-tag.Immunofluorescence （IF） assays,together with immunoblot （IB） analyses from both expressed cell extracts and purified Histagged rVP2,showed that rVP2 was successfully expressed in Sf9 cells.Further characterization of the replicase activity showed that purified rVP2 and GCRV particles exhibited poly（C）-dependent poly（G） polymerase activity.The RNA enzymatic activity required the divalent cation Mg2＋,and was optimal at 28 ℃.The results provide a foundation for further studies on the RNA polymerases of aquareoviruses during viral transcription and replication.展开更多
The RNA helicase Vasa is an important regulator of primordial germ cell development. Its function in mature fish, espe- cially the hormone-related differences in maturing male fish has seldom been documented. In this ...The RNA helicase Vasa is an important regulator of primordial germ cell development. Its function in mature fish, espe- cially the hormone-related differences in maturing male fish has seldom been documented. In this study, a full length cDNA sequence of the vasa gene was cloned from Japanese sea bass, Lateolabraxjaponicas, and it was namedjsb-vasa. Homology analysis showed thatjsb-vasa was closely related to its teleost homologs. The spatial distribution ofjsb-vasa indicated that it was only highly ex- pressed in testis, showing its germ cell-specific expression pattern. During the testicular development cycle, jsb-vasa was highly expressed during early period of spermatogenesis, and reduced when spermatogenesis advanced. In addition, the jsb-vasa gene ex- pression was significantly inhibited at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after injecting hCG （human ehorionic gonadotropin） and GnRHa （Gonad- otropin-releasing hormone analogue）, indicating thatjsb-vasa gene may play an important role in spermatogenesis of Japanese sea bass, and be under the regulation of external sex hormones.展开更多
Objective： The aim of this study was to establish the foundation for studying the role of pokemon gene in tumori- genesis and development by constructing recombinant plasmids that can express small interfering RNA （...Objective： The aim of this study was to establish the foundation for studying the role of pokemon gene in tumori- genesis and development by constructing recombinant plasmids that can express small interfering RNA （siRNA） targeting human Pokemon gene. Methods： Hairpin siRNA templates targeting Pokemon gene were synthesized and cloned into plasmid vector psiRNA-Hineo. Three vectors derived siRNAs （psiRNA1, 2, 3） and one mocking psiRNAc （as control） were constructed. The recombinant Pokemon siRNA plasmids were constructed and identified using restrictive enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing, Results： Restrictive enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing revealed the successful construction of siRNA expression plasmids. Conclusion： Constructing siRNAtemplates targeting Pokemon gene may provide us with practical tools for further study the role of Pokemon gene in the development of some diseases and gene therapy of tumor.展开更多
Flaviviral NS2B is a required cofactor for NS3 serine protease activity and plays an important role in promoting functional NS2B-NS3 protease configuration and maintaining critical interactions with protease catalysis...Flaviviral NS2B is a required cofactor for NS3 serine protease activity and plays an important role in promoting functional NS2B-NS3 protease configuration and maintaining critical interactions with protease catalysis substrates. The residues D80DDG in West Nile virus (WNV) NS2B are important for protease activity. To investigate the effects of D80DDG in NS2B on protease activity and viral replication, the negatively charged region D80DD and the conserved residue G83 of NS2B were mutated (D80DD/E80EE, D80DD/K80KK, D80DD/A80AA, G83F, G83S, G83D, G83K, and G83A), and NS3 D75A was designated as the negative control. The effects of the mutations on NS2B-NS3 activity, viral translation, and viral RNA replication were analyzed using kinetic analysis of site-directed enzymes and a transient replicon assay. All substitutions resulted in significantly decreased enzyme activity and blocked RNA replication. The negative charge of D80DD is not important for maintaining NS2B function, but side chain changes in G83 have dramatic effects on protease activity and RNA replication. These results demonstrate that NS2B is important for viral replication and that D80DD and G83 substitutions prevent replication; they will be useful for understanding the relationship between NS2B and NS3.展开更多
RNA/DNA primer pairs and two polymerases were used to efficiently amplify DNA sequences using the conventional polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The reaction required the use of both DNA polymerase and reverse transcript...RNA/DNA primer pairs and two polymerases were used to efficiently amplify DNA sequences using the conventional polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The reaction required the use of both DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase during each thermal cycle and formed a double-stranded DNA in which one terminus was an RNA/DNA hybrid.Because there is a higher sensitivity of the DNA polymerase to the mismatch at the 3?-end in the RNA/DNA hybrid duplex than in the DNA/DNA duplex,the RNA-primed PCR reveals much better specificity in the allele-specific PCR to detect single-nucleotide mutation.展开更多
The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. T...The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. The structure of the nucleocapsid and the entire virion revealed how the viral genomic RNA is encapsidated and packaged in the virus. A unique mechanism for viral RNA synthesis is derived from the structure of the nuleocapsid and its interactions with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.展开更多
Quantitative analysis of interactions between small molecules and proteins is a central challenge in chemical genetics, molecular diagnostics and drug developments. Here, we developed a RNA transcription nanomachine b...Quantitative analysis of interactions between small molecules and proteins is a central challenge in chemical genetics, molecular diagnostics and drug developments. Here, we developed a RNA transcription nanomachine by assembling T7 RNA polymerase on a small molecule-labeled DNA heteroduplex. The nanomachine, of which the RNA transcription activity can be quantitatively inhibited by protein binding, showed a great potential for small molecule-protein interaction assay. This finding enabled us to develop a novel homogeneous label-free strategy for assays of interactions between small molecules and their protein receptors. Three small molecule compounds and their protein receptors have been used to demonstrate the developed strategy. The results revealed that the protein-small molecule interaction assay strategy shows dynamic responses in the concentration range from 0.5 to 64 nM with a detection limit of 0.2 nM. Due to its label-free, homogeneous, and fluorescence-based detection format, besides its desirable sensitivity this technique could be greatly robust, cost-efficient and readily automated, implying that the developed small molecule-protein interaction assay strategy might create a new methodology for developing intrinsically robust, sensitive and selective platforms for homogeneous protein detection.展开更多
基金supported by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants: 31172434, 31372565)
文摘The double-shelled grass carp reovirus （GCRV） is capable of endogenous RNA transcription and processing.Genome sequence analysis has revealed that the protein VP2,encoded by gene segment 2 （S2）,is the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRp）.In previous work,we have ex-pressed the functional region of VP2 that is associated with RNA polymerase activity （denoted as rVP2390-900） in E.coil and have prepared a polyclonal antibody against VP2.To characterize the GCRV RNA polymerase,a recombinant full-length VP2 （rVP2） was first constructed and expressed in a baculovirus system,as a fusion protein with an attached His-tag.Immunofluorescence （IF） assays,together with immunoblot （IB） analyses from both expressed cell extracts and purified Histagged rVP2,showed that rVP2 was successfully expressed in Sf9 cells.Further characterization of the replicase activity showed that purified rVP2 and GCRV particles exhibited poly（C）-dependent poly（G） polymerase activity.The RNA enzymatic activity required the divalent cation Mg2＋,and was optimal at 28 ℃.The results provide a foundation for further studies on the RNA polymerases of aquareoviruses during viral transcription and replication.
基金supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China(2011BAD13B03)
文摘The RNA helicase Vasa is an important regulator of primordial germ cell development. Its function in mature fish, espe- cially the hormone-related differences in maturing male fish has seldom been documented. In this study, a full length cDNA sequence of the vasa gene was cloned from Japanese sea bass, Lateolabraxjaponicas, and it was namedjsb-vasa. Homology analysis showed thatjsb-vasa was closely related to its teleost homologs. The spatial distribution ofjsb-vasa indicated that it was only highly ex- pressed in testis, showing its germ cell-specific expression pattern. During the testicular development cycle, jsb-vasa was highly expressed during early period of spermatogenesis, and reduced when spermatogenesis advanced. In addition, the jsb-vasa gene ex- pression was significantly inhibited at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after injecting hCG （human ehorionic gonadotropin） and GnRHa （Gonad- otropin-releasing hormone analogue）, indicating thatjsb-vasa gene may play an important role in spermatogenesis of Japanese sea bass, and be under the regulation of external sex hormones.
文摘Objective： The aim of this study was to establish the foundation for studying the role of pokemon gene in tumori- genesis and development by constructing recombinant plasmids that can express small interfering RNA （siRNA） targeting human Pokemon gene. Methods： Hairpin siRNA templates targeting Pokemon gene were synthesized and cloned into plasmid vector psiRNA-Hineo. Three vectors derived siRNAs （psiRNA1, 2, 3） and one mocking psiRNAc （as control） were constructed. The recombinant Pokemon siRNA plasmids were constructed and identified using restrictive enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing, Results： Restrictive enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing revealed the successful construction of siRNA expression plasmids. Conclusion： Constructing siRNAtemplates targeting Pokemon gene may provide us with practical tools for further study the role of Pokemon gene in the development of some diseases and gene therapy of tumor.
基金Supported by Important National Science& Technology Specific Projects (2012ZX10004403,2012ZX10004219)
文摘Flaviviral NS2B is a required cofactor for NS3 serine protease activity and plays an important role in promoting functional NS2B-NS3 protease configuration and maintaining critical interactions with protease catalysis substrates. The residues D80DDG in West Nile virus (WNV) NS2B are important for protease activity. To investigate the effects of D80DDG in NS2B on protease activity and viral replication, the negatively charged region D80DD and the conserved residue G83 of NS2B were mutated (D80DD/E80EE, D80DD/K80KK, D80DD/A80AA, G83F, G83S, G83D, G83K, and G83A), and NS3 D75A was designated as the negative control. The effects of the mutations on NS2B-NS3 activity, viral translation, and viral RNA replication were analyzed using kinetic analysis of site-directed enzymes and a transient replicon assay. All substitutions resulted in significantly decreased enzyme activity and blocked RNA replication. The negative charge of D80DD is not important for maintaining NS2B function, but side chain changes in G83 have dramatic effects on protease activity and RNA replication. These results demonstrate that NS2B is important for viral replication and that D80DD and G83 substitutions prevent replication; they will be useful for understanding the relationship between NS2B and NS3.
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Hundreds of Talents Program)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21172215 and 21102139)the Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KSCX2-EW-J-22)
文摘RNA/DNA primer pairs and two polymerases were used to efficiently amplify DNA sequences using the conventional polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The reaction required the use of both DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase during each thermal cycle and formed a double-stranded DNA in which one terminus was an RNA/DNA hybrid.Because there is a higher sensitivity of the DNA polymerase to the mismatch at the 3?-end in the RNA/DNA hybrid duplex than in the DNA/DNA duplex,the RNA-primed PCR reveals much better specificity in the allele-specific PCR to detect single-nucleotide mutation.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grant No. AI050066)
文摘The nucleocapsid of vesicular stomatitis virus serves as the genomic template for transcription and replication. The viral genomic RNA is sequestered in the nucleocapsid in every step of the virus replication cycle. The structure of the nucleocapsid and the entire virion revealed how the viral genomic RNA is encapsidated and packaged in the virus. A unique mechanism for viral RNA synthesis is derived from the structure of the nuleocapsid and its interactions with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21025521, 21035001&20875027)the National Key Basic Re-search Program (2011CB911000)+3 种基金European Commission FP7-HEALTH-2010 Programme-GlycoHIT (260600)National Grand Program on Key Infectious Disease (2009ZX10004-312)Postdoctoral Science Foundation (20100480934) of ChinaChangjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University Program and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (10JJ7002)
文摘Quantitative analysis of interactions between small molecules and proteins is a central challenge in chemical genetics, molecular diagnostics and drug developments. Here, we developed a RNA transcription nanomachine by assembling T7 RNA polymerase on a small molecule-labeled DNA heteroduplex. The nanomachine, of which the RNA transcription activity can be quantitatively inhibited by protein binding, showed a great potential for small molecule-protein interaction assay. This finding enabled us to develop a novel homogeneous label-free strategy for assays of interactions between small molecules and their protein receptors. Three small molecule compounds and their protein receptors have been used to demonstrate the developed strategy. The results revealed that the protein-small molecule interaction assay strategy shows dynamic responses in the concentration range from 0.5 to 64 nM with a detection limit of 0.2 nM. Due to its label-free, homogeneous, and fluorescence-based detection format, besides its desirable sensitivity this technique could be greatly robust, cost-efficient and readily automated, implying that the developed small molecule-protein interaction assay strategy might create a new methodology for developing intrinsically robust, sensitive and selective platforms for homogeneous protein detection.
