Expression of Recombinant Human Lysozyme-tachyplesin I(hLYZ-TP I)in Pichia Pastoris and Analysis of Antibacterial Activity

Antimicrobial peptides （AMPs） are making headlines in science because they demonstrate superior microbicidal characteristics compared to synthetic and semi-synthetic antibiotics.

STRUCTURE AND EXPRESSION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS MEMBRANE ANTIGEN IN RECOMBINANT VACCINIA VIRUS

The Epstein-Barr virus membrane antigen was constructed and inserted into vaccinia virus, Tian-tan strain in order to study the effect of this virus on EB infection and tumorogenesis. The EBV-derived membrane antigen was expressed under the control of a 7.5 K promoter of vaccinia virus. The antibody against the membrane antigen of EB virus was produced on rabbits vaccinated with recombinant vaccinia virus.

Cloning and expression of human arresten gene and effect of its recombinant protein on endothelial cell proliferation

To clone human arresten gene and investigate biological activity of the recombinant protein.Methods Human arresten gene was obtained from the plasmid pGEMArr and subcloned into the BamHⅠ and Pst Ⅰ restriction sites of prokaryotic expression vector pRSET containing T7 promoter.The recombinant plasmid pRSETAN was subsequently transformed into the strain E.coli BL21(DE3),and the target gene was expressed under induction of IPTG.The expressed protein was extracted,purified by Ni 2+ chelation affinity chromatography and refoled.The effect of the recombinant protein on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was also analyzed with the MTT assay.Results Endonuclease digesting and DNA sequencing confirmed that the arresten gene was correctly inserted into the expression vector.The recombinant protein was hightly expressed in the form of inclusion body in the host bacteria after induction.SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the recombinant protein with a molecular weight of 26×103 amounted to 27% of the total bacterial proteins.The purity of the expected protein could reach over 96% through affinity chromatography.After renaturation,the recombinant protein could reach over 96% through affinity chromatography.After renaturation,the recombinant protein could significantly suppress proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelia cells(HUVECs) induced by vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Conclusion Human arresten gene was successfully cloned into the expression vector pRSET and expressed at high level in Escherichia coli.Purified and refolded arresten protein could effectively inhibit proliferation of vascular endothelia cells.2 refs.

Cloning and Expression of One Fibrinolytic Enzyme from Bacillus sp. zlw-2

The gene encoding fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus sp. zlw-2 was cloned and sequenced （accession no. EU734749）, which was 1146 bp, encoded 381 amino acids and had 99% homology with Nattokinase YF308 and NAT. The genes encoding pre-pro-fibrinolytic enzyme （including signal peptide, propeptide, and mature peptide） and fibrinolytic enzyme （including mature peptide） were cloned into pET28a vector respectively and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 （DE3）. The recombinant ofpre-pro-fibrinolytic enzyme showed enzyme activity of 183 U mL^-1, while no detectable enzyme activity could be found from the recombinant of the mature peptide.

Integrated Expression of the Oenococcus oeni mleA Gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Malolactic enzyme is the function enzyme which catalyses the reaction for L-malate converting to L-lactic during malolactic fermentation （MLF）. In this paper, researches concerning the malolactic enzyme gene mleA cloned from a patent strain Oenococcus oeni SD-2a screened in Chinese wine and integrated expressing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were performed in order to carry out both alcoholic fermentation （AF） and malolactic fermentation （MLF） during winemaking, with a view to achieving a better control of MLF in enology. To construct the expression plasmid named pYILmleA, cloned mleA gene, PGK1 promoter, and ADH1 terminator were ligated and inserted into integrating vector YIp5. Yeast transformants were screened on SD/-Ura and identified by auxotrophic test, mating type test, and colony PCR. Target protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and the targeted gene integrated to the chromosome was detected by dot bloting hybridization. After the transformant was cultured in SD/-Ura adding glucose （10%） and L-malate （5 648 mg L-1） for 4 d, the culture supernatant was collected and L-malate and L-lactic acid contents were detected by HPLC. 1 278-1 312 mg L-1 L-lactic acids were detected, while the comparative drop rates of L-malate were 20.18-20.85%. L-malate and L-lactic contents of the transformants showed extra significant difference and significant difference with the control ones by t-test respectively. The result indicated that the functional expression was achieved in recombinants S. cerevisiae.

Cloning of Bile Salt Hydrolase Gene and Its Expression in Lactic Acid Bacteria

According to the sequence of the bile salt hydrolase （BSH） gene of Bifidobacterium and the restriction enzyme cutting sites of expression vector pNZ8148, primers were designed and the bile salt hydrolase （BSH） gene was gotten from Bacillus bifidus ATCC 29521 by PCR. BSH gene was inserted into lactic acid bacteria expression vector pNZ8148 to construct the recombinant pNZ8148-BSH. The recombinant pNZ8148-BSH was transferred into lactic acid bacteria NZ9000 with electrotransformation method. And the recombinant which could express BSH protein was obtained. It was identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and activity verification. The result could provide a rationale reference for expressing BSH in lactic acid bacteria.

Recombinant Human IgG antibodies against Human Cytomegalovirus

Objective To study the passive immunization with human monoclonal antibodies as for prophylaxis of human cytomegalovirus （HCMV） infection. Methods Fab monoclonal antibodies to HCMV were recovered by repertoire cloning of mRNA from a HCMV infected individual. Antigen binding specificity, CDR sequence of VH and VL and neutralizing activity on HCMV AD169 stain were analyzed in vitro. The light and heavy chain Fd fragment genes of Fab antibodies were further cloned into a recombinant baculovirus expression vector pAC-K-Fc to express intact IgG. Secreted products were purified with affinity chromatography using protein G. Results SDS-PAGE and Western blot confirmed the expression of the intact IgG. Immuno-blotting and -precipitation were used to identify HCMV proteins. One Fab monoclonal antibody recognized a conformational HCMV protein. Conclusion IgG antibodies can neutralize the HCMV AD169 strain efficiently at a titer of 2.5 μg/mL and may prove valuable for passive immunoprophylaxis against HCMV infection in humans.

Construction of Prokaryotic Expression Plasmid of Fusion Protein Including Porin A and Porin B of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Its Expression in E.coli

In order to provide a rational research basis for clinical detection and genetic engineering vaccine, plasmid pET-28a (+) encoding both Porin gene PIA and PIB of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was constructed and a fusion protein in E.coli DE3 expressed. The fragments of PIA and PIB gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were amplified and cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a(+) with double restriction endonuclease cut to construct recombinant pET-PIB-PIA. The recombinant was verified with restriction endonuclease and sequenced and transformed into E.coli DE3 to express the fusion protein PIB-PIA after induced with IPTG. The results showed PIA-PIB fusion DNA fragment was proved correct through sequencing. A 67 kD (1 kD=0 992 1 ku) fusion protein had been detected by SDS-PAGE. It was concluded that the fusion protein was successively expressed.

A novel ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydroase is involved in toad oocyte maturation

p28, a 28kD protein from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans) oocytes, was identified by using p13suc1-agaroseaffinity chromatography. Sequence homology analysis of the full-length cDNA of p28 (Gene Bank accessionnumber: AF 314091) indicated that it encodes a protein containing 224 amino-acids with about 55% iden-tities and more than 70% positives to human, rat or mouse UCH-L1, and contains homological functionaldomains of UCH family. Anti-p28 monoclonal antibody, on injecting into the oocytes, could inhibit theprogesterone-induced resumption of meiotic division in a dose-dependent manner. The recombinant proteinp28 showed similar SDS/PAGE behaviors to the native one, and promoted ubiquitin ethyl ester hydrolysis,a classical catalytic reaction for ubiquitin carboxyl terminai hydrolases (UCHs). The results in this paperreveal that a novel protein, p28, exists in the toad oocytes, is a UCH L1 homolog, was engaged in theprocess of progesterone-induced oocyte maturation possibly through an involvement in protein turnover anddegradation.

A Sensitive and Specific IgM-ELISA for the Serological Diagnosis of Human Leptospirosis Using a rLipL32/1-LipL21-OmpL1/2 Fusion Protein

Objective To construct a lipL32//1-1ipL21-OmpL1//2 fusion gene and its prokaryotic expression system, and to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） using the rLipL32/1-LipL21-OmpL1/2 fusion antigen of Leptospira interrogans for sensitive and specific detection of IgM in the serum of patients with leptospirosis. Methods lipL32/1-1ipL21-OmpL1/2 fusion genes were constructed using a primer-linking PCFI. The target recombinant protein antigens, rLipL32/1, rLipL21, rOmpL1/2 and rLipL32/1-LipL21-OmpL1/2, were expressed and the purified antigens were then immobilized to the surface of microplate wells for ELISA-based detection of IgM in the sera of leptospirosis patients; Results Of 493 acute leptospirosis patients, 95.7% and 97.8% were positive by rLipL32/1-LipL21- OmpL1/2-1gM-ELISA using different serum dilutions, which was higher than the rLipL32/1-1gM-ELISA （93.1% and 90.3%）, rLipL21-1gM-ELISA （90.3% and 87.0%）, and rOmpLI-lgM-ELISA （85.6% and 81.1%） （P〈0.01）. All IgM-ELISAs tested negative against 56 non-leptospirosis patients with typhoid fever, hemorrhagic fever or dengue fever. Conclusion Trigeminal fusion antigen increases ELISA sensitivity and the rLipL32/1-LipL21-OmpL1/2- IgM-ELISA is a sensitive and specific serological diagnostic method for clinical leptospirosis.

The preparation and application of N-terminal 57 amino acid protein of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor as a candidate male contraceptive vaccine

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR）, which is expressed only on Sertoli cells and plays a key role in spermatogenesis, has been paid attention for its potential in male contraception vaccine research and development. This study introduces a method for the preparation and purification of human FSHR 57-amino acid protein （FSHR-57aa） as well as determination of its immunogenicity and antifertility effect. A recombinant pET-28a（＋）-FSHR-57aa plasmid was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coil strain BL21 StarTM （DE3） and the FSHR-57aa protein was separated and collected by cutting the gel and recovering activity by efficient refolding dialysis. The protein was identified by Western blot and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with a band of nearly 7 kDa and a purity of 97.4%. Male monkeys were immunized with rhFSHR-57aa protein and a gradual rising of specific serum IgG antibody was found which reached a plateau on day 112 （16 weeks） after the first immunization. After mating of one male with three female monkeys, the pregnancy rate of those mated with males immunized against FSHR-57aa was significantly decreased while the serum hormone levels of testosterone and estradiol were not disturbed in the control or the FSHR-57aa groups. By evaluating pathological changes in testicular histology, we found that the blood-testis barrier remained intact, in spite of some small damage to Sertoli cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the rhFSHR-57aa protein might be a feasible male contraceptive which could affect sperm production without disturbing hormone levels.

Preparation of Conotoxin MrVIB by Genetic Engineering Technology

[ Objective] The disulfide-rich conotoxin MrV1B was produced by simple and fast genetic engineering method, to find new efficient ways for the synthesis of natural active conotoxins. [Method] Primers of conotoxin gene MrVIB were synthesized to construct expression vectors pET22b（ ＋ ）/His-Xa-MrVIB and pET32a/Trx-EK-MrV1B, which were transformed into BL21 （DE3）pLysS and expressed under induction by IPTG. Recombinant proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA agarose column, and the expression of the recombinant proteins was analyzed by Tricine-SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. [ Result] The recombinant conotoxins His-Xa-MrVIB and Trx-EK-MrVIB were effectively expressed in E. coli, and purified by one-step affinity chromatography, and the purity of the recombinant conotoxins was greater than 90%. [ Conclusion] The conotoxin MrVIB was effectively secreted and expressed by genetic engineering method, which could solve the problems in chemical synthesis of conotoxins including low yield, high cost and difficult purification.

A suspended cell line from Trichoplusia ni （Lepidoptera）： Characterization and expression of recombinant proteins

A suspended cell line from Trichoplusia ni embryos was established, and its susceptibility to Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus （AcMNPV） infection was investigated. This cell line had characteristics distinct from the BTI-Tn5B 1- 4 cell line （Tn5B 1-4） from T. ni in growth, and showed approximately the same responses to AcMNPV infection, production of occlusion bodies, and levels of recombinant protein expression. No clumps were observed at maximum cell density at late-log phase in shake-flask or T-flask cultures, and thus the cells represent a useful new contribution for baculovirus research. The cells consist of two major morphological types： approximately 70% spindle-shaped cells and 30% round cells. The cell line was highly susceptible to virus infection and produced around 107 AcMNPV occlusion bodies per cell, on average. Production of β-galactosidase and secreted alkaline phosphatase was high with 3.97 ± 0.13 × 10^4 IU/mL and 3.48 ± 0.40IU/mL, respectively. This cell line may be applicable for studies of scale-up production of viruses or baculovirus-insect cell expression. We also believe the new line can be a source for cell clones with higher production of virus and recombinant proteins compared to the parent or other existing cell lines such as Tn5B 1-4.