Evaluation of Brucella abortus DNA vaccine by expression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase antigen fused to IL-2

The Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) antigen of Brucella abortus was previously identified to be a T cell antigen which induces both proliferation of and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) secretion by T cells from infected mice. In an earlier study, we demonstrated that intramuscular injection of mice with a plasmid DNA carrying the gene for SOD leads to the development of significant protection against B. abortus challenge. It has been reported that the antigen-specific immune responses generated by a DNA vaccine can be enhanced by co-delivery of certain cytokine genes. In this study, we evaluated the effect of delivering IL-2 on the efficacy of SOD DNA vaccine by generating a plasmid (pSecTag-SOD-IL2) that codes for a secretory fusion protein of SOD and IL-2. Another plasmid (pSecTag-SOD) that codes for only SOD as a secretory protein was used for comparison. BALB/c mice injected intramuscularly with pSecTag-SOD or pSecTag-SOD-IL2, but not the control plasmid pSecTag, developed SOD-specific antibody and T cell immune responses. Upon in vitro stimulation with recombinant SOD (rSOD) antigen, T cells from mice immunized with pSecTag-SOD-IL2, in comparison with those from mice immunized with pSecTag-SOD, exhibited a lower proliferation response but produced significantly higher concentrations of IFN-gamma. Both DNA vaccines, however, induced similar levels of SOD-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T cell response. Although mice immunized with pSecTag-SOD-IL2 showed increased resistance to challenge with B. abortus virulent strain 2308, this increase was not statistically significant from that of pSecTag-SOD vaccinated mice. These results suggest that a SOD DNA vaccine fused to IL2 did not improve protection efficacy.     

Cattle serologically positive for Brucella abortus have antibodies to B. abortus Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase.

In this study, we demonstrated by a Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase-specific enzyme-linked immunoassay that cattle that are serologically positive for Brucella abortus have serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to B. abortus Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase. The specificity of the antibody reactivity was confirmed by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with B. abortus salt-extractable proteins containing native Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and with recombinant B. abortus Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase. The results represent a first step in the direction of the development of a multiprotein diagnostic reagent for bovine brucellosis.     

Molecular cloning of an Onchocerca volvulus extracellular Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase.

Onchocerca volvulus, a human parasitic nematode, is the third leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. This study describes the molecular cloning of a novel superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the parasite. This putative O. volvulus extracellular SOD (OvEcSOD) is 628 nucleotides (nt) long, including a 22-nt 5' spliced leader (SL1) and a portion encoding an N-terminal hydrophobic 42-amino-acid signal peptide. The remainder of the cDNA shares 71% identity with an O. volvulus cytosolic SOD sequence and is 3 nt longer. All residues involved in metal ion binding, active site formation, folding, and dimer formation in SODs are conserved. Data indicate the OvEcSOD and O. volvulus cytosolic SOD are separate gene products and that the OvEcSOD appears to possess the characteristics of a membrane-bound or secreted enzyme which may be involved in the parasite defense against phagocyte-generated reactive oxygen species.     

铜锌超氧化物歧化酶知识基础及前沿热点分析

背景：研究发现突变的铜锌超氧化物歧化酶与家族型肌萎缩侧索硬化症有关,迄今为止已有100余种突变位点被发现。 目的：可视化分析肌萎缩侧索硬化症的知识基础、研究热点与前沿。 方法：以ISI的Web Of Science数据库中2005至2014年4 693篇铜锌超氧化物歧化酶相关文献为分析对象,运用CiteSpace Ⅲ可视化软件绘制铜锌超氧化物歧化酶文献共被引网络图谱和关键词共现图谱,结合突现节点文献二次检索的方法,梳理并揭示铜锌超氧化物歧化酶的知识基础、研究热点与研究前沿,分析10年间年发文量与引文量、研究国家与机构分布、主要来源期刊、高被引文献研究方向、高频次关键词、近5年新出现高频关键词等指标。 结果与结论：铜锌超氧化物歧化酶有关研究的年发文量与引文量呈现持续性增长趋势;美国、中国与日本是该研究领域的中坚力量,中国科学院在研究机构中有着较强的影响力;研究领域主要集中在神经科学与神经学、生物化学与分子生物学等领域,高载文量期刊的高影响因子体现出研究的重要性与创新性;近10年研究的知识基础主要由10篇高被引文献组成,其研究方向主要针对于不同SOD1突变位点的发现及测定蛋白质浓度与SOD1活性的方法上;研究热点主要集中在氧化应激、SOD1突变相关的家族型肌萎缩侧索硬化症与转基因动物模型上。近5年间的研究前沿大多体现在新的有关肌萎缩侧索硬化症致病机制的发现上,如TDP-43聚集、小胶质细胞星形胶质细胞与运动神经元的相互作用、视神经蛋白基因与核因子kB抑制剂、C9ORF72上六核苷酸重复扩增、自噬等。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Leporipoxvirus Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase homologs inhibit cellular superoxide dismutase,but are not essential for virus replication or virulence

Vertebrate poxviruses encode homologs of cellular cupro-zinc superoxide dismutases (Cu-Zn SOD). In this study we have examined the molecular genetic properties of two Cu-Zn SOD homologs encoded by the Shope fibroma virus (SFV) and myxoma virus. These Leporipoxvirus proteins should be catalytically inactive as judged by the point mutations which alter a key catalytic arginine and restructure the predicted Cu-binding domain. This prediction was confirmed using in situ gel assays and recombinant proteins produced both in bacteria and in mammalian cells. Western blot analysis showed that these proteins are produced in abundance late in infection and can, upon exposure to oxidizing conditions, form disulfide cross-linked dimers. They are also virion components and not essential for growth in culture or virulence. Leporipoxvirus Cu-Zn SOD homologs affected two phenotypes. First, deletion of the myxoma M131R gene caused the mutant virus to grow better ( approximately 10-fold) in culture than does the wild-type parent. Second, expression of either native or recombinant Leporipoxvirus proteins is accompanied by a decline in cellular Cu-Zn SOD activity. We concluded that these gene products can somehow modulate the activity of host Cu-Zn SODs, but what advantage is thus gained by the virus remains to be established.     

Cloning and molecular characterization of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutases (Cu,Zn SODs), until recently considered very unusual in bacteria, are now being found in a wide range of gram-negative bacterial species. Here we report the cloning and characterization of sodC, encoding Cu,Zn SOD in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a major pathogen of pigs and the causative organism of porcine pleuropneumonia. sodC was shown to lie on a monocistronic operon, at the chromosomal locus between the genes asd (encoding aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase) and recF. The primary gene product was shown to have an N-terminal peptide extension functioning as a leader peptide, so that the mature Actinobacillus enzyme, like other bacterial examples, is directed to the periplasm, where it is appropriately located to dismutate exogenously generated superoxide. While the role of these secreted bacterial SODs is unknown, we speculate that in A. pleuropneumoniae the enzyme may confer survival advantage by accelerating dismutation of superoxide derived from neutrophils, a central host defense response in the course of porcine infection.     

Construction of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase deletion mutants of Brucella abortus: analysis of survival in vitro in epithelial and phagocytic cells and in vivo in mice.

Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) deletion mutants of Brucella abortus S2308, a virulent strain, and S19, a vaccine strain, were generated by gene replacement. A deletion plasmid, pBA delta sodknr, was constructed by excising the Cu-Zn SOD gene (Cu-Zn sod) from a 2.3-kb B. abortus DNA fragment of plasmid pBA20-1527 and inserting a 1.4-kb DNA fragment encoding kanamycin resistance into the Cu-Zn sod excision site. The deletion plasmid was introduced into B. abortus by electroporation, and Southern blot analysis confirmed that the antibiotic resistance fragment had replaced Cu-Zn sod in kanamycin-resistant colonies. The survival and growth of Cu-Zn SOD mutant strains were compared with that of the parental strains in HeLa cells and in the mouse macrophagelike cell line J774. The survival and growth of the Cu-Zn SOD mutant strains were similar to those of their respective parental strains in HeLa and J774 cell lines. The kinetics of infection with these strains were examined in BALB/c mice. The splenic levels of the S19 Cu-Zn SOD mutant recovered from intraperitoneally infected BALB/c mice were approximately 10-fold lower than those of the parental strain through 26 days postinfection. Thereafter, infection sharply declined in both groups, and by 105 days postinfection, no organisms were detected. The splenic levels of the S2308 Cu-Zn SOD mutant were lower than those of wild-type S2308-infected mice. The spleen weights of mice infected with the S2308 Cu-Zn SOD mutant were consistently lower than those of wild-type S2308-infected mice. These results suggest that the antioxidant enzyme Cu-Zn SOD plays a role in the survival and pathogenicity of B. abortus in vivo.     

6个布鲁氏菌蛋白的克隆、表达及纯化

目的构建含6个布鲁氏菌蛋白的原核表达载体,并对其重组蛋白进行诱导表达及纯化。方法以羊种布鲁氏菌16M基因组DNA为模板扩增6个蛋白基因,与载体pET32a(+)连接,转化E.coliBL21(DE3)感受态细胞,IPTG诱导蛋白表达,SDS-PAGE及Westernblot鉴定,采用HisTrapTMHP纯化目的蛋白。结果成功克隆了6个布鲁氏菌蛋白,经对表达条件进行优化,目的蛋白获得大量表达,纯化后纯度达90%以上。结论获得了纯度较高的6个布鲁氏菌蛋白,为进一步研究其免疫原性及保护性奠定基础。     

Identification, sequencing, and expression of Mycobacterium leprae superoxide dismutase, a major antigen.

The gene encoding a major 28-kilodalton antigen of Mycobacterium leprae has now been sequenced and identified as the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the basis of the high degree of homology with known SOD sequences. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 67% homology with a human manganese-utilizing SOD and 55% homology with the Escherichia coli manganese-utilizing enzyme. The gene is not expressed from its own promoter in E. coli but is expressed from its own promoter in Mycobacterium smegmatis. The amino acid sequences of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the 28-kilodalton antigen have been determined.     

Coxiella burnetii superoxide dismutase gene: cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli.

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene from the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii has been cloned, and its DNA sequence has been determined and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene was identified on pSJR50, a pHC79-derived genomic clone, by using the polymerase chain reaction with degenerate oligonucleotide primers corresponding to conserved regions of known SODs. Sequences resembling conventional E. coli ribosomal and RNA polymerase-binding sites preceded the C. burnetii 579-bp SOD open reading frame. An E. coli SOD-deficient double mutant (sodA sodB) that carried pSJR50 had growth and survival responses similar to those of the wild type when the transformant was challenged with 0.05 mM paraquat and 5 mM hydrogen peroxide, respectively. These observations indicated that the C. burnetii gene was functionally expressed in E. coli. Staining of native polyacrylamide gels for SOD activity demonstrated that pSJR50 insert DNA codes for an SOD that comigrates with an SOD found in C. burnetii cell lysates. The enzyme was inactivated by 5 mM hydrogen peroxide, which is indicative of an iron-containing SOD. Additionally, the predicted amino acid sequence was significantly more homologous to known iron-containing SODs than to manganese-containing SODs. Isolation of the C. burnetii SOD gene may provide an opportunity to examine its role in the intracellular survival of this rickettsia.     

Cloning and characterization of iron-containing superoxide dismutase from the human malaria species Plasmodium ovale, P. malariae and P. vivax

The iron-containing superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) gene from three human malaria species, namely Plasmodium ovale, P. malariae and P. vivax, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned and then sequenced. Comparisons of their deduced amino acid sequences with that of the FeSOD from P. falciparum revealed a very low polymorphism at the FeSOD locus in human malaria species. One P. ovale and the P. vivax FeSOD genes presented the same nucleotide sequence as that of the P. falciparum strain HB3 whereas the second P. ovale and the P. malariae genes exhibited two punctual mutations. These mutations did not affect the function and structure of the enzyme. The FeSOD polymorphism was so low that no phylogenetic relationship among human malaria species could be proposed, but this conservative structure strengthened the potentiality of this enzyme as a possible target for anti-malarial drugs. Received: 26 April 1999 / Accepted: 19 May 1999     

Brucella abortus deficient in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase is virulent in BALB/c mice.

The gene encoding the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) of Brucella abortus strain 2308 was identified in a Brucella genomic library utilizing a combination of Western blotting and native gel electrophoresis. The Cu/Zn SOD gene was inactivated in vitro by ligation of a kanamycin resistance gene into the open reading frame encoding SOD. The plasmid born construct was introduced back into B. abortus by electroporation. Replacement of the wild-type Cu/Zn SOD by recombination was demonstrated by showing that both the KnR gene and the Cu/Zn SOD gene hybridized to the same band in a Southern analysis of genomic DNA. In addition, KnR strains were deficient in Cu/Zn SOD activity as assessed by lack of Cu/Zn SOD activity on a native gel and by lack of reactivity with specific serum in a Western analysis. Either strain 2308 or the Cu/Zn SOD deficient mutant injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice, exhibited no differences in their ability to colonize the spleen at 7 and 28 days post-inoculation. Thus, the inability to produce Cu/Zn SOD by B. abortus does not significantly impair its virulence in mice.     

Determination of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase within the genus Legionella.

We examined 40 strains of Legionella for reduced-oxygen scavenging enzymes. Using a simple reaction chamber with a Swinney filter for the Beers and Sizer assay, we determined the catalase activity of live cells grown on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar. For 29 strains of Legionella pneumophila, the apparent first-order rate constants for catalase ranged from 0.000 to 0.005. Similarly, low values ranging from 0.001 to 0.005 were observed for Legionella wadsworthii, Legionella oakridgensis, and Legionella gormanii. High catalase activities were found for Legionella jordanis, Legionella longbeachae, Legionella micdadei, and Legionella bozemanii, with first-order rate constant values of 0.010 to 0.035. Cell-free extracts were analyzed for catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Cell-free extracts of all strains had superoxide dismutase levels ranging from 8.2 to 30.5 U per mg of protein. The species could be characterized by their catalase and peroxidase since L. pneumophila and L. gormanii had only peroxidase (relative molecular weight [Mr], 150,000); L. dumoffii had a peroxidase (Mr, 150,000) plus a catalase (Mr, 174,000); and all remaining species had catalase only (Mr, 300,000, 220,000, or 150,000).     

Oxygen tolerance and occurrence of superoxide dismutase as an antioxidant enzyme in Metopus es

The free-living anaerobic ciliate Metopus es was found to possess moderate tolerance to oxygen. Direct oxygen exposure led to the death of >80% of the population within 24 h, but the remaining cells exhibited some oxygen tolerance and survived up to 4 days without any growth. Survival of the ciliate was observed only in an oxygen tension up to 7.0 μM, and higher O₂ concentrations (>7.0 μM) were found to be detrimental with a K_m value of 3.5 μM. The percentage of survival (50%) was higher when the culture was exposed to a low oxygen level (1.3 μM) and it decreased with increasing oxygen tension. No catalase activity was detected in the extract of surviving ciliates. Maximum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of 1.52 ± 0.4 U/mg protein was observed at 1.3 μM oxygen. SOD activity was not affected by cyanide or hydrogen peroxide, indicating that it belongs to the Mn type of SOD. Methanogenic endosymbionts in M. es lost their autofluorescence on oxygen exposure of >5.0 μM, but their viability was not permanently affected, as indicated by the maintenance of a similar number of methanogens/cell upon restoring the anaerobic condition.     

Cloning and Expression of the Olea europaea allergen Ole e 5, the pollen Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase

BACKGROUND: Recombinant DNA technology does provide pure, well-defined and reproducible products to be used for clinical purposes, by cloning and expressing the cDNA of allergens present in a specific extract. Ole e 5 is a pollen allergen of Olea europaea with an IgE-binding frequency of about 35%, which has been identified as a superoxide dismutase (SOD). The aim of this study was to clone the cDNA of Ole e 5, to express Ole e 5 in Escherichia coli and to characterize its immunoreactivity. METHODS: cDNA of Ole e 5 was amplified by nested 3'-RACE PCR and cloned in pGEX vector 6P expression vector. After sequencing of some clones and homology analysis, the rOle e 5 was produced in an E. coli strain as a fusion protein with GST and purified. Then, the protein immunoreactivity was evaluated by patients' IgE binding (ELISA, ELISA inhibition, and immunoblotting) and by rabbit anti-rOle e 5 binding (immunoblotting and immunoblotting inhibition). RESULTS: The sequence analysis of Ole e 5 cDNA confirmed that Ole e 5 is a Cu/Zn SOD, with an identity from 90 to 80% with SOD from other species. rOle e 5 was recognized by IgE from 39% of olive pollen-allergic patients tested; moreover, this binding was inhibited by the olive pollen extract. An anti-rOle e 5 antiserum raised in rabbit strongly reacted with a natural component of about 16-kDa molecular weight present in the olive pollen extract; moreover, this binding was inhibited by the recombinant protein. CONCLUSIONS: Ole e 5 is the first Cu/Zn SOD identified as an allergen in a pollen source. Due to the widespread presence of this enzyme, rOle e 5 allergen, cloned and expressed in a complete form in E. coli, could represent a good tool to investigate the allergen cross-reactivity between O. europaea pollen and other allergenic sources, such as plant foods and other pollens.     

Overexpression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase protects neuroblastoma cells against dopamine cytotoxicity accompanied by increase in their glutathione level

Dopamine (DA) was shown to exert toxic effects on cultured neurons through autoxidation or oxidative deamination, followed by formation of highly reactive quinone compounds and superoxide radicals. In the present study, therefore, any involvement of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) in DA toxicity was evaluated by transfection of Cu-Zn SOD cDNA. The transient transfection of Cu-Zn SOD cDNA inhibited the DA-induced decrease of dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, Cu-Zn SOD cDNA-transfection significantly increased the glutathione (GSH) level when the cells were exposed to DA. However, such Cu-Zn SOD-overexpression failed to show any protective effects against hydrogen peroxide. The Cu-Zn SOD-overexpressing cells also showed significantly higher levels of GSH upon DA exposure than did the empty vector-transfected cells. The increase in the GSH level in response to hydrogen peroxide remained almost identical in empty vector-transfected or Cu-Zn SOD-overexpressed cells. The level of GSH in DA-treated Cu-Zn SOD-overexpressing cells was 2.5-fold higher than that increased by hydrogen peroxide exposure. The catechol structure of DA molecule is probably involved in the mechanism of increasing GSH level. Furthermore, the Cu-Zn SOD-overexpressing cells inhibited the activation of caspase-3 upon DA exposure. Therefore, Cu-Zn SOD overexpression may temporarily inhibit or delay DA autoxidation and consequently increase the GSH level, which then prevents the activation of apoptotic pathway and subsequent cell death.     

Manganese superoxide dismutase expression correlates with a poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The biologic significance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in transformed gastric carcinoma cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the role of SOD as a prognostic indicator of gastric carcinomas and its association with other clinicopathological factors. METHODS: Expression of MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD was evaluated immunohistochemically in gastric carcinomas and adenomas using tissue-array methods. The correlation between SOD immunoreactivity and clinical outcome or clinicopathological factors was investigated. RESULTS: MnSOD expression was associated with a poor patient prognosis and was strong in advanced gastric cancer, in the well-differentiated type and in the presence of lymphoid stroma (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no association between Cu/ZnSOD expression and patient survival. Cu/ZnSOD immunoreactivity was strong in advanced gastric cancer and in the presence of lymphoid stroma (p < 0.05) and was weak in signet ring cell type. CONCLUSION: MnSOD immunoreactivity is significantly associated with poor outcome in gastric carcinoma patients although both MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD have a connection with several clinicopathological parameters with some overlap.     

Effects of temperature stress on expression of fimbriae and superoxide dismutase by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

We examined the biosynthesis of fimbriae and superoxide dismutase (SOD) produced by the periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis in response to elevated temperature. P. gingivalis 2561, grown at 37 degrees C to mid-logarithmic phase, was subsequently incubated at 39, 41, and 43 degrees C, respectively, to stationary phase. There was no difference in the growth of cells at 37 and 39 degrees C. However, at 39 degrees C there was a 54% reduction in the amount of fimbrillin (fimbriae) as well as decreased expression of mRNA for fimA. On the other hand, under the same conditions, a more than twofold increase in the amount of SOD activity, as well as in the levels of SOD mRNA, was observed. Moreover, cells cultured for 20 h at 39 degrees C showed an 86% decrease of fimbrillin protein and a threefold increase in SOD activity. These observations suggest that P. gingivalis may undergo alterations in its virulence and susceptibility to host immune responses as a result of the elevated temperatures found in inflamed periodontal pockets.