五日热巴通体重组外膜蛋白HbpA的研制和抗原性分析

为克隆并表达五日热巴通体外膜蛋白HbpA的基因,并对其抗原性进行初步分析,采用PCR方法从五日热巴通体基因组DNA扩增hbpA基因,将目的基因片段插入原核表达质粒pET32a（＋）,构建重组质粒pET32a（＋）-hbpA;将构建的重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）并诱导目的基因表达,以SDS-PAGE电泳以及免疫印迹实验分析表达的目的蛋白。SDS-PAGE电泳分析发现pET32a（＋）-hbpA转化菌高效表达一48kDa重组蛋白;免疫印迹分析发现该蛋白与其免疫血清发生强烈反应;间接免疫荧光分析发现该重组蛋白免疫血清能特异识别五日热巴通体。实验结果表明五日热巴通体外膜蛋白HbpA的基因已在大肠杆菌中高效表达。     

Effect of hindlimb unloading on resting intracellular calcium in intrafusal fibers and ramp-and-hold stretches evoked responsiveness of soleus muscle spindles in conscious rats

The present study was to investigate and evaluate the dynamic changes of calcium homeostasis of soleus muscle spindle for the exploration of the potential mechanisms of muscle spindle degeneration induced by hindlimb unloading. We systematically observed the changes in immunoreactivity of calbindin D28K (CaBP-D28K), intracellular resting calcium in intrafusal fibers of soleus muscle spindle, and the responsiveness of muscle spindles to ramp-and-hold stretches after short- and long-term (3, 7, 14 d) hindlimb unloading. The immunoreactivity of CaBP-D28K started to decrease after 7-d hindlimb unloading, while its decrease was obviously different compared with the control group 14 d following the hindlimb unloading. The resting calcium concentration was increased significantly at 3 d, and reached the peak level 14 d after the hindlimb unloading. The responsiveness of muscle spindles, assessed by investigating Index3-L₂, Index3-L₃, and Index5, to ramp-and-hold stretches started to decrease during the period of 7-d hindlimb unloading. All Indexs, in particular Index3-L₃ and Index5, were significantly decreased at 14 d after the hindlimb unloading. The data suggest the disturbance of calcium homeostasis in intrafusal fibers during the exposure to hindlimb unloading might gradually influence the structure and function of muscle spindles.     

乙型肝炎病毒C基因在毕赤酵母中的表达

目的:研究乙肝病毒核心(C)基因在毕赤(Pichia pastoris)酵母中的表达,以期获得高效表达的具有良好免疫反应性和特异性的重组乙肝病毒核心蛋白(HBcAg)。方法:采用PCR法从含HBV全基因序列的质粒pHBV1中扩增C基因,亚克隆到pGEM-T载体中,经DNA序列分析后将目的基因定向克隆到酵母表达载体pPIC9中,构建重组质粒pPIC9-cAg。然后用电转法将重组质粒转化入酵母菌GS115,0.5%甲醇诱导表达。采用SDS-PAGE、Western blot和ELISA法对表达产物进行分析。结果:限制性内切酶酶切和DNA序列分析证实HBV C基因已正确克隆到酵母表达载体pPIC9中;SDS-PAGE结果显示重组HBcAg在毕赤酵母细胞中表达;ELISA及Western blot分析表明,表达产物具有良好的免疫反应性和特异性,重组HBcAg的滴度可达1∶12 800。结论:成功构建了pPIC9-cAg重组质粒,并在毕赤酵母中高效表达了具有良好免疫反应性和特异性的重组HBcAg,为进一步研制抗-HBc诊断试剂盒奠定了基础。     

刚地弓形虫缓殖子期特异抗原BSR4的重组表达与免疫特性的初步研究

目的重组表达刚地弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)Prugniaud(PRU)株缓殖子期特异抗原(BSR4)基因,并检测其免疫特性。方法将已构建的重组表达质粒pET28a(+)-BSR4转化至大肠埃希菌(E.coli)BL21中,经异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达并纯化。分别以慢性感染PRU株刚地弓形虫小鼠血清和健康小鼠血清为一抗,用蛋白质印迹(Western blottting)鉴定BSR4重组蛋白的免疫反应性。用3H-TdR掺入法检测慢性感染PRU株刚地弓形虫小鼠脾淋巴细胞对不同浓度BSR4重组蛋白的特异性增殖水平,计算刺激指数(SI)。以BSR4重组蛋白为抗原,用ELISA法检测急性(抗弓形虫IgG-IgM+)和慢性(抗弓形虫IgG+IgM-)弓形虫病患者血清,以及健康人血清,各20份,评判该蛋白的免疫反应性。结果重组质粒pET28a(+)-BSR4经IPTG诱导后表达重组蛋白BSR4,经变性、复性和纯化后获得相对分子质量(Mr)45 000的可溶性蛋白。Western blotting分析结果显示,该蛋白能被慢性弓形虫感染小鼠血清识别。脾淋巴细胞增殖试验表明,1、5和25μg/ml重组蛋白BSR4刺激感染弓形虫小鼠脾淋巴细胞的SI分别为1.13、0.88和1.17,显著高于未感染组(分别为0.46、0.24和0.49,均P<0.01)。ELISA检测结果显示,BSR4抗原能被慢性弓形虫病患者血清(IgG+IgM-)特异性识别(20/20),而不能被急性弓形虫病患者血清(IgG-IgM+)识别(0/20)。结论重组BSR4蛋白具有特异的免疫原性和免疫反应性。     

Heighten the Study on Factor Seven Activating Protease

Recent studies have showed that factor seven activating protease （FSAP） is a novel serine protease in human plasma. Immunoreactivity for FSAP has been observed in vascular endothelial cells, epithelial cells and macrophages but FSAP-specific mRNA expression only exists in the former two cells. FSAP has three epidermal growth factor （EGF） domains, a kringle domain and a serine protease domain. It circulates in the plasma as an inactive zymogen and undergoes autoactivation from a single chain to two chain enzyme form in the presence of polya-nionic macromolecules such as heparin and RNA.     

Distribution of hypocretin (orexin) immunoreactivity in the feline pons and medulla

The distribution of hypocretin-1 (hcrt-1) and hypocretin-2 (hcrt-2) immunoreactivities in the cat brainstem was examined using immunohistochemical techniques. Hcrt-1- and hcrt-2-positive fibers with varicosities were detected in almost all brainstem regions. However, no hcrt-1- or hcrt-2-immunoreactive neuronal somata were observed in the cat brainstem. Both hcrt-1- and hcrt-2-labeled fibers exhibited different densities in distinct regions of the brainstem. In most brainstem regions, the intensity of hcrt-1 immunoreactivity was higher than that of hcrt-2 immunoreactivity. The highest densities of hcrt-1- and hcrt-2-positive fibers were found in the nucleus raphe dorsalis (RD), the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) and the locus coeruleus (LC), suggesting an important role for these peptides in functions related to sleep-wake behavior.     

Decreased cerebrospinal fluid neuropeptide Y (NPY) in patients with treatment refractory unipolar major depression: preliminary evidence for association with preproNPY gene polymorphism

Extensive animal studies suggest neuropeptide Y (NPY) to be involved in coping with a wide range of stressors, and that impaired central NPY signalling could be involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression. Human studies of central NPY levels in depression have, however, been inconclusive. Here, we examined levels of NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of medication-free subjects with treatment refractory unipolar depression. Patients were admitted to a research inpatient unit, examined under standardized conditions, and compared with a sample of volunteers in whom psychiatric morbidity was excluded. A robust suppression of NPY levels in patient CSF was found, while other putative CSF markers (monoamine metabolites, somatostatin) did not differ between the groups. We then explored whether this finding might be related to a recently described T1128C coding polymorphism which results in a Leu7-> Pro7 substitution of the signal peptide, and a previously not described T -399C polymorphism in the promoter region of the preproNPY gene. Preliminary evidence was found for an association of both markers with a diagnosis of depression, indicating the possibility of an underlying haplotype influencing the vulnerability for developing depressive illness. Our present findings are in line with an extensive animal literature, and further support the notion that impaired NPY function could contribute to depressive illness.     

Evidence for strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors in human amygdala

Recent studies suggested the existence of strychnine-sensitive glycine-receptors in mammalian amygdala. In the present study, we investigated the amino acid concentrations as well as immunocytochemical and pharmacological properties of glycine-receptors in fresh human amygdala tissue obtained from epilepsy surgery.High pressure liquid chromatography revealed a considerable amount of glycine and its precursors and glycine-receptors agonists L-serine and taurine in this tissue. Immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody mAb4a, recognizing an epitope common to all -subunit variants of glycine receptors, displayed a specific labeling at the soma and on proximal dendrites of mostly tripolar, large-sized neurons of irregular distribution and arrangement. To elucidate the pharmacological properties of the glycine-receptors found slices of human amygdala were preloaded with [³H]-choline and superfused. Glycine induced an overflow of [³H]-acetylcholine, which was inhibited by strychnine in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the glycine-induced release of [³H]-acetylcholine was significantly inhibited by furosemide, indicating glycine-induced actions to be attributed to chloride channels. These actions of glycine were not influenced by MK-801, D-CPPene or bicuculline. Thus, the effects of glycine did not seem to be mediated through NMDA or GABA receptors.These observations indicate that strychnine-sensitive, chloride-conducting glycine receptors, which elicit the release of [³H]-acetylcholine, are present at the soma and on proximal dendrites of neurons in human amygdala. It is hypothesized that glycine may display a regulatory role in amygdaloid functions, probably via cholinergic interneurons.Abbreviations ABC Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex - ACh Acetylcholine - CI₉₅ 95% Confidence interval - DAB Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride - D-CPPene D-3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-1-propenyl-1-phosphonic acid - HPLC High pressure liquid chromatography - GABA -Aminobutyric acid - Gly Glycine - GlyR Glycine receptor - mAb Monoclonal antibody - MK-801 (+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5,4-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate - NMDA N-methyl-D-aspartate - NHS Normal horse serum - OPA o-Phthalaldehyde mercaptoethanol - PBS Phosphate buffer saline - TLE Temporal lobe epilepsy     

Ethanol‐Induced Increase of Agouti‐Related Protein (AgRP) Immunoreactivity in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus of C57BL/6J,but not 129/SvJ,Inbred Mice

Background: The melanocortin (MC) system is composed of peptides that are cleaved from the polypeptide precursor, pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC). Previous research has shown that MC receptor (MCR) agonists reduce, and MCR antagonists increase, ethanol consumption in rats and mice. Consistently, genetic deletion of the endogenous MCR antagonist, agouti‐related protein (AgRP), causes reductions of ethanol‐reinforced lever pressing and binge‐like ethanol drinking in C57BL/6J mice. Ethanol also has direct effects on the central MC system, as chronic exposure to an ethanol‐containing diet causes significant reductions of α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) immunoreactivity in specific brain regions of Sprague‐Dawley rats. Together, these observations suggest that the central MC system modulates neurobiological responses to ethanol. To further characterize the role of the MC system in responses to ethanol, here we compared AgRP and α‐MSH immunoreactivity in response to an acute injection of saline or ethanol between high ethanol drinking C57BL/6J mice and moderate ethanol drinking 129/SvJ mice. Methods: Mice received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of ethanol (1.5 g/kg or 3.5 g/kg; mixed in 0.9% saline) or an equivolume of 0.9% saline. Two hours after injection, animals were sacrificed and their brains were processed for AgRP and α‐MSH immunoreactivity. Results: Results indicated that acute ethanol administration triggered a dose‐dependent increase in AgRP immunoreactivity in the arcuate (ARC) of C57BL/6J mice, an effect that was not evident in the 129/SvJ strain. Although acute administration of ethanol did not influence α‐MSH immunoreactivity, C57BL/6J mice had significantly greater overall α‐MSH immunoreactivity in the ARC, dorsomedial, and lateral regions of the hypothalamus relative to the 129/SvJ strain. In contrast, C57BL/6J mice displayed significantly lower α‐MSH immunoreactivity in the medial amygdala. Conclusions: The results show that acute ethanol exposure has direct effects on endogenous AgRP activity in ethanol preferring C57BL/6J mice. It is suggested that ethanol‐induced increases in AgRP may be part of a positive feedback system that stimulates excessive binge‐like ethanol drinking in C57BL/6J mice. Inherent differences in α‐MSH immunoreactivity may contribute to differences in neurobiological responses to ethanol that are characteristically observed between the C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ inbred strains of mice.     

弓形虫缓殖子期特异性抗原1基因的克隆、表达及对重组抗原的免疫反应性分析

目的 克隆与表达弓形虫缓殖子期特异性抗原1(BAG1)的基因,并分析重组抗原的免疫反应性。方法 诱导体外培养的弓形虫RH株速殖子向缓殖子转化,用RT-PCR法从缓殖子期弓形虫扩增BAG1基因片段,进行序列分析;构建表达重组质粒pET32a(+)-BAG1,转入大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达;表达蛋白经次氨基三乙酸镍(Ni-NTA)琼脂糖亲和层析纯化后,蛋白质印迹(Western blotting)分析与ELISA分析其免疫反应性。 结果 从缓殖子期弓形虫克隆的BAG1基因长690 bp,构建的重组质粒pET32a(+)-BAG1经异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导后,可高效表达重组BAG1。Western blotting分析显示纯化的重组BAG1(SAG1)能被弓形虫慢性感染血清识别。ELISA结果表明重组BAG1抗原检测350份人血清弓形虫IgG抗体的阳性率为17.4％,显著高于重组SAG1抗原的阳性率12.6％（P＜0.05）。 结论 原核表达的重组BAG1抗原具有特异的免疫反应性。