Cloning and characterization of the gene for UDPGlc dehydrogenase from the cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 905

Using degenerate primers based on conserved regions of the UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH) gene, an initial 476-bp DNA fragment was amplified from the water-bloom forming cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 905. TAIL-PCR and ligation-mediated PCR were used to amplify the flanking regions to isolate an about 2.5-kb genomic DNA fragment. Sequence analysis revealed an ORF encoding a putative 462 amino acid protein, designated Mud for Microcystis UDPGDH. The Mud amino acid sequence is closely related to UDPGDH sequences from cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 (73% identity, 81% similarity), and bacterium Bacillus subtilis (51% identity and 67% similarity). The cloned mud gene was expressed in Escherichia coli using the pGEX-4T-1 fusion expression vector system to generate a GST-Mud fusion protein that exhibited UDPGDH activity. The cytosolic fraction of M aeruginosa FACHB 905 was subjected to Western analysis with an anti-Mud antibody, which revealed a single band of approximately 49 kD, consistent with the deduced molecular mass of the enzyme. The Mud protein could thus be characterized as a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, which was a key enzyme for polysaccharide synthesis and has, for the first time, been studied in algae.

An inducible CO2 concentrating mechanism in cyanobacterium Anabaena sp strain PCC7120

In order to define its characteristics of the photosynthetic utilization of CO2 and HCO3- when the ambient inorganic carbon changed, HCG (High-CO2-Growing Cells) of cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC7120 were prepared. The growth rate of HCG was higher than that of LCG (low-CO2-growing cells, i.e. air-growing cells). When the HCG cells were transferred from 5% CO2 to air levels of CO2 , a series of changes took place: its carbonic anhydrase activity as well as its photosynthetic affinity to the external inorganic carbon significantly increased; the number of the carboxysomes, which is one of the most important components of CCM in cyanobacteria also increased. These facts indicated that the CCM activity of Anabaena PCC 7120 was induced. When the pH in the medium increased from 6 to 9, the photosynthetic affinity to external inorganic carbon of both HCG and LCG declined, while the apparent photosynthetic affinity to external CO2 increased. In the light of these findings, this inducible CCM in cyanobacteria provided a good model for the study of the photosynthetic Ci utilization in the phototrophic microoganisms.

N型GaN的持续光电导

该文报道了金属有机的化学气相外延(MOVPE)生长的未人为掺杂和掺Si n-GaN的持续光电导(Persistent Photoconductivity-PCC)。在不同温度下观察了光电导的产生和衰变行为。实验结果表明，未人为掺杂和掺Si n-GaN的持续光电导和黄光发射可能起源于深能级缺陷，这些缺陷可以是V_(Ga)空位、N_(Ga)反位或者V_(Ga)-Si_(Ga)络合物。和未人为掺杂样品A相比，样品B中因Si的并入导致GaN中的深能级缺陷增加，提高了GaN中黄光发射，使持续光电导衰变减慢,但实验未发现黄光的加强和光电导衰变特性与两样品生长温度有明显关系。随测量温度的增加，持续光电导衰变加快，衰变曲线能用扩展指数定律进行拟合。

G2期早熟染色体凝集技术预测肝癌细胞低LET射线辐射敏感性

用60Co产生的γ射线照射人肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721。以克隆形成法测定经照射后的细胞存活率,用化学诱导剂Calyculin-A诱导的早熟染色体凝集(Prematurechromosomecondensation,PCC)技术研究染色体损伤。结果显示G2期细胞内的染色单体和等点染色单体断裂数与照射剂量之间存在着线性相关性,染色单体断裂数与细胞存活率之间存在较好的线性相关性。表明辐射诱导的染色单体断裂可以作为预测SMMC-7721细胞内在辐射敏感性的指标,也可为临床诊断和治疗肝癌提供依据。

Prematurely condensed chromosome fragments in human lymphocytes induced by high doses of high-linear-energy-transfer irradiation

This study provides a useful biodosimetry protocol for radiation accidents that involve high doses of heavy particle radiation. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were irradiated in vitro with high doses (5–50 Gy) of charged heavy-ion particles (carbon ions, at an effective linear-energy-transfer (LET) of 34.6 keV/ m), and were then stimulated to obtain dividing cells. PBLs were treated with 100nMcalyculin A to force chromosomes to condense prematurely, and chromosome spreads were obtained and stained with Giemsa. The G2 prematurely condensed chromosome (G2-PCC) index and the number of G2-PCC including fragments (G2-PCC-Fs) per cell for each radiation dose point were scored. Dose-effect relationships were obtained by plotting the G2-PCC indices or G2-PCC-Fs numbers against radiation doses. The G2-PCC index was greater than 5% up to doses of 15 Gy; even after a 30Gy radiation dose, the index was 1 to 2%. At doses higher than 30 Gy, however, the G2-PCC indices were close to zero. The number of G2-PCC-Fs increased steeply for radiation doses up to 30 Gy at a rate of 1.07 Gy−1. At doses higher than 30 Gy, the numbers of G2-PCC-Fs could not be accurately indexed because of the limited numbers of cells for analysis. Therefore, the number of G2-PCC-Fs could be used to estimate radiation doses up to 30 Gy. In addition, a G2-PCC index close to zero could be used as an indicator for radiation doses greater than 40 Gy.

Biodosimetry estimate for high-LET irradiation

The purpose of this paper is to prepare for an easy and reliable biodosimeter protocol for radiation accidents involving high-linear energy transfer (LET) exposure. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were irradiated using carbon ions (LET: 34.6 keV mu m(-1)), and the chromosome aberrations induced were analyzed using both a conventional colcemid block method and a calyculin A induced premature chromosome condensation (PCC) method. At a lower dose range (0-4 Gy), the measured dicentric (dics) and centric ring chromosomes (cRings) provided reasonable dose information. At higher doses (8 Gy), however, the frequency of dics and cRings was not suitable for dose estimation. Instead, we found that the number of Giemsa-stained drug-induced G2 prematurely condensed chromosomes (G2-PCC) can be used for dose estimation, since the total chromosome number (including fragments) was linearly correlated with radiation dose (r = 0.99). The ratio of the longest and the shortest chromosome length of the drug-induced G2-PCCs increased with radiation dose in a linear-quadratic manner (r = 0.96), which indicates that this ratio can also be used to estimate radiation doses. Obviously, it is easier to establish the dose response curve using the PCC technique than using the conventional metaphase chromosome method. It is assumed that combining the ratio of the longest and the shortest chromosome length with analysis of the total chromosome number might be a valuable tool for rapid and precise dose estimation for victims of radiation accidents.

A correlation between radiation sensitivity and initial chromatid breaks in cancer cell lines revealed by Calyculin A-induced premature condensation

Three human malignancy cell lines were irradiated with Co-60 gamma-rays. Initial chromatid breaks were measured by using the chemically induced premature chromosome condensation technique. Survival curves of cells exposed to gamma rays was linear-quadratic while the efficiency of Calyculin A in inducing PCC of G(2) PCC was about five times more than G(1) PCC. A dose-dependent increase in radiation-induced chromatid/isochromatid breaks was observed in G(1) and G(2) phase PCC and a nearly positive linear correlation was found between cell survival and chromatin breaks. This study implies that low LET radiation-induced chromatid/isochromatid breaks can potentially be used to predict the radiosensitivity of tumor cells either in in vitro experimentation or in in vivo clinical radiotherapy.

Correlation between initial chromatid damage and survival of various cell lines exposed to heavy charged particles

The biophysical characteristics of heavy ions make them a rational source of radiation for use in radiotherapy of malignant tumours. Prior to radiotherapy treatment, a therapeutic regimen must be precisely defined, and during this stage information on individual patient radiosensitivity would be of very great medical value. There are various methods to predict radiosensitivity, but some shortfalls are difficult to avoid. The present study investigated the induction of chromatid breaks in five different cell lines, including one normal liver cell line (L02), exposed to carbon ions accelerated by the heavy ion research facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), using chemically induced premature chromosome condensation (PCC). Previous studies have reported the number of chromatid breaks to be linearly related to the radiation dose, but the relationship between cell survival and chromatid breaks is not clear. The major result of the present study is that cellular radiosensitivity, as measured by D-0, is linearly correlated with the frequency of chromatid breaks per Gy in these five cell lines. We propose that PCC may be applied to predict radiosensitivity of tumour cells exposed to heavy ions.

Comparison of clonogenic assay with premature chromosome condensation assay in prediction of human cell radiosensitivity

Aim: To determine whether the number of non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks can predict the radiosensitivity of human cell lines. Methods: Cell lines of human ovary carcinoma cells (HO8910), human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and liver cells (L02) were irradiated with a range of doses and assessed both of cell survival and non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks at 24 h after irradiation. Cell survival was documented by a colony assay. Non-rejoining G2-chromatid breaks were measured by counting the number of non-rejoining G2 chromatid breaks at 24 h after irradiation, detected by the prematurely chromosome condensed (PCC) technique. Results: A linear-quadratic survival curve was observed in three cell lines, and HepG2 was the most sensitive to gamma-radiation. A dose-dependent linear increase was observed in radiation-induced non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks measured at 24 h after irradiation in all cell lines, and HepG2 was the most susceptible to induction of non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks. A close correlation was found between the clonogenic radiosensitivity and the radiation-induced non-rejoining G2-PCC breaks (r=0.923). Furthermore, survival-aberration correlations for two or more than two doses lever were also significant. Conclusion: The number of non-rejoining G2 PCC breaks holds considerable promise for predicting the radiosensitivity of normal and tumor cells when two or more than two doses lever is tested.

不同LET辐射对健康人血淋巴细胞和肿瘤细胞的损伤效应

目的: 探讨不同LET辐射对健康人外周血淋巴细胞的遗传损伤效应；了解重离子辐射诱导人血淋巴细胞染色体畸变的特点；研究用G2期染色体畸变预测肿瘤细胞辐射敏感性的可行性。材料与方法：采用兰州近代物理研究所重离子研究装置产生的12C离子和兰州大学第一附属医院放疗科提供的X射线照射健康人外周血，用常规染色体分析技术和姊妹染色体差别染色法研究不同LET辐射对健康人血淋巴细胞中期染色体的损伤效应、高LET辐射的剂量率效应、时程效应和染色体畸变的特点；用Calyculin A诱导间期染色体凝集技术研究12C 离子对淋巴细胞G2期染色体的损伤效应。用60Coγ射线照射人卵巢癌细胞和肝癌细胞，以细胞克隆存活率和G2期染色体畸变为生物学终点，探讨用G2期染色体畸变预测肿瘤细胞辐射敏感性的可行性。 结果与结论 1. 不同LET辐射诱导‘双+环’畸变与剂量之间存在良好的线性平方关系， 12C 离子诱导的畸变在细胞间的分布不符合泊松分布； 12C离子的相对生物学效应随着LET的增大而增大；12C离子诱导染色体畸变在1－5 Gy/min的范围内不存在剂量率效应；在0－4 Gy的剂量范围内不存在时程效应，说明培养48小时后中期‘双+环’畸变能很好的反应12C离子对淋巴细胞的损伤效应。本研究可以帮助人们了解重离子的相对生物学效应，为病人健康组织的保护以及放射医师的防护提供重要的理论数据。 2. LET为34.6 keV/μm的12C离子诱导淋巴细胞G2-期染色体数目畸变与剂量之间存在良好的线性关系(r=0.99)；最长G2-PCC与最短G2-PCC的长度之比与剂量之间存在良好的线性平方关系(r2=0.96)。表明有希望用G2-期染色体畸变评估重离子的相对生物学效应和估计重离子的辐射剂量，也为合理评估空间混合辐射场中重离子辐射所占比例提供了两个潜在的指标。 3. LET为34.6 keV/μm12C 离子诱导的畸变，除大部分染色体型畸变外，还出现少量的染色单体畸变，这一现象在理论上突破了传统的认识，对重离子辐射损伤机理的认识有重要意义。这可能是由于重离子特殊的离子径迹结构诱导染色单体畸变。重离子相对生物学效应是相对于常规射线而言的，而常规射线辐照G0期淋巴细胞只产生染色体型畸变，因此这一现象的存在对重离子相对生物学效应的确定提出了新的问题。 4. γ射线诱导肿瘤细胞G2期染色体初始断裂畸变和修复24小时后残余断裂畸变都与辐射剂量有良好的相关性；肿瘤细胞克隆存活率与G2染色单体初始断裂(r=0.96)和修复24小时后残余断裂(r=0.91)都有一定的相关性，比较而言，G2染色单体初始断裂畸变能更好的反映肿瘤细胞的辐射敏感性，预示G2染色单体初始断裂畸变有希望成为肿瘤细胞辐射敏感性的预测指标。 5. 2 Gyγ射线诱导的G2-染色单体断裂畸变，有近65% 的断裂在辐射后24小时内得以修复；对G2等点染色单体断裂畸变，在辐射后24小时内只有20%左右得以修复；两类畸变的修复主要发生在辐射后2小时内。 6. 在用G2-assay法测定染色体畸变的实验中，给予较高剂量时，很难获得足够的中期细胞以供观察。用G2-assay和G2-PCC技术获得的数据都与细胞克隆存活率有一定的相关性，比较而言，后者的相关性要好一些。表明G2-PCC技术可以作为细胞存活实验和用常规染色体畸变分析放射敏感性的替代方法

Comparative Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturases in Cyanobacterial Genomes

Fatty acid desaturases are enzymes that introduce double bonds into the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids. The fatty acid desaturases from 37 cyanobacterial genomes were identified and classified based upon their conserved histidine-rich motifs and phylogenetic analysis, which help to determine the amounts and distributions of desaturases in cyanobacterial species. The filamentous or N-2-fixing cyanobacteria usually possess more types of fatty acid desaturases than that of unicellular species. The pathway of acyl-lipid desaturation for unicellular marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus differs from that of other cyanobacteria, indicating different phylogenetic histories of the two genera from other cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater, soil, or symbiont. Strain Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 was isolated from calcareous rock and lacks thylakoid membranes. The types and amounts of desaturases of this strain are distinct to those of other cyanobacteria, reflecting the earliest divergence of it from the cyanobacterial line. Three thermophilic unicellular strains, Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 and two Synechococcus Yellowstone species, lack highly unsaturated fatty acids in lipids and contain only one Delta 9 desaturase in contrast with mesophilic strains, which is probably due to their thermic habitats. Thus, the amounts and types of fatty acid desaturases are various among different cyanobacterial species, which may result from the adaption to environments in evolution. Copyright (c) 2008 Xiaoyuan Chi et al.

A potent anti-oxidant property: fluorescent recombinant alpha-phycocyanin of Spirulina

To express and product a fluorescent antioxidant holo-alpha-phycocyanin (PC) of Spirulina platensis (Sp) with His-tag (rHHPC; recombinant holo-alpha-phycocyaninof Spirulina platensis with His-tag) in 5-l bench scale. A vector harbouring two cassettes was constructed: cpcA along with cpcE-cpcF in one cassette; ho1-pcyA in the other cassette. Lyases CpcE/F of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (S6) could catalyse the 82 site Cys in apo-alpha-PC of Sp linking with bilin chromophores, and rHHPC was biosynthesized in Escherichia coli BL21. The constant feeding mode was adopted, and transformant reached the biomass of rHHPC up to 0.55 g l(-1) broth in 5-litre bench scale. rHHPC was purified by Ni2+ affinity column conveniently. The absorbance and the fluorescence emission spectra of rHHPC had lambda(max) at 621 and 650 nm, respectively. The IC50 values of rHHPC were 277.5 +/- 25.8 mu g ml(-1) against hydroxyl radicals and 20.8 +/- 2.2 mu g ml(-1) against peroxyl radicals. Combinational biosynthesis of rHHPC was feasible, and the constant feeding mode was adopted to produce good yields of rHHPC. Fluorescent rHHPC with several unique qualitative and quantitative features was effective on scavenging hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. A potent antioxidant rHHPC was co-expressed, produced and characterized for nutritional and pharmacological values, which would help to develop phycobiliproteins' applications in their fluorescent and biological activities.

Genomic cloning, expression and recombinant protein purification of alpha and beta subunits of the allophycocyanin gene (apc) from the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans UTEX 625

A genomic fragment encoding alpha(APC) and beta(APC) (i.e., alpha and beta units of the allophycocyanin, APC) from Anacystis nidulans UTEX 625 was cloned and sequenced. This fragment, containing a non-coding sequence of 56 nucleotides in between, was then subcloned into the expression vector pMal-c2 downstream from and in frame with the malE gene of E. coli encoding MBP ( maltose binding protein). The fusion protein was purified by amylose affinity chromatography and cleaved by coagulation factor Xa. alpha(APC) and beta(APC) were then separated from MBP and MBP fusion proteins, respectively, and concentrated by membrane centrifugation. The study provides a method to produce recombinant allophycocyanin subunits for biomedical and biotechnological applications.