固斑蝰蛇毒C-型凝集素样蛋白Dabocetin及L-氨基酸氧化酶DRS-LAO的研究

本论文研究了从圆斑蛙蛇泰国亚种（Daboia russellii siamensis）蛇毒中纯化的C一型凝集素样蛋白Dabocetin和L一氨基酸氧化酶DRS一AO的理化性质、生物学活性和分子克隆。Dabocetin是分子量约为28扔。的异二聚体蛋白，它由分子量约为15.0kDa和14．5kDa的两个同源亚基以和p共价结合形成。N－末端氨基酸序列比较显示，Dabocetin与目前已知的蛇毒c一型凝集素样蛋白有很高的同源性。即使在终浓度达50．0。叫而时，Dabocetin也不能直接诱导血小板聚集。此外，在终浓度为40.00μg/ml时，Dabocetin几乎不能抑制由AdP，TMVA和stejnulxin诱导的血小板聚集。但是，Dabocetin呈剂量依赖地抑制瑞斯托霉素诱导的血小板凝集，其半数抑制率ICS。值为10.80ug/ml。流式细胞仪分析表明，Dabocetin显著抑制单克隆抗体522与GPIba的结合，提示Dabocetin很可能是一个GPIb结合蛋白。从圆斑蛙蛇的毒腺中克隆到了7个编码不同蛇毒C一型凝集素样蛋白亚基的七DNA（命名为DRs一1至DRs一7）。其中，DRsLS编码Dabocetin的a亚基，DRS一6编码Dabocetin的p亚基。DRs一1和DRS一2很可能是圆斑蛙蛇毒腺中表达的X因子激活剂的两条轻链LCZ和LCI的山NA。DRS一3，DRS毛4和DRSL7可能是圆斑蛙蛇毒腺中表达的C一型凝集素样蛋白p亚基的。NA。DRsLAO是一个新的L一氨基酸氧化酶，比活力为1．98U加噶。十二烷基磺酸钠一聚丙烯酞氨凝胶电泳（SDs-PAGE）分析显示，该酶在还原和非还原条件下均呈现一条蛋白带，表观分子量约为58kDa。N-末端氨基酸序列比较显示，DRS一AO与目前已知的蛇毒L一氨基酸氧化酶有很高的同源性。该酶的最适底物为L一亮氨酸，最适pH为8．8。DRs一Ao呈剂量依赖地抑制扔P和仆IvA诱导的血小板聚集，其半数抑制率ICS。值分别为32.8μg/ml和32.3μg/ml。DRS-LAO对金黄色葡萄球菌（灯Cc25923）和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌有较强的抗菌作用。DRs一AO对金黄色葡萄球菌必Tcc25923）的最低抑菌浓度卿C）和最低杀菌浓度耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的孤CS。和呱Cg。值分别为18．。林留时和36.0μg/ml；DRSLAo对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的MBC50和MBCg。值分别为36.0μg/ml和72.0μg/ml。通过对DRS一AO的分子克隆，得到了编码DRS-AO的部分cDNA序列。

烙铁头蛇毒C-型凝集素样蛋白的生物活性及其作用机制研究

蛇毒C一型凝集素样蛋白一般是由两个相似亚基组成的异构二聚体或由多个异构二聚体组成的多聚体。烙铁头蛇毒血小板活化素TMVA是一个高分子量的C一型凝集素样蛋白。本文研究了烙铁头蛇毒C一型凝聚素样蛋白的生物活性及其作用机制。同时还从烙铁头蛇毒中分离到一个抗凝蛋白（mucroqucetin）。TMVA呈量效关系地诱导P好和洗涤血小板聚集，提示其活化血小板并不调节v从下或不依赖于vWF。抗人血小板糖蛋白（GP）Ib单克隆抗体HIPI呈剂量依赖性特异性抑制TMVA诱导的血小板聚集。抗人GPllb单克隆抗体PZ也抑制血小板聚集。单克隆抗体和流式细胞术分析显示，FITC一TMVA特异性地、剂量依赖性地结合到福尔马林固定的人血小板上，在FIIC-TMVA4O砚浓度时达到饱和性结合状态，这种结合被HIPI特异性地抑制，并呈剂量依赖性。TMVA不结合血小板GPIX、GPllb、GPllla、GPIa、GPlla和GPIV。Mocarhagin仅能部分阻断TMVA诱导的血小板聚集，然而TMVA却能诱导mocarhagin阻断的血小板聚集。以上结果显示TMVA在GPIbQ上的主要受体位于富含亮氨酸第二次重复区氨基酸残基59一81，除此之外，TMVA可能还有其他结合位点。小鼠体内首次给予TMVA后，在短时间内（15min-30min）引起循环血小板数及网织血小板百分率暂时性减低、血小板膜表面P-seleetin的表达暂时性增加，但循环血液中血小板一白细胞复合物未增加；抗鼠血小板单克隆抗体P一selectin、GPllb、GPlll。免疫组化染色显示脾和肺的组织巨噬细胞呈阴性反应，提示TMVA导致循环血小板减少不是巨噬细胞系统对血小板的清除所致。可能是由于TMVA．通过GPIb活化血小板后使P-selectin暴露于胞浆膜表面，这些脱颗粒的血小板在补体的参与下自身溶破，而导致快速的暂时性血小板减少。给予TMVA．后组织病理学显示，肝、脾、肺、肾、胰、大肠及小肠血管未血栓形成；TMVA不影响内源性和外源性凝血系统；TMVA呈剂量依赖性延长小鼠的出血时间，但在TMvA25p眺g时小鼠的出血时间未延长、仍小于5分钟，是一个安全的剂量。以上结果充分证明TMVA具有体内抗血栓作用，血小板自身溶破导致血小板减少在体内抗血栓中可能也起到重要的作用。体内外实验显示TMVA在动物体内外都具有抗补体活性作用。TMVA上调血小板上DAF和CD59的表达，不同程度地上调白细胞上D胚和CDS夕的表达。TMVA在补体系统中的作用可能与其在异种器宫移植中抗IIAR的发生相关。Mucroqucetin是一个由Q链和p链组成的异二聚体蛋白质，其分子量为25KD。。N一末端氨基酸序列与其它该类蛇毒C一型凝集素样蛋白有很高的同源性。Mucroqucetin呈量效关系延长部分凝血活酶时间（APTT），几乎不影响凝血酶原时间（PT）。因子IX和X的抑制试验显示，该纯化蛋白呈量效关系抑制工X因子的凝血活性，不影响X因子，提示mucroqucetin的抗凝活性主要通过结合FIX而实现，是一个血液凝固IX因子结合蛋白。

Analysis of Bothrops jararacussu venomous gland transcriptome focusing on structural and functional aspects: I - gene expression profile of highly expressed phospholipases A(2)

Snake venom glands are a rich source of bioactive molecules such as peptides, proteins and enzymes that show important pharmacological activity leading to in local and systemic effects as pain, edema, bleeding and muscle necrosis. Most studies on pharmacologically active peptides and proteins from snake venoms have been concerned with isolation and structure elucidation through methods of classical biochemistry. As an attempt to examine the transcripts expressed in the venom gland of Bothrops jararacussu and to unveil the toxicological and pharmacological potential of its products at the molecular level, we generated 549 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a directional cDNA library. Sequences obtained from single-pass sequencing of randomly selected cDNA clones could be identified by similarities searches on existing databases, resulting in 197 sequences with significant similarity to phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), of which 83.2% were Lys49-PLA(2) homologs (BOJU-1), 0.1% were basic Asp49-PLA(2)s (BOJU-II) and 0.6% were acidic Asp49-PLA(2)s (BOJU-III). Adjoining this very abundant class of proteins we found 88 transcripts codifying for putative sequences of metalloproteases, which after clustering and assembling resulted in three full-length sequences: BOJUMET-I, BOJUMET-II and BOJUMET-III; as well as 25 transcripts related to C-type lectin like protein including a full-length cDNA of a putative galactose binding C-type lectin and a cluster of eight serine-proteases transcripts including a full-length cDNA of a putative serine protease. Among the full-length sequenced clones we identified a nerve growth factor (Bj-NGF) with 92% identity with a human NGF (NGHUBM) and an acidic phospholipase A2 (BthA-I-PLA(2)) displaying 85-93% identity with other snake venom toxins. Genetic distance among PLA(2)s from Bothrops species were evaluated by phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, analysis of full-length putative Lys49-PLA(2) through molecular modeling showed conserved structural domains, allowing the characterization of those proteins as group II PLA(2)s. The constructed cDNA library provides molecular clones harboring sequences that can be used to probe directly the genetic material from gland venom of other snake species. Expression of complete cDNAs or their modified derivatives will be useful for elucidation of the structure-function relationships of these toxins and peptides of biotechnological interest. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Cloning and characterization of a blood coagulation factor IX-binding protein from the venom of Trimeresurus stejnegeri

A blood coagulation factor IX-binding protein (TSV-FIX-BP) was isolated from the snake venom of Trimeresurus stejnegeri. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, TSV-FIX-BP showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 23,000 under non-reducing conditions. and two distinct bands with apparent molecular weights of 14,800 and 14,000 under reducing conditions. cDNA clones containing the coding sequences of TSV-FIX-BP were isolated and sequenced to determine the structure of the precusors of TSV-FIX-BP subunits. The deduced amino acid sequences of two subunits of TSV-FIX-BP were confirmed by N-terminal protein sequencing and trypsin-digested peptide mass fingerprinting. TSV-FIX-BP was a nonenzymatic C-type lectin-like anti-coagulant. The anti-coagulant activity of TSV-FIX-BP was mainly caused by its dose dependent interaction with blood coagulation factor IX but not with blood coagulation factor X. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expression of toll-like receptors by human muscle cells in vitro and in vivo:TLR3 is highly expressed in inflammatory and HIV myopathies, mediates IL-8 release and up-regulation of NKG2D-ligands

The particular microenvironment of the skeletal muscle can be the site of complex immune reactions. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate inflammatory stimuli from pathogens and endogenous danger signals and link the innate and adaptive immune system. We investigated innate immune responses in human muscle. Analyzing TLR1-9 mRNA in cultured myoblasts and rhabdomyosarcoma cells, we found constitutive expression of TLR3. The TLR3 ligand Poly (I:C), a synthetic analog of dsRNA, and IFN-gamma increased TLR3 levels. TLR3 was mainly localized intracellularly and regulated at the protein level. Poly (I:C) challenge 1) activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), 2) increased IL-8 release, and 3) up-regulated NKG2D ligands and NK-cell-mediated lysis of muscle cells. We examined muscle biopsy specimens of 6 HIV patients with inclusion body myositis/polymyositis (IBM/PM), 7 cases of sporadic IBM and 9 nonmyopathic controls for TLR3 expression. TLR3 mRNA levels were elevated in biopsy specimens from patients with IBM and HIV-myopathies. Muscle fibers in inflammatory myopathies expressed TLR3 in close proximity of infiltrating mononuclear cells. Taken together, our study suggests an important role of TLR3 in the immunobiology of muscle, and has substantial implications for the understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies or therapeutic interventions like vaccinations or gene transfer.

Induction of heme oxygenase 1 by moderately oxidized low-density lipoproteins in human vascular smooth muscle cells: role of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Nrf2

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) play a central role in atherogenesis and induce expression of the antioxidant stress protein heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). In the present study we investigated induction of HO-1 and adaptive increases in reduced glutathione (GSH) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to moderately oxidized LDL (moxLDL, 100 mu g protein/ml, 24 h), a species containing high levels of lipid hydroperoxides. Expression and activity of HO-1 and GSH levels were elevated to a greater extent by moxLDL than highly oxidized LDL but unaffected by native or acetylated LDL. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p38(MAPK) and MEK or c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) significantly attenuated induction of HO-1. Phosphorylation of p38(MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), or JNK and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Nrf2 were enhanced following acute exposure of SMC to rnoxLDL (100 mu g proteiri/ml, 1-2 h). Pretreatment of SMC with the antioxidant vitamin C (100 mu M, 24 h) attenuated the induction of HO-1 by moxLDL. Native and oxidized LDL did not alter basal levels of intracellular ATP, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, or expression of the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1) in SMC. These findings demonstrate for the first time that activation of PKC, p38(MAPK), JNK, ERK1/2, and Nrf2 by oxidized LDL in human SMC leads to HO-1 induction, constituting an adaptive response against oxidative injury that can be ameliorated by vitamin C. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 contributes to (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-mediated signaling in platelets

Rationale: Platelets are anuclear cell fragments derived from bone marrow megakaryocytes (MKs) that safeguard vascular integrity but may also cause pathological vessel occlusion. One major pathway of platelet activation is triggered by 2 receptors that signal through an (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), the activating collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI and the C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). Growth factor receptor–bound protein 2 (Grb2) is a ubiquitously expressed adapter molecule involved in signaling processes of numerous receptors in different cell types, but its function in platelets and MKs is unknown. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that Grb2 is a crucial adapter protein in (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling in platelets. Methods and Results: Here, we show that genetic ablation of Grb2 in MKs and platelets did not interfere with MK differentiation or platelet production. However, Grb2-deficiency severely impaired glycoprotein VI–mediated platelet activation because of defective stabilization of the linker of activated T-cell (LAT) signalosome and activation of downstream signaling proteins that resulted in reduced adhesion, aggregation, and coagulant activity on collagen in vitro. Similarly, CLEC-2–mediated signaling was impaired in Grb2-deficient platelets, whereas the cells responded normally to stimulation of G protein–coupled receptors. In vivo, this selective (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling defect resulted in prolonged bleeding times but affected arterial thrombus formation only after concomitant treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, indicating that defective glycoprotein VI signaling in the absence of Grb2 can be compensated through thromboxane A2–induced G protein–coupled receptor signaling pathways. Conclusions: These results reveal an important contribution of Grb2 in (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling in platelets in hemostasis and thrombosis by stabilizing the LAT signalosome.

Structure of a calcium-independent phospholipase-like myotoxic protein from Bothrops asper venom

Myotoxin II, a myotoxic calcium-independent phospholipase-like protein isolated from the venom of Bothrops asper, possesses no detectable phospholipase activity. The crystal structure has been determined and refined at 2.8 Angstrom to an R factor of 16.5% (F>3 sigma) with excellent stereochemistry. Amino-acid differences between catalytically active phospholipases and myotoxin LI in the Ca2+-binding region, specifically the substitutions Tyr28-->Asn, Gly32-->Leu and Asp49-->Lys, result in an altered local conformation. The key difference is that the epsilon-amino group of Lys49 fills the site normally occupied by the calcium ion in catalytically active phospholipases. In contrast to the homologous monomeric Lys49 variant from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus, myotoxin II is present as a dimer both in solution and in the crystalline state. The two molecules in the asymmetric unit are related by a nearly perfect twofold axis, yet the dimer is radically different from the dimer formed by the phospholipase from Crotalus atrox. Whereas in C. atrox the dimer interface occludes the active sites, in myotoxin II they are exposed to solvent.

Monoclonal Antibody Production and Immunolocalization of a Salinity Stress-Related Protein in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Among various physiological responses to salt stress, the synthesis of a lectin-related protein of 14.5 kDa was observed in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) under the treatment of 170 mmol/L NaCl. In order to better understand the role of the SALT protein in the physiological processes involving salinity, it was immunolocalized in mesophilic cells of leaf sheath and blade of a rice variety IAC-4440 following monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridome culture technique. This variety turned out to be an excellent model for that purpose, since it accumulates SALT protein even in absence of salt treatment and it has been classified as moderately sensitive to salinity and a superior grain producer. This feature was relevant for this work since it allowed the use of plants without the deleterious effects caused by salinity. Immunocytochemistry assays revealed that the SALT protein is located in the stroma of chloroplasts under non-stressing condition. Since the chloroplast is the main target affected by salinity and considering that the SALT protein does not present any apparent signal peptide for organelle localization, its lectin-like activity seems to play an important role in the establishment of stable complexes, either to other proteins or to oligosaccharides that are translocated to the chloroplast. © 2011 China National Rice Research Institute.

Structural insights regarding an insecticidal Talisia esculenta protein and its biotechnological potential for Diatraea saccharalis larval control

Talisin is a seed-storage protein from Talisia esculenta that presents lectin-like activities, as well as proteinase-inhibitor properties. The present study aims to provide new in vitro and in silico biochemical information about this protein, shedding some light on its mechanistic inhibitory strategies. A theoretical three-dimensional structure of Talisin bound to trypsin was constructed in order to determine the relative interaction mode. Since the structure of non-competitive inhibition has not been elucidated, Talisin-trypsin docking was carried out using Hex v5.1, since the structure of non-competitive inhibition has not been elucidated. The predicted non-coincidence of the trypsin binding site is completely different from that previously proposed for Kunitz-type inhibitors, which demonstrate a substitution of an Arg(64) for the Glu(64) residue. Data, therefore, provide more information regarding the mechanisms of non-competitive plant proteinase inhibitors. Bioassays with Talisin also presented a strong insecticide effect on the larval development of Diatraea saccharalis, demonstrating LD50 and ED50 of ca. 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cementum attachment protein/protein-tyrosine phosphotase-like member A is not expressed in teeth

Cementum is a highly specialized connective tissue that covers tooth roots. The only cementum-specific protein described to date is the cementum attachment protein (CAP). A putative sequence for CAP was established from a cDNA clone isolated from a human cementifying fibroma cDNA library. This sequence overlaps with a phosphatase-like protein in muscle termed the protein-tyrosine phosphatase-like member A (PTPLA). To clarify the nature of CAP/PTPLA, we cloned the homologous rat protein and determined its sequence. The rat protein shared 94% sequence identity with the human protein. On Northern blots containing RNA from various rat tissues of different developmental stages, the cDNA hybridized to an mRNA expressed in heart and skeletal muscle but not in teeth. These results were confirmed by real-time PCR. Thus, the sequence deposited in public databanks under the name 'cementum attachment protein' does not represent genuine CAP.

Identification of Darlin, a Dictyostelium Protein with Armadillo-like Repeats that Binds to Small GTPases and Is Important for the Proper Aggregation of Developing Cells

We purified from Dictyostelium lysates an 88-kDa protein that bound to a subset of small GTPases, including racE, racC, cdc42Hs, and TC4ran, but did not bind to R-ras or rabB. Cloning of the gene encoding this 88-kDa protein revealed that it contained multiple armadillo-like repeats most closely related to the mammalian GTP exchange factor smgGDS. We named this protein darlin (Dictyostelium armadillo-like protein). Disruption of the gene encoding darlin demonstrated that this protein is not essential for cytokinesis, pinocytosis, phagocytosis, or development. However, the ability of darlin null cells to aggregate in response to starvation is severely affected. When starved under liquid medium, the mutant cells were unable to form aggregation centers and streams, possibly because of a defect in cAMP relay signaling. This defect was not due to an inability of the darlin mutants to activate adenylate cyclase in response to G protein stimulation. These results suggest that the darlin protein is involved in a signaling pathway that may modulate the chemotactic response during early development.

Recombinant scrapie-like prion protein of 106 amino acids is soluble

The N terminus of the scrapie isoform of prion protein (PrPSc) can be truncated without loss of scrapie infectivity and, correspondingly, the truncation of the N terminus of the cellular isoform, PrPC, still permits conversion into PrPSc. To assess whether additional segments of the PrP molecule can be deleted, we previously removed regions of putative secondary structure in PrPC; in the present study we found that deletion of each of the four predicted helices prevented PrPSc formation, as did deletion of the stop transfer effector region and the C178A mutation. Removal of a 36-residue loop between helices 2 and 3 did not prevent formation of protease-resistant PrP; the resulting scrapie-like protein, designated PrPSc106, contained 106 residues after cleavage of an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal sequence for glycolipid anchor addition. Addition of the detergent Sarkosyl to cell lysates solubilized PrPSc106, which retained resistance to digestion by proteinase K. These results suggest that all the regions of proposed secondary structure in PrP are required for PrPSc formation, as is the disulfide bond stabilizing helices 3 and 4. The discovery of PrPSc106 should facilitate structural studies of PrPSc, investigations of the mechanism of PrPSc formation, and the production of PrPSc-specific antibodies.

Solution structure and peptide binding studies of the C-terminal Src homology 3-like domain of the diphtheria toxin repressor protein

The diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) is the best-characterized member of a family of homologous proteins that regulate iron uptake and virulence gene expression in the Gram-positive bacteria. DtxR contains two domains that are separated by a short, unstructured linker. The N-terminal domain is structurally well-defined and is responsible for Fe2+ binding, dimerization, and DNA binding. The C-terminal domain adopts a fold similar to eukaryotic Src homology 3 domains, but the functional role of the C-terminal domain in repressor activity is unknown. The solution structure of the C-terminal domain, consisting of residues N130-L226 plus a 13-residue N-terminal extension, has been determined by using NMR spectroscopy. Residues before A147 are highly mobile and adopt a random coil conformation, but residues A147-L226 form a single structured domain consisting of five β-strands and three helices arranged into a partially orthogonal, two-sheet β-barrel, similar to the structure observed in the crystalline Co2+ complex of full-length DtxR. Chemical shift perturbation studies demonstrate that a proline-rich peptide corresponding to residues R125-G139 of intact DtxR binds to the C-terminal domain in a pocket formed by residues in β-strands 2, 3, and 5, and helix 3. Binding of the proline-rich peptide by the C-terminal domain of DtxR presents an example of peptide binding by a prokaryotic Src homology 3-like protein. The results of this study, combined with previous x-ray studies of intact DtxR, provide insights into a possible biological function of the C-terminal domain in regulating repressor activity.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of a secreted lectin (Rv1419) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A secreted lectin, Rv1419, from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized and the crystals have been characterized. This represents the first X-ray investigation of a lectin or lectin-like molecule from the pathogen. The cubic crystals contain one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Sequence comparisons indicate that the lectin has a beta-trefoil fold and belongs to a well characterized family of carbohydrate-binding modules. Structural analysis of the crystals is in progress.