The characteristics of enzyme kinetics of CTX-M-14 type extended-spectrum β-lactamase with Pro167 residue substitution

Objective To analyze and evaluate the characteristics of enzyme kinetics of CTX-M-14 type extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL) with Pro167 residue substitution. Methods By molecular cloning and PCR techniques, CTX-M-14 gene was directionally cloned into plasmid pET28a( + ) from a clinical E. coli isolate and formed an expression vector to transform competent E. coli BL21 (DE3 ). Prol67 residue substitutions of P167G, P167Q, P167S and P167T were introduced to CTX-M-14 by site-directed muta-genesis based on overlap extension PCR with the former recombinant plasmid as PCR template, respectively.The wild-type CTX-M-14, recombinant CTX-M-14 protein and its variants were expressed and purified, then their steady-state kinetic parameters (Kcat, Km and Kcat/Km ) against β-lactam antibiotics were determined.Results The kinetic parameters of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14 had no statistically significant differences (P>0.1). The 1/Km, Kcat and Kcat/Km values of P167S variant against ceftazidime were 16-fold, 2.87-fold and 43.6-fold higher than those of recombinant CTX-M-14, respectively, and the Kcat/Km value of P167S variant against penicillin, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime decreased( < 0.05). Compared with the kinetic parameters of recombinant CTX-M-14, the kinetic parameters of P167T variant against ceftazidime had no significant change, but the Kcat values of P167Q and P167G variants decreased dramatically(P<0.01). Conclusion There was no difference between the enzyme activities of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14. P167S variant could not only promote the enzyme affinity of CTX-M-14 to ceftazidime but also improve the conversion rate of enzyme-substrate complex in the ceftazidime hydrolysis. The comparison of the kinetic parameters of CTX-M-14 and its variants with Pro167 residue substitution showed that the increased activity of CTX-M ESBL variants against ceftazidime could not be simply explained with the enlarged cavity in active site that may be caused by the replacement of Pro167 residue by smaller amino acids.     

Pro167位点突变型CTX-M-14超广谱β-内酰胺酶的动力学特征

目的 对Pr0167位点突变型CTX-M-14超广谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBL)的动力学特征进行分析与评价.方法 以携带CTX-M-14基因的大肠埃希菌临床株为模板,克隆目的 基因,重组工程菌,并表达CTX-M-14型ESBL.进而采用基于重叠延伸PCR法的定点突变技术,将CTX-M-14型ESBL的167位点Pro(P)分别突变为Gly(G)、Gln(Q)、Ser(S)和Thr(T),重组构建P167G、P167Q、P167S和P167T四株突变型的CTX-M-14工程菌.表达与纯化野生型、重组型和突变型CTX-M-14型ESBL,检测其水解β-内酰胺类抗菌素的酶动力学参数(Kcat、Km和Km).结果 对野生型与重组型CTX-M-14型ESBL的酶动力学参数进行配对t检验,结果显示两者Kcat(t=1.796,P=0.123)、Km(t=0.559,P=0.596)、Kcat/Km(t=0.893,P=0.406)间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.1).与重组CTX-M-14型ESBL相比,P167S突变型酶对头孢他啶的Km值大幅降低,为突变前的1/16(8.39/134.85);Kcat和Km值分别为突变前的2.87倍(1.81/0.63)和43.6倍(0.218/0.005);且对青霉素、氨苄西林、头孢唑啉、头孢呋辛、头孢曲松和头孢噻肟的Kcat/Km值都呈现出显著减小的趋势(P<0.05).与重组CTX-M-14 ESBL相比,P167Q和P167G突变型酶对头孢他啶的Kcat值亦大幅减小(P<0.01),而P167T突变型对头孢他啶的酶动力学参数无明显变化.结论 重组型与野生型CTX-M-14 ESBL之间各项酶动力学参数的差异无统计学意义(P>0.1).而P167S位点的突变,不仅增强了CTX-M-14型ESBL对头孢他啶的亲和力,也加快了酶-底物复合物的转换速率.通过对Pr0167位点4种突变型酶的动力学参数比较,初步说明突变型CTX-M ESBL对头孢他啶所具备的高水解活性机制,不能简单地归结于Pro167位点被小侧链氨基酸残基取代而导致酶活性中心空间扩大的解释.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze and evaluate the characteristics of enzyme kinetics of CTX-M-14 type extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL) with Pro167 residue substitution. Methods By molecular cloning and PCR techniques, CTX-M-14 gene was directionally cloned into plasmid pET28a( + ) from a clinical E. coli isolate and formed an expression vector to transform competent E. coli BL21 (DE3 ). Prol67 residue substitutions of P167G, P167Q, P167S and P167T were introduced to CTX-M-14 by site-directed muta-genesis based on overlap extension PCR with the former recombinant plasmid as PCR template, respectively.The wild-type CTX-M-14, recombinant CTX-M-14 protein and its variants were expressed and purified, then their steady-state kinetic parameters (Kcat, Km and Kcat/Km ) against β-lactam antibiotics were determined.Results The kinetic parameters of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14 had no statistically significant differences (P>0.1). The 1/Km, Kcat and Kcat/Km values of P167S variant against ceftazidime were 16-fold, 2.87-fold and 43.6-fold higher than those of recombinant CTX-M-14, respectively, and the Kcat/Km value of P167S variant against penicillin, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime decreased( < 0.05). Compared with the kinetic parameters of recombinant CTX-M-14, the kinetic parameters of P167T variant against ceftazidime had no significant change, but the Kcat values of P167Q and P167G variants decreased dramatically(P<0.01). Conclusion There was no difference between the enzyme activities of wild-type and recombinant CTX-M-14. P167S variant could not only promote the enzyme affinity of CTX-M-14 to ceftazidime but also improve the conversion rate of enzyme-substrate complex in the ceftazidime hydrolysis. The comparison of the kinetic parameters of CTX-M-14 and its variants with Pro167 residue substitution showed that the increased activity of CTX-M ESBL variants against ceftazidime could not be simply explained with the enlarged cavity in active site that may be caused by the replacement of Pro167 residue by smaller amino acids.     

Expression and purification of Ctomp2aa167-aa434 and preparation of its mAb

Chlamydia trachomatis outer membrane protein 2 (Ctomp2) is a major immunogen in chlamydial infections and a highly genus-conserved structural protein of all Chlamydia species . To purify the protein and to prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against it, the recombinant protein was induced by IPTG, which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and purified by means of a Ni2 -charged resin column. The denatured protein was refolded in the GSH-GSSH buffer gradually and identified by Western blotting. Then the BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant protein to prepare the mAb against Ctomp2. The obtained mAbs were characterized. Genital specimens were tested with indirect ELISA mostly made of the mAb and cell culture in 84 patients with genital symptoms. The results showed that high-level expression of the recombinant protein was achieved, which existed as inclusion body and amounted to 38 % of total bacterium protein. A mAb against Ctomp2 was obtained. It belongs to IgG 2b. The titers were as high as 1:40 000. The Western blotting showed that the mAb only reacted with the recombinant protein. It had no crossing reactions against E. coli, N. gonorhoea, M. hominis, U. urealyticum and M. penetrans . It had high specifity. In comparison with gold standard test-cell culture, the sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of indirect ELISA were 95.24%, 100%, 100% and 98.44%, respectively. The above-mentioned research work contributed not only to the further study of the structure and function of this protein , but also to the establishment of the method for its clinical application, for it had not been reported before.     

Expression and functional identification of the hypothetical adhesin P32 from Mycoplasma genitalium

Mycoplasma genitalium is the main causative agent for non-gonococcal and non-chlamydial urethritis. P32 is the putative surface-exposed membrane protein of M. genitalium and it has substaintial identity in amino acid sequence with adhesin protein P30 from M. pnewnoniae. Since M. pneumoniae mutants lacking P30 protein is defective in cytadherence, P32 protein has been proposed to be an essential adhesin implicated in the adherence of M. genitalium to host cells. The prokaryotic expression vector pET-30 ( )/p32 was constructed in the present study, and the recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli and purified under denaturing condition. As demonstrated by the immunoblotting analysis, the recombinant protein could react with rabbit antisera against M. genitalium, and adherence inhibition assays were petformed with antisera against this recombinant protein. It was demonstrated that P32 protein apperared to be an adhesion protein of M. genitalium, thus providing the experimental basis for better understanding of the pathogenesis of M. genitalium infection and for the development of the related vaccines against the infection.     

Variants of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (ALOX5AP) gene and risk of ischemic stroke in Han Chinese of eastern China

Variants of the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (ALOX5AP) gene have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke.This study was aimed to explore the association of ALOX5AP variants with ischemic stroke risk in Han Chinese of eastern China.A total of 690 ischemic stroke cases and 767 controls were recruited.The subjects were further subtyped according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.On the basis of that,two polymorphisms of the ALOX5AP gene (rs10507391 and rs12429692) were determined by TaqMan genotyping assay.In addition,plasma leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were analyzed in these subjects.There was no evidence of association between the two variants of ALOX5AP and the risk of ischemic stroke or its TOAST-subtypes.Haplotype analysis and stratification analysis according to sex,age,body mass index,hypertension,and diabetes also showed negative association.Analysis of LTB4 levels in a subset of cases and controls revealed that LTB4 levels were significantly higher in ischemic stroke cases than in the controls (70.06±14.75 ng/L vs 57.34±10.93 ng/L;P=0.000) and carriers of the T allele of the rs10507391 variant were associated with higher plasma LTB4 levels (P=0.000).The present study suggests there is no association of the two polymorphisms in the ALOX5AP gene with ischemic stroke risk in Han Chinese of eastern China.     

Analysis on drug-resistance and molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the clinical samples in two Chinese hospitals

In the present study, the drug-resistance genes encodingβ-lactamases, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes, DNA topoisomerases and integron as well as their molecular epidemiology were investigated by means of analyzing the drug-resistance and molecular epidemiology of Acinebacter bau mannii isolated from the clinical samples in two hospitals in Qiangzhou and Huzhou city of Jiangsu and Zhejiang province from July 2000 to March 2005. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these 307 isolates were detected by automatic microbiological system, and 35 strains against 5-fluoro-quinolones were performed by agar dilution assay. Meanwhile, the resistant genes in 80 isolates were amplified by PCR with identification by DNA sequencer. It was found that most of the 307 isolates of A . baumannii were resistant to multiple antibiotics tested, in which the resistance rates of the isolates against piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, amoxacillin/clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim were all above 35% , but those of imipenem and meropenem were quite low, ranged only 2.6% and 3.3%. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the positive rates of TEM and SHVβ-lactamase genes accounted for 93.8% and 22.5% respectively, and those of the aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes including aacC1, aacC2, aacC3, aacC4, aacC4A, aphA6, ant(2")-I and ant(3") I were 58.8%, 8.8%, 7.5%, 28.8%, 45.0%, 2.5%, 28.8% and 65.0% respectively. The mutations in the quinolone-resistant determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and parC genes indicated that substitution in Ser-83 residue of GyrA protein was most frequently occurred among strains with MIC for ciprofloxacin of more than 4μg/ml, whereas a double mutation at Ser-83 residue of gyrA and Ser-80 of parC was found in strains with MIC of ciprofloxacin of more than 8μg/ml. As to the positive rates of class 1 integron (Int I -1) and qacE△1-sul-1, it was found to be 60.0% and 77.5% respectively, and the rates of resistant genes of strains isolated in these two hospitals varied considerably. The results obtained in the present study indicate the presence of the multiple resistant genes in strains of A. baumannii , and great measures should be taken to control the spread of the resistant strains carrying the resistant genes.     

白细胞介素12基因多态性与广西壮族人群骨关节结核易感性的关系

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) may function as an immune regulator in the pathogenesis of osteoarticular tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-12A rs568408 G/A and IL-12B rs3212227 A/C with susceptibility to osteoarticular tuberculosis and serum interleukin-12 levels in Guangxi Zhuang population. METHODS: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-12A rs568408 G/A and IL-12B rs3212227 A/C polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single base extension technique and direct DNA sequencing in 150 patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis (disease group) and 165 healthy individuals (control group) in Guangxi Zhuang population. The genotype and allele frequencies of IL-12 and the relationship of genotypes to the susceptibility to osteoarticular tuberculosis were analyzed. In addition, the association of genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-12A rs568408 G/A and IL-12B rs3212227 A/C with serum IL-12 levels were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-12A rs568408 G/A and IL-12B rs3212227 A/C between the disease group and the control group (P > 0.05). Moreover, there was no difference in four haplotypes of IL-12 gene between the disease group and the control group (P > 0.05). Serum IL-12 levels in subjects with osteoarticular tuberculosis carrying the variant rs568408 GA/AA genotypes and wild-type rs568408 GG genotypes were similar (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference in serum IL-12 levels between subjects with osteoarticular tuberculosis carrying the variant rs3212227 AC/CC genotypes and wild-type rs3212227 AA genotypes (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that the single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-12A rs568408 G/A and IL-12B rs3212227 A/C polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to osteoarticular tuberculosis in Guangxi Zhuang population. 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     

Activity after site-directed mutagenesis of CD59 on complement-mediated cytolysis

CD59 may inhibit the cytolytic activity of complement by binding to C8/C9 and protect host cell membranes against homologous membrane attack complex （MAC）. However, CD59 is widely overexpressed on tumor cells, which has been implicated in tumorigenesis. The active site of CD59 relative to MAC is still confused. As reported the MAC binding site is located in the vicinity of a hydrophobic groove on the membrane distal face of the protein centered around residue W40. Here two site-directed mutagenesis were performed by overlapping extension PCR to delete residue W40 site （Mutant 1, M1） or to change C39W40K41 to W39W40W41 （Mutant 2, M2）. Then we constructed mutant CD59 eukaryotic expression system and investigated their biological function on CI-IO cells compared with wild-type CD59. Stable populations of CHO cells expressing recombinant proteins were screened by immunotechnique. After 30 passages culturing, proteins could be tested. Dye release assays suggest that M1CD59 loses the activity against complement, while M2CD59 increases the anti-complement activity slightly. Results indicate that W40 of human CD59 is important to its activity, and prohibition of this site may be a potential way to increase complement activity and to treat tumors. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

Effect of structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' noncoding region on its translation initiation activity

Objective To examine the role of domain Ⅱ of hepatitis C virus(HCV) 5'noncoding region (5'NCR) in its translation initiation activity. Methods The fragment of HCV 5' NCR with deletions of 5'-proximal 118 nucleotides were amplified with PCR, then was used to substitute for the full length HCV 5'NCR of plasmid pCMVNCRIuc, a firefly luciferase(Flue) eukaryotic expression plasmid regulated by HCV 5' NCR, to generate recombinant plasmid pCN1-d3, pCMVNCRIuc, pCN1-d2 (modified pCMVNCRluc with deletions of HCV 5' NCR nt1-43) and pCN1-d3 were transfected into HepG2 cells with liposome transfection protocol, respectively, and the relative luciferase activity was measured to analyze the regulatory effect of the truncated 5'NCR on Fluc gene expression. Meanwhile the Fluc mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR. Results The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed. The Fluc mRNA levels of the 3 plasmids were not significantly different(P 0.05), and there were also no significant difference between the relative luciferase activity of plasmids pCN1-d2 and pCMVNCRluc(P 0.05). However, that of pCN1-d3 was decreased significantly(P < 0.01, compared with pCN1-d2 or pCMVNCRluc). Conclusion Structural domain Ⅱ of HCV 5' NCR plays an important role in itstranslation initiation activity.     

蛋氨酸合酶基因A275 6G位点多态性与非综合征型唇腭裂的关联性研究

Objective To study the association of the A2756G polymorphism of the methionine synthase (MS) gene with nonsyndromie cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in Chinese. Methods Ninety-seven NSCL/P case-parent triads were selected as the case group. One hundred and four healthy subjects and their biological parents were selected as control group. For all subjects the A2756G polymorphism of the MS gene was examined by PCR-RFLP method. Results There was no statistical difference in genotype and allele frequencies for MS A2756G variants among family members between case group and control group. The GG genotype was not detected in the offsprings and mothers. The odds ratio and confidence interval of genotype AG in offspring, father and mother were 1.78(0.74-4.34), 0.80(0. 36-1.79) and 1.26(0. 54-2.93) respectively. The odds ratio and confidence interval of allele G in offspring, father and mother were 1.70(0.78-3.73), 0. 88(0. 49-1. 75) , and 1.23(0.59-2.60) respectively. The G allele did not increase the risk of NSCL/P. Transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis yielded no evidence of linkage disequilibrium (χ2=0.034,P>0. 05). The results of haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) analysis (χ2=0.03,P>0.05) and family-based association tests (FBAT) (Z=0. 186, P> 0.05) failed to show association between the MS A2756G variant and the risk of NSCL/P. Conclusion The A2756G polymorphism of the MS gene was not associated with NSCL/P in Chinese in the present study.