肉毒神经毒素体外检测方法的研究进展

肉毒神经毒素的体外检测对于食品卫生、进出口检疫检验、临床诊断以及应对生物恐怖袭击是非常重要的。本文就肉毒神经毒素体外检测方法的研究进展作一综述。     

肉毒毒素及其疫苗研究进展

肉毒毒素是目前已知毒性最强的毒素,是引起食物中毒的常见细菌毒素之一,也是重要的生物战剂之一。本文对肉毒毒素的结构、作用机制及其疫苗的研制进行了综述。     

注射用A型肉毒毒素的生物学特性及质量分析

目的对注射用A型肉毒毒素(Botulinum toxin type A for injection,商品名衡力,出口商品名BTXA)制品中的活性药用成分(Active pharmaceutical ingredient,API)的性质及2009～2011年生产的注射用A型肉毒毒素原液的比活性进行分析。方法对BTXA收获物样品进行阴离子交换层析,分离毒素复合体各组分;采用血凝试验、HPLC法、SDS-PAGE、等点聚焦电泳及N-末端氨基酸测序等方法分析A型肉毒毒素复合体及其各组分的性质;统计2009～2011年连续生产的注射用A型肉毒毒素原液的比活性数据,分析连续生产的工艺稳定性和质量重现性。结果 BTXA收获物样品在碱性条件下可被解离,解离出的A型肉毒神经毒素相对分子质量约为150 000,无血凝效价;BTXA的API为完整的单体,纯度均在99.5%以上;复合物和神经毒素的等电点分别为4.97、4.91,N-末端氨基酸测序结果与GenBank基本一致;在连续3年的生产过程中,原液比活性平均为3.0×107LD50/mg蛋白,BTXA成品中API载量约为5 ng/瓶。结论注射用A型肉毒毒素的活性成分是特异的复合体结构,可在碱性条件下解离出A型肉毒神经毒素;BTXA原液的比活性在连续3年的生产中持续稳定,具备很好的连续性,为临床使用的安全性提供依据。     

肉毒毒素的应用现状

肉毒毒素是肉毒杆菌在生长繁殖中产生的一种神经毒素。注入肌肉后，能迅速与突触前胆碱能神经终板结合，减少周围运动神经末梢和神经肌肉接头处乙酰胆碱的释放，抑制细胞外乙酰胆碱，造成肌肉松弛和麻痹。20世纪70年代末肉毒毒素被开发并逐步应用于临床，以治疗某些神经肌肉疾思。目前，肉毒毒素已经用于眼科、神经科、康复科、消化科及皮肤科(多汗症、美容)等领域50余种病症的治疗，取得了诸多成果。本文就肉毒毒素在临床医疗、医学美容、生物农药等方面的应用情况进行了概述。     

用于肉毒毒素活性测定的特异性绿色荧光融合蛋白的制备

目的制备含有7种血清型肉毒毒素切割位点(SNAP25-VAMP)的特异性绿色荧光融合蛋白,在E.coli中诱导表达,纯化后用于肉毒毒素活性测定。方法根据SNARE蛋白复合物中SNAPE25和VAMP基因序列及各血清型肉毒毒素(Bo NTs)的切割位点,设计合成含有SNAREs中突触小体(SNAP25)和突触小泡膜蛋白(VAMP)的Bam HⅠ-HIS6-SNAP62-Eco RⅠ-VAMP57C-TAA-HindⅢ(以下简称为SV)基因,连接至p ET-28a-GFP载体上,构建重组质粒p ET-28a-GFP-SV,转化感受态E.coli BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达后,经DEAE阴离子交换层析、Cu2+金属螯合层析、Q阴离子交换层析3步纯化,BCA法测定纯化产物的蛋白浓度,ELISA法检测B型肉毒毒素轻链蛋白(Bo NT/BL)活性。结果构建的质粒p ET-28a-GFP-SV经双酶切及测序鉴定证明构建正确,表达的GFP-SV融合蛋白相对分子量约40 000,主要以可溶形式存在,蛋白浓度为18.4μg/μl,纯度可达70%以上。利用该融合蛋白的荧光强弱变化可测定Bo NT/BL活性大小,同时也可测定其抗体中和活性大小。结论制备的含有SV的特异性绿色荧光融合蛋白在E.coli中获得了高效表达,为后续各型肉毒毒素活性检测及抗体中和毒素活性检测奠定了基础。     

A型肉毒毒素和A型肉毒神经毒素的非临床安全性评价

目的分析注射用A型肉毒毒素和注射用A型肉毒神经毒素活性药用成分(active pharmaceutical ingredient,API)的纯度、N-末端氨基酸序列和相对分子质量,并通过多个非临床研究试验,评价两种制品在药理、毒理特性等方面的一致性。方法采用SDS-PAGE法检测注射用A型肉毒毒素(衡力~,Lantox~,以下简称复合物)和注射用A型肉毒神经毒素(Chintox~,以下简称神经毒素)的纯度;对其N-末端氨基酸序列进行测序,并将测序结果与NCBI blast数据库中A型肉毒梭菌Hall株的氨基酸序列比对,确证其各组分的成分;毛细管凝胶电泳(capillary gel electrophoresis,CGE)检测其在非还原及还原条件下各组分的相对分子质量;单次肌肉注射、静脉注射、灌胃给予大鼠及单次肌肉注射给予食蟹猴的试验评价复合物和神经毒素的急性毒性;重复肌肉注射给予食蟹猴39周和恢复期12周的药理毒理试验评价复合物和神经毒素的长期毒性;家兔红细胞的体外溶血试验评价两者的溶血性;肌肉注射给予大鼠Ⅰ、Ⅱ段生殖毒性试验评价肉毒毒素的生殖毒性。结果神经毒素组:非还原条件下,神经毒素相对分子质量约152 000,N-末端氨基酸序列ALNDLQINVN,为完整的A型肉毒神经毒素;还原条件下,由相对分子质量约101 000,N-末端氨基酸序列ALNDLQINVN的重链和相对分子质量约51 000、N-末端氨基酸序列PFVNKQFNYK的轻链组成;复合物组:非还原条件下,含A型肉毒神经毒素(Mr 152 000)、非毒素非血凝素蛋白(non-toxic non-HA,NTNH)(Mr 136 000)、HA70组分(Mr 57 000、17 000)、HA33组分(Mr 30 000、28 000)和HA17组分(Mr 15 000),还原条件下,则含有重链、轻链、NTNH、HA70、HA33和HA17组分。注射用A型肉毒毒素、注射用A型肉毒神经毒素单次肌肉注射和静脉注射给予大鼠,肌肉注射的最大耐受剂量≥100 U/kg,静脉注射的最大耐受剂量≥30 U/kg;单次肌肉注射给予食蟹猴所产生的急性中毒反应与死亡情况一致,最大耐受剂量均为20 U/kg,近似致死剂量为40 U/kg;反复肌肉注射给予食蟹猴的试验中,未见明显毒性作用剂量(no observed adverse effect level,NOAEL)均为16 U/kg;在体外对家兔红细胞无溶血作用,不引起红细胞凝聚;Ⅰ段生殖毒性试验对雄鼠生育力的NOAEL为4U/kg,对雌鼠生育力的NOAEL为8 U/kg,对孕鼠早期胚胎发育的NOAEL为16 U/kg;Ⅱ段生殖毒性试验对孕鼠的NOAEL为1 U/kg,对胚胎-胎仔毒性和致畸性的NOAEL为16 U/kg。结论注射用A型肉毒毒素和注射用A型肉毒神经毒素在食蟹猴和大鼠的急性毒性、长期毒性等试验中,剂量、动物病理解剖结果一致,进一步说明A型肉毒毒素和A型肉毒神经毒素的药理毒理特性是相同的,且在反复肌肉注射给予食蟹猴的长期毒性试验中发现,A型肉毒神经毒素更不易产生抗体。在神经毒素灌胃试验中半数致死剂量高于复合物,表明其安全性更好。     

A、B、E、F型肉毒抗毒素的制备与检定

目的　制备马抗肉毒 (Botulinum)A、B、E、F型抗毒素。方法　菌种经过复苏分离与检定后 ,采用产毒培养、酸沉、盐析及脱毒等步骤 ,制备肉毒A、B、E、F四型类毒素 (Toxoid)和试验毒素 (Testtoxin) ,免疫健康马匹。结果　各型血浆效价均超过 2 0 0 0年版《中国生物制品规程》中对于抗毒素的要求 ,B型与F型的效价均超过 2倍以上 ,A型与E型也达到较好的应答水平。结论　已成功制备四型肉毒抗毒素。     

治疗用A型肉毒结晶毒素的研制及实验动物模型的建立

A型肉毒梭菌结晶毒素是以酸等电点沉淀,磷酸盐提取,核糖核酸酶处理,DEAE-A_(50)离子交换层析,硫酸铵外液透析制备的。毒力强,性能稳定,冻干制品宜于长期保存。经生化学、免疫学试验表明,毒素系神经毒素和血凝素的复合体,纯度高达2.5～2.6×10~7LD_(50)(小白鼠)/mgpr。给实验动物—恒河猴眼外肌注射能致人工斜视再给猴同眼的拮抗肌注射毒素,斜视得以矫正。可望成为一种治疗眼、面等神经、肌肉痉挛性疾病的安全,有效制剂。     

B型肉毒毒素轻链蛋白的原核表达及纯化

目的克隆B型肉毒毒素轻链Bont-B基因,使其在大肠杆菌内表达,并对表达的重组蛋白进行纯化。方法设计并人工合成Bont-B基因,克隆入表达载体pMD19-T中,构建质粒pMD19-T-Bont-B,经酶切后与pET-28a载体连接,构建重组表达质粒pET-28a-Bont-B,将重组表达质粒转化感受态大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达。表达产物经SDS-PAGE及Western blot分析后,经金属螯合层析Cu2+柱进行纯化,纯化产物经SDS-PAGE分析纯度。结果重组表达质粒pET-28a-Bont-B经PCR、双酶切及测序鉴定,证明构建正确;表达的重组蛋白相对分子质量约50 000,主要以可溶性形式表达,表达量约占菌体总蛋白的6%;纯化后的重组蛋白纯度可达90%以上。结论已成功克隆并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中原核表达了Bont-B轻链基因,为制备抗Bont-B轻链单克隆抗体及研究肉毒中毒机制和治疗奠定了基础。     

A型肉毒毒素轻链蛋白的表达及纯化

目的构建A型肉毒毒素轻链表达载体重组质粒,在大肠埃希菌中表达后,利用金属螯合层析柱纯化。方法以p GEM-Bo NT/AL轻链质粒为模板,PCR扩增Bo NT/AL基因,克隆至表达载体p ET-28(a)中,构建重组质粒p ET-28(a)-Bo NT/AL,转化E.coli BL21(DE3),分别于37、30、25℃IPTG诱导表达,表达产物经Chelating Sepharose 4Fast Flow(Cu~(2+))层析柱纯化,纯化产物经尿素梯度复性。结果质粒p ET-28(a)-Bo NT/AL经酶切鉴定及测序证明构建正确;表达的重组蛋白相对分子质量约52 000,主要以包涵体形式存在,37℃诱导表达量最高,占菌体沉淀总蛋白的41%;包涵体经2%Trition-X100和2 mol/L尿素洗涤后,可去除部分杂蛋白,8 mol/L尿素能溶解大部分包涵体;经再次浓缩后,蛋白浓度可达89μg/ml,纯度达90%。结论成功克隆及表达了Bo NT/A轻链基因,为制备抗Bo NT/A轻链单链抗体以及研究肉毒中毒机制和治疗方案奠定了基础。     

Sporulation Strategies and Potential Role of the Exosporium in Survival and Persistence of Clostridium botulinum

Clostridium botulinum produces the botulinum neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but potentially lethal paralysis. Endospores play an important role in the survival, transmission, and pathogenesis of C. botulinum. C. botulinum strains are very diverse, both genetically and ecologically. Group I strains are terrestrial, mesophilic, and produce highly heat-resistant spores, while Group II strains can be terrestrial (type B) or aquatic (type E) and are generally psychrotrophic and produce spores of moderate heat resistance. Group III strains are either terrestrial or aquatic, mesophilic or slightly thermophilic, and the heat resistance properties of their spores are poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the sporulation dynamics in population, spore morphology, and other spore properties of 10 C. botulinum strains belonging to Groups I–III. We propose two distinct sporulation strategies used by C. botulinum Groups I–III strains, report their spore properties, and suggest a putative role for the exosporium in conferring high heat resistance. Strains within each physiological group produced spores with similar characteristics, likely reflecting adaptation to respective environmental habitats. Our work provides new information on the spores and on the population and single-cell level strategies in the sporulation of C. botulinum.     

治疗用A型肉毒梭菌神经毒素全基因克隆及序列分析

目的对我国治疗用A型肉毒毒素生产用菌株Hall株神经毒素(BoNT)全基因进行克隆及序列分析,了解其遗传特性,为该制剂的质量控制提供依据。方法取生产用主代种子、工作种子,通过PCR扩增BoNT全基因片段,将其克隆至载体pGEM-T中,构建重组克隆质粒pGEM-T-BoNT,对克隆的BoNT基因进行序列测定与分析。结果测得的Hall株BoNT全基因序列3891bp,共编码1297个氨基酸。4种核苷酸的比例分别为:A:40.58%,G:16.17%,T:33.13%,C:10.13%;GC含量为26.29%,AT含量为73.71%。主代种子、工作种子核苷酸序列3591位的G变成A,为无义突变,未导致其推导的氨基酸的改变。序列测定结果与GenBank中登录的Hall标准株进行比较,主代种子、工作种子核苷酸和氨基酸序列的同源性分别为99.99%和100%。结论 A型肉毒梭菌Hall株在实验室长期的保存和生产传代过程中,BoNT基因遗传特性非常稳定。     

Novel Putative Transposable Element Associated with the Subtype E5 Botulinum Toxin Gene Cluster of Neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum Type E Strains from China

Previously, a whole-genome comparison of three Clostridium butyricum type E strains from Italy and the United States with different C. botulinum type E strains indicated that the bont/e gene might be transferred between the two clostridia species through transposition. However, transposable elements (TEs) have never been identified close to the bont/e gene. Herein, we report the whole genome sequences for four neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains that originated in China. An analysis of the obtained genome sequences revealed the presence of a novel putative TE upstream of the bont/e gene in the genome of all four strains. Two strains of environmental origin possessed an additional copy of the putative TE in their megaplasmid. Similar putative TEs were found in the megaplasmids and, less frequently, in the chromosomes of several C. butyricum strains, of which two were neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains, and in the chromosome of a single C. botulinum type E strain. We speculate that the putative TE might potentially transpose the bont/e gene at the intracellular and inter-cellular levels. However, the occasional TE occurrence in the clostridia genomes might reflect rare transposition events.     

Novel Lytic Enzyme of Prophage Origin from Clostridium botulinum E3 Strain Alaska E43 with Bactericidal Activity against Clostridial Cells

Clostridium botulinum is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium capable of producing botulinum toxin and responsible for botulism of humans and animals. Phage-encoded enzymes called endolysins, which can lyse bacteria when exposed externally, have potential as agents to combat bacteria of the genus Clostridium. Bioinformatics analysis revealed in the genomes of several Clostridium species genes encoding putative N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidases with anti-clostridial potential. One such enzyme, designated as LysB (224-aa), from the prophage of C. botulinum E3 strain Alaska E43 was chosen for further analysis. The recombinant 27,726 Da protein was expressed and purified from E. coli Tuner(DE3) with a yield of 37.5 mg per 1 L of cell culture. Size-exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments showed that the protein is dimeric in solution. Bioinformatics analysis and results of site-directed mutagenesis studies imply that five residues, namely H25, Y54, H126, S132, and C134, form the catalytic center of the enzyme. Twelve other residues, namely M13, H43, N47, G48, W49, A50, L73, A75, H76, Q78, N81, and Y182, were predicted to be involved in anchoring the protein to the lipoteichoic acid, a significant component of the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall. The LysB enzyme demonstrated lytic activity against bacteria belonging to the genera Clostridium, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Deinococcus, but did not lyse Gram-negative bacteria. Optimal lytic activity of LysB occurred between pH 4.0 and 7.5 in the absence of NaCl. This work presents the first characterization of an endolysin derived from a C. botulinum Group II prophage, which can potentially be used to control this important pathogen.     

破伤风毒素重组质粒的构建及应用

目的构建含破伤风毒素(Tetanus toxin,TT)特异性基因片段的重组质粒,并对其进行应用。方法采用PCR方法,以破伤风灭活菌株基因组DNA为模板,扩增TT的3个特异性基因片段,连接至pMD19-TSimple载体,构建重组质粒pMD19-TTx,以其为阳性参照对模拟破伤风危险品进行PCR检测。结果 PCR及测序证明重组质粒构建正确,以其为阳性参照可快速检出破伤风模拟危险品。结论成功构建了TT重组质粒pMD19-TTx,为破伤风梭菌的检测提供了阳性参照。     

Specific Isolation of Clostridium botulinum Group I Cells by Phage Lysin Cell Wall Binding Domain with the Aid of S-Layer Disruption

Clostridium botulinum is a notorious pathogen that raises health and food safety concerns by producing the potent botulinum neurotoxin and causing botulism, a potentially fatal neuroparalytic disease in humans and animals. Efficient methods for the identification and isolation of C. botulinum are warranted for laboratory diagnostics of botulism and for food safety risk assessment. The cell wall binding domains (CBD) of phage lysins are recognized by their high specificity and affinity to distinct types of bacteria, which makes them promising for the development of diagnostic tools. We previously identified CBO1751, which is the first antibotulinal phage lysin showing a lytic activity against C. botulinum Group I. In this work, we assessed the host specificity of the CBD of CBO1751 and tested its feasibility as a probe for the specific isolation of C. botulinum Group I strains. We show that the CBO1751 CBD specifically binds to C. botulinum Group I sensu lato (including C. sporogenes) strains. We also demonstrate that some C. botulinum Group I strains possess an S-layer, the disruption of which by an acid glycine treatment is required for efficient binding of the CBO1751 CBD to the cells of these strains. We further developed CBO1751 CBD-based methods using flow cytometry and magnetic separation to specifically isolate viable cells of C. botulinum Group I. These methods present potential for applications in diagnostics and risk assessment in order to control the botulism hazard.     

Carvacrol and trans-Cinnamaldehyde Reduce Clostridium difficile Toxin Production and Cytotoxicity in Vitro

Clostridium difficile is a nosocomial pathogen that causes a serious toxin-mediated enteric disease in humans. Reducing C. difficile toxin production could significantly minimize its pathogenicity and improve disease outcomes in humans. This study investigated the efficacy of two, food-grade, plant-derived compounds, namely trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) and carvacrol (CR) in reducing C. difficile toxin production and cytotoxicity in vitro. Three hypervirulent C. difficile isolates were grown with or without the sub-inhibitory concentrations of TC or CR, and the culture supernatant and the bacterial pellet were collected for total toxin quantitation, Vero cell cytotoxicity assay and RT-qPCR analysis of toxin-encoding genes. The effect of CR and TC on a codY mutant and wild type C. difficile was also investigated. Carvacrol and TC substantially reduced C. difficile toxin production and cytotoxicity on Vero cells. The plant compounds also significantly down-regulated toxin production genes. Carvacrol and TC did not inhibit toxin production in the codY mutant of C. difficile, suggesting a potential codY-mediated anti-toxigenic mechanism of the plant compounds. The antitoxigenic concentrations of CR and TC did not inhibit the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Our results suggest that CR and TC could potentially be used to control C. difficile, and warrant future studies in vivo.     

水中产气荚膜梭状芽孢杆菌的检测

《生活饮用水卫生标准》(GB 5749—2006)附录A中对产气荚膜梭菌给出了0 CFU/(100 mL)的限量值,但并未指定相应的检测方法.因此,对目前现行有效的3个检测产气荚膜梭菌的检测标准(GB 4789.13—2012、GB/T 8538—2016和SN/T 0177—2011)进行汇总对比.对购买的产气荚膜梭...     

亚硝酸盐检测方法研究进展

综述了亚硝酸盐残留检测方法的研究进展,分析比较了各检测方法的优劣及其应用前景。对于监控肉制品、乳制品和蔬菜中亚硝酸盐的含量,对检测食品的品质具有参考意义。     

IGF-1 Antibody Prolongs the Effective Duration Time of Botulinum Toxin in Decreasing Muscle Strength

Botulinum toxin type-A (Btx-A), a powerful therapeutic tool in various medical specialties, requires repeated injections to maintain its effect. Therefore, novel methods to prolong the effective duration time of Btx-A are highly needed. Rats were assigned to three major groups: control group (n = 30), Btx-A group (n = 30), and IGF-1 Ab groups. IGF-1 Ab groups were composed by sub-groups A1–A5 (each has 25 rats) for the subsequent IGF-1Ab dose-effect study. Muscle strength was determined by a survey system for rat lower limbs nerve and muscle function. Muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP5), and growth-associated protein, 43-kDa (GAP43) were determined by real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and Western blot. We found that Btx-A decreased the muscle strength, with a paralysis maintained for 70 days. IGF-1Ab prolonged the effective duration time of Btx-A. Real-time PCRs and Western blot showed that IGF-1Ab delayed the increase of MuSK and IGFBP5 after Btx-A injection, without affecting GAP43. These results indicate that IGF-1Ab might prolong the effective duration time of Btx-A on muscle strength through delaying the increase of MuSK. It would be interesting to determine whether IGF-1Ab can be used as an auxiliary measure to the Btx-A treatment in the future.