Increased heterologous protein production in Aspergillus niger fermentation through extracellular proteases inhibition by pelleted growth

The dependence of filamentous fungal protease secretion on morphology was investigated by employing the recombinant Aspergillus niger strain AB4.1[pgpdAGLAGFP] which contains a gene for the glucoamylase-GFP (green fluorescence protein) fusion protein. Different inoculum levels were used to obtain different sizes of pellet or free mycelia. The extracellular protease activity of the cultures varied with the pellet size and decreased dramatically when the morphology was changed from free mycelia to pellets. The culture with an optimal pellet size of 1.6 mm was obtained from an inoculum of 4 x 10(6) spores/mL. It resulted in a specific protease activity of 158 units/L, only one-third of that in free mycelial growth, and a maximum specific GFP yield of 0.98 mg/g (cell mass) compared to 0. 29 mg/g for free mycelial growth with an inoculum of 10(7) spores/mL. The results indicate that this bioprocessing strategy can be effectively used to inhibit protease activity in filamentous fungal fermentation and thereby to enhance heterologous protein production.

[Calculation of the C-G coefficients for the structure D(6h4) space groups]

In this paper, the eigenfunction method established by Chen Jingquan is used to compute the Clebsch-Gorden coefficients in regard to the coupling between the partial symmetry points and lines in the first Brillouin zone of the structure D(6 h)4 space groups.

[Cardiac metal foreign body: analysis of 21 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To improve early diagnosis and clinical treatment of metal foreign body in the heart.

METHODS

In 21 patients, case history, clinical manifestation, chest X-ray film, and echocardiograph were reviewed. 20 patients received operation: emergency exploration (13) and elective operation (7). Four patients were subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass. The other one was not operated on because of absence of symptoms and small foreign body. Foreign bodies mostly bullets, were usually located in the right ventricle. Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 3 patients during operation, two of them were resuscitated.

RESULTS

20 patients but one recovered, a mortality rate of 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis, rapid management, and localization of foreign body are essential to the selection of treatment.

Modified van der Waals Equation for the Prediction of Multicomponent Isotherms

A modified two-dimensional van der Waals equation model was proposed for the prediction of multicomponent gas-solid adsorption isotherms from corresponding single-component adsorption equilibrium data. The model was used to predict adsorption isotherms of CO-CO2 mixtures and CO2-N2 mixtures on Cu(I)-NaY zeolite. Experimental adsorption equilibrium data of the two systems were compared with results calculated from the model and three other models in the literature: the ideal adsorbed solution model, the vacancy solution theory of adsorption using the Flory-Huggins activity coefficient equation, and the two-dimensional van der Waals equation. The results indicated that the modified van der Waals equation predicted the experimental results better than the three other models for the two systems studied, especially for the CO-CO2 system, which involved chemical reaction during adsorption and exhibited azeotropic behavior. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Caenorhabditis elegans SUR-5, a novel but conserved protein, negatively regulates LET-60 Ras activity during vulval induction

The let-60 ras gene acts in a signal transduction pathway to control vulval differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans. By screening suppressors of a dominant negative let-60 ras allele, we isolated three loss-of-function mutations in the sur-5 gene which appear to act as negative regulators of let-60 ras during vulval induction. sur-5 mutations do not cause an obvious mutant phenotype of their own, and they appear to specifically suppress only one of the two groups of let-60 ras dominant negative mutations, suggesting that the gene may be involved in a specific aspect of Ras activation. Consistent with its negative function, overexpressing sur-5 from an extragenic array partially suppresses the Multivulva phenotype of an activated let-60 ras mutation and causes synergistic phenotypes with a lin-45 raf mutation. We have cloned sur-5 and shown that it encodes a novel protein. We have also identified a potential mammalian SUR-5 homolog that is about 35% identical to the worm protein. SUR-5 also has some sequence similarity to acetyl coenzyme A synthetases and is predicted to contain ATP/GTP and AMP binding sites. Our results suggest that sur-5 gene function may be conserved through evolution.

A new marker for mosaic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans indicates a fusion between hyp6 and hyp7, two major components of the hypodermis

A fusion of the sur-5 protein to the green fluorescent protein containing a nuclear localization signal is demonstrated as a marker for genetic mosaic analysis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Because of an extensive accumulation of bright fluorescence in many nuclei, normal growth plates, each containing hundreds of worms, can be rapidly screened with a dissecting microscope for rare mosaic individuals. As the marker can also be used to detect transgenic worms, the construction of strains for mosaic analyses can be minimized. In the course of examining rare mosaic animals, an unexpected pattern of fluorescence was noticed for hyp6, a syncytial component of the hypodermis, which indicated that the marker may serve as a means of assessing cellular fusions during development. Immunofluorescent staining of adherens junctions confirmed a postembryonic fusion of hyp6 with hyp7, the major syncytium of the hypodermis.

Binding of an arm repeat protein to the kinase domain of the S-locus receptor kinase

Screening of a yeast two-hybrid library for proteins that interact with the kinase domain of an S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) resulted in the isolation of a plant protein called ARC1 (Arm Repeat Containing). This interaction was mediated by the C-terminal region of ARC1 in which five arm repeat units were identified. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro binding assays, ARC1 was found to interact specifically with the kinase domains from SRK-910 and SRK-A14 but failed to interact with kinase domains from two different Arabidopsis receptor-like kinases. In addition, treatment with a protein phosphatase or the use of a kinase-inactive mutant reduced or abolished the binding of ARC1 to the SRK-910 kinase domain, indicating that the interaction was phosphorylation dependent. Lastly, RNA blot analysis revealed that the expression of ARC1 is restricted to the stigma, the site of the self-incompatibility response.

[The effect of different way of using FGF on wound healing]

To investigate the best way of using fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in wound healing, the following experiments were performed. Twelve Wistar rats were chosen. Four 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm middle-thick skin wounds were made in the back of each rat, 2 in each side, and labelled as number 1 to 4. Number 1 wound of each rat was used as control, only PBS was applied to the wound, 50 microliters per time, twice a day from the first day to 11th day. Number 2 wound was sustained medication group, 50 microliters 4 micrograms/ml FGF was applied twice a day from the first day to 11th day; Number 3 wound was early medication group, 50 microliters 8 micrograms/ml FGF was applied twice a day from the first day to 5th day; Number 4 wound was late medication group, 50 microliters 8 micrograms/ml FGF was added twice a day from the 5th day to 11th day. By day 4, 8, 12 and 16, the area of wounds were measured, and the healing time of each wound was recorded. The elastic fiber, collagen fiber and DNA content were measured by immunohistological method. The result showed that the elastic fiber, collagen fiber and DNA content in the groups of FGF used were more than those in the control group. The healing time of the control group was 14.4 days while that of the early meduation group was 13.4 days, late medation group was 13.5 days and sustained medication group was 12.2 days. It was suggested that FGF could accelerate the wound healing, and sustained use of FGF was the best way of giving the drug.

Two members of the thioredoxin-h family interact with the kinase domain of a Brassica S locus receptor kinase

To determine potential targets of the S locus receptor kinase (SRK) during the Brassica self-incompatibility response, a yeast two-hybrid library was screened with the SRK-910 protein kinase domain. Two thioredoxin-h-like clones, THL-1 and THL-2, were found to interact specifically with the SRK-910 protein kinase domain and not to interact with the protein kinase domains from the Arabidopsis receptor-like protein kinases (RLK) RLK4 and RLK5. The interaction between THL-1 and the SRK-910 protein kinase domain was confirmed using coimmunoprecipitation experiments with fusion proteins produced in Escherichia coli. THL-1 has thioredoxin activity based on an insulin reduction assay, and THL-1 is weakly phosphorylated by the SRK-910 protein kinase domain. THL-1 and THL-2 are both expressed in a variety of tissues but show some differences in steady state mRNA levels, with THL-2 being preferentially expressed in floral tissues. This indicates a more general biological function for these thioredoxins in addition to a potential role as effector molecules in the self-incompatibility signal cascade.

Effects of growth hormone antagonists on 3T3-F442A preadipocyte differentiation

We have previously shown that a bovine (b) GH antagonist, bGH-M8, which possesses three amino acid substitutions in its third alpha-helix, inhibits mouse 3T3-F442A preadipocyte differentiation. In the current studies, we used the bGH and human (h) GH analogs with single amino acid substitution, bGH-G119R and hGH-G120R, for determining their biological activity using the preadipocyte differentiation assay. Short-term and long-term GH-inducible events were studied during adipose differentiation, including late marker gene expression (adipocyte protein 2), immediate early gene induction (c-fos), and tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins. The results demonstrated that these GH analogs not only failed to induce these three events, but also antagonized GH induction of c-fos expression and phosphorylation of proteins of apparent molecular mass of 95 kDa. Our present study agrees with the notion that GH must bind to the GH receptor via site one and with a second GH receptor molecule (or with some yet unidentified 'second target') through GH binding site two. This interaction is important for subsequent GH-dependent biological events.

Regulation of sialyltransferase activities by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation

The composition of tissue gangliosides is thought to result mainly from the active regulation and selective expression of specific enzymes responsible for their metabolism. In the last few years, we have purified several rat brain sialyltransferases to homogeneity; the availability of these highly purified enzymes enabled us to investigate their regulation and expression at the molecular level. Thus, we studied the regulation of sialyltransferase activities, in particular, CMP-NeuAc:GM1 and CMP-NeuAc:LacCer sialyltransferases by a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanism. Protein kinase C was added to a standard enzyme assay mixture containing [gamma-32P]ATP, and the activity of the enzyme was measured after various incubation times. We found that treatment of several sialyltransferases by protein kinase C decreased their activities in a time-dependent manner. Analyses of 32P-labeled amino acids revealed that the major phosphorylation site of CMP-NeuAc:GM1 alpha 2-->3 sialyltransferase (ST-IV) was serine and that for CMP-NeuAc:LacCer alpha 2-->3 sialyltransferase (ST-I) was primarily threonine. Partial recovery of the enzyme activity could be achieved by treatment of the phosphorylated sialyltransferases with rat brain protein phosphatase. We conclude that the activities of sialyltransferases can be modulated by protein kinase C and protein phosphatase and this may represent a potential regulatory mechanism for ganglioside biosynthesis.

[Changes in erythrocyte fluidity, fragility and deformability and serum lipid peroxide content in early burn period]

We have observed RBC membrane fluidity, serum lipid peroxide, RBC deformability and fragility in 10 burn patients on PBD 2.3-5 and 6-10. The results showed that there was a reduction of RBC membrane fluidity and, on the contrary, there was an elevation in the contents of serum lipid peroxide and RBC deformability and fragility (All P < 0.01). We consider that damage of RBC membrane by free radicals may be one of the reasons of the above changes, and anti-free radical drugs may be beneficial in protecting RBC structure and functions and blood circulation.

Purification and characterization of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid:lactosylceramide (alpha 2-3) sialyltransferase (GM3-synthase) from rat brain

CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid:lactosylceramide (alpha 2-3) sialyltransferase (GM3-synthase) was purified to homogeneity from a Triton CF-54 extract of young rat brain. The enzyme was separated by affinity chromatography on CDP-Sepharose column and resolved by linear NaCl gradient elution from the same adsorbent. Final purification of GM3-synthase was achieved by chromatography on a "lactosylceramide acid"-Sepharose column and specific elution with lactosylceramide. The enzyme activity was highest at pH 6.5 and required the presence of Triton CF-54 (0.15%) and Mn2+ (10 mM) for its full activity. The product of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme was identified as GM3 based on its mobility on thin layer chromatographic plates using two different solvent systems. Comparison with several glycolipid substrates showed high specificity of GM3-synthase for lactosylceramide. The apparent Km value for lactosylceramide and CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid were 80 and 210 microM, respectively. The apparent molecular mass of the enzyme determined on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 76 kDa.

A loose-pattern process approach to clustering fuzzy data sets

A loose-pattern process approach to clustering sets consists of three main computations: loose-pattern reject option, tight-pattern classifcation, and loose-pattern assigning classes. The loose-pattern rejection is implemented using a rule based on q nearest neighbors of each point. Two clustering methods, GLC and OUPIC, are introduced as tight-pattern clustering techniques. The decisions of loose-pattern assigning classes are related to a heuristic membership function. The function and experiments with one set is discussed.