人PRL-3基因启动子的克隆及转录因子Snail结合位点的初步鉴定

促肝细胞再生磷酸酶-3(PRL-3)是重要的肿瘤转移相关基因,其转录调控机制一直未被阐明.应用TRED在线分析系统共获得3种可能的人PRL-3基因启动子区域.通过与人基因组序列进行比对,发现其中3号启动子序列距离人PRL-3基因距离最近,位于该基因上游约1 kb的DNA区域,与5′端非翻译区域邻接.在线Consite分析系统发现,-500 bp至-451bp之间存在Snail结合的核心寡核苷酸序列CACCTG.运用分子克隆的方法获得PRL-3基因启动子2段区域-699 bp至299bp及-642 bp至-383 bp区域,后者具有Snail结合位点核心寡核苷酸序列CACCTG.构建具有荧光素酶报告基因的pGL3载体并检测其启动子活性.-699～299 bp区域与-642～-383 bp区域的DNA片段在SW480、SW620、CNE2、293A细胞中均具有启动子活性,其中含有Snail结合位点核心寡核苷酸序列CACCTG的短片段活性强于较完整的序列.染色质免疫沉淀结合PCR扩增技术及凝胶迁移阻滞实验确定PRL-3基因启动子区域具有Snail结合位点.研究确定,PRL-3基因的启动子位于转录起始位点上游700 bp与下游300 bp的DNA区域,PRL-3基因启动子存在转录因子Snail结合元件.     

人claudin-10基因启动子转录调控的初步分析

[目的]构建不同长度的人claudin-10基因上游启动子荧光素酶报告基因载体,并在LO2细胞中比较其活性。[方法]以人LO2肝细胞基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增获得claudin-10基因5'侧翼序列,并将其插入p MD18-T载体;PCR扩增获得不同长度的claudin-10基因上游启动子区序列,构建p GL3-Basic系列荧光素酶基因报告载体。瞬时转染LO2细胞,双荧光素酶报告基因分析系统检测转录活性。[结果]成功构建6个不同长度的人claudin-10基因上游启动子区(-1 451/+100bp、-1 022/+100bp、-1 005/+100bp、-677/+100bp、-377/+100bp和-108/+100bp)的报告载体;启动子活性实验结果表明:当claudin-10启动子片段从-1 005 bp截短至-677 bp,从-108 bp截短至+100 bp时活性显著下降(P0.05);其余截短时活性无改变(P0.05)。[结论]claudin-10启动子-1 005bp~-677bp和-108bp~+100bp区是claudin-10基因的主要转录调控区。     

人NPCEDRG基因启动子的克隆及CCAAT/NFY结合位点初步分析

NPCEDRG基因是采用基因定位候选克隆策略获得的一个鼻咽癌候选抑瘤基因.NPCEDRG在鼻咽癌细胞和组织中表达下调,重新恢复NPCEDRG基因在CNE2细胞系的表达,可部分逆转CNE2的恶性表型.为揭示NPCEDRG基因在鼻咽癌细胞和组织中表达下调的分子机制,联合应用生物信息学和报告基因载体系统分析方法对NPCEDRG基因启动子区进行克隆及功能分析,系统发育进化足迹分析结果表明,NPCEDRG基因5′端调控区-180～+235 bp区间在脊椎动物中高度保守,该保守区域中存在包括CCAAT/NFY、STAT1和SP1等转录因子结合位点.构建Luc和/或EGFP报告基因表达载体并检测其启动子活性,-146～-8 bp区域有较强的启动子活性,电泳迁移阻滞分析实验(EMSA)提示,CCAAT/NFY转录因子结合位点是NPCEDRG基因的转录调控元件.因此,研究确定-146～-8 bp区域是NPCEDRG基因核心启动子区域且启动子核心元件CCAAT/NFY可能参与NPCEDRG基因的转录调控.     

人PNRC基因启动子的初步鉴定

 PNRC (praline-rich nuclear receptor coactivator) 是最近发现的一种新的核受体辅活化子,它是以牛类固醇生成因子-1(SF1)作诱饵,利用酵母双杂系统从人乳腺cDNA表达文库中筛选得到的.为了研究人PNRC基因的表达调控机制,在对人PNRC基因的生物信息分析的基础上,采用5′RACE法确定了PNRC基因的转录起始位点,克隆了人PNRC基因的5′侧翼区,并对该区进行功能分析.分别构建了11种含不同长度启动子序列的荧光素酶报告基因表达质粒,将它们瞬时转染HepG2细胞,检测其荧光素酶活性.结果发现,PNRC的5′侧翼区的-323～+27、-323～+57-123～+57、-123～+27区域的启动子活性显著升高,其中-323～+27区域的启动子活性最高.研究表明,人PNRC基因启动子的最小区域位于PNRC的5′侧翼区的-123～+27区域. .     

人SATB1基因5′上游序列的转录激活功能分析

在对人SATB1基因进行生物信息学分析的基础上 ,采用PCR技术 ,扩增人基因组DNA中SATB1基因 5′上游序列的 - 2 95 5～ - 9片段 ,构建了 3个分别由SATB1基因 5′上游 - 2 95 5～ - 9,- 172 7～ - 9和 - 76 0～ - 9序列片段驱动的报告载体 -pGL3 SP2 94 6 luc ,pGL3 SP1718 luc和pGL3 SP75 1 luc ,分别瞬时转染JurkatT ,K5 6 2 ,U937和HeLa细胞 ,通过测定荧光素酶的表达活性 ,观察SATB1基因 5′上游序列片段 3个删除突变体在不同细胞内活性的差异 .结果显示 ,SATB1上游序列- 2 95 5 - 9在 4种细胞中的转录激活能力为U937>JurkatT >K5 6 2 ,在HeLa细胞中基本无激活 ,提示SATB1的转录激活可能具有一定的细胞类型特异性 .3种 5′删除突变体转录激活性由大至小顺序为 - 76 0 - 9>- 2 95 5 - 9>- 172 7 - 9,提示SATB1的核心启动子可能存在于其 5′上游序列的- 76 0至 - 9bp区域中 .     

PC-1增强受体酪氨酸激酶家族成员EphA3在前列腺癌细胞中的转录

为了研究前列腺癌相关基因(prostate and colon gene 1, PC-1）对受体酪氨酸激酶家族分子EphA3表达的影响,用RT-PCR、实时PCR和Western印迹检测表达不同水平PC-1的前列腺癌细胞系LNCaP和C4-2中EphA3的表达情况. 发现PC-1可诱导EphA3基因表达上调. 采用荧光素酶实验检测PC-1对于EphA3启动子转录活性的影响,结果显示,PC-1对转录起始位点上游916 bp的启动子活性没有影响,而可增强转录起始位点上游2011 bp启动子的活性.对EphA3启动子－916 bp～－2　011 bp区域进行生物信息学分析,结果显示,此区域包含HSF、NF-1、Nkx-2、SP1和GATA-1等多种转录因子结合位点.实验结果表明,PC-1可通过影响EphA3启动子诱导EphA3基因高表达,其调控区域位于转录起始位点上游－2　011　bp至－916 bp之间,提示PC-1可能通过影响一些结合于此区域的转录因子来影响EphA3启动子的转录活性.     

人FXR基因5′调控区功能分析

为研究人法尼酯衍生物X受体(FXR)基因5′调控区的功能,在对人FXR基因进行生物信息学分析的基础上,用5′RACE法确定该基因的转录起始位点碱基是A.采用PCR技术,扩增人基因组DNA中FXR基因5′上游序列,构建了5种含不同长度启动子序列的荧光素酶报告基因表达体系.将它们瞬时转染HepG2细胞,检测其荧光素酶活性.结果表明,-1651~ 200、-1496~ 200区域的启动子活性无明显区别,-847~ 200区域的启动子活性最高,-544~ 200区域启动子活性较前显著降低.研究提示,FXR基因转录所必需的基因启动子序列在-847~-544范围内.     

猪ESRRB启动子克隆及其调控活性检测

Esrrb(Estrogen related receptorβ)属于雌激素受体家族,是一类在胚胎早期外胚层细胞中表达并对干细胞多能性维持起重要作用的基因。为了探索猪ESRRB的表达和转录调控机制,克隆了3.3 kb ESRRB启动子片段,构建了相应的报告载体。并将报告载体分别转染293T人胚肾细胞、Hela人宫颈癌细胞和小鼠C2C12成肌细胞。通过TFSEARCH和JASPER方法对ESRRB启动子潜在的转录调控位点进行分析,发现该启动子上有SMAD、STAT3、MYC、KLF4等多能转录因子的结合位点。将相应的转录因子与ESRRB启动子共转染,并检测报告基因荧光素酶的活性。结果显示猪ESRRB启动子具有明显的组织特异性调控,同时SMAD对ESRRB启动子活性有较明显的调控作用。进一步对3.3 kb片段进行了一系列的缺失,发现猪ESRRB核心区域位于5′上游的-25 bp和-269 bp之间。研究结果表明猪ESRRB启动子上潜在的转录因子结合位点及启动子核心区域是参与调控ESRRB表达的重要序列。     

集胞藻6803中ndhK基因启动子结构与功能的初步分析

ndhK是蓝藻NDH-1复合体的1个亚基编码基因,其表达受低浓度CO2和高光的诱导,对于蓝藻应对低CO2胁迫起着重要的作用。为进一步阐明ndhK基因的转录调控机制,本研究利用5′-RACE(Rapid Amplification of cDNAEnds,cDNA末端快速扩增)技术鉴定了该基因的转录起始位点,利用生物信息学预测发现ndhK基因含有4个可能的启动子,构建了含增强型黄色荧光蛋白报告基因的启动子探针型载体,并利用蛋白免疫印迹的方法进行检测。结果表明:在集胞藻6803的ndhK基因上游的-374～-274bp,-438～-374bp,-604～-543bp,+1～+52bp区域具有较高的启动子活性,而-543～-440bp区域则可能存在1个抑制ndhK基因表达的转录因子。     

猪CuZnSOD基因启动子的克隆鉴定及分析

猪铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(CuZnSOD)是一种重要的抗氧化酶,其功能已被广泛研究,但CuZnSOD基因的转录调控尚不明确。为了研究猪CuZnSOD基因的核心启动子区域,并对其转录调控机制进行探讨,运用PCR方法从猪基因组克隆CuZnSOD基因5′上游调控区853 bp的片段,然后通过巢式PCR方法获得5′末端逐渐缺失的启动子系列片段,并将这些片段定向插入到荧光素酶报告基因表达载体(pGL3-Basic)中。瞬时转染小鼠胚胎细胞(NIH/3T3),利用双荧光素酶报告基因检测不同长度启动子活性。检测结果显示,在CuZnSOD基因5′上游调控区-87 bp和-266 bp处分别存在2个潜在转录起始位点,-383 bp~+67 bp启动区活性最强,进一步缺失分析发现-75 bp~-32 bp区域内含有猪CuZnSOD基因转录所必需的基础启动子序列,其中存在多个潜在的转录因子结合位点,研究结果提示这些转录因子结合位点可能是参与CuZnSOD基因转录的重要调控序列。     

Tracking down human contamination in ancient human teeth

DNA contamination arising from the manipulation of ancient calcified tissue samples is a poorly understood, yet fundamental, problem that affects the reliability of ancient DNA (aDNA) studies. We have typed the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region I of the only 6 people involved in the excavation, washing, and subsequent anthropological and genetic study of 23 Neolithic remains excavated from Granollers (Barcelona, Spain) and searched for their presence among the 572 clones generated during the aDNA analyses of teeth from these samples. Of the cloned sequences, 17.13% could be unambiguously identified as contaminants, with those derived from the people involved in the retrieval and washing of the remains present in higher frequencies than those of the anthropologist and genetic researchers. This finding confirms, for the first time, previous hypotheses that teeth samples are most susceptible to contamination at their initial excavation. More worrying, the cloned contaminant sequences exhibit substitutions that can be attributed to DNA damage after the contamination event, and we demonstrate that the level of such damage increases with time: contaminants that are >10 years old have approximately 5 times more damage than those that are recent. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in this data set, the damage rate of the old contaminant sequences is indistinguishable from that of the endogenous DNA sequences. As such, the commonly used argument that miscoding lesions observed among cloned aDNA sequences can be used to support data authenticity is misleading in scenarios where the presence of old contaminant sequences is possible. We argue therefore that the typing of those involved in the manipulation of the ancient human specimens is critical in order to ensure that generated results are accurate.     

Interactions of human cytomegalovirus with human fibroblasts

Vonka, Vladimir (Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.), and Matilda Benyesh-Melnick. Interactions of human cytomegalovirus with human fibroblasts. J. Bacteriol. 91:213-220. 1966.-Virus attachment of human cytomegalovirus to human embryo lung fibroblasts was found to be temperature-independent, from 4 to 37 C. Prolonged incubation at 4 C, however, resulted in inactivation of a high proportion of attached virus. Virus penetration seemed to be temperature-dependent, occurring at 37 C but not at 4 C. Detailed studies of the growth curve of the virus were made. Cell-associated virus preceded the appearance of virus in the fluid phase by 2 to 5 days. Complement-fixing antigen could be detected, but only when the cytopathic effect was advanced, and it was demonstrable only in the cell-associated fraction. Under methyl cellulose, decreasing the bicarbonate concentration in the overlay from 0.225 to 0.15% resulted in marked increase in plating efficiency with all strains tested. However, varying the concentration of bicarbonate from 0.3 to 0.15% in fluid medium did not influence the growth of virus.     

Characterization of human beta-interferon-binding sites on human cells

Radioiodinated recombinant human beta-interferon (rHuIFN beta Ser), with almost full (greater than 90%) biological activity, was used to study the binding of human beta-interferon to Daudi cells. Specific binding was not observed with less biologically active (less than or equal to 10%) radioiodinated interferon. The bound radioiodinated interferon was shown to compete with human beta-interferon (HuIFN beta), rHuIFN beta Ser, human alpha-interferon (HuIFN alpha) and with human gamma-interferon (HuIFN gamma). Scatchard plot analyses suggest the presence of about 10,000 binding sites for HuIFN beta/Daudi cell. About 6,600 of these sites can be blocked by HuIFN alpha and 3,700 sites can be blocked by HuIFN gamma. The apparent Kd for HuIFN beta is 2.7 nM. The apparent Kd values for HuIFN alpha and HuIFN gamma are 3.7 and 1.1 nM, respectively. It was possible to demonstrate the cross-linking of HuIFN beta to two macromolecular components of Mr = 128,000 and 103,000. We propose the existence of at least two binding sites for HuIFN beta in Daudi cells, one site recognizing both HuIFN beta and HuIFN gamma, the other site recognizing both HuIFN beta and HuIFN alpha. Each site is capable of recognizing only HuIFN gamma or HuIFN alpha.     

Binding of human carbonic anhydrase to human hemoglobin

The ability of human carbonic anhydrases to interact with human CO-hemoglobin have been studied with the counter-current distribution technique in aqueous/aqueous biphasic systems. The experimental results show that human carbonic anhydrase II interacts with human CO-hemoglobin whereas human carbonic anhydrase I does not. THe interaction between CO-hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase II was quantified using the theoretical model developed previously for one-to-one interacting systems. [Backman, L. and Shanbhag, V.P. (1979) J. Chromatogr. 171, 1-13]. The apparent association constant was estimated to be 4.1 x 10(5) l mol-1 at pH 8.0 and 21 degrees C for the association of carbonic anhydrase II and CO-hemoglobin.     

Aggregation of biopharmaceuticals in human plasma and human serum

Analytical methods based on light microscopy, 90° light-scattering and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) allowed the characterization of aggregation that can occur when antibodies are mixed with human plasma. Light microscopy showed that aggregates formed when human plasma was mixed with 5% dextrose solutions of Herceptin^® (trastuzumab) or Avastin^® (bevacizumab) but not Remicade^® (infliximab). The aggregates in the plasma-Herceptin^®-5% dextrose solution were globular, size range 0.5–9 μm, with a mean diameter of 4 μm. The aggregates in the plasma-Avastin^®-5% dextrose samples had a mean size of 2 μm. No aggregation was observed when 0.9% NaCl solutions of Herceptin^®, Avastin^® and Remicade^® were mixed with human plasma. 90° light-scattering measurements showed that aggregates were still present 2.5 h after mixing Herceptin^® or Avastin^® with 5% dextrose-plasma solution. A SPR method was utilized to qualitatively describe the extent of interactions of surface-bound antibodies with undiluted human serum. Increased binding was observed in the case of Erbitux^® (cetuximab), whereas no binding was measured for Humira^® (adalimumab). The binding of sera components to 13 monoclonal antibodies was measured and correlated with known serum binding properties of the antibodies. The data presented in this paper provide analytical methods to study the intrinsic and buffer-dependent aggregation tendencies of therapeutic proteins when mixed with human plasma and serum.     

Sequential transformations of human sperm nucleus in human egg

In-vitro insemination of human zona-free oocytes prepared from oocytes that failed to fertilize in an in-vitro fertilization programme was used as an experimental model to study the time course and morphological events during the development of sperm nuclei into male pronuclei. At 30 min after insemination, 22 eggs were cultured in a CO2 incubator for further 3.5 h and 17 eggs were placed individually between a slide and coverslip for randomly repeated microscopical observations in a controlled environment for at least 3.5 h. Simultaneous arrest of maternal meiosis and sperm nuclear development occurred in 36.4% (8/22) eggs cultured in the CO2 incubator and 47.1% (8/17) of those cultured between a slide and coverslip. Sequential transformation of the human sperm nucleus in human eggs was studied in 6 eggs that showed continuous development of sperm nuclei into male pronuclei during at least 3.5 h after insemination. The early sperm nuclear development in human egg ooplasm can be divided into three phases: the sperm nucleus first decondenses (phase 1) then partly recondenses (phase 2) before expanding again to form an early male pronucleus (phase 3). The prepronuclear stages (phases 1 and 2) took about 60 min each and the pronuclear formation (phase 3) began between 120 and 170 min after insemination. Early pronuclear formation was associated with the occurrence of dense outline material, probably a precursor of the future pronuclear membrane, around the recondensed nucleus in re-expansion (phase 3). Between 30 and 60 min after the beginning of phase 3, numerous (greater than 20) dense grains, considered as nucleolar precursors, were clearly visible inside the growing male pronucleus. Moreover, we have examined sperm nuclear changes in some eggs in which the progression of late meiosis was abnormal. Meiotic arrest of maternal chromatin was always associated with arrest of sperm head development. In 75% (6/8) of the eggs arrested in the metaphase II stages and in 87.5% (7/8) of the eggs arrested in late anaphase II, sperm nuclear development was stopped at the decondensed and recondensed stages, respectively. We have always observed male pronuclei when a maternal pronucleus was present in the egg. These observations suggested that maternal chromatin and sperm nuclear development are probably regulated by common factor(s).     

Characterization of human megakaryocytic colony formation in human plasma

We have analysed the contribution to megakaryocyte colony formation in methylcellulose made by human plasma, serum, media conditioned by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated leukocytes (PHA-LCM), erythropoietin (EPO) preparations, and platelets. The culture system was used as a bioassay for megakaryocyte colony stimulating activity (Meg-CSA) in plasma samples of patients with perturbed megakaryocytopoiesis. Preparations of heparinized platelet-poor plasma yielded the most consistent results. Platelet-poor plasma of normal subjects will at best facilitate the occasional growth of small megakaryocyte colonies. Colony frequency and size are reproducibly enhanced in the presence of PHA-LCM as a source of exogenous Meg-CSA. Commercially available EPO preparations may vary in their content of activities that influence megakaryocyte colony formation. Addition of these preparations to cultures that contain plasma and PHA-LCM usually does not enhance colony formation. In contrast to platelet-poor plasma, platelet rich plasma and serum are less supportive of megakaryocyte colony growth. It is suggested that this loss of activity may be related to the release of inhibitors by activated platelets or alternatively caused by absorption of activities by platelets. Plasma samples from patients with megakaryocytopoietic dysfunction may contain components that promote colony formation without addition of PHA-LCM or EPO. This phenomenon is consistently observed for patients with severe aplastic anemia and bone marrow transplant recipients after completion of their ablative preparative regimen.     

Inhibition of human factor IXa by human antithrombin.

A procedure is presented for the purification of Factor IX from human plasma. The final product is homogeneous as judged by disc gel electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, it is completely free of other coagulation component activities. Factor IX is converted to its enzymatically active form by the addition of small quantities of Factor IXa in the presence of calcium ions. This activated species is added to purified antithrombin-heparin cofactor and the interaction is studied in the presence and absence of heparin. Antithrombin-heparin cofactor is found to be a progressive, time-dependent inhibitor of Factor IXa and neutralizes approximately 57% of this enzyme's proteolytic activity within 30 min. The addition of heparin dramatically accelerates the rate of this interaction with virtually complete inhibition of Factor IXa occurring within 15 s. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of reduced and nonreduced proteins indicates that antithrombin-heparin cofactor functions as a potent inhibitor of Factor IXa by forming an undissociable complex with the enzyme which is stable in the presence of denaturing or reducing agents (or both). This complex represents a 1:1 stoichiometric combination of enzyme and inhibitor. Heparin increases the rate of formation of this complex without affecting its dissociability or stoichiometry.