人工锌指核酸酶突变EGFP基因的功能分析

锌指核酸酶技术在基因定点修饰中具有效率高和特异性好等特点,并成功应用于数十种生物。目前,该技术是否能应用羊上尚未报道。为了敲除转基因山羊标记基因 (EGFP),构建了一对针对EGFP外显子上的锌指核酸酶表达载体,将其电转染至转EGFP基因胎儿成纤维细胞中,研究了锌指核酸酶突变EGFP基因的效率和方式,利用基因显微注射单细胞获得获得的转基因 (EGFP) 细胞系作为锌指核酸酶的靶细胞。结果显示,通过锌指核酸酶的突变作用,转染后的细胞发绿色荧光比例下降,测序结果显示在EGFP外显子中插入1个碱基G,导致编码EGFP基因的阅读框改变,从而起到基因突变的作用。结果表明,文中构建的锌指核酸酶对EGFP基因有突变作用,可以为以后获得无标记基因供核细胞进行体细胞核移植生产克隆羊奠定基础。     

电穿孔法可用于家蚕基因功能分析(英文)

【目的】明确基于电穿孔的基因功能分析方法在家蚕Bombyx mori活体内的应用实效。【方法】针对调控家蚕幼虫体表斑纹黑色素合成的靶基因Wnt1 (Wingless),人工合成特异性siRNA,向4龄第3天家蚕幼虫注射Wnt1 siRNA并进行电穿孔作为处理组(ERFA-RNAi),以注射Wnt1 siRNA但未进行电穿孔的幼虫作为阴性对照组(negative control, NC),解剖5龄幼虫斑纹区的表皮,用实时定量RT-PCR测定表皮中Wnt1的相对表达量,验证电穿孔介导的RNAi效果。带有增强型绿色荧光蛋白报告基因EGFP和红色荧光蛋白报告基因DsRed2表达元件的转座子载体pPIG-A3GR,通过电穿孔导入家蚕2龄幼虫;正常饲养72 h后,用荧光体视显微镜观察幼虫中EGFP和DsRed2的表达,验证当世代家蚕的嵌合体转基因。【结果】家蚕4龄第3天幼虫中导入Wnt1的特异性siRNA后,5龄幼虫体表特定部位斑纹的形成明显受到抑制,实时定量RT PCR分析表明5龄幼虫表皮中Wnt1的表达水平显著降低。嵌合体转基因家蚕的阳性率达56.60%,并且两个荧光报告基因EGFP和DsRed2在幼虫、蛹及成虫期持续表达。【结论】电穿孔技术可快捷、高效地向家蚕活体内导入外源RNA或DNA,是家蚕乃至其他昆虫基因功能解析的有效方法。     

Strategy for increased efficiency of transfection in human cell lines using radio frequency electroporation

Traditional electroporation devices use direct current electric fields to stimulate the uptake of oligonucleotides, plasmids, short peptides, and proteins into a variety of cell types. A variation of this widely used technique is now available which relies on radio frequency (RF) electrical pulses. This oscillating type of electrical field reportedly elicits greater uptake of plasmid DNA across the plasma membrane. We evaluated a protocol for RF electroporation of the a human embryonic kidney cell line and a Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell line for effeciency of transfection by RF electroporation. The plasmid EGFP, which codes for the widely used fusion protein, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), was used as a reporter of plasmid uptake after transfections. Transfection efficiency consistently increased approximately 30% from that typically obtained with conventional DC type electroporation and was accompanied by greater survivability of cells. Additionally, in some instances, percent transfection efficiency increased to over 70%. Thus, RF electroporation represents an improved methodology for transfection of human cell lines. Moreover, the RF protocol is simple to incorporate in laboratories already utilizing conventional electroporation devices and techniques.     

Highly efficient constant-current electroporation increases in vivo plasmid expression

Electroporation has been demonstrated as an effective technique for enhancing the delivery of plasmids coding for DNA vaccines and therapeutic proteins into skeletal muscle. Nevertheless, constant-voltage techniques do not take into account the resistance of the tissue and result in tissue damage, inflammation, and loss of plasmid expression. In the present study, we have used a software-driven constant-current electroporator to deliver plasmids to mice and small and large pigs. The voltage, amperage, and resistance of the tissue during pulses were recorded and analyzed. Optimal conditions of electroporation were identified in both species, and found to be highly dependent on the individual tissue resistance. Six- to 10-week-old pigs had higher muscle resistance compared to 1- to 2-year-old pigs, but both values were four to five times lower than the resistance of the mouse muscle. In mice, optimum amperage, pulse length, and lag time between plasmid injection and electroporation were identified to be 0.1 Amps, 20 msec and 0 sec. The electroporation pulse pattern among the electrodes also affected plasmid expression. These results indicate that age- and tissue-specific resistance, pulse pattern, and other variables associated with the electroporation need to be optimized for each separate species to achieve maximum plasmid expression.     

mRNA Transfection of Mouse and Human Neural Stem Cell Cultures

The use of synthetic mRNA as an alternative gene delivery vector to traditional DNA-based constructs provides an effective method for inducing transient gene expression in cell cultures without genetic modification. Delivery of mRNA has been proposed as a safer alternative to viral vectors in the induction of pluripotent cells for regenerative therapies. Although mRNA transfection of fibroblasts, dendritic and embryonic stem cells has been described, mRNA delivery to neurosphere cultures has not been previously reported. Here we sought to establish an efficient method for delivering mRNA to primary neurosphere cultures. Neurospheres derived from the subventricular zone of adult mice or from human embryonic stem cells were transfected with EGFP mRNA by lipofection and electroporation. Transfection efficiency and expression levels were monitored by flow cytometry. Cell survival following transfection was examined using live cell counting and the MTT assay. Both lipofection and electroporation provided high efficiency transfection of neurospheres. In comparison with lipofection, electroporation resulted in increased transfection efficiencies, but lower expression per cell and shorter durations of expression. Additional rounds of lipofection renewed EGFP expression in neurospheres, suggesting this method may be suitable for reprogramming applications. In summary, we have developed a protocol for achieving high efficiency transfection rates in mouse and human neurosphere cell culture that can be applied for future studies of gene function studies in neural stem cells, such as defining efficient differentiation protocols for glial and neuronal linages.     

Conditional gene modification in mouse liver using hydrodynamic delivery of plasmid DNA encoding Cre recombinase

The success of Cre-mediated conditional gene targeting in liver of mice has until now depended on the generation of Cre recombinase transgenic mice or on viral-mediated transduction. Here, we sought to establish the feasibility of using hydrodynamic gene delivery of Cre recombinase into liver, using a ROSA26 EGFP mouse. The expression of EGFP and beta-galactosidase was exclusively detected in the liver of mice treated with hydrodynamic gene delivery of Cre recombinase, as assessed with fluorescence microscopy and X-Gal staining, respectively; Southern blotting also showed that Cre mediated recombination occurred specifically in the liver and not in other organs. The Cre mediated recombination reached about 61% of hepatocytes of mouse after repeated injection, as analyzed by flow cytometry. These results demonstrate that Cre recombinase can be transferred to the liver of mice through a simple hydrodynamic gene-delivery approach and can mediate efficient recombination in hepatocytes. Thus, hydrodynamic gene delivery of the Cre recombinase provides a valuable approach for Cre-loxP-mediated conditional gene modification in the liver of mice.     

Needleless in vivo gene transfer into muscles by jet injection in combination with electroporation

Previously, we have established an in vivo electroporation method for gene transfer into muscle by injection of DNA with a needle followed by electric pulse delivery using needle-type electrodes and proved that this method is effective for the systemic delivery of cytokines. To perform the needleless gene delivery, we combined jet injection of DNA with electroporation using plate-type electrodes. For delivery of beta-galactosidase- and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing plasmids into muscles, there was no significant difference between the previous needle-mediated method and the newly developed jet-injection method. When pCAGGS-IL-5 was introduced into tibialis anterior, quadricipital and back sural muscles by this new method, the serum IL-5 levels reached 3.4 +/- 0.9, 5.7 +/- 1.7 and 8.4 +/- 2.7 ng/ml at day 5, respectively. Although the peak values of IL-5 achieved by the jet-injection method in these muscles were lower than that of the highest value achieved by needle-mediated gene delivery into anterior tibial muscle, this new method could deliver plasmid into relatively large muscles with better efficiency than the needle-mediated method. Thus the jet-injection method provides a useful means of gene delivery into large muscles, which is essential for future use in human gene therapy.     

GFAP启动子调控的双顺反子真核表达载体pGFAP-IRES2-EGFP-p27的构建及表达分析

目的构建并鉴定带GFAP启动子的Flag-p27和EGFP双顺反子真核表达载体,观察其表达。方法利用IRES和GFAP启动子,通过质粒抽提、琼脂糖凝胶电泳、酶切、连接、转化等多种基因工程技术,经多步亚克隆后完成能同时表达p27和EGFP基因的星形胶质细胞特异性真核表达载体pGFAP-IRES2-EGFP-p27。转染体外培养的星形胶质细胞,观察EGFP的表达,并通过免疫荧光细胞化学技术观察p27的表达。结果经酶切鉴定和测序鉴定,成功构建真核表达载体pGFAP-IRES2-EGFP-p27。转染星形胶质细胞后可见EGFP的表达,并且在EGFP阳性的细胞中P27表达水平明显增高。结论GFAP启动子能启动目的基因p27和EGFP在星形胶质细胞的表达,连于Flag-p27的下游EGFP可作为报告基因,指示p27的表达情况。带启动子GFAP的Flag-p27和EGFP双顺反子真核表达载体的构建为进一步研究星形胶质细胞增生与神经系统疾病的关系,并为寻找神经系统疾病的有效基因治疗途径奠定基础。     

Optimization of electroporation for transfection of mammalian cell lines

Electroporation can be a highly efficient method for introducing DNA molecules into cultured cells for transient expression of genes or for permanent genetic modification. However, effective transformation by electroporation requires careful optimization of electric field strength and pulse characteristics. We have used the transient expression of the firefly luciferase gene as a rapid and sensitive indicator of gene expression to describe the effects on transfection efficiency of altering electroporation field strength and shape. Using the luciferase assay, we investigated the correlation of cell viability with optimal transfection efficiency and determined the optimal parameters for a number of phenotypically distinct mammalian cell lines derived from the nervous and immune systems. The efficiency of electroporation under optimal conditions was compared with that obtained using DEAE-dextran or calcium phosphate-mediated transformation. Transfection by electroporation using square wave pulses, as opposed to exponentially decaying pulses, was found to be significantly increased by repetitive pulses. These methods improve the ability to obtain high efficiency gene transfer into many mammalian cell types.     

Elaboration of an electroporation protocol for large plasmids and wild-type strains of Bacillus thuringiensis

Aims:  To elaborate an effective electroporation protocol for large plasmids and wild type strains of Bacillus thuringiensis .
Methods and Results:  The effect of DNA desalting, wall-weakening agency, cell growth conditions, electroporation solutions, and electric fields on electroporation efficiency was evaluated to optimize electroporation conditions for B. thuringiensis . By using this improved method, the greatest efficiency was reached 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU  μ g⁻¹ with pHT304, which is 10⁴ times higher than previously reported. Four large plasmids (29·1, 44·9, 58 and 60 kb) were successfully transferred into the acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain BMB171; these results have not been achieved with previous protocols. Three wild type B. thuringiensis strains which could not be transformed previously were also transferred successfully.
Conclusions:  This improved method is more efficient for small plasmids; it is also appropriate for large plasmids and wild type B. thuringiensis strains which were not transformed by previous procedures.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The present study established an effective electroporation protocol for large plasmids and wild type strains of B. thuringiensis . This method is well suited for the cloning and expression of huge DNA fragments such as gene clusters in B. thuringiensis . It also can be used as a reference method for other Bacillus strains that are refractory to electroporate.     

Quantitative evaluation of mammalian skeletal muscle as a heterologous protein expression system

The production of mammalian proteins in sufficient quantity and quality for structural and functional studies is a major challenge in biology. Intrinsic limitations of yeast and bacterial expression systems preclude their use for the synthesis of a significant number of mammalian proteins. This creates the necessity of well-identified expression systems based on mammalian cells. In this paper, we demonstrate that adult mammalian skeletal muscle, transfected in vivo by electroporation with DNA plasmids, is an excellent heterologous mammalian protein expression system. By using the fluorescent protein EGFP as a model, it is shown that muscle fibers express, during the course of a few days, large amounts of authentic replicas of transgenic proteins. Yields of approximately 1mg/g of tissue were obtained, comparable to those of other expression systems. The involvement of adult mammalian cells assures an optimal environment for proper protein folding and processing. All these advantages complement a methodology that is universally accessible to biomedical investigators and simple to implement.     

可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒表达系统的建立及评价

目的：建立可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒表达系统。方法：体外合成编码随机12肽的DNA片段;在最优化的实验参数和反应条件下将DNA片段克隆入带有EGFP标记的逆转录病毒载体后分批次电击转化大肠杆菌,合并转化所得菌液即为可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒原始载体库;半固体扩增法扩增该原始载体库,提取质粒并转染GP2-293包装细胞,在EGFP表达最强的时间点收集细胞培养上清,即为可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒库。结果：可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒原始载体库的库容量为3.14×10^6cfu;扩增后的逆转录病毒载体库滴度为5.2×109cfu/mL,库容量为2.34×1011cfu;转染了已扩增的载体库质粒后的GP2-293包装细胞可以成功地表达随机12肽库。结论：建立了可表达随机12肽库的逆转录病毒表达系统,为抗病毒寡肽的筛选以及进一步的深入研究奠定了良好的基础。     

Optimization of electroporation conditions for Arthrobacter with plasmid PART2

A prerequisite for genetic studies of Arthrobacter is a high efficiency transformation system that allows for DNA transfer, transposon mutagenesis, and expression of specific genes. In this study, we develop a detailed electroporation method through a systematic examination of the factors involved in the entire electroporation process. Key features of this procedure, including the addition of penicillin to cells during the early log phase of growth and the presence of 0.5 M sorbitol in the electroporation and recovery media, produced the greatest increases in transformation efficiency and consistency of results. The transformation rate also varied depending on the electrical parameters, DNA concentration, and recovery time period. Using optimum conditions, we generally achieved an efficiency of 6.8 × 10⁷ transformants per microgram of PART2 for Arthrobacter sp. A3. This protocol was also successfully applied to other Arthrobacter species. Therefore, we conclude that the proposed method is rapid, simple and convenient, which allows a transformation trial to be accomplished in minutes.     

Efficient germ-line transformation of the economically important pest species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera, Calliphoridae)

The green blowfly species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata are economically important pests for the sheep industries of Australia and New Zealand. L. cuprina has long been considered a good target for a genetic pest management program. In addition, L. sericata maggots are used in the cleaning of wounds and necrotic tissue of patients suffering from ulcers that are difficult to treat by other methods. Development of efficient transgenesis methods would greatly facilitate the development of strains ideal for genetic control programs or could potentially improve “maggot therapy”. We have previously reported the germ-line transformation of L. cuprina and the design of a “female killing system” that could potentially be applied to this species. However, the efficiency of transformation obtained was low and transformed lines were difficult to detect due to the low expression of the EGFP marker used. Here we describe an efficient and reliable method for germ-line transformation of L. cuprina using new piggyBac vector and helper plasmids containing the strong promoter from the L. cuprina hsp83 gene to drive expression of the transposase and fluorescent protein marker gene. We also report, for the first time, the germ-line transformation of L. sericata using the new piggyBac vector/helper combination.     

Cell-surface streptavidin fusion protein for rapid selection of transfected mammalian cells

We developed a series of eight mammalian cell surface marker fusion genes by using the streptavidin gene from Streptomyces avidinii. These fusion genes are useful and non-growth-toxic selection markers for rapid-harvest transfected mammalian cells. Two streptavidin constructs were used; the longer fragment contains the native bacterial signal sequence, which the shorter fragment lacks. For expression of the streptavidin antigen on the surface of mammalian cells, streptavidin was flanked by a mammalian signal sequence and a transmembrane domain (from mouse H2-K or Kit); some constructs also contained the gene for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). We transfected a series of plasmids encoding the fusion proteins into HeLa cells and determined that the transfected cells produced the fusion protein on their cell surfaces. To separate transfected cells from nontransfected cells, we incubated cells with a polyclonal antibody against streptavidin, and antibody-bound cells were harvested by the use of paramagnetic beads coupled with the corresponding secondary antibody. We obtained highly pure populations of transfected cells; this result also confirmed the production of the fusion protein on the cell surface. Cell growth assays revealed that none of the transfected fusion genes or their products adversely affected the proliferation of HeLa cells. Our results indicate that the fusion constructs we developed and the immunomagnetic separation protocol we used are valuable tools for various transfection applications. In particular, the constructs containing EGFP are advantageous because transfection efficiency can be assessed without additional treatment of cells.     

细胞电穿孔导入DNA的动态特征

本文以Ｅ．ＣｏｌｉＨＢ１０１为模型细胞,研究了不同幅度和时间常数的ＲＣ放电脉冲条件下,触发细胞穿孔,导入长度分别为４２２和１６８０ｎｍ的超螺旋长丝形质粒ｐＵＣ－１８和ｐＣＰ１０,及精胺缩合后直径为８８ｎｍ的复曲面体的质粒ｐＣＰ１０,测定了相应的细胞转化率。实验结果显示了细胞电穿孔导入ＤＮＡ的动态特征。     

Transformation of Acidiphilium by electroporation and conjugation.

Two techniques, electroporation and conjugation, have been used to introduce the RK2-based broad-host-range plasmids pRK415 and pLAFR3 into strains of the bacterial genus Acidiphilium. Using electroporation, cells were also transformed with a series of chimeric plasmids constructed by cloning cryptic Acidiphilium plasmids into the Escherichia coli vector pBR328. Various parameters affecting electroporation were investigated. Transformation efficiency varied widely with different recipient strains. Growth at an elevated temperature (37 degrees C) prior to electroporation increased transformation efficiency 10-fold compared with growth at 32 degrees C. For three strains tested, optimum transformation efficiency was obtained with field strengths of 10-15 kV/cm. Transformation efficiency increased linearly with increasing DNA concentration up to 10 micrograms/mL. Transformation efficiencies in these experiments ranged up to 10(4) transformants/micrograms DNA. Mobilization of pRK415 and pLAFR3 from E. coli strain S17.1 into several Acidiphilium strains was achieved following incubation for 3 h on nutrient agar medium (pH 7.0). Conjugation frequencies in the range of 10(-5)-10(-9) per recipient cell were obtained. Conjugation frequency was also dependent on recipient strain.     

(R)-、(S)-羰基还原酶在酿酒酵母中的表达和亚细胞定位

【目的】将增强型荧光蛋白标记的(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶于酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303-1A)细胞中表达,分析荧光蛋白表达谱,确定两种酶在细胞中的功能分布和亚细胞定位。【方法】采用SOE-PCR法克隆出增强型荧光蛋白与(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶的融合基因,构建到真核表达载体pYX212中,电击转化酵母细胞,以荧光蛋白为筛选标志,观察两种酶在酵母细胞中的表达和分布。【结果】激光扫描共聚焦显微观察表明(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶多定位于细胞内膜和细胞质中稳定表达,少数成点状分布于细胞中央。根据荧光强度可知(S)-羰基还原酶的表达水平明显高于(R)-羰基还原酶。生物转化结果显示融合型(R)-和(S)-羰基还原酶催化底物2-羟基苯乙酮,分别获得(R)-和(S)-苯基乙二醇,前者产物的光学纯度和产率为86.6%和70.4%,后者产物的光学纯度和产率分别为92.3%和81.8%。【讨论】荧光蛋白与酶的融合没有改变靶蛋白的分子构象与生物活性,酿酒酵母工程菌较重组大肠杆菌具有更明显的生物功能优势,该研究为羰基还原酶蛋白的功能表达调控与亚细胞定位的可视化研究奠定了坚实的基础。     

Nucleofection-based gene targeting in human pre-B cells

Electroporation is a powerful and convenient means for transfection of nonviral vectors into mammalian cells, providing an essential tool for numerous applications including gene targeting via homologous recombination. Recent evidence clearly suggests that high-efficiency gene transfer can be achieved in most cell lines by nucleofection, an electroporation-based transfection method that allows transfected vectors to directly enter the nucleus. In this paper, we analyze the effectiveness of nucleofection for gene targeting using human pre-B cells. For this, we tested 93 different transfection conditions, and found several conditions that gave high (~ 80%) transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity (~ 70% survival rate). Remarkably, under the optimal nucleofection conditions, the gene-targeting efficiency was ~ 2-5-fold higher than that achieved with conventional electroporation methods. We also found that nucleofection conditions with high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity tend to provide high gene-targeting efficiency. Our results provide significant implications for gene targeting, and suggest that nucleofection-based nonviral gene transfer is useful for systematic generation of human gene-knockout cell lines.