脂质体介导鸡精子与外源DNA的结合

精子充当外源ＤＮＡ的载体提出了一条新的基因转移途径。由于这个构想方法学非常简单,利用人工授精程序就可以生产转基因动物,因而引起人们广泛的注意^[1].精子载体法一出现就引发了一场争论,对于这种方法的可行性人们仍持谨慎态度^[2-3].精子在与外源DNA混合培养后DNA能否进入精子的内部,这是精子载体法是否可行的关键。本文应用Southem杂交技术分析了精子与外源DNA的相互作用。     

精子载体法制备转基因动物的研究进展

精子载体法是一种低成本、简单快速制备转基因动物的方法.外源基因主要通过两种方式实现基因整合,一种是直接整合到精子的基因组中;另一种是通过精子携带进入卵细胞,然后整合到受精卵的基因组中.尽管现在已经有很多利用精子载体法获得了转基因动物的研究,但是基于精子在受精过程中,结合、内化、以及转运外源基因等方面能力的差异,转染效率仍有待提高.就利用精子载体法制备转基因动物过程中,精子载体法制备转基因动物的分子机制和方法方面进行系统的阐述和分析.     

精子因素对精子载体法制备转基因山羊的影响

精子具有主动结合、转运、整合外源DNA的能力,并在受精时导入卵母细胞,获得转基因动物.精子介导基因转移(sperm-mediated gene transfer,SMGT)是目前获得转基因动物简单而高效的方法之一.精子因素是影响SMGT方法生产转基因动物的重要方面.本论文结合我们的研究针对转染用山羊(Capra hircus)精液的来源、精子质膜完整性、精液品质及发育阶段等精子因素影响精子结合外源DNA和SMGT方法生产转基因山羊的效率进行了论述,并从这些影响因素入手,提出了筛选精子供体、保持精液品质、调控质膜等措施,提高精子转染外源DNA能力和生产转基因动物的效率.     

精子介导转基因动物的研究进展

精子是高度分化的细胞,它具有潜在的结合外源DNA并在受精过程中将其转入到卵内的能力。随着受精卵的发育,外源基因将随机整合到受体基因组中,部分基因能在成体中表达,部分基因不仅能表达还能遗传给后代。一旦精子能表达外源基因,那么将很容易得到大量的转基因后代。因此,精子能携带外源基因入卵和产量丰富这两大特性使精子作为载体制备转基因动物成为一个简便的途径。精子载体法制备转基因动物无需昂贵的实验设备,亦无需专门的技术。因此,提出后就备受关注。介绍精子介导的转基因动物的制作原理及具体方法的研究进展。     

精子结合外源DNA的特征及影响因素

外源DNA与精子相互作用后的定位及内化率是精子载体法制备转基因动物的关键环节。实验以标记的DNA片段为示踪材料,就精子与外源DNA相互作用的基本特征及影响因素进行了研究。结果表明：山羊精子可自发性结合外源DNA,外源DNA最初结合于顶体后区质膜外表面,随后部分内化进入细胞内。精子对外源DNA的结合和内化能力随供体的不同而差异明显,在实验所检查的35只公羊中,结合率（DNaseⅠ消化前）波动于4.6% ~ 62.4%,内化率（DNaseⅠ消化后）波动于2.1% ~ 53.8%,个体间差异显著（P<0.01）。对于同一供体的精子而言,阻止DNA结合的最主要因素是精浆,与射出的原精液相比,洗涤后精子的结合率和内化率分别提高了3倍和5倍;其次精子获能也将导致结合率和内化率降低（P<0.01）。死精子不能完成外源DNA的内化过程,但反复冻融导致质膜破裂的死精子具有更高的结合率,而且阳性率与动物个体无关。上述结果提示,筛选合适的精子供体,采用优化的转染处理方法是提高精子载体方法效率的前提和保证。     

利用雄性生殖细胞建立转基因动物

追溯了用雄性生殖细胞建立转基因动物的发展历程 ,系统阐述了本领域理论和实践的最新进展 ,围绕方法学逐渐改进和完善的过程 ,从利用精子和精原干细胞携带外源DNA两个方向展开 ,分析和评价了DNA转移方法与精子载体法结合、胞浆内单精子注射、蛋白连接的精子介导的基因转移、输精管注射法以及曲细精管显微注射法和精原干细胞移植法 6种实验设计方法。     

采用高分子介导精子作载体制备转基因泥鳅

为探讨树形高分子介导精子载体技术产生转基因动物,将泥鳅精子与具有标记基因LacZ的pCH110重组质粒和树形高分子在保存液内孵育,经DNA原位杂交检测发现树形高分子介导下精子携事外源DNA的效率得到较大的提高,将捕获了外源DNA的精子,再与泥鳅卵进行体外人工受精。由此发育的鱼苗经PCR和LacZ组织化学检测,获得了高比例的转基因泥鳅,外源基因LacZ在泥鳅幼苗头部得到了明显表达。     

山羊精子结合和内化外源DNA的特征及影响因素

外源DNA与精子相互作用后的定位及内化率是精子载体法制备转基因动物的关键环节.实验以标记的DNA片段为示踪材料,就精子与外源DNA相互作用的基本特征及影响因素进行了研究.结果表明:山羊精子可自发性结合外源DNA,外源DNA最初结合于顶体后区质膜外表面,随后部分内化进入细胞内.精子对外源DNA的结合和内化能力随供体的不同而差异明显,在实验所检查的35只公羊中,结合率(DNaseⅠ消化前)波动于4.6%～62.4%,内化率(DNaseⅠ消化后)波动于2.1%～53.8%,个体间差异显著(P<0.01).对于同一供体的精子而言,阻止DNA结合的最主要因素是精浆,与射出的原精液相比,洗涤后精子的结合率和内化率分别提高了3倍和5倍;其次精子获能也将导致结合率和内化率降低(P<0.01).死精子不能完成外源DNA的内化过程,但反复冻融导致质膜破裂的死精子具有更高的结合率,而且阳性率与动物个体无关.上述结果提示,筛选合适的精子供体,采用优化的转染处理方法是提高精子载体方法效率的前提和保证.     

外源基因对精子的影响及其在山羊早期胚胎中的表达

摘要: 在前期实验中发现, 山羊精子可自发结合外源DNA, 但结合能力在不同动物个体之间差异显著。挑选结合能力明显不同的3只公羊, 进一步探讨了外源DNA对精子的影响及其在早期胚胎中的表达, 结果发现: 外源基因与精子共同孵育后, 精子的活率、顶体反应发生率和受精能力均呈下降态势, 其降幅与精子的结合能力密切相关。利用与DNA共育后的精子进行体外受精, 外源基因可被导入卵母细胞并在早期胚胎中获得表达, 但胚胎阳性率因精子供体不同而差异显著(P<0.05); 其中来源于高、中结合能力供体生产的胚胎, 分别有16.2%(25/154)和5.3%(4/76)可检测到外源基因存在, 但表达仅见于高结合能力供体生产的早期胚胎, 表达率为6.5%(10/154); 低结合能力供体生产的胚胎无外源基因。研究表明, 在以精子载体方法生产转基因动物的实验过程中, 筛选对DNA结合能力较强的精子供体是提高转基因效率的前提, 但需要考虑外源DNA对精子受精能力的影响。     

利用雄性生殖细胞建立转基因动物的研究进展

随着科学研究的不断深入及临床治疗的需要,人们对转基因动物的需求越来越大;但是传统的转基因动物技术大多操作复杂、成本高、效率低,从而限制了转基因技术的广泛应用。利用雄性生殖细胞作为载体介导外源基因导入受精卵来建立转基因动物具有操作简便、经济、易于推广的优点,发展前景广阔。该文就利用雄性生殖细胞建立转基因动物的发展历程和方法进行系统的阐述和分析。从利用精子和精原干细胞携带外源DNA两个方向展开,分别分析和评价了恒温共孵育法、脂质体介导法、电穿孔法、胞浆内单精子注射法、输精管注射法、体外转染精原干细胞法以及体内转染精原干细胞法七种实验设计方法。     

The sperm mitochondria-specific translocator has a key role in maternal mitochondrial inheritance

The mechanism of maternal mitochondrial inheritance in animals involves the selective elimination of sperm mitochondria by the elimination factor of the egg and the sperm mitochondria-specific factor. In vitro fertilization using sperm from isogenic mice incorporating heterospecific mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) showed that the number of PCR positives of sperm mtDNA in two-cell embryos was significantly increased following sperm incubation with anti-tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein involved in spermatogenesis (tpis) protein, anti-translocator of mitochondrial outer membrane (Tom) 22 and anti-Tom40 antibodies. The treatment of fertilized eggs with EGTA and other endonuclease inhibitors increased the sperm mtDNA levels. We conclude that the elimination factor, which is probably an endonuclease, is selectively received by the tpis protein of the sperm mitochondrial outer membrane within the egg. It is then transported into the sperm mitochondria by Tom22 and Tom40, where it destroys the sperm mtDNA, establishing the maternal inheritance of mtDNA.     

Association of oriC region of Escherichia coli chromosome with outer membrane: effects of culture condition.

We isolated complexes containing oriC region DNA and outer membrane, named origin complex heavy and origin complex light, from the cells of Escherichia coli cultured in media with poor or rich of nutrients, and found the different nature of association between origin DNA and outer membrane. The ratio of origin complex light to origin complex heavy prepared from the cells cultured in rich media was lower than that of those from minimal medium culture. Outer membrane preparations from the cells grown in nutritious media had high abilities of association with origin complex light in the presence of magnesium. These results indicated that the number of binding sites on outer membrane with origin region DNA increase, or the binding between outer membrane and origin region DNA become more rigid, when cells grow faster and DNA replication initiate more frequently in a nutritious medium.     

Assembly of correct kinetochore architecture in Xenopus laevis egg extract requires transition of sperm DNA through interphase

Xenopus egg extracts provide a powerful tool for studying formation and function of chromosomes. Two alternative protocols are generally used to obtain mitotic chromosomes. The first one employs direct assembly of chromatin from sperm nuclei in CSF-arrested meiotic extracts, while the second is based on transition of sperm DNA through a replication step, followed by re-establishing of CSF arrest. In this study we show that general kinetochore structure is disrupted in chromosomes assembled directly in CSF egg extracts: the amounts of outer kinetochore proteins such as Bub1, BubR1 and Dynactin subunit p150glued are reduced and the components of the inner centromeric region (Aurora B kinase and Survivin) show compromised recruitment to centromeres. In contrast, kinetochores on chromosomes assembled according to the second protocol closely resemble those in somatic cells. Our results argue that transition of sperm nuclei through interphase is an essential step for proper kinetochore assembly.     

Comparison between different markers for sperm quality in the cat: Diff-Quik as a simple optical technique to assess changes in the DNA of feline epididymal sperm

The majority of wild felids, as well as some domestic cats, have low sperm concentration in their ejaculates, and a high proportion of abnormal spermatozoa. We have employed several possible semen quality markers to further characterize cat epididymal sperm. Methods included possible apoptotic reporters, such as the annexin V assay to monitor exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, as well as cell integrity; and the TUNEL assay to quantify DNA breaks. Sperm surface ubiquitination, another putative marker of sperm quality, was also monitored. The annexin V assay revealed a high percentage of sperm with PS exposure, and the TUNEL assay pointed to high levels (13+/-12%) of sperm with DNA breaks. Correlations were found between apoptotic markers (but not ubiquitination) and semen parameters. In parallel to this analysis, cat sperm morphology was evaluated using the Diff-Quik optical stain, which has been used in human reproduction laboratories. Several types of abnormalities could be characterized with this method. Remarkably, head staining abnormalities detected using the Diff-Quik staining method were strongly correlated with, and could accurately predict, sperm DNA defects detected in the same sample using the TUNEL assay. We therefore suggest that sperm morphology analysis using Diff-Quik could be used in field conditions to assess sperm status, due to the simplicity of the procedure and the equipment involved.     

The replicative origin of the E. coli chromosome binds to cell membranes only when hemimethylated

DNA from the E. coli replicative origin binds with high affinity to outer membrane preparations. Specific binding regions are contained within a 463 bp stretch of origin DNA between positions -46 and +417 on the oriC map. This region of DNA contains an unusually high number of GATC sites, the recognition sequence for the E. coli DNA adenine methylase. We show here that oriC DNA binds to membrane only when it is hemimethylated. The E. coli chromosomal origin is hemimethylated for 8-10 min after initiation of replication, and origin DNA binds to membranes only during this time period. Based on these results, we propose a speculative model for chromosome segregation in E. coli.     

Poor centrosomal function of cat testicular spermatozoa impairs embryo development in vitro after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

In the domestic cat, morula-blastocyst formation in vitro is compromised after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with testicular compared to ejaculated spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to determine the cellular basis of the lower developmental potential of testicular spermatozoa. Specifically, we examined the influence of sperm DNA fragmentation (evaluated by TUNEL assay) and centrosomal function (assessed by sperm aster formation after ICSI) on first-cleavage timing, developmental rate, and morula-blastocyst formation. Because the incidences of DNA fragmentation were not different between testicular and ejaculated sperm suspensions, DNA integrity was not the origin of the reduced developmental potential of testicular spermatozoa. After ICSI, proportions of fertilized and cleaved oocytes were similar and not influenced by sperm source. However, observations made at 5 h postactivation clearly demonstrated that 1) zygotes generally contained a large sperm aster after ICSI with ejaculated spermatozoa, a phenomenon never observed with testicular spermatozoa, and 2) proportions of zygotes with short or absent sperm asters were higher after ICSI with testicular spermatozoa than using ejaculated spermatozoa. The poor pattern of aster formation arose from the testicular sperm centrosome, which contributed to a delayed first cleavage, a slower developmental rate, and a reduced formation of morulae and blastocysts compared to ejaculated spermatozoa. When a testicular sperm centrosome was replaced by a centrosome from an ejaculated spermatozoon, kinetics of first cell cycle as well as embryo development quality significantly improved and were comparable to data from ejaculated spermatozoa. Results demonstrate for the first time in mammals that maturity of the cat sperm centrosome (likely via epididymal transit) contributes to an enhanced ability of the spermatozoon to produce embryos that develop normally to the morula and blastocyst stages.     

Single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to detect the early stage of DNA fragmentation in human sperm nuclei

Single-cell pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (SCPFGE) with dual electrode pairs was developed to detect the early stage of DNA fragmentation in human sperm. The motile sperm were purified by the commonly used density-gradient centrifugation technique and subsequent swim-up. The sperm were embedded in a thin film of agarose containing bovine trypsin (20 μg/mL) and were then lysed. Prior to SCPFGE, proteolysis of DNA-binding components, such as protamine and the nuclear matrix was essential to separate the long chain fibers from the fibrous and granular fragments derived from a single nucleus. The overall electrophoretic profiles elucidated the course of DNA fragmentation. A few large fibrous fragments were observed at the beginning of the process, however, as the fragmentation advanced, the long chain fibers decreased and shortened, and, conversely, the granular fragments increased until finally almost all the DNA was shredded. Although the ejaculate contained sperm with heterogeneous stages, the purified motile sperm exhibited several dozens of uniformly elongated fibers arising from the tangled DNA at the origin, whereas a part of these fibers gave rise to fibrous fragments beyond the tip of the elongated fibers, and their numbers and sizes varied among the sperm. Conventional intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) usually depends on intra-operative light microscopic observation to select a sperm for injection. The present results revealed that sperm motility could not give full assurance of DNA integrity. SCPFGE is likely to serve an important role in the preoperative differential diagnosis to determine the competence of the sperm population provided for injection.     

Morphological and ultrastructural characterization of mammalian spermatozoa processed for flow cytometric DNA analyses

The morphological and ultrastructural changes that occur during preparation of porcine, bovine, and murine spermatozoa for flow cytometric quantification of the relative DNA content of the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm populations were examined. Ejaculated spermatozoa from the boar and bull were washed using a series of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions prior to fixation, whereas the epididymal mouse spermatozoa were washed only in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Spermatozoa from all three species were then fixed in ethanol and processed for fluorochrome staining by a treatment regimen consisting of sulfhydryl reduction and proteolysis. The processed sperm nuclei were stained for DNA with the fluorochrome, 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) before quantification by flow cytometry. Scanning and transmission electron micrographs of sperm heads taken at various steps of the preparation and staining procedures show 1) that the rigorous washing procedure disrupted the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes, 2) that ethanol fixation resulted in removal of the outer membranes and disintegration of the nuclear envelope, and 3) that thiol and proteolysis treatment removed the remaining cellular organelles including the tail and rapidly induced partial decondensation of the tightly packed chromatin. Sequential micrographs showed that the nuclear matrix of all three species increased in thickness about twofold during the preparation and staining. Consequently, the harsh procedures currently used for quantitative staining of DNA for high-resolution flow cytometric analyses destroy most cellular organelles and thereby prevent simultaneous characterization of DNA content and other sperm cell constituents.     

The small heat shock protein ODF1/HSPB10 is essential for tight linkage of sperm head to tail and male fertility in mice

Sperm motility and hence male fertility strictly depends on proper development of the sperm tail and its tight anchorage to the head. The main protein of sperm tail outer dense fibers, ODF1/HSPB10, belongs to the family of small heat shock proteins that function as molecular chaperones. However, the impact of ODF1 on sperm tail formation and motility and on male fecundity is unknown. We therefore generated mutant mice in which the Odf1 gene was disrupted. Heterozygous mutant male mice are fertile while sperm motility is reduced, but Odf1-deficient male mice are infertile due to the detachment of the sperm head. Although headless tails are somehow motile, transmission electron microscopy revealed disturbed organization of the mitochondrial sheath, as well as of the outer dense fibers. Our results thus suggest that ODF1, besides being involved in the correct arrangement of mitochondrial sheath and outer dense fibers, is essential for rigid junction of sperm head and tail. Loss of function of ODF1, therefore, might account for some of the cases of human infertility with decapitated sperm heads. In addition, since sperm motility is already affected in heterozygous mice, impairment of ODF1 might even account for some cases of reduced fertility in male patients.