水稻蜡质基因第一内含子中g片段上核蛋白因子结合位点的确定

水稻蜡质基因５’非翻译区中的第一内含子具有增强基因表达的作用,本实验室曾检测到该内含子中的一段１７１ｂｐ长的ｇ的片段与水稻未成熟种子核蛋白存在特异性结合。本文进一步用凝胶滞后实验和足印实验确定了该核蛋白在ｇ片段上的结合位点位于蜡质基因转录起始点下游７８３－８１８ｂｐ处,该结合位点富含ＡＴ碱基;Ｓｏｕｔｈｗｅｓｔｅｍ ｂｌｏｔ实验测出该蛋白的分子量约为２０ｋＤ。用硫酸铵分步沉淀和肝素－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏ     

一个能与水稻未成熟种子核蛋白特异结合的31bp的DNA片段

水稻蜡质基因5'上游序列中有5个能与水稻胚乳核蛋白结合的片段,其中HinfId和RsaIe片段有部分重叠,而重叠部分含AACGT顺序。按重叠区上下游顺序合成了其中含有3次重复的AACGT顺序的31bp寡核苷酸,并以此为探针进行凝胶滞后实验,表明它不仅能与未成熟水稻种子的胚乳核蛋白特异结合,而且也与HinfId和RsaIe片段有强烈的竞争作用。因此31bp顺序中含有与水稻胚乳核蛋白专一结合位点,从而有可能应用此31bp的寡核苷酸作探针来分离编码蜡质基因的调控蛋白基因。     

β珠蛋白基因5′远端新沉默子的结构和功能

通过凝胶滞留分析和荧光素酶报告基因检测系统,鉴定出人类β珠蛋白基因5′旁侧远端帽位上游－2132－－1822bp间存在一个活性沉默子片段（310bp）。通过DNA足迹分析,对其DNA序列与从Hela细胞核中提取的DNA结合蛋白（核蛋白）的相互作用进行了研究,结果显示该DNA片段中存在两个相邻的核蛋白结合位点,分别为帽位上游－2017－2011bp间序列“CTTCCCGC”和－2006－－1997bp间序列“CACTTTATTT”。采用人工设计的突变引物,分别将上述两段序列定点诱变为“CTTAAGC”和CACTTAAGTT”,从而形成两种突变型310bp片段,经竞争性凝胶滞留分析,显示这两种突变型片段以及它们分别经限制酶BspTI消化产生的4个小片段均丧失了与野生型310bp片段探针竞争核蛋白的能力;而采用人工合成包含正常“CTTCCGC”和“CACTTTATTT”序列的双链寡核苷酸片段进行性凝胶滞留分析,结果显示它具有与野生型310bp片段探针竞争DNA结合蛋白的能力,从而验证了这两段序列是存在着相互作用的核蛋白结合位点。与此同时,采用DNA结合蛋白纯化试剂盒,对Hela细胞核蛋白提取物中的特异性DNA结合蛋白进行亲和素磁性分离纯化,经蛋白质SDS－聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳结合银染鉴定,结果显示确实存在两种DNA结合蛋白分别与此沉默子的活性片段,它们的分子量分别为37kD和81kD,而它们的特性和作用机理用待进一步深入研究。     

水稻转录因子OsBP-73靶基因的初步筛选

OsBP-73是用酵母单杂交系统,以水稻蜡质基因(Wx)的顺式作用元件为诱饵,从水稻cDNA表达文库中筛选获得的转录因子。本文以OsBP-73基因为例介绍了用"下拉"(pull-down)方法筛选转录因子靶基因的一般步骤。将含有该基因DNA结合功能域的cDNA片段构建到原核表达载体上,并在大肠杆菌中诱导表达获得其蛋白p73。用纯化后的p73蛋白通过"下拉"实验对OsBP-73靶基因进行初步筛选,获得了22个阳性克隆,为进一步研究转录因子OsBP-73参与的水稻转录调控网络提供依据。     

水稻蜡质基因及其利用研究进展

简要介绍了水稻蜡质基因的等位基因位点及其表达特性。并从蜡质基因第1内含子核苷酸和蜡质基因剪切方式以及蜡质基因相关的顺式作用元件与反式作用因子等方面阐述了水稻蜡质基因表达调控,还概述了水稻蜡质基因的分子标记辅助选育方面的研究。从近年来的报道显示,利用反义RNA技术抑制水稻内源蜡质蛋白的表达是目前蜡质基因应用研究的主要方向。关于蜡质基因的研究,在其它作物中也都有报道。     

菜凝集素基因的克隆及在转基因烟草中抗蚜性研究

通过PCR从苋属植物千穗谷(Amaranthus hypochondriacus)的总DNA中扩增出苋菜凝集素(AHA)的核基因片段。序列分析结果表明该基因为2453bp,含有一1538bp的内含子和两个分别为212bp和703bp的外显子。采取反向PCR的方法获得仅含该基因的编码区克隆。以此为基础与二元表达载体pBin438构建含内含子与不含内含子AHA基因的植物表达载体pBAHAg和pBAHAc并通过土壤农杆菌介导转化了烟草。转化再生植株的PCR和Southern blot分析表明,AHA基因已整合到烟草的染色体中,有单拷贝和多拷贝的整合。用与AHA蛋白高度同源的ACA蛋白的抗血清进行了免疫斑点(Immunodot blot)检测,结果初步表明转基因烟草有AHA蛋白的表达。虫试结果表明转pBAHAg和pBAHAc烟草对蚜虫的平均抑制率分别达57.2%和48.8%,有的高达90%以上。含内含子和不含内含子的AHA基因在转基因植株中的抗蚜性不同。     

基因的克隆及表达分析

DNA重组激活基因（Recombination activating genes RAG）是脊椎动物特异性免疫反应的关键基因,也是脊椎动物进化分析的标记基因之一。鲫鱼具有很强的适应性和抗病能力,是我国广泛养殖的重要经济淡水鱼;由于具有不同的倍性和丰富的遗传多样性,又是研究鱼类基因组进化的独特材料。本研究用PCR方法扩增、克隆了鲫鱼的Rag基因。鲫鱼Rag1基因从起始密码到终止密码总长4188bp,由三个外显子和两个内含子组成,其中开放阅读框长3192bp,编码1063个氨基酸。Rag2基因从起始密码到终止密码总长1593bp,没有内含子,只有单一的编码区,编码530个氨基酸。Rag1和Rag2基因的ORF和氨基酸序列在不同鱼类中的对比结果表明其在进化过程中非常保守。不同鱼类Rag1基因的第二内含子也是高度保守的,转录因子结合位点分析表明在第二内含子的保守区域中有许多转录因子的可能结合位点。其中有一段在所有已知鱼类中都存在的保守区域是与性腺发育相关的转录因子SRY和SOX5的可能结合位点,提示Rag1基因的表达可能与性腺发育具有相关性。用RT-PCR方法进行的组织特异性表达分析表明Rag1基因在鲫鱼成体的头肾和精巢都能检测到表达,提示Rag基因不仅主导了免疫组织中的DNA重组,也可能参与了生殖细胞的DNA重组。RT-PCR检测证明Rag1基因在鲫鱼胚胎发育至第5天开始表达,在第7天鲫鱼胚胎的胸腺原基中可检测到Rag1基因mRNA的杂交信号,在第9天鲫鱼胚胎的胸腺原基中可以检测到很强的Rag1 mRNA原位杂交信号,说明该时期可能是鲫鱼免疫基因重组的活跃时期。     

小菜蛾线粒体复合物Ⅲ铁硫蛋白基因5'上游调控区域的克隆及序列分析

利用Tail-PCR技术克隆了小菜蛾线粒体复合物Ⅲ铁硫蛋白亚基的基因组DNA序列,全长5 013 bp,GenBank 登录号为HM210791.研究表明,该基因具有3个内含子,大小分别为96 bp、577 bp和549 bp,且其内含子两端具有典型的GT-AG结构.生物信息学分析表明,该基因5'上游调控区域不仅包括TATA-box等启动子核心序列,而且含有BR-C Z4、Hb、Dfd、CF2-Ⅱ和HSF等转录因子结合位点.进一步鉴定了该基因的转录起始位点、启动子序列和CPG岛区域.为小菜蛾线粒体复合物Ⅲ铁硫蛋白亚基的转录调控机制和具体的生理功能研究提供一定基础.     

肝癌细胞AFP基因高水平的转录是受核蛋白成分的促进

利用大鼠甲胎蛋白(AFP)基因片段作为模板,分析大鼠肝癌细胞核蛋白成分对体外转录活性的影响,发现大鼠肝癌含有促进AFP基因体外转录的核蛋白。作为对照．没有发现任何成年大鼠肝核蛋白可以促进AFP基因的体外转录。为了确定促进AFP基因体外转录的核蛋白作用部位,对AFP基因模板5＇端上游序列进行了不同程度的删除,进一步分析核蛋白对删掉5’端上游序列后的模板体外转录的影响,结果表明,AFP基因转录的起始点到255bp这段DNA序列是大鼠肝癌核蛋白促进AFP基因转录必不可少的。以SV40DNA经Pst I酶酶切所得的DNA片段(1216bp和4027bp)代替AFP基因片段作为模板,不存在核蛋白促进体外转录的现象。用AFP基因转录的起始点到 255bp这段的DNA为探针,进行Southwestm印迹分析,结果发现了8种与探针结合的核蛋白。     

鲫鱼Rag基因的克隆及表达分析

DNA重组激活基因(Recombination activating genes RAG)是脊椎动物特异性免疫反应的关键基因,也是脊椎动物进化分析的标记基因之一.鲫鱼具有很强的适应性和抗病能力,是我国广泛养殖的重要经济淡水鱼;由于具有不同的倍性和丰富的遗传多样性,又是研究鱼类基因组进化的独特材料.本研究用PCR方法扩增、克隆了鲫鱼的Rag基因.鲫鱼Rag1基因从起始密码到终止密码总长4188bp,由三个外显子和两个内含子组成,其中开放阅读框长3192bp,编码1063个氨基酸.Rag2基因从起始密码到终止密码总长1593bp,没有内含子,只有单一的编码区,编码530个氨基酸.Rag1和Rag2基因的ORF和氨基酸序列在不同鱼类中的对比结果表明其在进化过程中非常保守.不同鱼类Rag1基因的第二内含子也是高度保守的,转录因子结合位点分析表明在第二内含子的保守区域中有许多转录因子的可能结合位点.其中有一段在所有已知鱼类中都存在的保守区域是与性腺发育相关的转录因子SRY和SOX5的可能结合位点,提示Rag1基因的表达可能与性腺发育具有相关性.用RT-PCR方法进行的组织特异性表达分析表明Rag1基因在鲫鱼成体的头肾和精巢都能检测到表达,提示Rag基因不仅主导了免疫组织中的DNA重组,也可能参与了生殖细胞的DNA重组.RT-PCR检测证明Rag1基因在鲫鱼胚胎发育至第5天开始表达,在第7天鲫鱼胚胎的胸腺原基中可检测到Rag1基因mRNA的杂交信号,在第9天鲫鱼胚胎的胸腺原基中可以检测到很强的Rag1 mRNA原位杂交信号,说明该时期可能是鲫鱼免疫基因重组的活跃时期.     

The Novel Nuclear Envelope Protein KAKU4 Modulates Nuclear Morphology in Arabidopsis

In animals, the nuclear lamina is a fibrillar meshwork on the inner surface of the nuclear envelope, composed of coiled-coil lamin proteins and lamin binding membrane proteins. Plants also have a meshwork on the inner surface of the nuclear envelope, but little is known about its composition other than the presence of members of the CROWDED NUCLEI (CRWN) protein family, possible plant lamin analogs. Here, we describe a candidate lamina component, based on two Arabidopsis thaliana mutants (kaku2 and kaku4) with aberrant nuclear morphology. The responsible gene in kaku2 encodes CRWN1, and the responsible gene in kaku4 encodes a plant-specific protein of unknown function (KAKU4) that physically interacts with CRWN1 and its homolog CRWN4. Immunogold labeling revealed that KAKU4 localizes at the inner nuclear membrane. KAKU4 deforms the nuclear envelope in a dose-dependent manner, in association with nuclear membrane invagination and stack formation. The KAKU4-dependent nuclear envelope deformation was enhanced by overaccumulation of CRWN1, although KAKU4 can deform the nuclear envelope even in the absence of CRWN1 and/or CRWN4. Together, these results suggest that plants have evolved a unique lamina-like structure to modulate nuclear shape and size.     

Nuclear Targeting of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus Coat Protein

The entry of the viral genomic DNA of cauliflower mosaic virus into the nucleus is a critical step of viral infection. We have shown by transient expression in plant protoplasts that the viral coat protein (CP), which is processed from the product of open reading frame IV, contains an N-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS). The NLS is exposed on the surface of the virion and is thus available for interaction with a putative NLS receptor. Phosphorylation of the matured CP did not influence the nuclear localization of the protein but improved protein stability. Mutation of the NLS completely abolished viral infectivity, thus indicating its importance in the virus life cycle. The NLS seems to be regulated by the N terminus of the precapsid, which inhibits its nuclear targeting. This regulation could be important in allowing virus assembly in the cytoplasm.     

Direct Visualization of a Protein Nuclear Architecture

Whether the cell nucleus is organized by an underlying architecture analagous to the cytoskeleton has been a highly contentious issue since the original isolation of a nuclease and salt-resistant nuclear matrix. Despite electron microscopy studies that show that a nuclear architecture can be visualized after fractionation, the necessity to elute chromatin to visualize this structure has hindered general acceptance of a karyoskeleton. Using an analytical electron microscopy method capable of quantitative elemental analysis, electron spectroscopic imaging, we show that the majority of the fine structure within interchromatin regions of the cell nucleus in fixed whole cells is not nucleoprotein. Rather, this fine structure is compositionally similar to known protein-based cellular structures of the cytoplasm. This study is the first demonstration of a protein network in unfractionated and uninfected cells and provides a method for the ultrastructural characterization of the interaction of this protein architecture with chromatin and ribonucleoprotein elements of the cell nucleus.     

Transportin: Nuclear Transport Receptor of a Novel Nuclear Protein Import Pathway

Many nuclear proteins are imported into the cell nucleus by the “classical” nuclear localization signal (NLS)-mediated import pathway. In this pathway, a sequence rich in basic residues in the protein interacts with a heterodimeric complex termed importin and this, along with the GTPase Ran, mediates nuclear import of the NLS-bearing protein. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 protein contains a novel nuclear localization sequence, termed M9, that does not contain any clusters of basic residues. Very recently, we showed that M9 directs import into the nucleus by a novel protein import pathway distinct from the classical NLS pathway. A 90-kilodalton protein termed transportin was identified as a protein that specifically interacts with wild-type M9 but not transport-defective M9 mutants. Transportin and an ATP-regenerating system were found to be necessary and sufficient for import of M9-containing proteins in anin vitroimport assay. In this report, we provide additional evidence that transportin can interact directly with M9-containing proteins and also show that it can mediate import of full-length hnRNP A1. In addition, Ran, or a Ran-binding protein, is identified as a second protein component of this novel nuclear import pathway. Transportin relatives fromSaccharomyces cerevisiaewhich likely serve as additional nuclear transport receptors are described.     

Identification of a Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein-recognition Region in the HIV Rev Protein

The Rev protein is a key regulator of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression. Rev is primarily known as an adaptor protein for nuclear export of HIV RNAs. However, Rev also contributes to numerous other processes by less well known mechanisms. Understanding the functional nature of Rev requires extensive knowledge of its cellular interaction partners. Here we demonstrate that Rev interacts with members of a large family of multifunctional host cell factors called hnRNPs. Rev employs amino acids 9–14 for specific binding to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP) A1, Q, K, R, and U. In addition, Rev interacts with hnRNP E1 and E2 by a different mechanism. The set of hnRNPs recognized by the N terminus of Rev feature RGG boxes. Exemplary testing of hnRNP A1 revealed a critical role of arginine residues within the RGG box for interaction with Rev. Finally, we demonstrate that expression levels of hnRNP A1, Q, K, R, and U influence HIV-1 production by persistently infected astrocytes, linking these hnRNPs to HIV replication. The novel interaction of HIV-1 Rev with functionally diverse hnRNPs lends further support to the idea that Rev is a multifunctional protein and may be involved in coupling HIV replication to diverse cellular processes and promoting virus-host cell interactions.