阿尔茨海默病中miR-29c对APP表达调控的初步研究

目的探讨microRNA29c（miR-29c）在阿尔茨海默病中的作用。方法采用了microarray芯片检测3月龄、6月龄APPswe/PSΔE9双转基因阿尔茨海默病小鼠大脑中microRNA表达情况并利用实时定量PCR验证结果可靠性,通过microRNA靶基因数据库预测选出与阿尔茨海默病相关的靶基因,构建miR-29c表达载体,将其转染SH-SY5Y及HEK-293T细胞,在高表达miR-29c的SH-SY5Y及HEK-293T细胞系中验证miR-29c对靶基因的调控作用。将靶基因APP mRNA的野生及突变3’UTR序列克隆到双荧光素酶报告基因载体,用双荧光素酶报告检测系统检测miR-29c与靶基因的结合位点。结果根据microRNA芯片结果筛选出在3、6月龄APPSWE/PS1ΔE9双转基因小鼠大脑表达均有差异的miR-29c,通过实时定量PCR证实miR-29c在3月、6月、9月龄小鼠中表达明显升高。通过microRNA靶基因数据库预测miR-29c可以调控阿尔茨海默病的靶基因APP,利用Western blot检测到高表达miR-29c的SH-SY5Y细胞及HEK-293T细胞中APP蛋白表达减少。将miR-29c表达载体与带有野生及突变APPmRNA的3’UTR的双荧光素酶报告载体共转染HEK-293T细胞,通过双荧光素酶检测系统检测未找到miR-29c与APP mRNA 3’UTR的结合位点。结论 miR-29c对APP表达的具有负向调控作用,但其调控位点可能不位于其3’UTR区域。     

改进型外部引导序列抑制人巨细胞病毒UL49 基因的表达

外部引导序列（EGS）技术（The EGS-based technology）是一种新型的基因沉默技术,能诱导内源性的核酶 P（RNase P）对靶mRNA进行有效切割. 以人类巨细胞病毒（HCMV）UL49基因mRNA片段为靶序列,基于前人实验基础上设计出更为精简与高效的改进型EGS (miniEGS),DNA片段长度仅为12 bp. 构建稳定表达HCMV UL49的细胞系,通过应用荧光定量PCR及Western 印迹分别鉴定miniEGS对内源性UL49的抑制效率.结果显示,miniEGS能在HeLa细胞中能达到很高的转染效率（97.9%）,并且在转染稳定表达UL49的HeLa细胞系后,发现UL49基因的mRNA与蛋白表达水平都出现明显下降（50%）.研究表明, 改进型的EGS序列不仅能有效抑制目的基因的表达,同时因其序列设计的精简性与高效性,可更好地应用到以后的抗病毒研究中.     

前列腺细胞REGⅣ基因功能的初步研究

目的:探讨人再生基因Ⅳ(REGIV)在前列腺细胞中的表达及意义.方法:构建REGIV基因的全序列过表达质粒.将全序列过表达质粒采用脂质体转染的方式转入前列腺细胞系PC-3中.应用Real-time-PCR方法检测REGIV基因mRNA表达,Westembloting检测REGIV基因蛋白质表达,MTT法分析细胞增殖活性.结果:通过荧光显微镜观察计数,细胞转染成功.REGIV基因的全序列过表达使REGIV基因mRNA的表达,蛋白表达提高,细胞增殖能力增强.结论:应用全序列过表达技术可以使前列腺癌REGIV表达水平特异性增高.前列腺癌增值能力的增强说明REGW可能与肿瘤快速增长有关.     

siRNA抑制c—myc基因的表达对宫颈癌细胞增殖的影响

目的：利用siRNA（small interference RNA）技术研究C-myc基因的对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖的影响。方法：依据Promega公司在网上提供的设计软件,设计针对C-myc基因的siRNA,合成DNA模板,体外转录合成siRNA。通过阳离子聚合物jet—SITM—ENDO将合成的siRNA转染入HeLa细胞,以未转染细胞以及错义序列siRNA—scr转染细胞为对照。用细胞计数法检测siRNA对HeLa细胞增殖的影响。流式细胞法检测细胞周期及蛋白表达的变化,RT—PCR法比较转染前后C-myc mRNA表达水平的变化。结果：细胞计数法结果显示,转染24h后c-myc基因siRNA明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,转染48h后,抑制效率稳定。c-myc基因siRNA转染后能有效地抑制HeLa细胞的增殖,阻滞细胞周期于G0／G1期,siRNA转染组c-myc mRNA、蛋白的表达量明显低于空白对照组、错义序列组。结论：体外转录合成的siRNA可有效降低HeLa细胞c-myc基因的表达,抑制细胞增殖。     

DNA-EGS1386胞内诱导核酶P抑制人巨细胞病毒UL49基因的表达

外部引导序列(EGSs)是一类与mRNA靶序列互补并能引导核酶P切割靶mRNA的小分子RNA。本实验构建稳定表达UL49基因的HeLa细胞系,设计合成了针对于人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)UL49基因的12ntDNA性质的EGS1386,通过转染稳定表达UL49基因的细胞系,荧光定量PCR和Western blotting检测细胞内目的基因UL49的表达情况。结果显示在DNA-EGS1386作用下UL49基因的表达量降低了50%,表明DNA-EGS1386可以有效引导人的核酶P切割目标mRNA。因此,DNA-EGS可以发展成为一种新的基因沉默技术和潜在的抗病毒试剂。     

绿色荧光蛋白标记的D-氨基酸氧化酶基因在人宫颈癌细胞中的表达研究

为了探讨绿色荧光蛋白标记的红色酵母D 氨基酸氧化酶 (DAAO)基因在人宫颈癌细胞 (HeLa细胞 )中的表达及其功能 ,采用基因重组技术构建了含有CMV启动子和EGFP、DAAO基因开放阅读框 (ORF)的真核表达载体 pIRES DAAO。脂质体法转染HeLa细胞 ,荧光显微镜下观察转染细胞中绿色荧光蛋白的表达 ,流式细胞术分析转染效率并筛选荧光阳性细胞 ,命名为HeLa D。以不同浓度的前药D Ala处理HeLa D细胞 ,MTT法检测细胞存活率。结果显示 ,荧光显微镜下可见绿色荧光蛋白在HeLa D细胞中表达 ,流式细胞术成功筛选出HeLa D细胞。前药D Ala能明显杀伤HeLa D细胞。结果表明 ,EGFP可作为报告基因快速筛选DAAO表达载体转染的细胞 ,DAAO/D Ala自杀基因系统可进一步用于肿瘤的基因治疗研究     

siRNA抑制c-myc基因的表达对宫颈癌细胞增殖的影响

目的:利用siRNA(small interference RNA)技术研究c-myc基因的对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖的影响.方法:依据Promega公司在网上提供的设计软件,设计针对c-myc基因的siRNA,合成DNA模板,体外转录合成siRNA.通过阳离子聚合物jet-SITM-ENDO将合成的siRNA转染入HeLa细胞,以未转染细胞以及错义序列siRNA-scr转染细胞为对照.用细胞计数法检测siRNA对HeLa细胞增殖的影响.流式细胞法检测细胞周期及蛋白表达的变化,RT-PCR法比较转染前后c-myc mRNA表达水平的变化.结果:细胞计数法结果显示,转染24h后c-myc基因siRNA明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,转染48h后,抑制效率稳定.c-myc基因siRNA转染后能有效地抑制HeLa细胞的增殖,阻滞细胞周期于G0/G1期,siRNA转染组c-myc mRNA、蛋白的表达量明显低于空白对照组、错义序列组.结论:体外转录合成的siRNA可有效降低HeLa细胞c-myc基因的表达,抑制细胞增殖.     

靶向细胞外基质磷酸糖蛋白的microRNA的筛选及鉴定

目的:寻找靶向细胞外基质磷酸糖蛋白(MEPE)基因的微小RNA(miRNA),并检测其对人HeLa细胞内源性Mepe基因表达的影响。方法:通过NCBI检索人源Mepe的3’UTR,利用miRNA预测工具TargetScan预测可能靶向Mepe的所有miRNA,通过双萤光素酶报告基因系统检测miRNA与Mepe3’UTR的结合情况,从而初步筛选出可能靶向Mepe的miRNA;同时,用Western印迹检测miRNA经转染后对Mepe基因表达的影响。结果:利用TargetScan预测出36条可能靶向Mepe的miRNA,根据分值及匹配情况从中挑选出6条进行验证;与转染空载体pGL3-cm的相对荧光素值相比,转染miR-376a的相对荧光素值降低较为明显,而当Mepe3’UTR与miR-376a结合位点突变后,miR-376a不能抑制萤光素酶的活性;Western印迹结果显示miR-376a能明显抑制MEPE的表达。结论:miRNA-376a可能是靶向Mepe基因的miRNA,为进一步研究MEPE的功能奠定了基础。     

TOX3基因RNAi慢病毒载体的构建及对乳腺癌ZR-75-1细胞增殖的影响

旨在构建TOX3基因RNAi慢病毒载体并观察其对人乳腺癌ZR-75-1细胞增殖能力的影响。针对TOX3基因设计干扰靶序列,构建载体,测序正确后进行慢病毒包装及滴度测定。转染ZR-75-1细胞,荧光显微镜下观察表达GFP的细胞数目,实时荧光定量PCR及Western blot实验验证转染后ZR-75-1细胞中TOX3 mRNA和蛋白的表达。MTT及平板单克隆实验检测TOX3对ZR-75-1细胞增殖能力的影响。结果显示,各组载体序列正确,病毒滴度均2×108 TU/mL,表达GFP细胞数目均可达95%以上。各干扰组TOX3 mRNA及蛋白表达水平均降低,其中TOX3-shRNA-3组干扰效果最佳,转染后ZR-75-1细胞的增殖和单克隆形成能力下降。成功构建TOX3基因的RNAi慢病毒载体,沉默TOX3后ZR-75-1细胞的增殖能力下降。     

miRNA与其靶mRNA的相互作用：绑定位点的质量与数量特征的整合计算分析

miRNAs通过完全或不完全的碱基互补绑定到信使RNA(mRNA)上,通过抑制翻译或者直接导致mRNA降解的方式来调节靶基因的表达．为了研究miRNAs在转录水平上面的调控作用,两种人类基因组中组织特异的miRNAs(miR-1和miR-124)被转染到HeLa细胞中,微阵列(microarray)分析转染前后细胞中各基因mRNA表达水平变化情况的结果表明：动物基因组中靶基因与miRNAs不完全的碱基互补也会导致mRNA的直接降解．通过分析实验得到的mRNA表达水平变化数据,发现这相同miRNA的不同靶基因mRNA表达水平的下调倍数有着明显的差别,推测这些靶基因mRNA序列本身存在某些影响其受调节程度的因素．为此,提取和分析这些靶基因mRNA的序列特征,通过对这些序列特征与mRNA表达水平下调数据进行统计相关分析,最终发现,miRNA靶基因受调节的程度与以下几个因素相关联：mRNA序列中miRNA靶位点的个数,靶位点与miRNA序列碱基互补的程度,以及绑定后形成二级结构的稳定程度(即最低自由能的大小)．在此基础上,初步建立起一个多因子作用下的miRNA 靶基因mRNA表达水平下调程度模型,分析表明：该模型在一定程度上可以反映了部分序列特征对于miRNA靶基因mRNA表达水平下调程度的影响．     

MicroRNA-378 Regulates Adiponectin Expression in Adipose Tissue: A New Plausible Mechanism

Aims

Mechanisms regulating adiponectin expression have not been fully clarified. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, are involved in biological processes, including obesity and insulin resistance. We evaluated whether the miRNA-378 pathway is involved in regulating adiponectin expression.

Methods and Results

First, we determined a putative target site for miRNA-378 in the 3 prime untranslated region (3''UTR) of the adiponectin gene by in silico analysis. The levels of adiponectin mRNA and protein were decreased in 3T3-L1 cells overexpressing the mimic of miRNA-378. Luminescence activity in HEK293T cells expressing a renilla-luciferase-adiponectin-3''UTR sequence was inhibited by overexpressing the mimic of miRNA-378, and the decrease was reversed by adding the inhibitor of miRNA-378. Moreover, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of the mimic were cancelled in a deleted mutant of the miR-378 3′-UTR binding site. Addition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) led a upregulation of miR-378 and downregulation of adiponectin at mRNA and protein levels in 3T3-L1 cells. Level of miR-378 was higher and mRNA level of adiponectin was lower in diabetic ob/ob mice than those of normal C57BL/6 mice and levels of miR378 and adiponectin were negatively well correlated (r = −0.624, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

We found that levels of miRNA-378 could modulate adiponectin expression via the 3''UTR sequence-binding site. Our findings warrant further investigations into the role of miRNAs in regulating the adiponectin expression.     

Rs884225 polymorphism is associated with primary hypertension by compromising interaction between epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and miR-214

Genetic variations in the 3′UTR of mRNAs as well as sequences of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can affect gene expression by interfering with the binding between them. In this study, we investigated the role of the following polymorphisms in the risk of hypertension: the 774T > C (rs17337023) polymorphism located in the EGFR 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR), the rs884225 polymorphism located in the sequence of miR-214, and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs325797437, rs344501106, rs81286029 and rs318656749 located in the promoter of lncRNA MEG3. Taqman genotyping assays and haplotype analysis tools were used to measure the MEG3 haplotypes and the rs17337023 and rs884225 polymorphisms genotypes. The relationship between MEG3, miR-214 and EGFR was validated using computational analysis and luciferase assays. Unlike other polymorphisms, only patients grouped according to their rs884225 genotypes exhibited varied EGFR mRNA and protein levels, which indicated that the rs884225 genotype is associated with the expression of EGFR mRNA and protein levels. MiR-214 was confirmed to bind to MEG3 and 3’UTR of EGFR by showing that the transfection of exogenous miR-214 significantly down-regulated the luciferase activity of A549 and H460 cells transfected with wild-type MEG3 or wild-type EGFR 3’ UTR. Additionally, MEG3 overexpression inhibited miR-214 expression while elevating the EGFR mRNA and protein expressions. Meanwhile, MEG3 down-regulation demonstrated an opposite result, thus establishing the MEG3/miR-214/EGRF signalling pathway. Our study confirmed that the T > C substitution of rs884225 polymorphism located in miR-214 binding site in the 3’UTR of EGFR is associated with increased risk of primary hypertension.     

miRNA-194 在骨肉瘤中靶基因的预测和验证

目的:对miRNA-194在骨肉瘤中的作用机制进行探索和研究,为研究miRNA-194在骨肉瘤中的作用及可能的生物治疗提供理论依据和研究基础。方法:使用生物信息学软件对miRNA-194在骨肉瘤中可能的靶基因进行预测,并在基因水平和蛋白水平进行相应的验证。此外,利用荧光素酶基因报告实验对其靶基因(CDH2)进行DNA水平的直接验证。结果:使用生物信息学软件预测出了多个可能的潜在靶基因(367个,6014个和212个);荧光素酶基因报告实验显示野生PTEN-3'-UTR在miRNA-194上调组明显的低表达,同时下调组明显的高表达(P0.05);同时,western实验显示在蛋白水平miRNA-194直接靶向作用于CDH2(P0.05),而在m RNA水平则无明显作用(P0.05)。结论:经预测和验证,CDH2是miRNA-194在骨肉瘤中的直接靶基因,为接下来关于miRNA-194在骨肉瘤中的各项研究奠定了良好的实验基础。     

miRNA-191对前列腺癌的增殖、迁移侵袭能力的影响及其机制*

目的:观察miRNA-191对前列腺癌的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响,并探讨其机制。方法:分别检测4种人前列癌细胞系(PC-3、DU-145、LNCa P、22RU1)及人正常前列腺细胞RWPE-2中miRNA-191的表达水平,并选择前列腺癌细胞系PC-3作为实验对象。将PC-3细胞分为3组:空白对照组(不转染)、miRNA-191 NC组(Inhibitor NC转染PC-3细胞)、miRNA-191 Inhibitor组(miRNA-191 Inhibitor转染PC-3细胞),每组设置3个复孔。采用RT-qPCR法检测PC-3细胞miRNA-191和PLCD1的mRNA表达水平;采用CCK8法检测PC-3细胞增殖水平;采用划痕实验和侵袭实验分别检测PC-3细胞迁移能力和侵袭能力;通过Targetscan靶基因预测网站,筛选PLCD1作为miRNA-191的靶向蛋白,并用双荧光素酶靶标实验验证;采用Western blot法检测PC-3细胞PLCD1的蛋白表达。结果:与RWPE-2细胞相比,人前列癌细胞中miNRA-191的表达水平显著升高(P＜0.05),且miRNA-191的表达水平在PC-3中较其他3种细胞系显著上调(P＜0.05)。抑制miRNA-191的表达水平后,PLCD1表达水平显著升高,PC-3细胞增殖能力受到抑制,迁移和侵袭能力较空白对照组和miRNA-191 NC组显著降低(P＜0.05)。双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果显示,PLCD1基因是miRNA-191的靶基因。结论:miRNA-191通过靶向PLCD1促进前列腺癌PC-3细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。     

Regulation of p27Kip1 by miRNA 221/222 in Glioblastoma

Levels of p27Kip1, a key negative regulator of the cell cycle, are often decreased in cancer. In most cancers, levels of p27Kip1 mRNA are unchanged and increased proteolysis of the p27Kip1 protein is thought to be the primary mechanism for its down-regulation. Here we show that p27Kip1 protein levels are also down-regulated by microRNAs in cancer cells. We used RNA interference to reduce Dicer levels in human glioblastoma cell lines and found that this caused an increase in p27Kip1 levels and a decrease in cell proliferation. When the coding sequence for the 3'UTR of the p27Kip1 mRNA was inserted downstream of a luciferase reporter gene, Dicer depletion also enhanced expression of the reporter gene product. The microRNA target site software TargetScan predicts that the 3'UTR of p27Kip1 mRNA contains multiple sites for microRNAs. These include two sites for microRNA 221 and 222, which have been shown to be upregulated in glioblastoma relative to adjacent normal brain tissue. The genes for microRNA 221 and microRNA 222 occupy adjacent sites on the X chromosome; their expression appears to be coregulated and they also appear to have the same target specificity. Antagonism of either microRNA 221 or 222 in glioblastoma cells also caused an increase in p27Kip1 levels and enhanced expression of the luciferase reporter gene fused to the p27Kip1 3'UTR. These data show that p27Kip1 is a direct target for microRNAs 221 and 222, and suggest a role for these microRNAs in promoting the aggressive growth of human glioblastoma.     

Low expression of miR-19a-5p is associated with high mRNA expression of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) in hybrid tilapia

DGAT2 (acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2) is a key and rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the final step of triglyceride (TG) synthesis. In this study, hybrid tilapia were generated from Nile tilapia (♀) and blue tilapia (♂) crossing. The TG content levels in the liver of these tilapia were measured. The results showed that the TG content was higher in the hybrid tilapia. In addition, protein and mRNA expression levels in the tilapia livers were determined. Higher hepatic mRNA and protein expression of DGAT2 in the hybrid fish was found. A luciferase reporter assay with HEK293T cells revealed that miRNA-19a-5p targeted the 3′UTR of DGAT2, suggesting a direct regulatory mechanism. Using qRT-PCR, we found that DGAT2 mRNA levels had a negative correlation with miRNA-19a-5p expression in Nile tilapia and hybrid. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that miRNA-19a-5p is involved in TG synthesis in the regulation of lipid metabolism in tilapia.