Preliminary study on the molecular structure of 3' region of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene in Chinese

Number and order of HindⅢ exon-containing fragments (Hd) at 3' region of DMD gene were studied systematically using 16 partly-overlapping cDNA subprobes which were produced from dystrophin cDNA 9- 14 with each of 9 restriction endonudeases. There are 25 Hd fragments corresponding to cDNA 9 -14 in DMD gene. Since then, the exact length and the new order of Hd fragments are established. A new 2.1 kb fragment (Hd 55) is revealed, a 5.2 kb fragment (formely designated as Hd 59) is excluded and the existence of a controversial 3.2 kb fragment (Hd 64) is confirmed. Besides, three new exons were revealed by comparing the PvuⅡ and the XbaⅠ hybridization patterns with the Hindlll hybridization patterns for these cDNA subprobes. It is concluded that there are at least 66 Hd fragments, or 79 exons in DMD gene basing on the discovery of three additional exons. The corresponding relationship between the 66 Hd fragments and the SfiⅠ large scale physical map has been studied, and at least 17 Hd fragments or 19 exo     

Comparing the frequencies of restriction fragment length polymorphisms for dystrophin gene in Chinese with those from Japanese and Caucasian populations

The restriction fragment length polymorphisms distribution and frequency of dystrophin gene in Chinese were studied by using 14 subclones of the entire 14kb cDNA for the dystrophin as hybridization probes. Allelic fragments were detected in hybridization patterns of PvuⅡ/la, Taq Ⅰ/2b-3, Taq Ⅰ/5b-7, and Xba Ⅰ/10. Among them, the allelic fragments (26kb and 3.8kb) in PvuⅡ/2b-3 pattern and the allelic fragments (10.0kb and 8.4kb) in Taq Ⅰ/5b-7 patterns had never been reported previously. Compared with the data from Caucasians and Japanese, it indicated that there was a significant difference (P<0.01) of the allelic fragment frequency in Taq Ⅰ/2b-3 and Xba Ⅰ/10 patterns between Chinese and Caucasians. The frequencies of allelic fragments A2 (5.6kb) in Taq Ⅰ/8 and A2 (10.Tkb) in EcoR Ⅴ/9 were high in Caucasians, yet had not been detected in Chinese, the differences were also highly significant. But in Chinese and Caucasians, the B1B2 allelic frequencies in Taq Ⅰ/5b-7 are the same. As to the frequency of the allelic fragments A1A2 and B1B2 in Pvu Ⅱ/la, there was no significant difference between Chinese and Japanese.     

Cloning and Characterization of the Microspore Development-Related Gene BcMF2 in Chinese Cabbage Pak-Choi （Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino）

For the sake of providing some important information relevant to the study of the molecular mechanism of genic male sterility in plants, gene differential expression in flower buds at different developmental stages, as well as in rosette leaves, florescence leaves, and scapes was analyzed using cDNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) in the genic male sterile A and fertile B line of Chinese cabbage pak-choi. Following amplification of 125 pairs of primer combinations, 11 differential fragments were obtained, of which eight were from the B line and the other three were from the A line. Of 11 differential fragments, four were verified by Northern hybridization that were expressed preferentially in fertile flower buds. Results of GenBank BLAST showed that one fragment was with unknown function, whereas the other fragments have strong nucleotide sequence similarities with the polygalacturonase (PG) gene, the pectinesterase (PE) gene, and the polygalacturonase inhibitory protein (PGIP4) gene. Only fulllength cDNA from the differential fragment BcMF-A 18T 16-1 was amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and Northern analysis showed that this fragment was expressed only in medium and largesized flower buds of the B line. The full-length cDNA, designated as BcMF2 (Brassica campestris Male Fertile 2), was 1 485 bp long and was composed ofa 1 263-bp open reading frame, which had 83% nucleotide similarity to a PG gene from Arabidopsis encoding polygalacturonase. Analysis of the basic structure of the protein revealed that it had one polygalacturonase active site (RVTCGPGHGLSVGS) at 256th site of amino acids and was classified as being a member of family 28 of the glycosyl hydrolases. The role of the BcMF2gene on microspore development is discussed in the present paper.     

The inhibitory effect of transthyretin gene on growth of human hepatoma cells

Transthyretin(TTR) gene was highly expressed in normal liver and it has been found to be deleted in part of DNA samples from human hepatic cancer.Its mRNA expression was suppressed in most hepatoma samples.In order to study the biological effect of TTR gene on the growth of hepatoma cells,a recombinant vector containing TTR cDNA was constructed by pCMV,then it was transfected into hepatoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Q3.It has been demonstrated that the inhibition of growth rate of TTR cDNA transfected hepatoma cells was about 50% in strength compared with that of the control.This inhibition was further enhanced when the transfected hepatoma cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid.Hepatoma cells of cell lines PLC/PRF/5,SMMC-7721 and Q3 as well as hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 transfected with pCMV or pCMV-TTR were analyzed for TTR expression by Northern hybridization.The low level of TTR expression was found in both hepatoma cell lines and in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pCMV alone.However,a remarkable TTR mRNA expression was observed in hepatoma SMMV-7721 cells transfected with pCMV-TTR.It seems possible that TTR gene might be a candidate of cancer suppressor gene for human hepatic cancer.     

Structure and function ofsawB, a gene involved in differentiation ofStreptomyces ansochromogenes

A partial DNA library of Streptomyces ansochromogenes 7100 was constructed by using plasmid plJ702 as vector and white mutant W19 as recipient. About 3 000 clones were obtained, two of which gave rise to the grey phenotype as wild type 7100. The plasmids were isolated from two transformants. The result indicated that the 5.2 kb and 5.8 kb DNA fragments were inserted into plJ702. The resulting recombinant plasmids were designated as pNL-1 and pNL-2 respectively. The 1.25 kb Pstl l-Apa l DNA fragment from pNL-1 was recognized as its complementarity to W19 strain. The nucleotide sequence of the 3.0 kb Pst I DNA fragment including 1.25 kb was determined and analyzed. The result indicated that this DNA fragment contains one complete open reading frame (ORF1) which encodes a protein with 295 amino acid residues, and this gene was designated as sawB. The deduced protein has 81% amino acid identities in comparison with that encoded by whiH in Streptomyces coelicolor. The function of sawB gene was studied by usi     

Candidate genes of hypertension with defective environmental expression

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the thermosensitivity locus cosegregates with blood pressure and that the elevated expression and restriction fragment length polymorphism of HSP70 gene are associated with hypertension.Cell protection against environmental stressors such as heat and chemicals is often accompanied by up-regulated expression of a wide spectrum of heat shock genes(HSP).To further investigate the interrelation between HSP expression and blood pressure regulation,we employed an effective method of cloning 2 potential hypertension-related HSPs.Synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding either to a highly-conserved region of the known HSP family or a repetitive sequence in the proteinencoding gene were used as target primers for polymerase chain reaction(PCR).cDNA prepared from heat-stressed and non-stressed vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC)of Brown Norway rats(BN.1x)and spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRp) respectively served as template in the reaction.The PCR products were subsequently analyzed in a single-stranded conformational polymorphism(SSCP) electrophoresing system.Differential gene expression in BN.1x and SHRp was seen on autoradiographs of SSCP gel by comparing the migration patterns of PCR-amplified DNA fragments.Using this technique,we also found that HSP27 and a new member of the large HSP gene family were differentially expressed in BN.1x and SHRp VSMC.     

Identification and isolation of Mu-flanking fragments from maize

Transposable elements have been utilized as mutagens to create mutant libraries for functional genomics.Isolation of genomic seg-ments flanking the insertion Mutator (Mu) is a key step in insertion mutagenesis studies.Herein,we adopted a modified AFLP method to identify and isolate Mu-flanking fragments from maize.The method consists of the following steps: 1) double-digestion of genomic DNA with Bgl ⅡMsp Ⅰ and ligation of digested fragments to the Bgl Ⅱ- and Msp Ⅰ-adaptors; 2) enrichment of a subset of Bgl Ⅱ/Msp Ⅰ fragments followed by selective amplification of the Mu-flanking fragments; 3) simultaneous display of AFLP bands derived from the flanking re-gions for both insert and native Mu transposons; 4) identification and isolation of AFLP bands resulting from Mu insertions by comparing the banding profiles between Mu-induced mutants and their parental lines; and 5) confirmation of flanking fragments related to these Mu insertions.Using this approach,we have isolated flanking fragment(s) resulting from Mu insertion for every Mu-indueed mutant,and one such fragment,M196-FF,is found to contain a partial sequence of the DNA topoisomerase Ⅰ gene Topl.Moreover,the modified AFLP method including all restriction enzymes,adaptors and primers has been optimized in this study.The modified AFLP method has been proved to be simple and efficient in the isolation of Mu-flanking fragments and will find its usefulness in the functional genomics of maize.     

Transcriptional silencing and developmental reactivation of cry1Ab gene in transgenic rice

One transgenic rice line lacking CrylAb expression product was screened in the progenies of Agrobacterium-transformed transgenic rice variety Zhong 8215 with a cry1Ab gene under field releasing conditions by using GUS histochemical assay and Western blot. Molecular hybridization results revealed that the crylAb gene was silenced in the transgenic rice variety Zhong 8215 and two copies of ubiquitin promoter were integrated into the rice genome. The silencing of crylAb gene in transgenic rice was found to be due to the methylation of the ubiquitin promoter as revealed by methylation analysis. Meanwhile, different concentrations of demethylation reagent 5-azacytidine combining with different treatment time were employed to treat the silenced transgenic rice seeds. The results indicated that 5-azacytidine could reactivate 8%-30% of the silenced transgenic rice plants and the expression level of the reactivated cry1Ab transgene could reach as high as 0.147% of the total soluble protein. Treatment with low con     

Genetic analysis of transgenome structure and size of chromosome-mediated gene transfer lines

The TK-selected chromosome-mediate gene transferlines were analysed using DNA dot blot method,G-11banding and in situ hybridization.The results showedthat CMGT can provide a wide variety of intermediatesize of the transgenome from greater than 80,000kb toless than 2,000kb.Some of transfectants are intergratedinto mouse chromosome which can be detected by G-11banding and in situ hybridization     

Construction and characterization of the transformation-competent artificial chromosome (TAC) libraries of Leymus multicaulis

Transformation-competent artificial chromosome system is able to clone and transfer genes efficiently in plants.In order to clone genes highly tolerant to barley yellow dwarf virus(BYDV),Aphids,drought and salt from Leymus multicaulis,the two TAC genomic libraries I and II were constructed in vector pYLTAC17 and pYLTAC747H/sacB,which contain about 165000 and 236000 recombinant clones sepa-rately.The genome coverage of the two libraries was totally estimated to be about 3―5 haploid genome equivalents,as size selection of genomic DNA fragments was approximately from 9 to 300 kb.Clones of the genomic libraries were collected as bulked pools each containing 500 clones or so,stored in twelve 96-deep-well plates and then were gridding in triplicate onto a high-density colony hybridization filter with a 3×3 pattern using a GeneTAC?G3 arraying robot after being transferred manually into three 384-well plates.Meanwhile 2501 and 2890 clones of Library in pYLTAC17 and in pYLTAC747H/sacB were stored individually in fourteen 384-well plates and then were automatically gridding in duplicate onto a high-density colony hybridization filter with a 6×6 pattern after a replication of plates.Nineteen positive clones were detected by using the probe glutahione reductase gene of L.multicaulis.TAC libraries constructed here can be used to isolate genomic clones containing target genes,and to carry out genome walking for positional cloning.Once the target TAC clones were isolated,they could be immediately transferred into plant genomes with the Agrobacterium system.     

Phylogeny of Chinese Allium (Liliaceae) using PCR-RFLP analysis

Eighteen representative species were selected from all the nine sections of Chinese Allium on the basis of the classification of morphology and cytotaxonomy. The trnK and rpL16 gene fragments of chloroplast DNA were amplified from 18 species by PCR method. The two cpDNA fragments were digested by 26 restriction enzymes, and 303 polymorphic restriction sites were found, of which 163 were informative. The restriction site data were analyzed with PAUP (version 3.1.1) and MEGA (version 1.01) as well as PHYLIP. As a result, the genus Allium could be classified into six subgenera. The recognition of Sect. Anguinum in the Flora of China is reasonable, Sect. Rhizirideum, Sect. Haplostemon and Sect. Cepa are not monophyletic. The infrageneric system of this genus was also discussed.     

Genetic analysis of transgenome structure and size of chromosome—mediated gene transfer lines

The TK-selected chromosome-mediate gene transfer lines were analysed using DNA dot blot method G-11 banding and in situ hybridization.The results showed that CMGT can provide a wide variety of intermediate size of the transgenome from greater than 80,000kb to less than 2,000kb,Some of transfectants are intergrated into mouse chromosome which can be detected by G-11 banding and in situ hybridization.     

蜘蛛基因组DNA Cosmid文库构建和拖丝蛋白基因的克隆

The genomic DNA Cosmid library was constructed from Nephila clavipes spider muscle using SuperCos 1 Cosmid as a vector.The title of library was >5×10 4 cfu/μg ligated DNA.On the basis of published sequence from a partial cDNA sequence of the 3′end of the dragline silk gene, we designed and synthesized 3 oligonucleotides.Oligonucleotides were labeled with non radioactive digoxigenin dUTP and detected with chemilluminescent substrate.56 positive recombinants were screen from the Cosmid library using DIG Oligo 2 as a probe.DNA dot hybridization using DIG Oligo 1 and DIG Oligo 3 as the probes, respectively, 3 positive signals were identified from 56 colonies.They were appeared the same pattern when DNA from the colones digested by restriction enzymes.The spider dragline silk gene was confirmed again by Southern blot hybridization.     

Isolation of development-related genes in somatic embryo radicle of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using modified cDNA RDA

Using modified cDNA RDA capitalizing on the high affinity of streptavidin for biotin and magnetic-absorption-based separation, we have obtained four bands of specifically expressed cDNA in the carrot somatic embryo deregulated for 12 h, which were designated as NR-1, NR-2, NR-3 and NR-4, respectively. As revealed by homology analysis of their DNA sequences after cloning them into pBS, remarkable homology was demonstrated in NR-2, NR-3 and NR-4 with the genes coding for LEA (late embryogenesis abundant protein), Dna J and xyloglucan endo-trans-glycosylase in plants. On the other hand, NR-1 showing no homology with any known sequence may have come from unknown genes. Using 32P-labeled NR-1 as probe, hybridization with cDNA fragment population has shown that we have actually cloned a new gene fragment related to radicle development. As shown by further Southern hybridization, these genes may be present in carrot genome in the form of single or low copies.     

Molecular characterization of a new type of cytoplasmic male sterile sugar beet

A line (named Cl) of cytoplasmic sterility of sugar beet whose cytoplasm derived from Betacicla Turkey was obtained by interspecific hybrid. Its cytoplasm and a spontaneous male sterile cytoplasm from wild beet Beta maritima (named M) were compared with that of Owen's sterile line (S-cms) and a common maintainer of them named N was used as control. RFLP and RAPD methods were mainly used in our experiments. The restriction fragment patterns of mtDNAs were found to be likely but for a few of specific low-lighted electrophoresis bands in Cl. The results of Southern hybridization of six heterogeneous mitochondrial genes as probes to digests of mtDNAs by six restriction enzymes showed to be analogous between S and M lines. But the Cl mtDNA was sorted out by hybridization of atpA probe. Difference of low-molecular-weight mitochondrial DNAs was found among the three sterile lines. Three RNA molecules weighing about 4.2kb stably existed in Cl mitochondria. Our results of RAPD also supported that the Cl cytoplas     

Antiporter Gene from Hordum brevisubulatum （Trin.） Link and Its Overexpression in Transgenic Tobaccos

A vacuolar Na^ /H^ antiporter cDNA gene was successfully isolated fromHordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link using the rapid amplification ofcDNA ends (RACE) method. The gene was named HbNHXI and was found to consist of 1 916 bp encoding a predicted polypeptide of 540 amino acids with a conserved amiloride-binding domain. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the Na^ /H^ antiporters showed that the HbNHXI gene shares 55.3%-74.8% similarity with the vacuolar-type Na^ /H^ antiporters. Transgenic tobaccos that contain the HbNHXI gene, integrated by forward insertion into the tobacco genome, were obtained via Agrobacterium tumerfaciens and characterized for the determination of the concentration of Na^ and K^ ions, as well as proline, in the presence of 300 mmol/L NaCl. The T1 transgenic plants showed more tolerance to salt and drought than did wild-type plants. Our data suggest that overexpression of the HbNHXI gene could improve the tolerance of transgenic tobaccos to salt and drought through the function of the vacuolar Na^ /H^ antiporter.     

A Pin gene families encoding components of auxin efflux carriers in Brassica juncea

Based on the sequence information of Arabidopsis PIN1,two cDNAs encoding PIN homologues from Brassica juncea,Bjpin2 and Bjpin3,were isolated through cDNA library screening.Bjpin2 and Bjpin3 encoded proteins containing 640 and 635 amino acid residues,respectively,which shared 97.5% identities with each other and were highly homologus to Arabidopsis PIN1,PIN2 and other putative PIN proteins.BjPIN2 and BjPIN3 had similar structures as AtPIN proteins.Northern blot analysis indicated that Bjpin2 was expressed in stem,leaf and floral tissues, while Bjpin3 was expressed predominantly in stem and hypocotyls.Two promoter fragments of pin genes,Bjpin-X and Bjpin-Z ,were isolated by ‘genome walkin‘ technique using primers at 5‘-end of pin cDNA.Promoter-gus fusion studies revealed the GUS activities driven by Bjpin-X were at internal side of xylem and petal;while those driven by Bjpin-Z were detected at leaf vein, epidermal cell and cortex of stem,vascular tissues and anther.Results of the pin genes with different expression patterns in B.juncea suggested the presence of a gene family.