过表达UHRF2通过上调p53及p21表达引起HEK293细胞G1期阻滞

UHRF2（ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 2）是新近发现的具有多个结构域的核蛋白,在细胞周期调控和表观遗传学中发挥重要作用．近期研究提示,UHRF2是肿瘤抑制蛋白p53的1个E3连接酶,在体内外能与p53相互结合并促进其泛素化,过表达UHRF2能使细胞周期停滞于G1期．然而,UHRF2介导的G1期阻滞及其与p53联系尚不清楚．通过共转染UHRF2质粒及p53特异性小干扰RNA(siRNAs)到HEK293细胞构建细胞模型,探索UHRF2引起细胞周期停滞与p53之间的关系．结果显示,UHRF2能促进HEK293细胞中p53的稳定,从而引起p21 (CIP1/WAF1)基因表达,并使细胞周期停滞于G1期;但在siRNA抑制p53的表达后p21(CIP1/WAF1)表达降低,UHRF2引起的细胞周期阻滞消除．研究结果提示,UHRF2可通过稳定p53,上调p21的表达,从而介导细胞周期阻滞于G1期;同时UHRF2可能参与细胞周期调控及DNA损伤反应（DNA damage response, DDR）．UHRF2稳定p53的具体分子机制及其在DDR中的作用有待进一步研究证明．     

人源跨膜蛋白43(TMEM43)的检测、细胞内定位及体外真核表达

为探究人源跨膜蛋白43(TMEM43)基因含量、定位分布及体外真核表达情况,利用RT-PCR及Western blot方法分别检测内源MRC-5和HEK293细胞内TMEM43基因及其蛋白表达情况,采用间接免疫荧光实验进一步分析其在MRC-5细胞内的分布;构建重组表达载体pcDNA3.1-EGFP-TMEM43,转染至HEK293细胞内检测外源TMEM43在HEK293细胞内的基因和蛋白表达情况。结果显示,基因水平TMEM43在MRC-5细胞内的表达明显高于HEK293细胞,蛋白水平仅能检测到MRC-5细胞内TMEM43的表达。重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1-EGFP-TMEM43转染HEK293细胞后,基因水平TMEM43表达显著升高, Western blot可检测到转染后细胞内TMEM43蛋白成功表达。结果表明,不同细胞表达TMEM43含量存在差异,肺来源细胞内TMEM43的表达明显高于肾来源的细胞;构建的重组载体pcDNA3.1-EGFP-TMEM43可成功转染HEK293细胞并表达。该研究为TMEM43结构及功能、与疾病相关机理的进一步探究提供了实验依据。     

基于逆转录病毒载体的外源基因表达系统的评价和应用

逆转录病毒表达系统是基因治疗研究和RNA干扰技术广泛采用的外源基因表达系统。文中以增强型绿色荧光蛋白 (EGFP) 基因的表达水平和稳定性为指标,比较逆转录病毒表达载体pQCXIN和pcDNA3.1(+) 表达质粒介导的外源基因在HEK293细胞和CHO-K1细胞的表达效率。病毒感染HEK293细胞和CHO-K1细胞的相对荧光强度 (Relative fluorescence intensity,RFI) 均约为对应的质粒转染细胞的2倍。多轮反复感染逆转录病毒表达载体能有效提高HEK293细胞表达EGFP的效率。HEK293细胞经4轮病毒感染后的RFI值较1次病毒感染HEK293细胞的RFI值约提高2倍。此外,逆转录病毒表达载体介导的外源基因表达的稳定性优于质粒转染的外源基因表达。采用携带人重组活性蛋白C (Recombinant human activated protein C,rhAPC) 基因的pQCXIN和HEK293细胞进一步验证了逆转录病毒载体介导的外源基因表达效率,构建了rhAPC表达水平为10~15 mg/(106 cells·d) 的HEK293细胞系。研究结果表明,逆转录病毒表达系统是有应用价值的介导外源基因在哺乳动物细胞高效表达的技术途径。     

人H-ras基因真核表达载体的构建及其对肿瘤细胞生长的促进作用

目的:构建癌基因H-ras真核表达载体,并检测其对肿瘤细胞生长的作用。方法:以乳腺文库为模板,PCR扩增H-ras基因片段,将其插入p XJ-40-myc载体后转染人胚肾HEK293T细胞,用Western印迹检测该融合蛋白的表达;将重组质粒转染人肠癌HCT-116细胞和人肝癌Hep G2细胞,通过细胞生长曲线(CCK8法)对myc-H-ras影响肿瘤细胞生长的情况进行分析。结果:利用PCR技术,从乳腺文库中扩增出H-ras基因片段,并成功插入p XJ-40-myc载体;重组质粒转染HEK293T细胞,经Western印迹检测融合蛋白正确表达;细胞生长曲线结果显示,转染myc-H-ras的结肠癌HCT-116细胞和人肝癌Hep G2细胞比转染空载体的细胞生长快。结论:构建了人H-ras基因真核表达载体,为进一步研究ras基因在肿瘤细胞中的作用奠定了一定基础。     

牙鲆甲状腺激素受体TRαA介导甲状腺激素调控的靶基因鉴定

为了鉴定牙鲆甲状腺激素受体TRs介导甲状腺激素调控的靶基因, 研究采用RT-PCR克隆了TRαA基因的CDS区, 并构建了p3×Flag-TRαA重组真核表达载体;该重组质粒转染HEK293T细胞后, RT-PCR、实时定量PCR与Western blot检测均表明牙鲆TRαA在哺乳动物蛋白表达系统中成功转录并翻译;且重组质粒转染的细胞裂解液通过G1亲和层析柱纯化、过滤除菌可得到纯的融合蛋白3×Flag-TRαA, 然后双荧光素酶报告实验通过在HEK293T细胞中共转染p3×Flag-TRαA和含候选靶启动子的报告基因表达载体pGL3-Pro-atoh8-1517/1333/708, 表明TRαA受体结合在atoh8基因启动子区–1497— –688特异的2个TRE识别序列来调控该基因的转录, 即atoh8是TRαA介导甲状腺激素直接调控的靶基因。研究为深入探究甲状腺激素受体TRαA介导甲状腺激素调控的信号通路提供了基础依据。     

大鼠p75NTR荧光真核表达载体的构建及其在HEK293细胞中的表达

目的:构建大鼠p75神经营养素受体(p75 neurotrophin receptor,p75NTR)cDNA序列的绿色荧光真核表达载体并鉴定其在人胚肾293(human embryo kidney 293,HEK293)细胞中的表达.方法:采用PCR方法从含野生型大鼠p75NTR的pDC316-RP75质粒中扩增目的片段,经EcoRⅠ和SaⅡ双酶切,定向克隆于pEGFP-N1质粒中,构建绿色荧光真核表达栽体pEGFP-N1-RP75,经酶切及测序鉴定后,通过脂质体转染HEK293细胞,激光共聚焦及免疫组织化学法鉴定大鼠p75NTR的表达.结果:重组质粒经酶切鉴定和序列分析证实含有大鼠p75NTR的编码序列,转染后经激光共聚焦显微镜及免疫组织化学染色观察表明重组质粒能够在HEK293细胞中表达出具有活性的大鼠p75NTR片段.结论:大鼠p75NTR绿色荧光真核表达栽体构建成功并可在HEK293细胞中表达,为进一步研究奠定了基础.     

早老素通过下调CDK4使HEK293T细胞周期阻滞

早老素（progerin）的累积导致儿童早老症（Hutchinson Gilford progeria syndrome, HGPS）的发生,并与正常衰老相关。早老素能使细胞内稳态失衡但分子机制仍有待深入研究。本研究旨在探讨早老素导入人胚胎肾293T细胞（human embryo kidney 293T cell, HEK293T）后细胞增殖、周期变化的分子机制。形态学观察发现过表达早老素的HEK293T细胞密度下降,(57±2.47)%细胞核形态皱缩。细胞增殖和周期实验证明早老素使细胞增殖减慢,发生G1/S期阻滞,G1细胞从 (42.3±1.31)%升至(47.2±1.26)%,而S期细胞从 (43.1±1.36)%降至 (38.5±1.42)%。Western印迹结果显示早老素的高表达引起p21蛋白表达上调（103.2±1.49）%,CDK4下调（63±1.52）%,而p53、ATM、CyclinE1以及p16等蛋白质水平均不变;HEK293T细胞中早老素的过表达导致γ H2AX水平下调（53±1.36）%,H2O2处理后变化趋势不变。我们的研究结果提示,早老素通过上调p21和下调CDK4使细胞发生周期阻滞,不能增加HEK293T细胞的损伤及衰老。     

高氧胁迫下Peroxiredoxin2蛋白的细胞保护作用的研究

衰老和凋亡是细胞的两个重要生理过程,一直以来都是细胞生物学领域研究的热点。Peroxiredoxin 2(Prdx2)蛋白是过氧化物酶的其中一个亚型,分布于细胞质中。为了研究它在高氧条件诱导的细胞衰老及凋亡中的保护作用,我们分别将大鼠来源的Prdx2基因转染进人间充质干细胞(Human mesenchymal stem cells,hMSCs)和HEK293T细胞中,并建立了稳定表达Prdx2蛋白的HEK293T细胞系,利用SA-β-gal染色(Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase Assay)、TUNEL染色及磷酸化p53蛋白的免疫印迹来检测高氧处理后细胞的衰老和凋亡情况。实验结果表明,高氧处理细胞后,转染了Prdx2的hMSCs和HEK293T细胞其衰老和凋亡率与对照组相比都有较为明显的减少,暗示Prdx2蛋白在细胞抵抗氧化损伤中发挥了重要作用。     

过表达Grx1抑制HEK293T细胞中H2O2诱导的p38MAPK信号通路

谷氧还蛋白1(glutaredoxin1, Grx1)是细胞内一种重要的巯基-二硫键氧化还原酶,在细胞内氧化还原状态的调控及抵抗氧化应激损伤过程中发挥重要作用.为进一步探讨Grx1的抗氧化机制,本实验将重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-hGrx1瞬时转染HEK293T细胞,经RT-PCR和Western印迹验证,细胞转染后实现了Grx1的过表达;以不同浓度H2O2为损伤因素,建立细胞氧化应激模型,检测过表达Grx1后细胞存活率,丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出率的变化,观察过表达Grx1后细胞的抗氧化能力;用终浓度100μmol/L H2O2作用于细胞,利用Western印迹检测120min内HEK293T细胞中p38MAPK磷酸化水平.实验结果表明,HEK293T细胞过表达Grx1后,缓解了细胞的氧化应激损伤;转染空载体组细胞p38MAPK磷酸化水平在H2O2刺激后5min开始升高,15min达到最高值,并可维持至120min左右;而过表达Grx1组细胞p38MAPK磷酸化水平在H2O2刺激后各时间段没有明显改变,提示Grx1通过抑制H2O2诱导的p38MAPK信号通路激活发挥其抗氧化作用.     

hTEM8-N-RFP融合蛋白真核表达载体的构建及在HEK293F细胞中表达

目的:构建人肿瘤内皮标志物8(hTEM8)胞外区(N端)与红色荧光蛋白(RFP)融合表达载体并在HEK293F细胞中表达,为进一步研究hTEM8的相互作用蛋白及其在肿瘤血管形成过程中的机制奠定实验基础。方法:以质粒pDsRed-Express-C1和重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-hTEM8/Fc为模板,PCR扩增RFP和hTEM8-N基因片段,先后插入真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)中,构建重组表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)-hTEM8-N-RFP,转染HEK293F细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察融合蛋白在转染细胞中的的表达,并用G418对转染的细胞进行加压筛选,Western blot检测hTEM8-N-RFP融合蛋白在转染细胞中的表达。结果:DNA测序、酶切鉴定的结果显示,表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)-hTEM8-N-RFP构建成功,且序列正确。转染后经荧光显微镜观察到HEK293F细胞中有红色荧光,经加压筛选单克隆后,在荧光显微镜下观察到稳定表达红色荧光的细胞株,Western blot检测到融合蛋白hTEM8-N-RFP在真核细胞HEK293F中获得表达。结论:成功构建了pcDNA3.1(+)-hTEM8-N-RFP真核表达载体,并在HEK293F细胞中表达,为后期研究hTEM8的相互作用蛋白和其生理功能奠定了良好的基础。     

The regulation of p53, p38 MAPK,JNK and XBP-1s by sphingosine kinases in human embryonic kidney cells

Since inhibitors of sphingosine kinases (SK1, SK2) have been shown to induce p53-mediated cell death, we have further investigated their role in regulating p53, stress activated protein kinases and XBP-1s in HEK293T cells. Treatment of these cells with the sphingosine kinase inhibitor, SKi, which fails to induce apoptosis, promoted the conversion of p53 into two proteins with molecular masses of 63 and 90 kDa, and which was enhanced by over-expression of ubiquitin. The SKi induced conversion of p53 to p63/p90 was also enhanced by siRNA knockdown of SK1, but not SK2 or dihydroceramide desaturase (Degs1), suggesting that SK1 is a negative regulator of this process. In contrast, another sphingosine kinase inhibitor, ABC294640 only very weakly stimulated formation of p63/p90 and induced apoptosis of HEK293T cells. We have previously shown that SKi promotes the polyubiquitination of Degs1, and these forms positively regulate p38 MAPK/JNK pathways to promote HEK293T cell survival/growth. siRNA knockdown of SK1 enhanced the activation of p38 MAPK/JNK pathways in response to SKi, suggesting that SK1 functions to oppose these pro-survival pathways in HEK293T cells. SKi also enhanced the stimulatory effect of the proteasome inhibitor, MG132 on the expression of the pro-survival protein XBP-1s and this was reduced by siRNA knockdown of SK2 and increased by knockdown of p53. These findings suggest that SK1 and SK2 have opposing roles in regulating p53-dependent function in HEK293T cells.     

Ectopic Expression of MmKin17 Protein Inhibits Cell Proliferation of Human Tumor-Derived Cells

To characterize the biological role of Kin17 protein, a mammalian nuclear protein which participates in the response to UV and ionizing radiation and binds to curved DNA, EBV-derived vectors carrying (Mm)Kin17 cDNA were constructed and transfected in tumorigenic cells harboring different p53 profiles (HeLa, H1299, and HCT116) and in immortalized HEK 293 cells. (Mm)Kin17 protein expression induced a tremendous decrease in cell proliferation of the three tumorigenic cell lines 2 weeks after transfection. Transfection of HEK 293 cells with an pEBVCMV(Mm)Kin17 plasmid gave rise to numerous (Mm)Kin17-expressing cells which constantly disappeared with time, preventing the establishment of (Mm)Kin17-expressing cells. Several independent clones were isolated from HEK 293 cells carrying a pEBVMT(Mm)Kin17 vector. The two clones described here (B223.1 and B223.2) exhibited different (Mm)Kin17 protein levels and displayed a gradual decrease in their proliferative capacities. In B223.1 cells, the basal expression of (Mm)Kin17 greatly reduced plating efficiency and cell growth. B223.1 cell morphology was altered, with numerous round-shaped cells whose spreading on the culture support was hampered. We observed giant multinucleated cells or cells containing micronuclei-like structures and/or multilobed nuclei. To conclude, (Mm)Kin17 overexpression reduced the proliferation of tumorigenic cells independently of their p53 status and modified cell growth and cell morphology of established HEK 293 cells producing (Mm)Kin17 protein. It is likely that (Mm)Kin17 may interfere with DNA replication.     

Exosomes Transfer p53 between Cells and Can Suppress Growth and Proliferation of p53-Negative Cells

Exosomes are nanosized vesicles that are secreted by many types of cells. We have found that exosomes secreted by HEK293 and HT-1080 can suppress growth and proliferation of p53-deficient cells. Upon overexpression of exogenous p53-GFP in HEK293 cells, we observed p53 protein in exosomes that were secreted by these cells. We also found endogenous p53 in exosomes that were secreted by HT-1080 cells with a higher level of p53 expression. We were able to detect endogenous p53 protein in exosomes that originated from human plasma and were transferred to p53-deficient cells. Our findings indicate that p53 protein can be transferred between cells and may play an important physiological role.     

Identification of genotoxic stress in human cells by fluorescent monitoring of p53 expression.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is induced upon DNA damage essentially by post-translational regulatory mechanisms, which lead to a substantial increase of p53 levels. To exploit this essential property of p53, we developed a novel reporter system for monitoring accumulation and subcellular translocation of p53 protein, which is able to function as a simple test for detecting mutagenic and genotoxic stress in human cells. For this purpose, we constructed a plasmid with a specific translational TP53::EGFP gene fusion and selected stable transfected clones in the human cell line HEK293, in which p53 is functionally stabilized due to the expression of the transgenic adenoviral E1A oncoproteins. HEK293-TP53::EGFP clones may be used as a living cell system for monitoring not only of the induction of p53 protein in the cell, but also of its subcellular localization. Using this human reporter cell system, we examined levels of p53 by fluorescence microscopy and by FACS analysis following treatment with several classes of genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. All tested DNA damaging agents caused a significant increase of intracellular p53-EGFP levels in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, non-genotoxic carcinogens and stress conditions that cannot damage DNA were not able to induce p53-EGFP accumulation. The induction effect caused by genotoxic stress was found to be dependent on the endogenous p53 status, because it was not observed in p53-deficient cell lines. This corroborates the notion that p53 may be used as an universal sensor for genotoxic stress and demonstrates the usefulness of HEK293-p53-EGFP cells as a reporter system for identification of mutagens and genotoxic carcinogens in human cells by means of visualizing and monitoring intracellular p53 levels and localization.     

Improving NK1R-targeted gene delivery of stearyl-antimicrobial peptide CAMEL by conjugating it with substance P

Specificity is a crucial condition that hampers the application of non-viral vectors for cancer gene therapy. In a previous study, we developed an efficient gene vector, stearyl-CAMEL, using N-terminal stearylation of the antimicrobial peptide CAMEL. Substance P (SP), an 11-residue neuropeptide, rapidly enters cells after binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), which is expressed in many cancer cell lines. In this study, the NK1R-targeted gene vector stearyl-CMSP was constructed by conjugating SP to the C-terminus of stearyl-CAMEL. Our results indicated that stearyl-CMSP displayed significant transfection specificity for NK1R-expressing cells compared with that shown by stearyl-CAMEL. Accordingly, the stearyl-CMSP/p53 plasmid complexes had significantly higher antiproliferative activity against HEK293-NK1R cells than they did against HEK293 cells, while the stearyl-CAMEL/p53 plasmid complexes did not show this specificity in antiproliferative activity. Consequently, conjugation of the NK1R-targeted ligand SP is a simple and successful strategy to construct efficient cancer-targeted non-viral gene vectors.