介绍一种鉴定胚胎干细胞基因打靶快速、经济的筛选新方法

小鼠基因剔除动物模型越来越广泛地应用于哺乳动物基因功能与疾病的研究。然而每当胚胎于细胞同源重组的效率过低时,鉴定与分离带有定位变异的阳性克隆就会既费力又昂贵。本工作以类固醇受体共激活子基因为例,研究出一种快速鉴定阳性克隆的新方法。在构造重组载体时,将一段编码半乳糖苷酶的DNA序列整合到共激活子基因的蛋白起始码后面。于是,在干细胞内同源重组发生以后,半乳糖苷酶的表达就会受控于内源性共激活子基因的启动子。在载体与半乳糖苷酶DNA随机整合的大多数非特异克隆中,因为缺少启动子或由于不正确的氨基酸编码连接,导致合成牛乳糖苷酶的可能性较小。因此,在半乳糖苷酶染色阳性的克隆中,具有特异突变的阳性克隆可以富集30倍以上。从牛乳糖苷酶的阳性克隆中,再用Southern Blot方法进一步确认带有基因剔除的阳性克隆就大大减少了工作量。因为半乳糖苷酶的细胞化学染色法简便而可靠,所以在重组效率低时,可以用这种方法在短期内筛选大量克隆。但是应该注意,应用该方法的前提条件是所研究的基因必须在胚胎干细胞内表达。这种方法更为重要的意义在于当带有基因剔除的胚胎干细胞发育成小鼠后,牛乳糖苷酶的组化染色法可以轻而易举地用来揭示所研究基因在动物不同组织与细胞中的表达水平。     

hOPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠模型的建立

目的:建立带有人类骨保护素OPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠模型,为OPG体内转录水平的表达调控研究和药物筛选创造条件。方法:将克隆到的人类OPG基因5′端上游6.0kb非翻译序列作为启动子,大肠杆菌编码β半乳糖苷酶的LacZ基因作为报告基因,构建表达载体pCINeoOPGLacZ。经显微操作注射到受精卵原核中,经PCR以及Southern印迹杂交鉴定转基因阳性小鼠;用RTPCR分析LacZ在组织中的表达;利用邻硝基苯βD半乳吡喃糖苷(ONPG)作为底物反应后比色分析组织中的β半乳糖苷酶活性。结果:构建完成的表达载体pCINeoOPGLacZ质粒经酶切和测序鉴定序列正确,线性化后显微注射。PCR以及Southern印迹杂交鉴定获得了10只转基因小鼠(Founders),经交配繁育,建立了5个转基因小鼠系,RTPCR分析表明其中一个系小鼠组织中表达LacZ基因,与内源OPG表达模式一致,组织中可以广泛检测到相应的β半乳糖苷酶活性。结论:成功建立了人类OPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠,为体内研究OPG转录水平的表达及药物筛选提供了理想的动物模型。     

胰腺组织表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立及鉴定

组织特异性表达Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠是进行组织特异性基因剔除研究的重要工具。为了建立胰腺组织特异性Cre转基因小鼠,我们通过PCR克隆了大鼠胰岛素基因启动子,并用它指导Cre基因在胰岛细胞中的特异性表达。在Cre重组酶基因5′端添加了真核核糖体结合序列和核定位序列以使Cre重组酶能穿越核膜在细胞核中发挥功能;同时,在Cre基因3′端添加了含内含子的3′端人生长激素基因。表达载体经显微注射导入小鼠受精卵以建立转基因小鼠。PCR检测显示共获得7只Cre整合阳性的转基因首建者小鼠;RTPCR结果表明其中1只首建者小鼠的子代鼠在胰腺中转录了外源基因,进一步的Southern杂交结果表明,该转基因小鼠能够在胰腺中表达有功能的Cre重组酶。      

pSH-CUP重组质粒的构建及面包酵母酸性海藻糖 酶基因的敲除

设计含有与面包酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY-6)编码酸性海藻糖酶ATH基因内部部分序列同源的长引物,以质粒pUG6为模板进行PCR构建带有Cre/loxP系统的敲除单元,转化面包酵母获得G418阳性克隆.将铜抗性基因(cuP1-MT1)导入Cre重组酶表达质粒pSH47,得到重组质粒pSH-CUZ,并转化阳性克隆,以铜抗性筛选面包酵母转化子.半乳糖诱导表达Cre酶切除Kanr基因.重组质粒pSH-CUP的构建,不仅解决了酵母转化子筛选标记问题和非酵母基因的引入,而且使LoxP-kanMX-loxP基因敲除体系在进行真核生物基因敲除时更加方便可行.     

假单胞菌M18转录调节因子σS基因与无启动子lacZ 基因融合突变株的构建和鉴定

通过菌落原位杂交和Southern 杂交,从假单胞菌M18基因组文库中克隆了rpoS基因及相邻序列。为了深入研究影响rpoS基因表达的调控因素,运用同源重组技术,将无启动子β半乳糖苷酶基因（′lacZ）插入并融合于rpoS基因中,构建了假单胞菌M18 rpoS基因突变株M18SZ。 Miller法测定显示,突变株M18SZ的β-半乳糖苷酶可高达480U,而野生株检测不到β半乳糖苷酶活性。表明,突变株中的rpoS基因与无启动子β-半乳糖苷酶基因已融合并且表达。在KMB培养基中生长量测定（OD600）的结果表明,突变株与野生株生长存在显著差异。     

含G0S2基因启动子的荧光素酶报告基因载体的构建

目的:克隆人G0S2基因启动子并构建荧光素酶报告基因载体,为进一步研究G0S2基因转录调控提供质粒。方法:利用PCR技术从人胚肾293A细胞基因组DNA中克隆获得G0S2基因启动子的DNA片段,将其克隆至pGL3-basic表达载体中,并转化人大肠杆菌DH5α,经限制性内切酶酶切、PCR及测序鉴定得到确认;将重组载体质粒与半乳糖苷酶表达质粒psV-β-Galactosidase共转染至大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC),检测细胞中荧光素酶的活性。结果:pGL3-G0S2-Promoter重组质粒插入片段和相邻序列正确,克隆的G0S2基因片段有启动子活性(P0.05)。结论:成功构建了pGL3-G0S2-Promoter报告基因质粒,为进一步研究G0S2基因的表达奠定了基础。     

Adiponectin 基因剔除LacZ基因敲入小鼠模型的建立

adiponectin是脂肪细胞特异分泌的一种活性蛋白质,具有增加胰岛素敏感性、抗炎及抗动脉硬化等活性.建立adiponectin基因剔除β-半乳糖苷酶基因(LacZ)敲入小鼠模型,可为整体动物水平研究adiponectin基因功能及其表达调控机制等提供理想工具.根据生物信息学方法获得adiponectin基因组序列,设计基因剔除及敲入策略,在adiponectin基因第2和第3号外显子剔除的同时,在其ATG和信号肽序列后顺接LacZ基因完整编码序列,构建完成了Adipo-LacZ-XpPNT基因剔除质粒.通过电穿孔将打靶质粒转入ES细胞,以G418和ganciclovir进行药物筛选,获得药物抗性的ES细胞克隆,PCR和DNA印迹鉴定出正确同源重组克隆.将同源重组的ES细胞克隆注入小鼠囊胚得到嵌合体小鼠,嵌合体小鼠与C57BL/6J小鼠交配产生杂合子小鼠,杂合子间交配获得adiponectin基因剔除LacZ基因敲入纯合子小鼠.经RT-PCR、RNA印迹和ELISA检测证实纯合子小鼠脂肪和血清中adiponectin基因表达呈阴性.RT-PCR、RNA印迹及蛋白质印迹检测发现,LacZ基因在突变小鼠脂肪组织中有特异性表达,其表达谱与内源性adiponectin基因的表达谱一致.但在脂肪组织及外周血中未能检测到LacZ活性,且血清中LacZ蛋白亦呈阴性.由此成功建立了adiponectin基因完全灭活及LacZ基因以内源性adiponectin基因表达谱表达的小鼠模型,为进一步研究该基因功能及其表达调控创造了有利条件.     

pINC—lacZ逆转录病毒载体的构建及其在小鼠胚胎干细胞中的表达

小鼠胚胎干细胞系（ES）是从囊胚的内细胞团中建立起来的多潜能胚胎干细胞系。ES细胞系目前正广泛用于将基因打靶后后的突变和其它遗传变化导入小鼠的种系中。其中,嵌合鼠的获得是非常必要的一步。这就需要用一个可以广泛表达的基因对ES细胞进行标记。大肠杆菌β－半乳糖苷酶（β－gal）基因的表达在细胞水平就能很容易地观察到,而且对哺乳动物细胞没有任何毒害作用,因而是一个被广泛地用于各种细胞基因表达研究中的报导基因。猿类巨细胞病毒早期（SiCMVIE）启动子是一个广泛用于转基因小鼠研究中的强启动子。然而,该启动子在ES细胞方面的报道尚未见到。本研究用BamHI和HindIII双酶切,从psv-β-galactosidasec中得到3．7Kb的lacZ基因片断,将其插入妻pINC载体上（Fig.1) ,得到pINC－lacZ(Fig.2)。用NotI线性化pINC－lacZ后,电击导入MESPU－13细胞中。MESPU－13为本实验室从129／Tcr品系小鼠的囊胚中建立的一个ES细胞系。转化细胞在含有250μg/mlG418的培养基上培养两周,进行MESPU－13细胞稳定转化子的筛选。在一次转化实验中,佾1×10^7个转化的MESPU－13细胞中获得了4个G418抗性克隆。X－gal染色表明：其中3个克隆中有导入的基因表达。由于其中的一个细胞系MC15表现阳性染色（Fig.3)和很好的生长状态,对该系进行了进一步的研究。MC15细胞的二倍体核型正常率为72．4％。MESPU－13细胞不表现β－gal活性;另外,以lacZ基因为探针,对经过BamHI酶切过的MC15细胞基因组DNA进行的Southern分析显示：MC15细胞克隆中仅有一条要交带（Fig.4)。说明该细胞克隆中含有一个单考贝整合。在谱系分析中成功的细胞标记依赖于标记基因的稳定表达。许多强的启动子被用于基因表达的研究。例如鸡的β－肌动蛋白启动子。外源基因可以稳定地整合到未分化细胞的染色体上,然而它们的表达常常被抑制直到随后的分化过程中。本研究中我们首次用强的SiCMVIE启动子构建了pINC－lac载体,由SiCMVIE启动子引导转录的lacZ基因能够在ES细胞中表达。然而lacZ的表达仅存在于3个克隆中,另一个克隆并不表现β－gal活性。很可能在不同整合位为上基因的表达是不同的。     

特异性检测胰腺组织表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的方法

利用组织特异性分子标志物启动子调控Cre重组酶,研制了6种在不同组织中特异性表达Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠.这些转基因小鼠的基因型鉴定均使用设计在Cre基因编码区的通用引物.为了特异性检测胰腺组织表达Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠,在大鼠胰岛素RIP启动子上和Cre基因上设计1对引物进行PCR扩增,并通过凝胶电泳进行分析.PCR结果显示,设计在Cre基因上的通用引物可以从6种不同组织特异性Cre重组酶转基因小鼠基因组DNA中扩增获得480 bp产物;利用本研究设计的特异性引物可以从胰腺组织表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠基因组DNA中扩增200 bp的目的条带.这一结果表明,利用特异性引物进行PCR反应,可有效地将胰腺组织表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠与其他多种组织的Cm重组酶转基因小鼠鉴别开来.     

造血干细胞特异性表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立

EDAG是在胚胎发育阶段造血干细胞特异性表达的基因.为了在早期造血组织细胞中实现相关基因的条件敲除,构建了含有早期造血组织特异性表达的EDAG启动子和Cre重组酶基因的转基因EDAG-Cre表达载体质粒.通过显微注射的方法将线性化的5.6kb的EDAG-Cre转基因片段导入小鼠受精卵细胞核,获得的新生小鼠经过PCR鉴定,常规方法培育传代.结果发现,共获得了6只阳性转基因首建鼠,其中4只已经建系并稳定传代.RT-PCR分析表明Cre重组酶基因在阳性转基因小鼠的骨髓、脾脏、胸腺、外周血以及胎肝等组织中均有表达,重组酶活性也在脾和骨髓中获得确认.EDAG-Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立,为研究早期造血组织以及造血干细胞特异性基因条件敲除小鼠模型的建立奠定了基础.     

电穿孔导入的LacZ基因在人肺癌细胞中的表达

选用LacZ基因作为报告基因,用电穿孔法与pSV2neo质位共转化导入人肺巨细胞癌高转移细胞株,经G418及X－gal组化法双重筛检,获得LacZ基因表达阳性的细胞克隆。经X－gal组化染色,该克隆70％细胞蓝染,再经软琼脂培养后,形成的集落蓝染率约为65％,单个集落中的细胞蓝染率可达100％,在裸小鼠皮下或尾静脉接种这一LacZ基因表达阳性的克隆细胞后,在形成的肿瘤及肺内转移灶的冰冻切片中,X－gal染色可观察到蓝染的癌细胞。但由于细胞周期不同步、遗传稳定性以及表达调控因素的影响,则可能是本实验中部分细胞染色阴性的原因。我们的实验表明,LacZ基因有可能在肿瘤转移的研究中作为一种理想标志基因。     

逆转录病毒载体介导的LacZ基因在NIH-3T3细胞中的稳定表达

精原干细胞(SSCs)介导的转基因技术很可能成为制作转基因动物及治疗雄性不育的一条新途径。为了研究逆转录病毒载体介导法转染体外培养SSCs的可行性,用脂质体介导法将携带LacZ基因的重组逆转录病毒载体pLNCL导入包装细胞PA317,用含G418的培养液筛选得到5株稳定转染的产毒细胞。收集这些克隆的产毒上清,过滤后进行倍比稀释,用NIH-3T3细胞通过X-gal染色测定其浓缩前病毒滴度。结果显示,PA3173培养上清中病毒的浓缩前滴度最高,达1.1×103CFU/mL。再将筛选到的稳定转染的NIH-3T3细胞培养至单层,进行X-gal染色检测β-半乳糖苷酶的表达。结果显示,大多数稳定转染的NIH-3T3细胞均为X-gal ,表明这些细胞成功表达了目的基因LacZ。本研究结果为后期工作中用该载体感染体外培养SSCs奠定了基础。     

Restricted expression of LUZP in neural lineage cells: A study in embryonic stem cells

A novel protein LUZP with 3 leucine zipper motifs at its amino terminus is predominantly expressed in the adult brain. A modified gene targeting approach was employed in an attempt to establish in vitro and in vivo models in which Luzp is knock-out (KO) for phenotype assessment and a reporter gene lacZ is knock-in (KI) for tracing its expression. We report in this study the molecular cloning of the Luzp gene, its targeting vector construction and Luzp-KO/lacZ-KI embryonic stem (ES) clone selection. Since LUZP is also expressed in ES cells, the possibility of embryonic lethality cannot be excluded when attempting to establish Luzp-null mutant mice. We have therefore examined the development of homozygous Luzp-KO/lacZ-KI clones in nude mice. Tissue types derived from all three embryonic germ layers were observed in teratomas developed in nude mice. In situ X-gal staining further revealed restricted expression of LUZP in neural lineage cells.     

Pooling and PCR as a method to combat low frequency gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells

The introduction of germ line modifications by gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells has proven a fundamental technology to relate genes to mammalian biology. Critical aspects required for successful gene targeting have traditionally been experimental enhancements that increase the frequency or detection of homologous recombination within ES cells; however, the utilization of such methods may still result in the failed isolation of a positively targeted ES cell clone. In this study, we discuss the current enhancement methods and describe an ES cell pooling strategy that maximizes the ability to detect properly targeted ES cells regardless of an inherent low targeting efficiency. The sensitivity required to detect correctly targeted events out of a pool of ES cell clones is provided by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and only those pools containing positives need to be expanded and screened to find individually targeted clones. This method made it possible to identify targeted clones from a screen of approximately 2,300 ES cell colonies by performing only 123 PCR reactions. This technically streamlined approach bypasses the need to troubleshoot and re-engineer an existing targeting construct that is functionally suitable despite its low targeting frequency.     

Visualization of whole-mount skeletal expression patterns of LacZ reporters using a tissue clearing protocol.

Gene targeting or trapping constructs that utilize the lacZ gene encoding beta-galactosidase activity to trap promoter expression have become an increasingly important way to disrupt gene function and monitor gene expression. A number of genes targeted in this way have revealed both expected and unexpected developmental abnormalities of the skeleton. The use of X-gal staining to monitor gene expression in developing skeletal structures is hampered in these mutants because, during the critical latter stages of mouse embryonic development, visualization is hindered by the opacity of overlying soft tissue. Here, we report the development of a reliable method to clear exogenous tissue in late-stage embryos and neonates that still preserves skeletal X-gal staining patterns. This protocol reveals (i) specific cell staining in localized regions of developing bone and cartilage in two different genetic models and (ii) that the intensity of X-gal staining is consistent with the level of expression of lacZ. We conclude that this protocol accurately reflects both the specificity and intensity of expression and will facilitate the analysis of mouse skeletal development.     

Generation of stable cell line by using chitosan as gene delivery system

Establishing stable cell lines are useful tools to study the function of various genes and silence or induce the expression of a gene of interest. Nonviral gene transfer is generally preferred to generate stable cell lines in the manufacturing of recombinant proteins. In this study, we aimed to establish stable recombinant HEK-293 cell lines by transfection of chitosan complexes preparing with pDNA which contain LacZ and GFP genes. Chitosan which is a cationic polymer was used as gene delivery system. Stable HEK-293 cell lines were established by transfection of cells with complexes which were prepared with chitosan and pVitro-2 plasmid vector that contains neomycin drug resistance gene, beta gal and GFP genes. The transfection efficiency was shown with GFP expression in the cells using fluorescence microscopy. Beta gal protein expression in stable cells was examined by beta-galactosidase assay as enzymatically and X-gal staining method as histochemically. Full complexation was shown in the above of 1/1 ratio in the chitosan/pDNA complexes. The highest beta-galactosidase activity was obtained with transfection of chitosan complexes. Beta gal gene expression was 15.17 ng/ml in the stable cells generated by chitosan complexes. In addition, intensive blue color was observed depending on beta gal protein expression in the stable cell line with X-gal staining. We established a stable HEK-293 cell line that can be used for recombinant protein production or gene expression studies by transfecting the gene of interest.     

Reporter Gene Silencing in Targeted Mouse Mutants Is Associated with Promoter CpG Island Methylation

Targeted mutations in mouse disrupt local chromatin structure and may lead to unanticipated local effects. We evaluated targeted gene promoter silencing in a group of six mutants carrying the tm1a Knockout Mouse Project allele containing both a LacZ reporter gene driven by the native promoter and a neo selection cassette. Messenger RNA levels of the reporter gene and targeted gene were assessed by qRT-PCR, and methylation of the promoter CpG islands and LacZ coding sequence were evaluated by sequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA. Mutants were stratified by LacZ staining into presumed Silenced and Expressed reporter genes. Silenced mutants had reduced relative quantities LacZ mRNA and greater CpG Island methylation compared with the Expressed mutant group. Within the silenced group, LacZ coding sequence methylation was significantly and positively correlated with CpG Island methylation, while promoter CpG methylation was only weakly correlated with LacZ gene mRNA. The results support the conclusion that there is promoter silencing in a subset of mutants carrying the tm1a allele. The features of targeted genes which promote local silencing when targeted remain unknown.     

阳离子脂质体转染人类骨骼肌原代细胞的初步研究

探讨不同脂质体介导基因转染人类骨骼肌原代细胞的转染效率和基因的表达.将含有β-半乳糖苷酶LacZ结构基因的质粒,用三种不同的阳离子脂质体导入人类骨骼肌原代细胞中,通过X-Gal染色观察不同的转染效率.结果发现,Fugene 6转染效率最高,蓝染细胞达10%,其脂质体与DNA的最佳比例为3∶ 2.Fugene 6可有效地将外源基因导入骨骼肌原代细胞,而且外源基因可以长效高效地表达,有望用来作为基因治疗的载体.