Tet调控STGC3基因表达的CNE2细胞系裸鼠成瘤实验性研究

STGC3基因是一个新近克隆的肿瘤相关基因,前期的体外实验研究结果表明,STGC3基因在CNE2鼻咽癌细胞系高表达,可明显抑制CNE2的生长增殖.采用Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2细胞系接种于裸鼠皮下,以强力霉素(Dox)诱导STGC3基因高表达,观测STGC3基因高表达对CNE2裸鼠体内成瘤的影响,并探讨其可能作用机制.运用RT-PCR、蛋白质印迹及免疫组织化学方法,分别从mRNA和蛋白质水平,分析瘤组织中STGC3基因的表达;用流式细胞仪检测移植瘤组织内肿瘤细胞的凋亡情况;用免疫组织化学方法,检测移植瘤组织凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的表达.研究结果显示,STGC3蛋白表达主要定位于细胞核内,Dox诱导STGC3基因在Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2细胞系高表达,Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2细胞系裸鼠体内成瘤受到明显抑制,与对照组比较,移植瘤成瘤时间晚、生长慢、肿块小、细胞凋亡率高,Bax蛋白表达增强,Bcl-2蛋白表达减少,差异有显著性意义(P<0.01).此体内实验研究结果与前期体外实验结果一致,进一步证明STGC3基因对肿瘤细胞生长具有抑制作用.     

鼻咽癌相关新基因NPCEDRG表达对CNE2细胞生长的影响

为研究鼻咽癌相关新基因NPCEDRG的功能,探讨其对鼻咽癌细胞生长特性的影响,利用Tet-on调控系统,建立受强力霉素(deoxycycline,Dox)诱导NPCEDRG基因表达的CNE2细胞系.运用RT-PCR选择背景表达低、诱导活性高的细胞克隆,以不同浓度Dox诱导CNE2/Tet/TRE-NPCEDRG细胞,确定Dox的最佳诱导浓度.借助形态学观察、细胞生长曲线、软琼脂克隆形成试验和流式细胞仪分析等方法,对Dox诱导NPCEDRG高表达后CNE2细胞的生物学行为进行了检测.结果显示,NPCEDRG高表达后CNE2细胞增殖速度显著减慢(P<0.05),克隆形成能力显著降低(P<0.01),瘤细胞群体中处于G0/G1期细胞数增加,S期细胞数减少,细胞阻滞于G0/G1期.Tet调控NPCEDRG基因表达CNE2细胞系成功建立,恢复NPCEDRG表达能部分逆转CNE2的恶性表型,证明NPCEDRG是一个鼻咽癌相关的抑瘤基因.     

过表达Runx2促进C2C12细胞成骨分化

利用Tet-on(Tetracycline-on)基因表达系统,通过强力霉素(doxycycline,DOX)诱导Runx2基因在C2C12细胞中的表达,探究Runx2促成骨分化功能,为其分子机制的研究提供一个理想的实验平台.先后将调控质粒pTet-on和反应质粒pTRE-Flag-Runx2转染入C2C12细胞,并用G418和潮霉素分别进行2轮筛选,运用实时荧光定量PCR选择对强力霉素诱导敏感的细胞克隆.用不同浓度DOX诱导C2C12/Tet/pTRE-Flag-Runx2细胞,蛋白免疫印迹检测Runx2的表达,确定DOX的最佳诱导浓度与时间,并检测C2C12细胞的成骨分化能力.结果表明,诱导细胞最佳DOX浓度为10μg/ml;最佳诱导时间为12h;诱导后Runx2基因高表达,C2C12细胞向成骨方向分化(P0.05).成功建立Tet调控Runx2基因表达C2C12细胞系,为进一步研究Runx2基因功能分子机制提供理想的细胞模型.     

雌激素对转STGC3基因CNE2细胞系生长增殖的影响

为探讨雌激素对STGC3基因抑瘤的促进作用,将重组的pcDNA3.1( )-STGC3真核表达载体导入鼻咽癌细胞系CNE2,经G418筛选,RT-PCR及蛋白质印迹检测STGC3的表达,获得稳定高表达STGC3基因的pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞系.采用细胞计数法,检测雌二醇(β-estradiol)对体外培养pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞生长增殖的影响.将pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞接种于裸小鼠前肢背部皮下,观察分析雌性与雄性裸鼠成瘤的差别.运用RT-PCR、免疫组织化学及蛋白质印迹方法,分别从mRNA及蛋白质水平,分析STGC3基因在裸鼠移植瘤组织中的表达状况.移植瘤组织病理切片检查,观察瘤细胞形态学变化.用流式细胞仪测定移植瘤组织的细胞周期分布.研究结果表明:细胞体外培养,pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞经β-estradiol处理后,其生长速度明显减缓(P<0.05);裸鼠体内研究,接种pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞实验组的移植瘤体积和重量均小于对照组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);实验组中,雌性裸鼠组移植瘤体积和重量均小于雄性组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05),雌性裸鼠组移植瘤生长最慢,而对照组中雄性与雌性裸鼠组间瘤块的差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);接种pcDNA3.1( )/STGC3/CNE2细胞的雌性裸鼠组移植瘤,阻滞于G0/G1期细胞数大于其他各组(P<0.05).上述体内外研究结果显示,雌激素可能具有增强STGC3基因对CNE2细胞系的生长抑制作用.     

Tet调控CYP2E1基因表达细胞系的代谢能力分析

应用Tet-On基因表达系统,调控CYP2E1基因在NIH 3T3细胞中的表达水平,探讨CYP2E1在化学致癌物二甲基亚硝胺(N-nitrosodimethylamine, NDMA)代谢中的作用．先后将 Tet-on基因表达系统的调控质粒pRevTet-on和反应质粒pRevTRE-2E1转染NIH 3T3细胞,分别用G418和潮霉素筛选,并通过RT-PCR和Western印迹检测,成功获得了3个具有良好诱导性Tet调控的CYP2E1基因表达细胞系（Tet/3T3-2E1）．应用不同浓度强力霉素(doxycycline, Dox)处理Tet/3T3-2E1细胞诱导CYP2E1表达,HPLC分析细胞对CYP2E1特异性药物探针氯唑沙腙的原位代谢能力及MTT法分析CYP2E1介导的NDMA细胞毒性作用．结果显示,Tet/3T3-2E1细胞CYP2E1的表达及其代谢能力有明显的Dox浓度依赖性,而且NDMA对Dox诱导组细胞有明显浓度依赖性细胞毒性作用,其IC₅₀值为12.06 μmol/L,无Dox诱导组未见明显的NDMA细胞毒性作用．该细胞模型的成功建立对于开展与CYP2E1相关的毒物、致癌物代谢研究,筛选抗毒物、抗癌物等具有重要价值．     

干扰素膜蛋白Tet-on系统稳定细胞系的建立及对CA16病毒的抑制作用

通过Tet-on调控系统,构建受多西环素诱导表达干扰素诱导的跨膜蛋白(interferon-induced transmembrane proteins 1/2/3,IFITM1/2/3)基因的HeLa细胞系,并初步探索了IFITM蛋白对柯萨奇病毒A16(CA16)的抑制作用.首先将调控质粒pTet-on转染进入HeLa细胞,通过G418筛选出阳性克隆细胞系,在此细胞系基础上共同转染反应质粒pTRE2-IFITM1/2/3和伴侣质粒pTK-Hyg,通过潮霉素筛选出单克隆细胞系,加入多西环素后利用Western印迹筛选出可诱导表达IFITM1/2/3蛋白的单克隆细胞系.使用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测发现,多西环素诱导表达的IFITM蛋白对不同感染复数(multiplicity of infection,MOI)的CA16具有明显的抑制作用,其中IFITM 3对CA16的抑制效果最为明显.Tet调控IFITM1/2/3基因表达HeLa细胞系的成功建立,为进一步研究IFITM基因的功能及其抗病毒机理提供了一个理想的细胞模型.     

血小板生成素基因在NIH/3T3细胞中的表达与调控

应用 Tet- On基因表达系统 ,调控血小板生成素 (TPO)基因在 NIH/3T3细胞中的表达时间与水平 .籍脂质体介导的基因转移方法 ,p Tet- On质粒转染 NIH/3T3细胞株 ,得到稳定细胞株NIH/3T3- Tet- On.p TRE/TPO与 p TK- Hyg质粒共转染 NIH/3T3- Tet- On细胞株 ,得到双稳定细胞株 NIH/3T3- Tet- On- TPO.在培养基中加入或不加强力霉素 ,RT- PCR、Western印迹及 ELISA法检测培养上清 TPO表达 .结果表明 ,当培养基中不加强力霉素时 ,TPO无明显表达 (0 .1 μg/L) ;当培养基中加入 2 mg/L强力霉素时 ,TPO表达明显增高 (1 0 .8μg/L) .TPO表达水平与强力霉素浓度有关 ,随强力霉素浓度增高 ,TPO表达增加 .TPO表达水平还与强力霉素作用时间有关 ,加入强力霉素 6 h后 ,TPO表达明显增加 (1 .2μg/L) ,随培养时间延长 ,TPO表达增加 ,2 4 h达到峰值(1 0 .8μg/L) ,而且这种诱导作用是可逆的 .为进一步进行 TPO基因表达调控的体内研究奠定基础 ,有望为 TPO基因治疗提供一条可控的安全途径     

STGC3基因缺失突变对CNE2细胞生长增殖能力的影响

为探讨鼻咽癌候选抑癌基因STGC3中层粘连蛋白G结构域(LG domain)对CNE2生长增殖能力的影响,应用基因定点突变技术将该结构域缺失,亚克隆至真核表达载体上,并将野生型及突变型STGC3稳定转染人鼻咽癌细胞系CNE2,检测其对CNE2细胞系表型的影响,包括测定稳转细胞系的生长曲线、细胞集落形成能力和细胞周期分布.研究发现,LGdomain的缺失明显降低了STGC3的肿瘤抑制活性,使受其稳定转染的细胞系恶性度显著增强,提示该结构域在STGC3发挥肿瘤抑制功能中起着重要作用.     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂TSA抑制鼻咽癌CNE2细胞生长及对Skp2表达的影响

目的研究曲古抑菌素A（TSA）体外对鼻咽癌细胞CNE2的抑制作用及S期激酶相关蛋白2（Skp2）基因表达的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法采用MTT法观察不同浓度TSA对CNE2细胞的生长抑制作用;采用RT-PCR分析TSA作用前后及不同TSA浓度下鼻咽癌细胞中细胞周期调控基因Skp2的表达。结果不同浓度的TSA对CNE2细胞有明显的生长抑制作用,并呈现一定的量效关系;同时,TSA可降低CNE2细胞Skp2的基因表达,且这种表达与剂量有一定关系。结论TSA能明显抑制CNE2细胞的增殖．其作用机制与细胞周期调控基因Skp2异常表达有关。     

Tet 调控的脑相对特异性新基因 LRRC4表达细胞系的构建

LRRC4是一个在脑相对特异性表达的富亮氨酸重复超家族新成员,在神经胶质瘤表达明显下调或缺失且具有抑制脑胶质瘤细胞生长的潜能. 利用 Tet-on 基因表达系统,经过两轮转染,先后将调控质粒 pTet-on 和表达质粒 pTRE-2hyg-LRRC4 转染 U251 细胞系,分别用 G418 和潮霉素 Hygromycin 进行两次筛选. 在第一轮挑取的 80 个克隆中,利用 pTRE-2hyg-luciferase 报告基因进行最佳的低背景高表达的 pTet-on 细胞克隆筛选,在通过量效关系和动力学检测筛选的最佳克隆基础上,再进行 pTRE-2hyg-LRRC4 的转染,并通过 RT-PCR 和 RNA 印迹检测,成功获得了两个具有良好诱导性 Tet 调控的 LRRC4 双稳定表达细胞系,为进一步阐明 LRRC4 在脑胶质瘤发生发展中的作用,提供有利的研究基础和理想的实验平台.     

STGC3 inhibits xenograft tumor growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by altering the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis

STGC3 is a potential tumor suppressor that inhibits the growth of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2; the expression of this protein is reduced in nasopharyngeal carcinoma compared with normal nasopharyngeal tissue. In this study, we investigated the tumor-suppressing activity of STGC3 in nude mice injected subcutaneously with Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2 cells. STGC3 expression was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of doxycycline (Dox). The volume mean of Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2+Dox xenografts was smaller than that of Tet/pTRE/CNE2+Dox xenografts. In addition, Tet/pTRE-STGC3/CNE2+Dox xenografts showed an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, a decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression and an increase in Bax protein expression. A proteomic approach was used to assess the protein expression profile associated with STGC3-mediated apoptosis. Western blotting confirmed the differential up-regulation of prohibitin seen in proteomic analysis. These results indicate that overexpression of STGC3 inhibits xenograft growth in nude mice by enhancing apoptotic cell death through altered expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bax and prohibitin. These data contribute to our understanding of the function of STGC3 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and provide new clues for investigating other STGC3-associated tumors.     

The tumor supressor function of STGC3 and its reduced expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

STGC3 is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene that was found to be associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) via the cDNA cloning and RACE processes. The biological function of the STGC3 protein and its expression level in nasopharyngeal carcinoma remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the STGC3 protein expression level in NPC and to investigate the inhibitory function of STGC3 as a candidate tumor suppressor gene. We assessed the expression of the STGC3 protein in NPC biopsies and normal control specimens via Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. The expression of STGC3 as induced by doxycycline (Dox) via a tetracycline (Tet)-regulated system in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2 was also established, and the effect of STGC3 restoration on the biological behavior of CNE2 was observed. A reduced level of STGC3 expression (0.978 ± 0.213 versus 0.324 ± 0.185, P < 0.05) was detected in NPC versus normal nasopharyngeal tissue by Western blot assay. Immunohistochemical assays for STGC3 detected positive staining in the nuclei and cytoplasm of epithelial cells, and the positive expression rate in NPC, 8 of 21 (38%), was lower than that in normal nasopharynx samples, 16 of 22 (72%). After STGC3 expression was restored, the growth capacity and clone formation potential of CNE2 cells in soft agar were significantly suppressed, and the cell percentage in G₀/G₁ phase increased, while the percentage of cells entering the S and G₂ phases decreased. This indicates that an abnormality in STGC3 expression is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis and that it may play an important role in controlling cell growth and regulating the cell cycle.     

Establishment of Inducible Wild Type and Mutant Myocilin-GFP-Expressing RGC5 Cell Lines

Background

Myocilin is a gene linked directly to juvenile- and adult-onset open angle glaucoma. Mutations including Gln368stop (Q368X) and Pro370Leu (P370L) have been identified in patients. The exact role of myocilin and its functional association with glaucoma are still unclear. In the present study, we established tetracycline-inducible (Tet-on) wild type and mutant myocilin-green fluorescence protein (GFP) expressing RGC5 stable cell lines and studied the changes in cell migration and barrier function upon induction.

Methodology/Principal Findings

After several rounds of selection, clones that displayed low, moderate, or high expression of wild type, Q368X or P370L myocilin-GFP upon doxycycline (Dox) induction were obtained. The levels of wild type and mutant myocilin-GFP in various clones were confirmed by Western blotting. Compared to non-induced controls, the cell migration was retarded, the actin stress fibers were fewer and shorter, and the trypsinization time needed for cells to round up was reduced when wild type or mutant myocilin was expressed. The barrier function was in addition aberrant following induced expression of wild type, Q368X or P370L myocilin. Immunoblotting further showed that tight junction protein occludin was downregulated in induced cells.

Conclusions/Significance

Tet-on inducible, stable RGC5 cell lines were established. These cell lines, expressing wild type or mutant (Q368X or P370L) myocilin-GFP upon Dox induction, are valuable in facilitating studies such as proteomics, as well as functional and pathogenesis investigations of disease-associated myocilin mutants. The barrier function was found impaired and the migration of cells was hindered with induced expression of wild type and mutant myocilin in RGC5 cell lines. The reduction in barrier function might be related to the declined level of occludin. The retarded cell migration was consistent with demonstrated myocilin phenotypes including the loss of actin stress fibers, lowered RhoA activities and compromised cell-matrix adhesiveness.