Characterization of cDNA clones for differentially expressed genes in embryos of dormant and nondormant Avena fatua L. caryopses

The molecular regulation of seed dormancy was investigated using differential display to visualize and isolate cDNAs representing differentially expressed genes during early imbibition of dormant and nondormant Avena fatua L. embryos. Of about 3000 cDNA bands examined, 5 cDNAs hybridized with mRNAs exhibiting dormancy-associated expression patterns during the first 48 h of imbibition, while many more nondormancy-associated cDNAs were observed. Dormancy-associated clone AFD1 hybridized with a 1.5 kb mRNA barely detectable in dry dormant and nondormant embryos that became more abundant in dormant embryos after 24 h of imbibition. Clone AFD2 hybridized with two mRNAs, a 1.3 kb message constitutively expressed in dormant and nondormant embryos and a 0.9 kb message present at higher levels in dormant embryos after 3 h of imbibition. Nondormancy-associated clones AFN1, AFN2 and AFN3 hybridized with 1.5 kb, 1.7 kb and 1.1 kb mRNAs, respectively, that were more abundant in nondormant embryos during imbibition. Expression patterns of some mRNAs in dormant embryos induced to germinate by GA₃ treatment were different than water controls, but were not identical to those observed in nondormant embryos. DNA sequence analysis revealed 76% sequence identity between clone AFN3 and a Citrus sinensis glutathione peroxidase-like cDNA, while significant sequence similarities with known genes were not found for other clones. Southern hybridization analyses showed that all clones represent low (1 to 4) copy number genes.     

Gene expression changes associated with cytotoxicity identified using cDNA arrays

In order to investigate gene expression changes associated with cytotoxicity, we used cDNA arrays to monitor the expression of over 5,000 genes in response to toxic stress in the HepG2 liver cell line. Cells were treated with cytotoxic doses of acetaminophen, caffeine or thioacetamide for nine time points ranging from 1 to 24 h. Samples of mRNA from each time point were used to prepare radiolabeled cDNA, which was hybridized to nylon-membrane-based cDNA arrays. High-stringency washes were applied to reduce cross-hybridization. Analysis of spot intensities revealed that each compound led to approximately 150-250 gene expression changes that were sustained over at least three adjacent time points. The affected genes could be classified into clusters based on their temporal patterns of differential expression. A common set of 44 genes showed similar expression changes in response to all three compounds. Of these changes, 90% could be confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The results indicate that detailed array-based time-course studies, coupled with a sensitive and highly specific confirmation assay, provide a powerful means of identifying cytotoxicity-associated gene expression changes. Electronic Publication     

Trehalose and dry dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine revisited

Dry mixtures of sonicated vesicles of DPPC and trehalose which contained a maximum of 0.2 mol water/mol lipid were examined by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Samples of dry DPPC and trehalose prepared from aqueous solution had a minimum T_m of 24°C for the gel to liquid-crystalline transition provided that the vesicles were dried with trehalose while the lipid was in liquid-crystalline phase. This low transition is compared to a transition of 105–112°C for dry pure DPPC and of 42°C for hydrated pure DPPC. The present work is an extension of earlier work from this laboratory using both other lipids and other methods of preparation.     

Improving the pharmacokinetic properties of biologics by fusion to an anti-HSA shark VNAR domain

Advances in recombinant antibody technology and protein engineering have provided the opportunity to reduce antibodies to their smallest binding domain components and have concomitantly driven the requirement for devising strategies to increase serum half-life to optimise drug exposure, thereby increasing therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we adopted an immunization route to raise picomolar affinity shark immunoglobulin new antigen receptors (IgNARs) to target human serum albumin (HSA). From our model shark species, Squalus acanthias, a phage display library encompassing the variable binding domain of IgNAR (VNAR) was constructed, screened against target, and positive clones were characterized for affinity and specificity. N-terminal and C-terminal molecular fusions of our lead hit in complex with a naïve VNAR domain were expressed, purified and exhibited the retention of high affinity binding to HSA, but also cross-selectivity to mouse, rat and monkey serum albumin both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the naïve VNAR had enhanced pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics in both N- and C-terminal orientations and when tested as a three domain construct with naïve VNAR flanking the HSA binding domain at both the N and C termini. Molecules derived from this platform technology also demonstrated the potential for clinical utility by being available via the subcutaneous route of delivery. This study thus demonstrates the first in vivo functional efficacy of a VNAR binding domain with the ability to enhance PK properties and support delivery of multifunctional therapies.     

Rapid characterization of spike variants via mammalian cell surface display

1. Download : Download high-res image (228KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Further results on the survival of a gene represented in a founder population

This paper is concerned with gene survival in a population which may increase without density dependence according to a generalization of the Moran model for haploid individuals. A selective advantage to one allele and the possibility of differential reproductive rates are allowed. Simple conditions are given for ultimate homozygosity to be certain and for the possibility of ultimate polymorphism. The results complement and extend those of Heyde (1981, 1982).     

An alternative explanation for phase transitions observed in quick frozen calcium cardiolipin solution

It is demonstrated that the phase changes reported for a quick frozen calcium cardiolipin solution containing CaCl₂ are virtually identical to those seen in pure CaCl₂. This introduces uncertainty as to whether the data in fact reflect the behavior of cardiolipin or of the associated CaCl₂.     

Interactions of glycerol monooleate and dimethylsulphoxide with phospholipids A differential scanning calorimetry and 31P-NMR study

1. A comparative study has been made of the effects of the fusogens glycerol monooleate and dimethylsulphoxide on the polymorphic phase behaviour of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine by differential scanning calorimetry and ³¹P-NMR techniques. 2. Glycerol monooleate induces a reduction in the temperature, cooperativity and enthalpy of the gel to liquid-crystal transitions of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas dimethylsulphoxide induces an increase in the temperature and enthalpy and a reduction in the cooperativity of the gel to liquid-crystal transitions for those same phospholipids. 3. Glycerol monooleate induces the formation of isotropic and hexagonal (H_II) phases when mixed with either dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. By contrast, in the presence of dimethylsulphoxide, those same phospholipids retain the lamellar configuration observed in the absence of fusogen. 4. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms of chemically induced cell fusion.     

肿瘤特异性蛋白B7-H4纳米抗体的筛选和鉴定

羊驼体内存在天然缺少轻链的重链抗体,克隆重链抗体可变区(VHH),即可构建单域抗体(single-domain antibodies,sdAbs),又称纳米抗体(nanobody,Nb)。利用非免疫羊驼噬菌体文库筛选肿瘤特异性蛋白B7-H4的纳米抗体,经过4轮淘选,ELASE鉴定阳性克隆噬菌体,测序获得其DNA序列后体外转录为mRNA,将修饰纯化后的mRNA转染到肿瘤细胞,利用细胞免疫荧光检测mRNA在肿瘤细胞内是否表达,Western印迹进一步验证其表达情况;通过CCK-8法鉴定其对肿瘤细胞的增殖抑制能力;划痕实验鉴定其对肿瘤细胞迁移能力的影响;Transwell法鉴定其对肿瘤细胞的侵袭能力的影响;裸鼠荷瘤模型瘤旁注射mRNA,鉴定其在体内实验对肿瘤组织的作用。结果显示,通过淘选获得1个高亲和性的噬菌体株菌H6;DNA测序并导出的氨基酸序列符合羊驼纳米抗体结构;将其mRNA导入肿瘤细胞,能有效表达出纳米抗体H6;转染H6-mRNA的肿瘤细胞(0.84±0.08)与未转染H6-mRNA的对照组(1.83±0.04)相比,其增殖能力明显受到抑制,P<0.01,其迁移和侵袭能力(78.60±5.36)明显低于空白对照组(197.80±21.04),效果优于B7-H4 mRNA的siRNA(95.40±16.56);在裸鼠乳腺癌模型中能有效抑制肿瘤生长,效果优于紫杉醇和B7-H4 mRNA的siRNA。这说明筛选所得抗B7-H4纳米抗体H6能特异结合B7-H4蛋白并封闭其功能,导致肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭受到抑制。该结果为利用B7-H4作为治疗癌症的靶点提供了实验基础。