大肠杆菌抗铜启动子的亚克隆

大肠杆菌的抗铜质粒中含有两个抗铜启动子,PpcoA和PpcoE,它们均含有copperbox。为了证实copper box在抗铜作用中的重要性以及研究抗铜启动子的特性,以质粒pUCD615为报告载体进行了这两个启动子不同长度片段的亚克隆。限制性酶切和DNA序列分析的结果表明,这些片段的亚克隆都是成功的;此外报告基因lux-荧光酶活性测定的结果表明,两个不含有copper box的Ppco short-lux亚克隆均不表达荧光酶活性,而其他启动子片段的亚克隆则都具有较高的酶活性,说明这两个亚克隆不具有启动子功能,初步证明在抗铜启动子中copper box是不可少的。     

灰树花gpd-Gf启动子的功能分析

利用从灰树花菌丝体中克隆的gpd-Gf（615bp）启动子片段串联于报告基因gfp上游,构建启动子功能活性检测表达质粒pGg-gfp。采用PEG介导法把表达质粒pGg-gfp与辅助质粒pCc1001（含有trp1基因）共转化进色氨酸营养缺陷型的灰盖鬼伞粉孢子的原生质体中。经过选择培养基筛选、假定转化子的分子鉴定以及GFP荧光检测, 结果表明：灰树花gpd-Gf启动子在灰盖鬼伞菌丝中具有较强驱动gfp基因表达的活性,在荧光显微镜和共聚焦显微镜下可以观察到转化子菌丝发出的强烈荧光。     

两种真核启动子体内外转录活性比较研究

启动子作为基因工程表达载体的核心组成部分,在很大程度上决定了目的基因的转录活性。为筛选出一个转录活性较高的真核启动子,以目的蛋白与增强型绿色荧光蛋白融合表达的形式,在体内外检测CMV和CAG两种真核启动子的转录活性。首先,通过常规分子生物学技术将神经钙黏着蛋白(N-cad)克隆到p CAG-MCS-EGFP质粒中(携带CAG启动子),菌落PCR、双酶切及测序验证;与p EGFP-N-cad质粒(携带CMV启动子)一起通过磷酸钙法分别转染HEK293T细胞,比较两种质粒在体外细胞水平转染目的基因效率;随后,通过已建立的鸡胚脊髓活体电转方法比较两种质粒在活体鸡胚脊髓内转录目的基因效率,冷冻切片后进行荧光强度观察;而体内外实验均应用常规Western blot和RT-PCR技术验证目的基因N-cad在蛋白及基因水平上的表达。荧光显微镜观察结果表明,CMV启动子仅能在体外细胞水平上行使其转录活性,而CAG启动子可在体内体外高效行使其转录活性,进一步的Western blot和RT-PCR结果与荧光观察结果一致。该研究结果可为体内研究目的基因功能时的载体构建提供借鉴。     

心肌α肌球蛋白重链启动子驱动的CREG蛋白表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的：构建心肌特异性α-肌球蛋白重链（α—myosin heavy chain,α—MHC）启动子启动E1A基因阻遏子（cellular repressor of E1A—stimulated genes,CREG）和增强型绿色荧光蛋白（enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP）融合的真核表达载体。绿色荧光蛋白作为报告基因,方便在心肌细胞中直接观察CREG蛋白的表达,为心肌特异性转CREG基因动物模型制备提供载体。方法：用BamHI和EcoRI双酶切pcDNA3．1myc—His／hCREG质粒得到CREG基因,亚克隆入增强绿色荧光蛋白表达质粒pEGFP-N1中,构建pCREG-EGFP-N1;根据Genebank中公布的α-MHC基因的启动子序列,人工合成pUC57-α-MHC启动子基因序列,经AseI和NheI双酶切得到启动子α—MHC,亚克隆入pCREG—EGFP-N1中替代原CMV启动子,构建pα-MHC-CREG—EGFP-N1,测序鉴定。用脂质体法将该质粒转染体外培养的小鼠原代心肌细胞,荧光显微镜下观测绿色荧光蛋白的表达;Western blot检测CREG蛋白的表达。结果：成功构建pα—MHC—CREG-EGFP-N1质粒,酶切及测序结果正确;成功转染入原代培养小鼠心肌细胞,在荧光显微镜下可见绿色荧光蛋白的表达,Westem blot检测到CREG蛋白的表达。结论：重组质粒pα-MHC—CREG—EGFP-N1体外转染入原代培养小鼠心肌细胞后,目的基因能够在心肌细胞中有效表达,检测方法简便可靠,为下一步建立心肌细胞特异性表达CREG的过表达转基因小鼠、深入探讨CREG在心肌疾病发生中的生物学功能研究奠定了基础。     

纤维介素基因hfgl2启动子的SARS冠状病毒核心蛋白反应元件初步分析

 SARS冠状病毒核心蛋白对hfgl2纤维介素基因有激活作用,采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western印迹已验证了hfgl2基因在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达.为进一步明确在SARS冠状病毒核心蛋白刺激下,hfgl2纤维介素基因5′端非编码区对转录激活起重要作用的转录调控序列,构建了一系列hfgl2 基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因质粒,将其与SARS冠状病毒核心蛋白真核表达质粒共转染CHO细胞.结果表明,转染前3个质粒hfgl2p(－1334)LUC、hfgl2p(－997)LUC、hfgl2p(－816)LUC的细胞的相对荧光素酶活性无显著改变;但转染hfgl2p( 468)LUC 质粒的细胞荧光素酶的活性较前明显降低,说明在hfgl2 基因启动子－816位至－468位（相对于转录起始点）之间存在着激活该基因的调控序列.本研究在一定程度上从分子水平揭示了SARS冠状病毒蛋白与宿主纤维介素基因之间的关系.     

绿色荧光蛋白GFP基因与新生隐球菌荚膜基因的融合表达系统

目的构建新生隐球菌荚膜基因与绿色荧光蛋白的融合表达系统。方法PCR法扩增CAP60基因片段,测序验证其准确性。将其与多个必需基因共同连人穿梭质粒。结果获得6150bps大小的质粒,该质粒含有荚膜基因启动子、终止子及荧光蛋白的基因。结论将新生隐球菌荚膜基因与荧光蛋白基因融合表达,将会有利于对荚膜的生化合成途径作进一步研究。     

心肌α肌球蛋白重链启动子驱动的CREG 蛋白表达载体 的构建及鉴定

目的:构建心肌特异性α-肌球蛋白重链(α-myosin heavy chain,α-MHC)启动子启动E1A基因阻遏子(cellular repressorof E1A-stimulated genes,CREG)和增强型绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP)融合的真核表达载体。绿色荧光蛋白作为报告基因,方便在心肌细胞中直接观察CREG蛋白的表达,为心肌特异性转CREG基因动物模型制备提供载体。方法:用BamH I和EcoR I双酶切pcDNA3.1 myc-His/hCREG质粒得到CREG基因,亚克隆入增强绿色荧光蛋白表达质粒pEGFP-N1中,构建pCREG-EGFP-N1;根据Genebank中公布的α-MHC基因的启动子序列,人工合成pUC57-α-MHC启动子基因序列,经Ase I和Nhe I双酶切得到启动子α-MHC,亚克隆入pCREG-EGFP-N1中替代原CMV启动子,构建pα-MHC-CREG-EGFP-N1,测序鉴定。用脂质体法将该质粒转染体外培养的小鼠原代心肌细胞,荧光显微镜下观测绿色荧光蛋白的表达;Western blot检测CREG蛋白的表达。结果:成功构建pα-MHC-CREG-EGFP-N1质粒,酶切及测序结果正确;成功转染入原代培养小鼠心肌细胞,在荧光显微镜下可见绿色荧光蛋白的表达,Western blot检测到CREG蛋白的表达。结论:重组质粒pα-MHC-CREG-EGFP-N1体外转染入原代培养小鼠心肌细胞后,目的基因能够在心肌细胞中有效表达,检测方法简便可靠,为下一步建立心肌细胞特异性表达CREG的过表达转基因小鼠、深入探讨CREG在心肌疾病发生中的生物学功能研究奠定了基础。     

四种启动子调控RFP报告基因在家蚕细胞(Bm-e-HNU5)内的瞬时表达

以红色荧光蛋白基因（RFP）为报告基因,构建含4种不同启动子的重组表达质粒,用脂质体介导法转染家蚕Bombyx mori细胞（Bm-e-HNU5）,观察家蚕细胞质肌动蛋白4基因启动子（A4）、α微管蛋白基因启动子（α-tub）、蚕丝心蛋白重链基因启动子（Fib）和家蚕核型多角体病毒早期即刻蛋白基因启动子（IE）4种启动子调控RFP报告基因在家蚕细胞内的瞬时表达情况。构建的重组表达质粒pDsRed-α-tub、pDsRed-A4、pDsRed-IE和pDsRed-Fib经双酶切和PCR鉴定正确无误。转染和转录实验结果表明,除了pDsRed-A4外,其他3种重组质粒在Bm-e-HNU5细胞中都得到高转染率,α-tub、IE和Fib可依次增强RFP报告基因在家蚕细胞内的瞬时表达活性。     

绿色荧光蛋白(ZsGreen)基因在长石莼细胞中的表达

主要研究绿色荧光蛋白(ZsGreen)基因在长石莼(缘管浒苔)细胞中的表述.应用绿色荧光蛋白基因、抗除草剂bar基因、CMV 35S启动子和SV40双启动子构建了质粒载体PSV-bar-ZsGeen,采用改进的PEG法将质粒载体PSV-bar-Zs-Geen导入到缘管浒苔原生质体中,经过细胞培养发育再生藻株,通过除草剂筛选出阳性藻株,且转化率达38.58％,进一步PCR分子检测和显微荧光检测表明,绿色荧光蛋白基因在转基因植株中得到表达,为今后转基因浒苔研究奠定基础.     

IL-37基因启动子的克隆及其荧光素酶报告基因载体的构建

[目的]克隆白介素-37(IL-37)基因启动子,构建其荧光素酶报告基因载体,并分析活性。[方法]用PCR方法扩增IL-37基因5'端上游区3个不同长度的启动子片段,分别克隆入荧光素酶报告基因载体p GL3,构建IL-37基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因质粒。将所构建的质粒转染HEK-293细胞,通过双荧光素酶报告基因系统分析启动子的转录活性。[结果]754、1 017、2 043 bp等3个IL-37启动子片段正确亚克隆入荧光素酶报告基因载体,重组质粒转染HEK-293细胞后,双荧光素酶活性分析显示1 017 bp的启动子片段具有较强转录活性,约为对照组(空载体p GL3-basic)的10.9倍。[结论]成功克隆IL-37基因启动子,构建了大小为1 017 bp的IL-37基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因载体,为IL-37表达的调控机制的研究提供有效的工具。     

Divergent effects of a dnaK mutation on abnormal protein degradation in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli bacteria produce at least one 70 kD stress protein, the product of the dnaK gene. We have compared the rates of degradation of different types of abnormal proteins in null Ion E. coli with a partial deletion of the dnaK gene with the rates observed in null Ion dnaK+ cells. We have found that both canavanyl proteins and puromycyl polypeptides are degraded more slowly in the null dnaK mutants than in the dnaK+ strain. However, a temperature-sensitive mutant LacI protein is degraded more rapidly in the null dnaK strain. The stability of this temperature-sensitive LacI protein was also examined in detail under various other conditions.     

Characterization of stress-responsive genes, hrcA-grpE-dnaK-dnaJ, from phytopathogenic Xanthomonas campestris

Sequencing of a 6.4-kb DNA fragment, cloned from the plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 17 revealed five ORFs whose deduced amino acid sequences show strong similarities to the bacterial HrcA, GrpE, DnaK, DnaJ, and PdxK. The four heat shock genes are organized in the order hrcA-grpE-dnaK-dnaJ, a genome organization found in many gram-positive bacteria, but only in one gram-negative species (Xylella fastidiosa). These observations suggest that the HrcA-CIRCE system, comprising at least four genes arranged in this order, already existed for the regulation of stress responses before bacteria diverged into gram-negative and gram-positive groups. Primer-extension results suggested the presence of promoters at the regions upstream of grpE and dnaK. In the presence of stress, heat or ethanol (4%), the X. campestris pv. campestris 17 grpE and dnaK promoters were induced two- to three-fold over controls. Since the grpE and dnaK promoters possess E. coli sigma(32) promoter-like sequences, they are functional in E. coli, although at levels much lower than in X. campestris pv. campestris 17. Furthermore, expression of the X. campestris pv. campestris 17 dnaK promoter in E. coli was elevated by the cloned X. campestris sigma(32) gene, indicating that the cognate sigma(32) works more efficiently for the X. campestris promoters.     

DNA sequence analysis of the dnaK gene of Escherichia coli B and of two dnaK genes carrying the temperature-sensitive mutations dnaK7(Ts) and dnaK756(Ts).

The DNA sequence of the dnaK gene of Escherichia coli was analyzed. The nucleotide sequence of the wild-type dnaK gene of E. coli B differed from that of E. coli K-12 in 15 bp, none of which altered the amino acid sequence. Two temperature-sensitive dnaK mutations were examined by cloning and sequence analyses. Results showed that one dnaK mutation, dnaK7(Ts), was a one-base substitution of T for C at nucleotide position 448 in the open reading frame yielding an amber nonsense codon. The other mutation, dnaK756(Ts), consisted of base substitutions (A for G) at three nucleotide positions, 95, 1364, and 1403, in the open reading frame resulting in an aspartic acid codon in place of a glycine codon.     

The dnaK protein modulates the heat-shock response of Escherichia coli

E. coli bacteria respond to a sudden upward shift in temperature by transiently overproducing a small subset of their proteins, one of which is the product of the dnaK gene. Mutations in dnaK have been previously shown to affect both DNA and RNA synthesis in E. coli. Bacteria carrying the dnaK756 mutation fail to turn off the heat-shock response at 43 degrees C. Instead, they continue to synthesize the heat-shock proteins in large amounts and underproduce other proteins. Both reversion and P1 transduction analyses have shown that the failure to turn off the heat-shock response is the result of the dnaK756 mutation. In addition, bacteria that overproduce the dnaK protein at all temperatures undergo a drastically reduced heat-shock response at high temperature. We conclude that the dnaK protein is an inhibitor of the heat-shock response in E. coli.     

Design and development of amplifiable broad-host-range cloning vectors: analysis of the vir region of Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid pTiC58

The construction of a set of new plasmids that are suitable as general cloning vectors in Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens is described. Plasmid pUCD2 is amplifiable in E. coli, replicates in a wide range of gram-negative hosts and contains a number of useful restriction endonuclear cleavage sites and antibiotic resistance genes. This includes unique sites for KpnI, SacI, SacII, PstI, ClaI, SalI, EcoRV, and PvuII and the genes for resistance to kanamycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and spectinomycin/streptomycin. Derivatives of pUCD2 include pUCD4, which has a unique XbaI site and the cosmid pUCD5, which also contains a unique EcoRI site. Two smaller plasmids pUCD9P and pUCD9X, contain many of the same unique sites as pUCD2 and pUCD4, but carry only the pBR322 replication origin and therefore do not display the extensive host-range of pSa. These plasmids were used to isolate and manipulate fragments of the A. tumefaciens pTiC58 plasmid in both E. coli and A. tumefaciens. Fragments from the virulence (vir) region of pTiC58 inserted immediately upstream of the spectinomycin resistance gene of pUCD2 resulted in spectinomycin resistance levels that varied greatly depending on the particular fragment and its orientation of insertion. Using this property we find that a major portion of the vir region of pTiC58 is transcribed in A. tumefaciens and E. coli from left to right toward the T region.     

Cloning and characterization of the Brucella ovis heat shock protein DnaK functionally expressed in Escherichia coli.

The Brucella ovis dnaK gene, homolog to the eukaryotic hsp70 genes, was cloned by using a Drosophila melanogaster probe. Comparison of B. ovis and Escherichia coli sequences revealed a similar organization for the dnaK and dnaJ genes and putative regulatory signals. In E. coli transfected with the cloned fragment, B. ovis hsp70 was expressed at 30 and 50 degrees C apparently under the control of its own promoter. The recombinant protein and a B. ovis native protein displaying the same molecular weight were both recognized by anti-E. coli DnaK serum. Native B. ovis protein was also recognized by sera of sheep either infected or vaccinated with an attenuated Brucella strain, suggesting that Brucella hsp70 could be up-regulated during host colonization. A thermosensitive E. coli dnaK mutant transfected with the cloned fragment recovered colony-forming ability at 42 degrees C, showing that the B. ovis DnaK protein could behave as a functional heat shock protein in E. coli.     

Identification of a gene, closely linked to dnaK, which is required for high-temperature growth of Escherichia coli.

We have constructed four deletion derivatives of the cloned dnaK gene. Plasmid pDD1, in which the last 10 amino acids of the DnaK protein have been replaced by three different amino acids derived from the pBR322 vector, was as effective as plasmid pKP31, from which it was derived, in restoring the ability of a dnaK null mutant, Escherichia coli BB1553, to plate lambda phage and to grow at high temperatures. The other three mutations, involving much larger deletions of the dnaK gene, did not restore the ability to plate lambda phage or the ability to grow at high temperatures. Plasmid pKUC2, which contains the whole dnaK gene and its promoters, was capable of restoring the ability of E. coli BB1553 to plate lambda phage but, surprisingly, it did not restore the ability to grow at high temperatures, even though it was shown that the DnaK protein was efficiently expressed in these cultures. By transposon mutagenesis and sub-cloning, we have shown the presence of a second gene in plasmid pKP31 which is required for high-temperature growth of E. coli BB1553. This gene, which we call htg A, is presumably also defective in the dnaK null mutant E. coli BB1553. We have also demonstrated that the inability of E. coli K756 to grow above 43.5 degrees C is complemented by sub-clones which contain the htg A gene, but not by plasmid pKUC2.     

Novel high- and low-copy stable cosmids for use in Agrobacterium and Rhizobium

Presented are a set of cosmids based on the unit copy Agrobacterium plasmid, pTAR, and the high-copy-number mutant plasmid, pUCD500, of pTiC58. The addition of a par function derived from pTAR to the vectors allowed them to be stably maintained throughout the cell population in the absence of selective pressure. These vectors, designed for Agrobacterium and Rhizobium, also work in Escherichia coli. The vectors can be cotransferred to Rhizobiaceae from E. coli with the helper plasmid, pRK2013. The pTiC58 origin containing vectors, pUCD1000 and pUCD1001 were found to be incompatible with a 250-kb plasmid harbored by R. meliloti RM102Z1. RM102Z1(pUCD1000) was still capable of nodulating roots in alfalfa.