心脏特异性高表达hAPE1基因小鼠的构建与鉴定

本研究拟建立心脏特异性表达hAPE1转基因小鼠,为研究hAPE1基因功能及其突变与心脏发育和心血管疾病的关系提供工具动物。将人APE1(human APE1,hAPE1)基因插入到心脏特异性启动子α-肌球蛋白重链(α-MHC)下游,构建了心肌细胞特异性表达hAPE1的转基因表达载体,显微注射法导入C57BL/6J小鼠受精卵中,经胚胎移植获得转基因首建者小鼠,建立hAPE1转基因小鼠,PCR鉴定转基因小鼠基因型,Western blotting鉴定h APE1蛋白在心脏中的表达并筛选高表达的转基因品系。研究表明,将含有心肌细胞特异性α-MHC启动子和hAPE1基因的转基因载体进行显微注射于小鼠胚胎中,接着将胚胎移植入假孕母鼠的输卵管中发育,建立了心脏组织特异性高表达hAPE1转基因小鼠品系,获得子代小鼠40只。PCR检测发现有15只小鼠在其基因组上整合有hAPE1基因,Western blotting检测hAPE1在这些小鼠心脏中高度特异性表达。本研究成功获得了在小鼠心肌细胞中特异性表达hAPE1的转基因小鼠,为研究基因在心脏发育与相关疾病中的功能提供了有利的工具。     

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.     

皮肤组织特异性表达hCTLA4-Ig转基因小鼠品系的建立

为研究皮肤特异性高效表达hCTLA4-Ig分子对移植皮肤存活及受体免疫功能的影响,充分实现hCTLA4-Ig分子在皮肤移植中的免疫调控功能,利用K14（角蛋白14）基因启动子,构建了hCTLA4-Ig分子皮肤组织特异性表达载体,并通过受精卵原核显微注射技术制备了K14／hCTLA4-Ig转基因小鼠并建立了品系。通过RT-PCR和Northern blot分析表明,hCTLA4-Ig在转基因小鼠体内呈皮肤组织特异性高效表达;以GAPDH基因的表达量为内部参照分析表明,hCTLA4-Ig的表达水平在不同世代之间以及转基因个体的不同生命时相点之间保持相对恒定,说明皮肤组织特异性稳定表达hCTLA4-Ig的转基因小鼠品系已被建立。     

血管内皮细胞特异表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立

血管内皮细胞参与血管形成、血管稳态维持、血栓形成、炎症和血管重建等生理和病理过程。为了便于通过Cre-LoxP系统研究相关基因在血管内皮细胞中的功能,创建了Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠,利用Tie2基因的启动子驱动Cre重组酶基因在血管内皮细胞中表达。经基因组PCR和Southern Blot鉴定有6只小鼠在基因组上整合有Cre基因,整合率为11％。为了验证Cre重组酶的剪切活性和表达组织分布,我们将Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠分别与Smad4条件基因打靶小鼠和报告小鼠ROSA26交配。Tie2-Cre;Smad4^co/＋小鼠的多个组织的基因组DNA的PCR结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有包含血管内皮细胞的组织中表达并能介导LoxP间的重组。Tie2-Cre;ROSA26双转基因胚胎LacZ染色结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有被检测组织的血管内皮细胞中特异性表达。因此．Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠可作血管内皮细胞谱系分析和在血管内皮细胞进行条件基因打靶的理想工具小鼠。     

人载脂蛋白A1基因转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立系统性表达人载脂蛋白A1(APOA1)基因的转基因小鼠。方法 将人APOA1基因插入系统性表达启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立人APOA1转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。并利用特异引物PCR法鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型,Western blot检测基因表达水平,血生化分析检测不同月龄转基因小鼠与同龄野生型小鼠的血脂指标。结果建立了2个不同表达水平的人APOA1基因的转基因小鼠品系;转入的人APOA1基因在血液、肝脏、心脏、肾脏、脾脏、血管组织中均有明显表达;血生化分析结果显示不同月龄转基因小鼠的血浆高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平高于同龄的野生型小鼠,甘油三酯水平低于同龄野生型小鼠。结论成功建立了系统性表达人APOA1基因的转基因小鼠,为研究高血脂以及高血脂相关的心血管病提供了工具。     

肝特异性表达HCV5＇NCR调控荧光素酶质粒的构建及表达

小鼠白蛋白是肝组织特异性表达的蛋白,这种特异性是由白蛋白启动子所介导的.以2235A-1质粒为模板,通过PCR扩增获得小鼠白蛋白启动子/增强子基因片段,用小鼠白蛋白启动子/增强子基因片段取代pHCV-neo4质粒(含HCV5＇NCR调控荧光素酶基因)的CMV启动子,构建了一种白蛋白启动子启动转录的HCV5＇NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒(pA1b-HCV).该质粒能在小鼠肝癌细胞中表达且较小鼠其它癌细胞中表达水平明显增高,表明成功地构建了肝特异性表达的HCv5＇NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒.该研究为建立肝特异性表达的HCV5＇NCR转基因小鼠模型奠定了基础,对评价HCV特异性反义药物及肝靶向性运载系统的作用具有重要的实际意义.     

促绒毛生长基因及其在转基因动物中的应用

通过转基因克隆技术使得外源基因在皮肤细胞内超表达,进而促进毛囊发育和绒毛生长是培育高产量绒毛动物品系的有效途径.在转基因动物中构建真核表达栽体常用的皮肤特异性启动子主要是皮肤角蛋白基因启动子,具有促绒毛生长功能的基因则包括编码生长因子、转录因子及小分子蛋白的基因.目前已获得利用这些特异性启动子调控外源基因在皮肤细胞内超表达的转基因动物.     

肝特异性表达HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶质粒的构建及表达

小鼠白蛋白是肝组织特异性表达的蛋白 ,这种特异性是由白蛋白启动子所介导的 .以2 2 35A- 1质粒为模板 ,通过 PCR扩增获得小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段 ,用小鼠白蛋白启动子 /增强子基因片段取代 p HCV- neo4质粒 (含 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶基因 )的 CMV启动子 ,构建了一种白蛋白启动子启动转录的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 (p A1 b- HCV) .该质粒能在小鼠肝癌细胞中表达且较小鼠其它癌细胞中表达水平明显增高 ,表明成功地构建了肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR调控荧光素酶表达质粒 .该研究为建立肝特异性表达的 HCV5′NCR转基因小鼠模型奠定了基础 ,对评价 HCV特异性反义药物及肝靶向性运载系统的作用具有重要的实际意义     

前脑特异性CCKR-2双转基因小鼠的繁育及基因鉴定

摘要 目的：繁殖及鉴定可调控前脑特异性胆囊收缩素受体2（Cholecystokinin receptor-2,CCKR-2）双转基因小鼠（tTA/tetO- CCKR-2 double transgenic,简称dtg）,为进一步研究CCKR-2在焦虑相关疾病,如焦虑症、恐惧行为、创伤后应激障碍等发病过程中的作用及分子机制提供实验模型。方法：（1）利用α-CaMKII/tTA单转基因小鼠与tetO/CCKR-2单转基因小鼠杂交,所得子代尽可能远亲繁殖获得dtg小鼠,提取子代鼠尾基因组DNA,采用PCR法及琼脂糖凝胶电泳法鉴定PCR产物以确定其基因型;（2）采用原位杂交方法验证CCKR-2双转基因前脑特异性表达,筛选CCKR-2双转基因型及前脑特异性表达者作为继代种鼠和实验用鼠。结果：（1）PCR凝胶电泳图显示清晰的tTA（350 bp）和CCKR-2（550 bp）条带,野生型无条带显示,表明琼脂糖凝胶电泳结果与dtg模型预期基因片段大小相符;（2）原位杂交结果显示dtg小鼠前脑区域有强烈的CCKR-2表达而野生型小鼠不明显。此结果表明dtg双转基因小鼠在本实验室的成功建立与繁殖及继代,同时繁殖出更多的dtg小鼠。结论：通过正确的饲养繁育和基因鉴定方法能成功获得dtg双转基因小鼠,为本实验室进行后续相关研究奠定了基础。     

DGP1, 一个受干旱诱导的保卫细胞特异性启动子的构建与功能分析

植物气孔运动的分子调控离不开高效的基因开关系统, 保卫细胞特异性表达的启动子近几年备受关注. 将保卫细胞特异性表达元件和干旱应答元件进行改造, 构建成一个新的受干旱诱导的保卫细胞特异性的启动子DGP1. 转基因烟草的组织化学定位表明, DGP1驱动的gus基因在受到干旱诱导的情况下, 在保卫细胞中特异性表达, 而在未经干旱处理植株的保卫细胞和干旱处理的根、茎和花中均不表达. 对GUS活性进行定量测定, 结果显示GUS活性明显地受干旱诱导, 并且随着处理时间的延长而增强, 其中干旱诱导8 h后GUS的活性是诱导前的179倍. 而根、茎和叶肉组织在干旱诱导后GUS活性虽然有所提高, 但变化不大. 这些结果表明, 植物在遭遇干旱胁迫时, DGP1启动子可以驱动目的基因在保卫细胞专一性表达, 这就为通过基因工程的途径调控气孔开关运动奠定了基础.     

Variability of Inducible Expression across the Hematopoietic System of Tetracycline Transactivator Transgenic Mice

The tetracycline (tet)-regulated expression system allows for the inducible overexpression of protein-coding genes, or inducible gene knockdown based on expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). The system is widely used in mice, however it requires robust expression of a tet transactivator protein (tTA or rtTA) in the cell type of interest. Here we used an in vivo tet-regulated fluorescent reporter approach to characterise inducible gene/shRNA expression across a range of hematopoietic cell types of several commonly used transgenic tet transactivator mouse strains. We find that even in strains where the tet transactivator is expressed from a nominally ubiquitous promoter, the efficiency of tet-regulated expression can be highly variable between hematopoietic lineages and between differentiation stages within a lineage. In some cases tet-regulated reporter expression differs markedly between cells within a discrete, immunophenotypically defined population, suggesting mosaic transactivator expression. A recently developed CAG-rtTA3 transgenic mouse displays intense and efficient reporter expression in most blood cell types, establishing this strain as a highly effective tool for probing hematopoietic development and disease. These findings have important implications for interpreting tet-regulated hematopoietic phenotypes in mice, and identify mouse strains that provide optimal tet-regulated expression in particular hematopoietic progenitor cell types and mature blood lineages.     

Autoimmunity to DNA and nucleosomes in binary tetracycline-regulated polyomavirus T-Ag transgenic mice

The mechanism(s) responsible for autoimmunity to DNA and nucleosomes in SLE is largely unknown. We have demonstrated that nucleosome-polyomavirus T-Ag complexes, formed in context of productive polyomavirus infection, activate dsDNA-specific B cells and nucleosome-specific CD4(+) T cells. To investigate whether de novo expressed T-Ag is able to terminate nucleosome-specific T cell tolerance and to maintain anti-dsDNA Ab production in nonautoimmune mice, we developed two binary transgenic mouse variants in which expression of SV40 large T-Ag is controlled by tetracycline, MUP tTA/T-Ag (tet-off), and CMV rtTA/T-Ag (tet-on) mice. Data demonstrate that MUP tTA/T-Ag mice, but not CMV rtTA/T-Ag mice, are tightly controlling T-Ag expression. In MUP tTA/T-Ag transgenic mice, postnatal T-Ag expression activated CD8(+) T cells but not DNA-specific B cells, while immunization with T-Ag and nucleosome-T-Ag-complexes before T-Ag expression resulted in elevated and remarkably stable titers of anti-T-Ag and anti-dsDNA Abs and activation of T-Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells. Immunization of nonexpressing MUP tTA/T-Ag mice resulted in transient anti-T-Ag and anti-dsDNA Abs. This system reveals that a de novo expressed DNA-binding quasi-autoantigen maintain anti-dsDNA Abs and CD4(+) T cell activation once initiated by immunization, demonstrating direct impact of a single in vivo expressed molecule on sustained autoimmunity to DNA and nucleosomes.     

Stringent doxycycline dependent control of CRE recombinase in vivo

The strategy of modulating gene activities in vivo via CRE/loxP recombination would greatly profit from subjecting the recombination event to an independent and stringent temporal control. Here, we describe a transgenic mouse line, LC-1, where the expression of the cre and luciferase gene is tightly controlled by the Tet system. Using the R26R mouse line as indicator for CRE activity, and mouse lines expressing tetracycline controlled transactivators (tTA/rtTA) in various tissues, we show that; (i) in the non-induced state CRE recombinase is tightly controlled throughout the development and adulthood of an animal; (ii) upon induction, efficient recombination occurs in the adult animal in all tissues where tTA/rtTA is present, including hepatocytes, kidney cells, neurons and T lymphocytes; and (iii) no position effect appears to be caused by the LC-1 locus. Moreover, using the novel rTA^LAP-1 mouse line, we show that in hepatocytes, complete deletion of the loxP-flanked insert in R26R animals is achieved less than 48 h after induction. Thus, the LC-1 mouse appears suitable for exploiting two rapidly increasing collections of mouse lines of which one provides tTA/rtTA in specific cell types/tissues, and the other a variety of loxP-flanked genes.     

Use of the human EF-1alpha promoter for expression can significantly increase success in establishing stable cell lines with consistent expression: a study using the tetracycline-inducible system in human cancer cells

Establishing cells with an exogenously introduced gene of interest under the inducible control of tetracycline (Tc) initially requires clonal cell lines stably expressing the tetracycline activator (tTA or rtTA). The originally described plasmid vectors expressing tTA/rtTA are driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early (IE) promoter-enhancer, known for its robust activity in a wide spectrum of cell types. While many reports testify to the utility and efficacy of this construct, instances of inexplicable failure to establish cell lines having inducible expression of the cDNA under study are encountered. Spontaneous extinction of CMV promoter activity in cells has been observed in a temporal and cell type-dependent manner. This could be a contributing factor in the failure to establish Tc-responsive cell lines. We here report that a change of the expression cassette to the human elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha) promoter has permitted successful establishment of several inducible cell lines from diverse human tumor tissue origins. We interpret these results to imply that extinction of rtTA (or tTA) expression might be a significant factor in the lack of success in establishing Tc-inducible cell lines. Moreover, the present findings have general relevance to experiments requiring the use of stable cell lines.     

A tetracycline‐inducible and skeletal muscle‐specific Cre recombinase transgenic mouse

We have generated a transgenic mouse that expresses Cre recombinase only in skeletal muscle and only following tetracycline treatment. This spatiotemporal specificity is achieved using two transgenes. The first transgene uses the human skeletal actin (HSA) promoter to drive expression of the reverse tetracycline‐controlled transactivator (rtTA). The second transgene uses a tetracycline responsive promoter to drive the expression of Cre recombinase. We monitored transgene expression in these mice by crossing them with ROSA26 loxP‐LacZ reporter mice, which express β‐galactosidase when activated by Cre. We find that the expression of this transgene is only detectable within skeletal muscle and that Cre expression in the absence of tetracycline is negligible. Cre is readily induced in this model with tetracycline analogs at a range of embryonic and postnatal ages and in a pattern consistent with other HSA transgenic mice. This mouse improves upon existing transgenic mice in which skeletal muscle Cre is expressed throughout development by allowing Cre expression to begin at later developmental stages. This temporal control of transgene expression has several applications, including overcoming embryonic or perinatal lethality due to transgene expression. This mouse is especially suited for studies of steroid hormone action, as it uses tetracycline, rather than tamoxifen, to activate Cre expression. In summary, we find that this transgenic induction system is suitable for studies of gene function in the context of hormonal regulation of skeletal muscle or interactions between muscle and motoneurons in mice. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009