A visual screen for diet-regulated proteins in the Drosophila ovary using GFP protein trap lines

The effect of diet on reproduction is well documented in a large number of organisms; however, much remains to be learned about the molecular mechanisms underlying this connection. The Drosophila ovary has a well described, fast and largely reversible response to diet. Ovarian stem cells and their progeny proliferate and grow faster on a yeast-rich diet than on a yeast-free (poor) diet, and death of early germline cysts, degeneration of early vitellogenic follicles and partial block in ovulation further contribute to the ∼60-fold decrease in egg laying observed on a poor diet. Multiple diet-dependent factors, including insulin-like peptides, the steroid ecdysone, the nutrient sensor Target of Rapamycin, AMP-dependent kinase, and adipocyte factors mediate this complex response. Here, we describe the results of a visual screen using a collection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) protein trap lines to identify additional factors potentially involved in this response. In each GFP protein trap line, an artificial GFP exon is fused in frame to an endogenous protein, such that the GFP fusion pattern parallels the levels and subcellular localization of the corresponding native protein. We identified 53 GFP-tagged proteins that exhibit changes in levels and/or subcellular localization in the ovary at 12–16 hours after switching females from rich to poor diets, suggesting them as potential candidates for future functional studies.     

Fluorescent protein recruitment assay for demonstration and analysis of in vivo protein interactions in plant cells and its application to Tobacco mosaic virus movement protein

We describe a simple fluorescent protein‐based method to investigate interactions with a viral movement protein in living cells that relies on the in vivo re‐localization of proteins in the presence of their interaction partners. We apply this method in combination with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to demonstrate that a domain of the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) movement protein (MP) previously predicted to mediate protein:protein interactions is dispensable for these contacts. We suggest that this method can be generalized for analysis of other protein interactions in planta.     

Exploring strategies for protein trapping in Drosophila

The use of fluorescent protein tags has had a huge impact on cell biological studies in virtually every experimental system. Incorporation of coding sequence for fluorescent proteins such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) into genes at their endogenous chromosomal position is especially useful for generating GFP-fusion proteins that provide accurate cellular and subcellular expression data. We tested modifications of a transposon-based protein trap screening procedure in Drosophila to optimize the rate of recovering useful protein traps and their analysis. Transposons carrying the GFP-coding sequence flanked by splice acceptor and donor sequences were mobilized, and new insertions that resulted in production of GFP were captured using an automated embryo sorter. Individual stocks were established, GFP expression was analyzed during oogenesis, and insertion sites were determined by sequencing genomic DNA flanking the insertions. The resulting collection includes lines with protein traps in which GFP was spliced into mRNAs and embedded within endogenous proteins or enhancer traps in which GFP expression depended on splicing into transposon-derived RNA. We report a total of 335 genes associated with protein or enhancer traps and a web-accessible database for viewing molecular information and expression data for these genes.     

In vivo function of a novel Siah protein in Drosophila

The Siah proteins, mammalian homologues of the Drosophila Sina protein, function as E3 ubiquitin ligase enzymes and target a wide range of cellular proteins for degradation. Here, I investigate the in vivo function of the fly protein, Sina-Homologue (SinaH), which is highly similar to Sina. Flies that completely lack SinaH are viable and in combination with a mutation in the gene, Ebi, show an extra dorsal central bristle phenotype. I also show that SinaH and Ebi can interact with each other both in vivo and in vitro suggesting that they act in the same physical complex. Flies that lack both Sina and Sina-Homologue were also created and show visible eye and bristle phenotypes, which can be explained by an inability to degrade the neuronal repressor, Tramtrack. I find no evidence for redundancy in the function of Sina and SinaH.     

Subcellular localization of PS1 based on PS1/GFP fusing protein

Mutations in presenilin 1 (PS1) gene are closely associated with the early onset of familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD). The fusion genes, GFP-PS1 (recombinant plasmid pEGFP-C1-PS1) and PS1-GFP (recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2-PS1) were constructed to study the subcellular localization of PS1 holoprotein. Recombinant plasmids were transiently transfected into two cell lines, HEK293 and CHO, respectively, using the green fluorescence from GFP (green fluorescence protein) as the PS1 localization signal. Then, we observed green fluorescence with a SPOT Ⅱ (Olympus, BH2) and CONFOCAL microscope (Olympus, FV300) under 488 nm. The results show that PS1 located on the nuclear envelope. A few can be found on the cellular membrane and in the cytosol in a non-homogeneous distribution.     

GFP在绿色荧光裸鼠不同组织中的表达及分析

目的研究外源绿色荧光蛋白（green fluorescent protein,简称GFP）基因在BALB/c绿色荧光裸鼠主要器官组织中的表达及其差异。方法小动物成像系统和RT-PCR方法检测GFP的组织分布以及荧光表达水平情况。结果经活体荧光影像系统观察及PCR方法检测发现GFP可以在裸鼠多个器官组织中表达,其中在胰腺、心脏、全脑、皮肤、睾丸中表达量较高。结论外源绿色荧光蛋白可以在模型动物体内成功表达且稳定遗传,其中在胰腺组织中高表达。     

Subcellular localization of PS1 based on PS1/GFP fusing protein

Mutations in presenilin 1 (PS1) gene are closely associated with the early onset of familial Alzheimer’s disease (EOFAD). The fusion genes, GFPPS1 (recombinant plasmid pEGFP-C1-PS1) and PS1-GFP (recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2-PS1) were constructed to study the subcellular localization of PS1 holoprotein. Recombinant plasmids were transiently transfected into two cell lines, HEK293 and CHO, respectively, using the green fluorescence from GFP (green fluorescence protein) as the PS1 localization signal. Then, we observed green fluorescence with a SPOT II (Olympus, BH2) and CONFOCAL microscope (Olympus, FV300) under 488 nm. The results show that PS1 located on the nuclear envelope. A few can be found on the cellular membrane and in the cytosol in a non-homogeneous distribution. __________ Translated from China Biotechnology, 2006, 26(6): 17-22 [译自: 中 国生物工程杂志]     

汉坦病毒核酸疫苗在小鼠体内表达分布的初步研究

运用生物荧光技术,肌肉免疫接种小鼠含汉坦病毒S抗原基因片段的核酸疫苗,观察重组核酸疫苗在其体内的表达分布。进一步探讨汉坦病毒核酸疫苗的应用前景。扩增纯化已构建好的含有汉坦病毒S抗原基因片段和绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因的重组质粒pEGFP/S;免疫接种小鼠胫前肌,观察pEGFP/S在小鼠体内的表达分布。免疫接种3 d后在实验组小鼠肝、肾、脾、肌肉各组织均检测到较强的绿色荧光。重组质粒pEGFP/S能在小鼠的多个组织器官表达,为深入研究汉坦病毒核蛋白和有效的核酸疫苗奠定了基础。     

In vivo measurement of protein functional changes

Conformational changes in proteins are fundamental to all biological functions. In protein science, the concept of protein flexibility is widely used to describe protein dynamics and thermodynamic properties that control protein conformational changes. In this study, we show that urea, which has strong sedative potency, can be administered to fish at high concentrations, and that protein functional changes related to anesthesia induction can be measured in vivo. Ctenopharyngodon idellus (the grass carp) has two different types of N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, urea-insensitive and urea-sensitive, which are responsible for the heat endurance of fish. The urea-sensitive NMDA receptor showed high protein flexibility, the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor showed less flexibility, and the protein that is responsible for ethanol anesthesia showed the lowest flexibility. The results suggest that an increase in protein flexibility underlies the fundamental biophysical mechanisms of volatile general anesthetics.     

Mini-transposon Tn5gfp constructs for differential tagging of microorganisms

Recently thegfp (green fluorescent protein) gene from the jellyfishAequoria victoria has been widely used as a reporter gene. In this study mini-transposons, named as mini-Tn5gfp, were constructed by subcloning thegfp gene into a transposon Tn5. To improve the expression level of thegfp gene, tandom array ofgfp gene was obtained. The constructs were successfully used in tagging target microorganisms by transposition. The level of GFP expression was found to be closely correlated with the copy number of the gfp transposed. These constructs will facillitate not only efficient tagging of whole organism but also genetic marking of target genes by transposition.     

Green fluorescent protein/β-galactosidase double reporters for visualizing Drosophila gene expression patterns

We characterized 120 novel yeast Ga14-targeted enhancer trap lines in Drosophila using upstream activating sequence (UAS) reporter plasmids incorporating newly constructed fusions of Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Escherichia coli β-galactosidase genes. Direct comparisons of GFP epifluorescence and β-galactosidase staining revealed that both proteins function comparably to their unconjugated counterparts within a wide variety of Drosophila tissues. Generally, both reporters accumulated in similar patterns within individual lines, but in some tissues, e.g., brain, GFP staining was more reliable than that of β-galactosidase, whereas in other tissues, most notably testes and ovaries, the converse was true. In cases of weak enhancers, we occasionally could detect β-galactosidase staining in the absence of discernible GFP fluorescence. This shortcoming of GFP can, in most cases, be alleviated by using the more efficient S65T GFP derivative. The GFP/β-gal reporter fusion protein facilitated monitoring several aspects of protein accumulation. In particular, the ability to visualize GFP fluorescence enhances recognition of global static and dynamic patterns in live animals, whereas β-galactosidase histochemistry affords sensitive high resolution protein localization. We present a catalog of Ga14-expressing strains that will be useful for investigating several aspects of Drosophila melanogaster cell and developmental biology. Dev. Genet. 20:338–347, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An in vivo RNAi assay identifies major genetic and cellular requirements for primary piRNA biogenesis in Drosophila

In Drosophila, PIWI proteins and bound PIWI‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) form the core of a small RNA‐mediated defense system against selfish genetic elements. Within germline cells, piRNAs are processed from piRNA clusters and transposons to be loaded into Piwi/Aubergine/AGO3 and a subset of piRNAs undergoes target‐dependent amplification. In contrast, gonadal somatic support cells express only Piwi, lack signs of piRNA amplification and exhibit primary piRNA biogenesis from piRNA clusters. Neither piRNA processing/loading nor Piwi‐mediated target silencing is understood at the genetic, cellular or molecular level. We developed an in vivo RNAi assay for the somatic piRNA pathway and identified the RNA helicase Armitage, the Tudor domain containing RNA helicase Yb and the putative nuclease Zucchini as essential factors for primary piRNA biogenesis. Lack of any of these proteins leads to transposon de‐silencing, to a collapse in piRNA levels and to a failure in Piwi‐nuclear accumulation. We show that Armitage and Yb interact physically and co‐localize in cytoplasmic Yb bodies, which flank P bodies. Loss of Zucchini leads to an accumulation of Piwi and Armitage in Yb bodies, indicating that Yb bodies are sites of primary piRNA biogenesis.     

In vivo spin trapping of nitric oxide from animal tumors.

Spin trapping/electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy allows specific detection of nitric oxide (NO) generation, in vivo. However, in order to detect an EPR signal in living organism, usually a stimulation of immune system with LPS is used to achieve higher than physiological NO levels. Here, we report non-invasive spin trapping of NO in tumors of non-treated, living animals. EPR spectroscopy was performed at S-band to detect NO in Cloudman S91 melanoma tumors growing in the tail of living, syngeneic hosts-DBA/2 mice. Iron (II) N-(dithiocarboxy)sarcosine Fe2+(DTCS)(2) was used as the spin trap. The results were confirmed by X-band ex vivo study. A characteristic three-line spectrum of NO-Fe(DTCS)(2) (A(N)=13 G) was observed (n=4, out of total n=6) in non-treated tumors and in tumors of animals treated with l-arginine. Substrate availability did not limit the detection of NO by spin trapping. Half-life time of the NO-Fe(DTCS)(2) in tumor tissue was about 60 min. The feasibility of non-invasive spin trapping/EPR spectroscopic detection of NO generated in tumor tissue in living animals, without additional activation of the immune system, was demonstrated for the first time.