脱氧核酶抑制近日基因period 1表达的实验研究

研究脱氧核酶对近日钟基因period1(per1)表达的影响, 进而寻找治疗和近日节律有关疾病的基因疗法. 设计合成针对per 1的脱氧核酶DRz164, DRz256, 并构建pcDNA3-per1_164:256体外转录载体, 将转录产物和脱氧核酶混合, 在一定反应条件下进行体外切割反应, 地高辛酶联免疫及酶催化显色法检测脱氧核酶的体外切割效率. 将pcDNA3-per1和DRz164或DRz256在脂质体的介导下转染NIH3T3细胞, 通过逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、流式细胞术(FCM)检测脱氧核酶对近日基因表达的影响. 于37℃孵育2 h后, DRz164对底物的剪切百分率为63%, DRz256为50.5%. RT-PCR半定量检测per1 mRNA表达水平明显下降, FCM结果显示细胞内Per1蛋白的合成受到抑制. 脱氧核酶DRz164, DRz256体外具有定点切割近日钟基因per1mRNA组分的活性, 使转染细胞per1 mRNA 和Per1蛋白表达下降.     

结核分枝杆菌ICL mRNA特异性10-23脱氧核酶切割 活性的鉴定及其切割特点

为鉴定结核分枝杆菌异柠檬酸裂合梅(ICL)特异性的10-23DRz在无细胞体系切割ICL mRNA的活性,并探讨其在不同条件下以及联合应用时对靶mRNA的切割特点,采用计算机软件模拟ICL mRNA的二级结构,据此选择适合的待切割靶点并设计针对相应靶点的特异性10-23DRz（DZ1～DZ5）.PCR法扩增获得icl基因并克隆入质粒pET32a+.采用T7 RNA聚合酶体外转录法获取ICL全长mRNA后分别用DZ1～DZ5在无细胞体系中对ICL mRNA进行切割,切割产物经变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胺电泳后用银染法鉴定各DRzs的活性.选择切割活性最强的DZ4考察不同10-23DRz剂量、不同反应时间、不同镁离子浓度条件下及不同错配或突变10-23DRz的切割特点.联合应用DZ1、DZ4及DZ5在无细胞体系中对ICL mRNA进行切割,检测10-23DRz联合应用对切割效率的影响.结果表明,DZ1、DZ3、DZ4及DZ5可在无细胞体系中有效地切割ICL mRNA,其切割效率在30.8%～64.5%之间.对DZ4切割活性的检测发现,其对靶mRNA的切割具有剂量和时间的依赖性;在2～20 μmol/L范围内,DZ4的切割活性与Mg2＋浓度呈正相关;DZ4单侧底物结合臂上含一个不与靶mRNA配对的碱基时其切割效率大大降低,两侧底物结合臂上各含一个不配对的碱基或活性中心域第6位出现碱基突变（G→C）时,DZ4完全丧失切割活性.联合应用2种或2种以上10-23DRz可显著增强对底物RNA的切割效率.10-23 DRz特异、有效地切割结核分枝杆菌ICL全长mRNA并显示一定的叠加效应,有望用于抗结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染的基因治疗.     

抗HPV11 E2核酶的计算机设计

 借助计算机软件分析 ,设计出能特异性切割HPV11型 6 4 4ntE2mRNA的核酶 (ribozyme) .遵循Symon′s锤头状核酶结构和GUX剪切位点原则 ,靶序列存在 32个这样的剪切位点 .通过计算机软件分析出核酶的最佳剪切位点 ,并对底物及核酶的二级结构进行预测及进行相应基因生物学功能和基因同源性分析 ,筛选出 2个锤头结构核酶 .针对这两位点设计的核酶分别命名为RZ2 777和RZ32 81.计算机分析显示 ,两核酶与底物切点两翼碱基形成锤头状结构 ,切点所在基因序列具有相对松弛的二级结构 ,位于该基因重要生物功能区内 ,是核酶的理想攻击区域 .通过基因库检索 ,在已知人类基因排除了与上述两核酶切点两翼碱基有基因同源性序列的可能性 .将两核酶用于体外剪切实验取得了良好的实验结果 ,认为借助计算机分析可帮助尽快从多个剪切位点选择出最适核酶     

mRNA靶点筛选方法研究进展

mRNA靶点筛选问题是反义核酸领域的一个难题。近年来出现了多种筛选mRNA上可接近位点以确定靶位点的方法,包括mRNA实测分析法和计算机模拟分析两大类。其中mRNA实测分析法又包括多种针对自然折叠mRNA的实验分析技术;即基因walk技术,RNaseH作图技术、寡核苷酸微阵列技术,酶作图法确定二级结构技术,核酶导向型随机RNA库位点筛选技术和随机寡核苷酸库结合逆转录位点筛选技术。这些方法在鉴定RNA可接近位点及反义核酸的设计方面均有重要作用。     

针对不同基因靶位的锤头状核酶对HBV的抑制作用研究

前基因组mRNA是HBV(Hepatitis B virus)基因表达和复制的重要中间产物,全长的前基因组mRNA分子具有复杂易变的二级结构,是设计抑制HBV的核酶时所必须考虑的因素.我们使用多个最新的计算机软件对HBV前基因组mRNA二级结构进行模拟、分析,在全面分析核酶的可作用位点的基础上设计三个针对不同基因靶位的锤头状核酶,并对它们在细胞中对HBV的抑制作用进行研究.结果表明在HBV前基因组mRNA上存在几个高度复杂二级结构的区域,可能对核酶完全不敏感,而S、C、X基因的编码区是合适的核酶作用位点,都可达到对HBV的有效抑制,而且X基因位点的核酶对HBV的各种mRNA的抑制作用最为明显,是设计针对HBV核酶时应该优先考虑的位点.     

针对不同基因靶位的锤头状核酶对HBV的抑制作用研究

前基因组mRNA是HBV(Hepatitis Bvirus)基因表达和复制的重要中间产物,全长的前基因组mRNA分子具有复杂易变的二级结构,是设计抑制HBV的核酶时所必须考虑的因素。我们使用多个最新的计算机软件对HBV前基因组mRNA二级结构进行模拟、分析,在全面分析核酶的可作用位点的基础上设计三个针对不同基因靶位的锤头状核酶,并对它们在细胞中对HBV的抑制作用进行研究。结果表明在HBV前基因组mRNA上存在几个高度复杂二级结构的区域,可能对核酶完全不敏感,而S、C、X基因的编码区是合适的核酶作用位点,都可达到对HBV的有效抑制,而且X基因位点的核酶对HBV的各种mRNA的抑制作用最为明显,是设计针对HBV核酶时应该优先考虑的位点。     

基因药物研究现状和对策

生物技术药物以人类体细胞的基因组、转录本组和蛋白质组三个层次生物大分子为目标 ,基因药物的研究主要针对致病基因的DNA和基因转录本mRNA两类生物大分子 .mRNA从结构上考虑是研发核酸药物的最理想靶标和策略之一 .反义寡核苷酸、特异水解基因mRNA的核酸酶(ribozyme和DNAzyme)以及具有干扰作用的双链RNA(siRNA)是药物设计的策略之二 .mRNA结构靶点研究是研发反mRNA基因药物的基础 ,mRNA分子具有高度折叠的二级及三级结构 ,阐明其可及性位点 ,筛选其结构靶位点序列是关键 .近年研究报道的靶点筛选有约 7种mRNA的实测新技术 ,以及计算机辅助软件预测分析 .但发展分子生物学实验新技术以分析、确认靶点是药物研发策略之三 .     

抗HPV11E2核酸的计算机设计

借助计算机软件分析,设计出能特异性切割HPV11型644nt型644ntE2mNA的核酶。遵循Symons锤头状核酶结构和GUX剪切位点原则,靶序列存在32个剪切位点,通过计算机软件分析核酶的最佳剪切位点,并对底物及核酶的二级结构进行预测及进行相应基因生物学功能和基因同源性分析,筛选出2个锤头结构核酶。针对这两位点设计的核酶分别命名为RZ277和RZ3281。计算机分析显示,两核酶与底物切点两翼碱基形成锤头状结构,切点所在基因序列具有相对松驰的二级结构,位于该基因重要生物功能区内,是核酶的理想攻击区域,通过基因库检索,在已知人类基因中排除了与上述两核酶切点两翼碱基有基因同源性序列的可能性。并非所有的GUX位点（X：C、U、A）或CUX均可作为核酶的最佳剪切切割反应,为下一步将核酶用于细胞内和体内试验打下基础。     

大肠杆菌16S rRNA的核酶设计和初步应用

针对细菌rRNA研发抑制细菌增殖的新型抗菌素是抗生素研究领域的新课题。细菌rRNA与基因mRNA一样自然形成折叠卷曲高级结构,其结构上可以结合反义核酸的位点即靶点,靶点的阐明是设计有效反义核酸、核酶（Ribozyme）和脱氧核酶（DNAzyme）的关键。MAST方法固定16S rRNA,将其与寡核苷酸文库杂交筛选出靶点,获得了大肠杆菌16S rRNA的6个反义核酸结合靶点,并鉴定5个靶点有效,其中1个为高效。5个靶点的反义核酸能在通透性大肠杆菌菌株培养中不同程度地抑制其生长,针对高效靶点的核酶在转化大肠杆菌中表达而抑制其生长。     

脱氧核酶:生物催化剂的新成员

具有酶活性的ＤＮＡ分子称为脱氧核酶(ｄｅｏｘｙｒｉｂｏｚｙｍｅ或ＤＮＡｚｙｍｅ) ,其发现是人类对于酶的认识的又一次重大飞跃。1 .脱氧核酶的几种结构Ｃａｒｍｉ等[1] 通过体外选择技术合成了一种依赖Ｃａ2 的具有自我切割功能的手枪型二级结构脱氧核酶分子 (图 1 )。茎Ⅰ是结合部位 ,茎Ⅱ是催化部位。结合部位不同的碱基序列可以识别不同的底物 ;催化部位则相对保守。由于结合部位碱基配对是催化剂识别底物的基础 ,延长茎Ⅰ序列可以增加酶 底物复合物的稳定性 ,但序列过长则会造成ＤＮＡ分子自我构建 (ｓｅｌｆ ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ)…     

Screening of deoxyribozyme with high reversal efficiency against multidrug resistance in breast carcinoma cells

Specific inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression, which is encoded by multidrug resistance gene-1 (MDR1), is considered a well-respected strategy to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). Deoxyribozymes (DRz) are catalytic nucleic acids that could cleave a target RNA in sequence-specific manner. However, it is difficult to select an effective target site for DRz in living cells. In this study, target sites of DRz were screened according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure by RNA structure analysis software. Twelve target sites on the surface of MDR1 mRNA were selected. Accordingly, 12 DRzs were synthesized and their suppression effect on the MDR phenotype in breast cancer cells was confirmed. The results showed that 4 (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) of the 12 DRzs could, in a dose-dependent response, significantly suppress MDR1 mRNA expression and restore chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells with MDR phenotype. This was especially true of DRz 3, which targets the 141 site purine-pyrimidine dinucleotide. Compared with antisense oligonucleotide or anti-miR-27a inhibitor, DRz 3 was more efficient in suppressing MDR1 mRNA and Pgp protein expression or inhibiting Pgp function. The chemosensitivity assay also proved DRz 3 to be the best one to reverse the MDR phenotype. The present study suggests that screening targets of DRzs according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure could be a useful method to obtain workable ones. We provide evidence that DRzs (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) are highly efficient at reversing the MDR phenotype in breast carcinoma cells and restoring chemosensitivity.     

Synthesis of various 3-nitropropionamides as Mycobacterium tuberculosis isocitrate lyase inhibitor

Various 3-nitropropionamides were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activities against log and starved phase culture of two mycobacterial species and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isocitrate lyase (ICL) enzyme inhibition studies. Among 22 compounds, 1-cyclopropyl-7-(3,5-dimethyl-4-(3-nitropropanoyl)piperazin-1-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (22) was found to be the most active compound in vitro with MICs of 0.16 and 0.04 μM against log- and starved-phase culture of MTB. Compound 22 also showed good enzyme inhibition of MTB ICL with IC(50) of 0.10 ± 0.01 μM. The docking studies also confirmed the binding potential of the compounds at the ICL active site.     

Deoxyribozymes inhibit the expression ofperiod1 genein vitro

Throughout biology, a broad range of biochemical and physiological processes oscillate with approxi-mately 24-h rhythms or circadian rhythms as synchro-nizing with the rhythmic environment (day/night cy-cles, seasons, etc.). The circadian rhythms are under the control of an endogenous oscillator, the circadian clock[1]. Period (per), the first genetically identified circadian mutant[2], is assumed to be a key molecule in the regulation and functioning of the mammalian cir-cadian clock which is…     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6, 7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives

A series of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives were synthesized and in vitro activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and INHR-MTB were carried out. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (4h) 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-pyridyl methanone was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.22 μM.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6, 7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives

A series of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives were synthesized and in vitro activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and INHR-MTB were carried out. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (4h) 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-pyridyl methanone was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.22 μM.     

Identification of mannich base as a novel inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isocitrate by high-throughput screening

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) remains one of the most significant human pathogens since its discovery in 1882. An estimated 1.5 million people died from tubercle bacillus (TB) in 2006, and globally, there were an estimated 9.27 million incident cases of TB in 2007. Glyoxylate bypass pathway occurs in a wide range of pathogens and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Isocitrate lyase (ICL) can catalyses the first step of this pathway, and reversibly cleaves isocitrate into succinate and glyoxylate. So, ICL may represent a good drug target for the treatment of tuberculosis. ICL was cloned, expressed, and purified, and a high-throughput screen (HTS) developed to screen active molecule from a mannich base compounds library for inhibition of ICL. This assay had signal to noise (S/N) of 650.6990 and Z' factor of 0.8141, indicating that the assay was suitable for HTS. Screening of a collection of 124 mannich base compounds resulted in the identification of one mannich base compound, which has a significant inhibitory activity. So, a new family of compound was first reported to inhibit the activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ICL. This family of compound might offer new avenue to explore better anti-tuberculosis and fungi drugs.     

5-Nitro-2-furoic acid hydrazones: Design,synthesis and in vitro antimycobacterial evaluation against log and starved phase cultures

Various 5-nitro-2-furoic acid hydrazones were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activities against log and starved phase culture of two mycobacterial species and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isocitrate lyase (ICL) enzyme inhibition studies. Among twenty one compounds, 5-nitro-N′-[(5-nitro-2-furyl)methylidene]-2-furohydrazide (4o) was found to be the most active compound in vitro with MICs of 2.65 and 10.64 μM against log- and starved-phase culture of MTB. Compound 4o also showed good enzyme inhibition of MTB ICL at 10 μM. The docking studies also confirmed the binding potential of the compounds at the ICL active site.     

Aptamer-mediated inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis polyphosphate kinase 2

Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) plays a number of critical roles in bacterial persistence, stress, and virulence. PolyP intracellular metabolism is regulated by the polyphosphate kinase (PPK) protein families, and inhibition of PPK activity is a potential approach to disrupting polyP-dependent processes in pathogenic organisms. Here, we biochemically characterized Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) PPK2 and developed DNA-based aptamers that inhibit the enzyme's catalytic activities. MTB PPK2 catalyzed polyP-dependent phosphorylation of ADP to ATP at a rate 838 times higher than the rate of polyP synthesis. Gel filtration chromatography suggested MTB PPK2 to be an octamer. DNA aptamers were isolated against MTB PPK2. Circular dichroism revealed that aptamers grouped into two distinct classes of secondary structure; G-quadruplex and non-G-quadruplex. A selected G-quadruplex aptamer was highly selective for binding to MTB PPK2 with a dissociation constant of 870 nM as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. The binding between MTB PPK2 and the aptamer was exothermic yet primarily driven by entropy. This G-quadruplex aptamer inhibited MTB PPK2 with an IC(50) of 40 nM and exhibited noncompetitive inhibition kinetics. Mutational mechanistic analysis revealed an aptamer G-quadruplex motif is critical for enzyme inhibition. The aptamer was also tested against Vibrio cholerae PPK2, where it showed an IC(50) of 105 nM and insignificant inhibition against more distantly related Laribacter hongkongensis PPK2.