HCVIRES介导萤火虫荧光素酶翻译的双顺反子载体的构建与在小鼠体内的表达

将HCVIRES插入双报告基因海肾荧光素酶 (Rluc)基因和萤火虫荧光素酶 (Fluc)基因之间 ,建立了“依赖帽子的扫描机制”翻译表达Rluc ,HCVIRES调控Fluc翻译的双顺反子表达载体pCI Rluc HCVIRES Fluc ,通过酶切反应及转染HepG2细胞鉴定双荧光素酶瞬间表达活性等试验 ,证实获得了表达双荧光素酶的双顺反子载体 .并应用水压转染法将双顺反子表达质粒导入小鼠体内 ,在小鼠肝脏检测到高水平表达的Rluc和Fluc .该研究成功构建一种HCVIRES介导萤火虫荧光素酶基因表达的双顺反子载体 ,并在HepG2细胞及小鼠体内进行了瞬时表达 ,为进一步建立稳定评价靶向HCVIRES药物作用的细胞及小动物模型研究奠定了基础     

Dual luciferase assay system for rapid assessment of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A new reporter system has been developed for quantifying gene expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The system relies on two different reporter genes, Renilla and firefly luciferase, to evaluate regulated gene expression. The gene encoding Renilla luciferase is fused to a constitutive promoter (PGK1 or SPT15) and integrated into the yeast genome at the CAN1 locus as a control for normalizing the assay. The firefly luciferase gene is fused to the test promoter and integrated into the yeast genome at the ura3 or leu2 locus. The dual luciferase assay is performed by sequentially measuring the firefly and Renilla luciferase activities of the same sample, with the results expressed as the ratio of firefly to Renilla luciferase activity (Fluc/Rluc). The yeast dual luciferase reporter (DLR) was characterized and shown to be very efficient, requiring approximately 1 minute to complete each assay, and has proven to yield data that accurately and reproducibly reflect promoter activity. A series of integrating plasmids were generated that contain either the firefly or Renilla luciferase gene preceded by a multi-cloning region in two different orientations and the three reading frames to make possible the generation of translational fusions. Additionally, each set of plasmids contains either the URA3 or LEU2 marker for genetic selection in yeast. A series of S288C-based yeast strains, including a two-hybrid strain, were developed to facilitate the use of the yeast DLR assay. This assay can be readily adapted to a high-throughput platform for studies requiring numerous measurements.     

Stable luciferase transfected cells for studying steroid receptor biological activity

In the course of steroid hormone research, firefly luciferase was used as a reporter gene to construct chimeric cellular models in which the firefly luciferase expression mimics natural hormonal response. Cells containing the endogenous receptor of interest were stably transfected with a reporter gene whose expression is controlled by this endogenous receptor. Based on the detection of luciferase activity in Intact cells using a photon-counting camera, various stable transfected cell lines were established. We present potential experimental uses of these cellular models such as for screening new (anti)hormonal molecules. We also show that the hormonal responses can be modulated at any step, suggesting that these stable cell lines may be helpful in studying hormonal interactions. For example, we have detected the antiestrogen activity of molecules able to mediate their effect via a pathway other than the estrogen receptor. Lastly, we show that the detection of luciferase activity in intact living cells is particularly helpful in investigating the variation of the hormonal responses with time. Since chimeric response faithfully reflects hormone (or effector) actions in the cell, we conclude that stable transfected cells can be used in both pharmacological and fundamental studies to investigate different aspects of the endocrine research.     

Secretion of firefly luciferase in E.coli

Summary A DNA segment carrying the full-length, intronless firefly luciferase gene was inserted into the high expression secretion vector, pIN-III -ompA. Upon induction of gene expression, luciferase activity was detected in extracts prepared from periplasmic fractions. The results indicated that the OmpA signal peptide was able to direct secretion of firefly luciferase across the cytoplasmic membrane. This has important implications for using this luciferase as a reporter in studying protein export and targeting.     

大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体的构建

目的构建大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,并检测其在神经元中的表达。方法采用PCR方法获得GluR2基因启动子区目的片段（-298～＋283）,双酶切后插入到pGL3-Basic载体中构成重组表达载体,使萤火虫荧光素酶报告基因的表达受GluR2启动子控制。将构建的重组表达载体或pGL3-Basic载体分别与内参质粒pRL—CMV（表达海肾荧光素酶）共转染原代培养皮质神经元,24h后用双荧光检测试剂盒测定萤火虫荧光素酶及海肾荧光素酶活性。结果重组表达载体经双酶切及测序鉴定证明构建正确,该重组表达载体在神经元中特异性高表达萤火虫荧光素酶。结论成功构建大鼠GluR2基因启动子控制的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,并检测到该载体在神经元中的特异性表达。     

Noninvasive bioluminescence imaging of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and therapy in living mice

Mouse models of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection provide significant insights into viral and host genes that regulate disease pathogenesis, but conventional methods to determine the full extent of viral spread and replication typically require the sacrifice of infected animals. To develop a noninvasive method for detecting HSV-1 in living mice, we used a strain KOS HSV-1 recombinant that expresses firefly (Photinus pyralis) and Renilla (Renilla reniformis) luciferase reporter proteins and monitored infection with a cooled charge-coupled device camera. Viral infection in mouse footpads, peritoneal cavity, brain, and eyes could be detected by bioluminescence imaging of firefly luciferase. The activity of Renilla luciferase could be imaged after direct administration of substrate to infected eyes but not following the systemic delivery of substrate. The magnitude of bioluminescence from firefly luciferase measured in vivo correlated directly with input titers of recombinant virus used for infection. Treatment of infected mice with valacyclovir, a potent inhibitor of HSV-1 replication, produced dose-dependent decreases in firefly luciferase activity that correlated with changes in viral titers. These data demonstrate that bioluminescence imaging can be used for noninvasive, real-time monitoring of HSV-1 infection and therapy in living mice.     

Development of a destabilized firefly luciferase enzyme for measurement of gene expression

Firefly luciferase is used widely as a reporter enzyme for studies of gene regulation and expression. The recent development of new technologies that combine luciferase reporter technology and digital imaging microscopy has enabled multiple measurements of gene expression in the same living cell. Although this approach has already provided new insights about expression dynamics, its future utility is limited by the three- to four-hour half-life of firefly luciferase in mammalian cells. Because of this, rapid increases or decreases in gene expression may not be detected, owing to the accumulation of residual luciferase. Accordingly, the goal of the present study was to develop a luciferase reporter with a reduced functional half-life. This was accomplished by adding a synthetic fragment to the firefly luciferase-coding sequence that encoded the proteolytic "PEST" signal from mouse ornithine decarboxylase. When placed under the control of estrogen response elements and expressed in human breast cancer T-47D cells, the modified luciferase protein (LUCODC-DA) displayed a functional half-life of 0.84 h compared to 3.68 h for the wild-type enzyme. As anticipated, the overall rate of photonic emissions in cells expressing the destabilized luciferase was about sevenfold lower than that of their wild-type counterparts, presumably because of the reduction of steady-state luciferase accumulation. Even so, the photonic activity derived from LUCODC-DA was still sufficient to enable real-time measurements of gene expression in single living cells.     

β-萘黄酮能抑制荧光素酶活性

目的：研究β-萘黄酮对荧光索酶活性的影响。方法：利用人GCLC基因调控序列驱动的GCLC．PGL3．enhancer-Luciferase报道载体（PL45）转染人肺腺癌细胞A549,人肝癌细胞HepG2,人子宫颈癌细胞HeLa,人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,人肝癌细胞Bel-7402,人支气管上皮细胞16HBE,β-萘黄酮刺激后,双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统分析其对GCLC基因表达的影响。westerblot检测β-NF刺激16HBE细胞后GCLC蛋白水平的变化。β-萘黄酮刺激转染了表达Luciferase的真核表达载体pRC／CMV2．1uc＋的A549和HepG2细胞后,双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统分析其对Luciferase基因表达的影响。PIA5转染A549和HepG2细胞,裂解细胞后用p-NF刺激,双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统分析其对Luciferase基因的影响。结果：在各种细胞中,转染PL45报道载体后,β-NF处理组荧光素酶相对活性值与DMSO对照组相比均明显下降（p〈0．01）。westerblot结果显示β-NF处理组GCLC蛋白的表达较DMsO对照蛆明显升高。在A549和HepG2细胞中,转染pRC／CMV2．1uc＋载体后,β-NF处理组荧光素酶相对活性值与DMSO对照组相比均明显下降（P〈0．01）。PIA5转染A549和HepG2细胞,裂解细胞后用β-NF刺激,β-NF处理组荧光素酶相对活性值与DMSO对照组相比均明显下降（P〈0．01）。结论：β-萘黄酮直接抑制了荧光素酶的活性     

Optimization of luciferase activity in a tomato transient assay system

The gene encoding firefly luciferase is a commonly used reporter for transient expression assays in plants. We have found that the concentration of buffers normally used in luciferase assays is too low to adequately buffer acidic plant organs. This results in low apparent luciferase activity as well as high variability among replicates. In a transient assay system based on particle bombardment of ripe tomato fruit, luciferase activity driven by the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus was increased as much as 130 fold by increasing the concentration of the buffer from 50 mM to 300 mM. Using 300 mM buffer, expression levels of luciferase driven by three different plant promoters were found to reflect expression patterns in intact plants.     

A Comparison of Ypet and Firefly Luciferase as Reporter Proteins for High-Throughput Screening

When Ypet was used as a reporter protein for high-throughput screening (HTS), it showed peak fold induction and a dynamic range similar to those for firefly luciferase. We also determined that conducting a reading immediately after media aspiration was the best method for HTS. We conclude that Ypet can serve as a substitute for luciferase as a reporter protein in HTS assays.     

A Quantitative Assay for Measuring of Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus Using a Luciferase-based Indicator Cell Line

In order to quantitate the bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) infection in vitro, a BIV indicator cell line (BIVL) was established by transfecting baby hamster kidney cells with reporter plasmids containing the firefly luciferase gene driven by a BIV long terminal repeat promoter. The BIV activates promoter activity of the LTR to express luciferase upon infection. BIV infection could therefore by quantified by detection of luciferase activity. Compared to standard assays used to detect BIV infection, the B...     

Red-emitting luciferases for bioluminescence reporter and imaging applications

North American firefly Photinus pyralis luciferase, which emits yellow-green light (557 nm), has been adapted for a variety of applications, including gene reporter assays, whole-cell biosensor measurements, and in vivo imaging. Luciferase variants with red-shifted bioluminescence and high specific activity can be paired with green-emitting counterparts for use in dual-color reporter assays or can be used alone for in vivo imaging. Beginning with a previously reported red-emitting thermostable mutant and using mutagenesis techniques, we engineered two luciferases with redder emission maxima while maintaining satisfactory specific activities and thermostability. The novel enzymes were expressed in HEK293 cells, where they performed similarly to Promega’s codon-optimized click beetle red luciferase in model reporter assays. When the firefly luciferase variants were codon-optimized and retested using optimized substrate concentrations, they provided 50- to 100-fold greater integrated light intensities than the click beetle enzyme. These results suggest that the novel enzymes should provide superior performance in dual-color reporter and in vivo imaging applications, and they illustrate the importance of codon optimization for assays in mammalian cells.