Differential expression inArabidopsis ofLhca2, a PSI cab gene

A cDNA clone of the geneLhca2 encoding a photosystem I (PSI) type II chlorophylla/b-binding protein was isolated fromArabidopsis thaliana. The isolation of this, the fourth PSI cab gene fromArabidopsis, confirms a previous report [1] that indicatedArabidopsis may contain all four PSI cab genes identified in other plant species.Lhca2 is a single-copy gene as are the other knownArabidopsis PSI cab genes. The patterns of developmental expression and tissue-specific regulation ofLhca2 are similar to those of other PSI and PSII cab genes, but the light induction pattern and the steady-state mRNA level ofLhca2 are distinct. This suggests that a different mechanism may be employed to regulate the expression ofLhca2.     

Long-lived southern blots using RNA probes

Conditions for preparation and hybridization of Southern blots are described which assure reusability through 15 to 25 cycles. The procedure relies on the use of charge-modified nylon membranes and^[32P]-labelled RNA probes.     

cDNA blotting offers an alternative method for gene expression studies

Northern analysis of bilberry fruit RNA using a non-radioactive detection system proved to be extremely difficult. To overcome this problem, we used cDNA instead of RNA for the blotting step. The RNA was translated to cDNA directly after isolation. The cDNA was then separated by electrophoresis, stained with ethidium bromide, and blotted onto a nylon membrane by Southern transfer. Non-radioactive detection by digoxigenin-dUTP was then possible. This method resolves several problems associated with northern blotting and is especially efficient when applied to recalcitrant plant material.     

Chromosomal localization of the mouse gene coding for the 68 kDa neurofilament subunit

The chromosomal localization of the mouse gene coding for the 68 kDa intermediate filament subunit of neurones (NF-L) was determined by in situ hybridization using specific 3H-labelled DNA probes. There is only one copy of the NF-L gene. The gene encoding NF-L is located on chromosome 14 region (D1-E1).     

Regulation of HSP70 and HSP28 gene expression: absence of compensatory interactions

We have previously reported the lack of HSP28 gene expression during acute and chronic thermotolerance development in L929 cells (J Cell Physiol 152: 118–125, 1992; Cancer Res 52: 5787, 1992). In contrast to HSP28, an extremely high level of inducible HSP70 synthesis was observed. These results led us to investigate the possibility of compensatory interactions between HSP70 and HSP28. To test the hypothesis, L929 cells were transfected with the human HSP28 gene contained in plasmid pCMV27. Data from Western blot and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [³H] leucine and [³²P] orthophosphate-labeled proteins showed the synthesis and phosphorylation of HSP28 in transfected cells after heating at 45°C for 10 min. However, the expression of constitutive and inducible HSP70 genes, along with the synthesis of their proteins, was not decreased after heat shock. These results suggest an independent regulation of HSP28 and HSP70 gene expression.     

Modulable Southern and Northern blot hybridization apparatus for routine screening of gene amplification and expression

An apparatus for Northern and Southern blot hybridization is described. It allows from one to twenty-four blots to be processed at the same time, with different probes. All the pre-, post- and hybridization steps are performed without handling the filters and the experimenter is totally protected from beta radiations.

The development of such modulable materials has become necessary since Southern and Northern techniques are becoming routine assays in hospitals, particularly in the field of oncology, in prognosis and for hereditary diseases, as an antenatal diagnostis procedure.     

Improved non-radioactive Northern blot protocol for detecting low abundance mRNAs from mammalian tissues

A rapid and sensitive non-radioactive Northern blot protocol is described which has been optimised in several critical steps. This is based on a formaldehyde-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis, an alkaline transfer, hybridisation with digoxigenin-DNA probes and detection with a chemiluminescent substrate. This method allows even low abundance mRNAs to be detected in total RNA samples from mammalian tissues.     

Alterations of gene expression in potato (Solanum commersonii) during cold acclimation

Plantlets of Solanum commersonii stem-culture were acclimated at 5°C day/night temperature for 14 days. Cold hardiness increased from – 3.5°C to – 8.6°C. During the course of acclimation, the synthesis of polypeptides was investigated and poly (A⁺) RNA was isolated. Translation products of poly(A⁺) RNA in a rabbit rcticulocyte lysate system were then analyzed. During the 14 days of acclimation, 23 cold-induced polypeptides were identified. Most of them disappeared following 1 day of de-acclimation at a 20/15°C day/night regime. The synthesis of one group of polypeptides is prominent and stable throughout the acclimation period. The other group is transient. The most prominent and stable polypeptides have molecular weights of 21, 22, 31 and 83 kDa.
Acclimation alters translatable mRNA population during the development of cold hardiness. Two mRNAs encoding in vitro translation products at 26 and 27 kDa were identified during the course of acclimation. These proteins may play important roles in the overall programming for the development of cold hardiness in tuber-bearing S. commersonii.     

Analysis of altered gene expression in rat soleus muscle atrophied by disuse

The present study involved a global analysis of genes whose expression was modified in rat soleus muscle atrophied after hindlimb suspension (HS). HS muscle unloading is a common model for muscle disuse that especially affects antigravity slow-twitch muscles such as the soleus muscle. A cDNA cloning strategy, based on suppression subtractive hybridization technology, led to the construction of two normalized soleus muscle cDNA libraries that were subtracted in opposite directions, i.e., atrophied soleus muscle cDNAs subtracted by control cDNAs and vice versa. Differential screening of the two libraries revealed 34 genes with altered expression in HS soleus muscle, including 11 novel cDNAs, in addition to the 2X and 2B myosin heavy chain genes expressed only in soleus muscles after HS. Gene up- and down-regulations were quantified by reverse Northern blot and classical Northern blot analysis. The 25 genes with known functions fell into seven important functional categories. The homogeneity of gene alterations within each category gave several clues for unraveling the interplay of cellular events implied in the muscle atrophy phenotype. In particular, our results indicate that modulations in slow- and fast-twitch-muscle component balance, the protein synthesis/secretion pathway, and the extracellular matrix/cytoskeleton axis are likely to be key molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy. In addition, the cloning of novel cDNAs underlined the efficiency of the chosen technical approach and gave novel possibilities to further decipher the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy.     

Successful retrieval of mRNA from hair follicles stored at room temperature: implications for studying gene expression in wild mammals

We evaluated some products and protocols designed for reliable RNA extraction from minute tissue samples and safe tissue storage at room temperature without RNA degradation. Success of RNA retrieval was compared for varying amounts of tissue (3, 5, 10 hair follicles), stored at different temperatures (room temperature, ?20 °C) for variable durations (1, 3, 6, 12 weeks). We also compared two RNA isolation kits specialized for small samples. RNA was successfully retrieved from as few as 3 hairs stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, suggesting the potential for gene expression analyses on minimally invasive samples from natural populations.     

真菌Mucor amphibiorum RCS1中一个类S-腺苷-L-高半胱氨酸水解酶基因的蓝光诱导表达

【目的】确定真菌Mucor amphibiorum RCS1中一个类S-腺苷-L-高半胱氨酸水解酶基因(S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase-like,sahhl)受蓝光诱导表达。【方法】以真菌M.amphibiorum RCS1为研究对象,在随机PCR过程中从中获得了一段555 bp长度的DNA序列。以地高辛对这段已知序列进行标记制备探针,通过Northern杂交检测M.amphibiorum RCS1菌丝体培养过程中,由黑暗到蓝光再到黑暗这一光照条件改变的情况下,sahhl基因的转录情况。同时结合应用real-time PCR方法进行分析检测。【结果】经过比对确定这段555bp序列与已经发表的人(Homo sapiens)、家鼠(Mus musculus)和部分真菌的S-腺苷-L-高半胱氨酸水解酶基因sahh有较高的同源性。因此,初步确认这段mRNA序列来自M.amphibiorum RCS1的一个类S-腺苷-L-高半胱氨酸水解酶基因。sahhl基因在黑暗预培养24 h的情况下,蓝光诱导24 h时通过Northern杂交和real-time PCR均可从菌丝体中检测到sahhl基因的大量转录。但sahhl基因在黑暗预培养48 h的情况下,通过real-time PCR没有检测到sahhl基因的大量表达。【结论】上述结果说明,蓝光可以诱导M.amphibiorum RCS1中生长旺盛的菌丝体中sahhl基因的表达。     

Cellulase gene expression in ripening avocado fruit: The accumulation of cellulase mRNA and protein as demonstrated by cDNA hybridization and immunodetection

Summary A cDNA library was constructed from poly(A)⁺RNA of ripe avocado fruit. Colony hybridization identified a number of ripening specific clones of which one, pAV5, was shown to be specific for cellulase. Hybrid selection with pAV5 provided a message from ripe fruit that on in vitro translation yielded a polypeptide of 53kD, comigrating with purified avocado cellulase on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The translation product was selectively immunoprecipitated by antiserum to purified avocado cellulase. Immunoblotting of unripe and ripe avocado fruit extracts following SDS-PAGE showed a plentiful immunoreactive polypeptide in ripe fruit, and essentially none in unripe fruit. Hybridization of pAV5 to poly(A)⁺-RNA from unripe and ripe avocado fruit demonstrated that there is at least a 50-fold increase in the cellulase message concentration during ripening. Thus, the expression of cellulase enzyme activity during ripening is regulated by the appearance of mRNA coding for cellulase rather than by either translational or post-translational control mechanisms.Abbreviations poly(A)⁺ polyadenylated - DS sodium dodecyl sulfate - D kilodalton - bp base pairs Supported by Research Grant GM 19807 from the United States Public Health Service and by additional funds from the University of California Research Council.     

Effect of aging on induction of rat liver messenger RNA activity for malic enzyme

Rats were fasted and then refed a high carbohydrate-fat free diet, and the activities of the mRNA coding for liver malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.40] in 6-week-old and 10-month-old male rats were determined by in vitro translation of the liver cytoplasmic poly(A)-containing RNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. After refeeding the mRNA activities of the young rats were about 7-fold of those of the aged rats, and roughly parallel to the enzyme activities. This suggests that the age-dependent impairment of the enzyme induction [Iritani, N. et al. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 665, 636] can be ascribed to the decrease of mRNA activity.     

地高辛标记的Northern blot检测鼠疫菌sRNA

[目的]随着高通量测序方法的应用,越来越多的sRNA (small non-coding RNA,sRNA)需验证.本研究建立用地高辛标记Northern blot检测鼠疫菌sRNA的技术,为细菌sRNA验证提供一种灵敏、特异的方法.[方法]在低铁条件下,提取鼠疫菌总RNA,10％ dPAGE分离后电转到尼龙膜上并用紫外线交联RNA.膜经地高辛标记RyhB1或RyhB2寡核苷酸RNA探针过夜杂交后洗脱、封闭和免疫检测,最后曝光显影.[结果]地高辛标记的Northern blot曝光时间为20 s-3 min,RyhB1或RyhB2检测灵敏度分别为0.005 μg和0.05 μg.RyhB1或RyhB2探针特异性好,相互间无交叉反应.带正电或中性的尼龙膜都适用于杂交反应.RNA探针在42℃-65℃内杂交均可,提高温度可减少非特异性反应;而DNA探针杂交温度需摸索.[结论]本研究成功构建一种地高辛标记Northern blot检测鼠疫菌sRNA技术,具有特异性好、灵敏度高、探针易保存、曝光时间短等优点,为细菌sRNA验证和功能研究提供有利工具.     

A NEW, NONRADIOACTIVE WHOLE-MOUNT IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION PROTOCOL FOR FUCUS (PHAEOPHYTA) EMBRYOS

We present a nonradioactive protocol to localize mRNA in Fucus distichus ssp . edentatus ( de la Pyl.) Powell (Phaeophyta) embryos using whole-mount in situ hybridization. Hybridization of a digoxygenin (DIG)-labeled oligo-dT probe to poly A⁺ RNA, and DIG-labeled riboprobes to specific mRNAs, was detected with an antibody to DIG (anti-DIG) that was coupled to alkaline phosphatase. Our protocol, a modification of one developed for higher plants, includes a treatment of fixed embryos with specific cell-wall-degrading enzymes to permeabilize the cells to anti-DIG, progressive osmotic changes to prevent plasmolysis, and a RNase A treatment to reduce nonspecific background. Using this protocol, we show the intracellular distribution of poly A⁺ RNA and mRNAs for actin and the fucoxanthin chlorophyll protein A (Fcp A). This method to detect mRNA localization is rapid because it does not require embedding, sectioning, or the use of radioactivity. With the availability of a variety of enzymes to degrade plant cell walls, this protocol should be applicable to many algal cells .     

Ethylene regulation of apoplastic invertase expression in autotrophic cells of Chenopodium rubrum

Physiological concentrations of ethylene in the growth medium of autotropic suspension culture Chenopodium rubrum L. cells reduced the activity of cell wall bound invertase by 25 – 47%, compared to controls. Northern blot analysis using homologous probe binding to total RNA preparations revealed that reduction in specific activity was paralleled by repression of the corresponding gene.     

Differential thyroid hormone-regulated rat thyrotropin beta gene expression detected by blot hybridization

In the rat, there is a single TSH beta-subunit gene represented by three exons interrupted by two introns. This gene contains two promoters which determines the synthesis of two mRNAs with 5'-untranslated regions that differ by 43 base pairs. This study evaluates the steady state levels of these TSH beta mRNAs in various thyroidal states. Blot hybridization analyses of pituitary mRNA with synthetic probes designed to detect either one or both TSH beta mRNAs were performed. One probe corresponds to 24 bases in the 5'-untranslated region of mRNA1 and a second corresponds to 25 nucleotides in the coding region and detects both mRNA1 and mRNA2. These studies indicate the presence of TSH beta mRNA species of indistinguishable size consistent with the presence of two TSH beta mRNAs that contain slightly different 5'-untranslated regions. Comparison of pituitary RNA obtained from normal and hypothyroid rats reveals that the shorter mRNA (mRNA2) is increased approximately 6- to 8-fold with hypothyroidism while the abundance of the longer mRNA (mRNA1) is relatively unchanged. Treatment of either normal or hypothyroid animals with T3 decreases the abundance of mRNA2 while again mRNA1 is relatively unaffected. Thus, although both mRNAs are detected, only one mRNA is dramatically altered by thyroidal status. Therefore, the single rat TSH beta gene is transcribed into two mRNAs via the use of alternative promoters of which only one is markedly regulated by thyroid hormones.     

Identification of transcripts translated on free or membrane-bound polyribosomes by differential display

Differential display has been widely and successfully used to identify differentially expressed genes based on physiological treatments or genetic variation. We used differential display to identify genes based on their site of translation. Identification was made based on the fractionation of RNA from soybean leaves into total RNA, free polyribosomal RNA, and membrane-bound (MB) polyribosomal RNA. Sequences were identified representing RNAs uniquely translated on free or MB polyribosomes. The compartmentalization was confirmed on RNA blots. Differential display of free and MB polyribosomal RNA from genetic mutants or physiological studies has 2 potential advantages. First, the sensitivity of the method is increased. Second, localization of mRNAs to the free or MB compartments may identify genes that are controlled at the level of translation or that switch compartments in response to a treatment.