Factors affecting transient gene expression in electroporated Glycine max protoplasts

Electroporation was used to evaluate parameters affecting transient gene expression in Glycine max protoplasts. Protoplast viability and reporter enzyme activity for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) and ß-glucuronidase (GUS) depended on the field strength employed. Maximum CAT and GUS activity was obtained when a field strength of 500 V/cm at 1000 F and a protoplast concentration of 1–3 × 10⁶/ml was used. Transformation efficiencies up to approximately 1.6% GUS positive protoplasts were obtained. Transient gene expression increased with increasing plasmid DNA concentration and with the time after electroporation, reaching a maximum after 48 hr. Addition of polyethylene glycol at 5.6% and heat shock (5 rain at 45 °C) given to the protoplasts before adding DNA further enhanced the transformation efficiency. Under the optimized experimental conditions, CAT and GUS activity increased simultaneously, thereby indicating that the increased expression is caused by DNA uptake by more cells rather than greater DNA uptake by the same cells. Our results demonstrate that both GUS and CAT can be used as efficient screenable markers for transformation studies in soybean.Abbreviations CAT chloramphenicol acetyl transferase - GUS ß-glucuronidase - PEG polyethylene glycol     

Stable transformation of maize: the impact of feeder cells on protoplast growth and transformation efficiency

Summary The importance of cell culture conditions, including the use of feeder cells, on protoplast growth and transformation in maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated. Total GUS activity, measured two days after transformation, was five-fold higher in protoplasts cultured on feeder cells compared to those grown in the absence of feeder cells. Since the specific activity of GUS was only slightly higher in the transformed protoplasts plated over feeder cells, the stimulation in transient gene expression resulted mainly from the improved environment provided by the feeder system. For stable transformation, either PEG treatment or electroporation of protoplasts was used to introduce the neo gene. When PEG was used, over 85% of the putative transformants (resistant to kanamycin) contained the neo gene. The combination of PEG transformation and the optimized cell culture protocol using feeder cells enabled the selection of about 100 stably transformed lines per gFW of cells. Electroporation was less efficient.     

Transient gene expression in tobacco protoplasts: I. Time course of CAT appearance

The early events of transient gene expression have been investigated monitoring CAT activity in tobacco protoplasts encoded by the recombinant plasmid pRT101cat. The first appearance of CAT activity was observed within 30 minutes after the outset of cultivation, and maximal values were obtained between four and 24 hours. CAT expression, at the level of RNA synthesis, could not be inhibited by cordycepin (3deoxyadenine) added one hour after protoplast plating, whereas cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, showed an influence during the first four hours. This indicates a rapid decay of biologically active forms of both the DNA transferred and the CAT-mRNA synthesized within the first hours. These results suggest that in the tobacco protoplast system CAT protein stability lasts up to two weeks rather than a continuous synthesis of new enzyme.Abbreviations BAP Benzylaminopurin - CaMV Cauliflower Mosaic Virus - CAT Chloramphenicolacetyltransferase - PEG Polyethylenglycol - NAA Naphtylaceticacid     

Growth,lipid peroxidation,organic solutes,and anti-oxidative enzyme content in drought-stressed date palm embryogenic callus suspension induced by polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be used in somatic embryogenesis to enhance embryogenic development and improve the success of in vitro culture but PEG also causes osmotic stress in developing embryos. The effects of PEG on embryo growth and development in date palm cell suspension culture and associated antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated. Callus maintained on MS basal media was transferred to regeneration liquid media supplemented with increasing levels (0–20%) of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) to induce osmotic stress. The degree of embryogenic callus formation, its fresh weight, and the percentage of normal embryo callus shapes were increased with an increase in the level of PEG up to 10%. Total soluble protein (TSP), proline, glycine betaine (GB), total soluble phenol (TSPh), total sugars (TS), and total soluble organic acids (TOA) also increased whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased in response to PEG supplementation. Raising the PEG level increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration up to 10% PEG and thereafter decreased. Glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities decreased at the highest levels of PEG. The proportion of normal embryo developmental shapes were about 50% compared with 20% abnormal shapes at optimum levels of PEG. Proliferation of somatic embryos was influenced by their developmental shapes. Cv. Samani accumulated more organic solutes compared with cv. Sewi in both control and stress inducing media. In contrast, lipid peroxidation, GR, SOD, and CAT activities were significantly higher in cv. Sewi than in cv. Samani indicating that the cv. Samani had the ability to tolerate a higher level of osmotic stress compared to cv. Sewi due to the enhanced osmotic re-balancing within its tissues.     

渗透胁迫对黑麦幼苗活性氧和抗氧化酶活性的影响

用20%聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)研究了渗透胁迫对黑麦(Secale cereale L.)幼苗活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)和主要抗氧化酶—— 超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase, CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(ascorbate peroxidase, APX)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(glutathione reductase, GR)活性的影响。结果表明, 与对照相比, PEG处理明显提高了叶子和根中丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)的含量、ROS的水平和以上4种抗氧化酶的活性。渗透胁迫下,叶子和根中MDA和ROS水平变化的规律基本相似, 但抗氧化酶活性在2种器官中表现不完全相同, 叶子中CAT的活性在对照和处理中无显著差异, 但在根中差异明显, 表明叶子中SOD、APX和GR在植物应答渗透胁迫中起重要作用, 而根中这4种抗氧化酶都参与植物对胁迫的反应。GR活性随PEG处理变化幅度显著高于其它抗氧化酶, 表明GR在黑麦应答渗透胁迫中所起作用可能强于其它抗氧化酶。     

Gene transfer into intact vertebrate embryos.

Intact chick embryos at 40 h incubation were transfected in vivo with chimeric vectors expressing chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) under different promoter sequences. The cationic lipid, dioctadecylamidoglycyl spermine (DOGS) used as the transfecting agent had no noticeable toxic effects on embryonic development. CAT activity was monitored 48 h post-transfection on homogenates of embryos dissected free of all annexes. Of the various constructs tested, those containing the AP-1 response element linked to CAT (TRE-tk-CAT) gave high expression and consistent enzyme responses within groups. Co-transfection experiments in which embryos were exposed simultaneously to a CAT vector containing the cAMP response element and to a vector expressing the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A showed that the promoters of the introduced genes can be regulated by their respective transacting factors. This method may therefore represent a general tool for introducing genes into intact vertebrate embryos at precise developmental times.     

Direct gene transfer into Actinidia deliciosa protoplasts: analysis of transient expression of the CAT gene using TLC autoradiography and a GC-MS-based method

Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene was used as a reporter gene to assess the conditions for polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transfection of kiwifruit protoplasts. The effect of plasmid concentration and the presence of carrier DNA were each assessed by analysing CAT activity in transfected protoplasts using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) autoradiographic detection of acetylated chloramphenicol. A gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) non-radioactive method was developed for monitoring CAT gene activity. This method provides a high speed of analysis (30 min) and precise means of detecting acetylated products at the nanomolar level, enabling quantification at very low transfection rates. Using this method we optimized plasmid and PEG concentration and also assessed the effect of heat shock on transfection. The best CAT activity was obtained using 30% polyethylene glycol 4000 and by submitting protoplasts to heat shock (45 °C, 5 min) prior to transfection.     

Stabilization of Penicillium occitanis cellulases by spray drying in presence of Maltodextrin

The stabilization of fungal cellulases by spray drying, the thermal stability of Penicillium occitanis cellulases and the effect of some additives were studied. We observed that CMCase activity presents a good stability at 50 degrees C, even after 60 h of incubation. On the other hand, beta-glucosidase activity was more sensitive (loss of 50%) and reacts on total cellulases activities (Filter paper activities). The addition of hydrophilic agents such as ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) enhanced enzyme activity. The effect of PEG and Maltodextrin, another water activity decreasing agent, were then tested during the spray drying of Pol6 cellulases. The presence of 1% PEG allowed the best recovery but had a negative effect on enzyme stability while 1% Maltodextrin showed a negative effect on enzyme recovery but a very positive effect on enzyme stabilization.     

Comparative analysis of free DNA delivery and expression into protoplasts of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass) by electroporation and polyethylene glycol

Relative levels of gene expression were studied in protoplasts isolated from two cell lines of Panicum maximum following DNA delivery by electroporation and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Gene expression was evaluated by assaying for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity expressed by the CaMV 35S promoter with a nopaline synthase 3' polyadenylation signal, approximately 48 hours after DNA delivery. The expression of the CAT gene was slightly higher in electroporated protoplasts in comparison to PEG mediated delivery. However, PEG treated protoplasts showed higher plating efficiency. The effect of different salts and the molecular weight of PEG used on gene expression was also studied.     

Expression of neuronal markers in chick and quail embryo neuroretina cultures infected with Rous sarcoma virus

Cultures of neuroretina (NR) cells from 7-day chick and quail embryos were infected with ts NY-68, a thermosensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) which transformed NR cells at 36 degrees C. The following differentiation markers for neurones were studied: tetanus toxin-binding sites at the cell surfaces, presence of synapses, and the specific activity of the enzymes choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Appearance of synapses and expression of CAT were similar in control and transformed cultures. Tetanus toxin-binding cells were observed in transformed primary cultures and also in quail NR subcultures. GAD-specific activity was markedly stimulated in chick and quail primary cultures transformed by ts NY-68 and further increased in subcultures of ts NY-68-transformed quail NR cells. Stimulation of GAD activity is controlled by the transforming (src) gene of RSV since it was not observed in cultures infected with RAV-1, a leukosis virus which lacks the src gene. These data show that infection of chick and quail NR cultures with RSV results in the transformation of cells with neuronal markers.     

Antibody production to choline acetyltransferase purified from human brain

Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) was isolated from human caudate and putamen. The enzyme was highly purified by a series of steps involving fractionation by protamine sulfate and ammonium sulfate followed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, hydroxyapatite and carboxymethyl cellulose columns. The isolated CAT gave a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.3 which corresponded with CAT activity. A single band was also obtained at pH 6.8. Rabbit antiserum was prepared to the purified homogeneous CAT from carboxymethyl cellulose columns. It exhibited a single sharp precipitin band on double diffusion tests on Ouchterlony I.D. plates when tested against the partially purified hydroxyapatite enzyme. On preincubation, the antiserum inhibited CAT activity to 50–60% of control independently of the concentration of enzymatic protein. Normal rabbit serum neither produced a precipitin band on double diffusion tests nor inhibited the CAT activity on incubation. The anti-CAT rabbit antibody thus appeared to be specific.     

Transport and phosphorylation of hexoses in normal and rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts

Effects of transformation by Rous sarcoma virus on sugar uptake and activity and the subcellular distribution of hexokinase isozymes in chick embryo fibroblasts were examined. Transformation caused a several-fold increase in the maximum velocity for uptake of 2-deoxyglucose without a significant change in K_m. Cytochalasin B (CB), was used to differentiate between the effects of transformation on facilitated diffusion and the nonsaturable (CB-insensitive) mode. Transformation was found to stimulate 2-deoxyglucose transport by both mechanisms, but the increase in transport by the CB-insensitive mode was greater. Transformation enhances the activity of hexokinase, the enhancement being confined to the particulate fraction of the enzyme. Heat-inactivation and electrophoretic mobility studies showed that although hexokinase Type I is the major form in both normal and transformed fibroblasts, there is a significant increase in the proportion of the Type II isozyme in the transformed cells.     

Transformation efficiencies and progeny analysis after varying different parameters of direct gene transfer of Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts

Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts were transformed by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated uptake and electroporation, with circular and linear DNA, and with or without X-ray irradiation. We investigated the influence on the transient expression by these parameters as well as on the frequencies for stable transformation. Plants were regenerated and selfed, and the progenies of the transformed plants were analysed and used to compare the pattern of gene integration by these different variations in transformation methods. The results from the transient expression as judged by glucuronidase (GUS) activity, showed electroporation to give higher and more reproducible results than PEG-mediated uptake. Using linear instead of circular DNA increased the rate of stable transformation about 3 times. Including a mild X-ray treatment gave an increase in the same range. When the inheritance of the transferred trait was investigated, it was found that protoplasts transformed with linear DNA resulted in the highest number of plants with single-copy insertions. Protoplasts transformed with circular DNA showed the highest incidence of losing the trait, while plants in which the transformation included an X-ray treatment, had the highest frequency of multicopy insertion events.     

Transformation efficiencies and progeny analysis after varying different parameters of direct gene transfer of Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts

Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts were transformed by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated uptake and electroporation, with circular and linear DNA, and with or without X-ray irradiation. We investigated the influence on the transient expression by these parameters as well as on the frequencies for stable transformation. Plants were regenerated and selfed, and the progenies of the transformed plants were analysed and used to compare the pattern of gene integration by these different variations in transformation methods. The results from the transient expression as judged by glucuronidase (GUS) activity, showed electroporation to give higher and more reproducible results than PEG-mediated uptake. Using linear instead of circular DNA increased the rate of stable transformation about 3 times. Including a mild X-ray treatment gave an increase in the same range. When the inheritance of the transferred trait was investigated, it was found that protoplasts transformed with linear DNA resulted in the highest number of plants with single-copy insertions. Protoplasts transformed with circular DNA showed the highest incidence of losing the trait, while plants in which the transformation included an X-ray treatment, had the highest frequency of multicopy insertion events.     

Binding mechanism of maltol with catalase investigated by spectroscopy,molecular docking,and enzyme activity assay

Maltol is a flavor additive that is widely used in the daily diet of humans, and its biosafety attention is concomitantly increasing. Catalase (CAT) is an antioxidant enzyme to maintain homeostasis in the tissue's environment of human body and protect cells from oxidative damages. The adverse effects of maltol to CAT activity within mouse hepatocytes as well as the structural and functional changes of CAT on molecular level were investigated by multiple spectroscopy techniques, enzyme activity experiments, and molecular docking. Results suggested that when the maltol concentrations reached to 8 × 10^?5 mol L^?1, the viability of hepatocytes decreased to 93%, and CAT activity was stimulated by maltol to 111% than the control group after exposure for 24 hours. Changes in CAT activity on molecular level were consistent with those on cellular level. The fluorescence quenching of CAT by maltol was static with the forming of maltol‐CAT complex. Moreover, ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐visible) absorption, synchronous fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra reflected that the presence of maltol caused conformational change of CAT and made the CAT molecule skeleton loose and increased α‐helix of CAT. Maltol mainly bound with CAT through hydrogen bond, and binding site that is near the heme ring in the enzyme activity center did not interact with its main amino acid residues. This study explores the combination between maltol and CAT, providing references for evaluating health damages caused by maltol.     

PEG介导的柱状田头菇遗传转化体系建立

柱状田头菇（茶树菇）Agrocybe aegerita是一种美味的食用菌,具有极高的经济价值。随着其全基因组测序的完成,功能基因组学研究也逐渐展开,其中,高效的遗传转化体系作为技术基础成为研究重点。本研究以柱状田头菇原生质体为受体、潮霉素抗性基因（hph）作为筛选标记,以增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因（egfp）为报告基因,应用PEG介导法进行柱状田头菇遗传转化体系研究。结果表明,150μg/mL潮霉素可以完全抑制柱状田头菇的生长。30℃下用2%裂解酶液酶解菌丝3h,能够获得最大得率的原生质体。通过PEG介导将构建好的DNA片段转化入柱状田头菇原生质体,通过潮霉素抗性筛选获得转化子,转化得率达到7个/μg DNA。PCR验证和荧光显微镜观察,外源片段成功转入柱状田头菇中并稳定表达。本研究建立的PEG介导转化体系,为柱状田头菇基因功能研究提供了技术基础。     

Functional redundancy of the DE-1 and alpha A-CRYBP1 regulatory sites of the mouse alpha A-crystallin promoter.

Previous studies have implicated the DE-1 (-111/-106) and alpha A-CRYBP1 (-66/-57) sites for activity of the mouse alpha A-crystallin promoter in transiently transfected lens cells. Here we have used the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene to test the functional importance of the putative DE-1 and alpha A-CRYBP1 regulatory elements by site-specific and deletion mutagenesis in stably transformed alpha TN4-1 lens cells and in transgenic mice. FVB/N and C57BL/6 x SJL F2 hybrid transgenic mice were assayed for CAT activity in the lens, heart, lung, kidney, spleen, liver, cerebrum, and muscle. F0, F1, and F2 mice from multiple lines carrying single mutations of the DE-1 or alpha A-CRYBP1 sites showed high levels of CAT activity in the lens, but not in any of the non-lens tissues. By contrast, despite activity of the wild-type promoter, none of the mutant promoter/CAT constructs were active in the transiently transfected and stably transformed lens cells. The mice carrying transgenes with either site-specific mutations in both the DE-1 and alpha A-CRYBP1 sites or a deletion of the entire DE-1 and part of the alpha A-CRYBP1 site (-60/+46) fused to the CAT gene did not exhibit CAT activity above background in any of the tissues examined, including the lens. Our results thus indicate that the DE-1 and alpha A-CRYBP1 sites are functionally redundant in transgenic mice. Moreover, the present data coupled with previous transfection and transgenic mouse experiments suggest that this functional redundancy is confined to lens expression within the mouse and is not evident in transiently transfected and stably transformed lens cells, making the cultured lens cells sensitive indicators of functional elements of crystallin genes.