稀有的黑檀体基因(ebony)5'UTR自发突变导致黑腹果蝇的黑条体突变

由于果蝇Drosophila群体中有很多自发突变其中包括多种体色突变,因此它是一个研究自发突变的优秀的模式体系。本研究证实我们实验室发现的一个可以引起果蝇体色突变的自发突变(bsr)是一个黑檀体(e)的等位基因,将其命名为ebsr。序列分析显示ebsr的5′端缺失了953个碱基,其中包括外显子1后端的206个碱基及相连的内含子1的747个碱基。逆转录PCR结果显示5′端的缺失导致内含子1不能从mRNA中剪接掉,由此导致该mRNA的翻译起始密码子AUG前端增加了一个3.2kb的序列。该序列导致ebsr的mRNA的5′UTR(5′-untranslated region)区较野生型基因增加近3kb的长度。通过mRNA二级结构分析发现这个增加的3kb的片段可以形成复杂的颈环结构(stem-loop)。免疫印迹结果显示该突变基因没有基因产物产生。本研究进一步证实了由于mRNA的5′UTR序列结构的改变可以影响到蛋白质的翻译。     

黑腹果蝇黑条体突变体突变位点的鉴定

根据果蝇ebony基因的序列设计了一系列特异性引物,对1991年发现的一种黑腹果蝇的新的体色突变（Qian＆Zhang,1994）——黑条体突变型的ebony基因进行克隆和序列测定。与野生型W91910的ebony基因相比,黑条体突变型的ebony基因的编码区无明显的大片段变异,变异仅存在于数个氨基酸位点,且均不位于该基因产物的关键序列。在黑条体的ebony基因的5’端序列的克隆和序列测定中发现,与野生型w^91910及黑檀体e。的ebony基因相比,黑条体突变型的ebony基因有一个大片段的缺失,该缺失包括外显子1的206个碱基和内含子1的747个碱基,由此确定了黑条体突变体的突变类型和突变位点。     

雌激素受体2（ESR2）mRNA 5′非翻译区内部核糖体进入位点活性的鉴定与分析

真核生物除了传统的帽依赖型翻译机制外,还存在内部核糖体进入位点（internal ribosome entry site, IRES）介导的翻译机制。雌激素受体2（estrogen receptor 2, ESR2）是雌激素受体家族成员之一,其编码的蛋白质在许多肿瘤中发挥重要的作用。ESR2蛋白的异常表达会导致众多肿瘤的发生,但其蛋白质翻译水平的调控机制至今仍不清楚。研究发现,在药物刺激的条件下,乳腺癌细胞MCF7/WT中ESR2蛋白的表达提高,但是其转录水平基本未见发生改变。猜测ESR2 mRNA 5′非翻译区（5′ untranslated region, 5′ UTR）具有IRES活性。为了验证ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR是否具有IRES元件,将ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR插入到双顺反子报告基因载体（pRF）中,构建pRL-ESR2-FL重组质粒载体,将其瞬时转染到HEK293细胞。结果发现,ESR2 mRNA 5′ UTR有假定的IRES活性。并且通过3个排除实验验证了ESR2 IRES活性与其5′ UTR中的内部潜在启动子（P<0.0001）、内部剪切位点以及核糖体通读无关。进一步对其序列进行截短研究发现,ESR2 IRES活性发挥的关键区域是3′端的439～468 nt,且ESR2 IRES最大活性的发挥依赖于5′ UTR序列的完整性。并且发现,ESR2 IRES活性的发挥不但需要特定的一级核酸序列,还要有稳定的二级茎环结构。此研究有望为ESR2蛋白调控的相关疾病提供新的药物治疗靶点。     

中国汉族个体HLA-A、-B基因全长序列的测定及调控区多态性

文章利用20个中国汉族个体样本建立了稳定精确的HLA-A、-B基因全长序列的克隆测序方法, 获得HLA-A 10个等位基因4.2 kb序列, HLA-B 6个等位基因3.7 kb序列, 序列涵盖了两个基因的所有外显子、所有内含子、5′启动子区以及3′非翻译区(3′UTR)。A*1153是文章发现的一个新等位基因, B*151101的内含子序列、5个HLA-A以及2个HLA-B等位基因的5′启动子序列和3′UTR序列为国际上首次报道, 其他等位基因均延伸了IMGT/HLA数据库中释放的全长序列。文章首次在中国汉族个体中测定了IMGT/HLA数据库中没有覆盖的HLA-A、-B基因的上游5′启动子以及下游3′UTR区域的多态性模式。HLA-A基因5′启动子延伸区域共发现26个SNPs和一处3 bp(AAA/-)的插入/缺失, 3′UTR延伸区域共发现14个SNPs; HLA-B基因5′启动子延伸区域共发现5个SNPs和一处1 bp(T/-)的插入/缺失, 3′UTR延伸区域共发现8个SNPs。通过对两个基因的5′启动子、外显子以及3′UTR的系统发育树分析, 发现两个基因调控区与外显子的进化关系有所不同, HLA-A基因除A*24020101外, 其他等位基因两端调控区与外显子连锁比较紧密, HLA-B基因两端调控区与外显子之间则发生了较为频繁的重组事件。     

内部核糖体进入位点（IRES）调控细胞血清饥饿应激条件下PRDM13的翻译

PRDM13是锌指蛋白转录抑制因子（positive regulatory domain zinc finger protein,PRDM) 家族中的一员,其在细胞分化、肿瘤的发生和恶性转化中起着重要的作用。而对于PRDM13 基因侧翼序列是否含有内部核糖体进入位点(internal ribosome entry site, IRES）及其功能所知甚少。本研究对PRDM13 5′端的非翻译区（5′UTR）进行IRES结构与功能分析,探索其在细胞血清饥饿应激条件下对PRDM13翻译的影响。实验发现,在血清饥饿的条件下,肝癌细胞Bel7402/WT中PRDM13的蛋白质水平增加,但是其mRNA水平基本没有变化。将PRDM13 5′UTR的序列插入双顺反子的报告载体(pRL-FL)中,并且将构建的载体(pRL-PRDM13-FL）转染进细胞中,结果显示,PRDM13 5′UTR含有IRES,且发现PRDM13 5′UTR中的105 nt（53～157）对其IRES的功能至关重要。在帽依赖的翻译（cap-dependent translation）机制被抑制时,IRES这种机制可有效维持PRDM13蛋白合成。本研究提供了在细胞压力条件下调节PRDM13蛋白合成的一种新的解释。     

黑腹果蝇黑条体突变型的基因定位研究

黑腹果的体色突变类型常见的有黄体（yellow,y）、黑体（black,b）和黑檀体（ebony,e）,分别位于X染色体,第二染色体和第三染色体上,.黑条体突变型是本实验室1991年9月从野外采集的黑腹果蝇野生型单雌系后代中发现的自发突变品系,为了探明黑条体突变型是原有黑体突变类型的再现还是新的突变,采用常规杂交方法和互补7实验技术对黑腹果蝇黑条体突变型的定位进行了探讨,互补测验的结果表明,黑条体与黑檀体杂交的子一代为反式排列的杂合体无互补,表现为突变型,子二代中,由于交换而产生重组类型的顺式排列的杂合体表现为野生型。因此确定黑条体突变基因（bsr）与黑檀体突变基因（e）是等位的,位于第三染色体的93D2区,但分别位于不同的位点上,属于同一顺反子的新的点突变,同时对于各体色间的相互作用及遗传传递方式的进行了讨论。     

小鼠Daintain/AIF-1基因启动子的克隆及其荧光素酶报告基因载体的构建

目的：对Daintain/AIF-1（大炎肽/同种异体移植炎症因子-1）基因启动子进行克隆并构建荧光素酶报告基因载体,为进一步研究Daintain/AIF-1的转录调控作用提供了质粒资源。方法：提取单核巨噬细胞系RAW264.7基因组DNA,以其为模板采用PCR方法克隆出Daintain/AIF-1基因5＇端UTR区1.6 kb DNA序列,将该序列同源重组到pGL3-Basic载体上,转化感受态DH5α并酶切鉴定和测序。结果：PCR产物片段与预期结果一致,Daintain/AIF-1基因5＇端UTR区1.6 kb DNA序列连接到pGL3-Basic载体上,构建成pGL3-Basic-Daintain/AIF-1（pGL3-Basic-DT）载体,酶切结果与理论预测值一致,经测序证实无碱基突变。结论：Daintain/AIF-1基因报告基因载体的构建为进一步研究Daintain/AIF-1转录调控作用提供了载体资源。     

在转基因水稻植株中蜡质基因第1内含子对基因表达影响的分析

为阐明水稻Wx基因第1内含子在整体植株的胚乳发育阶段是否确有增强基因表达的功能,以及弄清高和中、低直链淀粉含量的水稻品种Wx基因第1内含子126个碱基之间有差异的16个碱基中哪几个碱基了该内含子的正常剪接从而降低了基因的表达水平,我们分别用高直链淀粉含量品种的Wx基因翻译起始密码子ATG上游3．1和2．1kb片段与GUS基因编码区融合构建成嵌合质粒,并在此基础上（1）去除嵌合质粒中Wx基因的第1内含子;（2）将嵌合质粒Wx基因的第1内含子中（3．1kb)与中、低直链淀粉含量的水稻品种Wx基因第1内含子有差异的6个碱基以中,低直链淀粉含量的水稻品种的碱基替换。将上述改造过的几种质粒分别转化粳稻品种中花11,测定转化植株未成熟种子胚乳中的GUS活性。结果表明第1内含子的缺失或此内含子的5′端剪接点上的碱基G以T替换均造成GUS活性的急剧下降,说明第1内含子在植株体内的确有增强基因表达的功能,而且在中、低直链淀粉含量的水稻品种中Wx基因第1内含子5′端剪接点上自然存在的G→T突变是造成这些品种中该内含子剪接不正常,从而使Wx基因表达水平和直链淀粉含量下降的主要原因。     

贵州矮马IGF-I启动子-529 CpG甲基化及个别核苷酸变异与贵州矮马矮小表型有关

胰岛素样生长因子（insulin-like growth factors,IGFs）和生长（激）素（growth hormone,GH）是动物机体主要的促生长因子,它们的表达水平直接决定成熟个体的高度。贵州矮马的体高明显低于伊犁马等大型马,但其原因尚不清楚。本研究从贵州矮马基因组DNA中克隆了GH和IGF-I基因5′-侧翼序列,分别为239 bp和817 bp,包括部分启动子结构;进而采用生物信息学、比较基因组学方法对比分析了贵州矮马与伊犁马两个基因5′-侧翼序列/启动子的转录因子结合位点及潜在甲基化位点（CpG岛）分布。亚硫酸氢盐PCR测序法（bisulfite sequencing PCR,BSP）显示,两个马群的GH基因5′-侧翼区域（239 bp）内的6个CpG位点均发生了甲基化,甲基化频率无明显差异。然而,在IGF-I基因5′-侧翼区的148 bp片段内含有4个CpG位点中,贵州矮马的-529 bp处CpG位点的甲基化程度明显高于伊犁马（P < 0.01）,且该甲基化位点处于基本启动子邻近3′端;此外,两个马群IGF-I基因5′-侧翼区的-561 bp处检测到T、C碱基改变,导致贵州矮马的顺式调控元件/转录因子结合位点较伊犁马少1个,有可能影响IGF-I基因的转录效率。血清IGF-I浓度测定揭示,贵州矮马血清IGF-I含量极显著低于伊犁马（P< 0.01）。Spearman相关性结果显示,贵州矮马及伊犁马的IGF-Ⅰ基因甲基化频率与血清IGF-I浓度呈中度负相关（r=-0.468）,提示IGF-Ⅰ基因甲基化抑制其编码蛋白质的表达。结果证明,IGF-I启动子高甲基化及某些核苷酸（碱基）序列变异可能是贵州矮马个体矮小的部分原因。     

Fine‐tuning levels of heterologous gene expression in plants by orthogonal variation of the untranslated regions of a nonreplicating transient expression system

A transient expression system based on a deleted version of Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) RNA‐2, termed CPMV‐HT, in which the sequence to be expressed is positioned between a modified 5′ UTR and the 3′ UTR has been successfully used for the plant‐based expression of a wide range of proteins, including heteromultimeric complexes. While previous work has demonstrated that alterations to the sequence of the 5′ UTR can dramatically influence expression levels, the role of the 3′ UTR in enhancing expression has not been determined. In this work, we have examined the effect of different mutations in the 3′UTR of CPMV RNA‐2 on expression levels using the reporter protein GFP encoded by the expression vector, pEAQexpress‐HT‐GFP. The results showed that the presence of a 3′ UTR in the CPMV‐HT system is important for achieving maximal expression levels. Removal of the entire 3′ UTR reduced expression to approximately 30% of that obtained in its presence. It was found that the Y‐shaped secondary structure formed by nucleotides 125–165 of the 3′ UTR plays a key role in its function; mutations that disrupt this Y‐shaped structure have an effect equivalent to the deletion of the entire 3′ UTR. Our results suggest that the Y‐shaped secondary structure acts by enhancing mRNA accumulation rather than by having a direct effect on RNA translation. The work described in this paper shows that the 5′ and 3′ UTRs in CPMV‐HT act orthogonally and that mutations introduced into them allow fine modulation of protein expression levels.     

Role of G-quadruplex located at 5ʹ end of mRNAs

BackgroundSecondary structures in 5′ UTR of mRNAs play a critical role in regulating protein synthesis. Though studies have indicated the role of secondary structure G-quadruplex in translational regulation, position-specific effect of G-quadruplex in naturally occurring mRNAs is still not understood. As a pre-initiation complex recognises 5′ cap of the mRNA and scans along the untranslated region (UTR) before initiating translation, the presence of G-quadruplex in 5′ region may have a significant contribution in regulating translation. Here, we investigate the role of G-quadruplex located at the 5′ end of an mRNA.MethodsBiophysical characterisation of putative G-quadruplexes was performed using UV and CD spectroscopy. Functional implication of G-quadruplex in the context of their location was assessed in cellulo using qRT-PCR and dual luciferase assay system.ResultsPG4 sequences in 5′ UTR of AKT interacting protein (AKTIP), cathepsin B (CTSB) and forkhead box E3 (FOXE3) mRNAs form G-quadruplex whereas it is unable to form G-quadruplex in apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (APOA1BP). Our results demonstrated diverse roles of G-quadruplex located at 5′ end of mRNAs. Though G-quadruplex in AKTIP and CTSB mRNA act as inhibitory modules, it activates translation in FOXE3 mRNA.ConclusionsOur works suggests that G-quadruplex present at the 5′ terminal of an mRNA behaves differently in a different gene context. It can activate or inhibit gene expression.General significanceThis study demonstrated that it is difficult to predict the role of G-quadruplex on the basis of its position in 5′ UTR. The neighbouring nucleotide sequence, the intracellular milieu and the interacting partners might render diverse functions to this secondary structure.     

In vitro mutational analysis of cis-acting RNA translational elements within the poliovirus type 2 5'' untranslated region.

Initiation of translation on poliovirus RNA occurs by internal binding of ribosomes to a region within the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNA. This region has been previously roughly mapped between nucleotides 140 and 631 of the 5' UTR and termed the ribosome landing pad. To identify cis-acting elements in the 5' UTR of poliovirus type 2 (Lansing strain) RNA that confer cap-independent internal initiation, we determined the in vitro translational efficiencies of a series of deletion and point mutations within the 5' UTR of the mRNA. The results demonstrate that the 3' border of the core poliovirus ribosome landing pad is located between nucleotides 556 and 585, whereas a region extending between nucleotides 585 and 612 confers enhanced translation. We studied two cis-acting elements within this region of the 5' UTR: a pyrimidine stretch which is critical for translation and an AUG (number 7 from the 5' end) that is located approximately 20 nucleotides downstream from the pyrimidine stretch and augments translation. We also show that the stem-loop structure which contains this AUG is not required for translation.     

Functional and Structural Analysis of Maize Hsp101 IRES

Maize heat shock protein of 101 KDa (HSP101) is essential for thermotolerance induction in this plant. The mRNA encoding this protein harbors an IRES element in the 5′UTR that mediates cap-independent translation initiation. In the current work it is demonstrated that hsp101 IRES comprises the entire 5′UTR sequence (150 nts), since deletion of 17 nucleotides from the 5′ end decreased translation efficiency by 87% compared to the control sequence. RNA structure analysis of maize hsp101 IRES revealed the presence of three stem-loops toward its 5′ end, whereas the remainder sequence contains a great proportion of unpaired nucleotides. Furthermore, HSP90 protein was identified by mass spectrometry as the protein preferentially associated with the maize hsp101 IRES. In addition, it has been found that eIFiso4G rather than eIF4G initiation factor mediates translation of the maize hsp101 mRNA.     

Structural and functional analysis of the ribosome landing pad of poliovirus type 2: in vivo translation studies.

The naturally uncapped genomic and mRNAs of poliovirus initiate translation by an internal ribosome-binding mechanism. The mRNA 5' untranslated region (UTR) of poliovirus is approximately 750 nucleotides in length and has seven to eight (depending on the serotype) AUG codons upstream of the initiator AUG. The sequence required for internal ribosome binding has been termed the ribosome landing pad (RLP). To better understand the mechanisms of internal initiation, we have determined the boundaries and critical elements of the RLP of poliovirus type 2 (Lansing strain) in vivo. By using deletion analysis, we demonstrate the existence of a core RLP in the poliovirus mRNA 5' UTR whose boundaries are between nucleotides 134 and 155 at the 5' end and nucleotides 556 and 585 at the 3' end. Sequences flanking the core RLP affect translational activity. The importance of several stem-loop structures in the RLP for internal initiation has been determined. Mutation of the phylogenetically conserved loop sequences in the proximal stem-loop structure of the RLP (stem-loop structure III; nucleotides 127 to 165) abolished internal translation. However, deletion of the second stem-loop in the RLP (stem-loop structure IV; nucleotides 189 to 223) reduced internal translation by only 50%. Internal deletions encompassing nucleotides 240 to 300, 350 to 380, or 450 to 480, predicted to disrupt stem-loop structure V and possibly VI, also abrogated internal initiation. Small point mutations within a short polypyrimidine sequence, highly conserved among all picornaviruses, abolished translation. A conservation of distance between the conserved polypyrimidine tract and a downstream AUG could play an important role in the mechanism of internal initiation.     

谢氏宽漠王β-actin基因cDNA克隆、序列分析及表达量检测

β-actin是actin家族的一员,在维持细胞结构、运动和分裂等细胞生理活动方面发挥着重要作用,是基因定量实验中最常用的内参之一。本实验采用同源克隆和RACE技术扩增得到谢氏宽漠王Mantichorula semenowi β-actin基因。序列分析结果表明,该基因cDNA全长1 372 bp,开放阅读框长1 131 bp,编码376个氨基酸,5′和3′末端非翻译区域(UTR)分别为66 bp和175 bp;该序列与其他动物β-actin基因核苷酸序列具有96%～99%高度同源性。β-actin表达量检测结果显示热激后不同恢复时间其表达量无明显变化,且与未经热激处理的对照相比无显著差异。表明β-actin是研究受外界环境胁迫作用下昆虫体内不同基因表达水平的可靠内参基因。