小鼠白蛋白启动子的组织特异性功能研究

以绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因作为报告基因,通过对比小鼠白蛋白启动子在不同来源细胞系中启动HGFP基因的转录活性,对小鼠白蛋白启动子的组织特异性进行了研究。结果发现,小鼠白蛋白启动子在小鼠肝癌细胞系Hepa 1—6和人肝癌细胞系：HepG2均有很强的转录起始功能,荧光显微镜下可以观察到IGFP表达。Hepa 1—6细胞在转染早期的48h内,CMV的启动子和增强子序列是小鼠白蛋白启动子转录活性的4倍。G418加压筛选2周后,CMV的启动子的转录活性下降到只有小鼠白蛋白启动子活性的1／2。转染人肝癌细胞系HepG2 2周后,荧光显微镜下可以观察到GFP表达。其他的细胞如中华仓鼠卵巢细胞系CHO和人肺癌细胞系PLA 801中转染的小鼠白蛋白启动子不能启动GFP的表达,而对照CMV启动子控制下的GFP基因可在CHO和PLA 801中表达。以上结果说明,小鼠白蛋白启动子仅在肝脏来源的细胞中可以起始下游基因的转录,在其他组织来源的细胞中不能起始转录,这表明小鼠白蛋白启动子具有肝脏组织特异的转录活性,但没有种属特异性。     

丙型肝炎病毒包膜蛋白E2的DNA免疫

为了比较启动子及分泌信号对丙型肝炎病毒包膜蛋白E2（HCV E2）的DNA免疫效果的影响,构建了4个不同的HCV E2（384－660）融合表达质粒：CMV启动子控制下和EF1α启动子控制下的分泌表达质粒pCMVSec-S1E2t660和pEF1αSec-S1E2t660以及非分泌表达质粒pCMV-S1E2t660和pEF1α-S1E2t660,4个表质粒在HeLa细胞中进行了暂时表达,免疫印迹分析表明,表达产物都同时具有HBV preS1及HCV E2蛋白的抗原性,夹心ELISA测定结果表明,分泌表达质粒的表达量明显高于非分泌表达质粒,带CMV启动子的质粒表达量高于EF－1α,并且只有分泌型质粒转染细胞后,才能在细胞培养上清液中检测到融合蛋白,4种表达质粒免疫C57BL／6小鼠,可产生preS1及E2的抗体,比较了抗体转阳率,抗体滴度和维持时间等,发现带CVM启动子的E2分泌表达质粒pCMV-S1E2t660明显优于其他3组,对4种质粒产生体液免疫反应不同的可能原因进行了分析。     

采用SM 22启动子调节荧光蛋白的策略分选和鉴定人前列腺平滑肌细胞与成纤维细胞

 平滑肌细胞的数量、表型以及在间质细胞中所占的比例在前列腺间质增生的发生和发展中占有重要的地位.获得纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞,研究它们基因表达的差异,有助于进一步揭示前列腺增生的分子病因学.构建不同长度的 SM 22启动子,测定荧光素酶活性.采用了基于启动子特异性激活红绿色荧光蛋白表达结合流式细胞分选的策略,体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.启动子活性实验结果表明,1 396 bp的人SM22启动子具有平滑肌细胞特异性和较高的相对活性.构建了红绿荧光蛋白的表达载体pDual-color,在此载体中,RFP的表达受1 396bp的SM22启动子调控,GFP的组成型表达受CMV启动子控制.用流式细胞仪分选GFP+/RFP+和GFP+/RFP-细胞,提取总RNA,进行实时定量RT-PCR.结果显示,在分选获得的GFP+/RFP+细胞比GFP+/RFP-细胞的SM22和SMMHC表达水平高10倍以上.提示,基于启动子特异性可以在体外分离纯的平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞.     

用绿色荧光蛋白和洋葱表皮细胞检测拟南芥rd29A基因启动子活性的方法

将rd29A基因的启动子与绿色荧光蛋白基因(GFP)融合在一起,构建成植物表达载体,并以CaMV35S启动子驱动的GFP基因的植物表达载体为对照,用基因枪介导法转化置于4种类型培养基上的洋葱表皮细胞.对其进行不同温度下的培养,16 h后观察GFP基因瞬时表达水平的结果表明,rd29A启动子对高盐和脱水逆境的响应较温度显著,特别是在含PEG6000的培养基上,细胞无破损,绿色荧光强烈,适合于GFP的瞬时表达.而高盐由于易导致细胞出现离子毒害,不宜作为GFP瞬时表达的培养基.     

启动子CMV和EF1α对人胰岛素基因在BHK细胞中表达的影响

目的　构建人胰岛素基因真核高效表达载体 ,为胰岛素转基因研究奠定基础。方法　用限制性内切酶SpeⅠ和HindⅢ消化pEF1α GFP ,回收 1 2kbEF1α启动子 ,插入到pCMV mINS的NruⅠ和HindⅢ位点中 ,获得重组质粒pEF1α mINS ;将pCMV mINS和pEF1α mINS分别转染BHK细胞 ,用G418筛选 ,阳性克隆传至 2 0代后 ,分别用放免方法和免疫组化法分析胰岛素和 或胰岛素原在BHK细胞中的表达情况。结果　经放免测定 ,pCMV mINS和pEF1α mINS在BHK细胞中胰岛素和 或胰岛素原的表达量分别为 4 0 77μIU ml和 6 897μIU ml。经免疫组化分析 ,pCMV mINS在BHK细胞质中胰岛素表达水平的灰度值为 190 0± 19 5 6 ;pEF1α mINS在BHK细胞质中胰岛素表达水平的灰度值为 181 4± 18 45 ,在BHK细胞核中表达水平的灰度值为 15 5 4± 11 6 6。结论　在BHK细胞中启动子EF1α启动胰岛素基因表达的活性比启动子CMV高。     

转基因鸡生物反应器载体的构建及其表达特性分析

以增强型绿色荧光蛋白和萤火虫荧光素酶为报告基因,构建了鸡卵清蛋白启动子表达载体和慢病毒载体,以巨细胞病毒 (Cytomegalovirus,CMV)启动子表达载体为对照,转染或感染鸡原代输卵管上皮细胞、鸡胚成纤维细胞、鼠3T3-L1前脂肪细胞和牛乳腺上皮细胞,通过荧光和酶活性检测,旨在筛选出用于实现转基因鸡生物反应器的高效特异性表达载体。结果发现,鸡卵清蛋白启动子表达载体转染以上4种细胞后2种标记基因均有表达,没有表现出明显的细胞特异性,且荧光素酶检测结果表明其在各细胞组中表达活性都低于CMV启动子表达载体100倍以上;慢病毒载体感染以上4种细胞后2种标记基因均有表达,在鸡输卵管上皮细胞组感染单个细胞的病毒颗粒 (Multiplicity of infection,MOI) 为20时绿色荧光蛋白表达量就可以达到CMV启动子表达载体的水平。上述结果表明,基于卵清蛋白基因调控序列构建的表达载体无法实现外源基因的高效、特异性表达,而慢病毒载体在表达活性和广泛性上可以用于进行鸡输卵管生物反应器的研究。     

异源Oct-4基因启动子在猪、兔和小鼠早期胚胎中的时空表达活性

Oct-4是一种哺乳动物早期胚胎中特异表达的转录因子,它与细胞多能性的维持有关．异源Oct-4基因在早期胚胎中的表达模式尚不明确．构建了一个以完整的牛Oct-4调控区指导GFP表达的转基因结构pOct-4(p)-GFP,通过单精子注射的方法将其导入猪、兔和小鼠的受精卵中,分析其在胚胎发育过程中的表达情况．结果显示：牛Oct-4启动子驱动的GFP基因在3个物种的2-细胞胚胎就已经开始表达,在囊胚期表达加强且只特异表达于内细胞团中,而不表达于滋养层．研究表明：牛的Oct-4启动子在其他物种中也具有表达活性,异源性Oct-4启动子在不同物种的早期胚胎中具有相似的表达模式．     

干细胞因子逆转录病毒表达载体的构建及体外性质研究

目的通过逆转录病毒介导两种类型人干细胞因子在NIH3T3细胞中稳定表达,并研究它们对白血病细胞的作用。方法用DNA重组技术构建并鉴定可溶型及膜结合型干细胞因子的重组逆转录病毒表达载体MSCV—PGK—GFP—sSCF、MSCV—PGK—GFP—mSCF,与空载体对照MSCV—PGK—GFP分别转染Phoenix细胞包装病毒,并感染NIH3T3细胞,流式分选术获得3种阳性细胞,CCK8法分别检测与其共培养的K562细胞的增殖情况。结果成功构建了sSCF、mSCF逆转录病毒表达载体;经Phoenix包装的重组及对照逆转录病毒成功感染NIH3T3细胞,获得了稳定表达细胞株NIH3T3-S、NIH3T3-M和对照细胞株NIH3T3-V。共培养中NIH3T3-S、NIH3T3-M均可促进K562细胞的增殖,且在低血清条件下,NIH3T3-M的作用高于NIH3T3-S。结论可溶性及膜结合SCF分别通过旁分泌和并置性作用促进白血病细胞的增殖。     

利用GFP/RFP双荧光指示载体鉴定特异性启动子功能

在基因表达定位或启动子调控模式的研究中, 多以gusA作为报告基因。但由于部分组织中高内源GUS背景活性或转化手段的限制, 使判断基因表达定位或调控时存在很大误差。为了解决上述问题, 本实验将报道基因绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)和红色荧光蛋白(RFP)融合构建双荧光标记瞬时表达载体pBI221-RFP/GFP。该载体以CaMV35S启动子驱动GFP确定转化效率, 通过鉴定阳性个体的红色荧光活性分析目的基因或启动子的表达模式。并通过番茄E8和西瓜AGPL1果实特异启动子验证了该载体在启动子调控模式研究中的应用可行性。结果表明pBI221-RFP/GFP是一个可以在基因和启动子功能验证中应用的高效瞬时表达载体。     

A Comparative Analysis of Constitutive Promoters Located in Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors

The properties of constitutive promoters within adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have not yet been fully characterized. In this study, AAV vectors, in which enhanced GFP expression was directed by one of the six constitutive promoters (human β-actin, human elongation factor-1α, chicken β-actin combined with cytomegalovirus early enhancer, cytomegalovirus (CMV), simian virus 40, and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase), were constructed and introduced into the HCT116, DLD-1, HT-1080, and MCF-10A cell lines. Quantification of GFP signals in infected cells demonstrated that the CMV promoter produced the highest GFP expression in the six promoters and maintained relatively high GFP expression for up to eight weeks after infection of HCT116, DLD-1, and HT-1080. Exogenous human CDKN2A gene expression was also introduced into DLD-1 and MCF-10A in a similar pattern by using AAV vectors bearing the human β-actin and the CMV promoters. The six constitutive promoters were subsequently placed upstream of the neomycin resistance gene within AAV vectors, and HCT116, DLD-1, and HT-1080 were infected with the resulting vectors. Of the six promoters, the CMV promoter produced the largest number of G418-resistant colonies in all three cell lines. Because AAV vectors have been frequently used as a platform to construct targeting vectors that permit gene editing in human cell lines, we lastly infected the three cell lines with AAV-based targeting vectors against the human PIGA gene in which one of the six promoters regulate the neomycin resistance gene. This assay revealed that the CMV promoter led to the lowest PIGA gene targeting efficiency in the investigated promoters. These results provide a clue to the identification of constitutive promoters suitable to express exogenous genes with AAV vectors, as well as those helpful to conduct efficient gene targeting using AAV-based targeting vectors in human cell lines.     

Recombinant Interferon-γ Lentivirus Co-Infection Inhibits Adenovirus Replication Ex Vivo

Recombinant interferon-γ (IFNγ) production in cultured lentivirus (LV) was explored for inhibition of target virus in cells co-infected with adenovirus type 5 (Ad5). The ability of three different promoters of CMV, EF1α and Ubiquitin initiating the enhanced green fluorescence protein (GFP) activities within lentiviruses was systematically assessed in various cell lines, which showed that certain cell lines selected the most favorable promoter driving a high level of transgenic expression. Recombinant IFNγ lentivirus carrying CMV promoter (LV-CMV-IFNγ) was generated to co-infect 293A cells with a viral surrogate of recombinant GFP Ad5 in parallel with LV-CMV-GFP control. The best morphologic conditions were observed from the two lentiviruses co-infected cells, while single adenovirus infected cells underwent clear pathologic changes. Viral load of adenoviruses from LV-CMV-IFNγ or LV-CMV-GFP co-infected cell cultures was significantly lower than that from adenovirus alone infected cells (P = 0.005–0.041), and the reduction of adenoviral load in the co-infected cells was 86% and 61%, respectively. Ad5 viral load from LV-CMV-IFNγ co-infected cells was significantly lower than that from LV-CMV-GFP co-infection (P = 0.032), which suggested that IFNγ rather than GFP could further enhance the inhibition of Ad5 replication in the recombinant lentivirus co-infected cells. The results suggest that LV-CMV-IFNγ co-infection could significantly inhibit the target virus replication and might be a potential approach for alternative therapy of severe viral diseases.     

pLR: A lentiviral backbone series to stable transduction of bicistronic genes and exchange of promoters

Gene transfer based on lentiviral vectors allow the integration of exogenous genes into the genome of a target cell, turning these vectors into one of the most used methods for stable transgene expression in mammalian cells, in vitro and in vivo. Currently, there are no lentivectors that allow the cloning of different genes to be regulated by different promoters. Also, there are none that permit the analysis of the expression through an IRES (internal ribosome entry site) - reporter gene system. In this work, we have generated a series of lentivectors containing: (1) a malleable structure to allow the cloning of different target genes in a multicloning site (mcs); (2) unique site to exchange promoters, and (3) IRES followed by one of two reporter genes: eGFP or DsRed. The series of the produced vectors were named pLR (for lentivirus and RSV promoter) and were fairly efficient with a strong fluorescence of the reporter genes in direct transfection and viral transduction experiments. This being said, the pLR series have been found to be powerful biotechnological tools for stable gene transfer and expression.     

Construction of a lentiviral T/A vector for direct analysis of PCR-amplified promoters

The promoter plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. To analyze a promoter’s activity, we developed a novel lentiviral T/A vector that contains two reporter genes, a luciferase (Luc2) gene and a green fluorescent protein (Venus) gene, that are linked via an internal ribosome entry site (IRES2). To test the performance of this vector, phosphoglycerate kinase-1 (PGK) and elongation factor-1α (EF1α) promoters were amplified by PCR and inserted into this lentiviral T/A vector using T4 DNA ligase, yielding two promoter–reporter vectors: pLent-T-PGK and pLent-T-EF1α. When these vectors were transfected into 293T cells, we observed a higher level of Venus expression under a fluorescence microscopy in the case of pLent-T-EF1α as compared to pLent-T-PGK. The results of the luciferase reporter assay showed that the ratio of the promoter activities of EF1α and PGK was approximately 9:1. The two promoter–reporter vectors were also packaged as lentiviral particles to conduct promoter activity assay in cultured cells. The ratio of the promoter activities of EF1α and PGK was 4.23:1 when they were infected into 293T cells at a multiplicity of infection of 1. This value is comparable to that of a parallel experiment using the commercial luciferase reporter vector pGL4.10 with an activity ratio of 5.99:1 for EF1α and PGK. These results indicate that lentiviral T/A vector will be a useful tool for analysis of promoter activity and specificity.