Two cases of benign methylmalonic aciduria detected during a pilot study of neonatal urine screening

Two cases of benign methylmalonic aciduria (MMAuria) were found among 9780 neonatal screenings using the previously described screening method consisting of urease digestion, ethanol deproteinization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Combining this screening method with the stable isotope dilution technique showed very specific and sensitive measurements of methylmalonic acid in urine. The concentrations of urinary methylmalonic acid were measured at several ages. The levels of urinary methylmalonic acid in two patients varied from 0.27 to 3.04 mol/mol creatinine (control<0.01 mol/mol creatinine). Methylcitrate and homocystine were not increased in the patient's urine or blood. Blood propionylcarnitine was also at normal levels. The urinary methylmalonate excretions were decreased to the levels of about 50% of the start point after vitamin B12 treatment in one patient, but the other patient showed no change. No clinical abnormalities were observed during these periods.     

New perspectives for pharmacological chaperoning treatment in methylmalonic aciduria cblB type

Methylmalonic aciduria cblB type (MMA cblB) is caused by the impairment of ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) from cob(I)alamin. No definitive treatment is available for patients with this condition and novel therapeutic strategies are therefore much needed. Recently, we described a proof-of-concept regarding the use of pharmacological chaperones as a treatment. This work describes the effect of two potential pharmacological chaperones - compound V (N-{[(4-chlorophenyl)carbamothioyl]amino}-2-phenylacetamide) and compound VI (4-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzene-1,3-diol) - on six ATR mutants, including the most common, p.Arg186Trp. Comprehensive functional analysis identified destabilizing (p.Arg186Gln, p.Arg190Cys, p.Arg190His, p.Arg191Gln and p.Glu193Lys) and oligomerization (p.Arg186Trp and p.Arg191Gln) mutations. In a cellular model overexpressing the destabilizing/oligomerization mutations, compounds V and VI had a positive effect on the stability and activity of all ATR variants. When provided in combination with hydroxocobalamin a more positive effect was obtained than with the compounds alone, even in mutations previously described as B₁₂ non-responsive. In addition, a normal oligomerization profile was recovered after treatment of the p.Arg186Trp mutant with both compounds. These promising results confirm MMA cblB type as a conformational disorder and hence, pharmacological chaperones as a new therapeutic option alone or in combination with hydroxocobalamin for many patients with MMA cblB.     

人类连接蛋白基因Cx26的上游调控部位

人类连接蛋白２６（Ｃｏｎｎｅｘｉｎ ２６,Ｃｘ２６）已被看作乳腺癌上皮细胞中的抑瘤基因候选者．为了阐明此基因的调控机理,对其转译起始点上游的一个具有启动功能的１．６ ｋｂ 片段采用ｅｘｏ Ⅲ构建１０个单向删除重组体后进行了ＣＡＴ报告基因分析．结果表明,此１．６ ｋｂ 片段其启动子功能部位位于５′端２００ ｂｐ 范围内．其中含有－ＴＧＴ盒（位于１８２～１８７ ｂｐ）,一个ＴＴＡＡＡＡ 盒位于１５８～１６３ ｂｐ,这是人类Ｃｘ２６基因的又一启动区,这些发现无疑地对了解和阐明Ｃｘ２６基因在乳腺发育过程中及其病理生理作用的复杂调控具有特别重要的意义．     

报告基因法在生物技术药物活性检测中的应用

随着生物技术药物研发数量的增多,对建立相应生物活性分析方法的需求不断上升。报告基因法作为一种研究基因转录活性和表达水平的工具,由于其快速、灵敏、稳定的特性,越来越多地应用于药物活性检测,包括细胞因子、抗体、激素等各类生物制品。我们就报告基因法在生物技术药物活性测定及药物研发进程中的应用做简要综述。     

人类连接蛋白基因Cx26的新调控区序列

人类连接蛋白２６基因（ｃｏｎｎｅｘｉｎ２６,Ｃｘ２６）已被看作乳腺癌上皮细胞中的抑瘤基因候选者。为了阐明此基因的调控机理,本文对其转译起始点上游的一个ＤＮａｓｅ１超敏区片段１．６ｋｂ进行了序列分析和ＣＡＴ报告基因分析。结果表明此１．６ｋｂ片段具有强效启动子功能,其中含有两个ＧＴ盒（分别位于－６１５８ｂｐ和－６２１３ｂｐ）,一个非ＴＡＴＡ的ＴＴＡＡＡＡ盒位于－６２３７ｂｐ,这是在人类Ｃｘ２６基因中新发现的第二个启动区。     

人SCF基因5′旁侧-1190～- 853 AT富集区功能研究

 已有的报告基因和EMSA实验研究表明 ,人干细胞生长因子 (SCF)基因 5′旁侧AT富集区- 1 1 90～ - 853在HeLa和MCF 7细胞中均能增强下游基因转录 ,可能为一个核基质结合区(MAR) ,对人SCF基因的转录发挥调控作用 .为进一步研究该AT富集区的功能 ,将人SCF基因 5′旁侧 - 1 1 90～ - 853AT富集区分别克隆入SV40或CMV启动子前后紧接着CAT报告基因 ,瞬时转染Jurkat,HepG2和 3T3细胞 ,检测CAT报告基因的瞬时表达活性 .结果表明 :人SCF基因 5′旁侧- 1 1 90～ - 853AT富集区在Jurkat和HepG2细胞中 ,对分别由SV40和CMV启动子引导的CAT基因表达均有抑制作用 ;但在 3T3细胞中对SV40启动子的转录活性表现出增强作用 ,对CMV启动子的转录活性无明显影响 .这些结果提示 ,人SCF基因 5′旁侧 - 1 1 90～ - 853AT富集区转录调控具有组织细胞特异性 ,在不同的细胞中可能发挥转录增强或抑制作用     

Reporter gene assay against lipophilic chemicals based on site-specific genomic recombination of a nuclear receptor gene, its response element, and a luciferase reporter gene within a stable HeLa cell line

Genomic recombination was performed in a genetically modified stable HeLa cell line, HeLa55, using a uniquely designed donor vector harboring an exchange cassette comprised of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene, its response element, and a luciferase reporter gene, to generate stable hGRLuc clones. After screening for cassette insertion, the selected stable clone, hGRLuc-7, showed high integration stability of the exchange cassette over 20 passages with significantly high luciferase activity and fold inductions of up to 40- to 50-fold. In addition, the cells were evaluated with synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, and a reasonable EC(50) value of approximately 2.3 x 10(-9) M was obtained. Strong and weak agonists, non-responsive chemicals, and hGR antagonists were also evaluated in which the stable hGRLuc-7 clone showed both high sensitivity and selectivity. The technology presented in this work is simple and reproducible, and shows great potential for the future development of genetically modified stable cell systems which are applicable in both fundamental and application researches of nuclear receptors.     

人A4GNT基因5'调控区的结构和功能分析

为探索人α1,4-N-乙酰葡糖胺转移酶(α1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase,A4GNT)基因表达的调控机制,应用5'cDNA末端快速扩增法和引物延伸法确定了A4GNT基因的转录起始位点.在生物信息学分析的基础上,构建了系列5'缺失荧光素酶报告基因载体和定点突变载体.瞬时转染胃癌细胞MKN45和AGS.荧光素酶活性分析表明,A4GNT基因转录的核心启动子在-141bp～+116bp区域,该区域缺乏典型的TATA盒,但含有CCAAT盒、Sp1和ETS-1等转录因子潜在结合位点.突变分析显示,-136bp～-131bp的Sp1结合位点及-93bp～-89bp正向CCAAT序列对A4GNT启动子转录激活至关重要.电泳迁移率变动分析表明,这两个顺式作用元件能够与转录因子Sp1和NF-Y结合.另外,在-1464bp～-771bp区域可能含有与基因的特异性表达相关的调控元件.     

用于筛选shRNA的新型双萤光素酶报告基因载体的构建及应用

目的:构建一个新型双萤光素酶报告基因载体用于准确高效地筛选有效抑制靶基因表达的shRNA。方法:采用PCR、定向克隆、基因重组等分子生物学方法,将双萤光素酶报告基因系统中需要的报告基因载体、shRNA真核表达载体和内参载体三个功能,整合于一个新型的双萤光素酶报告基因载体pFLuc-C-TK-RLuc-shRNA之中。应用该载体对靶向人PD1基因以及Furin基因的shRNA进行干涉效果比较。结果:应用p FLuc-C-TK-RLuc-shRNA载体进行单质粒转染方法与传统的三质粒转染方法均提示shRNA#1对靶基因PD1的抑制效果最优;但是使用新型双萤光素酶报告基因载体检测结果的标准差数值显著低于传统方法。以pFLuc-C-TK-RLuc-shRNA单质粒转染方法得到的各组样品结果的均一性显著提高,能够准确地反映出shRNA#3较shRNA#2具有更强的Furin基因抑制作用;而传统方法未能有效判断二者的差异。结论:新型双萤光素酶报告基因载体简化了操作步骤,降低了传统三质粒共转染方法所引起的检测结果大幅波动,进一步增强了双萤光素酶报告基因系统的信噪比,提高了筛选抑制靶基因表达shRNA的准确性。     

Cyclic Core Dendrimer as a New Kind of Vector for Gene Transfer into Mammalian Cells

Cyclic core dendritic polymer is a new type of synthetic polymers. The ability of generation 4 of the dendrimer with a core of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane to function as an effective gene delivery vector was investigated. Results from fluorescence in situhybridization (FISH) show that the pCH 110 plasmid DNA was transferred into human small intestine cancer metastatic ascites (HICMA) cells induced by this kind of dendrimer as a vector. The transferred LacZ, GFP and luciferase genes were highly expressed in the transfected HICMA, COS-7 and 293 cells. These studies demonstrate that the dendrimer can transfect mammalian cells in vitrowhich offers an alternatively efficient method for mammalian gene transfer.     

病程相关基因启动子片段与GUS的融合基因在拟南芥中的表达

PR1是拟南芥(Arabidopsisis thaliana L.)系统获得抗性的一个标志基因.利用PCR技术,从拟南芥中扩增并克隆了PR1基因的启动子片段.将该启动子片段与GUS报告基因拼接,构建成含有PR1-GUS融合基因的重组表达质粒.经根癌农杆菌介导转化,得到了转基因的拟南芥植株.用已知的系统获得抗性激活剂处理转基因植物,检测到GUS活性.因此,这一转基因体系可以作为一种简便、灵敏的实验体系以筛选激活植物系统获得抗性的化合物.     

miR-126报告基因载体的构建及其功能鉴定

目的:根据miR-126的预测靶点构建荧光素酶报告基因重组质粒,并进行功能鉴定。方法:利用sanger数据库提供的miR-126靶序列设计引物,PCR扩增目的微小RNA(microRNAs,miRNAs)靶基因3'非编码区(three-prime untranslated regions,3'UTRs)序列,PCR产物双酶切,后连入经过同样双酶切的pGL3-control载体中,连接产物转化大肠杆菌DH5α,进行阳性克隆鉴定。同样,将候选靶基因3'UTRs突变,突变型3'UTR克隆入pGL3-control报告载体,构建野生型和突变型的报告基因重组质粒。将野生型和突变型的报告基因载体分别和化学合成的microRNA以及内参质粒共转染293TN细胞,进行双荧光素酶检测。结果:成功构建miR-126报告基因野生型和突变型重组质粒pGL3-VEGF-A-3'UTR和pGL3-VEGF-A-3'UTR,质粒测序及酶切结果完全正确。瞬时转染实验显示,过表达miR-126能直接抑制VEGF-A-3'UTRs报告基因活性。结论:miR-126对VEGF-A具有靶向调节功能。     

In vivo expression of human ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR) using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotypes 2 and 8

BACKGROUND: Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an autosomal recessive disease with symptoms that include ketoacidosis, lethargy, recurrent vomiting, dehydration, respiratory distress, muscular hypotonia and death due to methylmalonic acid levels that are up to 1000-fold greater than normal. CblB MMA, a subset of the mutations leading to MMA, is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR). No animal model currently exists for this disease. ATR functions within the mitochondria matrix in the final conversion of cobalamin into coenzyme B(12), adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl). AdoCbl is a required coenzyme for the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM). METHODS: The human ATR cDNA was cloned into a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector and packaged into AAV 2 or 8 capsids and delivered by portal vein injection to C57/Bl6 mice at a dose of 1 x 10(10) and 1 x 10(11) particles. Eight weeks post-injection RNA, genomic DNA and protein were then extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Using primer pairs specific to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/chicken beta-actin (CBAT) promoter within the rAAV vectors, genome copy numbers were found to be 0.03, 2.03 and 0.10 per cell in liver for the rAAV8 low dose, rAAV8 high dose and rAAV2 high dose, respectively. Western blotting performed on mitochondrial protein extracts demonstrated protein levels were comparable to control levels in the rAAV8 low dose and rAAV2 high dose animals and 3- to 5-fold higher than control levels were observed in high dose animals. Immunostaining demonstrated enhanced transduction efficiency of hepatocytes to over 40% in the rAAV8 high dose animals, compared to 9% and 5% transduction in rAAV2 high dose and rAAV8 low dose animals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the feasibility of efficient ATR gene transfer to the liver as a prelude to future gene therapy experiments.     

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 single secreted luciferase-based gene reporter assay

Promoter analysis typically employs a reporter gene fused to a test promoter combined with a second reporter fused to a control promoter that is used for normalization purposes. However, this approach is not valid when experimental conditions affect the control promoter. We have developed and validated a single secreted luciferase reporter (SSLR) assay for promoter analysis that avoids the use of a control reporter. The approach uses an early level of expression of a secreted luciferase linked to a test promoter as an internal normalization control for subsequent analysis of the same promoter. Comparison of the SSLR assay with the dual luciferase reporter (DLR) assay using HMGCR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase) and LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor) promoter constructs, which are down-regulated by 25-hydroxycholesterol, show that both assays yield similar results. Comparison of the response of the HMGCR promoter in SSLR transient assays compared very favorably with the response of the same promoter in the stable cell line. Overall, the SSLR assay proved to be a valid alternative to the DLR assay for certain applications and had significant advantages in that measurement of only one luciferase is required and monitoring can be continuous because cell lysis is not necessary.     

嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌pgiB基因上游452bp序列的功能分析

用化学诱变剂N甲基N′硝基N亚硝基胍进行随机诱变,获得了穿梭启动子探测质粒pPGV5的温度抗性突变型pPGV5(tr65),序列分析发现质粒上卡那霉素核苷转移酶基因kan的+238位碱基发生了G→T的单点突变。以来自嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌FDTP3菌株的耐热邻苯二酚2,3双加氧酶基因pheB作为报道基因,构建了转录融合质粒pPGVPB452,用高压电穿孔法将其转化嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌,通过报道蛋白活性的分析,证明了嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌T521菌株的6磷酸葡萄糖异构酶同工酶基因pgiB上游含启动子样序列的425bp片段在嗜热脂肪芽孢杆菌中不具有启动子功能。     

开发缺氧调控载体用于肾性贫血的基因治疗

目的:开发具有缺氧调控活性的基因治疗载体,其表达可由缺氧选择性诱导,用于肾性贫血的逆转和治疗。方法:合成源于各种缺氧应答基因的缺氧应答元件(HRE)寡核苷酸序列,与CMV启动子连接组合,测定荧光素酶的相对活性以确定缺氧转录活性。结果:在各种缺氧调控载体中,由鼠PGK(mPGK)基因的HRE序列和CMV启动子组合成的缺氧应答启动子显示出14.6倍的高缺氧应答性,而且缺氧诱导的表达水平与完整的CMVI.E启动子在常氧环境下的转录水平相近。结论:3HRE/mPGK/CMV缺氧调控载体对于肾性贫血等一系列疾病实现目的基因的精确调控表达可能非常有用。     

PDGF-C 3'UTR区荧光素酶报告基因载体构建

目的:构建不同长度包含目的片段的PDGFC 3`UTR双荧光素酶报告基因载体,为进一步研究PDGF-C mRNA的上游miRNA调节做准备。方法:培养人乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231细胞,提取腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231细胞的基因组DNA,以提取的基因组为模板,通过PCR扩增不同长度的PDGFC 3`UTR片段,经胶回收后,将回收的目的片段插入报告基因载体SV40-p GL3中,再经转化将克隆好的载体转入细菌内扩增(先在固体培养基上扩增为菌落,然后再接种进液体细菌培养管中扩增),扩增细菌后进行质粒提取,并进行菌落PCR及双酶切鉴定,最后送公司进行基因序列检测鉴定。结果:成功构建了不同长度目的片段的PDGFC 3`UTR的双荧光素酶报告基因载体。结论:本实验构建了不同长度的PDGF-C mRNA的3’UTR区的双荧光素酶报告基因载体,为进一步研究PDGF-C mRNA的上游miRNA调节打下了基础。