大鼠FMR1同源基因cDNA的克隆,测序与选择剪接的初步分析

应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法,从新生大鼠脑组织总ＲＮＡ扩增大鼠ＦＭＲ１同源基因的ｃＤＮＡ片段,克降至ｐＵＣ１８质粒中进行序列分析。获得从终止密码子起共１６８１ｂｐ的编码序列,尚缺少约２００ｂｐ的５‘序列。所克隆的这部分大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ,不含有对应于人ＦＭＲ１基因的外显子１２及外显子１７第一和第三剪接受点之间的序列,提示大鼠ＦＭＲ１基因也有选择剪接表达。     

FMR1基因功能研究的新进展

ＦＭＲ１基因突变引起表达缺乏,导致最常见的遗传性智力低下疾病－脆性Ｘ综合征。ＦＭＲ１基因编码的蛋白与翻译过程的调控。     

FMR—1同源基因在大鼠脑发育过程中持续表达

以克隆的人ＦＭＲ－１ ｃＤＮＡ片段为探针，进行ＲＮＡ印迹杂交，检测发育过程中大鼠脑组织ＦＭＲ－１同源基因的表达，结果显示从胚胎早期至出生后一个月该基因有持续表达，其中在胚胎发育晚期表达量较高，提示ＦＭＲ－１基因可能参与胎脑发育的调节。     

FMR1基因敲除对C57BL/6小鼠部分生物学特性的影响

为探讨脆性X智力障碍1(FMR1)基因敲除对C57BL/6小鼠(Mus musculus domesticus)部分生物学特性的影响,使用全自动动物血细胞分析仪和全自动生化仪分别检测8~10周龄的FMR1基因敲除小鼠(C57BL/6 FMR1 KO)及同源背景C57BL/6小鼠的血液生理生化指标、电解质等,并进行统计学分析。C57BL/6 FMR1 KO小鼠与野生型C57BL/6小鼠比较,血液生理指标中雌性及雄性组间的中性粒细胞计数(MEUT#)、中性粒细胞百分比(MEUT)和淋巴细胞百分比(LY)存在显著性差异(P0.05);雄性组间的红细胞总数(RBC)、血红蛋白(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)和平均血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)存在显著性差异(P0.05);雌性组间的白细胞(WBC)、淋巴细胞计数(LY#)存在显著性差异(P0.05);而非性别因素影响两类小鼠组间的红细胞总数(RBC)、红细胞压积(HCT)、中性粒细胞计数(MEUT#)、中性粒细胞百分比(MEUT)和淋巴细胞百分比(LY)存在显著性差异(P0.05);血清生化指标中雄性组间的谷草转氨酶/谷丙转氨酶(AS/AL)存在显著性差异(P0.05);雌性组间的肌酐CR、肌酸磷酸激酶CK和钙离子浓度Ca2+存在显著性差异(P0.05);而非性别因素影响两类小鼠组间的谷草转氨酶/谷丙转氨酶(AS/AL)、肌酐CR和肌酸磷酸激酶CK存在显著性差异(P0.05);其他各项指标差异不显著(P0.05)。研究表明,FMR1基因敲除可影响小鼠的部分生理生化指标水平,这为今后研究和应用C57BL/6 FMR1 KO小鼠模型提供了实验依据。     

FMR－1同源基因在大鼠脑发育过程中持续表达

以克隆的人FMR-1 cDNA片段为探针,进行RNA印迹杂交,检测发育过程中大鼠脑组织FMR-1同源基因的表达.结果显示从胚胎早期至出生后一个月该基因有持续表达,其中在胚胎发育晚期表达量较高,提示FMR-1基因可能参与胎脑发育的调节.     

脆性X综合征的基因诊断与产前诊断

为了探讨简便、快速、准确、价廉的脆性X综合征的诊断方法,对6个智能低下家系进行了细胞遗传学检查,以及PCR直接扩增FMR1 5^'端(CGG)_{n<\sub>重复序列、RT-PCR扩增FMR1基因的cDNA序列的分子遗传学检查。A家系先证者脆性X染色体高表达（35/273）,分子遗传学检查证实为脆性X综合征全突变患者;B家系先证者及其母亲无脆性X染色体表达,分子遗传学检查证实为非脆性X综合征患者;C家系的男性胎儿脆性X染色体表达（5/93）,先证者及其母亲未发现脆性X染色体,分子遗传学检查证实男性胎儿为脆性X综合征全突变患者,其母亲为前突变携带者,哥哥为嵌合体患者;D家系先证者脆性X染色体高表达17%,其姐姐脆性X染色体5%,分子遗传学检查证实先证者为脆性X综合征全突变患者,其姐姐为嵌合体患者;E家系先证者及其母亲,F家系先证者发现可疑脆性X染色体,分子遗传学检查证实为非脆性X综合征家系。结论： PCR直接扩增FMR1基因(CGG)n<\sub>重复序列联合RT-PCR扩增FMR1基因cDNA 序列简便、快速、价廉。可用于脆性X综合征的筛查、诊断及产前诊断,有推广应用价值。}     

甲基化特异性PCR检测FMR1 和XIST基因甲基化实验方法的建立

建立一种快速、灵敏的检测脆性X智障基因（Fragile X mental retardation, FMR1）和X染色体失活基因（X chromosome inactivation,XIST）甲基化的方法,用亚硫酸氢钠和对苯二酚对基因组DNA进行脱氨基修饰。以修饰后的DNA为模板,用两套不同的引物对：1对甲基化特异性引物和1对非甲基化特异性引物扩增FMR1基因（CGG）n重复序列区、FMR1 和XIST 基因的启动子区。PCR产物进一步克隆、测序。以亚硫酸氢钠和对苯二酚脱氨基修饰后的DNA为模板,进行PCR扩增后的产物与预期基因目的基因片段大小相符合,无非特异性扩增产物。测序结果表明,FMR1、XIST基因中的非甲基化的C碱基转变为U碱基,而CpG岛被甲基化的C碱基不改变。成功地建立了检测FMR1、XIST甲基化的方法,为实验室诊断脆性X综合征提供了新的方法。     

大鼠FMR1同源基因cDNA的克隆、测序与选择剪接的初步分析

应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法,从新生大鼠脑组织总ＲＮＡ扩增大鼠ＦＭＲ１同源基因的ｃＤＮＡ片段,克降至ｐＵＣ１８质粒中进行序列分析．获得从终止密码子起共１６８１ｂｐ的编码序列,尚缺少约２００ｂｐ的５′序列．所克隆的这部分大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ,不含有对应于人ＦＭＲ１基因的外显子１２及外显子１７第一和第三剪接受点之间的序列,提示大鼠ＦＭＲ１基因也有选择剪接表达．同源性分析显示,大鼠ＦＭＲ１与小鼠ＦＭＲ１基因的同源性为９７．７％,与人ＦＭＲ１基因的同源性为９４．９％;与小鼠ＦＭＲＰ（ＦＭＲ１蛋白）的氨基酸序列同源性为９８．４％,与人ＦＭＲＰ的氨基酸序列同源性为９７．９％．以大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ片段为探针检测到大鼠不同组织中ＦＭＲ１基因的选择剪接表达．上述结果为以大鼠为动物模型深入研究ＦＭＲ１基因功能奠定了基础．     

应用多聚酶链式反应快速分析FMR-1基因突变

为了建立一种在先天性智力低下患儿中快速分析脆性X综合征智力低下基因1(Fragile X mental retardation gene 1.FMR-1)突变的方法,对先天性智力低下儿童进行脆性X综合征的大面积筛查和诊断,应用复式多聚酶链式反应一次性扩增FMR-1基因的(CGG)n的重复区,分析CGG重复序列的大小,判断FMR-1基因状态(正常、突变前、突变后),对脆性X综合征可疑患儿快速筛查,在113倒不明原因的先天性智力低下患儿中,分析有脆性X综合征携带者(FMR-1基因前突变者)7例(2男5女),脆性X综合征患者(FMR-1基因突变者)5例,应用多聚酶链式反应可以对脆性X综合征可疑患儿进行大面积初筛,确定携带者和患者。     

脆性X相关蛋白Ⅰ的研究进展

脆性X相关基因I(FXR1)发现于1995年,位于3号染色体3q28。其产物脆性X相关蛋白1(FXR1P)与脆性X智障蛋白1 (FMR1P)、脆性X相关蛋白2(FXR2P)形成一个RNA结合蛋白家族。目前认为这三种蛋白能输送mRNA分子并调控其翻译过程。FXR1的翻译产物(FXR1P)分子中存在两个KH结构域和一个RGG结构域,这两种结构域与FXR1P分子的RNA结合作用有关。FXR1P的表达具有较高的组织特意性,在横纹肌中表达最高。合适的动物模型对于一种蛋白的功能研究具有十分重要的意义,目前,FXR1敲除的各种动物模型如小鼠、斑马鱼、非洲爪蟾的近亲Xenopus tropicalis已经在不同的实验室建立。本文主要介绍了FXR1P的结构特点、功能及其实验动物模型。     

T-STAR的结构及生物学功能

T-STAR基因定位于染色体8q24.2,其表达产物为分子量约55kDa的Sam68样蛋白,是STAR(signaltransductionandactivatorofRNA)家族新成员,具有RNA结合蛋白特征性的结合位点和酪氨酸磷酸化功能域。可能通过酪氨酸激酶信号转导系统和pre-mRNA的选择性剪接、加工等途径,参与了精子的发生、细胞的增殖调控、转化细胞的永生化过程并可能与某些疾病有关。     

Study of FMR1 gene association with ovarian dysfunction in a sample from the Basque Country

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as cessation of menses before the age of 40. The most significant single gene associated with POF is the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 gene (FMR1). In the present work we screened women with fertility problems from the Basque Country in order to determine, whether in these women, FMR1 CGG repeat size in the intermediate and premutation range was associated with their pathology, and whether intermediate and premutation carriers had endocrine signs of diminished ovarian function, using the most established measure of ovarian reserve, the gonadotropin FSH. A patient sample of 41 women with ovarian insufficiency and a control sample of 32 women with no fertility problems from the Basque Country were examined. The patient sample was classified into three categories according to the results of the retrospective assessment of their ovarian function. In group 2 of patients, women with irregular cycles, reduced fecundity and FSH levels ≥ 10 IU/l, there is a significant increase in the number of intermediate and premutation FMR1 alleles (35–54 CGG repeats). In group 3 of patients, women with amenorrhea for at least four consecutive months and FSH levels ≥ 10 IU/l, a significant increase in the number of intermediate FMR1 alleles (35–54 CGG repeats) was found in patients compared with controls. In this group all the patients had a serum concentration > 40 IU/l. The results suggest that in the analysed Basque sample the FMR1 gene has a role in the aetiology of POF. However, elevated FSH levels are more related to the menstrual cycle pattern than to the CGG repeat size.     

FMRP RNA targets: identification and validation

The Fragile X Syndrome is caused by the loss of function of the FMR1 gene (Pieretti et al. 1991. Cell 66, 817-822; O'Donnell & Warren 2002. Annu Rev Neurosci 25, 315-338]. Identification of the RNA targets to which FMRP binds is a key step in understanding the function of the protein and the cellular defects caused by its absence (Darnell et al. 2004 Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev 10, 49-52). Here we discuss the current understanding of FMRP as an RNA-binding protein, the different approaches that have been taken to identify FMRP RNA targets and the relevance of some of these approaches to FMRP biology. In addition, we present evidence that point mutations in the K-homology (KH)1 or KH2 domains of FMRP abrogate its polyribosome association in transfected neuroblastoma cells but that the deletion of the RGG box does not. This suggests that RNA binding by the RGG box of FMRP may mediate other aspects of cellular mRNA metabolism such as mRNA localization or that it may have a role downstream of polyribosome association.     

真核生物中锌指蛋白的结构与功能

真核生物中的许多蛋白质分子包含锌指结构区,这类蛋白称为锌指蛋白.锌指蛋白因其包含特殊的指状结构,在对DNA、蛋白质和RNA的识别和结合中起重要作用.许多锌指蛋白的锌指结构域包含能与DNA特异结合的区域,并与某些效应结构域（如KRAB、SCAN、BTB/POZ、SNAG、SANT和PLAG等）相连,这类锌指蛋白常作为转录因子起作用,可调控靶基因的转录.一些锌指蛋白包含蛋白质识别结构域（如LIM锌指、MYND锌指、PHD锌指和RING锌指等）,它们能够特异地介导蛋白质之间的相互作用,因此被称作蛋白适配器.此外,某些锌指蛋白还可以结合RNA,起转录后调控作用.本文就锌指蛋白与DNA、RNA以及蛋白质分子间的相互作用作一综述.     

Covariate Adjusted Correlation Analysis with Application to FMR1 Premutation Female Carrier Data

Summary .  Motivated by molecular data on female premutation carriers of the fragile X mental retardation 1 ( FMR1 ) gene, we present a new method of covariate adjusted correlation analysis to examine the association of messenger RNA (mRNA) and number of CGG repeat expansion in the  FMR1  gene. The association between the molecular variables in female carriers needs to adjust for activation ratio (ActRatio), a measure which accounts for the protective effects of one normal X chromosome in females carriers. However, there are inherent uncertainties in the exact effects of ActRatio on the molecular measures of interest. To account for these uncertainties, we develop a flexible adjustment that accommodates both additive and multiplicative effects of ActRatio nonparametrically. The proposed adjusted correlation uses local conditional correlations, which are local method of moments estimators, to estimate the Pearson correlation between two variables adjusted for a third observable covariate. The local method of moments estimators are averaged to arrive at the final covariate adjusted correlation estimator, which is shown to be consistent. We also develop a test to check the nonparametric joint additive and multiplicative adjustment form. Simulation studies illustrate the efficacy of the proposed method. (Application to  FMR1  premutation data on 165 female carriers indicates that the association between mRNA and CGG repeat after adjusting for ActRatio is stronger.) Finally, the results provide independent support for a specific jointly additive and multiplicative adjustment form for ActRatio previously proposed in the literature.     

Unusual subcellular confinement of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in circulating human platelets: complete polyribosome dissociation

FMRP, a RNA-binding protein, was shown in association with polyribosomes in every cell types studied so far, suggesting a ubiquitous role as a translational regulator. Platelets are known for their limited protein synthesis potential. However, current investigations put forward that RNA metabolism is more developed than previously thought. Unexpectedly, our results provide evidence that FMRP, in platelets, is not constitutively associated with heavy particles, such as polyribosomes, and possesses a sedimentation coefficient of less than 10S contrasting with values of 150 to 500S as reported in other cell types. In summary, this report brings to light platelets as a simple human biological system to delineate novel FMRP functions as well as strengthening our comprehension of the pathophysiology of the fragile X syndrome which results from the absence of FMRP.     

DSCR1 interacts with FMRP and is required for spine morphogenesis and local protein synthesis

Most common genetic factors known to cause intellectual disability are Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of intellectual disability remain unclear. Recently, dendritic spine dysmorphogenesis and impaired local protein synthesis are posited to contribute to the cellular mechanisms of intellectual disability. Here, we show that Down syndrome critical region1 (DSCR1) interacts with Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and regulates both dendritic spine morphogenesis and local protein synthesis. Interestingly, decreasing the level of FMRP restores the DSCR1-induced changes in dendritic spine morphology. Our results imply that DSCR1 is a novel regulator of FMRP and that Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome may share disturbances in common pathways that regulate dendritic spine morphology and local protein synthesis.     

核内不均一核糖核蛋白在前体mRNA加工中的功能

核内不均一核糖核蛋白(hnRNP)是一类存在于真核生物体内具有类似结构特征的高丰度RNA结合蛋白,一般均匀分布在核内。多种hnRNP具有多样的功能,参与从转录调节,前体mRNA剪接,mRNA输出到mRNA降解等多种生物过程,从而进行基因表达调控。现着重介绍hnRNP在前体mRNA加工过程(加帽,剪接,加尾,输出,选择性降解)中的功能及研究进展。