利用RNAi技术沉默小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因

RNA干扰（RNA interference, RNAi）是一种调控基因表达的方法, 其通过体外合成一段与内源靶基因同源的双链RNA（dsRNA）或siRNA, 导入生物体内, 使内源靶基因中同源mRNA降解, 从而达到阻抑基因表达的目的。类钙粘蛋白（cadherin-like protein）是位于昆虫中肠刷状缘膜囊(brush border membrane vesicles, BBMV)上与钙粘蛋白(cadherin)结构相似的物质, 是多种昆虫体内Bt杀虫蛋白的受体。本研究利用基因特异引物通过RT-PCR扩增了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的2个片段（CAD1和CAD2）, 合成相对应的双链RNA（double-stranded RNA, dsRNA）; 并将dsRNA通过显微注射导入小菜蛾3龄幼虫体内, 测定了不同靶位点、不同剂量、不同检测时间对目的基因mRNA表达量的影响。结果表明: 将70 nL CAD1对应的dsRNA注射到幼虫体内48 h后, 基因表达量显著下降, 72 h后恢复。免疫印迹检测结果表明, 类钙粘蛋白在注射dsRNA 48 h后幼虫BBMV中的含量明显下降。本实验成功实现了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的沉默, 该体系的成功建立为利用RNAi技术分析小菜蛾及其他鳞翅目昆虫基因的功能提供了参考。     

重组人可溶性PDGFRβ/Fc在昆虫细胞Sf9中的表达

【目的】利用昆虫细胞Bac-to-Bac杆状病毒表达系统表达血小板源性生长因子受体β (PDGFRβ)链膜外区与人IgG Fc片段的可溶性受体融合蛋白sPDGFRβ/Fc,并检测重组蛋白的特异性和生物活性。【方法】采用Bac-to-Bac系统,构建重组转移质粒pFastbac-sPDGFRβ/Fc,转化到含穿梭载体Bacmid的感受态细胞DH10Bac中,使目的基因与杆状病毒基因组DNA发生位点特异性重组,获得重组病毒DNA,将其通过脂质体转染昆虫细胞Sf9获得重组病毒。将该重组病毒感染Sf9无血清细胞系,在Sf9细胞中表达sPDGFRβ/Fc,对表达产物进行Western blotting检测和Protein A亲合层析纯化,并进一步通过MTT法检测获得的重组蛋白生物学活性。【结果】重组病毒感染Sf9细胞后,经Western blotting分析,能检测到一条分子量约为97 kDa的特异性条带,与目的蛋白大小相符。通过Protein A亲和层析,获得了纯度达75％以上,表达量为1 μg/mL细胞培养上清的重组融合蛋白,MTT结果显示该重组融合蛋白sPDGFRβ/Fc具有抑制PDGF刺激的Balb/c 3T3细胞增殖的能力。【结论】具有生物活性的重组可溶性受体融合蛋白sPDGFRβ/Fc可在昆虫细胞中成功地得到表达。     

Increase in the Amount of celA1 Protein in Tobacco BY-2 Cells by a Cellulose Biosynthesis Inhibitor, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile

The biochemical analysis of cellulose biosynthesis by plantshas been a difficult problem due to the lack of a reliable assayprocedure for cellulose synthase activity. Recently, the celAlgene was cloned from cotton fiber, and this gene was identifiedfrom the rsw1 mutant of Arabidopsis as a catalytic subunit ofcellulose synthase (Arioli et al. 1998). The cloning of thesegenes enables us to obtain specific antibodies against cellulosesynthase. A highly specific antibody against celAl protein wasprepared and used to detect the protein from microsomal fractionof tobacco BY-2 cells. The quantity of celAl protein in microsomalfraction of normal BY-2 cells was under the detection limit,although they contained a large quantity of cellulose. In contrast,cells habituated to 1 µM DCB (a specific inhibitor ofcellulose biosynthesis) produced 1/10 of cellulose content ofthe normal cells, but had much more celAl protein than the normalcells. The amount of polysaccharides in the EDTA-soluble fractionwas relatively increased in habituated cells. The results suggestthat celAl protein is stabilized upon DCB binding and that thecrystallization of cellulose microfibrils is inhibited simultaneously. (Received January 28, 1998; Accepted May 7, 1998)     

Cloning of a Novel Rat Gene, DB83, That Encodes a Putative Membrane Protein

Using a partial cDNA sequence and a 5'-RACE technique, we isolateda novel cDNA from rat liver referred to as DB83. DB83 had fourhydrophobic trans-membrane domains and one N-myristoylationsite as well as multiple possible phosphorylation sites. Thedb83 gene was highly expressed in the liver and significantlyin brain, lungs and kidneys. We suggest that DB83 is a tissue-specificputative membrane protein.     

Signaling mechanisms regulating bombesin-mediated AP-1 gene induction in the human gastric cancer SIIA

The hormone bombesin(BBS) and its mammalian equivalent gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) actthrough specific GRP receptors (GRP-R) to affect multiple cellularfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract; the intracellular signalingpathways leading to these effects are not clearly defined. Previously,we demonstrated that the human gastric cancer SIIA possesses GRP-R andthat BBS stimulates activator protein-1 (AP-1) gene expression. Thepurpose of our present study was to determine the signaling pathwaysleading to AP-1 induction in SIIA cells. A rapid induction ofc-jun and jun-B gene expression was noted afterBBS treatment; this effect was blocked by specific GRP-R antagonists,indicating that BBS is acting through the GRP-R. The signaling pathwaysleading to increased AP-1 gene expression were delineated using phorbol12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which stimulates protein kinase C(PKC)-dependent pathways, by forskolin (FSK), which stimulates proteinkinase A (PKA)-dependent pathways, and by the use of various protein kinase inhibitors. Treatment with PMA stimulated AP-1 gene expression and DNA binding activity similar to the effects noted with BBS; FSKstimulated jun-B expression but produced only minimalincreases of c-jun mRNA and AP-1 binding activity.Pretreatment of SIIA cells with either H-7 or H-8 (primarily PKCinhibitors) inhibited the induction of c-jun andjun-B mRNAs in response to BBS, whereas H-89 (PKA inhibitor)exhibited only minimal effects. Pretreatment with tyrphostin-25, aprotein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, attenuated the BBS-mediatedinduction of c-jun and jun-B, but the effect wasnot as pronounced as with H-7. Collectively, our results demonstratethat BBS acts through its receptor to produce a rapid induction of bothc-jun and jun-B mRNA and AP-1 DNA binding activity in the SIIA human gastric cancer. Moreover, this induction ofAP-1, in response to BBS, is mediated through both PKC- and PTK-dependent signal transduction pathways with only minimalinvolvement of PKA.

     

甜菜夜蛾泛素延伸蛋白基因cDNA的3′RACE-PCR扩增及其克隆和表达

根据已知的草地夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda的泛素延伸基因 5'端核苷酸序列设计引物,应用3'RACE-PCR技术,从甜菜夜蛾S. exigua脂肪体组织总RNA中反转录扩增泛素基因的cDNA片段。扩增得到的片段全长513 bp,3'末端有123 bp的非翻译区,翻译区编码一个长为129个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,预测分子量为14.8 kD。同源分析表明,此cDNA序列为ubiquitin-53aa extension protein(ubi-53) 基因,在泛素蛋白后融合了一个核糖体L40蛋白（ribosomal L40 protein）。用MagAlign和Genedoc软件对cDNA编码的氨基酸序列进行了同源性分析,结果表明： 甜菜夜蛾的ubi-53基因与真核生物家蚕Bombyx mori、草地夜蛾、果蝇Drosophila melanogaster和人Homo sapienes泛素的同源性分别为96.9%、98.5%、95.3%和93.0%,与甜菜夜蛾核型多角体病毒(SeNPV)泛素的同源性为78.8%,说明真核生物的泛素基因与核型多角体病毒的泛素基因可能存在不同的分子进化途径。将甜菜夜蛾的ubI-53基因克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a上,转化至BL21（DE3）中,用IPTG进行诱导表达,用异源泛素单克隆抗体进行Western blot检测,证明原核表达蛋白是目的蛋白。     

家蝇金属硫蛋白基因的克隆、原核表达及活性检测

金属硫蛋白是一类普遍存在于生物体内、富含半胱氨酸的小分子蛋白,能螯合多种金属离子。本研究根据EST序列信息,利用RACE技术克隆到1条家蝇Musca domestica金属硫蛋白基因MdMtn（GenBank登录号为GU289398）。序列分析表明,MdMtn cDNA全长408 bp,包含1个123 bp的开放阅读框,编码40个氨基酸残基,其中半胱氨酸残基10个,呈-C-X-C-方式排列。此蛋白理论分子量为3.8 kD,等电点为878。为了解家蝇金属硫蛋白对重金属的结合活性,构建了pET-DsbA-MT表达载体,并转化Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）宿主菌进行融合表达。研究发现MT重组菌对重金属镉的耐受性得到了明显加强,提示MdMtn基因可能在家蝇适应重金属环境中起到积极作用。     

Carboxyl Terminal Segment of T4 Gene 32 Protein is Dispensable in Vivo

We obtained a mutant of bacteriophage T4 which overcame thedeficiency in gene 49 endonuclease. The new mutation occurredin gene 32 and the mutant, which was viable, produced an amberfragment under non-suppressed conditions, lacking about 30 aminoacid residues at the carboxyl terminus. Its growth, recombination,and resistance to UV irradiation were affected to various degreesby the particular suppressor tRNA present. Growth was increasedby Su2⁺ to nearly that of the wild type, but growth of all otherswas reduced in the presence and absence of suppressors, suggestingthat the terminal domain of gene 32 protein is not indispensablefor the function but modulates it. We discuss the mechanismby which the mutation overcomes the defect in gene 49 endonuclease. ¹ This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. JojiAshida. (Received November 22, 1982; Accepted February 21, 1983)     

甜菜夜蛾围食膜肠粘蛋白基因SeM-8的克隆、序列分析及在不同组织中的表达检测

昆虫肠粘蛋白（invertebrate intestinal mucin, IIM）是围食膜（peritrophic membrane, PM）的重要蛋白组分之一,在保护昆虫免受微生物侵染方面起着非常重要的作用。本研究以甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua 5龄幼虫中肠总RNA为模板,根据已知的甜菜夜蛾肠粘蛋白SeIIM-8基因的cDNA序列（GenBank登录号：ABW06596）设计引物,利用RT-PCR技术扩增得到甜菜夜蛾肠粘蛋白基因SeM-8,序列分析发现其开放阅读框（open reading frame, ORF）长2 703 bp,编码900个氨基酸残基,预测分子量为95.7 kDa。序列分析表明,其氨基酸序列（GenBank登录号：GU255994）与棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera（Hübner）,粘虫Mamestra configurata和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella肠粘蛋白的一致性分别为48%,49% 和45%。Western blot分析结果表明,SeM-8粘蛋白在甜菜夜蛾即将孵化的卵和5龄幼虫的围食膜、中肠和粪便中都有存在,在5龄幼虫马氏管、脂肪体、唾腺、血淋巴等组织部位没有发现。本研究为进一步研究IIM结构和功能,寻找生物防治新靶标奠定了理论基础。     

Cloning and Characterization of the Ribosomal Protein Genes in the spc Operon of a Prokaryotic Endosymbiont of the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon kondoi

To correlate a prokaryotic endosymbiont in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphonkondoi, with the endosymbionts in related aphid species as wellas with free-living bacteria and subcellular organelles, andto study the mode of its gene expression within aphid cells,we have cloned and characterized the genes encoding ribosomalproteins S3, L16, L29, S17, L14, L24, L5, S14, S8, L6, L18,S5, L30, L15 and secretion protein Y (Sec Y) from the S10 andspc ribosomal protein gene operons of this endosymbiont. Theorganization of these genes is identical to that in Escherichiacoli, and their nucleotide sequences are highly similar (87%identity) to the corresponding E. coli genes. They are muchless similar to the corresponding chloroplast and mitochondrialgenes. The guanine plus cytosine G+C content of the genes ofthe A. kondoi endosymbiont is much higher than those of theendosymbionts in related aphid species reported so far. It appearseither that the A. kondoi endosymbiont is derived from an ancestralbacterium different from those in other aphids or that its G+Ccontent increased in a relatively short time after the evolutionarydivergence of its host.     

一个新的家蚕转录相关锌带蛋白基因的克隆及序列分析

锌带蛋白(zinc ribbon protein )是锌指类蛋白的一种,它的Cys4 Zn(2+)结合位点由3个β₂片层折叠而成,而不是α螺旋结构。锌带结构与锌指结构同为转录因子结合核酸的结构域,锌带蛋白作为转录相关因子在调节基因表达活性等方面具有重要作用。在对家蚕 Bombyx mori蛹cDNA文库测序中,发现一个新的编码家蚕锌带蛋白基因的EST序列（GenBank 登录号DY230964）,以此序列为信息探针检索家蚕EST数据库,通过同源筛选,获得一个新的家蚕锌带蛋白基因cDNA全序列并经RT-PCR检测和克隆、测序验证,结果表明与电子克隆序列完全一致。我们将其命名为 BmZNRD1 (Zinc Ribbon Domain Containing 1)（GenBank登录号DQ432055）。该基因全长为675 bp,由363 bp的开放阅读框序列(ORF)、10 bp的5′端非翻译区序列(5′UTR)和302 bp 的3′端非编码区序列(3′ UTR)组成,其编码的120个氨基酸序列与其他真核生物间具有较高的同源性（达60%左右）,预测分子量为13.54 kD, 等电点为6.8。BmZNRD1编码的氨基酸序列是一种锌带蛋白,推测有2个功能结构域,分别是位于N-端的Cx₂Cx₁₄Cx₂C和C-端的Cx₂Cx₂₄Cx₂C,其中C-端保守氨基酸序列Cx₂Cx₆Yx₃QxRSADEx₂TxFx₂Cx₂C在生物进化中保守性很高,从酵母、果蝇、线虫到两栖类、哺乳类都有发现该结构域的存在,与酵母RNA聚合酶A亚单位9和转录相关蛋白有很高的相似性,推测其具有相同的功能。将BmZNRD1基因cDNA序列与家蚕基因组序列进行比对,结果表明该基因具有3个外显子,2个内含子,外显子/内含子边界符合经典的GT-AG规则。 关键词： 家蚕; 锌带蛋白基因; 电子克隆; 基因克隆; 序列分析     

Mapping of the human CP49 gene and identification of an intragenic polymorphic marker to allow genetic linkage analysis in autosomal dominant congenital cataract

The CP49 protein is an intermediate filament protein expressed specifically in the lens fibre cells of the lens, where it is an important cytoplasmic structural component. Dominant-negative mutations in other intermediate filament proteins, such as keratins, cause disorders characterised by dense cytoplasmic aggregates in specific cell types. The CP49 gene is therefore a good candidate for dominantly inherited forms of cataract. To allow genetic linkage analysis of families with autosomal dominant cataract with respect to CP49, a highly polymorphic intragenic microsatellite marker for this gene has been developed. In addition, both low and high resolution radiation hybrid mapping of the CP49 gene has been completed, placing it very close to microsatellite marker D3S1290 on human chromosome 3q. Furthermore, using the intragenic CP49 microsatellite, linkage was excluded in four families with genetically uncharacterized forms of autosomal dominant congenital cataract.     

Expression of an ABA-induced gene of tomato in transgenic tobacco during periods of water deficit

The gene le25 is an abscisic acid (ABA)-induced gene of tomatowhich is expressed both in wilted vegetative organs and developingseeds. Spatial and temporal expression was analysed in tobaccoplants transformed with a chimeric gene in which 5'-upstreamDNA sequences of le25 were fused to the E. coli uidA gene, whichencodes ß-glucuronidase (GUS). Histochemical stainingrevealed that GUS was expressed in all tissues of vegetativeorgans in response to water deficit. Exogenous ABA induced expressionto a lesser extent, even though ABA content was the same asdroughtstressed leaves, indicating a difference in responseto endogenous ABA compared to exogenous ABA. Water-deficit-inducedGUS expression in floral tissues was examined in pre-anthesisfloral buds from four different stages (I–IV; 11, 16,33, 49 mm bud length, respectively). While non-stressed floralorgans showed no GUS activity except in pollen at stages IIIand IV, GUS activity was water-deficit-induced in sepals ofall stages, petals of stage II, and stigmas of stage II andIII. In seeds, GUS activity was detected in both the embryoand endosperm at 15 d post-anthesis, which coincided with alarge increase in the concentration of ABA in the seed. In transgenicplants, the le25 5'-flanking DNA drove expression of GUS duringwater deficit in two modes: non-tissue-specific expression invegetative organs, and tissue-specific expression in reproductiveorgans. The location of GUS activity indicated that ABA concentrationis elevated throughout the tissues of the leaf during periodsof water deficit. Key words: Tomato, ABA, drought stress, lea gene, water deficit     

洛氏脊漠甲抗冻蛋白基因的克隆、表达和功能检测

为了研究抗冻蛋白基因是否在新疆荒漠昆虫洛氏脊漠甲 Pterocoma loczyi 中存在,利用 RT-PCR 技术克隆获得了洛氏脊漠甲抗冻蛋白的 cDNA 片段,命名为 Plafp743。测序结果表明洛氏脊漠甲 Plafp743 所编码的蛋白质由 94 个氨基酸组成,蛋白序列呈现规则结构 CTX₁X₂X₃X₄CX₅X₆X₇X₈X ₉。利用原核表达载体构建重组质粒 pGEX-4T-1-Plafp743,转化 Escherichia coli BL21 进行融合蛋白表达,SDS-PAGE 结果表明抗冻蛋白PLAFP基因以可溶性融合蛋白形式表达,相对分子质量 36 kD。用 Glutathione Sepharose 4B 亲和柱对表达蛋白进行纯化后,通过赤翅甲 Dendroides canadensis 抗冻蛋白的小鼠抗血清进行 Western blot 分析,结果表明纯化的 GST-PLAFP 融合蛋白与赤翅甲抗血清能够发生特异性的免疫反应。大肠杆菌的低温抗冻保护实验结果证明,30 μg/mL 的 GST-PLAFP 在-6℃ 对细菌具有显著的保护作用,且随着抗冻蛋白浓度的增加,抗冻保护作用的效 果也随之增加。本研究首次报道了从荒漠昆虫洛氏脊漠甲扩增得到抗冻蛋白基因,提示抗冻蛋白可能是荒漠昆虫普遍采取的过冬生存策略,为进一步开发利用昆虫抗冻蛋白奠定了基础。     

Transient Gene Expression in Plant Cells Mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens: Application for the Analysis of Virulence Loci

A simple system is described for detection of the transfer ofT-DNA from Agrobacterium cells to suspension-cultured tobaccoBY-2 cells. A modified reporter gene for rß-glucuronidase(GUS) that contained an intron sequence was introduced intothe T-DNA region such that the GUS protein could be synthesizedin plant cells only after transfer of the T-DNA to plant nuclei.When BY-2 cells were co-cultured with Agrobacterium cells thatcontained the modified reporter gene, transient synthesis ofGUS protein was observed between 36 and 48 h after the onsetof co-culture. The level of GUS activity reached a plateau withinas little as 48 h. This temporal profile of GUS activation suggeststhat the transient activity might have been due to expressionof the GUS gene in the T-DNA that had been transferred to theplant nuclei but had not yet been integrated into the plantchromosomes. Levels of transient GUS activity were also examinedwith various vir mutants of Agrobacterium and in a mutant withan altered chromosomal acvB gene, the gene for a protein thathas been postulated to function outside bacterial cells. Duringco-culture with virB, virD2, virD4 and acvB mutants, GUS activityremained at background levels, and the GUS activity in the caseof the virE2 mutant was thirty-fold lower than with the wildtype. On the basis of these results, we discuss the roles ofthese genes during infection by Agrobacterium of plant cells. ⁴Present address: Biochemistry Laboratory, Kanebo Ltd., 5-3-28Kotobuki-cho, Odawara, Kanagawa, 250 Japan     

家蚕hsp20.4启动子克隆及其驱动表达产物EGT对家蚕蛹体发育的影响

为验证家蚕Bombyx mori热休克蛋白基因hsp20.4启动子的活性以及家蚕核多角体病毒egt的表达产物对家蚕发育的影响, 本实验通过PCR扩增分别得到hsp20.4启动子片段和egt片段。利用hsp20.4的启动子和红色荧光蛋白报告基因DsRed构建重组载体, 在家蚕BmN细胞以及家蚕组织中得到了瞬时表达, 表明所克隆的hsp20.4启动子序列具有热休克蛋白基因的启动子活性。又利用hsp20.4启动子和家蚕核多角体病毒的egt构建重组载体, 通过注射到蚕蛹中进行瞬时表达, 以检测egt表达产物对家蚕发育的影响, 经42℃ 1 h热诱导后, hsp20.4启动子控制的egt表达产物可以延迟家蚕发育。     

pH对红褐斑腿蝗中肠主要蛋白酶活性的影响

为评价pH对红褐斑腿蝗Catantops pinguis (Stål)中肠蛋白酶活性的影响, 本文用3种专性底物测定了不同pH环境下蝗虫中肠类胰蛋白酶和类胰凝乳蛋白酶的活性。结果表明: 雄性红褐斑腿蝗中肠肠液的pH值为6.92±0.043, 雌性为7.03±0.054, 两性间差异不显著（P>0.05）。并且发现3种蛋白酶的最适pH值各不相同, 其中雌雄虫的强碱性类胰蛋白酶（以BAPNA为底物）最适pH分别为8.5和10.5; 雌雄虫的弱碱性类胰蛋白酶（以TAME为底物）最适pH分别为9.0和9.5; 而雌雄虫的类胰凝乳蛋白酶（以BTEE为底物）最适pH雌性为8.5, 雄性为8.0。统计结果显示, pH对红褐斑腿蝗中肠蛋白酶活性影响显著（P<0.01）, 两性间蛋白酶活性差异显著（P<0.01）。在最适pH情况下, 雌性的类胰蛋白酶活性高于雄性, 而类胰凝乳蛋白酶活性则是雄性高于雌性。在中肠pH范围内雌性比雄性具有更高的消化蛋白酶活性, 显示雌性具有较强的食物处理能力以摄取更多的营养物质为繁殖活动（孕卵）作准备, 而该种蝗虫最适pH范围较宽, 可能与其取食植物范围较宽有关。