核基质结合区的位置对转基因表达的影响

为研究核基质结合区 (MAR）序列不同插入位置对转基因表达作用的影响,PCR扩增人β 珠蛋白MAR分别插入到含氯霉素乙酰转移酶（chloramphenicol acetyltransferase,CAT）报告基因真核表达载体pCATG表达盒两侧、5′端及3′端.酶切鉴定后,用阳离子聚合物转染CHO细胞,G418筛选出阳性细胞克隆,ELISA分析CAT基因的表达水平,半定量PCR分析CAT基因相对拷贝数.结果表明,表达盒两侧含MAR序列的载体能提高介导的转基因表达水平平均提高10.4倍,5′端含MAR序列的载体表达水平平均提高3.9倍,3′端含MAR序列的载体反而降低转基因表达水平.5′端含MAR序列的表达载体其转基因相对拷贝数高于其它两组载体的基因拷贝数,转基因表达量与基因拷贝数不成正比.     

核基质结合区提高稳定整合的CAT报告基因在NIH3T3细胞中的表达

通过PCR从人基因组扩增β珠蛋白核基质结合区(matrix attachment region,MAR)及β干扰素MAR,正向及反向克隆至pCAT3载体SV40启动子的上游,分别检测瞬时及稳定表达的情况下MAR在NIH3T3细胞内对CAT报告基因的影响情况。结果显示：瞬时表达情况下,反向及正向插入的MAR均不能提高CAT基因的表达;稳定整合的情况下,插入的β珠蛋白MAR可使CAT报告基因表达水平提高8倍,β干扰素MAR提高3倍,反向及正向插入的MAR没有明显的差别。这表明MAR能在一定程度上提高外源基因的表达水平,并且不同的MAR对外源基因表达的影响存在差异,MAR的插入方向对外源基因的表达水平没有明显的作用。     

核基质结合区提高报告基因在稳定转化的杜氏盐藻中的表达

前期的研究从杜氏盐藻（Dunaliella salina）中分离出一核基质结合区（matrix attachment region,MAR）片段——DSM1.实验证实,它在体外能与核基质结合且具有MAR的典型特征.为研究其在转基因盐藻中的作用,构建了RbcS启动子驱动、氯霉素乙酰转移酶（chloramp henicol acetyltransferase,CAT）基因为报告基因及表达盒两侧含DSM1 MAR的表达载体.电击法转化盐藻,随机挑选20株稳定转化的盐藻藻株,分析CAT酶活性.结果表明,在稳定转化的盐藻细胞中,MAR能使报告基因CAT的表达水平比对照藻株提高1-5倍,不同藻株之间个体表达的差异性也有所降低     

玉米核基质结合区在烟草中对外源转基因表达水平的影响

为研究核基质结合区(matrix attachment region, MAR)在转基因植物中的功能,将来自玉米基因组的MAR序列构建在植物表达载体T-DNA中, 并将报告基因β-葡糖醛酸酶(β-glucuronidase, GUS)基因(uidA)插入两段MARs序列之间.将此载体与不包含MARs序列的植物表达载体分别转化烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.).GUS活性检测表明,MARs可以显著提高外源基因uidA在转基因烟草中的表达水平,平均表达水平提高2倍,最高单株活性可达10倍.并且转基因植株GUS活性高低与稳定mRNA的量成正比,表明MARs在转录水平提高基因表达.     

芜菁类黄酮3′-羟化酶基因的功能鉴定及启动子初步分析

类黄酮3′-羟化酶（Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase,F3′H）是细胞色素P450单加氧酶,在花青素合成途径中催化二氢山奈酚生成二氢槲皮素,进而形成矢车菊色素。利用津田芜菁BrF3′H1和赤丸芜菁BrF3′H2基因构建过量表达载体后遗传转化烟草,转基因植株的花色加深。通过染色体步移法克隆了BrF3′H1和BrF3′H2基因上游846和851 bp的启动子序列。生物信息学分析表明,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P均包含TATA box、CAAT box、光调控元件、MRE、ABRE、ATGCAAAT-motif、ERE、O2-site、RY-element、LTR等多个顺式作用元件;二者的核苷酸序列在7个位点存在差异。利用BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P序列替换pCAMBIA1301植物表达载体的35S启动子后遗传转化烟草。GUS组织化学染色结果表明,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P序列均能驱动GUS基因表达。通过PCR方法获得了BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P的一系列缺失片段,融合GUS基因后转化烟草。染色结果显示,BrF3′H1P和BrF3′H2P系列缺失片段均具有起始GUS基因表达的活性。BrF3′H1和BrF3′H2基因的功能鉴定及启动子的初步分析将为揭示津田芜菁和赤丸芜菁F3′H基因的光诱导表达调控机理奠定研究基础。     

玉米核基质结合区在烟草中对外源转基因表达水平的影响

为研究核基质结合区 (matrixattachmentregion ,MAR)在转基因植物中的功能 ,将来自玉米基因组的MAR序列构建在植物表达载体T_DNA中 ,并将报告基因β_葡糖醛酸酶 (β_glucuronidase ,GUS)基因 (uidA)插入两段MARs序列之间。将此载体与不包含MARs序列的植物表达载体分别转化烟草 (NicotianatabacumL .)。GUS活性检测表明 ,MARs可以显著提高外源基因uidA在转基因烟草中的表达水平 ,平均表达水平提高 2倍 ,最高单株活性可达 10倍。并且转基因植株GUS活性高低与稳定mRNA的量成正比 ,表明MARs在转录水平提高基因表达。     

hOPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠模型的建立

目的:建立带有人类骨保护素OPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠模型,为OPG体内转录水平的表达调控研究和药物筛选创造条件。方法:将克隆到的人类OPG基因5′端上游6.0kb非翻译序列作为启动子,大肠杆菌编码β半乳糖苷酶的LacZ基因作为报告基因,构建表达载体pCINeoOPGLacZ。经显微操作注射到受精卵原核中,经PCR以及Southern印迹杂交鉴定转基因阳性小鼠;用RTPCR分析LacZ在组织中的表达;利用邻硝基苯βD半乳吡喃糖苷(ONPG)作为底物反应后比色分析组织中的β半乳糖苷酶活性。结果:构建完成的表达载体pCINeoOPGLacZ质粒经酶切和测序鉴定序列正确,线性化后显微注射。PCR以及Southern印迹杂交鉴定获得了10只转基因小鼠(Founders),经交配繁育,建立了5个转基因小鼠系,RTPCR分析表明其中一个系小鼠组织中表达LacZ基因,与内源OPG表达模式一致,组织中可以广泛检测到相应的β半乳糖苷酶活性。结论:成功建立了人类OPG基因启动子驱动报告基因LacZ的转基因小鼠,为体内研究OPG转录水平的表达及药物筛选提供了理想的动物模型。     

βLCR对β地中海贫血基因在转基因小鼠体内表达的影响

目的:明确在转基因小鼠体内,βLCR对β地中海贫血基因表达的影响。方法：将完整人β-IVSⅡ-654地中海贫血基因,与串连了人βLCR的β-IVSⅡ-654地中海贫血基因分别经显微注射法制作转基因小鼠;荧光定量RT-PCR法检测β-IVSⅡ-654地贫基因在转基因小鼠体内的表达;采用统计分析比较2类转基因鼠中外源基因的表达量。结果：成功建立2类整合了人β-IVSⅡ-654地贫基因的转基因小鼠模型。荧光定量RT-PCR分析结果表明,在整合了串连人βLCR的β-IVSⅡ-654地贫基因的小鼠体内,外源基因mRNA的表达量远高于仅整合β-IVSⅡ-654地贫基因的小鼠（统计分析P值 ）。结论：βLCR核心片段的存在可以使β-珠蛋白基因家族（包括β-地贫基因）在转基因小鼠体内获得高效表达的必要条件。     

β珠蛋白基因5'远端新沉默子克隆及定点诱变

通过凝胶滞留分析和荧光素酶报告基因检测系统,鉴定出人类β珠蛋白基因5'旁侧远端帽位上游-2 132～-1 82 2 bp间存在一个活性沉默子片段(310 bp),将其亚克隆至pUC-T载体中,然后采用人工设计的突变引物,将经DNA足纹分析确定的两个结合位点的核心基序(β珠蛋白基因帽位上游 -2 017～-2 011 bp间的"CTTCCGC"序列和-2 006～-1 997 bp间的"CACTTT ATTT"序列) 分别定点诱变为"CTTAAGC"和"CACTTAAGTT"两个突变序列,从而构建成两种突变型310 bp片段,可用于对活性沉默子位点的结构与功能及β珠蛋白基因表达调控机制的深入研究.     

人CD46启动子真核表达载体的构建

为了构建人CD46（hCD46）启动子指导目的基因表达的真核表达载体,提取HeLa细胞基因组DNA,用PCR扩增出hCD46基因的启动子区域,序列分析结果表明其与GenBank中hCD46基因5’端某片段的同源性为99.9％。用此启动子替换pcDNA3EGFP中的CMV启动子,并在hCD46启动子和EGFP基因之间插入兔β-球蛋白基因第二内含子（RGI）,得到的重组表达载体转染CHO和SP2/0两种鼠源细胞,流式细胞术检测表明CHO细胞EGFP的表达量高于SP2/0细胞,表达特性与人体CD46相似;RGI可以增强EGFP的表达量,但不改变其表达的组织特异性,提示克隆的hCD46启动子可以用于研制模拟人体CD46基因表达特性的转基因小鼠。     

Positional effects of the matrix attachment region on transgene expression in stably transfected CHO cells

Previous work has shown that the MAR (matrix attachment region) could increase transgene expression in stably transfected CHO (Chinese‐hamster ovary) cells. To study the positional effect of MAR on transgene expression, three expression vectors were constructed which contained the human β‐globin MAR in different sites, including the vector with two MARs flanking the CAT (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) expression cassette, one MAR at the 5′ or 3′ site. These vectors were transfected into CHO cells. The level of CAT gene expression was most effectively increased by two MARs flanking the CAT expression cassette. This increase was also seen when MAR was inserted at the 5′ site upstream of the expression cassette, whereas the transgene expression level decreased when MAR was inserted at the 3′ site downstream of the expression cassette. We have also shown that the transgene expression level is not directly proportional to the gene copy number, and gene copy number dependency does not exist.     

Enhanced expression of transgene in CHO cells using matrix attachment region

The expression of transgenes in mammalian cells is often at a low level mainly due to position effects from the neighboring chromatin context. To improve this, we have constructed a vector pCAM, which contains chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene cassettes, driven by SV40 early promoter and flanked by two human beta-globin MARs in cis. We transfected this vector into the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, and found that the level of CAT gene expression with MAR was effectively increased, about 5.493-fold higher than those without MARs. Moreover, the variations of CAT expression among individuals of transformants were decreased 2.670-fold. Our result also showed that MAR could increase the proportion of positive colonies in recombinants.     

A short synthetic chimeric sequence harboring matrix attachment region/PSAR2 increases transgene expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

A chimeric DNA fragment containing an interferon-beta matrix attachment region (MAR) and an immunoglobulin MAR (PSAR2) was synthesized. PSAR2 was cloned into the upstream or downstream region of an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression cassette in a eukaryotic vector, which was then transfected into CHO cells. The results showed that PSAR2 did not effectively increase transgene expression when it was cloned into the upstream region of the eGFP expression cassette. However, when inserted downstream of the eGFP expression cassette, PSAR2-enhanced transient transgene expression and significantly increased the numbers of stably transfected cells compared with the control vector. Additionally, PSAR2 significantly increased eGFP copy numbers as compared with the control vector. PSAR2 could significantly enhance transgene expression in CHO cells according to the position in the vector and increased transgene copy numbers. We found a short chimeric sequence harboring two MARs effectively increased transgene expression in CHO cells.     

Identification of consensus sequence from matrix attachment regions and functional analysis of its activity in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells

Matrix attachment regions (MARs) can enhance transgene expression levels and maintain stability. However, the consensus sequence from MARs and its functional analysis remains to be examined. Here, we assessed a possible consensus sequence from MARs and assessed its activity in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. First, we analyzed the effects of 10 MARs on transfected CHO cells and then analyzed the consensus motifs from these MARs using a bioinformatics method. The consensus sequence was synthesized and cloned upstream or downstream of the eukaryotic vector. The constructs were transfected into CHO cells and the expression levels and stability of enhanced green fluorescent protein were detected by flow cytometry. The results indicated that eight of the ten MARs increased transgene expression in transfected CHO cells. Three consensus motifs were found after bioinformatics analyses. The consensus sequence tandemly enhanced transgene expression when it was inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector; the effect of the addition upstream was stronger than that downstream. Thus, we found a MAR consensus sequence that may regulate the MAR-mediated increase in transgene expression.     

Identification of a potent MAR element from the human genome and assessment of its activity in stably transfected CHO cells

Low‐level and unstable transgene expression are common issues using the CHO cell expression system. Matrix attachment regions (MARs) enhance transgene expression levels, but additional research is needed to improve their function and to determine their mechanism of action. MAR‐6 from CHO chromosomes actively mediates high and consistent gene expression. In this study, we compared the effects of two new MARs and MAR‐6 on transgene expression in recombinant CHO cells and found one potent MAR element that can significantly increase transgene expression. Two MARs, including the human CSP‐B MAR element and DHFR intron MAR element from CHO cells, were cloned and inserted downstream of the poly(A) site in a eukaryotic vector. The constructs were transfected into CHO cells, and the expression levels and stability of eGFP were detected by flow cytometry. The three MAR sequences can be ranked in terms of overall eGFP expression, in decreasing order, as follows: human CSP‐B, DHFR intron MAR element and MAR‐6. Additionally, as expected, the three MAR‐containing vectors showed higher transfection efficiencies and transient transgene expression in comparison with those of the non‐MAR‐containing vector. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the NFAT and VIBP elements within MAR sequences may contribute to the enhancement of eGFP expression. In conclusion, the human CSP‐B MAR element can improve transgene expression and its effects may be related to the NFAT and VIBP elements.     

The effect of MAR elements on variation in spatial and temporal regulation of transgene expression

The level of transgene expression often differs among independent transformants. This is generally ascribed to different integration sites of the transgene into the plant genome in each independently obtained transformant (position effect). It has been shown that in tobacco transformants expressing, for example, a cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter-driven -glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, these position-induced quantitative differences among individual transformants were reduced by the introduction of matrix-associated regions (MAR elements) on the T-DNA. We have previously shown by imaging of in planta firefly luciferase (luc) reporter gene activity that quantitative differences in transgene activity can be the result of either a variation in (1) level, (2) spatial distribution and/or (3) temporal regulation of transgene expression between independent transformants. It is not known which of these three different aspects of transgene expression is affected when the transgene is flanked by MAR elements. Here we have used the firefly luciferase reporter system to analyse the influence of MAR elements on the activity of a CaMV 35S-luc transgene in a population of independently transformed tobacco plants. Imaging of in planta LUC activity in these tobacco plant populations showed that the presence of MAR elements does not result in less variation in the average level of transgene expression between individual transformants. This result is different from that obtained previously with a 35S-GUS reporter gene flanked by MAR elements and reflects the differences in the stability of the LUC and GUS reporter proteins. Also the variation in spatial patterns of in vivo LUC activity is not reduced between independent transformants when the transgene is flanked by MAR elements. However, MAR elements do seem to affect the variation in temporal regulation of transgene expression between individual transformants. The potential effects of MAR elements on the variability of transgene expression and the relation to the stability of the (trans)gene product are discussed.     

Two human MARs effectively increase transgene expression in transfected CHO cells

Matrix attachment regions (MARs) can enhance the expression level of transgene in Chinese hamster ovaries (CHO) cell expression system. However, improvements in function and analyses of the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we screened two new and more functional MAR elements from the human genome DNA. The human MAR‐3 and MAR‐7 element were cloned and inserted downstream of the polyA site in a eukaryotic vector. The constructs were transfected into CHO cells, and screened under G418 to produce the stably transfected cell pools. The expression levels and stability of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were detected by flow cytometry. The transgene copy number and transgene expression at mRNA level were detected by quantitative real‐time PCR. The results showed that the expression level of eGFP of cells transfected with MAR‐containing vectors were all higher than those of the vectors without MARs under transient and stably transfection. The enhancing effect of MAR‐7 was higher than that of MAR‐3. Additionally, we found that MAR significantly increased eGFP copy numbers and eGFP gene mRNA expression level as compared with the vector without. In conclusion, MAR‐3 and MAR‐7 gene can promote the expression of transgene in transfected CHO cells, and its effect may be related to the increase of the number of copies.     

Distance effect of matrix attachment regions on transgene expression in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells

The β-globin matrix attachment regions (MARs) were inserted into the 5′-site of the eukaryotic expression vector cassette and DNA fragments 350 and 750 bp in length were inserted into the site to generate expression vectors with varying distances between the expression cassette and MAR. The vectors containing MARs increased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression levels compared to the negative control vector lacking the MAR; the highest expression increase was 3.8-fold. A greater MAR-transgene distance (750 bp) correlated with a greater increase in transgene expression when compared to the control vector that lacked separation between the MAR and transgene. CAT gene copy numbers were higher in cells transformed with the vector possessing a smaller MAR-transgene distance (350 bp) than in cells belonging to the other three groups. However, MAR-induced transgene expression levels did not exhibit a direct relationship with gene copy number.