Tet system的调控原理及其在转基因小鼠模型上的应用

基因表达的调控是分子生物学研究的一个重要问题,也是基因治疗和基因功能研究的重要手段。诱导性基因表达系统可以从时间上调控基因的表达,是基因治疗和基因功能研究的重要工具之一。其中,四环素诱导基因表达系统(tetracycline inducible expression system,Tet system)是应用最广泛的一种,它可以在时间和空间上对基因进行严谨和高效地诱导表达。基于该系统获得了不同用途的转基因动物,这些模型动物的建立为研究特定基因的功能及其在疾病发生中的作用打下了实验基础。现就四环素诱导表达系统的原理和在小鼠模型上的研究应用做一综述。     

Generation and Characterization of a Transgenic Zebrafish Expressing the Reverse Tetracycline Transactivator

Conditional expression of a target gene during zebrafish development is a powerful approach to elucidate gene functions. The tetracycline-controlled systems have been successfully used in the modulation of gene expression in mammalian cells, but few lines of zebrafish carrying these systems are currently available. In this study, we had generated a stable transgenic zebrafish line that ubiquitously expressed the second-generation of reverse Tet transactivator （rtTA-M2）. Southern blotting analysis and high-throughput genome sequencing verifed that a single copy of rtTA-M2 gene had stably integrated into the zebrafish genome. After induction with doxycycline （Dox）, a strong green fluorescent protein （GFP） was seen in rtTA-transgenic eggs injected with pTRE--EGFP plasmids. The fluorescent signal gradually decreased after the withdrawal of Dox and disappeared. However, leaky expression of GFP was undetectable before Dox- induction. Additionally, transgenic embryos expressing rtTA-M2 exhibited no obvious defects in morphological phenotypes, hatching behavior and expression patterns of developmental marker genes, suggesting that rtTA-M2 had little effect on the development of transgenic zebrafish. Moreover, expressed Dickkopf-1 （DKK1） in pTRE-DKKl-injected embryos led to alterations in the expression of marker genes associated with Wnt signaling. Thus, this rtTA-transgenic zebrafish can be utilized to dissect functions of genes in a temporal manner.     

一种高效的单质粒模式四环素诱导表达系统的构建

现有的四环素诱导调控系统基于两个单独的质粒分别表达反式结合蛋白和外源基因.其缺点是在建立转基因定量表达动物模型时,需要制备和维持两个动物品系,再进行杂交才有可能获得双转基因后代,步骤繁琐,难度较大.针对上述缺陷,本研究尝试将反式蛋白rtTA表达框和低背景响应元件Ptight组装到同一个载体上,构建为严谨型单载体模式的诱导表达系统pTRE-Tight-rtTA,并通过两种报告基因的表达对其调控活性进行了研究.含有荧光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白的pTRE-Tight-rtTA-Luc和pTRE-Tight-rtTA-EGFP报告载体分别转染猪肾PK15细胞并经强力霉素处理,均可成功诱导报告基因的定量表达.在等摩尔转染条件下,单载体系统的诱导效率明显高于双载体系统（Dox-1 000 ng,10 倍;Dox-10 000 ng,8 倍）.该诱导型单载体系统的成功构建为外源基因的定量表达提供了新手段,为转基因定量表达动物模型的研究提供了新策略.     

条件性缺氧诱导因子-1α RNAi转基因小鼠模型的建立

缺氧诱导因子1a (hypoxia inducible factor-1 a, HIF-1 a)是细胞在缺氧等条件下稳定表达的具有转录活性的蛋白,通过与多种靶基因调控区的缺氧反应元件(hypoxia response element, HRE)结合, 调控靶基因表达, 使机体对缺氧、缺血等病理生理过程产生适应性反应。为从整体动物水平研究HIF-1 a的作用, 需要建立HIF-1 a相关遗传修饰小鼠。分别针对HIF-1 a mRNA序列的两个靶位点合成两对互补的寡核苷酸链, 构建可诱导的RNA干扰真核表达载体HIF-AB和HIF-CD。分别将CRE重组酶真核表达载体CRE-ERT2与HIF-AB或HIF-CD转染入RAW264.7细胞, 筛选得到稳定表达CRE-ERT2与HIF-AB, 或CRE-ERT2与HIF-CD的稳定细胞系。在用4-HT诱导去除上述细胞系中HIF-AB或HIF-CD所含的Neo基因后, 用CoCl2诱导HIF-1 a表达, 采用半定量RT-PCR检测HIF-AB或HIF-CD对HIF-1 a 基因表达的影响。结果发现干扰载体(HIF-AB和HIF-CD)对HIF-1 a mRNA序列的沉默效果分别为85%和72%。选择干扰效率较高的表达载体HIF-AB经显微注射获得HIF-1 a基因敲低小鼠模型, 经PCR以及测序验证获得2个转基因阳性小鼠(Founders, G0代)。G0代雄鼠与FVB/N雌鼠交配后获得2只F1代(first filial generation)转基因阳性小鼠, 经与EIIA-Cre转基因小鼠交配, 得到EIIA-Cre; HIFRNAiflox/+小鼠, RT-PCR结果显示, EIIA-Cre; HIFRNAiflox/+小鼠肝、肺、肾等组织的HIF-1 a mRNA水平明显降低, 分别约为正常对照的44%、38.2%和23.5%。该小鼠模型的建立为进一步研究HIF-1 a的功能及作用机制提供了新的手段。     

An Inducible Expression System to Measure Rhodopsin Transport in Transgenic Xenopus Rod Outer Segments

We developed an inducible transgene expression system in Xenopus rod photoreceptors. Using a transgene containing mCherry fused to the carboxyl terminus of rhodopsin (Rho-mCherry), we characterized the displacement of rhodopsin (Rho) from the base to the tip of rod outer segment (OS) membranes. Quantitative confocal imaging of live rods showed very tight regulation of Rho-mCherry expression, with undetectable expression in the absence of dexamethasone (Dex) and an average of 16.5 µM of Rho-mCherry peak concentration after induction for several days (equivalent to >150-fold increase). Using repetitive inductions, we found the axial rate of disk displacement to be 1.0 µm/day for tadpoles at 20 °C in a 12 h dark /12 h light lighting cycle. The average distance to peak following Dex addition was 3.2 µm, which is equivalent to ~3 days. Rods treated for longer times showed more variable expression patterns, with most showing a reduction in Rho-mCherry concentration after 3 days. Using a simple model, we find that stochastic variation in transgene expression can account for the shape of the induction response.     

组织特异RNAi转基因小鼠模型的构建

RNAi是一种行之有效的基因沉默的新方法,被广泛地应用于基因功能的研究、疾病的治疗以及新型疫苗的研制等领域.本研究通过原核显微注射干扰载体的方法制备转基因小鼠.选用皮肤组织特异表达的人源角蛋白14（K14）基因启动子（2000bp）作为表达载体启动子,成功地驱动融合表达载体EGFP-shRNA进行干扰片段前体的转录,进而生成成熟的干扰片段,靶向小鼠BMP4基因使其发生沉默.所得到的转基因小鼠及其杂交后代经PCR和Southern杂交鉴定,结果表明外源基因准确无误地整合到小鼠基因组.Northern杂交结果证明,小干扰RNA在皮肤组织中有较高水平的表达,在肺和肠组织中有较低水平的表达.研究结果表明,利用PolⅡ型（K14）启动子驱动shRNA融合转录本的表达,在特定组织高表达siRNA,从而达到抑制特定组织目的基因表达的技术路线是可行的.同时为利用K14启动子进行毛囊相关基因干扰研究积累了基础数据,为制备组织特异抑制基因表达的转基因大家畜提供了一个参考方法.     

A Transgenic Mouse Model with Inducible Tyrosinase Gene Expression Using the Tetracycline (Tet‐on) System Allows Regulated Rescue of Abnormal Chiasmatic Projections Found in Albinism

Congenital defects in retinal pigmentation, as in oculocutaneous albinism Type I (OCA1), where tyrosinase is defective, result in visual abnormalities affecting the retina and pathways into the brain. Transgenic animals expressing a functional tyrosinase gene on an albino genetic background display a correction of all these abnormalities, implicating a functional role for tyrosinase in normal retinal development. To address the function of tyrosinase in the development of the mammalian visual system, we have generated a transgenic mouse model with inducible expression of the tyrosinase gene using the tetracycline (TET‐ON) system. We have produced two types of transgenic mice: first, mice expressing the transactivator rtTA chimeric protein under the control of mouse tyrosinase promoter and its locus control region (LCR), and; second, transgenic mice expressing a mouse tyrosinase cDNA construct driven by a minimal promoter inducible by rtTA in the presence of doxycycline. Inducible experiments have been carried out with selected double transgenic mouse lines. Tyrosinase expression has been induced from early embryo development and its impact assessed with histological and biochemical methods in heterozygous and homozygous double transgenic individuals. We have found an increase of tyrosinase activity in the eyes of induced animals, compared with littermate controls. However, there was significant variability in the activation of this gene, as reported in analogous experiments. In spite of this, we could observe corrected uncrossed chiasmatic pathways, decreased in albinism, in animals induced from their first gestational week. These mice could be instrumental in revealing the role of tyrosinase in mammalian visual development.     

可诱导共刺激分子在BXSB狼疮小鼠肾脏中的表达

目的 观察可诱导共刺激分子(ICOS)在BXSB狼疮小鼠肾脏中的表达,探讨ICOS在狼疮肾炎发病机制中的潜在作用.方法 选取8周龄及16周龄雄性BXSB小鼠各6只,并以8周龄C57BL/6雄性小鼠6只为正常对照,用免疫组织化学及实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测ICOS在小鼠肾脏中的表达水平.结果 正常对照组C57BL/6小鼠肾组织ICOS染色少许肾小管细胞呈浅棕色;8周龄及16周龄BXSB小鼠肾脏组织ICOS强阳性表达,细胞呈深棕色着色,分布于肾小管.8、16周龄BXSB组小鼠肾组织内ICOS mRNA表达水平[(6.43±0.92),(9.48±1.30)]均较正常对照组(4.58±0.63)增加,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.01);16周龄BXSB组小鼠的ICOS mRNA表达水平较8周龄BXSB组增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 肾组织ICOS的分布及表达增加可能是BXSB小鼠狼疮肾炎发病的重要机制之一.     

Developing tTA Transgenic Rats for Inducible and Reversible Gene Expression

To develop transgenic lines for conditional expression of desired genes in rats, we generated several lines of the transgenic rats carrying the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) gene. Using a vigorous, ubiquitous promoter to drive the tTA transgene, we obtained widespread expression of tTA in various tissues. Expression of tTA was sufficient to strongly activate its reporter gene, but was below the toxicity threshold. We examined the dynamics of Doxycycline (Dox)-regulated gene expression in transgenic rats. In the two transmittable lines, tTA-mediated activation of the reporter gene was fully subject to regulation by Dox. Dox dose-dependently suppressed tTA-activated gene expression. The washout time for the effects of Dox was dose-dependent. We tested a complex regime of Dox administration to determine the optimal effectiveness and washout duration. Dox was administered at a high dose (500 μg/ml in drinking water) for two days to reach the effective concentration, and then was given at a low dose (20 μg/ml) to maintain effectiveness. This regimen of Dox administration can achieve a quick switch between ON and OFF statuses of tTA-activated gene expression. In addition, administration of Dox to pregnant rats fully suppressed postnatal tTA-activated gene expression in their offspring. Sufficient levels of Dox are present in mother's milk to produce maximal efficacy in nursing neonates. Administration of Dox to pregnant or nursing rats can provide a continual suppression of tTA-dependent gene expression during embryonic and postnatal development. The tTA transgenic rat allows for inducible and reversible gene expression in the rat; this important tool will be valuable in the development of genetic rat models of human diseases.     

Tetracycline-Inducible System for Regulation of Skeletal Muscle-Specific Gene Expression in Transgenic Mice

Tightly regulated control of over-expression is often necessary to study one aspect or time point of gene function and, in transgenesis, may help to avoid lethal effects and complications caused by ubiquitous over-expression. We have utilized the benefits of an optimized tet-on system and a modified muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter to generate a skeletal muscle-specific, doxycycline (Dox) controlled over-expression system in transgenic mice. A DNA construct was generated in which the codon optimized reverse tetracycline transactivator (rtTA) was placed under control of a skeletal muscle-specific version of the mouse MCK promoter. Transgenic mice containing this construct expressed rtTA almost exclusively in skeletal muscles. These mice were crossed to a second transgenic line containing a bi-directional promoter centered on a tet responder element driving both a luciferase reporter gene and a tagged gene of interest; in this case the calpain inhibitor calpastatin. Compound hemizygous mice showed high level, Dox dependent muscle-specific luciferase activity often exceeding 10,000-fold over non-muscle tissues of the same mouse. Western and immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated similar Dox dependent muscle-specific induction of the tagged calpastatin protein. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the tet-on system to provide a tightly regulated over-expression system in adult skeletal muscle. The MCKrtTA transgenic lines can be combined with other transgenic responder lines for skeletal muscle-specific over-expression of any target gene of interest.     

Dkk3系统性表达转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立系统性表达Dkk3转基因模型小鼠,为研究Dkk3生理功能及对骨生长发育的作用提供工具动物。方法通过ISH来观察Dkk3于C57BL/6J小鼠全身组织中的表达。把Dkk3基因插入系统性表达CMV启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,显微注射法建立C57BL/6J Dkk3转基因小鼠。PCR鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型,RT-PCR检测Dkk3在骨髓中的表达,Western Blot检测Dkk3在肺脏、脑及肝脏中的表达,BrdU标记染色观察转基因小鼠骨生长情况。结果在生理状态下,Dkk3基因广泛表达,在骨、心脏及脑等组织高表达。建立的2个转基因小鼠品系中,转入的Dkk3基因在骨髓、脑、肝脏及肺组织中均有明显表达。BrdU整合率实验显示转基因小鼠长骨骺区细胞增殖明显低于同龄对照小鼠。结论建立了系统性表达Dkk3转基因小鼠,转入的Dkk3基因明显抑制小鼠长骨骨骺区细胞增殖,为Dkk3对骨生长发育的作用研究提供了有价值的工具动物。     

Generation and Imaging of Transgenic Mice that Express G-CaMP7 under a Tetracycline Response Element

The spatiotemporally controlled expression of G-CaMP fluorescent calcium indicator proteins can facilitate reliable imaging of brain circuit activity. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses G-CaMP7 under a tetracycline response element. When crossed with a forebrain-specific tetracycline-controlled transactivator driver line, the mice expressed G-CaMP7 in defined cell populations in a tetracycline-controlled manner, notably in pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 of the cortex and in the CA1 area of the hippocampus; this expression allowed for imaging of the in vivo activity of these circuits. This mouse line thus provides a useful genetic tool for controlled G-CaMP expression in vivo.     

人促血小板生成素在转基因小鼠乳腺中定位表达的研究(英文)

通过转基因动物乳腺生物反应器大规模生产药用蛋白质已成为现代生物技术新的生长点之一。为研制表达人促血小板生成素的哺乳动物生物反应器的转基因小鼠模型,本论文以小鼠乳清酸蛋白 (mWAP) 基因5挾说骺厍团-s1-酪蛋白基因3挾说骺厍魑鹘谠菇擞糜诒泶锶舜傺“迳伤氐娜橄僮橹匾煨员泶镌靥錺WAPTPO(Fig.1)。通过常规显微注射的方法把mWAP启动子指导的hTPO表达载体导入小鼠受精卵,获得出生小鼠16只。经PCR检测,有6只为转基因阳性(Fig.2)。G0代小鼠中转基因整合率为37.5% (6/16),用ELISA方法在G0代转基因雌鼠的乳汁中检测了促血小板生成素的表达,表达量在0.8 mg/mL以上(Table 1)。这些结果表明我们已建立了乳腺表达hTPO 的转基因小鼠模型,为以后大型家畜乳腺生物反应器的研制提供了科学依据。     

血管内皮细胞特异表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立

血管内皮细胞参与血管形成、血管稳态维持、血栓形成、炎症和血管重建等生理和病理过程。为了便于通过Cre-LoxP系统研究相关基因在血管内皮细胞中的功能,创建了Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠,利用Tie2基因的启动子驱动Cre重组酶基因在血管内皮细胞中表达。经基因组PCR和Southern Blot鉴定有6只小鼠在基因组上整合有Cre基因,整合率为11％。为了验证Cre重组酶的剪切活性和表达组织分布,我们将Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠分别与Smad4条件基因打靶小鼠和报告小鼠ROSA26交配。Tie2-Cre;Smad4^co/＋小鼠的多个组织的基因组DNA的PCR结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有包含血管内皮细胞的组织中表达并能介导LoxP间的重组。Tie2-Cre;ROSA26双转基因胚胎LacZ染色结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有被检测组织的血管内皮细胞中特异性表达。因此．Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠可作血管内皮细胞谱系分析和在血管内皮细胞进行条件基因打靶的理想工具小鼠。     

心脏特异表达LMNA^E82K转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立心脏特异表达LMNAE82K转基因小鼠,为研究LMNAE82K与心肌病发病机制的关系提供工具动物。方法把LMNAE82K基因插入α-MHC启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,显微注射法建立C57BL/6JLMNAE82K转基因小鼠,PCR鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型,采用Western Blot鉴定LMNAE82K在心脏组织中的表达,H＆E染色和超声检测转基因小鼠心脏的病理改变。结果建立了2个心脏组织特异表达LMNAE82K的转基因小鼠品系。超声检查显示转基因小鼠心室壁变薄,收缩期容积和舒张期容积增加,射血分数及短轴缩短率降低。结论LMNAE82K转基因小鼠具有LMNAE82K引起的家族性扩心病有类似的病理变化,为研究LMNAE82K与心肌病发病机制的关系的研究提供了有价值的疾病动物模型。     

系统表达HB-EGF转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立系统表达肝素结合性表皮生长因子（HB-EGF）的转基因动物模型,利用转基因动物模型研究HB-EGF与组织纤维化的关系。方法RT-PCR法克隆小鼠HB-EGF基因,将其插入Chickenβ-actin启动子下游,构建Chickenβ-actin-HB-EGF表达载体,利用显微注射的技术把表达载体注射到受精卵的雄原核中,建立HB-EGF转基因小鼠。利用特异引物PCR的方法鉴定转基因的基因型,采用Western Blot方法鉴定HB-EGF基因在全身组织的表达。分别取HB-EGF转基因鼠与同窝阴性小鼠的肝、肾、肺及膀胱组织进行Massion染色。结果建立了系统表达HB-EGF转基因小鼠,Western Blot发现其HB-EGF在肝、肺、肾及膀胱的表达与同窝阴性对照小鼠相比明显增加。Massion染色结果表明转基因鼠肝、肺、肾及膀胱组织纤维化程度明显高于同窝阴性对照小鼠。结论成功建立了系统表达HB-EGF转基因小鼠,HB-EGF的过度表可显著加重组织纤维化程度。     

食品级高效诱导表达系统-NICE系统

乳酸菌NICE系统是在乳链菌肽诱导下由nisA启动子控制目的基因表达的,含nisR和nisK的两组分调节系统的高效诱导表达系统。由于NICE系统的诱导剂、宿主菌和载体都是食品级的,其应用前景十分广阔。     

Bovine FcRn-Mediated Human Immunoglobulin G Transfer across the Milk-Blood Barrier in Transgenic Mice

Maternal-fetal IgGs transport occurs either prenatally or postnatally, which confers the newborns with passive immunity before their own immune system has matured. However, little is known about the mechanisms of postnatal IgGs passage in the mammary gland. To investigate how FcRn mediates the IgGs transport in the mammary gland, we first generated bFcRn and anti-HAV mAb transgenic mice, and then obtained HF transgenic mice expressing both transgenes by mating the above two strains. Transgene expression of bFcRn in the four lines was determined by qRT-PCR and western blot. We then localized the expression of bFcRn to the acinar epithelial cells in the mammary gland, and anti-HAV mAb was mainly detected in the acini with weak staining in the acinar epithelial cells. Human IgGs could be detected in both milk and serum of HF transgenic mice by western blot and ELISA. A significantly lower milk to serum ratio of human IgGs in HF mice compared with that of anti-HAV mAb mice, indicating that bFcRn could transport human IgGs across the milk-blood barrier from milk to serum during lactation in HF mice. While, there were no transport of murine IgGs, IgAs, or IgMs. These results provide understandings about the mechanisms of maternal-fetal immunity transfer in the mammary gland.     

Functional Imaging of Rel Expression in Inflammatory Processes Using Bioluminescence Imaging System in Transgenic Mice

c-Rel plays important roles in many inflammatory diseases. Revealing the dynamic expression of c-Rel in disease processes in vivo is critical for understanding c-Rel functions and for developing anti-inflammatory drugs. In this paper, a transgenic mouse line, B6-Tg(c-Rel-luc)^Mlit, which incorporated the transgene firefly luciferase driven by a 14.5-kb fragment containing mouse c-Rel gene Rel promoter, was generated to monitor Rel expression in vivo. Luciferase expression could be tracked in living mice by the method of bioluminescence imaging in a variety of inflammatory processes, including LPS induced sepsis and EAE disease model. The luciferase expression in transgenic mice was comparable to the endogenous Rel expression and could be suppressed by administration of anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone or aspirin. These results indicate that the B6-Tg(c-Rel-luc)^Mlit mouse is a valuable animal model to study Rel expression in physiological and pathological processes, and the effects of various drug treatments in vivo.