RU486诱导调控载体的构建及体外表达

构建可经RU486诱导表达载体,并证实其对基因表达的调控作用。通过分子生物学技术,改造了含有GLP65反式作用调控因子和GAL4杂合启动子的PRS质粒。PCR扩增BGHpolyA片段,并引入需要的酶切位点。在GLP65调控区上游添加了hCMV启动子,在GAL4杂合启动子下游加入了荧光素酶报告基因。同时,为减少两个转录单元之间的潜在干扰,加入了1.2 kb的小鸡β珠蛋白绝缘子。经PCR和限制性酶切及测序证实了载体的正确性。在体外转染HEK293细胞后,运用双荧光素酶报告基因技术鉴定了该系统的调控能力。加入诱导剂RU486后,可以诱导表达荧光素酶,并在一定范围内两者呈正比,最高可以实现荧光素酶的40余倍的表达,而没有RU486时,几乎没有报告基因的表达,表明RU486诱导调控载体构建成功,可实现对目的基因的表达时间和表达水平的精确调控,为进一步的基因调控研究和和基因治疗提供了良好的工具。     

米非司酮调控的单链鼠白介素12真核表达载体的构建及鉴定

构建含有单链鼠白细胞介素12(mIL-12)基因,并可经米非司酮调控表达的真核载体,在体外鉴定其调控表达效果.用PcR技术从GCp35Ep40PN质粒上获取白细胞介素12的p40和p35亚基的基因,通过2次PCR技术引入linker后得到单链白细胞介素12基因,将其与米非司酮诱导调控系统克隆入pDC312质粒,构建成真核表达载体pDC-RumIL-12,通过限制性内切酶和PCR鉴定其正确性.在体外用脂质体转染法将pDc-RumIL-12载体转染HEK293细胞株,以不同的剂量米非司酮诱导载体表达,然后用ELISA法检测培养液上清中mIL-12蛋白的含量.测序结果表明所得鼠白细胞介素-12融合单链基因序列与设计相一致.酶切分析和PCR证实载体pDC-RumIL-12构建正确.将pDc-RUmlL-12转染HEK293细胞并经米非司酮诱导表达后,ELISA检测结果表明该栽体有良好的调控能力.没有诱导剂米非司酮时,只有极少量的mIL-12蛋白表达,而加入诱导剂米非司酮后,mIL-12表达量明显增加,并在一定范围内与米非司酮剂量呈正比.成功构建了含有单链鼠白细胞介素12(mIL-12)基因,并可经米非司酮调控表达的真核栽体,可用于肿瘤的基因治疗研究.     

家蚕丝素重链启动子驱动DsRed的瞬时分泌表达

根据家蚕丝蛋白基因的启动子活性高、丝蛋白具有高效分泌的特性,克隆了家蚕丝素重链基因(Fib-H)启动子及其下游的信号肽序列(FibHS),将DsRed基因与信号肽序列融合构建了分泌型瞬时表达载体;转染细胞实验显示,该载体能在家蚕BmN细胞中瞬时表达DsRed;家蚕注射载体后,可在丝腺腔中检测到红色荧光,表明瞬时表达的DsRed分泌到丝腺腔,推测所克隆的序列具有信号肽的功能。此外,本研究为家蚕丝腺生物反应器分泌表达外源基因的研究奠定了基础。     

家蚕中肠特异启动子P56的克隆及活性分析

中肠是家蚕的消化器官,也是抵御外界病源入侵的生理屏障。为克隆和鉴定新的家蚕中肠特异启动子,首先利用RT-PCR检测家蚕组织特异表达候选基因Bm P56的表达特性,发现该基因只在中肠组织表达。进一步克隆该基因上游调控序列P56,构建由该序列驱动红色荧光蛋白基因DsRed表达的转基因载体p Bac[P56DsRed SV40,3×P3EGFP],经显微注射和荧光筛选获得转基因家蚕。表达分析显示,报告基因DsRed只在转基因家蚕中肠组织表达,与Bm P56的表达特征一致,说明克隆的上游调控序列P56是有活性的家蚕中肠特异启动子。     

真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1的构建及鉴定

目的:构建带有增强型绿色荧光蛋白报告基因EGFP及目的基因Nurr1的真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1,并检测其在293T细胞中的表达。方法:采用反转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法从大鼠黑质中获取Nurrl基因,连接T载体测序正确后与真核空载体pIRES2-EGFP一起,经Nhe1和Xho1双酶切,T4 DNA连接酶连接,构建pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1;真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1测序正确后采用脂质体法将其转染293T细胞,倒置荧光显微镜下观察转染效率,PCR检测Nurr1基因mRNA水平的表达情况,免疫印迹试验(Western Blot)检测Nurr1蛋白的表达水平。结果:酶切及测序鉴定证实成功构建了重组真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1;293T细胞转染pIRES2-EGFP-Nurr1后可以高度表达绿色荧光,有效转录Nurr1基因并正确的高表达Nurr1蛋白。结论:成功构建Nurr1真核表达载体且在293T细胞中高水平表达,为进一步转染大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs),基因治疗帕金森病奠定基础。     

人组织激肽释放酶基因在哺乳动物细胞中的表达

克隆人胰腺组织激肽释放酶基因 (hKK) ,构建融合荧光蛋白基因的真核表达载体 ,在CHO细胞中表达 ,为开发激肽释放酶基因工程产品以及开展基因治疗高血压研究奠定了基础。提取人胰腺组织总RNA后 ,RT PCR扩增KK ,构建中间载体KSKK。从KSKK中切出激肽释放酶基因 ,插入真核表达载体pEGFP C2 ,构建出激肽释放酶带有荧光蛋白报告基因的表达载体pEGC KK ,测序分析后转染CHO细胞 ,荧光显微镜观察激肽释放酶基因表达。并进行SDS PAGE及Westernblot分析。成功克隆激肽释放酶基因 ,并在CHO细胞获得表达 ,克隆的人组织激肽释放酶基因可用于激肽释放酶基因工程产品开发以及基因治疗研究。     

真核表达载体pEGFP—N1-VP3的构建及在SGC-7901细胞中的表达和定位

构建真核表达载体pEGFP-N1-VP3并稳定转染人胃癌细胞SGC-7901,观察EGFP-VP3融合蛋白在肿瘤细胞中的分布和亚细胞定位,探讨凋亡素诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的机制.用PCR技术扩增出(凋亡素)VP3基因片段,克隆至载体pEGFP-N1,鉴定无误后,将构建的重组质粒pEGFP-N1-VP3经脂质体介导转染SGC-7901细胞,在荧光显微镜和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜下观察凋亡素在肿瘤细胞中的分布、亚细胞定位.用AO/EB荧光染色法检测其在体外诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的效应.经限制性内切酶酶切图谱分析和DNA序列测定证实目的基因已插入载体pEGFP-N1,稳定转染细胞中EGFP-VP3在肿瘤细胞中得以高表达,转染后逐渐从细胞质迁移至细胞核,最后定位于细胞核内.AO/EB荧光染色观察到大量细胞凋亡.结论:成功构建真核表达载体pEGFP-N1-VP3,并成功培养出表达绿色荧光蛋白和凋亡素的SGC-7901稳定细胞株.EGFP-VP3融合蛋白在肿瘤细胞中具有核定位效应,并诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡.     

带有丝素重链信号肽序列的家蚕丝胶蛋白启动子驱动DsRed的瞬时分泌表达

为了探讨家蚕Bombyx mori丝素蛋白重链信号肽序列在中部丝腺组织中是否具有功能活性,根据家蚕丝蛋白基因的启动子活性高、丝蛋白具有高效分泌的特性,构建了带有丝素重链基因fib-H信号肽的家蚕丝胶-1(ser-1)启动子(ser-HS),用ser-HS驱动DsRed基因构建了分泌型瞬时表达载体pSK-SerHS-DsRed-polyA。转染细胞实验显示,该载体能在家蚕BmN细胞中瞬时表达DsRed。家蚕注射载体后,可在中部丝腺腔中检测到红色荧光,表明瞬时表达的DsRed已分泌到丝腺腔内。据此提出克隆的fib-H信号肽序列在家蚕中部丝腺组织中具有信号肽的功能。     

小鼠pEGFP-Hoxa11真核表达载体的构建及表达

目的 构建和鉴定Hoxa11和EGFP双基因共表达真核载体.方法 采用DNA重组技术,将目的 基因Hoxa11克隆至含有报告基因EGFP的pEGFP-N1真核表达载体中,构建的真核表达载体pEGFP-Hoxa11经PCR,双酶切及基因测序鉴定;转染至CHO细胞,荧光显微镜下观察重组质粒的表达,提取细胞蛋白Western印迹检测蛋白表达.结果 pEGFP-Hoxa11重组质粒构建成功.构建的真核表达载体pEGFP-Hoxa11能在CHO细胞中有效表达.结论 成功构建了共表达Hoxa11和EGFP的真核表达载体,并能在CHO细胞中有效表达.为进一步研究Hoxa11的功能提供实验基础.     

高效缺氧诱导表达载体的构建与鉴定

目的：构建缺氧诱导表达载体,以介导报告基因在缺氧环境下的特异、高效表达。方法：通过分子生物学方法,将鼠磷酸甘油酸激酶基因的缺氧应答元件（HRE）和最小CMV（mCMV）启动子重组,构建增强型绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）或萤光素酶报告基因的可诱导载体;通过酶切鉴定和测序分析,证实载体获得正确的构建;将重组载体转染HeLa细胞,观察EGFP荧光强度并检测萤光素酶活性。结果：HRE／mCMV启动子调控的报告基因载体具有特异和高效的诱导活性。结论：构建了可以进行特异和高效缺氧诱导的报告基因载体,为其进一步的开发和应用奠定了实验基础。     

Double-inducible gene activation system for caspase 3 and 9 in epidermis

Expression of genes with tight and precise temporal and spatial control is desired in a wide variety of applications ranging from cultured cells and transgenic animals to gene therapy. While current inducible systems, such as RU486 and chemical inducers of dimerization (CID), have improved earlier inducible models (Gossen et al., 1995, Science. 268:1766-1769; Wang et al., 1994, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:8180-8184), no single system is perfect at present. One potential drawback of these systems is leakage of transgene expression, causing limitations of each system. We have developed an inducible model containing both RU486 and CID systems, which in addition to inducing caspase activation, has potential applicability specifically to other genes encoding proteins that require a dimerization event for activation. This Double-Inducible Gene Activation System generates two barriers for the target gene expression and protein activation thereby minimizing leakage.     

Therapy of cancer by cytokines mediated by gene therapy approach

Gene therapy offers a new approach for treatment of cancer. Transfer of genes encoding immunostimulatory cytokines has been used with remarkable success to eliminate cancer in animals. However, clinical trials in patients with this strategy had limited efficacy. Therefore, improvement ofgene transfer vector system is necessary. A hybrid viral vector, consisting of SFV replicon with either murine IL-12 or reporter LacZ gene, was constructed. This hybrid vector showed specificity and high level of expression in HCC both in vitro and in vivo. In a rat orthotropic liver tumor model, treatment of established tumors by the hybrid vector with raiL- 12 gene resulted in a strong anti-tumor activity without accompanying toxicity. Subsequently, a helper-dependent adenovirus vectors containing a mifepristone （RU486） inducible system was constructed for controlled and liver-specific expression of human interleukin 12 （hIL- 12） （HD-Ad/RUhIL- 12） and mouse IL-12 （mIL-12） （HD-Ad/RUmIL-12）. Data showed that high and sustained serum levels of hlL-12 could be attained by continuing administration of RU486 every 12 or 24 h. Repetitive induction ofhlL-12 could be obtained over, at least, a period of 48 weeks after a single injection of HD-Ad/RUhlL-12. Treatment of liver metastases with of HD-Ad/RUmIL- 12 plus RU846 resulted in complete tumor regression in all animals. Then, different cytokine genes were inserted into conditional replicative adenoviruses vectors （also called oncolytic adenovirus）. Replication ofadenovirus in tumor cells would kill tumor cells and release viruses, which infect surrounding tumor cells. The combination of cytopathic effect by oncolytic adenovirus and biological effect of transgene would exert strong antitumor activity. These new types of vectors may provide a potent and safe tool for cancer gene therapy.     

Regulation of Cre recombinase activity by the synthetic steroid RU 486.

To create a strategy for inducible gene targeting we developed a Cre-lox recombination system which responds to the synthetic steroid RU 486. Several fusions between Cre recombinase and the hormone binding domain (HBD) of a mutated human progesterone receptor, which binds RU 486 but not progesterone, were constructed. When tested in transient expression assays recombination activities of all fusion proteins were responsive to RU 486, but not to the endogenous steroid progesterone. However, the observed induction of recombination activity by the synthetic steroid varied between the different fusion proteins. The fusion with the highest activity in the presence of RU 486 combined with low background activity in the absence of the steroid was tested after stable expression in fibroblast and embryonal stem (ES) cells. We could demonstrate that its recombination activity was highly dependent on RU 486. Since the RU 486 doses required to activate recombination were considerably lower than doses displaying anti-progesterone effects in mice, this system could be used as a valuable tool for inducible gene targeting.     

Adenoviral-induced islet cell cytotoxicity is not counteracted by Bcl-2 overexpression

BACKGROUND: The ability to transfer immunoregulatory, cytoprotective, or anti-apoptotic genes into pancreatic islet cells may allow enhanced resistance against the autoimmune destruction of these cells in type 1 diabetes. We describe here an inducible transduction system for expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene in insulin-producing cells as a potential tool for protecting against beta-cell death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolated pancreatic rat islet cells or rat insulinoma (RINm5F) cells were transduced using a progesterone antagonist (RU 486) inducible adenoviral vector system, expressing the bcl-2 gene. Bcl-2 overexpression was measured by Western blot assays and flow cytometry analysis. Following exposure to cytokines or to the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP, cell survival was determined using fluorescence and electron microscopy, and a colorimetric assay (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]- 2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide [XTT]-based) for cell viability. The mitochondrial membrane potential ((m)) was assessed using the lipophilic cationic membrane potential-sensitive dye JC-1. RESULTS: The adenoviral gene transfer system induced Bcl-2 expression in more than 70% of beta-cells and the protein expression levels were successfully regulated in response to varying concentrations of progesterone antagonist RU 486. Exposure of islet cells to proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, or to the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP resulted in disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential ((m)) and beta-cell death. Bcl-2 overexpression stabilized (m) and prevented cell death in RINm5F cells but not in islet cells. In addition, prolonged in vitro culture revealed adenoviral-induced islet cell necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The RU 486-regulated adenoviral system can achieve an efficient control of gene transfer at relatively low doses of the adenoviral vector. However, Bcl-2 overexpression in islet cells did not prevent adenoviral- or cytokine-induced toxicity, suggesting that the specific death pathway involved in adenoviral toxicity in beta-cells may bypass the mitochondrial permeability transition event.     

Highly inducible expression from vectors containing multiple GRE''s in CHO cells overexpressing the glucocorticoid receptor.

A conditional glucocorticoid-responsive expression vector system is described for highly inducible expression of heterologous genes in mammalian cells. This host-vector system requires high level expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein in the host cell and multiple copies of the receptor binding site within the expression vector. Transfection and selection of Chinese hamster ovary cells with expression vectors encoding the rat GR yielded cell lines which express functional receptor at high levels. Insertion of multiple copies of the MMTV enhancer (glucocorticoid responsive element, GRE) into an Adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP) based expression vector yielded greater than 1000-fold inducible expression by dexamethasone (dex) in transient DNA transfection assays. The induced expression level was 7-fold greater than that obtained with an AdMLP based vector containing an SV40 enhancer, but lacking GRE's. Vectors containing the SV40 enhancer in combination with multiple GRE's exhibited elevated basal expression in the absence of dex, but retained inducibility in both transient assays and after integration and amplification in the CHO genome. This expression system should be of general utility for studying gene regulation and for expressing heterologous genes in a regulatable fashion.     

Steroid RU 486 inducible myogenesis by 10T1/2 fibroblastic mouse cells

For reconstruction or repair of damaged tissues, an artificially regulated switch from proliferation to differentiation would be of great advantage. To achieve conditional myogenesis, we expressed MyoD in mouse C3H 10T1/2 fibroblastic cells, using a gene regulation system based on the synthetic steroid RU 486. By stable co-transfection of a plasmid construct with the RU 486 dependent activator and an integrating inducible MyoD construct, a cell clone, designated 10T-RM, was obtained in which MyoD expression was stringently controlled by RU 486. 12 h after addition of 10 nM RU 486 to 10T-RM cells, saturation levels of MyoD mRNA were observed and >/=2 days later, mRNA for embryonal myosin heavy chain (MyHC(emb)) was abundant and mononucleated cells fused into myotubes.     

A genomic approach to identify novel progesterone receptor regulated pathways in the uterus during implantation

The cellular actions of steroid hormone progesterone (P) are mediated via its nuclear receptors, which regulate the expression of specific target genes. The identity of gene networks that are regulated by the P receptors (PRs) in the uterus at various stages of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy, however, remain largely unknown. In this study, we have used oligonucleotide microarrays to identify mRNAs whose expression in the pregnant mouse uterus is modulated by RU486, a well-characterized PR antagonist, which is also an effective inhibitor of implantation. We found that, in response to RU486, expression of mRNAs corresponding to 78 known genes was down-regulated at least 2-fold in the preimplantation mouse uterus. The PR regulation of several of these genes was ascertained by administering P to ovariectomized wild-type and PR knockout (PRKO) mice. Detailed spatio-temporal analysis of these genes in the pregnant uterus indicated that their expression in the epithelium and stroma could be correlated with the expression of PR in those cell types. Furthermore, time-course studies suggested that many of these genes are likely primary targets of PR regulation. We also identified 70 known genes that were up-regulated at least 2-fold in the pregnant uterus in response to RU486. Interestingly, initial examination of a number of RU486-inducible genes reveals that their uterine expression is also regulated by estrogen. The identification of several novel PR-regulated gene pathways in the reproductive tract is an important step toward understanding how P regulates the physiological events leading to implantation.     

双报告基因真核表达载体的构建及其功能鉴定

目的:构建绿色荧光蛋白和海肾荧光素酶共同高效表达的双报告基因真核表达载体。方法:将增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因和海肾荧光素酶基因以昆虫病毒T2A序列相连接而后克隆进入pcDNA3.1(-)质粒,构建双报告基因真核表达载体。将该载体转染至COS-7细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察、照度计定量分析检测绿色荧光蛋白和海肾荧光素酶生物活性,Western Bolt检测T2A序列自剪切效率。结果:双报告基因真核表达载体能够同时表达非融合的绿色荧光蛋白和海肾荧光素酶,与单独表达载体产物具有相似的生物活性和表达效率。结论:双报告基因真核表达载体建立成功,为基因表达调控等相关领域研究提供辅助工具。