Dissemination of NDM-1-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Mediated by the IncX3-Type Plasmid

The emergence and spread of NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae have resulted in a worldwide public health risk that has affected some provinces of China. China is an exceptionally large country, and there is a crucial need to investigate the epidemic of bla _NDM-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae in our province. A total of 186 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates (CRE) were collected in a grade-3 hospital in Zhejiang province. Carbapenem-resistant genes, including bla _KPC, bla _IMP, bla _VIM, bla _OXA-48 and bla _NDM-1 were screened and sequenced. Ninety isolates were identified as harboring the bla _KPC-2 genes, and five bla _NDM-1-positive isolates were uncovered. XbaI-PFGE revealed that three bla _NDM-1-positive K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to two different clones. S1-PFGE and southern blot suggested that the bla _NDM-1 genes were located on IncX3-type plasmids with two different sizes ranging from 33.3 to 54.7 kb (n=4) and 104.5 to 138.9 kb (n=1), respectively, all of which could easily transfer to Escherichia coli by conjugation and electrotransformation. The high-throughput sequencing of two plasmids was performed leading to the identification of a smaller 54-kb plasmid, which had high sequence similarity with a previously reported pCFNDM-CN, and a larger plasmid in which only a 7.8-kb sequence of a common gene environment around bla _NDM-1 (bla _NDM-1-trpF- dsbC-cutA1-groEL-ΔInsE,) was detected. PCR mapping and sequencing demonstrated that four smaller bla _NDM-1 plasmids contained a common gene environment around bla _NDM-1 (IS5-bla _NDM-1-trpF- dsbC-cutA1-groEL). We monitored the CRE epidemic in our hospital and determined that KPC-2 carbapenemase was a major risk to patient health and the IncX3-type plasmid played a vital role in the spread of the bla _NDM-1 gene among the CRE.     

Gene Replacement in Mycobacteria by Using Incompatible Plasmids

A simple and efficient delivery system was developed for making targeted gene knockouts in Mycobacterium smegmatis. This delivery system relies on the use of a pair of replicating plasmids, which are incompatible. Incompatible plasmids share elements of the same replication machinery and so compete with each other during both replication and partitioning into daughter cells. Such plasmids can be maintained together in the presence of antibiotics; however, removal of selection leads to the loss of one or both plasmids. For mutagenesis, two replicating plasmids based on pAL5000 are introduced; one of these plasmids carries a mutated allele of the targeted gene. Homologous recombination is allowed to take place, and either one or both of the vectors are lost through the pressure of incompatibility, allowing the phenotypic effects of the mutant to be studied. Several different plasmid combinations were tested to optimize loss in the absence of antibiotic selection. pAL5000 carries two replication genes (repA and repB), which act in trans, and the use of vectors that each lack one rep gene and complement each other resulted in the loss of both plasmids in M. smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The rate of loss was increased by the incorporation of an additional incompatibility region in one of the plasmids. To facilitate cloning when the system was used, we constructed plasmid vector pairs that allow simple addition of selection and screening genes on flexible gene cassettes. Using this system, we demonstrated that M. smegmatis pyrF mutants could be isolated at high frequency. This method should also be useful in other species in which pAL5000 replicates, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Chromosome Transfer by Autonomous Transmissible Plasmids: the Role of the Bacterial Recombination (rec) System

The ability of autonomous transmissible plasmids or sex factors to transfer chromosomal genes to F⁻ recipient bacteria has been investigated by using a series of rec⁺ and recA⁻ donor strains. It is concluded that chromosome transfer by most sex factors is virtually dependent upon the functional integrity of the bacterial recombination system. However, evidence is presented that suggests the existence of plasmid-specified mechanisms of interaction with the chromosome which are independent of the bacterial recombination system.     

Design and synthesis of a quintessential self-transmissible IncX1 plasmid, pX1.0

DNA exchange in bacteria via conjugative plasmids is believed to be among the most important contributing factors to the rapid evolution- and diversification rates observed in bacterial species. The IncX1 plasmids are particularly interesting in relation to enteric bacteria, and typically carry genetic loads like antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. So far, however, a "pure" version of these molecular parasites, without genetic loads, has yet to be isolated from the environment. Here we report the construction of pX1.0, a fully synthesized IncX1 plasmid capable of horizontal transfer between different enteric bacteria. The designed pX1.0 sequence was derived from the consensus gene content of five IncX1 plasmids and three other, more divergent, members of the same phylogenetic group. The pX1.0 plasmid was shown to replicate stably in E. coli with a plasmid DNA per total DNA ratio corresponding to approximately 3-9 plasmids per chromosome depending on the growth phase of the host. Through conjugation, pX1.0 was able to self-transfer horizontally into an isogenic strain of E. coli as well as into two additional species belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Our results demonstrate the immediate applicability of recent advances made within the field of synthetic biology for designing and constructing DNA systems, previously existing only in silica.     

水平基因转移介导抗菌素耐药性传播机制的研究进展

近几十年来,病原菌耐药性的出现和蔓延已上升为严峻的公共卫生问题。越来越多研究表明,抗菌素抗性基因(antibiotic resistance genes,ARGs)不仅仅见于临床所分离的病原体,而是包括所有的致病菌、共生菌以及环境中的细菌,它们都能在可移动遗传元件和噬菌体的作用下,通过水平基因转移(horizontal gene transfer,HGT)途径获得耐药性,进而形成抗菌素耐药基因簇(耐药基因组)。HGT可导致抗菌素的耐药性在环境共生菌和病原菌之间传播扩散,这可通过临床上一些重要的抗菌素耐药基因的传播证实。传统观念认为HGT的三种机制中,接合对ARGs的传播影响最大,最近研究表明转化和转导对ARGs播散起到不可忽视的作用。通过深入了解耐药基因组的传播及其在动员病原菌耐药中发挥的作用,对于控制这些基因的播散是至关重要的。将讨论耐药基因组的概念,提供临床相关的抗菌素抗性基因水平基因转移的例子,对当前已研究的促使抗菌素耐药性传播的各种HGT机制进行回顾。     

Txnip基因siRNA慢病毒表达质粒构建及促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化

硫氧还蛋白互作蛋白(thioredoxin interacting protein, Txnip)是一种氧化还原调节蛋白质,与硫氧还蛋白结合并抑制其活性,调节细胞氧化还原状态,影响细胞多种生理过程,然而其在猪脂肪细胞分化中的作用尚不明确。本文设计合成3对靶向猪Txnip基因的shRNA寡核苷酸,分别连接于重组慢病毒载体pGLV_3/H_1/GFP+Puro构建siRNA表达质粒。测序验证后,与包装质粒共转染293T细胞,获得滴度1×10~8 pfu/mL的慢病毒干扰质粒。以MOI值100转染原代培养猪前体脂肪细胞,转染率均达80%以上,其中Txnip-shRNA-2转染细胞Txnip基因沉默率达75%。转染Txnip-shRNA-2的猪前体脂肪细胞用成脂分化培养液诱导后,每隔1 d检测细胞成脂分化及相关基因表达。结果发现,其分化比阴性对照质粒转染或未转染细胞显著增强(P<0.05),PPARγ和FAS mRNA表达水平显著提高(P<0.05)。本文构建siRNA慢病毒表达质粒能有效干扰猪Txnip基因表达,Txnip表达沉默可通过上调PPARγ表达促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化。本研究提示,Txnip可能是猪脂肪细胞分化的抑制因子。     

Plasmids of serogroup 1 strains ofLegionella pneumophila

Twelve strains ofLegionella pneumophila were tested for the presence of plasmid DNA. Three strains, belonging to serogroup 1, had large plasmids of 83.8×10⁶ daltons, as determined by electron microscopy. A fourth strain, also from serogroup 1, had a similar large plasmid in addition to a smaller plasmid. Restriction analysis of plasmid DNA isolated from the strains with a single size plasmid indicated that the plasmids were structurally very similar. The biologic functions of these plasmids are yet to be determined.     

Coevolving Plasmids Drive Gene Flow and Genome Plasticity in Host-Associated Intracellular Bacteria

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Evaluation on the Efficacy and Immunogenicity of Recombinant DNA Plasmids Expressing Spike Genes from Porcine Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus

Porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PDEV) can cause severe diarrhea in pigs. Development of effective vaccines against TGEV and PEDV is one of important prevention measures. The spike (S) protein is the surface glycoprotein of TGEV and PEDV, which can induce specific neutralization antibodies and is a candidate antigen for vaccination attempts. In this study, the open reading frames of the TGEV S1 protein and in addition of the S or S1 proteins of PEDV were inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector, pIRES, resulting in recombinant plasmids, pIRES-(TGEV-S1-PEDV-S1) and pIRES-(TGEV-S1-PEDV-S). Subsequently, 6–8 weeks old Kunming mice were inoculated with both DNA plasmids. Lymphocyte proliferation assay, virus neutralization assay, IFN-γ assay and CTL activity assay were performed. TGEV/PEDV specific antibody responses as well as kinetic changes of T lymphocyte subgroups of the immunized mice were analyzed. The results showed that the recombinant DNA plasmids increased the proliferation of T lymphocytes and the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte subgroups. In addition, the DNA vaccines induced a high level of IFN-γ in the immunized mice. The specific CTL activity in the pIRES-(TGEV-S1-PEDV-S) group became significant at 42 days post-immunization. At 35 days post-immunization, the recombinant DNA plasmids bearing full-length S genes of TGEV and PEDV stimulated higher levels of specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in immunized mice.     

猪传染性胃肠炎病毒n基因的原核表达及重组蛋白的免疫活性分析

猪传染性胃肠炎(transmissible gastroenteritis,TGE)是由猪传染性胃肠炎病毒(transmissible gas-troenteritis virus,TGEV)引起的一种急性、高度接触性传染病,以呕吐、水样腹泻、脱水和对2周龄以内仔猪高度致死率为特征[1]。猪传染性胃肠炎病毒隶属于冠状病毒科冠状病毒属,是引起仔猪病毒性腹泻的重要病原,其基因组为单股正链的有感染性不分节段的RNA,TGEV结构蛋白主要由S、N、Ms、M蛋白组成[2]。其中n基因指导合成病毒的核衣壳蛋白(N),它是一种磷酸化的蛋白,存在于病毒粒子的内部,其分子质量为47kD[3],与病毒基因组组成核衣壳;N…     

Independent Production of Co2 Sensitivity by Nuclear Gene DLY and a Transmissible Agent from Delayed-Recovery DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Flies of stocks designated delayed-recovery by McCrady and Sulerud (1964) remain temporarily paralyzed after exposure to carbon dioxide. This condition is similar to CO2-sensitivity, which occurs in flies infected with the maternally transmitted sigma viruus, but is due, at least in part, to the third chromosome mutant gene Dly. Because earlier work indicated that extracts of delayed-recovery flies could occasionally transmit CO2 sensitivity when injected into resistant recipients, we have tested the possibility that some delayed-recovery stocks contain a sigma-like transmissible virus, in addition to the Dly gene. We found that TDR-orange, a stock derived from the original delayed-recovery line, and temperature-cured populations of the same stock, both contain some agent that is transmissible by injection. TDR-BC3f, a stock derived by backcrossing through the male line to eliminate maternally transmitted factors, does not appear to contain such an infectious agent, but remains sensitive to CO2. These observations lead us to the conclusion that the originally described delayed-recovery stocks harbor an infectious extrachromosomal agent, in addition to possessing the Dly gene, and each is capable of producing a sensitivity to carbon dioxide.     

小鼠Dppa2基因shRNA载体的构建及干扰效果的检测

目的:构建有效的针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA(short hairpin RNA)干扰载体。方法:设计合成2对针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA序列以及1对与哺乳动物基因组无同源性的shRNA序列作为对照,构建pSUPER.Retro.puro干扰载体并进行PCR,酶切和测序验证。进一步将各干扰载体分别转染小鼠胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ESCs),RT-PCR检测干扰效率。结果:PCR,酶切和测序验证均表明各shRNA载体构建成功。将空载体及各重组载体分别转染小鼠ESCs发现,干扰组Dppa2基因表达水平相对于空载体对照组和阴性shRNA载体对照组明显下调。结论:成功构建了有效的针对小鼠Dppa2基因的shRNA干扰载体,为进一步研究Dppa2基因在维持小鼠ESCs不分化过程中的作用提供了基础。     

抗真菌肽CGA-N46基因多顺反子表达载体的构建与鉴定

目的:为提高抗真菌肽CGA-N46表达量,对该基因多顺反子表达进行研究.方法:以pEASY-Blunt为克隆栽体,以“pET-30a rbs序列-起始密码子-CGA-N46编码序列-终止密码子”为外源片段,利用同尾酶Nhe I、Spe I和Xba I,构建了含有上述外源片段1、3、5、8拷贝的重组载体pT-CAN46、...     

带有特定染色体片段的mini-F质粒所发动的染色体复制对于recA基因的依赖性

构建了一些带有大肠杆菌的特定染色体片段的mini-F质粒,使它们通过同源重组整合在dnaA46细菌的染色体的预定位置上,然后测定整合抑制菌株(sin)在40℃中染色体复制对recA基因的依赖性。实验结果说明,Sin菌株对recA基因的依赖性决定在质粒的整合位置。整合在oriC近旁的Sin菌株不依赖于recA基因;整合在oriC和terC中间的只在丰富培养基上是依赖的;整合在rerC附近的在不丰富的培养基上也依赖于recA基因。     

基于小鼠MMP-9基因的siRNA的筛选

通过GenBank数据库检索,基于小鼠MMP-9基因设计特异性的siRNA干扰靶点,克隆至pGCsi-U6/Neo/GFP载体中,使用PEI衍生物包裹,转染小鼠黑色素瘤B16细胞,流式细胞仪和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜分析细胞转染情况,RT-PCR检测24,48 h后MMP-9基因转录水平变化,筛选最佳的重组质粒和干扰靶点。结果显示：成功设计和构建了3个MMP-9-siRNA干扰质粒,3个重组质粒对B16细胞的转染率分别为60.04%、63.93%和56.27%,且3个重组质粒均能有效干扰B16细胞MMP-9 mRNA的表达,其中MMP-9-siRNA-2干扰效率最高（63%）,可持续干扰MMP-9基因表达。这些结果提示,MMP-9-siRNA-2为沉默小鼠黑色素瘤细胞MMP-9基因最优的siRNA重组质粒。     

生长抑素受体基因特异性shRNA慢病毒表达质粒的构建

目的:设计并合成生长抑素受体SSTR5基因siRNA序列,并构建其短发夹shRNA慢病毒表达质粒.方法:以小鼠SSTR5基因为靶序列,用在线软件分析、设计并合成其有效siRNA,退火形成双链DNA后,与经BamH I和EcoR I双酶切线性化慢病毒表达载体pSHR-Pμro/GFP连接,产生pLV-shSSTR5重组慢病毒质粒.将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌DH 5α感受态细胞,PCR筛选阳性克隆,测序鉴定.结果:构建的重组表达质粒PCR产物为161bp,其中插入的SSTR5-siRNA片段为61bp,测序结果与参考序列完全一致.结论:成功构建了小鼠SSTR5基因特异性shRNA慢病毒表达质粒,为进一步采用RNAi技术研究小鼠SSTR5基因表达对其生长情况的影响奠定了基础.