条件性RNA干扰技术研究进展

RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)是一种由与靶基因同源的双链RNA引起的,具有序列特异性的转录后基因沉默技术。目前,RNAi已被广泛应用于基因功能的研究中。为了使基因沉默具有时空特异性,可以通过构建基于Cre重组酶的Cre/lox P系统、可被小分子药物诱导的Tet诱导系统以及两者组合形成的高级诱导RNAi系统来条件性的控制小发夹状RNA(sh RNA)的表达,使其靶基因的表达可受外界调控,在特定组织细胞中或者特定的生长发育时期被抑制,从而更好地进行基因功能研究。目前,条件性RNAi基因沉默策略具有多样化,精确性和组合式的特点。本文就条件性RNAi基因沉默技术的多元策略做一综述。     

RNA干扰技术抑制内源性绿色荧光蛋白的表达

目的建立稳定表达绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的细胞株;构建短发夹RNA(shRNA)表达质粒并观察其对内源性GFP的抑制作用。方法转染pEGFP-N1至HepG2细胞,利用G418筛选获得稳定表达GFP的细胞株(HepG2.GFP);设计合成针对GFP基因的siRNA对应的DNA片段,插入转录载体pTZU6 1,构建shRNA表达载体pSHGFP,转染HepG2.GFP,荧光显微镜观察细胞荧光强度,以western blot检测GFP蛋白水平,以RT-PCR检测mRNA水平。结果利用PCR方法从HepG2.GFP细胞基因组DNA中检测到GFP基因;pSHGFP能够显著抑制该细胞中GFP的表达。结论GFP基因成功整合至HepG2细胞基因组中,pSHGFP能够显著抑制内源性GFP的表达,该系统能够用于RNA干扰机制等研究中。     

RNA干扰与siRNA（小干扰RNA）研究进展

RNA干扰作为后基因组时代的一种下调基因表达的工具已被广泛用于基因功能的研究以及疾病的治疗。在RNA干扰技术下调基因表达的背后存在着一个复杂的蛋白质网络参与了这一功能的实现。本文对近年来RNA干扰在疾病治疗方面的进展及其机制研究方面的进展作了一些概述。     

RNA结合蛋白CELF4对小鼠早期胚胎发育的作用

目的 观察RNA结合蛋白CELF4在小鼠早期胚胎中的分布与表达,初步探讨CELF4对小鼠早期胚胎发育的作用.方法 利用免疫荧光和Real-Time PCR检测CELF4在小鼠早期胚胎中的定位和mRNA表达,利用显微注射技术在1-细胞胚中注入CELF4抗体,观察其对小鼠体外早期胚胎发育的影响,以及对2-细胞期ZGA标志基...     

RNA干扰与植物抗病毒

RNA干扰是多种生物体内由双链RNA介导的同源mRNA降解现象,是植物体内天然的抗病毒机制。然而病毒在长期进化过程中也获得了通过编码沉默抑制蛋白来对抗植物体RNAi系统的能力。本文对RNA干扰过程、病毒编码的沉默抑制蛋白及利用干扰技术进行抗病毒基因工程研究进行简要综述。     

RNA干扰机制研究进展

RNAi是多种生物体内由dsRNA介导的同源mRNA降解现象。这是一个高度特异化的过程,涉及多种蛋白质的共同参与。在这一过程中,siRNA的结构影响其两条链装配到RISC中去的能力。除了与RISC结合外,siRNA还引导了RITS复合物结合到同源染色质,介导异染色质化过程。干扰效应的扩散,即系统性沉默可能依赖于跨膜蛋白的转运,并且很可能是在多因素调控下完成的。Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon that the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates the degradation of complementary mRNA found in many organisms. This is a specifically mechanism involved in kinds of proteins to complete the interference function. Structure of siRNA affects which strand will be assembled into RISC. Another role of siRNA is directing RITS complex to bind with homologue chromosome, and then induces heterochromatinization. Although systemic silence induced by dsRNA is observed in Caenorhabditis elegans and plants, this progress is probably transmembrane protein-dependent, and mostly, the systemic silencing is controlled by multi-factors.     

利用RNA干扰抑制细丝蛋白A基因的表达

目的：构建细丝蛋白A（FLNa）基因的小干扰RNA（siRNA）表达载体,并观察其对FLNa基因表达的抑制作用。方法：利用RNA干扰（RNAi）技术设计并合成1条针对FLNa的siRNA,将其克隆到siRNA表达载体pSilencer4．1-CMV-hygro中;将重组质粒pSilencer-FLNa、pSilencer-negative（阴性对照）转染293T人胚肾细胞,通过Western印迹检测FLNa的表达;通过潮霉素筛选建立干扰FLNa表达的前列腺癌细胞。结果：PCR鉴定证明构建了FLNa基因RNAi载体;Western印迹表明构建的FLNa基因干扰载体能够有效地抑制FLNa基因的表达;建立了稳定干扰FLNa表达的前列腺癌C4-2细胞。结论：构建了FLNa基因RNAi载体,该载体能够有效地抑制FLNa基因的表达。     

小干扰RNA长期作用乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠对机体免疫系统的影响

目的:探讨小干扰RNA(siRNA)长期作用乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)转基因小鼠对机体免疫系统的影响。方法:siRNA表达载体经微静脉注射转染HBV转基因小鼠,设立特异性siRNA组(pSilencer4.1/C2)、PBS对照组和正常BALB/c小鼠组(n=10);分别于注射后1、3、6、9和12个月经其内眦静脉采血,采用散射比浊法测定IgG、IgA、IgM水平的变化,ELISA测定细胞因子IL-2、IL-4、IL-6和IFN-γ,流式细胞术检测小鼠外周血CD4+和CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群。结果:pSilencer4.1/C2长期作用转基因小鼠后可以改善机体的先天免疫反应,转基因小鼠机体内的体液免疫和细胞免疫水平较治疗前均有所上调,高于PBS组,几乎接近正常BALB/c小鼠组。结论:pSilencer4.1/C2长期作用转基因小鼠可以上调机体的先天免疫,可为以后免疫疫苗提供应用时机。     

DPC4／Smad4基因RNA干扰靶点设计和慢病毒载体制备

目的：DPC4／Smad4基因RNA干扰靶点的设计和RNA干扰靶点慢病毒载体制备。方法：针对DPC4／Smad4基因序列,并利用网站设计程序,依据RNA干扰序列设计的原则,设计多个RNA干扰靶点序列。根据设计经验和设计软件将其进行评估测定,选择最佳动力学参数靶点进入其后续的实验流程;生工生物合成含干扰序列的DNAoligo,具有严格的检测体系（PAGE纯化体系）,其两端含酶切位点粘端,直接连入酶切后的RNA干扰载体上。将连接好的产物转入制备好的细菌感受态细胞,并且对长出的克隆进行酶切鉴定。然后挑选出阳性克隆测序,进行测序比对后,鉴定阳性的克隆即为构建成功的目的基因RNA干扰慢病毒载体。将构建的慢病毒载体以及辅助包装载体质粒共转染到293T细胞。收获含有病毒的细胞培养上清,浓缩后进行滴度测定,并检测其感染性。另外应用荧光实时定量PCR检测在感染的293T细胞中敲减效果。结果：成功构建DPC4／Smad4shRNA的慢病毒载体LVshSmad4,并成功制备DPC4／Smad4shRNA慢病毒,三株病毒感染细胞后均具有有效的敲减效应,其中SHl最为显著。结论：DPC4／Smad4基因RNA干扰靶点的成功设计和RNA干扰靶点慢病毒制备,为以后探讨DPC4／Smad4基因与肿瘤的相关性治疗提供了实验基础。     

BSP基因RNA干扰对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231BO细胞生物学特性的影响

旨在研究RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)抑制骨唾液酸蛋白(bone sialoprotein,BSP)基因表达后对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231BO生物学特性的影响。应用pSilencer5.1-U6Retro构建针对BSP基因的siRNA逆转录病毒重组表达质粒,将重组质粒转染293细胞制备病毒悬液感染MDA-MB-231BO细胞,利用嘌呤霉素筛选抑制BSP表达的乳腺癌细胞。Western blotting检测细胞内BSP蛋白表达,采用MTT法和集落形成试验检测细胞的增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期变化。结果显示,成功构建BSP基因RNAi稳定转染的231BO-BSP27细胞。231BO-BSP27细胞内BSP蛋白表达抑制率为69.3%,与对照组细胞相比,231BO-BSP27细胞的生长速率和克隆形成率明显降低;S期细胞数量明显减少,G0/G1期细胞增多。由此证实,逆转录病毒介导的RNAi能实现BSP基因稳定沉默,从而抑制MDA-MB-231BO细胞的生长和增殖。     

骨形态发生蛋白9基因敲除小鼠的构建

目的运用CRISR/Cas9技术敲除小鼠基因组中Bmp9基因片段,构建Bmp9基因敲除小鼠。方法根据Bmp9基因的外显子序列,设计一段sgRNA并合成。sgRNA体外转录后和Cas9mRNA混合后显微注射受精卵细胞,注射后的受精卵细胞移植至受体动物获得子代小鼠。提取子代小鼠基因组DNA测序鉴定其基因型。基因型鉴定正确的小鼠与野生型交配后筛选纯合子小鼠。同时取纯合子小鼠心脏、肝、脾、肺、肾,匀浆后提取总RNA和总蛋白,通过qPCR、WB和免疫组化检测BMP9在各组织中的表达。结果设计并合成20bp的sgRNA并进行体外转录,显微注射并回植后得到基因突变小鼠,连续交配后得F2代纯合子。测序结果显示,突变小鼠存在两种基因型,一种为5bp缺失突变,另一种为13bp缺失并伴有1bp插入突变。与野生型C57BL/6相比,qPCR、WB和免疫组化结果均表明基因敲除小鼠肝中BMP9表达显著降低。结论利用CRISPR/Cas9技术成功构建出了BMP9基因敲除小鼠。     

Generation of an EphA4 conditional allele in mice

Ephrins and Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are cell‐surface molecules that serve a multitude of functions in cell–cell communication in development, physiology, and disease. EphA4 is a promiscuous member of the EphA subclass of Eph receptors and can bind to both EphrinAs and EphrinBs. In addition to its well‐established roles in guiding the development of neuronal connectivity, EphA4 has been implicated for a role in synaptic plasticity, vascular formation, axon regeneration, and central nervous system repair following injury. However, the study of its role in the adult stage has been hampered by confounding developmental defects in EphA4 germline mutants. Here, we report the generation and molecular characterization of an EphA4 conditional allele along with a novel null allele with a knockin fluorescent reporter gene (mCFP). The conditional allele will be useful in ascertaining postdevelopmental and/or cell type‐specific function of EphA4 in physiology, injury, and disease. genesis 48:101–105, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Generation of Axin1 conditional mutant mice

Axin1 is a critical negative regulator of the canonical Wnt-signaling pathway. It is a concentration-limiting factor in the β-catenin degradation complex. Axin1 null mutant mouse embryos died at embryonic day 9.5, precluding direct genetic analysis of the roles of Axin1 in many developmental and physiological processes using these mutant mice. In this study, we have generated mice carrying two directly repeated loxP sites flanking the exon 2 region of the Axin1 gene. We show that floxed-allele-carrying mice (Axin1( fx/fx) ) mice appear normal and fertile. Upon crossing the Axin1( fx/fx) mice to the CMV-Cre transgenic mice, the loxP-flanked exon 2 region that encodes the N-terminus and the conserved regulation of G-protein signaling domain was efficiently deleted by Cre-mediated excision in vivo. Moreover, we show that mouse embryos homozygous for the Cre/loxP-mediated deletion of exon 2 of the Axin1 gene display embryonic lethality and developmental defects similar to those reported for Axin1(-/-) mice. Thus, this Axin1(fx/fx) mouse model will be valuable for systematic tissue-specific dissection of the roles of Axin1 in embryonic and postnatal development and diseases.     

Generation of mice with conditional null allele for GdX/Ubl4A

GdX (also named Ubl4A) is a house-keeping gene located on the X chromosome and encodes a protein harboring an ubiquitin-like domain in human and mouse. Although identified in 1988, the function of GdX remains unknown. To elucidate the role of GdX in vivo, we generated a conditional GdX knockout mouse in which Exon 2 was flanked by two loxP sites. We obtained viable and fertile mice with homozygous GdX(flox/flox) or GdX(flox/Y) allele. Germ-line transmission was confirmed by crossing the mouse bearing conditionally targeted allele with an EIIα-Cre transgenic mouse. GdX was successfully depleted in tissues of EIIα-Cre-GdX-null mice. GdX(-/-) and GdX(-/Y) mice are viable and exhibit normal development compared with wild-type littermates within 6 months during our observation. We also observed that GdX knockout male mice were functionally normal in the reproductive system where Ubl4B was specifically expressed. GdX(flox/flox) and GdX(flox/Y) conditional mice provide a tool for further tissue-specific function analysis of the GdX protein under different conditions.     

Generation of a Magoh conditional allele in mice

Magoh encodes a core component of the exon junction complex (EJC), which binds mRNA and regulates mRNA metabolism. Magoh is highly expressed in proliferative tissues during development. EJC components have been implicated in several developmental disorders including TAR syndrome, Richieri–Costa–Pereira syndrome, and intellectual disability. Existing germline null Magoh mice are embryonic lethal as homozygotes and perinatal lethal as heterozygotes, precluding detailed analysis of embryonic and postnatal functions. Here, we report the generation of a new genetic tool to dissect temporal and tissue‐specific roles for Magoh in development and adult homeostasis. This Magoh conditional allele has two loxP sites flanking the second exon. Ubiquitous Cre‐mediated deletion of the floxed allele in a heterozygous mouse (Magoh^del/+) causes 50% reduction of both Magoh mRNA and protein. Magoh^del/+ mice exhibit both microcephaly and hypopigmentation, thus phenocopying germline haploinsufficient Magoh mice. Using Emx1‐Cre, we further show that conditional Magoh deletion in neural progenitors during embryonic development also causes microcephaly. We anticipate this novel conditional allele will be a valuable tool for assessing tissue‐specific roles for Magoh in mammalian development and postnatal processes. genesis 52:752–758, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.