利用RNAi技术沉默小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因

RNA干扰（RNA interference, RNAi）是一种调控基因表达的方法, 其通过体外合成一段与内源靶基因同源的双链RNA（dsRNA）或siRNA, 导入生物体内, 使内源靶基因中同源mRNA降解, 从而达到阻抑基因表达的目的。类钙粘蛋白（cadherin-like protein）是位于昆虫中肠刷状缘膜囊(brush border membrane vesicles, BBMV)上与钙粘蛋白(cadherin)结构相似的物质, 是多种昆虫体内Bt杀虫蛋白的受体。本研究利用基因特异引物通过RT-PCR扩增了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的2个片段（CAD1和CAD2）, 合成相对应的双链RNA（double-stranded RNA, dsRNA）; 并将dsRNA通过显微注射导入小菜蛾3龄幼虫体内, 测定了不同靶位点、不同剂量、不同检测时间对目的基因mRNA表达量的影响。结果表明: 将70 nL CAD1对应的dsRNA注射到幼虫体内48 h后, 基因表达量显著下降, 72 h后恢复。免疫印迹检测结果表明, 类钙粘蛋白在注射dsRNA 48 h后幼虫BBMV中的含量明显下降。本实验成功实现了小菜蛾类钙粘蛋白基因的沉默, 该体系的成功建立为利用RNAi技术分析小菜蛾及其他鳞翅目昆虫基因的功能提供了参考。     

RNA干扰技术及其应用

RNA干扰（RNAi)是利用具有同源性的双链RNA诱发序列特异的转录后基因沉默的现象。它可以通过抑制蛋白表达模拟基因敲除技术,从利用体外合成双链RNA到通过质粒稳定表达小型干扰RNA诱发RNA干扰现象,这项技术被不断完善,并被广泛的应用,尽管RNAi的作用机制仍不清楚,但实验证实在RNA干扰过程中,外源的双链RNA在体内会被切割成小片段,新的双链RNA被合成,从而RNAi的作用机制假说正被逐步修正,由于RNAi技术的高效性和特异性,它已经成为基因功能研究的一种新方法。     

非完全互补shRNA对RNA聚合酶II启动子调控的RNAi的影响

RNA干扰（RNAi）是一种转录后基因沉默技术,可有效诱导序列特异性基因沉默．由RNA聚合酶Ⅱ启动子调控表达的小发卡RNA可有效介导RNAi效应,为组织特异性基因沉默提供了一条新的途径．但是,由RNA聚合酶Ⅱ启动子调控表达的小发卡RNA（shRNA）在序列上与靶基因非完全互补对RNAi效应的影响鲜有报道．本文初步探索RNA聚合酶Ⅱ启动子调控表达的shRNA碱基发生突变或缺失对RNAi效应的影响．研究表明,靶向hTERT mRNA的碱基突变shRNA显著降低RNAi效应,而靶向GFP mRNA的碱基缺失shRNA对RNAi效应没有显著影响．本研究为非完全互补shRNA对RNAi效应的进一步深入研究提供了理论与实验依据．     

小鼠胚胎Sry基因的RNA干涉研究

为了研究Sry基因的调控网络,采用siRNA技术使Sry基因沉默,探讨了有效沉默Sry基因的途径和最佳条件.设计、合成针对小鼠Sry基因的发夹状寡核苷酸链,退火后连入真核表达载体pSilencer4.1-CMVneovector,构建以小鼠Sry基因为靶点的siRNA干涉载体pSilencer4.1/Sry217及pSilencer4.1/Sry565,通过尾静脉注射法将载体质粒导入妊娠小鼠体内,于小鼠妊娠第11.5天,即11.5dpc(dayspostcoitum,性交后天数)取出胚胎,采用双重PCR法对胚胎进行性别鉴定,鉴定为雄性的胚胎采用半定量RT-PCR法检测Sry基因的表达量,研究不同干扰序列、不同注射时间及注射剂量对Sry基因表达量的影响.研究结果,确定了质粒的最佳注射时间为9.5dpc,注射剂量为20μg,注射干扰质粒pSilencer4.1/Sry565对Sry基因的抑制效率达85%左右.结果表明,siRNA可以显著抑制雄性胚胎Sry基因的表达.     

RNA干扰体内导入技术研究进展

RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)是一种发展迅速并具有广阔应用前景的基因控制技术,它能特异性地沉默内源或外源性靶基因,已成为基因治疗的有效手段。然而,利用RNA干扰技术进行体内基因沉默的主要障碍是如何实现siRNA和miRNA的体内安全高效输送导入。该文结合国内外进展和本课题组在RNA干扰方面的研究成果,对RNA干扰体内导入技术作一综述。     

与生物体发育相关的非编码RNA及其作用机理

非编码RNA是一类没有开放阅读框、不能翻译成为蛋自质的RNA分子。在哺乳动物中,它们主要是指微小RNA、小干扰RNA、PIWI互作RNA和其他一些反义转录本等。它们在生物体内广泛存在,通过RNA干扰、基因沉默、基因印迹和DNA甲基化等机制调控着基因的表达。非编码RNA增加了真核细胞调控网络的复杂性,也为科学地解释一些现象提供了新的途径。     

转录后基因沉默(PTGS)及其在作物遗传改良中的应用

转录后基因沉默(PTGS)或RNA干扰(RNAi)技术的发展为创造植物遗传变异体提供了新途径。PTGS于1998年被明确为双链RNA(dsRNA)诱导的序列特异性基因沉默,短短几年内有关研究取得了突破性进展。结合利用PTGS技术进行的淀粉合成关键酶基因沉默研究,概述了PTGS的作用机理和特点、dsRNA表达载体设计、沉默效应的遗传稳定性及在作物改良应用方面的研究进展。研究表明,基因沉默效应可在子代间稳定遗传并可通过杂交进行重组,显示了其在农作物改良方面的应用潜力。     

舞毒蛾Ldcht10基因序列的克隆及其功能分析

【目的】研究舞毒蛾Lymantria dispar几丁质酶基因的时空表达特性及其在蜕皮发育过程中的生物学功能,筛选在舞毒蛾发育过程中致死性的几丁质酶基因,为实现基于RNAi的舞毒蛾有效控制提供重要的基础数据。【方法】设计简并引物克隆舞毒蛾几丁质酶基因Ldcht10关键序列,通过使用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测该基因在舞毒蛾不同龄期与组织中的相对表达量,选取部分序列的双链RNA(ds RNA)研究该基因功能。【结果】本研究克隆了长度为2 057 bp的舞毒蛾几丁质酶基因Ldcht10序列;各组织与不同龄期RT-PCR结果表明Ldcht10的时空表达特性存在明显差异,Ldcht10在各个龄期均表达活跃且在前肠与后肠中的表达水平最高;Ldcht10的RNA干扰试验表明:注射Ldcht10 ds RNA后Ldcht10的表达受到极大抑制,该基因被沉默后24.3%的舞毒蛾幼虫因无法完成蜕皮或化蛹而死亡。【结论】舞毒蛾中几丁质酶基因Ldcht10在各个龄期与组织中的表达存在差异,且在舞毒蛾蜕皮过程中具有十分重要的生物学功能,该基因被沉默后部分舞毒蛾因无法完成蜕皮而导致死亡。     

家蚕吡哆醛激酶基因干扰降低转氨酶基因的转录表达

【目的】维生素B₆在氨基酸代谢中是多种酶的辅酶,维持氨基酸代谢的正常运行。磷酸吡哆醛（pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, PLP）是维生素B₆的主要辅酶形式,吡哆醛激酶（pyridoxal kinase, PLK）是PLP的重要生成酶,本研究试图明确PLK基因与PLP依赖酶之间转录水平的调节关系。【方法】本研究采用RNA干扰（RNA interference, RNAi）方法对家蚕 Bombyx mori 的PLK基因进行干扰,通过体外合成PLK基因的3个干扰片段（siRNA1, siRNA2和siRNA3）,将siRNA从体腔注入5龄第3天的家蚕幼虫体内诱导RNAi。利用荧光定量PCR测定不同干扰片段、不同时间点及不同组织中PLK基因表达量的变化;并测定家蚕体内磷酸丝氨酸转氨酶（phosphoserine aminotransferase, SerB）和天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（asparate aminotransferase, AST）基因的表达量。【结果】注射干扰片段后48 h干扰效果达到最佳。3个干扰片段干扰效果从高到低依次为siRNA1, siRNA2和siRNA3。RNAi效果最好的是中肠组织,其PLK基因的相对表达量下降了55%。RNA干扰PLK基因后,后部丝腺中SerB和AST基因相对表达量分别下降了90%和29%。【结论】本研究通过RNAi实现了家蚕PLK基因干扰,并进一步证明了家蚕PLK基因和SerB基因及AST基因存在联动调节关系。     

利用RNA干扰技术沉默基因表达在本科实验教学中的设计与实践

RNA干扰是由双链小RNA介导的基因沉默现象,已成为一个被广泛应用的反向遗传学研究技术。为了让学生更好地理解该技术,本实验教学让学生自己选择靶基因,设计小干扰RNA和引物,然后检测小干扰RNA介导的基因沉默效果。以2018年第五组为例,该组挑选了小鼠长链脂酰辅酶A合成酶1 (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1, Acsl1)为靶基因,设计了两对特异性靶向Acsl1 mRNA的小干扰RNA,通过电穿孔的方式将其转染到3T3-L1中,然后提取细胞总RNA和合成cDNA,最后用相对定量PCR检测mRNA的表达量。结果显示两对小干扰RNA都有60%以上的沉默效果。近3年内,大约83%的学生都能独立完成所有实验并最终成功筛选到至少一对有效的小干扰RNA。该教学实践增强了学生对RNA干扰原理和实验的理解,锻炼了学生的实验与科研能力。     

RNA干扰文库在功能基因组学研究中的发展及应用

RNA干扰（RNAi）是双链RNA分子在mRNA水平上诱发的序列特异性转录后基因表达沉默,从基因组水平设计针对多个靶基因的RNAi序列,建立RNAi文库进行系统性、大规模的筛选工作是功能基因组学研究的有力工具。目前RNAi文库主要包括质粒（或病毒）文库、siRNA表达盒文库、寡核苷酸文库和随机RNAi文库,已经被成功应用于基因功能鉴别、信号转导途径解析和药物靶标筛选等研究领域。近年来,这一领域发展迅速,本文就RNAi文库的发展应用以及存在的问题与展望进行综述。     

RNAi-mediated Double Gene Knockdown and Gustatory Perception Measurement in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

This video demonstrates novel techniques of RNA interference (RNAi) which downregulate two genes simultaneously in honey bees using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injections. It also presents a protocol of proboscis extension response (PER) assay for measuring gustatory perception.RNAi-mediated gene knockdown is an effective technique downregulating target gene expression. This technique is usually used for single gene manipulation, but it has limitations to detect interactions and joint effects between genes. In the first part of this video, we present two strategies to simultaneously knock down two genes (called double gene knockdown). We show both strategies are able to effectively suppress two genes, vitellogenin (vg) and ultraspiracle (usp), which are in a regulatory feedback loop. This double gene knockdown approach can be used to dissect interrelationships between genes and can be readily applied in different insect species.The second part of this video is a demonstration of proboscis extension response (PER) assay in honey bees after the treatment of double gene knockdown. The PER assay is a standard test for measuring gustatory perception in honey bees, which is a key predictor for how fast a honey bee''s behavioral maturation is. Greater gustatory perception of nest bees indicates increased behavioral development which is often associated with an earlier age at onset of foraging and foraging specialization in pollen. In addition, PER assay can be applied to identify metabolic states of satiation or hunger in honey bees. Finally, PER assay combined with pairing different odor stimuli for conditioning the bees is also widely used for learning and memory studies in honey bees.     

RNAi沉默王浆主蛋白1(Mrjp1)基因对意大利蜜蜂工蜂学习和记忆的影响

【目的】前期研究发现经吡虫啉处理的意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica(简称“意蜂”)工蜂学习能力下降,转录组学分析表明王浆主蛋白1(major royal jelly protein 1, MRJP1)基因在吡虫啉处理的蜜蜂脑中显著下调,MRJP1可能参与调控蜜蜂学习能力。本研究旨在采用RNA干扰(RNAinference, RNAi)技术将Mrjp1特异性沉默,验证MRJP1在意蜂工蜂嗅觉学习中的关键作用。【方法】通过克隆技术获得Mrjp1基因cDNA 序列,经测序验证后,设计引物,合成用于RNAi干扰Mrjp1基因表达的dsRNA。注射dsMrjp1的意蜂工蜂作为处理组(dsMrjp1注射组),注射dsEGFP的意蜂工蜂作为对照组(dsEGFP注射组),随后通过伸吻反应(proboscis extension response, PER)实验比较两组的嗅觉学习与记忆能力差异。最后采用实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)检测注射dsMrjp1后意大利蜜蜂工蜂脑中Mrjp1的相对表达量。【结果】dsMrjp1注射组与dsEGFP注射组意蜂工蜂学习能力差异显著,dsMrjp1注射组意蜂工蜂的学习能力显著降低。学习后2 h,两组意蜂工蜂的记忆力无显著差异。qRT-PCR结果显示Mrjp1的表达水平在dsMrjp1注射组意蜂工蜂脑中显著低于dsEGFP注射组,表明学习能力降低的处理组意蜂脑内对应的Mrjp1表达水平也降低。【结论】通过RNAi抑制意蜂工蜂Mrjp1基因的表达后,其嗅觉学习能力受到显著性抑制,但记忆力未受到显著影响,提示Mrjp1可能是调控意蜂学习的重要基因之一。本研究结果有助于后续进一步研究蜜蜂嗅觉学习相关的分子机制。     

Increased survival of the honey bee Apis mellifera infected with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae by effective gene silencing

This study examined the control of nosemosis caused by Nosema ceranae, one of the hard-to-control diseases of honey bees, using RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for RNAi application targeted the mitosome-related genes of N. ceranae. Among the various mitosome-related genes, NCER_100882, NCER_101456, NCER_100157, and NCER_100686 exhibited relatively low homologies with the orthologs of Apis mellifera. Four gene-specific dsRNAs were prepared against the target genes and applied to the infected A. mellifera to analyze Nosema proliferation and honey bee survival. Two dsRNAs specifics to NCER_101456 and NCER_100157 showed high inhibitory effects on spore production by exhibiting only 62% and 67%, respectively, compared with the control. In addition, these dsRNA treatments significantly rescued the honey bees from the fatal nosemosis. It was confirmed that the inhibition of Nosema spore proliferation and the increase in the survival rate of honey bees were resulted from a decrease in the expression level of each target gene by dsRNA treatment. However, dsRNA mixture treatment was no more effective than single treatments in the rescue from the nosemosis. It is expected that the four newly identified mitosome-related target genes in this study can be effectively used for nosemosis control using RNAi technology.     

灰葡萄孢犬尿氨酸途径关键酶基因的鉴定

【背景】灰葡萄孢是一种重要的植物病原真菌,实验室前期明确了灰葡萄孢犬尿氨酸单加氧酶(kynurenine3-monooxygenase,KMO)基因BcKMO参与调控病菌的生长发育和致病力。犬尿氨酸单加氧酶(KMO)是犬尿氨酸途径的关键酶,但灰葡萄孢是否存在犬尿氨酸途径及其在病菌生长、发育和致病过程中的功能尚未见相关报道。【目的】鉴定灰葡萄孢犬尿氨酸途径中的关键酶基因,确定灰葡萄孢犬尿氨酸途径的存在,为阐明灰葡萄孢生长发育和致病力的分子机理奠定基础。【方法】利用生物信息学方法,对灰葡萄孢犬尿氨酸途径中犬尿氨酸酶(kynureninase,KYN)、吲哚-2,3-双加氧酶(indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase,IDO)、犬尿氨酸氨基转移酶(kynurenine amino transferase,KAT)的编码基因进行分析;利用Real-time PCR技术,检测灰葡萄孢野生型BC22、BcKMO基因T-DNA插入突变体BCG183、恢复菌株BCG183/BcKMO中犬尿氨酸途径关键酶基因的表达水平;利用真菌犬尿氨酸酶KYN检测试剂盒,测定BcKMO突变体中犬尿氨酸酶(KYN)的含量。【结果】灰葡萄孢中含有2个犬尿氨酸氨基转移酶(KAT)的编码基因、3个吲哚-2,3-双加氧酶(IDO)的编码基因、10个犬尿氨酸氨基转移酶(KAT)的编码基因。灰葡萄孢KYN编码基因、IDO编码基因、KAT编码基因在突变体BCG183中的表达水平显著高于或低于在野生型和恢复菌株。突变体BCG183中犬尿氨酸酶(KYN)的含量显著低于野生型BC22和恢复菌株。【结论】灰葡萄孢中存在犬尿氨酸途径,灰葡萄孢BcKMO基因突变影响KYN、IDO和KAT编码基因的表达以及犬尿氨酸酶(KYN)的含量。     

A transgenic sensor strain for monitoring the RNAi pathway in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

The RNA interference pathway functions as an antiviral defense in invertebrates. In order to generate a phenotypic marker which "senses" the status of the RNAi pathway in Aedes aegypti, transgenic strains were developed to express EGFP and DsRED marker genes in the eye, as well as double-stranded RNA homologous to a portion of the EGFP gene. Transgenic "sensor" mosquitoes exhibited robust eye-specific DsRED expression with little EGFP, indicating RNAi-based silencing. Cloning and high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs confirmed that the inverted-repeat transgene was successfully processed into short-interfering RNAs by the mosquito RNAi pathway. When the A. aegypti homologues of the genes DCR-2 or AGO-2 were knocked down, a clear increase in EGFP fluorescence was observed in the mosquito eyes. Knockdown of DCR-2 was also associated with an increase in EGFP mRNA levels, as determined by Northern blot and real-time PCR. Knockdown of AGO-3, a gene involved in the germline-specific piRNA pathway, did not restore EGFP expression at either the mRNA or protein level. This transgenic sensor strain can now be used to identify other components of the mosquito RNAi pathway and has the potential to be used in the identification of arboviral suppressors of RNAi.     

Glycolysis modulates trypanosome glycoprotein expression as revealed by an RNAi library

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for identifying gene function in Trypanosoma brucei. We generated an RNAi library, the first of its kind in any organism, by ligation of genomic fragments into the vector pZJMbeta. After transfection at approximately 5-fold genome coverage, trypanosomes were induced to express double-stranded RNA and screened for reduced con canavalin A (conA) binding. Since this lectin binds the surface glycoprotein EP-procyclin, we predicted that cells would lose affinity to conA if RNAi silenced genes affecting EP-procyclin expression or modification. We found a cell line in which RNAi switches expression from glycosylated EP-procyclins to the unglycosylated GPEET-procyclin. This switch results from silencing a hexokinase gene. The relationship between procyclin expression and glycolysis was supported by silencing other genes in the glycolytic pathway, and confirmed by observation of a similar upregulation of GPEET- procyclin when parental cells were grown in medium depleted of glucose. These data suggest that T.brucei 'senses' changes in glucose level and modulates procyclin expression accordingly.     

Downregulation of caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) by RNA interference leads to reduced lignin production in maize straw

Lignin is a major cell wall component of vascular plants that provides mechanical strength and hydrophobicity to vascular vessels. However, the presence of lignin limits the effective use of crop straw in many agroindustrial processes. Here, we generated transgenic maize plants in which the expression of a lignin biosynthetic gene encoding CCoAOMT, a key enzyme involved in the lignin biosynthesis pathway was downregulated by RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi of CCoAOMT led to significantly downregulated expression of this gene in transgenic maize compared with WT plants. These transgenic plants exhibited a 22.4% decrease in Klason lignin content and a 23.3% increase in cellulose content compared with WT plants, which may reflect compensatory regulation of lignin and cellulose deposition. We also measured the lignin monomer composition of the RNAi plants by GC-MS and determined that transgenic plants had a 57.08% higher S/G ratio than WT plants. In addition, histological staining of lignin with Wiesner reagent produced slightly more coloration in the xylem and sclerenchyma than WT plants. These results provide a foundation for breeding maize with low-lignin content and reveal novel insights about lignin regulation via genetic manipulation of CCoAOMT expression.