转基因小鼠乳腺表达人瘦蛋白的研究

利用转基因动物乳腺生产药用蛋白质是近年来研究的热点,在这方面已有不少成功的例子,展现出良好的应用前景[1,2].本研究选择人瘦蛋白基因作为目标基因是因为其表达产物瘦蛋白能对人体内脂肪的蓄积和能量消耗进行有效的反馈调控,美国科学家已将用E.coli表达的人瘦蛋白用于人肥胖症的治疗并取得了良好的治疗效果[3],但尚未见到利用转基因动物乳腺表达这种蛋白质的研究报道.     

转基因动物的乳腺表达

转基因动物乳腺组织特异性表达异源基因是近年来基因工程中引人注目的途径.文章介绍了这一途径有关的乳汁蛋白基因、乳汁蛋白基因与异源基因的融合方式、重组基因的必要构成以及可能影响高效表达的因素.     

乳铁蛋白肽基因的合成及其在动物乳腺中的表达

根据已发表的编码牛乳铁蛋白肽(LfcinB)25个氨基酸的mRNA序列,设计了4条用于合成牛乳铁蛋白肽全基因的引物,用重叠延伸PCR法合成149 bp的牛乳铁蛋白肽基因(包括牛乳铁蛋白信号肽序列、上下游酶切位点和终止密码子),并将此基因克隆到载体pI-B,获得了乳腺特异性表达质粒pI-BL,该质粒经生理盐水稀释后直接注入稳定泌乳期奶山羊和奶牛乳腺组织(注射量为400μg),以琼脂板溶圈法检测奶样抑菌活性。结果显示,注射后3~48 h,奶样有明显抑菌活性,其中3~9 h抑菌活性最高。     

利用泌乳乳腺鉴定真核基因表达的研究

为了找到一种新的可用于基因及其表达调控元件鉴定的方法,本试验以蚓激酶(LK)作为目的标志基因,分别构建了在巨细胞病毒(CMV)立即早期启动子、逆转录病毒长末端重复序列(LTR)和beta-酪蛋白启动子调控下的三种真核表达载体pICLK、pLLKSN和pIbLK。制备各重组质粒后,以泌乳期羊乳腺作为支持系统,在处于稳定泌乳阶段分别注射400~800μg重组质粒于山羊乳腺组织中。在注射后不同时间采集奶汁,检测纤溶活性。结果显示,蚓激酶的不同重组质粒在注射到乳腺组织之后迅速得到表达,注射后6~9h蚓激酶表达量达到高峰,并可持续至72h以上;不同表达载体间表达量略有变化,但无显著差异。这些结果表明,利用泌乳乳腺组织表达真核蛋白是鉴定真核基因表达快速有效的手段之一。     

Embedding Stained Mammary Glands in Plastic

A simplified method of embedding stained mammary spreads of small mammals in plastic (Selection) is presented. Two standard 50 × 75 × 1 mm. glass slides, separated by 2 narrow glass strips of similar thickness, are used to form the embedding chamber. The glands are stained in toto in alum-carmine, dehydrated, defatted, infiltrated with uncatalyzed plastic and embedded in catalyzed plastic. After baking and cooling, the glass chamber separates readily and provides a thin square slide of plastic suitable for low-power microscopic examination, projection, and filing.     

Induction of Biochemical Differentiation in Three-Dimensional Collagen Cultures of Mammary Epithelial Cells from Virgin Mice

In order to reduce cellular complexity in the study of the controls of the biochemical differentiation of mammary gland epithelium, approximately 100-fold purified epithelial cells from the mammary glands of virgin BALB/c mice were grown in three-dimensional collagen gels, and formed colonies that resembled mammary ductules. Here we report the induction of a biochemical differentiation in these purified epithelial cells in response to appropriate hormonal signals, starting from the state in the virgin mammary gland and ending with the stage characteristic of lactation. Induction of the synthesis of caseins was examined as a marker of mammary functional differentiation using sensitive immunologic autoradiography. The cells were maximally induced by the combination of the hormones, insulin, prolactin, aldosterone, and hydrocortisone, in both serum-containing and essentially serum-free media. The induction required insulin and prolactin, and was enhanced by the presence of the steroids. The cellular distribution of the induction was general, inasmuch as three-quarters of the hormone-stimulated cells were casein-positive according to immunocytochemistry. In order to assess the role of the three-dimensional conformation in the induction process, the purified mammary epithelial cells were grown as monolayers on plastic and collagen-coated surfaces. In these two-dimensional cultures, the synthesis of casein was not induced, suggesting that cell shape, orientation, and multicellular organization are important parameters in the hormonal induction of the biochemical differentiation. The finding of the induction of differentiation-specific proteins in cultures of purified epithelial cells from virgin glands allows examination of the molecular mechanisms involved in the complete induction process in the virtual absence of fat cells, fibroblasts, and the complex assortment of biochemical constituents of the mammary fat pad.     

Murine Mammary Tumor Virus Expression During Mammary Tumorigenesis in BALB/c Mice

Steady-state levels of murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) RNA were quantitated during mammary tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice by molecular hybridization with a representative MuMTV complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. Hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN) lines are preneoplastic mammary lesions that were induced in BALB/c mice by hormones alone or in combination with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and give rise to mammary tumors. The hormone-induced HAN lines D1 and D2 contained detectable amounts of hybridizable MuMTV sequences. MuMTV RNA sequences were also observed in five of the six transplanted BALB/c mammary tumors that were examined. Similar levels of hybridizable MuMTV RNA were observed between the D1 or D2 HAN line and mammary tumors derived from each HAN line. The D2 HAN line as well as D2, C4, and CD8 mammary tumors accumulated RNA that was apparently homologous to most of the MuMTV genome. Thermal denaturation of hybrids indicated extensive sequence homology between the MuMTV cDNA and hybridizable RNA in the BALB/c HAN lines and mammary tumors. A low level of type C viral RNA was observed in the BALB/c HAN lines and most mammary tumors by molecular hybridization with a cDNA to Moloney murine leukemia virus. These data demonstrate that MuMTV sequences are frequently expressed in hormone-induced BALB/c HAN lines and mammary tumors derived from HAN lines or ductal hyperplasias induced in BALB/c mice by hormones and/or a chemical carcinogen. The transition from the preneoplastic to the neoplastic state in BALB/c mice does not appear to be due to a change in the steady-state levels of MuMTV RNA since the hormone-induced HAN lines and mammary tumors had similar levels of hybridizable MuMTV RNA.     

组织纤溶酶原激活剂突变体(La-tPA)转基因鼠的建立

用羊β－乳球蛋白基因（ＢＬＧ）５区５×１０３ｂ（１０３ｂ,旧称ｋｂ）为调控序列,构建了乳腺表达组织纤溶酶原激活剂突变体（Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ）载体．对５４０枚小鼠受精卵进行显微注射,经ＰＣＲ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ检测,获得６只整合有人Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ的转基因小鼠,整合率为３２％．这为未来利用转基因动物生产Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ提供依据     

Expression of a Truncated Brca1 Protein Delays Lactational Mammary Development in Transgenic Mice

To address the hypothesis that certain disease-associated mutants of the breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 have biological activity in vivo, we have expressed a truncated Brca1 protein (trBrca1) in cell-lines and in the mammary gland of transgenic mice. Immunofluorescent analysis of transfected cell-lines indicates that trBRCA1 is a stable protein and that it is localized in the cell cytoplasm. Functional analysis of these cell-lines indicates that expression of trBRCA1 confers an increased radiosensitivity phenotype on mammary epithelial cells, consistent with abrogation of the BRCA1 pathway. MMTV-trBrca1 transgenic mice from two independent lines displayed a delay in lactational mammary gland development, as demonstrated by altered histological profiles of lobuloalveolar structures. Cellular and molecular analyses indicate that this phenotype results from a defect in differentiation, rather than altered rates of proliferation or apoptosis. The results presented in this paper are consistent with trBrca1 possessing dominant-negative activity and playing an important role in regulating normal mammary development. They may also have implications for germline carriers of BRCA1 mutations.     

Cholic Acid Induces a Cftr Dependent Biliary Secretion and Liver Growth Response in Mice

The cause of Cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD), is unknown. It is well recognized that hepatic exposure to hydrophobic bile salts is associated with the development of liver disease. For this reason, we hypothesize that, CFTR dependent variations, in the hepatic handling of hydrophobic bile salts, are related to the development CFLD. To test our hypothesis we studied, in Cftr^-/- and control mice, bile production, bile composition and liver pathology, in normal feeding condition and during cholate exposure, either acute (intravenous) or chronic (three weeks via the diet). In Cftr^-/- and control mice the basal bile production was comparable. Intravenous taurocholate increased bile production to the same extent in Cftr^-/- and control mice. However, chronic cholate exposure increased the bile flow significantly less in Cftr^-/- mice than in controls, together with significantly higher biliary bile salt concentration in Cftr^-/- mice. Prolonged cholate exposure, however, did not induce CFLD like pathology in Cftr^-/- mice. Chronic cholate exposure did induce a significant increase in liver mass in controls that was absent in Cftr^-/- mice. Chronic cholate administration induces a cystic fibrosis-specific hepatobiliary phenotype, including changes in bile composition. These changes could not be associated with CFLD like pathological changes in CF mouse livers. However, chronic cholate administration induces liver growth in controls that is absent in Cftr^-/- mice. Our findings point to an impaired adaptive homeotrophic liver response to prolonged hydrophobic bile salt exposure in CF conditions.     

具有乳腺导管再生能力的小鼠乳腺原基细胞群黏附因子的表达特点

乳腺干细胞是研究器官形成、细胞增殖、分化、生存和凋亡等信号通路的理想模型,而近来的研究发现许多成体干细胞的特异性表面标记都与细胞黏附分子(celladhesion molecule,CAM)家族相关.因此,研究胚胎期乳腺干/祖细胞群的黏附分子基因表达特点,对于纯化和鉴定胚胎期乳腺干/祖细胞具有重要指导意义.用成年小鼠乳腺上皮干细胞的标记CD24和CD49f来分选小鼠胚胎期14天乳腺原基细胞群,发现CD24+和CD49f+双阳性的乳腺原基细胞包含两个细胞群:CD24hiCD49f+细胞群和CD24medCD49f+细胞群.它们占乳腺原基总细胞的比例分别为16%和47%.在随后的细胞培养实验和体内移植再生实验中发现,CD24medCD49f+细胞群可以贴壁,而且具有再生乳腺导管的能力,相反,CD24hiCD49f+细胞群既不能贴壁也不具有移植再生能力.这些结果表明,这两个细胞群分别代表不同的细胞类型,而CD24medCD49f+细胞群有可能包含具有自我更新能力的乳腺原基干/祖细胞.挑选了可能与乳腺相关的19个黏附分子,并对这两群细胞进行了定量PCR检测.结果表明,具有乳腺导管重建能力的CD24medCD49f+细...     

RT-PCR测定组织纤溶酶原激活剂突变体(La-tPA)在转基因鼠乳腺表达的研究

利用所构建的乳腺表达组织纤溶酶原激活剂突变体（Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ）载体．对５４０枚小鼠受精卵进行显微注射,经ＰＣＰ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ检测,获得６只整合有人Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ转基因小鼠．为了精确研究转基因在小鼠体内的表达,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＰ方法测定转基因鼠在泌乳期１～２０ｄＬａ－ｔＰＡ基因的转录,结果表明,在转基因鼠乳腺的Ｌａ－ｔＰＡｍＲＮＡ水平在１０～１５ｄ最高,在２０ｄ时降为最低．外源基因在转基因小鼠乳腺的表达规律研究为未来利用转基因动物生产Ｌａ－ｔＰＡ提供依据     

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Pheromone Glands of Mated and Virgin Bombyx mori by Digital Gene Expression Profiling

Background

Mating decreases female receptivity and terminates sex pheromone production in moths. Although significant progress has been made in elucidating the mating-regulated inactivation of pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) secretion, little is known about the mating induced gene expression profiles in pheromone glands (PGs). In this study, the associated genes involved in Bombyx mori mating were identified through digital gene expression (DGE) profiling and subsequent RNA interference (RNAi) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mating-regulated gene expression in PGs.

Results

Eight DGE libraries were constructed from the PGs of mated and virgin females: 1 h mating (M1)/virgin (V1) PGs, 3 h mating (M3)/virgin (V3) PGs, 24 h mating (M24)/virgin (V24) PGs and 48 h mating (M48)/virgin (V48) PGs (M48 and V48). These libraries were used to investigate the gene expression profiles affected by mating. DGE profiling revealed a series of genes showing differential expression in each set of mated and virgin female samples, including immune-associated genes, sex pheromone synthesis-associated genes, juvenile hormone (JH) signal-associated genes, etc. Most interestingly, JH signal was found to be activated by mating. Application of the JH mimics, methoprene to the newly-emerged virgin females leaded to the significant reduction of sex pheromone production. RNAi-mediated knockdown of putative JH receptor gene, Methoprene tolerant 1 (Met1), in female pupa resulted in a significant decrease in sex pheromone production in mature females, suggesting the importance of JH in sex pheromone synthesis.

Conclusion

A series of differentially expressed genes in PGs in response to mating was identified. This study improves our understanding of the role of JH signaling on the mating-elicited termination of sex pheromone production.     

人G—CSF基因组基因的克隆及其在转基因小鼠乳腺表达的研究

采用ＰＣＲ方法以正常中国人脐带血提取总ＤＮＡ为模板,扩增出１．５Ｋｂ的粒细胞集落刺激因子（Ｇ－ＣＳＦ）基因组基因,序列分析证实其正确性,将其插入小鼠乳清酸蛋白（ＷＡＰ）基因的起支密码子ＡＴＧ臆的ＫｐｎＩ位点,使其受控于２．６ｋｂ的ＷＡＰ调控序列,从而构建乳腺表达载体ｐＷＧＧ。回收经ＥｃｏＲＩ酶切后的８．７ｋｂ片段用于显微注射,共注射１２００枚受精卵,移植至受体３４母鼠,产生仔鼠８５只,经ＰＣＲ检测