以精子为载体的体外转基因猪胚胎研究

去精清精子与外源DNA共孵育,使其携带外源DNA,再与成熟卵母细胞进行体外受精,生产转基因猪胚胎,为通过胚胎移植生产转基因猪奠定基础。结果:通过PCR从不同时期胚胎中检测出携带外源DNA的阳性胚,说明精子与外源DNA共孵育能使精子携带外源DNA,并通过体外受精技术使外源DNA进入早期胚胎。     

大球母贝精子介导外源基因转移研究

将大球母贝（Ｐｉｎｃｔａｄａ ｍａｘｉｍａ Ｊａｍｅｓｏｎ）精子与“全鱼”ＧＨ基因重组体ｐＣＡｇｃＧＨ和ｐＣＡｇｃＧＨｃ的线性ＤＮＡ混合,温育３０ｍｉｎ,经６次、２＾７、１０ｋＶ脉冲电处理后,与卵子受精,得到若干贝苗。从贝苗中提取ＤＮＡ,经ＰＣＲ扩增和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ分子杂交表明,部分受体带有外源基因,当与精子温育的外源基因浓度分别为２μｇ／ｍＬ,６μｇ／ｍＬ及１８μｇ／ｍＬ时,相应贝苗     

肝组织特异表达人核受体nr5a2转基因小鼠的构建

人乙肝病毒增强子ⅡB1结合因子（hB1F）系Ftz—F1（NR5A）亚家族的新成员。经基因重组法将人hb1 fcDNA置于小鼠白蛋白增慢子／启动子序列下游构建成肝特异重组载体,通过原核显微注射将该载体导入小鼠受精卵原核,经注射且状态良好的卯回输至假孕母鼠输卯管。产下仔鼠经PCR和Southern blotting鉴定,同时RT—PCR和Western blotting分析转基因的表达。阳性Founder鼠与正常C57鼠交配以建立转基因纯系小鼠,F1代以PCR法鉴定。结果共获得4只PCR鉴定转基因阳性Founder鼠,其中一只同时经Southern blotting鉴定为阳性。RT—PCR和Western blotting结果显示,外源基因在转基因小鼠的肝组织成功表达。遗传学分析表明,转基因已整合入小鼠基因组并可稳定溃传。     

Direct injection of foreign DNA into mouse testis as a possible in vivo gene transfer system via epididymal spermatozoa.

We have attempted to transfect testicular spermatozoa with plasmid DNA by direct injection into testes to obtain transgenic animals [this technique was thus termed "testis-mediated gene transfer (TMGT)"]. When injected males were mated with superovulated females 2 and 3 days after injection, (i) high efficiencies (more than 50%) of gene transmission were achieved in the mid-gestational F0 fetuses, (ii) the copy number of plasmid DNA in the fetuses was estimated to be less than 1 copy per diploid cell, and (iii) overt gene expression was not found in these fetuses. These findings suggest the possibility that plasmid DNA introduced into a testis is rapidly transported to the epididymis and then incorporated by epididymal spermatozoa. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of TMGT by introducing trypan blue (TB) or Hoechst 33342 directly into testis. We found that TB is transported to the ducts of the caput epididymis via rete testis within 1 min after testis injection, and TB reached the corpus and cauda epididymis within 2-4 days after injection. Staining of spermatozoa isolated from any portion of epididymis was observed 4 days after injection of a solution containing Hoechst 33342. Injection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression vector/liposome complex into testis resulted in transfection of epithelial cells of epididymal ducts facing the lumen, although the transfection efficiency appeared to be low. In vivo electroporation toward the caput epididymis immediately after injection of EGFP expression vector into a testis greatly improved the uptake of foreign DNA by the epididymal epithelial cells. PCR analysis using spermatozoa isolated from corpus and cauda epididymis 4 days after injection of a DNA/liposome complex into testis revealed exogenous DNA in these spermatozoa even after treatment with DNase I. These findings indicate that exogenous DNA introduced into tesits is rapidly transported to epididymal ducts via the rete testis and efferent ducts, and then incorporated by epithelial cells of epididymis and epididymal spermatozoa.     

Generation of a novel mouse strain with conditional,cell‐type specific,expression of DND1

Dead‐End 1 (DND1) encodes an RNA binding protein critical for viable primordial germ cells in vertebrates. When introduced into cancer cell lines, DND1 suppresses cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis. However, the molecular function of mammalian wild‐type DND1 has mostly been studied in cell lines and not verified in the organism. To facilitate study of wild‐type DND1 function in mammalian systems, we generated a novel transgenic mouse line, LSL‐FM‐DND1 ^flox/+, which conditionally expresses genetically engineered, FLAG‐tagged and myc‐tagged DND1 in a cell type‐specific manner. We report that FLAG‐myc‐DND1 is indeed expressed in specific tissues of the mouse when LSL‐FM‐DND1 ^flox/+ is combined with mouse strains expressing Cre‐recombinase. LSL‐FM‐DND1 ^flox/+ mice are fertile with no overt health effects. We expressed FLAG‐myc‐DND1 in the pancreas and found that chronic, ectopic expression of FLAG‐myc‐DND1 led to increase in fasting glucose levels in older mice. Thus, this novel LSL‐FM‐DND1 ^flox/+ mouse strain will facilitate studies on the biological and molecular function of wild‐type DND1.     

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

Spermatozoa are known to be stored within the female genital tract after mating in various species to optimize timing of reproductive events such as copulation, fertilization, and ovulation. The mechanism supporting long‐term sperm storage is still unclear in turtles. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between the spermatozoa and oviduct in Chinese soft‐shelled turtle by light and electron microscopy to reveal the potential cytological mechanism of long‐term sperm storage. Spermatozoa were stored in isthmus, uterine, and vagina of the oviduct throughout the year, indicating long‐term sperm storage in vivo. Sperm heads were always embedded among the cilia and even intercalated into the apical hollowness of the ciliated cells in the oviduct mucosal epithelium. The stored spermatozoa could also gather in the gland conduit. There was no lysosome distribution around the hollowness of the ciliated cell, suggesting that the ciliated cells of the oviduct can support the spermatozoa instead of phagocytosing them in the oviduct. Immune cells were sparse in the epithelium and lamina propria of oviduct, although few were found inside the blood vessel of mucosa, which may be an indication of immune tolerance during sperm storage in the oviduct of the soft‐shelled turtle. These characteristics developed in the turtle benefited spermatozoa survival for a long time as extraneous cells in the oviduct of this species. These findings would help to improve the understanding of reproductive regularity and develop strategies of species conservation in the turtle. The Chinese soft‐shelled turtle may be a potential model for uncovering the mechanism behind the sperm storage phenomenon.     

Synthesis, anticancer activities, interaction with DNA and mitochondria of manganese complexes

Two new complexes [(Etdpa)MnCl₂] and [(Adpa)Mn(Cl)(H₂O)] (Etdpa = ethyl bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino-2-propionate; Adpa = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino-2-propionic acid) were synthesized and characterized by spectral methods. The crystal structure of [(Etdpa)MnCl₂] shows that the Mn(II) atom is coordinated by three N atoms (N1, N2, N3), one oxygen atom (O1) of the ligand (Etdpa) and two chloride atoms (Cl1, Cl2), forming a distorted octahedral geometry. The binding interaction between ct-DNA and the synthesized complexes was relatively weak, but they can inhibit the induced swelling of Ca²⁺-loaded mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner. The [(Adpa)Mn(Cl)(H₂O)] can cause the obvious decrease of mitochondria membrane potential. The MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenpyltetra-zolium bromide) assay shows that the two Mn(II) complexes are more active against cancer cells. Especially [(Adpa)Mn(Cl)(H₂O)] can inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells with IC₅₀ 9.5 μM. Experimental results indicate that the [(Adpa)Mn(Cl)(H₂O)] could be a new potential antitumor complex to target the mitochondria.     

Unusual dimeric Zn(II)-cytosine complexes: new models of the interaction of Zn(II) with DNA and RNA

Synthesis and crystal structure of two Zn(II) dimer complexes with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC) are reported. In complex [Zn(2)Cl(4)(mu-1-MeC-O2,N3)(2)] (1), two 1-MeC ligands are bridging two ZnCl(2) moieties. In [Zn(2)(1-MeC-N3)(4)(mu-SO(4))(2)].2H(2)O (2), the sulfates act as bridging ligands and 1-MeC are linked via N3 to Zn(II) as terminal ligands. Both complexes represent the first examples of Zn(II)-pyrimidine dimers. The potential biological significance of 1 and 2 is discussed.     

Delivery and processing of exogenous double-stranded DNA in mouse CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells and their cell cycle changes upon combined treatment with cyclophosphamide and double-stranded DNA

We previously reported that fragments of exogenous double-stranded DNA can be internalized by mouse bone marrow cells without any transfection. Our present analysis shows that only 2% of bone marrow cells take up the fragments of extracellular exogenous DNA. Of these, ~ 45% of the cells correspond to CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells. Taking into account that CD34 + stem cells constituted 2.5% of the total cell population in the bone marrow samples analyzed, these data indicate that as much as 40% of CD34 + cells readily internalize fragments of extracellular exogenous DNA. This suggests that internalization of fragmented dsDNA is a general feature of poorly differentiated cells, in particular CD34 + bone marrow cells.     

Role of caffeine in DNA recognition of a potential food‐carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene and UVA induced DNA damage

Electron transfer (ET) reactions are important for their implications in both oxidative and reductive DNA damages. The current contribution investigates the efficacy of caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid in preventing UVA radiation induced ET from a carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP) to DNA by forming stable caffeine–BP complexes. While steady‐state emission and absorption results emphasize the role of caffeine in hosting BP in aqueous medium, the molecular modeling studies propose the energetically favorable structure of caffeine–BP complex. The picosecond‐resolved emission spectroscopic studies precisely explore the caffeine‐mediated inhibition of ET from BP to DNA under UVA radiation. The potential therapeutic activity of caffeine in preventing DNA damage has been ensured by agarose gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, time‐gated fluorescence microscopy has been used to monitor caffeine‐mediated exclusion of BP from various cell lines including squamous epithelial cells, WI‐38 (fibroblast), MCF‐7 (breast cancer) and HeLa (cervical cancer) cells. Our in vitro and ex vivo experimental results provide imperative evidences about the role of caffeine in modified biomolecular recognition of a model carcinogen BP by DNA resulting dissociation of the carcinogen from various cell lines, implicating its potential medicinal applications in the prevention of other toxic organic molecule induced cellular damages. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of the interaction of a mono‐6‐thio‐β‐cyclodextrin‐capped CdTe quantum dots–methylene blue/methylene green system with herring sperm DNA using a spectroscopic approach

Novel, water‐soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and ~ 4.0 nm in diameter were synthesized in aqueous solution, and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A fluorescence‐sensing system based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) of (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs was then designed to measure the interaction of phenothiazine dyes [methylene blue (MB) and methylene green (MG)] with herring sperm DNA (hsDNA). This fluorescence‐sensing system was based on a fluorescence “OFF–ON” mode. First, MB/MG adsorbed on the surface of (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs effectively quenches the fluorescence of (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs through PET. Then, addition of hsDNA restores the fluorescence intensity of (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs, because hsDNA can bind with MB/MG and remove it from the as‐prepared (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs. In addition, detailed reaction mechanisms of the (mono‐6‐thio‐β‐CD)–CdTe QDs–MB/MG–hsDNA solution system were studied using optical methods, by comparison with the TGA–CdTe QDs–MB/MG–hsDNA solution system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of retroviral vectors by coating with poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lysine) block copolymer (PEG-PLL)

BACKGROUND: Although some cationic reagents, such as polybrene, improve gene transduction in vitro, their use in vivo is prohibited due to their toxicity to the exposed cells. This paper demonstrates that a new cationic reagent, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lysine) block copolymer (PEG-PLL), improves gene transduction with retroviral vectors without increasing cell toxicity. METHODS: A retroviral vector derived from the Moloney leukemia virus, containing the lacZ gene, was modified with PEG-PLL prior to transduction into NIH3T3, Lewis lung carcinoma, and primary cultured mouse brain cells. LacZ transduction efficacy was evaluated by counting the number of X-Gal-positive cells. RESULTS: We have demonstrated that PEG-PLL is able to stably modify the viral particle surface due to the affinity of the PEG moiety to the biomembrane, and neutralizes negative charges by the cationic nature of the poly-lysine residue. Thus, PEG-PLL increased the gene transduction efficiency and minimized cell toxicity because free PEG-PLL was removable by centrifugation. We have shown that PEG-PLL increased the viral gene transduction efficiency 3- to 7-fold with NIH3T3 or Lewis lung carcinoma cell lines without increasing cytotoxicity. It improved retroviral gene transduction efficacy even against labile cells, such as primary cultured brain cells. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-PLL is a novel reagent that improves retroviral gene transduction efficacy without increasing cytotoxicity.     

Ectopic study of calcium phosphate cement seeded with pBMP-2 modified canine bMSCs mediated by a non-viral PEI derivative

We have evaluated the ectopic new bone formation effects of CPC (calcium phosphate cement) seeded with pBMP‐2 (plasmids containing bone morphogenetic protein‐2 gene) transfected canine bMSCs (bone marrow stromal cells) mediated by a non‐viral PEI (polyethylenimine) derivative (GenEscort? II) in nude mice. Canine bMSCs were transfected with pBMP‐2 or pEGFP (plasmids containing enhanced green fluorescent protein gene) mediated by GenEscort? II in vitro, and the osteoblastic differentiation was explored by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) staining, ARS (alizarin red S) staining and RT—qPCR (real‐time quantitative PCR) analysis. Ectopic bone formation effects of CPC/pBMP‐2 transfected bMSCs were evaluated and compared with CPC/pEGFP transfected bMSCs or CPC/untransfected bMSCs through histological, histomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis 8 and 12 weeks post‐operation in nude mice. Transfection efficiency was up ～35% as demonstrated by EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) expression. ALP and ARS staining were stronger with pBMP‐2 gene transfection, and mRNA expression of BMP‐2 (bone morphogenetic protein‐2), Col 1 (collagen 1) and OCN (osteocalcin) in pBMP‐2 group was significantly up‐regulated at 6 and 9 days. Significantly higher NBV (new bone volume) was achieved in pBMP‐2 group than in the control groups at 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis indicated higher OCN expression in pBMP‐2 group (P<0.01). We conclude that CPC seeded with pBMP‐2 transfected bMSCs mediated by GenEscort? II could enhance ectopic new bone formation in nude mice, suggesting that GenEscort? II mediated pBMP‐2 gene transfer is an effective non‐viral method and CPC is a suitable scaffold for gene enhanced bone tissue engineering.