The cloning and expression characterization of the centrosome protein genes family (centrin genes) in rat testis

Centrins are members of the centrosome protein family, which is highly conserved during revolution. The homologous genes of centrin in many organisms had been cloned, but the sequences of the rat centrin genes were not reported yet in GenBank. We cloned the cDNA fragments of centrin-1, -2 and -3 from the rat testis by RT-PCR, and analyzed the homology of the deduced amino acid sequences. The expression characterization of centrin genes in rat spermato-genesis was carried out by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results show that the homology of the corresponding centrin proteins in human, mouse and rat is high. The expression of centrin-1 is testis-specific, spermatogenic cell-specific and developmental stage-related. Centrin-1 begins to be transcribed when the meiosis occurs, and its mRNA level reaches the peak in round spermatids. Centrin-2 and centrin-3 are highly expressed in spermatogonia and their mRNA level decreases markedly when meiosis occurs. These results suggest that centrin-1 may play roles in     

Characterization of reproduction-specific genes in a marine bivalve mollusc: influence of maturation stage and sex on mRNA expression

Numerous studies have investigated the reproduction mechanisms in mollusc species at a biochemical and physiological level; few have described these mechanisms at a molecular level, despite great commercial interest in several mollusc species. We investigated genes involved in gonad maturation of the marine scallop Argopecten purpuratus. A cDNA library was made from gonad tissue. After sequence analysis, 418 unique genes were characterized, of these, about 80% were of unknown function. Among the identified sequences, we analyzed the mRNA expression by real-time PCR of 7 genes involved in reproduction mechanisms, either directly: testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase (TSSK), vitellogenin (Vg), and spermatogenesis and centriole associated 1 (SCA) or indirectly: calcineurin A (CNA), centrin, RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR), and cytidine deaminase (CDA). The real-time PCR analyses were conducted on different tissues of mature and immature scallops (testis, ovary, immature gonad, gill, digestive gland and mantle). The genes studied, presented (1) a strong tissue-dependent expression pattern (higher expression in gonad tissues than in all other tissues) and (2) a sex- and maturation-specific expression pattern (except centrin). This is the first time that the expression of specific genes involved in reproduction mechanisms in a marine mollusc has been described at the molecular level.     

The pattern of expression of the Xenopus laevis tadpole alpha-globin genes and the amino acid sequence of the three major tadpole alpha-globin polypeptides

We have isolated cDNA clones derived from three tadpole alpha-globin mRNAs of Xenopus laevis. The entire nucleotide sequence of the three mRNAs has been determined from the cDNA clones and is presented together with the deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptides. Two of the three polypeptide sequences are 96% homologous whilst the third sequence is highly diverged, with only a 72% homology. The three tadpole alpha-globin genes are all similarly diverged from the two X. laevis adult alpha-globin genes with which they display approximately 50% homology. Analysis of several independent clones from each class of tadpole alpha-globin sequence reveals a very high degree of coding region polymorphism for each of the three corresponding genes. Using the cloned DNA sequences as hybridisation probes, we have analysed the expression of the corresponding genes during larval development. We show that all three genes are activated simultaneously early in development and that thereafter all three are expressed at an approximately equivalent level. A fourth tadpole alpha-globin mRNA sequence, for which we do not have a cDNA clone, accumulates co-ordinately with the three major mRNA sequences but to a much lower concentration. This pattern of gene expression differs significantly from that of the tadpole beta-globin genes of X. laevis, despite the two classes of genes being closely linked in the genome.     

3种不同食性淡水鱼类谷胱甘肽S-转移酶Pi、Mu、Theta型cDNA序列的克隆分析及表达

鱼类谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferase,GST)是鱼类一种重要的Ⅱ相去毒酶,在催化毒素与还原谷胱甘肽(GSH)加合去毒代谢过程中具有关键作用。采用RT-PCR及RACE法,分离、克隆得到草鱼、尼罗罗非鱼pi、mu、theta型GST(GSTpi、GSTmu、GSTtheta)基因、鲢鱼GSTmu、GSTtheta基因的cDNA部分序列并推测各自对应的氨基酸序列。氨基酸序列同源性比较和系统进化分析均表明,鲢鱼、草鱼、尼罗罗非鱼与鱼类GST同源性较高,与哺乳类、鸟类、两栖类GST同源性较低,可能与鱼类GST基因在水环境毒素去毒代谢中承担的特殊功能有关。而不同种鱼类GSTtheta的同源性明显要较GSTpi、GSTmu的同源性低,可能与不同淡水鱼类食性及对毒素耐受性不同有关。用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测三种鱼肝脏中三型GST基因组成型表达水平,发现三种鱼各型之间皆有一定差异,尼罗罗非鱼肝脏整体GSTs基因表达很低,GSTtheta显著低于草鱼(P<0.05),GSTmu显著低于鲢鱼(P<0.05)。本研究为从分子水平上研究不同型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶基因在不同食性淡水鱼类体内代谢去毒过程中的作用提供了基础。     

cDNA cloning,sequence identification and tissue expression distribution of three novel porcine genes: UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3

The complete CDS sequences of three porcine genes: UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3 were amplified using RT-PCR based on the sequence information of the mouse or other mammals and referenced highly homologous pig ESTs. Sequence analysis of these three genes revealed that the porcine UCHL3 gene encodes a protein of 230 amino acids and has high homology with the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L3 (UCHL3) of four species-bovine (97%), human (96%), mouse (95%) and rat (94%). The porcine RIT1 gene encodes a protein of 219 amino acids and has high homology with the GTP-binding protein Rit1 (RIT1) of two species-human (97%), mouse (97%). The porcine CCND3 gene encodes a protein of 292 amino acids and has high homology with the G1/S-specific cyclin-D3 (CCND3) of four species-bovine (98%), human (97%), mouse (93%) and rat (92%). The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the swine UCHL3 has a closer genetic relationship with the UCHL3 of bovine, and the swine RIT1 has closer genetic relationships with the RIT1 of human, but the swine CCND3 has a closer genetic relationship with the CCND3 of bovine. The RT-PCR gene expression analysis indicated that the swine UCHL3, RIT1 and CCND3 genes were differentially expressed in tissues including small intestine, large intestine, liver, muscle, fat, lung, spleen and kidney. Our experiment established the primary foundation for further research on these three swine genes.     

草菇冷诱导相关基因的克隆及序列分析

利用差异显示技术分离获得草菇低温特异DNA片段,经与正常草菇和低温诱导草菇cDNA分别southern杂交验证后,得到低温特异性片段。采用PCR标记技术对获得的低温特异性片段进行DIG标记,以此为探针,对低温处理的草菇cDNA文库进行筛选,获得4个阳性克隆,分别进行测序。序列同源性比较分析发现,Cor3基因与s-腺苷-L-高半胱氨酸水解酶有很高的同源性,Cor4基因与40S核糖体蛋白S9有很高的同源性,这两个基因可能与草菇的低温自溶现象有关。Cor1基因与脉孢菌的保守假设蛋白(conservedhypotheticalprotein)有同源性,Cor2基因与辅酶A连接酶有同源性。半定量RT-PCR验证发现Cor1和Cor2基因在正常情况下没有表达,低温处理后有表达,Cor3和Cor4基因在正常情况下有表达,低温处理后表达量增加。     

Molecular cloning and differential expression of somatic and testis-specific H2B histone genes during rat spermatogenesis

We have cloned cDNA of a testis-specific histone, TH2B (a variant of H2B), and rat somatic H2B gene to investigate regulation of testis-specific histone genes during rat spermatogenesis. The amino acid sequences deduced from DNA sequences show extensive sequence divergence in the N-terminal third of the two histones. The rest is highly conserved. One cysteine residue was found in TH2B. No cysteine is present in somatic histones except in H3 histone. We investigated the expression of TH2B and H2B genes using the regions of sequence divergence as hybridization probes. The TH2B gene is expressed only in the testis, and the expression of this gene is detected 14 days after birth, reaching a maximum at Day 20. The level of H2B mRNA shows a reciprocal pattern. This contrasting pattern can be explained by the gradually changing proportion of spermatogonia and spermatocytes with testicular maturation. In situ cytohybridization studies show that H2B gene is expressed primarily in proliferating spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes, whereas TH2B gene is expressed exclusively in pachytene spermatocytes which first appear in testis about 14 days after birth. H2B and TH2B genes appear to be ideal markers for the study of proliferation and differentiation events in spermatogenesis and their regulatory mechanisms.     

Differentially expressed DNA sequences following recovery from unilateral testicular torsion in rat

The molecular response during recovery from torsion-induced stress in the testis is diverse with a variety of mechanisms. In this study, using unilateral testicular torsion in rat as a model, we used subtractive hybridisation to identify differentially expressed DNA sequences in the torsioned and control testes. Three genes were identified as being down regulated in the torsioned testis compared with controls: Control Testis genes 1, 2 and 3 (CT1, CT2 and CT3). Two genes were up regulated in the torsioned testes: Torsioned Testes genes 1 and 2 (TT1 and TT2). Differential expression was confirmed by Reverse Northern blot analysis. An homology search revealed that CT1 had 88% homology with rat metallothionein cDNA; CT2 had 81% homology with rat cell surface antigen in MHC class I, but no homology could be found for CT3. TT1 had 92% identity with rat Rieske iron-sulphur protein mRNA whereas TT2 had 73% identity with a human clone of unknown function (RP 11-252D22). These results indicate that changes in gene expression occur following torsion induced stress, and that identification of differentially expressed genes may provide insights into the mechanisms of cellular tissue damage in this model.     

The structure of the human centrin 2-xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein complex

Human centrin-2 plays a key role in centrosome function and stimulates nucleotide excision repair by binding to the xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein. To determine the structure of human centrin-2 and to develop an understanding of molecular interactions between centrin and xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein, we characterized the crystal structure of calcium-loaded full-length centrin-2 complexed with a xeroderma pigmentosum group C peptide. Our structure shows that the carboxyl-terminal domain of centrin-2 binds this peptide and two calcium atoms, whereas the amino-terminal lobe is in a closed conformation positioned distantly by an ordered alpha-helical linker. A stretch of the amino-terminal domain unique to centrins appears disordered. Two xeroderma pigmentosum group C peptides both bound to centrin-2 also interact to form an alpha-helical coiled-coil. The interface between centrin-2 and each peptide is predominantly nonpolar, and key hydrophobic residues of XPC have been identified that lead us to propose a novel binding motif for centrin.     

Evaluation of homology between cloned Escherichia coli and yeast DNA photolyase genes and higher eukaryotic genomes

Repair of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers by photoreactivation is catalyzed by a single enzyme, DNA photolyase. However, the process of photoreactivation is difficult to detect reproducibly in cultured mammalian cells. We have used clones containing yeast and Escherichia coli DNA photolyase genes to determine whether their sequences are conserved and whether there is homology between either cloned sequence and chick or human genomic DNA and mRNA sequences. The cloned sequences failed to hybridize to each other even under nonstringent conditions, indicating little conservation of sequence between the yeast and E. coli genes. Furthermore, only weak hybridization under nonstringent conditions was found between the cloned photoreactivating genes and human or chick genomic DNA or mRNA. This indicates that there is negligible homology between the cloned probes and mammalian DNA, but we are unable to conclude whether this indicates sequence divergence for prokaryotic and eukaryotic photoreactivation genes or the absence of such genes from the mammalian genome.     

星豹蛛四个羧酸酯酶基因克隆及溴氰菊酯胁迫下的表达模式

【目的】探究星豹蛛Pardosa astrigera羧酸酯酶基因PaCarE1-4是否与其代谢溴氰菊酯有关。【方法】采用RT-PCR技术克隆星豹蛛4个羧酸酯酶基因PaCarE1-4 cDNA序列,通过生物信息学软件分析其序列特性。采用RT-qPCR技术测定这4个羧酸酯酶基因在星豹蛛雌雄成蛛不同组织(头胸部、腹部和足)以及在不同浓度(LC₁₀=5.151 mg/L; LC₃₀=8.619 mg/L; LC₅₀=12.311 mg/L)溴氰菊酯胁迫12 h和LC₃₀浓度溴氰菊酯胁迫2, 4, 8, 12, 24和48 h雄成蛛中的相对表达水平。【结果】克隆获得星豹蛛羧酸酯酶基因PaCarE1-4(GenBank登录号分别为MZ643212, MZ643214, MZ643215和 MZ643216)的全长cDNA序列,开放阅读框(ORF)分别长1 653, 1 803, 1 827和1 818 bp,分别编码550, 600, 608和605个氨基酸。组织表达谱结果表明,PaCarE1和PaCarE2在星豹蛛雌雄成蛛腹部中的表达量最高,且在雄成蛛腹部中的表达量高于雌成蛛中的;PaCarE3和PaCarE4在雌雄成蛛头胸部中的表达量最高,且PaCarE3在雌成蛛头胸部中的表达量高于雄成蛛中的,PaCarE4在雄成蛛头胸部中的表达量高于雌成蛛中的。LC₃₀浓度溴氰菊酯胁迫12 h诱导了星豹蛛雄成蛛中PaCarE1的表达,LC₁₀和LC₃₀浓度溴氰菊酯胁迫12 h诱导了PaCarE2的表达。LC₃₀浓度溴氰菊酯胁迫不同时间后,与对照组(丙酮处理组)相比,星豹蛛雄成蛛中PaCarE4的表达量与对照组均无显著差异,而PaCarE1的表达量在处理后2, 8和12 h, PaCarE2的表达量在处理后12 h,以及PaCarE3的表达量在处理后24 h显著上调。【结论】羧酸酯酶基因PaCarE1, PaCarE2和PaCarE3可以被溴氰菊酯诱导表达,表明其可能参与星豹蛛对溴氰菊酯的代谢过程。本研究结果有助于了解星豹蛛对外源物质的代谢机理,为这一捕食性天敌的保护提供了新思路。