Screening of genes expressed in vivo after infection by Vibrio anguillarum M3

Aims: Genes uniquely expressed in vivo may contribute to the overall pathogenicity of an organism and are likely to serve as potential targets for the development of new vaccine. This study aims to screen the genes expressed in vivo after Vibrio anguillarum infection by in vivo‐induced antigen technology (IVIAT). Methods and Results: The convalescent‐phase sera were obtained from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) survived after infection by the virulent V. anguillarum M3. The pooled sera were thoroughly adsorbed with M3 cells and Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. A genomic expression library of M3 was constructed and screened for the identification of immunogenic proteins by colony immunoblot analysis with the adsorbed sera. After three rounds of screening, 19 putative in vivo‐induced (ivi) genes were obtained. These ivi genes were catalogued into four functional groups: regulator/signalling, metabolism, biological process and hypothetical proteins. Three ivi genes were insertion‐mutated, and the growth and 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) of these mutants were evaluated. Conclusions: The identification of ivi genes in V. anguillarum M3 sheds light on understanding the bacterial pathogenesis and provides novel targets for the development of new vaccines and diagnostic reagents. Significance and Impact of the Study: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing in vivo‐expressed genes of V. anguillarum using IVIAT. The screened ivi genes in this study could be new virulent factors and targets for the development of vaccine, which may have implications for the development of diagnostic regents.     

致病菌体内诱导基因的功能分析—体内表达技术的应用

病原菌体内诱导的基因在致病过程中起重要作用,体内表达技术是一类很有前景的研究体内诱导基因的技术,本介绍了体内表达技术的基本原理,类型以及在致病菌体内诱导基因方面的研究进展和应用前景。     

细菌毒力基因体内表达检测技术研究进展

病原菌入侵宿主是一个及其复杂的过程。为了深入了解病原菌的致病机理,人们需要鉴定那些在感染过程中特异表达的细菌毒力基因。为此,多种体内实验模型被建立起来分析细菌在宿主体内的基因表达,它们包括了体内表达技术、信号标签突变技术、差异荧光诱导、体外转座进行基因组分析和作图技术以及体内诱导抗原技术等。文章对目前运用的这些研究方法进展进行综述,并讨论了它们的优点与不足。     

SdsA1, a secreted sulfatase,contributes to the in vivo virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice

Mucin is a glycoprotein that is the primary component of the mucus overlaying the epithelial tissues. Because mucin functions as a first line of the innate immune system, Pseudomonas aeruginosa appears to require interaction with mucin to establish infection in the host. However, the interactions between P. aeruginosa and mucin have been poorly understood. In this study, using in vivo expression technology (IVET), we attempted to identify mucin-inducible promoters that are likely to be involved in the establishment of P. aeruginosa infection. The IVET analysis revealed that the genes encoding glycosidases, sulfatases, and peptidases that are thought to be required for the utilization of mucin as a nutrient are present in 13 genes downstream of the identified promoters. Our results indicated that, among them, sdsA1 encoding a secreted sulfatase plays a central role in the degradation of mucin. It was then demonstrated that disruption of sdsA1 leads to a decreased release of sulfate from mucin and sulfated sugars. Furthermore, the sdsA1 mutant showed a reduction in the ability of mucin gel penetration and an attenuation of virulence in leukopenic mice compared with the wild-type strain. Collectively, these results suggest that SdsA1 plays an important role as a virulence factor of P. aeruginosa.     

鸡输卵管特异表达载体的构建及其体内表达

用高保真PCR法分别从中国狼山鸡基因组DNA中扩增出卵清蛋白基因(ov)的5′和3′调控区,将其克隆入pGEMT载体,经序列测定证明与已发表的ov基因相应区域无差异。将上述调控序列插入黏粒载体,构建成鸡输卵管特异表达载体pOV。再将lacZ报告基因克隆在上述载体5′调控区的下游,获得的重组载体命名为pOVlacZ。用脂质体包裹的pOVlacZ注射产蛋鸡,RTPCR检测结果表明lacZ基因仅在注射鸡输卵管的膨大部表达,不能在肝、脾、肾、心等组织表达。在上述组织中,仅输卵管膨大部能检测出β半乳糖苷酶活性(1167mUml),注射雌激素对报告基因的表达具有促进作用(1533mUml),重组酶能被分泌到鸡蛋的蛋清中(1733mUml)。结果表明,克隆的鸡ov基因调控区能有效驱动报告基因在输卵管的特异表达,构建的载体能用于鸡输卵管生物反应器的研制。     

Strategies for isolation of in vivo expressed genes from bacteria

The discovery and characterization of genes specifically induced in vivo upon infection and/or at a specific stage of the infection will be the next phase in studying bacterial virulence at the molecular level. Genes isolated are most likely to encode virulence-associated factors or products essential for survival, bacterial cell division and multiplication in situ. Identification of these genes is expected to provide new means to prevent infection, new targets for, antimicrobial therapy, as well as new insights into the infection process. Analysis of genes and their sequences initially discovered as in vivo induced may now be revealed by functional and comparative genomics. The new field of virulence genomics and their clustering as pathogenicity islands makes feasible their in-depth analysis. Application of new technologies such as in vivo expression technologies, signature-tagged mutagenesis, differential fluorescence induction, differential display using polymerase chain reaction coupled to bacterial genomics is expected to provide a strong basis for studying in vivo induced genes, and a better understanding of bacterial pathogenicity in vivo. This review presents technologies for characterization of genes expressed in vivo.     

鸡输卵管特异表达载体的优化及体内表达

为了实现鸡输卵管特异表达载体在相应组织特异高产表达, 并简化质粒DNA的制备过程, 本研究在已经构建的鸡输卵管特异表达载体pOV1基础上进行了优化改造, 为进一步进行重组药物蛋白的暂态表达及转基因鸡研究奠定基础。首先用限制性内切酶将克隆在pOV1载体的鸡卵清蛋白基因5￠-和3￠-调控区切出, 同时克隆到切除neo基因及CMV启动子的pcDNA3.0载体, 构建成另一输卵管特异表达载体pOV2; 将鸡卵清蛋白基因5￠-调控区单独克隆入同样载体, 获得第三个鸡输卵管特异表达载体pOV3。为了检验三个输卵管表达载体驱动外源基因在鸡体内输卵管细胞中表达的有效性和特异性, 将LacZ报告基因分别克隆入pOV1、pOV2、pOV3中5'-调控区的下游, 获得的重组载体pOV1LacZ、pOV2LacZ和pOV3LacZ经聚乙烯亚胺包裹后, 经翅静脉注射产蛋鸡。用RT-PCR和酶活性检测法对LacZ基因在载体注射鸡体内的表达进行检测, 结果显示肝、脾、肾、心等组织中无LacZ基因的表达, 而输卵管膨大部不仅有LacZ基因的表达, 而且表达的重组酶能分泌到蛋清中, 雌激素注射对报告基因的表达具有促进作用, 其中pOV3LacZ的表达水平较高。这些试验结果表明, 鸡输卵管特异表达载体pOV3具有结构相对简单、表达水平较高、组织特异性较好等优点, 能用于鸡输卵管生物反应器的研制。     

从microarray时序表达数据识别周期表达基因

根据周期表达基因的周期性和峰值特点,提出了一种将microarray时序表达数据划分为若干个基因表达周期,并对周期内的峰值特点进行评估以识别周期表达基因的方法,能有效减小microarray实验时的噪声干扰。选取了三组广泛使用的时序表达数据和一组可靠的周期表达基因集合对该方法的效果进行了测试,并与三种典型的周期表达基因识别方法的效果进行了比较。该方法能有效地从各种microarray时序表达数据中识别周期表达基因。     

肺炎链球菌体内诱导基因的筛选及初步鉴定

为筛选鉴定肺炎链球菌宿主体内诱导的基因,寻找潜在的抗生素作用靶点和疫苗候选者,应用体内表达技术,以肺炎链球菌荚膜合成的关键基因galU作为体内报告基因,利用其缺陷体不能合成荚膜多糖,从而不能在宿主体内存活的特点,筛选鉴定肺炎链球菌体内诱导基因。首先,把肺炎链球菌基因组DNA的随机酶切片段(200~500bp)克隆到含有体内、体外双重报告基因(galU-lacZ)的报告载体pEVP3-galU的BglⅡ位点,将获得的质粒库转化肺炎链球菌galU缺陷菌株,得到肺炎链球菌体内启动子诱捕文库,将此文库去感染BALB/c小鼠,经过两轮体内筛选,在涂布有X-gal的TSA血清平板上得到了165个白色菌落,对插入的随机片段进行测序及生物信息学分析,共证实15个不同的体内诱导基因片段,8个为单独的ORF,7个为含有多个ORFs的操纵子结构,它们分别参与细菌在宿主体内的定植与粘附、能量代谢、物质转运、转录调节、DNA复制与重组、细胞壁合成等,另外还包括功能不明的假想蛋白。其中部分ORFs可能与细菌毒力相关,可以作为候选疫苗和药物的靶标。     

Analysis of a collagen-binding trimeric autotransporter adhesin from Mannheimia haemolytica A1

A locus that codes for a high-molecular-weight adhesin was previously isolated from Mannheimia haemolytica A1. In this study, we showed that this locus, named ahs , codes for two proteins (AhsA and AhsB) that exhibit characteristics of a trimeric autotransporter adhesin. Sequence analysis of AhsA showed the presence of 21 collagen-binding motifs in the protein. Collagen-binding assays showed that M. haemolytica A1 binds to collagen in a dose-dependent manner. This binding activity is trypsin sensitive and can be inhibited by anti-AhsA antibody. AhsB is the cognate transporter for AhsA. The C-terminal of AhsB showed highly conserved amino acids typical of trimeric autotransporters. Experimental data showed that the C-terminal 120 amino acids of AhsB could indeed form trimeric molecules. Western immunoblots showed the presence of anti-AhsA antibodies in the sera of calves that had been challenged with M. haemolytica A1, suggesting that AhsA is expressed and immunogenic in cattle.     

Bacterial and firefly luciferase genes in transgenic plants: Advantages and disadvantages of a reporter gene

Genes encoding light-emitting luciferase were recently isolated from luminous marine bacteria and fireflies. Expression of luciferase genes in diverse organisms is a unique way for studying gene expression by simple and sensitive measurement of light. Recent advances in application of luciferase reporter genes are reviewed and documented by examples of in vivo visualization of their expression in transgenic plants.     

荧光差异显示技术在分离细菌体内诱导表达基因中的应用

面对复杂的宿主环境,细菌是通过调节表达不同的毒力基因实施其感染过程。目前已建立起多种分析鉴定体内特异表达的细菌毒力基因的方法;其中荧光差异显示技术的应用为鉴定细菌的毒力基因以及揭示细菌致病机理开辟了新途径。本对此作一扼要综述。     

Analysis of developmentally interesting genes cloned from higher plants by insertional mutagenesis

The ability of transposable elements to generate gene mutations by excising from one site in the genome and reintegrating into new, different sites elsewhere in the genome has led to the development of procedures whereby the elements can be used to tag specific gene sequences for eventual isolation and analysis through gene cloning. This transposon tagging strategy is particularly useful in those situations where limited knowledge of the biochemistry of the target gene precludes gene cloning by conventional strategies. This approach, in conjunction with the more general insertional mutagenesis approach using T-DNA, has led to the cloning and subsequent analysis of several genes from higher plants involved in particular developmental processes. Studies of this nature should eventually shed light on the precise molecular mechanisms utilized to regulate and control cellular differentiation in plants.     

活体注射导入的人生长激素融合基因在小鼠乳腺中的暂态表达

以牛ａｓｌ－酪蛋白基因的５’端及上游区３．４ｋｂ和３’端及下游区３．５ｋｂ作为调控元件,以人生长激素基因作为报告基因构建了融合基因,通过乳腺、心脏注射到小鼠体内,利用放射免疫分析方法（ＲＩＡ）在泌乳期小鼠的乳汁中检测到了表达的人生长激素,表明融合基因的构建是正确的。并由此建立了通过靶组织注射结合心脏注射对融合基因的构建进行考察的快速简便方法。其中通过心脏注射而于乳腺获得特异性表达的实验结果尚未见报道。     

In vivo electroporation and ubiquitin promoter--a protocol for sustained gene expression in the lung

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy applications require safe and efficient methods for gene transfer. Present methods are restricted by low efficiency and short duration of transgene expression. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has evolved as an efficient method in recent years. We present a protocol involving electroporation combined with a long-acting promoter system for gene transfer to the lung. METHODS: The study was designed to evaluate electroporation-mediated gene transfer to the lung and to analyze a promoter system that allows prolonged transgene expression. A volume of 250 microl of purified plasmid DNA suspended in water was instilled into the left lung of anesthetized rats, followed by left thoracotomy and electroporation of the exposed left lung. Plasmids pCiKlux and pUblux expressing luciferase under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter/enhancer (CMV-IEPE) or human polyubiquitin c (Ubc) promoter were used. Electroporation conditions were optimized with four pulses (200 V/cm, 20 ms at 1 Hz) using flat plate electrodes. The animals were sacrificed at different time points up to day 40, after gene transfer. Gene expression was detected and quantified by bioluminescent reporter imaging (BLI) and relative light units per milligram of protein (RLU/mg) was measured by luminometer for p.Pyralis luciferase and immunohistochemistry, using an anti-luciferase antibody. RESULTS: Gene expression with the CMV-IEPE promoter was highest 24 h after gene transfer (2932+/-249.4 relative light units (RLU)/mg of total lung protein) and returned to baseline by day 3 (382+/-318 RLU/mg of total lung protein); at day 5 no expression was detected, whereas gene expression under the Ubc promoter was detected up to day 40 (1989+/-710 RLU/mg of total lung protein) with a peak at day 20 (2821+/-2092 RLU/mg of total lung protein). Arterial blood gas (PaO2), histological assessment and cytokine measurements showed no significant toxicity neither at day 1 nor at day 40. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that in vivo electroporation is a safe and effective tool for non-viral gene delivery to the lungs. If this method is used in combination with a long-acting promoter system, sustained transgene expression can be achieved.     

Up regulated virulence genes in M. tuberculosis H37Rv gleaned from genome wide expression profiles

Identification of up regulated virulence genes in M. tuberculosis H37Rv using genome wide expression profiles is of interest in drug discovery for the disease. Hence, we report 17 up-regulated PPIN (Protein-Protein Interaction Network) enriched potential virulence linked genes using expression data available at the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for further consideration.     

痢疾杆菌体内诱导基因筛选方法的建立

分别用氯霉素乙酰转移酶基因(cat)和天冬氨酸半醛脱氢酶基因(asd)作为报告基因,用小鼠肺感染模型和HeLa细胞侵袭模型来试验筛选痢疾杆菌体内诱导基因的可行性。结果表明,以asd为报告基因,用HeLa细胞侵袭试验作为筛选模型,可成功地用于筛选痢疾杆菌的体内诱导基因。     

A unigene catalogue of 5700 expressed genes in cassava

Two economically important characters, starch content and cassava bacterial blight resistance, were targeted to generate a large collection of cassava ESTs. Two libraries were constructed from cassava root tissues of varieties with high and low starch contents. Other libraries were constructed from plant tissues challenged by the pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.manihotis. We report here the single pass sequencing of 11 954 cDNA clones from the 5’ ends, including 111 from the 3’ ends. Cluster analysis permitted the identification of a unigene set of 5700 sequences. Sequence analyses permitted the assignment of a putative functional category for 37% of sequences whereas ~ 16% sequences did not show any significant similarity with other proteins present in the database and therefore can be considered as cassava specific genes. A group of genes belonging to a large multigene family was identified. We characterize a set of genes detected only in infected libraries putatively involved in the defense response to pathogen infection. By comparing two libraries obtained from cultivars contrasting in their starch content a group of genes associated to starch biosynthesis and differentially expressed was identified. This is the first large cassava EST resource developed today and publicly available thus making a significant contribution to genomic knowledge of cassava.