应用荧光原位杂交技术检测人βE珠蛋白基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态

为将荧光原位杂交技术应用于基因定位研究中,探讨一种能有效地检测转基因动物染色体上外源基因整合状态的实验方法,对小鼠腹腔注射秋水仙素后,取转基因小鼠骨髓制备中期染色体,将传统的FISH方法加以改进,检测外源基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态.检测结果表明,外源人βE珠蛋白基因已稳定地整合于小鼠染色体上.FISH能直观地反映外源基因在转基因动物染色体上的整合状态,该方法可对转基因动物及基因转移研究中的外源基因整合后进行染色体定位检测。 Abstract:To determine the integration site of human βE globin gene in the chromosomes of transgenic mice, transgenic mice carrying human βE globin gene were injected intraperitoneally with colchicines, then, bone marrow cells wereisolated and metaphase chromosomes were prepared, the traditional FISH method was improved to detect the integration site of humanβE globin gene in transgenic mice when combined with G-banding. Human t3E globin gene can bedetected in different position of different chromosomes in transgenic mice and FISH signals showed that two mice were heterozygous of human 13E globin gene and one was homozygous. Human t3E globin gene was integrated into thechromosomes of transgenic mice in a random pattern and the results demonstrated that FISH can be used to investigate the integration site of foreign genes in transgenic mice.     

应用荧光原位杂交技术检测人βE珠蛋白基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态

为将荧光原位杂交技术应用于基因定位研究中,探讨一种能有效地检测转基因动物染色体上外源基因整合状态的实验方法,对小鼠腹腔注射秋水仙素后,取转基因小鼠骨髓制备中期染色体,将传统的FISH方法加以改进,检测外源基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态.检测结果表明,外源人βE珠蛋白基因已稳定地整合于小鼠染色体上.FISH能直观地反映外源基因在转基因动物染色体上的整合状态,该方法可对转基因动物及基因转移研究中的外源基因整合后进行染色体定位检测。 Abstract:To determine the integration site of human βE globin gene in the chromosomes of transgenic mice, transgenic mice carrying human βE globin gene were injected intraperitoneally with colchicines, then, bone marrow cells wereisolated and metaphase chromosomes were prepared, the traditional FISH method was improved to detect the integration site of humanβE globin gene in transgenic mice when combined with G-banding. Human t3E globin gene can bedetected in different position of different chromosomes in transgenic mice and FISH signals showed that two mice were heterozygous of human 13E globin gene and one was homozygous. Human t3E globin gene was integrated into thechromosomes of transgenic mice in a random pattern and the results demonstrated that FISH can be used to investigate the integration site of foreign genes in transgenic mice.     

脂质体介导外源基因体外转染牛胎儿成纤维细胞条件的优化

通过脂质体（FuGENE-6）介导,将真核表达载体pEGFP-C1成功导入体外培养的牛胎儿成纤维细胞,探讨影响外源基因转染效率的参数,如DNA和脂质体的用量、转染的细胞数量以及细胞暴露于DNA与脂质体复合物的时间长度。通过实验发现,绿色荧光蛋白（green fluorescent protein,GFP）基因的表达随DNA、脂质体量的增加而增加,延长细胞暴露时间反而使转染效率下降,转染细胞数适当才能得到较高的转化率。 Optimization of Parameters of Exogene Transfection of Bovine Fetal Fibroblasts in vitro Mediated by Liposome LI Yang,WU Kai-feng,GUO Xu-dong,GUO Ji-tong,BOU Shor-gan The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science of Inner Mongolia University,The Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Mammal Reproduction Biology and Biotechnology,Huhhot 010021,China Abstract:pEGFP-C1 eucaryon expression vector was successfully transfected by liposome into bovine fetal fibroblasts.We investigated the effect of parameter such as the dose of DNA and liposome,number of cell transfected and exposure time of the cell to the DNA-liposome complexes.It was indicated that GFP（green fluorescent protein）expression was enhanced as the dose of DNA and liposome increased and on decline as the exposure time was prolonged.The improvement of transfection efficiency depent on the suitable cell number. Key words：liposome; GFP; bovine fetal fibroblasts; transfection     

精子介导转基因动物的制备

采用直接注射的方法,将脂质体包裹的含人乳铁蛋白基因的重组质粒pLNCXHLF注入兔睾丸组织和羊输精管中,一个月后分别与正常雌兔及正常的母羊交配。所产仔兔均为活体,经PCR和Southern检测,转基因仔兔阳性率平均为35%(11/31);羔羊经引物F1/R1系统PCR检测阳性率为33.3％（4/12）,F2/R2系统PCR检测阳性率为25%（3/12）。将流产羔羊组织解剖后提取舌、肺、肝脏、肌肉、皮肤、脑、生殖腺、脾脏、小肠、心脏、肾脏共11种组织的总DNA进行PCR检测,发现：F1/R1和F2/R2系统PCR检测出阳性信号存在于不同组织;F2/R2 PCR系统检测阳性信号较F1/R1 PCR系统少;而且各种组织的外源DNA存在的拷贝数不等,造成阳性信号的强弱程度不同。结果表明：1）脂质体包裹外源基因转染精子的方法,可将外源基因导入受精卵,并得到了较高的转基因阳性率;2）精子携带外源DNA的整合过程是随机的,在受精过程和胚胎早期分化过程中可能发生了片段丢失、不完全整合或游离于基因组存在而产生嵌合体。本文的研究结果证明了该方法是一种简捷有效的新途径,为进一步深入探讨精子介导转基因动物制备可行性奠定了基础,给精子载体法制备转基因哺乳动物研究提供了有价值的参考。 Abstract:The recombinant plasmids pLNCXHLF fused with human lactoferritin gene were directly injected into male rabbit's testis and male goat's spermaductus.The transfected males were fertilized with females one month later.Using F1/R1 PCR system and southern blotting,the transgenic positive rate of rabbit offsprings genomic DNA was 35%(11/31).From the PCR results of F1/R1 and F2/R2 system,the transgenic positive rate of genomic DNA of goat offsprings were 33.3% (4/12)and 25%(3/12) respectively.We prepared genomic DNA from 11 kinds of tissues of goat offsprings,which were tongue,lung,liver,muscle,skin,brain,gonad,spleen,intestines,heart,and kidney.The result of F1/R1 PCR system indicated that the abilities to uptake exogenous DNA were various in different tissues;the positive signals of F2/R2 PCR system were feebler than the ones of F1/R1 PCR system,and the density of positive signals attributed to the amount of copies of exogenous DNA in the tissues.In this experiment,spermatozoa-mediated gene transfer can produce the transgenic animals after exogenous DNA being entrapped by liposome.But during the course of fertilization and the early process of embryo proliferation,the exogenous DNA had lost segments,partly integrated,or existed outside of genomic DNA.So the rate of chimera was relatively high.According to this result,this method is not only a simple and effective way to produce transgenic animals but also make references to other researchers to prepare transgenic mammals by this means.     

黄鳝激素敏感性脂肪酶基因Hsl染色体原位杂交定位

动物脂肪组织中的甘油三酯在数量上是最重要的储存能源。Hsl基因所编码的激素敏感性脂肪酶是一种多功能酶。它通过催化水解储存在脂肪组织中的甘油三酯,以及卵巢、肾上腺、睾丸和胎盘中的胆固醇酯,在机体能量供应和类固醇生成作用中发挥重要作用。本研究以放射性同位素和地高辛标记重组质粒pBS中所含猪Hsl基因作为探针,分别与Pst Ⅰ酶切的黄鳝基因组总DNA和有丝分裂染色体标本进行Southern杂交和荧光原位杂交(FISH)。结果显示,Southern杂交呈现一条带,片段长度约为11.5kb。同时,应用FISH定位Hsl基因于黄鳝5号染色体,相对着丝粒距离为78.35±1.26。该定位结果与应用“特定染色体DNA池”定位黄鳝Hsl基因结果相符,且定位结果更为精细。表明在淡水鱼类黄鳝基因组中存在Hsl基因,另一方面也首次提供黄鳝5号染色体上FISH杂交信息,从而为增加黄鳝染色体组中已知的遗传标记和建立高精度遗传图谱奠定基础。 Abstract:Adipose tissue triacylglycerols are the quantitatively most important source of stored energy in animals.Hormone-sensitive lipase encoded by hormone-sensitive lipase gene (Hsl) is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol stored in adipose tissue and cholesterol esters in the adrenals,ovaries,testes and macrophages.Using pig Hsl gene inserted into pBS labeled by the radioactive isotope and the digoxigenin as the probes respectively,one band,11.5kb,has been shown to hybridized with total DNA of rice field eel digested with Pst Ⅰby Southern blotting and Hsl gene has been assigned to metaphase chromosome 5,at the position of 78.35±1.26 from the c entromere in rice field eel by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).The mapping results are corresponding to that of “specific-chromosomal DNA pool”obtained by chromosome microisolation used to map gene and the mapping result is more accurate.The results of the study further illustrate the importance of the presence of Hsl gene in rice field eel genome and provide the first FISH mapping data for rice field eel chromosome 5.The current studies would advance the addition of known genetic markers and the construction of high resolution genetic map in rice field eel genome.     

Epigenetic reprogramming of embryos derived from sperm frozen at −20°C

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is a strategy that has been used to conserve the sperm of animal species and animal strains that are valuable for biomedical research. A simple method for preserving spermatozoa after application of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is much needed. It has been shown previously that spermatozoa frozen at 20°C can activate oocytes and support full-term embryo development. However, epigenetic reprogramming could be affected by the environment and by the in vitro manipulation of gametes. Here, we investigated embryo epigenetic reprogramming including DNA methylation and histone modification, in embryos derived from sperm preserved at 20°C without cryoprotectants. The results showed that although both fertilization and embryo developmental competence were decreased, the dynamic epigenetic reprogramming of embryos derived from frozen sperm was similar to the reprogramming of embryos derived from fresh sperm. The results reported in this study indicate that sperm frozen without cryoprotectant is epigenetically safe for ICSI.     

Leafy head formation of the progenies of transgenic plants of Chinese cabbage with exogenous auxin genes

The experiment was performed to evaluate the progenies of plant lines transgenic for auxin synthesis genes derived from Ri T-DNA.Four lines of the transgenic plants were self-crossed and the foreign auxin genes in plants of T5 generation were confirmed by Southern hybridization.Two lines,D1232 and D1653,showed earlier folding of expanding leaves than untransformed line and therefore had early initiation of leafy head.Leaf cuttings derived from plant of transgenic line D1653 produced more adventitious roots than the control whereas the cuttings from folding leaves had much more roots than rosette leaves at folding stage,and the cuttings from head leaves had more roots than rosette leaves at heading stage.It is demonstrated that early folding of transgenic leaf may be caused by the relatively higher concentration of auxin.These plant lines with auxin transgenes can be used for the study of hormonal regulation in differentiation and development of plant orgens and for the breeding of new variety with rapid growth trait.     

Antigen changes of monoclonal antibody MSH27 in process of post-testicular maturation (in mice)

An anti-mouse spermatozoon monoclonal antibody, MSH27, as well as its purified antigen, can block sperm-egg membrane fusion. As a candidate protein for sperm-egg membrane fusion, the sperm antigen was investigated in the process of post-testicular maturation (PTM). The molecule was produced in testes and located on the plasma membrane of the postacrosomal area of the spermatozoon. However, the epitope recognized by the MSH27 (MSH27Ep) was not exposed until the occurrence of the acrosome reaction. In the process of fertilization, spermatozoa must complete the acrosome reaction before penetrating across the zona pellucidas (ZPs) to approach the plasma membrane of eggs. The effects of the acrosome reaction and penetration of the ZP on the exposure of the MSH27Ep were also studied. It was shown that the percentage of the spermatozoa with the MSH27Ep exposed increased followed with their mature status in PTM. In fact, it bad a linear correlativity with the rate of the acrosome reaction. After spermatozoa had     

Sperm-mediated gene transfer into oocytes of the golden hamster: assessment of sperm function

The possibility of sperm as a vehicle to deliver foreign DNA to oocytes was tested in hamsters. Epididymal spermatozoa, incubated with linearized plasmid DNA encoding ovine growth hormone (pCMXoGH), showed a spontaneous tendency to interact with DNA. Kinetics of sperm uptake of DNA was determined by using [32P]-labeled DNA. Spermatozoa took up the added DNA by 15-30 min and the uptake was inhibited by human seminal fluid in a dose dependent manner. Addition of DNA did not affect the functional competence of spermatozoa, in terms of their ability to undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction (34.5% +/- 2.2 vs 35% +/- 1.5). The fertilizing ability of DNA treated-spermatozoa from hamsters and humans was assessed by zona-free hamster egg penetration assay. Number of sperm penetrated per oocyte were 23 +/- 4.5 and 1.4 +/- 1.3 for hamster and human spermatozoa, respectively. Penetrated oocytes harbored sperm-treated DNA both with hamster (30.2 cpm/oocyte) and human (19.2 cpm/oocyte) spermatozoa. These results show that the hamster and human spermatozoa have a strong tendency to interact with exogenous (foreign) DNA and are able to transfer DNA to oocytes. Sperm may be used as a vector for DNA transfer and this approach has potential in the production of transgenic animals.     

Quantitative comparison of the passage of homologous and heterologous spermatozoa through the uterotubal junction of the golden hamster

A quantitative method was used to determine whether the spermatozoa of foreign species could pass through the uterotubal junction (UTJ) of the hamster as efficiently as homologous (hamster) spermatozoa. Estrous female hamsters were artificially inseminated with epididymal spermatozoa of homologous and heterologous (foreign) species. The number and distribution of spermatozoa in the oviduct were determined several hours after insemination (shortly before ovulation). The passage of immotile (dead) hamster spermatozoa through the UTJ was also examined. It was found that the spermatozoa of all foreign species tested (rat, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit), as well as immotile hamster spermatozoa, could pass through the UTJ but did so in much smaller numbers compared to live hamster spermatozoa. This was not specifically due to poor survival of foreign spermatozoa in the hamster uterus, as the viability of all inseminated spermatozoa (including hamster spermatozoa) was considerably reduced by 1 h after insemination. While a large number of live hamster spermatozoa were distributed throughout the caudal isthmus at the time of examination, none or only a very few foreign spermatozoa had advanced this far. The few foreign and immotile spermatozoa that reached the caudal isthmus were confined to the first ascending loop of this segment. Some possible causes for the small number and retarded advance of foreign spermatozoa in the hamster oviduct were discussed.     

Scanning electron microscope study of in vitro prepenetration gamete interactions

Hamster and mouse capacitated spermatozoa were interacted in vitro with hamster and mouse eggs in homologous and heterologous combinations. Also, fertilized and trypsin treated unfertilized hamster eggs, and unfertilized rat eggs were made to interact with capacitated hamster spermatozoa. The surface of the zona pellucida was then examined with the scanning electron microscope. It was found that sperm attachment, followed by sperm binding and penetration through the zona pellucida, was observed only when homologous gamete combinations were used. Binding of the spermatozoa to the zona was evidenced by the lytic effect of the acrosomal enzymes on the zona substance. When fertilized eggs and trypsin-treated unfertilized hamster eggs were mixed with capacitated hamster spermatozoa as well as in the heterologous gamete combinations, we found that the spermatozoa were able to establish attachment but not binding. Under these conditions the outer surface of the zona pellucida was never found to have penetration tracks made by the spermatozoa. Failure of heterologous spermatozoa to cross the foreign zona pellucida is believed to be associated with the inability of the foreign spermatozoa to establish binding and to the inability of their acrosomal enzymes to digest the zona. A similar mechanism is believed to work in zona-reacted and in trypsin-treated hamster eggs inseminated in vitro with homologous spermatozoa.     

Penetration of the zona-free or intact eggs by foreign spermatozoa and the fertilization of deer mouse eggs in vitro

Zona-free eggs were introduced to fresh or preincubated sperm suspensions and the penetration of eggs by foreign spermatozoa was examined, as evidenced by enlargement of the sperm head and formation of the male pronucleus. It was found that zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by guinea-pig, deer mouse and rabbit spermatozoa but zona-free rat, mouse and rabbit eggs cannot be penetrated by guinea-pig spermatozoa. Furthermore, zona-free rat and mouse eggs cannot be penetrated by spermatozoa from two species of deer mice and the Mongolian gerbil. The zona pellucida of a few intact rat eggs can be penetrated by mouse (6%) and by P. leucopus spermatozoa (14%) but enlargement of the sperm head and formation of pronuclei were observed in the former but not in the latter. It seems that (1) sperm capacitation is required for the penetration of zona-free eggs, (2) the attachment of foreign spermatozoa to eggs may indicate their potential ability of penetration in some cases, (3) there is a certain affinity between the vitellus of one species and spermatozoa from another species, (4) the block to the entry of foreign spermatozoa is not only in the zona pellucida but also in the vitelline membrane, (5) zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by spermatozoa of six species, (6) mouse spermatozoa can penetrate zona-free eggs of three species, and (7) fertilization of intact P. maniculatus eggs can be achieved in vitro.     

Sperm DNA adducts impair fertilization during ICSI but not during IVF

Many studies emphasize the influence of the status of spermatozoal nucleus on fertilization, mainly with regard to DNA fragmentation. This study was undertaken to analyze the influence of DNA adducts content in spermatozoa on fertilization during assisted reproduction. Ovarian hyperstimulation, oocyte retrieval and laboratory work-up in 61 IVF (in vitro fertilization) and 118 ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) first cycles were performed according to the same protocol. Semen analysis was made according to WHO Manual (1999). DNA adducts assay in spermatozoa was performed by 32Ppostlabeling method. In total 331 fertilizable oocytes were obtained during IVF and 659 during ICSI. Both groups differed significantly by sperm count, motility and morphology but not by the concentration of DNA adducts in spermatozoa (0.0306 +/- 0.0217 in IVF versus 0.0373 +/- 0.0321 in ICSI). The fertilization rate during IVF was significantly influenced by sperm count (p=0.0002) and motility (p=0.0037) but not by DNA adducts concentration (p=0.30528), whereas during ICSI was positively influenced by sperm motility (p=0.04669) and negatively by DNA adducts concentration (p=0.00796). DNA adducts concentration in spermatozoa significantly negatively influences fertilization rate during ICSI, but not during IVF.     

Development of a positive method for male stem cell-mediated gene transfer in mouse and pig

Classical approaches for producing transgenic livestock require labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive methods with low efficiency of transgenic production. A promising approach for producing transgenic animals by using male stem cells was recently reported by Brinster and Zimmermann (1994: Proc Natl Acad Sci 91:11298-11302) and by Brinster and Avarbock (1994: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:11303-11307). However, in order to apply this technique to producing transgenic animals, some difficulties have to be overcome. These include a satisfactory method for short-term in vitro culture for drug selection after transfection with exogenous DNA, and methods for the use of livestock such as pigs. We developed a new method for transferring foreign DNA into male germ cells. Mice and pigs were treated with busulfan, an alkylating agent, to destroy the developing male germ cells, and liposome/bacterial LacZ gene complexes were introduced into each seminiferous tubule by using a microinjection needle. As a control, lipofectin was dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline at a ratio of 1:1, and then injected into seminiferous tubules. In mice, 8.0–14.8% of seminiferous tubule expressed the introduced LacZ gene, and 7–13% of epididymal spermatozoa were confirmed as having foreign DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The liposome-injected testes were all negative for X-gal staining. These results indicate that some spermatozoa were successfully transformed in their early stages by liposome/DNA complexes. In pigs, foreign DNA was also incorporated efficiently into male germ cells, and 15.3–25.1% of the seminiferous tubules containing germ cells expressed the LacZ gene. The data suggest that these techniques can be used as a powerful tool for producing transgenic livestock. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 46:515–526, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Detection of transgene in progeny at different developmental stages following testis-mediated gene transfer

We recently reported that exogenous DNA injected into testis as a liposome complex can be transferred into the egg via sperm by natural mating and integrated in the genome (testis-mediated gene transfer: TMGT). Here, we studied the efficiency of each of the several liposomes in associating foreign DNA with sperm, the expression of an introduced gene in early embryos, and the presence of the DNA in fetuses and pups at different ages. The CMV/beta-actin/EGFP fusion gene, encapsulated with different liposomes, was injected into rat testis, and spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis were obtained 1, 4, and 14 days after injection. We tested each of the 8 liposomes, and found that only 2, DMRIE-C and SuperFect, led to the detection of foreign DNA on all of the days examined, with relatively higher ratios of rats having positive sperm. By means of TMGT using either of those two liposomes, more than 80% of morula-stage embryos expressed EGFP, as observed by fluorescence microscopy. Then we detected introduced DNA in the progeny by PCR and Southern dot blot, and found that the ratio of animals carrying the foreign DNA decreased as they developed, and that only a part of postpartum progeny were foreign-DNA-positive with high incidence of mosaicism. These results suggest that, although, the success rate is still limited, foreign DNA could be integrated into the genome of the progeny by TMGT at least under specific experimental conditions, the efficiency of which depends largely on the characteristics of the liposome. The results also suggest that TMGT could be applicable to fetal gene therapy as well as to the generation of transgenic animals.     

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.