Cloning and tissue distribution of Leptin mRNA in the pig∗

Abstract

The sequence of the pig ob cDNA, which codes for the protein leptin, has been determined by screening a pig adipose cDNA library with an RT‐PCR amplified cDNA fragment of this gene. The 501 bp ob cDNA has 89% identity to the human ob cDNA, 92% identity to the bovine ob cDNA, 84% identity to the mouse ob cDNA and 84% identity to the rat ob cDNA. At the amino acid level, pig leptin which codes for a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 18,661‐dalton, has 86% identity to human leptin, 93% identity to bovine leptin, 84% identity to rat leptin and 84% identity to mouse leptin. RT‐PCR screening of RNA isolated from pig adipose, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, pancreas, stomach, kidney, spleen and jejunum detected ob mRNA only in adipose tissue; Northern blots with an ob cDNA probe identified a 4.0 kb species in adipose tissue. The conservation of sequence and expression pattern of leptin in the pig reported here indicates that as in other species, this protein likely plays an important role in controlling food intake and fat deposition in the pig.     

Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a novel gene encoding human nucleoside transporter 1 (hNT1) from a human breast cancer cDNA library

AimsWe isolated a novel gene encoding human nucleoside transporter 1 (hNT1), from a human breast cancer cDNA library.Main methodsA nondirectional cDNA library was screened by an EST clone (GenBank?/EMBL/DDBJ: BU944345). A Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system was used for functional characterization. Membrane localization in the human breast was determined by immunohistochemistry.Key findingsIsolated hNT1 cDNA consisted of 246 base pairs that encoded an 82-amino acid protein. By RT-PCR analysis, hNT1 mRNA was strongly detected in the breast cancer tissues. When expressed in X. oocytes, hNT1 mediated the high affinity transport of [³H]5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with a K_m value of 69.2 ± 24.5 nM in time- and pH-dependent, and Na⁺-independent manners. A cis-inhibition experiment revealed that hNT1 mediated transport of [³H]5-FU is strongly inhibited by various nucleosides such as pyrimidine, uracil, uridine, guanosine, inosine, thymidine, adenosine, cytidine and purine suggesting that hNT1 may be involved in the trans epithelial transport of these endogenous substrates. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the hNT1 protein is localized in the lactiferous duct epithelium.SignificanceOur present results indicate that a newly isolated cDNA clone, hNT1, is a key molecule for the breast handling of 5-FU in humans.     

Conformationally Restrained Chiral PNA Conjugates: Synthesis and DNA Complementation Studies

Abstract

In recent times, PNA (I), a structural mimic of DNA in which the sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (aeg) linkage has emerged as a potential antisense therapeutic agent.¹ A major limitation of PNAs from an application perspective is their poor solubility in aqueous medium and being achiral, they bind to cDNA in both parallel (N-PNA/5′-DNA) and antiparallel (N-PNA/3′-DNA) modes. In this connection, we have designed spermine conjugated and conformationally constrained PNA analogues to generate the 4-aminoprolyl backbone (II).² These were synthesised and evaluated for their DNA binding abilities by using UV and CD spectroscopic studies. It is seen that incorporation of one 4-aminoprolyl unit at the N-terminus of a PNA chain not only enhances the inherent binding of PNA to DNA, but also imparts significant bias in parallel and antiparallel binding with cDNA. Conjugation of spermine at C-terminus enhanced the PNA solubility.     

茉莉C病毒侵染性克隆的构建及CP基序分析

【目的】构建茉莉C病毒(JaVC)福建分离物基因组全长cDNA侵染性克隆,克隆9省JaVC分离物的CP基因并比较分析基序差异,调查JaVC在我国茉莉产区的分布和传播情况。【方法】提取JaVC检测呈阳性的茉莉叶片总RNA,以反转录后的cDNA为模板扩增获得JaVC基因组全长序列并构建全长cDNA克隆pXT-JaVC-FJ;同时构建了外壳蛋白(coatprotein,CP)融合红色荧光蛋白mCherry的克隆(pXT-JaVC CP-mCherry)。利用农杆菌浸润法侵染本生烟,通过RT-PCR检测法和激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察法验证JaVC侵染性。克隆其他8省JaVC分离物的3′末端包含CP的片段并测序分析CP基序差异。通过田间调查明确JaVC在茉莉上的发生情况和其传播介体。【结果】pXT-JaVC-FJ浸润本生烟可引起系统侵染,说明该克隆具有侵染活性。所有JaVC分离物的CP均编码296个氨基酸,JaVC中国台湾分离物的CP与各分离物核苷酸序列相似性为82.27%-91.36%,与广东分离物相似性最高;氨基酸序列相似性为92.23%-96.82%,与云南分离物相似性最高;各分离物CP的氨...     

Digital analysis of cDNA abundance; expression profiling by means of restriction fragment fingerprinting

Background  

Gene expression profiling among different tissues is of paramount interest in various areas of biomedical research. We have developed a novel method (DADA, Digital Analysis of cDNA Abundance), that calculates the relative abundance of genes in cDNA libraries.     

Isolation and sequencing of porcine fast skeletal muscle alkali myosin light chain 3 cDNA

Abstract

A cDNA coding for alkali myosin light chain 3 (MLC3_F) was isolated from a porcine skeletal muscle library. This clone has an insert of 859 bp encompassing the complete CDS (coding sequence) plus the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions. Computer analysis showed that porcine MLC3_F cDNA is highly homologous to the corresponding cDNAs of human, rabbit and rat. Moreover, Northern analysis showed the presence of two bands that represent the mature mRNAs of the MLCl_F and MLC3_F isoforms according to data observed in other species.     

Inhibition of Cell Growth by Overexpression of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) in Human Pancreatic Carcinoma

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) levels have been found to be low in human pancreatic cancer [Pancreas26, (2003), 23] and human pancreatic cancer cell lines [Cancer Res.63, (2003), 1297] when compared to normal human pancreas. We hypothesized that stable overexpression of pancreatic cancer cells with MnSOD cDNA would alter the malignant phenotype. MIA PaCa-2 cells were stably transfected with a pcDNA3 plasmid containing sense human MnSOD cDNA or containing no MnSOD insert by using the lipofectAMINE method. G418-resistant colonies were isolated, grown and maintained. Overexpression of MnSOD was confirmed in two selected clones with a 2-4-fold increase in MnSOD immunoreactive protein. Compared with the parental and neo control cells, the MnSOD-overexpressing clones had decreased growth rates, growth in soft agar and plating efficiency in vitro, while in vivo, the MnSOD-overexpressing clones had slower growth in nude mice. These results suggest that MnSOD may be a tumor suppressor gene in human pancreatic cancer.     

嗜吞噬无形体Msp2蛋白与宿主互作靶蛋白筛选及生物信息分析

目的:筛选与嗜吞噬无形体Msp2蛋白互作的THP-1细胞靶蛋白,有助于理解病原体侵袭宿主的分子机理。方法:PCR获得无形体msp2基因克隆到pGBKT7载体上构建诱饵质粒并转化酵母菌株Y2HGold,营养缺陷培养基及蓝白斑实验验证诱饵质粒是否有自激活、毒性;抽提THP-1总RNA,经反转录、Long-distance PCR、同源重组等构建到pGADT7-Rec载体上并转化酵母菌株Y187,鉴定cDNA文库质量;酵母双杂交筛选与无形体Msp2互作的宿主细胞靶蛋白,生物信息学分析蛋白互作可能导致的信号通路变化。结果:成功构建诱饵质粒;cDNA文库容量达4×106克隆,插入片段大小100-3000 bp,且无污染;酵母双杂交获得宿主靶蛋白7个,分别是NADH脱氢酶(泛醌)1α亚体13(NDUFA13)、锌指蛋白36, C3H样2(ZFP36L2)、核糖体蛋白11(RPL11)、前胸腺素α(PTMA)、C19orf10、组织蛋白酶G(CTSG)、核糖体蛋白S25(RPS25);生物信息学分析,互作的宿主靶蛋白主要参与细胞增殖、细胞凋亡、溶酶体成熟及其它一些信号通路等生物学过程。结论:应用酵母双杂交系统初步筛选出与嗜吞噬细胞无形体表面蛋白Msp2互作的宿主细胞靶蛋白,并利用生物信息学初步分析了其参与的生物学过程,为进一步研究病原菌胞内生存分子机制奠定了基础。     

Rosmarinic acid synthase is a new member of the superfamily of BAHD acyltransferases

Purification of rosmarinic acid synthase (hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:hydroxyphenyllactate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase) from suspension cells of Coleus blumei Benth. (Lamiaceae) by fractionated ammonium sulphate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and two affinity chromatography steps led to the identification of peptide sequences, which enabled a PCR-based approach to isolate the full-length cDNA encoding this enzyme. The open reading frame of the cDNA had a length of 1290 base pairs encoding a protein of 430 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 47,932 Da with typical characteristics of an acyltransferase of the BAHD superfamily. The cDNA was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme displayed the activity of rosmarinic acid synthase using 4-coumaroyl- and caffeoyl-coenzyme A and 4-hydroxyphenyllactate as well as 3.4-dihydroxyphenyllactate as substrates. Shikimic acid and quinic acid were not able to serve as hydroxycinnamoyl acceptors. This therefore is the first report of the cDNA-cloning of a rosmarinic acid synthase.     

In silico-initiated cloning and molecular characterization of a novel human member of the L1 gene family of neural cell adhesion molecules

To discover genes contributing to mental retardation in 3p^- syndrome patients we have used in silico searches for neural genes in NCBI databases (dbEST and UniGene). An EST with strong homology to the rat CAM L1 gene subsequently mapped to 3p26 was used to isolate a full-length cDNA. Molecular analysis of this cDNA, referred to as CALL (cell adhesion L1-like), showed that it is encoded by a chromosome 3p26 locus and is a novel member of the L1 gene family of neural cell adhesion molecules. Multiple lines of evidence suggest CALL is likely the human ortholog of the murine gene CHL1: it is 84% identical on the protein level, has the same domain structure, same membrane topology, and a similar expression pattern. The orthology of CALL and CHL1 was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. By in situ hybridization, CALL is shown to be expressed regionally in a timely fashion in the central nervous system, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system during rat development. Northern analysis and EST representation reveal that it is expressed in the brain and also outside the nervous system in some adult human tissues and tumor cell lines. The cytoplasmic domain of CALL is conserved among other members of the L1 subfamily and features sequence motifs that may involve CALL in signal transduction pathways. Received: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 18 June 1998     

The isolation of RNA from raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit

Previous attempts to extract high-quality, total RNA from raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruits using published protocols have proven to be unsuccessful. Even the use of protocols developed for the extraction of RNA from other fruit tissue has resulted in low yields (1) or the isolation of degraded RNA (2). Here, we report on the development of a quick and simple method of extracting total RNA from raspberry fruit. Using this method, high yields of good quality, undegraded RNA were obtained from fruit at all stages of ripening. The RNA is of sufficient quality for northern analysis and cDNA library construction.     

Expression of the IgSF protein Kirre in the rat central nervous system

AimsImmunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins play a critical role in development of the nervous system. Here, a new member of IgSF gene family was cloned from rat brain, which was subsequently identified as rat homolog of Drosophila Kirre. This new molecule was named as rat Kirre (rKirre). We aimed to reveal the developmental expression of rKirre, both at mRNA and protein levels, in the central nervous system. The deduced amino acid sequence of rKirre showed a putative PDZ binding motif at the C-terminus, which provided a rationale for analyzing the co-localization of rKirre and post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in cultured rat cortical neurons.Main methodscDNA library screening was used in the isolation of cDNA. Northern blotting and Western blotting were used to reveal the levels of rKirre expression. In situ hybridization and immuno-fluorescent staining were used to determine the localization of rKirre.Key findingsThe rKirre gene was found to be highly expressed in the cerebrum, hippocampus, cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord of adult rats. In parallel, the protein level of rKirre was also increased in a developing cerebral cortex. In cultured rat cortical neurons, the amount of rKirre was significantly increased during neuronal differentiation. Immuno-cytofluorescent staining indicated that rKirre was present along the neurites of cortical neurons, and was co-localized with PSD-95.SignificanceThese results suggested that rKirre might play an essential role in neuronal differentiation and development in the central nervous system.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of a CDNA encoding porcine tumor necrosis factor‐alpha

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), produced by immune cells, is a cytokine with a central role in the mediation of inflammatory responses to infection and injury. We report the nucleotide and corresponding amino acid sequence of a full length porcine TNF‐α cDNA. The complete cDNA nucleotide sequence is 1650 bp in length (not including the poly A tail) and has an open reading frame of 696 bp encoding a 232 amino acid protein. The porcine TNF cDNA sequence shows homologies of 86, 77, and 82% to human, murine, and lapine TNF cDNA sequences in the coding regions, respectively. The 5’ untranslated region of the cDNAs shows little sequence similarity. However, the 3´ untranslated region contains highly conserved sequences among all species, especially the TTATTTAT motif characteristic of cytokine messages.     

The Production of a Stably Transformed Insect Cell Line Expressing An Invertebrate GABAA Receptor β-Subunit

Abstract

We have produced a stable insect cell line derived from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells expressing a cDNA encoding a β-subunit of the Lymnaea stagnalis GABA_A receptor. The cDNA was randomly integrated into the insect cell genome under the control of a baculovirus immediate early gene (IE-1) promoter. Stable cell lines were established by transformation of Sf9 cells with the expression vector pIEK1.LGβ1 together with a plasmid encoding a selectable marker which confers neomycin (G418) resistance. Following growth in the presence of G418, neomycin resistant clones were selected, amplified and analysed for the presence of functional GABA-gated chloride channels. Electrophysiological analysis of one cell line showed the presence of a picrotoxin-sensitive chloride channel not present in control Sf9 cells. These channels were also sensitive to GABA, albeit at relatively high (mM) concentrations.     

Molecular cloning,recombinant expression,and antifungal functional characterization of the lipid transfer protein from Panax ginseng

Objectives

To establish an efficient expression system for a fusion protein GST-pgLTP (Lipid Transfer Protein) and to test its antifungal activity.

Results

The nucleotide sequence of LTP gene was obtained from Panax ginseng using RT-PCR. The ORF of the cDNA is 363 bp, codING for a protein OF 120 amino acids with a calculated MW of 12.09 kDa. The pgLTP gene with a His₆-tag at the C-terminus was cloned into the pGEX-6p1 vector to generate a GST-fusion pgLTP protein construct that was expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta. Following purification by Ni–NTA, the fusion protein exhibited antifungal activity against five fungi found in ginseng.

Conclusion

The fusion protein GST-pgLTP has activity against a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, and can potentially be adapted for production to combat fungal diseases that affect P. ginseng.

     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a cDNA from Seminal Vesicle Tissue Encoding the Precursor of the Major Protein of Bull Semen

Abstract

A cDNA library derived from poly(A)⁺RNA of bull seminal vesicle- tissue was screened with a synthetic DNA hybridisation probe specific for the major protein of bull semen. A positive clone pMP17, containing a 680 bp insert, was sequenced. In combination with primer extension sequencing of poly(A)⁺RNA, a DNA sequence of 700 bp was determined. This DNA encoded a reading frame for 134 amino acids, starting with an ATG and terminated by a TAG codon. This comprised 25 amino acids of a signal peptide followed by 109 amino acids with the known sequence of the major protein.     

Generation of EST and Microarray Resources for Functional Genomic Studies on Chicken Intestinal Health

Abstract

Expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) and microarray resources have a great impact on the ability to study host response in mice and humans. Unfortunately, these resources are not yet available for domestic farm animals. The aim of this study was to provide genomic resources to study chicken intestinal health, in particular malabsorption syndrome (MAS), which affects mainly the intestine. Therefore a normalized and subtracted cDNA library containing more than 7000 clones was prepared. Randomly chosen clones were sequenced for control purposes. New ESTs were found and multiple ESTs not identified in the chicken intestine before were observed. The number of non‐specific ESTs in this cDNA library was low. Based on this normalized and subtracted library a cDNA microarray was made. In a preliminary hybridization experiment with the microarray, genes were identified to be up‐ or downregulated in MAS infected chickens. This indicates that the generated resources are valuable tools to investigate chicken intestinal health by whole genome expression analysis approaches.