hMAM启动子／增强子调控表达载体构建和调控作用

目的构建人乳腺珠蛋白（human mammaglobin,hMAM）启动子／增强子调控报告基因表达载体,探讨hMAM启动子／增强子序列在乳腺癌细胞中的特异性调控作用。方法应用PCR技术,从基因组DNA中扩增出hMAM启动子／增强子DNA序列,构建于PGL3报告基因上游,分别转染体外培养的乳腺癌细胞MDA—MB-415、T47D及胃癌细胞7901,分析启动子和增强子序列对乳腺癌细胞的基因表达调控作用。结果酶切图谱分析、DNA序列测定表明成功构建hMAM启动子／增强子调控的表达载体;荧光素酶报告基因检测结果分析表明,hMAM启动子／增强子能够调控报告基因的表达。结论hMAM启动子／增强子,在MDA—MB-415乳腺癌细胞具有调控基因表达的作用;     

cmv-3′LTR嵌合启动子对逆转录病毒载体MFG滴度及外源基因表达的影响

为减轻逆转录病毒载体介导的外源基因的沉默,进一步提高逆转录病毒载体MFG介导的外源基因的表达水平,同时探讨逆转录病毒3′端长末端重复序列(long terminalrepeat,LTR)内U3区对病毒基因表达的影响,将逆转录病毒载体3′端LTR内的U3区用cmv核心增强子、启动子序列替代,同时去除了3个与逆转录病毒载体启动子甲基化有关的序列NCR、DR,并以egfp为报告基因,构建了MFG egfp和MFG egfp cmv表达载体。结果显示:利用cmv启动子替代MFG载体3′端LTR的U3启动子序列,会显著降低MFG载体的病毒滴度及其介导的外源报告基因的表达。提示利用cmv启动子替代病毒载体的3′端LTR内的U3区,并不是提高MoMLV(moloneymurineleukemivirus)逆转录病毒载体介导外源基因的表达及其病毒滴度的理想策略。结果也同时提示:在MoMLV逆转录病毒3′端LTR的U3区,可能存在与病毒RNA加工、成熟及稳定性有关的信号序列。     

PI3KγmRNA 3′非翻译区可能存在基因表达负调控区

为探索人磷脂酰肌醇 3 激酶γ(phosphoinositide 3 kinasePI3Kγ)基因 3′端非翻译区内AU富含区是否在基因表达调控中起作用 ,首先通过生物信息学分析发现在其 3′端非翻译区 (UTR)内存在0 9kb的AU富含区 ,其中包括 4个AU富含元件 ,以及 1个与众多基因非翻译区高度同源的长 130个碱基的区域 .将AU富含区插入报告基因egfp的下游构建pcDNA3 egfp AUR表达载体 .将表达载体转导NIH 3T3,74 0 2及K5 6 2细胞 ,流式细胞检测egfp的表达情况 .PI3Kγ基因 3′非翻译区AU富含区可显著降低egfp的表达 2～ 3倍 (P <0 0 1) .利用放线菌素D阻断RNA转录后 ,Northern印迹分析结果显示egfp AURmRNA较egfpmRNA不稳定 .实验结果提示 ,PI3Kγ基因 3′非翻译区AU富含区内可能存在转录后水平的基因表达负调控区 ,该负调控区可在一定程度上加速mRNA的衰变     

cmv-3’LTR嵌合启动子对逆转录病毒载体MFG滴度及外源基因表达的影响

为减轻逆转录病毒载体介导的外源基因的沉默,进一步提高逆转录病毒载体MFG介导的外源基因的表达水平,同时探讨逆转录病毒3’端长末端重复序列(long-terminal repeat,LTR)内U3区对病毒基因表达的影响,将逆转录病毒载体3’端LTR内的U3区用cmv核心增强子、启动子序列替代,同时去除了3个与逆转录病毒载体启动子甲基化有关的序列NCR、DR,并以egfp为报告基因,构建了MFG-egfp和MFG-egfp-cmv表达载体。结果显示：利用cmv启动子替代MFG载体3’端LTR的U3启动子序列,会显著降低MFG载体的病毒滴度及其介导的外源报告基因的表达。提示利用cmv启动子替代病毒载体的3’端LTR内的U3区,并不是提高MoMLV(moloney murineleukemi virus)逆转录病毒载体介导外源基因的表达及其病毒滴度的理想策略。结果也同时提示：在MoMLV逆转录病毒3’端LTR限的U3区,可能存在与病毒RNA加工、成熟及稳定性有关的信号序列。     

PI3KγmRNA 3′非翻译区可能存在基因表达负调控区

为探索人磷脂酰肌醇 3 激酶γ(phosphoinositide 3 kinasePI3Kγ)基因 3′端非翻译区内AU富含区是否在基因表达调控中起作用 ,首先通过生物信息学分析发现在其 3′端非翻译区 (UTR)内存在0 9kb的AU富含区 ,其中包括 4个AU富含元件 ,以及 1个与众多基因非翻译区高度同源的长 130个碱基的区域 .将AU富含区插入报告基因egfp的下游构建pcDNA3 egfp AUR表达载体 .将表达载体转导NIH 3T3,74 0 2及K5 6 2细胞 ,流式细胞检测egfp的表达情况 .PI3Kγ基因 3′非翻译区AU富含区可显著降低egfp的表达 2～ 3倍 (P <0 0 1) .利用放线菌素D阻断RNA转录后 ,Northern印迹分析结果显示egfp AURmRNA较egfpmRNA不稳定 .实验结果提示 ,PI3Kγ基因 3′非翻译区AU富含区内可能存在转录后水平的基因表达负调控区 ,该负调控区可在一定程度上加速mRNA的衰变     

携带不同数量增强子的嵌合型肝脏特异性启动子的构建及其体外实验研究

通过PCR手段成功获得肝细胞特异性启动子人α1-抗胰蛋白酶启动子hAATp(human α1-antitrypsin promoter,hAATp)及具有增强子功能的肝脏特异的肝调控区HCR (hepatic control region,HCR)。在此基础上,通过分子克隆手段构建获得携带有不同数量的HCR增强子的嵌合型肝脏特异性hAAT启动子,并在下游连入报告基因Luciferase,然后将重组质粒转染人肝癌细胞系HepG2、小鼠肝癌细胞系Hepa1-6、人胚肾细胞系HEK293和人脑星形胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U87-MG,通过检测Luciferase表达活性分析携带不同数量增强子的肝脏特异性启动子的启动活性及其组织特异性。结果表明,携带有3个增强子的嵌合型肝脏特异性启动子活性及特异性最好,为肝脏类疾病的靶向性治疗研究奠定了基础。     

核骨架基质结合区(S/MAR)提高逆转录病毒载体介导egfp在NIH3T3细胞中的表达

为减轻逆转录病毒介导的外源基因的沉默 ,进一步提高逆转录病毒MFG载体介导的转移基因的表达 ,将人 β INF基因上游 80 0bp的核骨架基质结合区 (S MAR)分别反向和正向克隆至MFG载体 3′LTR上游 ,以egfp为报告基因观察S MAR对egfp基因表达水平以及对病毒滴度的影响 .结果显示 :反向和正向的S MAR在瞬时表达的情况都不能提高egfp的表达 ,但在稳定整合的情况下反向S MAR可明显提高egfp在NIH3T3细胞内的表达 ,而正向的S MAR作用不明显 ,另外反向S MAR可明显提高MFG逆转录病毒载体的滴度约 5倍 ;因此改造后的MFG逆转录病毒载体将能更好地用来介导外源治疗基因的表达 .同时还观察到 ,同一个载体骨架在稳定表达的情况下 ,磷酸钙介导较逆转录病毒载体介导的表达水平高 .提示逆转录病毒的生活史可能参与其介导的外源基因的沉默     

用于化学预防剂筛选的转基因细胞模型的建立

建立TK启动子以及抗氧化反应元件(ARE)增强子调控报告基因GFP在HepG2细胞中稳定表达的细胞模型。人工合成ARE增强子序列,经退火和磷酸化后插入pTK-GFP载体的TK启动子上游,构建pARE-TK-GFP重组质粒。PCR法扩增TK和ARE-TK目的片段克隆到pEGFP-N1上,构建TK启动子启动以及上游由ARE增强子调控的报告基因表达载体pTK-GFP/Neo和pARE-TK-GFP/Neo。脂质体转染法转染人HepG2肝癌细胞后加G418筛选出阳性克隆。经扩大培养的克隆细胞中加入化学预防剂PDTC和香菇多糖作用48h后检测细胞中GFP荧光强度,结果显示pARE-TK-GFP/Neo表达载体中的GFP基因受ARE增强子的调控,其表达水平高于对照载体且在一定范围内与化学预防剂的浓度呈剂量效应关系,从而表明所构建的细胞模型可用于各种天然或人工合成的化学预防剂的初步筛选。     

特异性启动子调控甜瓜ACC氧化酶反义基因载体构建及对烟草的转化

以甜瓜ACC氧化酶反义基因抑制水果成熟过程中内源乙烯的合成为基础,建立甜瓜特异性启动子调控下ACC氧化酶反义基因表达载体。以pCB-ACO1载体为基础,进行平末端连接加入特异性启动子pCAM-ACO1-promoter,对转基因甜瓜表达载体的构建进行特异性启动子的研究,通过叶盘法转化的烟草经过PCR检测已转入含有特异性启动子promoter调控下ACC氧化酶反义基因表达载体,为下一阶段用该反义基因载体转化甜瓜栽培品种奠定基础。     

几种肿瘤细胞中ezrin基因增强子区转录调控特性的研究

该文采用Western blot技术检测人食管癌EC109细胞、鼻咽癌CNE2细胞和宫颈癌HeLa细胞Ezrin蛋白的表达：采用DNA片段定向克隆技术构建一系列携带ezrin基因增强子区-1541／-706序列的报告基因表达载体,将载体瞬时转染EC109、CNE2和HeLa细胞,检测荧光素酶活性;研究肿瘤细胞中ezrin基因增强子区的转录调控特性。实验结果显示,在被检测的三种肿瘤细胞中,Ezfin蛋白的表达水平没有明显不同。Ec109细胞中,当ezrin基因-1541／-706N段正向位于无启动子的报告基因上游时,表现出类似启动子的转录激活作用：当这一片段反向连接时转录激活作用几乎消失。当-1541／-706片段正向位于ezrin启动子或SV40启动子上游时,显著增强荧光素酶表达;然而,当这一片段反向位于启动子上游以及正向或反向位于启动子控制的报告基因下游时,转录增强作用消失。ezrin基因-1541／-706N段在CNE2和HeLa细胞中的转录调控作用,与其在EC109细胞中的转录调控作用部分相似,但不完全相同。结果表明,ezrin基因增强子区具有转录激活和转录增强双重作用,这种作用具有DNA序列位置和方向依赖性以及细胞特异性。     

Two distinct action mechanisms of immunophilin-ligand complexes for the blockade of T-cell activation

The immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506 are mediated through binding to immunophilins. Here we show that FK506–FKBP complex suppresses the activation of JNK and p38 pathways at a level upstream of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase (MAPKK-K) besides the calcineurin–NFAT pathway. A238L, a viral gene product that binds to immunophilin, also blocks activation of both pathways. In contrast, direct inhibitors of calcineurin, Cabin 1 and FR901725, suppress the activation of NFAT but not the JNK or p38 pathway. We further demonstrate that co-expression of a constitutively active NFAT and a constitutively active MEKK1 renders the interleukin-2 promoter in Jurkat T lymphocytes resistant to CsA and FK506, whereas Jurkat cells expressing a constitutively active NFAT alone are still sensitive to CsA or FK506. Therefore, CsA and FK506 exert their immunosuppressive effects through targeting both the calcineurin-dependent NFAT pathway and calcineurin-independent activation pathway for JNK and p38.     

Zinc ions suppress mitogen-activated interleukin-2 production in Jurkat cells

Calcineurin (CN) is thought to play an important role in the immune system by regulating cytokine production, for example, interleukin-2 (IL-2) in T-lymphocytes. We have previously shown that physiological concentrations of Zn2+ inhibit CN activity in vitro [K. Takahashi, E. Akaishi, Y. Abe, R. Ishikawa, S. Tanaka, K. Hosaka, Y. Kubohara, Zinc inhibits calcineurin activity in vitro by competing with nickel, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 307 (2003) 64-68], in spite of the fact that Zn2+ is an essential element of the CN catalytic domain. In this study, in order to assess whether Zn2+ regulates (suppresses) CN activity in vivo and whether Zn2+ can be used as an anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive drug, we examined the effects of Zn2+ on IL-2 production induced by the mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), in Jurkat T-cells. Zn2+ at 0.2 mM suppressed ConA-induced IL-2 accumulation in the medium of an in vitro culture of Jurkat cells. Zn2+ at 0.03-0.3 mM dose-dependently suppressed ConA-induced IL-2 mRNA expression in Jurkat cells. Zn2+ also suppressed IL-2 mRNA expression induced by phorbol ester (PMA) and ionomycin. Furthermore, Zn2+ and the immunosuppressant FK506 showed an additive inhibitory effect on ConA-induced IL-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that exogenously added Zn2+ may disturb (increase) the intracellular Zn2+ concentration and inhibit CN activity, thereby suppressing IL-2 production in Jurkat cells. The present study further indicates that Zn2+ may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of T-cell related inflammation and also that Zn2+ may be utilized as a supplemental drug with FK506.     

TH1 and TH2 cytokine inhibition by 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazoles,a novel class of immunomodulators

In order to discover novel immunomodulators for application in treating autoimmune diseases, a stable Jurkat transfectant was constructed in which luciferase reporter gene is driven by a full-length IL-2 promotor. A chemical library was screened to identify compounds that inhibited luciferase expression in Jurkat transfectants stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. A class of compounds (bis-trifluoromethyl pyrazole, BTPs) was identified from this screen. BTPs were shown to inhibit anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibody-induced IL-2 secretion, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and Con A-induced T cell proliferation in normal human peripheral blood T cells. In addition, mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-15, and IFN-gamma were markedly inhibited by BTPs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by Con A as determined by multi-probe RNA protection assay. Furthermore, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma secretion by Hut 78 cells or CD3(+) T cells stimulated with PMA plus ionomycin or anti-CD3 antibody plus PMA were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by BTPs. Therefore, BTPs inhibit a wide spectrum of cytokine production including TH1 and TH2 type cytokines. Taken together, these compounds may be useful for treating autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection.     

Distinct mechanisms of suppression of murine T cell activation by the related macrolides FK-506 and rapamycin.

FK-506 and the structurally related macrolide rapamycin (RAP) were investigated in comparison with cyclosporin A (CsA) for their immunosuppressive effects on murine T cells. All three agents suppressed the proliferation of splenic T cells triggered by lectins or antibodies to CD3 and Ly-6C. FK-506 or CsA also inhibited proliferation, IL-2 production, and IL-2R expression in splenic T cells activated with ionomycin + PMA. However, RAP minimally affected IL-2 production and IL-2R expression in these cells, although it reduced proliferation. Similarly, FK-506 and CsA, but not RAP, suppressed IL-2 production by activated DO.11.10 T hybridoma cells. In such a system, as well as in normal T cells stimulated with high ionomycin concentrations, FK-506 and CsA enhanced proliferation, indicating that they both abrogate negative signals associated with T cell activation. On the contrary, RAP diminished the autonomous proliferation of hybridoma cells, whereas FK-506 and CsA had little effect. The proliferative response induced in D10.G4 cells by IL-1 + ionomycin but not that induced by IL-1 + PMA was sensitive to inhibition by FK-506 and CsA. In contrast, RAP inhibited equally well both types of stimulation. Finally, T cell proliferation driven by IL-2 or IL-4 was found to be relatively resistant to FK-506 or CsA but sensitive to RAP. Altogether, these data demonstrate that FK-506 and CsA alter similar calcium-associated events of T cell activation and block T cell proliferation primarily by suppressing lymphokine production. RAP interferes with a different set of events and inhibits T cells by impairing their response to growth-promoting lymphokines.