体内甲醛交联及染色质免疫沉淀--研究DNA和蛋白质作用的新方法

甲醛交联及染色质免疫沉淀作用研究体内DNA和蛋白质相互作用的一种新方法,在染色质结构研究中获得了广泛的应用。该方法利用甲醛固定活细胞中的DNA与蛋白质,通过免疫沉淀分离复合物,从而分析蛋白质及其体内的DNA结合序列。     

Quantitative Live Imaging of Endogenous DNA Replication in Mammalian Cells

Historically, the analysis of DNA replication in mammalian tissue culture cells has been limited to static time points, and the use of nucleoside analogues to pulse-label replicating DNA. Here we characterize for the first time a novel Chromobody cell line that specifically labels endogenous PCNA. By combining this with high-resolution confocal time-lapse microscopy, and with a simplified analysis workflow, we were able to produce highly detailed, reproducible, quantitative 4D data on endogenous DNA replication. The increased resolution allowed accurate classification and segregation of S phase into early-, mid-, and late-stages based on the unique subcellular localization of endogenous PCNA. Surprisingly, this localization was slightly but significantly different from previous studies, which utilized over-expressed GFP tagged forms of PCNA. Finally, low dose exposure to Hydroxyurea caused the loss of mid- and late-S phase localization patterns of endogenous PCNA, despite cells eventually completing S phase. Taken together, these results indicate that this simplified method can be used to accurately identify and quantify DNA replication under multiple and various experimental conditions.     

Mapping Sites Where Replication Initiates in Mammalian Cells Using DNA Fibers

DNA replication in mammalian chromosomes takes place as a unit of replicon clusters. Here we show a powerful method to detect replication origins and fork movement on DNA fibers from mammalian cells. Cells were loaded with nucleotide analogs, DNA fibers were prepared, and replicated DNA was detected. Using this approach, we could detect origins as close as 10 kb apart and found that the average size of replicon is smaller ( approximately 46 kb) than previously estimated. In addition, the procedure visualizes the complex structure of replicon clusters, e.g. sequential activation of origins in a cluster and flexible initiation sites in different cell cycles. Combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization, replication origins can be mapped in genomic loci including repetitive DNA and a single-copy gene.     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Radial Spoke Head Protein of Sea Urchin Sperm Axonemes: Involvement of the Protein in the Regulation of Sperm Motility

Monoclonal antibodies raised against axonemal proteins of sea urchin spermatozoa have been used to study regulatory mechanisms involved in flagellar motility. Here, we report that one of these antibodies, monoclonal antibody D-316, has an unusual perturbating effect on the motility of sea urchin sperm models; it does not affect the beat frequency, the amplitude of beating or the percentage of motile sperm models, but instead promotes a marked transformation of the flagellar beating pattern which changes from a two-dimensional to a three-dimensional type of movement. On immunoblots of axonemal proteins separated by SDS-PAGE, D-316 recognized a single polypeptide of 90 kDa. This protein was purified following its extraction by exposure of axonemes to a brief heat treatment at 40°C. The protein copurified and coimmunoprecipitated with proteins of 43 and 34 kDa, suggesting that it exists as a complex in its native form. Using D-316 as a probe, a full-length cDNA clone encoding the 90-kDa protein was obtained from a sea urchin cDNA library. The sequence predicts a highly acidic (pI = 4.0) protein of 552 amino acids with a mass of 62,720 Da (p63). Comparison with protein sequences in databases indicated that the protein is related to radial spoke proteins 4 and 6 (RSP4 and RSP6) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which share 37% and 25% similarity, respectively, with p63. However, the sea urchin protein possesses structural features distinct from RSP4 and RSP6, such as the presence of three major acidic stretches which contains 25, 17, and 12 aspartate and glutamate residues of 34-, 22-, and 14-amino acid long stretches, respectively, that are predicted to form α-helical coiled-coil secondary structures. These results suggest a major role for p63 in the maintenance of a planar form of sperm flagellar beating and provide new tools to study the function of radial spoke heads in more evolved species.     

A Protein Kinase-Dependent Block to Reinitiation of DNA Replication in G2 Phase in Mammalian Cells

Eukaryotic cells normally replicate their DNA only once between mitoses. Unlike G1 nuclei, intact G2 nuclei do not replicate during incubation inXenopusegg extract. However, artificial permeabilization of the nuclear membrane of G2 nuclei allows induction of new initiations byXenopusegg extract. This is consistent with the action of a replication licensing factor which is believed to enter the nucleus when the nuclear membrane breaks down at mitosis. Here, we show that G2 nuclei will initiate a new round of replication in the absence of nuclear membrane permeabilization, if they are preexposed to protein kinase inhibitorsin vivo.Competence to rereplicate is generated within 30 min of drug treatment, well before the scheduled onset of mitosis. This demonstrates that a protein kinase-dependent mechanism is continually active in G2 phase to actively prevent regeneration of replication capacity in mammalian cells. Kinase inhibition in G2 cells causes nuclear accumulation of replication protein A. Rereplication of kinase-inhibited G2 nuclei also depends on factors supplied byXenopusegg extract, which are distinct from those required for replication licensing.     

哺乳动物受精过程中精子和透明带的初级及次级结合

在哺乳动物的受精过程中,获能的精子穿过卵丘细胞层到达卵子透明带后,精子头部便结合在透明带的表面上.精子和透明带的结合可以分为初级结合和次级结合两个阶段,初级结合是指二者在顶体反应之前的结合,次级结合是指二者在顶体反应之后的结合.精子和透明带的结合是精子顶体反应和精子入卵的先决条件,是哺乳动物受精过程中非常重要的环节,涉及到精子以及透明带的多种蛋白质分子之间的相互作用.这方面的研究工作主要是以小鼠为实验对象进行的,在其他哺乳动物中也有很多报道.本文将主要以小鼠为例,概述哺乳动物受精过程中精子和透明带结合的分子机制,并兼述在二者的结合过程中透明带糖蛋白ZP3对精子顶体反应的诱导作用.     

抗人精子蛋白17磁性纳米探针靶向的卵巢癌体内外磁共振成像

用MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)技术探索连接抗人精子蛋白17单克隆抗体(anti-Sp17 mAb)的磁性纳米探针对体外培养及动物体内Sp17+卵巢癌的靶向性。将anti-Sp17mAb连接到表面包覆壳聚糖的超顺磁性氧化铁纳米颗粒上,制成磁性纳米探针anti-Sp17-MNP,用作MRI阴性对比剂。将磁性纳米探针与Sp17+和Sp17-培养的肿瘤细胞共育,进行一系列体外磁共振成像实验。荷瘤小鼠尾静脉注射磁性纳米颗粒,用7T磁共振仪在体成像,观察肿瘤部位的信号变化,并用普鲁士蓝染色肿瘤组织切片,观察有无铁粒子聚集。体外MRI数据显示,anti-Sp17-MNP与细胞靶向结合,并与细胞共育2 h后,Sp17+HO-8910的T2*信号强度比Sp17-HepG2低2倍;anti-Sp17-MNP对肿瘤细胞的靶向作用可被重组人Sp17阻断。7T磁共振仪对动物在体肿瘤成像结果显示,感兴趣区因磁性纳米探针靶向聚集而导致信号降低,并经组织切片普鲁士蓝染色证实。本研究结果表明,用anti-Sp17抗体和新的合成路线制备的纳米探针具有用作MR对比剂进行分子成像的潜能。     

流式细胞仪分离精子法的研究进展

以X精子和Y精子的DNA含量差别为基础的流式细胞仪分离精子技术是有效的哺乳动物性别控制方法。目前,流式细胞仪分离精子的速度与上世纪90年代初期相比已提高了30多倍,以3000个/秒的常规速度分离X精子或Y精子的准确率可达到85%～90%。迄今,用分离精子人工授精已产下了数万头的动物后代,而分离人的精子也开始应用到了避免X染色体连锁遗传疾病的生殖医学工程中。     

Mammalian Centromeres: DNA Sequence, Protein Composition, and Role in Cell Cycle Progression

The centromere is a specialized region of the eukaryotic chromosome that is responsible for directing chromosome movements in mitosis and for coordinating the progression of mitotic events at the crucial transition between metaphase and anaphase. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in the understanding of centromere composition at the protein and DNA level and of the role of centromeres in sister-chromatid cohesion and mitotic checkpoint control.     

Mouse Zygotes Respond to Severe Sperm DNA Damage by Delaying Paternal DNA Replication and Embryonic Development

Mouse zygotes do not activate apoptosis in response to DNA damage. We previously reported a unique form of inducible sperm DNA damage termed sperm chromatin fragmentation (SCF). SCF mirrors some aspects of somatic cell apoptosis in that the DNA degradation is mediated by reversible double strand breaks caused by topoisomerase 2B (TOP2B) followed by irreversible DNA degradation by a nuclease(s). Here, we created zygotes using spermatozoa induced to undergo SCF (SCF zygotes) and tested how they responded to moderate and severe paternal DNA damage during the first cell cycle. We found that the TUNEL assay was not sensitive enough to identify the breaks caused by SCF in zygotes in either case. However, paternal pronuclei in both groups stained positively for γH2AX, a marker for DNA damage, at 5 hrs after fertilization, just before DNA synthesis, while the maternal pronuclei were negative. We also found that both pronuclei in SCF zygotes with moderate DNA damage replicated normally, but paternal pronuclei in the SCF zygotes with severe DNA damage delayed the initiation of DNA replication by up to 12 hrs even though the maternal pronuclei had no discernable delay. Chromosomal analysis of both groups confirmed that the paternal DNA was degraded after S-phase while the maternal pronuclei formed normal chromosomes. The DNA replication delay caused a marked retardation in progression to the 2-cell stage, and a large portion of the embryos arrested at the G2/M border, suggesting that this is an important checkpoint in zygotic development. Those embryos that progressed through the G2/M border died at later stages and none developed to the blastocyst stage. Our data demonstrate that the zygote responds to sperm DNA damage through a non-apoptotic mechanism that acts by slowing paternal DNA replication and ultimately leads to arrest in embryonic development.     

DNA Transfection to Study Translational Control in Mammalian Cells

Mammalian cells respond to changes in their environment by rapid and reversible covalent modification of the translational machinery. In most cases, these modifications involve the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of translation initiation factors (for review see Ref. 1). The modification of translation initiation factors may affect translational activity of either specific mRNAs or general cellular mRNAs. To study the effect of a particular factor or its modification on the translational capacity of an mRNA, there are a number of potential approaches that includein vitrotranslation reactions as well asin vivoexperiments. Generally, experiments initially report a covalent modification that correlates with altered translational capacity of either a specific or a general class of mRNAs. The modification and the particular amino acid residue involved are then identified. Then mutations are made at the modified residue to prevent modification (for example, a serine-to-alanine mutation to prevent phosphorylation) and the effect of the mutant factor on the translation of a target mRNA is tested. The most convenient method for monitoring the effect of a mutant translation factor on translation is the use of transient DNA transfection. However, in certain situations it is desirable to isolate stably transfected cell lines to study the effect of overexpression, underexpression, or expression of a particular mutant translation factor. This article reviews two methods that are routinely used to study translational control that involve either transient or stable DNA transfection.     

Body Composition,and Utilization of Protein and Energy in Growing Rats at Different Dietary Protein to Energy Ratios by Use of Purified Whole Egg Protein

A study has been made on growing rats to investigate the effect of variation in percentage of dietary protein calories from 0 to 50% by the use of purified whole egg protein on the growth, food efficiency, protein efficiency ratio (PER), body composition, and efficiencies of protein and energy utilization.

Body weight gain and PER attained a maximum, and food efficiency reached a plateau at 10 PC% (protein calories percent) in the diet, having a constant metabolizable energy content (410 kcal). Body and liver compositions changed in systematic patterns, where liver lipid content showed a specific increase at 5 PC%.

Body protein retention reached a plateau at 15 PC% but with little difference from the value at 10 PC%, while body lipid retention give a maximum at 10 PC% showing a gradual decrease thereafter.

Throughout the given dietary protein to energy ratios, energy utilization was constant when expressed as the increment of body energy retention divided by the increment of metabolizable energy intake. At and above 12 or 13 PC%, the efficiency of net body protein energy retention against metabolizable energy intake was constant at about 12.5% on the average.     

Proteins binding to DNA and their Relation to Growth in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Analysis of the proteins of mouse fibroblasts which can bind to DNA suggests that one of them may control DNA synthesis.     

Dephosphorylation of Major Sperm Protein (MSP) Fiber Protein 3 by Protein Phosphatase 2A during Cell Body Retraction in the MSP-based Amoeboid Motility of Ascaris Sperm

The crawling movement of nematode sperm requires coordination of leading edge protrusion with cell body retraction, both of which are powered by modulation of a cytoskeleton based on major sperm protein (MSP) filaments. We used a cell-free in vitro motility system in which both protrusion and retraction can be reconstituted, to identify two proteins involved in cell body retraction. Pharmacological and depletion-add back assays showed that retraction was triggered by a putative protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A, a Ser/Thr phosphatase activated by tyrosine dephosphorylation). Immunofluorescence showed that PP2A was present in the cell body and was concentrated at the base of the lamellipod where the force for retraction is generated. PP2A targeted MSP fiber protein 3 (MFP3), a protein unique to nematode sperm that binds to the MSP filaments in the motility apparatus. Dephosphorylation of MFP3 caused its release from the cytoskeleton and generated filament disassembly. Our results suggest that interaction between PP2A and MFP3 leads to local disassembly of the MSP cytoskeleton at the base of the lamellipod in sperm that in turn pulls the trailing cell body forward.     

Mammalian G1- and S-phase checkpoints in response to DNA damage

The ability to preserve genomic integrity is a fundamental feature of life. Recent findings regarding the molecular basis of the cell-cycle checkpoint responses of mammalian cells to genotoxic stress have converged into a two-wave concept of the G1 checkpoint, and shed light on the so-far elusive intra-S-phase checkpoint. Rapidly operating cascades that target the Cdc25A phosphatase appear central in both the initiation wave of the G1 checkpoint (preceding the p53-mediated maintenance wave) and the transient intra-S-phase response. Multiple links between defects in the G1/S checkpoints, genomic instability and oncogenesis are emerging, as are new challenges and hopes raised by this knowledge.     

The Biological and Functional Significance of the Sperm Acrosome and Acrosomal Enzymes in Mammalian Fertilization

The mammalian spermatozoon undergoes continuous modifications during spermatogenesis, maturation in the epididymis, and capacitation in the female reproductive tract. Only the capacitated spermatozoa are capable of binding the zona-intact egg and undergoing the acrosome reaction. The fertilization process is a net result of multiple molecular events which enable ejaculated spermatozoa to recognize and bind to the egg's extracellular coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). Sperm–egg interaction is a species-specific event which is initiated by the recognition and binding of complementary molecule(s) present on sperm plasma membrane (receptor) and the surface of the ZP (ligand). This is a carbohydrate-mediated event which initiates a signal transduction cascade resulting in the exocytosis of acrosomal contents. This step is believed to be a prerequisite which enables the acrosome reacted spermatozoa to penetrate the ZP and fertilize the egg. This review focuses on the formation and contents of the sperm acrosome as well as the mechanisms underlying the induction of the acrosome reaction. Special emphasis has been laid on the synthesis, processing, substrate specificity, and mechanism of action of the acid glycohydrolases present within the acrosome. The hydrolytic action of glycohydrolases and proteases released at the site of sperm-zona binding, along with the enhanced thrust generated by the hyperactivated beat pattern of the bound spermatozoon, are important factors regulating the penetration of ZP. We have discussed the most recent studies which have attempted to explain signal transduction pathways leading to the acrosomal exocytosis.