神经细胞粘连分子L1胞外域段对小鼠原代培养神经元的影响及其脑特异性表达转基因小鼠的构建

神经细胞粘连分子L1是神经系统发育过程中介导细胞-细胞相互作用的重要分子。L1能启动轴突的延伸并与神经细胞迁移有关,在神经系统发育和维持方面起重要作用。L1基因突变会导致智力迟钝,痉挛性截瘫,脑积水和其他的发育异常。L1基因突变导致遗传性神经细胞疾病的分子机理目前还不清楚,本研究介绍L1转基因小鼠的构建。在小鼠神经细胞粘连分子L1细胞外区段(L1ECD)cDNA的末端上加一终止密码子后,置于神经系统特异性的pCAMKⅡ启动子之后,构建成L1ECD转基因DNA。为验证构建物的正确性,将其与真核细胞表达载体pCEP4连接并转染C6细胞,实现了L1ECD在C6细胞中的表达,并观察了L1ECD对体外培养的C6细胞和原代培养的神经元的效应。采用显微注射的方法将L1ECD转基因DNA导入小鼠受精卵,产出的仔鼠经尾组织基因组DNA Southern杂交分析和组织RNA Northern杂交分析,证明L1ECD转基因DNA已整合在转基因小鼠基因组内,并呈脑特异性表达。     

神经组织特异表达CTF1转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立神经组织特异表达CTF1的转基因模型小鼠,为研究CTF1生物学功能及与老年痴呆等疾病发病机制的关系提供工具动物。方法把CTF1基因插入神经组织特异的启动子PDGF下游,构建转基因表达载体,显微注射法建立C57BL/6J CTF1转基因小鼠。PCR鉴定转基因小鼠基因型,采用Western Blot方法鉴定CTF1在脑组织中的表达,对转基因小鼠脑组织进行石蜡切片,HE染色,显微镜观察组织结构形态的改变。结果建立了2个不同表达水平的CTF1转基因小鼠品系。转入的CTF1基因在脑组织的表达水平均高于同龄对照小鼠。组织学分析显示CTF1转基因小鼠大小脑组织基本结构形态未见异常。结论成功建立了稳定遗传的神经组织特异表达CTF1转基因小鼠品系,为CTF1的生物学功能及与老年痴呆等疾病发病机制关系的研究提供了有力的模型工具。     

心脏特异性表达KCNQ1^（V180L）转基因小鼠的建立及表型分析

目的建立心脏特异性表达KCNQ1^V180 L转基因小鼠,为研究KCNQ1基因功能及其突变与心律失常性心脏疾病的关系提供工具动物。方法把KCNQ1^V180 L基因插入α-MHC启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,显微注射法建立C57BL/6J KCNQ1^V180 L转基因小鼠,PCR鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型,采用Western Blot鉴定KCNQ1^V180 L在心脏组织中的表达,记录转基因小鼠死亡情况,超声分析转基因小鼠心脏结构形态和功能改变,心电分析转基因小鼠心肌电生理变化。结果建立了2个心脏组织特异性表达KCNQ1^V180 L转基因小鼠品系。转基因小鼠离乳前即出现猝死;超声检查显示转基因小鼠左心室内径变短,心室壁变厚,短轴缩短率增加;心电分析显示其心室复极异常。结论 KCNQ1^V180 L转基因小鼠具有临床长QT综合征类似的病理改变,可作为研究KCNQ1基因功能及其突变与心律失常发病机制的疾病动物模型。     

Identification and immunocytochemical analysis of DCNP1, a dendritic cell-associated nuclear protein.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Among so-called professional APCs, only DCs can activate naive T cells to initiate immune response. To better understand molecular mechanisms underlying unique functions of DCs, we searched for genes specifically expressed in human DCs, using PCR-based cDNA subtraction in conjunction with differential screening. cDNAs generated from CD34(+) stem cell-derived CD1a(+) DC were subtracted with cDNA from monocytes and used for generation of a cDNA library. The cDNA library was differentially screened to select genes expressed in DCs more abundantly than in monocytes. We identified a gene encoding a protein composed of 244 amino acids, which we designated as DCNP1 (dendritic cell nuclear protein 1). In Northern blot analysis, DCNP1 mRNA was highly expressed in mature DCs and at a lower level in immature DCs. In contrast, monocytes and B cells do not express the gene. In multiple human tissue Northern blot analysis, expression of DCNP1 was detected in brain and skeletal muscle. To examine subcellular localization of DCNP1, we performed immunofluorescence analysis using an anti-DCNP1 polyclonal antibody and found the molecule to be localized mainly in the perinucleus. In an immunohistochemical analysis, we compared the expression of DCNP1 with CD68, a marker for DCs and macrophages, in spleen, lymph node, liver, and brain. While DCNP1-positive cells showed a similar tissue distribution to CD68-positive cells, the number of DCNP1-positive cells was much smaller than that of CD68-positive cells. Our findings are consistent with the proposal that DCNP1 is specifically expressed in DCs.     

小鼠Binlb基因的抗菌活性研究及其转基因小鼠的建立

我们在真核细胞中表达了小鼠Binlb基因,证实了它的抗菌活性,并进一步证明了该蛋白C端融合HA抗原决定簇后基本不影响蛋白的生物活性,为开展这一蛋白的转基因小鼠工作提供了较理想的转基因材料。同时我们利用四环素调控的基因表达系统(Tet-on系统)分别建立了附睾专一性表达rtTA的转基因小鼠和由TRE控制的mBinlb-HA的转基因阳性小鼠。这项研究对于我们理解mBinlb在体内的生理和病理作用提供了进一步研究的基础。     

Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding the rat neural cell adhesion molecule L1. Two L1 isoforms in the cytoplasmic region are produced by differential splicing

We have isolated and sequenced a full-length cDNA encoding the rat neural cell adhesion molecule L1. The deduced amino acid sequence as a whole shows high homology to mouse L1 sequence. In addition to this complete form of L1, we found an isoform, L1cs, which lacks four amino acid residues (RSLE) in the cytoplasmic domain and probably is derived from the same single L1 gene by tissue-specific alternative splicing. While L1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the brain, L1cs mRNA was found exclusively in peripheral nervous tissue. Differential splicing in the highly conserved cytoplasmic domain may play an important role in modulating the function of L1 in different cells.     

Aging sensitizes toward ROS formation and lipid peroxidation in PS1M146L transgenic mice

Mutations in the presenilins (PS) account for the majority of familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) cases. To test the hypothesis that oxidative stress can underlie the deleterious effects of presenilin mutations, we analyzed lipid peroxidation products (4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant defenses in brain tissue and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in splenic lymphocytes from transgenic mice bearing human PS1 with the M146L mutation (PS1M146L) compared to those from mice transgenic for wild-type human PS1 (PS1wt) and nontransgenic littermate control mice. In brain tissue, HNE levels were increased only in aged (19-22 months) PS1M146L transgenic animals compared to PS1wt mice and not in young (3-4 months) or middle-aged mice (13-15 months). Similarly, in splenic lymphocytes expressing the transgenic PS1 proteins, mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS levels were elevated to 142.1 and 120.5% relative to controls only in cells from aged PS1M146L animals. Additionally, brain tissue HNE levels were positively correlated with mitochondrial ROS levels in splenic lymphocytes, indicating that oxidative stress can be detected in different tissues of PS1 transgenic mice. Antioxidant defenses (activities of antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn-SOD, GPx, or GR) or susceptibility to in vitro oxidative stimulation was unaltered. In summary, these results demonstrate that the PS1M146L mutation increases mitochondrial ROS formation and oxidative damage in aged mice. Hence, oxidative stress caused by the combined effects of aging and PS1 mutations may be causative for triggering neurodegenerative events in FAD patients.     

London/Swedish双突变APP转基因小鼠的鉴定

鉴定及评价APP双突变阿尔茨海默病的转基因小鼠模型。方法将London/Swedish双突变APP基因插入到PDGF启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L双突变转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。PCR鉴定APP695双突变转基因小鼠的基因表型,RT-PCR和Western blotting检测APP突变基因表达,免疫组化检测APP695双突变转基因小鼠大脑病理改变。水迷宫检测APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠的行为学改变。结果建立了2个品系的人APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠。抗Aβ1-17免疫组织化学显示APP695双突变转基因小鼠海马区阳性细胞数较APP695^V652I单突变转基因小鼠,及野生小鼠阳性细胞数明显增多,胞膜着色明显加深。双突变转基因小鼠在5月龄时可检测到老年斑。行为学检测显示APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L双突变转基因小鼠学习记忆能力比APP695^V652I单突变转基因小鼠有明显下降。结论APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠较APP695^V652I转基因小鼠更早出现老年斑及学习认知能力障碍。成功建立了人APP695^V652I/K596N/M597L转基因小鼠阿尔茨海默病模型,为研究阿尔茨海默病发病机制和药物研发提供了有价值的动物模型。     

Widespread expression of the Supv3L1 mitochondrial RNA helicase in the mouse

Supv3L1 is an evolutionarily conserved helicase that plays a critical role in the mitochondrial RNA surveillance and degradation machinery. Conditional ablation of Supv3L1 in adult mice leads to premature aging phenotypes including loss of muscle mass and adipose tissue and severe skin abnormalities. To get insights into the spatial and temporal expression of Supv3L1 in the mouse, we generated knock-in and transgenic strains in which an EGFP reporter was placed under control of the Supv3L1 native promoter. During development, expression of Supv3L1 begins at the blastocyst stage, becomes widespread and strong in all fetal tissues and cell types, and continues during postnatal growth. In mature animals reporter expression is only slightly diminished in most tissues and continues to be highly expressed in the brain, peripheral sensory organs, and testis. Together, these data confirm that Supv3L1 is an important developmentally regulated gene, which continues to be expressed in all mature tissues, particularly the rapidly proliferating cells of testes, but also in the brain and sensory organs. The transgenic mice and cell lines derived from them constitute a valuable tool for the examination of the spatial and temporal aspects of Supv3L1 promoter activity, and should facilitate future screens for small molecules that regulate Supv3L1 expression.     

Prostate-specific expression of p53(R172L) differentially regulates p21, Bax, and mdm2 to inhibit prostate cancer progression and prolong survival

Loss of heterozygosity or mutation at the p53 tumor suppressor gene locus is frequently associated with advanced human prostate cancer. Hence, replacement p53 gene therapy may prove to be efficacious for this disease. While many mutations result in p53 molecules with oncogenic properties, other variants may possess wild-type properties with increased tumor suppressor activity. We have chosen to investigate the activity of a naturally occurring variant p53 molecule, p53(R172L), carrying an arginine-to-leucine mutation at codon 172. We demonstrate that p53(R172L) can differentially activate expression of genes involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis in vitro. Transgenic mice expressing a subphysiological level of a p53(R172L) minigene (PB-p53(R172L)) in the prostate epithelium were generated and bred to the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model of prostate cancer. While PB-p53(R172L) transgenic mice developed normally with no detectable prostate gland phenotype, we observed a significant increase in the apoptotic index in the prostate glands of TRAMP x PB-p53(R172L) F1 mice. We noted an increase in the expression of Bax in the bigenic mice concomitant with the reduced incidence and rate of tumor growth and increased survival. While low-level expression of the p53(R172L) variant had no obvious influence on normal prostate tissue, it was able to significantly inhibit prostate cancer progression in the context of a genetically predisposed model system. This suggests that additional tumor-related events specifically influence the ability of the variant p53(R172L) molecule to inhibit tumor growth. These studies support gene therapy strategies employing specific p53 variants.     

Identification of Dss1 as a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive gene expressed in keratinocyte progenitor cells,with possible involvement in early skin tumorigenesis

This study identifies genes expressed early in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin carcinogenesis in genetically initiated Tg.AC v-Ha-ras transgenic mice. Keratinocyte progenitor cells from TPA-treated Tg.AC mice were isolated with fluorescence-activated cell sorting and expression was analyzed using cDNA microarray technology. Eleven genes were identified whose expression changed significantly in response to carcinogen treatment. Deleted in split hand/split foot 1 (Dss1) is a gene associated with a heterogeneous limb developmental disorder called split hand/split foot malformation. cDNA microarray expression analysis showed that the mouse homologue of Dss1 is induced by TPA. Dss1 overexpression was detected by Northern blot analysis in early TPA-treated hyperplastic skins and in JB6 Cl 41-5a epidermal cells. Interestingly, Dss1 expression was also shown to be elevated in skin papillomas relative to normal skins, and further increased in squamous cell malignancies. Functional studies by ectopically constitutive expression of Dss1 in JB6 Cl 41-5a preneoplastic cells strongly increased focus formation and proliferation of these cells and enhanced efficiency of neoplastic transformation of the cells in soft agar. These results strongly suggest that Dss1 is a TPA-inducible gene that may play an important role in the early stages of skin carcinogenesis.     

Proteome analysis of ventral midbrain in MPTP-treated normal and L1cam transgenic mice

Treatment of mice by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridene hydrochloride (MPTP) is a well established animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD), while overexpression of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1cam) has been proposed to attenuate the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by MPTP. To gain insight into the role of L1cam in the pathomechanism of PD, we investigated protein expression patterns after MPTP-treatment in both C57BL/6 (wild-type) and transgenic mice overexpressing L1cam in astrocytes. Our results showed that during the acute phase, proteins in functional complexes responsible for mitochondrial, glycolysis, and cytoskeletal function were down-regulated in MPTP-treated wild-type mice. After a recovery phase, proteins that were down-regulated in the acute phase reverted to normal levels. In L1cam transgenic mice, a much higher number of proteins was altered during the acute phase and this number even increased after the recovery phase. Many proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation were still down-regulated and glycolysis related protein were still up-regulated. This pattern indicates a lasting severely impaired energy production in L1cam mice after MPTP treatment.     

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     

Function-Triggering Antibodies to the Adhesion Molecule L1 Enhance Recovery after Injury of the Adult Mouse Femoral Nerve

L1 is among the few adhesion molecules that favors repair after trauma in the adult central nervous system of vertebrates by promoting neuritogenesis and neuronal survival, among other beneficial features. In the peripheral nervous system, L1 is up-regulated in Schwann cells and regrowing axons after nerve damage, but the functional consequences of this expression remain unclear. Our previous study of L1-deficient mice in a femoral nerve injury model showed an unexpected improved functional recovery, attenuated motoneuronal cell death, and enhanced Schwann cell proliferation, being attributed to the persistent synthesis of neurotrophic factors. On the other hand, transgenic mice over-expressing L1 in neurons led to improved remyelination, but not improved functional recovery. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the monoclonal L1 antibody 557 that triggers beneficial L1 functions in vitro would trigger these also in femoral nerve repair. We analyzed femoral nerve regeneration in C57BL/6J mice that received this antibody in a hydrogel filled conduit connecting the cut and sutured nerve before its bifurcation, leading to short-term release of antibody by diffusion. Video-based quantitative analysis of motor functions showed improved recovery when compared to mice treated with conduits containing PBS in the hydrogel scaffold, as a vehicle control. This improved recovery was associated with attenuated motoneuron loss, remyelination and improved precision of preferential motor reinnervation. We suggest that function-triggering L1 antibodies applied to the lesion site at the time of injury over a limited time period will not only be beneficial in peripheral, but also central nervous system regeneration.     

MTA1转基因小鼠的构建及鉴定

目的将人的MTAl外源基因整合到C57BL／6J小鼠中,构建稳定高表达MTAl的小鼠模型。方法通过RT—PCR方法克隆人的MTAl编码序列,将MTAl插入真核表达载体pcDNA3．1构建pcDNA3．1-MTAl载体,回收片段后利用显微注射技术将目的基因片段注入到受精卵的雄原核中,使用MTAl特异性的引物经PCR鉴定出基因型阳性的转基因小鼠,再利用Western—blot及免疫组化方法检测MTAl在转基因小鼠全身级织表达情况。结果成功构建了MTAl转基因注射片段。在320枚显微注射受精卵中挑选出300枚存活卵移植到10只ICR小鼠假孕受体的输卵管中,10只ICR小鼠均怀孕,移植成功率为100％,共生出子代鼠80只,经PCR检测其中共有9只整合了MTAl基因,整合率为11．25％。经PCR鉴定MTAl整合阳性的F1代小鼠,再经Western—blot和免疫组化分析检测MTAl表达水平在脑、肺、肝、肠等组织中表达明显增高,肾、骨骼肌表达无差异。结论成功构建了脑、肝、肺、结肠高表达MTAl的转基因小鼠,为进一步MTAl研究奠定了良好的研究模型。     

Effects of mouse strain, position of integration and tetracycline analogue on the tetracycline conditional system in transgenic mice

The tetracycline conditional system is a very powerful method for achieving control of gene expression in transgenic mice, allowing one to turn expression both off and on in the same animal. We have used it to make a tissue-specific transgenic mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A. This disease is most commonly caused by overexpression of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) in Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. Here we describe the effects of position of integration of the transgene, tetracycline analogue and mouse strain in this model. The small transgenes used to express tTA, the LacZ reporter and the pmp22 cDNA were all very dependent on the position of integration with few of the transgenic lines working successfully. In contrast, the single transgenic made with the 560 kb yeast artificial chromosome construct containing the tTA open reading frame worked well. Tetracycline was found to be cleared from mice relatively fast in comparison with doxycycline and is thus useful if one wants to switch on gene expression after extended periods of administration. Finally, the initial litters were on a mixed genetic background and the level of LacZ or pmp22 expression was very variable between mice. We found that expression became uniform between mice, and occurred in a higher proportion of cells, when the transgenes were crossed onto the CBA/Ca background in comparison with the C57BL/6J background.     

The RGD integrin binding site in human L1-CAM is important for nuclear signaling

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) is a transmembrane cell adhesion molecule initially defined as a promigratory molecule in the developing nervous system. L1 is also overexpressed in a variety of human carcinomas and is associated with bad prognosis. In carcinoma cell lines L1 augments cell motility and metastasis, tumor growth in nude mice and induces expression of L1-dependent genes. It is not known whether L1-signaling requires ligand binding. The RGD motif in the sixth Ig domain of L1 is a binding site for integrins. In the present study we analyzed the role of RGDs in L1-signaling using site-directed mutagenesis combined with antibody blocking studies. We observed that L1-RGE expressing HEK293 cells showed reduced cell–cell binding, cell motility, invasiveness and tumor growth in NOD/SCID mice. The RGE-mutation impaired L1-dependent gene regulation and antibodies to αvβ5 integrin had similar effects. Mutant L1 was unable to translocate to the nucleus. Our findings highlight the importance of the RGD site in L1 for human tumors and suggest that nuclear signaling of L1 is dependent on integrins.     

Production and purification of functional truncated soluble forms of human recombinant L1 cell adhesion glycoprotein from Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells

L1 is a human cell adhesion glycoprotein involved in the development of the central nervous system that comprises six immunoglobulin-like domains (Ig1-Ig6), five fibronectin-type III (FN1-FN5) domains, a single transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic domain. It contains 20 potential N-glycosylation sites and is heavily glycosylated in a variety of cell types. In this work, seven truncated soluble forms including L1 ectodomain (L1/ECD) and Ig domains 5-6 (L1/Ig5-6) have been constructed by PCR and have been cloned, as well as the full-length form (L1), in the stable expression vector for insect cells pMIB/V5-His-TOPO. Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cell lines expressing the truncated forms have been obtained, and all proteins were successfully secreted. L1/ECD and L1/Ig5-6 were produced in shake flasks with productions of 3 and 32 mg/L on the third and fourth day of culture, respectively. When L1/Ig5-6 was produced for four days in 2L bioreactor 200 mg/L protein were recovered from the supernatants on the fourth day of culture. Affinity-purified L1/ECD and L1/Ig5-6 were immobilized on poly-d-lysine coated coverslips, and were shown to be active in inducing neurite outgrowth from human NT2N neurons. Therefore, correctly folded and functional truncated forms of human L1 have been produced in high amounts from insect cells using a stable expression system.