Plasmid amplification-promoting sequences from the origin region of Chinese hamster dihydrofolate reductase gene do not promote position-independent chromosomal gene amplification

Initiation of DNA synthesis occurs with high frequency at oriß, a region of DNA from the amplified dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) domain of Chinese hamster CHOC 400 cells that contains an origin of bidirectional DNA replication (OBR). Recently, sequences from DHFR oriß/OBR were shown to stimulate amplification of cis-linked plasmid DNA when transfected into murine cells. To test the role of oriß/OBR in chromosomal gene amplification, linearized plasmids containing these sequences linked to a DHFR expression cassette were introduced into DHFR- CHO DUKX cells. After selection for expression of DHFR, cell lines that contain a single integrated, unrearranged copy of the linearized expression plasmid were identified and exposed to low levels of the folate analog, methotrexate (MTX). Of seven clonal cell lines containing the vector control, three gained resistance to MTX by 5 to 15-fold amplification of the integrated marker gene. Of 16 clonal cell lines that contained oriß/OBR linked to a DHFR mini-gene, only 6 gained resistance to MTX by gene amplification. Hence, sequences from the DHFR origin region that stimulate plasmid DNA amplification do not promote amplification of an integrated marker gene in all chromosomal contexts. In addition to showing that chromosomal position has a strong influence on the frequency of gene amplification, these studies suggest that the mechanism that mediates the experiment of episomal plasmid DNA does not contribute to the early steps of chromosomal gene amplification.     

Construction of a dominant selectable marker using a novel dihydrofolate reductase.

Simian virus 40 promoter-enhancer-based mammalian expression plasmids using dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)-encoding cDNA sequences originally isolated from two methotrexate (MTX)-resistant, DHFR-overproducing Chinese hamster lung cell lines were constructed. One, designated pSVA75, contains a DHFR cDNA that encodes leucine (Leu22) and corresponds to the wild type (wt), MTX-sensitive form of the enzyme [Melera et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263 (1988) 1978-1990]. The other plasmid, pSVA3, contains a cDNA that encodes a novel mutant form of the enzyme in which Leu22 has been changed to Phe [Melera et al., Mol. Cell Biol. 4 (1984) 38-48]. The resulting DHFR displays a 20-fold-enhanced resistance to inhibition by MTX, but maintains the catalytic activity of the wt enzyme [Albrecht et al., Cancer Res. 32 (1972) 1539-1546]. Transfection of DHFR- Chinese hamster ovary cells with either plasmid demonstrated that both were able to reconstitute the DHFR+ phenotype with equal efficiency (i.e., greater than 2.5 x 10(-3), indicating that both the wt and mutant enzymes were catalytically active in transfected cells. In addition, the mutant form of the enzyme was found to act as a dominant selectable marker when transfected into diploid DHFR+ cells, and to allow selection of resistant clones at low MTX concentrations (125 nM MTX) with a frequency of greater than 8 x 10(-4). Moreover, transfected clones were found to amplify their exogenous DHFR sequences to reasonably high levels (42-fold) at relatively low (888 nM) MTX concentrations, suggesting that substantial amplification of DHFR DNA and cotransfected sequences as well, can be achieved with this vector.     

Construction of a defective retrovirus containing the human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase cDNA and its expression in cultured cells and mouse bone marrow.

Defective ecotropic and amphotropic retroviral vectors containing the cDNA for human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) were developed for efficient gene transfer and high-level cellular expression of HPRT. Helper cell clones which produced a high viral titer were generated by a simplified method which minimizes cell culture. We used the pZIP-NeoSV(X) vector containing a human hprt cDNA. Viral titers (1 X 10(3) to 5 X 10(4)/ml) of defective SVX HPRT B, a vector containing both the hprt and neo genes, were increased 3- to 10-fold by cocultivation of the ecotropic psi 2 and amphotropic PA-12 helper cells. Higher viral titers (8 X 10(5) to 7.5 X 10(6] were obtained when nonproducer NIH 3T3 cells or psi 2 cells carrying a single copy of SVX HPRT B were either transfected or infected by Moloney leukemia virus. The SVX HPRT B defective virus partially corrected the HPRT deficiency (4 to 56% of normal) of cultured rodent and human Lesch-Nyhan cells. However, instability of HPRT expression was detected in several infected clones. In these unstable variants, both retention and loss of the SVX HPRT B sequences were observed. In the former category, cells which became HPRT- (6-thioguanine resistant [6TGr]) also became G418s, indicative of a cis-acting down regulation of expression. Both hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine resistance (HATr) and G418r could be regained by counterselection in hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine. In vitro mouse bone marrow experiments indicated low-level expression of the neo gene in in vitro CFU assays. Individual CFU were isolated and pooled, and the human hprt gene was shown to be expressed. These studies demonstrated the applicability of vectors like SVX HPRT B for high-titer production of defective retroviruses required for hematopoietic gene transfer and expression.     

Expression of erythroid differentiation factor (EDF) in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Plasmid DNA containing EDF subunit cDNA and mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cDNA was transfected into CHO DHFR- cells by the calcium-phosphate method. DHFR positive transformants secreted recombinant EDF (r-EDF) constitutively in an active form and accumulated it in the conditioned medium. Furthermore, cells which were resistant to methotrexate (MTX : 0.5 microM) secreted r-EDF up to 1 microgram/ml. r-EDF was identical to natural EDF (n-EDF) produced by human acute monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, as regards its dimeric structure and a biological activity.     

Expression of amplified cDNA and genomic sequences encoding human interleukin 2 in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Expression of human interleukin 2 (IL-2) at high levels has been achieved in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by amplification of transfected sequences. Plasmids containing the human IL-2 cDNA or genomic DNA and mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cDNA were transfected into DHFR-negative CHO cells. Transformants expressing DHFR were selected in media lacking nucleosides, and cells which amplified both DHFR and IL-2 genes were obtained by exposure to increasing methotrexate (MTX) concentrations. These cell lines constitutively expressed elevated levels of IL-2 at a concentration of 2 mg/liter. These cell lines continued to produce IL-2 stably through at least 1 month, even in the absence of MTX.     

Cloning and expression of the chromosomal immune interferon gene of the rat.

The chromosomal immune interferon gene of the rat (IFN-gamma) was identified by screening a recombinant rat lambda phage library with a human IFN-gamma cDNA probe. In contrast to the genes of other rat IFNs, this rat IFN-gamma chromosomal gene contains introns and its structural organization closely resembles that of the human and murine IFN-gamma genes. The rat IFN-gamma gene encodes a signal sequence of 19 amino acids followed by the mature IFN-gamma protein of 137 amino acids. The gene was expressed under control of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells deficient in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) after co-transformation with a plasmid containing the mouse DHFR gene. Initial transformants with a DHFR+ phenotype produced IFN-gamma titres ranging from 20 to 1600 units/ml. After stepwise increases in the concentration of methotrexate (MTX) in the growth medium of transformed CHO cells, MTX-resistant clones producing 80 000-100 000 units per ml were isolated. Protein analysis of supernatants of these MTX-resistant cells by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a product with an apparent mol. wt. of 18 000 daltons which was not detectable in the growth medium of DHFR+ transformants that did not produce IFN. The product was identified as rat IFN-gamma and constituted approximately 5% of the proteins excreted from these cells.     

A new retrovirus packaging cell for gene transfer constructed from amplified long terminal repeat-free chimeric proviral genes.

The retroviral gene transfer system is a powerful tool for somatic gene therapy. A retroviral stock with a high viral titer and lacking replication-competent virus (RCV) is desirable for this type of gene transfer. To fulfill these requirements, we made a new packaging cell line, designated ampli-GPE. To reduce the homology between proviral DNA in the packaging cell and retroviral vector, the gag-pol and env genes of Moloney murine leukemia virus were separated onto two different plasmids, pGP-KV and pENV-KV, respectively, in which the 5' long terminal repeat and the 3' long terminal repeat had been replaced by the mouse metallothionein I promoter or the human beta-globin gene containing the polyadenylation site as control units for the gag-pol and env genes. In addition, these plasmids contained 69% of the bovine papillomavirus gene for gene amplification to obtain production of virus at a high titer. NIH 3T3 clones containing approximately 20 to 50 copies of the gag-pol and env genes were selected and designated ampli-GPE. When ampli-GPE was transfected with the N2 vector or pZipNeoSV(DHFR) derived from pZipNeoSV(X)1, we established clones producing titers of 5 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(6) CFU/ml, respectively. There was no sign of RCV generation in any virus-producing cells from ampli-GPE. However, virus-producing cells derived from psi 2 cells transfected with N2 did generate RCV. Thus, we showed that ampli-GPE, possessing the minimum complement of proviral genes, has potential for the development of a gene transfer system.     

Mo MLV gag-pol基因在NIH3T3细胞中的表达和鉴定

目的 构建含MoMLV gag-pol基因的重组表达载体,实现其在NIH3T3细胞中稳定表达。方法 应用RT-PCR方法反转录并扩增gag-pol基因,克隆入真核表达载体pcDNA4/HisMaxA上,构建重组表达载体pcDNA4/HisMaxA-gag-pol,用脂质体法转染NIH3T3细胞,Zeocin筛选稳定表达细胞株,通过SDS-PAGE分析检测表明, gag-pol基因在NIH3T3细胞实现了表达,产物相对分子质量(kD)为194.78×103。然后,将逆转录病毒载体导入此细胞系,包装逆转录病毒。用PCR与标记基因补救分析法检测野生型辅助病毒。结果 酶切鉴定的片段大小分别为5.2-kb,与预期大小一致,经Zeocin筛选后获得稳定表达细胞株,SDS-PAGE实验表明产物融合蛋白相对分子质量(kD)为194.78×103,与预期相符。脂质体转染包装细胞,嘌呤霉素加压筛选出高病毒滴度(4.0×106CFU/ml)的细胞克隆,且未检测到辅助病毒。结论 本工作构建的融合表达载体pcDNA4/HisMaxA-gag-pol及其在NIH3T3细胞中的表达,构建成功具有靶向性的逆转录病毒包装细胞系,该细胞系能够包装出高滴度的逆转录病毒,为肝细胞的基因治疗提供了一种新的基因转移系统。     

Amplified inverted duplications within and adjacent to heterologous selectable DNA.

Plasmids containing a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression unit were transfected into DHFR-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Methotrexate exposure was used to select cells with amplified DHFR sequences. Three cell lines were isolated containing amplified copies of transfected DNA that had integrated into the Chinese hamster genome. Plasmid DNA was found to co-amplify with flanking hamster sequences that were repetitive (2 cell lines) and unique (1 cell line). Fragments comprising the junctions of amplified plasmid and CHO DNA were found to exist as inverted duplications in all three cell lines. These observations provide evidence that inverted duplication occurred prior to DNA amplification, thus underscoring the importance of inverted duplication in the DNA amplification process.     

Gene transfer into mammalian cells by a Rous sarcoma virus-based retroviral vector with the host range of the amphotropic murine leukemia virus.

We have constructed and characterized a Rous sarcoma virus-based retroviral vector with the host range of the amphotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV). The chimeric retroviral genome was created by replacing the env coding region in the replication-competent retroviral vector RCASBP(A) with the env region from an amphotropic MLV. The recombinant vector RCASBP-M(4070A) forms particles containing MLV Env glycoproteins. The vector replicates efficiently in chicken embryo fibroblasts and is able to transfer genes into mammalian cells. Vector stocks with titers exceeding 10(6) CFU/ml on mammalian cells can be easily prepared by passaging transfected chicken embryo fibroblasts. Since the vector is inherently defective in mammalian cells, it appears to have the safety features required for gene therapy.     

Comprehensive characterization of dihydrofolate reductase-mediated gene amplification for the establishment of recombinant human embryonic kidney 293 cells producing monoclonal antibodies

Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells with glycosylation machinery have emerged as an alternative host cell line for stable expression of therapeutic glycoproteins. To characterize dihydrofolate reductase/methotrexate (DHFR/MTX)-mediated gene amplification in HEK293 cells, an expression vector containing dhfr and monoclonal antibody (mAb) gene was transfected into dhfr-deficient HEK293 cells generated by knocking out dhfr and dhfrl1 in HEK293E cells. Due to the improved selection stringency, mAb-producing parental cell pools could be generated in the absence of MTX. When subjected to stepwise selection for increasing MTX concentrations such as 1, 10, and 100 nM, there was an increase in the specific mAb productivity (q_mAb) of the parental cell pool upon DHFR/MTX-mediated gene amplification. High producing (HP) clones with a q_mAb of more than 2-fold of the corresponding cell pool could be obtained using the limiting dilution method. The q_mAb of most HP clones obtained from cell pools at elevated MTX concentrations significantly decreased during long-term culture (3 months) in the absence of selection pressure. However, some HP clones could maintain high q_mAb during long-term culture. Taken together, a stable HP recombinant HEK293 cell line can be established using DHFR/MTX-mediated gene amplification together with dhfr⁻ HEK293 host cells.     

SOCS3基因重组腺病毒的构建及其在猪脂肪细胞中的表达

本研究旨在构建细胞因子信号转导抑制因子3(Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3,SOCS3)的重组腺病毒表达载体,获得有感染性的病毒颗粒。以pcDNA3-SOCS3质粒为模板扩增SOCS3基因,将其亚克隆至腺病毒穿梭载体pAdTrack-CMV,经测序验证后,重组的穿梭质粒用PmeI酶切线性化后转化到BJ5183感受态细菌中与其内的骨架载体pAdEasy-1进行同源重组,获得的重组质粒pAd-SOCS3,经PacI线性化后转染至HEK293细胞中进行包装和扩增,纯化后用TCID50法测定病毒滴度。以重组的病毒感染原代培养的猪脂肪细胞后,荧光显微镜下观察报告基因GFP的表达,RT-PCR和Western blotting检测细胞内SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白的表达。重组腺病毒载体pAd-SOCS3经酶切及PCR鉴定正确,病毒滴度为1.2×109PFU/mL;感染原代培养的猪脂肪细胞后,荧光显微镜观察可见报告基因GFP的表达;RT-PCR和Western blotting检测到细胞中SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白的表达显著提高。本研究成功构建了SOCS3基因的重组腺病毒,感染原代培养的猪脂肪细胞可稳定表达SOCS3蛋白,为深入研究SOCS3的功能奠定了基础。     

Microdystrophin基因重组腺病毒的构建及转染mdx骨髓间充质干细胞的表达

构建含有人microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,来感染dystrophin基因敲除小鼠mdx的骨髓间充质干细胞(ＭＳＣ)进行基因修饰,为同种异体基因修饰的干细胞移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定基础。用NotⅠ酶切含microdystrophin基因的pBSK-MICRO质粒,获得microdystrophin基因。片段回收后定向插入腺病毒穿梭质粒pShuttle-CMV,获得重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO。PmeⅠ线性化重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-MICRO,去磷酸化后回收后与腺病毒骨架质粒pAdeasy-1共电转化BJ5183感受态细胞。同源重组后用选择性培养基筛选阳性克隆,提取质粒,用脂质体介导转染293细胞,通过观察293细胞病变及PCR扩增目的基因等方法鉴定重组的腺病毒。然后将病毒上清转染DMD模型鼠mdx小鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞,通过RT-PCR以及间接免疫荧光检测microdystrophin的转录及蛋白表达。成功构建了含有microdystrophin基因的重组腺病毒,病毒滴度为5.58×10¹²vp/mL。间接免疫荧光检测可见microdystrophin蛋白在mdx小鼠MSCs中高效表达。该重组腺病毒载体的构建及成功转染到mdx MSCs内表达为下一步用microdystrophin基因修饰的mdx MSCs进行同种异体移植治疗ＤＭＤ疾病奠定了基础。     

Murine erythroleukemia cell variants: isolation of cells that have amplified the dihydrofolate reductase gene and retained the ability to be induced to differentiate

A series of murine erythroleukemia cell (MELC) variants was generated by selection for the ability to grow in increasing concentrations of the folate antagonist methotrexate (MTX). Growth of the parental MELC strain DS-19 was completely inhibited by 0.1 microM MTX. We isolated cells able to grow in 5, 40, 200, 400, and 800 microM MTX. Growth rates and yields were essentially the same in the presence or absence of the selective dose of MTX for all variants. MTX resistance was not the result of a transport defect. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from our variants and DS-19 was inhibited to the same extent by MTX. Variants had increased dihydrofolate reductase activities. The specific activity of DHFR was proportional to the selective concentration of MTX employed to isolate a given variant. DNA dot blotting established that the cloned variant (MR400-3) had a 160-fold increase in DHFR gene copy number relative to the parental strain (DS-19). Hybridization studies performed in situ established the presence of amplified DHFR genes on the chromosomes of the MTX-resistant but not the MTX-sensitive (parental) cells. Quantitation of DHFR mRNA by cytoplasmic dot blotting established that the amplified DHFR gene expression was proportional to gene copy number. Thus, MTX resistance was due to amplification of the DHFR gene. The variants retained the ability to be induced to differentiate in response to dimethyl sulfoxide and hexamethylenebis(acetamide) as evaluated by the criteria of globin mRNA accumulation, hemoglobin accumulation, cell volume decreases, and terminal cell division.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Class I defective herpes simplex virus DNA as a molecular cloning vehicle in eucaryotic cells

Defective herpes simplex virus type 1 genomes are composed of head-to-tail tandem repeats of small regions of the nondefective genome. Monomeric repeat units of class I defective herpes simplex virus genomes were cloned into bacterial plasmids. The repeat units functioned as replicons since both viral and convalently linked bacterial plasmid DNA replicated (with the help of DNA from nondefective virus) when transfected into rabbit skin cells. Recombinant plasmids were packaged into virions and were propagated from culture to culture by infection with progeny virus. Replication was evidently by a rolling circle mechanism since plasmid DNA was present in a high-molecular-weight form in transfected cells. Circular recombinant plasmid DNA replicated with a high degree of fidelity. In contrast, linear plasmid DNA underwent extensive deletions of both viral and bacterial sequences when transfected into rabbit skin cells. Derivative plasmids, a fraction of the size of the parental plasmid, were rescued by transforming Escherichia coli with DNA from the transfected rabbit skin cells. These plasmids functioned as shuttle vectors since they replicated faithfully in both eucaryotic and procaryotic cells.     

Chromosome instability associated with human alphoid DNA transfected into the Chinese hamster genome.

Repetitive DNA sequences have been implicated in the mediation of DNA rearrangement in mammalian cells. We have tested this hypothesis by using a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression vector into which candidate sequences were inserted. DHFR- Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with this vector, the amplification of which was then selected for by methotrexate (MTX) exposure. Cells transfected with the vector alone (and resistant to 0.02 or 1.0 microM MTX) or with a poly(dG-dT) insert (and resistant to 0.05 or 1.0 microM MTX) showed little change in chromosome aberrations or sister chromatid exchange frequencies. In contrast, transfection of DHFR- CHO cells with a vector containing either of two distinct 0.34-kilobase human alphoid DNA segments (and selection to 0.05 to 10.0 microM MTX) showed an approximately 50% increase in chromosome number and marked changes in chromosome structure, including one or two dicentric or ring forms per cell. The sister chromatid exchange frequency also increased, to more than double the frequency of that in cells transfected without insert or those containing poly(dG-dT). In situ hybridization of one 0.34-kilobase insert in some cells suggested clustering of homologous sequences in structurally abnormal recipient CHO cell chromosomes. The approach described provides an introduction to a unique means for a coordinate molecular and cytological study of dynamic changes in chromosome structure.     

The establishment of IL-2 producing cells by genetic engineering

Expression plasmids containing human interleukin-2(IL-2) cDNA under the control of viral promoters (SV40 early region, MuLV LTR, HTLV-I LTR, and ASV (Y73) LTR) were introduced into TK- mouse L cells and human FL cells to establish IL-2 producing cells. The highest levels of IL-2 producing clones were obtained in TK+ mouse L cells transformed with a recombinant plasmid having MuLV LTR as a promoter, whereas transformed cells of human FL cells (G418r) were revealed to produce IL-2 at the highest level when the cells were transfected with a plasmid containing HTLV LTR as a promoter. These results suggest that these promoter/enhancer regions possess different cell specificities in gene expression. To obtain higher levels of IL-2 production using gene amplification, the hybrid plasmids containing the hamster DHFR and human IL-2 genes were constructed and transfected into DHFR- CHO cells. DHFR+ colonies produced IL-2 at about the same level as that produced by TK+ L cells transformed with the recombinants containing MuLV LTR. Selection of methotrexate-resistant cells resulted in a 5- to 30-fold increase of IL-2 production. These cells produced IL-2 stably for at least 3 months, even in the absence of methotrexate.