萤火虫萤光素酶基因构建BIV－LTR启动子表达研究体系

萤火虫萤光素酶基因构建ＢＩＶ－ＬＴＲ启动子表达研究体系刘国文,纪永刚,梁臣,刘淑红,陈启民,耿运琪（南开大学生命科学学院天津３０００７１）关键词萤光虫萤光素酶基因（ｌｕｃ）,ＢＩＶ－ＬＴＲ,ＢＩＶ－ｔａｔ目前使用最广泛的报道基因是细菌的氯霉素乙酰转移...     

含分泌型萤光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因的慢病毒载体的制备与表达分析

目的:制备含分泌型萤光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因的慢病毒载体,为慢病毒载体的进一步广泛应用奠定基础。方法:克隆构建含分泌型萤光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因的转基因载体pCS-gluc-2A-eGFP,酶切与序列分析鉴定其正确后,与包装质粒pCMVHR’Δ8.2、包膜质粒pVSV-G共转染293FT细胞,获得含分泌型萤光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因的重组慢病毒载体;重组慢病毒载体感染A549、Huh7细胞后,用荧光显微镜直接观察报告基因GFP的表达,或取细胞上清实时检测分泌型萤光素酶的表达。结果:制备了含双报告基因的重组慢病毒载体,感染细胞后可以活体观察绿色荧光蛋白的表达,也可以快速灵敏地检测到分泌型萤光素酶的表达。结论:所获含分泌型萤光素酶和绿色荧光蛋白双报告基因的重组慢病毒载体感染效率高,表达易于活体实时检测,灵敏度高。本研究为慢病毒载体的广泛应用奠定了基础。     

特异性导向肝细胞表达和复制的EB病毒载体系统的组建

发展了一种高效的、能将携带外源基因的质粒型ＥＢ病毒载体特异性地导入肝细胞表达的方法。将ＥＢ病毒复制子载体ｐＤＲ２经改造得到携带外源基因的ｐＥＢｌｕｃ质粒。将ｐＥＢｌｕｃ与人工制备的、既保留了ＤＮＡ结合活性又能为肝细胞受体识别并内在化的半乳糖基化组蛋白的ｆｌ组分结合,形成ｐＥＢｌｕｃ－半乳糖基化组蛋白复合物。该复合物通过脱唾液酸糖蛋白受体介导的内吞进入肝细胞并表达。ｐＥＢｌｕｃ质粒在细胞内能稳定存在并自主复制。该系统具有应用于以肝细胞为靶组织的基因治疗的前景。     

Novel hyperbranched dendron for gene transfer in vitro and in vivo

Novel hyperbranched dendron (HD) polymers were synthesized using a low molecular weight poly(ethyleneimine) core (BPEI). Using successive attachment of ethyleneimine moieties to the PEI core, the relative ratio of linear-to-branched structures was lowered from 1.17 to 0.70. We found that the more extensive branching of PEI enables the condensation of plasmid DNA into nanostructures with a size of 70-100 nm. The obtained complexes were stable at least for 3 weeks at 4 degrees C. The HD-DNA complexes prepared using secondary and tertiary amine-containing dendrons exerted a very low cytotoxicity in vitro during a coincubation with cells for 48 h. Using firefly luciferase as a marker of protein expression, we established that HD complexes were efficient in transfecting cells in the presence of serum. Under optimized conditions, the transfection activity at a nitrogen-to-phosphate (N/P) ratio of 6 was approximately six times higher than that of the commercially available polycationic transfection reagent. Bioluminescent imaging of in vivo gene expression using a luciferase reporter gene showed the increase of the signal in the liver and in submandibular lymph nodes in live mice. Our preliminary in vivo gene expression data demonstrates the potential of HD polymers as in vivo transfection agents that could be potentially useful for lymph node gene delivery.     

Expression of highly controllable genes in insect cells using a modified tetracycline-regulated gene expression system

A modified tetracycline-responsive expression system (TRES) for use in insect cells was developed. The TRES contains two components: one encodes a tetracycline-controllable transactivator (tTA) and the other contains a tet operator DNA sequence to drive the luciferase gene. Our results show that the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, an essential part for strong tTA expression in mammalian system, was not functional in insect cells. Thus further modifications were required. Functional tTA was efficiently expressed in Sf9, Sf21, and TN368 cells by the p10 promoter of Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) in plasmid form with virus co-infection. An increase of up to 258-fold of luciferase activity was detected in these cells when both components in modified TRES were co-transfected. In order to further simplify the experiment, tTA, which is driven by the p10 promoter, was inserted into AcMNPV. Luciferase activity was also strongly stimulated by the infection of this tTA expression-recombinant virus with the transfection of a plasmid containing the second TRES component expressing luciferase. The luciferase expressions in these systems, either in plasmids or the tTA gene in virus and luciferase in plasmid, were significantly suppressed by tetracycline. The time course kinetics of tetracycline action to the TRES were further studied. Within a time span of 50 h, the luciferase activities could be fully suppressed or activated, respectively, corresponding to the addition or removal of tetracycline. These experiments have established a well-regulated gene expression system for further broad applications of molecular biological studies in insect cells.     

Quantitative bioluminescence imaging of transgene expression in vivo

Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) is a widely used in vivo method to determine the location and relative intensity of luciferase expression in mice. Luciferase expression is observed following an i.p. dose of d-luciferin, resulting in bioluminescence that is detected in anesthetized mice by a charge-coupled device camera. To establish whether BLI could be used as a quantitative measurement of non-viral-mediated luciferase expression, precise quantities of plasmid DNA encoding the luciferase gene were hydrodynamically dosed in mice. The results established a linear correlation between the DNA dose and the BLI response measured in liver which spanned five orders of magnitude. The level of luciferase expression was found to be a direct function of d-luciferin dose. The time course of luciferase expression and the influence of multidosing of substrate were measured by BLI. The recovery of luciferase from the liver of hydrodynamically dosed mice allowed calibration of the BLI measurements. The results establish BLI's limit-of-detection at 20 pg of luciferase per liver following a hydrodynamic dose of 100 pg of plasmid DNA. These results demonstrate that BLI is both sensitive and linear and should allow for the direct comparison of the efficiency of gene transfer vectors that target the liver.     

人Tudor-SN基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因表达质粒的构建及活性检测

目的 将人类Tudor-SN基因的启动子序列片段定向连入pGL3-Basic质粒载体,并进行鉴定和启动子活性检测.方法 以HeLa细胞全基因组DNA为模板,PCR法扩增出目的基因,利用XhoⅠ和HindⅢ双酶切法将目的片段连接到pGL3-Basic载体上.再将构建成功的pGL3-Basic-Tudor-SN-promoter重组质粒和内参质粒β-gal瞬时共转染入宫颈癌HeLa细胞,培养48 h后检测萤火虫荧光素酶活性.结果 双酶切和基因测序法鉴定构建的重组质粒无误,转染重组质粒后可检测到萤火虫荧光素酶活性.结论 成功构建了人类Tudor-SN基因启动子重组质粒,为Tudor-SN蛋白基因调控机制的研究奠定基础.     

CKLFSF1基因与CKLFSF2基因间存在的顺式作用元件

探讨趋化素样因子超家族成员 1,2基因 (CKLFSF1基因与CKLFSF2基因 )间的短序列对其下游基因表达的调控作用 .运用PCR技术扩增CKLFSF1基因与CKLFSF2基因间的序列 ,将此片段插入含有萤光素酶 (luciferase)报告基因载体上 .以磷酸钙介导基因转染技术 ,将重组质粒以及阴性和阳性对照组质粒转染到HeLa细胞 ,进行瞬时表达分析 .在pGL3 Basic质粒中的报告基因萤光素酶无表达 ,但将CKLFSF1与CKLFSF2基因间的序列插入到启动子上游或下游后 ,显著抑制其下游基因的表达 ,萤光素酶活性明显降低 .结果提示 ,CKLFSF1与CKLFSF2基因间的序列不具有启动子活性 ,但是该序列对其下游基因表达具有负调控作用     

一种原位示踪外源目的基因表达载体的构建

应用分子克隆技术 ,分别将增强型绿色荧光蛋白 (enhancedgreenfluorescentprotein ,EGFP)、内部核糖体进入位点 (internalribosomeentrysite,IRES)和编码H-ras基因C端 2 0个氨基酸的DNA(rasc2 0 )片段插入真核表达载体pcDNA3,构建真核重组表达载体并将其命名为pZX。通过脂质体介导将该载体转染人宫颈癌细胞系HeLa ,培养过夜后在荧光显微镜下观察绿色荧光蛋白在细胞内的分布 ,并与pEGFP-C3质粒DNA转染该细胞系进行比较。结果表明 ,转染pZX载体的实验组细胞膜发出绿色荧光 ,而对照组绿色荧光则均匀弥散于整个细胞中 ,工具性载体pZX已构建成功     

呼吸道黏蛋白5AC基因转录表达的顺式调控元件分析

目的：探讨呼吸道黏蛋白（mucin,MUC）5AC基因5'上游序列顺式调控元件在中性粒细胞弹力酶(neutrophil elastase , NE)诱导MUC5AC基因转录表达的调控机制。方法：应用DNA重组技术,构建含萤光素酶报告基因和MUC5AC启动子不同长度片段的嵌合质粒。采用定点突变技术,在嵌合质粒的基础上构建MUC5AC启动子区特殊蛋白（specificity protein）-1和核因子(nuclear factor, NF)-κB结合位点单独突变体,并测定NE刺激的转染细胞荧光素酶相对活性。结果：成功构建了4种含有不同长度MUC5AC基因启动子序列的荧光索酶报告基因质粒。含有启动子序列-1330bp、-689bp、-324bp的嵌合质粒荧光素酶相对光强度较对照组均显著增加,而含有启动子序列-64bp的嵌合质粒荧光素酶相对光强度与对照组相比差异无统计学意义。NE可诱导含有MUC5AC启动子区NF-кB结合位点单独突变体（pGL3E-MUC5AC-NF-кB-MU）荧光素酶相对光强度增加,而NE不能诱导Sp-l结合位点单独突变体（pGL3E-MUC5AC-SP-1-MU）荧光素酶表达增加。结论：MUC5AC 5'上游序列中-324～-64位点存在参与NE诱导MUC5AC基因表达的重要调控元件,位于此区域的顺式作用元件Sp-1位点在NE诱导MUC5AC基因表达机制中起重要作用,该位点可能作为靶向性基因治疗的关键调控元件。     

Up to 100-Fold Increase of Apparent Gene Expression in the Presence of Epstein-Barr Virus oriP Sequences and EBNA1: Implications of the Nuclear Import of Plasmids

A 100-fold increase in luciferase activity was observed in 293 cells, stably expressing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1; 293-EBNA1 cells), that had been transiently transfected with plasmids carrying Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oriP sequences. This increase was observed in comparison to reporter gene activity obtained after transfection with a plasmid carrying no oriP sequences. The luciferase gene on these plasmids was under the control of either the cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 gene enhancer-promoter (CMV IE1) or the Rous sarcoma virus promoter. The increase of reporter gene activity was not due to plasmid replication, since a similar enhancement was observed in the presence of aphidicolin, an inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis, or after deletion of the dyad symmetry (DS) element within oriP. Luciferase production was not increased in the presence of only the DS element. Microinjection of plasmids carrying the CMV IE1 promoter-driven luciferase gene with or without oriP sequences into the nuclei of 293-EBNA1 cells resulted in a 17-fold increase in luciferase activity. Cytoplasmic injection of these plasmids led to an enhancement of luciferase activity of up to 100-fold. This difference in the factor of activation after nuclear or cytoplasmic injection could be ascribed to increased transport of plasmids carrying oriP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in the presence of EBNA1. These data suggest the possibility of substantially increasing the apparent expression of a gene under the control of a strong constitutive promoter in the presence of oriP sequences and EBNA1. This improvement in expression is due to intranuclear enhancement of gene expression. oriP-specific transport of plasmid DNA from the cytoplasm of 293-EBNA1 cells to the nucleus seems to contribute to the observed effect.     

PhiC31 integrase mediates integration in cultured synovial cells and enhances gene expression in rabbit joints

BACKGROUND: Gene transfer to synovium in joints has been shown to be an effective approach for treating pathologies associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related joint disorders. However, the efficiency and duration of gene delivery has been limiting for successful gene therapy for arthritis. The transient gene expression that often accompanies non-viral gene delivery can be prolonged by integration of vector DNA into the host genome. We report a novel approach for non-viral gene therapy to joints that utilizes phage phiC31 integrase to bring about unidirectional genomic integration. METHODS: Rabbit and human synovial cells were co-transfected with a plasmid expressing phiC31 integrase and a plasmid containing the transgene and an attB site. Cells were cultured with or without G418 selection and the number of neo-resistant colonies or eGFP cells determined, respectively. Plasmid rescue, PCR query, and DNA sequence analysis were performed to reveal integration sites in the rabbit and human genomes. For in vivo studies, attB-reporter gene plasmids and a plasmid expressing phiC31 integrase were intra-articularly injected into rabbit knees. Joint sections were used for histological analysis of beta-gal expression, and synovial cells were isolated to measure luciferase expression. RESULTS: We demonstrated that co-transfection of a plasmid expressing phiC31 integrase with a plasmid containing the transgene and attB increased the frequency of transgene expression in rabbit synovial fibroblasts and primary human RA synoviocytes. Plasmid rescue and DNA sequence analysis of plasmid-chromosome junctions revealed integration at endogenous pseudo attP sequences in the rabbit genome, and PCR query detected integration at previously characterized integration sites in the human genome. Significantly higher levels of transgene expression were detected in vivo in rabbit knees after intra-articular injection of attB-reporter gene plasmids and a plasmid expressing phiC31 integrase. CONCLUSION: The ability of phiC31 integrase to facilitate genomic integration in synovial cells and increase transgene expression in the rabbit synovium suggests that, in combination with more efficient DNA delivery methods, this integrase system could be beneficial for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other joint disorders.     

In vivo gene transfer using cetylated polyethylenimine

This report describes gene transfer in vitro as well as in vivo using cetylated low-molecular mass (600 Da) polyethylenimine (28% of amine groups substituted with cetyl moieties), termed CT-PEI. This compound is hydrophobic and has to be incorporated into liposomes in order to be suitable for gene transfer studies. Serum-induced plasmid DNA degradation assay demonstrated that CT-PEI-containing liposomal carriers could protect complexed DNA (probably via condensation). In vitro luciferase gene expression achieved using medium supplemented with 10% serum was comparable to that achieved in serum-reduced medium and was highest for CT-PEI/cholesterol liposomes, followed by CT-PEI/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes and PEI 600 Da (uncetylated) carrier. In vivo systemic transfer into mice was most efficient when liposome formulations contained CT-PEI and cholesterol. Higher luciferase expression was then observed in lungs than in liver. In conclusion: liposomes containing cetylated polyethylenimine and cholesterol are a suitable vehicle for investigating systemic plasmid DNA transfer into lungs.     

人p53启动子萤光素酶报告基因的构建及其活性测定

目的：克隆p53基因的启动子,插入萤光素酶报告基因载体,并检测启动子活性。方法：采用PCR技术从人肝癌细胞系HepG2基因组中扩增人p53启动子,插入萤光素酶报告基因载体pGL4．0-empty,将重组质粒转染293T、ZR75-1、HepG2、A549细胞,测定p53启动子的转录活性。结果：构建了p53启动子的萤光素酶报告基因;通过测序及质粒酶切鉴定,所构建的p53启动子正确;活性实验表明,报告基因在多种细胞中显示构建的p53启动子活性,并呈现一定的剂量效应;转录因子USF能以剂量效应方式提高p53报告基因的转录活性。结论：克隆了人p53启动子,为进一步研究调控p53的转录因子奠定了基础。     

萤光素酶表达质粒pEE14.1-luc的构建及表达

目的:为研究10 kb以上DNA疫苗质粒的体内电穿孔递送,构建萤光素酶报告基因表达质粒p EE14.1-luc,并验证其表达。方法:从质粒p GL3-CMV中通过酶切、补平和纯化的方法获得萤光素酶基因luc,克隆入p EE14.1载体,构建重组表达质粒p EE14.1-luc,瞬时转染293T细胞,采用Western印迹、流式细胞术和免疫荧光等方法对萤光素酶基因在体外的表达情况进行验证,并运用活体成像仪检测萤光素酶基因在小鼠活体内的表达。结果:经菌液PCR鉴定和测序验证,p EE14.1-luc与预期设计完全一致;流式细胞术检测luc阳性表达率为22.41%,免疫荧光检测可见绿色荧光表达,Western印迹检测在相对分子质量为62×103处显现目的蛋白条带;同时,利用活体成像技术也检测到萤光素酶基因在小鼠活体内的表达。结论:p EE14.1-luc表达质粒构建成功,为研究DNA疫苗体内表达机制和体内电穿孔递送条件优化奠定了基础。     

Protamine Sulfate Provides Enhanced and Reproducible Intravenous Gene Transfer by Cationic Liposome/DNA Complex

Abstract

A novel lipid/polycation/DNA (LPD) formulation has been developed for in vivo gene transfer. It involves the condensation of plasmid DNA with protamine sulfate, a cationic polypeptide, followed by the addition of DOTAP cationic liposomes. Compared with DOTAP/DNA complex, LPD offers greater protection of plasmid DNA against enzymatic digestion and gives consistently higher gene expression in mice via tail vein injection. The in vivo efficiency of LPD was dependent upon charge ratio and was also affected by the lipid used. Increasing the amount of DNA delivered induced an increase in gene expression. The optimal dose was approximately 50 μg per mouse, at which concentration approximately 10 ng luciferase protein per mg extracted tissue protein could be detected in the lung. Gene expression in the lung was detected as early as 1 h after injection, peaked at 6 h, and declined thereafter. Using LacZ as a reporter gene, it was shown that endothelial cells were the primary locus of transgene expression in both lung and spleen. No sign of inflammation in these organs was noticed. Since protamine sulfate has been proven to be non-toxic and only weakly immunogenic in humans, this novel vector may be useful for the clinical use of gene therapy.     

Gene transfer into adult rat spinal cord using naked plasmid DNA and ultrasound microbubbles

BACKGROUND: Although gene therapy might become a promising approach to treat spinal cord injury, the safety issue is a serious consideration in human gene therapy. Plasmid DNA transfer is safer than viral vectors, but the transfection efficiency is quite low. To overcome the problem, we applied the ultrasound microbubbles-mediated transfection method to the spinal cord in adult rats, since ultrasound microbubbles have been reported to be efficient to increase transfection efficiency in various tissues. METHODS: After exposing T9-10 spinal cord with a laminectomy, we injected a mixture of naked plasmid DNA and microbubbles into cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture. Then, the T9-10 spinal cord was exposed to ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: An ultrasound intensity of 0.4-0.5 W/cm2 significantly increased luciferase expression up to approximately 15-60-fold at the insonated level as compared to naked plasmid DNA alone. Luciferase activity could be detected at least up to 7 days after transfection, while the expression level was almost returned to undetectable level at 14 days after transfection. The transfected cells were mainly meningeal cells in the surface of insonated spinal cord. There was no obvious evidence of worsening of neurological deficits as compared to rats transfected with naked plasmid DNA alone or untransfected rats. Similarly, successful gene transfer was also achieved in the insonated T9-10 spinal cord after spinal cord injury. Overall, the present study demonstrated the feasibility of ultrasound microbubbles-mediated plasmid DNA transfer into the target level of the spinal cord.     

Receptor-targeted recombinant adenovirus conglomerates: a novel molecular conjugate vector with improved expression characteristics.

To develop improved strategies for gene transfer to hematopoietic cells, we have explored targeted gene transfer using molecular conjugate vectors (MCVs). MCVs are constructed by condensing plasmid DNA containing the gene of interest with polylysine (PL), PL linked to a replication-incompetent adenovirus (endosomolytic agent), and PL linked to streptavidin for targeting with biotinylated ligands. In this report, we compare gene transfer to K562 cells by using the previously described transferrin-targeted MCV (Trans-MCV) to a novel transferrin-targeted MCV. In the novel MCV, the transferred gene (luciferase) is in the genome of recombinant replication-incompetent adenovirus (recMCV), which also acts as the endosomolytic agent. The level of luciferase gene expression was fivefold higher in K562 cells transfected with Trans-recMCV than in cells transfected with Trans-MCV. Furthermore, targeted transfection with recMCV resulted in prolonged luciferase expression that declined 14 to 20 days after transfection, in comparison with Trans-MCV, where luciferase expression declined by 4 to 8 days. Moreover, targeted transfection of K562 cells with the Trans-recMCV resulted in persistent luciferase gene expression for 6 months. Analysis of luciferase gene expression in K562 single-cell clones that were subcloned 5 weeks after transfection with Trans-recMCV showed that 35 to 50% of the single-cell clones had intermediate to high levels of luciferase gene expression that was stable for 6 months, with the remaining clones showing low or no luciferase gene expression. Stable gene expression was associated with integration of adenovirus sequences into genomic DNA.     

基于萤火虫荧光素酶报告基因检测凋亡的系统构建及鉴定

为构建一个能够快速检测凋亡的含荧光素酶报告基因 (Fluc) 的真核表达质粒,采用PCR的方法将Caspase-3的识别基序Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD) 四个氨基酸引入至Fluc基因的C端和N端之间;同时选取Asp-Glu-Val-Gly (DEVG) 四个氨基酸作为阴性对照。随后重组片段分别克隆至分离型内含肽的N端和C端之间,并命名为pFluc-DEVD和pFluc-DEVG。将该表达质粒与海肾荧光素酶报告质粒 (RLUC) 同时转染至HeLa细胞,通过双荧光素酶报告基因和Western blotting实验检测细胞凋亡水平。双荧光素酶报告基因系统实验结果显示,当发生凋亡时,pFluc-DEVD质粒组表达的萤火虫荧光素酶的含量高出pFluc-DEVG质粒组约3倍。Western blotting检测结果显示,转染pFluc-DEVD质粒的细胞在凋亡药物刺激后,Fluc活化的蛋白显著增多,且Caspase-3 的活化程度与Fluc的表达呈正相关,并有显著的统计学差异。以上结果表明,pFluc-DEVD真核表达质粒表达的萤火虫荧光素酶蛋白能被细胞内的Caspase-3酶裂解,且该质粒能够精确地反映出细胞的凋亡水平,为后续进行凋亡定量检测提供了一个可借鉴的方法。