TMD2前断裂CFTR翻译后的连接及氯离子通道功能

CFTR基因突变导致一种常染色体隐性遗传疾病——囊性纤维化(CF)。利用split Ssp DnaB intein的蛋白质反式剪接技术的真核细胞双载体转CFTR基因,旨在研究翻译后水平CFTR的连接,以及由其建立的氯离子通道功能。于CFTR膜内第2个跨膜结构域(TMD2)前的Glu838密码子后将其cDNA断裂为N端和C端两部分,与具有蛋白质反式剪接作用的split Ssp DnaB intein编码序列融合,分别插入到载体pEGFP-N1和pEYFP-N1,构建一对真核表达载体pEGFP-NInt和pEYFP-IntC。用脂质体将这对载体共转染至幼年仓鼠肾细胞(BHK),瞬时表达实验用Western blotting观察CFTR蛋白质的连接,并用膜片钳技术记录Cl-通道电流。结果显示,基因共转染细胞呈现完整的CFTR蛋白条带,膜片钳记录到全细胞Cl-电流和单个Cl-通道开放活性。结果表明split Ssp DnaB intein的蛋白质反式剪接技术可用于双载体共转移CFTR基因,为CF基因治疗应用双腺相关病毒载体(AAV)转运CFTR基因,克服AAV的容量限制提供了依据。     

内含肽介导的氯离子通道蛋白CFTR的反式剪接

研究利用内含肽(intein)的蛋白质反式剪接功能在大肠杆菌中对囊性纤维化跨膜传导调节因子(cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, CFTR)的反式剪接作用.CFTR基因突变导致一种常染色体隐性遗传疾病囊性纤维化(cystic fibrosis, CF).将CFTR的cDNA于剪接反应所需的保守性氨基酸残基Ser-660前断裂为N端和C端,分别与split mini Ssp DnaB 内含肽的106个氨基酸残基的N端和48个氨基酸残基的C端编码序列融合,构建到原核表达载体pBV220 诱导表达后SDS-PAGE可见预期大小剪接形成的CFTR蛋白条带,Western印迹用CFTR特异性抗体进一步证明为剪接所产生的CFTR蛋白,表明内含肽可有效催化CFTR的反式剪接.     

双Intein介导3片段vWF的反式剪接

von Willebrand因子(vWF)基因突变导致血管性血友病(VWD),由于其基因过大在基因治疗研究中难以为多数病毒载体携带.利用双内含肽(intein)的蛋白质反式剪接功能研究断裂成3段的vWF基因分别表达后在蛋白水平的连接,旨在为vWF基因的3载体联合转移应用于VWD基因治疗研究提供依据.将vWF cDNA于满足剪接所需的保守性氨基酸Cys1099、Ser2004的密码子前断裂为3段(N、M和C),分别与splitSspDnaE intein的N端(En)、C端(Ec)和splitSspDnaB intein的N端(Bn)、C端(Bc)编码序列融合,构建到原核表达载体pET-28a(+)中的His-Tag的下游,得到3种表达载体pET-NEn、pET-EcMBn和pET-BcC.分别转化感受态大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)细胞,经IPTG诱导表达后,以SDS-PAGE分析融合蛋白的表达,并进一步用His-Tag的特异性抗体进行分析;亲和层析纯化分别表达的带His-Tag标签的3段蛋白,复性后体外混合进行剪接实验以观察3片段vWF的连接.结果显示,3段预期大小的融合intein的vWF蛋白均有表达,用His-Tag抗体进行的Western印迹得到进一步证实;3段纯化的蛋白混合后可见明显的剪接条带形成,与vWF的预期分子量大小一致,表明双intein通过蛋白质反式剪接可有效连接3个片段的vWF,为进一步应用蛋白质剪接技术的3重载体真核细胞转vWF基因奠定了基础.     

内含肽介导三段vWF基因真核细胞转移的翻译后连接及其功能性多聚体形成

vWF(von Willebrand factor)是一种超大分子质量的血浆多聚体糖蛋白,在血栓形成和生理凝血过程中发挥重要作用,其质和/或量的缺陷导致血管性血友病(VWD),由于VWD为单基因病,且vWF为分泌性蛋白,基于基因转移的基因治疗无需特异的靶器官,因此VWD特别适合于基因治疗,但vWF基因过大(8.4 kb),难以为多数病毒载体特别是优点较多的腺相关病毒(AAV)载体承载.运用内含肽(intein)的蛋白质反式剪接功能,研究了三重载体真核细胞共转断裂3段的vWF基因,以期通过转基因翻译后的蛋白质剪接作用形成完整的功能性vWF蛋白.将vWF的cDNA于满足剪接所需的保守性氨基酸Cys1099、Ser2004的密码子前断裂为3段,分别与2种不同的内含肽即Ssp DnaE内含肽和Ssp DnaB内含肽编码序列融合,构建到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+),得到3个分别融合内含肽的vWF片段基因真核表达载体,共转染培养的293细胞,通过瞬时表达,电泳观察培养上清中的vWF多聚体形态,分析vWF蛋白量和凝血Ⅷ因子(FⅧ)结合力;通过共转FⅧ基因,分析了培养上清中的FⅧ蛋白量及生物活性.结果显示,通过内含肽的蛋白质反式剪接作用,共转内含肽融合的三片段vWF基因细胞上清,表现与正常人血浆和转vWF基因阳性对照细胞相似的vWF多聚体模式和FⅧ结合力,而且可明显提高转FⅧ基因后表达的FⅧ蛋白的分泌量和活性,提示剪接vWF蛋白的FⅧ载体功能的恢复.结果表明,内含肽可作为一种有效的技术手段进行三重载体共转断裂的vWF基因,为进一步基于内含肽的三重AAV转断裂vWF基因应用于VWD基因治疗研究、克服AAV的容量限制提供了依据.     

亮氨酸拉链提高小鼠血浆中剪接的凝血因子Ⅷ凝血活性

培养细胞实验表明,亮氨酸拉链通过改善内含肽(intein)的蛋白质剪接效率,提高双载体转B区缺失型凝血因子Ⅷ(BDD-FⅧ)基因细胞剪接FⅧ蛋白的分泌量和活性.本文从C57BL/6小鼠门静脉注射含亮氨酸拉链和Ssp DnaB内含肽融合的BDD-FⅧ的重链和轻链基因双表达载体,48 h后,检测到血浆的重链分泌量和FⅧ活性分别为(298±67)μg/L和(1.15±0.29)U/mL,明显高于不含亮氨酸拉链的双载体转BDD-FⅧ基因对照小鼠((179±59)μg/L和(0.58±0.19)U/mL).结果表明,亮氨酸拉链通过改善蛋白质反式剪接,提高基于蛋白质剪接的双载体转BDD-FⅧ基因小鼠血浆的凝血活性,为进一步双腺相关病毒(AAV)载体转BDD-FⅧ基因的甲型血友病基因治疗研究提供了依据.     

猪VⅢ因子A1和A3结构域对翻译后剪接的人/猪杂合VⅢ因子的促分泌作用

凝血VⅢ因子(fVⅢ)蛋白的低效分泌以及基因过大是基于转fVⅢ基因的甲型血友病基因治疗的不利因素。本室前期用内含肽(intein)的蛋白质反式剪接实验证明,运用双载体共转fVⅢ基因,通过翻译后蛋白质剪接,轻链可顺式促进fVⅢ蛋白的分泌。本文用猪fVⅢ蛋白的A1和A3结构域替换人fVⅢ蛋白相应的结构,构建人/猪杂合fVⅢ(human/porcinehy-bridfVⅢ,HP-fVⅢ),研究基于内含肽的双载体转HP-fVⅢ基因后剪接HP-fVⅢ的分泌和活性。构建一对分别融合SspDnaB内含肽的HP-fVⅢ重链和轻链基因表达质粒,瞬时共转染COS-7细胞,用ELISA和Coatest法定量分析分泌至培养上清中HP-fVⅢ的剪接和生物活性,用Western blotting检测了细胞内HP-fVⅢ的剪接。结果显示,双载体转HP-fVⅢ基因细胞上清的剪接HP-fVⅢ蛋白量为(184±34)ng/mL,活性为(1.18±0.22)IU/mL,明显高于双载体转人fVⅢ基因[蛋白量为(48±12)ng/mL,活性为(0.31±0.10)IU/mL],提示猪fVⅢ的A1和A3结构域能显著促进内含肽剪接的HP-fVⅢ的分泌和活性;另外,还在混合培养的分别转内含肽融合HP-fVⅢ重链和轻链基因细胞上清中检测到剪接的HP-fVⅢ蛋白量为(27±5)ng/mL,活性为(0.19±0.07)IU/mL,提示内含肽对HP-fVⅢ的剪接可不依赖细胞机制,分泌出胞的前体蛋白仍可进行剪接反应;双载体转HP-fVⅢ基因细胞内检测到与转hfVⅢ基因阳性对照细胞内hfVⅢ条带大小接近的剪接HP-fVⅢ蛋白条带,进一步证实HP-fVⅢ的剪接。该结果为进一步在动物体内应用内含肽的双腺相关病毒载体转HP-fVⅢ基因奠定了实验基础。     

vWF-△Pro改善基于蛋白质剪接的双载体BDD-FⅧ基因转移

多聚体von Willebrand因子(vWF)的功能之一是保护凝血Ⅷ因子(FⅧ)免受蛋白水解引起的快速清除.前肽缺失突变体vWF(vWF-ΔPro)不能形成多聚体,但可以结合FⅧ蛋白.为探讨vWF-ΔPro对基于蛋白质反式剪接作用介导的双载体转FⅧ基因后连接的FⅧ蛋白的分泌和活性的影响,将vWF-ΔPro基因和融合SspDnaB内含肽的B结构域缺失型FⅧ(BDD-FⅧ)断裂基因共转染293细胞进行转基因的瞬时表达,用Western印迹检测了单独转染vWF-ΔPro基因细胞的vWF-ΔPro表达量和蛋白形式,并检测了其对FⅧ的结合力;用ELISA法观察分泌至培养上清中的剪接的BDD-FⅧ,并用Coatest法检测由其产生的生物活性.结果显示,vWF-ΔPro转基因细胞呈现二聚体蛋白表达形式,其结合FⅧ的能力与转野生型vWF基因细胞相近;vWF-ΔPro共转染细胞上清中剪接BDD-FⅧ蛋白浓度为198±21ng/mL,活性为1.78±0.18IU/mL,明显高于未转染vWF-ΔPro基因的细胞对照(91±12ng/mL和1.05±0.13IU/mL),与共转染野生型vWF基因细胞对照相近(221±19ng/mL和1.95±0.22IU/mL),表明vWF-ΔPro可显著改善内含肽剪接的BDD-FⅧ蛋白的分泌和生物活性.为vWF-ΔPro转基因的基于蛋白质剪接技术双AAV载体转BDD-FⅧ基因动物体内实验提供了依据.     

vWF-ΔPro改善基于蛋白质剪接的双载体BDD-FVIII基因转移

多聚体von Willebrand因子(vWF)的功能之一是保护凝血Ⅷ因子(FⅧ)免受蛋白水解引起的快速清除．前肽缺失突变体vWF (vWF-ΔPro)不能形成多聚体,但可以结合FⅧ蛋白．为探讨vWF-ΔPro对基于蛋白质反式剪接作用介导的双载体转FⅧ基因后连接的FⅧ蛋白的分泌和活性的影响,将vWF-ΔPro基因和融合Ssp DnaB内含肽的B结构域缺失型FⅧ(BDD-FⅧ)断裂基因共转染293细胞进行转基因的瞬时表达,用Western印迹检测了单独转染vWF-ΔPro基因细胞的vWF-ΔPro表达量和蛋白形式,并检测了其对FⅧ的结合力;用ELISA法观察分泌至培养上清中的剪接的BDD-FⅧ,并用Coatest法检测由其产生的生物活性．结果显示,vWF-ΔPro转基因细胞呈现二聚体蛋白表达形式,其结合FⅧ的能力与转野生型vWF基因细胞相近;vWF-ΔPro共转染细胞上清中剪接BDD-FⅧ蛋白浓度为198±21 ng/mL,活性为1.78±0.18 IU/mL,明显高于未转染vWF-ΔPro基因的细胞对照(91±12 ng/mL和1.05±0.13 IU/mL),与共转染野生型vWF基因细胞对照相近(221±19 ng/mL和1.95±0.22 IU/mL),表明vWF-ΔPro可显著改善内含肽剪接的BDD-FⅧ蛋白的分泌和生物活性．为vWF-ΔPro转基因的基于蛋白质剪接技术双AAV载体转BDD-FⅧ基因动物体内实验提供了依据．     

Ssp DnaB intein大肠杆菌中介导FVIII重链和轻链的连接

研究利用intein的蛋白质反式剪接功能在大肠杆菌中对凝血VIII因子(FVIII)重链和轻链的连接作用,将B结构域大部分缺失型FVIII(BDD-FVIII)于满足剪接所需的保守性氨基酸Ser1657前断裂为重链和轻链,分别与split mini Ssp DnaB intein的106个氨基酸的N端(Int-N)和48个氨基酸的C端(Int-C)融合,构建到原核表达载体pBV220。诱导表达后SDS-PAGE分析可见预期大小的BDD-FVIII蛋白条带,Western blotting用FVIII特异性抗体证明其为剪接所产生的BDD-FVIII蛋白,表明intein可有效连接BDD-FVIII的重链和轻链。为进一步甲型血友病基因治疗研究应用intein以双腺相关病毒载体(AAV)携带FVIII基因,克服单个AAV载体的容量限制提供了依据。     

Met662和Asp1828的Cys突变增强蛋白内含子对共表达的BDD-FVIII因子重链和轻链的剪接

本文旨在通过B区缺失型凝血因子8(BDD-FVⅢ)重、轻链间二硫键形成,改善蛋白质反式剪接效率,提高双载体转BDD FVⅢ基因功效. 将BDD-FVⅢ重链A2区的Met662和轻链A3区的Asp1828突变为Cys,用蛋白内含子融合的重链和轻链基因共转染HEK293细胞,Western印迹检测到细胞内BDD-FVⅢ剪接量的提高以及重、轻链间二硫键的形成,用ELISA和Coatest测得细胞分泌至培养上清的剪接BDD-FVⅢ的量(119±14 ng/mL)和活性(1.06±0.08 IU/mL),明显高于野生型BDD FVⅢ重链和轻链基因共转染细胞的量(81±12 ng/mL)和活性(0.70±0.15 IU/mL);混合培养的转突变重链和轻链基因细胞培养基中剪接BDD FVⅢ的量(17±5 ng/mL)和活性(0.15±0.03 IU/mL),与混合培养的转野生型重链和轻链基因细胞 (分别为21±9 ng/mL和0.18±0.05 IU/mL)相近,反映不依赖细胞机制的蛋白质反式剪接. 结果表明,重、轻链间二硫键形成通过增强蛋白质反式剪接提高双载体转BDD FVⅢ基因的功效. 为进一步运用双AAV载体动物体内转BDD-FVⅢ基因提供了实验依据.     

Listeria monocytogenes mediated CFTR transgene transfer to mammalian cells

Background

Several approaches for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis using viral and non‐viral vectors are currently being undertaken. Nevertheless, the present data suggest that vectors currently being used will either have to be further modified or, alternatively, novel vector systems need to be developed. Recently, bacteria have been proven as suitable vehicles for DNA transfer to a wide variety of eukaryotic cells. In this study, we assessed the ability of the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to deliver a cDNA encoding the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to CHO‐K1 cells, since these cells have been extensively used for heterologous CFTR expression.

Methods

An established in vitro gene transfer system based on antibiotic‐mediated lysis of intracellular L. monocytogenes was exploited to transfer eukaryotic expression plasmids. Transient as well as stable CFTR transgene expression was analyzed by microscopical and biochemical methods; functionality was tested by whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings.

Results

L. monocytogenes mediated gene transfer to CHO‐K1 cells was facilitated by an improved transfection protocol. In addition, the use of the isogenic mutant L. monocytogenes hlyW491A, engineered to produce a hemolysin variant with low toxigenic activity, greatly enhanced the efficiency of gene transfer. This strain allowed the transfer of functional CFTR to CHO‐K1 cells.

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration of L. monoyctogenes mediated CFTR transgene transfer. The successful in vitro transfer suggests that L. monocytogenes might be a potential vector for cystic fibrosis gene therapy or alternative applications and deserves further investigation in vitro as well as in vivo. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator missing the first four transmembrane segments increases wild type and DeltaF508 processing

We previously generated an adenoassociated viral gene therapy vector, rAAV-Delta264 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), missing the first four transmembrane domains of CFTR. When infected into monkey lungs, Delta264 CFTR increased the levels of endogenous wild type CFTR protein. To understand this process, we transfected Delta264 CFTR plasmid cDNA into COS7 cells, and we noted that protein expression from the truncation mutant is barely detectable when compared with wild type or DeltaF508 CFTR. Delta264 CFTR protein expression increases dramatically when cells are treated with proteasome inhibitors. Cycloheximide experiments show that Delta264 CFTR is degraded faster than DeltaF508 CFTR. VCP and HDAC6, two proteins involved in retrograde translocation from endoplasmic reticulum to cytosol for proteasomal and aggresomal degradation, coimmunoprecipitate with Delta264 CFTR. In cotransfection studies in COS7 cells and in transfection of Delta264 CFTR into cells stably expressing wild type and DeltaF508 CFTR, Delta264 CFTR increases wild type CFTR protein and increases levels of maturation of immature band B to mature band C of DeltaF508 CFTR. Thus the adenoassociated viral vector, rAAV-Delta264 CFTR, is a highly promising cystic fibrosis gene therapy vector because it increases the amount of mature band C protein both from wild type and DeltaF508 CFTR and associates with key elements in quality control mechanism of CFTR.     

Calculating expected lung deposition of aerosolized administration of AAV vector in human clinical studies

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease affecting approximately 1 in 2500 live births. Introducing the cDNA that codes for normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to the small airways of the lung could result in restoring the CFTR function. A number of vectors for lung gene therapy have been tried and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer promise. The vector is delivered to the lung using a breath-actuated jet nebulizer. The purpose of this project was to determine the aerosolized AAV (tgAAVCF) particle size distribution (PSD) in order to calculate target doses for lung delivery. METHODS: A tgAAVCF solution was nebulized using the Pari LC Plus (n = 3), and the PSD was determined by coupling laser diffraction and inertial impaction (NGI) techniques. The NGI allowed for quantification of the tgAAVCF at each stage of impaction, ensuring that rAAV-CFTR vector is present and not empty particles. Applying the results to mathematical algorithms allowed for the calculation of expected pulmonary deposition. RESULTS: The mass median diameter (MMD) for the tgAAVCF was 2.78 +/- 0.43 microm. If the system works ideally and the patient only receives aerosol on inspiration, the patient would receive 47 +/- 0% of the initial dose placed in the nebulizer, with 72 +/- 0.73% of this being deposited beyond the vocal cords. CONCLUSIONS: This technology for categorizing the pulmonary delivery system for lung gene therapy vectors can be adapted for advanced aerosol delivery systems or other vectors.     

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to ciliated airway epithelia requires prolonged incubation time.

The efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to airway epithelia will be an important factor in determining whether recombinant adenoviruses can be developed as vectors for transferring cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cDNA to patients with cystic fibrosis. Current understanding of the biology of CF lung disease suggests that vectors should express transgene in mature, ciliated airway epithelia. We evaluated the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to primary cultures of normal and CF human airway epithelia. Our studies showed that the airway cells developed from an undifferentiated epithelium with markers characteristic of basal cells and a surface covered by short microvilli 3 days after seeding to a mature epithelium whose apical surface was covered with cilia by 10 to 14 days. The ability of adenovirus vectors to express a reporter gene and to correct defective cyclic AMP-stimulated Cl- transport in CF epithelia was correlated inversely with the state of differentiation. However, the inefficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer could be partially corrected when the contact time between vector and epithelium was prolonged. After prolonged contact, we observed complete correction of the CF Cl- transport defect in differentiated CF airway epithelia in culture and of the Cl- transport defect in the nasal epithelia of mice homozygous for the deltaF508 mutation. The fact that gene transfer to airway epithelia required prolonged incubation with vector contrasts with the rapid infection observed in cell models such as 293 and HeLa cells, which are commonly used to study adenovirus infection. Gene transfer observed after prolonged incubation may result from mechanisms different from those that mediate infection of 293 cells. These observations suggest that interventions that either increase the contact time or alter the epithelium or the vector may be required to facilitate gene transfer to ciliated respiratory epithelia.     

Rapid quantitation of gene therapy specific CFTR expression using the amplification refractory mutation system.

Gene therapy offers the potential of correcting genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis (CF). By complementing the non-functional endogenous cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene with a functional transgene, we anticipate it may alleviate the disease phenotype. All approaches to CF gene therapy rely upon sensitive assays to monitor delivery, expression and maintenance of CFTR vectors. Here, we describe the adaptation of the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) to discriminate between different forms of CFTR. A LightCycler PCR machine allows realtime continuous fluorescence monitoring of rapid-cycle PCR. We show quantitation of and discrimination between expression of endogenous (wild-type or mutant) CFTR and the introduced transgene.     

Efficient mouse airway transduction following recombination between AAV vectors carrying parts of a larger gene

The small packaging capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors limits the utility of this promising vector system for transfer of large genes. We explored the possibility that larger genes could be reconstituted following homologous recombination between AAV vectors carrying overlapping gene fragments. An alkaline phosphatase (AP) gene was split between two such AAV vectors (rec vectors) and packaged using AAV2 or AAV6 capsid proteins. Rec vectors having either capsid protein recombined to express AP in cultured cells at about 1-2% of the rate observed for an intact vector. Surprisingly, the AAV6 rec vectors transduced lung cells in mice almost as efficiently as did an intact vector, with 10% of airway epithelial cells, the target for treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), being positive. Thus AAV rec vectors may be useful for diseases such as CF that require transfer of large genes.     

Gene transduction and cell entry pathway of fiber-modified adenovirus type 5 vectors carrying novel endocytic peptide ligands selected on human tracheal glandular cells

Monolayers of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-deficient human tracheal glandular cells (CF-KM4) were subjected to phage biopanning, and cell-internalized phages were isolated and sequenced, in order to identify CF-KM4-specific peptide ligands that would confer upon adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vector a novel cell target specificity and/or higher efficiency of gene delivery into airway cells of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Three different ligands, corresponding to prototypes of the most represented families of phagotopes recovered from intracellular phages, were designed and individually inserted into Ad5-green fluorescent protein (GFP) (AdGFP) vectors at the extremities of short fiber shafts (seven repeats [R7]) terminated by scissile knobs. Only one vector, carrying the decapeptide GHPRQMSHVY (abbreviated as QM10), showed an enhanced gene transduction of CF-KM4 cells compared to control nonliganded vector with fibers of the same length (AdGFP-R7-knob). The enhancement in gene transfer efficiency was not specific to CF-KM4 cells but was observed in other mammalian cell lines tested. The QM10-liganded vector was referred to as AdGFP-QM10-knob in its knobbed version and as AdGFP-QM10 in its proteolytically deknobbed version. AdGFP-QM10 was found to transduce cells with a higher efficiency than its knob-bearing version, AdGFP-QM10-knob. Consistent with this, competition experiments indicated that the presence of knob domains was not an absolute requirement for cell attachment of the QM10-liganded vector and that the knobless AdGFP-QM10 used alternative cell-binding domains on its capsid, including penton base capsomer, via a site(s) different from its RGD motifs. The QM10-mediated effect on gene transduction seemed to take place at the step of endocytosis in both quantitative and qualitative manners. Virions of AdGFP-QM10 were endocytosed in higher numbers than virions of the control vector and were directed to a compartment different from the early endosomes targeted by members of species C Ad. AdGFP-QM10 was found to accumulate in late endosomal and low-pH compartments, suggesting that QM10 acted as an endocytic ligand of the lysosomal pathway. These results validated the concept of detargeting and retargeting Ad vectors via our deknobbing system and redirecting Ad vectors to an alternative endocytic pathway via a peptide ligand inserted in the fiber shaft domain.     

Expression of the cystic fibrosis gene in non-epithelial invertebrate cells produces a regulated anion conductance.

The nature of involvement of the cystic fibrosis gene product (CFTR) in epithelial anion transport is not yet understood. We have expressed CFTR in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression vector system. Reactivity with antibodies against 12 different epitopes spanning the entire sequence suggested that the complete polypeptide chain was synthesized. Immunogold labeling showed localization to both cell-surface and intracellular membranes. Concomitant with CFTR expression, these cells exhibited a new cAMP-stimulated anion permeability. This conductance, monitored both by radioiodide efflux and patch clamping, strongly resembled that present in several CFTR-expressing human epithelial cells. These findings demonstrate that CFTR can function in heterologous nonepithelial cells and lend support to the possibility that CFTR may itself be a regulated anion channel.