SV40PolyA顺式活化基因元件中不完整茎环结构的发现和序列研究

研究室的前期工作发现,Alu串连序列插入pEGFP-C1质粒的GFP基因下游,瞬时转染HeLa细胞抑制GFP基因表达,2F2R(来自SV40PolyA反序5′端的第2个60 bp)插入GFP和Alu串连序列之间可以解除Alu序列对GFP基因的抑制作用。文章通过删减2F2R发现,45R(2F2R 5′端的45 bp)、30R和22R可以活化基因,且二串连体活化基因作用高于单体。Secloop(2F2R近中部的22 bp)和Poly4(2F2R 3′端的30 bp)不能活化基因。30R与Poly4用9碱基连接形成30R-Poly4,其活化基因作用低于2F2R,两个22R之间连接碱基数对活化GFP基因作用没有明显的影响。22R(5′-GTGAAAAAAATGCTTTATTTGT-3′)含有不完整的回文序列,可以形成不完整的茎环结构,包括一个3碱基loop、3 bp第一茎、2碱基泡和3 bp第二茎。改变22R茎环结构的碱基突变明显影响其活化GFP基因的作用,过多互补和过少互补的茎环结构均不利于活化基因,提示适当的不完整茎环结构与活化基因有关。     

Impact of copy number of distinct SV40PolyA segments on expression of a GFP reporter gene

The presence of Alu repeats downregulates the expression of the green fluorescent protein(GFP) gene.We found that SV40PolyA(PolyA,240 bp),in either orientation,eliminated the inhibition of GFP gene expression induced by Alu repeats when it was placed between the GFP gene and the Alu repeats.In this study,4 different segments(each 60 bp) were amplified from antisense PolyA(PolyAas) by PCR,and inserted upstream of Alu14 in pAlu14 plasmid(14 Alu repeats inserted downstream of the GFP gene in vector pEGFP-C1 in...     

SV40 PolyA序列及其AATAAA信号对上游GFP基因表达及转录终止的影响

SV40 PolyA(猴空泡病毒PolyA,简称PolyA)序列是有转录终止作用和使转录的mRNA添加PolyA尾的DNA序列(240 bp),含有AATAAA六核苷酸多腺苷化信号(Polyadenylation signal)。在pEGFP-C1质粒的GFP基因下游插入14个同向串联的Alu序列(Alu14),构建pAlu14质粒,瞬时转染HeLa细胞,用Northern blot检测和荧光显微镜观察GFP RNA和GFP蛋白表达,发现Alu串联序列强烈抑制GFP基因表达,该序列没有转录终止作用产生高分子量GFP融合RNA。又在pAlu14质粒GFP基因和Alu串联序列之间按正、反方向插入PolyA序列及去除AATAAA信号的PolyA序列,插入的这些PolyA序列均能部分解除Alu14对GFP基因的抑制作用;去除AATAAA信号的PolyA正、反序列仍然引起转录终止。将PolyA反序(PolyAas)分为4段每段60 bp,中间的2段分别称为2F2R和3F3R,将2F2R或3F3R插在pAlu14质粒的Alu串联序列的上游,随着插入2F2R片段拷贝数的增加转录的GFP融合RNA的分子量增加;2F2R的下游如果依然是2F2R那么2F2R可以支持转录延伸,如果2F2R下游是Alu串联序列则2F2R导致转录终止。无论插入一个3F3R或插入64个3F3R,均产生低分子量GFP RNA。     

Effect of mutations in a simian virus 40 PolyA signal enhancer on green fluorescent protein reporter gene expression

Our previous studies have shown that tandem Alu repeats inhibit green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene expression when inserted downstream of the GFP gene in the pEGFP-C1 vector. We found that the 22R sequence (5'-GTGAAAAAAATGCTTTATTTGT-3') from the antisense PolyA (240 bp polyadenylation signal) of simian virus 40, eliminated repression of GFP gene expression when inserted between the GFP gene and the Alu repeats. The 22R sequence contains an imperfect palindrome; based on RNA structure software prediction, it forms an unstable stem-loop structure, including a loop, a first stem, a bulge, and a second stem. Analysis of mutations of the loop length of the 22R sequence showed that the three-nucleotide loop (wild-type, 22R) induced much stronger GFP expression than did other loop lengths. Two mutations, 4TMI (A7→T, A17→T) and 5AMI (A6→T, T18→A), which caused the base type changes in the bulge and in the second stem in the 22R sequence, induced stronger GFP gene expression than 22R itself. Mutation of the bulge base (A17→T), leading to complete complementation of the stem, caused weaker GFP gene expression. Sequences without a palindrome (7pieA, 5'-GTGAAAAAAATG CAAAAAAAGT-3', 7pieT, 5'-GTGTTTTTTTTGCTTTTTTTGT-3') did not activate GFP gene expression. We conclude that an imperfect palindrome affects and can increase GFP gene expression.     

Partial purification and characterization of a cellular protein that binds to the SV40 core origin of DNA replication

A monkey cell factor that interacts specifically with double- and single-stranded DNA sequences in the early domain of the simian virus 40 (SV40) core origin of replication was identified using gel-retention assays. The protein was enriched over 1200-fold using ion-exchange and affinity chromatography on single-strand DNA cellulose. Binding of protein to mutant origin DNA restriction fragments was correlated with replication activity of the mutant DNAs. Exonuclease footprint experiments on single-stranded DNA revealed prominent pause sites in the early domain of the core origin. The results suggest that this cellular protein may be involved in SV40 DNA replication.     

The location of SV40 specific sequences in the heterogeneous nuclear RNA of transformed mouse cells

Summary Rapidly labelled nuclear RNA from an SV40 transformed mouse 3T3 line was isolated, and different molecular size classes pooled. The fractions were treated with Ehrlich ascites exonuclease III for various lengths of time, and the digestion of the 3 ends of the RNA measured by the appearance of TCA-soluble material. The resulting partially degraded RNA populations were then hybridised to SV40 DNA. The data suggest that a high proportion of the viral specific sequences are located near the 3 ends of heterogeneous nuclear RNA.     

DJ-1, an oncogene and causative gene for familial Parkinson’s disease, is essential for SV40 transformation in mouse fibroblasts through up-regulation of c-Myc

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a tumor virus and its early gene product large T-antigen (LT) is responsible for the transforming activity of SV40. Parkinson’s disease causative gene DJ-1 is also a ras-dependent oncogene, but the mechanism of its oncogene function is still not known. In this study, we found that there were no transformed foci when fibroblasts from DJ-1-knockout mice were transfected with LT. We also found that DJ-1 directly bound to LT and that the expression level of c-Myc in transformed cells was parallel to that of DJ-1. These findings indicate that DJ-1 is essential for SV40 transformation.

Structured summary

MINT-7988969: DJ-1 (uniprotkb:Q99497) binds (MI:0407) to LT SV40 (uniprotkb:P03070) by pull down (MI:0096) MINT-7988948: LT SV40 (uniprotkb:P03070) physically interacts (MI:0914) with DJ-1 (uniprotkb:Q99LX0) and p53 (uniprotkb:P02340) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)     

Crystal structures of the luciferase and green fluorescent protein from Renilla reniformis

Due to its ability to emit light, the luciferase from Renilla reniformis (RLuc) is widely employed in molecular biology as a reporter gene in cell culture experiments and small animal imaging. To accomplish this bioluminescence, the 37-kDa enzyme catalyzes the degradation of its substrate coelenterazine in the presence of molecular oxygen, resulting in the product coelenteramide, carbon dioxide, and the desired photon of light. We successfully crystallized a stabilized variant of this important protein (RLuc8) and herein present the first structures for any coelenterazine-using luciferase. These structures are based on high-resolution data measured to 1.4 Å and demonstrate a classic α/β-hydrolase fold. We also present data of a coelenteramide-bound luciferase and reason that this structure represents a secondary conformational form following shift of the product out of the primary active site. During the course of this work, the structure of the luciferase's accessory green fluorescent protein (RrGFP) was also determined and shown to be highly similar to that of Aequorea victoria GFP.     

A33启动子结肠癌特异性探究及SV40增强子对其转录活性影响

为了探究A33核心启动子结肠癌特异性及SV40增强子对其转录水平的影响,该研究通过构建A33核心启动子和带SV40增强子的A33核心启动子(eA33)的荧光素酶报告基因载体pGL3-A33和pGL3-eA33,与内参照pRL-SV40质粒共转染至不同的细胞系中,利用双荧光素酶检测系统检测分析了A33和eA33启动子在不同细胞系中的转录活性。结果显示,A33核心启动子在结肠癌细胞系中具有转录活性低,但结肠癌特异性好的特点,而在其他类型癌细胞中基本没有活性。同时发现,eA33在各类癌细胞中的转录水平与A33相比,均呈大幅度提高,有显著性差异(P<0.01),但SV40增强子能显著增强A33启动子转录活性的同时减低了其结肠癌特异性。这为靶向癌症基因—病毒治疗策略在结肠癌的生物治疗应用中寻找结肠癌特异性的启动子奠定了研究基础。     

Identification and characterization of LIM gene family in Brassica rapa

Background

LIM (Lin-11, Isl-1 and Mec-3 domains) genes have been reported to trigger the formation of actin bundles, a major higher-order cytoskeletal assembly, in higher plants; however, the stress resistance related functions of these genes are still not well known. In this study, we collected 22 LIM genes designated as Brassica rapa LIM (BrLIM) from the Brassica database, analyzed the sequences, compared them with LIM genes of other plants and analyzed their expression after applying biotic and abiotic stresses in Chinese cabbage.

Results

Upon sequence analysis these genes were confirmed as LIM genes and found to have a high degree of homology with LIM genes of other species. These genes showed distinct clusters when compared to other recognized LIM proteins upon phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, organ specific expression of these genes was observed in Chinese cabbage plants, with BrPLIM2a, b, c, BrDAR1, BrPLIM2e, f and g only being expressed in flower buds. Furthermore, the expression of these genes (except for BrDAR1 and BrPLIM2e) was high in the early flowering stages. The remaining genes were expressed in almost all organs tested. All BrDAR genes showed higher expression in flower buds compared to other organs. These organ specific expressions were clearly correlated with the phylogenetic grouping. In addition, BrWLIM2c and BrDAR4 responded to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans infection, while commonly two BrDARs and eight BrLIMs responded to cold, ABA and pH (pH5, pH7 and pH9) stress treatments in Chinese cabbage plants.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results of this study indicate that BrLIM and BrDAR genes may be involved in resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses in Brassica.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-641) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Identification of a 40S Ribosomal protein (S17) that is differentially expressed between the macroschizont and piroplasm stages of Theileria annulata.

The nucleotide and protein sequence of the 40S ribosomal protein S17 (RibS17) of the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata has been determined. Southern blot analysis showed the gene was single copy and comparative sequence analysis revealed that the predicted polypeptide had high sequence homology with the RibS17 from other organisms. Northern blot analysis showed that there was a 3-fold increase in the level of RibS17 RNA between the macroschizont and the piroplasm stage of the lifecycle, whereas, there was no difference in expression between the sporozoite and the macroschizont stages. Antisera to the purified fusion protein, corresponding to the terminal 50 amino acids of the protein sequence, were raised in rabbits. Western analysis detected a polypeptide of the predicted size that was more abundant in the piroplasm stage compared with the macroschizont stage. Immunofluorescence analysis with the same antisera revealed a strong signal in the macroschizont and piroplasm stages, but the antiserum did not cross-react with the bovine host cells. The antisera did, however, cross-react with Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. The possible functional significance of the stage related increase in abundance of a ribosomal protein is discussed.     

Monitoring the expression of green fluorescent protein in carrot

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was successfully used as a visual reporter at various stages of carrot (Daucus carota L.) transformation. GFP-fluorescence was non-invasively observed in protoplasts, callus and plants after the delivery of mgfp5-er gene using two transformation methods: direct DNA transfer into polyethylene glycol (PEG) -treated protoplasts and inoculation of root discs with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Transient GFP-expression was detected in the treated protoplasts and monitored during the first week of the cell culture until the stable level of expression was observed. It was useful for the comparison of protoplast susceptibility to DNA uptake and the transgene expression as the fluorescence declined with various rates depending on the used carrot genotype and PEG-concentration. GFP-monitoring in callus enabled the selection of stably expressing lines. It also allowed verification of the homogeneous tissue composition with regard to the expression of the transgene. In plants, GFP-performance depended on the assayed tissue and organ despite of the constitutive 35S promoter. The expression was visually detected in both vegetative and generative parts, but particularly strong fluorescence was observed in leaf marginal meristems, petioles, stems, and styles. Those tissues can be convenient for examination of the transgenic plants during their growth. The results encourage that GFP is a valuable reporter and can be routinely used for optimization of transformation protocol, selection of transformants and monitoring transgenic carrot.     

Detection of SV40 DNA sequences in malignant mesothelioma specimens from the United States, but not from Turkey

The incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) shows a strong epidemiological association with exposure to asbestos fibers. Recently, simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA sequences have been reported in MM tumor specimens from the United States and several European countries, and the SV40 tumor virus has been implicated as a potential co-factor in the etiology of this disease. However, several large studies from the US, Finland, and Turkey did not detect SV40 sequences in MM samples. To address this discrepancy, MM specimens from Turkey and the US were analyzed in the same laboratory under identical conditions to detect the presence of SV40 DNA. We detected SV40 sequences in 4 of 11 specimens from the United States, but in none of the 9 Turkish samples examined. These findings suggest that geographical differences exist with regard to the involvement of SV40 in human tumors.     

Use of in vivo and in vitro systems to select Leishmania amazonensis expressing green fluorescent protein

Various Leishmania species were engineered with green fluorescent protein (GFP) using episomal vectors that encoded an antibiotic resistance gene, such as aminoglycoside geneticin sulphate (G418). Most reports of GFP-Leishmania have used the flagellated extracellular promastigote, the stage of parasite detected in the midgut of the sandfly vector; fewer studies have been performed with amastigotes, the stage of parasite detected in mammals. In this study, comparisons were made regarding the efficiency for in vitro G418 selection of GFP-Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes and the use of in vivo G418 selection. The GFP-promastigotes retained episomal plasmid for a prolonged period and G418 treatment was necessary and efficient for in vitro selection. In contrast, GFP-amastigotes showed low retention of the episomal plasmid in the absence of G418 selection and low sensitivity to antibiotics in vitro. The use of protocols for G418 selection using infected BALB/c mice also indicated low sensitivity to antibiotics against amastigotes in cutaneous lesions.     

Intrinsic curvature in the VP1 gene of SV40: comparison of solution and gel results

DNA restriction fragments that are stably curved are usually identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis because curved fragments migrate more slowly than normal fragments containing the same number of basepairs. In free solution, curved DNA molecules can be identified by transient electric birefringence (TEB) because they exhibit rotational relaxation times that are faster than those of normal fragments of the same size. In this article, the results observed in free solution and in polyacrylamide gels are compared for a highly curved 199-basepair (bp) restriction fragment taken from the VP1 gene in Simian Virus 40 (SV40) and various sequence mutants and insertion derivatives. The TEB method of overlapping fragments was used to show that the 199-bp fragment has an apparent bend angle of 46 +/- 2 degrees centered at sequence position 1922 +/- 2 bp. Four unphased A- and T-tracts and a mixed A3T4-tract occur within a span of approximately 60 bp surrounding the apparent bend center; for brevity, this 60-bp sequence element is called a curvature module. Modifying any of the A- or T-tracts in the curvature module by site-directed mutagenesis decreases the curvature of the fragment; replacing all five A- and T-tracts by random-sequence DNA causes the 199-bp mutant to adopt a normal conformation, with normal electrophoretic mobilities and birefringence relaxation times. Hence, stable curvature in this region of the VP1 gene is due to the five unphased A- and T- tracts surrounding the apparent bend center. Discordant solution and gel results are observed when long inverted repeats are inserted within the curvature module. These insertion derivatives migrate anomalously slowly in polyacrylamide gels but have normal, highly flexible conformations in free solution. Discordant solution and gel results are not observed if the insert does not contain a long inverted repeat or if the long inverted repeat is added to the 199-bp fragment outside the curvature module. The results suggest that long inverted repeats can form hairpins or cruciforms when they are located within a region of the helix backbone that is intrinsically curved, leading to large mobility anomalies in polyacrylamide gels. Hairpin/cruciform formation is not observed in free solution, presumably because of rapid conformational exchange. Hence, DNA restriction fragments that migrate anomalously slowly in polyacrylamide gels are not necessarily stably curved in free solution.     

Metacercarial proteins interacting with WD40-repeat protein of Clonorchis sinensis

The WD40-repeat proteins serve as a platform coordinating partner proteins and are involved in a range of regulatory cellular functions. A WD40-repeat protein (CsWD1) of Clonorchis sinensis previously cloned is expressed stage-specifically in the tegumental syncytium of C. sinensis metacercariae. In the present study, interacting proteins with the CsWD1 protein was purified by immunoprecipitation and 2 dimension gel electrophoresis from the C. sinensis metacercaria soluble extract, and tryptic peptides were analyzed by LC/ESI-MS. Putative partner proteins were annotated to be actin-2, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and hypothetical and unmanned proteins. The CsWD1 protein was predicted to contain 3 conserved actin-interacting residues on its functional surface. With these results, the CsWD1 protein is suggested to be an actin-interacting protein of C. sinensis.     

Infection of Ixodes scapularis ticks with Rickettsia monacensis expressing green fluorescent protein: a model system

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are ubiquitous hosts of rickettsiae (Rickettsiaceae: Rickettsia), obligate intracellular bacteria that occur as a continuum from nonpathogenic arthropod endosymbionts to virulent pathogens of both arthropod vectors and vertebrates. Visualization of rickettsiae in hosts has traditionally been limited to techniques utilizing fixed tissues. We report epifluorescence microscopy observations of unfixed tick tissues infected with a spotted fever group endosymbiont, Rickettsia monacensis, transformed to express green fluorescent protein (GFP). Fluorescent rickettsiae were readily visualized in tick tissues. In adult female, but not male, Ixodes scapularis infected by capillary feeding, R. monacensis disseminated from the gut and infected the salivary glands that are crucial to the role of ticks as vectors. The rickettsiae infected the respiratory tracheal system, a potential dissemination pathway and possible infection reservoir during tick molting. R. monacensis disseminated from the gut of capillary fed I. scapularis nymphs and was transstadially transmitted to adults. Larvae, infected by immersion, transstadially transmitted the rickettsiae to nymphs. Infected female I. scapularis did not transovarially transmit R. monacensis to progeny and the rickettsiae were not horizontally transmitted to a rabbit or hamsters. Survival of infected nymphal and adult I. scapularis did not differ from that of uninfected control ticks. R. monacensis did not disseminate from the gut of capillary fed adult female Amblyomma americanum (L.), or adult Dermacentor variabilis (Say) ticks of either sex. Infection of I. scapularis with R. monacensis expressing GFP provides a model system allowing visualization and study of live rickettsiae in unfixed tissues of an arthropod host.     

Identification and expression analysis of a heat-shock protein 70 gene in Polycelis sp.

Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) is ubiquitously found in a variety of organisms and plays an important role in cytoprotection, environmental monitoring, and disease resistance. In this study, the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of hsp70 from planarian Polycelis sp. was first cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The expression levels of Pyhsp70 were analyzed in the presence of various stressors by real-time PCR, and its temporal-spatial expression patterns were also examined in both intact and regenerative animals by whole-mount in situ hybridization. The results show that (1) the deduced amino acid sequence of Pyhsp70 includes three typical HSP70 family signature motifs and is highly conserved during evolution; (2) Pyhsp70 expression is induced by prolonged starvation, tissue damage, and ionic liquid but inhibited by high or low temperatures; and (3) Pyhsp70 mRNA is mainly expressed in the head peripheral region and in the regenerating blastema during regeneration. These results suggest that the highly expressed Pyhsp70 gene may contribute to enhance cytoprotection and tolerance against stress-induced molecular damage, and the migration of neoblasts to the wound, which might also be involved in the proliferation and differentiation of neoblasts. Our work provides basic data for the study of stress responses and regenerative mechanism in freshwater planarians.