Simple and fast method to test the receptor for advanced glycosylated endproducts (RAGE) for its tumor suppressive potential using the Tet-On system

The Tet gene expression system, that allows tightly controlled gene expression in response to doxycycline, was applied to analyze the influence of the receptor for advanced glycosylation endproducts (RAGE) on the growth of 293 cells in semi-solid medium. Establishing a Tet-On gene expression system involves two consecutive stable transfections. Here, we describe an alternative procedure to obtain a Tet-On gene expression system in a single transfection step for the use in tumor biology. The plasmids necessary for the regulated expression of RAGE together with the selectable marker plasmid were cotransfected in a molar ratio of 6:1. After aminoglycoside selection, 29 clones were analyzed using PCR revealing 8 colonies to be double stably transformed. Subsequent Western blot analysis showed inducible expression in 7 cell lines. Applying the one step protocol, the entire Tet-On expression system could be completed in half of the time required for the original two step method. The generated 293 double stable cells were used in the clonogenic assay for the testing of the tumor suppressive potential of RAGE.     

Receptor Research: The Past,the Present and the Outlook

Abstract

The Tet gene expression system, that allows tightly controlled gene expression in response to doxycycline, was applied to analyze the influence of the receptor for advanced glycosylation endproducts (RAGE) on the growth of 293 cells in semi-solid medium. Establishing a Tet-On gene expression system involves two consecutive stable transfections. Here, we describe an alternative procedure to obtain a Tet-On gene expression system in a single transfection step for the use in tumor biology. The plasmids necessary for the regulated expression of RAGE together with the selectable marker plasmid were cotransfected in a molar ratio of 6:1. After aminoglycoside selection, 29 clones were analyzed using PCR revealing 8 colonies to be double stably transformed. Subsequent Western blot analysis showed inducible expression in 7 cell lines. Applying the one step protocol, the entire Tet-On expression system could be completed in half of the time required for the original two step method. The generated 293 double stable cells were used in the clonogenic assay for the testing of the tumor suppressive potential of RAGE.     

人β-半乳糖苷酶R299L突变体的获得与活性研究*

目的: GM1神经节苷脂贮积症是一种由半乳糖苷酶beta 1(galactosidase beta 1, GLB1)基因突变引起的β-半乳糖苷酶(β-galactosidase,β-gal)活性降低导致的严重的溶酶体贮积病。该病以进行性、致命性神经退行性病变为特征,目前尚无有效的治疗手段,AAV载体介导的基因治疗被认为是最有希望的治疗方法。通过基因定点突变获得具有较高β-gal活性的GLB1突变体,以期用于后续AAV介导的基因治疗。方法: 对人类和其他6种脊椎动物GLB1基因进行多序列比对分析,筛选出部分氨基酸位点进行定点突变,采用携带突变位点的重组质粒和AAV9载体转染或感染HEK-293细胞,比较突变体与未突变体的活性差异。对GM1模型鼠注射携带coGLB1-R299L的rAAV9病毒,探究该突变体的体内活性表达。结果: 从15个突变体中筛选出coGLB1-R299L突变体,经质粒转染导入细胞后,其β-gal活性比具有野生型氨基酸序列的coGLB1增加了30%~40%。AAV体外感染实验中,rAAV9-coGLB1-R299L组的β-gal活性较未感染的细胞对照组提升了约2.2倍。体内结果显示,rAAV9-coGLB1-R299L在模型鼠体内广泛表达,心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺、脑组织中β-gal活性显著提升。结论: 获得了具有更高β-gal活性的突变体coGLB1-R299L,初步探究了rAAV9-coGLB1-R299L的体外表达效果和模型鼠体内β-半乳糖苷酶的表达与分布,为该突变体应用于AAV介导的GM1神经节苷脂病治疗奠定基础。     

The metabolism of dihydrotachysterols: Renal side chain and non-renal nuclear hydroxylations in vivo and in vitro

The metabolism of dihydrotachysterol (DHT), a hydrogenated analogue of vitamin D, has been studied in vivo using man and rat and in vitro using the perfused rat kidney, and hepatoma (3B) and osteosarcoma (UMR-106) cell lines. In vivo a large number of metabolites appeared in the plasma of rats given DHT₂ and DHT₃. Of particular interest was a compound more polar than 25-hydroxy-DHT, which has been designated compound H. Further study of this compound showed that it was composed of two components, one (Ha) being in much lower concentration than the other (Hb). The production of T2/H (peak H from DHT₂) was demonstrated in human plasma after administration of oral DHT₂. Comparison of the metabolites formed in vivo with those isolated from the rat kidney perfused with 25-hydroxy-DHT₃ in vitro showed that 25-hydroxy-DHT₃ was metabolized along two metabolic pathways previously described for vitamin D, culminating in the production of 25-hydroxy-DHT₃-23,26-lactone and 23,25-dihydroxy-24-oxo-DHT₃. The osteosarcoma cell line metabolized 25-OH-DHT₃ in vitro along the same two metabolic pathways already demonstrated in the perfused rat kidney. More polar metabolites than compound H seen in rat plasma in vivo were shown to be metabolites of compound H and similar metabolites were also produced in the osteosarcoma cell line from chemically synthesized 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT₃. The hepatoma cell line 25-hydroxylated DHT and no feed-back inhibition was observed. Use of the hepatoma cell to 25-hydroxylate a number of chemically synthesized 1-hydroxy-DHTs indicated that compound Ha was indistinguishable from 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT whereas compound Hb is possibly 1β,25-dihydroxy-DHT. Studies with the VDR in both chick gut and calf thymus indicated that 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT is very effective in displacing radiolabelled 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D₃ and is thus most likely to be the calcaemic metabolite of DHT.     

过表达BTG2增强人肺腺癌细胞的辐射敏感性

在肺癌类型中,肺腺癌占大多数,其总体生存率差,BTG2是抗增殖基因家族的一员,属于BTG/TOB家族。许多研究表明,B细胞易位基因2(BTG2)多种类型的肿瘤中存在异常表达,但其在肺腺癌放疗敏感性中发挥的调控作用尚不明确。本研究通过肺腺癌组织样本及在线数据库,探究BTG2在肺腺癌患者中的表达水平及其表达与临床预后之间的相关性,结果提示在具有放疗抗性的肺腺癌患者中,BTG2的表达水平显著降低,且在肺腺癌细胞系中,BTG2能对放疗产生响应,其在肺腺癌患者中的低表达状态与不良的预后相关(P＜0.05);在人肺腺癌A549和H1299细胞系中转染过表达BTG2(OE-BTG2)慢病毒,通过克隆形成检测过表达BTG2对肺腺癌细胞系的辐射敏感性的影响,实验证实过表达BTG2可显著增强A549和H1299细胞系的辐射敏感性(P＜0.05);并进一步通过WB、免疫组化检测BTG2及凋亡相关蛋白BAX的表达水平,结果证实:过表达BTG2可显著增加A549和H1299细胞辐射后的凋亡水平。最后通过裸鼠成瘤试验检测BTG2在活体中对肺腺癌辐射敏感性的影响,结果提示:在动物实验中,过表达BTG2可显著增强肺腺癌的辐射敏感性(P＜0.05)及增加辐射后BAX的表达水平。综上所述,BTG2在肺腺癌组织中处于低表达状态,并且与不良的临床预后紧密相关,过表达BTG2可促进凋亡过程,增加人肺腺癌细胞系的辐射敏感性,能为克服肺腺癌的辐射抗性提供新的靶点。     

Specificity of the action of parathyroid hormone upon mitochondrial metabolism: Cyanogen bromide-derived parathyroid-hormone peptides

The mitochondrial response to cyanogen bromide-treated parathyroid hormone was studied as a means of testing further the relationship between the structure and the effects in vitro of this hormone. The treated hormone and appropriate control hormone were tested in a standard bioassay and in a mitochondrial assay system in vitro.

Reaction of more than 90 % of the methionine residues in the hormone resulted in total inactivation of the hormone both in vivo and in vitro. This result disagrees with previously published data.     

Isolation and functional analysis of two Cistus creticus cDNAs encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase

Cistus creticus ssp. creticus is an indigenous shrub of the Mediterranean area. The glandular trichomes covering its leaf surfaces secrete a resin called “ladanum”, which among others contains a number of specific labdane-type diterpenes that exhibit antibacterial and antifungal action as well as in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic and cytostatic activity against human cancer cell lines. In view of the properties and possible future exploitation of these metabolites, it was deemed necessary to study the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase enzyme (GGDPS, EC 2.5.1.30), a short chain prenyltransferase responsible for the synthesis of the precursor molecule of all diterpenes. In this work, we present the cloning, functional characterisation and expression profile at the gene and protein levels of two differentially expressed C. creticus full-length cDNAs, CcGGDPS1 and CcGGDPS2. Heterologous yeast cell expression system showed that these cDNAs exhibited GGDPS enzyme activity. Gene and protein expression analyses suggest that this enzyme is developmentally and tissue-regulated showing maximum expression in trichomes and smallest leaves (0.5–1.0 cm). This work is the first attempt to study the terpenoid biosynthesis at the molecular level in C. creticus ssp. creticus.     

Interaction of glucocorticoid analogues with the human glucocorticoid receptor

Transient co-transfection of receptor cDNA and suitable reporter genes was used to study human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) function in a neutral mammalian cell background. A variety of natural and synthetic steroids were analyzed for their ability to activate gene expression through the hGR and to bind to extracts of cells expressing the hGR cDNA. There was very good correlation between these two in vitro parameters for these compounds. Furthermore, correlation of these data with reported in vivo anti-inflammatory potencies was surprisingly close, with two exceptions. The in vitro data suggest an explanation for the discrepant compounds, consistent with published data on their metabolic fate in vivo. The co-transfection assay has utility as a quantitative predictor of in vivo glucocorticoid pharmacology.     

Beta2-adrenoceptor agonists induce the mammalian clock gene, hPer1, mRNA in cultured human bronchial epithelium cells in vitro

The mammalian Per1 gene is one of the most important components of circadian clock function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral tissues. We examined whether the β₂-adrenoceptor agonists, procaterol and fenoterol, induce human Per1 mRNA expression in human bronchial epithelium. The in vitro stimulation of β₂-adrenoceptor agonists in BEAS-2B cells led to a remarkable increase in the level of hPer1 mRNA. Moreover, fenoterol or procaterol induced the phosphorylation of CREB in BEAS-2B cells as verified by immunoblot analysis. β₂-adrenoceptor agonists induced human Per1 mRNA expression by the signaling pathways of cAMP-CREB in BEAS-2B cells.     

鼻咽癌相关新基因NPCEDRG表达对CNE2细胞生长的影响

为研究鼻咽癌相关新基因NPCEDRG的功能,探讨其对鼻咽癌细胞生长特性的影响,利用Tet-on调控系统,建立受强力霉素(deoxycycline,Dox)诱导NPCEDRG基因表达的CNE2细胞系.运用RT-PCR选择背景表达低、诱导活性高的细胞克隆,以不同浓度Dox诱导CNE2/Tet/TRE-NPCEDRG细胞,确定Dox的最佳诱导浓度.借助形态学观察、细胞生长曲线、软琼脂克隆形成试验和流式细胞仪分析等方法,对Dox诱导NPCEDRG高表达后CNE2细胞的生物学行为进行了检测.结果显示,NPCEDRG高表达后CNE2细胞增殖速度显著减慢(P<0.05),克隆形成能力显著降低(P<0.01),瘤细胞群体中处于G0/G1期细胞数增加,S期细胞数减少,细胞阻滞于G0/G1期.Tet调控NPCEDRG基因表达CNE2细胞系成功建立,恢复NPCEDRG表达能部分逆转CNE2的恶性表型,证明NPCEDRG是一个鼻咽癌相关的抑瘤基因.     

The role of cytokines in the regulation of Leydig cell P450c17 gene expression

Cytokines produced by immune-activated testicular interstitial macrophages (TIMs) may play a fundamental role in the local control mechanisms of testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells. We investigated whether in vivo immune-activation of TIMs can modulate Leydig cell steroidogenesis. To immune activate TIMs in vivo, mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 6 mg/kg). TIMs and Leydig cells were purified for RNA analysis. LPS treatment resulted in a 47-fold increase in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA in TIMs. P450c17 mRNA levels in the Leydig cells from the same animals, decreased to less than 10% compared to control. The effect of LPS on IL-1β and P450c17 mRNA levels was reversible on both TIMs and Leydig cells, respectively. To determine if the effect of LPS on P450c17 was mediated by a possible decrease in pituitary LH secretion, mice were co-injected with LPS and hCG. Treatment with hCG did not change the effect observed with LPS alone, in TIMs or in Leydig cells. In vitro, LPS treatment of TIMs resulted in marked induction of IL-1β mRNA expression. In parallel, in vitro treatment of Leydig cells with recombinant IL-1 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of P450c17 mRNA expression and testosterone production. These data demonstrate that LPS treatment, in vivo and in vitro, induced IL-1 gene expression in TIMs, and that IL-1 inhibits P450c17 mRNA in vitro. Therefore, we suggest that immune-activation of TIMs might have caused the observed inhibition of P450c17 gene expression in Leydig cells in vivo.     

Vitamin D: A modulator of cell proliferation and differentiation

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃, [1,25(OH)₂D₃], the biologically most active metabolite of vitamin D₃, is involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recently, receptors for 1,25(OH)₂D₃ have also been shown in cells and tissues not directly related to calcium homeostasis. Experimental data obtained with leukemic and cancer cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo, showed the effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on cell differentiation and proliferation. However, high doses of the sterol have to be used to observe these effects. Additional studies are needed to establish whether 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or suitable analogues have a therapeutic potential in malignant diseases without unacceptable toxicity like the development of hypercalcemia.     

盐酸坦索罗辛与宁米泰胶囊联合用药调控β-内酰胺酶相关基因及溶血和毒力基因表达

盐酸坦索罗辛(TSH)是一种选择性α₁肾上腺素受体阻滞剂,主要用于治疗良性前列腺增生症。宁泌泰胶囊(NMT)是根据中医理论建立的配方制剂,具有清热解毒、利尿排尿等功效,主要用于湿热蕴结淋淋、淋湿酸痛、尿血、下尿路感染与慢性前列腺炎。研究显示,TSH可与多种药物联合用于治疗微生物感染和抗生素耐药,显示出较好的治疗效果和应用前景;NMT对大肠杆菌、变形杆菌、淋病奈瑟菌、粪链球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌等多种致病菌也具有明显的抑菌和杀菌作用。提示这2种药物联合应用可能对临床细菌具有显著的抗菌活性。本研究采用比浊法,在肺炎克雷伯菌(K. pneumonia)、金黄色葡萄球菌(S. aureus)和枯草芽孢杆菌(B. subtilis)中,体外检测TSH与NMT联合应用的抗菌活性。研究发现,TSH与NMT联合应用表现出显著的抗菌活性,对3种菌株的体外抑制活性均强于单一治疗。建立感染动物模型,在体内检测TSH与NMT联合应用的抗菌活性。结果表明,2种药物联合使用对肺炎克雷伯菌肺部感染小鼠模型的治疗效果显著(P < 0.01),对枯草芽孢杆菌感染小鼠具有显著的治疗效果(P < 0.05),而对感染金黄色葡萄球菌的小鼠无明显影响。运用RT-PCR,研究β-内酰胺酶、溶血及毒力相关基因的表达,评价其抗菌机制。结果提示,2种药物联用于肺炎克雷伯菌的抗菌机制可能涉及上调或下调β-内酰胺酶相关基因(包括GES、VEB、PER-2和IMP),在枯草芽孢杆菌中抗菌机制可能涉及上调或下调溶血相关基因(yhdP、yhdT、yqhB和yugS);在金黄色葡萄球菌中,抗菌机制可能涉及上调或下调关键毒力基因(saeR、hla、sbi和mecA)。这些数据表明,TSH与NMT联合使用,通过调节β-内酰胺酶、溶血和毒力相关基因的转录水平表达,对3株菌株表现出显著的体外杀菌作用;并且该组合对体内感染肺炎克雷伯菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的小鼠模型具有更好的治疗作用。因此,TSH和NMT的联合治疗可能对细菌感染具有潜在的预防或治疗作用。     

Retro-Tet:一种基于逆转录病毒的诱导性基因表达系统

 Retro Tet基因表达系统是一种新型的高效、稳定、无毒、具有严密开 关功能的可诱导性真核细胞基因表达系统 .该系统兼备了逆转录病毒基因表达系统和Tet off Tet on基因表达系统的优点 ,在稳定表达细胞系的筛选、基因的表达与调控及基因功能研究等方面得到了成功的应用 ,同时也为基因治疗提供了一种理想的基因载体系统