转录因子与microRNA在基因表达调控中的功能联系及差异

转录因子和微RNA(microRNA)是最大的两类反式作用因子,它们是基因表达调控的重要调控因子.它们协调发挥调控作用,精细调控基因的表达,在细胞分化和动物生长发育过程中发挥重要的作用.随着对转录因子和microRNA研究的深入,人们发现转录因子和microRNA在基因表达调控网络中关系紧密,它们的分子作用机制有许多相似之处,两者都通过各自的顺式作用元件调控基因表达,且作用的方式类似.但转录因子和microRNA也存在不同之处,转录因子既可以激活基因表达,也可抑制基因表达,而microRNA主要是抑制基因表达.另外,转录因子调控区的复杂性一般高于microRNA的调控区域.本文综述了转录因子和microRNA的异同点,并提出了未来转录因子和microRNA的研究方向.     

稻瘟菌诱导的水稻 WRKY 基因OsWRKY52 的分离和鉴定

WRKY 蛋白参与植物对生物或非生物胁迫反应和一些发育、代谢过程,在植物中组成一个转录因子大家族 . 从水稻 cDNA 文库中分离到一个新的 WRKY 基因——— OsWRKY52 cDNA ,包括一个 1 719 bp 的开放读码框,推测编码一个由 572 个氨基酸组成的蛋白质,与燕麦 (Avena sativa) AsWRKY1 具有 54 ％的氨基酸一致性 . 该基因被非亲和性稻瘟菌快速诱导 . 凝胶阻滞实验结果表明,原核表达的 OsWRKY52 能与水稻 PR1a 启动子上的 W 盒元件特异结合 . 采用酵母单杂交体系的方法证明了 OsWRKY52 具有转录激活活性 , 其丝氨酸岛、苏氨酸岛和 C 端的富酸性氨基酸区是负责转录激活的区域 . 这些结果提示 OsWRKY52 作为一个转录激活子,可能参与植物对稻瘟菌的应答反应 .     

调控巨噬细胞迁移抑制因子基因表达的影响因素

巨噬细胞迁移抑制因子(macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF)是一种广泛表达的多效性细胞因子,参与多种炎症和免疫疾病的过程并在其中发挥重要作用,是许多疾病的生物标志物或治疗靶点。MIF基因在系统发育中高度保守,在其启动子区有多种不同转录因子的特定结合位点,借此调节MIF的表达。MIF在细胞内外均发挥作用,且MIF是组成型表达。因此,研究调控MIF基因表达和刺激MIF分泌的相关因素具有重要意义。本文通过对MIF基因和MIF启动子上的结合位点的简述,对影响MIF基因表达的相关因素进行总结和归类。根据与MIF基因结合的方式,可分为：(1)与MIF基因启动子特定位点结合,改变转录活性;(2)与MIF CATT5-8微卫星重复序列结合,改变高表达MIF等位基因;(3)非编码RNA调控MIF表达;(4)影响MIF分泌的相关因素。通过对这4类调控MIF基因表达的相关因素的综述,进而认识MIF基因表达的调控机制和影响因素,以期对其治疗相关疾病提供理论基础。     

DREB2s转录因子基因的表达调控机制研究进展

DREB2s是植物特有的转录因子,隶属于AP2/EREBP转录因子家族,对干旱、高盐或低温、高温等非生物胁迫应答基因的表达有重要的调控作用。不同植物来源的DREB2在基因结构上有细微差异,对非生物胁迫的响应亦有不同表现。本文阐述了DREB2s的蛋白质结构特征及其对多种非生物胁迫的应答反应,并深入分析了DREB2s转录水平和转录后加工水平的表达调控分子机制的最新研究进展,为理解DREB2s基因功能、分子调控机制及作物抗逆基因工程提供理论依据。     

Mechanisms of Enhancer-mediated Hormonal Control of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Expression in Target Cells

The biological actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) are mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR), whose expression in bone cells is regulated positively by 1,25(OH)₂D₃, retinoic acid, and parathyroid hormone through both intergenic and intronic enhancers. In this report, we used ChIP-sequencing analysis to confirm the presence of these Vdr gene enhancers in mesenchyme-derived bone cells and to describe the epigenetic histone landscape that spans the Vdr locus. Using bacterial artificial chromosome-minigene stable cell lines, CRISPR/Cas9 enhancer-deleted daughter cell lines, transient transfection/mutagenesis analyses, and transgenic mice, we confirmed the functionality of these bone cell enhancers in vivo as well as in vitro. We also identified VDR-binding sites across the Vdr gene locus in kidney and intestine using ChIP-sequencing analysis, revealing that only one of the bone cell-type enhancers bound VDR in kidney tissue, and none were occupied by the VDR in the intestine, consistent with weak or absent regulation by the 1,25(OH)₂D₃ hormone in these tissues, respectively. However, a number of additional sites of VDR binding unique to either kidney or intestine were present further upstream of the Vdr gene, suggesting the potential for alternative regulatory loci. Importantly, virtually all of these regions retained histone signatures consistent with those of enhancers and exhibited unique DNase I hypersensitivity profiles that reflected the potential for chromatin access. These studies define mechanisms associated with hormonal regulation of the Vdr and hint at the differential nature of VDR binding activity at the Vdr gene in different primary target tissues in vivo.     

蒺藜苜蓿MtbHLH25基因克隆、亚细胞定位及表达分析

【目的】bHLH转录因子数量众多,能够广泛参与植物的生长发育和逆境胁迫等过程。本试验以蒺藜苜蓿R108为材料,初步探讨MtbHLH25基因的功能。【方法】通过PCR扩增技术从蒺藜苜蓿中克隆MtbHLH25基因和启动子,构建酵母表达载体并用LiAc转化法转移到Y2H Gold酵母菌株中进行酵母自激活检测,构建亚细胞定位载体并通过冻融法转入农杆菌EHA105,菌液注射到烟草下表皮细胞后利用SP8激光共聚焦显微镜观察,通过实时荧光定量PCR技术研究MtbHLH25基因的时空表达水平。【结果】（1）从蒺藜苜蓿中成功克隆出MtbHLH25基因和启动子,该基因总长882 bp,共编码293个氨基酸。启动子序列分析发现其包含了ABA、MeJA、GA和SA等响应元件。（2）进化树结果表明MtbHLH25蛋白与蚕豆和长柔毛野豌豆中bHLH蛋白高度同源。（3）亚细胞定位结果显示MtbHLH25蛋白定位于细胞核。（4）酵母自激活检测结果显示MtbHLH25蛋白具有自激活活性。（5）表达分析结果显示,MtbHLH25在蒺藜苜蓿根、茎、叶、花和果实中均有表达,其中在根中表达水平最高;外源SA、MeJA、ABA、GA以及盐胁迫使MtbHLH25基因表达量都呈下降趋势,推测SA、MeJA、ABA、GA以及盐胁迫对MtbHLH25基因的表达起到负调控作用。干旱胁迫能够显著诱导MtbHLH25基因表达量的上升,说明该转录因子可能在干旱胁迫中起到正调控作用。【结论】MtbHLH25基因可能对盐胁迫敏感,在干旱胁迫中可能发挥正调控作用。此外,MtbHLH25蛋白具有自激活活性,对下游启动子调控的报告基因可能具有激活作用。     

Early Growth Response Genes 2 and 3 Regulate the Expression of Bcl6 and Differentiation of T Follicular Helper Cells

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells support differentiation of B cells to plasma cells and high affinity antibody production in germinal centers (GCs), and Tfh differentiation requires the function of B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6). We have now discovered that early growth response gene 2 (EGR2) and EGR3 directly regulate the expression of Bcl6 in Tfh cells, which is required for their function in regulation of GC formation. In the absence of EGR2 and -3, the expression of BCL6 in Tfh cells is defective, leading to impaired differentiation of Tfh cells, resulting in a failure to form GCs following virus infection and defects in production of antiviral antibodies. Enforced expression of BCL6 in EGR2/3-deficient CD4 T cells partially restored Tfh differentiation and GC formation in response to virus infection. Our findings demonstrate a novel function of EGR2/3 that is important for Tfh cell development and Tfh cell-mediated B cell immune responses.     

DHRS4L2非编码RNA调控CPNE6基因表达

DHRS4/NRDR基因编码一种属于SDR家族的酶,在维甲酸合成、类固醇代谢和苯甲基代谢中发挥生物合成催化作用.DHRS4基因定位于14q11-2,有两个相似的拷贝基因,分别为DHRS4L2和DHRS4L1.我们前期发现了DHRS4L2基因一个上游转录起始位点,命名为DHRS4L2-Ea.在本研究中,我们用RT-PCR和双脱氧测序法发现一个新的从DHRS4L2-Ea转录的选择性剪接亚型DHRS4L2-900a(KC237374).同时RT-PCR结果显示在SK-N-SH细胞DHRS4L2-Ea选择性剪接亚型中DHRS4L2 iso(AY616183)表达最多,为主要亚型.在SK-N-SH细胞过表达DHRS4L2-800a(AY920361)使DHRS4L2-Ea 基因下游CPNE6 mRNA表达下调.在HeLa细胞过表达DHRS4L2 800a(AY920361)或DHRS4L2-900a(KC237374) 进一步表明DHRS4L2 Ea抑制CPNE6表达的作用.定量PCR结果显示si-RNA抑制DHRS4L2-Ea表达使CPNE6 mRNA表达上调.亚硫酸盐测序结果显示在SK-N-SH转染DHRS4L2-800a(AY920361)的样本中CPNE6基因DNA CpG甲基化增加.综上所述,本研究揭示DHRS4L2表达的非编码RNA抑制其下游基因CPNE6的表达.     

核桃JrGRAS2基因响应热胁迫的表达及功能分析

GRAS转录因子在植物响应逆境中起重要作用。为更好的了解核桃（Juglans regia）在逆境胁迫下的适应机制,本研究从‘香玲’核桃转录组中克隆获得一条GRAS基因（命名为JrGRAS2）,对其在不同高温胁迫下的表达进行分析,并将该基因插入酵母表达载体pYES2中构建重组载体pYES2-JrGRAS2,将pYES2-JrGRAS2转入酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）INVSCI,同时以转化pYES2的重组酵母作为阴性对照,在酵母表达系统中研究该基因的抗热胁迫功能。结果显示,该基因开放读码框（ORF）全长1296bp,拟推导的蛋白分子量为47405.83Da,含有氨基酸数为431,理论等电点为5.66。在热胁迫下,JrGRAS2基因被显著诱导,特别是在36℃胁迫0.5h的茎内,其表达相对于对照被上调了335.5倍。对两种酵母进行热胁迫,发现转JrGRAS2基因酵母表现出较对照更高的生存活性。表明JrGRAS2基因具有响应热胁迫的能力,且能提高酵母的抗性,JrGRAS2基因可作为核桃逆境应答的重要候选基因。     

Regulation of Acetate Metabolism and Acetyl Co-a Synthetase 1 (ACS1) Expression by Methanol Expression Regulator 1 (Mxr1p) in the Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia pastoris

Methanol expression regulator 1 (Mxr1p) is a zinc finger protein that regulates the expression of genes encoding enzymes of the methanol utilization pathway in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris by binding to Mxr1p response elements (MXREs) present in their promoters. Here we demonstrate that Mxr1p is a key regulator of acetate metabolism as well. Mxr1p is cytosolic in cells cultured in minimal medium containing a yeast nitrogen base, ammonium sulfate, and acetate (YNBA) but localizes to the nucleus of cells cultured in YNBA supplemented with glutamate or casamino acids as well as nutrient-rich medium containing yeast extract, peptone, and acetate (YPA). Deletion of Mxr1 retards the growth of P. pastoris cultured in YNBA supplemented with casamino acids as well as YPA. Mxr1p is a key regulator of ACS1 encoding acetyl-CoA synthetase in cells cultured in YPA. A truncated Mxr1p comprising 400 N-terminal amino acids activates ACS1 expression and enhances growth, indicating a crucial role for the N-terminal activation domain during acetate metabolism. The serine 215 residue, which is known to regulate the expression of Mxr1p-activated genes in a carbon source-dependent manner, has no role in the Mxr1p-mediated activation of ACS1 expression. The ACS1 promoter contains an Mxr1p response unit (MxRU) comprising two MXREs separated by a 30-bp spacer. Mutations that abrogate MxRU function in vivo abolish Mxr1p binding to MxRU in vitro. Mxr1p-dependent activation of ACS1 expression is most efficient in cells cultured in YPA. The fact that MXREs are conserved in genes outside of the methanol utilization pathway suggests that Mxr1p may be a key regulator of multiple metabolic pathways in P. pastoris.     

小麦转录因子基因TaERF7的克隆及其表达分析

温光敏核不育小麦(Triticum aestivum)百农不育系(Bainong sterility,BNS)是一种良好的小麦杂种优势利用材料,利用其低温不育、高温可育的特性可以实现“两系法”杂交小麦育种。该研究为找到BNS育性转换的关键基因,从已有BNS不育和可育花药的基因芯片数据中,鉴定得到表达存在差异的TaERF7基因,并通过设计引物克隆了TaERF7的cDNA和启动子序列,采用qRT-PCR分析TaERF7对不同温度和光照的响应。结果显示:(1)生物信息学分析表明,TaERF7基因的CDS区有660 bp,编码219个氨基酸;TaERF7蛋白含有AP2结构域和2个EAR基序,属于第二类乙烯响应因子(Ethylene response factor,ERF);TaERF7的氨基酸序列与拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)AtERF4同源,可能是一种转录抑制因子;TaERF7启动子区含有多个光响应和低温响应的顺式作用元件。(2)qRT-PCR结果表明,TaERF7在BNS的不同组织与器官中均有表达;在长日照(14 h)下,TaERF7在BNS中的表达量下调约0.47倍,而在短日照(10 h)处理下,TaERF7在BNS中的表达量上调约1.14倍;4℃的低温处理使TaERF7表达量在2 h内上调了约25.7倍,并且在48 h内一直保持较高的水平,而在37℃下虽然可以使TaERF7表达量在1 h内上调约0.71倍,但2 h后便急剧下调,到12 h时其表达量与对照相比已下调了约0.85倍。该研究结果初步证明,TaERF7基因可能特异性结合下游基因启动子的GCC box、DRE和CRT元件,调控下游基因的表达,从而影响了BNS的育性。