Baculovirus-Mediated Gene Expression in Zebrafish

Abstract In an effort to misexpress genes in zebrafish, we tested the ability of baculovirus to infect and drive gene expression in embryos. By injecting virus into specific tissues and using appropriate promoters, both the location and time of gene expression could be controlled. Using a virus with 2 different promoters, LacZ and GFP could be expressed independently. The efficiency of expression appears to depend on the promoter used. As a test of this system, baculovirus was used to ectopically express ephrinB2a in the presomitic mesoderm. EphrinB2a is normally expressed in the posterior region of developing somites, and baculovirus-mediated misexpression caused abnormal somite boundary formation. Baculovirus can thus be used as a tool for gene misexpression experiments in the zebrafish, especially when localized misexpression is required late in development.     

外源性胰岛素对斑马鱼血糖及其转运的影响

斑马鱼（Danio rerio）在糖负荷状态下表现出持续高血糖现象。与对照组（仅腹腔注射灭菌去离子水）相比,葡萄糖组（仅腹腔注射葡萄糖）血浆胰岛素水平无显著差异,胰岛素基因表达显著上调,肝胰脏葡萄糖转运蛋白（glucose transporters,GLUTs）基因表达无显著差异,说明斑马鱼自身胰岛素分泌不足和葡萄糖转运迟缓是导致其在糖负荷状态下持续高血糖的原因。为了观察外源性胰岛素对斑马鱼血糖及其在体内转运的影响,设计低（1.25 IU/kg）、中（12.5 IU/kg）、高（125 IU/kg）3个浓度的胰岛素,分别与葡萄糖溶液（0.1 g/mL）共注射斑马鱼并观察其血糖变化。结果表明,低剂量胰岛素能有效促进斑马鱼血糖的降低,且能直观反映糖负荷后血糖的变化情况,为最适注射浓度。此外,研究显示斑马鱼血糖变化不受性别影响。在胰岛素最适注射浓度下,与葡萄糖组相比,胰岛素组（葡萄糖与胰岛素共注射）可以显著减少斑马鱼血糖恢复到正常水平的时间,进一步分析发现,斑马鱼血浆胰岛素水平增加,肝胰脏葡萄糖转运蛋白基因表达显著上调,但胰岛素基因表达却被显著抑制。综上所述,胰岛素分泌不足和葡萄糖转运迟缓是造成斑马鱼持续高血糖的原因;外源性胰岛素能够促进糖负荷状态下斑马鱼血糖的降低,但是具有反馈抑制斑马鱼肝胰脏胰岛素基因表达的作用。     

斑马鱼胚胎发育中细胞凋亡的研究进展

细胞凋亡是细胞在基因调控下发生的主动消亡过程,在脊椎动物胚胎发育过程中非常重要。斑马鱼作为一种十分理想的发育分子生物学研究模型,在有关细胞凋亡在诸如形态发生、性别分化等方面功能之活体在位研究中日益受到重视。目前,斑马鱼胚胎发育中主要凋亡通路研究已进行了不少工作,特别是caspase及其它凋亡调控基因在斑马鱼中已被成功克隆,通过转基因斑马鱼胚胎中胁迫诱导细胞凋亡并研究其信号通路以及斑马鱼胚胎形态发生的异常改变,为阐明这些凋亡调控基因与发育之间的关系提供了一个强有力的手段。     

利用斑马鱼胚胎快速鉴定真核质粒中目的基因表达的研究

目的建立利用斑马鱼胚胎快速鉴定真核质粒中目的基因表达的实验体系。方法选20枚斑马鱼受精卵,在显微镜下每隔1h记录胚胎的发育情况。另选250枚单细胞期斑马鱼胚胎,平均分成5组,一组胚胎作为对照,剩余4组分别向胚胎的单细胞内注射pEGFP-N1(真核表达质粒)、pCMV-DsRed-Express2(真核表达质粒)、pET28-GFP(原核表达质粒)、pET28-RFP(原核表达质粒)质粒,在不同时间点连续观察绿色荧光及红色荧光的表达情况。另选600枚单细胞期斑马鱼胚胎,平均分成3组,一组胚胎作为对照,一组向胚胎单细胞内注射pEGFP-N1质粒,另外一组向胚胎单细胞内注射pEGFP-N1-MUC1外源基因融合重组质粒,注射4h后在荧光显微镜下观察绿色荧光的表达情况,并用RT-PCR的方法检测目的基因MUC1mRNA的转录情况。结果注射pEGFP-N1、pCMV-DsRed-Express2真核表达质粒的胚胎,注射4h后分别观察到很强的绿色荧光及红色荧光;注射pET28-GFP、pET28-RFP原核表达质粒的胚胎,10h内都未观察到绿色荧光及红色荧光;注射pEGFP-N1-MUC1外源基因融合质粒,注射4h后同样...     

马兜铃酸对斑马鱼肾损伤因子（KIM-1）表达的影响

采用分子定量方法检测斑马鱼(Danio rerio)幼鱼组织中KIM-1蛋白含量和基因表达水平,了解马兜铃酸处理后斑马鱼体内肾损伤因子的表达变化情况,并与幼鱼表型变化相比较,探讨KIM-1作为肾功能特异标志物在斑马鱼肾功能损伤评价中的应用价值。结果显示,马兜铃酸处理30 h后,幼鱼出现水肿,水肿发生率呈剂量依赖性特点。0.5~5.0μmol/L马兜铃酸处理组幼鱼水肿发生率与对照组差异不明显,但幼鱼KIM-1因子的蛋白含量及Kim-1基因表达水平比正常对照组显著升高,在马兜铃酸浓度为2μmol/L时达到最高。表明在肾功能损伤检测中,KIM-1是一种比表型更早发生变化的指标。     

Expression patterns of the creatine metabolism‐related molecules AGAT,GAMT and CT1 in adult zebrafish Danio rerio

AGAT, GAMT and CT1, three creatine synthesis and transport‐related molecules, have been widely studied in mammals. To explore their homologous genes in adult zebrafish Danio rerio, the gene expression patterns of these three genes in D. rerio were investigated. The results reveal that AGAT, GAMT and CT1 are expressed widely in diverse tissues of D. rerio where the homologous genes in mammals are also expressed.     

斑马鱼繁殖内分泌学研究进展

作为四大模式动物之一,斑马鱼(Danio rerio)广泛应用于胚胎学、发育生物学、毒理学、分子生物学等研究。但关于斑马鱼繁殖内分泌生理和环境毒理方面的研究少见报道,本文综述了近年来,在内分泌学方面以斑马鱼作为实验动物的研究概况。     

Efficient Transfection Strategy for the Spatiotemporal Control of Gene Expression in Zebrafish

Functional analyses of gene function by knockdown and expression approaches strongly enhance the genetic study of development. In vivo application of the introduction of inhibitors of gene expression, mRNA, and expression constructs in the target region make it possible to perform region- and stage-specific regulation of gene function in a simple manner. As a basic tool for the conditional regulation of gene expression in target tissue, we present methods for the efficient introduction of antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO), mRNA, and expression plasmid constructs into early and later stage zebrafish embryo and larva. Lipofection of a neuron-specific expression construct plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) into optic vesicle resulted in clear GFP expression in the retinotectal pathway in hatched larva. Co-lipofection of MO and GFP mRNA to the presumptive head region resulted in brain-specific knockdown of the gene in mid-stage embryos.     

Visualizing Compound Distribution during Zebrafish Embryo Development: The Effects of Lipophilicity and DMSO

The predictability of the zebrafish embryo model is highly influenced by internal exposure of the embryo/larva. As compound uptake is likely to be influenced by factors such as lipophilicity, solvent use, and chorion presence, this article focuses on investigating their effects on compound distribution within the zebrafish embryo. To visualize compound uptake and distribution, zebrafish embryos were exposed for 96 hr, starting at 4 hr postfertilization, to water‐soluble dyes: Schiff's reagent (logP –4.63), Giemsa stain (logP –0.77), Van Gierson stain (logP 1.64), Cresyl fast violet (logP 3.5), Eosine Y (logP 4.8), Sudan III (logP 7.5), and Oil red O (logP 9.81), with and without 1% dimethyl‐sulfoxide (DMSO). Three additional compounds were used to analytically determine the uptake and distribution: Acyclovir (logP –1.56), Zidovudine (logP 0.05), and Metoprolol Tartrate Salt (logP 1.8). Examinations were performed every 24 hr. Both methods (visualization and specific analysis) showed that exposure to higher logP values results in higher compound uptake. Specific analysis showed that for lipophilic compounds >90% of compound is taken up by the embryo. For hydrophilic compounds, >90% of compound within the complete egg could not be associated to embryo or chorion and is probably distributed into the perivitelline space. Overall, internal exposure analyses on at least two occasions (i.e., before and after hatching) is crucial for interpretation of zebrafish embryotoxicity data, especially for compounds with extreme logP values. DMSO did not affect exposure when examined with the visualization method, however, this method might be not sensitive enough to draw hard conclusions.     

Co-expression of human complement regulatory proteins DAF and MCP with an IRES-mediated dicistronic mammalian vector enhances their cell protective effects

C3 convertase regulatory proteins, decay accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46), have complementary function and transfected into non-human cells might confer protection against human complement. This may be an effective strategy to alleviate C-mediated cell damage by combining the two activities. In this study, we constructed a dicistronic mammalian expression vector pcDNA3-MCPIRESDAF using the internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) of the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), and stable cell lines were obtained by G418 screening. Integration of extraneous genes was identified by PCR. RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated that the EMCV IRES allowed for efficient co-expression of hMCP and hDAF in NIH3T3 cells stably transfected with pcDNA3-MCPIRESDAF. Human complement-mediated cytolysis assays showed that co-expressed DAF and MCP proteins could provide more significant protection against complement-mediated cytolysis than either hMCP or hDAF alone. These results suggest that DAF and MCP synergize the actions of each other, and the IRES-mediated polycistronic vector should improve the efficiency and effectiveness of multi-gene delivery. The pcDNA3-MCPIRESDAF vector has potential therapeutic value for effectively controlling complement activation, thereby increasing the possibility of inter-species transplantation. Published in Russian in Biokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 73, No.9, pp. 1274–1280.     

植物体细胞胚发生过程中基因表达的研究进展

植物体细胞胚胎发生是一个复杂的发育过程,研究者们通过分析植物体细胞胚发生过程中的基因表达或胚性组织和非胚性组织中基因的差异表达,获得了在体细胞胚发生过程不同时期表达的基因,并分析了这些基因在胚胎发生途径中可能的作用。综述了在植物体细胞胚发生过程中细胞周期相关基因、胁迫和激素应答相关基因、信号转导相关基因、晚期胚胎丰富蛋白基因及与体细胞胚发生相关的胞外蛋白基因表达的研究进展。     

单纯疱疹病毒I型扩增子系列载体的构建

我们先前已报道了构建成一种能在ＨＳＶ ｔｓＫ株辅助下进行复制和包装,并表达β－半乳糖苷酶基因ｌａｃＺ的ＨＳＶ－１扩增子质粒ｐＨＳＬ,以及它的应用。该质料中依次含有ＨＳＶ－１复制起点ｏｒｉＳ序列及ＩＥ６８启动子、ｌａｃＺ基因、ＳＶ４０ｐｏｌｙＡ、ＨＳＶ－１包装信号‘ａ’序列和大肠杆菌质粒骨架。然而,该质粒中的报告基因ｌａｃＺ无法用简单的酶切方法卸载下来,继而装入目的基因。本研究在此基础上,新构建了一     

猪传染性胃肠炎病毒n基因的原核表达及重组蛋白的免疫活性分析

猪传染性胃肠炎(transmissible gastroenteritis,TGE)是由猪传染性胃肠炎病毒(transmissible gas-troenteritis virus,TGEV)引起的一种急性、高度接触性传染病,以呕吐、水样腹泻、脱水和对2周龄以内仔猪高度致死率为特征[1]。猪传染性胃肠炎病毒隶属于冠状病毒科冠状病毒属,是引起仔猪病毒性腹泻的重要病原,其基因组为单股正链的有感染性不分节段的RNA,TGEV结构蛋白主要由S、N、Ms、M蛋白组成[2]。其中n基因指导合成病毒的核衣壳蛋白(N),它是一种磷酸化的蛋白,存在于病毒粒子的内部,其分子质量为47kD[3],与病毒基因组组成核衣壳;N…     

伪狂犬病毒gE基因在昆虫细胞中的高效表达

In order to develop a simple and safe test for the detection of vaccinated as well as wild type Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infected pigs, the modified gE gene of PRV Ea strain, obtained by cutting the 5' UTR using PCR and DNA recombinant technique, was inserted into baculovirus expression vector pFastBac 1, resulting the trans-position plamid pFE1.75. After homologous recombination, recombinant baculovirus rvBacE1.75 was gained and high level expression of glycoprotein E (gE) was observed after the infection of rvBacE1.75 to Tn-5B1-4 cells. The expression product was 80-88 kD and was specific to antisera against PRV Ea strain by Western-blotting. Purified recombinant proteins were used as an antigen in Latex Agglutination Test(gE-LAT) and the test was specific, sensitive, safe and simple.     

SARS病毒核蛋白基因的克隆及其表达研究

从一例输入性传染性非典型性肺炎病人血清中提取病毒RNA,通过RT-PCR方法扩增出SARS病毒核蛋白基因片段,克隆入质粒载体pUCm-T后,进行核苷酸序列的测定及分析,与已公布的SARS病毒基因序列进行比较,证实为SARS冠状病毒核蛋白基因.为了解该病毒核蛋白的抗原特性,将核蛋白基因插入表达载体,构建重组质粒pET28a-SN,转导大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后,加IPTG诱导表达.产物经SDS-PAGE电泳分析,表达出相对分子量约为50kDa的蛋白,占整个菌体的45%左右.Western-blot分析表明,表达产物仅与SARS阳性病人血清起反应,而与正常血清不起反应.间接ELISA免疫检测,抗原滴度达112500.表明表达的核蛋白为SARS特异性抗原,这为SARS病毒的诊断试剂的研制提供了方便而安全的抗原来源.     

哺乳动物早期胚胎的基因表达及其调控

哺乳动物的早期发育包括合子的形成、胚胎基因组的活化和细胞开始分化等。在这段时期,精蛋白被组蛋白取代;二倍体形成后甲基化的单倍体亲本基因组经历了脱甲基作用;母本控制的发育被合子控制所取代。此外,在染色体调节的转录抑制状态形成之后,胚胎基因组活化,但基因的有效表达需要有增强子。这种转录抑制状态的产生很可能发生在染色质结构水平,因为诱导组蛋白过乙酰化可免除对增强子的需求。早期胚胎的mRNA表达模式与在体内或体外成功发育的关系,对确定最佳培养条件和核移植程序是必不可少的。     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒核衣壳蛋白基因的克隆与原核表达研究

采用RT—PCR方法自猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒基因组分离出核衣壳蛋白基因(ofr7),克隆到pMDl8—T载体构建成重组质粒pMDl8N并进行测序比较,结果表明,所克隆的核衣壳蛋白基因序列与PRRSV美洲型ATCCVR—2332株的同源性为100％,表明ofr7是PRRSV基因组内很保守的序列;将ofr7亚克隆到原核表达载体pGEX—KG,构建成重组质粒pGEX—KGN,用pGEX—KGN转化表达菌株BL21,经SDS—PAGE和Western-blot分析表明：克隆在谷胱苷肽转移酶(Glutathione S-transferase(GST)下游的核衣壳蛋白基因与GST获得了高效融合表达,表达的融合蛋白GST—N分子量约为41kDa,并且有免疫学反应活性;这为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的血清学诊断方法的建立打下了基础。     

光/暗对高粱叶片磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶基因表达的调节

高粱幼苗黄化叶片经照光转绿后,其PEP-Case活性提高4～15倍,mRNA含量提高了1.03倍,并测定出PEPCase mRNA的分子量为3.4kb。以等量的总RNA及mRNA进行体外翻译,发现转绿后PEPCase专一性翻译活性提高了51％～53％。这表明光照可以在转录水平上调节PEP-Case的基因表达。     

前列腺素脱氢酶在大肠杆菌中的表达纯化及鉴定

15-羟基前列腺素脱氢酶（PGDH）属于抑癌基因,在多种肿瘤中表达缺失,在肿瘤的发生发展中起着重要作用。提取人正常大肠黏膜组织总RNA,利用RT-PCR方法扩增得到PGDH基因的编码序列,克隆入原核表达载体pBV220,测序鉴定正确后转化E.coli DH5α,经温控诱导表达,表达产物进行SDS-PAGE和Western blot,证实为相对分子质量约为29000的PGDH-His6蛋白,表达产物以包涵体形式存在,3h诱导表达量最高,约占菌体总蛋白的30%。经Ni2+配体亲和层析纯化得到纯度大于95%的目的蛋白。重组PGDH简单复性后具有一定的生物活性,约为3.7×104U/mg,为下一步研究其在肿瘤中的作用奠定了基础。