Pol II-expressed shRNA knocks down Sod2 gene expression and causes phenotypes of the gene knockout in mice

RNA interference (RNAi) has been used increasingly for reverse genetics in invertebrates and mammalian cells, and has the potential to become an alternative to gene knockout technology in mammals. Thus far, only RNA polymerase III (Pol III)-expressed short hairpin RNA (shRNA) has been used to make shRNA-expressing transgenic mice. However, widespread knockdown and induction of phenotypes of gene knockout in postnatal mice have not been demonstrated. Previous studies have shown that Pol II synthesizes micro RNAs (miRNAs)-the endogenous shRNAs that carry out gene silencing function. To achieve efficient gene knockdown in mammals and to generate phenotypes of gene knockout, we designed a construct in which a Pol II (ubiquitin C) promoter drove the expression of an shRNA with a structure that mimics human miRNA miR-30a. Two transgenic lines showed widespread and sustained shRNA expression, and efficient knockdown of the target gene Sod2. These mice were viable but with phenotypes of SOD2 deficiency. Bigenic heterozygous mice generated by crossing these two lines showed nearly undetectable target gene expression and phenotypes consistent with the target gene knockout, including slow growth, fatty liver, dilated cardiomyopathy, and premature death. This approach opens the door of RNAi to a wide array of well-established Pol II transgenic strategies and offers a technically simpler, cheaper, and quicker alternative to gene knockout by homologous recombination for reverse genetics in mice and other mammalian species.     

Changes in the Expression of the gapdh Gene in the Organs of insrr Knockout Mice

Doklady Biological Sciences - The most important property of a living organism is the maintenance of optimal acid–base balance and the ionic composition of the internal environment. The...     

基因剔除小鼠研究的新进展

基因剔除小鼠是活体内研究基因及蛋白质功能的理想动物模型。传统的基因剔除技术存在表型分析复杂、周期长、操作繁杂等缺点,如何更科学、更方便地建立基因剔除小鼠模型成为目前使该技术更好地应用于医学研究的关键。本文从胚胎干细胞（ES细胞）的遗传背景、组织特异性基因表达基因剔除小鼠及基因剔除技术上的革新几方面介绍了目前基因剔除小鼠研究的一些最新进展。     

精胺对Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因表达调控的研究

目的 研究精胺对Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因表达的影响,并对其作用机理进行初步的探讨.方法 利用Real-time PCR检测正常小鼠和Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内Atp8a1基因的在mRNA水平上的差异表达情况;构建Atp8a1基因的启动子虫荧光素酶报告质粒;将启动子重组质粒转染NTH3T3细胞后,在细胞培养液中加入精胺,检测精胺对启动子活性的影响.结果 Atp8a1基因在Azin1基因敲除小鼠体内的表达量明显增加;精胺能够增强Atp8a1的启动子活性.结论 精胺能够通过增强Atp8a1的启动子活性而增强其在Ain1基因敲除小鼠体内转录水平的表达.     

Deletion of a Genomic Segment Containing the Cardiac Troponin I Gene Knocks Down Expression of the Slow Troponin T Gene and Impairs Fatigue Tolerance of Diaphragm Muscle

The loss of slow skeletal muscle troponin T (TnT) results in a recessive nemaline myopathy in the Amish featured with lethal respiratory failure. The genes encoding slow TnT and cardiac troponin I (TnI) are closely linked. Ex vivo promoter analysis suggested that the 5′-enhancer region of the slow TnT gene overlaps with the structure of the upstream cardiac TnI gene. Using transgenic expression of exogenous cardiac TnI to rescue the postnatal lethality of a mouse line in which the entire cardiac TnI gene was deleted, we investigated the effect of enhancer deletion on slow TnT gene expression in vivo and functional consequences. The levels of slow TnT mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in the diaphragm muscle of adult double transgenic mice. The slow TnT-deficient (ssTnT-KD) diaphragm muscle exhibited atrophy and decreased ratios of slow versus fast isoforms of TnT, TnI, and myosin. Consistent with the changes toward more fast myofilament contents, ssTnT-KD diaphragm muscle required stimulation at higher frequency for optimal tetanic force production. The ssTnT-KD diaphragm muscle also exhibited significantly reduced fatigue tolerance, showing faster and more declines of force with slower and less recovery from fatigue as compared with the wild type controls. The natural switch to more slow fiber contents during aging was partially blunted in the ssTnT-KD skeletal muscle. The data demonstrated a critical role of slow TnT in diaphragm function and in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Amish nemaline myopathy.     

The Impact of Oxytocin Gene Knockout on Sexual Behavior and Gene Expression Related to Neuroendocrine Systems in the Brain of Female Mice

Social relations are built and maintained from the interaction among individuals. The oxytocin (OT), vasopressin (VP), estrogen, dopamine, and their receptors are involved in the modulation of sexual behavior in females. This study aimed to analyze the impact of OT gene knockout (OTKO) on sexual behavior and the gene expression of oxytocin (OTR), estrogen alpha (ERα), estrogen beta (ERβ), vasopressin (V_1aR), and dopamine (D₂R) receptors in the olfactory bulb (OB), prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HPC), and hypothalamus (HPT), as well as in the synthesis of VP in the HPT of female mice. Wild-type (WT) littermates were used for comparisons. The _CDNAs were synthesized by polymerase chain reaction and the gene expression was calculated with the 2^?ΔΔCt formula. Our results showed that the absence of OT caused an increase in the frequency and duration of non-receptive postures and a decrease in receptive postures in the OTKO. OTKO females showed a significant decrease in the gene expression of OTR in the HPC, V_1aR in the HPT, and ERα and ERβ in the PFC. There was no significant difference in the gene expression of D₂R of OTKO. However, OTKO showed an increased gene expression of V_1aR in the HPC. There is no significant difference in VP mRNA synthesis in the HPT between OTKO and WT. Our findings demonstrate that the absence of OT leads to significant changes in the expression of the studied genes (OTR, ERα, ERβ, V_1aR), and these changes may contribute to the decreased sexual behavior observed in OTKO females.     

Expression of Human Cu-Zn Superoxide Dismutase Gene in Transgenic Mice: Model for Gene Dosage Effect in Down Syndrome

It was suggested that increased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-I) might be involved in the various biological abnormalities found in Down's syndrome (DS) such as premature aging and Alzheimer-type neurological lesions. As a model system for testing this hypothesis we have developed two strains of transgenic mice carrying only one copy of the human SOD-I gene. In the first strain (TGI). no expression has been found by northern blot analysis. The second strain (TG2) exhibited human SOD-I mRNA and increased SOD-l activity in the brain (1.93 fold), in the heart (I.69 fold), thymus (I.49 fold) and to a lesser extent in muscle (1.25 fold), liver (1.19 fold), kidney (1.18 fold), spleen (1.35 fold), lung (1.26 fold) and erythrocytes (1.09 fold). In this strain, increased SOD-1 activity in the brain did not induce modifications in the seleno-dependent glutathione peroxidase. glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities. In brain homogenates, we have focused our studies on Tau proteins which are known to be the major antigenic components of paired helical filaments (P11F). both in DS and Alzheimer's disease. Our results suggested that, in our experimental conditions, the overexpression of SOD-I did not induce the modifications of Tau proteins similar to those seen during neurofibrillary degeneration.     

Expression of Human Cu-Zn Superoxide Dismutase Gene in Transgenic Mice: Model for Gene Dosage Effect in Down Syndrome

It was suggested that increased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-I) might be involved in the various biological abnormalities found in Down's syndrome (DS) such as premature aging and Alzheimer-type neurological lesions. As a model system for testing this hypothesis we have developed two strains of transgenic mice carrying only one copy of the human SOD-I gene. In the first strain (TGI). no expression has been found by northern blot analysis. The second strain (TG2) exhibited human SOD-I mRNA and increased SOD-l activity in the brain (1.93 fold), in the heart (I.69 fold), thymus (I.49 fold) and to a lesser extent in muscle (1.25 fold), liver (1.19 fold), kidney (1.18 fold), spleen (1.35 fold), lung (1.26 fold) and erythrocytes (1.09 fold). In this strain, increased SOD-1 activity in the brain did not induce modifications in the seleno-dependent glutathione peroxidase. glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities. In brain homogenates, we have focused our studies on Tau proteins which are known to be the major antigenic components of paired helical filaments (P11F). both in DS and Alzheimer's disease. Our results suggested that, in our experimental conditions, the overexpression of SOD-I did not induce the modifications of Tau proteins similar to those seen during neurofibrillary degeneration.     

敲除AMP1基因可以提高干旱响应基因的表达量从而增强拟南芥的抗旱能力

干旱严重影响植物的生长发育及农作物产量,因此研究植物的干旱反应机制显得至关重要.我们发现在拟南芥中一个推测的谷氨酸羧肽酶, AMP1, 其缺失突变体amp1的抗旱能力大大增强.基因芯片分析表明,amp1突变体抗旱能力的提高与许多干旱响应基因的高表达息息相关,例如,在amp1突变体中2个干旱诱导表达的转录因子基因,DREB2A和DREB1A的表达量升高;AT1G61340 (LEA 蛋白)的表达量也升高了很多,它在干旱条件下具有解毒和缓解细胞伤害的作用.而且,在amp1突变体中DREB2A 转录因子的2个下游基因RD29A 和COR47受干旱诱导的表达量和时间都比野生型中高和早. 在突变体中一些参与蛋白代谢、糖代谢和脂代谢的基因上调,一些保护和解毒相关基因表达量也升高,这些都可以给突变体在抗旱反应过程提供一定的保护作用.因此,我们认为AMP1基因在干旱胁迫反应中对干旱响应基因的表达起到一个负调控作用.实验中我们还发现, amp1突变体具有较低的水势与非常发达的根系,这也可能在抗旱反应中起到了一定作用.     

A Proposed Test Battery and Constellations of Specific Behavioral Paradigms to Investigate the Behavioral Phenotypes of Transgenic and Knockout Mice

Behavioral phenotyping of transgenic and knockout mice requires rigorous, formal analyses. Well-characterized paradigms can be chosen from the established behavioral neuroscience literature. This review describes (1) a series of neurological and neuropsychological tests which are effectively used as a first screen for behavioral abnormalities in mutant mice, and (2) a series of specific behavioral paradigms, clustered by category. Included are multiple paradigms for each category, including learning and memory, feeding, analgesia, aggression, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and drug abuse models. Examples are given from the experiences of the authors, in applying these experimental designs to transgenic and knockout mice. Extensive references for each behavioral paradigm are provided, to allow new investigators to access the relevant literature on behavioral methodology.     

印记基因PEG10 在葡萄胎组织中的表达以及意义

目的:通过免疫组化方法,探讨印记基因PEG10在葡萄胎组织中的表达及其在早期鉴别葡萄胎妊娠中的应用价值。方法:选取经病理组织学诊断为完全性葡萄胎、部分性葡萄胎、正常早孕、难免流产的标本共计156例,采用免疫组织化学技术检测PEG10在其中的表达,研究遗传印记基因PEG10在葡萄胎妊娠以及非葡萄胎妊娠中的表达。结果:PEG10在四组蜕膜组织中均有表达,在难免流产组呈弱阳性表达,在正常早孕组呈弱阳性和中度阳性表达,在部分性葡萄胎组中呈中度阳性和强阳性表达,在完全性葡萄胎组中呈强阳性表达。PEG10在葡萄胎妊娠组表达明显增多于非葡萄胎妊娠组,两组比较具有显著性差异(P0.01),部分性葡萄胎组表达增多于难免流产组,两组比较差异有显著性(P0.05)。结论:遗传印记基因PEG10在葡萄胎组织中的表达明显高于正常早期妊娠和难免流产组,PEG10基因表达上调与葡萄胎的发生可能有重要关系,是否可将其用于病理诊断鉴别困难时的辅助手段。     

Cx43基因敲除鼠胚心脏近端流出道组织中Galpha13信号通路基因的差异表达

目的研究Cx43基因剔除(Cx43KO)小鼠胚胎心脏近端流出道组织中基因表达谱的改变,筛选可能导致Cx43KO小鼠流出道梗阻的相关基因。方法以胎龄(embryonic day,ED)14.5天的Cx43KO和野生型(Cx43WT)鼠胚心脏近端流出道部分为研究对象,分别提取总RNA,逆转录成cDNA;并在体外转录为cRNA,同时进行生物素标记及片段化;再与Affymetrix-4302.0基因芯片进行杂交。杂交信号经扫描后,应用相关生物信息软件分析基因表达情况。结果与Cx43WT组相比,Cx43KO组中表达上调2倍以上的基因共有287个,表达下调2倍以上的基因有199个。其中表达差异的基因参与转录调控、细胞周期等主要生理过程。进一步筛查表达差异1.5倍以上的基因发现,Galpha13信号通路上的多个基因在Cx43KO组有明显变化。结论利用基因芯片技术初步筛选出与Cx43KO鼠胚心脏近端流出道发育有关的多个基因,其中Galpha13信号通路上的相关基因可能与Cx43KO小鼠流出道梗阻的发生有关。     

Pain Related Channels Are Differentially Expressed in Neuronal and Non-Neuronal Cells of Glabrous Skin of Fabry Knockout Male Mice

Fabry disease (FD) is one of the X-linked lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficient functioning of the alpha-galactosidase A (α-GalA) enzyme. The α-GalA deficiency leads to multi-systemic clinical manifestations caused by the preferential accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in the endothelium and vascular smooth muscles. A hallmark symptom of FD patients is peripheral pain that appears in the early stage of the disease. Pain in FD patients is a peripheral small-fiber idiopathic neuropathy, with intra-epidermal fiber density and integrity being used for diagnosing FD in humans. However, the molecular correlates underlying pain sensation in FD remain elusive. Here, we have employed the α-GalA gene KO mouse as a model of FD in rodents to investigate molecular changes in their peripheral nervous system that may account for their algesic symptoms. The α-GalA null mice display neuropathic pain as evidenced by thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, with histological analyses showing alterations in cutaneous innervation. Additionally, KO mice showed a decreased and scattered pattern of neuronal terminations consistent with the reduction in neuronal terminations in skin biopsies of patients with small fiber neuropathies. At the molecular level KO animals showed an increase in the expression of TRPV1 and Nav1.8, and a decrease in the expression of TRPM8. Notably, these alterations are observed in young animals. Taken together, our findings imply that the α-GalA KO mouse is a good model in which to study the peripheral small fiber neuropathy exhibited by FD patients, and provides molecular evidence for a hyperexcitability of small nociceptors in FD.