Replication of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in X-ray-damaged cells: evidence for a nuclear-specific mechanism that down-regulates replication.

The mechanism by which X rays inhibit DNA replication has been investigated in three distinct populations of DNA molecules in human cells: (a) large chromosomal DNA, (b) a population of 50-100 10.3-kb nuclear episomal plasmids per cell, and (c) a population of about 500 16-kb cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA molecules per cell. DNA replication was inhibited by X rays in nuclear chromosomal and plasmid DNA, but not in mitochondrial DNA. The mechanism by which ionizing radiation inhibits DNA replication must therefore be nuclear-specific and is unlikely to involve diffusible low-molecular-weight substances. Since mitochondrial DNA exists in the cell as independent 16-kb circular molecules and responds to radiation as would be expected for small targets, the implication for nuclear plasmids is that their replication is regulated by a large target. A current model for DNA replication involves the movement of DNA through replication centers made up of polymerases, helicases, and associated replication enzymes that are attached to a matrix. The difference in the response to X rays between mitochondrial DNA and nuclear plasmid DNA can be explained if nuclear plasmids are tightly associated with chromosomal DNA and attached to the matrix, and are coordinately replicated.     

Site-specific mutagenesis method which completely excludes wild-type DNA from the transformants.

A highly efficient site-specific mutagenesis method has been devised to exclude wild-type DNA from incorporation into the transformed cells. Two complementary oligonucleotides, corresponding to a target sequence of a DNA molecule and containing an insertion mutation which created an endonuclease restriction site, were synthesized. By using the wild-type DNA molecule flanked by two restriction sites on each side of the target region as a template, the two oligonucleotide primers were extended, enriched, and isolated. The extended products, in turn, were used as templates in a polymerase chain reaction to obtain a mutagenized double-stranded DNA fragment which was conveniently cloned into plasmids by using the flanking restriction sites. Escherichia coli cells transformed by these plasmids were subject to large-scale analysis. One hundred percent of the transformants examined by colony hybridization, restriction enzyme analysis, and DNA sequencing were found to contain the mutant DNA sequence.     

Site-specific mutagenesis method which completely excludes wild-type DNA from the transformants.

A highly efficient site-specific mutagenesis method has been devised to exclude wild-type DNA from incorporation into the transformed cells. Two complementary oligonucleotides, corresponding to a target sequence of a DNA molecule and containing an insertion mutation which created an endonuclease restriction site, were synthesized. By using the wild-type DNA molecule flanked by two restriction sites on each side of the target region as a template, the two oligonucleotide primers were extended, enriched, and isolated. The extended products, in turn, were used as templates in a polymerase chain reaction to obtain a mutagenized double-stranded DNA fragment which was conveniently cloned into plasmids by using the flanking restriction sites. Escherichia coli cells transformed by these plasmids were subject to large-scale analysis. One hundred percent of the transformants examined by colony hybridization, restriction enzyme analysis, and DNA sequencing were found to contain the mutant DNA sequence.     

结核分枝杆菌Rv3586结构域基因真核表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的:构建结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mtb)环二腺苷酸(cyclic diadenosine monophosphate,c-di-AMP)合成酶Rv3586结构域基因的真核表达载体,并在COS-7细胞中表达。方法:以Mtb基因组为模板PCR扩增Rv3586三个结构域基因,分别克隆入pEGFP-N3真核表达质粒,用菌落PCR、质粒酶切和测序方法对插入序列进行鉴定。通过脂质体将重组质粒转染COS-7细胞,间接免疫荧光法检测目的基因在COS-7细胞内的表达。结果:PCR成功扩增出Rv3586三个结构域基因,菌落PCR、质粒酶切和质粒测序鉴定结果表明成功插入目的片段,包含Rv3586的三个结构域基因的真核表达载体构建成功。间接免疫荧光法结果显示,Rv3586三个结构域蛋白在COS-7细胞中表达成功。结论:成功构建Rv3586三个结构域基因的真核表达载体,并在COS-7细胞中表达成功,为后续Mtb Rv3586结构域的功能和应用研究奠定了基础。     

DNA-PK-dependent binding of DNA ends to plasmids containing nuclear matrix attachment region DNA sequences: evidence for assembly of a repair complex

We find that nuclear protein extracts from mammalian cells contain an activity that allows DNA ends to associate with circular pUC18 plasmid DNA. This activity requires the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs) and Ku since it was not observed in mutants lacking Ku or DNA-PKcs but was observed when purified Ku/DNA-PKcs was added to these mutant extracts. Purified Ku/DNA-PKcs alone did not produce association of DNA ends with plasmid DNA suggesting that additional factors in the nuclear extract are necessary for this activity. Competition experiments between pUC18 and pUC18 plasmids containing various nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR) sequences suggest that DNA ends preferentially associate with plasmids containing MAR DNA sequences. At a 1:5 mass ratio of MAR to pUC18, approximately equal amounts of DNA end binding to the two plasmids were observed, while at a 1:1 ratio no pUC18 end binding was observed. Calculation of relative binding activities indicates that DNA end-binding activities to MAR sequences was 7–21-fold higher than pUC18. Western analysis of proteins bound to pUC18 and MAR plasmids indicates that XRCC4, DNA ligase IV and scaffold attachment factor A preferentially associate with the MAR plasmid in the absence or presence of DNA ends. In contrast, Ku and DNA-PKcs were found on the MAR plasmid only in the presence of DNA ends suggesting that binding of these proteins to DNA ends is necessary for their association with MAR DNA. The ability of DNA-PKcs/Ku to direct DNA ends to MAR and pUC18 plasmid DNA is a new activity for DNA-PK and may be important for its function in double-strand break repair. A model for DNA repair based on these observations is presented.     

Mutation spectrum in gamma-irradiated shuttle vector replicated in ataxia-telangiectasia lymphoblasts.

Cells from ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) patients are hypersensitive to the lethal effects of ionizing radiation. To assess radiation mutagenesis in these cells, the SV40-based shuttle vector, pZ189, was used to analyze gamma-ray-induced mutations following the plasmid's replication in AT lymphoblasts. Progenies from the AT line GM2783 exposed to 50 Gy showed a mutation frequency of 7.6 x 10(-3), 63-fold over background; surviving plasmids were 3.4% of control. Both values were essentially the same as those of irradiated plasmids replicated in a normal lymphoblast line, GM606. In addition, pZ189 exposed to 25 Gy of gamma radiation and replicated in another normal lymphoblast line and in cells of two additional AT lymphoblast lines showed similar mutation frequencies and percentages of surviving plasmids. Qualitative comparison of plasmid mutations from AT and normal cells showed no significant differences, indicating that the damaged DNA was repaired with similar fidelity in AT and normal cells. These studies suggest that there is no correlation between the enhanced sensitivity of AT cells to killing by ionizing radiation and gamma-radiation-induced mutagenesis of plasmid DNA processed in these cells.     

介导大鼠结缔组织生长因子基因沉默的慢病毒载体转移质粒的构建及鉴定

目的：构建介导大鼠结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）基因沉默的慢病毒载体转移质粒pGCL-CTGF,为进一步包装慢病毒载体奠定基础。方法：以大鼠CTGF基因为靶基因,根据RNA干扰（RNAi）序列设计原则,设计4对有小发夹结构的RNAi靶点序列,退火形成双链DNA,双酶切后定向克隆到慢病毒载体转移质粒pGCL-GFP中,构建4个含靶基因片段的重组慢病毒载体转移质粒pGCL-CTGF,并对质粒进行PCR及测序鉴定。结果：CTGF的短发夹RNA（shRNA）片段被成功克隆到慢病毒载体转移质粒pGCL-GFP中,4个插入序列与设计的靶基因片段完全一致。结论：构建了能够表达4个含CTGF靶基因片段的慢病毒载体转移质粒,为进一步包装介导CTGF基因沉默的慢病毒载体奠定了基础。     

The RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation and characterization of a temperature-sensitive mutant in the essential function and of extragenic suppressors of this mutant

Summary Mutations in the RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were generated by integration of a mutagenized incomplete copy of the cloned gene into wild-type cells. Integrants were mass screened for colonies with abnormal growth characteristics at 37°C. A single temperature-sensitive mutant (rad3ts-1) was isolated and was shown to result from a missense mutation at codon 73 of the RAD3 gene. When shifted from 30° C to 37° C the strain undergoes only 2–4 cell doublings. This phenotype can be rescued by plasmids in which the essential function of the cloned RAD3 gene is intact, but not plasmids in which this function is inactivated. The mutant strain is weakly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at restrictive temperatures. Measurement of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis at various times after shifting to restrictive temperatures does not show preferential inactivation of any one of these parameters and the temperature-sensitive mutation does not cause arrest at any specific phase of the cell cycle. The rad3ts-1 strain was transformed with multicopy plasmids from a normal yeast genomic library and two plasmids that partially suppress the temperature-sensitive phenotype were isolated. These suppressor genes (designated SRE1 and SRE2) are distinct from RAD3 and do not suppress the phenotype of several other temperature-sensitive mutants tested. Mutant strains carrying disruptions of the SRE1 gene are viable and are not sensitive to UV or radiation.     

基于CRISPR/Cas9系统构建精准调控Wnt信号通路的表达载体及其效果的验证

目的:构建基于CRISPR/cas9系统调控Wnt信号通路的载体,并在细胞水平验证其调控基因表达的效率。方法:选取Wnt信号中负性调控分子,设计并合成能够表达靶向上述分子gRNA的互补DNA克隆序列,BsmBI限制性内切酶酶切载体后,采用分子克隆的方法将上述序列克隆至目的载体lenti-sgRNA-Ms2-zeo,测序正确的克隆通过Lipofectamine2000与lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine共同转染入293细胞;转染24h后收集细胞,qRt-PCR检测目的基因的表达。结果:筛选了Wnt信号通路中已知的19个负性调控基因;针对每个基因设计了两对gRNA序列,并构建了能够表达gRNA和MS2融合序列的载体,测序结果显示重组质粒的DNA序列与预期完全相符。随机挑选了4个表达载体与lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine共转进入细胞,qPCR结果显示构建的目的载体联合lenti-Ms2-P65-HSF1-Hygro和lenti-dcas9-VP64-blastine载体可以协同促进靶分子表达。结论:本研究成功构建了基于CRISPR/cas9基因编辑系统调控Wnt信号的载体。     

Comparing the frequency and spectra of mutations induced when an SV-40 based shuttle vector containing covalently bound residues of structurally-related carcinogens replicates in human cells

An SV40-based shuttle vector, pZ189, carrying a bacterial suppressor tRNA target gene (supF) was treated with radiolabeled polycyclic aromatic carcinogens and the number of covalently bound residues (adducts) per plasmid was determined. The plasmids were transfected into the human embryonic kidney cell line 293 and allowed to replicate. The progeny plasmids were rescued and assayed for the frequency of supF mutants by being used to transform indicator bacteria carrying an amber mutation in the beta-galactosidase gene. The agents tested were the 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide of benzo[a]pyrene (BPDE); 1-nitrosopyrene (1-NOP); N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-AcO-AAF); and its trifluoro-derivative (N-AcO-F3-AAF) which yields deacetylated adducts. With each agent there was a linear increase in the frequency of supF mutants as a function of the number of DNA adducts formed, reaching frequencies as high as 20 x 10(-4) to 40 x 10(-4), with a background frequency of 1.4 x 10(-4). When compared on the basis of adducts formed per plasmid, BPDE, which forms its principal DNA adduct at the N2 position of guanine, was approximately 4 times more mutagenic than 1-NOP, N-AcO-AAF and N-AcO-F3-AAF, which bind principally or exclusively to the C8 position of guanine. This difference in mutagenic effectiveness may reflect intrinsic differences in the nature of the adducts and their location in the DNA molecule. It could also reflect a difference in the rate of removal of particular adducts by nucleotide excision repair since the 293 host cell line excised BPDE-induced adducts from genomic DNA at least 3 times slower than 1-NOP-induced adducts. Agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing analysis of 35 mutants derived from untreated plasmids showed that the majority (70%) involved deletions, insertions, or altered gel mobility (gross rearrangements). In contrast, the majority of those derived from carcinogen-treated plasmids were base-substitutions. DNA-sequencing of 86 unequivocally independent mutants derived from BPDE-treated plasmids and 60 from 1-NOP-treated plasmids indicated that 60% and 80%, respectively, contained a single base-substitution, 5-10% had two base-substitutions, and 4-10% had small insertions or deletions (one or two base pairs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

人CD46 RNAi 逆转录病毒载体系统的构建与鉴定

目的:构建并筛选携带针对CD46基因的pSUPER retro RNAi逆转录病毒载体,从而特异、有效地抑制人CD46mRNA水平。方法:利用DNA重组技术,将2条60nt能转录产生靶向CD46小发夹RNA(shRNA)的寡核苷酸序列,定向克隆入逆转录病毒载体pSUPER retro,并转化大肠杆菌JM109。结果:重组载体经PCR及限制性内切酶酶切鉴定初步成功后送测序,结果表明序列正确。结论:特异性沉默CD46基因的pSUPER retro RNAi逆转录病毒载体构建成功,为后续转染Jurkat细胞,研究CD46在T细胞的信号转导中的作用奠定了基础,对进一步研究T细胞相关疾病及开展细胞免疫缺陷的治疗方面提供了新的思路与方向。     

Comparative genomics identified two conserved DNA modules in a corynebacterial plasmid family present in clinical isolates of the opportunistic human pathogen Corynebacterium jeikeium

Investigation of 62 clinical isolates of the opportunistic human pathogen Corynebacterium jeikeium revealed that 17 possessed plasmids ranging in size from 7.6 to 14.9 kb. The plasmids formed four groups on DNA restriction analysis. The complete nucleotide sequence of a representative from each group (pK43, pK64, pCJ84, and pB85766) was subsequently determined. Additionally, two plasmids (pCo455 and pCo420) were shown to be derivatives of pK43 and pK64 carrying insertion sequences of the IS3 family. Comparative genomics identified a conserved plasmid backbone consisting of two distinct DNA modules. Conserved motifs in the parAB-repA module indicated that the sequenced plasmids from C. jeikeium are new members of the pNG2 family. Recombinant derivatives of pK43 were shown to replicate in the soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum and in the human pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The second plasmid module most likely encodes a novel type of DNA invertase. The respective gene is flanked by highly conserved 112-bp inverted repeats. All plasmids are 'loaded' with a characteristic set of genes encoding products of unknown function. Plasmids indistinguishable from pK43 by DNA restriction analysis were identified in different C. jeikeium strains, which revealed 16S-23S rDNA spacer length polymorphisms and specific antibiotic susceptibility profiles, implying a wide dissemination of the plasmid in clinical isolates of C. jeikeium.     

Complete sequence analysis of transgene loci from plants transformed via microprojectile bombardment

A substantial literature exists characterizing transgene locus structure from plants transformed via Agrobacterium and direct DNA delivery. However, there is little comprehensive sequence analysis of transgene loci available, especially from plants transformed by direct delivery methods. The goal of this study was to completely sequence transgene loci from two oat lines transformed via microprojectile bombardment that were shown to have simple transgene loci by Southern analysis. In line 3830, transformed with a single plasmid, one major and one of two minor loci were completely sequenced. Both loci exhibited rearranged delivered DNA and flanking genomic sequences. The minor locus contained only 296 bp of two non-contiguous fragments of the delivered DNA flanked by genomic (filler) DNA that did not originate from the integration target site. Predicted recognition sites for topoisomerase II and a MAR region were observed in the transgene integration target site for this non-functional minor locus. Line 11929, co-transformed with two different plasmids, had a single relatively simple transgene locus composed of truncated and rearranged sequences from both delivered DNAs. The transgene loci in both lines exhibited multiple transgene and genomic DNA rearrangements and regions of scrambling characteristic of complex transgene loci. The similar characteristics of recombined fragments and junctions in both transgenic oat lines implicate similar mechanisms of transgene integration and rearrangement regardless of the number of co-transformed plasmids and the level of transgene locus complexity.     

Repressor for the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate regulon of Escherichia coli K-12: cloning of the glpR gene and identification of its product

The glpR gene encoding the repressor for the glp regulon of Escherichia coli was cloned from a library of HindIII DNA fragments established in bacteriophage lambda. Phages harboring glpR were isolated by selection for sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase function encoded by glpD, which is adjacent to glpR on the E. coli linkage map. Restriction endonuclease analysis and recloning of DNA fragments localized glpR to a 3-kilobase-pair EcoRI-SalI segment of DNA. Strains exhibiting constitutive expression of the glp operons were strongly repressed after introduction of multicopy plasmids containing the glpR gene. Analysis of proteins labeled in minicells harboring either glpR+ recombinant plasmids or a glpR::Tn5 derivative showed that the glpR gene product is a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 33,000.     

Use of supF, an Escherichia coli tyrosine suppressor tRNA gene, as a mutagenic target in shuttle-vector plasmids

The Escherichia coli tyrosine amber suppressor tRNA gene, supF, has been utilized as a mutagenic target in several shuttle-vector plasmids. Data on mutagenic inactivation of suppressor activity was obtained from induced mutagenesis experiments with plasmids pZ189 and p3AC, and from studies on alterations of the supF gene transduced into E. coli. 162 single or tandem base-substitution mutations that reduce or eliminate suppressor activity were identified at 86 sites within 158 base pairs. The 2 transition and 4 transversion mutations possible in double-stranded DNA were all detectable. At 56 sites two different inactivating mutations were found; and at 20 sites all 3 possible base substitution mutations inactivated suppressor function. Most of the mutations were clustered within the mature tRNA region: 144 of the base-substitution mutations were found at 74 sites within the 85-bp mature tRNA region. Insertions of 1 or 2 bases at 4 sites and deletions of 1 to 3 bases at 15 sites were found to inactivate supF function. A few silent mutations which do not inactivate suppressor function were found: single base-substitutions at 4 sites, 14 pairs of silent double mutations, and a large deletion including the promoter region. The supF gene is thus an extremely sensitive target for mutagenic inactivation in shuttle-vector plasmids.     

DNA restriction dependent on two recognition sites: activities of the SfiI restriction-modification system in Escherichia coli

In contrast to many type II restriction enzymes, dimeric proteins that cleave DNA at individual recognition sites 4-6 bp long, the SfiI endonuclease is a tetrameric protein that binds to two copies of an elongated sequence before cutting the DNA at both sites. The mode of action of the SfiI endonuclease thus seems more appropriate for DNA rearrangements than for restriction. To elucidate its biological function, strains of Escherichia coli expressing the SfiI restriction-modification system were transformed with plasmids carrying SfiI sites. The SfiI system often failed to restrict the survival of a plasmid with one SfiI site, but plasmids with two or more sites were restricted efficiently. Plasmids containing methylated SfI sites were not restricted. No rearrangements of the plasmids carrying SfiI sites were detected among the transformants. Hence, provided the target DNA contains at least two recognition sites, SfiI displays all of the hallmarks of a restriction-modification system as opposed to a recombination system in E. coli cells. The properties of the system in vivo match those of the enzyme in vitro. For both restriction in vivo and DNA cleavage in vitro, SfiI operates best with two recognition sites on the same DNA.     

PCR detection of Ti and Ri plasmids from phytopathogenic Agrobacterium strains.

A universal primer set (VCF/VCR) for PCR analysis based on the sequences of the virC operon located on Ti and Ri plasmids was designed to detect these plasmids from phytopathogenic Agrobacterium strains. With the VCF (sequence, 5'-ATCATTTGTAGCGACT-3') and VCR (sequence, 5'-AGCTCAAACCTGCTTC-3') primer set, DNA fragments of 730 bp in length were amplified from cell lysates of 10 rhizogenic and 65 tumorigenic agrobacteria. DNA sequencing and Southern hybridization analysis confirmed that the amplified fragments corresponded to the target region. The PCR method is considered convenient for routine determination of the potential pathogenicity of Agrobacterium strains.     

SOX6 基因3'UTR 区野生型和突变型重组质粒的构建与鉴定

目的:构建含单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点rs1065024的SOX6基因3'UTR双荧光素酶报告基因载体,并用生物信息学软件预测与rs1065024位点区域相结合的mi RNA,为进一步研究此SNP位点的功能及mi RNA与SOX6基因3'UTR区之间的关系奠定基础。方法:提取人全血基因组DNA,以基因组DNA为模板,通过PCR扩增含SNP位点在内的SOX6基因3'UTR片段,经过胶回收纯化后,将回收的目的片段插入双荧光素酶报告基因载体p MIR-REPORT中,再经DH5a转化扩增,挑单克隆进行菌落PCR并进行质粒提取,对质粒进行双酶切鉴定,最后进行DNA测序鉴定。针对SNP进行定点突变,构建出野生型和突变型重组质粒,并用生物信息学软件预测出与SNP位点相结合的mi RNA。结果:经单菌落质粒测序验证显示带有T碱基的SOX6基因3'UTR重组质粒p MIR-REPORT-3'UTR-T构建成功;经定点突变,成功将p MIR-REPORT-3'UTR-T质粒转变为p MIR-REPORT-3'UTR-C,经比对未引入任何其他突变;生物信息学预测显示,rs1065024位点位于mi R-190b、mi R-190a-5p、mi R-451b、mi R-4791与SOX6基因3'UTR的结合区域,其多态的改变可以影响mi RNA与m RNA的结合效率。结论:本研究成功构建了含SNP位点rs1065024的p MIR-REPORT-SOX6-3'UTR野生型和突变型重组质粒,为今后SOX6基因3'UTR的SNP位点的功能及mi RNA与SOX6基因3'UTR区之间的关系研究奠定基础。     

Study of the influence of plasmids on the arbitrary primer polymerase chain reaction fingerprint of Escherichia coli strains

Abstract To study the effect of plasmids on the arbitrary primer-polymerase chain reaction fingerprint of bacterial strains, the Escherichia coli strains DH5, Top10, and W3110 were transformed with plasmids of different sizes: respectively, pUC19, pCEP and two clinically important plasmids carrying resistance to several antibiotics. Total DNA, i.e. both chromosomal and plasmid DNA, was prepared from transformed cells by boiling the cell suspensions and by phenol-chloroform extraction; chromosomal DNA was prepared by the same methods from the non-transformed, plasmid-free strains; plasmid DNA of pUC19 was purchased; plasmid DNA of pCEP was purified from the transformed strains by caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction was carried out for all of these preparations. Amplification carried out independently with three different primers resulted in similar patterns for the chromosomal preparations whether or not plasmid was present. Amplification of plasmid DNA gave different patterns, characterized by fragments larger than those obtained when total or chromosomal DNA were used as the target. These data illustrate that the plasmids studied here do not influence the chromosomal arbitrarily primed PCR fingerprint, although plasmids alone are amplified in the absence of chromosomal DNA. Experiments comparing different relative concentrations of plasmid and chromosomal DNA indicate that under natural conditions the amount of chromosomal DNA per cell is sufficient to inhibit observable amplification of the plasmid(s) present.