氯化高铁血红素诱导K562细胞中β-珠蛋白基因表达的研究

以绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）基因为报道基因,构建了在β－珠蛋白启动子驱动及HS2元件调控下的重组表达载体HG,用脂质体转染法将其转染到K562细胞中,并用RT－PCR方法及流式细胞仪检测氯化高铁血红素（Hm)对K562细胞中β－珠蛋白基因表达及重组载体HG在K562细胞中瞬时表达的影响。结果显示：用30μmol/L Hm诱导K562细胞24、48及72h后,不仅其γ－珠蛋白mRNA水平升高,其β－珠蛋白mRNA水平也明显上升,而且这种诱导作用在诱导24、48h后比较明显;Hm还可增强重组表达载体HG在K562细胞中的瞬时表达。提示Hm诱导红系分化的机理可能与γ→β珠蛋白基因的转换机制相关。     

The 5‘—flanking cis—acting elements of the human ε—globin gene associates with the nuclear matrix and binds to the nuclear matrix proteins

The nuclear matrix attachment regions(MARs) and the binding nuclear matrix proteins in the 5‘-flanking cisacting elements of the human ε-globin gene have been examined.Using in vitro DNA-matrix binding assay,it has been shown that the positive stage-specific regulatory element (ε-PREII,-446bp- -419bp) upstream of this gene could specifically associate with the nuclear matrix from K562 cells,indicating that ε-PREII may be an erythroidspecific facultative MAR.In gel mobility shift assay and Southwestern blotting assay,an erythroid-specific nuclear matrix protein (ε-NMPk) in K562 cells has been revealed to bind to this positive regulatory element (ε-PREII).Furthermore,we demonstrated that the silencer (-392bp- -177bp) upstream of the human ε-globin gene could associate with the nuclear matrices from K562,HEL and Raji cells.In addition,the nuclear matrix proteins prepared from these three cell lines could also bind to this silencer,suggesting that this silencer element might be a constitutive nuclear matrix attachment region(constitutive MAR).Our results demonstrated that the nuclear matrix and nuclear matrix proteins might play an important role in the regulation of the human ε-globin gene expression.     

Amelioration of β^654-thalassemia in mouse model with the knockdown of aberrantly spliced β-globin mRNA

Large amounts of aberrantly spliced mRNA from the β654 allele was present in erythroid cells, which might impair the erythropoiesis.A therapeutic strategy for β-thalassemia was explored by knocking down the aberrantly spliced mRNA of β-globin. Lentiviral vector with siRNA fragment targets on the specific portion of β654-globin aberrantly spliced pre-mRNA was constructed. In HeLa β654 cells, the siRNA vector could reduce approximately 60% of aberrantly spliced mRNA, which was assessed by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, a disease model of β654 thalassemia mice with lentiviral-mediated siRNA was produced by subzonal injection (named Hβi-Hbbth-4/Hbb+transgenic mice). Our results showed that the hemotological parameters were improved in Hβi-Hbbth-4/Hbb+ transgenic mice. This study provides a potential way for β654-thalassemia therapy by knocking down the aberrantly spliced β-globin mRNA, whilst supporting that the aberrantly spliced β-globin mRNA may aggravate the disease.     

Studies on DNA—protein interactions in the upstream regulatory region of the human ε—globin gene promoter

The erythroid- and developmental stage-specific expression of the human ε-globin gene is controlled,in part,by the 5‘-flanking DNA sequence of this gene.In the present study,we have used DNA-protein binding assays to identify trans-acting factors which regulate the temporal expression of the human ε-globin gene during development.Using gel mobility shift assays and DNaseI footprinting assays,a nuclear protein factor (termed ε-SSF1) in the nuclear extracts from mouse haematopoietic tissues at d 11 and d 13 of gestation was identified.It could specifically bind to the positive control region (between-535 and -453bp) of the human ε-globin gene.We speculated that the ε-SSF1 might be an erythroid-and developmental stage-specific activator.In addition,we found another nuclear protein factor (terned ε-R1) in the nuclear extract from mouse fetal liver at d18 of gestation,which could strongly bind to the silencer region (between-392 and -177bp) of this gene.Therefore,we speculated that the ε-R1 might be an erythroid-and developmental stagespecific repressor.Our data suggest that both ε-SSF1 and ε-R1 might play important roles in developmental regulation of the human ε-globin gene expression during the early embryonic life.On the hand,we observed that the binding patterns of nuclear proteins from three cell lines (K562,HEL and Raji) to these regulatory regions were partially different.These results suggest that different trans-acting factors in K562,HEL and Raji cells might be responsible for activating or silencing the human ε-globin gene in three different cell lines.     

与抑制K562细胞向红系分化相关的Attractin基因的分离和初步鉴定

应用差异显示PCR（DDRT-PCR）方法分离野生型K562细胞株和能表达人β－珠蛋白基因的变种K562细胞株的4个差异cDNA片段,序列测定后,挑选差异最明显的片段dd1,经过RT-PCR、Northern 印迹鉴定确实为两株细胞间的差异片段,测序后经同源性分析等,发现其所对应的基因是吸引素（Attractin,GenBank注册号AF106861）。 根据其结构预测,Attractin有可能是K562 细胞表面一个黏附因子受体,与抑制K562细胞向红系分化有关。 Abstract:Differential display PCR method was used to isolate four differential display fragments between the wild type K562 cell line and the variant type K562 cell line that expressed the human β-globin gene.After sequencing,the most remarkable different fragment,named dd1,was selected for further study.The analysis of RT-PCR and Northern blot hybridization showed that dd1 was exactly the differentiation fragment between the two cell lines.The homology analysis indicated that dd1 was matched to Attractin (GeneBank registration No.AF106861).It might be an adhesion receptor related to inhibiting erythroid differentiation based on its structure.     

Proteins binding to the 5‘—flanking regualtory elements of the human β—globin gene

The binding of nuclear proteins prepared from mouse erythroid tissue in different developmental stages to the 5‘-flanking regulatory elements of human β-globin gene,two negative control regions(NCR1,-610to-490 bp;NCR2,-338,to-233bp),was identified.Two stage specific protein factors corresponding to embryonic and fetal stages were found to be capable of binding to NCR2.These data provided evidence that the cis acting elements of the 5‘-flanking region might be involved in the developmental control of β-globin gene and NCR2 might be responsible in art for the silence of β-glolbin gene in the embryonic and fetal stages.     

Antisense EDRF1 gene inhibited GATA-1 transcription factor DNA-binding activity in K562 cells

Our previous studies showed that EDRF1 influenced expression of a-globin mRNA and synthesis of hemoglobin in K562 cells and modulated self-renewal of K562 cells. To illuminate the function of EDRF1 in K562 cells, sense and antisense EDRF1 constructs were prepared and transfected into K562 cells. By using microarray and dot blot assay, 60 cytokine receptors and some oncogenes sharing important functions in cell proliferation and differentiation were investigated. The results of this study demonstrated that IL-6 receptor, GM-CSF receptor, c-Jun/c-Fos, c-Myc and c-kit genes were regulated by antisense EDRF1 expression. The regulation was confirmed by RNA blot assay. GATA-1 mRNA expression was modulated by EDRF1 gene transfection. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that the DNA-binding activity of GATA-1 was remarkably inhibited in K562 cells expressing EDRF1 antisense gene. DNA binding activity of NF-E2 was at the same level as control experiment. Therefore EDRF1 may play a role in erythroid pro     

Activation of STAT3 stimulates AHSP expression in K562 cells

Studies on the chaperone proteinα-hemoglobin stabilizing protein(AHSP)reveal that abundant AHSP in erythroid cells enhance the cells’tolerance to oxidative stress imposed by excessα-hemoglobin in pathological conditions.However,the potential intracellular modulation of AHSP expression itself in response to oxidative stress is still unknown.The present study examined the effect and molecular mechanism of STAT3,an oxidative regulator,on the expression of AHSP.AHSP expression increased in K562 cells upon cytokine IL-6-induced STAT3 activation and decreased in STAT3 knock-down K562 cells.Regulation of AHSP in oxidative circumstance was then examined inα-globin-overloaded K562 cells,and real-time PCR showed strengthened expression of both AHSP and STAT3.ChIP analysis showed binding of STAT3 to AHSP promoter and binding was significantly augmented with IL6 stimulation and uponα-globin overexpression.Dual luciferase reporter assays of the wildtype and mutated SB3 element,an IL-6RE site,in the AHSP promoter in K562 cells highlighted the direct regulatory effect of STAT3 on AHSP gene.Finally,direct binding of STAT3 to SB3 site of AHSP promoter was confirmed with EMSA assays.Our work reveals an adaptive AHSP regulation mediated by the redox-sensitive STAT3 signaling pathway,and provides clues to the therapeutic strategy for AHSP enhancement.     

应用荧光原位杂交技术检测人βE珠蛋白基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态

为将荧光原位杂交技术应用于基因定位研究中,探讨一种能有效地检测转基因动物染色体上外源基因整合状态的实验方法,对小鼠腹腔注射秋水仙素后,取转基因小鼠骨髓制备中期染色体,将传统的FISH方法加以改进,检测外源基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态.检测结果表明,外源人βE珠蛋白基因已稳定地整合于小鼠染色体上.FISH能直观地反映外源基因在转基因动物染色体上的整合状态,该方法可对转基因动物及基因转移研究中的外源基因整合后进行染色体定位检测。 Abstract:To determine the integration site of human βE globin gene in the chromosomes of transgenic mice, transgenic mice carrying human βE globin gene were injected intraperitoneally with colchicines, then, bone marrow cells wereisolated and metaphase chromosomes were prepared, the traditional FISH method was improved to detect the integration site of humanβE globin gene in transgenic mice when combined with G-banding. Human t3E globin gene can bedetected in different position of different chromosomes in transgenic mice and FISH signals showed that two mice were heterozygous of human 13E globin gene and one was homozygous. Human t3E globin gene was integrated into thechromosomes of transgenic mice in a random pattern and the results demonstrated that FISH can be used to investigate the integration site of foreign genes in transgenic mice.     

应用荧光原位杂交技术检测人βE珠蛋白基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态

为将荧光原位杂交技术应用于基因定位研究中,探讨一种能有效地检测转基因动物染色体上外源基因整合状态的实验方法,对小鼠腹腔注射秋水仙素后,取转基因小鼠骨髓制备中期染色体,将传统的FISH方法加以改进,检测外源基因在转基因小鼠染色体上的整合状态.检测结果表明,外源人βE珠蛋白基因已稳定地整合于小鼠染色体上.FISH能直观地反映外源基因在转基因动物染色体上的整合状态,该方法可对转基因动物及基因转移研究中的外源基因整合后进行染色体定位检测。 Abstract:To determine the integration site of human βE globin gene in the chromosomes of transgenic mice, transgenic mice carrying human βE globin gene were injected intraperitoneally with colchicines, then, bone marrow cells wereisolated and metaphase chromosomes were prepared, the traditional FISH method was improved to detect the integration site of humanβE globin gene in transgenic mice when combined with G-banding. Human t3E globin gene can bedetected in different position of different chromosomes in transgenic mice and FISH signals showed that two mice were heterozygous of human 13E globin gene and one was homozygous. Human t3E globin gene was integrated into thechromosomes of transgenic mice in a random pattern and the results demonstrated that FISH can be used to investigate the integration site of foreign genes in transgenic mice.     

Molecular cloning of a novel mouse testis-specific spermatogenic cell apoptosis inhibitor gene mTSARG7 as a candidate oncogene

A novel mouse gene, mTSARG7 (GenBank accession No. AY489184), with a full cDNA length of 2279 bp and containing 12 exons and.ll introns, was cloned from a mouse expressed sequence tag (GenBank accession No. BE644543) that was significantly up-regulated in cryptorchidism. The gene was located in mouse chromosome 8A1.3 and encoded a protein containing 403 amino acid residues that was a new member of the acyltransferase family because the sequence contained the highly conserved phosphate acyltransferase (PlsC) domain existing in all acyltransferase-like proteins. The mTSARG7 protein and AU041707 protein shared 83.9% identity in 402 amino acid residues. Expression of the mTSARG7 gene was restricted to the mouse testis. The results of the in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the mTSARG7 mRNA was expressed in mouse spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Subcellular localization studies showed that the EGFPtagged mTSARG7 protein was localized in the cytoplasm of GC-1 spg cells. The mTSARG7 mRNA expression was initiated in the mouse testis in the second week after birth, and the expression level increased steadily with spermatogenesis and sexual maturation of the mouse. The results of the heat stress experiment showed that the mTSARG7 mRNA expression gradually decreased as the heating duration increased. The pcDNA3.1 Hygro(-)/mTSARG7 plasmid was constructed and introduced into GC- 1 spg cells by liposome transfection. The mTSARG7 can accelerate GC-1 spg cells, causing them to traverse the S-phase and enter the G2-phase, compared with the control group where this did not occur as there was no transfection of mTSARG7. In conclusion, our results suggest that this gene may play an important role in spermatogenesis and the development of cryptorchid testes, and is a testis-specific apoptosis candidate oncogene.     

Active expression of Gγ globin gene on chromosome 11 with Yunnanese (Ayγδβ)~0-thalasseinia deletion in MEL cells

A permanent lymphocyte cell line of a heterozygote with Yunnanese (Aγδβ)0-thalassemia deletion, associated with an increased production of Cry globin in adult, was founded using Epstein-Barr virus transformation. The hybrids of the lymphocyte cell and mouse erythroleukemia cell (MEL) were achieved and the hybrids containing human chromosome 11 were selected with the monoclonal antibody 53/6. The subclones containing only either the normal or the abnormal human chromosome 11 were separated and the expression of the human globin genes was studied. Expression of the β-globin gene, but not the Cγ and Aγ, was observed in the hybrids containing only the normal human chromosome 11, while active expression of the Cγ globin gene was observed in the hybrids containing only the abnormal human chromosome 11. These results have confirmed that the DNA deletion in the β-globin gene cluster is the cause of persistent active expression of the Cγ globin gene in the Yunnanese mutant.     

Identification of the development stage—specific factors in mouse fetal liver binding to the human β—globin gene promoter

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of globin gene expression during embryonic development,the nuclear extracts from mouse hematopoietic tissue at different stages of development have been prepared.By using DNase I footprinting and gel mobility shift assays,the binding of protein factors in these extracts to the human β-globin promoter was analyzed.The differences in the binding patterns of protein factors during development were observed.An erythroid-specific and stage-specific nuclear protein in the nuclear extrace from d 18 mouse fetal liver was identified,which can bind to the sequence(from-66bp to-90bp) of human β-globin promoter.We therefore speculate that the function of this cis-acting element may be similar to stage selector element(SSE) in chicken β^A-promoter.     

A stage—specific protein factor binding to a CACCC motif in both human β—globin gene promoter and 5‘—HS2 region

The DNaseI hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) of human β-globin locus control region(LCR) is required for the high level expression of human β-globin genes.In the present study,a stage-specific protein factor (LPF-β) was identified in the nuclear extract prepared from mouse fetal liver at d 18 of gestation,which could bind to the HS2 region of human β-globin LCR.We also found that the shift band of LPF-β factor could be competed by human β-globin promoter.However,it couldn‘t be competed by human ε-globin promoter or by human ^Aγ-globin promoter.Furthermore,our data demonstrated that the binding-sequence of LPF-β factor is 5‘CACACCCTA 3‘,which is located at the HS2 region of β-LCR(from-10845 to-10853 bp)and human β-globin promoter(from-92 to -84 bp).We speculated that these regions containing the CACCC box in both the human β-globin promoter and HS2 might function as stage selector elements in the regulation of human β-globin switching and the LPF-β factor might be a stage-specific protein factor involved in the regulation of human β-globin gene expression.     

Cross-linked polyethylenimine as potential DNA vector for gene delivery with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been known as an efficient gene carrier with the highest cationiccharge potential.High transfection efficiency of PEI,along with its cytotoxicity,strongly depends on itsmolecular weight.To enhance its gene delivery efficiency and minimize cytotoxicity,we have synthesizedsmall cross-linked PEI with biodegradable linkages and evaluated their transfection efficiencies in vitro.Inthis study,branched PEI with a molecular weight of 800 Da was cross-linked by small diacrylate[1,4-butanediol diacrylate or ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)] for 2-6 h.The efficiencies of thecross-linked PEI in in vitro transfection of plasmid DNA containing enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) reporter gene were assessed in melanoma B 16F10 cell line and other cell lines.Flow cytometrywas used to quantify the cellular entry efficiency of plasmid and the transgene expression level.Thecytotoxicities of the cross-linked PEI in these cells were evaluated by MTT assay.EGDMA-PEI 800-4h,atypical cross-linked PEI reported here,mediated a more efficient expression of reporter gene than thecommercially available 25-kDa branched PEI control,and resulted in a 9-fold increase in gene deliveryin B16F10 cells and a 16-fold increase in 293T cells,while no cytotoxicity was found at the optimizedcondition for gene delivery.Furthermore,the transfection activity of polyplexes was preserved in thepresence of serum proteins.     

The inhibitory effect of transthyretin gene on growth of human hepatoma cells

Transthyretin(TTR) gene was highly expressed in normal liver and it has been found to be deleted in part of DNA samples from human hepatic cancer.Its mRNA expression was suppressed in most hepatoma samples.In order to study the biological effect of TTR gene on the growth of hepatoma cells,a recombinant vector containing TTR cDNA was constructed by pCMV,then it was transfected into hepatoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Q3.It has been demonstrated that the inhibition of growth rate of TTR cDNA transfected hepatoma cells was about 50% in strength compared with that of the control.This inhibition was further enhanced when the transfected hepatoma cells were treated with all-trans retinoic acid.Hepatoma cells of cell lines PLC/PRF/5,SMMC-7721 and Q3 as well as hepatoma cells SMMC-7721 transfected with pCMV or pCMV-TTR were analyzed for TTR expression by Northern hybridization.The low level of TTR expression was found in both hepatoma cell lines and in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pCMV alone.However,a remarkable TTR mRNA expression was observed in hepatoma SMMV-7721 cells transfected with pCMV-TTR.It seems possible that TTR gene might be a candidate of cancer suppressor gene for human hepatic cancer.     

The interaction between the human β-globin locus control region and nuclear matrix

Our previous study showed that hydroxyurea (Hu) could induce HEL cells to express humanβ-globin gene. However the molecular mechanisms by which the expression of β-globin gene is activated and regulated are poorly understood. Here we show that the binding patterns between the core DNA sequences (HS2 core sequence -10681- -10971 bp , HS3 core sequence -14991- -14716 bp and HS4 core sequence -18586- -18306 bp) of DNase I hypersensitive sites in the human β-globin LCR and nuclear matrix proteins isolated from Hu induced and uninduced HEL cells are quite different. Results demonstrated that nuclear matrix proteins might play important roles in regulating the expression of humanβ-like globin genes through their interaction with HSs (HS2,HS3 and HS4 core sequences) in the LCR. Moreover, the results obtained from the in vitro DNA-matrix binding assay showed that the core DNA sequences of DNase I hypersensitive sites (HS2, HS3 and HS4) were unable to bind to the nuclear matrix isolated from uninduced HEL cel