Molecular cloning and expression of the rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene.

Using the sequence homology approach for cloning related genes within the G-protein-coupled receptor gene family, we have cloned the gene for the rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1-AR). The rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene was isolated from a lambda EMBL3 rat genomic DNA library using the hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR) coding sequence as a probe under low stringency hybridization conditions. The rat beta 1-AR gene encodes a protein of 466 amino acids that contains one consensus site for N-linked glycosylation (Asn-15) and three consensus sites for cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation (Ser-296, Ser-301, and Ser-401). The encoded rat beta 1-AR is 98 and 91% similar at the amino acid level with the human beta 1-AR in the transmembrane domains and in the overall sequence, respectively. Genomic Southern blot and gene dosage analyses indicate that the rat beta 1-AR gene is a single copy gene. The tissue distribution of the rat beta 1-AR mRNA was highest in the pineal gland with other brain regions and peripheral tissues, including the heart, expressing the mRNA at moderate levels. The bacteriophage clone containing the rat beta 1-AR gene with its natural promoter was co-transfected with the selectable marker (pRSVneo) conferring neomycin resistance into beta 1-AR-deficient mouse L cells. Analyses of the selected transfectant demonstrates efficient expression of the beta 1-AR gene and functional receptor. 125I-Labeled iodocyanopindolol bound transfectant membranes with an affinity of KD = 24 pm; the beta 1-AR-selective antagonist ICI 89,406 displaced iodocyanopindolol binding with a Ki approximately 140 times lower than that for the beta 2-AR-selective antagonist ICI 118,551. In addition, in the transfectant cell line, adenylylcyclase was stimulated by beta-adrenergic receptor agonists with the rank order of potency of isoproterenol greater than norepinephrine = epinephrine, consistent with properties expected of the beta 1-AR subtype.     

Altered anxiety-related behavior in nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor gene knockout mice

Studies showed that nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP) agonists produce anxiolytic-like actions, while little is known about the effects of blockade of NOP receptor signaling in anxiety. To this aim, we investigated the behavioral phenotype of NOP receptor gene knockout mice (NOP(-/-)) in different assays. In the elevated plus-maze and light-dark box, NOP(-/-) mice displayed increased anxiety-related behavior. In the novelty-suppressed feeding behavior and elevated T-maze, NOP(-/-) mice showed anxiolytic-like phenotype, while no differences were found in the open-field, hole-board, marble-burying, and stress-induced hyperthermia. Altogether, these findings suggest that the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system modulates anxiety-related behavior in a complex manner.     

绵羊CCNG1基因克隆及表达分析

细胞周期蛋白cyclin G1(CCNG1)是一个重要的细胞周期调控因子,参与哺乳动物颗粒细胞增殖、卵母细胞成熟等繁殖生物学过程,但其在绵羊中鲜有报道。为了研究CCNG1基因对绵羊发情调控以及季节性繁殖的影响,文章对绵羊CCNG1基因进行了克隆和组织表达谱分析,利用Real-time PCR对该基因在多浪羊(常年发情)与中国美利奴羊(季节性繁殖)发情周期不同阶段性腺轴组织的表达变化进行了实时检测。获得了绵羊CCNG1基因部分cDNA序列,其中编码区全长885 bp,编码294个氨基酸。CCNG1蛋白结构经预测存在多个磷酸化位点和蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点。CCNG1基因在所检测绵羊各组织中均有表达,但在卵巢与肾脏中为高丰度表达;CCNG1在不同绵羊品种发情周期不同阶段性腺轴组织的表达变化规律基本一致,卵巢、子宫、松果体、垂体均是在发情期达到峰值。但是在发情期和发情后期卵巢CCNG1的表达量存在显著的品种间差异(P<0.01)。研究结果表明,CCNG1可能通过参与卵泡的生长发育继而达到对绵羊发情和季节性繁殖的调控。     

Characterization of a novel serotonin receptor from Caenorhabditis elegans: cloning and expression of two splice variants

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] modulates feeding activity, egg-laying, and mating behavior in the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. We have cloned a novel receptor cDNA from C. elegans (5-HT2Ce) that has high sequence homology with 5-HT2 receptors from other species. When transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, 5-HT2Ce exhibited 5-HT binding activity and activated Ca2+-mediated signaling in a manner analogous to other 5-HT2 receptors. However, 5-HT2Ce displayed unusual pharmacological properties, which resembled both 5-HT2 and 5-HT1-like receptors but did not correlate well with any of the known 5-HT2 subtypes. Two splice variants of 5-HT2Ce that differ by 48 N-terminal amino acids were identified. The two isoforms were found to have virtually identical binding and signaling properties but differed in their levels of mRNA expression, with the longer variant being four times more abundant than the shorter species in all developmental stages tested. Taken together, the results describe two variants of a novel C. elegans 5-HT receptor, which has some of the properties of the 5-HT2 family but whose pharmacological profile does not conform to any known class of receptor.     

The orphanin FQ/nociceptin gene: structure, tissue distribution of expression and functional implications obtained from knockout mice

Like other neuropeptides, orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) is encoded by a larger precursor protein. The cDNA for the OFQ/N precursor has been cloned from human, rat, mouse and bovine tissue demonstrating that this peptidergic system serves important functions that have been conserved during evolution. The structural organization of the precursor protein is similar to opioid peptide precursors, supporting the view of a common origin for the opioid systems and the OFQ/N system. In addition to OFQ/N, the precursor may encode two other biologically active peptides. Anatomic studies have revealed high levels of expression of the OFQ/N messenger RNA in brain structures involved in sensory, emotional and cognitive processing. In particular, high levels of OFQ/N mRNA were detected in the limbic system, underlining the stress attenuating activities that have been described as an important function of OFQ/N. Recently, mutant mice have been generated that lack the precursor protein of OFQ/N to further define the physiological functions of the OFQ/N system. The OFQ/N-deficient mice are characterized by an increased sensitivity to stressful stimuli and a lack of habituation to chronic and repeated stress. This review will summarize recent findings on the molecular biology of the OFQ/N precursor and relate it to possible physiological functions of this newly discovered neuropeptide system.     

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ prevents ethanol-induced gastric lesions in the rat

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the endogenous ligand of the NOP receptor, exerts a variety of effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was aimed at evaluating the possible implication of N/OFQ in the maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity. N/OFQ was given either centrally or peripherally 30 min prior to intragastric administration (i.g.) of 1 ml/rat of ethanol (either 25% or 50%, v/v), which produces macroscopically visible gastric lesions. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 2 microg/rat of N/OFQ significantly reduced lesions caused by 50% ethanol, while 1 microg/rat was enough to significantly reduce lesions caused by 25% ethanol. Intracerebroventricular injection of 5 microg/rat of the selective NOP receptor antagonist, UFP-101, completely reversed the protective effect of N/OFQ, 1 or 4 microg/rat against 25% or 50% ethanol, respectively. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of N/OFQ produced a significant reduction of lesions induced by 50% ethanol, the peak effect being observed at 10 microg/kg. Intraperitoneal pretreatment with UFP-101, 120 microg/kg, completely abolished the protective effect of peripherally injected N/OFQ. Therefore, N/OFQ acts both centrally and peripherally as a protective agent against ethanol-induced gastric lesions, and its effect is mediated by NOP receptors.     

Molecular characterization, tissue expression, and mapping of a novel Siglec-like gene (SLG2) with three splice variants.

The sialic acid binding immunglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) family is a recently described member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Within the Siglec family, there exists a subgroup, which bears a high degree of homology with the molecule CD33 (Siglec-3), and has thus been designated the CD33-like subgroup of Siglecs. Members of this subgroup have been localized to chromosome 19q13.4. Through the positional candidate approach, we identified a novel potential member of this subgroup of Siglecs. We have characterized the complete genomic structure of this gene, determined its chromosomal localization, its homology to other members of the Siglec family, and its tissue expression profile. This new Siglec-like gene is comprised of 11 exons, with 10 intervening introns, and is localized 278 kb telomeric to Siglec-9 and 35 kb centromeric to Siglec-8 and on chromosome 19q13.4. The coding region consists of 2094 base pairs, and encodes for a putative 76.6 kDa protein. All Siglec-conserved structural features, including V-set domain, three C-set domains, transmembrane domain, ITIM and SLAM motifs, were found in this Siglec-like gene. Also, it has the conserved amino acids essential for sialic acid binding. The Siglec-like gene has 40-66% homology with members of the CD33-like subgroup, including Siglecs 5-9. Through RT-PCR we have examined the expression profile of this new gene in a panel of human tissues and found it to be primarily expressed in the bone marrow, spleen, brain, small intestine, colon, and spinal cord. We were also able to identify three different splice variants of the new gene. This gene may represent the latest novel member of the CD33-like subgroup of Siglecs, and, given its high degree of homology, it may also serve a regulatory role in the proliferation and survival of a particular hematopoietic stem cell lineage, as has been found for CD33 and Siglec-7.     

大鼠OB基因克隆及其在大肠杆菌中的表达

采用ＲＴＰＣＲ技术扩增大鼠ＯＢｃＤＮＡ编码区序列。ＰＣＲ产物酶切后定向克隆至ｐＵＣ１９质粒。经核苷酸序列测定表明与文献报道的大鼠ＯＢｃＤＮＡ编码区序列一致。继之构建了ｐＢＶ２２０ｒＯＢ表达质粒并获得了ＯＢ基因在大肠杆菌中的特异表达。大鼠ＯＢ基因产物的获得为研究肥胖与某些非传染性疾病（如糖尿病、高血压病）间的关系提供了条件     

Molecular cloning,expression and subcellular distribution of an alternative splice variant of the porcine Sirt2 gene

Sirt2, a NAD⁺-dependent histone deacetylase, plays a critical role in regulating lifespan, metabolism, mitosis and adipocyte differentiation. Here two bands of the porcine Sirt2 protein were found by western blotting, so we speculated existence of Sirt2 isoforms. Next, we cloned the porcine Sirt2 gene, and also found its alternative splice variant and named the novel splicing variant Sirt2^T. The complete cDNA sequence of Sirt2^T is 1059 bp, encoding a deduced protein of 352 amino acids which is 39 amino acids shorter at the N-terminus than Sirt2. RT–PCR revealed that the Sirt2^T mRNA is extensively expressed in porcine tissues, and can be expressed during adipocyte differentiation. In addition, immunofluorescence and transfection demonstrated that Sirt2^T is located in the cytoplasm and nucleus.