敲低GATA1慢病毒表达载体的构建及敲低效果检测

目的：为了探讨与人血细胞相关的GATA1转录因子在实体肿瘤发生发展中的功能,构建GATA1的慢病毒干扰载体,并验证其敲低效果。方法：根据人GATA1的cDNA序列,设计含有小发卡结构的寡核苷酸序列,将其克隆到慢病毒表达载体上;将重组质粒转染人胚肾293T细胞,通过实时定量RT-PCR及Western印迹检测GATA1的表达水平。结果和结论：构建了具有明显干扰效果的GATA1基因的小干扰RNA（siRNA）慢病毒表达载体,能够有效抑制GATA1 mRNA和蛋白水平,为后续的GATA1生物学作用研究奠定了基础。     

敲低CTCF腺病毒表达载体的构建及效果检测

目的:获得敲低效果较好的CCCTC结合因子(CTCF)的RNA干扰腺病毒载体,以便于研究其在肿瘤发生发展中的作用。方法:从已发表文献中获得CTCF敲低靶序列,合成2对含有小发卡结构的寡核苷酸序列,将其进行退火磷酸化后,分别克隆到腺病毒包装载体上;将重组质粒转染人胚肾293A细胞,收获腺病毒;将收获的腺病毒分别感染人胚肾HEK293细胞和靶细胞人肺腺癌细胞A549,通过RT-PCR和Western印迹鉴定相关基因的表达变化。结果与结论:RT-PCR和Western印迹鉴定显示构建的表达CTCF短发夹RNA(shRNA)的腺病毒载体能够有效抑制CTCF转录和蛋白水平,为后续CTCF的生物学功能和机制研究奠定了基础。     

敲减FST基因对猪成纤维细胞中相关基因表达的影响

旨在获得敲减FST基因的猪胎儿成纤维细胞,并探讨对相关基因表达的影响。将构建成功并鉴定准确的发夹RNA真核表达载体FR1-shRNA利用脂质体转染至猪胎儿成纤维细胞中,并进行G418筛选,获得稳定转染细胞株,并利用Real-time检测了相关基因表达的变化。结果表明,在稳定转染的细胞株中,FST基因的表达受到显著抑制,结果导致了ActivinRⅡA、Myostatin和Bmp4基因的表达出现下调趋势,并且极显著地降低MyoD基因的表达。     

胰岛素受体底物1和2敲低对猪肝脏细胞糖脂代谢的影响

目的：通过shRNA干扰高效敲低猪肝脏细胞中 IRS1和IRS2 基因的表达,进而验证其对于糖脂代谢相关基因表达的影响,为构建2型糖尿病模型猪奠定基础。方法：首先通过重叠PCR方法克隆了猪 IRS1 基因全部的mRNA序列（4 814bp）以及通过3'RACE方法克隆了猪 IRS2 基因的部分3'非编码区（3-untranslated region,3'UTR）。然后,通过Real-time PCR筛选获得了能显著敲低这两个基因的shRNA片段,并在同时敲低 IRS1和IRS2 的猪肝脏细胞中,检测糖脂代谢相关基因的表达。结果：猪肝脏细胞中 IRS1和IRS2 的表达被显著敲低,分别下降了78%和64%。另外,糖异生作用酶磷酸烯醇丙酮酸激酶（phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,PEPCK）和果糖-1,6-二磷酸酶（fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, F-1,6-BP）基因表达显著上升,并导致催化肝脏中糖酵解反应的葡糖激酶（glucokinase,Gck）基因表达的显著下降。同时,胆固醇调节元件结合蛋白（sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, SREBP-1）基因的表达也显著上升以及胆固醇调节基因 Abcg8,CYP7a1 表达明显上调。结论：猪肝脏细胞中 IRS1和IRS2 基因的敲低可激活糖异生作用,并抑制糖酵解反应,从而导致糖代谢的异常,同时也能引起脂类代谢的异常。     

Spl基因RNA干扰载体的构建及鉴定

目的:构建干扰载体pSilencer 3.1-spl,并初步研究其对Spl基因的干扰作用.方法:根据Spl cDNA编码序列,设计并合成针对Spl基因的特异性RNA干扰片段,并将其克隆入pSilencer 3.1-Hl neo干扰载体中,构建Spl基因小干扰RNA(siRNA)真核表达载体pSilencer 3.1-Spl;分别将阴性对照载体pSilencer 3.1与重组载体pSilencer 3.1-Spl经脂质体LipofectAMINE2000介导转染HeLa细胞,采用RT-PCR、Western blot方法分别检测Spl基因的转录与表达水平.结果:构建了Spl基因siRNA真核表达载体pSilencer 3.1-Spl,经酶切、测序鉴定证实克隆正确,并在mRNA水平和蛋白水平证实了载体的干扰效果.结论:特异性siRNA能明显抑制Spl基因在HeLa细胞中的表达,为进一步研究Spl的生物学功能和作用机制奠定了实验基础.     

猪克隆胚胎激活方法优化与转人溶菌酶基因克隆猪的生产

为了提高转基因克隆效率和获得转人溶菌酶基因克隆猪,研究了不同电激活参数和化学辅助激活方法对猪克隆胚胎和孤雌胚胎体外发育的影响.结果发现:电场强度会显著影响克隆胚胎的融合率和体外发育能力(P<0.05),电脉冲次数对克隆胚胎体外发育促进作用不显著(P>0.05),而相同电激活条件下克隆胚胎和孤雌胚胎的体外发育能力变化趋势不同;电激活后再利用放线菌酮+细胞松弛素B(CHX+CB)处理4 h能显著提高克隆胚胎的囊胚率(P<0.05),而用二甲基氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP)处理没有提高克隆胚胎囊胚率(P>0.05),但6-DMAP或CHX+CB处理均可显著提高孤雌胚胎的囊胚率(P<0.05).上述结果表明,最佳的孤雌激活条件并不一定是克隆胚胎的最佳激活条件.本研究中猪克隆胚胎的最佳激活方法为1.6 kV/cm、100μs、2次直流电脉冲间隔100μs,再辅以CHX+CB处理4 h.利用优化的激活条件成功获得了乳腺特异表达人溶菌酶的转基因猪,为猪转基因育种奠定了基础.     

应用RNA干扰沉默猪内源性反转录病毒

目的:尝试应用RNA干扰(RNAi)沉默猪源PK-15细胞中的猪内源性反转录病毒(PERV),并通过反转录酶活性及pol基因相对荧光定量PCR检测沉默效果。方法:依据GenBank公布的PERV pol基因序列,采用Invitro-gen公司的BLOCK-iT RNAi Designer软件设计Stealth小干扰RNA(siRNA)序列;将合成的siRNA转染PK-15细胞,72 h后检测细胞上清PERV反转录酶活性及细胞内pol基因拷贝数并评价沉默效果。结果:反转录酶活性及pol基因拷贝数检测结果表明,设计的3条Stealth siRNA序列中,位于pol基因3272～3296 bp的序列能有效沉默PERV。结论:RNAi方法可有效使猪源PK-15细胞中的PERV沉默,为进一步研究天然抗病毒分子与PERV的相互作用提供了实验基础,同时也为猪源异种移植研究中去除PERV提供了一种可供尝试的方法。     

人VHL基因真核表达载体的构建及其对肿瘤细胞生长的抑制

目的:构建人抑癌基因VHL的真核表达载体,并验证其对肿瘤细胞生长的影响。方法:采用PCR技术从人乳腺文库中扩增人VHL基因,将其克隆到p XJ-40-myc载体中,酶切和测序验证后转染人胚肾293T细胞,通过蛋白免疫印迹鉴定其表达;转染人乳腺癌ZR75-1细胞和肝癌Hep G2细胞,通过CCK8法测定细胞生长曲线。结果:从人乳腺文库中扩增得到约650 bp的DNA片段,并克隆至p XJ-40-myc载体上,且测序与目的序列完全一致;转染人胚肾293T细胞后,蛋白免疫印迹检测到相对分子质量为26×103的目的基因表达产物;细胞生长曲线显示,转染myc-VHL的乳腺癌、肝癌细胞较空载体细胞生长慢。结论:构建了myc-VHL真核表达载体,myc-VHL抑制癌细胞生长,为进一步研究VHL在肿瘤发生发展中的功能奠定了基础。     

Sp1基因RNA干扰载体的构建及鉴定

目的：构建干扰载体pSilencer3.1-Sp1,并初步研究其对Sp1基因的干扰作用。方法：根据Sp1cDNA编码序列,设计并合成针对Sp1基因的特异性RNA干扰片段,并将其克隆入pSilencer3.1-H1neo干扰载体中,构建Sp1基因小干扰RNA（siRNA）真核表达载体pSilencer3.1-Sp1;分别将阴性对照载体pSilencer3.1与重组载体pSilencer3.1-Sp1经脂质体LipofectAMINE2000介导转染HeLa细胞,采用RT-PCR、Western blot方法分别检测Sp1基因的转录与表达水平。结果：构建了Sp1基因siRNA真核表达载体pSilencer3.1-Sp1,经酶切、测序鉴定证实克隆正确,并在mRNA水平和蛋白水平证实了载体的干扰效果。结论：特异性siRNA能明显抑制Sp1基因在HeLa细胞中的表达,为进一步研究Sp1的生物学功能和作用机制奠定了实验基础。     

VHL综合征遗传学研究

VHL综合征(von Hippel-Lindau syndrome,VHL;MIM 193300)是一种常染色体显性遗传的多系统肿瘤综合征,最常见临床表现是视网膜或中枢神经系统(central nervous system,CNS)血管母细胞瘤.CNS血管母细胞瘤和肾细胞癌(renal cell carcinoma,RCC)的并发症是VHL患者最主要的死因.VHL综合征主要因VHL基因(the vonHipple-Lindau gene,VHL)突变所致,细胞周期素D1基因(the cyclin D1 gene,CCND1)突变和蛋白异常也可能参与其发生.目前已建立了多个VHL基因缺陷动物模型.在此就VHL综合征的遗传学研究进展作一概述.     

CRISPR-dCas9-mediated knockdown of prtR,an essential gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widely distributed non-fermentative Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is often responsible for nosocomial infections. Gene interference is a potentially valuable tool for investigating essential genes in P. aeruginosa. To establish a gene interference platform in P. aeruginosa, CRISPR system was used with an inactive Cas9 protein. The CRISPR-dCas9 system was cloned into pHERD20T, a shuttle vector with arabinose inducible promoter, and was further modified to target a regulatory gene prtR that is essential for the viability of P. aeruginosa. Cells expressing the prtR-targeting CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) showed growth defect in an arabinose dose-dependent manner. A high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis of bacterial cells with or without the CRISPRi-mediated prtR inhibition indicated that prtRis a global regulator affecting multiple biological processes. In conclusion, the CRISPR-dCas9-based gene knockdown system has been successfully implemented in P. aeruginosa and demonstrated to be an effective tool in the investigation of essential or difficult-to-inactivate genes in this species.     

RNA interference mediated knockdown of juvenile hormone esterase gene in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius): Effects on adults and their progeny

Juvenile hormone is responsible for regulating metamorphosis and reproduction in insects. Analysis of key elements of juvenile hormone regulation would enhance the understanding of this complex mechanism. Juvenile hormone esterase plays an important role in maintaining juvenile hormone titres in insects. In this study, effects of knockdown of juvenile hormone esterase gene (jhe) in Bemisia tabaci were studied using RNA interference (RNAi) technique. dsRNA corresponding to two conserved regions of jhe gene, substrate binding pocket site (jhe1), catalytic triad site (jhe2), green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) as control were synthesized. dsRNAs incorporated in artificial diet (20% sucrose solution) @ 2.5, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1 μg/μl were fed to adult whiteflies for 48 h, followed by shifting whiteflies to live plants for next generation biology study. Based on qRT-PCR analyses, reduced jhe gene expression was observed in adult whiteflies after dsRNA feeding @ 2.5 and 1.0 μg/μl. jhe gene knockdown affects the survival and reproduction of whiteflies adversely in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, oral feeding of dsRNA to adult whiteflies @ 2.5 and 1.0 μg/μl showed adverse effects on next generation of whitefly viz., lower egg hatchability and shortened egg incubation period. Minimum number of viable eggs (1.04 and 1.80 eggs/female) were observed when whiteflies were fed with highest concentration of dsjhe1 and dsjhe2 as compared to control (16.58 eggs/female). These data suggest that jhe gene acts as a major biological player in whitefly and its progeny and further indicate to be potential target for managing whitefly population.     

猪Gli1基因的克隆、表达谱分析及脂肪组织特异性表达载体的构建

Hedgehog(Hh)信号通路对动物脂肪沉积具有抑制作用,并且从果蝇到脊椎动物具有高度保守性,但在家猪研究中鲜见报道。文章选择家猪Hh通路的转录激活因子Gli1进行研究,通过RT-PCR结合RACE技术,首次获得家猪Gli1基因cDNA全长,利用Real-time PCR对家猪Gli1基因在不同组织中的表达丰度进行了分析,并构建了真核表达载体和脂肪组织特异性表达载体。结果表明:猪Gli1基因cDNA全长3 576 bp,基因组序列全长10 715 bp,共12个外显子,编码1 106个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明,猪Gli1为不稳定亲水性蛋白,不具有跨膜结构域和信号肽序列,但具有锌指结构与核定位序列。对7个物种的Gli1蛋白序列和基因组序列相似性进行分析,发现各物种间序列相似性均在80%以上,说明Gli1在物种间高度保守。组织表达谱分析表明,Gli1仅在成体猪舌组织中表达;在家猪脂肪组织发育进程中,Gli1仅在出生1周的猪脂肪组织中检测到微弱表达,但1月龄及3月龄猪脂肪组织中均检测不到表达,由此推断猪Gli1表达与脂肪组织发育呈负相关。最后,将猪Gli1编码区克隆到真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP,体外转染实验证明该载体能够正确表达猪Gli1,另外还构建了脂肪组织特异性表达载体,为构建脂肪组织特异性转基因动物奠定基础。     

RNA干扰与基因敲除

RNAi是指通过双链RNA介导特异性降解靶mRNA,导致转录后水平基因沉默的现象。其作用途径有RdRP依赖的RNAi的途径与非RdRP依赖的RNAi途径2种。利用RNAi的基因敲除技术在dsRNA序列选择、质粒或病毒为载体的dsRNA体内合成、发夹样siRNA的转录、dsRNA的导入方法等方面取得了很大进展,在研究人类或其他生物基因组中未知基因及蛋白质的功能等领域具有诱人的应用前景。     

A novel approach for the construction of multiple shRNA expression vectors

The application of RNA interference (RNAi) as a research and therapeutic tool depends on its ability to silence genes in a sequence-specific manner. Recent studies have reported that the effective knockdown of genes can be achieved by multiple short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) in a single vector. Moreover, this approach can depress several genes simultaneously. However, current methods for the construction of multiple shRNA vectors often suffer from vector instability and are time-consuming. Here, we describe a simple, quick and low-cost approach to construct a single vector expressing four shRNA sequences driven by four different promoters. Using this vector, we were able to improve the gene silencing efficiency and make it possible to silence four different genes simultaneously, further expanding the application spectrum of RNAi, both in functional studies and therapeutic strategies.     

RNAi mediated gene knockdown and transgenesis by microinjection in the necromenic Nematode Pristionchus pacificus

Although it is increasingly affordable for emerging model organisms to obtain completely sequenced genomes, further in-depth gene function and expression analyses by RNA interference and stable transgenesis remain limited in many species due to the particular anatomy and molecular cellular biology of the organism. For example, outside of the crown group Caenorhabditis that includes Caenorhabditis elegans, stably transmitted transgenic lines in non-Caenorhabditis species have not been reported in this specious phylum (Nematoda), with the exception of Strongyloides stercoralis and Pristionchus pacificus. To facilitate the expanding role of P. pacificus in the study of development, evolution, and behavior, we describe here the current methods to use microinjection for making transgenic animals and gene knock down by RNAi. Like the gonads of C. elegans and most other nematodes, the gonads of P. pacificus is syncitial and capable of incorporating DNA and RNA into the oocytes when delivered by direct microinjection. Unlike C. elegans however, stable transgene inheritance and somatic expression in P. pacificus requires the addition of self genomic DNA digested with endonucleases complementary to the ends of target transgenes and coinjection markers. The addition of carrier genomic DNA is similar to the requirement for transgene expression in Strongyloides stercoralis and in the germ cells of C. elegans. However, it is not clear if the specific requirement for the animals' own genomic DNA is because P. pacificus soma is very efficient at silencing non-complex multi-copy genes or that extrachromosomal arrays in P. pacificus require genomic sequences for proper kinetochore assembly during mitosis. The ventral migration of the two-armed (didelphic) gonads in hermaphrodites further complicates the ability to inject both gonads in individual worms. We also demonstrate the use of microinjection to knockdown a dominant mutant (roller,tu92) by injecting double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the gonads to obtain non-rolling F(1) progeny. Unlike C. elegans, but like most other nematodes, P. pacificus PS312 is not receptive to systemic RNAi via feeding and soaking and therefore dsRNA must be administered by microinjection into the syncitial gonads. In this current study, we hope to describe the microinjection process needed to transform a Ppa-egl-4 promoter::GFP fusion reporter and knockdown a dominant roller prl-1 (tu92) mutant in a visually informative protocol.     

Prnp knockdown in transgenic mice using RNA interference

RNA interference has become a widely used approach to perform gene knockdown experiments in cell cultures and more recently transgenic animals. A designed miRNA targeting the prion protein mRNA was built and expressed using the human PRNP promoter. Its efficiency was confirmed in transfected cells and it was used to generate several transgenic mouse lines. Although expressed at low levels, it was found to downregulate the endogenous mouse Prnp gene expression to an extent that appears to be directly related with the transgene expression level and that could reach up to 80% inhibition. This result highlights the potential and limitations of the RNA interference approach when applied to disease resistance.