Expression of antisense chalcone synthase RNA in transgenic hybrid walnut microcuttings. Effect on flavonoid content and rooting ability

Walnut somatic embryos (Juglans nigra × Juglans regia) were transformed with a vector containing a neomycin phosphotransferase II, a -glucuronidase and an antisense chalcone synthase (chs) gene. This antisense construct included a 400 bp cDNA fragment of a walnut chs gene under the control of the duplicated CaMV-35S promoter. Molecular, biochemical and biological characterizations were performed both on transformed embryos propagated by secondary somatic embryogenesis and on microshoots developed by in vitro culture of embryonic epicotyls from somatic embryos. Thirteen transformed lines with the vector containing the antisense chs gene, one line with only the gus and nptII genes and one untransformed line were maintained in tissue culture. Six of the antisense lines were shown to be flavonoid-deficient. They exhibited a strongly reduced expression of chs genes, very low chalcone synthase activity and no detectable amounts of quercitrin, myricitrin, flavane-3-ols and proanthocyanidins in stems. Rooting tests showed that decreased flavonoid content in stems of antisense chs transformed lines was associated with enhanced adventitious root formation. Free auxin and conjugated auxin contents were determined during the latter phase of the micropropagation, and no variations were detected between control and antisense chs transformed lines. The in vitro plants developed a large basal callus and apical necrosis upon auxinic induction and the transformed lines highly deficient in flavonoids were more sensitive to exogenous application of indolebutyric acid (IBA).     

Sam68 sequestration and partial loss of function are associated with splicing alterations in FXTAS patients

Fragile X‐associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of 55–200 CGG repeats in the 5′‐UTR of the FMR1 gene. FXTAS is characterized by action tremor, gait ataxia and impaired executive cognitive functioning. It has been proposed that FXTAS is caused by titration of RNA‐binding proteins by the expanded CGG repeats. Sam68 is an RNA‐binding protein involved in alternative splicing regulation and its ablation in mouse leads to motor coordination defects. Here, we report that mRNAs containing expanded CGG repeats form large and dynamic intranuclear RNA aggregates that recruit several RNA‐binding proteins sequentially, first Sam68, then hnRNP‐G and MBNL1. Importantly, Sam68 is sequestered by expanded CGG repeats and thereby loses its splicing‐regulatory function. Consequently, Sam68‐responsive splicing is altered in FXTAS patients. Finally, we found that regulation of Sam68 tyrosine phosphorylation modulates its localization within CGG aggregates and that tautomycin prevents both Sam68 and CGG RNA aggregate formation. Overall, these data support an RNA gain‐of‐function mechanism for FXTAS neuropathology, and suggest possible target routes for treatment options.     

Comparison of Linear,Nonlinear and Semiparametric Mixed‐effects Models for Estimating HIV Dynamic Parameters

The potency of antiretroviral agents in AIDS clinical trials can be assessed on the basis of an early viral response such as viral decay rate or change in viral load (number of copies of HIV RNA) of the plasma. Linear, parametric nonlinear, and semiparametric nonlinear mixed‐effects models have been proposed to estimate viral decay rates in viral dynamic models. However, before applying these models to clinical data, a critical question that remains to be addressed is whether these models produce coherent estimates of viral decay rates, and if not, which model is appropriate and should be used in practice. In this paper, we applied these models to data from an AIDS clinical trial of potent antiviral treatments and found significant incongruity in the estimated rates of reduction in viral load. Simulation studies indicated that reliable estimates of viral decay rate were obtained by using the parametric and semiparametric nonlinear mixed‐effects models. Our analysis also indicated that the decay rates estimated by using linear mixed‐effects models should be interpreted differently from those estimated by using nonlinear mixed‐effects models. The semiparametric nonlinear mixed‐effects model is preferred to other models because arbitrary data truncation is not needed. Based on real data analysis and simulation studies, we provide guidelines for estimating viral decay rates from clinical data. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

多靶向RNA干扰技术在基因治疗中的应用与前景

RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)通过转录后基因沉默效应特异性抑制靶基因的表达,其沉默机制的高效性、特异性及稳定性使这项技术成为生物医学领域研究基因治疗的重要工具。阐述RNAi技术的特点和RNAi疗法的现状,特别是多靶小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)目前的发展态势及其各种结构性修饰,通过使用这些结构修饰的siRNA提高基因沉默的效率,将有助于提高疗效。但该技术在广泛应用于临床之前,仍存在一些亟待解决的问题与面临的挑战,需进一步研究。     

长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)在氧化型低密度脂蛋白诱导血管内皮细胞损伤中表达谱的变化

目的:探讨长链非编码RNA(long noncoding RNA,lnc RNA)在氧化型低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)诱导的损伤人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVEC)与正常HUVEC中表达谱的差异。方法:采用lnc RNA芯片检测ox-LDL诱导的损伤HUVEC与正常HUVEC中lncRNA及mRNA的表达差异,筛选出HUVEC损伤相关的lncRNA。结果:相对于正常HUVEC,在ox-LDL诱导的损伤HUVEC中表达上调和下调超过2倍的lncRNAs和m RNAs分别有139种和113种,上调和下调超过4倍的lncRNAs和mRNAs分别有35种和28种。结论:与正常HUVEC比较,ox-LDL诱导的损伤HUVEC中lncRNA的表达谱显著变化,lncRNA可能在血管内皮细胞损伤过程中发挥一定作用。     

PEI-CS/siRNA复合颗粒对肝癌耐药细胞BEL7402/5-FU中MRE11表达的影响

目的:探讨聚乙烯亚胺-壳聚糖(PEI-CS)/si RNA复合颗粒对肝癌耐药细胞BEL7402/5-FU中MRE11表达的影响。方法:采用复凝聚法将PEI-CS(100μg/m L)与不同浓度的MRE11 si RNA-FAM形成PEI-CS/si RNA复合颗粒,并转染BEL7402/5-FU细胞,用荧光显微镜和Real-time PCR检测转染效率和沉默效率。结果:荧光显微镜观察结果显示:转染细胞48 h后,3.125、6.25、12.5、25、50μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为62.31%、76.09%、79.99%、86.49%、96.59%。转染细胞48、72、96 h后,12.5μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为78.22%、55.76%、42.85%,25μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒的转染率分别为83.67%、74.23%、67.45%。Real-time PCR检测结果显示:25μg/m L的si RNA与PEI-CS形成的复合颗粒转染48小时后,对BEL7402/5-FU细胞中MRE11基因的沉默效率为35.4%。结论:聚乙烯亚胺-壳聚糖/si RAN复合颗粒能有效转染肝癌耐药细胞Bel7402/5-FU,并对BEL7402/5-FU细胞中MRE11基因表达有一定抑制作用。