抗凝血酶Ⅲ转基因山羊外源基因拷贝数及其蛋白表达量的测定

目的:检测抗凝血酶Ⅲ(ATⅢ)转基因山羊外源基因的拷贝数及ATⅢ蛋白的表达量,分析拷贝数与蛋白表达量的相关性。方法:用Primer 5.0软件设计外源基因ATⅢ及山羊管家基因GAPDH的引物,以倍比稀释的标准品进行实时荧光定量PCR,制作标准曲线,通过标准曲线计算外源基因拷贝数;通过酶显色底物法检测ATⅢ蛋白的含量。结果:依据ATⅢ和GAPDH基因标准曲线方程计算得到的山羊个体间外源基因的拷贝数相差很大,最少的为5,最多为25,且不同转基因山羊间ATⅢ表达水平的差别达10倍以上。结论:外源基因表达水平在受到拷贝数的影响外,也受到整合位点等其他因素的重要影响。     

增强子驱动的Cre转基因小鼠的构建及Cre基因的表达鉴定

目的:探索将增强子应用于构建Cre转基因小鼠品系,为以条件基因敲除为基础的基因功能研究提供更多的工具。方法:通过PCR方法从小鼠的细菌人工染色体扩增UH增强子片段,构建含有Hsp68基础启动子、增强子UH、Cre重组酶基因和SV40 polyA的转基因载体pLW400,将3.3 kb的转基因片段通过显微注射导入小鼠受精卵;为了检测Cre在转基因小鼠中的表达,将转基因一代小鼠与纯合子ROSA26报告小鼠(R/R)交配,收集第14 d胚胎期(E14)的舌组织进行LacZ染色检测鉴定。结果:经鉴定,31只子代小鼠中有6只携带外源基因,整合率为19.4%;与R/+对照相比,E14期的双基因型Cre,R/+舌组织为阳性结果(蓝色)。这表明Cre基因在转基因小鼠舌组织内得到表达,并在体内介导ROSA26基因座loxP位点间的重组,且有效删除了2个loxP之间的片段,从而启动了LacZ基因的表达。结论:构建了UH增强子-Hsp68Cre的转基因小鼠,在舌肌中特异表达Cre基因,提示增强子可以被选择应用于Cre转基因小鼠的构建;为舌肌的发育和再生研究奠定了基础。     

姜黄素对APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠Aβ生成和降解的影响

目的观察姜黄素对APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠β淀粉样蛋白(βamyloid,Aβ)生成酶早老素2(presenilin2,PS2)和Aβ降解酶胰岛素降解酶(insulin degrading enzyme,IDE)表达的影响,探讨姜黄素在AD防治中的机制。方法将3月龄的APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠随机分为模型组、阳性对照组[罗格列酮组,0.92mg/(kg·d)]、姜黄素大[400mg/(kg·d)]、中[200mg/(kg·d)]、小[100mg/(kg·d)]剂量组,每组10只;并以同月龄遗传背景相同的C57BL/6J小鼠作为正常对照组10只。每天灌胃给药1次,模型组和正常对照组用等体积0.5%羧甲基纤维素(carboxymethyl cellulose,CMC)灌胃。灌胃3个月后,应用Morris水迷宫、免疫组织化学等方法,检测动物的学习记忆能力、海马Aβ生成酶PS2和降解酶IDE表达变化。结果行为学检测,模型组小鼠的游泳轨迹多为边缘型,而正常对照组、阳性对照组、姜黄素各组小鼠的游泳轨迹多为趋向型和直线型。Aβ生成酶PS2和降解酶IDE的免疫组织化学染色结果,模型组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞较正常对照组明显增加(P0.01),与模型组相比,姜黄素各组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞减少(P0.01)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区PS2阳性细胞平均灰度值较正常对照组降低(P0.05),姜黄素小剂量组阳性细胞平均灰度值同模型组相比明显增加(P0.01)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞较正常对照组明显减少(P0.01),与模型组相比,姜黄素中剂量组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞明显增加(P0.05)。模型组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞平均灰度值较正常对照组明显增加(P0.01),姜黄素各组小鼠海马CA1区IDE阳性细胞平均灰度值同模型组相比均明显降低(P0.01)。结论姜黄素能通过减少Aβ生成酶和增加Aβ降解酶的表达,降低Aβ蛋白的表达进而改善APPswe/PS1dE9双转基因小鼠的学习记忆能力。     

Differential neuroprotective effects of 14-3-3 proteins in models of Parkinson's disease

14-3-3 proteins are important negative regulators of cell death pathways. Recent studies have revealed alterations in 14-3-3s in Parkinson''s disease (PD) and the ability of 14-3-3s to interact with α-synuclein (α-syn), a protein central to PD pathophysiology. In a transgenic α-syn mouse model, we found reduced expression of 14-3-3θ, -ɛ, and -γ. These same isoforms prevent α-syn inclusion formation in an H4 neuroglioma cell model. Using dopaminergic cell lines stably overexpressing each 14-3-3 isoform, we found that overexpression of 14-3-3θ, -ɛ, or -γ led to resistance to both rotenone and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, whereas other isoforms were not protective against both toxins. Inhibition of a single protective isoform, 14-3-3θ, by shRNA did not increase vulnerability to neurotoxic injury, but toxicity was enhanced by broad-based inhibition of 14-3-3 action with the peptide inhibitor difopein. Using a transgenic C. elegans model of PD, we confirmed the ability of both human 14-3-3θ and a C. elegans 14-3-3 homologue (ftt-2) to protect dopaminergic neurons from α-syn toxicity. Collectively, these data show a strong neuroprotective effect of enhanced 14-3-3 expression – particularly of the 14-3-3θ, -ɛ, and -γ isoforms – in multiple cellular and animal models of PD, and point to the potential value of these proteins in the development of neuroprotective therapies for human PD.     

Wet‐milling transgenic maize seed for fraction enrichment of recombinant subunit vaccine

The production of recombinant proteins in plants continues to be of great interest for prospective large‐scale manufacturing of industrial enzymes, nutrition products, and vaccines. This work describes fractionation by wet‐milling of transgenic maize expressing the B subunit of the heat‐labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LT‐B), a potent immunogen and candidate for oral vaccine and vaccine components. The LT‐B gene was directed to express in seed by an endosperm specific promoter. Two steeping treatments, traditional steeping (TS, 0.2% SO₂ + 0.5% lactic acid) and water steeping (WS, water only), were evaluated to determine effects on recovery of functional LT‐B in wet‐milled fractions. The overall recovery of the LT‐B protein from WS treatment was 1.5‐fold greater than that from TS treatment. In both steeping types, LT‐B was distributed similarly among the fractions, resulting in enrichment of functional LT‐B in fine fiber, coarse fiber and pericarp fractions by concentration factors of 1.5 to 8 relative to the whole kernels on a per‐mass basis. Combined with endosperm‐specific expression and secretory pathway targeting, wet‐milling enables enrichment of high‐value recombinant proteins in low‐value fractions, such as the fine fiber, and co‐utilization of remaining fractions in alternative industrial applications. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010     

MicroRNA sponges: Progress and possibilities

The microRNA (miRNA) “sponge” method was introduced three years ago as a means to create continuous miRNA loss of function in cell lines and transgenic organisms. Sponge RNAs contain complementary binding sites to a miRNA of interest, and are produced from transgenes within cells. As with most miRNA target genes, a sponge''s binding sites are specific to the miRNA seed region, which allows them to block a whole family of related miRNAs. This transgenic approach has proven to be a useful tool to probe miRNA functions in a variety of experimental systems. Here we will discuss the ways sponge and related constructs can be optimized and review recent applications of this method with particular emphasis on stable expression in cancer studies and in transgenic animals.     

Transgenic maize lines with cell‐type specific expression of fluorescent proteins in plastids

Plastid number and morphology vary dramatically between cell types and at different developmental stages. Furthermore, in C4 plants such as maize, chloroplast ultrastructure and biochemical functions are specialized in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells, which differentiate acropetally from the proplastid form in the leaf base. To develop visible markers for maize plastids, we have created a series of stable transgenics expressing fluorescent proteins fused to either the maize ubiquitin promoter, the mesophyll‐specific phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PepC) promoter, or the bundle sheath‐specific Rubisco small subunit 1 (RbcS) promoter. Multiple independent events were examined and revealed that maize codon‐optimized versions of YFP and GFP were particularly well expressed, and that expression was stably inherited. Plants carrying PepC promoter constructs exhibit YFP expression in mesophyll plastids and the RbcS promoter mediated expression in bundle sheath plastids. The PepC and RbcS promoter fusions also proved useful for identifying plastids in organs such as epidermis, silks, roots and trichomes. These tools will inform future plastid‐related studies of wild‐type and mutant maize plants and provide material from which different plastid types may be isolated.     

Expression of Helicobacter pylori TonB protein in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana: toward production of vaccine antigens in plants

Background: The aim of this study was to produce a recombinant version of the highly antigenic Helicobacter pylori TonB (iron‐dependent siderophore transporter protein HP1341) in transgenic plants as a candidate oral vaccine antigen. Materials and Methods: Using Agrobacterium‐mediated gene transfer, we introduced three different constructs of the tonB gene into the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We investigated transgene insertion by PCR, produced TonB antibodies for analysis of the production of the recombinant protein in plants, verified the identity of the protein produced by mass spectrometry analysis, and analyzed the number of genetic inserts in the plants by Southern blotting. Results: Three different constructs of the expression cassette (full‐length tonB, tonB truncated in the 5′ end removing the codons for a transmembrane helix, and the latter construct with codons for the endoplasmic reticulum SEKDEL retention signal added to the 3′ end) were used to find the most effective way to express the TonB antigen. Production of TonB protein was detected in plants transformed with each of the constructs, confirmed by both Western blotting and mass spectrometry analysis. No considerable differences in protein expression from the three different constructs were observed. The protein concentration in the plants was at least 0.05% of the total soluble proteins. Conclusions: The Helicobacter pylori TonB protein can be produced in Arabidopsis thaliana plants in a form that is recognizable by rabbit anti‐TonB antiserum. These TonB‐expressing plants are highly suitable for animal studies of oral adminstration as a route for immunization against Helicobacter infections.     

Early postnatal behavioral changes in the Mecp2‐308 truncation mouse model of Rett syndrome

In a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT) which expresses a truncated form of methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (Mecp2) gene (Mecp2‐308), we performed a neurobehavioral evaluation across the life span, starting from soon after birth till adulthood. A focus was made on those developmental phases and behavioral domains which have not been previously investigated. The results evidenced subtle anomalies on postnatal days (pnds) 3 to 9 (so‐called presymptomatic phase) in spontaneous movements by hemizygous neonatal male mice. Specifically as early as pnd 3, mutant pups exhibited more intense curling and more side responses and on pnd 9 more pivoting and head rising behaviors than wild type (wt) littermates. A significant decrease in ultrasonic vocalization rate, also emerged in Mecp2‐308 pups. The same mice were also characterized by increased anxiety‐like behaviors (open‐field and zero‐maze tests) during the early symptomatic phase, in the absence of changes in cognitive passive‐avoidance task and rotarod performances. Upon the clearly symptomatic stage, 5‐month‐old Mecp2‐308 mice were also associated with reduced spontaneous home‐cage motor activity, motor coordination impairments (rotarod and dowel tests), and a more marked profile of d ‐amphetamine (10 mg/kg) released stereotyped behavioral syndrome than wt mice. Present results provide an interesting timeline of the progression of symptoms in the Mecp2‐308 model and emphasize the need for increased attention to the presymptomatic phase which may be especially informative in mouse models of human neurodevelopmental disorders. This analysis has provided evidence of precocious behavioral markers of RTT and has identified an early developmental window of opportunities on which potential therapies could be investigated.