Whey acidic protein (WAP) depresses the proliferation of mouse (MMT) and human (MCF-7) mammary tumor cells

We previously reported that the enforced expression of exogenous whey acidic protein (WAP) significantly inhibited the proliferation of mouse mammary epithelial cells (HC11 and EpH4/H6 cells). This paper presents the first evidence that WAP also depresses the proliferation of mammary tumor cells from mouse (MMT cells) and human (MCF-7 cells). We established WAP-clonal MMT and MCF-7 cell lines, and confirmed the secretion of WAP from the WAP-clonal cells into culture medium. The enforced expression of WAP significantly inhibited the proliferation of MMT and MCF-7 cells in in vitro culture. FACScan analyses revealed that G0/G1 phase cell-cycle progression was disordered and elongated in the WAP-clonal MMT and MCF-7 cells compared to that of the control cells. The expression of cyclin D1 was significantly decreased in the WAP-clonal MMT and MCF-7 cells, suggesting that progression from the G1 to the S phase was delayed in the WAP-clonal cells. The present results indicate that WAP plays a negative regulatory role in the cell-cycle progression of mammary tumor cells via a paracrine mechanism.     

Genetic engineering of mammalian embryos

A gene consisting of the mouse metallothionein I promoter/regulator (MT) fused to the human growth hormone (hGH) structural gene (MThGH) was microinjected into rabbit, sheep and pig eggs. Visualization of nuclear structures was accomplished by interference-contrast (I-C) microscopy for rabbit and sheep eggs and by centrifugation and I-C microscopy for pig eggs. The gene integrated into the chromosomes of each species with an efficiency of 13% in rabbits, 1% in sheep and 10% in pigs. Human GH mRNA was detected in the liver of transgenic rabbits as well as tail and ear samples of pigs. Immunoreactive hGH was present in the serum of a transgenic rabbit and plasma of most transgenic pigs. In several pigs hGH levels increased between birth and 90 d of age. The presence of substantial quantities of hGH in plasma of pigs did not increase postnatal somatic growth rates. Founder animals will be bred and their transgenic and control progeny used to assess the effects of hGH on feed efficiency and carcass composition. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of introducing foreign genes into the genome of several animal species by microinjection of eggs.     

Growth hormone and lactogenic hormones can reduce the leptin mRNA expression in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Leptin mRNA is expressed in not only adipocytes but also mammary epithelial cells and leptin protein is present in milk. Although milk leptin is thought to influence metabolism or the immune system in neonates, there is little information about the regulation of leptin expression in mammary epithelial cells. We examined the effect of growth hormone (GH) and/or lactogenic hormone complex (DIP; dexamethasone, insulin and prolactin) on leptin mRNA expression in mammary epithelial cells. We used a bovine mammary epithelial cell (BMEC) clonal line, which was established from a 26-day pregnant Holstein heifer. We confirmed that the mRNA was expressed in BMECs and the expression was significantly reduced by GH and/or DIP, when the cells were cultured on both plastic plates and cell culture inserts at days 2 and 7 after stimulation with lactogenic hormones. GH and/or DIP significantly increased level of alpha-casein mRNA in BMECs after 7 days on the cell culture inserts, but no mRNA expression was detected at day 2. GH and DIP significantly stimulated the secretion of alpha-casein from BMEC on cell culture inserts at 3.5 and 7 days. However, neither alpha-casein mRNA expression nor secretion was observed in the BMECs cultured on plastic dishes, even in the presence of GH or/and DIP. These results indicate that GH and DIP can directly reduce leptin mRNA expression in both undifferentiated and functionally differentiated bovine mammary epithelial cell.     

中国荷斯坦牛PIN1基因对产奶性状的遗传效应分析

前期研究通过荷斯坦公牛全基因组重测序鉴定到17个奶牛产奶性状候选功能基因,其中,肽基脯氨酸顺反异构酶基因(PIN1)参与甘油三酯代谢、甘油磷脂代谢以及mTOR信号通路,且位于产奶量和乳蛋白量性状QTL区间。为进一步系统分析PIN1基因是否对奶牛产奶性状具有遗传效应,本实验基于40头公牛的基因组DNA混池,采用PCR产物直接测序法对PIN1基因的全部编码区以及上下游调控区2000 bp进行扫描,在内含子2检测到1个SNP位点7:g.14432394G>A,A、G等位基因频率分别为0.4797和0.5203。采用靶向测序基因型技术对北京地区987头中国荷斯坦母牛进行个体基因型检测,对SNP位点7:g.14432394G>A与5个产奶性状进行关联分析。结果表明:在第1泌乳期,SNP 7:g.14432394G>A与产奶量、乳脂量、乳蛋白量和乳蛋白率呈显著或极显著关联(P=0.0001~0.0493);在第2泌乳期,SNP与产奶量、乳脂量、乳脂率和乳蛋白量呈显著或极显著关联(P=0.0001~0.0104);SNP位点7:g.14432394G>A对产奶量、乳脂量、乳蛋白量和乳蛋白率的加性效应或等位基因替代效应均达到显著或极显著。综上,PIN1基因对中国荷斯坦牛的产奶量和乳蛋白、乳脂性状具有显著遗传效应,可作为遗传标记用于基因组选择,以加快遗传进展。     

Effects of phenylalanine and threonine oligopeptides on milk protein synthesis in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of phenylalanine (Phe) and threonine (Thr) oligopeptides on α_s1 casein gene expression and milk protein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells. Primary mammary epithelial cells were obtained from Holstein dairy cows and incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium‐F12 medium (DMEM/F12) containing lactogenic hormones (prolactin and glucocorticoids). Free Phe (117 μg/ml) was substituted partly with peptide‐bound Phe (phenylalanylphenylalanine, phenylalanyl threonine, threonyl‐phenylalanyl‐phenylalanine) in the experimental media. After incubation with experimental medium, cells were collected for gene expression analysis and medium was collected for milk protein or amino acid determination. The results showed that peptide‐bound Phe at 10% (11.7 μg/ml) significantly enhanced α_s1 casein gene expression and milk protein synthesis as compared with equivalent amount of free Phe. When 10% Phe was replaced by phenylalanylphenylalanine, the disappearance of most essential amino acids increased significantly, and gene expression of peptide transporter 2 and some amino acid transporters was significantly enhanced. These results indicate that the Phe and Thr oligopeptides are important for milk protein synthesis, and peptide‐bound amino acids could be utilised more efficiently in milk protein synthesis than the equivalent amount of free amino acids.     

Progress on gene transfer in farm animals

Transgenic pigs and sheep have been produced by the microinjection of single-cell zygotes and two-cell ova with linear molecules of mouse metallothionein I (MT) promoter/regulator fused to either the human growth hormone (hGH) or bovine growth hormone (bGH) structural genes. The foreign genes integrated into the chromosomes of 3 of 111 lambs or fetuses and 31 of 341 pigs or fetuses examined. Immunoreactive hGH or bGH was present in the plasma of two transgenic lambs and 19 transgenic pigs. The hGH concentration in plasma varied greatly among pigs and was unrelated to the number of gene copies that had integrated. Rate of growth was not enhanced in any of the transgenic pigs in comparison to their littermate controls. However, bGH and hGH exerted definite biological effects in transgenic pigs as evidenced by significantly depressed backfat measurements, elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), stimulation of mammary development (by hGH) and reduction in porcine growth hormone (pGH) to nondetectable levels in plasma. Five of six founder transgenic pigs transmitted the MT-hGH gene construct to one or more progeny. Three progeny of a boar that expressed hGH also expressed the foreign gene.     

碱性磷酸酯酶基因在鸡胚和人乳腺癌细胞中的表达

通过PCR方法从pSEAP2-control质粒获得人胎盘碱性磷酸酯酶(PLAP)基因,并克隆到鸡输卵管特异性表达载体(pAB-Sig-SV40)卵清蛋白基因调控区下游.pSEAP2-contro1和pAB-Sig-AP-SV40质粒转染鸡胚细胞和乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7),转染48h后以对硝基苯磷酸钠(pNPP)为底物检测PLAP的活性,结果pSEAP2-contro1在鸡胚细胞和MCF-7细胞中表达PLAP,pAB-Sig-AP-SV40在鸡胚细胞中不表达,而在MCF-7细胞中表达.说明鸡胚细胞可以表达有活性的人源糖蛋白,另外也说明在雌激素受体细胞中,鸡卵清蛋白基因启动子可启动外源基因表达.     

Lactogenic hormones stimulate expression of lipogenic genes but not glucose transporters in bovine mammary gland

During the onset of lactation, there is a dramatic increase in the expression of glucose transporters (GLUT) and a group of enzymes involved in milk fat synthesis in the bovine mammary gland. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the lactogenic hormones mediate both of these increases. Bovine mammary explants were cultured for 48, 72, or 96 h with the following hormone treatments: no hormone (control), IGF-I, insulin (Ins), Ins + hydrocortisone + ovine prolactin (InsHPrl), or Ins + hydrocortisone + prolactin + 17β-estradiol (InsHPrlE). The relative expression of β-casein, α-lactalbumin, sterol regulatory element binding factor 1 (SREBF1), fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACACA), stearyol-CoA desaturase (SCD), GLUT1, GLUT8, and GLUT12 were measured by real-time PCR. Exposure to the lactogenic hormone combinations InsHPrl and InsHPrlE for 96 h stimulated expression of β-casein and α-lactalbumin mRNA by several hundred-fold and also increased the expression of SREBF1, FASN, ACACA, and SCD genes in mammary explants (P < 0.01). However, those hormone combinations had no effect on GLUT1 or GLUT8 expression and inhibited GLUT12 expression by 50% after 72 h of treatment (P < 0.05). In separate experiments, the expression of GLUTs in the mouse mammary epithelial cell line HC11 or in bovine primary mammary epithelial cells was not increased by lactogenic hormone treatments. Moreover, treatment of dairy cows with bovine prolactin had no effect on GLUT expression in the mammary gland. In conclusion, lactogenic hormones clearly stimulate expression of milk protein and lipogenic genes, but they do not appear to mediate the marked up-regulation of GLUT expression in the mammary gland during the onset of lactation.     

Effects of tripeptides and lactogenic hormones on oligopeptide transporter 2 in bovine mammary gland

This study was conducted to investigate the expression of oligopeptide transporter 2 (PepT2) and its potential function in bovine mammary gland. First, the PepT2 mRNA and protein were determined in cultured mammary epithelial cells. Then the effects of lactogenic hormones (prolactin, hydrocortisone or insulin) and substrate (threonyl-phenylalanyl-phenylalanine) on PepT2 were investigated. The PepT2 mRNA and protein were successfully detected in bovine mammary epithelial cells. PepT2 gene expression was enhanced by the addition of 50, 500 and 5000 ng/ml prolactin, 10 and 100 ng/ml hydrocortisone, and 50, 500, 5000 and 50,000 ng/ml insulin. PepT2 mRNA abundance was increased when 5, 10 and 15% of threonyl-phenylalanyl-phenylalanine was included. Responses of PepT2 to lactogenic hormones and oligopeptide inferred that it may play an important role in bovine mammary gland.     

Inhibitory function of whey acidic protein in the cell-cycle progression of mouse mammary epithelial cells (EpH4/K6 cells)

Although the biological role for whey acidic protein (WAP) in milk has been suggested, its true function is not known. This paper describes evidence for WAP function in the cell-cycle progression of EpH4/K6 (EpH4), mammary epithelial cells in vitro. The forced expression of exogenous WAP significantly impaired the proliferation of EpH4 cells, whereas it did not affect that of NIH3T3 cells. Apoptosis was not enhanced in the EpH4 cells with stable expression of WAP (WAP-clonal EpH4 cells). The analyses of BrdU incorporation revealed that forced WAP expression significantly reduced incorporation of BrdU in WAP-clonal EpH4 cells compared with control cells transfected with empty plasmid. Among G1 cyclins, the level expression of cyclins D1 was significantly lower in the WAP-clonal EpH4 cells than in control cells. The inhibitory action of WAP on the proliferation of EpH4 cells was enhanced by the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM), but not by the presence of a single component comprising ECM. The cultured medium of WAP-clonal EpH4 cells inhibited the proliferation of control cells without WAP expression. The present results indicate that WAP plays a negative regulatory role in the cell-cycle progression of mammary epithelial cells through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.     

Production of the mouse whey acidic protein in transgenic pigs during lactation.

The mouse whey acidic protein (WAP) gene was introduced into the genome of pigs and its expression was analyzed in the mammary gland. Mouse WAP was detected in milk of lactating females from five lines at levels between .5 and 1.5 g/liter, thereby representing as much as 2% of the total milk proteins. The corresponding mRNA was expressed in mammary tissue at levels similar to those of pig beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein. The pattern of WAP secretion in three pigs over a period of 6 wk was quantitatively similar to that of pig beta-lactoglobulin. From the eight transgenic pigs analyzed, three successfully completed one lactational period, but five pigs stopped lactating a few days after parturition. Our results show that it is possible to produce large quantities of a foreign protein in milk of pigs over a full lactational period. However, expression of WAP can compromise the mammary gland and render it nonfunctional.     

Identification and characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from horses.

Seven group B streptococcal cultures isolated from three horses reacted with group B-specific antiserum, were CAMP positive, pigmented and showed the typical biochemical properties of Streptococcus agalactiae. The identification could be confirmed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and a subsequent RsaI restriction pattern typical for S. agalactiae. In addition, the isolates were identified by amplification of species specific parts of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and by amplification of the CAMP-factor (cfb) gene. Six isolates could be classified as serotype III/Rib, one isolate as serotype Ia/cbeta. The occurrence of the protein antigens Rib and cbeta could be confirmed by PCR amplification of the respective genes. The six isolates of serotype III/Rib were hyaluronidase negative, had a hylB gene with a size of 4.6 kb and an insertion element IS1548 of 0.98 kb. The isolate of serotype Ia/cbeta was hyaluronidase positive, had a hylB gene with a size of 3.3 kb and no insertion element IS1548. In addition, all seven isolates had the insertion element ISSag2 and the gene lmb encoding the laminin binding surface protein Lmb and the gene scpB encoding C5a peptidase. According to the present results the group B streptococci isolated from horses showed characteristics of human isolates of this species.     

伪狂犬病病毒糖蛋白gp50基因的克隆和表达

从包含伪狂犬病病毒（ＰＲＶ）闽Ａ株ＢａｍＨＩ－７片段的重组质粒ｐＰＲ１２８中分离出含有完整糖蛋白ｇｐ５０基因的２．１ｋｂＤＮＡ片段，用ＫｐｎＩ和ＳｔｕＩ酶切后，将其酶切片段分别克隆到ｐＵＣ１９载体中，构建了２．１ｋｂ片段完整测序用质粒。对其序列进行分析，发现与文献报道结果一致，证明分离的ｇｐ５０基因是正确的。将包含ｇｐ５０基因的２．１ｋｂ和１．６ｋｂＤＮＡ片段分别插入带有痘苗病毒天坛株ＴＫ基因区段的ｐＧＪＰ－５质粒Ｐ７．５启动子的下游，构建了ｐＧＢＴ５０－３６和ｐＧＢＴ５０－Ｓ２２个嵌合载体。将嵌合载体通过磷酸钙共沉淀法转染预先感染ＴＫ＋痘苗病毒天坛株的人ＴＫ－１４３细胞或ＣＶ－１细胞，进行体内同源重组。经蚀斑纯化，在ＢｄＵＲ选择压力下，通过光敏生物素标记的探针杂交，获得带有ＰＲＶｇｐ５０基因的重组痘苗病毒。用ＥＬＩＳＡ检测，重组痘苗病毒有特异性ＰＲＶｇｐ５０抗原存在。     

山羊脂肪酸合酶基因(FASN)启动子结构与功能的初步分析

本研究旨在对山羊脂肪酸合酶基因(Fatty acid synthase,FASN)启动子进行结构与功能的初步分析,进而对其转录调控机制进行探讨。采用PCR技术从西农萨能羊基因组DNA中克隆FASN基因启动子,通过缺失分析,构建7个包含不同缺失片段的荧光素酶报告基因载体,转染山羊乳腺上皮细胞和MCF-7细胞,利用双荧光素酶系统检测不同片段的启动活性。结果表明,克隆得到FASN基因的启动调控序列2 589bp,生物信息学分析发现,该启动子序列含有典型的启动转录元件TATA-box和E-box,分别位于转录起始位点(+1)上游-41和-74bp处。报告基因分析表明,启动子核心区域定位在-293～-79bp,在线软件预测发现,该区域含有Sp1、NF-Y、USF和SREBP等转录因子结合位点。结果显示,FASN基因启动子前端存在负调控元件,Sp1、NF-Y、USF和SREBP等转录因子可能参与FASN基因的转录调控。     

Effects of steroid hormone treatment on mammary development in prepubertal heifers

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of steroid hormone implantation in heifer calves on the ability of mammary tissue to develop subsequently in organ culture. Twenty-four calves were paired by date of birth and assigned to groups (eight calves/group). At 4, 7, or 10 mo of age, calves were implanted subcutaneously (s.c.) with pellets containing cholesterol or cholesterol, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone for 9 or 18 d. The calves were euthanized and uteri and mammary glands were removed and weighed. Slices of mammary parenchymal tissue were incubated for 5 d at 37°C in a 50% O₂, 5% CO₂ humidified atmosphere in Waymouth’s 752/liter medium supplemented with insulin (5.0 μg/ml) or lactogenic hormone complex insulin (5.0 μg/ml), aldosterone (0.1 μg/ml), hydrocortisone (0.1 μg/ml), and prolactin (1.0 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) (0.06 μg/ml) to promote lobulo-alveolar development. Tissue sections were stained and mounted on slides for morphologic and histologic analysis or prepared to evaluate expression of β-casein mRNA. There were no morphologic differences in slices from calf mammary tissues despite age, steroid hormone priming, or hormones used in tissue culture. The 4-mo-old calves required steroid priming followed by incubation of the tissue slices with the lactogenic complex with or without epidermal growth factor to induce cytological changes associated with lactogenesis but did not express β-casein mRNA. At 7 mo of age, steroid hormone priming was not necessary for induction of alveolar formation and secretion. Incubation of the tissue slices from 7-mo-old calves with the lactogenic complex was sufficient to induce alveolar formation and secretion. However, β-casein mRNA was not expressed. At 10 mo of age, exposure of tissue from calves to the lactogenic hormones caused histologic changes reminiscent of the ability to secrete milk regardless of hormone priming. However, estrogen and progesterone priming was necessary before incubation of the tissue slices with the lactogenic hormones to induce β-casein mRNA expression. When epidermal growth factor was added to the lactogenic hormone complex, β-casein mRNA expression decreased. These data support the concept that there is a sequential development of responsiveness of the mammary gland to various hormones. By 10 mo of age, prepubertal heifers reach a stage of maturity where steroid hormone priming followed by incubation of tissue slices with the lactogenic hormones is sufficient to induce both structural and functional differentiation.     

鸡肝脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因启动子活性分析

PCR扩增鸡L-FABP基因5′侧翼区约2kb的DNA片段,进行克隆并测序,构建了鸡L-FABP基因报告基因系列缺失载体,瞬时转染进入人肝癌细胞系,利用双荧光素酶报告基因系统测定了荧光素酶活性。在线分析软件发现鸡L-FABP基因启动子区存在HNF-1、SREBP-1、AP-1、C/EBP、Oct-1、TATA、CCAAT、GATA-1等调控元件,没有发现CpG岛。报告基因结果表明鸡L-FABP基因启动子-2 076bp/-20bp区域具有最强的启动子活性,-522bp/-20bp区域启动子活性最弱;C/EBPα可以显著的抑制鸡L-FABP基因的表达,这些结果为深入研究鸡L-FABP的表达调控机制奠定了基础。