Construction of eukaryotic expression vector and expression of outer membrane lipoprotein LipL41 gene of Leptospiria lai

AIM:To construct a eukaryotic expression vector expressing outer membrane lipoprotein LipL41 of Leptospira lai and express it in mammalian cell. METHODS:LipL41 gene was amplified by PCR from genome of Leptospira lai 017 strain, and was subcloned into vector pGEX-4T-1. After sequencing, LipL41 gene digested by restriction endonuclease and cloned into vector pcDNA3. After confirming the correctness of the eukaryotic recombinant vector by restrication enzyme digestion, it was transfected into COS7 cells by liposome. Its expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS:A fragment of 1 011 bp was amplified, and sequence analysis showed it had a 98% homology with Leptospira kirschneri. The analysis of restriction enzyme indicated that the eukaryotic recombinant vector was correctly constructed. A specific amplified fragment was showed in the cells transfected with recombinant plasmid by RT-PCR, but the cell transfected with blank plasmid did not show this band. CONCLUSIONS:The LipL41 gene of Leptospira lai was successfully inserted into eukaryotic expression plasmid and the recombinant plasmid expressed the LipL41 mRNA.     

Construction and identification of FRT cell line stably expressing UT-A2

AIM: To obtain an FRT cell line that can stably express urea transporter A2 (UT-A2) and provide a cell model for screening UT-A2 inhibitors. METHODS: FRT cells stably expressing aquaporins 1 (AQP1) and YFP were transfected with the recombinant plasmid pUB6/V5-UT-A2 by eukaryotic expression plasmid-lipoplast mediating pathway. The stable UT-A2-FRT cell line was cloned by selection with BSD and confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The urea permeability across the plasma membrane was detected by a 2 mol/L urea lysis assay. RESULTS: We have obtained a stable UT-A2-FRT cell line. Western blotting analysis showed that UT-A2 protein was expressed stably in this cell line. The immunofluorescence staining detection indicated UT-A2 expression in the plasma membrane. It was found that there was significant urea permeability in this cell line by 2 mol/L urea lysis assay. CONCLUSION: We constructed an FRT cell line that could stably express UT-A2 in plasma membrane in the non-renal epithelia cell. The cell line will be used to screen UT-A2 inhibitors.     

Construction of an immunoconjugate targeting tissue factor and its effect on colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)-hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc, and to produce and purify the immunoconjugate hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc protein. METHODS: The target sequences were amplified by RT-PCR from hepatic tissue and lymphocyte RNA, and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+). After confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing, the recombinant plasmid was transfected into CHO-K1 cells by lipofectamine 2000. The transfectant clones were selected by G418 screening. The positive monoclonals were grown in CHO-K1 serum-free medium Excel 301 and the culture medium was collected. The hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc protein was purified by affinity Ni-NTA resin. The immunoconjugate was identified by ELISA with tissue factor (TF) affinity and specificity. Induction of NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity(ADCC) was examined in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line. RESULTS: Human liver tissue and lymphocytes from Han population were used as template for amplification of hFVII-LC and hIgG1-Fc DNA fragments, which were confirmed by sequencing and were exactly the same as those GenBank reported. The eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)-hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc was successfully constructed, and 1.3 mg of hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc protein could be prepared from 1 liter of Excel 301 serum-free culture medium through Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The immunoconjugate was specially bound to TF and induced a significant ADCC response in HT-29 cells. CONCLUSION: The human hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc recombinant plasmid and the hFVII-LC+hIgG1-Fc immunoconjugate are obtained, which provide the basis for further study of cancer-targeted therapy.     

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector of fusion gene CD80-IgG and its expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

AIM: To construct the eukaryotic expression vector CD80-IgG by fusing the cDNA encoding extracellular portion of murine CD80 to the 5'-terminus of cDNA encoding Fc fragment of murine immunoglobulin G1 and to express the fusion protein in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. METHODS: The two cDNAs was amplified by PCR respectively from plasmid pcDNA/B7 containing the full-length cDNA of murine CD80 from murine spleen cells, and cloned to the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0 by directional cloning. The resultant recombinant plasmid pcDNA/CD80-IgG was transfected into CHO cells with liposome transfection reagent. The stably expressing cells were obtained by G418 screening. Western blot, Dot ELISA, and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of the fusion protein and its immunological activity. RESULTS: DNA sequencing verified the correction of the construction of recombinant plasmid pcDNA/CD80-IgG. The expressed fusion protein was detected in the supernatant of transfected CHO cells and the molecular weight of the protein was similar to what we expected. Its immunological activity was also established. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmid pcDNA/CD80-IgG was successfully constructed and it expressed the fusion protein CD80-IgG.     

Effect of human scavenger receptor SR-A I overexpression on uptaking ox-LDL and adhesion in 293T cells

AIM: To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-C1-SR-A I for the high expression in 293T cells in order to identify functions of savenger receptor-A I (SR-A). METHODS: The primer was designed according to MSR1 cDNA and pEGFP-C1-SR-A I was constructed by standard molecular cloning technique and enzyme digestion. After sequencing, the plasmid was transfected into 293T cells by lipidosome method. The expression of scavenger receptor-A I was identified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The foam cells were evaluated by the formation of lipid granules in the cells with oil red staining. Cell adhesion was analyzed by cell adhesion assay. RESULTS: 24 h after transfection, SR-A I mRNA was highly expressed and the high level of the protein was detected. The ratio of foam cell formation was doubled, the efficacy of cell adhesion was enhanced two times compared to the control group and the empty vector group. CONCLUSION: The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid has been constructed successfully with enhancing the function of uptake ox-LDL and adhesion in 293T cells by overexpression of SR-A I.     

Construction and identification of eukaryotic dicistronic vector expressing TCA-12-2/TCB-7.1

AIM: To construct the recombinant dicistronic eukaryotic expression vector pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1, which containing T cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1, and to transfer this recombinant vector into 293 cells to investigate the expression of TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1. METHODS: The TCA-12-2 was obtained by RT-PCR from the T cells and the TCB-7.1 was amplified by PCR from plamid pcDNA3.1-TCB-7.1 that we constructed before. TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 was cloned into vector pIRES2-AcGFP1 firstly, then subcloned into vector pDC315. The recombinant plasmid pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1 was verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing, the positive recombinant plasmid was transferred into 293 cells using Lipofectamine 2000. The expressions of gene TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 were identified by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 genes were constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pDC315 and the expressions of genes in 293 cells were detected successfully with RT-PCR and flow cytometry. CONCLUSION: The dicistronic expression vector pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1 is successfully constructed and expressed.     

Effect of recombinant connective tissue growth factor on the phenotype transition of rat adventitia fibroblasts

AIM:To construct pcDNA3.1(+)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) eukaryotic expression plasmid and to investigate its role in the promotion of phenotypic transition in adventitia fibroblasts (AF). METHODS:The expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)/CTGF was constructed by routine molecular biological method. The expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)/CTGF was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing method. The expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)/CTGF was transfected into AF and the exogenous expression was observed. The expression of the α-SM 〖JP+1〗actin was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS:The eukaryotic expression vector of CTGF was successfully constructed, which was transfected into AF, the expressed CTGF promoted phenotype transition in AF. CONCLUSION:The pcDNA3.1(+)/CTGF plasmid was constructed and transfected into AF, the expressed CTGF promoted phenotype transition in AF.     

Overexpressed human FAT10 protein induces the apoptosis in the starved HEK293 cells

AIM: To study the effect of human FAT10 on the apopotosis of HEK293 cells using flag-tagged human FAT10 protein.METHODS: The fragment of FAT10 gene was cloned into the pcDNA3-flag vector,which was identified by PCR,enzyme digestion and sequencing.The reconstructed plasmids were transfected into HEK293 cells.The expression of introduced FAT10 in the normal cultured and starved cells was detected respectively by Western blotting.XTT assay and DNA ladder method were used to analyze the effect of FAT10 on the apoptosis of starved HEK293 cells.RESULTS: The reconstructed plasmids were highly expressed in HEK293 cells with different expression mode at the mormal cultured and starved state.The livability of starved FAT10 overexpressed HEK293 cells was significantly lower than that of normal cultured cells.DNA ladder was observed in the starved FAT10 overexpressed cells,but not in the normal cultured cells.CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expressed plasmids of flag-tagged FAT10 were constructed successfully,and highly expressed in HEK293.Overexpressed FAT10 enhances the apoptosis in the starved HEK293 cells.     

Transition of WT1 isoforms inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of human leukemia cell line HL-60

AIM: To study the potential effects of exogenous Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) isoforms on the proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemia cell line HL-60. METHODS: WT1 (17AA－/KTS－) gene obtained by RT-PCR was cloned into a PCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing, and was transfected into HL-60 cells by LipofectamineTM 2000. The stable transformants were selected by G418 screening. WT1(17AA－/KTS－) expression was identified by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. The proliferation of the cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis of the cells was determined by morphological observation and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression vector PCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP-WT1 (17AA－/KTS－) was successfully constructed. The recombinant cells exhibited high mRNA and protein levels of WT1(17AA－/KTS－). The growth of recombinant cells was slower than that of HL-60 cells transfected with control vector and normal HL-60 cells. After exposed to As2O3 at 2 μmol/L for 48 h, both recombinant cells and control cells exhibited the morphological characteristics of apoptosis, but the former was more typical than the latter. The apoptosis was enhanced in the recombinant cells after the cells were exposed to As2O3 for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Exogenous WT1(17AA-/KTS-) isoform inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of leukemic cells.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene expression is suppressed by using antisense RNA mediated by expression vector

AIM:To study the potential of using antisense RNA mediated by expression vector to suppress MIF expression. METHODS:MIF gene was sub-cloned into plasmid pcDNA3 to construct MIF antisense RNA expression vector, pcDNA3-antiMIF, which was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. By using lipofectamine 2000, plasmid pcDNA3 and pcDNA3-antiMIF were transfected into MIF expression cells, 293-MIF, separately. 60 h later, the 293-MIF cells were collected and used to determine the MIF mRNA expression by real-time quantitive PCR. Plasmid pcDNA3-antiMIF was transformed into HUVECs, named HUVECs-antiMIF, to express MIF antisense RNA. HUVECs-antiMIF was screened by sulfate G418 and identified by PCR and RT-PCR analysis. Then the MIF expression vector, pSecTag-MIF, was transfected into HUVECs-antiMIF, and the MIF mRNA expression in HUVECs-antiMIF was determined by quantitative PCR. RESULTS:Restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing analysis showed that MIF antisense RNA expression vector, pcDNA3-antiMIF, was constructed correctly. The results of quantitative PCR showed that MIF mRNA expression was suppressed by MIF antisense RNA at level about 32% (P<0.05) in 293-MIF cells. The HUVECs-antiMIF, which expressed MIF antisense RNA, was obtained and identified by PCR and RT-PCR assay. The results of quantitative PCR revealed that MIF mRNA expression was also down-regulated by about 40% (P<0.05) in HUVECs-antiMIF cells. CONCLUSION:MIF expression was suppressed efficiently by MIF antisense RNA mediated by expression vector, and the HUVECs-antiMIF was established to express MIF antisense RNA.     

Silencing of PSMA by RNAi influences biological behavior of prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

AIM: To study the blocking effect of shRNA on the expression of PSMA gene in LNCaP cell line by using shRNA eukaryotic expression vector. METHODS: Three pairs of DNA templates coding shRNA, synthesized against PSMA and cloned into the vector pSilencer 2.1-U6-neo, which was named pSilencer 2.1-U6-neo-shRNA, were identified by restriction endonuclease digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. LNCaP cells were then transfected with these three pSilencer 2.1-U6-neo-shRNAs and the negative control pSilencer 2.1-U6-neo-NC. After G418 selection, the cells were selected and the interfering effect was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The biological behaviours of the transfected LNCaP cells were also tested. RESULTS: Restriction endonuclease digestion analysis and DNA sequencing results all showed that the 3 target segments were cloned into pSilencer 2.1-U6- neo vector respectively. After transfected into LNCaP cells, the inhibitory ratio of PSMA mRNA was 33.15%, 9.26% and 41.97% respectively, and that of PSMA protein was 26.26%, 6.47%, 40.69% respectively. The p-shRNA3 was chosen to test the cell growth and its invasive power in vitro. The results showed that after interfering, the invasiveness of LNCaP cells were enhanced. CONCLUSION: The vector-based shRNA on PSMA gene effectively knocks down the PSMA gene expression. The successful construction of PSMA shRNA makes it possible for further study of the interaction between PSMA and prostate cancer.     

Construction of mouse pdx-1 gene eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in embryonic stem cells

AIM: To clone mouse pdx-1 gene and construct its eukaryotic expression vector for expression of pdx-1 in mouse embryonic stem cells.METHODS: Mouse pdx-1 cDNA fragment was amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from mouse pancreatic cDNA. The purified fragment was recombinated with a eukaryotic expression vector carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein, pEGFP-N1. The pdx-1 cDNA fragment was inserted into the multi-clone sites of the vector to construct a new plasmid, pEGFP/pdx-1. E.colli strain DH5α was transfected with the new recombinant plasmid to expand it. Plasmid DNA extracted from the expanded DH5α was identifed by cutting with Hind Ⅲ, BamHⅠ nuclease and by DNA sequencing. Identified plasmid DNA was transfected into mouse embryonic stem cell line MESPU13 by carrying with liposome. RESULTS: A 876 bp cDNA fragment was amplified from mouse pancreatic cDNA by PCR and it was inserted into the vector pEGFP-N1 correctly. The fragment was defined to be pdx-1 gene by nuclease digestion and DNA sequencing. Mouse embryonic stem cell line MESPU13 was transfected with the new recombinant plasmid DNA. The green fluorescent protein report gene and pdx-1 gene expressed in transfected mouse embryonic stem cells within 24 h. CONCLUSION: Mouse pdx-1 gene is cloned and its recombinant eukaryotic expression vector carrying green fluorescent protein is constructed successfully. It provides a useful tool for further research on the function of pdx-1.     

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector with EGFP and hVEGF121 fusion protein and its expression in mesenchymal stem cells of rats

AIM: To construct a recombinant plasmid carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein and human vascular endothelial growth factor 121 gene and to detect its expression in rats mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: Human VEGF121 cDNA was amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from pCD/hVEGF121 and was inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C1. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP/hVEGF121 was identified with PCR, double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Then this recombinant plasmid was transfected into rat's MSCs with lipofectamine. The expression of EGFP and VEGF121 protein were detected with fluorescence microscope and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid was confirmed with PCR, double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The fluorescence microscope and immunocytochemical staining results showed that the EGFP and VEGF121 protein were expressed in MSCs 48h after transfection. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant plasmid carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein and human vascular endothelial growth factor was successfully constructed and expressed positively in rat MSCs. It provides a good basis for further research on differentiation of MSC and VEGF gene therapy for ischemial cardiovascular disease.     

Effects of hepatitis C virus core protein on cell cycle of HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection by studying the effect of its core protein on cell growth and the expression of cell cycle regulators such as cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in HepG2 cells. METHODS: A eukaryotic expression vector that carried a gene encoding HCV-core-1b was constructed. The cDNA of HCV core protein was subcloned into pBabe-Flag-puro vector to generate pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b. The plasmid was transfected into Pheonix 293T packaging cells to produce retroviruses. The virus-containing supernatant collected from the cell culture was used to infect HepG2 cells and subsequently the cell line that stably expressed the core protein of HCV was obtained.The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b vector was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The expression of HCV gene type 1b core protein was verified by Western blotting. The overexpression of HCV gene type 1b core protein impaired the cell cycle progression in G₀/G₁ phase and significantly reduced the levels of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in the cells. CONCLUSION: A eukaryotic expression plasmid that contains the cDNA of HCV core protein is successfully constructed, and a HepG2 cell line which stably expressed the core protein of HCV is also established. HCV gene type 1b core protein inhibits the cell cycle possibly through down-regulation of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 proteins in the cells.     

Effect of estrogen receptor 2 on the cell proliferation in prostate cancer cell line PC-3M

AIM: To construct the recombination plasmid pcDNA3.1-hERβ with the human estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) full length cDNA and transfect it into hormone-independent prostate cancer PC-3M cell line, and to study the effects of ESR2 on proliferation in transfected cells. METHODS: The complete cDNA of ESR2 was obtained from human ovary tissue by RT-PCR technique and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 by using gene recombination technique to construct the pcDNA3.1-hERβ recombination plasmid. The plasmid was detected by endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing and was transfected into PC-3M cells. MTT and FCAS assay were used to test the effects of ESR2 on the ability of proliferation in PC-3M cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of cyclinD1 and P21Cip1. RESULTS: The results of sequencing and endonuclease digestion demonstrated that the construction of pcDNA3.1-hERβ recombination plasmid was successful. The sequence analysis suggested that the ESR2 sequence detected by PCR was identical to that published in GenBank, and the product of endonuclease was as long as the complete human ESR2 gene. 48 h after transfected the pcDNA3.1-hERβ into PC-3M cells, the expression of ESR2 mRNA and protein levels increased significantly detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Compared to the cells transfected with vector as control, the PC-3M cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-hERβ showed that cell population decreased and proliferation activity degraded. FCAS showed that the cells in G0/G1 stage increased and in S stage or G2/M stage decreased. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of cyclinD1 gene reduced and expression of P21Cip1 increased. CONCLUSION: The recombination of plasmid pcDNA3.1-hERβ is constructed and transfected into the PC-3M cells successfully. The activity of cell proliferation is inhibited after pcDNA3 transfection.1-hERβ. It is possible that ESR2 inhibits cell proliferation by the expression of proliferation related genes cyclinD1 and P21Cip1.     

Overexpression of TAP1 up-regulates HLA-Ι in human glioma U251 cells

AIM：To investigate the relationship between the overexpression of transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1) and the human leukocyte antigen I (HLA-I).METHODS：The full length of TAP1 gene was obtained from the cDNA library. The lentiviral vector pSIN-EF2-IRES-GFP-puro was digested by BamH I and EcoR I, and the full length of TAP1 gene was inserted into the vector by T4 DNA ligase. Subsequently, the recombinant plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α cells and the correct transformant was selected. The recombinant plasmid and the Lenti-X HTX packaging mixture were co-transfected into 293T cells, and the virus particle was acquired. Human glioma U251 cells were transfected with the lentivirus. The expression of TAP1 and HLA-I was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometric analysis.RESULTS：TAP1 gene was successfully transfected into the U251 cells and stably expressed in the cell line. The expression of TAP1 in U251 cells at mRNA and protein levels increased by (8.73±1.07) and (11.71±0.83) folds, respectively. As a result, the mRNA expression of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C (heavy chain) and β2-microglobulin (light chain) was up-regulated by (3.51±0.36), (4.78±0.85), (2.94±0.28) and (3.23±0.24) folds, respectively. The protein expression of HLA-I also increased to (3.14±0.53) fold. The surface expression of HLA-I on the U251 cells transfected with TAP1 gene was largely enhanced as well.CONCLUSION：Overexpression of TAP1 up-regulates the expression of HLA-I. TAP1 plays an important role in HLA-I processing pathway.     

Construction of lentiviral vector carrying the Ang-1 gene and its expression in the rMSCs

AIM: To construct lentiviral vector carrying the angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) gene,and make it express Ang-1 in the rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs).METHODS: The cDNA encoding the CDS of Ang-1 gene was obtained from the placenta of the adult Fisher 344 rats with RT-PCR.After digestion with restrication endonuclease,the Ang-1 gene was recombined to construct the transfer plasmid PNL-Ang1-IRES2-EGFP.The three-plasmid system of lentiviral vector was consisted of PNL-Ang1-IRES2-EGFP,the packaging plasmid HELPER,and the envelope plasmid VSVG,which were co-transfected to 293T cells mediated by lipofectamin2000 to produce lentiviral particles.The rMSCs were infected by obtained lentiviral particles.The insertion of Ang-1 gene was detected by PCR,the mRNA expression of Ang-1 in rMSCs was detected with RT-PCR,the protein expression of Ang-1 was observed with immunocytochemistry and Western blotting methods.RESULTS: The result of sequencing showed that the cloned Ang-1 gene was consistent with the sequence reported in GenBank.After digestion with restrication endonuclease,the 1 512 bp fragment of Ang-1 gene and the 10.5 kb vector fragment of PNL-IRES2-EGFP were observed with gel electrophoresis.The insertion of Ang-1 gene in viral genome was confirmed.The EGFP expression was observed with the fluorescent microscope.In infected rMSCs,the mRNA and protein expressions of Ang-1 were confirmed.CONCLUSION: Lentiviral vector carrying Ang-1 gene has been successfully constructed.The infected rMSCs are able to express the Ang-1 mRNA and Ang-1 abundantly.This will facilitate the following exploratory development of Ang-1 gene-modified rMSCs.