转基因动物研究进展

本文从转基因动物的产生、转基因细胞载体的运用、基因的转移、转基因的命运、转基因的载体、基因功能的研究,生物医学模型、制备重组蛋白、改善乳成分等方面综述了转基因动物的最新研究成果。     

转基因小鼠多重PCR快速检测方法的建立

以转赖氨酸基因小鼠为研究对象,根据转入基因的载体结构分别设计赖氨酸基因、新霉素抗性基因、转基因启动子及小鼠基因组内参基因特异性引物,优化反应条件,建立转基因小鼠多重PCR检测方法。结果表明,建立的方法可以用于转赖氨酸基因小鼠的检测,同时为转基因动物检测标准的建立提供试验依据。     

Mammary expression of new genes to combat mastitis

Continual advances in the ability to produce transgenic animals make it likely that such animals will become important components of animal agriculture. The full benefit of the technology, and justification of its initial cost outlay, will be dependent on the establishment within these animals of new traits not easily achievable by other means. Potential applications include enhanced nutrient digestibility with reduced fecal losses, significantly altered milk composition with superior nutritional properties, and enhanced disease resistance. Our goal is to enhance mastitis resistance of dairy cows by enabling the cells of the mammary gland to secrete additional antibacterial proteins. Proof of concept has been obtained through experimentation with a transgenic mouse model. Three lines of mice were developed that produce varying levels of lysostaphin in their milk. This protein has potent anti-staphylococcal activity and its secretion into milk confers substantial resistance to infection caused by intramammary challenge with Staphylococcus aureus, a major mastitis pathogen. Additional antibacterial proteins are being sought that will complement lysostaphin. A potential benefit of transgenic application of antibacterial proteins is the concomitant sparing in the agricultural use of antibiotics currently used as human therapeutics. Antibacterial proteins, such as lysostaphin, are not typically used as injectable or oral therapeutics because of immune-mediated or digestive destruction of their activity. In contrast, the immune system of transgenic animals will not consider the transgenic protein as being foreign. In addition we are exploring the potential of involution or mastitis responsive promoter elements for use in subsequent transgenic experiments designed to restrict lysostaphin production to these important time points. It is anticipated that genomics will play a role in unveiling candidate genes whose promoter elements will enable desired temporal expression patterns. The transgenic approach to insertion of new genetic material into agriculturally important animals is feasible but requires extensive prior evaluation of the transgene and transgene product in model systems.     

Transgenic mice in immunological research

Various strategies exist for transferring cloned DNA sequences to animals. Transferred genes will be expressed often in a tissue-specific and developmentally-regulated manner. A number of genes related to immune function have been transferred to mice. Both histocompatibility (Class I and II) and immunoglobulin (mu, gamma and kappa) genes have been expressed in appropriate cell types in transgenic mice. These mice have been useful in studies of B cell differentiation. Transgenes have been shown to affect the rearrangement and idiotypic expression of endogenous immunoglobulin genes. It can be expected that transgenic animals will contribute greatly to further studies of the immune system.     

CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in介导的输卵管特异性表达转基因鸡研究进展

利用动物生物反应器生产重组蛋白是一种具有应用前景的生物技术。鸡输卵管生物反应器是理想的动物生物反应器之一,其优点在于表达的外源蛋白能够分泌到蛋清中,可避免蛋白提取过程中对鸡本身造成伤害,同时蛋清成分简单,便于后期的纯化。目前利用慢病毒结合原始生殖细胞(PGCs)制备转基因鸡被认为是最可行的方法,但因外源基因随机整合且生殖系传递效率较低,使转基因鸡研究受到技术上的限制。而2013年问世的CRISPR/Cas9基因敲入(CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in)技术能够使外源基因精准定向插入基因组特异性位点,这对生产输卵管特异性转基因鸡具有重大意义。文章综述了鸡输卵管反应器的研究进展、CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in技术在输卵管特异性表达转基因鸡研究和鸡育种领域的应用现状,并指出了目前存在的问题和相应的解决办法。     

调控动物性状相关长链非编码RNA的研究进展

长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA,lncRNA)是基因转录过程中产生的一类长度大于200个核苷酸(nt)的非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA)。lncRNA的表达水平通常低于mRNA,且无高度保守序列,缺少开放阅读框,但它们具有更强的组织特异性表达模式。lncRNA可以通过与DNA、RNA(mRNA,miRNA,环状RNA)和蛋白质进行相互作用来发挥其功能,因此可作为信号分子、诱导物等来调节复杂的基因表达网络。作为一种新的调节分子,lncRNA正在成为基因表达调控中新的重要参与者,且近年研究表明,其与家畜动物性状调控密切相连。本文对lncRNA在动物肌肉生长分化、脂肪沉积、毛囊发育和繁殖方面进行了综述,旨在为lncRNA在家畜遗传育种上的应用提供依据。     

MicroRNA调控抗病毒免疫和病毒复制

MicroRNA （miRNA）是一类高度保守的内源性非编码单链小RNA分子，长度约为19~25 nt，通常在基因表达的转录后水平起调控作用，参与细胞发育、增殖、凋亡、免疫等多种生命活动。大量的研究表明，多种miRNAs通过直接或间接的方法在病毒感染期间调节病毒复制、细胞增殖或凋亡以及肿瘤发育等生物反应。本文主要对病毒感染期间miRNA在免疫反应、病毒复制中的调控机制进行综述，旨在为miRNA的开发应用和抗病毒相关治疗策略提供参考。     

Cloning of pig parotid secretory protein gene upstream promoter and the establishment of a transgenic mouse model expressing bacterial phytase for agricultural phosphorus pollution control

This study examined the feasibility of using the promoter of the pig parotid secretory protein (PSP) gene for expression of the phytase transgene in mouse models. The pig parotid secretory protein gene is specifically expressed at high levels in the salivary glands. The 10-kb upstream promoter region of the gene necessary for tissue-specific expression has been identified. We have constructed phytase transgenes composed of the appA phytase gene from Escherichia coli driven by the upstream promoter region of the pig PSP gene with a 3' tail of either bovine growth hormone or the pig PSP gene polyadenylation signal. Transgenic mouse models with the construct showed that the upstream region of the pig PSP gene is sufficient for directing the expression of phytase transgenes in the saliva. Expression of salivary phytase reduced fecal phytate by 8.5 and 12.5% in 2 transgenic mouse lines, respectively. These results suggest that the expression of phytase in salivary glands of monogastric animals offers a promising biological approach to relieve the requirement for dietary phosphate supplements and to reduce phosphorus pollution from animal agriculture.     

BmLSP基因启动子驱动DsRed在转基因家蚕中的表达分析

家蚕幼虫血清蛋白(BmLSP)是由脂肪体细胞合成的一种贮藏蛋白,是研究家蚕幼虫期发育调控的理想靶标。基于家蚕基因组数据,克隆了BmLSP基因5'端侧翼区～1.6 kb的调控序列,构建成以红色荧光蛋白基因DsRed为报告基因的pig-gyBac表达载体并进行转基因注射,在个体水平上验证该启动子的特性。结果表明:BmLSP-DsRed表达框以单拷贝形式整合至家蚕基因组;DsRed在转基因家蚕脂肪体中特异转录表达,其时期表达特征与BmLSP基因基本一致,随发育阶段的不同呈现有规律的变化,即幼虫期表达,但1龄、2龄眠期不表达,3龄、4龄眠期有微弱表达,上蔟后表达量逐渐降低直至化蛾阶段消失。提示BmLSP可能通过其启动子区的特异元件受激素的精确调控而行使功能。     

盐胁迫应答基因GmWRKY6的克隆及转基因百脉根的抗盐分析

根据大豆盐胁迫RNA-Seq数据,筛选并克隆得到1个大豆WRKY类转录因子GmWRKY6基因。序列分析表明,该基因含有1 个1674 bp的开放阅读框,编码557 个AA,编码蛋白属于IIb 类WRKY 家族成员,含有1个WRKY 保守结构域和1个C₂H₂锌指结构基序。基因表达模式分析表明,GmWRKY6基因在大豆根中表达量较高,并且该基因受盐胁迫诱导表达。构建GmWRKY6基因的植物超表达载体,获得7株T₀代阳性转GmWRKY6基因百脉根。进一步对T₁代转基因株系进行抗盐分析发现,在200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl 处理14 d后转基因株系生长状态良好,而野生型对照生长矮小,叶片干枯。此外,对相关生理指标的测定发现,转基因株系叶片中脯氨酸和叶绿素含量显著高于野生型对照,而丙二醛含量和相对质膜透性显著低于野生型对照。此外,盐胁迫下转基因百脉根叶片中钠离子含量显著低于对照,而钾离子含量显著高于对照。以上结果表明大豆GmWRKY6基因的超表达能够显著增强百脉根的抗盐能力。     

Molecular cloning and expression of feline CD28 and CTLA-4 cDNA

Feline CD28 and CTLA-4 (CD152) cDNA were cloned from Con-A stimulated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by rapid amplification of cDNA end-PCR (RACE-PCR). Both CD28 and CTLA-4 proteins belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig SF) and are composed of a signal sequence, an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. The open reading frame (ORF) of CD28 cDNA encoded a predicted protein of 221 amino acids and that of CTLA-4 cDNA encoded a predicted protein of 223 amino acids. The B7 ligands binding motif MYPPPY hexamer was found on the extracellular Ig V-like domains of both receptors and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) binding motifs pYMNM for CD28 and pYVKM for CTLA-4 were identified in the cytoplasmic domains. Comparisons of amino acid sequences of feline proteins with known sequences of other species indicated that rabbit CD28 and CTLA-4 were most closely related and mouse molecules were the least conserved with feline molecules. Comparison of each domain of both molecules with that of other animals showed that the cytoplasmic domain of CTLA-4 was 100% conserved and that of CD28 was the most conserved domain. The cloned CD28 and CTLA-4 cDNA could be expressed in transfected mammalian cells. Expression of feline CD28 and CTLA-4 mRNA in freshly isolated feline PBMC was demonstrated by RT-PCR. Stimulation of PBMC with Con-A similarly increased the expression of both CD28 and CTLA-4 mRNA.     

Transgenesis may affect farm animal welfare: a case for systematic risk assessment

This paper considers (potentially) harmful consequences of transgenesis for farm animal welfare and examines the strategy of studying health and welfare of transgenic farm animals. Evidence is discussed showing that treatments imposed in the context of farm animal transgenesis are by no means biologically neutral and may compromise animal health and welfare. Factors posing a risk for the welfare of transgenic farm animals include integration of a transgene within an endogenous gene with possible loss of host gene function (insertional mutations), inappropriate transgene expression and exposure of the host to biologically active transgene-derived proteins, and in vitro reproductive technologies employed in the process of generating transgenic farm animals that may result in an increased incidence of difficult parturition and fetal and neonatal losses and the development of unusually large or otherwise abnormal offspring (large offspring syndrome). Critical components of a scheme for evaluating welfare of transgenic farm animals are identified, related to specific characteristics of transgenic animals and to factors that may interact with the effects of transgenesis. The feasibility of an evaluation of welfare of transgenic farm animals in practice is addressed against the background of the objectives and conditions of three successive stages in a long-term transgenic program. Concrete steps with regard to breeding and testing of transgenic farm animals are presented, considering three technologies to generate transgenic founders: microinjection, electroporation and nuclear transfer, and gene targeting including gene knockout. The proposed steps allow for unbiased estimations of the essential treatment effects, including hemi- and homozygous transgene effects as well as effects of in vitro reproductive technologies. It is suggested that the implementation of appropriate breeding and testing procedures should be accompanied by the use of a comprehensive welfare protocol, specifying which parameters to monitor, at which stages of the life of a farm animal, and in how many animals. Some prerequisites and ideas for such a protocol are given. It is anticipated that systematic research into the welfare of farm animals involved in transgenesis will facilitate the use of the safest experimental protocols as well as the selection and propagation of the healthiest animals and, thereby, enable technological progress that could be ethically justified.     

The absence of detectable fetal microchimerism in nontransgenic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) bearing transgenic offspring

Regulations for the disposal of genetically engineered animals are strict due to concern for their inappropriate introduction into the food chain, and of the possible public health and environmental impacts of these organisms. Nontransgenic animals that give birth to transgenic offspring are treated as if they are transgenic due to concern of fetal cells crossing the placental barrier and residing in the mother (fetal-maternal microchimerism). Determining whether or not fetal-fetal or fetal-maternal transfer of DNA or cells occurs during caprine gestation is critical to effectively protect the public without culling animals that pose no risk. Additionally, fetal-maternal transfer, should it exist in the goat, could contraindicate the rebreeding of nontransgenic dams due to the possible transfer of fetal cells from 1 pregnancy to the fetus of subsequent pregnancies. Fetal-maternal transfer in Capra hircus has not been reported in the literature, although it has been reported in another ruminant, Bos taurus. We examined blood from nontransgenic dams that carried transgenic offspring using a PCR method sensitive enough to detect the presence of a spider silk transgene to a 1:100,000 dilution. At this sensitivity, we did not detect the occurrence of fetal-maternal transfer in 5 nontransgenic dams. Likewise, fetal-fetal transfer was not observed from a transgenic to a nontransgenic twin in utero. To test tissue-specific expression of the silk transgene, proteins purified from standard necropsy tissue from a lactating transgenic dam were examined by Western blot analysis. Silk protein expression was only observed in mammary tissue consistent with the tissue specificity of the β-casein promoter used in the transgenic construct. We report evidence collected from a limited caprine breeding pool against transfer of transgenes in utero from fetus to dam and fetus to fetus. In addition, we show evidence that the β-casein promoter in our expression construct is not expressed ectopically as previously suggested. These results suggest that transgene transfer in utero does not occur, but further study is warranted with a larger sample group to confirm these results.     

Transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation for humans]

Transgenic livestock have been generated via microinjection of DNA-constructs into pronuclei of zygotes. However, efficiency is low and only 1-3% transgenic offspring are to be obtained. Integration of the transgene occurs at random and expression is independent from the number of integrated copies but can be affected by the integration site. To overcome the shortage of human organs, transgenic pigs have been generated that express human complement regulatory genes. This approach enables to overcome the hyperacute rejection response as shown by an average survival rate (40-90 days) of the immunosuppressed primate recipients receiving a heart from a transgenic pig. It is expected that transgenic pigs would be available as organ donors in the next 5-10 years. A major prerequisite, however, is the prevention of the potential transfer of pathogenic microorganisms, in particular porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV). Improvements of the efficiency in the generation of transgenic pigs will be achieved by the use of genetically modified donor cells in nuclear transfer technology (cloning).     

Somatic cell nuclear transfer and transgenesis in large animals: current and future insights

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was first developed in livestock for the purpose of accelerating the widespread use of superior genotypes. Although many problems still exist now after fifteen years of research owing to the limited understanding of genome reprogramming, SCNT has provided a powerful tool to make copies of selected individuals in different species, to study genome pluripotency and differentiation, opening new avenues of research in regenerative medicine and representing the main route for making transgenic livestock. Besides well-established methods to deliver transgenes, recent development in enzymatic engineering to edit the genome provides more precise and reproducible tools to target-specific genomic loci especially for producing knockout animals. The interest in generating transgenic livestock lies in the agricultural and biomedical areas and it is, in most cases, at the stage of research and development, with few exceptions that are making the way into practical applications.     

转基因表达的调控方法

转基因动物技术作为一种研究基因功能的技术体系 ,在生命科学研究领域有着广泛的应用前景。有效地使精确的遗传基因修饰在动物体内得到表达并实现世代间的传递是转基因技术的关键。近年来由于转座子、逆转录病毒的运用以及采用加入或去除某些基因的体细胞的克隆技术的发展 ,不同物种转基因的培育方法日趋简便。 Cre-L ox P系统越来越多地用于从基因组中去除特定的序列或靶向整合外源DNA。四环素等系统已被证实可获得确切的转基因表达。具有反式显性阴性效应的与 DNA形成三链螺旋的 RNA、反义 RNA(包括 :含 RNA干预和核酶的双链 RNA)以及蛋白质的表达均被证实可特异性地抑制宿主或病毒基因的表达。文章综述了转基因的概念、表达及调控转基因表达的常用方法     

基因打靶与体细胞克隆技术制备乳腺生物反应器的研究进展

在动物乳腺生物反应器研究中,传统方法不可避免地造成基因表达调控元件的人工拼接和外源基因在动物基因组中随机整合所带来的“位置效应”,致使转基因动物外源基因的表达水平不高且差异较大。而基因打靶在外源基因定点整合、消除位点效应方面具有明显优势。体细胞核移植技术可以提前在细胞水平对转基因动物进行筛选,不但可以节省时间,更降低了制备乳腺生物反应器的成本。作者简述了基因打靶与体细胞核移植技术结合制备乳腺生物反应器的优越性、存在问题、解决办法及其应用前景和展望。     

转基因动物研究进展

转基因动物技术始于 2 0世纪 80年代 ,近 3 0年来 ,随着研究的深入 ,转基因动物的制作技术得到了突破性的发展。最初的原核注射法是应用最普遍、最可靠、效果最稳定的一种方法。但该方法存在价格昂贵 ,整合率低及不能定点整合的问题 ,所以近几年来转基因动物技术已出现了胚胎干细胞法 ,精子载体法 ,体细胞核移植法和人工酵母染色体法等一系列新方法。随着这些技术的不断发展 ,转基因动物技术应用正以其突出的优越性指导着多个领域的工作。目前 ,它的应用已渗透到基础理论、疾病动物模型、人异种器官移植、制药、畜牧兽医等领域。转基因动物应用正走向产业化的道路 ,具有十分广阔的前景。但作为一个新兴的技术 ,转基因动物研究还面临着一些急需解决的问题