Construction of pLNCX/anti-CD20scFv/IgGFc/CD80/CD28/ζ eukaryotic expression vector and expression in NIH 3T3 cells

AIM: To construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pLNCX/anti-CD20scFv/IgGFc/CD80/CD28/ζ and detect its expression in NIH 3T3 cells.METHODS: CD28-ζ cDNA was amplified from the plasmids pBULLET and inserted into pLNCX vector that contained anti-CD20 scFv/IgGFc/CD80 gene.The recombinant plasmids were transfected into NIH 3T3 cells,and resistant clones were obtained by G418 selection.The gene expression of the fusion protein was determined by RT-PCR and FACS.RESULTS: The recombinant eukaryotic vector was constructed successfully,determined by PCR and enzyme digestion analysis.The target gene was amplified from NIH 3T3 cells transfected with the vectors by RT-PCR.The FACS showed that recombinant protein was expressed in NIH 3T3 cells.CONCLUSION: Construction of pLNCX/anti-CD20scFv/IgGFc/CD80/CD28/ζ expression vector and its expression in NIH 3T3 cells lay the foundation for further research of generation of modified T lymphocytes to CD20 positive lymphoma.     

Molecular cloning of ING4 gene and ING4-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells

AIM: To isolate a gene encoding mouse ING4, construct pcDNA3.0-ING4 recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid and investigate its effects on HeLa cells in vitro. METHODS: The mouse ING4cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from mouse liver. The eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0-ING4 was constructed by DNA recombination technique. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-ING4 was identified by PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequence analysis, then was transfected into HeLa cells by lipofectamine. The expression was determined by RT-PCR. Apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscope with Hoechst33258 staining and laser scanning confocal microscope. Cell cycle distribution was measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: RT-PCR product was about 750 bp specific fragment. Analysis by restricting enzyme digestion and PCR of pcDNA3.0-ING4 recombiant plasmid showed that results were about 750 bp, DNA sequencing revealed that ING4 cloning were successful. With Hoechst fluorescence staining, we found that the percentage of apoptotic rate in HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0- ING4 (21.25%) was higher than that in HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0 (8.91%,P<0.01). Apoptosis was also detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. Cell cycle analysis reavealed the cell number in S phase of HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0- ING4 increased. CONCLUSION: The gene encoding mouse ING4 and construction of pcDNA3.0- ING4 eukaryotic expression vector were successfully obtained, ING4 could enhance apoptosis in HeLa cells.     

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 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.     

Subcellular localization of ZNF580-EGFP fusion protein

AIM: To construct a eukaryotic expression plasmid for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and ZNF580 fusion protein, and study its subcellular localization in the transfected MGC803 cells. METHODS: The primers were designed according to the cDNA encoding sequence of ZNF580 full-length open reading frame (1-172aa), ZNF580 amino terminus (1-93aa) and ZNF580 carboxyl terminus (94-172aa). The three cDNA segments of PCR were cloned into pGEM-T vector. Then they were subcloned respectively into plasmid pEGFP-C1 (enhanced green fluorescent protein). The subcellular localization of the fusion protein in MGC803 cells transfected with the vector was monitored by autofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Restricted enzymes analysis and DNA sequencing showed that the sequences of the pEGFP-ZNF580 (1-172), pEGFP-ZNF580 (1-93) and pEGFP-ZNF580 (94-172) transgenic plasmid were correct. The fusion proteins of EGFP-ZNF580 (1-172) and pEGFP-ZNF580 (94-172) were localized in the nuclei. CONCLUSION: The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-ZNF580 has been successfully constructed. The nuclear localization signal is within amino acid residues 94 and 172 of ZNF580 carboxyl terminus (C2H2 zinc finger domain).     

Construction and identification of eukaryotic expression vector of bcl-2 siRNA

AIM: To construct eukaryotic expression vector of small interfering RNA(siRNA) specific to bcl-2 and investigate the effect of recombinant plasmid on suppressing bladder cancer cell growth.METHODS: siRNA of bcl-2 gene was designed according to the principle of RNAi-based medicine, and was converted into cDNA coding expression of small hairpin RNAs(shRNA) of siRNA. The cDNA was synthesized and inserted into plasmid pGenesil-1. The recombinant eukaryotic expression vectors of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were controlled by the U6 promoter of RNA polymerase Ⅲ, identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis, and transfected into T24 cells. After T24 cells were transfected for 72 h, expression of bcl-2 mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR; and MTT was used to observe the proliferation of T24 cells.RESULTS: The recombinant plasmids of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis. The sequences completely coincided with the designs. The expression of the bcl-2 mRNA in T24 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid decreased nearly 80%, and the growth of T24 cells was suppressed significantly.CONCLUSION: The siRNA eukaryotic expression vector against bcl-2 gene is successfully constructed. It effectively downregulates the expression of bcl-2 in T24 cells and suppresses the cell growth.     

Construction of pNTAP-PRAK eukaryotic expression plasmid and its expression in HEK293 cells

AIM: To construct pNTAP-PRAK eukaryotic expression plasmid and to establish a stable HEK293 cell line expressing tandam affinity purification (TAP)-tagged PRAK. METHODS: Human PRAK coding region was subcloned into pNTAP vector to construct a recombinant plasmid called pNTAP-PRAK, then DH5α E.coli was transformed with the recombinant plasmid. After identified by PCR, digestion with restriction endonuclease and sequencing, the correct recombinant expression plasmid was transfected with PolyFect liposome transfection reagent to HEK293 cells. The cell line with stable expression of exogenous TAP tagged-PRAK gene was established by screening of antibiotic G418. The expression and localization of the fusion protein TAP tagged-PRAK were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: All the results of identification by PCR, digestion with restriction endonuclease and sequencing indicated that the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pNTAP-PRAK was constructed correctly. The result of Western blotting showed that the recombinant plasmid was expressed stably in HEK293 cells after transfection followed by G418 screening. The result of immunofluorescence assay showed that the expression product TAP tagged-PRAK distributed mainly in the nucleus. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression vector pNTAP-PRAK was successfully constructed and the cell line stably expressing TAP tagged-PRAK was established. TAP tag didnt influence the localization of exogenous PRAK.     

Construction of human anti-HBc ScFv eukaryotic expression vector and expression of anti-HBc ScFv in HepG2 cells

AIM: To construct an eukaryotic expression vector of human single-chain variable fragment against hepatitis B virus core protein (anti-HBc ScFv) and detect its expression in HepG2 cells. METHODS: Anti-HBc ScFv genes were amplified from the plasmids abstracted from positive clone and inserted into pEGFP-c1 vector that contained green fluorescent protein gene. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cells, and resistant clones were obtained by G418 selection. The expression of the gene of fusion protein was determined by fluorescent invert microscope and ELISA. RESULTS: Recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. The plasmid transfected HepG2 cells were obtained by G418 selection. Specific fluorescence was observed in HepG2 cells 48 hours after transfection. ELISA analysis confirmed the expression of anti-HBc ScFv in the cells. CONCLUSION: The construction of human anti-HBc ScFv eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in HepG2 cells lay the foundation for advanced research of intracellular anti-HBc ScFv.     

Cloning and expression of NK4 gene in Raji cells

AIM: To clone NK4 gene and to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector for observing its expression in transfected Raji cells. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from human hepatic tissue. NK4 gene cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR, and then cloned into vector pVITRO2-mcs to construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-NK4. Raji cells were transfected by recombinant vector pVITRO2-mcs-NK4 and screened by homomycin B. The stable strain of NK4 gene expression was screened by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, ELISA, immunocytohistochemistry and semisolid culture. RESULTS: The specific DNA fragment was detected by RT-PCR in Raji cells transfected with NK4 gene. The transfected Raji cells expressed NK4 mRNA and protein stably, which inhibited Raji cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion. CONCLUSION: NK4 gene is cloned and recombined to construct recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pVITRO2-mcs-NK4 successfully. NK4 gene in Raji cells expresses stably.     

Effects of intracellular expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein on proliferation and apoptosis of mouse macrophages

AIM：To establish Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10)-early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT6) eukaryotic expression vector and investigate the effect of intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein on the proliferation and apoptosis of mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). METHODS：The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1/CFP10-ESAT6 was constructed by inserting CFP10-ESAT6 fusion gene into eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1, and then transfected into RAW264.7 cells to express CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein. The viability of RAW264.7 cells was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the apoptotic rate and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression in RAW264.7 cells treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein or staurosporine. RESULTS：The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1/CFP10-ESAT6 was successfully constructed and transfected into RAW264.7 cells. Compared with the control cells, intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein did not affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells, but could inhibit the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein. Moreover, CFP10-ESAT6-expressing macrophages had markedly lower expression of TLR2 on the surface. CONCLUSION：Intracellular expression of CFP10-ESAT6 fusion protein has no cytotoxicity on mouse macrophages, but can inhibit the apoptosis of the macrophages treated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kD lipoprotein through down-regulating the expression of TLR2.     

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.     

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.     

Construction and expression of reconstructive plasmids with human thrombomodulin gene

AIM: To provide experimental evidence for gene therapy of thrombophilia disease, we constructed the eukaryotic expression plasmid with human thrombomodulin (hTM) gene and observed the alteration of hTM expression on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with and without the reconstructive plasmid. METHODS: The whole expressive fragment of hTM gene was amplified by PCR from human genome. Both hTM gene and pcDNA3.1(+)/neo empty vector was digested by HindⅢ and EcoRⅠ. Two digested fragments were ligated into pcDNA3.1/hTM with T₄DNA ligase. After identifying, the reconstructive plasmid transfected into HUVECs using lipofectin. The hTM antigen on the HUVECs was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The hTM reconstructive plasmid was confirmed by double endonuclease redigesting and sequencing. About 10% HUVECs were transfected by pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid with lipofectin and the high-level hTM was detected on the transfected cells. CONCLUSION: We constructed the pcDNA3.1/hTM plasmid successfully, and it could be expressed on the HUVECs.     

Anticancer effect of mouse marrow-derived dendritic cells transfected by pcDNA3-hCEA

AIM: To prepare the vaccine of DCs(pcDNA3-hCEA) and observ the immunity effect of the DCs(pcDNA3-hCEA) inoculating on CT26(hCEA⁺) loaded in BALB/c mice. METHODS: DCs were generated from bone marrow in the presence of rmGM-CSF and rmIL-4. A new recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3-hCEA, reformed with inserting a 2.4 kb human CEA cDNA into pcDNA3. DC vaccine was prepared by transfection with pcDNA3-hCEA using lipofectamine. CEA mRNA expressed in DCs(pcDNA3-hCEA) was confirmed by RT-PCR, CEA expression level was detected with RIA method, and CEA specific CTL was induced in vitro. After vaccination of DCs(pcDNA3-hCEA), the survival time of the BALB/c mice challenged with critical loading CT26(hCEA⁺) was observed. RESULTS: G₄₁₈ test showed that about14% DCs were transfected with pcDNA3-hCEA. And CEA mRNA and protein could be detected respectively by RT-PCR and RIA in the genetically modified DCs. Furthermore, the DCs coud be targeted by specific CTL, the survival time of the mice challenged with CT26(hCEA⁺) was prolonged1-4 weeks. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that specific antitumor immune responses could be induced efficiently by vaccination of DCs(pcDNA3-hCEA), which is transfected eukaryotic expression vector encoding tumor antigen gene.     

Construction of fusion expression vector AR-GFP and its expression in Hek293 cells

AIM: To construct a hAR and GFP fusion gene vector and to observe the AR-GFP gene expression in Hek293 cells. METHODS: A recombined vector pcDNA3.1/myc-HisA-AR-GFP (pH-AG) was constructed by gene engineering technique. The recombined vector was transfected into Hek293 cells using calcium phosphate. RESULTS: AR-GFP fusion protein was successfully expressed in Hek293 cells without biologic activity, which was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. CONCLUSION: The Hek293 cells transfected by AR-GFP fusion gene can express its protein successfully. However, it is not a cellular model for ARI screening.      

The antisense block of CROC-1 gene expression makes cells grow slower

AIM:To establish FL-CROC- 1 ^- cell line in which CROC- 1 gene expression was blocked and study the role of CROC- 1 gene in cell growth. METHODS:The appropriate length cDNA fragment of the recently identified human gene CROC- 1 which encodes ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme like protein(Ubc-like protein) was cloned into the reconstructed eukaryotic expression vector pMAMneo-amp^- by antisense strategy. The recombinant plasmid which can express CROC- 1 antisense RNA was selected by restriction enzyme map analysis. The antisense expression recombinant plasmid pMAM-antiCROC- 1 was then transfected into human amnion FL cells by a modified calcium phosphate-mediated transfection procedure and selected with MEM medium containing 400 μg/mL geneticin. Finally ,the growth rate of the G418 resistant FL-CROC- 1 ^- cell line was determined.RESULTS:When the antisense inhibition of CROC-1 gene expression was induced by dexamethasone,the growth rate of the FL-CROC-1^- cel line was obviously slower as compared with that of the control FL cell and FL-MAMneo cell which was established by transfection of plasmid pMAMneo-amp^-(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:FL-CROC- 1 ^- cell line was successfully established in this study and the result of FL-CROC- 1 ^- cell growth suppression suggests that CROC- 1 gene encoded Ubc-like protein plays a positive regulation role in cell growth.