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。     

牛骨骼肌特异性启动子的筛选

分别构建含有牛骨骼肌α-肌动蛋白（α-actin）启动子、牛骨骼肌肌球蛋白轻链2(mylpf)启动子及牛肌酸激酶(ckm)启动子的荧光素酶报告基因表达质粒。将3种荧光素酶表达质粒分别与含有海肾荧光素酶的质粒共转染牛成肌细胞和牛成纤维细胞。经双荧光素酶检测得到转染成肌细胞,72 h后,α-actin启动子的表达量显著高于mylpf启动子和ckm启动子,转染成纤维细胞72 h后,这3种启动子的表达量和空载体相近。结果表明,α-actin启动子在成肌细胞中的表达效率高于mylpf启动子和ckm启动子;3种启动子在成纤维细胞中的表达量与空载体相近,证明了这3种启动子的骨骼肌特异性。通过对骨骼肌特异性启动子的研究,为外源基因在骨骼肌组织的特异性表达提供了试验依据,为进一步研究转基因肉牛奠定了基础。     

猪SEPW1基因的转录调控分析

本研究旨在对猪SEPW1基因的潜在启动子区进行克隆及转录活性分析，获得其核心启动子区域，并进一步分析转录因子SP1对SEPW1基因转录活性的影响，为探索SEPW1基因在猪肉质性状方面的功能奠定基础。利用实时荧光定量PCR检测SEPW1基因在大白猪各组织中的表达量，构建空间表达谱；通过PCR技术克隆得到6个逐级缺失的SEPW1基因启动子片段，构建6个双荧光素酶报告载体，通过检测各载体的双荧光素酶活性获得SEPW1基因的核心启动子区域；对核心启动子区进行生物信息学分析，发现潜在的SP1转录因子结合位点；通过过表达、抑制表达、定点突变及凝胶迁移试验（EMSA）确认SP1转录因子结合位点的存在及其对SEPW1基因转录活性的影响。结果显示，SEPW1基因在所检测的4月龄大白猪12个组织中均有表达，其中在腓肠肌及心脏中的表达量较高。双荧光素酶活性显示，猪SEPW1基因5'侧翼区-443~-231 bp为其核心启动子区，且-378~-306 bp存在1个潜在的SP1结合位点。过表达和抑制表达SP1基因结果显示，转录因子SP1能够促进SEPW1基因的转录；定点突变及EMSA试验确认，转录因子SP1可直接与SEPW1基因启动子区的SP1结合位点（-348~-339 bp）相结合。综合以上结果表明，转录因子SP1可直接靶向SEPW1基因的启动子区并促进SEPW1基因的转录。     

鹅MyoG基因启动子活性及转录调控元件分析

旨在分析鹅MyoG基因启动子活性区域和转录因子,探究该基因的转录调控机制。本研究首先通过PCR扩增泰州鹅MyoG基因5'侧翼区序列1 245 bp并对其进行测序和生物信息学分析,其次,构建4个不同缺失片段的双荧光素酶报告载体,转染C2C12细胞系。进一步利用在线软件预测核心启动子区关键转录因子,对转录因子结合位点HNF4（-521～-503 bp）、USF （-379～-370 bp）和E2（-296～-281 bp）进行定点突变并构建突变报告基因载体,在C2C12细胞系内初步鉴定MyoG基因核心转录调控因子。最后,采集70日龄泰州鹅胸肌、腿肌、心、肝、脾、肺、肾和下丘脑组织样,利用荧光定量PCR检测MyoG基因和核心转录调控因子的组织表达谱。结果表明,扩增得到的鹅MyoG基因5'侧翼区序列包含启动子元件;利用双荧光素酶报告载体检测到鹅MyoG基因启动子区-624～-154 bp区域存在关键顺式调控元件;结合定点突变技术初步鉴定USF是鹅MyoG基因核心转录调控元件。组织表达谱研究进一步表明,MyoG和USF基因在鹅8个不同组织中均有表达,且在胸肌、腿肌和心组织中共同高表达（P<0.01）。鹅MyoG基因5'侧翼区具有启动子转录活性,-624～＋37 bp是核心启动子区,USF是MyoG核心转录调控因子。试验结果为探究MyoG基因在鹅肌肉发育过程的调控机制提供理论依据。     

miRNA-200a通过靶向ZEB1参与调节鸡胸肌细胞增殖分化

ZEB1在细胞增殖分化中发挥关键作用,然而关于ZEB1在鸡胸肌细胞增殖分化过程中的功能及其与miRNA互作的研究极少。为探索miRNA如何通过靶向ZEB1参与调节鸡胸肌细胞增殖分化,实验检测了ZEB1在55周龄和20周龄鸡胸肌组织中的表达,使用Target Scan及miRDB在线软件预测鸡ZEB1基因的靶向miRNA,构建ZEB1野生型、突变型双荧光报告载体,并在DF1细胞中验证了ZEB1的靶向miRNA,双荧光素酶报告实验结果说明miR-200a通过特异性结合ZEB1 3'非编码区种子序列直接靶向并抑制ZEB1基因的表达。结果表明:由于miR-200a在55周龄鸡胸肌表达下调,对ZEB1的抑制作用减弱,导致ZEB1在55周龄固始鸡胸肌组织表达较20周龄显著升高(P0.01)。本研究首次在鸡上证明miR-200a是ZEB1的靶向miRNA,且miR-200a可能通过靶向ZEB1参与调节鸡胸肌细胞的增殖分化,为深入理解miRNAs在家禽及其他鸟类中的分子调节机制提供了基础与依据。     

Association of growth traits with a structural variation downstream of the KCNJ11 gene: a large population-based study in chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 11 gene (KCNJ11) is involved in the insulin secretion pathway. Studies have shown that mutation in this gene is associated with muscle weakness. The objective of the present study was to establish the association between KCNJ11 gene polymorphism and chicken growth performance and to analyse its expression pattern.

2. A novel 163-bp insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphism was identified in the region downstream of the KCNJ11 gene in 2330 individuals from ten populations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An F₂ resource population was used to investigate the genetic effects of the chicken KCNJ11 gene. Association analysis showed that the indel was significantly associated with chicken growth traits and that the phenotypic value of the ins-ins (II) genotype is higher than that of the ins-del (ID) and del-del (DD) genotypes.

3. Gene expression for different genotypes showed that birds carrying the II allele had a higher expression level than the DD genotypes. Analysis of tissue and spatiotemporal expression patterns indicated that the KCNJ11 gene was highly expressed in muscle tissues, with the highest levels in muscle tissue at one week of age, and that a 10% crude protein diet reduced the expression of this gene, average daily gain and muscle fibre diameter.

4. The results suggested that this novel 163-bp indel has the potential to become a new target for marker-assisted selection.     

ZB transposon and chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) promoter interact to increase transfection efficiency of primordial germ cells in vivo

ABSTRACT

1. In order to increase the efficiency of generating transgenic chicken, this trial focused on two points: primordial germ cells (PGCs）transfection in vivo and a germline-specific promoter.

2. In order to transfect PGCs in vivo, two plasmids (pZB-CAG-GFP, pCMV-ZB）were co-injected into chicken embryos via the subgerminal cavity at Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stage 2–3 or via blood vessel at HH stage 13–14. Results showed that the percentage of GFP+ embryos, viability and hatching rate of embryos injected at HH stage 13–14 were significantly higher than that at HH stage 2–3.

3. Two plasmid transposon systems were used for chicken embryo micro-injections. The donor plasmid, with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene, was mediated by the ZB transposon. The helper plasmid was a transposase expression vector driven by the promoter of the chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) gene or Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Results showed that 60.98% of gonads in Cvh group expressed GFP, which was 52.50% higher than seen in the CMV group. Only gonad tissue from the Cvh group showed any GFP signal, whereas both gonads and other tissues in the CMV group showed green fluorescence.

4. The data suggested that ZB transposon-mediated gene transfer was efficient for transfecting PGCs in vivo; the Cvh promoter drove the transposase gene specifically in the germline and increased the efficiency of germline transmission. Blood vessels injection at HH stage 13–14 may be a more efficient route for PGCs transfection in vivo.     

Generation of Sperms Containing EGFP‐LacZ Following Transfection of Chicken Testis with a Eukaryotic Dual Reporter Vector

Male germ cells modified by foreign genes can be used to generate transgenic chicken. In this study, in vivo transfection of chicken testis with an EGFP‐LacZ dual reporter expression vector was performed. Large‐scale plasmid DNA preparation of the EGFP‐LacZ eukaryotic expression vector was carried out and efficient transfection of chicken testicle cells using the prepared plasmid DNA was confirmed in vitro. The reporter plasmid was directly injected into adult rooster testes. Semen samples were collected on 10‐days post‐transfection and every other day thereafter; and a total of six collections were made. Semen slides were subjected to fluorescence microscopy and β‐galactosidase activity assay to identify sperms carrying the reporter genes. The presence of EGFP and LacZ was further confirmed by PCR amplification with sperm genomic DNA as template. The testicles of those birds were subjected to cryostat sectioning, fluorescence microscopy and β‐galactosidase activity assay. The results showed that sperms with green fluorescence were not observed on semen slides; however, sperms positive for β‐galactosidase were detected. Specific amplicons of EGFP and lacZ were detected in four of the six sequentially collected semen samples. Fluorescence microscopy of the corresponding semen slides revealed yellow‐green fluorescence, but not clear green fluorescence. The β‐galactosidase activity assay and GFP histochemistry using monoclonal antibodies demonstrated positive staining for subsets of testicle cells. Together, these results showed that direct injection of the dual reporter vector into adult rooster testis allowed in vivo transfection of chicken sperm precursor cells, which further developed into sperm containing EGFP‐LacZ.     

银黑狐MC1R基因核心启动子区的鉴定

【目的】确定银黑狐黑素皮质激素受体1（melanocortin 1 receptor，MC1R）基因的核心启动子区，为探究该基因的表达调控机制提供理论依据。【方法】以银黑狐基因组DNA为模板，PCR扩增获得MC1R基因5'-UTR区序列，利用3个在线生物学软件综合预测MC1R基因启动子活性区；PCR扩增获得该基因5'-UTR区不同长度的缺失片段，并克隆至pMD19-T载体，将重组质粒转染至黑色素B16细胞中，利用双荧光素酶检测技术对10个缺失片段进行荧光素酶活性检测。【结果】成功获得银黑狐MC1R基因5'-UTR区序列，软件预测显示－596/＋73 bp可能为启动子活性区。双荧光素酶活性检测发现，构建的10个缺失片段的荧光素酶表达载体均具有启动子活性，其中pGL3-MC1RP8（－520/＋73 bp）有较强的活性，提示其为核心启动子区，与软件预测结果基本一致。【结论】试验确定了银黑狐MC1R基因的核心启动子区为―520/＋73 bp，为深入研究该基因的毛色调控机制奠定了理论基础。     

猪IFN-β启动子及其NF-κB结合位点萤光素酶报告载体的构建与活性检测

通过PCR的方法从猪基因组DNA中克隆IFN-β基因启动子片段,分别构建了含有猪β干扰素基因启动子萤光素酶报告质粒及其4个重复的NF-κB结合位点序列的萤光素酶报告质粒。脂质体基因转染法将萤光素酶报告质粒转染PK-15细胞,在poly(I∶C)或poly(dAT∶dAT)的刺激下,萤光素酶表达显著增加。本试验为进一步探讨猪β干扰素信号转导通路的研究奠定了基础。     

猪miR-23a靶向调控Smad3基因表达的研究

为了确定miR-23a是否靶向调控Smad3基因,试验利用NotⅠ和XhoⅠ酶构建包含Smad3-3′-UTR的野生型(psiCHECKTM-2-W-Smad3-3′-UTR)和突变型双荧光酶报告载体(psiCHECKTM-2-M-Smad3-3′-UTR),并在PK-15细胞中转染miR-23amimics、miR-23ainhibitor及其阴性对照,采用双荧光酶检测试剂盒检测荧光素酶活性,用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting法分别检测Smad3基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果表明,将含Smad3-3′-UTR的野生型和突变型双荧光酶报告载体与miR-23amimic共转染PK-15细胞,野生型报告质粒表达的荧光素酶活性显著低于其阴性对照组(P<0.05);转染miR-23amimics能显著下调Smad3基因mRNA及其蛋白表达水平(P<0.05);而转染miR-23ainhibitor组与miR-23ainhibitor阴性对照组相比,Smad3基因蛋白表达差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合上述结果可知,猪miR-23a可靶向作用于Smad3基因。     

Sequence of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos) growth hormone-encoding gene and genetic variation in the promoter region

The duck growth hormone encoding gene and its promoter region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 5.25 kb were cloned and sequenced. Duck growth hormone (GH) consists of five exons and four introns and is structurally similar to mammalian and chicken GH gene. Although the distal region of duck GH promoter showed no similarity to chicken and turkey promoters, the proximal region of the promoter contained two putative Pit‐1 binding sequences, and showed similarity to chicken and turkey GH promoters. Genetic variation was detected at five positions of the promoter region. The results of this study indicate that the expression of duck GH is likely regulated in a similar manner to that of chicken GH via enhancer‐type cis‐acting elements and the presence of genetic variation in the duck GH gene may be applicable to marker‐assisted selection.     

KLF3基因3'-UTR区双荧光素酶报告载体及其突变载体的构建与活性鉴定

试验旨在构建锌指蛋白3（KLF3）基因3'-UTR区双荧光素酶基因报告载体及其突变载体,初步分析可能调控KLF3基因表达的miRNAs。首先通过PCR方法扩增KLF3基因的3'-UTR序列,将其克隆到经Xho Ⅰ、Not Ⅰ双酶切的双荧光素酶报告载体中;运用Targetscan软件预测可能与KLF3基因3'-UTR相互作用的miRNA;使用脂质体2000转染试剂将miRNAs mimics与构建好的KLF3基因3'-UTR段双荧光素酶报告载体或突变载体共转染于常规培养的293T细胞中,检测荧光素酶活性。结果表明,KLF3基因3'-UTR可能是miR-21的作用靶位点;双荧光报告显示,miR-21 mimics组（0.6900±0.0144）比突变组（1.000±0.0688）和空白对照组（1.000±0.0159）KLF3基因3'-UTR双荧光素酶基因报告载体和突变载体的活性降低了31%（P<0.01）。本试验成功构建了含有KLF3基因3'-UTR段双荧光素酶基因报告载体与突变载体,初步证实miR-21对KLF3基因有调控作用。     

鹅p21基因克隆、启动子分析及转录调控研究

【目的】 分析鹅p21基因的结构和启动子活性，探讨p21基因的转录调控机制。【方法】 以泰州鹅为试验对象，通过同源克隆、RACE和生物信息学分析等方法获得鹅p21基因全长序列和5′-侧翼区序列特征；构建6个不同缺失片段的启动子区双荧光素酶报告载体并分析其荧光素酶活性，进而确定p21基因核心启动子区；对核心启动子区转录因子结合位点生肌决定因子(MyoD)(+25~+36 bp)进行定点突变，并构建突变报告基因载体，在C2C12细胞系内初步鉴定鹅p21基因核心转录调控因子。【结果】 鹅p21基因cDNA全长1 943 bp，CDS区大小为453 bp，编码151个氨基酸，蛋白序列包含高度保守的CDI家族结合位点。系统进化树分析表明，鹅p21基因与鸭亲缘关系最近，与鸡和火鸡有较强的进化关系。鹅p21基因5′-侧翼区包含启动子元件，—35~+37 bp是核心启动子区，发挥正向调控作用，结合定点突变技术初步鉴定MyoD是鹅p21基因核心转录调控元件。【结论】 本研究获得了鹅p21基因完整的cDNA序列和启动子区域，MyoD是p21基因核心转录调控因子，为探究p21基因在鹅胚胎期肌肉发育过程中的调控机制提供理论依据。     

STAT1和组蛋白乙酰化修饰调控鸡lncRNA-BMP4转录研究

【目的】 探讨影响鸡长链非编码RNA （long chain noncoding RNA,lncRNA）-骨形态发生蛋白4（bone morphogenetic protein 4,BMP4）启动子转录的因素,并对调控lncRNA-BMP4特异表达的分子机制进行研究。【方法】 以鸡肌肉基因组为模板,PCR扩增并克隆鸡lncRNA-BMP4的启动子区,构建lncRNA-BMP4-EFGP载体,对lncRNA-BMP4启动活性进行定性分析;通过染色体5'-末端缺失的方法和双荧光素酶系统检测筛选lncRNA-BMP4启动子核心区域。通过在线工具预测分析调控核心区域的潜在转录因子;利用点突变和双荧光素酶系统筛查真正影响lncRNA-BMP4的转录因子;通过表观修饰验证DNA甲基化、组蛋白乙酰化对lncRNA-BMP4的转录调控作用。【结果】 试验成功扩增lncRNA-BMP4启动子片段1 288 bp,与pEGFP-N1载体连接后转染鸡成纤维细胞系（DF-1）具有荧光表达,说明lncRNA-BMP4启动子有启动活性。染色体5'-末端缺失和双荧光素酶系统检测发现,核心启动子区域为―832~―651 bp,Jaspar数据库分析筛选到核心区域的转录因子有SOX17、CREB1及STAT1。双荧光素酶系统检测发现,STAT1可促进lncRNA-BMP4核心启动区域的活性;DNA甲基化抑制剂5'-Azacd对lncRNA-BMP4的转录活性未有任何影响,而组蛋白乙酰化抑制剂TSA可极显著提高其转录活性（P<0.01）。【结论】 提示lncRNA-BMP4的转录活性受STAT1和组蛋白乙酰化的正调控,而DNA甲基化不影响其转录。研究结果为详细解析lncRNA-BMP4的功能和分子机制提供了理论依据。     

Relationship between abdominal fat content and avian uncoupling protein gene expression in skeletal muscle of Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

1. The genetic architecture of the avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) was investigated and the relationship between avUCP gene expression and the amount of abdominal fat of Japanese quail was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.

2. The Japanese quail avUCP gene consists of six exons and five introns. Sequences of nucleotides and amino acids were 94·6% and 86·0% identical to those of the chicken avUCP gene, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Japanese quail avUCP gene consists of the same clusters as the chicken and turkey avUCP.

3. Expression of the avUCP gene was significantly higher in the Pectoralis major (1·28?±?0·24) than in the Biceps femoris (0·63?±?0·14).

4. A positive correlation coefficient between the avUCP gene expression in the Pectoralis major and Biceps femoris was observed (r?=?0·79, P?=?0·02), whereas a negative correlation coefficient was observed between the abdominal fat percentage (AFP) and gene expression in both the Pectoralis major (r?=??0·82, P?=?0·01) and Biceps femoris (r?=??0·61, P?=?0·11).

5. The avUCP gene was associated with the accumulation of abdominal fat in Japanese quail and it was concluded that modulation of avUCP gene expression could be utilised to control abdominal fat accumulation in poultry.