Formation of neurofibrillary tangles in P301l tau transgenic mice induced by Abeta 42 fibrils

beta-Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the defining neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, but their pathophysiological relation is unclear. Injection of beta-amyloid Abeta42 fibrils into the brains of P301L mutant tau transgenic mice caused fivefold increases in the numbers of NFTs in cell bodies within the amygdala from where neurons project to the injection sites. Gallyas silver impregnation identified NFTs that contained tau phosphorylated at serine 212/threonine 214 and serine 422. NFTs were composed of twisted filaments and occurred in 6-month-old mice as early as 18 days after Abeta42 injections. Our data support the hypothesis that Abeta42 fibrils can accelerate NFT formation in vivo.     

Spongiform degeneration in mahoganoid mutant mice

mahoganoid is a mouse coat-color mutation whose pigmentary phenotype and genetic interactions resemble those of Attractin (Atrn). Atrn mutations also cause spongiform neurodegeneration. Here, we show that a null mutation for mahoganoid causes a similar age-dependent neuropathology that includes many features of prion diseases but without accumulation of protease-resistant prion protein. The gene mutated in mahoganoid encodes a RING-containing protein with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro. Similarities in phenotype, expression, and genetic interactions suggest that mahoganoid and Atrn genes are part of a conserved pathway for regulated protein turnover whose function is essential for neuronal viability.     

Spontaneous neurodegeneration in transgenic mice with mutant prion protein

Transgenic mice were created to assess genetic linkage between Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker syndrome and a leucine substitution at codon 102 of the human prion protein gene. Spontaneous neurologic disease with spongiform degeneration and gliosis similar to that in mouse scrapie developed at a mean age of 166 days in 35 mice expressing mouse prion protein with the leucine substitution. Thus, many of the clinical and pathological features of Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker syndrome are reproduced in transgenic mice containing a prion protein with a single amino acid substitution, illustrating that a neurodegenerative process similar to a human disease can be genetically modeled in animals.     

脑组织特异表达钙结合蛋白D-28k转基因小鼠的制备

小鼠精子经2%DMSO处理与酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)阳性神经细胞内特异表达钙结合蛋白D-28k(CaBP)的构件pTH-CB孵育,PCR筛选体外受精移植出生的仔鼠后代,通过测定黑质致密部、腹侧被盖区、大脑皮层和海马CaBP表达量以及黑质致密部CaBP阳性细胞数验证转基因鼠calbindin D-28k表达.结果表明:获得2只在脑内TH阳性神经细胞内特异性表达calbindin D-28k且稳定遗传目的基因原代鼠,表达CaBP具有抗MPTP诱导的神经细胞损伤功能.结果说明脑组织特异性表达calbindin D-28k转基因鼠谱系建立.     

Brain aluminum distribution in Alzheimer's disease and experimental neurofibrillary degeneration

Neurofibrillary degeneration is an important pathological finding in senile and presenile dementia of the Alzheimer type. Experimentally, aluminum induces neurofibrillary degeneration in neurons of higher mammals. Aluminum concentrations approaching those used experimentally have been found in some regions of the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease.     

Metastatic hibernomas in transgenic mice expressing an alpha-amylase-SV40 T antigen hybrid gene

Mice transgenic for a hybrid gene containing the liver promoter of the mouse amylase gene (Amy-1a) fused to the SV40 tumor antigen coding region unexpected developed malignant brown adipose tissue tumors (malignant hibernomas). Expression of the alpha-amylase gene had previously been thought to be confined to the liver parotid, and pancreas; however, analysis of white and brown adipose tissue from nontransgenic mice revealed expression of the endogenous Amy-1a gene in these tissues. Gene constructs driven by the Amy-1a liver promoter thus provide a means of targeting gene expression to the adipocyte cell lineage in transgenic mice. Moreover the high frequency of metastases in the liver, lungs, spleen, heart, and adrenals of these mice provides an experimental system in which to study the development of disseminated malignancy.     

Induction of self-tolerance in T cells but not B cells of transgenic mice expressing little self antigen

Self-tolerance to a transgene-encoded protein, hen egg lysozyme, was examined in the T and B cell repertoires of a series of lines of transgenic mice that expressed different serum concentrations of soluble lysozyme. T cells were tolerant in all lines in which lysozyme was expressed irrespective of the antigen concentration, whereas B cell tolerance did not occur when the serum lysozyme concentration was less than 1.5 nanograms per milliliter (0.1 nM). Induction of elevated transgene expression could restore B cell tolerance. These findings support the hypothesis that autoimmune disease may in some instances arise through a bypass of T cell tolerance.     

转人血清白蛋白基因猪的整合与表达

含有猪血清白蛋白测翼序列的微小人血清白蛋白基因,用显微注射法导入猪的基因组中,生产出转人血清白蛋白基因猪,经PCR和Southern杂交检测,有4头活仔整合有人血清白蛋白基因,其中的3头不同程度地表达了人血清白蛋白。     

Herbicide resistance in transgenic plants expressing a bacterial detoxification gene

The herbicide bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) is a photosynthetic (photosystem II) inhibitor in plants. A gene, bxn, encoding a specific nitrilase that converts bromoxynil to its primary metabolite 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, was cloned from the natural soil bacterium Klebsiella ozaenae. For expression in plants, the bxn gene was placed under control of a light-regulated tissue-specific promoter, the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit. Transfer of this chimeric gene and expression of a bromoxynil-specific nitrilase in leaves of transgenic tobacco plants conferred resistance to high levels of a commercial formulation of bromoxynil. The results presented indicate a successful approach to obtain herbicide resistance by introducing a novel catabolic detoxification gene in plants.     

Human sickle hemoglobin in transgenic mice

DNA molecules that contain the human alpha- and beta s-globin genes inserted downstream of erythroid-specific, deoxyribonuclease I super-hypersensitive sites were coinjected into fertilized mouse eggs and a transgenic mouse line was established that synthesizes human sickle hemoglobin (Hb S). These animals were bred to beta-thalassemic mice to reduce endogenous mouse globin levels. When erythrocytes from these mice were deoxygenated, greater than 90 percent of the cells displayed the same characteristic sickled shapes as erythrocytes from humans with sickle cell disease. Compared to controls the mice have decreased hematocrits, elevated reticulocyte counts, lower hemoglobin concentrations, and splenomegaly, which are all indications of the anemia associated with human sickle cell disease.     

脑部特异表达SV40Tag转基因动物模型的建立

将猿猴病毒抗原蛋白(SV40Tag)片段克隆进脑部特异表达载体pMM279中,通过显微注射法制作转基因小鼠。采用PCR和Southern blotting检测目的基因整合,并通过RT-PCR检测目的基因的表达。结果表明:共出生29只仔鼠,经PCR检测出3只阳性,Southern blotting检测出2只阳性。RT-PCR检测到SV40Tag仅在前脑部皮层和海马表达。成功获得的脑部特异表达SV40Tag转基因小鼠模型,为SV40Tag的致病机制及脑肿瘤的治疗等研究提供工具。     

CP基因转化的线辣椒抗卡那霉素和抗CMV特性的遗传

利用根癌土壤杆菌 ,采用叶盘法转化线辣椒 (Capsicum annuum var.longunt)优良品种陕 82 12 ,建成了能同时表达 CMV和 TMV外壳蛋白基因 (CP基因 )的 T1 代纯合系。以其自交 T2 ～ T4代 ,以及 T2 代植株与未转化陕 82 12杂交的 F1 代和 F2 代群体为试材 ,研究了抗卡那霉素和抗黄瓜花叶病毒 (CMV)特性的遗传传递规律。结果发现 ,抗卡那霉素标记基因和抗病性基因在自交和杂交各代都能稳定地高效表达 ;两者在自交各代纯合 ;在杂交 F1 代抗药性和抗病性都表现为显性 ;在杂交 F2 代 ,抗药植株对敏感植株 ,以及抗病植株对感病植株的分离比都符合 3∶ 1的理论比例。表明抗药性和抗病性均为显性单基因遗传     

Oncogenesis of the lens in transgenic mice

Neoplastic tumors of the ocular lens of vertebrates do not naturally occur. Transgenic mice carrying a hybrid gene comprising the murine alpha A-crystallin promoter (-366 to +46) fused to the coding sequence of the SV40 T antigens developed lens tumors, which obliterated the eye cavity and even invaded neighboring tissue, thus establishing that the lens is not refractive to oncogenesis. Large-T antigen was detected early in lens development; it elicited morphological changes and specifically interfered with differentiation of lens fiber cells. Both alpha- and beta-crystallins persisted in many of the lens tumor cells, while gamma-crystallin was selectively reduced. Accessibility, characteristic morphology, and defined protein markers make this transparent epithelial eye tissue a potentially useful system for testing tumorigenicity of oncogenes and for studying malignant transformation from its inception until death of the animal.     

Discrete visual defects in pearl mutant mice

The mutant mouse pearl, characterized by its hypopigmentation, has a specific functional defect in a sensory system--the retina. The intact pearl mouse has reduced sensitivity in the dark-adapted condition. Normal sensitivity is restored by isolation and superfusion of the retina with bicarbonate-buffered Ringer solution, suggesting that the retinal expression of the pearl mutation depends on a diffusible substance. The pearl phenotype is described as a possible model for human congenital stationary night blindness.     

表达全长与截短HarpinXoo对转基因烟草抗病性的影响

将水稻黄单胞细菌白叶枯致病变种(Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae)编码HarpinXoo的hrfA基因及其N-末端缺失突变基因AB分别连接到双元载体pBI121上,构建成转基因载体,并经冻融法转化土壤杆菌EHA105.采用叶盘法转化烟草,用卡那霉素抗性筛选再生植株.通过PCR扩增检测了转化烟草中的靶基因序列及35S启动子序列,对T1代PCR阳性植株进行了PCR-Southern杂交和RT-PCR分析.结果显示,外源基因已经整合到转基因烟草基因组中,并在转录水平正常表达.用从转hrfA基因和AB片段的烟草中提取的可溶性蛋白注射烟草都能引起过敏反应,说明目的基因在转基因烟草中能表达出有活性的蛋白.抗病性鉴定结果表明,转N-末端AB片段的烟草和转hffA全长基因的烟草一样表现出对烟草花叶病毒(TMV)的抗性.     

Synthesis of functional human hemoglobin in transgenic mice

Human alpha- and beta-globin genes were separately fused downstream of two erythroid-specific deoxyribonuclease (DNase) I super-hypersensitive sites that are normally located 50 kilobases upstream of the human beta-globin gene. These two constructs were coinjected into fertilized mouse eggs, and expression was analyzed in transgenic animals that developed. Mice that had intact copies of the transgenes expressed high levels of correctly initiated human alpha- and beta-globin messenger RNA specifically in erythroid tissue. An authentic human hemoglobin was formed in adult erythrocytes that when purified had an oxygen equilibrium curve identical to the curve of native human hemoglobin A (Hb A). Thus, functional human hemoglobin can be synthesized in transgenic mice. This provides a foundation for production of mouse models of human hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease.     

Mini-mouse: disruption of the pygmy locus in a transgenic insertional mutant

A founder transgenic mouse harbored two different integration patterns of a transgene at the same locus, each of which gave rise to a similar autosomal recessive mutation. Mice of the mutant phenotype were of small stature but had normal levels of growth hormone. The disrupted locus was cloned, and a genetic and molecular analysis showed that the insertional mutants were allelic to a spontaneous mutant, pygmy. The mice should be a useful model for the growth hormone-resistant human dwarf syndromes and could lead to a greater understanding of the pathways involved in growth and development.