人血小板生成素基因的克隆及CHO稳定细胞系的建立

 以人肝cDNA为模板克隆了人血小板生成素（Human Thrombopoietin,hTPO）基因,利用基因重组技术构建了带有新霉素抗性基因（neo）筛选标记的pcDNA3.1(+)-hTPO真核表达载体,将重组质粒瞬时转染293T细胞,用鼠抗人TPO 单抗Western blot 检测 TPO蛋白的瞬时表达;再将重组质粒转染中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(Chinese Hamster Ovary,CHO),应用400 μg/mL的G418筛选克隆,经PCR及Western blot验证,获得了3株hTPO蛋白表达水平不同的CHO细胞系,为获得大量蛋白并进行活性功能试验及临床应用奠定基础。     

Analysis of the function of activin betaC subunit using recombinant protein

Activins, TGF-beta superfamily members, have multiple functions in a variety of cells and tissues. Additional activin beta subunit genes, betaC and betaE, have been identified in humans and rodents. To explore the role of activin betaC subunit, we generated recombinant human activin C using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Recombinant activin C from the conditioned medium was purified by consecutive hydrophobic, size-exclusion, and high performance liquid chromatography. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of the purified protein revealed that activin C formed disulfide bridges. However, activin C had no effect on the proliferation of cultured liver cells. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in erythroid differentiation and follicle stimulating hormone secretion in vitro. It was also shown that immunoreactive bands indicated the hetrodimer of activin betaC, and inhibin alpha subunits were detected in the conditioned medium from the activin C-producing cells, which were stably transfected with inhibin alpha subunit cDNA. This suggests that activin betaC subunit may have been present and that it may exert its effect as inhibin C.     

Transcriptional pattern of TGF-beta1 inhibitory effect on mouse C2C12 myoblasts differentiation

The aim of the present study was to define the effect of TGF-beta1 on C2C12 myoblasts myogenesis. TGF-beta1 together with its receptor is a negative auto-paracrine regulator of myogenesis, which influences the proliferation, differentiation, and functions of muscle cells. TGF-beta1 exerts highly significant inhibitory effect on differentiation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts manifested by the impairment of cell fusion and very low expression of myosin heavy chain. The study of differentiating C2C12 mouse myoblasts treated with TGF-beta1 revealed 502 genes (436 down-regulated and 66 up-regulated) with statistically different expression. TGF-beta1-regulated genes were identified to be involved in 29 biological processes, 29 molecular functions groups and 59 pathways. The strongest inhibiting effect of TGF-beta1 was observed in the cadherin and Wnt pathways. The key-genes that could play the role of TGF-beta1 targets during myoblasts differentiation was identified such as: Max, Creb1, Ccna2, Bax, MdfL, Tef, Tubg1, Cxcl5, Rho, Calca and Lgals4.     

猪RUVBL2真核表达载体的构建及其在CHO细胞中的表达

RUVBL2(RuvB-like 2)蛋白是进化上高度保守AAA+(ATPases Associated With Diverse Cellular Activities,AAA)家族成员之一,CHO(Chinese Hamster Ovary)细胞被广泛地用于表达重组DNA蛋白。为探究猪睾丸组织的RUVBL2基因是否能够在CHO细胞中表达,本实验以猪睾丸组织的cDNA为模板,PCR扩增RUVBL2目的基因,并将其克隆至pIRES2-EGFP(Mammalian Expression Vectors pIRES2-EGFP)载体上,进一步转化到DH5α中,再进行PCR、酶切及测序鉴定;将重组质粒转染到CHO细胞中,再进行荧光、RT-PCR、Western blot检测。结果显示:PCR、酶切及测序都证实了RUVBL2基因正确地插入到了载体质粒pIRES2-EGFP的多克隆位点;荧光、RT-PCR、Western blot也证实了RUVBL2基因在CHO细胞中的成功表达。本实验成功构建了猪的pIRES2-EGFP-RUVBL2真核表达载体,并证实了猪睾丸组织中的RUVBL2基因能够在CHO细胞中表达。     

Expression and subcellular localization of GSE protein in germ cells and preimplantation embryos

We previously identified a novel gonad-specific expression gene (Gse) and investigated its expression during gametogenesis in the mouse testis and ovary. In this study, we generated a polyclonal antibody to GSE protein and determined the profiles of the protein's expression in germ cells and preimplantation embryos in detail using immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining. In a Western blot analysis, the anti-GSE antibody recognized long and short isoforms (approximately 27.6 kDa and 23.1 kDa) of the protein in the mouse testis and the long isoform in the ovary. In the mouse testis, GSE protein was expressed in spermatocytes I in the pachytene stage, round spermatids, and elongated spermatids. In the mouse ovary, the protein was located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of all oocytes regardless of the stage of the ovarian follicles. In preimplantation embryos from the pronuclear to blastocyst stage, however, GSE protein was mainly detected in the nuclei of cells. At the blastocyst stage, the protein was confirmed to have accumulated in the inner cell mass (ICM), whereas it had mostly disappeared from the trophectoderm (TE). These findings suggest that GSE protein may play a role in the establishment of nuclear totipotency and may be associated with early lineage specification.     

The roles of Smad2 and Smad3 in the development of chemically induced skin tumors in mice

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a complex role in skin carcinogenesis, acting as a suppressor early in tumor development but later as a promoter. Smad proteins are important intracellular mediators of TGF-beta signaling. To determine the effect of disrupting Smad genes and TGF-beta signaling on chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in mice, transgenic mice heterozygous for Smad2 or Smad3 deletions and wild-type controls were treated with topical dimethylbenzanthracene for 7 months. Tumor multiplicity, type, and degree of differentiation were assessed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Smad3(+/-) mice developed significantly fewer tumors than the wild-type group (P < 0.05). This indicated a possible oncogenic function for Smad3 in skin carcinogenesis. Smad2(+/-) mice formed less-differentiated tumors than their wild-type counterparts, supporting a tumor suppressor role for Smad2. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in tumor type between Smad2(+/-) and Smad3(+/-) groups, suggesting that Smad2 and Smad3 may regulate different targets.     

Characterization and distribution of an arginine vasotocin receptor in mouse

A cDNA, which has a high homology with teleost Platichthys flesus [Arg8] vasotocin (AVT) receptor (GenBank: AK033957), was found in mouse genome database. Analyses of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed that a cDNA has several features of AVT receptor. We tentatively named it as a mouse vasotocin receptor (MVTR). A two-electrodes voltage clamp technique was applied to characterize the MVTR expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. AVT induced Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents in Xenopus oocytes injected with MVTR cRNA. On the other hand, [Arg8] vasopressin, oxytocin and isotocin did not induce such currents. RT-PCR showed that MVTR mRNA was specifically expressed in the brain. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated significant expression of MVTR mRNA in suprachiasmatic nucleus, arcuate nucleus and medial habenular nucleus of mouse brain. These results suggest that MVTR may mediate a variety of physiological functions in mouse.     

Canine Lat1: molecular structure, distribution and its expression in cancer samples

A full-length cDNA sequence of canine L-type amino acid transporter 1 (Lat1) was determined from a canine brain. The sequence was 1828 bp long and was predicted to encode 485 amino acid polypeptides. The deduced amino acid sequence of canine Lat1 showed 93.2% and 91.1% similarities to those of humans and rats, respectively. Northern blot analysis detected Lat1 expression in the cerebellum at 4 kb, and Western blot analysis showed a single band at 40 kDa. RT-PCR analysis revealed a distinct expression of Lat1 in the pancreas and testis in addition to the cerebrum and cerebellum. Notably, Lat1 expression was observed in the tissues of thyroid cancer, melanoma and hemangiopericytoma. Although the cancer samples examined were not enough, Lat1 may serve as a useful biomarker of cancer cells in veterinary clinic.     

家蚕一种富含半胱氨酸蛋白基因BmCRP的原核表达与定位研究

从家蚕蛹cDNA文库中获得一条cDNA序列,经生物信息学分析显示该cDNA序列全长1 011 bp,包括5′-UTR 200 bp和3-′UTR 136 bp,编码224个氨基酸,其编码蛋白质的N-端富含半胱氨酸,将该基因命名为BmCRP(基因登录号:DN985186.1)。该基因编码蛋白主要有α螺旋、β-折叠、无规则卷曲3种二级结构,具有cAMP和cGMP依赖的蛋白激酶磷酸化位点等5种功能位点。构建重组表达载体pET-28 a(+)-BmCRP并转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导后获得融合蛋白,用纯化后的目的蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备的多克隆抗体与BmCRP有较好的特异性。W estern b lotting检测结果:BmCRP蛋白在家蚕卵、幼虫、蛹、蛾4个发育时期均有表达,蛹期表达量最高;在5龄幼虫的表皮、头部、卵巢、睾丸、马氏管中均有表达。荧光定量RT-PCR检测结果:BmCRPmRNA在家蚕卵、幼虫、蛹、蛾的整个生命周期中,其转录水平呈增加趋势;在5龄幼虫不同组织中的转录水平从高到低依次为表皮、头部、生殖腺、中肠、马氏管、气管、丝腺和脂肪体。细胞定位实验结果显示BmCRP蛋白在Bm5细胞的细胞核和细胞质中均存在,细胞核中的荧光信号比细胞质中的信号强。研究结果有助于进一步探明家蚕BmCRP蛋白的结构和功能。     

Differential patterns of nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in mouse hippocampus during postnatal development

Intermediate filaments, including nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), are important for the brain to accommodate neural activities and changes during development. The present study examined the temporal changes of nestin and GFAP protein levels in the postnatal development of the mouse hippocampus. Mouse hippocampi were sampled on postnatal day (PND) 1, 3, 6, 18, and 48. Western blot analysis showed that nestin expression was high at PND 1 and markedly decreased until PND 18. Conversely, GFAP expression was acutely increased in the early phase of postnatal development. Nestin immunoreactivity was localized mainly in the processes of ramified cells at PND 1, but expression subsequently decreased. In contrast, GFAP was evident mainly in the marginal cells of the hippocampus at PND 1, but immunoreactivity revealed satellite, radial, or ramified shapes of the cells from PND 6-48. This study demonstrates that the opposing pattern of nestin and GFAP expressions in mouse hippocampus during postnatal development occur in the early development stage (PND 1-18), suggesting that the opposing change of nestin and GFAP in early postnatal development is important for neural differentiation and positioning in the mouse hippocampus.     

碱茅6-磷酸海藻糖合成酶基因的克隆及其耐逆性分析

从碱茅酵母cDNA文库中经过NaCl、NaHCO₃筛选,均得到长为1153 bp碱茅6-磷酸海藻糖合成酶基因(PutTPS)片段。通过3'End cDNA amplification方法获得基因缺失的3'序列,该基因全长3358 bp,编码882个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比较结果表明,PutTPS氨基酸序列与水稻、拟南芥、玉米等多种高等植物的TPS蛋白的同源性高达60%90%。利用Northern blot技术,研究该基因的组织表达模式及NaCl、NaHCO₃胁迫处理下基因的表达模式变化;同时对转pYES₂- PutTPS基因酵母菌株进行盐、碱、氧化胁迫、渗透胁迫处理,观察其在逆境下的生存表现。结果表明,PutTPS具有组织表达特异性,其中在根和花中表达量最大;NaCl、NaHCO₃会诱导PutTPS 基因在根和叶中的上调表达;同时重组酵母菌株对盐碱、氧化、渗透胁迫及干旱等逆境的适应能力显著增强。以上研究结果表明,碱茅PutTPS基因与逆境之间具有一定的应答关系,并在植物适应环境逆境过程中起着重要的作用。     

Molecular cloning of canine monoamine oxidase subtypes A (MAOA) and B (MAOB) cDNAs and their expression in the brain

The role of monoamine oxidase has been shown to be related to some behavioral changes including aggression and cognitive dysfunction. In order to demonstrate the basic expression patterns of monoamine oxidase in the canine brain, we determined the full-length nucleotide sequences of cDNA for canine monoamine oxidase type A (MAOA) and type B (MAOB) genes that were isolated from the canine brain cDNA library. Oligonucleotide primers for PCR were constructed based on the conserved sequences reported thus far for other mammalian species. The nucleotide sequences had open reading frames of 1584 and 1563 bp for MAOA and MAOB, respectively. Both of these genes showed relatively high homology with other species in both nucleotide (> 81%) and deduced amino acid (> 85%) sequences. In Northern blot analyses MAOA mRNA was expressed broadly in various parts of the canine brain, whereas MAOB mRNA was found only in specific brain regions, such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and olfactory bulb. These results suggest that MAOA and MAOB mRNAs have subtype-specific expression patterns in the canine brain.     

cDNA cloning, sequencing and characterization of bovine pim-1

The cDNA clone of bovine pim-1 has been isolated from phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and concanavalin A (ConA)-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). The full-length cDNA contains a 411bp 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR), followed by a 939bp coding region and a 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) that contains 1403bp. Comparison of the bovine pim-1 coding sequence with the human, rat, mouse, frog and zebrafish counterparts reveals 94, 90, 89, 67 and 40% homology at the nucleotide level, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of bovine Pim-1 shares 98.7, 97.1, 93.3, 68.8, and 52.4% similarity with the sequences of human, rat, mouse, frog, and zebrafish, respectively. The 5'-UTR of bovine pim-1 shares high sequence similarity to the human and mouse counterparts and is G/C-rich (75%) which may promote a high degree of secondary structure. The 3'-UTR of bovine pim-1 contains two potential polyadenylation sites and an A/T-rich motif which has been shown to decrease the stability of polyA mRNA molecules. Southern blot results indicate that a single copy of the gene exists in the bovine genome. Northern blot results show that PMA stimulation of PBLs increases the expression of the pim-1 mRNA. In addition, examination of Pim-1 protein expression in PBLs stimulated with a variety of mitogens including ConA, PMA, anti-CD3 and purified protein derivative (PPD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, reveals two different types of expression patterns during the course of a 24h period of stimulation. ConA and PPD gave a biphasic pattern of expression while PMA and anti-CD3 gave single transient pattern of expression suggesting that expression is controlled by more than one signaling pathway.