A luciferase expression system for Physarum that facilitates analysis of regulatory elements

We have developed a transient expression system for the protist Physarum polycephalum based on firefly luciferase. We demonstrate the utility of this system for comparing the activities of different promoters in Physarum amoebae, and also for detecting genetic elements that affect the level of gene expression. This system is likely to facilitate improvements in the stable transformation of this organism.     

Episomal and stable expression of the luciferase reporter gene for quantifying Leishmania spp. infections in macrophages and in animal models

We have expressed the reporter firefly luciferase gene (LUC) in Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major either as part of episomal vectors or integrated into the parasite genome under the control of their respective ribosomal promoter regions. An excellent linear correlation between parasite number and luciferase activity was observed with all the transfectants. LUC-expressing recombinant parasites were useful to monitor Leishmania spp. infections in macrophages or in animal models. For prolonged growth in absence of drug selection, such as within animal models, quantitation of parasites is more reliable when the reporter gene LUC is stably integrated in the parasite genome. These recombinant strains should be useful tools to monitor Leishmania growth under a number of conditions.     

Food-anticipatory activity and liver per1-luc activity in diabetic transgenic rats

The mammalian Per1 gene is an important component of the core cellular clock mechanism responsible for circadian rhythms. The rodent liver and other tissues rhythmically express Per1 in vitro but typically damp out within a few cycles. In the liver, the peak of this rhythm occurs in the late subjective night in an ad lib-fed rat, but will show a large phase advance in response to restricted availability of food during the day. The relationship between this shift in the liver clock and food-anticipatory activity (FAA), the circadian behavior entrained by daily feeding, is currently unknown. Insulin is released during feeding in mammals and could serve as an entraining signal to the liver. To test the role of insulin in the shift in liver Per1 expression and the generation of FAA, per-luciferase transgenic rats were made diabetic with a single injection of streptozotocine. Following 1 week of restricted feeding and locomotor activity monitoring, liver was collected for per-luc recording. In two separate experiments, FAA emerged and liver Per1 phase-shifted in response to daytime 8-h food restriction. The results rule out insulin as a necessary component of this system.     

丙型肝炎病毒与荧光素酶融合基因细胞模型的初步建立

Objective　To establish HCV cell culture model which is easy to measure. Methods　Controllable retroviral vector with fusion gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) cDNA and luciferase (luc) reporter gene was constructed by molecular cloning technique, the transfection of this retroviral vector in a human hepatic carcinoma cell (HHCC) line was performed by lipofectAMINE and then luciferase activity in the cellular lysate was measured by scintillation counter. Results　 ① Fusion gene of the HCV 5′ NCR-C region and luciferase reporter gene identified by restriction endonuclease cleavage have been cloned into pBPSTR1 vector. ② The luciferase activity could maintain up to 20 days at least, and could be increased by puromycin treatment and regulated by tetracycline. Conclusion　A cell model for expression of HCV C-E1 and luciferase genes was established for gene therapy studies against HCV C-E1 sequences.     

真菌KS—1995产生的增加LDLR基因表达的活性物质的研究

用含有ＬＤＬＲ基因启动子和荧光素酶基因的重组细胞，快速筛选微生物来源的增加ＬＤＬＲ基因表达的活性物质。在筛选过程中，应用有机溶煤萃取、ＨＰＬＣ分离、ＯＤＳ和硅胶柱层析等方法，从真菌ＫＳ－１９９５的发酵液中分离到活性化合物Ｃ－１ｘ。该化合物具有很强的增加与ＬＤＬＲ基因启动子相连接的荧光素酶基因表达的活性，其诱导活性达２００％的浓度（ＳＣ２００）为０．０１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ。Ｃ－１ｘ经理化特性及ＭＳ、ＮＭＲ     

Receptor-Mediated Gene Delivery to HepG2 Cells by Ternary Assemblies Containing Cationic Liposomes and Cationized Asialoorosomucoid

A new cholesterol-carborane conjugate (BCH) has been synthesized as a potential targeting agent for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancers. The compound is extremely water insoluble and was formulated in two liposomal formulations to determine if the compound could be adequately taken up by 9L rat glioma cells in cell culture. Several factors potentially affecting the cellular uptake were evaluated, such as concentration of BCH in the incubation medium, incubation time, cell confluence, and the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) phospholipids to the liposomal formulation. The studies indicated that the cellular uptakes of BCH in the conventional and PEG liposomal formulations were 49.1 and 45.9 μg boron/g cells, respectively. Therefore, this compound, formulated in both liposomal formulations, delivered sufficient levels of boron to cancer cells in vitro, indicating that BCH is a promising approach for use in BNCT. The uptake appeared to depend upon BCH concentration in the media as well as the confluence of the cells. The greater boron uptake by nonconfluent cells indicated that active growth of cells was a factor in the uptake of this compound.     

Low Concentrations of Chlorpromazine and Related Phenothiazines Stimulate Gene Transfer in HeLa Cells Via Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

Chlorpromazine and related phenothiazine antipsychotic compounds at the low concentration of 10 -5 M stimulated luciferase pRSVL DNA uptake and expression in HeLa cells. On the other hand, chloroquine at a 10 -5 M was without effect at this low concentration. However, at the higher normally used concentration of 10 -4 M (100 μM), chloroquine strongly stimulated luciferase expression and activity. Unfortunately, at 10 -4 M, the phenothiazines were toxic to the cells and could not be tested at this concentration. Further experimental work was carried out to elucidate the mechanism of action of phenothiazines and chloroquine on DNA uptake and expression. Interaction of [3 H] pBR 322 DNA with chlorpromazine, perphenazine, and chloroquine was studied using these compounds as their free bases dissolved in chloroform, followed by their impregnation onto Whatman No. 1 filter paper discs. Both phenothiazines on filter paper discs bound [3 H] pBR 322 DNA to a far greater extent than chloroquine. The method of assay (free base) suggests that the major contribution to binding is through intercalation. A further possible assay for studying the interaction of phenothiazines and chloroquine made use of the ethidium bromide/calf thymus DNA intercalation method. Intercalated calf thymus (CT) DNA complexes with ethidium bromide (EB) were examined for possible dissociation into free DNA and EB on the addition of either chloroquine. SO 4 or chlorpromazine.HCl (soluble salts). Partial dissociation was observed with both compounds. Further experiments on the stability of pBR 322 DNA-polylysine complexes were also carried out using an alternative method of assay. Chloroquine (10 -2 - 10 -4 M) and chlorpromazine (10 -4 M) did not bring about a dissociation of [3 H] pBR 322 DNA-polylysine 200 complexes when reactions were studied by nitrocellulose filter assays to measure released double-stranded DNA. The results indicate that chlorpromazine and related phenothiazines stimulate luciferase DNA uptake expression at 10 -5 M. Chloroquine at this concentration had practically no effect on expression of luciferase activity. Further studies of chloroquine and chlorpromazine on their interaction with plasmid DNA as well as DNA-polylysine complexes are reported.     

红色荧光蛋白和荧光素酶双报告基因转基因小鼠的建立

背景与目的:活体动物体内光学成像(optical in vivo imaging)主要采用生物发光与荧光两种技术。生物发光是用荧光素酶(luciferase,Luc)基因标记细胞或DNA,而荧光技术则采用荧光报告基团(GFP、RFP、Cyt及dyes等)进行标记,利用一套非常灵敏的光学检测仪器,能够直接监控活体生物体内的细胞活动和基因行为,生物发光成像具有高的灵敏度和特异性,同时生物发光信号可用于精确定量,而荧光成像具有方便、便宜、直观、标记靶点多样和易于被大多数研究人员接受的优点。本研究基于慢病毒介导的转基因方法制备红色荧光蛋白(red fluorescent protein,RFP)和Luc双报告基因转基因小鼠(即RL转基因小鼠),将这两种技术融为一体。方法:制备携带RFP和Luc基因(简写RL基因)的慢病毒,然后将携带RL基因的慢病毒注入小鼠单细胞受精卵卵周隙以感染受精卵,胚胎移植进假孕母鼠以获得仔鼠,应用小动物活体成像仪、体视荧光显微镜和PCR等在蛋白和DNA水平上筛选和鉴定,并获得RL转基因小鼠。结果:移植卵周隙注射有慢病毒的胚胎125枚给6只假孕母鼠,其中4只假孕母鼠怀孕,共生仔鼠20只;利用小动物活体成像仪检测RFP和Luc表达,在蛋白水平证实20只F0代中,3只高表达RFP和Luc;DNA水平检测证实,3只RFP和Luc阳性的小鼠基因组中确实整合有外源转基因RL,预示基因型鉴定结果很好验证了小动物活体成像仪筛选和鉴定结果。此外,RL转基因首建鼠基因组中整合的RL转基因可稳定遗传至下一代,并能正常表达。RL转基因小鼠主要脏器均可见红色荧光和Luc信号,但不同脏器间荧光和Luc强度有差异。结论:成功制备RL双报告基因转基因小鼠,为后续研究干细胞在肿瘤发生、发展和转移中的作用和造血重构等提供双报告基因标记的各种移植用供体细胞,并对此供体细胞及其在体内衍生的细胞进行灵敏的非损伤、实时可视化体内跟踪。