Bicaudal-C基因的分子特征和生物功能

翻译水平的激活和抑制在胚胎发育过程中对基因表达起到重要的时空调节作用。在果蝇中，Bicaudal-C（dBic-C）基因对头部滤泡细胞在迁移与头部特异性形成必需的dBic-C基因突变的的果蝇会导致头部结构的缺失和尾部结构的重复，故而命名为双尾-C基因。后来又在多个不同物种（如线虫、爪蟾、小鼠）中发现dBic-C的同源基因,并且这些同源基因及其蛋白质产物在这些物种中高度保守。小鼠的Bicaudal-C基因（Bicc1）定位于在10号染色体的C1区域，Bic-C蛋白N端含有介导蛋白质与RNA的相互作用的KH结构域，C端的SAM结构域在蛋白质与蛋白质相互结合中发挥作用。目前已发现三种与Bicc1基因相关的小鼠突变体模型—jcpk，bpk，和67Gso，这些小鼠突变体模型中Bicc1基因的不同位点产生突变，结果产生异常的蛋白质产物，导致小鼠肾脏发生胞囊化，并且影响身体其他器官的正常形态及功能，其病理表型特征与人类的多囊肾病（Polycystic kidney disease, PKD）极为相似。本文通过总结和回顾Bicaudal-C基因研究方面的成果和进展，揭示该基因在生物体发育和器官形成中的作用，为深入研究这一人们所知甚少的基因的生物学功能奠定基础。     

人类与果蝇lats肿瘤抑制基因的同源物调节CDC2活性

先前曾用嵌合体果蝇来筛查细胞增殖的肿瘤抑制基因或负调控因子。这些果蝇的细胞成分与带有少量变异体细胞的癌症病人个体相似 ,lats(也被称为 wts)是一个大的肿瘤抑制基因 ,推测此基因编码色氨酸 /苏氨酸激酶 ,lats体细胞突变是细胞过度增殖并在嵌合体的许多组织中形成大的肿瘤。各种 lats等位基因纯合突变体表现出一系列包括胚胎致死在内的发育缺陷 ,尽管许多肿瘤抑制基因在果蝇中已被鉴定 ,但是这些果蝇的基因是否与哺乳动物的肿瘤形成直接相关还不清楚。本实验分离了果蝇属 lats的哺乳动物同源物—人类LATS1 ,它抑制肿瘤生长并纠正包…     

子宫畸形患者HOXA13基因同源结构域分析

目的探讨中国子宫畸形患者中HOXA13基因同源结构域是否存在突变及其相关性分析。方法国外文献报道手-足-生殖器综合征（hand-foot-genital syndrome,HFGS）患者中发现HOXA13基因2号外显子同源结构域存在点突变,而此综合征的女性患者部分症状表现为子宫畸形,因此对58例中国子宫畸形患者和54例正常对照者进行HOXA13基因同源结构域检测,PCR扩增目的片断后自动化测序分析基因2号外显子同源结构域区域。结果HOXA13基因同源结构域直接自动化测序分析结果显示,在患者和对照者中均没有突变发生。结论中国妇女子宫畸形的发生可能与HOXA13基因同源结构域突变无关。     

Flamingo钙黏蛋白亚家族的进化研究

目的 对 flamingo钙黏蛋白亚家族进行系统发育研究,探索脊椎动物与非脊椎动物中flamingo钙黏蛋白的进化差异.方法 构建系统发育树,进行蛋白质结构域比较和基因结构分析.结果 Flamingo钙黏蛋白亚家族起源于真后生动物;在脊椎动物进化过程中发生了两次基因重复获得3个同源拷贝;脊椎动物flamingo蛋白序列结构域中含有保守的内含子插入及胞质区含有两个高度保守模序作为其进化特征.结论 Flamingo钙黏蛋白在脊椎动物与非脊椎动物中存在明显的进化差异,结合小鼠flamingo同源拷贝之一Celsr1基因位于已获得的小鼠脊髓发育相关数量性状基因座(QTL)内,可将Celsr1基因作为小鼠脊髓发育的候选基因进行进一步的研究.     

线粒体信号肽引导葡萄糖调节蛋白75-增强型绿色荧光蛋白(GRP75-EGFP)融合蛋白定位于线粒体

目的构建葡萄糖调节蛋白75(GRP75)不同结构域、不同形式突变体与线粒体信号肽重组蛋白并鉴定其亚细胞定位。方法通过重叠延伸PCR,将线粒体靶向信号肽序列分别与GRP75不同结构域基因拼接。利用定点突变PCR分别扩增实现62和65位氨基酸突变的磷酸化失活型、磷酸化激活型突变体、482位氨基酸突变的底物结合缺陷型突变体及三位点同时突变重组体。将上述重组基因克隆入p EGFPC1真核表达质粒,酶切和测序验证后分别用脂质体转染He La细胞,Western blot法检测重组蛋白表达水平,激光共聚焦显微镜观察比较重组蛋白亚细胞定位情况。结果成功构建了线粒体信号肽融合或缺失的GRP75结构域、磷酸化失活和激活突变体、底物结合缺陷突变体真核表达质粒。各重组质粒的片段插入、位点突变、信号肽融合情况均符合设计目的,在He La细胞表达后产物的相对分子质量大小均符合预期。EGFP蛋白C端插入信号肽能引导下游融合的GRP75全长蛋白、结构域片段、突变体蛋白表达定位于He La细胞线粒体中,而缺失信号肽的对应重组蛋白则主要分布于胞质和局部核周。结论构建了一系列GRP75重组真核表达质粒,EGFP融合信号肽能引导重组蛋白在线粒体中表达定位。     

t(1:19)易位的人类白血病:Pbxl同源结构域蛋白与E_2A蛋白融合构建成转录活化因子

同源结构域蛋白通过调节含特定DNA识别序列的靶基因影响发育分化。某些同源盒基因的异常表达及突变同源结构域的表达,导致人类T与B细胞白血病的异常分化。约有20％的前B细胞急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿,出现t(1:19)(q23:p13.3)染色体易位,即定位于1号染色体t(1:19)易位断裂点的Pbxl基因与E2A转录因子基因的5'末端融     

EXT2基因突变引起的多发性骨软骨瘤的遗传学及表型分析

目的: 对2个多发性骨软骨瘤(multiple exostoses)小家系中的先证者进行致病基因 EXT1 和 EXT2 编码序列的突变检测,寻找致病性突变。 方法: 应用PCR扩增 EXT1 和 EXT2 基因的编码区及外显子-内含子交界区,对产物进行直接测序。在50个正常对照中进行新发现突变位点的PCR测序分析,以排除多态性。结果: 家系1的先证者检测到1个 EXT2 基因的已知突变c.668G>C(p.Arg223Pro),该错义突变使精氨酸变成脯氨酸;家系2的先证者于 EXT2 基因中检测到1个国际数据库中尚未报道的新突变c.950delT(p.Phe317SerfsX15),患者父母均未检测到此突变,故此突变为一个de novo突变。该突变引起开放阅读框架移位,提前引入终止密码子,导致蛋白质分子的截断,即部分exostosin结构域和全部glyco-transf-64结构域的丢失。结论: 本文发现的 EXT2 基因的新生及已知突变是引起本研究中多发性骨软骨瘤患者发病的分子机制,可用于临床的分子诊断。     

腺病毒介导CⅡTA突变体基因转移抑制MHCⅡ类分子表达的体外研究

目的:构建携带小鼠MHCⅡ类分子反式激活因子(MHC class Ⅱ molecule transactivator,CⅡTA)突变体基因的腺病毒,并观察腺病毒介导该基因的表达情况以及表达产物的体外功能.方法:采用常规分子生物学方法从IFN-γ诱导后的BALB/c小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞中获得Ⅳ型CIITAcDNA;利用重叠延伸PCR法构建CIITA突变体基因,并克隆入表达载体pIRES;采用pAdEasy-1系统获得具有感染能力的、携带CIITA突变体基因的缺陷型重组腺病毒(Ad-CIITAm)和空载对照病毒(Ad-GFP),并经大量扩增、纯化及滴度测定;将Ad-CⅡTAm和Ad-GFP分别感染HeLa细胞和Raji细胞,流式细胞术观察对诱导型和组成型HLA-DR分子表达的影响.结果:成功克隆了小鼠CⅡTA突变体基因,并构建了携带小鼠CⅡTA突变体基因的重组腺病毒Ad-CⅡTAm;经流式细胞术证实感染Ad-CⅡTAm的Hela和Raji细胞较感染Ad-GFP的细胞,其表面HLA-DR分子的表达均受到明显的抑制.结论:本实验证实了重组腺病毒介导表达的小鼠CⅡTA突变体在体外能够有效地抑制MHCⅡ类分子的表达.     

一例散发1型神经纤维瘤病患者的NF1基因嵌合突变分析

目的 对1例散发1型神经纤维瘤病患者的NF1基因进行嵌合突变分析.方法 提取先证者外周血基因组RNA,PCR扩增NF1基因编码区序列并进行序列测定;找到突变后,基因组DNA途径证实突变,并对先证者儿子的NF1基因相应外显子也进行序列分析;针对NF1基因第51外显子已发现的突变,取先证者全血淋巴细胞、口腔上皮细胞和尿路上皮细胞基因组DNA进行PCR扩增,PCR产物T克隆及测序.结果 先证者的临床表现符合1型神经纤维瘤病.先证者外周血RNA途径检测出无义突变c.7911C＞T(p.Q2510X);基因组DNA途径证实患者外周血淋巴细胞、口腔上皮细胞和尿路上皮细胞中均有该突变,尿路上皮细胞中该突变测序信号较弱;在PCR产物的T克隆-测序中,来自先证者的血液、口腔上皮、尿液上皮细胞无义突变c.7911C＞T(p.Q2510X)突变体的重组菌分别占总数的42％、36％、12％.其儿子、正常对照不存在上述突变.结论 先证者在胚胎早期发生了NF1基因突变,使其体内部分细胞带有NF1基因突变,导致形成全身嵌合的1型神经纤维瘤病.     

非编码RNA调控精子发生的研究进展

随着基因组学研究的发展,发现生物体基因组内存在大量不编码蛋白质的基因。这些基因的转录产物称为非编码RNA(Noncoding RNA,ncRNA)。以前认为ncRNA是基因组中无用的序列,但是研究表明ncRNA在很多生命活动中起到很重要的作用。按照转录产物的序列长短ncRNA分为短链非编码RNA(Small ncRNA)和长链非编码RNA(LncRNA)。精子发生包括精原细胞增殖,精母细胞减数分裂以及精子成熟等一系列受到精确调控的生理发育过程。精子发生需要相关基因的适时表达,并受到转录和转录后水平的调控。但是精子发生过程的调控机制目前还未完全研究清楚。最新研究发现在精子发生过程ncRNA起到很重要的作用,即使在成熟精子细胞中也有ncRNA的表达。表明ncRNA参与调控精子发生的过程,并且这些父源ncRNA可能在接下来的受精和胚胎发育中起到重要的调节作用。结合最新研究进展,本文综述了ncRNA在精子发生过程所起的作用,以期为精子发生过程中ncRNA的进一步研究提供参考。     

KH domain-containing proteins of yeast: absence of a fragile X gene homologue.

The KH domain is a region defined by its homology to the RNA-binding domains of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK). There are two such domains in the FMR1 protein which is underexpressed in the fragile X syndrome. We developed a computer method to search the S. cerevisiae protein sequences as they became available for the KH domain of the FMR1 protein. Using our motif and FINDPATTERNS of the Wisconsin Package of GCG, nine proteins were identified in the completed yeast ORF database that contain KH domains. Five proteins have known or predicted functions; four await functional analysis. Using GeneWorks and GeneJockeyII alignments, we found that the yeast protein KH domain showing the most similarity to either FMR1P KH domain was a KH domain in HX/SCP160. Its sequence is 50% identical to the second KH domain of FMR1P. However, SCP160 contains eight conserved and six degenerate KH domains. Further analysis showed that SCP160 is a better match overall to the vertebrate and C. elegans protein Vigilin, which also contains 14 KH domains. The next most similar yeast KH domain was found in YB83, a protein shorter than FMR1P and containing three KH domains, one of which shares 45% identity with the second KH domain in FMR1P. There is no significant overall sequence similarity between this yeast protein and FMR1P. Thus, while several proteins in yeast contain KH domains, no apparent yeast homologue exists for the FMR1 protein of the fragile X gene family.     

Two mutations in human BICC1 resulting in Wnt pathway hyperactivity associated with cystic renal dysplasia

Bicaudal C homologue 1 (Bicc1) knockout in mice causes polycystic kidney disease and pancreas development defects, including a reduction in insulin-producing β-cells and ensuing diabetes. We therefore screened 137 patients with renal abnormalities or association of early-onset diabetes and renal disease for genetic alterations in BICC1. We identified two heterozygous mutations, one nonsense in the first K Homology (KH) domain and one missense in the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain. In mice, Bicc1 blocks canonical Wnt signaling, mostly via its SAM domain. We show that the human BICC1, similar to its mouse counterpart, blocks canonical Wnt signaling. The nonsense mutation identified results in a complete loss of Wnt inhibitory activity. The point mutation in the SAM domain has a similar effect to a complete SAM domain deletion, resulting in a 22% loss of activity.     

Identification and characterization of mouse Ppfia1 gene in silico

Array CGH combined with mRNA microarray analyses was successfully applied for genome-wide screening of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in 2002. The CCND1-ORAOV1-FGF19-FGF4-FGF3-FLJ10261-FADD-PPFIA1-EMS1 locus on human chromosome 11q13 is one of the most frequently amplified regions within the human genome. Here, we identified and characterized mouse Ppfia1 gene by using bioinformatics. Nucleotide sequence of mouse Ppfia1 cDNA was determined in silico by assembling nucleotide sequences of ESTs BY727670, CA327608, BU708520, BQ886535, and a 5'-truncated partial cDNA BC038349. Mouse Ppfia1 gene, consisting of 28 exons, was located between Fadd and Ems1 (also known as Cttn) genes on mouse chromosome 7. Mouse Ppfia1 (1201 aa) and human PPFIA1 (1202 aa), showing 95.8% total-amino-acid identity, were found to consist of MAH (myosin heavy chain tail and ATPase homologous) domain and three SAM (sterile alpha motif) domains. MAH domain is implicated in the homo- or hetero-oligomer formation through the coiled-coil interaction, while SAM domain is implicated in the interaction with other proteins. Mouse Ccnd1-Ems1 locus and human CCND1-EMS1 locus were evolutionarily conserved in the order and the orientation of genes therein. Nucleotide and amino-acid substitution rates of Ccnd1, Ppfia1 and Ems1 genes located near both ends of the Ccnd1-Ems1 locus were relatively lower than those in the middle part of the locus. This is the first report on mouse Ppfia1 gene as well as comprehensive comparison of CCND1-EMS1 locus within the human and mouse genomes.     

Biological phenotype determination with ex vivo model in gastric cancer for matrix-metalloproteinase inhibitor treatment

GIPC1/GIPC interacts with GTPase-activating protein RGS-GAIP, transmembrane protein M-SemF, receptor tyrosine kinase TrkA, integrin alpha 6A subunit, and TGF beta type III receptor. Kermit, a Xenopus orthologue of human GIPC1, interacts with Frizzled-3 (FZD3) class of WNT receptor. We have recently cloned and characterized human GIPC2 and GIPC3. Here, we identified mouse Gipc3 gene fragments by using bioinformatics, and isolated mouse Gipc3 cDNAs by using cDNA-PCR. Mouse Gipc3 gene encoded a 297-amino-acid protein, showing 86.2% total-amino-acid identity with human GIPC3. In addition to the central PDZ domain, GIPC homologous domain 1 (GH1 domain) and GH2 domain were found to be conserved among mouse Gipc3, Gipc1, Gipc2, and Xenopus Kermit. Mouse Gipc3 gene was found to consist of 6 exons, and exon-intron structure was well conserved between mouse Gipc3 gene and human GIPC3 gene. Mouse Gipc3 mRNA was relatively highly expressed in adult lung, and was also expressed in brain and testis, but was almost undetectable in 7-, 11-, 15, and 17-day whole embryos. This is the first report on molecular cloning and initial characterization of mouse Gipc3.     

Identification and characterization of rat Dact1 and Dact2 genes in silico

DACT1 (DAPPER1), Frizzled receptors, MUSK receptor, VANGL1, VANGL2, PRICKLE1, PRICKLE2, DAAM1, Casein kinases, MARK3 (PAR1), PP2C, AXIN1, AXIN2, NKD1, NKD2, FRAT1, FRAT2 and CXXC4 are WNT signaling molecules associating with Dishevelled family proteins. Human DACT1 is the ortholog of Xenopus Dapper and Frodo, and human DACT2 (DAPPER2) is the paralog of human DACT1. Here, we identified and characterized rat Dact1 (Dapper1) and Dact2 (Dapper2) genes by using bioinformatics. Rat Dact1 gene, consisting of four exons, was located within AC136677.3 genome sequence. Rat Dact2 gene, consisting of four exons, was located within AC139434.3 genome sequence. Dact1 was mapped to rat chromosome 6q24, and Dact2 gene to rat chromosome 1q12. Rat Dact1 (778 aa) showed 93.7, 82.9, 60.3, 58.7 and 48.6% total-amino-acid identity with mouse Dact1, human DACT1, Xenopus Dapper, Xenopus Frodo and zebrafish dact1, respectively. Rat Dact2 (768 aa) showed 86.6, 59.6 and 38.3% total-amino-acid identity with mouse Dact2, human DACT2 and zebrafish dact2, respectively. Dact1 orthologs were more evolutionarily conserved than Dact2 orthologs. Seven DAPH domains (DAPH1-DAPH7), originally identified as the regions conserved between human DACT1 and DACT2, were conserved among mammalian Dact1 orthologs and Dact2 orthologs. DAPH2 domain, corresponding to the Leucine zipper motif, was located within the coiled-coil region. DAPH3 domain was the Serine rich region. DAPH7 domain was the C-terminal PDZ binding region. This is the first report on the rat Dact1 and Dact2 genes.     

Characterization of OEBT, a LIM protein

LIM Proteins have been demonstrated to play key roles in pattern formation during embryonic development, cell lineage determination, and cancer differentiation. These proteins are characterized by their conserved LIM domain, which functions as a specific protein-binding site. Recently, two new members of the LIM protein family, PRICKLE1 and PRICKLE2, were characterized in silico and demonstrated to be human orthologues of the Drosophila prickle proteins. We report on an additional member of this protein family, overexpressed breast tumor protein (OEBT). The corresponding gene was mapped to human chromosome 6p22.31. Orthologues in mouse and rat with 72 and 54% identities on a protein level were identified and the corresponding genes were mapped to mouse chromosome 17 and rat chromosome 9. The protein displays two LIM domains, as well as a PET domain, and was predicted to be localized in the nucleus. Expression of human OEBT was analyzed in silico, and the corresponding RNA was annotated to be highly expressed in a broad range of tissues. ESTs from several malignant tissue differentiations point towards a possible role of OEBT in cancer differentiation.     

Identification and characterization of the human FMN1 gene in silico

Mouse Formin (Fmn1) protein plays a key role in limb morphogenesis. Fmn1 is one of the actin regulators with scaffold function, interacting with Profilin, SRC, EMS1, FNBP1, FNBP2, FNBP3, FNBP4, WBP4 and alpha-catenin. Fmn1, Fmn2, FHOD1, FHOD3, GRID2IP and FHDC1 are non-FDD-type Formin homology proteins, while FMNL1, FMNL2, FMNL3, DIAPH1, DIAPH2, DIAPH3, DAAM1 and DAAM2 are FDD-type Formin homology proteins. Here, we identified the human FMN1 gene by using bioinformatics. The complete coding sequence of human FMN1 cDNA was determined by assembling AC055874.8 genome sequence (nucleotide position 178207-180073), AI040235 EST (complementary sequence for nucleotide position 331-156) and FLJ45135 cDNA (nucleotide position 319-3310). FMN1 isoform 1 (exons 1-18) and FMN isoform 2 (exons 1b and 3-18) were transcribed due to alternative splicing of the alternative promoter type. The FMN1 gene at human chromosome 15q13.3 was located between CKTSF1B1 (Gremlin) and RYR3 genes. The Xenopus fmn1 gene was identified within the Xenopus genome sequence CH216-24N20 (AC147835.1). The FMH1 domain (codon 1-120 of FMN1) and FMH2 domain (codon 683-835 of FMN1) were identified as novel regions conserved among human FMN1, mouse Fmn1, and Xenopus fmn1. The FMH2 domain was almost identical to the alpha-catenin binding domain of mouse Fmn1. Human FMN1 (1419 aa), showing 77.1% total amino-acid identity with mouse Fmn1, was found consisting of FMH1, FMH2, FH1 and FH2 domains. This is the first report on the identification and characterization of the human FMN1 gene as well as the FMH1 and FMH2 domains.     

Reorganization of actin cytoskeleton by FRIED, a Frizzled-8 associated protein tyrosine phosphatase.

Frizzled receptors transduce signals from the extracellular Wnt ligands through multiple signaling pathways that affect cytoskeletal organization and regulate gene expression. Direct intracellular mediators of Frizzled signaling are largely unknown. We identified FRIED (Frizzled interaction and ectoderm defects) by its association with the C-terminal PDZ-binding motif of Xenopus Frizzled 8. FRIED contains an N-terminal KIND domain, a FERM domain, six PDZ domains, and a tyrosine phosphatase domain, being similar in structure to the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-BAS/PTP-BL. We report that FRIED proteins with the FERM domain localize to the apical cortex and can inhibit Wnt8-mediated, but not beta-catenin-mediated, secondary axis induction in Xenopus embryos, suggesting a specific interaction with Wnt signaling. A FRIED construct containing the FERM domain induced reorganization of pigment granules and cortical actin in Xenopus ectoderm. Wnt5a suppressed the depigmentation of ectoderm triggered by FRIED, demonstrating that Wnt5a and FRIED functionally interact to regulate the cytoskeletal organization. Our data are consistent with the possibility that FRIED functions by modulating Rac1 activity. We propose that FRIED is an adaptor protein that serves as a molecular link between Wnt signaling and actin cytoskeleton.