Measles virus gene expression in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

RNA was extracted from the diseased brain of a case of human subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and analysed for the expression of measles-specific RNA. Measles virus-specific mRNAs were present, but the amount of matrix (M) protein mRNA was greatly reduced in comparison to lytically infected cells and phospho- (P) protein mRNA was hardly detectable whereas the level of the corresponding intermediate-sized (is-) RNA was greatly increased. RNA obtained from the human brain was also translated in vitro and measles virus nucleocapsid and P protein was produced. However, in marked contrast to control reactions M protein was not detected in the products formed by translation in vitro. These results indicate an impaired measles virus M protein mRNA synthesis in infected brain tissue.     

Measles virus interacts with human SLAM receptor on dendritic cells to cause immunosuppression

Measles virus (MV) infects dendritic cells (DCs) resulting in immunosuppression. Human DCs express two MV receptors: CD46 and human signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (hSLAM); thus, the role played by either alone is unclear. Because wild-type (wt) MV uses hSLAM receptor preferentially, we dissected the molecular basis of MV-DC interaction and resultant immunosuppression through the hSLAM receptor by creating transgenic (tg) mice expressing hSLAM on DCs. After infection with wt MV, murine splenic DCs expressing hSLAM receptor had less B7-1, B7-2, CD40, MHC class I, and MHC class II molecules on their surfaces and displayed an increased rate of apoptosis when compared to uninfected DCs. Further, MV-infected DCs failed to stimulate allogeneic T cells and inhibited mitogen-dependent T-cell proliferation. Individual expression of human SLAM, interferon alpha/beta receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and lymphotoxin-alpha or beta from T cells was not required for MV-infected DCs to inhibit the proliferation of T cells.     

Measles virus C protein suppresses gamma-activated factor formation and virus-induced cell growth arrest

Measles virus (MeV) produces two accessory proteins, V and C, from the P gene. These accessory proteins have been reported to contribute to efficient virus proliferation through the modulation of host cell events. Our previous paper described that Vero cell-adapted strains of MeV led host cells to growth arrest through the upregulation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), and wild strains did not. In the present study, we found that C protein expression levels varied among MeV strains in infected SiHa cells. C protein levels were inversely correlated with IRF-1 expression levels and with cell growth arrest. Forced expression of C protein released cells from growth arrest. C-deficient recombinant virus efficiently upregulated IRF-1 and caused growth arrest more efficiently than the wild-type virus. C protein preferentially bound to phosphorylated STAT1 and suppressed STAT1 dimer formation. We conclude that MeV C protein suppresses IFN-γ signaling pathway via inhibition of phosphorylated STAT1 dimerization.     

Role of V protein RNA binding in inhibition of measles virus minigenome replication

Measles virus V protein represses genome replication through a poorly understood mechanism, which led us to investigate whether V protein might be an RNA-binding modulatory factor. Recombinant V protein, expressed from transfected HEp-2 cells or E. coli, formed protein-RNA complexes with poly-guanosine (poly-G) or poly-U linked to agarose beads. RNA binding was not exclusive to ribonucleotide homopolymers as complex formation between V protein and an RNA molecule equivalent to the 3' terminal 107 bases of the measles virus genome was observed with an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The interaction with poly-G was used to further examine the RNA binding properties of V demonstrating that protein-RNA complex formation was dependent upon the unique Cys-rich carboxy terminus, a region also required to induce maximal repression of minireplicon-encoded reporter gene expression in transient assays. Surprisingly, two mutant proteins that contained Cys-to-Ala substitutions in the C-terminus were found to retain their ability to bind poly-G binding and repress minireplicon reporter gene expression indicating that neither activity was dependent on the integrity of all 7 C-terminal Cys residues. Additional genetic analysis revealed that amino acids 238-266 were necessary for efficient RNA binding and overlapped with residues (238-278) required for maximal repression induced by the C-terminal domain. In addition, a 10 amino acid deletion was identified (residues 238-247) that blocked RNA binding and repression indicating that these two activities were related.     

Tissue specific and non-specific changes in gene expression by aging and by early stage CR

Aging alters the expression of a variety of genes. Calorie restriction (CR), which extends life span in laboratory rodents, also changes gene expression. This study investigated changes in gene expression across three different tissues from the same mouse to examine how aging and early stage CR influence gene expression in different tissues of an organism. Expression profiling of heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues was done in young (4-6 months) ad libitum fed (AL), young CR (2.5-4.5 months of CR), and old (26-28 months) AL male C57BL/6 mice. Aging significantly altered the expressions of 309, 1819, and 1085 genes in heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues, respectively. In nine genes, aging altered expression across all three tissues although the regulation directions did not agree across all three tissues for some genes. Early stage CR in young mice significantly changed the expressions of 192, 839, and 100 genes in heart, liver, and hypothalamus tissues, respectively, and seven genes altered expression across all three tissues; three were up regulated and four were down regulated. The results of Gene Ontology (GO) Biological Process analysis indicated up regulation of antigen processing/presentation genes by aging and down regulation of stress response genes by early stage CR in all three tissues. The comparison of the results of aging and short term CR studies showed there were 389 genes, 18 GO biological processes, and 20 GO molecular functions in common.     

甲型流感病毒核蛋白基因的克隆表达及纯化

目的　将甲型流感病毒核蛋白(NP)基因克隆到原核表达载体进行可溶性融合表达,制备纯化的病毒核蛋白,为制备甲型流感病毒单克隆抗体提供材料。方法　提取甲型流感病毒RNA ,设计引物,RT PCR扩增NP基因,利用基因工程的手段,将甲型流感病毒的NP基因在大肠埃希菌中进行融合表达,并将表达产物进行亲和层析。结果　成功构建了甲型流感病毒NP基因原核表达载体,经亲和层析制备了较高纯度的目的表达产物。结论　通过合理控制发酵时间、生长温度和诱导物浓度,制备了较为理想的可溶性甲型流感病毒核蛋白。     

Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin gene of measles virus isolates in Denmark 1997-1998: no evidence of persistent circulation of measles virus in Denmark

The hemagglutinin-coding region of 17 virus samples from 12 measles cases in Denmark during 1997-1998 was analysed by partial nucleotide sequencing. The cases appeared as three sporadic cases and two epidemics, both with a limited time course and geographical distribution. The measles strains identified from the three sporadic cases and two epidemics could be allocated to five different previously well-defined sequence groups consistent with the assumption that cases of measles in Denmark are due to repeated introduction from abroad rather than persistent circulation of strains in the population.     

Radiation induces different changes in expression profiles of normal rectal tissue compared with rectal carcinoma

Purpose Radiotherapy is a very effective adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer with little side effects. Its killing effect on tumor cells seems to be more profound than the effect on normal tissue. The molecular events caused by irradiation are mainly analyzed in in vitro and animal models; investigations on human material are rare. In the current study, we analyzed the effects of irradiation on gene expression in normal and tumor tissue of rectal cancer patients.Methods and materials Normal and carcinoma tissue of patients from a randomized clinical trial of the benefits of preoperative radiotherapy were analyzed using the Affymetrix Human Cancer Gene Chip. Preoperative radiotherapy was given within 5 days prior to surgery. Results for normal tissue and tumor were compared to investigate the radiation-related differences between normal and tumor cells. We clustered the differentially expressed genes based on their functional annotation. Results were compared with immunohistochemical and literature data.Results The majority of the investigated cancer-related genes remained unchanged by irradiation (92% in tumor tissue and 93% in normal tissue). The differentially expressed genes varied between tumor and normal tissue except for maspin and IL-8. Both in tumor and normal tissue, differentially expressed genes were present related to cell signaling and cycle control, apoptosis and cell survival and tissue response and repair. However, the spectrum of affected genes was totally different.Conclusion Pre-existing differences in gene expression between normal tissue and tumor tissue might explain the differences in their responses to radiation. This change in response may explain the clinical beneficial effect of radiotherapy on tumor cells (low local recurrence rate) and the less severe effects on normal tissue (minor side effects).     

Comparative sequence analysis of the M gene among rabies virus strains and its expression by recombinant vaccinia virus

Nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences of the gene encoding the matrix (M) protein of the Nishigahara and the CVS strains of rabies virus have been determined. The M gene is 609 nucleotides long and is capable of coding for a peptide composed of 202 amino acids. Sequence comparison of these M genes with those of other stains [Pasteur (PV), ERA, Avol] revealed that there is 89.7–91.5% homology at the nucleotide level, and 90.1–92.1% homology at amino acid level, between almost all combinations of these strains. However, in the combinations of the PV and ERA strains, and the virulent CVS and the avirulent CVS-derived Avol strains, much higher homology was observed both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The predicted secondary structure and hydropathy profiles also exhibited similar features. Recombinant vaccinia virus containing the M gene was constructed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO₄)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the precipitates obtained by immune reaction of the recombinant virus-infected cell lysate with a monoclonal antibody against the M protein revealed that electrophoretic mobility of the expressed protein is indistinguishable from that of the authentic M protein from rabies virions.The nucleotide sequence data of the M genes of the CVS and Nishigahara (RCEH) strains reported in this paper will appear in the DDBJ, EMBL, and GenBank Nucleotide Sequence Databases under the accession numbers D90450 and D90451.     

汉滩病毒M、S基因部分片段在大肠杆菌中的融合表达

目的在大肠杆菌中融合表达含主要抗原位点的汉滩病毒囊膜糖蛋白G1与NP片段。方法将汉滩病毒76118株M基因编码G1的片段与S基因编码区5′端约0.7kb的片段连接,克隆入pGEX4T2,构建嵌合基因原核表达载体pGEX4T2G1S0.7,并在大肠杆菌XL1Blue中,诱导GSTG1S0.7融合蛋白的表达。表达产物用ELISA和Westernblot进行鉴定。结果成功地构建了嵌合原核表达载体pGEX4T2G1S0.7。经IPTG诱导后,ELISA活性测定结果表明,该融合蛋白可与抗汉滩病毒NP及糖蛋白的mAb特异性结合。Westernblot结果显示,诱导出相对分子质量Mr大于1×105的G1S0.7与GST的融合蛋白。结论获得具有特异性结合活性的融合蛋白GSTG1S0.7,为汉滩病毒基因工程疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

Accumulation of Potato spindle tuber viroid-specific small RNAs is accompanied by specific changes in gene expression in two tomato cultivars

To better understand the biogenesis of viroid-specific small RNAs and their possible role in disease induction, we have examined the accumulation of these small RNAs in potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd)-infected tomato plants. Large-scale sequence analysis of viroid-specific small RNAs revealed active production from the upper portion of the pathogenicity and central domains, two regions previously thought to be underrepresented. Profiles of small RNA populations derived from PSTVd antigenomic RNA were more variable, with differences between infected Rutgers (severe symptoms) and Moneymaker (mild symptoms) plants pointing to possible cultivar-specific differences in small RNA synthesis and/or stability. Using microarray analysis, we monitored the effects of PSTVd infection on the expression levels of > 100 tomato genes containing potential binding sites for PSTVd small RNAs. Of 18 such genes down-regulated early in infection, two genes involved in gibberellin or jasmonic acid biosynthesis contain binding sites for PSTVd small RNAs in their respective ORFs.     

Neuron‐specific expression of atp6v0c2 in zebrafish CNS

Vacuolar ATPase (V‐ATPase) is a multi‐subunit enzyme that plays an important role in the acidification of a variety of intracellular compartments. ATP6V0C is subunit c of the V₀ domain that forms the proteolipid pore of the enzyme. In the present study, we investigated the neuron‐specific expression of atp6v0c2, a novel isoform of the V‐ATPase c‐subunit, during the development of the zebrafish CNS. Zebrafish atp6v0c2 was isolated from a genome‐wide analysis of the zebrafish mib^ta52b mutant designed to identify genes differentially regulated by Notch signaling. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization revealed that atp6v0c2 is expressed in a subset of CNS neurons beginning several hours after the emergence of post‐mitotic neurons. The ATP6V0C2 protein is co‐localized with the presynaptic vesicle marker, SV2, suggesting that it is involved in neurotransmitter storage and/or secretion in neurons. In addition, the loss‐of‐function experiment suggests that ATP6V0C2 is involved in the control of neuronal excitability. Developmental Dynamics 239:2501–2508, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Subchronic inhalation of coal dust particulate matter 10 induces bronchoalveolar hyperplasia and decreases MUC5AC expression in male Wistar rats

Coal dust is a pollutant found in coal mines that are capable of inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, but the effects on lung metaplasia as an early step of carcinogenesis remain unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PM₁₀ coal dust on lung histology, MUC5AC expression, epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. An experimental study was done on male Wistar rats, which were divided into the following groups: control groups exposed to coal dust for 14 days (at doses of 6.25 mg/m³, 12.5 mg/m³, and 25 mg/m³), and the groups exposed to coal dust for 28 days (at doses of 6.25 mg/m³, 12.5 mg/m³, and 25 mg/m³). EGF expressions in rat lungs were measured by ELISA. EGFR and MUC5AC were measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope. The bronchoalveolar epithelial image of the group exposed to coal dust for 14 and 28 days showed a epithelial rearrangement, hyperplastic (metaplastic) goblet cells, and scattered massive inflammatory cells. The pulmonary parenchymal image of the group of exposed to coal dust for 14 and 28 days showed scattered inflammatory cells filling up the pulmonary alveolar networks, leading to an appearance of thickened parenchymal alveoli until emphysema-like structure. There was no significant difference in MUC5AC, EGF, and EGFR expressions for 14-d exposure (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in EGF and EGFR expressions for 28-d exposure (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in MUC5AC expression (p < 0.05). We concluded that subchronic inhalation of coal dust particulate matter 10 induces bronchoalveolar reactive hyperplasia and rearrangement of epithelial cells which accompanied by decrease expression MUC5AC in male rats.     

Hepatitis C virus core protein induces expression of genes regulating immune evasion and anti-apoptosis in hepatocytes

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Core protein is implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We utilized a HepG2 human hepatocyte cell line with inducible expression of HCV Core protein (HCV-1b) to investigate the early effects of Core protein on hepatocyte gene expression and to identify molecular processes modulated by the Core protein. A significant change was observed in the expression of 407 genes, which included genes regulating apoptosis, immune response, and cell cycle. Some of these genes were previously known to be tumor markers. The decreased expression of chemo-attractants such as TNFSF10, CCL20, and osteopontin was observed, which suggested that HCV Core expression could lead to suppression of inflammatory response as well as trafficking of macrophages and neutrophils to the site of HCV infection. An increased expression of anti-apoptosis factors including PAK2, API5, BH1, Tax1BP1, DAXX, and TNFAIP3/A20 was observed. Some of these genes were also linked to the regulation of NFKB activation and that the alteration of their expression levels, by HCV Core, might lead to the suppression NFKB activation of inflammatory responses. Our data suggested that Core expression may contribute to the viral persistence by protecting infected hepatocytes from cell death by the suppressing apoptosis and inflammatory reaction to HCV viral infection.     

成人麻疹细胞免疫与CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞的关系

目的 了解CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)与麻疹患者细胞免疫的关系.方法 采集34例成年麻疹患者和27例健康对照的外周血,采用流式细胞术进行CD4+CD25+细胞和FoxP3+细胞的检测.用免疫磁珠从外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)分选出CD4+CD25+T细胞和CD4+CD25-T细胞,分别用抗-CD3单克隆抗体、BCG和NV减毒株进行刺激培养,收集培养上清,用ELISA法检测培养上清中的IFN-γ和IL-10.结果 麻疹患者外周血白细胞、淋巴细胞及CD3+CC4·细胞比例明显降低,而CD4+CD25+细胞与FoxP3+细胞的比例则与对照无显著差别;CD4+CD25+细胞明显抑制抗CD3刺激下CD4+CD25-T细胞产生IFN-γ,且患者和对照没有差别,而IL-10的产生没有这种改变.结论 成人麻疹患者的的免疫抑制与Treg的抑制作用无关. 4+CD25+T细胞和CD4+CD25-T细胞,分别用抗-CD3单克隆抗体、BCG和NV减毒株进行刺激培养,收集培养上清,用ELISA法检测培养上清中的IFN-γ和IL-10.结果 麻疹患者外周血白细胞、淋巴细胞及CD3+CC4+细胞比例明显降低,而CD4+CD2 +细胞与FoxP3+细胞的比例则与对照无显著差别;CD4+CD25+细胞明显抑制抗CD3刺激下CD4+CD25-T细胞产生IFN-γ,且患者和对照没有差别,而IL-10的产生     

乙型肝炎病毒S基因密码子最佳化及在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

目的 制备适合酵母表达的乙型肝炎病毒S基因,在毕赤酵母中高效表达重组乙型肝炎病毒S蛋白.方法 选用酵母偏爱的同义密码子替换野生型S基因的酵母稀有密码子,采取基因搭桥法及递归式聚合酶链反应,制备合成基因,捕入酵母表达载体pPICZB.携带有合成S基因的重组质粒转化毕赤酵母菌株KM71 H,经甲醇诱导表达乙型肝炎病毒S蛋白.结果 酶切电泳及DNA测序证实合成的S基因正确克隆到表达载体中;聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳及免疫印迹显示优化后的乙型肝炎病毒S基因在毕赤酵母中的重组蛋白表达量远高于野生型基因.结论 密码子优化的S基因能明显提高重组S蛋白在毕赤酵母表达系统中的表达量.