C99引导淀粉样蛋白前体裂解过程的活体细胞研究

目的 构建含有Swedish突变和Flemish突变的荧光真核表达系统,研究淀粉样蛋白前体(APP)酶解过程.方法 通过聚合酶链式反应(PCR)得到编码Flemish突变的APP最后300个碱基片段(C99)、蓝色荧光蛋白(CFP)、黄色荧光蛋白碱基序列(YFP),生物合成含有Swedish突变的APP中间54个碱基片段(54 bp),利用基因工程技术将CFP、54 bp、YFP、C99片段克隆至载体质粒pcDNA3.0中,通过酶切、PCR、测序鉴定最终得到重组质粒pcDNA3.0-CFP-54 bp-YFP-C99,并将其转染至人神经母细胞瘤细胞(SH-SY5Y)中,利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察荧光表达;检测荧光共振能量转移(FRET),以及进行β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)免疫细胞化学染色.结果 (1)基因序列分析证明重组质粒构建成功.(2)利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察转染细胞,发现融合基因能够准确表达蓝色和黄色荧光.(3)FRET检测发现CFP-54bp-YFP-C99可以发生β和γ裂解产生Aβ,沉积在细胞内、胞膜上以及细胞间隙;CFP-54bp-YFP不能发生β裂解.(4)免疫细胞化学染色证实Aβ在细胞膜、胞浆内以及细胞间隙聚集沉积.结论 (1)重组质粒能够完成APP的有序裂解产生Aβ.(2)成功实现在活体细胞中观察APP裂解.(3)Aβ有可能产生于APP由胞浆至胞膜的运输过程中.(4)C99对于APP被裂解有重要意义,可能起到信号肽样的引导定位作用.

APP cleavage in live cells guided by C99

Objective To construct recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding Swedish and Flemish mutations of amyloid precursor protein (APP) fused with fluorescent protein and to investigate the APP cleavage progress. Methods The last 300 bases of APP (named as C99 containing Flemish mutation), together with cyan and yellow fluorescence sequence (named as CFP and YFP,respectively) were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 54 bases in the middle of APP sequence were synthesized (named as 54 bp containing Swedish mutation). The 4 fragments mentioned above (CFP, YFP, C99 as well as 54 bp) were inserted into the vector pcDNA3.0. By genetic engineering, the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP-C99 was constructed and identified by enzyme digestion, PCR and sequencing. Then the plasmid was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells. Its expression was examined by fluorescence confocal microscopy and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal was collected. The amyloid beta (A) deposition was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results (1) DNA sequencing showed the sequence of the constructed recombinant plasmid was correct. (2) FRET and two types of fluorescence could be seen by the spectrum confocal fluorescence microscopy. (3) The expression product of fusion gene was correct and cleaved by and secretases. (4) The A deposition was detected in the cell membrane, cytoplasma and intercellular space. Conclusion (1) The fusion protein can generate A by and γproteolytic processing. (2) It is for the first time to observe the APP cleavage by FRET. (3) It is also the first time to find that APP may be cleaved during its transportation from cell plasma to cell membrane. (4) C99 is very important for the correct cleavage of APP. Our test data strongly suggest that C99 may function as the signal peptide. It might guide and direct the APP to the right location for the cleavage.