190 resultados para LacZ
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in Western countries. Inherited factors have been suggested to be involved in 35% of CRCs. The hereditary CRC syndromes explain only ~6% of all CRCs, indicating that a large proportion of the inherited susceptibility is still unexplained. Much of the remaining genetic predisposition for CRC is probably due to undiscovered low-penetrance variations. This study was conducted to identify germline and somatic changes that contribute to CRC predisposition and tumorigenesis. MLH1 and MSH2, that underlie Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) are considered to be tumor suppressor genes; the first hit is inherited in the germline and somatic inactivation of the wild type allele is required for tumor initiation. In a recent study, frequent loss of the mutant allele in HNPCC tumors was detected and a new model, arguing against the two-hit hypothesis, was proposed for somatic HNPCC tumorigenesis. We tested this hypothesis by conducting LOH analysis on 25 colorectal HNPCC tumors with a known germline mutation in the MLH1 or MSH2 genes. LOH was detected in 56% of the tumors. All the losses targeted the wild type allele supporting the classical two-hit model for HNPCC tumorigenesis. The variants 3020insC, R702W and G908R in NOD2 predispose to Crohn s disease. Contribution of NOD2 to CRC predisposition has been examined in several case-control series, with conflicting results. We have previously shown that 3020insC does not predispose to CRC in Finnish CRC patients. To expand our previous study the variants R702W and G908R were genotyped in a population-based series of 1042 Finnish CRC patients and 508 healthy controls. Association analyses did not show significant evidence for association of the variants with CRC. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6983267 at chromosome 8q24 was the first CRC susceptibility variant identified through genome-wide association studies. To characterize the role of rs6983267 in CRC predisposition in the Finnish population, we genotyped the SNP in the case-control material of 1042 cases and 1012 controls and showed that G allele of rs6983267 is associated with the increased risk of CRC (OR 1.22; P=0.0018). Examination of allelic imbalance in the tumors heterozygous for rs6983267 revealed that copy number increase affected 22% of the tumors and interestingly, it favored the G allele. By utilizing a computer algorithm, Enhancer Element Locator (EEL), an evolutionary conserved regulatory motif containing rs6983267 was identified. The SNP affected the binding site of TCF4, a transcription factor that mediates Wnt signaling in cells, and has proven to be crucial in colorectal neoplasia. The preferential binding of TCF4 to the risk allele G was showed in vitro and in vivo. The element drove lacZ marker gene expression in mouse embryos in a pattern that is consistent with genes regulated by the Wnt signaling pathway. These results suggest that rs6983267 at 8q24 exerts its effect in CRC predisposition by regulating gene expression. The most obvious target gene for the enhancer element is MYC, residing ~335 kb downstream, however further studies are required to establish the transcriptional target(s) of the predicted enhancer element.
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Genome sequence information has generated increasing evidence for the claim that repetitive DNA sequences present within and around genes could play a important role in the regulation of gene expression. Polypurine/polypyrimidine sequences [poly(Pu/Py)] have been observed in the vicinity of promoters and within the transcribed regions of many genes. To understand whether such sequences influence the level of gene expression, we constructed several prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression vectors incorporating poly(Pu/Py) repeats both within and upstream of a reporter gene, lacZ (encoding β-galactosidase), and studied its expression in vivo. We find that, in contrast to the situation in Escherichia coli, the presence of poly(Pu/Py) sequences within the gene does not significantly inhibit gene expression in mammalian cells. On the other hand, the presence of such sequences upstream of lacZ leads to a several-fold reduction of gene expression in mammalian cells. Similar down-regulation was observed when a structural cassette containing poly(Pu/Py) sequences upstream of lacZ was integrated into yeast chromosome V. Sequence analysis of the nine totally sequenced yeast chromosomes shows that a large number of such sequences occur upstream of ORFs. On the basis of our experimental results and DNA sequence analysis, we propose that these sequences can function as cis-acting transcriptional regulators.
Resumo:
Obtaining pure mRNA preparations from prokaryotes has been difficult, if not impossible, for want of a poly(A) tail on these messages, We have used poly(A) polymerase from yeast to effect specific polyadenylation of Escherichia coli polysomal mRNA in the presence of magnesium and manganese, The polyadenylated total mRNA, which could be subsequently purified by binding to and elution from oligo(dT) beads, had a size range of 0.4-4.0 kb. We have used hybridization to a specific plasmid-encoded gene to further confirm that the polyadenylated species represented mRNA, Withdrawal of Mg2+ from the polyadenylation reaction rRNA despite the presence of Mn2+, indicating the vital role of Mg2+ in maintaining the native structure of polysomes, Complete dissociation of polysomes into ribosomal subunits resulted in quantitative polyadenylation of both 16S and 23S rRNA species, Chromosomal lacZ gene-derived messages were quantitatively recovered in the oligo(dT)-bound fraction, as demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis, Potential advantages that accrue from the availability of pure total mRNA from prokaryotes is discussed.
Resumo:
Viral genomes are encapsidated within protective protein shells. This encapsidation can be achieved either by a co-condensation reaction of the nucleic acid and coat proteins, or by first forming empty viral particles which are subsequently packaged with nucleic acid, the latter mechanism being typical for many dsDNA bacteriophages. Bacteriophage PRD1 is an icosahedral, non-tailed dsDNA virus that has an internal lipid membrane, the hallmark of the Tectiviridae family. Although PRD1 has been known to assemble empty particles into which the genome is subsequently packaged, the mechanism for this has been unknown, and there has been no evidence for a separate packaging vertex, similar to the portal structures used for packaging in the tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses. In this study, a unique DNA packaging vertex was identified for PRD1, containing the packaging ATPase P9, packaging factor P6 and two small membrane proteins, P20 and P22, extending the packaging vertex to the internal membrane. Lack of small membrane protein P20 was shown to totally abolish packaging, making it an essential part of the PRD1 packaging mechanism. The minor capsid proteins P6 was shown to be an important packaging factor, its absence leading to greatly reduced packaging efficiency. An in vitro DNA packaging mechanism consisting of recombinant packaging ATPase P9, empty procapsids and mutant PRD1 DNA with a LacZ-insert was developed for the analysis of PRD1 packaging, the first such system ever for a virus containing an internal membrane. A new tectiviral sequence, a linear plasmid called pBClin15, was identified in Bacillus cereus, providing material for sequence analysis of the tectiviruses. Analysis of PRD1 P9 and other putative tectiviral ATPase sequences revealed several conserved sequence motifs, among them a new tectiviral packaging ATPase motif. Mutagenesis studies on PRD1 P9 were used to confirm the significance of the motifs. P9-type putative ATPase sequences carrying a similar sequence motif were identified in several other membrane containing dsDNA viruses of bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic hosts, suggesting that these viruses may have similar packaging mechanisms. Interestingly, almost the same set of viruses that were found to have similar putative packaging ATPases had earlier been found to share similar coat protein folds and capsid structures, and a common origin for these viruses had been suggested. The finding in this study of similar packaging proteins further supports the idea that these viruses are descendants of a common ancestor.
Resumo:
The continuous production of blood cells, a process termed hematopoiesis, is sustained throughout the lifetime of an individual by a relatively small population of cells known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs are unique cells characterized by their ability to self-renew and give rise to all types of mature blood cells. Given their high proliferative potential, HSCs need to be tightly regulated on the cellular and molecular levels or could otherwise turn malignant. On the other hand, the tight regulatory control of HSC function also translates into difficulties in culturing and expanding HSCs in vitro. In fact, it is currently not possible to maintain or expand HSCs ex vivo without rapid loss of self-renewal. Increased knowledge of the unique features of important HSC niches and of key transcriptional regulatory programs that govern HSC behavior is thus needed. Additional insight in the mechanisms of stem cell formation could enable us to recapitulate the processes of HSC formation and self-renewal/expansion ex vivo with the ultimate goal of creating an unlimited supply of HSCs from e.g. human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) to be used in therapy. We thus asked: How are hematopoietic stem cells formed and in what cellular niches does this happen (Papers I, II)? What are the molecular mechanisms that govern hematopoietic stem cell development and differentiation (Papers III, IV)? Importantly, we could show that placenta is a major fetal hematopoietic niche that harbors a large number of HSCs during midgestation (Paper I)(Gekas et al., 2005). In order to address whether the HSCs found in placenta were formed there we utilized the Runx1-LacZ knock-in and Ncx1 knockout mouse models (Paper II). Importantly, we could show that HSCs emerge de novo in the placental vasculature in the absence of circulation (Rhodes et al., 2008). Furthermore, we could identify defined microenvironmental niches within the placenta with distinct roles in hematopoiesis: the large vessels of the chorioallantoic mesenchyme serve as sites of HSC generation whereas the placental labyrinth is a niche supporting HSC expansion (Rhodes et al., 2008). Overall, these studies illustrate the importance of distinct milieus in the emergence and subsequent maturation of HSCs. To ensure proper function of HSCs several regulatory mechanisms are in place. The microenvironment in which HSCs reside provides soluble factors and cell-cell interactions. In the cell-nucleus, these cell-extrinsic cues are interpreted in the context of cell-intrinsic developmental programs which are governed by transcription factors. An essential transcription factor for initiation of hematopoiesis is Scl/Tal1 (stem cell leukemia gene/T-cell acute leukemia gene 1). Loss of Scl results in early embryonic death and total lack of all blood cells, yet deactivation of Scl in the adult does not affect HSC function (Mikkola et al., 2003b. In order to define the temporal window of Scl requirement during fetal hematopoietic development, we deactivated Scl in all hematopoietic lineages shortly after hematopoietic specification in the embryo . Interestingly, maturation, expansion and function of fetal HSCs was unaffected, and, as in the adult, red blood cell and platelet differentiation was impaired (Paper III)(Schlaeger et al., 2005). These findings highlight that, once specified, the hematopoietic fate is stable even in the absence of Scl and is maintained through mechanisms that are distinct from those required for the initial fate choice. As the critical downstream targets of Scl remain unknown, we sought to identify and characterize target genes of Scl (Paper IV). We could identify transcription factor Mef2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2 C) as a novel direct target gene of Scl specifically in the megakaryocyte lineage which largely explains the megakaryocyte defect observed in Scl deficient mice. In addition, we observed an Scl-independent requirement of Mef2C in the B-cell compartment, as loss of Mef2C leads to accelerated B-cell aging (Gekas et al. Submitted). Taken together, these studies identify key extracellular microenvironments and intracellular transcriptional regulators that dictate different stages of HSC development, from emergence to lineage choice to aging.
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Heart failure is a common and highly challenging medical disorder. The progressive increase of elderly population is expected to further reflect in heart failure incidence. Recent progress in cell transplantation therapy has provided a conceptual alternative for treatment of heart failure. Despite improved medical treatment and operative possibilities, end-stage coronary artery disease present a great medical challenge. It has been estimated that therapeutic angiogenesis would be the next major advance in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease. Gene transfer to augment neovascularization could be beneficial for such patients. We employed a porcine model to evaluate the angiogenic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C gene transfer. Ameroid-generated myocardial ischemia was produced and adenovirus encoding (ad)VEGF-C or β-galactosidase (LacZ) gene therapy was given intramyocardially during progressive coronary stenosis. Angiography, positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and histology evidenced beneficial affects of the adVEGF-C gene transfer compared to adLacZ. The myocardial deterioration during progressive coronary stenosis seen in the control group was restrained in the treatment group. We observed an uneven occlusion rate of the coronary vessels with Ameroid constrictor. We developed a simple methodological improvement of Ameroid model by ligating of the Ameroid–stenosed coronary vessel. Improvement of the model was seen by a more reliable occlusion rate of the vessel concerned and a formation of a rather constant myocardial infarction. We assessed the spontaneous healing of the left ventricle (LV) in this new model by SPECT, PET, MRI, and angiography. Significant spontaneous improvement of myocardial perfusion and function was seen as well as diminishment of scar volume. Histologically more microvessels were seen in the border area of the lesion. Double staining of the myocytes in mitosis indicated more cardiomyocyte regeneration at the remote area of the lesion. The potential of autologous myoblast transplantation after ischaemia and infarction of porcine heart was evaluated. After ligation of stenosed coronary artery, autologous myoblast transplantation or control medium was directly injected into the myocardium at the lesion area. Assessed by MRI, improvement of diastolic function was seen in the myoblast-transplanted animals, but not in the control animals. Systolic function remained unchanged in both groups.
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Understanding the basis of normal heart remodeling can provide insight into the plasticity of the cardiac state, and into the potential for treating diseased tissue. In Drosophila, the adult heart arises during metamorphosis from a series of events, that include the remodeling of an existing cardiac tube, the elaboration of new inflow tracts, and the addition of a layer of longitudinal muscle fibers. We have identified genes active in all these three processes, and studied their expression in order to characterize in greater detail normal cardiac remodeling. Using a Transglutaminase-lacZ transgenic line, that is expressed in the inflow tracts of the larval and adult heart, we confirm the existence of five inflow tracts in the adult structure. In addition, expression of the Actin87E actin gene is initiated in the remodeling cardiac tube, but not in the longitudinal fibers, and we have identified an Act87E promoter fragment that recapitulates this switch in expression. We also establish that the longitudinal fibers are multinucleated, characterizing these cells as specialized skeletal muscles. Furthermore, we have defined the origin of the longitudinal fibers, as a subset of lymph gland cells associated with the larval dorsal vessel. These studies underline the myriad contributors to the formation of the adult Drosophila heart, and provide new molecular insights into the development of this complex organ. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Resumo:
The effects of preincubation of cut tobacco leaf explants on Agrobacterium transformation efficiency and induction of Agrobacterium virE-lacZ fusion were evaluated. Transformation efficiency was evaluated by histochemical and fluorometric analysis of beta-glucuronidase in leaf rings transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404(pKIWI105). The transformation efficiency increased by 2-fold, 5-fold, and 4.3-fold upon preincubation for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Preincubation for 24, 48, and 72 h increased the ability of tobacco leaf segments to induce Agrobacterium virE by 2.3-fold, 3.5-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively. The requirement of preincubation for increased transformation efficiency was obviated by the addition of 100 mu M acetosyringone to the freshly cut leaf rings cocultivated with Agrobacterium. The production of vii gene inducers by the leaf rings during the preincubation period is an important factor that contributes to increased transformation efficiency of Agrobacterium upon preincubation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Resumo:
The ribosomal P-site hosts the peptidyl-tRNAs during translation elongation. Which P-site elements support these tRNA species to maintain codon-anticodon interactions has remained unclear. We investigated the effects of P-site features of methylations of G966, C967, and the conserved C-terminal tail sequence of Ser, Lys, and Arg (SKR) of the S9 ribosomal protein in maintenance of the translational reading frame of an mRNA. We generated Escherichia coli strains deleted for the SKR sequence in S9 ribosomal protein, RsmB (which methylates C967), and RsmD (which methylates G966) and used them to translate LacZ from its +1 and -1 out-of-frame constructs. We show that the S9 SKR tail prevents both the +1 and -1 frameshifts and plays a general role in holding the P-site tRNA/peptidyl-tRNA in place. In contrast, the G966 and C967 methylations did not make a direct contribution to the maintenance of the translational frame of an mRNA. However, deletion of rsmB in the S9 Delta 3 background caused significantly increased -1 frameshifting at 37 degrees C. Interestingly, the effects of the deficiency of C967 methylation were annulled when the E. coli strain was grown at 30 degrees C, supporting its context-dependent role.
Resumo:
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a family of hsp70 related genes. One member of this family, SSA1, encodes a 70kD heat-shock protein which in addition to its heat inducible expression has a significant basal level of expression. The first 500 bp upstream of the SSA1 start point of transcription was examined by DNAse I protection analysis. The results reveal the presence of at least 14 factor binding sites throughout the upstream promoter region. The function of these binding sites has been examined using a series of 5' promoter deletions fused to the recorder gene lacZ in a centromere-containing yeast shuttle vector. The following sites have been identified in the promoter and their activity in yeast determined individually with a centromere-based recorder plasmid containing a truncated CYC1 /lacZ fusion: a heat-shock element or HSE which is sufficient to convey heat-shock response on the recorder plasmid; a homology to the SV40 'core' sequence which can repress the GCN4 recognition element (GCRE) and the yAP1 recognition element (ARE), and has been designated a upstream repression element or URE; a 'G'-rich region named G-box which can also convey heatshock response on the recorder plasmid; and a purine-pyrimidine alternating sequence name GT-box which is an activator of transcription. A series of fusion constructs were made to identify a putative silencer-like element upstream of SSA1. This element is position dependent and has been localized to a region containing both an ABF1 binding site and a RAP1 binding site. Five site-specific DNA-binding factors are identified and their purification is presented: the heat-shock transcription factor or HSTF, which recognizes the HSE; the G-box binding factor or GBF; the URE recognition factor or URF; the GT-box binding factor; and the GC-box binding factor or yeast Sp1.
Resumo:
植生克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella planticola 19-1)是从新疆鄯善地区玉米根际分离得到的一株联合固氮菌。在40℃高温下有较强的乙炔还原活性。 本工作利用Southern Blot分子杂交技术, 以Klebsiella pneumoniae的nifA为探针,证明了在K.planticola 19-1中存在nifA-like基因,由nifH-lacZ实验推论其nifA-like基因产物对高温相对稳定。经过大质粒电泳和Southern Blot分子杂交,发现nifA-like基因定位于染色体外的大质粒上。本工作进一步克隆了含有K.plonticola 19-1的nifA-like基因的DNA片段,做了它的限制性酶切图谱,并将nifA-like基因初步定位。
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该文用根据瘤菌合成血红素基因hemA,根瘤菌固氨氮酶调节基因nifA,固氮酶结构基因nifKDH,nifH的启动子与lacZ基因融合的质粒,通过三亲交配法将其思入豌豆根据瘤菌.接种烟草发根、烟草植株和水稻。结果表明β-半乳糖苷酶有不同强度的组织化学染色反应,hemA染色最强,其它次之。显微镜观察表明在烟草发根据的维管束中柱鞘细胞、水稻根皮层细胞内和细胞间隙有根瘤菌存在.从根中分离纯化细菌,LacZ染色,再回接豌豆结瘤和根瘤的LacZ染色,证明是LacZ标记基因的豌豆根据瘤菌。由此说明根瘤菌可以侵染非豆科植物烟草和水稻。除了对烟草、水稻根进行LacZ染色外,还对其茎、叶进行了染色,结果也有正反应现象,说明根瘤菌有可能由根向上部分移动。另一方面,说明根瘤蓖的nifA、nifKDH、 nifH的启动子在植物组织也可能起起动作用表达lacZ基因。用上述不同启动子-LacZ标记的豌豆根瘤菌接种烟草,有促进生长发育和提前开花的现象。 对豌豆凝集素基因转烟草的发根,用蛋白免疫原位杂交检测,表明该基因 的转译产物定位在根毛顶端。对发根接种豌豆根瘤菌、菜豆根瘤菌,结果只有 接种豌豆根瘤菌的发根出现瘤状物的结构。对其切片显微镜观察,可见细胞内 和细胞间隙有细菌颗粒存在。由于豌豆凝集素被认为是豌豆植物对其相应的豌 豆根瘤菌的识别因子,本结果初步表明有可能是转基因发根产生的豌豆凝集素 因子识别豌豆根瘤菌的结果。如果进一步得到证明,这一结果才具有重要的科 学意义,表明今后用基因工程的方法有可能扩大根瘤菌的宿主范围,使非豆科 植物有结瘤和固氮的可能性。
Resumo:
二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶/氧化酶(简称Rubisco, EC, 4.1.1.39)是绿色植物光合作用中参与固定CO2的关键酶。在高等植物,该酶是由8个分子量为55KD的大亚基(LSU)和8个分子量为14KD的小亚基(SSU)构成的16聚体。每个大亚基有四个活性中心,具有双向催化功能,其编码基因位于叶绿体基因组大单拷贝区;小亚基功能还不清楚,它由核基因组编码且有几个拷贝;未成熟小亚基N端有一段transit peptide,靠它的定向跨越叶绿体膜。迄今为止,取自几种植物材料的这二种亚基的氨基酸顺序和编码基因的核苷酸顺序分析业已完成。为该酶的遗传操作奠定了必要的基础。 由于Rubisco与人类利用太阳能和提高作物产量直接相关,所以成为通过生物技术进行改造的重大项目。 巢状假囊细菌(Anacyslis nidulans) R2是一种不含限制性内切酶的单细胞原核生物,能营光合作用,其Rubisco大亚基的氨基酸顺序与玉米的LSU同源性高达80%,但是第四个活性部位(Leu 456位)与玉米不同(Sys, 459位),由此导致其对CO2的亲合力降低。另一方面,其rbcL与rbcS仅相隔93个bp,且同属一个操纵子。这意味着有可能用同源DNA片段等位交换的办法来改造其rbcL基因。 根据现有的资料,设计出玉米rbcL与兰藻rbcS定向重组于pUC119的兰图:先从pANP1155中切出0.7kb含蓝藻rbcS的PstI-HindIII片段,克隆进pUC119的lacZ启动子下游得pTAS28,采用Reverse primer作引物进行核苷酸顺序分析,确认蓝藻rbcS基因座落在pTAS28正链上。随后从pZmc460中切出包含玉米rbcL基因1.7kb的BglII-HincII片段,将它插入pTAS28的HincⅡ-BamHⅠ双酶切位点,得到pTMN3;为了比较,在另一个质粒pTMN7于1.7kb片段之前加进0.1kb的PstI-HaeIII蓝藻DNA。根据玉米rbcL基因核苷酸顺序(1218-1251)合成一个Oligonucleotide probe,对这三个质粒的总RNA抽提物进行Northern Blot,得到明显的杂交斑点;接着用菌体总蛋白冻干品进行了Western分析,并以新鲜的玉米和烟草叶片为对照,得到阳性结果。显然这二种基因重组之后仍能在宿主E. coli中正常表达。 真正的挑战应是下一步用上述二种质粒转化兰藻A. nidulans R2,考查其能否整合进基因组并表现出较低的氧化酶活性。
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在集胞藻PCC6803中,基因敲除是研究基因功能的最直接有效的方法,但是对于某些生存必需的基因则无法通过这种方法获得突变株。为研究集胞藻PCC6803中此类基因的功能,在其基因组中构建了一个petE基因启动子(PpetE)控制的铜离子诱导表达的平台。将集胞藻PpetE装配在lacZ报告基因的上游,通过同源双交换整合到这种蓝藻的基因组中。通过调节培养基中铜离子的浓度发现,lacZ的表达能够人为控制。特别是当铜离子浓度在6—400nmol/L范围时,LacZ活力随铜离子浓度增加呈S型增长关系。利用这个铜离子诱
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将来源于嗜盐古菌染色体DNA的启动子片段RM07或RM13插入到启动子探针载体pYLZ_2的报告基因lacZ之前,通过β_半乳糖苷酶酶活性的检测,进一步确证RM07和RM13片段在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中的启动功能。同时用微量热技术检测了大肠杆菌DH5α及其重组菌株在LB培养基中37℃生长过程的热输出功率。T2(pYLZ_2)、TE07(pYL726)、TE07_2(pYL702)、TE131(pYL131)和TE132(pYL132)菌株的生长速率分别比大肠杆菌DH5α降低了6.5