嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌启动子探针载体的构建

目的：为了研究嗜酸氧化亚铁硫杆菌（Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans）启动子结构与功能。方法：以pSV-β-galactosidase质粒为骨架,通过定点突变的方法引入一个新的BstBⅠ单酶切位点,构建能在大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）中正常复制的启动子探针载体。利用PCR的方法将A.ferrooxidans菌cycA2基因上游5＇段上游DNA片段克隆到探针载体β-半乳糖苷酶基因上游以替代其原有启动子（gpt启动子）,并将重组的质粒转化E.coliDH5α菌株。通过检测宿主细胞的β-半乳糖苷酶活性,来鉴定启动子片段,并分析了启动子探针质粒载体的功能及启动子的强度。结果：pSV-β-galactosidase质粒被正确突变,成功构建了启动子探针载体pSVB。来源于A. ferrooxidans菌的启动子片段可驱动β-半乳糖苷酶基因在E.coli细胞中表达,转化子酶活性约为gpt 启动子驱动下活性的70 %。结论：启动子探针载体（pSVB）可用于A. ferrooxidans菌或者其它原核生物启动子的分离及进一步的分析研究。酶活性分析结果表明,来源于A. ferrooxidans菌cycA2基因上游5＇段上游DNA片段具有显著启动子活性。     

大豆脲酶基因片段的无性繁殖

纯化的大豆细胞总DNA及质粒pBR322DNA分别经限制性内切酶HindⅢ切割,并用T_4DNA连接酶连接,进行重组。将重组后的DNA转化Escherichia coli C600。用四环素、环丝氨酸富集法浓缩和筛选对氨基苄青霉素具有抗性而对四环素敏感的重组转化子(Ap~rTc(?))。以酚红的显色反应及以脲素为唯一氮源从Ap~rTc~(?)转化子中筛选具有脲酶活性的无性繁殖系,获得一株转化子E.coli C600(pSH120),并从中分离了重组质粒pSH 120 DNA,经凝胶电泳法测定其分子量为12.9×10~6道尔顿。用重组质粒pSH 120 DNA分别转化E.coil C600和E.coliHB101,均能再产生具有脲酶活性的Ap~rTc(?)重组转化子。     

含色氨酸启动子载体pMM16的构建

在基因工程中,一个好的表达载体(expression vector)必须具有强启动子和插入筛选标志。Edman等构建的ptrpL1载体(图1)虽然含有强启动子一色氨酸(trp)启动子,但没有插入筛选标记。因此,插入重组体的筛选非常困难。细菌必须同时具备半乳糖异构酶、半乳糖转移酶和半乳糖激酶才能发酵半乳糖,这三种酶分别由galE galK和galk基因控制。Mckenney等构建的pKO-6质粒只含有galK基因,且galK基因上游(upstreem)无启动子(图1),故galK基因不能表达,此质粒转化galE~ T~ K~-细胞(如E.coli RR1)不能与宿主细胞发生互补发酵     

利用木糖和葡萄糖合成乙醇的新型重组大肠杆菌的研究

利用PCR方法从运动发酵单孢菌染色体DNA扩增出乙醇合成途径的关键酶基因pdc、adhB,分别用tac启动子控制表达,构建了可以在Escherichia coli JM109中表达的重组质粒pKK-PA、pEtac-PA.初步的乙醇发酵结果表明,在E.coli中只引入adhB基因不能拓宽其中的产乙醇途径,引入pdc基因可以与宿主自身的ADH酶协同作用,使碳流有效导向产乙醇方向.同时引入pdc、adhB基因可以在宿主E.coli中成功建立产乙醇途径.     

E.coli galk和gpt基因重组质粒(pIDB103)导入金鱼受精卵内的研究

用显微注射法把含有E.coli galk和gpt基因的环状和线状重组DNApIDB103分别导入金鱼受精卵的细胞质内。这些注射过的卵子一般都能正常发育。从各不同发育时期的胚胎分离DNA与~(32)P标记的pIDB103探针杂交表明,导入的环状外源重组DNA在胚胎发育的早期,绝大部分以各种环状构型存在。从原肠胚晚期开始,它们逐渐形成串联状高分子量DNA。在尾芽期仍能检测到它们的序列。但尚未证明,它们是否与受体的染色体DNA发生整合。我们从囊胚期的胚胎中回收到了能转化大肠杆菌的环状重组DNA,它的酶切图谱和pIDB103极其相似。导入金鱼受精卵内的线状重组质粒pIDB103,除少量DNA与金鱼的染色体DNA可能发生整合外,其余绝大部分也形成高分子量DNA。     

草生欧文氏菌(E.herbicola)CSH1065质粒的重组标记及Fib基因的遗传转移

利用DNA分子克隆技术及遗传重组方法,在E.herbicola CSH1065质粒上插入了Km_R及Mob基因,利用细菌间的接合转移,使E.herbicola CSH1065质粒转移到E.coli HB101中,从而获得了E.herbicola CSH1065的Fib(fungi inhibition)基因在E.coli HB101中的表达,进一步证明E.herbicola CSH1065 Fib基因功能只涉及其细胞内的大质粒,与其染色体基因组无关,其黄色色素基因与Fib功能无关。这些结果还为DNA分子杂交方法所证实。     

大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶I结合重金属的特性及功能影响

【背景】大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶Ⅰ(Escherichia coli topoisomerase I,E.coli TopA)在DNA复制、转录、重组和基因表达调控等过程发挥关键作用。研究表明E.coli TopA只有结合锌离子才具有活性,然而E.coli TopA能否结合其他金属离子尤其是重金属离子,以及结合其他金属后是否具有活性,目前仍不清楚。【目的】探究大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶Ⅰ是否结合环境中常见重金属离子,研究重金属离子结合E.coli TopA蛋白后对其活性的影响。【方法】在分别添加有锌、钴、镍、镉、铁、汞、砷、铬、铅、铜离子的M9基础培养中表达、纯化出E.coli TopA蛋白,并对纯化得到的蛋白用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪进行相应金属离子含量的测定;利用表达E.coli TopA锌指结构的突变体蛋白鉴定重金属离子的结合位点;通过体外超螺旋DNA松弛实验测定不同金属结合E.coli TopA的拓扑异构酶活性;通过测定蛋白内源性荧光推测不同金属结合E.coli TopA的空间构象差异。【结果】E.coli TopA在体内除了能结合锌和铁之外,还能够结合钴、镍、镉3种离子,但是不能结合汞、砷、铬、铅、铜离子。钴、镍、镉结合形式的E.coli TopA,每个蛋白分子最多可以结合3个相应的金属离子,他们与TopA蛋白的结合位点也是位于3个锌指结构域,而且每个锌指结构域结合1个金属离子。此外,E.coli TopA结合钴、镍、镉离子后,其DNA拓扑异构酶活性并未受到影响,可能是由于钴、镍、镉离子结合形式的E.coli TopA蛋白,其空间构象与锌结合形式相比并未发生显著变化。【结论】由于DNA拓扑异构酶在维持细胞正常生理功能中发挥关键作用,研究表明E.coli TopA的功能不会受到常见重金属的干扰(不结合或者结合后活性无影响),这也有可能是大肠杆菌在进化过程中产生的对抗环境中重金属离子毒害作用的一种自我保护和耐受机制,具有重要的生理意义。     

大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶Ⅰ结合重金属的特性及功能影响

【背景】大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶Ⅰ(Escherichia coli topoisomerase I,E.coli TopA)在DNA复制、转录、重组和基因表达调控等过程发挥关键作用。研究表明E.coli TopA只有结合锌离子才具有活性,然而E.coli TopA能否结合其他金属离子尤其是重金属离子,以及结合其他金属后是否具有活性,目前仍不清楚。【目的】探究大肠杆菌拓扑异构酶Ⅰ是否结合环境中常见重金属离子,研究重金属离子结合E.coli TopA蛋白后对其活性的影响。【方法】在分别添加有锌、钴、镍、镉、铁、汞、砷、铬、铅、铜离子的M9基础培养中表达、纯化出E.coli TopA蛋白,并对纯化得到的蛋白用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪进行相应金属离子含量的测定;利用表达E.coli TopA锌指结构的突变体蛋白鉴定重金属离子的结合位点;通过体外超螺旋DNA松弛实验测定不同金属结合E.coli TopA的拓扑异构酶活性;通过测定蛋白内源性荧光推测不同金属结合E.coli TopA的空间构象差异。【结果】E.coli TopA在体内除了能结合锌和铁之外,还能够结合钴、镍、镉3种离子,但是不能结合汞、砷、铬、铅、铜离子。钴、镍、镉结合形式的E.coli TopA,每个蛋白分子最多可以结合3个相应的金属离子,他们与TopA蛋白的结合位点也是位于3个锌指结构域,而且每个锌指结构域结合1个金属离子。此外,E.coli TopA结合钴、镍、镉离子后,其DNA拓扑异构酶活性并未受到影响,可能是由于钴、镍、镉离子结合形式的E.coli TopA蛋白,其空间构象与锌结合形式相比并未发生显著变化。【结论】由于DNA拓扑异构酶在维持细胞正常生理功能中发挥关键作用,研究表明E.coli TopA的功能不会受到常见重金属的干扰(不结合或者结合后活性无影响),这也有可能是大肠杆菌在进化过程中产生的对抗环境中重金属离子毒害作用的一种自我保护和耐受机制,具有重要的生理意义。     

基于转录组学分析大肠杆菌中purR基因缺失对胞苷合成代谢的影响

胞苷可作为功能营养化学品与药物合成原料,具有重要的应用价值。大肠杆菌中由purR基因编码的DNA结合转录抑制因子对胞苷合成代谢有重要调控作用。采用CRISPR/Cas9技术敲除大肠杆菌purR基因,并通过转录组学分析突变菌株基因表达的差异。结果表明,从出发菌株E.coli NXBG-12基因组上成功敲除了purR基因,获得了突变菌株E.coli NXBG-17P。对突变菌株E.coli NXBG-17P与E.coli NXBG-12的转录组学结果进行对比分析,发现有534个差异基因,其中上调基因302个、下调基因232个;GO分析显示,差异表达基因(DEGs)主要富集于细胞膜、ATP结合、DNA结合和水解酶活性的代谢过程;KEGG分析表明,上调基因主要富集在果糖和甘露糖代谢、嘧啶代谢和磷酸转移酶系统,下调基因主要富集在氧化磷酸化、半乳糖代谢和肽聚糖的生物合成。同时,突变菌株E.coli NXBG-17P在37℃摇瓶发酵40 h,测定胞苷浓度为(3.21±0.01) g/L,是出发菌株E.coli NXBG-12的1.58倍。这表明突变菌株E.coli NXBG-17P胞苷产量升高,可能...     

Transfer of the Epstein-Barr virus genes coding for small RNAs to human lymphoid cells with a vector carrying a dominant selectable marker.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative, Burkitt-like lymphoma-derived cells were transformed with a transducing vector (pSV2-gpt) containing the Escherichia coli gene coding for xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT) and with a derivative of PSV2-gpt that carries the genes for the EBV-associated small RNAs on the EcoRI J fragment of B95-8 EBV DNA inserted at the unique EcoRI site (pJ-gpt). Cells transformed with PSV2-gpt and pJ-gpt express the E. coli gpt gene to approximately the same extent, judged by determinations of the XGPRT activity of cell extracts. Blot hybridisation experiments with restriction endonuclease-cleaved DNA from the transformants have revealed the presence of vector DNA sequences in the cells, at least some of which are most probably integrated into high mol. wt. chromosomal DNA. Northern blot hybridisation analysis of cytoplasmic RNA from pJ-gpt-transformed cells revealed the presence of an EcoRI J DNA complementary RNA species of the same size as the EBV DNA-encoded small RNAs found in EBV-transformed cells.     

Expression of adenovirus E1a and E1b gene products and the Escherichia coli XGPRT gene in KB cells

The recombinant plasmid pSV2-gpt, which contains the Escherichia coli XGPRT gene under the control of a simian virus 40 early promoter, was modified to contain the type 2 adenovirus (Ad2) XhoI-C (0 to 15.5 map units) restriction endonuclease fragment. Plasmid (pLB206) DNA was introduced into human KB cells by Ca2+-mediated DNA transfection, and transformants were selected in medium containing xanthine, aminopterin, and mycophenolic acid, as a consequence of expression of the dominant, selectable XGPRT gene. A series of 13 gpt+ cell lines were isolated and tested for their ability to complement Ad5 deletion mutants in E1a (H5dl312) and E1b (H5dl315). Four classes of gpt+ KB cell lines were identified, including clones constitutively expressing both E1a and E1b, only E1a, or only E1b or not expressing either E1a or E1b. DNA and RNA filter transfer hybridization analysis substantiated the conclusions that those cell lines capable of complementing viral host range mutants contained the appropriate viral DNA sequences and cytoplasmic polyadenylated RNA species. DNA filter transfer hybridization studies also revealed that the transfected vector DNA was stably integrated into chromosomal DNA in the KB transformants and the number of integrated sites ranged from 1 to 3. The gpt+ KB cell line that only expressed E1b gene functions only contained viral E1b gene sequences; those cell lines that expressed neither E1a nor E1b gene function contained only small or no regions of Ad2 DNA. When weaned off the selective medium, transformed KB cell lines stably maintained their inserted DNA in the absence of selective pressure and could easily be adapted to growth in suspension culture.     

Stable transformation of mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells with the dominant selective marker Eco.gpt and retention of their developmental potentialities

Transformation of PCC4 mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells was obtained using a dominant selective marker, the enzyme xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT), coded by the bacterial Eco.gpt gene placed under the control of the early SV40 genes in the vector pSV2gpt. An average of 20 colonies of transformed cells was obtained, using the calcium phosphate technique, 10 microg DNA vector, no carrier DNA and 1 x 10(6) recipient cells. Five independent Eco.gpt-transformed PCC4 cell lines were propagated in selective medium and assayed for XGPRT activity. All of them had the ability to convert [14C]xanthine to xanthine monophosphate. pSV2gpt sequences were present and associated with high mol. wt. cellular DNA. pSV2gpt sequences and XGPRT activity were both conserved in the three clones that were propagated in non-selective medium for 30 generations. The transformed PCC4 cells retained their ability to produce, in host mice, teratocarcinoma tumors composed of embryonal carcinoma and various differentiated tissues. Thus, pSV2gpt can be used as a dominant marker to select teratocarcinoma stem cells co-transformed with genes that are not selectable by themselves.     

Expression, purification and analysis of the activity of enzymes from the pentose phosphate pathway

RNAs, more than ever before, are increasingly viewed as biomolecules of the future, in the versatility of their functions and intricate three-dimensional folding. To effectively study them by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, structural biologists need to tackle two critical challenges of spectral overcrowding and fast signal decay for large RNAs. Stable-isotope nucleotide labeling is one attractive solution to the overlap problem. Hence, developing effective methods for nucleotide labeling is highly desirable. In this work, we have developed a facile and streamlined source of recombinant enzymes from the pentose phosphate pathway for making such labeled nucleotides. The Escherichia coli (E. coli) genes encoding ribokinase (RK), adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT), xanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (XGPRT), and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) were sub-cloned into pET15b vectors. All four constructs together with cytidine triphosphate synthetase (CTPS) and human phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase isoform 1 (PRPPS) were transformed into the E. coli BL21(AI) strain for protein over-expression. The enzyme preparations were purified to >90% homogeneity by a one-step Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, without the need of a further size-exclusion chromatography step. We obtained yields of 1530, 22, 482, 3120, 2120 and 2280 units of activity per liter of culture for RK, PRPPS, APRT, XGPRT, UPRT and CTPS, respectively; the specific activities were found to be 70, 22, 21, 128, 144 and 113 U/mg, respectively. These specific activities of these enzyme constructs are comparable to or higher than those previously reported. In addition, both the growth conditions and purification protocols have been streamlined so that all the recombinant proteins can be expressed, purified and characterized in at most 2 days. The availability and reliability of these constructs should make production of fully and site-specific labeled nucleotides for making labeled RNA accessible and straightforward, to facilitate high-resolution NMR spectroscopic and other biophysical studies.     

Identification and characterization of a gene responsible for inhibiting propagation of methylated DNA sequences in mcrA mcrB1 Escherichia coli strains.

Identifying and eliminating endogenous bacterial enzyme systems can significantly increase the efficiency of propagation of eukaryotic DNA in Escherichia coli. We have recently examined one such system which inhibits the propagation of lambda DNA rescued from transgenic mouse tissues. This rescue procedure utilizes lambda packaging extracts for excision of the lambda DNA from the transgenic mouse genome, as well as E. coli cells for subsequent infection and propagation. This assay, in combination with conjugal mating, P1 transduction, and gene cloning, was used to identify and characterize the E. coli locus responsible for this difference in efficiency. It was determined that the E. coli K-12 mcrB gene when expressed on a high-copy-number plasmid can cause a decrease in rescue efficiency despite the presence of the mcrB1 mutation, which inactivates the classic McrB restriction activity. (This mutation was verified by sequence analysis.) However, this McrB1 activity is not observed when the cloned mcrB1 gene is inserted into the E. coli genome at one copy per chromosome. A second locus was identified which causes a decrease in rescue efficiency both when expressed on a high-copy-number plasmid and when inserted into the genome. The data presented here suggest that this locus is mrr and that the mrr gene product can recognize and restrict cytosine-methylated sequences. Removal of this DNA region including the mrr gene from E. coli K-12 strains allows high rescue efficiencies equal to those of E. coli C strains. These modified E. coli K-12 plating strains and lambda packaging extract strains should also allow a significant improvement in the efficiency and representation of eukaryotic genomic and cDNA libraries.     

Gene engineering by selectable intraplasmid recombination: construction of novel dihydrofolate reductase minigenes

An intraplasmid recombination system in Escherichia coli has been designed to make possible the engineering of various genes using methods that greatly reduce dependence on appropriately placed restriction enzyme sites. This system has been used to manipulate intervening sequences in dihydrofolate reductase minigenes and to vary the number of 48-bp repeats in the promoter region. In this method, the two fragments to be recombined are cloned into a plasmid separated by a fragment of DNA containing an expressible galactokinase-encoding gene (galK). Selection for loss of the galK gene, but for retention of the plasmid in E. coli, results in a plasmid in which the two fragments have undergone homologous recombination. Several new plasmids are reported here which contain an expressible galK gene flanked by multiple restriction sites. These plasmids should be useful in recombination and as convenient sources of a gene for which both positive and negative selections are available in E. coli.     

DNA vaccine of SARS-Cov S gene induces antibody response in mice

The spike (S) protein, a main surface antigen of SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is one of themost important antigen candidates for vaccine design. In the present study, three fragments of the truncated S protein were expressed in E. coli, and analyzed with pooled sera of convalescence phase of SARS patients. The full length S gene DNA vaccine was constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice. The mouse serum IgG antibody against SARS-CoV was measured by ELISA with E. coli expressed truncated S protein or SARS-CoV lysate as diagnostic antigen. The results showed that all the three fragments of S protein expressed by E. coli was able to react with sera of SARS patients and the S gene DNA candidate vaccine could induce the production of specific IgG antibody against SARS-CoV efficiently in mice with seroconversion ratio of 75% after 3 times of immunization. These findings lay some foundations for further understanding the immunology of SARS-CoV and developing SARS vaccines.     

Construction of a high-copy "ATG vector" for expression in Escherichia coli.

We report the construction of an inducible, high-copy plasmid for the expression of foreign proteins in Escherichia coli. This plasmid, pPB1, combines the trc promoter, beta-galactosidase translation start site, and polylinker of pKK233-2 with the origin of replication region of pUC19. Replacement of the origin of replication of pKK233-2 results in a threefold increase in plasmid copy number of pPB1 compared with pKK233-2. Subclones of the cDNA for rabbit muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (E.C. 4.1.2.13) in the two expression plasmids exhibit a comparable difference in copy number. An increase in protein expression measured by SDS-PAGE and aldolase specific activities reflects the increased copy number. Specific activities of aldolases in bacterial extracts differ approximately sixfold between the two expression plasmids in E. coli JM83. Aldolase A can compose up to 40% of the total protein in E. coli JM83 when expressed in pPB1, from which more than 100 mg of purified enzyme can be obtained per liter culture.     

Expression of the yeast galactokinase gene in Escherichia coli.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the genes for three of the enzymes involved in galactose metabolism are tightly linked near the centromere of chromosome II (Douglas and Hawthorne, 1964). However, the molecular mechanisms which control the expression of these genes are not well understood. A DNA fragment containing at least one of these yeast genes, the galactokinase gene (gal1), has been joined to the bacterial plasmid pBR322 and maintained in an Escherichia coli strain that carries a deletion in its own galactokinase gene, galK. The presence of the yeast gene was demonstrated by (i) complementation of the E. coli galactokinase deletion, (ii) by hybridization of the cloned DNA fragment to restriction enzyme digests of total yeast DNA and (iii) by assaying for yeast galactokinase activity in bacterial cell extracts. The yeast DNA fragment is 4700 base pairs long, and enables the host E. coli K-12 strain to grow in minimal medium containing galactose as the sole carbon source with a generation time of 14.3 h. The yeast galactokinase activity in the bacterial extracts is 0.7% of the bacterial galactokinase activity found in wild-type E. coli fully induced with fucose.