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Vectors for gene expression and amplification in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

New vector systems were developed for gene expression in Y. lipolytica. These plasmids contain: (a) as integration target sequences, either a rDNA region or the long terminal repeat zeta of the Y. lipolytica retrotransposon Ylt1; (b) the YlURA3 gene as selection marker for Y. lipolytica, either as the non-defective ura3d1 allele for single integration or the promotor truncated ura3d4 allele for multiple integration; (c) the inducible ICL1 or XPR2 promoters for gene expression; and (d) unique restriction sites for gene insertion. Multiple plasmid integration occurred as inserted tandem-repeats, which are present at 3-39 copies per cell. A correlation between gene copy number and the expressed enzyme activity was demonstrated with Escherichia coli lacZ as reporter gene under the control of the regulated ICL1 promoter. Increases in copy numbers from 5 to 13 for the lacZ expression cassettes resulted in an up to 10-11-fold linear increase of the beta-galactosidase activity in multicopy transformants during their growth on ethanol or glucose, compared with the low-copy replicative plasmid transformants (1.6 plasmid copies). These new tools will enhance the interest in Y. lipolytica as an alternative host for heterologous protein production.

Chromosomes, Fungal↗

Site-directed, recombination-mediated mutagenesis of a complex gene locus.

We have generated a site-specific 17 bp insertion within a 38 kb chick globin gene cluster by employing the recombination abilities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This gene cluster contains four beta-type globin genes which share a high degree of sequence homology. In this procedure, a small fragment of beta A-globin DNA containing a 17 bp insertion is subcloned into a URA3-based yeast integrating vector (YIp). This mutated globin subclone is introduced into cells that carry the 38 kb globin cluster clone on a single-copy, circular vector derived from a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC). Insertion of the 17 bp oligomer is achieved by targeted integration of the Ylp subclone. The recombinant contains the normal beta A-globin gene, the mutant gene and Ylp vector sequences between the two copies. Excision of the vector sequences and one copy of the duplicated globin sequences by homologous recombination is required for cell survival when exposed to the selective agent 5-fluoroorotic acid, which is toxic to ura+ yeast cells. Depending upon the point of the cross-over, a ura- yeast cell bearing either a wild-type globin gene or a 17 bp insertion mutation will result. By restriction mapping and in vitro transcription analysis, the beta A-globin gene containing the 17 bp insert has no nonspecific mutations generated during the recombination and selection procedures. Specific mutations of regulatory regions, including protein-DNA binding sites, can be accurately targeted within extensive DNA clones by this method.

Animals↗

Homologous recombination and stable transfection in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei.

Development of methods for the manipulation of the genomes of parasitic protozoa will lead to enhanced understanding of parasite biology and host-parasite relationships. Efficient gene transfer and targeted integration by homologous recombination were achieved in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of sleeping sickness. An expression vector with the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (neo), under the control of a procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) gene promoter, was targeted into an intergenic region in beta alpha-tubulin-gene tandem array. Sixteen copies of neo were found in a tandem array in one of the transfectants where the PARP promoter controlled alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription of neo, whereas transcription of tubulin genes remained alpha-amanitin-sensitive.

Amanitins↗

A p5 integration efficiency element mediates Rep-dependent integration into AAVS1 at chromosome 19.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) undergoes site-specific integration into human chromosome 19 through a deletion-substitution mechanism at the well characterized AAVS1 site. We have shown previously that a cis element within the left end of the AAV genome enhances the efficiency of Rep-mediated site-specific integration into chromosome 19 when present in inverted terminal repeat-containing recombinant AAV (rAAV) plasmids. We now demonstrate that a 138-bp cis element, the p5 integration efficiency element (p5IEE), mediates efficient integration. The p5IEE is not only required for efficient site-specific integration, it is also sufficient. Integration mediated by the p5IEE occurs in the absence of the AAV inverted terminal-repeat elements. The data presented in this study demonstrate that the p5IEE is a multifunctional element, serving as the highly regulatable Rep promoter and the primary substrate for targeted integration.

Base Sequence↗

Cleavage of intracellular substrates of botulinum toxins A, C, and D in a mammalian target tissue.

The objective of the current study was to determine whether the intracellular targets that mediate the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin at the mammalian neuromuscular junction are the same as those identified in nontarget tissues. Previous studies of this nature have been limited to nontarget tissues because of the perceived low abundance of neural proteins in a neuromuscular preparation. In the current study we have used differential centrifugation to concentrate neural proteins in a synaptosomal-enriched fraction from the mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. Immunoblot detection revealed the presence of discrete immunoreactive bands corresponding to SNAP-25, synaptobrevin II, and syntaxin I in the innervated region of the neuromuscular preparation. The ability of these proteins to serve as botulinum toxin substrates in neuromuscular tissue was determined by measuring toxin-induced proteolysis. Exposure of the intact hemidiaphragm preparation to botulinum serotypes A, C, and D (10(-8) M, 5-6-h exposure) resulted in significant reductions in SNAP-25 (67%), syntaxin I (56%), and synaptobrevin II (72%) immunoreactivity, respectively. The toxin-induced proteolysis was specific for each serotype examined. Collectively, these findings provide direct confirmation that botulinum toxin targets integral components of the molecular machinery mediating neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that studies of this nature on the intracellular action of botulinum toxin have been extended to a recognized mammalian target tissue preparation.

Animals↗

Validation of caprine H11 and the Rosa26 platform for transgene integration via CRISPR-based system: investigations on stable transgene expression and genetic biosafety.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology is an efficient tool for site-specific livestock gene editing. However, to minimize potential disruption of host genome function, exogenous genes should be integrated into well-characterized genomic loci, such as H11 or Rosa26, which have been empirically validated for stable transgene expression. This study established a multi-dimensional assessment system to evaluate the biological applicability of the H11 locus and the widely used Rosa26 targeting platform as sites for targeted integration of exogenous genes in goats. Donor cells carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene at the H11 and Rosa26 loci were generated via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair; this was followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer to produce transgenic cloned embryos and healthy offspring. Multi-dimensional analyses revealed the following. At the cellular level, there was stable and efficient EGFP expression at integration sites, with donor cells maintaining normal cell cycle progression, proliferation capacity, and apoptosis levels, and with no alterations in the transcriptional integrity of adjacent genes. At the embryonic level, there was sustained EGFP expression across pre-implantation embryonic stages, with developmental metrics statistically indistinguishable from wild-type embryos. Finally, at the individual level, cloned offspring exhibited growth phenotypes consistent with wild-type counterparts, and EGFP showed broad-spectrum expression in eight tissues. This study establishes the first CRISPR/Cas9-based crossscale (cellular-embryonic-individual) validation in goats, demonstrating that the H11 and Rosa26 loci support efficient and stable transgene integration in goats. These results provide a precise and predictable technical framework for livestock genetic improvement.

Animals↗

Topoisomerase I involvement in illegitimate recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Chromosome aberrations may cause cancer and many heritable diseases. Topoisomerase I has been suspected of causing chromosome aberrations by mediating illegitimate recombination. The effects of deletion and of overexpression of the topoisomerase I gene on illegitimate recombination in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been studied. Yeast transformations were carried out with DNA fragments that did not have any homology to the genomic DNA. The frequency of illegitimate integration was 6- to 12-fold increased in a strain overexpressing topoisomerase I compared with that in isogenic control strains. Hot spot sequences [(G/C)(A/T)T] for illegitimate integration target sites accounted for the majority of the additional events after overexpression of topoisomerase I. These hot spot sequences correspond to sequences previously identified in vitro as topoisomerase I preferred cleavage sequences in other organisms. Furthermore, such hot spot sequences were found in 44% of the integration events present in the TOP1 wild-type strain and at a significantly lower frequency in the top1delta strain. Our results provide in vivo evidence that a general eukaryotic topoisomerase I enzyme nicks DNA and ligates nonhomologous ends, leading to illegitimate recombination.

Base Sequence↗

Naturally occurring substitutions of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 3' LTR influence strand-transfer reaction.

Having isolated somatically mutated HTLV-1 3' LTR sequences from six infected individuals, the effect of these mutations on the integration process in vitro was investigated. Double-strand pre-processed HTLV-1 3' LTR ends (53-54 bp) were used in an in vitro strand-transfer reaction, together with HTLV-1 purified integrase and using a synthetic double-strand naked DNA oligonucleotide as target. Integration efficiency was measured by a fluorescent PCR assay. No significant difference in the pattern of strand transfer was observed between the distinct patients consensus sequences. For each patient, the effect of acquired somatic mutations was then assessed by comparing the strand-transfer efficiency of the mutated sequences (n=8, each harboring one to two substitutions) with that of the corresponding patient consensus sequence. Five somatic mutations or deletions at positions 7, 10, 21, 30, and 53 from the proviral 3' end did not alter the reaction efficiency. By contrast, a single G-->A transition at position 52 was found to result in 33% gain of function. Furthermore, a C-->T transition at 41 bp from the provirus 3' end decreased the reaction efficiency by 80%. This is the first study investigating the effect of naturally acquired substitutions on the strand-transfer capacity of long LTR sequences in vitro. Disproving the hitherto assumed opinion that integration specificity is restricted to the extreme boundary of the LTR end, i.e. the last 12-20 bp of the unintegrated provirus, the present results demonstrate that naturally occurred substitutions of the HTLV-1 LTR can alter significantly its strand-transfer capacity.

Base Sequence↗

Targeted rearrangement of a chromosomal repeat sequence by transfection of a homologous DNA sequence using purified integrase.

Using a liposomal transfection with purified bovine leukemia virus (BLV) integrase, we observed an efficient DNA rearrangement of a chromosomal repeat sequence and targeted integration of a part of the transfected plasmid. The BLV integrase recognition sequence (IRS) including the 3' end of the BLV LTR U5, one of the sites cleaved by the integrase, was essential for the DNA rearrangement, and a sequence homologous to the chromosomal DNA neighboring the repeat target site had to be placed downstream of the IRS on the transfected plasmid. The pSV2neo DNA, including the pBR322 sequence preintegrated into L929 cells (primary transfectants), was rearranged by a secondary transfection of a pBR322-based hygromycin-resistance plasmid carrying the IRS. We present a model to explain the chromosomal DNA rearrangement of the primary clones through a homologous recombination-like reaction and amplification of the neighboring sequences.

Animals↗

[The research progress of zebrafish gene engineering].

The research progress of zebrafish gene engineering is reviewed, in including the recent explosion status of transgenic zebrafish lines, transgeneic zebrafish in targeted screens, the development of transgenic technology in zebrafish as well as the current hotspots and future perspective of zebrafish gene engineering. By now the zebrafish gene engineering, nuclear transplantation and chromosome set manipulation technologies have been established in China. With firm foundation of zebrafish cytogenetics and embryology, we will obtain gene engineering zebrafish with gene targeting integration and promote the advancement and development of biotechnology in applied research field in near future.

Animals↗

Targeted disruption of Gnas in embryonic stem cells.

Mutations in the gene encoding the stimulatory G protein of adenylyl cyclase (G alpha(s)) are present in subjects with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, a syndrome of characteristic developmental defects and, in some patients, resistance to multiple hormones that stimulate cAMP accumulation (pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia). As the first step in generating a model of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, the gene encoding G alpha(s) (Gnas) was disrupted in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by homologous recombination. Northern blot analysis and immunoblot analysis demonstrated that steady-state levels of G alpha(s) messenger RNA and G alpha(s) protein in targeted ES cells were approximately 50% of levels in untargeted ES cells. In response to 10 microM forskolin and to various concentrations of isoproterenol (0.1-3.0 microM), cAMP accumulation was reduced in the G alpha(s) knockout ES cell lines, relative to wild-type ES cells and to five of six ES cell lines with randomly integrated targeting vector. These results support the role of G alpha(s) haploinsufficiency in reducing the ability of hormones to generate cAMP in subjects with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia. The targeted disruption of Gnas in mouse ES cells establishes an in vitro system for further studies of the role of G alpha(s) and cAMP coupled signal transduction in differentiation and development.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

A stable complex between integrase and viral DNA ends mediates human immunodeficiency virus integration in vitro.

Retroviral replication depends on integration of the viral genome into a chromosome of the host cell. The steps in this process are orchestrated in vivo by a large nucleoprotein complex and are catalyzed by the retroviral enzyme integrase. Several biochemical properties of the in vivo nucleoprotein complex were reproduced in vitro with purified integrase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and model viral DNA substrates. A stable complex between integrase and viral DNA was detected as an early intermediate in the integration reaction. After formation of this initial complex, the enzyme processively catalyzed the 3' end processing and strand transfer steps in the reaction. Complexes containing only purified integrase and the model viral DNA end were stable under a variety of conditions and efficiently used nonviral DNA molecules as integration targets. These complexes required a divalent cation for their formation, and their stability was highly dependent on the 5'-terminal dinucleotide of the viral DNA, for which no functional role has previously been defined. Thus, interactions between integrase and the extreme ends of the viral DNA molecule may be sufficient to account for the stability of the in vivo integration complex.

Base Sequence↗

Stable secondary structure near the nicking site for adeno-associated virus type 2 Rep proteins on human chromosome 19.

Adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV-2) can preferentially integrate its DNA into a 4-kb region of human chromosome 19, designated AAVS1. The nicking activity of AAV-2's Rep68 or Rep78 proteins is essential for preferential integration. These proteins nick at the viral origin of DNA replication and at a similar site within AAVS1. The current nicking model suggests that the strand containing the nicking site is separated from its complementary strand prior to nicking. In AAV serotypes 1 through 6, the nicking site is flanked by a sequence that is predicted to form a stem-loop with standard Watson-Crick base pairing. The region flanking the nicking site in AAVS1 (5'-GGCGGCGGT/TGGGGCTCG-3' [the slash indicates the nicking site]) lacks extensive potential for Watson-Crick base pairing. We therefore performed an empirical search for a stable secondary structure. By comparing the migration of radiolabeled oligonucleotides containing wild-type or mutated sequences from the AAVS1 nicking site to appropriate standards, on native and denaturing polyacrylamide gels, we have found evidence that this region forms a stable secondary structure. Further confirmation was provided by circular dichroism analyses. We identified six bases that appear to be important in forming this putative secondary structure. Mutation of five of these bases, within the context of a double-stranded nicking substrate, reduces the ability of the substrate to be nicked by Rep78 in vitro. Four of these five bases are outside the previously recognized GTTGG nicking site motif and include parts of the CTC motif that has been demonstrated to be important for integration targeting.

Base Pairing↗

Inhibition of Moloney murine leukemia virus integration using polyamides targeting the long-terminal repeat sequences.

The retroviral integrase (IN) carries out the integration of the viral DNA into the host genome. Both IN and the DNA sequences at the viral long-terminal repeat (LTR) are required for the integration function. In this report, a series of minor groove binding hairpin polyamides targeting sequences within terminal inverted repeats of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) LTR were synthesized, and their effects on integration were analyzed. Using cell-free in vitro integration assays, polyamides targeting the conserved CA dinucleotide with cognate sites closest to the terminal base pairs were effective at blocking 3' processing but not strand transfer. Polyamides which efficiently inhibited 3' processing and strand transfer targeted the LTR sequences through position 9. Polyamides that inhibited integration were effective at nanomolar concentrations and showed subnanomolar affinity for their cognate LTR sites. These studies highlight the role of minor groove interactions within the LTR termini for retroviral integration.

Animals↗

Identification of the origin of replication of the Mycoplasma pulmonis chromosome and its use in oriC replicative plasmids.

Mycoplasma pulmonis is a natural rodent pathogen, considered a privileged model for studying respiratory mycoplasmosis. The complete genome of this bacterium, which belongs to the class Mollicutes, has recently been sequenced, but studying the role of specific genes requires improved genetic tools. In silico comparative analysis of sequenced mollicute genomes indicated the lack of conservation of gene order in the region containing the predicted origin of replication (oriC) and the existence, in most of the mollicute genomes examined, of putative DnaA boxes lying upstream and downstream from the dnaA gene. The predicted M. pulmonis oriC region was shown to be functional after cloning it into an artificial plasmid and after transformation of the mycoplasma, which was obtained with a frequency of 3 x 10(-6) transformants/CFU/ micro g of plasmid DNA. However, after a few in vitro passages, this plasmid integrated into the chromosomal oriC region. Reduction of this oriC region by subcloning experiments to the region either upstream or downstream from dnaA resulted in plasmids that failed to replicate in M. pulmonis, except when these two intergenic regions were cloned with the tetM determinant as a spacer in between them. An internal fragment of the M. pulmonis hemolysin A gene (hlyA) was cloned into this oriC plasmid, and the resulting construct was used to transform M. pulmonis. Targeted integration of this genetic element into the chromosomal hlyA by a single crossing over, which results in the disruption of the gene, could be documented. These mycoplasmal oriC plasmids may therefore become valuable tools for investigating the roles of specific genes, including those potentially implicated in pathogenesis.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Metformin and its liver targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Although a number of assessments disagree, the preponderance of the evidence indicates that the major therapeutic action of metformin in type 2 diabetes (DM2) is on the liver, and glucose production (EGP) in particular. At the level of this organ, the actions of metformin can be characterized as pleiotropic. The major questions addressed here are therefore: (i) the methodological aspects of the determination of glucose fluxes: when glucose production is not found to be elevated in type 2 diabetes, it is not surprising that little action of metformin on this flux is found. The issues of populations examined, experimental protocols, and quantitative methods of flux determination are important in answering this question. Early morning EGP is increased and constitutes a valid target for metformin. (ii) the multiple targets of metformin: metformin acts at a number of sites and interacts with metabolites and hormones. Some of these actions may be expressed at different doses. Although their net effect is therapeutic, not all are oriented towards lowering hyperglycemia, perhaps explaining the more modest effect of this drug than could be anticipated from individual actions. Sites of metformin action can therefore be considered as a compilation of valid therapeutic targets in DM2. Gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and glycogen synthesis can be altered by metformin, although in vivo, this also depends on the methodology. Component processes from substrate supply and liver uptake, through a number of glucogenic enzymes, as well as glycogen synthase and phosphorylase have all been shown to be affected. (iii) unifying concepts: reported actions of metformin on the mitochondrial respiratory chain, free fatty acid metabolism, AMP-activated protein kinase, and on membrane proteins directly may all explain subsets of actions that are seen, providing more integrated targets for consideration in the therapy of DM2.

Animals↗

Reproducible doxycycline-inducible transgene expression at specific loci generated by Cre-recombinase mediated cassette exchange.

Comparative analysis of mutants using transfection is complicated by clones exhibiting variable levels of gene expression due to copy number differences and genomic position effects. Recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) can overcome these problems by introducing the target gene into pre-determined chromosomal loci, but recombination between the available recombinase targeting sites can reduce the efficiency of targeted integration. We developed a new LoxP site (designated L3), which when used with the original LoxP site (designated L2), allows highly efficient and directional replacement of chromosomal DNA with incoming DNA. A total of six independent LoxP integration sites introduced either by homologous recombination or retroviral delivery were analyzed; 70-80% of the clones analyzed in hamster and human cells were correct recombinants. We combined the RMCE strategy with a new, tightly regulated tetracycline induction system to produce a robust, highly reliable system for inducible transgene expression. We observed stable inducible expression for over 1 month, with uniform expression in the cell population and between clones derived from the same integration site. This system described should find significant applications for studies requiring high level and regulated transgene expression and for determining the effects of various stresses or oncogenic conditions in vivo and in vitro.

Animals↗

A long terminal repeat retrotransposon of fission yeast has strong preferences for specific sites of insertion.

The successful dispersal of transposons depends on the critical balance between the fitness of the host and the ability of the transposon to insert into the host genome. One method transposons may use to avoid the disruption of coding sequences is to target integration into safe havens. We explored the interaction between the long terminal repeat retrotransposon Tf1 and the genome of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using techniques that were specifically designed to detect integration of Tf1 throughout the genome and to avoid bias in this detection, we generated 51 insertion events. Although 60.2% of the genome of S. pombe is coding sequence, all but one of the insertions occurred in intergenic regions. We also found that Tf1 was significantly more likely to insert into intergenic regions that included polymerase II promoters than into regions between convergent gene pairs. Interestingly, 8 of the 51 insertion sites were isolated multiple times from genetically independent cultures. This result suggests that specific sites in intergenic regions are targeted by Tf1. Perhaps the most surprising observation was that per kilobase of nonrepetitive sequence, Tf1 was significantly more likely to insert into chromosome 3 than into one of the other two chromosomes. This preference was found not to be due to differences in the distribution or composition of intergenic sequences within the three chromosomes.

Base Sequence↗