Search PubMedSearch

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “vector engineering”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Efficient expression in insect cells of a soluble, active human insulin receptor protein-tyrosine kinase domain by use of a baculovirus vector.

The human insulin receptor (IR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, whose cytoplasmic domain contains an insulin-activated protein-tyrosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.112). By the use of an appropriately engineered baculovirus expression vector, a soluble cytoplasmic derivative of this domain was expressed in the insect cell line Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9). At 24 to 48 h after Sf9 cells were infected with recombinant virus, a protein of the size expected for this domain (approximately 48 kilodaltons) constituted a major band when total cell lysates of metabolically labeled cells were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. This protein (designated AchIRPTK) was immunoprecipitated by three monoclonal antibodies, each of which recognizes a distinct antigenic site of the IR cytoplasmic domain and requires the native structure of the protein for recognition and one of which binds at or near the physiologically relevant site(s) of IR autophosphorylation. In vivo, AchIRPTK was phosphorylated on both tyrosine and serine residues. When affinity purified, the kinase was active in vitro; it autophosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine residues, and phosphorylated the exogenous substrates histone H2b and poly(Glu-Tyr). The expression of an active IR protein-tyrosine kinase molecule in this heterologous cell system provides an efficient experimental method for producing this domain in quantity for enzymatic and structural studies.

Animals

Internal translation initiation in the design of improved expression vectors.

The discovery of a novel, cap-independent mechanism of translation used by picornavirus mRNAs has led to new advances in the engineering of mammalian expression vectors. It is now possible to express several proteins in a coordinate fashion from a single mRNA. Improved expression vectors suitable for virus-mediated transfer and direct DNA transfer are described.

Animals

Expression and purification of biologically active v-sis/platelet-derived growth factor B protein by using a baculovirus vector system.

Malignant transformation induced by simian sarcoma virus is mediated by its v-sis protein, the monkey homolog of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain. By use of an appropriately engineered baculovirus expression vector, the v-sis protein was expressed in the insect cell line Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) at a level 50- to 100-fold higher than that observed with overexpression in mammalian-cell transfectants. The sis protein produced by Sf9 cells underwent processing similar to that observed in mammalian cells, including efficient disulfide-linked dimer formation. Moreover, the recombinant sis protein was capable of binding PDGF receptors and inducing DNA synthesis as efficiently as PDGF-B synthesized by mammalian cells. A significant fraction of sis protein was released from Sf9 cells, which made possible a one-step immunoaffinity purification to near homogeneity with a 40% recovery of biological activity. These results demonstrate that a protein whose normal processing requires both intrachain and interchain disulfide-bridge formation can be efficiently expressed in a biologically active form in insect cells by using a baculovirus vector system.

Amino Acid Sequence

Molecular methods for environmental monitoring and containment of genetically engineered microorganisms.

Plans to introduce genetically engineered microorganisms into the environment has led to concerns over safety and has raised questions about how to detect and to contain such microorganisms. Specific gene sequences, such as lacZ, have been inserted into genetically engineered microorganisms to permit their phenotypic detection. Molecular methods have been developed based upon recovery of DNA from environmental samples and gene probe hybridization to specific diagnostic gene sequences for the specific detection of genetically engineered microorganisms. DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction has been applied to enhance detection sensitivity so that single gene targets can be detected. Detection of messenger RNA has permitted the monitoring of gene expression in the environment. The use of reporter genes, such as the lux gene for bioluminescence, likewise has permitted the observation of gene expression. Conditional lethal constructs have been developed as models for containment of genetically engineered microorganisms. Suicide vectors, based upon the hok gene have been developed as model containment systems.

Bacteria

Trans-activation of class II (I-A alpha) gene by I-A beta gene transfection using bovine papilloma virus as a shuttle vector system.

We have engineered a bovine papilloma virus to carry the class II MHC (A beta d) gene. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into various mouse B cell hybridomas by co-transfecting with the neomycin-resistance gene. Several transfectants which received only the beta-chain gene of I-Ad, expressed I-Ad proteins on the cell surface. Their presence was determined by direct immunofluorescence and by Northern blot hybridization as well as RNA dot blot hybridization. These I-Ad molecules could induce IL-2 production in I-Ad restricted T cell hybridomas. When I-Ad molecules are expressed on the cell surface of the transfectants, they become fully active in inducing the I-Ad restricted T cell response. The original B cell hybridomas used for transfection possessed the alpha and beta chain genes of the I-Ad molecule but there are no transcripts of these genes in the cell. We suppose that many copies of the transfected beta-chain gene or its product may also induce production of cellular alpha-chain gene products and thereby induce expression of the I-Ad molecule on the cell surface.

Animals

Characterization of the drug resistance plasmid NTP16.

A functional and physical analysis of the multicopy plasmid NTP16 is presented. The plasmid-encoded drug resistance determinants are located, as are regions encoding the origin of replication, incompatibility functions, copy number determinants, and mobility functions. It is demonstrated that NTP16 probably arose from the closely related plasmid NTP1 by the acquisition of a novel kanamycin resistance transposon, Tn4352, followed by deletion of some NTP1 sequences. The incompatibility behavior of NTP16 derivatives indicates a system of control rather more complex than that which operates in ColE1. In addition to the RNA I/primer RNA system, the production of a further trans-acting product is demonstrated and its site of action located. A series of derivative plasmids have been created which may prove useful as vectors for genetic engineering.

Ampicillin

Characterization of the glycoprotein D gene products of equine herpesvirus 1 using a prokaryotic cell expression vector.

The gene encoding equine herpesvirus 1 (equine abortion virus; EHV-1) glycoprotein D was engineered into the prokaryotic vector pEX, and expressed as a beta-galactosidase fusion product, which was recognized by pooled equine sera and anti-EHV-1 rabbit sera. Antibodies raised against the EHV-1 gD fusion product identified strong bands in infected cells at 66 and 68 K and at 138 K in purified virus, thus characterizing the several forms of this major envelope glycoprotein which is an important candidate for inclusion in subunit vaccines.

Animals

Single-step purification of polypeptides expressed in Escherichia coli as fusions with glutathione S-transferase.

Plasmid expression vectors have been constructed that direct the synthesis of foreign polypeptides in Escherichia coli as fusions with the C terminus of Sj26, a 26-kDa glutathione S-transferase (GST; EC 2.5.1.18) encoded by the parasitic helminth Schistosoma japonicum. In the majority of cases, fusion proteins are soluble in aqueous solutions and can be purified from crude bacterial lysates under non-denaturing conditions by affinity chromatography on immobilised glutathione. Using batch wash procedures several fusion proteins can be purified in parallel in under 2 h with yields of up to 15 micrograms protein/ml of culture. The vectors have been engineered so that the GST carrier can be cleaved from fusion proteins by digestion with site-specific proteases such as thrombin or blood coagulation factor Xa, following which, the carrier and any uncleaved fusion protein can be removed by absorption on glutathione-agarose. This system has been used successfully for the expression and purification of more than 30 different eukaryotic polypeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence

Standardisation in the Analytical Characterization of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has become a leading vector for in vivo gene therapy, with eight products currently holding marketing authorization. As the field rapidly evolves, the need for robust analytical methods to characterize critical quality attributes (CQAs)-including capsid titer, genome titer, capsid content (empty/full ratio), identity, and purity-continues to grow. Reference Standard Materials (RSMs) play a pivotal role by providing well-characterized, standardized AAV batches that serve as universal benchmarks. RSMs facilitate the validation of emerging analytical technologies, ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of routine assays, and enable inter-laboratory comparability. However, developing universal AAV RSMs is fundamentally constrained by the complex biology, diversity of serotypes, vector genomes, and engineered capsid variants, necessitating serotype-specific and application-specific standards. Recent advances, including the release of pharmacopeial AAV8 reference standards characterized by multiple orthogonal methods, represent meaningful progress toward measurement harmonisation. This review addresses the critical need for RSMs in AAV gene therapy, evaluates the currently available pharmacopeial and commercial standards, and outlines practical strategies for in-house RSM development. Establishing robust, serotype-specific AAV RSMs and harmonised standard operating protocols (SOPs) are essential for advancing AAV gene therapy and ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and safety across research, development, and clinical manufacturing.

Dependovirus

Use of phi X174 as a shuttle vector for the study of in vivo mammalian mutagenesis.

The most promising new techniques for the study of in vivo mammalian mutagenesis make use of transgenic mice carrying a recoverable vector. Mutation systems in mammals can be based on the selection of altered phenotypes among cells sampled from the whole animal, but they are then limited to the very few cell types in which the marker gene is expressed. Such systems require both in vivo and in vitro cell proliferation for expression and verification of the mutations. To avoid these complications, the study of mutations in most tissues must be based on the detection of genetic alterations in a vector that is independent of the phenotype of the mammalian cell. The vector is only a small portion of the mammalian genome, and many of the procedures for recovering the vector are inhibited by the host DNA. For this reason, partial purification is necessary. The purification is made possible by using vectors which are not cut by restriction enzymes that cut the host DNA to pieces of an average size considerably smaller than the vector. The efficiency for measuring mutation frequencies depends on the number of vectors which can be recovered from a certain amount of DNA and is affected by the number of vectors per mammalian genome and the transfection efficiency of the partially-purified vector. In order to avoid selection against or for the spontaneous or induced mutations, the transfection efficiency of the vector from the transformed DNA and of the pure vector DNA should be of the same order of magnitude. Differences in the response to mutagens between the mammalian genome and the procaryotic vector may be expected due to the lack of unique mammalian topographical features in the vectors. Any mutation induction which depends preferentially on these unique features of the mammalian genome may not be detected in a shuttle vector system unless the vector has been engineered or specifically designed to include such topographical characters. The shortcoming of short-term tests that use mutagenicity for predicting human carcinogenicity is usually lack of correlation between mutagenesis in the short-term tests and the corresponding results in carcinogenesis bioassays in mammals. One factor which could contribute to the lack of correlation between the short-term test systems and the bioassays is that we are comparing mutations in totally different genes in different organisms. By using the phi X174 shuttle system, one of the variables may be eliminated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

A targeting sequence for dense secretory granules resides in the active renin protein moiety of human preprorenin.

Human renin plays an important role in blood pressure homeostasis and is secreted in a regulated manner from the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney in response to various physiological stimuli. Many aspects of the regulated release of renin (including accurate processing of prorenin to renin, subcellular targeting of renin to dense secretory granules, and regulated release of active renin) can be reproduced in mouse pituitary AtT-20 cells transfected with a human preprorenin expression vector. Using protein engineering, we have attempted to define the roles of various structures in prorenin that affect its production and trafficking to dense core secretory granules, resulting in its activation and regulated secretion. Replacement of the native signal peptide of human preprorenin with that of a constitutively secreted protein (immunoglobulin M) had no apparent effect on either the constitutive secretion of prorenin or the regulated secretion of active renin in transfected AtT-20 cells. Removal of the pro segment resulted in a marked reduction in total renin secretion, but did not prevent renin from entering the regulated secretory pathway. Single or combined mutations in the two glycosylation sites of human renin did not prevent its regulated secretion; however, the complete elimination of glycosylation resulted in a significant increase in the ratio of renin/prorenin secreted by the transfected cells. Thus, these results suggest that 1) at least one of the sequences that target human renin to dense secretory granules lies within the protein moiety of active renin; 2) the presence of the pro segment is important for efficient prorenin and renin production; and 3) glycosylation can quantitatively affect the proportion of active renin secreted.

Animals

Reconstituted viral envelopes--'Trojan horses' for drug delivery and gene therapy?

Reconstituted viral envelopes (RVEs) are formed by solubilizing intact virus in detergent and reassembling the envelope on removal of detergent. RVEs can be formed in the presence of agents that become encapsulated and can then be utilized in vitro and in vivo for drug delivery, cell destruction, transfer of membrane components, and as vectors for genetic engineering. The problems with biotechnological applications of RVEs and possible strategies for overcoming them are discussed in this article.

Animals

Development and preclinical evaluation of a decoy DLL4-encoding oncolytic HSV-1 for high-grade glioma.

Preclinical and clinical investigation of oncolytic HSV-1 (oHSV) treatment for cancer has indicated increased Notch signaling in tumors after treatment. Since Notch activation often heralds cancer cell stemness, angiogenesis, and invasion, the induction of this pathway after oHSV virotherapy can support tumor growth and limit response to virotherapy. Here, we evaluated the impact of blocking DLL4, a Notch ligand, on virotherapy. Matched tumor biopsies pre- and post-oHSV (CAN-3110, NCT03152318) treatment revealed an induction of DLL4 post-therapy. We observed that expression of a recombinant soluble decoy DLL4 (sDLL4) could block Notch activation in tumor cells. Thus, we engineered an oHSV vector designed to encode soluble DLL4 (OVsDLL4) to block ligand-mediated Notch signaling. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that, relative to control oHSV, OVsDLL4 blocked Notch and sprouting angiogenesis pathways after treatment. Despite slower virus replication in vitro, OVsDLL4 cytotoxicity remained effective against tumor cells. Transcriptome profiling also indicated a significant dysregulation of metabolic pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and glutathione metabolism, in accordance with increased oxygen consumption observed by Seahorse analysis in cells expressing sDLL4. OVsDLL4-treated cells further showed increased reactive oxygen species relative to control oHSV-treated cells. Co-culture of infected tumor cells with immune cells revealed that OVsDLL4 treatment polarized them toward an inflammatory phenotype. In vivo, the therapeutic efficacy of OVsDLL4 was underscored, as treatment of glioma-bearing mice resulted in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival.

Journal Article

The interaction of Agrobacterium Ti-plasmid DNA and plant cells.

The tumour-inducing plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Ti-plasmids) reveal several interesting properties. They are catabolic plasmids, which, instead of rendering Agrobacterium strains capable of catabolizing compounds found in Nature, force a plant to synthesize these catabolites (denoted 'opines'). This situation is obtained by insertion of a segment of the Ti-plasmid (the T-DNA) into the plant nucleus, where T-DNA genes become expressed and intervene in the biosynthesis of these opines. Cells containing the T-DNA behave as neoplasms (crown gall cells). Southern blotting shows that the insertion process responsible for T-DNA transfer probably recognizes special sequences on the T-DNA since the length of the T-DNA segment observed in different, independently isolated tumour lines was found to be similar. For the nopaline Ti-plasmids both left-hand and right-hand borders were found to be constant. For the octopine plasmid the left border was constant and at least two classes of right-hand borders were found. Upon redifferentiation of the transformed plant cells, the T-DNA was found to be conserved in all somatic cells examined. However, small deletions at the border fragments of the T-DNA have been observed. The exact arrangement and copy number of the T-DNA in a nucleus is still under study, but genomic cloning has already revealed that an interspersed tandem arrangement is dominant in nopaline tumours. Clones containing both the right border of one T-DNA and the left border of the neighbouring tandem T-DNA were isolated. In order to identify the different T-plasmid encoded functions an extensive use was made of transposon insertion mutagenesis. When an antibiotic resistance transposon was inserted into the non-essential regions of the T-DNA, a linked transfer to the plant DNA of the transposon together with the T-DNA was observed. This indicates that Ti-plasmids are possible vectors for genetic engineering in plants. A strategy is described for insertion of any cloned DNA segment into the T-DNA.

Amino Acids