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Chimeric prion protein expression in cultured cells and transgenic mice.

The efficient expression of exogenous prion protein (PrP) molecules in mouse neuroblastoma cells that are chronically infected with murine scrapie prions (ScN2a cells; Butler, D.A., et al., 1988, J. Virol. 62, 1558-1564) and in transgenic mice is described. This technology allows investigation of the PrP molecule for structural regions involved in determining species specificity, as well as ablation experiments designed to address the functionality of particular regions of the PrP molecule. Previous reports demonstrated that the PrP gene specifies the host range for susceptibility of transgenic animals to prions (Scott, M., et al., 1989, Cell 59, 847-857; Prusiner, S.B., et al., 1990, Cell 63, 673-686). Consistent with these results, we showed that Syrian hamster (SHa) PrP is ineligible for efficient conversion to PrPSc in ScN2a cells. By constructing a series of chimeric mouse (Mo)/SHaPrP genes, we developed an epitopically tagged functional variant of the MoPrP gene, which can efficiently form protease-resistant PrP molecules upon expression in ScN2a cells. The presence of a defined epitope for an SHa-specific monoclonal antibody allows the products of this chimeric gene to be discriminated from endogenous MoPrP and creates a useful reagent for exploring structure/function relationships via targeted mutagenesis. In addition, we developed a transgenic mouse expression vector by manipulation of an SHaPrP cosmid clone. This vector permits the efficient expression of foreign PrP genes in the brains of transgenic animals, enabling pathological consequences of in vitro mutagenesis to be studied.

Animals

The Tn10-encoded tetracycline resistance mRNA contains a translational silencer in the 5' nontranslated region.

We performed a mutational analysis of the left half of Tn10-encoded tet operator O2, located in the 5' nontranslated region of the mRNA for the resistance protein TetA, and determined the importance of that region for translation efficiency and mRNA stability. Transcriptional fusions of 17 mutants to lacZ expressed the same amounts of beta-galactosidase, while translational fusions varied 35-fold in expression efficiency. The mRNA half-lives varied 24-fold, with 9.6 min for the most highly expressed mRNA and 0.4 min for the least efficiently expressed mRNA. Toeprint experiments were performed to distinguish whether these mutations define a determinant of mRNA stability or influence translation initiation. The highly expressed mRNA was 24-fold more efficient in forming the initiation complex in vitro than the low-expression mutant. It was concluded that this sequence, albeit located upstream of the ribosome-binding sequence, is an important determinant for efficient initiation of translation. Secondary-structure calculations of the mRNAs revealed no correlation of the potential to form double strands masking the ribosome-binding sequence with expression efficiency.

Base Sequence

Targeting expression to the mammary gland: intronic sequences can enhance the efficiency of gene expression in transgenic mice.

We are studying the tissue-specific expression of the sheep milk-whey protein gene, beta-lactoglobulin. We have used sequences derived from this gene to target the expression of biomedical proteins into milk with the intention to exploit this technology in transgenic sheep as a means of protein production. In the present study, a series of beta-lactoglobulin hybrid genes and beta-lactoglobulin minigenes were evaluated for expression in the mammary gland of transgenic mice. In particular, we have assessed whether there is a requirement for introns for efficient transgene expression in the mammary gland, since the coding sequences of many candidate proteins are available only as cDNAs. The results suggest that the inclusion of natural introns in constructs can enhance the efficiency of transgene expression. Thus, a hybrid construct comprising 4.3 kb of the immediate 5' flanking sequences of beta-lactoglobulin fused to a genomic minigene encoding human alpha-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) was expressed much more efficiently than an alpha 1AT-cDNA construct containing the same beta-lactoglobulin segment. Similarly, the intact beta-lactoglobulin gene was expressed more efficiently than the corresponding intronless beta-lactoglobulin minigene. This effect was not seen in transient expression experiments in baby hamster kidney cells when beta-lactoglobulin-alpha 1AT constructs were driven by SV40 enhancer sequences. The effect cannot be explained by a simple requirement for splicing, since the inclusion of the first beta-lactoglobulin intron into cDNA constructs encoding human alpha 1AT or beta-lactoglobulin itself failed to enhance the efficiency of transgene expression. It is concluded that sequence elements within introns may interact with the upstream 5' flanking sequences of beta-lactoglobulin and enable the latter to function efficiently in the mammary gland of transgenic mice.

Animals

Construction of a broad host range shuttle vector for gene cloning and expression in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and other Pasteurellaceae.

We have constructed a pair of broad host range expression vectors, pJFF224-NX and pJFF224-XN, based on plasmid RSF1010, which enable cloning and efficient expression of genes in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Pasteurella haemolytica and in Escherichia coli. The vectors consist of the minimal autonomous replicon of the broad host range plasmid RSF1010 and a type II chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene for chloramphenicol resistance selection. In addition, they contain a gene expression cassette based on the E. coli bacteriophage T4 gene 32 promoter region and a transcription stop signal, which are separated by a segment of multiple cloning sites in both orientations. Electroporation and subsequent selection for chloramphenicol resistance was used for the introduction of the vectors in A. pleuropneumoniae and P. haemolytica. A promoterless xy/E gene from the Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid was cloned onto pJFF224-NX. This plasmid enabled efficient expression of active catechol2,3oxygenase in A. pleuropneumoniae and P. haemolytica. It was stably maintained in A. pleuropneumoniae without antibiotic selection, showing less than 0.1% loss after 100 generations, while native RSF1010 and other RSF1010-based vectors were unstable in this host.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

Construction of a new family of high efficiency bacterial expression vectors: identification of cDNA clones coding for human liver proteins.

Construction of a family of bacterial expression vectors, pEX1-3, is described. These vectors are derived from a cro-lacZ gene fusion plasmid which expresses large quantities of fusion protein under the control of the PR promoter of bacteriophage lambda. A polylinker has been engineered into the 3' end of the lacZ gene in all three translational reading frames, and stop signals for transcription and translation inserted, so that any open reading frame DNA may be expressed as a hybrid beta-galactosidase protein. cDNA fragments cloned in these vectors can be detected with an efficiency of greater than 1 in 3, thus enabling the detection of rare cDNA molecules. In addition, the low solubility of hybrid proteins leads to a rapid isolation procedure allowing antibodies of pre-determined specificity to be made against expressed regions of cloned DNA. We describe the cloning of albumin and complement C9 genes from a human cDNA library using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.

Bacteriophage lambda

Efficient synthesis of enzymatically active calf chymosin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have constructed a high-efficiency expression vector to direct the synthesis of heterologous polypeptides in yeast. The vector is termed a sandwich expression vector as the heterologous gene is inserted between the 5' and 3' control regions of the efficiently expressed yeast PGK gene. We have used this vector to direct the expression of three derivatives of the calf chymosin cDNA gene; preprochymosin, prochymosin and chymosin. Prochymosin is synthesised to at least 5% of total yeast-cell protein and furthermore, it can be readily activated to produce an enzyme which has milk-clotting activity.

Animals

Cloning of a LEU gene and an ARS site of Rhodotorula glutinis.

Genomic library of DNA from an extracellular protease-producing yeast strain, Rhodotorula glutinis K-24, was constructed, using Escherichia coli plasmid vector PBR322. A LEU gene from R. glutinis was cloned, and found to complement leu- mutations in E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In E. coli, the LEU gene in the cloned yeast DNA fragment was efficiently expressed when inserted into the vector in one orientation. In S. cerevisiae, the R. glutinis LEU gene was efficiently expressed when inserted into a shuttle vector YEP13 in both orientations, suggesting that the isolated R. glutinis DNA fragment contains a promotor sequence of R. glutinis in front of the LEU gene. In addition, our data suggests that the cloned LEU fragment also contains an ARS (autonomously replication sequence) site of R. glutinis that could function in S. cerevisiae.

Blotting, Southern

Analysis of the role of 5' and 3' flanking sequence elements upon in vivo expression of the plant tRNATrp genes.

We have isolated the majority (seven) of the tRNA(Trp) genes of Arabidopsis and have studied the 5' and 3' flanking sequence requirements for their efficient expression in vivo by using an assay requiring translational suppression of the luciferase reporter gene. The expressed tRNA(Trp) genes contain no highly conserved 5' flanking sequences; however, these sequences are distinctly AT rich, contain several possible TATA elements, and are bound in vitro by recombinant plant TATA binding protein. Replacement of the natural 5' flanking sequences with three different sequences lacking TATA elements reduced expression in vivo up to 10-fold; the same effect was observed when the TATA elements of the natural 5' sequences were inactivated by point mutations. Introduction of a single TATA element from the adenovirus major late promoter into an artificial 5' flanking region of the tRNA(Trp) gene enhanced expression in vivo when the TATA element was placed at position -32 relative to the first nucleotide of the mature tRNA sequence, but not when it was placed at position -24. Primer extension analyses of in vitro transcripts revealed that the position of the TATA element helps dictate the start site of transcription. Efficient expression of the tRNA genes in vivo also required 3' flanking sequences capable of terminating transcription.

Arabidopsis

Regulated expression allows high level production and secretion of HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein in Drosophila Schneider cells.

We have established a stable, continuous culture Drosophila Schneider 2 cell line that efficiently expresses a secreted, truncated form of the HIV envelope gp120 protein in a regulated manner. The Drosophila produced recombinant gp120 protein is highly glycosylated, is recognized by gp120-specific monoclonal antibodies, binds to the CD4 receptor and has the ability to inhibit syncytia formation between uninfected CD4+ cells and HIV infected cells. We conclude that this recombinant Drosophila envelope protein is an appropriate mimic of the authentic viral envelope protein. Thus, the Drosophila cell provides a continuous, stable culture system for the efficient expression of secreted forms of complex surface glycoproteins in quantities sufficient for detailed analyses.

Amino Acid Sequence

Cell-specific posttranslational events affect functional expression at the plasma membrane but not tetrodotoxin sensitivity of the rat brain IIA sodium channel alpha-subunit expressed in mammalian cells.

The rat brain IIA Na+ channel alpha-subunit was expressed and studied in mammalian cells. Cells were infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) carrying the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase gene and were transfected with cDNA encoding the IIA Na+ channel alpha-subunit under control of a T7 promoter. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording showed that functional IIA channels were expressed efficiently (approximately 10 channels/microns2 in approximately 60% of cells) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes but were expressed poorly in undifferentiated BC3H1 cells and failed to express in Ltk- cells. However, voltage-dependent Drosophila Shaker H4 K+ channels and Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase were expressed efficiently in all four cell types with VV vectors. Because RNA synthesis probably occurs without major differences in the cytoplasm of all infected cell types under the control of the T7 promoter and T7 polymerase, we conclude that cell type-specific expression of the Na+ channel probably reflects differences at posttranslational steps. The gating properties of the IIA Na+ currents expressed in cardiac myocytes differed from those expressed in CHO cells; most noticeably, the IIA Na+ currents displayed more rapid macroscopic inactivation when expressed in cardiac myocytes. These differences also suggest cell-specific posttranslational modifications. IIA channels were blocked by approximately 90% by 90 nM TTX when expressed either in CHO cells or in cardiac myocytes; the latter also continued to display endogenous TTX-resistant Na+ currents. Therefore, the TTX binding site of the channel is not affected by cell-specific modifications and is encoded by the primary amino acid sequence.

Animals

Recombinant gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells transduced by retroviral vectors.

Endothelial cells are attractive targets for gene transfer because of their immediate contact with the bloodstream, and, therefore, they might serve as vehicles for therapeutic drug delivery. Recently, we and others reported that endothelial cells of animal origin efficiently express both secretory and nonsecretory recombinant proteins. We now show that human endothelial cells are also capable of expressing a recombinant gene following transduction with retroviral vectors. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were transduced with either the N2 or the SAX vector. Following selection with G418, cells transduced by both vectors were found to express neophosphotransferase activity, the product of the neomycin resistance gene. The fact that a recombinant gene can be readily inserted and efficiently expressed into human endothelial cells suggests that these cells may be able to serve a role in human gene therapy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Retinoic acid causes a decline in TGF-alpha expression, cloning efficiency, and tumorigenicity in a human embryonal cancer cell line.

The human teratocarcinoma NTERA-2 cl. D1 (NT2/D1) cell is a cloned multipotential embryonal cancer cell line that differentiates into a neuronal phenotype and other cellular lineages with retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Here we report that mRNA for the transforming growth factor-alpha is expressed in these RA-untreated cells and that RA-treatment results in a reduction of mRNA expression within 24 hr of treatment. In total cellular RNA, TGF-alpha mRNA is not detectable by Northern analysis at 6 days when there is increased expression of the human homeotic genes Hu-1 (Hox 2.1) and Hu-2 (Hox 2.2), known markers of RA response in NT2/D1 cells. RA treatment also causes a marked reduction in cloning efficiency and tumorigenicity of these cells. The addition of TGF-alpha or EGF (epidermal growth factor) protein to RA-untreated NT2/D1 cells augments soft agar cloning under limited fetal calf serum conditions. Blocking monoclonal antibodies directed against the EGF receptor (EGFr) can prevent this augmentation. We conclude that TGF-alpha expression inversely correlates with the state of RA-induced differentiation of this human teratocarcinoma cell and that TGF-alpha and EGF proteins are stimulatory growth factors in NT2/D1 cells under these culture conditions.

Cell Differentiation

Multiple elements in the upstream glucokinase promoter contribute to transcription in insulinoma cells.

beta-cell type-specific expression of the upstream glucokinase promoter was studied by transfection of fusion genes and analysis of DNA-protein interactions. A construct containing 1,000 bp of 5'-flanking DNA was efficiently expressed in HIT M2.2.2 cells, a beta-cell-derived line that makes both insulin and glucokinase, but not in NIH 3T3 cells, a heterologous cell line. In a series of 5' deletion mutations between bases -1000 and -100 (relative to a base previously designated +1), efficient expression in HIT cells was maintained until -280 bp, after which transcription decreased in a stepwise manner. The sequences between -180 and -1 bp contributing to transcriptional activity in HIT cells were identified by studying 28 block transversion mutants that spanned this region in 10-bp steps. Two mutations reduced transcription 10-fold or more, while six reduced transcription between 3- and 10-fold. Three mutationally sensitive regions of this promoter were found to bind to a factor that was expressed preferentially in pancreatic islet beta cells. The binding sites, designated upstream promoter elements (UPEs), shared a consensus sequence of CAT(T/C)A(C/G). Methylation of adenine and guanine residues within this sequence prevented binding of the beta-cell factor, as did mutations at positions 2, 3, and 5. Analysis of nuclear extracts from different cell lines identified UPE-binding activity in HIT M2.2.2 and beta-TC-3 cells but not in AtT-20, NIH 3T3, or HeLa cells; the possibility of a greatly reduced amount in alpha-TC-6 cells could not be excluded. UV laser cross-linking experiments supported the beta-cell type expression of this factor and showed it to be approximately 50 kDa in size. Gel mobility shift competition experiments showed that this beta-cell factor is the same that binds to similar elements, termed CT boxes, in the insulin promoter. Thus, a role for these elements (UPEs or CT boxes), and the beta-cell factor that binds to them, in determining the expression of genes in the beta cells of pancreatic islets is suggested.

3T3 Cells

Biosynthesis of reovirus-specified polypeptides. Efficiency of expression of cDNAs of the reovirus S1 and S4 genes in transfected animal cells differs at the level of translation.

Full-length cDNAs of the reovirus serotype 1 Lang strain S1 and S4 genes were cloned in Escherichia coli using bacteriophage M13 and expressed in monkey COS cells under the control of the SV40 late promoter using the eukaryotic expression vector pJC119. The s1-encoded sigma 1 and s4-encoded sigma 3 gene products were expressed in transfected COS cells and were indistinguishable from the authentic sigma 1 and sigma 3 polypeptides synthesized in reovirion-infected COS cells. The relative translational efficiencies of the s1 and s4 mRNAs in transfected COS cells were similar to the efficiencies observed in virion-infected cells; the s4 mRNA was translated approximately five times more efficiently than the s1 mRNA. Our results suggest that the differential translation of the reovirus s1 and s4 mRNAs in vivo may be attributed to intrinsic structural properties of the individual mRNAs and is independent of competition with other viral mRNAs.

Animals

Production and characterization of functional domains of human fibronectin expressed in Escherichia coli.

An efficient expression system was constructed in Escherichia coli that produced a 33-kDa fragment, C-274, of human fibronectin with a strong cell-adhesive activity. The entire sequence of the heparin-binding domain with 271 amino acids, H-271, was also expressed. Deletion analysis of the type III repeats showed that the heparin-binding site was at type III-13. The cell-adhesive activity of a fusion protein, CH-271, containing the cell- and the heparin-binding domains was twice that of C-274 when BHK but not B16-F10 melanoma cells were tested; H-271 alone was inactive. Recombinant proteins containing the CS1 sequence of the IIICS region were more active than C-274 and CH-271 with B16-F10. However, H-296, which contained both H-271 and CS1, was almost inactive with BHK. CH-296, which contained CS1 at the C-terminus of CH-271, was more active with B16-F10 than H-296 and C-CS1, which was produced by the deletion of H-271 from CH-296. Thus, the cell-binding domain was active with both kinds of cells. The heparin-binding domain promoted the adhesion of both kinds of cells only when linked to the cell-binding domain or CS1. CS1 was specific for the adhesion of B16-F10 but was not essential.

Animals

Expression of a mouse U1b gene in mouse L cells.

A 6.9-kb DNA fragment containing two mouse U1b genes was introduced by cotransfection with the Herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) gene into tk- mouse L cells. The parent Ltk- cells produce primarily U1a RNA and only small amounts of U1b RNA. However, after introduction of exogenous U1b genes by cotransfection these cells express large amounts of U1b RNA. Subcloned DNA fragments containing a single U1b gene and varying amounts of DNA flanking the 5' -end of the gene were introduced into Ltk- cells. All of the constructs containing 400 bp or more upstream of the U1b gene were efficiently expressed. By comparison, a subclone containing only 150 bp of DNA flanking the 5' -end of the U1b gene was not efficiently expressed. The U1b transcripts synthesized in transfected cells were identified by hybrid selection and by precipitation of ribonucleoproteins (RNP) containing U1 RNA with anti-RNP antibody.

Animals

Two-step transformation of rat 3Y1 cells by the adenovirus E1A and E1B genes.

The transformation of rodent cells by the adenovirus E1A and E1B genes was very efficient when these genes were physically linked. When they were cleaved, the transformation became very inefficient. To clarify this difference, the chimeric E1B genes in which either the adenovirus enhancer or the human beta-actin promoter was linked to the 5' side of the E1B gene were introduced into rat 3Y1 cells. The saturation density of these cell lines (eB or APrB) was similar to that of parental 3Y1 cells. When eB or APrB cell lines were supertransfected with the E1A gene, discrete dense foci were developed after 5-6 weeks, while the supertransfection of 3Y1 derivative cell lines, in which the enhancer-unlinked E1B gene was introduced, did not develop any dense foci. Analysis of the E1A and E1B transcripts in these cell lines indicated that the E1B gene is efficiently expressed in the presence of the E1A gene products if the enhancer is linked to the E1B gene and that an increased level of E1B proteins is required for an efficient expression of the E1A gene. These results indicated that E1A and E1B genes in separate pieces of DNA are capable of cooperatively transforming 3Y1 cells if appropriate cis-acting elements are attached and high-level expressions are achieved.

Actins

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene expression in human cells and anti-HBx antibodies detection in chronic HBV infection.

All mammalian hepatitis B virus genomes contain an open reading frame X (X-ORF) of unknown function which could encode a protein of 17 kDa. Using a plasmid containing the entire X-ORF preceded by the adenovirus type 2 major late promoter and its tripartite leader sequence efficient expression of the HBV X-gene was achieved. The X protein of 17 kDa was characterized by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitated with an antiserum prepared against a X fusion protein produced in E. coli. By cell fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence the X-protein was found at least in part associated with nuclei. Human cell extracts containing the X protein have been used to screen human sera for anti-HBx antibodies. Such antibodies were detected in sera from patients with active chronic hepatitis with ongoing viral replication. The efficient expression of the HBV X protein obtained will facilitate its functional analysis.

Cell Fractionation