Transient Expression (transient + expression)

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Distribution within Life Sciences

Terms modified by Transient Expression

  • transient expression system

  • Selected Abstracts


    Transient Expression of NMDA Receptor Subunit NR2B in the Developing Rat Heart

    JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2000
    Silke Seeber
    Abstract: NMDA receptors represent a subtype of the ionotropicglutamate receptor family, comprising three classes of subunits (NR1, NR2A-D,NR3), which exhibit distinct patterns of regional and developmental expressionin the CNS. Recently, some NMDA receptor subunits have also been described inadult extraneuronal tissues and keratinocytes. However, their developmentalexpression patterns are currently unknown. With use of RT-PCR and western blotanalysis, the expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR2B was investigated in thedeveloping rat heart. NR2B mRNA and protein were detected in heart tissue ofrats from embryonic day 14 until postnatal day 21 but disappeared 10 weeksafter birth. In contrast, no NMDA receptor subunit NR1,,-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor subunitGluR2, or anchoring postsynaptic density protein-95 could be detected in ratheart at any developmental stage. Confocal microscopy of cultured cardiacmyocytes (CMs) from neonatal rats revealed distinct NR2B staining mainly ofintracellular structures. However, no functional NMDA receptor could bedetected on CMs by whole-cell recordings. In conclusion, high concentrationsof NR2B protein can be detected in early rat heart development, but itsfunction still remains elusive. [source]


    Transient expression of thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TR,2 sets S opsin patterning during cone photoreceptor genesis

    DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 5 2007
    M.L. Applebury
    Abstract Cone photoreceptors in the murine retina are patterned by dorsal repression and ventral activation of S opsin. TR,2, the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor , isoform 2, regulates dorsal repression. To determine the molecular mechanism by which TR,2 acts, we compared the spatiotemporal expression of TR,2 and S opsin from embryonic day (E) 13 through adulthood in C57BL/6 retinae. TR,2 and S opsin are expressed in cone photoreceptors only. Both are transcribed by E13, and their levels increase with cone genesis. TR,2 is expressed uniformly, but transiently, across the retina. mRNA levels are maximal by E17 at completion of cone genesis and again minimal before P5. S opsin is also transcribed by E13, but only in ventral cones. Repression in dorsal cones is established by E17, consistent with the occurrence of patterning during cone cell genesis. The uniform expression of TR,2 suggests that repression of S opsin requires other dorsal-specific factors in addition to TR,2. The mechanism by which TR,2 functions was probed in transgenic animals with TR,2 ablated, TR,2 that is DNA binding defective, and TR,2 that is ligand binding defective. These studies show that TR,2 is necessary for dorsal repression, but not ventral activation of S opsin. TR,2 must bind DNA and the ligand T3 (thyroid hormone) to repress S opsin. Once repression is established, T3 no longer regulates dorsal S opsin repression in adult animals. The transient, embryonic action of TR,2 is consistent with a role (direct and/or indirect) in chromatin remodeling that leads to permanent gene silencing in terminally differentiated, dorsal cone photoreceptors. Developmental Dynamics 236:1203,1212, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Transient expression of serotonin 5-HT4 receptors in the mouse developing thalamocortical projections

    DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
    Erin R. Slaten
    Abstract The serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4 -R) is an unusually complex G-protein coupled receptor that is likely to play important roles in brain development and that may underlie the comorbidity of central and peripheral abnormalities in some developmental disorders. We studied the expression of 5-HT4 -Rs in the developing mouse forebrain at embryonic days 13, 15, 17, and at postnatal days 3 and 14 by using immunohistochemistry, tract tracing, and quantitative RT-PCR. The developing thalamocortical projections transiently expressed 5-HT4 -Rs in the embryonic brain and the 5-HT4 -R expression in the forebrain changed from axonal to somatic around birth. From embryonic days 13,17, the forebrain mRNA levels of the 5-HT4(a) -R and 5-HT4(b) -R splice variants increased nine- and fivefold, respectively, whereas the levels of the 5-HT4(e) -R and 5-HT4(f) -R variants remained relatively low throughout the studied period of embryonic development. These results suggest that during development 5-HT4 -R expression undergoes a dynamic regulation and that this regulation may be important for the normal development of sensory and limbic processing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2010. [source]


    Novel keratin 16 mutations and protein expression studies in pachyonychia congenita type 1 and focal palmoplantar keratoderma

    EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
    F. J. D. Smith
    Abstract: Pachyonychia congenita type 1 (PC-1) is an autosomal dominant ectodermal dysplasia characterized by nail dystrophy, focal non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (FNEPPK) and oral lesions. We have previously shown that mutations in keratin 16 (K16) cause fragility of specific epithelia resulting in phenotypes of PC-1 or FNEPPK alone. Here, we report 2 novel mutations in K16 causing distinct phenotypes. A heterozygous missense mutation (L124R) was detected in a kindred with PC-1. In a family where mild FNEPPK was the only phenotype, a 23 bp deletion and a separate 1 bp deletion downstream were found in exon 6: [1244,1266del; 1270delG]. At the protein level, these mutations remove 8 residues and substitute 2 residues in the helix termination motif (HTM) of the K16 polypeptide. The HTM sequence is conserved in all known intermediate filament proteins and for convenience, this complex mutation was designated ,HTM. Transient expression of K16 cDNAs carrying either the L124R or the ,HTM mutation in epithelial cell line PtK2 produced aggregation of the keratin cytoskeleton. However, the aggregates observed with the ,HTM mutation were morphologically different and appeared to be less disruptive to the endogenous cytoskeleton. Therefore, loss of the HTM sequence may render this mutant K16 less capable of contributing to filament assembly and decrease its dominant-negative effect, resulting in the milder FNEPPK phenotype. [source]


    An active triple-catalytic hybrid enzyme engineered by linking cyclo-oxygenase isoform-1 to prostacyclin synthase that can constantly biosynthesize prostacyclin, the vascular protector

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2008
    Ke-He Ruan
    It remains a challenge to achieve the stable and long-term expression (in human cell lines) of a previously engineered hybrid enzyme [triple-catalytic (Trip-cat) enzyme-2; Ruan KH, Deng H & So SP (2006) Biochemistry45, 14003,14011], which links cyclo-oxygenase isoform-2 (COX-2) to prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGIS) for the direct conversion of arachidonic acid into PGI2 through the enzyme's Trip-cat functions. The stable upregulation of the biosynthesis of the vascular protector, PGI2, in cells is an ideal model for the prevention and treatment of thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-mediated thrombosis and vasoconstriction, both of which cause stroke, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. Here, we report another case of engineering of the Trip-cat enzyme, in which human cyclo-oxygenase isoform-1, which has a different C-terminal sequence from COX-2, was linked to PGI2 synthase and called Trip-cat enzyme-1. Transient expression of recombinant Trip-cat enzyme-1 in HEK293 cells led to 3,5-fold higher expression capacity and better PGI2 -synthesizing activity as compared to that of the previously engineered Trip-cat enzyme-2. Furthermore, an HEK293 cell line that can stably express the active new Trip-cat enzyme-1 and constantly synthesize the bioactive PGI2 was established by a screening approach. In addition, the stable HEK293 cell line, with constant production of PGI2, revealed strong antiplatelet aggregation properties through its unique dual functions (increasing PGI2 production while decreasing TXA2 production) in TXA2 synthase-rich plasma. This study has optimized engineering of the active Trip-cat enzyme, allowing it to become the first to stably upregulate PGI2 biosynthesis in a human cell line, which provides a basis for developing a PGI2 -producing therapeutic cell line for use against vascular diseases. [source]


    Transient expression of endothelins in the amoeboid microglial cells in the developing rat brain

    GLIA, Issue 6 2006
    Chun-Yun Wu
    Abstract Amoeboid microglial cells (AMC) which transiently exist in the corpus callosum in the postnatal rat brain expressed endothelins (ETs), specifically endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ET3 as revealed by real time RT-PCR. ET immunoreactive AMC occurred in large numbers at birth, but were progressively reduced with age and were undetected in 14 days. In rats subjected to hypoxia exposure, ET immunoexpression in AMC was reduced but the incidence of apoptotic cells was not increased when compared with the control suggesting that this was due to its downregulation that may help regulate the constriction of blood vessels bearing ET-A receptor. AMC were endowed ET-B receptor indicating that ET released by the cells may also act via an autocrine manner. In microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ET-1 mNA expression coupled with that of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) and stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was markedly increased; ET-3 mRNA, however, remained unaffected. AMC exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro resulted in increase in both ET-1 and ET-3 mRNA expression. It is suggested that the downregulated ETs expression in vivo of AMC subjected to hypoxia as opposed to its upregulated expression in vitro may be due to the complexity of the brain tissue. Furthermore, the differential ET-1 and ET-3 mRNA expression in LPS and OGD treatments may be due to different signaling pathways independently regulating the two isoforms. The present novel finding has added microglia as a new cellular source of ET that may take part in multiple functions including regulating vascular constriction and chemokines release. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Expression of T-type calcium channel splice variants in human glioma

    GLIA, Issue 2 2004
    Isabelle Latour
    Abstract In humans, three isoforms of the T-type (Cav3.1) calcium-channel ,1 subunit have been reported as a result of alternate splicing of exons 25 and 26 in the III,IV linker region (Cav3.1a, Cav3.1b or Cav3.1bc). In the present study, we report that human glioma express Cav3.1 channels in situ, that splicing of these exons is uniquely regulated and that there is expression of a glioma-specific novel T-type variant (Cav3.1ac). Seven human glioma samples were collected at surgery, RNA was extracted, and cDNA was produced for RT-PCR analysis. In addition, three glioma cell lines (U87, U563, and U251N), primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes, as well as adult and fetal human brain cDNA were used. Previously described Cav3.1 splice variants were present in glioma samples, cultured cells and whole brain. Consistent with the literature, our results reveal that in the normal adult brain, Cav3.1a transcripts predominate, while Cav3.1b is mostly fetal-specific. RT-PCR results on glioma and glioma cell lines showed that Cav3.1 expression in tumor cells resemble fetal brain expression pattern as Cav3.1bc is predominantly expressed. In addition, we identified a novel splice variant, Cav3.1ac, expressed in three glioma biopsies and one glioma cell line, but not in normal brain or fetal astrocytes. Transient expression of this variant demonstrates that Cav3.1ac displays similar current-voltage and steady-state inactivation properties compared with Cav3.1b, but a slower recovery from inactivation. Taken together, our data suggest glioma-specific Cav3.1 gene regulation, which could possibly contribute to tumor pathogenesis. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Identification of a novel mutation of SH3BP2 in cherubism and demonstration that SH3BP2 mutations lead to increased NFAT activation ,,

    HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 7 2006
    Steven A. Lietman
    Abstract We describe a novel missense mutation (Aspartic acid to Asparagine, p.D419N (g.1371G>A, c.1255G>A) within exon 9 of SH3BP2 in a patient with cherubism, an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by excessive osteoclastic bone resorption of the jaw. Two siblings and the father were carriers but lacked phenotypic features. Transient expression of p.D419N (c.1255G>A), as well as three previously described exon 9 mutations from cherubism patients (p.R415Q (c.1244G>A), p.D420E (c.1259G>A), and p.P418R (c.1253C>G)) increased activity of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells), an osteoclastogenic mediator, indicating that cherubism results from gain of function mutations in SH3BP2. Published 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Transgene expression from the Tribolium castaneum Polyubiquitin promoter

    INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
    M. D. Lorenzen
    Abstract The highly conserved Ubiquitin proteins are expressed from genes with strong, constitutively active promoters in many species, making these promoters attractive candidates for use in driving transgene expression. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the Tribolium castaneum Polyubiquitin (TcPUb) gene. We placed the TcPUb promoter upstream of the coding region of the T. castaneum eye-colour gene Tc vermilion (Tcv) and injected this construct into embryos from a Tcv -deficient strain. Transient expression of Tcv during embryogenesis resulted in complete rescue of the larval mutant phenotype. We then incorporated the TcPUb-Tcv chimera into a piggyBac donor. Resulting germline transformants were easily recognized by rescue of eye pigmentation, illustrating the potential of the TcPUb promoter for use in driving transgene expression. [source]


    Mutational Analysis and Functional Correlation With Phenotype in German Patients With Childhood-Type Hypophosphatasia

    JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 12 2001
    Hideo Orimo
    Abstract The tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene from five German family members with childhood-type hypophosphatasia (HOPS) was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)-direct sequencing method. Four novel missense mutations (T51M, R54S, L258P, and R374H) and two that had been described previously (A160T and R206W) were detected in the respective patients. Mutation A160T was detected in 3 distinct patients, and a polymorphism V505A that had been described previously was detected in the same allele as L258P mutation in 1 patient and in 2 fathers whose V505A alleles were not transmitted to the probands. No other mutations were found in 2 patients. Transient expression of the mutant proteins in COS-1 cells showed that the four novel mutations and R206W were severe alleles, whereas A160T was a moderate allele. Analysis of its enzymatic activity and genetic transmission patterns confirmed that V505A was a polymorphism. Immunoprecipitation of the transiently expressed proteins showed that levels of the 80-kDa mature form of the enzyme were diminished or absent with the severe alleles; instead, levels of high-molecular mass disulfide-linked aggregates were increased. These results suggest that in compound heterozygotes, the combination of severe and moderate alleles may combine to cause the mild phenotype seen in childhood-type HOPS. [source]


    Pro-apoptotic activity of transiently expressed BCL-2 occurs independent of BAX and BAK

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2003
    T. Subramanian
    Abstract BCL-2 suppresses apoptosis induced by a wide variety of stimuli in multiple cell types. Most of the in vitro studies that have examined the activity of BCL-2 have employed stable cell lines that ectopically express BCL-2. We have reported that BCL-2 is expressed at high levels in the absence of the 5,- and 3,-UTRs of the Bcl-2 gene and transient high level of expression results in potent cell death (Uhlmann et al., [1998]: JBC 278:17926,17932). Expression of BCL-2 under the transcriptional control of the cognate 5,- and 3,-UTRs express lower levels of BCL-2 and does not cause cell death. Our present results suggest that in contrast to BCL-2, transient expression of BCL-xL does not induce cell death and coexpression of BCL-xL with the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 does not suppress cell death. The pro-apoptotic activity of BCL-2 appears to involve activation of the cytochrome c/caspase 9/caspase 3 pathway. Elevated levels of BCL-2 expression results in N-terminal cleavage of BCL-2 at a novel site different from a previously identified caspase cleavage site at Asp 34 by a non-caspase protease. Transient expression of a BCL-2 mutant lacking aa 51,85 within the loop region induces efficient cell death and N-terminal cleavage of BCL-2 while a different deletion mutant lacking aa 30,91 induces reduced levels of cell death in the absence of BCL-2 cleavage suggesting that N-terminal processing of BCL-2 may be an amplification event in BCL-2-mediated cell death. Overexpression of BCL-2 in a Bax-null human colon cancer cell line (HCT116Bax,/,) induces efficient cell death. The pro-apoptotic activity of BCL-2 is also observed in a Bax-null cells in which BAK expression is inhibited by stable RNAi expression. Our results suggest that BCL-2 contains an intrinsic pro-apoptotic activity and can induce apoptosis independent of BAX and BAK under specific conditions. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    DspA/E, a type III effector of Erwinia amylovora, is required for early rapid growth in Nicotiana benthamiana and causes NbSGT1-dependent cell death

    MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
    CHANG-SIK OH
    SUMMARY DspA/E is a pathogenicity factor of Erwinia amylovora that is translocated into the plant cell cytoplasm through an Hrp type III secretion system. Transient expression of dspA/E in Nicotiana benthamiana or yeast induced cell death, as it does in N. tabacum and apple as described previously. DspA/E-induced cell death in N. benthamiana was not inhibited by coexpression of AvrPtoB of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, which inhibits programmed cell death (PCD) induced by several other elicitors in plants. Silencing of NbSGT1, the expression of which is required for PCD mediated by several resistance proteins of plants, prevented DspA/E-induced cell death in N. benthamiana. However, silencing of NbRAR1, or two MAP kinase kinase genes, which are required for PCD associated with many resistance genes in plants, did not prevent cell death induced by DspA/E. Silencing of NbSGT1 also compromised non-host resistance against E. amylovora. E. amylovora grew rapidly within the first 24 h after infiltration in N. benthamiana, and DspA/E was required for this early rapid growth. However, bacterial cell numbers decreased after 24 h in TRV-vector-transformed plants, whereas a dspA/E mutant strain grew to high populations in NbSGT1 -silenced plants. Our results indicate that DspA/E enhances virulence of E. amylovora in N. benthamiana, but the bacteria are then recognized by the plant, resulting in PCD and death of bacterial cells or restriction of bacterial cell growth. [source]


    Transient expression of a vacuolar peroxidase increases susceptibility of epidermal barley cells to powdery mildew

    MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
    Brian Kåre Kristensen
    summary The expression of genes encoding the peroxidases, Prx7 and Prx8, is induced in barley leaf tissue after inoculation with the barley powdery mildew fungus, Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei (DC) Speer (Bgh). The role of these peroxidases in general barley defence responses against fungal attack was investigated using a transient expression system. Colonization frequencies of Bgh on cells transfected with Prx7 or Prx8 expression-, mutant- or fusion-DNA constructs were compared to the frequencies on cells expressing a ,-glucuronidase (GUS) control construct. Twice the number of powdery mildew colonies were observed on cells expressing Prx7 as compared to control cells. Introduction of either mutant or truncated versions of Prx7 showed that decreased resistance against Bgh was dependent on the presence of the C-terminal signal peptide required for correct subcellular targeting, but not affected significantly by mutations in the catalytic centre. No impact on Bgh performance was observed after the introduction of Prx8 or mutant constructs. An enhanced accumulation of the apoplastic Prx8 was verified by immunocytology. These results indicate a more complex role of peroxidases in defence responses than was previously suspected. [source]


    Autohydrolysis of plant xylans by apoplastic expression of thermophilic bacterial endo-xylanases

    PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010
    Bernhard Borkhardt
    Summary The genes encoding the two endo-xylanases XynA and XynB from the thermophilic bacterium Dictyoglomus thermophilum were codon optimized for expression in plants. Both xylanases were designed to be constitutively expressed under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter and targeted to the apoplast. Transient expression in tobacco and stable expression in transgenic Arabidopsis showed that both enzymes were expressed in an active form with temperature optima at 85 °C. Transgenic Arabidopsis accumulating heterologous endo-xylanases appeared phenotypically normal and were fully fertile. The highest xylanase activity in Arabidopsis was found in dry stems indicating that the enzymes were not degraded during stem senescence. High levels of enzyme activity were maintained in cell-free extracts from dry transgenic stems during incubation at 85 °C for 24 h. Analysis of cell wall polysaccharides after heat treatment of wildtype and transgenic extracts from dry stems showed a decrease in the molecular weight of xylans from transgenic stems. [source]


    Optimization of Agrobacterium -mediated transient assays of gene expression in lettuce, tomato and Arabidopsis

    PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005
    Tadeusz Wroblewski
    Summary Agrobacterium -mediated transient assays for gene function are increasingly being used as alternatives to genetic complementation and stable transformation. However, such assays are variable and not equally successful in different plant species. We analysed a range of genetic and physiological factors affecting transient expression following agroinfiltration, and developed a protocol for efficient and routine transient assays in several plant species. Lettuce exhibited high levels of transient expression and was at least as easy to work with as Nicotiana benthamiana. Transient expression occurred in the majority of cells within the infiltrated tissue and approached 100% in some regions. High levels of transient expression were obtained in some ecotypes of Arabidopsis; however, Arabidopsis remains recalcitrant to routine, genotype-independent transient assays. Transient expression levels often exceeded those observed in stably transformed plants. The laboratory Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 was the best strain for use in plant species that did not elicit a necrotic response to A. tumefaciens. A wild A. tumefaciens strain, 1D1246, was identified that provided high levels of transient expression in solanaceous plants without background necrosis, enabling routine transient assays in these species. [source]


    An NB-LRR protein required for HR signalling mediated by both extra- and intracellular resistance proteins

    THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007
    Suzan H.E.J. Gabriëls
    Summary Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Cf resistance genes confer hypersensitive response (HR)-associated resistance to strains of the pathogenic fungus Cladosporium fulvum that express the matching avirulence (Avr) gene. Previously, we identified an Avr4 - responsive tomato (ART) gene that is required for Cf-4/Avr4 -induced HR in Nicotiana benthamiana as demonstrated by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The gene encodes a CC-NB-LRR type resistance (R) protein analogue that we have designated NRC1 (NB-LRR protein required for HR-associated cell death 1). Here we describe that knock-down of NRC1 in tomato not only affects the Cf-4/Avr4 -induced HR but also compromises Cf-4- mediated resistance to C. fulvum. In addition, VIGS using NRC1 in N. benthamiana revealed that this protein is also required for the HR induced by the R proteins Cf-9, LeEix, Pto, Rx and Mi. Transient expression of NRC1D481V, which encodes a constitutively active NRC1 mutant protein, triggers an elicitor-independent HR. Subsequently, we transiently expressed this auto-activating protein in N. benthamiana silenced for genes known to be involved in HR signalling, thereby allowing NRC1 to be positioned in an HR signalling pathway. We found that NRC1 requires RAR1 and SGT1 to be functional, whereas it does not require NDR1 and EDS1. As the Cf-4 protein requires EDS1 for its function, we hypothesize that NRC1 functions downstream of EDS1. We also found that NRC1 acts upstream of a MAP kinase pathway. We conclude that Cf -mediated resistance signalling requires a downstream NB-LRR protein that also functions in cell death signalling pathways triggered by other R proteins. [source]


    The Arabidopsis thaliana TIR-NB-LRR R-protein, RPP1A; protein localization and constitutive activation of defence by truncated alleles in tobacco and Arabidopsis

    THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 6 2006
    L. Michael Weaver
    Summary Specific recognition of Hyaloperonospora parasitica isolate Cala2 by Arabidopsis thaliana Ws-0 is mediated by the resistance gene RPP1A. Transient expression of different truncations of RPP1A in tobacco leaves revealed that its TIR-NB-ARC portion is sufficient to induce an elicitor-independent cell death. In stable transgenic lines of Arabidopsis, overexpression of the RPP1A TIR-NB-ARC domains (E12) using the 35S promoter leads to broad-spectrum resistance to virulent strains of H. parasitica and Pseudomonas syringae DC3000. The TIR-NB-ARC-mediated constitutive immunity is due to activation of the salicylic acid-dependent resistance pathway and is relieved by either a mutation in EDS1 or the presence of the salicylate hydroxylase gene, NahG. Growth of 35S::E12 plants is reduced, a phenotype observed in many constitutively resistant mutants. RPP1A carries a hydrophobic peptide at its N-terminus that directs the RPP1A protein into membranes, though it may not be the sole determinant mediating membrane association of RPP1A. Two-phase partitioning and sucrose density gradient sedimentation established that RPP1A resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi apparatus. [source]


    Continuous expression in tobacco leaves of a Brassica napus PEND homologue blocks differentiation of plastids and development of palisade cells

    THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005
    Paul Wycliffe
    Summary Brassica napus complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) clones encoding a DNA-binding protein, BnPEND, were isolated by Southwestern screening. A distinctive feature of the protein was a bZIP-like sequence in the amino-terminal portion, which, after expression in Escherichia coli, bound DNA. BnPEND transcripts were present in B. napus roots and flower buds, and to a lesser extent in stems, flowers and young leaves. Treatment in the dark for 72 h markedly increased the amount of BnPEND transcript in leaves of all ages. Sequence comparison showed that BnPEND was similar to a presumed transcription factor from B. napus, GSBF1, a protein deduced from an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA (BX825084) and the PEND protein from Pisum sativum, believed to anchor the plastid DNA to the envelope early during plastid development. Homology to expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences from additional species suggested that BnPEND homologues are widespread among the angiosperms. Transient expression of BnPEND fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal cells showed that BnPEND is a plastid protein, and that the 15 amino acids at the amino-terminal contain information about plastid targeting. Expression of BnPEND in Nicotiana tabacum from the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter gave stable transformants with different extents of white to light-green areas in the leaves, and even albino plants. In the white areas, but not in adjacent green tissue, the development of palisade cells and chloroplasts was disrupted. Our data demonstrate that the BnPEND protein, when over-expressed at an inappropriate stage, functionally blocks the development of plastids and leads to altered leaf anatomy, possibly by preventing the release of plastid DNA from the envelope. [source]


    Effect of inducible co-overexpression of protein disulfide isomerase and endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase on the specific antibody productivity of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010
    Chaya Mohan
    Abstract To enhance specific antibody (Ab) productivity (qAb) of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells, post-translational limitations in the endoplasmic reticulum during antibody production should be relieved. Previously, we reported that overexpression of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), which catalyzes disulfide bond exchanges and assists in protein folding of newly synthesized proteins, enhanced qAb of rCHO cells by about 27% (Mohan et al., 2007, Biotechnol Bioeng 98:611,615) . Since the rate limiting step in disulfide bond formation is found to be the regeneration of oxidized PDI, the oxidation state of PDI, as well as the amount of PDI, might be important. Endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase (ERO1L) maintains PDI in an oxidized state so that disulfide bond formation occurs. Here, PDI and its helper protein, ERO1L were overexpressed in rCHO cells producing an Ab in an attempt to ease the bottleneck in disulfide bond formation, and hence, Ab folding and secretion. Transient expression of ERO1L alone and with PDI resulted in enhanced qAb by 37% and 55%, respectively. In contrast, under stable inducible co-overexpression of PDI and ERO1L, the qAb was unaffected or negatively affected by varying degrees, depending on the individual expression levels of these genes. In stable clones with altered oxidation state of PDI due to co-overexpression of PDI and ERO1L, secretion of Ab was hindered and PDI-associated retention of Ab was seen in the cells. Under transient gene expression, secretion of Ab was not compromised. The data presented here suggests a possible mechanism of PDI/ERO1L interaction with the target Ab and shows how the expression levels of these proteins could affect the qAb of this Ab-producing rCHO cell line. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 337,346. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Large-scale production of endotoxin-free plasmids for transient expression in mammalian cell culture

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 3 2008
    Aleksei Rozkov
    Abstract Transient expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian cell culture in a 100-L scale requires a large quantity of plasmid that is very labour intensive to achieve with shake flask cultures and commercially available plasmid purification kits. In this paper we describe a process for plasmid production in 100-mg scale. The fermentation is carried out in a 4-L fed-batch culture with a minimal medium. The detection of the end of batch and triggering the exponential (0.1 h,1) feed profile was unattended and controlled by Multi-fermenter Control System. A restricted specific growth rate in fed-batch culture increased the specific plasmid yield compared to batch cultures with minimal and rich media. This together with high biomass concentration (68,107 g,L,1 wet weight) achieves high volumetric yields of plasmid (95,277 mg,L,1 depending on the construct). The purification process consisted of alkaline lysis, lysate clarification and ultrafiltration, two-phase extraction with Triton X-114 for endotoxin removal, anion-exchange chromatography as a polishing step, ultrafiltration and sterile filtration. Both fermentation and purification processes were used without optimisation for production of four plasmids yielding from 39 to 163 mg of plasmids with endotoxin content of 2.5 EU mg,1 or less. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 557,566. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Regulation of XBP-1 signaling during transient and stable recombinant protein production in CHO cells

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2010
    Sebastian C. Y. Ku
    Abstract X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) is a key regulator of cellular unfolded protein response (UPR). The spliced isoform of XBP-1, XBP-1S, is a transcription activator, which is expressed only when UPR is induced. However, the impact of recombinant protein production on the regulation of XBP-1 signaling in CHO cells is not well understood. In this report, we cloned the Chinese hamster XBP-1 homolog to aid the investigation of the interplay between protein productivity, culture conditions, and endogenous XBP-1 signaling in CHO cells. Interestingly, expression of XBP-1S is detected in the non-producing and unstressed CHO-K1 cells. Transient expression of recombinant erythropoietin reveals a positive correlation between XBP-1 mRNA abundance and protein production level. However, such a correlation is not observed in batch cultivation of stable producing cell lines. The increased XBP-1 splicing is detected in late-phase cultures, suggesting that induction of XBP-1S may be a result of nutrient limitations or other environmental stresses rather than that of increased intracellular accumulation of recombinant proteins. Our data suggest that XBP-1 is a key determinant for the secretory capacity of CHO cells. Understanding its dynamic regulation hence provides a rational basis for cellular engineering strategies to improve recombinant protein secretion. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010 [source]


    One of the duplicated matrix metalloproteinase-9 genes is expressed in regressing tail during anuran metamorphosis

    DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 4 2006
    Kenta Fujimoto
    The drastic morphological changes of the tadpole are induced during the climax of anuran metamorphosis, when the concentration of endogenous thyroid hormone is maximal. The tadpole tail, which is twice as long as the body, shortens rapidly and disappears completely in several days. We isolated a cDNA clone, designated as Xl MMP-9TH, similar to the previously reported Xenopus laevis MMP-9 gene, and showed that their Xenopus tropicalis counterparts are located tandemly about 9 kb apart from each other in the genome. The Xenopus MMP-9TH gene was expressed in the regressing tail and gills and the remodeling intestine and central nervous system, and induced in thyroid hormone-treated tail-derived myoblastic cultured cells, while MMP-9 mRNA was detected in embryos. Three thyroid hormone response elements in the distal promoter and the first intron were involved in the upregulation of the Xl MMP-9TH gene by thyroid hormone in transient expression assays, and their relative positions are conserved between X. laevis and X. tropicalis promoters. These data strongly suggest that the MMP-9 gene was duplicated, and differentiated into two genes, one of which was specialized in a common ancestor of X. laevis and X. tropicalis to be expressed in degenerating and remodeling organs as a response to thyroid hormone during metamorphosis. [source]


    In vivo post-transcriptional regulation of CD154 in mouse CD4+ T cells

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 8 2009
    Stefano Vavassori
    Abstract Interactions between CD40 and its ligand CD154 are involved in the progression of both cell mediated and innate immunity. These interactions are brought about by the transient expression of CD154 on activated CD4+ T cells, which is regulated, in part, at the level of mRNA turnover. Here we have focused on analyzing the pattern of post-transcriptional regulation in mouse CD4+ T cells in response to activation. Initial experiments identify a region of the murine CD154 mRNA that binds a polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-containing complex (mComplex I), which is activation-dependent and binds to a single CU-rich site within the 3, uTR Subsequent findings demonstrate that in vivo polyclonal activation of T cells leads to a pattern of differential CD154 mRNA stability that is directly dependent on extent of activation. Furthermore, in vitro activation of antigen-primed T cells shows that the CD154 mRNA half-life increases relative to that of unprimed cells. Importantly, this is the first report demonstrating that the regulation of CD154 in vivo is connected to an activation-induced program of mRNA decay and thus provides strong evidence for post-transcriptional mechanisms having a physiological role in regulating CD154 expression during an ongoing immune response. [source]


    The spatio-temporal and subcellular expression of the candidate Down syndrome gene Mnb/Dyrk1A in the developing mouse brain suggests distinct sequential roles in neuronal development

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
    Barbara Hämmerle
    Abstract It is widely accepted that the neurological alterations in Down syndrome (DS) are principally due to modifications in developmental processes. Accordingly, a large part of the research on DS in recent years has focused on chromosome 21 genes that influence brain development. MNB/DYRK1A is one of the genes on human chromosome 21 that has raised most interest, due to its relationship with the brain functions that are altered in DS. Although a number of interesting experimental mouse models for DS are being developed, we still know little about the expression of Mnb/Dyrk1A during mouse brain development. Here, we report that Mnb/Dyrk1A displays a rather dynamic spatio-temporal expression pattern during mouse central nervous system development. Our data indicate that Mnb/Dyrk1A is specifically expressed in four sequential developmental phases: transient expression in preneurogenic progenitors, cell cycle-regulated expression in neurogenic progenitors, transient expression in recently born neurones, and persistent expression in late differentiating neurones. Our results also suggest that the subcellular localization of MNB/DYRK1A, including its translocation to the nucleus, is finely regulated. Thus, the MNB/DYRK1A protein kinase could be a key element in the molecular machinery that couples sequential events in neuronal development. This rich repertoire of potential functions in the developing central nervous system is suitable to be linked to the neurological alterations in DS through the use of mouse experimental models. [source]


    Serum-free cultured keratinocytes fail to organize fibronectin matrix and possess different distribution of beta-1 integrins

    EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2001
    G. Altankov
    Abstract: The development of serum free medium formulation for culturing keratinocytes was a breakthrough in achieving a high number of epidermal cells for experimental and therapeutic studies, in particular to support the wound healing process. It is not clear, however, if switching the cells to highly proliferative phenotype may reflect change in other cellular functions important for the wound repair as their adhesive interactions with the extracellular matrix components. Remodelling of the extracellular matrix, particularly of fibronectin plays an essential role for guiding the cells during wound healing. The molecular mechanisms for organization of this provisional fibronectin matrix, however, are still not clear. We found that keratinocytes in serum containing medium, although in fewer numbers than fibroblasts, were able to remove adsorbed fluorescent labelled fibronectin from the substratum and reorganize it in a fibrilar pattern along the cell periphery. After 3 days the secreted fibronectin had also been organized as matrix-like fibers and as clusters deposited on the substratum after migrating cells. In contrast, serum free cultured keratinocytes fail to organize pre-adsorbed fluorescent labelled fibronectin, as well as the secreted fibronectin, although they grow very well under these conditions. Switching the cells to serum containing medium initiates the removal of fluorescent labelled fibronectin from the substratum, however without reorganization in fibrillar pattern. Most likely, these keratinocytes remove fluorescent labelled fibronectin by the expression of proteolytic activity, rather than with the mechanical function of ,1 integrins. The latter were diffusely dispersed in serum containing conditions and tend to organize in focal adhesions in serum free cultured cells. We assumed their transient expression and different affinity state might be important for the keratinocyte migration and matrix assembly mechanism. [source]


    The allene oxide cyclase family of Arabidopsis thaliana , localization and cyclization

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2008
    Florian Schaller
    Jasmonates are derived from oxygenated fatty acids (oxylipins) via the octadecanoid pathway and are characterized by a pentacyclic ring structure. They have regulatory functions as signaling molecules in plant development and adaptation to environmental stress. Recently, we solved the structure of allene oxide cyclase 2 (AOC2) of Arabidopsis thaliana, which is, together with the other three AOCs, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of jasmonates, in that it releases the first cyclic and biologically active metabolite , 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA). On the basis of models for the bound substrate, 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11,15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, and the product, OPDA, we proposed that a conserved Glu promotes the reaction by anchimeric assistance. According to this hypothesis, the transition state with a pentadienyl carbocation and an oxyanion is stabilized by a strongly bound water molecule and favorable ,,, interactions with aromatic residues in the cavity. Stereoselectivity results from steric restrictions to the necessary substrate isomerizations imposed by the protein environment. Here, site-directed mutagenesis was used to explore and verify the proposed reaction mechanism. In a comparative analysis of the AOC family from A. thaliana involving enzymatic characterization, in vitro import, and transient expression of AOC,enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion proteins for analysis of subcellular targeting, we demonstrate that all four AOC isoenzymes may contribute to jasmonate biosynthesis, as they are all located in chloroplasts and, in concert with the allene oxide synthase, they are all able to convert 13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E),15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid into enantiomerically pure cis(+)-OPDA. [source]


    Differential effects of Mxi1-SR, and Mxi1-SR, in Myc antagonism

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2007
    Claire Dugast-Darzacq
    Mxi1 belongs to the Myc-Max-Mad transcription factor network. Two Mxi1 protein isoforms, Mxi1-SR, and Mxi1-SR,, have been described as sharing many biological properties. Here, we assign differential functions to these isoforms with respect to two distinct levels of Myc antagonism. Unlike Mxi1-SR,, Mxi1-SR, is not a potent suppressor of the cellular transformation activity of Myc. Furthermore, although Mxi1-SR, exhibits a repressive effect on the MYC promoter in transient expression assays, Mxi1-SR, activates this promoter. A specific domain of Mxi1-SR, contributes to these differences. Moreover, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase interacts with Mxi1-SR, and enhances its ability to activate the Myc promoter. Our findings suggest that Mxi1 gains functional complexity by encoding isoforms with shared and distinct activities. [source]


    Huntingtin inclusion bodies are iron-dependent centers of oxidative events

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2006
    Wance J. J. Firdaus
    Recently, we reported that the transient expression of huntingtin exon1 polypeptide containing polyglutamine tracts of various sizes (httEx1-polyQ) in cell models of Huntington disease generated an oxidative stress whose intensity was CAG repeat expansion-dependent. Here, we have analyzed the intracellular localization of the oxidative events generated by the httEx1-polyQ polypeptides. Analysis of live COS-7 cells as well as neuronal SK-N-SH and PC12 cells incubated with hydroethidine or dichlorofluorescein diacetate revealed oxidation of these probes at the level of the inclusion bodies formed by httEx1-polyQ polypeptides. The intensity and frequency of the oxidative events among the inclusions were CAG repeat expansion-dependent. Electron microscopic analysis of cell sections revealed the presence of oxidation-dependent morphologic alterations in the vicinity of httEx1-polyQ inclusion bodies. Moreover, a high level of oxidized proteins was recovered in partially purified inclusions. We also report that the iron chelator deferroxamine altered the structure, localization and oxidative potential of httEx1-polyQ inclusion bodies. Hence, despite the fact that the formation of inclusion bodies may represent a defense reaction of the cell to eliminate httEx1 mutant polypeptide, this phenomenon appears inherent to the generation of iron-dependent oxidative events that can be deleterious to the cell. [source]


    Modulation of oat arginine decarboxylase gene expression and genome organization in transgenic Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006
    María P. Serra
    We have previously demonstrated that wild-type Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes lack arginine decarboxylase (ADC) enzymatic activity as well as its encoding gene. A foreign ADC has recently been expressed in T. cruzi after transformation with a recombinant plasmid containing the complete coding region of the oat ADC gene. In the present study, upon modulation of exogenous ADC expression, we found that ADC activity was detected early after transfection; subsequently it decreased to negligible levels between 2 and 3 weeks after electroporation and was again detected ,,4 weeks after electroporation. After this period, the ADC activity increased markedly and became expressed permanently. These changes of enzymatic activity showed a close correlation with the corresponding levels of ADC transcripts. To investigate whether the genome organization of the transgenic T. cruzi underwent any modification related to the expression of the heterologous gene, we performed PCR amplification assays, restriction mapping and pulse-field gel electrophoresis with DNA samples or chromosomes obtained from parasites collected at different time-points after transfection. The results indicated that the transforming plasmid remained as free episomes during the transient expression of the foreign gene. Afterwards, the free plasmid disappeared almost completely for several weeks and, finally, when the expression of the ADC gene became stable, two or more copies of the transforming plasmid arranged in tandem were integrated into a parasite chromosome (1.4 Mbp) bearing a ribosomal RNA locus. The sensitivity of transcription to ,-amanitin strongly suggests involvement of the protozoan RNA polymerase I in the transcription of the exogenous ADC gene. [source]


    Expression of MsPG3-GFP fusions in Medicago truncatula,hairy roots' reveals preferential tip localization of the protein in root hairs

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003
    Ignacio D. Rodríguez-Llorente
    Tip growth is a specialized type of polar growth where new cell wall is deposited in a localized region of the cell, the growing tip. These cells show a characteristic zonation, with a high accumulation of secretory vesicles containing cell wall components at the tip, followed by an organelle-enriched zone. MsPG3 is a Medicago sativa polygalacturonase gene isolated in our laboratory, specifically expressed during the interaction of this plant with its symbiotic partner Sinorhizobium meliloti and which might participate in tip growth processes during symbiosis. We have used MsPG3-GFP fusions to study in vivo protein transport processes and localization during root hair growth. Different MsPG3-GFP fusions were expressed in Medicago truncatula,hairy roots' following a protocol developed for this study and also tested by transient expression in onion epidermal cells. Preferential accumulation of an MsPG3-GFP fusion protein in the tip of the growing root hair at different developmental stages was found, confirming the delivery of MsPG3 to the newly synthesized cell wall. This indicates that this protein may participate in tip growth processes during symbiosis and, in addition, that this fusion could be a useful tool to study this process in plants. [source]