DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genomics ; trends ; Humans ; Proteomics

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genes, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) is one of the key rate-limiting enzymes in the sesquiterpene metabolic pathways. In this study, the open reading frame (ORF) of FPS was cloned by PCR based on the transcript sequence of AsFPS1 from the Aquilaria sinensis transcriptome database and sequenced. Total RNA was extracted from the root, stem and leaves of three-year-old A. sinensis, and from healthy and wounded A. sinensis calli, and then reverse-transcribed into single-stranded cDNA as a template for real-time PCR, to detect the expression specificity of AsFPSI in different tissues and its expression profile in responding to different treatments. The result showed that the full length of AsFPS1 was 1 342 bp with the ORF 1 029 bp, encoding 342 amino acids. Tissue expression analysis indicated that AsFPS1 was mainly expressed in root and stem, and was lower in leaves. Inducible-experiments showed that the genes was induced by mechanical wound as well as chemical liquid induction, and reached the highest expression level at 6 h and 12 h, respectively. The full-length cDNA clone of AsFPSI and its expression patterns analysis will provide a foundation for follow-up study on its biological function and agarwood sesquiterpene biosynthesis mechanism.
DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Geranyltranstransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymelaeaceae ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism

Flavonoids are a group of secondary metabolites found in plants. They have many pharmacological functions and play an important role in Chinese sumac( Rhus chinensis),which is a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Chalcone isomerase( CHI,EC 5. 5. 1. 6) is one of the key enzymes in the flavonoids biosynthesis pathway. In this paper,the full-length c DNA sequence encoding the chalcone isomerase from R. chinensis( designated as Rc CHI) was cloned by RT-PCR and rapid-amplification of c DNA Ends( RACE). The Rc CHI c DNA sequence was 1 058 bp and the open reading frame( ORF) was 738 bp. The ORF predicted to encode a 245-amino acid polypeptide. Rc CHI gene contained an intron and two exons. The sequence alignments revealed Rc CHI shared47. 1%-71. 6% identity with the homologues in other plants. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the total flavonoid levels were positively correlated with tissue-specific expressions of Rc CHI mRNA in different tissues. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in an Escherichia coli strain with the p GEX-6 P-1 vector. In this paper,the CHI gene was cloned and characterized in the family of Anacardiaceae and will help us to obtain better knowledge of the flavonoids biosynthesis of the flavonoid compounds in R. chinensis.
Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Flavonoids ; biosynthesis ; Intramolecular Lyases ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; enzymology ; genetics ; Rhus ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThis study was conducted to investigate the function of the first intron of porcine growth hormone (pGH) gene in the gene expression.

METHODSPCR method was used to amplify the first intron from pig genomic DNA. The intron was then inserted into pGH cDNA to construct pGH cDNA-intron (pGH cDNA-in). The recombinant adenoviruses containing pGH cDNA and pGH cDNA-in genes under control of CMV promoter were generated by homologous recombination method in HEK 293 cells respectively. The effect of the first intron on gene expression was evaluated by comparing the expression levels of pGH cDNA-in and pGH cDNA mediated by adenovirus vectors in CHO cells.

RESULTSThe expression level of pGH cDNA containing the first intron increased by 117%, which was significantly higher than that of pGH cDNA without the intron (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe first intron of pGH gene has the function to improve pGH gene expression.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; DNA Transposable Elements ; DNA, Complementary ; DNA, Recombinant ; Genetic Vectors ; Growth Hormone ; genetics ; Introns ; Swine

AIMTo clone and analyse the coding cDNA sequence of alpha1, beta2 and gamma2 subunit of GABAA receptor in American king Pigeon.

METHODSWithdrew total RNA from the American king pigeon brain, reverse transcribing general primers to acquire a gene set cDNA. Designing specific primers of three subunit mRNA of the GABAA receptor, by RT-PCR respectively expanded the conservative gene of al subunit, beta2 subunit and gamma2 subunit of GABAA receptor, and carried on clone, plastid identification and the sequence measurese of three genes.

RESULTSThe experiment on sequence measures has succeeded that sequence analysis indicated that lengths of the conservative gene of alpha1 subunit, beta2 subunit and gamma2 subunit of GABAA receptor was respectively 899 bp, 597 bp and 563 bp, homology on reference sequence was respectively 94.99%, 94.64% and 96.28%.

CONCLUSIONHomology is high on the conservative gene of alpha1 subunit, beta2 subunit and gamma2 subunit of GABAA receptor of brain tissue of pigeon and chicken but there is a discriminating characteristic in different kinds of animals.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Columbidae ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, GABA-A ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of genetic marker detection of semen-specific coding region single nucleotide polymorphism (cSNP) based on SNaPshot technology in semen stains and mixed body fluid identification. METHODS: Genomic DNA (gDNA) and total RNA were extracted from 16 semen stains and 11 mixtures composed of semen and venous blood, and the total RNA was reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). The cSNP genetic markers were screened on the validated semen-specific mRNA coding genes. The cSNP multiplex detection system based on SNaPshot technology was established, and samples were genotyped by capillary electrophoresis (CE). RESULTS: A multiplex detection system containing 5 semen-specific cSNPs was successfully established. In 16 semen samples, except the cSNP located in the TGM4 gene showed allele loss in cDNA detection results, the gDNA and cDNA typing results of other cSNPs were highly consistent. When detecting semen-venous blood mixtures, the results of cSNP typing detected were consistent with the genotype of semen donor and were not interfered by the genotype of venous blood donor. CONCLUSIONS The method of semen-specific cSNPs detection by SNaPshot technology method can be applied to the genotyping of semen (stains) and provide information for determining the origin of semen in mixed body fluids (stains).
Genetic Markers ; Semen ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; DNA, Complementary/genetics* ; Body Fluids ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; DNA ; Saliva ; Forensic Genetics/methods*

Phenylalaninammo-nialyase (PAL) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of methyl benzoate - a plant aroma compound. In order to understand the function of this enzyme in the formation of fragrance in the scented Rhododendron species-Rhododendron fortunei, we cloned a gene encoding this enzyme and subsequently examined the gene expression patterns and the profile of enzyme activity during development in various tissues. The full length of RhPAL gene was cloned by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. The expression levels of RhPAL gene were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and the amount of phenylalanine and cinnamic acid were assayed with LC-MS. The results showed that the ORF sequence of RhPAL gene amplified from the cDNA templates of flower buds had 2 145 bp, encoding 715 amino acids, and shared 90% homology to the PAL amino acid sequences from other species. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of RhPAL in petals during flowering kept in rising even until the flowers wilted. The expression of RhPAL in pistil was much higher than that in stamen, while the expression in the younger leaves was higher than in old leaves. However, the expression level was relatively lower in petal and stamen compared to that in leaves. We also measured the PAL activity by Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay in the petals of flowers at different flowering stages. The results showed that PAL activity reached the highest at the bud stage and then decreased gradually to the lowest when the flowers wilted, which followed a similar trend in the emission of the flower fragrance. The phenylalanine and cinnamic acid contents measured by LC-MS were highly correlated to the expression level of RhPAL in various tissues and at different flowering stages, implying that RhPAL plays an important role in the formation of the flower fragrance. This work may facilitate the breeding and improvement of new fragrant Rhododendron cultivars.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Flowers/genetics* ; Rhododendron/genetics*

Spirodela polyrrhiza is a floating plant widely used in biomass utilization and eutrophication phytoremediation. It becomes a common aquatic plant everywhere with the increasingly serious eutrophication. It has been reported that S. polyrrhiza has a good effect on the remediation of eutrophication water. In order to study the absorption and transportation of phosphorus in S. polyrrhiza, we extracted RNA from S. polyrrhiza and then reverse transcribed it into cDNA, which was used as a template to amplify a specific fragment. The full-length sequence of the open reading frame (ORF) was 1 620 bp, encoding 539 amino acids, named SpPHT1;1, and the accession number in GenBank was MN720003. Bioinformatical analysis showed that SpPHT1;1 had no intron. The protein it encoded was a stable, hydrophobic protein with 11 transmembrane domains. SpPHT1;1 structure was similar to that of major facilitator superfamily (MFS) superfamily members. The cluster analysis showed that SpPHT1;1 was closely related to ZMPHT2 in maize and SBPHT1-8 in sorghum. So, it might belong to plant PHT1 family. The expression of SpPHT1;1 in leaf was significantly more than that of root under normal phosphorus condition. Low phosphorus condition could promote gene expression, and the relative expression level of SpPHT1;1 arrived at the peak at 48 h both in root and leaf. High phosphorus condition could inhibit gene expression. These results indicated that SpPHT1;1 expression would be affected by external phosphorus concentration. The results of this study are helpful for further research on the function of phosphate transporter. It also can provide theoretical basis for further development and utilization of S. polyrrhiza.
Araceae/genetics* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Phosphate Transport Proteins/genetics*

BACKGROUNDTo express in vitro the bovine enterokinase catalytic subunit (EKL) protein, which could be used in the future for the cleavage and purification of fusion proteins.

METHODSBovine enterokinase catalytic subunit cDNA was obtained by RT-PCR from duodenal mucosa of a bovine obtained at wholesale market, and then cloned into a pUCmT cloning vector and sequenced. The desired gene fragment was inserted into a pET39b expression plasmid and the recombinant vector pET39b-EKL was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). Protein expression was induced using IPTG. The recombinant DsbA-EKL was purified with His.Tag affinity chromatography, and it bioactivity was analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with the sequence deposited in GenBank, the sequence of the EKL gene cloned in the present study is correct. It was also confirmed that the nucleotide sequence of expression plasmid pET39b-EKL was correct at the conjunction site between the recombinant DNA 5' terminal multi-cloning site and the recombinant fragment. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the target product was about 65 kDa and represented 28% of total cell protein. Purified recombinant protein was obtained by metal chelating chromatography using Ni-IDA resin. After desalting and changing the buffer, the crude kinase was incubated at 21 degrees C overnight and shown to have a high autocatalytic cleavage activity.

CONCLUSIONSThe EKL gene from Chinese bovine has been cloned successfully and expressed. This investigation has layed the foundation for future enterokinase activity research and for further large-scale application of expression products.

Animals ; Catalytic Domain ; genetics ; Cattle ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA, Complementary ; Enteropeptidase ; analysis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins