Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a DNA surrogate in which the phosphate deoxyribose backbone of DNA is replaced by repeating N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine units. PNA can hybridize to the complementary DNA and RNA with higher affinity than their oligonucleotide counterparts. This character of PNA not only makes it a new tool for the studies of molecular biology but also the potential candidate for gene-targeting drugs. The non-ionic backbone of PNA leads to stable hybrids with the nucleic acids, but at the same time, the neutral backbone results in poor cellular uptake. To address this problem, studies on modified PNA progress rapidly in recent years. We reviewed literature reports combined with our study about the delivery methods, including backbone modified PNA and PNA-ligand conjugates, and the cellular uptake of modified PNA. In addition, we summarized the problems and future prospect of the cellular delivery of modified PNA.
DNA, Complementary ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Oligonucleotides ; Peptide Nucleic Acids ; chemistry ; RNA

OBJECTIVETo develop an assay for cDNA cloning and haplotype sequencing of KIR2DL1 framework gene and determine the genotype of an ethnic Han from southern China.

METHODSTotal RNA was isolated from peripheral blood sample, and complementary DNA (cDNA) transcript was synthesized by RT-PCR. The entire coding sequence of the KIR2DL1 framework gene was amplified with a pair of KIR2DL1-specific PCR primers. The PCR products with a length of approximately 1.2 kb were then subjected to cloning and haplotype sequencing.

RESULTSA specific target fragment of the KIR2DL1 framework gene was obtained. Following allele separation, a wild-type KIR2DL1*00302 allele and a novel variant allele, KIR2DL1*031, were identified. Sequence alignment with KIR2DL1 alleles from the IPD-KIR Database showed that the novel allele KIR2DL1*031 has differed from the closest allele KIR2DL1*00302 by a non-synonymous mutation at CDS nt 188A>G (codon 42 GAG>GGG) in exon 4, which has caused an amino acid change Glu42Gly. The sequence of the novel allele KIR2DL1*031 was submitted to GenBank under the accession number KP025960 and to the IPD-KIR Database under the submission number IWS40001982. A name KIR2DL1*031 has been officially assigned by the World Health Organization (WHO) Nomenclature Committee.

CONCLUSIONAn assay for cDNA cloning and haplotype sequencing of KIR2DL1 has been established, which has a broad applications in KIR studies at allelic level.

Alleles ; Base Sequence ; China ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Receptors, KIR2DL1 ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods

Hyoscyamine 6 beta-hydroxylase (H6H) is the last rate-limiting enzyme directly catalyzing the formation of scopolamine in tropane alkaloids (TAs) biosynthesis pathway. It is the primary target gene in the genetic modification of TAs metabolic pathway. Full-length cDNA and gDNA sequences of a novel H6H gene were cloned from Datura arborea (DaH6H, GenBank accession numbers for cDNA and gDNA are KR006981 and KR006983, respectively). Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals an open reading frame of 1375 bp encoding 347 amino acids in the cDNA of DaH6H, while the gDNA of DaH6H contains four exons and three introns, with the highest similarity to the gDNA of H6H from D. stramonium. DaH6H also exhibited the most identity of 90.5% with DsH6H in amino acids and harbored conserved 2-oxoglutarate binding motif and two iron binding motifs. The expression level of DaH6H was highest in the mature leaf, followed by the secondary root, and with no expression in the primary root based on qPCR analysis. Its expression was inhibited by MeJA. DaH6H was expressed in E. coli and a 39 kD recombinant protein was detected in SDS-PAGE. Comparison of the contents of scopolamine and hyoscyamine in various TAs-producing plants revealed that D. arborea was one of the rare scopolamine predominant plants. Cloning of DaH6H gene will allow more research in the molecular regulatory mechanism of TAs biosynthesis in distinct plants and provide a new candidate gene for scopolamine metabolic engineering.
Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Datura ; enzymology ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; Hyoscyamine ; chemistry ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Plant Leaves ; enzymology ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; chemistry

4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase is a key enzyme of phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway in higher plant and may regulate the biosynthesis of ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis. In this study, the homology-based cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique were used to clone a full length cDNA encoding 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase gene (4CL), and then qRT-PCR was taken for analyzing 4CL gene expression levels in the root, stem and root tissue at different growth stages of seedlings of A. sinensis. The results showed that a full-length 4CL cDNA (1,815 bp) was obtained (GenBank accession number: KT880508) which shares an open reading frame (ORF) of 1 632 bp, encodes 544 amino acid polypeptides. We found 4CL gene was expressed in all tissues including leaf, stem and root of seedlings of A. sinensis. The expressions in the leave and stem were increased significantly with the growth of seedlings of A. sinensis (P < 0.05), while it in the root showed little change. It indicates a time-space pattern of 4CL gene expression in seedlings of A. sinensis. These findings will be useful for establishing an experiment basis for studying the structure and function of 4CL gene and elucidating mechanism of ferulic acid biosynthesis and space-time regulation in A. sinensis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Angelica sinensis ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Coenzyme A Ligases ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data

Clonorchis sinensis habitating in the bile duct of mammals causes clonorchiasis endemic in East Asian countries. Parkin is a RING-between-RING protein and has E3-ubiquitin ligase activity catalyzing ubiquitination and degradation of substrate proteins. A cDNA clone of C. sinensis was predicted to encode a polypeptide homologous to parkin (CsParkin) including 5 domains (Ubl, RING0, RING1, IBR, and RING2). The cysteine and histidine residues binding to Zn2+ were all conserved and participated in formation of tertiary structural RINGs. Conserved residues were also an E2-binding site in RING1 domain and a catalytic cysteine residue in the RING2 domain. Native CsParkin was determined to have an estimated molecular weight of 45.7 kDa from C. sinensis adults by immunoblotting. CsParkin revealed E3-ubiquitin ligase activity and higher expression in metacercariae than in adults. CsParkin was localized in the locomotive and male reproductive organs of C. sinensis adults, and extensively in metacercariae. Parkin has been found to participate in regulating mitochondrial function and energy metabolism in mammalian cells. From these results, it is suggested that CsParkin play roles in energy metabolism of the locomotive organs, and possibly in protein metabolism of the reproductive organs of C. sinensis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Clonorchis sinensis/*enzymology ; Cluster Analysis ; Conserved Sequence ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Weight ; Phylogeny ; Protein Conformation ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/chemistry/*genetics/*metabolism

Clonorchis sinensis habitating in the bile duct of mammals causes clonorchiasis endemic in East Asian countries. Parkin is a RING-between-RING protein and has E3-ubiquitin ligase activity catalyzing ubiquitination and degradation of substrate proteins. A cDNA clone of C. sinensis was predicted to encode a polypeptide homologous to parkin (CsParkin) including 5 domains (Ubl, RING0, RING1, IBR, and RING2). The cysteine and histidine residues binding to Zn2+ were all conserved and participated in formation of tertiary structural RINGs. Conserved residues were also an E2-binding site in RING1 domain and a catalytic cysteine residue in the RING2 domain. Native CsParkin was determined to have an estimated molecular weight of 45.7 kDa from C. sinensis adults by immunoblotting. CsParkin revealed E3-ubiquitin ligase activity and higher expression in metacercariae than in adults. CsParkin was localized in the locomotive and male reproductive organs of C. sinensis adults, and extensively in metacercariae. Parkin has been found to participate in regulating mitochondrial function and energy metabolism in mammalian cells. From these results, it is suggested that CsParkin play roles in energy metabolism of the locomotive organs, and possibly in protein metabolism of the reproductive organs of C. sinensis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Clonorchis sinensis/*enzymology ; Cluster Analysis ; Conserved Sequence ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Mitochondria/metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Weight ; Phylogeny ; Protein Conformation ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/chemistry/*genetics/*metabolism

Total RNA was isolated from Siraitia grosvenorii fruit by the method of modified Trizol, according to S. grosvenorii fruit characteristics of rich phenols, polysaccharide, oil and proteins. The OD260/280, OD260/230, RNA integrity (RIN) and yield of the total RNA with this method were 2.01, 2.02, 9.50 and 260 mirog.g-1, respectively. The open reading frame (ORF) of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), named as SgDHAR, was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and RT-PCR method from S. grosvenorii. The GenBank accession number for this gene is KC907731. The SgDHAR gene contains a full-length cDNA of 1,252 bp including ORF of 819 bp and encodes a predicted protein of 272 amino acids. The molecular mass is 30.217 7 kD and the isoelectric point is 8.76. Homology comparison showed that it shared 87% nucleotide sequence homology with Cucumis sativus. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that SgDHAR was mainly expressed in fruit and stem, followed by flower, and was lowest in root, while the expression level was 6.83 times in triploid. T than that in diploid. Therefore, SgDHAR gene may be involved in abortion of triploid seedless S. grosvenorii.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Flowers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Fruit ; chemistry ; genetics ; Molecular Conformation ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; RNA, Plant

OBJECTIVEThe study aimed to clone the open reading frame of chalcone synthase (CHS) from Aquilaria sinensis and analyze the bioinformatics and expression of the gene.

METHODOne unique sequence containing CHS domain was discovered in our previous reported wound transcriptome dataset of A. sinensis. The open reading frame of CHS was cloned by RT-PCR strategy with the template of mixed RNA extracted from A. sinensis stem which treated by different wound time. The bioinformatic analysis of this gene and its corresponding protein was performed. The AsCHS1 expression in calli was analyzed with histone gene as an internal control gene under wound condition by qRT-PCR technique.

RESULTOne unique sequence of CHS, named as AsCHS1, was cloned from A. sinensis. The full length of AsCHS1 cDNA was containing a 1 192 bp ORF that encoded 397 amino acids. The result of qRT-PCR displayed that the highest expression level was at 12 h, which indicated that it was possibly involved in early-stage response to wound.

CONCLUSIONCloning and analyzing AsCHS1 gene from A. sinensis provided basic information for study the function and expression regulation of AsCHS1 in the flavonoids biosynthesis.

Acyltransferases ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; chemistry ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; enzymology ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Plant ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Thymelaeaceae ; chemistry ; enzymology ; genetics

This study reported the obtainment of the full-length cDNA of Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots (Abbr: SmHDR, GenBank number: JX233817), via extracting Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots total RNA, designing specific primers according to the transcriptome data and using the RACE strategy, and then analyzed it with bioinformatics approaches. On this basis, using the real-time PCR to detect SmHDR gene expression after Ag+ induction, and testing tanshinones contents of corresponding samples by UPLC. SmHDR has 1 647 nucleotides, and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 463 amino acid residues. The deduced protein has isoelectric point (pI) of 5.72 and a calculated molecular weight about 51.88 kD. In the secondary structure, the percentage of alpha helix, beta turn and random coil were 35.64%, 20.30% and 44.06%, respectively. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that SmHDR had relative close relationship to the HDR of Picrorhiza kurrooa, similar to HDR from other species of plants. Real time PCR results indicated that elicitor of Ag+ stimulated the increase of mRNA expression of SmHDR. At the same time, results of ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), used to examine the accumulation of diterpenoid tanshinones in hairy roots, showed that the contents of diterpenoid tanshinones in hairy roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza were increased dramatically at 12 h after treated with Ag+, and then decreased significantly. This result showed a positive correlation between the levels of mRNA expression and tanshinones accumulation in Salvia miltiorrhiza stimulated by Ag+. The content of tanshinones was gradually raised, and it had an obvious increase at 120 h. The bioinformatics analysis and gene expression indicated that SmHDR might be involved in tanshinones biosynthesis, which laid the foundation for further study of secondary metabolic regulation mechanism of tanshinones.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Open Reading Frames ; Oxidoreductases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Silver Nitrate ; pharmacology ; Synthetic Biology

PNS (Panax notoginseng saponins) is the main medical bioactive component in Panax notoginseng. The medical value of PNS cannot be extended because of its low production. With the deep study of saponins biosynthetic pathway, the control of PNS biosynthesis through metabolic engineering has gradually become possible. In this study, the Squalene synthase (SS) over-expression vector was established. By the way of agrobacterium-mediated method, the vector was transfered and integrated into the Panax notoginseng genome. The result of the PCR detection and the saponin content detection shows that over-expression SS is able to produce high level of Panax notoginseng saponins, and confirms the regulatory function of SS in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides in Panax notoginseng. It provides a theoretical basis and technical basis for the construction of PNS homologous or heterologous efficient expression system in the future.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; cytology ; genetics ; microbiology ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; chemistry ; cytology ; genetics ; microbiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; cytology ; genetics ; microbiology ; Saponins ; metabolism ; Transformation, Genetic