Objective: To construct the recombinant vaccinia virus of mutant N-ras/61 gene and enhance the immunogenecity of mutant N-ras／61 protein produced by the recombinant vaccinia virus. Methods: N-ras／61 gene was inserted into P1108 and transfected into CV-1 cell infected with vaccinia virus by Cell FECTIN. PCR and Western blot were used to identify the recombinants. Results: We get recombinant vaccinia virus rV-N-ras/61 by PCR and tk- selecting. The expression of N-ras gene was detected by Western blot. Conclusion: This study is a test for studing effective vaccine of mutant N-ras/61 gene. The efficacy in vivo of the N-ras／61 vaccine in immunotherapy is under investgation.

Objective To investigate the relationship of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene polymorphism with Hashimoto′s thyroiditis(HT). Methods One hundred HT patients and 260 randomly matched healthy controls were enrolled to detect the KIR genotype. The genomic DNA were extracted, and 15 selected KIR genes, KIR2DL1-5, KIR3DL1-3, KIR2DS1-5, KIR3DS1 and pseudogene KIR2DP1, were determined by a polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). Results The frequency of KIR2DL5 gene was significantly lower of the patient group than that of the control group (0.200 vs 0.312, RR=0.64, P<0.01). Conclusion There may be an association between pathogenesis of HT and KIR2DL5 gene.

Objective To analyze the correlation of real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR(FQ-PCR)for detecting HCV-RNA loading and the chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA)for detecting anti-HCV antibody.Methods 587 samples of anti-HCV an-tibody positive detected by CLIA were furteher detected HCV-RNA by FQ-PCR.Results Among 587 samples of anti-HCV anti-body positive by the CLIA screening,225 samples were HCV-RNA negative and 362 samples were HCV-RNA positive detected by FQ-PCR,and the positive rate was 61 .67%,moreover,which was positively correlated with the S/CO ratio detected by CLIA.Con-clusion The positive rate of HCV-RNA is positively correlated with the S/CO ratio detected by CLIA.The result of HCV-RNA can be predicted according to the S/CO ratio.

Objective:To construct a specific small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing vectors against human receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) gene and study its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU145. Methods:Four RAGE specific oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized. These oligonucleotides were annealed to forill double strand DNA fragments and this fragment was cloned into psi-U6 plasmid. The recombinants were transfected into RAGE-overexpressing sub DU145-2C1 cells. Cellular morphology and transfection efficiency were observed under fluorescence microscope. The inhibitory effect of RAGE shRNA construct on RAGE mRNA and protein expression was examined with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The cellular proliferation was detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Scratch test was used to observe the migration of DU145 cells.Results:RAGE shRNA expression plasmids were successfully constructed and transfected into sub DU145-2C1 cells. It can effectively inhibit the expression of RAGE mRNA (P<0.05). The inhibitory effects of shRNA RAGE-1 (R1) was the most stronger. The RAGE mRNA expression was inhibited by 84% and RAGE protein expression was inhibited by 27%. Compared with negative control, the proliferation potential was significantly decreased in shRNA RAGE-transfected cells. The cell migration capability had no significant changes. Conclusion:RAGE shRNA effectively inhibited the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein and suppressed the proliferation of DU145 cells in vitro.

Objective To confirm the clinical diagnosis of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) by molecular genetic testing in a large family. Methods PCR was performed to amplify the coding region of androgen gene, followed by direct sequencing in the patients with CAIS and relatives in this family. Results A missense mutation Arg773His was identified in the patients (homozygous) and carriers(heterozygous). Conclusions Mutation Arg773His in the AR gene leads to CAIS in this family. Molecular genetic testing of CAIS facilitates not only prenatal genetic diagnosis but also preimplantation genetic diagnosis and offers genetic counseling for future pregnancies to abandon the transmission of the mutated X chromosome to the coming generation.

Objective To explore the association between HLA-Cw alleles with systemic lupuserythematosus. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer method was used to analyze thedistribution of HLA-Cw01-08 alleles among 108 patients with SLE and 102 healthy controls. The allelefrequencies was compared between various patient groups and the control population. Results The frequencyof HLA-Cw07 alleles in patients with SLE was significantly increased in patients with SLE. Conclusion Theresults indicate that HLA-Cw07 may be the susceptible alleles or may be closely linked to the susceptiblegenes for SLE.

Objective To investigate the alterations in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs)2D and their specific HLA-Cw ligands in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)and determine whether the changes were correlate to the pathogenesis of AS.Methods Polymerase chain reaction of sequence specific primerB(PCR-SSP)was employed for genotyping the presence or absence of five KIR2D genes(KIR2DL1,2DS1,KIR2DL2,2DL3,2DS2)as well as HLA-Cw01-08 alleles from genomic DNA in 105 individuals with AS,together with 51 individuals with osteoarthritis(OA)and 120 healthy controls.Then HLA-C10-08 was divided into two groups.HLA-Cwasn and HLA-Cwlys to calculate the frequency of KIRID genotype.HLA-Gu alleles and KIR/HLA-Cw genotypes.Results The frequencies of HLA-Cwlys genes were significandy higher in patients with AS(0.269 7)compared with those in OA controls(0.148 2)and healthy controls(0.138 8,P=0.024,P=0.001,respectively).The frequency of KIR2DS1/HLA-Cwlys combination Was also markedly higher in AS group(26.67%)than that in OA controls(11.76%)and healthy controls(13.33%,P=0.039,P=0.018,respectively).Condusion The data suggest that the HLA-Cwlys allele may be associated with genetic susceptibility to AS and moreover.in the existence of HLA-Cwlys.the individuals with KIR2DS1 gene are likely to be at increased risk of AS.

PURPOSE: SNF2L belongs to Imitation Switch family and plays an essential role in neural tissues and gonads. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated that the basal transcription of human SNF2L gene is regulated by two cis-elements, cAMP response element (CRE)- and Sp1-binding sites. Recent studies suggested that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulation significantly up-regulated SNF2L expression in ovarian granulose cells. These data suggested that protein kinase-mediated signal pathways might also regulate SNF2L expression in neural cells. We therefore investigated the effects of agents that activate protein kinases A on SNF2L gene expression in neural cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To increase intracellular cAMP levels, all neural cells were treated with forskolin and dbcAMP, two cAMP response activators. We exmined the effects of cAMP on the promoter activity of human SNF2L gene by luciferase reporter gene assays, and further examined the effects of cAMP on endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels by qPCR. RESULTS: Transient expression of a luciferase fusion gene under the control of the SNF2L promoter was significantly increased by treatment of rat primary neurons with forskolin or dbcAMP, but not PC12, C6 and SH-SY5Y cells. Consistently, treatment with forskolin or dbcAMP could enhance endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels also only in rat primary neurons. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the CRE consensus sequence in the SNF2L proximal promoter most likely confers constitutive activation and regulation by cAMP in neural cells.
Animals ; Bucladesine/pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Colforsin/pharmacology ; Cyclic AMP/*metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; *Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Luciferases/analysis ; Neurons/*metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/analysis ; *Response Elements ; Transcription Factors/chemistry/*genetics/metabolism

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common metabolic bone disease that is characterized by aberrant focal bone remodeling, which is caused by excessive osteoclastic bone resorption followed by disorganized osteoblastic bone formation. Genetic factors are a critical determinant of PDB pathogenesis, and several susceptibility genes and loci have been reported, including SQSTM1, TNFSF11A, TNFRSF11B, VCP, OPTN, CSF1 and DCSTAMP. Herein, we report a case of Chinese familial PDB without mutations in known genes and identify a novel c.163G>C (p.Val55Leu) mutation in FKBP5 (encodes FK506-binding protein 51, FKBP51) associated with PDB using whole-exome sequencing. Mutant FKBP51 enhanced the Akt phosphorylation and kinase activity in cells. A study of osteoclast function using FKBP51V55L KI transgenic mice proved that osteoclast precursors from FKBP51V55L mice were hyperresponsive to RANKL, and osteoclasts derived from FKBP51V55L mice displayed more intensive bone resorbing activity than did FKBP51WT controls. The osteoclast-specific molecules tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteoclast-associated receptor and transcription factor NFATC1 were increased in bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage cells (BMMs) from FKBP51V55L mice during osteoclast differentiation. However, c-fos expression showed no significant difference in the wild-type and mutant groups. Akt phosphorylation in FKBP51V55L BMMs was elevated in response to RANKL. In contrast, IκB degradation, ERK phosphorylation and LC3II expression showed no difference in wild-type and mutant BMMs. Micro-CT analysis revealed an intensive trabecular bone resorption pattern in FKBP51V55L mice, and suspicious osteolytic bone lesions were noted in three-dimensional reconstruction of distal femurs from mutant mice. These results demonstrate that the mutant FKBP51V55L promotes osteoclastogenesis and function, which could subsequently participate in PDB development.
Acid Phosphatase ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Femur ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Osteitis Deformans* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Tacrolimus Binding Proteins ; Transcription Factors

RBM46 is a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein required for gametogenesis, but the targets and molecular functions of RBM46 remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RBM46 binds at specific motifs in the 3'UTRs of mRNAs encoding multiple meiotic cohesin subunits and show that RBM46 is required for normal synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis initiation. Using a recently reported, high-resolution technique known as LACE-seq and working with low-input cells, we profiled the targets of RBM46 at single-nucleotide resolution in leptotene and zygotene stage gametes. We found that RBM46 preferentially binds target mRNAs containing GCCUAU/GUUCGA motifs in their 3'UTRs regions. In Rbm46 knockout mice, the RBM46-target cohesin subunits displayed unaltered mRNA levels but had reduced translation, resulting in the failed assembly of axial elements, synapsis disruption, and meiotic arrest. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into the molecular functions of RBM46 in gametogenesis and illustrates the power of LACE-seq for investigations of RNA-binding protein functions when working with low-abundance input materials.
Animals ; Mice ; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics* ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Gametogenesis/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*