To prepare virus-like particles containing FluA/B mRNA as RNA standard and control in Influenza RNA detection, the genes coding the coat protein and maturase of E. coli bacteriophage MS2 were amplified and cloned into D-pET32a vector. Then we inserted 6 histidines to MS2 coat protein by QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit to construct the universal expressing vector D-pET32a-CP-His. In addition, the partial gene fragments of FluA and FluB were cloned to the down-stream of expressing vector. The recombinant plasmid D-pET32a-CP-His-FluA/B was transformed to BL21 with induction by IPTG. The virus-like particles were purified by Ni+ chromatography. The virus-like particles can be detected by RT-PCR, but not PCR. They can be conserved stably for at least 3 months at both 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C. His-tagged virus-like particles are more stable and easier to purification. It can be used as RNA standard and control in Influenza virus RNA detection.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Influenza B virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribonucleases ; chemistry ; Virion ; genetics ; metabolism

IL-6 is an inflammatory cytokine and its overexpression plays an important role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Expression of IL-6 is regulated post-transcriptionally by MCPIP1. The 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MCPIP1 mRNA harbors a miR-139 'seed sequence', therefore we examined the post-transcriptional regulation of MCPIP1 by miR-139 and its impact on IL-6 expression in OA chondrocytes. Expression of miR-139 was found to be high in the damaged portion of the OA cartilage compared with unaffected cartilage from the same patient and was also induced by IL-1beta in OA chondrocytes. Inhibition of miR-139 decreased the expression of IL-6 mRNA by 38% and of secreted IL-6 protein by 40%. However, overexpression of miR-139 increased the expression of IL-6 mRNA by 36% and of secreted IL-6 protein by 56%. These data correlated with altered expression profile of MCPIP1 in transfected chondrocytes. Studies with a luciferase reporter construct confirmed the interactions of miR-139 with the 'seed sequence' located in the 3' UTR of MCPIP mRNA. Furthermore, miR-139 overexpression increased the catabolic gene expression but expression of anabolic markers remained unchanged. Overexpression of miR-139 also induced apoptosis in OA chondrocytes. Importantly, we also discovered that IL-6 is a potent inducer of miR-139 expression in OA chondrocytes. These findings indicate that miR-139 functions as a post-transcriptional regulator of MCPIP1 expression and enhances IL-6 expression, which further upregulates miR-139 expression in OA chondrocytes. These results support our hypothesis that miR-139-mediated downregulation of MCPIP1 promotes IL-6 expression in OA. Therefore, targeting miR-139 could be therapeutically beneficial in the management of OA.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Aged ; *Apoptosis ; Chondrocytes/*metabolism/pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/*genetics ; Male ; MicroRNAs/*genetics ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/*genetics/pathology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Ribonucleases/*genetics ; Transcription Factors/*genetics ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of RNASET2 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with Graves disease (GD) in Han Chinese population from coastal regions of Shandong Province.

METHODSA total of 471 GD patients and 472 controls were enrolled. Genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RNASET2 gene were determined with a Taqman probe on a Fluidigm EPl platform. Haplotypes and their frequencies were analyzed with a SHEsis online software.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in allele frequencies of rs3777722, rs3777723 and rs9355610 between the GD patients and the controls (P=0.018; P=0.028; P=0.021).Allele frequencies of rs3777722 and rs9355610 were significantly lower in GD than in the controls (P=0.018, P=0.021). Haplotypes A-A-C-A and A-A-T-A were significantly more common in the control group compared with the GD group (P=0.046, OR=0.448, 95%CI:0.200-1.006; P=0.049, OR=0.823, 95%CI:0.678-0.999). The frequency of C-G-C-G haplotype was significantly higher in GD patient group than the control group (P=0.018).

CONCLUSIONRNASET2 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with GD in Han population from coastal areas of Shandong Province. rs3777722 and rs9355610 may contribute to the risk for GD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Graves Disease ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Ribonucleases ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult

The human CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex consists of at least nine enzymatic and non-enzymatic subunits. Accumulating evidence suggests that the non-enzymatic subunits are involved in the regulation of mRNA deadenylation, although their precise roles remain to be established. In this study, we addressed the function of the CNOT1 subunit by depleting its expression in HeLa cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the sub G(1) fraction was increased in CNOT1-depleted cells. Virtually, the same level of the sub G1 fraction was seen when cells were treated with a mixture of siRNAs targeted against all enzymatic subunits, suggesting that CNOT1 depletion induces apoptosis by destroying the CCR4-NOT-associated deadenylase activity. Further analysis revealed that CNOT1 depletion leads to a reduction in the amount of other CCR4-NOT subunits. Importantly, the specific activity of the CNOT6L immunoprecipitates-associated deadenylase from CNOT1-depleted cells was less than that from control cells. The formation of P-bodies, where mRNA decay is reported to take place, was largely suppressed in CNOT1-depleted cells. Therefore, CNOT1 has an important role in exhibiting enzymatic activity of the CCR4-NOT complex, and thus is critical in control of mRNA deadenylation and mRNA decay. We further showed that CNOT1 depletion enhanced CHOP mRNA levels and activated caspase-4, which is associated with endoplasmic reticulum ER stress-induced apoptosis. Taken together, CNOT1 depletion structurally and functionally deteriorates the CCR4-NOTcomplex and induces stabilization of mRNAs, which results in the increment of translation causing ER stress-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that CNOT1 contributes to cell viability by securing the activity of the CCR4-NOT deadenylase.
Apoptosis ; Caspases, Initiator ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; enzymology ; Enzyme Activation ; Flow Cytometry ; HEK293 Cells ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Protein Subunits ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribonucleases ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

In order to induce male sterility of Brassica campestris L. subsp. chinensis Makino var. parachinensis, we introduced the chimeric pTA29-barnase gene into it by Agrobacteriumtume faciens transformation. We obtained the transgenic plants, and determined them by PCR, Southern blotting and RT-PCR analysis. Results indicated that the RNase (barnase) gene had been transferred into genome of plant, and its expression level was different among transformation plants. All transgenic plants were male sterile; there was no vigor or a little pollen without fertility in the anther of transgenic plants. The transgenic plants failed to produce seeds under the condition self-control pollination, but hybrid seeds set were obtained when these transgenic plants were cross-pollinated artificially with normal pollen from untransformed plants. Progeny from cross-pollinated maintainer line with transgenic plants segregated in the 1:1 for male sterility and male fertility, and these phenotypes corresponded directly to the presence or absence of the chimeri TA29-barnase gene. The male fertile plants of co-separated progenies could die by spraying 10 mg/L PPT in cotyledon seedling stage. The hybrid F1 between male sterility and other varieties showed heterosis in yield and growth. All these show that it is an efficient method to induce male sterility in Brassica campestris L. subsp. chinensis Makino var. parachinensis by TA29-barnase ene, there is potential on heterosis breeding of Brassica campestris L. subsp. chinensis Makino var. parachinensis.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; Brassica ; genetics ; growth & development ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Plant ; genetics ; Plant Infertility ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Ribonucleases ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibitory effect of targeted ribonuclease delivered via adenovirus against HBV replication in vitro.

METHODSThe shuttle plasmids pDC316 were constructed on the basis of the previous plasmids pcDNA3.1(-)/TRL, pcDNA3.1(-)/TR, pcDNA3.1(-)/TRmut, pcDNA3.1(-)/HBVc, and pcDNA3.1(-)/hEDN by subcloning the target gene sequences of TRL, TR, HBVc, and hEDN, respectively. HEK 293 cells were cotransfected with the pDC316 plasmids respectively in the presence of the rescue plasmid pBHGlox(delta)E1,3Cre to yield the recombinant adenoviral vectors which comprised the above genes. After transfection of HepG2.2.15 cells with the vectors, RAd/TRL expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. Radioimmunoassay was used to analyse anti-HBV activity of RAd/TRL.

RESULTSRecombinant RAd vectors were prepared successfully. Effective expression of RAd/TRL in HepG2.2.15 cells resulted in a significant decrease of HBsAg and HBeAg concentration in comparison with the controls.

CONCLUSIONAdenoviral vector-mediated targeted ribonuclease can effectively inhibit HBV replication.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ribonucleases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Virus Replication ; genetics

RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Ribonucleases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Virion ; chemistry ; genetics ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Gene Products, tat ; genetics ; Gene Targeting ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; Ribonucleases ; genetics ; Transduction, Genetic ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Cell Line ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Ribonucleases ; genetics ; Transfection ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo construct the multi-probe ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) template set to be used for detecting expression patterns of MD-2, TLR4, CD14 mRNAs in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODSThe designed cDNA fragments of the three genes were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers and directionally cloned into EcoR I and Hind III sites of expression plasmid pSP72 containing the T7 promoter, the linearized plasmids was used as template to synthesize anti-sense RNA probes. Then we extracted total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and detected the dynamic expression patterns of the three genes with RPA method.

RESULTSThe proper sequence and orientation of the template set were confirmed by sequencing and the template set was successfully used to assay TLR4, MD-2 and CD14 mRNAs in human PBMC. The results showed that the three detected genes decreased transiently 1-3 hours after 100 ng/ml LPS stimulation.

CONCLUSIONSThese new RPA multi-probe set provided valuable tool for the simultaneous quantitative determination of expression of TLR4, CD14 and MD-2 mRNAs in both constitutive and inducible types.

Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; Base Sequence ; Biological Assay ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; analysis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Lymphocyte Antigen 96 ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Molecular Probe Techniques ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; RNA Probes ; analysis ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; analysis ; Receptors, Immunologic ; analysis ; Ribonucleases ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Toll-Like Receptors