RESUMEN
Spliced leader trans-splicing of pre-mRNAs is a critical step in the gene expression of many eukaryotes. How the spliced leader RNA and its target transcripts are brought together to form the trans-spliceosome remains an important unanswered question. Using immunoprecipitation followed by protein analysis via mass spectrometry and RIP-Seq, we show that the nematode-specific proteins, SNA-3 and SUT-1, form a complex with a set of enigmatic non-coding RNAs, the SmY RNAs. Our work redefines the SmY snRNP and shows for the first time that it is essential for nematode viability and is involved in spliced leader trans-splicing. SNA-3 and SUT-1 are associated with the 5' ends of most, if not all, nascent capped RNA polymerase II transcripts, and they also interact with components of the major nematode spliced leader (SL1) snRNP. We show that depletion of SNA-3 impairs the co-immunoprecipitation between one of the SL1 snRNP components, SNA-2, and several core spliceosomal proteins. We thus propose that the SmY snRNP recruits the SL1 snRNP to the 5' ends of nascent pre-mRNAs, an instrumental step in the assembly of the trans-spliceosome.
Asunto(s)
Precursores del ARN , ARN Lider Empalmado , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Pequeñas , Empalmosomas , Animales , ARN Lider Empalmado/metabolismo , ARN Lider Empalmado/genética , Precursores del ARN/metabolismo , Precursores del ARN/genética , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Pequeñas/metabolismo , Ribonucleoproteínas Nucleares Pequeñas/genética , Empalmosomas/metabolismo , Empalmosomas/genética , Caenorhabditis elegans/genética , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolismo , Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolismo , Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans/genética , Trans-Empalme , Unión ProteicaRESUMEN
Type VI CRISPR enzymes have been developed as programmable RNA-guided Cas proteins for eukaryotic RNA editing. Notably, Cas13 has been utilized for site-targeted single base edits, demethylation, RNA cleavage or knockdown and alternative splicing. However, the ability to edit large stretches of mRNA transcripts remains a significant challenge. Here, we demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas13 systems can be repurposed to assist trans-splicing of exogenous RNA fragments into an endogenous pre-mRNA transcript, a method termed CRISPR Assisted mRNA Fragment Trans-splicing (CRAFT). Using split reporter-based assays, we evaluate orthogonal Cas13 systems, optimize guide RNA length and screen for optimal trans-splicing site(s) across a range of intronic targets. We achieve markedly improved editing of large 5' and 3' segments in different endogenous mRNAs across various mammalian cell types compared to other spliceosome-mediated trans-splicing methods. CRAFT can serve as a versatile platform for attachment of protein tags, studying the impact of multiple mutations/single nucleotide polymorphisms, modification of untranslated regions (UTRs) or replacing large segments of mRNA transcripts.
Asunto(s)
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Edición Génica , Animales , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Edición Génica/métodos , ARN Guía de Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , ARN Mensajero/genética , Trans-Empalme , ARN/genética , Mamíferos/genéticaRESUMEN
Giardia lambliacauses giardiasis, one of the most common human infectious diseases globally. Previous studies from our lab have shown that hsp90 gene ofGiardia is split into two halves, namely hspN and hspC. The independent pre-mRNAs of these split genes join by trans-splicing, producing a full-length Hsp90 (FlHsp90) mRNA. Genetic manipulation of the participating genes is necessary to understand the mechanism and significance of such trans-splicing based expression of Hsp90. In this study, we have performed transfection based exogenous expression of hspN and/or hspC in G. lamblia. We electroporated a plasmid containing the Avi-tagged hspN component of Hsp90 and examined its fate in G. lamblia. We show that the exogenously expressed hspN RNA gets trans-spliced to endogenously expressed hspC RNA, giving rise to a hybrid-FlHsp90. We highlight the importance of cis-elements in this trans-splicing reaction through mutational analysis. The episomal plasmid carrying deletions in the intronic region of hspN, showed inhibition of the trans-splicing reaction.Additionally, exogenous hspC RNA also followed the same fate as of exogenous hspN, while upon co-transfection with episomal hspN, they underwent trans-splicing with each other. Using eGFP as a test protein, we have shown that intronic sequences of hsp90 gene can guide trans-splicing mediated repair of any associated exonic sequences. Our study provides in vivo validation of Hsp90 trans-splicing, showing crucial role of cis-elements and importantly highlights the potential of hsp90 intronic sequences to function as a minimal splicing tool.
Asunto(s)
Giardia lamblia , Proteínas HSP90 de Choque Térmico , Proteínas Protozoarias , Trans-Empalme , Giardia lamblia/genética , Intrones/genética , Precursores del ARN/genética , Trans-Empalme/genética , Proteínas HSP90 de Choque Térmico/genética , Proteínas Protozoarias/genéticaRESUMEN
To provide technical support for spider silk functional modification, we developed a simple and efficient functional platform via intein trans-splicing. Small ubiquitin-related modifier protein (SUMO) was fused to the recombinant spider silk protein (W2CT) by peptide bond via S0 split intein Ssp DnaB trans-splicing, resulting in a protein SUMOW2CT. However, incorporation of exogenous protein led to mechanical property defect and lower fiber yield, and also slowed down the fiber assembly velocity but no obvious differences in supercontraction and chemical resistance when compared with fibers from W2CT (W). SUMO protease digestion showed positive results on the fibers, indicating that the SUMO protein kept its native conformation and bioactive. Above all, this work provides a technical support for spider silk high simply and efficient functionalized modification.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Inteínas , Empalme de Proteína , Proteínas Recombinantes , Química , Seda , Química , Proteínas Modificadoras Pequeñas Relacionadas con Ubiquitina , Química , Arañas , Trans-EmpalmeRESUMEN
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma. Because schistosomes exhibit a complex life cycle and numerous mechanisms for regulating gene expression, it is believed that spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing could play an important role in the biology of these parasites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of trans-splicing in Schistosoma mansoni through analysis of genes that may be regulated by this mechanism and via silencing SL-containing transcripts through RNA interference. Here, we report our analysis of SL transcript-enriched cDNA libraries from different S. mansoni life stages. Our results show that the trans-splicing mechanism is apparently not associated with specific genes, subcellular localisations or life stages. In cross-species comparisons, even though the sets of genes that are subject to SL trans-splicing regulation appear to differ between organisms, several commonly shared orthologues were observed. Knockdown of trans-spliced transcripts in sporocysts resulted in a systemic reduction of the expression levels of all tested trans-spliced transcripts; however, the only phenotypic effect observed was diminished larval size. Further studies involving the findings from this work will provide new insights into the role of trans-splicing in the biology of S. mansoni and other organisms. All Expressed Sequence Tags generated in this study were submitted to dbEST as five different libraries. The accessions for each library and for the individual sequences are as follows: (i) adult worms of mixed sexes (LIBEST_027999: JZ139310 - JZ139779), (ii) female adult worms (LIBEST_028000: JZ139780 - JZ140379), (iii) male adult worms (LIBEST_028001: JZ140380 - JZ141002), (iv) eggs (LIBEST_028002: JZ141003 - JZ141497) and (v) schistosomula (LIBEST_028003: JZ141498 - JZ141974).
Asunto(s)
Animales , Femenino , Masculino , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Precursores del ARN/aislamiento & purificación , ARN Lider Empalmado/genética , Schistosoma mansoni/genética , Trans-Empalme/fisiología , Etiquetas de Secuencia Expresada , Biblioteca de Genes , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/genética , Larva , Estadios del Ciclo de Vida/genética , Fenotipo , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Precursores del ARN/genética , ARN Bicatenario , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Schistosoma mansoni/crecimiento & desarrollo , Trans-Empalme/genéticaRESUMEN
A regulação gênica em tripanossomatídeos é policistrônica e ocorre de maneira pós-transcricional. [...] Para verificar se UTR de tamanhos diferentes possuem impacto na transcrição e, por conseguinte, na tradução de proteínas, selecionou-se genes da família de trans-sialidases, devido à importância destas no processo de invasão celular. A metodologia envolveu a extração de RNA total de T. cruzi CL-Brener, seguido da síntese de cDNA, PCR, clonagem dos produtos amplificados e seqüenciamento por Sanger e pelo uso do 454 Junior (Next Generation Sequencing NSG). Como as trans-sialidases correspondem a uma família gênica de cópias múltiplas, usou-se a estratégia de sequenciamento de alto-desempenho na tentativa de cobrir o maior número possível de genes desta família. Para isso foram obtidos cDNAs de trans-sialidases de CL-Brener nas formas epimastigota e tripomastigota com o iniciador 5UTRTCNA, os quais apresentaram UTR com tamanhos variados entre 65 187 pb, além da obtenção de cDNAs para esta família de proteínas, em epimastigotas CL-Brener, com o iniciador 5TcTS, apresentando UTR variando de 171 a 221 pb, com similaridade de sequências entre elas. Com o intuito de avaliar a correspondência entre a transcrição dos RNAs de trans-sialidases e a sua tradução, houve a necessidade de identificação das proteínas. Desenvolvemos uma metodologia de lise celular e produção de extrato proteico (denominado TcS12) a partir de células de T. cruzi no estágio epimastigota. As cepas selecionadas para esse estudo foram CL-Brener (TcVI), Dm28c (TcI), Y (TcII) e 4167 (TcIV). O processo de lise celular foi otimizado para 107 parasitos/mL ressuspensos em 200 miL de tampão de lise hipotônica (por 30 minutos a 40C), associado ao sonicador de banho (por 30 minutos a 40C)...
Gene regulation in trypanosomatids is polycistronic and occurs in a post-transcriptionalway. [...] To verify the impact of UTRs presenting differentsizes in the transcription machinery and protein translation, genes from trans-sialidasefamily were selected due to its importance in the cell invasion process. Themethodological strategies involved the extraction of total RNA from T. cruzi CL-Brenerstrain, followed by cDNA synthesis, PCR, cloning and sequencing of amplified productsby Sanger and by using the 454 Junior (Next Generation Sequencing NGS).Considering that trans-sialidase is a multi-copy gene family, this high-throughputsequencing strategy was employed in an attempt to cover the largest number of transsialidasegenes. Trans-sialidase cDNAs from CL-Brener epimastigote andtripomastigote were obtained with 5`UTRTCNA primer showing UTR sizes between 65 -187 bp. The cDNA from this protein family were also obtained with the 5TcTS primerfrom CL-Brener epimastigotes, generating UTRs with 171 - 221 bp. Both 5UTRpresented sequence similarities between them. In order to evaluate the correspondencebetween trans-sialidase gene transcription and translation, it was necessary toaccomplish the identification of proteins. Therefore, we developed a methodology forcell disruption, which resulted in a protein extract (referred as TcS12) from epimastigoteT. cruzi cells. The strains selected for this study were CL-Brener (TcVI), Dm28c (TcI), Y(TcII) and 4167 (TcIV). The process for lysing the cells was optimized to 107parasites/mL resuspended in 200 miL hypotonic lysis buffer (30 minutes at 4oC), followedby water bath sonication (30 minutes at 4oC). The process efficacy was confirmed byFACS, showing that near 72 percent of the cells were successfully stained with propidiumiodide solution (PI)...
Asunto(s)
Animales , Biosíntesis de Proteínas , Trans-Empalme/genética , Trypanosoma cruzi/crecimiento & desarrollo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Transcripción ReversaRESUMEN
Trypanosomatidae is a family of early branching eukaryotes harbouring a distinctive repertoire of gene expression strategies. Functional mature messenger RNA is generated via the trans-splicing and polyadenylation processing of constitutively transcribed polycistronic units. Recently, trans-splicing of pre-small subunit ribosomal RNA in the 5' external transcribed spacer region and of precursor tRNAsec have been described. Here, we used a previously validated semi-nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction strategy to investigate internal transcribed spacer (ITS) I acceptor sites in total RNA from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Two distinct spliced leader-containing RNAs were detected indicating that trans-splicing reactions occur at two AG acceptor sites mapped in this ITS region. These data provide further evidence of the wide spectrum of RNA molecules that act as trans-splicing acceptors in trypanosomatids.
Asunto(s)
ADN Espaciador Ribosómico/genética , Leishmania mexicana/genética , Precursores del ARN/genética , Sitios de Empalme de ARN/genética , ARN Protozoario/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Trans-Empalme/genéticaRESUMEN
The addition of a capped mini-exon [spliced leader (SL)] through trans-splicing is essential for the maturation of RNA polymerase (pol) II-transcribed polycistronic pre-mRNAs in all members of the Trypanosomatidae family. This process is an inter-molecular splicing reaction that follows the same basic rules of cis-splicing reactions. In this study, we demonstrated that mini-exons were added to precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) are transcribed by RNA pol I, including the 5' external transcribed spacer (ETS) region. Additionally, we detected the SL-5'ETS molecule using three distinct methods and located the acceptor site between two known 5'ETS rRNA processing sites (A' and A1) in four different trypanosomatids. Moreover, we detected a polyadenylated 5'ETS upstream of the trans-splicing acceptor site, which also occurs in pre-mRNA trans-splicing. After treatment with an indirect trans-splicing inhibitor (sinefungin), we observed SL-5'ETS decay. However, treatment with 5-fluorouracil (a precursor of RNA synthesis that inhibits the degradation of pre-rRNA) led to the accumulation of SL-5'ETS, suggesting that the molecule may play a role in rRNA degradation. The detection of trans-splicing in these molecules may indicate broad RNA-joining properties, regardless of the polymerase used for transcription.
Asunto(s)
Leishmania mexicana/genética , Precursores del ARN/genética , ARN Lider Empalmado/genética , Trans-Empalme/genética , Exones/genética , Conformación de Ácido Nucleico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa InversaRESUMEN
In our recent study by exploring an intein-based dual-vector to deliver a B-domain-deleted FVIII (BDD-FVIII) gene, it showed that covalently ligated intact BDD-FVIII molecules with a specific coagulant activity could be produced from expressed heavy and light chains by protein trans-splicing. Here, we assessed the hypothesis that the efficiency of trans-splicing may be increased by adding to the intein sequences a pair of leucine zippers that are known to bring about specific and strong protein binding. The intein-fused heavy and light chain genes were co-transferred into cultured COS-7 cells using a dual-vector system. After transient expression, the intracellular BDD-FVIII splicing was observed and the spliced BDD-FVIII and bioactivity secreted to culture media were quantitatively analyzed. An enhanced splicing of BDD-FVIII with decreased protein precursors from gene co-transfected cells was observed by Western blotting. The amount of spliced BDD-FVIII and bioactivity secreted to the culture media were 106 +/- 12 ng x mL(-1) and 0.89 +/- 0.11 U x mL(-1) analyzed by ELISA and Coatest method respectively, which was greater than leucine zipper free intein-fused heavy and light chain genes co-transfected cells (72 +/- 10 ng x mL(-1) and 0.62 +/- 0.07 U x mL(-1)). The activity of cellular mechanism-independent protein splicing was also improved, as showed by the increasing of spliced BDD-FVIII and bioactivity in culture media from combined cells separately transfected with heavy and light chain genes which was 36 +/- 11 ng x mL(-1) and 0.28 +/- 0.09 U x mL(-1). It demonstrated that the leucine zippers could be used to increase the efficiency of protein trans-splicing to improve the efficacy of a dual-vector mediated BDD-FVIII gene delivery by strengthening the interaction between the two intein-pieces fused to heavy and light chains. It provided evidence for further study in animal model using a dual-adeno-associated virus vector to deliver FVIII gene in vivo.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Células COS , Chlorocebus aethiops , Factor VIII , Química , Genética , Metabolismo , Vectores Genéticos , Inteínas , Leucina Zippers , Fragmentos de Péptidos , Química , Genética , Metabolismo , Empalme de Proteína , Trans-Empalme , TransfecciónRESUMEN
Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, exhibits unique mechanisms for gene expression such as constitutive polycistronic transcription of protein-coding genes, RNA editing and trans-splicing. In the absence of mechanism controlling transcription initiation, organized subsets of T. cruzi genes must be post-transcriptionally co-regulated in response to extracellular signals. The mechanisms that regulate stage-specific gene expression in this parasite have become much clearer through sequencing its whole genome as well as performing various proteomic and microarray analyses, which have demonstrated that at least half of the T. cruzi genes are differentially regulated during its life cycle. In this review, we attempt to highlight the recent advances in characterising cis and trans-acting elements in the T. cruzi genome that are involved in its post-transcriptional regulatory machinery.
Asunto(s)
Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Procesamiento Postranscripcional del ARN , ARN Mensajero , Transcripción Genética , Trypanosoma cruzi , Genoma de Protozoos , Análisis de Secuencia por Matrices de Oligonucleótidos , ARN Protozoario , Trans-Empalme , Trypanosoma cruzi/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
This study is to construct a chimeric human/porcine BDD-FVIII (BDD-hpFVIII) containing the substituted porcine A1 and A3 domains which proved to have a pro-secretory function. By exploring Ssp DnaB intein's protein trans-splicing a dual-vector was adopted to co-transfer the chimeric BDD-hpFVIII gene into cultured COS-7 cell to observe the intracellular BDD-hpFVIII splicing by Western blotting and secretion of spliced chimeric BDD-hp FVIII protein and bio-activity using ELISA and Coatest assay, respectively. The dada showed that an obvious protein band of spliced BDD-hpFVIII can be seen, and the amount of spliced BDD-hpFVIII protein and bio-activity in the supernatant were up to (340 +/- 64) ng x mL(-1) and (2.52 +/- 0.32) u x mL(-1) secreted by co-transfected cells which were significantly higher than that of dual-vector-mediated human BDD-FVIII gene co-transfection cells [(93 +/- 22) ng x mL(-1), (0.72 +/- 0.13) u x mL(-1)]. Furthermore, a spliced BDD-hpFVIII protein and activity can be detected in supernatant from combined cells separately transfected with intein-fused BDD-hpFVIII heavy and light chain genes indicating that intein-mediated BDD-hpFVIII splicing occurs independently of cellular mechanism. It provided evidence for enhancing FVIII secretion in the research of animal models using intein-based dual vector for the delivery of the BDD-hpFVIII gene.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Humanos , Células COS , Chlorocebus aethiops , Factor VIII , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Vectores Genéticos , Inteínas , Fragmentos de Péptidos , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Plásmidos , Empalme de Proteína , Porcinos , Trans-Empalme , TransfecciónRESUMEN
As synthesized by vascular endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, the von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays an important hemostatic role in the binding to and stabilizing blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and preventing its enzymatic degradation. Our recent work demonstrated intein can efficiently ligate BDD-FVIII (B-domaim deleted FVIII) posttranslationally by protein trans-splicing after transfer of split BDD-FVIII gene by a dual-vector system. In this study we investigated the effect of vWF on secretion and activity of intein-ligated BDD-FVIII. We observed the levels of full-length BDD-FVIII antigen secreted into culture supernatant by ELISA and their activity by Coatest assay after transfection of cultured 293 cells with intein-fused BDD-FVIII heavy- and light-chain genes simultaneously with the vWF gene co-transfected. The data showed that the amount of full-length BDD-FVIII protein and their bioactivity in vWF gene co-transfected cell supernatant were 235 +/- 21 ng x mL(-1) and 1.98 +/- 0.2 u x mL(-1), respectively, greater than that of non-vWF co-transfected cell (110 +/- 18) ng x mL(-1) and 1.10 +/- 0.15 u x nL(-1)) or just BDD-FVIII gene transfected control cell (131 +/- 25 ng x mL(-1) and 1.22 +/- 0.18 u x mL(-1)) indicating the benefit of vWF gene co-transfection in the secretion and activity of intein-spliced BDD-FVIII protein. It provided evidence that vWF gene co-transfer may be useful to improve efficacy of gene therapy for hemophilia A in protein splicing-based split FVIII gene transfer.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Factor VIII , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Terapia Genética , Vectores Genéticos , Células HEK293 , Hemofilia A , Terapéutica , Inteínas , Fragmentos de Péptidos , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Plásmidos , Empalme de Proteína , Trans-Empalme , Transfección , Factor de von Willebrand , Genética , Metabolismo , FisiologíaRESUMEN
Low levels of coagulation factor VIII (fVIII) protein expression caused by its inefficient secretion and the over-sized fVIII gene affect the transgene-based gene therapy for hemophilia A adversely. Our previous study demonstrated that intein-mediated protein trans-splicing for delivery of the fVIII gene with a dual-vector system could improve secretion of post-translationally spliced fVIII by light chain in cis. In this study, a human/porcine hybrid fVIII (HP-fVIII) containing replaced A1 and A3 domains of porcine fVIII was investigated for secretion and activity of the spliced HP-fVIII after intein-based dual-vector delivery of the HP-fVIII gene. A pair of expression plasmids comprising intein-fused HP-fVIII heavy and light chains were constructed and transiently co-transfected into COS-7 cells. The spliced HP-fVIII and bio-activity in culture media were quantitatively analyzed by ELISA and Coatest method respectively. The intracellular splicing of HP-fVIII was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that in the culture supernatant of cells co-transfected with HP-fVIII, the amount and activity of spliced HP-fVIII were significantly higher than those of spliced hfVIII secreted from the cells co-transfected with human fVIII [(184+/-34 ng/mL) vs (48+/-12) ng/mL, P<0.01; (1.18+/-0.22) IU/mL vs (0.31+/-0.10) IU/mL, P<0.01], demonstrating the dramatically enhancing effect of porcine A1 and A3 domains on the secretion of intein-spliced HP-fVIII. The spliced HP-fVIII protein and its activity were also detected in the supernatant from combined cells separately transfected with intein-fused HP-fVIII heavy and light chain genes, indicating that the intein-mediated HP-fVIII splicing was independent of cellular mechanism and could occur outside the cell after the secretion of precursor proteins. Additionally, an intracellularly spliced HP-fVIII band was found with a molecular weight similar to human fVIII protein, confirming the HP-fVIII splicing. These results provided experimental basis for ongoing study using intein-based dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to transfer HP-fVIII gene in animal models.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Humanos , Células COS , Chlorocebus aethiops , Dependovirus , Genética , Metabolismo , Factor VIIIa , Genética , Vectores Genéticos , Inteínas , Empalme de Proteína , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión , Genética , Porcinos , Trans-EmpalmeRESUMEN
The mutation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene leads to an autosomal recessive genetic disorder cystic fibrosis (CF). The gene therapy for CF using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors delivering CFTR gene is restricted by the contents limitation of AAV vectors. In this study the split CFTR genes severed at its regulatory domain were delivered by a dual-vector system with an intein-mediated protein trans-splicing as a technique to investigate the post-translational ligation of CFTR half proteins and its function as a chloride ion channel. A pair of eukaryotic expression vectors was constructed by breaking the human CFTR cDNA before Ser712 codon and fusing with Ssp DnaB intein coding sequences. After co-transfection into baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells followed by transient expression, patch clamps were carried out to record the chloride current of whole-cell and the activity of a single channel, and the ligation of two halves of CFTR was observed by Western blotting. The results showed that the intein-fused half genes co-transfected cells displayed a high whole cell chloride current and activity of a single channel indicating the functional recovery of chloride channel, and an intact CFTR protein band was figured out by CFTR-specific antibodies indicating that intein can efficiently ligate the separately expressed half CFTR proteins. The data demonstrated that protein splicing strategy could be used as a strategy in delivering CFTR gene by two vectors, encouraging our ongoing research program on dual AAV vector system based gene transfer in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Cricetinae , Humanos , Células Cultivadas , Cloruros , Metabolismo , Codón , Genética , Fibrosis Quística , Terapéutica , Regulador de Conductancia de Transmembrana de Fibrosis Quística , Genética , Metabolismo , ADN Complementario , Genética , Dependovirus , Genética , Terapia Genética , Vectores Genéticos , Inteínas , Fisiología , Riñón , Biología Celular , Procesamiento Proteico-Postraduccional , Proteínas Recombinantes , Genética , Metabolismo , Trans-Empalme , TransfecciónRESUMEN
We recently demonstrated that an intein-mediated protein splicing can be used to transfer B-domain-deleted FVIII (BDD-FVIII) gene by a dual-vector. In this study, we observed the effect of a variant heavy chain with six potential glycosylation sites of B domain and L303E/F309S mutations in its A1 domain, which were proven to be beneficial for FVIII secretion, on secretion of spliced BDD-FVIII. By transient co-transfection of cultured 293 cells with intein-fused variant heavy chain (DMN6HCIntN) and light chain (IntCLC) genes, the culture supernatant was analyzed quantitatively by ELISA for secreted spliced BDD-FVIII antigen and by a chromogenic assay for bioactivity. The data showed that the amount of spliced BDD-FVIII protein and coagulation activity in culture supernatant from DMN6HCIntN plus IntCLC co-transfected cells were up to (149 +/- 23) ng x mL(-1) and (1.12 +/- 0.14) u x mL(-1) respectively greater than that of intein-fused wild type heavy (HCIntN) and light chain (IntCLC) co-transfected cells [(99 +/- 14) ng x mL(-1) and (0.77 +/- 0.13) u x mL(-1)] indicating that the variant heavy chain is able to improve the secretion of spliced BDD-FVIII and activity. A cellular mechanism-independent BDD-FVIII splicing was also observed. It provided evidence for ongoing animal experiment using intein-mediated dual-AAV vector technology for delivery of the BDD-FVIII genes.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Factor VIII , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Glicosilación , Células HEK293 , Inteínas , Mutación , Fragmentos de Péptidos , Genética , Metabolismo , Secreciones Corporales , Empalme de Proteína , Trans-Empalme , TransfecciónRESUMEN
The Tetrahymena group I intron has been shown to employ a trans-splicing reaction and has been modified to specifically target and replace human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) RNA with a suicide gene transcript, resulting in the induction of selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells that express the target RNA, in animal models as well as in cell cultures. In this study, we evaluated the target RNA specificity of trans -splicing phenomena by the group I intron in mice that were intraperitoneally inoculated with hTERT-expressing human cancer cells to validate the anti-cancer therapeutic applicability of the group I intron. To this end, an adenoviral vector that encoded for the hTERT-targeting group I intron was constructed and systemically injected into the animal. 5'-end RACE-PCR and sequencing analyses of the trans-spliced cDNA clones revealed that all of the analyzed products in the tumor tissue of the virus-infected mice resulted from reactions that were generated only with the targeted hTERT RNA. This study implies the in vivo target specificity of the trans - splicing group I intron and hence suggests that RNA replacement via a trans -splicing reaction by the group I intron is a potent anti-cancer genetic approach.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Humanos , Ratones , Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Células Clonales , ADN Complementario , Intrones , Modelos Animales , ARN , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Suicidio , Telomerasa , Tetrahymena , Trans-EmpalmeRESUMEN
A trans-splicing ribozyme which can specifically reprogram human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) RNA was previously suggested as a useful agent for tumor-targeted gene therapy. In this study, we evaluated in vivo function of the hTERT-targeting trans-splicing ribozymes by employing the molecular analysis of expression level of genes affected by the ribozyme delivery into peritoneal carcinomatosis mice model. To this effect, we constructed adenoviral vector encoding the specific ribozyme. Noticeably, more than four-fold reduction in the level of hTERT RNA was observed in tumor nodules by the systemic infection of the ribozyme-encoding virus. Such hTERT RNA knockdown in vivo induced changes in the global gene expression profile, including the suppression of specific genes associated with anti-apoptosis including bcl2, and genes for angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, specific trans-splicing reaction with the targeted hTERT RNA took place in the tumors established as peritoneal carcinomatosis in mice by systemic delivery of the ribozyme. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that an hTERT-specific RNA replacement approach using trans-splicing ribozyme represents a potential modality to treat cancer.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Humanos , Ratones , Línea Celular , Expresión Génica/fisiología , Vectores Genéticos , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Neoplasias/genética , ARN Catalítico/genética , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Neoplásico/genética , Telomerasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Trans-Empalme/genéticaRESUMEN
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is an enzymatic ribonucleoprotein that prolongs the replicative life span of cells by maintaining protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomerase activity is highly up-regulated in 85-90% of human cancers, and is predominately regulated by hTERT expression. In contrast, most normal somatic tissues in humans express low or undetectable levels of telomerase activity. This expression profile identifies TERT as a potential anticancer target. By using an RNA mapping strategy based on a trans-splicing ribozyme library, we identified the regions of mouse TERT (mTERT) RNA that were accessible to ribozymes. We found that particularly accessible sites were present downstream of the AUG start codon. This mTERTspecific ribozyme will be useful for validation of the RNA replacement as cancer gene therapy approach in mouse model with syngeneic tumors.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Humanos , Ratones , Dominio Catalítico , Codón Iniciador , Genes Relacionados con las Neoplasias , Terapia Genética , Ribonucleoproteínas , ARN , ARN Catalítico , Telomerasa , Trans-EmpalmeRESUMEN
Since the discovery that genes are split into intron and exons, the studies of the mechanisms involved in splicing pointed to presence of consensus signals in an attempt to generalize the process for all living cells. However, as discussed in the present review, splicing is a theme full of variations. The trans-splicing of pre-mRNAs, the joining of exons from distinct transcripts, is one of these variations with broad distribution in the phylogenetic tree. The biological meaning of this phenomenon is discussed encompassing reactions resembling a possible noise to mechanisms of gene expression regulation. All of them however, can contribute to the generation of life diversity.