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Wang XX, Jia HJ, Lv YR, Sun HH, Wei XL, Tan JY, Jing ZZ. A Luciferase-EGFP Reporter System for the Evaluation of DNA Methylation in Mammalian Cells. Mol Biol 2021; 55:742-751. [PMID: 34226765 PMCID: PMC8244672 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321040099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification involved in numerous biological processes. Here, we present a cell-based system pLTR-Luc2P-EGFP for evaluation of DNA methylation in mammalian cells. In this system, the expression of reporter gene luciferase2P (Luc2P)-EGFP is under the control of HIV-1 promoter 5' long terminal repeat (LTR), which contains multiple CpG sites. Once these sites are methylated, the expression of Luc2P-EGFP is turned off, which may be visualized under fluorescence microscopy, with quantification performed in luciferase activity assay. As a proof of principle, pLTR-Luc2P-EGFP was methylated in vitro, and transfected into 293T cells, where the reduction of Luc2P-EGFP expression was confirmed. Premixed reporter DNA samples with the methylation levels varying from 0 to 100% were used for quantitative measurements of DNA methylation. The resulting standard curves indicated the accuracy of luciferase activity exceeding that of the Western blotting against EGFP. The Bland–Altman analysis showed that data from luciferase activity assay were in good agreement with the actual DNA methylation levels. In summary, we have established a reporter system coupled with reliable detection technique capable of efficient quantifying the changes in methylation in mammalian cells. This system may be utilized as a high throughput screening tool for identifying molecules that modulate DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- X X Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - H J Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary of Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Agricultural Ministry, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Y R Lv
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary of Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Agricultural Ministry, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - H H Sun
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary of Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Agricultural Ministry, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - X L Wei
- Institute of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - J Y Tan
- Institute of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Z Z Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary of Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Agricultural Ministry, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China
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2
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Development of a cell-based pathway modulator screening system to screen the targeted cancer therapeutic candidates. Hum Cell 2021; 34:445-456. [PMID: 33405176 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-020-00476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To overcome the issues of poor prognosis and to tackle the non-responsiveness to various chemotherapeutics; it is necessary to develop targeted cancer therapeutic agents. Also, it is being necessary to understand the molecular targets of the drug candidates and drugs in the context of cellular signaling pathways, to make progress towards the development of targeted cancer therapeutics. Towards addressing these, we have established a cell-based and pathway-focused drug screening system for the pathways such as MYC, E2F, WNT, ERK, NRF1/2, HIF1α, p53, YY1 and NFκB. These signaling pathways are highly dysregulated in many cancers, including gastric cancer. The developed firefly luciferase assay-based screening system in gastric cancer lineage is suitable for the screening of the massive panel of drugs, drug candidates, small molecule inhibitors, chemicals and alternate drug formulations. The developed stable cell lines have been demonstrated for their pathway activity reporting features using the corresponding pathway-specific modulators. A proof-of-concept medium throughput screening focusing on YY1 signaling pathway also revealed the connection between calcium channel blockers and YY1 signaling. The developed signaling pathway screening assay cells are valuable resource and will serve as the screening platform for screening the drug libraries towards the development of targeted cancer therapeutics.
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Zeng S, Zhang T, Madigan MC, Fernando N, Aggio-Bruce R, Zhou F, Pierce M, Chen Y, Huang L, Natoli R, Gillies MC, Zhu L. Interphotoreceptor Retinoid-Binding Protein (IRBP) in Retinal Health and Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:577935. [PMID: 33328889 PMCID: PMC7710524 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.577935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), also known as retinol binding protein 3 (RBP3), is a lipophilic glycoprotein specifically secreted by photoreceptors. Enriched in the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) and recycled by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), IRBP is essential for the vision of all vertebrates as it facilitates the transfer of retinoids in the visual cycle. It also helps to transport lipids between the RPE and photoreceptors. The thiol-dependent antioxidant activity of IRBP maintains the delicate redox balance in the normal retina. Thus, its dysfunction is suspected to play a role in many retinal diseases. We have reviewed here the latest research on IRBP in both retinal health and disease, including the function and regulation of IRBP under retinal stress in both animal models and the human retina. We have also explored the therapeutic potential of targeting IRBP in retinal diseases. Although some technical barriers remain, it is possible that manipulating the expression of IRBP in the retina will rescue or prevent photoreceptor degeneration in many retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoxue Zeng
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michele C Madigan
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nilisha Fernando
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Riemke Aggio-Bruce
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.,The Australian National University Medical School, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Fanfan Zhou
- Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Pierce
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yingying Chen
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lianlin Huang
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.,The Australian National University Medical School, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Mark C Gillies
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ling Zhu
- Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Min XQ, Xie Y. LncRNA CASC2 Alleviates the Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy by Regulating the miR-144/SOCS2 Signalling Axis. Kidney Blood Press Res 2020; 45:837-849. [PMID: 33227790 DOI: 10.1159/000508078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy constitutes a large proportion of end-stage kidney failure in diabetic patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS Db/db diabetic mouse models and high glucose (HG)-induced human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs) were used as research models in vivo and in vitro. The expression of cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) was quantified by qRT-PCR. The regulatory role of CASC2 in cell apoptosis, inflammatory factor release, and fibrosis was verified by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot assay, respectively. The bioinformatics prediction software DIANA and starBase v2.0 were used to predict the putative binding sites. The interactions among CASC2, miR-144, and SOCS2 were explored by the luciferase assay and Western bolt assay. RESULTS The expression of CASC2 in diabetic mouse models and HG-induced HRMCs was lower than that in the control (p < 0.05). Overexpression of CASC2 resulted in a decrease in the apoptosis rate, inflammatory factor release (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), expression of cleaved caspase-3, and fibrotic proteins (fibronectin, Col-IV, and TGF-β1) and an increase in Bcl-2 expression. Inhibition of CASC2 caused increased expression of miR-144. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations confirmed that activation of the miR-144/SOCS2 regulatory loop by overexpression of miR-144 reversed the in vitro effects of CASC2 on inhibiting cell apoptosis, inflammatory factor release, and fibrosis. In addition, simultaneous overexpression of miR-144 and SOCS2 further increased the inhibition of cell apoptosis, inflammatory factor release, and fibrosis by CASC2. CONCLUSION CASC2 could alleviate the degree and process of apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathic models by regulating the miR-144/SOCS2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qiang Min
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Nephrology, People's Hospital of XueCheng, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Yan Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China,
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Krasitskaya VV, Bashmakova EE, Frank LA. Coelenterazine-Dependent Luciferases as a Powerful Analytical Tool for Research and Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7465. [PMID: 33050422 PMCID: PMC7590018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
: The functioning of bioluminescent systems in most of the known marine organisms is based on the oxidation reaction of the same substrate-coelenterazine (CTZ), catalyzed by luciferase. Despite the diversity in structures and the functioning mechanisms, these enzymes can be united into a common group called CTZ-dependent luciferases. Among these, there are two sharply different types of the system organization-Ca2+-regulated photoproteins and luciferases themselves that function in accordance with the classical enzyme-substrate kinetics. Along with deep and comprehensive fundamental research on these systems, approaches and methods of their practical use as highly sensitive reporters in analytics have been developed. The research aiming at the creation of artificial luciferases and synthetic CTZ analogues with new unique properties has led to the development of new experimental analytical methods based on them. The commercial availability of many ready-to-use assay systems based on CTZ-dependent luciferases is also important when choosing them by first-time-users. The development of analytical methods based on these bioluminescent systems is currently booming. The bioluminescent systems under consideration were successfully applied in various biological research areas, which confirms them to be a powerful analytical tool. In this review, we consider the main directions, results, and achievements in research involving these luciferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilisa V. Krasitskaya
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
| | - Eugenia E. Bashmakova
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
| | - Ludmila A. Frank
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (V.V.K.); (E.E.B.)
- School of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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