Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:3.2.1.23 (beta-galactosidase)
14,648 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The transfer of exogenous DNA in fish represents a powerful strategy to study the regulation of gene expression in vivo. The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was chosen for this study because of its scientific and economic importance due to its easy husbandry, its short developmental period, and its value as a protein source in Africa and Asia. Fertilized eggs (1- and 2-cell stage) were cytoplasmatically injected with either supercoiled or linearized plasmids harboring the fusion genes encoding beta-galactosidase (lacZ) or luciferase (Luc) without a promoter or fused to the promoter/enhancer of human cytomegalovirus (CMV). Replication of the exogenous DNA peaked at 4 hours (early gastrula) and again at 2 days (which corresponds to the developmental stage of yolksac resorption). Foreign DNA persisted during embryogenesis, and it was still detectable 8 months after injection. In vivo transient expression of both CMV fusion genes was mosaic and peaked within 24 hours after DNA injection. Transient expression of the luciferase reporter gene could be detected with a much higher sensitivity than the lacZ gene. These data establish African catfish as a suitable in vivo assay system, and they confirm the luciferase reporter gene as a high quality reporter gene in fish.
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PMID:Replication, expression, and fate of foreign DNA during embryonic and larval development of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). 808 84

Luciferase genes are widely used as reporters of gene expression because of the high sensitivity of chemiluminescence detection and the possibility of monitoring light production in intact cells. We engineered fusions of the Escherichia coli soxS promoter to the luciferase structural genes (luxAB) from Vibrio harveyi. Since soxS transcription is positively triggered by the activated SoxR protein in response to agents such as paraquat that generate intracellular superoxide, we hoped to use this construct as a sensitive reporter of redox stress agents. Although a soxR+ soxS'::luxAB fusion exhibited a paraquat-inducible synthesis of luciferase, a smaller increase was consistently observed even in the absence of known soxRS inducers. This endogenous induction was soxR dependent and was further characterized by introducing a plasmid carrying the luciferase structural genes without the soxS promoter into a strain carrying a soxS'::lacZ fusion in the bacterial chromosome. These cells exhibited increased beta-galactosidase expression as they grew into mid-log phase. This increase was ascribed to luciferase activity because beta-galactosidase induction was suppressed (but not eliminated) when the substrate n-decanal was present in the medium. The soxS'::luxAB plasmid transformed superoxide dismutase-deficient strains very poorly under aerobic conditions but just as efficiently as a control plasmid under anaerobic conditions. The production of hydrogen peroxide, the dismutation product of superoxide anion, was significantly increased in strains carrying bacterial luciferase and maximal in the absence of n-decanal. Taken collectively, these data point to the generation of significant amounts of intracellular superoxide by bacterial luciferase, the possible mechanism of which is discussed. In addition to providing insights into the role of superoxide in the activation of the SoxR protein, these results suggest caution in the interpretation of experiments using luciferase as a reporter of gene expression.
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PMID:Intracellular generation of superoxide as a by-product of Vibrio harveyi luciferase expressed in Escherichia coli. 815 97

Ligand-mediated approaches to gene transfer offer an alternative to viral vectors for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Although a significant percentage of the plasmid-based DNA complex is lost to lysosomal degradation following receptor-mediated endocytosis, simultaneous infection with adenovirus has been shown to increase the level of transgene expression [Curiel, Agarwal, Wagner and Cotten (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 8850-8854; Wagner, Zatloukal, Cotten, Kirlappos, Mechtler, Curiel and Birnstiel (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 6099-6103]. In this study we describe an adenovirus-based ligand complex where the plasmid DNA, polycation-ligand conjugate and adenovirus are contained within a single particle structure. At the core of the transfection particle is a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus encoding a cDNA minigene for human placenta alkaline phosphatase that was chemically modified with poly(L-lysine) (Ad-pLys). Electron microscopy of an adenovirus-based ligand complex formed by successively adding plasmid DNA and an asialo-orosomucoid-poly(L-lysine) conjugate to Ad-pLys revealed structures that appeared as intact viral particles coated with a dense biomolecular layer. Adenovirus-based ligand complexes containing either a luciferase or beta-galactosidase reporter plasmid were shown to efficiently deliver the plasmid transgene to cells that express the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor. Furthermore, the poly(L-lysine) modification greatly reduced the infectivity potential of the virus without causing a concomitant loss of augmented gene transfer. As an alternative to infectious virions, incomplete products of viral assembly were also considered as a source for endosomalytic activity. However, these defective virions were unable to significantly enhance plasmid transgene delivery.
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PMID:Biochemical and functional analysis of an adenovirus-based ligand complex for gene transfer. 816 59

Restenosis continues to limit the efficacy of coronary angioplasty, despite the various mechanical and pharmaceutical interventions that have been employed. The migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix production by vascular smooth muscle cells are processes integral to restenosis, and sustained local delivery of drugs at high concentration should curtail these vascular responses to balloon angioplasty. Our laboratory and others are exploring the potential of using somatic cell gene therapy to provide such treatment and thereby prevent restenosis. However, conventional methods of gene transfer fail to produce physiologic levels of recombinant protein in vivo. This obstacle might be overcome by using adenoviral vectors to mediate efficient direct gene transfer. Herein we summarize these developments and focus upon our laboratory's progress towards evaluating adenovirus-mediated gene therapy in porcine coronary arteries. Recombinant adenoviruses directing the expression of the beta-galactosidase and luciferase reporter genes were evaluated in cultured coronary vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro and in porcine coronary arteries in vivo. Following percutaneous transluminal gene transfer in vivo, recombinant adenoviruses were shown to produce 70- to 240-fold more reporter protein than that produced by Lipofectin-DNA complexes. Furthermore, the high levels of adenovirus-mediated gene expression were shown to persist for at least 14 days following catheterization. Additional histologic studies will be required to determine the cellular distribution of gene expression and to elucidate potential interactions between adenovirus and the host's immune system, but recombinant adenovirus appears to be a promising vector for evaluating gene therapy against coronary restenosis.
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PMID:Coronary restenosis and gene therapy. 818 May 4

We have optimized a lipospermine-based transfection method for introducing genes into intact vertebrate embryos in vivo. The method employs small amounts of the cationic lipid Transfectam (DOGS), in a concentrated (40 mM) ethanolic solution, to compact and to transfer exogenous genes into chick embryos during the early stages of development (< 36 h of incubation). Plasmid vectors containing the reporter gene luciferase were used to follow the time course of expression. Luciferase activity was detected as early as 12 h post-transfection and was highest at this time. Enzyme activity then decreased over the next two days and was usually undetectable by 72-h post-transfection. To follow the spatial expression of the exogenous genes, a Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-beta-galactosidase vector was used. When the transfection complex was applied externally around the developing embryo, the main site of expression was the cardiac tissue. Expression could be targeted to the nervous system by micro-injecting the DNA/DOGS (DNA/dioctadecylamidoglycylspermine) complex into the developing brain. The results show that reporter genes can be efficiently expressed in both the developing central nervous system and heart. This raises the possibility that lipospermines can be used to transfer functional genes into embryos during defined periods of development and also to deliver genes in other species and in other in vivo contexts.
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PMID:Temporal and spatial expression of lipospermine-compacted genes transferred into chick embryos in vivo. 818 24

Direct arterial gene transfer has been previously achieved using double-balloon catheters and perforated balloons, in most cases facilitated by the use of cationic liposomes or viral vectors. These gene delivery systems, however, have been compromised by issues relating to efficacy and/or safety, and furthermore require that angioplasty be performed independent of gene transfer. We investigated the possibility that arterial gene transfer might be performed during balloon angioplasty by delivery of naked genetic material from a thin coat of hydrogel polymer applied to a standard angioplasty balloon. Transfections with luciferase DNA applied to a hydrogel balloon were performed in rabbit arteries. Luciferase expression 3 days after transfection was tested in three different models: (i) an organ culture model (n = 10); (ii) surgically exposed carotid arteries (n = 14); and (iii) external iliac arteries using a percutaneous approach (n = 13). Supplementary transfections (n = 3), intended to identify the site of arterial transfection, were performed using the gene encoding for nuclear-specific beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). All rabbit arteries transfected with the luciferase gene (37/37; 100%) expressed luciferase activity. Gene expression achieved in vivo, either in the surgically exposed carotid arteries or in the external iliac arteries transfected percutaneously, was quantitatively similar to that achieved in the organ culture model. Reduction in the duration of inflation from 30 min to 1 min had no statistically significant impact on transfection efficiency. Gene expression was documented to persist up to 14 days post percutaneous transfection. Analysis of arteries transfected with nuclear-specific beta-gal showed the presence of the transgene in intimal and subintimal sites. These results demonstrate that vascular gene transfer can be performed successfully without liposomes or viral vectors using DNA applied to a standard angioplasty catheter balloon coated with hydrogel. Percutaneous transfection with a hydrogel-coated balloon permits gene transfer coincident with the angioplasty procedure itself, even with inflations as short as 1 min.
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PMID:Arterial gene transfer using pure DNA applied directly to a hydrogel-coated angioplasty balloon. 818 90

A particle bombardment technique was used for gene transfer to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and murine splenocytes, thymocytes and peritoneal macrophages in primary culture. Significant expression of a luciferase marker gene was observed in these cell types within 8 h of gene transfer. Luciferase expression was readily detected in peritoneal macrophages 4 h after culture initiation and transfection. Same day determinations of transgene activity in fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples were feasible. Promoter preference and ballistic parameters were examined to optimize transgene expression. Up to 6% of bombarded human T lymphocytes expressed transgenic beta-galactosidase activity. These results demonstrate that particle bombardment is an effective means for gene transfer and provides an attractive approach for rapid, quantitative analysis of transgene expression in various leukocyte primary culture systems.
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PMID:Rapid transgene expression in lymphocyte and macrophage primary cultures after particle bombardment-mediated gene transfer. 822 67

Cascade polymers also known as Starburst dendrimers are spheroidal polycations that can be synthesized with a well-defined diameter and a precise number of terminal amines per dendrimer. We show, using luciferase and beta-galactosidase containing plasmids, that dendrimers mediate high efficiency transfection of a variety of suspension and adherent cultured mammalian cells. Dendrimer-mediated transfection is a function both of the dendrimer/DNA ratio and the diameter of the dendrimer. Maximal transfection of luciferase are obtained using a diameter of 68 A and a dendrimer to DNA charge ratio of 6/1 (terminal amine to phosphate). Expression is unaffected by lysomotrophic agents such as chloroquine and only modestly affected (2-fold decrease) by the presence of 10% serum in the medium. Cell viability, as assessed by dye reduction assays, decreases by only 30% at 150 micrograms dendrimer/mL in the absence of DNA and about 75% in the presence of DNA. Under similar conditions polylysine causes a complete loss of viability. Gene expression decreased by 3 orders of magnitude when the charge ratio is reduced to 1:1. When GALA, a water soluble, membrane-destabilizing peptide, is covalently attached to the dendrimer via a disulfide linkage, transfection efficiency of the 1:1 complex is increased by 2-3 orders of magnitude. The high transfection efficiency of the dendrimers may not only be due to their diameter and shape but may also be caused by the pKa's (3.9 and 6.9) of the amines in the polymer. The low pKa's permit the dendrimer to buffer the pH change in the endosomal compartment. The characteristics of precise control of structure, favorable pKa's, and low toxicity make the dendrimers suitable for gene-transfer vehicles.
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PMID:Polyamidoamine cascade polymers mediate efficient transfection of cells in culture. 827 23

Ribosomal frameshifting is an essential requirement for replication of many viruses and retrovirus-like elements. It is regarded as a potential target for antiretroviral therapy. It has been shown that the frameshifting event takes place in the -1 direction within a sequence, the slippery sequence, which is usually followed by structured RNA. To distinguish between the basic sequence requirements and the modulating elements in intact cells, we have established a sensitive assay system for quantitative determination of ribosomal frameshifting in mammalian cell culture. In this assay system, the gag and pol genes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are replaced by the genes for the functional enzymes beta-galactosidase and luciferase, respectively. The sensitivity of the test system allows us to demonstrate for the first time that the slippery sequence, a heptanucleotide, is sufficient to mediate a basal level of ribosomal frameshifting independent of its position within a gene. The stem-loop sequence serves only as a positive modulator. These data indicate that frameshifting could also occur during translation of cellular genes in which a slippery sequence is present within the reading frame. The resulting putative transframe proteins might have a functional importance for cellular processes.
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PMID:A heptanucleotide sequence mediates ribosomal frameshifting in mammalian cells. 835 Apr 13

Recombinants based on the genome of the autonomous parvovirus, LuIII, were constructed by replacing the viral coding sequences in an infectious clone (pGLu883) by a luciferase or beta-galactosidase reporter, which was linked to the viral P4 promoter. In cells cotransfected with either of these constructs, together with a plasmid supplying LuIII nonstructural and capsid proteins, excision and replication of the recombinant genome occurred. Transducing virions accumulated in the culture medium of the cotransfected cells, as assayed by reporter activity in recipient cells exposed to this medium. Transducing activity could be neutralized by antiserum to LuIII. Production of replicative form DNA and transducing virions were observed following cotransfection of HeLa, 293, or NB324K cells, in increasing order of efficiency. When homology existed between the recombinant genome and sequences flanking the viral genes in the helper construct, concomitant production of replication-competent, cytopathic virus was sometimes observed. This could be minimized by removal of the left end homology from the helper; by this means, preparations of luciferase transducing virus were obtained free from replication-competent virus. With such preparations, we observed luciferase expression (declining after 3 days) for up to 7 days in recipient HeLa cells. Hybridization of the recombinant viral DNA with strand-specific luciferase probes indicated packaging of both strands (as reported for LuIII), but with a several-fold excess of the (-) strand. We suggest that transducing-autonomous parvoviruses will be useful in gene transfer applications, possibly including gene therapy when only transient expression is desired.
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PMID:Recombinant LuIII autonomous parvovirus as a transient transducing vector for human cells. 839 91


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