Project description:BackgroundThe human orphan receptor TLX (NR2E1) is a key regulator of neurogenesis, adult stem cell maintenance, and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the genetic and transcriptomic events that occur following TLX overexpression in human cell lines.AimsHere, we used cytogenetics and RNA sequencing to investigate the effect of TLX overexpression with an inducible vector system in the HEK 293T cell line.Methods and resultsConventional spectral karyotyping was used to identify chromosomal abnormalities, followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on chromosome spreads to assess TLX DNA copy number. Illumina paired-end whole transcriptome sequencing was then performed to characterize recurrent genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels), expressed gene fusions, and gene expression profiles. Lastly, flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution. Intriguingly, we show that upon transfection with a vector containing the human TLX gene (eGFP-hTLX), an isochromosome forms on the long arm of chromosome 6, thereby resulting in DNA gain of the TLX locus (6q21) and upregulation of TLX. Induction of the eGFP-hTLX vector further increased TLX expression levels, leading to G0-G1 cell cycle arrest, genetic aberrations, modulation of gene expression patterns, and crosstalk with other nuclear receptors (AR, ESR1, ESR2, NR1H4, and NR3C2). We identified a 49-gene signature associated with central nervous system (CNS) development and carcinogenesis, in addition to potentially cancer-driving gene fusions (LARP1-CNOT8 and NSL1-ZDBF2) and deleterious genetic variants (frameshift insertions in the CTSH, DBF4, POSTN, and WDR78 genes).ConclusionTaken together, these findings illustrate that TLX may play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis via genomic instability and perturbation of cancer-related processes.
Project description:Macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune cells that play a key role in defense against pathogens. In vitro cultures of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) are well-established and valuable methods for immunological studies. Typically, commercially available recombinant GM-CSF is utilized to generate BMDCs and is also used to culture alveolar macrophages. We have generated a new HEK-293T cell line expressing murine GM-CSF that secretes high levels of GM-CSF (~180 ng/ml) into complete media as an alternative to commercial GM-CSF. Differentiation of dendritic cells and expression of various markers were kinetically assessed using the GM-CSF HEK293T cell line, termed supGM-CSF and compared directly to purified commercial GMCSF. After 7-9 days of cell culture the supGM-CSF yielded twice as many viable cells compared to the commercial purified GM-CSF. In addition to differentiating BMDCs, the supGM-CSF can be utilized to culture functionally active alveolar macrophages. Collectively, our results show that supernatant from our GM-CSF HEK293T cell line supports the differentiation of mouse BMDCs or alveolar macrophage culturing, providing an economical alternative to purified GM-CSF.
Project description:ObjectiveThe study of the circadian clock and its mechanisms is easily facilitated through clock resetting in cell culture. Among the various established synchronizers of the circadian clock in cell culture (temperature, serum shock, glucocorticoids), the artificial glucocorticoid Dexamethasone (DEX) is the most widely used. DEX treatment as a protocol to reset the circadian clock in culture gives simple readout with minimal laboratory requirements. Even though there are many studies regarding clock resetting in culture using DEX, reference points or expression patterns of core clock genes and their protein products are scarce and sometimes contradict other works with similar methodology. We synchronise a cell line of human origin with DEX to be used for studies on circadian rhythms.ResultsWe treat HEK 293T cells with DEX and describe the patterns of mRNA and proteins of core clock regulators, while making a clear point on how CLOCK is less than an ideal molecule to help monitor rhythms in this cell line.
Project description:BackgroundFerroportin (Fpn), a regulator of iron homeostasis is a conserved membrane protein that exports iron across the enterocytes, macrophages and hepatocytes into the blood circulation. Fpn has also critical influence on survival of microorganisms whose growth is dependent upon iron, thus preparation of Fpn is needed to study the role of iron in immunity and pathogenesis of micoorganisms.MethodsTo prepare and characterize a recombinant ferroportin, total RNA was extracted from Indian zebrafish duodenum, and used to synthesize cDNA by RT-PCR. PCR product was first cloned in Topo TA vector and then subcloned into the GFP expression vector pEGFP-N1. The final resulted plasmid (pEGFP-ZFpn) was used for expression of Fpn-EGFP protein in Hek 293T cells.ResultsThe expression was confirmed by appearance of fluorescence in Hek 293 T cells. Recombinant Fpn was further characterized by submission of its predicted amino acid sequences to the TMHMM V2.0 prediction server (hidden Markov model), NetOGlyc 3.1 and NetNGlyc 3.1 servers. The obtained Fpn from indian zebrafish also contained eight transmembrane domains with N- and C-termini inside the cytoplasm and harboured 78 O-glycosylated amino acids.ConclusionThe recombinant Fpn from Indian zebra fish was successfully expressed in Hek 293 cell line. Although the discrepancy in two amino acids was observed in our produced Fpn and resulted in an additional O-glycosylation site, but had no effect on the topology of the protein compared to other Fpn described by other researchers. Therefore this construct can be used in future iron studies.
Project description:Voltage-gated Ca(2+) (Cav) channels regulate a variety of biological processes, such as muscle contraction, gene expression, and neurotransmitter release. Cav channels are subject to diverse forms of regulation, including those involving the Ca(2+) ions that permeate the pore. High voltage-activated Cav channels undergo Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation (CDI) and facilitation (CDF), which can regulate processes such as cardiac rhythm and synaptic plasticity. CDI and CDF differ slightly between Cav1 (L-type) and Cav2 (P/Q-, N-, and R-type) channels. Human embryonic kidney cells transformed with SV40 large T-antigen (HEK-293T) are advantageous for studying CDI and CDF of a particular type of Cav channel. HEK-293T cells do not express endogenous Cav channels, but Cav channels can be expressed exogenously at high levels in these cells by transient transfection. This protocol describes how to characterize and analyze Ca(2+)-dependent modulation of recombinant Cav channels in HEK-293T cells.
Project description:Two candidate small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) corresponding to severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) spike gene were designed and in vitro transcribed to explore the possibility of silencing SARS-CoV S gene. The plasmid pEGFP-optS, which contains the codon-optimized SARS-CoV S gene and expresses spike-EGFP fusion protein (S-EGFP) as silencing target and expressing reporter, was transfected with siRNAs into HEK 293T cells. At various time points of posttransfection, the levels of S-EGFP expression and amounts of spike mRNA transcript were detected by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, Western blot, and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. The results showed that the cells transfected with pEGFP-optS expressed S-EGFP fusion protein at a higher level compared with those transfected with pEGFP-S, which contains wildtype SARS-CoV spike gene sequence. The green fluorescence, mean fluorescence intensity, and SARS-CoV S RNA transcripts were found significantly reduced, and the expression of SARS-CoV S glycoprotein was strongly inhibited in those cells co-transfected with either EGFP- or S-specific siRNAs. Our findings demonstrated that the S-specific siRNAs used in this study were able to specifically and effectively inhibit SARS-CoV S glycoprotein expression in cultured cells through blocking the accumulation of S mRNA, which may provide an approach for studies on the functions of SARS-CoV S gene and development of novel prophylactic or therapeutic agents for SARS-CoV.
Project description:Phospholamban (PLN) is an important Ca2+ modulator at the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of striated muscles. It physically interacts and inhibits sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2) function, whereas a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation at its serine 16 reverses the inhibition. The underlying mechanism of this post-translational modification, however, remains not fully understood. Using publicly available databases, we identified A-kinase anchoring protein 6 (AKAP6) as a candidate that might play some roles in PLN phosphorylation. Immunofluorescence showed colocalization between GFP-AKAP6 and PLN in transfected HEK-293T cells and cultured mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes (CMNCs). Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the functional interaction between AKAP6 and PLN in HEK-293T and isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes in response to isoproterenol stimulation. Functionally, AKAP6 promoted Ca2+ uptake activity of SERCA1 in cotransfected HEK-293T cells despite the presence of PLN. These results were further confirmed in adult rat cardiomyocytes. Immunofluorescence showed colocalization of both proteins around the perinuclear region, while protein-protein interaction was corroborated by immunoprecipitation of the nucleus-enriched fraction of rat hearts. Our findings suggest AKAP6 as a novel interacting partner to PLN in HEK-293T and murine cardiomyocytes.