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Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into endothelial cells: genetic selection and potential use in vivo.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from blastocyst-stage embryos. They are characterized by their infinite self-renewal capacity and their ability to differentiate into many cell types in vitro as well as in vivo. The present protocol describes culture conditions that allow efficient differentiation of mouse ES cells toward the endothelial lineage, both in two-dimensional cultures and in three-dimensional, multicellular embryoid bodies. We also provide a protocol for establishing recombinant ES cell clones, giving the example of cells expressing green fluorescent protein and an antibiotic resistance gene under the control of an endothelial-specific promoter. These transgenes allow the visualization and the genetic selection of endothelial cells from a heterogeneous population of differentiating ES cells. Potential applications for these differentiation models are given, including the study of the endothelial cell lineage and its derivatives, the testing of molecules involved in angiogenesis, and the potential use of selected endothelial cells in vivo.

Animals↗

The use of physiological traits in genetic selection for litter size in sheep.

The objective was to quantify and compare the genetic responses by direct selection on litter size, by indirect selection through a physiological trait and by combined selection, combining litter size and the physiological trait in a selection index. Three kinds of physiological trait were considered, male sex-limited (e.g. testes size), female sex-limited (ovulation rate) and traits measurable in both sexes (gonadotrophin levels). The results are presented graphically and cover a wide range of possible situations and show the size of the responses for different parameters of the physiological trait. There is usually scope for improvement in the rate of response with combined selection, and also in special cases (high heritability and genetic correlation) with indirect selection. The increases in predicted response may range from zero to two or three times the direct response, depending on the genetic parameters. However, the need for reliable estimates of the genetic parameters is stressed, because the predicted responses might otherwise be overestimated and the selection effort misplaced.

Animals↗

Specific ethanol withdrawal seizures in genetically selected mice.

We are selectively breeding mice prone (WSP) and resistant (WSR) to ethanol withdrawal seizures assessed by handling induced convulsions (HIC). The possibility that differences between the lines in HIC scores are a result of differences in general CNS excitability not specific to ethanol withdrawal was examined. Using treatments which produce generalized seizures (electroconvulsive shock, strychnine, and flurothyl) and gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) antagonists (picrotoxin, bicuculline, and pentylentetrazol), the ED50 for seizures was determined in the selected lines. In addition, the sensitivity of WSP and WSR mice to the anticonvulsant actions of ethanol against each treatment was determined. Neither the convulsant amperage 50 (CA50) for ECS nor the ED50 for any drug treatment differed for the selected lines. When ethanol (1.5 g/kg) was administered prior to ECS, there was a dramatic differential suppression of ECS in the lines: the CA50 of WSR mice was elevated 5-fold, whereas the CA50 of WSP mice increased only two fold. Ethanol pretreatment also elevated the ED50 for strychnine and flurothyl in WSR mice significantly more than WSP mice, but the line difference was smaller than for the anticonvulsant effect against ECS. The ED50s for the GABA antagonists were not different between the WSR and WSP lines after ethanol pretreatment. We conclude that genetic selection is producing lines of mice that differ specifically in the degree of seizure severity caused by withdrawal from ethanol physical dependence and not in generalized CNS excitability. An increased sensitivity to the anticonvulsant effects of ethanol against some convulsant treatments has appeared as a correlated response to selection in the WSR line.

Animals↗

Aspirin suppresses the mutator phenotype associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer by genetic selection.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well-known cancer preventives, which have been largely attributed to their antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities. In this study, we show that microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer cells deficient for a subset of the human mismatch repair (MMR) genes (hMLH1, hMSH2, and hMSH6), is markedly reduced during exposure to aspirin or sulindac [or Clinoril, which is chemically related to indomethacin (Indocin)]. This effect was reversible, time and concentration dependent, and appeared independent of proliferation rate and cyclooxygenase function. In contrast, the MSI phenotype of a hPMS2-deficient endometrial cancer cell line was unaffected by aspirin/sulindac. We show that the MSI reduction in the susceptible MMR-deficient cells was confined to nonapoptotic cells, whereas apoptotic cells remained unstable and were eliminated from the growing population. These results suggest that aspirin/sulindac induces a genetic selection for microsatellite stability in a subset of MMR-deficient cells and may provide an effective prophylactic therapy for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer kindreds where alteration of the hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes are associated with the majority of cancer susceptibility cases.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

p53-dependent inhibition of mammalian cell survival by a genetically selected peptide aptamer that targets the regulatory subunit of protein kinase CK2.

Based on the perturbation of its expression in human cancers and on its involvement in transformation and tumorigenesis, protein kinase CK2 has recently attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target. To assess the value of CK2 as a target for antiproliferative strategies, we have initiated a program aiming to develop inhibitors targeting specifically the regulatory CK2beta subunit. Here, we use a two-hybrid approach to isolate from combinatorial libraries, peptide aptamers that specifically interact with CK2beta. One of these (P1), which has significant sequence homology to the cytomegalovirus IE2 protein, binds with high affinity to the N-terminal domain of CK2beta without disrupting the formation of the CK2 holoenzyme. Expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-P1 in different mammalian cell lines activates p53 phosphorylation on serine 15, induces an upregulation of p21 and the release of the Cyt-C and apoptosis-inducing factor proapoptotic proteins triggering caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis. GFP-P1-induced apoptosis is associated with a p53-dependent pathway as cell death was abrogated in p53 knocked out cells. In summary, our data show that genetically selected peptide aptamers that specifically target CK2beta can induce apoptosis in mammalian cells through the recruitment of a p53-dependent apoptosis pathway. They also emphasize the critical role of CK2beta for cell survival and might allow the design of novel proapoptotic agents targeting this protein.

3T3 Cells↗

Inhibition of mammalian cell proliferation by genetically selected peptide aptamers that functionally antagonize E2F activity.

The p16-cyclin D-pRB-E2F pathway is frequently deregulated in human tumors. This critical regulatory pathway controls the G1/S transition of the mammalian cell cycle by positive and negative regulation of E2F-responsive genes required for DNA replication. To assess the value of the transcription factors E2Fs as targets for antiproliferative strategies, we have initiated a program aiming to develop inhibitors targeting specifically these proteins in vitro and in vivo. The cellular activity of E2F is the result of the heterodimeric association of two families of proteins, E2Fs and DPs, which then bind DNA. Here, we use a two hybrid approach to isolate from combinatorial libraries peptide aptamers that specifically interact with E2Fs DNA binding and dimerization domains. One of these is a potent inhibitor of E2F binding activity in vitro and in mammalian fibroblasts, blocks cells in G1, and the free variable region from this aptamer has the same effect. Our experiments argue that the variable region of this aptamer is structured, and that it functions by binding E2F with a motif that resembles a DP heterodimerization region, and blocking E2F's association with DP. These results show that cell proliferation can be inhibited using genetically-selected synthetic peptides that specifically target protein-protein interaction motifs within cell cycle regulators. These results also emphasize the critical role of the E2F pathway for cell proliferation and might allow the design of novel antiproliferative agents targeting the cyclin/CDK-pRB-E2F pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Small molecule-dependent genetic selection in stochastic nanodroplets as a means of detecting protein-ligand interactions on a large scale.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the cellular role of a protein often requires a means of altering its function, most commonly by mutating the gene encoding the protein. Alternatively, protein function can be altered directly using a small molecule that binds to the protein, but no general method exists for the systematic discovery of small molecule ligands. Split-pool synthesis provides a means of synthesizing vast numbers of small molecules. Synthetic chemists will soon be able to synthesize natural product-like substances by this method, so compatible screening methods that detect the activity of minute quantities of molecules among many inactive ones will be in demand. RESULTS: We describe two advances towards achieving the above goals. First, a technique is described that uses a simple spray gun to create 5000-8000 droplets randomly, each having a volume of 50-200 nanoliters. The individual 'nanodroplets' contain a controlled number of cells and many also contain individual synthesis beads. As small molecules can be photochemically released from the beads in a time-dependent manner, the concentration of ligands that the cells are exposed to can be controlled. The spatial segregation of nanodroplets prevents the mixing of compounds from other beads so the effects of each molecule can be assayed individually. Second, a small molecule-dependent genetic selection involving engineered budding yeast cells was used to detect intracellular protein-ligand interactions in nanodroplets. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described here should facilitate the discovery of new cell-permeable ligands, especially when combined with a positive selection assay that detects intracellular binding of small molecules to proteins. Using 'anchored combinatorial libraries', it may be possible to screen entire libraries of natural product-like molecules against the entire collection of proteins encoded within cDNA libraries in a single experiment.

Antifungal Agents↗

[A method of forming analogous groups for selection-genetic research].

A method of forming groups of animals similar in a complex of characteristics is proposed. All the objects are represented by a linear diversity of an n-dimensional space Yi=xij containing the basis Yr. The criterion of the appurtenance of the object to a definite group is the value Yi--Yr min. The intra-group variation can be reduced provided the requirement Yi--Yr less than or equal to R. The method proposed affords the possibility of an abjective formation of groups of animals similar with respect to a complex of biological characteristics with the extent of heterogeneity required for the investigator. The method proposed is easily formalized and can be realized by means of computer.

Animals↗

Genetic selection of mouse male germline stem cells in vitro: offspring from single stem cells.

Spermatogenesis originates from a small population of spermatogonial stem cells. These cells are believed to divide infinitely and support spermatogenesis throughout life in the male. In this investigation, we examined the possibility of deriving transgenic offspring from single spermatogonial stem cells. Spermatogonial stem cells were transfected in vitro with a plasmid vector containing a drug resistant gene. Stably transfected stem cell clones were isolated by in vitro drug selection; these clones were expanded and used to produce transgenic progeny following spermatogonial transplantation into infertile recipients. An average of 49% of the offspring carried the transgene, and the recipient mice continued to produce monoclonal transgenic progeny a year after transplantation. Thus, a somatic cell-based genetic approach can be used to modify and select clones of spermatogonial stem cells in a manner similar to embryonic stem cells. The feasibility of genetic selection using postnatal spermatogonial stem cells demonstrates their extensive proliferative potential and provides the opportunity to develop new methods for generating stable animal transgenics or for germline gene therapy.

Animals↗

Genetic selection of lambda phage clones from a gene clonotheque.

A genetic procedure for selection of specific lambda clones, by homologous recombination between lambda clones from a gene clonotheque and sequences cloned into a plasmid, was developed. Resulting clones are isolated in transduction experiments by plating infected Escherichia coli cells under conditions selecting for the antibiotic resistance marker carried by the plasmid. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated in a model test system as well as by isolation of alpha-interferon-specific sequences from the human gene clonotheque.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Genetic selection for modulators of a retinoic-acid-responsive reporter in human cells.

We used a genetic screening methodology, a human cell line bearing a retinoic-acid-responsive enhanced GFP reporter, and a flow sorter to recover dominant modulators of reporter expression. Four inducers and three suppressors that were fused to the C terminus of a protein scaffold for stability were isolated and their mechanisms of action studied. Mutagenesis experiments indicated that six of these dominant agents exerted their effects at the protein level. The single cDNA coding fragment that was isolated comprised the central 64-amino-acid section of human cyclophilin B, which contained its peptidyl-prolyl isomerase domain; this cyclophilin fragment repressed expression of the retinoic-acid-responsive reporter. The remaining clones encoded peptides shorter than 30 amino acids unrelated to known gene open reading frames. Genetic epistasis studies between the strongest inducer, R3, and a dominant-negative mutant of RARalpha suggest that the two factors function in the same pathway. Transcript microarray analyses suggest that R3 induced a subset of the retinoid-responsive genes in melanoma cells. Finally, yeast two-hybrid assays and co-immunoprecipitation studies of human cell extracts identified PAT1 as a protein that interacts with R3.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Genetic selection of mammalian adenylyl cyclases insensitive to stimulation by Gsalpha.

We describe the development of a genetic system allowing for the isolation of mutant mammalian adenylyl cyclases defective in their responses to G protein subunits, thus allowing for the identification of structural elements within the cyclase that are responsible for the recognition of these regulators. Expression of mammalian type V adenylyl cyclase in a cyclase-deleted yeast strain can conditionally complement the lethal phenotype of this strain. Type V adenylyl cyclase-expressing yeast grow only when the cyclase is activated by coexpression of Gsalpha or addition of forskolin to the medium; however, growth arrest is observed in the presence of both activators or under basal conditions. Utilizing this genetic system, we have isolated 25 adenylyl cyclase mutants defective in their response to Gsalpha. Sequence analysis and biochemical characterization of these mutants have identified residues in both cytoplasmic domains of the cyclase that are involved in the specific binding of and regulation by Gsalpha.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Body temperatures of house mice artificially selected for high voluntary wheel-running behavior: repeatability and effect of genetic selection.

We studied rectal body temperatures of house mice (Mus domesticus) that had been artificially selected for high voluntary wheel running.1. At generation 17, mice from the four replicate selected lines ran, on average, 2.5-times as many revolutions/day as did mice from the four random-bred control lines.2. During the day, repeatability of individual differences in body temperature measured 4 days apart was low; at night, repeatability was statistically significant across three time scales (1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks).3. During the day, body temperatures of selected and control animals did not differ; at night, mice from selected lines had higher body temperatures. However, when amount of wheel running immediately prior to measurement was included as a covariate, the difference was no longer statistically significant.Higher body temperatures, associated with increased activity, might enhance locomotor abilities through Q10 effects, increase metabolic rate and food requirements, affect sleep patterns, and alter expression of heat-shock proteins.

Journal Article↗

Genetic selection of mouse lines sensitive (cold) and resistant (hot) to acute ethanol hypothermia.

Using the technique of within-family selective breeding, we have generated mouse lines that differ genetically in sensitivity to the acute hypothermia induced by injection of 3 g/kg ethanol (EtOH). After 5 generations of selection, the difference in maximal hypothermic response between COLD and HOT lines was 1.6 degrees C in the first replicate and 1.2 degrees C in the second replicate. Estimates of realized heritability were h2 = .17 in each replicate. No differences in EtOH metabolism have developed, so the differences between HOT and COLD mice are presumably in neurosensitivity. These lines of animals should be useful for studying the biological mechanisms underlying neurosensitivity to EtOH. In conjunction with other selectively bred lines, they should improve our understanding of the genetic relationships among EtOH neurosensitivity, tolerance and physical dependence.

Animals↗

Integration of classical and molecular approaches of genetic selection: egg production.

Poultry breeding has demonstrated success from the use of a complex mixture of assessment tools. New proposals are regularly sought out and tested for their ability to translate data into information that enhances genetic gain from selection. Details long hidden from view are already being uncovered by molecular genetics, calling for great skill and discipline to discern and harness their real potential. Some aspects of egg production grudgingly may yield to the influence of new associations suggested from molecular work. In particular, diverse environments call for the kind of genetic variation found only under expensive multiple-location testing, longer flock production life calls for better early predictors, and new egg products call for novel measures of egg component value. In the final analysis, selection on a mix of phenotypic and molecular data is an essential step in evaluating its worth for improving a physiologically complex trait like egg production.

Animals↗

Genetic selection for active E.coli amber tRNA(Asn) exclusively led to glutamine inserting suppressors.

Suppressor tRNAs are useful tools for determining identity elements which define recognition of tRNAs in vivo by their cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. This study was aimed at the isolation of active amber tRNA(Asn). Nineteen mutated tRNA(Asn)CUA having amber suppressor activity were selected by an in vivo genetic screen, and all exclusively inserted glutamine. From analysis of the different mutations it is concluded that glutamine accepting activity was obtained upon reducing the interaction strength between the first base pair of the tRNA(Asn)CUA by direct or indirect effects. Failure to isolate tRNA(Asn)CUA suppressors charged with asparagine as well as other evolutionary related amino acids is discussed.

Base Sequence↗