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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

Adaptive gastric cytoprotection is mediated by prostaglandin EP1 receptors: a study using rats and knockout mice.

Endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) play a central role in adaptive cytoprotection induced in the stomach by mild irritants. In the present study, we used taurocholate (TC) as a mild irritant in both rats and EP-receptor knockout mice, and examined which EP receptor is responsible for the adaptive gastric cytoprotection. Gastric lesions were induced by p.o. administration of HCl/ethanol (60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl). TC (5-20 mM) or PGE2 was administered p.o. 30 min before HCl/ethanol. HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions were dose dependently prevented by TC, and the effect at 20 mM was equivalent to that induced by PGE2 at 0.3 mg/kg. The protective effect of TC was significantly attenuated by indomethacin as well as ONO-AE-829, the EP1 antagonist, but not by either NS-398, the selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, or chemical ablation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons. Likewise, the protective action of PGE2 was also antagonized by ONO-AE-829 but not chemical deafferentation. TC significantly increased PGE2 contents in the stomach, with or without chemical deafferentation, and this effect was blocked in the presence of indomethacin but not NS-398 or ONO-AE-829. TC increased the mucosal PGE2 contents similarly in both wild-type and knockout mice lacking EP1 or EP3 receptors, yet the protective action of TC against HCl/ethanol was observed in both wild-type and EP3 receptor knockout mice, but not in mice lacking EP1 receptors. The present findings confirmed a role for endogenous PGE2 produced by COX-1 in adaptive gastric cytoprotection and suggested that this action is mediated by activation of EP1-receptors but not associated with capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Very low and intermediate density lipoprotein fractions from apolipoprotein E gene-knockout mice induce cholesteryl ester accumulation in J774 macrophages.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the atherogenic role of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) fraction isolated from plasma of apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout mice. METHODS: Containing both VLDL and IDL (apoEko-VLDL/IDL), lipoprotein fraction was isolated from plasma of apoE-knockout mice by ultracentrifugation, and its interaction with J774 macrophages was examined together with its physicochemical properties including lipid content, electrophoresis mobility and apolipoprotein components. RESULTS: ApoEko-VLDL/IDL could be actively taken up by J774 macrophages, resulting in marked cholesterol ester accumulation in the cells (55 +/- 9 nmol/mg cell protein), which was a 7-fold increase over the corresponding lever induced by low density lipoprotein and significantly higher than non-loaded group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ApoEko-VLDL/IDL induced significant cholesterol ester accumulation through an apoE independent pathway. This pathway may explain, partly the mechanism of cholesterol deposition in arterial wall in apoE-knockout mice.

Animals↗

AlphaB-crystallin in lens development and muscle integrity: a gene knockout approach.

PURPOSE: To study the role of alphaB-crystallin (alphaB) in the developing lens and its importance in lens structure and function. METHODS: Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells was used to generate mouse lines in which the alphaB gene and its protein product were absent. Gene structure and expression were characterized by genomic Southern blot, immunoblot, and Northern blot analyses, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The gene knockout mice were screened for cataract with slit lamp biomicroscopy, and dissected lenses were examined with dark-field microscopy. Lenses and other tissues were analyzed by standard histology and immunohistochemistry. Chaperone activity was determined by heating lens homogenate supernatants and measuring absorbance changes. RESULTS: In an unexpected result, lenses in the alphaB gene knockout mice developed normally and were remarkably similar to wild-type mouse lenses. All the other crystallins were present. The thermal stability of a lens homogenate supernatant was mildly compromised, and when oxidatively stressed in vivo with hyperbaric oxygen, the knockout lenses reacted similarly to wild type. In targeting the alphaB gene, the adjacent HSPB2 gene, which is not expressed in the lens, was also disrupted. Loss of alphaB and/or HSPB2 function leads to degeneration of some skeletal muscles. CONCLUSIONS: AlphaB is not essential for normal development of a transparent lens in the mouse, and therefore is more dispensable to the lens than the closely related alphaA-crystallin. It may play a small role in maintaining transparency throughout life. alphaB and/or the closely related HSPB2 is required to maintain muscle cell integrity in some skeletal muscles.

Aging↗

[Effect of knockout AT1a receptor gene on transplasmamembrane calcium influx in aortic smooth muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of angiotensin II receptor subtype (AT1a) mutant on angiotensin II (Ang II) mediated transplasmamembrane calcium influx in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from AT1a knockout and wild type mice. METHOD: Aortic SMCs were isolated and cultured. Intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was measured using Fura-2/AM fluorescentic technique. RESULTS: Ang II caused a marked increase in [Ca2+]i in both cell types [AT1a group: (204 +/- 22) nmol/L vs (108 +/- 9) nmol/L]; CONTROL: [(194 +/- 19) nmol/L vs (110 +/- 7) nmol/L]. Administration of both calcium channel blocker, nifedipine and GTP-gamma s significantly inhibited Ang II effect, in contrast, application of pertussin toxin (PTX) activated the Ang II mediated calcium influx. The response of AT1a knockout cells was more sensitive to nifedipine and were enhanced by PTX. CONCLUSION: Calcium influx induced by Ang II can be regulated by PTX insensitive and non-Gi protein in AT1a knockout cells.

Animals↗

Deletions are easy detectable in cochlear mitochondrial DNA of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene knockout mice.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the tissue specificity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and to determine whether cochlear mtDNA is a sensitive target for ROS damage. METHODS: 10 Cu/ZnSOD gene (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene, Sod1) knockout mice and 16 wild-type mice were analyzed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Three deletions were detected in various tissues of Sod1 knockout mice. MtDNA3867bp and mtDNA3726bp deletions were the most visible, and mtDNA4236bp deletion was barely detected in these tissues. There were obvious differences in the ratio of deleted mtDNA/total mtDNA in different tissue. Deleted mtDNA was most abundant in the liver and kidney and less in cochlea, heart and brain. The lowest was in spleen and skin. The ratio in various tissues was 3 - 20 times in Sod1 knockout mice over wild-type mice. In cochlea, the ratio was about 15. CONCLUSIONS: Without the protection of Sod1, ROS can lead to mtDNA deletions in various tissues with significant tissue specificity. Cochlear mtDNA is a sensitive target for ROS damage.

Animals↗

Synergistic effect on the attenuation of collagen induced arthritis in tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNFRI) and interleukin 6 double knockout mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate any additive effect on attenuation of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNFRI) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) double knockout (DKO) mice. METHODS: CIA was induced in wild-type (Wt), TNFRI knockout (TNFRIKO), IL-6 knockout (IL-6KO), and DKO mice. Comparative studies were performed among these different mouse genotypes observing clinical (incidence, arthritis score), histological, radiologic, and immunological aspects. RESULTS: More than 90% of the Wt, TNFRIKO, and IL-6KO mice developed definite CIA, while only 20% of the DKO mice did so. Severity of arthritis, indicated by the arthritis score, was significantly reduced in both the TNFRIKO and IL-6KO mice compared with the Wt mice. Moreover, the severity of arthritis in the DKO mice was significantly reduced compared with each single KO mouse (by arthritis scores; DKO vs TNFRIKO, IL-6KO mice, p < 0.05). In addition, histological and radiologic changes were also significantly reduced in the DKO mice compared with each single KO mouse (by histological and radiologic scores; DKO vs TNFRIKO, IL-6KO mice, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). In immunological studies, serum anti-type II collagen (anti-CII) antibody concentrations were significantly decreased in the DKO mice compared with each single KO mouse (DKO vs TNFRIKO, IL-6KO mice, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Simultaneous blockade of TNFRI and IL-6 showed synergistic rather than additive effects on the attenuation of CIA. Combinations of anti-TNF-a and anti-IL-6 therapy may provide clinical benefits for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis compared with therapy against each single cytokine.

Animals↗

The Gordon Wilson Lecture. Lessons about the control of glucose homeostasis and the pathogenesis of diabetes from knockout mice.

The painstaking process of generating constitutive and conditional knockout mice has paid off handsomely. The roles of the insulin receptor and its intracellular substrates in insulin action has been established and begun to shed light onto some of the proteins less obvious functions. We have learned how genetic predisposition plays itself out in the oligogenic and heterogeneous pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and how the balance of proteins can affect the efficiency of signaling both positively and negatively. The IRS knockout mice have taught us how these proteins provide unique and complementary signals in insulin action. From the tissue specific knockouts we have learned that [figure: see text] different tissues contribute uniquely to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, but not always in the predicted way; that insulin resistance at different levels in the same tissue may produce different phenotypes; that tissues possess mechanisms of communication such that resistance in one tissue affects insulin signaling or metabolism in others; and that insulin has important effects in tissues not previously considered insulin responsive, including the brain and beta-cells. The result of this work has led us to develop new hypotheses about the nature of the insulin action network.

Adipose Tissue↗

[GIP receptor knockout mice].

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide(GIP) is a gastrointestinal peptide hormone, which is secreted from duodenal endocrine K cells after absorption of glucose or fat. It is well known as an incretin. To determine the further role of GIP in vivo, we generated GIP receptor-knockout mice. The mice showed higher blood glucose levels with impaired initial insulin response after oral glucose load. Even after high-fat diet, knockout mice lack compensatory insulin secretion, and showed no hyper-insulinemia. Moreover, knockout mice fed a high-fat diet were clearly protected from both the obesity and the insulin resistance. Therefore, GIP directly links glucose tolerance and over-nutrition to obesity and it is a potential target for the treatment for the metabolic syndrome.

Animals↗

Construction of engineered murine embryonic stem cells with conditional knockout of FGFR2 depending on Cre-loxP.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the functions of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-2 (FGFR2) at different stages of cell differentiation. The engineered murine embryonic stem (ES) cells with conditional knockout of FGFR2 were developed depending on Cre-loxP. METHODS: Cre-loxP system was used in a conditional targeting vector. The competent AM-1 bacteria, which expressed Cre-recombinase, was used to confirm the Cre-mediated deletion of the floxed exons 7 and 8 of FGFR2. The targeting vector was electroporated into the ES cells, and the transfected ES cells were screened with G418 and Ganciclovir. Finally, the ES clones with correct targeting events were identified by Southern Blot and PCR. RESULTS: The targeting vector with conditional knockout of murine FGFR2 was successfully constructed and confirmed by PCR and digestion analysis in bacteria. 86 ES clones were collected by selective culture with G418 and Ganciclovir. Four of the 86 ES clones were found containing the targeting gene sequence in genomic DNA proved by Southern Blot with a 5'-end flank probe. Two of the four ES clones had the correct targeting events that included the insertion of the targeting gene sequence in genomic DNA and were checked by Southern Blot with a 3'-end flanking probe. Finally, the insertion of loxP (loxP3) between exons 8 and 9 in genomic DNA was identified in one of the two ES clones by Southern Blot and PCR. CONCLUSION: FGFR2 conditional knockout depending on Cre-loxP can be successfully used in ES cells.

Animals↗

Fmr1 knockout mice: a model to study fragile X mental retardation. The Dutch-Belgian Fragile X Consortium.

Male patients with fragile X syndrome lack FMR1 protein due to silencing of the FMR1 gene by amplification of a CGG repeat and subsequent methylation of the promoter region. The absence of FMR1 protein leads to mental retardation, aberrant behavior, and macroorchidism. Hardly anything is known about the physiological function of FMR1 and the pathological mechanisms leading to these symptoms. Therefore, we designed a knockout model for the fragile X syndrome in mice. The knockout mice lack normal Fmr1 protein and show macroorchidism, learning deficits, and hyperactivity. Consequently, this knockout mouse may serve as a valuable tool in the elucidation of the physiological role of FMR1 and the mechanisms involved in macroorchidism, abnormal behavior, and mental retardation.

Animals↗

Autoimmune manifestations in the transforming growth factor-beta 1 knockout mouse.

Targeted disruption of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene in mice results in the development of a massive multifocal inflammatory disease in many tissues. Because no detectable pathogen was identified, we examined whether autoimmune mechanisms played a role in initiating or maintaining the inflammatory disease. The serum of TGF-beta 1 knockout mice contained elevated titers of antibodies to nuclear antigens (ssDNA, dsDNA, Sm, and RNP) as well as reactivity against the 16/6 idiotype (16/6 Id). In addition, Ig deposits were detected in renal glomeruli of TGF- beta 1 knockout mice. Transplantation of TGF-beta 1 knockout hematopoietic cells into normal irradiated recipients resulted in a similar profile of autoantibody production as well as in the induction of inflammatory lesions. Our results describe autoimmune activity that ensues when the TGF-beta 1 cytokine is absent.

Animals↗

ApoA-I knockout mice: characterization of HDL metabolism in homozygotes and identification of a post-RNA mechanism of apoA-I up-regulation in heterozygotes.

The major high density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein, apoA-I, was knocked out by gene targeting in ES cells to provide a model for the study of HDL metabolism and its relationship to plasma and tissue cholesterol metabolism. HDL and non-HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were reduced in apoA-I-deficient mice. Feeding a high fat-high cholesterol diet raised HDL-C minimally in apoA-I knockout compared to the large increase seen in control mice, suggesting an interaction between diet and apoA-I genotype. In apoA-I-deficient mice, HDL was normal in size but altered in composition. Compared to control mice there was more triglyceride and free cholesterol and less cholesteryl ester (CE), suggesting that apoA-I-deficient HDL is a poor substrate for hepatic lipase and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). The metabolic basis of the low HDL-C levels in the apoA-I knockout mice was decreased flux into the HDL CE pool. The absolute delivery of HDL CE to both peripheral tissues and liver was also decreased. As tissue cholesterol levels and synthesis were unchanged, the decreased flux of cholesterol into the HDL CE pool was most likely due to decreased efflux of cholesterol from the peripheral tissues and decreased functional LCAT activity. The low HDL-C state in the apoA-I-deficient mouse was associated with an absolute decrease in unidirectional transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver but this did not lead to cholesterol accumulation in the periphery or a cholesterol deficit in the liver; nor was there altered peripheral tissue HMG-CoA reductase activity. The only sign of decreased cholesterol flux to the liver was a 2.3-fold decrease in liver cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase mRNA, suggesting decreased bile acid synthesis. In the apoA-I knockout mouse model it appears that low HDL levels create a new steady state in which decreased cholesterol is delivered to both peripheral tissues and the liver.

Animals↗

Production of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout pigs expressing both human decay-accelerating factor and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III.

Heterozygous alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase (GT) gene knockout pigs were produced with transgenic pig fetal cells expressing both human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF) and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III). In this study, we assessed the gene targeting efficiency in the transgenic pig fetal cells derived from different fetal tissues such as brain, skin, heart, and liver, or fetal carcass. Targeted cell colonies were selected by hygromycin B. The GT-knockout colonies (KO colonies) were obtained equally from the cells derived from all tissues except liver. Staining with five antibodies against intermediate filaments, all examined KO cell lines stained positive for vimentin with the exception of a colony that stained positive for both vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein simultaneously. This is the first study to produce KO cells from the astrocytes. Some of these KO cell lines were used for nuclear transfer (NT) to obtain KO pig fetuses. Fourteen fetuses were obtained from two recipients of the embryo transfer and eight of them had normal ploidy. The cells from the KO pig fetuses were also used for NT to produce cloned KO pigs. Two healthy clone pigs were born. These pigs were determined to have a heterozygous knockout GT gene and the two transgenes. The cells collected from the KO pigs were shown to have similar expression levels of hDAF and GnT-III compared to their original transgenic pigs and less than a half levels of the alphaGal epitopes existed in wild-type pig cells.

Animals↗

Use of gene knockouts in cultured cells to study apoptosis.

The avian DT40 cell system represents a novel method to generate loss of function mutations in vertebrate cells. These chicken B lymphoma cells undergo homologous recombination at very high frequencies and can thus be used to "knock out" genes believed to function in apoptotic processes. The knockout cells can then be used to determine how the cell death process is modulated after induction of apoptosis and to order components in cell death pathways. The system can be further modified, using tetracycline-responsive promoters, to allow expression of wild-type cDNAs to rescue "knockout cells" if the gene of interest is essential. Alternatively, cDNA expression constructs containing mutations or deletions in the cDNA encoding the absent protein can be used to delineate functional domains. cDNA expression libraries or known proteins believed to function downstream of the target in a signal transduction pathway could also be transfected into the knockout cell line, and the resultant cells could be assayed for complementation and/or rescue of the apoptotic alteration/defect. Finally, the system has recently been adapted to allow disruption of human genes in DT40/human hybrid cell lines thereby potentially extending this system for use in studying human genes.

Animals↗

Arabidopsis emb175 and other ppr knockout mutants reveal essential roles for pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in plant embryogenesis.

Pentatricopeptide repeat proteins (PPRPs) constitute one of the largest superfamilies in plants, with more than 440 identified in the Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh genome. While some PPRPs are known to take part in organelle gene expression, little is known about the broader biological contexts of PPRP gene function. Here, using developmental- and reverse-genetic approaches, we demonstrate that a number of PPRPs are essential early in plant development. We have characterized the Arabidopsis embryo-defective175 mutant and identified the EMB175 gene. Emb175 consistently displays aberrant cell organization and undergoes morphological arrest before the globular-heart transition. The emb175 mutation disrupts an intronless open reading frame encoding a predicted chloroplast-localized PPR protein- the first to be rigorously associated with an early embryo-lethal phenotype. To determine if other PPRP genes act in embryogenesis, we searched Arabidopsis insertion mutant collections for pprp knockout alleles, and identified 29 mutants representing 11 loci potentially associated with embryo-defective phenotypes. We assessed gene structures, T-DNA insertion position, and allelism for these loci and were able to firmly establish essential functions for six PPRP genes in addition to EMB175. Interestingly, Nomarski DIC microscopy revealed diverse embryonic defects in these lines, ranging from early lethality to dramatic late-stage morphological defects such as enlarged shoot apices and stunted cotyledons. Together, emb175 and these pprp knockout mutants establish essential roles for PPRPs in embryogenesis, thus broadening the known organismal context for PPRP gene function. The diversity of emb-pprp knockout phenotypes indicates that mutation of different PPRPs can, directly or indirectly, have distinct impacts on embryo morphogenesis.

Alleles↗

Protocol for robust gene knockout and reliable validation in human cell lines using quad-guide RNA vectors.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful tool for editing genomic loci, however achieving high knockout efficiency at certain targets remains challenging. Here, we present a protocol for gene knockout using an all-in-one, quad-guide RNA-expressing vector. We describe steps for plasmid construction, virus preparation, transduction, and subsequent gene editing and functional validation within DLD-1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. This strategy provides an efficient workflow for gene knockout that is rapidly confirmed through PCR amplification of mRNA derived from the targeted gene loci.

Biotechnology and bioengineering↗

Progeny of germ line knockouts of ASI2, a gene encoding a putative signal transduction receptor in Tetrahymena thermophila, fail to make the transition from sexual reproduction to vegetative growth.

The ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena has two nuclei: a germ line micronucleus and a somatic macronucleus. The transcriptionally active macronucleus has about 50 copies of each chromosome. At sexual reproduction (conjugation), the parental macronucleus is degraded and new macronucleus develops from a mitotic product of the zygotic micronucleus. Development of the macronucleus involves massive genome remodeling, including deletion of about 6000 specific internal eliminated sequences (IES) and multiple rounds of DNA replication. A gene encoding a putative signal transduction receptor, ASI2, (anlagen stage induced 2) is up-regulated during development of the new macronuclei (anlagen). Macronuclear ASI2 is nonessential for vegetative growth. Homozygous ASI2 germ line knockout cells with wild type parental macronuclei proceed through mating but arrest at late macronuclear anlagen development and die before the first post-conjugation fission. IES elimination occurs in these cells. Two rounds of postzygotic DNA replication occur normally in progeny of ASI2 germ line knockouts, but endoreduplication of the macronuclear genome is arrested. The germ line ASI2 null phenotype is rescued in a mating of a knockout strain with wild type cells.

Animals↗

Isolation of novel tRNA(Ala) mutants by library selection in a tRNA(Ala) knockout strain.

The relationship between tRNA structure and function has been widely investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. This method has been a very useful tool to reveal the critical bases in tRNAs that are important for recognition and aminoacylation, but has been limited by the large number of possible base combinations in tRNA molecules. We have devised a new method that uses tRNA knockout cells for selection of functional tRNAs from a mutant tRNA gene library to overcome this limitation. To explore the mechanism of tRNA(Ala) recognition, the bases of the acceptor-stem region were randomized and active mutants were selected in a tRNA(Ala) knockout strain. Mutants of tRNA(Ala) having diverse sequence combinations in the acceptor-stem region and a broad range of functional activity to support knockout cell growth were isolated. The mutant tRNAs selected by the method included molecules containing novel base substitutions as well as extensively altered base combinations that would not be readily generated by rationally designed site-directed mutagenesis. Our results emphasize the importance of the acceptor stem as a structural unit in which some nucleotides may carry more weight than others, but in summation every nucleotide contributes to the interaction with the enzyme.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗