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Advances in monoclonal antibody technology: genetic engineering of mice, cells, and immunoglobulins.

The ability to produce antibodies that are directed against specific antigens has played a crucial role in advancing scientific discoveries. Recombinant technologies have extended the application of antibodies beyond the research laboratory and into the clinic for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Creative approaches using these technologies have been used to reduce the antibody to its minimal functional size, and/or make them bifunctional (immunotoxins), bispecific, or less immunoreactive (humanized). Additionally, mice that are engineered to generate antibodies of human genomic origin have been used to produce therapeutic antibodies and are being further developed. As the research and clinical demands for antibodies continue to increase, the development of improved resources (cell lines and animals) to improve production efficiency, generate larger repertoires, and deliver greater yields of antibodies is being explored, and advances in this area are discussed further in this review.

Animals↗

Systems analysis of matrix metalloproteinase mRNA expression in skeletal tissues.

The availability of human genome sequences provides life scientists and biomedical engineers with a challenging opportunity to develop computational and experimental tools for quantitatively analyzing biological processes. In response to a growing need to integrate experimental mRNA expression data with human genome sequences, we present here a unique analysis named "Promoter-Based Estimation (PROBE)" analysis. The PROBE analysis is "systems analysis" of transcriptional processes using control and estimation theories. A linear model was built in order to estimate the mRNA levels of a group of genes from their regulatory DNA sequences. The model was also used to interpret two independent datasets in skeletal tissues. The results demonstrated that the mRNA levels of a family of matrix metalloproteinases can be modeled from a distribution of cis-acting elements on regulatory DNA sequences. The model accurately predicted a stimulatory role of cis-acting elements such as AP1, NFY, PEA3, and Sp1 as well as an inhibitory role of AP2. These predictions are consistent with biological observations, and a specific assay for testing such predictions is proposed. Although eukaryotic transcription is a complex mechanism, the two examples presented here support the potential use of the described analysis for elucidating the functional significance of DNA regulatory elements.

Algorithms↗

Gene expression profile of tissue engineered skin subjected to acute barrier disruption.

The main function of the skin is to protect the body from infection, dehydration, and other environmental insults by creating an impermeable barrier of cornified cell layers, the stratum corneum. In contrast to cells in culture, tissue-engineered skin equivalents contain well-developed basal, spinous, granular, and cornified cell layers providing an excellent model to study the tissue response to barrier disruption. After 7 d of culture at the air-liquid interface the barrier of the tissues was disrupted by short exposure to acetone and the global gene expression profile of the tissues was evaluated using DNA microarrays. We found that tissue-engineered skin responds to barrier disruption by a two-wave dynamic response. Early on, the cells upregulate signal transducing, stress, proliferation, and inflammation genes to protect the tissue and possibly to communicate the damage to the immune system and neighboring tissues. At later times, pro-inflammatory cytokines and some growth-related genes are significantly reduced but enzymes that participate in lipid synthesis increase, suggesting that the epidermal cells attempt to restore the lost barrier. Quantitative immunostaining for the proliferation antigen Ki67 revealed that barrier disruption by acetone increased proliferation by 4-fold in agreement with the microarray data and previous in vivo studies. Our work suggests that functional genomics may be used in tissue engineering to understand tissue development, wound regeneration, and response to environmental stimuli. A better understanding of engineered tissues at the molecular level may facilitate their application in the clinic and as biosensors for toxicologic testing.

Acetone↗

A novel high-throughput screen reveals yeast genes that increase secretion of heterologous proteins.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an attractive host for the production of heterologous proteins. However, low-yield production of many proteins (from micrograms to milligrams/liter) leaves considerable room for optimization. By engineering the yeast cell via traceable genome-wide libraries, genes that can enhance protein expression level because of their roles in protein transcription, translation, folding, and trafficking processes can be readily identified. This report details a novel approach that combines yeast cDNA overexpression libraries with yeast surface display to allow the rapid flow cytometric screening of engineered yeast for gene products that improve the display of heterologous proteins. After optimization of the screening conditions, a genome-wide scan yielded five yeast gene products that promoted increased display levels of a single-chain T-cell receptor (scTCR). The display-enhancing genes included those coding for cell wall proteins (CCW12, CWP2, and SED1), a ribosomal subunit protein (RPP0), and an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein (ERO1). Under the premise that yeast surface display levels could be used as a predictor of secretion efficiency, each display-enhancing gene product was tested for its ability to affect secretion levels of multiple scTCR and single-chain antibodies (scFv). All of the selected yeast gene products were shown to promote increased secretion of active protein (1.5-fold to 7.9-fold), with CCW12 and ERO1 being the most generalizable enhancers of scFv/scTCR secretion.

Genes, Fungal↗

PCR-mediated repeated chromosome splitting in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Chromosome engineering is playing an increasingly important role in the functional analysis of genomes. A simple and efficient technology for manipulating large chromosomal segments is key to advancing these analyses. Here we describe a simple but innovative method to split chromosomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which we call PCR-mediated chromosome splitting (PCS). The PCS method combines a streamlined procedure (two-step PCR and one transformation per splitting event) with the CreAoxP system for marker rescue. Using this novel method, chromosomes I (230 kb) and XV (1091 kb) of a haploid cell were split collectively into 10 minichromosomes ranging in size from 29-631 kb with high efficiency (routinely 80%) that were occasionally lost during mitotic growth in various combinations. These observations indicate that the PCS method provides an efficient tool to engineer the yeast genome and may offer a possible approach to identify minimal genome constitutions as a function of culture conditions through further splitting, followed by combinatorial loss of minichromosomes.

Blotting, Southern↗

Genomic deletions created upon LINE-1 retrotransposition.

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition continues to impact the human genome, yet little is known about how L1 integrates into DNA. Here, we developed a plasmid-based rescue system and have used it to recover 37 new L1 retrotransposition events from cultured human cells. Sequencing of the insertions revealed the usual L1 structural hallmarks; however, in four instances, retrotransposition generated large target site deletions. Remarkably, three of those resulted in the formation of chimeric L1s, containing the 5' end of an endogenous L1 fused precisely to our engineered L1. Thus, our data demonstrate multiple pathways for L1 integration in cultured cells, and show that L1 is not simply an insertional mutagen, but that its retrotransposition can result in significant deletions of genomic sequence.

Base Sequence↗

Appropriate tissue- and cell-specific expression of a single copy human angiotensinogen transgene specifically targeted upstream of the HPRT locus by homologous recombination.

Development of experimental models by genetic manipulation in mice has proven to be very useful in determining the significance of particular genes in the development of or susceptibility to hypertension. Advances in molecular genetics, transgenic mouse technology, and physiological measurements in mice provided an opportunity to go a step further and develop models to analyze the physiological significance of specific gene variants potentially causing hypertension. In this report, we describe the development of a human angiotensinogen transgenic mouse model generated by targeting the human angiotensinogen gene upstream of the mouse HPRT locus by homologous recombination. The main benefit of this transgenic mouse model is that the human angiotensinogen gene is inserted into the mouse genome as a single copy at a predefined locus and in a specific orientation-a process that can be repeated utilizing other variants of this gene. We establish the validity of this approach by showing that the hAGT(hprt) mice have normal tissue- and cell-specific expression of the human angiotensinogen gene and normally produce and process the hAGT protein at physiological levels.

Angiotensinogen↗

Chromosomal targeting of replicating plasmids in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

Using an optimized transformation protocol we have studied the possible interactions between transforming plasmid DNA and the Hansenula polymorpha genome. Plasmids consisting only of a pBR322 replicon, an antibiotic resistance marker for Escherichia coli and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae LEU2 gene were shown to replicate autonomously in the yeast at an approximate copy number of 6 (copies per genome equivalent). This autonomous behaviour is probably due to an H. polymorpha replicon-like sequence present on the S. cerevisiae LEU2 gene fragment. Plasmids replicated as multimers consisting of monomers connected in a head-to-tail configuration. Two out of nine transformants analysed appeared to contain plasmid multimers in which one of the monomers contained a deletion. Plasmids containing internal or flanking regions of the genomic alcohol oxidase gene were shown to integrate by homologous single or double cross-over recombination. Both single- and multi-copy (two or three) tandem integrations were observed. Targeted integration occurred in 1-22% of the cases and was only observed with plasmids linearized within the genomic sequences, indicating that homologous linear ends are recombinogenic in H. polymorpha. In the cases in which no targeted integration occurred, double-strand breaks were efficiently repaired in a homology-independent way. Repair of double-strand breaks was precise in 50-68% of the cases. Linearization within homologous as well as nonhomologous plasmid regions stimulated transformation frequencies up to 15-fold.

DNA Repair↗

CyanoBase, a www database containing the complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803.

CyanoBase (http://www.kazusa.or.jp/cyano/) is a database containing genomic information on the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. It furnishes an annotation to each of the 3168 protein genes deduced from the entire nucleotide sequence of this genome. Information on the genome can be directly accessed through three different menus: a clickable physical map of the genome, a gene classification list, and a keyword search menu, all of which are accessible from the main page of the database. The entry page for a gene annotation contains the following information: the location of the gene on the genome, the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the gene, the result of a similarity search, and the classification of the deduced gene product according to its function. This page has reverse-links to the local physical map and gene classification list so that relevant genes can be searched in terms of their location on the genome and their function. In addition, the main page of CyanoBase provides engines for similarity searches between a query sequence and the entire genome sequence and for keyword searches, in addition to numerous links to pages containing related information.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Bioinformatic analysis of peptide precursor proteins.

Neuropeptides are among the most important signal molecules in animals. Traditional identification of peptide hormones through peptide purification is a tedious and time-consuming process. With the advent of the genome sequencing projects, putative peptide precursor can be mined from the genome. However, because bioactive peptides are usually quite short in length and because the active core of a peptide is often limited to only a few amino acids, using the BLAST search engine to identify neuropeptide precursors in the genome is difficult and sometimes impossible. To overcome these shortcomings, we subject the entire set of all known Drosophila melanogaster peptide precursor sequences to motif-finding algorithms in search of a motif that is common for all prepropeptides and that could be used in the search for new peptide precursors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic engineering of plants for virus resistance.

Historically, control of plant virus disease has involved numerous strategies which have often been combined to provide effective durable resistance in the field. In recent years, the dramatic advances obtained in plant molecular virology have enhanced our understanding of viral genome organizations and gene functions. Moreover, genetic engineering of plants for virus resistance has recently provided promising additional strategies for control of virus disease. At present, the most promising of these has been the expression of coat-protein coding sequences in plants transformed with a coat protein gene. Other potential methods include the expression of anti-sense viral transcripts in transgenic plants, the application of artificial anti-sense mediated gene regulation to viral systems, and the expression of viral satellite RNAs, RNAs with endoribonuclease activity, antiviral antibody genes, or human interferon genes in plants.

Base Sequence↗

Nonviral transposon‑engineered stem cells characterization: dose‑dependency between vector copy number and transgene expression.

Genetically engineered stem cells hold substantial promises for advancing regenerative medicine, yet ensuring their genomic safety remains a critical challenge. A key safety concern is vector copy number (VCN), which defines the number of integrated transgene copies per genome. Although ddPCR is used to assess VCN in virally transduced cells, its application in transposon‑engineered systems is limited. In this study, we extended VCN determination to non‑viral, transposon‑engineered stem cells. In alignment with FDA recommendations, the primary objective was to establish a robust and quantitative framework for interim VCN determination at the time of lot release. Specifically, we demonstrate that reliable interim VCN estimates increase in a dose‑dependent manner with increasing plasmid input. In addition, strong linear correlations between VCN and both EGFP median fluorescence intensity (MFI) and gene‑of‑interest (GOI) protein expression validate the accuracy of this framework. Furthermore, comparison of two distinct GOIs revealed gene‑specific differences in expression efficiency. Together, these findings validate a standardized VCN determination workflow that quantitatively links plasmid dose, genomic integration, and functional transgene expression. This workflow provides a systematic characterization of engineered cells, offering comprehensive information to support downstream risk‑based analyses to ensure the genomic safety and stability of the final cell product.

Transgenes↗

Manipulating mammalian genome by gene targeting.

The development of strategies which allow the inactivation of specific murine genes by homologous recombination in embryonic cells has revolutionized biological science in the last 10 years. A large number of mice carrying genetic lesions, generated by gene targeting technology, has tremendously increased our knowledge in many areas of biology, culminating in the identification of mouse models for human genetic disorders. These findings have been recently complemented by "conditional" gene targeting technology, allowing gene inactivation in a defined tissue and at a specific time point during development or adulthood, thereby extending the sophistication and potential of this technology.

Animals↗

Full-speed mammalian genetics: in vivo target validation in the drug discovery process.

The completion of the Human Genome Project has signaled the beginning of the post-genome era, with a corresponding shift in focus from the sequencing and identification of genes to the exploration of gene function. A rate-limiting step in deriving value from this gene sequence information is determining the potential pharmaceutical applications of genes and their encoded proteins. This validation step is crucial for focusing efforts and resources on only the most promising targets. Strategies using reverse mouse genetics provide excellent methods for validating potential targets and therapeutic proteins in vivo in a mammalian model system.

Animals↗

Plant cells: secondary metabolite heterogeneity and its manipulation.

This chapter proposes the concept of rational manipulation of secondary metabolite heterogeneity in plant cell cultures. The heterogeneity of plant secondary metabolites is a very interesting and important issue because these structure-similar natural products have different biological activities. Both taxoids and ginsenosides are two kinds of preeminent examples in the enormous reservoir of pharmacologically valuable heterogeneous molecules in the plant kingdom. They are derived from the five-carbon precursor isopentenyl diphosphate, produced via the mevalonate or the non-mevalonate pathway. The diterpenoid backbone of taxoids is synthesized by taxadiene synthase and the triterpenoid backbone of ginsenosides is synthesized by dammarenediol synthase or beta-amyrin synthase. After various chemical decorations (oxidation, substitution, acylation, glycosylation, benzoylation, and so on) mediated by P450-dependent monooxygenases, glycosyltransferases, acyltransferases, benzoyltransferases, and other enzymes, the terpenoid backbones are converted into heterogeneous taxoids and ginsenosides with different bioactivities. Although detailed information about accumulation and regulation of individual taxoids or ginsenosides in plant cells is still lacking, remarkable progress has recently been made in the structure and bioactivity identification, biosynthetic pathway, manipulation of their heterogeneity by various methodologies including environmental factors, biotransformation, and metabolic engineering in cell/tissue cultures or in plants. Perspectives on a more rational and efficient process to manipulate production of desired plant secondary metabolites by means of metabolic engineering and "omics"-based approaches (e.g., functional genomics) are also discussed.

Biotechnology↗

Nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses: genetics and manipulation of viral genomes.

Protocols to recover negative-stand RNA viruses entirely from cDNA have been established in recent years, opening up this virus group to the detailed analysis of molecular genetics and virus biology. The unique gene-expression strategy of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses, which involves replication of ribonucleoprotein complexes and sequential synthesis of free mRNAs, has also allowed the use of these viruses to express heterologous sequences. There are advantages in terms of easy manipulation of constructs, high capacity for foreign sequences, genetically stable expression, and the possibility of adjusting expression levels. Fascinating prospects for biomedical applications and transient gene therapy are offered by chimeric virus vectors carrying novel envelope protein genes and targeted to defined host cells.

Base Sequence↗