Human N-myc gene contributes to neoplastic transformation of mammalian cells in culture

Proto-oncogenes represent a group of eukaryotic genes whose activated forms are implicated in the development of cancer. We have recently identified a human gene, N-myc, that is distantly related to the proto-oncogene c-myc. N-myc is expressed at abnormally high levels consequent to amplification in numerous human neuroblastoma cell lines and metastatic neuroblastoma tumours. In addition, enhanced expression of N-myc, often a result of amplification, has been found in retinoblastoma cell lines and tumours (refs 5, 7 and M.S., unpublished data) and in cell lines derived from small-cell carcinomas of the lung. Here, we show that enhanced expression of N-myc subsequent to co-transfections of an N-myc expression vector and the mutant c-Ha-ras-1(EJ) (from the human bladder carcinoma cell line EJ) is a factor in tumorigenic conversion of secondary rat embryo cells. The transformed cells elicit tumours in athymic mice and isogeneic rats. The ability of N-myc to contribute to neoplastic transformation of cultured mammalian cells raises the possibility that enhanced expression consequent to amplification of N-myc may be a factor in the aetiology of human neuroblastoma.     

Introduction of homologous DNA sequences into mammalian cells induces mutations in the cognate gene

Injection of homologous DNA sequences into nuclei of cultured mammalian cells induces mutations in the cognate chromosomal gene. It appears that these mutations result from incorrect repair of a heteroduplex formed between the introduced and the chromosomal sequence. This phenomenon is termed 'heteroduplex induced mutagenesis'. The high frequency of these events suggests that this method may prove useful for introducing mutations into specific mammalian genes.     

Expression of active human clotting factor IX from recombinant DNA clones in mammalian cells

Haemophilia B, or Christmas disease, is an inherited X-chromosome-linked bleeding disorder caused by a defect in clotting factor IX and occurs in about 1 in 30,000 males in the United Kingdom. Injection of factor IX concentrate obtained from blood donors allows most patients to be successfully managed. However, because of impurities in the factor IX concentrate presently in use, this treatment involves some risk of infection by blood-borne viruses such as non-A, non-B hepatitis and the virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of the recent concern about the increasing incidence of AIDS amongst haemophiliacs, a factor IX preparation derived from a source other than blood is desirable. Here, we report that after introduction of human factor IX DNA clones into a rat hepatoma cell line using recombinant DNA methods, we were able to isolate small amounts of biologically active human factor IX.     

衣藻的核基因组转化及外源基因转录分析

通过珠磨法将衣藻表达载体pSP108转入到莱茵衣藻细胞壁缺陷型CC-400藻株中,经抗性筛选及PCR鉴定,获得了24个转化藻株.在抗性基因ble编码序列的中间部位和末端部位分别设计两对不同的探针引物,运用实时荧光定量PCR对转基因藻株进行外源基因转录水平的分析.结果发现:不同转化藻株外源基因的转录水平有明显差异;同一转化藻株两对探针引物,外源基因的转录水平也存在差异.说明莱茵衣藻在转化过程中,外源基因整合到基因组上的片段数量及片段长度和完整性具有不确定性.     

大规模动物细胞固定化培养研究进展

基于固定化载体的生物反应器技术是动物细胞固定化培养的主要手段。综述了近年来微载体，微囊化，无载体细胞自絮凝以及膜等固定化技术在动物细胞固定化培养中的应用及其进展。同时对动物细胞固定化培养中的场效应、多腔室和多细胞混合培养体系进行初步的探讨。