WO2014185549A1 - 細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法、細胞の特性を判定する方法、薬剤感受性を判断するまたは薬剤若しくは免疫療法剤の種類を選択する方法、疾患の診断方法、並びに自己複製ベクター、アッセイキットおよび分析装置 - Google Patents
細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法、細胞の特性を判定する方法、薬剤感受性を判断するまたは薬剤若しくは免疫療法剤の種類を選択する方法、疾患の診断方法、並びに自己複製ベクター、アッセイキットおよび分析装置 Download PDFInfo
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- Embodiments of the present invention include methods for obtaining epigenetic information on cells, methods for determining cell characteristics, methods for determining drug sensitivity or selecting the type of drug or immunotherapeutic agent, methods for diagnosing disease, and self
- the present invention relates to a replication vector, an assay kit, and an analysis apparatus.
- Factors involved in gene expression include those involving changes in the base sequence of DNA constituting the genome and those not involving changes in the DNA base sequence. Those accompanied by changes in the base sequence of DNA include polymorphisms or mutations. On the other hand, those not accompanied by changes in DNA base sequence include changes related to epigenetic control. Such polymorphisms and mutations, and information on epigenetic control (ie, epigenetic information) are useful in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and fishery. Epigenetic information includes DNA modification, histone chemical modification, and control by non-translatable RNA.
- epigenetic information such as the presence or absence of modification such as methylation for a specific base sequence and the change in modification amount.
- DNA methylation abnormality has been confirmed from an early stage in a multi-stage carcinogenic process.
- methylation in the target gene cluster has been confirmed in early liver cancer.
- the methylation reaction of genomic DNA means that a methyl group is added to cytosine on the genome by DNA methyltransferase in the cell.
- the replicated genome undergoes addition of a methyl group to cytosine at the same position as the genome before replication.
- means for detecting DNA methylation include, for example, a bisulfate-treated PCR method, a sequencing method, and a method using a reporter vector.
- a method using a reporter vector a method of screening a circadian rhythm disorder improving agent by assaying a circadian rhythm control mechanism by DNA methylation of a clock gene has been reported.
- a stable expression cell line in which a known target nucleic acid sequence that is methylated in a cell is incorporated on a chromosome is prepared, and a methylation reaction that is performed simultaneously with genome replication during cell division is used to perform an outline. This is a method for screening a daily rhythm disorder improving agent.
- Embodiment aims at providing the method of obtaining the epigenetic information of a cell simply.
- a method for obtaining epigenetic information of a cell is provided. This method was obtained by introducing a reporter nucleic acid construct into the nucleus of a test cell, allowing the reporter nucleic acid construct to self-replicate, detecting the presence and / or magnitude of a signal generated in the test cell, Obtaining epigenetic information of the test cell based on the result.
- Reporter nucleic acid constructs copy the state of modification in a particular sequence on the genome of the test cell onto the corresponding sequence by substitution of functional groups during self-replication in the nucleus of the test cell. It generates a detectable signal depending on the presence of the functional group.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 8 is a scheme showing an example of a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 9 is a scheme showing an example of a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 9 is a scheme showing an example of a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 10 is a scheme showing an example of a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 11 is a scheme showing an example of a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for determining characteristics of a test cell.
- FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an analyzer for performing a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a process for producing a self-replicating vector containing a methylated target sequence.
- FIG. 15 is a graph showing experimental results.
- FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a CK19 promoter region and a self-replicating vector containing a replication initiation sequence.
- FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a replication initiation protein gene expression vector.
- FIG. 18 shows the position of the CCGG sequence in the CK19 promoter region.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 20 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 21 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 22 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 23 is a diagram of a self-replicating vector containing a COX2 promoter region and a replication initiation sequence.
- FIG. 24 shows the position of the CCGG sequence in the COX2 promoter region.
- FIG. 25 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 26 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 27 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 28 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 29 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 30 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 31 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- FIG. 32 shows the results of luciferase assay.
- FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a method for producing a self-replicating vector containing a methylated target sequence.
- FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram showing co-transfection of two types of vectors into cells.
- FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a self-replicating vector.
- FIG. 36 is a diagram showing experimental results.
- the method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells uses a self-replicating reporter nucleic acid construct.
- this reporter nucleic acid construct self-replicates in the nucleus of a test cell, the state of modification on a specific sequence in the genome of the test cell is copied to its own sequence. That is, the reporter nucleic acid construct contains a sequence that is homologous to the particular sequence to be observed.
- the modification state on a specific sequence in the genome is copied (copied) to a sequence homologous to that in the reporter nucleic acid construct.
- the reporter nucleic acid construct produces a detectable signal depending on the presence of the functional group copied to the reporter nucleic acid construct. At this time, the presence / absence, size, or amount of a signal varies depending on the presence of functional groups. Thereby, the reporter nucleic acid construct reports the modification status on a specific sequence of the genome.
- the report function of the reporter nucleic acid construct can be obtained only when the reporter nucleic acid construct self-replicates.
- the reporter nucleic acid construct is introduced into the nucleus of the test cell that is placed under conditions that initiate self-replication of the reporter nucleic acid construct.
- a signal generated by the reporter nucleic acid construct is detected in the test cell.
- the detection of the signal may be performed on the presence or absence of the signal, and may be performed on the magnitude or amount of the signal.
- the result obtained by the detection is epigenetic information of the test cell.
- cell epigenetic information means whether a functional group is bound to a base constituting a specific sequence on the genome of a test cell, whether there is a substitution, or not. It may be information about such as.
- the “detectable signal” may be fluorescence, luminescence, color, or the like, or may be a presentation of a substance such as a protein. Alternatively, it may be a signal that can be detected by a method known per se, for example. In addition, the presence / absence or magnitude of the signal varies depending on the presence of the functional group copied to the reporter nucleic acid construct.
- a “reporter nucleic acid construct” is a nucleic acid construct for reporting epigenetic information of cells to be tested. Examples of correlations between reporter nucleic acid constructs and modifications in specific sequences of the genome are described below. The following example is an example where the epigenetic information is information on methylation in a specific sequence of the genome. Table 1 shows the correlation between the reporter activity of the reporter nucleic acid construct and methylation.
- the correlation shown in Table 1 is an example in which the signal of the reporter nucleic acid construct increases with demethylation of the corresponding sequence of the reporter nucleic acid construct and decreases with methylation.
- This reporter nucleic acid construct can be used, for example, for detection of cancer. In the case of cancer cells, demethylation occurs at specific sequences on the genome.
- Such epigenetic information in cells is copied to the corresponding sequence contained in the reporter nucleic acid construct during its self-replication. For example, if the corresponding sequence of the reporter nucleic acid construct is previously methylated, demethylation occurs during self-replication. At this time, the detectable signal from the reporter nucleic acid construct is increased. For example, cancer can be detected using such detection of a large signal as an index.
- the “corresponding sequence” is a sequence homologous to a specific sequence on the genome, ie, the sequence where the modification to be detected is located.
- a reporter nucleic acid construct containing many methyl groups is prepared (A-1). It is assumed that a specific sequence on the genome contains many methyl groups (A-2-1). In this case, there is little or no functional group substitution in the construct when self-replicating (A-3-1). In this case, the detection signal is small (A-4-1). The reporter activity is relatively low (A-5-1). On the other hand, it is assumed that a specific sequence on the genome does not contain many methyl groups (A-2-2). In this case, when self-replicating, the functional group is substituted in the construct and demethylation occurs (A-3-2). In this case, the detection signal is large (A-4-2). The reporter activity is relatively high (A-5-2).
- a reporter nucleic acid construct containing a small number of methyl groups is prepared (B-1). It is assumed that a specific sequence on the genome contains many methyl groups (B-2-1). In this case, when self-replicating, the functional group in the construct is displaced and methylation occurs (B-3-2). In this case, the detection signal is small (B-4-2). In this case, the signal becomes smaller as time passes. The reporter activity is relatively low (B-5-2). On the other hand, a specific sequence on the genome does not contain many methyl groups (B-2-2). In this case, there is little or no functional group substitution in the construct when self-replicating (B-3-2). In this case, the detection signal is large (B-4-2). The reporter activity is relatively high (B-5-2).
- the reporter nucleic acid construct may be, for example, a self-replicating vector.
- a self-replicating vector as a reporter nucleic acid construct will be described below with reference to the drawings.
- symbol is attached
- the configurations of the embodiments may be combined and used in one embodiment, or a plurality of embodiments may be used simultaneously in one analysis.
- a self-replicating vector is used under conditions where a replication initiator protein is expressed in the cell.
- Self-replicating vectors are also referred to as “reporter vectors”.
- the self-replicating vector 1 includes a reporter gene expression unit 2 and a replication initiation sequence 3.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 is present on the same nucleic acid as the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 includes a target nucleic acid sequence 4, a reporter gene 5 encoding a reporter protein, and a transcription termination signal sequence 6.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is a nucleic acid sequence from which epigenetic information should be obtained.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 has homology with the specific nucleic acid sequence of the test cell.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 has a modified base.
- the self-replicating vector 1 (for example, the target nucleic acid sequence 4) has a promoter activity that depends on the degree of modification at the base to be modified. Activation of the promoter activity of the self-replicating vector 1 (for example, the target nucleic acid sequence 4) is controlled by modification of the modified base on the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- Such modified bases are targets for modification.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be selected in advance as desired. From the epigenetic information obtained with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence 4, epigenetic information of a specific nucleic acid sequence in the test cell can be obtained.
- sequence having homology with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be the same sequence as a specific sequence on the genome or a sequence substantially the same as the specific sequence on the genome.
- a sequence substantially identical to a specific sequence on the genome refers to, for example, a sequence in which one or several bases are substituted, deleted or added in the specific sequence.
- the “specific sequence” may be a sequence from which epigenetic information is to be obtained. For example, “having homology”, “homologous”, and “homologous” may be sequences that are 90% or more or 95% or more identical to the genome sequence.
- sequence which consists of may be sufficient.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be a sequence obtained by integrating homologous sequences with two or more sequences present at a plurality of positions on the genome, or may include such an integrated sequence. Good. In other words, assuming that each of two or more sequences present at a plurality of positions on the genome is one unit, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is a sequence in which homologous sequences are integrated with each of the plurality of units. Or may comprise such an integrated arrangement. In other words, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be composed of two or more units corresponding to units that are homologous sequences on the genome.
- one unit is homologous to a part of a specific promoter sequence on the genome, and the other unit has a modified base capable of controlling the activation of the promoter sequence. It may be homologous to the containing sequence.
- a part of a specific promoter sequence on the genome and a sequence containing a modified base capable of controlling the activation of this promoter sequence do not necessarily exist continuously on the genome. That is, further sequences may be included between them. If such additional sequences are sequences that do not affect the promoter sequence and its activity, such additional sequences need not necessarily be included in the target nucleic acid sequence 4. Moreover, as long as it has a promoter activity that depends on the modified base on the target nucleic acid sequence 4 and the degree of modification of the modified base, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is a sequence having homology with the sequence on the genome of the test cell. In addition, any further sequences may be included.
- any additional sequence does not prevent having a promoter activity that depends on the modified base on the target nucleic acid sequence 4 and the degree of modification at the modified base.
- any further sequence may be included between any bases that make up a sequence having homology to the sequence on the genome of the test cell, and is homologous to the sequence on the genome of the test cell. May be included adjacent to a sequence having
- sequence having homology with respect to the sequence on the genome is described with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence 4, but “sequence with homology” with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is also described with respect to the test cell. It should be understood similarly.
- the self-replicating vector 1 is a vector that replicates itself after being introduced into a test cell.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is a sequence having homology with a specific nucleic acid sequence contained in the genome of the test cell. With such a configuration, it is possible to copy the modification state of the homologous sequence on the genome of the test cell to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 in the self-replicating vector 1 using the self-replicating ability of the self-replicating vector 1. Become.
- target nucleic acid sequence 4 examples include, but are not limited to, a SOX2 gene promoter sequence, a GFAP gene promoter sequence, a CK19 gene promoter sequence, and a COX2 gene promoter sequence.
- the modification of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is, for example, methylation or alkylation.
- the state of modification of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 means whether a methyl group and / or an alkyl group, which is a functional group, is bonded or not bonded to the base constituting the target nucleic acid sequence 4. It is.
- the “epigenetic information” of the test cell may be whether such a functional group exists or not. Alternatively, it may be information on how much functional group is present. Alternatively, it may be information such as a change in the state of such modification, ie, the presence or absence or degree of functional group substitution. Further, any combination thereof may be used.
- the modification of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be a modification to cytosine and / or guanine in the main chain of the target nucleic acid sequence 4, for example.
- the modification may be related to one or more of them.
- the modification of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be methylation on cytosine and / or guanine in the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- Promoter activity means inducing transcription of a gene operably linked downstream of the promoter sequence.
- the promoter activity may be derived from the entire sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 or may be derived from a partial sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may include a minimal promoter.
- the modified base may be present continuously or intermittently throughout the entire sequence capable of exhibiting the promoter activity of the target nucleic acid sequence 4, and the modified base is included in the sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 other than the sequence capable of exhibiting the promoter activity. May be present or a combination thereof.
- Promoter activation of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is controlled by the modification state of the base to be modified on the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- the promoter activity of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is activated depending on the degree of base modification in the sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- the promoter activity of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is activated, for example, when the degree of modification at the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is low, or activated when there is a modification, or when there is no modification Any of these may be used.
- the nature of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 with respect to such promoter activity is “activated depending on the degree of base modification in the target nucleic acid sequence 4” or “depending on the degree of functional group substitution at the base. Is activated ”.
- An example of a sequence having a promoter activity depending on the degree of modification of the base to be modified in the sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may be, for example, a sequence derived from a test cell, or may be a sequence synthesized artificially.
- an example of such a sequence may be the 5 ′ upstream region ( ⁇ 1651 to +32 bp) (SEQ ID NO: 1) of a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene.
- SEQ ID NO: 1 of a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene.
- the 5 ′ upstream region sequence of the GFAP gene is activated when there is no methylation of the target nucleic acid sequence.
- Table 2 The sequence is shown in Table 2.
- a reporter gene 5 is operably linked downstream of the target nucleic acid sequence 4. That is, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is operably linked upstream of the reporter gene 5.
- the reporter gene 5 is transcribed when the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is activated. This transcription causes the reporter protein to be expressed.
- the reporter protein may be detected by detecting fluorescence, luminescence, color, or the like, or may be detected by a known protein detection means.
- the reporter protein may be, for example, luciferase, ⁇ -galactosidase, nitric oxide synthase, xanthine oxidase, blue fluorescent protein, green fluorescent protein, red fluorescent protein, and heavy metal binding protein.
- the reporter gene 5 may be a gene encoding these proteins. Examples of the reporter gene 5 include a luciferase gene, ⁇ -galactosidase gene, nitric oxide synthase gene, xanthine oxidase gene, blue fluorescent protein gene, green fluorescent protein gene, red fluorescent protein gene, and heavy metal binding protein gene.
- the transcription termination signal sequence 6 may be any sequence that terminates the transcription of the upstream gene, and may be, for example, a poly (A) addition signal.
- the poly (A) addition signal may be any signal that functions to terminate transcription of mammalian genes. Examples include the late poly (A) addition signal (SEQ ID NO: 4) of the SV40 virus and the poly (A) addition signal (SEQ ID NO: 5) of the bovine growth hormone gene.
- the poly (A) addition signal that can be used in the practice of this embodiment is not limited to this, and the modified poly (A) addition signal may be used as long as the function as the poly (A) addition signal is not impaired. It may be used.
- the sequences of these poly (A) addition signals are shown in Table 5.
- “Functional” with respect to the linking of a plurality of sequences means a state in which each gene is linked in a state where it can exert its intended function.
- a sequence encoding a protein it means that the amino acid sequences encoded by the respective base sequences are correctly linked. In other words, it means that there is no shift in the frame of the amino acid codon and a peptide that functions in the target activity is synthesized in the cell into which the base sequence is introduced.
- the term “functionally coupled” may be used interchangeably with the term “operably coupled”.
- the transcription termination signal sequence 6 is operably linked downstream of the reporter gene 5.
- the self-replicating vector 1 can self-replicate in the test cell under the condition that the replication initiation protein is expressed in the test cell.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 is a sequence that initiates self-replication upon binding of a replication initiation protein.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be a sequence that is activated by binding of a replication initiation protein and initiates self-replication in mammalian cells, for example, and may be a replication initiation sequence known per se.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be, for example, a replication initiation sequence derived from simian virus 40 (SEQ ID NO: 6), Epstein-Barr virus, or mouse polyoma virus, but is not limited thereto. Table 6 shows an example of the replication start sequence.
- the self-replicating vector 1 may be any vector capable of self-replication, for example, a plasmid vector.
- a plasmid vector known per se may be used.
- an example of a plasmid vector of this self-replicating vector is disclosed in JP2013-42721.
- Self-replication of the self-replicating vector 1 is initiated by binding of a replication initiator protein to the replication initiator sequence 3.
- FIG. 2 schematically shows a state in which the replication initiator protein 7 binds to the replication initiator sequence 3 of the self-replicating vector 1.
- the replication initiating protein 7 binds to the replication initiating sequence 3, and a plurality of proteins involved in DNA replication further bind.
- the self-replicating vector 1 is replicated in the test cell by the plurality of bound proteins.
- the replication initiator protein 7 is expressed under “conditions for the replication initiator protein to be expressed in the cell”.
- the “conditions for expressing the replication initiator protein in the cell” may be any conditions as long as the replication initiator protein that initiates self-replication of the self-replicating vector 1 is expressed in the cell into which the vector is introduced. That is, it suffices if the replication initiation protein unit exists in the test cell into which the self-replicating vector 1 is to be introduced.
- the “replication initiation protein unit” is a unit for expressing a replication initiation protein, and may also be referred to as a “replication initiation protein expression unit”.
- the replication initiating protein unit may include a sequence capable of expressing a replication initiating protein that causes the self-replicating vector 1 to initiate self-replication.
- the replication initiating protein unit may consist of a sequence capable of expressing a replication initiating protein that causes the self-replicating vector 1 to initiate self-replication.
- the replication initiator protein unit is operably linked downstream from a promoter that controls the expression of a sequence that encodes the replication initiator protein, and a sequence that encodes a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof.
- a transcription termination signal sequence is operably linked downstream from a promoter that controls the expression of a sequence that encodes the replication initiator protein, and a sequence that encodes a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof.
- a replication initiator protein unit is operably linked downstream from a promoter that controls the expression of a sequence that encodes the replication initiator protein, and a sequence that encodes a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof. And a transcription termination signal sequence.
- sequences encoding a replication initiator protein that binds to the replication initiator sequence 3 and causes the self-replicating vector 1 to initiate self-replication are as follows. That is, it may be, for example, the simian virus 40 large T antigen gene, the Epstein Barr virus EBNA-1 gene, the mouse polyoma virus large T antigen gene, and the like.
- Examples of preferred large T antigen genes are shown in Table 7, Table 8 and Table 9, respectively. That is, it may be a nucleic acid shown in SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8 or SEQ ID NO: 9, respectively. Alternatively, it may be a nucleic acid represented by a sequence in which one or several bases in the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8 or SEQ ID NO: 9 are deleted, substituted or added, and having a DNA replication initiation function.
- the DNA replication initiation function refers to encoding a protein capable of initiating replication.
- the replication initiating protein unit may be present on the nucleic acid of the self-replicating vector 1 or may be present on a nucleic acid different from the nucleic acid of the self-replicating vector 1.
- the replication initiator protein unit may be present on the chromosome of the test cell or may be present on another nucleic acid contained in the test cell. May be.
- the replication initiating protein unit has the following configuration. That is, it comprises or comprises a constitutively expressed promoter, a sequence encoding a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof, and a transcription termination signal sequence operably linked downstream thereof. Consisting of an array of With such a configuration, the sequence that encodes the replication initiator protein may be transcribed and translated to produce the replication initiator protein.
- the replication initiating sequence 3 may be included in the self-replicating vector 1.
- the expression of the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the replication initiation protein unit in the self-replicating vector 1 may be controlled by one promoter, or may be controlled by two independent or the same different promoters.
- the replication initiator protein unit is present on the nucleic acid of the self-replicating vector 1 independently of the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the replication initiator protein unit may comprise a constitutively expressed promoter and a sequence encoding the replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof.
- a transcription termination signal sequence may be operably linked downstream of the sequence encoding the replication initiator protein.
- the structure when the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the replication initiating protein unit are expressed by being controlled by one promoter, for example, the structure may be as follows.
- An example of such a self-replicating vector 1 is, for example, an IRES (internal ribosomal entry site) sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10) operatively linked downstream of a reporter gene expression unit and a functionally linked downstream of an IRES sequence. And a transcription termination signal sequence operatively linked downstream thereof.
- the sequence of the IRES sequence is shown in Table 10.
- Such a replication initiator protein unit encodes a sequence encoding a replication initiator protein, a constitutively expressed promoter operably linked upstream thereof, and a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof. It comprises or consists of a sequence and a transcription termination signal sequence operably linked downstream thereof.
- the sequence encoding the replication initiator protein is transcribed and translated to produce the replication initiator protein.
- the self-replicating vector 1 includes a replication initiation sequence in the same vector.
- the produced replication initiator protein binds to the replication initiator sequence in the vector.
- Such a self-replicating vector will be described in the second embodiment as an example of a plasmid vector.
- the replication initiating protein unit When the replication initiating protein unit is present on the genome of the test cell, for example, the replication initiating protein is generated as follows.
- the replication initiator protein gene expression vector is introduced into a test cell using a transfection method or a viral vector, and cultured, whereby the replication initiator protein gene expression vector is integrated into the cell chromosome.
- the transfection method may be performed by a biochemical method or a physicochemical method.
- Biochemical methods include lipofection methods using cationic lipids, magnetofection methods using magnetic particles, and methods using calcium chloride. Examples of the physicochemical method include electroporation.
- the biochemical methods and physicochemical methods described above may be used alone or in combination with each other.
- the lipofection method that is a biochemical method and the magnetofection method may be used in combination, or the lipofection method that is a biochemical method and the electroporation method that is a physicochemical method are combined. It may be used.
- ⁇ Replication initiation protein gene expression vector is stably integrated into the chromosome, so that the replication initiation protein gene is stably transcribed and translated in the test cell to produce the replication initiation protein.
- Examples of cell lines that stably express the replication initiation protein include HEK293T cells and COS cells.
- the replication initiating protein unit When the replication initiating protein unit is present on a different nucleic acid chain from the nucleic acid of the self-replicating vector 1 and the chromosome of the test cell, the replication initiating protein unit is contained in a second vector other than the self-replicating vector 1. May exist.
- a second vector may be a vector that expresses a replication initiator protein in a test cell, and any vector known per se may be used.
- Such a second vector is also referred to as a “replication initiation protein gene expression vector”.
- the replication initiator protein unit may be included in a self-replicating vector.
- the test cell may contain a self-replicating vector and a further sequence different from the genome of the test cell, and such a further sequence may contain a replication initiator protein unit.
- additional sequences may be included in the chromosome of the test cell or in additional nucleic acid strands such as a second vector.
- the combination of the gene encoding the replication initiation protein and the replication initiation sequence may be a combination that can initiate replication. Examples of such combinations are: A combination in which the gene encoding the replication initiator protein is a large T antigen gene of simian virus 40 and the replication initiator sequence is a replication initiator sequence from simian virus 40; A combination in which the gene encoding the replication initiator protein is the Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-1 gene, and the replication initiator sequence is the replication initiator sequence from Epstein-Barr virus; A combination in which the gene encoding the replication initiator protein is a large T antigen gene of mouse polyomavirus and the replication initiator sequence is a replication initiator sequence from mouse polyomavirus. Combinations such as these are preferred, but are not limited thereto.
- the test cell may be, for example, a cell group and / or a single cell.
- the test cells may be cells contained in blood, urine, feces, semen, saliva, biopsy tissue, oral mucosa, body cavity fluid, sputum, etc., or may be cultured cells. .
- Introduction of the self-replicating vector 1 into a test cell may be performed in vitro or in vivo.
- a self-replicating vector 31 that is a plasmid vector includes a target nucleic acid sequence 4, a reporter gene 5 operably linked downstream thereof, an IRES 32 operably linked downstream thereof, and downstream thereof.
- a sequence 33 encoding a replication initiator protein operably linked to a transcription termination signal sequence 34 functionally linked downstream thereof, and a replication initiation sequence 3 operably linked downstream thereof.
- the components of the reporter gene expression unit 2 are a target nucleic acid sequence 4, a reporter gene 5, and a transcription termination signal sequence 34.
- the components of the replication initiator protein unit are the target nucleic acid sequence 4, IRES 32, a sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein, and a transcription termination signal sequence 34.
- IRES is an abbreviation for “internal ribosomal entry site” and is referred to as “internal ribosome binding sequence”.
- the IRES may be, for example, a sequence derived from encephalomyocarditis virus. Due to the presence of IRES32, the sequence of the reporter gene 5 is transcribed by the target nucleic acid sequence 4 activated depending on the degree of modification of the base in the sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 and subsequently encodes the replication initiator protein. Sequence 33 is transcribed. After the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiation protein is read, the transcription is terminated by the presence of the transcription termination signal sequence 34. The replication initiator protein produced by being transcribed and translated from the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein is bound to the replication initiator sequence 3, and the replication of the self-replicating vector 31 is started.
- the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 may or may not be modified at the time of vector introduction.
- the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 contained in such a self-replicating vector 31 behaves as follows after being introduced into the test cell. First, when the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is high, the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is highly modified, so that the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not activated and the reporter gene And the replication initiation protein gene is not expressed. Accordingly, the self-replication of the self-replicating vector 31 is stopped. On the other hand, when the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is low or unmodified, the modification state of the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is maintained low. Sequence 4 is activated.
- the reporter gene 5 linked by the IRES 32 and the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein are transcribed and translated into bicistronic mRNA.
- the two genes are transcribed as a single bicistronic mRNA.
- the ribosome not only translates the reporter gene 5 from the bicistronic mRNA, but also binds to the position of the IRES and translates the sequence encoding the replication initiator protein.
- the transcription termination signal sequence 34 is a base sequence that encodes a signal for terminating transcription between the reporter gene 5 and the sequence 33 that encodes the replication initiation protein.
- the replication initiator protein transcribed from the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein and translated by the components of the test cell recognizes the replication initiator sequence 3 and binds thereto. Further, a plurality of proteins related to DNA replication contained in the test cell are bound.
- the self-replicating vector 31 is self-replicated in the test cell by the plurality of bound proteins.
- the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 When the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is modified, it behaves as follows after being introduced into the test cell. First, when the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is high, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not activated because the original modification degree is maintained at the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4. . Therefore, the reporter gene and the replication initiation protein gene are not expressed. Accordingly, the self-replication of the self-replicating vector 31 is stopped. On the other hand, when the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is low or unmodified, the modification state of the modification base in the modification base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is reduced or eliminated, so Is activated.
- the reporter gene 5 linked by the IRES 32 and the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein are transcribed and translated into bicistronic mRNA.
- the two genes are transcribed as a single bicistronic mRNA.
- the ribosome not only translates the reporter gene 5 from the bicistronic mRNA, but also binds to the position of the IRES and translates the sequence encoding the replication initiator protein.
- the transcription termination signal sequence 34 is a base sequence encoding a signal for terminating the transcription of the reporter gene 5 and the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiation protein.
- the replication initiator protein transcribed from the sequence 33 encoding the replication initiator protein and translated by the components of the test cell recognizes the replication initiator sequence 3 and binds thereto. Further, a plurality of proteins related to DNA replication contained in the test cell are bound.
- the self-replicating vector 31 is self-replicated in the test cell by the plurality of bound proteins.
- the reporter gene 5 is expressed when the degree of modification at the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is low. Furthermore, self-replication of the self-replicating vector 31 is started by reading a sequence existing downstream thereof. The replication product generated by the self-replication of the self-replicating vector 31 has the same sequence as the self-replicating vector 31 with respect to the sequence. However, the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is reflected in the modification state of the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4. As a result, when the degree of modification at the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 increases, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not activated. Therefore, the reporter gene 5 is not expressed, and further, a sequence existing downstream thereof is not read. Accordingly, the self-replication of the self-replicating vector 31 is stopped.
- a self-replicating vector 41 which is a plasmid vector, includes a reporter gene expression unit 2, a replication initiator protein unit 42 linked thereto, and a replication initiation sequence 3 linked thereto.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 includes a target nucleic acid sequence 4, a reporter gene 5 operably linked downstream thereof, and a transcription termination signal sequence 6 operably linked downstream thereof.
- the replication initiator protein unit 42 is present on the same nucleic acid as the reporter gene expression unit 2 and is a constitutively expressed promoter 44, a sequence 45 encoding a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof, and a downstream thereof.
- a transcription termination signal sequence 46 operably linked to the.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 is linked downstream of the transcription termination signal sequence 46 of the replication initiation protein unit 42.
- the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 of the self-replicating vector 41 introduced into the test cell may or may not be modified when the vector 41 is introduced.
- sequences having a promoter activity depending on the degree of modification of the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 are as described above.
- Such a self-replicating vector 41 behaves as follows after being introduced into a test cell.
- the replication product generated by the self-replication of the self-replicating vector 41 has the same sequence as the self-replicating vector 41 with respect to the sequence.
- the modification state of the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 of the self-replicating vector reflects the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell.
- the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not activated when the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is modified and the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is highly modified. Therefore, reporter gene 5 is not expressed.
- the procedure is as follows.
- the modification state of the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 of the self-replicating vector 41 reflects the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell. As a result, the degree of modification at the base to be modified of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is reduced, and the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is activated. Thereby, reporter gene 5 is expressed.
- the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not modified, the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is modified when the modification state of the target nucleic acid present in the test cell is high. Therefore, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not activated. Therefore, the reporter gene is not expressed.
- the target nucleic acid in the test cell has a low modification state or no modification, the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is activated because the initial modification degree is maintained. Thereby, reporter gene 5 is expressed.
- the transcription of the sequence 45 encoding the replication initiating protein is controlled by a constitutively expressed promoter 44. Since the constitutively expressed promoter 44 is always in an activated state, it is repeatedly activated. Transcription of the sequence 45 encoding the replication initiation protein is stopped by the transcription termination signal sequence 46. The replication initiation protein is repeatedly generated by the activity of the constitutively expressed promoter 44 regardless of the modification state of the sequence having promoter activity depending on the degree of modification of the base in the sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- Examples of the constitutively expressed promoter 44 may be a cytomegalovirus promoter, a rous sarcoma virus promoter, a simian virus early promoter, and a simian virus late promoter.
- a replication initiating protein unit 42 is linked downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the replication start sequence 3 is connected downstream thereof.
- the configuration of the self-replicating vector 41 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be linked downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 2, and further the replication initiation protein unit 42 may be linked downstream thereof.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 may be linked downstream of the replication initiator protein unit 42, and further, the replication initiator sequence 3 may be linked downstream thereof.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be linked downstream of the replication initiation protein unit 42, and the reporter gene expression unit 2 may be further linked downstream thereof.
- the directions of the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the replication initiation protein unit 42 are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.
- the direction in which the sequence is read is indicated by an arrow (FIG. 4B).
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 is read from the left side toward the right side.
- the replication initiating protein expression unit 42 is also read from the left side toward the right side.
- FIG. 4C shows an example in which the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the replication initiation protein unit 42 are designed and configured so as to be opposite to each other. In the case of the example of FIG. 4C, the reporter gene expression unit 2 is read from the left side toward the right side.
- the replication initiating protein expression unit 42 is read from the right side toward the left side.
- the directions of the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the replication initiation protein unit 42 are not limited to these.
- the replication initiation protein unit 42 may be arranged, for example, upstream or downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the replication initiating protein unit 42 may be linked so that the replication protein gene is transcribed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the reporter gene is transcribed.
- the replication initiator protein unit 42 may be linked so that the replication protein gene is transcribed in the same direction as the direction in which the reporter gene is transcribed.
- FIG. 5A shows a self-replicating vector 51 introduced into the test cell 50.
- the self-replicating vector 51 includes a reporter gene expression unit 2 and a replication initiation sequence 3.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 includes a target nucleic acid sequence 4, a reporter gene 5 operably linked downstream thereof, and a transcription termination signal sequence 6 operably linked downstream thereof.
- a replication initiating protein unit 52 exists independently of the self-replicating vector 51.
- the replication initiator protein unit 52 includes a constitutively expressed promoter 53, a sequence 54 encoding a replication initiator protein operably linked downstream thereof, and a transcription termination signal sequence 55 operably linked downstream thereof. Is provided.
- FIG. 5 (b) shows an example in which the replication initiating protein unit 52 is present on a further vector.
- the self-replicating vector 51 and the vector 56 including the replication initiating protein unit 52 are both introduced into one test cell 50 as the first vector 51 and the second vector 56, respectively.
- These introduction methods may be biochemical methods and physicochemical methods as described above.
- the sequence 54 encoding the replication initiator protein is expressed and transcribed and translated to produce the replication initiator protein.
- the replication initiator protein recognizes and binds to the replication initiator sequence 3. Further, a plurality of proteins related to DNA replication contained in the test cell are bound.
- the self-replicating vector 51 is replicated in the test cell by the plurality of bound proteins.
- the second vector 56 may be referred to as a replication initiation protein gene expression vector.
- This vector may contain a replication initiator protein unit for expressing the replication initiator protein.
- the replication initiator protein gene expression vector may be any vector that can express the replication initiator protein in a cell into which the self-replicating vector is to be introduced.
- Such a vector may be a vector known per se, such as a plasmid vector or a viral vector, or may be a vector having a function of self-replicating itself.
- the introduction of the self-replicating vector and the replication initiating protein gene expression vector into the test cell may be simultaneous.
- the replication initiation protein gene expression vector may be introduced into a test cell.
- a self-replicating vector may be introduced into the test cell prior to the introduction of the replication initiation protein gene expression vector.
- the self-replicating vector and the replication initiating protein gene expression vector in combination, effective expression of the reporter protein can be achieved, for example, even when the promoter activity is low or the test cell is a low proliferative cell. And enables effective self-replication of self-replicating vectors.
- a reporter gene expression unit is included in one self-replicating vector.
- the number of reporter gene expression units contained in one self-replicating vector is not limited to one.
- the self-replicating vector may comprise at least one reporter gene expression unit and a replication initiator sequence.
- an example including a plurality of reporter gene expression units as a further embodiment, an example including two reporter gene expression units is shown.
- the self-replicating vector 61 includes a reporter gene expression unit 2 that is a first reporter gene expression unit, a reporter gene expression unit 62 that is a second reporter gene expression unit, and a replication initiation sequence 3.
- Replication initiation sequence 3 is present on the same nucleic acid as reporter gene expression units 2 and 62.
- the reporter gene expression unit 62 includes a target nucleic acid sequence 64, a reporter gene 65 encoding a reporter protein, and a transcription termination signal sequence 66.
- the target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64 may be the same nucleic acid sequence or may have different sequences.
- the reporter genes 5 and 65 contained in the reporter gene expression unit may be the same reporter gene or may be different reporter genes.
- the transcription termination signal sequences 6 and 66 may be the same sequence or different sequences.
- a reporter gene expression unit 62 is linked downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the replication start sequence 3 is connected downstream thereof.
- the configuration of the self-replicating vector 61 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be linked downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 2, and further the reporter gene expression unit 62 may be linked downstream thereof.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 may be connected downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 62, and further, the replication initiation sequence 3 may be connected downstream thereof.
- the replication initiation sequence 3 may be linked downstream of the reporter gene expression unit 62, and the reporter gene expression unit 2 may be further linked downstream thereof.
- the orientation of the reporter gene expression unit and the replication initiation sequence is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 and the reporter gene expression unit 62 are transcribed in the opposite directions, that is, in the opposite direction to the direction in which the reporter gene is transcribed in the reporter gene expression unit 2. May be connected as described.
- the reporter gene of the reporter gene expression unit 62 may be transcribed in the same direction as the reporter gene is transcribed in the reporter gene expression unit 2.
- the direction in which the replication initiation sequence 3 is transcribed may be the same direction as the reporter gene expression unit 2 and / or the reporter gene expression unit 62, or may be a reverse method.
- the expression of the reporter gene expression unit 2, the reporter gene expression unit 62, and the replication initiation protein unit 52 used at the same time in FIG. 6 may all be controlled by one promoter. Alternatively, their expression may be controlled by three independent promoters. Alternatively, two of these three configurations may be controlled by one promoter and the remaining one may be controlled by an independent additional promoter.
- a preferred example is as follows.
- the self-replicating vector 61 is designed so that the target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64 contain the same sequence. At this time, the states of the functional groups in the target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64 are different from each other.
- the reporter gene expression unit 2 the target nucleic acid sequence 4 in which the nucleic acid functional group is not substituted is arranged, and in the reporter gene expression unit 62, the target nucleic acid sequence 64 in which the nucleic acid functional group is substituted is arranged.
- the reporter gene expression units 2 and 62 are designed to have reporter genes encoding different reporter proteins.
- the difference between the reporter gene expression units 2 and 62 is the presence or absence or degree of substitution by the functional group of the nucleic acid contained in the target nucleic acid sequence 4 and the type of reporter gene. That is, in the self-replicating vector 61, the functional group of the nucleic acid contained in the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not substituted, but the functional group of the nucleic acid contained in the target nucleic acid sequence 64 is substituted beforehand.
- a self-replicating vector it is possible to obtain two different types of detection signals from the reporter gene expression units 2 and 62, respectively. With such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish between false positive and false negative signals. Thereby, the assay can be performed with higher accuracy.
- each element included in the reporter gene expression unit 62 For the details of each element included in the reporter gene expression unit 62, the description of each element included in the above-described reporter gene expression unit 2 may be diverted.
- Such a second reporter gene expression unit may be included in the first to fourth embodiments.
- FIG. 7 shows an example in which the replication initiator protein gene expression vector described in the fourth embodiment is used together with the fifth embodiment. These details are as described in the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment.
- Method for obtaining epigenetic genetic information of a test cell As a further embodiment, a method for obtaining epigenetic genetic information of a cell is provided. A method for obtaining epigenetic genetic information of a test cell will be described with reference to FIG.
- the method of FIG. 8 uses a reporter nucleic acid construct capable of self-replication.
- this reporter nucleic acid construct copies the state of modification in a specific sequence on the cell's genome during its self-replication in the nucleus of the test cell to its own sequence by functional group substitution. .
- a detectable signal is then generated depending on the presence of the functional group copied to the reporter nucleic acid construct.
- such a reporter nucleic acid construct is introduced into a test cell (S81).
- the reporter nucleic acid construct is self-replicated (S82).
- the presence / absence and / or magnitude of a signal generated in the test cell is detected (S83).
- epigenetic information of the test cell is obtained (S84).
- epigenetic information of cells can be easily obtained.
- FIG. 9 shows an example of using a self-replicating vector as a reporter nucleic acid construct.
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into a test cell, for example, a nucleus (S91).
- the self-replicating vector is self-replicated by culturing the test cell under conditions where the replication initiating protein is expressed (S92).
- a reporter protein expressed from the reporter gene is detected (S93). This detection may be the presence and / or expression level of the reporter protein.
- the “predetermined time” may be, for example, a time required for the test cell to divide.
- Self-replication of a self-replicating vector occurs when a test cell divides. Therefore, the test cell may divide at least once during a predetermined time. Epigenetic information of the test cell is obtained from the detection result (S94). In this method, the state of the test cell may be determined by further checking with a previously associated table. Such a table may be, for example, a table in which cell states or disease states are associated with the presence and / or expression level of a reporter protein. Or you may judge what kind of epigenetic information the epigenetic information of a test cell is concretely from the obtained detection result. Such a method may be performed either in vitro or in vivo.
- a replication initiation protein gene expression vector is introduced into the nucleus of a test cell (S101).
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into the nucleus of the test cell (S102).
- the test cell is incubated. Thereby, the self-replicating vector is self-replicated (S103).
- the reporter protein expressed from the reporter gene is detected (S104).
- Epigenetic information of the test cell is obtained from the detection result (S105).
- the introduced self-replicating vector is allowed to self-replicate in a subject into which the self-replicating vector has been introduced into the nucleus of the cell by maintaining the conditions under which the replication initiation protein is expressed (S111).
- the reporter protein produced from the self-replicating vector is detected and / or its expression level is measured for the subject (S112). Based on the result, information on the modification in a specific sequence on the genome in the cell included in the subject is obtained (S113).
- the reporter protein may be, for example, luciferase, ⁇ -galactosidase, nitric oxide synthase, xanthine oxidase, blue fluorescent protein, green fluorescent protein, red fluorescent protein, and heavy metal binding protein.
- An appropriate detection and / or measurement method can be selected according to the type of the selected reporter protein.
- a photoprotein gene a fluorescent protein gene, a chromogenic protein gene, an active oxygen-generating enzyme gene, a heavy metal binding protein gene, or the like can be selected as a reporter gene.
- the photoprotein gene is a gene encoding an enzyme protein that catalyzes a luminescence reaction.
- Examples of the photoprotein gene include a luciferase gene. Luciferase, which is a translation product of the luciferase gene, performs a luminescence reaction using luciferin which is a kind of substrate.
- Fluorescent protein gene is a gene that encodes fluorescent protein.
- Examples of the fluorescent protein gene include a blue fluorescent protein gene, a green fluorescent protein gene, and a red fluorescent protein gene.
- the chromogenic protein gene is a gene encoding an enzyme protein that catalyzes a chromogenic reaction.
- Examples of the chromogenic protein gene include ⁇ -galactosidase gene.
- ⁇ -galactosidase which is a translation product of ⁇ -galactosidase gene, is 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl- ⁇ -D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) or o-nitrophenyl- ⁇ -D-galactopyrano.
- a color reaction is carried out using a substrate such as SID (ONPG).
- the photoprotein gene, the fluorescent protein gene, and the translation product of the chromogenic protein gene can be detected by an optical detection device.
- the reporter gene is a luciferase gene
- the luminescence intensity of the solution may be measured using a luminometer.
- the reporter gene is a fluorescent protein gene
- the test cell may be irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, and the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the fluorescent protein in the test cell may be measured with a fluorometer.
- the reporter gene is a fluorescent protein gene
- the extract containing the fluorescent protein extracted from the test cell is irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, and the fluorescence intensity generated from the fluorescent protein in the extract is measured by a fluorescence measuring device. You may measure.
- the reporter gene is a ⁇ -galactosidase gene
- the ⁇ -galactosidase protein is extracted, a substrate is added, and then the absorbance of the solution is measured using an absorbance measurement device.
- the active oxygen generating enzyme gene is a gene encoding an enzyme that generates active oxygen.
- Examples of the active oxygen generating enzyme gene include a nitric oxide synthase gene and a xanthine oxidase gene.
- Nitric oxide synthase which is a translation product of the nitric oxide synthase gene
- xanthine oxidase which is a translation product of the xanthine oxidase gene, generate active oxygen.
- Active oxygen can be detected with an electron spin resonance apparatus (ESR apparatus) or the like.
- ESR apparatus electron spin resonance apparatus
- the amount of active oxygen generated may be measured directly, or may be measured using a specific spin trap agent.
- spin trap agent When a spin trap agent is used, first, the active oxygen generating enzyme is trapped by the spin trap agent, and then the amount of active oxygen generated from the trapped active oxygen generating enzyme is measured.
- the heavy metal binding protein gene is a gene encoding a protein that specifically binds to heavy metals.
- the amount of protein bound to the heavy metal may be determined by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, or an X-ray computed tomography apparatus.
- the amount of heavy metal binding protein generated is, for example, as follows. First, a measurable heavy metal is added in advance to a culture solution of a test cell. Next, after washing the test cells as necessary, a heavy metal binding protein is extracted from the test cells. Next, the extracted heavy metal binding protein is imaged with an image diagnostic apparatus corresponding to the heavy metal added to the culture solution, and the amount of heavy metal binding protein is measured.
- the heavy metal binding protein may be expressed inside the test cell or may be expressed on the outer surface of the test cell.
- An example of a heavy metal binding protein gene may be a base sequence encoding a metal compound binding peptide.
- the metal compound binding protein may be a peptide, oligopeptide, polypeptide and / or protein that specifically binds to a specific metal compound.
- the sequence encoding a peptide that binds to a metal compound may utilize the base sequence of an antibody gene or single chain antibody gene known to bind to the desired metal compound, and based on such base sequence Design.
- base sequences for example, modifications and / or alterations such as substitution, deletion and addition of one or several bases within the range that maintains the binding with the metal compound, modifications according to the target to be applied, and You may design by modifying.
- the gene encoding the single chain antibody peptide can be designed from the amino acid sequence of the antibody that binds the metal compound.
- a gadolinium compound is preferably used because of its high contrast effect.
- the gadolinium compound may be a metal compound including, for example, gadolinium, gadolinium ions, gadolinium complexes, salts and derivatives thereof, derivatives containing any of these, or analogs of gadolinium compounds.
- reporter gene may be a reporter gene that presents a metal compound binding ability outside the cell.
- a reporter gene may be a base sequence encoding a metal compound-binding peptide that is presented extracellularly. Such a base sequence is, for example, transcribed and translated in a cell to produce a metal compound-binding peptide, and the produced metal compound-binding peptide moves to the cell membrane and presents a metal compound-binding ability outside the cell. What is necessary is just to be comprised. Examples of such reporter genes are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-200245.
- such a reporter gene comprises a base sequence encoding a metal compound-binding peptide, a base sequence encoding a signal peptide that transports the metal compound-binding peptide to a cell membrane, and the signal peptide.
- What is necessary is just to include the base sequence which codes the anchor peptide which fix
- Method for determining characteristics of test cells It is also possible to determine the characteristics of test cells using a method for obtaining epigenetic genetic information of the test cells.
- the method for determining the characteristics of a test cell includes determining the characteristics of the test cell based on epigenetic genetic information of the test cell.
- the characteristics of the test cell may be, for example, drug sensitivity, drug adaptability, and the like.
- determining the characteristics of the test cell may be determining whether or not the test cell is in a specific situation. Determining whether a test cell is in a particular situation may be performed in vitro or in vivo.
- a method for determining the characteristics of a cell is a method for determining drug sensitivity for a subject from which the test cell is derived, or a drug to be used after surgery for a subject from which the test cell is derived. Or the method for selecting the kind of immunotherapy agent, or the method for judging whether the prognosis of a patient is favorable may be sufficient. Further, for example, the method for determining the characteristics of cells may be a method for obtaining information for making these determinations.
- the “specific situation” may be a specific health condition, for example, a condition suffering from a specific disease.
- Specific diseases may be, for example, cancer, mental illness, lifestyle-related diseases, neurological diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. It may be a method for confirming whether the methylation state of an organ induced to differentiate from stem cells in regenerative medicine is normal.
- a self-replicating vector 31 having a desired target nucleic acid sequence 4 is prepared (a).
- the self-replicating vector 31 is introduced into a living test cell 50 having a nucleus 71 (b).
- the self-replicating vector 31 is maintained in a self-replicating state according to conditions in the test cell 50 (b).
- the test cells are cultured for an arbitrary period under the culture conditions in which the test cells can divide and proliferate in the presence of the replication initiator protein.
- the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence in the nucleus 71 of the test cell 50 is reflected in the modification state of the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4.
- the self-replicating vector 31 has a low degree of self-replication (c).
- the self-replicating vector 31 has a high degree of self-replication (d).
- the amount of reporter protein is measured (e).
- the test cell 50 is a cell with low methylation strength because the base to be modified in the sequence homologous to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is not methylated or is not modified. It is determined (f).
- the test cell 50 is determined to be a cell in which the modified base in the sequence homologous to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 is methylated (f).
- the modification state is reflected in the modification state of the modified base of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 according to the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence present in the test cell.
- the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence 4 can be determined by detecting or quantifying the reporter protein.
- a method using the self-replicating vector 61 of FIG. 6 will be described as a further example of a method for determining cell characteristics based on epigenomic genetic information.
- a self-replicating vector 61 having desired target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64 is prepared.
- the self-replicating vector 61 is introduced into the test cell 50.
- the self-replicating vector 61 is maintained in a self-replicating state according to conditions in the test cell 50.
- the test cells are cultured for an arbitrary period under the culture conditions in which the test cells can divide and proliferate in the presence of the replication initiator protein.
- the substitution state of the nucleic acid sequence on the genome of the test cell 50 is reflected in the modification state of the modified bases of the target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64.
- the expression level of the reporter protein (reporter gene 5) from the reporter gene expression unit 2 including the non-methylated target nucleic acid sequence 4 gradually increases. descend.
- the expression level of the reporter protein (reporter gene 65) from the reporter gene expression unit 62 including the methylated target nucleic acid sequence 64 does not change.
- the amount of reporter protein is measured, and the ratio of the amount of reporter protein from reporter genes 5 and 65 is determined.
- the test cell 50 is determined that the base to be modified in the sequence homologous to the target nucleic acid sequence 4 or 64 is methylated or modified. Therefore, it is further determined that the cell has a high methylation strength.
- the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequences 4 and 64 is modified according to the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence present in the test cell. It is reflected in.
- the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence can be determined by detecting or quantifying the reporter protein from the reporter gene 5 and the reporter protein from the reporter gene 65, and then taking the ratio between the two.
- a method for determining whether the subject from which the cells are derived is likely to suffer from a specific disease or not May be provided. Further, information for performing a final diagnosis may be collected based on the epigenetic genetic information of the cells obtained as described above.
- Diagnosis Method Based on the epigenetic genetic information of the cells obtained as described above, a specific disease in the subject may be diagnosed. In general, such a diagnosis will ultimately involve the judgment of a specialist such as a physician or veterinarian.
- the “subject” may be an individual such as mammals including humans, domestic animals, pets, and industrial animals, and may be an organ, organ, tissue, cell group and / or single cell obtained from the subject. There may be.
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into an individual, organ, organ, tissue, cell group and / or single cell that is a detection target.
- the reporter protein may be detected or quantified.
- a determination method may be performed as follows.
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into an individual, organ, organ, tissue, cell group, or single cell to be detected by a biochemical method or a physicochemical method.
- luciferase which is a translation product of the luciferase gene, is detected depending on the modification state of the base to be modified.
- the luminescence intensity of the solution may be measured using a luminometer. That is, according to this detection method, it is possible to specifically detect cells in a specific situation using the translation amount of luciferase as an index.
- Such a diagnostic method is a less invasive method.
- the detection of luciferase may be performed at a single time point, at a plurality of time points or continuously, or may be performed over time.
- the diagnostic method is not limited to utilizing detection of luciferase, and may be performed using a reporter nucleic acid construct that produces other detectable signals.
- a method for determining whether or not a detection target suffers from a specific disease using an organ, organ, tissue, cell group or single cell collected from an individual will be described below.
- Such a method is, for example, (1) incorporating a self-replicating vector containing a gene that generates a detectable signal as a reporter gene into a detection target including cells under conditions for expressing a replication initiator protein; (2) culturing the detection target for an arbitrary period under culture conditions in which cells as the detection target or cells included in the detection target can divide and proliferate; (3) detecting the signal generated from the detection target; (4) determining whether or not the detection target suffers from a specific disease based on the detected signal; May be included.
- such a method is, for example, (1) incorporating a self-replicating vector containing a luciferase gene as a reporter gene into a detection target including cells under conditions for expressing a replication initiator protein; (2) culturing the detection target for an arbitrary period under culture conditions in which cells as the detection target or cells included in the detection target can divide and proliferate; (3) extracting a luciferase protein from the detection target; (4) contacting with luciferin which is a substrate of the luciferase protein, and detecting luminescence with a luminometer; (5) determining whether or not the detection target suffers from a specific disease based on information on the detected luminescence; May be included.
- the cells may be washed before the extraction of the luciferase protein of (3) above. Such an embodiment makes it possible to detect a luciferase protein that is translated according to the state of the cell.
- the determination regarding the object based on the detection of luciferase may be performed based on information such as the presence or absence of detection of luciferase, whether the detection value of luciferase is larger or smaller than a preset threshold value, or increase or decrease of the detection value. Based on such information, for example, it may be determined whether or not the detection target suffers from a disease having a specific condition as an index, and how serious the disease is.
- a determination method as follows may be performed.
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into an individual, organ, organ, tissue, cell group and / or single cell to be detected by a biochemical method or a physicochemical method. Simultaneously with the introduction and / or before and after the introduction, it is brought into contact with a metal compound that forms a binding pair with the reporter protein presented outside the cell depending on the modification state of the target nucleic acid sequence.
- the metal compound specifically bound to the reporter protein is detected before and / or simultaneously with the contact of the metal compound. That is, according to this detection method, it is possible to specifically detect cells in a specific situation using the presence of the metal compound as an index.
- the detection of the metal compound may be performed at a single time point, a plurality of time points and / or continuously, and / or may be performed over time.
- the detection method of the metal compound may be performed using any method known per se according to the type of metal atom contained in the metal compound.
- any known chemical, physical, physicochemical and / or biochemical method for the detection of metal atoms utilizing the chemical and / or physical properties of metal atoms. May be used.
- a metal compound for specifically forming a binding pair with the reporter protein may be selected from types that can be measured by an image diagnostic apparatus such as MRI, PET, SPECT, and CT.
- an image diagnostic apparatus such as MRI, PET, SPECT, and CT.
- the self-replicating vector can be used in combination with the diagnostic imaging apparatus.
- cells can be detected with higher sensitivity and more specificity.
- a method for determining whether a detection target suffers from a specific disease comprises: (1) Incorporating a self-replicating vector containing a reporter gene that presents the ability to bind to a metal compound outside the cell as a reporter gene with respect to a detection target including cells or cells as a detection target (2) presenting the metal compound-binding peptide outside the cell; (3) contacting the metal compound-binding peptide with a metal capable of forming a binding pair with the metal compound-binding peptide; (4) detecting a metal bound to the metal compound-binding peptide; (5) Based on the result of the detection, determining whether or not the detection target suffers from a specific disease; including.
- an operation for removing the excess metal which has not been bound for example, washing, rinsing, dilution and / or reflux removal may be performed.
- a method of determining whether or not the detection target suffers from a specific disease based on the metal detection result is as follows. That is, it may be performed based on information such as the presence / absence of metal detection, whether the metal detection value is larger or smaller than a preset threshold, and the increase / decrease of the detection value. Based on such information, it may be determined whether or not the detection target suffers from a disease having a specific condition as an index, and how serious the disease is.
- an assay kit includes at least one reporter nucleic acid construct, eg, at least one self-replicating vector according to an embodiment.
- the assay kit may contain one type of self-replicating vector or a combination of two or more types of self-replicating vectors.
- the assay kit may further contain a carrier known per se carrying a self-replicating vector and / or a container containing the self-vector replicating vector and a replication initiator protein gene expression vector.
- the assay kit may contain any reagent necessary for performing a method for obtaining epigenetic information of cells or a method for determining cell characteristics.
- compositions The reporter nucleic acid construct may also be provided as a composition.
- a composition comprises, for example, at least one self-replicating vector according to an embodiment.
- One example of a composition may include one type of self-replicating vector or a combination of two or more types of self-replicating vectors.
- the composition may also contain, for example, a known carrier carrying a self-replicating vector, a replication initiating protein gene expression vector, an excipient, a stabilizer, and / or other components having a desired effect.
- the composition may be provided in a container.
- Apparatus As a further embodiment, there is provided an analysis apparatus for performing the method as described above, for example, a method for obtaining epigenetic information and a method for determining cell characteristics using the method.
- the analysis device includes a gene introduction unit, a constant temperature unit adjacent to the gene introduction unit, a detection unit adjacent to the gene introduction unit, and an analysis unit electrically connected thereto.
- a self-replicating vector is introduced into the nucleus of the test cell.
- the self-replicating vector self-replicates in the nucleus of the test cell.
- the detection unit the reporter protein generated in the cell is detected.
- Information obtained by the detection unit is sent to the analysis unit.
- the analysis unit includes a processor, a display unit, and an input unit. In the analysis unit, information obtained by the detection unit by the processor is subjected to data processing and displayed on the display unit as necessary. That is, the result obtained by the detection unit is sent to the processor of the analysis unit, analyzed, calculated and processed according to a predetermined procedure and displayed on the display unit.
- the inside of the gene introduction part, the constant temperature part, and the detection part is connected to the inside by a communication window so that processing can be performed continuously. After the test cells are transferred from one part to the next part, the communication window is closed by the shielding plate.
- the procedure for performing the method of obtaining epigenetic information by the analyzer is as follows.
- the tester puts a container containing the test cell and the self-replicating vector into the gene introduction part.
- an instruction for starting the analysis is input from the input unit.
- the instruction from the input unit is sent to the processor, and in accordance with the instruction from the processor, the gene introduction unit performs processing for enabling introduction of the self-replicating vector into the test cell.
- the introduction process is terminated, and the test cells accommodated in the container are sent to the thermostat. In the thermostat, the test cells are maintained under a predetermined condition for a predetermined time. Thereby, self-replication of the self-replicating vector is performed.
- the test cells accommodated in the container are sent from the constant temperature part to the detection part.
- the detection unit the reporter protein expressed in the test cell is detected.
- the detected information is sent to the analysis unit and processed by the processor.
- the information thus obtained is displayed on the display unit.
- the movement of the container to the gene introduction unit, the constant temperature unit, and the detection unit is performed by moving means such as a belt conveyor, a movable arm, and / or a movable tray. All these operations are performed in response to instructions from the processor according to a preset program under the control of the processor.
- the gene introduction part has a configuration necessary for gene introduction by the selected method.
- the thermostat has a configuration necessary for satisfying a condition necessary for self-replication of the self-replicating vector.
- the detection unit has a configuration necessary for detecting the reporter protein according to the signal to be detected.
- Such an analyzer is useful for easily obtaining epigenetic information of cells.
- Example 1 Preparation of plasmid-type self-replicating vector A plasmid-type self-replicating vector containing a methylated target nucleic acid sequence was prepared as outlined in FIG. A GFAP gene promoter sequence was selected as the target nucleic acid sequence. A template nucleic acid was amplified and cleaved with a restriction enzyme to prepare a GFAP gene promoter sequence as a target nucleic acid sequence. The obtained GFAP gene promoter sequence is a nucleic acid sequence containing a modified base and having promoter activity. Cleavage with a restriction enzyme was performed, and then this target nucleic acid sequence was methylated with the methylase SssI.
- the resulting methylated target nucleic acid sequence was ligated with ligase and incorporated into the pM53-R550K vector.
- the pM53-R550K vector is a vector comprising a reporter gene, an IRES, a sequence encoding a replication initiation protein, a transcription termination signal sequence, and a replication initiation sequence in this order from upstream to downstream.
- the obtained vector was used as a plasmid-type self-replicating vector containing a methylated target nucleic acid sequence. Details of each step are described below.
- the base sequences of the primers used for PCR are SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12, as follows: Forward primer: 5′-CGACGCGTGTCTGTAAGCTGAAGACCTGGC-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 11) Reverse primer: 5′-AAAAGTACTCCTGCCCTGCCTCTGCTGGCTC-3 ′ (SEQ ID NO: 12).
- GFAP gene promoter sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 was obtained.
- the target nucleic acid sequence contains a base to be modified and has a promoter activity that depends on the degree of modification.
- This GFAP gene promoter sequence is the 5 ′ upstream region ( ⁇ 1651 bp to +32 bp) of the mouse GFAP gene.
- the GFAP gene promoter sequence was cloned into a PGV-B2 (TOYO B-Net) vector.
- the PGV-B2 (TOYO B-Net) vector was digested with the restriction enzyme SmaI. This was dephosphorylated.
- SmaI restriction enzyme
- SmaI restriction enzyme
- T4 ligase T4 ligase
- the obtained PGV-B2-GFAPp vector is used as a material for obtaining a GFAP gene promoter sequence in the following steps, and at the same time as a PGV-B2-GFAPp vector in the detection test described below for comparison. used.
- a methylated PGV-B2-GFAPp vector is also prepared by methylating the GFAP gene promoter sequence contained in the PGV-B2-GFAPp vector by the steps described later. This is also used in the detection test described below for comparison. None of the methylated or unmethylated PGV-B2-GFAPp vectors are self-replicating.
- the PGV-B2-GFAPp vector was cleaved with restriction enzyme Mlu I and restriction enzyme Xho I. Thereby, a GFAP gene promoter sequence to which a restriction enzyme Mlu I and a restriction enzyme Xho I recognition sequence were added was prepared. This sequence was used in the subsequent step as the target nucleic acid sequence.
- a purified GFAP gene promoter sequence in which the methylated base was not methylated was prepared as an unmethylated control sequence by the same method as above except that Sss I was not added. .
- the methylation of the GFAP gene promoter sequence contained in the PGV-B2-GFAPp vector obtained in (1) above was also performed in the same manner as described above. Thereby, a methylated PGV-B2-GFAPp vector was obtained.
- Vector used in the test As an example, the methylated plasmid-type self-replicating vector pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector obtained by the above method and the unmethylated plasmid-type self-replicating vector pM53-R550K- The GFAPp vector was used. These are self-replicating plasmid vectors.
- a methylated PGV-B2-GFAPp vector obtained by the above method and an unmethylated PGV-B2-GFAPp vector were used. These are plasmid vectors that cannot self-replicate.
- the ⁇ -galactosidase expression vector pcDNA4 / V5-His / lacZ vector (Life Technologies) was used as the internal standard vector.
- a lipofectamine / vector complex In a microtube, 0.45 ⁇ L of cationic lipid (Lipofectamine 2000) suspended in 25 ⁇ L of Opti-MEM and 25 ⁇ L of Opti-MEM containing either vector were mixed. This formed a lipofectamine / vector complex.
- the amount of each vector contained in 25 ⁇ L of Opti-MEM is as follows. For pM53-R550K-GFAPp or PGV-B2-GFAPp, 0.066 ⁇ g of DNA was contained in 25 ⁇ L of Opti-MEM. For pcDNA4 / V5-His / lacZ, 0.033 ⁇ g of DNA was contained in 25 ⁇ L of Opti-MEM.
- 5-aza-dC reagent was prepared as follows. A 5-aza-dC dilution was prepared by adding 5-aza-dC in PBS to a concentration of 500 ⁇ M. This 5-aza-dC dilution was added to fresh RPMI 1640 medium to make a solution containing 5 ⁇ M 5-aza-dC. The resulting solution was used as a 5-aza-dC reagent.
- Demethylation was performed as follows. First, after the culture in (c), the medium in each well was removed. Thereafter, 200 ⁇ L of 5-aza-dC reagent was added. As a control for not performing the demethylation reaction, 200 ⁇ L of RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with PBS was added in place of the 5-aza-dC reagent. This was further subjected to adherent culture for 48 hours at 37 ° C. in a 5% CO 2 atmosphere.
- the culture medium was removed from the culture plate 48 hours after the addition of 5-aza-dC. Each cell was washed twice with PBS, and then luciferase (reporter protein) was extracted from each cell. Specifically, extraction was performed as follows. A cell lysate (PicaGene Cell lysis buffer LC ⁇ , TOYO B-Net) as an extraction reagent was added, and the suspension of cells and cell lysate was incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes. The suspension was then centrifuged with a centrifuge at 15,000 rpm for 5 minutes. Thereby, cell debris was removed from the suspension. Thereby, a supernatant was obtained.
- a cell lysate PicaGene Cell lysis buffer LC ⁇ , TOYO B-Net
- luciferase substrate solution PicaGene LT2.0, TOYO B-Net
- luciferin solution a luciferase substrate solution as a detection reagent
- the generated luminescence intensity was measured with a luminometer (Mithras LB940, Berthold).
- FIG. 16 (a) shows data measured for cells into which the PGV-B2-GFAPp vector was introduced.
- the signal intensity obtained from a cell into which the PGV-B2-GFAPp vector containing an unmethylated target nucleic acid sequence has been introduced and not subjected to demethylation treatment is shown as 100% at the left end of FIG. 16 (a).
- the relative signal intensity obtained from a cell into which a PGV-B2-GFAPp vector containing a methylated target nucleic acid sequence has been introduced and which has not undergone demethylation treatment is shown. This relative signal intensity was 3.4%.
- On the right end the relative signal intensity obtained from a cell into which a PGV-B2-GFAPp vector containing a methylated modified base has been introduced and subjected to demethylation treatment is shown. This relative signal intensity was 2.4%.
- FIG. 15 (b) shows data measured for cells into which the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector was introduced.
- the signal intensity obtained from a cell into which a pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector containing an unmethylated modified base has been introduced and not subjected to demethylation treatment is shown as 100%.
- the relative signal intensity obtained from a cell into which a pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector containing a methylated modified base has been introduced and not subjected to demethylation treatment is shown.
- the relative signal intensity was 34.1%.
- the right end shows the relative signal intensity obtained from a cell that has been subjected to demethylation treatment by introducing the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector containing a methylated base to be modified.
- the relative signal intensity was 74.6%.
- the use of the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector which is a plasmid-type self-replicating vector, which is an example of the embodiment, enabled the following. That is, it has been clarified that its use makes it possible to detect demethylation at the base to be modified using the signal intensity of the reporter protein as an index. That is, these results indicate that the degree of promoter activation varies depending on the modification state of the modified base contained in the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector. This difference in the degree of activation could be detected using the signal intensity of the reporter protein as an indicator.
- the embodiment it is possible to obtain epigenetic information about a specific sequence by using a self-replicating vector having a target nucleic acid sequence that is homologous to the specific sequence of the cell.
- the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector which contains a sequence homologous to a specific sequence of the test cell and is a plasmid-type self-replicating vector, replicates itself in the test cell, the following occurs. That is, the state of modification at the modified base in the specific sequence of the test cell is reflected in the state of modification at the modified base in the target nucleic acid sequence on the pM53-R550K-GFAPp vector.
- Example 3 Comparison of methylation rate of CK19 gene promoter region (target nucleic acid sequence) in genomic DNA and reporter vector Reporter vector (self-replicating vector 51) and replication initiating protein gene expression vector (initiating replication) shown in FIG. A vector having a protein unit 52) was constructed. Incorporate the promoter region of the CK19 gene (-617 to +61 bp, SEQ ID NO: 2) as a target nucleic acid sequence into the reporter vector, and compare the methylation rate of the genomic DNA of the test cell into which the vector is introduced and the target nucleic acid sequence of the reporter vector did.
- the target nucleic acid sequence obtained by PCR was incorporated upstream of the luciferase gene of the reporter vector having the replication start sequence of simian virus 40 to prepare a reporter vector p19sLo shown in FIG.
- the replication initiation protein gene was the Simian virus 40 large T antigen gene (SV40LT).
- the gene was amplified by PCR using PrimeSTAR GLX DNA polymerase (TaKaRa BIO) and then incorporated downstream of the cytomegalovirus early promoter of the gene expression vector.
- SV40LT replication initiation protein gene expression vector pCMV-LT shown in FIG. 17 was prepared.
- the base sequence of the primer used for PCR is shown below.
- Detection of methylation rate of genomic DNA CCGG sequence methylation rate contained in the promoter region ( ⁇ 617 to +61 bp, SEQ ID NO: 2) of CK19 gene of genomic DNA (presence or absence of 5-methylation of second cytosine) was examined as follows. That is, it was examined by a methylation detection method using a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII and a methylation-insensitive restriction enzyme MspI.
- HpaII and MspI are restriction enzymes that recognize a common CCGG sequence.
- HpaII cannot cleave a CCGG sequence containing methylated cytosine (C m CGG), and MspI cleaves a CCGG sequence regardless of methylated cytosine.
- the solution containing the genomic DNA and reporter vector prepared in (4) above was cleaved with restriction enzymes HpaII or MspI. Then, it refine
- FIG. 19a and FIG. 19 (b) These results are shown in FIG. 19a and FIG. 19 (b).
- all the photographs obtained by the above photographing have black backgrounds and white bands.
- the intensity of the band was digitized by image analysis software as it was.
- the photograph obtained by the above photographing is taken into a computer, and the image processing software is used to maintain the band strength and the relativity with other data. In this way, an image in which the black and white color is reversed is shown.
- the black and white colors were similarly reversed in all the photographs taken in the same manner.
- lane N is a band of PCR amplification product of restriction enzyme-untreated DNA, and represents the total amount of DNA subjected to PCR.
- Lane H is a band of a PCR amplification product of HpaII-treated DNA. This represents the amount of DNA in which the second cytosine of CCGG is methylated among DNA subjected to PCR.
- Lane M is a PCR amplification product of MspI treated DNA and represents the detection background. From the result of FIG. 19a, a band of the PCR amplification product was detected in lane H of CCGG sequences A and B, and the band intensity of B was higher than that of A.
- the methylation rate is calculated from the signal intensity for the PCR amplification product band, but the methylation rate is similarly calculated from the signal intensity for amplification products obtained by other amplification methods. May be.
- the calculation method of a methylation rate is not limited to obtaining only by the said formula.
- methylation rate of non-replicating reporter vector was determined by the method shown in (3) above.
- the human liver cancer cell line Huh-7 was transfected with the reporter vector pC2sLo or with p19sLo alone. The methylation rate was detected using the DNA solution extracted after 96 hours.
- the replication initiation sequence and the replication initiation protein must coexist in the same cell. Therefore, when p19sLo is introduced into a cell alone, p19sLo does not replicate in the cell.
- Fig. 20a shows the result of agarose gel (containing ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution. From the result of FIG. 20a, no PCR amplification product was detected in lane H of A and B. Therefore, the methylation rate of the CCGG sequence was 0% for both A and B (FIG. 20b). Also, methylation of A and B did not occur in the non-replicating reporter vector.
- methylation rate of the replication reporter vector was detected using the DNA extracted 96 hours after co-introducing the reporter vectors p19sLo and pCMV-LT into Huh-7.
- the replication initiator sequence and the replication initiator protein coexist in the cell, so that p19sLo replicates in the cell.
- PCR was carried out with the same primers as in (6) above, using a restriction enzyme-treated DNA treated with HpaII or MspI and a restriction enzyme-untreated DNA as templates.
- FIG. 21 a shows the result of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution.
- PCR amplification products were detected in Lanes H of A and B.
- the percentage of methylation of the CCGG sequence was 0% for A and 16% for B (FIG. 21b).
- DpnI method detection method of vector replicated in cells
- methylation detection method using HpaII and MspI
- Example 4 Comparison of methylation rate of COX2 gene promoter region (target nucleic acid sequence) in genomic DNA and reporter vector
- Example reporter vector self-replicating vector 51
- replication initiating protein gene expression vector initiating replication
- the promoter region (-540 to +115 bp, SEQ ID NO: 3) of the COX2 gene was incorporated as a target nucleic acid sequence into the reporter vector.
- the methylation rates of the genomic DNA of the test cells into which this vector was introduced and the target nucleic acid sequence of the reporter vector were compared.
- the target nucleic acid sequence obtained by PCR was incorporated upstream of the luciferase gene of a reporter vector having a simian virus 40 replication initiation sequence. Thereby, the reporter vector pC2sLo shown in FIG. 23 was prepared.
- Genomic DNA and reporter vector from cells were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 (4).
- methylation rate of genomic DNA Following is the methylation rate of CCGG sequence contained in the COX2 gene promoter (-540 to +115 bp, SEQ ID NO: 3) of genomic DNA (the presence or absence of 5-methylation of the second cytosine) I investigated as follows. That is, it was examined by a methylation detection method using a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII and a methylation-insensitive restriction enzyme MspI.
- the solution containing the genomic DNA prepared in (5) and the reporter vector was cleaved with the restriction enzyme HpaII or MspI and then purified with the QIAquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen) to obtain a restriction enzyme-treated DNA.
- PCR was further performed using the following primers. Thereby, the region containing the CCGG sequence of the COX2 gene promoter region of the genomic DNA was amplified (FIG. 24).
- the PCR reaction solution was electrophoresed on an agarose gel (containing ethidium promide). Thereafter, the PCR amplification product in the gel was visualized by UV irradiation and a photograph was taken. The result is shown in FIG. 25a. From the result of FIG. 25a, the band of the PCR amplification product was detected in the lane H of the CCGG sequences A and B. The band intensity of A was higher than that of B. The percentages of CCGG sequence methylation of A and B calculated by the same method as in Example 3 (5) were 29% and 7%, respectively (FIG. 25b).
- methylation rate of non-replicating non-methylated reporter vector is determined by the method shown in (3) above, together with reporter vector pC2sLo, or by itself Huh-7 was transfected. It detected using the DNA solution extracted 96 hours after that.
- the CCGG sequence methylation rate contained in the promoter region (-540 to +115 bp, SEQ ID NO: 3) of the COX2 gene of the reporter vector pC2sLo was examined by the same method as in (5) above.
- the DNA prepared in (5) above was cleaved with restriction enzymes HpaII or MspI.
- Fig. 26a shows the result of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution. From the result of FIG. 26 a, no PCR amplification product was detected in lane H of A and B. The methylation rate of the CCGG sequence was 0% for both A and B, and no methylation of A and B occurred in the non-replicating reporter vector (FIG. 26b).
- the reporter vector pC2sLo and the replication initiator protein gene expression vector pCMV-LT were co-introduced into Huh-7. It detected using the DNA solution extracted 96 hours after that. PCR was performed with the same primers as in (7) above, using a restriction enzyme-treated DNA treated with HpaII or MspI and a restriction enzyme-untreated DNA as templates. Thereby, the region containing the CCGG sequence of the COX2 gene promoter region of pC2sLo was amplified.
- FIG. 27a shows the result of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution.
- PCR amplification products were detected in lanes H of A and B.
- the percentage of CCGG sequence methylation was 14% for A and 24% for B (FIG. 27b).
- DpnI method method for detecting a vector replicated in a cell
- HpaII and MspI the methylation rate of the COX2 gene promoter region CCGG sequence of only the reporter vector replicated in the cell can be obtained. It was investigated (Fig. 28a). As a result, PCR amplification products were detected in lanes H of A and B.
- the percentage of methylation of each CCGG sequence was 57% for A and 23% for B (FIG. 28b).
- the COX2 gene promoter region of the replicated reporter vector was methylated at approximately the same ratio as the COX2 gene promoter region (target nucleic acid sequence) of the genomic DNA.
- methylated reporter vector pC2sLo alone was transfected into human hepatoma cell line Huh-7. did. After 96 hours, the DNA solution extracted by the method (5) was used. The DNA was cleaved with restriction enzymes HpaII or MspI. Thereafter, it was purified with QIAquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen) to obtain restriction enzyme-treated DNA. PCR was performed using these DNAs and restriction enzyme-untreated DNA as a template using the following primers.
- FIG. 29a shows the results of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution. From the results in FIG. 29a, PCR amplification products were detected in lanes H of A and B. The percentage of methylation of the CCGG sequence was 100% for A and 86% for B (FIG. 29b). The methylation rate of the non-replicating methylated reporter vector did not match the methylation rate of the host cell genomic DNA.
- reporter vector pC2sLo and replication initiator protein gene expression vector pCMV-LT are co-introduced into Huh-7.
- the DNA solution extracted after 96 hours was used. Restriction enzyme-treated DNA treated with HpaII or MspI and restriction enzyme-untreated DNA were used as templates.
- PCR was performed with the same primers as in (6) above. Thereby, the region containing the CCGG sequence of the COX2 gene promoter region of pC2sLo was amplified.
- FIG. 30a shows the result of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution.
- Example 5 Detection of demethylation of target nucleic acid sequence (COX2 gene promoter region) by luciferase assay
- methylated / unmethylated reporter vector pC2sLo alone or together with replication initiator protein expression vector pCMV-LT The liver cancer cell line Huh-7 was transfected. After 72 hours of culture, reporter activity derived from pC2sLo was measured. The culture solution was removed from the 24-well plate and washed with PBS. Thereafter, 150 ⁇ L of cell lysate (Promega) was added, and the mixture was allowed to stand at ⁇ 80 ° C. for 30 minutes or more to freeze.
- the vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 32 represents the recovery rate of the emission intensity.
- the recovery rate of the emission intensity is an index of demethylation.
- the recovery rate of the luminescence intensity is the ratio of the luminescence intensity obtained from the cell into which the methylated reporter DNA was introduced when the luminescence intensity obtained from the cell into which the unmethylated reporter vector was introduced was taken as 100%.
- the left end of the graph shows the recovery rate of the luminescence intensity of the non-replicating reporter vector, and the right end shows the recovery rate of the replication reporter vector. From this graph, it was found that the recovery rate of luminescence intensity was higher for the replication reporter vector than for the non-replication reporter vector. Thereby, in the replication reporter vector, it became possible to detect demethylation generated in the target nucleic acid sequence with high sensitivity. From this result, it was clarified that epigenetic information on a specific sequence of a test cell can be obtained by using a reporter vector that replicates in a cell, using reporter activity as an index.
- Example 6 Self-replicating vector having two types of reporter gene expression units (a unit containing a target nucleic acid sequence substituted with a functional group and a unit containing a target nucleic acid sequence not substituted with a functional group) and a replication initiation sequence
- Vector A reporter vector (self-replicating vector 61) shown in FIG. 6 as an example of the embodiment was constructed.
- Reporter vector pNL1.1 (Promega) incorporating shrimp-derived luciferase was cleaved with restriction enzymes KpnI and BamHI. The DNA ends were blunted with T4 DNA polymerase. Thereafter, a DNA fragment consisting of Evil luciferase and SV40 transcription termination sequence was purified.
- This fragment was ligated with p19sLo cleaved with the restriction enzyme SspI and T4 DNA ligase to construct a self-replicating vector p19sLo-NL.
- a COX2 gene promoter (SEQ ID NO: 3) obtained by methylating cytosine of CpG was incorporated into this p19sLo-NL.
- the COX2 gene promoter was amplified by PCR using the human genome as a template. The primer sequences used for PCR are shown below.
- the PCR amplification product (COX2 gene promoter) was purified. Thereafter, a reaction solution (50 mM NaCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mM DTT, 160 ⁇ M S-adenosylmethionine) consisting of the amplification product and reaction buffer was prepared. Thereto, DNA methylase: SssI CpG Methyltransferase (New England Biolabs) was added and reacted at 37 ° C. overnight. Thereby, cytosine in the CG sequence of the COX2 gene promoter was methylated.
- This methylated DNA fragment (methylated COX2 gene promoter) was ligated to the self-replicating reporter vector p19sLo-NL treated with restriction enzymes KpnI and XhoI by T4 DNA ligase.
- self-replication including two types of reporter gene expression units (including a reporter gene expression unit including a methylated COX2 gene promoter and a reporter gene expression unit including an unmethylated CK19 gene promoter) and a replication initiation sequence.
- a reporter vector p19sLo-mC2sNL was constructed (FIG. 33).
- Example 7 Reporter gene expression unit, replication initiation gene expression unit, and self-replicating vector having replication initiation sequence (1)
- Preparation of vector A reporter vector (self-replicating vector 41) shown in FIG. 4 as an example of the embodiment was constructed.
- the replication initiation protein gene expression unit was cleaved with restriction enzymes BglI and BamHI from pCMV-LT (Example 3 (2)). The DNA ends were blunted with T4 DNA polymerase. Thereafter, the DNA fragment of the replication initiation protein gene expression unit was purified. This DNA fragment was ligated to pC2sLo (Example 4 (1)) cleaved with the restriction enzyme SspI to construct a self-replicating vector pC2sLo-CMVLT (FIG. 35).
- Genomic DNA and reporter vector were prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 (4).
- the reporter vector methylation rate was determined by introducing the self-replicating reporter vector pC2sLo-CMVLT into Huh-7 and using the DNA solution extracted 72 hours later, as described in Example 4 ( It investigated by the method similar to 7).
- the solution prepared in (3) above was cleaved with restriction enzymes HpaII or MspI. Thereafter, it was purified with QIAquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen). Using these DNAs and restriction enzyme-untreated DNA as templates, PCR was performed with the same primers as in Example 4 (7) above.
- FIG. 24 A region containing the CCGG sequence of the COX2 gene promoter region (-540 to +115 bp, SEQ ID NO: 3) of pC2sL-CMVLT was amplified (FIG. 24).
- the result of agarose gel (including ethidium promide) electrophoresis of the PCR reaction solution is shown in FIG. 36a. From the results of FIG. 36a, PCR amplification products were detected in lanes H of A and B. The ratio of methylation of the CCGG sequence was 9% for A and 0.5% for B.
- the methylation rate of A was high as in the COX2 gene promoter region of genomic DNA (Example 4 (6), FIG. 25).
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Abstract
Description
レポーター核酸構築物は、例えば、自己複製ベクターであってよい。レポーター核酸構築物としての自己複製ベクターについて、以下に図面を用いて説明する。なお、同じ構成については同じ符号を付し、説明については省略する。また、各実施形態の構成が組み合わされて1つの実施形態において利用されてもよく、また複数の実施形態が1つの分析において同時に使用されてもよい。
細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法では、細胞内で複製開始蛋白質が発現する条件下で、自己複製ベクターが使用される。自己複製ベクターは「レポーターベクター」とも称される。
複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子が、シミアンウイルス40のラージT抗原遺伝子であり、前記複製開始配列が、シミアンウイルス40からの複製開始配列である組み合わせ;
複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子が、エプスタインバーウイルスのEBNA-1遺伝子であり、複製開始配列が、エプスタインバーウイルスからの複製開始配列である組み合わせ;
複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子が、マウスポリオーマウイルスのラージT抗原遺伝子であり、複製開始配列が、マウスポリオーマウイルスからの複製開始配列である組み合わせ。これらのような組み合わせは好ましいが、これらに限定するものではない。
次に、図3を参照しながらプラスミドベクターの1例について説明する。
更なるプラスミドベクターの1例について図4(a)、(b)および(c)を参照しながら説明する。
更なるプラスミドベクターの例について図5を用いて説明する。図5(a)は、被検細胞50に導入された自己複製ベクター51を示す。自己複製ベクター51は、レポーター遺伝子発現ユニット2と、複製開始配列3とを備える。レポーター遺伝子発現ユニット2は、標的核酸配列4と、その下流に機能的に連結されたレポーター遺伝子5と、その下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列6とを備える。被検細胞50中には、自己複製ベクター51とは独立して、複製開始蛋白質ユニット52が存在している。複製開始蛋白質ユニット52は、構成的に発現するプロモーター53と、その下流に機能的に連結された複製開始蛋白質をコードする配列54と、その下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列55とを備える。
上述した第1の実施形態~第4の実施形態においては、1つの自己複製ベクターにレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットが含まれている。しかしながら、1つの自己複製ベクターに含まれるレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットの数は、1つに限定されるものではない。言い換えれば、自己複製ベクターは、少なくとも1つのレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと複製開始配列とを含んでよい。ここでは、更なる実施形態として複数のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットを含む1つの例として、2つのレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットを含む例を示す。
更なるプラスミドベクターの例について図7を用いて説明する。図7は、第4の実施形態に記載した複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクターと第5の実施形態とを一緒に用いる例を示す。これらの詳細は第4の実施形態および第5の実施形態において説明した通りである。
更なる実施形態として細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報を得る方法が提供される。被検細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報を得る方法について図8を用いて説明する。
被検細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報を得る方法を利用して被検細胞の特性を判定することも可能である。被検細胞の特性を判定する方法は、被検細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報に基づいて、被検細胞の特性を決定することを含む。
上記のようにして得られた細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報に基づいて、対象における特定の疾患が診断されてもよい。一般的に、そのような診断は、医師または獣医師などの専門家による判断が最終的に含まれるであろう。
(1)複製開始蛋白質を発現する条件下で細胞を含む検出対象に対して、検出可能な信号を生ずる遺伝子をレポーター遺伝子として含む自己複製ベクターを取り込ませることと、
(2)検出対象としての細胞または検出対象に含まれる細胞が分裂して増殖しうる培養条件下において、検出対象を任意の期間に亘り培養することと、
(3)前記検出対象から生じる当該信号を検出することと、
(4)前記検出された信号に基づいて、検出対象が特定の疾患に罹患しているか否かを判定することと、
を含んでもよい。
(1)複製開始蛋白質を発現する条件下で細胞を含む検出対象に対して、ルシフェラーゼ遺伝子をレポーター遺伝子として含む自己複製ベクターを取り込ませることと、
(2)検出対象としての細胞または検出対象に含まれる細胞が分裂して増殖しうる培養条件下において、検出対象を任意の期間に亘り培養することと、
(3)前記検出対象からルシフェラーゼ蛋白質を抽出することと、
(4)前記ルシフェラーゼ蛋白質の基質であるルシフェリンと接触させ、ルミノメーターで発光を検出することと、
(5)検出された発光に関する情報に基づいて、検出対象が特定の疾患に罹患しているか否かを判定することと、
を含んでもよい。
(1)検出対象としての細胞または細胞を含む検出対象に対して、細胞外に金属化合物結合能を提示するレポーター遺伝子をレポーター遺伝子として含む自己複製ベクターを取り込ませることと、
(2)前記細胞外に金属化合物結合ペプチドを提示させることと、
(3)前記金属化合物結合ペプチドに対して、前記金属化合物結合ペプチドと結合対を形成可能な金属を接触させることと、
(4)前記金属化合物結合ペプチドに結合した金属を検出することと、
(5)当該検出の結果に基づいて、検出対象が特定の疾患に罹患しているか否かを判定することと、
を含む。
更なる実施形態として、アッセイキットが提供される。アッセイキットは、少なくとも1種類のレポーター核酸構築物、例えば、実施形態に従う少なくとも1種類の自己複製ベクターを含む。アッセイキットは、1種類の自己複製ベクターを含んでもよく、2種類以上の自己複製ベクターを組合せて含んでもよい。またアッセイキットは、更に、自己複製ベクターを担持するそれ自身公知のキャリアおよび/または自己ベクター複製ベクターを収容する容器、複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクターを含んでもよい。更に、アッセイキットは、細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法または細胞特性の判定方法を行うために必要な何れかの試薬を含んでもよい。
また、レポーター核酸構築物は、組成物として提供されてもよい。そのような組成物は、例えば、実施形態に従う少なくとも1種類の自己複製ベクターを含む。組成物の1例は、1種類の自己複製ベクターを含んでもよく、2種類以上の自己複製ベクターを組合せて含んでもよい。また組成物は、例えば、自己複製ベクターを担持するそれ自身公知のキャリア、複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクター、賦形剤、安定剤および/または他の所望の効果を有する成分などを含んでもよい。当該組成物は、容器に含まれて提供されてもよい。
更なる実施形態として、上述のような方法、例えば、エピジェネティックな情報を得る方法、並びにそれを用いる細胞特性の判定方法などを行うための分析装置が提供される。
例1
プラスミド型自己複製ベクターの作製
図14に概要を示すようにメチル化された標的核酸配列を含むプラスミド型自己複製ベクターを作製した。標的核酸配列として、GFAP遺伝子プロモーター配列を選択した。鋳型核酸の増幅と制限酵素による切断を行うことによって、標的核酸配列としてGFAP遺伝子プロモーター配列を調製した。得られたGFAP遺伝子プロモーター配列は、被修飾塩基を含み、且つプロモーター活性を有する核酸配列である。制限酵素による切断を行い、次にこの標的核酸配列を、メチル化酵素SssIによりメチル化した。得られたメチル化標的核酸配列をリガーゼによる連結を行うことによって、pM53-R550Kベクターに組み込んだ。pM53-R550Kベクターは、レポーター遺伝子とIRESと複製開始蛋白質をコードする配列と転写終結シグナル配列と複製開始配列とを上流から下流に向けてこの順番で備えるベクターである。得られたベクターをメチル化された標的核酸配列を含むプラスミド型自己複製ベクターとした。各工程の詳細を以下に記す。
マウスゲノムDNAを鋳型として用いてPCRを行った。マウスゲノムDNAにおいて増幅された配列は表2に示す配列番号1である。
フォワードプライマー:
5’-CGACGCGTGTCTGTAAGCTGAAGACCTGGC-3’(配列番号11)
リバースプライマー:
5'-AAAAGTACTCCTGCCCTGCCTCTGCTGGCTC-3’(配列番号12)。
GFAP遺伝子プロモーター配列をメチル化し、そこに含まれる被修飾塩基をメチル化した。
自己複製型ベクターpM53-R550Kベクターを制限酵素Mlu Iと制限酵素Xho Iで切断した。これに対して、上記(2)で得られた精製されたGFAP遺伝子プロモーター配列をT4リガーゼにより連結した。これにより、pM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターを得た。このpM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターは、標的核酸配列を含む。ここにおいて、標的核酸配列はメチル化されている。
例2
標的核酸配列のメチル化および脱メチル化の検出
pM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターに含まれる標的核酸配列の塩基の修飾の状態に依存して、プロモーター活性化の程度が、変化することを確認するための試験を行った。
実施例として、上記の方法により得られたメチル化されたプラスミド型自己複製ベクターpM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターと、非メチル化のプラスミド型自己複製ベクターpM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターを用いた。これらは自己複製可能なプラスミドベクターである。
(a)細胞へのベクターの導入
pcDNA4/V5-His/lacZベクター、メチル化または非メチル化のPGV-B2-GFAPpベクターおよびメチル化または非メチル化のpM53-R550K-GFAPpベクターをそれぞれグリオーマC6細胞に導入した。この導入は、リポフェクション法で行った。これらのベクターの各導入には、導入試薬としてリポフェクタミン2000(Life Technologies社)を使用した。リポフェクションの操作は、試薬の製造元によるマニュアルに従った。その概略は次の通りである。マイクロチューブ中で、25μLのOpti-MEMに懸濁した0.45μLのカチオン脂質(リポフェクタミン2000)と、何れかのベクターを含む25μLのOpti-MEMとを混合した。これによりリポフェクタミン/ベクターの複合体を形成した。ここで、25μLのOpti-MEMに含まれる各ベクターの量は次の通りである。pM53-R550K-GFAPpまたはPGV-B2-GFAPpについては、25μLのOpti-MEMにDNAとして0.066μgが含まれた。pcDNA4/V5-His/lacZについては、25μLのOpti-MEMにDNAとして0.033μgが含まれた。
各ベクターについてリポフェクタミン/ベクター複合体を形成した後に、それぞれの複合体を培養プレート(96ウェルプレート)に対して1ウェル当たり50μLずつ添加した。そこに対して更に、RPMI1640培地(10%非動化FCS含有)に懸濁したグリオーマC6細胞溶液(5x105cell/mL)を1ウェルあたり100μLずつ播種した。
その後、1分間穏やかにプレートを攪拌して、反応液と細胞溶液を混ぜ合わせた。その後、37℃、5%CO2雰囲気下で24時間、37℃、5%CO2雰囲気下で付着培養を行った。
グリオーマC6細胞に各ベクターをそれぞれ導入した後で、それぞれのベクターに含まれる標的核酸配列について脱メチル化反応を行った。脱メチル化反応は、メチル基転移酵素の阻害剤である5-aza-2-deoxycytidine(5-aza-dC)(フナコシ株式会社)を用いて行った。
5-aza-dCの添加から48時間後に培養プレートから培地を取り除いた。各細胞をPBSで2回洗浄してから、それらの細胞からルシフェラーゼ(レポーター蛋白質)をそれぞれ抽出した。具体的には、次の通りに抽出を行った。抽出試薬である細胞溶解液(PicaGene Cell lysis buffer LCβ, TOYO B-Net社)を添加し、室温で15分間に亘って細胞と細胞溶解液との懸濁液をインキュベートした。その後、この懸濁液を、15,000rpmで5分間、遠心分離機器で遠心分離した。それにより、懸濁液から細胞残渣を取り除いた。それにより上清を得た。この上清にルシフェラーゼ基質溶液(PicaGene LT2.0, TOYO B-Net社)を加えた。次に、検出試薬であるルシフェラーゼ基質溶液(ルシフェリン溶液)を添加した。生じた発光強度をルミノメーター(Mithras LB940, Berthold社)で測定した。
結果を図15(a)および(b)に示す。これらのグラフは、ベクター導入細胞からのレポーター蛋白質シグナル強度の脱メチル化反応による変化を表す。
ゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターにおけるCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域(標的核酸配列)のメチル化率の比較
実施形態の一例である、図5に示すレポーターベクター(自己複製ベクター51)と複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクター(複製開始蛋白質ユニット52を有するベクター)を構築した。レポーターベクターに標的核酸配列としてCK19遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-617~+61 bp、配列番号2)を組み込み、当該ベクターを導入した被検細胞のゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターの標的核酸配列のメチル化率を比較した。
標的核酸配列であるCK19遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-617~+61、配列番号2)を、ヒトのゲノムDNAを鋳型としてPCRで増幅した。PCRには、PrimeSTAR GLX DNA polymerase (TaKaRa BIO)を用いておこなった。PCRに用いたプライマーの塩基配列を以下に示す。
Reverse primer, 5’-TGGGCTAGCCCAAGAAGCTGGTTCTGAGAGG-3’(配列番号14)。
複製開始蛋白質遺伝子は、シミアンウイルス40のラージT抗原遺伝子(SV40LT)とした。同遺伝子をPrimeSTAR GLX DNA polymerase(TaKaRa BIO)を用いたPCRで増幅した後、遺伝子発現ベクターのサイトメガロウイルス初期プロモーターの下流に組み込んだ。これにより図17に示す複製開始蛋白質(SV40LT)遺伝子発現用ベクターpCMV-LTを作製した。以下に、PCRに用いたプライマーの塩基配列を示す。
Reverse primer, 5’-GGGAATTCTTATGTTTCAGGTTCAGGTTCAGGGGGAG-3’(配列番号16)。
100μLのOpti-MEM(Life Technologies)に0.5μgのレポーターベクターを単独で、或いは0.4μgのレポーターベクターと0.1μgの複製開始蛋白質発現ベクターpCMV-LTを共に加えた。その後、0.5μLのエンハンサー試薬(Plus reagent,Life Technologies)を加えた。これを室温に5分間インキュベートした。この溶液に、1.25μLのLipofectamine LTXを加えてよく縣濁した。その後、室温に25分間インキュベートした。溶液を24ウェルプレートに移し、Huh-7細胞の縣濁液200μLを加えて穏やかに混合した。その後、37℃、5%CO2雰囲気のインキュベータ内で細胞を培養した。
トランスフェクションから96時間後、24ウェルプレートから培養液を取り除き、リン酸緩衝生理食塩水(PBS)で細胞を洗浄した。その後、200μLのTrypsin-EDTAを加えて室温に5分間静置した。300μLのPBSを加え、細胞を1.5mlチューブに回収した。その後、遠心により細胞を沈殿させた。細胞を200μLのPBSに懸濁し、DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit(Qiagen)を用いて、ゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターを含む溶液を得た。
ゲノムDNAのCK19遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-617~+61bp、配列番号2)に含まれるCCGG配列メチル化率(2番目のシトシンの5-メチル化の有無)を次の様に調べた。即ち、それについて、メチル化感受性制限酵素HpaIIとメチル化非感受性制限酵素MspIによるメチル化検出法で調べた。HpaIIとMspIは共通のCCGG配列を認識する制限酵素である。HpaIIは、メチル化シトシンを含むCCGG配列(CmCGG)を切断できず、MspIはメチル化シトシンに係らずCCGG配列を切断する。上記(4)で調整したゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターを含む溶液を、制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した。その後、QIAquick PCR purification kit(Qiagen)で精製した。これを制限酵素処理DNAとした。このDNAと制限酵素未処理DNAを鋳型として、下記プライマーを用いてPCRを行った。それにより、ゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した(図18)。
Reverse Primer 1 (C1), 5’-AGAGGCCCCTGCCCTCCAGAGGT-3’(配列番号18)
Forward Primer 2 (C2), 5’-GCAAATTCCTCAGGGCTCAGATA-3’(配列番号19)
Reverse Primer 2‘ (G2), 5’-CCAGGCCTCCGAAGGACGACGTGGC-3’(配列番号20)
PCR反応液をアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)で電気泳動した。その後、UV照射によりゲル中のPCR増幅産物を可視化して写真を撮影した。そして、得られた写真におけるそれぞれのバンド強度を画像解析ソフトウェアImage Jで数値化した。更に、得られた数値と以下の式から、AおよびBの全DNAに対するCCGG配列メチル化の割合を算出した。
非複製レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、上記(3)に示す方法で行った。レポーターベクターpC2sLoと共に、或いはp19sLo単独でヒト肝がん細胞株Huh-7にトランスフェクションした。96時間後に抽出したDNA溶液を用いて、メチル化率を検出した。レポーターベクターの複製には、複製開始配列と複製開始蛋白質とが同一細胞内に共存する必要がある。従って、p19sLoを単独で細胞に導入した場合、p19sLoは細胞内で複製しない。上記(5)と同様の方法で、レポーターベクターp19sLoのCK19遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-617~+61bp、配列番号2)に含まれるCCGG配列メチル化率(2番目のシトシンの5-メチル化の有無)を調べた。上記(4)で調整したDNAを、制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した。その後、QIAquick PCR purification kit(Qiagen)で精製した。これを制限酵素処理DNAとした。これらのDNAと制限酵素未処理のDNAを鋳型として、下記プライマーを用いたPCRをおこなった。それによりp19sLoのCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した(図18)。
Reverse Primer 1(C1), 5’-AGAGGCCCCTGCCCTCCAGAGGT-3’(配列番号18)
Forward Primer 2 (C2), 5’-GCAAATTCCTCAGGGCTCAGATA-3’(配列番号19)
Reverse Primer 2‘ (P2), 5’-AATGCCAAGCTTACTTAGATCG-3’(配列番号22)。
複製レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、レポーターベクターp19sLoとpCMV-LTをHuh-7に共導入し、96時間後に抽出したDNAを用いて検出した。P19sLoとpCMV-LTを細胞に共導入すると、複製開始配列と複製開始蛋白質が細胞内に共存するため、p19sLoが細胞内で複製する。DNAをHpaII、或いはMspIで処理した制限酵素処理DNAと制限酵素未処理DNAを鋳型として、上記(6)と同じプライマーでPCRをおこなった。それによりp19sLoのCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した。PCR反応液のアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)電気泳動の結果を図21aに示す。その結果、AとBのレーンHではPCR増幅産物が検出された。CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが0%であり、Bが16%であった(図21b)。さらに、DpnI法(細胞内で複製したベクターの検出法)と、HpaIIとMspIによるメチル化検出法を組み合わせて、細胞内で複製したレポーターベクターのみのCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域CCGG配列のメチル化率を調べた(図22a)。その結果、AとBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。各CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが0%、Bが24%であった(図22b)。レポーターベクターのCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域は、ゲノムDNAのCK19遺伝子プロモーター領域(標的核酸配列)とほぼ同じ比率でメチル化された。
ゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターにおけるCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域(標的核酸配列)のメチル化率の比較
実施形態の一例である、図5に示すレポーターベクター(自己複製ベクター51)と複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクター(複製開始蛋白質ユニット52を有するベクター)とを構築した。レポーターベクターに標的核酸配列としてCOX2遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-540~+115bp、配列番号3)を組み込んだ。このベクターを導入した被検細胞のゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターの標的核酸配列のメチル化率を比較した。
標的核酸配列であるCOX2遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-540~+115bp、配列番号3)を、ヒトのゲノムDNAを鋳型としてPCRで増幅した。PCRには、PrimeSTAR GLX DNA polymerase(TaKaRa BIO)を用いておこなった。PCRに用いたプライマーの塩基配列を以下に示す。
Reverse primer, 5’-AGGCTCGAGCGCGGGGGTAGGCTTTGCTGTCTGAG-3’(配列番号24)。
PCRで得た標的核酸配列を、シミアンウイルス40の複製開始配列を有するレポーターベクターのルシフェラーゼ遺伝子の上流に組み込んだ。それにより図23に示すレポーターベクター pC2sLoを作製した。
上記の例3の(2)と同じ複製開始蛋白質(SV40LT)遺伝子発現用ベクターpCMV-LTを用いた。
レポーターベクターと反応バッファーからなる反応溶液(50mM NaCl、10mM Tris-HCl,10mM MgCl2,1mM DTT,160μM S-アデノシルメチオニン)を調整した。これに対して、DNAメチル化酵素:SssI CpG Methyltransferase(New England Biolabs)を加えて37℃で一晩反応させ、レポーターベクターのCG配列のシトシンをメチル化した。
例3の(3)と同様の方法でトランスフェクションを行った。
細胞からのゲノムDNAおよびレポーターベクターの調整は、上記例3の(4)と同様の方法でおこなった。
ゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター(-540~+115bp、配列番号3)に含まれるCCGG配列メチル化率(2番目のシトシンの5-メチル化の有無)を次のように調べた。即ち、それについて、メチル化感受性制限酵素HpaIIとメチル化非感受性制限酵素MspIによるメチル化検出法で調べた。(5)で調整したゲノムDNAとレポーターベクターを含む溶液を、制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した後、QIAquick PCR purification kit(Qiagen)で精製し、これを制限酵素処理DNAとした。このDNAと制限酵素未処理DNAとを鋳型として使用し、更に下記プライマーを用いたPCRを行った。それによりゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した(図24)。
Reverse Primer 1(C2), 5’-GGGCAGGGTTTTTTACCCAC-3’(配列番号26)
Forward Primer 2 (C3), 5’-AGCTTCCTGGGTTTCCGATTT-3’(配列番号27)
Reverse Primer 2’(G2),5’-GCCAGGTACTCACCTGTATGGCTG-3’(配列番号28)。
非複製レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、上記(3)に示す方法で、レポーターベクターpC2sLoと共に、または単独で、ヒト肝がん細胞株Huh-7にトランスフェクションした。その96時間後に抽出したDNA溶液を用いて検出した。上記(5)と同様の方法で、レポーターベクターpC2sLoのCOX2遺伝子のプロモーター領域(-540~+115bp、配列番号3)に含まれるCCGG配列メチル化率を調べた。上記(5)で調整したDNAを、制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した。その後、QIAquick PCR purification kit(Qiagen)で精製した。これを制限酵素処理DNAとした。これらのDNAと制限酵素未処理のDNAを鋳型として、下記プライマーを用いたPCRを行った。pC2sLoのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した(図24)。
Reverse Primer 1 (C2), 5’-GGGCAGGGTTTTTTACCCAC-3’(配列番号26)
Forward Primer 2 (C3), 5’-AGCTTCCTGGGTTTCCGATTT-3’(配列番号27)
Reverse Primer 2’(P2), 5’-AATGCCAAGCTTACTTAGATCG-3’(配列番号29)。
複製レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、レポーターベクターpC2sLoと複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクターpCMV-LTをHuh-7に共導入した。その96時間後に抽出したDNA溶液を用いて検出した。DNAをHpaII、或いはMspIで処理した制限酵素処理DNAと制限酵素未処理DNAを鋳型として、上記(7)と同じプライマーでPCRを行った。それによりpC2sLoのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した。PCR反応液のアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)電気泳動の結果を図27aに示す。その結果、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。CCGG配列メチル化の割合は、Aが14%であり、Bが24%であった(図27b)。さらに、DpnI法(細胞内で複製したベクターの検出法)と、HpaIIとMspIによるメチル化検出法を組み合わせることにより、細胞内で複製したレポーターベクターのみのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域CCGG配列のメチル化率を調べた(図28a)。その結果、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。各CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが57%であり、Bが23%であった(図28b)。複製したレポーターベクターのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域は、ゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域(標的核酸配列)とほぼ同じ比率でメチル化された。
非複製メチル化レポーターベクターのメチル化率の検出には、メチル化レポーターベクターpC2sLoを単独でヒト肝がん細胞株Huh-7にトランスフェクションした。その96時間後に上記(5)の方法で抽出したDNA溶液を用いた。DNAを制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した。その後、それをQIAquick PCR purification kit(Qiagen)で精製し、制限酵素処理DNAとした。これらのDNAと制限酵素未処理のDNAを鋳型として、下記プライマーを用いたPCRを行った。それによりpC2sLoのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した。PCR反応液のアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)電気泳動の結果を図29aに示す。図29aの結果から、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが100%であり、Bが86%であった(図29b)。非複製メチル化レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、宿主細胞のゲノムDNAのメチル化率と一致しなかった。
複製メチル化レポーターベクターのメチル化率の検出には、レポーターベクターpC2sLoと複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクターpCMV-LTとをHuh-7に共導入し、96時間後に抽出したDNA溶液を用いた。HpaII、或いはMspIで処理した制限酵素処理DNAと制限酵素未処理DNAとを鋳型として用いた。上記(6)と同じプライマーでPCRを行った。それによりpC2sLoのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した。PCR反応液のアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)電気泳動の結果を図30aに示す。その結果、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。CCGG配列メチル化の割合は、Aが45%であり、Bが79%であった(図31b)。さらに、DpnI法(細胞内で複製したベクターの検出法)と、HpaIIとMspIによるメチル化検出法とを組み合わせて、細胞内で複製したレポーターベクターのみのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域CCGG配列のメチル化率を調べた(図31a)。その結果、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。各CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが95%であり、Bが35%であった(図31b)。細胞内で複製したレポーターベクターと、ゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域内CCGG配列のメチル化率とを比較すると、Bが強く脱メチル化されており、メチル化の割合はAが高かった。
ルシフェラーゼアッセイによる標的核酸配列(COX2遺伝子プロモーター領域)の脱メチル化の検出
上記例4と同様の方法で、メチル化/非メチル化レポーターベクターpC2sLoを単独、或いは複製開始蛋白質発現ベクターpCMV-LTと共にヒト肝がん細胞株Huh-7にトランスフェクションした。その72時間培養後、pC2sLoに由来するレポーター活性を測定した。24ウェルプレートから培養液を取り除き、PBSで洗浄した。その後、150μLの細胞溶解液(Promega)を加えて-80℃に30分以上静置して凍結した。細胞溶解液を室温で解凍した後、溶解液を遠心チューブに回収した。この遠心により細胞残渣を沈殿させた。上清10μLを96ウェルプレート(Nunc)に分注した。これに50μLのLuciferase基質溶液(One-Glo Luciferase Assay System, Promega)を加えて細胞溶解液の発光強度を測定した。結果を図32に示す。図32のグラフの縦軸は、発光強度の回復率を示した。この発光強度の回復率は、脱メチル化の指標である。発光強度の回復率は、非メチル化レポーターベクターを導入した細胞から得られた発光強度を100%とした時のメチル化レポーターDNAを導入した細胞から得られた発光強度の割合である。グラフの左端には、非複製レポーターベクターの発光強度の回復率を、右端には、複製レポーターベクターの回復率を示した。このグラフから、発光強度の回復率は、非複製レポーターベクターよりも複製レポーターベクターの方が高いことが分かった。それにより、複製レポーターベクターにおいて、標的核酸配列に生じた脱メチル化を高感度に検出することが可能になった。この結果から、細胞内で複製するレポーターベクターを使用することによって、レポーター活性を指標として、被検細胞の特定の配列におけるエピジェネティックな情報を得ることが可能であることが明らかになった。
2種類のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット(官能基が置換された標的核酸配列を含むユニットと、官能基が置換されていない標的核酸配列を含むユニット)、及び複製開始配列を有する自己複製ベクター
(1)ベクターの作製
実施形態の一例である図6に示すレポーターベクター(自己複製ベクター61)を構築した。エビ由来のルシフェラーゼが組込まれたレポーターベクターpNL1.1(プロメガ社)を制限酵素KpnIとBamHIで切断した。そのDNA末端をT4 DNAポリメラーゼで平滑化した。その後、エビルシフェラーゼとSV40転写終結配列からなるDNA断片を精製した。この断片を制限酵素SspIで切断したp19sLoと、T4 DNAリガーゼにより連結して自己複製ベクターp19sLo-NLを構築した。このp19sLo-NLに、CpGのシトシンをメチル化したCOX2遺伝子プロモーター(配列番号3)を組み込んだ。ヒトのゲノムを鋳型に、PCRによってCOX2遺伝子プロモーターを増幅した。PCRに用いたプライマー配列を以下に示した。
Reverse primer, 5’-AGGCTCGAGCGCGGGGGTAGGCTTTGCTGTCTGAG-3’(配列番号24)。
100μLのOpti-MEM(Life Technologies)に0.5μgのレポーターベクターを単独、或いは0.4μgのp19sLo-mC2sNLと0.1μgの複製開始蛋白質発現ベクターpCMV-LTとを共に加えた。その後、0.5μLのエンハンサー試薬(Plus reagent, Life Technologies)を加えて室温で5分間インキュベートした。この溶液に、1.25μLのLipofectamine LTXを加えてよく縣濁した。その後、室温で25分間インキュベートした。溶液を24ウェルプレートに移した。そこにHuh-7細胞の縣濁液200μLを加えて穏やかに混合した。これによりベクターを細胞に導入した(図34)。
レポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、及び複製開始遺伝子発現ユニット、及び複製開始配列を有する自己複製ベクター
(1)ベクターの作製
実施形態の1例である図4に示すレポーターベクター(自己複製ベクター41)を構築した。pCMV-LT(実施例3(2))から複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ユニットを制限酵素BglIとBamHIとで切断した。そのDNA末端をT4 DNAポリメラーゼで平滑化した。その後、複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ユニットのDNA断片を精製した。このDNA断片を、制限酵素SspIで切断したpC2sLo(実施例4(1))に連結して自己複製ベクターpC2sLo-CMVLTを構築した(図35)。
100μLのOpti-MEM(Life Technologies)に0.5μgのpC2sLo-CMVLTを加えた。その後、0.5μLのエンハンサー試薬(Plus reagent, Life Technologies)を加えて、室温で5分間インキュベートした。この溶液に、1.25μLのLipofectamine LTXを加えてよく縣濁した。その後、室温で25分間インキュベートした。溶液を24ウェルプレートに移した。そこにHuh-7細胞の縣濁液200μLを加えて穏やかに混合した。その後、37℃、5%CO2雰囲気のインキュベータ内で細胞を培養した。
ゲノムDNAおよびレポーターベクターの調整は、上記例3の(4)と同様の方法でおこなった。
レポーターベクターのメチル化率は、自己複製レポーターベクターpC2sLo-CMVLTをHuh-7に導入し、その72時間後に抽出したDNA溶液を用いて、上記例4(7)と同様の方法で調べた。上記(3)で調整した溶液を、制限酵素HpaII、或いはMspIで切断した。その後、それをQIAquick PCR purification kit (Qiagen)で精製した。これらのDNAと制限酵素未処理DNAを鋳型として、上記例4(7)と同じプライマーでPCRを行った。pC2sL-CMVLTのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域(-540~+115 bp、配列番号3)のCCGG配列を含む領域を増幅した(図24)。PCR反応液のアガロースゲル(含エチジウムプロマイド)電気泳動の結果を図36aに示す。図36aの結果から、AおよびBのレーンHにおいてPCR増幅産物が検出された。CCGG配列のメチル化の割合は、Aが9%であり、Bが0.5%であった。自己複製レポーターベクターpC2sLo-CMVLTのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域では、ゲノムDNAのCOX2遺伝子プロモーター領域(例4(6)、図25)と同様に、Aのメチル化率が高かった。
Claims (29)
- 被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列における修飾の状態を、前記被検細胞の核内での自己複製中に官能基の置換によって対応するその配列上に写し取り、当該写し取られた官能基の存在状況に依存して検出可能な信号を生ずるレポーター核酸構築物を、当該被検細胞の核内に導入することと、前記レポーター核酸構築物を自己複製させることと、前記被検細胞において生じた当該信号の有無および/または大きさを検出することと、前記検出により得られた結果に基づいて、前記被検細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得ることとを含む細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法。
- 前記レポーター核酸構築物が、
(a)官能基が置換され得る塩基を含み、前記塩基における当該官能基の置換の程度に依存するプロモーター活性を有し、且つ被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列に対して相同性を有する標的核酸配列と、
前記標的核酸配列の下流に機能的に連結され前記標的核酸配列の活性化により発現するレポーター蛋白質をコードするレポーター遺伝子と、
前記レポーター遺伝子の下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列と
を含むレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、および
(b)前記レポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと同一核酸上に存在する複製開始配列
を含む自己複製ベクターであることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の方法。 - 前記自己複製ベクターの自己複製を開始するために、前記被検細胞の核内において、当該複製開始配列を活性化する複製開始蛋白質が発現されていることを特徴とする請求項2に記載の方法。
- 前記自己複製ベクターの自己複製を開始するために、前記被検細胞の核内に、当該複製開始蛋白質を発現する複製開始蛋白質ユニットを含む複製開始蛋白質遺伝子発現ベクターを導入すること特徴とする請求項3に記載の方法。
- 前記自己複製ベクターが、更に当該複製開始蛋白質を発現する複製開始蛋白質ユニットを含むことを特徴とする請求項3に記載に記載の方法。
- 前記自己複製ベクターが、更に前記レポーター遺伝子発現ユニットの下流に機能的に連結されたIRES配列と、前記IRES配列の下流に機能的に連結された前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする配列と、複製開始配列とを更に含み、前記転写終結シグナル配列は、前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする配列の下流に機能的に連結されており、前記複製開始配列は、前記転写終結シグナル配列の下流に機能的に連結されていることを特徴とする請求項3に記載の方法。
- (1)当該被検細胞に対して、前記自己複製ベクターを導入することと、
(2)複製開始蛋白質が発現する条件下で前記被検細胞を培養することにより、前記自己複製ベクターを複製させることと、
(3)当該レポーター蛋白質を検出および/またはその発現量を測定することと、
(4)前記(3)の結果に基づいて、当該被検細胞のゲノム上にある特定の配列における修飾についての情報を得ることと、
を含むことを特徴とする請求項2~6の何れか1項に記載の細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法。 - 前記自己複製ベクターに含まれる前記レポーター遺伝子発現ユニットを第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットとし、前記自己複製ベクターが、前記第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットの下流で、且つ前記複製開始配列の上流に、第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットを更に含むことを特徴とする請求項2~5の何れか1項に記載の方法。
- (1)被検細胞に対して、前記自己複製ベクターを導入することと、
(2)複製開始蛋白質が発現する条件下で前記被検細胞を培養することにより、前記自己複製ベクターを複製させることと、
(3)第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットおよび第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットにそれぞれ由来する第1のレポーター蛋白質および第2のレポーター蛋白質を検出および/またはその発現量を測定することと、
(4)前記(3)で得られた前記第1のレポーター蛋白質と前記第2のレポーター蛋白質の発現量を比較して、当該被検細胞のゲノム上にある特定の配列に含まれる核酸の官能基の置換についての情報を得ることと、
を含む、請求項8に記載の方法。 - 前記複製開始蛋白質ユニットが、当該複製開始蛋白質をコードする配列と、その上流に機能的に連結された構成的に発現するプロモーターとを含む請求項4または5に記載の方法。
- 前記標的核酸配列における官能基が置換され得る当該塩基が、少なくとも1つのシトシンおよび/またはグアニンであることを特徴とする請求項2~10の何れか1項に記載の方法。
- 前記官能基がメチル基である請求項1~11の何れか1項に記載の方法。
- 前記レポーター遺伝子が、ルシフェラーゼ遺伝子、β-ガラクトシダーゼ遺伝子、一酸化窒素合成酵素遺伝子、キサンチンオキシダーゼ遺伝子、青色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子、緑色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子、赤色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子および重金属結合蛋白質遺伝子からなる群より選択される請求項8~12の何れか1項に記載の方法。
- 前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子と前記複製開始配列との組み合わせが、次の組み合わせから選択されることを特徴とする請求項10~13の何れか1項に記載の方法;
(1)前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子がシミアンウイルス40のラージT抗原遺伝子であり、複製開始配列が、シミアンウイルス40からの複製開始配列である;
(2)前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子が、エプスタインバーウイルスのEBNA-1遺伝子であり、複製開始配列が、エプスタインバーウイルスからの複製開始配列である;および
(3)前記複製開始蛋白質をコードする遺伝子が、マウスポリオーマウイルスのラージT抗原遺伝子であり、複製開始配列が、マウスポリオーマウイルスからの複製開始配列である。 - 前記ラージT抗原遺伝子が、配列番号5、配列番号6若しくは配列番号7で示される核酸、または配列番号5、配列番号6若しくは配列番号7の配列中の1若しくは数個の塩基が欠失、置換若しくは付加された配列により示され、DNA複製開始機能を有する核酸である請求項14に記載の方法。
- 請求項1~15の何れか1項に記載の方法であって、前記被検細胞が、対象から採取された血液に含まれる細胞である方法。
- 請求項1~16の何れか1項に記載の方法により得られた被検細胞のエピジェネティックな情報に基づいて、被検細胞の特性を決定すること含む、細胞の特性を判定する方法。
- 請求項17に記載の方法であって、前記特性が、薬剤感受性である方法。
- 請求項1~16の何れか1項に記載の方法により得られた被検細胞のエピジェネティックな情報に基づいて、被検細胞の特性を決定するが、当該被検細胞が癌化した細胞であるのか否かを決定すること含む、細胞の特性を判定する方法。
- 請求項16~19の何れか1項に記載の方法により得られた結果に基づいて、当該被検細胞が採取された対象について、薬剤感受性を判断する、または外科的手術後に使用されるべき薬剤若しくは免疫療法剤の種類を選択する方法。
- 請求項1~16の何れか1項に記載の方法により得られた被検細胞のエピジェネティックな遺伝情報に基づいて、対象から採取された被検細胞の特性を決定し、特定の疾患に罹患しているか否かを決定することを含む、対象における疾患の診断方法。
- 対象に含まれる細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得る方法であって、当該方法は、
(1)細胞の核内に自己複製ベクターが導入された対象において、複製開始蛋白質を発現させる条件下に維持することにより、導入された前記自己複製ベクターを自己複製させることと、
(2)前記対象について、前記自己複製ベクターから生じたレポーター蛋白質を検出および/またはその発現量を測定することと、
(3)前記(2)の結果に基づいて、当該対象に含まれる細胞中のゲノム上にある特定の配列における修飾についての情報を得ることと、
を含み、且つ
前記自己複製ベクターは、
(a)官能基が置換され得る塩基を含み、前記塩基における当該官能基の置換の程度に依存するプロモーター活性を有し、且つ被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列に対して相同性を有する標的核酸配列と、
前記標的核酸配列の下流に機能的に連結され前記標的核酸配列の活性化により発現するレポーター蛋白質をコードするレポーター遺伝子と、
前記レポーター遺伝子の下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列と
を含むレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、および
(b)前記レポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと同一核酸上に存在する複製開始配列
を含むことを特徴とする方法。 - 細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得るための自己複製ベクターであって、
(a)官能基が置換され得る塩基を含み、前記塩基における当該官能基の置換の程度に依存するプロモーター活性を有し、且つ被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列に対して相同性を有する標的核酸配列と、
前記標的核酸配列の下流に機能的に連結され前記標的核酸配列の活性化により発現するレポーター蛋白質をコードするレポーター遺伝子と、
前記レポーター遺伝子の下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列と
を含むレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、および
(b)前記レポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと同一核酸上に存在する複製開始配列
を含むベクター。 - 細胞のエピジェネティックな情報を得るための自己複製ベクターであって、
(a)官能基が置換され得る塩基を含み、前記塩基における当該官能基の置換の程度に依存するプロモーター活性を有し、且つ被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列に対して相同性を有する標的核酸配列と、
前記標的核酸配列の下流に機能的に連結され前記標的核酸配列の活性化により発現するレポーター蛋白質をコードするレポーター遺伝子と、
前記レポーター遺伝子の下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列と
を含む第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、
(b)官能基が置換され得る塩基を含み、前記塩基における当該官能基の置換の程度に依存するプロモーター活性を有し、且つ被検細胞のゲノム上の特定の配列に対して相同性を有する標的核酸配列と、
前記標的核酸配列の下流に機能的に連結され前記標的核酸配列の活性化により発現するレポーター蛋白質をコードするレポーター遺伝子と、
前記レポーター遺伝子の下流に機能的に連結された転写終結シグナル配列と
を含む、前記第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットの下流に連結された第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニット、および
(c)前記第1および前記第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと同一核酸上に存在する複製開始配列
を含むベクター。 - 前記第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットに含まれる官能基が置換され得る前記塩基が、特定の官能基を有しておらず、前記第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットに含まれる官能基が置換され得る前記塩基が、前記特定の官能基を有していることを特徴とする請求項24に記載のベクター。
- 前記第1のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットと、前記第2のレポーター遺伝子発現ユニットとにそれぞれ含まれる前記レポーター遺伝子が互いに異なる種類の遺伝子であることを特徴とする請求項24または25に記載のベクター。
- 前記レポーター遺伝子が、ルシフェラーゼ遺伝子、β-ガラクトシダーゼ遺伝子、一酸化窒素合成酵素遺伝子、キサンチンオキシダーゼ遺伝子、青色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子、緑色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子、赤色蛍光蛋白質遺伝子および重金属結合蛋白質遺伝子からなる群より選択されることを特徴とする請求項23~26の何れか1項に記載に記載のベクター。
- 請求項23~26の何れか1項に記載の自己複製ベクターと、前記自己複製ベクターを収容する容器とを具備するアッセイキット。
- 被検細胞を含む試料に対して請求項23~26の何れか1項に記載の前記自己複製ベクターを導入する遺伝子導入部と、複製開始蛋白質を発現させることによって、前記遺伝子導入部からの当該試料に含まれる当該自己複製ベクターを自己複製させる恒温部と、前記恒温部からの当該試料において、当該レポーター遺伝子の発現に由来して生じた信号を検出する検出部と、当該検出された信号に基づいて当該被検細胞のエピジェネティックな情報について分析する分析部とを具備する分析装置。
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3196308A1 (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2017-07-26 | Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation | Reporter vector for evaluating characteristics of subject cell, assay kit, procedure and device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP6140277B2 (ja) | 2017-05-31 |
CN105308188B (zh) | 2019-03-08 |
CN105308188A (zh) | 2016-02-03 |
JP2014239679A (ja) | 2014-12-25 |
US20160153057A1 (en) | 2016-06-02 |
EP2998408B1 (en) | 2020-01-08 |
EP2998408A4 (en) | 2017-04-19 |
JPWO2014185549A1 (ja) | 2017-02-23 |
EP2998408A1 (en) | 2016-03-23 |
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