[Molecular diagnosis of a Chinese pedigree with osteogenesis imperfecta type I].

Objective: To perform molecular diagnosis for a Chinese pedigree with osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Methods: Thirty pairs of primers were designed to amplify all the 52 exons, exon boundaries and promoter region of the COL1A1 gene from genomic DNA of peripheral blood cells of the family members. The PCR products were purified and directly sequenced.

Increased expression of hLRH-1 in human gastric cancer and its implication in tumorigenesis.

Altered signaling pathways or deregulated transcription factors represent an important category of molecular events leading to aberrant gene regulation in gastric cancer, among which the role of WNT/beta-catenin pathway remains unclear. LRH-1 is a critical transcription factor in controlling cell proliferation via crosstalk with the beta-catenin signaling pathway. In order to gain a knowledge of the expression of hLRH-1v1 and hLRH-1 in gastric cancer, a Q-PCR analysis was carried out.

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1 in connective tissue of vaginal wall of women with stress urinary incontinence].

Objective: To study semi-quantitatively mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), in vaginal wall connective tissue in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) compared to continent controls, and to explore the relationship between MMP-9, TIMP-1 and SUI.

Methods: Vaginal wall tissues were obtained from 24 women with SUI who were followed-up (12 cases are > 60 years old and 12 cases < or = 60 years old). Seven patients undergoing total hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ of cervix without urinary incontinence served as control group.

[Prokaryotic expression and characterization of N-terminal truncated glycoprotein gp85 of Epstein-Barr virus].

Aim: To construct a prokaryotic recombinant vector of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) membrane protein gp85, to express the protein in E.coli and characterize the antigenicity of this non-glycosylated protein.

Methods: The BXLF2 gene coding 5'-terminal truncated of EBV gp85 was amplified from the EBV strain B95-8 cell line with specific primers.

Microarray analysis of gene-expression profile in hepatocellular carcinoma cell, BEL-7402, with stable suppression of hLRH-1 via a DNA vector-based RNA interference.

To establish a cell line with a permanent suppression of hLRH-1 in this study, a stable RNAi vector (pSineohLRH-1) targeting hLRH-1 was constructed and introduced into hepatocellular carcinoma cell, BEL-7402. By semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, the expression of hLRH-1 in BEL-7402 cells carrying pSineohLRH-1 was shown to be significantly suppressed by up to approximately 60%. In addition, microarray analysis was carried out to assess the extent of altered gene expression in BEL-7402 cells with stable knockdown of hLRH-1.

[Expression of Japanese encephalitis virus E protein in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris].

Aim: To express Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) E protein in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

Methods: The gene coding for JEV E protein was sub-cloned into vector pPIC9k. The constructed plasmid was transformed into yeast SMD1168 by electroporation.