In vivo study on vertical transmission of the HIV-1 gag gene via mouse oocytes.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major public health problem worldwide. This study was performed to explore the feasibility of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) gag gene via oocyte. The recombinant plasmid (pIRES2-EGFP-gag) was injected into mouse ovaries to transfect germ cells. Induction of superovulation and then animal mating were performed to collect oocytes and two-cell embryos. Positive FISH signals for HIV-1 gag DNA were detected in the nuclei of oocytes and embryos, and in chromosomes of mature oocytes, indicated integration of the gene into the oocyte genome and gene replication in the embryo. HIV-1 gag cDNA positive bands detected by RT-PCR in oocytes and embryos indicated successful gene transcription, while positive immunofluorescence signals for HIV-1 gag protein indicated successful translation in both oocytes and embryos. The HIV-1 gag gene was transmitted vertically to the next generation via oocytes and it retained its function in replication, transcription and translation following at least one mitotic division in embryos.
Gao
Yu-Sen
YS
Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, PR China.
Huang
Tian-Hua
TH
Wang
Dian
D
Xie
Qing-Dong
QD
Kang
Xiang-Jin
XJ
D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D015683:Gene Products, gag