Synthetic devices for traceless remote control of gene expression may provide new treatment opportunities in future gene- and cell-based therapies. Here we report the design of a synthetic mind-controlled gene switch that enables human brain activities and mental states to wirelessly programme the transgene expression in human cells. An electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) processing mental state-specific brain waves programs an inductively linked wireless-powered optogenetic implant containing designer cells engineered for near-infrared (NIR) light-adjustable expression of the human glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase). The synthetic optogenetic signalling pathway interfacing the BCI with target gene expression consists of an engineered NIR light-activated bacterial diguanylate cyclase (DGCL) producing the orthogonal second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), which triggers the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent induction of synthetic interferon-β promoters. Humans generating different mental states (biofeedback control, concentration, meditation) can differentially control SEAP production of the designer cells in culture and of subcutaneous wireless-powered optogenetic implants in mice.

http://www.auricmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mind_controlled_transgene_expression.pdf

Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was purified 20,000-fold to apparent homogeneity from human bone. The purified enzyme consisted of one 32 kd subunit, which was cleaved by β-mercaptoethanol into two subunits of 15 kd and 20 kd, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and silver staining. The purified enzyme was identified by N-terminal amino acid sequencing, and it was shown to be homologous with previously purified TRAPs from other sources. We developed a polyclonal antiserum against the purified enzyme in mice. In immunohistochemistry, the antiserum recognized osteoclasts from human bone and alveolar macrophages from human lung tissue, but no cells from human spleen tissue. It also stained osteoclasts from rat bone cells cultured on bovine bone slices. Purified TRAP could be inhibited by vanadate and molybdate, but not by tartrate, and it was activated 2-fold by β-mercaptoethanol. The glycoprotein structure of human bone TRAP was analyzed, and it was shown to contain only high-mannose type carbohydrates. We used the polyclonal antibody to develop a competitive fluorescence immunoassay for measuring serum TRAP concentrations. According to the assay, children have higher serum TRAP concentrations than adults, and postmenopausal women have higher concentrations than premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women also have higher serum TRAP concentrations than postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase from human bone: Purification and development of an immunoassay

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), an enzyme expressed in bone-resorbing osteoclasts, is secreted into the circulation during bone resorption. We used six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to optimize direct two-site fluoroimmunoassays for determining serum TRAP concentrations. Four of the MABs, 1F1, 2H1, 4E6, and 5C1, were raised against recombinant human TRAP, and the other two, O1A and J1B, against human bone TRAP. 2H1, J1B, and O1A appeared to be highly specific for TRAP. 1F1 and 4E6 were poor in recognizing bone TRAP and were not useful in the assay. 5C1, while having a good affinity for the bone enzyme, was not specific. Serum TRAP is relatively stable, because 7 days of storage of serum samples at 4 degreesC and -20 degreesC or five thawing-freezing cycles, did not change the TRAP concentration detected using the two-site assays. All studied assays detected an increase in serum TRAP concentrations of postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women, the difference being highest with MAB pairs 2H1-5C1 and O1A-J1B. These results suggest that serum TRAP may be a useful bone resorption marker, and the MAB pairs 2H1-5C1 and O1A-J1B may be useful in determining the bone resorption rate.

Two-Site Immunoassays for Osteoclastic Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase Based on Characterization of Six Monoclonal Antibodies

Studies on the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity of Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase facilitates hydroxyl radical formation and colocalizes with phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus in alveolar macrophages.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) became known as the characteristic, albeit not specific, marker enzyme for hairy cell leukemia (HCL). It is also expressed in other types of leukemic cells and in a variety of normal hematopoietic cells under both physiological and artificial conditions. The role of this distinctive enzyme is still unknown. TRAP hydrolyzes several chemical compounds, but its physiological substrate remains to be elucidated. Here, the insertion of a human TRAP cDNA into mammalian expression vector pSBC-2 yielded a construct that encoded enzymatically active TRAP in transfected baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21). TRAP was expressed transiently, as shown by Northern blot analysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and cytochemical staining. BHK-21 cells over-expressing the enzyme had a growth rate that was approximately 50% of that observed in control cells. A stable expression could not be achieved. Recent evidence suggested that TRAP might function as a protein tyrosine phosphatase. The effect of TRAP on protein tyrosine phosphorylation was examined by immunoblotting with an anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody (MoAb). The level of tyrosine phosphorylation was clearly lower in transfected BHK-21-TRAP cells than in the control cultures. Phorbol ester-mediated induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation could overcome the status of reduced phosphorylation in BHK-21-TRAP cells. Furthermore, upon treatment with 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorphol-13-acetate tyrosine phosphorylation reached similar levels to stimulated control cells, indicating the existence of a functional endogenous phosphorylation network. Thus, TRAP might function as an antagonistic counterpart of cellular protein tyrosine kinases and could be involved in the control of cellular activation, proliferation, and differentiation.

Nuthmann

Papers

Transient expression of the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) gene in hamster cells: a pilot study.