Chi-shing Lo. / Thesis submitted in: November 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-138). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Statement --- p.iii / Acknowledgments --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.v / Abstract --- p.vii / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.ix / Table of contents --- p.xi / List of Figure --- p.xvii / List of Table --- p.xix / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- BIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.2 / Chapter (a) --- Tachyzoite --- p.3 / Chapter (b) --- Bradyzoite --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Genetics of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.4 / Chapter (a) --- Population genetics --- p.4 / Chapter (b) --- Molecular genetics --- p.5 / Chapter (c) --- Genome analysis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Invasion --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Surface of Toxoplasma gondii --- p.9 / Chapter (a) --- Tachyzoite surface --- p.9 / Chapter (b) --- Bradyzoite surface --- p.11 / Chapter (c) --- Sporozite surface --- p.11 / Chapter (d) --- Glycoprotein antigens --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2 --- TREATMENT OF TOXOPLASMOSIS --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Chemotherapy --- p.13 / Chapter (a) --- Drug against metabolism and protein synthesis on nuclear genome --- p.13 / Chapter (b) --- Drug against other organelles --- p.14 / Chapter (c) --- Drug resistance --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Toxoplasma vaccine --- p.16 / Chapter (a) --- Mutant strains of Toxoplasma gondii as vaccine --- p.17 / Chapter (b) --- Subunit vaccine --- p.19 / Chapter (c) --- P30 as subunit vaccine --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3 --- AIM OF THE STUDY --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- : Expression of P30 in Escherichia coli --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Why Escherichia coli? --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- protein folding --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- T7-based gene expression system --- p.25 / Chapter (a) --- Biology of T7 RNA polymerase --- p.26 / Chapter (b) --- pET translational vector --- p.26 / Chapter (c) --- Hislidine-tagged protein --- p.27 / Chapter (d) --- Host strain for expression --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2 --- MATERIALS --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Bactcrial strains --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Mouse strain --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Chemicals --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Nucleic acids --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Kit and reagents --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Antibodies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Solutions --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Enzymes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Sequencing primers --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3 --- METHODS --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.34 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of recombinant plasmids，pBV220-ASP30PI and pBV220- SP30hisAPI --- p.36 / Chapter (b) --- Digestion of pBV220-ASP30PI and pBV220-SP30hisAPI with DraII and EcoRI --- p.37 / Chapter (c) --- Purification of DNA fragments from agarose gel --- p.37 / Chapter (d) --- Ligation of fragments of pBV220-ΔSP30PI and pBV220-SP30hisAPI --- p.38 / Chapter (e) --- Preparation of DH5α competent cells --- p.38 / Chapter (f) --- Transformation of recombinant pBV220-ΔSP30hisAPI --- p.38 / Chapter (g) --- Plasmid preparation of putative pBV220-ΔSP30API --- p.39 / Chapter (h) --- Plasmid preparation of pET-ΔSP30API --- p.39 / Chapter (i) --- Cycle sequencing reaction on putative plasmid pET-ASP30API --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Expression and Purification of his-tag P30 --- p.41 / Chapter (a) --- Expression profile of his-tag P30 production by IPTG induction --- p.41 / Chapter (b) --- SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.41 / Chapter (c) --- Purification of his-tag P30 --- p.43 / Chapter (d) --- Bradford Protein Microassay (Bio-Rad) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Characterization of his-tag P30 --- p.44 / Chapter (a) --- Western blot of induced bacterial lysate by monoclonal anti-his-tag antibody --- p.44 / Chapter (b) --- Western blot of his-tag with seropositive sera of mice，rabbit and human --- p.46 / Chapter (c) --- Enterokinase digestion of his-tag P30 --- p.46 / Chapter (d) --- N'terminal amino acid sequencing of pure and enterokinase-cut his-tag --- p.47 / Chapter (e) --- Western blot of T. gondii lysate with antiserum against his-tag P30 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4 --- RESULTS --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- "Expression, purification and characteriziation of his-tag P30 in bacteria" --- p.54 / Chapter 2.5 --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.64 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Modification of P30 gene --- p.64 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Expression and purification of his-tag P30 --- p.66 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Characterization of his-tag P30 --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- : Expression of P30 in Arabidopsis thalina --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Why Arabidopsis thalina? --- p.69 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- In planta transformation --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Transgenic plants as vacine production systems --- p.72 / Chapter (a) --- Stable expression of E. coli heat-liable enterotoxin B subunit and cholera-toxin B subunit --- p.73 / Chapter (b) --- Stable expression of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) --- p.74 / Chapter (c) --- Stable expression of Norwalk virus capsid protein --- p.75 / Chapter (d) --- Transient expression by tobacco mosaic virus --- p.75 / Chapter (e) --- Transient expression by Cowpea mosaic virus capsid protein fusion --- p.76 / Chapter 3.2 --- MATERIALS --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Bacterial strains --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Arabidopsis strains --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Chemicals --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Nucleic acids --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Kit and reagents --- p.78 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Solutions --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Enzymes and buffers --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- PCR and Sequencing primers --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3 --- METHODS --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Construction of V7-ASP30API --- p.82 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis by vacuum infiltration --- p.83 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of electro-competent Agrobacterium --- p.83 / Chapter (b) --- Transformation of electro-competent Agrobacterium with V7- ASP30API --- p.84 / Chapter (c) --- Plasmid preparation of V7-ASP30API from transformed Agrobacterium --- p.84 / Chapter (d) --- Vacuum infiltration --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Screening of homozygous transgenic plants --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Detecton of transgene P30 in genomic DNA of transgenic plants --- p.87 / Chapter (a) --- Preparation of DIG-labelled probe --- p.87 / Chapter (b) --- Estimation the yield of DIG-labelled probe --- p.88 / Chapter (c) --- Extraction of genomic DNA from transgenic plants --- p.88 / Chapter (d) --- Restriction digestion of genomic DNA with EcoRI and HindIII --- p.89 / Chapter (e) --- DNA transfer from gel to nylon membrane --- p.89 / Chapter (f) --- Detection of hybridized DIG-labelled probe on membrane/ blot --- p.90 / Chapter (g) --- PCR on genomic DNA of transgenic plants with specific primers --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Analysis of transgene RNA expression in transgenic plants --- p.91 / Chapter (a) --- Extraction of total RNA from plants --- p.91 / Chapter (b) --- Northern blot on RNA of F2 transgenic plants --- p.92 / Chapter (c) --- RT-PCR on RNA of F3 transgenic plants --- p.93 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Detection of his-tag P30 protein in F3 transgenic plants --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4 --- RESULTS --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Construction of V7-ASP30API --- p.95 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Screening of homozygous transgenic plants --- p.99 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Molecular analysis of transgene P30 in transgenic plants --- p.101 / Chapter 3.5 --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.108 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Construction and optimization of expression construct --- p.108 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Screening and selection of homozyous transgenic plants --- p.109 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Analysis of transgenic plants --- p.110 / Chapter Chapter 4 : --- General Discussions --- p.112 / Chapter 4.1 --- Significances of studying Toxoplasma gondii --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2 --- Expression of recombinant P30 in prokaryotic systems --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2 --- Expression of recombinant P30 in eukaryotic systems --- p.115 / Reference --- p.119

by Yu Wing Sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-126). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis Committee --- p.ii / Statement --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Abstract --- p.vi / 摘要 --- p.viii / Table of Contents --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.xvi / List of Figures --- p.xvii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xx / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Literature Review --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- Toxoplasma gondii --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Morphology and Life Cycle of T. gondii --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Routes of Transmission --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Toxoplasmosis --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Influences and Symptoms --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Treatment of Toxoplasmosis --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Antitoxoplasma Drugs --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Toxoplasma Vaccines --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- Major T. gondii Surface Antigen - P30 --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- Plants as Bioreactors --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Advantages of Plant Bioreactors --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Plant-based Vaccines --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- VP2 Capsid Protein of Mink Enteritis Virus --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Norwalk Virus Capsid Protein --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Tobacco Expression System --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Transformation Methods --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- Direct DNA Uptake --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6 --- Phaseolin and Its Regulatory Sequences --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Expression of P30 in Transgenic Tobacco --- p.28 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Chemicals --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Oligos: Primers and Adapters --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Plant Materials --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Bacterial Strains --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Construction of Chimeric Genes --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2.5.1 --- Modification of pET-ASP30ΔPI --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.5.2 --- Cloning of P30 into Vectors with Different Promoters --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5.2.1 --- Cloning ofP30 into Vector with CaMV 35S Promoter --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5.2.2 --- Cloning of P30 into Vector with Maize Ubiquitin 1 Promoter --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5.2.3 --- Cloning of P30 into Vector with Phaseolin Promoter --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5.2.4 --- Cloning of P30 into Vector with Phaseolin Promoter and Phaseolin SP --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.5.3 --- Cloning of P30 into Agrobacterium Binary Vector pBI121 --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Transformation of Agrobacterium by Electroporation --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- "Transformation, Selection and Regeneration of Tobacco " --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- GUS Assay --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Synthesis of Single-stranded DIG-labeled DNA Probe --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Extraction of Genomic DNA from Leaves --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- PCR of Genomic DNA with P30 Specific Primers --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- Southern Blot Analysis of Genomic DNA --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.13 --- Extraction of Total RNA from Leaves or Developing Seeds --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.14 --- Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction of Total RNA --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.15 --- Sequencing of RT-PCR Product --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.16 --- Northern Blot Analysis of Total RNA --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.17 --- Extraction of Total Protein from Leaves or Mature Seeds --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.18 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.19 --- Purification of 6xHis-tagged Proteins --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.20 --- Western Blot Analysis of Total Protein --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.21 --- In vitro Transcription and Translation --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.21.1 --- Construction of Transcription Vector Containing Chimeric P30 Gene --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.21.2 --- In vitro Transcription --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.21.3 --- In vitro Translation --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Construction of Chimeric P30 Genes --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Tobacco Transformation, Selection and Regeneration " --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Detection of GUS Activity --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Detection of P30 Gene in Transgenic Plants --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.4.1 --- PCR of Genomic DNA --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.4.2 --- Southern Blot Analysis --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Detection of P30 Transcript in Transgenic Plants --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.5.1 --- RT-PCR --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3.5.2 --- Sequencing of RT-PCR Product --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.5.3 --- Northern Blot Analysis --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Detection of P30 Protein in Transgenic Plants --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.6.1 --- Western Blot Analysis of Total Protein and Ni-NTA Purified Proteins --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- In vitro Transcription and Translation --- p.92 / Chapter 3.3.7.1 --- In vitro Transcription --- p.92 / Chapter 3.3.7.2 --- In vitro Translation --- p.92 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Discussion --- p.97 / Chapter 4.1 --- General Conclusion --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2 --- Further Speculations and Investigations --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Other Protein Detection Procedures --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- In vitro Transcription and Translation --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Gene Silencing at Transcription and/or Post-transcription Levels --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Gene Silencing at Translation and/or Post-translation Levels --- p.102 / Chapter (A) --- AUG Context Sequence --- p.102 / Chapter (B) --- Codon Usage --- p.103 / Chapter (C) --- N-end Rule --- p.107 / Chapter (D) --- Phaseolin Sorting Signal --- p.107 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- Future Perspectives --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1 --- Codon Modification of the P30 Gene --- p.110 / Chapter 5.2 --- Fusion of the P30 Gene with the LRP Gene --- p.117 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- Conclusion --- p.118 / References --- p.119