Contruction of the Genetic Engineering Strain Expressed Nontoxic ST_1-LT_B Fusion Protein Against Enterotoxigenic Eschenichia coli

Thermostable enterotoxinⅠ(ST1) mutant genes and thermolabile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB)genes were amplified by PCR from plasmids of Eschenichia coli C83902. The recombinantexpression plasmid pZST3LTB containing ST1-LTB fusion gene was constructed by recombinantDNA technique and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The ST1-LTB fusionprotein was highly expressed in recombinant strain BL21(DE3)(pZST3LTB) and the fusionprotein was about 38.53% of total cellular protein by SDS-PAGE and thin-layer gelscanning analysis. More important, mice immunized with crude preparation containing thefusion protein inclusion bodies or inactivated recombinant strain produced antibodiesthat were able to recognize ST1 in vitro. These sera antibodies were able to neutralizethe biological activity of native ST1 in the suckling mouse assay. Hence the ST1-LTBfusion protein was nontoxic and immunogenic, the constructed recombinant strain BL21(DE3)(pZST3LTB) could be used as a candidate of vaccine strain.

Cloned s-Lap Gene Coding Area, Expression and Localization of s-Lap/GFP Fusion Protein in Mammal Cells

s-Lap is a new gene sequence from pig retinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells, which was found and cloned in the early period of apoptosis of RPE cells damaged with visible light. We cloned the coding area sequence of the novel gene of s-Lap and constructed its recombinant eukaryotic plasmid pcDNA3.1-GFP/s-lap with the recombinant DNA technique. The expression and localization of s-lap/GFP fusion protein in CHO and B_~16 cell lines were studied with the instantaneously transfected pcDNA3.1-GFP/s-lap recombinant plasmid. ~s-Lap/GFP fusion protein can be expressed in CHO and B_~16 cells with a high rate expression in the nuclei.

GST Fusion Protein Based Specific Polyclonal Antibody Preparation of Mouse Aquaporin 1

Aquaporins（AQPs） are specific membrane channels for water and other small nonionic molecules.In order to overcome the difficulties to generate the effictive antibody of membrane protein,we selected the cytoplasmic C-terminus of Aquaporin 1（AQP1） as an unique antigen.The long C-terminus of mouse AQP1 was overexpressed in the Glutathione S-tansferase Gene Fusion System.On the basis of the resonable amounts of soluable membrane protein peptides,we prepared the specific antibody.To pursure this object,we constructed pGEX-4T-1/mAQP1（DNA sequence from 700 to 801 bp） recombinant plasmid and transformed it into Escherichia coli BL21 cells.The GST-AQP1 C-terminal hydrophilic peptide fusion protein was induced by IPTG and further purified by Glutathione Sepharose 4B to obtain the right size fusion protein.Then we immunized the New Zealand rabbits to prepare the antiserum.The purified AQP1 antibody showed high sensitivity by ELISA assay and high specificity by Western blot with AQP1 null mice served as negative control.Finally,we also checked the AQP1 localization in the mouse renal tissues in wild type of mice and AQP1 null mice served as negative control.We demonstrated that AQP1 was highly expressed at the descending limb of Henle tube using our purified AQP1 antibody,which was consistent with previous report.The successful design and preparation of AQP1 antibody through GST technique is an example as making antibodies against a specific membrane protein.

Fusion of EGFP and porcine α 1,3GT genes decrease GFP expression

Objective:To investigate the effect of fusion proteins expressed by the fused gene of porcineα1,3 galactosyltransierase(α1,3 GT) and enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) on the green fluorescence intensity of EGFP.Methods:The fragment containingα1.3GT was firstly recovered after the pcDNA3.1-α1.3GT recombinant vector were digested with BamHl and EcoRI,and then,the resultant fragment was ligated to the pEGFP-N1 vector which was also digested with the same enzymes.The new recombinant eukaryotic expression pEGFP/a 1,3GT vector was obtained and sequenced.The pEGFP/α1,3GT was used to transfect human lung carcinoma cells A549 and HEKC 293FT,and the expression of EGFP was quantitatively analyzed by fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry.Results:The positive percentage of A549 was 80.5%,and that of 293 FT was 86.5%48 hours after the two cell lines both were transfected by pEGFP-N1.The positive percentage of A549 was 75.8%,and that of 293 FT was 81.2%48 hours after the two cell lines were transfected by pEGFP/α1.3GT.The mean fluorescence intensities of A549 transfected with pEGFP-N1 and pEGFP/α1.3GT were 1.21 and 0.956,respectively when compared with that of A549 without transfection.Meanwhile,the those of the 293FT that were transfected with pEGFP-N1 and pEGFP/αl,3GT were 7.66 and 1.00.respectively when compared with that of 293FT cells without transfection.Conclusions:These results suggested that the expression of EGFP gene fused with porcineα1,3GT gene was partly inhibited.

Expression of a Carrot Antifreeze Protein Gene in Escherichia coli

The recombinant expression vector pET43.1b-AFP, which contains full encoding region of a carrot 36 kD antifreeze protein (AFP) gene was constructed. The recombinant was transformed into expression host carrying T7 RNA polymerase gene (DE3 lysogen) and induced by 1 mmol稬-1 IPTG (isopropyl--D-thiogalactoside) to express 110 kD polypeptide of AFP fusion protein. The analysis of product solubility revealed that pET43.1b-AFP was predominately soluble, and the expressed amount reached the maximum after the IPTG treatment for 3 h.

Expression of GST-IL-1 fusion gene

Two GST-IL-1 fusion genes were constructed by inserting different cDNA fragments of human interleukin1 (IL-1) into the 3'-terminus of GST gene in the fusion protein expression vector pGEX-4T. After IPTG induction ,SDS-PAGE was employed to detect the gene expression. No corresponding protein encoded by GST gene fused with the whole-length 816 bp IL-1 cDNA was observed, nor was free GST protein. However, the fusion protein of GST and IL-1 cDNA without the 189 bp at the 5'- terminus was detected, amounting to 30% of the total bacterial protein expressed. This might suggest that the sequence of 1-189 bp of IL-1 cDNA affected the expression of the fusion gene. That is to say, the downstream sequence distant from the translation start codon AUG in the target gene could significantly affect the expression of the fusion gene.

VISUALIZATION OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER MODELS WITH A TRIPLE FUSION REPORTER GENE

The development of experimental animal models for head and neck tumors generally rely on the biol uminescence imaging to achieve the dynamic monitoring of the tumor growth and metastasis due to the complicated anatomical structures.Since the bioluminescence imaging is largely affected by the intracellular luciferase expression level and external D-luciferin concentrations,its imaging accuracy requires further confirmation.Here,a new triple fusion reportelr gene,which consists of a herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase(TK)gene for radioactive imaging,a far-red fuorescent protein(mLumin)gene for fuorescent imaging,and a firefly luciferase gene for bioluminescence imaging,was introduced for in vrivo observation of the head and neck tumors through multi-modality imaging.Results show that fuorescence and bioluminescence signals from mLumin and luciferase,respectively,were clearly observed in tumor cells,and TK could activate suicide pathway of the cells in the presence of nucleotide analog-ganciclovir(GCV),demonstrating the effecti veness of individual functions of each gene.Moreover,subcutaneous and metastasis animal models for head and neck tumors using the fusion reporter gene-expressing cell lines were established,allowing multi-modality imaging in vio.Together,the established tumor models of head and neck cancer based on the newly developed triple fusion reporter gene are ideal for monitoring tumor growth,assessing the drug therapeutic efficacy and verifying the effec-tiveness of new treatments.

Construction of the recombinant expression vector for CD80-IgG fusion gene and its expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells

To construct the recombinant expression functionally in Chinese hamster ovary cells in order vector for CD80-IgG fusion gene and to express it to be used as an effective method to eliminate the immune escape of leukemic cells, the cDNA encoding the signal and extracellular domains of murine CD80 was generated by PCR amplification from plasmid pcDNMB7 containing the full length cDNA of murine CD80 and those of murine IgG1, in which the Fc fragment was obtained through RT-PCR amplification from murine spleen cells. These two cDNAs were then cloned in tandem into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0 and the resultant recombinant plasmid pcDNA/CD80-IgG was then transfected to Chinese hamster ovary cells with liposome transfection reagent. The cell clones constitutively expressing CD80-IgG fusion protein were obtained by G418 screening. Western blotting and dot ELISA assay were used to detect the expression of the fusion protein in the supernatants of these cells. Meanwhile, the fusion protein expressed was then purified with affinity chromatography, and its biological activity was demonstrated by flow cytometry, MTr colorimetry and ELISA assay. The experimental resuits showed that these two inserts were successfully cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.0, and the highly purified fusion protein was obtained. This fusion protein was proved to be able to upregulate the density of CD80 on leukemic cells, deliberately promote the proliferative reactions of mouse allogenic lymphocytes and increase the killing activity against WEHI-3 cells from 49.7 % up to 84.6 %. In addition, this fusion protein could also enhance the IL-2 secretion from allogenic lymphocytes activated by tumorspecific antigens. It is concluded that the recombinant vector constructed can be functionally expressed in the mammalian cells, thus providing a solid foundation for the further investigation on the mechanism to eliminate the immune escape of leukemic cells in vivo.

Application of GFP Gene in the Study of Insect-Resistant Transgenic Plants

用合成的cry1Ac基因与绿色荧光蛋白基因 (GFP)构成融合蛋白基因 ,然后和改造的GNA基因构建双价抗虫基因植物表达载体pBGbfg ,经根癌农杆菌介导转化了烟草。在紫外灯照射下 ,观察到转基因植株叶片中有较强的绿色荧光 ;经抗虫试验、PCR、Southernblot和Westernblot等检测 ,表明该重组植物表达载体能够在转基因植物中有效表达外源基因 ,转基因植株绿色荧光的表型与其抗虫性密切相关。从而成功地建立了以绿色荧光蛋白基因与抗虫基因组成的融合基因转化系统 ,简化了抗虫转基因植物筛选程序 ,有助于快速获得双价抗虫转基因植株。

Roles of low?density lipoproteinreceptor?related protein 1 in tumors

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1,also known as CD91),a multifunctional endocytic and cell signaling receptor,is widely expressed on the surface of multiple cell types such as hepatocytes,fibroblasts,neurons,astrocytes,macrophages,smooth muscle cells,and malignant cells.Emerging in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrates that LRP1 is critically involved in many processes that drive tumorigenesis and tumor progression.For example,LRP1 not only promotes tumor cell migration and invasion by regulating matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2and MMP-9 expression and functions but also inhibits cell apoptosis by regulating the insulin receptor,the serine/threonine protein kinase signaling pathway,and the expression of Caspase-3.LRPI-mediated phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and c-jun N-terminal kinase are also involved in tumor cell proliferation and invasion.In addition,LRP1 has been shown to be down-regulated by microRNA-205 and methylation of LRP1CpG islands.Furthermore,a novel fusion gene,LRP1-SNRNP25,promotes osteosarcoma cell invasion and migration.Only by understanding the mechanisms of these effects can we develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancers mediated by LRP1.

Construction of Prokaryotic Expression Vector of Mouse Nanog Gene and Its Expression

The aim of this study is to construct a prokaryotic expression vector of mouse Nanog gene and to express it in E. coli. A pair of primers was designed according to digestion sites in plasmid pGEX-KG and the Nanog gene sequence published by GenBank. The DNA fragment of 918 bp was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） from the pNA992 recombinant plasmid with Nanog gene, then cloned into pGEX-KG and transformed into the host E. coli strain TG Ⅰ. The sequence of the fragment was matched with the original sequence of pNA992. It indicated that fusion expression vector, pGEX-KG- Nanog, was constructed successfully. The pGEX-KG-Nanog plasmid was extracted from E. coli strain TG Ⅰ and was transformed into BL21（DE3） for expression. After induction by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside （IPTG） at 37℃, the expression product of Nanog gene was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （SDS-PAGE）, and the expression condition was optimized. Nanog fusion protein was successfully expressed in the form of inclusion bodies. The molecular weight of the inclusion body was 63 kDa. Meanwhile, the optimum condition for the expression of Nanog fusion protein was induced with 0.8 mmol L^-1 IPTG for 5 h. The mouse Nanog gene was successfully expressed in E. coli, which laid a foundation for the purification of Nanog protein and for the preparation of polyclonal antibody.

Expression, purification and bioactivity of human augmenter of liver regeneration

AIM： To construct the expression vectors for prokaryotic and eukaryotic human augmenter of liver regeneration （hALR） and to study their biological activity. METHODS： hALRcDNA clone was obtained from plasmid pGEM-T-hALR, and cDNA was subcloned into the prokatyotic expression vector pGEX-4T-2. The recombinant vector and pGEX-4T-2hALR were identified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing and transformed into E coli JM109. The positively selected clone was induced by the expression of GST-hALR fusion protein with IPTG, then the fusion protein was purified by glutathine s-transferase （GST） sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, cleaved by thrombin and the hALR monomer was obtained and detected by measuring H thymidine incorporation. RESULTS： The product of PCR from plasmid pGEM-T- hALR was examined by 1.5% sepharose electrophoresis. The specific strap was coincident with the theoretical one. The sequence was accurate and pGEX-4T-hALP digested by enzymes was coincident with the theoretical one. The sequence was accurate and the fragment was inserted in the positive direction. The recombinant vector was transformed into E coli JM109. SDS-PAGE proved that the induced expressive fusion protein showed a single band with a molecular weight of 41 kDa. The product was purified and cleaved. The molecular weights of GST and hALR were 26 kDa, 15 kDa respectively. The recombinant fusion protein accounted for 31% of the total soluble protein of bacterial lysate. HALR added to the culture medium of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture and HepG2 cell line could significantly enhance the rate of DNA synthesis compared to the relevant control groups （P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION： Purified hALR has the ability to stimulate DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture and HepG2 cells in vitro, and can provide evidence for its clinical application.

The antibody against a nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein can result in reproductive failure

To study whether the antibody against the testis form of the nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein(tNASP)could result in reproductive failure,we successfully cloned and expressed a 339-bp cDNA fragment of mouse tNASP(mtNASP).Using mouse as a model,recombinant mtNASP(rmtNASP)and a synthetic peptide,human tNASP393-408(htNASP393-408),were investigated for their antifertility effect.Active immunization with rmtNASP or the synthesized peptide raised high antibody titers in the immunized mice.Sperm-egg binding and fusion assay were carried out in 8-10-week-old BALB/c mice.Sperm-egg binding and in vitro fertilization of mouse oocytes were inhibited by co-incubation of zona-free mouse oocytes with capacitated mouse spermatozoa in the presence of varying concentrations of the antisera against rmtNASP.There was a significant antifertility effect in animals immunized with rmtNASP or the synthesized peptide.The effect on fertility in the mice immunized with the synthesized peptide was reversible.Our data indicate that active immunization with rmtNASP antigen may induce a strong antibody response that causes an inhibition of fertility.

Construction and Expression of Prokaryotic Expression Vector of MPT-64 Gene

[Objective]Protective antigen gene MPT-64 was cloned from genomic DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and transferred into prokaryotic competent cells for expression to obtain MPT-64 fusion protein.[Method]Based on the GenBank,primers were designed for amplification of MPT-64 gene,and the recombinant plasmid pET-32a-MPT-64 was constructed.The recombinant plasmid was expressed in prokaryotic expression vector to obtain fusion protein.[Result]Protective antigen gene MPT-64 was successfully cloned.The recombinant plasmid pET-32a-MPT-64 was obtained.MPT-64 fusion protein was successfully expressed.[Conclusion]This study laid solid foundation for the prevention,diagnosis,treatment of tuberculosis and the development of tuberculosis vaccines.

IN VITRO CO-STIMULATORY ACTIVITY OF HUMAN B7.2(IgV+C) PROTEIN PRODUCED BY ENGINEERED BACTERIA

Objective To express human B7. 2 extracellular domain with prokaryote expression system and to evaluate its biological activity in vitro. Methods PCR was used to amplify the extracellular region of human B7. 2 which contained both the IgV and IgC domains. The recombinant PGEX-4T-3/hB7. 2 (IgV+C) was obtained by cloning the PCR product into a prokaryote expression plasmid PGEX-4T-3 and was transformed into the host strain of DH5-a. Tke fusion protein consisted of GST and hB7. 2(IgV+C) was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. T cell activation was observed by exposing purified T lymphocytes to the fusion protein and [3H]-TdR incorporation with the presence of the first signal imitated hy anti-CD3 antibody. Results The fusion protein GST-hB7. 2 (IgV+ C) was produced and detected in inclusive body form from engineered bacterial cells. With the first signal existed,T lymphocytes proliferated when it was co-stimulated by the fusion protein. Conclusion These results indicated that the functional human B7. 2(IgV+C) fusion protein can be produced in bacterial cells and the fusion protein displays the co-stimulatory activity in T lymphocytes activation.

Construction of the Eukaryotic Expression Vector with EGFP and hVE GF121 Gene and its Expression in Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objectives To construct a recombinant plasmid carrying enhanced green fluore- scent protein (EGFP) and human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 121 gene and detect its expre- ssion in rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods Human VEGF121 cDNA was amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from pCD/hVEGF121 and was inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP- C1. After being identified with PCR, double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP/hVEGF121 was transferred into rat MSCs with lipofectamine. The expression of EGFP/VEGF121 fusion protein were detected with fluorescence microscope and immunocytochemical staining respectively. Results The recombinant plasmid was confirmed with PCR, double enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The fluoresce- nce microscope and immunocytochemical staining results showed that the EGFP and VEGF121 protein were expressed in MSCs 48 h after transfection. Conclusions The recombinant plasmid carrying EGFP and human VEGF was successfully constructed and expressed positively in rat MSCs. It offers a promise tool for further research on differentiation of MSCs and VEGF gene therapy for ischemial cardiovascular disease.

氟中毒对神经细胞损伤及自噬的影响

目的探讨氟中毒对小鼠小胶质细胞株BV2和小鼠来源神经母细胞瘤细胞株N2a及小鼠大脑皮质神经细胞损伤及自噬的影响。方法8周龄清洁级雄性C57BL/6J野生型小鼠,随机分为对照组(饮水含氟量<0.5 mg/L)、低氟组(饮水含氟量10.0 mg/L)和高氟组(饮水含氟量50.0 mg/L),每组10只喂养12周;BV2及N2a正常培养后分对照组、低氟组(培养基含氟量1.0 mmol/L)和高氟组(培养基含氟量1.5 mmol/L);采用CCK8检测不同浓度氟处理下BV2和N2a细胞增殖活力变化,氟离子选择电极法检测造模小鼠尿、血、骨氟含量变化;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测BV2、小鼠大脑皮质中小胶质细胞活化标志物离子钙结合衔接分子1(Iba-1)的表达变化及N2a细胞、BV2细胞和小鼠大脑皮质中自噬相关微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)及自噬受体蛋白P62蛋白(SQSTM1/P62)的表达水平;线粒体动力学及自噬融合分裂相关蛋白线粒体融合蛋白1(Mfn1)、线粒体融合蛋白2(Mfn2)、动力相关蛋白1(Drp1)、张力蛋白同源物诱导的假定激酶1(Pink1)及E3泛素连接酶(Parkin)的表达水平。结果CCK8结果显示,1.5 mmol/LNaF处理的BV2、N2a细胞增殖活力明显下降(P<0.001,);低氟组小鼠氟斑牙发生率为60%,高氟组小鼠氟斑牙发生率为80%;与对照组比较,染氟组小鼠尿、血、骨氟含量明显上升(P<0.001);蛋白免疫印迹结果显示,与对照组比较,高氟组的小鼠大脑皮质和BV2的小胶质细胞活化标志物Iba-1表达水平显著升高(P<0.001,P<0.01),高氟组的小鼠大脑皮质和BV2及N2a细胞自噬相关蛋白LC3、Parkin、Pink1表达量显著增加(P<0.05)、P62水平显著下降(P<0.01);线粒体融合蛋白Mfn1、Mfn2水平显著增加(P<0.001),分裂蛋白Drp1无明显变化。结论氟中毒可导致线粒体损伤、破坏线粒体融合分裂平衡并引起细胞自噬,为阐明氟中毒神经系统损伤与细胞自噬之间相互关系提供新思路。

蛋白激酶全抑制分析揭示KG-1细胞增殖的分子机制

目的:通过分析KG-1细胞对各种蛋白激酶抑制剂的反应,探讨其增殖的分子机制。方法:采用CCK-8法、实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和Western-blot检测各种蛋白激酶抑制剂对KG-1细胞增殖、相关基因mRNA表达水平以及FGFR1下游信号通路蛋白磷酸化水平的影响。结果:NVP-BGJ398和PD173074有效抑制KG-1细胞的增殖,表明FGFR及其下游信号通路在KG-1细胞增殖过程中具有关键作用。使用FGFR抑制剂处理后,p-FGFR1和p-STAT5水平显著下降(P<0.001),p-Akt水平稍有下降(P<0.05),并未影响p-ERK水平(P>0.05)。结论:FGFR1OP2-FGFR1主要作用于下游STAT5信号通路,以促进细胞增殖。蛋白激酶全抑制分析是一种可靠而直接的方法,可用于确定癌细胞增殖的分子机制。

抑制SHP2和FGFR2调控RAS/ERK及PI3K/AKT通路治疗FGFR2融合胃癌

目的:探究共抑制成纤维细胞生长因子受体2(fibroblast growth factor receptor 2,FGFR2)和Src同源2结构域的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶2(Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2,SHP2)在FGFR2融合胃癌中的应用前景与作用机制。方法:构建过表达TACC2-FGFR2融合基因与对照慢病毒载体的人胃癌细胞系MKN45ACC2T-FGFR2、MKN45NC、NUGC4TACC2-FGFR2、NUGC4NC,分别用FGFR2抑制剂AZD4547、SHP2抑制剂SHP099或联药进行处理,通过细胞计数试剂盒(CCK-8)、划痕实验检测肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移能力。以不同处理方式作用于MKN45TACC2-FGFR2、MKN45NC1 h或48 h后,采用Western blot法检测FGFR2、SHP2以及下游RAS/ERK、PI3K/AKT信号通路变化。结果:在MKN45TACC2-FGFR2与NUGC4TACC2-FGFR2中联用AZD4547与SHP099可以比单药更显著地抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖与迁移。药物处理1 h后,相较于AZD4547单药,联药在MKN45TACC2-FGFR2中进一步抑制了RAS/ERK、PI3K/AKT信号通路。药物处理48 h与1 h相比,AZD4547单药组中磷酸化FGFR与磷酸化SHP2出现了反馈性激活,且始终不能抑制RAS/ERK通路,但联药组可以持续地抑制上游的FGFR2、SHP2信号以及下游的RAS/ERK、PI3K/AKT通路。结论:共抑制FGFR2和SHP2可以通过下调RAS/ERK及PI3K/AKT通路有效抑制FGFR2融合胃癌,为FG-FR2融合突变胃癌患者带来新的治疗模式。

Promoting lumbar spinal fusion by adenovirus-mediated bone morphogenetic protein-4 gene therapy

Objective： To determine whether an adenoviral construct containing bone morphogenetic protein-4 （BMP4） gene can be used for lumbar spinal fusion. Methods： Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, 8 in the experimental group and 4 in the control group. Recombinant, replication-defective type 5 adenovirus with the cytomegalovirus （CMV） promoter and BMP-4 gene （Ad- BMP4） was used. Another adenovirus constructed with the CMV promoter and β-galactosidase gene （Ad-β-gul） was used as control. Using collagen sponge as a carrier, Ad-BMP-4 （2.9 × 10^8 pfu/ml ） was directly implanted on the surface of L5-L6 lamina in the experimental group, while Ad-β-gal was implanted simultaneously in the control group. X-ray was obtained at 3, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively to observe new bone formation. When newbone formation was identified, CT scans and three- dimensional reconstruction were obtained. After that, the animals were killed and underwent histological inspection. Results： In 12 weeks after operation, new bone formation and fusion were observed on CT scans in the experimental group, without the evidence of ectopic calcification in the canal. Negative results were found in the control group. Histological analysis demonstrated endochondral bone formation at the operative site and fusion at early stage was testified. Conclusions： In vivo gene therapy using Ad-BMP-4 for lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion is practicable and effective.