Objective: To construct eukaryotic expression vectors for human platelet CD36 gene 220 C>T and 429+4insg variants and analyze their expressions in HEK293T cells.
Methods: RNA was isolated from human platelets and reversely transcribed into cDNA. Sequences of 220C>T and 429+4insg variants were derived by PCR amplification. The target sequence was ligated into a pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO vector by TA cloning, which was transformed into TOP10 E. coli. Positive plasmids were screened by blue-white selection. After sequencing, plasmid DNA carrying 220C>T or 429+4insg variant was used to transfect HEK293T cells with the help of effectene. Expression of CD36 protein was then analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.
Results: An eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1/V5-His-CD36 (220C>T/429+4insg) was constructed by TA cloning. After transfected into HEK293T cells, the 220C>T and 429+4insg variants resulted in CD36 deficiency in HEK cells, which was confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.
Conclusion: The 220C>T and 429+4insg variants can cause CD36 deficiency in human platelets. This system may be used for assessing the effect of 220C>T, 429+4insg, and other variants on the expression of CD36.