Biomedical subjects

A Almasan

Publications and source records attributed to A Almasan.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Chromosomal localization of the human retinoid X receptors.

The recently described retinoid X receptors (RXRs) respond to the novel retinoid 9-cis-retinoic acid and also serve as heterodimeric partners for the vitamin D, thyroid hormone, and retinoic acid receptors (VDR, TR, and RAR, respectively). In this work, we report high-resolution localization of the human RXR genes within cytogenetic bands and also within a standard reference map of cosmid DNA markers on human chromosomes. We have determined the location of the human RXR genes by pairwise hybridization of the RXR cosmids and reference markers, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. We localized (i) RXR alpha (RXRA) to chromosome 9 band q34.3; (ii) RXR beta (RXRB) to chromosome 6 band 21.3; and (iii) RXR gamma (RXRG) to chromosome 1 band q22-q23. Six retinoid-responsive transcription factors have been identified so far, including three retinoic acid receptors in addition to the three RXRs. Interestingly, each of these receptors in human and mouse is encoded by genes located at distinct chromosomal loci and on separate chromosomes. The proximity of RXR genes to loci known to be associated with genetic disorders suggests that their location may be useful in establishing a link between RXRs and certain human diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Recombination by sequence repeats with formation of suppressive or residual mitochondrial DNA in Neurospora.

Recombination junctions of several Neurospora mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutants and their revertants were identified. Their nucleotide sequences and putative secondary structures were determined in order to understand the nature of the elements involved in intramolecular recombination. Multiple deletions, involving the same portion of Neurospora mtDNA, were identified in six independently isolated mutants. A 9-nucleotide repeat element, CCCCNCCCC, was found to be involved in these and other Neurospora mitochondrial recombination events. The repeat elements were clustered as hot spots on the Neurospora mtDNA and were associated with palindromic DNA sequences. The palindromes have a potential to generate hairpin structures. A much lower free energy of the putative hairpins at the 5' end of the recombination site, and the possible formation of non-B-DNA structure by polypyrimidine tracks, may be important in the initiation of recombination. Using PCR, we found low levels of a specific mitochondrial deletion in certain Neurospora mutants. Their presence in low amounts in a population with a much larger number of normal mtDNA is unexpected. Contrary to earlier belief, this finding supports the view that deleted, smaller DNA molecules are not always suppressive relative to normal mtDNAs.

Base Composition↗

PubMed1990

Characterization of a novel plasmid-like element in Neurospora crassa derived mostly from the mitochondrial DNA.

We have identified a plasmid-like element within mitochondria of Neurospora crassa strain stp-B1. It is derived from the EcoRI-4 and EcoRI-6 regions of the mitochondrial DNA, and an additional 124 bp DNA segment of unknown origin. The plasmid DNA consists of an oligomeric series of circular molecules of monomer length 2.2 kbp. The abundance of the plasmid suggests its autonomous replication and the presence of an efficient origin of replication. An unusually large number of palindromes capable of forming secondary structures are present in the plasmid. Such a palindrome, located near sequences reminiscent of mammalian and fungal mtDNA origins of replication, may define the replication origin of the plasmid. This putative origin might also represent the replication origin of the wild-type mtDNA.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Characterization of eukaryotic DNA polymerases: aphidicolin resistant mutants of Neurospora with altered DNA polymerase.

Sucrose density gradient analysis of Neurospora cell free extract showed at least three distinct peaks of enzyme activity; of these, a high molecular weight enzyme was identified as DNA polymerase alpha because of its sensitivity to aphidicolin and to NEM. DNA polymerase mutants of Neurospora crassa were isolated by their resistance to aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of the eukaryotic DNA polymerase alpha. Some mutants showed an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme. One mutant (E-2-4-1) characterized in detail showed the presence of DNA polymerase which was resistant to inhibitory action of aphidicolin in an in vitro assay. Another mutant (C-3) showed changes in the pH optimum of the enzyme activity. Genetic characterization of the mutants provided evidence for the dominance of the aphr allele controlling aphidicolin resistance and its Mendelian segregation. Some of the aphidicolin resistant mutants were found to be UV-sensitive. Neurospora wild-type and mutant genomic DNA digest was found to hybridize with a cloned yeast DNA polymerase gene. The nick translated yeast DNA polymerase gene was used to screen a genomic cosmid library of Neurospora. A putative clone containing Neurospora DNA polymerase gene has been identified. Further molecular characterization of the Neurospora DNA polymerase gene and enzyme is in progress.

Aphidicolin↗

PubMed1988

Molecular characterization of the mitochondrial DNA of a new stopper mutant ER-3 of Neurospora crassa.

An ethidium bromide-induced stopper mutant of Neurospora crassa is characterized at the molecular level. The mutant has two populations of mitochondrial DNA: a defective predominant mutant molecule and a basal level of the wild-type molecule. The aberrant DNA resulted after a 25-kbp deletion from the wild-type mitochondrial chromosome, which included major genes such as cytb, co1 and oli2. The deletion endpoints are located in the second intron of the ND5 gene, and in a sequence 250 nucleotides upstream of the co2 gene. The recombination has taken place between two nine nucleotide repeats CCCCGCCCC, one of which is close to a PstI palindrome at its 5' end. Thus the mutant ER-3 differs from all the other stopper mutants described previously in the extent and location of the deletions in the mtDNA.

Base Sequence↗