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Biomedical subjects

A Matsukage

Publications and source records attributed to A Matsukage.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Drosophila DNA polymerase delta. Purification and characterization.

A DNA polymerase with properties similar to mammalian polymerase delta has been isolated to near homogeneity from early embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. A combination of exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that this enzyme has a total molecular mass of 185 kDa and is composed of 138- and 47-kDa polypeptides. Its isoelectric point is 6.8. This polymerase activity is strongly inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, aphidicolin, and high KCl concentration but is relatively insensitive to 2',3'-dideoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate. There was no reaction in an immunological test using monoclonal antibody against Drosophila DNA polymerase alpha. In a final purification step, this polymerase activity was accompanied by 3'-->5'-exonuclease activity as expected proof-reading activity. This polymerase activity is remarkably stimulated by mouse proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which is structurally and immunologically very similar to a Drosophila counterpart. These properties clearly indicate this enzyme belongs to the category of DNA polymerase delta.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Crystallization of 31 kDa C-terminal fragment of rat DNA polymerase beta.

A 248 residue C-terminal fragment of rat DNA polymerase beta (335 amino acid residues), a eukaryotic DNA repair enzyme, has been crystallized from polyethylene glycol 6000 solution. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2 with cell dimensions a = 120.3 A, b = 64.2 A, c = 39.4 A, and contain a single 31 kDa fragment in an asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to 2.8 A resolution with laboratory X-ray source, and to 2.3 A resolution with synchrotron X-ray source, and are suitable for detailed structural analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Repression of regulatory factor for Drosophila DNA replication-related gene promoters by zerknüllt homeodomain protein.

The expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene under control of the 1152-base pair 5'-flanking region (-1107 to +45 nucleotide positions with respect to the major transcription initiation site) of the Drosophila DNA polymerase alpha gene was repressed by cotransfection into Drosophila Kc cells with a zerknüllt (zen)-expressing plasmid as previously observed with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene promoter. The expression of the zen resulted in reduction of the abundance of mRNA for the transfected chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and also mRNAs for both DNA polymerase alpha and PCNA. Results obtained using various deletion derivatives of the promoter region and chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the DNA replication-related element (DRE), a positive cis-acting element found in both DNA polymerase alpha and PCNA genes, revealed that the DRE sequences are responsible to repression by Zen protein. The nuclear extract of Kc cells transfected by the zen-expressing plasmid contained lesser amounts of the DRE-binding factor (DREF) than that of untransfected or mutant zen-transfected cells. These results suggest that the Zen protein represses expression of DNA replication-related genes by reducing DREF, although the detailed mechanism of the repression remains to be elucidated.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of DNA polymerase beta gene over-expressed in transgenic Drosophila on DNA repair and recombination.

DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) cDNA of rat fused to an enhancer-promoter region plus a poly(A) signal sequence of actin 5C gene of Drosophila (abbreviated pol beta) was transferred to the Drosophila genome. Three of four constructed transgenic strains possessing transgene pol beta on different chromosomes were studied. Levels of the pol beta transcript and those of the polymerization activity of pol beta were markedly elevated in cultured cells transfected with pol beta-bearing vectors as well as in embryos of the transgenic strains. The popular idea that DNA polymerase beta participates in DNA repair was not supported by the observation that a pair of a normal and a pol beta strain, and the other pair of a mei-9 mei-41 (DNA-repair deficient double mutations) strain and a pol beta mei-9 mei-41 strain, showed no difference in survival within each pair after treatment with ultraviolet light, methylmethane sulfonate and mitomycin C. The other idea that DNA polymerase beta participates in recombination was supported by the findings that spontaneous frequency of recombination, either meiotic or mitotic, is significantly higher in a transgenic pol beta strain than in a non-transgenic strain. The enhanced recombination frequency in the pol beta strain may, however, reflect an indirect effect of over-produced pol beta proteins on chromosomal stability. Whatever the direct effect of rat pol beta is, the transgenic pol beta flies will be useful for study of the physiological role of pol beta and the mechanism of recombination.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Nucleotide sequence and promoter-specific effect of a negative regulatory region located upstream of the mouse proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene.

Different portions of the 5'-upstream region of the mouse proliferating cell-nuclear-antigen (PCNA) gene were combined with the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene of a CAT vector. A transient expression assay of CAT activity in mouse neuroblastoma N18TG2 cells transfected with these recombinant plasmids and RNase protection analysis have revealed the existence of a negative regulatory region between nucleotides -1231 and -624 (+1 denotes the transcription initiation site). The CAT expression levels were gradually increased, depending on the extent of deletion from the 5'-terminus in this region, suggesting that the negative regulatory region consists of multiple elements with rather weak repressing activities. Significant sequence similarity was found between the negative regulatory region of the PCNA gene and those of the several reported genes. A 752-bp segment containing this negative regulatory region repressed the function of the PCNA gene promoter in an orientation-independent and position-independent manner. However, the negative regulatory region showed almost no repressing effect on the functions of the heterologous gene promoters such as the simian virus 40 enhancer promoter, the enhancer promoter in the Rous sarcoma virus long-terminal repeat and the mouse DNA polymerase beta gene promoter. These results suggest that the negative regulatory region of the mouse PCNA gene functions specifically to its own promoter. This unique property is discussed in comparison with that of the negative regulatory elements of the mouse DNA polymerase beta gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cyclobutane thymine dimers in a ras proto-oncogene hot spot activate the gene by point mutation.

ras proto-oncogenes with a cyclobutane-type thymine photodimer (cis-syn or trans-syn isomer) were constructed by replacement of a portion of the gene with a chemically synthesized fragment. When the genes were transfected by the calcium phosphate method into mouse NIH3T3 cells, they induced focus-formation, indicating that both photoproducts were mutagenic in mammalian cells. Sequence analysis of the ras gene fragments derived from the transformed cells showed that the genes were activated by a point mutation. The mutations detected most frequently were 3'-T-->A for the cis-syn isomer and 5'-T-->A for the trans-syn isomer. In contrast, a different trend of mutations was observed when a primer on a DNA template with a cis-syn dimer was extended in vitro by either DNA polymerase beta or alpha.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Novel 8-base pair sequence (Drosophila DNA replication-related element) and specific binding factor involved in the expression of Drosophila genes for DNA polymerase alpha and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

Upstream regions containing a novel common 8-base pair (bp) palindromic sequence, 5'-TATCGATA (Drosophila DNA replication-related element (DRE)), are required for the high expression of Drosophila genes for DNA polymerase alpha and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (an auxiliary protein for DNA polymerase delta). Three DREs and one DRE are present in the DNA polymerase alpha gene (nucleotides-217, -83, and -30 with respect to the transcription initiation site) and in the PCNA gene (nucleotide-100), respectively. Deletions or 2-bp insertional mutations of DRE sequences led to an extensive reduction of promoter activities of both genes. Chemically synthesized oligonucleotides containing DRE sequences greatly stimulated the activity of the heterologous promoter of the Drosophila metallothionein gene, in addition to the promoter of the PCNA gene, when they were placed upstream from these promoters in a normal or a reverse orientation. The stimulatory effect increased synergistically and depended on the number of DREs. DRE activated the promoter when placed within 1.4 kilobases upstream from the promoter, but was much less active when placed 2.5 kilobases or more apart from the promoter. Using a gel mobility shift assay method, we obtained evidence for a protein factor (DREF) in the nuclear extract of cultured Drosophila cells (Kc cells), and this factor specifically binds to DREs of both genes. DNase I footprinting analysis indicated that DREF binds to the 24-bp DRE region of the DNA polymerase alpha gene in which 8-bp palindromic sequences are centered. A UV cross-linking experiment revealed that a polypeptide of approximately 90 kDa in the nuclear extract interacts directly with the DRE sequence. Using DRE-conjugated latex particles, DREF was affinity-purified from the Kc cell nuclear extract. By comparing results obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel mobility shift experiments, we concluded that DREF is associated with the 86-kDa polypeptide. On gel filtration chromatography, a single peak of DREF activity was recovered in fractions corresponding to a molecular mass of 170 kDa, and the 86-kDa polypeptide was detected only in the corresponding fractions; thus, active DREF is probably a homodimeric form of the 86-kDa polypeptide. DREF may play important roles in coordinating expressions of Drosophila DNA replication-related genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Two regions in human DNA polymerase beta mRNA suppress translation in Escherichia coli.

Although human DNA polymerase beta (DNA pol beta) shows 96% identity with rat DNA pol beta at the amino acid level, it is weakly expressed in Escherichia (E.) coli relative to the rat enzyme. The mechanism of this suppression was investigated. Pulse-chase protein labeling and steady state mRNA analysis showed that mature human DNA pol beta protein is relatively stable in E. coli and the levels of human and rat DNA pol beta mRNA were comparable indicating that the human DNA pol beta expression is suppressed at the translational level. By systematic expression analysis of a number of chimeric genes composed of human and rat cDNAs, two strong translational suppression regions were mapped in the human DNA pol beta mRNA; one was named TSR-1, corresponding to CGG encoding arginine (arg) at position 4 and the other, termed TSR-2, is located between codons 153 and 199. Since substitution of the rat Arg-4 codon with synonymous codons showed strong effects upon the expression level, we propose that the arg codon at the N-terminal coding region plays a role in modulating expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of DNA polymerases by tripeptide derivative protease inhibitors.

Benzyloxycarbonyl(Z)-Leu-Leu-Leu-al and dansyl(Dns)-Leu-Leu-Leu-CH2Cl, well known as protease inhibitors, effectively inhibit the activities of DNA polymerases alpha, beta and gamma from rat liver and pol I from Escherichia coli, but the ability of these inhibitors to inhibit terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is weak. The mode of inhibition by these tripeptide analogues is non-competitive with dNTP. The Ki values for Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-al and Dns-Leu-Leu-Leu-CH2Cl are 6.25 x 10(-5) M and 6.56 x 10(-5) M, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Activation of the mouse DNA polymerase beta gene promoter by adenovirus type 12 E1A proteins.

A plasmid carrying the 5'-flanking region (-1852 to +33 with respect to the transcription initiation site) of the mouse DNA polymerase beta gene fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was cotransfected into mouse N18TG2 cells with adenovirus type 12 E1 genes-expressing plasmids. Expression of E1A gene products resulted in the elevation of the CAT expression by 3 to 7 folds, but that of E1B gene product was much less effective. RNase protection analysis revealed that the activation by E1A was at the transcription process. Both the 13S E1A and the 12S E1A activated the DNA polymerase beta gene promoter, indicating that the activation domain of E1A is in a common region(s) of 13S and 12S E1A products. The major target sequence of E1A was mapped within the 10 base pair-region (-30 to -20) of the DNA polymerase beta gene promoter, which overlapped with the palindromic sequence known as the ATF(CREB)/E4F-binding consensus. The results suggest that the palindromic sequence is essential for E1A-induced transcriptional activation of the mouse DNA polymerase beta gene.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1992

Activation of the mouse proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene promoter by adenovirus type 12 E1A proteins.

A plasmid carrying the 5'-flanking region (-1584 to +47 with respect to the transcription initiation site) of the mouse proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene was fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, and then cotransfected into mouse N18TG2 cells with expression plasmids for the adenovirus type 12 E1 genes. Expression of E1A gene products elevated the CAT expression by 5- to 9-fold, but expression of the E1B gene product did not. RNase protection analysis revealed that the activation of the PCNA gene promoter by E1A was at the transcription step. Both the 13S E1A and the 12S E1A activated the PCNA gene promoter, indicating that the activation domain of E1A resides in a common region(s) of 13S and 12S E1A products. The major target region of E1A was mapped within the 68 base-pair region (-21 to +47) of the PCNA gene, which includes consensus sequences for transcription factors PEA3 and E2F, although the upstream region (-83 to -21) including ATF(CREB)-binding consensus had an additional effect in the transactivation.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Distribution of DNA polymerase alpha during nuclear division cycles in Drosophila melanogaster embryo.

An immunocytochemical method using a specific monoclonal antibody was employed to detect DNA polymerase alpha in Drosophila melanogaster embryos during the first 13 nuclear division cycles after fertilization. The anti-DNA polymerase alpha antibody stained the ooplasm of the unfertilized egg, indicating that DNA polymerase alpha is maternally stored. Strong nuclear staining with the antibody over the weaker staining of the cytoplasm was observed at interphase throughout the 13 nuclear division cycles. The staining of the cytoplasmic regions surrounding the nucleus was much stronger than the other region of the syncytial cytoplasm until cycle 10. Although prophase nuclei were stained with the antibody, metaphase chromosomes were never stained throughout the 13 cycles. The chromosomal (nuclear) staining reappeared at anaphase until cycle 11 and at telophase in later cycles. The staining of the syncytial cytoplasm except for the cortical region became faint by cycle 13, suggesting the consumption of the maternal storage by this cycle. These results suggest that DNA polymerase alpha dissociates from chromosomes at the beginning of metaphase; then in later mitotic phases, it is transported from the syncytial cytoplasm into nuclei to participate in formation of the active DNA replication enzyme complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

In vitro replication study of modified bases in ras sequences.

DNA templates containing a modified base (O6-methylguanine, 8-hydroxyguanine, xanthine or hypoxanthine) which was located in nucleotide sequences corresponding to the 12th or 61st codon of a ras gene were synthesized and deoxynucleotide incorporation opposite the lesions was investigated. The templates were replicated by Taq DNA polymerase, recombinant rat DNA polymerase beta and mouse DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex. Sequence analysis of the replicated products indicated selective incorporation of nucleotide(s) opposite a modified base, depending on the kind of base and of DNA polymerase. This system is very useful to obtain results of in vitro replication of modified bases in ras sequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Inhibitory effects of 2'-deoxy-5-styryluridine 5'-triphosphate analogs on retroviral reverse transcriptase and eukaryotic DNA polymerases.

Some sugar modified analogs of 2'-deoxy-E-5-styryluridine triphosphates were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory effects on eukaryotic DNA polymerases and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Among these compounds, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-E-5-styrylUTP (6) and 2',3'-dideoxy-E-5-styrylUTP (7) showed remarkable inhibitory effects on reverse transcriptase. The mode of action and the influence of the substituent at C-5 of 2',3'-dideoxyUTP analogs will be described.

Eukaryotic Cells↗
PubMed1991

Induction of DNA polymerase beta during proliferation of mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes.

On induction of proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by phytohemagglutinin treatment, DNA polymerase beta activity increases markedly before and during DNA replication. The increase of enzymatic activity seems to be well correlated with the increase of DNA polymerase beta mRNA, which is induced by enhanced expression of the DNA polymerase beta gene. These data suggest that DNA polymerase beta is involved in DNA repair, which is linked to replicative DNA synthesis, or directly in replicative DNA synthesis in normal proliferating cells.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1991

Structure and expression during development of Drosophila melanogaster gene for DNA polymerase alpha.

The Drosophila melanogaster gene and cDNA which span the entire open reading frame for DNA polymerase alpha, were cloned, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. The gene consists of 6 exons separated by 5 short introns. The major transcription initiation site was localized 85 bp upstream from the initiation codon. The nucleotide sequence of the open reading frame revealed a polypeptide of 1,505 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 170,796. The amino acid sequence of the polypeptide was 37% homologous with that of the catalytic subunit of human DNA polymerase alpha. This sequence contains six regions, the orders and amino acid sequences of which are highly conserved among a number of other viral and eukaryotic DNA polymerases. We found 7 amino acid residues in the region between the 639th and 758th positions, identical to those essential for the active site of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I-associated 3'----5' exonuclease. Thus, the exonuclease activity may be associated with Drosophila DNA polymerase alpha. Levels of the DNA polymerase alpha mRNA were high in unfertilized eggs and early embryos, relatively high in adult female flies and second-instar larva, and low in bodies at other stages of development. This feature of the expression is similar to that of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (an auxiliary protein of DNA polymerase delta) and seems to coincide with the proportions of proliferating cells in various developmental stages. As the half life of the mRNA for DNA polymerase alpha in cultured Drosophila Kc cells was 15 min, expression of the DNA polymerase alpha gene is probably strictly regulated at the step of transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗