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Biomedical subjects

B Brenig

Publications and source records attributed to B Brenig.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Genomic organization of the dog dystroglycan gene DAG1 locus on chromosome 20q15.1-q15.2.

Dystroglycan is a laminin binding protein, which provides a structural link between the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. It is also involved in the organization of basement membranes. So far the genomic organization of the dystroglycan gene DAG1 has not been completely investigated. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of 162 kb of dog genomic DNA containing the complete approximately 71-kb canine DAG1 gene, which consists of three exons, with the translation start codon located in exon 2. Its 2679-nucleotide ORF encodes a polypeptide of 892 amino acids, which is highly similar to human, rabbit, and bovine orthologs. To further characterize the dog DAG1 gene we determined the transcription start site and several naturally occurring polymorphisms, which partially result in amino acid substitutions of the dystroglycan protein. The dog DAG1 gene was assigned to chromosome 20q15.1-q15.2 by FISH analysis. The analysis of the entire reported sequence revealed that the genes for aminomethyltransferase (AMT), bassoon (BSN), TCTA (T-cell leukemia translocation-associated) gene, and an as yet uncharacterized protein are located very close to the DAG1 gene. Therefore, this study defines a novel syntenic region among dog chromosome 20q15, human chromosome 3p21, and murine chromosome 9F.

Animals↗

Cloning, structural organization, and chromosomal assignment of the porcine c-fos proto-oncogene, FOS.

The complete porcine c-fos proto-oncogene (FOS) with flanking regions was cloned and sequenced. FOS consists of four exons at amino acids 1-47, 48-131, 132-167, and 168-380 and includes all the typical motifs of the fos proto-oncogene. The promoter contains consensus sequences for CRE, SRE, CaRE, and the E-Box, as well as an AP-1 site. Homologies between human and swine were between 89.7% and 96.3% in the exons. Based on somatic cell hybrid panel screening and known homologies between swine chromosome 7 and human chromosome 14, the porcine c-fos gene was assigned to chromosome 7q23.

Animals↗

Genomic structures and sequences of two closely linked genes (AMT, TCTA) on dog chromosome 20q15.1-->q15.2.

Analysis of genomic sequence from canine chromosome 20q15.1-->q15.2 revealed the presence of two closely linked genes. The two genes represent the corresponding canine orthologs of human aminomethyltransferase (AMT) and the human T-cell leukemia translocation associated (TCTA) gene. Aminomethyltransferase or glycine cleavage system T-protein is an important enzyme in glycine metabolism. The reported canine AMT gene spans 5 kb and consists of nine exons. It encodes a protein of 403 amino acids with 88% identity to human aminomethyltransferase. Human TCTA is located on 3p21 near the breakpoint of a t(1;3) translocation observed in some cancer cell lines. The 4-kb canine TCTA gene consists of three exons and probably represents a pseudogene. It is located adjacent to AMT and very close to DAG1 and BSN.

Aminomethyltransferase↗

Isolation and characterization of a new FHL1 variant (FHL1C) from porcine skeletal muscle.

Four and a half LIM domain protein 1 (FHL1) was initially described as an abundant skeletal muscle protein with four LIM domains and a GATA like zinc finger. FHL1 was shown to be expressed in skeletal muscle as well as in a variety of other tissues. Recently, alternatively spliced FHL1 mRNAs were identified coding for C-terminal truncated proteins. The tissue distribution of these variants is more restricted and their functional properties seem to be different. We have isolated and characterized a new variant of FHL1 from porcine skeletal muscle (FHL1C). FHL1C is characterized by a newly identified start codon resulting in a 16 amino acids longer N- terminal region. We have isolated and characterized the porcine FHL1C gene spanning approximately 14 kb and harboring six exons. Using primer extension analysis, the transcription start site of FHL1C was mapped, indicating that FHL1C is regulated by an alternative promoter. The tissue distribution of FHL1C expression was studied by RT-PCR. The porcine FHL1C gene was assigned to the distal part of the long arm of the X chromosome by fluorescence in situ hybridization and screening of a somatic porcine/rodent cell hybrid panel.

Alternative Splicing↗

Structural analysis and transcript processing of the bovine proteolipid protein (PLP) gene.

In this study we present the complete genomic structure of the bovine PLP gene and its assignment to the long arm of the X-chromosome (BTXq2.1). We determined a total of 18,767 bp of the bovine PLP gene and compared it to the human heterolog. A very high similarity was detected between the non-coding regions, interrupted primarily by several transposable elements. A deletion of 13 bp in the vicinity to the translation start signal in the promoter of the bovine PLP gene was found. Functional studies of the 3' region showed the use of several polyadenylation signals. Three main transcripts were detected in adult cattle in the range of 3200, 2400, and 1600 nucleotides using Northern blot analysis. An additional shorter transcript was detected in the cerebrum of calves.

Alternative Splicing↗

Genomic structure of the 5' end of the porcine ryanodine receptor 3 gene (RYR3).

Ryanodine receptor 3 is a calcium channel located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. We isolated eight overlapping PAC clones from the porcine ryanodine receptor 3 gene (RYR3) and determined the DNA sequences of the first and second exon together with 5.8 kb of 5' flanking region and 10.3 kb of intron sequences. By comparing the porcine genomic sequence to the human RYR3 cDNA sequence the porcine transcription start site could be mapped to a GC-rich region. Physical mapping of the isolated PAC clones revealed that the complete porcine RYR3 gene spans more than 200 kb of genomic DNA.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization and chromosomal assignment of the canine protein C gene.

Protein C is a precursor to a serine protease present in the plasma that plays an important physiological role in the regulation of blood coagulation. Mutations in the human protein C gene have been linked to some cases of Morbus Perthes disease, a thrombophilic condition that results in aseptic necrosis of the femur head and neck. We have cloned the canine protein C gene to investigate whether Morbus Perthes disease in dogs is also caused by mutations within this gene. A genomic lambdaFIXII clone was isolated, and 11, 420 bp of DNA sequence were determined containing the complete protein C gene (Acc No. AJ001979). As in humans, the gene consists of nine exons with the translation start codon located in the second exon. The 1.7-kb mRNA contains a 1368-bp open reading frame coding for 456 amino acids. With the genomic protein C clone as a probe in a FISH experiment, the canine protein C gene was assigned to Chromosome (Chr) 19q21-q22. To search for possible mutations, we amplified genomic DNA from one healthy and 15 clinically and pathohistologically confirmed Morbus Perthes patients. Sequence analysis did not reveal any amino acid differences between the affected dogs and the normal control. Several nucleotide polymorphisms were detected, which however, did not result in an amino acid exchange. From these data we conclude that in contrast to human, canine Morbus Perthes disease is most likely not caused by mutations within the protein C gene.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and chromosomal assignment of the porcine 54 and 56 kDa vacuolar H(+)-ATPase subunit gene (V-ATPase).

Vacuolar proton-translocating ATPases (V-ATPase) are multisubunit enzyme complexes located in the membranes of eukaryotic cells regulating cytoplasmic pH. So far, nothing is known about the genomic organization and chromosomal location of the various subunit genes in higher eukaryotes. Here we describe the isolation and analysis of a cDNA coding for the 54- and 56-kDa porcine V-ATPase subunit alpha and beta isoforms. We have determined the genomic structure of the V-ATPase subunit gene spanning at least 62 kb on Chromosome (Chr) 4q14-q16. It consists of 14 exons with sizes ranging from 54 bp to 346 bp, with a non-coding first exon and an alternatively spliced seventh exon leading to two isoforms. The 5' end of the V-ATPase cDNA was isolated by RACE-PCR. The V-ATPase alpha isoform mRNA, lacking the seventh exon, has an open reading frame of 1395 nucleotides encoding a hydrophilic protein of 465 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 54.2 kDa and a pI of 7.8, whereas the beta isoform has a length of 1449 nucleotides encoding a protein of 483 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 55.8 kDa. Amino acid and DNA sequence comparison revealed that the porcine V-ATPase subunit exhibits a significant homology to the VMA13 subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae V-ATPase complex and V-ATPase subunit of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction and characterization of a porcine P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) library covering 3.2 genome equivalents and cytogenetical assignment of six type I and type II loci.

A porcine P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) library of a male German Landrace pig was constructed in pCYPAC2. In total 90,240 clones were generated and individually transferred into microtiter plates. An average insert size of 119.1 kb was determined by analyzing 150 randomly selected PAC clones by pulsed field electrophoresis, yielding approximately 3.2 genome equivalents. The stability of nine clones was followed through 110 generations showing no reduction of the insert size. The probability of identifying a specific chromosomal region within the library was tested by screening for the presence of seven type I and five type II loci. The analysis showed that most loci (10/12) were present in the library at least twice. To determine the percentage of chimerism, six clones were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on metaphase chromosomes. We assign one type I locus (Triadin) and three type II loci (SW855, S0300, SW1129).

Animals↗

Molecular analysis of the porcine proteolipid protein (PLP) gene.

The proteolipid protein (PLP) gene codes for the most abundant protein in the central nervous system (CNS) myelin of higher vertebrates. Its function in the myelin sheath is not clear however, a series of point mutations have been shown to have devastating effects on the myelin. The structure of the PLP genes is highly conserved, comprising seven exons that code for an open reading frame of 277 amino acids. We determined a total of 20,957 bp of the porcine PLP gene and compared this sequence with the human PLP sequence. A very high similarity was detected between the non-coding regions of the PLP genes of human and pig, interrupted primarily by several transposable elements. The porcine PLP gene was assigned to the long arm of Chromosome (Chr) X (SSXq2.2-2.4). The analysis of the PLP transcripts revealed three transcription start sites within 160 bp upstream of the translation start codon. Functional studies of the 3' region showed the use of several polyadenylation signals. Three main transcripts were detected in adult pigs in the range of 3200, 2400, and 1600 nucleotides with Northern blot analysis. The usage of an alternative splice site within exon 3 was shown.

Alternative Splicing↗

Zinc finger proteins: watchdogs in muscle development.

The specificity of highly differentiated tissues is largely achieved through the action of cell- and stage-restricted transcription factors. The basic events in skeletal muscle development are triggered by a unique family of myogenic basic helix-loop-helix proteins - MyoD, Myf-5, myogenin and MRF-4. Binding sites for these factors are found in the promoter regions of many genes whose expression is restricted to muscle cells, but the tight regulation of gene expression is dependent on the interaction of different factors. In this respect zinc finger proteins seem to play an important role, not only in the establishment of muscle cells but also in the maintenance of muscle function. This review discusses several zinc finger proteins that have been characterized as regulators of muscle development and muscle-specific gene expression.

Animals↗