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B K Chernov

Publications and source records attributed to B K Chernov.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A complex RNA sequence determines the internal initiation of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA translation.

Translation initiation on EMCV RNA occurs via binding of ribosomes to an internal sequence within the 5' noncoding region. To investigate the organization of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) we have determined the translational efficiencies of a series of deletion mutants within the 5' noncoding region of EMCV RNA. Three functional regions have been distinguished: a sequence between nts 315-484 and the upper parts of the double-helical structural domains III (nts 488-647) and IV (nts 701-763). The first one greatly enhances translation, but is not absolutely necessary for internal initiation. The other two regions are indispensable to this process. A sequence within domain IV determines inhibition of in vitro translation of mRNAs with 5'-terminal dependent initiation. It is proposed to interact with a translational factor(s) common to the internal and 5'-terminal dependent initiation.

Binding Sites↗

In vitro membrane binding of the translation products of the carlavirus 7-kDa protein genes.

Two double-stranded DNA copies of the genes potentially coding for the 7-kDa proteins of potato virus M (PVM) and potato virus S (PVS) were synthesized and cloned into T7 transcription vectors. Cell-free translation of the corresponding monocistronic transcripts yielded in both cases a single protein of approximately 7-8 kDa that contains a highly hydrophobic N-terminal segment. To analyze their membrane-binding potential, both proteins were synthesized in the membrane-enriched Krebs-2 extract. It was found that the smooth membrane fraction was enriched in the carlavirus 7-kDa proteins. The primary and predicted secondary structures of their N-terminal hydrophobic segments suggest that the latter can function as signals for translocation into the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Design and synthesis of sequence-specific DNA-binding peptides.

Design, synthesis and DNA binding activities of two peptides containing 32 and 102 residues are reported. A nonlinear 102-residue peptide contains four modified alpha helix-turn-alpha helix motifs of 434 cro protein. These four units are linked covalently to a carboxyterminal crosslinker containing four arms each ending with an aliphatic amino group. From CD studies we have found that in aqueous buffer in the presence of 20% trifluoroethanol the peptide residues assume alpha-helical, beta-sheet and random-coiled conformations with the alpha-helical content of about 16% at room temperature. Upon complex formation between peptide and DNA, a change in the peptide conformation takes place which is consistent with an alpha - beta transition in the DNA binding alpha helix-turn-alpha helix units of the peptide. Similar conformation changes are observed upon complex formation with the synthetic operator of a linear peptide containing residues 7-37 of 434 cro repressor. Evidently, in the complex, residues present in helices alpha 2 and alpha 3 of the two helix motif form a beta-hairpin which is inserted in the minor DNA groove. The last inference is supported by our observations that the two peptides can displace the minor groove-binding antibiotic distamycin A from poly(dA).poly(dT) and synthetic operator DNA. As revealed from DNase digestion studies, the nonlinear peptide binds more strongly to a pseudooperator Op1, located in the cro gene, than to the operator OR3. A difference in the specificity shown by the non-linear peptide and wild-type cro could be attributed to a flexibility of the linker chains between the DNA-binding domains in the peptide molecule as well as to a replacement of Thr-Ala in the peptide alpha 2-helices. Removal of two residues from the N-terminus of helix alpha 2 in each of the four DNA-binding domains of the peptide leads to a loss of binding specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Parallel double stranded helices and the tertiary structure of nucleic acids.

Thermal denaturation of four oligonucleotides, viz. 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-3'(par(AT], 3'-d(AT)5pO(CH2)6Opd(AT)5-5'(anti(AT],3'-d(A)10pO(CH2) 6Op(T)10-3'(par(A-T], and 3'-d(A)10pO(CH2)6Opd(T)10-5' (anti(A-T], was studied in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7, in the presence of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M NaCl. All the oligomers were found to exist at a lower temperature (0 to 20 degrees C) as complexes composed either of two oligomer molecules (a canonical duplex) or of more oligomer molecules whereas, at a higher temperature (30 to 70 degrees C), they formed hairpins with a parallel (par(AT) and par(A-T] or antiparallel (anti(AT) and anti(A-T) orientation of the chains. Melting curves (A260(T] were used to calculate thermodynamic parameters for the formation of hairpins and "low-temperature" duplexes. Experiments on ethidium bromide binding to the oligonucleotides have shown that the oligomer anti(A-T) exists, at a low ionic strength, as a four stranded complex ("quadruplex") contains two antiparallel helices, d(A).d(T), which have a parallel orientation and are bound to one another owing to the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between nucleic acid bases. The possible biological function of quadruplexes is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Parallel stranded DNA under scanning tunnelling microscope: the main characteristics of the double helix.

Using the scanning tunnelling microscopy we have directly observed the parallel stranded DNA of 43 bp in length, containing alternating AT-stretches. The double helix is right-handed and has the same width of each grooves equal to 17.4 A. The average pitch of the helical turn is about 34 A. The parallel double helix possesses no more than 8.6 bases per one turn. The diameter of the parallel stranded DNA molecule is 17-18 A. We conclude that in parallel DNA double helix the angle between N-glycoside bounds in trans-Crick-Watson base pairs is close to 180 degrees.

Base Composition↗

Human c-myc gene contains a regulatory site similar to consensus of interferon response sequence (IRS).

Expression of c-myc proto oncogene is regulated by multiple mechanisms. Here, we report that the consensus of the regulatory region of interferon-dependent genes, GGAAAN1-3 GAAA, was found after computer search in the 5'-terminal flank of human c-myc gene in position (-76:-67). In vitro transcription of c-myc gene fragments showed that the consensus region competes with oligonucleotide GGGAAAATGAAACT for binding to specific protein(s). This oligonucleotide was shown to bind selectively the interferon-dependent positive transcription factor. Transcription of c-myc fragments lacking 5'-terminal region up to positions -101 or +71 was initiated at two sites located in the first intron. These sites did not coincide with P1 in vivo RNA cap-site. Binding of the protein factor(s) to the regulatory region of c-myc gene -76:-67 blocked the in vitro transcription initiated in the first intron.

Base Sequence↗

Electrophoretic behavior of d(GGAAAAAAGG)n, d(CCAAAAAACC)n, and (CCAAAAAAGG)n and implications for a DNA bending model.

Double stranded multimers (C2A6C2)n, (C2A6G2)n and (G2A6G2)n were prepared from chemically synthesized oligonucleotides to study the influence of sequences flanking the An tract on the curvature of DNA. All these duplexes, including polypurine.polypyrimidine one, exhibit strong retardation in polyacrylamide gel which is indicative of pronounced DNA curvature. It has been proposed previously that among the bends at the boundary with the oligo(A) tract two types should be distinguished: 5'-bends and 3'-bends (Koo et al., 1986) This distinction was deduced from different relative mobilities of two specially designed sequences having phased 5'-bends and 3'-bends, respectively. Our data indicate that the substitutions of nucleotides at both 5' and 3' boundaries of A6 tract result in comparable changes in relative mobility. Therefore, for B-B' bends it is important to take into account not only whether they are at the 5' or 3' end of an oligo(dA) tract, but also the particular sequences at the boundaries of this tract.

Base Sequence↗

[A new expressible VH-gene of the 36-40 family participates in the biosynthesis of antibodies against swine transferrin].

The expressible allelic variant of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes locus from hybridoma PTF-02 is localized in the 17 kb Bgl II fragment of DNA. The structure of VDJh 3 exon and flanking regions was investigated. The 1101 bp fragment was sequenced. It contains transcription regulatory sequences (cd and TTAAAT-box), the leader exon with internal intron (L), the Vh exon, D and Jh 3 segments. The Vh exon has unusual for immunoglobulin genes the first codon-threonine codon. It was shown that expressible in hybridoma PTF-02 Vh gene (Vh TF) represents and earlier unknown gene of the mouse 36-60 Vh family. This conclusion was made after the comparison of Vh TF exon structure and its 5'-region physical map with the other genes of the 36-60 family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Parallel DNA: generation of a duplex between two Drosophila sequences in vitro.

We have observed the existence of a parallel complementary region between two Drosophila DNA sequences, fragments of the suffix [(1986) EMBO J, 5, 2341-2347] and a 5'-non-coding sequence of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene [(1983) Cell 33, 125-133]. The region includes approximately 40 bp, 76% of which are complementary in the same polarity. Synthetic complementary 16 bp oligonucleotides corresponding to this region which were bound by the 5'-ends through a 1.6-hexanediol bridge form a duplex which displays both melting and annealing as judged by UV absorbance. Anti parallel complementary 16 bp long oligonucleotides bound by the 5'-3' ends through the same bridge and a single-strand sequence were used as controls. The Hoechst 33,258 drug binds to this parallel duplex of DNA; however, the properties of such a complex testify against the B-form of the duplex.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Conservation of the secondary structure elements of the 5'-untranslated region of cardio- and aphthovirus RNAs.

An analysis of published nucleotide sequences of the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of 7 cardioviruses and 3 aphthoviruses has allowed us to derive a consensus secondary structure model that differs from that previously proposed for the 5'-UTR of entero- and rhinoviruses, though all these viruses belong to the same family, Picornaviridae. The theoretical model derived here was experimentally supported by investigating the accessibility of encephalomyocarditis virus RNA to modifications with dimethyl sulfate and its susceptibility to S1 and cobra venom nucleases. The possible involvement of the 5"-UTR secondary structure domains in the translational control is briefly discussed.

Animals↗

Parallel stranded DNA with AT base pairing.

The concentration and temperature dependences of the UV and CD spectra of the oligonucleotide 3'-d(ApTpApTpApTpApTpApTp)-O(CH2)6O-5'-d(pApTpApTpApTpApT pApT) (eicosamer) in aqueous solution at pH 7 in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl were studied. At less than 10(-6) M, the eicosamer was shown to form in solution a hairpin with parallel orientation of chains (parallel hairpin). From thermal denaturation profiles [A260(T)] the thermodynamic parameters, delta H degrees, delta S degrees and Tm for parallel hairpin formation were calculated to be -90 +/- 8 kJ/mol. -300 +/- 20 J.mol-1.K-1 and 40.5 degrees C, respectively. The CD spectra of the parallel double helix differed from those of B-form DNA and had characteristic features: decreasing magnitude of the positive maximum at 265 nm and a negative peak at 285 nm.

Adenine↗