Biomedical subjects

George E Fox

Publications and source records attributed to George E Fox.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Metal chelate affinity precipitation of RNA and purification of plasmid DNA.

The affinity of metal chelates for amino acids, such as histidine, is widely used in purifying proteins, most notably through six-histidine 'tails'. We have found that metal affinity interactions can also be applied to separation of single-stranded nucleic acids through interactions involving exposed purines. Here we describe a metal affinity precipitation method to resolve RNA from linear and plasmid DNA. A copper-charged copolymer of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) and vinyl imidazole (VI) is used to purify plasmid from an alkaline lysate of E. coli. The NIPAM units confer reversible solubility on the copolymer while the imidazole chelates metal ions in a manner accessible to interaction with soluble ligands. RNA was separated from the plasmid by precipitation along with the polymer in the presence of 800 mM NaCl. Bound RNA could be recovered by elution with imidazole and separated from copolymer by a second precipitation step. RNA binding showed a strong dependence on temperature and on the type of buffer used.

Acrylamides↗

PubMed2003

RNA ligation and the origin of tRNA.

A straightforward origin of transfer RNA, (tRNA), is difficult to envision because of the apparently complex idiosyncratic interaction between the D-loop and T-loop. Recently, multiple examples of the T-loop structural motif have been identified in ribosomal RNA. These examples show that the long-range interactions between the T-loop and D-loops seen in tRNA are not an essential part of the motif but rather are facilitated by it. Thus, the core T-loop structure could already have existed in a small RNA prior to the emergence of the tRNA. The tRNA might then have arisen by expansion of an RNA that carried the motif. With this idea in mind, Di Giulio's earlier hypothesis that tRNA evolved by a simple duplication or ligation of a minihelix RNA was re-examined. It is shown that an essentially modern tRNA structure can in fact be generated by the ligation of two 38-nucleotide RNA minihelices of appropriate sequence. Although rare, such sequences occur with sufficient frequency, (1 in 3 x 10(7)), that they could be found in a standard in vitro RNA selection experiment. The results demonstrate that a series of RNA duplications, as previously proposed, can in principal account for the origin of tRNA. More generally, the results point out that RNA ligation can be a powerful driving force for increased complexity in the RNA World.

Evolution, Molecular↗

PubMed2002

Identification of essential domains for Escherichia coli tRNA(leu) aminoacylation and amino acid editing using minimalist RNA molecules.

Escherichia coli leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) aminoacylates up to six different class II tRNA(leu) molecules. Each has a distinct anticodon and varied nucleotides in other regions of the tRNA. Attempts to construct a minihelix RNA that can be aminoacylated with leucine have been unsuccessful. Herein, we describe the smallest tRNA(leu) analog that has been aminoacylated to a significant extent to date. A series of tRNA(leu) analogs with various domains and combinations of domains deleted was constructed. The minimal RNA that was efficiently aminoacylated with LeuRS was one in which the anticodon stem-loop and variable arm stem-loop, but neither the D-arm nor T-arm, were deleted. Aminoacylation of this minimal RNA was abolished when the discriminator base A73 was replaced with C73 or when putative tertiary interactions between the D-loop and T-loop were disrupted, suggesting that these identity elements are still functioning in the minimized RNA. The various constructs that were significantly aminoacylated were also tested for amino acid editing by the synthetase. The anticodon and variable stem-loop domains were also dispensable for hydrolysis of the charged tRNA(leu) mimics. These results suggest that LeuRS may rely on identity elements in overlapping domains of the tRNA for both its aminoacylation and editing activities.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2002

NCIR: a database of non-canonical interactions in known RNA structures.

The secondary and tertiary structure of an RNA molecule typically includes a number of non-canonical base-base interactions. The known occurrences of these interactions are tabulated in the NCIR database, which can be accessed from http://prion.bchs.uh.edu/bp_type/. The number of examples is now over 1400, which is an increase of >700% since the database was first published. This dramatic increase reflects the addition of data from the recently published crystal structures of the 50S (2.4 A) and 30S (3.0 A) ribosomal subunits. In addition, non-canonical interactions observed in published crystal and NMR structures of tRNAs, group I introns, ribozymes, RNA aptamers and synthetic oligonucleotides are included. Properties associated with these interactions, such as sequence context, sugar pucker conformation, glycosidic angle conformation, melting temperature, chemical shift and free energy, are also reported when available. Out of the 29 anticipated pairs with at least two hydrogen bonds, 28 have been observed to date. In addition, several novel examples, not generally predicted, have also been encountered, bringing the total of such pairs to 36. Added to this list are a variety of single, bifurcated, triple and quadruple interactions. The most common non-canonical pairs are the sheared GA, GA imino, AU reverse Hoogsteen, and the GU and AC wobble pairs. The most frequent triple interaction connects N3 of an A with the amino of a G that is also involved in a standard Watson-Crick pair.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Microbial identification by immunohybridization assay of artificial RNA labels.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and engineered stable artificial RNAs (aRNAs) are frequently used to monitor bacteria in complex ecosystems. In this work, we describe a solid-phase immunocapture hybridization assay that can be used with low molecular weight RNA targets. A biotinylated DNA probe is efficiently hybridized in solution with the target RNA, and the DNA-RNA hybrids are captured on streptavidin-coated plates and quantified using a DNA-RNA heteroduplex-specific antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The assay was shown to be specific for both 5S rRNA and low molecular weight (LMW) artificial RNAs and highly sensitive, allowing detection of as little as 5.2 ng (0.15 pmol) in the case of 5S rRNA. Target RNAs were readily detected even in the presence of excess nontarget RNA. Detection using DNA probes as small as 17 bases targeting a repetitive artificial RNA sequence in an engineered RNA was more efficient than the detection of a unique sequence.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2002

Frequent occurrence of the T-loop RNA folding motif in ribosomal RNAs.

Analysis of atomic resolution structures of the rRNAs within the context of the 50S and the 30S ribosomal subunits have revealed the presence of nine examples of a recurrent structural motif, first observed in the TpsiC loop of tRNAs. The key component of this T-loop motif is a UA trans Watson-Crick/Hoogsteen base pair stacked on a Watson-Crick pair on one side. This motif is stabilized by several noncanonical hydrogen bonds, facilitating RNA-RNA as well as RNA-protein interactions. In particular, the sugar edge of the purine on the 3' side of the pivotal uridine in the UA pair frequently forms a noncanonical base pair with a distant residue. The bulged-out bases, usually seen as part of the motif, also use their Watson-Crick edges to interact with nearby residues via base-specific hydrogen bonds. In certain occurrences, a backbone reversal is stabilized by specific hydrogen bonds as is observed in the U-turn motifs and the adenosine residue of the key UA pair interacts with a third base via its Watson-Crick edge, essentially generating a base triple.

Base Pairing↗

PubMed2002

Identification of characteristic oligonucleotides in the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA sequence dataset.

MOTIVATION: The phylogenetic structure of the bacterial world has been intensively studied by comparing sequences of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA). This database of sequences is now widely used to design probes for the detection of specific bacteria or groups of bacteria one at a time. The success of such methods reflects the fact that there are local sequence segments that are highly characteristic of particular organisms or groups of organisms. It is not clear, however, the extent to which such signature sequences exist in the 16S rRNA dataset. A better understanding of the numbers and distribution of highly informative oligonucleotide sequences may facilitate the design of hybridization arrays that can characterize the phylogenetic position of an unknown organism or serve as the basis for the development of novel approaches for use in bacterial identification. RESULTS: A computer-based algorithm that characterizes the extent to which any individual oligonucleotide sequence in 16S rRNA is characteristic of any particular bacterial grouping was developed. A measure of signature quality, Q(s), was formulated and subsequently calculated for every individual oligonucleotide sequence in the size range of 5-11 nucleotides and for 15mers with reference to each cluster and subcluster in a 929 organism representative phylogenetic tree. Subsequently, the perfect signature sequences were compared to the full set of 7322 sequences to see how common false positives were. The work completed here establishes beyond any doubt that highly characteristic oligonucleotides exist in the bacterial 16S rRNA sequence dataset in large numbers. Over 16,000 15mers were identified that might be useful as signatures. Signature oligonucleotides are available for over 80% of the nodes in the representative tree.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1998

Phylogenetic mapping of bacterial morphology.

The availability of a meaningful molecular phylogeny for bacteria provides a context for examining the historical significance of various developments in bacterial evolution. Herein, the classical morphological descriptions of selected members of the domain Bacteria are mapped upon the genealogical ancestry deduced from comparison of small-subunit rRNA sequences. For the species examined in this study, a distinct pattern emerges which indicates that the coccus shape has arisen and accumulated independently multiple times in separate lineages and typically survived as a persistent end-state morphology. At least two other morphologies persist but have evolved only once. This study demonstrates that although bacterial morphology is not useful in defining bacterial phylogeny, it is remarkably consistent with that phylogeny once it is known. An examination of the experimental evidence available for morphogenesis as well as microbial fossil evidence corroborates these findings. It is proposed that the accumulation of persistent morphologies is a result of the biophysical properties of peptidoglycan and their genetic control, and that an evolved body-plan strategy based on peptidoglycan may have been a fate-sealing step in the evolution of Bacteria. More generally, this study illustrates that significant evolutionary insights can be obtained by examining biological and biochemical data in the context of a reliable phylogenetic structure.

Bacteria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Water-elutability of nucleic acids from metal-chelate affinity adsorbents: enhancement by control of surface charge density.

Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is widely used for purification of proteins, especially "hexahistidine-tagged" recombinant proteins. We previously demonstrated the application of IMAC to selective capture of nucleic acids, including RNA, selectively-denatured genomic DNA, and PCR primers through interactions with purine bases exposed in single-stranded regions. We also found that the binding affinity of nucleic acids for IMAC adsorbents can be increased several-fold by addition of 20 volume% of neutral additives such as ethanol or DMSO. In the present work, it is demonstrated that bound nucleic acids can be effectively eluted with water instead of the usual imidazole-containing competitive eluants, when the surface density of negative charges is enhanced by operation at alkaline pH, or by deliberate metal-underloading of the anionic chelating ligands. With enhanced negative surface charge density, nucleic acid adsorption can be made strongly dependent on the presence of adsorption-promoting additives and/or repulsion-shielding salts, and removal of these induces elution. Complete water-elutability is demonstrated for baker's yeast RNA bound to 10% Cu(II)- underloaded IDA Chelating Sepharose in a binding buffer of 20 mM HEPES, 240 mM NaCl, pH 7. Water elutability will significantly enhance the utility of IMAC in nucleic acid separations.

Adsorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nucleic acid separations utilizing immobilized metal affinity chromatography.

Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is widely used for protein purification, e.g., in the isolation of proteins bearing the well-known hexahistidine affinity tag. We report that IMAC matrixes can also adsorb single-stranded nucleic acids through metal ion interactions with aromatic base nitrogens and propose that metal affinity technologies may find widespread application in nucleic acid technology. Oligonucleotide duplexes, plasmid, and genomic DNA show low IMAC binding affinity, while RNA and single-stranded oligonucleotides bind strongly to matrixes such as Cu(II) iminodiacetic acid (IDA) agarose. The affinity of yeast RNA for IDA-chelated metal ions decreases in the following order: Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Co(II). Adsorption isotherms for 20-mer oligonucleotide homopolymers show that purines are strongly favored over pyrimidines and that double-stranded duplexes are not bound. IMAC columns have been used to purify plasmid DNA from E. coli alkaline lysates, to purify a ribozyme, to remove primers and imperfect products from PCR reactions, and to separate 20-mer oligonucleotide duplexes containing centered single-base mismatches. Potential further applications include SNP scoring, hybridization assays, and the isolation of polyadenylated messenger RNA.

Adsorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Small RNA sequences are readily stabilized by inclusion in a carrier rRNA.

This laboratory previously showed that an RNA derived from 5S ribosomal RNA could be used as a carrier to harbor a nucleic acid "tag" for monitoring genetically engineered or naturally occurring bacteria. The prototype system expressed a specific tagged RNA that was stable and accumulated to high levels. For such a system to be useful there should, however, be little limitation on the sequence composition and length of the insert. To test these limitations, a collection of insertion sequences were created and introduced into the artificial 5S rRNA cassette. This library consisted of random 13- and 50-base oligonucleotides that were inserted into the carrier RNA. We report here that essentially all of the insert-containing RNAs are stable and accumulate to detectable levels. Tagged RNAs were produced by both plasmid-borne and chromosomally integrated expression systems in E. coli and several Pseudomonas strains without obvious effect on the host cell. It is anticipated that in addition to its intended use in environmental monitoring, this system can be used for in vivo selection of useful artificial RNAs. Because the carrier lends stability to the RNAs, the system may also be useful in RNA production.

Base Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of genomic DNA from plasmid DNA by selective renaturation with immobilized metal affinity capture.

In contrast to proteins, many nucleic acids can undergo reversible modification of their conformations, and this flexibility can be used to facilitate purification. Selective renaturation with capture is a novel method of removing contaminating genomic DNA from plasmid samples. Plasmid DNA quickly renatures after thermal denaturation and cooling (or alkaline denaturation followed by neutralization), whereas genomic DNA remains locally denatured after rapid cooling in mismatch-stabilizing high ionic strength buffer. Partially denatured genomic DNA can be selectively bound to a metal chelate affinity adsorbent through exposed purine bases, while double-stranded renatured plasmid DNA is not bound. Using this method we have readily achieved 1,000,000-fold clearance of 71 wt % contaminating E. coli genomic DNA from plasmid samples.

Adsorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Compaction agent protection of nucleic acids during mechanical lysis.

Mechanical lysis is an efficient and widely used method of liberating the contents of microbial cells, but the sensitivity of large nucleic acids to shear damage has prevented the application of mechanical lysis to DNA purification. It is demonstrated that polycationic compaction agents can protect DNA from shear damage and allow chromosomal and plasmid DNA purification by mechanical lysis. In addition to being substantially protected during mechanical lysis, the compacted DNA can be separated with the insoluble cell debris, washed, and selectively resolubilized, yielding a substantially purified DNA product. An additional benefit of this method is that lysate viscosity is greatly reduced, allowing the use of much smaller processing volumes when compared with traditional lysis methods used in nucleic acid purification.

Chromatography, Agarose↗