Dominant usage of T-cell receptor alpha gene segments from one parent in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced in F1 mice.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Hood.
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Based on genomic Southern hybridizations and cDNA sequence analyses, the chicken trypsinogen gene family can be divided into two multi-member subfamilies, a six-member trypsinogen I subfamily which encodes the cationic trypsin isoenzymes and a three-member trypsinogen II subfamily which encodes the anionic trypsin isoenzymes. The chicken cDNA and genomic clones containing these two subfamilies were isolated and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. The results indicated that the chicken trypsinogen genes encoded a signal peptide of 15 to 16 amino acid residues, an activation peptide of 9 to 10 residues and a trypsin of 223 amino acid residues. The chicken trypsinogens contain all the common catalytic and structural features for trypsins, including the catalytic triad His, Asp and Ser and the six disulphide bonds. The trypsinogen I and II subfamilies share approximately 70% sequence identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level. The sequence comparison among chicken trypsinogen subfamily members and trypsin sequences from other species suggested that the chicken trypsinogen genes may have evolved in coincidental or concerted fashion.
A fast, reliable, inexpensive, and high-throughput method to purify DNA has been developed. It is based on DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction utilizing a mini spin-column made from a 96-well membrane-bottomed assay plate. With this method, 50% of the DNA is recovered routinely using Sephacryl-500HR as filtration media. Purified DNA can then be used in various enzymatic manipulations, such as sequencing and hybridization. This provides an economical alternative protocol for routine large-scale purification of DNA templates for sequencing or other enzymatic manipulations.
We have developed a method for multilocus genotype determination. The method involves using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for allele discrimination. If a polymorphism is not an RFLP, it is converted into an RFLP during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After amplification and restriction enzyme digestion, samples are analyzed by sequential gel loading during electrophoresis. The efficiency of this method was demonstrated by determining the genotypes of 108 semen samples at seven DNA sequence polymorphic sites identified in the human immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region. It was shown that more than 1000 PCR products could be easily analyzed per day per investigator. To show the reliability of this method, some of the typing results were confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. By computer simulation, most (98%) polymorphisms were shown to be natural or convertible (by changing 1 bp close to or next to each polymorphic site) RFLPs for the commercially available 4-base cutters.
Strategies for large-scale genomic DNA sequencing currently require physical mapping, followed by detailed mapping, and finally sequencing. The level of mapping detail determines the amount of effort, or sequence redundancy, required to finish a project. Current strategies attempt to find a balance between mapping and sequencing efforts. One such approach is to employ strategies that use sequence data to build physical maps. Such maps alleviate the need for prior mapping and reduce the final required sequence redundancy. To this end, the utility of correlating pairs of sequence data derived from both ends of subcloned templates is well recognized. However, optimal strategies employing such pairwise data have not been established. In the present work, we simulate and analyze the parameters of pairwise sequencing projects including template length, sequence read length, and total sequence redundancy. One pairwise strategy based on sequencing both ends of plasmid subclones is recommended and illustrated with raw data simulations. We find that pairwise strategies are effective with both small (cosmid) and large (megaYAC) targets and produce ordered sequence data with a high level of mapping completeness. They are ideal for finescale mapping and gene finding and as initial steps for either a high- or a low-redundancy sequencing effort. Such strategies are highly automatable.
Automated base calling algorithms are more sensitive to the quality of the DNA sequencing data than are the labor intensive visual methods of base calling. To improve this quality, data from DNA sequencing reactions have been compared in order to determine the effects of the inclusion of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Inclusion of 10% DMSO into the reaction cocktail resolves at least one type of sequence compression. This compression may be due to the lack of ability in T7 DNA polymerase to read through certain sequences correctly. The poor quality of these data is seen as radioactive bands or fluorescent signal peaks that have an abnormal alignment, either in the wrong order or as single bands/peaks. The inclusion of DMSO also resolves sequences where the peak signal is absent or severely diminished, leading to a "gap" in the chromatogram profile. DMSO is better than deaza-dITP for resolving certain compressions. Addition of DMSO is a cheaper and more efficient method for high-throughput DNA sequencing than repeating reactions with base analogs.
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A cDNA sequencing project was initiated to characterize gene expression in human bone marrow and develop strategies to isolate novel genes. Forty-eight random DNAs from total human bone marrow were subjected to single-pass DNA sequence analysis to determine a limited complexity of mRNAs expressed in the bone marrow. Overall, 8 cDNAs (17%) showed no similarity to known sequences. Information from DNA sequence analysis was used to develop a differential prescreen to subtract unwanted cDNAs and to enrich for unknown cDNAs. Forty-eight cDNAs that were negative with a complex probe were subject to single-pass DNA sequence determination. Of these prescreened cDNAs, the number of unknown sequences increased to 23 (48%). Unknown cDNAs were also characterized by RNA expression analysis using 25 different human leukemic cell lines. Of 13 unknown cDNAs tested, 10 were expressed in all cell types tested and 3 revealed a hematopoietic lineage-restricted expression pattern. Interestingly, while a total of only 96 bone marrow cDNAs were sequenced, 31 of these cDNAs represent sequences from unknown genes and 12 showed significant similarities to sequences in the data bases. One cDNA revealed a significant similarity to a serine/threonine-protein kinase at the amino acid level (56% identity for 123 amino acids) and may represent a previously unknown kinase. Differential screening techniques coupled with single-pass cDNA sequence analysis may prove to be a powerful and simple technique to examine developmental gene expression.
Genome projects require a high-throughput method for DNA template preparation, which traditional protocols can rarely provide. We introduce here a new protocol for plasmid and cosmid DNA preparation based on alkaline denaturation in a 96-well format. The essential improvement made in this protocol on previous 96-well preparation includes the purification by Pro-Cipitate in 96-well microfilters. The yield and quality of DNA are sufficient for restriction digestion, radioactive sequencing, and automated fluorescent sequencing. It is also significantly more cost-effective than several of the commercial mini-prep kits.
The complete nucleotide sequence (5793 bp) of the cosmid vector pTL5 and the origin of its genetic components has been determined. Cosmid pTL5, a derivative of cosmid vector pHC79, is composed of genetic components from pBR322, bacteriophage lambda and the hybrid lambdoid bacteriophage Charon (Ch) 4A cohesive ends (cos) region. The Ch4A cos region contains genetic components from two bacteriophages, the lambda cos-left arm and the phi 80 cos-right arm regions. The Ch4A cos region has been used in the construction of many other cosmid-type vectors, some of which have been sequenced and entered into the GenBank database.
The nucleotide sequence of 77.7 kb from the human T-cell receptor beta-chain locus was determined directly from three overlapping cosmid clones using the primer-walking approach. Computer-aided analyses of this sequence reveal the presence of at least 11 genic regions that are closely related to the human T-cell receptor beta variable region (TCRBV) gene family. These include five germline sequences that have previously been determined, V beta 21.2, V beta 8.1, V beta 8.2, V beta 8.3, and V beta 16, and four whose sequences have partially been determined at the mRNA level, V beta 6, V beta 23, V beta 12.2, V beta 24. The two remaining V beta Tcr-related sequences have eluded discovery by cDNA and RT-PCR cloning and genomic blot hybridization methods. These two V beta Tcr-related genes lack > 75% nucleotide sequence identity with any other V beta Tcr gene member and therefore, by convention, are referred to as new subfamily members V beta 25 and V beta 26. This lack of shared identity with other subfamily members explains why they were not detected by hybridization. The promoter regions of these V beta Tcr genes contain the conserved Tcr decamer element located between 80 and 110 bp 5' of the translation start site, generally near a putative TATAA promoter element. Our sequence analysis also reveals that a 3.3-kb duplication unit was involved in the recombination event that produced the closely related V beta 8.1 and 8.2 gene subfamily members. This sequenced region of the V beta locus contains an average number of repetitive DNA elements (21 Alu, three L1, three MER, and three retrovirus-related elements.
A cosmid-bearing murine genomic DNA, encompassing several T-cell receptor variable alpha/delta gene segments, has been sequenced using shotgun DNA cloning methodology coupled with fluorescence-based high-through-put DNA sequencing technology. This region, spanning 34.5 kb, contains a pseudogene V alpha gene segment (psi V alpha 16.1), a V delta gene segment (V delta 2), and a variable gene segment that has been reported to be expressed with both C alpha (V alpha 6) and C delta (V delta 3). Therefore, this cosmid is the ideal vehicle for examining the possible control sequences that may be involved in determining whether a V gene segment associates with either C alpha or C delta. Polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrate that the two functional variable gene segments (V delta and V alpha/delta) are expressed individually with both C alpha and C delta genes as mRNA, indicating a permissiveness in their expression patterns. In addition, a variety of genomic sequence-related features have been identified.
T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha-chain (TCR alpha) and beta-chain (TCR beta) genes are well characterized in mammals, while only TCR beta genes have been identified in other vertebrates. To identify avian TCR alpha genes, we used monoclonal anti-CD3 antibodies to isolate chicken TCR alpha for peptide sequence analysis. Degenerate oligonucleotide probes were then used to isolate a candidate TCR alpha cDNA clone that hybridized with a 1.7-kb mRNA species present only in alpha beta T cells and in tissues populated by these cells. Southern blot analysis revealed gene rearrangement in thymocytes and alpha beta T-cell lines. The TCR alpha cDNA candidate encoded an open reading frame of 275 amino acids, the predicted variable (V)-, joining (J)-, and constant (C)-region amino acid sequences of which shared approximately 40%, 60%, and 25% homology with corresponding mammalian sequences. A single C alpha gene and approximately 25 V alpha genes were identified by using region-specific probes. The V alpha cDNA probe isolated from a V beta 1+ cell line reacted with transcripts from one of five V beta 2+ cell lines, suggesting shared use of V alpha genes by V beta 1+ and V beta 2+ T cells and the existence of other V alpha gene families. A genomic V alpha sequence was flanked by classical recombination signal sequences but, unlike previously defined V genes, the leader and V alpha region were encoded by a single exon. The data indicate evolutionary conservation of the basic TCR alpha gene structure in birds and mammals.
We sequenced and analyzed 97.6 kb of new DNA sequence containing the human TCRAC (C alpha) and TCRDC (C delta) genes as well as the TCRDV3 (V delta 3) and 61 different TCRAJ (J alpha) gene segments and compared its organization and structure to the previously described mouse T-cell receptor TCRAC/TCRDC (C alpha/C delta) region. A comprehensive nomenclature, consistent with the IUIS nomenclature committee recommendations, for both human and mouse TCRAJ gene segments is presented. In the human sequence, we identified 20 new TCRAJ gene segments and obtained the germline sequence for 23 additional TCRAJ gene segments known from cDNA clones. Using the sequence data obtained from the human TCRAC/TCRDC region, we have extended a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to test for the expression of the individual TCRAJ gene segments. At least five TCRAJ pseudogene segments were identified by sequence criteria. Like the murine TCRAC/TCRDC sequence, this sequence contains a high level of coding sequence, with over 6.6% of the total sequence being transcribed. Comparison of the human sequence with the previously reported mouse DNA sequence reveals homologous counterparts for the variable and joining (J) gene segments and both constant genes. Eleven new J pseudogene segments have been identified in the mouse TCRAC/TCRDC sequence through the use of human and mouse sequence comparisons. In terms of structure and organization, this region of the human and mouse genome appears to be remarkably conserved.
The mouse T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha/delta locus was mapped using 17 V alpha and 4 V beta subfamily-specific probes. Four complementary methods were used: (1) an estimate of the V gene repertoire by Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA with subfamily-specific probes; (2) an analysis of V gene segments deleted by TCR gene rearrangements from a panel of T-cell tumors and hybridomas; (3) an analysis of overlapping clusters of cosmid clones; and (4) an analysis of large DNA fragments separated by field-inversion gel electrophoresis. The alpha/delta locus spans about 1 Mb. The distance between the 3'-most V gene segment (V delta 1) and the delta constant gene (C delta) is no more than 150 kb. Sixty-six V gene segments have been mapped physically on cosmids. The members of individual V alpha gene segment subfamilies are dispersed throughout the locus. In contrast, the V delta gene segments V delta 1 to 5 are clustered at the 3' end of the V gene segment cluster. At least two DNA segment duplications, 45 to 80 kb in length, are present in the locus. These data provide information on the evolution of the alpha/delta locus and on organization features that might influence the expression of specific V gene segments in gamma delta cells.
Cosmid clones containing T-cell receptor Tcra V2 subfamily gene segments have been isolated from a BALB/c cosmid library and subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The V gene segments in the Tcra V2 subfamily differ from each other by 3%-7% at the nucleotide level and 5%-16% at the amino acid level. T-cell receptor Tcra V2 gene segment polymorphisms have been identified in the B10.PL and PL/J mouse strains with a Tcra V2 subfamily-specific probe. These V gene segment polymorphisms may cause the differential Tcra V gene usage in induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis between B10.PL and PL/J mice.
The T-cell receptor (Tcr) provides specificity for antigen recognition by its variable domain, primarily consisting of two germline encoded variable (V) region gene segments. Thus it has been suggested that inherited polymorphisms in the TCRV gene segments could contribute to differential immune responsiveness (e.g., autoimmunity) in human populations. In the present study, we have sought potentially functional polymorphisms in the germline TCRAV gene segments. Using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified products from the pooled DNA of many individuals, we identified polymorphisms in the TCRAV2S1, AV4S1, AV7S1, and AV8S1 gene segments. A complete DNA sequence analysis of these PCR products identified polymorphisms that affected amino acids in the predicted antigen-binding regions of the Tcr alpha chain, as well as polymorphisms in the introns. Genotype analysis of all nine DNA point mutations showed a 5%-50% range (averaging 35%) of minor allele frequencies, often resulting in individuals homozygous for the alternate allele forms. All possible haplotype combinations of the amino acid-affecting polymorphisms were found, indicating that in human populations there are a large number of different germline haplotypes encoding V gene segment alleles. These TCRAV coding region polymorphisms provide the rationale for, and allow the direct testing of, hypotheses concerning inherited polymorphisms within the T-cell receptor genes that may contribute to autoimmune susceptibility.