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R E Streeck

Publications and source records attributed to R E Streeck.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Diphtheria toxin promoter function in Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Escherichia coli.

The expression of the diphtheria tox228 gene encoding the nontoxic, serologically related CRM228 mutant diphtheria toxin has been analyzed in Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Escherichia coli. The diphtheria toxin promoter has been used to direct the expression of beta-galactosidase in E.coli, and the efficiency of promotion has been compared to that obtained with the lac promoter. Expression in C.diphtheriae is known to be dependent on the absence of iron, and we present for the first time direct evidence that this regulation occurs at the level of transcription. The 5' end of toxin mRNA maps at the same position in C.diphtheriae and E.coli, suggesting identical sequences to be recognized by C.diphtheriae and E.coli RNA polymerase. The diphtheria toxin promoter carries at position -34 a TTGATT sequence closely related to the E.coli -35 consensus sequence and in the -14 to -8 region a set of overlapping sequences with complete or partial homology to the E.coli -10 consensus sequence.

Base Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of a cluster of early and late genes in a conserved segment of the vaccinia virus genome.

The nucleotide sequence of a 7.6 kb vaccinia DNA segment from a genomic region conserved among different orthopox virus has been determined. This segment contains a tight cluster of 12 partly overlapping open reading frames most of which can be correlated with previously identified early and late proteins and mRNAs. Regulatory signals used by vaccinia virus have been studied. Presumptive promoter regions are rich in A, T and carry the consensus sequences TATA and AATAA spaced at 20-24 base pairs. Tandem repeats of a CTATTC consensus sequence are proposed to be involved in the termination of early transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of cis-acting vaccinia virus DNA fragments promoting the expression of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase by recombinant viruses.

Recombinant TK- vaccinia viruses containing the pBR322 sequence inserted in either orientation within the coding sequence of the viral thymidine kinase gene were constructed. They were characterized by genomic analysis, hybridization studies, reversion to wild-type virus by in vivo recombination, and rescue from their genomes of plasmids which contained all or parts of the pBR322 sequence. TK- cells were infected with one of these recombinant viruses and then transfected with pools of chimeric plasmids composed of a cloned herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene which contained upstream inserts of different vaccinia DNA fragments prepared by restriction or sonication. Recombination between homologous pBR322 sequences within infected cells generated selectable recombinant viruses in which expression of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene was promoted by the upstream vaccinia insert. These viruses were characterized by genomic analysis, hybridization, and in vivo or in vitro phosphorylation of (5-[125I]deoxycytidine as a specific assay for the expressed herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase. Vaccinia DNA inserts were isolated conveniently for transfer to bacteria by rescuing appropriate plasmids from the genome of recombinant viruses. The sequence of 100 nucleotides adjacent to the upstream region of the herpes simplex virus gene was determined in nine different inserts measuring 0.17 to 1.07 kilobase pairs.

Base Sequence↗

A transformed Vero cell line stably producing the hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

We have constructed plasmids in which transcription of the surface antigen gene of the human hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) is under the control of the SV40 early promoter. These plasmids have been used to analyze the expression of the HBsAg gene, both in mouse cells and in African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. We have established a Vero cell line continuously expressing HBsAg that is indistinguishable from authentic 22 nm HBsAg particles. Post-transcriptional modification of HBsAg mRNA also appears to occur normally in the monkey cells. These cells might be useful as a source of antigen for the preparation of an antihepatitis vaccine.

Animals↗

Synthesis in animal cells of hepatitis B surface antigen particles carrying a receptor for polymerized human serum albumin.

A recombinant plasmid (pSVS dhfr) encoding the pre-S region and the S gene of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and murine dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) cDNA has been used for the transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) DHFR- cells. Selection of clones resistant to methotrexate has permitted amplification of HBV sequences and an increase in production of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBV-specific transcripts have been characterized. The HBsAg 22-nm particles contain a receptor for polymerized human serum albumin (pHSA) and elicit in animals the synthesis of antireceptor antibodies. This property is ascribed to a 34,000-dalton polypeptide in the particles, which is most likely encoded by the S gene and part of the pre-S region. Especially because the pHSA receptor is most abundantly present on the virion and because, in hepatitis B infection, the appearance of anti-pHSA receptor antibodies seems to be a highly reliable criterion for viral clearance, the HBsAg particles obtained may constitute a particularly efficient vaccine.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequence and expression of the diphtheria tox228 gene in Escherichia coli.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the diphtheria tox228 gene encoding the nontoxic serologically related protein CRM228 has been determined. A comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence with the available amino acid sequences from the wild-type toxin made it possible to deduce essentially the entire nucleotide sequence of the wild-type tox gene. The signal peptide of pro-diphtheria toxin and the putative tox promoter have been identified, a highly symmetrical nucleotide sequence downstream of the toxin gene has been detected; this region may be the corynebacteriophage beta attachment site (attP). The cloned toxin gene was expressed at a low level in Escherichia coli.

Base Sequence↗

Chromatin diminution in Ascaris suum: nucleotide sequence of the eliminated satellite DNA.

We have determined the prototype sequence of the DNA which is eliminated in the course of chromatin diminution in Ascaris suum. This DNA which is virtually absent from somatic cells but retained in the germ line consists predominantly of highly repetitive sequences which are variants of an AT rich 123 base pair repeat unit. Both major and minor variants have been sequenced. The overall structure of this germ line limited DNA corresponds to the segmental organization characteristic of satellite DNAs. Possible correlations between the mechanism of chromatin diminution and some properties of the satellite sequence are discussed.

Animals↗

Inserted sequences in bovine satellite DNA's.

The nucleotide sequence of the 1413-base-pair repeat unit of bovine 1.711a satellite DNA (density in cesium chloride, 1.711 grams per cubic centimeter) has been determined. The repeat unit contains two segments consisting of variants of a basic 23-base-pair sequence that is closely related to sequences of bovine 1.706 satellite DNA. A third segment of the repeat unit contains an unrelated 611-base-pair sequence that is not internally repetitive. This segment is flanked by inverted repeats of 8 base pairs and, on one side, by a direct repeat of the terminal sequence. A related segment is present in bovine 1.711b satellite DNA and is inserted into sequences derived from the 1.715 satellite. These nucleotide sequences suggest the timing of some of the stages in the evolution of these complex, closely related satellite DNA's and indicate the mechanisms inherent in their divergence from a common ancestor.

Animals↗

Single-strand and double-strand cleavage at half-modified and fully modified recognition sites for the restriction nucleases Sau3a and Taqi.

The influence of cytosine methylation on the cleavage of DNA by the restriction nucleases Sau3A and TaqI has been investigated. Bovine satellite DNA fragments containing a GATCGA sequence, i.e. a Sau3A site overlapping with a TaqI site have been used in this study. The methylation of these fragments has been determined by sequence analysis. It has been found that a TaqI site (TCGA) methylated at cytosine in both DNA strands is still sensitive to double-strand cleavage. A Sau3A site (GATC), however, is rendered resistant to double-strand cleavage by methylation of a single cytosine. Fragments containing the "half-modified" Sau3A site are nicked in the unmethylated DNA strand. It has been shown by sequence analysis of nicked DNA that the single-strand break occurs at the same position which is cleaved in unmodified DNA.

Animals↗

Patchwork structure of a bovine satellite DNA.

According to a previous restriction nuclease analysis, bovine 1.706 satellite DNA (density 1.706 g/cm3 in CsCl) is organized in an unusual structure of superimposed long- and short-range repeats (Streeck and Zachau, 1978). We have now determined the nucleotide sequence of this satellite DNA in both cloned fragments and fragments from the total satellite DNA. Each long-range repeat unit (about 2350 bp) is divided into four segments. Each segment consists of different variants of a basic 23 bp sequence which is itself composed of a dodecanucleotide and a related undecanucleotide. A total of 2400 nucleotides have been sequenced. Detailed analysis of the sequence divergence reveals that both the overall extent of divergence and the frequency of base changes at individual positions of the 23 bp repeats are characteristically different in the various segments. Preferentially methylated sites and a high incidence of symmetry elements are found. In two of the four segments, 22 of 23 bp of the prototype sequence are included in six overlapping elements of dyad symmetry and in a palindrome. A scheme for the evolution of the satellite DNA from a basic dodecanucleotide is proposed which is based on the different degrees of divergence for the various repeats superimposed in this satellite DNA.

Animals↗

Physical map of PM2 DNA.

The cleavage sites of the restriction nucleases HpaI, HpaII, HindII, HindIII, and PstI have been mapped on the DNA of the bacteriophage PM2. This map has been used for the localization of two strong binding sites of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on PM2 DNA.

Bacteriophages↗

Closely spaced nucleosome cores in reconstituted histone.DNA complexes and histone-H1-depleted chromatin.

It has been demonstrated by digestion studies with micrococcal nuclease that reconstitution of complexes from DNA and a mixture of the four small calf thymus histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 leads to subunits closely spaced in a 137 +/- 7-nucleotide-pair register. Subunits isolated from the reconstituted complex contain nearly equimolar amounts of the four histones and sediment at 11.6S. On DNase I digestion both the reconstituted complex and the separated subunits gave rise to series of single-stranded DNA fragments with a 10-nucleotide periodicity. This indicates that the reconstitution leads to subunits very similar to nucleosome cores. Nucleosome cores closely spaced in a 140-nucleotide-pair register were also obtained upon removal of histone H1 from chromatin by dissociation with 0.63 M NaCl and subsequent ultracentrifugation. In reconstitution experiments with all five histones (including histone H1) our procedure did not lead to tandemly arranged nucleosomes containing about 200 nucleotide pairs of DNA. In the presence of EDTA, DNase II cleaved calf thymus nuclei and chromatin at about 200-nucleotide-pair intervals whereas in the presence of Mg2+ cleavage at intervals of approximately half this size was observed. The change in the nature of the cleavage pattern, however, was no longer found after removal of histone H1 from chromatin. This indicates that H1 influences the accessibility of DNase II cleavage sites in chromatin. This finding is discussed with respect to the influence of histone H1 on chromatin superstructure.

Animals↗