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T Edlund

Publications and source records attributed to T Edlund.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The homeodomain LIM protein Isl-1 is expressed in subsets of neurons and endocrine cells in the adult rat.

We have used immunocytochemical methods to localize the homeodomain LIM protein Isl-1 in the adult rat. Isl-1 immunoreactivity is expressed in polypeptide hormone-producing cells of the endocrine system, in neurons of the peripheral nervous system, and in a subset of brain nuclei. Isl-1 is also expressed in a subset of motoneurons in the spinal cord and brain stem, but not in regions of the central nervous system involved in sensory function or in neocortical areas. The pattern of expression of Isl-1 suggests that this gene may be involved in the specification and maintenance of differentiated phenotypical properties of these cells.

Animals↗

Novel insulin promoter- and enhancer-binding proteins that discriminate between pancreatic alpha- and beta-cells.

In the mouse insulin is first detected on embryonic day 12 (e12) in a subpopulation of the cells that on e10 start to produce glucagon. During the continued embryonic development, the number of cells that coexpress the two hormones is gradually decreased, and in adults the expression of these two hormone genes is segregated to the beta- and alpha-cells. To begin to understand the process of terminal differentiation that restricts insulin gene expression to beta-cells, we have assayed for the presence of nuclear proteins that interact with transcriptional regulatory sequences of the rat insulin I gene in pancreatic alpha- and beta-cell lines. All except one of the previously identified insulin enhancer-binding proteins were found to be present in both cell types. A new insulin promoter-binding protein, IPF1, which was present in beta-cells but absent in alpha-cells, was identified. The beta-cell specificity of IPF1 implies that the insulin promoter is involved in the restriction of insulin gene expression to the beta-cells. The binding sites for IPF1 and the beta-cell-specific enhancer-binding protein IEF2 are both recognized by the previously isolated homeodomain-containing LIM protein isl-1, but these three proteins were all shown to be different entities.

Animals↗

Insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1 is a member of a novel class of proteins containing both a homeo- and a Cys-His domain.

The activity of the rat insulin I gene enhancer is mainly dependent on two cis-acting protein-binding domains. Here we report the isolation of a complementary DNA encoding a protein, Isl-1, that binds to one of these domains. Isl-1 contains a homeodomain with greatest similarity to those of the Caenorhabditis elegans proteins encoded by mec-3 and lin-11. In addition, Isl-1, like the lin-11 and mec-3 gene products, contains a novel Cys-His domain which is reminiscent of known metal-binding regions. Together these proteins define a novel class of proteins containing both a homeo- and a Cys His-domain. Isl-1 is preferentially expressed in cells of pancreatic endocrine origin. If the structural homologies between Isl-1 and the C. elegans gene products reflect functional similarities, a role for Isl-1 in the development of pancreatic endocrine cells could be envisaged.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Individual protein-binding domains of the insulin gene enhancer positively activate beta-cell-specific transcription.

A beta-cell-specific enhancer is located in the 5'-flanking DNA of the rat insulin 1 gene. Two homologous 8-base-pair sequences in the enhancer (IEB1 and IEB2) significantly stimulated transcription from a heterologous promoter (two- to fourfold) in a cell-specific fashion. When the elements were combined or duplicated, more than 50% of the activity of the intact enhancer was obtained. These two cis-acting elements appear to play a dominant role in the positive control of beta-cell-specific transcription of the insulin gene.

Animals↗

A beta-cell-specific protein binds to the two major regulatory sequences of the insulin gene enhancer.

The selective transcription of the Rat insulin 1 gene is mainly dependent on a beta-cell-specific enhancer element located in the 5' flanking DNA. In analogy to many other viral and cellular enhancers, the insulin enhancer has been shown to be of a mosaic structure and the cis-acting elements of importance for the enhancer activity have been defined. Two short sequences are of crucial importance for the enhancer activity since mutation of either sequence leads to a decrease in activity (by a factor of approximately 10), and the double mutant eliminates all enhancer activity. This study shows that these two major cis-acting elements interact with beta-cell-specific proteins. These two enhancer modules carry an 8-base-pair homology and compete with each other for protein binding, suggesting that they interact with the same protein, designated insulin enhancer binding factor 1 (IEF 1). Since mutation of these sequences eliminates the enhancer activity and protein binding, we propose that IEF 1 is the key regulator controlling the selective activity of the insulin gene enhancer.

Animals↗

Isolation and sequence of complementary DNA encoding human extracellular superoxide dismutase.

A complementary DNA (cDNA) clone from a human placenta cDNA library encoding extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD; superoxide:superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1) has been isolated and the nucleotide sequence determined. The cDNA has a very high G+C content. EC-SOD is synthesized with a putative 18-amino acid signal peptide, preceding the 222 amino acids in the mature enzyme, indicating that the enzyme is a secretory protein. The first 95 amino acids of the mature enzyme show no sequence homology with other sequenced proteins and there is one possible N-glycosylation site (Asn-89). The amino acid sequence from residues 96-193 shows strong homology (approximately 50%) with the final two-thirds of the sequences of all known eukaryotic CuZn SODs, whereas the homology with the P. leiognathi CuZn SOD is clearly lower. The ligands to Cu and Zn, the cysteines forming the intrasubunit disulfide bridge in the CuZn SODs, and the arginine found in all CuZn SODs in the entrance to the active site can all be identified in EC-SOD. A comparison with bovine CuZn SOD, the three-dimensional structure of which is known, reveals that the homologies occur in the active site and the divergences are in the part constituting the subunit contact area in CuZn SOD. Amino acid sequence 194-222 in the carboxyl-terminal end of EC-SOD is strongly hydrophilic and contains nine amino acids with a positive charge. This sequence probably confers the affinity of EC-SOD for heparin and heparan sulfate. An analysis of the amino acid sequence homologies with CuZn SODs from various species indicates that the EC-SODs may have evolved from the CuZn SODs before the evolution of fungi and plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of human extracellular superoxide dismutase in Chinese hamster ovary cells and characterization of the product.

A complementary DNA clone from human placenta, encoding human extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD; superoxide:superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1), has recently been isolated and characterized. An expression plasmid, based on the EC-SOD complementary DNA, was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). The transfected cells secreted human EC-SOD to the culture medium. The secreted recombinant (r) EC-SOD was isolated in high yield with a three-step procedure beginning with immobilized monoclonal anti-EC-SOD antibodies. The properties of the rEC-SOD were compared with native (n) EC-SOD isolated from human umbilical cords. The specific activities and amino-terminal amino acid sequences were identical. The amino acid compositions were virtually identical and very similar to the composition deduced from the complementary DNA sequence. Both rEC-SOD and nEC-SOD contained 4 Cu and 4 Zn atoms per molecule, and the presence of Zn in EC-SOD is thus now established. The rEC-SOD produced is type C, since its affinity for heparin-Sepharose was identical to that of nEC-SOD type C. Both enzymes bound to concanavalin A, lentil lectin, and wheat germ lectin and are thus glycoproteins. rEC-SOD and nEC-SOD seem to have the same subunit structure and composition as analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel chromatography.

Amino Acids↗

A mutational analysis of the insulin gene transcription control region: expression in beta cells is dependent on two related sequences within the enhancer.

Cell-specific expression of the insulin gene is controlled by cis-acting DNA sequences located within approximately equal to 350 base pairs of the 5' flanking DNA immediately upstream from the transcription start site. Using synthetic oligonucleotides, we have constructed a systematic series of block replacement mutants spanning this region. No single sequence appears to be absolutely required for expression. However, three of the mutants exhibit 5-10 times less activity and several others show 2-3 times less. Simultaneous mutation of two of the most mutationally sensitive regions leads to virtual abolition of activity. These two elements are structurally related and presumably represent key components of the machinery determining the cell-specific expression of the insulin gene.

Animals↗

Sequence-specific interactions of nuclear factors with the insulin gene enhancer.

Insulin 5'-flanking DNA contains two elements controlling cell-specific expression, one a cell-specific enhancer. We show that factors in nuclear extracts derived from an insulin-secreting cell line interact with three distinct regions within the insulin enhancer. The 5' border of the farthest upstream protected region coincides with the 5' border of the enhancer element, indicating a functional role for this interaction in insulin gene transcription. This protected region covers 46 bp, including an enhancer core sequence. This region was not protected in nuclear extracts prepared identically from two heterologous cell lines, indicating at least a 3-fold lower level of interacting factors in these cells. The size of this protected region suggests that more than one factor is binding, possibly facilitating cell-specific interaction of a binding protein with the core enhancer nucleotides. The other two protected regions were observed in extracts prepared from one or both of the heterologous cells.

Animals↗

Cell-specific expression of the rat insulin gene: evidence for role of two distinct 5' flanking elements.

The 5' flanking DNA of the rat insulin I gene contains sequences controlling cell-specific expression. Analysis of this region by replacement of specific portions with nondiscriminatory control elements from viral systems shows that a transcriptional enhancer is located in the distal portion of the 5' flanking DNA; its position has been mapped by deletion analysis. Additional experiments suggest that another distinct regulatory element is located more proximal to the transcription start site. The activity of both elements is restricted to pancreatic B cells. The combinatorial effect of multiple control elements could explain the cell-specific expression of insulin genes.

Acetyltransferases↗

Differential expression of interferon genes in a substrain of Namalwa cells.

A substrain of Namalwa cells producing a high ratio of beta-interferon (IFN-beta) versus alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) was investigated by constructing a cDNA library after induction with Sendai virus. The library was screened by two synthetic oligonucleotides, one specific for IFN-alpha and one complementary to both IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. Rescreening the library with two full-length cDNAs encoding IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, respectively, revealed that the frequency of the IFN-alpha and IFN-beta clones reflected the activities of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta obtained by functional assays. On the cDNA level, the dominating species was identical with the type of IFN-alpha A or IFN-alpha 2; however, one new type of cDNA also was found that was similar to the previously described IFN-alpha C. Only one type of cDNA was found encoding IFN-beta, although several IFN-beta proteins have been detected in the analyzed cell line.

Base Sequence↗

Novel cluster of alpha-interferon gene sequences in a placental cosmid DNA library.

A human cosmid library was constructed and probed with a human alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) cDNA clone. One clone giving a strong hybridizing signal was isolated and characterized. The cosmid DNA insert represents a section of the human genome containing three regions of IFN-alpha-like sequences. The DNA was characterized with restriction endonuclease mapping, thereby allowing comparison to similar linkage groups reported recently and determination of homologous regions on the known physical map. The three IFN-alpha-like sequences were analyzed by a partial sequence analysis. Mapping and sequence data establish this section as a not-yet-described cluster of IFN-alpha sequences in the human genome; however, a part of the section matches to some degree to a previously described genomic region. The region described here could represent genetic polymorphism or a duplicated segment.

Base Sequence↗

Insect immunity. Isolation of cDNA clones corresponding to attacins and immune protein P4 from Hyalophora cecropia.

Diapausing pupae of the Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) respond to an injection of live bacteria by the selective synthesis of certain types of RNA and immune proteins (designated P1-P9). The in vitro translation products of RNA from both injured and infected pupae showed specific patterns with a defined number of extra bands. Some proteins characteristic of the normal RNA were reduced in the immune RNA translation products. Antibody reaction was used to show the selective synthesis of immune proteins P4 and P5 with mRNA from pupae subjected to injury or infection. The protein synthesized in vitro, which cross-reacted with P5 antibodies, is most likely a precursor of the attacins described in the preceding paper. A cDNA clone bank was prepared and two clones were isolated and shown to contain 750 bp corresponding to P4 and 250 bp of attacin information. These clones were used to estimate the sizes of the mRNAs by Northern blotting and to estimate, by RNA/DNA hybridization, the levels of P4 and P5 mRNA. In vivo incorporation of [35S]methionine into attacins and P4 during different conditions was compared with the levels of the corresponding mRNA.

Animals↗

Isolation of cDNA sequences coding for a part of human tissue plasminogen activator.

We have isolated a cDNA sequence coding for a part of human tissue plasminogen activator. mRNA coding for tissue plasminogen activator was partially purified, copied into double-stranded cDNA, and cloned into Escherichia coli. Two sets of partially overlapping oligodeoxynucleotide mixtures corresponding to all possible coding sequences for a known portion of the tissue plasminogen activator gene were prepared. One set was used as a probe to screen cDNA containing bacterial clones and both were used as probes in hybridization against purified plasmid DNA. Of 4,200 bacterial clones examined, 1 carried a plasmid that hybridized to both sets of oligonucleotides. This plasmid contained a 370-base-pair cDNA insert, which was shown by nucleotide sequence analysis to code for the cleavage site region in the one-chain form of the human tissue plasminogen activator.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overlapping genes.

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Base Sequence↗

Recombination between short DNA homologies causes tandem duplication.

The ampC gene of Escherichia coli K-12 codes for a beta-lactamase which can hydrolyse the beta-lactam ring of ampicillin. Ampicillin resistance is strictly related to ampC gene copy number thus we have been able to isolate ampicillin-resistant mutants carrying multiple ampC repeats. We have isolated on a plasmid a segment of chromosomal DNA carrying multiple ampC repeats, and compared the nucleotide sequence of the region joining repeat units to the sequence of the DNA segments that fused to create the joint. The fusion had occurred within a 12-base pair (bp) sequence of perfect homology. We suggest that recombination between randomly occurring short homologies (12-13-bp long), could be a general mechanism to generate tandem duplications in the size range of 10 kilobases (kb).

Base Sequence↗