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At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Transcription strategy in a Closterovirus: a novel 5'-proximal controller element of Citrus Tristeza Virus produces 5'- and 3'-terminal subgenomic RNAs and differs from 3' open reading frame controller elements.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) produces more than thirty 3'- or 5'-terminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) that accumulate to various extents during replication in protoplasts and plants. Among the most unusual species are two abundant populations of small 5'-terminal sgRNAs of approximately 800 nucleotides (nt) termed low-molecular-weight tristeza (LMT1 and LMT2) RNAs. Remarkably, CTV replicons with all 10 3' genes deleted produce only the larger LMT1 RNAs. These 5'-terminal positive-sense sgRNAs do not have corresponding negative strands and were hypothesized to be produced by premature termination during plus-strand genomic RNA synthesis. We characterized a cis-acting element that controls the production of the LMT1 RNAs. Since manipulation of this cis-acting element in its native position (the L-ProI region of replicase) was not possible because the mutations negatively affect replication, a region (5'TR) surrounding the putative termination sites (nt approximately 550 to 1000) was duplicated in the 3' end of a CTV replicon to allow characterization. The duplicated sequence continued to produce a 5'-terminal plus-strand sgRNA, here much larger ( approximately 11 kb), apparently by termination. Surprisingly, a new 3'-terminal sgRNA was observed from the duplicated 5'TR. A large 3'-terminal sgRNA resulting from the putative promoter activity of the native 5'TR was not observed, possibly because of the down-regulation of a promoter approximately 19 kb from the 3' terminus. However, we were able to observe a sgRNA produced from the native 5'TR of a small defective RNA, which placed the native 5'TR closer to the 3' terminus, demonstrating sgRNA promoter activity of the native 5'TR. Deletion mutagenesis mapped the promoter and the terminator activities of the 5'TR (in the 3' position in the CTV replicon) to a 57-nt region, which was folded by the MFOLD computer program into two stem-loops. Mutations in the putative stem-loop structures equally reduced or prevented production of both the 3'- and 5'-terminal sgRNAs. These mutations, when introduced in frame in the native 5'TR, similarly abolished the synthesis of the LMT1 RNAs and presumably the large 3'-terminal sgRNA while having no impact on replication, demonstrating that neither 5'- nor 3'-terminal sgRNA is necessary for replication of the replicon or full-length CTV in protoplasts. Differences between the 5'TR, which produced two plus-strand sgRNAs, and the cis-acting elements controlling the 3' open reading frames, which produced additional minus-strand sgRNAs corresponding to the 3'-terminal mRNAs, suggest that the different sgRNA controller elements had different origins in the modular evolution of closteroviruses.

Base Sequence↗

Rapid mRNA degradation mediated by the c-fos 3' AU-rich element and that mediated by the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 3' AU-rich element occur through similar polysome-associated mechanisms.

The different 3' noncoding AU-rich elements (ARE) that mediate the degradation of many short-lived mRNAs may function through distinct decay pathways; translation-dependent and -independent mechanisms have been proposed. To investigate the cotranslational model, we designed an expression system that exploits the properties of the ferritin iron-responsive element to shuttle chimeric mRNAs from ribonucleoproteins to polyribosomes. The iron-responsive element was introduced in the 5' untranslated regions of alpha-globin mRNAs that harbored in their 3' untranslated regions either the c-fos ARE or the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ARE as prototypes of the different ARE subsets. The cytoplasmic location of the transcripts was controlled by intracellular iron availability and monitored by polysomal profile analysis. We report that these two mRNA subsets behaved identically in this system. Iron deprivation by desferrioxamine treatment stabilized both transcripts by sequestering them away from polyribosomes. Sequential treatments with desferrioxamine, followed by hemin to concentrate the mRNAs in the ribonucleoprotein pool prior to translation, showed that rapid degradation occurred only upon redistribution of the transcripts to polyribosomes. Deletion of a critical cytosine in the iron-responsive element abolished targeted sequestration and restored high-level constitutive mRNA instability. These observations demonstrate that the c-fos and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ARE subsets mediate selective mRNA degradation through similar polysome-associated mechanisms coupled with ongoing translation.

3T3 Cells↗

The scs' boundary element: characterization of boundary element-associated factors.

Boundary elements are thought to define the peripheries of chromatin domains and to restrict enhancer-promoter interactions to their target genes within their domains. We previously characterized a cDNA encoding the BEAF-32A protein (32A), which binds with high affinity to the scs' boundary element from the Drosophila melanogaster 87A7 hsp70 locus. Here, we report a second protein, BEAF-32B, that differs from 32A only in its amino terminus. Unlike 32A, it has the same DNA binding specificity as the complete BEAF activity affinity purified from Drosophila. We characterize three domains in these proteins. Heterocomplex formation is mediated by their identical carboxy-terminal domains, and DNA binding is mediated by their unique amino-terminal domains. The identical middle domains of 32A and 32B are dispensable for the functions described here, although they may be important for boundary element function. 32A and 32B apparently form trimers, and the ratio of 32A to 32B varies at different loci on polytene chromosomes as judged by immunofluorescence. The scs' element contains a high- and low-affinity binding site for BEAF. We observed that interaction with the low-affinity site is facilitated by binding to the high-affinity site some 200 bp distant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of transcriptional cis-elements, angiotensinogen gene-activating elements, of angiotensinogen gene in blood pressure regulation.

Results of recent genetic studies suggest that the angiotensinogen gene is a possible determinant of hypertension. Using antisense technology, we demonstrated that generation of circulating angiotensinogen is a rate-limiting step in blood pressure regulation. In the present study, we examined how the angiotensinogen gene is regulated in vivo. The transcriptional cis-elements, angiotensinogen gene-activating elements (AGE) 2 and 3, have been reported to regulate angiotensinogen production in human hepatocytes in vitro. To determine the critical transcriptional regulator of angiotensinogen production in vivo, we used synthetic double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as "decoy" cis-elements to block the binding of nuclear factors to promoter regions of the targeted gene, resulting in the inhibition of gene transactivation. Here we examined whether AGE 2 and AGE 3 in the promoter region of the angiotensinogen gene have a pivotal role in hepatic angiotensinogen production in vivo. Hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA was decreased by the transfection of AGE 2 but not mismatched decoy ODN. Transfection of decoy but not mismatched ODN against AGE 2 resulted in a transient decrease in blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), accompanied by a reduction in plasma angiotensinogen and angiotensin II levels. In contrast, transfection of AGE 3 decoy ODN had little effect on blood pressure. Overall, our results demonstrate that transfection of decoy ODN against AGE 2, but not against AGE 3, of the angiotensinogen gene resulted in a transient decrease in high blood pressure of SHR, suggesting that the transcriptional cis-element AGE 2, rather than AGE 3, has an important role in blood pressure regulation through the control of circulating angiotensinogen.

Angiotensinogen↗

The 5'-flanking region of the ovine follicle-stimulating hormone-beta gene contains six progesterone response elements: three proximal elements are sufficient to increase transcription in the presence of progesterone.

Progesterone (P4) can alter the synthesis and secretion of FSH from pituitary gonadotropes of sheep. In this study, the 5'-flanking region (4.7 kilobases) of the ovine FSH beta gene was tested for binding by human progesterone receptors (hPR), using an immunoprecipitation technique. Three fragments were bound by hPR. Competition experiments using homologous and heterologous DNA fragments revealed this binding to be specific and of high affinity (Kd = 1.2-47 nM). The fragment sequences were screened for potential P4 response elements (PREs). Six PRE-like elements were found among the three immunoprecipitated fragments. Band shift experiments discerned that each of these PRE-like sequences could be bound by hPR. In functional studies, each of the PRE-like elements could enhance the expression of a reporter gene driven by a heterologous promoter in a hormone-dependent manner. The 5'-flanking region of the ovine FSH beta gene was tested for P4 responsiveness using a luciferase reporter. In the presence of P4, there was a 2- to 3-fold increase in luciferase activity when the entire 4.7 kilobases of the 5'-flanking sequence were present, whereas no increase was seen in a construct that contained only 84 basepairs 5' to the transcription start site. This effect on transcription was dose dependent for P4. Deletion studies revealed that the three PRE-like elements closest to the transcription start site (-250 to -137) were sufficient to create the hormone-dependent enhancement. These results indicate that the 5'-flanking sequence of the ovine FSH beta gene contains sequences capable of being bound by hPR and may be responsible for the effects of P4 on FSH beta synthesis and secretion. This study is the first to show binding and function of PR for a gonadotropin gene.

Animals↗

Involvement of heat shock elements and basal transcription elements in the differential induction of the 70-kDa heat shock protein and its cognate by cadmium chloride in 9L rat brain tumor cells.

Exposure of 9L rat brain tumor cells to 40-100 microM CdCl2 for 2 h leads to an induction of a wide spectrum of heat shock proteins (HSPs). We have demonstrated that induction of the 70-kDa HSP (HSP70) and enhanced expression of its cognate (HSC70) by cadmium are concentration dependent and that the induction kinetics of these HSP70s are different. The increased synthesis of the HSP70s is accompanied by the increase in hsp70 and hsc70 mRNA levels, indicative of transcriptional regulation of the heat shock genes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using probes encompassing heat shock element (HSE), TATA, GC, and CCAAT boxes derived from the promoter regions of the heat shock genes shows distinguished binding patterns between hsp70 and hsc70 genes in both control and cadmium-treated cells. The results indicate that, in addition to the HSEs, the basal transcription elements are important in the regulation of the heat shock genes. The binding patterns of the corresponding transcription factors of these elements are examined by EMSA by using extended promoter fragments from respective heat shock genes with sequential addition of excess oligonucleotides encompassing individual transcription elements. Taken together, our results show that the differential induction of hsp70 and hsc70 involves multiple transcription factors that interact with HSE, TATA, GC, and CCAAT boxes.

Animals↗

Murine hoxd4 expression in the CNS requires multiple elements including a retinoic acid response element.

We have identified a retinoic acid response element (RARE) within a neural enhancer located 3' to the Hoxd4 gene. This RARE is required for the initiation and maintenance of Hoxd4 transgene expression in neurectoderm, and for full anteriorized expression upon retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Mutations within the sequence TTTTCTG, located 2 bp downstream of the RARE, posteriorized transgene activity. However, the onset of transgene expression and its response to RA were indistinguishable from wild type. While the TTTTCTG motif resembles a CDX binding site, human CDX1 protein did not interact with this element in vitro. Three additional regions were also shown to control transgene expression in neurectoderm, establishing that multiple elements constitute the Hoxd4 neural enhancer.

Animals↗

cAMP-response element modulator-tau activates a distinct promoter element for the expression of the phospholipid hydroperoxide/sperm nucleus glutathione peroxidase gene.

PHGPx (phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase) is a selenoprotein present in at least three isoforms in testis: cytosolic, mitochondrial and nuclear. All of these derive from the same gene and are structurally related with the exception of the snPHGPx (sperm nucleus-specific form), which differs from the others due to the presence of an arginine-rich N-terminus. It has been demonstrated recently that this N-terminus is encoded by an alternative exon located in the first intron of the PHGPx gene. The expression of snPHGPx has been attributed either to an alternative pre-mRNA splicing or to the presence of a distinct promoter region. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanism by which the expression of snPHGPx occurs has not been demonstrated so far. Preliminary sequence analysis of the region located upstream of the alternative exon revealed some potential DNA-binding sites, one of which is specific to the binding of CREM (cAMP-response element modulator) transcription factors. By using electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, we demonstrated that both nuclear protein extract from highly purified rat spermatid cells and recombinant CREM-tau protein can specifically bind to this element. Furthermore, we cloned a 1059 bp comprising the intron and the alternative exon for snPHGPx in the pCAT3 reporter vector. By transient transfection experiments, we demonstrated that the expression of the transcription factor CREM-tau can induce the activation of the reporter gene in NIH-3T3 cell line. These results were confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments performed on highly purified rat spermatid cells. On the basis of these results, we demonstrate that snPHGPx expression is mediated by the transcription factor CREM-tau, which acts as a cis-acting element localized in the first intron of the PHGPx gene.

Animals↗

The upstream activation site of a Ty2 element of yeast is necessary but not sufficient to promote maximal transcription of the element.

The Ty elements of yeast are a family of retrovirus-like transposons that are highly transcribed, accounting for about 10% of total mRNA. We have mapped two sites to the nontranscribed region of the element upstream of the transcription start site that are required for maximal gene expression and are similar to sites previously defined in other genes. One, the TATA site, is located 74 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site and has the canonical sequence TATAAAA. This site is required for normal rates of initiation; deletion of the site greatly reduces the amount of Ty917 mRNA without changing its 5' end. A second site is located in a region from 140 to 110 base pairs upstream of the start site. Unlike other upstream activation site (UAS) elements previously defined, the Ty917 UAS is not sufficient to promote any transcription in the absence of downstream transcription regulatory sites. Thus the UAS is necessary but not sufficient for maximal transcription. Comparison of constructs lacking either the UAS or the downstream enhancer or both shows evidence of synergistic interaction between the sites since the effect of the sites on the rate of transcription initiation is more than additive.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

Polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease expression of promoters with sterol regulatory elements by decreasing levels of mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein.

Membrane physiology, plasma lipid levels, and intracellular sterol homeostasis are regulated by both fatty acids and cholesterol. Sterols regulate gene expression of key enzymes of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism through proteolysis of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), which binds to sterol regulatory elements (SRE) contained in promoters of these genes. We investigated the effect of fatty acids on SRE-dependent gene expression and SREBP. Consistent results were obtained in three different cell lines (HepG2, Chinese hamster ovary, and CV-1) transfected with SRE-containing promoters linked to the luciferase expression vector. We show that micromolar concentrations of oleate and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18:2-C22:6) dose-dependently (0.075-0.6 mmol) decreased transcription of SRE-regulated genes by 20-75%. Few or no effects were seen with saturated free fatty acids. Fatty acid effects on SRE-dependent gene expression were independent and additive to those of exogenous sterols. Oleate decreased levels of the mature sterol regulatory element-binding proteins SREBP-1 and -2 and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA. Oleate had no effect in sterol regulation defective Chinese hamster ovary cells or in cells transfected with mutant SRE-containing promoters. We hypothesize that unsaturated fatty acids increase intracellular regulatory pools of cholesterol and thus affect mature SREBP levels and expression of SRE-dependent genes.

Animals↗

Polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c promoter activity by inhibition of liver X receptor (LXR) binding to LXR response elements.

Previous studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) suppress sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) expression and, thus, lipogenesis. In the current study, the molecular mechanism for this suppressive effect was investigated with luciferase reporter gene assays using the SREBP-1c promoter in HEK293 cells. Consistent with previous data, the addition of PUFAs to the medium in the assays robustly inhibited the SREBP-1c promoter activity. Deletion and mutation of the two liver X receptor (LXR)-responsive elements (LXREs) in the SREBP-1c promoter region eliminated this suppressive effect, indicating that both LXREs are important PUFA-suppressive elements. The luciferase activities of both SREBP-1c promoter and LXRE enhancer constructs induced by co-expression of LXRalpha or -beta were strongly suppressed by the addition of various PUFAs (arachidonic acid > eicosapentaenoic acid > docosahexaenoic acid > linoleic acid), whereas saturated or mono-unsaturated fatty acids had minimal effects. Gel shift mobility and ligand binding domain activation assays demonstrated that PUFA suppression of SREBP-1c expression is mediated through its competition with LXR ligand in the activation of the ligand binding domain of LXR, thereby inhibiting binding of LXR/retinoid X receptor heterodimer to the LXREs in the SREBP-1c promoter. These data suggest that PUFAs could be deeply involved in nutritional regulation of cellular fatty acid levels by inhibiting an LXR-SREBP-1c system crucial for lipogenesis.

Animals↗

Identification of an androgen response element in intron 8 of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein gene allowing direct regulation by the androgen receptor.

Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are transcription regulators that play a pivotal role in intracellular lipid homeostasis. They are synthesized as inactive precursor proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, where they are retained by SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), a sterol sensing protein that in turn is linked to a retention protein complex. Low intracellular sterol concentrations weaken the interaction of SCAP with its retention proteins and allow translocation of the SREBP.SCAP complex to the Golgi compartment where SREBP is proteolytically cleaved and activated. Previous studies on the mechanisms by which androgens provoke a coordinated activation of lipogenic pathways in prostate cancer cells have suggested an alternative pathway of activation in which androgens increase the expression of SCAP and favor translocation of the SREBP.SCAP complex to the Golgi apparatus by disturbing the balance between SCAP and its retention proteins. Here we show that the SCAP gene contains an androgen-responsive region located in intron 8. This region interacts directly with the androgen receptor and confers androgen responsiveness to promoter-reporter constructs transfected in LNCaP cells. It contains a noncanonical androgen response element GGAAGAaaaTGTACC that interacts not only with the androgen receptor but also with the glucocorticoid receptor and that also confers glucocorticoid responsiveness. The identification of a steroid response element in intron 8 of the SCAP gene further supports the contention that SCAP is a direct target for steroid hormone action.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Deacetylase inhibitors and the viral transactivator TaxBLV synergistically activate bovine leukemia virus gene expression via a cAMP-responsive element- and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-dependent mechanism.

Efficient bovine leukemia virus (BLV) transcription requires the virus-encoded transactivator Tax(BLV), which acts through three Tax(BLV)-responsive elements located in the 5' long terminal repeat. It has been proposed that the binding of the CRE-binding protein (CREB) and the activating transcription factor (ATF) to the three imperfect cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) located in each Tax(BLV)-responsive element mediates Tax(BLV) transactivation. Here we demonstrated that deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) synergistically enhanced the transcriptional activation of the BLV promoter by Tax(BLV) in a CRE-dependent manner. Tax(BLV) was acetylated in vivo at its N(alpha) terminus but not at internal lysine residues. Rather, HDACi potentiation of Tax(BLV) transactivation was mediated by an HDACi indirect action that requires new protein synthesis. Mechanistically, using a dominant-negative form of CREB, we showed that Tax(BLV) and HDACi synergistically activated BLV gene expression via a CREB-dependent mechanism. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot experiments revealed that HDACi increased the in vitro DNA binding activity of CREB/ATF but did not alter CREB/ATF intranuclear presence. Remarkably, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that HDACi treatment increased the level of CREB bound to the BLV promoter in vivo. Our results together suggest that an increase in CREB/ATF occupancy of the viral CREs in response to HDACi potentiates Tax(BLV) transactivation of the BLV promoter.

Animals↗

Role of basic region leucine zipper transcription factors cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 and CAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha in cyclic AMP response element-mediated transcription.

The transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a member of the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) family of proteins, is the major cAMP response element (CRE) binding. Other bZIP proteins, including CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), or CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) have been reported to transactivate CRE-containing genes or to interfere with transactivation by CREB. We have designed a simple transactivation assay using expression of either a constitutively active CREB mutant or a nuclear targeted mutant of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In both cases, a striking stimulation of transcription of CRE-containing reporter genes was observed in noradrenergic locus coeruleus-like CATH.a cells. In addition, a constitutively active mutant of ATF2 specifically transactivated a secretogranin II promoter/luciferase reporter gene, but had no effect on the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. In contrast, CREB2 and C/EBPalpha did not transactivate CRE-containing reporter genes, indicating that these bZIP proteins target distinct genetic elements. Experiments involving dominant-negative bZIP mutants revealed that CREB does not heterodimerize with CREB2, ATF2, c-Jun or C/EBP. Rather, CREB and ATF2 compete for binding to the CRE, and are independently able to up-regulate transcription of genes containing CRE motifs in their regulatory regions.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

PC12 cells regulate inducible cyclic AMP (cAMP) element repressor expression to differentially control cAMP response element-dependent transcription in response to nerve growth factor and cAMP.

Both cyclic AMP (cAMP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have been shown to cause rapid activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) by phosphorylation of serine 133, but additional regulatory events contribute to CREB-targeted gene expression. Here, we have used stable transfection with a simple cAMP response element (CRE)-driven reporter to address the kinetics of CRE-dependent transcription during neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. In naive cells, dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) generated a rapid increase in CRE-driven luciferase activity by 5 h that returned to naive levels by 24 h. Luciferase induction after NGF treatment was delayed until 48 h when CRE-driven luciferase expression became TrkA dependent. Blocking histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity accelerated NGF-dependent CRE-driven luciferase expression by at least 24 h and resulted in a sustained cAMP-dependent expression of CRE-driven luciferase beyond 24 h. Inhibition of protein synthesis before stimulation with NGF or dbcAMP indicated that both stimuli induce expression of a transcriptional repressor that delays NGF-dependent and attenuates cAMP-dependent CRE-driven transcription. NGF caused a rapid but transient HDAC-dependent increase in inducible cAMP element repressor (ICER) expression, but ICER expression was sustained with increased cAMP. Depletion of ICER from PC12 cells indicated that HDAC-dependent ICER induction is responsible for the delay in CRE-dependent transcription after NGF treatment.

Animals↗

Interaction of early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1), specificity protein 1 (Sp1), and cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) at a proximal response element is critical for gastrin-dependent activation of the chromogranin A promoter.

Recently, binding of specific protein 1 (Sp1) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) to a GC-rich element at -92/-62 has been identified as a critical step in gastrin-dependent regulation of the chromogranin A (CgA) gene in gastric epithelial cells. Here we demonstrate that binding of early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1) to the distal part of the -92/-62 site is also required for gastrin-dependent CgA transactivation. Gastrin elevated cellular and nuclear Egr-1 levels in a time-dependent manner and also increased Egr-1 binding to the CgA -92/-73 region. Disruption of this site reduced gastrin responsiveness without influencing basal promoter activity, while loss of Sp1 and/or CREB binding sites diminished basal and gastrin-stimulated CgA promoter activity. Ectopic Egr-1 overexpression potently stimulated the CgA promoter, whereas coexpression of Egr-1 with Sp1 and/or CREB resulted in additive effects. Functional analysis of Sp1-, Egr-1-, or CREB-specific promoter mutations in transfection studies confirmed the tripartite organization of the CgA -92/-62 element. Signaling studies revealed that MAPK kinase 1 (MEK1)/ERK1/2 cascades are critical for gastrin-dependent Egr-1 protein accumulation as well as Egr-1 binding to the CgA promoter. Our studies for the first time identify Egr-1 as a nuclear target of gastrin and show that functional interplay of Egr-1, Sp1, and CREB is indispensable for gastrin-dependent CgA transactivation in gastric epithelial cells.

Binding Sites↗

Bombyx mori 28S ribosomal genes contain insertion elements similar to the Type I and II elements of Drosophila melanogaster.

We have examined the 28S ribosomal genes of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, for the presence of insertion sequences. Two types of insertion sequences were found, each approximately 5 kb in length, which do not share sequence homology. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the junction regions with the uninserted gene reveals that one type of insertion has resulted in a 14 bp duplication of the 28S coding region at the insertion site. The location of this insertion and the 14 bp duplication are identical to that found in the Type I ribosomal insertion element of Drosophila melanogaster. The second type of insertion element is located at a site corresponding to approximately 75 bp upstream of the first type. The location of this insertion, the variability detected at its 5' junction, and a short region of sequence homology at its 3' junction suggest that it is related to the Type II element of D. melanogaster. This is the first example of a Type II-like rDNA insertion outside of sibling species of D. melanogaster, and the first example of a Type I-like rDNA insertion outside of the higher Diptera.

Animals↗

Trace element uptake by L-cells as a function of trace elements in a synthetic growth medium.

The concentration of trace elements in L-cells has been studied as a function of the trace metal content of the growth medium. Cells were cultured in synthetic media which contained varying trace amounts of the elements manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and molybdenum. The cellular concentration of the of the elements potassium, iron, copper and zinc were then determined. It was found that the cell accumulates trace metals at a different rate than they are made available. Deficiencies in zinc could be "induced" in the cell by increasing the concentration of iron, manganese and cobalt; cellular iron deficiencies were observed at larger medium concentrations of zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt. Trace metal uptake by the cell was seen to parallel the utilization by multicellular organisms.

Cobalt↗