Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Homologous Recombination Deficiency”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Cloning and mapping of a gene for translational initiation factor IF2 in Escherichia coli.

A novel method, not relying on genetic complementation of a mutation, was used to clone a gene for translational initiation factor IF2. Two clones from a cosmid library of total Escherichia coli DNA were isolated for their ability to overproduce IF2 in vivo as determined by quantitative immunoblotting. "Maxicell" analysis of cosmid-encoded proteins and specific immune precipitation of the labeled proteins showed that the structural gene for IF2 (inf B) had been cloned. Subcloning fragments from the original cosmids located the inf B gene to a 4.8-kilobase pair HindIII/BamHI fragment. This fragment has been inserted into an integration-deficient recombinant lambda phage that lysogenizes by homology. By mapping the point of lysogenization on the E. coli chromosome, inf B has been located at 68 min, very close to argG, nusA, rpsO, and pnp. Because the gene for initiation factor IF3 is located at 38 min on the chromosome, the genes for translational initiation factors are not grouped together.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Role of CYP2E1 in the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen.

CYP2El, a cytochrome P-450 that is well conserved across mammalian species, metabolizes ethanol and many low molecular weight toxins and cancer suspect agents. The cyp2e1 gene was isolated, and a mouse line that lacks expression of CYP2E1 was generated by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Animals deficient in expression of the enzyme were fertile, developed normally, and exhibited no obvious phenotypic abnormalities, thus indicating that CYP2E1 has no critical role in mammalian development and physiology in the absence of external stimuli. When cyp2el knockout mice were challenged with the common analgesic acetaminophen, they were found to be considerably less sensitive to its hepatotoxic effects than wild-type animals, indicating that this P-450 is the principal enzyme responsible for the metabolic conversion of the drug to its active hepatotoxic metabolite.

Acetaminophen↗

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2)-deficient B lymphocytes reveal novel roles for TRAF2 in CD40 signaling.

CD40 function is initiated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) adapter proteins, which play important roles in signaling by numerous receptors. Characterizing roles of individual TRAFs has been hampered by limitations of available experimental models and the poor viability of most TRAF-deficient mice. Here, B cell lines made deficient in TRAF2 using a novel homologous recombination system reveal new roles for TRAF2. We demonstrate that TRAF2 participates in synergy between CD40 and B cell antigen receptor signals, and in CD40-mediated, TNF-dependent IgM production. We also find that TRAF2 participates in the degradation of TRAF3 associated with CD40 signaling, a role that may limit inhibitory actions of TRAF3. Finally, we show that TRAF2 and TRAF6 have overlapping functions in CD40-mediated NF-kappaB activation and CD80 up-regulation. These findings demonstrate previously unappreciated roles for TRAF2 in signaling by TNF receptor family members, using an approach that facilitates the analysis of genes critical to the viability of whole organisms.

Animals↗

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B2 (p100/p52) is required for normal splenic microarchitecture and B cell-mediated immune responses.

The nfkb2 gene is a member of the Rel/NF-kappa B family of transcription factors. COOH-terminal deletions and rearrangements of this gene have been associated with the development of human cutaneous T cell lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemias, and multiple myelomas. To further investigate the function of NF-kappa B2, we have generated mutant mice carrying a germline mutation of the nfkb2 gene by homologous recombination. NF-kappa B2-deficient mice showed a marked reduction in the B cell compartment in spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Moreover, spleen and lymph nodes of mutant mice presented an altered architecture, characterized by diffuse, irregular B cell areas and the absence of discrete perifollicular marginal and mantle zones; the formation of secondary germinal centers in spleen was also impaired. Proliferation of NF-kappa B2-deficient B cells was moderately reduced in response to lipopolysaccharide, anti-IgD-dextran, and CD40, but maturation and immunoglobulin switching were normal. However, nfkb2 (-/-) animals presented a deficient immunological response to T cell-dependent and -independent antigens. These findings indicate an important role of NF-kappa B2 in the maintenance of the peripheral B cell population, humoral responses, and normal spleen architecture.

Animals↗

Recombination in adaptive mutation.

The genetic requirements for adaptive mutation in Escherichia coli parallel those for homologous recombination in the RecBCD pathway. Recombination-deficient recA and recB null mutant strains are deficient in adaptive reversion. A hyper-recombinagenic recD strain is hypermutable, and its hypermutation depends on functional recA and recB genes. Genes of subsidiary recombination systems are not required. These results indicate that the molecular mechanism by which adaptive mutation occurs includes recombination. No such association is seen for spontaneous mutation in growing cells.

DNA Damage↗

CD8 alpha-deficient mice are highly susceptible to 5-fluorouracil-induced lethality.

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IEL) expressing CD8 alpha are located in the intestine and may confer protection against invasion of intestinal microflora. We found that mice rendered deficient in CD8 alpha molecules by homologous recombination were susceptible to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced lethality accompanied by translocation of members of the enterobacteria. The number of i-IEL was greatly reduced on day 6 after 5-FU administration in both CD8 alpha(+/-) mice and CD8 alpha(-/-) mice, whereas the recovery of the level of i-IEL thereafter was significantly impaired in CD8 alpha(-/-) mice compared with that in CD8 alpha(+/-) mice. The ability of i-IEL to produce gamma interferon in response to immobilized T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta or TCR gamma delta monoclonal antibodies was significantly lower in CD8 alpha(-/-) mice than in CD8 alpha(+/-) mice. Transfer of CD8(+) i-IEL conferred significant protection against 5-FU-induced lethality in CD8 alpha(-/-) mice. The results suggest that CD8(+) i-IEL play an important role in protection against 5-FU-induced lethality with translocation of Enterobacteriaceae.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Relatedness of O-specific lipopolysaccharide side chain genes from strains of Shigella boydii type 12 belonging to two clonal groups and from Escherichia coli O7:K1.

The O-specific lipopolysaccharide side chains of Escherichia coli O7 and Shigella boydii type 12 possess similar but not identical chemical structures. We investigated the genetic relatedness between the O-specific side chain genes in members of these two species. Examination of outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) banding patterns demonstrated that five strains which had been identified as S. boydii type 12 fell into two clonal groups, SB1 and SB2. Hybridizations with O7-specific radiolabeled probes derived from the chromosomal DNA of an E. coli O7 strain detected identical fragments among the three SB1 strains of S. boydii type 12 and the two E. coli O7 reference isolates. The two other S. boydii type 12 strains, which belonged to the SB2 clone, did not show homologies with the O7 probe under high-stringency conditions of hybridization. The homology between the O7 and type 12 LPS gene regions from the SB1 strains was further confirmed by the construction of O-specific side chain-deficient mutations in these strains by homologous recombination of a suicide plasmid containing O7-specific DNA sequences. Immunoblot experiments with O7 antiserum gave a weak cross-reaction with LPS purified from the SB2 strains but a very strong cross-reaction with the LPS from SB1 isolates. Antiserum raised to one of the SB2 strains cross-reacted only with S. boydii type 12 LPS from the SB1 clone but failed to react with O7 LPS.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

UreR, the transcriptional activator of the Proteus mirabilis urease gene cluster, is required for urease activity and virulence in experimental urinary tract infections.

Proteus mirabilis, a cause of complicated urinary tract infection, produces urease, an essential virulence factor for this species. UreR, a member of the AraC/XylS family of transcriptional regulators, positively activates expression of the ure gene cluster in the presence of urea. To specifically evaluate the contribution of UreR to urease activity and virulence in the urinary tract, a ureR mutation was introduced into P. mirabilis HI4320 by homologous recombination. The isogenic ureR::aphA mutant, deficient in UreR production, lacked measurable urease activity. Expression was not detected in the UreR-deficient strain by Western blotting with monoclonal antibodies raised against UreD. Urease activity and UreD expression were restored by complementation of the mutant strain with ureR expressed from a low-copy-number plasmid. Virulence was assessed by transurethral cochallenge of CBA mice with wild-type and mutant strains. The isogenic ureR::aphA mutant of HI4320 was outcompeted in the urine (P = 0.004), bladder (P = 0.016), and kidneys (P < or = 0.001) 7 days after inoculation. Thus, UreR is required for basal urease activity in the absence of urea, for induction of urease by urea, and for virulence of P. mirabilis in the urinary tract.

Animals↗

Activating transcription factor 1 and CREB are important for cell survival during early mouse development.

Activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1), CREB, and the cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element modulatory protein (CREM), which constitute a subfamily of the basic leucine zipper transcription factors, activate gene expression by binding as homo- or heterodimers to the cAMP response element in regulatory regions of target genes. To investigate the function of ATF1 in vivo, we inactivated the corresponding gene by homologous recombination. In contrast to CREB-deficient mice, which suffer from perinatal lethality, mice lacking ATF1 do not exhibit any discernible phenotypic abnormalities. Since ATF1 and CREB but not CREM are strongly coexpressed during early mouse development, we generated mice deficient for both CREB and ATF1. ATF1(-/-) CREB(-/-) embryos die before implantation due to developmental arrest. ATF1(+/-) CREB(-/-) embryos display a phenotype of embryonic lethality around embryonic day 9.5 due to massive apoptosis. These results indicate that CREB and ATF1 act in concert to mediate signals essential for maintaining cell viability during early embryonic development.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗

The nuclear scaffold protein NIPP1 is essential for early embryonic development and cell proliferation.

NIPP1 (nuclear inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1) is a ubiquitously expressed nuclear scaffold protein that has been implicated in both transcription and RNA processing. Among its protein ligands are a protein kinase, a protein phosphatase, two splicing factors, and a transcriptional regulator, and the binding of these proteins to NIPP1 is tightly regulated by phosphorylation. To study the function of NIPP1 in vivo, we have used homologous recombination to generate mice that are deficient in NIPP1. NIPP1(-/+) mice developed normally. However, NIPP1(-/-) embryos showed severely retarded growth at embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) and were resorbed by E8.5. This early embryonic lethality was not associated with increased apoptosis but correlated with impaired cell proliferation. Blastocyst outgrowth experiments and the RNA interference-mediated knockdown of NIPP1 in cultured cells also revealed an essential role for NIPP1 in cell proliferation. In further agreement with this function, no viable NIPP1(-/-) cell lines were obtained by derivation of embryonic stem (ES) cells from blastocysts of NIPP1(-/+) intercrosses or by forced homogenotization of heterozygous ES cells at high concentrations of Geneticin. We conclude that NIPP1 is indispensable for early embryonic development and cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Targeted inactivation of the type VII collagen gene (Col7a1) in mice results in severe blistering phenotype: a model for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Dystrophic forms of epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) are associated with mutations in the type VII collagen gene (Col7a1) which encodes the major component of anchoring fibrils. To develop a DEB animal model, type VII collagen deficient mice were generated by targeted homologous recombination. The targeting vector replaced exons 46-69 of Col7a1 with the neomycin-resistance gene, in reverse transcriptional orientation, resulting in elimination of most of the collagenous domain 1. Col7a1 heterozygous (+/-) mice were phenotypically normal. Mating of Col7a1 +/- mice revealed that Col7a1 null (-/-) mice, which were born with extensive cutaneous blistering, died during the first two weeks of life probably due to complications arising from the blistering. Transmission electron microscopy revealed subepidermal blistering below the lamina densa and absence of anchoring fibrils. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-human type VII collagen antibody stained the dermal-epidermal junction in control mice, but did not stain the skin of Col7a1 null mice. Collectively, the DEB mice recapitulate the clinical, genetic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of recessive DEB in humans. These mice provide an animal model to study the pathomechanisms of DEB and serve as a system to test therapeutic approaches, including gene replacement, towards the cure of this devastating skin disease.

Animals↗

Adenovirus-mediated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor improves lung pathology of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-deficient mice.

Mutation of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene by homologous recombination causes progressive pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) in GM-CSF-deficient mice (GM-/-). The present study tested whether adenovirus-mediated expression of GM-CSF alters the progression of PAP in GM-/- mice. Adult mice were pretreated with an anti-T cell receptor (TCR) antibody to block T cell-mediated immune response, followed by intratracheal instillation of deltaE1-E3 replication-deficient adenovirus expressing mouse GM-CSF (Av1mGM). Mice were killed 1, 3, and 5 weeks after treatment to assess lungs for GM-CSF, surfactant protein B (SP-B), alveolar macrophage maturation, and type II cell proliferation. GM-CSF was detected in BAL fluid from GM-/- mice 1 week after Av1mGM treatment, and GM-CSF mRNA was detected by RT-PCR through 5 weeks. Five weeks after Av1mGM treatment, PAP was improved and SP-B decreased as assessed by ELISA and immunostaining. Increased numbers of alveolar macrophages stained with alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (alpha-NAE) following treatment with Av1mGM. Local expression of GM-CSF with a recombinant adenovirus ameliorated PAP in the GM-/- mice in association with enhanced maturation of alveolar macrophages.

Adenoviridae↗

RuvABC-dependent double-strand breaks in dnaBts mutants require recA.

Replication fork arrest can cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). These DSBs are caused by the action of the Holliday junction resolvase RuvABC, indicating that they are made by resolution of Holliday junctions formed at blocked forks. In this work, we study the homologous recombination functions required for RuvABC-mediated breakage in cells deficient for the accessory replicative helicase Rep or deficient for the main Escherichia coli replicative helicase DnaB. We show that, in the rep mutant, RuvABC-mediated breakage occurs in the absence of the homologous recombination protein RecA. In contrast, in dnaBts mutants, most of the RuvABC-mediated breakage depends on the presence of RecA, which suggests that RecA participates in the formation of Holliday junctions at forks blocked by the inactivation of DnaB. This action of RecA does not involve the induction of the SOS response and does not require any of the recombination proteins essential for the presynaptic step of homologous recombination, RecBCD, RecF or RecO. Consequently, our observations suggest a new function for RecA at blocked replication forks, and we propose that RecA acts by promoting homologous recombination without the assistance of known presynaptic proteins.

Bacterial Proteins↗

CD34-deficient mice have reduced eosinophil accumulation after allergen exposure and show a novel crossreactive 90-kD protein.

CD34 is expressed on the surface of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, stromal cells, and on the surface of high-endothelial venules (HEV). CD34 binds L-selectin, an adhesion molecule important for leukocyte rolling on venules and lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes (PLN). We generated CD34-deficient mutant animals through the use of homologous recombination. Wild-type and mutant animals showed no differences in lymphocyte binding to PLN HEV, in leukocyte rolling on venules or homing to PLN, in neutrophil extravasation into peritoneum in response to inflammatory stimulus, nor in delayed type hypersensitivity. Anti-L-selectin monoclonal antibody (MEL-14) also inhibited these immune responses similarly in both CD34-deficient and wild-type mice. However, eosinophil accumulation in the lung after inhalation of a model allergen, ovalbumin, is several-fold lower in mutant mice. We found no abnormalities in hematopoiesis in adult mice and interactions between mutant progenitor cells and a stromal cell line in vitro were normal. No differences existed in the recovery of progenitor cells after 5-fluorouracil treatment, nor in the mobilization of progenitor cells after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment compared with wild-type animals. Surprisingly, although CD34 was not expressed in these mice, a portion of its 90-kD band crossreactive with MECA79 remained after Western blot. Thus, we have identified an additional molecule(s) that might be involved in leukocyte trafficking. These results indicate that CD34 plays an important role in eosinophil trafficking into the lung.

Allergens↗

Rapid construction of adenoviral vectors by lambda phage genetics.

Continued improvements of adenoviral vectors require the investigation of novel genome configurations. Since adenovirus can be generated directly by transfecting packaging cell lines with viral genomes isolated from plasmid DNA, it is possible to separate genome construction from virus production. In this way failure to generate a virus is not associated with an inability to generate the desired genome. We have developed a novel lambda-based system that allows rapid modification of the viral genome by double homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. The recombination reaction and newly generated genome may reside in a recombination-deficient bacterial host for enhanced plasmid stability. Furthermore, the process is independent of any restriction endonucleases. The strategy relies on four main steps: (i) homologous recombination between an adenovirus cosmid and a donor plasmid (the donor plasmid carries the desired modification[s] and flanking regions of homology to direct its recombination into the viral genome); (ii) in vivo packaging of the recombinant adenoviral cosmids during a productive lambda infection; (iii) transducing a recombination-deficient E. coli lambda lysogen with the generated lysate (the lysogen inhibits the helper phage used to package the recombinant andenoviral cosmid from productively infecting and destroying the host bacteria); (iv) effectively selecting for the desired double-recombinant cosmid. Approximately 10,000 double-recombinant cosmids are recovered per reaction with essentially all of them being the correct double-recombinant molecule. This system was used to generate quickly and efficiently adenoviral genomes deficient in the E1/E3 and E1/E3/E4 regions. The basis of this technology allows any region of the viral genome to be readily modified for investigation of novel configurations.

Adenoviridae↗

Characterization of the tpr gene product and isolation of a specific protease-deficient mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis W83.

The previously described protease gene (tpr) of Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 was shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the recombinant protein and in vitro translation to encode a 50-kDa protein whose active form migrates with an apparent molecular mass of 90 kDa. The 50-kDa protein was expressed at high levels by using a T7 RNA polymerase/promoter system. The NH2-terminal sequence of the protein was identical to the amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA sequence of the protease gene. Affinity-purified antibody to the 90-kDa recombinant protease reacted with an 80-kDa P. gingivalis protein. A specific protease (Tpr)-deficient isogenic mutant of P. gingivalis was generated by homologous recombination between P. gingivalis chromosomal DNA and a suicide plasmid carrying the cloned gene disrupted by insertion of an erythromycin resistance gene. Gelatin substrate zymography showed that cell extracts of the mutant lacked a protease band that migrated with an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa. Western immunoblots of the cell extracts indicated the loss of an antigen with a similar mass.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Type V collagen controls the initiation of collagen fibril assembly.

Vertebrate collagen fibrils are heterotypically composed of a quantitatively major and minor fibril collagen. In non-cartilaginous tissues, type I collagen accounts for the majority of the collagen mass, and collagen type V, the functions of which are poorly understood, is a minor component. Type V collagen has been implicated in the regulation of fibril diameter, and we reported recently preliminary evidence that type V collagen is required for collagen fibril nucleation (Wenstrup, R. J., Florer, J. B., Cole, W. G., Willing, M. C., and Birk, D. E. (2004) J. Cell. Biochem. 92, 113-124). The purpose of this study was to define the roles of type V collagen in the regulation of collagen fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly. Mouse embryos completely deficient in pro-alpha1(V) chains were created by homologous recombination. The col5a1-/- animals die in early embryogenesis, at approximately embryonic day 10. The type V collagen-deficient mice demonstrate a virtual lack of collagen fibril formation. In contrast, the col5a1+/- animals are viable. The reduced type V collagen content is associated with a 50% reduction in fibril number and dermal collagen content. In addition, relatively normal, cylindrical fibrils are assembled with a second population of large, structurally abnormal collagen fibrils. The structural properties of the abnormal matrix are decreased relative to the wild type control animals. These data indicate a central role for the evolutionary, ancient type V collagen in the regulation of fibrillogenesis. The complete dependence of fibril formation on type V collagen is indicative of the critical role of the latter in early fibril initiation. In addition, this fibril collagen is important in the determination of fibril structure and matrix organization.

Animals↗

Role of the ruvB gene in homologous and homeologous recombination in Rhizobium etli.

The Rhizobium etli ruvA and ruvB genes were cloned through a PCR-based approach, using degenerate primers matching conserved sectors in the amino acid sequences of RuvB from eight bacterial species. Comparative analysis of the predicted polypeptides for RuvA and RuvB of R. etli showed highly conserved blocks with the corresponding homologs in other bacteria; RuvB depicts characteristic motifs for DNA helicases (ATP-binding and DEXH-box motifs). An R. etli ruvB::loxP Sp mutant was constructed by interposon mutagenesis. This mutant was highly sensitive to DNA-damaging agents, such as methyl methanesulfonate and nitrofurantoin, implying a deficiency in DNA repair. Homologous and homeologous conjugational recombination was reduced almost tenfold in the ruvB::loxP Sp mutant; a recombination defect was also observed in assays employing recombination between small plasmids, albeit at a smaller magnitude. Although the ruvA and ruvB genes are contiguous in R. etli, complementation studies suggest that they are expressed independently.

Amino Acid Sequence↗