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Genome-wide screening, cloning, chromosomal assignment, and expression of full-length human endogenous retrovirus type K.

The human genome harbors 25 to 50 proviral copies of the endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K), some of which code for the characteristic retroviral proteins Gag, Pol, and Env. For a genome-wide cloning approach of full-length and intact HERV-K proviruses, a human P1 gene library was screened with a gag-specific probe. Both HERV-K type 1 and 2 clones were isolated. Sixteen HERV-K type 2 proviral genomes were characterized by direct coupled in vitro transcription-in vitro translation assays to analyze the coding potential of isolated gag, pol, and env amplicons from individual P1 clones. After determination of long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences and adjacent chromosomal integration sites by inverse PCR techniques, two HERV-K type 2 proviruses displaying long retroviral open reading frames (ORFs) were assigned to chromosomes 7 (C7) and 19 (C19) by using a human-rodent monochromosomal cell hybrid mapping panel. HERV-K(C7) shows an altered (YIDD-to-CIDD) motif in the reverse transcriptase domain. HERV-K(C19) is truncated in the 5' LTR and harbors a defective protease gene due to a point mutation. Direct amplification of proviral structures from single chromosomes by using chromosomal flanking primers was performed by long PCR for HERV-K(C7) and HERV-K(C19) and for type 1 proviruses HERV-K10 and HERV-K18 from chromosomes 5 and 1, respectively. HERV-K18, in contrast to HERV-K10, bears no intact gag ORF and shows close homology to HERV-K/IDDMK(1,2)22. In transfection experiments, HERV-K(C7) and HERV-K cDNA-based expression vectors yielded the proteins Gag and cORF whereas HERV-K10 vectors yielded Gag alone. The data suggest that the human genome does not contain an entire, intact proviral copy of HERV-K.

Animals↗

Novel screening methods--the key to cloning commercially successful biocatalysts.

Providing sufficient biocatalyst to support the demands of multi tonne product supply can be problematical. Here we describe how screening for and cloning a gamma-lactamase overcame biocatalyst supply issues, and greatly improved the actual biocatalytic process. The isolation of an expressing gamma-lactamase clone from a gene library necessitated a combination of classical molecular biology techniques together with innovative screening methods to identify a functional clone. Once isolated the enzyme was characterised with regard to its process performance and proved to be active at 500 g L(-1) substrate. Further development of the recombinant fermentation and downstream processing has resulted in the ability to produce sufficient biocatalyst from one 5001 fermentation to resolve 5 metric tonnes of (+/-)-lactam, whilst simplifying the process chemistry greatly.

Amidohydrolases↗

The microbial community composition of a nitrifying-denitrifying activated sludge from an industrial sewage treatment plant analyzed by the full-cycle rRNA approach.

The composition of the microbial community present in the nitrifying-denitrifying activated sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant connected to a rendering facility was investigated by the full-cycle rRNA approach. After DNA extraction using three different methods, 94 almost full-length 16S rRNA gene clones were retrieved and analyzed phylogenetically. 59% of the clones were affiliated with the Proteobacteria and clustered with the beta- (29 clones), alpha- (24), and delta-class (2 clones), respectively. 15 clones grouped within the green nonsulfur (GNS) bacteria and 11 clones belonged to the Planctomycetes. The Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, Nitrospira, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were each represented by one to five clones. Interestingly, the highest 'species richness' [measured as number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs)] was found within the alpha-class of Proteobacteria, followed by the Planctomycetes, the beta-class of Proteobacteria, and the GNS-bacteria. The microbial community composition of the activated sludge was determined quantitatively by using 36 group-, subgroup-, and OTU-specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), confocal laser scanning microscopy and digital image analysis. 89% of all bacteria detectable by FISH with a bacterial probe set could be assigned to specific divisions. Consistent with the 16S rRNA gene library data, members of the beta-class of Proteobacteria dominated the microbial community and represented almost half of the biovolume of all bacteria detectable by FISH. Within the beta-class, 98% of the cells could be identified by the application of genus- or OTU-specific probes demonstrating a high in situ abundance of bacteria related to Zoogloea and Azoarcus sensu lato. Taken together, this study provides the first encompassing, high-resolution insight into the in situ composition of the microbial community present in a full-scale, industrial wastewater treatment plant.

Bacteria↗

The cloning of size-heterogeneous, Y-specific repetitive DNAs and their clinical application.

Four Y-specific DNAs of different sizes were isolated by screening a human Y-chromosome gene-library. After determining their structural characteristics, the possibility for their clinical application was examined. The results are as follows: 1. The 4 cloned DNAs had inserts of 3.3, 2.0, 1.9 and 1.4 kb; they were subcloned into plasmid pUC19, and designated pKY-2, pKY-3, pKY-4 and pKY-5, respectively. 2. All four clones hybridized specifically with the Y-specific 3.5 kb DNA but not with female DNA. However, they did not cross-hybridize with the 2.1 kb fragment known to be another Y-specific repetitive DNA of human genomes. 3. The newly cloned probes were applied to the detection of Y-specific DNA in abnormal Y-chromosomes [Turner Syndrome (45, X/46, X, -X, + marker), 46, XY-female, mosaicism (46, XY/47, XYY), 46, XX-male and super male (47, XYY)]. 4. Since the newly cloned DNAs did not hybridize with other eukaryotic genome DNAs such as monkey, rat, mouse, chicken, frog, or fish, their human gene specificities were confirmed.

Animals↗

Analysis of Frankia evolutionary radiation using glnII sequences.

Using a glnII (encoding glutamine synthetase II) PCR selective screening, a Frankia ACN14a gene library clone was isolated. A derived glnII-hybridising 2.7-kb HindIII subclone was characterised. Identities of 95% and 93% were observed, respectively, with the corresponding Frankia CpI1 glnI and glnII regions. A variable segment of the glnII region was selected, PCR amplified from various Frankia genomes, sequenced, and used to investigate phylogenetic relationships within the genus. glnII phylogenetic inferences are well-resolved and allowed us to deduce evolutionary trends among Frankia. Frankia radiation seems to begin with a diversification according to the ability or not to infect actinorhizal plants. The infective strains are divided into two clusters matching plant-colonising specificities.

Actinomycetales↗

Immunoprotective extracellular polysaccharides of Klebsiella aerogenes capsular type K1, expressed in Escherichia coli.

A gene library of genomic DNA Klebsiella aerogenes of capsular serotype K1 was constructed in E. coli LE392 using the cosmid pMMB33. Culture filtrates of E. coli recombinants were screened by ELISA for extracellular polysaccharides specific for K. aerogenes K1. Extracellular polysaccharide extracts from K. aerogenes K1 and 3% of the E. coli recombinants contained immunoprotective extracellular polysaccharides (IEP) with similar chemical and immunological properties as shown by gel filtration through Sephacryl 1000, double immunodiffusion and mouse protection tests. IEPs contained no detectable protein, had molecular weights of several hundred million and protected mice against lethal autologous K. aerogenes K1 challenge at a dosage of 10 nanograms per mouse.

Animals↗

[Homology of the recombinant DNA of plasmid pDJH2 with the recombinant DNA probe of L. alstoni and analysis of its expression in Escherichia coli].

Dig-labeled recombinant DNA probe of L. alstoni which contains the entire structural OmpL1 gene was hybridized with the recombinant DNA of the plasmid named pDJH2 of the gene library of L. interrogans serovar lai strain 017. The result showed a high degree of homology among them; expression of recombinant DNA of pDJH2 was achieved by beta-D-galactosidase (IPTG) induction in E. coli. The molecular weight of this product is 68kd. Then they were treated with proteinase K and subjected to SDS-PAGE. The results showed it is a protein in nature. Using the specific monoclonal antibody E4B7D5 on immunoblotting and specific polyclonal antibody on dot-ELISA assay, we investigated the immune reaction and noticed that protein 68kd might be an antigen in character. E. coli which contains the recombinant plasmid pDJH2 were injected into BALB/c mice. Then the mice were challenged by leptospires of the strong virulence strain 017, but all the infected mice survived. In this paper, we first report the expression of recombinant DNA of L. interrogans serovar lai strain 017 in E. coli when injected with IPTG, and immunoprotection of BALB/c mice which were injected with the expression against the infection of L. interrogans serovar lai strain 017. pDJH2 may be the first recombinant for which the gene has been cloned and its expression product 68kd may be the immunoprotective antigens.

Animals↗

Improved activity and thermostability of Candida antarctica lipase B by DNA family shuffling.

DNA family shuffling was used to create chimeric lipase B proteins with improved activity toward the hydrolysis of diethyl 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)glutarate (DDG). Three homologous lipases from Candida antarctica ATCC 32657, Hyphozyma sp. CBS 648.91 and Crytococcus tsukubaensis ATCC 24555 were cloned and shuffled to generate a diverse gene library. A high-throughput screening assay was developed and used successfully to identify chimeric lipase B proteins having a 20-fold higher activity toward DDG than lipase B from C.antarctica ATCC 32657 and a 13-fold higher activity than the most active parent derived from C.tsukubaensis ATCC 24555. In addition, the stability characteristics of several highly active chimeric proteins were also improved as a result of family shuffling. For example, the half-life at 45 degrees C and melting point (T(m)) of one chimera exceeded those of lipase B from C.antarctica ATCC 32657 by 11-fold and 6.4 degrees C, respectively, which closely approached the stability characteristics of the most thermostable parent derived from Hyphozyma sp. CBS 648.91.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of B-cell epitopes of IpaC, an invasion-associated protein of Shigella flexneri.

Invasion plasmid antigen C (IpaC) is a 43-kDa plasmid-encoded protein associated with the ability of shigellae to invade epithelial cells. This protein is consistently strongly recognized by sera from convalescent patients and monkeys experimentally infected with shigellae. The strong immunogenicity of IpaC in the course of natural infection makes it a good candidate as a potentially protective antigen. To map the B-cell epitopes of this protein, the gene encoding IpaC was cloned and expressed at a high level in Escherichia coli. The partially purified recombinant protein was used to raise rabbit polyclonal antisera and murine monoclonal antibodies. A lambda gt11 ipaC gene library was screened with the antisera and antibodies. Recombinant DNA clones producing specific antigenic determinants were isolated, and the sequence of their DNA inserts was determined. The amino acid sequence of each determinant was deduced from the minimal overlap of DNA inserts of multiple antibody-positive DNA clones. Two distinct epitopes, located between amino acid residues 25 and 33 and 90 and 97, were identified. Two additional B-cell epitopes which were located between residues 297 and 349, near the carboxy-terminal end of the protein, were characterized. Each of these epitopes was also recognized by sera from convalescent humans and monkeys. Therefore, it seems likely that these epitopes are relevant to the humoral response against IpaC during natural infection.

Animals↗

Close packing of helices 3 and 12 of 16 S rRNA is required for the normal ribosome function.

The along-groove packing motif is a quasi-reciprocal arrangement of two RNA double helices in which a backbone of each helix is closely packed within the minor groove of the other helix. At the center of the inter-helix contact, a GU base pair in one helix packs against a Watson-Crick base pair in the other helix. Here, based on in vivo selection from a combinatorial gene library of 16 S rRNA and on functional characterization of the selected clones, we demonstrate that the normal ribosome performance requires that helices 3 and 12 be closely packed. In some clones the Watson-Crick and GU base pairs exchange in their positions between the two helices, which affects neither the quality of the helix packing, nor the ribosome function. On the other hand, perturbations in the close packing usually lead to a substantial drop in the ribosome activity. The functionality of the clones containing such perturbations may depend on the presence of particular elements in the vicinity of the area of contact between helices 3 and 12. Such cases do not exist in natural 16 S rRNA, and their selection enriches our knowledge of the constraints imposed on the structure of ribosomal RNA in functional ribosomes.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Bacterial diversity of the Inner Mongolian Baer Soda Lake as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses.

Bacterial diversity associated with Baer Soda Lake in Inner Mongolia of China was investigated using a culture-independent method. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene libraries were generated using bacterial oligonucleotide primers, and 16S rRNA gene sequences of 58 clones were analyzed phylogenetically. The library was dominated by 16S rDNAs of Gram-negative bacteria (24% alpha-Proteobacteria, 31% beta-Proteobacteria, 33% gamma-Proteobacteria, and 2% delta-Proteobacteria), with a lower percentage of clones corresponding to Gram-positive bacteria. Forty cloned sequences were similar to that of known bacterial isolates (> 97% sequence similarity), represented by the species of the genera Brevundimonas, Comamonas, Alcaligenes, Stenotrophomonas, and Klebsiella. Eighteen cloned sequences showed less affiliation with known taxa (< 97% sequence similarity) and may represent novel taxa.

Bacteria↗

Evidence that part of a centromeric DNA region induces pseudohyphal growth in a dimorphic yeast, Candida maltosa.

We observed that a YCp-type vector having the centromeric DNA (CEN) sequence previously isolated from the genome, but not a YRp-type vector lacking the CEN sequence, induced pseudohyphal growth in a dimorphic fungi, Candida maltosa, which had been shown to be closely related to Candida albicans by phylogenetic analysis. Deletion analysis of the CEN sequence revealed that the intact CEN sequence was not required for the induction, but part of it, having partial centromeric activity, was enough for the induction. By screening the gene library of this yeast for the sequences which induced pseudohyphal growth, we isolated three different DNA fragments which also had part of the centromere-like sequence. Partial centromeric activity of these fragments was confirmed by three criteria: low copy number and high stability of the plasmids carrying these fragments and rearrangement at high frequency of the plasmid DNA with one of these fragments plus the CEN sequence. Furthermore, when the GGTAGCG sequence commonly found in one copy in each of these four sequences was mutated in the CEN sequence by site-directed mutagenesis, both partial centromeric activity and pseudohyphal growth-inducing activity of the CEN sequence were lost. These results indicated that part of CEN region with partial centromeric activity induces pseudohyphal growth in C. maltosa. It is suggested that some cellular components which interact with the sequence containing GGTAGCG required for centromeric activity are involved in the regulation of the transition between yeast forms and pseudohyphal forms of the cells.

Base Sequence↗

Human autoantibodies modulate the T cell epitope repertoire but fail to unmask a pathogenic cryptic epitope.

Abs can tune the responses of Ag-specific T cells by influencing the nature of the epitope repertoire displayed by APCs. We explored the interaction between human self-reactive T cells and human monoclonal autoantibodies from combinatorial Ig-gene libraries derived from autoimmune thyroiditis patients and specific for the main autoantigen thyroid peroxidase (TPO). All human mAbs extensively influenced the T cell epitope repertoire recognized by different TPO-specific T cell clones. The action of the human mAbs was complex, because sometimes the same Ab suppressed or enhanced the epitopes recognized by the 10 different TPO-specific T cell clones. The human mAbs could modulate the epitope repertoire when TPO was added exogenously and when expressed constitutively on the surface of APCs. However, they could not unmask an immunodominant cryptic TPO epitope. In this study, we show that human autoantibodies influence the activity of self-reactive T cells and prove their relevance in concealing or exposing epitopes recognized by self-reactive T cells. However, our results further stress the biological significance of the immunodominant cryptic epitope we have defined and its potential importance in the evolution of autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Detection and in situ identification of representatives of a widely distributed new bacterial phylum.

16S rRNA gene libraries were prepared by polymerase chain reaction amplification and cloning from soil samples taken periodically from a field with genetically modified plants. Sequence analyses of the cloned rDNAs indicated that 140 of them clustered apart from known bacterial phyla. Based on 31 full sequences a new phylum could be defined. It includes Holophaga foetida, 'Geothrix fermentans' and Acidobacterium capsulatum as the only cultured species so far. Therefore, this line of descent was named the Holophagal Acidobacterium phylum. About 50 published partial sequences of cloned rDNAs retrieved from soil, freshwater sediments or activated sludge from different continents indicate the occurrence of further representatives of this phylum. Two specific hybridization probes were constructed for members of one of four subclusters. A careful data analysis revealed the importance and problems of identifying and dealing with artefacts such as chimeric structure when defining new phylogenetic groups based mainly upon cloned amplified rDNAs. For the first time, the presence of bacterial cells representing this group could be shown in soil, sediment, activated sludge and lake snow by in situ hybridization.

Bacteria↗

Molecular diversity of rumen methanogens from sheep in Western Australia.

The molecular diversity of rumen methanogens in sheep in Australia was investigated by using individual 16S rRNA gene libraries prepared from the rumen contents obtained from six merino sheep grazing pasture (326 clones), six sheep fed an oaten hay-based diet (275 clones), and five sheep fed a lucerne hay-based diet (132 clones). A total of 733 clones were examined, and the analysis revealed 65 phylotypes whose sequences (1,260 bp) were similar to those of cultivated methanogens belonging to the order Methanobrevibacter: Pasture-grazed sheep had more methanogen diversity than sheep fed either the oaten hay or lucerne hay diet. Methanobrevibacter strains SM9, M6, and NT7 accounted for over 90% of the total number of clones identified. M6 was more prevalent in grazing sheep, and SM9, despite being found in 16 of the 17 sheep, was more prevalent in sheep fed the lucerne-based diet. Five new species were identified. Two of these species exhibited very little sequence similarity to any cultivated methanogens and were found eight times in two of the six sheep that were grazing pasture. These unique sequences appear to represent a novel group of rumen archaea that are atypical for the rumen environment.

Animals↗

Recognition of phospholipids in Streptomyces phospholipase D.

To investigate the contribution of amino acid residues to the enzyme reaction of Streptomyces phospholipase D (PLD), we constructed a chimeric gene library between two highly homologous plds, which indicated different activity in transphosphatidylation, using RIBS (repeat-length independent and broad spectrum) in vivo DNA shuffling. By comparing the activities of chimeras, six candidate residues related to transphosphatidylation activity were shown. Based on the above result, we constructed several mutants to identify the key residues involved in the recognition of phospholipids. By kinetic analysis, we identified that Gly188 and Asp191 of PLD from Streptomyces septatus TH-2, which are not present in the highly conserved catalytic HXKXXXXD (HKD) motifs, are key amino acid residues related to the transphosphatidylation activity. To investigate the role of two residues in the recognition of phospholipids, the effects of these residues on binding to substrates were analyzed by surface plasmon spectroscopy. The result suggests that Gly188 and Asp191 are involved in the recognition of phospholipids in correlation with the N-terminal HKD motif. Furthermore, this study also provides experimental evidence that the N-terminal HKD motif contains the catalytic nucleophile, which attacks the phosphatidyl group of the substrate.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Phylogenetic diversity of Archaea in sediment samples from a coastal salt marsh.

The Archaea present in salt marsh sediment samples from a tidal creek and from an adjacent area of vegetative marshland, both of which showed active methanogenesis and sulfate reduction, were sampled by using 16S rRNA gene libraries created with Archaea-specific primers. None of the sequences were the same as reference sequences from cultured taxa, although some were closely related to sequences from methanogens previously isolated from marine sediments. A wide range of Euryarchaeota sequences were recovered, but no sequences from Methanococcus, Methanobacterium, or the Crenarchaeota were recovered. Clusters of closely related sequences were common and generally contained sequences from both sites, suggesting that some related organisms were present in both samples. Recovery of sequences closely related to those of methanogens such as Methanococcoides and Methanolobus, which can use substrates other than hydrogen, provides support for published hypotheses that such methanogens are probably important in sulfate-rich sediments and identifies some likely candidates. Sequences closely related to those of methanogens such as Methanoculleus and Methanogenium, which are capable of using hydrogen, were also discovered, in agreement with previous inhibitor and process measurements suggesting that these taxa are present at low levels of activity. More surprisingly, we recovered a variety of sequences closely related to those from different halophilic Archaea and a cluster of divergent sequences specifically related to the marine group II archaeal sequences recently shown by PCR and probing to have a cosmopolitan distribution in marine samples.

Archaea↗

Guided evolution of enzymes with new substrate specificities.

A gene library was constructed coding for all possible variants of two amino acids (101, 102) in a solvent-exposed surface return loop (alpha E-beta D) of Bacillus stearothermophilus L-lactate dehydrogenase (bsLDH). All but one of 38 enzyme variants examined were thermally stable and had native-like hydrodynamic properties. In this sample, there was no bias detected in either the DNA or amino acid sequences encoded. We argue that the alpha E-beta D surface loop sequence is unimportant for protein folding or stability and can be fully varied to select enzymes with new substrate specificities. The selection of NAD-dependent dehydrogenases with specificity for: malate, phenyllactate, hydroxyisocaproate and 4-phenyl-2-hydroxy-butanoate from two bsLDH libraries is described. This required a highly discriminatory screen for 2-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase activity to select enzymes which, in the absence of the natural allosteric activator fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), maintained high temperature stability and catalytic activity without substrate inhibition. In general the amino acid residues at positions 101 and 102 which determined substrate specificity were as expected from hydrophobic and ionic complementarity to the substrate. For example, a bsLDH variant with Asn101Va1102 is as efficient with phenylpyruvate as is the wild-type enzyme (Asn101Gln102) with pyruvate. Using molecular modelling, the valine at position 102 can be fitted into the active site without significant structural distortion caused by the aromatic side-chain of the substrate. Similarly, nine out of ten malate dehydrogenases (MDHs) selected had an arginine residue at position 102 to complement the negatively charged carboxyl group in oxaloacetate. One, Arg101Arg102 (Kcat/Kmoxaloacetate = 1.6 x 10(6) M-1 S-1) is 25% more active than the previous best synthetic MDH. There were surprises: present understanding would not have predicted the oxaloacetate transforming activity of Ser101Leu102 or the phenylpyruvate activity of Pro101Lys102. The former is about one-third as efficient as the best malate dehydrogenase selected, whilst the latter had about one-seventh of the best phenylpyruvate dehydrogenase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗