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Renaturation rate studies of a single family of interspersed repeated sequences in human deoxyribonucleic acid.

We have investigated the renaturation kinetics of a single family of cloned interspersed repeated sequences isolated from human DNA. Cross-renaturation studies of individual cloned sequences reveal heterogeneity in both the renaturation rate and the thermal stability of heteroduplexes formed from members of this family of sequences. However, cloned members of this family all renature with approximately the same number of copies in the human genome, demonstrating that they are a single family of sequences by the criterion of DNA renaturation kinetics. When a single cloned member of the family is renatured with total human DNA as a function of temperature, the thermal stability of the renatured heteroduplexes is found to be independent of the renaturation temperature over the range 25 degrees C below to 4 degrees C above the melting temperature. Further, the number of genomic copies with which this cloned family member reacts is also independent of the renaturation temperature from 25 degrees C below up to the melting temperatures. These observations demonstrate a remarkable degree of homogeneity in the evolutionary sequence divergence of members of this family. These results also demonstrate that renaturation kinetics can accurately measure the number of genomic copies of interspersed repeated DNA sequences.

Base Sequence↗

[Dynamic mutation and its molecular cytogenetics].

Dynamic mutation, the mechanism of allelic expansion of the heritable unstable triplet repeat DNA sequences, has been the subject of intense investigation since its discovery in 1991 as the molecular basis for fragile X syndrome. The fundamental distinction between dynamic and other forms of mutation is that dynamic mutation is a process rather than a single event. The process involves a relationship between the copy number of perfect repeat DNA sequence and its instability which accounts for the anticipation seen in families carrying a dynamic mutation disease. Recently, dynamic mutation due to allelic expansion of minisatellite repeats has also been demonstrated as either the fragile sites and a genetic disease. In this minireview, dynamic mutations associated with chromosomal fragile sites and their cytogenetics are overviewed.

Chromosome Fragile Sites↗

Genomic analysis of sequence variation in tandemly repeated DNA. Evidence for localized homogeneous sequence domains within arrays of alpha-satellite DNA.

As a model to examine the local distribution of sequence variation within large arrays of tandemly repeated DNA in complex genomes, the long-range organization of alpha-satellite DNA from human chromosome 17 was investigated. Three individual chromosomes, representing different alpha-satellite haplotypes, were segregated into mouse and human somatic cell hybrids and their arrays sized by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. An inventory of the higher-order repeat units found in multiple separate regions of these megabase arrays was obtained using cosmid mapping and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, a technique that combines the large-scale resolution of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with the small-scale resolution of conventional gel electrophoresis. These analyses show that alpha-satellite arrays are characterized by the presence of localized homogeneous domains containing only one distinct type of repeat unit. These domains, which consist of sequence variants and/or higher-order repeat length variants, can be up to at least several hundred thousands of bases in length. Both abundant and rare variant repeat units can be localized in these distinct domains, which may correspond to transition states in the evolution of tandem multicopy DNA families. This description of the organization of large arrays of tandem repeats provides insight into mechanisms involved in their homogenization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interruption of an alpha-satellite array by a short member of the KpnI family of interspersed, highly repeated monkey DNA sequences.

We describe here the interruption of a cloned African green monkey alpha-satellite array by an 829-base-pair-long nonsatellite DNA segment. Hybridization experiments indicate that the sequences within the interruption are homologous to segments frequently found in the 6-kilobase-pair-long members of the KpnI family of long, interspersed repeats. These data confirm and extend earlier results suggesting that sequences common to the KpnI family can occur independently of one another and in segments of variable lengths. The 829-base-pair-long segment, which is termed KpnI-RET, contains a terminal stretch of adenosine residues preceded by two typical but overlapping polyadenylation sites. KpnI-RET is flanked by direct repeats of a 14-base-pair-long segment of alpha-satellite that occurs only once in the satellite consensus sequence. These structural features suggest that KpnI-RET was inserted into the satellite array as a movable element.

Animals↗

Cross-screening: a new method to assemble clones rapidly and unambiguously into contigs.

We have developed a new procedure that relies on an array of cross-hybridization tests to order a set of random clones into a contig. The method, called cross-screening, uses each clone as a target and its end sequences as probes, in a matrix of reciprocal cross-hybridization tests performed on a single blot. The relationships among the clones are determined rapidly from the pairwise tests, allowing clone order to be determined directly. We have applied this technique to DNAs from a set of overlapping lambda clones from Drosophila chromosome 4. The location and orientation of each clone derived from the cross-screening data was that expected from the map assembled from overlapping restriction sites and chromosomal walking. The procedure provided additional information on a previously unknown, internally repeated DNA sequence. To demonstrate the general utility of the procedure, we have applied it to a previously described clone set within a contig in region 22q12 of human chromosome 22. The correct relative position and orientation of these clones were derived from the cross-screening data without knowledge of, or reference to, any nucleotide sequence or restriction site analysis of the DNA concerned. The cross-screening procedure is fast, economical, and robust and allows clone overlaps to be determined efficiently, with minimal interference from repeated DNA sequences. This new procedure is specifically designed for small groups of overlapping clones (tens to hundreds) and should facilitate the ordering of subclone libraries derived from small chromosomes or the large cloned inserts carried in YAC, BAC, and P1 vectors.

Animals↗

DNA interstrand crosslink formation by mechlorethamine at a cytosine-cytosine mismatch pair: kinetics and sequence dependence.

Expansion of the triplet repeat DNA sequence d[CGG]n.d[CCG]n is a characteristic of Fragile X syndrome, a human neurodegenerative disease. Stable intrastrand conformations formed by both d[CGG]n and d[CCG]n, and involving G-G and C-C mismatch pairs, respectively, are believed to be of importance in the development of the disease. We have shown previously that C-C mismatch pairs can be crosslinked covalently by mechlorethamine, a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, and hence this reaction may be of value as a probe for conformers of d[CCG]n. To characterize the mechlorethamine C-C crosslink reaction further, here we report the kinetics and sequence dependence of formation of the crosslink species, using a series of model duplexes. The rate of reaction depends on the base sequence proximal to the C-C mismatch pair. Hence, in 19mer duplexes containing a central d[M4M3M2M1Cn1n2n3n4].d[N4N3N2N1Cm1m2m3m4] sequence, where M-m and N-n are complementary base pairs, the amount of crosslink increased with increasing G-C content of the eight base pairs neighboring the C-C mismatch and with the proximity of the G-C pairs to the C-C mismatch. Molecular dynamics simulations of the solvated duplexes provided an explanation of these data. Hence, for a C-C pair flanked by G-C base pairs the mismatched cytosine bases remain stacked within the duplex, but for a C-C pair flanked by A-T base pairs, the simulations suggested local opening of the duplex around the C-C pair, making it a less effective target for mechlorethamine.

Alkylating Agents↗

FokI DNA repeats in the genome of Vicia faba: species specificity, structure, redundancy modulation, and nuclear organization.

Tandemly repeated DNA sequences about 60 bp in length, which may be isolated by digestion with FokI restriction endonuclease, were studied by means of molecular and cytological hybridization in Vicia faba and other Vicia species. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: (i) FokI repeats are almost species specific to V. faba, since they hybridize to a minimum extent to genomic DNA of only two out of five related species; (ii) these tandemly repeated elements display variability in structure even within one and the same array, where different repeats may share not more than 71% homology; (iii) their redundancy in the genome of V. faba is remarkably high and varies largely between land races (copy numbers per haploid, 1C, genome range from 21.51 x 10(6) to 5.39 x 10(6)); (iv) FokI repeats are clustered in differing amounts in each subtelocentric pair of the chromosome complement and are missing or present in a nondetectable amount in the submetacentric pair; (vi) chromosome regions that bear these repeats associate closely to varying degrees in interphase nuclei. These results are discussed in relation to possible functional roles that tandemly repeated DNA sequences such as the FokI elements might play.

Base Sequence↗

The compact chromatin structure of a Ty repeated sequence suppresses recombination hotspot activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Recombination between repeated DNA sequences can have drastic consequences on the integrity of the genome. Repeated sequences are abundant in most eukaryotes, yet the mechanism that prevents recombination between them is currently unknown. Ty elements, the main family of dispersed repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, exhibit low levels of exchange. Other regions in the genome have relatively high rates of meiotic recombination (hotspots). We show that a Ty element adjacent to the HIS4 recombination hotspot substantially reduces its activity, eliminating local DSB formation. We demonstrate that the Ty has a closed (nuclease-insensitive) chromatin configuration that is also imposed on the flanking DNA sequences. The compact chromatin structure is determined by sequences at the N terminus of the Ty. Increased binding of the Rap1 protein to the hotspot restores both open chromatin conformation and DSB formation. The chromatin configuration of Ty elements precludes initiation of recombination, thus preventing potentially lethal exchanges between repeated sequences.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Isolated clusters of paired tandemly repeated sequences in the Xenopus laevis genome.

There exist in the Xenopus laevis genome clusters of tandemly repeated DNA sequences, consisting of two types of 393-base-pair repeating unit. Each such cluster contains several units of one of these paired tandem repeats (PTR-1), followed by several units of the other repeat (PTR-2). The number of repeats of each type is variable from cluster to cluster and averages about seven of each type per cluster. Every cluster has ca. 1,000 base pairs of common left flanking sequence (adjacent to the PTR-1 repeats) and 1,000 base pairs of common right flanking sequence (adjacent to the PTR-2 repeats). Beyond these common flanks, the DNA sequences are different in the eight cloned genomic fragments we have studied. Thus, the hundreds of PTR clusters in the genome are dispersed at apparently unrelated sites. Nucleotide sequences of representative PTR-1 and PTR-2 repeats are 64% homologous. These sequences do not reveal an obvious function. However, the related species X. mulleri and X. borealis have sequences homologous to PTR-1 and PTR-2, which show the same repeat lengths and genomic organization. This evolutionary conservation suggests positive selection for the clusters. Maintenance of these sequences at dispersed sites imposes constraints on possible mechanisms of concerted evolution.

Animals↗

Loss of reiterated DNA sequences during serial passage of human diploid fibroblasts.

A specific family of tandemly repeated DNA sequences was found to diminish in the human genome after serial passage of three strains of diploid fibroblasts. Eco RI restriction fragments of 340 and 680 bp were significantly reduced in quantity at late passage as determined by autoradiography of 14C-DNA and also by ethidium bromide fluorescence. The reduction in these closely related DNA sequences was confirmed by saturation hybridization to excess 14H-RNA transcribed from a homogeneous restriction fragment recleaved from the 340 bp DNA. The maximal fraction of DNA hybridizing to the 3H-RNA probe declined by 33-50% over 21-41 population doublings. Divergence and/or methylation of such sequences could not account for these results since the thermal stability of cRNA:DNA duplexes actually increased by 0.3 degrees C at late passage. Total highly repetitive sequences assayed by reassociation kinetics were also substantially reduced at late passage, implying that depletion may be common to many repeat families in DNA. The denaturation temperature for such rapidly reassociated duplexes again increased slightly at late passage, possibly reflecting the minor decreases in DNA methylation which were detected in two of the cell strains. Karyotype analyses demonstrated that over 95% euploidy was maintained, with no specific chromosome loss and no visible deletions at late passage. The depletion of reiterated sequences during repeated cell division is thus attributed to numerous small DNA deletions, which may arise from unequal recombination coupled with selection or from a nonreciprocal mechanism such as excision.

Cell Division↗

Transcription of dispersed repeated sequences during Pleurodeles waltl oogenesis.

Several repeated DNA sequences were isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of the newt Pleurodeles waltl. These repeated DNA elements are dispersed over the 12 P. waltl bivalents, and some of them are transcribed in the oocyte. We describe the localization of label following in situ hybridization to nascent RNA attached to the lateral loops of lampbrush chromosomes. Variations in the number and the location of labelled loops were constantly found for several of the probes. The results are discussed in view of the "cotranscription model" of RNA synthesis on lampbrush chromosomes. We speculate on the possible origins of variation in transcription on lampbrush loops.

Animals↗

Sequence analysis and in vitro transcription of portions of the Epstein-Barr virus genome.

The 17,180 base-pair Eco-RI-C fragment of Epstein-Barr virus has been sequenced in its entirety. This same fragment has also been analyzed for RNA polymerase II promoters, which are active in a soluble in vitro assay. These data are compared to the availability of predicted open reading frames and potential nucleotide signals associated with transcription. In addition, the DNA sequence of a number of previously undetected repeated DNA sequences from this and several nearby regions of the viral genome are reported.

Base Sequence↗

Reassociation Kinetics and Cytophotometric Characterization of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) DNA.

The base composition of peanut (var. NC-17) DNA determined from thermal denaturation profiles showed an average guanine plus cystosine content of 34% which was in close approximation to 36% guanine plus cytosine calculated from the buoyant density. Buoyant density also indicated the absence of satellite DNA. The genome size, 2.0 x 10(9) base pairs, as determined by reassociation kinetics of the single copy DNA was close to the genome size determined by cytophotometry, 2.1 x 10(9) base pairs. Peanut DNA averaging 450 to 600 base pairs long, reassociated in phosphate buffer and fractionated by hydroxylapatite, indicated a DNA genome composition of 36% nonrepetitive or single copy DNA; reassociation in formamide and followed by optical methods indicated the repetitive DNA possesses highly repeated, intermediately repeated and rarely repeated components of DNA with DNA sequences repeated on the average about 38,000, 6,700, and 200 times each. Different criteria of reassociation in formamide revealed further subdivisions of these four separate components of DNA. The DNA of above mentioned NC-17 variety compared to Florigiant variety showed no differences in thermal denaturation profiles, buoyant density, or in genome size.

Journal Article↗

Genomic organization, evolution, and structural peculiarities of highly repetitive DNA of Hordeum vulgare.

A fraction of highly repeated DNA sequences of Hordeum vulgare has been investigated by cloning 19 separate highly repetitive sequences in the plasmid pBR327. Characteristics studied included genus specificity of isolated sequences, their prevalence, and genome organization. Sequences (pHv7161, pHv7191, pHv7179) have been identified that are the most widespread in the H. vulgare genome and have a complicated arrangement. A tandemly arranged sequence, pHv7141, was also identified. The primary structure of a 999 bp long, BamHI fragment of one of the most widespread sequences, pHv7161, as well as the adjacent pHv7302 and pHv7245 sequences was determined. The fragment abounds in inverted repeats, of which two are flanked by direct repeats, and contains short subrepeats, A, B, and C, and a great variety of potential protein-binding sites. A comparison is drawn between the content and genome organization of highly repeated DNA sequences of H. vulgare and those of the wild barley species Hordeum bulbosum, Hordeum jubatum, Hordeum geniculatum, Hordeum brevisubulatum, Hordeum turkestanicum, and Hordeum murinum. According to the above characters (close copy number and genome organization similarity of highly repetitive sequences) the species under discussion have been classified into four groups. This division is in good agreement with other data on interspecific crossing in Hordeum and on chromosome pairing in hybrid meiosis.

Base Sequence↗

Effect of estrogen on gene expression in the chick oviduct. Effect of estrogen on the sequence and population complexity of chick oviduct poly(A)-containing RNA.

Total cellular RNA preparations were isolated from chicken oviducts at three different development stages: (a) immature chicks which were chronically stimulated with estrogen; (b) estrogen-stimulated chicks which were then withdrawn from hormone for 12 days; and (c) laying hens. Total cellular RNA containing 3'-poly(A) sequences (poly(A)-RNA) were than isolated from these preparations using oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. The number average nucleotide length of the poly(A)-RNA preparations in each case was approximately 2000 nucleotides. The number average nucleotide length of the poly(A) residues at the 3'-terminal end of each RNA preparation was approximately 70 adenylate residues. Complementary DNA (cDNA) copies to each preparation of poly(A)-RNA were synthesized using avian myeloblastosis virus RNA-directed DNA polymerase. The cDNApoly(A) preparations were then utilized in DNA excess hybridization experiments to analyze the complexity of the DNA sequences from which these RNAs were transcribed. Approximately 22% of each of the total cellular poly(A)-RNAs were transcribed from repeated DNA sequences (average repeat frequency of 35 copies/genome) while the remaining majority were transcribed from single copy or unique sequence DNA. It was possible to estimate the number of different poly(A)-RNA sequences per cell by analyzing the kinetics of hybridization of these cDNApoly(A) preparations to total cellular poly(A)-RNA extracts under conditions of RNA excess. The results revealed that 41% of the poly(A)-RNA from laying hen oviduct consisted of, on the average, three different sequences/cell, each of which was present in approximately 25,000 copies/cell. The remainder of the poly(A)-RNA in this tissue consisted of approximately 25,000 different sequences/cell, which were present largely in only two or three copies/cell. A somewhat similar sequence complexity was found for oviduct cells prepared from estrogen-stimulated chicks. We estimated that there were approximately 20,000 different poly(A)-RNA sequences/cell, each represented in only one to two copies/cell. However, there were five sequences which were present, on the average, in a concentration of 5600 copies/cell. The poly(A)-RNAs from hormone-wtihdrawn tissue, on the other hand, had a lower sequence complexity. There were only approximately 10,000 different poly(A)-RNA sequences/cell, each present in about three copies/cell. Furthermore, the few sequences present in a great abundance in hen and hormone-stimulated tissues were apparently absent in oviduct tissue from hormone-wtihdrawn chicks, suggesting that the intracellular concentrations of these high frequency RNA sequences are dependent on estrogen.

Animals↗

Fine-resolution physical mapping of genomic diversity in Candida albicans.

It has been suggested that Candida albicans, a diploid asexual fungus, achieves genetic diversity by genomic rearrangement. This important human pathogen may provide a system in which to analyze alternate routes to genomic diversity. C. albicans has a highly variable karyotype; its chromosomes contain a middle repeated DNA sequence called the Major Repeat Sequence (MRS), composed of subrepeats HOK, RPS, and RB2. RPS is tandemly repeated while the other subrepeats occur once in each MRS. Chromosome 7, the smallest of the eight chromosomes, has been previously mapped. The complete physical map of this chromosome was used to analyze chromosome 7 diversity in six strains, including two well-characterized laboratory strains (1006 and WO-1) and four clinical ones. We found four types of events to explain the genomic diversity: 1) Chromosome length polymorphism (CLP) results from expansion and contraction of the RPS; 2) reciprocal translocation occurs at the MRS loci; 3) chromosomal deletion; and (4) trisomy of individual chromosomes. These four phenomena play an important role in generating genomic diversity in C. albicans.

Aneuploidy↗

Genomic organization of the TcR beta-chain diversity (Dbeta) and joining (Jbeta) segments in the rainbow trout: presence of many repeated sequences.

This work describes a 5.5 kb genomic sequence of the rainbow trout T-cell receptor beta-chain locus. It includes, from 5' to 3', a Dbeta gene, 10 Jbeta genes and the 5'-end of the first Cbeta exon. The trout Dbeta-Jbeta-Cbeta locus is about the same size as the mouse, rat and human homologous loci, but it is less compact and contains 10 Jbeta segments instead of the 6-7 found in mammals. The trout Dbeta coding sequence is identical to those of the mouse, rat and human Dbeta, and the Dbeta recombination signal sequences (RSS) are also very well conserved. Each trout Jbeta segment is flanked in 5' by a 7-mer RSS, which matches with the canonical conserved 7-mer sequences of all RSS. However, 6 of the 10 Jbeta segments have no characteristic 9-mer RSS, although at least some of them are well expressed (Jbeta1 and Jbeta2). The Jbeta region of the trout TcRbeta locus contains numerous micro/minisatellite repeated DNA sequences; some of these repeats contain heptamer RSS-like sequences that could interfere with Jbeta expression. Knowledge of the germline boundaries of the trout Dbeta and Jbeta ends makes it possible to evaluate precisely the exonuclease activity and N-nucleotide addition at the Dbeta-Jbeta junctions of the rearranged TcRbeta chain genes. Many (40%) of the Dbeta-Jbeta junctions in the adult trout have no N-nucleotides, compared to 26.4% in adult mice, and 37% of the adult trout TcRbeta transcripts are out of frame. Thus, there may be major differences in the T-cell developmental kinetics and selection in fish and mammals.

Adult↗

Analysis of major repetitive DNA sequences in the dog (Canis familiaris) genome.

A systematic screening and analysis of repeated DNA sequences from a dog genomic library composed of small DNA inserts enabled us to characterize abundant canine repetitive DNA families. Four main families were identified: i) a group of highly repeated tRNA-derived short interspersed repetitive DNA elements (tRNA-SINEs); ii) another type of SINE-like element that was mainly found inserted into long interspersed repetitive elements (LINEs); iii) LINEs of the L1 type; and iv) satellite or satellite-like DNA. Surprisingly, no SINEs derived from 7SL RNA were found in the dog genome. These data should help in the analysis of canine DNA sequences and in the design of canine genome mapping reagents.

Animals↗