Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Enhancer RNAs”

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 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources

Interferon-gamma gene expression in human B-cell lines: induction by interleukin-2, protein kinase C activators, and possible effect of hypomethylation on gene regulation.

Human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an important immunomodulatory protein produced predominantly by T cells and large granular lymphocytes (LGLs). Whereas large amounts of data have been accumulated regarding IFN gamma gene expression in these two cell types, little information about IFN gamma expression in other cell types exists. In this study, we have analyzed the production of IFN gamma by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive B-cell line, JLP(c), derived from a patient with Burkitt's lymphoma, and another human B-cell line, PA682BM-1, which was derived from an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patient. Southern blot analysis indicates the presence of an Ig heavy chain gene rearrangement, but no rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta chain gene or IFN gamma gene in these B-cell lines. Both cell lines were found to express surface IgD and other B-cell surface markers, thus confirming their B-cell lineage. Analysis for surface Ig, cytoplasmic Ig, and secreted Ig indicates that the two cell lines are in relatively early stages of the B-cell differentiation pathway. We now report that PA682BM-1 can be triggered by the protein kinase C (PKC) activators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and (-)Indolactam-v, to secrete IFN gamma, whereas JLP(c) cells spontaneously produce low levels of IFN gamma that can be enhanced by PKC activators and interleukin-2 (IL-2). After activation of the cell lines with IL-2, (-)Indolactam-v, and PMA, increases in cytoplasmic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of IFN gamma and the IL-2 receptor chains were also observed. The induction of IFN gamma mRNA and protein by IL-2 was completely blocked by a monoclonal antibody to IL-2 receptor p75 (beta chain), but not by the monoclonal antibody to p55 (alpha chain). Analysis of IFN gamma genomic DNA indicates that the gene is not amplified, but that hypomethylation in the 5' noncoding region of the IFN gamma gene has occurred in the B-cell line from the Burkitt's lymphoma patient that spontaneously produces IFN gamma. This finding suggests that the methylation state of the promoter region may play an important role in the control of IFN gamma gene expression in B cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Antisense binding enhanced by tertiary interactions: binding of phosphorothioate and N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate hexanucleotides to the catalytic core of a group I ribozyme from the mammalian pathogen Pneumocystis carinii.

Pneumocystis carinii is the most common lethal opportunistic pathogen infecting Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients, and more effective therapeutics for it are needed. P. carinii, but not humans, contain RNA self-splicing group I introns, so these functionally important RNAs are potential anti-fungal targets. In vitro, d(ATGACT), which mimics the 3' end of the 5' exon of a conserved ribosomal RNA group I intron from mouse-derived Pneumocystis carinii binds to a ribozyme that is a truncated form of this intron. The binding is about 30,000 times tighter than expected for simple base-pairing because binding is enhanced by tertiary interactions. Here we report the effects of modifying the phosphodiester backbone of d(ATGACT) with phosphorothioate and of d(ATGAC)rU with N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate linkages. The enhancement of binding by tertiary interactions is not substantially decreased, and in some cases is increased when single Rp and Sp phosphorothioate substitutions are made, although overall binding is weaker by up to 6-fold. A mixture of 5' exon mimic isomers that each contain five phosphorothioate linkages binds to the ribozyme at least 14-fold less tightly than the corresponding phosphodiester mimic. In contrast, the 5' exon mimic with five internal N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate linkages binds 4-fold more tightly than d(ATGAC)rU. This increased binding is largely due to more favorable base-pairing, but tertiary interactions still enhance binding by more than 2, 000-fold. These results indicate that chemically modified, nuclease stable 5' exon mimics can act as antisense agents with binding enhanced by tertiary interactions (BETI). This strategy permits design of short antisense agents with high specificity.

Animals↗

The conserved 7SK snRNA gene localizes to human chromosome 6 by homolog exclusion probing of somatic cell hybrid RNA.

Many small RNAs contribute essential activities to eukaryotic cells. In mammalian genomes dispersed repetitive sequences which exhibit homology to small RNAs often exist as pseudogenes which can complicate identification, localization, and analysis of the authentic gene. We mapped a productive human 7SK small nuclear RNA gene to human chromosome 6 by analyzing Northern blots derived from a panel of somatic cell hybrids that contain single human chromosomes. In order to avoid crossreactivity of the probe with rodent 7SK RNA, which is 98% identical to human 7SK, a method termed homolog exclusion probing was developed. This method uses an excess of non-labelled rodent-specific oligodeoxynucleotide to block the rodent 7SK RNA from hybridizing with the human-specific oligodeoxynucleotide probe. The effectiveness of this method to enhance the human 7SK RNA signal is demonstrated. The potential to map and subsequently isolate other small RNA genes by this approach and the use of homolog exclusion probing to discriminate among family members of highly related RNAs and DNAs in a single species is discussed.

Animals↗

WW domain binding protein-2, an E6-associated protein interacting protein, acts as a coactivator of estrogen and progesterone receptors.

WW domain binding protein-2 (WBP-2) was cloned as an E6-associated protein interacting protein, and its role in steroid hormone receptors functions was investigated. We show that WBP-2 specifically enhanced the transactivation functions of progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen receptor (ER), whereas it did not have any significant effect on the androgen receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, or the activation functions of p53 and VP-16. Depletion of endogenous WBP-2 with small interfering RNAs indicated that WBP-2 was required for the proper functioning of PR and ER. We also demonstrated that WBP-2 contains an intrinsic activation domain. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate the hormone-dependent recruitment of WBP-2 onto an estrogen-responsive promoter. Mutational analysis suggests that one of three polyproline (PY) motifs of WBP-2 is essential for its coactivation and intrinsic activation functions. We show that WBP-2 and E6-associated protein each enhance PR function, and their effect on PR action are additive when coexpressed, suggesting a common signaling pathway. In this study, we also demonstrate that the WBP-2 binding protein, Yes kinase-associated protein (YAP) enhances PR transactivation, but YAP's coactivation function is absolutely dependent on WBP-2. Taken together, our data establish the role of WBP-2 and YAP as coactivators for ER and PR transactivation pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Elevated temperature enhances virulence of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora strain EC153 to plants and stimulates production of the quorum sensing signal, N-acyl homoserine lactone, and extracellular proteins.

Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum, and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora produce high levels of extracellular enzymes, such as pectate lyase (Pel), polygalacturonase (Peh), cellulase (Cel), and protease (Prt), and the quorum-sensing signal N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) at 28 degrees C. However, the production of these enzymes and AHL by these bacteria is severely inhibited during growth at elevated temperatures (31.2 degrees C for E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica and 34.5 degrees C for E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum and most E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strains). At elevated temperatures these bacteria produce high levels of RsmA, an RNA binding protein that promotes RNA decay. E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain EC153 is an exception in that it produces higher levels of Pel, Peh, Cel, and Prt at 34.5 degrees C than at 28 degrees C. EC153 also causes extensive maceration of celery petioles and Chinese cabbage leaves at 34.5 degrees C, which correlates with a higher growth rate and higher levels of rRNA and AHL. The lack of pectinase production by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain Ecc71 at 34.5 degrees C limits the growth of this organism in plant tissues and consequently impairs its ability to cause tissue maceration. Comparative studies with ahlI (the gene encoding a putative AHL synthase), pel-1, and peh-1 transcripts documented that at 34.5 degrees C the RNAs are more stable in EC153 than in Ecc71. Our data reveal that overall metabolic activity, AHL levels, and mRNA stability are responsible for the higher levels of extracellular protein production and the enhanced virulence of EC153 at 34.5 degrees C compared to 28 degrees C.

4-Butyrolactone↗

Complementary large loops determine the rate of RNA duplex formation in vitro in the case of an effective antisense RNA directed against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Antisense RNAs can specifically and efficiently inhibit replication of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). One of the most effective viral target regions covers the first coding exons of the viral regulator genes tat and rev. Large parts of the corresponding antisense RNAs of several hundred nucleotides in length could be removed without loss of inhibitory efficiency. The smallest antisense RNA tested (alpha Y69, 69 nucleotides in length) showed an enhanced inhibitory effect in human cells. Its secondary structure was analysed experimentally and was found to fold into a Y-shaped structure composed of two linked stem/loop structures with loop sizes of 5 and 10 nucleotides, respectively. A similar structural element was found to be formed by its complementary HIV-1-derived 645 nt long target RNA (SR6). Kinetic analyses of double strand formation between alpha Y69 and SR6 led to a second order rate constant of k = 2.9 x 10(4) M-1s-1 at 37 degrees C and physiological ionic strength. The large loop of alpha Y69 plays a crucial role in the hybridization process in vitro as shown by kinetic analyses of a set of mutants derived from alpha Y69. Base exchanges in loop regions resulted in an up to 10-fold lower association rate constant while exchanges in stem regions of alpha Y69 had no effect in vitro. We discuss a model for the pairing mechanism in vitro in which not only the first and reversible interactions (termed "kissing" in well documented cases) but also subsequent steps leading to complete RNA duplex formation make use of the large loops located at complementary positions on both RNA strands.

Base Sequence↗

In vitro synthesis of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) RNA: membrane and nuclear fractions of JEV-infected cells possess high levels of virus-specific RNA polymerase activity.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-specific RNAs (including 42S RNA) were synthesized in subcellular fractions prepared from infected C6/36 cells. This in vitro RNA synthesis essentially required Mg2+ and four ribonucleotides, and it was enhanced by K+. The amounts of RNA synthesized in vitro (in extracts from JEV-infected cells) increased as a function of time after infection. The RNA-synthetic activity in nuclear fractions was the highest among three kinds of subcellular fractions. Our data showed that nonstructural proteins NS3 and NS5 were membrane-associated proteins. In particular, NS3 was found almost exclusively in the nuclear and membrane fractions. Our results suggest that NS5 and NS3 may play specific role(s) in flavivirus RNA replication.

Animals↗

Specific inhibition of in vitro reverse transcription using antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the TAR regions of HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) overlapping the stem-loop structure of the trans-activating responsive (TAR) element at the 5' end of HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral RNAs were tested for their inhibitory effect on cDNA synthesis by HIV-1 and HIV-2 reverse transcriptases (RT). Inhibition of reverse transcription is sequence-specific and enhanced by the presence of the RT-associated RNase H activity. The degree of inhibition obtained with the anti-TAR antisense is significantly higher than with other HIV-1 targeted antisense ODNs used before [1]. Gel retardation showed a stable specific complex between the 16- and 25-mer anti-TAR HIV-1 selected ODNs and the target region. No complex was observed with a non-inhibitor 22-mer anti-TAR ODN and with the corresponding control sequences. Targeting of the first stem-loop in the 5' region of HIV-2 RNA by anti-TAR ODNs inhibited very strongly reverse transcription by HIV-2 RT. The structure of the antisense and the target sequence affect annealing efficiency and hence the degree of inhibition of reverse transcription.

Base Sequence↗

Role of the substrate conformation and of the S1 protein in the cleavage efficiency of the T4 endoribonuclease RegB.

The T4 endoribonuclease RegB is involved in the inactivation of the phage early messengers. It cuts specifically in the middle of GGAG sequences found in early messenger intergenic regions but not GGAG sequences located in coding sequences or in late messengers. In vitro RegB activity is very low but is enhanced by a factor up to 100 by the ribosomal protein S1. In the absence of clear sequence motif distinguishing substrate and non-substrate GGAG-containing RNAs, we postulated the existence of a structural determinant. To test this hypothesis, we correlated the structure, probed by NMR spectroscopy, with the cleavage propensity of short RNA molecules derived from an artificial substrate. A kinetic analysis of the cleavage was performed in the presence and absence of S1. In the absence of S1, RegB efficiently hydrolyses substrates in which the last G of the GGAG motif is located in a short stem between two loops. Both strengthening and weakening of this structure strongly decrease the cleavage rate, indicating that this structure constitutes a positive cleavage determinant. Based on our results and those of others, we speculate that S1 favors the formation of the structure recognized by RegB and can thus be considered a "presentation protein."

Base Sequence↗

Integrated hepatitis B virus DNA preserves the binding sequence of transcription factor Yin and Yang 1 at the virus-cell junction.

Accumulated findings have indicated that hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integrates into the cellular DNA of HBV-infected chronic hepatitis tissues. The integrated sequence (IS) of HBV DNA at the virus-cell junction is conserved in a 25-bp region which is adjacent to direct repeat 1. A cellular protein which we purified from the nuclear extract of HepG2 cells binds to the IS and was designated IS binding protein 3 (ISBP3). The amino acid sequence of ISBP3 was determined and found to be identical to that of transcription initiation factor Yin and Yang 1 (YY1). An antibody against C-terminal amino acids of YY1 recognized ISBP3 in a Western blot analysis and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Furthermore, ISBP3 also interacted with Y3, which corresponds to the YY1 binding sequence, to enhance intramolecular recombination of polyomavirus DNA. Although YY1 is known as a transcription factor, the IS did not exhibit any effect on the transcription of precore and pregenome RNAs. The possible involvement of YY1 in the intramolecular recombination of linear replicative HBV DNA has been examined (Y. Hayashi et al., unpublished data). Data suggest that YY1 is involved in the joining reaction between HBV DNA and cellular DNA to form the virus-cell junction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cellular sequences in pestivirus genomes encoding gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor-associated protein and Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kilodaltons.

The presence of cellular protein coding sequences within viral RNA genomes is a unique and particularly interesting feature of cytopathogenic (cp) pestiviruses. Here we report the identification and characterization of two novel cellular sequences in the genomes of cp bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strains. In BVDV strain CP X604, we detected a duplication of the genomic region encoding NS3, NS4A, and part of NS4B, together with an insertion of sequences that code for cellular gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor-associated protein [GABA(A)-RAP]. Transient-expression studies showed that the GABA(A)-RAP sequence leads to additional processing of the viral polyprotein and thereby to the expression of nonstructural protein NS3. Transfection of bovine cells with RNA transcribed from an infectious cDNA clone revealed that the GABA(A)-RAP-encoding insertion together with the duplicated viral sequences constitutes the genetic basis for the cytopathogenicity of strain CP X604. Surprisingly, molecular analysis of another cp BVDV strain (CP 721) resulted in the identification of a cellular Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kDa (GATE-16)-encoding insertion together with duplicated viral sequences. To our knowledge, the genomes of CP X604 and CP 721 are the first viral RNAs found with cellular sequences encoding GABA(A)-RAP and GATE-16, respectively. Interestingly, the two cellular proteins belong to a family of eukaryotic proteins involved in various intracellular trafficking processes. Processing after the C-terminal glycine residue of GABA(A)-RAP and GATE-16 by cellular proteases is essential for covalent attachment to target molecules. Accordingly, it can be assumed that these cellular proteases also recognize the cleavage sites in the context of the respective viral polyproteins and thereby lead to the generation of NS3, the marker protein of cp BVDV.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Enhanced expression of the local haematopoietic bone marrow renin-angiotensin system in polycythemia rubra vera.

Local bone marrow (BM) renin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects physiological and pathological haematopoiesis, including erythropoiesis. In this study, quantitative expression of the messenger RNAs of the major RAS components--angiotensin-converting enzyme (CD143), renin and angiotensinogen--were measured in BM samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, to evaluate the activity of local BM RAS in polycythemia rubra vera (PV) in comparison with normal erythropoiesis. The presence of CD143 was also investigated in the same BM samples by flow cytometry. Increased local synthesis of the major RAS components has been identified by demonstrating corresponding mRNAs in the BM of the patients with PV. Our findings indicate up-regulation of local BM RAS, together with down-regulation of the cell surface angiotensin-converting enzyme receptors, in the autonomous neoplastic clonal erythropoiesis of PV.

Adult↗

Differential expression of hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1 messenger RNAs in two experimental models of liver cell proliferation.

Hepatocyte growth factor, a potent hepatocyte mitogen in vitro, appears to trigger hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy and after acute liver cell necrosis. Transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1 may also be involved in the control of liver regeneration. In this study we assessed possible roles of hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1 on liver cell proliferation in vivo, using a model of choline deficiency that is associated with liver cell necrosis and a model of a hypolipidemic agent (4-chloro-6-(2,3 xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio (N-beta-hydroxyethyl) acetamide) without liver necrosis. Male F344 rats were fed a choline-deficient diet or 0.16% 4-chloro-6-(2,3 xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio (N-beta-hydroxyethyl) acetamide diet for 6 and 4 wk, respectively. Rats were killed periodically, and the expression of hepatocyte growth factor messenger RNA in the liver, lung and kidney was determined by Northern-blot analysis. The levels of transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1 messenger RNAs in the liver were also determined. Feeding a choline-deficient diet for 1 to 6 wk led to gradual increases in the levels of hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta 1 messenger RNAs in the liver. Feeding a 4-chloro-6-(2,3 xylidino)-2-pyrimidinylthio (N-beta-hydroxyethyl) acetamide diet for 3 days and 2 wk induced marked enhancement of liver cell proliferation as judged by hepatocyte 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Modification of transcriptional activity induced by protein synthesis inhibitors in salivary gland cells of Chironomus thummi.

Uridine incorporation in salivary gland cells of Chironomus thummi may be increased by short treatments with cycloheximide, anisomycin or emetine. Accordingly, the rate of UTP incorporation in drug pre-treated permeabilized glands is higher than in control glands. Electrophoretical analyses indicate that when the aforementioned inhibitors are given to whole larvae, the synthesis of glandular giant-heterogeneous RNA and, to a higher extent, that of low molecular weight (4-5S) RNA, are enhanced, while nucleolar 38S pre-rRNA synthesis is generally depressed. On the contrary, when the inhibitors are directly applied to excised glands, the the synthesis of all RNAs, including the pre-ribosomal one, is higher than in control glands. These results suggest that the transcription of various RNA species in polytene cells of C. thummi appears to be specifically regulated by mechanisms in which newly synthesized proteins are involved. In addition, the response of nucleolar genes transcription to treatments with protein synthesis inhibitors seems to be dependent on the environmental conditions of the glands.

Animals↗

Activation of cardiac renin-angiotensin system in unstable angina.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in unstable angina (UA). BACKGROUND: Angiotensin (Ang) II locally produced by continuously operating cardiac RAS may affect the pathophysiology of UA. METHODS: In 35 patients with UA, 32 with stable effort angina (SA) and 21 with atypical chest pain (controls), cardiac RAS was investigated during coronary angiography after five days of Holter monitoring by combining the measurement of aorta-coronary sinus gradient for Ang I and Ang II with the kinetics study of 125I-Ang I. Messenger RNAs (mRNA) for all the components of RAS were also quantified with the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and localized by in situ hybridization in myocardial biopsy specimens from patients who underwent aorta-coronary bypass surgery. RESULTS: Cardiac Ang II generation was higher in patients with UA than it was in patients with SA or in controls (p < 0.001) due to increased de novo cardiac Ang I formation and its enhanced fractional conversion rate to Ang II. Messenger RNA levels for angiotensinogen (AGTN), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and Ang II type 1 (AT1) subtype receptors were higher in patients with UA (p < 0.01) than they were in patients with SA or in control hearts. Messenger RNAs for AGTN and ACE were almost exclusively expressed on endothelial and interstitial cells. Angiotensin II formation was correlated with ischemia burden (p < 0.001). However, the amount of Ang II formed and the expression levels of mRNAs for AGTN, ACE and AT1 were not related to the time that had elapsed since the last anginal attack. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with UA, cardiac RAS is activated, resulting in increased Ang II formation. Myocardial ischemia is essential for RAS activation, but it is unlikely to be a direct and immediate cause of RAS activation.

Aged↗

Amplification of RNAi--targeting HLA mRNAs.

Posttranscriptional suppression of gene expression can be achieved by introduction of sequence-specific small interfering (si) RNA duplexes and by de novo intracellular synthesis of short sequence-specific double-stranded RNAs. However, achieving desired levels of knockdown is a barrier to successful analytic and therapeutic application. We demonstrate that increasing expression of introduced short hairpin RNA (shRNA) can markedly enhance RNA interference (RNAi) and that this approach can be used to achieve maximal target down-regulation, when the choice of optimal siRNA-binding sites is restricted or when multiple genes are simultaneously targeted and the amount of siRNA is limiting. A dose-dependent RNAi effect was accomplished by placing copies of shRNA under control of the Pol III U6 small nuclear RNA promoter in tandem in a DNA vector. Using this system, we achieved simultaneous down-regulation of expression of classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes in cultured and primary human T cells, which might be applied to help circumvent T-cell-mediated rejection of immunogenic and/or HLA-disparate allografts.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of deoxyribozymes that synthesize branched RNA.

We recently reported deoxyribozymes (DNA enzymes) that synthesize 2',5'-branched RNA. The in vitro-selected 9F7 and 9F21 deoxyribozymes mediate reaction of a branch-site adenosine 2'-hydroxyl on one RNA substrate with the 5'-triphosphate of another RNA substrate. Here we characterize these DNA enzymes with respect to their branch-forming activity. Both 9F7 and 9F21 are much more active with Mn(2+) than with Mg(2+). The K(d,app)(Mg(2+)) > 400 mM but K(d,app)(Mn(2+)) approximately 20-50 mM, and the ligation rates k(obs) are orders of magnitude faster with Mn(2+) than with Mg(2+) (e.g., 9F7 approximately 0.3 min(-1) with 20 mM Mn(2+) versus 0.4 h(-1) with 100 mM Mg(2+), both at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C). Of the other tested transition metal ions Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), and Cd(2+), only Co(2+) supports a trace amount of activity. 9F7 is more tolerant than 9F21 of varying the RNA substrate sequences. For the RNA substrate that donates the adenosine 2'-hydroxyl, 9F7 requires YUA, where Y = pyrimidine and A is the branch site. The 3'-tail emerging from the branch-site A may have indefinite length, but it must be at least one nucleotide long for high activity. The 5'-triphosphate RNA substrate requires several additional nucleotides with varying sequence requirements (5'-pppGRMWR). Outside of these regions that flank the ligation site, 9F7 and 9F21 tolerate any RNA substrate sequences via Watson-Crick covariation of the DNA binding arms that interact directly with the substrates. 9F7 provides a high yield of 2',5'-branched RNA on the preparative nanomole scale. The ligation reaction is effectively irreversible; the pyrophosphate leaving group in the ligation reaction does not induce 2',5'-cleavage, and pyrophosphate does not significantly inhibit ligation except in 1000-fold excess. Deleting a specific nucleotide in one of the DNA binding arms near the ligation junction enhances ligation activity, suggesting an interesting structure near this region of the deoxyribozyme-substrate complex. These data support the utility of deoxyribozymes in creating synthetic 2',5'-branched RNAs for investigations of group II intron splicing, debranching enzyme (Dbr) activity, and other biochemical reactions.

Binding Sites↗

Identification of a human transcription unit affected by the variant chromosomal translocations 2;8 and 8;22 of Burkitt lymphoma.

Chromosomal translocations in Burkitt lymphoma and mouse plasmacytomas typically lie within or near the protooncogene MYC. In some instances, however, these tumors contain variant translocations with breakpoints located more distant from and downstream of MYC, in a domain commonly known as pvt-1. Until now, there has been no evidence that pvt-1 marks the location of a functional gene. Here we report the identification of a large transcriptional unit in human DNA that includes pvt-1. We have designated this unit as PVT. PVT begins 57 kilobase pairs downstream of MYC and occupies a minimum of 200 kilobase pairs of DNA. Some of the translocations that occur downstream of MYC in Burkitt lymphoma transect PVT; others lie between the two genes. None of the translocations we have studied appear to enhance transcription from an intact allele of PVT (indeed, they may inactivate that transcription), but some are associated with the production of abundant and anomalous 0.8- to 1.0-kilobase RNAs that contain the 5' exon of PVT and sequences transcribed from the constant region of an immunoglobulin gene (the reciprocal participant in the translocation). Identification of PVT should facilitate the exploration of how translocations downstream of MYC and insertions of retroviral DNA in the vicinity of pvt-1 might contribute to tumorigenesis.

Base Composition↗