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Molecular analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes coding for idiotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies involved in B-B cellular interaction.

We recently reported that a unique B cell clone (B19-1d), specific for a cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) on MOPC104E myeloma protein (M104E), enhances Igh-restricted CRI+ antibody production. In this paper, we report the nucleotide sequences of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions (VH) of both M104E and B19-1d-derived hybridoma (HB19) antibodies. The sequence data revealed that both belong to the J558 germ line VH gene subfamily. Strikingly, not only the VH region, but also the leader sequences of M104E and HB19 are very similar to each other at 88% (VH) and 91% (leader) homology, but they use different D and J segments. The VH region sequence similarity is highest among the germ line VH gene sequences of the BALB/c J558 subfamily so far screened. Southern hybridization data, using 5'-noncoding regions of either M104E or HB19 genomic VH gene clones as probes, revealed that both VH genes are conserved in the M104E CRI producer strains of mice. Moreover, these probes show the restriction length polymorphism pattern of mouse VH genes in various strains. That the HB19 VH gene locates to the 5' upper arm of the M104E VH gene on the chromosome was suggested by Southern blot hybridization. Immunoglobulin VH gene restriction of idiotypic and antiidiotypic B-B cellular interaction is discussed from a molecular point of view.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Elucidating sequence codes: three codes for evolution.

The sequences are related to evolution in several ways. First, they carry traces of a distant past. Two sequence features point to the earliest sequence organization. The universal hidden GCU-periodical pattern in mRNA suggests the earliest codons: GCU and its nine-point-change derivatives. They code for seven amino acids that by several criteria are also the oldest. Together it makes the earliest form of the triplet code, still recognizable in the extant sequences. Another feature present in the sequences, apparently, since separation of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is hidden genome segmentation. Both protein-coding and noncoding sequences appear to have been formed by fusion of standard size units, about 360 bp (120 aa) in eukaryotes and 450 bp (150 aa) in prokaryotes. Presumably, the units have been functioning at some stage of evolution as autonomous single-gene size elements. There are sequence designs that promote evolution. One such design suitable for fast adaptation is the tandem repetition of identical sequences, so that their copy numbers in the repeat arrays would modulate (tune) the expression of nearby genes. The tandem repeat expansion diseases illustrate this mechanism in a dramatic way: overtuning of the respective gene expression leads to the disease.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus in different regions of Thailand.

The genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolated from blood donors from four major regions of Thailand was studied by reverse hybridization assays. PCR-amplified products from the 5' noncoding and core regions of the viral genome were hybridized to genotype- and subtype-specific probes which were immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane. Of 332 anti-HCV-positive plasma samples studied, 71% contained HCV RNA. HCV genotype 3a was the most prevalent genotype (39%), followed by genotype 1b (20%) and genotype 6 group variants (18%). HCV genotype 1a was identified among 9% of all isolates. Other genotypes (genotype 1 which was neither 1a nor 1b, genotype 3b, and an unclassified genotype) were uncommon. There was no difference in the mean age of the donors infected with different HCV genotypes. The genotypic distribution pattern of HCV was similar among HCV isolates from different regions of Thailand.

Genes, Viral↗

Improved detection of rhinoviruses by nucleic acid sequence-based amplification after nucleotide sequence determination of the 5' noncoding regions of additional rhinovirus strains.

The isothermal nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) system was applied for the detection of rhinoviruses using primers targeted at the 5' noncoding region (5' NCR) of the viral genome. The nucleotide sequence of the 5' NCRs of 34 rhinovirus isolates was determined to map the most conserved regions and design more appropriate primers and probes. The assay amplified RNA extracted from 30 rhinovirus reference strains and 88 rhinovirus isolates, it did not amplify RNA from 49 enterovirus isolates and other respiratory viruses. The assay allows one to discriminate between group A and B rhinoviruses. Sensitivities for the detection of group B and group A rhinoviruses was 20 and 200 50% tissue culture infective doses, respectively.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

In vivo transcription of the 5'-terminal extracistronic region of vesicular stomatitis virus RNA.

In vivo transcription and polyadenylation at the junction of the L cistron and the 5'-terminal extracistronic region of vesicular stomatitis virus RNA was investigated. Annealing of 5'32P-labeled RNA representing the 5'-terminal noncoding 77 nucleotides of vesicular stomatitis virus genomic RNA to L gene mRNA resulted in specific duplex formation. Two specific RNase T1- and RNase A resistant duplexes, 66 and 77 nucleotides long, bound to oligodeoxythymidylic acid cellulose. The specific sizes of the duplexes and their selection by oligodeoxythymidylic acid cellulose chromatography demonstrated that they were covalently linked to the polyadenylic acid tail of L gene mRNA. These data strongly suggest that the viral polymerase polyadenylates L gene mRNA in vivo by using the stretch of seven uridine residues at the end of the L cistron and that the polymerase can resume transcribing the 5'-terminal extracistronic region, resulting in a covalent linkage of the transcript to the polyadenylic acid tail of L gene mRNA.

Genes↗

The sequence element of the internal ribosome entry site and a 25-kilodalton cellular protein contribute to efficient internal initiation of translation of hepatitis C virus RNA.

Translation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is initiated by internal entry of ribosomes into the 5' noncoding region (NCR). This process depends on genomic elements within the 5' NCR called the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and may involve host factors. The alpha-branch structure (nucleotides 47 to 67) of the HCV IRES is considered a cis-acting element critical for translation initiation because it is indispensable for translation in vitro (S. Fukushi, K. Katayama, C. Kurihara, N. Ishiyama, F. B. Hoshino, T. Ando, and A. Oya, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 199:425-432, 1994). In order to further characterize the function of the alpha-branch, we determined whether sequence exchange within the alpha-branch had any effect on translation initiation. An in vitro translation study revealed that the stem sequences of this region played an important role in efficient IRES function. In addition to several HeLa cell proteins, which had a binding affinity for the 5' NCR, a novel 25-kDa protein that specifically interacted with the HCV IRES was discovered. The binding affinity of the 25-kDa protein for the 5' NCR was correlated with the efficiency of translation initiation of HCV RNA, indicating a critical role for the 25-kDa protein in HCV translation.

Animals↗

Demonstration and distribution of HCV RNA sequences by in situ hybridization and HCV-related proteins by immunohistochemistry in the liver tissue of patients with chronic HCV infection.

Nonisotopic in situ cytohybridization of HCV RNA was attempted in liver specimens from 12 chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. Oligonucleotides deduced from 5'-noncoding and core regions of the HCV genome were labeled with digoxigenin and used on paraformaldehyde-fixed frozen liver sections. The hybrids were visualized immunohistochemically with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-digoxigenin and alkaline phosphatase substrate. These findings were correlated with the results of tissue immunohistochemistry for HCV antigens identified with specific mouse monoclonal antibodies developed against c22-3 antigen (Ag), a core-encoded protein, and c100-3 Ag, a NS4-encoded protein, and histologic assessment of each liver. HCV RNA detected in the above assay was predominantly cytoplasmic; it was detected in all 12 patients and in none of the controls. Tissue HCV RNA was associated with the presence of cytoplasmic (c100-3 Ag) and membrane (c22-3 Ag) expression of viral proteins in all 9 patients with histological evidence of chronic progressive liver disease as judged by the presence of piecemeal necrosis, and lobular and portal tract inflammation. Despite the presence of abundant HCV RNA, none of 3 patients without histological evidence of chronic liver disease showed intrahepatocyte expression of viral proteins. These findings support the view that tissue HCV antigens are markers of progressive damage and demonstrate that active liver disease does not occur without such markers. It is proposed that synthesis of viral proteins and membrane accumulation of c22-3 Ag may be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocyte injury in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Adult↗

Characterization of an up-stream promoter directing extrapituitary expression of the human prolactin gene.

The human PRL gene is expressed outside pituitary lactotrophs in decidualized endometrium and lymphoid cells, but here the mRNA contains a 5'-untranslated region from an additional noncoding exon 1a. We have isolated a genomic DNA clone containing human PRL exon 1a with 2800 basepairs (bp) of 5'-flanking sequences. Sequencing locates exon 1a -5840 bp up-stream of the pituitary start site. To study its suspected regulatory function, various lengths of the 5'-flanking region were linked to the luciferase (Luc) reporter gene. Their ability to direct gene expression has been analyzed in transfection studies. The proximal 1620 bp of promoter sequence directed Luc expression in the T-lymphoid Jurkat cell line, and this was unaffected by 5'-deletion to the proximal 453 bp. However, further 5'-deletion to the most proximal 67 bp drastically reduced this activity by 90%. The exon 1a promoter was inactive in pituitary GH3 cells and HeLa cells; in contrast, the exon 1b pituitary promoter, active in GH3 cells, was inactive in Jurkat cells. DNase-I footprinting studies and further 5'- and 3'-deletion analysis identified factor-binding sites within an enhancer element located at -375/-212 bp, which contributed approximately 50% of the promoter activity.

Animals↗

[Instability of repetitive units of foreign centromeric satellite DNA in transgenic mice and transfected cells].

Cytologically detectable instability of centromeric satellite DNA may cause hereditary disorders in human. To study the mechanisms of such instability, two transgenic mouse lines and 11 clones of transfected F9 mouse embryonic teratocarcinoma cells were obtained with the 3.8-kb repetitive unit (Sat) of Bos taurus satellite DNA IV. Intergeneration and somatic instability of exogenous satellite DNA (satDNA) was observed in transgenic mice and transfected cells as a change in nucleotide sequence of an internal Sat region approximately 1000 bp in size. Since Sat was in the hemizygous state in both cases by the experimental protocol, the instability was attributed to intra-allelic processes. Intergeneration instability probably took place in the premeiotic period of gametogenesis or in early embryo development and led to prenatal death of transgenic embryos after at least one generation. No direct or inverse correlation was observed between methylation and instability of Sat. The results testify that submicroscopic changes in highly repetitive noncoding DNA sequences may already affect the genome function in higher eukaryotes.

Animals↗

[3'terminal nucleotide sequence of barley stripe mosaic virus RNA].

Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) is a representative of the hordeiviruses which has a functionally fragmented RNA genom. 3'-terminal nucleotide sequence of the noncoding region of BSMV RNA 2 has been determined. This region contains the internal olygo(A) sequence (n = 21) and the tyrosine accepting tRNA-like structure at 3'-extreme end. tRNA-like sequence can fold into the two distinct secondary structure which strikingly similar to such a structures which has been proposed recently for cucumo- and bromoviruses.

Base Sequence↗

Lack of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative women: a prospective study with hepatitis C virus RNA testing.

The published risk of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus varies according to the population studied and the tests used. In a prospective study we used the polymerase chain reaction to assess the risk of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus in an unselected population of women uninfected by human immunodeficiency virus. Hepatitis C virus antibodies were sought with a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 2,367 consecutive pregnant women. Forty-one were positive, and 17 consented to serological follow-up of their offspring (n = 18). A second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay, ALT determination and hepatitis C virus RNA testing were performed on maternal sera obtained during pregnancy and sera from the offspring at birth and thereafter. Five older brothers or sisters were also tested. Hepatitis C virus RNA sequences in serum were amplified with a modified nested polymerase chain reaction procedure with primers from the highly conserved 5' noncoding region of the hepatitis C virus genome. All the neonates were positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers and recombinant immunoblot assay patterns similar to those of their mothers. After birth hepatitis C virus antibodies gradually disappeared within 6 mo. Hepatitis C virus RNA was consistently negative in the 18 children from birth to 24 mo (range = 3 to 24 mo) and in the 5 older children, regardless of the hepatitis C virus polymerase chain reaction status of the mothers (8 of whom were positive).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

Conserved noncoding sequences are reliable guides to regulatory elements.

A 'working draft' of the human genome sequence is now available. Comparisons with the sequences of mouse and other species will be a powerful approach to identifying functional segments of the noncoding regions, such as gene regulatory elements. However, the choice of a species for most effective comparison differs among various loci.

Animals↗

The evolution of genome size: what can be learned from anuran development?

Differences in nuclear DNA content in vertebrates have been shown to be correlated with cell size, cell division rate, and embryonic developmental rate. We compare seven species of anuran amphibians with a three-fold range of genome sizes. Parameters examined include the number and density of cells in a number of embryonic structures, and the change in cell number in the CNS during development. We show that genome size is correlated with cell proliferation rate and with developmental rate at different stages of embryonic development, but that the correlation between genome size and cell size is only evident at later stages. We discuss the evolution of genome size in amphibians. Our discussion takes into account data that reportedly support two conflicting hypotheses: the "skeletal DNA" hypothesis, which claims a selective role for differences in genome size, and the "junk DNA" hypothesis, which claims that differences in genome size are a random result of the accumulation of noncoding DNA sequences. We show that these supposedly conflicting hypotheses can be integrated into a more complex and inclusive model for the evolution of genome size.

Animals↗

Importance of both the coding and the segment-specific noncoding regions of the influenza A virus NS segment for its efficient incorporation into virions.

The genome of influenza A virus consists of eight single-strand negative-sense RNA segments, each comprised of a coding region and a noncoding region. The noncoding region of the NS segment is thought to provide the signal for packaging; however, we recently showed that the coding regions located at both ends of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase segments were important for their incorporation into virions. In an effort to improve our understanding of the mechanism of influenza virus genome packaging, we sought to identify the regions of NS viral RNA (vRNA) that are required for its efficient incorporation into virions. Deletion analysis showed that the first 30 nucleotides of the 3' coding region are critical for efficient NS vRNA incorporation and that deletion of the 3' segment-specific noncoding region drastically reduces NS vRNA incorporation into virions. Furthermore, silent mutations in the first 30 nucleotides of the 3' NS coding region reduced the incorporation efficiency of the NS segment and affected virus replication. These results suggested that segment-specific noncoding regions together with adjacent coding regions (especially at the 3' end) form a structure that is required for efficient influenza A virus vRNA packaging.

Base Sequence↗

Rift Valley fever virus noncoding regions of L, M and S segments regulate RNA synthesis.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) (Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae) possesses a genome composed of three negative-stranded RNA molecules. Each segment contains 3' and 5' noncoding regions with terminal complementary sequences forming a panhandle structure. We showed that transcription-replication of the L, M and S segments is regulated, and we established a minigenome rescue system expressing a CAT reporter to investigate the role of the noncoding regions in this process. The L, M and S segment-based minigenomes were shown to drive bona fide transcription and replication and to express variable levels of CAT reporter, indicating differential promoter activities within the noncoding sequences. In addition, we found a good correlation between the relative promoter strength and the abundance of viral RNA species in RVFV-infected cells. Altogether, these results show that RVFV minigenomes are powerful tools to study transcription and replication and constitute a valuable basis to rescue infectious virus from cDNAs.

Animals↗

Patterns of evolutionary constraints in intronic and intergenic DNA of Drosophila.

We develop methods to infer levels of evolutionary constraints in the genome by comparing rates of nucleotide substitution in noncoding DNA with rates predicted from rates of synonymous site evolution in adjacent genes or other putatively neutrally evolving sites, while accounting for differences in base composition. We apply the methods to estimate levels of constraint in noncoding DNA of Drosophila. In introns, constraint (the estimated fraction of mutations that are selectively eliminated) is absolute at the 5' and 3' splice junction dinucleotides, and averages 72% in base pairs 3-6 at the 5'-end. Constraint at the 5' base pairs 3-6 is significantly lower in the lineage leading to Drosophila melanogaster than in Drosophila simulans, a finding that agrees with other features of genome evolution in Drosophila and indicates that the effect of selection on intron function has been weaker in the melanogaster lineage. Elsewhere in intron sequences, the rate of nucleotide substitution is significantly higher than at synonymous sites. By using intronic sites outside splice control regions as a putative neutrally evolving standard, constraint in the 500 bp of intergenic DNA upstream and downstream regions of protein-coding genes averages approximately 44%. Although the estimated level of constraint in intergenic regions close to genes is only about one-half of that of amino acid sites, selection against single-nucleotide mutations in intergenic DNA makes a substantial contribution to the mutation load in Drosophila.

Animals↗

Characterization of evolutionary rates and constraints in three Mammalian genomes.

We present an analysis of rates and patterns of microevolutionary phenomena that have shaped the human, mouse, and rat genomes since their last common ancestor. We find evidence for a shift in the mutational spectrum between the mouse and rat lineages, with the net effect being a relative increase in GC content in the rat genome. Our estimate for the neutral point substitution rate separating the two rodents is 0.196 substitutions per site, and 0.65 substitutions per site for the tree relating all three mammals. Small insertions and deletions of 1-10 bp in length ("microindels") occur at approximately 5% of the point substitution rate. Inferred regional correlations in evolutionary rates between lineages and between types of sites support the idea that rates of evolution are influenced by local genomic or cell biological context. No substantial correlations between rates of point substitutions and rates of microindels are found, however, implying that the influences that affect these processes are distinct. Finally, we have identified those regions in the human genome that are evolving slowly, which are likely to include functional elements important to human biology. At least 5% of the human genome is under substantial constraint, most of which is noncoding.

Animals↗