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At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

Forced expression of the motor neuron determinant HB9 in neural stem cells affects neurogenesis.

In contrast to mouse embryonic stem cells and in spite of overlapping gene expression profiles, neural stem cells (NSCs) isolated from the embryonic spinal cord do not respond to physiological morphogenetic stimuli provided by Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid and do not generate motor neurons upon differentiation. Transcription factors expressed in motor neuron progenitors during embryogenesis include Pax6, Ngn2, Nkx6.1 and Olig2, whose expression precedes that of factors specifying motor neuron fate, including HB9, Islet1 and LIM3. We showed that all these factors were present in neural progenitors derived from mouse ES cells, whereas NSCs derived from the rat embryonic spinal cord expressed neither HB9 nor Islet1 and contained low levels of Nkx6.1 and LIM3. We constructed a lentivirus vector to express HB9 and GFP in NSCs and examined the consequences of HB9 expression on other transcription factors and cell differentiation. Compared to cell expressing GFP alone, NSCs expressing GFP and HB9 cycled less rapidly, downregulated Pax6 and Ngn2 mRNA levels, produced higher proportions of neurons in vitro and lower numbers of neurons after transplantation in the spinal cord of recipient rats. Oligodendrocytic and astrocytic differentiations were not affected. HB9 expressing NSCs did not express Islet1 or upregulate LIM3. They neither responded to Sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid nor produced cholinergic neurons. We concluded that forced HB9 expression affected neurogenesis but was not sufficient to confer motor neuron fate to NSCs.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

Expression mapping using a retroviral vector for CD8+ T cell epitopes: definition of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptide presented by H2-Dd.

Identification of CD8+ T cell epitopes is important because detection of specific CD8+ T cells after infection or immunization requires prior knowledge of epitope specificity. Furthermore, identification of CD8+ T cell epitopes permits the development of specific preventive and therapeutic approaches to both infections and tumors. Thus far, CD8+ T cell epitopes have been identified either using an overlapping peptide library covering an entire protein, or using algorithms designed to identify likely peptides that bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The synthesis of overlapping peptides can be prohibitively expensive, and the algorithm programs used to predict CD8+ T cell epitopes are not always accurate. Here we describe a retroviral expression system that specifically allows longer polypeptides and shorter peptides to be expressed in the cytoplasm, and thereby to be processed onto class I MHC molecules. T cells from mice that were immunized with a DNA vaccine encoding MPT-51 were probed against MHC-compatible cell lines retrovirally transduced with overlapping gene fragments encoding 120-140 amino acids of the MPT-51 molecule. After further testing of shorter peptide sequences, we identified a CD8+ T cell epitope using cell lines expressing a relatively small number of algorithm-predicted candidate epitopes. We found that one of the requirements for cell surface display of the 20-mer peptide was the need for cotranslational ubiquitination. The restriction molecule was identified as Dd following transduction with MHC class I genes followed by transduction with the oligonucleotide encoding the epitope. The retroviral expression system described here is cost-effective, particularly if the target molecule is large, and could be adapted to identifying T cell epitopes recognized in infectious disease and against tumor cell antigens.

Algorithms↗

Tissue expression of alternatively spliced GFRalpha1, NCAM and RET isoforms and the distinct functional consequence of ligand-induced activation of GFRalpha1 isoforms.

Glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) exerts its effect through a multi-component receptor system consisting of GFRalpha1, RET and NCAM. Two highly homologous alternatively spliced GFRalpha1 isoforms (GFRalpha1a and GFRalpha1b) have previously been identified. In this study, isoform specific real-time PCR assays were used to quantify the expression levels of GFRalpha1, RET and NCAM isoforms in murine embryonic and adult tissues. The expression levels of GFRalpha1b were found to be comparable to that of GFRalpha1a in peripheral tissues. However, GFRalpha1a was the predominant isoform expressed in the whole brain. The co-expressions of GFRalpha1 and the co-receptors were developmentally regulated and differentially expressed in some tissues. Microarray analyses of GFRalpha1 isoforms transfected cells stimulated with NTN showed distinct and non-overlapping gene profiles. These observations are consistent with the emerging view that the combinatorial interactions of the spliced isoforms of GFRalpha, RET and NCAM may contribute to the pleiotropic biological responses.

Alternative Splicing↗

Regulation of the Arabidopsis defense transcriptome.

Transcriptional re-programming is a key step of plant defense in response to pathogen recognition. Microarray analyses combined with genetic and biochemical approaches are now enabling us to study basic principles and details of regulatory mechanisms controlling the defense transcriptome in Arabidopsis. Recent results show that signaling pathways used by different defense systems converge and target overlapping gene sets. Furthermore, a quantitative mechanism common to multiple defense systems modulates transcript levels of these defense-associated genes. Most importantly, some transcription factors have been proven to play a pivotal role in disease resistance. Regulatory circuits linking signaling and gene regulation are emerging, suggesting that a complex interplay of transcriptional activators and repressors fine-tunes expression of the defense transcriptome.

Arabidopsis↗

Scavengase p20: a novel family of bacterial antioxidant enzymes.

A novel antioxidant enzyme designated scavengase p20 was identified in various pathogenic bacteria through database searching for sequences strikingly homologous to a recently discovered Escherichia coli thiol peroxidase p20. The direct biochemical evidence for the existence of scavengase p20 in Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori was provided by protein microsequencing and by in vitro assays for antioxidant activities. Overlapping genes encoding scavengase p20 and superoxide dismutase were recognized in H. pylori and their functional implications are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of the INK4a locus in tumor suppression and cell mortality.

The cell cycle inhibitor p16INK4a is inactivated in many human tumors and in families with hereditary melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Tumor-associated alterations in the INK4a locus may also affect the overlapping gene encoding p19ARF and the adjacent gene encoding p15I1NK4b, both negative regulators of cell proliferation. We report the phenotype of mice carrying a targeted deletion of the INK4a locus that eliminates both p16INK4a and p19ARF. The mice are viable but develop spontaneous tumors at an early age and are highly sensitive to carcinogenic treatments. INK4a-deficient primary fibroblasts proliferate rapidly and have a high colony-formation efficiency. In contrast with normal cells, the introduction of activated Ha-ras into INK4a-deficient fibroblasts can result in neoplastic transformation. These findings directly demonstrate that the INK4a locus functions to suppress neoplastic growth.

Alleles↗

Establishing and sculpting the synapse in Drosophila and C. elegans.

Genetic approaches in flies and worms continue to dissect the intricate molecular machinery of chemical synapses. Investigations carried out in the last year provide important new insights into the development and modulation of the presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic receptor fields mediating synaptic function. Mutant screens have identified overlapping gene classes mediating synaptogenesis. The leucocyte common antigen-related receptor tyrosine phosphatase interacts with liprin in the formation of the active zone. Spectrins are essential for the spatial restriction of synaptic proteins to define active zones. Glutamate acts as a negative regulator of its cognate postsynaptic receptor to sculpt receptor field size. Finally, protein translation and degradation regulation emerge as possible key regulators of synaptic efficacy.

Animals↗

Molecular genetics of human retinal dystrophies.

Retinal dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of diseases in which the retina degenerates, leading to either partial or complete blindness. The severe and clearly hereditary forms, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and various macular degenerations, affect approximately 1 in 3000 people, but many more suffer from aging macular dystrophy in later life. Patients with RP present with narrowing visual fields and night blindness, while those with diseases of the macula lose central vision first. Even before the advent of molecular genetics it was evident that these were heterogeneous disorders, with wide variation in severity, mode of inheritance and phenotype. However, with the widespread application of linkage analysis and mutation detection techniques, a complex underlying pathology has now been revealed. In total, 66 distinct non-overlapping genes or gene loci have been implicated in the various forms of retinal dystrophy, with more being reported regularly in the literature. Within the category of non-syndromic RP alone there are at least 22 genes (and probably many more) involved, with further allelic heterogeneity arising from different mutations in the same gene. This complexity presents a problem for those involved in counselling patients, and also compounds the search for therapies. Nevertheless, several lines of research raise the hope of generic treatments applicable to all such patients, while the greater understanding of normal visual function that arises from genetic studies may open up new avenues for therapy.

Genes, Dominant↗

Human adenovirus type 35: nucleotide sequence and vector development.

In this report, we describe the complete 34,794 base pair genomic sequence of the human adenovirus serotype 35 (Ad35) Holden strain. The viral genome exhibits a compact organization similar to other adenoviral serotypes, with overlapping genes on both strands. In all, 47 open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, including early (E1, 2, 3, 4) and late (L1, 2, 3, 4, 5) regions conserved among the adenoviridae family. In addition, 14 ORFs were identified that do not encode known adenoviral genes. Comparison of the predicted translational products of the conserved genes with those of other adenoviruses revealed that Ad35 has high homology to Ad7, Ad3, Ad21, Ad17, and simian Ads25. Based on the complete Ad35 DNA sequence, E3-, E1-, and E1/E3-deleted Ad35-based vector systems were developed. An HEK293-derived cell line was established for the propagation of the E1-deleted Ad35 vector, avoiding the emergence of replication-competent adenovirus. Moreover, production of the E1-deleted recombinant Ad35 vector was achieved by transient transduction of a plasmid encoding the Ad35 E1B gene in HEK293 cells. Testing showed that the Ad35-based vector efficiently infects both human and rhesus macaque dendritic cells. Our novel Ad35-based vectors and their corresponding packaging cell lines will provide a versatile and powerful system for DNA-based vaccine development and gene therapy applications.

Adenovirus E1 Proteins↗

Alternate choice of initiation codon produces a biologically active product of the von Hippel Lindau gene with tumor suppressor activity.

The VHL tumor suppressor gene has previously been reported to encode a protein of 213 amino acid residues. Here we report the identification of a second major VHL gene product with an apparent molecular weight of 18 kD, pVHL18, which appears to arise from alternate translation initiation at a second AUG codon (codon 54) within the VHL open reading frame. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the internal codon in the VHL mRNA is necessary and sufficient for production of pVHL18. pVHL18 can bind to elongin B, elongin C, and Hs-CUL2. When reintroduced into renal carcinoma cells that lack a wild-type VHL allele, pVHL18 suppresses basal levels of VEGF expression, restores hypoxia-inducibility of VEGF expression, and inhibits tumor formation in nude mice. These data strongly support the existence of two distinct VHL gene products in VHL tumor suppression.

Animals↗

Expression of p16INK4a/p16alpha and p19ARF/p16beta is frequently altered in non-small cell lung cancer and correlates with p53 overexpression.

The CDKN2 locus expresses two different mRNA transcripts, designated alpha and beta. The protein product of the alpha transcript is the cell cycle inhibitor and tumour suppressor p16INK4a. The beta transcript is translated in an alternate reading frame (ARF) and in humans encodes a 15 kDa protein (p19ARF). Immunohistochemical and Western analysis of p16INK4a has shown that the protein is downregulated in a significant number of tumours, but less is known on the expression of the p19ARF. We have examined the expression of p16INK4a and p19ARF in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by immunostaining (n=49) and multiplex RT-PCR (n=28). In order to investigate the mechanism responsible for p16INK4a downregulation, exon 1alpha methylation was analysed in a PCR-based assay. Of 49 tumours examined by immunostaining, 24 and 20 tumours expressed p16INK4a and p19ARF at nil to low levels, respectively. p19ARF was localized primarily to the nuclei of tumour cells, but was also seen to varying degrees in nuclei of lymphocytes, chondrocytes, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. No tumour with normal p16INK4a had decreased p19ARF expression. Among 16 tumours with nil to low p16INK4a expression, 11 tumours exhibited full methylation of at least one site within exon 1alpha and these tumours showed normal p19ARF expression. In contrast, no methylation of exon 1alpha was observed in five tumours which also lacked p19ARF. In normal lung, p16INK4a and p19ARF were not expressed at detectable levels, the multiplex RT-PCR results were balanced, and sites within exon 1alpha were strongly methylated. In tumours, imbalanced multiplex RT-PCR data (p16INK4a<p19ARF) predicted methylation of exon 1alpha (P=0.0006) as well as downregulation of p16INK4a. p19ARF downregulation was inversely correlated with p53 overexpression (P=0.025), whilst negative immunostaining for p16INK4a was inversely correlated with pRb down-regulation (P=0.003) and directly correlated with p53 overexpression as assessed by immunostaining (P=0.015). Our results show that: (1) p16INK4a and p19ARF expression are altered in almost half of resectable NSCLC; (2) methylation within exon 1alpha is a frequent, but not the only mechanism of p16INK4a downregulation; and that (3) the inverse association of p19ARF and p53 alteration is consistent with a linked pathway.

Aged↗

Transcriptional targets of hepatocyte growth factor signaling and Ki-ras oncogene activation in colorectal cancer.

Both Ki-ras mutation and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor Met overexpression occur at high frequency in colon cancer. This study investigates the transcriptional changes induced by Ki-ras oncogene and HGF/Met signaling activation in colon cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. The model system used in these studies included the DLD-1 colon cancer cell line with a mutated Ki-ras allele, and the DKO-4 cell line generated from DLD-1, with its mutant Ki-ras allele inactivated by targeted disruption. These cell lines were transduced with cDNAs of full-length Met receptor. Microarray transcriptional profiling was conducted on cell lines stimulated with HGF, as well as on tumor xenograft tissues. Overlapping genes between in vitro and in vivo microarray data sets were selected as a subset of HGF/Met and Ki-ras oncogene-regulated targets. Using the Online Predicted Human Interaction Database, novel HGF/Met and Ki-ras regulated proteins with putative functional linkage were identified. Novel proteins identified included histone acetyltransferase 1, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 2, chaperonin containing TCP1, subunit 8, CSE1 chromosome segregation 1-like (yeast)/cellular apoptosis susceptibility (mammals), CCR4-NOT transcription complex, subunit 8, and cyclin H. Transcript levels for these Met-signaling targets were correlated with Met expression levels, and were significantly elevated in both primary and metastatic human colorectal cancer samples compared to normal colorectal mucosa. These genes represent novel Met and/or Ki-ras transcriptionally coregulated genes with a high degree of validation in human colorectal cancers.

Alleles↗

Expression of a chimeric uidA gene indicates that polycistronic mRNAs are efficiently translated in tobacco plastids.

Polycistronic mRNAs are the predominant form of plastid primary transcripts. To determine if there is internal initiation of translation of promoter-distal open reading frames, a promoterless uidA reporter gene was integrated into the tobacco plastid genome downstream of the rbcL gene. Monocistronic uidA mRNA does not accumulate from the promoterless uidA construct. However, due to inefficient rbcL transcription termination, a polycistronic transcription unit is created that contains the uidA gene as the second cistron. Numerous stop codons in all three reading frames between the rbcL and uidA coding regions ensure that translation of uidA initiates only from the correct start codon. The encoded reporter gene product, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) accumulates to high levels in the transplastomic plants indicating that promoter-distal cistrons can be efficiently translated in plastids.

Base Sequence↗

LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels correlate with lincomycin production in Streptomyces lincolnensis.

AIMS: To demonstrate the expression of two overlapping genes lmbJ and lmbIH in Streptomyces lincolnensis and to document LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels during the lincomycin production phase. To analyse presumable function of the LmbIH protein. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lincomycin production was monitored by thin-layer chromatography, proteins LmbJ and LmbIH were assayed in the cell-free extracts of S. lincolnensis by immunodetection. LmbJ occurred at stable level (2-4 mg x g(-1) of total proteins) for a long time period (36-96 h of cultivation) covering the whole production phase. This fairly corresponds to the catalytic function of the protein in the antibiotic biosynthesis (N-demethyllincomycin methyltransferase). On the contrary, LmbIH reached the detectable level (0.1 and 0.7 mg x g(-1)) just for a short period at 60-72 h. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of LmbIH protein at a detectable level during the major part of the antibiotic production phase casts doubt on its possible catalytic function. Rather a different connection with the final biosynthetic steps, e.g. regulatory, can be envisaged. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Expression of a newly found putative regulatory gene was demonstrated during production of industrial antibiotic, lincomycin.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Frameshifting is required for production of the transposase encoded by insertion sequence 1.

Insertion sequence IS1 has two coding frames, insA and insB, which are essential for its transposition. Here, we show that a frameshifting event in the -1 direction from the 3' end region of the insA frame to an open reading frame (B' frame), extending from the 5' end of the insB frame, is involved in production of the InsA-B'-InsB fusion protein that has IS1 transposase activity. The frameshifting event is likely to have occurred at the sequence AAAAAC where the insA frame overlaps the B' frame. Interestingly, this sequence is also present in one of the two sequences identified in retroviruses as frameshift signals for production of transframe polyproteins from the overlapping genes gag-pro or gag-pro-pol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein isoforms encoded by the pX region of human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type I.

The pX region of the human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) contains at least four open reading frames (orfI-orfIV). orf III and orf IV encode the regulatory HTLV-I proteins Rex and Tax, which together modulate viral expression, and the p21rex protein of unknown function. By using the reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction techniques on the RNA of an HTLV-I-infected cell culture, we uncovered the existence of alternatively spliced mRNAs generated through the use of three splice acceptor sites. These mRNAs encoded protein isoforms derived from the HTLV-I orf I (p12I) and orf II (p13II and p30II). An additional acceptor splice site, used in the processing of the env and tax/rex mRNAs and a singly spliced mRNA for the p21rex protein, was also identified. All of these HTLV-I mRNAs were also detected in freshly isolated cells from HTLV-I-infected individuals. Thus HTLV-I, like the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, has developed fine posttranscriptional mechanisms to increase the complexity of its genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetics of human body size and shape: evidence for an oligogenic control of adiposity.

In a previous study by the authors in each of the pedigree samples from Kirghizstan, Turkmenia and Chuvashia, four principal factors supposedly controlled by four non-overlapping gene subsets were found. About 90% of total variation of adiposity as assessed by 22 measurements of skinfolds, circumferences and indices were covered by these factors. This study provides results of segregation analysis of each of these four factors. By the usual transmission probability tests, major gene (MG) control was accepted in all 12 analyses--four traits in three populations. Some of the most parsimonious MG models included non-MG effects, such as correlation of residuals between spouses, between parent and offspring and between sibs. The Kirghizian samples showed a significant assortative mating effect as measured by the correlation between genotypic values at putative MG in spouses. The proportion of the trait variance attributable to the MG effect varied from 0.296 (factor F4 in the Chuvashia sample) to 0.596 (the same factor in the Kirghizian sample). It is assumed that four independent large-effect genes can be recognized in the genetic control of adiposity determining, respectively, individual predisposition to accumulate subcutaneous fat, its distribution between the body trunk and extremities, predisposition to accumulate inner fat and its distribution between the upper and lower body parts. In each population, unification of the four most parsimonious MG models forms oligogenic models explaining from 0.364 (Chuvashia) to 0.540 (Kirghizstan) of total adiposity.

Adipose Tissue↗