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A 45-nucleotide insertion in the NS2 gene is responsible for the cytopathogenicity of a bovine viral diarrhoea virus strain.

Cytopathogenicity (cp) markers have recently been investigated in the genomes of field isolates of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Most of the isolates originated from mucosal disease (MD) cases observed after vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine, termed here BVDV-X. The NS2-3 genes of these isolates and of the vaccine proved to be identical, including a 45-nucleotide (nt) viral insertion at nt position 4355. The insertion originated from the NS4B/5A junction region of the BVDV genome. Interestingly, in BVDV strain CP7 a 27-nt insertion originating from the NS2 is located exactly at the same position. Complete genome analysis of BVDV-X did not reveal further potential cp markers. Furthermore, expression studies indicated that the insertion promotes NS2-3 cleavage. In order to examine the possible role of the 45-nt insertion in viral cytopathogenicity in details, a full-length infectious cDNA clone of BVDV-X was generated, and bovine turbinate (BT) cells were transfected with RNA transcribed from the clone. The recovered virus, termed BVDV-XR, showed slight retardation in growth in comparison with the original BVDV-X, and induced cytopathogenic effect (CPE). Since the natural non-cytopathogenic (ncp) counterpart of the vaccine virus was not available, an insertion-negative mutant cDNA clone was generated from BVDV-XR by PCR-directed mutagenesis. The recovered virus, termed BVDV-XR-INS-, showed the same growth characteristics as its cp counterpart BVDV-XR, but caused no CPE. These findings provide a direct proof that the 45-nt insertion at position 4355 has a basic role in the cytopathogenic character of this BVDV strain.

Animals↗

A new iud insertion technique utilizing cervical priming with prostaglandin.

Cervical priming with the aid of a single 15-ME-PGF2a vaginal suppository prior to IUD insertion resulted in cervical changes which facilitated the procedure. A 0.5 mg 15(S)-15-prostaglandin F2a methyl ester vaginal suppository was administered one hour prior to the IUD insertion in all patients studied. The insertion was performed in all patients studied. The insertion was performed from seven to seventeen days following the LMP with the exception of four patients with prolonged amenorrhea. A mean increase in cervical dilatation of 2.14 mm was achieved with minimal side effects. The cervical ripening and dilatation produced by the suppository increased the ease of IUD insertion , and expanded the time frame in which an IUD insertion could be performed. The method was well tolerated by all patients and eliminated the nausea and syncope often associated with IUD insertion.

Adult↗

Construction and characterization of derivatives carrying insertion mutations in F plasmid transfer region genes, trbA, artA, traQ, and trbB.

We devised a method for construction of insertion mutations in F plasmid tra region genes as a means of investigating the functions associated with previously uncharacterized loci. First, we constructed mutations in vitro, by insertion of a kanamycin resistance gene into a unique restriction site within a tra region fragment carried by a small, chimeric plasmid. Second, we crossed the insertion mutations, in vivo, onto a plasmid containing the complete F tra region sequence (either F lac, or pOX38, a Tra+ F plasmid derivative). Using this method, we obtained F lac mutant derivatives carrying KmR gene insertions in traQ, and a set of pOX38 mutant derivatives carrying a KmR gene insertion in trbA, artA, traQ, or trbB. Analysis of these derivatives showed that insertion of a kan gene at the NsiI site of traQ resulted in transfer deficiency, F-pilus-specific-phage resistance and an absence of detectable F-pilin subunit synthesis. Since the traQ mutants regained a wild-type phenotype when complemented with a traQ+ plasmid clone, we concluded that traQ expression is essential to transfer and F-pilus synthesis. However, pOX38 derivatives carrying kan gene inserts in genes trbA, artA, or trbB retained F-pilus-specific phage sensitivity and transferred at normal levels. Thus, these three gene products may not be essential for F-transfer from Escherichia coli K-12 under standard mating conditions.

Cloning, Molecular↗

(+)Insert smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-B): from single molecule to human.

In smooth muscle, alternative mRNA splicing of a single gene produces four myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) isoforms. Two of these isoforms differ by the presence [(+)insert] or absence [(-)insert] of a seven amino acid insert in the motor domain. This insert enhances the kinetic properties of myosin at the molecular level but its exact role at the cell and tissue levels still has to be elucidated. This review focuses on the expression and biological functions of the (+)insert isoform. Current knowledge is summarized regarding its tissue distribution in animals and humans. Studies at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels that aimed at understanding the contribution of this isoform to smooth muscle mechanical function are presented with a particular focus on velocity of shortening. In addition, the altered expression of the (+)insert isoform in diseases and models of diseases and the compensatory mechanisms that occur when the (+)insert is knocked out are discussed. The need for additional studies on the relationship of this isoform to contractile performance and how expression of this isoform is regulated are also considered.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of preovulatory insertion of Norplant implants over luteinizing hormone secretion and follicular development.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the process of ovulation could be interrupted by the insertion of Norplant implants (Leiras Pharmaceuticals, Turku, Finland) in the advanced preovulatory phase. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: The Department of Biomedical Research at the Family Planning Clinic of PROFAMILIA, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. PATIENTS: Healthy women of reproductive age, requesting Norplant implants contraception. Thirteen of 15 women volunteers who were admitted completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: Norplant implants were inserted when the dominant follicle reached a mean diameter of 16 mm, based on serial vaginal ultrasounds (US) beginning on day 10 of the cycle. Blood samples for determination of E2, P, LH, and levonorgestrel, were taken and vaginal US performed at 0, 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after insertion. If follicle rupture had not occurred at 72 hours after insertion, blood sampling and US were done three times per week during 2 additional weeks. RESULTS: Follicle rupture occurred in 11 of 13 subjects within 72 hours after insertion, with the exception of 1 subject in whom rupture occurred between 72 and 192 hours. Two women already had an LH peak at the time of insertion. In 9 of the remaining 11 women, a shortlasting, blunted LH surge was observed at 4 hours postinsertion. In the remaining two women, who had the lowest E2 levels, ovulation was inhibited, and a persistent follicle developed without luteinization. CONCLUSIONS: The insertion of Norplant implants in the advanced follicular phase will not inhibit ovulation if sufficient E2 priming has occurred. On the contrary, the exogenous progestin may rapidly foster ovulation shortly after.

Drug Implants↗

A unique insertion in Plasmodium berghei glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-6-phosphogluconolactonase: evolutionary and functional studies.

Plasmodium berghei glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-6-phosphogluconolactonase (G6PD-6PGL) is a bifunctional enzyme with significant sequence similarity in both the 6PGL and G6PD domains to the Plasmodium falciparum enzyme. A recombinant form of the P. berghei enzyme was found to have both G6PD and 6PGL activities, and therefore catalyses the first two steps in the pentose phosphate pathway. Genes encoding very similar proteins are also found in three other malarial parasites, Plasmodium yoelii, Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium knowlesi. All of these predicted enzymes contain unique parasite insertions in corresponding positions in the G6PD domain but the insertions differ in size and sequence. Such insertions are a common feature of malarial proteins but their origin and function is unknown. Excision of the insertion sequence in the P. berghei protein renders the G6PD domain inactive, although the 6PGL activity is unaffected. Replacing the insertion sequence in P. berghei with the insertion sequence from P. falciparum restores some of the G6PD activity and also enhances 6PGL activity. We conclude that although the insertions are evolving rapidly they have an essential role in the activity of the bifunctional enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Target selected insertional mutagenesis on chromosome IV of Arabidopsis using the En-I transposon system.

Reverse genetics using insertional mutagenesis is an efficient experimental strategy for assessing gene functions. The maize Enhancer-Inhibitor (En-I) transposable element system was used to develop an effective reverse genetics strategy in Arabidopsis based on transposons. To generate insertion mutations in a specific chromosomal region we developed a strategy for local transposition mutagenesis. A small population of 960 plants, containing independent I transpositions was used to study local mutagenesis on chromosome IV of Arabidopsis. A total of 15 genes, located on chromosome IV, were tested for I insertions and included genes identified by the European ESSA I sequencing programme. These genes were of particular interest since homologies to other genes and gene families were identified, but their exact functions were unknown. Somatic insertions were identified for all genes tested in a few specific plants. Analysis of these progeny plants over several generations revealed that the ability to generate somatic insertions in the target gene were heritable. These genotypes that show high levels of somatic insertions can be used to identify germinal insertions in the progeny.

Arabidopsis↗

Retroviral insertional mutagenesis: past, present and future.

Retroviral insertion mutagenesis screens in mice are powerful tools for efficient identification of oncogenic mutations in an in vivo setting. Many oncogenes identified in these screens have also been shown to play a causal role in the development of human cancers. Sequencing and annotation of the mouse genome, along with recent improvements in insertion site cloning has greatly facilitated identification of oncogenic events in retrovirus-induced tumours. In this review, we discuss the features of retroviral insertion mutagenesis screens, covering the mechanisms by which retroviral insertions mutate cellular genes, the practical aspects of insertion site cloning, the identification and analysis of common insertion sites, and finally we address the potential for use of somatic insertional mutagens in the study of nonhaematopoietic and nonmammary tumour types.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Target specificity of insertion element IS30.

The Escherichia coli resident mobile element IS30 has pronounced target specificity. Upon transposition, the element frequently inserts exactly into the same position of a preferred target sequence. Insertion sites in phages, plasmids and in the genome of E. coli are characterized by an exceptionally long palindromic consensus sequence that provides strong specificity for IS30 insertions, despite a relatively high level of degeneracy. This 24-bp-long region alone determines the attractiveness of the target DNA and the exact position of IS30 insertion. The divergence of a target site from the consensus and the occurrence of 'non-permitted' bases in certain positions influence the target activity. Differences in attractiveness are emphasized if two targets are present in the same replicon, as was demonstrated by quantitative analysis. In a system of competitive targets, the oligonucleotide sequence representing the consensus of genomic IS30 insertion sites proved to be the most efficient target. Having compared the known insertion sites, we suppose that IS30-like target specificity, which may represent an alternative strategy in target selection among mobile elements, is characteristic of the insertion sequences IS3, IS6 and IS21, too.

Binding Sites↗

Regional insertional mutagenesis on chromosome III of Arabidopsis thaliana using the maize Ac element.

The authors describe the production and characterization of a collection of Arabidopsis lines each carrying a transposed Ac (trAc) element. A total of 507 lines were obtained following germinal transpositions of a single Ac element located on the upper portion of chromosome III. Southern analysis revealed that up to 90% of the lines in this collection harbour distinct insertions of Ac in the Arabidopsis genome. As previous studies on the behaviour of Ac in Arabidopsis have indicated that approximately two out of three transposition events occur to linked loci, the authors hypothesized that this collection could be of great use in isolating insertional mutants for genes located in the vicinity of the donor locus. PCR and phenotypic screens were performed to identify mutations in five loci located within a 40 cm region of chromosome III centered on the donor locus. Molecular analyses confirmed the presence of germinal insertions of Ac in three of the loci (NPTII, ABI3 and EST #210A22). At a fourth locus (AtDMC1), despite the absence of a germinal insertion, one line in which somatic insertions occurred regularly was identified and may be of use in isolating a germinal insertion. This collection of trAc lines constitutes a useful complement to the existing collection of T-DNA insertion lines and will soon be made available through the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center.

Arabidopsis↗

Proteasome activation by REG molecules lacking homolog-specific inserts.

The peptidase activities of eukaryotic proteasomes are markedly activated by the 11 S REG or PA28. The three identified REG subunits, designated alpha, beta, and gamma, differ significantly in sequence over a short span of 15-30 amino acids that we call homolog-specific inserts. These inserts were deleted from each REG to produce the mutant proteins REGalphaDeltai, REGbetaDeltai, and REGgammaDeltai. The purified recombinant proteins were then tested for their ability to oligomerize and activate the proteasome. Both REGalphaDeltai and REGgammaDeltai formed apparent heptamers and activated human red cell proteasomes to the same extent as their full-length counterparts. By contrast, REGbetaDeltai exhibited, at low protein concentrations, reduced proteasome activation when compared with the wild-type REGbeta protein. REGbetaDeltai was able to form hetero-oligomers with a single site, monomeric REGalpha mutant and with REGalphaDeltai. At low concentrations, the REGalphaDeltai/REGbetaDeltai hetero-oligomers stimulated the proteasome less than REGalpha/REGbeta oligomers formed from wild-type subunits, and the reduced activation by REGalphaDeltai/REGbetaDeltai was due to removal of the REGbeta insert, not the REGalpha insert. These studies demonstrate that the REGalpha and REGgamma inserts play virtually no role in oligomerization or in proteasome activation. By contrast, removal of REGbeta insert reduces binding of this subunit and REGalpha/REGbeta oligomers to proteasomes. On the whole, however, our findings show that REG inserts are not required for binding and activating the proteasome. We speculate that they serve to localize REG-proteasome complexes within cells, possibly by binding components in endoplasmic reticulum membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of single P-element insertions on bristle number and viability in Drosophila melanogaster.

Single P-element mutagenesis was used to construct 1094 lines with P[lArB] inserts on all three major chromosomes in an isogenic background previously free of P elements. The effects of insertions on bristle number and on viability were assessed by comparison to 392 control lines. The variance and effects of P-element inserts on bristle number and viability were larger than those inferred from spontaneous mutations. The distributions of effects on bristle number were symmetrical and highly leptokurtic, such that a few inserts with large effects caused most of the increase in variance. The distribution of effects on viability were negatively skewed and platykurtic. On average, the effects of P-element insertions on bristle number were partly recessive and on viability were completely recessive. P-element inserts with large effects on bristle number tended to have reduced viability, but the correlation between the absolute value of the effects on bristle number and on viability was not strong. Fifty P-element inserts tagging quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with large effects on bristle number were mapped cytogenetically. Two P-element-induced scabrous alleles and five extramacrochaetae alleles were generated. Single P-element mutagenesis is a powerful method for identifying QTLs at the level of genetic locus.

Analysis of Variance↗

Mutagenesis of selC, the gene for the selenocysteine-inserting tRNA-species in E. coli: effects on in vivo function.

The selenocysteine-inserting tRNA (tRNA(Sec)) of E. coli differs in a number of structural features from all other elongator tRNA species. To analyse the functional implications of the deviations from the consensus, these positions have been reverted to the canonical configuration. The following results were obtained: (i) inversion of the purine/pyrimidine pair at position 11/24 and change of the purine at position 8 into the universally conserved U had no functional consequence whereas replacements of U9 by G9 and of U14 by A14 decreased the efficiency of selenocysteine insertion as measured by translation of the fdhF message; (ii) deleting one basepair in the aminoacyl acceptor stem, thus creating the canonical 7 bp configuration, inactivated tRNA(Sec); (iii) replacement of the extra arm by that of a serine-inserting tRNA abolished the activity whereas reduction by 1 base or the insertion of three bases partially reduced function; (iv) change of the anticodon to that of a serine inserter abolished the capacity to decode UGA140 whereas the alteration to a cysteine codon permitted 30% read-through. However, the variant with the serine-specific anticodon efficiently inserted selenocysteine into a gene product when the UGA140 of the fdhF mRNA was replaced by a serine codon (UCA). Significantly, none of these changes resulted in the non-specific incorporation of selenocysteine into protein, indicating that the mRNA context also plays a major role in directing insertion. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the 8-basepair acceptor stem and the long extra arm are crucial determinants of tRNA(Sec) which enable decoding of UGA140 in the fdhF message.

Anticodon↗

ATIDB: Arabidopsis thaliana insertion database.

Insertional mutagenesis techniques, including transposon- and T-DNA-mediated mutagenesis, are key resources for systematic identification of gene function in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. We have developed a database (http://atidb.cshl.org/) for archiving, searching and analyzing insertional mutagenesis lines. Flanking sequences from approximately 10 500 insertion lines (including transposon and T-DNA insertions) from several tagging programs in Arabidopsis were mapped to the genome sequence through our annotation system before being entered into the database. The database front end provides World Wide Web searching and analyzing interfaces for genome researchers and other biologists. Users can search the database to identify insertions in a particular gene or perform genome-wide analysis to study the distribution and preference of insertions. Tools integrated with the database include a graphical genome browser, a protein search function, a graphical representation of the insertion distribution and a Blast search function. The database is based on open source components and is available under an open source license.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Exclusion of long heterologous insertions and deletions from the pairing synapsis in pneumococcal transformation.

We have studied the mode of recombination of six insertions during genetic transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The six heterologous insertions are located at the same site in the ami locus of the pneumococcal chromosome; insertion sizes range from 4 to 1374 bp. With respect to single-point markers we found that the number of transformants in one-point crosses is reduced, while the number of wild-type transformants in two-point crosses is drastically increased, what we call hyper-recombination. The magnitude of the shift is correlated with the size of the insert. This effect could result either from a special repair pathway of multibase heteroduplexes or from the exclusion of multibase heterologous insertions out of the pairing synapsis. To test these hypotheses we have used insertions in two kinds of three-point crosses. The repair model predicts that the excess of wild-type transformants remains in one set of crosses but is suppressed in the second set. The results we obtained are reversed, ruling out the hypothesis of a repair process, but in agreement with predictions based on the exclusion model. Moreover, we have re-examined the situation of deletions, our previous results suggesting that deletions were likely to be converted at the heteroduplex step. Genetic evidence we obtained in this work no longer supports this hypothesis. Thus, long heterologous insertions are partly excluded at the pairing step.

Gene Deletion↗

Insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish identifies two novel genes, pescadillo and dead eye, essential for embryonic development.

Recently our laboratory described an efficient method for generating retroviral provirus insertions in the zebrafish germ line, and we showed that provirus insertions induce embryonic mutations at a frequency of roughly one mutant per 70 insertions. To date we have isolated four insertional mutants and, using the proviruses as a molecular tag, have cloned the genes disrupted in three of them. The proviruses in all three mutants lie within or just 5' of the first coding exon, point in the opposite transcriptional orientation from the gene, and disrupt transcription. Here we present a molecular characterization of two genes identified by this method and describe the associated mutant phenotypes. The pescadillo (pes) gene is predicted to encode a protein of 582 amino acids with no recognizable functional motifs, which is highly conserved from yeast to humans. pes mRNA is expressed widely and dynamically during the first 3 days of embryogenesis. Prominent sites of expression are the eyes and optic tectum on day 1, the fin buds, liver primordium, and gut on day 2, and the branchial arches on day 3. Beginning at day 3 of embryogenesis, pes mutant embryos exhibit small eyes, a reduced brain and visceral skeleton, shortened fins, and a lack of expansion of the liver and gut, and then die on the sixth day of development. The dead eye (dye) gene encodes a protein of 820 amino acids that is homologous to genes of unknown function in human, mouse, and Xenopus, and that has weak homology with the yeast NIC96 (nucleoporin-interacting component) gene. dye mutants can be recognized on day 2 of embryogenesis by the presence of necrotic cells in the tectum and eyes. dye mutants die on day 5 of development. These results demonstrate the power of insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish for rapidly finding and characterizing novel genes essential for embryonic development. Using our current methodology, we estimate that our laboratory could screen approximately 25,000 insertions in 2-3 years, identifying perhaps 250-350 embryonic lethal genes. Assuming that all genes are accessible to proviral insertion, the wider application of this approach could lead to the rapid identification of the majority of genes that are required for embryonic development of this vertebrate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Use of transposon-transposase complexes to create stable insertion mutant strains of Francisella tularensis LVS.

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent zoonotic bacterial pathogen capable of infecting numerous different mammalian species, including humans. Elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms of F. tularensis has been hampered by a lack of tools to genetically manipulate this organism. Herein we describe the use of transposome complexes to create insertion mutations in the chromosome of the F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). A Tn5-derived transposon encoding kanamycin resistance and lacking a transposase gene was complexed with transposase enzyme and transformed directly into F. tularensis LVS by electroporation. An insertion frequency of 2.6 x 10(-8) +/- 0.87 x 10(-8) per cell was consistently achieved using this method. There are 178 described Tn5 consensus target sites distributed throughout the F. tularensis genome. Twenty-two of 26 transposon insertions analyzed were within known or predicted open reading frames, but none of these insertions was associated with the Tn5 target site. Analysis of the insertions of sequentially passed strains indicated that the transposons were maintained stably at the initial insertion site after more than 270 generations. Therefore, transformation by electroporation of Tn5-based transposon-transposase complexes provided an efficient mechanism for generating random, stable chromosomal insertion mutations in F. tularensis.

Animals↗

Phenotypic screening of Escherichia coli K-12 Tn5 insertion libraries, using whole-genome oligonucleotide microarrays.

Complete genome sequences in combination with global screening methods allow parallel analysis of multiple mutant loci to determine the requirement for specific genes in different environments. In this paper we describe a high-definition microarray approach for investigating the growth effects of Tn5 insertions in Escherichia coli K-12. Libraries of insertion mutants generated by a unique Tn5 mutagenesis system were grown competitively in defined media. Biotin-labeled runoff RNA transcripts were generated in vitro from transposon insertions in each population of mutants. These transcripts were then hybridized to custom-designed oligonucleotide microarrays to detect the presence of each mutant in the population. By using this approach, the signal associated with 25 auxotrophic insertions in a 50-mutant pool was not detectable following nine generations of growth in glucose M9 minimal medium. It was found that individual insertion sites could be mapped to within 50 bp of their genomic locations, and 340 dispensable regions in the E. coli chromosome were identified. Tn5 insertions were detected in 15 genes for which no previous insertions have been reported. Other applications of this method are discussed.

Chromosome Mapping↗