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The genomic termini of wild-type and vaccine strains of measles virus.

The genomic termini from 18 strains of measles virus (MV) including wild-type MVs from the pre-vaccine period, recent wild-type isolates and various vaccine strains were sequenced. The first 25 nucleotides of the 3' terminus and last 52 nucleotides of the 5' terminus were conserved in all of the viruses examined. Nucleotides 26 and 42 of the 3' leader were A and G, respectively, in all genotype A viruses except Edmonston wild-type (Ed-WT). All non-genotype A viruses and Ed-WT had U in both positions. No consistent substitution pattern was found in the 5' trailer region of the genome. The nucleotide substitutions at positions 26 and 42 in the 3' leader region were introduced into a MV-CAT mini-genome to test for their effect on the production of reporter protein in both a vaccinia T7-driven, plasmid-based replication assay as well as in a helper virus system. Regardless of the source of the polymerase proteins or the natural leader sequence of the helper viruses, the mini-genome 26A42G produced more CAT protein than 26U42U. The nucleotide substitution at 26 had the greatest effect on CAT production. These results indicated that naturally occurring nucleotide variations in the 3' leader region can affect the levels of reporter protein synthesis, and presumably affected the level of replication of the virus.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Kinetic characterization of the polymerase and exonuclease activities of the gene 43 protein of bacteriophage T4.

The DNA polymerase from the bacteriophage T4 is part of a multienzyme complex required for the synthesis of DNA. As a first step in understanding the contributions of individual proteins to the dynamic properties of the complex, e.g., turnover, processivity, and fidelity of replication, the minimal kinetic schemes for the polymerase and exonuclease activities of the gene 43 protein have been determined by pre-steady-state kinetic methods and fit by computer simulation. A DNA primer/template (13/20-mer) was used as substrate; duplexes that contained more single-strand DNA resulted in nonproductive binding of the polymerase. The reaction sequence features an ordered addition of 13/20-mer followed by dATP to the T4 enzyme (dissociation constants of 70 nM and 20 microM) followed by rapid conversion (400 s-1) of the T4.13/20-mer.dATP complex to the T4.14/20-mer.PPi product species. A slow step (2 s-1) following PPi release limits a single turnover, although this step is bypassed in multiple incorporations (13/20-mer-->17/20-mer) which occur at rates > 400 s-1. Competition between correct versus incorrect nucleotides relative to the template strand indicates that the dissociation constants for the incorrect nucleotides are at millimolar values, thus providing evidence that the T4 polymerase, like the T7 but unlike the Klenow fragment polymerases, discriminates by factors > 10(3) against misincorporation in the nucleotide binding step. The exonuclease activity of the T4 enzyme requires an activation step, i.e., T4.DNA-->T4.(DNA)*, whose rate constants reflect whether the 3'-terminus of the primer is matched or mismatched; for matched 13/20-mer the constant is 1 s-1, and for mismatched 13T/20-mer, 5 s-1. Evidence is presented from crossover experiments that this step may represent a melting of the terminus of the duplex, which is followed by rapid exonucleolytic cleavage (100s-1). In the presence of the correct dNTP, primer extension is the rate-limiting step rather than a step involving travel of the duplex between separated exonuclease and polymerase sites. Since the rate constant for 13/20-mer or 13T/20-mer dissociation from the enzyme is 6 or 8 s-1 and competes with that for activation, the exonucleolytic editing by the enzyme alone in a single pass is somewhat inefficient (5 s-1/(8 s-1+5 s-1)), ca. 40%. Consequently, a major role for the accessory proteins may be to slow the rate of enzyme.substrate dissociation, thereby increasing overall fidelity and processivity.

Base Sequence↗

A shared, non-canonical DNA conformation detected at DNA/protein contact sites and bent DNA in the absence of supercoiling or cognate protein binding.

A hybrid protein (H144), consisting of Lac repressor and T7 endonuclease I, binds at the lac operator and cleaves relaxed double-stranded DNA at distal but distinct sites. These sites are shown here to coincide with a bacterial promoter, a phage T7 promoter, a site for gyrase and intrinsically bent DNA. The targets do not seem to share a particular DNA sequence, and in bent DNA, cleavage occurs at the physical center rather than at the common A-tracts. These results indicate that protein contact sites and intrinsic bends assume a non-canonical conformation in the absence of supercoiling or cognate protein binding. This feature may serve as a recognition signal or facilitate protein binding to initiate transcription and recombination.

Base Sequence↗

Inducible model to study negative strand RNA synthesis and assembly of hepatitis C virus from a full-length cDNA clone.

An inducible in vitro cell culture system was developed to assay HCV replication by direct biochemical means. A transcription plasmid containing a T7 promoter at the 5' end, full-length cDNA of the HCV genome, a ribozyme sequence from the antigenomic strand of hepatitis delta virus and a T7 terminator was prepared. To facilitate high-level transcription of HCV RNA, HepG2 cells were infected with replication deficient adenovirus containing the T7 RNA polymerase gene and later transfected with the transcription plasmid containing the full-length HCV genome. This transfection-based cell culture system expressed high levels of HCV structural (core, El and E2) and non-structural proteins (NS3 and NS5B) detectable by Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Production of HCV RNA transcripts and presence of replicative negative strand of HCV was confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay indicating replication of HCV in the transfected HepG2 cell. The transfected HepG2 cells assembled 50-60 nm virus-like particles, which could be aggregated by anti-E2 antibodies. This model can be utilized for studying mechanisms of HCV replication, assembly of HCV particles and to test potential anti-HCV compounds.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Action of ionizing radiation on sensitive strains of Escherichia coli B.

Strain B(8-11) has been found to be very sensitive to postirradiation DNA degradation. Up to 98% of the DNA is degraded at optimum doses. The amount of residual DNA correlates with the retention of colony-forming ability (CFA). Studies of rates of degradation as a function of dose agree with the concept that a degrading lesion causes a definite rate of degradation and that increased numbers of lesions produce proportionally faster rates. By observing the burst size of T7 phage which uses host DNA it has been established that DNA degradation occurs in an all-or-nothing fashion in a unit which is present two or three times per cell. Degradation is enzymatic and the enzyme system is already present in the cell as evidenced by the rapid onset of degradation. DNA synthesis continues in cells that have lost some chromosomes by degradation. Single-cell division patterns show that recovery from "sublethal" damage can occur even in this sensitive cell. Recovery in preirradiation oxygenated cells differs from that in nitrogenated cells.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Construction of full-length cDNA clones of cucumber mosaic virus RNAs 1, 2 and 3: generation of infectious RNA transcripts.

Full-length cDNA copies of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) RNAs 1 and 2 of the Fny strain were constructed from partial cDNA clones and were cloned downstream of bacteriophage T7 promoters. In one pair of clones, transcription proceeded from an unaltered T7 promoter such that in vitro transcripts representing RNAs 1 and 2 contained an additional 17 nucleotides at their 5' termini. In a second pair of clones, the T7 promoter/cDNA junction was altered by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis such that the in vitro transcripts contained only an additional G residue at their 5' ends. In addition, a full-length cDNA copy of Fny-CMV RNA 3 was constructed from two overlapping cDNA clones and was cloned downstream of an altered T7 promoter such that the resultant in vitro transcripts also contained only an additional G residue at their 5' ends. In vitro transcripts derived from all clones contained an additional C residue at their 3' ends. In vitro transcripts representing RNAs 1, 2 and 3 which contained an additional residue at each terminus were shown to be infectious together in several hosts of CMV.

Base Sequence↗

The open reading frame of bamboo mosaic potexvirus satellite RNA is not essential for its replication and can be replaced with a bacterial gene.

A satellite RNA of 836 nt depends on the bamboo mosaic potexvirus (BaMV) for its replication and encapsulation. The BaMV satellite RNA (satBaMV) contains a single open reading frame encoding a 20-kDa nonstructural protein. A full-length infectious cDNA clone has been generated downstream of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter. To investigate the role of the 20-kDa protein encoded by satBaMV, satBaMV transcripts containing mutations in the open reading frame were tested for their ability to replicate in barley protoplasts and in Chenopodium quinoa using BaMV RNA as a helper genome. Unlike other large satellite RNAs, mutants in the open reading frame did not block their replication, suggesting that the 20-kDa protein is not essential for satBaMV replication. Precise replacement of the open reading frame with sequences encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase resulted in high level expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in infected C. quinoa, indicating that satBaMV is potentially useful as a satellite-based expression vector.

Base Sequence↗

The gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7. Characterization of helicase activity.

Gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7 is a multifunctional enzyme that both stimulates T7 DNA polymerase during leading strand synthesis, and synthesizes RNA primers that initiate lagging strand synthesis. Both activities are dependent on the ability of the gene 4 protein to translocate unidirectionally (5' to 3') along single-stranded DNA (Tabor, S., and Richardson, C.C. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 78, 205-209), a reaction that is coupled to the hydrolysis of nucleoside 5'-triphosphates. In this paper, we show that gene 4 protein, in the absence of other proteins, is a helicase, an activity previously inferred from its ability to stimulate T7 DNA polymerase on duplex DNA. We have designed a DNA substrate for use in characterizing the helicase activity which consists of a short DNA fragment bearing a single-stranded 3'-tail when annealed to circular, single-stranded M13 DNA. With such a DNA substrate, the gene 4 protein can disrupt the helical structure of a 96-nucleotide-long fragment, resulting in its displacement from the circle. Helicase activity requires a long stretch of at least 17 nucleotides of single-stranded DNA on the 5'-side of the duplex to be unwound. In addition, helicase activity is not observed unless a short (greater than 6 nucleotides) single-stranded 3'-tail is present. The helicase activity has an absolute requirement for hydrolysis of a nucleoside 5'-triphosphate. The inhibitor of nucleoside triphosphate hydrolysis, beta, gamma-methylene dTTP, is an effective inhibitor of helicase activity. Based on these results, we propose a model for the action of the gene 4 protein at a replication fork.

DNA Helicases↗

High efficiency vectors for cosmid microcloning and genomic analysis.

We describe the construction and use of cosmid vectors designed for microcloning, gene isolation and genomic mapping starting from submicrogram amounts of eukaryotic DNA. These vectors contain (1) multiple cos sites to allow for simple and efficient cloning using non size-selected DNA; (2) bacteriophage T3 and T7 promoter sequences flanking the cloning site to allow for the synthesis of end-specific probes for chromosome walking; (3) a selectable gene for immediate gene transfer of cosmid DNA into mammalian cells; (4) recognition sequences for specific oligodeoxyribonucleotides to allow rapid restriction mapping; (5) unique NotI, SacII or SfiI sites flanking the cloning site to allow for removal of the cloned DNA insert from the vector. These cosmid vectors allow the construction of high quality genomic libraries in situations where the quantity of purified DNA is extremely limited, such as when using DNA prepared from purified mammalian chromosomes isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Bacteriophages↗

Human thymidine kinase 1. Regulation in normal and malignant cells.

In mammalian cells, salvage pathway phosphorylation of thymidine is catalyzed by two thymidine kinases: the cell-cycle regulated cytoplasmic TK1 and the constitutively expressed mitochondrial TK2. Since TK1 is virtually absent in non-dividing cells, TK2 is probably the only thymidine kinase present in these cells. In cellular metabolism, TK1 and TK2 presumably serve to maintain sufficient dTTP for DNA replication and repair. TK1 purified from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes is a dimer in the absence and a tetramer in the presence of ATP. In addition to the molecular weight transition, incubation with ATP at 4 degrees C or storage with ATP induces a reversible, enzyme concentration-dependent, kinetically slow transition from a low to a high affinity form of TK1, with Km values of 14 microM and 0.5 microM, respectively. This affinity difference implies that at cellular thymidine concentrations, the difference in catalytic activity between the two TK1 forms will be 3-5-fold. Calculations of cellular TK1 concentration suggested that the low affinity dimer form was dominant in G0/G1 cells and the high affinity tetramer form in S-phase cells. Hence, the transition may serve to fine-tune the cell-cycle regulation of thymidine kinase activity on the post-translational level. To study the ATP effect on the molecular level, an IPTG inducible T7 RNA polymerase-dependent expression system for the entire human TK1 polypeptide in E. coli was established. The recombinant TK1 has the same subunit mass and specific activity as the native enzyme. However, the recombinant TK1 solely displayed the kinetics of the high affinity form, with Km values of 0.3-0.4 microM regardless of pre-exposure to ATP, indicating that the ATP effect may be dependent on post-translational modifications absent in E. coli. Surprisingly, we did not observe any effect of ATP on TK1 purified from bone-marrow cells from a patient with acute monocytic leukemia (AMOL). Furthermore, the Km values of TK1 from these cells were 45 microM for the ATP-free enzyme and 65 microM for the ATP-incubated enzyme. With TK1 purified from HL-60 cells, we obtained the same pattern and kinetic values as for TK1 from lymphocytes. In the light of the results with the recombinant TK1, we presume that the lack of ATP effect and very high Km values observed for the AMOL TK1 may be due to changes in post-translational regulatory mechanisms in acute monocytic cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Semliki Forest virus 6K protein modifies membrane permeability after inducible expression in Escherichia coli cells.

Semliki Forest virus encodes a small protein, known as 6K, that is associated with cellular membranes in the infected cells. This protein has been cloned and expressed in an inducible manner using pET vectors in Escherichia coli cells. Two different plasmids have been utilized; either the 6K gene is placed directly under the T7 promoter (pET3-6K) or the lac operator is located between the T7 promoter and the 6K gene (pET11-6K). In both systems, efficient synthesis of the 6K protein is achieved by induction with isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside plus rifampicin. The synthesis of the 6K protein is very toxic for E. coli causing increased membrane permeability and cell lysis as shown by alterations in permeability to either choline or hygromycin B. These results indicate that the togavirus 6K is a membrane-active protein that shows structural and functional similarities to poliovirus 3A protein. The function that the 6K protein could play during the virus replication cycle is discussed in the light of these findings.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence-specific actinomycin D binding to single-stranded DNA inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase and other polymerases.

Primer extension assays using recombinant templates constructed to contain all 256 possible base quartets in a minimum length sequence were used to examine binding of the anticancer drug actinomycin D to single-stranded DNA. Single-stranded templates were generated by digestion of linearized plasmid with the double-strand-specific T7 gene 6 exonuclease. Actinomycin D formed high-affinity, kinetically stable complexes that paused primer elongation at specific sites by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, Sequenase (modified T4 DNA polymerase), the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase, and Vent (exo-) DNA polymerase. Pauses occurred most commonly near G+C-rich nucleotide clusters, including GpC steps, the preferred sites of double-stranded DNA binding. Complexes were stable for several minutes at temperatures over 50 degrees C as determined by their abilities to pause Vent polymerase at elevated temperatures. Significant variations were noted in pause patterns of different polymerases, demonstrating differential responses of polymerases to a bound actinomycin. Covalent adducts formed on template DNA by a photoaffinity analog of actinomycin D completely stopped primer extension. These results support the possibility that actinomycin D inhibits transcription elongation by complexing single-stranded DNA in the open transcription complex. Single-stranded DNA binding by actinomycin D or analogs may also provide routes for combating HIV or other viruses which replicate through single-stranded intermediates.

Base Composition↗

Rescue of synthetic genomic RNA analogs of rabies virus by plasmid-encoded proteins.

Proteins entirely expressed from cDNA were used to rescue synthetic RNA genome analogs into infectious defective particles of rabies virus (RV). Synthetic negative-stranded RNAs containing 3'- and 5'-terminal RV sequences and transcriptional signal sequences were transcribed from plasmids transfected into cells expressing T7 RNA polymerase from recombinant vaccinia virus. After simultaneous expression of RV N, P, and L proteins from plasmids containing a T7 RNA polymerase promoter, the synthetic genomes were encapsidated, replicated, and transcribed by the RV polymerase proteins. Insertion of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene or beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene between the 3' and 5' termini containing transcriptional signal sequences resulted in transcription of mRNAs and expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and beta-galactosidase, respectively. Upon simultaneous expression of N, P, M, G, and L proteins, virions carrying the foreign genes were assembled and released into the supernatant. The possibility of rescuing cDNA into rabies virions by proteins also expressed entirely from cDNA opens the possibility of studying the functions of each RV protein and analyzing cis-acting signals of the RV genome.

Base Sequence↗

The HIV-1 nef gene product is associated with phosphorylation of a 46 kD cellular protein.

OBJECTIVE: To study the biochemical properties of the HIV-1 nef gene product. DESIGN: Earlier reports suggested that Nef protein is phosphorylated and has kinase activity. These properties were examined using an in vitro translated product. METHODS: A DNA fragment encoding Nef of HIV-1SF2 was transcribed in vitro under the control of T7 promoter. The generated nef messenger RNA (mRNA) was translated using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Immunoprecipitation was performed with a specific monoclonal antibody to Nef. Kinase activity of the translated product was evaluated using [gamma-32P]GTP and ATP. RESULTS: Translated nef mRNA was found to encode a major protein of 27 kD with two other products, of 25 and 29 kD. Using Nef immune complexes for the kinase reaction, a protein of 46 kD that reacted with the anti-Nef monoclonal antibody was found to be strongly phosphorylated in the presence of Nef. This Nef-associated kinase activity on a p46 cellular substrate was dependent on ATP. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro-translated nef gene product was found to be associated with phosphorylation of a p46 cellular protein present in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The Nef protein has been linked to suppression of the replication of certain HIV strains. Identification of cellular targets of Nef activity could help to elucidate the mechanisms for this antiviral effect.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Expression of functional parvoviral NS1 from recombinant vaccinia virus: effects of mutations in the nucleotide-binding motif.

The gene encoding the major replicative protein, NS1, of minute virus of mice (MVM) was transferred into a recombinant vaccinia virus vector in place of the vaccinia thymidine kinase gene. The NS1 gene was placed under control of a bacteriophage T7 promoter and expressed in cells coinfected with another recombinant vaccinia virus, vTF7-3, which encodes the T7 RNA polymerase. Expression of NS1 was further enhanced by the presence of a 5' untranslated region, derived from encephalomyocarditis virus, which allows efficient cap-independent translation. This system was used to produce and analyze wild-type NS1 and two mutant forms of the protein, NS1K405R and NS1K405M, in which the highly conserved lysine codon located in the putative purine triphosphate binding site of NS1 was changed to arginine and methionine, respectively. Full-length NS1 was expressed efficiently in both human and mouse cells infected with each of the three recombinant viruses, and in each case the NS1 was rapidly and efficiently translocated into the nucleus. Wild-type NS1 expressed in this way was biologically active. It was able to trans-activate an MVM P38 promoter located in a host chromosomal site, whereas the two mutant forms of NS1 showed no significant activity in this assay, and it was capable of resolving palindromic junction fragments cloned from multimeric MVM replicative form DNA molecules. These substrates, representing MVM genomic left-end:left-end and right-end:right-end fusions, were resolved in a DNA synthesis-dependent in vitro reaction supplemented with nuclear extracts containing recombinant wild-type NS1. Neither of the two mutant forms of the polypeptide had any detectable activity in this assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Efficient bunyavirus rescue from cloned cDNA.

Bunyaviruses are trisegmented, negative-sense RNA viruses. Previously, we described a rescue system to recover infectious Bunyamwera virus (genus Orthobunyavirus) entirely from cloned cDNA (Bridgen, A. and Elliott, R.M. (1996) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 15400-15404) utilizing a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase to drive intracellular transcription of transfected T7 promoter-containing plasmids. Here we report efforts to improve the efficiency of the system by comparing different methods of providing T7 polymerase. We found that a BHK-derived cell line BSR-T7/5 that constitutively expresses T7 RNA polymerase supported efficient and reproducible recovery of Bunyamwera virus, routinely generating >10(7) pfu per rescue experiment. Furthermore, we show that the virus can be recovered from transfecting cells with just three plasmids that express full-length antigenome viral RNAs, greatly simplifying the procedure. We suggest that this procedure should be applicable to viruses in other genera of the family Bunyaviridae and perhaps also to arenaviruses.

Animals↗

Fapyadenine is a moderately efficient chain terminator for prokaryotic DNA polymerases.

Hypoxanthine¿xanthine oxidase¿Fe3+¿ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was used to modify ss M13 mp18 phage DNA. The dominant base modifications found by GC/IDMS-SIM were FapyGua, FapyAde, 8-hydroxyguanine, and thymine glycol. Analysis of in vitro DNA synthesis on oxidatively modified template by three DNA polymerases revealed that T7 DNA polymerase and Klenow fragment of polymerase I from Escherichia coli were blocked mainly by oxidized pyrimidines in the template whereas some purines that were easily bypassed by the prokaryotic polymerases constituted a block for DNA polymerase beta from calf thymus. DNA synthesis by T7 polymerase on poly(dA) template, where FapyAde content increased 16-fold on oxidation, yielded a final product with a discrete ladder of premature termination bands. When DNA synthesis was performed on template from which FapyAde, FapyGua, and 8OHGua were excised by the Fpg protein new chain terminations at adenine and guanine sites appeared or existing ones were enhanced. This suggests that FapyAde, when present in DNA, is a moderately toxic lesion. Its ability to arrest DNA synthesis depends on the sequence context and DNA polymerase. FapyGua might possess similar properties.

Animals↗

Functional L polymerase of La Crosse virus allows in vivo reconstitution of recombinant nucleocapsids.

La Crosse virus (LACV), a member of the family Bunyaviridae, is the primary cause of paediatric encephalitis in the United States. In this study, a functional RNA polymerase (L) gene of LACV was cloned and a reverse genetics system established. A reporter minireplicon mimicking the viral genome was constructed by flanking the Renilla luciferase gene with the 3' and 5' noncoding regions of the genomic M segment. These noncoding regions serve as promoters for the viral polymerase. Both L and nucleocapsid (N) genes were expressed by means of T7 RNA polymerase, which was provided by the recombinant T7-expressing modified vaccinia virus Ankara. Renilla reporter activity in transfected cells reflected reconstitution of recombinant nucleocapsids by functional L and N gene products. Time-course experiments revealed a rapid increase in minireplicon activity from 10 to 18 h after the onset of L and N expression. Minireplicon activity was found to be dependent on the correct ratio of L to N plasmids, with too much of either construct resulting in downregulation. Furthermore, a specific inhibitory effect of LACV NSs protein on minireplicon activity was found. In passaging experiments using parental helper virions, it was demonstrated that the recombinant nucleocapsids are a useful model for transcription, replication and packaging of LACV.

Animals↗