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Use of genetic complementation to identify gene(s) which specify species-specific organ tropism of Leishmania.

We have employed a genetic complementation screening to identify genetic markers of heat stress tolerance and visceralisation of Leishmania infection. Leishmania major, which has a low thermotolerance and which causes cutaneous lesions, was transfected with a cosmid library of L. donovani DNA. The recombinant parasites were then screened either for thermotolerance or selected by repeated passage in BALB/c mice. Cosmids which conferred selective advantage were isolated. Several strategies were tested to identify the gene(s) within the cosmids responsible for the observed selective advantages. Of the approaches tested, the complete sequence analysis of the cosmids and subsequent screening of defined candidate ORFs proved to be the method of choice. Other approaches, such as creation of sub-libraries or transposon insertion strategies proved to be unsuccessful.

Animals↗

Multiple peptide synthetase gene clusters in Actinomycetes.

Two oligonucleotide probes derived from conserved motifs in peptide synthetases were hybridized with a cosmid library of Planobispora rosea genomic DNA. Detailed characterization of the physical organization of the positive cosmids indicated the existence of at least eight unlinked contigs containing multiple fragments that hybridized to both probes. Partial sequences of PCR products from the positive cosmids confirmed the existence of peptide synthetase genes. The combined results of hybridizations and physical mapping indicate that, in all likelihood, the isolated P. rosea contigs encode over 40 putative peptide synthetase modules. Similar results were obtained on screening a cosmid library of Actinoplanes teichomyceticus DNA. Furthermore, Southern hybridizations with several actinomycete strains, belonging to different genera, indicate that most strains contain multiple hybridizing bands well in excess of the number expected from the structure of the oligopeptides produced by these strains. Even strains not reported to produce oligopeptides gave clear positive signals when examined with the probes. These results strongly suggest that actinomycetes devote a notable fraction of their genomes to the non-ribosomal synthesis of peptides, and that most strains have the genetic potential to produce more oligopeptides than are currently described.

Actinomycetales↗

High-resolution comparative hybridization to combed DNA fibers.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has proven to be a comprehensive new tool to detect genetic imbalances in genomic DNA. However, the resolution of this method carried out on normal human metaphase spreads is limited to low copy number gains and losses of > or = 10 Mb. An improved resolution allowing the detection of copy number representations of single genes would strongly enhance the applicability of CGH as a diagnostic and research tool. This goal may be achieved when metaphase chromosomes are replaced by an array of target DNAs representing the genes of interest. To explore the feasibility of such a development in a model system we used cosmid MA2B3, which encompasses about 35 kb in the vicinity of exon 48 of the human dystrophin gene. Linearized cosmid fibers were attached to a glass surface and aligned in parallel by "molecular combing". Two-color fluorescence in situ suppression hybridization was performed on these cosmid fibers with probe mixtures containing different ratios (ranging from 1:2 to 4:1) of biotin- and digoxigenin-labeled MA2B3 cosmid DNAs. For each mixture fluorescence ratios were determined for 40-50 individual combed DNA molecules. In two series comprising a total of 651 molecules the median fluorescence ratio measurements revealed a linear relationship with the chosen probe ratios. Our study demonstrates that fluorescence ratio measurements on single DNA molecules can be performed successfully.

Biotin↗

Linkage of two pseudogenes from V kappa 1 and V kappa 9 murine immunoglobulin families.

As an initial step towards the molecular analysis of the murine V kappa locus, a cosmid library from BALB/cJ mouse liver DNA was screened with probes representing 10 V kappa families. Of eight cosmids that were isolated from the initial screen, five contained a single restriction fragment that hybridized to the probes. Two cosmids contained two fragments that hybridized to the same probe, V kappa 4, indicating that some V kappa 4 gene segments are linked. One cosmid had two genes that belonged to different families, V kappa 1 and V kappa 9. The two gene segments were located within 12 kb of each other and lay in the same transcriptional orientation. Linkage of gene segments from the V kappa 1 and V kappa 9 families is consistent with a genetic map of the locus, and provides physical evidence for the first time that two genes from different families are closely linked in the murine kappa locus. Sequence analysis revealed that both genes are pseudogenes: the V kappa psi 1.7 gene segment has eight mutations, including termination codons, insertions, and deletions, and the V kappa psi 9B.8 gene segment has two mutations of an insertion and altered RNA splice site. Both genes have the potential to rearrange based on the sequence of their heptamer-nonamer motifs. The identification of pseudogenes raises the question of how many nonfunctional genes are present in the murine germline repertoire.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A double-cos-site vector containing a multiple cloning site flanked by T7 and T3 RNA polymerase promoters.

A double-cos-site cosmid vector, c2XMCS, contains a multiple cloning site (MCS) with fifteen restriction sites flanked by phage T7 and T3 RNA polymerase promoters. The two cos sites in the cosmid vector enable the construction of cosmid libraries from unfractionated partial digests of genomic DNA. This simple construct combines the efficiency of a double-cos-site cosmid with the versatility provided by the MCS from pBluescript.

Animals↗

Construction of an ordered genomic library of Mycoplasma genitalium.

As a first step towards sequencing the chromosome of the suspected human pathogen Mycoplasma genitalium, we attempted to clone its entire genome in a set of ordered cosmids. Cosmid libraries were established by partial digestion of M. genitalium genomic DNA with Sau3AI or EcoRI. A chromosome-walking strategy was used to identify 20 overlapping cosmid clones which contained over 99% of the genome. The final 5.1 kb could not be cloned in cosmids, and was eventually obtained from a genomic library established in a lambda vector. Correspondence of cloned and genomic EcoRI fragments indicated no detectable major deletions or rearrangements in the library. The library was oriented on established XhoI and SmaI physical maps of the chromosome with restriction sites present at the expected locations in the library. The genome contained 74 EcoRI fragments which added up to a total genome size of 578 kb. These were arranged in a partial EcoRI physical map, and those containing the MgPa major attachment protein-encoding operon and its repeat sequences were identified. The existence of this ordered genomic library, which accurately and completely encompasses the entire M. genitalium genome, should serve as a valuable tool for many future studies of this organism and facilitate our long-term goal of sequencing its genome.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Evolutionarily conserved coding sequences in the dpy-20-unc-22 region of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans provides an excellent opportunity to study the organization of a complex genome. The alignment of the genetic and molecular maps over a large stretch of the genome is an essential part of this study. The objective of this paper was the identification and characterization of coding regions in four cosmids containing DNA from the interval between dpy-20 and unc-22 on linkage group IV. These cosmids were characterized with regard to the map position and the developmental patterns of expression of coding sequences. Since an extensive genetic map already exists for this region, this detailed description of the coding sequences in the dpy-20-unc-22 region will make possible alignment of the molecular and genetic maps for this portion of the C. elegans genome. In this study, we have used interspecies cross-hybridization to localize and identify potential coding elements. We have investigated four cosmids containing approximately 150 kb of C. elegans genome adjacent to the well-characterized muscle gene, unc-22(IV). Fragments subcloned from the four cosmids were hybridized at moderate stringency to the genome of the related species, Caenorhabditis briggsae. In this way nine potential coding regions were identified. Seven of these nine fragments also hybridized to mRNA transcripts on Northern blots. Five of the seven showed maximal hybridization to RNA from L2-stage animals, a pattern that resembles that of actin transcription. It is speculated that the functions of these five may in some way be related to one another, and perhaps also to that of unc-22, which is itself a muscle gene.

Animals↗

Isolation of 115 human chromosome 8-specific expressed-sequence tags by exon amplification.

Exon-amplification experiments were undertaken to isolate potentially transcribable sequences from cosmid clones that previously had been mapped to subchromosomal bands of human chromosome 8 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. From 253 cosmids subjected to this procedure so far, we isolated 169 fragments and confirmed that they had been derived from the original cosmid clones. Among them, 38 revealed homology to repetitive DNA sequences such as Alu and L1 elements. The other 131 were unique sequences, but of these only 115 contained discernible open reading frames. Among these 115 sequences, 15 were identical to parts of six known genes listed in the public database. On the basis of information derived from mapping the original cosmid clones, we were able to localize two of these known genes, zinc finger protein 7 and heat shock transcription factor 1, to 8q24.3. Furthermore, we have proven that some of these clones are parts of the transcribed products by an exon connection method or by isolation of a novel cDNA that is homologous to murine clathrin-associated protein. The expressed-sequence tags isolated here will be useful resources for a transcriptional map of chromosome 8 and for isolation of new genes.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

A fine physical map of the CACNA1A gene region on 19p13.1-p13.2 chromosome.

The P/Q-type Ca(2+) channel alpha(1A) subunit gene (CACNA1A) was cloned on the short arm of chromosome 19 between the markers D19S221 and D19S179 and found to be responsible for Episodic Ataxia type 2, Familial Hemiplegic Migraine and Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6. This region was physically mapped by 11 cosmid contigs spanning about 1. 4Mb, corresponding to less than 70% of the whole region. The cosmid contig used to characterize the CACNA1A gene accounted only for the coding region of the gene lacking, therefore, the promoter and possible regulation regions. The present study improves the physical map around and within the CACNA1A by giving a complete cosmid or BAC contig coverage of the D19S221-D19S179 interval. A number of new STSs, whether polymorphic or not, were characterized and physically mapped within this region. Four ESTs were also assigned to cosmids belonging to specific contigs.

Blotting, Southern↗

cDNA surveying of specific tissue expression of human chromosome 19 sequences.

cDNA surveying is a straightforward approach for identifying sequences in genomic clones expressed in specific tissues. It has been applied to a subchromosomal region of human chromosome 19 (19q13.2-q13.4), a region that contains several known expressed sequences including the locus for myotonic dystrophy (DM). Genomic clones were selected from this region by probing a human placental cosmid library with a chromosome 19q-specific minisatellite sequence, or human genomic clones were isolated from a cosmid library constructed from a human chromosome 19q13.2-q13.3 hamster hybrid cell line using human repetitive DNA as probe. Pooled cDNAs synthesized from RNA of specific tissues characteristically affected in DM were depleted in repetitive sequences and used as hybridization probes against gridded cosmid arrays. DNA from the cDNA-positive cosmid clones was transferred to nylon filters and reprobed with cDNAs to identify restriction fragments that were expressed in these tissues. Hybridizing restriction fragments were subcloned, sequenced, and demonstrated to be nonrepetitive. Primer pairs complementary to subcloned sequences were constructed and used for PCR amplification of cDNA synthesized from RNA of tissues affected in myotonic dystrophy. PCR products were sequenced to verify the identity of expressed genomic DNA and its corresponding cDNA.

Animals↗

Molecular localization of the t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation of Ewing sarcoma by chromosomal in situ suppression hybridization.

Chromosome translocations are associated with a variety of human leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors. To localize molecular markers flanking the t(11;22) (q24;q12) breakpoint that occurs in virtually all cases of Ewing sarcoma and peripheral neuroepithelioma, high-resolution chromosomal in situ suppression hybridization was carried out using a panel of cosmid clones localized and ordered on chromosome 11q. The location of the Ewing sarcoma translocation breakpoint was determined relative to the nearest two cosmid markers on 11q, clones 23.2 and 5.8, through the analysis of metaphase chromosome hybridization. By in situ hybridization to interphase nuclei, the approximate physical separation of these two markers was determined. In both Ewing sarcoma and peripheral neuroepithelioma, cosmid clone 5.8 is translocated from chromosome 11q24 to the derivative chromosome 22 and a portion of chromosome 22q12 carrying the leukemia inhibitory factor gene is translocated to the derivative chromosome 11. The physical distance between the flanking cosmid markers on chromosome 11 was determined to be in the range of 1000 kilobases, and genomic analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed no abnormalities over a region of 650 kilobases in the vicinity of the leukemia inhibitory factor gene on chromosome 22. This approach localizes the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint to a small region on chromosome 11q24 and provides a rapid and precise technique for the molecular characterization of chromosomal aberrations.

Cell Line↗

Molecular cloning of a human genomic region containing the H blood group alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase gene and two H locus-related DNA restriction fragments. Isolation of a candidate for the human Secretor blood group locus.

We have used the human H blood group alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase (FUT1) cDNA to screen chromosome 19 cosmid libraries in a search for the human Secretor (Se) blood group gene (FUT2). One cosmid has been isolated that contains two distinct segments that cross-hybridize with FUT1. We have assembled a 100-kilobase (kb) cosmid contig, localized to 19q13.3, encompassing FUT1 and the two FUT1-related sequences, termed Sec1 and Sec2, for Secretor candidate 1 and 2. Sec1 and Sec2 are separated by 12 kb and are 65.5 kb and 35 kb apart, respectively, from the FUT1 gene. We used a cosmid-dependent direct cDNA selection method to clone a cDNA corresponding to a transcript that emanates from Sec2. This cDNA detects a 3.35-kb transcript in human tissues known to express the Se locus. Together with sequence and expression data reported in the accompanying article (Kelly, R. J., Rouquier, S., Giorgi, D., Lennon, G. G., and Lowe, J. B. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 4640-4649), these data demonstrate that Sec2 corresponds to the human Se blood group locus (FUT2). Our results furthermore define the physical relationship between the H and Se loci and confirm a hypothesis that these two loci represent distinct but closely linked alpha(1,2)fucosyltransferase genes.

Animals↗

Genomic organization of human centromeric alpha satellite DNA: characterization of a chromosome 17 alpha satellite sequence.

We characterized a recombinant clone E7 containing a 1.6-kb Eco RI insert of human alpha satellite DNA (alpha DNA) which hybridized in situ predominantly to the centromere of chromosome 17. Three thousand copies of this sequence were detected on chromosome 17, although a lesser number of copies were also found on the centromeres of chromosomes 11, X, and the other human chromosomes, except Y. In the human genome, sequences homologous to E7 were organized principally as five major polymorphic (Pst I) forms of tandem alpha DNA repeats with molecular weights between 2.0 and 2.7 kb. We We studied the higher-order organization of these major forms using a series of 12 cosmid clones. Close linkage of the different polymorphic forms was demonstrated, with no two cosmids showing an identical linkage pattern. Six of the cosmid clones carried a considerable amount (20-25%) of nonhomologous (non-alpha) DNA, indicating that the repeat arrays are relatively frequently interrupted by other genomic DNA. In none of the cosmid inserts were the repeat arrays bound on both sides by non-alpha DNA, suggesting that short arrays are not common. However, some of the intervening non-alpha DNA sequences were relatively short, and vary in size from 6 to 24 kb. Our results suggest an irregular and complex pattern of organization of alpha DNA in the human genome.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Characterization of the promoter region, first ten exons and nine intron-exon boundaries of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit gene, DNA-PKcs (XRCC7).

The gene, DNAPKcs (XRCC7), for the human DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is a strong candidate that complements a severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) and hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in mice. We constructed a cosmid library from a previously identified, X RCC7-covering YAC clone (943G4). From the library, we isolated three cosmid clones containing the 5'-region of XRCC7. Sequence analysis with primer walking on a 6.3-kb segment of these cosmids identified the promoter region, the first ten exons and nine intron-exon boundaries of XRCC7. The promoter region contains several potential Sp1 protein-binding sites and a high G+C content but no TATA or CCAAT boxes. These findings are consistent with the TATA-less housekeeping gene promoter and provides the basis for transcriptional regulatory studies. Since nine other exons spanning an 8-kb segment are already known, a total of 19 exons in the gene have been identified. The cosmids isolated and the primer sets designed in the present study are useful for mutation analysis in patients with a SCID phenotype.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular isolation and characterization of an expressed gene from the human Y chromosome.

Using a positional cloning approach, we have isolated an expressed gene from a flow-sorted Y chromosome cosmid library. The isolation of this gene was based on the identification of the Y-231 cosmid that contains CpG rich sequences (HTF islands) in its human insert. The Y-231 cosmid was capable of detecting a 1.3 kb transcript in poly (A)+ RNA samples from human testis. Several cDNA clones were isolated from a human testis cDNA library constructed in lambda gt10. In addition, DNA-mediated gene transfer and restriction enzyme mapping experiments demonstrated that two functional transcriptional units are present within the Y-231 cosmid. DNA sequencing analysis showed that the largest cDNA clone contains 1075 bp of unique sequence and a poly (A) track at the 3' end of the corresponding mRNA. An open reading frame of 762 bp that encodes a predicted protein of 253 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 28.9 kD was identified. The Y-231 structural gene encompasses approximately 2.7 kb of genomic sequence and contains six exons that are interrupted by five introns. The Y-231 gene shares very high (97%) identity at the DNA level to a previously described Y-specific gene, testis specific protein Y-encoded (TSPY) gene, suggesting the possibility that these two genes are related, if not identical. However, the TSPY gene has been postulated to be intronless. Further PCR and RT-PCR analyses of these two genes and their transcripts have provided evidence supporting the hypothesis that they are the same gene and are members of a Y-specific repeated gene family containing intronic sequences. The Y-231 (TSPY) gene is conserved in the male genome and expressed in the testis of the chimpanzee, suggesting that it may play an important role in the physiology of this organ in man and the great ape.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A high resolution physical map of 2.5 Mbp of the Down syndrome region on chromosome 21.

The region surrounding D21S55 in band 21q22 of human chromosome 21 has been implicated in the etiology of Down syndrome (DS). In this paper, we report the construction of a high resolution map of a 2.5 Mb region around the marker D21S55. Characterization of YAC clones by accurate size determination, end isolation and marker assignment was used to build a refined YAC-based map. The YAC clones were then used to isolate 284 cosmid clones, covering 2.3 Mb, from a chromosome 21-specific cosmid library. The cosmid clones were ordered into overlapping groups and a restriction map of each group was determined. The groups of cosmids were then ordered and oriented with respect to the YAC-based map. This high resolution map provides the framework for further analysis of the region by transcribed sequence mapping and sequence determination.

Base Composition↗

Isolation and characterization of a novel gene deleted in DiGeorge syndrome.

The region commonly deleted in DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) has been localized at 22q11.1-q11.2 with the aid of a high resolution banding technique. A 22q11 specific plasmid library was constructed with a microdissection and microcloning method. Dosage analysis proved three of 144 randomly selected microclones to detect hemizygosity in two patients with DGS. Two of the clones were found to contain independent low-copy-number repetitive sequences, all of which were included in the region deleted in the DGS patients. Screening of the cosmid library and subsequent cosmid walking allowed us to obtain two cosmid contigs corresponding to the microclones within the deletion (contig 1 and contig 2), whose order fluorescence in situ hybridization identified as centromere-contig 1-contig 2-telomere on 22q. By direct selection strategy using one of the cosmids of contig 1, a 4.3 kb cDNA was obtained from fetal brain cDNA library. Sequence analysis of the cDNA revealed an open reading frame encoding 552 amino acids which had several characteristics of DNA-binding proteins. The gene, designated LZTR-1, which was transcribed in several essential fetal organs, proved to be hemizygously deleted in seven of eight DGS patients or its variants, but not in one DGS patient and GM00980. Although LZTR-1 does not locate in the shortest region of overlap, several of its structural characteristics identifying it as transcriptional regulator suggest that it plays a crucial role in embryogenesis and that haploinsufficiency of this gene may be partly related to the development of DGS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-resolution DNA Fiber-FISH for genomic DNA mapping and colour bar-coding of large genes.

We have applied two-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to DNA fibers and combined it with digital imaging microscopy for the mapping of large cosmid contigs. The technique was validated using a set of unique plasmids and a cosmid contig both originating from the thyroglobulin (Tg) gene and previously mapped by restriction analysis. The resolution proved to be close to the theoretical lower limit of approximately 1 kb, ranging > or = 400 kb. Subsequently a 400 kb cosmid contig derived from a DMD-YAC was directly mapped by Fiber-FISH. The resulting map is in full agreement with the restriction map. Two-colour Fiber-FISH mapping thus showed to be capable for accurately sizing gaps and overlaps, and to identify chimeric or repeat sequence containing cosmids across a 400 kb region at once. The generated 400 kb 'colour bar-code' was subsequently used to map two DMD deletion breakpoints in patient DNA with an accuracy of 1-2 kb. The results underscore the value of this method for the delineation of chromosomal rearrangements for positional cloning and single patient clinical studies.

Chimera↗