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A ribosomal orphon sequence from Xenopus laevis flanked by novel low copy number repetitive elements.

We have used a differential cloning approach to isolate ribosomal/non-ribosomal frontier sequences from Xenopus laevis. A ribosomal intergenic spacer sequence (IGS) was cloned and shown not to be physically linked with the ribosomal locus. This ribosomal orphon contained the IGS sequences found immediately downstream of the 28S gene and included an array of enhancer repetitions and a non-functional spacer promoter. The orphon sequence was flanked by a member of the novel 'Frt' low copy repetitive element family. Three individual Frt repeats were sequenced and all members of this family were shown to lie clustered at two chromosomal sites, one of which contained the ribosomal orphon. One of the Frt elements contained an insertion of 297 bp that showed extensive homology to sequences within at least three other Xenopus genes. Each homology region was flanked by members of the T2 family of short interspersed repetitive elements, (SINEs), and by its target insertion sequence, suggesting multiple translocation events. The data are discussed in terms of the evolution of the ribosomal gene locus.

Animals↗

Isolation, characterization, and sequencing of Candida albicans repetitive element 2.

A 1059-bp Sau3A fragment, designated Candida albicans repetitive element 2 (CARE-2), was isolated from the genome of the pathogenic yeast, C. albicans. CARE-2 DNA was detected on several C. albicans chromosomes separated by transverse alternating-field electrophoresis. A high degree of interstrain variation in the pattern of hybridizing bands were observed by Southern blot analysis, with a minimum of 10-14 copies of CARE-2 per strain. A low frequency of new CARE-2 polymorphisms was observed over time for three strains grown at 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C. No new CARE-2 polymorphisms were observed from two naturally occurring switch phenotypes. To localize repeated DNA, oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes, each representing a different region of CARE-2, were hybridized to genomic blots. A lower number of copies were observed 5' and 3' to a 600-bp region of CARE-2. Nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis of CARE-2 DNA shows the element is characterized by six perfect direct repeats 6 bp in length and shows no significant DNA similarity with any known nt sequence.

Base Sequence↗

A novel Pax-6 binding site in rodent B1 repetitive elements: coevolution between developmental regulation and repeated elements?

Pax-6 encodes a transcription factor that is important in the development of eye and CNS. Identification of Pax-6 target genes is crucial for understanding the gene regulatory network in these developmental processes. Using an in-vitro approach of cyclic amplification of the protein binding sequences (CAPBS), we isolated a PAX6 binding sequence from a human single-copy (sc) DNA library. Characterization of this PAX6 binding sequence revealed a 15bp region (hGCalpha1BLs5) that is sufficient for PAX6 specific binding. From a homology search in the GenBank, we found that an hGCalpha1BLs5-like Pax-6 binding site exists in 21 genes (16 from rodent), 15 of which were shown to be able to bind Pax-6 in vitro. Interestingly, some of these sites occur in B1 repetitive elements. Although hGCalpha1BLs5 is highly similar to a region in B1 repetitive elements, PAX6 does not bind to the consensus sequence in B1. However, a single-step mutation in some B1 elements can lead to a gain of function for PAX6 binding. This experimental evidence and phylogenetic analysis raise an interesting speculation for the coevolution between PAX6 regulation and repeat elements. Since a (Pax-6-binding) null B1 element can be re-activated by even a single-step mutation, it has the potential to recruit gene targets for Pax-6 if it is inserted into the regulatory region, and therefore may play a role for evolutionary modification of Pax-6 regulation.

Animals↗

Repetitive elements in mammalian telomeres suppress bacterial DNA-induced immune activation.

Bacterial DNA contains immunostimulatory CpG motifs that trigger an innate immune response capable of promoting host survival following infectious challenge. Yet CpG-driven immune activation may also have deleterious consequences, ranging from autoimmune disease to death. We find that repetitive elements present at high frequency in mammalian telomeres, but rare in bacteria, down-regulate CpG-induced immune activation. Suppressive activity correlates with the ability of telomeric TTAGGG repeats to form G-tetrads. Colocalization of CpG DNA with Toll-like receptor 9 in endosomal vesicles is disrupted by these repetitive elements, although cellular binding and uptake remain unchanged. These findings are the first to establish that specific host-derived molecules can down-regulate the innate immune response elicited by a TLR ligand.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Novel families of interspersed repetitive elements from the human genome.

Six novel families of interspersed repetitive elements have been detected in the available human DNA sequences using computer-assisted analyses. The estimated total number of elements in the reported six families is over 17,000. Sequences representative for each family range from approximately 150 to 650 base pairs (bp) in length and are predominantly (A + T)-rich. Sequences from four families contain stretches of patchy complementarity up to 45 bp long. Member of one of the families is likely be directly involved in a multigene deletion on chromosome 14. Two of the six sequence families are homologous to 'low reiteration frequency sequences' from monkey cells, detected first in defective variants of simian virus 40. Like Alu and L1 families, the newly discovered families are probably composed of pseudogenes derived from functional genes.

Animals↗

Polyadenylylation signal of the mouse thymidylate synthase gene was created by insertion of an L1 repetitive element downstream of the open reading frame.

The mouse thymidylate synthase (TS; EC 2.1.1.45) mRNA is unusual in that the poly(A) tail is added at the translation stop codon. To determine the sequence requirements for 3' processing of this mRNA, we constructed TS minigenes with deletion and point mutations in potential regulatory sequences. The minigenes were transiently transfected into cultured cells and the effect on 3' processing was determined by S1 nuclease protection assays. These analyses revealed that at least two elements are required for efficient polyadenylylation at the stop codon. The first is an upstream AUUAAA sequence. When this was changed to AUCAAA, polyadenylylation at the stop codon was blocked. However, when it was changed to the canonical AAUAAA hexanucleotide, the amount of TS mRNA increased severalfold. The second element is a stretch of 14 consecutive uridylate residues 32 nucleotides downstream of the stop codon. This U-rich region is absent from the human TS gene, which explains why the human TS mRNA is not polyadenylylated at the stop codon even though the two genes are otherwise almost identical through this region. The most surprising observation was that the U-rich region corresponds to the 3' end of a 360-nucleotide mouse L1 repetitive element that was inserted in opposite orientation to the gene more than 5 million years ago. Thus the polyadenylylation signal of the present mouse TS gene was created by the transposition of a repetitive element downstream of a cryptic polyadenylylation signal.

Animals↗

Characterization of LST-R533: uncovering a novel repetitive element in Leishmania.

We have previously isolated and sequenced a novel repetitive element, now named LST-R533, which is present in four different regions of one extremity of Leishmania major chromosome 20. The repeats are polymorphic in size, ranging from 367 to 533 bp and contain an internal 81 bp sequence with highly conserved segments (14-81 bp long) dispersed throughout the parasite's genome. These sequences were not found in coding regions of any predicted gene in L. major Friedlin genome, but are part of untranslated regions of some Leishmania transcripts. Analysis of the 81 bp sequence revealed significant degrees of identity with retrotransposons described in several other organisms. The presence of the sequence in other species from genus Leishmania was determined by Southern hybridisation and DNA sequencing. This analysis indicated the conservation of the 81-nucleotide element in all the Leishmania species evaluated. No sequences corresponding to LST-R533 or the 81 bp element were found on either Trypanosoma brucei or Trypanosoma cruzi databanks.

Animals↗

Negative regulation of the human epsilon-globin gene by transcriptional interference: role of an Alu repetitive element.

The human epsilon-globin gene has a number of alternative transcription initiation sites which correspond with regions of DNase I hypersensitivity upstream of the canonical cap site. Transcripts originating from the promoters located -4.3/-4.5 and -1.48 kilobase pairs (kbp) and -900 and -200 base pairs (bp) upstream of the major epsilon-globin cap site can, at certain stages of erythroid differentiation, extend through the gene and are polyadenylated. The 350-bp PolIII transcripts, originating within the Alu repetitive element -2.2 kbp upstream of the cap site, extend in the opposite direction from the gene, are nonpolyadenylated, nucleus confined, and are detectable only in mature K562 cells or mature embryonic red blood cells where the epsilon-globin major cap site is maximally transcribed. Fragments containing the promoters located between -4.5 and -4.3 kbp upstream of the gene down regulate transcription from the epsilon-globin gene 20- to 30-fold in a transient expression assay in which both erythroid and nonerythroid cell lines were used. This occurs only when the direction of transcription from the -4.3/-4.5-kbp promoters is towards the gene, and we hypothesize that down regulation is caused by transcriptional interference. Fragments containing the Alu repetitive element -2.2 kbp upstream of the gene can overcome down regulation of the epsilon-globin gene by the -4.5-kbp element when interposed in the direct orientation between this element and the epsilon-globin gene.

Cell Line↗

Multiplicity of glutathione S-transferase genes in the rat and association with a type 2 Alu repetitive element.

Southern blot analysis of rat genomic DNA using glutathione S-transferase Ya and Yc cDNA probes was employed to estimate the size of the Ya/Yc multigene family. A minimum of five to seven Ya/Yc genes were detected; at least two of these are Yc genes. The presence of multiple genes was further supported by the isolation of three nonoverlapping genomic clones from a rat EcoRI library that hybridized to a Ya cDNA clone, pGTB38. However, not all EcoRI bands seen in genomic blots were represented in the clones, suggesting that not all Ya/Yc genes have been isolated. The organization of a Ya gene in one of these EcoRI genomic clones, lambda GTB38-3, and an overlapping clone, lambda GTB45-1, isolated from a HaeIII library, was investigated with 5' and 3' probes prepared from Ya and Yc cDNA clones. Restriction endonuclease mapping and hybridization studies revealed that the gene spans over 10 kilobases and contains at least three introns. Sequences upstream from the 5' untranslated region of the gene, and within an intron in the 5' coding region, were found to contain sequences homologous to a type 2 Alu repetitive element from the rat growth hormone gene [Page, G.S., Smith, S., & Goodman, H.M. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 2087-2104]. The repetitive sequences in lambda GTB38-3 were identified by hybridization to a novel Ya cDNA clone, pGTB45. This cDNA clone was isolated from a cDNA library previously described [Telakowski-Hopkins, C.A., Rodkey, J.A., Bennett, C.D., Lu, A.Y.H., & Pickett, C.B. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5820-5825] with nick-translated intron sequences as probes. pGTB45 is virtually identical with pGTR261 [Tu, C.-P.D., Lai, H.-C.J., Li, N.-Q., Weiss, M.J., & Reddy, C.C. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 9434-9439], except that the 3' untranslated region extends 231 base pairs beyond the polyadenylation signal of pGTR261. This elongated 3' untranslated sequence is unique in that it contains a full-length type 2 Alu repetitive element, which includes two additional, overlapping polyadenylation signals.

Animals↗

Genetic exchange between endogenous and exogenous LINE-1 repetitive elements in mouse cells.

The repetitive LINE (L1) elements of the mouse, which are present at about 10(5) copies per genome and share over 80% of sequence homology, were examined for their ability to undergo genetic exchange with exogenous L1 sequences. The exogenous L1 sequences, carried by a shuttle vector, consisted of an internal fragment from L1Md-A2, a previously described member of the L1 family of the mouse. Using an assay that does not require the reconstitution of a selectable marker we found that this vector, in either circular or linear form, acquired DNA sequences from endogenous L1 elements at a frequency of 10(-3) to 10(-4) per rescued vector. Physical analysis of the acquired L1 sequences revealed that distinct endogenous L1 elements acted as donors and that different subfamilies participated. These results demonstrate that L1 elements are readily capable of genetic exchange. Apart from gene conversion events, the acquisition of L1 sequences outside the region of homology suggested that a second mechanism was also involved in the genetic exchange. A model which accounts for this mechanism is presented and its potential implication on the rearrangement of L1 elements is discussed.

Animals↗

Structure, expression, and evolution of a heat shock gene locus in Caenorhabditis elegans that is flanked by repetitive elements.

A locus containing two hsp16 genes in Caenorhabditis elegans has been characterized by DNA sequencing. Each gene encodes a 16-kDa polypeptide which is expressed following heat induction. The two genes, designated hsp16-2 and hsp16-41, are arranged in divergent orientations, and each contains a single intron of 46 and 58 base pairs, respectively. Although both gene transcripts are spliced efficiently in vivo, hsp16-41 corresponds to a previously isolated cDNA which contains an unspliced intron sequence. The 5'-noncoding regions of both genes contain TATA boxes preceded 18 or 19 nucleotides upstream by a heat shock regulatory sequence. The 3'-noncoding regions contain polyadenylation signals (AATAAA) either downstream (hsp16-2) or immediately adjacent (hsp16-41) to a sequence capable of forming a hairpin. This pair of hsp16 genes is flanked by three copies of an approximately 200-bp dispersed repetitive element (two copies on one side and a single one on the other side of the locus) which occurs in at least 70 copies throughout the C. elegans genome, and has been designated CeRep-16. Together with data described previously (Russnak, R. H., and Candido, E. P. M. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5, 1268-1278), the results presented here define a family of four distinct, related small heat shock protein genes. These are arranged in divergently transcribed pairs at two loci. The hsp16-48/41 genes code for one class of HSP16, 143-amino acid residues long, while the hsp16-1/2 genes encode the other class, which is 2 amino acid residues longer. Thus each locus codes for the two major types of HSP16. The two loci differ in a number of respects, including the presence of a tandem inverted duplication of two heat shock protein genes at one locus, and of repetitive elements at the other. Sequence comparisons allow us to propose a scheme for the evolution of the four genes and reveal conserved features of noncoding regions which may be involved in the regulation of their transcription, RNA processing, or translation. Using locus-specific hybridization probes, we have found that the genes at locus hsp16-2/41 are expressed at levels approximately 20-40-fold higher than those at locus hsp16-1/48.

Animals↗

Enrichment of middle repetitive element Bm-1 transcripts in translationally active RNA fractions of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori.

The Bm-1 repetitive element family represents a group of transcribed repetitive sequences in the genome of the silkmoth Bombyx mori. In the Bm-5 and BmN permanent cell lines studied here, alpha-amanitin inhibition and nuclear 'run-on' experiments demonstrated that approximately 80% of the Bm-1 transcripts are produced by RNA polymerase II. Bm-1 transcripts are dramatically enriched in poly A+ and polysomal RNA fractions compared to total RNA in these two cell lines. In the Bm-5 cell line, from total to poly A+ and polysomal RNA fractions, Bm-1 transcripts are enriched approximately 4 and 2 times, respectively, while in the BmN cell line these same fractions are enriched about 2 and 19 times compared to total RNA. This suggests that the Bm-1 transcripts may be involved in post-transcriptional processes or control of translation. Our data also revealed less size heterogeneity of Bm-1 transcripts in polysomal as compared to nuclear fractions. In the Bm-5 and BmN cell lines, the size of most transcripts containing Bm-1 sequences increases from approximately 1700 nt in the nucleus to 3000 nt in the polysomal fraction, both fractions with RNA much larger than the Bm-1 consensus sequence (250 bp). This raises the possibility that some Bm-1 elements are transcribed as part of larger transcripts containing mRNA by way of 'read-through', and may be involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression as cis and/or trans acting elements.

Animals↗

The structure of the mouse lipoprotein lipase gene: a B1 repetitive element is inserted into the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA.

The catabolism of triglycerides-rich lipoproteins and the subsequent uptake of free fatty acids by muscle and adipose tissue is dependent on the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). To better understand the regulation of this enzyme, we have isolated and characterized the mouse LPL gene. The gene is 28 kb in length and comprises 10 exons which encode a 4.0-kb mRNA. In this report, almost 6 kb of DNA sequence is presented, including 1251 bp 5' to the gene, over 4 kb of exon and exon-intron junctions, and 583 bp 3' to the gene. RNA from differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes was used in primer extension and RNase protection assays to show that the 5' untranslated region is not interrupted by an intron and the start site of transcription is 199 bp 5' to the ATG codon that begins translation. The first exon codes for the 5' untranslated region and the signal peptide of 27 amino acids and 2 amino acids of the mature protein, exons 2-9 code for 445 amino acids of the mature protein. These exons are short and vary in length from 102 to 287 bp. The 10th exon codes for the 3' untranslated region and is 2346 bp long. This exon contains a single copy of a B1 repetitive element of 152 bp followed by a 169-bp homopurine stretch. These elements are flanked by a pair of 16-bp direct repeats. The mouse gene is similar in size to the human, which also contains 10 exons in similar locations. There is a high degree of sequence homology between the two genes, 5' region (700 bp), 75%; 5' untranslated region, 74%; coding region, 88%; 3' untranslated region, 75%. The most striking difference is the absence of the B1 repetitive element and homopurine region in the human 3' untranslated region. This information about the mouse LPL gene may lead to a better understanding of its regulation and role in plasma lipoprotein metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mermaid, a family of short interspersed repetitive elements, is useful for zebrafish genome mapping.

A family of short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs), designated mermaid, is present in the genomes of fish, amphibian and primates, but absent in the mouse genome. We have demonstrated that the sequences of the mermaid family are highly polymorphic in the zebrafish genome as in the human genome. We have also shown that the mermaid sequence can be used to recover zebrafish specific DNA from zebrafish-mouse cell hybrids by using mermaid-specific oligonucleotides as PCR primers. Thus, the mermaid family serves as a valuable genetic tool for the zebrafish genome mapping.

Animals↗

Genome organization of repetitive elements in the rodent, Peromyscus leucopus.

To document the frequency and distribution of repetitive elements in Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse, a cosmid genomic library was examined. Two thousand thirteen randomly chosen recombinants, with an average insert size of 35 kb and representing 2.35% of the haploid genome of P. leucopus, were screened with probes representing microsatellites, tandem repeats, and transposable elements. Of the four dinucleotides, (GT)n was present in 87% of the clones, (CT)n was present in 59% of the clones, and (AT)n and (GC)n each was represented in our sample by a single clone (0.05%). (TCC)n was present in 8% of the clones. Of the tandem repeats, the 28S ribosomal probe and the (TTAGGG)n telomere probe were not represented in the library, whereas a heterochromatic fragment was present in 9% of the clones. A transposable element, mys, was estimated to occur in 4700 copies, whereas a long interspersed element (LINE) was estimated to occur in about 41,000 copies per haploid genome. LINE and mys occurred together in the same clones more frequently than expected on the basis of chance. Hybridizing the library to genomic DNA from P. leucopus, Reithrodontomys fulvescens, Mus musculus, and human produced general agreement between phylogenetic relatedness and intensity of hybridization. However, dinucleotide repeats appeared to account for a disproportionately high number of positive clones in the more distantly related taxa.

Animals↗

A novel tRNA species as an origin of short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs). Equine SINEs may have originated from tRNA(Ser).

Short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs) were isolated from the equine genome and characterized. The equine SINE (ERE-1) family has several features characteristic of tRNA-derived retroposons. The five members of the equine family of SINEs are approximately 230 nucleotides in length and terminate with a sequence rich in oligo(A). They are all flanked by direct repeats at the 5' and 3' ends, and such repeats are the hallmarks of retroposons. In addition, the ERE-1 family has a tRNA-related region, which is similar to tRNA(Ser) of Drosophila (65% identity). tRNA(Ser) is a novel tRNA with respect to the origin of SINEs and has not previously been recognized among the twenty tRNA-derived SINEs characterized to date. The members of the ERE-1 family were found to be distributed among five species in the genus Equus, and their amplification may have contributed to the genetic variability of their hosts during evolution.

Animals↗

Characterisation of Clostridium botulinum groups I and II by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and repetitive element sequence-based PCR.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD) and repetitive element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) were evaluated with respect to their applicability to characterise Clostridium botulinum group I and II strains, the species causing human botulism. Fifteen group I and 21 group II strains of various geographical and temporal origins were characterised with four single arbitrary RAPD primers at low stringency amplification conditions and with a degenerate REP primer pair at moderately stringent conditions. Ready-To-Go RAPD Analysis Beads and Ready-To-Go PCR Beads were used for PCR reactions with RAPD and rep-PCR, respectively. Arbitrary primer OPJ 6 yielded the most discriminating patterns, and distinguished group II C. botulinum serotypes at the strain level. Group I strains were mainly discriminated at the serotype level. The discriminatory power of rep-PCR was found to be inferior to that of RAPD. The REP1R-Dt and REP2R-Dt primer pair generated group I- and II-specific fragments and arbitrary primer OPJ 13 produced a serotype E-specific fragment. The use of pre-dispensed and pre-optimised beads attributed to highly reproducible results. As compared to more time-consuming typing methods, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), both RAPD and rep-PCR were characterised by rapid performance and a typeability of 100%.

Animals↗

The new RENT family of repetitive elements in Nicotiana species harbors gene regulatory elements related to the tCUP cryptic promoter.

The tCUP cryptic constitutive promoter was discovered in the tobacco genome by T-DNA (transfer DNA) tagging with a promoterless GUS-nos gene. Here, we show that the portion of the tCUP sequence containing a variety of cryptic gene regulatory elements is related to a new family of moderately repetitive sequences (10(2) copies), the RENT (repetitive element from Nicotiana tabacum) family. The RENT family is found only in certain Nicotiana species. Five RENT elements were cloned and sequenced. The RENT elements are a minimum of 5 kb in length and share 80-90% sequence similarity throughout their length. The 5' termini are the same in the isolated RENT family members and are characterized by a conserved border sequence (TGTTGA(T or C)ACCCAATTTT(T or C)). The 3' ends of RENT sequence similarity vary in location and sequence. The tCUP cryptic promoter originated from a unique truncated RENT element that interrupts a phytochelatin synthase-like gene that may have undergone rearrangements prior to or resulting from T-DNA insertion. No evidence was found for expressed coding regions within the RENT elements; however, like the cryptic gene regulatory elements within the tCUP sequence, the isolated RENT elements possess promoter activity and translational enhancer activity.

Base Sequence↗