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Efficient amplification of multiple transposon-flanking sequences.

Transposon mutagenesis is a very useful tool for gene identification in bacteria. Once the transposon mutants of interest are isolated, it is often necessary to identify the sequences that flank the transposon insertions. We devised an efficient method for specific amplification of transposon-flanking sequences that requires the sequence information of only transposon-specific sequences. The basic steps for this method consists of (1) digestion with a restriction enzyme, (2) ligation with a Y-shaped linker and (3) polymerase chain reaction amplification using a transposon-specific primer and a primer specific to the Y-shaped linker. The feasibility of this method was demonstrated with mini-Tn5 mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. We also found that this method can be used for simultaneous amplification of multiple transposon-flanking sequences.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Characterization of the mgl operon of Escherichia coli by transposon mutagenesis and molecular cloning.

We used transposon insertion mutagenesis, molecular cloning, and a novel procedure for in vitro construction of polar and nonpolar insertion mutations to characterize the genetic organization and gene products of the beta-methylgalactoside (Mgl) transport system, which utilizes the galactose-binding protein. The data indicate that the mgl operon contained three genes, which were transcribed in the order mglB, mglA, and mglC. The first gene coded for the 31,000 Mr galactose-binding protein, which was synthesized as a 3,000-dalton-larger precursor form. The mglA product was a 50,000 Mr protein which was tightly associated with the membrane, and the mglC product was a 38,000 Mr protein which was apparently loosely associated with the membrane and was probably located on the internal face of the cytoplasmic membrane. Identification of gene products was facilitated by in vitro insertion of a fragment of Tn5 containing the gene conferring kanamycin resistance into a restriction site in the operon. The fragment proved to have a polar effect on the expression of promoter-distal genes only when inserted in one of the two possible orientations. The three identified gene products were necessary and apparently sufficient for transport activity, but only the binding protein was required for chemotaxis towards galactose. The transport system appeared to contain the minimum number of components for a binding protein-related system: a periplasmic recognition component, a transmembrane protein, and a peripheral membrane protein that may be involved in energy linkage.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Identification of sequences regulating the transcription of a Dictyostelium gene selectively expressed in prespore cells.

There has been considerable debate about the relative contributions of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms to the regulation of prespore gene expression in Dictyostelium. We have determined the DNA sequence upstream of D19, the Dictyostelium gene encoding PsA, a prespore-specific, cell surface protein of unknown function. Our analysis of gene fusions, in which D19 upstream sequences are placed adjacent to a heterologous reporter gene, indicates that transcriptional signals alone are sufficient for the correct temporal and cell-type specific expression of this gene. We also show that the 5' and 3' boundaries of the minimal sequences necessary for correct developmental regulation lie within the region 338 to 122 nucleotides upstream of the start site of transcription but that flanking sequences seem to be necessary for optimal expression.

Base Sequence↗

The identification of the Escherichia coli ftsY gene product: an unusual protein.

The ftsYEX operon in Escherichia coli encodes three proteins, two of which (FtsE and FtsX) are known to be required for cell division. Although FtsE and FtsX have been identified using SDS-PAGE, the FtsY protein has not. We have used in vitro insertion mutagenesis to identify FtsY as a 92 kD polypeptide in maxicell experiments, although predictions from the DNA sequence estimated FtsY to be 54 kD. Results suggest that this disparity could be due to the unusually high percentage of acidic residues within the protein. Complementation tests indicated the presence of a promoter within ftsY required for expression of ftsE and ftsX. The FtsY protein exhibits sequence homology with the SR alpha protein of eukaryotes which is involved in protein secretion. The essential nature of the ftsY gene was also demonstrated.

Bacterial Proteins↗

DNA sequence of IS91 and identification of the transposase gene.

IS91 is a 1,830-bp insertion sequence that inserts specifically at the sequence CAAG or GAAC of the target and does not duplicate any sequence upon insertion (23). By transposon mutagenesis, we have identified open reading frame 426 (ORF426; bp 454 to 1731) as the putative ORF for the transposase. It displays a cysteine-rich, potential metal-binding domain in its N-terminal region. Adjacent to ORF426, there is an ORF (ORF121) which precedes and terminally overlaps ORF426 by one amino acid. Tn1732 insertions in ORF121 do not affect the transposition frequency. IS91 has sequence similarities to IS801 from Pseudomonas syringae. Their putative transposases are 36% identical, including conservation of the cysteine-rich cluster. The information concerning IS801 insertion specificity and target duplication has been reevaluated in the light of our results.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fine-structure mapping and identification of two regulators of capsule synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12.

Positive and negative regulatory elements involved in the synthesis of colanic acid, the capsular polysaccharide of Escherichia coli K-12, have been identified previously. RcsB, a positive regulator for transcription of the structural genes of colanic acid synthesis (cps), is a protein of about 26 kilodaltons which probably acts as a multimer, rcsC, which maps close to rcsB at 48 min on the E. coli chromosome, exerts a negative effect on expression of the structural genes and codes for a protein of about 100 kilodaltons. The two genes appear to be transcribed in opposite directions, with the C-terminal ends of the genes being less than 0.3 kilobases apart. Multicopy expression of rcsB is lethal in rcsC mutants which carry cps-lac fusions, probably owing to accumulation of intermediates in the capsule synthesis pathway in these cells. Examination of double mutants and cells carrying multicopy rcsB+ plasmids reveal an rcsA-independent pathway for capsule synthesis. We hypothesize that RcsC may act as an environmental sensor, transmitting information to the RcsB positive regulator.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Molecular analysis of heritable mouse mutations.

Germ-line mutations of the mouse have for years comprised one class of biological markers for mammalian reproductive and developmental toxicology. Understanding the molecular nature of mutations and the mechanisms by which mutations are translated into specific (and often complex) phenotypes, however, still looms as a major goal of mammalian biology. Molecular genetic analysis of heritable mouse mutations constitutes a significant, experimentally malleable strategy for relating genomic DNA structure to genic expression and function in mammals. The integrated use of recombinant DNA technology, which allows both the identification and analysis of expression of single genes, and classical genetic and cytogenetic analysis, which allow the important correlation between basic DNA defects and the organismic consequences of such defects, has been crucial to this strategy. Some of the approaches (e.g., specific-gene cloning, random-clone analysis of genomic regions, insertional mutagenesis) for studying the nature and effect of both mutations and their wild-type counterparts that have resulted from this integration of genetic analysis and molecular biology have been applied to many loci within the murine genome. Studies of the nature and effects of a complex set of radiation-induced mutations at the dilute-short ear (d-se) region of chromosome 9, a specific example of this type of integrated analysis, are discussed.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel insertion sequence in vanB2-containing Enterococcus faecium.

AIMS: The characterization of a novel insertion sequence (IS) in vanB2-containing Enterococcus faecium was conducted. METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct PCR amplification of ORFC region of Tn5382 from DNA extracted from vanB2-containing E. faecium, and sequence analysis were performed. A novel IS was identified. It is 1418 bp in length and contains one putative open reading frame that is similar to transposase. There exists inverted terminal repeats of 12 bp, but direct repeats are not present. According to high similarity to putative transposases of IS3 members, such as, IS150, IS861, IS1077 and IS911, we designated it ISEnfa3. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Since ISEnfa3 was detected in all vanB2-containing strains examined so far, it could be used as a tool for epidemiological study.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of new medium reiteration frequency repeats in the genomes of Primates, Rodentia and Lagomorpha.

We report eleven new families of MEdium Reiteration frequency (MER) interspersed repeats in the genomes of Primates, Rodentia, and Lagomorpha. Two families of the human repeats, MER 46 and MER 47, represent non-autonomous DNA transposons. These sequences are flanked by TA target site duplications and have terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) similar to TIRs of DNA transposons. The sequences of five other families of repeats, MER41, MER48, MER50, MER51, and RMER3, resemble long terminal repeats of retroviruses. A potential involvement of some of the reported MER repeats in the regulation of transcription and genetic rearrangements is suggested. Age estimations place the origin of most MER repeats at the time of decline in MIR (Mammalian-wide Interspersed Repeats) retroposition and before the origin of the Alu family.

Animals↗

Identification by subtractive hybridization of a novel insertion element specific for two widespread Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III strains.

Species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex cause chronic and life-threatening infections in persons with cystic fibrosis. Epidemic strains infect multiple patients, reside primarily in genomovar III, and have an apparent enhanced capacity for human infection and/or interpatient transmission. By using subtractive hybridization, a novel insertion element, designated IS1363, was identified in epidemic strain PHDC, known to infect many cystic fibrosis patients in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. IS1363 was also found in most isolates of the ET12 lineage, responsible for infecting large numbers of patients in Ontario, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that whereas multiple copies of IS1363 were present in strain PHDC, only one copy was present in ET12 isolates. IS1363 was used to probe a collection of 943 B. cepacia complex isolates, representing all nine genomovars, recovered from 761 cystic fibrosis patients or the natural environment. IS1363 was not found in other genomovar III strains and, with the exception of B. ambifaria, was absent from other B. cepacia complex species. Genotyping analyses of all IS1363-positive isolates demonstrated that strain PHDC was more widely distributed in the United States than previously appreciated; 212 cystic fibrosis patients in 24 states were identified as being infected with PHDC.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Identification and distribution of new insertion sequences in the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans C-125.

Fifteen kinds of new insertion sequences (ISs), IS641 to IS643, IS650 to IS658, IS660, IS662, and IS663, and a group II intron (Bh.Int) were identified in the 4,202,352-bp genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans C-125. Out of 120 ISs identified in the C-125 genome, 29 were truncated, indicating the occurrence of internal rearrangements of the genome. The ISs other than IS650, IS653, IS660, and IS663 generated a 2- to 9-bp duplication of the target site sequence, and the ISs other than IS650, IS653, and IS657 carry 14- to 64-bp inverted repeats. Sequence analysis revealed that six kinds of ISs (IS642, IS643, IS654, IS655, IS657, and IS658) belong to a separate IS family (IS630, IS21, IS256, IS3, IS200/IS605, and IS30, respectively) as a new member. Also, IS651 and IS652 were characterized as new members of the ISL3 family. Significant similarity was found between the transposase (Tpase) sequences between IS650 and IS653 (78.2%), IS651 and IS652 (56.3%), IS656 and IS662 (71.0%), and IS660 and IS663 (44.5%), but the others showed no similarity to one another. Tpases in 28 members of IS651 in the C-125 genome were found to have become diversified. Most of the IS elements widely distributed throughout the genome were inserted in noncoding regions, although some genes, such as those coding for an ATP-binding cassette transporter/permease, a response regulator, and L-indole 2-dehydrogenase, have been mutated through the insertion of IS elements. It is evident, however, that not all IS elements have transposed and caused rearrangements of the genome in the past 17 years during which strain C-125 was subcultured under neutral and alkaline conditions.

Bacillus↗

Identification and cloning of Bradyrhizobium japonicum genes expressed strain selectively in soil and rhizosphere.

The growth of Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 and USDA 438 in soil extract-supplemented medium led to transcription of a large amount of DNA not expressed in basal medium. Strain USDA 438 was more competitive for the nodulation of soybean than strain USDA 110. To identify and isolate DNA regions which were expressed specifically in strain USDA 438 but not in strain USDA 110 in response to soil extract or soybean root exudate, we developed a subtractive RNA hybridization procedure. Several cosmid clones which showed strain-specific gene expression were isolated from a USDA 438 gene library. Two clones enhanced competitive nodulation when mobilized to USDA 110. The method described may be useful for identifying genes expressed in response to environmental stimuli or genes expressed differently in related microbial strains.

Base Sequence↗

Whole-genome analysis to identify type III-secreted effectors.

Many Gram-negative plant and animal pathogens share a common virulence strategy that relies on the specialized type III secretion system. This apparatus is used to secrete virulence factors, called effectors, into the extracellular host environment and directly into the cytoplasm of host cells. Effectors interfere with host signaling and host metabolism to create an optimal environment for pathogen replication. The identification of effectors in plant pathogens was limited for many years to those effectors that elicit strong plant defenses on some hosts. The members of this subset, called avirulence proteins, can be readily identified because they dominantly confer strong defense-inducing properties to a heterologous virulent strain. This chapter describes two methods to identify type III-secreted effectors in plant pathogens independently of their phenotype. The first method consists of an in vivo molecular genetic screen that uses the activity of an avirulence protein to identify effectors without avirulence activity. It should be possible to apply this method to most Gram-negative plant pathogens. The second method consists of a bioinformatic approach applicable to those pathogens for which at least a draft genome sequence is available.

Arabidopsis↗

Target sequence specificity of transposon Tn5 in the absence of major hotspots in the plasmid pBR322: identification of a new hotspot.

The plasmid pLB11-1 is a pBR322 derivative in which part of the tetracycline resistance (tet) gene (basepair coordinates 23 to 375), containing five hotspots for Tn5 insertion (D. E. Berg et al., Genetics 105, 813-828, 1983), has been replaced with a 5.1-kb fragment of Escherichia coli genomic DNA encoding an osmoregulatory function. Restriction mapping of 40 pLB11-1::Tn5 derivatives, chosen at random from 240 Tn5 insertion derivatives with an unaltered osmotolerant phenotype, placed Tn5 in the vector portion of 20 clones. The majority of these insertions (16/20) were located in a 0.09-kb region immediately downstream of the beta-lactamase (bla) gene. Nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis of seven insertions from this group revealed an identical site of insertion within pBR322, representing a hitherto unidentified hotspot for Tn5 insertion. The target sequence, 5'GTCTGACGC, was found to be duplicated in these cases.

Base Sequence↗

Mobile genetic elements of Fusobacterium nucleatum.

The gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum, is a predominant member of the human oral flora. As a major component of subgingival plaque, this bacterium has a significant impact on the ecology of the oral cavity due to its ability to adhere to many different microbial species. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize plasmids and transposons that may have the potential to be developed into tools for cloning, genetic transformation, and mutagenesis of oral isolates of F. nucleatum. Analysis of a collection of laboratory strains resulted in the identification of a homologous family of small cryptic plasmids. Plasmids within this family ranged in size from 6.0 to 6.6 kb. Eighteen percent of all strains examined (n = 74) contained DNA sequences related to the plasmids. Homologous plasmid sequences were found in strains belonging to 2 of the 3 subspecies of the bacterium. The 2 smallest plasmid species were cloned in Escherichia coli to facilitate endonuclease restriction mapping. Among the strains examined for plasmids, 5 exhibited resistance to at least 10 micrograms/ml of tetracycline. These strains, all members of the subsp. polymorphum, contained a tetracycline resistance determinant (TetM) as part of a Tn916-like integrated transposon sequence. The Tn916-like element and 1 of the plasmid species co-resided in a single strain of the bacterium. Hybridization patterns of the Tn916-like sequences were identical in all 5 tetracycline-resistant strains. However, these strains appeared to be clonally distinct based on genomic fingerprinting.

Base Sequence↗

[Identification of the gene correlated with salt stress in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 263-H9 mutant].

The mutant 263-H9 with hypersensitivity to several stress conditions (1.5 mol/L Sorbitol, 0.65 mol/L NaCl and 15 degrees C) was obtained by using transposon mutagenesis in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W303-1A. Unlike other mutants the transposon in 263-H9 was intergenic between GIP2 and YER053C-A. Using gene knockout, a yeast genomic library and other methods, the gene correlated with the salt stress response was identified. The data indicated that the phenotype of 263-H9 was not directly caused by the insertion of the transposon. On the other hand, the hypersensitivity to salt and other stress conditions was due to the deletion of 5 base pairs close to position 936 bp in the PBS2 gene essential for HOG signal pathway regulation under salt stress.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

Mutants of Escherichia coli defective for replicative transposition of bacteriophage Mu.

We isolated 142 Hir- (host inhibition of replication) mutants of an Escherichia coli K-12 Mu cts Kil- lysogen that survived heat induction and the killing effect of Mu replicative transposition. All the 86 mutations induced by insertion of Tn5 or a kanamycin-resistant derivative of Tn10 and approximately one-third of the spontaneous mutations were found by P1 transduction to be linked to either zdh-201::Tn10 or Tn10-1230, indicating their location in or near himA or hip, respectively. For a representative group of these mutations, complementation by a plasmid carrying the himA+ gene or by a lambda hip+ transducing phage confirmed their identification as himA or hip mutations, respectively. Some of the remaining spontaneously occurring mutations were located in gyrA or gyrB, the genes encoding DNA gyrase. Mutations in gyrA were identified by P1 linkage to zei::Tn10 and a Nalr gyrA allele; those in gyrB were defined by linkage to tna::Tn10 and to a gyrB(Ts) allele. In strains carrying these gyrA or gyrB mutations, pBR322 plasmid DNA exhibited altered levels of supercoiling. The extent of growth of Mu cts differed in the various gyrase mutants tested. Phage production in one gyrA mutant was severely reduced, but it was only delayed and slightly reduced in other gyrA and gyrB mutants. In contrast, growth of a Kil- Mu was greatly reduced in all gyrase mutant hosts tested.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Identification of a novel WFS1 mutation (AFF344-345ins) in Japanese patients with Wolfram syndrome.

Wolfram syndrome (WFS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early onset diabetes mellitus, progressive optic atrophy, sensorineural deafness and diabetes insipidus. Affected individuals may also have renal tract abnormalities as well as neurogical and psychiatric syndromes. WFS1 encoding a transmembrane protein was identified as the gene responsible for WFS. We report herein a Japanese family, of which two members had this syndrome. In the WFS1 gene of these patients, we identified a novel mutation, a nine nucleotide insertion (AFF344-345ins). In addition, one of these patients had preclinical hypopituitarism, which is an unusual feature of WFS. As only the two family members homozygous for the mutation showed WFS, these data support the notion that this mutation is the cause of WFS.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗