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Sequence analysis of plasmid pKJ50 from Bifidobacterium longum.

The complete nucleotide sequence of a plasmid, pKJ50, isolated from an intestinal bacterium, Bifidobacterium longum KJ, has been determined. The plasmid was analysed and found to be 4960 bp in size with a G+C content of 61.7 mol%. Computer analysis of sequence data revealed three major ORFs encoding putative proteins of 31.5 (ORFI), 24.5 (ORFII) and 38.6 kDa (ORFIII). ORFI encodes a protein with a pI of 10.18 and shows relatively high amino acid sequence similarity (more than 60%) with several plasmid replication proteins from Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Southern blot analysis showed that pKJ50 accumulates an ssDNA intermediate, suggesting that it replicates by a rolling-circle mechanism. Upstream of ORFI, three sets of repeated sequences resembling iteron structures of related plasmids were identified. ORFIII encodes a protein with a pI of 10.97. It also shows a high level of amino acid sequence similarity with some plasmid mobilization proteins. Upstream of ORFIII, a 12 bp stretch resembles an oriT DNA sequence with inverted repeats identical to those found in conjugative plasmids. Hydropathy plot analysis of ORFII, encoding an acidic protein (pI = 4.95), suggests it is a transmembrane protein. Several interesting palindromic sequences, repeat sequences and hairpin-loop structures around ORFI, which might confer regulatory effects on the replication of the plasmid, were also noted. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and in vitro translation confirmed the expression of ORFI and ORFII. RT-PCR produced amplified DNA fragments of the expected sizes, corresponding to ORFI and ORFII. However, no RT-PCR product corresponding to ORFIII was obtained. In vitro translation showed protein bands of the expected sizes, corresponding to each ORF. A shuttle vector capable of transforming Bifidobacterium animalis MB209 was constructed by cloning pKJ50 and a chloramphenicol resistance gene into pBR322.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Repair by recombination of DNA containing a palindromic sequence.

We report here that homologous recombination functions are required for the viability of Escherichia coli cells maintaining a 240 bp chromosomal inverted repeat (palindromic) sequence. Wild-type cells can successfully replicate this palindrome but recA, recB or recC mutants carrying the palindrome are unviable. The dependence on homologous recombination for cell viability is overcome in sbcC mutants. Directly repeated copies of the DNA containing the palindrome are rapidly resolved to single copies in wild-type cells but not in sbcC mutants. Our results suggest that double-strand breaks introduced at the palindromic DNA sequence by the SbcCD nuclease are repaired by homologous recombination. The repair is conservative and the palindrome is retained in the repaired chromosome. We conclude that SbcCD can attack secondary structures but that repair conserves the DNA sequence with the potential to fold.

Bacterial Proteins↗

An AU-rich element in the 3' untranslated region of the spinach chloroplast petD gene participates in sequence-specific RNA-protein complex formation.

In chloroplasts, the 3' untranslated regions of most mRNAs contain a stem-loop-forming inverted repeat (IR) sequence that is required for mRNA stability and correct 3'-end formation. The IR regions of several mRNAs are also known to bind chloroplast proteins, as judged from in vitro gel mobility shift and UV cross-linking assays, and these RNA-protein interactions may be involved in the regulation of chloroplast mRNA processing and/or stability. Here we describe in detail the RNA and protein components that are involved in 3' IR-containing RNA (3' IR-RNA)-protein complex formation for the spinach chloroplast petD gene, which encodes subunit IV of the cytochrome b6/f complex. We show that the complex contains 55-, 41-, and 29-kDa RNA-binding proteins (ribonucleoproteins [RNPs]). These proteins together protect a 90-nucleotide segment of RNA from RNase T1 digestion; this RNA contains the IR and downstream flanking sequences. Competition experiments using 3' IR-RNAs from the psbA or rbcL gene demonstrate that the RNPs have a strong specificity for the petD sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis was carried out to define the RNA sequence elements required for complex formation. These studies identified an 8-nucleotide AU-rich sequence downstream of the IR; mutations within this sequence had moderate to severe effects on RNA-protein complex formation. Although other similar sequences are present in the petD 3' untranslated region, only a single copy, which we have termed box II, appears to be essential for in vitro protein binding. In addition, the IR itself is necessary for optimal complex formation. These two sequence elements together with an RNP complex may direct correct 3'-end processing and/or influence the stability of petD mRNA in chloroplasts.

Base Sequence↗

An apparent pause site in the transcription unit of the rabbit alpha-globin gene.

Transcription of the rabbit alpha-globin gene begins primarily at the cap site, although some upstream start sites are also observed. Analysis by RNA polymerase run-on assays in nuclei shows that transcription continues at a high level past the polyadenylation site, after which the polymerase density actually increases in a region of about 400 nucleotides, followed by a gradual decline over the 700 nucleotides. These features are also observed in the transcription unit of the rabbit beta-globin gene. The region with the unexpectedly high nascent RNA hybridization signal in the 3' flank contains a conserved sequence, KGCAGCWGGR (K = G or T, W = A or T, R = A or G), followed by an inverted repeat. The inverted repeat (perhaps with the conserved sequence) may be a pause site for RNA polymerase II, thus accounting for the increase in polymerase density. This sequence and inverted repeat are found in the 3' flank of several globin genes and the simian virus 40 (SV40) early genes, as well as in the regions implicated in pausing or termination of transcription of eight different genes. Deletion of the conserved sequence and inverted repeat from the 3' flank of the SV40 early region causes a small increase in the levels of transcription downstream from this site. Replacement with the conserved sequence and inverted repeat from the rabbit alpha-globin gene causes an accumulation of polymerases, supporting the hypothesis that polymerases pause at this site. This proposed pause site may affect the efficiency of termination at some sites further downstream, perhaps by loss of a processivity factor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The inverted repeats of IS1384, a newly described insertion sequence from Pseudomonas putida strain H, represent the specific target for integration of IS1383.

Analysis of a region on plasmid pPGH1 from Pseudomonas putida strain H that is flanked by two copies of IS1383 has revealed an additional element with the typical features of a bacterial insertion sequence. This new IS element, designated IS1384, contains a single ORF of 972 bp, and is flanked by 9-bp inverted repeats. Based on sequence homology and structural characteristics of the putative transposase it encodes, IS1384 belongs to the IS5 subgroup of the IS5 family. Two copies of IS1384 are present on plasmid pPGH1, whereas none could be detected on the chromosome of P. putida strain H. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two truncated copies of IS1384 on the second plasmid in this strain, pPGH2. The inverted repeats of all IS1384 copies (including the truncated ones) are interrupted by the integration of an IS1383 element. All integrations were found to be site- and orientation-specific. PCR studies and sequence data indicate that IS1383 can form a circular intermediate on excision. In the circular form, the previously described 13-bp inverted repeats of IS1383 are separated by 10 bp that are identical to the 5-bp motif that flanks each side of the element when it is integrated in its target. We provide evidence that these additional nucleotides, although not of inverted symmetry, represent an essential part of the inverted repeats. Furthermore, the data indicate that IS1383 integrated into the inverted repeats of IS1384 by a site-specific recombination rather than a site-specific insertion event.

Base Sequence↗

A 45 bp inverted repeat is required for cell cycle regulation of the Escherichia coli nrd operon.

Expression of beta-galactosidase from a nrd-lacZ fusion was used to determine the role in nrd regulation of an inverted sequence upstream of the promoter. Removal or replacement of a 45bp inverted repeat with an altered sequence including a 48bp perfect inverted repeat resulted in a mutant phenotype that was low in nrd expression in an exponentially growing culture and that did not increase during DNA synthesis inhibition. Changing the 22 bp in the upstream half of the inverted repeat resulted in the same phenotype, whereas changing the 22 bp in the downstream half of the inverted repeat decreased nrd expression to a lesser extent in an exponentially growing culture and had only a smaller effect on nrd expression during DNA synthesis inhibition. As other mutants with the phenotype of the upstream inverted repeat mutant were found to lack cell cycle regulation, expression of nrd-lac mRNA produced from a plasmid with this mutation in the nrd-lacZ fusion gene was compared with nrd mRNA produced from the chromosomal nrd gene in a synchronized culture. The results indicated that the upstream half of the nrd inverted repeat contains a cis-acting element essential for nrd cell cycle regulation.

Artificial Gene Fusion↗

Long palindromic sequences induce double-strand breaks during meiosis in yeast.

Inverted-repeated or palindromic sequences have been found to occur in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. Such repeated sequences are usually short and present at several functionally important regions in the genome. However, long palindromic sequences are rare and are a major source of genomic instability. The palindrome-mediated genomic instability is believed to be due to cruciform or hairpin formation and subsequent cleavage of this structure by structure-specific nucleases. Here we present both genetic and physical evidence that long palindromic sequences (>50 bp) generate double-strand breaks (DSBs) at a high frequency during meiosis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The palindrome-mediated DSB formation depends on the primary sequence of the inverted repeat and the location and length of the repeated units. The DSB formation at the palindrome requires all of the gene products that are known to be responsible for DSB formation at the normal meiosis-specific sites. Since DSBs are initiators of nearly all meiotic recombination events, most of the palindrome-induced breaks appear to be repaired by homologous recombination. Our results suggest that short palindromic sequences are highly stable in vivo. In contrast, long palindromic sequences make the genome unstable by inducing DSBs and such sequences are usually removed from the genome by homologous recombination events.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Deletion analysis of minimal sequence requirements for autonomous replication of ors8, a monkey early-replicating DNA sequence.

We have generated a panel of deletion mutants of ors8 (483 bp), a mammalian autonomously replicating DNA sequence, previously isolated by extrusion of nascent monkey (CV-1) DNA from replication bubbles active at the onset of S phase. The deletion mutants were tested for replication function by the DpnI resistance assay, in vivo, after transfection into HeLa cells, and in vitro. An internal fragment of 186-bp that is required for autonomous replication function of ors8 was identified. This fragment, when subcloned into pBR322 and similarly tested, was capable of autonomous replication in vivo and in vitro. The 186-bp fragment contains several repeated sequence motifs, such as the ATTA and ATTTAT motifs, occurring three and five times, respectively, the sequences TAGG and TAGA, occurring three and seven times, respectively, two 5'-ATT-3' repeats, a 44-bp imperfect inverted repeat (IR) sequence, and an imperfect consensus binding element for the transcription factor Oct-1. A measurable sequence-directed DNA curvature was also detected, coinciding with the AT-rich regions of the 186-bp fragment.

Animals↗

Location in the source chromosome of the 180-kb minichromosome of Leishmania major and characterization of the novel junction.

The 180-kb LD1 minichromosome of Leishmania major (M180) is a large inverted duplication which arises spontaneously from a megabasic chromosome. In this work this locus has been located in the source chromosome at a telomeric position. Both the novel junction created in the middle of the minichromosome, as well as its counterpart region in the source chromosome were cloned and sequenced. Two inverted repeats, which could give rise to two imperfect stem-loops, and an A + T-rich DNA sequence were the only particular features observed in this region. A putative model for the formation of the minichromosome is proposed.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the critical bases involved in activation of the AreR-regulated sigma54-dependent promoter in Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1.

The areR gene in Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1 regulates the expression of the areCBA genes, which determine growth on benzyl alkanoates. AreR is a member of the NtrC/XylR family of regulatory proteins as determined by sequence homology. Seventy-nine bases upstream of the start of transcription is a region carrying two overlapping inverted repeat (IR) sequences that we predict to be the AreR binding site, also known as the upstream activator site (UAS). IR1 is a near-perfect (16 of 17 bp) repeat separated by 1 bp, and IR2 consists of 9- and 7-bp perfect repeats with a 3-bp gap, with the central bases of the two arms of the repeat separated by 44 and 22 bp. We report here a method for site-directed mutagenesis of chromosomal genes in ADP1 in which linear fragments generated by overlap extension PCR are used to transform ADP1 via its natural transformation system and recombinants are selected by a marker exchange-eviction strategy with a newly created sacB-Km cassette. This method was used to generate 38 strains with designed mutations in the putative UAS upstream of areCBA. The effects of the mutations on areCBA expression were measured by enzyme assays of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase (AreB) and by reporter gene assays of lacZ inserted into areA. Substitutions or deletions in IR1 had more deleterious effects upon expression when they were in its central region, which overlaps the left arm of IR2, than when they were in its outer regions. By contrast, substitutions in the right arm of IR2 resulted in mutants with relatively high expression levels compared to that of the wild type. Effects of deletions in the right arm of IR2 were very dependent upon the length of the deletion, with 3- or 5-bp deletions reducing expression by >90% whereas an 11-bp deletion in the same area reduced the expression levels by only 50%, suggesting that alterations in the distance and the orientation of the UAS relative to the -24, -12 sigma(54) promoter are critical.

Actinobacteria↗

Characterization of the human gene encoding the scavenger receptor expressed by endothelial cell and its regulation by a novel transcription factor, endothelial zinc finger protein-2.

The scavenger receptor expressed by endothelial cell (SREC), mediates the selective uptake of modified low density lipoprotein (LDL), such as acetylated LDL and oxidized LDL, into endothelial cells. The SREC gene spans 12 kilobase pairs and contains 11 exons. Analysis of full-length cDNA clones of SREC from a peripheral blood leukocyte cDNA library revealed that at least five alternatively spliced cDNAs were present, and two of them encoded soluble forms of SREC. The transcription start site of the SREC gene was mapped, and DNA sequence analysis revealed an Sp1 binding site in its proximal region. Deletion analysis of the 5'-flanking sequence revealed that sequence between base pairs -108 and -98 was critical for the promoter activity. This region contained half of an inverted repeat (IR) sequence with a triple nucleotide spacer (IR-3). A protected sequence between base pairs -268 and +17 was defined by in vitro DNase I footprinting analysis using human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) nuclear extract. A novel transcription factor, endothelial zinc finger protein-2 (EZF-2), that binds to the 5'-flanking critical region of the SREC promoter activity was cloned from a HUVEC cDNA library employing a one-hybrid system. Whereas purified recombinant Sp1 alone produced similar protection in in vitro DNase I footprinting analysis, EZF-2 also bound to the 5'-flanking region SREC promoter. Co-transfection of SREC promoter and Sp1 or EZF-2 expression plasmids in HUVEC revealed that EZF-2 but not Sp1 increased SREC promoter activity. On the other hand, the mutation of either the Sp1 motif or IR-3 motif resulted in a decrease in the promoter activity. These results suggest that whereas Sp1 is the major nuclear protein bound to the regulatory region of the promoter, both EZF-2 and Sp1 are responsible for its regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of the promoter for the human P-selectin gene.

P-selectin, an adhesion receptor for leukocytes, is synthesized selectively by megakaryocytes and endothelial cells. We have cloned the 5'-flanking region of the human P-selectin gene and conducted a preliminary analysis of its features. As determined by primer extension, RNase protection, and anchored polymerase chain reaction cloning, there were multiple transcriptional initiation sites from -95 to -25 nucleotides relative to the start of protein-coding sequence. Transfection of bovine aortic endothelial cells with serially truncated segments of the 5'-flanking region linked to luciferase indicated that the sequence from -249 to -13 was sufficient to promote high level gene expression. Deletions to -197, -147, and -128 gradually reduced expression to basal levels, and further deletion to -100 abolished expression. The sequence from -309 to -13 supported only basal luciferase expression in COS-7, 293, or HeLa cells. Putative regulatory elements in the short 5'-flanking sequence included a CACCC sequence, two inverted repeats similar to binding sites for the ETS and NF-kappa B/rel families, a GATA motif, and a sequence related to the GT-IIC element of the SV40 enhancer. The GATA element was functional, as it bound recombinant GATA-2, and mutations in the core sequence impaired both nuclear protein binding and gene expression. These data suggest that the P-selectin gene is regulated by a combination of cis elements and their cognate transcription factors.

Animals↗

Characterization of a Thermomonospora fusca exocellulase.

The exocellulase E3 gene was cloned on a 7.1 kb NotI fragment from Thermomonospora fusca genomic DNA into Escherichia coli and expressed in Streptomyces lividans. The E3 gene was sequenced and encoded a 596 residue peptide. The molecular masses of the native and cloned E3s were determined by mass spectrometry, and the value for E. coli E3, 59,797 Da, agreed well with that predicted from the DNA sequence, 59,646 Da. The value of 61,200 Da for T. fusca E3 is consistent with E3 being a glycoprotein. E3 is thermostable, retaining full activity after 16 h at 55 degrees C. It also has a broad pH optimum around 7-8, retaining 90% of its maximal activity between pH 6 and 10. The cloned E3s were identical to the native enzyme in their activity, cellulose binding, and thermostability. Papain digestion produced a 45.7 kDa catalytic domain with 77% of the native activity on amorphous cellulose and 33% on crystalline cellulose. E3 belongs to cellulase family B and retains the residues that have been identified to be crucial for catalytic activity in Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase II and T. fusca E2. The E3 gene contains a 14 bp inverted repeat regulatory sequence 212 bp before the translational start codon instead of the 30-70 bp found for the other T. fusca cellulase genes. An additional copy of this sequence with one base changed is 314 bp before the translational start codon. The transcriptional start site of the E3 gene was shown to be between these two inverted repeats.

Actinomycetales↗

Protein-primed DNA replication: role of inverted terminal repeats in the Escherichia coli bacteriophage PRD1 life cycle.

Escherichia coli bacteriophage PRD1 and its relatives contain linear double-stranded DNA genomes, the replication of which proceeds via a protein-primed mechanism. Characteristically, these molecules contain 5'-covalently bound terminal proteins and inverted terminal nucleotide sequences (inverted terminal repeats [ITRs]). The ITRs of each PRD1 phage species have evolved in parallel, suggesting communication between the molecule ends during the life cycle of these viruses. This process was studied by constructing chimeric PRD1 phage DNA molecules with dissimilar end sequences. These molecules were created by combining two closely related phage genomes (i) in vivo by homologous recombination and (ii) in vitro by ligation of appropriate DNA restriction fragments. The fate of the ITRs after propagation of single genomes was monitored by DNA sequence analysis. Recombinants created in vivo showed that phages with nonidentical genome termini are viable and relatively stable, and hybrid phages made in vitro verified this observation. However, genomes in which the dissimilar DNA termini had regained identical sequences were also detected. These observations are explained by a DNA replication model involving two not mutually exclusive pathways. The generality of this model in protein-primed DNA replication is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutator-like elements in Arabidopsis thaliana. Structure, diversity and evolution.

While genome-wide surveys of abundance and diversity of mobile elements have been conducted for some class I transposable element families, little is known about the nature of class II transposable elements on this scale. In this report, we present the results from analysis of the sequence and structural diversity of Mutator-like elements (MULEs) in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia). Sequence similarity searches and subsequent characterization suggest that MULEs exhibit extreme structure, sequence, and size heterogeneity. Multiple alignments at the nucleotide and amino acid levels reveal conserved, potentially transposition-related sequence motifs. While many MULEs share common structural features to Mu elements in maize, some groups lack characteristic long terminal inverted repeats. High sequence similarity and phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequence alignments indicate that many of these elements with diverse structural features may remain transpositionally competent and that multiple MULE lineages may have been evolving independently over long time scales. Finally, there is evidence that MULEs are capable of the acquisition of host DNA segments, which may have implications for adaptive evolution, both at the element and host levels.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Regulation, initiation, and termination of the cenA and cex transcripts of Cellulomonas fimi.

We characterized the in vivo transcripts of two Cellulomonas fimi genes, the cenA gene, which encodes an extracellular endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) and the cex gene, which encodes an extracellular exo-beta-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.91). By Northern blot analysis, cenA mRNA was detected in C. fimi RNA preparations from glycerol- and carboxymethyl cellulose-grown cells but not from glucose-grown cells. In contrast, cex mRNA was detected only in the preparations from carboxymethyl cellulose-grown cells. Therefore, the transcription of these genes is subject to regulation by the carbon source provided to C. fimi. By nuclease S1 protection studies with unique 5'-labeled DNA probes and C. fimi RNA isolated in vivo, 5' termini were found 51 and 62 bases before the cenA translational initiation codon and 28 bases before the cex translational initiation codon. S1 mapping with unlabeled DNA probes and C. fimi RNA which had been isolated in vivo but which had been 5' labeled in vitro with guanylyltransferase and [alpha-32P]GTP confirmed that true transcription initiation sites for cenA and cex mRNA had been identified. Comparative analysis of the DNA sequences immediately upstream of the initiation sites of the cenA and cex mRNAs revealed a 30-base-pair region where these two sequences display at least 66% homology. S1 mapping was also used to locate the 3' termini of the cenA and cex transcripts. Three 3' termini were found for cenA messages, whereas only one 3' terminus was identified for cex mRNA. The transcripts of both genes terminate in regions where their corresponding DNA sequences contain inverted repeats.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Intraspecific variability of the terminal inverted repeats of the linear chromosome of Streptomyces ambofaciens.

The sequences of the terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) ending the linear chromosomal DNA of two Streptomyces ambofaciens strains, ATCC23877 and DSM40697 (198 kb and 213 kb, respectively), were determined from two sets of recombinant cosmids. Among the 215 coding DNA sequences (CDSs) predicted in the TIRs of strain DSM40697, 65 are absent in the TIRs of strain ATCC23877. Reciprocally, 45 of the 194 predicted CDSs are specific to the ATCC23877 strain. The strain-specific CDSs are located mainly at the terminal end of the TIRs. Indeed, although TIRs appear almost identical over 150 kb (99% nucleotide identity), large regions of DNA of 60 kb (DSM40697) and 48 kb (ATCC23877), mostly spanning the ends of the chromosome, are strain specific. These regions are rich in plasmid-associated genes, including genes encoding putative conjugal transfer functions. The strain-specific regions also share a G+C content (68%) lower than that of the rest of the genome (from 71% to 73%), a percentage that is more typical of Streptomyces plasmids and mobile elements. These data suggest that exchanges of replicon extremities have occurred, thereby contributing to the terminal variability observed at the intraspecific level. In addition, the terminal regions include many mobile genetic element-related genes, pseudogenes, and genes related to adaptation. The results give insight into the mechanisms of evolution of the TIRs: integration of new information and/or loss of DNA fragments and subsequent homogenization of the two chromosomal extremities.

Base Composition↗

Evolutionary re-organisation of a large operon in adzuki bean chloroplast DNA caused by inverted repeat movement.

We have sequenced two sections of chloroplast DNA from adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), containing the junctions between the inverted repeat (IR) and large single copy (LSC) regions of the genome. The gene order at both junctions is different from that described for other members of the legume family, such as Lotus japonicus and soybean. These differences have been attributed to an apparent 78-kb inversion that spans nearly the entire LSC region and which is present in adzuki and its close relative, the common bean. This 78-kb rearrangement broke the large S10 operon of ribosomal proteins into two smaller operons, one at each end of the LSC, without affecting the gene content of the genome. It disrupted the physical and transcriptional relationship between the six-gene rpl23-rpl14 cluster and the four-gene rps8-rpoA cluster that is conserved in most land plants. Analysis of the endpoints of the rearrangement indicates that it probably occurred by means of a two-step process of expansion and contraction of the IR and not by a 78-kb inversion.

Base Sequence↗