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Molecular organization of intrinsic restriction and modification genes BsuM of Bacillus subtilis Marburg.

Transcriptional analysis and disruption of five open reading frames (ORFs), ydiO, ydiP, ydiR, ydiS, and ydjA, in the prophage 3 region of the chromosome of Bacillus subtilis Marburg revealed that they are component genes of the intrinsic BsuM restriction and modification system of this organism. The classical mutant strain RM125, which lacks the restriction and modification system of B. subtilis Marburg, lacks the prophage 3 region carrying these five ORFs. These ORFs constitute two operons, the ydiO-ydiP operon and the ydiR-ydiS-ydjA operon, both of which are expressed during the logarithmic phase of growth. The predicted gene products YdiO and YdiP are the orthologues of cytosine DNA methyltransferases. The predicted YdiS product is an orthologue of restriction nucleases, while the predicted YdiR and YdjA products have no apparent paralogues and orthologues whose functions are known. Disruption of the ydiR-ydiS-ydjA operon resulted in enhanced transformation by plasmid DNA carrying multiple BsuM target sequences. Disruption of ydiO or ydiP function requires disruption of at least one of the following genes on the chromosome: ydiR, ydiS, and ydjA. The degrees of methylation of the BsuM target sequences on chromosomal DNAs were estimated indirectly by determining the susceptibility to digestion with XhoI (an isoschizomer of BsuM) of DNAs extracted from the disruptant strains. Six XhoI (BsuM) sites were examined. XhoI digested at the XhoI sites in the DNAs from disruptants with disruptions in both operons, while XhoI did not digest at the XhoI sites in the DNAs from the wild-type strain or from the disruptants with disruptions in the ydiR-ydiS-ydjA operon. Therefore, the ydiO-ydiP operon and the ydiR-ydiS-ydjA operon are considered operons that are responsible for BsuM modification and BsuM restriction, respectively.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Identification of a novel signal sequence that targets transmembrane proteins to the nuclear envelope inner membrane.

Herpesvirus maturation requires translocation of glycoprotein B homologue from the endoplasmic reticulum to the inner nuclear membrane. Glycoprotein B of human cytomegalovirus was used in this context as a model protein. To identify a specific signal sequence within human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B acting in a modular fashion, coding sequences were recombined with reporter proteins. Immunofluorescence and cell fractionation demonstrated that a short sequence element within the cytoplasmic tail of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B was sufficient to translocate the membrane protein CD8 to the inner nuclear membrane. This carboxyl-terminal sequence had no detectable nuclear localization signal activity for soluble beta-Galactosidase and could not be substituted by the nuclear localization signal of SV40 T antigen. For glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus, a carboxyl-terminal element with comparable properties was found. Further experiments showed that the amino acid sequence DRLRHR of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (amino acids 885-890) was sufficient for nuclear envelope translocation. Single residue mutations revealed that the arginine residues in positions 4 and 6 of the DRLRHR sequence were essential for its function. These results support the view that transmembrane protein transport to the inner nuclear membrane is controlled by a mechanism different from that of soluble proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The prokaryotic beta-recombinase catalyzes site-specific recombination in mammalian cells.

The development of new strategies for the in vivo modification of eukaryotic genomes has become an important objective of current research. Site-specific recombination has proven useful, as it allows controlled manipulation of murine, plant, and yeast genomes. Here we provide the first evidence that the prokaryotic site-specific recombinase (beta-recombinase), which catalyzes only intramolecular recombination, is active in eukaryotic environments. beta-Recombinase, encoded by the beta gene of the Gram-positive broad host range plasmid pSM19035, has been functionally expressed in eukaryotic cell lines, demonstrating high avidity for the nuclear compartment and forming a clear speckled pattern when assayed by indirect immunofluorescence. In simian COS-1 cells, transient beta-recombinase expression promoted deletion of a DNA fragment lying between two directly oriented specific recognition/crossing over sequences (six sites) located as an extrachromosomal DNA substrate. The same result was obtained in a recombination-dependent lacZ activation system tested in a cell line that stably expresses the beta-recombinase protein. In stable NIH/3T3 clones bearing different number of copies of the target sequences integrated at distinct chromosomal locations, transient beta-recombinase expression also promoted deletion of the intervening DNA, independently of the insertion position of the target sequences. The utility of this new recombination tool for the manipulation of eukaryotic genomes, used either alone or in combination with the other recombination systems currently in use, is discussed.

Animals↗

Immunity specificity determinants in the P4-like retronphage phi R73.

Retronphage phi R73 exhibits extensive sequence homology to the satellite bacteriophage P4. Bacteriophage P4 superinfection immunity is elicited by a small RNA (CI RNA) that causes premature transcription termination within the operon coding for the P4 replication functions. This control is exerted via interaction of the CI RNA with two complementary target sites on the untranslated leader RNA of the replication operon. We found that phi R73 is endowed with a similar immunity system but is heteroimmune to P4. The heteroimmunity is due to six base differences in the CI RNA and to compensatory base substitutions in the target sequences. The sequence differences in the CI RNA are all located in single-stranded regions, which appear to play a predominant role in the interaction with the target sites. Analysis of phage carrying a hybrid immunity system indicates that, although two target sequences are required for the establishment of lysogeny, a single site is sufficient to make a phage sensitive to the prophage immunity.

Bacteriophages↗

Fate of genetically modified maize DNA in the oral cavity and rumen of sheep.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to investigate the fate of a transgene in the rumen of sheep fed silage and maize grains from an insect-resistant maize line. A 1914-bp DNA fragment containing the entire coding region of the synthetic cryIA(b) gene was still amplifiable from rumen fluid sampled 5 h after feeding maize grains. The same target sequence, however, could not be amplified from rumen fluid sampled from sheep fed silage prepared from the genetically modified maize line. PCR amplification of a shorter (211-bp), yet still highly specific, target sequence was possible with rumen fluid sampled up to 3 and 24 h after feeding silage and maize grains, respectively. These findings indicate that intact transgenes from silage are unlikely to survive significantly in the rumen since a DNA sequence 211-bp long is very unlikely to transmit genetic information. By contrast, DNA in maize grains persists for a significant time and may, therefore, provide a source of transforming DNA in the rumen. In addition, we have examined the biological activity of plasmid DNA that had previously been exposed to the ovine oral cavity. Plasmid extracted from saliva sampled after incubation for 8 min was still capable of transforming competent Escherichia coli to kanamycin resistance, implying that DNA released from the diet within the mouth may retain sufficient biological activity for the transformation of competent oral bacteria.

Animal Feed↗

Dam- and OxyR-dependent phase variation of agn43: essential elements and evidence for a new role of DNA methylation.

Phase variation of the outer membrane protein Ag43 in E. coli requires deoxyadenosine methylase (Dam) and OxyR. Previously, it was shown that OxyR is required for repression of the Ag43-encoding gene, agn43, and that Dam-dependent methylation of three GATC target sequences in the regulatory region abrogates OxyR binding. Here we report further characterization of agn43 transcription and its regulation. Transcription was initiated from a sigma(70)-dependent promoter at the G residue of the upstream GATC sequence. Template DNA and RNA polymerase were sufficient to obtain transcription in vitro, but DNA methylation enhanced the level of transcription. Analyses of transcription in vivo of agn'-lacZ with mutated Dam target sequences support this conclusion. Since methylation also abrogates OxyR binding, this indicates that methylation plays a dual role in facilitating agn43 transcription. In vitro transcription from an unmethylated template was repressed by OxyR(C199S), which resembles the reduced form of OxyR. Consistent with this and the role of Dam in OxyR binding, OxyR(C199S) protected from DNase I digestion the agn43 regulatory region from -16 to +42, which includes the three GATC sequences. Deletion analyses of the regulatory region showed that a 101-nucleotide region of the agn43 regulatory region containing the promoter and this OxyR binding region was sufficient for Dam- and OxyR-dependent phase variation

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Peptide sequences that target cytosolic proteins for lysosomal proteolysis.

Lysosomes take up and degrade intracellular proteins in cultured cells in response to serum deprivation, and in tissues of organisms in response to starvation. One mechanism by which proteins enter lysosomes for subsequent degradation requires that substrate proteins contain peptide sequences biochemically related to Lys-Phe-Glu-Arg-Gln (KFERQ).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Array-based binary analysis for bacterial typing.

An allele-specific oligonucleotide microarray was developed for rapid typing of pathogens based on analysis of genomic variations. Using a panel of Escherichia coli strains as a model system, selected loci were sequenced to uncover differences, such as single- or multiple-nucleotide polymorphisms as well as insertion/deletions (indels). While typical genomic profiling experiments employ specific sequences targeted to genomic DNA unique to a single strain or virulent gene, the present array is designed to type bacteria based on a patterned signature response across multiple loci. In the signature concept, all strains are interrogated by hybridizing their amplified DNA to an array containing multiple probe sequences. Allele-specific oligonucleotide probe sequences targeting each of these variable regions were synthesized and included in a custom fiber-optic array. For each locus, a set of specific probe sequences is selected, such that hybridization gives a binary signal/no signal response to each of the probes. Using this strategy for multiple loci, many pathogens or microorganisms could be classified using a limited number of probes. Because of the advantages of the fiber-optic array platform over other array formats, including sensitivity and speed, the platform described in this paper is capable of supporting a high-throughput diagnostic strategy.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Sorting of cytochrome b2 to the intermembrane space of mitochondria. Kinetic analysis of intermediates demonstrates passage through the matrix.

Precytochrome b2 is targeted to the mitochondrial intermembrane space by a dual targeting sequence comprising 80 amino acids. A kinetic analysis of intramitochondrial sorting was performed. The intermediate-size form accumulated transiently in the matrix. When import was performed in the presence of metal chelators to prevent the first processing by the matrix processing peptidase, > 40% of the imported precursor was localized in the matrix. A deletion of 13 amino acids in the intermembrane space sorting sequence caused partial inhibition of the first processing, and a transient accumulation of the precursor form in the matrix was also observed. The decrease in this matrix-localized precursor form paralleled an increase in the mature-size form in the intermembrane space. A point mutation in the mitochondrial targeting sequence (N-terminal to the sorting sequence) resulted in missorting to the matrix space. Furthermore, a chimeric protein consisting of the initial 85 residues of cytochrome b2 fused to dihydrofolate reductase was partially targeted to the matrix at 15 degrees C, but not at 25 degrees C. Together, the results presented here indicate that cytochrome b2 passes through the matrix on its sorting pathway to the intermembrane space.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Arrays of complementary oligonucleotides for analysing the hybridisation behaviour of nucleic acids.

Arrays of oligonucleotides corresponding to a full set of complements of a known sequence can be made in a single series of base couplings in which each base in the complement is added in turn. Coupling is carried out on the surface of a solid support such as a glass plate, using a device which applies reagents in a defined area. The device is displaced by a fixed movement after each coupling reaction so that consecutive couplings overlap only a portion of previous ones. The shape and size of the device and the amount by which it is displaced at each step determines the length of the oligonucleotides. Certain shapes create arrays of oligonucleotides from mononucleotides up to a given length in a single series of couplings. The array is used in a hybridisation reaction to a labelled target sequence, and shows the hybridisation behaviour of every oligonucleotide in the target sequence with its complement in the array. Applications include sequence comparison to test for mutation, analysis of secondary structure, and optimisation of PCR primer and antisense oligonucleotide design.

Base Sequence↗

Membrane-targeting potentiates guanine nucleotide exchange factor CDC25 and SOS1 activation of Ras transforming activity.

Growth factor-triggered activation of Ras proteins is believed to be mediated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (CDC25/GRF and SOS1/2) that promote formation of the active Ras GTP-bound state. Although the mechanism(s) of guanine nucleotide exchange factor regulation is unclear, recent studies suggest that translocation of SOS1 to the plasma membrane, where Ras is located, might be responsible for Ras activation. To evaluate this model, we generated constructs that encode the catalytic domains of human CDC25 or mouse SOS1, either alone (designated cCDC25 and cSOS1, respectively) or terminating in the carboxyl-terminal CAAX membrane-targeting sequence from K-Ras4B (designated cCDC25-CAAX and cSOS1-CAAX, respectively; in CAAX, C is Cys, A is an aliphatic amino acid, and X is Ser or Met). We then compared the transforming potential of cCDC25 and cSOS1 with their membrane-targeted counterparts. We observed that addition of the Ras plasma membrane-targeting sequence to the catalytic domains of CDC25 and SOS1 greatly enhanced their focus-forming activity (10- to 50-fold) in NIH 3T3 transfection assays. Similarly, we observed that the membrane-targeted versions showed a 5- to 10-fold enhanced ability to induce transcriptional activation from the Ets/AP-1 Ras-responsive element. Furthermore, whereas cells that stably expressed cCDC25 or cSOS1 exhibited the same morphologies as untransformed NIH 3T3 cells, cells expressing cCDC25-CAAX or cSOS1-CAAX displayed transformed morphologies that were indistinguishable from the elongated and refractile morphology of oncogenic Ras-transformed cells. Thus, these results suggest that membrane translocation alone is sufficient to potentiate guanine nucleotide exchange factor activation of Ras.

3T3 Cells↗

Identification, sequencing, and targeted mutagenesis of a DNA polymerase gene required for the extreme radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans.

Deinococcus radiodurans and other species of the same genus share extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and many other agents that damage DNA. Two different DNA damage-sensitive strains generated by chemical mutagenesis were found to be defective in a gene that has extended DNA and protein sequence homology with polA of Escherichia coli. Both mutant strains lacked DNA polymerase, as measured in activity gels. Transformation of this gene from wild-type D. radiodurans restored to the mutants both polymerase activity and DNA damage resistance. A technique for targeted insertional mutagenesis in D. radiodurans is presented. This technique was employed to construct a pol mutant isogenic with the wild type (the first example of targeted mutagenesis in this eubacterial family). This insertional mutant lacked DNA polymerase activity and was even more sensitive to DNA damage than the mutants derived by chemical mutagenesis. In the case of ionizing radiation, the survival of the wild type after receiving 1 Mrad was 100% while survival of the insertional mutant extrapolated to 10(-24). These results demonstrate that the gene described here encodes a DNA polymerase and that defects in this pol gene cause a dramatic loss of resistance of D. radiodurans to DNA damage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

p53 activates Fanconi anemia group C gene expression.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 (wtp53) can bind to specific target sequences and activate transcription of genes adjacent to these DNA elements. Two p53 binding sites are present in the gene coding for the Fanconi anemia complementation group C (FAC), one in the promoter region (from -1295 to -1266) and one in the coding region of FAC (from +1828 to +1848). Gel shift experiments show that wtp53 binds to the p53 target sequence in the promoter region of the FAC gene. We have investigated whether binding of p53 to these target sites may affect expression of the FAC gene. Transfection experiments show that overexpression of wtp53 in human diploid fibroblasts and lymphoblasts augments transcription of the FAC gene up to three-fold. The transfection efficacy was approximately 15% for both cell types. The FAC expression activity per transformed cell was stimulated to an estimated level of 18- to 21-fold upon overexpression of p53. The tumor-derived p53 mutants, His175 and His273, that fail to bind DNA showed only a reduced stimulatory activity on FAC transcription. Luciferase assays demonstrated that interaction of p53 with its target site in the FAC promoter does not modulate the promoter activity. We suggest that the p53 binding site contributes to, but may not be an absolute prerequisite for p53-directed transcriptional activation. We conclude that the FAC gene can be added to the list of genes that interact with p53.

Binding Sites↗

The human lysyl-tRNA synthetase gene encodes both the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial enzymes by means of an unusual alternative splicing of the primary transcript.

Two cDNAs encoding human lysyl-tRNA synthetase have been identified. One encodes the cytoplasmic form of the enzyme identified previously. The second cDNA contains the same sequence but with a 180-bp insertion at the 5'-end of the mRNA. This results in a predicted protein whose carboxyl 576 amino acids are identical to those of the cytoplasmic enzyme but with a different amino terminus of 49 amino acids that contains a putative mitochondrial targeting sequence. Expression of the two lysyl-tRNA synthetase-green fluorescent protein gene fusions in a human cell line confirmed that the cytoplasmic form was targeted to the cytoplasm and the mitochondrial form to mitochondria. The genomic lysyl-tRNA synthetase gene consisted of 15 exons. The two isoforms were created by alternative splicing of the first three exons of the gene. The cytoplasmic form was created by splicing exon 1 to exon 3. The inclusion of exon 2 between exons 1 and 3 produced an mRNA encoding the mitochondrial isoform with an additional upstream small open reading frame, consisting mainly of a portion of the 5' coding region of the cytoplasmic isoform. This is the first example of mitochondrial targeting sequence being encoded on the second exon of a gene. Ribonuclease protection analysis showed that the mRNA encoding the cytoplasmic isoform makes up approximately 70%, and the mitochondrial isoform approximately 30%, of the mature transcripts from the lysyl-tRNA synthetase gene. The mitochondrial form of the enzyme, purified after expression in Escherichia coli, aminoacylated in vitro transcripts corresponding to both the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNA(Lys), despite the difference in the discriminator base sequence in the acceptor stems of these tRNAs.

Alternative Splicing↗

PEBP2--a modulator of polyoma DNA replication.

Previously, we have shown that integrated copies of polyoma DNA can be induced to replicate in rat fibroblasts (H3 cells) exposed to a DNA-damaging agent. In the current study, we demonstrate that UV-irradiation of mouse fibroblasts (WOP cells), transiently transfected with polyoma DNA, results in repression of polyoma replication. Cotransfection of oligomers representing wild-type but not mutated forms of the PEBP2 target sequence restored levels of viral replication indicating a role of PEBP2 binding proteins in mediating this effect. DNA-binding assays revealed that a different subset of complexes was formed with the PEBP2 target sequence when nuclear proteins from sham and UV-irradiated WOP and H3 cells were compared, suggesting that the activities of PEBP2 binding proteins are differentially regulated upon UV-irradiation in these two cell types. The ability of PEBP2 to modulate polyoma replication following UV-irradiation in WOP cells suggests a potential role of PEBP2 proteins in the cellular response to DNA damage.

Animals↗

Genomic DNA functions as a universal external standard in quantitative real-time PCR.

Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a powerful tool for quantifying specific DNA target sequences. Although determination of relative quantity is widely accepted as a reliable means of measuring differences between samples, there are advantages to being able to determine the absolute copy numbers of a given target. One approach to absolute quantification relies on construction of an accurate standard curve using appropriate external standards of known concentration. We have validated the use of tissue genomic DNA as a universal external standard to facilitate quantification of any target sequence contained in the genome of a given species, addressing several key technical issues regarding its use. This approach was applied to validate mRNA expression of gene candidates identified from microarray data and to determine gene copies in transgenic mice. A simple method that can assist achieving absolute quantification of gene expression would broadly enhance the uses of real-time qPCR and in particular, augment the evaluation of global gene expression studies.

Animals↗

The MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 contains a proline-rich SH3-binding domain.

The protein sequence of MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAP kinase 2) deduced from mouse cDNA sequence reveals structural features of the enzyme, which could be of importance for its function: a proline-rich SH3-binding domain N-terminal to the catalytic region, a MAP kinase phosphorylation site and a bipartite nuclear targeting sequence located C-terminal to the catalytic region. The catalytic domain itself has the strongest homology to calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Northern blot analysis demonstrates a 3.5 kb MAPKAP kinase 2 transcript which is ubiquitously expressed and, hence, co-expressed with the mRNA of the recently identified substrate Hsp25 in all tissues analysed. However, the functional consequences of the nuclear targeting sequence present in MAPKAP kinase 2 suggest the existence of further substrates for the enzyme in the nucleus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transcription factor access to chromatin.

The question of how sequence-specific transcription factors access their cognate sites in nucleosomally organized DNA is discussed on the basis of genomic footprinting data and chromatin reconstitution experiments. A classification of factors into two categories is proposed: (i) initiator factors which are able to bind their target sequences within regular nucleosomes and initiate events leading to chromatin remodelling and transactivation; (ii) effector factors which are unable to bind regular nucleosomes and depend on initiator factors or on a pre-set nucleosomal structure for accessing their target sequences in chromatin. Studies with the MMTV promoter suggest that the extent and number of protein-DNA contacts determine whether a factor belongs to one or the other category. Initiator factors have only a few DNA contacts clustered on one side of the double helix, whereas effector factors have extensive contacts distributed throughout the whole circumference of the DNA helix. Thus, the nature of DNA recognition confers to sequence-specific factors their specific place in the sequential hierarchy of gene regulatory events.

Animals↗