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Restriction fragment-length polymorphisms of class II gene sequences in mice expressing minor structural variants of I-Ak and I-Ap.

Serologic and structural analyses of the I-A molecules expressed among a large collection of wild mouse-derived H-2 haplotypes has led to the definition of "families" of I-A alleles which encode antigenically similar molecules that are identical in more than 90% of their tryptic peptides. Two of these families, denoted the I-Ak and I-Ap families, consist of 10 I-A alleles which encode I-A molecules whose structures are closely related to either I-Ap or I-Ak. The evolutionary relationships of the I-A alleles in these families were assessed by a molecular analysis of their genomic structures. The A alpha and A beta alleles within these I-A families were compared by analysis of restriction fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLP) detected at high stringency by Southern blot hybridization with DNA probes specific for either A alpha or A beta. The polymorphic restriction enzyme sites detected in this survey were distributed over more than 7 kb of genomic DNA surrounding each gene. Because both A alpha and A beta are encoded by about 700 bp of exon DNA, the majority of the restriction enzyme sites assayed by this RFLP analysis reflect polymorphisms in noncoding regions. The DNA sequence homologies of these alleles were estimated from the RFLP results with seven restriction endonucleases by calculating the fraction homologous value as defined previously. The results indicate that evolutionarily dissimilar I-A alleles can encode I-A molecules with very similar structures. The five I-A alleles in the I-Ak family could be divided into two discrete groups, denoted K1 and K2, on the basis of their restriction fragment (RF) genotypes. The RF genotypes of alleles within each group shared more than 80% of the restriction fragments for both A and A beta. In contrast, the RF genotypes of alleles in group K1 differed extensively from those in group K2, indicating that alleles in these separate groups may not be evolutionarily closely related. These observations suggest that gene conversion or intragenic recombinational events may have been involved in the evolution of groups K1 and K2 in the I-Ak family. The RF genotypes of alleles in the I-Ap family demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among all but two of the alleles. These two alleles encoded I-A molecules whose structures were the least related to I-Ap of any of the alleles in the I-Ap family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alleles↗

Observation and manipulation of different structural variants of individual cation-DNA complexes in the light microscope.

Using different preparation protocols, different structures consisting of individual cation-DNA complexes are obtained. Vigorous mixing provides globular complexes, with different degrees of packing when poly-L-lysine or histone H1 is the cation. When hydrodynamic shearing is minimized by gentle handling, molecular networks or single cable like structures can be obtained. After 4',6-diamidino-2-phenyl indole (DAPI) fluorescence staining as well as with bright-field microscopy, the cables can be directly visualized in the light microscope. Using a pulsed ultraviolet laser coupled into the microscope (a laser microbeam) stretches of complex can be cut out from networks of poly-L-lysine-DNA complexes which may serve as models for highly extended chromosomes.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Murine intestinal disaccharidases: identification of structural variants of sucrase-isomaltase complex.

This study was directed to determine the extent of variability in structure or expression of intestinal disaccharidase [gamma-glucoamylase (gamma-GA), sucrase-isomaltase (SI), and lactase] between different strains of mice. Reduced levels of sucrase activity (approximately 20 U/g of protein) were observed in three strains of mice belonging to the CBA/Ca lineage. Four other strains of mice analyzed exhibited higher levels of sucrase activity (approximately 50 U/g of protein). Decreased levels of sucrase in CBA/Ca mice were not associated with decreased levels of activity associated with the isomaltase subunit or with decreased levels of SI mRNA expression. High-performance liquid chromatographic gel filtration, heat inactivation, and kinetic analysis indicated that the differences between strains in sucrase activity might be attributed to structural differences in the sucrase subunit of the SI complex, thus rendering it more susceptible to cleavage and inactivation. However, no differences in kinetic properties of the sucrase subunit were observed between strains. Murine gamma-GA was found to account for a greater proportion of maltase activity (approximately 70%) than that observed in other species (i.e., approximately 20%). In addition, CBA/Ca mice were found to be deficient in intestinal maltase activity (approximately 60 U/g) compared with the other strains studied (approximately 300 U/g).

Analysis of Variance↗

Truncated structural variants of lipoarabinomannan in Mycobacterium leprae and an ethambutol-resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Current knowledge on the structure of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) has resulted primarily from detailed studies on a few selected laboratory strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Our previous work was the first to report on the salient structural features of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates and demonstrated significant structural variations. A prime effort is to correlate a particular structural characteristic with observed differences in eliciting an immunobiological response, especially in the context of CD1-restricted presentation of LAM to T cells. T cell clones derived from the cutaneous lesions of leprosy patients have been shown to recognize specifically LAM from Mycobacterium leprae and not from M. tuberculosis Erdman or H37Rv. Herein we provide further fine structural data on LAM from M. leprae (LepLAM) and a tuberculosis clinical isolate, CSU20 (CSU20LAM), which was unexpectedly recognized by the supposedly LepLAM-specific CD1-restricted T cell clones. In comparison with the de facto laboratory LAM standard from M. tuberculosis H37Rv (RvLAM), LepLAM derived from in vivo grown M. leprae is apparently simpler in its arabinan architecture with a high degree of exposed, non-mannose-capped termini. On the other hand, CSU20, an ethambutol-resistant clinical isolate, makes a vastly heterogeneous population of LAM ranging from rather small and non-mannose-capped to full-length and fully capped variants. LepLAM and CSU20LAM contain a higher level of succinylation than RvLAM, which, in the context of truncated or less elaborated arabinan, may contribute to selective recognition by T cells. LAM from all species could be resolved into discrete forms by isoelectric focusing based apparently on their arabinan heterogeneity. In the light of our current and more recent findings, we reason that all immunobiological data should be cautiously interpreted and that the actual LAM variants that may be present in vivo during infection and pathogenesis need to be taken into consideration.

Blotting, Western↗

Identification of H-2-controlled structural variants of the murine Slp protein and demonstration of cis-regulation of its expression.

H-2 haplotype-related structural variation in Slp beta-chains was detected by the limited proteolysis peptide mapping technique. Two distinct peptide patterns were distinguished: Slp.1 was found in strains carrying the S regions of the H-2d and H-2s haplotypes, and Slp.2 was found in strains bearing the S region of H-2w7. These different patterns were expressed codominantly in male (Sd X Sw7)F1 hybrids, whereas only the Slp.2 pattern was expressed in female heterozygotes. The 2 beta-chains are most likely the products of alleles of the Slp structural gene, which must then be located in the murine major histocompatibility complex, very probably in the S region.

Animals↗

Protocol for haplotype-resolved structural variant detection via long-read sequencing using cuteHap.

Long-read sequencing technologies have revolutionized human genome exploration at an unparalleled resolution, particularly facilitating the analysis of structural variation (SV) at haplotype resolution. Here, we present a protocol for using cuteHap, a robust framework for haplotype-aware SV detection through phased alignment reads generated by diverse long-read sequencing platforms. We describe procedures for single-nucleotide variant (SNV) calling, read phasing, SV calling, and genotyping. We also establish a benchmarking pipeline to evaluate the detected SV callsets. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cao et al.1.

Bioinformatics↗

beta-Thalassemia present in cis to a new beta-chain structural variant, Hb Vicksburg [beta 75 (E19)Leu leads to 0].

Hemoglobin Vicksburg was discovered in a 6-year-old Black boy who had been anemic since infancy. Examination of his hemolysate revealed 87.5% Hb F, 2.4% Hb A2, and 7.6% Hb Vicksburg, which had the electrophoretic and chromatographic properties of Hb A. Structural analysis of Hb Vicksburg demonstrated a deletion of leucine at beta 75(E19), a new variant. Hb Vicksburg was neither unstable nor subject to posttranslational degradation. The alpha/non-alpha biosynthetic ratio was 2.6. Because the proband appeared to be a mixed heterozygote for Hb Vicksburg and beta 0-thalassemia, Hb Vicksburg should have comprised the major portion of the hemolysate. Thus, Hb Vicksburg was synthesized at a rate considerably lower than would be expected on the basis of gene dosage. There was no reason to suspect abnormal translation of beta Vicksburg mRNA; in individuals with Hb St. Antoine (beta 74 and beta 75 deleted), the abnormal hemoglobin comprised 25% of the hemolysate in the simple heterozygote yet was unstable. Deletion of beta 75, therefore, would not in itself appear to lead to diminished synthesis. There was a profound deficit of beta Vicksburg mRNA when measured by liquid hybridization analysis with beta cDNA. The most plausible explanation for the low output of Hb Vicksburg is that a mutation for beta +-thalassemia is present in cis to the structural mutation.

Child↗

Fine scale structural variants distinguish the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura.

BACKGROUND: A primary objective of comparative genomics is to identify genomic elements of functional significance that contribute to phenotypic diversity. Complex changes in genome structure (insertions, duplications, rearrangements, translocations) may be widespread, and have important effects on organismal diversity. Any survey of genomic variation is incomplete without an assessment of structural changes. RESULTS: We re-examine the genome sequences of the diverged species Drosophila melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura to identify fine-scale structural features that distinguish the genomes. We detect 95 large insertion/deletion events that occur within the introns of orthologous gene pairs, the majority of which represent insertion of transposable elements. We also identify 143 microinversions below 5 kb in size. These microinversions reside within introns or just upstream or downstream of genes, and invert conserved DNA sequence. The sequence conservation within microinversions suggests they may be enriched for functional genetic elements, and their position with respect to known genes implicates them in the regulation of gene expression. Although we found a distinct pattern of GC content across microinversions, this was indistinguishable from the pattern observed across blocks of conserved non-coding sequence. CONCLUSION: Drosophila has long been known as a genus harboring a variety of large inversions that disrupt chromosome colinearity. Here we demonstrate that microinversions, many of which are below 1 kb in length, located in/near genes may also be an important source of genetic variation in Drosophila. Further examination of other Drosophila genome sequences will likely identify an array of novel microinversion events.

Animals↗

Structural requirements for tRNA methylation. Action of Escherichia coli tRNA(guanosine-1)methyltransferase on tRNA(1Leu) structural variants.

The Escherichia coli enzyme tRNA(m1G)methyltransferase, one of a group of post-transcription tRNA-modifying enzymes, shows remarkable specificity in selecting the tRNA species and the specific guanosine base to be methylated. To examine the structural basis of this specificity, we synthesized a total of 15 modifications of tRNA(1Leu) and measured their methylation reaction kinetics in vitro. Elimination of any one of the three tRNA side loops, the V loop, the T loop, or the D loop, reduced the Vmax for methylation by about 1 order of magnitude. Elimination of all three side loops reduced Vmax by about 2 orders of magnitude. Clearly, gross tRNA structure is important for full enzyme activity. At the bottom of the stem proximal to the anticodon loop, in the pair at positions 31-39, substitution of a G-C for a C-G, a change that should not weaken the helical structure, had little effect on Vmax or Km. However, substitution of a G for a C increased Vmax and Km, whereas substitution of a C for G sharply reduced Vmax and, to a lesser extent, Km. These results appear to be a consequence of the principle that purines are better than pyrimidines in the stacking of adjacent bases for stability. Stacking in the stem structure appears to be important for methylation enzyme activity. In the anticodon loop itself, changing a U to a C had little effect, but changing the G of the anticodon to a C reduced Vmax over 20-fold, demonstrating the importance of the presence of the anticodon G adjacent to the G being methylated for enzyme recognition.

Anticodon↗

cDNA heterogeneity suggests structural variants related to the high-affinity IgE receptor.

The high-affinity IgE receptor present on mast cells and basophils is responsible for the IgE-mediated activation of these cells. The current model for this receptor depicts a four-subunit structure, alpha beta gamma 2. A cDNA for the alpha subunit was recently cloned and predicts a structure consisting of two homologous extracellular domains, a transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic tail. Using a synthetic oligonucleotide corresponding to the amino-terminal sequence of the alpha subunit, we identified a number of cDNA clones from a rat basophilic leukemia cell cDNA library. Nucleotide sequencing established four different forms of cDNA: one is nearly identical to the published cDNA; the second differs from the first in the 5' untranslated sequence; the other two forms use either one or the other of the 5'-end sequences as above and lack 163 base pairs in the region coding for the second extracellular domain. RNase protection analysis with radioactive RNA probes established the heterogeneity of rat basophilic leukemia cell mRNA with regard to both the 5' and the internal sequences. Our results suggest the existence of at least four different protein forms related to the alpha subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The aminoacylation of structurally variant phenylalanine tRNAs from mitochondria and various nonmitochondrial sources by bovine mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

Bovine mitochondrial (mt) phenylalanine tRNA (tRNAPhe) was purified on a large scale using a new hybridization assay method developed by the authors. Although its melting profile suggested a loose higher order structure, presumably influenced by the apparent loss of D loop-T loop interaction necessary for forming a rigid L-shaped tertiary structure, its aminoacylation capacity catalyzed by mt phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) was nearly equal to that of Escherichia coli tRNAPhe. Misaminoacylation was not observed for the mt tRNAPhe-mt PheRS system. Comparing the aminoacylation efficiencies of several combinations of tRNAPheS and PheRSs from various sources, including bovine mitochondria, bovine and yeast cytosols, E. coli, Thermus thermophilus, and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, it was clarified that mt PheRS was able to aminoacylate all the above mentioned tRNAPhe species, albeit with varying degrees of efficiency. This broad charging spectrum suggests that mt PheRS possesses a relatively simple recognition mechanism toward its substrate, tRNAPhe.

Acylation↗

Determinants of cofactor binding to DNA methyltransferases: insights from a systematic series of structural variants of S-adenosylhomocysteine.

S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is a commonly used cofactor, second only to ATP in the variety of reactions in which it participates. It is the methyl donor in the majority of methyl transfer reactions, including methylation of DNA, RNA, proteins and small molecules. Almost all structurally characterised methyltransferases share a conserved AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase fold, in which AdoMet is bound in the same orientation. Although potential interactions between the cofactor and methyltransferases have been inferred from crystal structures, there has not been a systematic study of the contributions of each functional group to binding. To explore the binding interaction we synthesised a series of seven analogues of the methyltransferase inhibitor S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), each containing a single modification, and tested them for the ability to inhibit methylation by HhaI and HaeIII DNA methyltransferase. Comparison of the Ki values highlights the structural determinants for cofactor binding, and indicates which nucleoside and amino acid functional groups contribute significantly to AdoMet binding. An understanding of the binding of AdoHyc to methyltransferases will greatly assist the design of AdoMet inhibitors.

Amino Acids↗

DNA binding properties of protein TrwA, a possible structural variant of the Arc repressor superfamily.

Conjugative DNA processing of plasmid R388 requires the concerted action of two proteins, the relaxase-helicase TrwC and the relaxase enhancer TrwA. TrwA can be aligned with DNA binding proteins belonging to the ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) protein family. To further analyse TrwA function, the structural domains of the protein have been identified and dissected by limited proteolysis. Two stable domains were found that resulted to be, according to DNA binding experiments and oligomerization analysis, an N-terminal DNA binding domain and a C-terminal tetramerization domain. Using the three-dimensional structure of the Arc repressor as a guide, it was possible to model TrwA DNA binding site with atomic detail. As a result, TrwA polar amino acids Q8, R10 and S12, contained in the polar face of a putative N-terminal beta-strand, were found to be directly involved in DNA binding, in a manner analogous to RHH proteins. In this respect, TrwA seemed to be a new member of the RHH family. However, secondary structure analyses underscored the existence of a substantial difference in the architecture of the TrwA-oriT complex when compared to the Arc repressor-operator complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

p53 protein variants: structural and functional similarities with p63 and p73 isoforms.

Since its discovery in 1979, many studies have reported that the p53 tumour suppressor protein could be expressed in the form of products smaller than those predicted by the full-length amino-acid sequence. These products differ from full-length p53 in their N- or C-terminal regions, but generally conserve the central, DNA-binding domain. They appear to be expressed at rather low levels and to be restricted to particular cell types and/or physiological circumstances, suggesting that they play very narrow and specific roles. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain their timely occurrence, including alternative splicing, internal initiation of translation or proteolytic cleavage. A precise assessment of the various 'p53 isoforms' reveals striking similarities with several isoforms of the p53 homologous proteins p63 or p73, suggesting that regulated production of specific, N- or C-terminal variants may be a 'trademark' of all family members. In this review, we summarize the published evidence on the structure, mode of production, expression and function of the p53 isoforms, and discuss their properties in the light of recent data on the structure and function of p63/p73 isoforms.

Alternative Splicing↗