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At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Resistance to cassava mosaic disease in transgenic cassava expressing antisense RNAs targeting virus replication genes.

African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) is a major contributor to cassava mosaic disease (CMD), the economically most important and devastating disease of cassava in Africa. We have developed transgenic cassava plants with increased ACMV resistance using improved antisense RNA technology by targeting the viral mRNAs of Rep (AC1), TrAP (AC2) and REn (AC3). Viral DNA replication assays in detached leaves demonstrated that replication of two ACMV isolates was strongly reduced or inhibited in most transgenic lines. After ACMV infection of plants using biolistic inoculation, several lines remained symptomless at lower infection pressure (100 ng viral DNA/plant). Symptom development was reduced and attenuated even at higher DNA doses. Transgenic ACMV-resistant plants had significantly reduced viral DNA accumulation in their infected leaves. Short sense and antisense RNAs specific to AC1 were identified in transgenic lines expressing AC1 antisense RNA, suggesting that the short RNAs mediate interference by post-transcriptional gene silencing. Our results demonstrate that resistance to ACMV infection of cassava can be achieved with high efficacy by expressing antisense RNAs against viral mRNAs encoding essential non-structural proteins, providing a new tool to combat CMD in Africa.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

The quorum-sensing negative regulator RsaL of Pseudomonas aeruginosa binds to the lasI promoter.

A mutation in the rsaL gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces dramatically higher amounts of N-acyl homoserine lactone with respect to the wild type, highlighting the key role of this negative regulator in controlling quorum sensing (QS) in this opportunistic pathogen. The DNA binding site of the RsaL protein on the rsaL-lasI bidirectional promoter partially overlaps the binding site of the LasR protein, consistent with the hypothesis that RsaL and LasR could be in binding competition on this promoter. This is the first direct demonstration that RsaL acts as a QS negative regulator by binding to the lasI promoter.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular investigations of a genetic isolate of growth hormone insensitivity (Laron's syndrome).

We have characterized the GH receptor mutation that is responsible for extreme short stature and GH insensitivity in a Bahamian genetic isolate. Heights of affected individuals ranged from -4.0 to -6.3 SD. Like others with Laron's syndrome, they had normal to high serum GH concentrations and low serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations. Circulating levels of GH-binding protein activity were below limits of detection. Amplification of exons 2-7 and screening with single strand conformational polymorphism analysis located an abnormality in exon 7. Sequencing identified homozygosity for a C to T transition in the third position of codon 236. Reverse transcription and PCR amplification of complementary DNA from lymphocytes showed that this same sense mutation generated a new splice donor site 63 bp 5' to the normal exon 7 splice site. This novel site was used to the exclusion of the normal site in homozygotes. Both normal and variant messenger ribonucleic acid species were detected in heterozygotes. The predicted protein lacks 21 amino acids, including those defining the WS-like motif of the GH receptor extracellular domain. The high frequency of Laron's syndrome in this isolated island population probably reflects the introduction of the G236 splice mutation by a settler early in the 300-yr history of English settlement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2025

Metagenomics reveals cryptic circulation of zoonotic viruses in Nigeria.

Zoonotic spillover events pose an ongoing threat to global health, with historic and recent viral diseases of international concern emerging from animal reservoirs 1-6. In Nigeria, limited surveillance of animal hosts at the human and animal interface continues to hinder our understanding of viruses that are cryptically circulating in animals near human dwellings with potential for consequential spillover events. We performed unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on tissue and swab samples collected from 240 individual animals across 11 taxa (rodents, shrews, bats, goats, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, cattle egrets, and lizards) in two Lassa-affected Nigerian states (Ondo and Ebonyi). Host-depleted sequencing reads were assembled into contigs, taxonomically classified, and subjected to phylogenetic analyses to characterize viral diversity, host associations, and evidence of cross-species transmission. Across all samples, we identified 214 distinct viral taxa spanning 33 families, of which 41% (n = 83) represent novel species by ICTV criteria. Positive-sense RNA viruses dominated (Coronaviridae, Picornaviridae, Astroviridae), followed by negative-sense RNA, single- and double-stranded DNA, and double-stranded RNA viruses. Notably, human-associated enteroviruses-including Hepatitis A virus (genotype 1b), echoviruses, coxsackieviruses, and noroviruses-were detected in goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens, indicating cryptic circulation of human pathogens in peridomestic and domesticated animals. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed multiple cross-species viral sharing events, particularly among rodents, goats, sheep, and pigs, and extensive recombination within Nigerian Betacoronavirus 1 lineages. Interestingly we found a putative novel avian like coronavirus in rodents, goats and sheep. Ecological modelling demonstrated that host species identity, sample type, and sampling effort were primary drivers of viral richness and abundance, and that higher overall viral diversity strongly predicted cross-species transmission potential. Our integrated mNGS approach uncovered a rich and dynamic virome within animals inhabiting human-dominated environments in Nigeria, including undetected circulation of human enteric viruses. These findings underscore the importance of broad-taxonomic, real-time surveillance at human-animal interfaces to inform early-warning systems and pandemic preparedness, particularly in low-resource settings.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

[The overexpression and significance of MKP-1 in oxygen-deprived gastric cancer cell line SGC7901].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression status of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase-1 in oxygen-deprived gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 and its role in HIF-1 regulation. METHODS: The expression of MKP-1 in gastric cell line SGC7901 was detected with Western blot and semiquantity RT-PCR; Eukaryotic sense expression vector was constructed based on DNA recombination technology. Transfections of SGC7901 were performed using liposome; The luciferase activity was determined using Dual Luciferase Reporter System and the levels of VEGF in SGC7901cells under normoxia and hypoxia were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: (1) Semiquantity RT-PCR and Western blot suggested that the expression of MKP-1 was elevated in oxygen-deprived gastric cancer cell line SGC7901; (2) 48 hours after transfection, the phosphorylated form of HIF-1alpha in cell line transfected with recombinant plasmids was lower compared with that in cell line transfected with empty vectors after 12 hours of exposure to hypoxia; (3) There was very low luciferase activity under nomoxia while under hypoxia luciferase activity increased in a time-dependent manner and at all time points there was significant lower luciferase activity in SGC7901 cells than in cells transfected with empty plasmids. (4) At different points of time course, the expression of VEGF in SGC7901 was significantly higher under hypoxia than that in SGC7901 under nomorxia, while under hypoxia, the expression of VEGF in SGC7901 transfected with recombinant plasmids was significantly lower than that in SGC7901 transfected with empty vectors at all time points as indicated. CONCLUSION: The expression of MKP-1 in SGC7901 was elevated under hypoxia, which could downregulate the HIF-1 trans-activition activity thereby repressing the expression of downstream target gene VEGF.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

[Effect of nucleolin down-regulation on the proliferation and apoptosis in C2C12 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of nucleolin on the proliferation and apoptosis in C2C12 cells. METHODS: After inhibiting the expression of nucleolin using antisense oligonucleotides, the cellular proliferation was determined by MTT, and the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) assays and DNA ladder assays. RESULTS: After being transfected with antisense oligonucleotides for 24 hours, Western blotting showed that the expression of nucleolin was repressed significantly. In cells treated with antisense oligonucleotides, the cellular proliferation was obviously inhibited; the apoptotic cell increased significantly; and the "DNA ladder" was clearly observed. But the sense and random oligonucleotides had no effect on the cellular proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of nucleolin can inhibit the cellular proliferation and initiate the apoptosis in C2C12cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Identification of a lens-specific cis-acting element within the basal promoter of the human lens intrinsic membrane protein MP19 gene (LIM2).

Using overlapping and mutant oligonucleotides as probes, gel mobility assays and competition experiments identified a sequence from -47 to -32 bp upstream of the LIM2 CAP site, which a lens protein complex bound with high affinity which appeared to bind only to the "sense" strand of the double-stranded DNA molecule. This sequence consisted of a string of four guanine residues followed by seven other nucleotides (AACCTAA) and followed by another four guanines, i.e. GGGGAACCTAAGGGG, called the Hsu element. Promoter-CAT constructs containing this sequence or mutations of the sequence indicated that the Hsu element is located within the basal promoter, and is essential for expression of the LIM2 gene. The trans factors binding to the Hsu element are present throughout development, and appear to be lens-specific. Since the LIM2 gene promoter does not contain a classic TATA box, the Hsu element may serve as the site for binding the RNA polymerase complex.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

MDM2 protein overexpression promotes proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma cells.

The murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein facilitates G1 to S phase transition by activation of E2F-1 and can enhance cell survival by suppressing wild-type p53 (wtp53) function. In this study, we examined MDM2 expression and function in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. MDM2 is strongly and constitutively expressed in MM cell lines (ARH-77, RPMI 8226, and OCI-My5) and in the cells of plasma cell leukemia (PCL) patients, but is not expressed in normal bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM MNCs). Treatment of MM cells with MDM2 antisense, but not sense, nonsense, or scrambled, oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) decreased DNA synthesis and cell viability; it also induced G1 growth arrest, as evidenced by propidium iodide (PI) staining and induction of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) to E2F-1 binding. Moreover, inhibition of MDM2 using antisense ODNs also triggered MM cell apoptosis as evidenced by acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining. We next studied the association of MDM2 with wtp53 and/or mutant p53 (mtp53), E2F-1, CDK4, and p21. MDM2 constitutively binds to E2F-1 in all MM cells, to both wtp53 and mtp53, and to p21 in tumor cells lacking p53. These data suggest that MDM2 may enhance cell-cycle progression in MM cells both by activating E2F-1 and by downregulating cell-cycle inhibitory proteins (wtp53 and p21). Overexpression of MDM2 may therefore contribute to both growth and survival of MM cells, suggesting the potential utility of treatment strategies targeting MDM2 in MM.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2006

All is not Toll: new pathways in DNA recognition.

Immunological defense depends on the ability of the innate immune system to recognize invading microbes as foreign and thus eliminate them. The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) help detect foreign invaders by sensing various pathogen-associated molecules, including microbial RNA and DNA. At present, it is unclear whether and how the immune system distinguishes between microbial and self nucleic acids, as host-derived RNA and DNA also stimulate TLRs. In addition, recent studies have revealed the existence of TLR-independent pathways that are activated in response to microbial and host nucleic acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Target choice and orientation preference of the insertion sequence IS903.

We have examined the targeting preference of the bacterial insertion element IS903 by determining the sites of insertion of a large number of transposition events into the 55-kb conjugative plasmid pOX38. Despite the large target size, all the insertions were clustered in four small distinct regions associated with conjugal DNA transfer. Within these regions, many different sites were used for insertion; however, there were a few sites that IS903 inserted into more than once. Alignment of the insertion sites showed that there was no consensus sequence within the 9-bp target duplication but that there were preferred sequences located symmetrically on either side of the target. This is consistent with target recognition by a dimer or multimer of transposase, with either sequence-specific or structure-specific interactions on both sides of the target. We show further that when one of these preferred regions was cloned into a second conjugative plasmid, pUB307, it was still a preferred target, implying that all the sequences necessary for target selection are contained within this DNA segment. Also, we observed a very strong preference for insertion in a single orientation in pUB307. We examined the possibility that either DNA replication from the origin of vegetative replication, oriV, or the origin of transfer, oriT, might determine this orientation effect. We find that reversing the direction of vegetative replication had no effect on the orientation of transposon insertions; however, reversing the direction of DNA transfer abolished the orientation effect. This supports the idea that conjugal DNA transfer imparts a polarity on the target that is sensed by the transposon.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Choline-binding protein D (CbpD) in Streptococcus pneumoniae is essential for competence-induced cell lysis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important human pathogen that is able to take up naked DNA from the environment by a quorum-sensing-regulated process called natural genetic transformation. This property enables members of this bacterial species to efficiently acquire new properties that may increase their ability to survive and multiply in the human host. We have previously reported that induction of the competent state in a liquid culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae triggers lysis of a subfraction of the bacterial population resulting in release of DNA. We have also proposed that such competence-induced DNA release is an integral part of natural genetic transformation that has evolved to increase the efficiency of gene transfer between pneumococci. In the present work, we have further elucidated the mechanism behind competence-induced cell lysis by identifying a putative murein hydrolase, choline-binding protein D (CbpD), as a key component of this process. By using real-time PCR to estimate the amount of extracellular DNA in competent relative to noncompetent cultures, we were able to show that competence-induced cell lysis and DNA release are strongly attenuated in a cbpD mutant. Ectopic expression of CbpD in the presence or absence of other competence proteins revealed that CbpD is essentially unable to cause cell lysis on its own but depends on at least one additional protein expressed during competence.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1996

Targeted neutralization of calmodulin in the nucleus blocks DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression.

Calmodulin (CaM) is a major intracellular calcium binding protein which has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation. Previous studies using chemically synthesized CaM antagonists and anti-sense RNA indicated that CaM is important for initiation of DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression. However, these methods reduce total intracellular CaM and globally interfering with all the CaM-dependent processes. In order to explore the function of nuclear CaM during the cell cycle, a CaM inhibitor peptide was targeted to the nucleus of intact mammalian cells. Cell progression through S-phase was assessed by incorporation of the thymidine analogue, BrdU. Cells were transfected for 48 h with either the CaM inhibitor peptide gene or the control plasmid prior to analysis. Approx. 70% of the control cells incorporated BrdU. In striking contrast, double immunofluorescent labeling demonstrated that none of the cells expressing the CaM inhibitor peptide entered S-phase. This result indicates that neutralization of nuclear CaM by targeted expression of a CaM inhibitor peptide blocks DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1976

Autoradiographic studies of DNA synthesis in lymphoid tissues.

Using long exposures of stripping film autoradiographs before processing, mixtures of weakly and strongly labelled nuclei were seen in different areas of the mouse spleen. Previous results (Harris et al., 1973) led to the conclusion that many cells, not in division cycle, were labelling with (3H) thymidine and that this process was important for the development of specific antibody-producing cells following stimulation with an antigen such as sheep red cells (SRC). The present data are an analysis of the (3H) thymidine labelling kinetics in the spleens of mice reared in conventional or germ-free conditions. The labelling seen in the 24 h following an injection of (3H) thymidine could best be interpreted on the basis of synthesis of unstable DNA. The changes in the pattern, and distribution of labelled nuclei as well as the intensity of their labelling was not compatible with cell division only, but was also the result of movement of labelled material between the lymphoid cells of the organ. Germ-free mice were followed for 24 days following a single injection of (3H) thymidine. The rate of uptake of label into the spleen was much slower than has been found previously in mice reared in conventional conditions. When SRC were injected 2 h after giving (3H) thymidine the labelling of lymphoid cells in the spleen and blood was quite different to controls given (3H) thymidine alone. Detailed analysis indicated that turnover of labelled material, presumably DNA, as well as cells was involved. This turnover of DNA could be considered to be metabolic in the sense that renewal, increase in amount, loss, and transfer to other cells were involved. These, and other studies, in vivo (Harris & Olsen, 1973) and in vitro (Harris et al. 1975) indicate that such processes, involving DNA, are highly relevant to the development of antibody-producing capacity by cells responding to antigenic challenge.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Chromatin as a tool for the study of genome function in cancer.

The transition to malignancy requires an extensive reconfiguration of the genome's expression program that does not result entirely from actual changes in primary DNA sequence-i.e., mutation. Epigenetic-meta-DNA-gene expression states result from an assembly over a given locus of a poorly understood nucleoprotein entity that includes histones and other architectural components of chromatin, nonhistone DNA-bound regulators, and additional chromatin-bound polypeptides. This structure is rapidly reestablished in the wake of the DNA replication fork, thus ensuring its persistence in rapidly proliferating cells and thereby yielding an exceptionally stable mode of gene expression. Chromatin is the perfect vehicle for enabling such genome control. During S phase both covalently modified histones and histone-associated regulatory proteins distribute to the newly synthesized daughter chromatids in a form of "molecular dowry" inherited from the G(1) state of the genome, and impose a specific mode of function on the underlying DNA. An extensively studied example of chromatin-based epigenetic inheritance connects DNA methylation to the targeting of chromatin remodeling and modification. In a broad sense, however, genome reprogramming in cancer is associated with the remodeling of a multitude of regulatory DNA stretches-e.g., promoters, enhancers, locus control regions (LCRs), insulators, etc.-into a specific chromatin architecture. This architectural entity provides a general molecular signature of the cancer epigenome that complements and significantly expands its DNA methylation-based component.

Chromatin↗
PubMed1995

The transcription factors ATF-1 and CREB-1 bind constitutively to the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) DNA recognition site.

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) was first described as a DNA binding activity that specifically recognizes an 8 bp motif known to be essential for hypoxia-inducible erythropoietin gene transcription. Subsequently HIF-1 activity has also been found in cell lines which do not express erythropoietin, suggesting that HIF-1 is part of a widespread oxygen sensing mechanism. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays HIF-1 DNA binding activity is only detectable in nuclear extracts of cells cultivated in a low oxygen atmosphere. In addition to HIF-1, a constitutive DNA binding activity also specifically binds the HIF1 probe. Here we report that CRE and AP1 oligonucleotides efficiently competed for binding of the HIF1 probe to this constitutive factor, whereas HIF-1 activity itself remained unaffected. Monoclonal antibodies raised against the CRE binding factors ATF-1 and CREB-1 supershifted the constitutive factors ATF-1 and CREB-1 supershifted the constitutive factor, while Jun and Fos family members, which constitute the AP-1 factor, were immunologically undetectable. Recombinant ATF-1 and CREB-1 proteins bound HIF1 probes either as homodimers or as heterodimers, indicating a new binding specificity for ATF-1/CREB-1. Finally, reporter gene assays in HeLa cells treated with either a cAMP analogue or a phorbol ester suggest that the PKA, but not the PKC signalling pathway is involved in oxygen sensing.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗
PubMed1995

Adjacent upstream superhelical writhe influences an Escherichia coli promoter as measured by in vivo strength and in vitro open complex formation.

This work investigates the effect on transcription of superhelical writhe located in the region immediately upstream of the -35 consensus sequence of Escherichia coli promoters. A set of double-stranded oligonucleotides, each with an unique DNA configuration, were designed, synthesized and substituted into an area of naturally occurring right-handed superhelical curvature immediately upstream of the beta-lactamase promoter in plasmid pUC19. All the mutants showed reduced promoter activities in E. coli cells. However, rightward superhelical writhe clearly facilitated transcription when compared with the effect produced by a straight DNA segment. Leftward writhe greatly repressed transcription. A plane curve showed an intermediate effect. This phenomenon was due not only to the difference in the ability of the segment to drive an open complex formation, but also to the difference in the binding affinity of RNA polymerase to the promoter. The positive effect of rightward writhe was also observed in vivo for the promoter of the tetracycline resistance gene of pBR322. The sense and extent of superhelical writhe of a DNA curvature seem to determine its influence on promoter activity.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed2004

Integration of semaphorin-2A/MAB-20, ephrin-4, and UNC-129 TGF-beta signaling pathways regulates sorting of distinct sensory rays in C. elegans.

Semaphorins and ephrins are axon guidance cues. In C. elegans, semaphorin-2a/mab-20 and ephrin-4/efn-4/mab-26 also regulate cell sorting to form distinct rays in the male tail. Several erf (enhancer of ray fusion) mutations were identified in a mab-20 enhancer screen. Mutants of plexin-2 (plx-2) and unc-129, which encodes an axon guiding TGF-beta, were also found to be erfs. Genetic analyses show that plx-2 and mab-20 function in the same pathway, as expected if PLX-2 is a receptor for MAB-20. Surprisingly, MAB-20 also signals in a parallel pathway that requires efn-4. This signal utilizes a non-plexin receptor. The expression of plx-2, efn-4, and unc-129 in subsets of 3-cell sensory ray clusters likely mediates the ray-specific cell sorting functions of the ubiquitously expressed mab-20. We present a model for the integrated control of TGF-beta, semaphorin, and ephrin signaling in the sorting of cell clusters into distinct rays in the developing male tail.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Decreased survival of mosquito cells after stable transfection with a Drosophila ecdysteroid response element: possible involvement of a 40 kDa DNA binding protein.

Homologous transfection systems provide a useful tool for characterizing promoters and other regulatory elements from cloned genes. We have used cultured Aedes albopictus C7-10 mosquito cells to evaluate expression of 20-hydroxyecdysone-inducible genes. Although this cell line has previously been shown to synthesize components of the ecdysteroid receptor and ecdysone-inducible proteins, the well-characterized ecdysteroid response element (EcRE) from the Drosophilahsp27 promoter failed to confer a substantial 20-hydroxyecdysone mediated induction in transfected mosquito cells. Recovery of stably transformed clones was also reduced in a DNA dependent manner when the EcREs were in the sense orientation, relative to control plasmids lacking the EcREs or containing an antisense construct. Finally, when tandem EcREs were placed within the hsp70 promoter, CAT activity was detected only after prolonged enzyme incubation, suggesting that the DNA interfered with cellular metabolism. In these constructs, we noted that the promoter DNA contained several potential binding sites for the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor, one of which lay between the tandem EcREs. On southwestern blots, a 40 kDa nuclear protein from C7-10 cells bound to DNA containing AP-1 sites. A DNA affinity column was used to partially purify the 40 kDa protein, and western analysis showed that the mosquito protein cross-reacted with a heterologous antibody to JUN. Likewise, mRNA from C7-10 cells cross-hybridized with the jun cDNA from Drosophila. These results suggest that like estrogen, 20-hydroxyecdysone interfaces with AP-1 as a co-activator protein that modulates the overall hormone response.

Aedes↗