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Efficient linking and transfer of multiple genes by a multigene assembly and transformation vector system.

Introduction and expression of multiple transgenes is frequently required for basic and applied studies. However, at present, multigene transformation is very difficult due to technical limitations of existing methods. Here, we describe a vector system for efficient multigene assembly and transformation. The system consists of a transformation-competent artificial chromosome (TAC)-based acceptor vector together with two donor vectors. By exploiting the CreloxP recombination system and homing endonucleases, multiple rounds of gene assembly cycling were carried out with alternate use of the donor vectors, and multiple genes were sequentially delivered into the TAC vector. With this system, we created constructs containing as many as 10 foreign DNA fragments. Multiple genes, including six resistant genes stacked in a construct, were transferred into rice genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. This system extends the repertoire of molecular genetic studies and biotechnological endeavors by enabling simultaneous manipulation of multiple genes.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Translation of open reading frame E5 of bovine papillomavirus is required for its transforming activity.

A series of mutations in open reading frame (ORF) E5 of bovine papillomavirus type 1 has been constructed to determine whether this putative gene is required for in vitro oncogenic transformation by viral DNA. Frameshift mutations at either of two different positions located exclusively in ORF E5 cause a substantial reduction in the ability of the cloned viral DNA to induce the appearance of transformed foci of mouse C127 cells. A genetic mapping experiment with one of the mutants indicates that this characteristic transformation defect is actually due to the constructed mutation in ORF E5. Analysis of 10 different mutants with sequence changes at a single position in the ORF showed that there is an exact correspondence between transformation-competence and the ability of the 3' half of ORF E5 to be correctly translated. The transformation defect of an ORF E5 frameshift mutant can be suppressed by a second mutation that restores the correct reading frame to most of the ORF, but not by one that restores the reading frame near the 3' end of the ORF. These results constitute strong genetic evidence that translation of ORF E5 is required for efficient transformation of mouse C127 cells by bovine papillomavirus DNA. Wild-type ORF E5 has the potential to encode a short hydrophobic protein or polypeptide domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction of isogenic urease-negative mutants of Helicobacter pylori by allelic exchange.

Isogenic urease-negative mutants of Helicobacter pylori were constructed by allelic replacement. A region of cloned H. pylori DNA containing the structural urease genes (ureA and ureB) was disrupted by insertion of a mini-Tn3-Km transposon. Electrotransformation of H. pylori cells with kanamycin-ureB-disrupted derivative plasmids resulted in isolation of kanamycin-resistant H. pylori transformants. Competence for electrotransformation appeared to be restricted to certain wild-type H. pylori isolates; only 1 isolate (of 10 tested) was consistently transformed. Two of the kanamycin-resistant H. pylori transformants were further studied and shown to be urease negative. Southern hybridization analyses demonstrated that the urease-negative mutants had been constructed by allelic exchange involving simultaneous replacement of the ureB gene with the kanamycin-ureB-disrupted copy and loss of the vector. Immunoblot studies of whole-cell extracts of the isogenic ureB mutants with anti-H. pylori sera indicated the absence of a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 61 kDa; thus, the mutants no longer synthesized the UreB product. Generation of stable, genetically engineered urease mutants of H. pylori will be useful for addressing the role of urease in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection.

Alleles↗

Genetic recombination during transformation in Bacillus subtilis: appearance of a deoxyribonucleic acid methylase.

In Bacillus subtilis the ability to take up deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and undergo genetic transformation may coincide with the induction of defective phage(s) and the expression of possibly related cryptic genes. A restriction-modification enzyme system appears to be expressed. Targets of the restriction activity on the DNA can be blocked my methylation catalyzed by the methyl transferase. It is shown that cellular DNA becomes progressively methylated and reaches the maxium level during the peak of competency. Deoxycytidine residues of both incoming donor and resident DNA are methylated. The possible participation of these enzymes in recombination and the general role of cryptic genes in inducible functions are discussed.

Bacillus subtilis↗

An effective alternate cloning strategy for unstable mouse genomic sequences.

Unstable mammalian genomic sequences frequently underwent spontaneous rearrangement during the bacterial cloning process. When the flanking sequences of an INSM1 gene comprised of 3.0 and 4.5 kb were subcloned into a targeting vector for a gene deletion study, both the genomic sequences underwent spontaneous rearrangement. Neither the usage of recombinase-free Escherichia coli competent cells nor lowering the culture incubation temperature averted the recombination events. Co-transformation of a methyltransferase vector, pAIT2, with the targeting vector had little effect in preventing recombination through methylation of the plasmid DNA. Here, we show that a single-copy cloning technique is effective to clone the unstable mouse genomic DNA into the targeting vector.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of Rauscher spleen focus-forming virus and biological properties of the cloned virus.

Rauscher virus (RV) induces acute erythroleukaemia and a myeloproliferative disease in adult mice. It consists of a replication-competent murine leukaemia virus (R-MuLV) which acts as a helper virus and a defective transforming component which causes spleen focus formation, Rauscher spleen focus-forming virus (R-SFFV). The integrated proviral DNA of R-SFFV was cloned molecularly. The cloned R-SFFV was compared to that of other viral components which are associated with RV-induced disease and also the cloned Friend SFFV (F-SFFV) and the myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV), both of which expand the erythroid (F-SFFV, MPSV) and myeloid (MPSV) compartment on infection of adult mice. The genome of R-SFFV differs, if analysed by restriction enzymes, from R-MuLV in the 3' end of the genome between the env gene and the long terminal repeat. The difference is most likely an alteration in the 3' part of the gp70-coding region of the env gene. Comparison with Rauscher mink cell focus-inducing virus (R-MCF) suggests that R-SFFV is derived from R-MCF by substitution of the 3' half of the env gene with a sequence of unknown origin. The molecularly cloned R-SFFV pseudotyped with Friend MuLV induces an increase in late erythroid precursor cells which still require erythropoietin for maturation. Host range studies of the molecularly cloned R-SFFV prove that the Fv-2r locus is required but not sufficient to restrict RV-induced haemopoiesis in adult mice, thus suggesting that R-SFFV has a different target cell range than F-SFFV and is similar to MPSV.

Animals↗

Molecular genetic manipulation of mosquito vectors.

Despite their central role in disease transmission, relatively little is known of the molecular biology of arthropod vectors. Modern molecular approaches will undoubtedly provide considerable information about gene regulation and expression in vectors and consequently a much better understanding of the biology and molecular biology of vectors. Such knowledge is essential for developing effective control strategies for vector-borne diseases. In this review, we focus upon techniques and approaches used at the Arthropod-Borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory (AIDL) at Colorado State University to bioengineer mosquitoes with reduced vector competence. We have developed technologies and procedures that allow genetic manipulation of mosquitoes, including RNA and DNA virus gene-delivery vehicles and efficacious antiviral constructs, which will facilitate the development of pathogen-resistant, transformed mosquitoes. Many of the approaches, constructs, and technologies developed at AIDL will be applicable to molecular manipulation of other arthropod genomes.

Animals↗

Critical effective methods to detect genotoxic carcinogens and neoplasm-promoting agents.

Neoplasia in fish can result from contamination of waters with carcinogens and promoters. Cancer in fish, therefore, is a possible indicator of cancer risk to man and serves as a guide to the need for preventive approaches involving improved means of waste disposal and environmental hygiene. Moreover, cancer in fish indicates that this important food source may be contaminated. Detection of genotoxic carcinogens to which fish are exposed can be achieved quickly and efficiently by carefully selected batteries of complementary in vitro and in vivo bioassays. One such battery consists of the Ames test, a reverse mutation assay in prokaryotic Salmonella typhimurium, and the Williams test, involving DNA repair in freshly explanted metabolically highly competent liver cells from diverse species, including humans. Determination of DNA-carcinogen adducts by varied techniques, including 32P-postlabeling, as well as DNA breakage, mammalian cell mutagenicity, chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchange, or cell transformation represent additional approaches, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. More research is needed on systems to apprehend neoplasm promoters, but tests to determine interruption of intercellular communications through gap junctions appear promising. Other approaches rely on measurement of enzymes such as ornithine decarboxylase and protein kinase C. Approaches to the definition of risk to fish or humans require characterization of the genotoxic or nongenotoxic properties of a chemical, relative potency data obtained in select, limited rodent bioassays, and knowledge of prevailing environmental concentrations of specific carcinogens.

Animals↗

A high-transformation-efficiency cloning vector for Thermus thermophilus.

The cloning vector pMK18 was developed through the fusion of the minimal replicative region from an indigenous plasmid of Thermus sp. ATCC27737, a gene cassette encoding a thermostable resistance to kanamycin, and the replicative origin and multiple cloning site of pUC18. Plasmid pMK18 showed transformation efficiencies from 10(8) to 10(9) per microgram of plasmid in Thermus thermophilus HB8 and HB27, both by natural competence and by electroporation. We also show that T. thermophilus HB27 can take pMK18 modified by the Escherichia coli methylation system with the same efficiency as its own DNA. To demonstrate its usefulness as a cloning vector, a gene encoding the beta-subunit of a thermostable nitrate reductase was directly cloned in T. thermophilus HB27 from a gene library. Its further transfer to E. coli also proved its utility as a shuttle vector.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Bcl-2 expressed using a retroviral vector is localized primarily in the nuclear membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum of chicken embryo fibroblasts.

A complementary DNA for human bcl-2 was cloned into the replication competent avian retrovirus vector RCASBP, and the resulting virus was used to express human Bcl-2 protein at high levels in chicken embryo fibroblasts. The expression of Bcl-2 did not transform or significantly alter the longevity of the chicken embryo fibroblasts in the presence of normal amounts of serum. However, the expression of Bcl-2 blocked c-Myc-induced apoptosis in these cells. Fractionation of the infected chicken embryo fibroblasts indicated that the protein was distributed equally between nuclear and high density cytoplasmic membranes. Immunofluorescence analysis by confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy showed that the Bcl-2 protein was primarily associated with the nuclear membrane and with the endoplasmic reticulum. Reduced amounts of the protein were associated with other membranes in the cytoplasm. These data show that, in this system, the Bcl-2 protein associates with the nuclear membrane and intracytoplasmic membranes but is not preferentially associated with mitochondria.

Animals↗

Induction of homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have investigated the effects of UV irradiation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in order to distinguish whether UV-induced recombination results from the induction of enzymes required for homologous recombination, or the production of substrate sites for recombination containing regions of DNA damage. We utilized split-dose experiments to investigate the induction of proteins required for survival, gene conversion, and mutation in a diploid strain of S. cerevisiae. We demonstrate that inducing doses of UV irradiation followed by a 6 h period of incubation render the cells resistant to challenge doses of UV irradiation. The effects of inducing and challenge doses of UV irradiation upon interchromosomal gene conversion and mutation are strictly additive. Using the yeast URA3 gene cloned in non-replicating single- and double-stranded plasmid vectors that integrate into chromosomal genes upon transformation, we show that UV irradiation of haploid yeast cells and homologous plasmid DNA sequences each stimulate homologous recombination approximately two-fold, and that these effects are additive. Non-specific DNA damage has little effect on the stimulation of homologous recombination, as shown by studies in which UV-irradiated heterologous DNA was included in transformation/recombination experiments. We further demonstrate that the effect of competing single- and double-stranded heterologous DNA sequences differs in UV-irradiated and unirradiated cells, suggesting an induction of recombinational machinery in UV-irradiated S. cerevisiae cells.

DNA Damage↗

Formation of competent Bacillus subtilis cells.

The process of competent cell formation for transformation has been studied with early-stationary-phase (T1) cells of Bacillus subtilis which had been grown in an enriched Spizizen minimal medium and transferred to a second synthetic medium. Rifampin, chloramphenicol, and tunicamycin were strong inhibitors of competent cell formation, as well as vegetative growth. After formation, competent cells were no longer sensitive to the above agents. Methicillin and an inhibitor of chromosomal replication, hydroxyphenylazouracil, did not inhibit the development of competence. A D-alanine-requiring mutant strain developed competence even in the absence of D-alanine in the second medium. A T1-stage culture showed the activity of extracellular serine protease which is necessary for sporulation. Competent cell formation was completely blocked by 0.7 M ethanol, which is a specific inhibitor of early events during sporulation, including forespore septum formation. Competent cells were formed even in media which supported sporulation. The development of competence was also studied with spo0 mutants at 10 different loci. Most spo0 mutations repressed the development of competence except for spo0C, spo0G, and spo0J. These results suggest that competent cells are formed from early sporulating cells with the synthesis of cell wall materials and by factors whose genes are activated by the supply of nutrients. It is suggested that common steps are involved both in forespore septation and in competent cell formation.

Alanine↗

Interleukin 3 opposes the action of negative regulatory protein (NRP) and of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in their inhibition of DNA synthesis of the erythroid stem cell BFU-E.

DNA synthesis of the early erythropoietic progenitor cell (erythroid burst-forming unit, BFU-E) is inhibited by a growth factor that we have called negative regulatory protein (NRP). This protein appears to act during the S-phase of the cell cycle and to be specific to the BFU-E. It is nontoxic and its action is readily reversible by washing the cells. Erythropoietic burst formation by BFU-E in culture is promoted by interleukin 3 (IL-3). In the present work, using the hydroxyurea suicide assay method, we investigated the effects on DNA synthesis of exposing BFU-E of mouse bone marrow in vitro to NRP, IL-3, and combinations of NRP and IL-3. We found that the action of NRP on BFU-E DNA synthesis was opposed by IL-3 within the 45 min that it took to carry out the cell suicide assay. We also studied transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and found that its action on DNA synthesis of BFU-E was identical to that of NRP in time scale, reversibility, and opposition by IL-3, although the two have different molecular properties. According to the competence-progression model, regulation of cell proliferation occurs at two sites: 1) the G0 to G1 transition, where competence factors (e.g., platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF] and interleukin 1 [IL-1]) act, and 2) during G1-phase, where progression factors (e.g., interleukin 2 [IL-2] and IL-3) act. Our data indicate that cell proliferation may also be regulated at a third site, during S-phase. Here, the decision as to whether or not DNA synthesis will proceed appears to depend on a balance between positive and negative regulatory signals.

Animals↗

Biological characteristics of a type I restriction-modification system in Staphylococcus aureus.

Two restriction-modification systems, S1 and S2, are present in Staphylococcus aureus RN450 (S. Iordanescu and M. Surdeanu, J. Gen. Microbiol., 96:277-281, 1976). System S2 affects phage multiplication after both infection and transfection. Unmodified plasmid and chromosomal DNAs are also not expressed following transduction and transformation into a restrictive host. Restricted phages are, however, capable of conferring phage-mediated competence, although the state of competence does not affect the restriction-modification system. The restricting activity of system S2 is inactivated by heat treatment of the cells. An enzymatic activity that restricts unmodified phage DNA in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, and S-adenosylmethionine was recovered from cell-free extracts of a strain RN450 derivative.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Analysis of the phenotype and the restriction enzyme mapping level of mutations induced by the new mutagen glycidyl methacrylate.

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is a recently recognized chemical mutagen. In order to explore the mutagenicity and mutagenic process of GMA, plasmid pBR322 was used for in vitro binding, mutant screening, and restriction enzyme mapping. The binding between GMA and DNA in vitro has been verified by means of a spectrophotometric method. When pBR322 and GMA-bound pBR322 were used to transform Escherichia coli HB101, the following results were obtained: (1) The transformation efficiency of GMA-bound pBR322 was much lower than that of pBR322 alone. (2) GMA-bound pBR322 induced phenotype changes in competent cells (i.e., tetracycline-resistance inactivation or ampicillin-resistance inactivation). There were two mutants of pBR322, ApRTCS and ApSTcR, in the transformants and a deductive mutant ApsTcs in the nontransformants. (3) All of the selected mutants were stable and heritable. (4) When restriction enzyme maps were used to analyze the mutant ApRTcS, four of seven maps were changed, some sites were shifted to other resistant gene regions, for example, sites of Bg/I, EcoRI, HindIII, HincII, etc., and there was a new recognition site for HincII (252). We did not observe any DNA fragment insertion or deletion on any maps. Our results suggest that when GMA is covalently linked to the plasmid DNA, it gives rise to a premutagenic lesion of DNA that is converted in vivo into a point mutation.

Ampicillin Resistance↗

Intergeneric transfer of chromosomal and conjugative plasmid genes between Ralstonia solanacearum and Acinetobacter sp. BD413.

Conjugative transfer of a broad-host range plasmid and transformation-mediated transfer of chromosomal genes were found to occur at significant frequencies between Ralstonia solanacearum and Acinetobacter sp. in planta. These intergeneric gene transfers are related to the conditions provided by the infected plant, including the extensive multiplication of these two bacteria in planta and the development of a competence state in Acinetobacter sp. Although interkingdom DNA transfer from nuclear transgenic plants to these bacteria was not detectable, plants infected by pathogens (e.g., Ralstonia solanacearum) and co-colonized by soil saprophyte bacteria (e.g., Acinetobacter sp.) can be considered as potential "hot spots" for gene transfer, even between phylogenetically remote organisms.

Acinetobacter↗

[Cloning and expression of Mycobacterium bovis secreted protein MPB51 in Escherichia coli].

The gene encoding MPB51 was amplified from M. bovis Valleel11 chromosomal DNA using PCR technique, and the PCR product was approximately 800 bp DNA segment. Using T-A cloning technique, the PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector and cloning plasmid pGEM-T-51 was thus constructed successfully. pGEM-T-51 and pET28a( + ) were digested by BamH I and EcoR I double enzymes. The purified MPB51 gene was subcloned into the expression vector pET28a( + ), and the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-51 was thus constructed. Plasmid containing pET28a-51 was transformed into competence E. coli BL21 (DE3). The bacterium was induced by IPTG and its lysates were loaded directly onto SDS-PAGE, approximately 30 kD exogenous protein was observed on the SDS-PAGE. The protein was analyzed using Western blot. The results indicate that the protein is antigenic activity of MB. The results are expected to lay foundation for further studies on the subunit vaccine and DNA vaccine of MPB51 gene in their prevention of bovine tuberculosis.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Chromosomal site-specific double-strand breaks are efficiently targeted for repair by oligonucleotides in yeast.

The repair of chromosomal double-strand breaks (DSBs) can be accomplished through homologous recombination in most organisms. We report here that exogenous oligonucleotides can efficiently target for repair a single DSB induced in a chromosome of yeast. The efficiency of recombinational targeting leading to a desired DNA change can be as high as 20% of cells. The DSB was generated either by a regulatable I-SceI endonuclease just before transformation or appeared spontaneously at the site of a long inverted repeat composed of human Alu sequences. The approach used features of our previously described delitto perfetto system for selecting transformants with integrative recombinant oligonucleotides. The DSB repair mediated by pairs of complementary integrative recombinant oligonucleotides was efficient for targeting to homologous sequences that were close to or distant from the DSB and in the presence of a competing homologous chromosome in diploid cells. We also demonstrate that a DSB can strongly stimulate recombination with single-stranded DNA, without strand bias. These findings expand current models of DSB repair. In addition, we establish a high-throughput system for rapid genome-wide modification with oligonucleotides.

Binding Sites↗