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Regulation of herpesvirus replication by subcellular compartmentalization.

The transcriptional regulation of herpesvirus gene expression has been well documented. A second model is proposed that is superimposed on regulation at the transcriptional level. The regulation is post-translational in nature. Three examples of the model are found in viral DNA replication, capsid assembly, and the cleavage and packaging of DNA into capsids. For each example, at least one viral protein depends upon an interaction with a second viral protein for transport into the nucleus. A model is proposed whereby these protein-protein interactions control the efficiency of these processes by the formation of the appropriate protein complexes in the cytoplasm. The model predicts that these interactions impose a necessary control and that mechanisms to bypass this control would deleteriously affect virus replication. It is probable that level of regulation extends for each of these processes among other herpesviruses.

DNA, Viral↗

A Translocation within the Ogataea Species Complex Alters Local Subtelomeric Chromatin while Maintaining Overall Genome Organization.

Eukaryotic genomic DNA is packaged in the nucleus as chromatin - a DNA-protein aggregate regulating genome function, including transcription. Chromatin is classified as either active euchromatin or silent heterochromatin, with each marked by distinct histone post-translational modifications (PTMs). Chromatin composition also mediates genome organization, including how heterochromatin aggregates at the nuclear periphery while euchromatin localizes to the nucleus center. In fungi, heterochromatic loci cluster, including independent centromere and telomere clusters that form the Rabl chromosome conformation. However, it is unknown if chromatin composition and genome organization are conserved in closely related fungi, and how they are impacted by large-scale chromosomal rearrangements. Here, we examined differences in histone PTM deposition, gene expression, and genome organization in two yeast species from the order Pichiales, which diverged from the common ancestor shared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae more than 200 million years ago. We focused on Ogataea polymorpha, which is used for industrial protein production, and Ogataea haglerorum, an isolate of which harbors a translocation between chromosomes 1 and 6. We show that the enrichment of three activating PTMs - the trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me3) and the acetylation of lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9ac) or lysine 16 of histone H4 (H4K16ac) - are similar genome-wide yet individual gene orthologs have distinct chromatin and expression patterns. While both Ogataea genomes organize into a Rabl conformation, the O. haglerorum translocation alters subtelomeric chromatin composition and expression of genes affected by the translocation. Our work highlights the genome function differences that occur on a microevolutionary scale.

Ogataea↗

Multidimensional analysis of intracellular bacteriophage T7 DNA: effects of amber mutations in genes 3 and 19.

By use of rate-zonal centrifugation, followed by either one- or two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis, the forms of intracellular bacteriophage T7 DNA produced by replication, recombination, and packaging have been analyzed. Previous studies had shown that at least some intracellular DNA with sedimentation coefficients between 32S (the S value of mature T7 DNA) and 100S is concatemeric, i.e., linear and longer than mature T7 DNA. The analysis presented here confirmed that most of this DNA is linear, but also revealed a significant amount of circular DNA. The data suggest that these circles are produced during DNA packaging. It is proposed that circles are produced after a capsid has bound two sequential genomes in a concatemer. The size distribution of the linear, concatemeric DNA had peaks at the positions of dimeric and trimeric concatemers. Restriction endonuclease analysis revealed that most of the mature T7 DNA subunits of concatemers were joined left end to right end. However, these data also suggest that a comparatively small amount of left-end to left-end joining occurs, possibly by blunt-end ligation. A replicating form of T7 DNA that had an S value greater than 100 (100S+ DNA) was also found to contain concatemers. However, some of the 100S+ DNA, probably the most branched component, remained associated with the origin after agarose gel electrophoresis. It has been found that T7 protein 19, known to be required for DNA packaging, was also required to prevent loss, probably by nucleolytic degradation, of the right end of all forms of intracellular T7 DNA. T7 gene 3 endonuclease, whose activity is required for both recombination of T7 DNA and degradation of host DNA, was required for the formation of the 32S to 100S molecules that behaved as concatemers during gel electrophoresis. In the absence of gene 3 endonuclease, the primary accumulation product was origin-associated 100S+ DNA with properties that suggest the accumulation of branches, primarily at the left end of mature DNA subunits within the 100S+ DNA.

Centrifugation, Zonal↗

Atomic force microscopy analysis of intermediates in cobalt hexammine-induced DNA condensation.

The packaging pathway of cobalt hexammine-induced DNA condensation on the surface of mica was examined by varying the concentration of Co(NH3)6(3+) in a dilute DNA solution and visualizing the condensates by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Images reveal that cobalt hexammine-induced DNA condensation on mica involves well-defined structures. At 30 microM Co(NH3)6(3+), prolate ellipsoid condensates composed of relatively shorter rods with linkages between them are formed. At 80 microM Co(NH3)6(3+), the condensed features include toroids with average diameter of approximately 240 nm as well as U-shaped and rod-like condensates with nodular appearances. The results imply that the condensates, whether toroids, U-shaped or rod-like structures have similar intermediate state which includes relatively shorter rod-like segments. The average size of the condensed toroids after incubated at room temperature for 5 h (approximately 240 nm) is much larger than that incubated for 0.5 h (approximately 100 nm). The results indicate that the condensation of DNA by Co(NH3)6(3+) is a kinetic-controlled process.

Adsorption↗

Characterization of ICP6::lacZ insertion mutants of the UL15 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 reveals the translation of two proteins.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL15 gene is a spliced gene composed of two exons and is predicted to encode an 81-kDa protein of 735 amino acids (aa). Two UL15 gene products with molecular masses of 75 and 35 kDa have been observed (J. Baines, A. Poon, J. Rovnak, and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 68:8118-8124, 1994); however, it is not clear whether the smaller form represents a proteolytic cleavage product of the larger form or whether it is separately translated. In addition, an HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutant in the UL15 gene (ts66.4) is defective in both cleavage of viral DNA concatemers into unit-length monomers and packaging of viral DNA into capsids (A. Poon and B. Roizman, J. Virol. 67:4497-4503, 1993; J. Baines et al., J. Virol. 68:8118-8124, 1994). In this study, we detected two UL15 gene products of 81 and 30 kDa in HSV-1-infected cells, using a polyclonal antibody raised against a maltose binding protein fusion construct containing UL15 exon 2. In addition, we report the isolation of two HSV-1 insertion mutants, hr81-1 and hr81-2, which contain an ICP6::lacZ insertion in UL15 exon 1 and exon 2 and thus would be predicted to encode C-terminally truncated peptides of 153 and 509 aa long, respectively. hr81-1 and hr81-2 are defective in DNA cleavage and packaging and accumulate only B capsids. However, both mutants are able to undergo wild-type levels of DNA replication and genomic inversion, suggesting that genomic inversion is a result of DNA replication rather than of DNA cleavage and packaging. We also provide evidence that the 81- and 30-kDa proteins are the products of separate in-frame translation events from the UL15 gene and that the 81-kDa full-length UL15 protein is required for DNA cleavage and packaging.

Animals↗

Packaging of genomes in bacteriophages: a comparison of ssRNA bacteriophages and dsDNA bacteriophages.

In complex DNA bacteriophages like lambda, T4, T7, P22, P2, the DNA is packaged into a preformed precursor particle which sometimes has a smaller size and often a shape different from that of the phage head. This packaging mechanism is different from the one suggested for the RNA phages, according to which RNA nucleates the shell formation. The different mechanisms could be understood by comparing the genomes to be packaged: single stranded fII RNA has a very compact structure with high helix content. It might easily form quasispherical structures in solution (as seen in the electron microscope by Thach & Thach (1973)) around which the capsid could assemble. Double stranded phage DNA, on the other hand, is a rigid molecule which occupies a large volume in solution and has to be concentrated 15-fold during packaging into the preformed capsid, and the change in the capsid structure observed hereby might provide the necessary DNA condensation energy.

Bacteriophages↗

In vitro genetic recombination of bacteriophage lambda.

DNA of bacteriophage lambda recombines in a cell-free extract prepared from an induced Escherichia coli lysogen of bacteriophage lambda. The assay for recombination in vitro takes advantage of the ability of such an extract to package lambda DNA and to assemble complete phage particles. For example, when lambda DNA that has been extracted from phage with the immunity of 434 is added to an extract, infectious lambda imm 434 particles are produced. The precursor DNA molecule in this packaging reaction is a multichromosomal polymer; circular monomers, for example, are not packaged.Nevertheless, when 434 circular DNA monomers are added to an extract, some phage that contain the imm 434 marker are produced. In this case, the circular DNA had recombined with lambda DNA in the extract and thereby had become part of a polymeric structure, which by the normal packaging process could give rise to infectious particles with the imm 434 marker. Genetic recombination is demonstrated when imm 434 circular monomer DNA carries amber mutations in genes A and B; then most of the 434 plaque formers produced in vitro are A(+)B(+), the genotype of the endogenous lambda DNA. Genetic crossing-over occurs through a region that contains the prophage attachment site, suggesting that recombination is carried out by the lambda Int functions. The 434 recombinant plaque formers are particles physically identical to wild-type 434 particles, as judged by their buoyant density in a CsCl equilibrium gradient.

Cell-Free System↗

Self-association of a DNA loop creates a quadruplex: crystal structure of d(GCATGCT) at 1.8 A resolution.

BACKGROUND: The flexibility of DNA enables it to adopt three interconvertible types of duplex termed the A-, B- and Z-forms. It can also produce hairpin loops, triplex structures and guanine-rich quadruplex structures. Conformational flexibility assists in the tight packaging of DNA, for example in chromosomes. This is important given the large quantity of genetic information that must be packaged efficiently. Moreover, the ability of DNA to specifically self-associate or interact with complementary sequences is fundamental to many biological processes. Structural studies provide information about DNA conformation and DNA-DNA interactions and suggest features that might be relevant to how the molecule performs its biological role. RESULTS: We have characterized the structure of a synthetic heptanucleotide that folds into a novel loop structure. The loop is stabilized by association with a cation, by intra-strand hydrogen bonds between guanine and cytosine that are distinct from the normal Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds, and by van der Waals interactions. Two loops associate through the formation of four G.C pairs that exhibit pronounced base-stacking interactions. The formation of a symmetric A.A base pair further stabilizes loop dimerization. Stacking of the A.A pair on a symmetry-related A.A pairing assists the formation of a four-stranded assembly. A T.T pairing is also observed between symmetry-related loops. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides a rare example of an experimentally determined non-duplex DNA structure. It provides conformational detail relevant to the tight packaging or folding of a DNA strand and illustrates how a cation might modulate phosphate-phosphate repulsion in a tightly packed structure. The observation of base quartets involving G.C base pairs suggests a further structure to be considered in DNA-DNA interactions. The structure also provides detailed geometries for A.A and T.T base pairs.

Base Composition↗

Synthesis and packaging of herpes simplex virus DNA in the course of virus passages at high multiplicity.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), strain ANG, was passaged serially at high MOI or undiluted on RC-37 cells. The yields of infectious virus decreased and increased periodically with a maximum of about 3 log units variation in titer. The amount of newly synthesized HSV-1 DNA, however, did not vary by more than a factor of 2. On the other hand, the fraction of total HSV-1 DNA associated with virions was reduced at passage numbers coinciding with the minima in the yields of infectious progeny virus. Apparently, low yields of infectious virus mainly reflected a reduced efficiency of packaging of viral DNA into mature virus particles. One step in the process of virus maturation which appeared to be impaired was the assembly of nucleocapsids. HSV-1 ang was shown to be capable of generating different classes of defective particle in independent series of virus passages at high MOI.

Capsid↗

A convenient and adaptable microcomputer environment for DNA and protein sequence manipulation and analysis.

We describe the further development of a widely used package of DNA and protein sequence analysis programs for microcomputers (1,2,3). The package now provides a screen oriented user interface, and an enhanced working environment with powerful formatting, disk access, and memory management tools. The new GenBank floppy disk database is supported transparently to the user and a similar version of the NBRF protein database is provided. The programs can use sequence file annotation to automatically annotate printouts and translate or extract specified regions from sequences by name. The sequence comparison programs can now perform a 5000 X 5000 bp analysis in 12 minutes on an IBM PC. A program to locate potential protein coding regions in nucleic acids, a digitizer interface, and other additions are also described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA processing in temperature-sensitive morphogenic mutants of HSV-1.

The anatomy of DNA synthesized by five HSV-1 mutants previously shown to accumulate predominantly empty capsids at the nonpermissive temperature (NPT) was analyzed with Bg/II restriction digestion. At the NPT, all five generated DNA lacking termini, indicating that in the absence of packaging, viral DNA is not processed to unit length. One mutant, F18, was able to process DNA made at the NPT to unit length molecules during a 6-hr period after shift to the permissive temperature. The appearance of unit length molecules correlated with the appearance of staphylococcal nuclease-resistant F18 DNA.

Capsid↗

Evidence that partial unwrapping of DNA from nucleosomes facilitates the binding of heat shock factor following DNA replication in yeast.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heat shock transcription factor (HSF) binds heat shock element (HSE) DNA shortly after DNA replication, independently of its activation by heat shock. To determine if HSF binding occurs before newly replicated DNA is packaged into nucleosomes, we inserted an HSE into a DNA segment that normally forms a positioned nucleosome in vivo. Transcription from constructs designed to create steric competition between binding of HSF and histone H2A-H2B dimers was generally poor, suggesting that nucleosome assembly precedes and inhibits HSF binding. However, one such construct was as transcriptionally active as a nucleosome-free control. Structural analyses suggested that approximately 40 base pairs of DNA, including the HSE, had unwrapped from the 3' edge of the histone octamer, allowing HSF to bind; approximately 100 base pairs remained in association with the histone octamer, with the same translational and rotational orientation as was seen for the poorly transcribed constructs. Modeling studies suggest that the active and inactive constructs differ from one another in the ease with which the HSE and flanking sequences can adopt the curvature needed to form a stable nucleosome. These differences may influence the probability of DNA unwrapping from already assembled nucleosomes and the subsequent binding of HSF.

Base Sequence↗

Simple histone acetylation plays a complex role in the regulation of gene expression.

Eukaryotic DNA is packaged into chromatin by histone proteins, which assemble the DNA into an organized, higher-order structure. The precise organization of chromatin is essential for faithful execution of DNA-mediated reactions such as transcription, DNA replication, DNA repair and DNA recombination. The organization of chromatin is considered to be regulated by a variety of post-translational modifications of histones, such as acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and poly-ADP-ribosylation. The relationship between histone acetylation and gene expression was first observed in 1964. Since then, a great deal of evidence has accumulated showing that not only transcription but other DNA-mediated reactions also are regulated by histone acetylation. With regard to the putative mechanism(s) by which histone acetylation regulates the flow of genetic information, site-specific modification and recognition of acetylated histone/DNA complexes have been postulated. Elucidation of the downstream effects of histone modification, as well as the identification, isolation and characterization of the relevant factors involved, have aided in our understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of DNA activity by histones. Currently, state-of-the-art technologies that enable genome-wide analysis are allowing insight into a critical and interesting question in eukaryotic transcription: are the principles that govern transcription of individual gene loci applicable to the genome as a whole? Here, we review the recent progress on histone modifications, with an emphasis on the role of histone acetylation in gene expression.

Acetylation↗

A translocation within the Ogataea species complex alters local subtelomeric chromatin while maintaining overall genome organization.

Eukaryotic genomic DNA is packaged in the nucleus as chromatin-a DNA-protein aggregate regulating genome function, including transcription. Chromatin is classified as either active euchromatin or silent heterochromatin, with each marked by distinct histone post-translational modifications (PTMs). Chromatin composition also mediates genome organization, including how heterochromatin aggregates at the nuclear periphery while euchromatin localizes to the nucleus center. In fungi, heterochromatic loci cluster, including independent centromere and telomere clusters that form the Rabl chromosome conformation. However, it is unknown if chromatin composition and genome organization are conserved in closely related fungi, and how these features are impacted by large-scale chromosomal rearrangements. Here, we examined differences in histone PTM deposition, gene expression, and genome organization in 2 yeast species from the order Pichiales, which diverged from the common ancestor shared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae more than 200 million years ago. We focused on Ogataea polymorpha, which is used for industrial protein production, and Ogataea haglerorum, an isolate of which harbors a translocation between chromosomes 1 and 6. We show that the enrichment of 3 activating PTMs-the trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me3) and the acetylation of lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9ac) or lysine 16 of histone H4 (H4K16ac)-are similar genome-wide, yet gene orthologs have distinct chromatin and expression patterns. While both Ogataea genomes organize into a Rabl conformation, the O. haglerorum translocation alters subtelomeric chromatin composition and expression of genes affected by the translocation. Our work highlights the genome function differences that occur on a microevolutionary scale.

Genome, Fungal↗

The high-resolution structure of DNA-binding protein HU from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Protein HU is a ubiquitous prokaryotic protein which controls the architecture of genomic DNA. It binds DNA non-specifically and promotes the bending and supercoiling of the double helical structure. HU is involved in many DNA-associated cellular processes, including replication, transcription and the packaging of DNA into chromosome-like structures. Originally determined at medium resolution, the crystal structure of HU has now been refined at 2.0 A resolution. The high-resolution structure shows that the dimeric molecule is essentially a compact platform for two flexible and basic arms which wrap around the DNA molecule. To maximize the protein's stability, non-secondary structural regions are reduced to a minimum, there is an extensive aromatic hydrophobic core and several salt bridges and hydrogen-bonded water molecules knit together crucial regions. Based on the original medium-resolution structure of HU, several proposals were made concerning the structural basis of HU's ability to bind, bend and supercoil DNA. Each of these proposals is fully supported by the high-resolution structure. Most notably, the surfaces of the molecule which appear to mediate protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions have the ideal shapes and physicochemical properties to perform these functions.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Haloviruses HF1 and HF2: evidence for a recent and large recombination event.

Haloviruses HF1 and HF2 were isolated from the same saltern pond and are adapted to hypersaline conditions, where they infect a broad range of haloarchaeal species. The HF2 genome has previously been reported. The complete sequence of the HF1 genome has now been determined, mainly by PCR and primer walking. It was 75,898 bp in length and was 94.4% identical to the HF2 genome but about 1.8 kb shorter. A total of 117 open reading frames and five tRNA-like genes were predicted, and their database matches and characteristics were similar to those found in HF2. A comparison of the predicted restriction digest patterns based on nucleotide sequence with the observed restriction digest patterns of viral DNA showed that, unlike the case for HF2, some packaged HF1 DNA had cohesive termini. Except for a single base change, HF1 and HF2 were identical in sequence over the first 48 kb, a region that includes the early and middle genes. The remaining 28 kb of HF1 showed many differences from HF2, and the similarity of the two genomes over this late gene region was 87%. The abrupt shift in sequence similarity around 48 kb suggests a recent recombination event between either HF1 or HF2 and another HF-like halovirus that has swapped most of the right-end 28 kb. This example indicates there is a high level of recombination among viruses that live in this extreme environment.

Archaeal Viruses↗