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Molecular cloning and characterization of two sets of alpha-theta genes in the rat alpha-like globin gene cluster.

The highly heterogeneous rat hemoglobin system was investigated at the gene level. Two regions of the alpha-like globin gene cluster from a Wistar rat were isolated. Four lambda Dash recombinant clones carrying rat alpha-like globin genes were localized on two distinct gene regions. A region of approximately 16kb was found to contain the 5'-IIalpha1-psi theta 1-3' loci, and another of approximately 24kb the 5'-IIalpha2-psi theta2-psiI alpha3-3' loci. Both IIalpha1 and IIalpha2 are considered to be active, coding the IIalpha-globin chain. The nt sequences of IIalpha1 and IIalpha2 are identical except for six nt in the non-coding region. The psiI alpha3 locus is a truncated pseudogene. The putative promoter region of an alpha-like globin gene is joined directly to the third exon, homologous to that of Ialpha-globin cDNA. psi theta1 and psi theta2 are also pseudogenes, as evidenced by several deletions located in the protein-coding regions of these loci. The psi theta1 and psi theta2 loci exhibit extensive homology, but the restriction maps of these genes and their flanking regions differ considerably. Genomic Southern blot analyses of the total liver DNA from six rats showed the existence of three theta-globin-related genes, including psi theta1 and psi theta2. These results indicate that the two gene regions investigated are not allelic variants, but may be generated by block duplication. This is the first report of the existence of rodent theta-globin genes.

Animals↗

Concerted evolution of the immunoglobulin VH gene family.

With the aim of understanding the concerted evolution of the immunoglobulin VH multigene family, a phylogenetic tree for the DNA sequences of 16 mouse and five human germ line genes was constructed. This tree indicates that all genes in this family have undergone substantial evolutionary divergence. The most closely related genes so far identified in the mouse genome seem to have diverged about 6 million years (MY) ago, whereas the most distantly related genes diverged about 300 MY ago. This suggests that gene duplication caused by unequal crossing-over or gene conversion occurs very slowly in this gene family. The rate of occurrence of gene duplication in the VH gene family has been estimated to be 5 x 10(-7) per gene per year, which seems to be at least about 100 times lower than that for the rRNA gene family. This low rate of concerted evolution in the VH gene family helps retain intergenic genetic variability that in turn contributes to antibody diversity. Because of accumulation of destructive mutations, however, about one-third of the mouse and human VH genes seem to have become nonfunctional. Many of these pseudogenes have apparently originated recently, but some of them seem to have existed in the genome for more than 10 MY. The rate of nucleotide substitution for the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) is as high as that of pseudogenes. This suggests that there is virtually no purifying selection operating in the CDRs and that germ line mutations are effectively used for generating antibody diversity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure and activity of mouse S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase gene promoters and properties of the encoded proteins.

The promoter regions of two S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase genes (AMD genes) were isolated from a mouse genomic library. One promoter was that of the bona fide mouse AMD gene (AMD1) whereas the other was that of the intronless AMD gene (AMD2). There was no sequence identity between the two promoters. The sequence of the AMD1 promoter was highly homologous to the human AMD1 and rat Amd1B promoters. After transient transfection in various cell lines, the AMD1 promoter was one to two orders of magnitude stronger than the AMD2 promoter. Similar results were obtained by using stably transfected mouse FM3A cells. In S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC)-overproducing SAM-1 cells, the AMD1 gene was amplified over 5-fold. AdoMetDC encoded by the intronless AMD2 gene had two amino acid replacements (Met to Ile at codon 70 and Ala to Val at codon 139), compared with the protein encoded by the AMD1 gene, and exhibited decreased catalytic activity (<50%) and decreased processing activity when expressed in AdoMetDC-deficient Escherichia coli cells. When Ile-70 of the protein encoded by AMD2 was converted into Met, both the catalytic and processing activities recovered markedly, indicating that Met-70 adjacent to the proenzyme-processing site is important for both activities. The third AMD locus (AMD3) in FM3A cells contains a pseudogene, in which deletion of two bases generates a premature termination codon at position 57. Since the AMD2 promoter had only 1-10% of the strength of the bona fide AMD1 gene and AMD2 protein possessed lower specific activity, the relative contribution of the AMD2-encoded enzyme to total AdoMetDC activity is small. Thus AdoMetDC activity in murine cells is thought to be due mainly to the product of the AMD1 gene.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗

Placenta growth factor: identification and characterization of a novel isoform generated by RNA alternative splicing.

We report the isolation and characterization of a third isoform of placenta growth factor (PlGF), generated by alternative splicing of its RNA transcript. This novel form of PlGF, PlGF-3, was cloned by the polymerase chain reaction technique using a human cDNA library prepared from the terminal placental tissue. PlGF-3 contains an in-frame insertion of 72-amino acids near the C-terminal portion of PlGF-1. Southern blot analysis revealed that a single gene encoded PlGF-2 and PlGF-3. Nucleic acid sequence analysis found the insertion of 216 nucleotides of PlGF-3 between exon 4 and exon 5 of the PlGF gene. Northern blot and tissue distribution studies discovered two mRNA species for PlGF-3, which were both uniquely expressed in the placenta. Transient expression of PlGF-3 cDNA in mammalian cells showed PlGF-3 was detected in the conditioned medium as both dimers and monomers. Unlike PlGF-2, PlGF-3 lacked heparin-binding affinity. Thus, alternative splicing of PlGF RNA produces at least three polypeptides with different secretion pattern, heparin-binding affinity and dimerization properties.

Alternative Splicing↗

Molecular structure and genetic stability of human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene duplications.

We have determined the genetic stability of three independent intragenic human HPRT gene duplications and the structure of each duplication at the nucleotide sequence level. Two of the duplications were isolated as spontaneous mutations from the HL60 human myeloid leukemia cell line, while the third was originally identified in a Lesch-Nyhan patient. All three duplications are genetically unstable and have a reversion rate approximately 100-fold higher than the rate of duplication formation. The molecular structures of these duplications are similar, with direct duplication of HPRT exons 2 and 3 and of 6.8 kb (HL60 duplications) or 13.7 kb (Lesch-Nyhan duplication) of surrounding HPRT sequence. Nucleotide sequence analyses of duplication junctions revealed that the HL60-derived duplications were generated by unequal homologous recombination between clusters of Alu repeats contained in HPRT introns 1 and 3, while the Lesch-Nyhan duplication was generated by the nonhomologous insertion of duplicated HPRT DNA into HPRT intron 1. These results suggest that duplication substrates of different lengths can be generated from the human HPRT exon 2-3 region and can undergo either homologous or nonhomologous recombination with the HPRT locus to form gene duplications.

Base Sequence↗

Comparative study of protein molecular weights by size-exclusion chromatography and laser-light scattering.

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) based on UV-Vis detection is a relative technique for molecular weight determination whereas procedure based on multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) is both rapid and absolute. The two methods using recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) and beta-lactoglobulin samples were compared. A calibration curve for the chromatographic system was generated based on standard proteins and the data were fitted by least squares to a third order polynomial model. The molecular weight from the conventional SEC method for both proteins was higher than the reported values. The molecular weight of rHGH from MALLS was 23.1+/-0.57 and 21.2+/-0.80 kDa using differential refractive index (SEC-MALLS/RI) and UV (SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis) detectors as mass detectors. Both values agree, within experimental error with the molecular weight sequence of rHGH, 22.1 kDa. In contrast, the molecular weight from LS for beta-lactoglobulin was 22.5+/-0.55 kDa by SEC-MALLS/RI and 23.0+/-1.22 kDa by SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis, respectively, values always higher than those supplied by the manufacturer, 18.4 kDa. The reproducibility of the SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis method versus the SEC-MALLS/RI method was performed using the concordance correlation coefficient. The method's reproducibility was accepted by assuming a precision of 98% and a 1% loss in precision.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Immunoglobulin light chain mRNA is processed from large nuclear RNA.

Recombinant DNA probes, produced by the molecular cloning of immunoglobulin kappa light chain mRNA, have been used to analyze heterogenous nuclear RNA for presumptive precursors to cytoplasmic kappa light chain mRNA, Three discrete classes of nuclear RNA containing kappa mRNA sequences were detected after pulse-labeling of immunoglobulin-producing P3 myeloma cells. Two of these were substantially larger than kappa mRNA (approximately 10 and 4 times larger); the third was similar in size to kappa mRNA. Beginning with the largest, the sequential appearance of these three classes of nuclear RNA preceded the first appearance of newly synthesized kappa light chain mRNA in the cytoplasm. The results presented here suggest that immunoglobulin kappa light chain mRNA is generated by the stepwise cleavage and processing of a large nuclear RNA transcript.

Cell Line↗

Analysis of the genetic region encoding a novel rhizobiocin from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain 306.

Cross-testing of a number of strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum for bacteriocin production revealed that strain 306 produced at least two distinct bacteriocins. Further analysis involving plasmid transfer to Agrobacterium and other hosts demonstrated that there were bacteriocin determinants on plasmids pRle306b and pRle306c, as well as a third bacteriocin. The bacteriocin encoded by pRle306b was indistinguishable from the bacteriocin encoded by strain 248, whereas the bacteriocin encoded by plasmid pRle306c had a distinctive spectrum of activity against susceptible strains, as well as different physical properties from other bacteriocins that we have studied in our lab. Two mutants altered in production of the pRle306c bacteriocin were generated by transposon Tn5 mutagenesis, and the DNA flanking the transposon inserts in these mutants was cloned and characterized. DNA sequence analysis suggested that the pRle306c bacteriocin was a large protein belonging to the RTX family, and that a type I secretion system involving an ABC type transporter was required for export of the bacteriocin. A mutant unable to produce this bacteriocin was unaltered in its competitive properties, both in broth and in nodulation assays, suggesting that the bacteriocin may not play a major role in determining the ecological success of this strain.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Endocrine basis for disruptive effects of cortisol on preovulatory events.

Stress activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to enhanced glucocorticoid secretion and concurrently inhibits gonadotropin secretion and disrupts ovarian cyclicity. Here we tested the hypothesis that stress-like concentrations of cortisol interfere with follicular phase endocrine events of the ewe by suppressing pulsatile LH secretion, which is essential for subsequent steps in the preovulatory sequence. Cortisol was infused during the early to midfollicular phase, elevating plasma cortisol concentrations to one third, one half, or the maximal value induced by isolation, a commonly used model of psychosocial stress. All cortisol treatments compromised at least some aspect of reproductive hormone secretion in follicular phase ewes. First, cortisol significantly suppressed LH pulse frequency by as much as 35%, thus attenuating the high frequency LH pulses typical of the preovulatory period. Second, cortisol interfered with timely generation of the follicular phase estradiol rise, either preventing it or delaying the estradiol peak by as much as 20 h. Third, cortisol delayed or blocked the preovulatory LH and FSH surges. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that stress-like increments in plasma cortisol interfere with the follicular phase by suppressing the development of high frequency LH pulses, which compromises timely expression of the preovulatory estradiol rise and LH and FSH surges. Moreover, the suppression of LH pulse frequency provides indirect evidence that cortisol acts centrally to suppress pulsatile GnRH secretion in follicular-phase ewes.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase from the periimplantation porcine uterus by messenger ribonucleic acid differential display: temporal and conceptus-modulated gene expression.

Using messenger RNA (mRNA) differential display, we isolated several putative differentially expressed complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from the periimplantation (days 11-12) endometrium of unilaterally pregnant pigs. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that one cDNA clone was 87% homologous to human spermidine/ spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) over a stretch of 201 bp and represents the porcine homologue of this cDNA. A second differentially expressed cDNA encoded the porcine equivalent of the human fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1), whereas a third specified an open reading frame with significant homology to the Escherichia coli N-acetylglucosamine transfer protein. Because SSAT is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine metabolism and polyamines are required cytosolic components for cell growth and differentiation, we characterized the expression of the porcine SSAT gene as a potential marker for endometrial growth and/or differentiation during early pregnancy. Further, using the consensus sequence from human and mouse cDNAs, PCR primers were designed and used to generate a 568-bp cDNA fragment from gravid endometrium that encompassed the entire open reading frame for porcine SSAT and which was subsequently used for Northern hybridization analysis. Two distinct SSAT transcripts, a major species of 1.3 kilobase pairs (kb) and a minor species of 3.5 kb were detected in endometrium, each with similar temporal patterns of expression. The levels of SSAT mRNA were higher (P = 0.03) in gravid than in nongravid uterine endometrium of unilaterally pregnant pigs on days 11-12. Similarly, SSAT mRNAs were more abundant (P = 0.0004) in day 12 pregnant than in day 12 cyclic, and in days 30, 60, 90, and 105 pregnant pig endometria. Uterine endometrial luminal epithelial (LE), glandular epithelial (GE), and stromal (ST) cells expressed the SSAT gene, but mRNA abundance varied among cell types (LE > GE > ST). Expression of SSAT gene in ovariectomized gilts treated with estrogen (E2, 100 microg/day), progesterone (P4, 200 mg/day) or E2 + P4 for 11 days was highest (P = 0.03) in the endometria of the P4 group. In contrast, E2 (10 nM), P4 (10 nM) and E2 + P4 had no effect on SSAT mRNA abundance in uterine endometrial explants from day 12 pregnant pigs. However, steady-state SSAT mRNA levels were induced in day 12 pregnant uterine explants by conditioned medium from day 12 filamentous but not spherical conceptuses. These data demonstrate that the temporal induction of the endometrial SSAT gene during periimplantation is modulated by a factor(s) secreted by the periimplantation conceptus and suggest that this enzyme may have an important role in uterine endometrial growth, remodeling and/or differentiation during periimplantation.

Acetyltransferases↗

Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta1) expression and extracellular matrix secretion in human peritoneal mesothelial cells by pcDU6 vector-mediated TGFbeta1 shRNA and by pcDNA3.1(-)-mediated antisense TGFbeta1 RNA.

We investigated the effect of transforming growthfactor beta (TGFbeta1) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mediated by pcDU6 plasmid on TGFbeta1 expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) and compared that effect with the effect of antisense TGFbeta1 RNA. We designed two pairs of oligonucleotides for two selectedfragments of coding sequence containing a 21-nucleotide (nt) TGFbeta1 sequence starting with GGCC. After annealing, double-stranded DNA was formed and separately ligated to plasmid pcDU6 [pcDNA3.1(-) with U6 promoter). The inverted motif contained six spacers and four Ts, which made it possible to form shRNA (TGFbgeta1 shRNA1 and TGFbeta1 shRNA2). We generated recombinant human TGFbeta1 antisense mammalian expression vector, and we isolated HPMCs from human greater omentum by pancreatin disaggregation to establish a stable cell-culture model. We used Lipofectamine 2000 to transfect third-passage HPMCs with plasmid pcDU6 mediating the expression of TGFbeta1 and plasmid pcDNA3.1(-) mediating the expression of antisense TGFbeta1 messenger RNA (mRNA). The resulting transfected cells were then stimulated with 4.25% D-glucose and 10 microg/mL lipopolysaccharide (GS+LPS). We used semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of TGFbeta1, fibronectin (FN), collagen 1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) mRNA by the stimulated cells. The TGFbeta1, FN, and PAI-1 protein levels in the culture supernatant were measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TGFbeta1 was significantly upregulated in HPMCs stimulated with GS+LPS (p < 0.01). As compared with control HPMCs in serum-free F12 medium, HPMCs transfected with TGFbeta1 antisense RNA showed inhibited expression of FN, collagen 1, and PAI-1 mRNA (17%, 26%, and 9.6% respectively after 24 hours). Forty-eight hours after transfection, the FN and PAI-I proteins were inhibited by 54.55% and 61.13% respectively (p < 0.05). In the pcDU6 plasmid vector-mediated TGFbeta1 shRNA groups, TGFbeta1 expression was obviously downregulated as compared with the GS+LPS group and the pcDU6 void vector group (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between the pcDU6 plasmid vector-mediated TGFbeta1 shRNA groups (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the pcDNA3.1(-) vector-mediated antisense RNA group and the pcDU6 void vector group (p > 0.05). The expression of TGFbeta1 in pcDU6 plasmid vector-mediated TGFbeta1 shRNA groups was obviously downregulated as compared with the pcDNA3.1(-) plasmid vector-mediated antisense RNA group (p < 0.01). In HPMCs stimulated with GS+LPS, pcDU6 plasmid vector-mediated shRNA can significantly inhibit the induced expression of TGFbeta1. These results suggest the possible application of pcDU6 plasmid vector-mediated shRNA in preventing peritoneal fibrosis in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Cells, Cultured↗

Structure of the gene for the human myeloid IgA Fc receptor (CD89).

A better understanding of IgA's role in immunity requires insight in IgAR complexity. We have now isolated, characterized, and sequenced the gene encoding the prototypic human myeloid IgA FcR (CD89). The gene consists of five exons and spans approximately 12 kilobase pairs. The leader peptide is encoded by two exons, the second of which is 36 bp long and specifies the predicted peptidase cleavage site. A similar, but shorter (21 bp) mini-exon has been found in the FcR for IgG (Fc gamma R) genes, and the FcR for IgE (Fc epsilon RI alpha) gene (human and rodent). The third and fourth exons code for two homologous Ig-like domains. The final exon encodes a short extracellular region, a hydrophobic transmembrane region, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The sequence of the 5'-flanking region was determined, and one major and several minor transcription initiation sites were mapped by primer extension studies. A putative TATA box was located at an appropriate location relative to the start site. Southern blot analyses of genomic DNA confirm the restriction map generated from cloned DNA. These data define the Fc alpha R gene as a distantly related member of the IgR gene family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Different active sites of mammalian DNA ligases I and II.

Bovine DNA ligases I and II were adenylylated in the presence of [alpha-32P]ATP and digested with limiting amounts of trypsin or V8 protease. The generation of radioactive peptides of decreasing size was monitored by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Active site peptides obtained by complete proteolytic digestions with trypsin, V8, or Lys-C protease were also compared. The partial digestion products of DNA ligases I and II were entirely different, with no indication of extensive sequence homology. Furthermore, the sequence of the active site region of DNA ligase I is clearly different from that of DNA ligase II. Similar analysis of a third chromatographically distinct mammalian DNA ligase indicated that it is different from DNA ligase I but related to DNA ligase II.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Isolation of DNA markers informative in purebred dog families by genomic representational difference analysis (gRDA).

Genomic Representational Difference Analysis (gRDA) is a subtractive DNA method to clone the differences between two related genomes, called tester and driver. We have evaluated this method to obtain polymorphic DNA markers for pedigree dogs. Amplified size-selected genomic restriction fragments (amplicons) of two dog littermates were repeatedly hybridized to each other in order to remove (subtract) those restriction fragments common to both sibs. Already after two rounds of subtractive hybridization, a clear enrichment of presumably tester-specific restriction fragments was observed, which was even more pronounced after the third round of subtraction. A plasmid library of 3000 recombinant clones was constructed of the second round and of the third round difference product. DNA sequence determination of randomly chosen clones of each difference product showed that approximately 1000 unique clones were obtained in the second-round difference product and approximately 500 in the third-round difference product. About half of the clones identified in the second-round difference product were also present in the third-round difference product. Of the second-round difference product, 39 different gRDA fragments could be identified, of which 21 were tester specific. In the third-round difference product, 22 different gRDA fragments were identified, of which 18 were tester specific. There were 13 fragments in common, resulting in a total of 48 different fragments. In order to establish the localization of these markers, we performed mapping using the dog radiation hybrid panel RHDF5000. Of 39 mapped clones, 29 were mapped to 20 existing RH groups, and 10 remained unlinked. It is concluded that gRDA is suitable to generate DNA markers to track disease genes within lines of pedigree dogs.

Animals↗

Does timing of axon outgrowth influence initial retinotectal topography in Xenopus?

The question of whether timing is involved in generating the topographic organization of the earliest embryonic projection from the retina to the tectum has been examined in Xenopus laevis. First, the normal schedule of axonal outgrowth from the retina to the tectum was characterized. Groups of axons originating from either dorsal or ventral extremes of the retina were labeled by in vitro incubation of sectors (one-quarter to one-third) of eye primordia in [3H]proline and their time courses of outgrowth were determined using light microscope autoradiography. Comparisons of the growth of dorsal and ventral nerve fiber populations showed that those from the dorsal retina leave the eye first, grow along the optic pathway, and reach the tectum roughly 6 hr ahead of those from the ventral retina. This stereotyped sequence of outgrowth schedules the development of the initial retinotectal map: first the ventrolateral tectum receives input from the dorsal retina (stage 37/38), and then the dorsomedial part receives input from ventral retina (stage 40). Second, to test whether the accurate timing of axon outgrowth and target invasion defines the spatial ordering of the earliest connections, the normal schedule of retinal fiber outgrowth was altered by substituting dorsal halves of young stage 21 eye primordia, labeled with [3H]proline, for those in older stage 27 embryos. These heterochronic transplants resulted in retarded outgrowth from the dorsal retina such that the original pioneer fibers reached the tectum at least 9 hr later than normal, arriving after ventral retinal fibers, thereby reversing the normal sequence of tectal invasion. Despite this, the initial pattern of tectal innervation remained spatially normal. It is concluded that the retinotectal map is generated not by the temporal sequence of retinal axon outgrowth but, rather, by selective means of neuronal recognition.

Animals↗

Structure-based HIV-1 integrase inhibitor design: a future perspective.

The pol gene of HIV-1 encodes for three essential enzymes, protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN). More than 16 drugs, targeting two of these enzymes, PR and RT have been approved by the FDA. At present, there are no clinically useful agents that inhibit the third enzyme, IN. Combination chemotherapy consisting of PR and RT inhibitors has shown remarkable success in the clinic and has benefited many patients. It is thought that a combination of drugs targeting all three enzymes should further incapacitate the virus. Discovery of highly selective PR inhibitors owe their success to the recent development in structure-guided drug design. During the past several years a plethora of structures of HIV-1 PR in complex with an inhibitor have been solved by x-ray crystallography. This incredible wealth of information provided opportunities for the discovery of second and third generation inhibitors. Due to the inherent nature of IN and insufficient structural information, structure-based inhibitor design selective for IN has not kept pace. However, because of recent developments in the field such information could soon become available. In this review, emphasis is placed on inhibitors with identified or proposed drug binding sites on IN.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conformational and molecular modeling studies of beta-cyclodextrin-heptagastrin and the third extracellular loop of the cholecystokinin 2 receptor.

The conformational features of a conjugate of the C-terminus of human gastrin (HG[11-17]), the shortest gastrin sequence retaining biological function, with beta-cyclodextrin ([Nle(15)]-HG[11-17]-betaCD) were determined by NMR spectroscopy in an aqueous solution of dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles. The peptide-betaCD conjugate displays a binding affinity and activation profile comparable to those of HG[11-17] at the cholecysokinin 2 (CCK(2)) receptor, the G protein-coupled receptor responsible for the gastrointestinal function of gastrin. The structure of the peptide consisted of a well-defined beta-turn between Gly(13) and Asp(16) of gastrin. The structural preferences of [Nle(15)]-HG[11-17]-betaCD in DPC micelles and the 5-doxylstearate-induced relaxation of the (1)H NMR resonances support a membrane-associated receptor recognition mechanism. Addition of [Nle(15)]-HG[11-17]-betaCD to the third extracellular loop domain of the CCK(2) receptor, CCK(2)-R(352-379), generated a number of intermolecular nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOEs) and chemical shift perturbations. NOE-restrained MD simulations of the [Nle(15)]-HG[11-17]-betaCD-CCK(2)-R complex produced a topological orientation in which the C-terminus was located in a shallow hydrophobic pocket near the confluence of TM2 and -3. Despite the steric bulk and physicochemical properties of betaCD, the [Nle(15)]-HG[11-17]-betaCD-CCK(2)-R complex is similar to the CCK-8-CCK(2)-R complex determined previously, providing insight into the mode of ligand binding and the role of electrostatic interactions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The mtmVUC genes of the mithramycin gene cluster in Streptomyces argillaceus are involved in the biosynthesis of the sugar moieties.

Mithramycin is a glycosylated aromatic polyketide produced by Streptomyces argillaceus, and is used as an antitumor drug. Three genes (mtmV, mtmU and mtmC) from the mithramycin gene cluster have been cloned, and characterized by DNA sequencing and by analysis of the products that accumulate in nonproducing mutants, which were generated by insertional inactivation of these genes. The mtm V gene codes for a 2,3-dehydratase that catalyzes early and common steps in the biosynthesis of the three sugars found in mithramycin (D-olivose, D-oliose and D-mycarose); its inactivation caused the accumulation of the nonglycosylated intermediate premithramycinone. The mtmU gene codes for a 4-ketoreductase involved in D-oliose biosynthesis, and its inactivation resulted in the accumulation of premithramycinone and premithramycin A , the first glycosylated intermediate which contains a D-olivose unit. The third gene, mtmC, is involved in D-mycarose biosynthesis and codes for a C-methyltransferase. Two mutants with lesions in the mtmC gene accumulated mithramycin intermediates lacking the D-mycarose moiety but containing D-olivose units attached to C-12a in which the 4-keto group is unreduced. This suggests that mtmC could code for a second enzyme activity, probably a D-olivose 4-ketoreductase, and that the glycosyltransferase responsible for the incorporation of D-olivose (MtmGIV) shows some degree of flexibility with respect to its sugar co-substrate, since the 4-ketoanalog is also transferred. A pathway is proposed for the biosynthesis of the three sugar moieties in mithramycin.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗