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[Excision repair of plasmid in competent Escherichia coli cells].

Excision repair in calcium-treated cells E. coli K12, which are usually used for transformation, was studied. A great decrease in excision repair capacity of calcium-treated cells compared to that of untreated cells was observed when cells were incubated in buffer. Analysis of excision repair in E. coli cells were performed by following methods: (1) plasmid DNA, treated in vivo with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plus light (lambda less than 310 nm) was transformed into calcium-treated E. coli cells and excision of 8-MOP monoadducts was measured by method of repeated irradiation; (2) plasmid DNA, treated with 8-MOP plus light or irradiated at 254 nm in calcium-treated cells, was isolated, and conversion of supercoil plasmid DNA to relaxing form was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Excision repair capacity of calcium-treated cells was restored to the level of that of intact cells after the addition of carbon nutrients (L-broth, glucose). It is supposed that decrease in excision repair capacity of calcium-treated cells is due to the limitation of the intracellular energy sources (probably, ATP), required for the formation of single-stranded nicks in damaged DNA by UVR ABC--endonuclease.

Calcium↗

Transformation properties of the E2a-Pbx1 chimeric oncoprotein: fusion with E2a is essential, but the Pbx1 homeodomain is dispensable.

The t(1;19) chromosomal translocation in acute lymphoblastic leukemias creates chimeric E2a-Pbx1 oncoproteins that can act as DNA-binding activators of transcription. A structural analysis of the functional domains of E2a-Pbx1 showed that portions of both E2a and Pbx1 were essential for transformation of NIH 3T3 cells and transcriptional activation of synthetic reporter genes containing PBX1 consensus binding sites. Hyperexpression of wild-type or experimentally truncated Pbx1 proteins was insufficient for transformation, consistent with their inability to activate transcription. When fused with E2a, the Pbx-related proteins Pbx2 and Pbx3 were also transformation competent, demonstrating that all known members of this highly similar subfamily of homeodomain proteins have latent oncogenic potential. The oncogenic contributions of E2a to the chimeras were localized to transactivation motifs AD1 and AD2, as their mutation significantly impaired transformation. Either the homeodomain or Pbx1 amino acids flanking this region could mediate transformation when fused to E2a. However, the homeodomain was not essential for transformation, since a mutant E2a-Pbx1 protein (E2a-Pbx delta HD) lacking the homeodomain efficiently transformed fibroblasts and induced malignant lymphomas in transgenic mice. Thus, transformation mediated by the chimeric oncoprotein E2a-Pbx1 is absolutely dependent on motifs acquired from E2a but the Pbx1 homeodomain is optional. The latter finding suggests that E2a-Pbx1 may interact with cellular proteins that assist or mediate alterations in gene expression responsible for oncogenesis even in the absence of homeodomain-DNA interactions.

3T3 Cells↗

Protection of porcine oocytes against cell damage caused by oxidative stress during in vitro maturation: role of superoxide dismutase activity in porcine follicular fluid.

To elucidate the beneficial effects of porcine follicular fluid (pFF) added to maturation medium on the sustenance of cytoplasmic maturation responsible for the subsequent developmental competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF) of porcine oocytes, we focused on the antioxidative role of pFF in its function of protecting oocytes from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell damage. Porcine follicular fluid collected from small (2-6 mm) follicles had about 7.2-fold higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than that of fetal bovine serum (FBS), and this activity was markedly blocked by the CuZn-SOD inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC). The interruption of meiotic progression and the increasing intracellular glutathione (GSH) content throughout the maturation period, as well as an outbreak of DNA damage in oocytes and cumulus cells were difficult to detect in oocytes cultured in a medium supplemented with 10% pFF, even in the presence of ROS generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, whereas cell damage encompassed by ROS was prominent in oocytes cultured with 10% FBS and 10% pFF plus 100 microM DETC. Similarly, significant enhancement to the degree of transformation of the sperm nucleus into the male pronucleus (MPN) after in vitro fertilization was shown by the addition of pFF to the maturation medium. The presence of DETC during in vitro maturation reduced the ability of oocytes to promote MPN formation to the same extent as oocytes matured with FBS. The proportion developing to the blastocyst stage was increased in oocytes that matured with pFF, but this developmental competence was significantly lowered by treatment with DETC (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that pFF plays a critical role in protecting oocytes from oxidative stress through a higher level of radical scavenging activity elicited from SOD isoenzymes, resulting in the enhancement of cytoplasmic maturation responsible for developmental competence postfertilization.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of a multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA)-like polypeptide produced by a human fibrosarcoma cell line.

A human fibrosarcoma cell line, 8387, produces and secretes multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA)-like polypeptide growth factors, which are associated with a high molecular weight binding protein. The purification of 8387-MSA involved concentration of serum-free media conditioned by 8387 cells, dialysis, and chromatography of the acid-soluble growth-promoting activity on Bio-Gel P-100 in 1 M acetic acid and subsequently on carboxymethylcellulose. The purification was followed by a radioreceptor assay specific for MSA and an assay for growth-stimulating activity. Both activities chromatographed through the purification steps of 8387-MSA. 8387-MSA competes with 125I-labeled rat MSA for binding on rat cells with a specific activity 5 times lower than that of rat MSA and stimulates [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA of normal rat fibroblasts at comparable concentrations. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the MSA-competing activity co-migrated with a single band of protein that behaved heterogeneously on discpolyacrylamide gels in the presence of 6 M urea, yielding two bands associated with biological activity. 8387-MSA is a single chain polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 14,500.

Animals↗

Knock-in mutation of transcription factor GATA-3 into the GATA-1 locus: partial rescue of GATA-1 loss of function in erythroid cells.

Transcription factors of the GATA-family are essential for proper development of diverse tissues or cell types. GATA-1 is required for differentiation of two hematopoietic lineages (red blood cells and megakaryocytes), whereas GATA-3 is essential for T-cell development. Functional studies suggest that many properties of the GATA-family of proteins are shared and largely interchangeable. To test whether the function of GATA-1 in erythroid differentiation can be replaced by another GATA-factor, we generated a knock-in mutation of the GATA-1 locus in which GATA-3 cDNA was introduced by gene targeting. Mutant embryos (designated G1G3ki), though embryonic lethal, exhibit partial rescue, characterized by increased survival of erythroid precursor cells and improved hemoglobin production. The basis for the incomplete extent of rescue is likely to be complex, but may be accounted for, in part, by insufficient accumulation of GATA-3 protein (compared with the normal level of GATA-1). Our findings suggest that GATA-3 protein is functional when expressed in an erythroid environment and is competent to act on at least a subset of erythroid-expressed target genes in vivo.

Anemia↗

EFFECT OF INTERSPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION ON LINKAGE RELATIONSHIPS OF MARKERS IN HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE AND HAEMOPHILUS PARAINFLUENZAE.

Nickel, Lois (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), and Sol H. Goodgal. Effect of interspecific transformation on linkage relationships of markers in Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. J. Bacteriol. 88:1538-1544. 1964.-Highly competent cells of Haemophilus parainfluenzae were obtained by a modification of the aerobic-"anaerobic" method of Goodgal and Herriott. The mutant markers for streptomycin and novobiocin resistance in H. parainfluenzae were shown to be unlinked. These same markers were transferred into H. influenzae in two transformation steps, and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted. Transformation of recipient H. influenzae with DNA from the latter showed the markers to be linked, and transformation of recipient H. parainfluenzae with this DNA showed that the markers were not cotransferred. The linked streptomycin- and novobiocin-resistance mutations of H. influenzae were transformed into H. parainfluenzae in two stages, and the DNA was extracted. Transformation of recipient H. parainfluenzae with this DNA demonstrated the markers to be unlinked in H. parainfluenzae. When these markers, originally from H. influenzae and present as unlinked factors in H. parainfluenzae, are transferred back into H. influenzae, the markers showed their original linkage. The novobiocin- and erythromycin-resistance markers of H. influenzae were unlinked in H. influenzae, but were linked when transferred into H. parainfluenzae. The erythromycin-resistance marker of H. influenzae, when transferred into a novobiocin-resistant mutant of H. parainfluenzae, showed linkage with it. Evidence is presented to show that H. parainfluenzae streptomycin and novobiocin markers are homologous to streptomycin and novobiocin markers in H. influenzae.

DNA↗

[A simple system of cloning in phage M13 and DNA sequencing with terminators].

A compilation of techniques for DNA cloning in filamentous phage M13 based vectors for a novice in cloning is presented. It does not require either specialized microbiological facilities, or any specific knowledge in Escherichia coli genetics. The cloning strategy uses only blunt-end ligation into a vector that has been prepared once for several hundred experiments. The first part describes the isolation, preparation and checking of a blunt-ended M13 vector (with M13 mp series vectors as an example), and also the isolation of clonable fragments, transformation of competent cells and preliminary analysis of recombinants. The second part describes procedures and equipment, which enable to sequence recombinant M13 clones by the chain termination procedure of Sanger et al. It includes simplified procedures for the preparation of sequencing gels, and the rules of interpretation of the sequencing ladders. Reference material is added, which includes trouble-shooting guide, E. coli K12 strain list and polylinker sequences for use of mp-series vectors as well as a fully documented cloning and sequencing experiment.

Base Sequence↗

Effect of lysogeny on transfection and transfection enhancement in Bacillus subtilis.

Strains of Bacillus subtilis 168 lysogenic for bacteriophage phi105 transfer with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolated from bacteriophage SPO2 at a higher efficiency than non-lysogenic strains. This enhancement of transfection was not the result of recombination between bacteriophages SPO2 and phi105. Superinfection marker rescue increased transfection with DNA from bacteriophage phi105 occurred simultaneously with the addition of the transfecting DNA. Again, this enhancement of transfection was not the result of recombination but rather a protection of the transfecting DNA by the superinfecting bacteriophage. The ability of the superinfecting bacteriophage to protect the transfecting DNA from inactivation was maximal when the bacteria were just becoming competent. Bacteriophage phi1 cannot replicate after the transfection of competent bacteria lacking a functional DNA replication system, whereas bacteriophage phi1 was able to replicate after infection of competent bacteria grown under comparable conditions. These observations support the hypothesis that GAPase and an inducible repair system play an important role in the development of competence.

Azo Compounds↗

Conditions for competence in the Bacillus licheniformis transformation system.

Some variables in the Bacillus licheniformis transformation system, such as inoculum size, initial cell density in transformation medium, and time of optimal competence, have been explored, and a methodology has been developed to obtain greater reproducibility and maximal competence for transformation. The transformation system in B. licheniformis has been shown to be similar to that of B. subtilis in a number of respects, including "dormancy" of transformed cells and the concentration of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid required for saturation.

Bacillus↗

Proviral-activated c-erbB is leukemogenic but not sarcomagenic: characterization of a replication-competent retrovirus containing the activated c-erbB.

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) induces erythroblastosis in chickens by integrating its DNA into the host c-erbB locus and by activating expression of truncated c-erbB transcripts. Although there is a 100% correlation of c-erbB activation with ALV-induced erythroblastosis, direct evidence that the activated c-erbB is oncogenic has not been established. We have constructed a replication-competent retrovirus containing the activated c-erbB to investigate its transforming potential. The Rous c-erbB virus (REB-c) was constructed by inserting the activated c-erbB cDNA into a Rous sarcoma virus vector in place of src. When transfected into transformed quail fibroblasts (QT6), the REB-c construct stably integrates and expresses c-erbB-specific transcripts and produces infectious virus. The REB-c retrovirus produces short-latency polyclonal erythroblastosis in chickens. However, in contrast to avian erythroblastosis virus which contains v-erbB, the REB-c construct does not transform chicken embryo fibroblasts in vitro, nor does the REB-c virus produce sarcomas when injected into the wing web of chickens. Our results provide the first direct evidence that the activated c-erbB which lacks the amino-terminal extracellular domain but which retains the entire carboxy-terminal sequences is leukemogenic but not sarcomagenic.

Alpharetrovirus↗

Molecular fate of heterologous bacterial DNA in competent Bacillus subtilis. II. Unstable association of heterologous DNA with the recipient chromosome.

In CsCl density gradients of lysates from competent Bacillus subtilis cells, which had been exposed to heterologous bacterial DNA, very little donor-recipient complex (DRC) formation could be detected. The present study demonstrates that photocrosslinking of such lysates by irradiation with long-wave UV light in the presence of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen results in a dramatic increase in the amount of heterologous DRC. This phenomenon may be interpreted as the stabilization of a pre-existing weak association between entered heterologous donor DNA and one recipient strand in unpaired regions of the chromosome. When a recombination-deficient mutant is used, the amount of stabilizable heterologous DRC is reduced to the same extent as the specific transforming activity of homologous DNA. Although the amount of stabilizable complex is related to the degree of homology between donor and recipient DNA, this relation is not a quantitative one. Probably the association is caused by very short regions of base pairing between the donor and recipient moieties in the complex. Heating of a lysate at 70 degrees prior to photocrosslinking prevents stabilization, apparently because the regions of base pairing are rapidly melted out. The results described in this paper can be best interpreted as the fixation of a process in which entered donor DNA in competent cells tries to find homologous stretches in the recipient chromosome.

Bacillus↗

Genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: molecular cloning and characterization of recP, a gene required for genetic recombination.

A 225-base-pair fragment of a recombination gene was identified by insertion-duplication mutagenesis and used as a radioactive probe to clone the corresponding rec locus from Streptococcus pneumoniae in Escherichia coli plasmid vectors. Attempts to clone large pieces of this locus were unsuccessful, but small pieces of DNA from this region were cloned in the E. coli transcriptional terminator vectors pKK232-8 and pJDC9. The extent of the rec region, 2.1 to 2.2 kilobases, was defined by determining the competence phenotype of insertion mutations constructed in vitro. A deletion of the rec locus showed it to be necessary for chromosomal integration but not for plasmid establishment. A plasmid carrying the entire locus encoded a 72-kilodalton polypeptide in a cell-free E. coli transcription-translation system.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Complementation of myosin null mutants in Dictyostelium discoideum by direct functional selection.

The eukaryotic slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum contains a single conventional myosin heavy chain gene (mhcA). Cell lines in which this gene was deleted via homologous recombination have been previously reported. These myosin null cells were shown to be defective for cytokinesis and for sporogenesis. We demonstrate here that the cloned mhcA gene can be reintroduced into these cells by the use of a direct functional selection. This selection was imposed by demanding that cells be capable of growth in suspension. The resulting transformants appear normal for cytokinesis, and also are fully competent for sporogenesis, confirming that reintroduction of the myosin gene is sufficient to restore these properties. These results demonstrate a method for rescuing mutants in Dictyostelium which may be generally applicable for genetically created mutations as well as for mutations which have been engineered.

Blotting, Southern↗

Creation of an isogenic P1-deficient mutant of Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius.

Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius, the causative agent of Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF), expresses a heat-modifiable 48 kDa outer membrane protein, P1, which is conserved in most Brazilian case-clone isolates. To study the role of P1 in pathogenesis of BPF we constructed via homologous recombination an isogenic P1-deficient mutant of H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius. The procedure involved a modification of Hererot's method for development of competence. Modifications included variations in the growth conditions, use of cAMP, specific characteristics of the donor DNA, and antibiotic selection. P1-deficient mutants were confirmed by SDS-PAGE, loss of reactivity with a specific monoclonal antibody on Western blot, restriction analysis and Southern blot. Our results establish the first successful transformation of homologous DNA into H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Photosensitization by 2-chloro-3,11-tridecadiene-5,7,9-triyn-1-ol: damage to erythrocyte membranes, Escherichia coli, and DNA.

The natural product 2-chloro-3,11-tridecadiene-5,7,9-triyn-1-ol (1) photosensitized the inactivation of Escherichia coli in the presence of near-ultraviolet light (320-400 nm; NUV) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. A series of E. coli strains differing in DNA repair capabilities and catalase proficiency exhibited indistinguishable inactivation kinetics following treatment with the chemical plus NUV. The presence of carotenoids did afford some protection to E. coli against inactivation under aerobic conditions, consistent with the involvement of singlet oxygen. The photosensitized hemolysis of human erythrocytes occurred more rapidly in the absence than in the presence of oxygen. Aerobically, the onset of hemolysis was partially inhibited by NaN3 and by 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD). The aerobic lipid peroxidation observed in the membranes of erythrocyte ghosts was completely inhibited by BHT, and partially by NaN3, but not by SOD. These results suggest that either lipid peroxidation of the membrane is not the main cause of photohemolysis or that BHT has insufficient access to intact erythrocyte lipids to protect them. Aerobically, crosslinking of membrane proteins was also observed; it was not affected by SOD, but was partially inhibited by BHT and NaN3. The anaerobic photosensitized hemolysis of erythrocytes was more rapid; a radical mechanism was suggested since BHT inhibited the hemolysis to a greater extent than under aerobic conditions. Neither lipid peroxidation nor protein crosslinking was observed under conditions believed to be anaerobic. A light-dependent electron transfer to cytochrome c was obtained under argon but not under oxygen. Although induced mutations were not observed in the experiments with E. coli, 1 was capable of damaging both supercoiled pBR322 and Haemophilus influenzae transforming DNA in a manner that seemed to be equivalent under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In conclusion, 1 can behave as typical photodynamic molecule under aerobic conditions but, in contrast to most photodynamic molecules, it is also phototoxic under anaerobic conditions. The extent to which the radical reactions detected under anaerobic reactions compete with the photodynamic processes when oxygen is present is not known.

Alkadienes↗

Two regions of the adenovirus early region 1A proteins are required for transformation.

Regions of the adenovirus type 5 early region 1A (E1A) proteins that are required for transformation were defined by using a series of deletion mutants. Deletion mutations collectively spanning the entire protein-coding region of E1A were constructed and assayed for their ability to cooperate with an activated ras oncogene to induce transformation in primary baby rat kidney cells. Two regions of E1A (amino acids 1 to 85 and 121 to 127) were found to be essential for transformation. Deletion of all or part of the region from amino acids 121 to 127 resulted in a total loss of transforming ability. An adjacent stretch of amino acids (residues 128 to 139), largely consisting of acidic residues, was found to be dispensable for transformation but appeared to influence the efficiency of transformation. Amino acids 1 to 85 made up a second region of the E1A protein that was essential for transformation. Deletion of all or part of this region resulted in a loss of the transforming activity. Even a mutation resulting in a single amino acid change at position 2 of the polypeptide chain was sufficient to eliminate transformation. Deletion of amino acids 86 to 120 or 128 to 289 did not eliminate transformation, although some mutations in these regions had lowered efficiencies of transformation. Foci induced by transformation-competent mutants could be expanded into cell lines that retained their transformed morphology and constitutively expressed the mutant E1A proteins.

Adenovirus Early Proteins↗

HPRS-103 (exogenous avian leukosis virus, subgroup J) has an env gene related to those of endogenous elements EAV-0 and E51 and an E element found previously only in sarcoma viruses.

The avian leukosis and sarcoma virus (ALSV) group comprises eight subgroups based on envelope properties. HPRS-103, an exogenous retrovirus recently isolated from meat-type chicken lines, is similar to the viruses of these subgroups in group antigen but differs from them in envelope properties and has been assigned to a new subgroup, J. HPRS-103 has a wide host range in birds, and unlike other nontransforming ALSVs which cause late-onset B-cell lymphomas, HPRS-103 causes late-onset myelocytomas. Analysis of the sequence of an infectious clone of the complete proviral genome indicates that HPRS-103 is a multiple recombinant of at least five ALSV sequences and one EAV (endogenous avian retroviral) sequence. The HPRS-103 env is most closely related to the env gene of the defective EAV-E51 but divergent from those of other ALSV subgroups. Probing of restriction digests of line 0 chicken genomic DNA has identified a novel group of endogenous sequences (EAV-HP) homologous to that of the HPRS-103 env gene but different from sequences homologous to EAV and E51. Unlike other replication-competent nontransforming ALSVs, HPRS-103 has an E element in its 3' noncoding region, as found in many transforming ALSVs. A deletion found in the HPRS-103 U3 EFII enhancer factor-binding site is also found in all replication-defective transforming ALSVs (including MC29, which causes rapid-onset myelocytomas).

Alpharetrovirus↗