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Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection nitrate determination of soil pastes using principal component regression, partial least squares, and cross-correlation.

This paper investigates the use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy as a fast and simple way for direct determination of nitrate concentration in soil pastes, which would assist precision fertilizer placement and reduce nitrate pollution. Eight types of soils are investigated, with nitrate concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 ppm-N. The spectral region around the nitrate band (1300-1550 cm(-1)) is analyzed by (1) principal component regression (PCR), (2) partial least squares (PLS), and (3) cross-correlation with reference libraries that include spectra of pure ions and/or soils. The main obstacle to accurate nitrate measurement appears to be an interfering band present in calcareous soils. This band, which may be due to carbonate, is located around 1450 cm(-1) and overlaps with the nitrate band centered around 1370 cm(-1). For non-calcareous soils, and in particular for light sandy agricultural soils, PLS and cross-correlation with a reference library containing only spectra of ions in water give similar results (about 8 ppm-N on dry soil basis), while PCR leads to slightly poorer results. When calcareous soils are included in the analysis, the prediction errors are about twice as large. In this case, the best results are obtained using PLS, followed by PCR, while cross-correlation with reference libraries leads to poorer results.

Algorithms↗

A web server for performing electronic PCR.

'Electronic PCR' (e-PCR) refers to a computational procedure that is used to search DNA sequences for sequence tagged sites (STSs), each of which is defined by a pair of primer sequences and an expected PCR product size. To gain speed, our implementation extracts short 'words' from the 3' end of each primer and stores them in a sorted hash table that can be accessed efficiently during the search. One recent improvement is the use of overlapping discontinuous words to allow matches to be found despite the presence of a mismatch. Moreover, it is possible to allow gaps in the alignment between the primer and the sequence. The effect of these changes is to improve sensitivity without significantly affecting specificity. The new software provides a search mode using a query STS against a sequence database to augment the previously available mode using a query sequence against an STS database. Finally, e-PCR may now be used through a web service, with search results linked to other web resources such as the UniSTS database and the MapViewer genome browser. The e-PCR web server may be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sutils/e-pcr.

Algorithms↗

Prevalence of respiratory viruses, including newly identified viruses, in hospitalised children in Austria.

The aim of this epidemiological study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory viruses, including new viruses, in hospitalised children in Austria. Two hundred fourteen nasopharyngeal samples from hospitalised children were tested for the presence of viruses using cell culture and PCR and/or viral antigen assays. The results revealed a parainfluenza virus 1 (PIV1) outbreak that ended right before the onset of the influenza season, with nearly no overlapping, moderate respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, and only a few adenoviruses. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was present in 14.5% of the total samples but was detected in combination with other viruses in only five cases: with PIV1 in three cases and with RSV in two cases. There were no cases of dual infection with hMPV and flu or adenovirus. This suggests that hMPV alone is a leading cause of hospitalisation in children under 1 year of age. Interestingly, hMPV, in contrast to RSV, coincided with PIV1 but was absent during the community outbreak of the flu. Samples were also tested for Mimiviridae, a group of newly described DNA viruses that are similar to Legionella spp., replicate in water amoebae, and also have been found in alveolar cells. However, mimivirus was detected neither in respiratory samples nor in amoebae-containing water samples, indicating that this particular type of virus is either not abundant or does not contribute to paediatric respiratory illnesses.

Animals↗

Sequence comparison of the sodium-D-glucose cotransport systems in rabbit renal and intestinal epithelia.

Using an isolated 1.2 kbp PCR product as specific probe, the rabbit renal cortex sodium-D-glucose cotransport system has been found and cloned from a renal cortex cDNA library. Two overlapping cDNA clones were found, one with a length of 2.1 kbp and one of 1.1 kbp resulting in a total sequence of 2.2 kbp without the poly(A) tail. Northern blot hybridization indicated a transcript of approx. 2.4 kb in size. Tissue distribution in the rabbit kidney and intestine indicates that this sequence is present in renal cortex, renal medulla and small intestine in different proportions. It is proposed that this clone codes for a member of the sodium-D-glucose cotransporter systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The complete sequence of the bovine torovirus genome.

Viruses in the family Coronaviridae have elicited new interest, with the outbreaks caused by SARS-HCoV in 2003 and the recent discovery of a new human coronavirus, HCoV-NL63. The genus Torovirus, within the family Coronaviridae, is less well characterized, in part because toroviruses cannot yet be grown in cell culture (except for the Berne virus). In this study, we determined the sequence of the complete genome of Breda-1 (BoTV-1), a bovine torovirus. This is the first complete torovirus genome sequence to be reported. BoTV-1 RNA was amplified using long RT-PCR and the amplicons sequenced. The genome has a length of 28.475 kb and consisted mainly of the replicase gene ( approximately 20.2 kb) which contains two large overlapping ORFs, ORF1a and ORF1b, encoding polyproteins pp1a and pp1b, respectively. Sequence analysis identified conserved domains within the predicted sequences of pp1a and pp1b. Sequence alignments and protein secondary structure prediction data suggest the presence of a 3C-like serine protease domain with similarity to the arterivirus 3C-like serine protease and a single papain-like cysteine protease domain with similarity to the picornavirus leader protease. The ADRP (APPR-1'') domain - unique to the Coronaviridae - was also located in BoTV pp1a. In addition, several hydrophobic domains were identified that are typical of a nidovirus replicase. Within the pp1b sequence the polymerase and helicase domains were identified, as well as sequences predicted to be involved in ribosomal frameshifting, including the conserved slippery sequence UUUAAAC and two potential pseudoknot structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cadmium-regulated gene fusions in Pseudomonas fluorescens.

To study the mechanisms soil bacteria use to cope with elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the environment, a mutagenesis with the lacZ-based reporter gene transposon Tn5B20 was performed. Random gene fusions in the genome of the common soil bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 were used to create a bank of 5,000 P. fluorescens mutants. This mutant bank was screened for differential gene expression in the presence of the toxic metal cadmium. Fourteen mutants were identified that responded with increased or reduced gene expression to the presence of cadmium. The mutants were characterized with respect to their metal-dependent gene expression and their metal tolerance. Half the identified mutants reacted with differential gene expression specifically to the metal cadmium, whereas some of the other mutants also responded to elevated concentrations of copper and zinc ions. One of the mutants, strain C8, also showed increased gene expression in the presence of the solvent ethanol, but otherwise no overlap between cadmium-induced gene expression and general stress response was detected. Molecular analysis of the corresponding genetic loci was performed using arbitrary polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing and comparison of the deduced protein products with sequences deposited in genetic databases. Some of the genetic loci targeted by the transposon did not show any similarities to any known genes; thus, they may represent 'novel' loci. The hypothesis that genes that are differentially expressed in the presence of heavy metals play a role in metal tolerance was verified for one of the mutants. This mutant, strain C11, was hypersensitive to cadmium and zinc ions. In mutant C11, the transposon had inserted into a genetic region displaying similarity to genes encoding the sensor/regulator protein pairs of two-component systems that regulate gene expression in metal-resistant bacteria, including czcRS of Ralstonia eutropha, czrRS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and copRS of Pseudomonas syringae. Although the P. fluorescens strain used in this study had not been isolated from a metal-rich environment, it nevertheless contained at least one genetic region enabling it to cope with elevated concentrations of heavy metals.

Artificial Gene Fusion↗

Sequence analysis, expression, and binding activity of recombinant major outer sheath protein (Msp) of Treponema denticola.

The gene encoding the major outer sheath protein (Msp) of the oral spirochete Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. Preliminary sequence analysis showed that the 5' end of the msp gene was not present on the 5.5-kb cloned fragment described in a recent study (M. Haapasalo, K. H. Müller, V. J. Uitto, W. K. Leung, and B. C. McBride, Infect. Immun. 60:2058-2065,1992). The 5' end of msp was obtained by PCR amplification from a T. denticola genomic library, and an open reading frame of 1,629 bp was identified as the coding region for Msp by combining overlapping sequences. The deduced peptide consisted of 543 amino acids and had a molecular mass of 58,233 Da. The peptide had a typical prokaryotic signal sequence with a potential cleavage site for signal peptidase 1. Northern (RNA) blot analysis showing the msp transcript to be approximately 1.7 kb was consistent with the identification of a promoter consensus sequence located optimally upstream of msp and a transcription termination signal found downstream of the stop codon. The entire msp sequence was amplified from T. denticola genomic DNA and cloned in E. coli by using a tightly regulated T7 RNA polymerase vector system. Expression of Msp was toxic to E. coli when the entire msp gene was present. High levels of Msp were produced as inclusion bodies when the putative signal peptide sequence was deleted and replaced by a vector-encoded T7 peptide sequence. Recombinant Msp purified to homogeneity from a clone containing the full-length msp gene adhered to immobilized laminin and fibronectin but not to bovine serum albumin. Attachment of recombinant Msp was decreased in the presence of soluble substrate. Attachment of T. denticola to immobilized laminin and fibronectin was increased by pretreatment of the substrate with recombinant Msp. These studies lend further support to the hypothesis that Msp mediates the extracellular matrix binding activity of T. denticola.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PITX2, beta-catenin and LEF-1 interact to synergistically regulate the LEF-1 promoter.

PITX2, beta-catenin and lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF-1) are required for the inductive formation of several epithelial-derived organs, including teeth. Lef-1 is expressed in the dental epithelium after Pitx2, and both factors have overlapping expression patterns in the tooth bud and cap stages. Our analysis of Pitx2-/- mutant mice showed reduced Lef-1 expression in facial tissues by RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR. Consistent with these results we show that the human 2.5 kb LEF-1 promoter is activated by PITX2. Furthermore, the LEF-1 promoter is differentially activated by PITX2 isoforms, which are co-expressed in dental epithelium. The 2.5 kb LEF-1 promoter contains two regions that act to inhibit its transcription in concert with PITX2. The proximal region contains a Wnt-responsive element (WRE) that attenuates PITX2 activation. LEF-1 cannot autoregulate LEF-1 expression; however co-transfection of PITX2 and LEF-1 result in a synergistic activation of the 2.5 kb LEF-1 promoter. LEF-1 specifically interacts with the PITX2 C-terminal tail. Deletion of a distal 800 bp segment of the LEF-1 promoter resulted in enhanced PITX2 activation, and increased synergistic activation in the presence of LEF-1. Furthermore, beta-catenin in combination with PITX2 synergistically activates the LEF-1 promoter and this activation is independent of the Wnt-responsive element. beta-catenin directly interacts with PITX2 to synergistically regulate LEF-1 expression. We show a new mechanism where LEF-1 expression is regulated through PITX2, LEF-1 and beta-catenin direct physical interactions. LEF-1 and beta-catenin interactions with PITX2 provide new mechanisms for the regulation of PITX2 transcriptional activity.

Animals↗

A 1.6-Mb contig of yeast artificial chromosomes around the human factor VIII gene reveals three regions homologous to probes for the DXS115 locus and two for the DXYS64 locus.

Two yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries were screened for probes in Xq28, around the gene for coagulation factor VIII (F8). A set of 30 YACs were recovered and assembled into a contig spanning at least 1.6 Mb from the DXYS64 locus to the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G6PD). Overlaps among the YACs were determined by several fingerprinting techniques and by additional probes generated from YAC inserts by using Alu-vector or ligation-mediated PCR. Analysis of more than 30 probes and sequence-tagged sites (STSs) made from the region revealed the presence of several homologous genomic segments. For example, a probe for the DXYS64 locus, which maps less than 500 kb 5' of F8, detects a similar but not identical locus between F8 and G6PD. Also, a probe for the DXS115 locus detects at least three identical copies in this region, one in intron 22 of F8 and at least two more, which are upstream of the 5' end of the gene. Comparisons of genomic and YAC DNA suggest that the multiple loci are not created artifactually during cloning but reflect the structure of uncloned human DNA. On the basis of these data, the most likely order for the loci analyzed is tel-DXYS61-DXYS64-(DXS115-3-DXS115-2)-5'F8-(D XS115-1)-3'F8-G6PD.

Base Sequence↗

Alloantigen specific CD8+CD28- FOXP3+ T suppressor cells induce ILT3+ ILT4+ tolerogenic endothelial cells, inhibiting alloreactivity.

Endothelial cells have been shown to activate T cell responses to alloantigens, triggering transplant rejection. However, they may also play a role in tolerance induction. Using RT-PCR we show here that alloantigen specific CD8(+)CD28(-) T suppressor cells generated in vitro are FOXP3 positive and interact with human endothelial cells. This interaction results in the induction of inhibitory receptors and down-regulation of costimulatory and adhesion molecules, thus rendering endothelial cells tolerogenic. In turn, tolerized endothelial cells elicit the differentiation of CD8(+)CD28(-) FOXP3(+) T suppressor cells. Taken together our data demonstrate a functional and phenotypic overlap between tolerogenic dendritic cells and endothelial cells. Furthermore, alloantigen specific CD8(+)CD28(-) FOXP3(+) T cells, which trigger the upregulation of inhibitory receptors in endothelial cells, are present in the circulation of heart allograft recipients in quiescence as demonstrated by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and luciferase transcription assays. Their detection facilitates the identification of patients who may benefit from partial or complete cessation of immunosuppressive therapy, a goal of obvious importance given the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic immunosuppression. Modulation of endothelial cells in favor of promoting tolerance may be important for long-term survival of organ allografts.

Adult↗

Novel fimbrial subunit genes of Dichelobacter nodosus: recombination in vivo or in vitro?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the variable region of the fimbrial subunit encoding gene (fimA) of Dichelobacter nodosus from sheep and goats infected with footrot. Two amplimers (designated X and Y) generated single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) patterns different to those of previously identified serogroups and serotypes. DNA sequencing revealed that these two fragments were novel. The upstream of X (nt 1-183) was identical to serotype M1 while its downstream (nt 223-414) was identical to serotype F1; the upstream of Y (nt 1-116) was identical to serotype E1, whereas its downstream (nt 148-423) was identical to serotype F1. A 14-mer sequence consisting of two partially overlapping Chi-like sequences, 5'-GCTGGTGCTGGTGA-3', was also found in these fragments. Two primer sets with the downstream primer specific for serotype F1 and the upstream primer specific for serotype M or E1, generated PCR products of the expected sizes from the footrot samples from which fragments X and Y were isolated, respectively. These primer sets did not appear to amplify artificially mixed genomic DNA from serotypes M and F1 or E1 and F1. However, when the reactions were re-amplified, PCR recombination artifacts were observed, suggesting that PCR recombination does occur, but at a low frequency. It, therefore, seems more likely that fragments X and Y reflect genuine fimA genes of D. nodosus which have resulted from in vivo DNA recombination rather than from a PCR recombination artifact.

Animals↗

Specific deletions in the hepatitis B virus core open reading frame in patients with chronic active hepatitis B.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to examine genomic variation in the pre-core/core open reading frame of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in chronically infected patients. Gel electrophoresis of amplification products showed the presence of shortened forms of the core gene in addition to the full length product. These shortened forms were seen only in patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) seropositive for HBeAg and not in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or HBeAg minus CAH. Cloning and DNA sequencing revealed the presence of a number of overlapping deletions within the core gene, the majority being in-frame, which were clustered within aa 81-114 of the core gene product. These deletions were found in patients with CAH from different racial and geographical backgrounds, whereas PCR analysis of the surface and X open reading frames showed no shortened forms suggesting deletions to be specific to the core gene in these patients. Because the product of the core gene--the HBV core antigen--is believed to be the major target for T-cell-mediated liver damage, it seems likely that the products of core genes carrying deletions will alter immune recognition and may be of importance in the progression of inflammatory liver damage.

Base Sequence↗

Fot 1 insertions in the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis genome provide diagnostic PCR targets for detection of the date palm pathogen.

Populations of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis, the causal agent of Bayoud disease of date palm, are derivatives of a single clonal lineage and exhibit very similar Fot 1 hybridization patterns. In order to develop a sensitive diagnostic tool for F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis detection, we isolated several DNA clones containing a copy of the transposable element Fot 1 from a genomic library of the date palm pathogen. Regions flanking the insertion sites were sequenced, and these sequences were used to design PCR primers that amplify the DNA regions at several Fot 1 insertion sites. When tested on a large sample of Fusarium isolates, including 286 F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis isolates, 17 other special forms, nonpathogenic F. oxysporum isolates from palm grove soils, and 8 other Fusarium species, the primer pair TL3-FOA28 allowed amplification of a 400-bp fragment found only in F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. Sequence analysis showed that one of the Fot 1 copies was truncated, lacking 182 bp at its 3' terminus. The primer pair BI03-FOA1 amplified a 204-bp fragment which overlapped the Fot 1 truncated copy and its 3' site of insertion in the F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis genome and identified 95% of the isolates. The primer pairs BIO3-FOA1 and TL3-FOA28 used in PCR assays thus provide a useful diagnostic tool for F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis isolates.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Genome-wide profiling of papillary thyroid cancer identifies MUC1 as an independent prognostic marker.

Clinicopathological variables used at present for prognostication and treatment selection for papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) do not uniformly predict tumor behavior, necessitating identification of novel prognostic markers. Complicating the assessment is the long natural history of PTC and our rudimentary knowledge of its genetic composition. In this study we took advantage of differences in clinical behavior of two distinct variants of PTC, the aggressive tall-cell variant (TCV) and indolent conventional PTC (cPTC), to identify molecular prognosticators of outcome using complementary genome wide analyses. Comparative genome hybridization (CGH) and cDNA microarray (17,840 genes) analyses were used to detect changes in DNA copy number and gene expression in pathological cPTC and TCV. The findings from CGH and cDNA microarray analyses were correlated and validated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses on a series of 100 cases of cPTC and TCV. Genes identified by this approach were evaluated as prognostic markers in cPTC by immunohistochemistry on tissue arrays. CGH identified significant differences in the presence (76 versus 27%; P = 0.001) and type of DNA copy number aberrations in TCV compared with cPTC. Recurrent gains of 1p34-36, 1q21, 6p21-22, 9q34, 11q13, 17q25, 19, and 22 and losses of 2q21-31, 4, 5p14-q21, 6q11-22, 8q11-22, 9q11-32, and 13q21-31 were unique to TCV. Hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles revealed significant overlap between TCV and cPTC, but further analysis identified 82 dysregulated genes differentially expressed among the PTC variants. Of these, MUC1 was of particular interest because amplification of 1q by CGH correlated with MUC1 amplification by real-time PCR analysis and protein overexpression by immunohistochemistry in TCV (P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between MUC1 overexpression and treatment outcome, independent of histopathological categorization (P = 0.03). Analysis of a validation series containing a matched group of aggressive and indolent cPTCs confirmed the association between MUC1 overexpression and survival (relative risk, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.5; P = 0.03). Our data suggest that MUC1 dysregulation is associated with aggressive behavior of PTC and may serve as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in this disease.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

Distinctive structure of the human GSTM3 gene-inverted orientation relative to the mu class glutathione transferase gene cluster.

The sequence and exon-intron structure of the human class mu GSTM3 glutathione transferase gene and its orientation with respect to the remainder of the human class mu GSTM gene cluster were determined. The GSTM3 gene is 2847 bp long and is thus considerably shorter than the other class mu genes in the cluster, which range in size from 5325 to 7212 bp. Outside the protein-coding region, the GSTM3 gene does not share significant sequence similarity with other class mu glutathione transferase genes. Identification of overlapping cosmid clones that span the region between GSTM5, the next nearest glutathione transferase gene, and GSTM3 showed that the two genes are about 20,000 bp apart. PCR primers developed from sequences 3'-downstream from the GSTM5 gene were used to identify clones containing the GSTM3 gene. Amplification with these primers showed that the orientation of the GSTM3 gene is 5'-GSTM5-3'-3'-GSTM3-5'. Long-range PCR reactions confirmed this orientation both in the GSTM-YAC2 YAC clone, which contains the five class mu glutathione transferase genes on chromosome 1, and in human DNA. This tail-to-tail orientation is consistent with an evolutionary model of class mu glutathione transferase divergence from a pair of tail-to-tail "M1-like" and "M3-like" class mu glutathione transferase genes that was present at the mammalian radiation to the current organization of multiple head-to-tail M1-like genes tail-to-tail with a single M3-like gene with distinct structural properties and expression patterns.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning and function of the rat colonic epithelial K+ channel KVLQT1.

KVLQT1 (KCNQ1) is a voltage-gated K+ channel essential for repolarization of the heart action potential that is defective in cardiac arrhythmia. The channel is inhibited by the chromanol 293B, a compound that blocks cAMP-dependent electrolyte secretion in rat and human colon, therefore suggesting expression of a similar type of K+ channel in the colonic epithelium. We now report cloning and expression of KVLQT1 from rat colon. Overlapping clones identified by cDNA-library screening were combined to a full length cDNA that shares high sequence homology to KVLQT1 cloned from other species. RT-PCR analysis of rat colonic musoca demonstrated expression of KVLQT1 in crypt cells and surface epithelium. Expression of rKVLQT1 in Xenopus oocytes induced a typical delayed activated K+ current, that was further activated by increase of intracellular cAMP but not Ca2+ and that was blocked by the chromanol 293B. The same compound blocked a basolateral cAMP-activated K+ conductance in the colonic mucosal epithelium and inhibited whole cell K+ currents in patch-clamp experiments on isolated colonic crypts. We conclude that KVLQT1 is forming an important component of the basolateral cAMP-activated K+ conductance in the colonic epithelium and plays a crucial role in diseases like secretory diarrhea and cystic fibrosis.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

[Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA encoding the Musca domestica latrophilin-like protein(LLP): primary structures of four spliced forms of mRNA and their protein products].

An internal DNA fragment (approximately 2000 bp) homologous to the conserved regions of genes encoding latrophilin-like proteins (LLPs) was obtained by the PCR technique using degenerate primers to these gene regions. The gene-specific primers were synthesized based on the results of sequencing of the isolated fragment, and all overlapping cDNA fragments of the llp gene encoding the Musca domestica LLP were obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA 5'- and 3'-ends (5'- and 3'-RACE). Four alternatively spliced mRNAs were found while sequencing the obtained cDNA fragments. Two long mRNAs (approximately 6000 nt) differ in the structures of both the sites encoding signal peptides and 5'-terminal untranslated regions. They encode large proteins (approximately 1800 aa), whose domain organization is similar to that of mammalian latrophilins. Each deduced protein contains a domain with seven transmembrane regions followed by an extended cytoplasmic C-terminal domain. Two other mRNA forms are derived from these long mRNAs; they encode proteins severly truncated at their C-termini (approximately 900 aa). They are composed of only three transmembrane regions and a short unique cytoplasmic C-terminal domain (23 aa). The limitations and drawbacks of the existing 3'-RACE techniques found during study of the long alternatively spliced cDNAs are analyzed, and ways for overcoming these difficulties are proposed.

Alternative Splicing↗

Cloning and sequencing of the Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis groESL operon.

The operon (groESL) coding for the Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis heat-shock proteins GroEL and GroES, has been isolated and its complete nucleotide (nt) sequence determined. A set of degenerate PCR primers, deduced from amino acids which are conserved in a number of prokaryotic GroELs, were synthesized and used to amplify a 957-bp fragment. This PCR fragment was used as a probe to isolate a 5.0-kb EcoRI chromosomally derived fragment. A region of this 5.0-kb EcoRI fragment was sequenced and revealed that the groES gene was located 5' to groEL. This sequence was then used to design a set of inverse PCR primers and a 2.5-kb HindIII fragment was cloned which contained the region 5' to groEL. The complete nt sequence of the groESL operon was determined from overlapping fragments. It revealed that the groESL operon was preceded by a stem-loop structure and the promoter appears similar to most L. lactis subsp. lactis and other Gram+ bacterial promoters. Northern analysis demonstrated that the groESL operon is under tight regulation and a dramatic induction of mRNA synthesis occurs within 15 min after heat shock.

Amino Acid Sequence↗