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Purification and in vitro characterization of the Serratia marcescens NucC protein, a zinc-binding transcription factor homologous to P2 Ogr.

NucC is structurally and functionally homologous to a family of prokaryotic zinc finger transcription factors required for late gene expression in P2- and P4-related bacteriophages. Characterization of these proteins in vitro has been hampered by their relative insolubility and tendency to aggregate. We report here the successful purification of soluble, active, wild-type NucC protein. Purified NucC exhibits site-specific binding to a conserved DNA sequence that is located upstream of NucC-dependent Serratia marcescens promoters and the late promoters of P2-related phages. This sequence is sufficient for binding of NucC in vitro. NucC binding to the S. marcescens nuclease promoter P(nucA) and to the sequence upstream of the P2 late promoter P(F) is accompanied by DNA bending. NucC protects about 25 nucleotides of the P(F) upstream region from DNase I digestion, and RNA polymerase protects the promoter region only in the presence of NucC. Template DNA, RNA polymerase holoenzyme, and purified NucC are the only macromolecular components required for transcription from P(F) in vitro.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The U1 small nuclear RNA-protein complex selectively binds a 5' splice site in vitro.

The ability of purified U1 small nuclear RNA-protein complexes (U1 snRNPs) to bind in vitro to two RNAs transcribed from recombinant DNA clones by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase has been studied. A transcript which contains sequences corresponding to the small intron and flanking exons of the major mouse beta-globin gene is bound in marked preference to an RNA devoid of splice site sequences. The site of U1 snRNP binding to the globin RNA has been defined by T1 ribonuclease digestion of the RNA-U1 snRNP complex. A 15-17-nucleotide region, including the 5' splice site, remains undigested and complexed with the snRNP such that it can be co-precipitated by antibodies directed against the U1 snRNP. Partial proteinase K digestion of the U1 snRNP abolishes interaction with the globin RNA, indicating that the snRNP proteins contribute significantly to RNA binding. No RNA cleavage, splicing, or recognition of the 3' splice site by U1 snRNPs has been detected. Our results are discussed in terms of the probable role of U1 snRNPs in the messenger RNA splicing of eucaryotic cell nuclei.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of an in vitro-selected RNA ligand to the HIV-1 Rev protein.

A small RNA ligand with high affinity for the HIV-1 Rev protein, generated by the SELEX in vitro evolution method, was used in a series of chemical modification studies to aid in determining the secondary structure of the ligand, to detect which modifications interfere with the binding of the ligand to Rev, and to find those modifiable groups that are protected from attack when bound to the Rev protein. This SELEX RNA ligand, like the high-affinity binding site of the Rev-responsive element, seems to bind the Rev protein within or along the major groove. There are two major regions of the RNA that interact with the Rev protein, and these regions appear to be close in space. Additionally, this high-affinity ligand has been used as the basis for an additional "biased randomization" SELEX procedure, in an effort to gain comprehensive information on the RNA sequences and structural elements necessary for efficient binding to the Rev protein. This complementary experimental approach supports the structural conclusions of our chemical modification data.

Base Composition↗

Yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase is homologous to those encoded by bacteriophages T3 and T7.

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the genetic locus for yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase (RPO41) reveals a continuous open reading frame with the coding potential for a polypeptide of 1351 amino acids, a size consistent with the electrophoretic mobility of this enzymatic activity. The transcription product from this gene spans the singular reading frame. In vivo transcript abundance reflects codon usage and growth under stringent conditions for mitochondrial biogenesis and function results in a several fold higher level of gene expression than growth under glucose repression. A comparison of the yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase amino acid sequence to those of E. coli RNA polymerase subunits failed to demonstrate any regions of homology. Interestingly, the mitochondrial enzyme is highly homologous to the DNA-directed RNA polymerases of bacteriophages T3 and T7, especially in regions most highly conserved between the T3 and T7 enzymes themselves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of the primary structure of the functional domains of human and porcine von Willebrand factor that mediate platelet adhesion.

Porcine von Willebrand factor (vWF) directly aggregates human platelets in vitro indicating a conformational difference between the human and porcine molecules. We amplified and directly sequenced 1242 nucleotides of porcine vWF cDNA that encodes functional domains which mediate the binding of vWF to platelets and subendothelium. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponds to residues 473-891 of the human mature vWF subunit and is 79% homologous with the human protein. Significant differences are found in two discontinuous segments thought to be involved in the binding of vWF to platelet glycoprotein Ib. Porcine vWF lacks four contiguous residues in the first segment and has two positively charged arginine residues in the second. Three point mutations associated with human type IIB von Willebrand disease in the first segment of a botrocetin binding site are at the same position as mismatches between the pig and human. The second segment of the botrocetin site is highly conserved while the third segment shows only a 60% homology.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conservation of coding potential and terminal sequences in four different isolates of Borna disease virus.

We determined the complete nucleotide sequences of two poorly characterized strains of Borna disease virus (BDV) and compared them to reference strains V and He/80. Strain H1766 was almost 98% and 95% identical to strains V and He/80, respectively, whereas strain No/98 was only about 81% identical to both reference strains. In contrast to earlier reports, we found an additional A residue at the extreme 3'-end of the single-stranded RNA genome in all four BDV strains. The exact numbers of nucleotides in the four BDV genomes could not be determined due to a micro-heterogeneity at the 5'-end. If our longest sequence is a correct copy of the viral RNA, the two ends of the BDV genome would show almost perfect complementarity. All three transcription start sites, all four termination sites, both splice donor sites and both major splice acceptor sites are highly conserved, whereas a minor alternative splice acceptor site is not. The L protein of No/98 differs at 7% of its amino acid positions from the polymerase in the other strains, with most differences mapping to the C-terminal moiety of the molecule. Re-evaluation of L protein sequences of strains V and He/80 revealed differences at several positions compared to published information, indicating that variant forms of the viral polymerase have previously been characterized. These results are important because correct structures of genome ends and of the polymerase gene are the most critical parameters for the future development of techniques that will permit the genetic manipulation of BDV.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

On the role of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase sigma 70 region 4.2 and alpha-subunit C-terminal domains in promoter complex formation on the extended -10 galP1 promoter.

Bacterial promoters of the extended -10 class contain a single consensus element, and the DNA sequence upstream of this element is not critical for promoter activity. Open promoter complexes can be formed on an extended -10 Escherichia coli galP1 promoter at temperatures as low as 6 degrees C, when complexes on most promoters are closed. Here, we studied the contribution of upstream contacts to promoter complex formation using galP1 and its derivatives lacking the extended -10 motif and/or containing the -35 promoter consensus element. A panel of E. coli RNA polymerase holoenzymes containing two, one, or no alpha-subunit C-terminal domains (alpha CTD) and either wild-type sigma 70 subunit or sigma 70 lacking region 4.2 was assembled and tested for promoter complex formation. At 37 degrees C, alpha CTD and sigma 70 region 4.2 were individually dispensable for promoter complex formation on galP1 derivatives with extended -10 motif. However, no promoter complexes formed when both alpha CTD and sigma 70 region 4.2 were absent. Thus, in the context of an extended -10 promoter, alpha CTD and sigma 70 region 4.2 interactions with upstream DNA can functionally substitute for each other. In contrast, at low temperature, alpha CTD and sigma 70 region 4.2 interactions with upstream DNA were found to be functionally distinct, for sigma 70 region 4.2 but not alpha CTD was required for open promoter complex formation on galP1 derivatives with extended -10 motif. We propose a model involving sigma 70 region 4.2 interaction with the beta flap domain that explains these observations.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Sigma H-directed transcription of citG in Bacillus subtilis.

The RNA polymerase sigma factor sigma H is essential for the onset of endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis. sigma H also is required for several additional stationary-phase-specific responses, including the normal expression of several genes that are required for the development of competence for DNA uptake. It is necessary to identify the genes that are transcribed by sigma H RNA polymerase (E sigma H) in order to understand the role of this sigma factor during the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase. Feavers et al. (Mol. Gen. Genet. 211:465-471, 1988) proposed that citG, the structural gene for fumarase, is transcribed from two promoters, one of which (citGp2 [P2]) may be used by E sigma H. It is likely that the citGp2 promoter is used by E sigma H because we found that this promoter was used accurately in vitro by E sigma H and directed expression of xylE in vivo. This xylE expression was dependent on spo0H, the structural gene for sigma H, and was independent of the citGp1 promoter. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of several sigma H-dependent promoters showed that these sequences were similar at two regions approximately 10 and 35 base pairs upstream from the start points of transcription. These sequences may signal recognition of these promoters by E sigma H. Primer extension analyses were used to examine transcription from three sigma H-dependent promoters during growth and sporulation. The citGp2 promoter appeared to be active during the middle and late stages of exponential growth, whereas activation of the spoIIA promoter was delayed until after the end of exponential growth. Evidently, promoters used by E sigma H can display different temporal patterns of expression.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Transcriptional regulation in the Chlamydia trachomatis pCT plasmid.

We have analyzed transcriptional regulation of the chlamydial plasmid pCT. Transcription of a full-length 2.9-kb ORF1-ORF2 mRNA is likely to be regulated by the sigma 66 transcription factor which recognizes the TATAAT and TNGNCA sequences at the -10 and -35 DNA regions, respectively. RNA synthesis starts 39 nucleotides (nt) upstream from the ATG start codon of ORF1 and terminates within the downstream ORF3 DNA region. A 2.8-kb transcript transverses the ORF3-6 DNA region, while two transcripts of 2.2 and 1.9 kb cover the ORF4-6 DNA region. These mRNAs overlap two abundant transcripts which regulate the expression of the ORF3 and ORF4 genes. The accumulation of transcripts associated with these ORFs is likely to be regulated at the level of RNA synthesis by an unknown sigma factor which could select the RTTTAAA and TTYTTR sequences located at the -10 and -35 DNA regions, respectively. This new promoter consensus sequence could be unique to the gene expression machinery of Chlamydiae.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Development of an homologous transformation system for Acremonium chrysogenum based on the beta-tubulin gene.

The beta-tubulin gene was isolated from the filamentous fungus Acremonium chrysogenum using a heterologous gene probe to screen an A. chrysogenum lambda library. Sequencing of the A. chrysogenum gene revealed a mosaic gene which contains five exons and four intervening sequences. The exons encode for a polypeptide of 447 amino-acid residues which showed a high degree of similarity when compared with amino-acid sequences from beta-tubulins of other eukaryotes. The introns are characterized by typical consensus sequences found in intervening sequences from other filamentous fungi. In-vitro mutagenesis of codon 167 of the beta-tubulin gene resulted in the substitution of a phenylalanine by a tyrosine in the corresponding polypeptide sequence. The mutated gene was used successfully in the transformation and co-transformation of A. chrysogenum to benomyl resistance. The molecular analysis of transformants provided evidence that they contain the mutated beta-tubulin gene in addition to the wild-type gene, as was proved by Southern-hybridization analysis and direct sequencing of PCR amplification products.

Acremonium↗

The structure and evolution of Penelope in the virilis species group of Drosophila: an ancient lineage of retroelements.

The Penelope element is the key element responsible for mobilization of other transposable elements in the course of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila virilis. Penelope has an unusually complex, highly variable organization in all studied species of the virlis group. Thc BRIDGE1 element from the fish Fugu rubripes is homologous to Penelope, and database searches detected additional homologous sequences among Expressed Sequence Tags from the flatworm Schistosoma mansonii and the nematode Ancylostoma caninum. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the reverse transcriptase of the Penelope group does not belong to any of the characterized major retroelement lineages, but apparently represents a novel branch of non-LTR retroelements. Sequence profile analysis results in the prediction that the C-terminal domain of the Penelope polyprotein is an active endonuclease related to intron-encoded endonucleases and the bacterial repair endonuclease UvrC, which could function as an integrase. No retroelements containing a predicted endonuclease of this family have been described previously. Phylogenetic analysis of Penelope copies isolated from several species of the virilis group reveals two subfamilies of Penelope elements, one of which includes full-length copies whose nucleotide sequences are almost identical, whereas the other one consists of highly diverged defective copies. Phylogenetic analysis of Penelope suggests both vertical transmission of the element and probable horizontal transfers. These findings support the notion that Penelope invasions occurred repeatedly in the evolution of the virilis group.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PpRT1: the first complete gypsy-like retrotransposon isolated in Pinus pinaster.

We have isolated and characterized a complete retrotransposon sequence, named PpRT1, from the genome of Pinus pinaster. PpRT1 is 5,966 bp long and is closely related to IFG7 gypsy retrotransposon from Pinus radiata. The long terminal repeats (LTRs) have 333 bp each and show a 5.4% sequence divergence between them. In addition to the characteristic polypurine tract (PPT) and the primer binding site (PBS), PpRT1 carries internal regions with homology to retroviral genes gag and pol. The pol region contains sequence motifs related to the enzymes protease, reverse transcriptase, RNAseH and integrase in the same typical order known for Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposons. PpRT1 was extended from an EST database sequence indicating that its transcription is occurring in pine tissues. Southern blot analyses indicate however, that PpRT1 is present in a unique or a low number of copies in the P. pinaster genome. The differences in nucleotide sequence found between PpRT1 and IFG7 may explain the strikingly different copy number in the two pine species genome. Based on the homologies observed when comparing LTR region among different gypsy elements we propose that the highly conserved LTR regions may be useful to amplify other retrotransposon sequences of the same or close retrotransposon family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The UP element of the promoter for the flagellin gene, hag, stimulates transcription from both SigD- and SigA-dependent promoters in Bacillus subtilis.

DNA sequences upstream (UP element) of the core promoter (-10, -35 region) of the Bacillus subtilis flagellin gene hag stimulate transcription in vivo and in vitro. We constructed a number of hybrids, placing the UP element of hagp upstream of the core of one SigD-dependent (fliDp) and two SigA-dependent (tmsp, vegp) B. subtilis promoters. The hybrid promoters were fused to a lacZ reporter gene and their activity tested in vivo. The presence of the UP module enhanced transcription at both types of promoters. We conclude that the hagp UP sequence can act as a promoter module independently of the core sequence.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Genomic heterogeneity in Pea seed-borne mosaic virus isolates from Pakistan, the centre of diversity of the host species, Pisum sativum.

A range of isolates of Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) was compared in the segments of the genome representing the partial NIb/CP/UTR and the partial P1-Pro/HC-Pro coding regions. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences, and a phylogenetic analysis of the CP region, divided isolates with available sequence information into two groups, one representing pathotype 4, the other pathotype 1. The pathotype 1 group showed greater diversity than the pathotype 4 group. A comparison of 14 isolates, S6 (a pathotype 4 isolate), US (a pathotype 1 isolate) and 12 isolates from Pakistan, by ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) using cRNA transcripts of the cloned partial NIb/CP/UTR regions of the S6, US and Pakistani isolate PK9 placed them into three distinct phylogenetic groups. RPA with a partial P1-Pro/HC-Pro cRNA probe identified a greater level of variation which was too high to be used for generating an overall phylogeny. Thus, RPA identified greater molecular diversity in PSbMV than described hitherto. We conclude that, in addition to the pathotypes 1 and 4 typified by US and S6 respectively, isolates of PSbMV from Pakistan include previously unrecognised molecular variants, and this accords with our previous recognition of new pathotypes from Pakistan.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The diversity of retroelements in diploid and allotetraploid Brassica species.

Using universal PCR primers, some 80 fragments of retroelement reverse transcriptase genes were isolated from 16 accessions of the three diploid and three derived allotetraploid species of Brassica in the triangle of U. Sequence analysis showed that the Ty1/copia and LINE-like elements were distinct, while a third clade could be sub-divided into Ty3/gypsy, Athila and virus-like branches, providing evidence that there are multiple sub-lineages within this group normally considered to be gypsy-like elements in plants. The parsimony trees showed no branches correlating with the known genome relationships for the six diploid and allotetraploid Brassica species, probably because members of the element families were present in the common ancestor of the Brassica and, unlike other repetitive sequences, there is no evidence for genome-wide homogenization, although convergent evolution or horizontal transfer cannot be ruled out. Southern hybridization suggested some sub-families were amplified in individual species. The data show that retroelement sequence data do not allow inference of phylogeny, but knowledge of evolution of such abundant sequences assists in exploitation and interpretation of data from other species including models with much smaller genomes and may provide markers.

Blotting, Southern↗

Tyr-426 of the Escherichia coli asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase, an amino acid in a C-terminal conserved motif, is involved in ATP binding.

Sequence comparisons of the E. coli asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NRSEC) with aminocyl-tRNA synthetase sequences of class II enzymes show significant homologies with aspartyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases. Three conserved regions were found, one of which is located in the C-terminal part of the NRSEC sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed in this conserved region. A single point mutation Tyr-426----Ser results in a 15-fold increase in the Km for ATP, while all the other kinetic parameters remain unchanged. The replacement of this Tyr-426 by a Phe does not affect the kinetic behaviour of the enzyme. These data indicate that Tyr-426 is part of the ATP binding site.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A family of retrotransposons and associated genomic variation in wheat.

A family of related retroelements was characterized in the genomes of some Graminease species. The structure of these retroelements indicates that they are retrotransposons containing reading frames with sequence similarity to the polyproteins of copia and Ty. This family of retroelements (termed WIS-2) occurs in the genomes of barley, wheat, rye, oats, and Aegilops species. Ongoing genomic variation both within individual plants of a wheat variety and within and between varieties of wheat is associated with some members of the WIS-2 family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗