Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Stop codon”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,297 records · Page 72Linked to original sources

Cloning and characterisation of a group II allergen from the dust mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae.

The complete cDNA encoding a major allergen from the dust mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tyr p 2, has been sequenced and expressed. A degenerate primer was designed to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 16-kDa protein. The complete cDNA sequence was achieved by using reverse transcriptase PCR, PCR+1, standard cloning and sequencing techniques. The cDNA of Tyr p 2 is 552 nucleotides in length from the start codon including 126 nucleotides after the stop codon up to the beginning of the poly(A) tail. The leader sequence consists of 15 amino acids. Regarding the predicted amino acid sequence, there are no potential N-glycosylation sites (N-X-S/T). The sequence showed similarity to group II allergens from other mite species, and some regions are completely conserved. To show that the cloned cDNA sequence was coding for an allergen, Tyr p 2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to react with a T. putrescentiae-positive serum pool.

Allergens↗

Germline mutations of the STK11 gene in Korean Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease characterized by hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps and mucocutaneous pigmentation, with an increased risk for various neoplasms, including gastrointestinal cancer. Recently, the PJS gene encoding the serine/threonine kinase STK11 (also named LKB1) was mapped to chromosome 19p13.3, and germline mutations were identified in PJS patients. We screened a total of ten Korean PJS patients (nine sporadic cases and one familial case including two patients) to investigate the germline mutations of the STK11 gene. By polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing analysis, three kinds of mis-sense mutation and a frame-shift mutation were identified: codon 232 (TCC to CCC) in exon 5, codon 256 (GAA to GCA) in exon 6, codon 324 (CCG to CTG) in exon 8, and a guanine insertion at codon 342 resulting in a premature stop codon in exon 8. These mis-sense variants were not detected in 100 control DNA samples. Furthermore, we found an intronic mutation at the dinucleotide sequence of a splice-acceptor site: a one base substitution from AG to CG in intron 1, which may cause aberrant splicing. Most reported germline mutations of the STK11 gene in PJS patients were frame-shift or non-sense mutations resulting in truncated proteins. Together, these findings indicate that germline mis-sense mutations of the STK11 gene are found in PJS patients in addition to truncating mutations. The effects of these mutations on protein function require further examination. In summary, we found germline mutations of the STK11 gene in five out of ten Korean PJS patients.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗

A candidate gene for developmental dyslexia encodes a nuclear tetratricopeptide repeat domain protein dynamically regulated in brain.

Approximately 3-10% of people have specific difficulties in reading, despite adequate intelligence, education, and social environment. We report here the characterization of a gene, DYX1C1 near the DYX1 locus in chromosome 15q21, that is disrupted by a translocation t(2;15)(q11;q21) segregating coincidentally with dyslexia. Two sequence changes in DYX1C1, one involving the translation initiation sequence and an Elk-1 transcription factor binding site (-3G --> A) and a codon (1249G --> T), introducing a premature stop codon and truncating the predicted protein by 4 aa, associate alone and in combination with dyslexia. DYX1C1 encodes a 420-aa protein with three tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains, thought to be protein interaction modules, but otherwise with no homology to known proteins. The mouse Dyx1c1 protein is 78% identical to the human protein, and the nonhuman primates differ at 0.5-1.4% of residues. DYX1C1 is expressed in several tissues, including the brain, and the protein resides in the nucleus. In human brain, DYX1C1 protein localizes to a fraction of cortical neurons and white matter glial cells. We conclude that DYX1C1 should be regarded as a candidate gene for developmental dyslexia. Detailed study of its function may open a path to understanding a complex process of development and maturation of the human brain.

Base Sequence↗

Truncated erythropoietin receptor causes dominantly inherited benign human erythrocytosis.

Erythropoietin regulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid precursor cells. Its effect is mediated by the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), a member of a large family of cytokine receptors. The EPOR gene has recently been cloned, sequenced, and characterized. As shown experimentally, its intracellular C-terminal part contains a domain exerting negative control on erythropoiesis. Here we describe a G to A transition in nucleotide 6002 of the EPOR gene that converts a TGG codon for tryptophan into a TAG stop codon, predicting the truncation of the 70 C-terminal amino acids of the EPOR molecule. The mutation occurs in heterozygous form in the germ-line DNA of members of a large kindred in which primary erythrocytosis is segregating as a mild autosomal dominant trait. The mutation cosegregates with the disease phenotype in all 29 affected family members studied; it occurs in no unaffected family members or unrelated controls. This appears to be an example of a human condition caused by an EPOR mutation. Striking similarities exist between the human phenotype described here and phenotypes of cell lines expressing similarly truncated EPOR molecules produced experimentally. By analogy with these in vitro studies, one can hypothesize that the truncated EPOR molecules are activated by suppression of phosphorylation leading to loss of the down-modulation exerted by intact EPOR molecules. Experimental modifications of the EPOR gene may eventually have therapeutic applications.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence analysis of the core gene of 14 hepatitis C virus genotypes.

We previously sequenced the 5' noncoding region of 44 isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as the envelope 1 (E1) gene of 51 HCV isolates, and provided evidence for the existence of at least 6 major genetic groups consisting of at least 12 minor genotypes of HCV (i.e., genotypes I/1a, II/1b, III/2a, IV/2b, 2c, V/3a, 4a-4d, 5a, and 6a). We now report the complete nucleotide sequence of the putative core (C) gene of 52 HCV isolates that represent all of these 12 genotypes as well as two additional genotypes provisionally designated 4e and 4f that we identified in this study. The phylogenetic analysis of the C gene sequences was in agreement with that of the E1 gene sequences. A major division in the genetic distance was observed between HCV isolates of genotype 2 and those of the other genotypes in analysis of both the E1 and C genes. The C gene sequences of 9 genotypes have not been reported previously (i.e., genotypes 2c, 4a-4f, 5a, and 6a). Our analysis indicates that the C gene-based methods currently used to determine the HCV genotype, such as PCR with genotype-specific primers, should be revised in light of these data. We found that the predicted C gene was exactly 573 nt long in all 52 HCV isolates, with an N-terminal start codon and no in-frame stop codons. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid identities of the C gene sequences were in the range of 79.4-99.0% and 85.3-100%, respectively. Furthermore, we mapped universally conserved, as well as genotype-specific, nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the C gene. The predicted C proteins of the different HCV genotypes shared the following features: (i) high content of proline residues, (ii) high content of arginine and lysine residues located primarily in three domains with 10 such residues invariant at positions 39-62, (iii) a cluster of 5 conserved tryptophan residues, (iv) two nuclear localization signals and a DNA-binding motif, (v) a potential phosphorylation site with a serine-proline motif, and (vi) three conserved hydrophilic domains that have been shown by others to contain immunogenic epitopes. Thus, we have extended analysis of the predicted C protein of HCV to all of the recognized genotypes, confirmed the existence of highly conserved regions of this important structural protein, and demonstrated that the genetic relatedness of HCV isolates is equivalent when analyzing the most conserved (i.e., C) and the most variable (i.e., E1) genes of the HCV genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cDNA-derived amino-acid sequence of a land turtle (Geochelone carbonaria) beta-chain hemoglobin.

The cDNA sequence encoding the turtle Geochelone carbonaria beta-chain was determinated. The isolation of hemoglobin mRNA was based on degenerate primers' PCR in combination with 5'- and 3'-RACE protocol. The full length cDNA is 615 bp with the ATG start codon at position 53 and TGA stop codon at position 495; The AATAAA polyadenylation signal is found at position 599. The deduced polypeptyde contains 146 amino-acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence shares 83% identity with the beta-globin of a related specie, the aquatic turtle C. p. belli. Otherwise, identity is higher when compared with chicken beta-Hb (80%) than with other reptilian orders (Squamata, 69%, and Crocodilia, 61%). Compared with human HbA, there is 67% identity, and at least three amino acid substitutions could be of some functional significance (Glu43 beta-->Ser, His116 beta-->Thr and His143 beta-->Leu). To our knowledge this represents the first cDNA sequence of a reptile globin gene described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antioxidant function of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems.

Selenium is an essential trace element with known antioxidant properties. Cytosolic thioredoxin reductase from mammalian cells is a dimeric flavin enzyme comprising a glutathione reductase-like equivalent elongated with 16 residues including the conserved carboxy-terminal sequence, Gly-Cys-SeCys-Gly, where SeCys is selenocysteine. Replacement of the SeCys residue by Cys in rat cytosolic thioredoxin reductase using site-directed mutagenesis and expression in Escherichia coli resulted in a functional mutant enzyme having about one percent activity with thioredoxin as a substrate through a major loss of Kcat and a shift in the pH optimum from 7 to 9. The truncated enzyme expected in selenium deficiency by the UGA mRNA codon for SeCys acting as a stop codon was also expressed. This enzyme lacking the carboxy-terminal SeCys-Gly dipeptide contained FAD but was inactive because the SeCys selenol is in the active site. These results show that selenium is essential for the activity of thioredoxin reductase, explaining why this trace element is required for cell proliferation by effects on thioredoxin-dependent control of the intracellular redox state, ribonucleotide reductase production of deoxyribonucleotides, or activation of transcription factors. The selenazol drug ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2 benzisoselenazol-3 (2H)-one) is a known glutathione (GSH) peroxidase mimic with antioxidant properties. The hydrogen peroxide reductase activity of human thioredoxin reductase was stimulated 15-fold by 2 microM ebselen. Glutaredoxins protect against oxidative stress by catalyzing reduction of protein mixed disulfides with GSH. The mechanism of glutaredoxins as efficient general GSH-mixed disulfide oxidoreductases may protect proteins from inactivation as well as play a major role in general redox signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Likelihood models of somatic mutation and codon substitution in cancer genes.

The role of somatic mutation in cancer is well established and several genes have been identified that are frequent targets. This has enabled large-scale screening studies of the spectrum of somatic mutations in cancers of particular organs. Cancer gene mutation databases compile the results of many studies and can provide insight into the importance of specific amino acid sequences and functional domains in cancer, as well as elucidate aspects of the mutation process. Past studies of the spectrum of cancer mutations (in particular genes) have examined overall frequencies of mutation (at specific nucleotides) and of missense, nonsense, and silent substitution (at specific codons) both in the sequence as a whole and in a specific functional domain. Existing methods ignore features of the genetic code that allow some codons to mutate to missense, or stop, codons more readily than others (i.e., by one nucleotide change, vs. two or three). A new codon-based method to estimate the relative rate of substitution (fixation of a somatic mutation in a cancer cell lineage) of nonsense vs. missense mutations in different functional domains and in different tumor tissues is presented. Models that account for several potential influences on rates of somatic mutation and substitution in cancer progenitor cells and allow biases of mutation rates for particular dinucleotide sequences (CGs and dipyrimidines), transition vs. transversion bias, and variable rates of silent substitution across functional domains (useful in detecting investigator sampling bias) are considered. Likelihood-ratio tests are used to choose among models, using cancer gene mutation data. The method is applied to analyze published data on the spectrum of p53 mutations in cancers. A novel finding is that the ratio of the probability of nonsense to missense substitution is much lower in the DNA-binding and transactivation domains (ratios near 1) than in structural domains such as the linker, tetramerization (oligomerization), and proline-rich domains (ratios exceeding 100 in some tissues), implying that the specific amino acid sequence may be less critical in structural domains (e.g., amino acid changes less often lead to cancer). The transition vs. transversion bias and effect of CpG dinucleotides on mutation rates in p53 varied greatly across cancers of different organs, likely reflecting effects of different endogenous and exogenous factors influencing mutation in specific organs.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

Nell1-deficient mice have reduced expression of extracellular matrix proteins causing cranial and vertebral defects.

The mammalian Nell1 gene encodes a protein kinase C-beta1 (PKC-beta1) binding protein that belongs to a new class of cell-signaling molecules controlling cell growth and differentiation. Over-expression of Nell1 in the developing cranial sutures in both human and mouse induces craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of the growing cranial bone fronts. Here, we report the generation, positional cloning and characterization of Nell1(6R), a recessive, neonatal-lethal point mutation in the mouse Nell1 gene, induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea. Nell1(6R) has a T-->A base change that converts a codon for cysteine into a premature stop codon [Cys(502)Ter], resulting in severe truncation of the predicted protein product and marked reduction in steady-state levels of the transcript. In addition to the expected alteration of cranial morphology, Nell1(6R) mutants manifest skeletal defects in the vertebral column and ribcage, revealing a hitherto undefined role for Nell1 in signal transduction in endochondral ossification. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assays of 219 genes showed an association between the loss of Nell1 function and reduced expression of genes for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins critical for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. Several affected genes are involved in the human cartilage disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other disorders associated with spinal curvature anomalies. Nell1(6R) mutant mice are a new tool for elucidating basic mechanisms in osteoblast and chrondrocyte differentiation in the developing skull and vertebral column and understanding how perturbations in the production of ECM proteins can lead to anomalies in these structures.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Nucleotide sequence of a macronuclear DNA molecule coding for alpha-tubulin from the ciliate Stylonychia lemnae. Special codon usage: TAA is not a translation termination codon.

The gene-sized macronuclear DNA of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia lemnae contains two size classes of DNA molecules (1.85 and 1.73 kbp) coding for alpha-tubulin. Each macronucleus contains about 55000 copies of the 1.85 kbp molecules and about 17000 copies of the 1.73 kbp DNA molecules. Five macronuclear molecules of these sequences were cloned and sequenced, one, from the 1.85 kbp size class in its entirety. The 5 sequences fell into two classes suggesting that Stylonychia lemnae contains at least two different alpha-tubulin genes. All 5 clones show the codon TAA in the same nucleotide positions of the coding region. In this position the TAA codon cannot function as a translational stop codon and we suggest that this codon codes for the amino acid glutamine. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region as well as the encoded amino acid sequence is highly conserved compared to alpha-tubulin genes from vertebrates. The noncoding regions show several putative transcription-regulatory sequences as well as sequences presumably functioning as replication origins.

Base Sequence↗

Truncated variants of apolipoprotein B cause hypobetalipoproteinaemia.

Familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia is a rare autosomal dominant disorder in which levels of apo-B-containing plasma lipoproteins are approximately half-normal in heterozygotes and virtually absent in homozygotes. Here we describe mutations of the apo-B gene that cause two different truncated variants of apo-B in unrelated individuals with hypobetalipoproteinaemia. One variant, apo-B(His1795----Met-Trp-Leu-Val-Thr-Term) is predicted to be 1799 amino acids long and arises from deletion of a single nucleotide (G) from leucine codon 1794. This protein was found at low levels in very low density and low density lipoprotein fractions in the blood. The second, shorter variant, apo-B(Arg1306----Term), is caused by mutation of a CpG dinucleotide in arginine codon 1306 converting it to a stop codon and predicting a protein of 1305 residues. The product of this allele could not be detected in the circulation. The differences in size and behaviour of these two variants compared to apo-B100 or apo-B48 point to domains that may be important for the assembly, secretion or stability of apo-B-containing lipoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of E.coli promoter structures using neural networks.

Backpropagation neural network is trained to identify E.coli promoters of all spacing classes (15 to 21). A three module approach is employed wherein the first neural net module predicts the consensus boxes, the second module aligns the promoters to a length of 65 bases and the third neural net module predicts the entire sequence of 65 bases taking care of the possible interdependencies between the bases in the promoters. The networks were trained with 106 promoters and random sequences which were 60% AT rich and tested on 126 promoters (Bacterial, Mutant and Phage promoters). The network was 98% successful in promoter recognition and 90.2% successful in non-promoter recognition when tested on 5000 randomly generated sequences. The network was further trained with 11 mutated non-promoters and 8 mutated promoters of the p22ant promoter. The testing set with 7 mutated promoters and 13 mutated non-promoters of p22ant were identified. The network was upgraded using total 1665 data of promoters and non-promoters to identify any promoter sequences in the gene sequences. The network identified the locations of P1, P2 and P3 promoters in the pBR322 plasmid. A search for the start codon, Ribosomal Binding Site and the stop codon by a string search procedure has also been added to find the possible promoters that can yield protein products. The network was also successfully tested on a synthetic plasmid pWM528.

Base Sequence↗

A novel splice site mutation in the WAS gene causes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in two siblings of a Saudi family.

We report here on a Saudi family with two affected males with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), which includes mild to moderate bleeding and a low platelet count. A novel splice donor-site mutation (811 + 5 G <-- C) in intron 8 of the WAS gene (Genbank accession number NM_000377) was detected in a hemizygous status in both index cases, heterozygous in their mother and absent in the father. RNA from both index cases was transcribed and amplified with primers complementary to sequences in exons 7 and 10. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) product of 688 bp (approximately 82%) was produced in addition to the normal RT-PCR product of 485 bp (approximately 18%). cDNA sequence analysis reveals an inclusion of full intron 8 sequence in the final transcript. The resultant protein is predicted to have 68 missense codons and a pre-mature stop codon at amino acid 260. This novel splice donor-site mutation was not detected in 80 normal controls (56 females and 24 males) from the same ethnic background as the index cases. Since no other mutation was detected in the WAS gene and the patients have classical symptoms of WAS, we concluded that it is highly likely that this novel mutation is responsible for the phenotype observed in these patients.

Base Sequence↗

The pnk/pnl gene (ORF 86) of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus is a non-essential, immediate early gene.

Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) ORF 86, located within the HindIII C fragment, potentially encodes a protein which shares sequence similarity with two T4 bacteriophage gene products, RNA ligase and polynucleotide kinase. This AcMNPV gene has been designated pnk/pnl but has yet to be assigned a function in virus replication. It has been classified as an immediate early virus gene, since the promoter was active in uninfected insect cells and mRNA transcripts were detectable from 4 to 48 h post-infection and in the presence of cycloheximide or aphidicolin in virus-infected cells. The extremities of the transcript have been mapped by primer extension and 3' RACE-PCR to positions -18 from the translational start codon and +15 downstream of the stop codon. The function of pnk/pnl was investigated by producing a recombinant virus (Acdel86lacZ) with the coding region replaced with that of lacZ. This virus replicated normally in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf 21) cells, indicating that pnk/pnl is not essential for propagation in these cells. Virus protein production in Acdel86lacZ-infected Sf 21 cells also appeared to be unaffected, with normal synthesis of the IE-1, GP64, VP39 and polyhedrin proteins. Shut-down of host protein synthesis was not abolished in recombinant infection. When other baculovirus genomes were examined for the presence of pnk/pnl by restriction enzyme digestion and PCR, a deletion was found in AcMNPV 1.2, Galleria mellonella NPV (GmMNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV), suggesting that in many isolates this gene has either never been acquired or has been lost during genome evolution. This is one of the first baculovirus immediate early genes that appears to be nonessential for virus survival.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of Post-Transcriptionally Suppressed Transgene Expression That Confers Resistance to Tobacco Etch Virus Infection in Tobacco.

Tobacco lines expressing transgenes that encode tobacco etch virus (TEV) coat protein (CP) mRNA with or without nonsense codons give rise to TEV-resistant tissues that have reduced levels of TEV CP mRNA while maintaining high levels of transgene transcriptional activity. Two phenotypes for virus resistance in the lines containing the transgene have been described: immune (no virus infection) and recovery (initial systemic symptoms followed by gradual recovery over several weeks). Here, we show that at early times in development, immune lines are susceptible to TEV infection and accumulate full-length CP mRNA. Therefore, immune lines also exhibit meiotic resetting, as is seen in the recovery lines, providing molecular evidence for a common mechanism of gene silencing and virus resistance in both cases. We also investigated the characteristics of two sets of low molecular weight RNAs that appear only in silenced tissue. One set has nearly intact 5[prime] ends, lacks poly(A) tails, and is associated with polyribosomes; the second set contains the 3[prime] end of the mRNA. Treating silenced leaf tissue with cycloheximide resulted in decreased levels of full-length mRNA and an increase in the levels of the low molecular weight RNAs, supporting a cytoplasmic decay mechanism that does not require ongoing translation. Surprisingly, mRNA from the transgene containing nonsense codons was associated with more ribosomes than expected, possibly resulting from translation from a start codon downstream of the introduced translational stop codons. We present a hypothesis for transgene/viral RNA degradation in which RNA degradation occurs in the cytoplasm while in association with polyribosomes.

Journal Article↗

Sequence analysis of the gene encoding the major outer membrane protein rOmp B of Rickettsia japonica.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding rOmp B (ompB), one of the two major outer membrane antigen proteins, of Rickettsia japonica was determined and compared to those of the other spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsiae. Open reading frame of the ompB gene of R. japonica consisted of 4,968 nucleotides coding for a putative precursor protein with 1,656 amino acids (aa) in which the N-terminal 1,363 aa and the C-terminal 293 aa encode 135-kilodalton rOmp B and 32-kilodalton beta-peptide, respectively. Putative promoter and terminator sequences for transcription were present in the upstream region of the ATG start codon and downstream of the TAA stop codon. Overall sequences of the ompB genes were well conserved beyond the group, especially in the beta-peptide regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic counselling in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome: trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms, single-strand conformation polymorphism and direct detection of two novel mutations in the androgen receptor gene.

OBJECTIVE: Androgen insensitivity syndrome is a disorder of male sexual development which results in varying degrees of undervirilization in 46XY individuals with functional testes. In the most severe form, complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), patients have a normal female appearance. Although CAIS is not life-threatening, affected individuals are infertile and require counselling, gonadectomy, hormone therapy, and sometimes vaginoplasty. Many families therefore request genetic counselling. Defects in the androgen receptor gene account for most if not all cases of CAIS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the polyglutamine and polyglycine trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in the first exon of the androgen receptor gene for carrier status determination in three CAIS families. In two of these families novel mutations in the androgen receptor gene were subsequently identified which allowed confirmation of carrier status and also a prenatal diagnosis to be made in one family. PATIENTS: Three CAIS families were studied. The index cases all presented with a clinical phenotype typical of CAIS. MEASUREMENTS: Family members were typed initially for the polyglutamine repeat. In one family this was not informative and the polyglycine repeat was therefore studied. In this and one further family, the androgen receptor gene was sequenced to identify the mutation causing the CAIS. RESULTS: On the basis of information from trinucleotide repeat analysis carrier status could be assessed in each family. In one family, evidence for somatic instability of the polyglutamine repeat was found. In the same family, a novel mutation in the androgen receptor gene, which substituted valine for leucine 881, was identified. Other family members were subsequently typed for the mutation and a prenatal diagnosis was performed. A novel mutation was also identified in a second family substituting the glycine codon at position 371 with a stop codon. Other family members were typed for this mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Both the polyglutamine and polyglycine repeat polymorphisms are useful for the genetic counselling of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome families. In some cases, however, where the family history is limited, more precise information can be provided only once the androgen receptor mutation causing the complete androgen insensitivity syndrome has been identified.

Adolescent↗

Amino acid sequence of the L-lactate dehydrogenase of Bacillus caldotenax deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cloned gene.

The Bacillus caldotenax L-lactate dehydrogenase gene (lct) has been cloned into Escherichia coli, using the Bacillus stearothermophilus lct gene as a hybridisation probe, and its complete nucleotide sequence determined. The lct structural gene consists of an open reading frame of 951 base pairs commencing with an ATG start codon and followed by a TAA stop codon. Upstream of the gene are putative transcriptional promoter -35 and -10 regions; a ribosome binding site with a predicted delta G of -66.9 kJ/mol is also present six base pairs upstream of the ATG start codon. The B. caldotenax lct gene is highly homologous to the B. stearothermophilus lct gene displaying a DNA sequence homology of 89.7%. Examination of the DNA sequence 3' of the lct gene revealed the presence of two further open reading frames. This suggests that the lct gene may be the first gene of an operon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from B. caldotenax predicted a protein of 317 amino acid residues; comparison with the B. stearothermophilus enzyme revealed only 30 amino acid differences between the two enzymes; thus the enzymes are 90.4% homologous. These amino acid differences must account for the different thermostabilities of the two enzymes. The B. caldotenax lct gene was efficiently expressed in E. coli and the original lct-containing plasmid construct isolated (pKD1) induced the synthesis of LDH at a level of 4.5% of the E. coli soluble cell protein whilst a SmaI subfragment of this clone, (pKD2) produced LDH at a level of 6.9% of the E. coli soluble cell protein. LDH isolated from E. coli cells had the same thermal stability properties as LDH isolated from B. caldotenax cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗