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[Researches on the nucleotide sequencing of the recombinant Sj 22.6 kDa antigen gene of Schistosoma japonicum].

AIM: To sequence the cloned gene in pGSj24 and to identify the encoded protein. METHODS: The cloned gene in pGSj24 was digested from the recombinant plasmid by EcoRI, ligated into the M13mp19 vector and sequenced by automatic sequencer. The sequence was analyzed by Goldkey DNA and Protein Analytical Program and DNASIS Program. RESULTS: The pGSj24 cloned gene was demonstrated to be 840 bp containing one opened reading frame (ORF) with an initiation codon ATG at position 23 nt and a termination codon TAA at position 596 nt, encoding a protein with a molecular weight of 22.6 kDa. At the upstream and downstream of the ORF there were termination codons, so the encoded protein was unable to be larger. However, there was a termination codon TAA at position 11 nt, suggesting why the 22.6 kDa protein expressed separately. The nucleotide sequence of the pGSj24 cloned gene shared 95% identity with that of the corresponding part of S. japonicum 22.6 kDa antigen gene, and 99.7% identity in the encoding part. The deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed a sequence motif known as EF-Hand calcium binding domain, several endoplasmic reticulum targeting sequences and microbodies C-terminal targeting signals. The possible antigen determinants were predicted within the amino acid fragments of 29-32aa, 63-68aa and 87-101aa. CONCLUSIONS: The cloned gene in pGSj24 is the gene that encodes Sj22.6 kDa antigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a new hobo element in the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera).

A complete hobo-like element, called Mbhobo, was identified in the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae. This element has a high sequence similarity to the HFL1 hobo element of Drosophila melanogaster. Amplification of Mbhobo termini indicated that transposition occurred into a 5'-GTGGGTAC-3' target sequence that was duplicated upon insertion. This target site conforms to the consensus sequence established for the insertion sites of insect hAT elements. Mbhobo has a single 1935 bp long ORF with significant homology to the D. melanogaster HFL1 hobo transposase. FISH experiments evidenced Mbhobo clusters located in heterochromatic regions of Z and W sex chromosomes and in heterochromatic areas of chromosome pair 10.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The efficacy of small interfering RNAs targeted to the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) is influenced by secondary structure in the IGF1R transcript.

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) is often overexpressed by tumors and mediates growth and apoptosis protection. We previously showed that antisense reagents complementary to the IGF1R translation start site enhance radio- and chemosensitivity and impair Atm function. However these agents induce relatively modest IGF1R down-regulation and affect insulin receptor levels. To identify alternative sites for molecular targeting, we utilized scanning oligonucleotide arrays to probe the secondary structure of IGF1R mRNA. This strategy enabled selection of antisense oligonucleotides that generated high heteroduplex yield with IGF1R but not insulin receptor transcripts. Antisense oligonucleotides that hybridized strongly to IGF1R mRNA caused IGF1R down-regulation within intact tumor cells, whereas weakly hybridizing oligonucleotides were inactive. Furthermore, the ability of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to block IGF1R expression correlated with the accessibility of the target sequence within the transcript. Thus, siRNAs corresponding to weakly hybridizing oligonucleotides caused minor IGF1R down-regulation, whereas siRNAs homologous to accessible targets induced profound sequence-specific IGF1R gene silencing, blocked IGF signaling, and enhanced tumor cell radiosensitivity. This indicates that secondary structure in the target transcript has a major effect on siRNA efficacy. These findings have implications for siRNA design and suggest that IGF1R-targeting agents incorporating this mode of action have potential as anticancer therapy.

Gene Silencing↗

Sequence-specific artificial photo-induced endonucleases based on triple helix-forming oligonucleotides.

Homopyrimidine oligonucleotides bind to homopurine-homopyrimidine sequences of duplex DNA forming a local triple helix. This binding can be demonstrated either directly by a footprinting technique, gel assays, or indirectly by inducing irreversible reactions in the target sequence, such as photocrosslinking or cleavage. Binding occurs in the major groove with the homopyrimidine oligonucleotide orientated parallel to the homopurine strand. Thymine and protonated cytosine in the oligonucleotide form Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonds with A.T and G.C Watson-Crick base pairs, respectively. Here we report that an 11-residue homopyrimidine oligonucleotide covalently attached to an ellipticine derivative by its 3' phosphate photo-induces cleavage of the two strands of a target homopurine--homopyrimidine sequence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a sequence-specific artificial photoendonuclease. In addition we show that a strong binding site for a free ellipticine derivative is induced at the junction between the triplex and duplex structures on the 5' side of the bound oligonucleotide. On irradiation, cleavage is observed on both strands of DNA. This opens new possibilities for inducing irreversible reactions on DNA at specific sites by the synergistic action of a triple helix-forming oligonucleotide and an intercalating agent.

Alkaloids↗

Group testing with DNA chips: generating designs and decoding experiments.

DNA microarrays are a valuable tool for massively parallel DNA-DNA hybridization experiments. Currently, most applications rely on the existence of sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. In large families of closely related target sequences, such as different virus subtypes, the high degree of similarity often makes it impossible to find a unique probe for every target. Fortunately, this is unnecessary. We propose a microarray design methodology based on a group testing approach. While probes might bind to multiple targets simultaneously, a properly chosen probe set can still unambiguously distinguish the presence of one target set from the presence of a different target set. Our method is the first one that explicitly takes cross-hybridization and experimental errors into account while accommodating several targets. The approach consists of three steps: (1) Pre-selection of probe candidates, (2) Generation of a suitable group testing design, and (3) Decoding of hybridization results to infer presence or absence of individual targets. Our results show that this approach is very promising, even for challenging data sets and experimental error rates of up to 5%. On a data set of 28S rDNA sequences we were able to identify 660 sequences, a substantial improvement over a prior approach using unique probes which only identified 408 sequences.

Algorithms↗

Microarray-based detection of bacteria by on-chip PCR.

In this chapter, a protocol called on-chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is presented for the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarray-based detection of bacterial target sequences. On-chip PCR combines, in a single step, the conventional amplification of a target with a simultaneous, nested PCR round intended for target detection. While freely diffusible primers are deployed for amplification, the nested PCR is initiated by oligonucleotide primers bound to a solid phase. Thus, on-chip PCR allows the single-step amplification and characterization of a DNA sample as a result of separation in liquid and solid-phase reactions. In contrast to conventional PCR, the reaction is performed directly on the flat surface of a glass slide that holds an array of covalently attached nested primers. The bacterial target DNA is amplified and probed using primers identifying either species-specific sequence regions of ribosomal DNA or unique bacterial target genes, such as virulence or resistance factors. The microarray is produced using standard spotting equipment with an array layout containing a high number of replicates. Fluorescence scanning of on-chip PCR slides allows the rapid detection of the target of interest. The protocol described herein will show how on-chip PCR can be used to detect and precisely identify DNA of bacterial origin.

Animals↗

Susceptibility of human hepatitis delta virus RNAs to small interfering RNA action.

In animal cells, small interfering RNAs (siRNA), when exogenously provided, have been reported to be capable of inhibiting replication of several different viruses. In preliminary studies, siRNA species were designed and tested for their ability to act on the protein expressed in Huh7 cells transfected with DNA-directed mRNA constructs containing hepatitis delta virus (HDV) target sequences. The aim was to achieve siRNA specific for each of the three RNAs of HDV replication: (i) the 1,679-nucleotide circular RNA genome, (ii) its exact complement, the antigenome, and (iii) the less abundant polyadenylated mRNA for the small delta protein. Many of the 16 siRNA tested gave >80% inhibition in this assay. Next, these three classes of siRNA were tested for their ability to act during HDV genome replication. It was found that only siRNA targeted against HDV mRNA sequences could interfere with HDV genome replication. In contrast, siRNA targeted against genomic and antigenomic RNA sequences had no detectable effect on the accumulation of these RNAs. Reconstruction experiments with nonreplicating HDV RNA sequences support the interpretation that neither the potential for intramolecular rod-like RNA folding nor the presence of the delta protein conferred resistance to siRNA. In terms of replicating HDV RNAs, it is considered more likely that the genomic and antigenomic RNAs are resistant because their location within the nucleus makes them inaccessible to siRNA-mediated degradation.

Animals↗

Integration of bioinformatics and computational biology to understand protein-DNA recognition mechanism.

Transcription factors play essential role in the gene regulation in higher organisms, binding to multiple target sequences and regulating multiple genes in a complex manner. In order to decipher the mechanism of gene regulation, it is important to understand the molecular mechanism of protein-DNA recognition. Here we describe a strategy to approach this problem, using various methods in bioinformatics and computational biology. We have used a knowledge-based approach, utilizing rapidly increasing structural data of protein-DNA complexes, to derive empirical potential functions for the specific interactions between bases and amino acids as well as for DNA conformation, from the statistical analyses on the structural data. Then these statistical potentials are used to quantify the specificity of protein-DNA recognition. The quantification of specificity has enabled us to establish the structure-function analysis of transcription factors, such as the effects of binding cooperativity on target recognition. The method is also applied to real genome sequences, predicting potential target sites. We are also using computer simulations of protein-DNA interactions and DNA conformation in order to complement the empirical method. The integration of these approaches together will provide deeper insight into the mechanism of protein-DNA recognition and improve the target prediction of transcription factors.

Binding Sites↗

Self-regulated cleavage of the mitochondrial intramembrane-cleaving protease PARL yields Pbeta, a nuclear-targeted peptide.

Regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) is an emerging paradigm in signal transduction. RIP is mediated by intramembrane-cleaving proteases (I-CliPs), which liberate biologically active nuclear or secreted domains from their membrane-tethered precursor proteins. The yeast Pcp1p/Rbd1p protein is a Rhomboid-like I-CliP that regulates mitochondrial membrane remodeling and fusion through cleavage of Mgm1p, a regulator of these essential activities. Although this ancient function is conserved in PARL (Presenilins-associated Rhomboid-like protein), the mammalian ortholog of Pcp1p/Rbd1p, the two proteins show a strong divergence at their N termini. However, the N terminus of PARL is significantly conserved among vertebrates, particularly among mammals, suggesting that this domain evolved a distinct but still unknown function. Here, we show that the cytosolic N-terminal domain of PARL is cleaved at positions 52-53 (alpha-site) and 77-78 (beta-site). Whereas alpha-cleavage is constitutive and removes the mitochondrial targeting sequence, beta-cleavage appears to be developmentally controlled and dependent on PARL I-CliP activity supplied in trans. The beta-cleavage of PARL liberates Pbeta, a nuclear targeted peptide whose sequence is conserved only in mammals. Thus, in addition to its evolutionarily conserved function in regulating mitochondrial dynamics, PARL might mediate a mammalian-specific, developmentally regulated mitochondria-to-nuclei signaling through regulated proteolysis of its N terminus and release of the Pbeta peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Directed evolution and substrate specificity profile of homing endonuclease I-SceI.

The laboratory evolution of enzymes with tailor-made DNA cleavage specificities would represent new tools for manipulating genomes and may enhance our understanding of sequence-specific DNA recognition by nucleases. Below we describe the development and successful application of an efficient in vivo positive and negative selection system that applies evolutionary pressure either to favor the cleavage of a desired target sequence or to disfavor the cleavage of nontarget sequences. We also applied a previously described in vitro selection method to reveal the comprehensive substrate specificity profile of the wild-type I-SceI homing endonuclease. Together these tools were used to successfully evolve mutant I-SceI homing endonucleases with altered DNA cleavage specificities. The most highly evolved enzyme cleaves the target mutant DNA sequence with a selectivity that is comparable to wild-type I-SceI's preference for its cognate substrate.

DNA↗

Sequence-independent, single-primer amplification (SISPA) of complex DNA populations.

Sequence-Independent, Single-Primer Amplification (SISPA) is a primer initiated technique that requires target sequence modification to achieve the non-selective logarithmic amplification of heterogeneous DNA populations. The method contrasts with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and its modified approaches, that have as their objective the amplification of unique or homologous sequences. SISPA requires the directional ligation of an asymmetric linker/primer oligonucleotide onto the target population of blunt ended DNA molecules. The common end sequence allows one strand of the double-stranded linker/primer to be used in repeated rounds of annealing, extension and denaturation in the presence of thermostable Taq DNA polymerase. The linker/primers contain restriction endonuclease sites to facilitate the molecular cloning of as little as 1 pg of starting material after amplification. SISPA is especially useful when the nucleotide sequence of the desired molecule is both unknown and present in limited amounts making its recovery by standard cloning procedures technically difficult. These conditions are present in the initial isolation and cloning of previously uncharacterized viral genomes. The application and quantitation of SISPA is described, together with its utility in the cloning and recovery of low abundance genetic sequences, as illustrated here with the hepatitis C virus.

Animals↗

Prediction of antisense oligonucleotide binding affinity to a structured RNA target.

Antisense oligonucleotides, which act through the pairing of complementary bases to an RNA target sequence, are showing great promise in research and clinical applications. However, the selection of effective antisense oligonucleotides has proven more difficult than initially presumed. We developed a prediction algorithm to identify those sequences with the highest predicted binding affinity for their target mRNA based on a thermodynamic cycle that accounts for the energetics of structural alterations in both the target mRNA and the oligonucleotide. The model was used to predict the binding affinity of antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the rabbit beta-globin (RBG) and mouse tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) mRNAs, for which large experimental datasets were available. Of the top ten candidates identified by the algorithm for the RBG mRNA, six were the most strongly binding sequences determined from an experimental assay. The prediction for the TNFalpha mRNA also identified high affinity sequences with approximately 60% accuracy. Computational prediction of antisense efficacy is more cost-efficient and faster than in vitro or in vivo selection and can potentially speed the development of sequences for both research and clinical applications.

Animals↗

Analysis of apicoplast targeting and transit peptide processing in Toxoplasma gondii by deletional and insertional mutagenesis.

Deletion and insertion mutagenesis was used to analyze the targeting sequence of the nuclear encoded apicoplast protein, the ribosomal protein small subunit 9 of Toxoplasma gondii. Previous studies have shown that nuclear encoded apicoplast proteins possess bipartite leaders having characteristic signal sequences followed by serine/threonine rich transit sequences. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the first 55 amino acids of the rps9 leader were sufficient for apicoplast targeting. Insertional mutagenesis tagging the leader sequence with a hemagglutinin (HA) tag was used to study the events involved in the targeting pathway. Transfectants with insertions near the N-terminus of the transit displayed HA tagged precursors outside of the apicoplast, in the perinuclear region. In contrast, transfectants with the HA tag inserted near the carboxyl end of the transit-like region had apicoplast labeling. Western blot analysis of HA tagged stable isolates suggested that processing of the HA tagged leaders was a multi-step process, with processing occurring both outside of and at or within the apicoplast.

Animals↗

Calsequestrin targeting to sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle fibers.

Calsequestrin (CS) is the low-affinity, high-capacity calcium binding protein segregated to the lumen of terminal cisternae (TC) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The physiological role of CS in controlling calcium release from the SR depends on both its intrinsic properties and its localization. The mechanisms of CS targeting were investigated in skeletal muscle fibers and C2C12 myotubes, a model of SR differentiation, with four deletion mutants of epitope (hemagglutinin, HA)-tagged CS: CS-HA24NH2, CS-HA2D, CS-HA3D, and CS-HAHT, a double mutant of the NH2 terminus and domain III. As judged by immunofluorescence of transfected skeletal muscle fibers, only the double CS-HA mutant showed a homogeneous distribution at the sarcomeric I band, i.e., it did not segregate to TC. As shown by subfractionation of microsomes derived from transfected skeletal muscles, CS-HAHT was largely associated to longitudinal SR whereas CS-HA was concentrated in TC. In C2C12 myotubes, as judged by immunofluorescence, not only CS-HAHT but also CS-HA3D and CS-HA2D were not sorted to developing SR. Condensation competence, a property referable to CS oligomerization, was monitored for the several CS-HA mutants in C2C12 myoblasts, and only CS-HA3D was found able to condense. Together, the results indicate that 1) there are at least two targeting sequences at the NH2 terminus and domain III of CS, 2) SR-specific target and structural information is contained in these sequences, 3) heterologous interactions with junctional SR proteins are relevant for segregation, 4) homologous CS-CS interactions are involved in the overall targeting process, and 5) different targeting mechanisms prevail depending on the stage of SR differentiation.

Animals↗

Negative selectivity and the evolution of protease cascades: the specificity of plasmin for peptide and protein substrates.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the networks of selective proteolysis that regulate complex biological systems requires an appreciation of the molecular mechanisms used to maintain substrate specificity. Human plasmin, a serine protease that promotes the dissolution of blood clots and is essential in maintaining normal hemostasis, is usually described as having broad substrate specificity. Recent evidence that plasmin also plays a key role in a variety of other important biological and pathological processes, however, has suggested that this description might need to be re-evaluated. RESULTS: We used substrate phage display to elucidate optimal subsite occupancy for substrates of plasmin. We identified a peptide substrate that is cleaved 710,000-fold more efficiently by plasmin than a peptide containing the activation sequence of plasminogen. Plasmin achieves this unexpected, large differential activity even though both target sequences possess an arginine residue in the P1 position. We also demonstrate that proteolysis by plasmin can be targeted to an engineered protein substrate and that introduction of substrate sequences identified by phage display into plasminogen increases plasmin-mediated cleavage of the mutant 2000-fold. CONCLUSIONS: The specificity of plasmin is more tightly controlled than previously recognized; interactions with substrates at all subsites between S4 and S2' contribute to catalysis. Furthermore, in contrast to most enzymes that exhibit positive selectivity for substrate, the evolution of substrate specificity by plasmin has apparently been dominated by a strong negative selection against development of autoactivation activity. This 'negative selectivity' avoids short-circuiting regulation of the fibrinolytic system and other important biological processes, and might be an important general mechanism for controlling protease cascades.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Highly effective inhibition of Akabane virus replication by siRNA genes.

Since 2002 there has been a rise in arthrogryposis/hydranencephaly (AGH) incidence in Israel, caused by Akabane (AKA) and, possibly, Aino viruses. To test the ability to control the disease, three siRNA genes targeted to the S genome segment were designed and prepared in the form of siRNA cassettes. For the design all published S segment were aligned and two conserved target sequences with 100% homology were chosen. A third conserved target that was found exhibited only one base change found in the two Australian isolates and was also designed and tested. It was demonstrated that cells transfected with single siRNA genes showed 99% inhibition, as measured by real-time RT-PCR, virus titration and immunofluorescence. When cells were transfected with all three genes together the inhibition levels were increased and reached almost 100%.

Animals↗

Hybridization of antisense oligonucleotides with alpha-sarcin loop region of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA.

Binding of complementary oligonucleotides (ONs) with alpha-sarcin loop region (2638-2682) of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA was investigated. Four of the tested pentadecanucleotides efficiently bound to target sequences with association rate and equilibrium constants approximately 10(3) M(-1)s(-1) and 10(7) M(-1), respectively. ON S5 (CGAGAGGACCGGAGU) complementary to the sequence 2658-2672 displayed the highest affinity to the target. Activation energy for binding of ON S5 was measured to be 11 kcal/mol; this value corresponds to approximately 10% of the calculated enthalpy of the local RNA structure unfolding in the presence of this oligonucleotide. The activation energy value is evidence for the heteroduplex formation to occur via strand displacement pathway; the initiation of heteroduplex formation requires disruption of 1-2 base pairs in RNA hairpin.

Base Sequence↗

Competitive polymerase chain reaction using an internal standard: application to the quantitation of viral DNA.

A general strategy for the construction of an internal standard for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is described together with its application in the evaluation of clinical samples. This internal standard is a plasmid containing a modified target sequence that is co-amplified with the native target using the same set of primers. The co-amplification reaction will generate two fragments of different size that are readily separated without the need for restriction enzyme digestion. Thereafter, they are detected and quantitated by hybridization to the same probe. Detection of HIV proviral DNA was chosen as a model for this competitive PCR. The assay proved to be a sensitive tool for the detection of PCR inhibitors and allowed quantitation of HIV with a 20-30% variation coefficient. Despite limitations that appear inherent to the amplification process, internal standards appear to be useful tools for quantitative analysis by PCR.

Base Sequence↗