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Human type 2 phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolases. Substrate specificity of the type 2a, 2b, and 2c enzymes and cell surface activity of the 2a isoform.

Phosphatidic acid (PA), lysophosphatidic acid, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are lipid mediators generated by phospholipases, sphingomyelinases, and lipid kinases. The major pathway for degradation of these lipids is dephosphorylation catalyzed by members of two classes (types 1 and 2) of phosphohydrolase activities (PAPs). cDNAs encoding two type 2 PAPs, PAP-2a and -2b, have been expressed by transient transfection and shown to catalyze hydrolysis of PA, C1P, and S1P (Kai, M., Wada, I., Imai, S., Sakane, F. and Kanoh, H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 24572-24578). We report the cloning and expression of a third type 2 PAP enzyme (288 amino acids, predicted molecular mass of 32.6 kDa), PAP-2c, which exhibits 54 and 43% sequence homology to PAPs 2a and 2b. Expression of HA epitope-tagged PAP-2a, -2b, and 2c in HEK293 cells produced immunoreactive proteins and increased membrane-associated PAP activity. Sf9 insect cells contain very low endogenous PAP activity. Recombinant expression of the three PAP enzymes using baculovirus vectors produces dramatic increases in membrane-associated Mg2+-independent, N-ethylmaleimide-insensitive PAP activity. Expression of PAP-2a but not PAP-2b or -2c resulted in high levels of cell surface PAP activity in intact insect cells. Kinetic analysis of PAP-2a, -2b, and -2c activity against PA, lysophosphatidic acid, C1P, and S1P presented in mixed micelles of Triton X-100 revealed differences in substrate specificity and susceptibility to inhibition by sphingosine, Zn2+, and propranol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A 4-bp insertion in the eya-homologous region (eyaHR) of EYA4 causes hearing impairment in a Hungarian family linked to DFNA10.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hearing impairment (HHI) is a heterogeneous class of disorders that shows various patterns of inheritance and involves a multitude of different genes. Mutations in the EYA4 gene are responsible for postlingual, progressive, autosomal dominant hearing loss at the DFNA10 locus. EYA4 is orthologous to the Drosophila gene eya ("eyes absent"), a key regulator of eye formation. EYA4 plays an important role in several developmental processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Here we report a Hungarian family displaying sensorineural, progressive hearing impairment. The family comprising four generations with 11 affected and 8 unaffected members was subjected to genome-wide linkage analysis and candidate gene sequencing. RESULTS: By linkage analysis, the chromosomal region 6q22.3 was shown to segregate with the disease. Mutation analysis of the EYA4 gene, which maps to 6q22.3, revealed an insertion of 4 bp (1558insTTTG) in all affected family members. This insertion creates a frameshift and results in a stop codon at position 379. Hence, nearly the complete "eya homologous region" (eyaHR), which is essential for the protein function, would be deleted in the mutant EYA4 protein if the transcription were found to be stable. CONCLUSIONS: This family is the third one linked to DFNA10 and revealing a mutation in the EYA4 gene. In all three families, the mutations are localized in different regions of the eyaHR, suggesting that this protein contains several functional subregions with different tissue-specific importance.

Base Sequence↗

Genetics of salivary protein polymorphisms.

Human salivary PRPs are determined by six closely linked genes on chromosome 12p13.2. The many PRPs show complex electrophoretic patterns that differ between individuals and reflect numerous genetic polymorphisms. Frequent length and null polymorphisms are common among PRPs. Common themes emerge as a background for these PRP polymorphisms. First, posttranslational proteolysis occurs with double-banded patterns among acidic PRPs and the generation of numerous basic PRPs derived from precursor proteins. Specific mutations may interfere with proteolysis, preventing generation of double-banded acidic PRPs (as with the Pa protein) or of small basic PRPs from precursor proteins (as with Pm proteins). Second, single cysteine substitutions in PRPs (Pa from PRH1 and G1 8 from PRB3) may lead to disulfide bonded homodimers as well as heterodimers with salivary peroxidase. Third, frequent homologous and unequal crossing-over within the PRP gene cluster leads to frequent protein size-variants (intragenic events as with the G1 protein variants) and the generation of the PRB2/1 fusion gene (intergenic event) with deletion of the PRB1 coding region and absence of multiple PRB1 coded proteins (Ps, Pm, Pe) in PRB2/1 homozygotes. Fourth, null mutations may also be produced (as with PsO and G1 0) by single nucleotide changes.

Alleles↗

The three-dimensional structure of a DNA hairpin in solution two-dimensional NMR studies and structural analysis of d(ATCCTATTTATAGGAT).

The hairpin formed by d(ATCCTATTTATAGGAT) was studied by means of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and conformational analysis. Almost all 1H resonances of the stem region could be assigned, while the 1H and 31P spectra of the loop region were interpreted completely; this includes the stereospecific assignment of the H5' and H5" resonances. The derivation of the detailed loop structure was carried out in a stepwise fashion including some improved and new methods for structure determination from NMR data. In the first step, the mononucleotide structures were examined. The conformational space available to the mononucleotide was scanned systematically by varying the glycosidic torsion angle and pseudorotational parameters. Each generated conformer was tested against the experimental J coupling constants and NOE parameters. In the following stage, the structures of dinucleotides and longer fragments were derived. Inter-residue distances between protons were calculated by means of a procedure in which the simulated NOEs, obtained via a relaxation-matrix approach, were fitted to the experimental NOEs without the introduction of a molecular model. In addition, the backbone torsion angles beta, gamma and epsilon were deduced from homocoupling and heterocoupling constants. These data served as constraints in the next step, in which the loop sequence was subjected to a multi-conformer generation procedure. The resulting structures were tested against the mentioned constraints and disregarded if these constraints were violated. This yielded a family of structures for the loop region, confined to a relatively narrow conformational space. A representative conformation was subsequently docked on a B-type stem which fulfilled the structural constraints (derived from the NMR experiments for the stem region) to yield the hairpin structure. Results obtained from subsequent restrained-molecular-mechanics as well as free-molecular-mechanics calculations are in accordance with those obtained by means of the analysis described above. The structure of the hairpin loop is a compactly folded conformation and the first base of the central TTTA region forms a Hoogsteen T-A pair with the fourth base. This Hoogsteen base pair is stacked upon the sixth base pair of the B-type double-helical stem. The second base of the loop is folded into the minor groove, whereas the third base of the loop is partly stacked on the first and fourth bases. The phosphate backbone exhibits a sharp turn between the third and fourth nucleotides of the loop. The peculiar structure of this hairpin loop is discussed in relation to loop folding in DNA and RNA hairpins and in relation to a general model for loop folding.

Base Sequence↗

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and peroxisome-to-mitochondrion mistargeting of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase.

Under the influence of dietary selection pressure, the intracellular compartmentalization of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) has changed on many occasions during the evolution of mammals. In some mammals, AGT is peroxisomal in others it is mainly mitochondrial while in yet others it is more-or-less equally divided between both organelles. Although in normal human liver AGT is usually found exclusively within the peroxisomes, in some individuals a small proportion (approximately 5%) is found also in the mitochondria. This apparently trivial intracellular redistribution of AGT is caused by the presence of a Pro11Leu polymorphism which allows the N-terminus of AGT to fold into a conformation (ie a positively-charged amphiphilic alpha-helix) which functions as a mitochondrial targeting sequence. In one third of patients with the autosomal recessive disease primary hyperoxaluria type 1, there is a further redistribution of AGT so that the great majority (approximately 90%) is located in the mitochondria and only a small minority (10%) in the peroxisomes. AGT cannot fulfil its proper metabolic role in human liver (ie glyoxylate detoxification) when located in the mitochondria. The erroneous compartmentalization is due to the presence of a Gly170Arg mutation superimposed upon the Pro11Leu polymorphism. The Gly170Arg mutation appears to have no direct effect on mitochondrial targeting and is predicted to enhance mitochondrial import of AGT by interfering with its peroxisomal targeting and/or import. The mitochondrial targeting sequence generated by the Pro11Leu polymorphism is not homologous to that found in the AGT of other mammals which localise AGT within the mitochondria normally. The identity of the peroxisomal targeting sequence in AGT is unknown, but the Gly170Arg mutation is found in a highly conserved region of the protein which might be involved in some aspects of the peroxisomal import pathway for AGT.

Alanine Transaminase↗

A family of phosphoinositide 3-kinases in Drosophila identifies a new mediator of signal transduction.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases) are involved in receptor-mediated signal transduction and have been implicated in processes such as transformation and mitogenesis through their role in elevating cellular phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate. Additionally, a PI 3-kinase activity which generates phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate has been shown to be required for protein trafficking in yeast. RESULTS: We have identified a family of three distinct PI 3-kinases in Drosophila, using an approach based on the polymerase chain reaction to amplify a region corresponding to the conserved catalytic domain of PI 3-kinases. One of these family members, PI3K_92D, is closely related to the prototypical PI 3-kinase, p110 alpha; PI3K_59F is homologous to Vps34p, whereas the third, PI3K_68D, is a novel PI 3-kinase which is widely expressed throughout the Drosophila life cycle. The PI3K_68D cDNA encodes a protein of 210 kDa, which lacks sequences implicated in linking p110 PI 3-kinases to p85 adaptor proteins, but contains an amino-terminal proline-rich sequence, which could bind to SH3 domains, and a carboxy-terminal C2 domain. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that PI3K_68D has a novel substrate specificity in vitro, restricted to phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, and is unable to phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate, the implied in vivo substrate for p110. CONCLUSIONS: A family of PI 3-kinases in Drosophila, including a novel class represented by PI3K_68D, is described. PI3K_68D has the potential to bind to signalling molecules containing SH3 domains, lacks p85-adaptor-binding sequences, has a Ca(2+)-independent phospholipid-binding domain and displays a restricted in vitro substrate specificity, so it could define a novel signal transduction pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glutathione modulates recombinant rat arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase-catalyzed formation of trimethylarsine oxide and trimethylarsine.

Humans and other species enzymatically convert inorganic arsenic (iAs) into methylated metabolites. Although the major metabolites are mono- and dimethylated arsenicals, trimethylated arsenicals have been detected in urine following exposure to iAs. The AS3MT gene encodes an arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase, which catalyzes both the oxidative methylation of trivalent arsenicals and the reduction of pentavalent arsenicals. In reaction mixtures containing recombinant rat AS3MT (rrAS3MT) and radiolabeled arsenite, mono- and dimethylated arsenicals and a third radiolabeled product can be resolved by thin-layer chromatography. Hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry identified the third reaction product as trimethylarsine oxide. The addition of glutathione to reaction mixtures containing radiolabeled arsenite and rrAS3MT increased the yield of methylated and dimethylated arsenicals but suppressed the formation of trimethylarsine oxide. Although a dimethylarsenic-glutathione complex was rapidly converted to trimethylarsine oxide, the addition of a molar excess of glutathione to dimethylarsenic suppressed the production of trimethylarsine oxide. The nonquantitative recovery of radioarsenic from reaction mixtures suggested that AS3MT catalyzed the formation of a volatile arsenical. This volatile species was identified as trimethylarsine. Thus, AS3MT catalyzes the formation of all products in a reaction sequence leading from an inorganic to a volatile methylated arsenical. The regulation of this pathway by intracellular glutathione may be an important determinant of the pattern and extent of formation of arsenicals.

Animals↗

Expression of the gene encoded by a family of macronuclear chromosomes generated by alternative DNA processing in Oxytricha fallax.

Hypotrichous ciliated protozoa, such as Oxytricha fallax, produce tiny chromosomes during generation of the transcriptionally active macronucleus. The 81-MAC family of macronuclear chromosomes is produced by alternative DNA processing, such that the chromosomes share a common region of 1.6 kbp. Transcription of a 1.3 kb mRNA from the common region has been analyzed. Transcription starts very near the telomere (34 bp), in a 23 bp region of pure A + T DNA. Polyadenylation sites are very near the other telomere (26 bp), also in a region of nearly pure A + T DNA. Three introns are clustered in the first third of the gene. Intron removal can follow polyadenylation, and the order of removal is not fixed. All three known sequence versions of the 81-MAC chromosomes are represented in the mRNA pool, with no evidence of any further versions. The A + T sequences surrounding the transcription starts and polyadenylation sites are conserved among versions. Introns have conserved 5' and 3' ends and a putative branch-point sequence (YYRAT), but otherwise are highly diverged and are AT-rich. A single long open reading frame, interrupted by the three introns, encodes a homolog of known mitochondrial solute carriers, and contains the codon TAA, which does not encode 'stop,' but a conserved glutamine; TAG appears also to encode glutamine. The results significantly enlarge the small data set of transcription start and polyadenylation sites, of intron features, and of translation signals for hypotrichs.

Animals↗

Targeted mutagenesis in mammalian cells mediated by intracellular triple helix formation.

As an alternative to standard gene transfer techniques for genetic manipulation, we have investigated the use of triple helix-forming oligonucleotides to target mutations to selected genes within mammalian cells. By treating monkey COS cells with oligonucleotides linked to psoralen, we have generated targeted mutations in a simian virus 40 (SV40) vector contained within the cells via intracellular triple helix formation. Oligonucleotide entry into the cells and sequence-specific triplex formation within the SV40 DNA deliver the psoralen to the targeted site. Photoactivation of the psoralen by long-wavelength UV light yields adducts and thereby mutations at that site. We engineered into the SV40 vector novel supF mutation reporter genes containing modified polypurine sites amenable to triplex formation. By comparing the abilities of a series of oligonucleotides to target these new sites, we show that targeted mutagenesis in vivo depends on the strength and specificity of the third-strand binding. Oligonucleotides with weak target site binding affinity or with only partial target site homology were ineffective at inducing mutations in the SV40 vectors within the COS cells. We also show that the targeted mutagenesis is dependent on the oligonucleotide concentration and is influenced by the timing of the oligonucleotide treatment and of the UV irradiation of the cells. Frequencies of intracellular targeted mutagenesis in the range of 1 to 2% were observed, depending upon the conditions of the experiment. DNA sequence analysis revealed that most of the mutations were T.A-to-A.T transversions precisely at the targeted psoralen intercalation site. Several deletions encompassing that site were also seen. The ability to target mutations to selected sites within mammalian cells by using modified triplex-forming oligonucleotides may provide a new research tool and may eventually lead to therapeutic applications.

Animals↗

Genetic Analysis of Genomic and Methylomic Variation and Identification of Multi-Trait Mutants in Rice Carried on Chang'e-5.

Global food security is facing challenges from population growth to diminishing arable land. Space mutation breeding holds promise for overcoming the variation limitations in conventional breeding; however, the mutagenic effects of the deep-space environment on rice and the transgenerational inheritance patterns of induced variations remain unclear. In this study, rice seeds carried by the Chang'e-5 spacecraft were used as materials. Whole-genome sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing were performed on the first (SP1) and second generations (SP2) of space-mutagenized plants after their return to Earth. The results showed that the number of genomic variants in the SP2 generation increased significantly compared with SP1, and SNPs, homozygous sites, and variants in coding regions were more heritable. The genome-wide methylation level was elevated in the SP2 generation, and among differentially methylated cytosines, those in the CG context exhibited the highest heritability. Furthermore, large-scale screening for nitrogen efficiency, tolerance to PEG-induced stress, and germination-stage cold resistant mutants was conducted in the SP2 generation, and phenotypic validation was performed in the third generation (SP3). By integrating multi-omics analyses of representative mutants to mine candidate genes, a number of heritable elite mutants were obtained, and seven candidate genes for key traits were identified. This study systematically elucidates the transgenerational inheritance patterns of deep-space-induced variation in rice. The multi-trait mutants obtained provide valuable germplasm resources for gene cloning and breeding applications in rice.

DNA methylation↗

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of exon 11 of the CFTR gene reliably detects more than one third of non-delta F508 mutations in German cystic fibrosis patients.

In Central Europe, the delta F508 deletion accounts for approximately 75% of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene causing cystic fibrosis. The remainder comprise a large number of individually infrequent mutations whose detection requires a disproportionately large effort. However, a sizeable proportion of non-delta F508 mutations have been found to cluster within exon 11. We have taken advantage of this clustering to detect a total of five previously described point mutations present on 26/72 (36%) non-delta F508 chromosomes by polymerase chain reaction/direct sequencing of exon 11. These exon 11 mutations were then subjected to single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, which was shown (i) to discriminate reliably between mutant and wildtype alleles and (ii) to generate reproducible mutation-specific band patterns. This analysis thus represents the first attempt to assess SSCP analysis retrospectively, and serves to illustrate the potential of this screening technique in diagnostic medicine.

Base Sequence↗

No evidence for involvement of type 1 collagen structural genes in 'genetic predisposition' to alcoholic cirrhosis.

Type 1 collagen is the predominant collagen in cirrhotic livers. Each type 1 collagen molecule contains three subunits, two are identical (the alpha 1 chains) and the sequence of the third (alpha 2) is very similar. They are encoded at the non-synthenic loci, COL1A1 and COL1A2 and restriction site dimorphisms have been described at each locus. Genetic factors have been invoked as a basis for increased susceptibility to alcoholic cirrhosis. One hypothesis is that genetically determined differences in type 1 collagen may be involved in this predisposition. We have examined this by analysing restriction fragment length polymorphisms at each type 1 collagen locus in leucocyte DNA from 56 unrelated patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 74 local unrelated healthy controls. Based on the presence or absence of these restriction site dimorphisms four possible haplotypes were generated at COL1A1 and COL1A2. We found no significant difference in allele frequencies between alcoholic cirrhotics and controls and, unlike a previous small study, we found no particular haplotype of either gene was associated with alcoholic cirrhosis. Our study provides no evidence for involvement of type 1 collagen structural genes in a genetic predisposition to cirrhosis in alcoholics.

Collagen↗

GTF2IRD2 is located in the Williams-Beuren syndrome critical region 7q11.23 and encodes a protein with two TFII-I-like helix-loop-helix repeats.

Williams-Beuren syndrome (also known as Williams syndrome) is caused by a deletion of a 1.55- to 1.84-megabase region from chromosome band 7q11.23. GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I, located within this critical region, encode proteins of the TFII-I family with multiple helix-loop-helix domains known as I repeats. In the present work, we characterize a third member, GTF2IRD2, which has sequence and structural similarity to the GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 paralogs. The ORF encodes a protein with several features characteristic of regulatory factors, including two I repeats, two leucine zippers, and a single Cys-2/His-2 zinc finger. The genomic organization of human, baboon, rat, and mouse genes is well conserved. Our exon-by-exon comparison has revealed that GTF2IRD2 is more closely related to GTF2I than to GTF2IRD1 and apparently is derived from the GTF2I sequence. The comparison of GTF2I and GTF2IRD2 genes revealed two distinct regions of homology, indicating that the helix-loop-helix domain structure of the GTF2IRD2 gene has been generated by two independent genomic duplications. We speculate that GTF2I is derived from GTF2IRD1 as a result of local duplication and the further evolution of its structure was associated with its functional specialization. Comparison of genomic sequences surrounding GTF2IRD2 genes in mice and humans allows refinement of the centromeric breakpoint position of the primate-specific inversion within the Williams-Beuren syndrome critical region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A nuclear localization signal and the C-terminal omega sequence in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirD2 endonuclease are important for tumor formation.

The T-DNA portion of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid integrates into plant nuclear DNA. Direct repeats define the T-DNA ends; transfer begins when the VirD2 endonuclease produces a site-specific nick in the right-hand border repeat and attaches to the 5' end of the nicked strand. Subsequent events generate linear single-stranded VirD2-bound DNA molecules that include the entire T-DNA (T-strands). VirD2 protein contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS) near the C terminus and may direct bound T-strands to plant nuclei. We constructed mutations in virD2 and showed that the NLS was important for tumorigenesis, although T-strand production occurred normally in its absence. A tobacco etch virus NLS, substituted for the VirD2 NLS, restored tumor-inducing activity. Amino acids (the omega sequence) at the C terminus of VirD2, outside the NLS and the endonuclease domain, contributed significantly to tumorigenesis, suggesting that VirD2 may serve a third important function in T-DNA transfer.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

XML-based visualization of design and completeness in medical databases.

PURPOSE: mdplot (medical database plot) visualizes both structure and quality of data in medical databases by means of a summary representation of design and completeness in XML format. The goal is to identify attributes suitable for evaluation and to aid in creating open data models. METHODS: A three-stage visualization approach is applied. First, an overview of all classes in a database, second a detailed view of a specific class and third an analysis of individual attributes. Missing data is identified to enable specific efforts to improve data quality prior to analysis. For each class number of patients, attributes, and records per patient are provided. A condensed bar chart for each category of attributes (categorical, numerical, text and other) visualizes available content: The abscissa corresponds to the sequence of attributes; the ordinate represents completeness per attribute. By selection of a specific class, a detailed description is provided including mean completeness in each category as well as completeness per attribute. To analyse attributes that are collected at several time points per patient, a frequency distribution of records per patient can be generated. RESULTS: The new methodology was applied to two clinical research databases consisting of 292 attributes (955 patients) and 224 attributes (610 patients), respectively, and resulted in major restructuring of the systems. A public website is provided for generation of mdplots.

Data Collection↗

Characterization of antisera distinguishing carbohydrate structures in the beta-carboxyl-terminal region of human chorionic gonadotropin.

The beta-COOH-terminal peptide region (beta CTP) of hCG is an important immunochemical domain that is specific to hCG but absent from homologous hLH. Three types of polyclonal antibodies can be elicited to the beta CTP portion of hCG. The first and most common recognizes the beta CTP amino acid sequence independent of its carbohydrate content (carbohydrate-oblivious). It can be elicited against synthetic beta CTP as well as against native or asialo beta CTP. The second type binds best to desialylated beta CTP, (galactose-requiring). The third type binds well only to sialylated beta CTP (sialic acid-requiring). All three types of antisera recognize the sialylated beta CTP as equivalent to the whole hormone on a molar basis, indicating that this peptide region of the whole hormone is neither sequestered nor conformationally altered. We have characterized the epitopes for the sialic acid-requiring and galactose-requiring beta CTP antisera. Both require elements of the primary amino acid sequence of beta hCG as well as specific elements of the carbohydrate side-chains and, therefore, are not directed solely to either peptide or carbohydrate determinants. The galactose-requiring beta CTP antiserum was generated to an ovalbumin conjugate of a desialylated form of beta CTP, beta 123-145. It binds desialylated forms 1000 times better than it binds native hCG, and binds neither synthetic beta CTP nor asialo-agalacto beta 123-141. The antiserum requires residues 123-141 and a portion of an O-serine-linked oligosaccharide chain. Its binding requirements are, thus, very different from those of the carbohydrate-oblivious beta CTP antiserum, which requires the last two residues of the hCG beta polypeptide chain and is not sensitive to the presence or absence of carbohydrate. The sialic acid-requiring beta CTP antiserum, which was generated to sialylated beta 123-145-thyroglobulin conjugate, binds well to sialylated beta CTP, but poorly to asialo beta CTP and not at all to the carbohydrate-free synthetic peptide. This antiserum requires the entire beta 123-145 sequence as well as sialic acid-terminated oligosaccharide side-chains. Since the sialylated peptide beta 115-141 binds poorly to it, this antiserum resembles the carbohydrate-oblivious anti-beta CTP; both require the COOH-terminal amino acids of hCG beta. However, the former requires intact O-linked carbohydrate moieties for binding. These antisera can be used to assess the primary protein and carbohydrate structures of beta CTP at low concentrations in urine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Non-replicative phage particles delivering CRISPR-Cas9 to target major blaCTX-M variants.

Cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) is a promising tool for antimicrobial re-sensitization by inactivating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of bacteria. Here, we programmed CRISPR-Cas9 with common spacers to target predominant blaCTX-M variants in group 1 and group 9 and their promoter in an Escherichia coli model. The CRISPR-Cas9 was delivered by non-replicative phagemid particles from a two-step process, including insertion of spacer in CRISPR and construction of phagemid vector. Spacers targeting blaCTX-M promoters and internal sequences of blaCTX-M group 1 (blaCTX-M-15 and -55) and group 9 (blaCTX-M-14, -27, -65, and -90) were cloned into pCRISPR and phagemid pRC319 for spacer evaluation and phagemid particle production. Re-sensitization and plasmid clearance were mediated by the spacers targeting internal sequences of each group, resulting in 3 log10 to 4 log10 reduction of the ratio of resistant cells, but not by those targeting the promoters. The CRISPR-Cas9 delivered by modified ΦRC319 particles were capable of re-sensitizing E. coli K-12 carrying either blaCTX-M group 1 or group 9 in a dose-dependent manner from 0.1 to 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI). In conclusion, CRISPR-Cas9 system programmed with well-designed spacers targeting multiple variants of AMR gene along with a phage-based delivery system could eliminate the widespread blaCTX-M genes for efficacy restoration of available third-generation cephalosporins by reversal of resistance in bacteria.

CRISPR-Cas Systems↗

Different splice site utilization generates diversity between the rat and human pancreatic polypeptide precursors.

Pancreatic polypeptide is derived from a polyprotein precursor molecule. Although the amino acid sequences specifying the signal peptide and pancreatic polypeptide are well conserved between the rat and the human, the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequences of the precursors are highly divergent. To better understand the molecular basis of the divergence between the rat and human C-terminal peptides, we have determined the nucleotide sequence of the rat pancreatic polypeptide gene. A comparison between the primary structures of the rat and human genes reveals that the heterogeneity of the C-terminal peptides can be explained in large part by a frameshift mutation and the utilization of an alternative splice donor site in the third exon of the rat gene. As a consequence of the displaced splice site, part of the third exon of the rate gene is homologous to the sequence in the third intron of the human gene. Our results suggest that the rat and human pancreatic polypeptide genes arose from a common ancestral gene, and that differences in the C-terminal domains of the precursor reflect less strict evolutionary constraints than those imposed upon the amino-terminal domains of the precursor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗