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Improved fluorescence in situ hybridization of individual microbial cells using polynucleotide probes: the network hypothesis.

Fluorescence in situ hybridizations using polynucleotide transcript probes (poly-FISH) usually exhibit a ring-shaped halo or corona-like fluorescence signal, whereas hybridizations with oligonucleotide probes (oligo-FISH) result in a uniform and evenly distributed fluorescence throughout the cell. The superiority of poly-FISH in comparison to oligo-FISH regarding the signal intensity and the detection of cells with a low ribosome content suggested a further investigation of the possibilities of polynucleotide probes. Poly-FISH has previously only been described for bacterial cells. In the present study it could also be successfully applied to several yeast species. In addition to that the properties of polynucleotide probes were analyzed by using varying probe lengths and concentrations. This led to the formulation of a hypothesis to explain the characteristic "halo" signal observed with polynucleotide probes. This "network hypothesis" suggests the formation of a network of probes based on the secondary structure of the single stranded RNA probes. Due to the limited permeability of the cell envelope, only part of the probe is linked to its intracellular target site, while the remaining part is located-outside the cell and can form a network by hybridizing with single stranded probes, resulting in the ring-shaped fluorescence signal around the cell. The hypothesis was supported by a number of control experiments including in silico and in vitro analysis of the secondary structure of the probes and hybridizations with probes of defined secondary structures. The network concept provides a new basis for a wider application of poly-FISH.

Bacteria↗

Antibodies to polynucleotides in human sera: antigenic specificity and relation to disease.

The specificities of anti-polynucleotide antibodies found in human sera were studied using several immunological procedures. Anti-native DNA (NDNA) antibodies and certain anti-double-stranded RNA (DSRNA) antibodies were found to react with single-stranded DNA (SDNA), and anti-NDNA antibodies were observed to react more avidly with SDNA than with NDNA in most sera tested. Antibodies to NDNA showed no preferential reactivity with NDNA or SDNA derived from mammalian tissue, bacterial, or viral sources. Precipitating antibodies reactive with individual bases, with common determinants of bases, and with common determinants of SDNA and NDNA were detected utilizing synthetic polydeoxyribonucleotides. Antibodies to DSRNA were also heterogeneous and reactive with both Poly A . Poly U and Poly I . Poly C in addition to reactivity with Poly A and SDNA. In contrast, antibodies to a ribonucleo-protein determined by hemagglutination and by precipitation showed no reaction with NDNA, SDNA, or DSRNA. Serial studies of serum specimens from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) indicated that anti-NDNA antibodies were closely associated with disease activity. Titers of antibodies to SDNA or DSRNA were also frequently increased during these periods but in addition showed peaks during quiescent periods. Anti-NDNA antibodies were detected in most patients' sera at sometime during the course of the disease. Three patients were observed with active SLE, who did not develop anti-NDNA antibodies, even in the presence of severe renal disease. Evidence that other antigen-antibody systems may also play a role in the pathogenesis of the renal disease was particularly apparent in these patients. Anti-ribonucleoprotein antibodies were not well correlated with the peaks of antibody activity of other polynucleotide antibodies, suggesting that an independent immunogen was responsible for induction of these antibodies. The close association of certain populations of anti-polynucleotide antibodies during the course of active SLE, the presence of cross-reacting antigenic determinants of SDNA, NDNA, and DSRNA, the preferential avidity of anti-NDNA antibodies for SDNA, and the frequent increase of anti-SDNA antibodies in SLE and other diseases associated with active tissue destruction suggest that SDNA is a ubiquitous antigen that may stimulate the formation of antibodies reactive with a variety of polynucleotides.

Animals↗

The effect of antibiotics on the T4 polynucleotide ligase catalyzed template dependent polymerization of oligodeoxythymidylates.

The poly(dA) dependent T4 polynucleotide ligase catalyzed polymerization of oligodeoxythymidylates is dependent upon duplex stability. The antibiotics ethidium bromide, netropsin and Hoechst 33258 stabilize the duplex poly(dA) . P(dT)n (n = 6-10) to thermal denaturation. Ethidium bromide to DNA ratio of 1.25 and netropsin or Hoechst 33258 to DNA ratio of 0.1 the Tm of d(pT) 10 . poly (dA) was increased by 10 degrees and 25 degrees C respectively. The T4 polynucleotide ligase activity was not inhibited under these conditions and temperature optimum of joining of d(pT) 10 . poly(dA) was increased 5 degrees to 10 degrees by the binding of the antibiotics. Duplexes containing shorter oligodeoxythymidylates required lower concentrations of the antibiotics netropsin or Hoechst 33258 to show no inhibition of T4 polynucleotide ligase. The temperature optima of joining the duplexes d(pT)6 . POLY(DA) and d(pT) 8 . poly(dA) were increased by 5 degrees C upon binding of the antibiotics. Polyacrylamide gel analysis of the T4 polynucleotide ligase catalyzed joining of the oligodeoxythymidylates showed that the presence of antibiotics affected the product distribution of the polymerized oligomers.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Three-dimensional structure of yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA: folding of the polynucleotide chain.

At 4 A resolution the polynucleotides in yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA are seen in a series of electron dense masses about 5.8 A apart. These peaks are probably associated with the phosphate groups, while lower levels of electron density between segments of adjacent polynucleotide chains are interpreted as arising from hydrogen-bonded purine-pyrimidine base pairs. It is possible to trace the entire polynucleotide chain with only two minor regions of ambiguity. The polynucleotide chain has a secondary structure consistent with the cloverleaf conformation; however, its folding is different from that proposed in any model. The molecule is made of two double-stranded helical regions oriented at right angles to each other in the shape of an L. One end of the L has the CCA acceptor; the anticodon loop is at the other end, and the dihydrouridine and TpsiC loops form the corner.

Base Sequence↗

Transfection of Escherichia coli spheroplasts. IV. Transfection of rec+ and rec minus spheroplasts by native, denatured, and renatured T5 bacteriophage DNA after repair of single-strand breaks by polynucleotide ligase.

Transfection of Escherichia coli spheroplasts by native T5 phage DNA was not affected by treatment with polynucleotide ligase. Denatured T5 phage DNA infectivity, only 0.1% of the native DNA level, was increased slightly by polynucleotide ligase treatment. Renatured T5 phage DNA infectivity was also increased slightly by polynucleotide ligase treatment. To form an infective center with rec(+) spheroplasts, 1.6 to 2.1 native T5 phage DNA molecules were required; however, 1.4 T5 phage DNA molecules were required to form an infective center with recA(-)B(-) spheroplasts, and one molecule was sometimes sufficient for rec B(-) spheroplasts. Polynucleotide ligase treatment of T5 phage DNA had no effect on these parameters. Thus, the single-strand interruptions of T5 phage DNA are probably not essential to the survival of the parental T5 phage DNA, and T5 phage DNA, especially the denatured form, is highly sensitive to some nucleases in E. coli spheroplasts.

Coliphages↗

Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells.

Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, which is presumably involved in the initial modification in the series of reactions by which 5'-termini of vaccinia mRNA become capped and methylated, has been demonstrated in vaccinia virus infected HeLa cells. Synthesis of the enzyme is prevented by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that both de novo DNA-dependent RNA and protein syntheses are required. On the other hand, cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of viral DNA replication, does not prevent induction of the enzyme. The latter observation, together with the kinetics of synthesis of the enzyme in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells, suggests that polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase is an "early" or prereplicative viral protein. Immunologlobulin produced against the purified virion-associated polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase as antigen neutralized the activity of the induced polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, thus indicating the identity of the two enzymes.

Cell-Free System↗

Polynucleotide adsorption to negatively charged surfaces in divalent salt solutions.

Polynucleotide adsorption to negatively charged surfaces via divalent ions is extensively used in the study of biological systems. We analyze here the adsorption mechanism via a self-consistent mean-field model that includes the pH effect on the surface-charge density and the interactions between divalent ions and surface groups. The adsorption is driven by the cooperative effect of divalent metal ion condensation along polynucleotides and their reaction with the surface groups. Although the apparent reaction constants are enhanced by the presence of polynucleotides, the difference between reaction constants of different divalent ions at the ideal condition explains why not all divalent cations mediate DNA adsorption onto anionic surfaces. Calculated divalent salt concentration and pH value variations on polynucleotide adsorption are consistent with atomic force microscope results. Here we use long-period x-ray standing waves to study the adsorption of mercurated-polyuridylic acid in a ZnCl2 aqueous solution onto a negatively charged hydroxyl-terminated silica surface. These in situ x-ray measurements, which simultaneously reveal the Hg and Zn distribution profiles along the surface normal direction, are in good agreement with our model. The model also provides the effects of polyelectrolyte line-charge density and monovalent salt on adsorption.

Adsorption↗

2'-Fluoropolynucleotide-directed reverse transcriptase reactions. Effect of homologous polynucleotides.

Several homologous polynucleotides have been tested as inhibitors on the reactions catalyzed by avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptase, in the presence of polyribonucleotides and 2'-fluorinated polynucleotides as templates. Polynucleotides differentially inhibited the reactions catalyzed by reverse transcriptase in the presence of these synthetic templates. Polyriboadenylic acid (poly(rA), poly(2'-O-methyladenylic acid) (poly(Am)), poly(2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenylic acid) (poly(dAfl), polyinosinic acid (poly(rI)) and polyuridylic acid poly(rU)) inhibited the polyribonucleotide-, but not the 2'-fluorinated polynucleotide-directed reverse transcriptase activity.

Avian Myeloblastosis Virus↗

[Interferon induction via peroral administration of high-molecular polynucleotides].

High molecular polynucleotides, poly(I).poly(C) and poly(G).poly(C), incorporated into liposomes may be used for serum interferon induction when administered orally. Titres of interferon induced by this method are sufficiently high (320-640 units/ml) and close to those induced by the same preparations administered parenterally (640-1280 units/ml). The use of liposomal polynucleotides results in prolonged (up to 24 hours) circulation of interferon in the blood of mice at a sufficiently high level. Liposomal polynucleotides are low-toxic upon oral intake. The liposome-polynucleotide complex is sufficiently stable on storage, and retains the interferon-inducing activity, if given orally, after 6 months of storage at 4 degrees C in the liquid form.

Administration, Oral↗

[Study of conformation characteristics of "X-form" of alternating polynucleotides by the method of slow 1H----3H transition].

The rate constants of 1H----3H exchange between water and C8H-groups of purine residues of alternating polynucleotides: poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)], as well as Escherichia coli DNA, dAMP and dGMP, in solutions with high concentration (4.3 or 6 M) CsF, in water ethanol (60%) solution and (in comparison) in 0.15 M NaCl were determined at 25 degrees C. The 1H----3H exchange rate exchange rate constants for adenylic (kA) and guanylic (kG) residues of polynucleotides were compared with the corresponding constant for DNA and mononucleotides. It was shown that at conditions when poly[d(G-T)] and poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] exhibit the "X-form" CD spectrum, alteration of exchange rates in polynucleotides (approximately 2-fold increase in kA in CSF and approximately 1.5-fold decrease in kA and kG in 60% ethanol with 0.15 M NaCl) is due to the effect of solvents on the chemical reactivity of purine residues, but does not reflect a conformational transition. The analysis of these results allows us to conclude, that alternating polynucleotides under the above mentioned conditions retain roughly the conformations inherent in them in 0.15 M NaCl: poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] conformation in 4.3 m CsF or 60% ethanol differs only insignificantly from the "canonic" B-DNA, whereas the poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] conformation in 6 M CSF corresponds to B-alternating DNA.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Isolation and characterization of two mutant forms of T4 polynucleotide kinase.

The purification of polynucleotide kinase from Escherichia coli infected by two different mutants in the T4 polynucleotide kinase (pseT) gene is described. The pseT 1 enzyme has virtually no 3' specific phosphatase activity and normal polynucleotide kinase activity. The pseT 47 enzyme has very little phosphatase activity and no kinase activity. However, enzyme isolated from a pseT 1, pseT 47 mixed infection appears to contain heterodimers with considerably more phosphatase activity. Thus, the pseT 47 mutation partially inactivates the phosphatase and totally inactivates the kinase. A study of the action of polynucleotide kinase on plasmid DNAs nicked to give a 3'-phosphate and a 5'-hydroxyl indicates that although the enzyme can catalyze both the removal of the 3'-phosphate and the insertion of a 5'-phosphate, there is no evidence for a concerted reaction involving both activities on the same polypeptide chain.

Amino Acids↗

[Interaction between polynucleotides and mitochondria from rat liver].

The interaction between labelled polynucleotides and the mitochondrial membrane was studied. It was shown that DNA and mRNA form a complex with the mitochondria and mitoplasts (i. e. mitochondria devoid of the outer membrane); this process does not depend on the energy state of mitochondria. Within the complex polynucleotides are accessible to the effects of nucleases. The complex formation strongly depends on the concentration of Mg2+ and is inhibited by Na+. It was found that polynucleotides are effectively bound to protein-free artificial membranes isolated from the total mitochondrial lipids. The data obtained suggest that in the presence of Mg2+ polynucleotides form a complex with the lipid components of the mitochondrial membrane.

Animals↗

Polynucleotide phosphorylase from Streptomyces aureofaciens: purification and properties.

1. Polynucleotide phosphorylase from a chlortetracycline-producing strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens was isolated by Polymin P fractionation. Using chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150 the enzyme, which appears homogeneous in gel chromatography and sedimentation analysis, was purified 2000-fole giving a final yield of 15%. 2. The sedimentation coefficient (s-o 20, w) of the native enzyme in 0.2 M NaCl is 9.15 S and its molecular weight is 210 000 plus or minus 15 000. Molecular weight estimated by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis was about 100 000. 3. We have determined the optimal conditions for nucleoside 5'-diphosphate polymerization, their phosphate exchange and phosphorolysis of polyribonucleotides catalysed by polynucleotide phosphorylase from S. aureofaciens. 4. Chlortetracycline is a competitive inhibitor of S. aureofaciens polynucleotide phosphorylase. 5. Polynucleotide phosphorylase is activated in the polymerization reaction by ionic strength (K+, Na+, NH4+) while polyribonucleotide phosphorolysis is activated only by NH4+.

Ammonia↗

[Quaternary structure and proteolysis of the polynucleotide phosphorylase from C. perfringens].

This report describes structural studies on purified polynucleotide phosphorylase from C. perfringens. A method is described for the purification of the enzyme which yields a product equivalent in activity to the native polynucleotide phosphorylase from E. coli. These studies revealed a molecular heterogeneity arising from successive stages of proteolysis, to which this enzyme is especially sensitive; unusally, the enzyme is obtained as a mixture of variable proportions of the native and proteolysed forms. We found in all cases a trimeric basic structure composed of the native (alpha) or proteolysed (lapha) or proteolysed (alpha', alpha") catalytic sub-units, However, the enzyme is rather easily dissociated into its sub-units, a phenomenon which seems to accompany proteolysis (Table). Under the action of either endogenous proteases or trypsin, two enzymatic forms are obtained: their quaternary structures seem analogous, but they differ in their catalytic properties from each other and from the initial enzyme. With some care at each step of purification, the polynucleotide phosphorylase of E. coli can be obtained exclusively in its native form. The greater susceptibility to proteolysis of the enzyme from C. perfrigens and the relationship between such degradation and quaternary structure seem to be at the origin of the peculiar behavior of this polynucleotide phosphorylase.

Chemical Fractionation↗

Kinetic studies of recA protein binding to a fluorescent single-stranded polynucleotide.

Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the binding of Escherichia coli recA protein to a single-stranded polynucleotide. Poly(deoxy-1,N6-ethenoadenylic acid) was prepared by reaction of chloroacetaldehyde with poly(deoxyadenylic acid). The fluorescence of poly(deoxy-1,N6-ethenoadenylic acid) was enhanced upon recA protein binding. The kinetics of the binding process were studied as a function of several parameters: ionic concentration (KCl and MgCl2), pH, nature of the nucleoside triphosphate [adenosine 5'-triphosphate or adenosine 5'-O-(gamma-thiotriphosphate)], protein and polynucleotide concentrations, polynucleotide chain length, and order of sequential additions. The observed kinetic curves exhibited a lag phase followed by a slow binding process characteristic of a nucleation-elongation mechanism with an additional slow step governing the rate of the association process. The lag phase reflecting the nucleation step was not observed when the protein was first bound to the polynucleotide before addition of adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate induced a dissociation of the recA protein, which was immediately followed by binding of the recA-adenosine 5'-triphosphate-Mg2+ ternary complex. The origin of this "mnemonic effect" and of the different kinetic steps is discussed with respect to protein conformational changes and aggregation phenomena.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Equilibrium binding of benzo[a]pyrene tetrol to synthetic polynucleotides: sequence selectivity, thermodynamic properties, and ionic strength dependence.

We have investigated the equilibrium binding of racemic 7r,8t,9t,10c-tetrahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene to the double-stranded, synthetic polynucleotides poly[d(A-T)], poly[d(G-C)], and poly[d(G-m5C)] at low binding ratios. Difference absorption spectroscopy shows a 10-nm red shift for binding to poly[d(A-T)] and an 11-nm red shift for binding to either poly[d(G-C)] or poly[d(G-m5C)]. The value of delta epsilon for binding is approximately the same for all three hydrocarbon-polynucleotide complexes. Binding of this neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivative to these polynucleotides is dependent upon ionic strength and temperature. Analysis of complex formation employing polyelectrolyte theory shows a greater release of counterions associated with binding to poly[d(A-T)] than with the other two polynucleotides (0.5 and ca. 0.36, respectively). Thus, sequence-selective binding of this hydrocarbon in DNA would be expected to change depending on salt concentration. The temperature dependence of binding was studied at 100 mM Na+ where the equilibrium binding constants for poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-m5C)] are roughly equivalent and 6-fold greater than the binding affinity for poly[d(G-C)]. The binding to poly[d(A-T)] and poly[d(G-C)] is characterized by a delta H omicron = -7.0 kcal/mol, and the large difference in affinity constants arises from differences in negative entropic contributions. Formation of hydrocarbon-poly[d(G-m5C)] complexes is accompanied by a delta H = -9.1 kcal/mol. However, the affinity for poly[d-(G-m5C)] is the same as that for poly[d(A-T)] due to the much more negative entropy associated with binding to poly[d(G-m5C)].

Base Sequence↗

Further studies on the interaction between polynucleotides and antibodies to poly(inosinic acid). poly(cytidylic acid).

Interactions between antibodies to poly(inosinic acid).poly(cytidylic acid) [poly(I).poly(C)] (or Fab fragments) and double-stranded polynucleotides have been studied by several techniques. In quantitative precipitation tests, the amounts of precipitated antibodies depend upon salt concentration. This effect of salt is reversible. From the comparison of the association constants (deduced from fluorescence measurements) for the binding of Fab fragments to several polynucleotides, a direct interaction between atoms or groups of the bases, which can be involved in hydrogen bonds, can be excluded. The complexes between poly(I).poly(C) and Fab fragments interact with ethidium bromide. The association constants for the binding of ethidium bromide to poly(I).poly(C) and to poly(I).poly(C)-Fab fragments complexes are about the same, but Fab fragments reduce the number of base pairs available to ethidium bromide binding. At saturation of poly(I).poly(C) by Fab fragments, the number of binding sites of ethidium bromide is only reduced by a factor of two. It is concluded that all the nucleotide residues covered by the Fab fragment binding site do not interact with the amino acid residues. Circular dichroism studies of the complexes between Fab fragments and polynucleotides are in favor of some conformational change of the polynucleotides.

Antibodies↗

The effect of trypsin digestion on the activities of polynucleotide phosphorylase.

1. Treatment of Micrococcus lysodeikticus polynucleotide phosphorylase (nucleoside diphosphate-polynucleotide nucleotidyltransferase) with trypsin causes a preferential loss of its cytidine diphosphate and uridine diphosphate polymerization activities. 2. The phosphorolytic activity of the enzyme towards polycytidylic acid is unaffected in conditions in which the cytidine diphosphate-polymerization activity without added primer is virtually abolished. 3. The treated enzyme retains its altered pattern of activities when purified fivefold by gel filtration. 4. The effect on the cytidine diphosphate-polymerization activity is due, in part, to a large increase in primer requirement as a result of proteolysis, and is qualitatively independent of the state of purity of the polynucleotide phosphorylase. 5. The enzyme is protected from trypsin degradation by nucleic acids, polynucleotides and nucleoside disphosphates. 6. A similar, but less marked differential effect, is caused by alpha-chymotrypsin.

Carbon Isotopes↗