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Nucleic acid amplification in vitro: detection of sequences with low copy numbers and application to diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

The enzymatic amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences in vitro has revolutionized the use of nucleic acid hybridization assays for viral detection. With this method, the copy number of a pathogen-specific sequence is increased several orders of magnitude before detection is attempted. The sensitivity and specificity of detection are thus markedly improved. Mullis and Faloona devised the first method of sequence amplification in vitro, the polymerase chain reaction (K.B. Mullis and F.A. Faloona, Methods Enzymol. 155:355-350, 1987). By this method, synthetic oligonucleotide primers direct repeated, target-specific, deoxyribonucleic acid-synthetic reactions, resulting in an exponential increase in the amount of the specific target sequence. The application of sequence amplification to viral detection was initially performed with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and human T-cell lymphoma virus type I. In principle, however, this approach can be applied to the detection of any deoxyribonucleic or ribonucleic acid virus; the only requirement is that sufficient nucleotide sequence data exist to allow the synthesis of target-specific oligonucleotide primers. The use of target amplification in vitro will permit a variety of studies of viral pathogenesis which have not been feasible because of the low copy number of the viral nucleic acids in infected material. This approach is particularly applicable to the study of human retroviral infections, which are chronic and persistent and are characterized by low titers of virus in tissues. In addition, target amplification in vitro will facilitate the development of new methods of sequence detection, which will be useful for rapid viral diagnosis in the clinical laboratory.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Microplate subtractive hybridization to enrich for bacteroidales genetic markers for fecal source identification.

The ability to identify sources of fecal pollution plays a key role in the analysis of human health risk and the implementation of water resource management strategies. One approach to this problem involves the identification of bacterial lineages or gene sequences that are found exclusively in a particular host species or group. We used subtractive hybridization to enrich for target host-specific fecal Bacteroidales rRNA gene fragments that were different from those of very closely related reference (subtracter) host sources. Target host rRNA gene fragments were hybridized to subtracter rRNA gene fragments immobilized in a microplate well, and target sequences that did not hybridize were cloned and sequenced for PCR primer design. The use of microplates for DNA immobilization resulted in a one-step subtractive hybridization in which the products could be directly amplified with PCR. The new host-specific primers designed from subtracted target fragments differentiated among very closely related Bacteroidales rRNA gene sequences and distinguished between similar fecal sources, such as elk and cow or human and domestic pet (dog).

Animals↗

Interaction of ResD with regulatory regions of anaerobically induced genes in Bacillus subtilis.

The two-component regulatory proteins ResD and ResE are required for anaerobic nitrate respiration in Bacillus subtilis. ResD, when it undergoes ResE-dependent phosphorylation, is thought to activate transcriptionally anaerobically induced genes such as fnr, hmp and nasD. In this report, deletion analysis of the fnr, hmp and nasD promoter regions was carried out to identify cis-acting sequences required for ResDE-dependent transcription. The results suggest that the hmp and nasD promoters have multiple target sequences for ResDE-dependent regulation and that fnr has a single target site. Gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting analyses were performed to determine whether ResD interacts directly with the regulatory regions of the three genes. Our results indicate that ResD specifically binds to sequences residing upstream of the hmp and nasD promoters and that phosphorylation of ResD significantly stimulates this binding. In contrast, a higher concentration of ResD is required for binding to the fnr promoter region and no stimulation of the binding by ResD phosphorylation was observed. Taken together, these results suggest that ResD activates transcription of fnr, hmp and nasD by interacting with DNA upstream of these promoters. Our results suggest that phosphorylation of ResD stimulates binding to multiple ResD binding sites, but is much less stimulatory if only a single binding site exists.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Single oligonucleotide nested PCR: a rapid method for the isolation of genes and their flanking regions from expressed sequence tags.

We report on the development of a new PCR technique for the isolation of genomic fragments that flank known DNA sequences. This technique, single oligonucleotide nested (SON)-PCR, relies on only two amplification reactions with two or three nested sequence-specific primers. It allows the isolation of DNA regions located on either side of a known DNA sequence, with high specificity. DNA products of 2 kb in size can be generated that all contain one copy of the same primer at both ends. Sequence analysis of these products indicates that the binding of the primers to non-specific DNA sites mainly depends on their overall complementarity to the target sequence. Moreover, analysis shows that short extensions of the primers can occur during the first amplification reaction and that a 2-bp overlap between subsequent primers can target their annealing to their predecessor's sequence. Ninety percent of the DNA products larger than 0.5 kb correspond to fragments of interest and we obtained successful results with various templates and primer sets. SON-PCR therefore seems a very efficient and widely applicable method for the rapid identification of large unknown DNA regions. Based on available expressed sequence tags, this technique was applied to isolate the palH and pacC genes of the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, with their 5' or 3' flanking regions.

Base Sequence↗

De novo heme proteins from designed combinatorial libraries.

We previously reported the design of a library of de novo amino acid sequences targeted to fold into four-helix bundles. The design of these sequences was based on a "binary code" strategy, in which the patterning of polar and nonpolar amino acids is specified explicitly, but the exact identities of the side chains is varied extensively (Kamtekar S, Schiffer JM, Xiong H, Babik JM, Hecht MH, 1993, Science 262:1680-1685). Because of this variability, the resulting collection of amino acid sequences may include de novo proteins capable of binding biologically important cofactors. To probe for such binding, the de novo sequences were screened for their ability to bind the heme cofactor. Among an initial collection of 30 binary code sequences, 15 are shown to bind heme and form bright red complexes. Characterization of several of these de novo heme proteins demonstrated that their absorption spectra and resonance Raman spectra resemble those of natural cytochromes. Because the design of these sequences is based on global features of polar/ nonpolar patterning, the finding that half of them bind heme highlights the power of the binary code strategy, and demonstrates that isolating de novo heme proteins does not require explicit design of the cofactor binding site. Because bound heme plays a key role in the functions of many natural proteins, these results suggest that binary code sequences may serve as initial prototypes for the development of large collections of functionally active de novo proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Repeated sequences and the sites of genome rearrangements in bacteriophages of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis.

We have sequenced the KIS-element, a 1.5 kb insertion segment present in the genome of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis phage LL-K, but absent from its close relative, phage LL-H. The KIS-element showed some sequence features of a transposable element: it was flanked by direct repeats of a 20 nt long sequence which was in the genome of LL-H as a target sequence. The KIS-element contained two putative ORFs. The C-terminal part of ORF333 consisted of clusters of direct repeats, capable of coding Lys/Arg-Gly-Asp motifs, which are known to be able to bind to glycoproteins. A homologous counterpart of the KIS-element was also found in the genome of prolate-headed L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis phage JCL1032, even though the phage JCL1032 is not a close relative of phage LL-K. The nucleotide sequence comparison between KIS-element and its homologous counterpart in JCL1032 showed that there have occurred several genome rearrangements at the repeat clusters.

Bacteriophages↗

The Neurospora crassa cya-5 nuclear gene encodes a protein with a region of homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PET309 protein and is required in a post-transcriptional step for the expression of the mitochondrially encoded COXI protein.

The cya-5 nuclear mutant of Neurosopora crassa was previously shown to be deficient in cytochrome aa3, cytochrome c oxidase activity, and the immunologically detectable COXI protein. We have now demonstrated that the mitochondria of this mutant contain mRNA for the COXI protein and that COXI cannot be detected during pulse-chase labeling experiments of mitochondrial translation products. Cloning and analysis of the cya-5 gene reveal a long open reading frame capable of encoding a 1136 amino-acid protein. Sequence analysis suggests that the potential CYA-5 protein contains a mitochondrial targeting sequence at its amino-terminus. The long open reading frame also contains a 200 amino-acid region with homology to the PET309 protein, which is required for the production or stability of intron-containing coxI mRNAs, as well as the translation of mature coxI mRNAs, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These data suggest that the CYA-5 protein of N. crassa is required in a post-transcriptional step for COXI expression, most probably for the efficient translation of coxI mRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Import and orientation of the MWFE protein in mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase.

The MWFE subunit of the mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is a small, essential membrane protein of 70 amino acids that is made in the cytosol, imported into mitochondria, and assembled without further proteolytic processing. The experiments identify the first approximately 30 amino acids as a minimal mitochondrial targeting sequence, and establish its orientation in the inner membrane and in complex I. This sequence has a highly conserved glutamate at position 4, which is not typical of a mitochondrial targeting signal. However, it is not essential for MWFE function. Within this sequence there is also a 'stop-transfer' signal. The membrane anchor cannot be replaced by that from another subunit within complex I.

Journal Article↗

A putative novel nuclear-encoded subunit of the cytochrome c oxidase complex in trypanosomatids.

A relatively large nuclear-encoded polypeptide, designated trCOIV, is found in the cytochrome c oxidase (CO) complex of trypanosomatids. In order to determine if this polypeptide represents a bona fide subunit of the complex, we have characterized the cDNA and the gene for this polypeptide in Leishmania tarentolae. Its nuclear gene has no sequence similarity to mammalian COIV. The trCOIV preprotein has a long mitochondrial targeting sequence of 31 residues. The mature polypeptide cofractionates with kinetoplast-mitochondria and its preferential mitochondrial localization was confirmed by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Based on the hydropathy plot analysis, the protein lacks pronounced transmembrane domains and likely occupies a peripheral position within the CO complex. The corresponding genes are also present in the sequenced portions of the Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major genomes, and the same polypeptide is found in cytochrome oxidase isolated from procyclic T. brucei and promastigote Leishmania mexicana amazonensis. However, the trCOIV gene, the mRNA and the polypeptide could not be detected in a respiration-deficient trypanosomatid Phytomonas serpens.

Animals↗

A novel sperm-specific hypomethylation sequence is a demethylation hotspot in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

Certain human DNA regions are strikingly undermethylated at CpG sites in sperm compared to adult somatic tissues. These sperm-specific hypomethylation sequences are thought to function early in embryogenesis or gametogenesis. By using the restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) cloning method, we have isolated a novel sperm-specific hypomethylation sequence, the status of which changes during spermatogenesis, embryonal growth and differentiation. This sequence is a part of a new 'NotI repeat' consisting of a 1.4 kb repetitive unit sequence named DE-1. The sequence is GC-rich and has high homology to a CpG DNA clone that was isolated by a methyl CpG protein binding column, indicating that it was normally highly methylated. We investigated the methylation status of this sequence. In the normal genome the sequence was methylated, but in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) genome, the target sequence was demethylated at the cytosine residue of the CpG dinucleotides with high frequency (75% in the previous study). These data suggest that this regional DNA hypomethylation may play a role in both cell differentiation and hepatocarcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Human gene targeting by viral vectors.

Stable transduction of mammalian cells typically involves random integration of viral vectors by non-homologous recombination. Here we report that vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) can efficiently modify homologous human chromosomal target sequences. Both integrated neomycin phosphotransferase genes and the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene were targeted by AAV vectors. Site-specific genetic modifications could be introduced into approximately 1% of cells, with the highest targeting rates occurring in normal human fibroblasts. These results suggest that AAV vectors could be used to introduce specific genetic changes into the genomic DNA of a wide variety of mammalian cells, including therapeutic gene targeting applications.

Adenoviridae↗

Stability determinants in the chloroplast psbB/T/H mRNAs of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The chloroplast gene psbB encodes the chlorophyll-a binding protein P5 (CP47), one of the core subunits of photosystem II (PSII). The psbB mRNA and the downstream psbT and psbH transcripts fail to accumulate in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii nuclear mutant 222E affected in the Mbb1 gene (Monod et al. 1992, Mol. Gen. Genet. 231, 449-459). By introducing chimeric genes consisting of sequences from psbB and the reporter gene aadA into the chloroplast, the target site of Mbb1 was mapped in the psbB 5' untranslated region (UTR). Primer extension analysis indicates that the psbB RNA exists in a less abundant long form and a more abundant short form, with 5' ends at positions -147 and -35 relative to the AUG initiation codon, respectively. The longer transcript is present both in the wild type (WT) and 222E mutant, but the shorter one accumulates only in the WT. Two putative stem-loop structures in the longer 5' UTR can be deleted individually without affecting psbB mRNA accumulation. Insertion of a poly G cassette in the long leader stabilizes a chimeric psbB transcript in the 222E mutant, suggesting the involvement of a 5'-3' exonuclease. We also show that psbH and psbT are transcribed from the upstream psbB gene promoter, and that the psbH mRNA has its own target sequence for Mbb1 function. We discuss the role of this nucleus-encoded factor, required for specific chloroplast gene expression, in the assembly of the multi-protein PSII complex.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Generation of single and double knockdowns in polarized epithelial cells by retrovirus-mediated RNA interference.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a ubiquitous mechanism of eukaryotic gene regulation that can be exploited for specific gene silencing. Retroviruses have been successfully used for stable expression of short hairpin RNAs in mammalian cells, leading to persistent inhibition of gene expression by RNAi. Here, we apply retrovirus-mediated RNAi to epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, whose properties limit the applicability of other RNAi methods. We demonstrate efficient suppression of a set of 13 target genes by retroviral coexpression of short hairpin RNAs and a selectable marker. We characterize the resulting knockdown cell populations with regard to composition and stability, and examine the usefulness of proposed guidelines for choosing RNAi target sequences. Finally, we show that this system can be used to simultaneously target two genes, giving rise to double knockdowns. Thus, retrovirus-mediated RNAi is a convenient method for gene silencing in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, and is likely to be applicable to virtually any mammalian cell.

Cell Polarity↗

Identification of novel Pax-2 binding sites by chromatin precipitation.

The Pax genes encode a family of developmental transcription factors that bind to specific DNA sequences via the paired domain and are necessary for the morphogenesis of a variety of tissues. The murine Pax-2 gene, through alternative splicing, encodes two nuclear proteins, Pax-2A and Pax-2B, which are transiently expressed during the differentiation of specific neural cell types and early kidney formation. In order to identify potential in vivo Pax-2 target sequences, chromatin from embryonic neural tube was immunoprecipitated with Pax-2 specific antibodies and cloned. Two unique immunoprecipitated clones containing three specific Pax-2 binding sites were identified by functional binding assays using Pax-2 proteins produced in both Escherichia coli and eukaryotic cells. In vitro DNA binding assays, using Pax-5 and Pax-8 DNA recognition sequences as well as the three immunopurified Pax-2 binding sites, demonstrated that both forms of the Pax-2 protein bind DNA with a similar specificity and that this binding is mediated by the paired domain. The binding sites identified in this report share significant homology among themselves and with previously defined consensus sequences for Pax-5 and Pax-2. The genomic clones can now be used as sequence tags to identify potential target loci.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein transport into "complex" diatom plastids utilizes two different targeting signals.

The plastids found in diatoms and other chromophytic algae are completely enclosed by four membranes in contrast to chloroplasts of higher plants, which are surrounded by only two membranes. The bipartite targeting sequence of diatom nuclear-encoded plastid proteins contains an endoplasmic reticulum signal sequence and, based on sequence comparison, a transit peptide-like domain similar to that which targets proteins into the plastids of higher plants. By performing heterologous import experiments using the precursor of the gamma subunit of the chloroplast ATPase from the diatom Odontella sinensis we were able to show that protein import into diatom plastids is at least a two-step event. We demonstrate that the first step involves co-translational transport through endoplasmic reticulum membranes and that there is an additional targeting step which is similar to the import of precursor proteins into chloroplasts of higher plants and green algae indicating that the transit peptide-like domain of the diatom precursor is functionally equivalent to the respective targeting signal of higher plants. Our results suggest that the transit peptide depending targeting mechanism in plastids has apparently remained relatively unchanged over the course of evolution, with only the peptidase cleavage site significantly modified.

Algal Proteins↗

The typically mitochondrial DNA-encoded ATP6 subunit of the F1F0-ATPase is encoded by a nuclear gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The atp6 gene, encoding the ATP6 subunit of F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase, has thus far been found only as an mtDNA-encoded gene. However, atp6 is absent from mtDNAs of some species, including that of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Analysis of C. reinhardtii expressed sequence tags revealed three overlapping sequences that encoded a protein with similarity to ATP6 proteins. PCR and 5'- and 3'-RACE were used to obtain the complete cDNA and genomic sequences of C. reinhardtii atp6. The atp6 gene exhibited characteristics of a nucleus-encoded gene: Southern hybridization signals consistent with nuclear localization, the presence of introns, and a codon usage and a polyadenylation signal typical of nuclear genes. The corresponding ATP6 protein was confirmed as a subunit of the mitochondrial F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase from C. reinhardtii by N-terminal sequencing. The predicted ATP6 polypeptide has a 107-amino acid cleavable mitochondrial targeting sequence. The mean hydrophobicity of the protein is decreased in those transmembrane regions that are predicted not to participate directly in proton translocation or in intersubunit contacts with the multimeric ring of c subunits. This is the first example of a mitochondrial protein with more than two transmembrane stretches, directly involved in proton translocation, that is nucleus-encoded.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Transcription factor B cell lineage-specific activator protein regulates the gene for human X-box binding protein 1.

The transcription factor human X-box binding protein 1 (hXBP-1) is a basic region-leucine zipper protein implicated in the regulation of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression as well as in exocrine gland and skeletal development. Multiple regulatory elements in the hXBP-1 promoter lie 3' to the transcription start site, including the hX2 site, whose core sequence is an AP-1-like element identical to the hXBP-1 target sequence in the HLA-DRA promoter. One complex identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), complex 3, was previously shown to protect the hX2 site and more 3' bases. Sequence analysis now shows that this region contains a consensus binding site for transcription factor BSAP (B cell lineage-specific activator protein). Complex 3 and BSAP have identical cell-type specificities, as they are found only in pre-B and mature B cell lines. In EMSAs, BSAP antibody specifically recognized complex 3, and in vitro translated BSAP could bind to an hXBP promoter fragment. Cotransfections using an hXBP-1 reporter construct indicated that BSAP downregulates the hXBP-1 promoter. The highest levels of hXBP-1 mRNA were found when BSAP was not expressed, in pre-Pro-B cells and in plasma cell lines. In addition, hXBP-1 and BSAP levels were inversely correlated along the early stages of B cell development. In the regulation of the hXBP-1 promoter, a strong positive transcriptional influence at the hX2 site is opposed by the downregulatory actions of BSAP.

Antibody Specificity↗

In vivo and in vitro analyses of an intron-encoded DNA endonuclease from yeast mitochondria. Recognition site by site-directed mutagenesis.

The pal 4 nuclease (termed I-Sce II) is encoded in the group I al 4 intron of the COX I gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It introduces a specific double-strand break at the junction of the two exons A4-A5 and thus mediates the insertion of the intron into an intronless strain. To define the sequence recognized by pal 4 we introduced 35 single mutations in its target sequence and examined their cleavage properties either in vivo in E. coli (when different forms of the pal 4 proteins were artificially produced) or in vitro with mitochondrial extracts of a mutant yeast strain blocked in the splicing of the al 4 intron. We also detected the pal 4 DNA endonuclease activity in extracts of the wild type strain. The results suggest that 6 to 9 noncontiguous bases in the 17 base-pair region examined are necessary for pal 4 nuclease to bind and cleave its recognition site. We observed that the pal 4 nuclease specificity can be significantly different with the different forms of the protein thus explaining why only some forms are highly toxic in E. coli. This study shows that pal 4 recognition site is a complex phenomenon and this might have evolutionary implications on the transfer properties of the intron.

Base Sequence↗