Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “systematic analysis”

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

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

At least 1,495 records · Page 83Linked to original sources

Correlation of hydrogen bond lengths and angles in liquid water based on Compton scattering.

The temperature-dependent hydrogen-bond geometry in liquid water is studied by x-ray Compton scattering using synchrotron radiation combined with density functional theory analysis. Systematic changes, related to the weakening of hydrogen bonding, are observed in the shape of the Compton profile upon increasing the temperature. Using model calculations and published distribution functions of hydrogen-bond geometries obtained from a NMR study we find a significant correlation between the hydrogen-bond length and angle. This imposes a new constraint on the possible local structure distributions in liquid water. In particular, the angular distortions of the short hydrogen bonds are significantly restricted.

Journal Article↗

Pump-probe and pump-deplete-probe spectroscopies on carotenoids with N=9-15 conjugated bonds.

A series of all-trans-carotenoids with N=9, 13, and 15 conjugated bonds has been studied by pump-probe and pump-deplete-probe spectroscopies to obtain a systematic analysis of the energy flow between the different electronic states. The ultrafast dynamics in the carotenoids are initialized by excitation to the S2 state and subsequently manipulated by an additional depletion pulse in the near-IR spectral range. The changes in the dynamics after depletion of the excited state population allowed differentiation of the excited state absorption into two components, a major one corresponding to the well known S1 state and the small contribution on the red wing of the S0-S2 absorption band originating from the hot ground state. We found no evidence for an additional electronically excited state, usually called S*. Instead, a deactivation mechanism that includes the hot ground state supports the observed results nicely in the framework of a simple three state model (S2, S1, and S0).

Journal Article↗

Carbon nutrition of Escherichia coli in the mouse intestine.

Whole-genome expression profiling revealed Escherichia coli MG1655 genes induced by growth on mucus, conditions designed to mimic nutrient availability in the mammalian intestine. Most were nutritional genes corresponding to catabolic pathways for nutrients found in mucus. We knocked out several pathways and tested the relative fitness of the mutants for colonization of the mouse intestine in competition with their wild-type parent. We found that only mutations in sugar pathways affected colonization, not phospholipid and amino acid catabolism, not gluconeogenesis, not the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and not the pentose phosphate pathway. Gluconate appeared to be a major carbon source used by E. coli MG1655 to colonize, having an impact on both the initiation and maintenance stages. N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid appeared to be involved in initiation, but not maintenance. Glucuronate, mannose, fucose, and ribose appeared to be involved in maintenance, but not initiation. The in vitro order of preference for these seven sugars paralleled the relative impact of the corresponding metabolic lesions on colonization: gluconate > N-acetylglucosamine > N-acetylneuraminic acid = glucuronate > mannose > fucose > ribose. The results of this systematic analysis of nutrients used by E. coli MG1655 to colonize the mouse intestine are intriguing in light of the nutrient-niche hypothesis, which states that the ecological niches within the intestine are defined by nutrient availability. Because humans are presumably colonized with different commensal strains, differences in nutrient availability may provide an open niche for infecting E. coli pathogens in some individuals and a barrier to infection in others.

Animals↗

K+ channel interactions detected by a genetic system optimized for systematic studies of membrane protein interactions.

Organization of proteins into complexes is crucial for many cellular functions. However, most proteomic approaches primarily detect protein interactions for soluble proteins but are less suitable for membrane-associated complexes. Here we describe a mating-based split ubiquitin system (mbSUS) for systematic identification of interactions between membrane proteins as well as between membrane and soluble proteins. mbSUS allows in vivo cloning of PCR products into a vector set, detection of interactions via mating, regulated expression of baits, and improved selection of interacting proteins. Cloning is simplified by introduction of lambda attachment sites for GATEWAY. Homo- and heteromeric interactions between Arabidopsis K(+) channels KAT1, AKT1, and AKT2 were identified. Tests with deletion mutants demonstrate that the C terminus of KAT1 and AKT1 is necessary for physical assembly of complexes. Screening of a sorted collection of 84 plant proteins with K(+) channels as bait revealed differences in oligomerization between KAT1, AKT1, and AtKC1, and allowed detection of putative interacting partners of KAT1 and AtKC1. These results show that mbSUS is suited for systematic analysis of membrane protein interactions.

Arabidopsis↗

A central role of Arabidopsis thaliana ovate family proteins in networking and subcellular localization of 3-aa loop extension homeodomain proteins.

The organization of living cells is based on networks of interacting molecules. Systematic analysis of protein interactions of 3-aa loop extension (TALE) homeodomain proteins, fundamental regulators of plant meristem function and leaf development, revealed a highly connected, complex network. The network includes nine members of Arabidopsis thaliana ovate family proteins (AtOFPs), a plant-specific protein family, indicating a close functional connection to TALE homeodomain proteins. Evidence is provided that AtOFP1 is an essential pleiotropic developmental regulator. AtOFP1 and AtOFP5 are shown to associate with the cytoskeleton and to regulate subcellular localization of TALE homeodomain proteins, suggesting a previously unrecognized control mechanism in plant development.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Dual targeting is the rule for organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In plants, protein synthesis occurs in the cytosol, mitochondria, and plastids. Each compartment requires a full set of tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. We have undertaken a systematic analysis of the targeting of organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Dual targeting appeared to be a general rule. Among the 24 identified organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), 15 (and probably 17) are shared between mitochondria and plastids, and 5 are shared between cytosol and mitochondria (one of these aaRSs being present also in chloroplasts). Only two were shown to be uniquely chloroplastic and none to be uniquely mitochondrial. Moreover, there are no examples where the three aaRS genes originating from the three ancestral genomes still coexist. These results indicate that extensive exchange of aaRSs has occurred during evolution and that many are now shared between two or even three compartments. The findings have important implications for studies of the translation machinery in plants and on protein targeting and gene transfer in general.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Tissue-specific RNA interference in postimplantation mouse embryos with endoribonuclease-prepared short interfering RNA.

RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA has been used for the systematic analysis of gene function in invertebrate organisms. Here we have explored the use of short interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down gene expression during the development of mammalian postimplantation embryos. The developing CNS system of embryonic day 10 mouse embryos was used as a model tissue. siRNA prepared by endoribonuclease digestion (esiRNA) was injected into the lumen of the neural tube at specific regions and delivered into neuroepithelial cells by directed electroporation. Injected and electroporated embryos were grown for 1 day in whole-embryo culture and the effects of RNAi were examined. esiRNA directed against beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), coelectroporated into neuroepithelial cells together with reporter plasmids expressing GFP and beta-gal, abolished expression of beta-gal but not GFP, showing the specificity of the esiRNA-mediated RNAi. To demonstrate RNAi of endogenous gene expression, we used heterozygous embryos of a knock-in mouse line expressing GFP from the Tis21 locus, a gene turned on in neuroepithelial cells that switch from proliferation to neurogenesis. GFP-directed esiRNA electroporated into neuroepithelial cells of such embryos blocked the GFP expression normally occurring on the onset of neurogenesis. Taken together, our data indicate that esiRNA delivered in a tissue-specific manner by topical injection followed by directed electroporation can efficiently silence endogenous gene expression in mammalian postimplantation embryos.

Animals↗

Lineage-specific loss and divergence of functionally linked genes in eukaryotes.

By comparing 4,344 protein sequences from fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe with all available eukaryotic sequences, we identified those genes that are conserved in S. pombe and nonfungal eukaryotes but are missing or highly diverged in the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Since the radiation from the common ancestor with S. pombe, S. cerevisiae appears to have lost about 300 genes, and about 300 more genes have diverged by far beyond expectation. The most notable feature of the set of genes lost in S. cerevisiae is the coelimination of functionally connected groups of proteins, such as the signalosome and the spliceosome components. We predict similar coelimination of the components of the posttranscriptional gene-silencing system that includes the recently identified RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Because one of the functions of posttranscriptional silencing appears to be "taming" of retrotransposons, the loss of this system in yeast could have triggered massive retrotransposition, resulting in elimination of introns and subsequent loss of spliceosome components that become dispensable. As the genome database grows, systematic analysis of coordinated gene loss may become a general approach for predicting new components of functional systems or even defining previously unknown functional complexes.

Biological Evolution↗

DNA between variable and joining gene segments of immunoglobulin kappa light chain is frequently retained in cells that rearrange the kappa locus.

A systematic analysis of the fate of the DNA between kappa chain variable (V kappa) and joining (J kappa) genes in cells that have rearranged kappa loci was carried out. The DNA from a variety of kappa-producing plasmacytomas, lambda-producing hybridomas, and kappa-expressing lymphocytes was digested, fractionated by size, and analyzed with two probes containing sequences 5' of J kappa. In 13 of 28 plasmacytomas examined the rearrangement of V kappa and J kappa appears to be accompanied by loss of DNA upstream of J kappa. However, in the rest of the plasmacytomas one or more upstream sequences are retained in a new context. In 9 of 12 lambda-producing hybridomas (which frequently rearrange both kappa loci) one or more upstream segments were detected. These unique fragments were probably generated by a recombination event near or at the J kappa region. The extent to which the region between V and J is maintained in kappa-expression lymphocytes was also measured. Most (76%) of the region upstream of J kappa is retained in the population, even though 68% of the kappa loci are rearranged. In order to explain how these upstream elements occur in some, but not all, cell lines, and the significant occurrence in the lymphocyte population, we propose a model in which a step in V--J joining involves mitotic recombination by unequal sister chromatid exchange.

Alleles↗

Correlation between rate constant for reduction and redox potential as a basis for systematic investigation of reaction mechanisms of electron transfer proteins.

Rate constants for the reduction of approximately 40 electron transfer proteins by photoreduced flavins have been determined by laser flash photolysis techniques. The data for a series of 12 homologous cytochromes and 10 homologous high redox potential ferredoxins (HiPIPs) are in excellent agreement with semi-empirical equations relating rate constant and thermodynamic redox potential that have proven applicable to nonbiological electron transfer systems. These correlations allow the establishment of relative reactivities within structurally homologous classes of biological oxidation-reduction proteins, including cytochromes and HiPIPs, and a variety of nonhomologous heme-, iron-sulfur-, copper-, and flavin-containing proteins. A qualitative correspondence is shown to exist between such relative reactivity and the extent of solvent exposure of the redox centers in a particular structural class. The implications of these results are considered, and it is concluded that free energy relationships provide a sound basis for systematic analysis of reaction mechanisms of electron transfer proteins.

Bacteria↗

Protein-electroblotting and -microsequencing strategies in generating protein data bases from two-dimensional gels.

Coomassie blue-stained, heat-dried, and computer-imaged two-dimensional gels used to develop comprehensive human protein data bases served as the protein source to generate partial amino acid sequences. The protein spots were collected from multiple gels, rehydrated, concentrated by stacking into a new gel, electroblotted onto inert membranes, and in situ-digested with trypsin. Peptides eluting from the membranes were separated by HPLC and sequenced. Using this procedure, it was possible to generate partial sequences from 13 human proteins recorded in the amnion cell protein data base. Eight of these sequences matched those of proteins stored in data bases, demonstrating that a systematic analysis of proteins by computerized two-dimensional gel electrophoresis can be directly linked to protein microsequencing methods. The latter technique offers a unique opportunity to link information contained in protein data bases derived from the analysis of two-dimensional gels with forthcoming DNA sequence data on the human genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Extent of N-terminal methionine excision from Escherichia coli proteins is governed by the side-chain length of the penultimate amino acid.

In a significant fraction of the Escherichia coli cytosolic proteins, the N-terminal methionine residue incorporated during the translation initiation step is excised. The N-terminal methionine excision is catalyzed by methionyl-aminopeptidase (MAP). Previous studies have suggested that the action of this enzyme could depend mainly on the nature of the second amino acid residue in the polypeptide chain. In this study, to achieve a systematic analysis of the specificity of MAP action, each of the 20 amino acids was introduced at the penultimate position of methionyl-tRNA synthetase of E. coli and the extent of in vivo methionine excision was measured. To facilitate variant protein purification and N-terminal sequence determination, an expression shuttle vector based on protein fusion with beta-galactosidase was used. From our results, methionine excision catalyzed by MAP is shown to obey the following rule: the catalytic efficiency of MAP, and therefore the extent of cleavage, decreases in parallel with the increasing of the maximal side-chain length of the amino acid in the penultimate position. This molecular model accounts for the rate of N-terminal methionine excision in E. coli, as deduced from the analysis of 100 protein N-terminal sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Systematic screening of yeast artificial-chromosome libraries by use of the polymerase chain reaction.

We have developed an approach for screening ordered arrays of yeast artificial-chromosome (YAC) clones containing human DNA that is based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This approach is designed to determine the locations of positive clones within a YAC library that is stored as individual clones in 96-well microtiter plates. The high sensitivity and specificity of the PCR allow the detection of target sequences in DNA prepared from pools of 1920 or more YAC clones. The PCR-based screening protocol is performed in two successive stages, which effectively limit the location of a positive clone to four microtiter plates (384 clones). Final localization of each positive clone is accomplished by conventional DNA.DNA hybridization using a single filter containing the YAC clones from the appropriate four microtiter plates. This PCR-based screening strategy has proven highly efficient, allowing the identification and isolation of numerous YAC clones containing specific human genes. The prospects of developing a strategy for screening YAC libraries based completely on PCR assays are discussed, as are the potential applications of this approach to the systematic analysis of the human genome.

Base Sequence↗

Feedback regulation of collagen gene expression: a Trojan horse approach.

The mechanisms involved in feedback regulation of type I procollagen synthesis by the N-terminal propeptide of the pro alpha 1(I) chain, termed Col 1, are poorly understood. We have constructed a metallothionein-human collagen chimeric minigene (pMTCol) that codes for a Col 1 fusion protein but lacks a signal peptide sequence and, therefore, would be expected to direct the synthesis of the fusion protein to the cytosol. Baby hamster kidney cells and fetal calf ligament cells, transfected with pMTCol, transcribed the gene and synthesized an intracellular antigen that was identified as the fusion protein with a monospecific antibody. Transfected fetal calf ligament fibroblasts showed significantly reduced levels of endogenously produced type I collagen, as determined by imaging and digital quantitation of immunofluorescence by confocal microscopy; synthesis of fibronectin, thrombospondin, and SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) was unchanged or increased in these cells. This recombinant approach offers the potential for a systematic analysis of feedback regulation of collagen synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure-function relationship among T-cell receptors specific for lysozyme peptides bound to Ab or Abm-12 molecules.

The alpha beta T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes antigenic peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In contrast to the antibody combining site, for which the antigen contact or complementarity-determining residues (CDRs) have been precisely defined, the location and function of the corresponding CDR regions of the alpha and beta TCR chains are not known. To develop a model system for systematic analysis of the CDRs of the alpha beta TCR, we isolated a panel of murine T-cell clones that recognize a lysozyme peptide containing residues 74-88 bound to either Ab or Abm-12 MHC class II molecules. Although these two MHC molecules differ by only three amino acid residues within the A beta chain, each of the T-cell clones was specific for peptide bound to the self-MHC molecule and did not recognize the same peptide bound to the other MHC molecule. The structural basis for this exquisite ligand specificity of the TCRs was analyzed by isolation and characterization of alpha and beta chain genes from five closely related T-cell clones. Comparison of predicted amino acid sequences mapped the ligand specificity differences to residues present within the alpha chain variable region segment and the alpha and beta chain variable-joining region junction regions. Thus with current models of TCR-ligand interactions, the results suggest that residues 26-30 of the alpha chain variable region may constitute one of the CDR regions of the TCR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Unusual charge configurations in transcription factors of the basic RNA polymerase II initiation complex.

A systematic analysis of the primary sequences of the polymerase II initiation complex has revealed unusual charge features in the TFII family proteins. In particular, the proteins TFIIA alpha, TFIIE alpha, and TFIIF carry multiple charge clusters and hyper charge runs, sequence features occurring in < 4% of all (available) eukaryotic proteins. Possible implications for these charge structures are discussed in relation to the assembly and function of the polymerase II transcriptional complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Humanization of murine monoclonal antibodies through variable domain resurfacing.

Two murine monoclonal antibodies, N901 (anti-CD56) and anti-B4 (anti-CD19), were humanized by a process we call "resurfacing." A systematic analysis of known antibody structures has been used to determine the relative solvent accessibility distributions of amino acid residues in murine and human antibody variable (Fv) regions and has shown that the sequence alignment positions of surface amino acids for human and murine variable region heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains are conserved with 98% fidelity across species. While the amino acid usage at these surface positions creates surface residue patterns that are conserved within species, there are no identical patterns across species. However, surprisingly few amino acid changes need to be made to convert a murine Fv surface pattern to that characteristic of a human surface. Resurfacing was used to change the patterns of surface accessible residues in the Fv regions of the N901 and anti-B4 antibodies to resemble those found on the Fv regions of human antibody sequences. Two different procedures for selecting a human sequence were compared. For anti-B4, a data base of clonally derived human VL-VH sequence pairs was used, while for N901, sequences for VL and VH were independently selected from the Kabat et al. data base [Kabat, E. A., Wu, T. T., Reid-Miller, M., Perry, H. M. & Gottesman, K. S. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest (DHHS, Washington, DC), 5th Ed.]. Resurfaced N901 and anti-B4 antibodies had apparent affinities for their cell surface ligands that were identical to those of their respective parent murine antibodies. These data provide evidence that, despite the differences in the surfaces of mouse and human Fv regions, it is possible to substitute one for the other while retaining full antigen binding affinity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distribution of parthenogenetic cells in the mouse brain and their influence on brain development and behavior.

A systematic analysis of parthenogenetic (PG) cell fate within the central nervous system (CNS) was made throughout fetal development and neonatal and adult life. Chimeras were made between PG embryos carrying a ubiquitously expressed lacZ transgene and normal fertilized embryos. After detailed histological analysis, we find that the developmental potential of PG cells is spatially restricted to certain parts of the brain. PG cells are prevalent in telencephalic structures and are largely excluded from diencephalic structures, especially the hypothalamus. These spatial restrictions are established early in development. Behavioral studies with chimeras identified an increase in male aggression when the proportion of PG cells in the brain was high. These studies demonstrate that imprinted genes play key roles in development of the CNS and may be involved in behavior.

Aggression↗