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Human DNA polymerase alpha gene: sequences controlling expression in cycling and serum-stimulated cells.

We have investigated the DNA polymerase alpha promoter sequence requirements for the expression of a heterologous gene in actively cycling cells and following serum addition to serum-deprived cells. An 11.4-kb genomic clone that spans the 5' end of this gene and includes 1.62 kb of sequence upstream from the translation start site was isolated. The transcription start site was mapped at 46 +/- 1 nucleotides upstream from the translation start site. The upstream sequence is GC rich and lacks a TATA sequence but has a CCAAT sequence on the opposite strand. Analysis of a set of deletion constructs in transient transfection assays demonstrated that efficient expression of the reporter in cycling cells requires 248 bp of sequence upstream from the cap site. Clustered within these 248 nucleotides are sequences similar to consensus sequences for Sp1-, Ap1-, Ap2-, and E2F-binding sites. The CCAAT sequence and the potential E2F- and Ap1-binding sites are shown to be protected from DNase I digestion by partially purified nuclear proteins. The DNA polymerase alpha promoter can confer upon the reporter an appropriate, late response to serum addition. No single sequence element could be shown to confer serum inducibility. Rather, multiple sequence elements appear to mediate the full serum response.

Animals↗

DNA methylation, retroviruses, and embryogenesis.

By exposing preimplantation embryos to Moloney leukemia virus (M-MuLV), we have previously derived substrains of mice designated as Mov-1-Mov-13 which genetically transmit the virus from one generation to the next. In some of the substrains the inserted viral genome becomes activated at specific stages of embryogenesis and the available evidence suggests that these viral genomes are developmentally regulated. To investigate the effect of cellular differentiation on virus expression, M-MuLV was introduced either into preimplantation or post-implantation mouse embryos or into embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Whereas preimplantation embryos or EC cells are not permissive for virus expression, efficient replication occurred in postimplantation embryos or in differentiated cell lines. The viral genomes introduced into early embryonal cells were highly methylated and noninfectious when analyzed in the adult. In contrast, viral genomes introduced into postimplantation embryos or into differentiated cells remained unmethylated and were infectious in a transfection assay. These results demonstrate an efficient de novo methylation activity which appears to be involved in repression of genes introduced into pluripotent embryonal cells and which is not observed in cells of the postimplantation embryo or in differentiated cells in tissue culture.

Animals↗

Expression of the Prevotella loescheii adhesin gene (plaA) is mediated by a programmed frameshifting hop.

The 2.4-kb plaA gene, which encodes a Prevotella loescheii galactoside-specific adhesin, contains a programmed frameshifting hop. The frameshift region consists of two UAA termination codons, two repeats of four identical bases between the terminators, and a stem-loop structure that has the potential to form a pseudoknot located downstream from the second UAA. The stem-loop and pseudoknot are features found in a number of retroviruses where frameshifting is a more common occurrence. The terminators, sequence repeats, and secondary structures were identified in both the P. loescheii plaA gene and the mRNA transcript. An in-frame fusion of the entire plaA frameshift region between codons 9 and 10 of the lacZ gene permitted relatively efficient expression (4 to 25% of that of the control) of beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Specific induction of cell motility on laminin by alpha 7 integrin.

Laminin, the major glycoprotein of basement membranes, actively supports cell migration in development, tissue repair, tumor growth, metastasis, and other pathological processes. Previously we have shown that the locomotion of murine skeletal myoblasts is specifically and significantly enhanced on laminin but not on other matrix proteins. One of the major laminin receptors of myoblasts is the alpha 7 beta 1 integrin, which was first described in human MeWo melanoma cells and Rugli glioblastoma cells. In order to investigate and directly test the role of the alpha 7 integrin in cell migration on laminin, we expressed the murine alpha 7B splice variant in human 293 kidney cells and 530 melanoma cells which cannot migrate on laminin and are devoid of endogenous alpha 7. Northern blotting of the transfected cells showed that the alpha 7 mRNA was expressed efficiently, and the protein was detected on the cell surface by immunofluorescence and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Cell motility measurements by computer-assisted time-lapse videomicroscopy of the alpha 7-transfected cells revealed an 8-10-fold increase in motility on laminin-1 and its E8 fragment, but not on fibronectin. Mock-transfected cells did not migrate significantly of alpha 7-transfected 293 cells through laminin-coated filters in a Boyden chamber assay was significantly enhanced in comparison to mock transfected cells. These findings prove that alpha 7 integrin expression confers a gain of function-motile phenotype to immobile cells and may be responsible for transduction of the laminin-induced cell motility.

Animals↗

[Gene cloning and expression of CTLA-4 in Streptomyces lividans].

Gene cloning and expression of CTLA-4 was performed in S. lividans with two new types of different signal peptides--vsi and gpp to investigate the secretory expression efficiency of CTLA-4. The hsCTLA-4 gene was fused to the vsi sequences and then inserted into the shuttle vector-pUWL-219. At the same time, the hsCTLA-4 was inserted into the downstream of gpp signal peptide in the plasmid pLNSP. Then the recombinant plasmids were transformed into S. lividans TK24 respectively. The two engineering strains were named as S. lividans [pUWL219-VC] and S. lividans [pLNSP/CTLA-4]. The result of SDS-PAGE and Western blotting show that the recombinant strain S. lividans [pUWL219-VC] and S. lividans [pLNSP/CTLA-4] can express CTLA-4 with about MW 13,000 which is similar to those reported earlier and have immunoactivity. It is the first time that CTLA-4 expression in S. lividans is reported.

Abatacept↗

The gene encoding streptothricin acetyltransferase (sat) as a selectable marker for Leishmania expression vectors.

The pLEX series of vectors was developed for the stable expression of exogenous genes in the protozoan parasite Leishmania. These pUC-based constructs contain one of three independent selectable markers and a multiple cloning site inserted between the upstream and downstream untranslated regions of the previously cloned Leishmania major HEXBP gene. Selection was based on resistance to the aminoglycosides, hygromycin B and neomycin, and to nourseothricin, a novel independent selectable marker for transfection of Leishmania. The vectors were introduced into Leishmania promastigotes by electroporation and were maintained as extrachromosomal circular concatemers containing between four and eight repeat units of the pLEX monomer. To demonstrate the efficient expression of cloned exogenous genes using the pLEX system, promastigotes were transfected with a pLEX construct that contained a second drug-resistant selectable marker gene cloned into the expression site, and clones were obtained that grew on media containing two antibiotics. These vectors, together with the novel selectable marker, will further facilitate the molecular analysis of gene expression in Leishmania.

Acetyltransferases↗

Mechanism of post-segregational killing by the hok/sok system of plasmid R1: sok antisense RNA regulates formation of a hok mRNA species correlated with killing of plasmid-free cells.

The hok/sok system of plasmid R1, which mediates plasmid stabilization via killing of plasmid-free segregants, encodes two genes: hok and sok. The hok gene product is a potent cell-killing protein. The expression of hok is regulated post-transcriptionally by the sok gene-encoded repressor, an antisense RNA complementary to the hok mRNA leader region. We show here that the hok mRNA is very stable, while the sok RNA decays rapidly. We also observe a new hok mRNA species which is 70 nucleotides shorter in the 3'-end than the full-length hok transcript. The appearance of the truncated hok mRNA was found to be regulated by the sok antisense RNA. Furthermore, the presence of the truncated hok mRNA was found to be correlated with efficient expression of the Hok protein. On the basis of these findings, we propose an extended model in order to explain the killing of plasmid-free segregants by the hok/sok system.

Base Sequence↗

Induction of immunodeficiency virus-specific immune responses in rhesus monkeys following gene gun-mediated DNA vaccination.

The Accell gene delivery system (gene gun) was used to deliver gold particles coated with HIV-1LAI and SIVmac239 expression constructs into the epidermis of rhesus macaques, resulting in the elicitation of env- and gag-specific humoral responses. One microgram of vector DNA per dose was sufficient to induce immune responses in monkeys using SIVmac239 gp160 and gp120 vectors driven by the CMV-intron A promoter. Several parameters, including the identity of the vector, the length of the rest period between immunizations, the number of immunizations, and the amount of DNA per immunization, are all important in designing an optimal DNA immunization regimen. In addition, gene gun-based DNA immunization using low efficiency expression vectors is an effective means of priming for the induction of vigorous antibody responses in macaques following boosting with recombinant subunits.

AIDS Vaccines↗

A cDNA encoding feline CD4 has a unique repeat sequence downstream of the V-like region.

We have cloned, sequenced and expressed a cDNA encoding the feline CD4 glycoprotein. This clone, termed FT121, contains a unique repeat sequence downstream of the V-like region which has not been reported in other mammalian CD4 cDNA. In addition, the cysteine residues at positions 45 and 175 have an unusual pattern. On the other hand, regions other than the unique sequence share significant homology with human CD4 and mouse L3T4 cDNA in the amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence, especially in the putative cytoplasmic region. Here, we show that FT121 has a complete open reading frame and efficiently expresses feline CD4 molecules on COS cells. Further we found that the cytoplasmic components, lymphocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase p56lck binding sites and phosphorylation site (serine resides), are well conserved, though the extracellular region of the feline CD4 molecule deduced from FT121 is probably different from that of human CD4 and mouse L3T4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Construction of eukaryotic expression vectors of two mutants of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and their expressions in human microvascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct eukaryotic expression vectors of two mutants of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1alpha) and study their expressions in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). METHODS: Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to induce the mutation of the codons for the residue Pro564 (ccc) in HIF-1alpha into gcc (Ala) in pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alphato obtain single-site-mutated vector pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alpha-564Ala, which was then subjected to a second site-directed mutagenesis to convert the codons for Asn803 into that of Ala (gct) to acquire double-site-mutated pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alpha-564Ala-803Ala. After lipofectin-mediated transient transformation of HMVECs with the 3 recombinant plasmids including the two plasmids containing the mutations and the one without mutation, respectively, the expression levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein were determined using RT-PCR, immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: DNA sequence analysis demonstrated success of the two-step mutagenesis and the two plasmids of pcDNA3.1+-HIF-1alpha-564Ala and pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alpha-564Ala- 803Ala were obtained, both of which could produce HIF-1alpha protein resistant to oxidation degradation in HMVECs as compared with the non-mutated one. CONCLUSION: The recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alpha-564Ala and pcDNA3.1(+)-HIF-1alpha- 564Ala-803Ala have been successfully constructed with efficient expressions in HMVECs.

Cloning, Molecular↗

[Fructosamine in blood serum, binding and degradation of 125J-insulin by erythrocyte receptors in young persons with type I diabetes--effect of physical exercise].

The aim of investigation was the determination of the effect of regular physical exercise of intensity 35% VO2max on glycolysation of proteins, expressed by fructosamine concentration in blood serum and on insulin sensitivity of erythrocyte receptors in children with diabetes mellitus type I. The investigations were performed with 10 young persons with diabetes mellitus type I, during their sanatorium treatment. During 21 days the children effected every day a 20-minutes ergometric exercise of intensity equivalent approximately to 35% VO2max. Before the 3-weeks therapy and after its termination the examined children have performed an ergometric test exercise, with collection of blood samples. Obtained results allow to ascertain, that regular aerobic exercise contributed to the growth of physical efficiency expressed by the VO2max value, reduction in fructosamine level in blood serum, increase in insulin sensitivity of erythrocyte receptor and improved effort tolerance related to glycemia.

Adolescent↗

Structure and cell-specific expression of a cloned human retinol binding protein gene: the 5'-flanking region contains hepatoma specific transcriptional signals.

Human plasma retinol binding protein (RBP) is coded by a single gene and is specifically synthesized in the liver. We have characterized a lambda clone, from a human DNA library, carrying the gene coding for plasma RBP. Southern blot analysis and DNA sequencing show that the gene is composed of six exons and five introns. Primer elongation and S1 mapping experiments allowed the definition of the initiation of transcription and the identification of the putative promoter. The 5'-flanking region of the RBP gene was fused upstream to the coding sequence of the bacterial enzyme chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT): the chimeric gene was introduced, by calcium phosphate precipitation, into the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2 and into HeLa cells. Efficient expression of CAT was obtained only in Hep G2. Primer elongation analysis of the RNA extracted from transfected Hep G2 showed that initiation of transcription of the transfected chimeric gene occurs at a position identical to that of the natural gene. Transcriptional analysis of Bal31 deletions from the 3' end of the RBP 5'-flanking DNA allowed the identification of the RBP gene promoter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High expression of a B-domain deleted factor VIII gene in a human hepatic cell line.

The expression of a modified human coagulation factor VIII cDNA in a human liver-derived cell line is described. A B-domain deleted FVIII (rVIIIdB928) cDNA controlled by a strong viral promoter/enhancer was linked to a dominant selection-/amplification marker and transfected into the human hepatic cell line SK-HEP-1. By means of this system, up to 3.5 U rFVIIIdB928/10(6) cells x 24 h could be detected immediately after selection without gene amplification. This level is orders of magnitude higher than that obtained in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) f1p4s under the same conditions. Efficient expression of rFVIIIdB928 in SK-HEP-1 cells was temperature dependent, a 4-fold higher level of activity was achieved in culture supernatants at decreased incubation temperatures of 28 degrees C. This system allows the production of high amounts of recombinant rFVIIIdB928 without time and labour consuming gene amplification procedures.

Cell Line↗

Human herpesvirus 8 glycoprotein B (gB), gH, and gL can mediate cell fusion.

Herpesvirus entry into cells and herpesvirus-induced cell fusion are related processes in that virus penetration proceeds by fusion of the viral envelope and cell membrane. To characterize the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) glycoproteins that can mediate cell fusion, a luciferase reporter gene activation assay was used. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the HHV-8 glycoproteins of interest along with a luciferase reporter gene under the control of the T7 promoter were cocultivated with human cells transfected with T7 RNA polymerase. Because HHV-8 glycoprotein B (gB) expressed in CHO cells localizes to the perinuclear region, a truncated form of gB (designated gB(MUT)) that lacks putative endocytosis signals was constructed by deletion of the distal 58 amino acids of the cytoplasmic tail. HHV-8 gB(MUT) was expressed efficiently on the surface of CHO cells. HHV-8 gB, gH, and gL could mediate the fusion of CHO cells with two different human cell types, embryonic kidney cells and B lymphocytes. Substituting gB(MUT) for gB significantly enhanced the fusion of CHO cells with human embryonic kidney cells but not B lymphocytes. Thus, two human cell types known to be susceptible to HHV-8 entry were also suitable targets for cell fusion induced by HHV-8 gB, gH, and gL. For human embryonic kidney cells and B cells at least, optimal fusion was noted with the expression of all three HHV-8 glycoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Only one out of the three strong ribosomal binding sites of the early region of bacteriophage T7 exhibits high translational efficiency in fragments of about 30 base pairs.

Within the early region of bacteriophage T7 three genes, 0.3, 1 and 1.3, are most efficiently expressed. They belong to the strongest initiation signals of Escherichia coli. In the T7 wild-type situation the proteins are produced with a molar ratio of gene 1:1.3:0.3 protein = 1:3.9:9.7. DNA fragments of about 30 base pairs comprising the ribosomal binding sites (RBS) of these genes were synthesized and cloned into derivatives of the pDS1 vector ribosomal binding sites (RBS) of these genes were synthesized and cloned into two derivatives of the pDS1 vector just upstream of the mouse dihydrofolate reductase gene. Although all tested RBS fragments contained an initiation triplet, a Shine-Dalgarno sequence and some nucleotides upstream and downstream of this region, only the gene 1.3 RBS fragment showed high efficiency whereas those of genes 0.3 and 1 were at the border of significance. The amount of synthesized mRNA was about the same for all three constructs. A major influence of vector-derived sequences on the RBS activity could be ruled out. The high translational activity of the short 1.3 gene RBS seems to be largely due to its primary structure. The other two RBSs studied require much longer sequences for high activity.

Base Composition↗

Secretory production of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in Escherichia coli.

Human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) is a glycoprotein, consisting of 174 amino acids, which plays an important role in hematopoietic cell proliferation, differentiation of hemopoietic precursor cells, and activation of mature neutrophilic granulocytes. In this study, secretory production of hG-CSF in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli using the Bacillus sp. endoxylanase signal peptide was examined. For the efficient expression of hG-CSF gene, the first five codons at the N-terminal were altered based on the E. coli high-frequency codon database. The hG-CSF gene fused to the endoxylanase signal sequence was expressed using an inducible trc promoter. However, recombinant E. coli cells were completely lysed after induction with 1 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Insertion of a small oligopeptide (13 amino acids) containing the histidine hexamer and factor Xa cleavage site between the signal peptide and the mature hG-CSF protein allowed successful secretion of hG-CSF into the periplasm without cell lysis. Among the several E. coli strains examined, E. coli BL21(DE3) and E. coli MC4100 allowed production of hG-CSF to the highest levels (20-22% of total proteins) with the secretion efficiencies greater than 98%. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the conformation of purified hG-CSF is almost identical to native hG-CSF.

Bacillus↗

Regulation and cell-type-specific activity of a promoter located upstream of the latency-associated transcript of herpes simplex virus type 1.

To identify promoter regions which control expression of the latency-associated transcript (LAT) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), we constructed a series of recombinant vectors in which various sequences upstream of LAT were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and tested for expression efficiency by transfection into tissue culture cells. In HeLa cells no activity was observed from the region (-250 to +201) immediately surrounding the nominal 5' end of LAT, but high levels of activity were observed by using different fragments within the region -1267 to -594. This promoter activity was largely contained within the 140-base-pair region from -797 to -658 and was 20- to 50-fold stronger than typical HSV delayed-early promoters and at least as strong as the activity from the simian virus 40 (SV40) enhancer-promoter region or the HSV immediate-early 110,000-Mr (IE110K) promoter region. In human neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32), there was a dramatic switch in relative activities in favor of the LAT promoter, so that it was 45- and 200-fold stronger than the IE110K and SV40 constructs, respectively. Furthermore, optimal activity in the neuroblastoma cells required sequences within the region -1267 to -797. This region had little effect on activity in HeLa cells. We also show that the LAT promoter activity was very efficiently repressed by the IE175K protein. From internal deletion analysis, the site of repression was located within a 55-base-pair region just downstream of a potential TATA box. This region exhibited a high degree of homology with the IE175K cap site and may be a binding site for the IE175K protein.

Base Sequence↗

Expression of chimeric connexins reveals new properties of the formation and gating behavior of gap junction channels.

Direct intercellular communication occurs through specialized channels, which are formed by the interaction of two half-channels, or connexons, contributed by each of the two participating cells. The ability to establish intercellular communication is specified, in part, by the expression of different structural proteins, termed connexins. Connexins can control the establishment of intercellular communication by selectively pairing with some but not other family members. To characterize the protein domains that allow connexins to recognize and discriminate between alternative partners, we have created chimeras composed of selected regions of rat connexin43, which forms channels with Xenopus connexin38, and rat connexin32, which cannot. Pairs of Xenopus oocytes were used to test the ability of the chimeras to form homotypic channels with themselves, and heterotypic channels with the parent connexins or with endogenous Xenopus connexin38. While all hybrid molecules tested were efficiently expressed by oocytes, most were devoid of functional activity. A chimera consisting of connexin32 from the N terminus to the second transmembrane domain, fused to connexin43 from the middle cytoplasmic loop to the C terminus, designated as 3243H4, was able to pair functionally with Xenopus connexin38 and one of its parent connexins, connexin43. Voltage-dependent closure of heterotypic channels containing 3243H4 was asymmetric, exhibited novel characteristics that were not predicted by the behavior of the parent connexins and was dependent on the type of connexin with which 3243H4 was paired. In contrast, 3243H4 was unable to form functional channels with either itself or the other parent, connexin32. Together, these results suggest that these connexins are not composed of functionally exchangeable regions and that multiple domains, namely the middle cytoplasmic portion and the second extracellular domain, can influence the interactions between connexins present in adjacent cells. Furthermore, they indicate that voltage gating is not strictly intrinsic behavior for a given connexin, but can be modulated by the partner connexins to which they are paired. Finally, the finding that 3243H4 is functional only in heterotypic configurations, and cannot form homotypic channels, suggests the existence of a novel form of selectivity: self-discrimination. The latter property may represent another mechanism that operates to control the extent of communication between cells.

Animals↗