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Recognition of unknown conserved alternatively spliced exons.

The split structure of most mammalian protein-coding genes allows for the potential to produce multiple different mRNA and protein isoforms from a single gene locus through the process of alternative splicing (AS). We propose a computational approach called UNCOVER based on a pair hidden Markov model to discover conserved coding exonic sequences subject to AS that have so far gone undetected. Applying UNCOVER to orthologous introns of known human and mouse genes predicts skipped exons or retained introns present in both species, while discriminating them from conserved noncoding sequences. The accuracy of the model is evaluated on a curated set of genes with known conserved AS events. The prediction of skipped exons in the approximately 1% of the human genome represented by the ENCODE regions leads to more than 50 new exon candidates. Five novel predicted AS exons were validated by RT-PCR and sequencing analysis of 15 introns with strong UNCOVER predictions and lacking EST evidence. These results imply that a considerable number of conserved exonic sequences and associated isoforms are still completely missing from the current annotation of known genes. UNCOVER also identifies a small number of candidates for conserved intron retention.

Journal Article↗

Mouse cytosolic class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh3a1): gene structure and regulation of constitutive and dioxin-inducible expression.

The mouse cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH3A1 (encoded by the Aldh3a1 gene) has previously been shown in cell culture to be markedly inducible by 2,3,7,8,-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; dioxin), downregulated by the metabolism of functional CYP1A1/1A2 enzymes, and upregulated by a gene on Chr 7 that leads to endogenous oxidative stress. In order to study the regulation of Aldh3a1 gene expression, we isolated two overlapping genomic sequences from a B6/CBA mouse genomic library that included the entire Aldh3a1 gene, along with considerable 5' and 3' flanking sequences. The Aldh3a1 gene was shown to span approximately 10 kb and comprise 11 exons including a noncoding first exon. The sequence of 3.18 kb upstream of exon 1 reveals numerous consensus transcription factor-binding sites, some of which were shown to be important in the positive and negative control of Aldh3a1 gene expression; these include seven aromatic hydrocarbon response elements (AHREs), an electrophile response element (EPRE), and AP-1, C/EBP beta, c/EBP alpha, NF-kappaB, Sp1, and NF-1 putative binding sites. Deletion fusion constructs containing regions of the Aldh3a1 gene 5' flanking sequence, ligated to chloramphenicol experiments suggested that the 5' flanking region of the gene contains a strong promoter, at least four functional AHREs appear to act cooperatively in causing dioxin-mediated upregulation, and a putative negative regulatory element (NRE) controls basal gene expression independent of dioxin inducibility. The dioxin-mediated upregulation of Aldh3a1 expression in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1c1c7 cell cultures was shown to depend exclusively on the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor. acetyltransferase (CAT) or luciferase (LUC) reporter genes, were studied. Transient transfection experiments suggested that the 5' flanking region of the gene contains a strong promoter, at least four functional AHREs appear to act cooperatively in causing dioxin-mediated upregulation, and a putative negative regulatory element (NRE) controls basal gene expression independent of dioxin inducibility. The dioxin-mediated upregulation of Aldh3a1 expression in mouse hepatoma Hepa-1c1c7 cell cultures was shown to depend exclusively on the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase↗

Altered imprinting of the H19 and insulin-like growth factor II genes in testicular tumors.

PURPOSE: H19 and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) genes are imprinted in normal human tissues. Recent reports have described loss of imprinting (LOI) for these genes in some malignancies. We therefore examined the allele-specific expression of the H19 and IGF2 genes in testicular tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were examined in 17 testicular germ cell tumors and 2 testicular malignant lymphomas. RESULTS: All 4 informative testicular germ cell tumors showed LOI for the H19 gene. Five of 9 informative germ cell tumors showed LOI for the IGF2 gene, while testicular lymphomas did not show biallelic expression of the H19 or IGF2 gene. CONCLUSION: Loss of imprinting for the H19 and IGF2 genes in testicular seminomatous germ cell tumors may be involved in oncogenesis.

Genes, Tumor Suppressor↗

Cytoplasmic expression of mRNAs containing the internal ribosome entry site and 3' noncoding region of hepatitis C virus: effects of the 3' leader on mRNA translation and mRNA stability.

Translation initiation in many eukaryotic mRNAs is modulated by an interaction between the cap binding protein complex, bound to the 5' end of the mRNA, and the polyadenosine binding protein, bound to the 3'-terminal polyadenosine sequences. A few cellular and viral mRNAs, such as the hepatitis C virus (HCV) mRNA genome, lack 3'-terminal polyadenosine sequences. For such mRNAs, the question of whether their 3'-end sequences also regulate the initiation phase of protein synthesis via an interaction with their 5' ends has received intense scrutiny. For HCV mRNA, various experimental designs have led to conflicting interpretations, that the 3' end of the RNA can modulate translation initiation either in a positive or in a negative fashion. To examine the possibility of end-to-end communication in HCV in detail, mRNAs containing the HCV internal ribosome entry site linked to a luciferase coding region, followed by different 3' noncoding regions, were expressed in the cytoplasm of cultured cells by T7 RNA polymerase. The intracellular translation efficiencies, steady-state levels, stabilities, and 3'-end sequences of these chimeric RNAs were examined. It was found that the HCV 3' noncoding region modulates neither the translation nor the stability of the mRNAs. Thus, there is no detectable end-to-end communication in cytoplasmically expressed chimeric mRNAs containing the HCV noncoding regions. However, it remains an open question whether end-to-end communication occurs in full-length HCV mRNAs in the infected liver.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

GALA, a database for genomic sequence alignments and annotations.

We have developed a relational database to contain whole genome sequence alignments between human and mouse with extensive annotations of the human sequence. Complex queries are supported on recorded features, both directly and on proximity among them. Searches can reveal a wide variety of relationships, such as finding all genes expressed in a designated tissue that have a highly conserved noncoding sequence 5' to the start site. Other examples are finding single nucleotide polymorphisms that occur in conserved noncoding regions upstream of genes and identifying CpG islands that overlap the 5' ends of divergently transcribed genes. The database is available online at http://globin.cse.psu.edu/ and http://bio.cse.psu.edu/.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Evolutionary implications of microbial genome tetranucleotide frequency biases.

We compared nucleotide usage pattern conservation for related prokaryotes by examining the representation of DNA tetranucleotide combinations in 27 representative microbial genomes. For each of the organisms studied, tetranucleotide usage departures from expectations (TUD) were shared between related organisms using both Markov chain analysis and a zero-order Markov method. Individual strains, multiple chromosomes, plasmids, and bacteriophages share TUDs within a species. TUDs varied between coding and noncoding DNA. Grouping prokaryotes based on TUD profiles resulted in relationships with important differences from those based on 16S rRNA phylogenies, which may reflect unequal rates of evolution of nucleotide usage patterns following divergence of particular organisms from a common ancestor. By both symmetrical tree distance and likelihood analysis, phylogenetic trees based on TUD profiles demonstrate a level of congruence with 16S rRNA trees similar to that of both RpoA and RecA trees. Congruence of these trees indicates that there exists phylogenetic signal in TUD patterns, most prominent in coding region DNA. Because relationships demonstrated in TUD-based analyses utilize whole genomes, they should be considered complementary to phylogenies based on single genetic elements, such as 16S rRNA.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Novel variants of the 5S rRNA genes in Eruca sativa.

The 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of Eruca sativa were cloned and characterized. They are organized into clusters of tandemly repeated units. Each repeat unit consists of a 119-bp coding region followed by a noncoding spacer region that separates it from the coding region of the next repeat unit. Our study reports novel gene variants of the 5S rRNA genes in plants. Two families of the 5S rDNA, the 0.5-kb size family and the 1-kb size family, coexist in the E. sativa genome. The 0.5-kb size family consists of the 5S rRNA genes (S4) that have coding regions similar to those of other reported plant 5S rDNA sequences, whereas the 1-kb size family consists of the 5S rRNA gene variants (S1) that exist as 1-kb BamHI tandem repeats. S1 is made up of two variant units (V1 and V2) of 5S rDNA where the BamHI site between the two units is mutated. Sequence heterogeneity among S4, V1, and V2 units exists throughout the sequence and is not limited to the noncoding spacer region only. The coding regions of V1 and V2 show approximately 20% dissimilarity to the coding regions of S4 and other reported plant 5S rDNA sequences. Such a large variation in the coding regions of the 5S rDNA units within the same plant species has been observed for the first time. Restriction site variation is observed between the two size classes of 5S rDNA in E. sativa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗

Characterizing the ecological niche of insertion sequences within prokaryotic genomes.

Insertion sequences (ISs) are widespread prokaryotic transposable elements, often regarded as genomic parasites that primarily cause deleterious mutations. However, they can also promote adaptive changes. These antagonistic properties make their overall impact on prokaryotic evolution difficult to grasp. Here, we address this challenge by leveraging the framework of transposon ecology to analyze IS occurrences across and within 30 499 prokaryotic genomes. Combining phylogenomics with multi-scale genomic analysis, quantitative ecology, and mathematical modeling, we provide evidence that although genomes generally provide sufficient resources for IS coexistence, universal mechanisms shape their occurrence and chromosomal distribution across genomes. These include (i) the preferential localization of ISs within highly variable and GC-heterogeneous chromosomal regions of genomic plasticity, which act as the primary reservoir of IS niches; (ii) a linear scaling between IS abundance and niche size, with an average of $5.4$ additional accessible insertion sites per IS; (iii) a dependence of IS occurrence on the presence of other ISs, suggesting a form of group behavior; (iv) the accumulation of AT-rich sequences in both coding and noncoding regions up to 100 kb around ISs, indicative of ecological isolation; and (v) the spatial partitioning of mobile genetic elements around ISs, reminiscent of ecological niche differentiation. Besides these general principles, we also uncover niche specificities associated with particular IS families, hinting at regulatory mechanisms that modulate IS activity. Altogether, this comprehensive transposon ecology approach offers new insights and avenues for understanding IS-host interactions and genome evolution, moving beyond traditional host-centric perspectives.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

Sequence determination of hepatitis C virus genome isolated from Taiwan.

The partial genome sequence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was determined in the serum of a Taiwanese patient with chronic community-acquired type C hepatitis. The cDNA fragments synthesized with the HCV RNA as a template were amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotide primers. The amplified fragments represented the regions coding for the putative core, matrix and envelope proteins as well as the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the nonstructural protein NS1, the partial nonstructural NS3 and NS4 proteins and the region of the partial 5'-end noncoding sequence. The cDNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis of these clones showed that they share 83.7%, 93.2% and 93.6% similarity at the nucleotide level, and 86.6%, 94.1% and 92.9% homology at the amino acid level, with the previously published American, Japanese and Taiwanese isolates, respectively. Accordingly, the RNA genome we obtained is HCV type II, probably, the predominant subtype in Taiwan.

Adult↗

Telencephalic embryonic subtractive sequences: a unique collection of neurodevelopmental genes.

The vertebrate telencephalon is composed of many architectonically and functionally distinct areas and structures, with billions of neurons that are precisely connected. This complexity is fine-tuned during development by numerous genes. To identify genes involved in the regulation of telencephalic development, a specific subset of differentially expressed genes was characterized. Here, we describe a set of cDNAs encoded by genes preferentially expressed during development of the mouse telencephalon that was identified through a functional genomics approach. Of 832 distinct transcripts found, 223 (27%) are known genes. Of the remaining, 228 (27%) correspond to expressed sequence tags of unknown function, 58 (7%) are homologs or orthologs of known genes, and 323 (39%) correspond to novel rare transcripts, including 48 (14%) new putative noncoding RNAs. As an example of this latter group of novel precursor transcripts of micro-RNAs, telencephalic embryonic subtractive sequence (TESS) 24.E3 was functionally characterized, and one of its targets was identified: the zinc finger transcription factor ZFP9. The TESS transcriptome has been annotated, mapped for chromosome loci, and arrayed for its gene expression profiles during neural development and differentiation (in Neuro2a and neural stem cells). Within this collection, 188 genes were also characterized on embryonic and postnatal tissue by in situ hybridization, demonstrating that most are specifically expressed in the embryonic CNS. The full information has been organized into a searchable database linked to other genomic resources, allowing easy access to those who are interested in the dissection of the molecular basis of telencephalic development.

Animals↗

Cutting, splicing, reordering, and elimination of DNA sequences in hypotrichous ciliates.

Hypotrichous ciliates extensively process genomic DNA during their life cycle. Processing occurs after cell mating, beginning with multiple rounds of DNA replication to form polytene chromosomes. Thousands of transposonlike elements are then excised from the chromosomes and destroyed, and thousands of short, internal eliminated sequences (IESs) are excised from coding and noncoding parts of genes and destroyed. IES removal from a gene is accompanied by splicing of the remaining chromosomal DNA segments to form a transcriptionally competent gene. For some genes these DNA segments are in a scrambled order and are ligated into a genetically correct order at the time of IES removal. Next the polytene chromosomes are cut up band-by-band and all genes are excised from the chromosomes as short, linear molecules averaging 2.2 kbp (in Oxytricha nova). Gene excision is accompanied by destruction of all nongenic DNA, which, together with the transposonlike elements and IESs, accounts for approximately 95% of the total sequence complexity of the genome in O. nova. Telomeric sequences are added to the excised gene-sized DNA molecules. Finally, the gene-sized molecules are replicated several times to form the macronucleus of the organism.

Actins↗

B-G cDNA clones have multiple small repeats and hybridize to both chicken MHC regions.

We used rabbit antisera to the chicken MHC erythrocyte molecule B-G and to the class I alpha chain (B-F) to screen lambda gt11 cDNA expression libraries made with RNA selected by oligo-dT from bone marrow cells of anemic B19 homozygous chickens. Eight clones were found to encode B-G molecules which hybridize with sequences in the chicken MHC as defined by congenic strains; the fusion proteins react with multiple immune but not preimmune sera, they select antibodies from the antisera to B-G, which then react with distinct erythrocyte B-G protein patterns, and they elicit antibodies from mice which in turn react with authentic B-G proteins. None of the clones represent a complete message, some--if not all--bear introns, and none of them match with any sequences presently stored in the data banks. The following new information did, however, emerge. At least two homologous transcripts are present in this homozygous chicken, thereby formally proving the existence of an expressed multigene family. The 3' ends (3'UT) are simple sequences with 80% nucleotide identity between clones, while the 5' ends (either coding or noncoding) are composed of multiple short repeats which are far less similar. These repeats could explain the bewildering variation in size of B-G proteins within and between haplotypes. Southern blots of genomic chicken DNA gave complex patterns for most probes, with many bands in common using different probes, but few bands in common between haplotypes. The sequences detected are all present in the MHC, based on the congenic lines CB and CC. Most of these sequences map into the B-G region, but some map into the B-F/B-L region as defined by the haplotypes B15, B21, and their apparently reciprocal recombinants B21r3 and B15r1.

Animals↗

Male-driven evolution.

The strength of male-driven evolution - that is, the magnitude of the sex ratio of mutation rate - has been a controversial issue, particularly in primates. While earlier studies estimated the male-to-female ratio (alpha) of mutation rate to be about 4-6 in higher primates, two recent studies claimed that alpha is only about 2 in humans. However, a more recent comparison of mutation rates between a noncoding fragment on Y and a homologous region on chromosome 3 gave an estimate of alpha = 5.3, reinstating strong male-driven evolution in hominoids. Several studies investigated variation in mutation rates among genomic regions that may not be related to sex differences and found strong evidence for such variation. The causes for regional variation in mutation rate are not clear but GC content and recombination are two possible causes. Thus, while the strong male-driven evolution in higher primates suggests that errors during DNA replication in the germ cells are the major source of mutation, the contribution of some replication-independent factors such as recombination may also be important.

Animals↗

Distant HNF1 site as a master control for the human class I alcohol dehydrogenase gene expression.

Gene duplication and divergence have contributed to the biochemical diversity of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) family. Class I ADH is the major enzyme that catalyzes alcohol to acetaldehyde in the liver. To investigate the mechanism(s) controlling tissue-specific and temporal regulation of the three human class I ADH genes (ADH1A, ADH1B, and ADH1C), we compared genomic sequences for the human and mouse ADH loci and analyzed human ADH gene expression in BAC transgenic mice carrying different lengths of the upstream sequences of the class I ADH. A conserved noncoding sequence, located between the class I and class IV ADH (ADH7) genes, was found to be essential for directing class I ADH gene expression in fetal and adult livers. Within this region, a 275-bp fragment displaying liver-specific DNase I hypersensitivity was bound by HNF1. The HNF1-containing upstream sequence enhanced all three class I ADH promoters in an orientation-dependent manner, and the transcriptional activation depended on binding to the HNF1 site. Deletion of the conserved HNF1 site in the BAC led to the shutdown of human class I ADH gene expression in the transgenic livers, leaving ADH1C gene expression in the stomach unchanged. Moreover, interaction between the upstream element and the class I ADH gene promoters was demonstrated by chromosome conformation capture, suggesting a DNA looping mechanism is involved in gene activation. Taken together, our data indicate that HNF1 binding, at approximately 51 kb upstream, plays a master role in controlling human class I ADH gene expression and may govern alcohol metabolism in the liver.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Primate microRNAs miR-220 and miR-492 lie within processed pseudogenes.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new and abundant class of small, noncoding RNAs. To date, the evolutionary history of most of these loci appears to be marked by duplication and divergence. The ultimate origin of miRNAs remains an open question. A survey of the genomic context of more than 300 human miRNA loci revealed that two primate-specific miRNAs, miR-220 and miR-492, each lie within a processed pseudogene. In silico and in vitro examinations of these two loci suggest that this is a rare phenomenon requiring the juxtaposition of a specific combination of factors. Thus it appears that, while processed pseudogenes are good candidates for miRNA incubators, it is unlikely that more than a very small percentage of new miRNAs arise this way.

Animals↗

Slowing down the Ras lane: miRNAs as tumor suppressors?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding transcripts that regulate gene expression by promoting the degradation of transcribed messages or by inhibiting translation. Although bioinformatic approaches suggest that miRNAs may regulate the expression of a large fraction of the genome, the determination of miRNA gene targets and biological functions has been comparatively limited. Emerging studies suggest that many miRNAs may participate in human disease, including oncogenesis; but for the most part, the observations have been correlative. A recent study by Johnson and colleagues indicates that the let-7 miRNA negatively regulates the oncogenic family of Ras guanosine triphosphatases in both Caenorhabditis elegans and human tumor cell lines, suggesting that let-7 may act as a tumor suppressor. This work raises several important questions: Can other miRNAs act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes? Is miRNA deregulation a critical aspect of tumor development and maintenance? A number of recent studies have begun to address some of these functional questions, providing the field with a greater understanding of the role of miRNAs in cancer.

Animals↗

Genome organization and nucleotide sequence of human papillomavirus type 33, which is associated with cervical cancer.

The 7,909-nucleotide sequence of human papillomavirus type 33, which is associated with cervical cancer, has been determined and used to deduce the corresponding genome arrangement. Extensive sequence homologies and other genetic features are shared with the related oncogenic virus, human papillomavirus type 16, especially in the major reading frames. A surprising difference was found in the noncoding region of human papillomavirus type 33 as, unlike all other sequenced papillomaviruses, it contains a perfect 78-base pair tandem repeat.

Base Sequence↗

The minimal conserved transcription stop-start signal promotes stable expression of a foreign gene in vesicular stomatitis virus.

A new transcription unit was generated in the 3' noncoding region of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein gene by introducing the smallest conserved sequence found at each VSV gene junction. This sequence was introduced into a DNA copy of the VSV genome from which infectious VSV can be derived. It contained an 11-nucleotide putative transcription stop/polyadenylation signal for the glycoprotein mRNA, an intergenic dinucleotide, and a 10-nucleotide putative transcription start sequence preceding a downstream foreign gene encoding the bacterial enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. Infectious recombinant VSV was recovered from this construct and was found to express high levels of functional chloramphenicol acetyltransferase mRNA and protein. The recombinant virus grew to wild-type titers of 5 x 10(9)/ml, and expression of the foreign gene was completely stable for at least 15 passages involving 10(6)-fold expansion at each passage. These results define functionally the transcription stop/polyadenylation and start sequences for VSV and also illustrate the utility of VSV as a stable vector that should have wide application in cell biology and vaccine development.

Base Sequence↗