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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

FLT4 gene polymorphisms influence isolated ventricular septal defect predisposition in a Southwest China population.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease. Although a small number of genes associated with VSD have been found, the genetic factors of VSD remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the association of 10 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with isolated VSD in a population from Southwest China. METHODS: Based on the results of 34 congenital heart disease whole-exome sequencing and 1000 Genomes databases, 10 candidate SNPs were selected. A total of 618 samples were collected from the population of Southwest China, including 285 VSD samples and 333 normal samples. Ten SNPs in the case group and the control group were identified by SNaPshot genotyping. The chi-square (&#x3c7;2) test was used to evaluate the relationship between VSD and each candidate SNP. The SNPs that had significant P value in the initial stage were further analysed using linkage disequilibrium, and haplotypes were assessed in 34 congenital heart disease whole-exome sequencing samples using Haploview software. The bins of SNPs that were in very strong linkage disequilibrium were further used to predict haplotypes by Arlequin software. ViennaRNA v2.5.1 predicted the haplotype mRNA secondary structure. We evaluated the correlation between mRNA secondary structure changes and ventricular septal defects. RESULTS: The &#x3c7;2 results showed that the allele frequency of FLT4 rs383985 (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.040) was different between the control group and the case group (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). FLT4 rs3736061 (r2&#x2009;=&#x2009;1), rs3736062 (r2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.84), rs3736063 (r2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.84) and FLT4 rs383985 were in high linkage disequilibrium (r2&#x2009;>&#x2009;0.8). Among them, rs3736061 and rs3736062 SNPs in the FLT4 gene led to synonymous variations of amino acids, but predicting the secondary structure of mRNA might change the secondary structure of mRNA and reduce the free energy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a possible molecular pathogenesis associated with isolated VSD, which warrants investigation in future studies.

Child

Long-range mRNA folding shapes expression and sequence of bacterial genes.

Bacterial gene expression is strongly influenced by local mRNA secondary structure, yet the impact of long-range folding remains poorly understood. Here, we show that sequences hundreds of nucleotides from the mRNA 5' end can act as potent repressors of gene expression through long-range base pairing to the ribosome binding site (RBS), subjecting anti-RBS sequences to negative selection. Using massively parallel reporter assays in Bacillus subtilis, we identify anti-RBS sequences as among the strongest determinants of reduced mRNA abundance across the transcript body. We demonstrate that distal anti-RBS elements engage in long-range folding with the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, blocking ribosome entry and promoting mRNA decay. Consistent with these repressive effects, anti-RBS-like sequences are depleted throughout diverse bacterial coding sequences but not from leaderless transcripts, and introducing distal anti-RBS to native genes reduces expression. Our findings establish that long-range mRNA folding is a conserved force shaping gene expression and constrains coding sequence evolution.

Bacillus subtilis

Models for mRNA translation: theory versus experiment.

Three models for mRNA translation are discussed in the light of available experimental data. It is concluded that the elongation rates vary along a messenger, possibly as a result of a coupling between ribosome movement and mRNA secondary structure. Some promising areas of further experimentation are indicated.

Alpha-Globulins

Unwinding protein specific for mRNA translation fractionated together with rabbit reticulocyte initiation factor 3 complex.

Experiments with a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system dependent on the addition of initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) and mRNA were carried out. In this system, using ribosomal subunits, AUG(U)(n) can direct polyphenylalanine synthesis in the absence of eIF-3 at 3 mM MgCl(2). Globin mRNA was not translated under similar conditions; its translation requires the addition of eIF-3. Moreover, the maximal rate of globin synthesis was achieved when the molar ratio of eIF-3 to ribosomes was approximately 1. This was taken to indicate that some ribosomal proteins were fractionated with eIF-3 and functioned in reconstitution of salt-washed ribosomes. In our system, almost all ribosomes were active, as evident from the fact that all were found in polysomes when analyzed at the time of linear incorporation, and the molar ratio of ribosomes to mRNA was maintained at 4:1. When AUG(U)(n) was hybridized with poly(A), it could not direct polyphenylalanine synthesis with or without eIF-3 and was a potent inhibitor of the translation of globin mRNA in the presence of eIF-3. When poly(A) containing 10% U was hybridized with AUG(U)(n) and added to the cell-free system, addition of eIF-3 promoted polyphenylalanine synthesis to about 80% of control. Moreover, eIF-3 was seen to shift significantly the melting temperature of globin and synthetic double-stranded RNA. These observations suggest that extraction of ribosomes with 0.5 M KCl may release a ribosomal protein that fractionates with eIF-3. This protein may function in unwinding or melting the secondary structure of mRNA and thus facilitate translation.

Animals

Determination of secondary structure in rabbit globin messenger RNA by thermal denaturation.

The secondary structure of highly purified globin messenger RNA has been investigated by alkaline hydrolysis, nuclease digestion, and thermal denaturation. The thermal denaturation properties of globin messenger have been compared to poly(U), poly (A), and a synthetic random sequence RNA copolymer. From these studies it is concluded that globin mRNA contains considerable secondary structure and that the amount of helical structure is greater than that which occurs with a random sequence polyribonucleotide. Globin mRNA contains, by comparison to the secondary structures of native DNA, tRNAs, or 18S rRNA, helices with involve 55-62% of the bases or 58-68% if a correction is made for the 3'-terminal poly(A) segment. The helices of globin mRNA appear to be unique as differences in the NaCl stabilization of this RNA have been noted when compared to other naturally ooccurring and synthetic RNAs. Comparison of the hyperchromicity maxima, obtained at 260 and 280 nm for globin mRNA and 18S rRNA, indicates that the helices of the two RNAs contain similar numbers of G-C base pairs. Differential analysis of NaCl stabilization curves indicate three discrete thermally denaturable helix types in globin mRNA.

Animals

Enzymatic synthesis of DNA complementary to mitochondrial mRNA via reverse transcription.

The poly(A)-containing mitochondrial mRNAs of rat liver were tested for their ability to serve as templates for the DNA synthesis by means of reverse transcription in the presence of the oligo(dT) primer and the RNA-directed DNA-polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus. The mT-mRNA does not support the DNA synthesis in the standard conditions sufficient for effective reverse transcription of rabbit globin mRNA and of poly(A) in the presence of oligo(dT) primers. After a mild alkaline treatment of the mRNA and subsequent polyadenylation of the 3'-termini of the generated fragments with ATP:RNA adenyltransferase from E.coli the poly(A) (+) polyribonucleotides are able to serve as templates for reverse transcription in the presence of oligo(dT) and the reverse transcriptase. A conclusion is made that a "structural stop" exists in mitochondrial mRNA non-translable regions adjacent to the poly(A) terminal sequence. The "structural stop" is suggested to be caused by post-transcriptional modification of mRNA (methylation, etc.) or by a particularly stable secondary structure in this region of the mRNA molecules.

Animals

Sequence analysis of cloned cDNA encoding part of an immunoglobulin heavy chain.

The recombinant plasmid pH21-1 consists of mouse-derived complementary DNA (cDNA) in the E. coli plasmid pMB9. The mouse insertion has been completely sequenced, and encodes the CH3 domain and half the CH2 domain of the immunoglobulin gamma1 heavy chain. The predicted amino acid sequence differs at several positions from that previously published for this protein. The pattern of codon usage resembles that in some other eukaryotic messenger RNAs. A computer program has been used to predict the optimum secondary structure for the mRNA encoding the CH3 domain and the inter-domain junction.

Animals

Hexokinase 2 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA translation independently of glycolysis and induces melanoma cell proliferation.

Although metabolic benefits of glycolysis have been extensively described in tumor cells, the extra-metabolic functions linked to this energetic pathway in tumor growth and cell proliferation have not been clearly established yet. Recently, some key glycolytic enzymes, such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase 2, were reported to regulate mRNA translation. Translational control of gene expression is considered as a critical effector in cancer biology, representing a highly promising area of research. Here, we report that Hexokinase 2 (HK2), a glucose kinase that catalyzes the first step of glycolysis at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), is an RNA-binding protein (RBP) that regulates mRNA translation in melanoma cell lines. Polysome profiling experiments followed by RNA sequencing indicate that the translational regulation exerted by HK2 is partly independent of the metabolic status or the glycolytic pathway. We found that HK2 specifically regulates translation of the mRNA encoding SOX10, a transcription factor implicated in the regulation of tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression in melanoma. RNA-protein interaction assays, including CrossLinking ImmunoPrecipitation (CLIP), indicate that HK2 is an RBP whose interaction with RNA is independent of its enzymatic activity, its ability to bind glucose or its association with the OMM. HK2 directly interacts with the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of the SOX10 mRNA through a stem-loop RNA secondary structure. Using RNA-protein proximity ligation assays and a fluorescence-based ribosome-bound mRNA mapping method, we found that high glucose conditions, which promote the release of HK2 from the OMM, induce an increase in HK2-SOX10 mRNA interaction and SOX10 mRNA translation in the cytoplasm. We further showed that HK2-dependent SOX10 mRNA translation is involved in melanoma cell proliferation and colony formation. Collectively, our data highlight a nonmetabolic function of HK2 acting as an RBP and translation regulator.

Hexokinase

Altered mRNA metabolism in ribonuclease III-deficient strains of Escherichia coli.

The metabolism of mRNA from the lactose (lac) operon of Escherichia coli has been studied in ribonuclease (RNase) III-deficient strains (rnc-105). The induction lag for beta-galactosidase from the first gene was twice as long, and enzyme synthesis was reduced 10-fold in one such mutant compared with its isogenic rnc+ sister; in the original mutant strain AB301-105, synthesis of beta-galactosidase was not even detectable, although transduction analysis revealed the presence of a normal lac operon. This defect does not reflect a loss of all lac operon activity galactoside acetyltransferase from the last gene was synthesized even in strain AB301-105 but at a rate several times lower than normal. Hybridization analyses suggested that both the frequency of transcription initiation and the time to transcribe the entire operon are normal in rnc-105 strains. The long induction lag was caused by a longer translation time. This defect led to translational polarity with reduced amounts of distal mRNA to give a population of smaller-sized lac mRNA molecules. All these pleiotropic effects seem to result from RNase III deficiency, since it was possible to select revertants to rnc+ that grew and expressed the lac operon at normal rates. However, the rnc-105 isogenic strains (but not AB301-105) also changed very easily to give a more normal rate of beta-galactosidase synthesis without regaining RNase III activity or a faster growth rate. The basis for this reversion is not known; it may represent a "phenotypic suppression" rather than result from a stable genetic change. Such suppressor effects could account for earlier reports of a noninvolvement of RNase III in mRNA metabolism in deliberately selected lac+ rnc-105 strains. The ribosomes from rnc-105 strains were as competent as ribosomes from rnc+ strains to form translation initiation complexes in vitro. However, per mass, beta-galactosidase mRNA from AB301-105 was at least three times less competent to form initiation complexes than was A19 beta-galactosidase mRNA. RNase III may be important in the normal cell to prepare lac mRNA for translation initiation. A defect at this step could account for all the observed changes in lac expression. A potential target within a secondary structure at the start of the lac mRNA is considered. Expression of many operons may be affected by RNase III activity; gal and trp operon expressions were also abnormal in RNase III- strains.

Enzyme Induction

Nucleotide sequences from the 3'-ends of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's as determined from cloned DNA.

Molecular clones of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's were used to determine the 3'-terminal sequences of mRNA's encoding the N and NS proteins. This new approach to VSV mRNA sequencing allowed the first comparison of 3'-terminal sequences. The sequences showed a tetranucleotide homology, UAUG, immediately preceding the polyadenylic acid. In addition, both mRNA's had an AU-rich region including the tetranucleotide AUAU at positions 16 to 19 nucleotides from the polyadenylic acid. A possible secondary structure between the 3' end of N mRNA and the 5' end of the adjacent NS mRNA is noted. These structural features may serve as signals for termination (or cleavage) and polyadenylation of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's. Neither mRNA had the polyadenylic acidproximal hexanucleotide, AAUAAA, found in eucaryotic cellular and viral mRNA's transcribed from nuclear DNA. The probable location of the translation termination codon for the NS protein is only six nucleotides from polyadenylic acid in NS mRNA.

Base Sequence

5'-Terminal nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli lactose repressor mRNA: features of translational initiation and reinitiation sites.

In a sequence of 214 nucleotides at the 5' terminus of the I gene mRNA, which codes for the lactose repressor protein of Escherichia coli, (i) an untranslated leader sequence of 28 residues precedes the repressor coding region; (ii) a GUG initiates synthesis of the wild-type repressor; (iii) GUG and AUG are the functional initiators for the synthesis of restart polypeptides activated by early I gene amber mutations, confirming previous assignments for these residues based on protein sequencing data; and (iv) sequences complementary to 16S ribosomal RNA provide stronger potential mRNA.16S rRNA interaction at the wild-type initiation site than at the restart sites. When I mRNA is used to direct the formation of initiation complexes in vitro, ribosomes bind only to the wild-type initiator region.A striking feature of the I mRNA sequence is the presence of a number of in-phase GUGs that have not been observed to serve as initiation signals in vivo in the nonsense mutant strains examined. The selective use of potential initiator triplets in the I mRNA leads to the following conclusions. First, when presented with several neighboring initiator triplets at the wild-type initiator region, ribosomes select the one preceded by the strongest appropriately positioned complementarity to the 16S 3' end. Second, ribosomes do not restart after termination simply by moving to the next available initiator codon. Third, the formation of stable secondary structures predicted for the untranslated I mRNA beyond chain-terminating nonsense mutations may prevent ribosome access to some potential reinitiation sites.

Bacterial Proteins

Translation of mRNA for glutamate dehydrogenase and spectrophotometric procedure to follow the enzyme biosynthesis.

Heterogeneous poly (A)-mRNA fraction was isolated from rat liver microsomes using phenol-chloroform extraction, millipore filtration and poly (U)-agarose affinity chromatography. Obtained fractions were characterized with respect to their secondary structure and poly (A) content. Isolated poly (A)-mRNA fraction contained high template activity for glutamate dehydrogenase in cell-free systems with microsomes or polysomes. A spectrophotometric procedure to follow enzyme biosynthesis was also developed.

Animals

The structure of pre-messenger RNA and messenger RNA from erythroid cells.

Pre-mRNA fractions (greater than 45 S) were characterized by electron microscopy. High salt concentrations (0.2 M ammonium acetate, pH 8) yield linear molecules of different length (0.5--17 micrometer). In 10% of the molecules a compact-nonlinear contour (cn-contour) is detectable at one end. A significant enhancement of the number of cn-contour carrying molecules is observed after binding pre-mRNA to poly(U)-sepharose. The terminal cn-contour could be the depiction of a secondary and/or tertiary structure including the poly(A)-tail. 9 S globin mRNA appear in 80% with virtually the same cn-contour as detected in pre-mRNA molecules. After denaturing the mRNA in 80% formamide--4M urea in connection with heating to 90 degrees C from 10 min, a percentage of 77% of stretched, linear molecules results. This structural transformation is reversible when the denatured RNA is precipitated and redissolved in 0.2 M ammonium acetate. 73% of the stretched molecules are characterized by a mean length of 0.44 micrometer. This value is twice as high as commonly assumed for a globin mRNA chain.

Animals

Isolation of messenger RNA coding for the "fast" protein of embryonic chick feathers.

The messenger RNA coding for the "Fast" protein of embryonic chick feathers has been purified from the overwhelming relative amounts of keratin mRNA which are present in the developing feathers. The "Fast" protein mRNA represents about 4-8% of the total mRNA population of the feather. Despite differences between the size of the "Fast" proteins and the keratins the two mRNA species are very similar in molecular weight as judged by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. However, by electrophoresis in 8 M urea gels at 55 degrees C, the "Fast" protein mRNA could be separated from keratin mRNA, presumably reflecting differences in messenger RNA secondary structure.

Animals

High-resolution proton magnetic resonance study of the secondary structure of the 3'-terminal 49-nucleotide fragment of 16S rRNA from Escherichia coli.

The 3' terminus of 16S rRNA has been implicated in the recognition of mRNA's by the ribosome. A fragment containing the 3'-terminal 49 nucleotides cleaved from the rRNA by cloacin DF13 was isolated in a pure form. The secondary structure of this fragment has been studied by measuring the high-resolution proton magnetic resonance spectra. The resonances observed at low field can be assigned to hydrogen-bonded iminoprotons of base-pairs present in the fragment. From the data we conclude that the rRNA fragment, under the conditions used, exists as a hairpin consisting of eight intramolecular base-pairs, the 3'-terminal dodecanucleotide being unpaired. The implications of these findings with respect to the function of the ribosomal protein S1 are discussed.

Escherichia coli

Complementary sequences 1700 nucleotides apart form a ribonuclease III cleavage site in Escherichia coli ribosomal precursor RNA.

The nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli DNA at both ends of the gene for 16S rRNA has been determined for two rRNA operons, rrnD and rrnX. The 400 nucleotides we have examined exhibit only one base change between rrnD and rrnX. Within the 160 nucleotides that precede mature 16S rRNA sequences are cleavage sites for several E. coli endonucleases, including RNase III. A 240-nucleotide segment encompassing the 16S 3' end contains another RNase III site and the point of presumed RNase P scission at the 5' end of tRNA1Ile, the first tRNA appearing in the 16-23S spacer region of rrnD and rrnX. Most importantly, the DNA sequences predict that regions flanking the 16S gene in the rRNA primary transcript extensively base pair to form a double-helical structure whose hairpin loop includes the entire mature 16S molecule; within this structure is a 26-base-pair stem containing the two sequences at which RNase III action generates the 5' and 3' ends of a previously characterized precursor to 16S rRNA. Although our proposed secondary structure for this RNase III site is superficially dissimilar to previously described cleavage sites in the T7 early mRNA precursor, certain common features may constitute signals for RNase III recognition. The suggestion that distant portions of an RNA molecule can form a secondary structure within which specific endonucleolytic cleavages occur may have mechanistic implications for the joining of noncontiguous portions of gene sequences evident in several eukaryotic mRNAs.

Base Sequence