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Biomedical subjects

A Koff

Publications and source records attributed to A Koff.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Formation and activation of a cyclin E-cdk2 complex during the G1 phase of the human cell cycle.

Human cyclin E, originally identified on the basis of its ability to function as a G1 cyclin in budding yeast, associated with a cell cycle-regulated protein kinase in human cells. The cyclin E-associated kinase activity peaked during G1, before the appearance of cyclin A, and was diminished during exit from the cell cycle after differentiation or serum withdrawal. The major cyclin E-associated kinase in human cells was Cdk2 (cyclin-dependent kinase 2). The abundance of the cyclin E protein and the cyclin E-Cdk2 complex was maximal in G1 cells. These results provide further evidence that in all eukaryotes assembly of a cyclin-Cdk complex is an important step in the biochemical pathway that controls cell proliferation during G1.

Animals

Human cyclin E, a new cyclin that interacts with two members of the CDC2 gene family.

A new human cyclin, named cyclin E, was isolated by complementation of a triple cln deletion in S. cerevisiae. Cyclin E showed genetic interactions with the CDC28 gene, suggesting that it functioned at START by interacting with the CDC28 protein. Two human genes were identified that could interact with cyclin E to perform START in yeast containing a cdc28 mutation. One was CDC2-HS, and the second was the human homolog of Xenopus CDK2. Cyclin E produced in E. coli bound and activated the CDC2 protein in extracts from human G1 cells, and antibodies against cyclin E immunoprecipitated a histone H1 kinase from HeLa cells. The interactions between cyclin E and CDC2, or CDK2, may be important at the G1 to S transition in human cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Herpes simplex virus origin-binding protein (UL9) loops and distorts the viral replication origin.

To investigate the role of the herpes simplex virus origin-binding protein (UL9) in the initiation of DNA replication, we have examined the effect of UL9 binding on the structure of the viral origin of replication. UL9 loops and alters the DNA helix of the origin regardless of the phasing of the binding sites. DNase I and micrococcal nuclease footprinting show that UL9 binds two sites in the origin and loops the AT-rich DNA between them independent of the topology of the DNA. KMnO4 and dimethyl sulfate footprinting further show that UL9 alters the DNA helix in the AT region. In contrast to the looping reaction, however, helical distortion requires the free energy of supercoiled DNA. UL9 also loops and distorts the origin DNA of a replication-defective mutant with a 6-bp insertion in the AT region. Because the helical distortion of this mutant DNA is different from that of functional origins, we conclude that an imperfect tertiary structure of the mutant DNA may contribute to its loss of replication function.

Animals

Characterization of major recognition sequences for a herpes simplex virus type 1 origin-binding protein.

To investigate early initiation events in the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1, we analyzed interactions of proteins from infected cell extracts with the small origin of herpes simplex virus type 1 (oris1). Using the mobility shift assay, we detected two origin-specific binding interactions. We characterized the more prominent interaction on both strands of the DNA duplex with DNase I protection and methylation interference assays. Protein binding protects 17 bases of DNA on each strand from DNase I. These sequences are located at the left end of the central palindrome and are shifted four bases relative to one another. On the basis of the DNase protection pattern, we believe this protein to be related to the origin-binding protein defined by Elias et al. (P. Elias, M.E. O'Donnell, E.S. Mocarski, and I.R. Lehman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 83:6322-6326, 1986). Our DNase I footprint shows both strong and weak areas of protection. The regions strongly protected from DNase I align with the essential contact residues identified by interference footprinting. Methylation interference defines a small binding domain of 8 base pairs: 5'-GTTCGCAC-3'/3'-CAAGCGTG-5'. This recognition sequence contains two inverted 5'-GT(T/G)CG-3' repeats which share a 2-base overlap; thus, the origin-binding protein probably binds to the inverted repeats as a dimer.

Base Sequence

The T-antigen-binding domain of the simian virus 40 core origin of replication.

The simian virus 40 origin of replication contains a 27-base-pair palindrome with the sequence 5'-CA-GAGGC-C-GAGGC-G-GCCTC-G-GCCTC-TG-3'. The four 5'-GAGGC-3'/5'-GCCTC-3' pentanucleotides are known contact sites for simian virus 40 T-antigen binding in vitro. We used oligonucleotide-directed cassette mutagenesis to identify features of this palindrome that are important for the initiation of DNA replication in vivo. Each base pair of a pentanucleotide is crucial for DNA replication. In contrast, sequences adjacent to pentanucleotides have little or no effect on replication. Thus, the pentanucleotide is the basic functional unit, not only for T-antigen binding but also for DNA replication. All four pentanucleotides are indispensable in the initiation process. The spacing of pentanucleotides is crucial because duplication of the single base pair between binding sites has a far greater effect on replication than does substitution of the same base pair. Inversion of any pentanucleotide blocks DNA synthesis. Thus, the pentanucleotide is not a functionally symmetrical unit. We propose that each pentanucleotide positions a monomer of T antigen at the proper distance, rotation, and orientation relative to other T-antigen monomers and to other origin domains and that such positioning leads to subsequent events in replication.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming

The adenine-thymine domain of the simian virus 40 core origin directs DNA bending and coordinately regulates DNA replication.

The simian virus 40 origin of replication contains a 20-base-pair adenine-thymine-rich segment with the sequence 5'-TGCATAAATAAAAAAAATTA-3'. The continuous tract of eight adenines is highly conserved among polyomaviruses. We used single-base substitutions to map structural and functional features of this DNA. Mutations in the AAA and AAAAAAAATT sequences significantly reduce DNA replication and thus identify two sequence-specific functional domains or a single domain with two parts. The AAAAAAAATT sequence also determines a DNA conformation that is characteristic of DNA bending. Single-base mutations in this domain change the degree of net bending, presumably by altering the length and location of the bending sequence. Thus, DNA bending in the correct conformation and location may be a structural signal for replication in polyomavirus origins and perhaps in other origins of replication with consecutive runs of adenines. The first five base pairs (TGCAT) of the 20-base-pair segment and the T between the AAA and AAAAAAAATT domains serve a sequence-independent function that may establish proper spacing within the core origin.

Adenine

Domain structure of the simian virus 40 core origin of replication.

The simian virus 40 core origin of replication consists of nucleotides 5211 through 31. These 64 base pairs contain three functional domains with strict sequence requirements and two spacer regions with relaxed sequence specificity but precise positional constraints. The early domain extends for 10 contiguous base pairs between nucleotides 5211 and 5220. A 9-base pair spacer from sequences 5221 through 5229 separates the early domain from the 23-base pair central palindrome that directs the binding of T antigen. The late end of the core between nucleotides 12 and 31 also contains spacer and sequence-specific functions that are not yet completely mapped. We propose that the sequence-specific domains are interaction sites for viral and cellular proteins, determinants of DNA conformation, or both. The spacers would position these signals at required distances and rotations relative to one another.

Base Sequence