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D S Konecki

Publications and source records attributed to D S Konecki.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The primary structure of human secretogranin I (chromogranin B): comparison with chromogranin A reveals homologous terminal domains and a large intervening variable region.

We have determined and analyzed the primary structure of human secretogranin I (chromogranin B), a tyrosine-sulfated secretory protein found in a wide variety of peptidergic endocrine cells. A 2.5-kb cDNA clone, hybridizing to an mRNA of similar length, was isolated from a cDNA library of human pheochromocytoma. The identity of the clone was established by comparison of its deduced amino acid sequence with N-terminal and several internal secretogranin I sequences as well as by immunoprecipitation of the protein produced by in vitro transcription-translation of the cloned cDNA. Secretogranin I is a 657 amino acid long polypeptide of 76 kd and is preceded by a cleaved N-terminal signal peptide of 20 residues. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of human secretogranin I with that of bovine chromogranin A reveals significant homologies near the N termini and at the C termini. The N-terminal homologous domains contain the only two cysteine residues of both proteins and form disulfide-stabilized loop structures. The sequences between the homologous terminal domains in both proteins differ but are characterized by a remarkable hydrophilicity, an abundance of acidic amino acids and potential dibasic cleavage sites for the generation of smaller, perhaps hormone-like, peptides.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

The primary structure of bovine chromogranin A: a representative of a class of acidic secretory proteins common to a variety of peptidergic cells.

We have determined the primary structure of bovine chromogranin A as a first step in the elucidation of the function of this widespread protein. After oligonucleotide screening of a cDNA library of bovine adrenal medulla, a clone (insert length 1.9 kb) containing the entire coding region for chromogranin A was isolated and sequenced. The authenticity of the sequence was verified by comparison with N-terminal, several internal, and C-terminal amino acid sequences as well as the amino acid composition of chromogranin A. The cDNA clone hybridized to an mRNA of 2.1 kb and, after in vitro transcription-translation, yielded a polypeptide with a similar electrophoretic mobility in SDS gels to chromogranin A. The polypeptide chain of chromogranin A comprises 431 amino acid residues, corresponding to an unmodified protein of 48 kd, and is preceded by a cleaved signal peptide of 18 amino acid residues. Interesting features of the chromogranin A structure include repeated clusters of glutamic acid residues, the occurrence of eight potential dibasic cleavage sites, six of which are located in the C-terminal domain, and the presence, in the N-terminal domain, of -Arg-Gly-Asp- (RGD), a three amino acid sequence involved in the binding of several constitutively secreted proteins to cell membranes.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Structure, expression, and mutation of the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene.

The wild-type mouse hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT; IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) gene has been isolated from genomic libraries and its structure has been determined. This X chromosome-linked gene is greater than 33 kilobases long and is split into nine exons. All the exon sequences have been determined, and a single-base substitution in the HPRT cDNA coding sequence from a mouse neuroblastoma cell line that overproduces a mutant HPRT protein has been identified. The 5' end of the gene has been defined, both by nuclease S1 protection and primer extension studies and by a functional assay in which an HPRT minigene, capable of expression in cultured cells, was created by ligating the 5' end of the gene onto wild-type human HPRT cDNA. Sequences normally associated with eukaryotic promoters are not present in the immediate 5'-flanking region of the HPRT gene, which is instead highly G+C rich. This observation is discussed in relation to the possible link between DNA methylation and X-chromosome inactivation.

Animals↗

Expression of human and Chinese hamster hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase cDNA recombinants in cultured Lesch-Nyhan and Chinese hamster fibroblasts.

The results presented in this communication demonstrate that hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) cDNA can be expressed in both Chinese hamster and human fibroblasts deficient in the endogenous gene product at levels permitting normal growth of the transformants. All the elements necessary for this expression are present in a pBR322-derived plasmid containing HPRT cDNA coding sequence and a retroviral long terminal repeat. These molecules function in both species investigated and, at least in the case of the Chinese hamster transformants, are efficient at the single copy level. Although the effects of the presence of intron sequences and a polyadenylation signal within the plasmids have yet to be evaluated, these studies demonstrate that neither is an absolute requirement for expression of HPRT cDNA sequences in cultured mammalian cells. We describe the construction of recombinant plasmids containing wild type human or Chinese hamster HPRT cDNA sequences in tandem with a retroviral LTR which confer the HPRT+ phenotype in HPRT-deficient V79 and Lesch-Nyhan fibroblasts. Both stable and unstable transformants, that expressed HPRT mRNA and protein, were isolated at high frequency.

Animals↗

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase genes of mouse and Chinese hamster: construction and sequence analysis of cDNA recombinants.

Recombinant plasmids containing DNA inserts complementary to mRNA coding for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) from mouse and Chinese hamster cell lines have been isolated from cDNA libraries and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. A total of 1292 nucleotides of the mouse cDNA sequence and 1301 nucleotides of the Chinese hamster cDNA sequence has been determined. Each of these sequences includes an open reading frame of 654 nucleotides (218 amino acids) corresponding to the HPRT protein coding region. The deduced amino acid sequences for the mouse and Chinese hamster enzymes are presented and compared to that of human HPRT. At least 95% of the amino acids are conserved in the three species. In addition, we present evidence that two species of HPRT mRNA, which differ in the site of polyadenylation that is utilized during processing of the RNA transcripts, exist in Chinese hamster cells.

Animals↗

Cloned cDNA sequences of the hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gene from a mouse neuroblastoma cell line found to have amplified genomic sequences.

Cloned cDNA sequences of the murine hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT; EC 2.4.2.8) gene have been isolated by using a mouse neuroblastoma cell line containing increased levels of a variant HPRT protein. We have used these sequences as probes to demonstrate that protein overproduction in this cell line is a consequence of at least a 20-fold increase in HPRT mRNA levels resulting from approximately 50-fold amplification of HPRT genomic sequences. The largest cDNA insert so far characterized represents about 70% of the HPRT mRNA sequence. This cDNA is shown to possess regions of homology with mRNA and DNA from Chinese hamster, baboon, and human, thus facilitating detailed analysis of this locus in these four species.

Animals↗

In vitro translation of hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase mRNA: characterization of a mouse neuroblastoma cell line that has elevated levels of hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase protein.

Antibody specific for the native form of Chinese hamster hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT; IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) was used to detect the synthesis of HPRT protein in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system primed with mRNA from Chinese hamster tissues and cultured cells. Electrophoretic analysis of the immunopurified products from the translation of mRNA from wild-type and a series of mutant Chinese hamster cells indicated that HPRT synthesis in vitro qualitatively and quantitatively corresponded to synthesis in vivo. The translation system was used to identify two mRNA sources producing high levels of HPRT protein: Chinese hamster brain and a mouse neuroblastoma HPRT revertant cell line, NBR4. Translation of NBR4 mRNA generated 25-50 times more HPRT protein than mRNA from wild-type cells. The basis for HPRT overproduction is considered in view of an X chromosome alteration found in NBR4 cells.

Animals↗

Release factor binding to ribosome requires an intact 16 S rRNA 3' terminus.

Cloacin DF12 cleavage of Escherichia coli f[3H]MettRNA-AUG-ribosome complexes affects this substrate for in vitro peptide chain termination. Codon-directed release factors' (RF) 1 and 2 release of f[3H]methionine is inhibited by cloacin. Since cloacin inhibits RF1 and -2 binding to ribosomes but not RF-directed f[3H]methionine release from f[3H]met-tRNA-AUG-ribosome complexes when reactions contain 20% ethanol, we conclude that cloacin DF 13 inhibits formation of the termination codon recognition complex. Thus, cleavage of the 3'-OH 49-nucleotide sequence of the 16 S rRNA perturbs the codon-directed binding of RF to ribosomes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Characterization of reticulocyte release factor.

The release factor (RF) of reticulocytes has been purified to greater than 75% homogeneity. The RF has a native molecular weight of 105,000 and subunit molecular weight of 56,500. The RF protein will bind to reticulocyte ribosomes in response to UAAA, UAGA, or UGAA and therefore participates in codon recognition. The fraction possess a ribosome-dependent GTPase activity. The RF is stimulated in its activity by a second protein fraction.

Animals↗

Haplotype distribution and mutations at the PAH locus in Croatia.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) haplotypes and mutations at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) locus have been studied in 25 unrelated families from Croatia. The results of RFLP analysis demonstrated that 80% of the mutant alleles were associated with three haplotypes (1, 2 and 4). Eight mutations were detected on the background of six mutant haplotypes, comprising 68% of phenylketonuria (PKU) alleles in Croatia. The mutation in codon 408 was most frequent, as was the haplotype 2 allele with which it was associated. These data are in accordance with formerly published population genetic analyses at the PAH locus, and with studies revealing the molecular basis of the phenotypic heterogeneity of PKU. The codon 281 mutation was more frequent in Croatia than previously observed in other populations.

Alleles↗