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E F Vanin

Publications and source records attributed to E F Vanin.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Identification of a stage selector element in the human gamma-globin gene promoter that fosters preferential interaction with the 5' HS2 enhancer when in competition with the beta-promoter.

The erythroid-specific enhancer within hypersensitivity site 2 (HS2) of the human beta-globin locus control region is required for high level globin gene expression. We investigated interaction between HS2 and the gamma- and beta-promoters using reporter constructs in transient assays in human erythroleukemia (K562) cells. The beta-promoter, usually silent in K562 cells, was activated by HS2. This activity was abolished when a gamma-promoter was linked in cis. Analysis of truncation mutants suggested that sequences conveying the competitive advantage of the gamma-promoter for HS2 included those between positions -53 and -35 relative to the transcriptional start site. This sequence, when used to replace the corresponding region of the beta-promoter, increased beta-promoter activity 10-fold when linked to HS2. The modified beta-promoter was also capable of competing with a gamma-promoter modified internally in the -53 to -35 region, when the two promoters were linked to HS2 in a single plasmid. The corresponding sequences from the Galago gamma-promoter, a species which lacks fetal gamma-gene expression, were inactive in analogous assays. We have identified and partially purified a nuclear protein found in human (fetal stage) erythroleukemia cells, but present in much lower concentration in murine (adult stage) erythroleukemia cells, that binds the -53 to -35 sequence of the gamma-promoter. We speculate that this region of the gamma-promoter functions as a stage selector element in the regulation of hemoglobin switching in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Human embryonic/atrial myosin alkali light chain gene: characterization, sequence, and chromosomal location.

We have isolated and sequenced the gene encoding the human embryonic/atrial myosin alkali light chain isoform (MLC-1emb/A). The gene is split into seven exons by six introns; the last exon, as in all MLC isoform genes sequenced to date, is completely 3' untranslated sequence. Comparison of the MLC-1emb/A isoform gene with the other MLC-1 genes showed that the exon-intron arrangement of the human MLC-1emb/A isoform gene is analogous to that of the other MLC-1 type isoform genes. We have also mapped the human MLC-1emb/A isoform gene to the long arm of chromosome 17; the corresponding mouse gene has been mapped to chromosome 11. This gene, together with a number of others such as the collagen(I) alpha 1, galactokinase, and thymidine kinase genes, is part of the largest syntenic group between mouse and man.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Human ventricular/slow twitch myosin alkali light chain gene characterization, sequence, and chromosomal location.

The gene coding for the human ventricular/slow twitch myosin alkali light chain isoform was isolated and sequenced. It was found to contain a total of seven exons, the last of which is completely 3'-untranslated sequence. Comparison of this gene sequence with that of the various fast twitch skeletal isoform gene sequences revealed that the exon-intron arrangement is conserved within the myosin alkali light chain gene family. In fact the introns are in exactly the same positions within analogous codons. Comparison of the derived amino acid sequence from the human ventricular/slow twitch isoform gene with that of other isoform protein sequences indicated that the protein encoded by this gene is more homologous to the chicken cardiac isoform protein sequence than to any of the other protein sequences. These results indicate that the gene duplication which gave rise to the ventricular/slow twitch and fast twitch isoform genes must have occurred prior to the divergence of mammals and avians. We have also localized the human ventricular/slow twitch isoform gene to the short arm of human chromosome 3. Interestingly the corresponding mouse gene has been mapped to the distal region of mouse chromosome 9 which contains a conserved syntenic group of genes that map to the short arm of human chromosome 3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of the flavodoxin gene from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough).

The gene coding for the flavodoxin protein from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) has been identified, cloned, and sequenced. DNA fragments containing the flavodoxin gene were identified by hybridization of a mixed synthetic heptadecanucleotide probe to Southern blots of SalI-digested genomic DNA. The nucleotide sequences of the probe were derived from the published protein primary structure (Dubourdieu, M., LeGall, J., and Fox, J. L. (1973) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 52, 1418-1425). The same oligonucleotide probe was used to screen libraries (in pUC19) containing size-selected SalI fragments. One recombinant, carrying a 1.6-kilobase (kb) insert which strongly hybridizes to the probe, was found to contain a nucleotide sequence which codes for the first 104 residues of the amino-terminal portion of the flavodoxin protein sequence but lacked the remainder of the gene. Therefore, a PstI restriction fragment from this clone was used as a probe to isolate the entire gene from a partial Sau3AI library in Charon 35. Of the plaques which continued to hybridize strongly to this probe through repeated screenings, one recombinant, containing a 16-kb insert, was further characterized. The entire flavodoxin gene was localized within a 1.4-kb XhoI-SacI fragment of this clone. The complete nucleotide sequence of the structural gene for the flavodoxin protein from Desulfovibrio vulgaris and flanking sequences which may include promoter and regulatory sequences are reported here. The cloned flavodoxin gene was placed behind the hybrid tac promoter for overexpression of the protein in Escherichia coli. Modification to the 5'-end of the gene, including substitutions at the second codon, were required to obtain high levels of expression. The expressed recombinant flavodoxin protein is isolated from E. coli cells as the holoprotein with physical and spectral properties similar to the protein isolated from D. vulgaris. To our knowledge, this is the first example of the expression of a foreign flavodoxin gene in E. coli using recombinant DNA methods.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Molecular characterization of a beta zero-thalassemia resulting from a 1.4 kilobase deletion.

We report the characterization of a beta zero-thalassemia in an American Black with unusually high HbA2 and HbF levels. Genomic southern analysis indicated that the individual was heterozygous for a deletion that began within the second intervening sequence of the beta-globin gene and extended approximately 1.4 kb in the 5' direction. A clone spanning the breakpoint on the abnormal chromosome was isolated and further mapped, and the deletion joint was sequenced. Comparison of the normal beta-globin gene and its 5' flanking region with the deletion joint sequence indicated that the 5' breakpoint for this deletion was 484 base pairs (bp) 5' to the transcriptional start site for the beta-globin gene and the 3' breakpoint was 908 bp into the beta-globin gene; the deletion removed a total of 1,393 bp. Comparison of the normal 5' and 3' breakpoint sequences indicated that this deletion was the result of a "clean" nonhomologous breakage and reunion event; ie, no spurious bases were added during the recombinational event. Analysis of the breakpoints of this deletion together with the breakpoints of two other small deletions involving the beta-globin gene suggests that the breakpoints may occur at DNA polymerase alpha pause sites.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Sequence of a cDNA for mouse thymidylate synthase reveals striking similarity with the prokaryotic enzyme.

We report the nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA, pMTS-3, that contains a 1-kb insert corresponding to mouse thymidylate synthase (E.C. 2.1.1.45). The open reading frame of 921 nucleotides from the first AUG to the termination codon specifies a protein with a molecular mass of 34,962 daltons. The predicted amino acid sequence is 90% identical with that of the human enzyme. The mouse sequence also has an extremely high degree of similarity (as much as 55% identity) with prokaryotic thymidylate synthase sequences, indicating that thymidylate synthase is among the most highly conserved proteins studied to date. The similarity is especially pronounced (as much as 80% identity) in the 44-amino-acid region encompassing the binding site for deoxyuridylic acid. The cDNA sequence also suggests that mouse thymidylate synthase mRNA lacks a 3' untranslated region, since the termination codon, UAA, is followed immediately by a poly(A) segment.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Processed pseudogenes: characteristics and evolution.

The processed pseudogenes reported to date fall into three categories: those that are a complete copy of the mRNA transcribed from the functional gene, those that are only a partial copy of the corresponding mRNA, and those that contain sequences in addition to those expected to be present in the mRNA. The general structural characteristics of these processed pseudogenes include the complete lack of intervening sequences found in the functional counterparts, a poly A tract at the 3' end, and direct repeats flanking the pseudogene sequence. In all the cases studied, these pseudogenes have been found to be on a different chromosome from their functional counterpart. These characteristics have led investigators to suggest that an RNA intermediate, in many cases the mRNA of the functional gene, is involved in the production of these pseudogenes. The mechanism by which processed pseudogenes arose involves the integration of the mRNA, or its cDNA copy, into a staggered chromosome break, followed by DNA synthesis and repair. I suggest that all the transcripts that gave rise to these pseudogenes were actually produced in the germ line cell. The transcripts that gave rise to the processed pseudogenes that are direct copies of the corresponding mRNA resulted from RNA polymerase II transcription of the functional counterpart. Pseudogenes that are not a direct copy of the corresponding mRNA may have resulted from RNA polymerase III transcription. If this is indeed the case, one need not postulate the involvement of retroviruses to explain the presence of processed pseudogenes corresponding to genes that are not expressed in the germ line. Following the integration event, processed pseudogenes can no longer be transcribed to produce the functional mRNA from which they arose. This inability to be transcribed by RNA polymerase II is not surprising considering that processed pseudogenes seem to be randomly integrated into the genome. Therefore, integration of a processed pseudogene such that RNA polymerase II transcriptional promoters are correctly positioned 5' to the resultant pseudogene is an unlikely event. The presence of processed pseudogenes seems peculiar to mammals. In fact, evolutionary studies indicate that processed pseudogenes are of relatively recent origin. In fact, at least one processed pseudogene, the human DHFR psi 1, has been formed so recently that it is polymorphic.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Clones from the human gene complex coding for salivary proline-rich proteins.

The salivary protein gene complex consists of a series of loci coding for related but distinct proline-rich proteins (PRPs) found chiefly in saliva. We have screened a library of human genomic DNA fragments in bacteriophage lambda Charon 4A with a PRP cDNA synthesized and cloned from rat parotid gland mRNA. Two phages (PRP1 and PRP2) hybridizing to the rat probe under moderately stringent conditions contain related but not identical DNAs. Preliminary nucleotide sequence data indicate that both DNAs include regions comprised of nearly identical tandemly repeated sequences, each able to code for about 21 amino acids. The decoded consensus repeat sequence is homologous to the repeating amino acid units found by others in human PRPs. This and other features demonstrate that these two clones are members of the PRP gene family. Polymorphic differences between the DNAs of different individuals were observed after probing digests of human genomic DNA with a HinfI fragment from PRP1. These DNA polymorphisms reflect size differences, possibly caused by frequent unequal crossing-over between the repeated units in the PRP genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1981

The nucleotide sequence of the mouse embryonic beta-like y-globin messenger RNA as determined from cloned cDNA.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of two cloned cDNAs corresponding to the mRNA of mouse embryonic y2 globin. The combined overlapping sequences span a total of 480 bp, beginning at the codon corresponding to amino acido residue 21 and extending to the AATAAA sequence in the 3' untranslated region. Therefore, when the amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA is combined with the available amino acid sequence, a complete y2 protein sequence can be obtained. Comparisons, at the nucleotide level, between the known beta- and beta-like globin sequences and the y2 sequence show that the embryonic, fetal-adult duplication occurred approx. 160 million years (MY) ago and that the embryonic-fetal duplication occurred approx. 100 MY ago.

Amino Acid Sequence↗