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J B Clements

Publications and source records attributed to J B Clements.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase large subunit: regions of the protein essential for subunit interaction and dimerization.

We have constructed a series of random N-terminal deletions of the large subunit (R1) of the herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase. Deletions extended throughout the R1 gene open reading frame and, in total, 31 different truncated polypeptides were expressed in Escherichia coli using the T7 expression system. N-Terminal truncations were analyzed for their interaction with the small subunit (R2) of ribonucleotide reductase using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and for their ability to complement R2 in ribonucleotide reductase assays. Truncated proteins were also tested for homodimerization using gel-filtration chromatography. The results identified a region of R1 between amino acids 349 and 373 which was essential for subunit interaction. Proteins lacking up to 348 amino-terminal residues associated with R2 and complemented R2 in ribonucleotide reductase assays. Proteins commencing at amino acid 373 and beyond did not interact with R2 and were inactive in enzyme assays. Using a plasmid which expressed an N-terminal deleted protein commencing at amino acid 247, we constructed two defined C-terminal deletions to give proteins comprising amino acids 247-434 and 247-996 of R1. Neither of these truncated proteins bound R2 and we concluded that a second region between amino acids 996 and 1137 (the C-terminus) is required for interaction with R2. Gel-filtration studies indicated that deletion of the first 420 amino acids from R1 did not affect dimerization. However, deletions of 457 amino acids and larger gave proteins which existed as monomers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate-early gene product, IE63, regulates small nuclear ribonucleoprotein distribution.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), a nuclear replicating DNA virus, has 73 identified genes of which only 4 contain introns. For this reason the virus probably makes only minimal use of the cellular RNA-splicing machinery. Antigens associated with the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) that are subunits of splicing complexes have been reported to redistribute in the nucleus and become concentrated into the intranuclear structures, the interchromatin granules, after HSV-1 infection [Martin, T. E., Barghusen, S. C., Leser, G. P. & Spear, P. G. (1987) J. Cell Biol. 105, 2069-2082]. We observe this snRNP redistribution upon HSV-1 infection, in which the widespread snRNP staining pattern changes to a restricted punctate distribution with a concomitant loss of coiled bodies in HSV-1-infected cells. We show here that expression of the immediate-early (IE) subset of HSV-1 genes is necessary and sufficient for snRNP redistribution. Using a series of HSV-1 mutants in different IE genes, we have established that specifically the product of the viral IE63 (ICP27) gene is essential for this effect, and transfection experiments revealed that IE63 expression alone can cause the snRNP redistribution. Further, we show that the IE63 gene product colocalizes with the redistributed snRNP in the nucleus. The snRNP redistribution caused by HSV-1 infection resembles the effect seen after inhibition of transcription in uninfected cells. In HSV-1-infected cells, however, the snRNP redistribution is under the control of viral IE gene products and occurs during active virus gene transcription.

Antibodies↗

Herpes simplex virus IE63 acts at the posttranscriptional level to stimulate viral mRNA 3' processing.

We have shown previously that a novel herpes simplex virus-induced activity, LPF, selectively increases RNA 3'-end processing at the poly(A) site of a late virus gene (J. McLauchlan, S. Simpson, and J. B. Clements, Cell 59:1093-1105, 1989). Here, our in vivo and in vitro analyses both demonstrate that LPF is induced during early stages of virus infection. Studies of virus mutants indicate that expression of the immediate-early IE63 gene is required for induction of this activity. The selective effects on 3' processing displayed in the presence of IE63 provide direct evidence that IE63 can influence this posttranscription process. This extends previous studies which reported increases in reporter gene activity with certain poly(A) sites by IE63 (R. M. Sandri-Goldin and G. E. Mendoza, Genes Dev. 6:848-863, 1992).

Animals↗

An autophosphorylating but not transphosphorylating activity is associated with the unique N terminus of the herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase large subunit.

We report on a protein kinase function encoded by the unique N terminus of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ribonucleotide reductase large subunit (R1). R1 expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited autophosphorylation activity in a reaction which depended on the presence of the unique N terminus. When the N terminus was separately expressed in E. coli and partially purified, a similar autophosphorylation reaction was observed. Importantly, transphosphorylation of histones and of proteins in HSV-1-infected cell extracts was also observed with purified R1 and with truncated R1 mutants in which most of the N terminus was deleted. Ion-exchange chromatography was used to separate the autophosphorylating activity of the N terminus from the transphosphorylating activity of an E. coli contaminant protein kinase. We propose a putative function for this activity of the HSV-1 R1 N terminus during the immediate-early phase of virus replication.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mutagenesis occurring following infection with herpes simplex virus does not require virus replication.

Infection of eukaryotic cells in culture with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) or HSV-2 increased the mutation frequency of the supF gene carried on the shuttle vector pZ189 by around sixfold. The increase was apparent 2 hr postinfection and reached a peak after 8 hr. To investigate this mutagenesis, plasmids pCKRR1 and pCKRR2 were constructed to express the large and small subunits, respectively, of HSV-2 ribonucleotide reductase (RR) under the control of the inducible mouse metallothionein promoter. Expression from these plasmids, either singly or together, had no effect on the mutation frequency of pZ189 under conditions when virus RR activity was detected. The HSV-1 temperature sensitive (ts) mutant viruses ts 1207 and ts 1222, which have ts lesions in the genes encoding R1 and R2, respectively, were as mutagenic as wild-type HSV-1 at both the permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. These results indicate that expression of HSV RR is not mutagenic in this system. Experiments using other HSV-1 mutants and ultraviolet-inactivated virus localized the cause of the increased mutagenic frequency either to a component of the incoming virion or to an effect exerted by the virus DNA itself. The present study confirms previous reports that infection with HSV exerts a mutagenic effect. Further, virus replication and gene expression were not required for the mutagenic effect studied here. This may have implications for a role of HSV in cellular transformation, as a nonproductive infection could mutagenize cellular genes.

Cell Line↗

The large subunit of herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase: expression in Escherichia coli and purification.

The open reading frame of the large subunit (R1) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ribonucleotide reductase has been positioned downstream of the phage T7 gene 10 promoter in the expression vector, pET. Transformation of this recombinant plasmid into Escherichia coli BL21 DE3 cells containing the T7 RNA polymerase, under the control of the lac UV5 promoter, allows expression of the subunit on induction of the T7 RNA polymerase by isopropyl thiodigalactoside. The expressed protein is soluble and can be purified with yields up to 0.5 mg of R1 per litre of bacterial culture. The subunit can complement R2 produced in BHK cells or E. coli to give specific activities comparable to that produced in BHK cells infected with HSV-1. Enzyme activity reconstituted from E. coli-expressed R1 and R2 is inhibited by the nonapeptide YAGAVVNDL with an IC50 comparable to that obtained with enzyme extracted from BHK cells infected with HSV-1. Results suggest that the E. coli produced enzyme is a good source of protein for further structural and functional studies.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase small subunit following expression in Escherichia coli.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene encoding the ribonucleotide reductase (RR) small subunit (R2) was cloned as an unfused and intact open reading frame into a T7 RNA polymerase expression system in Escherichia coli. The expressed product was recovered from bacteria in soluble form and constituted 7% of the soluble protein. Protein purification yielded 3.5 mg of 95% pure R2 per litre of bacterial culture. The correct composition of the purified protein was verified by amino acid analysis and N-terminal sequencing. The isoelectric point of the protein was 5.3. Atomic emission spectroscopy indicated that the iron content of the E. coli-expressed R2 was 0.2 to 0.5 atoms of iron per R2 protomer as compared with a theoretical maximum value of 2. The E. coli-expressed HSV-1 R2 existed as a combination of a stable dimer and monomer. Combination of the E. coli-expressed R2 with the E. coli-expressed large subunit (R1) gave an active holoenzyme. Thus, the T7 expression system provides a rich source of enzymically active HSV-1 RR.

Amino Acids↗

A negative regulatory element in the human papillomavirus type 16 genome acts at the level of late mRNA stability.

A negative regulatory element present in the human papillomavirus type 16 genome has been characterized. Deletion analysis has localized the 5' end of the element to the late region of the genome at the extreme 3' end of the coding region of the L1 open reading frame, around the L1 stop codon, with the element extending into the L1 3' untranslated region. For the cell lines used, the element's function was independent of cell type, tissue, or species of origin, unlike papillomavirus infection, which is very dependent on such factors. By using an mRNA decay assay, we have determined that polyadenylated RNA containing the element is much less stable than polyadenylated RNA lacking the element. This indicates that the element acts as an mRNA instability element. The significance of A-rich, GU-rich, and AUG-rich sequences for the functioning of this human papillomavirus type 16 instability element is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

A single amino acid substitution in the large subunit of herpes simplex virus type 1 ribonucleotide reductase which prevents subunit association.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant ts1207 does not induce detectable levels of ribonucleotide reductase activity at the non-permissive temperature (NPT, 39.5 degrees C). The ts lesion prevents the association of the enzyme's large (RR1) and small (RR2) subunits to give an active holoenzyme and maps within the gene specifying RR1. Here, it is shown that the ts mutant phenotype is due to the substitution of an asparagine for the wild-type (wt) serine at RR1 position 961, which is located within a region highly conserved between herpesviral and cellular RR1 subunit polypeptides. This ts1207 asparagine is predicted to alter a wt alpha-helix to a beta-strand. We have used synthetic oligopeptides, corresponding to the wt amino acid sequence of the mutation site, and antisera raised against them to determine whether this region is involved in subunit association. Neither the oligopeptides nor the antisera inhibit the enzyme activity, or the reconstituted activity formed by mixing intact RR2 and RR1 subunits present in partially purified extracts of cells infected at the NPT with ts1207 or ts1222 (an HSV-1 mutant with a lesion in the RR2 subunit), respectively. We infer from these results that the site of the mutation is unlikely to be positioned at the surface of RR1 and hence is probably not directly involved in subunit association. We suggest that the mutation site identifies an important RR1 region whose alteration in ts1207 changes the structure of a contact region(s) positioned at the RR1/RR2 interface.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of human papillomavirus type 16 late mRNA 3' processing signals in vitro and in vivo.

In the human papillomavirus type 16 genome, three late mRNA putative 3' processing signals, designated LP1, LP2, and LP3, are located downstream of the late coding region. Our results show, both in vitro and in vivo, that in HeLa cells, the LP2 signal functions. Thus, the restriction in human papillomavirus type 16 late-gene expression observed in HeLa cells and other nondifferentiated epithelial cells is not achieved by regulation of late mRNA poly(A) site usage. Interestingly, alteration of three nucleotides in the GU-rich downstream sequence element converts the nonfunctional LP1 to an efficient 3' processing site, suggesting that LP1 may function in cell types other than HeLa, such as differentiated keratinocytes. Our transfection studies have identified a negative regulatory element located immediately upstream of the late mRNA 3' processing signals; this element was not associated with any alteration in 3' processing and may act as an mRNA instability element.

Base Sequence↗

Herpes simplex virus induces a processing factor that stimulates poly(A) site usage.

Extracts from herpes simplex virus-infected cells and from mock-infected cells have been compared for their ability to process at RNA poly(A) sites in vitro. Nuclear extracts from infected cells contain an activity that increases processing efficiency specifically at a late herpes simplex virus poly(A) site. By contrast, a second virus poly(A) site is processed with equal efficiency by nuclear extracts from infected and mock-infected cells. Using precursor RNAs containing these two virus poly(A) sites in tandem, which allows ready detection of the processing factor, we show that this specific activity is heat labile. Analysis of RNAs produced by virus recombinants that contain the poly(A) site sequences in tandem also indicates that increased processing at the late virus poly(A) site occurs in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

Components required for in vitro cleavage and polyadenylation of eukaryotic mRNA.

We have studied in vitro cleavage/polyadenylation of precursor RNA containing herpes simplex virus type 2 poly A site sequences and have analyzed four RNA/protein complexes which form during in vitro reactions. Two complexes, A and B, form extremely rapidly and are then progressively replaced by a third complex, C which is produced following cleavage and polyadenylation of precursor RNA. Substitution of ATP with cordycepin triphosphate prevents polyadenylation and the formation of complex C however a fourth complex, D results which contains cleaved RNA. A precursor RNA lacking GU-rich downstream sequences required for efficient cleavage/polyadenylation fails to form complex B and produces a markedly reduced amount of complex A. As these GU-rich sequences are required for efficient cleavage, this establishes a relationship between complex B formation and cleavage/polyadenylation of precursor RNA in vitro. The components required for in vitro RNA processing have been separated by fractionation of the nuclear extract on Q-Sepharose and Biorex 70 columns. A Q-Sepharose fraction forms complex B but does not process RNA. Addition of a Biorex 70 fraction restores cleavage activity at the poly A site but this fraction does not appear to contribute to complex formation. Moreover, in the absence of polyethylene glycol, precursor RNA is not cleaved and polyadenylated, however, complexes A and B readily form. Thus, while complex B is necessary for in vitro cleavage and polyadenylation, it may not contain all the components required for this processing.

Base Sequence↗

Painful edema of the arm after insertion of single-needle subclavian vein dialysis catheters: pathogenesis and treatment.

The percutaneous subclavian vein hemodialysis catheter, which is widely used for vascular access in patients with renal failure, can give rise to several complications. Asymptomatic stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein due to these catheters can lead to painful arm edema if further dialysis accesses are constructed in the ipsilateral arm. This complication can lead to loss of valuable dialysis fistulas or grafts. We present six cases of this complication, along with management alternatives, which include conservative elevation, ligation of shunts, and surgical bypass of stenosed veins. Awareness of this complication should encourage early evaluation of patients who have had subclavian catheters and guide future placement of dialysis shunts. To preserve dialysis access sites, we advise an individualized approach to each patient who develops this painful arm edema.

Aged↗

Human papillomavirus type 16 DNA from a vulvar carcinoma in situ is present as head-to-tail dimeric episomes with a deletion in the non-coding region.

A number of genital cancer biopsy samples were screened for the presence of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) DNA sequences. One of these samples (a vulvar carcinoma in situ) was found to contain more than 100 copies of HPV-16 DNA sequences per cell. Using this tumour DNA, a genomic library was constructed in bacteriophage lambda and the library was screened for recombinant phage containing HPV-16 sequences. Five recombinant phage clones were isolated and their DNA was analysed by restriction endonuclease digestion and blot hybridization. All five recombinants contained two copies of the HPV-16 genome present in a head-to-tail arrangement. The data are consistent with the presence of HPV-16 sequences in the tumour DNA arranged as genomic dimers in a circular episomal configuration. The HPV-16 genomes contained a deletion within the non-coding region, a region which includes the viral origin of DNA replication and transcriptional control sequences. Possible consequences of this deletion for viral replication and transcription are discussed.

Base Sequence↗