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Biomedical subjects

M Y Graham

Publications and source records attributed to M Y Graham.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Cosmid mapping of the human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit genes by field-inversion gel electrophoresis.

A cosmid clone containing the entire hCG beta gene cluster has been isolated. The restriction map of this clone has been determined by an indirect-end-label FIGE (field inversion gel electrophoresis) method. Analysis of this cosmid clone shows that there are 6 hCG beta genes in human genomic DNA. A previously uncloned portion of the hCG beta cluster, termed the "gap" region, has been shown not to contain any sequences homologous to the hCG beta cDNA. The restriction mapping method employed in this study takes advantage of the superior resolution of FIGE for high molecular weight DNA fragments in the size range 15-50 kb. This method is broadly applicable and permits rapid and accurate restriction mapping for extended regions of genomic DNA that have been cloned into cosmid or lambda vectors.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Random-clone strategy for genomic restriction mapping in yeast.

An approach to global restriction mapping is described that is applicable to any complex source DNA. By analyzing a single restriction digest for each member of a redundant set of lambda clones, a data base is constructed that contains fragment-size lists for all the clones. The clones are then grouped into subsets, each member of which is related to at least one other member by a significant overlap. Finally, a tree-searching algorithm seeks restriction maps that are consistent with the fragment-size lists for all the clones in each subset. The feasibility of the approach has been demonstrated by collecting data on 5000 lambda clones containing random 15-kilobase inserts of yeast DNA. It is shown that these data can be analyzed to produce regional maps of the yeast genome, extending in some cases for over 100 kilobases. In combination with hybridization probes to previously cloned genes, these local maps are already useful for defining the physical arrangement of closely linked genes. They may in the future serve as building blocks for the construction of a continuous global map.

Chromosome Mapping

A new method for purifying lambda DNA from phage lysates.

A new method for preparing small quantities of lambda DNA from phage lysates has been developed. The protocol is based on the concentration and purification of bacteriophage particles from crude lysates using small DEAE-cellulose columns. This chromatographic step gives an absolute separation of the lambda DNA from the cellular nucleic acids and a 20-fold enrichment relative to the major soluble proteins in crude lysates, while effecting a 10-fold concentration of the phage. Final deproteinization and concentration of the lambda DNA is achieved by conventional precipitation steps. The lambda DNA produced by this method is shown to be nondegraded, biologically active, and an excellent substrate for restriction enzymes. A detailed protocol is provided for starting with individual plaques and using the method to obtain purified DNA from large numbers of lambda clones.

Bacteriophage lambda

Acid ribonuclease from HeLa cell lysosomes.

An acid ribonuclease has been purified from HeLa cell lysosomes. The specific activity of the RNase in lysosomes is 8-fold higher than that in nuclei and 15-fold higher than that in the postlysosomal fraction. The purified enzyme showed no detectable DNase, phosphodiesterase, phosphatase, or alkaline RNase activity. The acid RNase binds to Con A-agarose and is inferred to be a glycoprotein. It has a low isoelectric point at pH 3.0 to 3.5, and the optimal pH for activity is between 5.0 and 5.5. The enzyme requires no divalent cation for optimal activity and is totally inhibited by 1 mM Cu2+ or Hg2+. Monovalent cations including Na+, K+, and NH4+ stimulate the activity in low ionic strength buffer. The enzyme degrades rRNA faster than tRNA, and tRNA faster than poly(U); poly(A) and poly(C) are highly resistant. The products from rRNA are mostly oligonucleotides with 3'-phosphate ends. An acid RNase is also present in the lysosomes of L-cells grown in a medium free of serum; it is probably identical to the one described here.

Animals

Plasmid copy number control: isolation and characterization of high-copy-number mutants of plasmid pE194.

A plasmid, pE194, obtained from Staphylococcus aureus confers resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin type B ("MLS") antibiotics. For full expression, the resistance phenotype requires a period of induction by subinhibitory concentrations of erythromycin. A copy number in the range of 10 to 25 copies per cell is maintained during cultivation at 32 degrees C. It is possible to transfer pE194 to Bacillus subtilis by transformation. In B. subtilis, the plasmid is maintained at a copy number of approximately 10 per cell at 37 degrees C, and resistance is inducible. Tylosin, a macrolide antibiotic which resembles erythromycin structurally and to which erythromycin induces resistance, lacks inducing activity. Two types of plasmid mutants were obtained and characterized after selection on medium containing 10 microgram of tylosin per ml. One mutant class appeared to express resistance constitutively and maintained a copy number indistinguishable from that of the parent plasmid. The other mutant type had a 5- to 10-fold-elevated plasmid copy number (i.e., 50 to 100 copies per cell) and expressed resistance inducibly. Both classes of tylosin-resistant mutants were shown to be due to alterations in the plasmid and not to modifications of the host genome.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid of macrolide-producing streptomycetes contains methylated adenine.

Coresistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B-type (MLS) antibiotics by a common biochemical mechanism characterizes clinically resistant pathogens. Of 10 streptomycetes tested for resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B-type antibiotics, only 1, Streptomyces erythreus, the organism used for production of erythromycin, was found resistant to all three classes; moreover, it was the only streptomycete in the series tested found to contain N6-dimethyladenine (m62A) in 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid, the structural alteration of ribosomal ribonucleic acid associated with clinical resistance. Of the seven streptomycetes tested for the presence of m62A and N6-methyladenine (m6A), two, S. fradiae and S. cirratus, which produce the macrolide antibiotics tylosin and cirramycin, respectively, were found to contain m6A, but not m62A. The remaining strains tested, including strains which produce lincomycin and streptogramins, contained neither m6A nor m62A.

Adenine