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P Bedinger

Publications and source records attributed to P Bedinger.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A leucine-rich repeat region is conserved in pollen extensin-like (Pex) proteins in monocots and dicots.

We previously isolated a pollen-specific gene encoding a pollen tube wall-associated glycoprotein with a globular domain and an extensin domain from maize (mPex1). To evaluate which protein domains might be important for function, we isolated a second monocot gene (mPex2) and a dicot gene (tPex). Each gene encodes a signal sequence, an N-terminal globular domain comprised of a variable region, a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) with an adjacent cysteine-rich region, a transition region and an extensin-like C-terminal domain. The LRRs of the maize and tomato Pex proteins are highly conserved. Although the extensin domains in the maize and tomato proteins vary in length and in amino acid sequence, they are likely to be structurally conserved. Additional putative Pex gene sequences were identified by either GenBank search (Arabidopsis) or PCR (sorghum and potato): all encode conserved LRRs. The presence of a conserved LRR in the known and potential Pex proteins strongly suggests that this motif is involved in the binding of a specific ligand during pollen tube growth. Gene expression studies using RNA and protein blotting as well as promoter-reporter gene fusions in transient and stable transformation indicate that the tomato Pex gene is pollen-specific.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Two male-sterile mutants of Zea Mays (Poaceae) with an extra cell division in the anther wall.

Two recessive male-sterile mutants of maize with similar patterns of pollen abortion were studied. Genetic studies showed that one of the two mutations was allelic with a previously identified male-sterility locus (ms23) and the other mutation was in a newly identified male-sterility locus (ms32). Cytological characterization of homozygous mutants and fertile heterozygous control siblings was performed using brightfield, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. During normal anther development, the final anther wall periclinal division divides the secondary parietal anther wall layer into the middle layer and tapetum, forming an anther with four wall layers. This is followed by differentiation of the tapetal cells into protoplastic binucleate, secretory tissue. In both the ms23 and ms32 mutants, the prospective tapetal layer divided into two layers, termed t1 and t2, forming an anther with five wall layers. Neither the t1 nor the t2 layers differentiated normally into tapetal layers, as determined by examination of cell walls, nucleus number, and cytoplasmic organization. Pollen mother cells aborted after the onset of prophase I of meiosis, suggesting that an early developmental coordination may exist between tapetum and pollen mother cells.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Group I allergens of grass pollen as cell wall-loosening agents.

Group I allergens are the major allergens of grass pollen, but their biological function is unknown. These proteins are shown here to be structurally related to expansins, which are able to induce extension (creep) of plant cell walls. Extracts of maize pollen possess potent expansin-like activity, as measured in wall extension and wall stress-relaxation assays. This activity is selective for grass cell walls and is, at least partly, due to the action of maize group I allergens. We propose that group I allergens facilitate invasion of the pollen tube into the maternal tissues by loosening the cell walls of the grass stigma and style. Additionally, the presence of related mRNAs in vegetative tissues of rice, Arabidopsis, and soybean implies that allergen homologs may function to loosen walls in growing vegetative tissues as well.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Developmentally regulated loss of ubiquitin and ubiquitinated proteins during pollen maturation in maize.

Eukaryotic cells typically contain 0.2-1.0% of their total protein as the highly conserved protein ubiquitin, which exists both free and covalently attached to cellular proteins. The attachment of ubiquitin to cellular proteins occurs posttranslationally by a three-enzyme pathway and results in a peptide linkage of the C terminus of ubiquitin either to a lysyl epsilon-amino group of a substrate protein or to a lysyl epsilon-amino group of a previously linked ubiquitin molecule. The multiple conjugation of ubiquitin to substrate proteins via ubiquitin-ubiquitin linkages is thought to be necessary, but not sufficient, for recognition and degradation by a ubiquitin-dependent protease. In higher plant cells the steady-state level of ubiquitinated proteins is generally constant and can be readily detected in all somatic tissues. In contrast, we have found that a developmentally regulated loss of free ubiquitin and ubiquitinated proteins occurs during maize (Zea mays L.) pollen maturation. This dramatic loss of ubiquitin correlates temporally with commitment to the gametophytic developmental program. Northern blot analysis indicates that the loss of ubiquitin is not due to low levels of ubiquitin mRNA, suggesting that a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism is responsible.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1989

Sequence-specific pausing during in vitro DNA replication on double-stranded DNA templates.

Sequence-specific pausing occurs during DNA synthesis catalyzed by the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase holoenzyme in the presence of the T4 helix destabilizing protein (gene 32 protein). Two of the six strongest pause sites on a double-stranded bacteriophage fd DNA template are in regions where hairpin helices are predicted to form when the DNA is single stranded. However, the other pause sites are in regions that are not obviously involved in secondary structure. The positions of the DNA chain ends produced at one pause site of each type were determined to within +/- 2 nucleotides. At this resolution, a clustering of sites is observed, suggesting that the polymerase holoenzyme may become destabilized when moving along selected regions of the DNA and then pause at one or more of several closely spaced positions. The addition of the T4 gene 41 protein (a DNA helicase that forms part of the T4 primosome) to the above replication system greatly increases the rate of fork movement and eliminates detectable pausing. In contrast, the addition of the T4 dda protein (a second DNA helicase that increases the rate of fork movement to a similar extent) has no affect on replication fork pausing. This difference could either be due to specific protein-protein interactions formed between the polymerase holoenzyme and the 41 protein or to the highly processive movement of the 41 protein along the displaced DNA strand.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Molecular analysis of the linear 2.3 kb plasmid of maize mitochondria: apparent capture of tRNA genes.

The nucleotide sequence and transcription pattern of the linear 2.3 kb plasmid of maize mitochondria was analyzed in order to elucidate its possible function in the organelle. The plasmid has 170 bp inverted repeats at its termini composed, in turn, of shorter repetitive sequences. An open reading frame within the plasmid is transcribed and can potentially specify a 33 kD product. In addition the plasmid contains two tRNA genes homologous to chloroplast sequences; the tRNApro(CAA) and the tRNAtrp(UGG). Both of the tRNA genes of the plasmid are transcribed, but apparently only the tRNAtrp is processed to the correct size. These tRNA sequences are found in the main mitochondrial genome of all higher plants tested, and in most maize relatives. An exception is the close maize relative Northern teosinte in which the tRNAtrp gene is also carried on a plasmid. These results suggest that the 2.3 kb plasmid has acquired the tRNA sequences from the main mitochondrial DNA. It is possible that the plasmid-encoded tRNAtrp gene is essential for organelle function thereby ensuring the maintenance of the plasmid in the mitochondrion.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Internalization of the human immunodeficiency virus does not require the cytoplasmic domain of CD4.

Binding of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to infectable host cells, such as B and T lymphocytes, monocytes and colorectal cells, is mediated by a high-affinity interaction between the gp120 component of the viral envelope glycoprotein and the CD4 receptor. Upon binding, it is thought that the second component of the envelope, gp41, mediates fusion between the viral envelope and host cell membranes. However, the early steps of HIV infection have not yet been thoroughly elucidated. Viral entry was first reported to be mediated by pH-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis; subsequent studies have shown entry to be pH-independent. Although direct fusion of virus to plasma membranes of infected cells has been observed by electron microscopy, it is still formally possible that the infectious path of the virus involves receptor-mediated endocytosis. To gain a better understanding of receptor function in viral entry, we have analysed the ability of several altered or truncated forms of CD4 to serve as effective viral receptors. Our results indicate that domains beyond the HIV-binding region of CD4 are not required for viral infection. Some of the altered forms of CD4 that serve as effective HIV receptors are severely impaired in their ability to be endocytosed. These experiments therefore support the notion that viral fusion to the plasma membrane is sufficient for infection.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1986

DNA synthesis in purified maize mitochondria.

We have developed an in organelle DNA synthesis system using isolated mitochondria from maize. The organelles used in this assay are shown to be intact by a number of criteria. Both the high molecular weight components and the smaller plasmid-like components of the mitochondrial genome are used as templates; however, the plasmid-like elements are relatively more active as templates. The termini of the linear plasmids--S-1, S-2 and the 2.3 kbp plasmids--are more highly labelled than internal regions, probably as a result of filling in of gaps at the termini mediated by a DNA polymerase or to exonuclease degradation of the 3' OH termini, with subsequent filling in. Although most of the DNA synthesis observed in this system most likely results from this type of synthesis at DNA nicks or termini, a small amount of specific, potentially replication-associated, synthesis is also detected.

Cell-Free System↗
PubMed1986

Cloning and characterization of a linear 2.3 kb mitochondrial plasmid of maize.

A linear 2.3 kb DNA molecule found in maize mitochondria was cloned into pUC8. A natural deletion of this plasmid, found in cmsT and some N (fertile) types of maize plants, was mapped to one end of the plasmid. A minor sequence homology to S-2, another linear mitochondrial plasmid, was detected, as well as more significant sequence homology with chloroplast and maize nuclear DNA. Hybridization to teosinte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed the presence of part of the maize plasmid in the high molecular weight mtDNA of the maize relatives. RNA dot hybridization indicates that the plasmid is transcribed in mitochondria. The termini of the 2.3 kb linear plasmid contain inverted repeated sequences; of the first 17 nucleotides of the termini, 16 are identical to the terminal inverted repeats of the linear S plasmids found in the mitochondria of cmsS maize plants.

Chromosome Deletion↗
PubMed1986

Maize mitochondrial plasmid S-1 sequences share homology with chloroplast gene psbA.

The linear, 6397-base pair (bp), mitochondrial S-1 DNA molecule from maize contains a 420-bp segment that is homologous with the chloroplast gene (psbA) that codes for the quinone binding protein of photosystem II. This is the first report of a chloroplast sequence in a naturally occurring viral-like or plasmid DNA. The complete sequence of the S-1 chloroplast segment has been compared with homologous regions of six different chloroplast genes. The S-1 segment has diverged from the other genes both by length mutation and base substitution. Several of the length mutations are exact adjacent tandem duplications of 4 and 5 bp similar to "footprints" left after excision of transposable elements in maize nuclear DNA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Effects of the bacteriophage T4 dda protein on DNA synthesis catalyzed by purified T4 replication proteins.

The T4 bacteriophage dda protein is a DNA-dependent ATPase and DNA helicase that is the product of an apparently nonessential T4 gene. We have examined its effects on in vitro DNA synthesis catalyzed by a purified, multienzyme T4 DNA replication system. When DNA synthesis is catalyzed by the T4 DNA polymerase on a single-stranded DNA template, the addition of the dda protein is without effect whether or not other replication proteins are present. In contrast, on a double-stranded DNA template, where a mixture of the DNA polymerase, its accessory proteins, and the gene 32 protein is required, the dda protein greatly stimulates DNA synthesis. The dda protein exerts this effect by speeding up the rate of replication fork movement; in this respect, it acts identically with the other DNA helicase in the T4 replication system, the T4 gene 41 protein. However, whereas a 41 protein molecule remains bound to the same replication fork for a prolonged period, the dda protein seems to be continually dissociating from the replication fork and rebinding to it as the fork moves. Some gene 32 protein is required to observe DNA synthesis on a double-stranded DNA template, even in the presence of the dda protein. However, there is a direct competition between this helix-destabilizing protein and the dda protein for binding to single-stranded DNA, causing the rate of replication fork movement to decrease at a high ratio of gene 32 protein to dda protein. As shown elsewhere, the dda protein becomes absolutely required for in vitro DNA synthesis when E. coli RNA polymerase molecules are bound to the DNA template, because these molecules otherwise stop fork movement (Bedinger, P., Hochstrasser, M., Jongeneel, C.V., and Alberts, B. M. (1983) Cell 34, 115-123).

DNA Helicases↗
PubMed1983

The 3'-5' proofreading exonuclease of bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase is stimulated by other T4 DNA replication proteins.

The bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase has an intrinsic 3'-5' proofreading exonuclease activity that plays a central role in determining the fidelity of T4 DNA replication. In order to monitor this activity, we have measured the rate at which the polymerase decreases the size of a double-stranded DNA substrate in the absence of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. With this assay, we find that the addition of the polymerase accessory proteins, 45 protein and 44/62 protein, increases the rate at which the polymerase-associated exonuclease digests the DNA substrate 3- to 4-fold. This stimulation requires the continuous hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by the accessory protein complex. When added alone, the T4 helix-destabilizing protein, 32 protein, inhibits the exonuclease rate at high concentrations (greater than 100 micrograms/ml), while stimulating about 3-fold at low concentrations. The 32 protein and the accessory proteins together increase the exonuclease rate 8- to 10-fold above that found for the polymerase alone. The bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase displays a similar 3'-5' exonuclease activity, but this exonuclease is not stimulated by any of the T4 replication proteins. It therefore appears that specific protein-protein interactions are involved.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1983

Properties of the T4 bacteriophage DNA replication apparatus: the T4 dda DNA helicase is required to pass a bound RNA polymerase molecule.

The interaction of DNA replication forks with both stationary and transcribing RNA polymerase molecules has been examined in vitro, using the multienzyme T4 bacteriophage DNA replication system and purified E. coli RNA polymerase. We have found that a single stationary RNA polymerase molecule can block the movement of the T4 replication fork when bound to a promoter on a double-stranded fd DNA template. When transcription is allowed (in the same direction as replication), the replication fork appears to follow the moving RNA polymerase molecule at the relatively slow rate of transcription. The barriers to fork movement formed by E. coli RNA polymerase are eliminated by the addition of small amounts of a purified T4-encoded DNA helicase, the product of the dda gene. We find that replication complexes containing the dda protein cause stationary RNA polymerase molecules to dissociate from the DNA.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1981

Replication of phase fd RF with fd gene 2 protein and phage T4 enzymes.

Bacteriophage fd replicative form DNA with a nick in the viral strand serves as a template for DNa replication with purified bacteriophage T4 enzymes. As anticipated from previous in vitro studies carried out with this system (Morris, C. F., Sinha, N. K., and Alberts, B. M. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 4800-4804), DNA is synthesized by a rolling circle mechanism. We show here that the DNA strands synthesized are processed by the phage fd gene 2 protein into unit length products, providing that the gene 2 protein is present at the moment when this DNA is made. The products are mostly unit length linear single strands, indicating that the circularization step normally catalyzed by gene 2 protein subsequent to its site-specific cleavage of an fd DNA strand occurs only inefficiently in this system. The gene 2 protein reduces the level of DNA synthesis by 2-fold at low concentrations, even though it only cleaves the DNA products efficiently at higher levels of the enzyme. This indicates that there are at least two different effects of the fd gene 2 protein in processing of viral fd DNA.

Coliphages↗
PubMed1977

Deletions affecting the transposition of an antibiotic resistance gene.

The structural gene for plasmid-mediated ampicillin resistance resides upon a 3.2 X 10(6) dalton transposable sequence (TnA) flanked by short inverted repeated sequences that accompany its insertion. TnA was transposed to pMB8, a 1.8 X 10(6) dalton derivative of the colicingenic plasmid ColE1. Random deletions were introduced in the resultant 5 X 10(6) dalton recombinant plasmid by a combination of nuclease treatments in vitro. From this set of deletions a subset was isolated that contained deletions affecting the transposition of TnA. The deletions were mapped by digestion with restriction nucleases and electron microscopic analysis of DNA hetero-duplexes and were found to include one of the inverted repeated sequences or lie in the central portion of TnA. Complementation experiments were attempted between these plasmids and another compatible plasmid carrying a deletion in TnA that abolished its ampicillin resistance. The results of the deletion data indicate that approximately 2 X 10(6) daltons of TnA is required for transposition; the complementation experiments suggest that the terminal inverted repetition and the central region of TnA play different essential roles in TnA transposition.

Crosses, Genetic↗