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P Tegtmeyer

Publications and source records attributed to P Tegtmeyer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Functional interactions of the simian virus 40 core origin of replication with flanking regulatory sequences.

We constructed a matched set of plasmids to investigate the interactions of essential core sequences of the simian virus 40 replication origin with flanking regulatory sequences. Deletions of either T-antigen-binding region I or the 21-base-pair repeated promoter elements reduced replication to 50 to 70% of wild-type levels. The simultaneous deletion of both regions decreased replication to less than 5% of wild-type levels. Thus, the double deletion greatly amplified the defects of the single deletions. We conclude that region I and the 21-base-pair repeats have related rather than independent functions in DNA synthesis. Insertion of a synthetic region I or the adenovirus 2 major late promoter at the late side of isolated core sequences in place of the 21-base-pair repeats failed to restore replication. In contrast, insertion of a single 72-base-pair enhancer element stimulated replication of the core origin more than fivefold. Thus, three distinct regulatory elements appear to facilitate core DNA replication by related mechanisms. Flanking sequences have only a small direct effect on T-antigen binding to naked core DNA. Possible mechanisms of action include the regulation of transcription or of chromatin structure.

Adenoviridae↗

The adenine-thymine domain of the simian virus 40 core origin directs DNA bending and coordinately regulates DNA replication.

The simian virus 40 origin of replication contains a 20-base-pair adenine-thymine-rich segment with the sequence 5'-TGCATAAATAAAAAAAATTA-3'. The continuous tract of eight adenines is highly conserved among polyomaviruses. We used single-base substitutions to map structural and functional features of this DNA. Mutations in the AAA and AAAAAAAATT sequences significantly reduce DNA replication and thus identify two sequence-specific functional domains or a single domain with two parts. The AAAAAAAATT sequence also determines a DNA conformation that is characteristic of DNA bending. Single-base mutations in this domain change the degree of net bending, presumably by altering the length and location of the bending sequence. Thus, DNA bending in the correct conformation and location may be a structural signal for replication in polyomavirus origins and perhaps in other origins of replication with consecutive runs of adenines. The first five base pairs (TGCAT) of the 20-base-pair segment and the T between the AAA and AAAAAAAATT domains serve a sequence-independent function that may establish proper spacing within the core origin.

Adenine↗

Domain structure of the simian virus 40 core origin of replication.

The simian virus 40 core origin of replication consists of nucleotides 5211 through 31. These 64 base pairs contain three functional domains with strict sequence requirements and two spacer regions with relaxed sequence specificity but precise positional constraints. The early domain extends for 10 contiguous base pairs between nucleotides 5211 and 5220. A 9-base pair spacer from sequences 5221 through 5229 separates the early domain from the 23-base pair central palindrome that directs the binding of T antigen. The late end of the core between nucleotides 12 and 31 also contains spacer and sequence-specific functions that are not yet completely mapped. We propose that the sequence-specific domains are interaction sites for viral and cellular proteins, determinants of DNA conformation, or both. The spacers would position these signals at required distances and rotations relative to one another.

Base Sequence↗

Seventeen base pairs of region I encode a novel tripartite binding signal for SV40 T antigen.

Three sequence components direct high affinity binding of dimeric SV40 T antigen to SV40 origin region I. Two signals are encoded by two directly repeated 5'-GAGGC-3' pentanucleotides. Approximately equal contributions to binding stability are made by each pentanucleotide, and both spacing and orientation of the pentanucleotides are important for binding affinity. The third vital component is contained in a 5'-TTTTTTG-3' spacer sequence that separates the pentanucleotides. Sequence-specific features of the spacer stabilize binding to the adjacent pentanucleotides. The asymmetry of the spacer suggests that a novel binding mechanism is involved. Because the alignment of T antigen on mutant and wild-type DNAs is similar, we propose that any two of the three sequence signals are sufficient to determine the unique arrangement of a bound protein dimer.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Monomers through trimers of large tumor antigen bind in region I and monomers through tetramers bind in region II of simian virus 40 origin of replication DNA as stable structures in solution.

Large tumor (T) antigen and its bound multimeric states are positioned by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) within a few base pairs at control sequences of the simian virus 40 DNA origin of replication region. Proximal and distal edge positions for each multimer group match the end positions of previously mapped fragments protected from DNase cleavage. Since chance correspondence is shown to be extremely unlikely, STEM mass measurements, obtained concurrently with STEM map positions, indicate that the DNase fragments arise from bound monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers in binding region II and monomers, dimers, and trimers in binding region I. Simultaneous binding of seven monomer-equivalent masses is observed, three in region I and four in region II, with an ordered and interpretable mass distribution in the plane of the foil. Although this observation does not prove that the six G-A-G-G-C and one T-A-G-G-C sequences, similarly distributed, function as recognition sequences for T-antigen monomer, it provides strong support for such a model. The stable existence in solution of low-and intermediate-mass structures, observed at lower T-antigen concentrations, suggests a role as assembly intermediates.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Binding of simian virus 40 a protein to DNA with deletions at the origin of replication.

Previous studies with wild-type simian virus 40 DNA have shown that the sequence 5'-GAGGC-3' directs the binding of A protein (T antigen). The functional origin of replication contains four recognition pentanucleotides each of which is separated by a single base pair and arranged a two pairs of direct repetitions that are inverted relative to each other. Analysis of A protein binding to a series of nonviable mutants progressively deleting these contact sites leads to the following conclusions: (i) stable binding of subunits of A protein to three origin pentanucleotides is not sufficient for the initiation of DNA replication, (ii) the stability of DNA binding depends on interactions between bound protein subunits, and (iii) a single pentanucleotide is sufficient to bind and orient a subunit of A protein.

Base Sequence↗

Critical spatial requirement within the origin of simian virus 40 DNA replication.

We inserted a single base pair into the center of a 27-base-pair palindrome within the replication origin of simian virus 40. The mutation did not directly alter the symmetry of the palindrome or the protein-binding sequences within the palindrome. DNA binding studies showed that subunits of the simian virus 40 A protein (T antigen) bound to each of the four recognition pentanucleotides in the origin palindrome but did so with reduced affinity in comparison with wild-type origins. The mutant origin cloned in a plasmid DNA failed to replicate in COS cells. Thus, precise spatial interactions among subunits of A protein are necessary for stable origin binding and are crucial for subsequent steps in the initiation of DNA replication. Furthermore, any possible functional interactions of the simian virus 40 A protein with cellular DNA would require a great fidelity of protein binding arrangements to initiate cellular DNA replication.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence-specific binding of simian virus 40 A protein to nonorigin and cellular DNA.

The simian virus 40 A protein (T antigen) recognized and bound to the consensus sequence 5'-GAGGC-3' in DNA from many sources. Sequence-specific binding to single pentanucleotides in randomly chosen DNA predominated over binding to nonspecific sequences. The asymmetric orientation of protein bound to nonorigin recognition sequences also resembled that of protein bound to the origin region of simian virus 40 DNA. Sequence variations in the DNA adjacent to single pentanucleotides influenced binding affinities even though methylation interference and protection studies did not reveal specific interactions outside of pentanucleotides. Thus, potential locations of A protein bound to any DNA can be predicted although the determinants of binding affinity are not yet understood. Sequence-specific binding of A protein to cellular DNA would provide a mechanism for specific alterations of host gene expression that facilitate viral function.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Binding of SV40 a protein to the BK virus origin of DNA replication.

The SV40 A protein (T antigen) binds to the putative origin of replication of the related BK virus (BKV). Protection studies with dimethyl sulfate identify multiple pentanucleotide contact sites in three distinct binding regions. In addition to the consensus family of recognition sequences, 5'-(G greater than T)(A greater than G)GGC-3', previously identified in the origin of SV40, BKV contains a contact 5'-AAGGC-3' site. As in the case of SV40, each binding region contains recognition sequences in different arrangements. The high affinity region I contains two sites arranged as direct repetitions covering a span of 17 base pairs (bp). In the intermediate affinity region II, four pentanucleotides are oriented as inverted repetitions with a span of 23 bp. Low affinity region III has a single contact site that can direct binding of the A protein. These different arrangements of DNA contact sites determine different patterns of protein binding and DNase protection in the three regions. The findings support a model of A protein binding to DNA previously proposed for the SV40 origin and establish a basis for future studies on regulatory phenomena at the BKV origin.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Topography of simian virus 40 A protein-DNA complexes: arrangement of pentanucleotide interaction sites at the origin of replication.

Investigation of the DNA binding properties of the simian virus 40 (SV40) A protein (large T antigen) and the hybrid adenovirus-SV40 D2 protein revealed that both viral proteins protect similar regions of SV40 DNA from digestion by DNase I or methylation by dimethyl sulfate. However, the interaction of D2 protein with DNA was more sensitive to increases of NaCl concentration than was the interaction of wild-type SV40 A protein. Dimethylsulfate footprinting identified 13 DNA pentanucleotide contact sites at the viral origin of replication. The sequences of these sites corresponded to the consensus family 5'-(G greater than T) (A greater than G)GGC-3'. The pentanucleotides were distributed in three regions of origin DNA. Region I contained three pentanucleotide contact sites arranged as direct repetitions encompassing a span of 23 base pairs. In region II, four pentanucleotides were oriented as inverted repetitions that also spanned a total of 23 base pairs. Region III had six recognition pentanucleotides arranged as direct repetitions in a space of 59 base pairs. These fundamental variations in DNA arrangement are likely to determine different patterns of protein binding in each region.

Antigens, Viral↗

Topography of simian virus 40 A protein-DNA complexes: arrangement of protein bound to the origin of replication.

DNA binding regions I, II, and III at the origin of replication have different arrangements of A protein (T antigen) recognition pentanucleotides. The A protein also protects each region from DNase in distinctly different patterns. Footprint and fragment assays led to the following conclusions: (i) in some cases a single recognition pentanucleotide is sufficient to direct the binding and accurate alignment of A protein on DNA; (ii) the A protein binds within isolated region I or II in a sequential process leading to multiple overlapping areas of DNase protection within each region; and (iii) the 23-base pair span of recognition sequences in region II allows binding and protection of a longer length of DNA than the 23-base pair span in region I. We propose a model of protein binding that addresses the problem of variations in the arrangement of pentanucleotides in regions I and II and explains the observed DNase protection patterns. The central feature of the model requires each protomer of A protein to bind to a pentanucleotide in a unique direction. The resulting orientation of protein would protect more DNA at the 5' end of the 5'-GAGGC-3' recognition sequence than at the 3' end. The arrangement of multiple protomers at the origin of simian virus 40 replication is discussed.

Antigens, Viral↗

DNA binding properties of simian virus 40 temperature-sensitive A proteins.

Wild-type simian virus 40 A protein (large T antigen) bound to three tandem regions of simian virus 40 DNA. The binding regions were defined by the ability of A protein to protect simian virus 40 DNA from digestion with limited (footprint assay) or excess (fragment assay) amounts of DNase I. At low concentrations, protein first bound to region I, which maps 30 to 45 base pairs to the early side of the origin of replication. At higher concentrations, A protein also protected region II and then region III. Region II spanned approximately 65 base pairs and corresponded in location to the functional origin of replication that contains a unique BglI site along with an adjacent adenine-thymine-rich region. Region III was adjacent to the late boundary of region II, but its distal limit was not well defined. Twelve distinct temperature-sensitive (ts) A proteins were purified and examined for their ability to bind in regions I to III. Three classes of tsA protein were defined on the basis of thermal stability. Class I tsA protein displayed wild-type binding either with or without a heat shock. Unheated class II tsA protein exhibited wild-type binding, but after a heat shock bound very poorly to the origin of replication. Class III tsA protein was defective in its binding even without a heat shock and only protected region I. Classes II and III were coded by mutants mapping in two distinct regions of the genome. For all of the tsA proteins examined, there was a positive correlation between the thermolability of origin binding in vitro and the temperature sensitivity of these mutants for DNA replication and transcriptional autoregulation in vivo. This correlation adds support to the essential role of origin binding by A protein in viral DNA replication and early transcription repression.

Antigens, Viral↗

Organization and expression of early genes of simian virus 40.

The early region of simian virus 40 codes for at least two immunologically related polypeptides: large-T and small-t, with apparent molecular weights of 90,000-100,000 and 15,000-20,000, respectively. Because small-t shares methionine-containing tryptic peptides with large-T, the two polypeptides are probably coded, in part, by a common nucleotide sequence. To locate the coding sequences for large-T and small-t in the DNA, the production of these proteins was examined after infection of CV-1 cells with wild-type and deletion mutants of simian virus 40. We found that a deletion at the distal portion of the early region alters the structure of large-T but not of small-t; but deletions within the region between map coordinates 0.59 and 0.55 result in an alteration or absence of small-t and a normal large-T. These findings have been rationalized by a model that proposes the existence of two early mRNAs, one coding for large-T and the other for small-t. Both mRNAs span virtually the entire early region; but the mRNA coding for large-T lacks the nucleotide sequence between map coordinates 0.59 and 0.54. We suggest that small-t is translated from the larger of the two mRNAs, beginning at or near its 5' end and terminating at a termination codon at about map coordinate 0.54. Larger-T, on the other hand, is translated from the shorter mRNA, beginning at the same initiator codon, and, because of the deletion of the terminator codon at 0.54, translation proceeds to the terminator codon at or near map position 0.18.

Antigens, Viral↗