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S C Wallis

Publications and source records attributed to S C Wallis.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Apolipoprotein B: a novel mechanism for deriving two proteins from one gene.

Evidence from antibody and peptide mapping, protein sequencing and amino acid composition studies suggests that intestinal apo-B48 is colinear with the amino terminal half of hepatic apo-B100. To investigate the mechanism of apo-B48 production we examined cDNA clones from human and rabbit small intestine. All clones contained a single C----T base difference from the hepatic sequence resulting in a translational stop at codon 2153. Amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of cDNA from human and rabbit small intestine, rabbit liver and the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 showed that the stop codon was only present in intestinal mRNA. Enterocyte genomic DNA did not contain the stop codon. We suggest that a co- or post-transcriptional C----U change may result in the production of apo-B48, which represents the amino terminal 2152 amino acids of apo-B100. This is the first example of tissue specific modification of a single mRNA nucleotide resulting in two different proteins from the same primary transcript.

Animals↗

A novel form of tissue-specific RNA processing produces apolipoprotein-B48 in intestine.

Evidence suggests that intestinal apo-B48 is colinear with the amino-terminal half of hepatic apo-B100. To investigate the mechanism of apo-B48 production, we examined cDNA clones from human and rabbit small intestine. All clones contained a single C----T base difference from the hepatic sequence, resulting in a translational stop at codon 2153. Amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of cDNA from human and rabbit small intestine, rabbit liver, and the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 showed that the stop codon was only present in intestinal mRNA. Enterocyte genomic DNA did not contain the stop codon. We suggest that a co- or posttranscriptional C----U change may result in the production of apo-B48, which represents the amino-terminal 2152 amino acids of apo-B100. This is the first example of tissue-specific modification of a single mRNA nucleotide resulting in two different proteins from the same primary transcript.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the human apolipoprotein B gene.

Human apolipoprotein B100 cDNA is 14 kilobases in length and encodes a 4563-amino acid precursor protein. The corresponding human gene has been isolated as a series of overlapping lambda clones and extends over 43 kilobases. The gene comprises 29 exons and 28 introns. The distribution of introns is extremely asymmetrical, most of them appearing in the 5'-terminal one-third of the gene. Although most of the exons fall within the normal size limits for mammalian genes, two are unusually long: 1906 and 7572 base pairs. The latter exon is by far the longest reported for a vertebrate gene.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Common DNA polymorphism within coding sequence of apolipoprotein B gene associated with altered lipid levels.

60 of 83 middle-aged white men had an XbaI restriction site polymorphism within the coding sequence of the apolipoprotein B gene. Subjects homozygous and heterozygous for the presence of an XbaI restriction site had mean serum triglyceride levels 36% higher (p = 0.02) than those in homozygotes without the restriction site; there was a less substantial difference (p = 0.03) in serum cholesterol. The findings supported a dominant pattern of inheritance. The presence of this restriction site may increase the risk of atherosclerotic disease.

Apolipoproteins B↗

There are two gene sequences for human apolipoprotein CI (apo CI) on chromosome 19, one of which is 4 kb from the gene for apo E.

A cDNA probe corresponding to the mRNA sequence for apolipoprotein E (apo E) was used to screen two independently-constructed human genomic libraries. Two recombinants (lambda E-2, and lambda E2-1), isolated using the apo E cDNA probe, also contain part or all of the apo CI gene. Hybridisation studies using both apo E and apo CI cDNA probes show that these two genes are in the same orientation and separated by 4 kb.

Apolipoprotein C-I↗

Genetic linkage between the antigenic group (Ag) variation and the apolipoprotein B gene: assignment of the Ag locus.

The antigenic group (Ag) system of homospecific human serum antigens of low density lipoprotein is detected by antiserum from multiply transfused patients. A complex series of common Ag alleles has been described, but the biochemical nature of this polymorphism is uncertain. Here we report that DNA polymorphisms at the human apolipoprotein B (apoB) locus are very closely linked to alleles of the Ag system. We also show a strong association between Ag(x) and a polymorphism detected with the restriction endonuclease Xba I. We conclude that the immunologically determined Ag system represents protein polymorphism of apoB rather than primary genetic differences in posttranslational processing or lipid binding. These studies therefore demonstrate that the Ag locus is located on the short arm of human chromosome 2 in the region p23-p24 to which the apoB gene has been assigned. Since the Ag(x) antigen is associated with altered plasma lipid levels, this determinant may indicate a functionally important domain of apoB.

Apolipoproteins B↗

The human apolipoprotein AII gene: structural organization and sites of expression.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the human apolipoprotein All gene together with 911 bases of 5' flanking sequence and 687 bases of 3' flanking sequence have been determined. The mRNA coding region is interrupted by three introns of 169, 293 and 395bp. The Intro-exon structure of the apo All gene is similar to that of the apo AI, apo CIII and apo E genes: three introns separate 4 coding sequences specifying the 5' untranslated region, pre-peptide, a short N-terminal domain and a C-terminal domain composed of a variable number of lipid-binding amphipathic helices. Intron II carries a 33bp dG-dT repetitive element adjacent to the 3' splice junction which has the potential to adopt the Z-DNA conformation. The 5' and 3' terminuses of the mRNA have been identified by primer extension and S1 nuclease mapping. A number of short direct repeats are found in the 5' flanking region and an inverted repeat occurs between the CAAT and TATA boxes. Downstream of the the gene is an Alu family repeat containing a polymorphic MspI site, the deletion of which is associated with increased circulating levels of apoAII. ApoAII gene expression was demonstrated in adult human liver and HepG2 cells but not in human small intestine. Of ten Rhesus monkey tissues examined apo All mRNA was detected only in liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterisation of a cDNA clone for human apolipoprotein CI and assignment of the gene to chromosome 19.

We have synthesised a mixed oligonucleotide 17 bases long and used it to isolate cDNA clones for apolipoprotein CI (apo CI) from an adult liver cDNA library. The partial sequence of one of these clones confirms its identity. We have used this probe and Southern blotting techniques to identify the human apo CI gene in DNA from a series of rodent X human somatic cell hybrids. Our results provide evidence for the assignment of this gene to human chromosome 19.

Animals↗

Linkage relationships of the gene for apolipoprotein CII with loci on chromosome 19.

Two common restriction fragment length polymorphisms detected with cloned gene probes for apolipoprotein CII (apo CII) have been used to study the inheritance of the gene in families segregating for loci on chromosome 19. Lod scores for APOC2 with the gene for complement component 3 (C3) exclude close linkage and give a maximum at a male recombination fraction of 0.25-0.30. Lod scores for APOC2 and FHC, the gene causing familial hypercholesterolaemia, are negative in males and suggest the genes may not be linked. However, it appears that APOC2 may be closely linked to the blood group loci Lutheran (Lu) and Secretor (Se), and probably less closely linked to Lewis (Le). These data are consistent with the gene order: FHC-----C3-----(Lu, Se, APOC2)

Apolipoprotein C-II↗

The isolation of a genomic clone containing the apolipoprotein CII gene and the detection of linkage disequilibrium between two common DNA polymorphisms around the gene.

We report the isolation of a genomic clone containing the apolipoprotein CII (apo CII) gene and 5' and 3' flanking sequences. A detailed restriction map of the gene has been constructed and DNA fragments that are unique, or low copy number sequences in the genome have been identified. One of these detects a common restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with the enzyme BglI. Marked linkage disequilibrium is observed between this RFLP and that detected with the apo CII cDNA clone, even though the two variable restriction enzyme sites are approximately 12kb apart. However, the usefulness of the apo CII gene as a marker for linkage studies is increased by the use of both RFLPs.

Alleles↗

The isolation of cDNA clones for human apolipoprotein E and the detection of apoE RNA in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues.

We have isolated cDNA clones coding for apolipoprotein E (apoE) from a cDNA library prepared from adult human liver mRNA. Mixtures of 128 different oligonucleotides, 17 residues long were synthesised to be complementary to regions of the mRNA corresponding to amino acids 1-6 and 151-156. Five independent apoE clones were selected by direct screening of 5000 recombinants with the two oligonucleotide mixtures. Two overlapping clones contain the 3'-untranslated sequence, the entire coding sequence and an additional 30 bases 5' to the amino terminus of the mature protein. The DNA sequence has been determined spanning the known sites of amino acid substitutions which account for the observed protein polymorphism of apoE. Using the clones as probes in Northern blot analysis of total human liver and kidney RNAs and leucocyte poly(A)+ RNA we have detected a single species of mRNA in liver and kidney of 1.2 kb and two larger species in leucocyte RNA. The level of expression of the mRNA in kidney is approximately 10% of that in liver while the level of apoE RNA sequences in the leucocytes is less than 1% of that in the liver.

Adult↗

Variation of apolipoprotein-B gene is associated with obesity, high blood cholesterol levels, and increased risk of coronary heart disease.

A random sample of 290 white men was examined for association between restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) haplotypes (closely linked RFLPs on a single chromosome) of the apolipoprotein-B gene and serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and coronary heart disease. Haplotype or single RFLP frequencies differed significantly for obesity (p less than 0.005), serum cholesterol (p less than 0.005), and coronary heart disease (p less than 0.05), but for no other variable. Obesity was associated with haplotypes involving minimum PvuII and XbaI RFLPs are likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with nearby functional variation predisposing to obesity. Significant variation in serum cholesterol levels was associated with three functional alleles defined by MspI and EcoRI RFLP pairs (p less than 0.03). These RFLPs correspond to charged aminoacid variants at positions 3611 (arginine to glutamine) and 4154 (glutamic acid to lysine), which lie near the low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) receptor binding region of apolipoprotein-B. The three alleles showed stratification of serum cholesterol between low, normal, and high levels. Coronary heart disease was associated with minimum haplotypes involving XbaI and MspI RFLPs. Together these results suggest that inherited variations of the apolipoprotein-B gene, probably in the form of charged aminoacid substitutions, influence circulating cholesterol concentration, and that these and other functional variants of the apolipoprotein-B gene affect susceptibility to coronary heart disease and obesity.

Aged↗

Complete protein sequence and identification of structural domains of human apolipoprotein B.

Epidemiological, pathological and genetic studies show a strong positive correlation between elevated plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the risk of premature coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 is the sole protein component of LDL and is the ligand responsible for the receptor-mediated uptake and clearance of LDL from the circulation. Apo B-100 is made by the liver and is essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and for their secretion into the plasma. VLDL transports triglyceride to peripheral muscle and adipose tissue, where the triglyceride is hydrolysed by lipoprotein lipase. The resultant particle, relatively enriched in cholesteryl ester, constitutes LDL. LDL delivers cholesterol to peripheral tissues where it is used for membrane and steroid hormone biosynthesis and to the liver, the only organ which can catabolize and excrete cholesterol. Plasma LDL levels are therefore determined by the balance between their rate of production from VLDL and clearance by the hepatic LDL (apo B/E) receptor pathway. Here we report the complete 4,563-amino-acid sequence of apo B-100 precursor (relative molecular mass (Mr) 514,000 (514K] determined from complementary DNA clones. Numerous lipid-binding structures are distributed throughout the extraordinary length of apo B-100 and must underlie its special functions as a nucleus for lipoprotein assembly and maintenance of plasma lipoprotein integrity. A domain enriched in basic amino-acid residues has been identified as important for the cellular uptake of cholesterol by the LDL receptor pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗