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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Manipulating ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in the chloroplasts of higher plants.

Transgenic manipulation of the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in higher plants provides a very specific means of testing theories about photosynthesis and its regulation. It also encourages prospects for radically improving the efficiencies with which photosynthesis and plants use the basic resources of light, water, and nutrients. Manipulation was once limited to variation of the leaf's total content of Rubisco by transforming the nucleus with antisense genes directed at the small subunit. More recently, technology for transforming the small genome of the plastid of tobacco has enabled much more precise manipulation and replacement of the plastome-encoded large subunit. Engineered changes in Rubisco's properties in vivo are reflected as profound changes in the photosynthetic gas-exchange properties of the leaves and the growth requirements of the plants. Unpredictable expression of plastid transgenes and assembly requirements of some foreign Rubiscos that are not satisfied in higher-plant plastids provide challenges for future research.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Phenotypic data in FlyBase.

Phenotypic analysis combined with molecular genetics is a powerful tool for mapping gene function onto the genome. Phenotypic data are, by their nature, descriptive, and as varied as the range of mutant phenotypes that can be presented by the organism under study. This paper discusses the mechanisms FlyBase has implemented to systematise published phenotypic data about Drosophila, and provides an introduction to the query tools available for the mining of the data. Though FlyBase is specific to Drosophila, the issues faced in devising protocols for capturing, storing and reporting data are the same issues faced by any database with an interest in using phenotypic data to maximise the potential of genomic analysis.

Alleles↗

Influencing the influenza virus: genetic analysis and engineering of the negative-sense RNA genome.

The genome of influenza virus has become amenable to genetic analysis as a result of newly developed methods for reconstitution of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. This allows a dissection of the regulatory signals and promoters required for transcription and replication of the viral genome. The ability to rescue chimeric viruses in vivo after transfection opens up a way to engineer viruses suitable for human immunization and carrying desirable antigenic determinants.

Base Sequence↗

RNA silencing.

Gene silencing through the increased degradation of mRNA appears to represent a novel cellular pathway that is functional in a broad range of organisms. Recent work has established a role for RNA silencing in host antiviral defense and transposon silencing, suggesting a potential application in plant functional genomics.

Antiviral Agents↗

Genome analysis of the glycosphingolipid-producing green alga tetraselmis sp. NKG400013.

Microalgae are gaining attention as sustainable resources for the production of valuable compounds, including biofuels, pigments, and bioactive metabolites. To support metabolic engineering and genome editing approaches aimed at enhancing these traits, high-quality genome assemblies are essential; however, genomic information remains limited for many microalgal lineages. Tetraselmis sp. NKG400013 is a green alga known for high glycosphingolipid accumulation with distinctive structural features. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of this strain generated using PacBio HiFi sequencing and transcriptome-supported annotation. The assembled genome spans 423.7 Mbp, with 74.5% repetitive sequences and 15,322 predicted protein-coding genes. Comparative analyses across 11 green algal species revealed a positive correlation between genome sizes and repeat contents, indicating that transposable element expansion, particularly long terminal repeat retrotransposons, has substantially contributed to genome enlargement in Tetraselmis. Genome-wide functional annotation and ortholog inference identified core enzymes required for glycosylceramide biosynthesis. Both sphingolipid Δ4 and Δ8 desaturases were identified in Tetraselmis and their coexistence suggests an expanded capacity for long-chain base modification that may underlie its distinctive glycosphingolipid profile. These results establish a genomic framework for understanding the high glycosphingolipid-producing capacity of NKG400013 and provide insights into the evolutionary diversification of sphingolipid metabolism in green algae.

Chlorophyta↗

Modification of translational control elements as a new approach to design of attenuated picornavirus strains.

The translation machineries of different host cells may exhibit varying requirements for a specific structure of cis-acting control elements in the viral RNA templates. Thus, the appropriately spaced oligopyrimidine/AUG tandem (OAT), a conserved control element in the 5' noncoding region of the picornavirus genomes, is dispensable for the growth of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in BHK-21 cells, but is essential for the neurovirulence of this virus. Also, the replacement of the cryptic (non-initiator) AUG moiety of the wild-type poliovirus OAT by the initiator AUG affects the viral reproduction in cultured cells only slightly, whereas neurovirulence of the relevant mutants is dramatically suppressed. These observations allow us to propose a rational way to construct novel attenuated viral strains by elimination or severe modification of host-specific regulatory regions in their genomes. The relevant genetic rearrangements may be so extensive that the probability of reversion to the virulent phenotype should be negligible. The feasibility of engineering of highly attenuated and genetically stable TMEV and poliovirus variants is illustrated.

Animals↗

Site-specific genomic (SSG) and random domain-localized (RDL) mutagenesis in yeast.

BACKGROUND: A valuable weapon in the arsenal available to yeast geneticists is the ability to introduce specific mutations into yeast genome. In particular, methods have been developed to introduce deletions into the yeast genome using PCR fragments. These methods are highly efficient because they do not require cloning in plasmids. RESULTS: We have modified the existing method for introducing deletions in the yeast (S. cerevisiae) genome using PCR fragments in order to target point mutations to this genome. We describe two PCR-based methods for directing point mutations into the yeast genome such that the final product contains no other disruptions. In the first method, site-specific genomic (SSG) mutagenesis, a specific point mutation is targeted into the genome. In the second method, random domain-localized (RDL) mutagenesis, a mutation is introduced at random within a specific domain of a gene. Both methods require two sequential transformations, the first transformation integrates the URA3 marker into the targeted locus, and the second transformation replaces URA3 with a PCR fragment containing one or a few mutations. This PCR fragment is synthesized using a primer containing a mutation (SSG mutagenesis) or is synthesized by error-prone PCR (RDL mutagenesis). In SSG mutagenesis, mutations that are proximal to the URA3 site are incorporated at higher frequencies than distal mutations, however mutations can be introduced efficiently at distances of at least 500 bp from the URA3 insertion. In RDL mutagenesis, to ensure that incorporation of mutations occurs at approximately equal frequencies throughout the targeted region, this region is deleted at the same time URA3 is integrated. CONCLUSION: SSG and RDL mutagenesis allow point mutations to be easily and efficiently incorporated into the yeast genome without disrupting the native locus.

Genes, Fungal↗

Engineering of a vaccinia virus bacterial artificial chromosome in Escherichia coli by bacteriophage lambda-based recombination.

The large capacity of vaccinia virus (VAC) for added DNA, cytoplasmic expression and broad host range make it a popular choice for gene delivery, despite the burdensome need for multiple plaque purifications to isolate recombinants. Here we describe how a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the entire VAC genome can be engineered in Escherichia coli by homologous recombination using bacteriophage lambda-encoded enzymes. The engineered VAC genomes can then be used to produce clonally pure recombinant viruses in mammalian cells without the need for plaque purification.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Secret signatures inside genomic DNA.

A simple, practical method to watermark short trademarks or signatures into genomic DNA is introduced. Since the marking method is biologically innocuous, it can be applied to all commercialized bacteria to help establish brand names for the engineered strains and to resolve legal disputes regarding gene-related patents. The first such strain of Bacillus subtilis is engineered and is ready to be distributed.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Multiple fates of L1 retrotransposition intermediates in cultured human cells.

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons comprise approximately 17% of human DNA, yet little is known about L1 integration. Here, we characterized 100 retrotransposition events in HeLa cells and show that distinct DNA repair pathways can resolve L1 cDNA retrotransposition intermediates. L1 cDNA resolution can lead to various forms of genetic instability including the generation of chimeric L1s, intrachromosomal deletions, intrachromosomal duplications, and intra-L1 rearrangements as well as a possible interchromosomal translocation. The L1 retrotransposition machinery also can mobilize U6 snRNA to new genomic locations, increasing the repertoire of noncoding RNAs that are mobilized by L1s. Finally, we have determined that the L1 reverse transcriptase can faithfully replicate its own transcript and has a base misincorporation error rate of approximately 1/7,000 bases. These data indicate that L1 retrotransposition in transformed human cells can lead to a variety of genomic rearrangements and suggest that host processes act to restrict L1 integration in cultured human cells. Indeed, the initial steps in L1 retrotransposition may define a host/parasite battleground that serves to limit the number of active L1s in the genome.

Cells, Cultured↗

Engineering mouse chromosomes with Cre-loxP: range, efficiency, and somatic applications.

Chromosomal rearrangements are important resources for genetic studies. Recently, a Cre-loxP-based method to introduce defined chromosomal rearrangements (deletions, duplications, and inversions) into the mouse genome (chromosome engineering) has been established. To explore the limits of this technology systematically, we have evaluated this strategy on mouse chromosome 11. Although the efficiency of Cre-loxP-mediated recombination decreases with increasing genetic distance when the two endpoints are on the same chromosome, the efficiency is not limiting even when the genetic distance is maximized. Rearrangements encompassing up to three quarters of chromosome 11 have been constructed in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. While larger deletions may lead to ES cell lethality, smaller deletions can be produced very efficiently both in ES cells and in vivo in a tissue- or cell-type-specific manner. We conclude that any chromosomal rearrangement can be made in ES cells with the Cre-loxP strategy provided that it does not affect cell viability. In vivo chromosome engineering can be potentially used to achieve somatic losses of heterozygosity in creating mouse models of human cancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A genome-based approach to create a minimally mutated Corynebacterium glutamicum strain for efficient L-lysine production.

Based on the progress in genomics, we have developed a novel approach that employs genomic information to generate an efficient amino acid producer. A comparative genomic analysis of an industrial L-lysine producer with its natural ancestor identified a variety of mutations in genes associated with L-lysine biosynthesis. Among these mutations, we identified two mutations in the relevant terminal pathways as key mutations for L-lysine production, and three mutations in central metabolism that resulted in increased titers. These five mutations when assembled in the wild-type genome led to a significant increase in both the rate of production and final L-lysine titer. Further investigations incorporated with transcriptome analysis suggested that other as yet unidentified mutations are necessary to support the L-lysine titers observed by the original production strain. Here we describe the essence of our approach for strain reconstruction, and also discuss mechanisms of L-lysine hyperproduction unraveled by combining genomics with classical strain improvement.

Corynebacterium glutamicum↗

Susceptibility to recombination rearrangements of a chimeric plum pox potyvirus genome after insertion of a foreign gene.

Infectious RNA transcripts were generated from a chimeric cDNA clone of the plum pox potyvirus (PPV) genome containing the bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene inserted between the sequences coding for the P1 and HC proteins. An artificial cleavage site specific for the NIa viral proteinase was engineered between the GUS and HC sequences to produce free GUS and HC proteins. The resulting virus PPVGus/ was stably maintained during the first round of infection, although plants remained symptomless and virus accumulation was delayed with respect to wild-type infection. PPVGus/ deleted variants, missing between 645 and 1779 nt, were detected in a subsequent plant passage. PPVGus/ deletions were confined inside the GUS gene, never affecting the P1 and HC coding regions, in contrast with previous reports of deletions in other potyvirus-based vector, in which deletions frequently reached the HC gene. These results suggest that the N-terminus of the PPV HC protein may be essential for virus viability. Analysis of the deletion endpoints showed short stretches of similarity in donor and acceptor RNAs, as well as oligo A tracts conserved in most junction sites, suggesting that deletions in PPVGus/ might take place by similarity-assisted recombination events.

Base Sequence↗

Engineering soluble proteins for structural genomics.

Structural genomics has the ambitious goal of delivering three-dimensional structural information on a genome-wide scale. Yet only a small fraction of natural proteins are suitable for structure determination because of bottlenecks such as poor expression, aggregation, and misfolding of proteins, and difficulties in solubilization and crystallization. We propose to overcome these bottlenecks by producing soluble, highly expressed proteins that are derived from and closely related to their natural homologs. Here we demonstrate the utility of this approach by using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) folding reporter assay to evolve an enzymatically active, soluble variant of a hyperthermophilic protein that is normally insoluble when expressed in Escherichia coli, and determining its structure by X-ray crystallography. Analysis of the structure provides insight into the substrate specificity of the enzyme and the improved solubility of the variant.

Evolution, Molecular↗

A second-generation system for unbiased reading frame selection.

Reading frame selection of nucleic acids has important implications for protein engineering and genomics. Current methods are limited because selection of the gene of interest inevitably depends on the solubility of its translated product. Here we report the construction of the pInSALect vector, which provides strict reading frame selection without concomitant selection for protein solubility or folding. This plasmid incorporates the cis-splicing VMA intein sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to facilitate the post-translational self-excision of the protein of interest, thereby eliminating potential aggregation problems. Results from two libraries of chimeric glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferases confirm the superior performance of pInSALect over existing reading frame selection systems.

Animals↗