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Characterization of an erythromycin resistance (erm) plasmid in Streptococcus pyogenes.

Three erythromyxin-resistant Swedish isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, representing different T-types, were studied. Two of the strains showed constitutive high-level (MIC > 200 micrograms/ml) and one showed moderate (MIC 6.4 micrograms/ml) resistance; the latter strain was sensitive to lincosamide and clindamycin, and resistance was not induced by erythromycin. In each of the strains, a plasmid with an estimated Mw of 17.6 +/- 0.9 x 10(6) was isolated in addition to smaller cryptic plasmids. The three plasmids pSE701, pSE702, and pSE703 had very similar restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. Novobiocin curing of the high-level resistance strain ER559 showed the resistance to be linked to its 17.6 x 10(6) plasmid, pSE703. Furthermore, by electroporation this rather large plasmid was reintroduced into an erythromycin-sensitive cured derivative, acquiring resistance, and the plasmid was again recovered from the transconjugant. One of the plasmids, pSE702, was shown by filter mating to be conjugative within S. pyogenes. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the resistance determinant of the present three isolates was related to the erm gene on plasmid pAM beta 1 of Enterococcus faecalis but not to that of plasmid pE194 of Staphylococcus aureus. The copy numbers of pSE702 and pSE703, derived from the two high-level resistant strains, were 11 +/- 3 and 17 +/- 5 compared to 2 +/- 1 for pSE701, derived from the moderately resistant strain, possibly accounting for the phenotypic variation observed. The plasmids pSE702 and pAM beta 1 showed about 80% homology in DNA-DNA hybridization tests and high similarity in their restriction maps.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Detection of hepatitis B pre-core mutant by allele specific polymerase chain reaction.

AIM: Development of a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of the pre-core, stop codon, mutant of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: PCR primers, specific at the 3'-end for nucleotide 1896 of either the pre-core, stop codon, mutant or wild type HBV, were synthesised using published sequence data. Positive control templates for both types of virus were synthesised by the PCR, incorporating sequences specific for each virus type at the appropriate position. These templates were used to optimise the specificity of the procedure. Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded human tissue from acute or fulminant HBV hepatitis from Hong Kong or Oxford was then investigated for presence of mutant or wild type virus. The HBV DNA was amplified from this tissue using a two step procedure, with an initial amplification phase followed by a second diagnostic phase on optimally diluted target DNA. RESULTS: Specific detection of mutant or wild type HBV was achieved. An important factor in determining specificity was the temperature of annealing, 70 degrees C proving to be highly specific. To overcome the inherent variation of target copy number in clinical samples and to provide an intrinsic positive control, it was important to generate and standardise the amount of target HBV used for the specific PCR. Two cases of fulminant hepatitis and four cases of acute hepatitis from Hong Kong, and one case of fulminant hepatitis from Oxford, contained only wild type HBV, with no evidence of a mutant virus. CONCLUSION: This method can be applied to FFPE tissues. It is rapid, non-radioactive, and specific for the stop codon mutation at nucleotide 1896 of HBV. Preliminary investigation of a small number of cases of fulminant hepatitis from Oxford and Hong Kong showed only wild type virus. The result differs from results published from Japan and Israel.

Alleles↗

Simple sequence repeats in Escherichia coli: abundance, distribution, composition, and polymorphism.

Computer-based genome-wide screening of the DNA sequence of Escherichia coli strain K12 revealed tens of thousands of tandem simple sequence repeat (SSR) tracts, with motifs ranging from 1 to 6 nucleotides. SSRs were well distributed throughout the genome. Mononucleotide SSRs were over-represented in noncoding regions and under-represented in open reading frames (ORFs). Nucleotide composition of mono- and dinucleotide SSRs, both in ORFs and in noncoding regions, differed from that of the genomic region in which they occurred, with 93% of all mononucleotide SSRs proving to be of A or T. Computer-based analysis of the fine position of every SSR locus in the noncoding portion of the genome relative to downstream ORFs showed SSRs located in areas that could affect gene regulation. DNA sequences at 14 arbitrarily chosen SSR tracts were compared among E. coli strains. Polymorphisms of SSR copy number were observed at four of seven mononucleotide SSR tracts screened, with all polymorphisms occurring in noncoding regions. SSR polymorphism could prove important as a genome-wide source of variation, both for practical applications (including rapid detection, strain identification, and detection of loci affecting key phenotypes) and for evolutionary adaptation of microbes.

Base Composition↗

Network analysis provides insights into evolution of 5S rDNA arrays in Triticum and Aegilops.

We have used network analysis to study gene sequences of the Triticum and Aegilops 5S rDNA arrays, as well as the spacers of the 5S-DNA-A1 and 5S-DNA-2 loci. Network analysis describes relationships between 5S rDNA sequences in a more realistic fashion than conventional tree building because it makes fewer assumptions about the direction of evolution, the extent of sexual isolation, and the pattern of ancestry and descent. The networks show that the 5S rDNA sequences of Triticum and Aegilops species are related in a reticulate manner around principal nodal sequences. The spacer networks have multiple principal nodes of considerable antiquity but the gene network has just one principal node, corresponding to the correct gene sequence. The networks enable orthologous groups of spacer sequences to be identified. When orthologs are compared it is seen that the patterns of intra- and interspecific diversity are similar for both genes and spacers. We propose that 5S rDNA arrays combine sequence conservation with a large store of mutant variations, the number of correct gene copies within an array being the result of neutral processes that act on gene and spacer regions together.

Algorithms↗

Ethnic differences of polymorphism of an immunoglobulin VH3 gene.

The VH26 germline gene occupies two different loci, due to gene duplication, and is one of the most frequently expressed human immunoglobulin VH genes. This report identifies the alleles of each VH26 locus and describes distinct patterns of VH26 polymorphism in three ethnic groups. Oligonucleotide probes targeting VH26 were used in sequence-specific RFLP analysis of DNA from 72 Caucasians, 52 Asians, 35 American Blacks, and members of six families. The A locus, on a 7.0-kb TaqI band, was detected in 89% of Caucasians, 75% of Asians, and 26% of Blacks (chi2 = P < 0.0005). The B locus, detected on a 5.0-kb band in nearly all subjects, was found to have additional alleles occurring at 6.8 kb in 10% of Asians and 3% of Blacks (chi2 = 7.8, P < 0.02) and at 3.7 kb in 1.4% of Caucasians, 21% of Asians, and (9% of Blacks (chi2 = 13.8, P < 0.001). In Asians, only, the 3.7-kb hybridization band represented a multiple-duplication unit containing three or four gene copies. Duplications of other VH26 alleles, and mull alleles of the B locus, were also seen. An exact VH26 sequence was cloned from the 5.0-kb allele and likely exists in the 7.0- and 6.8-kb alleles. A novel sequence cloned from the 3.7-kb allele differed from VH26 by nine nucleotides and appears to have evolved by gene conversion in CDR2. The total diploid gene dose of the A and B loci ranged from one to as many as six copies of VH26-containing genes, and from zero to as many as six to eight copies of the 3.7-kb allele. We conclude that ethnic differences in polymorphism exist at both VH26 loci. These differences could influence VH26 expression because they involve variations in gene copy number and coding region sequence.

Alleles↗

Transposon dynamics and the breeding system.

The selfish DNA hypothesis predicts that natural selection is responsible for preventing the unregulated build up of transposable elements in organismal genomes. Accordingly, between-species differences in the strength and effectiveness of selection against transposons should be important in driving the evolution of transposon activity and abundance. We used a modeling approach to investigate how the rate of self-fertilization influences the population dynamics of transposable elements. Contrasting effects of the breeding system were observed under selection based on transposon disruption of gene function versus selection based on element-mediated ectopic exchange. This suggests that the comparison of TE copy number in organisms with different breeding systems may provide a test of the relative importance of these forces in regulating transposon multiplication. The effects of breeding system also interacted with population size, particularly when there was no element excision. The strength and effectiveness of selection against transposons was reflected not only in their equilibrium abundance, but also in the per-site element frequency of individual insertions and the coefficient of variation in copy number. These results are discussed in relation to evidence on transposon abundance available from the literature, and suggestions for future data collection.

Breeding↗

Structure and chromosomal mapping of a highly polymorphic repetitive DNA sequence from the pseudoautosomal region of the mouse sex chromosomes.

The pseudoautosomal region of the Mov15 mouse strain is marked by a Moloney murine leukemia provirus. The sequences flanking the Mov15 provirus were molecularly cloned and shown to consist of a tandemly repeated sequence of 31 nucleotides. Copy number variation of this repeat most likely accounts for the polymorphism in the mouse pseudoautosomal region detected with a probe from the flanking sequences. In situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes showed heavy labeling of the pairing region of the X and Y chromosomes. The repetitive sequence was also found at the subtelomeric region of three autosomes. A similar level of amplification as the one seen on the sex chromosomes seems to be present on chromosomes 9 and 13. Lower copy number appear to be present on chromosome 4.

Animals↗

[Detection of steroid 21-hydroxylase gene variation among normal Chinese and patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia].

Genomic DNA from 40 unrelated healthy individuals and 16 families affected with 21-hydroxylase deficiency were digested with restriction enzyme Taq I followed by Southern blot and hybridization using a 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) gene cDNA probe. In healthy individuals the number of copies of 21-OHB gene was constant while that of 21-OHA gene was variable including deletion and duplication. In addition, we found an extra 5.6 kb band in one normal person and in one CAH family. Among the 16 affected families, 19% of 21-OHB gene were deleted. No homologous deletion was found. The frequency of deletion is lower than that reported in the literature. There was variation in the copy-number of 21-OHA gene among patients with CAH, yet no difference was found between the patients and normal persons. The information on prenatal diagnosis of CAH is briefly discussed.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Putative glycoprotein gene of varicella-zoster virus with variable copy numbers of a 42-base-pair repeat sequence has homology to herpes simplex virus glycoprotein C.

A strain variation of varicella-zoster virus that maps to the UL region of the genome was found to be due to different copy numbers of a high GC 42-base-pair repeat. DNA sequence analysis of this variable region showed the sequence to be 5-GCGGGATCGGGCTTTCGGG(A/T)AGCGGCCGAGGTGGGCGCGACG-3. Strains Scott and Webster both contain 7 and 32/42 copies of the repeat, whereas strain Oka has exactly 4 copies less. Microheterogeneity exists within the repeated sequences, depending on the strain and the repeat number. Sequencing of the entire EcoRI P fragment (which contains the repeated sequences) and part of the adjacent EcoRI M and EcoRI Q fragments from strain Scott showed that the repeats are part of a large open reading frame that could code for a polypeptide core with a molecular weight of 66,000. Several potential TATA boxes exist upstream and two polyadenylation signals are found downstream of the open reading frame. The predicted protein bears several characteristics of a glycoprotein. The region is transcriptionally active in varicella-zoster virus-infected cells, specifying at least three RNA species of 1.7, 1.95, and 2.5 kilobases, which are transcribed from the same DNA strand. Part of the predicted protein has a high degree of homology to the herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein gC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Unique features in the mitochondrial D-loop region of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax.

We have cloned and sequenced the displacement-loop (D-loop) region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Dl). This sequencing revealed the presence of four tandemly repeated elements (R1, R2, R3 and R4); the individual variation in mtDNA total length is entirely accounted for by their variable number. The individuals examined also possessed an imperfect copy of one of the tandem repeats (psi R2). At least one termination-associated sequence (TAS) is present in each of the repeats and in two copies 5' upstream from the tandem array as well. The alignment of the Dl D-loop region with D-loop sequences from four other Teleosts and one Chondrosteus showed the Dl sequence to be larger than that of other fish. The extraordinary length of the Dl D-loop sequence is also due to the 5' and 3' regions that are flanking the tandem array, the largest ones to date analyzed in fish. In this study, we also report the unique organization and localization of putative TAS and conserved-sequence block (CSB) elements, and the presence of a conserved 218-bp sequence in the Dl D-loop region.

Animals↗

Development of PCR assays to detect genetic variation amongst equine herpesvirus-1 isolates as an aid to epidemiological investigation.

A search for variable restriction sites has been carried out for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in an attempt to develop markers which can be used to group epidemiologically related viruses into groups, and to learn more about the dynamics of EHV-1 disease. Crude viral DNA extracts of EHV-1, prepared by Hirt extraction, were digested with AluI, HaeIII, or RsaI, and Southern blotted following electrophoresis. DNA fingerprints, produced by probing the Southern blots with the EHV-1 EcoR1-I fragment, separated 56 isolates into 16 groups. The variable sites within the EcoR1-I fragment were mapped approximately using fragments from within EcoR1-I, and the precise location of the variable sites determined from the DNA sequence of this fragment. Oligonucleotide primers flanking the variable sites were synthesized, and used in PCR assays to detect variable fragments. The AluI variable fragment was found to result from the presence or absence of a single AluI site. In contrast, the variable bands seen with HaeIII and RsaI, resulted from variation in the copy number of two tandemly repeated sequences, one of which had not previously been recognized. In addition, HaeIII digests of EHV-1 isolates probed with the glycoprotein B (gB) gene of EHV-1 also separated isolates into two groups. The variable HaeIII site was mapped towards the 5'-end of the gB gene and a PCR assay established. The distribution of the variable AluI site within the EcoR1-I fragment and the HaeIII site within the gB gene were estimated on a large number of clinical isolates using PCR on unpurified viral tissue culture medium. Both sites had a good distribution and together with additional variable sites should provide the basis for the rapid DNA fingerprinting of EHV-1 isolates.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of ribosomal gene variation within and among NORs segregating in specialized populations of chicken.

The molecular organization of the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S ribosomal RNA gene repeat units, located at the single nucleolus organizer region (NOR) locus in the chicken, was investigated in genetically distinct populations of research and commercial chickens. Substantial gene repeat variation within and among NORs was documented. Intact ribosomal gene repeat size ranged from 11 kb to over 50 kb. Unique combinations of ribosomal genes, of different size, were specific to particular populations. It was determined that the basis for the ribosomal gene repeat size variation was intergenic spacer (IGS) length heterogeneity. Interestingly, in different populations, the location of the variation that contributes to length heterogeneity was specific to particular IGS subregions. In addition to IGS variation, an inbred line of Red Jungle Fowl exhibited coding region variation. Ribosomal gene copy number variation was also studied, and line averages ranged from 279 to 368. Average rDNA array size (a function of copy number and gene repeat length) was calculated for each of the populations and found to vary over a range of two megabases, from 5 to 7 Mb.

Animals↗

T-DNA integration into the barley genome from single and double cassette vectors.

Patterns and sites of T-DNA integrations into the barley genome from single and double cassette vectors are of interest for the identification of cultivars with value added properties as well as for the production of selection marker-free transgenic lines that can be retransformed. T-DNA/Plant DNA junctions were obtained by capturing a single-stranded DNA with a biotinylated primer annealing to the vector adjacent to the border and an adaptor ligated to a restriction site overhang in the flanking barley DNA. The captured junction was converted into a double strand and sequenced. Fifty left and right border junctions from plants transgenic for one of five human genes were analyzed. Primers of 15-30 nucleotides designed from the genomic DNA at the insertion site can PCR amplify fragments that identify unequivocally any transformant. Adjacent transgene insertions with single cassette vectors were always in tandem direct repeat configuration. With regard to T-DNA integration the patterns were comparable to the variations found in dicotyledonous plants. Twelve of the 46 integrations characterized by blast searches were within different regions of the BARE-1 retrotransposon element occurring with a frequency of 2 x 10(5) copies in the barley genome. The use of border junctions to identify number of copies and loci of integrates in transformants is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Mitochondrial DNA length variation and heteroplasmy in populations of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus).

Southern blot analysis was used to quantify the extent of mtDNA D-loop length variation in two populations of white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus. Over 42% of individuals were heteroplasmic for up to six different mtDNA length variants attributable to varying copy numbers of an 82-bp repeat sequence. Chi-square analyses revealed that the frequencies of length genotypes and the incidence of heteroplasmy were significantly different between Fraser and Columbia River sturgeon populations but not between restriction site haplotypes. Heteroplasmic fish have, on average, higher copy number than homoplasmic fish. Forty-five of 101 homoplasmic individuals carry only a single copy of the repeat, while none of the 73 heteroplasmic fish has the single repeat as the predominant variant. On the basis of differences in frequency distributions of copy number within and between fish, we suggest that (1) heteroplasmy is maintained by high recurrent mutation of multiple copy genomes, favoring increased copy number and (2) the mutation pressure toward higher copy number heteroplasmy is partially offset by selection to reduced genome size and segregation to the homoplasmic condition.

Animals↗

[Cotransformation of rice by bar and cecropin B gene expression cassettes lacking vector backbone sequences].

Whole plasmids are used in both Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and direct DNA transfer, generally leading to the integration of vector backbone sequences into the host genome along with the transgene(s). The undesirable vector backbone sequences may not only promote transgene rearrangements and affect transgene or endogenous gene expression negatively, but have disadvantage on the safe assessment of the transformants as "desert DNA". The direct DNA transforming systems can transfer minimal gene expression cassettes (promoter, open reading frame, terminator) into plant genome and generate "safer" transformants, also it can delivery multiple genes of agronomic relevance to economically-important crop plants. But there is seldom researching reports on the topic till now. The present paper studied some factors that affecting the transforming efficiency of liner gene expression cassettes to rice varieties by particle bombardment, and the integration patterns of the gene expression cassettes in rice genome were compared with that of the whole plasmids. The results showed: (1) The transforming frequency of gene expression cassettes to rice via particle bombardment is 0.1%-0.5%, the cotransforming frequency of non-selectable gene is about 50%-60% when two separate gene expression cassettes were used for transformation. Increasing the DNA mole content can increase the transforming frequency and the beside sequences of gene constructs may play an important role on the variation of transforming efficiency between different rice varieties. (2) It's reported that the selectable and non-selectable transgene expression cassettes generated low-copy-number transgenic plants with simple integration patterns. While our results showed that the non-selectable cecropin B gene cassette generated simple integration patterns with 1-3 copies in the rice genome, but the selectable bar gene cassette which got 4-14 copies had much more complex integration patterns than that of the whole plasmids which got 1-3 copies only. As the bar gene is promoted by the CaMV35 promoter, in which there is a 19 bp palindromic sequence could act as recombination hot spot and lead to DNA rearrangement, we presumed that the transgene recombination events happened during the integration course have generated the complex Southern patterns of bar gene expression cassette. The recombination character, the heredity behavior and the expression law of gene expression cassettes in the rice genomes will be reported in our future papers.

Acetyltransferases↗

Non-invasive strategy for gastric cancer detection: Integration of cell-free DNA fragmentomics and protein biomarkers.

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most common cancer worldwide, however, accurate and non-invasive diagnostic modalities for GC remain limited. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomics has emerged as a promising tool for cancer cell detection. Here we develop a gastric cancer detection model, named GaFraD model. The GaFraD model uses four cfDNA fragmentomics features, including fragment size ratio (FSR), copy number variation (CNV), 9-bp end motif (Motif), and fragment size at transcription start sites (TF). This model achieves an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.970 (95% CI: 0.944 - 0.990), a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 80.9%. By combining the GaFraD model and conventional protein biomarkers CA19-9 and PG-I/PG-II, the CONFIRM model was generated. The CONFIRM model attained an AUC of 0.986 (95% CI: 0.966 - 1.000), a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 95.6% in detecting GC. Moreover, the CONFIRM model achieved remarkable performance (AUC&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.983, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 94.2%) in distinguishing patients with early-stage GC from controls. Our work showed the high discriminatory power in distinguishing GC patients from controls, indicating the clinical potential of using cfDNA fragmentomics combined with protein biomarkers for non-invasive GC detection. The results of the study provide a new avenue for early, accurate, and non-invasive clinical diagnosis of GC.

Cell-free DNA↗

Yeast expression vectors using RNA polymerase III promoters.

A series of Saccharomyces cerevisiae--Escherichia coli shuttle vectors is described in which small RNAs can be stably expressed in yeast from two different promoters for RNA polymerase III transcription. The vectors are available in either high- or low-copy-number forms with either URA3, HIS3, or TRP1 selection markers, and are based on a previously described set of plasmid vectors [Sikorski and Hieter, Genetics 122 (1989) 19-27]. Transcripts have structured pre-tRNA or RPR1 leaders fused to RNA corresponding to inserted sequences. Levels of RNA accumulation are dependent on plasmid copy number and the type of transcript.

Base Sequence↗

Evolution of multiple families of non-LTR retrotransposons in phlebotomine sandflies.

In this paper we report on the diversity and distribution of a set of non-LTR retrotransposon (RTP) reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences isolated from phlebotomine sandflies, and their potential for investigating the evolutionary histories of members of this subfamily of flies (Diptera:Psychodidae, Phlebotominae). The phlebotomine RT sequence families derived from one species were as different from each other as they were from RT sequences derived from other species. When each was used to probe Southern blots of sandfly genomic DNA they hybridized only to the species of source and, usually, to others of the same subgenus, but not to DNA from other subgenera-a hybridization pattern consistent with vertical evolution. There was considerable intraspecific variation in hybridization pattern, suggesting the RTs were part of non-LTR RTPs that are (or were recently) subject to flux in genomic position and copy number. Most of the RT families detected in phlebotomines are monophyletic with respect to previously described RTs, and all are monophyletic with RTs of the F/Jockey (Drosophila melanogaster) type of RTP. Orthologous sequences were isolated from the closely related species Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. tobbi (subgenus Larroussius), and different populations of P. perniciosus. The level of sequence divergence among these orthologous RTs, the subgeneric distribution of each RT family, and the intraspecific variation in hybridization pattern of many of them, indicate this class of sequence will provide genetic markers at the sub-generic level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗