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Translation regulation of intron-containing genes in chloroplasts.

The paper provides a short description of the originally developed algorithm for searching of the conservative protein-RNA binding sites. The algorithm is applied to analyze chloroplast genes. The candidate protein-RNA binding sites were detected upstream of atpF, petB, clpP, psaA, psbA, and psbB genes in many chloroplasts of algae and plants. We suggest that some of these sites are involved in suppressing translation until splicing is completed.

Algorithms↗

Intron 1 sequences are required for pancreatic expression of the human proglucagon gene.

The mammalian proglucagon gene is expressed in pancreatic islet A-cells, intestinal L-cells, and select neurons of the brain, where posttranslational processing results in the liberation of a unique profile of peptides. Despite the importance of proglucagon-derived peptides in human biology, little is known about the regulation of the human gene, as the rat gene has been the preferred model for understanding the regulation of proglucagon gene expression. Previously, we have shown that although the immediate promoter region of the rat proglucagon gene is sufficient for expression in pancreatic islet cells, the homologous human proglucagon promoter sequences are not sufficient. We have now used a comparative genomic approach to identify noncoding sequences near the human proglucagon gene that are conserved among mammals, and thus potentially are regulatory sequences. Our alignments identified three evolutionarily conserved noncoding regions (ECR), one is the immediate promoter region (ECR1), the second is about 5 kb 5' to the mRNA start site (ECR2), and the third is near the 3' end of the first intron (ECR3). Our in vitro transient transfection assays with reporter gene constructs that include the human ECR3 support expression in rodent islet cell lines. Complementary studies with transgenic mice possessing a reporter gene regulated by a human proglucagon gene promoter-intron 1 (including ECR3) sequences express the reporter gene in the pancreas, as well as the intestine and selected neurons. These studies suggest that conserved sequences within intron 1 of the human proglucagon gene are important for expression in the pancreas.

Animals↗

Multiple factors contribute to integrin-talin interactions in vivo.

The cytoplasmic protein talin is an essential part of the integrin-cytoskeleton link. We characterized the interaction between integrin and two conserved regions of talin, the N-terminal ;head' domain and the C-terminus, which includes the I/LWEQ domain, within the living organism. Green-fluorescent-protein-tagged head and C-terminal domains were recruited to integrin adhesion sites. Both required integrins for recruitment, but the C-terminal domain also required endogenous talin, showing it was not recruited directly by integrins. We used chimeric transmembrane proteins containing the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta subunit to examine the integrin-talin head interaction. Monomeric chimeric proteins did not recruit talin head, whereas dimeric chimeras efficiently recruited it and caused a strong inhibition of integrin-mediated adhesion. These chimeras recruited surprisingly few integrin-associated proteins, indicating that recruitment of talin did not initiate a cascade of recruitment. Mutagenesis of the integrin cytoplasmic domain, within the chimera, showed the dominant-negative inhibition was not due to talin sequestration alone and that additional interactions are required.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Expressed protein ligation to study protein interactions: semi-synthesis of the G-protein alpha subunit.

Interactions between G proteins and GPCRs are fundamental for transmitting signals for a multitude of physiologic responses. Little is known regarding the protein-protein interface between the G protein and the receptor, much less the mechanisms for receptor activation of G proteins. Here, we will describe how expressed protein ligation will aid in the study of protein-protein interactions between semi-synthetic G alpha subunits and GPCRs.

Animals↗

Incorporation of selenocysteine into proteins using peptide ligation.

Expressed protein ligation has become a frequently used technique to insert non-standard amino acids into proteins. The technique has been adapted to insert selenocysteine residues in place of cysteine residue in proteins, taking advantage of the similarity in the chemistries of sulfur and selenium. This replacement can confer unique structural and catalytic properties to enzymes and proteins. The development of this technique also allows for naturally occurring selenoproteins to be produced semisynthetically.

Animals↗

[Molecular ecology of microalgal viruses].

A great amount of virus particles exist in natural waters. Each virion is considered to have its own ecological role, affecting the maintenance and fluctuation of aquatic ecosystems. We have been studying viruses infectious to micro-plankton, especially those infecting phytoplankton. Red tides are caused by drastic increase in abundance of plankton. We succeeded in elucidating that viral infection is one of the most important factors determining the dynamics and termination of algal blooms by means of field survey and molecular experiments. In addition, we demonstrated that the interrelationship between viruses and their hosts are highly complicated, and might be determined by the molecular-structural difference of viral capsids among distinct virus ecotypes. Furthermore, in the process of our investigation on various aquatic algal viruses, their importance as genetic sources has also been suggested. In order to deeply understand the mechanism of aquatic ecosystem, more intensive studies as for aquatic viruses are urgently required.

Animals↗

When Homing Endonuclease Meets Transposon: The OMEGA System.

Sequence-specific DNA endonucleases have made significant contributions to biology, biotechnology, and medicine; restriction enzymes and homing endonucleases are among classic examples. The demonstration of programmable genome editing using Cas9 in the CRISPR-Cas system, in which the target DNA sequence is recognized by base pairing with a guide RNA, revolutionized the field of genome engineering, making target selection more flexible and convenient. The OMEGA (Obligate Mobile Element-Guided Activity) system, considered a precursor to Cas12, and likely to Cas9, in the CRISPR-Cas system, is an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease composed of a TnpB, IscB, IsrB, or Fanzor protein, and a structural RNA designated reRNA or ωRNA. The OMEGA system is present in the three domains of life as an auxiliary component of transposons. The OMEGA system cuts DNA in an allele from which a transposon is excised and triggers recombination to reinstate the transposon at the same position. This "transposon restorative homing" redefines the OMEGA system as a homing endonuclease. In this review, the selfish aspects of the OMEGA system are discussed in the historical context of homing endonuclease research.

Cas12↗