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Influence of structural variation on nuclear localization of DNA-binding polyamide-fluorophore conjugates.

A pivotal step forward in chemical approaches to controlling gene expression is the development of sequence-specific DNA-binding molecules that can enter live cells and traffic to nuclei unaided. DNA-binding polyamides are a class of programmable, sequence-specific small molecules that have been shown to influence a wide variety of protein-DNA interactions. We have synthesized over 100 polyamide-fluorophore conjugates and assayed their nuclear uptake profiles in 13 mammalian cell lines. The compiled dataset, comprising 1300 entries, establishes a benchmark for the nuclear localization of polyamide-dye conjugates. Compounds in this series were chosen to provide systematic variation in several structural variables, including dye composition and placement, molecular weight, charge, ordering of the aromatic and aliphatic amino-acid building blocks and overall shape. Nuclear uptake does not appear to be correlated with polyamide molecular weight or with the number of imidazole residues, although the positions of imidazole residues affect nuclear access properties significantly. Generally negative determinants for nuclear access include the presence of a beta-Ala-tail residue and the lack of a cationic alkyl amine moiety, whereas the presence of an acetylated 2,4-diaminobutyric acid-turn is a positive factor for nuclear localization. We discuss implications of these data on the design of polyamide-dye conjugates for use in biological systems.

Alanine↗

Distribution analysis of the variation of B-factors of X-ray crystal structures; temperature and structural variations in lysozyme.

The B-factor (isotropic temperature factor) data for X-ray structures of hen egg-white lysozyme from the study of Young et al. (Young, Dewan, Nave, and Tilton J. Appl. Cryst. 1993, 26, 309-319) potentially contain information about the relative contributions of static and dynamic variation to these factors. The six structures of the protein were obtained at two widely different temperatures (100 and 298 K), with two crystal forms (monoclinic and tetragonal) and other experimental differences. In addition, the monoclinic lysozyme crystals with two molecules per asymmetric unit allow direct examination of variation between structures determined under identical conditions at both temperatures. The B-factors from these structures all have complex distribution functions as might be expected considering all of the influences that these values must reflect. The empirical cumulative distribution functions (eCDF's) of these data show that they are representative of complex, multicomponent distributions. Distribution analysis using the DANFIP procedure (Wampler, Anal. Biochemistry 1990, 186, 209-218) of the data sets reveals that they can be modeled as four to six Gaussian subpopulations, that these subpopulations do not correlate with specific atom types, specific amino acid residues or fixed locations in the structure. While they do seem to correlate with localized groupings of atoms, these grouping vary from structure to structure even within the same crystal under the same conditions. Temperature seems to have a global effect in this case, but it is clear that other factors including experimental error influence the distribution of B-factors within a given structure. This analysis also helps explain the oft observed lack of atomic level correlation between experimental B-factors and calculated mean square displacements from molecular dynamics simulations.

Algorithms↗

Ensemble docking of multiple protein structures: considering protein structural variations in molecular docking.

One approach to incorporate protein flexibility in molecular docking is the use of an ensemble consisting of multiple protein structures. Sequentially docking each ligand into a large number of protein structures is computationally too expensive to allow large-scale database screening. It is challenging to achieve a good balance between docking accuracy and computational efficiency. In this work, we have developed a fast, novel docking algorithm utilizing multiple protein structures, referred to as ensemble docking, to account for protein structural variations. The algorithm can simultaneously dock a ligand into an ensemble of protein structures and automatically select an optimal protein structure that best fits the ligand by optimizing both ligand coordinates and the conformational variable m, where m represents the m-th structure in the protein ensemble. The docking algorithm was validated on 10 protein ensembles containing 105 crystal structures and 87 ligands in terms of binding mode and energy score predictions. A success rate of 93% was obtained with the criterion of root-mean-square deviation <2.5 A if the top five orientations for each ligand were considered, comparable to that of sequential docking in which scores for individual docking are merged into one list by re-ranking, and significantly better than that of single rigid-receptor docking (75% on average). Similar trends were also observed in binding score predictions and enrichment tests of virtual database screening. The ensemble docking algorithm is computationally efficient, with a computational time comparable to that for docking a ligand into a single protein structure. In contrast, the computational time for the sequential docking method increases linearly with the number of protein structures in the ensemble. The algorithm was further evaluated using a more realistic ensemble in which the corresponding bound protein structures of inhibitors were excluded. The results show that ensemble docking successfully predicts the binding modes of the inhibitors, and discriminates the inhibitors from a set of noninhibitors with similar chemical properties. Although multiple experimental structures were used in the present work, our algorithm can be easily applied to multiple protein conformations generated by computational methods, and helps improve the efficiency of other existing multiple protein structure(MPS)-based methods to accommodate protein flexibility.

Algorithms↗

Growth cones and structural variation of synaptic end-bulbs in the cochlear nucleus of the adult cat brain.

To explore the potential for structural variation and new growth at the synapse, we studied the morphological patterns of the end-bulbs of cochlear nerve axons in adult cats by using rapid Golgi, reduced silver, and electron microscopic methods. Horseradish peroxidase labeling of these endings in the anterior division of the antroventral cochlear nucleus was produced by anterograde transport following injection into the cochlea. Three types of end-bulbs were distinguished, regardless of method: reticular, coalescent, and ringed forms, all synapsing on spherical bushy cells. The reticular variety corresponds to the classically described end-bulb and constitutes the majority in all regions of the tonotopic map. The ringed end-bulb, described here for the first time, forms an excitatory synaptic cuff around the base of a bushy cell's main dendrite; these endings were localized to the region receiving cochlear input in the 1-6 kHz range, which is used in vocalization. The coalescent ending forms a small fraction of the end-bulb population throughout the region studied. The findings raise the possibility of functional differences between these synaptic types. Growth cones and retraction clubs were present on most, if not all, of the end-bulbs in every adult cat studied. A systematic survey of the end-bulb patterns revealed a continuous gradient of variation, in which each synaptic type forms a distinct mode. These findings lead us to hypothesize that the end-bulbs are in a continual state of structural and functional flux. These endings should prove useful for studies on the modifiable properties of central synapses.

Animals↗

Prosomes. Ubiquity and inter-species structural variation.

The "prosomes", a novel type of ubiquitous ribonucleoprotein particle of extraordinary stability and of defined electron microscopical structure, have been characterized in several cell types and species. Identified as a 19 S sub-component of free mRNA-protein complexes, including globin and other repressed mRNA, in the cytoplasm of duck, mouse and HeLa cells, they were previously found to inhibit protein synthesis in vitro. In all cells studied, electron microscopy shows an identical, seemingly ring-like but rather raspberry-shaped particle of 12 nm diameter, resistant to EDTA and 1% (w/v) Sarkosyl. Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of prosomal proteins shows a characteristic pattern in the 19,000 to 35,000 Mr range of pI 4 to 7, with an additional 56,000 Mr component specific to avian species. The prosomes found in globin mRNA-protein complexes contain about 25 protein components, 16 of which have identical molecular weight and pI values in duck and mouse, and which are also found in the prosomes of the heterogeneous free mRNPs of HeLa cells. Seral and monoclonal antibodies raised in mice against the prosomes of duck erythroblasts cross-react with some of the proteins of the mouse and HeLa cell particles. Prosomes isolated from duck and mouse globin mRNP, both contain small cytoplasmic RNAs of 70 to 90 nucleotides, which represent about 15% of the particle mass. The molecular weight and the 3'-terminal oligonucleotide of each one of these small cytoplasmic RNAs are identical in the two animal species; fingerprints of their oligonucleotides generated by RNase T1 show that more than 80% of spots are identical. In contrast, the prosomes of HeLa cells, associated with a large population of repressed mRNA, contain at least 12 small cytoplasmic RNA species. All prosomal RNAs tested so far hybridize to mRNA. The data available indicate that prosomes constitute a novel class of ubiquitous cellular ribonucleoprotein complexes, present in the nucleus and cytoplasm that, in its structural variations shown here, reflects function and species.

Animals↗

Strategies to assess structural variation in the chicken genome and its associations with biodiversity and biological performance.

A primary goal in the assessment of structural variation in the avian genome is to understand the relationship of this variation with biodiversity and with biological performance. To develop such knowledge, certain essential tools are needed. One set of tools includes the laboratory techniques used to assess molecular genetic variation. The current time is a transitional one for this field, in that the recently sequenced chicken genome will add significantly to the portfolio of existing methods used to identify molecular markers. To most efficiently discover marker-trait associations, the experimental mapping populations must be appropriately designed and the relevant statistical analyses applied. This paper reviews methods for assessment of molecular markers in poultry and their use in the characterization of avian biodiversity and in studies to identify marker associations with biological traits, including important considerations of population structure and statistical analysis.

Animals↗

Phenotypic effects of apolipoprotein structural variation on lipid profiles. IV. Apolipoprotein polymorphisms in a small group of black women from the healthy women study.

Structural variation in apolipoprotein E has been shown to influence lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. The purpose of the present study was to investigate several apolipoproteins in a group of Black women from the Healthy Women Study (HWS). HWS is a community-based prospective study of 541 premenopausal women who are being followed through the menopause to determine the influence of biological, genetic, and psychosocial phenomenon on cardiovascular risk factors. Of the 541 subjects, 48 are Black. Serum from most of these 48 Black women was used to type seven apolipoproteins (APO A-I, APO A-II, APO A-IV, APO C-II, APO D, APO E, and APO H). Five of these apolipoproteins are polymorphic in Blacks (APO A-IV, APO C-II, APO D, APO E and APO H). Only two and three individuals, respectively, were heterozygous at the APO D and APO C-II loci. APO A-IV, E, and H exhibited more variation, however, only APO E phenotypes could be used for statistical analyses. Three common phenotypes, APO E 3-2, APO E 3-3, and APO E 4-3, were used in analysis of variance on four quantitative lipid variables. Despite small numbers, the effect of APO E phenotype was apparent. The APO E 3-2 phenotype showed reduced average levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (APO B) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), and the APO E 4-3 phenotype showed increased levels (P less than or equal to .0497). The APO E3-3 homozygote was intermediate on all three. Because of small numbers in the cells of APO A-IV and APO H phenotypes, these were not analyzed with respect to quantitative lipids.

Adult↗

Analysis of deep-resequencing data of 984 soybean accessions reveals structural variations underlying agronomic traits.

Genomic structural variants (SVs) are major sources of genetic variation and have profound impacts on phenotypic traits. However, their functional effects remain largely unexplored in soybean. Here, we resequence 940 soybean accessions. Together with 44 publicly available datasets, we identify 602,281 SVs. Using a graph-based genome, we detect&#xa0;an additional 58,760 presence/absence variations (PAVs) that broadly affect gene expression. Population genomic analyses reveal that SVs serve as a core driving force for soybean domestication and improvement. Integrating SVs with QTLs for oil and protein&#xa0;content, and performing GWAS on 27 traits, we identify key functional SVs. These include transposable element insertions altering seed coat color, multiple insertions within a cytochrome P450 gene modifying flower and hypocotyl color, and a GmMATE1 deletion enhancing seed size. Together, our study establishes a comprehensive SV map of soybean, offering a valuable resource for dissecting the genetic basis of complex traits to accelerate molecular breeding.

Glycine max↗

Complex patterns of copy number variation at sites of segmental duplications: an important category of structural variation in the human genome.

The structural diversity of the human genome is much higher than previously assumed although its full extent remains unknown. To investigate the association between segmental duplications that display constitutive copy number differences (CNDs) between humans and the great apes and those which exhibit polymorphic copy number variations (CNVs) between humans, we analysed a BAC array enriched with segmental duplications displaying such CNDs. This study documents for the first time that in addition to human-specific gains common to all humans, these duplication clusters (DCs) also exhibit polymorphic CNVs > 40 kb. Segmental duplication is known to have been a frequent event during human genome evolution. Importantly, among the CNV-associated genes identified here, those involved in transcriptional regulation were found to be significantly overrepresented. Complex patterns of variation were evident at sites of DCs, manifesting as inter-individual differentially sized copy number alterations at the same genomic loci. Thus, CNVs associated with segmental duplications do not simply represent insertion/deletion polymorphisms, but rather constitute a wide variety of rearrangements involving differential amplification and partial gains and losses with high inter-individual variability. Although the number of CNVs was not found to differ between Africans and Caucasians/Asians, the average number of variant patterns per locus was significantly lower in Africans. Thus, complex variation patterns characterizing segmental duplications result from relatively recent genomic rearrangements. The high number of these rearrangements, some of which are potentially recurrent, together with differences in population size and expansion dynamics, may account for the greater diversity of CNV in Caucasians/Asians as compared with Africans.

Animals↗

Structural variation among retroviral primer-DNA junctions: solution structure of the HIV-1 (-)-strand Okazaki fragment r(gcca)d(CTGC).d(GCAGTGGC).

The three-dimensional solution structure of the hybrid-chimeric duplex r(gcca)d(CTGC).d(GCAGTGGC) has been determined by two-dimensional NMR, restrained molecular dynamics (rMD), and NOE back-calculation methods. This chimera, consisting of a chimeric RNA-DNA strand and its complementary DNA strand, is formed after priming (-)-strand DNA synthesis by tRNA(Lys3) and subsequent (+)-strand DNA synthesis by reverse transcriptase and is an obligatory intermediate in the formation of double-stranded DNA prior to HIV-1 retrovirus integration. The duplex consists of two different types of double helix: a hybrid form (H-form) and a B-form structure connected by a junction. It is chemically similar to several other Okazaki fragments whose structures have been previously determined in our laboratory. However, some structural parameters are not the same and were found to be sequence dependent. In particular, the sugar conformations at the DNA base pair proximal to the hybrid segment vary from O4'-endo to C2'-endo depending on the base composition. The position of the transition from the relatively wide groove of H-form to the narrow groove of B-form is also sequence dependent, occurring either exactly at the RNA-DNA junction or within the purely DNA segment of the chimera-as is the case in the structure of the present HIV-1 (-)-strand primer. This structural change produces a kink at the DNA-DNA step adjacent to the RNA-DNA junction in the HIV-1 (-)-strand primer. The sequence dependence of structures of RNA-DNA chimeric duplexes may be responsible for the variable cleavage pattern of different Okazaki fragments by reverse transcriptase RNase H.

Base Composition↗

Structural variations and optional introns in the mitochondrial DNAs of Neurospora strains isolated from nature.

Mitochondrial DNAs from ten wild-type Neurospora crassa, Neurospora intermedia, and Neurospora sitophila strains collected from different geographical areas were screened for structural variations by restriction enzyme analysis. The different mtDNAs show much greater structural diversity, both within and among species, than had been apparent from previous studies of mtDNA from laboratory N. crassa strains. The mtDNAs range in size from 60 to 73 kb, and both the smallest and largest mtDNAs are found in N. crassa strains. In addition, four strains contain intramitochondrial plasmid DNAs that do not hybridize with the standard mtDNA. All of the mtDNA species have a basically similar organization. A 25-kb region that includes the rRNA genes and most tRNA genes shows very strong conservation of restriction sites in all strains. The 2.3-kb intron found in the large rRNA gene in standard N. crassa mtDNAs is present in all strains examined, including N. intermedia and N. sitophila strains. The size differences between the different mtDNAs are due to insertions or deletions that occur outside of the rRNA-tRNA region. Restriction enzyme and heteroduplex mapping suggest that four of these insertions are optional introns in the gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Mitochondrial DNAs from different wild-type strains contain zero, one, three, or four of these introns.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Assaying for structural variation in the parvovirus capsid and its role in infection.

The capsid of canine parvovirus (CPV) was assayed for susceptibility to proteases and for structural variation. The natural cleavage of VP2 to VP3 in CPV full (DNA containing) particles recovered from tissue culture occurred within the sequence Arg-Asn-Glu-Arg Ala-Thr. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain, and cathepsin B all cleaved >90% of the VP2 to VP3 in full but not in empty capsids and did not digest the capsid further. Digestion with proteinase K, Pronase, papain, or subtilisin cleaved the VP2 to VP3 and also cleaved at additional internal sites, causing particle disintegration and protein degradation. Several partial digestion products produced by proteinase K or subtilisin were approximately 31-32.5 kDa, indicating cleavage within loop 3 of the capsid protein as well as other sites. Protease treatment of capsids at pH 5.5 or 7.5 did not significantly alter their susceptibility to digestion. The isoelectric point of CPV empty capsids was pH 5.3, and full capsids were 0.3 pH more acidic, but after proteolysis of VP2 to VP3, the pI of the full capsids became the same as that of the empty capsids. Antibodies against various capsid protein sequences showed the amino termini of most VP2 molecules were on the outside of full but not empty particles, that the VP1-unique sequence was internal, and that the capsid could be disintegrated by heat or urea treatment to expose the internal sequences. Capsids added to cells were localized within the cell cytoplasm in vesicles that appeared to be lysosomes. Microinjected capsids remained primarily in the cytoplasm, although a small proportion was observed to be in the nucleus after 2 h. After CPV capsids labeled with [35S]methionine were bound to cells at 0 degrees C and the cells warmed, little cleavage of VP1 or VP2 was observed even after prolonged incubation. Inoculation of cells with virus in the presence of proteinase inhibitors did not significantly reduce the infection.

Animals↗

The characterization of structural variations within a crystal field.

The technique of correlation averaging is refined by the use of multivariate statistical analysis and classification. The refined method can deal with the presence of structural variations within a crystal field. A low-dose image of a crotoxin crystal embedded in ice is used to demonstrate that crystallographic structural parameters characterizing the different areas of such a crystal with varying structure can be extracted rigorously and reproducibly.

Analysis of Variance↗

Structural variation in the human genome.

The first wave of information from the analysis of the human genome revealed SNPs to be the main source of genetic and phenotypic human variation. However, the advent of genome-scanning technologies has now uncovered an unexpectedly large extent of what we term 'structural variation' in the human genome. This comprises microscopic and, more commonly, submicroscopic variants, which include deletions, duplications and large-scale copy-number variants - collectively termed copy-number variants or copy-number polymorphisms - as well as insertions, inversions and translocations. Rapidly accumulating evidence indicates that structural variants can comprise millions of nucleotides of heterogeneity within every genome, and are likely to make an important contribution to human diversity and disease susceptibility.

Genetic Variation↗

Trabecular bone structural variation in biopsy sites of the beagle ilium.

Iliac trabecular bone sites were studied in 2 male and 2 female adult beagles to determine normal structural variability among different sites, and to identify transilial biopsy sites with minimum structural variation. Only sites that provided adequate amounts of trabecular bone were studied. Trabecular bone area and perimeter were measured on microradiographs of ground sagittal sections using a Quantimet 720 image analyzer, and percent bone, perimeter to area ratio, and mean trabecular width were calculated. Over 100% variation was found in the parameters studies among sections from different sites within the same animal. However, variability was minimal among sections obtained more than 2 mm from the lateral or medial cortex within the most caudal sites evaluated. Two sites appropriate for sampling with an 8 mm trephine were identified as being centered over the following points: (a) a point 7 mm caudal to the cranial dorsal spine and 7 mm ventral to the tuber sacrale, and (b) a point 7 mm caudal to the cranial ventral spine and 7 mm dorsal to the tuber coxae. Comparison of data obtained from males and females indicated that sampling variation may also be reduced by using dogs of one sex and by preferential use of males.

Animals↗

Structural variations in the glycosaminoglycan-protein linkage region of recombinant decorin expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Decorin is a small fibroblast proteoglycan consisting of a core protein and a single chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chain. The structure of the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of the recombinant decorin expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated. The decorin was secreted in the culture medium and isolated by anion-exchange chromatography. The glycosaminoglycan chain was released from the decorin by beta-elimination using alkaline NaBH4, and then digested with chondroitinase ABC. These treatments resulted in a major and a few minor hexasaccharide alditols derived from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region. Their structures were analyzed by enzymatic digestion in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography. Two of these compounds have the conventional hexasaccharide core, deltaHexA alpha1-3GalNAc beta1-4GlcA beta1-3Gal beta1-3Gal beta1-4Xyl-ol. One is nonsulfated, and the other is monosulfated on C4 of the GalNAc residue. They represent 12% and 60% of the total linkage region, respectively. The other compound has the hexasaccharide alditol with an internal iduronic acid residue deltaHexA alpha1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate)beta1-4IdoA alpha1-3Gal beta1-3Gal beta1-4Xyl-ol, which was previously demonstrated in one of the five linkage hexasaccharide alditols isolated from dermatan sulfate proteoglycans of bovine aorta (Sugahara et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, 7204-7212, 1995). The compound accounts for 11% of the total linkage region. These structural variations in the linkage hexasaccharide region of the decorin strikingly contrast to the uniformity demonstrated in the linkage hexasaccharide structure of human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (Yamada et al., Glycobiology, 5, 335-341, 1995) and urinary trypsin inhibitor (Yamada et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 233, 687-693, 1995), both of which have a single chondroitin sulfate chain with a uniform linkage hexasaccharide structure, deltaHexA alpha1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate)beta1-4GlcA beta1-3Gal(4-sulfate)beta1-3Gal beta1-4Xyl, containing a 4-O-sulfated Gal residue.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

SVbyEye: a visual tool to characterize structural variation among whole-genome assemblies.

MOTIVATION: We are now in the era of being able to routinely generate highly contiguous (near telomere-to-telomere) genome assemblies of human and nonhuman species. Complex structural variation and regions of rapid evolutionary turnover are being discovered for the first time. Thus, efficient and informative visualization tools are needed to evaluate and directly observe structural differences between two or more genomes. RESULTS: We developed SVbyEye, an open-source R package to visualize and annotate sequence-to-sequence alignments along with various functionalities to process these alignments. The tool facilitates the characterization of complex structural variants in the context of sequence homology helping resolve the mechanisms underlying their formation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: SVbyEye is available on GitHub (https://github.com/daewoooo/SVbyEye) and via Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15303553).

Software↗

Geometric models that classify structural variations of the foot.

The author presents a description of three geometric models to serve as a framework for establishing a numerical classification system of unlimited refinement for structural variations of the foot and foot types. Such a classification system may identify different forms (foot types) that may be closely aligned to complex movements of the foot (dynamic foot function). This may help in the diagnosis and treatment of biomechanical disabilities. Clinical evaluations are based on radiographic landmark data from weightbearing radiographs.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗