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Intra- and inter-specific variation in nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 of the Schistosoma japonicum species complex.

The first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat was sequenced for members of the Schistosoma japonicum species complex (S. malayensis, S. mekongi and 2 geographical isolates of S. japonicum). The ITS1 is composed of 3 distinct regions: the 5' end (23 nucleotides); a tract of approximately 90-140 nucleotides, which occurs up to 7 times in tandem, the number varying even within an individual in all species investigated in this study; the 3' region (378 nucleotides), which lacks repeats. There is size and sequence variation among copies of the ITS1 repeat within a single individual. The relative abundances of size variants of ITS1 in S. japonicum have been ascertained by hybridizing genomic digests with an ITS1 probe. Multiple repeats and intra-individual variation in numbers and abundance of these is a feature of the Asian schistosomes, but not generally of African schistosomes. Possible reasons for this difference in ITS1 between African and Asian schistosomes are discussed. The ITS1 repeat sequences described for African schistosomes are different to, and cannot be aligned with, those from the Asian species described here, whereas the remainder of the ITS1 can be aligned quite easily.

Animals↗

Duplication and amplification of toxin genes in Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae strains of the classical biotype all contain two widely separated copies of the cholera toxin operon ctxAB. In contrast, EI Tor strains containing multiple copies of ctx have their copies arranged on large tandem repeats which are either 7 or 9.7 kb in length. The variation in size among these large tandem duplications was due to a difference in the copy number of a smaller, 2.7 kb, tandemly repeated sequence (RS1) that is located at the novel joint of these duplications, as well as upstream and downstream of ctx. Southern blot hybridization analysis indicated that amplification of a DNA region carrying ctx and flanked by direct repeats of RS1 may be responsible for the hypertoxinogenic phenotype of EI Tor variants selected by intraintestinal growth in rabbits.

Animals↗

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of recurrent unbalanced t(11;17) in neuroblastoma.

Loss of 11q material occurs in approximately 30% of advanced stage neuroblastoma and defines a distinct genetic subtype of this disease. These tumors almost always possess unbalanced gain of the 17q, along with many additional recurrent chromosomal imbalances. Loss of 11q and gain of 17q is often the consequence of an unbalanced translocation between the long arms of both chromosomes, but because of the involvement of other chromosomal mechanisms, the actual frequency of t(11;17) is unknown. In addition, chromosomal breakpoint positions for the t(11;17) are variable in different tumors, with breakpoints on neither the 11q nor 17q being well defined. We have used interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to detect a der(11)t(11;17) in a series of neuroblastomas with 11q loss/17q gain using a statistical approach which could be applicable to the detection of translocations in other solid tumors. The frequency of der(11)t(11;17) was approximately 90% in our neuroblastoma series. A balanced t(11;17) was also detected in a MYCN amplified tumor, which is a distinctly different genetic subtype from the 11q- tumors. Breakpoint positions on 11q were determined to be variable, whereas all breakpoints on 17q appeared to cluster proximal to position 43.1 Mb on the DNA sequence map. The majority of tumors had large numbers of nuclei with 2 or more copies of der(11)t(11;17), which led to unbalanced gain of 11p, and further increases in 17q imbalance. The prevalence of t(11;17) in neuroblastoma warrants additional studies to further define the range in variation in breakpoint positions on both chromosomes and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that lead to this important and interesting recurrent genetic abnormality.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial↗

Analysis of ancient DNA from a prehistoric Amerindian cemetery.

The Norris Farms No. 36 cemetery in central Illinois has been the subject of considerable archaeological and genetic research. Both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA have been examined in this 700-year-old population. DNA preservation at the site was good, with about 70% of the samples producing mtDNA results and approximately 15% yielding nuclear DNA data. All four of the major Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups were found, in addition to a fifth haplogroup. Sequences of the first hypervariable region of the mtDNA control region revealed a high level of diversity in the Norris Farms population and confirmed that the fifth haplogroup associates with Mongolian sequences and hence is probably authentic. Other than a possible reduction in the number of rare mtDNA lineages in many populations, it does not appear as if European contact significantly altered patterns of Amerindian mtDNA variation, despite the large decrease in population size that occurred. For nuclear DNA analysis, a novel method for DNA-based sex identification that uses nucleotide differences between the X and Y copies of the amelogenin gene was developed and applied successfully in approximately 20 individuals. Despite the well-known problems of poor DNA preservation and the ever-present possibility of contamination with modern DNA, genetic analysis of the Norris Farms No. 36 population demonstrates that ancient DNA can be a fruitful source of new insights into prehistoric populations.

Amelogenin↗

Linkage of two distinct AT-rich minisatellites at multiple loci in the genome of Theileria parva.

Minisatellite tandem repeat elements are well known components of vertebrate genomes, but have not yet been extensively characterized in lower eukaryotes. We describe two unusual, AT-rich minisatellites of the protozoan parasite Theileria parva whose sequences are unrelated to the G/C-rich i minisatellite superfamily' of vertebrate and plant genomes. The T. parva tandem repeats, one with a conserved sequence T2-5ACACA (6-17 copies), and the other with a 6-bp core sequence of either ACTATA or TATACT associated with additional variable sequences in repeats of 10-17bp (3-7 copies), were closely linked at more than 20 sites in the T. parva genome, separated by 390, 510 and 660bp at three loci analysed in detail. Such linkage is without precedent in minisatellites so far analysed in other organisms. The minisatellite loci were widely dispersed on 13 out of 33 genomic SfiI fragments, on all four T. parva chromosomes and did not exhibit a telomeric bias in their distribution. Analysis of flanking sequences revealed no obvious conserved sequences between the five loci, or other multicopy repeat sequences outside the minisatellite regions. The T2-5 ACACA minisatellite was highly effective as a multilocus fingerprinting probe for discrimination of T. parva isolates. Analysis of two individual minisatellite loci revealed variation between the genomic DNAs of two T. parva isolates in the copy number of the constituent repeats within the array, similar to that typical of vertebrate minisatellites. 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Animals↗

Human SULT1A1 gene: copy number differences and functional implications.

SULT1A1, which catalyzes the sulfate conjugation of a wide variety of natural and synthetic compounds, is genetically polymorphic. Biochemical and pharmacogenetic studies have demonstrated that individual variation in the level of enzyme activity is inherited. Common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the open reading frame and in the 5'-flanking region (5'-FR) may account for a portion of this individual variation. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of SULT1A1 gene deletions and duplications, representing an additional source of variability in the metabolic activity of this enzyme. A quantitative multiplex PCR assay was used to measure the extent of copy number differences and the frequency of these events in different populations. An analysis of DNA from 362 Caucasian-American and 99 African-American showed the presence of 1 to approximately 5 copies of SULT1A1 in individual samples: 5% of Caucasian subjects contained a single copy of the gene and 26% had three or more copies, while 63% of African-American subjects had three or more copies. Analysis of the genomic region surrounding the SULT1A1 gene in three separate cases with a deletion demonstrated that the entire SULT1A1 gene was affected. Reporter assays, constructed for each of the various 5'-FR SNP haplotypes, suggest that these may also play a role in SULT1A1 activity. However, the variability in the level of enzyme activity among 23 human platelet and 267 human liver samples was best explained by gene copy number differences when all sources of genetic variability were considered (P < 0.0001). Overall, these observations have obvious implications for the effectiveness of SULT1A1 as a drug and hormone metabolizing enzyme and its potential role as a risk factor for disease.

Adult↗

Virus deoxyribonucleic acid sequences in subdiploid and subtetraploid revertants of polyoma-transformed cells.

Polyoma-transformed cells can revert in the properties characteristic of transformation, although they maintain the polyoma-specific T antigen. Transformed cells contain the same number of copies of polyoma virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) per cell (eight) as revertants with a subdiploid or a subtetraploid chromosome number. The results indicate that the duplication of chromosomes in the subtetraploid revertants did not include the chromosomes that carry the viral genome. The virus DNA in both transformed and revertant cells was associated with high-molecular-weight cell DNA. Reversion of the properties of transformed cells was, therefore, not associated either with a decrease in number of virus DNA copies per cell or with a lack of association of the virus DNA with cell DNA.

Animals↗

Comparative HPLC, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblot analyses of dental enamel proteins.

The primary structures of amelogenins expressed from different genes vary because of DNA sequence divergence and variations in alternative RNA splicing. The pattern of splicing is unique for each amelogenin gene yet investigated, even when two copies of the gene are expressed in the same cell. Despite the high conservation of amelogenin sequences, diversity in the pattern of RNA splicing leads to significant differences in the number and character of amelogenin isoforms in the developing enamel matrix. Since conservation of molecular structure is an indicator of functional significance, we compared enamel protein preparations from rat, porcine, rabbit, and opossum developing tooth organs. Enamel extracts were fractionated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Western blot analyses were performed with polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant murine amelogenin and the polypeptide encoded by murine exon 4. The opossum enamel extract produced the simplest chromatogram, suggesting that fewer proteins are secreted into the developing enamel matrix. The predominant opossum amelogenin has an apparent molecular mass of 28 kDa and reacts strongly with the recombinant amelogenin antibody but is not recognized by the murine exon 4 antibody. Opossum amelogenin mRNA was amplified with murine amelogenin primers specific for the amino- and carboxyl-terminal coding regions. The mobility of the amplification products on 4% agarose gels indicates that the leucine-rich amelogenin polypeptide (LRAP) is expressed in the opossum and that the major amelogenin is larger than its homologue in the mouse. We conclude that the alternative splicing of amelogenins pre-dates the metatherian and eutherian divergence over 100 million years ago.

Alternative Splicing↗

Molecular analysis of the SMN and NAIP genes in Spanish spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) families and correlation between number of copies of cBCD541 and SMA phenotype.

Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive disorder which affects about 1 in 10,000 individuals. The three clinical forms of SMA were mapped to the 5q13 region. Three candidate genes have been isolated and shown to be deleted in SMA patients: the Survival Motor Neuron gene (SMN), the Neuronal Apoptosis Inhibitory Protein gene (NAIP) and the XS2G3 cDNA. In this report we present the molecular analysis of the SMN exons 7 and 8 and NAIP exon 5 in 65 Spanish SMA families. NAIP was mostly deleted in type I patients (67.9%) and SMN was deleted in 92.3% of patients with severe and milder forms. Most patients who lacked the NAIP gene also lacked the SMN gene, but we identified one type II patient deleted for NAIP exon 5 but not for SMN exons 7 and 8. Two other patients carried deletions of NAIP exon 5 and SMN exon 7 but retained the SMN exon 8. Three polymorphic variants from the SMN gene, showing changes on the sequence of the centromeric (cBCD541) and telomeric copies of the SMN gene, were found. In addition, we show several genetic rearrangements of the telomeric SMN gene, which include duplication of this gene in one normal chromosome, and putative gene conversion events in affected and normal chromosomes. Altogether these results corroborate the high genetic variability of the SMA region. Finally, we have determined the ratio between the number of centromeric and telomeric copies of the SMN gene in parents of SMA patients, showing that the majority of parents of types II and III patients carried three or more copies of the cBCD541 gene; we suggest a relationship between the number of copies of cBCD541 and the disease phenotype.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning, characterization, and sequencing of an accessory gene regulator (agr) in Staphylococcus aureus.

We have previously identified a gene in Staphylococcus aureus, agr, whose activity is required for high-level post-exponential-phase expression of a series of secreted proteins. In this paper, we describe the cloning of this gene in Escherichia coli by using an inserted transposon (Tn551) as a cloning probe. The cloned gene, consisting of a 241-codon open reading frame containing the site of the transposon insertion, was recloned to an S. aureus vector, pSK265, and shown to be functional in S. aureus. Activity was evaluated by determinations of alpha-hemolysin, beta-hemolysin, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production in early-stationary-phase cultures. The cloned gene showed considerable variation with respect to different exoproteins and different host strains compared with the chromosomal agr determinant; this variation could not be attributed to the higher copy number of the cloned gene and probably reflects inapparent subtleties of the regulatory system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasmid maintenance functions encoded on Dictyostelium discoideum nuclear plasmid Ddp1.

All of the plasmid-carried genes expressed during vegetative growth are essential for long-term maintenance of plasmid Ddp1 in the nucleus of Dictyostelium discoideum. Deletion of Ddp1 genes expressed only during development had no detectable effect on plasmid maintenance. Deletion of vegetatively expressed genes, either singly or in pairs, resulted in (i) a rapid loss of plasmid from cells grown in the absence of selection for plasmid retention, (ii) variation in the proportion of monomer to multimer forms of the plasmid molecules, and/or (iii) abnormalities in plasmid copy number. At least two plasmid-encoded gene products influence patterns of expression of plasmid genes.

Animals↗

Tumour-associated antigens in primary mouse fibroblasts induced by transformation with bovine papillomavirus type 1.

Bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV 1) DNA was used to transform primary fibroblasts of C57BL/6J mice. Transformation frequency in these cells was much lower than in C127 cells and not associated with the appearance of morphologically distinct foci. However, continuous lines of transformed C57BL/6J cells were developed by serial subculturing of transfected cells. These transformed cell lines showed phenotypic properties associated with transformation including abnormal karyotypes. They contained variable amounts of viral DNA, but the copy number was in the same range as in six C127 transformants tested for comparison. In two cell lines monomeric viral DNA in an episomal form was detected. Slowly migrating viral sequences in these and in the third line were probably episomal concatamers, but the possibility of integration could not be excluded. There was some variation in immunogenicity, but all cell lines induced a cell-mediated immune response in syngeneic mice detected by the chromium release assay. In addition to BPV 1-transformed cell lines, the effector cells also reacted against an unidentified antigen shared by 2 cell lines transformed by SV40 and UV irradiation, respectively.

Animals↗

The MAR-Mediated Reduction in Position Effect Can Be Uncoupled from Copy Number-Dependent Expression in Transgenic Plants.

To study the role of matrix-associated regions (MARs) in establishing independent chromatin domains in plants, two transgenes were cloned between chicken lysozyme A elements. These transgenes were the neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) gene under control of the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter and the [beta]-glucuronidase (GUS) gene controlled by the double cauliflower mosaic virus (dCaMV) 35S promoter. The A elements are supposed to establish an artificial chromatin domain upon integration into the plant DNA, resulting in an independent unit of transcriptional regulation. Such a domain is thought to be characterized by a correlated and position-independent, hence copy number-dependent, expression of the genes within the domain. The presence of MARs resulted in a higher relative transformation efficiency, demonstrating MAR influence on NPTII gene expression. However, variation in NPTII gene expression was not significantly reduced. The selection bias for NPTII gene expression during transformation could not fully account for the lack of reduction in variation of NPTII gene expression. Topological interactions between the promoter and A element may interfere with the A element as a domain boundary. In contrast, the GUS gene on the same putative chromatin domain showed a highly significant reduction in variation of gene expression, as expected from previous results. Surprisingly, no copy number-dependent GUS gene expression was observed: all plants showed approximately the same GUS activity. We concluded, therefore, that dCaMV 35S-GUS gene expression in mature tobacco plants is regulated by some form of dosage compensation.

Journal Article↗

Variation of nitrate reductase genes in selected grass species.

In order to study the variation of nitrate reductase (NR) genes among grass species, gene number, intron size and number, and the heme-hinge fragment sequence of 25 grass species were compared. Genomic DNA cut with six restriction enzymes and hybridized with the barley NAD(P)H and NADH NR gene probes revealed a single NAD(P)H NR gene copy and two or more NADH NR gene copies per haploid genome in most of the species examined. Major exceptions were Hordeum vulgare, H. vulgare ssp. spontaneum, and Avena strigosa, which appeared to have a single NADH NR gene copy. The NADH NR gene intron number and lengths were examined by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Introns I and III appeared to be absent in at least one of the NADH NR genes in the grass species, while intron II varied from 0.8 to 2.4 kilobases in length. The NADH NR gene heme-hinge regions were amplified and sequenced. The estimated average overall nucleotide substitution rate in the sequenced region was 7.8 x 10(-10) substitutions/site per year. The synonymous substitution rate was 2.11 x 10(-9) substitutions/synonymous site per year and the nonsynonymous substitution rate was 4.10 x 10(-10) substitutions/nonsynonymous site per year. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all of the wild Hordeum species examined clustered in a group separate from H. vulgare and H. vulgare ssp. spontaneum.

Base Sequence↗

copia expression is variable among natural populations of Drosophila.

A survey of copia (retroviral-like element) expression in flies representing 37 populations worldwide of Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila simulans and Drosophila mauritiana demonstrates that, although copia elements are present in all three species, copia-encoded transcripts are detectable only in D. melanogaster. Levels of copia transcripts vary nearly 100-fold among flies representing geographically diverse populations of D. melanogaster and this variation is not correlated with variability in copia copy number. Analysis of transcript levels in interpopulation hybrids demonstrates that much of this variability may be attributable to the action of trans-acting controls. The geographic and phylogenetic pattern of copia expression suggests that moderate to high levels of copia expression may be a relatively recent evolutionary acquisition. The potential evolutionary significance of these findings is discussed.

Animals↗

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of recently adapted isolates of Plasmodium falciparum from Thailand.

The drug sensitivity characteristics and Plasmodium falciparum pfmdr1 status of five isolates of P. falciparum recently isolated from patients presenting for treatment from the Thailand/Myanmar border have been investigated. The aim of the study was to avoid the criticisms of some earlier studies by focusing on newly collected isolates from a specific geographic location. Three of the isolates studied exhibited clear resistance to chloroquine similar to that observed in the K1 Thai standard isolate obtained in the 1970s, and the other two isolates were of intermediate sensitivity to chloroquine with concentrations of drug that inhibit parasite growth by 50% of 50 and 43 nmol. The sensitivity of all isolates was enhanced by verapamil but we found no clear association between chloroquine sensitivity and gene copy number or intra-allelic variation of pfmdr1. In contrast, clear cross-resistance was seen between mefloquine and halofantrine, with the most sensitive isolates carrying the K1 mutation in pfmdr1.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of human mitochondrial DNA maintenance: the determining role of primary sequence and length over function.

Although the regulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is performed by nuclear-coded factors, very little is known about the mechanisms controlling this process. We attempted to introduce nonhuman ape mtDNA into human cells harboring either no mtDNA or mutated mtDNAs (partial deletion and tRNA gene point mutation). Unexpectedly, only cells containing no mtDNA could be repopulated with nonhuman ape mtDNA. Cells containing a defective human mtDNA did not incorporate or maintain ape mtDNA and therefore died under selection for oxidative phosphorylation function. On the other hand, foreign human mtDNA was readily incorporated and maintained in these cells. The suicidal preference for self-mtDNA showed that functional parameters associated with oxidative phosphorylation are less relevant to mtDNA maintenance and copy number control than recognition of mtDNA self-determinants. Non-self-mtDNA could not be maintained into cells with mtDNA even if no selection for oxidative phosphorylation was applied. The repopulation kinetics of several mtDNA forms after severe depletion by ethidium bromide treatment showed that replication and maintenance of mtDNA in human cells are highly dependent on molecular features, because partially deleted mtDNA molecules repopulated cells significantly faster than full-length mtDNA. Taken together, our results suggest that mtDNA copy number may be controlled by competition for limiting levels of trans-acting factors that recognize primarily mtDNA molecular features. In agreement with this hypothesis, marked variations in mtDNA levels did not affect the transcription of nuclear-coded factors involved in mtDNA replication.

Animals↗

Biogeographic analysis of the Uhu and LOA elements in the Hawaiian Drosophila.

Two transposable elements have been isolated from the Hawaiian Drosophila, the Uhu and LOA elements. The Uhu element has been shown to be present in a group of closely related species, the planitibia subgroup of the picture-winged Drosophila. This study examines the distribution of the Uhu element in several other subgroups of the picture-winged Drosophila, as well as the modified-mouthparts and antopocerus groups of the Hawaiian Drosophila. The LOA element has a much more limited distribution, having only been found in representatives of the planitibia and grimshawi subgroups of the picture-winged Drosophila. For both the Uhu and LOA elements there is an inverse correlation between the copy number of the element and the age of the island on which the species is endemic, i.e., species endemic to the Island of Hawaii, the youngest island, have the highest copy number, while species endemic to Kauai, the oldest island, have the lowest copy number of the element. The correlation suggests there is a relationship between speciation and the activity of transposable elements.

Animals↗