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Expression and characterization of the celcflB gene from Cellulomonas flavigena encoding an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase.

An endoglucanase gene called celcflB was isolated from a genomic library of C. flavigena. Its nucleotide sequence showed an ORF of 1725 bp with a GTG start codon. A promoter sequence was found inside the adjacent gene upstream from the start point of translation of celcflB gene. The gene celcflB was induced by sugarcane bagasse and repressed by glucose when C. flavigena was grown on these carbon sources, suggesting that celcflB gene is regulated at transcriptional level. The predicted amino acid sequence of the CelcflB protein presented a catalytic domain with a high homology to family 5 of glycosil hydrolases, and a cellulose binding domain identical to cellulose binding domains type II. The coding region of the celcflB gene was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 and the recombinant protein of 58 kDa presented endoglucanase activity towards carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗

The translational hop junction and the 5' transcriptional start site for the Prevotella loescheii adhesin encoded by plaA.

The Prevotella loescheii adhesin gene, plaA, contains a coding gap between a small open reading frame (ORF-1) and a large open reading frame (ORF-2). Translation of the plaA mRNA requires bypassing this 29-nt coding gap on the plaA transcript. We have determined the N-terminal peptide sequence of the SO34 adhesin beyond the gap sequence. This sequence shows that the peptide junction between ORF-1 and ORF-2 is continuous in the adhesin and supports the conclusion that synthesis of the SO34 adhesin occurs by a ribosomal hop mechanism. To elucidate upstream signals, we used the 5' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) technique to map the start point of the plaA mRNA. DNA sequencing of plasmids with the 5' RACE products placed the 5' end of plaA mRNA 270 nt upstream from the plaA start codon. A region corresponding to a Bacteroides fragilis promoter consensus sequence precedes this start site.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Synthesis of fusion and mature murine alpha interferons in Escherichia coli.

Four murine interferon-alpha (MuIFN-alpha) genes (alpha 1, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 6) were previously identified and characterized. The coding regions of these IFN-alpha genes were inserted into bacterial expression vectors behind the lpp promoter under the control of the lac promoter-operator region, resulting in fusion peptides containing additional N-terminal amino acids (aa). Plasmids coding for the expression of mature IFN-alpha 1 and alpha 5 were also constructed using the same vector system, by inserting a 30-bp synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide, which contains a stop codon for the lpp gene, a ribosome-binding sequence and an ATG start codon for the IFN peptides. The amounts of IFN polypeptides synthesized in Escherichia coli were estimated in the maxi-cell system and their biological activities were measured on mouse and other mammalian cells. The yields of mature IFN produced in this vector were 2 to 4 X 10(6) units/liter; the antiviral activity of the majority of the MuIFNs on human and bovine cells was 100- to 1000-fold lower than on mouse cells. IFN-alpha 4, which contains an internal deletion of 5 aa, showed a lower antiviral activity than other MuIFNs on mouse cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and analysis of translational control for genes encoding the Cfr9I restriction-modification system.

The complete type-II Cfr9I restriction-modification (R-M) system of Citrobacter freundii strain RFL9, recognizing the DNA sequence CCCGGG, has been cloned and expressed, and functionally active enzymes have been produced in Escherichia coli. Both the methyltransferase (MTase; M.Cfr9I) and restriction endonuclease (ENase; R.Cfr9I) were found to be encoded on a 2.3-kb cloned fragment in the same transcriptional orientation, but differing in translational phases. The last codon (underlined) (ATGA) of the MTase-encoding gene (Cfr9IM) overlaps with the start codon for the ENase-encoding gene (overlined) (cfr9IR). A nucleotide sequence complementary to a predicted Shine-Dalgarno sequence preceding cfr9IR is within this gene. Predicted free energy (delta G) for formation of the mRNA secondary structure involving these complementary sequences was found to be -16.1 kcal/mol. Amino-acid sequence homology of 80% was found between R.Cfr9I and R.XcyI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of rat dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) gene and its 5'-upstream region.

Rat dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is a highly acidic 58-kDa phosphoprotein, and DMP1 was the first gene to be cloned from the mineralized dentin matrix. It exists as a highly phosphorylated protein with a pI of 3 in the dentin matrix and, in that state, might have an important role in the mineralization process. The spatio-temporal distribution during development indicates that the expression of this gene is tightly regulated in the odontoblasts. It is now known that DMP1 is not unique to dentin but is present in other mineralized tissues like long bone, calvaria, and ameloblasts. To study the transcriptional regulation and the function of DMP1 in these tissues, a genomic clone with a functional promoter, introns, and exons was isolated. Sequence analysis showed that the rat DMP1 gene is comprised of six exons and five introns and spans approximately 13 kilobases (kb). Exon 1 contains the 5'-untranslated sequences. Exon 2 encodes a total of 18 amino acids including the 16 amino acids of the signal sequence. Exons 3-5 encode 16, 11, and 15 amino acids, respectively. Exon 6 contains 1.3 kb of the coding sequence with the RGD domain, stop codon, and the 3'-untranslated region (1.1 kb). We have mapped two transcription start sites within the DMP1 promoter that are 280 and 321 base pairs, respectively, from the ATG start codon. The location of functional elements within the 5'-upstream DMP1 DNA fragment was determined by cloning it into a luciferase reporter gene. Transient transfection and luciferase assays revealed that the 3 kb fragment has the ability to drive the luciferase gene. However, this promoter activity was restricted to MC3T3-E1 cells (an osteoblast cell lineage). The promoter was silent in Chinese hamster ovary cells (an epithelial cell lineage), indicating the necessity of tissue-specific factors to drive the transcription.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the nontoxic component of Clostridium botulinum type E progenitor toxin.

We have analysed the genes borne on a 6.0 kb HindIII fragment cloned from the chromosome of Clostridium botulinum type E strain Mashike. This fragment, cloned within plasmid pU9EMH, contains part of the structural gene for botulinum toxin type E neurotoxin as well as the entire structural gene for a nontoxic component of botulinum type E progenitor neurotoxin gene, ent-120. ent-120 is transcribed in the same direction as the neurotoxin gene and consists of one open reading frame encoding 1162 amino acid residues. Western blotting with anti-nontoxic component sera demonstrates that ent-120 encodes a protein of 120 kDa which forms part of the nontoxic component. ent-120 is homologous to an analogous gene found in botulinum type C strains (69.3% identity at the nucleotide level and 56.1% at the amino acid level). Two stretches of amino acids at the N-terminus of the ent-120 protein are highly homologous to amino acid sequences within the type E neurotoxin. The stop codon of the ent-120 gene is situated 27 nucleotides upstream from the start codon of the neurotoxin gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transcription of the archaeal trkA homolog in Methanosarcina mazei S-6.

Transcription of the archaeal trkA gene homolog in Methanosarcina mazei S-6 was studied at the optimal growth temperature of 37 degrees C and after heat shock at 45 degrees C. Northern (RNA) blotting results (transcript size) and data from primer extension experiments to map the transcription initiation site indicate that trkA is cotranscribed with another gene. The latter, orf11, encodes a protein of 94 amino acids (10,611 Da) and is located upstream of trkA, with which it overlaps: the translation stop codon of orf11, TGA, shares the bases T and G with the translation start codon of trkA, ATG. These genes' transcription was decreased by heat shock to the point of making the transcript undetectable by Northern or dot blotting procedures. orf11 and trkA differ in codon usage patterns, and the proteins coded by them, i.e., Orf11 and TrkA, are dissimilar in amino acid sequence and composition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Yersinia enterocolitica type III secretion: mutational analysis of the yopQ secretion signal.

Pathogenic Yersinia spp. secrete Yop proteins via the type III pathway. yopQ codons 1 to 15 were identified as a signal necessary and sufficient for the secretion of a fused reporter protein. Frameshift mutations that alter codons 2 to 15 with little alteration of yopQ mRNA sequence do not abolish type III transport, suggesting a model in which yopQ mRNA may provide a signal for secretion (D. M. Anderson and O. Schneewind, Mol. Microbiol. 31:1139-1148, 2001). In a recent study, the yopE signal was truncated to codons 1 to 12. All frameshift mutations introduced within the first 12 codons of yopE abolished secretion. Also, multiple synonymous mutations that changed the mRNA sequence of yopE codons 1 to 12 without altering the amino acid sequence did not affect secretion. These results favor a model whereby an N-terminal signal peptide initiates YopE into the type III pathway (S. A. Lloyd et al., Mol. Microbiol. 39:520-531, 2001). It is reported here that codons 1 to 10 of yopQ act as a minimal secretion signal. Further truncation of yopQ, either at codon 10 or at codon 2, abolished secretion. Replacement of yopQ AUG with either of two other start codons, UUG or GUG, did not affect secretion. However, replacement of AUG with CUG or AAA and initiating translation at the fusion site with npt did not permit Npt secretion, suggesting that the translation of yopQ codons 1 to 15 is a prerequisite for secretion. Frameshift mutations of yopQ codons 1 to 10, 1 to 11, and 1 to 12 abolished secretion signaling, whereas frameshift mutations of yopQ codons 1 to 13, 1 to 14, and 1 to 15 did not. Codon changes at yopQ positions 2 and 10 affected secretion signaling when placed within the first 10 codons but had no effect when positioned in the larger fusion of yopQ codons 1 to 15. An mRNA mutant of yopQ codons 1 to 10, generated by a combination of nine synonymous mutations, was defective in secretion signaling, suggesting that the YopQ secretion signal is not proteinaceous. A model is discussed whereby the initiation of YopQ polypeptide into the type III pathway is controlled by properties of yopQ mRNA.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Regulatory element analysis and structural characterization of the human sarcomeric mitochondrial creatine kinase gene.

Creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) (CK) isoenzymes are crucial to energy metabolism, particularly in tissues with high energy requirements. Nuclear genes encode four known CK subunits: cytoplasmic muscle, cytoplasmic brain, ubiquitous mitochondrial (uMtCK), and sarcomeric mitochondrial (sMtCK). Herein, we report the isolation and complete structural characterization of the human sMtCK gene. It contains 11 exons and encompasses more than 37 kilobase pairs (kb). The sites of exon localization in the sMtCK-coding region and their precise sizes are identical with the human uMtCK gene. The translation start codon is in the third exon and lies 17 kb from the transcription start site. The human sMtCK gene is located on chromosome 5. Sequence analysis of the sMtCK genomic upstream sequences reveals a typical TATAA box within the 80 base pairs (bp) that, by transfection experiments, are sufficient to promote expression of chimeric plasmids with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter. Cis-acting sequences in a fragment containing 3360 bp of upstream sequence, the first exon, and 750 bp of the first intron are sufficient to mediate tissue-specific expression. However, these sequences only partially regulate induction of sMtCK expression in differentiating mouse myoblasts. MEF1/MYOD and MEF2 sequence motifs present in the sMtCK gene are not sufficient to regulate differentiation-specific expression. The sMtCK gene contains sequences homologous to several motifs that are shared among some nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins and that may be essential for the coordinated activation of these genes during mitochondrial biogenesis.

Base Sequence↗

Translation of two nested genes in bacteriophage P4 controls immunity-specific transcription termination.

In phage P4, transcription of the left operon may occur from both the constitutive PLE promoter and the regulated PLL promoter, about 400 nucleotides upstream of PLE. A strong Rho-dependent termination site, timm, is located downstream of both promoters. When P4 immunity is expressed, transcription starting at PLE is efficiently terminated at timm, whereas transcription from PLL is immunity insensitive and reads through timm. We report the identification of two nested genes, kil and eta, located in the P4 left operon. The P4 kil gene, which encodes a 65-amino-acid polypeptide, is the first translated gene downstream of the PLE promoter, and its expression is controlled by P4 immunity. Overexpression of kil causes cell killing. This gene is the terminal part of a longer open reading frame, eta, which begins upstream of PLE. The eta gene is expressed when transcription starts from the PLL promoter. Three likely start codons predict a size between 197 and 199 amino acids for the Eta gene product. Both kil and eta overlap the timm site. By cloning kil upstream of a tRNA reporter gene, we demonstrated that translation of the kil region prevents premature transcription termination at timm. This suggests that P4 immunity might negatively control kil translation, thus enabling transcription termination at timm. Transcription starting from PL proceeds through timm. Mutations that create nonsense codons in eta caused premature termination of transcription starting from PLL. Suppression of the nonsense mutation restored transcription readthrough at timm. Thus, termination of transcription from PLL is prevented by translation of eta.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nonconserved nucleotides at the 3' and 5' ends of an influenza A virus RNA play an important role in viral RNA replication.

The genome of influenza A viruses is composed of eight negative-strand RNA segments which contain short noncoding regions at their 3' and 5' ends. The signals required for replication, transcription, and packaging of the viral RNAs are thought to be located in these regions. The highly conserved noncoding nucleotides, which form "panhandle" or "fork" structures by partial complementarity, are important for the transcriptional activity of the viral RNA polymerase. In contrast, the nonconserved noncoding nucleotides located close to the open reading frame of the viral RNAs had not been implicated in RNA transcription. Using a reverse-genetics system, we have now rescued influenza A/WSN/33 viruses whose NA-specific RNA segments have deletions in these nonconserved noncoding regions. Deletion either of the nucleotide residues between the poly(U) stretch and the stop codon at the 5' end or of the nucleotides between position 15 and the start codon at the 3' end did not affect the amount of NA-RNA species found in virions or infected cells. However, a combination of deletions at both the 3' and the 5' ends decreased by 60 times the levels of NA-specific viral RNA found in infected cells at late periods of infection and in virions. This double deletion was also responsible for a fourfold reduction of the steady-state levels of the NA-specific mRNA in infected cells. Viruses whose NA-specific open reading frames were flanked by the noncoding regions of the PB1- or the NS-RNA segments of infuenza A/WSN/33 virus also showed a reduction in the NA-specific viral RNA in virions and in infected cells. The present results demonstrate that the nonconserved nucleotides at the 3' and 5' ends of the NA-RNA segment of influenza A virus play an important role in the replication of this segment.

Animals↗

Bovine adenovirus type 3 E1B(small) protein is essential for growth in bovine fibroblast cells.

In order to study the function of bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV-3) E1A and E1B(small) proteins, we constructed two mutants: (a) BAV102A carries an in-frame deletion in the coding region for the E1A protein (nt 831-1080); (b) BAV102B carries an insertion of triple stop codons in the E1B region (nt 1654, 178 bp downstream of the E1B(small) start codon), which stops the translation of the E1B(small) gene. BAV102A virus could grow to the wild-type BAV-3 titer in transformed cell line VIDO R2 (HAV-5 E1 transformed) cells, but no progeny virus could be found in fetal bovine retina cells (FBRC). RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that neither mRNA transcripts nor protein expression of early genes [E1B(small) and DNA binding protein (DBP)] could be detected in BAV102A infected FBRC. The BAV102B grew 1.5 log less than wild-type BAV-3 in FBRC; however, no BAV102B progeny virus could be observed in bovine fibroblast (BFB) cells. No appreciable difference was observed in DBP transcript synthesis between wild-type BAV-3- or BAV102B-infected FBRC. However, compared to wild-type BAV-3, BAV102B viral DNA synthesis and fiber gene expression were found to be slightly reduced in FBRC. In contrast, compared to wild-type BAV-3, DBP transcripts and viral DNA synthesis were drastically reduced in BAV102B-infected BFB cells. In addition, no fiber gene expression could be detected in BAV102B-infected BFB cells. These results suggest that BAV-3 E1A is essential for virus replication and is required for activating the transcription of other BAV-3 early genes. However, the requirement for E1B(small) protein for BAV-3 replication appears to be cell type-dependent.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Cloning and characterization of an amidase gene from Rhodococcus species N-774 and its expression in Escherichia coli.

For investigation of an unknown open reading frame which is present upstream of the nitrile hydratase (NHase) gene from Rhodococcus sp. N-774, a longer DNA fragment covering the entire gene was cloned in Escherichia coli. Nucleotide sequencing and detailed subcloning experiments predicted a single open reading frame consisting of 521 amino acid residues of Mr 54,671. The amino acid sequence, especially its NH2-terminal portion, showed significant homology with those of indoleacetamide hydrolases from Pseudomonas savastanoi and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and acetamidase from Aspergillus nidulans. The 521-amino acid coding region was therefore expressed by use of the E. coli lac promoter in E. coli, and was found to direct a considerable amidase activity. This amidase hydrolyzed propionamide efficiently, and also hydrolyzed, at a lower efficiency, acetamide, acrylamide and indoleacetamide. These data clearly show that the unknown open reading frame present upstream of the NHase coding region encodes an amidase. Because the TAG translational stop codon of the amidase is located only 75 base pairs apart from the ATG start codon of the alpha-subunit of NHase, these genes are probably translated in a polycistronic manner.

Amidohydrolases↗

An overlap between operons involved in carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

A new example of superoperonal gene arrangement has been documented in the Rhodobacter capsulatus photosynthetic gene cluster. The promoter for the operon initiated by the bchI gene is embedded within an upstream operon for carotenoid synthesis. The stop codon for the crtA gene, the only gene in the first operon, overlaps the start codon of the downstream bchI gene. As a consequence of this overlap, the promoter(s) for the bch operon must be located within the crtA structural gene. The bchI gene is shown here for the first time to be required for the conversion of protoporphyrin IX to subsequent intermediates in bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis.

Bacteriochlorophylls↗

Quorum sensing in Vibrio fischeri: elements of the luxl promoter.

Although cell density-dependent regulation of the luminescence genes in Vibrio fischeri is a model for quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, relatively little is known about the promoter of the luminescence operon. The luminescence operon is activated by the LuxR protein, which requires a diffusible acylhomoserine lactone signal. The lux box, a 20 bp inverted repeat, is located in the luxl promoter region and is required for LuxR-dependent induction of the luminescence genes. Using primer extension, we mapped the LuxR-dependent transcriptional start site of the lux operon to 19 bp upstream of the luxl start codon. This indicates that the lux box is centred at -42.5 bp from the start of transcription. To gain evidence about the location of the -10 sequence, we placed a consensus -35 hexamer at different locations relative to the luxl transcriptional start site and measured constitutive levels of luminescence in recombinant Escherichia coli. The strongest constitutive promoter contained a TATAGT hexamer 17 bp from the -35 consensus sequence and 6 bp from the transcriptional start site. We propose that this is the -10 hexamer. Also in recombinant E. coli, both half-sites of the lux box were required for LuxR-dependent gene activation and for activation by an autoinducer-independent, monomeric LuxR deletion protein. LuxR-dependent activation of luminescence was eliminated when the lux box was centred at -47.5, -52.5 and -62.5 with respect to the luxl transcriptional start site. Our evidence, taken together with other information, points to a model in which a LuxR dimer overlaps the -35 region of the luxl promoter and functions as an ambidextrous activator with each LuxR subunit interacting with a different region of RNA polymerase.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Screening of genomic DNA to identify mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase.

Mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) are responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). Thus far, mutations in this gene have been identified based on alterations in Southern or Northern blot analysis or cDNA sequence. To permit detection of mutations in genomic DNA, we designed PCR primers to flank each of the 19 exons of Btk with splice sites. Two overlapping PCR products were employed for exons longer than 230 base pairs. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to screen PCR products from 30 unrelated families presumed to carry a Btk mutation. It was possible to amplify DNA in every reaction from every patient, indicating that large deletions in Btk are uncommon. Twenty three different mutations were found in 25 unrelated families, including one family in whom DNA was available from a carrier but not an affected patient. Seven mutations were single base pair substitutions resulting in premature stop codons scattered throughout the gene. Small insertions or deletions causing frameshifts and secondary premature stop codons constituted an additional seven mutations. One patient had a point mutation in the start codon and one patient had a mutation in a splice donor site. Point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions were seen in nine patients. Northern blot analysis of RNA from three patients with premature stop codons showed an absence of Btk transcript whereas four patients with amino acid substitutions had normal amounts of transcript of normal size. These studies document the considerable variability in the Btk mutations causing XLA and they demonstrate an approach that will be useful for carrier detection as well as mutation identification.

Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗

Mutational and transcriptional analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni flagellar biosynthesis gene flhB.

A Campylobacter jejuni gene encoding a homologue of the flagellar biosynthesis gene flhB was identified downstream of the peroxide stress defence gene ahpC. Insertional mutagenesis of the flhB gene rendered C. jejuni non-motile, with most cells aflagellate, although a small number expressed truncated flagella. The absence of FlhB also appeared to affect cell shape, as the majority of cells were straight rather than curved rods. Transcription of the flagellin gene flaA was significantly reduced in the C. jejuni flhB mutants, which also did not express significant amounts of flagellin proteins, indicating that FlhB is an essential protein for subsequent expression of flagellar genes. The transcription start site of the flhB gene, as determined by primer extension, was located 91 bp upstream of the flhB start codon, but no recognizable promoter sequence could be identified immediately upstream of this transcription start site. Transcriptional flhB::lacZ reporter gene fusions confirmed that the flhB gene has its own promoter region, is expressed at very low levels and is transcribed independently of ahpC, and that its transcription is not regulated by iron or growth phase.

Bacterial Proteins↗