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A novel approach of cell-free peptide synthesis and SNPs detection using nano-circular single-stranded DNA.

Development of peptide/protein synthesis is very important for investigating the functions of peptides and proteins. The advantages of cell-free synthesis, which has been extensively developed, include the ability to synthesize toxic proteins, aggregated proteins and proteins containing unnatural amino acids. However, this promising approach does not have a high reaction yield. In this study, we examine whether the rolling synchronization system, which produces long RNAs with a repeated sequence encoded by very small circular ssDNAs without the promoter sequence for RNA polymerase, can be used for cell-free peptide synthesis to improve the reaction yield. As a result, we have found that rolling synchronization is useful for large-scale cell-free peptide/protein synthesis.

Base Sequence↗

Circular dichroism and 500-MHz proton magnetic resonance studies of the interaction of Escherichia coli translational initiation factor 3 protein with the 16S ribosomal RNA 3' cloacin fragment.

The RNA helix destabilizing properties of Escherichia coli initiation factor 3 protein (IF3), and its affinity for an evolutionarily conserved sequence at the 3' end of 16S rRNA, led us to examine the details of the protein-nucleic acid interactions upon IF3 binding to the 49-nucleotide 3'-terminal cloacin DF13 fragment of 16S rRNA by studying the circular dichroism (CD) and proton magnetic resonance spectra of the RNA, the protein, and their complex. In a physiological tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer, where the interaction is primarily nonionic and sequence specific, addition of IF3 decreases the RNA 268-nm CD peak hyperbolically by 19% to an end point of about one IF3 per RNA strand. The titration curve is best fit by an association constant of (1.80 +/- 0.05) X 10(7) M-1, within the range estimated by a nuclease mapping study of the same system [Wickstrom, E. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 11, 2035-2052]. In a low-salt phosphate buffer without Mg2+, where the interaction is primarily ionic and nonspecific, titration with IF3 decreases the peak CD sigmoidally by 35% to an end point of two IF3 per strand. The titration curve is best fit by an intrinsic association constant of (1.7 +/- 0.7) X 10(6) M-1 for each IF3 and a cooperativity constant of 33 +/- 6. In a physiological phosphate buffer lacking Mg2+, the dispersion of aromatic proton magnetic resonance peaks and upfield-shifted methyl proton resonances indicates a high degree of secondary and tertiary structure in the protein. In an equimolar mixture of IF3 and RNA cloacin fragment, several changes in identifiable IF3 and RNA resonances are observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacteriocins↗

Increased expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is characterized by hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle. The growth of smooth-muscle cells (SMCs) is regulated by several growth factors. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a growth-regulatory peptide found in a wide range of embryonic and adult tissues. It has been recognized that TGF-alpha has growth-promoting effects in vascular and visceral SMCs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether TGF-alpha plays a role in the pyloric-muscle hypertrophy in IHPS. Full-thickness pyloric-muscle biopsy specimens were obtained at the time of pyloromyotomy from 10 IHPS patients (age range 24-76 days). Age-matched control material included 10 pyloric-muscle specimens taken at autopsy in patients without evidence of gastrointestinal disease. Indirect immunohistochemistry was performed using the ABC method with anti-TGF-alpha polyclonal antibody. In-situ hybridization was performed using a digoxigenin-labelled, TGF-alpha-specific oligonucleotide probe. There was a marked increase in TGF-alpha immunoreactivity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in SMCs in pyloric circular and longitudinal muscle in IHPS specimens compared to controls. The increased expression of TGF-alpha mRNA together with increased TGF-alpha immunoreactivity in IHPS suggests increased local synthesis of TGF-alpha by pyloric SMCs, causing pyloric-muscle hypertrophy.

Biopsy↗

High pressure effects on conformation of homo- and heteroduplexes of nucleic acids.

Four different chemically synthesized single stranded complementary oligonucleotides: DNA I, d(GCGCGCATATAT); RNA I, r(AUAUAUGCGCGC): RNA II, r(GGCCGGUUAAUU); and RNA III, r(AAUUAACCGGCC) were studied in order that the effects of high pressure on heteroduplex and homoduplex structures could be understood. The oligonucleotides were subjected to a high pressure at low and/or high salt buffer and analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. In these conditions, both DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA duplexes with different purine-pyrimidine sequences change their conformation. The heteroduplex DNA I-RNA I with the complementary alternating purine-pyrimidine sequence, does not change its conformation of A type at high salt alone or at high salt and high pressure applied together. The homoduplex RNA II-RNA III with purine-purine-pyrimidine-pyrimidine sequence does not change strongly its. A-RNA conformation either. However, a structure of the homoduplex is affected by high pressure alone or with high salt as concluded from shifting the maximum of the CD spectrum to around 265 nm and inducing higher Cotton effect. These observations clearly suggest some conformational changes of the homoduplex. A single stranded oligonucleotide (RNA I) and oligodeoxynucleotide (DNA I) alone showed up a different conformation. The CD spectrum of RNA I is similar to that of A-RNA structure, out that of DNA I shows a very small Cotton effect and has not an ordered structure.

Circular Dichroism↗

The DNA replication fork can pass RNA polymerase without displacing the nascent transcript.

Replication proteins encoded by bacteriophage T4 generate DNA replication forks that can pass a molecule of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase moving in the same direction as the fork in vitro. The RNA polymerase ternary transcription complex remains bound to the DNA and retains a transcription bubble after the fork passes. The by-passed ternary complex can resume faithful RNA synthesis, suggesting that the multisubunit RNA polymerase of E. coli has evolved to retain its transcript after DNA replication, allowing partially completed transcripts to be elongated into full-length RNA molecules.

Bacteriophage T4↗

Selectivity of polyamines on the stability of RNA-DNA hybrids containing phosphodiester and phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

RNA-DNA hybrid stabilization is an important factor in the efficacy of oligonucleotide-based antisense gene therapy. We studied the ability of natural polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, and a series of their structural analogues to stabilize RNA-DNA hybrids using melting temperature (Tm) measurements, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and the ethidium bromide (EB) displacement assay. Phosphodiester (PO) and phosphorothioate (PS) oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) (21-mer) targeted to the initiation codon region of c-myc mRNA and the corresponding complementary RNA oligomer were used for this study. In the absence of polyamines, the Tm values of RNA-PODNA and RNA-PSDNA helices were 41 +/- 1 and 35 +/- 1 degrees C, respectively, in 10 mM sodium cacodylate buffer. In the presence of a hexamine analogue of spermine at a concentration of 25 microM, the hybrids were stabilized with Tm values of 80 and 78 degrees C, for RNA-PODNA and RNA-PSDNA, respectively. The d(Tm)/d(log[polyamine]) values, representing the concentration-dependent stabilization of hybrid helices by polyamines, increased from 10 to 24 for both the RNA-PODNA and RNA-PSDNA helices. Bisethyl substitution of the primary amino groups of the polyamines reduced the hybrid stabilizing potential of the polyamines. Among the homologues of spermidine [H2N(CH2)3NH(CH2)nNH2, where n = 2-8; n = 4 for spermidine] and spermine [H)N(CH2)3NH(CH2)nNH(CH2)3NH2, where n = 2-8; n = 4 for spermine], spermidine and spermine were the most effective agents for stabilizing the hybrid helices. At a physiologically compatible concentration of 150 mM NaCl, the hybrid helix formed from PODNA was more stable than that formed from PSDNA in the presence of polyamines. CD spectroscopic studies showed that the hybrids were stabilized in a conformation close to A-DNA in the presence of polyamines. The relative binding affinity of the polyamine homologues for the hybrid helices, as measured by the EB displacement assay, followed the same order in which they stabilized the hybrids. These results are important in the antisense context and in the general context of polyamine-nucleic acid interactions, and suggest that pentamine and hexamine analogues of spermine might be useful in improving the efficacy of therapeutic ODNs.

Binding, Competitive↗

Genome structure of spirochetes.

The genome structures of several pathogenic spirochetes have recently been determined. The genomes of Borrelia species consist of a linear chromosome of approximately one million base pairs (Mb) and various linear and circular plasmids. Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms and 16S ribosomal RNA sequence data indicate the division of Borrelia burgdorferi into at least three distinct genetic groups. Leptospira interrogans has a circular chromosome 5 Mb in size and a 0.35 Mb extrachromosomal element. Repetitive sequence elements similar to insertion sequences have been identified in the Leptospira interrogans genome. The chromosome of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum is circular and has a size of approximately one Mb. Genetic studies conducted to date indicate that B. burgdorferi and L. interrogans have a high degree of genetic diversity, whereas remarkably few genetic differences have been observed among the pathogenic Treponema. Knowledge of the genomic structure of these organisms will serve as a basis for future genetic studies.

Borrelia burgdorferi Group↗

Low energy CD of RNA hairpin unveils a loop conformation required for lambdaN antitermination activity.

N protein coded by phage lambda is a transcription factor that stimulates the antitermination activity of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase by binding specifically to the nascent RNA transcript at a stemloop structure called boxB. We use a new biophysical technique, involving the monitoring of the low energy circular dichroism spectra of 2-aminopurine residues site-specifically placed in the boxB RNA loop, to investigate this binding interaction. The low energy CD spectra of these 2-aminopurine probes reflect specific asymmetric interactions with adjacent nucleotide bases. Consequently, these CD spectra provide detailed and specific conformational information about the RNA chain at these chromophores that cannot be obtained from changes in the related fluorescence signals of these probes. CD changes were observed on binding the N peptide to boxB RNA that correspond to structural changes that had been previously seen by NMR, thus validating our experimental approach. The low energy CD method was then used to quantify the ordered and disordered states of the free hairpin loop and to show that a significant fraction of the boxB loop assumes a product-like structure in the absence of protein. A boxB derivative with an intact stem and a reduced concentration of ordered loop was identified and used to show that the extent of the reaction between protein and boxB depends on the concentration of structured loop in the RNA reactant population. This result has general implications for the conformational specificity of RNA-protein interactions.

2-Aminopurine↗

Sites of circularization of the Tetrahymena rRNA IVS are determined by sequence and influenced by position and secondary structure.

The sequence of the cloned Tetrahymena ribosomal RNA intervening sequence (IVS) was altered at the site to which circularization normally occurs. The alterations caused circularization to shift to other sites, usually a nearby position which followed three pyrimidines. While a tripyrimidine sequence was the major determinant of a circularization site, both location of a sequence and local secondary structure may influence the use of that sequence. For some constructs circularization appeared to occur at the position following the 5' G, the nucleotide added to the IVS during its excision. Portions of the internal guide sequence (IGS), proposed to interact with the 3'exon were deleted without preventing exon ligation. Thus if the IGS-3'exon interaction exists, it is not essential for splicing in vitro.

Animals↗

Generation of circular RNAs and trans-cleaving catalytic RNAs by rolling transcription of circular DNA oligonucleotides encoding hairpin ribozymes.

A simple new strategy for the in vitro synthesis of circular RNAs and hairpin ribozymes is described. Circular single-strand DNA oligonucleotides 67-79 nt in length are constructed to encode both hairpin ribozyme sequences and ribozyme-cleavable sequences. In vitro transcription of these small circles by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase produces long repeating RNAs by a rolling circle mechanism. These repetitive RNAsundergo self-processing, eventually yielding unit length circular and linear RNAs as the chief products. The transcription is efficient despite the absence of promoter sequences, with RNA being produced in up to 400 times the amount of DNA circle used. It is shown that the linear monomeric hairpin ribozymes are active in cleaving RNA targets in trans , including one from HIV-1. Several new findings are established: (i) that rolling circle transcription can be extended to the synthesis of catalytic RNAs outside the hammerhead ribozyme motif; (ii) that rolling circle transcription is potentially a very simple and useful strategy for the generation of circular RNAs in preparative amounts; and (iii) that self-processed hairpin ribozymes can be catalytically active in trans despite the presence of self-binding domains.

Base Sequence↗

Distinct contributions of KH domains to substrate binding affinity of Drosophila P-element somatic inhibitor protein.

Drosophila P-element somatic inhibitor protein (PSI) regulates splicing of the P-element transposase pre-mRNA by binding a pseudo-splice site upstream of the authentic splice site using four tandem KH-type RNA binding motifs. While the binding domains and specificity of PSI have been established, little is known about the contributions of each PSI KH domain to overall protein stability and RNA binding affinity. Using a construct containing only the RNA binding domain of PSI (PSI-KH03), we introduced a physiologically relevant point mutation into each KH domain of PSI individually and measured stability and RNA binding affinity of the resulting mutant proteins. Although secondary structure, as measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy, is only subtly changed for each mutant protein relative to wild type, RNA binding affinity is reduced in each case. Mutations in the second or third KH domains of the protein are significantly more deleterious to substrate recognition than mutation of the outer (first and fourth) domains. These results show that despite the ability of a single KH domain to bind RNA in some systems, PSI requires multiple tandem KH domains for specific and high-affinity recognition of substrate RNA.

Alternative Splicing↗

Pharmacological and molecular characterization of muscular cholecystokinin receptors in the human lower oesophageal sphincter.

In vitro cholecystokinin (CCK) contracts the human lower oesophageal sphincter by stimulating muscular receptors. The aim of this study was to characterize the muscular CCK receptor subtypes in the human lower oesophageal sphincter. Twenty-five circular strips from six patients were studied. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed, and cDNAs were amplified with primers for human CCK-A and B receptors. The potency of the contraction induced by CCK-8, desulphated CCK-8, and gastrin-I, and the effect of the CCK-A (loxiglumide and SR 27897) and the CCK-B (YM022 and L-365 260) specific receptor antagonists were compared. Both CCK-A and CCK-B receptor mRNAs were found in functional lower oesophageal sphincter strips. The potency of the CCK-8 concentration-dependent contraction was two and three orders of magnitude higher than that of desulphated CCK-8 and gastrin-I, respectively. The CCK-8-induced contraction was blocked by the CCK-A receptor antagonists loxiglumide (IC50 11 micromol L-1) and SR 27897 (IC50 74 nmol L-1) but not by CCK-B receptor antagonists (1 micromol L-1). Our data suggest that, although the human lower oesophageal sphincter expresses both CCK-A and CCK-B receptors, the contractile effect of CCK-8 on the circular muscle is mainly due to the activation of CCK-A receptors.

Adult↗

Genetic variability of natural populations of cotton leaf curl geminivirus, a single-stranded DNA virus

Reports on the genetic variability and evolution of natural populations of DNA viruses are scarce in comparison with the abundant information on the variability of RNA viruses. Geminiviruses are plant viruses with circular ssDNA genomes that are replicated by the host plant DNA polymerases. Whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses (WTG) are the agents of important diseases of crop plants and best exemplify emerging plant viruses. In this report we have analyzed the genetic diversity of cotton leaf curl geminivirus (CLCuV), a typical emerging WTG. No genetic differentiation was observed between isolates from different host plant species or geographic regions. Thus, the analyzed isolates represented a unique, undifferentiated population. Genetic variability, estimated as nucleotide diversities at synonymous positions in open reading frames (ORFs) for the AC1 (=replication) protein and coat protein (CP = AV1), was very high, exceeding the values reported for different genes in several plant and animal RNA viruses. This was unexpected in a virus that uses the DNA replication machinery of its eukaryotic host. Diversities at nonsynonymous positions, on the other hand, indicated that variability may be constrained in the genome of CLCuV. The ratio of nonsynonymous-to-synonymous substitutions varied for the different ORFs: they were higher for CP than for AC1 and lower still for the AC4 and AV2 ORFs, which overlap AC1 and CP ORFs, respectively. Analysis of nucleotide diversities at synonymous and nonsynonymous positions of the AC4 and AV2 ORFs suggest that their evolution is constrained by AC1 and CP, respectively. Data suggest that AC4 and AV2 are new genes that may have originated by overprinting on the preexistent AC1 and CP genes. Evidence for recombination was found for the AC1 and CP ORFs and for the noncoding intergenic region (IR). Data indicate that the origin of replication is a major recombination point in the IR, but not the only one. Analyses of the IR also suggest that recombinants may be frequent in the population and that recombination may have an important role in the generation of CLCuV variability.

Journal Article↗

Retroviral E-DNA: persistence and gene expression in nondividing immune cells.

Following retroviral infection of cells, not only is the proviral DNA integrated into the host genome, but there is also an accumulation of unintegrated extrachromosomal DNA (E-DNA), both linear and circular. Although the integrated DNA is responsible for the production of viral proteins and new viral progeny, the role of E-DNA has remained uncertain. Several reports have shown that E-DNA is transcriptionally active producing both RNA, as well as viral proteins and that circular E-DNA can persist in nondividing cells, raising questions regarding the potential consequences of this reservoir. Furthermore, integrase inhibitors, presently in clinical trials, shifts the balance of proviral DNA to the E-DNA form. This review is focused on recent work in this field with an emphasis on exploring the potential role of E-DNA in both pathogenesis of retroviral infections, especially HIV-1, and as a tool to deliver and express genes.

Animals↗