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Comparative sequence analysis of the large polymerase protein (L) gene of peste-des-petits ruminants (PPR) vaccine virus of Indian origin.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the large polymerase (L) protein of the peste-des-petits ruminants (PPR) vaccine virus (PPRV Sungri/96) belonging to the Asian lineage was determined. The gene was 6643 nucleotides in length from the gene-start to the gene-end and encoded a polypeptide of 2183 amino acids. The PPRV Sungri/96 has a nucleotide homology of 94.1% for PPRV Nigeria 75/1 to 64.4% for Canine distemper virus. At amino acid level PPRV Sungri/96 has an amino acid identity of 96.2% with PPRV Nigeria 75/1 and 70.4% to 74.8% with other morbilliviruses. All the established domains in L protein characteristic of paramyxoviruses were also found to be present in PPRV Sungri/96. Phylogenetic analysis of different L proteins of morbilliviruses revealed five well-defined clusters as observed previously. The 3' trailer sequence of PPRV Sungri/96 is of 37 nucleotides long which is very similar to that of other morbilliviruses. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report describing the polymerase gene sequence of PPRV Indian isolate.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Conserved and non-conserved regions in the Sendai virus genome: evolution of a gene possessing overlapping reading frames.

We have sequenced the entire genome of a virulent field isolate of Sendai virus, the Hamamatsu strain, and compared the sequence with that of a distant related strain, the Z strain. Calculation of synonymous and non-synonymous (amino acid changing) nucleotide substitutions revealed regions where changes were permissive and non-permissive, and the experimentally determined functional region were found to be conserved, showing that important regions for function were conserved during evolution. In the cistron-overlapping regions in the P gene, one reading frame was conserved, whereas the other overlapping frame was flexible. The priority of one frame could be a strategy for evolution of an overlapping gene of RNA viruses. We found that the carboxyl two thirds of the C protein was conserved over the amino-terminal one third, possessing priority to the overlapping P polypeptide. This suggests that the carboxyl two thirds of the C protein have a functional importance. We also found a highly variable region between the L coding frame and the 5' trailer sequence. The relevance of these findings to actual viral replication should be clarified in the future.

Base Sequence↗

Structural and evolutionary studies on sterol 14-demethylase P450 (CYP51), the most conserved P450 monooxygenase: I. Structural analyses of the gene and multiple sizes of mRNA.

The structure of rat CYP51 gene encoding sterol 14-demethylase was examined. The CYP51 gene spanned about 18 kb and contained 10 exons. The copy number of CYP51 in the rat genome was determined to be one. In addition, one CYP51 processed (intron-less) pseudogene covering the coding and ca. 600-bp 3'-noncoding sequences of CYP51 cDNA was found in the rat genome. Multiple transcription initiation sites were predicted by primer extension and 5'-RACE methods using poly(A)+ RNA from liver, ovary, and testis, and the major ones were located at 126 and 123 nucleotides upstream from the initiation ATG codon. The primer extension also showed several minor sites around the major ones. In addition to these sites, other minor initiation sites were also predicted at around 330 and 460 nucleotides upstream from the initiation ATG codon. No TATA box was found in the putative promoter region, but multiple GC boxes were found around the cap sites, supporting the previously inferred housekeeping nature of CYP51 gene and the existence of the multiple transcription initiation sites. A few consensus transcription regulatory elements such as CRE were found in the 5'-flanking region. Four polyadenylation signals were found in the 3'-noncoding region by the 3'-RACE method. Three of them were used to generate 3.1-, 2.7-, and 2.3-kb mRNAs in liver and ovary. The remaining one was used only in testis to generate 1.9-kb mRNA having an unusually short trailer sequence, suggesting a specific regulatory mechanism for generating CYP51 mRNA in testis different from that in liver and ovary.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic analysis of the processing of a spliced tRNA.

We analyzed the effect of 18 single nucleotide changes on the processing of the transcripts produced by cloned yeast tRNATyr genes after microinjection into the nucleus of living Xenopus oocytes. The processing step most easily blocked by mutation is the early maturation of the 5' and 3' termini of the tRNATyr primary transcript, involving removal of 5'-leader and 3'-trailer sequences and CCA addition. The enzymes seem to recognize the whole tRNA cloverleaf structure since mutations in all regions of the molecule can stop processing. Mutations that affect splicing of the 92-nucleotide precursor (which has mature ends but still contains the intervening sequence, and is the normal substrate for the splicing enzymes), are located in the vicinity of the intervening sequence. Base modification enzymes that add pseudouridine, 1-methyladenosine and 5-methylcytosine appear rather insensitive to changes in secondary and tertiary structure of early transcripts in the 16 mutants examined. These enzymes may recognize only limited regions of the precursor RNA. RNA polymerase III behaves as if able to count the number of Us added before termination; and aberrant termination products in two mutants suggest that the secondary structure of the nascent transcript can be very imortant in eukaryotic transcription termination.

Animals↗

Translation in plants--rules and exceptions.

Translation processes in plants are very similar to those in other eukaryotic organisms and can in general be explained with the scanning model. Particularly among plant viruses, unconventional mRNAs are frequent, which use modulated translation processes for their expression: leaky scanning, translational stop codon readthrough or frameshifting, and transactivation by virus-encoded proteins are used to translate polycistronic mRNAs; leader and trailer sequences confer (cap-independent) efficient ribosome binding, usually in an end-dependent mechanism, but true internal ribosome entry may occur as well; in a ribosome shunt, sequences within an RNA can be bypassed by scanning ribosomes. Translation in plant cells is regulated under conditions of stress and during development, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been determined. Only a small number of plant mRNAs, whose structure suggests that they might require some unusual translation mechanisms, have been described.

Plants↗

Activation of sea urchin actin genes during embryogenesis. Measurement of transcript accumulation from five different genes in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

The number of molecules of mRNA transcribed from each of five different actin genes are reported for developing embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Transcripts of the cytoskeletal actin genes CyI, CyIIa, CyIIb and CyIIIa, and of the muscle actin gene M, were measured in unfertilized egg and embryo RNAs of cleavage, blastula, gastrula and pluteus stages. The measurements were obtained by probe excess titrations of these RNAs, using a set of single-stranded RNA probes each identifying the mRNA transcripts of a specific actin gene. These mRNAs can be identified by their distinct 3' non-translated trailer sequences. We confirm prior observations that the prevalence of actin mRNA in the unfertilized egg is low. Cytoskeletal actin genes CyI and CyIIIa each contribute 1 X 10(3) to 2 X 10(3) maternal mRNA molecules, and CyIIb contributes less than 2 X 10(2) mRNA molecules, while no detectable maternal mRNAs derive from cytoskeletal actin gene CyIIa or the muscle actin gene M. During certain periods of development, transcripts derived from the individual cytoskeletal actin genes accumulate rapidly, with kinetics specific to each mRNA. Transcripts of the muscle actin gene are absent until after gastrulation, when the initial muscle progenitor cells are formed. At late stages of development, each of the five genes studied is represented by 10(4) to 10(5) mRNA molecules per embryo. The present measurements permit calculation of the levels of each actin mRNA species in the particular cell types in which each gene functions in the fully differentiated embryo.

Actins↗

Rescue of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus minigenomes by helper virus.

A mammalian expression vector containing the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene was used to demonstrate that CAT could be successfully used as a reporter system in fish cells growing at low temperatures. We then constructed a viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) minigenome by cloning the CAT reporter gene between the viral leader and trailer sequences. This construct was used in transfection experiments with helper VHSV to demonstrate that the minigenome can be encapsidated and transcribed by helper virus proteins. In addition, passaging of viruses collected from cells expressing the minigenome showed that the minigenome was being packaged and replicated in the presence of helper virus. These experiments provide the initiating steps for a reverse genetics system for VHSV.

Animals↗

Complete 5' and 3' end maturation of group II intron-containing tRNA precursors.

Higher plant chloroplasts provide the only experimentally validated example of functional tRNA genes that are disrupted by group II introns. Here, precursor transcripts for tRNA(Gly)(UCC), tRNA(Val)(UAC), and tRNA(Ala)(UGC) were investigated for processing of 5' leader and 3' trailer sequences in vivo. Use of intron-specific primer pairs and inclusion of a barley chloroplast splicing mutant specifically allowed us to evaluate the potential effect of intervening sequences that disrupt tRNA secondary and tertiary structures. The data suggest that (1) neither integrity of the dihydrouridine nor the anticodon domain is required for the nucleotidyltransferase-mediated addition of 3'-terminal CCA; (2) interruption of these two structural elements by group II introns does not interfere with nucleotide-specific 5' maturation by RNase P; (3) processing intermediates of chloroplast tRNAs can be 3' polyadenylated; and (4) plastid DNA-encoded proteins are not required for 3' and 5' maturation of plastid tRNAs.

Base Pairing↗

RNase E plays an essential role in the maturation of Escherichia coli tRNA precursors.

Conversion of tRNA precursors to their mature forms requires the action of both endo- and exoribonucleases. Although studies over many years identified the endoribonuclease, RNase P, and several exoribonucleases as the enzymes responsible for generating the mature 5' and 3' termini, respectively, of Escherichia coli tRNAs, relatively little is known about how tRNAs are separated from long multimeric or multifunction transcripts, or from long leader and trailer sequences. To examine this question, the tRNA products that accumulate in mutant strains devoid of multiple exoribonucleases plus one or several endoribonucleases were analyzed by northern analysis. We find that the multifunction tyrT transcript, which contains two tRNA(Tyr)1 sequences separated by a 209-nt spacer region plus a downstream mRNA, is cleaved at three sites in the spacer region by the endoribonuclease, RNase E. When both RNase E and RNase P are absent, a product containing both tRNAs accumulates. Two multimeric tRNA transcripts, those for tRNA Arg-His-Leu-Pro and tRNA Gly-Cys-Leu also require RNase E for maturation. For the former transcript, products with long 3' extensions on tRNA(Arg), tRNA(His), and tRNA(Pro), as well as the primary transcript, accumulate in the absence of RNase E. For the latter transcript, RNase E cleaves downstream of each tRNA. Little processing of either multimeric transcript occurs in the absence of both RNase E and RNase P. These data indicate that RNase E is a major contributor to the initial processing of E. coli tRNA transcripts, providing substrates for final maturation by RNase P and the 3' exoribonucleases. Based on this new information, a detailed model for tRNA maturation is proposed.

Blotting, Northern↗

Non-coding snoRNA host genes in Drosophila: expression strategies for modification guide snoRNAs.

Modification guide snoRNAs either are encoded within introns and co-transcribed with the host gene pre-mRNA or are independently transcribed as mono- or polycistronic units. Different eukaryotic kingdoms utilize these coding strategies to various degrees. Intron-encoded and polycistronic snoRNAs are released from primary transcripts as pre-snoRNAs by the spliceosome or by an RNase III-like activity, respectively. In the spliceosomal pathway, the resulting intron lariat is then linearized by a debranching activity. The leader and trailer sequences of pre-snoRNAs are removed by exonucleolytic activities. The majority of snoRNA host genes encode proteins involved in the synthesis, structure or function of the translational apparatus. Several vertebrate snoRNA host genes do not appear to code for functional proteins. We have identified two unusually compact box C/D multi-snoRNA host genes in D. melanogaster, dUHG1 and dUHG2, similar in their organization to the corresponding vertebrate non-protein-coding host genes. In dUHG1 and dUHG2, the snoRNA sequences are located within introns at a conserved distance of about 75 nucleotides upstream of the 3' splice sites. Both genes initiate transcription with TOP-like sequences that share unique features with previously reported Drosophila snoRNA host genes. Although the spliced dUHG RNAs are relatively stable, they exhibit little potential for protein coding.

Animals↗

The origins of eukaryotic gene structure.

Most of the phenotypic diversity that we perceive in the natural world is directly attributable to the peculiar structure of the eukaryotic gene, which harbors numerous embellishments relative to the situation in prokaryotes. The most profound changes include introns that must be spliced out of precursor mRNAs, transcribed but untranslated leader and trailer sequences (untranslated regions), modular regulatory elements that drive patterns of gene expression, and expansive intergenic regions that harbor additional diffuse control mechanisms. Explaining the origins of these features is difficult because they each impose an intrinsic disadvantage by increasing the genic mutation rate to defective alleles. To address these issues, a general hypothesis for the emergence of eukaryotic gene structure is provided here. Extensive information on absolute population sizes, recombination rates, and mutation rates strongly supports the view that eukaryotes have reduced genetic effective population sizes relative to prokaryotes, with especially extreme reductions being the rule in multicellular lineages. The resultant increase in the power of random genetic drift appears to be sufficient to overwhelm the weak mutational disadvantages associated with most novel aspects of the eukaryotic gene, supporting the idea that most such changes are simple outcomes of semi-neutral processes rather than direct products of natural selection. However, by establishing an essentially permanent change in the population-genetic environment permissive to the genome-wide repatterning of gene structure, the eukaryotic condition also promoted a reliable resource from which natural selection could secondarily build novel forms of organismal complexity. Under this hypothesis, arguments based on molecular, cellular, and/or physiological constraints are insufficient to explain the disparities in gene, genomic, and phenotypic complexity between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Animals↗

A novel 4-base-recognizing RNA cutter that can remove the single 3' terminal nucleotides from RNA molecules.

Mammalian tRNase ZL shows versatility in substrate recognition. This enzyme can not only process pre-tRNAs by cleaving off their 3' trailer sequences, but also recognize and cleave pre-tRNA-like complexes and micro-pre-tRNAs. Here we demonstrate that 24-27 nt hairpin RNAs (hook RNAs) can guide cleavages of separate target RNAs by tRNase ZL through the micro-pre-tRNA-like complexes between the targets and the hook RNAs and that tRNase ZL together with hook RNA works as 4-7-base-recognizing RNA cutters. The cleavage sites were located only after the nucleotide corresponding to the discriminator nucleotide. Cleavage assays for various substrate/hooker complexes showed that the cleavage efficiency changes depending on the maximum number of substrate/hooker recognition base pairings and the stem length of hook RNA and that a 5 nt recognition sequence and a hook RNA containing a 6 or 7 bp stem are the best combination for the optimal target cleavage. We also show that a 4-base RNA cutter can remove the single 3' terminal nucleotides from RNA molecules. These results indicate that this new type of RNA cutter can be utilized to homogenize at their 3' termini RNA transcripts synthesized in vitro with a bacteriophage RNA polymerase.

Base Pairing↗

Nature of a paramyxovirus replication promoter influences a nearby transcription signal.

The genomic and antigenomic 3' ends of the Sendai virus replication promoters are bi-partite in nature. They are symmetrically composed of leader or trailer sequences, a gene start (gs) or gene end (ge) site, respectively, and a simple hexameric repeat. Studies of how mRNA synthesis initiates from the first gene start site (gs1) have been hampered by the fact that gs1 is located between two essential elements of the replication promoter. Transcription initiation, then, is separated from the replication initiation site by only 56 nt on the genome, so that transcription and replication may sterically interfere with each other. In order to study the initiation of Sendai virus mRNAs without this possible interference, Sendai virus mini-genomes were prepared having tandem promoters in which replication takes place from the external one, whereas mRNA synthesis occurs from the internal one. Transcription now initiates at position 146 rather than position 56 relative to the genome 3' end. Under these conditions, it was found that the frequency with which mRNA synthesis initiates depends, in an inverse fashion, on the strength of the external replication promoter. It was also found that the sequences essential for replication are not required for basic mRNA synthesis as long as there is an external replication promoter at which viral RNA polymerase can enter the nucleocapsid template. The manner in which transcription and replication initiations influence each other is discussed.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Pre-tRNA 3'-processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification and characterization of exo- and endoribonucleases.

We investigated ribonucleases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae which are active in pre-tRNA 3'-processing in vitro. Two pre-tRNA 3'-exonucleases with molecular masses of 33 and 60 kDa, two pre-tRNA 3'-endonucleases with molecular masses of 45 kDa/60 kDa and 55 kDa and 70-kDa 3'-pre-tRNase were purified from yeast whole cell extracts by several successive chromatographic purification steps. The purified exonucleases are non-processive 3'-exonucleases that catalyze the exonucleolytic processing of 3'-trailer sequences of pre-tRNAs to produce mature tRNAs. The 45-kDa/60-kDa 3'-endonuclease is tRNA-specific and catalyzes the processing of pre-tRNAs in a single endonucleolytic step. Two isoenzymes of this activity (p45 and p60) were identified by chromatography. The second endonuclease, p55, is dependent on monovalent ions and cleaves about three nucleotides downstream the mature 3'-end. All of the purified 3'-pre-tRNases accept homologous as well as heterologous pre-tRNA substrates. Pre-tRNAs carrying a 5'-leader are processed with almost the same efficiency as those lacking this 5'-leader. Mature tRNAs carrying the CCA 3'-sequence and tRNA pseudogene products carrying mutations in the mature domain are processed by the 3'-exonucleases, not by the 3'-endonucleases. The specific endonuclease p45/p60 discriminates between UUUOH as a 3'-flank, which is cleaved, and the CCA 3'-end of mature tRNAs, which is not cleaved. This study suggests that several 3'-pre-tRNases are active on tRNA precursors in vitro and might therefore in pre-tRNA 3'-processing in yeast, partly in a cooperative manner.

Base Sequence↗

In vitro study of processing of the intron-encoded U16 small nucleolar RNA in Xenopus laevis.

It was recently shown that a new class of small nuclear RNAs is encoded in introns of protein-coding genes and that they originate by processing of the pre-mRNA in which they are contained. Little is known about the mechanism and the factors involved in this new type of processing. The L1 ribosomal protein gene of Xenopus laevis is a well-suited system for studying this phenomenon: several different introns encode for two small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs; U16 and U18). In this paper, we analyzed the in vitro processing of these snoRNAs and showed that both are released from the pre-mRNA by a common mechanism: endonucleolytic cleavages convert the pre-mRNA into a precursor snoRNA with 5' and 3' trailer sequences. Subsequently, trimming converts the pre-snoRNAs into mature molecules. Oocyte and HeLa nuclear extracts are able to process X. laevis and human substrates in a similar manner, indicating that the processing of this class of snoRNAs relies on a common and evolutionarily conserved mechanism. In addition, we found that the cleavage activity is strongly enhanced in the presence of Mn2+ ions.

Animals↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP53 tRNA gene transcripts are processed by mammalian cell extracts in vitro but are not processed in vivo.

We describe the results of our studies of expression of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae amber suppressor tRNA(Leu) gene (SUP53) in mammalian cells in vivo and in cell extracts in vitro. Parallel studies were carried out with the wild-type (Su-) tRNA(Leu) gene. Extracts from HeLa or CV1 cells transcribed both tRNA(Leu) genes. The transcripts were processed correctly at the 5' and 3' ends and accurately spliced to produce mature tRNA(Leu). Surprisingly, when the same tRNA(Leu) genes were introduced into CV1 cells, only pre-tRNAs(Leu) were produced. The pre-tRNAs(Leu) made in vivo were of the same size and contained the 5'-leader and 3'-trailer sequences as did pre-tRNAs(Leu) made in vitro. Furthermore, the pre-tRNAs(Leu) made in vivo were processed to mature tRNA(Leu) when incubated with HeLa cell extracts. A tRNA(Leu) gene from which the intervening sequence had been removed yielded RNAs that also were not processed at either their 5' or 3' termini. Thus, processing of pre-tRNA(Leu) in CV1 cells is blocked at the level of 5'- and 3'-end maturation. One possible explanation of the discrepancy in the results obtained in vivo and in vitro is that tRNA biosynthesis in mammalian cells involves transport of pre-tRNA from the site of its synthesis to a site or sites where processing takes place, and perhaps the yeast pre-tRNAs(Leu) synthesized in CV1 cells are not transported to the appropriate site.

Animals↗

Expression and changing distribution of the human transferrin receptor in developing Drosophila oocytes and embryos.

In order to understand better the membrane systems in a developing Drosophila oocyte, the human transferrin receptor has been expressed there. This was achieved using the armadillo promoter combined with K10 or oskar trailer sequences; these enable the messenger RNA to be transcribed in nurse cells and then transported to, and translated in, oocytes. This is the first exogenous protein to be expressed in oocytes. At stage 8, the transferrin receptors are mainly concentrated towards the posterior pole of the oocyte and are associated with large cytoplasmic vesicles; when combined with the shibire mutation the transferrin receptors are transferred to the oolemma, demonstrating that they participate in an endocytic cycle. At stage 10, the transferrin receptors are localised either to the anterior margin of the oocyte or to the posterior pole, depending on where the mRNA is located. In newly laid eggs, all the transferrin receptors are found in large cytoplasmic vesicles. The results reveal remarkable sorting processes which occur as oocytes mature and show that ring canals, which separate the oolemma from nurse cell plasma membranes, act as barriers to prevent components in these two compartments from intermixing.

Animals↗

The role of individual exoribonucleases in processing at the 3' end of Escherichia coli tRNA precursors.

We have used an in vitro Escherichia coli tRNA processing system to investigate the specific role of individual exoribonucleases in the 3' maturation of tRNA precursors. The processing of pre-tRNA(Tyr)su3+ and pre-tRNA(2Arg) was studied using extracts from cells lacking one or multiple exoribonucleases or using purified RNases. Earlier genetic studies had suggested that multiple exoribonucleases contributed to the maturation of tRNA precursors, and this was proven directly in the studies described here. Complete 3' processing required the combined action of multiple exoribonucleases, and each RNase showed distinct specificities for maturation of the different parts of the 3' precursor segment. RNase II and polynucleotide phosphorylase were most effective in shortening long 3' trailer sequences to intermediates with 2-4 extra 3' residues. Final trimming of the last few 3' nucleotides of these precursors was carried out most efficiently by RNases T and PH, but the two enzymes differed in their specificity for individual nucleotide positions. Depending on the tRNA precursor, the relative importance of the various RNases to the overall maturation process differed. We also showed that purified exoribonucleases can completely complement mutant extracts and that tRNA maturation can be totally reconstructed in vitro using purified enzymes. These studies provide the first detailed information about the specific role of individual exoribonucleases in tRNA processing, and bring us closer to defining a complete E. coli tRNA maturation pathway.

Escherichia coli↗