PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “DNA Modification Methylases”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Promiscuous methylation of non-canonical DNA sites by HaeIII methyltransferase.

The cytosine C5 methyltransferase M.HaeIII recognises and methylates the central cytosine of its canonical site GGCC. Here we report that M.HaeIII can also, with lower efficiency, methylate cytosines located in a wide range of non-canonical sequences. Using bisulphite sequencing we mapped the methyl- cytosine residues in DNA methylated in vitro and in vivo by M.HaeIII. Methyl-cytosine residues were observed in multiple sequence contexts, most commonly, but not exclusively, at star sites (sites differing by a single base from the canonical sequence). The most frequently used star sites had changes at positions 1 and 4, but there is little or no methylation at star sites changed at position 2. The rate of methylation of non-canonical sites can be quite significant: a DNA substrate lacking a canonical site was methylated by M.HaeIII in vitro at a rate only an order of magnitude slower than an otherwise identical substrate containing the canonical site. In vivo methylation of non-canonical sites may therefore be significant and may have provided the starting point for the evolution of restriction-modification systems with novel sequence specificities.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic organization of the KpnI restriction--modification system.

The KpnI restriction-modification (KpnI RM) system was previously cloned and expressed in E. coli. The nucleotide sequences of the KpnI endonuclease (R.KpnI) and methylase (M. KpnI) genes have now been determined. The sequence of the amino acid residues predicted from the endonuclease gene DNA sequence and the sequence of the first 12 NH2-terminal amino acids determined from the purified endonuclease protein were identical. The kpnIR gene specifies a protein of 218 amino acids (MW: 25,115), while the kpnIM gene codes for a protein of 417 amino acids (MW: 47,582). The two genes transcribe divergently with a intergeneic region of 167 nucleotides containing the putative promoter regions for both genes. No protein sequence similarity was detected between R.KpnI and M.KpnI. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of M.KpnI with sequences of various methylases revealed a significant homology to N6-adenine methylases, a partial homology to N4-cytosine methylases, and no homology to C5-methylases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and analysis of the restriction-modification system LlaBI, a bacteriophage resistance system from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W56.

The genes coding for the type II restriction-modification (R/M) system LlaBI, which recognized the sequence 5'-C decreases TRYAG-3', have been cloned from a plasmid in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris W56 and sequenced. The DNA sequence predicts an endonuclease of 299 amino acids (33 kDa) and a methylase of 580 amino acids (65 kDa). A 4.0-kb HindIII fragment in pSA3 was able to restrict bacteriophages, showing that the cloned R/M system can function as a phage defense mechanism in L. lactis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation of a non-classical mutant of the DNA recognition subunit of the type I restriction endonuclease R.EcoR124I.

We have used deletion mutagenesis and PCR-based misincorporation mutagenesis to produce a collection of mutations in the central conserved region of the DNA binding subunit of the type IC restriction endonuclease EcoR124I. It has been proposed that this domain is involved in protein-protein interactions during the assembly of the endonuclease. While a large percentage of these mutations gave a classical Res- Mod- phenotype, one mutant was isolated with a nonclassical Res- Mod+ phenotype. The loss of restriction activity, but retention of the ability to modify indicates that this mutation cannot affect DNA binding and must alter the assembly of the endonuclease in such a way as to prevent DNA cleavage but allow methylation. This mutant resulted from a single amino acid change Trp212-->Arg. The location of the single amino acid change is at the border of the central conserved region and the second target recognition domain (TRD2) and suggests that this region is extremely important for the assembly of the methylase with the HsdR subunit into a functional restriction endonuclease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Partial NH2- and cooh-terminal sequence analyses of Eco RI DNA restriction and modification enzymes.

NH2- and COOH-terminal amino acid sequences of the Eco RI restriction and modification enzymes have been determined. The results allow localization of the coding regions within the DNA segment which controls activity of both enzymes. Processing of the endonuclease is limited to removal of NH2-terminal formylmethionine whereas, in the case of the methylase, formylMet-Ala is removed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology modeling of the CG-specific DNA methyltransferase SssI and its complexes with DNA and AdoHcy.

Prokaryotic DNA methyltransferase M.SssI recognizes and methylates C5 position of the cytosine residue within the CG dinucleotides in DNA. It is an excellent model for studying the mechanism of interaction between CG-specific eukaryotic methyltransferases and DNA. We have built a structural model of M.SssI in complex with the substrate DNA and its analogues as well as the cofactor analogue S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) using the previously solved structures of M.HhaI and M.HaeIII as templates. The model was constructed according to the recently developed "FRankenstein's monster" approach. Based on the model, amino acid residues taking part in cofactor binding, target recognition and catalysis were predicted. We also modeled covalent modification of the DNA substrate and studied its influence on protein-DNA interactions.

2-Aminopurine↗

Characterization of an extremely thermostable restriction enzyme, PspGI, from a Pyrococcus strain and cloning of the PspGI restriction-modification system in Escherichia coli.

An extremely thermostable restriction endonuclease, PspGI, was purified from Pyrococcus sp. strain GI-H. PspGI is an isoschizomer of EcoRII and cleaves DNA before the first C in the sequence 5' CCWGG 3' (W is A or T). PspGI digestion can be carried out at 65 to 85 degrees C. To express PspGI at high levels, the PspGI restriction-modification genes (pspGIR and pspGIM) were cloned in Escherichia coli. M.PspGI contains the conserved sequence motifs of alpha-aminomethyltransferases; therefore, it must be an N4-cytosine methylase. M.PspGI shows 53% similarity to (44% identity with) its isoschizomer, M.MvaI from Micrococcus variabilis. In a segment of 87 amino acid residues, PspGI shows significant sequence similarity to EcoRII and to regions of SsoII and StyD4I which have a closely related recognition sequence (5' CCNGG 3'). PspGI was expressed in E. coli via a T7 expression system. Recombinant PspGI was purified to near homogeneity and had a half-life of 2 h at 95 degrees C. PspGI remained active following 30 cycles of thermocycling; thus, it can be used in DNA-based diagnostic applications.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chloroplast development at low temperatures requires a homolog of DIM1, a yeast gene encoding the 18S rRNA dimethylase.

Poikilothermic organisms require mechanisms that allow survival at chilling temperatures (2 to 15 degreesC). We have isolated chilling-sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis, a plant that is very chilling resistant, and are characterizing them to understand the genes involved in chilling resistance. The T-DNA-tagged mutant paleface1 (pfc1) grows normally at 22 degrees C but at 5 degrees C exhibits a pattern of chilling-induced chlorosis consistent with a disruption of chloroplast development. Genomic DNA flanking the T-DNA was cloned and used to isolate wild-type genomic and cDNA clones. The PFC1 transcript is present at a low level in wild-type plants and was not detected in pfc1 plants. Wild-type Arabidopsis expressing antisense constructs of PFC1 grew normally at 22 degrees C but showed chilling-induced chlorosis, confirming that the gene is essential for low-temperature development of chloroplasts. The deduced amino acid sequence of PFC1 has identity with rRNA methylases found in bacteria and yeast that modify specific adenosines of pre-rRNA transcripts. The pfc1 mutant does not have these modifications in the small subunit rRNA of the plastid.

Acclimatization↗

[Effect of sphingomyelin and its enzymatic hydrolysis products on heterologous methylation of calf thymus DNA by cytosine-DNA-methyltransferase EcoRII].

It was found that sphingomyelin and its enzymatic hydrolysis products, choline and sphingosine, influence the degree of DNA methylation in the reaction of heterologous methylation by methylase EcoRII in vitro. Sphingomyelin was found to be able to was activate (by 20%), sphingosine and choline inhibit methylation. Phosphatidylcholine had no effect on DNA methylation in an in vitro system. The role of lipids in the regulation of gene expression during enzymatic modification (methylation) of DNA is discussed.

Animals↗

On heterogeneity of DNA methylases from Escherichia coli SK cells.

The presence of E. coli SK cells of five different DNA-methylases differing in specificity to the methylated sequence is documented has been proven. Two enzymes methylate cytosine with the formation of 5'-methylcytosine and three enzymes methylate adenine with formation of 6'-methylaminopurine. A method for simultaneous isolation of the five individual enzymes including gel filtration on Biogel A-0.5 M is proposed. The direct evidence has been presented showing that the additional methylation test in our method modification actually can discriminate between enzymes differing in sensitive sites.

Adenine↗

Autogenous regulation of the EcoRII methylase gene at the transcriptional level: effect of 5-azacytidine.

mRNA of the EcoRII methylase (M.EcoRII), a type II modification enzyme, was induced when Escherichia coli carrying a cloned M.EcoRII gene was exposed to the bacteriocidal drug 5-azacytidine. Induction occurred only when transcription was initiated from its own promoter. When the 5' promoter sequences were deleted or replaced with the lac promoter sequences, no induction occurred. The induction was independent of the template DNA level, but the presence of an intact M.EcoRII protein was a requirement. The drug is incorporated into DNA which then inhibits M.EcoRII by binding tightly to the enzyme. A deletion within the M.EcoRII coding region caused a marked increase in the basal level of mRNA transcribed from the M.EcoRII promoter, but no induction occurred upon 5-azacytidine treatment. The level could be reduced to normal by M.EcoRII in trans. In vitro, the enzyme bound to the sequences upstream of the transcription start sites and inhibited the initiation of transcription. These experiments indicate that expression of the M.EcoRII gene was autogenously regulated at the transcriptional level. Similar regulation is also noted in another DNA (cytosine-5) methylase, M.MspI.

Azacitidine↗

Immunoadjuvant action of plasmid DNA in liposomes.

Bacterial DNA and oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulatory sequences with a CpG motif stimulated a Th1 type response in vivo. The adjuvant action of a non-coding plasmid DNA derived from pRc/CMV HBS (encoding the S region of hepatitis B surface antigen, HBsAg) in mice was investigated. The role of methylation on the adjuvanticity of the plasmid as well as the effect of vaccine formulation employed on the outcome of antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses were also studied. The results demonstrated that plasmid DNA acted as a Th1 promoting adjuvant when mixed as such or co-entrapped in liposomes with a very low dose of antigen. However, the adjuvant activity was lost when separate liposome entrapped formulations of both the antigen and the plasmid DNA were mixed, indicating a necessity for the antigen and the plasmid DNA to contact the same APC for optimal immune activation. A decreased adjuvanticity of plasmid DNA upon methylation with HpaII methyltransferase was also demonstrated. A mechanism that may help partially explain the reduction in adjuvanticity after modification of C residues is also discussed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Properties of the replicator region of the natural plasmid pLG13 containing genes of the EcoRV restriction-modification system].

The previously constructed plasmid pILRV8 that induces endonuclease EcoRV gene overexpression kills cells of some E. coli strains under the induction of this enzyme synthesis. Cell transformation by natural plasmid pLG13 carrying genes of the EcoRV restriction--modification system was found to appreciably enhance cell viability ("survival") under endonuclease overproduction. A plasmid pLG13 region located in immediate proximity to the methylase gene was shown to be responsible for the above effect. This region was also capable for autonomous replication. The analysis of the DNA primary structure in the found replicator region allowed to refer the pLG13 to ColE1 family plasmids. Perturbations in the region lead to loss of the "survival" effect and change of the plasmid replicative properties. A relationship between the replicon elements, the EcoRV genes region and "survival" effect is discussed. Based on the replicon found multicopy vector molecules have been constructed.

Base Sequence↗

Surface labelling of the type I methyltransferase M.EcoR124I reveals lysine residues critical for DNA binding.

The type IC methyltransferase M.EcoR124I consists of a specificity subunit (HsdS) and two methylation subunits (HsdM). Using chemical modifications, we have investigated the accessibility of lysine residues in the free enzyme and in the complex with its DNA recognition sequence. A total of 41 of the 109 lysine residues in the enzyme are susceptible to modification, of which 19 are located in the HsdS subunit and 11 in each of the two HsdM subunits. DNA binding results in extensive protection of lysine residues in the HsdS subunit, while those in the HsdM subunit are only protected weakly. The DNA binding activity of the methylase is abolished when a small fraction of the accessible lysine residues are modified. Peptide mapping and N-terminal sequencing has been used to locate the rapidly modified lysine residues in HsdS that are critical for DNA binding. Highly modified residues (K297, K261 and K327) are found in the C-terminal variable domain that is responsible for DNA recognition, but others (K196, K203 and K210) are found in the conserved regions that had not previously been implicated in DNA binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The LlaGI restriction and modification system of Lactococcus lactis W10 consists of only one single polypeptide.

The naturally occurring 12.1-kb plasmid, pEW104, in Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris W10 was found to confer decreased bacteriophage sensitivity to its host. Plasmid pEW104 encodes a non-classic restriction and modification (R/M) system, named LlaGI, consisting of only one single polypeptide. Analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed the presence of a catalytic motif and seven helicase-like motifs (DEAD-box motifs) characteristic of type I and III endonucleases, followed by four conserved methylase motifs characteristic of adenine-methylases. A comparison between LlaGI and the very similar R/M system, LlaBIII, suggests that the C-terminal region of LlaGI, apparently containing no known motifs, could possibly specify target DNA recognition. Conceivably, the LlaGI gene is included in the operon of the plasmid replication machinery. Finally, it is proposed that LlaGI represents a variant of the type I R/M systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

ARGONAUTE4 control of locus-specific siRNA accumulation and DNA and histone methylation.

Proteins of the ARGONAUTE family are important in diverse posttranscriptional RNA-mediated gene-silencing systems as well as in transcriptional gene silencing in Drosophila and fission yeast and in programmed DNA elimination in Tetrahymena. We cloned ARGONAUTE4 (AGO4) from a screen for mutants that suppress silencing of the Arabidopsis SUPERMAN (SUP) gene. The ago4-1 mutant reactivated silent SUP alleles and decreased CpNpG and asymmetric DNA methylation as well as histone H3 lysine-9 methylation. In addition, ago4-1 blocked histone and DNA methylation and the accumulation of 25-nucleotide small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that correspond to the retroelement AtSN1. These results suggest that AGO4 and long siRNAs direct chromatin modifications, including histone methylation and non-CpG DNA methylation.

Alleles↗