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Genomic organization of the flt-1 gene encoding for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-1 suggests an intimate evolutionary relationship between the 7-Ig and the 5-Ig tyrosine kinase receptors.

The flt-1 tyrosine kinase gene encodes a high affinity receptor for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and belongs to the so-called '7-Ig' or flt gene family which has characteristics of 7-Immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains in the extracellular region. This is structurally distantly related to 5-Ig domain-containing receptors such as Fms/Kit/PDGF-R. However, the whole genomic organization for any 7-Ig receptor gene has not been determined yet. To examine the genomic structure of flt-1 and the evolutionary relationship between genes of the 7-Ig and 5-Ig receptor families, we isolated the mouse genomic DNAs carrying all exons of the flt-1 gene. The mouse flt-1 gene consisted of 30 exons, whose exon-intron boundaries were highly related to those in the 5-Ig receptor genes, except for the amino terminal region. The sequences corresponding to the first and second Ig-domains in the flt-1 gene were encoded by four exons, whereas this region was encoded by only two exons in the 5-Ig receptor genes. These results raise the interesting possibility that deletion or insertion mutations of introns in one of these receptor genes took place in the evolutionary generation of the other receptor genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reactivity of anti-human milk fat globule antibodies with synthetic peptides.

The nucleotide sequence of partial cDNA clones coding for the core protein of a human polymorphic epithelial mucin has recently been obtained, this mucin consists of a highly conserved 60 bp tandem repeat and the amino acids commonly found are PDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGVTSA. We synthesized three peptides, 1) P1.24 containing the 20 amino acids and four amino acids (PDTR) of the adjoining repeat; 2) P1.15 consisting of the first fifteen (PDTRPAPGSTAPPAH) and P1.09 the second nine amino acids (GVTSAPDTR) of peptide P1.24. The reactivities of the synthetic peptides with mAb known to react with breast cancer (BC1, BC2, BC3, HMFG-1, 3E1.2, and RCC-1) were studied. The synthetic peptide, P1.24, corresponding to the antigenic sequence predicted from the tandem repeat reacted with antibodies BC1, BC2, and BC3 (known to react with human milk mucin and mucin expressed in breast cancer) and the antibody HMFG-1 which was used to select the cDNA clones. In addition, the epitopes recognized by BC1, BC2, and BC3 appear to be in the same region of the molecule represented by their reactions with the nine amino acids in peptide P1.09 (GVTSAPDTR). By contrast, other antibodies such as 3E1.2 which reacts only weakly with components of human milk, and RCC-1 that detects a low Mr component (95 kDa) in breast cancer, had no specific reaction with the synthetic peptides, indicating that their epitopes are distinct from those of BC1, BC2, BC3, and HMFG-1. Inasmuch as the antibodies HMFG-1, BC1, BC2, and BC3 react with the fully processed milk mucin, it is likely that some of the peptide is exposed, even in the fully glycosylated molecule. Identification of the different epitopes could lead to the development of "second generation" mAb with enhanced specificity for breast carcinoma using the appropriate synthetic peptides as immunogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HIV integration site selection: targeting in macrophages and the effects of different routes of viral entry.

We have studied the selection of HIV DNA integration sites in primary macrophages to investigate two questions. First, mature macrophages do not divide, allowing us to investigate whether HIV integration targeting differs between dividing cells and nondividing cells. We sequenced and analyzed 754 unique integration sites and found that integration in macrophages is favored in active transcription units (TUs), as was observed previously for other cell types. However, HIV integration in genes was slightly less favored in macrophages than in dividing PBMC or T cell lines. Second, we compared integration targeting by HIV-vector particles bearing either of two different envelope proteins (HIV R5 Env or VSV-G) to determine whether the mechanism of entry influenced subsequent integration targeting. Integration sites generated by HIV R5- or VSV-G-bearing particles showed no significant differences in their distributions in the human genome. Analysis of additional published integration site sequences also indicated that the route of entry did not affect integration site selection for other viral envelopes as well.

Base Sequence↗

The insect metalloproteinase inhibitor gene of the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella encodes two distinct inhibitors.

The insect metalloproteinase inhibitor (IMPI) from the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, represents the first and to date only specific inhibitor of microbial metalloproteinases reported from animals. Here, we report on the characterization including carbohydrate analysis of two recombinant constructs encoded by impi cDNA either upstream or downstream of the furin cleavage site identified. rIMPI-1, corresponding to native IMPI purified from hemolymph, is encoded by the N-terminal part of the impi sequence, whereas rIMPI-2 is encoded by its C-terminal part. rIMPI-1 is glycosylated at N48 with GlcNAc2Man3, showing fucosylation to different extents. Similarly, rIMPI-2 is glycosylated at N149 with GlcNAc2Man3, but is fully fucosylated. rIMPI-1 represents a promising template for the design of second-generation antibiotics owing to its specific activity against thermolysin-like metalloproteinases produced by human pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus. In contrast, rIMPI-2 does not inhibit bacterial metalloproteinases, but is moderately active against recombinant human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Both microbial metalloproteinases and MMPs induce expression of the impi gene when injected into G. mellonella larvae. These findings provide evidence that the impi gene encodes two distinct inhibitors, one inhibiting microbial metalloproteinases and contributing to innate immunity, the other putatively mediating regulation of endogenous MMPs during metamorphosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Preferential recombination between GC clusters in yeast mitochondrial DNA.

Yeast mitochondrial DNA molecules have long, AT-rich intergenic spacers punctuated by short GC clusters. GC-rich elements have previously been characterized by others as preferred sites for intramolecular recombination leading to the formation of subgenomic petite molecules. In the present study we show that GC clusters are favored sites for intermolecular recombination between a petite and the wild-type grande genome. The petite studied retains 6.5 kb of mitochondrial DNA reiterated tandemly to form molecules consisting of repeated units. Genetic selection for integration of tandem 6.5 kb repeats of the petite into the grande genome yielded a novel recombination event. One of two crossovers in a double exchange event occurred as expected in the 6.5 kb of matching sequence between the genomes, whereas the second exchange involved a 44 bp GC cluster in the petite and another 44 bp GC cluster in the grande genome 700 bp proximal to the region of homology. Creation of a mitochondrial DNA molecule with a repetitive region led to secondary recombination events that generated a family of molecules with zero to several petite units. The finding that 44 bp GC clusters are preferred as sites for intermolecular exchange adds to the data on petite excision implicating these elements as recombinational hotspots in the yeast mitochondrial genome.

Base Composition↗

Hypermutation at A-T base pairs: the A nucleotide replacement spectrum is affected by adjacent nucleotides and there is no reverse complementarity of sequences flanking mutated A and T nucleotides.

Hypermutation is thought to be a two-phase process. The first phase is via the action of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), which deaminates C nucleotides in WRC motifs. This results in the RGYW/WRCY hot spot motifs for mutation from G and C observed in vivo. The resemblance between the hot spot for C mutations and the reverse complement of that for G mutations implies a process acting equally on both strands of DNA. The second phase of hypermutation generates mutations from A and T and exhibits strand bias, with more mutations from A than T. Although this does not concur with the idea of one mechanism acting equally on both strands, it has been suggested that the AT mutator also has a reversible motif; WA/TW. We show here that the motifs surrounding the different substitutions from A vary significantly; there is no single targeting motif for all A mutations. Sequence preferences associated with mutations from A more likely reflect an influence of adjacent nucleotides over what the A mutates "to." This influence tends toward "like" replacements: Purines (A or G) in the 5' position bias toward replacement by another purine (G), whereas replacement with pyrimidines (C or T) is more likely if the preceding base is also a pyrimidine. There is no reverse complementarity in these observations, in that similar influences of nucleotides adjacent to T are not seen. Hence, WA and TW should not be considered as reverse complement hot spot motifs for A and T mutations.

Adenine↗

A new method for sequence analysis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

The structure of an oligodeoxyribonucleotide may be determined by a simple two-dimensional separation on a polyethyleneimine-cellulose thin layer sheet. Chromatography in the first dimension fractionates by chain length a nested set of fragments that are generated by subjecting the oligomer to partial spleen phosphodiesterase degradation and then labelling their non-common ends with 32P using polynucleotide kinase. A subsequent in situ treatment with nuclease Bal 31 produces labelled mononucleotides, and these are identified by chromatography in the second dimension. Since the method does not identify the 3' terminal nucleotide, a convenient procedure involving 3' end labelling followed by enzymatic digestion to monomers has been developed for this purpose. This approach to sequence analysis also has the advantage of permitting assignment of the identity and location of any modified or unusual bases within the oligonucleotide.

Animals↗

An amdS-lacZ fusion for studying gene regulation in Aspergillus.

A translational fusion has been constructed between the amdS gene of Aspergillus nidulans and the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli. Sequencing across the fusion junction confirmed the generation of an in-frame fusion at amino acid 34 of amdS and a novel protein has been detected in transformants carrying the fusion plasmid. Transformants of A. nidulans and Aspergillus niger carrying the fusion plasmid were obtained by co-transformation with a second selectable plasmid. These transformants were readily identified on media containing XGal. The intensity of the reaction on XGal media was indicative of the number of copies of the fusion plasmid carried by the transformants. The growth of highly expressing strains of A. nidulans was inhibited on XGal media. The fusion plasmid was used to develop a two-step gene replacement strategy in which the resident amdS gene was replaced with the fusion gene free of vector sequences. Plate tests and in vitro assays of the beta-galactosidase enzyme confirmed that expression of the fusion gene was regulated by amdS flanking sequences and trans-acting regulatory genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overexpression of human cardiac troponin-I and troponin-C in Escherichia coli and their purification and characterisation. Two point mutations allow high-level expression of troponin-I.

We have overexpressed human cardiac troponin-I in Escherichia coli. Initially, protein expression was not detected in the bacterial cell extracts. Systematic deletion of the N-terminal region of the protein generated a series of truncated mutants which were expressed at varying levels in the bacteria. This allowed us to narrow the problem down to the first five codons in the gene sequence. In order to achieve expression at high levels, two base changes were required, in the second and the fourth codons of the cDNA sequence. The codon changes, (Ala2) GCG-->GCC and (Gly4) GGG-->GGT, do not alter the coding potential of the DNA. We have also overexpressed the human cardiac isoform of troponin-C. Both proteins were purified using ion-exchange chromatography and have been proved to be biologically active. The recombinant troponin-I was able to bind to a troponin-C affinity column in the presence of 9 M urea in a calcium-dependent manner. The calcium-dependent troponin-I-troponin-C complex between both recombinant proteins was also demonstrated by alkaline-urea gel electrophoresis. In addition, troponin-I inhibited the acto-S1 Mg-ATPase activity; this inhibition was potentiated by the presence of tropomyosin and was reversed by the addition of troponin-C to the system. Biological activity was also demonstrated in vivo in that the recombinant proteins were able to restore the calcium-dependent force generation to calcium-insensitive skinned muscle fibres.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete, gene-specific siRNA libraries: production and expression in mammalian cells.

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are widely used to silence the expression of specific genes. Current practice for designing effective siRNAs is to use algorithms based on sequence-efficacy correlations; however, there are many highly effective sequences that these algorithms do not anticipate. To ensure that the best siRNAs are identified, all possible gene-specific siRNA sequences of appropriate lengths should be screened in cell culture. Synthesizing and testing all such sequences individually is costly. A potentially much easier alternative is to prepare a mixture of all these sequences (a gene-specific library), express them in cells, select cells having the desired phenotype, and identify the siRNA contained within the selected cells. Here we describe two new methods for preparing and expressing such libraries. The first uses cloned Dicer or RNase III to digest gene-specific RNA duplexes to siRNAs, which are then converted to the corresponding DNA sequences by attaching RNA primers and performing reverse transcription-PCR. The second method involves partial DNase I digestion of gene-specific DNA, purification of a 20-30-bp fraction, and amplification by attaching DNA adapters followed by PCR. DNA libraries specific for TNF-alpha, DsRed, and part of the hepatitis C virus genome, generated by methods, were inserted into siRNA expression vectors between convergent human U6 and H1 promoters. Randomly selected clones from each library together with vectors expressing the corresponding target genes were cotransfected into 293FT cells and assayed for target gene inhibition. About 10%-20% of siRNAs represented in these libraries show significant inhibition of their target genes. Most of these inhibitory sequences are not predicted by existing algorithms.

Animals↗

Two-color immunoperoxidase staining: visualization of anatomic relationships between immunoreactive neural elements.

A method for differentially staining for two antigens in single sections is described. Paraffin-embedded or Vibratome sections are incubated in two sequences of immunoperoxidase (PAP) reagents using a diaminobenzidine (DAB)-nickel ammonium sulfate solution to localize the first antigen, and DAB alone to localize the second antigen. With these chromagens, black and amber-colored reaction products are generated at the locations of the first and second antigens, respectively. The reaction products are stable and provide excellent color contrast. With this technique, the anatomical relationships between two sets of immunoreactive elements can be studied in individual sections. Intimate spatial associations that would probably not be detected by an examination of adjacent sections stained for each antigen can be visualized with this two-color immunoperoxidase method.

Animals↗

High-resolution capillary array electrophoretic sizing of multiplexed short tandem repeat loci using energy-transfer fluorescent primers.

Short tandem repeat regions (STRs) from the polymorphic loci VWFA, THO1, TPO and CSF were amplified by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by capillary array electrophoresis with fluorescence detection of energy transfer (ET) labels. The fluorescent ET primers are labeled with one fluorescein at the 5' end and a second fluorescein at the position of the 7th or 9th (modified) base to produce fragments that fluoresce in the green (lambda max = 525 nm). M13 A-track sequencing fragments, used as an internal sizing standard, were generated with a universal primer that has a donor fluorescein at the 5' end and a rhodamine acceptor at the position of the 11th (modified) base to produce fragments fluorescing in the red (> 590 nm). The labeled DNA fragments were excited at 488 nm, and the fluorescence was detected with a two-color confocal fluorescence scanner. Separations were performed on arrays of hollow fused silica capillaries filled with denaturing and replaceable hydroxyethyl cellulose sieving matrices. Separations were complete in less than 50 min, and single base resolution as well as reproducible STR sizing was achieved. The relative standard deviation in sizing was below 0.6%. This work establishes the feasibility of high-resolution, high-speed and high-throughput STR typing of single-stranded DNA fragments using capillary array electrophoresis.

Bacteriophage M13↗

Development of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the hepatitis C virus antibody using clone 14.

The authors isolated a specific cDNA clone (clone 14) for non-A, non-B hepatitis virus infection. In this study, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a synthetic oligopeptide encoded by clone 14 and examined its usefulness for detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody in 181 patients with chronic NANB hepatitis, 88 with cirrhosis and 24 with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with NANB hepatitis virus. Anti-clone 14 antibody was detected in 75% of patients with chronic NANB hepatitis, 57% of cirrhotic patients and 58% hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Anticlone 14 and anti-C-100 antibody assayed using a commercial kit were found in serum from 199 (69%) and 205 (70%) of these 294 patients, respectively. Approximately 85% of the patients showed the presence of anticlone 14 and/or anti-C-100 antibodies. We compared the presence of these antibodies and the second generation anti-HCV antibody using ELISA and HCV RNA by the polymerase chain reaction assay, in the same blood samples from 49 patients with chronic liver disease who had anti-clone 14 and/or anti-C-100 antibody. HCV RNA was detected in 38 of 40 (95%) plasma samples containing anti-clone 14 antibody, the prevalence of which was similar to that for anti-C-100 antibody (41/42, 98%) and the second generation anti-HCV antibody (46/47, 98%). Furthermore, 6 of 7 plasma samples containing anti-clone 14 antibody and lacking anti-C-100 antibody were positive for the second generation anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Saccades and multisaccadic gaze shifts are gated by different pontine omnipause neurons in head-fixed cats.

Pontine omnipause neurons (OPNs) have so far been considered as forming a homogeneous group of neurons whose tonic firing stops during the duration of saccades, when the head is immobilized. In cats, they pause for the total duration of gaze shifts, when the head is free to move. In the present study, carried out on alert cats with fixed heads, we present observations made during self-initiated saccades and during tracking of a moving target which show that the OPN population is not homogeneous. Of the 76 OPNs we identified, 39 were found to have characteristics similar to those of previously described neurons, "saccade" (S-) OPNs: (1) the durations of their pauses were significantly correlated with the durations of saccades; (2) the discharge ceased shortly before saccade onset and resumed before saccade end; (3) visual responses to target motion were excitatory; and (4) during tracking, S-OPNs interrupted the discharge for the duration of saccades and resumed firing during perisaccadic "drifts". However, the characteristics of 37 neurons ("complex" (C-) OPNs) were different: (1) the pause duration was not correlated with the duration of self-initiated saccades; (2) time lead of pause onsets relative to saccades was, on average, longer than in the group of S-OPNs, and firing resumed after the saccade end; (3) visual target motion suppressed tonic discharges; and (4) during tracking, firing was interrupted for the total duration of gaze shifts, including not only saccades but also perisaccadic "drifts". We conclude that cat OPNs can be subdivided into two main groups. The first comprises neurons whose firing patterns are compatible with gating individual saccades ("saccade" OPNs). The second group consists of "complex" OPNs whose firing characteristics are appropriate to gate total gaze displacements rather than individual saccades. The function of these neurons may be to disinhibit pontobulbar circuits participating in the generation of saccade sequences and associated perisaccadic drifts.

Action Potentials↗

Comparison of functional annotation schemes for genomes.

In this paper we survey a number of functional classification schemes applicable to genomes. We present the concepts of depth, breadth and resolution as descriptors of the schemes' scope and architecture and compare selected classifications according to these criteria. We also generate a 'Combined Scheme' against which we map six classifications which we believe are representative of the range currently available. The mapping allows the generation of 'FuncWheels', which are graphical representations of hierarchical classification schemes. They are used to illustrate similarities and differences in functional space coverage. This survey highlights many issues related to the design and implementation of gene product functional classifications, which are discussed in the light of emerging 'second-generation' schemes.

Animals↗

In-source CID of guanosine: gas phase ion-molecule reactions.

In-source collision induced dissociation was applied to access second generation ions of protonated guanosine. The in-source gas-phase behavior of [BH2]+-NH3 (m/z 135, C5H3N4O+) was investigated. Adduct formation and reactions with available solvent molecules (H2O and CH3OH) were demonstrated. Several addition/elimination sequences were observed for this particular ion and solvent molecules. Dissociation pathways for the newly formed ions were developed using a QqTOF mass spectrometer, permitting the assignment of elemental compositions of all product ions produced. Reaction schemes were suggested arising from the ring-opened intermediate of the protonated base moiety [BH2]+, obtained from fragmentation of guanosine. The mass spectral data revealed that the in-source CH3OH-reaction product underwent more complex fragmentations than the comparable ion following reaction with H2O. A rearrangement and a parallel radical dissociation pathway were discerned. Apart from the mass spectrometric evidence, the fragmentation schemes are supported by density functional theory calculations, in which the reaction of the ring-opened protonated guanine intermediate with CH3OH and a number of subsequent fragmentations were elaborated. Additionally, an in-source transition from the ring-opened intermediate of protonated guanine to the ring-opened intermediate of protonated xanthine was suggested. For comparison, a low-energy collision induced dissociation study of xanthosine was performed. Its dissociation pathways agreed with our assumption.

Computer Simulation↗

Replacement of the murine leukemia virus (MLV) envelope gene with a truncated HIV envelope gene in MLV generates a virus with impaired replication capacity.

Murine leukemia virus (MLV) capsid particles can be efficiently pseudotyped with a variant of the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) containing the surface glycoprotein gp120-SU and a carboxyl-terminally truncated transmembrane (TM) protein, with only seven cytoplasmic amino acids. MLV/HIV pseudotyped vector particles acquire the natural host tropism of HIV-1 and their entry is dependent on the presence of CD4 and an appropriate co-receptor on the surface of the target cell. We describe here the construction of chimeric MLV/HIV proviruses containing the truncated HIV envelope gene. The MLV/HIV provirus was generated by direct replacement of the MLV envelope gene with HIV Env coding sequences either with or without the additional inclusion of the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element (WPRE). Chimeric MLV/HIV particles could be generated from transfected 293T cells and were able to infect CD4/CXCR4-positive target cells. However, the second round of infection of target cells was severely impaired, despite the fact that the WPRE element enhanced the amount of viral mRNA detected. Viral particles released from infected cells showed reduced HIV Env incorporation, indicating that additional factors required for efficient replication of MLV/HIV pseudotyped viruses are missing.

Animals↗

An alternatively spliced transcript of the rat nociceptin receptor ORL1 gene encodes a truncated receptor.

Opioid receptor-like protein ORL1, the receptor for the neuropeptide nociceptin (also named orphanin FQ), has two alternatively spliced isoforms in the rat. This alternative splicing event is generated by retaining of intron 3, 81 bases in length, in the mRNA region encoding the second extracellular loop of ORL1. A full-length rat ORL1 receptor has 367 amino acid residues. However, as revealed by sequencing of rat ORL1 genomic DNA and cDNA, the insertion of the unspliced intron 3 brings in an in-frame stop codon and, therefore, creates a truncated open-reading frame encoding only the N-terminal half of ORL1 (from the N-terminus to an alternate extracellular tail C-terminal to the fourth transmembrane domain). The two alternatively spliced transcripts are differentially expressed in tissues. In transfected mammalian cells, the full-length ORL1 displays high-affinity and selective binding for nociceptin, and inhibits the production of cyclic AMP. In contrast, the truncated ORL1 binds nociceptin and other opioid peptides very poorly and non-selectively (affinity in micromolar range), and it does not mediate any inhibitory effects on cyclic AMP production. Apparently, this truncated ORL1 does not function as a receptor for nociceptin or other ligands tested. Such alternative splicing to create a truncated ORL1 receptor might be an endogenous mechanism to negatively regulate nociceptin/ORL1 functions.

Alternative Splicing↗