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[Identification of a novel termination release factor eRF3b expressing the eRF3 activity in vitro and in vivo].

Termination of translation in eukaryotes is governed by the ribosome, a termination codon in the mRNA, and two polypeptide chain release factors (eRF1 and eRF3). We have identified a human protein of 628 amino acids, named eRF3b, which is highly homologous to the known human eRF3 henceforth named eRF3a. At the nucleotide and at the amino acid levels the human eRF3a and eRF3b are about 87% identical. The differences in amino acid sequence are concentrated near the amino terminus. The most important difference in the nucleotide sequence is that eRF3b lacks a GGC repeat close to the initiation codon in eRF3a. We have cloned the cDNA encoding the human eRF3b, purified the eRF3b expressed in Escherichia coli, and found that the protein is active in vitro as a potent stimulator of the release factor activity of human eRFl. Like eRF3a, eRF3b exhibits GTPase activity, which is ribosome- and eRFl-dependent. In vivo assays (based on suppression of readthrough induced by three species of suppressor tRNAs: amber, ochre, and opal) show that the human eRF3b is able to enhance the release factor activity of endogenous and overexpressed eRFl with all three stop codons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of genetic defects of hemophilia B of Chinese origin.

To define the precise genetic defects of hemophilia B of Chinese origin, we have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with direct sequencing to analyze the amplified DNA fragments containing the entire coding regions and their flanking introns of the factor IX gene from 6 affected individuals. Among these patients, two are siblings with normal factor IX antigen level (CRM+) yet reduced factor IX clotting activity (28%). Analysis of their factor IX genes revealed a G to A transition at nucleotide residue 10394, which causes substitution of an arginine for a glycine at amino acid residue 48. This is a novel mutation which resides in the first EGF-like domain of factor IX. Studies of two other hemophilia B patients with CRMr phenotypes (factor IX antigen level less than 35%, and clotting activity less than 1%), demonstrated a distinct mutation in each individual's factor IX gene. In one case, a guanine to adenine (residue 6365) transition results in replacement of arginine by glutamine at the -4 codon of the propeptide of factor IX. In the other, thymine at 6442 was mutated to cytosine which causes an arginine for cysteine substitution at residue 23. We have also characterized 2 discrete CRM- patients. Both exhibited an identical mutation at nucleotide residue 6460 which generates a translation termination codon (CGA to TGA) at the 29th amino acid. The mutation created a new NlaIII restriction enzyme site which could be used to identify this variant.

Amino Acids↗

Nonsense-associated alternative splicing of T-cell receptor beta genes: no evidence for frame dependence.

Mutations that generate premature translation-termination codons (PTCs) often result in production of alternatively spliced mRNAs. While in many cases, the PTC-causing mutation was found to affect splicing directly by disrupting an exonic splicing enhancer, induction of alternative splicing of TCR-beta pre-mRNA has been reported to be specific for mutations that prematurely terminate the open reading frame. During testing of a cyto-nuclear feedback model that would have explained how cytoplasmic translation could influence nuclear splicing of TCR-beta transcripts, control experiments questioned the frame dependence of the nonsense-associated altered splicing (NAS) of TCR-beta pre-mRNA. A subsequent detailed analysis of alternatively spliced TCR-beta mRNA expressed from different minigene constructs with nonsense, silent, or frame-shift mutations at various positions revealed no correlation between truncation of the reading frame and production of alternatively spliced mRNA. Our study thus contradicts the previously reported PTC specificity of TCR-beta NAS and points out the need for systematically testing the PTC specificity in other cases where NAS has been observed.

Alternative Splicing↗

Nonsense-codon-mediated decay in human hereditary complement C3 deficiency.

C3 occupies a central position in the complement pathway, mediating such diverse functions as convertase activity, opsonization and anaphylotoxin production. The deficiency of this protein is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disease, characterized by severe recurrent infections and immune complex disorders. We looked for molecular alterations that could explain the C3 deficiency present in a Brazilian boy of consanguineous parents who suffered from recurrent bacterial infections. Using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to amplify C3 mRNA from LPS-stimulated fibroblasts from the patient, we demonstrated that his C3 gene has no large structural aberrations. However, after sequencing the amplified and cloned products we found: (1). a L314P amino acid substitution; (2). silent mutations at codons P577, S798 and A1437; and finally, (3). an R848STer substitution that results in the production of a truncated protein. Densitometry studies revealed a lower C3 mRNA concentration in the patient's fibroblasts, suggesting an inherent instability of his C3 mRNA. Our results indicate the presence of a premature termination codon in the C3 gene that results in a lack of the protein in patient's serum, which correlates with the acceleration of C3 mRNA decay in the patient's fibroblasts. This mRNA instability is consistent with a nonsense-codon-mediated decay process that ensures the elimination of possible deleterious truncated proteins, which, in the case of constitutively expressed abundant proteins such as C3, may otherwise accumulate to significant levels, leading to toxicity.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Molecular cloning of hemocyanin cDNA from Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea, Decapoda): structure, evolution and physiological aspects.

Hemocyanin is present as 2 subunits in the hemolymph of Penaeus vannamei. Isolated from a hepatopancreas cDNA library of this penaeid shrimp, the cDNA chain (2095 bp) corresponds to a full length hemocyanin messenger as determined by Northern hybridization, with a short 5' untranslated region (17 bp), an open reading frame (1989 bp counting initiation and termination codons) coding for a signal peptide (13 residues) and a mature hemocyanin (648 amino acids), and a 3' untranslated region (89 bp) followed by the polyadenylated track. It is the first time that the existence of a hydrophobic signal peptide is shown in arthropod hemocyanin. Two primary N-terminal sequences are determined and a 3-fold increase of mRNA content, measured in the hepatopancreas during the premoult stages, is reported. The low level of polymorphism shown by P. vannamei hemocyanin, along with its weak percentage identity with counterparts and its similarity with hemocyanin from Panulirus interruptus, suggests that this arthropod hemocyanin may be a primitive subunit that has evolved independently, following gene duplication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Translational efficiency is regulated by the length of the 3' untranslated region.

All polyadenylated mRNAs contain sequence of variable length between the coding region and the poly(A) tail. Little has been done to establish what role the length of the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) plays in posttranscriptional regulation. Using firefly luciferase (luc) reporter mRNA in transiently transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, we observed that the addition of a poly(A) tail increased expression 97-fold when the length of the 3'UTR was 19 bases but that its stimulatory effect was only 2.3-fold when the length of the 3'UTR was increased to 156 bases. The effect of the luc 3'UTR on poly(A) tail function was orientation independent, suggesting that its length and not its primary sequence was the important factor. Increasing the length of the 3'UTR increased expression from poly(A)- mRNA but had little effect on poly(A)+ mRNA. To examine the effect of length on translational efficiency and mRNA stability, a 20-base sequence was introduced and reiterated downstream of the luc stop codon to generate a nested set of constructs in which the length of the 3'UTR increased from 4 to 104 bases. For poly(A)- reporter mRNA, translational efficiency in CHO cells increased 38-fold as the length of the 3'UTR increased from 4 to 104 bases. Increasing the length of the 3'UTR beyond 104 bases increased expression even further. Increasing the length of the 3'UTR also resulted in a 2.5-fold stabilization of the reporter mRNA. For poly(A)+ mRNA, the translational efficiency and mRNA half-life increased only marginally as the length of the 3'UTR increased from 27 to 161 bases. However, positioning the poly(A) tail only 7 bases downstream of the stop codon resulted in a 39-fold reduction in the rate of translation relative to a construct with a 27-base 3'UTR, which may be a consequence of the poly(A) tail-poly(A)-binding protein complex functioning as a steric block to translocating ribosomes as they approached the termination codon. The optimal length of the 3' noncoding region for maximal poly(A) tail-mediated stimulation of translation is approximately 27 bases. These data suggest that the length of the 3'UTR plays an important role in determining both the translational efficiency and the stability of an mRNA.

Animals↗

Three different frameshift mutations of the tyrosinase gene in type IA oculocutaneous albinism.

Mutations in the gene for the pigment-producing enzyme tyrosinase are responsible for type IA (tyrosinase-negative) oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Most reported mutations have been single base substitutions. We now report three different frameshift mutations in three unrelated individuals with type IA OCA. The first individual has a single base deletion within a series of five guanidines, resulting in a premature stop codon in exon I on one allele and a missense mutation at codon 382 in exon III on the homologous allele. The second individual is a genetic compound of two separate frameshift mutations, including both the same exon I single base deletion found in the first individual and a deletion of a thymidine-guanidine pair, within the sequence GTGTG, forming a termination codon (TAG) in exon I on the homologous allele. The third individual has a single base insertion in exon I on one allele and a missense mutation at codon 373 in exon III on the homologous allele. The two missense mutations occur within the copper Bbinding region and may interfere with either copper binding to the enzyme or oxygen binding to the copper. These five different mutations disrupt tyrosinase function and are associated with a total lack of melanin biosynthesis.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗

Nonsense suppression in eukaryotes: the use of the Xenopus oocyte as an in vivo assay system.

Amber, ochre, and opal nonsense suppressor tRNAs isolated from yeast were injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes together with purified mRNAs (globin mRNA from rabbit, tobacco mosaic virus-RNA). Yeast opal suppressor tRNA is able to read the UGA stop codon of the rabbit beta-globin mRNA, thus producing a readthrough protein. A large readthrough product is also obtained upon coinjection of yeast amber or ochre suppressor tRNA with TMV-RNA. The amount of readthrough product is dependent on the amount of injected suppressor tRNA. The suppression of the terminator codon of TMV-RNA is not susceptible to Mg++ concentration or polyamine addition. Therefore, the Xenopus laevis oocyte provides a simple, sensitive, and well buffered in vivo screening system for all three types of eukaryotic nonsense suppressor tRNAs.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of the translation product of a beta-globin gene nonsense mutation (beta 121 GAA----TAA).

The beta o-thalassaemia gene of an individual who was a mixed heterozygote for this allele (GAA to TAA in codon 121) and beta(+)-thalassaemia (IVS-1 position 110 G to A) was examined to determine if the beta o-thalassaemia allele directed the synthesis of any detectable protein product. This beta o-thalassaemia allele was of particular interest, because it is the only example of a premature chain termination codon in the third exon of the beta-globin gene that produces thalassaemia. A very small amount of an abnormal protein was found in the red blood cells of the proband and was purified by preparative column chromatography. This abnormal protein was digested with trypsin, the peptides were separated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the amino acid content of each peptide was determined. All of the soluble beta-globin peptides were found except for T-13, T-14 and T-15 (residues 121-146), indicating the presence of a truncated protein that corresponded to the translation product of the beta 121 Glu----Term mRNA. This truncated globin was estimated to comprise between 0.05% and 0.1% of the total non-alpha-globin protein. These results may explain the phenotype of inclusion body beta-thalassaemia in heterozygotes, which is atypical of heterozygous beta o-thalassaemia.

Alleles↗

[lambda N gene expression regulated by the leader sequence].

It was reported recently that changing the TIR (translational initiation region) of lambda N gene resulted in the increasing expression of lambda N gene and it was regulated at translational level. According to the alignment, the leader sequence of lambda N gene had three parts: a code region for ORF lambda N, the upstream sequence of ORF lambda N and 17 bp of spacer between ORF lambda N and downstream of lambda N gene. ORF lambda N is an open reading frame located at upstream of lambda N gene coding a peptide of 19 amino acids. To study the mechanism of regulation of lambda N gene expression, three serials of plasmids with mutant leader region of lambda N gene were constructed. (1) pMC1403-XT, in which the start codon or the partial code of ORF lambda N was connected with lacZ to obtain the ORF lambda N-lacZ fusion gene and in which the ORF lambda N-lacZ expression was under the control of a strong trp/lac promoter; (2) The ORF lambda N mutants in which the termination codon TAA was introduced into ORF lambda N at different positions by site-directed mutagenesis to preterminate the ORF lambda N on plasmid pMC1403N; (3) Mutants in which a deletion was located at upstream ORF lambda N in the ORF lambda N mutants above. The results obtained from determination of the beta-galactosidase activity in the transformants harboring the different plasmids showed that the ORF lambda N-lacZ expression was suppressed by the ORF lambda N code region and the lambda N expression was increased in both the second and third serials of mutants. At the same time the results from RNA-DNA dot hybridization showed that the lambda N gene expression was regulated at translational level. Therefore it was predicted that the reason of relatively low expression for lambda N gene in pMC1403N was due to the low efficiency of ORF lambda N translation. There are two ways to increase the expression of lambda N gene. One is to preterminate the translation of ORF lambda N at a suitable position to decrease the ORF lambda N effects on downstream lambda N gene translation; the other is to change the upstream sequence of ORF lambda N to improve its translation efficiency.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Strong homology between the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase of two species of Acetabularia and the occurrence of unusual codon usage.

Amino acid sequences of the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (SSU) of Acetabularia cliftonii and A. mediterranea were derived from five cDNA sequences of each of the two species of algae and by direct amino acid sequence determination of the isolated protein. An homology of more than 96% between the proteins indicates the close relationship between the two algae. All ten cDNAs in the reading frame display the termination codons TAA and/or TAG at various positions, which seem to code for the amino acid glutamine when compared with the amino acid sequence from the mature protein. This is reminiscent of proteins from ciliates where TAA and TAG also code for glutamine.

Acetabularia↗

GCWIND: a microcomputer program for identifying open reading frames according to codon positional G+C content.

GCWIND is a microcomputer (IBM-PC compatible) program for the identification of protein-coding open reading frames. The program is similar to the FRAME program, but the latter has only been implemented for a specialized graphics package. The base compositions (%G+C) for each of the three possible reading phases through the DNA sequence are displayed separately, together with the positions of potential translation initiation and termination codons (on the leading and complementary strands), to provide an immediate representation of those regions within the sequence that have coding potential.

Codon↗

The requirement of nonsense suppression for the development of several phages.

A spontaneous streptomycin-resistant Escherichia coli mutant which is temperature-sensitive for suppression of a nonsense codon was studied for its ability to propagate phages T2, T4D, T5, phi K, f2, MS2, R17, Q beta, lambda as well as filamentous phages fl, fd and M13. Of all phages tested, only the growth of Q beta, lambda, and filamentous phages is inhibited in the mutant at 42 degree C. This selective inhibition suggests that, like Q beta, lambda and filamentous phages also require a read-through proten(s) which results from suppression of a termination codon.

Coliphages↗

Molecular cloning of the structural gene for porcine thyroid peroxidase.

We have isolated and determined the nucleotide sequence of overlapping cDNA clones, representing the entire structural gene for pig thyroid peroxidase. The protein coding region extends from an ATG residue at base 252 to a termination codon at base 3030, coding for a 100.4-kDa apoprotein of 926 amino acids. The derived amino acid composition agrees well with the experimentally determined amino acid composition of purified pig thyroid peroxidase. Five potential glycosylation sites are present in the protein. Potential membrane spanning regions are present at the amino-terminal end (1-23) and near the carboxyl-terminal end (845-870) of the protein. These data indicate that pig thyroid peroxidase is synthesized as a single polypeptide that is membrane-bound.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular and genetic analysis of two patients with Bernard-Soulier syndrome--identification of new mutations in glycoprotein Ib alpha gene.

We investigated two unrelated patients with Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) by performing molecular and genetic analysis. A flow cytometric and immunoblotting analysis showed GP Ib alpha to be absent from the platelet membrane of both patients. Other glycoproteins that formed GP Ib/IX/V complex were present on the platelets, but in decreased amounts. Therefore, GP Ib alpha gene from both cases was sequenced after PCR amplification and subcloning. We identified a homozygous mutation of a dinucleotide deletion within the TGTG repeat at cDNA number 972 to 975 in GP Ib alpha gene from Case 1. In Case 2, compound heterozygosity was demonstrated in GP Ib alpha gene; an insertion of a single base (T) at cDNA number 1,418 in one allele, and a deletion of a single base (A) within the 7-adenine repeat at cDNA number 1,438 to 1,444 in another allele. The three new mutations in both patients appeared to cause a frameshift, which created a new termination codon shortly thereafter, and thus lead to a GP Ib alpha deficiency on the platelet membrane. Truncated mutant proteins could be detected in the plasma and platelets of Case 2, but not of Case 1. According to these findings, it is thus supposed that the properties and conformation of additional COOH-terminal peptides, which were supposedly synthesized as results of the mutations, may have an important role on the processing of mutant GP Ib alpha in megakaryocytes and platelets.

Adult↗

Myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein is alternatively spliced in humans but not mice.

Myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is an integral membrane protein expressed on the oligodendrocyte cell surface and the outermost surface of myelin sheaths. Due to this localization, MOG is a primary target antigen involved in immune-mediated demyelination. We previously reported that MOG is a unique member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily in that it possesses two large hydrophobic domains. MOG is highly conserved between deduced peptide sequences of rodent and human MOG (approximately 89% identity). We have completed an investigation of alternative splicing within the human and mouse MOG genes. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of total cellular RNA isolated from both fetal and adult human central nervous system (CNS) tissues reveals a complex array of alternatively spliced MOG-specific variants and the presence of two novel exons. Exon 3 encodes a short hydrophilic domain containing multiple in-frame termination codons that would result in truncation of MOG prior to translation of its transmembrane domain. Exon 7 encodes an additional hydrophilic domain that replaces MOG's second hydrophobic domain in one splice variant. We also observed that five of our eight MOG variants exhibited an alternative internal 3' splice acceptor within MOG's terminal exon. Surprisingly, no splicing was observed in a developmental study using mouse brainstem RNA.

Alternative Splicing↗

DNA-based prenatal diagnosis of harlequin ichthyosis and characterization of ABCA12 mutation consequences.

Until the identification of ABCA12 as the causative gene, prenatal diagnosis (PD) for harlequin ichthyosis (HI) had been performed by electron microscopic observation of fetal skin biopsy samples. We report the first case of HI DNA-based PD. Direct sequence analysis of ABCA12 revealed that the deceased proband was a compound heterozygote for two novel mutations. The maternal nonsense mutation p.Ser1249Term likely leads to nonsense-mediated messenger RNA decay. The paternal mutation c.7436G>A affects the last codon of exon 50 and was expected to be a splice site mutation. For their third pregnancy, the parents requested PD. Direct sequence analysis of fetal genomic DNA from amniotic fluid cells at 17 weeks gestation revealed the fetus was a compound heterozygote for both mutations. The parents requested the pregnancy to be terminated. Analysis of ABCA12 transcripts of cultured keratinocytes from the abortus showed the presence of six abnormally spliced products from the allele carrying the splice site mutation. Four of them lead to premature termination codons whereas the two others produced shortened proteins missing 21 and 31 amino acids from the second ATP-binding cassette. This report provides evidence for residual ABCA12 expression in HI, and demonstrates the efficiency of early DNA-based PD of HI.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Peptide carrier potentiality of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase.

A synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide encoding the vasopressin peptide was ligated to the 3' terminal codon of sacB, the structural gene of levansucrase. This gene fusion was integrated into the chromosome of a Bacillus subtilis strain able to overproduce levansucrase. The extracellular production of the hybrid protein, consisting of the whole levansucrase primary sequence plus the nine amino acids of the vasopressin peptide added at the C-terminal end, represented 50-55% of that found for the wild-type levansucrase (20 mg l-1). The purified hybrid protein displayed the same conformational stability, protease insensitivity and enzymic properties as the wild-type levansucrase. However, the rate and the yield of the unfolding-folding transition at the pH and temperature used for bacterial growth were lower in the case of the hybrid protein; the latter also required a higher iron concentration to be completely folded.

Bacillus subtilis↗