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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Activity of the human papillomavirus type 16 late negative regulatory element is partly due to four weak consensus 5' splice sites that bind a U1 snRNP-like complex.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) life cycle is tightly linked to differentiation of the squamous epithelia that it infects. Capsid proteins, and hence mature virions, are produced in the outermost layer of differentiated cells. As late gene transcripts are produced in the lower layers, posttranscriptional mechanisms likely prevent capsid protein production in less differentiated cells. For HPV type 16 (HPV-16), a 79-nucleotide (nt) negative regulatory element (NRE) inhibits gene expression in basal epithelial cells. To identify key NRE sequences, we carried out transient transfection in basal epithelial cells with reporter constructs containing the HPV-16 late 3' untranslated region with deletions and mutations of the NRE. Reporter gene expression was increased over 40-fold by deletion of the entire element, 10-fold by deletion of the 5' portion of the NRE that contains four weak consensus 5' splice sites, and only 3-fold by deletion of the 3' GU-rich region. Both portions of the element appear to be necessary for full repression. Inactivating mutations in the 5' splice sites in the 5' NRE partially alleviated repression in the context of the 79-nt NRE but caused full derepression when assayed in a construct with the 3' NRE deleted. All four contribute to the inhibitory effect, though the second splice site is most inhibitory. Sm proteins, U1A and U1 snRNA, but not U1 70K, could be affinity purified with the wild-type NRE but not with the NRE containing mutations in the 5' splice sites, indicating that a U1 snRNP-like complex forms upon the element.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Unusual organization of a developmentally regulated mitochondrial RNA polymerase (TBMTRNAP) gene in Trypanosoma brucei.

We report here the characterization of a developmentally regulated mitochondrial RNA polymerase transcript in the parasitic protozoan, Trypanosoma brucei. The 3822 bp protein-coding region of the T. brucei mitochondrial RNA polymerase (TBMTRNAP) gene is predicted to encode a 1274 amino acid polypeptide, the carboxyl-terminal domain of which exhibits 29-37% identity with the mitochondrial RNA polymerases from other organisms in the molecular databases. Interestingly, the TBMTRNAP mRNA is one of several mature mRNA species post-transcriptionally processed from a stable, polycistronic precursor. Alternative polyadenylation of the TBMTRNAP mRNA produces two mature transcripts that differ by 500 nt and that show stage-specific differences in abundance during the T. brucei life cycle. This alternative polyadenylation event appears to be accompanied by the alternative splicing of a high abundance, non-coding downstream transcript of unknown function. Our finding that the TBMTRNAP gene is transcribed into two distinct mRNAs subject to differential regulation during the T. brucei life cycle suggests that mitochondrial differentiation might be achieved in part through the regulated expression of this gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A secondary structure that contains the 5' and 3' splice sites suppresses splicing of duck hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA.

Pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) plays two major roles in the hepadnavirus life cycle. It is the mRNA for two proteins required for DNA replication, C and P, and it is the template for reverse transcription. pgRNA is a terminally redundant transcript whose synthesis does not involve RNA splicing. For duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), a spliced RNA is derived from pgRNA by removal of a single intron. The mechanism for the simultaneous cytoplasmic accumulation of unspliced (pgRNA) and spliced RNA was not known. We found that mutations within two regions of the DHBV genome reduced the level of pgRNA while increasing the level of spliced RNA. One region is near the 5' end of pgRNA (region A), while the second is near the middle of pgRNA (region B). Inspection of the DHBV nucleotide sequence indicated that region A could base pair with region B. The 5' and 3' splice sites of the intron of the spliced RNA are within regions A and B, respectively. Substitutions that disrupted the predicted base pairing reduced the accumulation of pgRNA and increased the accumulation of spliced RNA. Restoration of base pairing, albeit mutant in sequence, resulted in restoration of pgRNA accumulation with a decrease in the level of spliced RNA. Our data are consistent with a model in which splicing of the pgRNA is suppressed by a secondary structure between regions A and B that occludes the splicing machinery from modifying pgRNA.

Animals↗

Repair of chronic peritoneal dialysis catheter.

BACKGROUND: Damage to the peritoneal dialysis catheter may be due to wear from long-term use, exposure to antibacterial agents (strong oxidants), and accidental injury from sharp objects. Repair of such catheter, if not associated with subsequent complications, would extend catheter life and reduce costs and patient inconvenience related to catheter replacement. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of seven peritoneal catheters repaired 11 times over a 15-year period by splicing the old catheter with an extension tube using the Peri-Patch Repair Kit (Quinton Instrument Co., Bothwell, WA, U.S.A.). RESULTS: The life of these seven catheters was extended by a mean of 26 months (range 1-87 months), without increasing infection rates after splicing. The peritonitis rate after catheter splicing was 0.40 per year, not higher than the overall rate (0.76 per year) in our center during the same time period. Exit-site infections occurred in 6 patients after catheter splicing. Only one infection was related to trauma during the procedure and resulted in chronic exit infection; the catheter was eventually removed. In this patient, damage to the catheter was less than 1.5 cm from the exit site. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Splicing of the damaged peritoneal catheter, if properly done, is a safe procedure and can significantly prolong catheter life. We recommend that measures to prevent catheter damage, such as avoiding the use of scissors and other sharp objects, should be emphasized during the initial patient education and training. Alcohol and iodine should not be used on silicone rubber catheters. We suggest that the patient should report catheter damage immediately and come to the clinic within a few hours for catheter splicing (if possible) and prophylactic antibiotic to prevent peritonitis. Finally, we recommend that repair of the catheter should not be attempted if the breakage is less than 2 cm from the exit site, unless done as an emergency procedure if immediate catheter replacement cannot be performed.

Adult↗

Membrane-bound Steel factor induces more persistent tyrosine kinase activation and longer life span of c-kit gene-encoded protein than its soluble form.

Alternative splicing of exon 6 results in the production of two isoforms of Steel factor (SLF): the membrane-bound and soluble forms. To investigate differences in the kinetics of c-kit tyrosine kinase activated by these two isoforms, we used a stromal cell line (SI/SI4) established from SI/SI homozygous murine embryo fetal liver and its stable transfectants containing either hSCF248 cDNA (including exon 6; secreted form) or hSCF220 cDNA (lacking exon 6; membrane-bound form) as the source of each isoform. Interaction of factor dependent myeloid cell line MO7e with stromal cells producing either isoform resulted in activated c-kit tyrosine kinase and induction of the same series of tyrosine phosphorylated cellular proteins in MO7e cells. However, SI4-h220 (membrane-bound form) induced more persistent activation of c-kit kinase than SI4-h248 (soluble form) did. Flow cytometric analysis and pulse-chase studies using [35S]methionine showed that SI4-h248 induced rapid downmodulation of cell-surface c-kit expression and its protein degradation in MO7e cells, whereas SI4-h220 induced more prolonged life span of c-kit protein. Addition of soluble recombinant human SLF to SI4-h220 cultures enhanced reduction of cell-surface c-kit expression and its protein degradation. Because the kinetics of c-kit inactivation strikingly fits with the protein degradation rates of c-kit under the conditions described above, rapid proteolysis of c-kit protein induced by soluble SLF stimulation may function as a "turn-off switch" for activated c-kit kinase.

Alternative Splicing↗

Regulation of alternative splicing of Slo K+ channels in adrenal and pituitary during the stress-hyporesponsive period of rat development.

Stress triggers release of ACTH from the pituitary, glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex, and epinephrine from the adrenal medulla. Although functions differ, these hormone systems interact in many ways. Previous evidence indicates that pituitary and steroid hormones regulate alternative splicing of the Slo gene at the stress axis-regulated exon (STREX), with functional implications for the calcium-activated K+ channels prominent in adrenal medullary and pituitary cells. Here we examine the role of corticosterone in Slo splicing regulation in pituitary and adrenal tissues during the stress-hyporesponsive period of early rat postnatal life. The sharp drop in plasma corticosterone (CORT) that defines this period offers a unique opportunity to test CORT's role in Slo splicing. We report that in both adrenal and pituitary tissues, the percentage of Slo transcripts having STREX declines and recovers in parallel with CORT. Moreover, addition of 500 nm CORT to cultures of anterior pituitary cells from 13-, 21-, and 30-d postnatal animals increased the percentage of Slo transcripts with STREX, whereas 20 microm CORT reduced STREX representation. Applied to adrenal chromaffin cells, 20 microm CORT decreased STREX inclusion, whereas neither 500 nm nor 2 microm had any effect. The mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist RU28318 abolished the effect of 500 nm CORT on splicing in pituitary cells, whereas the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 blocked the effect of 20 microm CORT on adrenal chromaffin cells. These results support the hypothesis that the abrupt, transient drop in CORT during the stress-hyporesponsive period drives the transient decline in STREX splice variant representation in pituitary, but not adrenal.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Nuclear translocation controlled by alternatively spliced isoforms inactivates the QUAKING apoptotic inducer.

The quaking viable mice have myelination defects and develop a characteristic tremor 10 d after birth. The quaking gene encodes at least five alternatively spliced QUAKING (QKI) isoforms that differ in their C-terminal 8--30-amino-acid sequence. The reason for the existence of the different QKI isoforms and their function are unknown. Here we show that only one QKI isoform, QKI-7, can induce apoptosis in fibroblasts and primary rat oligodendrocytes. Heterodimerization of the QKI isoforms results in the nuclear translocation of QKI-7 and the suppression of apoptosis. The unique C-terminal 14 amino acids of QKI-7 confers the ability to induce apoptosis to heterologous proteins such as the green fluorescent protein and a QKI-related protein, Caenorhabditis elegans GLD-1. Thus, the unique C-terminal sequences of QKI-7 may function as a life-or-death 'sensor' that monitors the balance between the alternatively spliced QKI isoforms. Moreover, our findings suggest that nuclear translocation is a novel mechanism of inactivating apoptotic inducers.

3T3 Cells↗

Multiple alternative splicing and differential expression of dmrt1 during gonad transformation of the rice field eel.

Morphologically distinct males and females are observed throughout the animal kingdom. Why and how sex evolved and is maintained in most living organisms remains a key question in cellular and evolutionary biology. Here we report that four isoforms of dmrt1 (dsx- and mab3-related transcription factor 1) are generated in testis, ovotestis, and ovary by alternative splicing in the rice field eel, a fresh water fish that undergoes natural sex reversal from female to male during its life cycle. These transcripts encode four different size proteins with 301, 196, 300, and 205 amino acids. Like fly doublesex splicing, the dmrt1 of the rice field eel is also alternatively spliced at the 3' region, which generates diverse isoforms in gonads by alternative use of 3' sequences. Not only is dmrt1 expressed specifically in gonads, but its multiple isoforms are differentially coexpressed in gonadal epithelium during gonad transformation. Expression levels of a and b isoforms of dmrt1 ranged from low to high (ovary < ovotestis I < ovotestis II < ovotestis III < testis), based on comparisons of mean values from real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The overall expression level of dmrt1 b was much lower than that of dmrt1 a. Expression of dmrt1 d was not only low, but it also did not change significantly during sex transformation. The differential expression of dmrt1 isoforms may also be regulated by their 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), although these 3' UTRs do not contribute to intracellular localization of the Dmrt1 protein. These results provide new insight into roles of regulation at the level of splicing of dmrt1 in governing the sex differentiation cascade.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Cutting, splicing, reordering, and elimination of DNA sequences in hypotrichous ciliates.

Hypotrichous ciliates extensively process genomic DNA during their life cycle. Processing occurs after cell mating, beginning with multiple rounds of DNA replication to form polytene chromosomes. Thousands of transposonlike elements are then excised from the chromosomes and destroyed, and thousands of short, internal eliminated sequences (IESs) are excised from coding and noncoding parts of genes and destroyed. IES removal from a gene is accompanied by splicing of the remaining chromosomal DNA segments to form a transcriptionally competent gene. For some genes these DNA segments are in a scrambled order and are ligated into a genetically correct order at the time of IES removal. Next the polytene chromosomes are cut up band-by-band and all genes are excised from the chromosomes as short, linear molecules averaging 2.2 kbp (in Oxytricha nova). Gene excision is accompanied by destruction of all nongenic DNA, which, together with the transposonlike elements and IESs, accounts for approximately 95% of the total sequence complexity of the genome in O. nova. Telomeric sequences are added to the excised gene-sized DNA molecules. Finally, the gene-sized molecules are replicated several times to form the macronucleus of the organism.

Actins↗

UV-dependent alternative splicing uncouples p53 activity and PIG3 gene function through rapid proteolytic degradation.

The p53-inducible gene 3 (PIG3) is a transcriptional target of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and is thought to play a role in apoptosis. In this report, we identify a novel alternatively spliced product from the PIG3 gene that we call PIG3AS (PIG3 alternative splice). PIG3AS results from alternative pre-mRNA splicing that skips exon 4 of the five exons included in the PIG3 transcript. The resulting protein product shares its first 206 amino acids with PIG3 but has a unique 42-amino acid C terminus. In unstressed cells and after most DNA damage conditions that induce transcription from the PIG3 gene, production of the PIG3 transcript dominates. However, in response to UV light, pre-mRNA splicing shifts dramatically in favor of PIG3AS. Unlike the PIG3 protein, the PIG3AS protein is rapidly degraded with a short half-life and is stabilized by proteasome inhibition. Our results illustrate the first example of an endogenous, UV-inducible, alternative splicing event and that control of the splicing machinery is involved in the cellular DNA damage response. They also suggest that rapid proteolytic degradation represents a cellular mechanism for uncoupling p53 activity from PIG3 gene activation that is independent of promoter selectivity.

Alternative Splicing↗

Prolonged survival in hereditary surfactant protein B (SP-B) deficiency associated with a novel splicing mutation.

Hereditary surfactant protein B (SP-B) deficiency has been lethal in the first year of life without lung transplantation. We tested the hypothesis that SP-B gene mutations may result in milder phenotypes by investigating the mechanisms for lung disease in two children with less severe symptoms than have been previously observed in SP-B deficiency. Immunostaining patterns for pulmonary surfactant proteins were consistent with SP-B deficiency in both children. DNA sequence analysis indicated that both children were homozygous for a mutation in exon 5 that created an alternative splice site. Reverse transcriptase PCR and sequence analysis confirmed use of this splice site, which resulted in a frameshift and a premature termination codon in exon 7. The predominant reverse transcriptase PCR product, however, lacked exon 7, which restored the reading frame but would not allow translation of the exons that encode mature SP-B. Western blot analysis detected reduced amounts of mature SP-B as well as an aberrant SP-B proprotein that corresponded to the size expected from translation of the abnormal transcript. We conclude that a novel splicing mutation was the cause of lung disease in these children and that hereditary SP-B deficiency can be the cause of lung disease in older children.

Female↗

Nephropathy and defective spermatogenesis in mice transgenic for a single isoform of the Wilms' tumour suppressor protein, WT1-KTS, together with one disrupted Wt1 allele.

The Wilms' tumour suppressor protein, WT1, is a zinc finger protein essential for the development of several organs, including the kidney and gonads. In each of these tissues WT1 is required at multiple stages of development and its persistent expression in podocytes and Sertoli cells suggests WT1 may also have a role in the maintenance of kidney and testis function throughout adult life. Naturally occurring isoforms of WT1 are generated by alternative mRNA splicing. An altered ratio of the splice isoforms WT1-KTS and WT1 + KTS appears to be sufficient to account for the developmental abnormalities (pseudohermaphroditism and nephropathy) characteristic of Frasier syndrome. We show that mice with a transgene encoding WT1-KTS do not differ from their wild-type littermates unless they are also heterozygous for a null mutation at the endogenous Wt1 locus. Animals with both genetic modifications develop proteinuria, together with multiple glomerular cysts, and male infertility. These pathologic changes may be explained as a consequence of altering the WT1 isoform ratio in tissues that express WT1 during adulthood. The results suggest WT1 misexpression could contribute to human glomerulocystic kidney disease.

Alleles↗

Analysis of developmentally regulated genes of the parasite Haemonchus contortus.

Differential regulation of gene expression in the development of Haemonchus contortus was analysed using RNA arbitrarily-primed PCR. A study of third-stage larval and adult H. contortus revealed large differences between the two stages; 32 and 30% unique third-stage larval and adult RNA arbitrarily-primed PCR products, respectively. This finding is consistent with a high degree of differential gene expression between these developmental stages. A number of adult products were sequenced, revealing 11 molecules to be similar to deposits within sequence databases. Four other molecules that did not have significant similarity to sequences in the databases may represent developmentally regulated genes specific to H. contortus. Northern analysis of the putative adult-expressed molecules with homologues in the databases confirmed that four were expressed only in adults, while four were expressed in both stages, but had different sized transcripts. This may reflect differential splicing, or expression of closely related but different molecules at different life cycle stages. Two molecules were present in mRNA populations from both stages, suggesting these were false stage-associated molecules. No transcript was detected for one molecule by Northern analysis, probably due to low level of expression. In situ hybridisation analysis was used to localise expression of transcripts in the adult parasite, in particular, to gain some insight into the nature of those molecules with no known predicted function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The genome sequence of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

We have sequenced and annotated the genome of fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), which contains the smallest number of protein-coding genes yet recorded for a eukaryote: 4,824. The centromeres are between 35 and 110 kilobases (kb) and contain related repeats including a highly conserved 1.8-kb element. Regions upstream of genes are longer than in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), possibly reflecting more-extended control regions. Some 43% of the genes contain introns, of which there are 4,730. Fifty genes have significant similarity with human disease genes; half of these are cancer related. We identify highly conserved genes important for eukaryotic cell organization including those required for the cytoskeleton, compartmentation, cell-cycle control, proteolysis, protein phosphorylation and RNA splicing. These genes may have originated with the appearance of eukaryotic life. Few similarly conserved genes that are important for multicellular organization were identified, suggesting that the transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes required more new genes than did the transition from unicellular to multicellular organization.

Base Sequence↗

mRNA-deficient beta o-thalassemia results from a single nucleotide deletion.

The beta-globin gene of a patient with mRNA-deficient beta o-thalassemia has been sequenced. We find a single nucleotide deletion in amino acid codon 44 that produces a UGA terminator at codon 60. We have previously shown that the beta-globin mRNA of this patient is correctly spliced and polyadenylated, but rapidly turns over with a half-life of less than 30 min. We suggest that the rapid mRNA turnover is influenced by the deletion of this single nucleotide as well as by the nonsense codon.

Adolescent↗

NMDA receptor-dependent refinement of somatotopic maps.

We have examined the role of NMDA receptor-mediated neural activity in the formation of periphery-related somatosensory patterns, using genetically engineered mice. We demonstrate that ectopic expression of a transgene of an NMDAR1 splice variant rescues neonatally fatal NMDAR1 knockout (KO) mice, although the average life span varies depending on the level of the transgene expression. In NMDAR1 KO mice with "high" levels of the transgene expression, sensory periphery-related patterns were normal along both the trigeminal and dorsal column pathways. In the KO mice with "low" levels of the transgene expression, the patterns were absent in the trigeminal pathway. Our results indicate that NMDA receptor-mediated neural activity plays a critical role in pattern formation along the ascending somatosensory pathways.

Alternative Splicing↗

Human thyroperoxidase in its alternatively spliced form (TPO2) is enzymatically inactive and exhibits changes in intracellular processing and trafficking.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO1) is a membrane-bound heme-containing glycoprotein that catalyzes the synthesis of thyroid hormones. We generated stable cell lines expressing TPO1 and the alternatively spliced isoform TPO2. Pulse-chase studies showed that TPO2 half-life was dramatically decreased as compared with TPO1. The sensitivity of TPO2 to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H indicated that the protein is processed through the endoplasmic reticulum and bears high mannose-type structures. Cell surface biotinylation experiments showed that the two isoforms also differ in their intracellular trafficking. TPO2 was totally retained in the cell, whereas 15% of TPO1 reached the cell surface. The inability of TPO2 to come out of the intracellular compartments was related to structural changes in the molecule. Evidence of these changes was obtained through the lack of recognition of TPO2 by half of the 13 TPO monoclonal antibodies tested in immunoprecipitation experiments. Our data suggest that because of an improper folding, TPO2 is trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degraded. The failure of incorporation of [14C]aminolevulinic acid in the cultured cells showed that TPO2 did not bind to heme, whereas TPO1 did. This result was confirmed through a guaiacol assay showing that TPO2 is enzymatically inactive.

Alternative Splicing↗