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Analysis of formaldehyde-induced Adh mutations in Drosophila by RNA structure mapping and direct sequencing of PCR-amplified genomic DNA.

Two formaldehyde-induced mutations at the Drosophila Adh locus (Adhfn45 and Adhfn46) were analyzed by determining RNA structures at different developmental stages, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the affected genomic regions, and direct sequencing of the resulting double-stranded DNA fragments. Adhfn46 adults and larvae accumulate abundant ADH-like distal (adult) and proximal (larval) transcripts that are shorter than transcripts in wild-type flies by a lesion located in the second ADH protein-coding exon. Direct sequencing of the amplified DNA region showed that Adhfn46 contains a 69-bp in-frame deletion that removes 23 amino acids near one border of the second exon. Consistent with these findings, we observed a shorter ADHfn46 protein present at only 3% of wild-type levels. In contrast, Adhfn45 adults and larvae accumulate much smaller amounts of ADH-like distal and proximal transcripts. Both RNAs have an identical aberration in RNA splicing of the 65-base intron sequence. Direct sequencing of the amplified mutated DNA region showed that Adhfn45 contains a 21-bp deletion that removed and rearranged DNA at the 5' splice junction of the 65-bp intron. No ADH cross-reacting material is detected in Adhfn45 flies. Direct-repeat sequences (3-11 bp) are present flanking and within the mutated DNA regions. The patterns of DNA deletion and deletion accompanied by sequence addition at the mutant sites suggest a slipped mispairing mechanism during DNA replication or repair that involves local DNA homology.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Expression strategies of the yeast retrotransposon Ty: a short sequence directs ribosomal frameshifting.

The Ty element of yeast is a member of a class of eukaryotic transposons which bear a striking resemblance to retroviral proviruses in their structure and expression strategies (1,2). A direct comparison can be drawn between the production of a fusion protein encoded by Ty, resulting from a frameshift event which fuses two out-of-phase open reading frames TYA and TYB, and the production of Pr180gag-pol in a retrovirus such as Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) (3,4). We present data which shows, definitively, that RNA splicing is not responsible for the frameshift in Ty. By in vitro mutation of a class I element, Ty1-15, we demonstrate that 31 nucleotides contained within the region where the TYA and TYB open reading frames overlap direct the frameshift. Within this short sequence there is a region of homology with a class II element which we show is also able to frameshift.

Base Sequence↗

Phylogenetic diversity of the expression of the microtubule-associated protein tau: implications for neurodegenerative disorders.

The microtubule-associated protein tau regulates the dynamic stability of the neuronal cytoskeleton by interacting with microtubules. It is encoded by a single gene, but expressed in a variety of isoforms due to differential RNA splicing. Six isoforms can be found in the human central nervous system. These isoforms differ in their ability to promote the assembly of microtubules as well as in their capacity to stabilize existing microtubule structures. Furthermore, some of the isoforms of tau are specifically involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, splicing of tau might critically influence the physiological functions of tau protein as well as the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases with tauopathy. The present study addresses the differential expression of the six isoforms of tau in the central nervous system of 12 mammalian species including Homo sapiens. The occurrence of each of the six tau isoforms was highly variable. However, species that were phylogenetically related expressed a similar pattern of tau isoforms. These results suggest a phylogenetic descent of splicing paradigms, which can be matched with known phylogenetic concepts based on morphological and molecular genetical studies. Especially, the unique expression pattern of tau isoforms in the human central nervous system implicates a possible link to the particular vulnerability of humans to neurodegenerative disorders with tauopathy, namely Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and Pick's disease.

Animals↗

Antisense expression of the human pro-melanin-concentrating hormone genes.

Expression of transcripts for human pro-melanin concentrating hormone (pMCH) were studied in the hypothalamus, the primary location for pMCH producing cells in the mammalian CNS. Human hypothalamic tissue was extracted for total RNA and the cDNA generated with reverse transcriptase (RT). PCR amplification with primers spanning exons 2 and 3 of the pMCH human-variant genes (pMCHL), yielded an unspliced product, confirming prior work [T.B. Campbell, C.K. McDonald, M. Hagen, The effect of structure in a long target RNA on ribozyme cleavage efficiency, Nucleic Acids Res. 25 (1997) 4985-4993]. In addition, this product was shown to be exclusively antisense, and to be derived from the 5p (pMCHL1), not the 5q (pMCHL2) locus. Thus, there is no evidence that the MCH peptide-precursor molecule is produced in the brain by the human-variant pMCHL loci. In contrast, corresponding RT-PCR for pMCH RNA generated by the locus on 12q, demonstrated the presence of both sense and antisense spliced RNA. Partial sequencing of the spliced product confirmed that production of at least the two C-terminal peptides would occur from the 12q pMCH locus. The significance of the findings for pMCH and pMCHL1 are discussed relative to what is known about the function of endogenous antisense RNA.

Alternative Splicing↗

Prospective analysis of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator mutations in adults with bronchiectasis or pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis and pulmonary infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) may be associated with disease-causing mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR). METHODS: Fifty adult patients at Stanford University Medical Center with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis and/or pulmonary NTM infection were prospectively characterized by sweat chloride measurement, comprehensive mutational analysis of CFTR, and sputum culture results. RESULTS: A de novo diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) was established in 10 patients (20%). Patients with CF were more likely than those without CF to have mucus plugging seen on chest high-resolution CT, and women with a CF diagnosis were thinner, with a significantly lower mean body mass index than the non-CF subjects. Thirty CFTR mutations were identified in 24 patients (50% prevalence). Sweat chloride concentration was elevated > 60 mEq/dL (diagnostic of CF) in seven patients (14%), and from 40 to 60 mEq/dL in eight patients (16%). The frequency of CFTR mutations was elevated above that expected in the general population: heterozygous DeltaF508 (12% vs 3%), R75Q (14% vs 1%), and intron 8 5T (17% vs 5 to 10%). Other known CFTR mutations identified were V456A, G542X, R668C, I1027T, D1152, R1162L, W1282X, and L183I. Three novel CFTR mutations were identified: A394V, F650L, and C1344S. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in CFTR that alter RNA splicing and/or functional chloride conductance are common in this population, and are likely to contribute to the susceptibility and pathogenesis of adult bronchiectasis and pulmonary NTM infection. Careful clinical evaluation for disease cause should be undertaken in this clinical context.

Adult↗

Molecular defects in the alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase gene in Italian Sanfilippo type B patients.

Sanfilippo syndrome type B (mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the inability to degrade heparan sulfate because of a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU). We performed mutation screening in a group of 20 patients, identyifing 28 mutations, 14 of which were novel (L35F, 204delC, 221insGCGCG, G82D, W156C, 507delC, IVS3+1G-->A, E336X, V501G, R520W, S534Y, W649C, 1953insGCCA, 2185delAGA). Four of these mutations were found in homozygosity and only one was seen in two different patients, showing the remarkable molecular heterogeneity of the disease. Mutation IVS3+1G-->A produces aberrant RNA splicing: it represents a base substitution from G to A of the invariant GT dinucleotides at the splicing donor site of intron 3 resulting in the skipping of exon 3 and both exons 2 and 3. Transient transfection of COS cells, by DNA mutagenized with NAGLU mutations, produced enzymatic molecules without activity, demonstrating the deleterious nature of the defects. Metabolic labeling of transfected mutants suggested a normal synthesis of the involved polypeptide for missense alterations, whereas increased protein or mRNA instability was shown for nonsense and most of the frameshift mutations.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Mutational analysis of patients with neurofibromatosis 2.

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple nervous-system tumors in young adulthood. The NF2 gene has recently been isolated and found to encode a new member of the protein 4.1 family of cytoskeletal associated proteins, which we have named merlin. To define the molecular basis of NF2 in affected individuals, we have used SSCP analysis to scan the exons of the NF2 gene from 33 unrelated patients with NF2. Twenty unique SSCP variants were seen in 21 patients; 10 of these individuals were known to be the only affected person in their kindred, while 7 had at least one other known affected relative. In all cases in which family members were available, the SSCP variant segregated with the disease; comparison of sporadic cases with their parents confirmed the de novo variants. DNA sequence analysis revealed that 19 of the 20 variants observed are predicted to lead to a truncated protein due to frameshift, creation of a stop codon, or interference with normal RNA splicing. A single patient carried a 3-bp deletion removing a phenylalanine residue. We conclude that the majority of NF2 patients carry an inactivating mutation of the NF2 gene and that neutral polymorphism in the gene is rare.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular analysis of five independent Japanese mutant genes responsible for hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency.

Five independent mutations in the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene were identified in a partially HPRT deficient patient with gout and in four Lesch-Nyhan patients. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique coupled with direct sequencing, the nucleotide sequences of the entire HPRT coding region amplified from the cDNA and also of each exon amplified form the genomic DNA were analyzed. Three independent point mutations in the coding region were detected in the partially HPRT deficient patient (Case 1) and in two Lesch-Nyhan patients (Case 2 and 3), resulting in single amino acid substitutions. The family study of Case 3, utilizing a PvuII restriction site created in the mutant gene, indicated that the mother was a heterozygote, and a sister and a fetal brother had inherited the normal HPRT gene from the mother. In two other mutants causing Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, a portion of the HPRT gene was deleted, and RNA splicing was missing in both mutants. A 4-bp deletion at the 5' end of exon 4 resulted in formation of three different types of abnormal mRNA (Case 4). The other mutant (Case 5) produced abnormal mRNA including 26 bp of intron 8 instead of the deleted 58 bp at the 5' end of exon 9, because of a 74-bp deletion from intron 8 to exon 9.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Binding of a group II intron-encoded reverse transcriptase/maturase to its high affinity intron RNA binding site involves sequence-specific recognition and autoregulates translation.

Mobile group II introns encode reverse transcriptases that bind specifically to the intron RNAs to promote both intron mobility and RNA splicing (maturase activity). Previous studies with the Lactococcus lactis Ll.LtrB intron suggested a model in which the intron-encoded protein (LtrA) binds first to a primary high-affinity binding site in intron subdomain DIVa, an idiosyncratic structure at the beginning of the LtrA coding sequence, and then makes additional contacts with conserved regions of the intron to fold the RNA into the catalytically active structure. Here, we analyzed the DIVa binding site by iterative in vitro selection and in vitro mutagenesis. Our results show that LtrA binds to a small region at the distal end of DIVa that contains the ribosome-binding site and initiation codon of the LtrA open reading frame. The critical elements are in a small stem-loop structure emanating from a purine-rich internal loop, with both sequence and structure playing a role in LtrA recognition. The ribosome-binding site falls squarely within the LtrA-binding region and is sequestered directly by the binding of LtrA or by stabilization of the small stem-loop or both. Finally, by using LacZ fusions in Escherichia coli, we show that the binding of LtrA to DIVa down-regulates translation. This mode of regulation limits accumulation of the potentially deleterious intron-encoded protein and may facilitate splicing by halting ribosome entry into the intron. The recognition of the DIVa loop-stem-loop structure accounts, in part, for the intron specificity of group II intron maturases and has parallels in template-recognition mechanisms used by other reverse transcriptases.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Crystallin genes: templates for lens transparency.

Analysis of recombinant DNAs provides new information on the basis of crystallin evolution and diversity. All crystallin genes contain introns. Two similar, tandemly linked chicken delta-crystallin genes, which probably arose by gene duplication, contain at least 16-17 introns. In the beta-crystallins three introns are situated between exons encoding the structural motifs of the protein, thus relating gene and protein structure. The structurally similar beta- and gamma-crystallins are coded by separate gene families which apparently arose by successive duplications of a common ancestral gene. The N-termini (5' end of gene) of the beta-crystallins appear to have diverged, while the 3' ends have been conserved. In the single murine alpha A-crystallin gene, coding information (the insert exon) for the alpha Ains peptide is contained within an intron. Alternative RNA splicing of this gene gives both the alpha A2 and the alpha Ains crystallin mRNAs. Thus, molecular genetics is providing a deeper appreciation of evolutionary events and is serving to redefine the crystallins in terms of their genes. Since the crystallins are so abundant in the lens, greater understanding of their polypeptide and gene structure should contribute to our understanding of and ability to treat cataract.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A complementation method for functional analysis of mammalian genes.

Our progress in understanding mammalian gene function has lagged behind that of gene identification. New methods for mammalian gene functional analysis are needed to accelerate the process. In yeast, the powerful genetic shuffle system allows deletion of any chromosomal gene by homologous recombination and episomal expression of a mutant allele in the same cell. Here, we report a method for mammalian cells, which employs a helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vector to synthesize small hairpin (sh) RNAs to knock-down the expression of an endogenous gene by targeting untranslated regions (UTRs). The vector simultaneously expresses an exogenous version of the same gene (wild-type or mutant allele) lacking the UTRs for functional analysis. We demonstrated the utility of the method by using PRPF3, which encodes the human RNA splicing factor Hprp3p. Recently, missense mutations in PRPF3 were found to cause autosomal-dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa, a form of genetic eye diseases affecting the retina. We knocked-down endogenous PRPF3 in multiple cell lines and rescued the phenotype (cell death) with exogenous PRPF3 cDNA, thereby creating a genetic complementation method. Because Ad vectors can efficiently transduce a wide variety of cell types, and many tissues in vivo, this method could have a wide application for gene function studies.

Adenoviridae↗

de novo mutation causes steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency in one family of HLA-identical affected and unaffected siblings.

Over 90% of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) results from 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Because the CYP21B gene is located within the HLA complex and is very tightly linked to HLA markers, HLA typing is widely used for prenatal diagnosis and identifying heterozygous family members. In the course of a study on identification of heterozygous family members with HLA typing, we recognized an unusual family case in which three siblings share the same HLA haplotype, and only one of them had the simple virilizing form; her two siblings did not have any endocrinological abnormalities. We investigated the mode of genetic transmission by using polymerase chain reaction and single stranded conformation polymorphism. The present study revealed that the proband was a compound heterozygote with the intron 2 mutation that causes aberrant RNA splicing and the missense mutation of exon 4, while the other siblings and the father had only one allele of a missense mutation in exon 4; the mother is a normal homozygote. This result together with DNA fingerprint analysis strongly suggest that the intron 2 mutation occurred de novo in the maternally inherited gene of the proband. This seems to be the first case of a de novo mutation of the CYP21B gene that causes CAH.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Macroarray analysis of coelomocyte gene expression in response to LPS in the sea urchin. Identification of unexpected immune diversity in an invertebrate.

The purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, is a member of the phylum Echinodermata, which is basal to the phylum Chordata within the deuterostome lineage of the animal kingdom. This relationship makes the analysis of the sea urchin immune system relevant to understanding the evolution of the deuterostome immune system leading to the Vertebrata. Subtractive suppression hybridization was employed to generate cDNA probes for screening high-density arrayed, conventional cDNA libraries to identify genes that were upregulated in coelomocytes responding to lipopolysaccharide. Results from 1,247 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were used to infer that coelomocytes upregulated genes involved in RNA splicing, protein processing and targeting, secretion, endosomal activities, cell signaling, and alterations to the cytoskeletal architecture including interactions with the extracellular matrix. Of particular note was a set of transcripts represented by 60% of the ESTs analyzed, which encoded a previously uncharacterized family of closely related proteins, provisionally designated as 185/333. These transcripts exhibited a significant level of variation in their nucleotide sequence and evidence of putative alternative splicing that could yield up to 15 translatable elements. On the basis of the striking increase in gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide and the unexpected level of diversity of the 185/333 messages, we propose that this set of transcripts encodes a family of putative immune response proteins that may represent a major component of an immunological response to bacterial challenge.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Precise progerin targeting using RfxCas13d: A therapeutic avenue for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), an extremely rare progressive genetic disorder, is caused by a point mutation in LMNA that induces progerin production, which disrupts cellular function and triggers premature aging and mortality. Despite extensive efforts, HPGS remains incurable. We successfully implemented a strategy using RfxCas13d to selectively target progerin mRNA at specific junction regions, without unintended cleavage and reduce its expression. This technique discriminated between normal lamin A and progerin, thus providing a safe and targeted therapeutic avenue to treat HGPS. Our approach effectively restored aberrant gene expression and progerin-induced cellular phenotypes, including senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage in cells with HGPS and LMNAG608G/G608G mice. Notably, LMNAG608G/G608G mice exhibited improved progeroid phenotypes, suggesting a potential therapeutic application of this approach for other diseases resulting from abnormal RNA splicing.

Progeria↗

PTBP1 at the host-virus interface: mechanistic roles in viral RNA translation, replication, and immune modulation.

Viruses require the involvement of host RNA binding proteins for completion of important steps of their life cycle. Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) is an RNA-binding protein found ubiquitously which performs important regulatory functions like alternative splicing, RNA stability, RNA localization, and translation by virtue of its four RRMs and shuttling between nucleus and cytoplasm. There is increasing evidence showing that many viruses make use of such regulatory roles of PTBP1 to facilitate their gene expression and replication. This review describes the existing mechanistic knowledge about the PTBP1 functions during viral infection, paying attention to the role of PTBP1 in viral RNA translation, viral RNA genome replication, and regulation of host antiviral response. Special attention is paid to the regulation by PTBP1 of IRES-dependent translation of enteroviruses and hepatitis C virus, as well as to the PTBP1 contribution to RNA stabilization, long-distance RNA interactions, and genome cyclization of flaviviruses such as dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Recent data on the PTBP1 function in coronavirus RNA metabolism are discussed as well. Furthermore, the role of PTBP1 in being both proviral and antiviral is reviewed in terms of innate immunity signalling pathways, stress granule biology, and virus-host interaction. Finally, we will explore the possibility of PTBP1 being used as a host-directed antiviral drug target despite the hurdles in doing so considering its multifunctionality as an essential cellular RNA-binding protein.

Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein↗

Fetal hemoglobin expression in the compound heterozygous state for -117 (G-->A) Agamma HPFH and IVSII-745 (C-->G) beta+ thalassemia: a case study.

We studied a family in which two inherited defects of the non-alpha-globin cluster segregate: Greek hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) and beta-thalassemia. The compound heterozygote is a healthy man with 43% HbF, Ggamma/Agamma ratio (27:73) differing from that of 10 simple heterozygotes for the Greek HPFH (92:8), normal levels of total Hb (13.3 g/dl), and reduced HbA2 levels comparing with the levels of beta-thal heterozygotes for the same mutation. Molecular analysis of the beta-globin genotype revealed the presence of the IVSII-745 (C-->G) beta+ RNA splice mutation in trans with the -117 G-->A Greek HPFH. The beta+ mutation was linked to haplotype VII and the Greek HPFH was associated with haplotype Ia. The father of the compound heterozygote carries the Greek HPFH in trans with the -158 C-->T on the Ggamma promoter, which is linked with haplotype IV. He presented 13.5% HbF with a Ggamma/Agamma ratio 75:25. His daughter was a compound heterozygote for the IVSII-745 mutation in trans with the -158 C-->T, while her HbF levels were 3.7% with a Ggamma/Agamma ratio 31:69.

Adult↗

The small nuclear ribonucleoprotein E protein gene contains four introns and has upstream similarities to genes for ribosomal proteins.

The human small nuclear ribonucleoprotein E protein is an 11,000-dalton basic protein which is an integral component of several small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes involved in RNA processing reactions. Sequence analysis of the E protein multigene family reveals that at least one gene for this component of the RNA splicing machinery is interrupted by four introns. The exons of this gene are identical to two cDNA clones isolated from independent tissue sources and span approximately 9 kilobase pairs. Primer extension data indicated the presence of two major transcription start sites. The upstream region of the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein E protein gene does not contain TATA or CCAAT sequences within 175 nucleotides of the transcription start sites. However, the proximal upstream region does contain several similarities to the promoter regions of both snRNA genes and vertebrate ribosomal protein genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Vascular endothelial growth factor: a new member of the platelet-derived growth factor gene family.

Using applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, cDNA clones have been isolated encoding bovine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a mitogen with specificity for vascular endothelial cells. Analysis of the clones indicates that VEGF can exist in two forms, probably due to alternative RNA splicing. The amino acid sequences predicted from the clones also show that VEGF shares homologies of about 21% and 24% respectively with the A and B chains of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and has complete conservation of the eight cysteine residues found in both mature PDGF chains. The homology is not reflected in function, however, since the cell types responsive to VEGF are distinct from those responsive to homo- and heterodimers of the PDGF chains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗