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DRAGON: a member of the repulsive guidance molecule-related family of neuronal- and muscle-expressed membrane proteins is regulated by DRG11 and has neuronal adhesive properties.

DRG11, a transcription factor expressed in embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal horn neurons, has a role in the development of sensory circuits. We have used a genomic binding strategy to screen for the promoter region of genes regulated by DRG11. One gene with a promoter region binding to the DNA binding domain of DRG11 encodes a novel membrane-associated [glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored] protein that we call DRAGON. DRAGON expression is transcriptionally regulated by DRG11, and it is coexpressed with DRG11 in embryonic DRG and spinal cord. DRAGON expression in these areas is reduced in DRG11 null mutants. DRAGON is expressed, however, in the neural tube before DRG11, and unlike DRG11 it is expressed in the brain and therefore must be regulated by other transcriptional regulatory elements. DRAGON shares high sequence homology with two other GPI-anchored membrane proteins: the mouse ortholog of chick repulsive guidance molecule (mRGM), which is expressed in the mouse nervous system in areas complementary to DRAGON, and DRAGON-like muscle (DL-M), the expression of which is restricted to skeletal and cardiac muscle. A comparative genomic analysis indicates that the family of RGM-related genes--mRGM, DRAGON, and DL-M--are highly conserved among mammals, zebrafish, chick, and Caenorhabditis elegans but not Drosophila. DRAGON, RGM, and DL-M mRNA expression in the zebrafish embryo is similar to that in the mouse. Neuronal cell adhesion assays indicate that DRAGON promotes and mRGM reduces adhesion of mouse DRG neurons. We show that DRAGON interacts with itself homophilically. The dynamic expression, ordered spatial localization, and adhesive properties of the RGM-related family of membrane-associated proteins are compatible with specific roles in development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Occurrence of DNA sequence differences in C-heterochromatin of Eulemur coronatus and Eulemur macaco, as revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

In the genus Eulemur (Malagasy lemurs) karyotype diversification has occurred mainly through Robertsonian mechanisms of chromosome fusion (Rumpler et al., 1976). Eulemur coronatus is the sole species to have the largest genome size, due to a very large amount of C-heterochromatin, mostly located at the pericentromeric regions of the largest chromosomes (Warter and Rumpler, 1985). This increase in C-heterochromatin was thought to be due to DNA amplification (Ronchetti et al., 1993). The aim of this work was to investigate whether the large C-heterochromatin of Eulemur coronatus might have derived by amplification of the smaller C-heterochromatin of Eulemur macaco, a closely related species with smaller genome size. To obtain information on the overall base composition of the total genomes, on the relative interspersion of AT and GC base paris along the DNA molecule and on the structural differences in C-heterochromatin, we used a quantitative cyto-chemical approach, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between DNA-specific fluorochromes (i.e. the AT-specific Hoechst 33258, and the non base-specific dye, propidium iodide). Micro-spectrofluorometry and image analysis were used to investigate both the overall FRET efficiency and its spatial distribution along the chromosome arms. FRET efficiency values of the DNA in C-heterochromatin were significantly different in the two Eulemur species, indicating a different qualitative composition of repetitive DNA. This suggests that the repetitive DNA of Eulemur coronatus cannot have originated by amplification in toto of the repetitive DNA sequences of Eulemur macaco.

Animals↗

Authentic cell-specific and developmentally regulated expression of pro-opiomelanocortin genomic fragments in hypothalamic and hindbrain neurons of transgenic mice.

The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in a subset of hypothalamic and hindbrain neurons and in pituitary melanotrophs and corticotrophs. POMC neurons release the potent opioid beta-endorphin and several active melanocortins that control homeostasis and feeding behavior. POMC gene expression in the CNS is believed to be controlled by distinct cis-acting regulatory sequences. To analyze the transcriptional regulation of POMC in neuronal and endocrine cells, we produced transgenic mice carrying POMC27*, a transgene containing the entire 6 kb of the POMC transcriptional unit together with 13 kb of 5' flanking regions and 8 kb of 3' flanking regions. POMC27* was tagged with a heterologous 30 bp oligonucleotide in the third exon. In situ hybridization studies showed an accurate cell-specific pattern of expression of POMC27* in the arcuate nucleus and the pituitary. Hypothalamic mRNA-positive neurons colocalized entirely with beta-endorphin immunoreactivity. No ectopic transgenic expression was detected in the brain. Deletional analyses demonstrated that neuron-specific expression of POMC transgenes required distal 5' sequences localized upstream of the pituitary-responsive proximal cis-acting elements that were identified previously. POMC27* exhibited a spatial and temporal pattern of expression throughout development that exactly paralleled endogenous POMC. RNase protection assays revealed that POMC27* expression mimicked that of POMC in different areas of the CNS and most peripheral organs with no detectable ectopic expression. Hormonal regulation of POMC27* and POMC was identical in the hypothalamus and pituitary. These results show that distal 5' sequences of the POMC gene located between -13 and -2 kb target expression into the CNS of transgenic mice in a precise neuron-specific, developmentally and hormonally regulated manner.

Animals↗

The development of SSR markers by a new method in plants and their application to gene flow studies in azuki bean [Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi].

To gain a better understanding of wild and weedy azuki population structures in relation to the cultigens we have developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers based on a new methodology for plant material. In the azuki bean genome, the number of (AG)(n) and (AC)(n) motif loci per haploid genome has been estimated to be 3,500 and 2,100, respectively, indicating that (AG)(n) motifs are a rich source of markers. We constructed a (AG)(n)-SSR-enriched library in azuki bean in order to obtain a comprehensive range of SSR markers efficiently. The method applied in this study resulted in a 116-fold enrichment over the non-enriched genomic library, with a high percentage (98%) of successful single-locus amplification by the primer pairs designed. Consequently, this method can be applied to construct SSR-enriched libraries suitable for large-scale sequencing. We obtained 255 unique sequences from an (AG)(n)-enriched library for azuki bean. Fifty primer pairs were designed and screened against five populations of wild azuki bean. Among these five populations, one population from Bato town, Tochigi prefecture, Japan, showed greater polymorphism using these primers than the others and was therefore chosen for the in-depth study. The genotypes of 20 individuals were investigated using eight of the SSR primers developed. The genetic relationships among individuals revealed a complex spatial pattern of population structure. Although azuki bean is considered to be a predominantly self-pollinating species, 3 of the 20 individuals tested in the population showed heterozygous genotypes, indicating outcrossing. Allele size and DNA sequence in each of the 20 individuals were compared with those of landraces and released cultivars of azuki bean. Plants in part of the population had many alleles of the same size and with the same sequence as those in cultivated azuki bean, suggesting that gene flow from the cultigen to wild plants has occurred in this population. Unintentional transgene escape from azuki could therefore occur when transgenic azuki is grown in areas where its wild and weedy relatives occur. The approach used here could be applied to biosafety monitoring of transgenic azuki bean.

Alleles↗

MGOUN3, an Arabidopsis gene with TetratricoPeptide-Repeat-related motifs, regulates meristem cellular organization.

In order to understand the functioning of apical meristems in Arabidopsis more clearly, a new mutant, mgoun3 (mgo3), affected in the structural organization and the functional regulation of both shoot and root meristems has been isolated. mgo3 plants display perturbations in leaf morphogenesis, in the spatial and the temporal formation of primordia, and frequent fasciation of the inflorescence stem. Cellular analysis showed that both cellular organization and cell identity patterning are impaired in the mutant meristems. The MGO3 gene has been isolated by positional cloning. The protein deduced from the cDNA sequence contains TetratricoPeptide Repeats (TPR) and Leucine-Rich Repeats (LRR), two motifs that are thought to act in protein-protein interactions. This gene appears to be unique in the Arabidopsis genome. Although the MGO3 protein presents TPR as in the Arabidopsis proteins HOBBIT and SPINDLY, the MGO3 motifs are more similar to those present in LGN-related proteins, which are regulators for some of the asymmetric cell divisions in animal development. These features suggest a key role for MGO3 in meristematic cell divisions and would be of interest for the comparison between plant and animal development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An infectious aetiology for childhood acute leukaemia: a review of the evidence.

There are three current hypotheses concerning infectious mechanisms in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia: exposure in utero or around the time of birth, delayed exposure beyond the first year of life to common infections and unusual population mixing. No specific virus has been definitively linked with childhood leukaemia and there is no evidence to date of viral genomic inclusions within leukaemic cells. The case-control and cohort studies have revealed equivocal results. Maternal infection during pregnancy has been linked with increased risk whilst breast feeding and day care attendance in the first year of life appear to be protective. There is inconclusive evidence from studies on early childhood infectious exposures, vaccination and social mixing. Some supportive evidence for an infectious aetiology is provided by the findings of space-time clustering and seasonal variation. Spatial clustering suggests that higher incidence is confined to specific areas with increased levels of population mixing, particularly in previously isolated populations. Ecological studies have also shown excess incidence with higher population mixing. The marked childhood peak in resource-rich countries and an increased incidence of the childhood peak in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (occurring at ages 2-6 years predominantly with precursor B-cell ALL) is supportive of the concept that reduced early infection may play a role. Genetically determined individual response to infection may be critical in the proliferation of preleukaemic clones as evidenced by the human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphic variant association with precursor B-cell and T-cell ALL.

Breast Feeding↗

A mitochondrial DNA minisatellite reveals the postglacial history of jack pine (Pinus banksiana), a broad-range North American conifer.

Jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) is a broadly distributed North American conifer and its current range was covered by the Laurentian ice sheet during the last glacial maximum. To infer about the history and postglacial colonization of this boreal species, range-wide genetic variation was assessed using a new and highly variable minisatellite-like marker of the mitochondrial genome. Among the 543 trees analysed, 14 distinct haplotypes were detected, which corresponded to different repeat numbers of the 32-nucleotide minisatellite-like motif. Several haplotypes were rare with limited distribution, suggesting recent mutation events during the Holocene. At the population level, an average of 2.6 haplotypes and a mean haplotype diversity (H) of 0.328 were estimated. Population subdivision of genetic diversity was quite high with G(ST) and R(ST) values of 0.569 and 0.472, respectively. Spatial analyses identified three relatively homogeneous groups of populations presumably representative of genetically distinct glacial populations, one west and one east of the Appalachian Mountains in the United States and a third one presumably on the unglaciated northeastern coastal area in Canada. These results indicate the significant role of the northern part of the US Appalachian Mountains as a factor of vicariance during the ice age. A fourth distinct group of populations was observed in central Québec where the continental glacier retreated last. It included populations harbouring haplotypes present into the three previous groups, and it had higher level of haplotype diversity per population (H = 0.548) and lower population differentiation (G(ST) = 0.265), which indicates a zone of suture or secondary contact between the migration fronts of the three glacial populations. Introgression from Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm. was apparent in one western population from Alberta. Altogether, these results indicate that the mitochondrial DNA variation of jack pine is geographically highly structured and it correlates well with large-scale patterns emerging from recent phylogeographical studies of other tree boreal species in North America.

Base Sequence↗

The Pathogenesis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is not a single disease but a group of biologically distinct malignancies that include serous (high-grade and low-grade), endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous carcinomas, along with other rare subtypes. Integrating clinicopathological analyses, genomic and multiomic data, and experimental investigations in model systems has revealed the pathogenesis of the various histologic subtypes. A unique feature of epithelial ovarian cancer is that most of these tumors are now recognized to arise not from ovarian tissue but from the fallopian tube or endometrium, the latter in the context of ovarian endometriosis. Studies of precursor lesions have revealed complex evolutionary trajectories and the earliest molecular events in their development. Recent single-cell and spatial technologies further elucidate the roles of intratumoral heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment in disease progression. This review summarizes these advances from the perspective of tissue of origin and highlights their implications for prevention, early detection, and therapeutic development.

Journal Article↗

Structural clusters of evolutionary trace residues are statistically significant and common in proteins.

Given the massive increase in the number of new sequences and structures, a critical problem is how to integrate these raw data into meaningful biological information. One approach, the Evolutionary Trace, or ET, uses phylogenetic information to rank the residues in a protein sequence by evolutionary importance and then maps those ranked at the top onto a representative structure. If these residues form structural clusters, they can identify functional surfaces such as those involved in molecular recognition. Now that a number of examples have shown that ET can identify binding sites and focus mutational studies on their relevant functional determinants, we ask whether the method can be improved so as to be applicable on a large scale. To address this question, we introduce a new treatment of gaps resulting from insertions and deletions, which streamlines the selection of sequences used as input. We also introduce objective statistics to assess the significance of the total number of clusters and of the size of the largest one. As a result of the novel treatment of gaps, ET performance improves measurably. We find evolutionarily privileged clusters that are significant at the 5% level in 45 out of 46 (98%) proteins drawn from a variety of structural classes and biological functions. In 37 of the 38 proteins for which a protein-ligand complex is available, the dominant cluster contacts the ligand. We conclude that spatial clustering of evolutionarily important residues is a general phenomenon, consistent with the cooperative nature of residues that determine structure and function. In practice, these results suggest that ET can be applied on a large scale to identify functional sites in a significant fraction of the structures in the protein databank (PDB). This approach to combining raw sequences and structure to obtain detailed insights into the molecular basis of function should prove valuable in the context of the Structural Genomics Initiative.

Binding Sites↗

Unlocking pathology archives for molecular genetic studies: a reliable method to generate probes for chromogenic and fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Chromogenic (CISH) and fluorescent (FISH) in situ hybridization have emerged as reliable techniques to identify amplifications and chromosomal translocations. CISH provides a spatial distribution of gene copy number changes in tumour tissue and allows a direct correlation between copy number changes and the morphological features of neoplastic cells. However, the limited number of commercially available gene probes has hindered the use of this technique. We have devised a protocol to generate probes for CISH that can be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections (FFPETS). Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing fragments of human DNA which map to specific genomic regions of interest are amplified with phi29 polymerase and random primer labelled with biotin. The genomic location of these can be readily confirmed by BAC end pair sequencing and FISH mapping on normal lymphocyte metaphase spreads. To demonstrate the reliability of the probes generated with this protocol, four strategies were employed: (i) probes mapping to cyclin D1 (CCND1) were generated and their performance was compared with that of a commercially available probe for the same gene in a series of 10 FFPETS of breast cancer samples of which five harboured CCND1 amplification; (ii) probes targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 4 were used to validate an amplification identified by microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in a pleomorphic adenoma; (iii) probes targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and CCND1 were used to validate amplifications mapping to these regions, as defined by aCGH, in an invasive lobular breast carcinoma with FISH and CISH; and (iv) gene-specific probes for ETV6 and NTRK3 were used to demonstrate the presence of t(12;15)(p12;q25) translocation in a case of breast secretory carcinoma with dual colour FISH. In summary, this protocol enables the generation of probes mapping to any gene of interest that can be applied to FFPETS, allowing correlation of morphological features with gene copy number.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗

Regulatory interactions between the human HOXB1, HOXB2, and HOXB3 proteins and the upstream sequence of the Otx2 gene in embryonal carcinoma cells.

Vertebrate Hox and Otx genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors thought to transduce positional information along the body axis in the segmental portion of the trunk and in the rostral brain, respectively. Moreover, Hox and Otx2 genes show a complementary spatial regulation during embryogenesis. In this report, we show that a 1821-base pair (bp) upstream DNA fragment of the Otx2 gene is positively regulated by co-transfection with expression vectors for the human HOXB1, HOXB2, and HOXB3 proteins in an embryonal carcinoma cell line (NT2/D1) and that a shorter fragment of only 534 bp is able to drive this regulation. We also identified the HOXB1, HOXB2, and HOXB3 DNA-binding region on the 534-bp Otx2 genomic fragment using nuclear extracts from Hox-transfected COS cells and 12.5 days postcoitum mouse embryos or HOXB3 homeodomain-containing bacterial extracts. HOXB1, HOXB3, and nuclear extracts from 12.5 days postcoitum mouse embryos bind to a sequence containing two palindromic TAATTA sites, which bear four copies of the ATTA core sequence, a common feature of most HOM-C/HOX binding sites. HOXB2 protected an adjacent site containing a direct repeat of an ACTT sequence, quite divergent from the ATTA consensus. The region bound by the three homeoproteins is strikingly conserved through evolution and necessary (at least for HOXB1 and HOXB3) to mediate the up-regulation of the Otx2 transcription. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that anteriorly expressed Hox genes might play a role in the refinement of the Otx2 early expression boundaries in vivo.

Animals↗

Perineuronal net degradation in aggressive glioblastomas with KANK1::NTRK2 fusions.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% of glioblastomas harbor targetable genomic fusions. NTRK2 participates in a variety of fusion events that drive tumorigenesis. Two previous reports have described KANK1::NTRK2 fusions in adult glioblastoma patients with poor survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of glioblastoma patients treated at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) from 2020 to 2025 to identify cases harboring KANK1::NTRK2 fusions. Clinical presentation, treatment, histopathologic features, and outcomes were reviewed. In addition, we conducted GeoMx whole-transcriptome and high-plex proteomic digital spatial profiling of a KANK1::NTRK2-positive glioblastoma and a comparator tumor from a long-term survivor. Candidate biomarkers were orthogonally validated using immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Two patients with KANK1::NTRK2 fusion glioblastoma were identified, both demonstrating rapid progression, therapeutic resistance, and survival of less than 7 months. Proteomic profiling showed increased expression and activation of canonical NTRK2 downstream signaling pathways, particularly MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. This was accompanied by upregulation of extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes, including MMP3, MMP14, and ADAM15, along with reduced expression of extracellular matrix-associated transcripts and perineuronal net components in particular compared to a non-fusion glioblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: These limited, hypothesis-generating findings suggest constitutive NTRK2 signaling may promote coordinated extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling, potentially facilitating rapid and aggressive tumor growth and invasion in a subset of glioblastomas.

NTRK gene fusion↗

Identification of mammalian microRNA host genes and transcription units.

To derive a global perspective on the transcription of microRNAs (miRNAs) in mammals, we annotated the genomic position and context of this class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the human and mouse genomes. Of the 232 known mammalian miRNAs, we found that 161 overlap with 123 defined transcription units (TUs). We identified miRNAs within introns of 90 protein-coding genes with a broad spectrum of molecular functions, and in both introns and exons of 66 mRNA-like noncoding RNAs (mlncRNAs). In addition, novel families of miRNAs based on host gene identity were identified. The transcription patterns of all miRNA host genes were curated from a variety of sources illustrating spatial, temporal, and physiological regulation of miRNA expression. These findings strongly suggest that miRNAs are transcribed in parallel with their host transcripts, and that the two different transcription classes of miRNAs ('exonic' and 'intronic') identified here may require slightly different mechanisms of biogenesis.

Base Sequence↗

Chromosome condensation induced by geminivirus infection of mature plant cells.

Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) is a geminivirus that replicates its single-stranded DNA genome through double-stranded DNA intermediates in nuclei of differentiated plant cells using host replication machinery. We analyzed the distribution of viral and plant DNA in nuclei of infected leaves using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). TGMV-infected nuclei showed up to a sixfold increase in total volume and displayed a variety of viral DNA accumulation patterns. The most striking viral DNA patterns were bright, discrete intranuclear compartments, but diffuse nuclear localization was also observed. Quantitative and spatial measurements of high resolution 3-dimensional image data revealed that these compartments accounted for 1-18% of the total nuclear volume or 2-45% of the total nuclear FISH signals. In contrast, plant DNA was concentrated around the nuclear periphery. In a significant number of nuclei, the peripheral chromatin was organized as condensed prophase-like fibers. A combination of FISH analysis and indirect immunofluorescence with viral coat protein antibodies revealed that TGMV virions are associated with the viral DNA compartments. However, the coat protein antibodies failed to cross react with some large viral DNA inclusions, suggesting that encapsidation may occur after significant viral DNA accumulation. Infection by a TGMV mutant with a defective coat protein open reading frame resulted in fewer and smaller viral DNA-containing compartments. Nevertheless, nuclei infected with the mutant virus increased in size and in some cases showed chromosome condensation. Together, these results established that geminivirus infection alters nuclear architecture and can induce plant chromatin condensation characteristic of cells arrested in early mitosis.

Capsid↗

Complex spatial and temporal expression of lipoxygenase genes during Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) development.

A new member (Lox1) of the lipoxygenase (LOX) gene family in French bean was isolated and its specific expression compared to the general expression pattern of related LOX genes. LOX transcripts detected by a French bean cDNA LOX probe were generally abundant in young, developing tissues, and LOX protein, detected on immunoblots showed a similar distribution. Tissue prints showed that cell-specific, locally high amounts of LOX protein were observed in some tissues, for example in parts of the starch sheath in the hypocotyl and a cell layer in the pericarp. The Lox1 gene from Phaseolus vulgaris was shown in genomic Southerns to be present as a single copy per haploid genome. RNase protection studies showed that the gene is active and the transcription start site was mapped by cDNA primer extension. RNase protection studies showed that Lox1 mRNA was present only in flowers and embryonic primary leaves, in stems and most strongly, in young secondary leaves but not in any of the other organs tested (i.e. not in roots, nodules, hypocotyls, cotyledons, older secondary leaves, pericarp or seeds). Lox1 gene transcripts did not accumulate in leaves in response to methyl jasmonate or pathogen inoculation, even though these treatments caused the accumulation of other LOX transcripts. Thus, the various lipoxygenase genes are regulated differentially during French bean development and in response to different stress stimuli, and possible functions are discussed in view of the specific expression patterns observed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence for the nitrate-dependent spatial regulation of the nitrate reductase gene in chicory roots.

Young chicory plants (Cichorium intybus L. var. Witloof) show a tenfold higher nitrate reductase NR activity in roots compared to leaves. Northern analysis revealed, besides the nitrate inducibility of the nitrate reductase gene (nia), a higher level of expression in the roots. By modifying the external nitrate concentration the NR activity in the leaves remained negligible whereas a maximal activity was observed in the roots when grown in the presence of 5 mM nitrate. Surprisingly, variation of the external nitrate concentration induced changes in the spatial regulation of nia within the root. In-situ hybridization mainly localized nia mRNA in the cortical cells of roots grown at low nitrate concentrations (0.2 nM). At high nitrate concentrations (5 mM), nia mRNA was more abundant in the vascular tissues. The root apex revealed a strong signal under both conditions. The isolation and characterization of the NR structural gene from chicory is also presented. Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of a single nia gene per haploid genome of chicory.

Cell Line↗

Genetic exclusion and stable complementation of Sindbis virus.

In an effort to enhance genetic interactions by eliminating spatial or physical barriers between variants of Sindbis virus MgCl2 was used to aggregate infecting viral particles. Mixing viral samples in a 1:1 ratio with 0.5 M MgCl2 produced maximal reduction in plaque forming units (PFU) with minimal cell damage due to MgCl2. Aggregate size was determined to be about 7 PFU. Samples taken at 3,5 and 10 hours after infection with mixed aggregates composed of large and small plaque forming virus indicated that only one type of genome was represented among the progeny particles. In addition, aggregation enhanced complementation and the progeny were stable after several cycles of sonication and passage.

Culture Techniques↗

Tissue-specific regulation of BiP genes: a cis-acting regulatory domain is required for BiP promoter activity in plant meristems.

The binding protein BiP is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident member of the HSP70 stress-related protein family, which is essential for the constitutive function of the ER. In addition to responding to a variety of environmental stimuli, plant BiP exhibits a tissue-specific regulation. We have isolated two soybean BiP genomic clones, designated gsBiP6 and gsBiP9, and different extensions of their 5' flanking sequences were fused to beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and introduced into Nicotiana tabacum by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic plants displayed prominent GUS activity in the vascular bundles of roots and shoots as well as in regions of intense cell division, such as procambial region and apical meristems. Promoter deletion analyses identified two cis-regulatory functional domains that are important for the spatially-regulated activation of BiP expression under normal plant development. While an AT-rich enhancer-like sequence, designated cis-acting regulatory domain 1, CRD1 (-358 to -211, on gsBiP6), activated expression of the BiP minimal promoter in all organs analyzed, BiP promoter activity in meristematic tissues and phloem cells required the presence of a second activating domain, CRD2 (-211 to -80). Apparently, the CRD2 sequence also harbors negative cis-acting elements, because removal of this region caused activation of gsBiP6 promoter in parenchymatic xylem rays. These results suggest that the tissue-specific control of BiP gene expression requires a complex integration of multiple cis-acting regulatory elements on the promoter.

Arabidopsis Proteins↗