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The SLA RNA gene of Trypanosoma brucei is organized in a tandem array which encodes several small RNAs.

We have recently identified the Spliced Leader Associated RNA (SLA RNA) which is implicated in pre-messenger RNA splicing in Trypanosoma brucei by virtue of its interaction with the 5' splice site of the trans spliced spliced leader RNA (SL RNA) in vivo. Southern analyses reveal that the SLA RNA gene is found in a tandem array of 10-11 copies per haploid genome in T. brucei. Each repeat unit in the array encodes three additional small RNAs of unknown function. RNA polymerase inhibition studies are consistent with transcription of all four genes by the same polymerase, but do not clearly differentiate between RNA polymerases II and III. The SLA RNA has homologs in other kinetoplastid protozoa and we have determined the sequence from two additional species. Trypanosoma cruzi and Crithidia fasciculata. Features of both secondary structure and sequence are conserved in these organisms. One conserved element, 5'-UGUAGUG-3', has the potential to base-pair to the SL RNA upstream of the 5' splice site. This potential interaction is consistent with the sites of SL RNA to SLA RNA psoralen cross-linking in vivo [1].

Animals↗

Cloning and comparison of repeated DNA sequences from the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi and the animal parasite Brugia pahangi.

A 320-base-pair repeated sequence was observed when DNA samples from the filarial parasites Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi were digested with the restriction endonuclease Hha I. A 640-base-pair dimer of the repeated sequence from B. malayi was inserted into the plasmid pBR322. When dot hybridization was used, the copy number of the repeat in B. malayi was found to be about 30,000. The 320-base-pair Hha I repeated sequences are arranged in direct tandem arrays and comprise about 12% of the genome. B. pahangi has a related repeated sequence that cross-hybridizes with the cloned B. malayi Hha I repeat. Dot hybridization with the cloned repeat shows that the sequence is present in B. malayi and in B. pahangi but not in four other species of filarial parasites. The cloned repeated DNA sequence is an extremely sensitive probe for detection of Brugia in blood samples. Hybridization with the cloned repeat permits the detection of DNA isolated from a single parasite in an aliquot of blood from animals infected with B. malayi. There are differences in the restriction sites present in the repeated sequences that can be used to differentiate between the two Brugia species. The B. malayi repeated DNA sequence is cleaved by Alu I and Rsa I but the B. pahangi sequence is not. A comparison of repeated sequences between the two species by DNA sequence analysis indicates that some regions of individual repeats are over 95% homologous, while other short regions are only 60-65% homologous. These differences in DNA sequence will allow the construction of species-specific hybridization probes.

Animals↗

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 is a novel serpin that inhibits the chymotrypsin-like proteinases cathepsin G and mast cell chymase.

The squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) serves as a serological marker for more advanced squamous cell tumors. Molecular cloning of the SCCA genomic region revealed the presence of two tandemly arrayed genes, SCCA1 and SCCA2. Analysis of the primary amino acid sequences shows that both genes are members of the high molecular weight serpin superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors. Although SCCA1 and SCCA2 are nearly identical in primary structure, the reactive site loop of each inhibitor suggests that they may differ in their specificity for target proteinases. SCCA1 has been shown to be effective against papain-like cysteine proteinases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SCCA2 inhibited a different family of proteolytic enzymes. Using recombinant DNA techniques, we prepared a fusion protein of glutathione S-transferase and full-length SCCA2 . The recombinant SCCA2 was most effective against two chymotrypsin-like proteinases from inflammatory cells, but was ineffective against papain-like cysteine proteinases. Serpin-like inhibition was observed for both human neutrophil cathepsin G and human mast cell chymase. The second order rate constants for these associations were on the order of approximately 1 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 and approximately 3 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 for cathepsin G and mast cell chymase, respectively. Moreover, SCCA2 formed SDS-stable complexes with these proteinases at a stoichiometry of near 1:1. These data showed that SCCA2 is a novel inhibitor of two physiologically important chymotrypsin-like serine proteinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An isothermal method for whole genome amplification of fresh and degraded DNA for comparative genomic hybridization, genotyping and mutation detection.

Molecular genotyping has important biomedical and forensic applications. However, limiting amounts of human biological material often yield genomic DNA (gDNA) in insufficient quantity and of poor quality for a reliable analysis. This motivated the development of an efficient whole genome amplification method with quantitatively unbiased representation usable on fresh and degraded gDNA. Amplification of fresh frozen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and DNase-degraded DNA using degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR or primer extension amplification using a short primer sequence bioinformatically optimized for coverage of the human genome was compared with amplification using current primers by chromosome-based and BAC-array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), genotyping at short tandem repeats (STRs) and single base mutation detection. Compared with current primers, genome amplification using the bioinformatically optimized primer was significantly less biased on CGH in self-self hybridizations, and replicated tumour genome copy number aberrations, even from FFPE tissue. STR genotyping could be performed on degraded gDNA amplified using our technique but failed with multiple displacement amplification. Of the 18 different single base mutations 16 (89.5%) were correctly identified by sequencing gDNA amplified from clinical samples using our technique. This simple and efficient isothermal method should be helpful for genetic research and clinical and forensic applications.

Base Sequence↗

A tandem repeats database for bacterial genomes: application to the genotyping of Yersinia pestis and Bacillus anthracis.

BACKGROUND: Some pathogenic bacteria are genetically very homogeneous, making strain discrimination difficult. In the last few years, tandem repeats have been increasingly recognized as markers of choice for genotyping a number of pathogens. The rapid evolution of these structures appears to contribute to the phenotypic flexibility of pathogens. The availability of whole-genome sequences has opened the way to the systematic evaluation of tandem repeats diversity and application to epidemiological studies. RESULTS: This report presents a database (http://minisatellites.u-psud.fr) of tandem repeats from publicly available bacterial genomes which facilitates the identification and selection of tandem repeats. We illustrate the use of this database by the characterization of minisatellites from two important human pathogens, Yersinia pestis and Bacillus anthracis. In order to avoid simple sequence contingency loci which may be of limited value as epidemiological markers, and to provide genotyping tools amenable to ordinary agarose gel electrophoresis, only tandem repeats with repeat units at least 9 bp long were evaluated. Yersinia pestis contains 64 such minisatellites in which the unit is repeated at least 7 times. An additional collection of 12 loci with at least 6 units, and a high internal conservation were also evaluated. Forty-nine are polymorphic among five Yersinia strains (twenty-five among three Y. pestis strains). Bacillus anthracis contains 30 comparable structures in which the unit is repeated at least 10 times. Half of these tandem repeats show polymorphism among the strains tested. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the currently available bacterial genome sequences classifies Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis as having an average (approximately 30 per Mb) density of tandem repeat arrays longer than 100 bp when compared to the other bacterial genomes analysed to date. In both cases, testing a fraction of these sequences for polymorphism was sufficient to quickly develop a set of more than fifteen informative markers, some of which show a very high degree of polymorphism. In one instance, the polymorphism information content index reaches 0.82 with allele length covering a wide size range (600-1950 bp), and nine alleles resolved in the small number of independent Bacillus anthracis strains typed here.

Bacillus anthracis↗

Formation of oligomeric free BK virus DNA is required for tandem integration of viral genomes into cellular DNA.

Mouse kidney cells have been transformed by linear BK virus (BKV) DNA with cohesive ends. These BKV genomes can circularize and subsequently replicate or physically join end to end yielding oligomeric viral DNA molecules. Blot hybridization analysis of transformed cells showed the presence of BKV DNA both in free circular forms and integrated into cellular DNA in a tandem head-to-tail array of full-length viral genomes. Formation of oligomers either by replication via previous circularization or by end to end joining is hindered after elimination of cohesive termini by digestion with the single-strand-specific nuclease S1. After treatment of linear BKV DNA with nuclease S1 only integrations of single viral genomes were observed in transformed cells; tandem insertions and free viral DNA were absent. These results support the hypothesis that formation of tandems of free viral DNA is a necessary prerequisite for tandem integration of viral genomes.

Animals↗

Dynamics of 5S rDNA in the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) genome: repeat units, inverted sequences, pseudogenes and chromosome loci.

In higher eukaryotes, the 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) is organized in tandem arrays with repeat units composed of a coding region and a non-transcribed spacer sequence (NTS). These tandem arrays can be found on either one or more chromosome pairs. 5S rDNA copies from the tilapia fish, Oreochromis niloticus, were cloned and the nucleotide sequences of the coding region and of the non-transcribed spacer were determined. Moreover, the genomic organization of the 5S rDNA tandem repeats was investigated by fluorescence IN SITU hybridization (FISH) and Southern blot hybridization. Two 5S rDNA classes, one consisting of 1.4-kb repeats and another one with 0.5-kb repeats were identified and designated 5S rDNA type I and type II, respectively. An inverted 5S rRNA gene and a 5S rRNA putative pseudogene were also identified inside the tandem repeats of 5S rDNA type I. FISH permitted the visualization of the 5S rRNA genes at three chromosome loci, one of them consisting of arrays of the 5S rDNA type I, and the two others corresponding to arrays of the 5S rDNA type II. The two classes of the 5S rDNA, the presence of pseudogenes, and the inverted genes observed in the O. niloticus genome might be a consequence of the intense dynamics of the evolution of these tandem repeat elements.

Animals↗

An active non-LTR retrotransposon with tandem structure in the compact genome of the pufferfish Tetraodon nigroviridis.

The fish retrotransposable element Zebulon encodes a reverse transcriptase and a carboxy-terminal restriction enzyme-like endonuclease, and is related phylogenetically to site-specific non-LTR retrotransposons from nematodes. Zebulon was detected in the pufferfishes Tetraodon nigroviridis and Takifugu rubripes, as well as in the zebrafish Danio rerio. Structural analysis suggested that Zebulon, in contrast to most non-LTR retrotransposons, might be able to retrotranspose as a partial tandem array. Zebulon was active relatively recently in the compact genome of T. nigroviridis, in which it contributed to the extension of intergenic and intronic sequences, and possibly to the formation of genomic rearrangements. Accumulation of Zebulon together with other retrotransposons was observed in some heterochromatic chromosomal regions of the genome of T. nigroviridis that might serve as reservoirs for active elements. Hence, pufferfish compact genomes are not evolutionarily inert and contain active retrotransposons, suggesting the presence of mechanisms allowing accumulation of retrotransposable elements in heterochromatin, but minimizing their impact on euchromatic regions. Homologous recombination between partial tandem sequences eliminating active copies of Zebulon and reducing the size of insertions in intronic and intragenic regions might represent such a mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multiple, tandem plasmid integration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Nonreplicating plasmids transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae by recombining with a homologous site in the genome. Frequently, multiple copies of the plasmid integrate in a tandem array. We show that, after transformation with restriction enzyme-cut plasmids, most, if not all, multimers arise by sequential integration of plasmid molecules into the same genomic location.

DNA Replication↗

X chromosome-linked transmission and expression of retroviral genomes microinjected into mouse zygotes.

A genomic clone consisting of the Moloney leukemia proviral genome with moderately repetitive mouse sequences was microinjected into the pronucleus of a mouse zygote. An animal was derived that carried multiple copies of proviral DNA in a tandem array. No evidence for homologous recombination was obtained. The viral genome was expressed in this animal and was transmitted as a single unit to its offspring. Subsequent breeding studies revealed that the proviral DNA had integrated on an X chromosome.

Animals↗

Sequences similar to genes for two mitochondrial proteins and portions of ribosomal RNA in tandemly arrayed 6-kilobase-pair DNA of a malarial parasite.

Erythrocytic stages of mammalian malarial parasites contain acristate mitochondria whose functions are not well understood. Moreover, little is known about the genome of these organelles. We have previously reported that all species of malarial parasites examined contain highly conserved, tandemly arrayed DNA with a unit length of about 6.0 kb that is transcribed into discrete RNA molecules in erythrocytic stages. We now report the complete DNA sequence of the 5984-bp repeating unit of Plasmodium yoelii, a rodent parasite. Two slightly overlapping regions transcribed into large RNA molecules were found to have significant DNA and protein sequence similarity with mitochondrion-coded proteins, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b. Significant sequence similarity with other mitochondrial protein genes could not be detected. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-like genes were not detected in this sequence either. However, two regions, 82 and 50 nucleotides long, specified by different strands, were found to have extensive similarity with the highly conserved central loop of the peptidyl transferase domain of the large rRNA of Escherichia coli, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Compensatory nucleotide substitutions were present in these regions, so that the predicted secondary structure was not affected. Functional utilization of these regions, if it exists, could argue for a trans-associative origin of rRNA. In organization, size and sequence, the tandem arrays of 6.0 kb malarial DNA appear to be a very unusual form of mitochondrial DNA.

Acyltransferases↗

Extensive direct-tandem organization of a long repeat DNA sequence on the Y chromosome of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).

A long repetitive DNA sequence (OtY8) has been cloned from male chinook salmon and its genomic organization has been characterized. The repeat has a unit length of 8 kb and is present approximately 300 times per diploid male nucleus. All internal fragments within the 8-kb repeat segregate from father to son, suggesting that the entire repeat unit is located on the Y chromosome. The organization of this sequence into an 8-kb repeat unit is restricted to the Y chromosome, as are several male-specific repeat subtypes identified on the basis of restriction-site variation. The repeat possesses only weak internal sequence similarities, suggesting that OtY8 has not arisen by duplication of a smaller repeat unit, as is the case for other long tandem arrays found in eukaryotes. Based on a laddered pattern arising from partial digestion of genomic DNA with a restriction enzyme which cuts only once per repeat unit, this sequence is not dispersed on the Y chromosome but is organized as a head-to-tail tandem array. Pulse-gel electrophoresis reveals that the direct-tandem repeats are organized into at least six separate clusters containing approximately 12 to 250 copies, comprising some 2.4 Mb of Y-chromosomal DNA in total. Related sequences with nucleotide substitutions and DNA insertions relative to the Y-chromosomal fragment are found elsewhere in the genome but at much lower copy number and, although similar sequences are also found in other salmonid species, the amplification of the repeat into a Y-chromosome-linked tandem array is only observed in chinook salmon. The OtY8 repetitive sequence is genetically tightly associated with the sex-determination locus and provides an opportunity to examine the evolution of the Y chromosome and sex determination process in a lower vertebrate.

Animals↗

5S rDNA and U2 snRNA are linked in the genome of Crassostrea angulata and Crassostrea gigas oysters: does the (CT)n.(GA)n microsatellite stabilize this novel linkage of large tandem arrays?

The 5S rRNA genes from 2 species of the Ostreidae family, Crassostrea angulata and Crassostrea gigas, were molecularly characterized. The genes were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. The results revealed a 5S rDNA tandem array with a nucleotide sequence in an inverted position within the nontranscribed spacer region that corresponded to the U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene. The sequence analysis indicated that both genes could be functionally active. The presence of the microsatellite (CT)n x (GA)n at the 3' end of both genes and the possible involvement of concerted evolution are discussed.

Animals↗

Unique organisation of tRNA genes in Entamoeba histolytica.

The genome sequence of the protistan parasite Entamoeba histolytica HM-1:IMSS has been completed recently. Among the findings has been a unique organisation for the tRNA genes in this organism. Forty-two of the tRNA isoacceptor types are encoded in tandem arrays that vary in unit length from 490 to 1775 basepairs and contain from 1 to 5 tRNA genes. In three cases a 5S RNA gene is also present in the unit. An estimated 10% of the genome is made up of these arrays. Interspersed between RNA-encoding sequences are short tandem repeats that are polymorphic between isolates and, in some cases, within isolates. The number and organisation of tRNA genes in E. histolytica is unprecedented. In addition to encoding the tRNAs of the organism we propose that the arrays may fulfil a structural role in the genome.

Animals↗

On the origin of telomeres: a glimpse at the pre-telomerase world.

Chromosomes may be either circular or linear, the latter being prone to erosion caused by incomplete replication, degradation and inappropriate repair. Despite these problems, the linear form of DNA is frequently found in viruses, bacteria, eukaryotic nuclei and organelles. The high incidence of linear chromosomes and/or genomes evokes why and how they emerged in evolution. Here we suggest that the primordial terminal structures (telomeres) of linear chromosomes in eukaryotic nuclei were derived from selfish element(s), which caused the linearization of ancestral circular genome. The telomeres were then essential in solving the emerged problems. Molecular fossils of such elements were recently identified in phylogenetically distant genomes and were shown to generate terminal arrays of tandem repeats. These arrays might mediate the formation of higher order structures at chromosomal termini that stabilize the linear chromosomal form by fulfilling essential telomeric functions.

Animals↗

Chromosome organization during male meiosis in Bombyx mori.

Chromatin organization during male meiosis in Bombyx mori has been investigated utilizing the Miller spreading procedure. During meiotic prophase, the linear 200-300 A chromatin fibers evident at interphase are folded into tandem arrays of approximately 7,000 loops per haploid genome. Adjacent loops visualized during early prophase are separated by 0.15-0.2 nm of nucleosomal DNA. Meiotic metaphase chromosomes display numerous loops which project radially from the central region of the chromosome suggesting that the loop conformation of prophase is maintained throughout meiosis. Spread preparations of spermatogenic stages through pachytene allow the visualization of actively transcribed ribosomal DNA. Throughout this period, these transcription units appear to be organized into loops in such a way that one active transcription unit exists on a single loop. Furthermore, there are various levels of transcription on different ribosomal loops, although the number of loops displaying active transcription remains constant throughout this period.

Animals↗

Construction and evaluation of an independently generated transgenic mouse model carrying mutated human HRAS genes for short-term carcinogenicity assessment.

The study aimed to construct and evaluate an independently generated transgenic mouse model applied to the short-term carcinogenicity assessment. Mutated human HRAS fragment containing an intron point-mutation was inserted into C57BL/6JGpt mice via bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic technology, eventually generating BALB/c;B6J-Tg(hHRAS)16/Gpt mice, abbreviated as HRAS mice. The inserted human HRAS fragment in HRAS mice was characterized, revealing five tandem copies at chromosome 19. Baseline profiles, including biochemical, hematological, immunophenotypic, survival, and carcinogenic data of HRAS mice, were collected. To evaluate the tumor susceptibility in HRAS mice, we applied N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) to HRAS mice in a short-term carcinogenicity assessment conducted according to Good Laboratory Practice. The genetic characteristics of HRAS mice include five tandem arrays of mutated human HRAS fragments located in genomic coordinate 7,755,606 on chromosome 19 and the duplication of a 9-kilobase genome sequence (genomic coordinate 7,755,606-7,746,509) located on chromosome 19. HRAS mice showed a relatively lower incidence and range of spontaneous tumor formation during long-term observation compared to CByB6F1-Tg(HRAS)2Jic (Tg.rasH2) transgenic mice. The short-term carcinogenicity assessment showed a strong tumor response to MNU, with high incidences of lymphoma (≥ 90%) and stomach squamous cell papilloma (≥ 90%) in both male and female HRAS mice. The HRAS mice showed susceptibility to MNU and exhibited baseline characteristics distinct from those of Tg.rasH2 mice. The co-expression of HRAS and MKI67 at the cellular localization level was found in neoplasms of HRAS mice. These findings preliminarily evaluated the feasibility of HRAS mice applied to the short-term carcinogenicity assessment.

Animals↗

End joining of genomic DNA and transgene DNA in fertilized mouse eggs.

A linear 5.2-kb HS2/beta-globin construct with an upstream KpnI terminus (4-nucleotide (nt) 3' protruding single strand, PSS) and a downstream SalI terminus (4-nt 5' PSS) was microinjected into fertilized mouse eggs. The injected DNA fragments integrated into the mouse genome primarily as a head-to-tail tandem array. Chromosome/transgene junctions were obtained from seven of eight transgenic animals. All of the junctions occurred in the proximity of a transgene KpnI end; a maximum loss of 8 nt from the transgene terminus was observed. Two of these junctions completely preserved the 4-nt KpnI 3' PSS. Transgene/transgene junctions from two animals were analyzed. SalI/KpnI junctions that completely preserved both the SalI 5' PSS and the KpnI 3' PSS were found in each animal. These are the first examples of complete nt preservation at junctions formed between a 5' PSS terminus and a 3' PSS terminus in transgenic mice. The data are consistent with the fill-in model of Thode et al. [Cell 60 (1990) 921-928] in which alignment proteins juxtapose 5' PSS and 3' PSS termini; DNA polymerase then utilizes the recessed 3'-OH of the 5' PSS terminus as a primer to synthesize DNA across the gap. This mechanism results in the formation of junctions with no loss of sequence. The results described in the present paper suggest that this mechanism may be involved in the formation of junctions in transgenic mice.

Animals↗