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Cloning and characterization of type III iodothyronine deiodinase from the fish Oreochromis niloticus.

Type III iodothyronine deiodinase (D3) catalyzes the inner ring deiodination (IRD) of T4 and T3 to the inactive metabolites rT3 and 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2), respectively. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for D3 in fish (Oreochromis niloticus, tilapia). This cDNA contains 1478 nucleotides and codes for a protein of 267 amino acids, including a putative selenocysteine (Sec) residue, encoded by a TGA triplet, at position 131. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 57-67% identity with frog, chicken, and mammalian D3, 33-39% identity with frog, fish (Fundulus heteroclitus) and mammalian D2, and 30-35% identity with fish (tilapia), chicken, and mammalian D1. The 3' UTR contains a putative Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element. Recombinant tilapia D3 (tD3) expressed in COS-1 cells and native tD3 in tilapia brain microsomes show identical catalytic activities, with a strong preference for IRD of T3 (Km approximately 20 nM). IRD of [3,5-125I]T3 by native and recombinant tD3 are equally sensitive to inhibition by substrate analogs (T3 > T4 >> rT3) and inhibitors (gold thioglucose >> iodoacetate > propylthiouracil). Northern analysis using a tD3 riboprobe shows high expression of a 1.6-kb messenger RNA in gill and brain, although D3 activity is much higher in brain than in gill. The characterization of tD3 cDNA provides new information about the structure-activity relationship of iodothyronine deiodinases and an important tool to study the regulation of thyroid hormone bioactivity in fish.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

The efficiency of Escherichia coli selenocysteine insertion is influenced by the immediate downstream nucleotide.

Selenocysteine (Sec) incorporation requires the TGA opal codon and a downstream Sec insertion sequence (SECIS), which can be partially randomized and cloned into M13 pIII fusion constructs for phage display. This combinatorial approach provides a convenient non-radioactive assay that couples phage production to opal suppression. Two SECIS libraries were prepared, with the immediate downstream nucleotide either randomized (TGAN) or fixed as thymidine (TGAT). The TGAN library resulted in a majority of clones with a downstream purine and selenium-independent phage production, implicating the endo-genous tryptophan-inserting opal suppression pathway. Although the addition of sodium selenite to the growth medium did not affect phage production, it did increase the level of Sec insertion, as shown by the chemical reactivity of the resulting phage. The TGAT phage library yielded clones with strictly selenium-dependent phage production and reactivity consistent with the presence of Sec. These clones were prone to spontaneous mutation upon further propagation, however, resulting in loss of the selenium-dependent phenotype. We conclude that the immediate downstream nucleotide determines whether the endogenous opal suppression pathway competes with co-translational Sec insertion.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Characterization of the supervirulent virG gene of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid pTiBo542.

The virG gene of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti plasmid pTiBo542 has previously been reported to elicit stronger vir gene expression than its counterpart in the pTiA6 plasmid, a property we call the "superactivator" phenotype. The DNA sequence of the pTiBo542 virG gene was determined and compared to that of the pTiA6 gene. The DNA sequences of these genes differ at 16 positions: two differences are in the promoter regions, 12 are in the coding regions, and two are in the 3' untranslated regions. The 3' end of the pTiA6 virG gene also contains a probable insertion sequence that is not found downstream of the pTiBo542 gene. The base pair differences, in the two coding regions result in only two amino acid differences, both in the amino-terminal halves of the proteins. Five hybrid virG genes were constructed and used to activate the expression of a virB::lacZ gene fusion. Differences in the coding regions of these genes accounted for most of the superactivator phenotype, while differences at the promoter and 3' untranslated regions also contributed. These findings suggest that the properties of these VirG proteins and their quantities are important for vir gene induction, and also suggest a long-term selective pressure for mutations contributing to differences between these two genes.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

The pathogen Mycobacterium marinum, a faster growing close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has a single rRNA operon per genome.

Although Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are very closely related they differ significantly in their growth rates. The Type strain of M. marinum and one clinical isolate were investigated and, like M. tuberculosis, were found to have a single rRNA (rrn) operon per genome located downstream from murA gene and controlled by two promoters. No sequence differences were found that account for the difference in the growth rates of the two species. We infer that M. tuberculosis has the capacity to synthesize rRNA much faster than it actually does; and propose that the high number of insertion sequences in this species attenuate growth rate to lower values.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of anti-peptide antibodies for the localization of D2 dopamine receptors in rat striatum.

Seven different peptides of 14-23 residues in length based on the predicted amino acid sequence of the cloned rat D2 receptor cDNA were used as immunogens to develop antibodies in rabbits. Two of these peptides were derived from the amino terminus and four were from the third cytoplasmic loop, including one to the splice variant insertion sequence and one to the carboxyl terminus of the receptor protein. These peptides were conjugated to bovine thyroglobulin prior to rabbit immunization. Antibody production was monitored by a solid-phase ELISA. With the exception of the carboxyl-terminal peptide, all of the peptide immunogens produced antiserum of high titer ranging from 1:10(4) to 1:10(6) on ELISA. Specificity of the reaction was demonstrated by the absence of a response in the preimmune serum and by the absence of cross-reactivity between the various antisera and the nonimmunization peptides. Moreover, preincubation of the antiserum with the immunization peptide, but not other peptides, blocked the subsequent ELISA reactions. Some of the antisera were additionally characterized by immunodot assays using solubilized rat striatal membranes blotted onto nitrocellulose. Positive reactions with antiserum dilutions of 1:500 were observed that were dependent on the presence and concentration of membrane protein and were not observed using preimmune serum. Additionally, immunofluorescent staining by the D2 receptor antiserum was observed on cells that had been transfected with the D2 receptor cDNA but not on untransfected cells. Immunoprecipitation of the photoaffinity-labelled and solubilized D2 receptor also suggested that the antisera were able to directly recognize the native receptor protein. Immunohistochemical localization of the D2 receptor in slices of fresh frozen and perfusion-fixed rat brain was performed using these antisera. Within the striatum, about 50% of the medium-sized neurons were labeled as well as large, putatively cholinergic interneurons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identifying the right stop: determining how the surveillance complex recognizes and degrades an aberrant mRNA.

The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway functions by checking whether translation termination has occurred prematurely and subsequently degrading the aberrant mRNAs. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it has been proposed that a surveillance complex scans 3' of the premature termination codon and searches for the downstream element (DSE), whose recognition by the complex identifies the transcript as aberrant and promotes its rapid decay. The results presented here suggest that translation termination is important for assembly of the surveillance complex. Neither the activity of the initiation ternary complex after premature translation termination has occurred nor the elongation phase of translation are essential for the activity of the NMD pathway. Once assembled, the surveillance complex is active for searching and recognizing a DSE for approximately 200 nt 3' of the stop codon. We have also identified a stabilizer sequence (STE) in the GCN4 leader region that inactivates the NMD pathway. Inactivation of the NMD pathway, as a consequence of either the DSE being too far from a stop codon or the presence of the STE, can be circumvented by inserting sequences containing a new translation initiation/termination cycle immediately 5' of the DSE. Further, the results indicate that the STE functions in the context of the GCN4 transcript to inactivate the NMD pathway.

Codon↗

The complete DNA sequence and analysis of the large virulence plasmid of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The complete DNA sequence of pO157, the large virulence plasmid of EHEC strain O157:H7 EDL 933, is presented. The 92 kb F-like plasmid is composed of segments of putative virulence genes in a framework of replication and maintenance regions, with seven insertion sequence elements, located mostly at the boundaries of the virulence segments. One hundred open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, of which 19 were previously sequenced potential virulence genes. Forty-two ORFs were sufficiently similar to known proteins for suggested functions to be assigned, and 22 had no convincing similarity with any known proteins. Of the newly identified genes, an unusually large ORF of 3169 amino acids has a putative cytotoxin active site shared with the large clostridial toxin (LCT) family and proteins such as ToxA and B of Clostridium difficile . A conserved motif was detected that links the large ORF and the LCT proteins with the OCH1 family of glycosyltransferases. In the complete sequence, the mosaic form can be observed at the levels of base composition, codon usage and gene organization. Insights were obtained from patterns of DNA composition as well as the pathogenic and 'housekeeping' gene segments. Evolutionary trees built from shared plasmid maintenance genes show that even these genes have heterogeneous origins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complex genetic structures with repeated elements, a sul-type class 1 integron, and the blaVEB extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene.

Two clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, TL-1 and TL-2, were isolated from a patient transferred from Bangladesh and hospitalized for osteomyelitis in Paris, France. P. aeruginosa TL-1 expressed the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase VEB-1a and was susceptible only to imipenem and colistin, while P. aeruginosa TL-2 expressed only the naturally occurring bla(AmpC) gene at a basal level and exhibited a wild-type beta-lactam resistance phenotype. In TL-1, the typical 5'-end conserved sequence (5'-CS) region of class 1 integrons usually present upstream of the bla(VEB-1a) gene was replaced by a truncated 3'-CS and a 135-bp repeated element (Re). Downstream of the bla(VEB-1a) gene, an insertion sequence, ISPa31 disrupted by ISPa30, and an orf513 sequence, belonging to a common region (conserved region 1 [CR1]) immediately upstream of the aphA-6 gene, were present. Further downstream, a second truncated 3'-CS region in direct repeat belonged to In51, an integron containing two gene cassettes (aadA6 and the OrfD cassette). Thus, the overall structure corresponded to a sul-type class 1 integron termed In121. Genetic analyses revealed that both isolates were clonally related and differed by a ca. 100-kb fragment that contained In121. Both isolates contained another integron, In122, that carried three gene cassettes: aadB, dfrA1, and the OrfX cassette. This work identifies for the first time the spread of Re-associated bla(VEB) genes located on a sul-type integron. It also reports for the first time a CR1 element in P. aeruginosa that is associated with an aminoglycoside resistance aphA-6 gene that is expressed from a composite promoter.

Alleles↗

Chimeras from a human rhinovirus 14-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) V3 loop seroprevalence library induce neutralizing responses against HIV-1.

A chimeric virus library was designed whereby sequences corresponding to the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were presented on the surface of human rhinovirus 14. The V3 loop sequences consisted of a relatively conserved segment of seven amino acids and five adjacent residues that were allowed to vary in proportion to their seroprevalence among HIV-1 isolates of North America and Europe. A technique called random systematic mutagenesis was used to incorporate the composite V3 loop sequences flanked by zero to two randomized amino acids. This library could contain 2.7 x 10(8) members having diverse sequences and conformations. Immunoselection of a portion of this library by using two neutralizing V3 loop-directed monoclonal antibodies followed by selection for desirable growth and purification characteristics yielded a set of chimeric rhinoviruses, five of which are described. The inserted sequences in the five chimeras do not match those of any known isolate of HIV-1. Nonetheless, all five chimeras were neutralized by antibodies directed against different strains of HIV-1 and were able to elicit the production of antibodies that bind V3 loop peptides from diverse HIV-1 isolates. Moreover, antisera derived from four of the five chimeras were capable of neutralizing one or more strains of HIV-1 in cell culture. This study demonstrates that random systematic mutagenesis in conjunction with antibody screening is a powerful and efficient means to obtain antigenic chimeras with relevant immunogenic properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Spontaneous reactivation of Shiga toxins in Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells caused by transposon excision.

IS1203v is an insertion sequence which has been found in inactivated Shiga toxin 2 genes (stx2) of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Using PCR amplification, we detected the wild-type stx2 genes in colonies of E. coli O157:H7 which possessed stx2 genes inactivated by insertion of IS1203v. This suggests that IS1203v is excised from the inactivated stx2 genes in E. coli O157:H7. We isolated the cells possessing the wild-type stx2 genes, and confirmed Stx2 productivities by reversed passive latex agglutination. We also analyzed the frequency of the appearance of the Stx2-producing cells using a quantitative PCR method. As a result, the frequency was 3.00 x 10(-6) with culturing for 24 h at 37 degrees C, and this increased to 8.83 x 10(-5) when E. coli O157:H7 possessing the inactivated stx2 genes was transformed by an expression plasmid harboring the IS1203v transposase. These results showed that some Stx2-nonproducing E. coli O157:H7 strains could be spontaneously changed into Stx2-producing cells.

Journal Article↗

[Screening and cloning target genes transactivated by hepatitis C virus F protein using suppression subtractive hybridization technique].

OBJECTIVES: To identify and clone human genes transactivated by HCV F protein by constructing a cDNA subtractive library using the suppression subtractive hybridization technique. METHODS: Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bioinformatics techniques were used for screening and cloning of the target genes transactivated by HCV F protein. The mRNA was isolated from HepG2 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1 (-)-F or with pcDNA3.1(-) empty vector as a control, and SSH method was employed to analyze the differentially expressed DNA sequence between the two groups. After restriction enzyme Rsa I digestion, small sized cDNAs were obtained. Then tester cDNA was divided into two groups and ligated to the specific adaptor 1 or adaptor 2. After tester cDNA was hybridized with driver cDNA twice and underwent two times of nested PCR, it was then subcloned into T/A plasmid vectors to set up the subtractive library. Amplification of the library was carried out with E. coli strain DH5 alpha. The cDNA was sequenced and analyzed in GenBank with blast search after PCR. RESULTS: The subtractive library of genes transactivated by HCV F protein was constructed successfully. The amplified library contains 71 positive clones. Colony PCR shows that 56 clones contain 200-1000 bp inserts. Sequence analysis was performed on 28 clones randomly, and the full length sequences were obtained with using the bioinformatics method. Altogether 19 coding sequences were obtained, consisting of 17 known and 2 unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained sequences may be target genes transactivated by HCV F protein, and some gene coding proteins are those involved in cell cycle regulation, metabolism, and cell apoptosis.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Isolation, characterization and transposition of an (IS2)2 intermediate.

We have isolated and characterized a dimer derivative of the extensively studied Escherichia coli insertion sequence IS2. The dimer structure--called (IS2)2--consists of two IS2 elements arranged as a direct repeat, separated by 1 bp. The junction between the (IS2)2 dimer and target sequences is located at various positions in independent isolates; however, one position was preferred. The transposition of (IS2)2 into a target plasmid resulted in cointegrate-type structures. The transposition frequency of the (IS2)2 dimer itself was significantly higher than that of the isogenic monomer IS2 insertion. The poor stability and high activity of (IS2)2 indicates that this is an active transposition intermediate. The mode of transposition of (IS2)2 is analogous to the joined dimer model described in the case of (IS21)2 and (IS30)2.

Base Sequence↗

Metabolic and evolutionary relationships among Pyrococcus Species: genetic exchange within a hydrothermal vent environment.

Pyrococcus furiosus and Pyrococcus woesei grow optimally at temperatures near 100 degrees C and were isolated from the same shallow marine volcanic vent system. Hybridization of genomic DNA from P. woesei to a DNA microarray containing all 2,065 open reading frames (ORFs) annotated in the P. furiosus genome, in combination with PCR analysis, indicated that homologs of 105 ORFs present in P. furiosus are absent from the uncharacterized genome of P. woesei. Pulsed-field electrophoresis indicated that the sizes of the two genomes are comparable, and the results were consistent with the hypothesis that P. woesei lacks the 105 ORFs found in P. furiosus. The missing ORFs are present in P. furiosus mainly in clusters. These clusters include one cluster (Mal I, PF1737 to PF1751) involved in maltose metabolism and another cluster (PF0691 to PF0695) whose products are thought to remove toxic reactive nitrogen species. Accordingly, it was found that P. woesei, in contrast to P. furiosus, is unable to utilize maltose as a carbon source for growth, and the growth of P. woesei on starch was inhibited by addition of a nitric oxide generator. In P. furiosus the ORF clusters not present in P. woesei are bracketed by or are in the vicinity of insertion sequences or long clusters of tandem repeats (LCTRs). While the role of LCTRs in lateral gene transfer is not known, the Mal I cluster in P. furiosus is a composite transposon that undergoes replicative transposition. The same locus in P. woesei lacks any evidence of insertion activity, indicating that P. woesei is a sister or even the parent of P. furiosus. P. woesei may have acquired by lateral gene transfer more than 100 ORFs from other organisms living in the same thermophilic environment to produce the type strain of P. furiosus.

DNA Transposable Elements↗

Characterization of In53, a class 1 plasmid- and composite transposon-located integron of Escherichia coli which carries an unusual array of gene cassettes.

Further characterization of the genetic environment of the gene encoding the Escherichia coli extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, bla(VEB-1), revealed the presence of a plasmid-located class 1 integron, In53, which carried eight functional resistance gene cassettes in addition to bla(VEB-1). While the aadB and the arr-2 gene cassettes were identical to those previously described, the remaining cassettes were novel: (i) a novel nonenzymatic chloramphenicol resistance gene of the cmlA family, (ii) a qac allele encoding a member of the small multidrug resistance family of proteins, (iii) a cassette, aacA1b/orfG, which encodes a novel 6'-N-acetyltransferase, and (iv) a fused gene cassette, oxa10/aadA1, which is made of two cassettes previously described as single cassettes. In addition, oxa10 and aadA1 genes were expressed from their own promoter sequence present upstream of the oxa10 cassette. arr-2 coded for a protein that shared 54% amino acid identity with the rifampin ADP-ribosylating transferase encoded by the arr-1 gene from Mycobacterium smegmatis DSM43756. While in M. smegmatis, the main inactivated compound was 23-ribosyl-rifampin, the inactivated antibiotic recovered from E. coli culture was 23-O-ADP-ribosyl-rifampin. The integrase gene of In53 was interrupted by an IS26 insertion sequence, which was also present in the 3' conserved segment. Thus, In53 is a truncated integron located on a composite transposon, named Tn2000, bounded by two IS26 elements in opposite orientations. Target site duplication at both ends of the transposon indicated that the integron likely was inserted into the plasmid through a transpositional process. This is the first description of an integron located on a composite transposon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The selenocysteine incorporation machinery: interactions between the SECIS RNA and the SECIS-binding protein SBP2.

The decoding of UGA as a selenocysteine (Sec) codon in mammalian selenoprotein mRNAs requires a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3' untranslated region. The SECIS is a hairpin structure that contains a non-Watson-Crick base-pair quartet with a conserved G.A/A.G tandem in the core of the upper helix. Another essential component of the Sec insertion machinery is SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2). In this study, we define the binding site of SBP2 on six different SECIS RNAs using enzymatic and hydroxyl radical footprinting, gel mobility shift analysis, and phosphate-ethylation binding interference. We show that SBP2 binds to a variety of mammalian SECIS elements with similar affinity and that the SBP2 binding site is conserved across species. Based on footprinting studies, SBP2 protects the proximal part of the hairpin and both strands of the lower half of the upper helix that contains the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the G.A/A.G tandem and internal loop are critical for the binding of SBP2. Modification of phosphates by ethylnitrosourea along both strands of the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet, on the 5' strand of the lower helix and part of the 5' strand of the internal loop, prevented binding of SBP2. We propose a model in which SBP2 covers the central part of the SECIS RNA, binding to the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet and to the 5' strands of the lower helix and internal loop. Our results suggest that the affinity of SBP2 for different SECIS elements is not responsible for the hierarchy of selenoprotein expression that is observed in vivo.

Animals↗

Modulation of enzyme activity by antibody binding to an alkaline phosphatase-epitope hybrid protein.

An epitope from the HIV-1 gp120 protein V3 loop has been inserted onto the surface of bacterial alkaline phosphatase at different positions in the vicinity of the enzyme active site, creating hybrid proteins that can bind to an anti-gp120 monoclonal antibody. One of the hybrid proteins, API1, has a 13 amino acid V3 loop sequence inserted between residues 407 and 408 of alkaline phosphatase. The enzymatic activity of this protein is modulated upon antibody binding. API1 maintains the full activity of the wild type alkaline phosphatase but in the presence of the anti-gp120 antibody, the enzyme activity is inhibited by 40-50%. Thus, the hybrid enzyme can be used to detect the presence of antibody in solution. The concept of signalling proteins may have a wide application. Two models for the mechanism of modulation, steric hindrance and allosteric regulation, are discussed.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Enterobacter cloacae rpoS promoter and gene organization.

The upstream region of the Enterobacter cloacae strain CECT960 rpoS gene was sequenced. An IS 10R element was found within the nlpD gene, between rpoSp and rpoS. The rpoS promoter, although functional, did not drive transcription of the gene in this strain. However, rpoS transcription depended on this promoter in strains that lacked the insertion sequence in nlpD. rpoSp showed growth-phase-dependent, sigma(S)-independent regulation. Transcription from rpoSp was strongly inhibited by glucose even though it was cAMP-receptor-protein (CRP)-independent. Its functionality was also independent of both integration host factor (IHF) and the alarmone ppGpp. RpoS-dependent resistance to some environmental stresses showed a quantitative response to RpoS levels under some conditions (alkaline pH and high osmolarity) but not others (acidic pH, high temperature, and UV irradiation).

Bacterial Proteins↗

Cloning and molecular characterization of a unique hemolysin gene of Vibrio pommerensis sp. nov.: development of a DNA probe for the detection of the hemolysin gene and its use in identification of related Vibrio spp. from the Baltic Sea.

A group of hemolytic Vibrio strains was isolated from surface water of the Baltic Sea in 1995. A typical representative strain, CH-291, was found to lyse washed human and animal erythrocytes. Hemolysis was found to be calcium-dependent and occurred over a temperature range from 25 to 37 degrees C. The hemolysin-encoding genes were identified by screening a genomic library of total DNA from strain CH-291. A cloned chromosomal DNA fragment of 15.6 kb conferred to Escherichia coli DH5alpha a hemolytic phenotype. Hybridization and sequence analysis showed the cloned sequence to be unique to these Baltic Sea Vibrio isolates and therefore provides a useful marker for their identification. Moreover, the cloned 15.6-kb DNA fragment possessed structural features typical for genetic islands, including a decreased GC content and a flanking cryptic insertion sequence element.

Baltic States↗