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Primary structure of human corticosteroid binding globulin, deduced from hepatic and pulmonary cDNAs, exhibits homology with serine protease inhibitors.

We have isolated and sequenced cDNAs for corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) prepared from human liver and lung mRNAs. Our results indicate that CBG mRNA is relatively abundant in the liver but is also present in the lung, testis, and kidney. The liver CBG cDNA contains an open reading frame for a 405-amino acid (Mr 45,149) polypeptide. This includes a predominantly hydrophobic, leader sequence of 22 residues that precedes the known NH2-terminal sequence of human CBG. We, therefore, predict that the mature protein is composed of 383 amino acids and is a polypeptide of Mr 42,646. A second, in-frame, 72-base-pair cistron of unknown significance exists between the TAA termination codon for CBG and a possible polyadenylylation signal (AATAAA) located 16 nucleotides before the polyadenylylation site. The deduced amino acid sequence of mature CBG contains two cysteine residues and consensus sequences for the attachment of six possible N-linked oligosaccharide chains. The sequences of the human lung and liver CBG cDNAs differ by only one nucleotide within the proposed leader sequence, and we attribute this to a point mutation. No sequence homology was found between CBG and other steroid binding proteins, but there is a remarkable similarity between the amino acid sequences of CBG and of alpha 1-antitrypsin, and this extends to other members of the serpin (serine protease inhibitor) superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and sequencing of the gene encoding delta 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase of Pseudomonas testosteroni: overexpression of the protein.

We describe the cloning, sequencing, and overexpression of the steroid isomerase (3-oxosteroid delta 5-delta 4-isomerase, EC 5.3.3.1) gene of Pseudomonas testosteroni. A genomic library of P. testosteroni total DNA constructed from partial EcoRI digests ligated to a lambda gtWES vector was probed with a 23-base oligonucleotide mixture [ATGAAC(T)ACC(A,T)CCG(C,A)GAG(A)CAC(T)ATGAC] corresponding to the NH2-terminal sequence of steroid isomerase. Subclones derived from a recombinant phage containing a 5400-base-pair insert were sequenced and found to contain the expected 375-nucleotide open reading frame flanked at both ends by in-frame TGA termination codons. The DNA sequence agreed with the above 125-amino acid sequence except for codons 22, 24, 33, and 38, all of which encoded Asp rather than Asn, and codon 77, which encoded Glu rather than Gln. A 1370-base-pair fragment was inserted into pUC 19 plasmid vector and used to construct a strain of Escherichia coli JM 101 that overexpressed the isomerase gene in the presence of isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Cytosolic extracts of this strain contained a major soluble protein that migrated with the steroid delta-isomerase subunit on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. These cytosolic extracts had 10-50% of the specific activity of crystalline isomerase, depending on the method of preparation. The recombinant enzyme was crystallized in both monoclinic (flat plates) and hexagonal (bipyramids) crystal forms, described previously for the enzyme isolated from P. testosteroni. The kinetic properties of the crystalline recombinant enzyme, including specific activity, Km for 5-androstene-3,17-dione (340 microM), and Ki for the competitive inhibitor 19-nortestosterone (11.9 microM), agreed closely with the values reported for the isolated enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A human major histocompatibility complex class I gene that encodes a protein with a shortened cytoplasmic segment.

We have cloned genomic DNA encoding a non-HLA-A, -B, -C class I gene located within a HindIII-generated restriction fragment of 6.0 kilobase pairs. This gene, designated HLA-6.0, is as homologous to HLA-A and HLA-B as they are to each other. The HLA class I protein encoded by HLA-6.0 is similar in organization to the HLA-A-, -B-, and -C-encoded proteins except that an in-frame termination codon prevents translation of a majority of the cytoplasmic region of the HLA-6.0 polypeptide. Moreover, the promoter region of HLA-6.0 resembles the promoter region of a Qa region gene. These structural features of HLA-6.0 suggest that this non-HLA-A, -B, -C gene is a structural homolog of a murine Qa region class I gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Translational coupling of the maize chloroplast atpB and atpE genes.

The genes for the beta and epsilon subunits of maize chloroplast ATP synthase are encoded by the organelle genome, are cotranscribed, and have overlapping translation initiation and termination codons. To determine whether the atpB and atpE genes are translationally coupled, they were transformed into Escherichia coli on a multicopy plasmid. Synthesis of full-length beta and epsilon polypeptides demonstrated correct initiation of translation by the bacterial ribosomes. To assay for translational coupling, the promoter-distal atpE gene was fused to lacZ, resulting in the synthesis of an active hybrid beta-galactosidase. A frameshift mutation was introduced into the promoter-proximal atpB gene, and its effect on the transcription and translation of the atpE::lacZ fusion was measured. The mutation resulted in a 1000- to 2000-fold reduction in beta-galactosidase activity, but only a 2-fold decrease in LacZ mRNA synthesis rates or galactoside transacetylase levels. Similar results were obtained when the atpB/atpE::lacZ fusion and the atpB frameshift mutation were introduced into the photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. We show that >99% of atpE translation depends on successful translation of atpB and, thus, conclude that the two genes are translationally coupled.

Journal Article↗

Expression in transgenic plants of a viral gene product that mediates insect transmission of potyviruses.

Helper component (HC) is a virus-encoded nonstructural protein that is required for transmission of potyviruses by their aphid vectors. As a prelude to studies on the molecular basis of HC activity, a cDNA clone (pPB-3) was constructed that contained the first three cistrons (34 kDa-HC-42 kDa) of the RNA genome of the potyvirus tobacco vein mottling virus, the first six nucleotides of the adjacent cylindrical inclusion body protein cistron, and a synthetic translation termination codon. This construction was introduced into tobacco cells via a Ti plasmid-based vector. Northern blot analysis of transgenic plants demonstrated the presence of an RNA of the size expected from the construction of pPB-3, and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of a protein that comigrated with authentic HC, indicating that the proteolytic activity necessary to produce mature-sized HC was encoded by pPB-3. The HC produced in the transgenic plants was demonstrated to be active in a virus transmission bioassay with aphids.

Animals↗

Isolation and sequence of cDNA encoding a cytochrome P-450 from an insecticide-resistant strain of the house fly, Musca domestica.

A cDNA expression library from phenobarbital-treated house fly (Musca domestica) was screened with rabbit antisera directed against partially purified house fly cytochrome P-450. Two overlapping clones with insert lengths of 1.3 and 1.5 kilobases were isolated. The sequence of a 1629-base-pair (bp) cDNA was obtained, with an open reading frame (nucleotides 81-1610) encoding a P-450 protein of 509 residues (Mr = 58,738). The insect P-450 protein contains a hydrophobic NH2 terminus and a 22-residue cysteine-containing fragment near the COOH terminus that is known to bind the heme; both of these features have been found in the more than five dozen vertebrate P-450 proteins of which the sequences are presently known. Interestingly, the termination codon UAA may be contained in a putative polyadenylylation signal (AAUAAA) of the mRNA. This P-450 protein exhibits the most similarity (27% amino acid positional identity) with mammalian proteins of the P450III family but qualifies as a member of another family, which we propose to designate the P450VI gene family. This cDNA and deduced protein sequence should provide important information in the study of evolution of the P-450 gene superfamily, as well as provide an important probe for studying the regulation of insect P-450 and understanding the molecular genetics of insecticide resistance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure and expression of murine germ-line immunoglobulin epsilon heavy chain transcripts induced by interleukin 4.

The murine lymphokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4) is able to specifically promote isotype switching to IgG1 and IgE in cultures of mitogen-stimulated B cells. Emerging evidence suggests that germ-line immunoglobulin heavy chain gene transcription may direct switching by modulating switch-region accessibility to a recombinase. In this study, cloned cDNA copies of the germ-line epsilon heavy chain transcript have been used to determine the genomic organization of this transcription unit. The 5' end of these transcripts are derived from an exon, denoted I epsilon, located 2 kilobases 5' of the C epsilon switch region [C epsilon = epsilon heavy chain constant (C) region gene]. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals that this RNA does not encode a protein, as the I epsilon exon contains termination codons in all reading frames. Germ-line epsilon chain transcripts can be detected in cultures of normal splenic B cells treated with IL-4 within 24 hr, and this expression correlates with subsequent switching to C epsilon. Consistent with the IL-4 inducibility of this RNA is the identification of a motif upstream from the site of transcription initiation that closely resembles a transcription element implicated in the IL-4 regulation of the gene encoding the murine class II histocompatibility antigen, A alpha k. These data lend support to the accessibility model of isotype switching and implicate IL-4 in the transcriptional activation of the C epsilon locus.

Animals↗

Characterization of the alpha 4 integrin gene promoter.

A cDNA for the alpha 4 chain of the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin was described previously [Takada, Y., Elices, M. J., Crouse, C. & Hemler, M. E. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 1361-1368]. Primer extension analysis indicated that alpha 4 mRNA extended well beyond the 5' end of this cDNA. To clone this 5' sequence, a primer extension cDNA library was constructed, and a cDNA extending an additional 660 base pairs was isolated. This cDNA hybridized to multiple mRNAs in both T and B lymphocytes, but no alpha 4 mRNA was found in different tissues or in adherent cell lines. A single alpha 4 gene was detected in a genomic Southern blot when hybridization was done at high stringency; however, additional bands were observed at lower stringency, indicating the presence of alpha 4-related genes. Some of the different mRNAs that hybridize to the alpha 4 cDNA may then be the products of these related genes. Analysis of the alpha 4 genomic sequence revealed a large first exon of 958 base pairs. Interestingly, translation of alpha 4 initiates from the second ATG in this exon (nucleotide + 744). The first ATG (nucleotide +21) is followed by a termination codon 21 amino acids downstream. Such upstream ATG codons have been implicated in translational control of protooncogenes. One major transcriptional start site was identified by using S1 nuclease and primer extension mapping. Consensus sequences for DNA regulatory elements were found upstream of the gene and in exon 1 and intron 1. The alpha 4 gene 5' flanking region acted as a promoter in transfection assays. Detailed characterization of the promoter should provide insight into molecular events regulating expression and tissue specificity of alpha 4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A Tn3 derivative that can be used to make short in-frame insertions within genes.

A Tn3 derivative was constructed to make small in-frame insertions within genes. The transposon contains the URA3 gene, the tetA gene, a truncated lacZ, and phage P1 loxP recombination sites at either end. Insertions that have fused lacZ to an open reading frame are lac+ because they express the truncated lacZ. In the presence of the phage P1 cyclization recombinase cre, the transposon can delete the URA3, tetA, and lacZ genes between the two loxP sites. The remaining short imperfect palindrome contains the ends of Tn3 and a loxP site and does not contain a translational termination codon in the correct reading frame. We have analyzed several insertions within the yeast HO gene. Several insertions inactivate HO and prohibit initiation of mating-type switching. In contrast, an epitope inserted in the central portion encodes a functional HO endonuclease.

Base Sequence↗

Mutation and selection during the secondary response to 2-phenyloxazolone.

The most characteristic feature of the mouse antibody response to the hapten 2-phenyloxazolone is the recurrent expression of the light-chain variable region Igk-VO chi 1 gene in its germ-line or mutated configuration. The analysis of somatic mutants of the Igk-VO chi 1 gene reported here indicates that, as found during the primary response, hypermutation is also activated during the secondary response. Somatic mutations in the Igk-VO chi 1 gene increased in sequences obtained at day 14 and day 21 in the primary response and again in the secondary response at days 3, 5, and 7. The ratio of replacement to silent mutations also increased, particularly between days 5 and 7, suggesting that a stage of negative selection operates on new somatic mutants generated in the secondary response. Most Igk-VO chi 1 mutants isolated in the secondary response had the features of selected memory clones (i.e., they carried mutations known to increase binding affinity for the hapten). However, some clones had chain-termination codons, and others had mutations predicting a nonfunctional light chain. At least three and possibly five of these clones also expressed the mutation characteristic of the memory response to 2-phenyloxazolone (His-34----Asn-34/Gln-34). We conclude that after a second antigenic challenge, new somatic variants, including some leading to the loss of antigen binding, are generated by hypermutation of cells derived from the memory pool.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sindbis virus RNA polymerase is degraded by the N-end rule pathway.

Upon infection of animal cells by Sindbis virus, four nonstructural (ns) proteins, termed nsP1-4 in order from 5' to 3' in the genome, are produced by posttranslational cleavage of a polyprotein. nsP4 is believed to function as the viral RNA polymerase and is short-lived in infected cells. We show here that nsP4 produced in reticulocyte lysates is degraded by the N-end rule pathway, one ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway. When the N-terminal residue of nsP4 is changed by mutagenesis, the metabolic stabilities of the mutant nsP4s follow the N-end rule, in that the half-life of nsP4 bearing different N-terminal residues decreases in the order Met greater than Ala greater than Tyr greater than or equal to Phe greater than Agr. Addition of dipeptides Tyr-Ala, Trp-Ala, or Phe-Ala to the translation mixture inhibits degradation of Tyr-nsP4 and Phe-nsP4, but not of Arg-nsP4. Conversely, dipeptides His-Ala, Arg-Ala, and Lys-Ala inhibit the degradation of Arg-nsP4 but not of Tyr-nsP4 or Phe-nsP4. We found that there is no lysine in the first 43 residues of nsP4 that is required for its degradation, indicating that a more distal lysine functions as the ubiquitin acceptor. Strict control of nsP4 concentration appears to be an important aspect of the virus life cycle, since the concentration of nsP4 in infected cells is regulated at three levels: translation of nsP4 requires read-through of an opal termination codon such that it is underproduced; differential processing by the virus-encoded proteinase results in temporal regulation of nsP4; and nsP4 itself is a short-lived protein degraded by the ubiquitin-dependent N-end rule pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Toward an animal model of cystic fibrosis: targeted interruption of exon 10 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene in embryonic stem cells.

A gene-targeting construct was made containing 7.8 kilobases of DNA spanning exon 10 of the mouse cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene in which part of the exon has been replaced by two neomycin-resistance (Neo) genes driven by different promoters. (This replacement introduces a chain-termination codon at amino acid position 489 in the CFTR sequence). A herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene was on each end of the construct, which was electroporated into embryonic stem (ES) cells. Colonies resistant to G418, or to G418 plus ganciclovir, were selected and screened by Southern blotting or by PCR amplification. Five pools of G418-resistant cells gave PCR products diagnostic of targeting. Four independent clones of ES cells with a disrupted CFTR gene have been isolated from these pools. The frequency of targeting was 1/2500 G418-resistant colonies. This low frequency is not the consequence of marginal expression of the Neo genes in the targeted cells. The CFTR targeting events were clustered among our experiments in a manner suggesting that some unidentified factor(s), possibly passage number, influences the recovery of CFTR-targeted cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and chromosomal localization of the murine homolog of the human helix-loop-helix gene SCL.

The human SCL gene is a member of the family of genes that encode the helix-loop-helix (HLH) class of DNA-binding proteins. A murine SCL cDNA was isolated from a normal macrophage cDNA library by using HLH-specific oligonucleotides as hybridization probes. The coding region is 987 base pairs and encodes a predicted protein of 34 kDa. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region shows 88% identity to the human SCL gene, and the amino acid sequence is 94% identical. The HLH motif and upstream hydrophilic region are entirely conserved in the murine and human proteins. The identity between the mouse and human sequences was less marked in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Two murine SCL transcripts that differ in the 3' noncoding region have been detected in fetal liver and various cell lines. Variation was also observed in the 5' untranslated region. Interestingly, immediately downstream of the protein-termination codon, both the human SCL sequence and the murine homolog share an E-box element--the suggested target site for DNA binding of HLH proteins. The murine SCL homolog was mapped to the central part of chromosome 4.

Alleles↗

Multiple forms of mRNA encoding human pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin, a beta-lactoglobulin homologue.

Human pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG) is the major secretory protein product of the endometrium during embryo implantation and the first few weeks of pregnancy. It is a homologue of beta-lactoglobulin, a retinol binding protein, but unlike beta-lactoglobulin it is not found in the mammary gland. The cloning and sequencing of 34 alpha 2-PEG clones has revealed several minor variant forms indicative of alternatively spliced alpha 2-PEG pre-mRNA. These minor forms have also been detected amongst uncloned cDNA after PCR amplification. Some of these mRNAs would give rise to forms of alpha 2-PEG protein lacking internal sequences, whereas others affect the mRNA sequences on the 3' boundary of the presumed termination codon. Sequences within the cDNA clones are consistent with the existence of splice sites, and together with similarities found between alpha 2-PEG cDNA and beta-lactoglobulin gene sequences there is good evidence in support of an unusual scheme for the alternative splicing of alpha 2-PEG pre-mRNA involving both alternative 5' splice sites and alternative 3' splice sites. This scheme suggests that the alpha 2-PEG and beta-lactoglobulin genes share a similar structure in at least two regions, and it is likely that beta-lactoglobulin pre-mRNA would show a similar pattern of alternative splicing for one of these regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Yeast calmodulin and a conserved nuclear protein participate in the in vivo binding of a matrix association region.

Chromatin becomes reorganized during mitosis each cell cycle. To identify genes potentially involved in these supramolecular events, we have used a colony-color assay to screen temperature-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When a sequence that mediates attachment to the nuclear matrix in vitro was inserted into the GAL1 promoter of a lacZ fusion gene, beta-galactosidase synthesis was inhibited. This observation permitted screening for temperature-sensitive-inducible mutants on 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-galactoside plates. Only 1 of 20 complementation groups of newly isolated mutants exhibited temperature-sensitive inducibility for the matrix association region but not for control CEN3 or STE6 inserts--a cmd1 mutant in which the last 7 amino acids of calmodulin were truncated by an ochre termination codon. Another mutant (smi1) exhibited a rare phenotype at the nonpermissive condition, which included S phase and budding arrest. We cloned and sequenced the SMI1 gene, which encodes a 57-kDa polypeptide with evolutionarily conserved epitope(s) found in mammalian cell nuclei. Thus, we provide evidence for involvement of calmodulin and another conserved protein in the in vivo binding of a matrix association region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence for RNA editing in mitochondria of all major groups of land plants except the Bryophyta.

RNA editing has been documented in mitochondria of higher plants, notably dicots and monocots. To determine the distribution of mitochondrial RNA editing in the plant kingdom, we have now undertaken a survey of evolutionarily distant plants. RNA editing occurs in all major groups of land plants except the Bryophyta, suggesting that this process is an ancient trait that was established before the radiation of kormophyte plants. No editing is observed in representatives of the green algae, suggesting that editing arose in early land plants after the split of the Bryophyta or has been lost selectively in both algae and mosses. In ferns several U-->C changes are observed, one of which eliminates a genomically encoded UAA termination codon and creates a functional open reading frame.

Base Sequence↗

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing protein induces hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplasia in transgenic animals.

Apolipoprotein (apo-) B mRNA editing is the deamination of cytidine that creates a new termination codon and produces a truncated version of apo-B (apo-B48). The cytidine deaminase catalytic subunit [apo-B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide 1 (APOBEC-1)] of the multiprotein editing complex has been identified. We generated transgenic rabbits and mice expressing rabbit APOBEC-1 in their livers to determine whether hepatic expression would lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The apo-B mRNA from the livers of the transgenic mice and rabbit was extensively edited, and the transgenic animals had reduced concentrations of apo-B100 and low density lipoproteins compared with control animals. Unexpectedly, all of the transgenic mice and a transgenic rabbit had liver dysplasia, and many transgenic mice developed hepatocellular carcinomas. Many of the mouse livers were hyperplastic and filled with lipid. Other hepatic mRNAs with sequence motifs similar to apo-B mRNA were examined for this type of editing (i.e., cytidine deamination). One of these, tyrosine kinase, was edited in livers of transgenic mice but not of controls. This result demonstrates that other mRNAs can be edited by the overexpressed editing enzyme and suggests that aberrant editing of hepatic mRNAs involved in cell growth and regulation is the cause of the tumorigenesis. Finally, these findings compromise the potential use of APOBEC-1 for gene therapy to lower plasma levels of low density lipoproteins.

APOBEC-1 Deaminase↗

Characterization of repetitive DNA in the Mycoplasma genitalium genome: possible role in the generation of antigenic variation.

We have characterized a family of repetitive DNA elements with homology to the MgPa cellular adhesion operon of Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterium that has the smallest known genome of any free-living organism. One element, 2272 bp in length and flanked by DNA with no homology to MgPa, was completely sequenced. At least four others were partially sequenced. The complete element is a composite of six regions. Five of these regions show sequence similarity with nonadjacent segments of genes of the MgPa operon. The sixth region, located near the center of the element, is an A+T-rich sequence that has only been found in this repeat family. Open reading frames are present within the five individual regions showing sequence homology to MgPa and the adjacent open reading frame 3 (ORF3) gene. However, termination codons are found between adjacent regions of homology to the MgPa operon and in the A+T-rich sequence. Thus, these repetitive elements do not appear to be directly expressible protein coding sequences. The sequence of one region from five different repetitive elements was compared with the homologous region of the MgPa gene from the type strain G37 and four newly isolated M. genitalium strains. Recombination between repetitive elements of strain G37 and the MgPa operon can explain the majority of polymorphisms within our partial sequences of the MgPa genes of the new isolates. Therefore, we propose that the repetitive elements of M. genitalium provide a reservoir of sequence that contributes to antigenic variation in proteins of the MgPa cellular adhesion operon.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗