Isolation of a cDNA probe for a human jejunal brush-border hydrolase,sucrase-isomaltase,and assignment of the gene locus to chromosome 3

We report the nucleotide sequence and derived amino acid sequence of a cDNA clone encoding most of the N-terminal, isomaltase region of human sucrase-isomaltase (SI). A plasmid containing this cDNA, pS 12, identifies a 6-kb mRNA found in human jejunum and the human colon carcinoma cell Une Caco-2. This human SI cDNA shows extensive overall homology with recently published rabbit SI cDNA. Using pSI2 to probe DNA from a panel of somatic cell hybrids, we have assigned the gene encoding human SI to chromosome 3.     

Isolation and characterisation of a cDNA clone for human apolipoprotein CI and assignment of the gene to chromosome 19

Summary We have synthesised a mixed oligonucleotide 17 bases long and used it to isolate cDNA clones for apolipoprotein CI (apo CI) from an adult liver cDNA library. The partial sequence of one of these clones confirms its identity. We have used this probe and Southern blotting techniques to identify the human apo CI gene in DNA from a series of rodent x human somatic cell hybrids. Our Results provide evidence for the assignment of this gene to human chromosome 19.     

Identification by virtual screening and in vitro testing of human DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors

Dopa decarboxylase (DDC), a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of dopamine and serotonin, is involved in Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is a neurodegenerative disease mainly due to a progressive loss of dopamine-producing cells in the midbrain. Co-administration of L-Dopa with peripheral DDC inhibitors (carbidopa or benserazide) is the most effective symptomatic treatment for PD. Although carbidopa and trihydroxybenzylhydrazine (the in vivo hydrolysis product of benserazide) are both powerful irreversible DDC inhibitors, they are not selective because they irreversibly bind to free PLP and PLP-enzymes, thus inducing diverse side effects. Therefore, the main goals of this study were (a) to use virtual screening to identify potential human DDC inhibitors and (b) to evaluate the reliability of our virtual-screening (VS) protocol by experimentally testing the "in vitro" activity of selected molecules. Starting from the crystal structure of the DDC-carbidopa complex, a new VS protocol, integrating pharmacophore searches and molecular docking, was developed. Analysis of 15 selected compounds, obtained by filtering the public ZINC database, yielded two molecules that bind to the active site of human DDC and behave as competitive inhibitors with K(i) values ≥10 μM. By performing in silico similarity search on the latter compounds followed by a substructure search using the core of the most active compound we identified several competitive inhibitors of human DDC with K(i) values in the low micromolar range, unable to bind free PLP, and predicted to not cross the blood-brain barrier. The most potent inhibitor with a K(i) value of 500 nM represents a new lead compound, targeting human DDC, that may be the basis for lead optimization in the development of new DDC inhibitors. To our knowledge, a similar approach has not been reported yet in the field of DDC inhibitors discovery.     

Human dopa decarboxylase: localization to human chromosome 7p11 and characterization of hepatic cDNAs.

We have cloned full-length DDC cDNAs from a human hepatoma cDNA library [DDC; dopa decarboxylase; aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, EC 4.1.1.28]. The protein encoded by hepatoma cells is the same as that encoded by adrenal chromaffin derived pheochromocytoma cells, despite reported differences in biochemical properties. We have confirmed the location of the DDC gene to chromosome 7 using a new panel of somatic cell hybrids, and we have localized the gene to band p11 on chromosome 7 by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The human gene retains 65% amino acid identity with Drosophila DDC (Accession No. X04426) and considerable structural similarity with other enzymes (F.R. Jackson, 1990, J. Mol. Evol. 31:325-329, and references therein).     

Regional assignment of the erythropoietin gene to human chromosome region 7pter----q22

The chromosomal location of the human gene for erythropoietin (EPO) was determined by Southern blot hybridization analysis of a panel of human-mouse somatic hybrid cell DNAs. DNAs from cell hybrids containing reduced numbers of human chromosomes were treated with the restriction enzyme PstI and screened with a cloned human EPO cDNA probe. EPO is assigned to human chromosome 7 based on the complete cosegregation of EPO with this chromosome in all 45 cell hybrids tested. A cell hybrid containing a translocated derivative of chromosome 7 localizes EPO to 7pter----q22. A HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism is detected by hybridization of the EPO cDNA probe to human genomic DNA.     

Molecular cloning of the c-fms locus and its assignment to human chromosome 5

Molecular clones of the retroviral oncogene v-fms were used to isolate recombinant bacteriophages containing c-fms proto-oncogene sequences from a human placental DNA library. Viral and cellular fms sequences were used in Southern blotting experiments with a panel of 32 human X mouse somatic cell hybrids to assign the human c-fms proto-oncogene to human chromosome 5.     

The assignment of PRKCI to bovine chromosome 1q34-->q36 by FISH suggests a new assignment to human chromosome 3

In metaphases from female mouse fibroblasts, successive stainings by Giemsa and DAPI and immunolabeling of 5-methylcytosine were performed with or without bromodeoxyuridine pretreatment. It was shown that, compared to all other chromosomes, the late replicating X is the least methylated, the most compacted, and the most intensely stained by DAPI and Giemsa.     

Isolation of cDNA clones coding for rat isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase and assignment of the gene to human chromosome 15

Rat liver mRNA encoding the cytoplasmic precursor of mitochondrial isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase was highly enriched by polysome immunopurification using a polyclonal monospecific antibody. The purified mRNA was used to prepare a plasmid cDNA library which was screened with two oligonucleotide mixtures encoding two peptides in the amino-terminal portion of mature rat isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase. Thirty-one overlapping cDNA clones, spanning a region of 2.1 kbp, were isolated and characterized. The cDNA sequence of a 5'-end clone, rIVD-13 (155 bp), predicts a mitochondrial leader peptide of 30 amino acid residues and the first 18 amino acids of the mature protein. These consecutive 18 residues completely matched the amino-terminal peptide determined by automated Edman degradation of the rat enzyme. The leader peptide contains six arginines, has no acidic residues, and is particularly rich in leucine, alanine, and proline residues. Southern blot analysis of DNAs from human-rodent somatic cell hybrids with an isolated rat cDNA (2 kbp) assigned the isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase gene to the long arm of chromosome 15, region q14----qter. The chromosomal assignment was confirmed and further refined to bands q14----q15 by in situ hybridization of the probe to human metaphase cells. This location differs from that of the gene for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a closely related enzyme, which has been previously assigned to chromosome 1.     

Regional assignment of 41 human DNA fragments on chromosome 7 by means of a somatic cell hybrid panel

Summary To detect new restriction fragment length polymorphisms that would cover human chromosome 7 with a network of genetic landmarks, a chromosome 7-specific phage gene library was screened for human single-copy fragments. With use of a somatic cell hybrid panel containing defined regions of human chromosome 7, 41 cloned human single-copy sequences were assigned to five regions of this chromosome. Of special importance are the cell hybrid clones GM1059Rag5 and 7851Rag10-1, derived from human cells with interstitial deletions spanning the bands 7q22-q32, within which the cystic fibrosis gene is located. Twelve new probes are described in 7q22-q32, five of which detect a total of six RFLPs.