Compilation and analysis of Escherichia coli promoter DNA sequences.

The DNA sequence of 168 promoter regions (-50 to +10) for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase were compiled. The complete listing was divided into two groups depending upon whether or not the promoter had been defined by genetic (promoter mutations) or biochemical (5' end determination) criteria. A consensus promoter sequence based on homologies among 112 well-defined promoters was determined that was in substantial agreement with previous compilations. In addition, we have tabulated 98 promoter mutations. Nearly all of the altered base pairs in the mutants conform to the following general rule: down-mutations decrease homology and up-mutations increase homology to the consensus sequence.     

Compilation and analysis of intein sequences.

We have compiled a list of all the inteins (protein splicing elements) whose sequences have been published or were available from on-line sequence databases as of September 18, 1996. Analysis of the 36 available intein sequences refines the previously described intein motifs and reveals the presence of another intein motif, Block H. Furthermore, analysis of the new inteins reshapes our view of the conserved splice junction residues, since three inteins lack the intein penultimate His seen in prior examples. Comparison of intein sequences suggests that, in general, (i) inteins present in the same location within extein homologs from different organisms are very closely related to each other in paired sequence comparison or phylogenetic analysis and we suggest that they should be considered intein alleles; (ii) multiple inteins present in the same gene are no more similar to each other than to inteins present in different genes; (iii) phylogenetic analysis indicates that inteins are so divergent that trees with statistically significant branches cannot be generated except for intein alleles.     

Simple repetitive DNA sequences from primates: Compilation and analysis

Simple repeats composed of tandemly repeated units 1–6 nucleotides (nt) long have been extracted from a selected set of primate genomic DNA sequences. Of the 501 theoretically possible, different types of repeats only 67 were present in the analyzed database in at least two different size ranges over 12 nt. They include all simple repeats known to be polymorphic in the primate genome. A list of moderately expanding and nonexpanding oligonucleotide patterns has also been included. Furthermore, we have compiled statistical data with emphasis on the overall variability of the most abundant 67 types of repeats. We have demonstrated that the expandability of at least some simple repeats may be affected by the overall base composition and by flanking sequences. In particular, the occurrence of tandemly repeated CAG and GCC triplets in exons positively correlates with their G+C content. We also noted that in the vicinity of Alu sequences tetrameric repeats are more abundant than in the total genomic DNA. This paper can be used as a comprehensive guide in identification of the most abundant and potentially polymorphic simple repeats. It is also of broader significance as a step toward understanding the contribution of flanking sequences and the overall sequence composition to variability of simple repeats. Correspondence to: J. Jurka     

Compilation and analysis of viroid and viroid-like RNA sequences.

We have created a catalogue comprising all viroid and viroid-like RNA sequences which to our knowledge have been either published or were available from on-line sequence libraries as of October 1, 1995. In the development of this catalogue nomenclature ambiguities were removed, the likely ancestral sequence of most species was determined and the most stable secondary structures of these sequences were predicted using the MulFold package. Only viroids of PSTVd-type possessed a rod-like secondary structure, while most other viroids adopted branched secondary structures. Several viroids have predicted secondary structures that include either a Y or cruciform structure reminiscent of the tRNA-like end of virus genomes at an extremity. However, it remains unknown whether or not these predicted structures are adopted in solution, and if they serve a particular function in vivo. Additional information such as the position of the self-catalytic domains are included in the catalogue. An analysis of the data compilated in the catalogue is included. The catalogue will be available on the world wide web (http://www.callistro.si.usherb.ca/jpperra), on computer disk and in printed form. It should provide an excellent reference point for further studies.     

Compilation of tRNA sequences.

This compilation presents in a small space the tRNA sequences so far published in order to enable rapid orientation and comparison. The numbering of tRNAPhe from yeast is used as has been done earlier (1) but following the rules proposed by the participants of the Cold Spring Harbor Meeting on tRNA 1978 (2) (Fig. 1). This numbering allows comparisons with the three dimensional structure of tRNAPhe, the only structure known from X-ray analysis. The secondary structure of tRNAs is indicated by specific underlining. In the primary structure a nucleoside followed by a nucleoside in brackets or a modification in brackets denotes that both types of nucleosides can occupy this position. Part of a sequence in brackets designates a piece of sequence not unambiguously analyzed. Rare nucleosides are named according to the IUPAC-IUB rules (for some more complicated rare nucleosides and their identification see Table 1); those with lengthy names are given with the prefix x and specified in the footnotes. Footnotes are numbered according to the coordinates of the corresponding nucleoside and are indicated in the sequence by an asterisk. The references are restricted to the citation of the latest publication in those cases where several papers deal with one sequence. For additional information the reader is referred either to the original literature or to other tRNA sequence compilations (3--7). Mutant tRNAs are dealt with in a separate compilation prepared by J. Celis (see below). The compilers would welcome any information by the readers regarding missing material or erroneous presentation. On the basis of this numbering system computer printed compilations of tRNA sequences in a linear form and in cloverleaf form are in preparation.     

Compilation of tRNA sequences.

This compilation presents in a small space the tRNA sequences so far published. The numbering of tRNAPhe from yeast is used following the rules proposed by the participants of the Cold Spring Harbor Meeting on tRNA 1978 (1,2;Fig. 1). This numbering allows comparisons with the three dimensional structure of tRNAPhe. The secondary structure of tRNAs is indicated by specific underlining. In the primary structure a nucleoside followed by a nucleoside in brackets or a modification in brackets denotes that both types of nucleosides can occupy this position. Part of a sequence in brackets designates a piece of sequence not unambiguosly analyzed. Rare nucleosides are named according to the IUPACIUB rules (for complicated rare nucleosides and their identification see Table 1); those with lengthy names are given with the prefix x and specified in the footnotes. Footnotes are numbered according to the coordinates of the corresponding nucleoside and are indicated in the sequence by an asterisk. The references are restricted to the citation of the latest publication in those cases where several papers deal with one sequence. For additional information the reader is referred either to the original literature or to other tRNA sequence compilations (3-7). Mutant tRNAs are dealt with in a compilation by J. Celis (8). The compilers would welcome any information by the readers regarding missing material or erroneous presentation. On the basis of this numbering system computer printed compilations of tRNA sequences in a linear form and in cloverleaf form are in preparation.     

Compilation of tRNA sequences and sequences of tRNA genes.

Sequences of 3279 sequences of tRNA genes and tRNAs published up to December 1996 are included in the compilation. Alignment of the sequences, which is most compatible with the tRNA phylogeny and known three-dimensional structures of tRNA, is used. Sequences and references are available under http://www.uni-bayreuth. de/departments/biochemie/trna/     

Compilation of small RNA sequences.

This is an update containing small RNA sequences deposited in GenBank recently. Over four hundred small RNA sequences are available in this and earlier complications.     

Replication timing of DNA sequences associated with human centromeres and telomeres.

The timing of replication of centromere-associated human alpha satellite DNA from chromosomes X, 17, and 7 as well as of human telomeric sequences was determined by using density-labeling methods and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Alpha satellite sequences replicated late in S phase; however, the alpha satellite sequences of the three chromosomes studied replicated at slightly different times. Human telomeres were found to replicate throughout most of S phase. These results are consistent with a model in which multiple initiations of replication occur at a characteristic time within the alpha satellite repeats of a particular chromosome, while the replication timing of telomeric sequences is determined by either telomeric origins that can initiate at different times during S phase or by replication origins within the flanking chromosomal DNA sequences.     

Computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences.

Some recent trends in the development of theoretical methods for DNA and protein sequence analysis are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the design of new databases, motif searches, sequence alignment algorithms and applications of neural networks.