Characterization of a heat resistant ß-glucosidase as a new reporter in cells and mice

Background   

Reporter genes are widely used in biology and only a limited number are available. We present a new reporter gene for the localization of mammalian cells and transgenic tissues based on detection of the bglA (SYNbglA) gene of Caldocellum saccharolyticum that encodes a thermophilic β-glucosidase.     

Overexpression of the human <Emphasis Type="Italic">MNB/DYRK1A</Emphasis> gene induces formation of multinucleate cells through overduplication of the centrosome

Background  

Previously we cloned the human MNB/DYRK1A gene from the "Down syndrome critical region" on chromosome 21. This gene encodes a dual specificity protein kinase that catalyzes its autophosphorylation on serine/threonine and tyrosine residues. But, the functions of the MNB/DYRK1A gene in cellular processes are unknown.     

Development of a novel data mining tool to find <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-elements in rice gene promoter regions

Background  

Information on more than 35 000 full-length Oryza sativa cDNAs, together with associated microarray gene expression data collected under various treatment conditions, has made it feasible to identify motifs that are conserved in gene promoters and may act as cis-regulatory elements with key roles under the various conditions.     

Evolution of the multifaceted eukaryotic akirin gene family

Background  

Akirins are nuclear proteins that form part of an innate immune response pathway conserved in Drosophila and mice. This studies aim was to characterise the evolution of akirin gene structure and protein function in the eukaryotes.     

Structure and evolution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apetala3</Emphasis>, a sex-linked gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silene latifolia</Emphasis>

Background  

The evolution of sex chromosomes is often accompanied by gene or chromosome rearrangements. Recently, the gene AP3 was characterized in the dioecious plant species Silene latifolia. It was suggested that this gene had been transferred from an autosome to the Y chromosome.     

Polymorphism and selection of rpoS in pathogenic Escherichia coli

Background  

Though RpoS is important for survival of pathogenic Escherichia coli in natural environments, polymorphism in the rpoS gene is common. However, the causes of this polymorphism and consequential physiological effects on gene expression in pathogenic strains are not fully understood.     

The extracellular EXO protein mediates cell expansion in Arabidopsis leaves

Background  

The EXO (EXORDIUM) gene was identified as a potential mediator of brassinosteroid (BR)-promoted growth. It is part of a gene family with eight members in Arabidopsis. EXO gene expression is under control of BR, and EXO overexpression promotes shoot and root growth. In this study, the consequences of loss of EXO function are described.     

Raw starch–degrading α‐amylase from Bacillus aquimaris MKSC 6.2: isolation and expression of the gene,bioinformatics and biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme

Aims

The aims were to isolate a raw starch–degrading α‐amylase gene baqA from Bacillus aquimaris MKSC 6.2, and to characterize the gene product through in silico study and its expression in Escherichia coli.

Methods and Results

A 1539 complete open reading frame of a starch–degrading α‐amylase gene baqA from B. aquimaris MKSC 6·2 has been determined by employing PCR and inverse PCR techniques. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that B. aquimaris MKSC 6.2 α‐amylase (BaqA) has no starch‐binding domain, and together with a few putative α‐amylases from bacilli may establish a novel GH13 subfamily most closely related to GH13_1. Two consecutive tryptophans (Trp201 and Trp202, BaqA numbering) were identified as a sequence fingerprint of this novel GH13 subfamily. Escherichia coli cells produced the recombinant BaqA protein as inclusion bodies. The refolded recombinant BaqA protein degraded raw cassava and corn starches, but exhibited no activity with soluble starch.

Conclusions

A novel raw starch–degrading B. aquimaris MKSC 6.2 α‐amylase BaqA is proposed to be a member of new GH13 subfamily.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study has contributed to the overall knowledge and understanding of amylolytic enzymes that are able to bind and digest raw starch directly.     

A nanocomplex that is both tumor cell-selective and cancer gene-specific for anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Background  

Many in vitro studies have demonstrated that silencing of cancerous genes by siRNAs is a potential therapeutic approach for blocking tumor growth. However, siRNAs are not cell type-selective, cannot specifically target tumor cells, and therefore have limited in vivo application for siRNA-mediated gene therapy.     

Duplication,concerted evolution and purifying selection drive the evolution of mosquito vitellogenin genes

Background  

Mosquito vitellogenin (Vtg) genes belong to a small multiple gene family that encodes the major yolk protein precursors required for egg production. Multiple Vtg genes have been cloned and characterized from several mosquito species, but their origin and molecular evolution are poorly understood.     

Identification of two proteins that interact with the Erp virulence factor from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using the bacterial two-hybrid system

Background  

The exported repetitive protein (erp) gene encodes a secreted 36-kDa protein with a central domain containing several proline-glycine-leucine-threonine-serine (PGLTS) repeats. It has been demonstrated that erp is a virulence-associated factor since the disruption of this gene impairs the growth of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice.     

Multiple independent evolutionary solutions to core histone gene regulation

Background  

Core histone genes are periodically expressed along the cell cycle and peak during S phase. Core histone gene expression is deeply evolutionarily conserved from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to human.     

Identification and functional characterisation of the promoter of the calcium sensor gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">CBL1</Emphasis> from the xerophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ammopiptanthus mongolicus</Emphasis>

Background  

CBL1 is a calcium sensor that regulates drought, cold and salt signals in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of CBL1 gene in Arabidopsis and in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus showed different tolerant activities. We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanism of the upstream region of the CBL1 gene of A. mongolicus (AmCBL1). We investigated and characterized the promoter of the AmCBL1 gene, for promoters play a very important role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes.     

Evolutionary divergence in the fungal response to fluconazole revealed by soft clustering

Background  

Fungal infections are an emerging health risk, especially those involving yeast that are resistant to antifungal agents. To understand the range of mechanisms by which yeasts can respond to anti-fungals, we compared gene expression patterns across three evolutionarily distant species - Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata and Kluyveromyces lactis - over time following fluconazole exposure.