Sequencing of the putative DNA helicase-encoding gene of the Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus and fine-mapping of a region involved in host range expansion

The complete sequence of a 3666-nucleotide (nt) open reading frame (ORF) and its flanking regions (58.1–62.1 map units (m.u.) from Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV)) was determined. This ORF, BmNPV dnahel, encoded a predicted protein of 143 623 Da which possessed seven consensus motifs found in proteins which unwind duplex DNAs, indicating that it is a DNA helicase. A 572-bp SacI-HindlII fragment, BmScH, that was previously shown to expand the host range of Autographa californica NPV (AcNPV) following homologous recombination [Maeda et al. (1993) J. Virol. 67, 6234–6238], was localized within BmNPV dnahel. By cotransfection experiments, two adjacent nt (A and T) that appeared to be the minimal essential sequence necessary to expand the host range of AcNPV, were mapped within BmScH. These adjacent nt encoded a single amino acid difference between BmNPV (Asp) and AcNPV (Ser).     

Divergence and evolution of homologous regions of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

Homologous regions (hrs) (hr1,hr2-left,hr2-right,hr3,hr4-left,hr 4-right, and hr5) similar to those found in the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) genome were found in the Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV) genome. The BmNPV hrs contained two to eight repeats of a homologous nucleotide sequence which were on average about 75 bp long. All of these homologous sequence repeats contained a 26-bp-long palindrome motif with an EcoRI or EcoRI-like site at its core. The consensus sequence of the BmNPV hrs showed 95% conservation with respect to those found in AcNPV. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that hr2-left and hr2-right of BmNPV evolved from an ancestor similar to hr2 of AcNPV by inversion, cleavage, and ligation. The polarities of the BmNPV and AcNPV hrs were conserved except for that of hr4-left. Within hr4-right of BmNPV, four repeats of a previously underscribed palindrome motif were found. Bmhr5D, a BmNPV mutant which lacked hr5, replicated at a rate similar to that of wild-type BmNPV in BmN cells and silkworm larvae, indicating that hr5 was not essential for viral replication. After ten passages of Bmhr5D in BmN cells, no detectable changes in its genome were observed by restriction endonuclease analysis. The evolution and divergence of the BmNPV genome are also discussed.     

Nucleotide sequence of gene pfkB encoding the minor phosphofructokinase of Escherichia coli K-12

The nucleotide sequence of a 1.3-kb DNA fragment containing the entire pfkB gene which codes for Pfk-2 of Escherichia coli, a minor phosphofructokinase (Pfk) enzyme, is reported. The Pfk-2 protein subunit is encoded by 924 bp, has 308 amino acids and an Mr of 33 000. Like other weakly expressed E. coli genes the codon usage in the pfkB gene is random; there is no strong bias for the usage of major tRNA isoaccepting species, and the codon preference rules of Grosjean and Fiers [Gene, 18 (1982) 199-209] are followed. This is the first report of the complete gene sequence of a phosphofructokinase.     

Nucleotide sequence and structural analysis of cryptic plasmid pBL90 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brevibacterium lactofermentum</Emphasis>

The nucleotide sequence of cryptic plasmid (designated as pBL90) detected in the cells of Brevibacterium lactofermentum DSM 1412 was determined. The length of plasmid DNA is 67826 bp. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of pBL90 with known plasmid sequences showed no long regions of significant homology. Computer analysis of the plasmid DNA revealed 29 open reading frames (ORFs). The amino acid sequences of 15 ORFs (approximately 25% of plasmid length) have a high (>70%) level of identity to proteins from different plasmids of Corynebacterium representatives, including replicative proteins. Unusual in pBL90 is the presence of replicative genes from two different families and types of replication.     

Leishmania major chromosome 3 contains two long convergent polycistronic gene clusters separated by a tRNA gene

Leishmania parasites (order Kinetoplastida, family Trypanosomatidae) cause a spectrum of human diseases ranging from asymptomatic to lethal. The ~33.6 Mb genome is distributed among 36 chromosome pairs that range in size from ~0.3 to 2.8 Mb. The complete nucleotide sequence of Leishmania major Friedlin chromosome 1 revealed 79 protein-coding genes organized into two divergent polycistronic gene clusters with the mRNAs transcribed towards the telomeres. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of chromosome 3 (384 518 bp) and an analysis revealing 95 putative protein-coding ORFs. The ORFs are primarily organized into two large convergent polycistronic gene clusters (i.e. transcribed from the telomeres). In addition, a single gene at the left end is transcribed divergently towards the telomere, and a tRNA gene separates the two convergent gene clusters. Numerous genes have been identified, including those for metabolic enzymes, kinases, transporters, ribosomal proteins, spliceosome components, helicases, an RNA-binding protein and a DNA primase subunit.     

粘虫核型多角体病毒凋亡抑制基因的定位,序列和启动子结构

以ＡｃＮＰＶ凋亡抑制基因ｐ３５为探针,与ＬｓＮＰＶＤＮＡ的限制性片段和ＬｓＮＰＶＤＮＡＥｃｏＲＶ片段杂交,发现ＥｃｏＲＶ５．５ｋｂ片段有强烈的杂交信号。将此片段亚克隆后,测定了１２４４ｂｐ序列,发现一个完整的ＯＲＦ,推导的３０２个氨基酸与ＡｃＮＰＶｐ３５蛋白有７０．４％的氨基酸同源性,证明所测ＯＲＦ为ＬｓＮＰＶ的ｐ３５基因。结构分析发现其５′端有早期基因启动子元件ＧＣ、ＡＣＧＴ和ＴＡＴＡｂｏｘ。有２２ｂｐ的顺向重复序列,包括由两个重叠的ＴＡＴＡｂｏｘ和上下游两个ＡＣＧＴｍｏｔｉｆ组成的两套启动子元件,这些结构特征与ＡｃＮＰＶ的凋亡抑制基因十分相似。