Studies of the Inheritance of Human Ribosomal DNA Variants Detected in Two-Dimensional Separations of Genomic Restriction Fragments

We have investigated the variation in human ribosomal DNA repeat units as revealed in two-dimensional electrophoretic separations of genomic restriction fragments that were end-labeled at NotI cleavage sites. The transcribed portion of the ribosomal DNA results in ~20 labeled fragments visible on each gel as multicopy spots. We have mapped these spots to the sequences responsible for their appearance on the gels, based on their migration positions and direct sequencing of spots, and describe several previously unreported sources of variation. By studying mother/father/child families we gained information on how much of the between-repeats variation is due to differences between and within repeat arrays on homologous chromosomes. Two instances in which a child exhibited more copies of a particular fragment than were present in the parents are described and hypothesized to be due to events such as multiple unequal sister-chromatid exchanges or gene conversions.     

Gene Correction by RNA‐DNA Oligonucleotides

An oligonucleotide composed of a contiguous stretch of RNA and DNA residues has been developed to facilitate the correction of single‐base mutations of episomal and chromosomal targets in mammalian cells. The design of the oligonucleotide exploited the highly recombinogenic RNA‐DNA hybrids and featured hairpin capped ends avoiding destruction by cellular helicases or exonucleases. The RNA‐DNA oligonucleotide (RDO) was designed to correct a point mutation in the tyrosinase gene and caused a permanent gene correction in mouse albino melanocytes, determined by clonal analysis at the level of genomic sequence, protein and phenotypic change. Recently, we demonstrated correction of the tyrosinase gene using the same RDO in vivo, as detected by dark pigmentation of several hairs and DOPA staining of hair follicles in the treated skin of albino mice. Such RDOs might hold a promise as a therapeutic method for the treatment of skin diseases. However, the frequency of gene correction varies among different cells, indicating that cellular activities, such as recombination and repair, may be important for gene conversion by RDOs. As this technology becomes more widely utilized in the scientific community, it will be important to understand the mechanism and to optimize the design of RDOs to improve their efficiency and general applicability.     

Characterization of Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations in the Human Cytomegalovirus DNA Polymerase Gene by Using Recombinant Mutant Viruses Generated from Overlapping DNA Fragments

A number of specific point mutations in the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA polymerase (UL54) gene have been tentatively associated with decreased susceptibility to antiviral agents and consequently with clinical failure. To precisely determine the roles of UL54 mutations in HCMV drug resistance, recombinant UL54 mutant viruses were generated by using cotransfection of nine overlapping HCMV DNA fragments into permissive fibroblasts, and their drug susceptibility profiles were determined. Amino acid substitutions located in UL54 conserved region IV (N408D, F412C, and F412V), region V (A987G), and δ-region C (L501I, K513E, P522S, and L545S) conferred various levels of resistance to cidofovir and ganciclovir. Mutations in region II (T700A and V715M) and region VI (V781I) were associated with resistance to foscarnet and adefovir. The region II mutations also conferred moderate resistance to lobucavir. In contrast to mutations in other UL54 conserved regions, those residing specifically in region III (L802M, K805Q, and T821I) were associated with various drug susceptibility profiles. Mutations located outside the known UL54 conserved regions (S676G and V759M) did not confer any significant changes in HCMV drug susceptibility. Predominantly an additive effect of multiple UL54 mutations with respect to the final drug resistance phenotype was demonstrated. Finally, the influence of selected UL54 mutations on the susceptibility of viral DNA replication to antiviral drugs was characterized by using a transient-transfection-plus-infection assay. Results of this work exemplify specific roles of the UL54 conserved regions in the development of HCMV drug resistance and may help guide optimization of HCMV therapy.     

Clustering of Human Chromosome Fragments on the Mouse Genome by Chromosome-Mediated Gene Transfer

Pieces of metaphase chromosomes prepared from mouse cells containingneo-tagged human chromosome 7 were transferred to mouse cellswith calcium phosphate to isolate G418-resistant clones. FISHanalysis revealed that the majority of them contained humanDNA at a single site on their genome. These transformants containedSTS markers mapped to various regions of chromosome 7. It isthus suggested that pieces of human chromosomes tend to assembleand integrate on the mouse genome.     

Patterns of Genomic Integration of Nuclear Chloroplast DNA Fragments in Plant Species

The transfer of organelle DNA fragments to the nuclear genome is frequently observed in eukaryotes. These transfers are thought to play an important role in gene and genome evolution of eukaryotes. In plants, such transfers occur from plastid to nuclear [nuclear plastid DNAs (NUPTs)] and mitochondrial to nuclear (nuclear mitochondrial DNAs) genomes. The amount and genomic organization of organelle DNA fragments have been studied in model plant species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. At present, publicly available genomic data can be used to conduct such studies in non-model plants. In this study, we analysed the amount and genomic organization of NUPTs in 17 plant species for which genome sequences are available. The amount and distribution of NUPTs varied among the species. We also estimated the distribution of NUPTs according to the time of integration (relative age) by conducting sequence similarity analysis between NUPTs and the plastid genome. The age distributions suggested that the present genomic constitutions of NUPTs could be explained by the combination of the rapidly eliminated deleterious parts and few but constantly existing less deleterious parts.     

A Source of Small Repeats in Genomic DNA

The processes of spontaneous mutation are known to be influenced by neighboring DNA. Imperfect nearby repeats in the neighboring DNA have been observed to mutate to form perfect repeats. The repeats may be either direct or inverted. Such a mutational process should create perfect direct and inverted repeats in intergenic DNA. A larger than expected number of direct repeats has generally been observed in a wide range of species in both coding and noncoding DNA. Simulations are carried out to determine how this process might influence the repetitive structure of genomic DNA. These simulations show that small repeats created by this kind of a mutational process can explain the excess number of repeats in intergenic DNA. The simulations suggest that this mechanism may be a common cause of mutations, including single-base changes. The influences of the distance between imperfect repeats and of their degree of similarity are investigated.     

Recovery of Small DNA Fragments from Serum Using Compaction Precipitation

Background

While most nucleic acids are intracellular, trace amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), including micro RNAs, can also be found in peripheral blood. Many studies have suggested the potential utility of these circulating nucleic acids in prenatal diagnosis, early cancer detection, and the diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, DNA circulating in blood is usually present at very low concentrations (ng/ml), and is in the form of relatively small fragments (<1,000 bp), making its isolation challenging.

Methods

Here we report an improved method for the isolation of small DNA fragments from serum using selective precipitation by quaternary ammonium compaction agents. A 151 bp fragment of double-stranded DNA from the Escherichia coli bacteriophage lambda served as the model DNA in our experiments. DNA was serially diluted in serum until undetectable by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), before being enriched by compaction precipitation.

Results

Starting with concentrations two to three orders of magnitude lower than the PCR-detectable level (0.01 ng/ml), we were able to enrich the DNA to a detectable level using a novel compaction precipitation protocol. The isolated DNA product after compaction precipitation was largely free of serum contaminants and was suitable for downstream applications.

Conclusions

Using compaction precipitation, we were able to isolate and concentrate small DNA from serum, and increase the sensitivity of detection by more than four orders of magnitude. We were able to recover and detect very low levels (0.01 ng/ml) of a small DNA fragment in serum. In addition to being very sensitive, the method is fast, simple, inexpensive, and avoids the use of toxic chemicals.     

稀有海洋放线菌Salinispora arenicola大片段DNA基因组文库的构建

目的：构建稀有海洋放线菌S.arenicola基因组文库。方法：以稀有海洋放线菌S.arenicola为实验材料,随机剪切提取的总DNA,5′-磷酸末端补平回收40kb左右的DNA片段,与pWEBTM载体连接,经包装蛋白包装成噬菌体后侵染宿主细胞E.coliEPI100,构建该菌株的基因组文库,并对该文库进行质量鉴定。结果：成功构建了稀有海洋放线菌S.arenicola的基因组文库,效价达6.5&#215;104CFU/mL,得到3000个阳性克隆子,远远大于按覆盖率为99%计算至少所需的657个阳性克隆子数,且平均插入片段长度为36kb,重组率100%。阳性克隆子保存于96孔板中,-80℃保存。结论：所构建文库的各项指标均达到要求,为了进一步评估S.arenicola所能合成的所有潜在天然产物,还需要进一步检测该文库中包含有生物合成基因簇的大肠杆菌的表达情况。     

海洋放线菌Streptomyces sp.大片段DNA基因组文库的构建

目的:构建稀有海洋放线菌Streptomyces sp.基因组文库.方法:以稀有海洋放线菌Streptomyces sp.为实验材料,随机剪切提取的总DNA,5'-磷酸末端补平回收40kb左右的DNA片段,与pWEBTM载体连接,经包装蛋白包装成噬菌体后侵染宿主细胞E.coli EPI100,构建该菌株的基因组文库,并对该文库进行质量鉴定.结果:成功构建了稀有海洋放线菌Streptomyces sp.的基因组文库,效价达9.0×104CFU/mL,得到4000个阳性克隆子,远远大于按覆盖率为99%计算至少所需的837个阳性克降子数,且平均插入片段长度为36kb,重组率100%.阳性克隆子保存于96孔板中,-80℃保存.结论:所构建文库的各项指标均达到要求,为了进一步评估Streptomyces sp.所能合成的所有潜在天然产物,还需要进一步检测该文库中包含有生物合成基因簇的大肠杆菌的表达情况.     

Complete Genomic Sequence of the Human Retinoblastoma Susceptibility Gene

A 180,388-bp contig encompassing the human retinoblastoma gene was sequenced in its entirety. Partial analysis of the sequence revealed (1) a high (A + T)/(G + C) ratio and a high density of Line-1 (L1) repeat sequences, suggesting that the locus maps to G-bands 13q14.12 or 13q14.2; (2) Alu repeats that are asymmetrically oriented over a region extending 87 kb; (3) an overabundance of non-Alu-associated poly(A) tracts 10 bp or larger oriented in the antisense rather than the sense direction (36 vs 6); (4) an Alu sequence nested within an L1 repeat, indicating that the expansion of L1 repeats predates at least some of the Alu expansions; (5) at least three newly discovered microsatellite polymorphisms, one of which was subsequently found to be identical to a polymorphism in a microsatellite-based linkage map of the human genome published by another group; and (6) the basis of previously discovered intragenic RFLPs. This sequence should enhance studies of this locus and of the organization of the human genome.     

Gene Replacement with Linear DNA Fragments in Wild-Type Escherichia Coli: Enhancement by Chi Sites

During conjugation and transduction of Escherichia coli even numbers of recombinational exchanges are required for replacement of a gene on the circular chromosome. We studied gene replacement using a related method of gene transfer (transformation with 6.5-kb linear DNA fragments) as an experimental model for conjugation and transduction. Two properly situated Chi sites, 5' GCTGGTGG 3', stimulated gene replacement ~50-fold, more than the sum of the stimulation by the individual Chi sites. Gene replacement was dependent on RecA and RecB functions. Similar results were obtained with an alternative experimental model in which linear DNA fragments were generated from phage λ by intracellular EcoRI restriction following infection. Dual Chi site-stimulation of these RecA-, RecB-dependent recombination events thus did not depend upon the mode of delivery of the linear DNA into the cells. A single DNA fragment with two Chi sites was sufficient for gene replacement. These results support a one Chi-one exchange hypothesis (``long chunk' gene replacement), stemming from studies with purified RecBCD enzyme, and argue against models in which Chi converts RecBCD enzyme to a state capable of promoting multiple exchanges on one DNA molecule. These results also provide a method for gene targeting in wild-type E. coli and suggest a method for gene targeting in other organisms.     

Isolation of Genomic Fragments from Polymorphic Regions by Representational Difference Analysis

Representational difference analysis is an effective technique for isolating the differences between two nearly identical genomes. We have found the technique to be extremely valuable in our analyses of mouse germline mutations. We also present several technical improvements in the procedure that make it more efficient and reliable.     

Genomic Organization of the Human Skeletal Muscle Sodium Channel Gene

Voltage-dependent sodium channels are essential for normal membrane excitability and contractility in adult skeletal muscle. The gene encoding the principal sodium channel α-subunit isoform in human skeletal muscle (SCN4A) has recently been shown to harbor point mutations in certain hereditary forms of periodic paralysis. We have carried out an analysis of the detailed structure of this gene including delineation of intron-exon boundaries by genomic DNA cloning and sequence analysis. The complete coding region of SCN4A is found in 32.5 kb of genomic DNA and consists of 24 exons (54 to > 2.2 kb) and 23 introns (97 bp-4.85 kb). The exon organization of the gene shows no relationship to the predicted functional domains of the channel protein and splice junctions interrupt many of the transmembrane segments. The genomic organization of sodium channels may have been partially conserved during evolution as evidenced by the observation that 10 of the 24 splice junctions in SCN4A are positioned in homologous locations in a putative sodium channel gene in Drosophila (para). The information presented here should be extremely useful both for further identifying sodium channel mutations and for gaining a better understanding of sodium channel evolution.     

Cross-Reactions of Human Lupus Autoantibodies with 8-Methoxypsoralen Photomodified DNA Fragments

DNA fragments of around 200 base pair (average size) have been covalently crosslinked with 8-methoxypsoralen under 365 nm UV light. The photoadduct, induced antibodies in rabbits with a titer of > 1:12,800 by direct bindng ELISA. Binding data showed that the induced antibodies are conformation-specific recognizing restricted conformational change at site of crosslinking. Human autoantibodies against DNA, bound not only to native DNA but to the photomodified DNA fragment as well. In addition, binding patterns of SLE sera obtained from different patients were remarkably similar, indicating the recognition of altered conformation of the modified polymer by naturally occurring SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies.     

Typing of a Polymorphic Human Gene Conferring Susceptibility to Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus by Picosecond-Resolved FRET on Non-Purified/Non-Amplified Genomic DNA

This work concerns the identification of the alleles of the polymorphic DQB1 gene of the human leukocyte antigen system, conferring susceptibility to the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in non-PCR amplified DNA samples and, more importantly, in crude cell extracts. Our method is based on the time-resolved analysis of a Förster energy-transfer mechanism that occurs in a dual-labelled fluorescent probe specific for the IDDM-associated DQB1-0201 allele. Such an oligonucleotide probe is labelled, at the two ends, by a pair of chromophores that operate as donor and acceptor in a Förster resonant energy transfer. The donor fluorescence is quenched with an efficiency that is strongly dependent on the donor-to-acceptor distance, hence on the configuration of the probe after hybridization with the various DQB1 alleles. By time-correlated single-photon counting, performed with an excitation/detection system endowed with 30-ps resolution, we measure the time-resolved fluorescence decay of the donor and discriminate, by means of the decay–time value, the DNA bearing the ‘susceptible’ allele from the DNAs bearing any other sequence in the same region of the DQB1 gene. We could also distinguish the presence of the DQB1-0201 allele in a homozygous versus a heterozygous condition.