Recognition of template RNA by Q polymerase: sequence at the 3'-terminus of Q 6S RNA

The major 3′-terminal sequences of Qβ 6S RNA have been determined by a combination of 3′-terminal labeling with ³H via the periodate-borohydride procedure, labeling of specific bases using ¹⁴C-labeled triphosphates and by ribonuclease T₁ digestion. The predominant sequence was GpCpCpA_OH with lesser amounts of GpCpC_OH and GpCpCpG_OH. Since the sole 5′-terminal base of 6S RNA is G, these results provide another example of the ability of Qβ polymerase to add a noncomplementary adenosine to the 3′-end and the first example of an ability to add a guanosine. Thus, all major sequences found may be considered derivatives of the sequence GpCpC_OH. This sequence differs significantly from those of other Qβ polymerase templates studied thus far, and thus reaffirms the requirement for additional internal structural features by which Qβ polymerase recognizes its templates.     

Seventeen base pairs of region I encode a novel tripartite binding signal for SV40 T antigen

Three sequence components direct high affinity binding of dimeric SV40 T antigen to SV40 origin region I. Two signals are encoded by two directly repeated 5′-GAGGC-3′ pentanucleotides. Approximately equal contributions to binding stability are made by each pentanucleotide, and both spacing and orientation of the pentanucleotides are important for binding affinity. The third vital component is contained in a 5′-TTTTTTG-3′ spacer sequence that separates the pentanucleotides. Sequence-specific features of the spacer stabilize binding to the adjacent pentanucleotides. The asymmetry of the spacer suggests that a novel binding mechanism is involved. Because the alignment of T antigen on mutant and wild-type DNAs is similar, we propose that any two of the three sequence signals are sufficient to determine the unique arrangement of a bound protein dimer.     

Single Mutation in Shine-Dalgarno-Like Sequence Present in the Amino Terminal of Lactate Dehydrogenase of Plasmodium Effects the Production of an Eukaryotic Protein Expressed in a Prokaryotic System

One of the most important step in structure-based drug design studies is obtaining the protein in active form after cloning the target gene. In one of our previous study, it was determined that an internal Shine-Dalgarno-like sequence present just before the third methionine at N-terminus of wild type lactate dehydrogenase enzyme of Plasmodium falciparum prevent the translation of full length protein. Inspection of the same region in P. vivax LDH, which was overproduced as an active enzyme, indicated that the codon preference in the same region was slightly different than the codon preference of wild type PfLDH. In this study, 5′-GGAGGC-3′ sequence of P. vivax that codes for two glycine residues just before the third methionine was exchanged to 5′-GGAGGA-3′, by mimicking P. falciparum LDH, to prove the possible effects of having an internal SD-like sequence when expressing an eukaryotic protein in a prokaryotic system. Exchange was made by site-directed mutagenesis. Results indicated that having two glycine residues with an internal SD-like sequence (GGAGGA) just before the third methionine abolishes the enzyme activity due to the preference of the prokaryotic system used for the expression. This study emphasizes the awareness of use of a prokaryotic system to overproduce an eukaryotic protein.     

A Rapid Isolation of the Unknown 5′-Flanking Sequence of Human CENP-B cDNA with Polymerase Chain Reactions

We rapidly and efficiently isolated the 5′-region of cDNA encoding the N-terminal region of human centromere antigen B (CENP-B) including an ATG methionine codon by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The unknown 5′-flanking sequence of the cDNA was amplified using an adaptor-sequence ligated to the 5′ end as a universal primer sequence. To locate the target fragments, we did an additional PCR with another set of two internal primers using samples of the size-fractionated products as templates, rather than using the conventional hybridization procedure. This approach can further be applied to the analysis of other unknown flanking sequences of cDNA or genomic DNA.     

Internal initiation of polyuridylic acid translation in bacterial cell-free system

The task of the present work was to answer the question: is the free 5′-end needed for effective translation of a model polyribonucleotide template — polyuridylic acid — in a bacterial (E. coli) cell-free system? For this purpose, the template activities of the original polyuridylic acid with its free 5′-end and the polyuridylic acid with blocked 5′-end were compared in the bacterial cell-free translation system. To block the 5′-end, the cytidylic oligodeoxyribonucleotide with fluorescein residue at its 5′-end and uridylic oligoribonucleotide sequence at its 3′-end, schematically described as FAM(dC)₁₀(rU)₅₀, was covalently attached (ligated) to the 5′-end of the template polyuridylic acid. It was shown that the efficiency of polyphenylalanine synthesis on the 5′-blocked template and on the polyuridylic acid with free 5′-end was virtually the same. It was concluded that bacterial ribosomes are capable of effectively initiating translation at the polyuridylic sequence independently of the 5′-end of template polyribonucleotide, i.e. via an internal initiation mechanism, in the absence of a Shine-Dalgarno sequence and AUG start codon.     

Nucleotide sequence of Rous sarcoma virus RNA at the initiation site of DNA synthesis: The 102nd nucleotide is U.

The T₁ oligonucleotide in the genome Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) that corresponds to the initiation site of DNA synthesis in vitro was identified by hybridization of genome RNA with RSV strong stop DNA (the initial 101-nucleotide long fragment synthesized in endogenous reactions) and partially sequenced. The sequence of (C₂, U₂) A-U-U-U-G found corresponds to the d(A-A-T-G-A-A-G) sequence at the 5′ end of the DNA product plus the CA-OH sequence at the 3′ end of the tRNA^Trp primer. Therefore the nucleotide opposite the terminal A of the primer is the complementary U. Furthermore, no internal repetition of more than 30 nucleotides of the 5′ sequence could be detected.     

The DNA sequence of Bombyx mori fibroin gene including the 5' flanking, mRNA coding, entire intervening and fibroin protein coding regions.

Sequence analysis of the cloned genomic fibroin gene and cDNA containing the sequence complementary to fibroin mRNA has been carried out for the regions covering the 5′ flanking, mRNA coding, entire intervening sequence and its borders, and fibroin coding sequences. The sequences determined on the gene extend from nucleotide ?552 to +1497 (assigning +1 to the cap locus); sequence analysis of the cDNA has confirmed our previous mapping of the cap locus (Tsujimoto and Suzuki, 1979). Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the genomic gene with that of cDNA has confirmed the existence of an intervening sequence 970 bases long. The sequence comparison also pinpointed the 5′ coding-intervening junction at +64?66 and the 3′ intervening-coding junction at +1034?1036. Both the 5′ and 3′ junctions of the fibroin gene (insect) share homologous segments of about 10 nucleotides each with the published sequences of β-globin (mammal), immunoglobulin (mammal) and ovalbumin (avian) genes. A long inverted repeat sequence (17 of 23 base match) has been found next to the junctions within the intervening sequence of the fibroin gene. The repetitious sequence that codes for the Gly-Ala peptide characteristic of fibroin protein begins at position +1448. The characteristics of the N terminal portion of fibroin protein (or its precursor) are discussed, as are the features of the 5′ flanking sequence of the gene and the mRNA sequence (with special attention to the putative promoter sequence for the gene), the possible secondary structure and a sequence complementary to the 3′ end of 18S ribosomal RNA at the 5′ proximal region of fibroin mRNA.     

Transposition of Tnr1 in rice genomes to 5′-PuTAPy-3′ sites,duplicating the TA sequence

Tnr1 is a repetitive sequence in rice with several features characteristic of a transposable DNA element. Its copy number was estimated to be about 3500 per haploid genome by slot-blot hybridization. We have isolated six members of Tnr1 located at different loci by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and determined their nucleotide sequences. The Tnr1 elements were similar in size and highly homologous (about 85%) to the Tnr1 sequence identified first in the Waxy gene in Oryza glaberrima. A consensus sequence of 235 by could be derived from the nucleotide sequences of all the Tnr1 members. The consensus sequence showed that base substitutions occurred frequently in Tnr1 by transition, and that Tnr1 has terminal inverted repeat sequences of 75 bp. Almost all the chromosomal sequences that flank the Tnr1 members were 5′-PuTA-3′ and 5′-TAPy-3′, indicating that Tnr1 transposed to 5′-PuTAPy-3′ sites, duplicating the TA sequence. PCR-amplified fragments from some rice species did not contain the Tnr1 members at corresponding loci. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of the fragments with or without a Tnr1 member confirmed preferential transposition of Tnr1 to 5′-PuTAPy-3′ sites, duplicating the TA sequence. One amplified sequence suggested that imprecise excision had occurred to remove a DNA segment containing a Tnr1 member and its neighboring sequences at the Waxy locus of rice species with genome types other than AA. We also present data that may suggest that Tnr1 is a defective form of an autonomous transposable element.     

Retrotransposon-based insertion polymorphism markers in mango

Retrotransposons are major components of eukaryotic genomes and are present in high copy numbers. We developed retrotransposon-based insertion polymorphism (RBIP) markers based on long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences and flanking genome regions by using shotgun genome sequence data of mango (Mangifera indica L.). Three novel LTR sequences were identified based on two LTR retrotransposon structural features; a 5′ LTR located upstream of the primer binding site and a 3′ LTR showing high sequence similarity to the 5′ LTR. Starting with 377 unique sequences containing both 3′ LTR and downstream genome region sequences, we developed 82 RBIP markers that were applied to DNA fingerprinting of 16 mango accession. Five RBIP markers were enough to distinguish all 16 accessions. Our result showed that LTR identification from shotgun genome sequences was effective for development of retrotransposon-based DNA markers without whole-genome sequence information. We discuss application of the developed RBIP markers for identification of genetic diversity and construction of a genetic linkage map.     

Near identity of 3′ RNA secondary structure in bromoviruses and cucumber mosaic virus

The 3′ terminal sequences of RNAs 1, 2, 3 and 4 from each of the three bromoviruses (brome mosaic, cowpea chlorotic mottle and broad bean mottle viruses) and also from cucumber mosaic virus display interviral sequence similarity in addition to strong intraviral homology. Interviral similarity is much more evident when RNA secondary, rather than primary, structures are compared. The last 190 bases of the various RNAs can fold into strikingly similar, extensively base-paired secondary structures whose common features are supported by RNA structure mapping. The extreme 3′ end of each viral RNA can base-pair in two distinct configurations. Bromovirus RNA 3s each contain an unusually accessible internal oligo(A) sequence which, in brome mosaic virus at least, is located in the intercistronic noncoding region. Functional implications of these structural features are discussed.     

Sequencing and analysis of the cos region of the lactococcal bacteriophage c2

The cohesive termini of the DNA genome of the lactococcal bacteriophage c2 were directly sequenced and appeared to be complementary, non-symmetrical, 9-nucleotide single-stranded, 3′ extended DNAs, with the following sequence: 5′-GTTAGGCTT-3′ 3′-CAATCCGAA-5′. DNA located on either side of the cohesive ends was sequenced and several repeats and a region with the potential for a DNA bend were found. Previously sequenced cos regions of 13 other bacteriophages were also examined for similar sequence features. All of the bacteriophages from gram-positive hosts had 3′ extended DNA termini, in contrast to the bacteriophages from gram-negative hosts, which had 5′ extended DNA termini. All bacteriophages had a region of dyad symmetry close to the cohesive termini. A 7.3 kb DNA fragment of the c2 genome containing the cos sequences was cloned; transduction experiments demonstrated that these cloned sequences could act as a substrate for packaging enzymes of phage c2.     

紫色马铃薯类黄酮3，′5′-羟化酶基因（StF3′5′H）的克隆及分析

类黄酮3′,5′羟-化酶（ flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase, F3′5′H）是植物花青素生物合成途径中的一个关键酶,紫色土豆（ Solanum tueb or sum） F3′5′H基因的克隆将为花青素合成调控和花青素代谢工程研究提供优质基因资源。研究采用RACE技术克隆了紫色土豆F3′5′H基因的cDNA全长序列,用生物信息学方法对其核苷酸和蛋白质序列进行了分析,并用半定量PCR 技术分析了F3′5′H基因在不同组织中的表达情况,同时研究了赤霉素和蔗糖处理后F3′5′H基因表达与花青素积累之间的相关性。研究结果表明,克隆的紫色土豆F3′5′H的cDNA全长为1854 bp,包含一个1530 bp的完整ORF,共编码509个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明,StF3′5′H基因推测编码的氨基酸序列与其它植物的F3′5′H蛋白的相似性很高。 StF3′5′H基因的表达具有组织特异性,在紫色土豆根、茎和叶柄中都有表达,其中在叶柄中表达最强,而在块茎、叶轴和叶片中几乎检测不到StF3′5′H基因的表达。赤霉素和蔗糖能促进紫色土豆StF3′5′H基因的表达,进而促进花青素的积累。     

Structural analysis of Tpn1, a transposable element isolated from Japanese morning glory bearing variegated flowers

The 6.4 kb transposable element Tpn1 belonging to the En/Spm family was found within one of the DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis in a line of Japanese morning glory (Pharbitis nil) bearing variegated flowers. Sequencing of the Tpn1 element revealed that it is 6412 by long and carries 28-bp perfect terminal inverted repeats. Its subterminal repetitive regions, believed to be the cis-acting sequences for transposition, show striking structural features. Twenty-two copies of the 10-bp sequence motif GACAACGGTT can be found as direct or inverted repeats within 650 by of the 5′ end of the element, and 33 copies of the sequence motif lie within 800 by of the 3′ terminus. All these 22 copies of the sequence motif near the 5′ terminus and 30 copies in the 3′ terminal region are arranged as inverted repeats and 3–8 by AT-rich sequences are detected between these inverted repeats. In addition, four copies of 122-bp tandem repeats and six copies of 104-bp tandem repeats are present in the 5′ and 3′ subterminal repetitive regions, respectively. No large open reading frame characteristic of autonomous elements of the En/Spm family can be detected within the element. The results are discussed with respect to heritable changes in flower variegation in this line of Japanese morning glory.     

The genome-wide sequence specificity of DNA cleavage by bleomycin analogues in human cells

Bleomycin (BLM) is a cancer chemotherapeutic agent that cleaves cellular DNA at specific sequences. Using next-generation Illumina sequencing, the genome-wide sequence specificity of DNA cleavage by two BLM analogues, 6′-deoxy-BLM Z and zorbamycin (ZBM), was determined in human HeLa cells and compared with BLM. Over 200 million double-strand breaks were examined for each sample, and the 50,000 highest intensity cleavage sites were analysed. It was found that the DNA sequence specificity of the BLM analogues in human cells was different to BLM, especially at the cleavage site (position “0”) and the “+1” position. In human cells, the 6′-deoxy-BLM Z had a preference for 5′-GTGY*MC (where * is the cleavage site, Y is C or T, M is A or C); it was 5′-GTGY*MCA for ZBM; and 5′-GTGT*AC for BLM. With cellular DNA, the highest ranked tetranucleotides were 5′-TGC*C and 5′-TGT*A for 6′-deoxy-BLM Z; 5′-TGC*C, 5′-TGT*A and 5′-TGC*A for ZBM; and 5′-TGT*A for BLM. In purified human genomic DNA, the DNA sequence preference was 5′-TGT*A for 6′-deoxy-BLM, 5′-RTGY*AYR (where R is G or A) for ZBM, and 5′-TGT*A for BLM. Thus, the sequence specificity of the BLM analogue, 6′-deoxy-BLM Z, was similar to BLM in purified human DNA, while ZBM was different.