Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a new P450 gene, CYP319A1, from the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus.

We have isolated and sequenced a novel P450 gene (CYP319A1) from the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus. The CYP319A1 cDNA encodes a protein of 531 amino acids with an estimated molecular weight of 60.9k. It contains all highly conserved motifs characteristic of P450 enzymes. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequence with other CYP members shows that the CYP319A1 is more closely related to CYP4 family, but its overall identity to the CYP4 family is less than 40%. Therefore, it was assigned to a new P450 family by the P450 nomenclature committee. A pseudogene which shares high homology with the CYP319A1 was identified. Analysis of genomic sequence of the pseudogene indicated that the pseudogene contains two additional DNA inserts in the coding region, which disrupt the open reading frame. RT-PCR analysis showed that CYP319A1 is expressed in both susceptible and acaricide-resistant ticks.     

Molecular cloning, DNA sequence, and expression of the gene encoding for thermostable pectate lyase of thermophilic Bacillus sp. TS 47

The gene that encodes a thermostable pectate lyase (called PL 47), from Bacillus sp. TS 47, was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in mesophilic B. subtilis. The gene contained an open reading frame consisting of 1326 bp, which encoded 441 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature enzyme (416 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 47,262 Da), showed 52% similarity with PL (BsPel) from mesophilic B. subtilis SO113. The structure-based alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence of PL 47 with that of BsPel suggested that PL 47 might have a parallel beta-helix structure with three long loops. The amino acids making up PL 47 are richer in hydrophobic amino acids and glutamic acid than BsPel. The hydropathy profile of PL 47 indicated that the amino acid sequences around putative calcium binding sites are more hydrophobic than the same region of BsPel. The gene product expressed in B. subtilis as the host was stable up to 70 degrees C and the reaction was optimal around 70 degrees C, as well as native PL 47.     

Molecular cloning of the gene encoding thermostable endo-1,5-alpha-L-arabinase of Bacillus thermodenitrificans TS-3 and its expression in Bacillus subtilis

The gene that encodes a thermostable endo-arabinase (called ABN-TS) from Bacillus thermodenitrificans TS-3 was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in the mesophilic B. subtilis. The gene contained an open reading frame consists of 939 bp, which encodes 313 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed 50, 46, and 36% similarity with endo-arabinase from B. subtilis IFO 3134 (PPase-C), Pseudomonas fluorescens (ArbA), and Aspergillus niger (ABNA), respectively. The hydrophobic and acidic amino acids making up ABN-TS outnumbered those in PPase-C. The gene product expressed in B. subtilis, as the host, had substantially the same characteristics, and was stable up to 70 degrees C, and the reaction was optimal around 70 degrees C, as well as native ABN-TS.     

Mutations in a novel gene,TMIE, are associated with hearing loss linked to the DFNB6 locus

We have identified five different homozygous recessive mutations in a novel gene, TMIE (transmembrane inner ear expressed gene), in affected members of consanguineous families segregating severe-to-profound prelingual deafness, consistent with linkage to DFNB6. The mutations include an insertion, a deletion, and three missense mutations, and they indicate that loss of function of TMIE causes hearing loss in humans. TMIE encodes a protein with 156 amino acids and exhibits no significant nucleotide or deduced amino acid sequence similarity to any other gene.     

Molecular cloning of a novel NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily gene, ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic K1735 murine melanoma cells

We have cloned a novel gene, Ehm2, that is expressed in high-metastatic but not in low-metastatic K-1735 murine melanoma cells. The Ehm2 gene encodes a protein of 527 amino acid residues, showing up to 41% amino acid identity with the FERM domain of NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins, which have the function of connecting cell surface transmembrane proteins to cytoskeletal molecules. The Ehm2 gene was mapped to chromosome 4 and was expressed in the liver, lung, kidney, and testis and in 7- to 17-day embryos. The highest level of homology was observed with NBL4, which is a new subfamily protein of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily. A human homologue of the mouse Ehm2 gene, showing significant homology (83% identity), was identified in the genomic DNA and EST databases. Furthermore, seven rat EST clones and one pig EST clone in the GenBank EST database were identified as having 83-92% sequence homology with the cDNA sequence of the mouse Ehm2 gene. Thus, Ehm2 is a highly conserved gene that encodes a novel member of the NF2/ERM/4.1 superfamily proteins.     

利用电子差异展示方法克隆人类睾丸高表达新基因SPATA11

利用NCBI中的电子差异展示(digital differential display,DDD)软件,比较来自睾丸(包括睾丸癌)与来自其它组织的EST文库,从筛查人类睾丸中高表达而在其他组织中不表达或低表达的差异ESTs入手,成功克隆了一个在人类睾丸中高表达的新基因SPATA11．RT-PCR实验证实其在成人睾丸高表达．序列分析表明该基因含4个外显子,基因组跨越2．6kb,定位于19pl3．3．cDNA编码一个含221个氨基酸,相对分子质量为24．5kD的新蛋白．Northern杂交结果显示：该基因含有1．1kb大小的唯一转录本,主要在睾丸中强表达．肝脏、肺、卵巢和肾脏中有微弱表达．而其他组织中该基因无表达．     

Isolation and chromosomal assignment of a novel human gene, CORO1C, homologous to coronin-like actin-binding proteins

We have isolated a gene, termed CORO1C (human coronin-like actin-binding protein 1C), that encodes a new member of the coronin-like family of proteins. The cDNA consists of 3,857 nucleotides, with an open reading frame of 1,422 bp encoding a 474 amino acid protein. The deduced amino acid sequence shared 65% identity with p57 (human coronin-like actin-binding protein), as well as 46% identity with coronin, a protein first isolated from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Computer analysis predicted that the product of the CORO1C gene would contain five WD repeats in its N-terminal region and a coiled-coil motif in its C-terminal region, both of which are conserved among coronin-like proteins. CORO1C was ubiquitously expressed in all human tissues examined, in contrast to other known coronin-like molecules, each of which is expressed in a tissue-specific manner. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that CORO1C was co-localized with F-actin; therefore, the gene product is likely to be important in cytokinesis, motility, and signal transduction, as are the other members of this molecular family. We assigned this novel gene to chromosome 12q24.1 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.     

Thermostable phenylalanine dehydrogenase of Thermoactinomyces intermedius: cloning, expression, and sequencing of its gene

The gene encoding the thermostable phenylalanine dehydrogenase [EC 1.4.1.-] of a thermophile, Thermoactinomyces intermedius, was cloned and its complete DNA sequence was determined. The phenylalanine dehydrogenase gene (pdh) consists of 1,098 nucleotides and encodes 366 amino acid residues corresponding to the subunit (Mr 41,000) of the hexameric enzyme. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the pdh gene of T. intermedius was 56.0 and 42.1% homologous to those of the phenylalanine dehydrogenases of Bacillus sphaericus and Sporosarcina ureae, respectively. It shows 47.5% homology to that of the thermostable leucine dehydrogenase from B. stearothermophilus. The pdh gene was highly expressed in E. coli JM109, the amount of phenylalanine dehydrogenase produced amounting up to about 8.3% of that of the total soluble protein. We purified the enzyme to homogeneity from transformant cells in a day, with a 58% recovery.     

Characterization of a human sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor gene (S1P5) and its differential expression in LGL leukemia

Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder often associated with autoimmune disease. A central feature of this disease is dysregulation of apoptosis. In order to identify differentially expressed genes in LGL leukemia, microarray analysis was performed. We found many differentially expressed genes including several expression sequence tags (ESTs). As a systematic study, we selected one up-regulated EST (GenBank Accession number N47089) and further investigated. An LGL leukemia library was screened using this EST as a probe and a full-length sequence for a novel gene was identified. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that the novel gene encodes a G-protein-coupled receptor gene that exhibits 86% identity with rat sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (edg-8/nrg-1). This gene is present in brain, spleen, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and is overexpressed in leukemic LGL.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a novel family A endoglucanase gene from Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 in Escherichia coli

A Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 gene that encodes endoglucanase hydrolysing CMC and xylan was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5 by using pUC19 vector. Recombinant plasmid DNA from a positive clone hydrolysing CMC and xylan was designated as pCMX1, harboring 2,043 bp insert. The entire nucleotide sequence was determined, and an open-reading frame (ORF) was deduced. The nucleotide sequence accession number of the cloned gene sequence in Genbank is U94826. The endoglucanase gene cloned in this study does not have amino sequence homology to the other endoglucanase genes from F. succinogenes S85, but does show sequence homology to family 5 (family A) of glycosyl hydrolases from several species. The ORF encodes a polypeptide of 654 amino acids with a measured molecular weight of 81.3 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Putative signal sequences, Shine-Dalgarno-type ribosomal binding site and promoter sequences (-10) related to the consensus promoter sequences were deduced. The recombinant endoglucanase by E. coli harboring pCMX1 was partially purified and characterized. N-terminal sequences of endoglucanase were Ala-Gln-Pro-Ala-Ala, matched with deduced amino sequences. The temperature range and pH for optimal activity of the purified enzyme were 55 approximately 65 degrees C and 5.5, respectively. The enzyme was most stable at pH 6 but unstable under pH 4 with a K(m) value of 0.49% CMC and a V(max) value of 152 U/mg.     

Cloning and overexpression of CYP6F1, a cytochrome P450 gene, from deltamethrin-resistant Culex pipiens pallens

CYP6F1 (GenBank/EMBL accession No. AY662654), a novel gene with a complete encoding sequence in the cytochrome P450 family 6, was cloned and sequenced from deltamethrin-resistant 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens. The cDNA sequence of CYP6F1 has an open reading frame of 1527 bp, which encodes a putative protein of 508 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of CYP6F1 indicated that the encoded P450 has conserved domains of a putative membrane-anchoring signal,putative reductase-binding sites, a typical heme-binding site, an ETLR motif and substrate recognition sites.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the CYP6F1 gene was expressed to a greater extent in the deltamethrin-resistant strain than in the susceptible strain of Cx. pipiens pallens. The expression levels of the CYP6F1 gene in the deltamethrin-resistant 1 st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar larvae and adult female mosquitoes differed, with highest expression levels in the 4th instar larvae. In addition, the CYP6F1 gene was stably expressed in mosquito C6/36 cells, and the expected 61.2 kDa band was identified by Western blotting. The cells transfected with CYP6F1 had an increased resistance to deltamethrin as compared with control cells.These results indicate that CYP6F1 is expressed at higher levels in the deltamethrin-resistant strain, and may confer some insecticide resistance in Cx. pipiens pallens.     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the genes encoding an isocyclomaltooligosaccharide glucanotransferase and an alpha-amylase from a Bacillus circulans strain

The gene for a novel glucanotransferase, isocyclomaltooligosaccharide glucanotransferase (IgtY), involved in the synthesis of a cyclomaltopentaose cyclized by an alpha-1,6-linkage [ICG5; cyclo-{-->6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->}] from starch, was cloned from the genome of B. circulans AM7. The IgtY gene, designated igtY, consisted of 2,985 bp encoding a signal peptide of 35 amino acids and a mature protein of 960 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 102,071 Da. The deduced amino-acid sequence showed similarities to 6-alpha-maltosyltransferase, alpha-amylase, and cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase. The four conserved regions common in the alpha-amylase family enzymes were also found in this enzyme, indicating that this enzyme should be assigned to this family. The DNA sequence of 8,325-bp analyzed in this study contained two open reading frames (ORFs) downstream of igtY. The first ORF, designated igtZ, formed a gene cluster, igtYZ. The amino-acid sequence deduced from igtZ exhibited no similarity to any proteins with known or unknown functions. IgtZ was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme was purified. The enzyme acted on maltooligosaccharides that have a degree of polymerization (DP) of 4 or more, amylose, and soluble starch to produce glucose and maltooligosaccharides up to DP5 by a hydrolysis reaction. The enzyme (IgtZ), which has a novel amino-acid sequence, should be assigned to alpha-amylase. It is notable that both IgtY and IgtZ have a tandem sequence similar to a carbohydrate-binding module belonging to a family 25. These two enzymes jointly acted on raw starch, and efficiently generated ICG5.     

Investigation of a novel Bacillus thuringiensis gene encoding a parasporal protein, parasporin-4, that preferentially kills human leukemic T cells

A novel gene encoding a leukemic cell-killing parasporal protein, designated parasporin-4, was cloned from an isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar shandongiensis. The amino acid sequence of the parasporin-4, as deduced from the gene sequence, had low-level homologies of <30% with the established B. thuringiensis Cry proteins including the three known parasporins. When the gene was expressed in a recombinant of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), the parasporin-4 formed intracellular inclusion bodies. Alkali-solubilized and proteinase K-activated inclusion protein exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against human leukemic T cells (MOLT-4) and weak for normal T cells, but no adverse effect on human uterus cervix cancer cells (HeLa).     

大蕉苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因的克隆、鉴定和表达分析

为了研究苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因与大蕉(Musa ABB cv. Dongguandajiao)抗枯萎病的关系,利用 RT-PCR 和 RACE技术克隆了大蕉苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因全长 cDNA。此 cDNA 长 1 300 bp,包含一个长为 1 191 bp,编码 397 个氨基酸的完整开放阅读框(ORF),推导的氨基酸序列与水稻 PAL 基因氨基酸序列同源性达 89%,将此基因命名为 M-PAL。Southern杂交结果表明大蕉中存在一个包含 4-5 个 PAL基因的基因家族,将此基因克隆到大肠杆菌表达载体 pET32(a )中,表达的蛋白质分子量大小与推导的相一致,并且表达的蛋白质表现出 PAL 酶活性。对接种香蕉枯萎病菌 4 号生理小种(Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. cubense (FOC) race 4 )后大蕉叶片中 M-PAL基因的转录谱进行研究表明,在接种枯萎病菌后,M-PAL基因在叶片中的转录水平提高,因此推测 M-PAL基因的表达可能与香蕉枯萎病抗性相关。