Unusual nucleotide sequence of a DNA fragment isolated from nuclear envelopes of mouse hepatocytes

Fragments of chromosomal DNA isolated from nuclear envelopes of mouse hepatocytes were previously cloned and partially characterized in our laboratory. One of the cloned fragments (EnvM4) had unusual characteristics: abundant representability in the clone library (about 50%) and homology with DNA of archebacteria. An analysis of nucleotide sequence of this fragment conducted in more detail allowed the detection of an evolutionary conserved region present in the genomes of various organisms (from bacteria to human). Other characteristics of fragment EnvM4 suggest a possible functional role of chromosomal DNA regions determining the attachment of chromosomes to the nuclear envelope.     

RFLP analysis and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) in somatic hybrids and their progeny between Lycopersicon esculentum and Solanum lycopersicoides

 RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and GISH (genomic in situ hybridization) analyses were employed to identify the chloroplast and nuclear genomes of the somatic hybrids and progeny between tomato ‘Ohgata zuiko’ and Solanum lycopersicoides (‘LA 2386’). A random distribution of the chloroplast genotype was determined using a cloned 19.6-kb BamHI fragment (Ba1) of tobacco chloroplast DNA. Eight selected hybrids were analyzed for their chromosomal compositions; 4 were tetraploids (2n=48) with an equal number of chromosomes derived from each parent as accurately determined by GISH, and the other 4 were hexaploids, containing an average of two sets of tomato chromosomes and one set from the wild parent. RFLP analysis with six tomato nuclear probes of known chromosomal locations revealed no major variation among the 44 hybrid plants surveyed. However, it also showed the presence of both parent-specific alleles and the loss of some and the presence of a few non-parental alleles, indicating rearrangement and/or recombination of the nuclear DNA. The relevance of the molecular and cytological methods and the potential use of somatic hybrids for plant breeding are demonstrated. Received: 20 July 1997 / Accepted: 6 October 1997     

Essential structure in the cloned transforming DNA that induces gene amplification of the Bacillus subtilis amyE-tmrB region.

Bacillus subtilis B7, a mutant which acquired gene amplification of the amyE-tmrB region, showed, as a result, hyperproductivity (about a 5- to 10-fold increase) of alpha-amylase and tunicamycin resistance. The mutational character was transferred to recipient cells by competence transformation. A 14-kilobase (kb) EcoRI chromosomal DNA fragment of strain B7 was found to have the transforming activity. We cloned a 6.4-kb EcoRI fragment on a phage vector lambda Charon 4A through a spontaneous deletion of 7.6 kb from the 14-kb fragment and subcloned a 1.6-kb HindIII fragment on pGR71. The cloned 6.4-kb EcoRI and 1.6-kb HindIII fragments retained the transforming activity of inducing gene amplification of the amyE-tmrB region. At the junction point (J) of the repeating units (16 kb), the tmrB gene was linked to a DNA region (M) located 4 kb upstream of amyE. The essential structure of the cloned, transforming (gene amplification-inducing) DNA was deduced to be that around J. The subcloned 1.6-kb HindIII fragment that retained the transforming activity was shown to be almost solely composed of the tmrB-J-M region. In addition, the DNA sequence around J was determined.     

Cloning of clusters of erythromycin biosynthesis genes of Streptomyces erythraeus (Saccharopolyspora erythraea)

The erythromycin resistance gene (ermE) and part of erythromycin biosynthesis genes located in the same cluster with the ermE gene were cloned from S. erythraeus 3 subjected to improvement with respect to erythromycin production. For isolating the erythromycin biosynthesis genes, the plasmid vector pUC18 and the phage vector lambda EMBL3 were used. The ermE gene DNA was used as a labeled probe for analysis of the recombinant plasmids and phages. The recombinant phages lambda ermE1 and ermE4 containing fragments of the chromosomal DNA collinear to the genome DNA of S. erythraeus 3 were analyzed. The size of the cloned fragment of the chromosomal DNA of S. erythraeus 3 was about 20 kb. Subcloning with the vector pUS18 resulted in isolation of plasmids pSU235-pSU244 containing BamHI fragments of chromosomal DNA from S. erythraeus 3. The restriction map of the chromosomal region of S. erythraeus 3 containing the ermE gene was constructed. The cloned genes of erythromycin biosynthesis are useful in the study of their structure and functions, construction of integrative vectors, improvement of cultures producing macrolide antibiotics and isolation of genes responsible for biosynthesis of other polyketide antibiotics.     

大肠杆菌ubiA基因的克隆及序列测定

以E.coli JM83染色体DNA为模板PCR扩增ubiA的结构基因,将PCR产物克隆于pUCm-T Vector,对PCR产物进行测序鉴定。与已发表的大肠杆菌ubiA基因序列比较,同源性达99％。     

Tn4560在圈卷产色链霉菌中的转座及其在尼可霉素生物合成相关基因克隆中的应用

采用常规转化方法用来自天蓝色链霉菌J1 5 0 1的质粒pUC1 1 6 9(pMT6 6 0∷Tn45 5 6∷vph)多次转化尼可霉素产生菌圈卷产色链霉菌野生型 71 0 0的原生质体 ,均未得到转化子。采用限制性热衰减法于 5 0℃ ,3 0min溶菌制备 71 0 0的原生质体 ,获得了转化子 ,但转化频率极低 ,只有 0 4个转化子 μgDNA。用来自 71 0 0的pUC1 1 6 9再转化不含pUC1 1 6 9的 71 0 0原生质体 ,转化频率提高 1 0 3 ～ 1 0 4 倍。于 3 9℃ ,MM Vio条件下培养携带有pUC1 1 6 9的 71 0 0孢子 ,Tn45 6 0发生转座 ,筛选到 40 6 8个转座菌落 ,并从中得到 8株尼可霉素阻断突变株 ;对这 8株突变株的总DNA进行Southern杂交分析表明 ,Tn45 6 0至少在 4个不同的位点插入到 71 0 0的染色体上。用实验室已获得的与尼可霉素生物合成有关的 3 0kbDNA片段为探针和经不同酶切的 8株突变株的总DNA进行Southern杂交 ,结果表明 ,除阻断突变株Nik5有杂交信号且杂交信号大小均同野生型…     

Cloning of the Bacillus subtilis DNA fragment containing the genes for lysine and riboflavin biosynthesis

The SalI fragment of chromosomal DNA of Bacillus subtilis carrying the gene for lysine biosynthesis and the regulatory operator region (ribO) from the riboflavin gene was cloned into Escherichia coli cells. This fragment was shown to contain the gene coding for lysine synthesizing enzyme. Localization of this gene in Bac. subtili was determined. New plasmids pLRS33 and pLRB4 were constructed using pBR322; they carry a fragment homologous to pLP102 plasmid containing the operon for riboflavin biosynthesis.     

Evidence of Horizontal Transfer of the EcoO109I Restriction-Modification Gene to Escherichia coli Chromosomal DNA

A DNA fragment carrying the genes coding for EcoO109I endonuclease and EcoO109I methylase, which recognize the nucleotide sequence 5'-(A/G)GGNCC(C/T)-3', was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Escherichia coli H709c. The EcoO109I restriction-modification (R-M) system was found to be inserted between the int and psu genes from satellite bacteriophage P4, which were lysogenized in the chromosome at the P4 phage attachment site of the corresponding leuX gene observed in E. coli K-12 chromosomal DNA. The sid gene of the prophage was inactivated by insertion of one copy of IS21. These findings may shed light on the horizontal transfer and stable maintenance of the R-M system.     

Beta-lactamase genes of Streptomyces badius, Streptomyces cacaoi and Streptomyces fradiae: cloning and expression in Streptomyces lividans

Genes encoding extracellular beta-lactamases (EC 3.5.2.6) of Gram-positive Streptomyces badius, Streptomyces cacaoi and Streptomyces fradiae have been cloned into Streptomyces lividans. The beta-lactamase gene of S. badius was initially isolated on a 7 kb BamHI fragment and further located on a 1300 bp DNA segment. An 11 kb BamHI fragment was isolated encompassing the S. cacaoi beta-lactamase gene, which was subcloned to a 1250 bp DNA fragment. The beta-lactamase gene of S. fradiae was cloned on an 8 kb BamHI fragment and mapped to a 4 kb DNA segment. Each of the three BamHI fragments encompassing the beta-lactamase genes hybridized to a BamHI fragment of the corresponding size in chromosomal DNA from the respective strain used for cloning. The activities of the three beta-lactamases were predominantly found to be extracellular in the S. lividans recombinants. The S. badius and S. cacaoi beta-lactamases exhibited a 10-100-times lower activity in S. lividans, whereas the S. fradiae beta-lactamase showed an approximately 10-fold higher activity in the cloned state, compared with the activities found in the original strains.     

Cloning and characterization of the gene for the yeast cytoplasmic threonyl-tRNA synthetase.

A fragment of DNA from the yeast nuclear gene MST1 that codes for the mitochondrial tRNAThr1 synthetase was used as a probe to screen for other yeast threonyl-tRNA synthetase genes. At low stringency, the MST1 probe hybridizes strongly to a 6.6 kb EcoRI fragment of yeast genomic DNA with the homologous gene and in addition hybridizes more weakly to a smaller 3.6 kb EcoRI fragment with a second threonyl-tRNA synthetase gene (THS1). To clone THS1, a library was constructed by ligation to pUC18 of size selected (3-4.5 kb) EcoRI fragments of genomic DNA. Several clones containing the 3.6 kb EcoRI fragment were isolated. A 2,202 nucleotide long open reading frame corresponding to THS1 has been identified in the cloned fragment of DNA. The predicted protein encoded by THS1 is 38% identical to the E. coli threonyl-tRNA synthetase over the latter's length (642 amino acids) and is 42% identical to the predicted MST1 product over its 462 residues. In situ disruption of the chromosomal copy of THS1 is lethal to the cell, indicating that this gene codes for the cytoplasmic threonyl-tRNA synthetase.     

The expression in Staphylococcus aureus of cloned DNA encoding methicillin resistance

A 4 kb fragment of chromosomal DNA was cloned from a clinical strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It comprises part of a section of the chromosome that was lost when the strain was cured of resistance to methicillin and to other antimicrobial agents. The fragment mediates an increased level of methicillin resistance when inserted into a shuttle vector and transformed back into the sensitive strain generated when the original DNA was deleted.     

A yeast nuclear gene, MRS1, involved in mitochondrial RNA splicing: nucleotide sequence and mutational analysis of two overlapping open reading frames on opposite strands.

We have cloned a 1.6-kb fragment of yeast nuclear DNA, which complements pet- mutant MK3 (mrs1). This mutant was shown to be defective in mitochondrial RNA splicing: the excision of intron 3 from the mitochondrial COB pre-RNA is blocked. The DNA sequence of the nuclear DNA fragment revealed two open reading frames (ORF1 with 1092 bp; ORF2 with 735 bp) on opposite strands, which overlap by 656 bp. As shown by in vitro mutagenesis, ORF1, but not ORF2, is responsible for complementation of the splice defect. Hence, ORF1 represents the nuclear MRS1 gene. Disruption of the gene (both ORFs) in the chromosomal DNA of the respiratory competent yeast strain DBY747 (long form COB gene) leads to a stable pet- phenotype and to the accumulation of the same mitochondrial RNA precursors as in strain MK3. The amino acid sequence of the putative ORF1 product does not exhibit any homology with other known proteins, except for a small region of homology with the gene product of another nuclear yeast gene involved in mitochondrial RNA splicing, CBP2. The function of the MRS1 (ORF1) gene in mitochondrial RNA splicing and the significance of the overlapping ORFs in this gene are discussed.     

DNA fragments which specifically bind to isolated nuclear matrix in vitro interact with matrix-associated DNA topoisomerase II

A matrix-associated region (MAR)-containing fragment has been selected from the library of cloned chicken nuclear matrix-associated DNA fragments. Factors, which determine the specific binding of DNA fragments have been studied. Using topoisomerase II-specific inhibitor VM 26 we established that nuclear matrix-associated topoisomerase II interacted with the MAR-containing DNA fragment producing specific cleavage sites on DNA of the fragment.     

Fine mapping of the Huntington disease linked D4S10 locus by non-radioactive in situ hybridization

Summary The chromosomal localization of a unique DNA fragment, closely linked to Hintington disease (HD), was assessed in situ by hybridization with 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) modified probes. In these experiments, a cosmid cloned genomic fragment (c5.5) was used for hybridization. Here we present evidence that confirms the mapping of the D4S10 locus to the p16 region of chromosome 4 and assigns it to the telomere of the short arm.     

Isolation and Characterization of Matrix Associated Region DNA Fragments in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

To investigate the interactions between chromosomal DNA andnuclear matrices in higher plants, matrix associated regions(MARs) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) DNAs were cloned. First, weprepared nuclear matrices from isolated nuclei by digestingthem with EcoRl and then extracting with 2 M NaCl. About 6%of the total DNA remained in the nuclear matrices after thisdigestion and extraction. The residual DNA fragments in thenuclear matrices were cloned. Some of the cloned DNA fragmentsshowed binding to certain nuclear proteins. One of the MAR fragmentscontained sequences related to known consensus motifs and ahairpin loop structure. A method is presented for isolationof matrix associated region (MAR) DNAs from plant cells. (Received January 13, 1997; Accepted July 10, 1997)     

Cloning of an endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase gene from Clostridium josui and its expression in Escherichia coli.

The gene for carboxymethyl cellulose-degrading enzyme (endoglucanase) from Clostridium josui (FERM P-9684) was cloned in Escherichia coli HB101 with pBR322. A 5.6-kilobase-pair HindIII fragment encoding an endoglucanase was hybridized with C. josui chromosomal DNA. The size of the cloned DNA fragment was reduced with PvuII, and the resulting active fragment (2 kilobase pairs, with restriction sites of EcoRI and PstI) was ligated into pUC118 at the SmaI sites (pUCJ1). The endoglucanase production by E. coli JM103(pUCJ1) in Luria-Bertani broth was enhanced up to approximately three times by maintaining the pH at 6.5 and using 80 mM NaCl.     

Evidence for a DNA inversion system in Bordetella pertussis

The expression of virulence-associated genes in Bordetella pertussis can be lost in three ways: phase variation, antigenic modulation, or serotype conversion. The mechanism(s) of these alterations in gene expression is unclear. B. pertussis chromosomal DNA was probed with cloned pin genes from Escherichia coli and cloned hin genes from Salmonella typhimurium. DNA duplex melting temperature experiments indicated significant homology between B. Pertussis chromosomal DNA and both DNA inversion genes. Southern blots using the hin gene probe showed homology with a 15 kb EcoRI fragment of B. pertussis chromosomal DNA. We postulate here that B. pertussis contains a DNA inversion system which may be responsible for serotype conversion or virulence phase change in this organism.     

Overlapping deletion in two spontaneous phase variants of Coxiella burnetii

Chromosomal DNA from the Nine Mile phase I strain of Coxiella burnetii (CB9MIC7) was cloned into the cosmid vector pHC79. The resulting gene library was probed with a radiolabelled HaeIII fragment present in the parental strain but absent from a spontaneously derived Nine Mile phase II strain (CB9MIIC4). The insert, which includes the missing HaeIII fragment, was 38.5 kb in length. When DNA from this cosmid clone was hybridized to genomic DNA of the parental CB9MIC7 and its derivative CB9MIIC4, a number of fragments were missing or altered in the latter strain. Restriction mapping localized the fragments to a contiguous portion of the chromosomal DNA fragment. The data were consistent with an 18 kb deletion in the chromosome of CB9MIIC4. Another intrastrain spontaneous derivative, CB9MI514, also lacked the sentinel HaeIII fragment and carried a deletion of approximately 29 kb within the same cloned insert. Both deletions appeared to share a common terminus, within the limits of resolution. In all other strains investigated, both phase I and phase II, the DNA represented by the insert seemed intact. The strains examined were representative of various stages of phase variation. The relationship between the observed deletions and the mechanism of phase transition in Nine Mile strains is discussed.     

Physical map of the Salmonella typhimurium histidine transport operon: correlation with the genetic map.

A detailed restriction map of a 12.4-kilobase EcoRI fragment of Salmonella typhimurium deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) containing the entire histidine transport operon and the argT gene is presented. Subclones of specific regions of the transport operon of S. typhimurium were constructed in plasmid vectors. An accurate correlation between the restriction map and the location of genetically defined deletions was obtained by hybridizing restriction digests of chromosomal DNA from strains carrying each deletion with cloned transport operon DNA as a probe. These data were used to position the histidine transport genes on the cloned 12.4-kilobase fragment of DNA.     

Cloning of an endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase gene from Clostridium josui and its expression in Escherichia coli

The gene for carboxymethyl cellulose-degrading enzyme (endoglucanase) from Clostridium josui (FERM P-9684) was cloned in Escherichia coli HB101 with pBR322. A 5.6-kilobase-pair HindIII fragment encoding an endoglucanase was hybridized with C. josui chromosomal DNA. The size of the cloned DNA fragment was reduced with PvuII, and the resulting active fragment (2 kilobase pairs, with restriction sites of EcoRI and PstI) was ligated into pUC118 at the SmaI sites (pUCJ1). The endoglucanase production by E. coli JM103(pUCJ1) in Luria-Bertani broth was enhanced up to approximately three times by maintaining the pH at 6.5 and using 80 mM NaCl.