Isolation of an eclosion hormone gene from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera: temporal and spatial distribution of transcripts

The cDNA encoding eclosion hormone (EH), which plays an integral role in triggering ecdysis behavior at the end of each molt, was cloned from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Har) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The EH polyprotein precursor contains a 26-amino acid signal peptide and a single 62-amino acid mature EH. Compared the mature Har-EH with other known EHs, it shows 94%, 84%, and 59% identities to Manduca sexta, Bombyx mori, and Drosophila melanogaster, respectively. Har-EH mRNA is expressed only in the brain by Northern blot and RT-PCR, but not in other tissues. By in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, both Har-EH mRNA and protein are localized in two pairs of neurosecretory cells of the brain. Prior to a molt, expression level of Har-EH gene reaches the highest point, and then drops after molt. EH release is detected both centrally, within the ganglia, and peripherally, into the hemolymph. A peak of the EH titer in hemolymph measured by ELISA presents at ecdysis. These results are consistent with the biological function of Har-EH associated with ecdysis. Furthermore, Har-EH gene is expressed throughout all of the developmental stages examined, implicating that the EH gene may possess other biological functions in post-embryonic development other than triggering ecdysis behavior.     

亚洲玉米螟神经肽羽化激素基因cDNA的克隆及组织表达

羽化激素对调节昆虫的蜕皮和发育起关键作用。亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis是亚洲农业重要害虫之一,本实验研究了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的分子结构和表达模式。利用兼并性引物RT-PCR技术,克隆了亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA的中间片段,然后再用RACE方法,获得羽化激素基因的 cDNA全长序列。结果表明： 亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因cDNA全长986 bp（GenBank登录号： DQ668369）,开放阅读框为267 bp,编码88个氨基酸的前体蛋白,其中包括前26个氨基酸组成的信号肽和62个氨基酸的成熟肽。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因与烟草天蛾、棉铃虫和家蚕已报道同源基因的同源性较高,分别为79.5%、77.3%和67.0%,与黑腹果蝇同源基因的同源性最低,仅45.5%。亚洲玉米螟羽化激素基因mRNA只在脑中表达,在咽下神经节、胸神经节、腹神经节等神经组织中检测不到,在非神经组织如中肠、脂肪体和表皮中也不表达。     

Exons of the human pancreatic polypeptide gene define functional domains of the precursor

Pancreatic polypeptide is a 36-amino acid peptide which inhibits pancreatic exocrine function. We have previously determined from the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA that pancreatic polypeptide is derived from a 95-amino acid precursor, prepropancreatic polypeptide. Pulse-chase studies have suggested that the precursor is cleaved to produce three peptides: pancreatic polypeptide, an icosapeptide, and a smaller peptide. In the present study, we have used the cloned cDNA as a hybridization probe to isolate the pancreatic polypeptide gene from a human bacteriophage genomic library. The nucleotide sequence of 2.8 kilobases of DNA representing the entire human pancreatic polypeptide gene was determined. The gene contains four exons and three introns. Exon 1 encodes the 5'-untranslated region of the mRNA, exon 2 encodes the signal sequence and the sequence of pancreatic polypeptide, exon 3 encodes the icosapeptide, and exon 4 encodes a carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide and the 3'-untranslated region of the mRNA. By Southern blot analysis, the gene detected in a pancreatic polypeptide-producing islet cell tumor was indistinguishable from that in normal human leukocytes. The structure of the human pancreatic polypeptide gene is consistent with the hypothesis that prepropancreatic polypeptide generates three distinct peptides, each encoded by a separate exon. Increased expression of pancreatic polypeptide in the islet cell tumor does not appear to be correlated with major alterations in pancreatic polypeptide gene structure.     

Purification, characterization, and molecular cloning of lactonizing lipase from Pseudomonas species

An extracellular lipase catalyzing the synthesis of macrocyclic lactones in anhydrous organic solvents was purified to homogeneity from Pseudomonas nov. sp. 109, and characterized. The lipase showed a pI of 5.3 on isoelectric focusing and a Mr of 29,000 +/- 1,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With respect to substrate specificity, optimum chain length for acyl moiety varied depending on the type of reaction catalyzed: C18 in monomer lactone formation, C11 or shorter in dimer lactone formation, and C8 in ester hydrolysis. The amino-terminal 19 amino acid residues of the purified lipase were determined as Ser-Thr-Tyr-Thr-Gln-Thr-Lys-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val-Leu-Ala-His-Gly-Met-Leu-Gly- Phe, and the gene encoding the lipase was identified by hybridization to a synthetic 20-nucleotide probe, cloned, and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis predicted a 311-amino acid open reading frame, a putative ribosome-binding site, and a 26-amino acid sequence at the amino terminus of the sequence that is not found in the mature protein. This 26-amino acid sequence has many of the characteristics common to known signal peptides. The lipase gene encoded a sequence of Val-Asn-Leu-Ile-Gly-His-Ser-His-Gly-Gly which is very well conserved among lipases, and showed 38-40% overall homology to the amino acid sequences of lipases from Pseudomonas fragie and Pseudomonas cepacia, but showed little homology to those of other lipases, suggesting that some structural features are required for catalyzing macrocyclic lactone synthesis in organic solvents and are restricted to lipases of the Pseudomonas origin.     

Molecular characterization of two novel antibacterial peptides inducible upon bacterial challenge in an annelid, the leech Theromyzon tessulatum

Two novel antimicrobial peptides named theromacin and theromyzin were isolated and characterized from the coelomic liquid of the leech Theromyzon tessulatum. Theromacin is a 75-amino acid cationic peptide containing 10 cysteine residues arranged in a disulfide array showing no similarities with other known antimicrobial peptides. Theromyzin is an 86-amino acid linear peptide and constitutes the first anionic antimicrobial peptide observed in invertebrates. Both peptides exhibit activity directed against Gram-positive bacteria. Theromacin and theromyzin cDNAs code precursor molecules containing a putative signal sequence directly followed by the mature peptide. The enhancement of theromacin and theromyzin mRNA levels has been observed after blood meal ingestion and upon bacterial challenge. In situ hybridization revealed that both genes are expressed in large fat cells in contact with coelomic cavities. Gene products were immunodetected in large fat cells, in intestinal epithelia, and at the epidermis level. In addition, a rapid release of the peptides into the coelomic liquid was observed after bacterial challenge. The presence of antimicrobial peptide genes in leeches and their expression in a specific tissue functionally resembling the insect fat body provide evidence for the first time of an antibacterial response in a lophotrochozoan comparable to that of holometabola insects.     

Isolation, molecular cloning, and partial characterization of a novel carboxypeptidase B from human plasma

A novel plasminogen-binding protein has been isolated from human plasma utilizing plasminogen-Sepharose affinity chromatography. This protein copurified with alpha 2 antiplasmin when the plasminogen affinity column was eluted with high concentrations of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (greater than 20 mM). Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate suggests this protein has an apparent Mr of 60,000. The amino-terminal amino acid sequence showed no similarity to other protein sequences. Based on the amino-terminal amino acid sequence, oligonucleotide probes were designed for polymerase chain reaction primers, and an approximately 1,800 base pair cDNA was isolated that encodes this Mr 60,000 protein. The deduced amino acid sequence reveals a primary translation product of 423 amino acids that is very similar to carboxypeptidase A and B and consists of a 22-amino acid signal peptide, a 92-amino acid activation peptide, and a 309-amino acid catalytic domain. This protein shows 44 and 40% similarity to rat procarboxypeptidase B and human mast cell procarboxypeptidase A, respectively. The residues critical for catalysis and zinc and substrate binding of carboxypeptidase A and B are conserved in the Mr 60,000 plasminogen-binding protein. The presence of aspartic acid at position 257 of the catalytic domain suggests that this protein is a basic carboxypeptidase. When activated by trypsin, it hydrolyzes carboxypeptidase B substrates, hippuryl-Arg and hippuryl-Lys, but not carboxypeptidase A substrates, and it is inhibited by the specific carboxypeptidase B inhibitor (DL-5-guanidinoethyl)mercaptosuccinic acid. We propose that the Mr 60,000 plasminogen-binding protein isolated here is a novel human plasma carboxypeptidase B and that it be designated pCPB.     

Nucleotide sequence of the DNA complementary to avian (chicken) preproparathyroid hormone mRNA and the deduced sequence of the hormone precursor

The nucleotide sequence of avian (chicken) prepro-PTH (prepro-PTH) mRNA was determined from a 2.3-kilobase fragment of complementary chicken parathyroid DNA cloned in E. coli MM 924. Northern blot analysis of chicken parathyroid mRNA, using both bovine and chicken cDNA probes, showed that the mRNA (2.3 kilobases) for chicken hormone precursor was approximately 3 times the size of mRNA for mammalian prepro-PTH. Cleavage of the cloned DNA with restriction endonuclease Pstl resulted in three fragments, each of which was subjected to sequence determination. The hormone sequence deduced from the DNA showed that chicken prepro-PTH mRNA encoded a 119-amino acid precursor which included a 25-amino acid signal sequence, a six-residue prohormone peptide, and an 88-amino acid hormone. The hormonal peptide was four residues longer than all known mammalian homologs and included gene deletions and insertions. There was significant homology of sequence in the biologically active 1-34 region with mammalian hormones, but much less in the middle and carboxyl-terminal regions. This is the first nonmammalian PTH sequence to be determined and should prove useful in studying evolution of the gene as well as structure-function relationships of the hormone.     

cDNA sequences of Torpedo marmorata acetylcholinesterase: primary structure of the precursor of a catalytic subunit; existence of multiple 5''-untranslated regions.

cDNA clones coding for a catalytic subunit of acetylcholinesterase were isolated from cDNA libraries constructed from Torpedo marmorata electric organ. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned cDNAs codes for a 599-amino acid precursor containing a 24-amino acid signal peptide. This primary structure has been compared with the sequences of Torpedo californica and Drosophila melanogasta acetylcholinesterases, and with that of human butyrylcholinesterase. Genomic blot experiments carried out with cDNA restriction fragments used as hybridization probes are in agreement with the existence of a single gene coding for the different catalytic subunits of Torpedo acetylcholinesterase. Unexpectedly, we observed multiple 5'-untranslated regions, which may contain several initiation codons.     

Extensive post-translational modification, including serine to D-alanine conversion, in the two-component lantibiotic, lacticin 3147

Lacticin 3147 is a two-component bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis DPC3147. In order to further characterize the biochemical nature of the bacteriocin, both peptides were isolated which together are responsible for the antimicrobial activity. The first, LtnA1, is a 3,322 Da 30-amino acid peptide and the second component, LtnA2, is a 29-amino acid peptide with a mass of 2,847 Da. Conventional amino acid analysis revealed that both peptides contain the thioether amino acid, lanthionine, as well as an excess of alanine to that predicted from the genetic sequence of the peptides. Chiral phase gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry of amino acid composition indicated that both LtnA1 and LtnA2 contain D-alanine residues and amino acid sequence analysis of LtnA1 confirmed that the D-alanine results from post-translational modification of a serine residue in the primary translation product. Taken together, these results demonstrate that lacticin 3147 is a novel, two-component, D-alanine containing lantibiotic that undergoes extensive post-translational modification which may account for its potent antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria.     

Molecular cloning of DNA complementary to bovine growth hormone mRNA

We have cloned DNA complementary to mRNA coding for bovine growth hormone (bGH). Double-stranded DNA complementary to bovine pituitary mRNA was inserted into the Pst I site of plasmid pBR322 by the dC x dG tailing technique and amplified in E. coli x 1776. A recombinant plasmid containing bGH cDNA ws identified by hybridization to cloned rat growth hormone cDNA. It contains the entire coding and 3'-untranslated regions and 31 bases in the 5'-untranslated region. Nucleotide sequence analysis determined the sequence of the 26-amino acid signal peptide and confirmed the published amino acid sequence of the secreted hormone at all but 2 residues. Codon usage is nonrandom, with 81.7% of the codons ending in G or C. The nucleotide sequence of bGH mRNA is 83.9% homologous with rat GH mRNA and 76.5% homologous with human GH mRNA, while the respective amino acid sequence homologies are 83.5% and 66.8%.     

Dynamics and metamorphosis of an identifiable peptidergic neuron in an insect

Eclosion hormone (EH) is a 7000 Da peptide that triggers ecdysis behavior in insects. In the moth, Manduca sexta, EH is found in two pairs of ventromedial (VM) cells in the brain which send their axons down the ventral nerve cord to a neurohemal site in the proctodeal nerve in the larva and pupa. During adult development, these cells send axon collaterals to the corpora cardiaca where they form a new release site used for adult eclosion. Studies of bioassayable peptide during the 5th larval instar and the larval-pupal transformation revealed that after depletion at ecdysis, the VM cells showed a transient increase in EH found in their cell bodies and axons. By contrast, their terminals in the proctodeal nerve showed a gradual accumulation of peptide followed by a release of over 90% of the stored material at pupal ecdysis. In situ hybridization analysis on whole mounts of the brains showed that the VM cells always contained EH mRNA with increased accumulation during the larval and pupal molting periods with a slight decline just before ecdysis. High levels of EH mRNA were found in brains of diapausing pupae. During the first two-thirds of adult development, mRNA accumulated to high levels, then slowly declined until ecdysis. EH mRNA levels up to 3 days after adult eclosion. At no time was EH mRNA found in the lateral neurosecretory cell cluster previously reported to produce EH for adult eclosion. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Isolation and identification of a new diuretic peptide from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

A 30-amino acid diuretic peptide was isolated from the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complexes and, separately, from medial neurosecretory cells of the Sphingid moth, Manduca sexta. The peptide was found to have the following sequence, determined by automated Edman degradation and mass spectrometry: SFSVNPAVDILQHRYMEKV AQNNRNFLNRV-NH2. We have named the peptide Mas-DP II. The peptide was synthesized and shown to possess diuretic activity in decapitated moths. Mas-DP II is related by sequence homology to a 41-amino acid diuretic peptide identified previously from M. sexta, and it belongs to the family of corticotropin releasing factor-like peptides.     

Affinity purification, peptide analysis, and cDNA sequence of the mouse interferon gamma receptor

The receptor for mouse interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) was purified from detergent-solubilized plasma membranes of EL-4, a thymoma cell line which expresses a high number of receptors on its cell surface. The purification was carried out by immunoaffinity chromatography using an anti-receptor monoclonal antibody. The purified receptor was subjected to NH2-terminal sequence analysis as well as sequencing of endopeptidase-generated peptides. One of the peptides was found to be identical to a portion of the published amino acid sequence of the human IFN-gamma receptor deduced from cDNA. This information was utilized to construct a mixed-sequence oligodeoxynucleotide probe which permitted the isolation of a full-length cDNA clone coding for the mouse IFN-gamma receptor. The mouse IFN-gamma receptor cDNA is comprised of 105 base pairs of the 5'-untranslated region, an open reading frame coding for a 477-amino acid serine-rich protein having calculated Mr 52,276, and a 3'-untranslated region of 539 base pairs. The receptor is first synthesized as a pre-protein from which a 25-amino acid signal peptide is cleaved. The receptor contains a hydrophobic transmembrane portion near the center of the molecule. Northern blot analysis of various cell lines showed that each contained a single 2.0-kilobase mRNA. A direct correlation between the amount of IFN-gamma receptor mRNA and the level of receptor expressed on the cell surface was observed. The mouse and human IFN-gamma receptors are structurally similar, showing 51% over-all homology in amino acid sequence. Mouse IFN-gamma receptor cDNA when inserted in a mammalian shuttle vector and transfected into COS-7 monkey cells was able to direct the expression of specific binding activity for mouse IFN-gamma.     

Expression of the Proteus mirabilis lipoprotein gene in Escherichia coli. Existence of tandem promoters

The Ipp gene from Proteus mirabilis was cloned onto pBR322 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The P. mirabilis lpp gene is unique in that it has two tandem promoters transcribing two mRNAs that differ in length by approximately 70 nucleotides at their 5'-ends. The two mRNAs thus encode the identical lipoprotein. The P. mirabilis prolipoprotein has a 19-amino acid signal peptide and a 59-amino acid lipoprotein sequence. In spite of the substantial differences in the amino acid sequence from the E. coli prolipoprotein, the P. mirabilis prolipoprotein is normally modified and processed in E. coli, and the resultant lipoprotein is assembled in the E. coli outer membrane as is the E. coli lipoprotein.     

Use of a novel strategy for the preparation and characterization of an antipeptide antibody capable of recognizing members of the annexin family

Annexins are structurally-related proteins which bind phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We have used a novel coupling strategy to prepare an antiserum directed against a 17-amino acid synthetic peptide that resembles the sequence of a highly-conserved portion of these proteins. This antipeptide serum specifically recognizes 5 of 6 human annexins on Western blots, despite differences between the protein and peptide sequences of 3 or 4 amino acids. The antiserum does not recognize endonexin II, whose sequence differs from that of the peptide by 6 amino acids. The availability of multiple proteins with known amino acid sequence has allowed analysis of structural requirements for recognition by this antibody. In some situations, use of such an antibody may allow the identification of a protein as a member of a family.     

Molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding the human bombesin-like peptide neuromedin B. Chromosomal localization and comparison to cDNAs encoding its amphibian homolog ranatensin

The amidated decapeptide neuromedin B (NMB) is the mammalian homolog of the amphibian bombesin-like peptide ranatensin. cDNAs encoding human neuromedin B and amphibian ranatensin were isolated from human hypothalamic and Rana pipiens skin libraries, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that NMB is encoded in a 76-amino acid precursor and ranatensin in an 82-amino acid precursor. In the NMB preprohormone, the sequence of the large form of NMB (NMB-22) immediately follows the signal peptide and is, in turn, followed by a dibasic cleavage site and a 17-amino acid carboxyl-terminal extension peptide. The structure for the ranatensin preprohormone is very similar. RNA blot analysis shows two NMB mRNA species, each approximately 800 bases, with wide distribution in brain and gastrointestinal tract. Genomic DNA blot analysis is consistent with a single human NMB gene. Analysis of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids indicates that this gene is localized on the long arm of human chromosome 15. Since the gene for human gastrin-releasing peptide is on chromosome 18, this analysis demonstrates that the bombesin-like peptide genes are not clustered.