Bacterial Interspersed Mosaic Elements (Bimes) Are a Major Source of Sequence Polymorphism in Escherichia Coli Intergenic Regions Including Specific Associations with a New Insertion Sequence

A significant fraction of Escherichia coli intergenic DNA sequences is composed of two families of repeated bacterial interspersed mosaic elements (BIME-1 and BIME-2). In this study, we determined the sequence organization of six intergenic regions in 51 E. coli and Shigella natural isolates. Each region contains a BIME in E. coli K-12. We found that multiple sequence variations are located within or near these BIMEs in the different bacteria. Events included excisions of a whole BIME-1, expansion/deletion within a BIME-2 and insertions of non-BIME sequences like the boxC repeat or a new IS element, named IS1397. Remarkably, 14 out of 14 IS1397 integration sites correspond to a BIME sequence, strongly suggesting that this IS element is specifically associated with BIMEs, and thus inserts only in extragenic regions. Unlike BIMEs, IS1397 is not detected in all E. coli isolates. Possible relationships between the presence of this IS element and the evolution of BIMEs are discussed.     

Dimerization and Bifunctionality Confer Robustness to the Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Regulatory System in Escherichia coli

An important goal of systems biology is to develop quantitative models that explain how specific molecular features give rise to systems-level properties. Metabolic and regulatory pathways that contain multifunctional proteins are especially interesting to study from this perspective because they have frequently been observed to exhibit robustness: the ability for a system to perform its proper function even as levels of its components change. In this study, we use extensive biochemical data and algebraic modeling to develop and analyze a model that shows how robust behavior arises in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) regulatory system of Escherichia coli, which was shown in 1985 to experimentally exhibit robustness. E. coli IDH is regulated by reversible phosphorylation catalyzed by the bifunctional isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase (IDHKP), and the level of IDH activity determines whether carbon flux is directed through the glyoxylate bypass (for growth on two-carbon substrates) or the full tricarboxylic acid cycle. Our model, which incorporates recent structural data on IDHKP, identifies several specific biochemical features of the system (including homodimerization of IDH and bifunctionality of IDHKP) that provide a potential explanation for robustness. Using algebraic techniques, we derive an invariant that summarizes the steady-state relationship between the phospho-forms of IDH. We use the invariant in combination with kinetic data on IDHKP to calculate IDH activity at a range of total IDH levels and find that our model predicts robustness. Our work unifies much of the known biochemistry of the IDH regulatory system into a single quantitative framework and highlights the importance of constructing biochemically realistic models in systems biology.     

Molecular Analysis of a Salmonella Enterica Group E1 Rfb Gene Cluster: O Antigen and the Genetic Basis of the Major Polymorphism

Salmonella enterica is highly polymorphic for the O antigen, a surface polysaccharide that is subject to intense selection by the host immune system. This polymorphism is used for serotyping Salmonella isolates. The genes encoding O antigen biosynthesis are located in the rfb gene cluster. We report here the cloning and sequence of the 19-kb rfb region from strain M32 (serovar anatum, group E1) and compare it with that of strain LT2 (serovar typhimurium, group B). Genes for biosynthetic pathways common to both strains are conserved and have very similar sequences. In contrast, the five genes for CDP-abequose synthesis, present in strain LT2, are absent in strain M32; three open reading frames (ORFs) of strain LT2, thought to include genes for transferases, are not present in strain M32 but are replaced by three different ORFs with little or low level of similarity. Both rfb gene clusters are low in G + C content, indicating that they were transferred from a common ancestral species with low G + C content to S. enterica relatively recently (in the evolutionary sense). We discuss the recombination and lateral transfer events which may have been involved in the evolution of the polymorphism.     

Sequence of the Structural Gene for Xanthine Dehydrogenase ( rosy Locus) in Drosophila melanogaster

We determined the nucleotide sequence of a 4.6-kb EcoRI fragment containing 70% of the rosy locus. In combination with information on the 5' sequence, the gene has been sequenced in entirety. rosy cDNAs have been isolated and intron/exon boundaries have been determined. We find an open reading frame which spans four exons and would encode a protein of 1335 amino acids. The molecular weight of the encoded protein (xanthine dehydrogenase), based on the amino acid translation, is 146,898 daltons which agrees well with earlier biophysical estimates. Characteristics of the protein are discussed.     

Sequence Analysis of Flanking Regions of the pfoA Gene of Clostridium perfringens: β-Galactosidase Gene (pbg) Is Located in the 3′-Flanking Region

The 3′-flanking region of the perfringolysin O (theta-toxin) gene (pfoA) of Clostridium perfringens was analyzed by chromosome walking. A total of 5,363 bp of the downstream region of the pfoA gene was sequenced and four open reading frames were found. ORF54 and ORF80 were found to be homologous to genes coding for membrane-bound transporter proteins of other bacteria and the β-galactosidase gene (bgaB) of Bacillus stearothermophilus, respectively. ORF80 was named the pbg gene. Clones which showed β-galactosidase activities were selected from a λFIXII genomic library of C. perfringens by blue plaque screening using X-Gal as a substrate. Four clones whose plaques showed blue appearances were obtained. Two of the four clones hybridized with the pbg probe but the others did not, indicating that there are two distinct β-galactosidase genes in C. perfringens. The pbg gene was subcloned into pBR322 and was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, suggesting that the pbg gene codes for a β-galactosidase of C. perfringens.     

大肠杆菌精氨酰tRNA合成酶基因（argS）的上游非编码区存在一个负调控区

含大肠杆菌精氨酰tRNA合成酶（ArgRS）基因(argS）的pUC18重组质粒,在大肠杆菌TG1转化子中能够高表达ArgRS近1000倍。为了研究大肠杆菌argS的表达调控,构建了一系列的缺失突变。分别缺失全部上游序列（argS△1）、Shine-Dalgarno（SD）区（argS△2）和缺失启动子－10区下游（相当于翻译起始位点－65nt,argS△3）前的上游序列后的变种argS都不能表达ArgRS。而缺失－122nt（距翻译起始位点－180nt,argS△8）、－70nt（距翻译起始位点－128nt,argS△7）、－52nt（距翻译起始位点－110nt,argS△6）、－35区9距翻译起始位点－94nt,argS△5）、启动子－10区（距翻译起始位点－71nt,argS△4）前的上游序列后,这些缺失突变基因的表达水平与野生型argS接近。但argS△4、argS△5、argS△6都会形成部分包涵体。通过RNA斑点杂交测定发现,argS△4、argS△5和argS△6的mRNA转录量为argS及argS△7的2到3倍。即－52nt和－70nt之间的19个碱基（AATAGTGAAAACGGCAATA)可能是大肠杆菌argS舞场康负调控区。该元件的缺失将使得ArgRS过快表达并导致部分蛋白质形成包涵体。凝胶阻滞分析也发现在细胞粗抽液中有一个因子可以专一地与这个负调控元件结合,它可能参与该基因的表达调控。精氨酸专一性地诱导argS的转录,其作用与上述转录负调控区相关。     

棘孢木霉丝裂原活化蛋白激酶基因task1的克隆及序列分析

为深入研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(Mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)的功能,从棘孢木霉(Tricho-derma asperellum)中克隆了丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)基因task1,并对其序列进行分析。该基因编码355个氨基酸,全长1 757 bp,理论分子质量41.1 kD,理论等电点为6.64,与深绿木霉(T.atroviride)MAPK基因tmk1、里氏木霉(T.reesei)MAPK基因tmkA和绿色木霉(T.virens)MAPK基因tmkA在氨基酸和核苷酸水平上同源性都很高,蛋白结构预测为丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶。     

猪PRLR基因PCR—SSCP多态性与产仔性能的关联分析

采用PCR-SSCP技术分析了杜洛克猪、长白猪、大白猪、马身猪、山西黑猪和山西白猪等6个品种472个个体催乳素受体基因(PRLR)的多态性,检测到A、B、C 3个等位基因和AA、AB、AC、BB、CC 5种基因型.在马身猪中, B等位基因为优势基因,频率为0.55;其他品种中,优势基因为A等位基因,频率分布在0.79～0.89之间;C等位基因除在大白猪频率略高外(0.20),在其他品种中频率都很低,在0～0.09之间.对AA、BB、CC三种纯合子进行克隆测序和同源序列比较,发现在扩增片段内有6处SNP,都发生在PRLR基因的第8内含子,分别是内含子8第26位、54位和99位的C→T突变,47位和68位的A→G突变,63位的G→A突变.利用最小二乘分析研究了PRLR基因型对母猪头胎总产仔数和产活仔数的影响,结果表明PRLR基因不同基因型母猪的头胎总产仔数和产活仔数差异均不显著.     

Polymorphism of the (CTG)n Repeat of the Myotonin Protein Kinase Gene in Populations of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Central Asia

The allele frequency distribution of the (CTG)_n repeat located in the 3′-terminal region of the myotonin protein kinase gene (DMPK) was compared for populations of Yakutia (three ethnogeographic groups of Yakuts, Evenks, Evens, Yukaghirs, and Dolgans) and Central Asia (Kazakhs, Uzbeks, and Uighurs) and other ethnic groups. The populations of the two regions proved to considerably differ from each other: features characteristic of Asian Mongoloids were more distinct in the populations of Yakutia, while the Central Asian populations were closer to European populations. The (CTG)_n allele spectrum of Yakuts was considered in connection with the high incidence of myotonic dystrophy in Yakutia. The results support the hypothesis of the founder effect for the spread of myotonic dystrophy in Yakuts. Data on the (CTG)_n polymorphism were used to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of the populations under study.__________Translated from Molekulyarnaya Biologiya, Vol. 39, No. 3, 2005, pp. 385–393.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Fedorova, Khusainova, Kutuev, Sukhomyasova, Nikolaeva, Kulichkin, Akhmetova, Salimova, Svyatova, Berezina, Platonov, Khusnutdinova.     

大肠杆菌邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶编码基因trpED的克隆与表达

目的:通过基因重组的方法获得在体外具有邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶活性的基因trpED,为进一步解除反馈抑制的基因改造寻找靶标。方法:分别构建重组质粒pBV220-trpE和pBV220-trpD;由于trpE和trpD存在翻译偶联现象,将其自大肠杆菌基因组中经PCR扩增得到,构建新的表达质粒pBV220-trpED。结果:SDS-PAGE显示,包含质粒pBV220-trpED的重组菌在相对分子质量约53000(trpE基因表达)和56000(trpD基因表达)处的蛋白表达量明显增多,且邻氨基苯甲酸合成酶活性是对照的3倍。结论:翻译偶联的存在直接影响蛋白活性的发挥;重组质粒pBV220-trpED的获得为进一步的基因改造,以提高色氨酸产量奠定了研究基础。     

Nucleotide Sequence of the Gene Encoding β-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase (leuB) from Bacteroides fragilis

The complete nucleotide sequence of the gene (leuB) coding for β-isopropylmaiate dehydrogenase of Bacteroides fragilis was determined. An open reading frame of 1,061 nucleotides was detected that could encode a polypeptide of 353 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 39,179 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of the β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from B. fragilis showed substantial sequence similarity with the β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenases from other bacteria.     

七种蝽mtDNA-16S rRNA基因序列多态性的研究(半翅目:蝽科)

测定蝽亚科2族4属7个种(宽碧蝽,辉蝽,凹肩辉蝽,角肩真蝽,褐真蝽,斑真蝽,全蝽)9个个体线粒体DNA(mtDNA)的16SrRNA基因片段,分析了其遗传多态性。通过测定该基因片段的序列发现,不同种群存在丰富的DNA序列多态性,同一种的不同个体差异较小,9个个体具有9种基因型。在扩增的长为400bp的基因片段中,通过排序,有338个碱基可用于这9个个体的比较。在这一基因片段中,共检测到122个多态性核苷酸位点(约36．1％)。NJ法构建的分子系统树表明碧蝽属归于短中片族,全蝽属的分化较其它属要早。     

山羊生长激素基因5调控区的多态性分析

以鲁北白山羊、引进波尔山羊、纯繁波尔山羊以及鲁北白山羊与波尔山羊的杂交一代、回交一代共计274个个体为研究材料,用两对引物分别扩增山羊生长激素(GH)基因5^'区的26－239bp以及225－429bp片段,扩增产物经SSCP分析发现均存在多态性。在26－239bp片段上,波尔山羊及杂交后代以 AA型个体占多数,而鲁北白山羊则BB型个体较多;在225－429bp片段上,所有种群均以 CC型个体较多。对两个片段的纯合型（AA,BB;CC,DD）分别克隆测序发现：（1）26－239bp片段上AA型在第60位发生了C→T的突变,第211位发生碱基C的丢失,（2）225－429bp片段上,DD型存在3处突变,分别为264位由T→C,292位由T→A,372位由C→T。上述结果为首次实验证实山羊生长激素5^'调控区存在序列多态性。     

一种新的短链脱氢/还原酶家族新成员:NADP(H)-依赖的视黄醇脱氢酶基因的克隆和分析

从牛的肝脏中快速抽提总RNA,根据GenBank已发表NADP(H)-依赖的视黄醇脱氢酶基因(NRDR)的cDNA序列,设计并合成特异引物,利用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)方法和反转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR),得到牛肝内的NRDR cDNA的全长序列。经测序证实,牛肝NRDR的全长cDNA序列为1266bp,其开放读码框架在24～806bp,编码260个氨基酸(GenBank登录号：AF487454)。根据NRDR基因推导出的氨基酸序列与人、鼠、兔有高度同源性,并含有SDR超家族成员的两个高度保守的模序,在其C-端含有过氧化物酶体的靶向序列为SHL。结果表明,牛的NRDR应属于过氧化物酶体内SDR超家族成员并在维甲酸合成的限速步骤起作用的酶,也为维甲酸合成的传统通路提供一个补充。     

猪L-FABP基因的克隆、表达特征及遗传多态性研究

FABPs属于脂结合蛋白超家族成员,是一类分子量较小而对脂肪酸有高亲和力的蛋白质,广泛存在于脊椎动物和非脊椎动物的细胞质中.FABPs担当细胞内脂肪酸的运输任务,它们与脂肪酸结合将其运输到脂肪酸氧化的位置、脂肪酸脂化成甘油三醋或磷脂的位置,或者进入细胞核内发挥其可能的调控功能.因此FABPs对脂类代谢具有重要的调控作用.本研究把L-FABP基因作为影响猪肌内脂肪含量的候选基因.为此,利用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)和PCR技术,克隆到猪肝脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因(L-FABP)的全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号AY960623)和部分基因组序列(GenBank登录号DQ182323).猪L-FABP基因的cDNA序列全长518 bp,该序列包括起始密码子TGA和38 bp的5'末端非编码区(5'URT),终止密码子TAG和99 bp的3'末端非编码区(3'URT),在3'URT结构区域中包含polyA加尾信号序列AATAAA.猪L-FABP基因与其他FABPs基因一样,也由4个外显子(67 bp、173 bp、93 bp和51 bp)和3个内含子组成,内含子1和3的大小是1 679bp和565 bp,没有获得内含子2的序列,外显子和内含子剪接处符合GT/AG规律.应用Clustal W/X程序对猪L-FABP与其他物种的L-FABP进行多重序列比对,发现猪L-FABP与人、大鼠、鸡的L-FABP的相似性分别为89.8%、81.9%和72.4%.亲水性分析表明,猪L-FABP也是一个潜在的跨膜蛋白,在氨基酸残基57-65之间有一个明显的跨膜α螺旋.应用半定量RT-PCR分析发现,猪L-FABP在猪体组织中广泛存在,但在肝脏和小肠组织中表达量最为丰富.分析还发现,所克隆得到的编码区核苷酸序列与已知猪L-FABP基因的编码区核苷酸序列存在一定的变异,分别是外显子2中T→C(116位)、C→T(231位)、C→A(236位)和A→C(258位),演绎成氨基酸在Leu74Met存在差异.为进一步证实这些突变位点在猪群中真实存在,利用PCR-SSCP检测方法对4个猪种(藏猪、大河猪、雅南猪和约克夏)的157头个体的外显子2全序列进行SNP位点多态性片段的基因型分型,结果发现一个C→T的单核苷酸多态,等位基因频率在中国地方猪种(藏猪、大河猪、雅南猪)与国外约克夏猪种间存在极显著的差异(P＜0.01).连锁分析发现,基因型CC的肌内脂肪含量(4.86±0.22%)显著的高于基因型CT(4.16±0.23%)和TT(4.05±0.27%)的肌内脂肪含量(P＜0.05).因此,推测L-FABP基因可能是影响猪肌内脂肪含量的主效基因或与主效基因紧密连锁的标记基因,并且能够在分子标记辅助选择中用于对猪肌内脂肪含量的遗传改良.