Dendritic reduction in Passover,a Drosophila mutant with a defective giant fiber neuronal pathway

The jump response to a light-off startle stimulus in Drosophila melanogaster occurs when the Giant Fiber (GF), a neuron descending from the brain to the thorax, drives the jump (tergotrochanteral) muscle motorneuron (TTMn). Nonjumping mutants have been isolated in which this response is disrupted. Flies bearing the X-chromosome mutation Passover (Pas) fail to jump in response to a light-off stimulus, and electrical stimulation of the GF in the brain no longer elicits the normal response in the TTM. We have used retrograde HRP labelling to examine the TTMn motorneuron in wild-type flies and in a variety of newly identified Pas alleles. In wild type the medial branch (MB) of the TTMn has an extensive region of apposition with the GF. In Pas alleles, there is a general reduction in anterior-posterior (A-P) extent of the medial branch but not of the posterior branch. Nevertheless, Pas alleles usually leave the TTMn close enough to the GF so that contact would not be precluded. In flies carrying a particular deficiency of Pas, Df(1) 16–3–22, including Pas/Df(1) 16–3–22 heterozygotes, there can be extensive growth of the medial branch including a contralateral projection; these heterozygotes have more than the normal amount of overlap between the GF and the TTMn. This phenotype, originally ascribed to Pas mutants, is associated with Df(1) 16–3–22, but not with other deletions of the Pas gene. The driving of the TTMn by the GF is defective in mutant genotypes with extensive medial branches as well as in mutants where GF-TTMn contact is reduced. The fact that the TTMn grows into its normal synaptic region in mutant genotypes, but the GF pathway functions abnormally suggests that pathfinding by the TTMn is not impaired. It is more likely that the Pas mutation disrupts cell recognition, synaptogenesis, or synaptic function in the TTMn or its presynaptic partners. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cloning of the cDNA and genomic clones for glutathione synthetase fromArabidopsis thaliana and complementation of agsh2 mutant in fission yeast

Glutathione is essential for protecting plants from a range of environmental stresses, including heavy metals where it acts as a precursor for the synthesis of phytochelatins. A 1658 bp cDNA clone for glutathione synthetase (gsh2) was isolated fromArabidopsis thaliana plants that were actively synthesizing glutathione upon exposure to cadmium. The sequence of the clone revealed a protein with an estimated molecular mass of 53858 Da that was very similar to the protein from higher eukaryotes, was less similar to the gene from the fission yeast,Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and shared only a small region of similarity with theEscherichia coli protein. A 4.3 kbSstI fragment containing the genomic clone for glutathione synthetase was also isolated and sequenced. A comparison of the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed that the gene was composed of twelve exons.When theArabidopsis cDNA cloned in a special shuttle vector was expressed in aS. pombe mutant deficient in glutathione synthetase activity, the plant cDNA was able to complement the yeast mutation. Glutathione synthetase activity was measurable in wild-type yeast cells, below detectable levels in thegsh2 ^- mutant, and restored to substantial levels by the expression of theArabidopsis cDNA. TheS. pombe mutant expressing the plant cDNA had near wild type levels of total cellular thiols,¹⁰⁹Cd²⁺ binding activity, and cadmium resistance. Since theArabidopsis cDNA was under control of a thiamine-repressible promoter, growth of the transformed yeast on thiamine-free medium increased expression of the cDNA resulting in increases in cadmium resistance.     

Structure and function of ferrochelatase

Ferrochelatase is the terminal enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway in all cells. It catalyzes the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX, yielding heme. In eukaryotic cells, ferrochelatase is a mitochondrial inner membrane-associated protein with the active site facing the matrix. Decreased values of ferrochelatase activity in all tissues are a characteristic of patients with protoporphyria. Point-mutations in the ferrochelatase gene have been recently found to be associated with certain cases of erythropoietic protoporphyria. During the past four years, there have been considerable advances in different aspects related to structure and function of ferrochelatase. Genomic and cDNA clones for bacteria, yeast, barley, mouse, and human ferrochelatase have been isolated and sequenced. Functional expression of yeast ferrochelatase in yeast strains deficient in this enzyme, and expression inEscherichia coli and in baculovirusinfected insect cells of different ferrochelatase cDNAs have been accomplished. A recently identified (2Fe-2S) cluster appears to be a structural feature shared among mammalian ferrochelatases. Finally, functional studies of ferrochelatase site-directed mutants, in which key amino acids were replaced with residues identified in some cases of protoporphyria, will be summarized in the context of protein structure.     

Scd1 ab-Xyk : a new asebia allele characterized by a CCC trinucleotide insertion in exon 5 of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gene in mouse

We describe here a spontaneous, autosomal recessive mutant mouse suffering from skin and hair defects, which arose in the outbred Kunming strain. By haplotype analysis and direct sequencing of PCR products, we show that this mutation is a new allele of the asebia locus with a naturally occurring mutation in the Scd1 gene (a CCC insertion at nucleotide position 835 in exon 5), which codes for stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. This mutation introduces an extra proline residue at position 279 in the Scd1 protein. The mutant mice, originally designated km/km but now assigned the name Scd1 ^ab-Xyk (hereafter abbreviated as ab ^Xyk / ab ^Xyk ), have a similar gross and histological phenotype to that reported for previously characterized allelic asebia mutations ( Scd1 ^ab , Scd1 ^abJ , Scd1 ^ab2J , and Scd1 ^tm1Ntam ). Histological analysis showed they were also characterized by hypoplasic sebaceous glands and abnormal hair follicles. In a cross between Kunming- ab ^Xyk / ab ^Xyk and ABJ/Le- ab ^J / ab ^J mice, all the progeny showed the same phenotype, indicating that the two mutations were non-complementing and therefore allelic. Comparisons with the other four allelic mutants indicate that the Scd1 ^ab-Xyk mutation causes the mildest change in Scd1 function. This new mouse mutant is a good model not only for the study of scarring alopecias in humans, which are characterized by hypoplasic sebaceous glands, but also for studying the structure and function of the Scd1 protein.Communicated by G. ReuterThe first two authors contribute equally to this work     

Molecular defect in human erythropoietic protoporphyria with fatal liver failure

We investigated the molecular basis of ferrochelatase in a Japanese patient with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), complicated by fatal liver failure, and defined a novel point mutation in the ferrochelatase gene. cDNAs were synthesized using Epstein-Barr-virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cells from the proband. cDNA clones encoding ferrochelatase in the proband were isolated by amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. There were two sizes of ferrochelatase cDNAs; one was normal in size, the other being smaller. Sequence analysis of the abnormally sized cDNA clones revealed that they lacked exon 9 of the ferrochelatase gene. Genomic DNA analysis demonstrated that the proband had the abnormal allele and that it contained a G to A point mutation at the first position of the donor site of intron 9. An identical mutation was detected in the affected family members of the proband by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization analysis. EPP is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner in this family.     

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression of mouse ferrochelatase

The cDNA encoding mouse ferrochelatase (protoheme ferrolyase, EC 4.99.1.1) was isolated from a mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cell cDNA library in lambda gt11 expression vector, by immunoscreening with a polyclonal antibody. Two full-length clones containing cDNA inserts of 2.2 and 2.90 kilobases were obtained. These clones have the same entire enzyme coding region, but alternative putative polyadenylation sites in the 3'-noncoding regions. From the deduced primary structure, a putative leader sequence of 53 amino acid residues resulted in a precursor protein of 420 amino acid residues (Mr 47,130) and a mature protein of 367 residues (Mr 41,692). The cDNA allows for the expression of active ferrochelatase by transfected culture cells. RNA blot analysis showed two species of ferrochelatase mRNA consistent with findings of two polyadenylation sites. Both the mRNAs increased by treatment of the MEL cells with dimethyl sulfoxide. The band pattern of the RNA of the mouse liver was the same as that of the MEL cells. Based on these results, we deduce that ferrochelatase in erythroid and hepatic cells can be only of one type.     

Genetic interaction between the Ras-CAMP pathway and the Dis2s1/Glc7 protein phosphatase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae DIS2S1/GLC7 gene encodes a type 1 protein phosphatase indispensable for cell proliferation. We found that introduction of a multicopy DIS2S1 plasmid impaired growth of cells with reduced activity of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In order to understand further the interaction between the two enzymes, a temperature-sensitive mutation in the DIS2S1 gene was isolated. The mutant accumulated less glycogen than wild type at the permissive temperature, indicating that activity of the Dis2s1 protein phosphatase is attenuated by the mutation. Furthermore, the dis2s1 ^ts mutation was shown to be suppressed by a multicopy plasmid harboring PDE2, a gene for cAMP phosphodiesterase. These results indicate that the Ras-cAMP pathway interacts genetically with the DIS2S1/GLC7 gene.     

Cellular genetic study of a somatic instability in a tobacco mutant: in vitro isolation of valine-resistant spontaneous mutants

Summary A chlorophyll-deficient mutant line of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), named tl, displays spontaneously on leaves green, white, and twinned green/white somatic variations at high frequencies (10^–3 to 10^–2). The frequency of cell events leading to the somatic variations has been shown to be closely dependent on the stage of differentiation of cells during plant development. The activity of transposable elements is suspected in the tl genotype, and a study of its mutagenic ability was performed by selecting in vitro new mutant cellular types. The cellular marker chosen was the resistance to toxic doses of valine conferred by a permeation deficiency. A reproducible method allowing efficient selection of valine-resistant mutant clones from haploid tobacco mesophyll protoplast-derived cells was used. In 10 out of 12 experiments, the frequency of spontaneous valine-resistant clones obtained with the wild-type control was null for cell populations tested to the 10⁶. On the other hand, spontaneous valine-resistant clones were repeatedly isolated at variable and sometimes high frequencies (greater than 10^–3) from cell populations of the tl type. Valine resistance of plants regenerated from these clones was transmitted to the progeny as a single monogenic mutation. These results indicate an increased mutagenic ability of the tl genotype, as compared to the wild-type line.     

Efficient repetitive alteration of the mouse Huntington's disease gene by management of background in the tag and exchange gene targeting strategy

The introduction of subtle mutations to predetermined locations in the mouse genome has aided in the assessment of gene function and the precise modeling of inherited disorders. Subtle mutations can be engineered into the mouse genome by the tag and exchange gene targeting strategy (Askew et al., 1993; Stacey et al., 1994; Wu et al., 1994). This two-step method involves both a positive and a negative selection. The negative selection step typically generates a large amount of undesired background that may prevent the practical recovery of gene targeted clones (Vazquez et al., 1998). In this work we describe a strategy to effectively manage this background by calculation of a tolerable level of background for a specific targeting event, pre-screening for clones with low background, subcloning and growth of cell lines under selection. This strategy was used to repeatedly and efficiently alter the mouse Huntington's disease homologue (Hdh) resulting in an average of 15 percent of the clones having the desired modification. Analysis of the remaining background clones showed they arose de novo by a mechanism that involved physical loss of the marker rather than mutation or inactivation. We calculated the rate of loss of this marker as 8.3×10^–6 events/cell/generation. We further show that the exchanged clones retained the capacity to contribute to the mouse germline demonstrating the utility of this strategy in the production of mouse lines with Hdh variants.     

Alopecia and male infertility in oligotriche mutant mice are caused by a deletion on distal chromosome 9

The recessive mutation oligotriche (olt) affects the coat and male fertility in the mouse. In homozygous (olt/olt) mutants, the coat is sparse, most notably in the inguinal and medial femoral region. In these regions, almost all hair shafts are bent and distorted in their course through the dermis and rarely penetrate the epidermis because the hair cortex is not fully keratinized. During hair follicle morphogenesis, mutant hair follicles exit from anagen one day before those of normal littermates and show a prolongation of the catagen stage. The oligotriche (olt) locus was mapped to distal chromosome 9 within a 5-Mbp interval distal to D9Mit279. Analysis of candidate gene expression revealed that olt/olt mutant mice do not express functional phospholipase C delta 1 (Plcd1) mRNA. This deficiency is the consequence of a 234-kbp deletion involving not only the Plcd1 locus but also the chromosomal segment harboring the genes Vill (villin-like), Dlec1 (deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1), Acaa1b (acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 1B, synonym thiolase B), and parts of the genes Ctdspl (carboxy-terminal domain RNA polymerase II polypeptide A small phosphatase-like) and Slc22a14 (solute carrier family 22 member 14). Offspring of olt/olt females, mated with Plcd1 ^−/− knockout males, exhibit coat defects similar to those observed in homozygous olt/olt mutant mice but the spermiogenesis in male offspring is normal. We conclude that the 234-kbp deletion from chromosome 9 harbors a gene involved in spermiogenesis and we propose that the oligotriche mutant be used as a model for the study of the putative tumor suppressor genes Dlec1, Ctdspl, and Vill. We also suggest that the oligotriche locus be named Del(9Ctdspl-Slc22a14)1Pas.

     

Genetic analysis of phosphomannomutase/phosphoglucomutase from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Vibrio furnissii</Emphasis> and characterization of its role in virulence

The pmm gene from Vibrio furnissii, which encodes phosphomannomutase (PMM), was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame consisted of 1,434 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 477 amino acids with a molecular mass of 53,325 Da. The predicted amino acid sequence of V. furnissii PMM showed high similarity with PMMs from other enteric bacteria, such as V. cholerae, Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli. The PMM protein was overexpressed in E. coli as a His₆-tagged recombinant protein. The estimated apparent K_m and k_cat values of the purified recombinant protein for mannose 1-phosphate were about 60 M and 800 min^–1, respectively. To investigate the biochemical functions and the role of pmm in the virulence of V. furnissii, a pmm knock-out mutant was constructed by homologous recombination mutation. Under the various physical conditions, cell numbers of the wild-type and the mutant did not differ. Oral introduction of bacterial suspensions to a mouse model showed that the pmm-deficient mutant decreased in viability at the intestine. Microscopy of the isolated intestines from mice revealed significant damage after 3 days in intestinal mucosa infected with the wild-type as compared with the mutant. The pmm-deficient mutant caused a reduction of virulence in mice and the loss of O-antigen polysaccharide, and showed low resistance relative to the wild-type when incubated with normal human serum.     

Cloning of two SOS1 transporters from the seagrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymodocea nodosa</Emphasis>. SOS1 transporters from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymodocea</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> mediate potassium uptake in bacteria

Two cDNAs isolated from Cymodocea nodosa, CnSOS1A, and CnSOS1B encode proteins with high-sequence similarities to SOS1 plant transporters. CnSOS1A expressed in a yeast Na⁺-efflux mutant under the control of a constitutive expression promoter mimicked AtSOS1 from Arabidopsis; the wild type cDNA did not improve the growth of the recipient strain in the presence of Na⁺, but a cDNA mutant that expresses a truncated protein suppressed the defect of the yeast mutant. In similar experiments, CnSOS1B was not effective. Conditional expression, under the control of an arabinose responsive promoter, of the CnSOS1A and CnSOS1B cDNAs in an Escherichia coli mutant defective in Na⁺ efflux was toxic, and functional analyses were inconclusive. The same constructs transformed into an E. coli K⁺-uptake mutant revealed that CnSOS1A was also toxic, but that it slightly suppressed defective growth at low K⁺. Truncation in the C-terminal hydrophilic tail of CnSOS1A relieved the toxicity and proved that CnSOS1A was an excellent low-affinity K⁺ and Rb⁺ transporter. CnSOS1B mediated a transient, extremely rapid K⁺ or Rb⁺ influx. Similar tests with AtSOS1 revealed that it was not toxic and that the whole protein exhibited excellent K⁺ and Rb⁺ uptake characteristics in bacteria.     

Monoclonal antibodies to surface and cytoskeletal components of the spermatozoid ofPteridium aquilinum

Summary Detergent extracted spermatozoids of the fernPteridium aquilinum were used as mixed antigen preparations for raising monoclonal antibodies in order to obtain reagents for detecting as yet uncharacterized components of the plant cytoskeleton. Selected antibodies were studied by immunofluorescence microscopy of developing spermatids and mature spermatozoids. Some reacted directly with fixed cells, others required permeabilization treatments with cold methanol or Triton X-100. AntibodiesPas2D9 andPas6D7 bind to glycoprotein antigenic determinants that are exposed on the surface of the plasma membrane. Several antibodies interact with cytoskeletal components.Pas1D3,Pas5D8 andPas5F4 bind to the cytoskeleton of permeabilized cells including the flagella. Three react specifically with the flagellar band or associated components:Pas2G6 reacts with the whole flagellar band but shows a prominent binding to basal bodies,Pas5E2 binds exclusively to basal bodies, andPas5E7 detects mitochondria associated with the flagellar band. Cross-reactions to wheat root tip cells at different stages of the cell cycle are described inMarc andGunning (1988).Abbreviations MLS multilayered structure - MT microtubule - MAb monoclonal antibody - MAP microtubule associated protein     

Genetic analysis of an essential cytoplasmic domain of Escherichia coli SecY based on resistance to Syd, a SecY-interacting protein

We previously described a dominant negative secY ^-d 1 allele in Escherichia coli, whose product interferes with protein export, presumably by sequestering SecE, the stabilizing partner of SecY. Syd is the product of a multicopy suppressor of the secY ^-d 1 phenotype, and its overproduction preferentially stabilizes the wild-type SecY protein. In contrast, overproduction of Syd is toxic to the secY24 mutant, which shows a partial defect in SecY-SecE interaction. We isolated Syd-resistant revertants from the secY24 mutant. Pseudo-reversions mapped to sites at or near the secY24 mutation site (Gly240→Asp). The secY249 mutation (Ala249→Val) intragenically suppressed Syd sensitivity, but not the temperature-sensitive Sec phenotype of the secY24 mutation. The SecY249 mutant protein shows a reduced capacity to be stabilized by Syd, suggesting that the mutation weakens the SecY-Syd interaction. The other two mutations changed residue 240 (the site of the secY24 alteration) to Asn (secY245) or Ala (secY241) and restored the ability of the cell to export protein. Although the secY245 mutant retained some sensitivity␣to Syd overproduction, the secY241 mutant was completely Syd-resistant. Furthermore, the secY241 mutation seemed to represent a “hyper reversion” with respect to the SecY-SecE interaction. Protein export in this mutant was no longer sensitive to SecY^-d1. When the secY ^-d 1 mutation was combined intragenically with secY241, the resulting double mutant gene (secY ^-d 1–241) showed an increased ability to interfere with protein export. On the basis of our model for SecY^-d1, these results suggest that the secY241 alteration enhances SecY-SecE interaction. These results indicate that residue 240 of SecY is crucial for the interaction between the cytosolic domains of SecY and SecE required for the establishment of the translocase complex. Received: 20 October 1997 / Accepted: 1 December 1997     

Developmental genetic analysis of lethal alleles at the ewg locus and their effects on muscle development in Drosophila melanogaster

The recessive X-linked mutation erect wing (ewg), in Drosophila melanogaster, was characterized as a flightless behavioral mutant which specifically lacked the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles [1]. This mutation was mapped distal to the X chromosomal locus yellow, and further to the cytological segment 1 A 1 to 1 B2-3 [2]. Several lethal complementation groups have been mapped to this interval [3]. Our complementation tests show that ewg is allelic to one lethal complementation group in the region 1 A 1 to 1 B2-3. A further analysis of ewg and several lethal alleles isolated at this locus was undertaken in the present investigation. Most of the lethal alleles at this locus lead to a late embryonic or early larval lethal phase, indicating that the ewg⁺ gene product is necessary for the development of more than just the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles. Intragenic complementation was observed for some of the ewg lethal alleles. Genetic mosaics with ewg lethal alleles showed that mutant cell clones in cuticular structures are viable. Mosaic analysis is consistent with a mesodermal defect associated with the locus.     

Isolation and characterization of two cDNA clones encoding ATP-sulfurylases from potato by complementation of a yeast mutant

Sulfur plays an important role in plants, being used for the biosynthesis of amino acids, sulfolipids and secondary metabolites. After uptake sulfate is activated and subsequently reduced to sulfide or serves as donor for sulfurylation reactions. The first step in the activation of sulfate in all cases studied so far is catalyzed by the enzyme ATP-sulfurylase (E.C. 2.7.7.4.) which catalyzes the formation of adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (APS). Two cDNA clones from potato encoding ATP-sulfurylases were identified following transformation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant deficient in ATP-sulfurylase activity with a cDNA library from potato source leaf poly(A)⁺ RNA cloned in a yeast expression vector. Several transformants were able to grow on a medium with sulfate as the only sulfur source, this ability being strictly linked to the presence of two classes of cDNAs. The clones StMet3-1 and StMet3-2 were further analyzed. DNA analysis revealed an open reading frame encoding a protein with a molecular mass of 48 kDa in the case of StMet3-1 and 52 kDa for StMet3-2. The deduced polypeptides are 88% identical at the amino acid level. The clone StMet3-2 has a 48 amino acid N-terminal extension which shows common features of a chloroplast transit peptide. Sequence comparison of the ATP-sulfurylase Met3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the cDNA StMet3-1 (StMet3-2) reveals 31% (30%) identity at the amino acid level. Protein extracts from the yeast mutant transformed with the clone StMet3-1 displayed ATP-sulfurylase activity. RNA blot analysis demonstrated the expression of both genes in potato leaves, root and stem, but not in tubers. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first cloning and identification of genes involved in the reductive sulfate assimilation pathway from higher plants.     

Selection of human cells having two different types of mutations in individual cells (genetic/artificial mutants)

Summary We have previously reported the establishment and characterization of B cell lines from patients and family members with various types of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiencies. These cell lines contain, at the APRT locus, three different alleles (APRT ^* 1, APRT ^* Q0, and APRT ^* J) that are clearly distinguishable from each other. From five genetically heterozygous cell lines with two different genotypes (APRT ^* 1/APRTQ0 and APRT ^* 1/APRT ^* J), we have selected 48 clones resistant to 2,6-diaminopurine. Resistance to this adenine analogue is a characteristic of cells having defects in both of the APRT alleles in individual cells. The mutant clones from a cell line from a complete-type heterozygote had APRT activities close to zero (mean=0.04 nmol/min per milligram protein) in the cell extracts, while 15 clones from four cell lines from the four Japanese-type heterozygotes had significant enzyme activities (mean=3.88 nmol/min per milligram protein). Kinetic studies on two of the mutants from two Japancse-type heterozygous cell lines have shown that affinity to substrate 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate was reduced, indicating that APRT in those clones reflected the characteristics of the Japanese-type enzyme. The data presented here indicate that clones we obtained are genetic/artificial mutants, each having a genetic mutation in a single allele (APRT ^* J or APRT ^* Q0) and an artificially produced mutation in the other previously functional allele (APRT ^*1). The present procedure provided the only diagnostic method for Japanese-type APRT heterozygotes (APRT ^* 1/APRT ^* J).