Control of Co1E2 plasmid replication: regulation of rep expression by a plasmid-coded antisense RNA

We previously isolated a nuclear 5.7 kb genomic fragment carrying the NAM7/UPF1 gene, which is able to suppress mitochondrial splicing deficiency when present in multiple copies. We show here that an immediately adjacent gene ISF1 (Increasing Suppression Factor) increases the efficiency of the NAM7/UPF1 suppressor activity. The ISF1 gene has been independently isolated as the MBR3 gene and comparison of the ISF1 predicted protein sequence with data libraries revealed a significant similarity with the MBRI yeast protein. The ISF1 and NAM7 genes are transcribed in the same direction, and RNase mapping allowed the precise location of their termini within the intergenic region to be determined. The ISF1 gene is not essential for cell viability or respiratory growth. However as for many mitochondrial genes, ISF1 expression is sensitive to fermentative repression; in contrast expression of the NAM7 gene is unaffected by glucose. We propose that ISF1 could influence the NAM7/UPF1 function, possibly at the level of mRNA turnover, thus modulating the expression of nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.     

Two adjacent nuclear genes, ISF1 and NAM7/UPF1, cooperatively participate in mitochondrial functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We previously isolated a nuclear 5.7 kb genomic fragment carrying the NAM7/UPF1 gene, which is able to suppress mitochondrial splicing deficiency when present in multiple copies. We show here that an immediately adjacent gene ISF1 (Increasing Suppression Factor) increases the efficiency of the NAM7/UPF1 suppressor activity. The ISF1 gene has been independently isolated as the MBR3 gene and comparison of the ISF1 predicted protein sequence with data libraries revealed a significant similarity with the MBRI yeast protein. The ISF1 and NAM7 genes are transcribed in the same direction, and RNase mapping allowed the precise location of their termini within the intergenic region to be determined. The ISF1 gene is not essential for cell viability or respiratory growth. However as for many mitochondrial genes, ISF1 expression is sensitive to fermentative repression; in contrast expression of the NAM7 gene is unaffected by glucose. We propose that ISF1 could influence the NAM7/UPF1 function, possibly at the level of mRNA turnover, thus modulating the expression of nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.     

The NAM8 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a protein with putative RNA binding motifs and acts as a suppressor of mitochondrial splicing deficiencies when overexpressed.

Summary We have characterized the nuclear geneNAM8 inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. It acts as a suppressor of mitochondrial splicing deficiencies when present on a multicopy plasmid. The suppressed mutations affect RNA folding and are located in both group I and group II introns. The gene is weakly transcribed in wildtype strains, its overexpression is a prerequisite for the suppressor action. Inactivation of theNAM8 gene does not affect cell viability, mitochondrial function or mitochondrial genome stability. TheNAM8 gene encodes a protein of 523 amino acids which includes two conserved (RNP) motifs common to RNA-binding proteins from widely different organisms. This homology with RNA-binding proteins, together with the intronic location of the suppressed mitochondrial mutations, suggests that the NAM8 protein could be a non-essential component of the mitochondrial splicing machinery and, when present in increased amounts, it could convert a deficient intron RNA folding pattern into a productive one.     

Novel class of nuclear genes involved in both mRNA splicing and protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria

Summary We have cloned three distinct nuclear genes, NAM1, NAM7, and NAM8, which alleviate mitochondrial intron mutations of the cytochrome b and COXI (subunit I of cytochrome oxidase) genes when present on multicopy plasmids. These nuclear genes show no sequence homology to each other and are localized on different chromosomes: NAM1 on chromosome IV, NAM7 on chromosome XIII and NAM8 on chromosome VIII. Sequence analysis of the NAM1 gene shows that it encodes a protein of 440 amino acids with a typical presequence that would target the protein to the mitochondrial matrix. Inactivation of the NAM1 gene by gene transplacement leads to a dramatic reduction of the overall synthesis of mitochondrial protein, and a complete absence of the COXI protein which is the result of a specific block in COXI pre-mRNA splicing. The possible mechanisms by which the NAM1 gene product may function are discussed.     

NAM9 nuclear suppressor of mitochondrial ochre mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae codes for a protein homologous to S4 ribosomal proteins from chloroplasts, bacteria, and eucaryotes.

We report the genetic characterization, molecular cloning, and sequencing of a novel nuclear suppressor, the NAM9 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which acts on mutations of mitochondrial DNA. The strain NAM9-1 was isolated as a respiration-competent revertant of a mitochondrial mit mutant which carries the V25 ochre mutation in the oxi1 gene. Genetic characterization of the NAM9-1 mutation has shown that it is a nuclear dominant omnipotent suppressor alleviating several mutations in all four mitochondrial genes tested and has suggested its informational, and probably ribosomal, character. The NAM9 gene was cloned by transformation of the recipient oxi1-V25 mutant to respiration competence by using a gene bank from the NAM9-1 rho o strain. Orthogonal-field alternation gel electrophoresis analysis and genetic mapping localized the NAM9 gene on the right arm of chromosome XIV. Sequence analysis of the NAM9 gene showed that it encodes a basic protein of 485 amino acids with a presequence that could target the protein to the mitochondrial matrix. The N-terminal sequence of 200 amino acids of the deduced NAM9 product strongly resembles the S4 ribosomal proteins from chloroplasts and bacteria. Significant although less extensive similarity was found with ribosomal cytoplasmic proteins from lower eucaryotes, including S. cerevisiae. Chromosomal inactivation of the NAM9+ gene is not lethal to the cell but leads to respiration deficiency and loss of mitochondrial DNA integrity. We conclude that the NAM9 gene product is a mitochondrial ribosomal counterpart of S4 ribosomal proteins found in other systems and that the suppressor acts through decreasing the fidelity of translation.     

ST7 is a novel low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) with a cytoplasmic tail that interacts with proteins related to signal transduction pathways

In 1997, McCormick and co-workers identified a novel putative tumor suppressor gene, designated ST7, encoding a unique protein with transmembrane receptor characteristics [Qing et al. (1999) Oncogene 18, 335-342]. Using degenerate primers corresponding to the highly conserved region of the ligand-binding domains of members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) superfamily, Ishii et al. [Genomics (1998) 51, 132-135] discovered a low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) that closely resembles ST7. Later, another LRP closely resembling ST7 and LRP3 was found (murine LRP9) [Sugiyama et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 15817-15825]. These results strongly suggested that ST7 was also a novel member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor superfamily. Proteins of this superfamily have been shown to function in endocytosis and/or signal transduction. To evaluate the relationship of ST7 to the LDLR superfamily proteins and to determine whether ST7 may function in endocytosis and/or signal transduction, we used proteomic tools to analyze the functional motifs present in the protein. Our results indicate that ST7 is a member of a subfamily of the LDLR superfamily and that its cytoplasmic domain contains several motifs implicated in endocytosis and signal transduction. Use of the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that associate with ST7's cytoplasmic domain revealed that this domain interacts with three proteins involved in signal transduction and/or endocytosis, viz., receptor for activated protein C kinase 1 (RACK1), muscle integrin binding protein (MIBP), and SMAD anchor for receptor activation (SARA), suggesting that ST7, like other proteins in the LDLR superfamily, functions in these two pathways. Clearly, ST7 is an LRP, and therefore, it should now be referred to as LRP12.     

The yeast nuclear gene NAM2 is essential for mitochondrial DNA integrity and can cure a mitochondrial RNA-maturase deficiency

Dominant mutations in the yeast nuclear gene NAM2 cure the RNA splicing deficiency resulting from the inactivation of the bI4 maturase encoded by the fourth intron of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. This maturase is required to splice the fourth intron of this gene and to splice the fourth intron of the mitochondrial gene oxi3 encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I. We have cloned the nuclear gene NAM2, which codes for two overlapping RNAs, 3.2 kb and 3.0 kb long, which are transcribed in the same direction but differ at their 5' ends. NAM2 compensating mutations probably result from point mutations in the structural gene. Integration of the cloned gene occurs at its homologous locus on the right arm of chromosome XII. Inactivation of the NAM2 gene either by transplacement with a deleted copy of the gene, or by disruption, is not lethal to the cell, but leads to the destruction of the mitochondrial genome with the production of 100% cytoplasmic petites.     

Mapping and structure of DMXL1, a human homologue of the DmX gene from Drosophila melanogaster coding for a WD repeat protein

The DmX gene was recently isolated from the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. TBLASTN searches of the dbEST databases revealed sequences with a high level of similarity to DmX in a variety of different species, including insects, nematodes, and mammals showing that DmX is an evolutionarily highly conserved gene. Here we describe the cloning of the cDNA and the chromosomal localization of one of the human homologues of DmX, Dmx-like 1 (DMXL1). The human DMXL1 gene codes for a large mRNA of 11 kb with an open reading frame of 3027 amino acids. The putative protein belongs to the superfamily of WD repeat proteins, which have mostly regulatory functions. The DMXL1 protein contains an exceptionally large number of WD repeat units. The DMXL1 gene is located on chromosome 5q22 as determined by radiation hybrid mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Although the function of the DMXL1 gene and its homologues in other species remains to be discovered, the high level of evolutionary conservation together with the unusual structure suggests that it probably has an important function.     

Structure and characterization of a murine chromosomal fragment containing the interferon beta gene

In this paper we report on the cloning and characterization of the murine interferon (IFN) beta gene. We have isolated and sequenced a 2.8 kb genomic fragment containing the murine IFN beta gene flanked by 1.2 kb 5' and 1 kb 3' untranslated regions (1 kb = 10(3) base-pairs). The mRNA cap site has been defined. An extensive analysis of the flanking sequence is provided and points out striking features such as: the presence of A + T-rich motifs characteristic of transiently expressed mRNAs, and homologies to repetitive R-type element flanks and to hormone-responsive elements. Comparison of the MuIFN beta 5' flanking region with those from other species reveals similarities in the sequences required for the regulated expression of such inducible genes. Computer analysis of the 130 base-pairs preceding the cap site has revealed TGAAAG motifs and shows that the presence of such elements and their permutants have biological significance, according to statistical calculations. Thus, the comparison between the mouse promoter reported here and the promoters from other species highlights the region containing the hexanucleotide blocks, which is strongly conserved.     

The novel BLM3 gene encodes a protein that protects against lethal effects of oxidative damage.

Mutational alteration of the BLM3 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers hypersensitivities to lethal effects of ionizing radiation, anticancer bleomycins and structurally-related phleomycins. Bleomycin is used clinically in the treatment of many types of cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma. The BLM3 gene was cloned from a genomic library by complementing the drug hypersensitivities conferred by the codominant blm3-1 mutation. The nucleotide sequence of BLM3 encodes a predicted integral protein of 1804 amino acids with seven to ten potential transmembrane domains and additional motifs. The blm3 null mutation was created by gene replacement, and found not to be essential for growth in the absence of the bleomycin-phleomycin antibiotics. Sequence analyses suggest the Blm3p could be a potential member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of permeases. Northern dot blot analyses using a human RNA master tissue blot containing RNA from fifty different fetal and adult tissues revealed sequence homology in adult tissues to BLM3, but no sequence homology in fetal tissues. The function of the Blm3p is presently unknown. We propose several functions for the Blm3p in protecting cells against oxidative agents, including roles in detoxification, transport and defending against DNA damage.     

Conserved modularity and potential for alternate splicing in mouse and human Slit genes

The vertebrate Slit gene family currently consists of three members; Slit1, Slit2 and Slit3. Each gene encodes a protein containing multiple epidermal growth factor and leucine rich repeat motifs, which are likely to have importance in cell-cell interactions. In this study, we sought to fully define and characterise the vertebrate Slit gene family. Using long distance PCR coupled with in silico mapping, we determined the genomic structure of all three Slit genes in mouse and man. Analysis of EST and genomic databases revealed no evidence of further Slit family members in either organism. All three Slit genes were encoded by 36 (Slit3) or 37 (Slit1 and Slit2) exons covering at least 143 kb or 183 kb of mouse or human genomic DNA respectively. Two additional potential leucine-rich repeat encoding exons were identified within intron 12 of Slit2. These could be inserted in frame, suggesting that alternate splicing may occur in Slit2. A search for STS sequences within human Slit3 anchored this gene to D5S2075 at the 5' end (exon 4) and SGC32449 within the 3' UTR, suggesting that Slit3 may cover greater than 693 kb. The genomic structure of all Slit genes demonstrated considerable modularity in the placement of exon-intron boundaries such that individual leucine-rich repeat motifs were encoded by individual 72 bp exons. This further implies the potential generation of multiple Slit protein isoforms varying in their number of repeat units. cDNA library screening and EST database searching verified that such alternate splicing does occur.