Molecular analysis of the rfb gene cluster of a group D2 Salmonella enterica strain: evidence for its origin from an insertion sequence-mediated recombination event between group E and D1 strains.

The Salmonella enterica O antigen is a highly variable surface polysaccharide composed of a repeated oligosaccharide (the O unit). The O unit produced by serogroup D2 has structural features in common with those of groups D1 and E1, and hybridization studies had previously suggested that the D2 rfb gene cluster responsible for O-unit biosynthesis is indeed a hybrid of the two. In this study, the rfb gene cluster was cloned from a group D2 strain of S. enterica sv. Strasbourg. Mapping, hybridization, and DNA sequencing showed that the organization of the D2 rfb genes is similar to that of group D1, with the alpha-mannosyl transferase gene rfbU replaced by rfbO, the E1-specific beta-mannosyl transferase gene. The E1-specific polymerase gene (rfc) has also been acquired. Interestingly, the D1-like and E1-like rfb regions are separated by an additional sequence closely related to an element (Hinc repeat [H-rpt]) associated with the Rhs loci of Escherichia coli. The H-rpt resembles an insertion sequence and possibly mediated the intraspecific recombination events which produced the group D2 rfb gene organization.     

Evolution of a highly polymorphic human cytochrome P450 gene cluster: CYP2D6.

The CYP2D gene cluster on human chromosome 22 containing the functional cytochrome P450 gene CYP2D6 and two or three highly homologous pseudogenes is involved in a clinically important variation in the inactivation of drugs and environmental chemicals. Several mutant haplotypes of CYP2D6 have been identified by restriction analysis and by PCR-based allele-specific amplification. To understand the evolutionary sequence of mutational events as well as recently discovered interracial differences, we analyzed the arrangement of the CYP2D haplotype containing a common mutant allele of CYP2D6 associated with a XbaI 44-kb fragment. This haplotype contains four CYP2D genes instead of three. Comparison of the sequences of these genes with those of previously characterized haplotypes suggests that an early point mutation was followed by a crossover and a gene conversion event, the latter found preferentially in Caucasians. These data are consistent with the rapid evolution of this locus during "plant-animal warfare" with practical consequences for present-day defense of the organism against environmental adversity.     

Relationships among the rfb regions of Salmonella serovars A, B, and D.

The O antigens of Salmonella serogroups A, B, and D differ structurally in their side chain sugar residues. The genes encoding O-antigen biosynthesis are clustered in the rfb operon. The gene rfbJ in strain LT2 (serovar typhimurium, group B) and the genes rfbS and rfbE in strain Ty2 (serovar typhi, group D) account for the known differences in the rfb gene clusters used for determination of group specificity. In this paper, we report the nucleotide sequence of 2.9 kb of DNA from the rfb gene cluster of strain Ty2 and the finding of two open reading frames which have limited similarity with the corresponding open reading frames of strain LT2. These two genes complete the sequence of the rfb region of group D strain Ty2 if we use strain LT2 sequence where restriction site data show it to be extremely similar to the strain Ty2 sequence. The restriction map of the rfb gene cluster in group A strain IMVS1316 (serovar paratyphi) is identical to that of the cluster in strain Ty2 except for a frameshift mutation in rfbE and a triplicated region. The rfb gene clusters of these three strains are compared, and the evolutionary origin of these genes is discussed.     

Evolution of a D. melanogaster glutamate tRNA gene cluster

We have determined the DNA sequence of a cloned cluster of essentially identical glutamate tRNA genes of D. melanogaster. The cluster consists of five genes: a gene triplet spanning approximately 0.55 kb followed by a 0.45 kb gene doublet 3.0 kb downstream. The genes are all arranged with the same polarity, do not encode the tRNA CCA end and contain no intervening sequences. Examination of the 5' and 3' sequences immediately flanking each gene reveals a striking pattern of sequence homologies between certain of the genes, which suggests a possible evolutionary history of this gene cluster. We propose that two ancestral genes each gave rise to gene doublets by duplication, while one of these gene pairs then gave rise, in turn, to a trio of genes as a result of unequal crossover.     

The human histone gene cluster at the D6S105 locus

The sequences and organization of the histone genes in the histone gene cluster at the chromosomal marker D6S105 have been determined by analyzing the Centre d’étude du Polymorphisme Humain yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) 964f1. The insert of the YAC was subcloned in cosmids. In the established contig of the histone-gene-containing cosmids, 16 histone genes and 2 pseudogenes were identified: one H1 gene (H1.5), five H2A genes, four H2B genes and one pseudogene of H2B, three H3 genes, and three H4 genes plus one H4 pseudogene. The cluster extends about 80 kb with a nonordered arrangement of the histone genes. The dinucleotide repeat polymorphic marker D6S105 was localized at the telomeric end of this histone gene cluster. Almost all human histone genes isolated until now have been localized within this histone gene cluster and within the previously described region of histone genes, about 2 Mb telomeric of the newly described cluster or in a small group of histone genes on chromosome 1. We therefore conclude that the data presented here complete the set of human histone genes. This now allows the general organization of the human histone gene complement to be outlined on the basis of a compilation of all known histone gene clusters and solitary histone genes. Received: 30 June 1997 / Accepted: 3 September 1997     

Sequence analysis and functional characterization of the violacein biosynthetic pathway from Chromobacterium violaceum

Violacein is a purple-colored, broad-spectrum antibacterial pigment that has a dimeric structure composed of 5-hydroxyindole, oxindole and 2-pyyrolidone subunits formed by the condensation of two modified tryptophan molecules. The violacein biosynthetic gene cluster from Chromobacterium violaceum was characterized by DNA sequencing, transposon mutagenesis, and chemical analysis of the pathway intermediates produced heterologously in Escherichia. coli. The violacein biosynthetic gene cluster spans eight kilobases and is comprised of the four genes, vioABCD, that are necessary for violacein production. Sequence analysis suggests that the products of vioA, vioC and vioD are nucleotide-dependent monooxygenases. Disruption of vioA or vioB completely abrogates the biosynthesis of violacein intermediates, while disruption of the vioC or vioD genes results in the production of violacein precursors.     

Cloning and characterization of a new polyketide synthase gene cluster in Streptomyces aureofaciens CCM 3239.

We cloned a new polyketide gene cluster, aur2, in Streptomyces aureofaciens CCM3239. Sequence analysis of the 9531-bp DNA fragment revealed 10 open reading frames, majority of which showed high similarity to the previously characterized type II polyketide synthase (PKS) genes. An unusual feature of the aur2 cluster is a disconnected organization of minimal PKS genes; ACP is located apart from the genes for ketosynthases KSalpha and KSbeta. The aur2 gene cluster was disrupted in S. aureofaciens CCM3239 by a homologous recombination, replacing the four genes (aur2A, E, F, G) including ketosynthase KSalpha, with antibiotic resistance marker gene. The disruption did not affect growth and differentiation, and disrupted strain produced spores with wild-type grey-pink pigmentation. The biochromatographic analysis of the culture extracts from S. aureofaciens wild type and aur2-disrupted strains did not reveal any difference in the pattern of antibacterial compounds.     

Cloning of the gene cluster responsible for biosynthesis of KS-505a (longestin), a unique tetraterpenoid

KS-505a (longestin), produced by Streptomyces argenteolus, has a unique structure that consists of a tetraterpene (C40) skeleton, to which a 2-O-methylglucuronic acid and an o-succinyl benzoate moiety are attached. It is a novel inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase, which is representative of a potent anti-amnesia drug. As a first step to understanding the biosynthetic machinery of this unique and pharmaceutically useful compound, we cloned a KS505a biosynthetic gene cluster. First we searched for a gene encoding octaprenyl diphosphates, which yielded a C40 precursor by PCR, and four candidate genes were obtained. Among these, one was confirmed to have the expected enzyme activity by recombinant enzyme assay. On the basis of an analysis of the flanking regions of the gene, a putative KS-505a biosynthetic gene cluster consisting of 24 ORFs was judged perhaps to be present on a 28-kb DNA fragment. A gene disruption experiment was also employed to confirm that the cluster indeed participated in KS-505a biosynthesis. This is believed to be the first report detailing the gene cluster of a cyclized tetraterpenoid.     

Cloning of the Gene Cluster Responsible for Biosynthesis of KS-505a (Longestin), a Unique Tetraterpenoid

KS-505a (longestin), produced by Streptomyces argenteolus, has a unique structure that consists of a tetraterpene (C40) skeleton, to which a 2-O-methylglucuronic acid and an o-succinyl benzoate moiety are attached. It is a novel inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase, which is representative of a potent anti-amnesia drug. As a first step to understanding the biosynthetic machinery of this unique and pharmaceutically useful compound, we cloned a KS505a biosynthetic gene cluster. First we searched for a gene encoding octaprenyl diphosphates, which yielded a C40 precursor by PCR, and four candidate genes were obtained. Among these, one was confirmed to have the expected enzyme activity by recombinant enzyme assay. On the basis of an analysis of the flanking regions of the gene, a putative KS-505a biosynthetic gene cluster consisting of 24 ORFs was judged perhaps to be present on a 28-kb DNA fragment. A gene disruption experiment was also employed to confirm that the cluster indeed participated in KS-505a biosynthesis. This is believed to be the first report detailing the gene cluster of a cyclized tetraterpenoid.     

Heterologous expression and characterization of the exopolysaccharide from Streptococcus thermophilus Sfi39.

The genes responsible for exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in Streptococcus thermophilus Sfi39 were identified on a 20-kb genomic fragment. The two genes, epsE and epsG, were shown to be involved in EPS synthesis as their disruption lead to the loss of the ropy phenotype. Several naturally selected nonropy mutants were isolated, one acquired an insertion sequence (IS)-element (IS905) in the middle of the eps gene cluster. The eps gene cluster was cloned and transferred into a nonEPS-producing heterologous host, Lactococcus lactis MG1363. The EPS produced was shown by chemical analysis and NMR spectroscopy to be identical to the EPS produced by S. thermophilus Sfi39. This demonstrated first that all genes needed for EPS production and export were present in the S. thermophilus Sfi39 eps gene cluster, and second that the heterologous production of an EPS was possible by transfer of the complete eps gene cluster alone, provided that the heterologous host possessed all necessary genetic information for precursor synthesis.     

Localization of a gene for Duane retraction syndrome to chromosome 2q31

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a congenital eye-movement disorder characterized by a failure of cranial nerve VI (the abducens nerve) to develop normally, resulting in restriction or absence of abduction, restricted adduction, and narrowing of the palpebral fissure and retraction of the globe on attempted adduction. DRS has a prevalence of approximately 0.1% in the general population and accounts for 5% of all strabismus cases. Undiagnosed DRS in children can lead to amblyopia, a permanent uncorrectable loss of vision. A large family with autosomal dominant DRS was examined and tested for genetic linkage. After exclusion of candidate regions previously associated with DRS, a genomewide search with highly polymorphic microsatellite markers was performed, and significant evidence for linkage was obtained at chromosome 2q31 (D2S2314 maximum LOD score 11.73 at maximum recombination fraction. 0). Haplotype analysis places the affected gene in a 17.8-cM region between the markers D2S2330 and D2S364. No recombinants were seen with markers between these two loci. The linked region contains the homeobox D gene cluster. Three of the genes within this cluster, known to participate in hindbrain development, were sequenced in affected and control individuals. Coding sequences for these genes were normal or had genetic alterations unlikely to be responsible for the DRS phenotype. Identifying the gene responsible for DRS may lead to an improved understanding of early cranial-nerve development.     

林可链霉菌NRRL 2936中帕马霉素生物合成基因簇的异源 表达及调控基因功能研究

【背景】帕马霉素属于大环内酯类抗生素,具有较好的抗感染活性。该类化合物独特的化学结构和显著的生理活性受到了许多研究者的关注。同时,本实验室在林可链霉菌NRRL2936的全基因组序列中发现了帕马霉素的生物合成基因簇。【目的】尽管其生物合成途径已经得到了解析,但其生物合成基因簇中的2个调控基因功能尚不清楚。本研究从林可链霉菌NRRL2936的基因组文库中克隆了含有帕马霉素生物合成完整基因簇的质粒pJQK450,开展了质粒pJQK450在链霉菌中的异源表达,实现了帕马霉素的异源合成,并初步确定该生物合成基因簇中两个调控基因的功能。【方法】利用聚合酶链式反应递缩基因组文库筛选的方法,从林可链霉菌(Streptomyces lincolnensis)NRRL 2936基因组文库中筛选到了含有帕马霉素生物合成完整基因簇的Fosmid质粒pJQK450。然后,将该质粒转化到E.coli ET12567/pUZ8002中,利用大肠杆菌-链霉菌双亲接合转移的方法将pJQK450转入异源宿主中。对获得的异源表达菌株进行发酵产物的制备,采用耻垢分枝杆菌mc2155作为指示菌株进行帕马霉素生物活性测试,并结合LC-MS的分析确定帕马霉素的产生情况。最后,通过基因失活与回补的方法,考察帕马霉素生物合成基因簇中调控蛋白PamR1和PamR2对帕马霉素生物合成的影响。【结果】帕马霉素生物合成基因簇在天蓝色链霉菌M1154中实现了表达,证明PamR1和PamR2负调控了帕马霉素生物合成的过程。【结论】帕马霉素完整基因簇的成功异源表达,一方面便于其生物合成途径的遗传改造,为帕马霉素的生物合成及优产改造研究奠定了基础;另外,调控基因功能的研究为帕马霉素的产量优化提供了改造的目标。