Cloning and sequence analysis of the micronuclear and macronuclear gene encoding Rab protein of Euplotes octocarinatus

The DNA in a micronucleus undergoes remarkable rearrangements when it develops into a macronucleus after cell mating in the hypotrichous ciliate. A Rab gene was isolated from the macronuclear plasmid mini-library of Euplotes octocarinatus. A micronuclear version of the Rab gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The macronuclear DNA molecule carrying the Rab gene is 767 bp long and shows characteristics typical of macronuclear chromosomes of hypotrichous ciliates. Three of the five cysteines are encoded by the opal codon UGA. The deduced protein is a 207-amino acid (aa) with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. The protein shares 36% identity with Rab 1 protein of Plasmodium and yeast. Analysis of the sequences indicated that the micronuclear version of the Rab gene contains two internal eliminated sequences, internal eliminated sequence (IES)1 and IES2. IES1 is flanked by a pair of hepta-nucleotide 5'-AAATTTT-3' direct repeats, and IES2 is flanked by 5'-TA-3' direct repeats.     

Pheromone 4 gene of Euplotes octocarinatus.

We have cloned and sequenced a 1.7 kb macronuclear chromosome encoding the pheromone 4 gene of Euplotes octocarinatus. The sequence of the secreted pheromone is preceded by a 42 amino acid leader peptide, which ends with a lysine residue. The sequence coding for the leader peptide contains information for a putative signal peptide and is interrupted by a 772 bp intron as shown by comparison with a cDNA clone. A 64 bp intron and a 145 bp intron interrupt the sequence coding for the secreted pheromone. The three introns contain typical 5' and 3' splice junctions and a putative branch point site. The small introns have a low GC content. The large intron has a GC content similar to that of the pheromone 4 gene exons. The amino acid sequence of pheromone 4, deduced from both the genomic DNA and the cDNA of pheromone 4, shows that the secreted pheromone consists of 85 amino acids. One of its amino acids is encoded by a UGA codon. Since it has been shown for pheromone 3 of E. octocarinatus that UGA is translated as cysteine, it is assumed that the UGA codon encodes cysteine in pheromone 4 as well. The 164 bp noncoding region upstream of the leader peptide is AT-rich and contains an inverted repeat capable of forming a stem-loop structure with a stem of 11 bp. The 151 bp noncoding region at the 3' end of the chromosome contains a putative polyadenylation sequence and an inverted repeat. The macronuclear molecule is flanked by telomeres and carries the pentanucleotide motif TTGAA, located at a distance of 17 nucleotides from the telomeres. This motif has been suggested to be involved in the formation of macronuclear chromosomes.     

Pheromone 4 gene of Euplotes octocarinatus

We have cloned and sequenced a 1.7 kb macronuclear chromosome encoding the pheromone 4 gene of Euplotes octocarinatus. The sequence of the secreted pheromone is preceded by a 42 amino acid leader peptide, which ends with a lysine residue. The sequence coding for the leader peptide contains information for a putative signal peptide and is interrupted by a 772 bp intron as shown by comparison with a cDNA clone. A 64 bp intron and a 145 bp intron interrupt the sequence coding for the secreted pheromone. The three introns contain typical 5′ and 3′ splice junctions and a putative branch point site. The small introns have a low GC content. The large intron has a GC content similar to that of the pheromone 4 gene exons. The amino acid sequence of pheromone 4, deduced from both the genomic DNA and the cDNA of pheromone 4, shows that the secreted pheromone consists of 85 amino acids. One of its amino acids is encoded by a UGA codon. Since it has been shown for pheromone 3 of E. octocarinatus that UGA is translated as cysteine, it is assumed that the UGA codon encodes cysteine in pheromone 4 as well. The 164 bp noncoding region upstream of the leader peptide is AT-rich and contains an inverted repeat capable of forming a stem-loop structure with a stem of 11 bp. The 151 bp noncoding region at the 3′ end of the chromosome contains a putative polyadenylation sequence and an inverted repeat. The macro-nuclear molecule is flanked by telomeres and carries the pentanucleotide motif TTGAA, located at a distance of 17 nucleotides from the telomeres. This motif has been suggested to be involved in the formation of macronuclear chromosomes. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Identification of the Tubulin Gene Family and Sequence Determination of One β-Tubulin Gene in a Cold-Poikilotherm Protozoan, the Antarctic Ciliate Euplotes focardii

ABSTRACT. Four different tubulin genes were identified in the somatic nucleus (macronucleus) of Euplotes focardii , a strictly coldadapted, Antarctic ciliate: one of 1,800 bp for α-tubulin and three of 2,150, 1,900, and 1,600 bp, respectively, for β -tubulin. Preliminarily analysed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms, these genes showed remarkable differences in organisation from tubulin genes of other ciliates which live in temperate areas and were analysed in parallel with E. focardii. The complete coding sequence of the 1,600 bp β -tubulin gene was then determined and shown to contain unique structural features of potential importance for E. focardii microtubule organization and activity. Of eight unique substitutions detected, seven were concentrated in the large amino terminal domain of the molecule that directly interacts with the carboxy terminal region of α-tubulin for heterodimer formation. Sequence analysis of the cloned gene revealed, in addition, a potential new exception in the use of the genetic code by ciliates. A TAG codon was aligned in correspondence with Trp-21 which is strictly conserved in every tubulin sequence so far determined.     

八肋游仆虫Rab家族新成员Eo-rab-1N基因的克隆与序列分析

Rab蛋白家族属于小分子GTP结合蛋白家族Ras超家族中最大的亚家族,主要在囊泡运输中起作用。本实验运用PCR、RT-PCR等技术,从八肋游仆虫中克隆到一种新的rab基因。序列分析结果表明：在大核中,该基因全长884bp,除去两端的端粒与非编码区,该基因在大核中由723bp组成。从小核中克隆相应的基因片段,此基因片段序列与大核中序列一致,表明该基因在小核中无内部删除序列的存在。通过RT-PCR,从mRNA获得的该基因的开放读框为663bp,表明该基因在转录过程中有内含子的删除。大核基因序列和cDNA序列比较,发现60bp的内含子序列位于大核基因的153~212bp之间,并符合一类内含子GU-AG剪切规则。在遗传密码使用上,该基因内部含有2个TGA,在游仆虫中编码半胱氨酸。同时首次发现,八肋游仆虫基因使用TAG作为终止密码子。NCBI上序列比对表明该基因翻译的蛋白与其它物种Rab1蛋白的同源性达49%~52%,因此我们将它命名为Eo-rab-1N,GenBank登录号为DQ105562。Eo-rab-1N与其他物种的Rab1蛋白构建进化树,发现该蛋白的进化与物种的进化保持一致,表明该基因在细胞中具有重要功能。     

The ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus expresses two polypeptide release factors of the type eRF1

Amplification of macronuclear DNA of the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus revealed the presence of two genes encoding putative polypeptide release factors (RFs) of the codon specific class-I type. They are named eRF1a and eRF1b, respectively. cDNA amplification revealed that both eRF1 genes are expressed. Determination of their copy numbers showed that they are similarly amplified to a level of about 27,000. The deduced protein sequences of the two genes are 57 and 58% identical with human eRF1 and 79% identical to each other. The gene encoding eRF1b possesses three in-frame UGA codons. This codon is known to encode cysteine in Euplotes; only UAA and UAG are used as stop codons in this organism. The primary structure of the two release factors is analyzed and compared with the primary structure of other eukaryotic release factors including the one of Tetrahymena thermophila which uses only UGA as a stop codon. eRF1a and eRF1b of Euplotes as well as eRF1 of Tetrahymena differ from human eRF1 and other class-I release factors of eukaryotes in a domain recently proposed to be responsible for codon recognition. Based on the changes which we observe in this region and the differential use of the stop codons in these two ciliates we predict the amino acids participating in stop codon recognition in eRF1 release factors.     

The micronuclear gene encoding a putative aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase cofactor of the ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus is interrupted by two sequences that are removed during macronuclear development.

The micronuclear gene of the ciliated protozoan Euplotes octocarinatus (Eo) syngen 1 encoding the putative aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase cofactor (ARCE), as well as its macronuclear version and the corresponding cDNA, were amplified and sequenced. Analyses of the sequences revealed that the micronuclear gene contains two sequences (430 and 625bp long) that are missing in the macronuclear version of this gene. These sequences are called 'internal eliminated sequences' (IESs) and appear to occur in all ciliates. The two IESs are located in the coding region of the micronuclear gene. One IES is flanked by a pair of dinucleotide 5'-TA-3' direct repeats and the other one by a pair of hepta-nucleotide 5'-TTACTGA-3' direct repeats. Inside the two IESs, several other sequence repeats were found. The macronuclear DNA molecule carrying this gene is 1517bp long and shows characteristics typical of macronuclear chromosomes of hypotrichous ciliates. Copy number determination revealed that the molecule is amplified to only about 750 copies per macronucleus. The deduced protein is a 441-amino-acid (aa) polypeptide with a molecular mass of 50kDa. It shares a conserved endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II)-like carboxyl-terminal domain and a hydrophilic central domain containing a KEKE-motif with a group of proteins associated with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and tRNAs.     

八肋游仆虫一种富含三核苷酸重复序列的新基因GARP的克隆与序列分析

人类基因中三核苷酸重复序列拷贝数的异常扩增, 可导致多种神经系统疾病。一种富含GAA三核苷酸的GARP (glutamic acid-rich protein)基因从八肋游仆虫(Euplotes octocarinatus)大核文库中筛选获得。大核中该基因的染色体全长460 bp, 基因两端具有下毛类纤毛虫大核特有的端粒序列(C₄A₄C₄A₄C₄A₄C₄), 开放读框内含有一个TGA_(88-99)密码子, 在游仆虫中编码为半胱氨酸。经DNA Star 软件分析, 该基因编码的蛋白质由112个氨基酸组成, 预测其分子量为13 kDa, 等电点为3.82, 含有四个 [[alpha]] 螺旋和一个 [[beta]] 折叠。小核中对应的该基因含有两个内部删除序列, IES1 和IES2。IES1和IES2分别长41 bp, IES1以GA二核苷酸直接重复为删除信号, IES2以TA二核苷酸直接重复为删除信号。RT- PCR 证明该基因具有转录活性。     

八肋游仆虫微管蛋白基因家族的鉴定及进化分析

为了系统分析八肋游仆虫(Euplotes octocarinatus)微管蛋白基因家族, 从八肋游仆虫大核基因组中共鉴定得到20个微管蛋白基因, 基于同源比对及系统进化分析, 将其归入α、β、γ、δ、ε及η六个微管蛋白亚家族; 多序列比对及Western blot结果显示八肋游仆虫η微管蛋白基因在翻译过程中需发生一次+1位编程性核糖体移码, 其移码位点为AAA-TAA; 所有自由生纤毛虫都含有多个α和β微管蛋白基因亚型, 可能用于组成不同的微管结构。研究为后续深入探讨八肋游仆虫微管蛋白的生物学功能及微管多样性奠定了基础。     

滑动序列对游仆虫中识别+1位和+2位编程性核糖体移码具有关键作用

编程性核糖体移码(programmed ribosomal frameshifting,PRF)广泛存在于生命进化谱系的各个分支,是一种翻译水平上的基因表达调控方式。单细胞真核生物游仆虫(Euplotes)中不仅PRF基因比例高,而且移码类型有+1和+2位两种。本研究从基因组水平对八肋游仆虫(E.octocarinatus)中的+2 PRF基因进行了鉴定,比较分析+1及+2 PRF基因中可能的调控元件。为了探讨游仆虫中滑动序列对移码类型的影响,克隆了八肋游仆虫的+1 PRF基因——η微管蛋白基因,将其构建到含绿色荧光蛋白报告基因的游仆虫大核人工染色体中,转染游仆虫细胞,通过检测GFP的表达来确定不同滑动序列突变体对应的移码类型。结果表明,滑动序列的改变能使游仆虫+1 PRF转变为+2 PRF,且这种移码类型的改变与滑动序列第1个密码子编码何种氨基酸无关。本研究揭示了滑动序列对游仆虫中识别+1和+2位的编程性核糖体移码具有关键作用。     

八肋游仆虫第二类释放因子基因的克隆与序列分析

分离八肋游仆虫 (Euplotesoctocarinatus)大核eRF3基因 ,为进一步研究第二类释放因子结构与功能 ,探讨低等真核生物新生肽链释放机理提供实验素材 .以八肋游仆虫基因组DNA为材料 ,根据已知的第二类释放因子eRF3保守氨基酸序列设计引物 ,扩增克隆了该游仆虫的第二类释放因子基因片段 ,并对其核苷酸序列进行了分析 .根据测得的序列设计特异性引物 ,并利用游仆虫的端粒序列 (C4 A4 C4 A4 C4 A4 C4 )为引物 ,扩增得到该基因的全序列 .序列分析表明 ,该基因位于 2 782bp长的大核染色体上 ,编码区由 2 4 0 0bp组成 ,编码 80 0个氨基酸 ,不含内含子     

Differential DNA Amplification and Copy Number Control in the Hypotrichous Ciliate Euplotes crassus

ABSTRACT. During macronuclear development in hypotrichous ciliated protozoans, several thousand macronuclear DNA molecules are amplified several-hundred fold. We investigated the regulation of this amplification by determining the copy numbers of three different macronuclear DNA molecules in the hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes crassus. Two of the macronuclear DNA molecules were present in approximately 1,000 copies per cell, while the third was present in approximately 6,500 copies per cell. These reiteration levels were achieved either during macronuclear development, or shortly thereafter, and were maintained during vegetative growth. The most abundant macronuclear DNA molecule is present as a single-copy sequence in the micronuclear genome. Thus, its high copy number results from differential amplification. These results indicate that DNA amplification during macronuclear development is regulated individually for each macronuclear DNA molecule.     

Differential DNA amplification and copy number control in the hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes crassus

During macronuclear development in hypotrichous ciliated protozoans, several thousand macronuclear DNA molecules are amplified several-hundred fold. We investigated the regulation of this amplification by determining the copy numbers of three different macronuclear DNA molecules in the hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes crassus. Two of the macronuclear DNA molecules were present in approximately 1,000 copies per cell, while the third was present in approximately 6,500 copies per cell. These reiteration levels were achieved either during macronuclear development, or shortly thereafter, and were maintained during vegetative growth. The most abundant macronuclear DNA molecule is present as a single-copy sequence in the micronuclear genome. Thus, its high copy number results from differential amplification. These results indicate that DNA amplification during macronuclear development is regulated individually for each macronuclear DNA molecule.     

八肋游仆虫含绿色荧光蛋白基因的大核人工染色体的构建

为研究八肋游仆虫(Euplotes octocarinatus)相关基因的功能,构建了八肋游仆虫大核人工染色体(macronuclear artificial chromosome of E. octocarinatus,EoMAC-G),其两端为克隆自八肋游仆虫大核β2-微管蛋白基因的5′和3′非编码区和两侧的端粒序列,中间为多克隆位点和密码子优化后的增强型绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescence protein, EGFP-Eo) 报道基因. 用脂质体转染方法将携带有EoMAC－G的pBTub-Tel载体转入八肋游仆虫大核,分析EGFP-Eo基因在八肋游仆虫细胞中的表达. 荧光显微镜观察发现,EGFP-Eo产生的荧光均匀分布于八肋游仆虫细胞质中. 在细胞进行有丝分裂的情况下,荧 光可持续20 d以上. 相比pEGFP-N1质粒转化的游仆虫,人工染色体中的EGFP-Eo基因表达的荧光亮度强、稳定且持续时间长. Western 杂交分析进一步证实,外源EGFP-Eo基因在细胞中过量表达. 通过细菌喂食法进行纤毛虫RNA干扰实验,抑制了外源EGFP-Eo基因在八肋游仆虫细胞中的表达. 利用构建的人工染色体不仅可以在八肋游仆虫细胞内表达外源基因,对目的蛋白质进行活细胞实时动态的定位分析,还可通过RNA干扰的方法调控外源基因在纤毛虫细胞中的表达,便于进一步分析目的蛋白质的功能.     

Analysis of micronuclear, macronuclear and cDNA sequences encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase of Euplotes octocarinatus: evidence for a ribosomal frameshift

We have isolated and characterized the micronuclear gene encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase of the ciliated protozoan Euplotes octocarinatus, as well as its macronuclear version and the corresponding cDNA. Analyses of the sequences revealed that the micronuclear gene contains one small 69-bp internal eliminated sequence (IES) that is removed during macronuclear development. The IES is located in the 5'-noncoding region of the micronuclear gene and is flanked by a pair of tetranucleotide 5'-TACA-3' direct repeats. The macronuclear DNA molecule carrying this gene is approximately 1400 bp long and is amplified to about 2000 copies per macronucleus. Sequence analysis suggests that the expression of this gene requires a +1 ribosomal frameshift. The deduced protein shares 31% identity with the cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I regulatory subunit of Homo sapiens, and 53% identity with the regulatory subunit R44 of one of the two cAMP-dependent protein kinases of Paramecium. In addition, it contains two highly conserved cAMP binding sites in the C-terminal domain. The putative autophosphorylation site ARTSV of the regulatory subunit of E. octocarinatus is similar to that of the regulatory subunit R44 of Paramecium but distinct from the consensus motif RRXSZ of other eukaryotic regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinases.     

Three novel plasmid R6K proteins act in concert to distort DNA within the α and β origins of DNA replication

Three novel R6K genes which are responsible for expression of DNA distortion polypeptides (DDP) were identified. The DDPs act in vivo in concert to induce similar stepwise DNA helix distortions within two long inverted repeats (αLIR and βLIR), which are essential elements for the two distally located R6K α and β DNA replication origins. DDP1 and DDP2 are encoded by two tandem genes located at the 5' end of αLIR, whereas a gene coding for DDP3 is located at the 3' end of βLIR. DDP1 and DDP2 are required for primary DNA distortion within αLIR or βLIR, while DDP3 is essential for generation of secondary DNA distortion in these LIR sequences. Creation of DNA distortion within αLIR depends on its specific interaction with DDP1 and on the presence of the R6K primase DNA-binding site. The possible relevance of these findings to R6K replication is discussed.     

八肋游仆虫两类释放因子的相互作用

从八肋游仆虫中克隆到两类释放因子基因Eo-eRFI和Eo-eRF3。在Eo-eRF3基因的阅读框中有3个通用的终止密码子UGA,在此编码半胱氨酸。为了研究两类释放因子的相互作用,用PCR的方法对3个位点进行了定点突变,将UGA突变为通用的编码半胱氨酸的密码子UGU。突变结果经测序确认后,在大肠杆菌中获得全长Eo-eRF3的正确表达。在此基础上,构建酵母双杂交重组质粒,用该系统检测了游仆虫两类释放因子的相互作用。结果显示,两类释放因子在生物体内形成复合体,从而在较原始的真核生物中,证实了两类释放因子的相互作用关系。