Localization of the -Glutamine Synthetase Gene to Chromosome 1q23

Glutamine synthetase (E.C. 6.3.1.2) is expressed throughout the body and plays an important role in controlling body pH and in removing ammonia from the circulation. The enzyme clears -glutamate, the major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, from neuronal synapses. The enzyme is a very sensitive marker of many disease and aging processes, especially those involving reactive oxygen species. This report describes the localization of the enzyme to chromosome 1 by PCR analysis of a human/rodent somatic cell hybrid panel. We also describe the localization of a recently described pseudogene to chromosome 9. Further localization of the glutamine synthetase gene locus to 1q23 was accomplished by fluorescencein situhybridization. The glutamine synthetase gene was mapped to five CEPH megaYACs between the polymorphic PCR markers D1S117 and D1S466 by analysis of the Whitehead Institute's recently described chromosome 1 contig map.     

刺芹侧耳谷氨酰胺合成酶编码基因克隆和表达分析

谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）是真菌氮素同化代谢和谷氨酸合成中的关键酶,采用3’RACE和5’RACE实验技术,克隆获得刺芹侧耳（杏鲍菇）谷氨酰胺合成酶编码基因（PE-GS）全长序列,长度为1 271bp,具有4个内含子和5个外显子,编码353个氨基酸残基。系统进化树分析表明,刺芹侧耳PE-GS与糙皮侧耳GS在分子进化关系上相近。通过real time RT-PCR方法对PE-GS基因在刺芹侧耳基质菌丝体和子实体中的表达情况进行了分析,结果表明,刺芹侧耳PE-GS基因在子实体具有较高的表达水平,这暗示刺芹侧耳PE-GS基因在子实体的氮素代谢中可能承担重要功能。     

The isolation and characterization of glutamine-requiring strains of Escherichia coli K12.

Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 requiring glutamine as a nitrogen source were isolated, and characterized as lacking glutamine synthetase activity. Temperature sensitive revertants of one of the mutants had a heat labile glutamine synthetase, while temperature insensitive revertants had a glutamine synthetase which was thermostable in vitro, indicating that the mutation was in the structural gene for the enzyme. All of the mutations mapped in the same region of the chromosome suggesting that they might all be in the same gene. The glutamine synthetase gene (gln) was located on the E. coli chromosome by conjugation and P1-mediated transduction at minute 77. The gln gene cotransduced with the genes for oleate degradation (old), and the genes for L-rhamnose utilization (rha). The most probable gene order is old-gln-rha.     

A 2-Mb YAC Contig and Physical Map Covering the Chromosome 8q12 Breakpoint Cluster Region in Pleomorphic Adenomas of the Salivary Glands

Pleomorphic adenomas are benign epithelial tumors originating from the major and minor salivary glands. Extensive cytogenetic studies have demonstrated that they frequently show chromosome abnormalities involving chromosome 8, with consistent breakpoints at 8q12. In previous studies, we have shown that these breakpoints are located in a 9-cM interval betweenMOS/D8S285 and D8S260. Here, we describe directional chromosome walking studies starting from D8S260 as well as D8S285. Using the CEPH and ICRF YAC libraries, these studies resulted in the construction of two nonoverlapping YAC contigs of about 2 and 5 Mb, respectively. Initial fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) analysis suggested that the majority of 8q12 breakpoints clustered within the 2-Mb contig, which was mapped to the centromeric part of chromosome band 8q12. This contig has at least double coverage and consists of 34 overlapping YAC clones. The localization of the YACs was confirmed by FISH analysis. On the basis of mapping data of landmarks with an average spacing of 65 kb as well as restriction enzyme analysis, a long-range physical map was established for the chromosome region spanned by the 2-Mb contig. The relative positions of various known genes and expressed sequence tags within this contig were also determined. Subsequent FISH analyses of pleomorphic adenomas using YACs as well as cosmids revealed that all but two of the 8q12 breakpoints in the primary tumors tested mapped within a 300-kb interval between theMOSproto-oncogene and STS EM156. The target gene affected by the chromosome aberrations mapping within this interval was recently shown to be thePLAG1gene, which encodes a novel zinc finger protein.     

Genetic,molecular and developmental analysis of the glutamine synthetase isozymes ofDrosophila melanogaster

The glutamine synthetase isozymes ofDrosophila melanogaster offer an attractive model for the study of the molecular genetics and evolution of a small gene family encoding enzymatic isoforms that evolved to assume a variety of specific and sometimes essential biological functions. InDrosophila melanogaster two GS. isozymes have been described which exhibit different cellular localisation and are coded by a two-member gene family. The mitochondrial GS structural gene resides at the 21B region of the second chromosome, the structural gene for the cytosolic isoform at the 10B region of the X chromosome. cDNA clones corresponding to the two genes have been isolated and sequenced. Evolutionary analysis data are in accord with the hypothesis that the twoDrosophila glutamine synthetase genes are derived from a duplication event that occurred near the time of divergence between Insecta and Vertebrata. Both isoforms catalyse all reactions catalysed by other glutamine synthetases, but the different kinetic parameters and the different cellular compartmentalisation suggest strong functional specialisation. In fact, mutations of the mitochondrial GS gene produce embryo-lethal female sterility, defining a function of the gene product essential for the early stages of embryonic development. Preliminary results show strikingly distinct spatial and temporal patterns of expression of the two isoforms at later stages of development.     

Immunocytolocalization of glutamine synthetase in mesophyll and phloem of leaves ofSolanum tuberosum L.

Summary Localization of glutamine synthetase inSolanum tuberosum leaves was investigated by techniques of Western tissue printing and immunogold electron microscopy. Anti-GS antibodies used in immunolocalization recognize two peptides (45 kDa and 42 kDa) on Western blots. Antibody stained tissue prints on nitrocellulose membranes allowed low resolution localization of GS. Immunostaining was most evident in the adaxial phloem of the leaf midribs and petiole veins. High-resolution localization of glutamine synthetase by immunogold electron microscopy revealed that this enzyme occurs in both the chloroplasts and the cytosol ofS. tuberosum leaf cells. However, GS was specifically associated with the chloroplasts of mesophyll cells and with the cytoplasm of phloem companion cells. The evidence for cell-specific localization of chloroplast and cytosolic GS presented here agrees with the recently reported cell-specific pattern of expression of GUS reporter gene, directed by promoters for chloroplast and cytosolic GS form in tobacco transgenic plants. These data provide additional clues to the interpretation of the functional role of these different isoenzymes and its relationship with their specific localization.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - EM electron microscope - GOGAT glutamate synthase - GS glutamine synthetase - GUS -glucuronidase - IgG immunoglobulin - PBS phosphate buffer saline - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

The GLN1 Locus of SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE Encodes Glutamine Synthetase

Among 41 yeast glutamine auxotrophs, complementation analysis defined a single gene, GLN1, on chromosome 16 between MAK3 and MAK6. Half of the alleles fell into two intragenic complementation classes. No clustering of complementing alleles was found in a fine structure map. Altered glutamine synthetase subunits, including nonsense fragments and charge variants, were identified in several of the mutants, indicating that GLN1 is the structural gene for this enzyme. Negative complementation was observed for almost every allele associated with a protein product and all gln1/+ heterozygotes displayed reduced susceptibility to ammonia repression of the remaining glutamine synthetase activity. This latter observation is explained by the hypothesis that ammonia represses the enzyme only through its metabolism to glutamine. A basis for the two gln1 complementation classes is proposed.     

Identification of the structural gene for glutamine synthetase in Klebsiella aerogenes.

Mutations at two sites of the Klebsiella aerogenes chromosome, unlinked by transduction with phages PW52 and P1, result in the lack of enzymatically active glutamine synthetase. A mutation in the glnB site leads to a marked decrease in the formation of an apparently normal enzyme. Some of the mutations in the glnA site lead to the production of enzymatically inactive material capable of reacting with anti-glutamine synthetase serum. The revertant of a glnA mutant was found to produce a glutamine synthetase with less activity and less stability to heat than the enzyme of the wild type. These results locate the structural gene to the production of enzymatically inactive glutamine synthetase antigen, not subject to repression by exogenously added ammonia. This observation suggests that glutamine synthetase is itself involved in the regulation of the synthesis of glutamine synthetase.     

Mapping of the Gene Encoding the Regulatory Subunit RIIα of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase (Locus PRKAR2A) to Human Chromosome Region 3p21.3–p21.2

We have determined the chromosomal localization of the gene for the regulatory subunit RIIα of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (locus PRKAR2A) to human chromosome 3 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis of two different somatic cell hybrid mapping panels. Furthermore, PCR analysis of a chromosome 3 mapping panel revealed the presence of a human RIIα-specific amplification product only in cell lines containing the region 3p21.3–p21.2. The localization of PRKAR2A was confirmed by PCR mapping using the Stanford G3 Radiation Hybrid Panel as template. The results from this analysis demonstrated that PRKAR2A is most closely linked to D3S3334 (lod score 12.5) and flanked by D3S1322E and D3S1581.     

Conserved Chromosomal Location and Genomic Structure of Human and Mouse Fatty-Acid Amide Hydrolase Genes and Evaluation ofclasperas a Candidate Neurological Mutation

Fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a membrane-bound enzyme that degrades neuromodulatory fatty acid amides, such as oleamide and anandamide, and is expressed in the mammalian central nervous system. To evaluateFAAHgenes as candidates for neurogenetic diseases in humans and mice, we have mapped the loci in both species and have determined their intron–exon structures. The humanFAAHgene was mapped to region 1p34–p35, closely linked to D1S197 and D1S443, by using PCR analysis of somatic cell hybrid (SCH) and radiation hybrid mapping panels. Analysis of an SCH mapping panel and a mouse interspecific backcross panel has localized theFaahgene to the conserved syntenic region on mouse chromosome 4, close to the neurological mutationclasper. Faahgene rearrangements were excluded by Southern blot analysis of clasper DNA. No sequence abnormality was detected in PCR products containing the 15 exons and splice junctions of the mouseFaahgene. FAAH protein levels were normal in clasper mouse tissues as determined by enzyme activity assays and Western blotting.     

Linkage analysis of the nail-patella syndrome.

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by dysplasia of nails and patella, decreased mobility of the elbow, iliac horns, and, in some cases, nephropathy. The disorder has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome 9, but the precise localization and identity of the NPS gene are unknown. Linkage analysis in three NPS families, using highly informative dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms on 9q33-q34, confirmed linkage of NPS to this chromosome. Recombinations were detected, by two-point linkage analysis, between NPS and the centromeric markers D9S60 and the gelsolin gene and the telomeric markers D9S64 and D9S66, in one of the families. Haplotype analysis suggested an additional recombination between NPS and the argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) gene. These results localize the NPS gene to an interval on 9q34.1, distal to D9S60 and proximal to ASS, comprising a genetic distance of approximately 9 cM. This represents a significant refinement in the localization of the NPS gene.     

Immunocytochemical localization of glutamine synthetase in Rhodobacter capsulatus E1F1 and Rhodopseudomonas acidophila

Intracellular localization of glutamine synthetase has been studied by immunochemical techniques with cryosections and London Resin sections of Rhodobacter capsulatus E1F1 and Rhodopseudomonas acidophila. For immunostaining, sections were sequentially incubated with monospecific anti-glutamine synthetase antibodies (R. capsulatus) and gold labelled goat anti-rabbit antibodies. Gold label was present in the cytoplasm but not in the cell walls. The antigen is not associated with the cell membrane or with photosynthetic vesicle whether these are round and randomly distributed (R. capsulatus) or flattened and organized in well defined stacks (R. acidophila). Our results also indicate that glutamine synthetase is absent from the central, nucleoid part of the cell. The enzyme is present in dense cytoplasmic patches, which appear to be RNA-ribosome-containing areas.Abbreviations GS glutamine synthetase - LR London Resin White     

The glutamine synthetase (<Emphasis Type="Italic">GS2</Emphasis>) genes in relation to grain protein content of durum wheat

Glutamine synthetase (GS2) is a key enzyme in plant nitrogen metabolism responsible of the first step of ammonium assimilation and transformation into glutamine (an essential compound in the amino acid-biosynthetic pathway). The goal of the present study was to isolate and characterize GS2 genes and to assess the linkage with grain protein content (GPC), an important quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes. Here, we report the isolation of the complete glutamine synthetase gene sequences and their localization on the two homeologous chromosome 2A and 2B in durum wheat cvs. Ciccio and Svevo characterized by a different grain protein content. GS2-A2 located on 2A chromosome is comprised of 13 exons separated by 12 introns, and the allele sequence in the two cultivars were different for an insertion of 5 bp located in the third exon in the cv. Ciccio. The GS2-B2 has the same intron/exon structure, but the two cultivars differ for the insertion of a 33-bp sequence located in the second intron of the cv. Svevo. Specific primers were designed in the polymorphic region and amplified in a recombinant inbred line mapping population. The study localized GS genes (GS2-A2, GS2-B2 GSe, GSr) on chromosomes 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B, where four significant QTLs for GPC were also located.     

Alteration of the Bacillus subtilis glutamine synthetase results in overproduction of the enzyme.

A mutational leading to glutamine auxotrophy was located near a 5-fluorouracil resistance marker in the citB-thyA region of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. This mutation resulted in a glutamine synthetase with altered kinetic and feedback properties. The specific activity of manganese-stimulated glutamine synthetase activity in crude extracts was 18-fold higher, and the magnesium-stimulated activity was about 30% that of the wild type. Quantitation of the enzyme by precipitation with antibody prepared against pure enzyme confirmed the presence of high enzyme levels in the mutant. This mutation is very closely linked (recombination index of 0.03) to another glutamine auxotroph containing enzyme with altered electrophoretic and heat sensitivity properties. Mutations in the structural gene for glutamine synthetase may result not only in altered catalytic and regulatory properties but also in altered production of the enzyme.     

Regulation of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogenase-derepressed mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

1. A new procedure is described for selecting nitrogenase-derepressed mutants based on the method of Brenchley et al. (Brenchley, J.E., Prival, M.J. and Magasanik, B. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6122-6128) for isolating histidase-constitutive mutants of a non-N2-fixing bacterium. 2. Nitrogenase levels of the new mutants in the presence of NH4+ were as high as 100% of the nitrogenase activity detected in the absence of NH4+. 3. Biochemical characterization of these nitrogen fixation (nif) derepressed mutants reveals that they fall into three classes. Three mutants (strains SK-24, 28 and 29), requiring glutamate for growth, synthesize nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase constitutively (in the presence of NH4+). A second class of mutants (strains SK-27 and 37) requiring glutamine for growth produces derepressed levels of nitrogenase activity and synthesized catalytically inactive glutamine synthetase protein, as determined immunologically. A third class of glutamine-requiring, nitrogenase-derepressed mutants (strain SK-25 and 26) synthesizes neither a catalytically active glutamine synthetase enzyme nor an immunologically cross-reactive glutamine synthetase protein. 4. F-prime complementation analysis reveals that the mutant strains SK-25, 26, 27, 37 map in a segment of the Klebsiella chromosome corresponding to the region coding for glutamine synthetase. Since the mutant strains SK-27 and SK-37 produce inactive glutamine synthetase protein, it is concluded that these mutations map within the glutamine synthetase structural gene.     

Refined Mapping of the Usher Syndrome Type III Locus on Chromosome 3, Exclusion of Candidate Genes, and Identification of the Putative Mouse Homologous Region

A locus for Usher syndrome type III (USH3;MIM No. 276902) was recently assigned to a 5-cM region on chromosome 3q. We constructed a yeast artificial chromosome contig that allowed us to position novel polymorphisms in the region. These were typed in a total of 32 pedigrees from a geographically isolated Finnish founder population in which a putative single ancestralUSH3mutation segregates. A multipoint linkage analysis assignedUSH3to a 4-cM region betweenD3S1555and a novel markerD3S3625.By analysis of linkage disequilibrium and historical recombinations in 77USH3chromosomes, the location of the Finnish USH3 mutation could be narrowed to an approximately 1-cM interval between the markersD3S1299andD3S3625.A gene for profilin-2 (PFN2) was mapped in the vicinity and excluded as a candidate for USH3 by sequencing. The putative mouse homolog ofPFN2was mapped to mouse chromosome 3, thus suggesting a localization for the mouse homolog ofUSH3.     

Regulation of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogenase-derepressed mutants of Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. A new procedure is described for selecting nitrogenase-derepressed mutants based on the method of Brenchley et al. (Brenchley, J. E., Prival, M. J. and Magasanik, B. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 6122–6128) for isolating histidase-constitutive mutants of a non-N₂-fixing bacterium.2. Nitrogenase levels of the new mutants in the presence of NH₄⁺ were as high as 100% of the nitrogenase activity detected in the absence of NH₄⁺.3. Biochemical characterization of these nitrogen fixation (nif) derepressed mutants reveals that they fall into three classes. Three mutants (strains SK-24, 28 and 29), requiring glutamate for growth, synthesize nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase constitutively (in the presence of NH₄⁺). A second class of mutants (strains SK-27 and 37) requiring glutamine for growth produces derepressed levels of nitrogenase activity and synthesized catalytically inactive glutamine synthetase protein, as determined immunologically. A third class of glutamine-requiring, nitrogenase-derepressed mutants (strain SK-25 and 26) synthesizes neither a catalytically active glutamine synthetase enzyme nor an immunologically cross-reactive glutamine synthetase protein.4. F-prime complementation analysis reveals that the mutant strains SK-25, 26, 27, 37 map in a segment of the Klebsiella chromosome corresponding to the region coding for glutamine synthetase. Since the mutant strains SK-27 and SK-37 produce inactive glutamine synthetase protein, it is concluded that these mutations map within the glutamine synthetase structural gene.     

Complementation analysis of glnA-linked mutations which affect nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Summary A number of mutants have been isolated which affect regulation of the nitrogen fixation (nif) gene cluster in Klebsiella pneumoniae and all of which are linked to glnA, the structural gene for glutamine synthetase (G.S.). These mutants were classified on the basis of their G.S. and nitrogenase activities in conditions of nitrogen limitation and excess. The plasmid R68.45 was then used to generate a number of R-primes carrying the glnA region of the K. pneumoniae chromosome. One of these R-primes (pGE10) was subsequently used in complementation analysis and by isolation of transposon-induced insertion mutations in pGE10 we have demonstrated the existence of a gene, glnG, closely linked to glnA. Mutations in glnG have a similar phenotype to glnG mutants described in Escherichia coli (Pahel and Tyler 1979) and Salmonella typhimurium (Kustu et al. 1979) in that they substantially reduce G.S. activity but are not glutamine auxotrophs. GlnG mutants have very low nitrogenase activity indicating that the glnG product may be involved in regulation of the nif gene cluster in K. pneumoniae.