RNA stem–loop enhanced expression of previously non-expressible genes

The key step in bacterial translation is formation of the pre-initiation complex. This requires initial contacts between mRNA, fMet-tRNA and the 30S subunit of the ribosome, steps that limit the initiation of translation. Here we report a method for improving translational initiation, which allows expression of several previously non-expressible genes. This method has potential applications in heterologous protein synthesis and high-throughput expression systems. We introduced a synthetic RNA stem–loop (stem length, 7 bp; ΔG₀ = –9.9 kcal/mol) in front of various gene sequences. In each case, the stem–loop was inserted 15 nt downstream from the start codon. Insertion of the stem–loop allowed in vitro expression of five previously non-expressible genes and enhanced the expression of all other genes investigated. Analysis of the RNA structure proved that the stem–loop was formed in vitro, and demonstrated that stabilization of the ribosome binding site is due to stem–loop introduction. By theoretical RNA structure analysis we showed that the inserted RNA stem–loop suppresses long-range interactions between the translation initiation domain and gene-specific mRNA sequences. Thus the inserted RNA stem–loop supports the formation of a separate translational initiation domain, which is more accessible to ribosome binding.     

A Simple Screen to Identify Promoters Conferring High Levels of Phenotypic Noise

Genetically identical populations of unicellular organisms often show marked variation in some phenotypic traits. To investigate the molecular causes and possible biological functions of this phenotypic noise, it would be useful to have a method to identify genes whose expression varies stochastically on a certain time scale. Here, we developed such a method and used it for identifying genes with high levels of phenotypic noise in Salmonella enterica ssp. I serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). We created a genomic plasmid library fused to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter and subjected replicate populations harboring this library to fluctuating selection for GFP expression using fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS). After seven rounds of fluctuating selection, the populations were strongly enriched for promoters that showed a high amount of noise in gene expression. Our results indicate that the activity of some promoters of S. Typhimurium varies on such a short time scale that these promoters can absorb rapid fluctuations in the direction of selection, as imposed during our experiment. The genomic fragments that conferred the highest levels of phenotypic variation were promoters controlling the synthesis of flagella, which are associated with virulence and host–pathogen interactions. This confirms earlier reports that phenotypic noise may play a role in pathogenesis and indicates that these promoters have among the highest levels of noise in the S. Typhimurium genome. This approach can be applied to many other bacterial and eukaryotic systems as a simple method for identifying genes with noisy expression.     

Gradients in nucleotide and codon usage along Escherichia coli genes

The usage of codons and nucleotide combinations varies along genes and systematic variation causes gradients in usage. We have studied such gradients of nucleotides and nucleotide combinations and their immediate context in Escherichia coli. To distinguish mutational and selectional effects, the genes were subdivided into three groups with different codon usage bias and the gradients of nucleotide usage were studied in each group. Some combinations that can be associated with a propensity for processivity errors show strong negative gradients that become weaker in genes with low codon bias, consistent with a selection on translational efficiency. One of the strongest gradients is for third position G, which shows a pervasive positive gradient in usage in most contexts of surrounding bases.     

Dissecting Quantitative Trait Loci for Boron Efficiency across Multiple Environments in Brassica napus

High yield is the most important goal in crop breeding, and boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plants. However, B deficiency, leading to yield decreases, is an agricultural problem worldwide. Brassica napus is one of the most sensitive crops to B deficiency, and considerable genotypic variation exists among different cultivars in response to B deficiency. To dissect the genetic basis of tolerance to B deficiency in B. napus, we carried out QTL analysis for seed yield and yield-related traits under low and normal B conditions using the double haploid population (TNDH) by two-year and the BQDH population by three-year field trials. In total, 80 putative QTLs and 42 epistatic interactions for seed yield, plant height, branch number, pod number, seed number, seed weight and B efficiency coefficient (BEC) were identified under low and normal B conditions, singly explaining 4.15–23.16% and 0.53–14.38% of the phenotypic variation. An additive effect of putative QTLs was a more important controlling factor than the additive-additive effect of epistatic interactions. Four QTL-by-environment interactions and 7 interactions between epistatic interactions and the environment contributed to 1.27–4.95% and 1.17–3.68% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. The chromosome region on A2 of SYLB-A2 for seed yield under low B condition and BEC-A2 for BEC in the two populations was equivalent to the region of a reported major QTL, BE1. The B. napus homologous genes of Bra020592 and Bra020595 mapped to the A2 region and were speculated to be candidate genes for B efficiency. These findings reveal the complex genetic basis of B efficiency in B. napus. They provide a basis for the fine mapping and cloning of the B efficiency genes and for breeding B-efficient cultivars by marker-assisted selection (MAS).     

The KRAB Zinc Finger Protein RSL1 Modulates Sex-Biased Gene Expression in Liver and Adipose Tissue To Maintain Metabolic Homeostasis

Krüppel-associated box zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) are a huge family of vertebrate-specific repressors that modify gene expression in an epigenetic manner. Despite a well-defined repression mechanism, few biological roles or gene targets of KRAB-ZFP are known. Regulator of sex-limitation 1 (RSL1) is a mouse KRAB-ZFP that enforces male-predominant expression in the liver, affecting body mass and pubertal timing. Here we show that female but not male Rsl1^−/− mice gain more weight than wild-type mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) and that key liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) metabolic genes are altered in both Rsl1^−/− sexes in response to dietary stress. Expression profiling of Rsl1-sensitive genes in liver and WAT indicates that RSL1 accentuates sex-biased gene expression in liver but greatly diminishes it in WAT. RSL1 expression solely in liver is sufficient to limit diet-induced weight gain and suppress lipogenic genes in WAT, indicating that RSL1 balances metabolism via liver-to-adipose-tissue communication. RSL1''s effects on adult physiology exemplify a significant modulatory capacity of KRAB-ZFPs, in the absence of which there is widespread metabolic dysregulation. This ability to buffer against gene expression noise, coupled with extensive individual genetic variation, highlights the enormous potential of KRAB-Zfp genes as candidate risk factors for complex diseases.     

Sperm length is not influenced by haploid gene expression in the flies Drosophila melanogaster and Scathophaga stercoraria

Recent theoretical models have postulated a role for haploid–diploid conflict and for kin selection favouring sperm cooperation and altruism in the diversification and specialization of sperm form. A critical assumption of these models—that haploid gene expression contributes to variation in sperm form—has never been demonstrated and remains contentious. By quantifying within-male variation in sperm length using crosses between males and females from populations that had been subjected to divergent experimental selection, we demonstrate that haploid gene expression does not contribute to variation in sperm length in both Drosophila melanogaster and Scathophaga stercoraria. This finding casts doubt on the importance of haploid–diploid conflict and kin selection as evolutionary influences of sperm phenotypes.     

Synergistic repression of anaerobic genes by Mot3 and Rox1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Two groups of anaerobic genes (genes induced in anaerobic cells and repressed in aerobic cells) are negatively regulated by heme, a metabolite present only in aerobic cells. Members of both groups, the hypoxic genes and the DAN/TIR/ERG genes, are jointly repressed under aerobic conditions by two factors. One is Rox1, an HMG protein, and the second, originally designated Rox7, is shown here to be Mot3, a global C2H2 zinc finger regulator. Repression of anaerobic genes results from co-induction of Mot3 and Rox1 in aerobic cells. Repressor synthesis is triggered by heme, which de-represses a mechanism controlling expression of both MOT3 and ROX1 in anaerobic cells; it includes Hap1, Tup1, Ssn6 and a fourth unidentified factor. The constitutive expression of various anaerobic genes in aerobic rox1Δ or mot3Δ cells directly implies that neither factor can repress by itself at endogenous levels and that stringent aerobic repression results from the concerted action of both. Mot3 and Rox1 are not essential components of a single complex, since each can repress independently in the absence of the other, when artificially induced at high levels. Moreover, the two repression mechanisms appear to be distinct: as shown here repression of ANB1 by Rox1 alone requires Tup1–Ssn6, whereas repression by Mot3 does not. Though artificially high levels of either factor can repress well, the absolute efficiency observed in normal cells when both are present—at much lower levels—demonstrates a novel inhibitory synergy. Evidently, expression levels for the two mutually dependent repressors are calibrated to permit a range of variation in basal aerobic expression at different promoters with differing operator site combinations.