Gene 5 protein-DNA complex: modeling binding interactions

A helical (not toroidal) complex consisting of eight gene 5 protein dimers per turn is proposed for the extension of DNA from dimer to dimer using known bond length constraints, postulated protein-nucleic acid interactions (determined from NMR and chemical modification studies), other physical properties of the complex, and data from electron micrographs. The binding channel has been dictated by these known parameters and the relative ease of geometrically fitting these constituents. This channel is different from that previously reported by other modelers. The channel lies underneath the long arm "claw-like" extension of the monomer, so that it rests inside the outer surface of the protein complex. An explanation is proposed for the two binding modes, n = 4 (the predominate mode) and n = 3, based on the weak binding interaction of Tyrosine 34. Also, the site of the less mobile nucleic acid base as reported from ESR studies (S.-C. Kao, E.V. Bobst, G.T. Pauly and A.M. Bobst, J. Biom. Struc. Dyn. 3,261 (1985)) is postulated as involving the fourth nucleotide, and this particular base is stacked between Tyrosine 34 and Phenylalanine 73'.     

Dipsticking the major groove of DNA with enzymatically incorporated spin-labeled deoxyuridines by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Site-specifically spin-labeled deoxyuridine triphosphates with tethers of different lengths were synthesized and then enzymatically incorporated with terminal transferase to form a spin-labeled poly(dT) copolymer. The spin-labeled copolymers were annealed with poly(dA) to form a duplex, which was analyzed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy in a solution of low ionic strength. The spin labels are attached in position 5 of the deoxyuridine and protrude into the major groove. Based on the correlation between tether length of the spin label and the electron spin resonance lineshape, we show that the depth of the major groove of a DNA in its B-form is about 8 A in solution, which is in good agreement with X-ray fiber studies. We also conclude, based on electron spin resonance lineshape simulation data, that the correlation time of the bases in a DNA duplex is of the order of nanoseconds.     

Nucleic acid binding affinity of fd gene 5 protein in the cooperative binding mode

A sensitive ESR method which allows a direct quantitative determination of nucleic acid binding affinities of proteins under physiologically relevant conditions has been applied to the gene 5 protein of bacteriophage fd. This was achieved with two spin-labeled nucleic acids, (ldT, dT)n and (lA,A)n, which served as macro-molecular spin probes in ESR competition experiments. With the two different macromolecular spin probes, it was possible to determine the relative apparent affinity constants, Kapp, over a large affinity domain. In 20 mM Tris X HCl (pH 8.1), 1 mM sodium EDTA, 0.1 mM dithiothreitol, 10% (w/v) glycerol, 0.05% Triton, and 125 mM NaCl, the following affinity relationship was observed: K(dT)napp = 10(3) KfdDNAapp = 2 X 10(4) K(A)napp = 6.6 X 10(4) KrRNAapp = 1.5 X 10(5) KR17RNAapp. Increasing the [NaCl] from 125 to 200 mM caused considerably less tight binding of gene 5 protein to (lA,A)n, and a typical cooperative binding isotherm was observed, whereas at the lower [NaCl] used for the competition experiments, the binding was essentially stoichiometric. A computer fit of the experimental titration data at 200 mM NaCl gave an intrinsic binding constant, Kint, of 1300 M-1 and a cooperativity factor, omega, of 60 (Kint omega = Kapp) for (lA,A)n.     

An EPR study to determine the relative nucleic acid binding affinity of single-stranded DNA-binding protein from Escherichia coli.

A direct quantitative determination by EPR of the nucleic acid binding affinity relationship of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) from Escherichia coli at close to physiological NaCl concentration is reported. Titrations of (DUAP, dT)n, an enzymatically spin-labeled (dT)n, with SSB in 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.1), 1 mM sodium EDTA, 0.1 mM dithiothreitol, 10% (w/v) glycerol, 0.05% Triton with either low (5 mM), intermediate (125 mM) or high 200 mM) NaCl content, reveal the formation of a high nucleic acid density complex with a binding stoichiometry (s) of 60 to 75 nucleotides per SSB tetramer. Reverse titrations, achieved by adding (DUAP, dT)n to SSB-containing solutions, form a low nucleic acid density complex with an s = 25 to 35 in the buffer with low NaCl content (5 mM NaCl). The complex with an s = 25 to 35 is converted to the high nucleic acid density complex by increasing the NaCl content to 200 mM. It is, therefore, metastable and forms only under reverse titration conditions in low NaCl. The relative apparent affinity constant Kapp of SSB for various unlabeled single-stranded nucleic acids was determined by EPR competition experiments with spin-labeled nucleic acids as macromolecular probes in the presence of the high nucleic acid density complex. The Kapp of SSB exhibits the greatest affinity for (dT)n as was previously found for T4 gene 32 protein (Bobst, A.M., Langemeier, P.W., Warwick-Koochaki, P.E., Bobst, E.V. and Ireland, J.C. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 6184) and gene 5 protein (Bobst, A.M., Ireland, J.C. and Bobst, E.V. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2130) by EPR competition assays. In contrast, however, SSB does not display several orders of magnitude greater affinity for (dT)n than for other single stranded DNAs as is the case with both gene 5 and T4 gene 32 protein. The relative Kapp values for SSB in the above buffer with 125 mM NaCl are: Kapp(dT)n = 4KappfdDNA = 40Kapp(dA)n = 200Kapp(A)n.     

Effect of neurotensin on pancreatic function in man

The effect of neurotensin on submaximally-stimulated hepatobiliary and pancreatic secretion was studied in 6 healthy subjects. An intravenous infusion of neurotensin 1.4 ± 0.3 pmol/kg/min, designed to reproduce plasma neurotensin immunoreactivity levels within the physiological range, produced a significant increase in pancreatic bicarbonate output. Plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide rose by 83 ± 16 pmol/l and were associated with a small reduction in trypsin, but no significant change in bilirubin outputs.     

Effect of Metalaxyl on the incidence and severity of Pearl millet downy mildew disease in Northern Nigeria

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM) incidence, severity and yield losses of two pearl millet varieties (local and improved) due to the disease were determined in the field. Significant differences in the disease incidence and severity were recorded in the plots sown with metalaxyl-treated seeds and those sown with non-treated seeds, indicating the efficacy of the fungicide on the fungus. Yield losses due to non-treatment of seeds with metalaxyl was 40.88 and 45.39% in a local variety and 43.00 and 18.60% in an improved variety in the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons respectively. Significant differences between plots sown with metalaxyl-treated and those sown with non-treated seeds were obtained for other yield components such as 1000-grains weight, panicle length and weight.