Genetic engineering to enhance the Ehrlich pathway and alter carbon flux for increased isobutanol production from glucose by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The production of higher alcohols by engineered bacteria has received significant attention. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has considerable potential as a producer of higher alcohols because of its capacity to naturally fabricate fusel alcohols, in addition to its robustness and tolerance to low pH. However, because its natural productivity is not significant, we considered a strategy of genetic engineering to increase production of the branched-chain higher alcohol isobutanol, which is involved in valine biosynthesis. Initially, we overexpressed 2-keto acid decarboxylase (KDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in S. cerevisiae to enhance the endogenous activity of the Ehrlich pathway. We then overexpressed Ilv2, which catalyzes the first step in the valine synthetic pathway, and deleted the PDC1 gene encoding a major pyruvate decarboxylase with the intent of altering the abundant ethanol flux via pyruvate. Through these engineering steps, along with modification of culture conditions, the isobutanol titer of S. cerevisiae was elevated 13-fold, from 11 mg/l to 143 mg/l, and the yield was 6.6 mg/g glucose, which is higher than any previously reported value for S. cerevisiae.     

Sequencing of three lambda clones from the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125

The nucleotide sequences of three independent fragments (designated no. 3, 4, and 9; each 15–20 kb in size) of the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. C-125 cloned in a λ phage vector have been determined. Thirteen putative open reading frames (ORFs) were identified in sequenced fragment no. 3 and 11 ORFs were identified in no. 4. Twenty ORFs were also identified in fragment no. 9. All putative ORFs were analyzed in comparison with the BSORF database and non-redundant protein databases. The functions of 5 ORFs in fragment no. 3 and 3 ORFs in fragment no. 4 were suggested by their significant similarities to known proteins in the database. Among the 20 ORFs in fragment no. 9, the functions of 11 ORFs were similarly suggested. Most of the annotated ORFs in the DNA fragments of the genome of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. C-125 were conserved in the Bacillus subtilis genome. The organization of ORFs in the genome of strain C-125 was found to differ from the order of genes in the chromosome of B. subtilis, although some gene clusters (ydh, yqi, yer, and yts) were conserved as operon units the same as in B. subtilis. Received: April 17, 1998 / Accepted: June 23, 1998     

Paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis locus maps to chromosome 16p11.2-q12.1

Paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC), the most frequently described type of paroxysmal dyskinesia, is characterized by recurrent, brief attacks of involuntary movements induced by sudden voluntary movements. Some patients with PKC have a history of infantile afebrile convulsions with a favorable outcome. To localize the PKC locus, we performed genomewide linkage analysis on eight Japanese families with autosomal dominant PKC. Two-point linkage analysis provided a maximum LOD score of 10.27 (recombination fraction [theta] =.00; penetrance [p] =.7) at marker D16S3081, and a maximum multipoint LOD score for a subset of markers was calculated to be 11.51 (p = 0.8) at D16S3080. Haplotype analysis defined the disease locus within a region of approximately 12.4 cM between D16S3093 and D16S416. P1-derived artificial chromosome clones containing loci D16S3093 and D16S416 were mapped, by use of FISH, to 16p11.2 and 16q12.1, respectively. Thus, in the eight families studied, the chromosomal localization of the PKC critical region (PKCR) is 16p11.2-q12.1. The PKCR overlaps with a region responsible for "infantile convulsions and paroxysmal choreoathetosis" (MIM 602066), a recently recognized clinical entity with benign infantile convulsions and nonkinesigenic paroxysmal dyskinesias.     

Genetic diversity and multilocus genetic structure in the relictual endemic herb<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Japonolirion osense</Emphasis> (Petrosaviaceae)

Plant clonality may greatly reduce effective population size and influence management strategies of rare and endangered species. We examined genetic diversity and the extent of clonality in four populations of the monotypic herbaceous perennial Japonolirion osense, which is one of the most rare flowering plants in Japan. Allozyme analysis revealed moderate levels of genetic variation, and the proportion of polymorphic loci (P=66.7%) was higher than the value for species with similar life-history traits. With four polymorphic loci, 19 multilocus genotypes were observed among 433 aerial shoot samples and 10 (52%) were found only in single populations. The proportion of distinguishable genotypes (PD=0.10) and Simpson's index of diversity (D=0.52) also exhibited moderate levels of genotypic diversity compared to other clonal plants, with genotype frequencies at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The distributions of genotypes were often localized and they were mostly found within a radius of 5 m. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that shoot samples located 4 m apart were expected to be genetically independent. The results suggest that the spatial extent of genets was relatively narrow and thus the clonality was not extensive.     

Free radical theory of apoptosis and metamorphosis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the major factors that induce oxidative modification of DNA and gene mutation. ROS can elicit oxidative stress and affect a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes including embryonal development, maturation and aging.     

Vitamin A prevents the irreversible proliferation of vaginal epithelium induced by neonatal injection of keratinocyte growth factor in mice

Exposure of female mice to estrogen during the perinatal period results in estrogen-independent persistent proliferation and cornification of the vaginal epithelium when the animals become adults. However, the occurrence of such irreversible vaginal changes is blocked by concurrent vitamin A treatment. Neonatal exposure to keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), which is a paracrine mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, also induces the persistent proliferation and cornification of the vaginal epithelium in adult mice. This study was designed to examine whether concurrent administration of vitamin A inhibits the development of the irreversible vaginal changes in mice exposed neonatally to KGF. The vaginal epithelium in ovariectomized 35-day-old mice given 5 microg of KGF for 3 days after birth possessed a significantly larger number of layers and increased thickness as compared to that in control mice. Concurrent injections of 100 IU of vitamin A acetate inhibited the occurrence of the irreversible proliferation of the vaginal epithelium. These changes were equal to the results observed when 20 micro g of estrogen with or without vitamin A acetate was administered for 5 days after birth. Unlike the case of estrogen treatment, the effect of neonatal treatment with KGF seemed to appear after a latent period, since the vaginal epithelium did not show proliferation soon after the treatment. We discuss the inhibitory effect of VA on the irreversible vaginal changes induced by neonatal KGF treatment with reference to endocrine disruption by neonatal estrogen exposure.     

Skewed X-chromosome inactivation causes intra-familial phenotypic variation of an EBP mutation in a family with X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX2) is a skeletal dysplasia characterized by stippled epiphyses, cataracts, alopecia and skin lesions, including ichthyosis. CDPX2 exhibits a number of perplexing clinical features, such as intra- and inter-familial variation, anticipation, incomplete penetrance and possible gonadal and somatic mosaicism. Recently, mutations in the gene encoding Delta8,Delta7 sterol isomerase/emopamil-binding protein (EBP) have been identified in CDPX2. To better understand the genetics of CDPX2, we examined the entire EBP gene by direct sequencing in four CDPX2 patients. We found EBP mutations in all four patients, including three novel mutations: IVS3+1G>A, Y165C and W82C. Surprisingly, a known mutation (R147H) was identified in a patient and her clinically unaffected mother. Expression analysis revealed the mutant allele was predominantly expressed in the patient, while both alleles were expressed in the mother. Methylation analysis revealed that the wild-type allele was predominantly inactivated in the patient, while the mutated allele was predominantly inactivated in her mother. Thus, differences in expression of the mutated allele caused by skewed X-chromosome inactivation produced the diverse phenotypes within the family. Our findings could explain some of the perplexing features of CDPX2. The possibility that an apparently normal parent is a carrier should be considered when examining seemingly sporadic cases and providing genetic counseling to CDPX2 families.