Nuclear gene targeting in Chlamydomonas using engineered zinc‐finger nucleases

The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a versatile model for fundamental and biotechnological research. A wide range of tools for genetic manipulation have been developed for this alga, but specific modification of nuclear genes is still not routinely possible. Here, we present a nuclear gene targeting strategy for Chlamydomonas that is based on the application of zinc‐finger nucleases (ZFNs). Our approach includes (i) design of gene‐specific ZFNs using available online tools, (ii) evaluation of the designed ZFNs in a Chlamydomonas in situ model system, (iii) optimization of ZFN activity by modification of the nuclease domain, and (iv) application of the most suitable enzymes for mutagenesis of an endogenous gene. Initially, we designed a set of ZFNs to target the COP3 gene that encodes the light‐activated ion channel channelrhodopsin‐1. To evaluate the designed ZFNs, we constructed a model strain by inserting a non‐functional aminoglycoside 3′‐phosphotransferase VIII (aphVIII) selection marker interspaced with a short COP3 target sequence into the nuclear genome. Upon co‐transformation of this recipient strain with the engineered ZFNs and an aphVIII DNA template, we were able to restore marker activity and select paromomycin‐resistant (Pm‐R) clones with expressing nucleases. Of these Pm‐R clones, 1% also contained a modified COP3 locus. In cases where cells were co‐transformed with a modified COP3 template, the COP3 locus was specifically modified by homologous recombination between COP3 and the supplied template DNA. We anticipate that this ZFN technology will be useful for studying the functions of individual genes in Chlamydomonas.     

Acceptor specificity of mannosyl transferases from Salmonella of serotypes C2 and C3

Synthetic mono- and disaccharide derivatives of moraprenyl pyrophosphate were studied as mannose acceptors during the assembly of the repeating unit Rha-Man-Man-Gal of the Salmonella newport (serogroup C2) and S. kentucky (serogroup C3) O-antigens. Mannosyl transferases revealed strict specificity towards the configuration of terminal monosaccharide residue at C1 as well as to the type of linkage between monosaccharide residues in the disaccharide acceptor. The specificity of mannosyl transferases towards the structure of subterminal monosaccharide was not absolute. Alpha-D-Glucose and alpha-D-mannose derivatives were found not to serve as mannosyl residue acceptors, whereas those of alpha-D-talose, alpha-D-fucose, 4-deoxy-D-xylo-hexose and Man (alpha 1-3) glucose were substrates in enzymatic mannosylation with formation of polyprenyl pyrophosphate trisaccharides. These derivatives could serve as substrates for two subsequent enzymatic reactions: rhamnosylation and polymerization of the repeating units, yielding 40-60% of the polysaccharides.     

Incorporation of paratose residue into Salmonella O-specific polysaccharides using enzymatic reactions]

The block mechanism of O-specific polysaccharides biosynthesis was demonstrated for Salmonella nitra (serogroup A) and S. haifa (serogroup B). Due to the moderate specificity of glycosyl transferases from S. nitra, S. typhimurium, S. haifa and S. kentucky (serogroup C3) towards the 3,6-dideoxyhexose structure a paratose residue can be incorporated into the polysaccharide chain instead of an abequose residue, and vice versa.     

Doses levorin display an antiandrogenic action?

The antiandrogenic effect of levorin on immature castrated rats treated with exogenic testosterone was studied. In a dose of 200 mg/kg levorin lowered the cholesterin blood levels in the rats, inhibited the testosterone-induced increase in RNA concentration in the ventral and dorsal prostate and the seminal vesicles and to a less extent suppressed the growth of the accessory sexual glands. However, the antiandrogenic effect was observed with the use of levorin in the dose producing a pronounced toxic action evident from death of a part of the animals and a marked decrease in the animal body weight. This fact casts doubt on specificity of the levorin effect. Apparently, in high doses levorin impairs metabolism as a whole which cannot but affect the response of the sexual glands to administration of testosterone.     

SCAR DNA family is enriched in evolutionarily conserved sequences

The family of DNA sequences tightly associated with the synaptonemal complex (SC), or SCAR DNA family, has earlier been described as a specific family of golden hamster genomic DNA sequences. DNA sequences similar to golden hamster SCAR DNA proved to be widespread in the genomes of some vertebrates. A comparison with a sample of random sequences showed that the SCAR DNA family is enriched in evolutionarily conserved sequences, which correlates with the universal SC morphology and processes occurring in meiotic prophase I.     

Localization of DNA Sequences Tightly Associated with the Synaptonemal Complex in Compositional Fractions of the Golden Hamster Genome*

Synaptonemal complex (SC) isolated from spermatocyte nuclei after their exhaustive hydrolysis by DNase II contains DNA sequences tightly associated with it (SCAR DNA). Here, the compositional properties of a cloned family of golden hamster SCAR DNA were studied. For this purpose, 27 SCAR DNA clones were hybridized with compositionally fractionated golden hamster genomic DNA. The sequences of the SCAR DNA family were mainly localized in the GC-poor isochore families L1 and L2, which accounted for 63% of hybridization signals. The remaining 37% of signals pertained to the GC-rich isochore families H1 and H2. Thus, SCAR DNA proved to be distributed throughout the genome, irrespective of differences in density and sequence type between isochore families. Moreover, the SCAR DNA sequences containing the regions of homology with LINE/SINE repeats were found in all the isochore families. The compositional localization of SCAR DNA is in agreement with the hypothesis that the SC and SCAR DNA participate in chromatin reorganization during meiosis prophase I, which should result in the attachment of chromatin loops to the lateral elements of SC throughout its length.