scholarly journals Unravelling the ORFan Puzzle

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Siew ◽  
Daniel Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Bioinformatics Tools ◽  
Reading Frames

ORFans are open reading frames (ORFs) with no detectable sequence similarity to any other sequence in the databases. Each newly sequenced genome contains a significant number of ORFans. Therefore, ORFans entail interesting evolutionary puzzles. However, little can be learned about them using bioinformatics tools, and their study seems to have been underemphasized. Here we present some of the questions that the existence of so many ORFans have raised and review some of the studies aimed at understanding ORFans, their functions and their origins. These works have demonstrated that ORFans are an untapped source of research, requiring further computational and experimental studies.

scholarly journals Genetic Investigation of the Catabolic Pathway for Degradation of Abietane Diterpenoids by Pseudomonas abietaniphilaBKME-9

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (13) ◽  
pp. 3784-3793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. J. Martin ◽  
William W. Mohn
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Ring Cleavage ◽  
Catabolic Pathway ◽  
Transcriptional Fusion ◽  
Abietane Diterpenoids ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Dna Fragment ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT We have cloned and sequenced the dit gene cluster encoding enzymes of the catabolic pathway for abietane diterpenoid degradation by Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9. Thedit gene cluster is located on a 16.7-kb DNA fragment containing 13 complete open reading frames (ORFs) and 1 partial ORF. The genes ditA1A2A3 encode the α and β subunits and the ferredoxin of the dioxygenase which hydroxylates 7-oxodehydroabietic acid to 7-oxo-11,12-dihydroxy-8,13-abietadien acid. The dioxygenase mutant strain BKME-941 (ditA1::Tn5) did not grow on nonaromatic abietanes, and transformed palustric and abietic acids to 7-oxodehydroabietic acid in cell suspension assays. Thus, nonaromatic abietanes are aromatized prior to further degradation. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity of xylEtranscriptional fusion strains showed induction of ditA1and ditA3 by abietic, dehydroabietic, and 7-oxodehydroabietic acids, which support the growth of strain BKME-9, as well as by isopimaric and 12,14-dichlorodehydroabietic acids, which are diterpenoids that do not support the growth of strain BKME-9. In addition to the aromatic-ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase genes, thedit cluster includes ditC, encoding an extradiol ring cleavage dioxygenase, and ditR, encoding an IclR-type transcriptional regulator. Although ditR is not strictly required for the growth of strain BKME-9 on abietanes, aditR::Kmr mutation in aditA3::xylE reporter strain demonstrated that it encodes an inducer-dependent transcriptional activator of ditA3. An ORF with sequence similarity to genes encoding permeases (ditE) is linked with genes involved in abietane degradation.

scholarly journals Two Unrelated 8-Vinyl Reductases Ensure Production of Mature Chlorophylls in Acaryochloris marina

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (9) ◽  
pp. 1393-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangyu E. Chen ◽  
Andrew Hitchcock ◽  
Philip J. Jackson ◽  
Roy R. Chaudhuri ◽  
Mark J. Dickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
High Sequence Similarity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethyl Group ◽  
Acaryochloris Marina ◽  
Vinyl Group ◽  
Vinyl Reductase ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACTThe major photopigment of the cyanobacteriumAcaryochloris marinais chlorophylld, while its direct biosynthetic precursor, chlorophylla, is also present in the cell. These pigments, along with the majority of chlorophylls utilized by oxygenic phototrophs, carry an ethyl group at the C-8 position of the molecule, having undergone reduction of a vinyl group during biosynthesis. Two unrelated classes of 8-vinyl reductase involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophylls are known to exist, BciA and BciB. The genome ofAcaryochloris marinacontains open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins displaying high sequence similarity to BciA or BciB, although they are annotated as genes involved in transcriptional control (nmrA) and methanogenesis (frhB), respectively. These genes were introduced into an 8-vinyl chlorophylla-producing ΔbciBstrain ofSynechocystissp. strain PCC 6803, and both were shown to restore synthesis of the pigment with an ethyl group at C-8, demonstrating their activities as 8-vinyl reductases. We propose thatnmrAandfrhBbe reassigned asbciAandbciB, respectively; transcript and proteomic analysis ofAcaryochloris marinareveal that bothbciAandbciBare expressed and their encoded proteins are present in the cell, possibly in order to ensure that all synthesized chlorophyll pigment carries an ethyl group at C-8. Potential reasons for the presence of two 8-vinyl reductases in this strain, which is unique for cyanobacteria, are discussed.IMPORTANCEThe cyanobacteriumAcaryochloris marinais the best-studied phototrophic organism that uses chlorophylldfor photosynthesis. Unique among cyanobacteria sequenced to date, its genome contains ORFs encoding two unrelated enzymes that catalyze the reduction of the C-8 vinyl group of a precursor molecule to an ethyl group. Carrying a reduced C-8 group may be of particular importance to organisms containing chlorophylld. Plant genomes also contain orthologs of both of these genes; thus, the bacterial progenitor of the chloroplast may also have contained bothbciAandbciB.

scholarly journals Sequence of the Genome of the Temperate, Serotype-Converting,Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophage D3

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (21) ◽  
pp. 6066-6074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Kropinski
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Complete Sequence ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Virus Family ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Phage Proteins ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Temperate bacteriophage D3, a member of the virus familySiphoviridae, is responsible for serotype conversion in its host, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The complete sequence of the double-stranded DNA genome has been determined. The 56,426 bp contains 90 putative open reading frames (ORFs) and four genes specifying tRNAs. The latter are specific for methionine (AUG), glycine (GGA), asparagine (AAC), and threonine (ACA). The tRNAs may function in the translation of certain highly expressed proteins from this relatively AT-rich genome. D3 proteins which exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity to previously characterized phage proteins included the portal, major head, tail, and tail tape measure proteins, endolysin, integrase, helicase, and NinG. The layout of genes was reminiscent of lambdoid phages, with the exception of the placement of the endolysin gene, which parenthetically also lacked a cognate holin. The greatest sequence similarity was found in the morphogenesis genes to coliphages HK022 and HK97. Among the ORFs was discovered the gene encoding the fucosamine O-acetylase, which is in part responsible for the serotype conversion events.

scholarly journals Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Plasmid Rts1: Implications for Evolution of Large Plasmid Genomes

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (12) ◽  
pp. 3194-3202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Murata ◽  
Makoto Ohnishi ◽  
Takeshi Ara ◽  
Jun Kaneko ◽  
Chang-Gyun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Complete Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Conjugative Plasmid ◽  
Proteus Vulgaris ◽  
Significant Sequence Similarity ◽  
Modular Evolution ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Rts1, a large conjugative plasmid originally isolated from Proteus vulgaris, is a prototype for the IncT plasmids and exhibits pleiotropic thermosensitive phenotypes. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of Rts1. The genome is 217,182 bp in length and contains 300 potential open reading frames (ORFs). Among these, the products of 141 ORFs, including 9 previously identified genes, displayed significant sequence similarity to known proteins. The set of genes responsible for the conjugation function of Rts1 has been identified. A broad array of genes related to diverse processes of DNA metabolism were also identified. Of particular interest was the presence of tus-like genes that could be involved in replication termination. Inspection of the overall genome organization revealed that the Rts1 genome is composed of four large modules, providing an example of modular evolution of plasmid genomes.

scholarly journals Crystal Structure of F-93 from Sulfolobus Spindle-Shaped Virus 1, a Winged-Helix DNA Binding Protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 11544-11550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kraft ◽  
Andrea Oeckinghaus ◽  
Daniel Kümmel ◽  
George H. Gauss ◽  
John Gilmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Winged Helix ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Biochemical Analyses ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Sulfolobus spindle-shaped viruses (SSVs), or Fuselloviridae, are ubiquitous crenarchaeal viruses found in high-temperature acidic hot springs around the world (pH ≤4.0; temperature of ≥70°C). Because they are relatively easy to isolate, they represent the best studied of the crenarchaeal viruses. This is particularly true for the type virus, SSV1, which contains a double-stranded DNA genome of 15.5 kilobases, encoding 34 putative open reading frames. Interestingly, the genome shows little sequence similarity to organisms other than its SSV homologues. Together, sequence similarity and biochemical analyses have suggested functions for only 6 of the 34 open reading frames. Thus, even though SSV1 is the best-studied crenarchaeal virus, functions for most (28) of its open reading frames remain unknown. We have undertaken biochemical and structural studies for the gene product of open reading frame F-93. We find that F-93 exists as a homodimer in solution and that a tight dimer is also present in the 2.7-Å crystal structure. Further, the crystal structure reveals a fold that is homologous to the SlyA and MarR subfamilies of winged-helix DNA binding proteins. This strongly suggests that F-93 functions as a transcription factor that recognizes a (pseudo-)palindromic DNA target sequence.

scholarly journals Novel 4-Chlorophenol Degradation Gene Cluster and Degradation Route via Hydroxyquinol in Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 6538-6544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Nordin ◽  
Maria Unell ◽  
Janet K. Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Microbial Degradation ◽  
Codon Bias ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Arthrobacter Chlorophenolicus ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6, a previously described 4-chlorophenol-degrading strain, was found to degrade 4-chlorophenol via hydroxyquinol, which is a novel route for aerobic microbial degradation of this compound. In addition, 10 open reading frames exhibiting sequence similarity to genes encoding enzymes involved in chlorophenol degradation were cloned and designated part of a chlorophenol degradation gene cluster (cph genes). Several of the open reading frames appeared to encode enzymes with similar functions; these open reading frames included two genes, cphA-I and cphA-II, which were shown to encode functional hydroxyquinol 1,2-dioxygenases. Disruption of the cphA-I gene yielded a mutant that exhibited negligible growth on 4-chlorophenol, thereby linking the cph gene cluster to functional catabolism of 4-chlorophenol in A. chlorophenolicus A6. The presence of a resolvase pseudogene in the cph gene cluster together with analyses of the G+C content and codon bias of flanking genes suggested that horizontal gene transfer was involved in assembly of the gene cluster during evolution of the ability of the strain to grow on 4-chlorophenol.

scholarly journals Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the 27-Kilobase Virulence Related Locus (vrl) of Dichelobacter nodosus: Evidence for Extrachromosomal Origin

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 1277-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Billington ◽  
Andrea S. Huggins ◽  
Priscilla A. Johanesen ◽  
Paul K. Crellin ◽  
Jackie K. Cheung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Complete Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Expression Vector ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Bacteriophage Resistance ◽  
Dichelobacter Nodosus ◽  
Resistance System ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT The vrl locus is preferentially associated with virulent isolates of the ovine footrot pathogen, Dichelobacter nodosus. The complete nucleotide sequence of this 27.1-kb region has now been determined. The data reveal that the locus has a G+C content much higher than the rest of the D. nodosuschromosome and contains 22 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding products including a putative adenine-specific methylase, two potential DEAH ATP-dependent helicases, and two products with sequence similarity to a bacteriophage resistance system. These ORFs are all in the same orientation, and most are either overlapping or separated by only a few nucleotides, suggesting that they comprise an operon and are translationally coupled. Expression vector studies have led to the identification of proteins that correspond to many of these ORFs. These data, in combination with evidence of insertion of vrl into the 3′ end of an ssrA gene, are consistent with the hypothesis that the vrl locus was derived from the insertion of a bacteriophage or plasmid into the D. nodosusgenome.

scholarly journals Succinate:Quinol Oxidoreductases in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803: Presence and Function in Metabolism and Electron Transport

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Cooley ◽  
Crispin A. Howitt ◽  
Wim F. J. Vermaas
Keyword(s):  
Succinate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Succinate Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Reading Frames ◽  
Pcc 6803

ABSTRACT The open reading frames sll1625 andsll0823, which have significant sequence similarity to genes coding for the FeS subunits of succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase, were deleted singly and in combination in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. When the organic acid content in the Δsll1625 and Δsll0823 strains was analyzed, a 100-fold decrease in succinate and fumarate concentrations was observed relative to the wild type. A similar analysis for the Δsll1625 Δsll0823 strain revealed that 17% of the wild-type succinate levels remained, while only 1 to 2% of the wild-type fumarate levels were present. Addition of 2-oxoglutarate to the growth media of the double mutant strain prior to analysis of organic acids in cells caused succinate to accumulate. This indicates that succinate dehydrogenase activity had been blocked by the deletions and that 2-oxoglutarate can be converted to succinate in vivo in this organism, even though a traditional 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase is lacking. In addition, reduction of the thylakoid plastoquinone pool in darkness in the presence of KCN was up to fivefold slower in the mutants than in the wild type. Moreover, in vitro succinate dehydrogenase activity observed in wild-type membranes is absent from those isolated from the double mutant and reduced in those from the single mutants, further indicating that the sll1625 and sll0823 open reading frames encode subunits of succinate dehydrogenase complexes that are active in the thylakoid membrane of the cyanobacterium.

scholarly journals Constituents of SH1, a Novel Lipid-Containing Virus Infecting the Halophilic Euryarchaeon Haloarcula hispanica

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (14) ◽  
pp. 9097-9107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis H. Bamford ◽  
Janne J. Ravantti ◽  
Gunilla Rönnholm ◽  
Simonas Laurinavičius ◽  
Petra Kukkaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Main Interest ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Archaeal Viruses ◽  
Dsdna Viruses ◽  
Haloarcula Hispanica ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Recent studies have indicated that a number of bacterial and eukaryotic viruses that share a common architectural principle are related, leading to the proposal of an early common ancestor. A prediction of this model would be the discovery of similar viruses that infect archaeal hosts. Our main interest lies in icosahedral double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses with an internal membrane, and we now extend our studies to include viruses infecting archaeal hosts. While the number of sequenced archaeal viruses is increasing, very little sequence similarity has been detected between bacterial and eukaryotic viruses. In this investigation we rigorously show that SH1, an icosahedral dsDNA virus infecting Haloarcula hispanica, possesses lipid structural components that are selectively acquired from the host pool. We also determined the sequence of the 31-kb SH1 genome and positively identified genes for 11 structural proteins, with putative identification of three additional proteins. The SH1 genome is unique and, except for a few open reading frames, shows no detectable similarity to other published sequences, but the overall structure of the SH1 virion and its linear genome with inverted terminal repeats is reminiscent of lipid-containing dsDNA bacteriophages like PRD1.

scholarly journals A Novel Pathogenicity Island Integrated Adjacent to the thrW tRNA Gene of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Encodes a Vacuolating Autotransporter Toxin

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 5087-5096 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. R. Parreira ◽  
C. L. Gyles
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Pathogenicity Island ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Integrase Gene ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT We report the complete nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the Vat-encoding pathogenicity island (PAI) of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain Ec222. The 22,139-bp PAI is situated adjacent to the 3′ terminus of the thrW tRNA gene, has a G+C content of 41.2%, and includes a bacteriophage SfII integrase gene, mobile genetic elements, two open reading frames with products exhibiting sequence similarity to known proteins, and several other open reading frames of unknown function. The PAI encodes an autotransporter protein, Vat (vacuolating autotransporter toxin), which induces the formation of intracellular vacuoles resulting in cytotoxic effects similar to those caused by the VacA toxin from Helicobacter pylori. The predicted 148.3-kDa protein product possesses the three domains that are typical of serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae: an N-terminal signal sequence of 55 amino acids, a 111.8-kDa passenger domain containing a modified serine protease site (ATSGSG), and a C-terminal outer membrane translocator of 30.5 kDa. Vat has 75% protein homology with the hemagglutinin Tsh, an autotransporter of avian pathogenic E. coli. A vat deletion mutant of Ec222 showed no virulence in respiratory and cellulitis infection models of disease in broiler chickens. We conclude that the newly described PAI and Vat may be involved in the pathogenicity of avian septicemic E. coli strain Ec222 and other avian pathogenic E. coli strains.

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