Template sequences required for transcription of Xenopus laevis mitochondrial DNA from two bidirectional promoters

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2917-2924
Author(s):  
D F Bogenhagen ◽  
M F Romanelli

Previous work from our laboratory has shown that transcription of Xenopus laevis mitochondrial DNA initiates both in vivo and in vitro from bidirectional promoters located between the gene for tRNA(Phe) and the 5' termini of displacement loop DNA strands. A consensus sequence matching the octanucleotide ACGTTATA surrounds each transcription start site. In the present study, we used in vitro mutagenesis to define sequences required for specific transcription in vitro. First, cloned mitochondrial DNA templates generated by deletion mutagenesis were transcribed in vitro to define the limits of functional promoters. The bidirectional promoter located approximately 33 nucleotides upstream from the gene for tRNA(Phe), termed promoter 1, was studied in greatest detail. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the consensus octanucleotide sequence surrounding each start site is an essential promoter element. A duplex 18-base-pair oligonucleotide encoding the symmetrical promoter 1 region was synthesized and cloned in a plasmid vector. This synthetic oligonucleotide was sufficient to support bidirectional transcription. Point mutations within this oligonucleotide were used to identify critical residues within the consensus sequence.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 2917-2924 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Bogenhagen ◽  
M F Romanelli

Previous work from our laboratory has shown that transcription of Xenopus laevis mitochondrial DNA initiates both in vivo and in vitro from bidirectional promoters located between the gene for tRNA(Phe) and the 5' termini of displacement loop DNA strands. A consensus sequence matching the octanucleotide ACGTTATA surrounds each transcription start site. In the present study, we used in vitro mutagenesis to define sequences required for specific transcription in vitro. First, cloned mitochondrial DNA templates generated by deletion mutagenesis were transcribed in vitro to define the limits of functional promoters. The bidirectional promoter located approximately 33 nucleotides upstream from the gene for tRNA(Phe), termed promoter 1, was studied in greatest detail. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the consensus octanucleotide sequence surrounding each start site is an essential promoter element. A duplex 18-base-pair oligonucleotide encoding the symmetrical promoter 1 region was synthesized and cloned in a plasmid vector. This synthetic oligonucleotide was sufficient to support bidirectional transcription. Point mutations within this oligonucleotide were used to identify critical residues within the consensus sequence.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2543-2550
Author(s):  
D F Bogenhagen ◽  
B K Yoza

The mitochondrial RNA polymerase from Xenopus laevis oocytes was partially purified by heparin-Sepharose chromatography and phosphocellulose chromatography. This RNA polymerase preparation specifically initiated the transcription of X. laevis mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from two bidirectional promoters contained within a 123-base-pair segment of the mtDNA between the heavy-strand replication origin and the rRNA cistrons. Transcription in vitro initiated from precisely the same start sites previously mapped as initiation sites for transcription in vivo. At each of the four sites, initiation occurred within a conserved nucleotide sequence, ACPuTTATA. This consensus sequence is not related to promoters for transcription of human mtDNA.


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2543-2550 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Bogenhagen ◽  
B K Yoza

The mitochondrial RNA polymerase from Xenopus laevis oocytes was partially purified by heparin-Sepharose chromatography and phosphocellulose chromatography. This RNA polymerase preparation specifically initiated the transcription of X. laevis mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from two bidirectional promoters contained within a 123-base-pair segment of the mtDNA between the heavy-strand replication origin and the rRNA cistrons. Transcription in vitro initiated from precisely the same start sites previously mapped as initiation sites for transcription in vivo. At each of the four sites, initiation occurred within a conserved nucleotide sequence, ACPuTTATA. This consensus sequence is not related to promoters for transcription of human mtDNA.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7461-7472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeganeh Zebarjadian ◽  
Tom King ◽  
Maurille J. Fournier ◽  
Louise Clarke ◽  
John Carbon

ABSTRACT In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the majority of box H/ACA small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs) have been shown to direct site-specific pseudouridylation of rRNA. Among the known protein components of H/ACA snoRNPs, the essential nucleolar protein Cbf5p is the most likely pseudouridine (Ψ) synthase. Cbf5p has considerable sequence similarity to Escherichia coli TruBp, a known Ψ synthase, and shares the “KP” and “XLD” conserved sequence motifs found in the catalytic domains of three distinct families of known and putative Ψ synthases. To gain additional evidence on the role of Cbf5p in rRNA biosynthesis, we have used in vitro mutagenesis techniques to introduce various alanine substitutions into the putative Ψ synthase domain of Cbf5p. Yeast strains expressing these mutatedcbf5 genes in a cbf5Δ null background are viable at 25°C but display pronounced cold- and heat-sensitive growth phenotypes. Most of the mutants contain reduced levels of Ψ in rRNA at extreme temperatures. Substitution of alanine for an aspartic acid residue in the conserved XLD motif of Cbf5p (mutantcbf5D95A) abolishes in vivo pseudouridylation of rRNA. Some of the mutants are temperature sensitive both for growth and for formation of Ψ in the rRNA. In most cases, the impaired growth phenotypes are not relieved by transcription of the rRNA from a polymerase II-driven promoter, indicating the absence of polymerase I-related transcriptional defects. There is little or no abnormal accumulation of pre-rRNAs in these mutants, although preferential inhibition of 18S rRNA synthesis is seen in mutantcbf5D95A, which lacks Ψ in rRNA. A subset of mutations in the Ψ synthase domain impairs association of the altered Cbf5p proteins with selected box H/ACA snoRNAs, suggesting that the functional catalytic domain is essential for that interaction. Our results provide additional evidence that Cbf5p is the Ψ synthase component of box H/ACA snoRNPs and suggest that the pseudouridylation of rRNA, although not absolutely required for cell survival, is essential for the formation of fully functional ribosomes.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3603-3613 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Kennell ◽  
A M Lambowitz

We have developed an in vitro transcription system for Neurospora crassa mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and used it to identify transcription initiation sites at the 5' ends of the genes encoding the mitochondrial small and large rRNA and cytochrome b (cob). The in vitro transcription start sites correspond to previously mapped 5' ends of major in vivo transcripts of these genes. Sequences around the three transcription initiation sites define a 15-nucleotide consensus sequence, 5'-TTAGARA(T/G)G(T/G)ARTRR-3', all or part of which appears to be an element of an N. crassa mtDNA promoter. A somewhat looser 11-nucleotide consensus sequence, 5'-TTAGARR(T/G)R(T/G)A-3', was derived by including two additional promoters identified recently. Group I extranuclear mutants, such as [poky] and [SG-3], have a 4-base-pair (bp) deletion in the consensus sequence at the 5' end of the mitochondrial small rRNA and are grossly deficient in mitochondrial small rRNA (R. A. Akins and A. M. Lambowitz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3791-3795, 1984). We show here that the 4-bp deletion in the consensus sequence decreases in vitro transcription from this site by more than 99%. N. crassa mtDNA is similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA in having multiple promoters, including separate promoters for the genes encoding the mitochondrial small and large rRNAs. Our results suggest that the primary effect of the 4-bp deletion in group I extranuclear mutants is to inhibit transcription of the mitochondrial small rRNA, leading to severe deficiency of mitochondrial small rRNA and small ribosomal subunits.


Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Wharton ◽  
Robert P Ray ◽  
Seth D Findley ◽  
Holly E Duncan ◽  
William M Gelbart

Abstract We have identified the molecular lesions associated with six point mutations in the Drosophila TGF-β homologue decapentaplegic (dpp). The sites of these mutations define residues within both the pro and ligand regions that are essential for dpp function in vivo. While all of these mutations affect residues that are highly conserved among TGF-β superfamily members, the phenotypic consequences of the different alleles are quite distinct. Through an analysis of these mutant phenotypes, both in cuticle preparations and with molecular probes, we have assessed the functional significance of specific residues that are conserved among the different members of the superfamily. In addition, we have tested for conditional genetic interactions between the different alleles. We show that two of the alleles are temperature sensitive for the embyronic functions of dpp, such that these alleles are not only embryonic viable as homozygotes but also partially complement other dpp hypomorphs at low temperatures. Our results are discussed with regard to in vitro mutagenesis data on other TGF-β-like molecules, as well as with regard to the regulation of dpp cell signaling in Drosophila.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3603-3613
Author(s):  
J C Kennell ◽  
A M Lambowitz

We have developed an in vitro transcription system for Neurospora crassa mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and used it to identify transcription initiation sites at the 5' ends of the genes encoding the mitochondrial small and large rRNA and cytochrome b (cob). The in vitro transcription start sites correspond to previously mapped 5' ends of major in vivo transcripts of these genes. Sequences around the three transcription initiation sites define a 15-nucleotide consensus sequence, 5'-TTAGARA(T/G)G(T/G)ARTRR-3', all or part of which appears to be an element of an N. crassa mtDNA promoter. A somewhat looser 11-nucleotide consensus sequence, 5'-TTAGARR(T/G)R(T/G)A-3', was derived by including two additional promoters identified recently. Group I extranuclear mutants, such as [poky] and [SG-3], have a 4-base-pair (bp) deletion in the consensus sequence at the 5' end of the mitochondrial small rRNA and are grossly deficient in mitochondrial small rRNA (R. A. Akins and A. M. Lambowitz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3791-3795, 1984). We show here that the 4-bp deletion in the consensus sequence decreases in vitro transcription from this site by more than 99%. N. crassa mtDNA is similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA in having multiple promoters, including separate promoters for the genes encoding the mitochondrial small and large rRNAs. Our results suggest that the primary effect of the 4-bp deletion in group I extranuclear mutants is to inhibit transcription of the mitochondrial small rRNA, leading to severe deficiency of mitochondrial small rRNA and small ribosomal subunits.


1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 5820-5830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran H. Khan ◽  
Earl T. Sawai ◽  
Erwin Antonio ◽  
Claudia J. Weber ◽  
Carol P. Mandell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The nef gene of the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV) is dispensable for viral replication in T-cell lines; however, it is essential for high virus loads and progression to simian AIDS (SAIDS) in SIV-infected adult rhesus macaques. Nef proteins from HIV type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and SIV contain a proline-Xaa-Xaa-proline (PxxP) motif. The region of Nef with this motif is similar to the Src homology region 3 (SH3) ligand domain found in many cell signaling proteins. In virus-infected lymphoid cells, Nef interacts with a cellular serine/threonine kinase, designated Nef-associated kinase (NAK). In this study, analysis of viral clones containing point mutations in the nef gene of the pathogenic clone SIVmac239 revealed that several strictly conserved residues in the PxxP region were essential for Nef-NAK interaction. The results of this analysis of Nef mutations in in vitro kinase assays indicated that the PxxP region in SIV Nef was strikingly similar to the consensus sequence for SH3 ligand domains possessing the minus orientation. To test the significance of the PxxP motif of Nef for viral pathogenesis, each proline was mutated to an alanine to produce the viral clone SIVmac239-P104A/P107A. This clone, expressing Nef that does not associate with NAK, was inoculated into seven juvenile rhesus macaques. In vitro kinase assays were performed on virus recovered from each animal; the ability of Nef to associate with NAK was restored in five of these animals as early as 8 weeks after infection. Analysis of nef genes from these viruses revealed patterns of genotypic reversion in the mutated PxxP motif. These revertant genotypes, which included a second-site suppressor mutation, restored the ability of Nef to interact with NAK. Additionally, the proportion of revertant viruses increased progressively during the course of infection in these animals, and two of these animals developed fatal SAIDS. Taken together, these results demonstrated that in vivo selection for the ability of SIV Nef to associate with NAK was correlated with the induction of SAIDS. Accordingly, these studies implicate a role for the conserved SH3 ligand domain for Nef function in virally induced immunodeficiency.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (24) ◽  
pp. 8352-8359 ◽  
Author(s):  
India Hook-Barnard ◽  
Xanthia B. Johnson ◽  
Deborah M. Hinton

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli σ70-dependent promoters have typically been characterized as either −10/−35 promoters, which have good matches to both the canonical −10 and the −35 sequences or as extended −10 promoters (TGn/−10 promoters), which have the TGn motif and an excellent match to the −10 consensus sequence. We report here an investigation of a promoter, Pminor, that has a nearly perfect match to the −35 sequence and has the TGn motif. However, Pminor contains an extremely poor σ70 −10 element. We demonstrate that Pminor is active both in vivo and in vitro and that mutations in either the −35 or the TGn motif eliminate its activity. Mutation of the TGn motif can be compensated for by mutations that make the −10 element more canonical, thus converting the −35/TGn promoter to a −35/−10 promoter. Potassium permanganate footprinting on the nontemplate and template strands indicates that when polymerase is in a stable (open) complex with Pminor, the DNA is single stranded from positions −11 to +4. We also demonstrate that transcription from Pminor incorporates nontemplated ribonucleoside triphosphates at the 5′ end of the Pminor transcript, which results in an anomalous assignment for the start site when primer extension analysis is used. Pminor represents one of the few −35/TGn promoters that have been characterized and serves as a model for investigating functional differences between these promoters and the better-characterized −10/−35 and extended −10 promoters used by E. coli RNA polymerase.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Tecla Ciociola ◽  
Walter Magliani ◽  
Tiziano De Simone ◽  
Thelma A. Pertinhez ◽  
Stefania Conti ◽  
...  

It has been previously demonstrated that synthetic antibody-derived peptides could exert a significant activity in vitro, ex vivo, and/or in vivo against microorganisms and viruses, as well as immunomodulatory effects through the activation of immune cells. Based on the sequence of previously described antibody-derived peptides with recognized antifungal activity, an in silico analysis was conducted to identify novel antifungal candidates. The present study analyzed the candidacidal and structural properties of in silico designed peptides (ISDPs) derived by amino acid substitutions of the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS. ISDPs proved to be more active in vitro than the parent peptide and all proved to be therapeutic in Galleria mellonella candidal infection, without showing toxic effects on mammalian cells. ISDPs were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, demonstrating different structural organization. These results allowed to validate a consensus sequence for the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS that may be useful in the development of novel antimicrobial molecules.


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