scholarly journals A multi-gene knockdown approach reveals a new role for Pax6 in controlling organ number in Drosophila

Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison J. Ordway ◽  
Gary M. Teeters ◽  
Bonnie M. Weasner ◽  
Brandon P. Weasner ◽  
Robert Policastro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Practical Reason ◽  
Genetic Locus ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Genetic Screens ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Nucleosome Remodeling ◽  
Target Individual ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Antennal Disc

Genetic screens are designed to target individual genes for the practical reason of establishing a clear association between a mutant phenotype and a single genetic locus. This allows for a developmental or physiological role to be assigned to the wild type gene. We previously observed that the concurrent loss of Pax6 and Polycomb epigenetic repressors in Drosophila leads the eye to transform into a wing. This fate change is not seen when either factor is disrupted separately. An implication of this finding is that standard screens may miss the roles that combinations of genes play in development. Here, we show that this phenomenon is not limited to Pax6 and Polycomb but rather applies more generally. We demonstrate that in the Drosophila eye-antennal disc, the simultaneous down-regulation of Pax6 with either the NURF nucleosome remodeling complex or the Pointed transcription factor transforms the head epidermis into an antenna. This is a novel fate change that is also not observed with the individual loss of individual genes. We propose that the use of multi-gene knockdowns is an essential tool for unraveling the complexity of development.

scholarly journals Genetic Analysis of the Role of Pol II Holoenzyme Components in Repression by the Cyc8-Tup1 Corepressor in Yeast

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1535-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Lee ◽  
Sukalyan Chatterjee ◽  
Kevin Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Genetic Screens ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Histone Tails ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Corepressor Complex ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Modest Effect

Abstract The Cyc8-Tup1 corepressor complex is targeted to promoters by pathway-specific DNA-binding repressors, thereby inhibiting the transcription of specific classes of genes. Genetic screens have identified mutations in a variety of Pol II holoenzyme components (Srb8, Srb9, Srb10, Srb11, Sin4, Rgr1, Rox3, and Hrs1) and in the N-terminal tails of histones H3 and H4 that weaken repression by Cyc8-Tup1. Here, we analyze the effect of individual and multiple mutations in many of these components on transcriptional repression of natural promoters that are regulated by Cyc8-Tup1. In all cases tested, individual mutations have a very modest effect on SUC2 RNA levels and no detectable effect on levels of ANB1, MFA2, and RNR2. Furthermore, multiple mutations within the Srb components, between Srbs and Sin4, and between Srbs and histone tails affect Cyc8-Tup1 repression to the same modest extent as the individual mutations. These results argue that the weak effects of the various mutations on repression by Cyc8-Tup1 are not due to redundancy among components of the Pol II machinery, and they argue against a simple redundancy between the holoenzyme and chromatin pathways. In addition, phenotypic analysis indicates that, although Srbs8–11 are indistinguishable with respect to Cyc8-Tup1 repression, the individual Srbs are functionally distinct in other respects. Genetic interactions among srb mutations imply that a balance between the activities of Srb8 + Srb10 and Srb11 is important for normal cell growth.

scholarly journals Biochemical and Initial Structural Characterization of the Monocot Chimeric Jacalin OsJAC1

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5639
Author(s):  
Nikolai Huwa ◽  
Oliver H. Weiergräber ◽  
Christian Kirsch ◽  
Ulrich Schaffrath ◽  
Thomas Classen
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Basic Function ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Lectin Domain ◽  
Reducing Conditions ◽  
Transition Points ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Dirigent Domain

The monocot chimeric jacalin OsJAC1 from Oryza sativa consists of a dirigent and a jacalin-related lectin domain. The corresponding gene is expressed in response to different abiotic and biotic stimuli. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the basic function of the individual domains and their contribution to the physiological role of the entire protein. In this study, we have established a heterologous expression in Escherichia coli with high yields for the full-length protein OsJAC1 as well as its individual domains. Our findings showed that the secondary structure of both domains is dominated by β-strand elements. Under reducing conditions, the native protein displayed clearly visible transition points of thermal unfolding at 59 and 85 °C, which could be attributed to the lectin and the dirigent domain, respectively. Our study identified a single carbohydrate-binding site for each domain with different specificities towards mannose and glucose (jacalin domain), and galactose moieties (dirigent domain), respectively. The recognition of different carbohydrates might explain the ability of OsJAC1 to respond to different abiotic and biotic factors. This is the first report of specific carbohydrate-binding activity of a DIR domain, shedding new light on its function in the context of this monocot chimeric jacalin.

The DNA Binding Protein Rfg1 Is a Repressor of Filamentation inCandida albicans

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 157 (4) ◽  
pp. 1503-1512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy A Khalaf ◽  
Richard S Zitomer
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Hyphal Growth ◽  
Dna Binding Protein ◽  
Homozygous Deletion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Pathogenic Yeast ◽  
Repression Complex ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
Repression Domain

AbstractWe have identified a repressor of hyphal growth in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. The gene was originally cloned in an attempt to characterize the homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rox1, a repressor of hypoxic genes. Rox1 is an HMG-domain, DNA binding protein with a repression domain that recruits the Tup1/Ssn6 general repression complex to achieve repression. The C. albicans clone also encoded an HMG protein that was capable of repression of a hypoxic gene in a S. cerevisiae rox1 deletion strain. Gel retardation experiments using the purified HMG domain of this protein demonstrated that it was capable of binding specifically to a S. cerevisiae hypoxic operator DNA sequence. These data seemed to indicate that this gene encoded a hypoxic repressor. However, surprisingly, when a homozygous deletion was generated in C. albicans, the cells became constitutive for hyphal growth. This phenotype was rescued by the reintroduction of the wild-type gene on a plasmid, proving that the hyphal growth phenotype was due to the deletion and not a secondary mutation. Furthermore, oxygen repression of the hypoxic HEM13 gene was not affected by the deletion nor was this putative ROX1 gene regulated positively by oxygen as is the case for the S. cerevisiae gene. All these data indicate that this gene, now designated RFG1 for Repressor of Filamentous Growth, is a repressor of genes required for hyphal growth and not a hypoxic repressor.

scholarly journals A Genetic Method for Generating Drosophila Eyes Composed Exclusively of Mitotic Clones of a Single Genotype

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 1631-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Steven Stowers ◽  
Thomas L Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Genetic Screens ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Standard Methods ◽  
Genetic Method ◽  
Lethal Mutations ◽  
Single Genotype ◽  
Late Developmental Stage ◽  
Fly Eye

Abstract The genetic analysis of a gene at a late developmental stage can be impeded if the gene is required at an earlier developmental stage. The construction of mosaic animals, particularly in Drosophila, has been a means to overcome this obstacle. However, the phenotypic analysis of mitotic clones is often complicated because standard methods for generating mitotic clones render mosaic tissues that are a composite of both mutant and phenotypically normal cells. We describe here a genetic method (called EGUF/hid) that uses both the GAL4/UAS and FLP/FRT systems to overcome this limitation for the Drosophila eye by producing genetically mosaic flies that are otherwise heterozygous but in which the eye is composed exclusively of cells homozygous for one of the five major chromosome arms. These eyes are nearly wild type in size, morphology, and physiology. Applications of this genetic method include phenotypic analysis of existing mutations and F1 genetic screens to identify as yet unknown genes involved in the biology of the fly eye. We illustrate the utility of the method by applying it to lethal mutations in the synaptic transmission genes synaptotagmin and syntaxin.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Repeat Induced Point Mutation in Long Segmental Duplications of Neurospora

Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
David D Perkins ◽  
Brian S Margolin ◽  
Eric U Selker ◽  
S D Haedo
Keyword(s):  
Point Mutation ◽  
Sexual Cycle ◽  
Segmental Duplications ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Gene Size ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
Repeat Induced Point Mutation

Abstract Previous studies of repeat induced point mutation (RIP) have typically involved gene-size duplications resulting from insertion of transforming DNA at ectopic chromosomal positions. To ascertain whether genes in larger duplications are subject to RIP, progeny were examined from crosses heterozygous for long segmental duplications obtained using insertional or quasiterminal translocations. Of 17 distinct mutations from crossing 11 different duplications, 13 mapped within the segment that was duplicated in the parent, one was closely linked, and three were unlinked. Half of the mutations in duplicated segments were at previously unknown loci. The mutations were recessive and were expressed both in haploid and in duplication progeny from Duplication × Normal, suggesting that both copies of the wild-type gene had undergone RIP. Seven transition mutations characteristic of RIP were found in 395 base pairs (bp) examined in one ro-11 allele from these crosses and three were found in ~750 bp of another. A single chain-terminating C to T mutation was found in 800 bp of arg-6. RIP is thus responsible. These results are consistent with the idea that the impaired fertility that is characteristic of segmental duplications is due to inactivation by RIP of genes needed for progression through the sexual cycle.

scholarly journals Bub1 mediates cell death in response to chromosome missegregation and acts to suppress spontaneous tumorigenesis

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik Jeganathan ◽  
Liviu Malureanu ◽  
Darren J. Baker ◽  
Susan C. Abraham ◽  
Jan M. van Deursen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Checkpoint Protein ◽  
Chromosome Missegregation ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint Protein

The physiological role of the mitotic checkpoint protein Bub1 is unknown. To study this role, we generated a series of mutant mice with a gradient of reduced Bub1 expression using wild-type, hypomorphic, and knockout alleles. Bub1 hypomorphic mice are viable, fertile, and overtly normal despite weakened mitotic checkpoint activity and high percentages of aneuploid cells. Bub1 haploinsufficient mice, which have a milder reduction in Bub1 protein than Bub1 hypomorphic mice, also exhibit reduced checkpoint activity and increased aneuploidy, but to a lesser extent. Although cells from Bub1 hypomorphic and haploinsufficient mice have similar rates of chromosome missegregation, cell death after an aberrant separation decreases dramatically with declining Bub1 levels. Importantly, Bub1 hypomorphic mice are highly susceptible to spontaneous tumors, whereas Bub1 haploinsufficient mice are not. These findings demonstrate that loss of Bub1 below a critical threshold drives spontaneous tumorigenesis and suggest that in addition to ensuring proper chromosome segregation, Bub1 is important for mediating cell death when chromosomes missegregate.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of a Peptidoglycan Hydrolase, MurA, of Listeria monocytogenes, a Muramidase Needed for Cell Separation

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (23) ◽  
pp. 6801-6808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon A. Carroll ◽  
Torsten Hain ◽  
Ulrike Technow ◽  
Ayub Darji ◽  
Philippos Pashalidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Cell Separation ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Cell Wall Hydrolase ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Type Gene

ABSTRACT A novel cell wall hydrolase encoded by the murA gene of Listeria monocytogenes is reported here. Mature MurA is a 66-kDa cell surface protein that is recognized by the well-characterized L. monocytogenes-specific monoclonal antibody EM-7G1. MurA displays two characteristic features: (i) an N-terminal domain with homology to muramidases from several gram-positive bacterial species and (ii) four copies of a cell wall-anchoring LysM repeat motif present within its C-terminal domain. Purified recombinant MurA produced in Escherichia coli was confirmed to be an authentic cell wall hydrolase with lytic properties toward cell wall preparations of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. An isogenic mutant with a deletion of murA that lacked the 66-kDa cell wall hydrolase grew as long chains during exponential growth. Complementation of the mutant strain by chromosomal reintegration of the wild-type gene restored expression of this murein hydrolase activity and cell separation levels to those of the wild-type strain. Studies reported herein suggest that the MurA protein is involved in generalized autolysis of L. monocytogenes.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Trypsin-Resistant Variants of the Listeria-Active Bacteriocin Salivaricin P

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (16) ◽  
pp. 5356-5362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen F. O'Shea ◽  
Paula M. O'Connor ◽  
Paul D. Cotter ◽  
R. Paul Ross ◽  
Colin Hill
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Cleavage Sites ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Enhanced Resistance ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Protease Action

ABSTRACT Two-component salivaricin P-like bacteriocins have demonstrated potential as antimicrobials capable of controlling infections in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The anti-Listeria activity of salivaricin P is optimal when the individual peptides Sln1 and Sln2 are added in succession at a 1:1 ratio. However, as degradation by digestive proteases may compromise the functionality of these peptides within the GIT, we investigated the potential to create salivaricin variants with enhanced resistance to the intestinal protease trypsin. A total of 11 variants of the salivaricin P components, in which conservative modifications at the trypsin-specific cleavage sites were explored in order to protect the peptides from trypsin degradation while maintaining their potent antimicrobial activity, were generated. Analysis of these variants revealed that eight were resistant to trypsin digestion while retaining antimicrobial activity. Combining the complementary trypsin-resistant variants Sln1-5 and Sln2-3 resulted in a MIC50 of 300 nM against Listeria monocytogenes, a 3.75-fold reduction in activity compared to the level for wild-type salivaricin P. This study demonstrates the potential of engineering bacteriocin variants which are resistant to specific protease action but which retain significant antimicrobial activity.

scholarly journals CLN3 expression is sufficient to restore G1-to-S-phase progression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in translation initiation factor eIF4E

1999 ◽  
Vol 340 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa DANAIE ◽  
Michael ALTMANN ◽  
Michael N. HALL ◽  
Hans TRACHSEL ◽  
Stephen B. HELLIWELL
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Phase Progression ◽  
Type Gene

The essential cap-binding protein (eIF4E) of Saccharomycescerevisiae is encoded by the CDC33 (wild-type) gene, originally isolated as a mutant, cdc33-1, which arrests growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle at 37 °C. We show that other cdc33 mutants also arrest in G1. One of the first events required for G1-to-S-phase progression is the increased expression of cyclin 3. Constructs carrying the 5ʹ-untranslated region of CLN3 fused to lacZ exhibit weak reporter activity, which is significantly decreased in a cdc33-1 mutant, implying that CLN3 mRNA is an inefficiently translated mRNA that is sensitive to perturbations in the translation machinery. A cdc33-1 strain expressing either stable Cln3p (Cln3-1p) or a hybrid UBI4 5ʹ-CLN3 mRNA, whose translation displays decreased dependence on eIF4E, arrested randomly in the cell cycle. In these cells CLN2 mRNA levels remained high, indicating that Cln3p activity is maintained. Induction of a hybrid UBI4 5ʹ-CLN3 message in a cdc33-1 mutant previously arrested in G1 also caused entry into a new cell cycle. We conclude that eIF4E activity in the G1-phase is critical in allowing sufficient Cln3p activity to enable yeast cells to enter a new cell cycle.

scholarly journals GENE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN POTASSIUM-SENSITIVE AND POTASSIUM-RESISTANT MUTATIONS OF PARAMECIUM TETRAURELIA

Genetics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160
Author(s):  
Donald L Cronkite
Keyword(s):  
High Resistance ◽  
Gene Interactions ◽  
Paramecium Tetraurelia ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Recessive Mutations ◽  
Resistant Genes ◽  
Type Gene ◽  
Moderately Resistant

ABSTRACT Two unlinked recessive mutations (ks-1 and ks-2) have been induced in Paramecium tetraurelia stock 51. Wild-type survives and grows when up to 30 mm KCl is added to the medium, but the mutants cease to grow and die when added KCl reaches 20-25 m m. These K+-sensitives have been crossed to stocks containing the K+-resistant genes, fA (very resistant) and kA(moderately resistant). All four genes are unlinked. Double mutants of ks-1 and either kA or fA are as resistant as the resistant member of the pair. Doubles of ks-2 and kA are like wild type, and doubles of ks-2 and fA are shifted from high resistance toward wild type. Gene ks-2 acts like a suppressor of kA and fA. This suppression can be understood in terms of the known biochemical defects of the mutants.

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