Characterization of 64-, 123- and 182-base-pair exons in the mouse alpha 2(IV) collagen gene

Genes encoding types I, II and III collagens (fibrillar collagens) contain many discrete-size exons, most of them 54 base pairs (bp) long, in addition to the 45-, 99-, 108- and 162-bp exons. It has been suggested that these collagen genes evolved from an ancestral coding unit of 54 bp. Type IV collagen is a specific component of basement membranes and contains two genetically distinct polypeptides, the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) chains. It differs from the types I-III collagens in that it contains interruptions in the Gly-X-Y repeat sequence and does not form ordered fibrillar structures. We have isolated complementary DNA and genomic clones for the mouse alpha 2(IV) collagen chain and here characterize 64-, 123- and 182-bp exons in the Gly-X-Y coding domain of the gene. The data suggest that the alpha 2(IV) collagen gene may have evolved differently from those encoding the fibrillar collagens.     

Structure of the pro alpha 2 (I) collagen gene

Fifty-four kilobase pairs (kbp) of cloned chicken DNA containing the entire 38-kbp pro alpha 2 (I) collagen gene have been isolated and characterized. DNA sequence analysis of a select 4 kbp of the gene has precisely described 14 exons which comprise one-third of the sequences encoding the triple-helical domain of the collagen protein. These exons range in size from 45 to 108 base pairs (bp), are all multiples of the 9 bp that code for the repeating triplet, Gly-X-Y, and have an average size of 70 bp. About 50 introns interrupt this gene. Nevertheless, introns do not separate the coding sequences for the ends of the central triple-helical structural domain and the ends of the propeptide domains.     

Complete nucleotide sequences of the T24 human bladder carcinoma oncogene and its normal homologue

DNA sequence analysis of the activated oncogene from the T24 human bladder carcinoma line and two alleles of its normal cellular progenitor (c-Ha-ras-1) indicates that the genes encompass at least four exons, and that only a single point mutation residing within the first exon distinguishes the coding region of both alleles of the normal gene from their activated counterpart. Both versions of the gene encode a protein which is predicted to differ from the corresponding viral gene product at three amino acid residues, one of which was previously shown to represent the major site of phosphorylation of the viral polypeptide.     

High cell density alters the ratio of type III to I collagen synthesis by fibroblasts

HUMAN fibroblasts in culture synthesise both type I and type III collagen(1), with type I accounting for 70-90% of the total(2). In culture, the rates at which these proteins are synthesised is constant and apparently rather rigidly controlled(3). However, the proportions of these collagens differs in cells cultured with increased amounts of serum (increased type III/I)(4) as well as in cells obtained from patients with certain diseases. Cells from patients with the Ehlers-Danlos type IV syndrome make little or no type III collagen(5,6), whereas cells from patients with osteogenesis imperfecta have an increased type III/I (refs 7, 8). We have found that cells from some patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), have a reduced type III/I ratio. However, as previously reported, these cells grew to a lower density than control cells(9). We report here that normal fibroblasts from human and guinea pig skin produce proportionally more type III collagen at high cell density, probably because of a reduction in the synthesis of type I collagen.     

Recombination between an expressed immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene and a germline variable gene segment in a Ly 1+ B-cell lymphoma

The early stages of murine B-cell differentiation are characterized by a series of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements which are required for the assembly of heavy(H) and light(L)-chain variable regions from germline gene segments. Rearrangement at the heavy-chain locus is initiated first and consists of the joining of a diversity (DH) gene segment to a joining (JH) gene segment. This forms a DJH intermediate to which a variable (VH) gene segment is subsequently added. Light-chain gene rearrangement follows and consists of the joining of a VL gene segment to a JL gene segment: once a productive light-chain gene has been formed the cell initiates synthesis of surface immunoglobulin M (sIgM) receptors (reviewed in ref. 1). These receptors are clonally distributed and may undergo further diversification either by somatic mutation or possibly by continued recombinational events. Such recombinational events have been detected in the Ly 1+ B-cell lymphoma NFS-5, which has been shown to rearrange both lambda and H-chain genes subsequent to the formation of sIgM (mu kappa) molecules. Here we have analysed a rearrangement of the productive allele of NFS-5 and found that it is due to a novel recombination event between VH genes which results in the replacement of most or all of the coding sequence of the initial VHQ52 rearrangement by a germline VH7183 gene. Embedded in the VH coding sequence close to the site of the cross-over is the sequence 5' TACTGTG 3', which is identical to the signal heptamer found 5' of many DH gene segments. This embedded heptamer is conserved in over 70% of known VH genes. We suggest that this heptamer mediates VH gene replacement and may play an important part in the development of the antibody repertoire.     

Nucleotide sequence of the hepatitis B virus genome (subtype ayw) cloned in E. coli.

The complete nucleotide sequence of hepatitis B virus genome (subtype ayw) cloned in Escherichia coli has been determined using the Maxam and Gilbert method and the dideoxynucleotide method. This sequence is 3,182 nucleotides long. Location of the nonsense codons shows that the coding capacity of the L chain is larger than the coding capacity of the S chain. Eight open regions, able to code for polypeptide chains larger than 100 amino acids, have been located. Region 6, which is the largest, covers more than 80% of the genome. The gene S which codes for polypeptide I of the Hbs Ag and was previously located between coordinates 95.1 and 73.6 is contained in region 7.     

龟皮胶原蛋白的提取及结构表征(Ⅰ)

采用酶法从乌龟皮中提取胶原蛋白,用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)方法检测龟皮胶原蛋白多肽产品分子量的分布,并将龟皮胶原蛋白和Ⅰ型胶原蛋白样品进行液相色谱分析(HPLC),比较其氨基酸成分和含量.SDS-PAGE电泳结果分析表明龟皮胶原为Ⅰ型胶原蛋白,分子量约为288ku.龟皮胶原蛋白中,甘氨酸的含量最高,占总量的24.69%;其次是谷氨酸、精氨酸和丙氨酸,分别为9.95%、8.08%和9.31%;天冬氨酸、赖氨酸、丝氨酸、苏氨酸、亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸、异亮氨酸、缬氨酸、酪氨酸等含量在5.58%～1.28%之间;组氨酸和蛋氨酸的含量最低,仅占0.79%和0.09%.由于龟皮胶原蛋白的含量高于Ⅰ型胶原蛋白,且与Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的氨基酸含量差异显著,因此,龟皮胶原蛋白可以作为一种重要的皮胶原进行开发和利用.     

Retroviral gag and DNA endonuclease coding sequences in IgE-binding factor gene

Immunoglobulin-binding factors are known to regulate the synthesis of B-cell-derived immunoglobulin heavy-chain isotypes. Cloning and nucleotide sequence determination of complementary DNA encoding rodent IgE-binding factors (IgE-BF) revealed that messenger RNA encodes a glycoprotein of 557 amino acids which is expressed as a precursor of relative molecular mass (Mr) 60,000 (60K) in COS7 monkey cells. We report here that the 3' two-thirds of the IgE-BF coding sequence shows a surprising homology (72%) at the DNA level with coding sequences of the gag and pol (DNA endonuclease) genes of the Syrian hamster intracisternal A particle (IAP H18), an endogenous retrovirus. This marked homology demonstrates that the rodent gene encoding IgE-BF is a hybrid gene which evolved very recently by integrating genes of viral origin, and that the encoded polypeptide comprises three separate domains: an IgE-BF domain and retrovirus-derived gag and DNA endonuclease-like domains. This may represent the first report of a cellular gene containing a virus-derived coding sequence.     

Human pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene structure reveals evolutionary conservation of a pattern of introns and exons

The collagens represent an interesting example of a structurally related but genetically distinct family of proteins. Type I, the most abundant of the vertebrate collagens, comprises two pro alpha 1(I) chains and one pro alpha 2(I) chain, each containing terminal propeptides and a central domain of 338 (Gly, X, Y) repeats. The structure of the chicken pro alpha 2(I) gene shows an intriguing relationship between exon organization and the arrangement of (Gly, X, Y) repeats (see ref. 2 for review). This has led to the suggestion that the collagens evolved from a common ancestral unit of 54 base pairs (bp). Here we present the structure of the entire human pro alpha 1(I) gene and compare this with the chicken pro alpha 2(I). The exon arrangement of the two genes is remarkably similar, although the human pro alpha 1(I) is more compact because of the shorter length of its introns. The data strongly support the notion that the type I genes have evolved from an ancestral multi-exon unit, and that once the gene was translated, a strong evolutionary pressure caused it to maintain this elaborate structure.     

Cloning and expressional analyses of a cinnamoyl CoA reductase cDNA from rice seedlings

Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR: EC 1.2.1.44),the entry-point enzyme of the llgnin specific biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the conversion of cinnamoyl CoA esters to their corresponding dnnamaldehydes. Multiple sequence alignment showed that the deduced polypeptide shared 70% similarity and 30% sequence identity at the amino acid level with defined CCR genes from other plant species and they all contain the common signature sequences thought to be the catalytic site as well as the putative NADP binding domain.Using a conserved OsCCR cDNA fragment as the probe for library screening, we isolated the genomic DNA that covered the whole coding region of OsCCR with total length of 3045bp including 4 introns and 5 exons. The open reading frame for our OsCCR gene coBtAin~ 337 amino adds. Northern blot indicated that OsCCR was expressed in different organs with the highest level found in stems. In situ hybridization results showed that OsCCR mRNA was localized mainly along the vascular bundles in stems and leaves, and also in lateral roots that was differentiating from the tiilering node. We conclude that the vascular-localized expression of OsCCR gene may suggest its possible involvement in llgnin biosynthesis. Cloning and characterization of OsCCR will help to clarify how llgniflcations in plants are regulated and will provide a physical basis for creating genetically engineered rice plants with optimal lignin contents.     

Polymorphism and absence of Leu-enkephalin sequences in proenkephalin genes in Xenopus laevis

The structures of the genes coding for the opioid peptide precursors proopiomelanocortin, proenkephalin (proenkephalin A) and prodynorphin (proenkephalin B), are known for some mammalian species. To gain insight into the evolutionary history of these precursors, we have examined the proenkephalin gene in the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, which diverged from the principal line of vertebrate evolution some 350 Myr ago. The human proenkephalin gene consists of four exons, of which the main exon (exon IV) contains all known biologically active peptides--six Met-enkephalin sequences and one Leu-enkephalin sequence. We report here the primary structures of the putative main exons of two proenkephalin genes in X. laevis, each of which codes for seven Met-enkephalin sequences but no Leu-enkephalin, indicating that Met-enkephalin preceded Leu-enkephalin in the evolution of the proenkephalin gene. The organization of the main exons of the toad genes is remarkably similar to that of the human gene and conserved regions provide evidence for functionally significant structures. We also detect a polymorphism in one of the toad proenkephalin genes, mapping 1.5 kilobases (kb) 5' of the main exon; it is caused by an insertion/deletion of a 1-kb repetitive sequence which has the characteristics of a transposable element.     

Intragenic amplification and divergence in the mouse alpha-fetoprotein gene

The DNA sequences of the 14 exon junctions in the murine alpha-fetoprotein gene were determined using cloned genomic DNA. When these exons were examined with respect to the polypeptide segments they encoded, a direct correspondence between a threefold repeat of four exons and three protein domains was observed. Nucleotide sequence comparisons among the four exons of each domain were used to deduce the likely structure of the primordial domain, and the order and mechanism of its triplication to form the tripartite ancestral gene from which both alpha-fetoprotein and serum albumin arose. Sequence homologies among the four exons that constitute a single domain also suggest that they were derived, at least in part, from a common sequence which underwent successive amplification and divergence.     

Insulin-like growth factor II precursor gene organization in relation to insulin gene family

The insulin gene family, comprised of insulin, relaxin, insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and possibly the beta-subunit of 7S nerve growth factor, represents a group of structurally related polypeptides whose biological functions have diverged. The IGFs, or somatomedins, constitute a class of polypeptides that have a key role in pre-adolescent mammalian growth (see ref. 4 for review). IGF-I expression is regulated by growth hormone and mediates postnatal growth, while IGF-II appears to be induced by placental lactogen during prenatal development. The primary structures of both human IGFs have been determined and are closely related. A polypeptide highly homologous to human IGF-II is secreted by the rat liver cell line, BRL-3A. As this polypeptide, termed multiplication stimulating activity (MSA), differs from human IGF-II by only five amino acid residues, MSA probably represents the rat IGF-II protein. Using molecular cloning techniques, we have isolated cDNA and chromosomal genes coding for the MSA and human IGF-II precursors, respectively. Our data, presented here, indicate that both MSA and human IGF-II are synthesized initially as larger precursor molecules. The deduced preprohormones both have molecular weights (MWs) of 20,100 and contain C-terminal propeptides of 89 amino acid residues, which we have named E-peptides. The organization of the IGF-II precursor gene is discussed in relation to that of other insulin gene family members.     

Domain of E. coli DNA polymerase I showing sequence homology to T7 DNA polymerase

Escherichia coli contains three DNA polymerases that differ in their size, ability to interact with accessory proteins and biological function. Monomeric DNA polymerase I (Pol I) has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 103,000 (103K) and is involved primarily in the repair of damaged DNA and the processing of Okazaki fragments; polymerase II is of Mr 120K, and polymerase III has a Mr of 140K, is responsible for the replication of the DNA chromosome and is just one of several proteins that are required for replication. DNA polymerases from bacteriophage as well as those of eukaryotic viral and cellular origin also differ with respect to their size and the number of associated proteins that are required for them to function in replication. However, the template-directed copying of DNA is identical in all cases. The crystal structure of the large proteolytic fragment of Pol I shows that it consists of two domains, the larger of which contains a deep crevice whose dimensions are such that it can bind duplex DNA. The T7 polymerase consists of two subunits, the 80K gene 5 protein and the host-encoded 12K thioredoxin of E. coli. We show here that there is an amino acid sequence homology between at least eight polypeptide segments that form the large cleft in the Klenow fragment and polypeptides in T7 DNA polymerase gene 5 protein, suggesting that this domain evolved from a common precursor. The parts of the Pol I and T7 DNA polymerase molecules that bind the DNA substrate appear to share common structural features, and these features may be shared by all of these varied DNA polymerases.     

Homology between human bladder carcinoma oncogene product and mitochondrial ATP-synthase

More than 10 different dominant transforming genes (oncogenes) have been identified in human tumours. A human bladder carcinoma oncogene, closely related in sequence to retroviral transforming genes, is split into four exons; the first encodes the N-terminal 37 residues of p21, a protein of unknown function. The oncogene is activated by a single point mutation (guanine to thymine) resulting in the change glycine to valine at position 12 of p21 (refs 3, 4). We report here that the amino acid sequence surrounding this residue is highly homologous to the beta-subunit of mitochondrial and bacterial ATP-synthase in the region of the polypeptide that is believed to contribute to nucleotide binding. Thus, p21 may form part of an enzyme that uses purine nucleotides in catalysis. This is consistent with the finding that an equivalent murine oncogene product binds GTP.     

点带石斑鱼鱼皮和鳞片胶原蛋白的提取及理化性质的研究

以点带石斑鱼为原料,分别从鱼皮和鱼鳞中提取酸溶性胶原蛋白,并研究其纯度、热变性温度、溶解度等理化性质.结果表明:(1)鱼皮和鱼鳞中胶原蛋白的提取率分别为76.21%和2.50%;(2)经紫外可见光谱扫描、傅里叶转换红外光谱和氨基酸分析,确定所提取的胶原蛋白是Ⅰ型胶原蛋白,具有完整的三螺旋结构;(3)SDS-PAGE电泳测定证明鱼皮和鱼鳞胶原蛋白均含有α1、α2、β和γ链,α1、α2链的相对分子质量分别为2.79×105和2.87×105,纯度分别为91%和85%;(4)鱼皮、鱼鳞胶原蛋白的热变性温度分别为40.16和42.06℃;(5)等电点分别为7.12和7.15;(6)两者在酸性pH(2～4)时具有高的溶解度,并且当NaCl的质量浓度分别为10和20 g/L时,溶解度最高.     

Direct expression in Escherichia coli of a DNA sequence coding for human growth hormone.

DNA coding for human growth hormone was constructed by using chemically synthesised DNA in conjunction with enzymatically prepared cDNA. This 'hybrid' gene was expressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the lac promoter. A polypeptide was produced having the size and immunological properties characteristic of mature human growth hormone.     

At least two genes reside within a large intron of the dunce gene of Drosophila

The dunce locus of Drosophila melanogaster is considered to house a gene involved in memory, because flies carrying lesions at the locus have shortened memory of several different conditioned behaviours. Our recent partial characterization of the gene at the molecular level, along with prior genetic and biochemical evidence, recently provides compelling evidence that the gene codes for the enzyme cAMP phosphodiesterase. The observation that the gene encodes at least six overlapping poly(A)+ RNA molecules ranging in size from 4.2 to 9.5 kilobases (kb) (ref. 8), suggests that the gene is extraordinarily complex. Here we provide the sequence of a dunce complementary DNA clone and the corresponding genomic coding regions which show that the organization of the gene is elaborate. The cDNA clone defines dunce exons which are separated by a large intron of 79 kb. More importantly, at least two other genes are shown to reside within the large intron, including the well-defined glue protein gene, Sgs-4. The location of dunce exons relative to the molecular breakpoints of chromosomal aberrations with defined cytological positions indicates that the dunce gene extends over more than five polytene chromosome bands.