Molecular cloning of GAF2, a Schizosaccharomyces pombe GATA factor, which has two zinc-finger sequences

By low stringency screening of a lambda-Shizosaccharomyces pombe genomic library, we have cloned a GATA factor homologous gene, gaf2+, within a 3.1-kb EcoRI fragment. The gaf2 ORF predicts a protein of M(r) 61 kDa consisting of intronless 564 amino acids corresponding to 1,692 bp. Gaf2 has two zinc-fingers as Urbs1 of Ustilago maydis, whereas most of fungal GATA factors have only one zinc-finger. The separation between two zinc-fingers of Gaf2 is rather long. In addition to gaf2, the sequence analysis revealed a Val-tRNA gene in the 3'-flanking region of gaf2. Northern blot analysis indicated that the gaf2 gene is transcribed constitutively irrespective of the nitrogen source in a medium.

Enhancement of thermostability and catalytic efficiency of AprP, an alkaline protease from Pseudomonas sp., by the introduction of a disulfide bond

A site-directed mutagenesis in AprP, an alkaline protease isolated from Pseudomonas sp. KFCC 10818 was carried out in order to obtain increased thermostability. Sites for cysteine substitutions to form disulfide bond within AprP were chosen by comparing the sequences with aqualysin I, an alkaline thermostable serine protease whose disulfide bonds seems to be important for its thermostability. Gly199 and Phe236 residues were each replaced with cysteine by site-directed mutagenesis. The G199C/F236C mutant enzyme appeared to form a disulfide bond spontaneously during its expression. It also showed improved kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of a synthetic peptide substrate at pH 8.5 and 10.5 compared to those of the wild-type enzyme. The half-life of the G199C/F236C mutant was found to be 2 to 4.8 times longer than that of wild-type under various experimental conditions, except when tested under reducing condition, where no significant differences in the half-life of the two types were observed. Therefore, it is concluded that the introduction of the disulfide bond enhanced the thermostability and the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme AprP.

New anthracycline metabolites produced by the aklavinone 11-hydroxylase gene in Streptomyces galilaeus ATCC 31133

Transformation of Streptomyces galilaeus ATCC 31133 with the aklavinone 11-hydroxylase gene (dnrF) resulted in the production of many red pigments. The new metabolites were purified and their structures were determined as 11-hydroxylated aclacinomycin A, B and T by spectral analysis. This result indicated that the dnrF was stably expressed in the strain S. galilaeus ATCC 31133 to give rise to hybrid aclacinomycins. In addition, a new aclacinomycin analog named 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X was isolated from the same culture. Its structure was elucidated as 2"'-amino-11-hydroxyaclacinomycin Y. It showed strong cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines, especially leukemia and melanoma cell lines.

A humanized antibody with specificity for hepatitis B surface antigen

A murine monoclonal antibody H67 was characterized for the binding specificity, which showed that H67 recognizes a disulfide-bond-dependent conformational epitope of common a antigenic determinant on the hepatitis B surface antigen. The result suggested that this antibody may have the potential of replacing hepatitis B immune globulin in the prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Therefore, we have constructed the humanized antibody HuS10 by grafting the complementarity determining regions and some framework amino acid residues of H67 onto the most homologous human antibody variable regions, 21/28 for heavy chain variable region and B1 and J kappa 2 for light chain variable region, followed by combining with human constant regions C gamma 1 and C kappa. The affinity of the HuS10 was the same as that of the H67, 8 x 10(8) x 10(8)M-1, and the HuS10 neutralized the in vitro infection of adult human hepatocyte primary culture by adr or ayw subtype of HBV. The neutralization assay showed that the HuS10 had approximately 2,000-times higher specific activity than commercially available polyclonal HBIG. These results suggest that the humanized antibody will be useful in the prevention or treatment of HBV infection.

Sequences responsible for transcription termination of the mouse gastrin gene

To identify the transcription termination elements in the mouse gastrin gene, we examined RNA transcripts after stable transfection of gastrin expression plasmids into the NIH3T3 cell line. The GT-repeat region at the 3'-flanking sequence of the mouse gastrin gene acted as a transcription terminator. When the GT-repeat unit was deleted from its site, the effect of termination disappeared. Further experiment, using serial deletion mutants, revealed that the 56-38 nucleotide upstream region from the GT-repeat unit also participated in transcription termination. We propose that the upstream region of the GT-repeat unit might be recognized as a pause site by the RNA polymerase II, and an abnormal DNA structure, derived from the GT-repeat unit, might function as a blockage of polymerase processivity.

Different effects of base analog substitutions in BamHI restriction site on recognition by BamHI endonuclease and BamHI methylase

BamHI endonuclease and BamHI methylase were used to investigate their specific interaction with the common recognition sequence, GGATCC. Five derivatives of the oligonucleotide, GACGGATCCGTC, containing a variety of single-base analog substitutions within the hexameric recognition core were synthesized. Steady-state kinetics for the reaction of the endonuclease and the methylase showed that both enzymes recognize the sequences by contacting with functional groups exposed in both major and minor grooves of the site but in different ways. Removal or substitution of the 5-methyl group in thymidine blocked the endonuclease reaction completely but still allowed the methylase reaction with less efficiency. The data also showed that the methylase made a critical minor groove contact with the 2-amino group of the first G but the endonuclease did with that of the second G.

Effects of base analog substitutions in the sequence, CCGG, on the cleavage and methylation reactions of HpaII and MspI endonucleases and their cognate methylases

HpaII endonuclease, HpaII methylase, MspI endonuclease, and MspI methylase were used to investigate their specific interactions with the common recognition sequence, CCGG. Six derivatives of the oligonucleotide, AGCCCGGGCT, containing a variety of single base analog substitutions within the tetrameric recognition core were synthesized. Steady state kinetic values for the reactions of all 4 enzymes with these oligonucleotide substrates were obtained. Our data suggest that there are close contacts between the C5 positions of both cytosine residues and the enzymes except that MspI endonuclease can accommodate a methyl group at the C5 position of the second cytosine residue. The data also showed that minor groove interactions between the 2-amino group of both G residues and the HpaII or MspI endonuclease were essential for activity. However, these interactions were not essential for methylase activity except that the oligonucleotide substituted with inosine nucleotide at the first G position did not react with MspI methylase.

Genetic transformation and plant regeneration of watermelon using Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Adventitious shoots formed on the proximal cut edges of different cotyledonary explants of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai; cvs. Sweet Gem and Gold Medal] cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium with 1 mgl(-1) 6-benzyladenine (BA). Light (16-h photoperiod, about 7 Wm(-2) cool-white fluorescent lamps) was essential for shoot formation. To obtain transformed plants, cotyledonary explants of 'Sweet Gem' were cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, a disarmed strain harboring a binary vector pBI121 carrying the CaMV 35S promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusion used as a reporter gene and NOS promoter-neomycin phosphotransferase gene as a positive selection marker, for 48 h on MS medium with 1 mgl(-1) BA and 200 μM β-hydroxyacetosyringone. After 48 h of culture, explants were transferred to medium with 1 mgl(-1) BA 250 mgl(-1) carbenicillin, and 100 mgl(-1) kanamycin and cultured in the light. Adventitious shoots formed on the explants after 4 weeks of culture. When subjected to GUS histochemical assay, young leaves obtained from the shoots showed a positive response at a frequency of up to 16%. Preculturing cotyledonary explants on MS medium with 1 mgl(-1) BA for 5 d enhanced the competence of the cells to be transformed by Agrobacterium. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the GUS gene was incorporated into the genomic DNA of the GUS-positive regenerants. The transformed plants were grown to maturity.

Cloning of Pseudomonas fluorescens carboxylesterase gene and characterization of its product expressed in Escherichia coli

A gene (estC) coding for an esterase (esterase III) of Pseudomonas fluorescens was cloned into Escherichia coli JM83. DNA sequencing showed a single open reading frame with GTG as a translation initiation codon for esterase III. This was confirmed by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the purified esterase III protein from an E. coli clone. The promoter sequence and a potential Shine-Dalgarno sequence were followed by the coding sequence of the estC gene. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence contains the consensus active site sequence, G-X-S-X-G, of serine esterase. The esterase III expressed in an E. coli clone was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The native form of the enzyme was a monomer with a molecular weight of 41,000. The results of substrate specificity and the inhibitor studies suggest that this enzyme is a carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) and a serine residue is present at the active site of the enzyme.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of carboxylesterase from pseudomonas fluorescens

Large crystals of carboxylesterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens have been grown in the presence of dioxane using ammonium sulfate and lithium sulfate as precipitant. They belong to the tetragonal space group P4(1)2(1)2 (or P4(3)2(1)2), with unit cell dimensions of a = 82.01 (+/-0.06) A and c = 145.44 (+/- 0.08) A. The presence of one carboxylesterase dimer in the asymmetric unit gives the crystal volume per protein mass (VM) of 2.56 A3/Da and solvent fraction of 52.0% by volume. The crystals diffract to at least 2.3 A Bragg spacing when exposed to CuK alpha X rays from a rotating anode generator. X-ray data (nearly complete to 2.6 A Bragg spacing) have been collected from a native crystal.

Effects of modified bases in sequence recognition by ClaI endonuclease and ClaI methylase

To understand the functional groups required for sequence recognition, dodecanucleotides containing ClaI sequence in the middle positions with modified bases were synthesized and used as substrates for ClaI endonuclease and ClaI methylase reactions. For the modification, dU, 5-bromo-dU, and dI were used. Km values of the two enzymes were determined for normal and modified oligonucleotides. Our data showed that 5-CH3 groups of the first and second T residues of the hexanucleotide sequence were essential contact points for ClaI methylase. However, ClaI endonuclease was still active without either one of those methyl groups with elevated Km values. Bromine could compensate significantly for the loss of 5-CH3 groups at both position. On the other hand, the 2-amino group of G residue appeared to be an essential contact point for both enzymes. It has been concluded that ClaI endonuclease and ClaI methylase recognize the sequence in different ways.

Cloning, sequencing, purification, and Gq-dependent activation of phospholipase C-beta 3

Six mammalian phospholipase C isozymes (PLC-beta 1, PLC-beta 2, PLC-gamma 1, PLC-gamma 2, PLC-delta 1, and PLC-delta 2) have been identified at both protein and DNA levels. Here, cDNAs corresponding to a previously unidentified PLC isozyme were isolated from a rat thyroid cell FRTL cDNA library. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of this new PLC with other known PLC isozymes revealed a high degree of overall similarity with PLC-beta 1 and PLC-beta 2. Thus, the new PLC was named PLC-beta 3. Comparison with PLC-beta 1 and PLC-beta 2 also revealed that the deduced amino-terminal sequence of PLC-beta 3 was incomplete by 10-20 amino acids. With the use of antibodies raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to PLC-beta 3-specific amino acid sequences, we purified PLC-beta 3 from a rat brain particulate fraction. The purified enzyme exhibited an apparent molecular mass of 152 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, as compared with 150 and 140 kDa for PLC-beta 1 and PLC-beta 2, respectively. Studies of the activation of PLC-beta isozymes by three alpha subunits of Gq class G proteins, alpha q, alpha 11, and alpha 16 in the presence of guanosine 5-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) revealed that the extent of activation decreased in the order of PLC-beta 1 > or = PLC-beta 3 >> PLC-beta 2 for all three alpha subunits, suggesting a certain degree of specificity in the interaction of Gq alpha subunits with different PLC-beta isozymes.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of arylesterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens

Large crystals of arylesterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens have been grown at room temperature using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. They grow to dimensions of 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.6 mm3 within a month. The crystals belong to the trigonal space group P3(1) (or P3(2)), with unit cell dimensions of a = 147.12 A and c = 131.08 A. The asymmetric unit seems to contain six molecules of dimeric arylesterase, with corresponding crystal volume per protein mass (VM) of 2.53 A3/Da and solvent fraction of 51.5% by volume. The crystals diffract to at least 2.2 A Bragg spacing when exposed to X-rays from a rotating-anode source. X-ray data have been collected to 2.9 A Bragg spacing from native crystals.

Sex determination in single mouse blastomeres by polymerase chain reaction

In sex determination of mammalian preimplantation embryos, viability of biopsied embryos and accuracy of sexing are together important. In consideration of this point, single blastomeres were mechanically isolated from mouse embryos using a micromanipulator and then sexed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using mouse Y chromosome-specific primers. All of 260 embryos biopsied at the four-cell and morula stage survived. Developmental rate of the embryos to normal blastocysts was 93 and 94%, respectively. Sex determination of single blastomeres was performed by amplification of a mouse Y chromosome-specific DNA sequence using PCR technique. The ratio of male to female embryos was 53 and 47%, respectively. The sex-determined embryos were transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant recipients to test the consistency of the assay system. The sex of 27 of 29 mice developed from male and female embryos agreed with the predicted sex. The method developed for embryo biopsy and sexing could be used for diagnosis of defective genes at the stage of the preimplantation embryos of human and other domestic animals.

Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the diagnostic value of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha-AT) as a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we studied the serum levels of alpha-AT by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) by radioimmunoassay in 46 proven HCC patients, 43 cirrhosis patients and 200 healthy blood donors. The mean alpha-AT level of the 46 patients with HCC (4.8 +/- 2.7 mg/ml) was significantly higher than that of 200 healthy control subjects (1.7 +/- 0.7 mg/ml) (P less than 0.0001). The sensitivity of alpha-AT in 24 patients with high level of alpha-FP (greater than 400 ng/ml) and 22 patients with low level of alpha-FP (less than 400 ng/ml) were 96% and 64%, respectively. There was no substantial correlation between alpha-FP and alpha-AT in the two groups (alpha-FP greater than 400 ng/ml, alpha-FP less than 400 ng/ml) (r = 0.078, 0.064). The sensitivity for HCC using alpha-FP level alone (greater than 400 ng/ml) was only 52%, and the sensitivity using alpha-AT level alone (greater than 3.2 mg/ml) was 76% of the 46 patients. Combining both tests, sensitivity was improved only to 80%.

Characterization of Pseudomonas fluorescens carboxylesterase: cloning and expression of the esterase gene in Escherichia coli

The Pseudomonas fluorescens gene (estB) that encodes a novel esterase (esterase II) was cloned into Escherichia coli JM83. DNA sequencing found a single open reading frame of 654 nucleotides. The open reading frame was confirmed by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the esterase protein. A potential Shine-Dalgarno sequence is followed by the coding sequence of the estB gene. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence contains the consensus active site sequence, G-X-S-X-G, of serine esterases. The enzyme expressed in an E. coli clone was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Homogeneity of the purified enzyme was confirmed using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The native enzyme exists as a dimer consisting of two identical subunits, each with a molecular weight of 23,000. The results of the experiments for identifying substrate specificity and the inhibitor studies suggest that this enzyme is a carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) and a serine residue is present at the active site of the esterase, as in the esterases of animal tissues.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of thermostable lipase gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens SIK W1

A gene coding for a thermostable lipase of Pseudomonas fluorescens SIK W1 was cloned into Escherichia coli JM83 by inserting Sau3AI-generated DNA fragments into the BamHI site of pUC19. Twenty colonies with esterase activity on the tributyrin agar plate were isolated by screening the constructed Pseudomonas fluorescens genomic library. Only one out of the esterase positive 20 colonies had lipase activity on the agar plate containing olive oil and Rhodamine-B. The complete nucleotide sequence of the lipase gene was identified. The lipase gene consists of an open reading frame, 1347bp long, commencing with an ATG start codon encoding a polypeptide of 449 amino acid residues and a TGA stop codon. Comparison of this lipase amino acid sequence with those from another organisms sequenced to data showed the presence of the short homologous region Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly.

Cloning, expression and characterization of the human transcription elongation factor, TFIIS

The cDNA for the human elongation factor, TFIIS, has been cloned and expressed in E. coli with the T7 expression system. This 280-amino acid TFIIS protein is shorter by 21 residues than that of the mouse. The missing 21 residues are located in the amino-terminal region, which is not thought to be required for transcriptional stimulation. Apart from this gap, human and mouse proteins reveal 96% overall identity and 98.5% sequence similarity if conservative substitutions are taken into account. The bacterially expressed human protein and the purified calf thymus proteins are indistinguishable in their ability to stimulate transcript elongation by purified RNA polymerase II. Estimation of the native molecular size of the human protein in solution indicates that it exists as a dimer.

Expression of penicillin G acylase gene from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14945 in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

Penicillin G acylase gene from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14945 has been isolated. Recombinant Escherichia coli clones were screened for clear halo forming activity on the lawn of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P using the enzymatic acylating reaction of 7-aminodeacetoxycephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA) and D-(alpha)-phenylglycine methylester. The gene was contained within a 2.8 kb DNA fragment and expressed efficiently when transferred from E. coli to Bacillus subtilis. A twenty times greater amount of enzyme was produced in B. subtilis transformant than that in B. megaterium. The purified enzyme from subcloned B. subtilis showed that the native enzyme consisted of two identical subunits, each with a molecular weight of 57,000. The enzyme was able to react on various cephalosporins, i.e., cephalothin, cefamandole, cephaloridine, cephaloglycin, cephalexin and cephradine.

Bovine and feline gastrin cDNA sequences and the amino acid and nucleotide sequence homologies among mammalian species

The complete nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding bovine and feline preprogastrins have been cloned from the antral mucosa mRNA. The gastrin mRNA of each animal encodes a preprogastrin of 104 amino acids consisting of a signal peptide, a prosegment of 37 amino acids, and a gastrin 34 sequence, followed by a glycine (the amide donor). The cleavage following a pair of lysine residues yields gastrin 17. We found that pairs of arginine residues flanking gastrin 34, the typical processing site sequence of all other preprogastrins and many peptide hormones, were arginines in the bovine preprogastrin, but the first basic amino acid pair had changed to Arg-Trp (57-58 residues) instead of Arg-Arg in the feline preprogastrin. Comparison of these amino acid and nucleotide sequences with published mammalian sequences showed extensive homology in the coding (63 to 73% amino acid identity) and in the untranslated regions (67 to 89% identity). Prosequence, the most variable region, shows greater amino acid difference between bovine and human preprogastrin (54% identity), and between bovine and rat preprogastrin (54% identity) than between other species (62 to 82% identity).

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of an esterase gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens and expression of the gene in Escherichia coli

A gene coding for a novel esterase of Pseudomonas fluorescens was cloned in this study. DNA sequencing showed that the open reading frame is comprised of 708 nucleotides. The coding sequence of the gene is preceded by a potential Shine-Dalgarno sequence and by a promoter-like structure. Following the stop codon a structure reminiscent of the E. coli rho-independent terminator is present. The enzyme expressed in an E. coli clone was mostly in the periplasmic space, released to the outside of the cell by osmotic shock and purified to homogeneity by QAE-Sephadex A-50 and DEAE-Sepharose columns. The native form of the enzyme consisted of two identical subunits, each with a molecular weight of 27,000. By studying the properties and substrate specificity, the enzyme was classified as an arylesterase (EC 3.1.1.2).

Two subunits of mannose permease, II-PMan and II-MMan, of Escherichia coli mediate coliphage N4 infection

Mutant strains of Escherichia coli that lack one or all of the intact components of mannose permease do not support the growth of phage N4. Complementation experiments using three recombinant plasmids containing DNA fragments coding for the subunits of mannose permease revealed that among the three component subunits, II-PMan and II-MMan alone are sufficient to confer N4 sensitivity.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA coding for canine gastrin

We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding for preprogastrin from a canine antral cDNA library. Comparison of this sequence with those of porcine, human, and rat gastrin reveals extensive (83%) homology in the gastrin coding region as well as short regions of conserved nucleotides in the noncoding regions. The canine sequence encodes a preprogastrin of 104 amino acids which consists of a signal peptide, a 37-amino acid prosegment, and a 34-amino acid gastrin sequence, followed by a glycine (the amide donor), and flanked by pairs of arginine residues.

Cloning and analysis of a yeast genomic DNA sequence capable of directing gene transcription in Escherichia coli as well as in yeast

A DNA fragment was isolated from yeast genomic sequences by its ability to direct the transcription of promoterless CmR (cat) gene in Escherichia coli and in yeast. Nucleotide sequencing and primer extension analysis showed that yeast DNA contains sets of consensus sequences pertaining to prokaryotic and yeast-type promoter elements. It was designated as yeast- and E. coli-type promoter (YEP1). Typical E. coli-type promoter elements are found at appropriate positions: TATTTT from -12 to -7 and TTGTCC from -35 to -30 with their spacing of 17 bp from the single mRNA start point determined by the primer extension. Analysis of cat transcripts from yeast cells showed that the YEP1 caused multiple transcription initiations at more than 20 different points that are spaced over a 100-bp region. The DNA is composed of A + T-rich sequences and putative TATA-like sequences are found at several places upstream from the transcription start points. Deletion analysis showed that a 276-bp sequence between -872 and -596 from the initiating ATG codon was required for the maximal promoter activity in yeast but not in E. coli.

A method to isolate DNA sequences that are promoter-active in Escherichia coli and in yeast

A method convenient for isolation of DNA sequences capable of directing gene transcription in both organisms of E. coli and yeast is described. The method is composed of sequential steps of phenotypic selection for chloramphenicol resistance, first in E. coli and then in yeast. A series of promoter-probe, shuttle plasmid vectors between yeast and E. coli were constructed and utilized in the method.

The effects of DNA methylation by Hha I methylase on the cleavage reactions by Hae II, Aha II and Ban I endonucleases

The DNA methylated by Hha I methylase was resistant against cleavage of Hae II or Aha II endonuclease indicating that the methyl group of the C5 position of the inmost cytosine nucleotide interferes with the interaction between the enzyme and the hexameric recognition sequence. Considering that Hae II or Aha II methylase has not been isolated yet, the result explained above is a useful information for protecting a double stranded DNA from being cleaved by Hae II or Aha II endonuclease. In contrast to Hae II or Aha II endonuclease, Ban I endonuclease which also has Hha I sequence as its tetrameric core was able to cleave the same DNA normally. This result suggests that the C5 position of the inmost pyrimidine nucleotide is not an important contact point between Ban I endonuclease and its hexameric recognition sequence.

Cloning of the lambda resistant genes from Brevibacterium albidum and Proteus vulgaris into Escherichia coli

Genes from Proteus vulgaris ATCC13315 and Brevibacterium albidum ATCC15831 were introduced into Escherichia coli, which rendered the host resistant to coliphage lambda. The clones transformed by any one of the two recombinant plasmids, pRMG101 or pRMG216, were totally resistant against the infection of virulent lambda and N4, but sensitive to ø80, T4 and T7. However, when maltose transport systems of the clones were induced by maltose, the clones were no more resistant to the phage: thus, this phenotype was thought to be due to the inhibition of phage adsorption onto the cell surface. The gene product was shown by SDS-PAGE of membrane protein-enriched extract of the clone. Molecular weight as measured was about 40,000 dalton, which coincide with that inferred from the nucleotide sequences.

Purification and properties of the Hpa I methylase

The purification and catalytic properties of the homogeneous Hpa I methylase is described. The enzyme exists as a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 37,000 +/- 2,000 was shown by sedimentation equilibrium and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The Hpa I methylase transfers methyl groups of S-adenosylmethionine to adenine present in the recognition sequence d(G-T-T-A-A*-C), A* is the N6 methyl adenosine. An average of 2.1 methyl groups per recognition site are transferred by the Hpa I methylase.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of full-length of cDNA coding for porcine gastrin

We have cloned in EScherichia coli a cDNA copy of mRNA coding for the porcine antral mucosal hormone preprogastrin. Full-length double-stranded cDNA was synthesized and inserted into the Pst I endonuclease site in plasmid pBR322 by using a homopolymeric extension technique. A partial cDNA clone was used as a probe to identify a complete cDNA clone in a cDNA library by colony hybridization. Four positive clones were isolated, one of which corresponded to porcine preprogastrin mRNA. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert (602 nucleotides) revealed 312 nucleotides in the entire mRNA coding region, 61 nucleotides in the 5' untranslated region, 86 nucleotides in the 3'untranslated region, and a poly(A) tail of 86 nucleotides. Gastrin is located near the carboxyl end of preprogastrin and is flanked at both its amino and carboxyl ends by a pair of basic amino acid residues. The presence of glycine and a pair of basic amino acid residues adjacent in the carboxyl-terminal phenylalanine of gastrin indicates that the glycine and a pair of basic amino acid residues may be required for the enzymatic amidation of phenylalanine to phenylalanine amide.

Cleavage of single strand oligonucleotides and bacteriophage phi X174 DNA by Msp I endonuclease

Type II restriction endonucleases cleave duplex DNA at nucleotide sequences displaying 2-fold symmetry. Our data show that Msp I cleaves single strand oligonucleotides, d(G-A-A-C-C-G-G-A-G-A) and d(T-C-T-C-C-G-G-T-T) at 4 degrees, 25 degrees, and 37 degrees C reaction temperatures. The rate of cleavage of d(G-A-A-C-C-G-G-A-G-A) is several-fold faster than that of d(T-C-T-C-C-G-G-T-T). Single strand phi X174 DNA is also, cleaved by Msp I endonuclease giving well defined fragments. 5'-Nucleotide analysis of the fragments generated from single strand and replicating form DNA suggest that cleavage occurs at the recognition sequence d(C-C-G-G). The data show that Msp I endonuclease cleaves single strand oligonucleotides and prefers a recognition sequence surrounded by purine nucleotides. A general model for endonuclease cleavage of single strand and duplex DNA is presented.

Isolation and characterization of two proteins possessing Hpa II methylase activity

Two proteins exhibiting Hpa II methylase activity have been purified to homogeneity from Haemophilus parainfluenzae and their physical and catalytic properties have been studied. Separation of the two Hpa II methylase activities was achieved by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography. In subsequent steps, each methylase was purified separately by chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, phosphocellulose, and hydroxylapatite. The proteins have molecular weights of 38,500 +/- 1,000 (Hpa II) and 41,500 +/- 1,000 (Hpa II') as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Sedimentation equilibrium analyses of the native proteins yield molecular weights of 38,800 +/- 3,000 and 42,200 +/- 3,000 for Hpa II and Hpa II', respectively, indicating that both enzymes are composed of a single subunit. Furthermore, both methylases exhibit identical specificity in the methylation of the nucleotide sequence dC-C-G-G in simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA and in a short synthetic oligonucleotide duplex. Although pH, temperature, and salt optima are the same for both enzymes, homogeneous Hpa II' methylase is more stable than Hpa II methylase. Preliminary peptide mapping indicates that the two enzymes are structurally related, suggesting the possibility that Hpa II' methylase may represent a precursor form of Hpa II methylase.