Reconstitution of a surface transferrin binding complex in insect form Trypanosoma brucei

In the bloodstream of the mammalian host, Trypanosoma brucei takes up host transferrin by means of a high-affinity uptake system, presumably a transferrin receptor. Transferrin-binding activity is seen in the flagellar pocket and is absent in insect form trypanosomes. By transfection we have reconstituted a transferrin-binding complex in insect form trypanosomes. Formation of this complex requires the products of two genes that are part of a variant surface glycoprotein expression site, expression site-associated gene (ESAG) 6 (encoding a protein with GPI-anchor) and ESAG 7 (encoding a protein without any obvious membrane attachment). This complex can be precipitated by transferrin-Sepharose and by an antibody directed only against the ESAG 6 protein. Transfection of ESAG 6 or 7 alone did not result in transferrin binding. In the transfected trypanosomes, the products of ESAG 6 alone and the combination of ESAG 6 and 7 did not exclusively localize to the flagellar pocket, but were present all over the surface of the trypanosome. The reconstituted transferrin-binding complex also did not result in the uptake of transferrin. Additional proteins present in bloodstream trypanosomes, but not in sufficient amounts in insect form trypanosomes, may therefore be required for the correct routing of the transferrin-binding complex to the flagellar pocket, and for its rapid internalization after ligand binding.

beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil: a novel modified base present in the DNA of the parasitic protozoan T. brucei

We have previously shown that the DNA of the unicellular eukaryote T. brucei contains about 0.1% of a novel modified base, called J. The presence of J correlates with a DNA modification associated with the silencing of telomeric expression sites for the variant surface antigens of trypanosomes. Here we show that J is 5-((beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-methyl)-uracil (shortened to beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil), a base not previously found in DNA. We discuss putative pathways for the introduction of this base modification at specific positions in the DNA and the possible contribution of this modification to repression of surface antigen gene expression.

Classical and novel forms of multidrug resistance and the physiological functions of P-glycoproteins in mammals

In this paper, we review recent work on multidrug resistance (MDR) in Amsterdam. We have generated mice homozygous for a disruption of one of their P-glycoprotein (Pgp) genes. The mutations do not interfere with viability or fertility, showing that these Pgps have no indispensable role in early development or metabolism. Mice homozygous for a disruption of their mdr2 gene, however, develop liver disease and this appears to be due to their complete inability to secrete phospholipids into bile. This suggests that the mdr2 Pgp (and, by inference, its human MDR3 homologue) is essential for translocating phospholipids through the hepatocyte canalicular membrane in which this Pgp is located. These and other results show the importance of the genetic approach for studying drug metabolism. MDR is not only caused by increased activity of Pgps. When the human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line SW-1573 is selected in vitro for low level doxorubicin resistance, the resistant variants are nearly always multidrug resistant, but this is not due to increased Pgp activity. Only when resistance is pushed to higher levels does activation of the MDR1 Pgp gene occur. This suggests that clinically relevant levels of drug resistance in some cells may be caused predominantly by non-Pgp-mediated drug resistance mechanisms. The protein responsible for MDR in the SW-1573 cells has not yet been identified and experiments are in progress to find the gene encoding it.

Binding properties of monoclonal antibodies recognizing external epitopes of the human MDR1 P-glycoprotein

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing external epitopes of the human MDR1 P-glycoprotein have been used both for the detection of multidrug-resistant cells and as specific inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance. Using a panel of recently developed transfected or transgenic cell lines containing variants of the human MDR1 and MDR3 P-glycoproteins, we have compared the specificity and binding properties of the previously isolated MAbs MRK16, HYB-241, UIC2 and 4E3, and of the newly isolated MAb 7G4. The removal of 1, 2 or all 3 of the N-glycosylation sites present in the first extracellular loop of MDR1 P-glycoprotein did not significantly affect the binding of these MAbs. In contrast, 20 amino acid deletion in the first extracellular loop of MDR1 P-glycoprotein completely abolished binding of UIC2, whereas the binding of all other MAbs was hardly affected. None of the MAbs tested bound detectably to cell lines containing a high level of the human MDR3 P-glycoprotein. The differences in the binding specificity between UIC2 and the other tested antibodies parallel the reported functional differences in the ability of these antibodies to inhibit P-glycoprotein-mediated drug efflux.

The identification of hydroxymethyluracil in DNA of Trypanosoma brucei

We have previously reported the detection of two unusual nucleotides, pdJ and pdV, in the DNA of Trypanosoma brucei (Gommers-Ampt et al., 1991). pdJ was found to be a novel nucleotide and is possibly involved in the regulation of variant specific surface antigen gene expression in trypanosomes. Recent evidence suggests that V could be a precursor of J, making V a key compound in the study of the biosynthesis and function of J. We have therefore determined the structure of V and here we present proof that V is HOMeU. The identity is based on a detailed comparison of dV(p) with authentic HOMedU(p), showing: I) co-migration in three different liquid chromatography analyses II) identical UV absorbance characteristics III) identical behavior in acetyl-pentafluorobenzyl derivatization and subsequent Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The GC/MS technique has not been used before to analyse HOMedU purified from biological material. Because of its high sensitivity, it may also be useful for the detection of the low amounts of HOMedU resulting from oxidative damage of DNA.

Stable transformation of Trypanosoma brucei

We have further analyzed parameters affecting stable transformation of Trypanosoma brucei. Linear DNA was much more efficient than circular DNA and in the vast majority of transformants analyzed the plasmid DNA had inserted into the chromosomes by homologous recombination. The presence of non-homologous (vector) DNA at one or both ends of linear constructs inhibited transformation efficiency. Less than 1 kb of homologous flanking sequence was sufficient for efficient targeting of a marker gene into the tubulin gene array. When transformants with a single neomycin phosphotransferase (neo(r)) gene replacing a beta-tubulin gene were selected for higher levels of G418 resistance, the neo(r) gene was amplified and spread through the tubulin gene cluster. The additional neo(r) gene copies were adjacent in the tubulin gene array and were added to the array rather than replacing beta-tubulin genes. These results are compatible with asymmetric post-replication recombination (unequal sister chromatid exchange) as the mechanism for neo(r) gene amplification. Starting with a circular construct containing the neo(r) gene between tubulin intergenic regions, we obtained a single transformant that maintained the neo(r) genes as an extrachromosomal plasmid. We show this plasmid to consist of a circular pentamer of the input construct. All other attempts to derive a shuttle vector that replicates extrachromosomally in T. brucei were unsuccessful. Our experiments extend previous observations suggesting that T. brucei has a strong preference for chromosomal insertion of exogenous DNA by homologous recombination.

The expression of two P-glycoprotein (pgp) genes in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans is confined to intestinal cells

P-glycoproteins can cause multidrug resistance in mammalian tumor cells by active extrusion of cytotoxic drugs. The natural function of these evolutionarily conserved, membrane-bound ATP binding transport proteins is unknown. In mammals, P-glycoproteins are abundantly present in organs associated with the digestive tract. We have studied the tissue-specific expression of Caenorhabditis elegans P-glycoprotein genes pgp-1 and pgp-3 by transformation of nematodes with pgp-lacZ gene fusion constructs in which the promoter area of the pgp genes was fused to the coding region of lacZ. Expression of pgp-1 and pgp-3, as inferred from pgp-lacZ transgenic nematodes, was confined to the intestinal cells. The expression patterns of both genes were virtually indistinguishable. Quantitative analysis of pgp mRNA levels during development showed that pgp-1, -2, and -3 were expressed throughout the life cycle of C.elegans, albeit with some variation indicating developmental regulation. The expression of P-glycoprotein genes in intestinal cells is an evolutionarily conserved feature of these genes, consistent with the hypothesis that P-glycoproteins provide a mechanism of protection against environmental toxins.

Insertion of the promoter for a variant surface glycoprotein gene expression site in an RNA polymerase II transcription unit of procyclic Trypanosoma brucei

The variant-specific surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes of Trypanosoma brucei are invariably expressed near the ends of chromosomes (telomeres). We have targeted a VSG gene expression site (ES) promoter driving a selectable marker gene (neomycin phosphotransferase) into a chromosome-internal transcription unit, the tubulin gene array of procyclic trypanosomes. To avoid read through transcription of the marker gene from the tubulin promoter, we targeted the ES promoter in inverse orientation relative to tubulin gene transcription. The only correctly targeted transformant obtained contained the marker gene close to the border of the tubulin gene array, and expression of this gene was relatively low. Possible reasons for the low targeting efficiency and expression level are discussed.

The P-glycoprotein gene family of Caenorhabditis elegans. Cloning and characterization of genomic and complementary DNA sequences

P-glycoproteins, encoded by families of evolutionarily conserved genes, can confer a multidrug-resistant phenotype to mammalian tumor cells. To obtain more information on their functions in normal cells we have cloned genomic and complementary DNA sequences of four P-glycoprotein gene homologs of the genetically well-characterized nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, termed pgp-1, pgp-2, pgp-3 and pgp-4, respectively. The genes were physically mapped on chromosome IV (pgp-1), I (pgp-2) and X (pgp-3 and pgp-4). Phenotypic mutants corresponding to these loci have not yet been described. Two of the genes, pgp-1 and pgp-3, were analyzed in detail. They are predicted to encode ATP-binding membrane-spanning proteins of 1321 and 1254 amino acid residues, respectively, with the characteristic features shared by most P-glycoproteins described thus far. Intra-species divergence of P-glycoprotein genes is more pronounced in C. elegans than in mammals. Only 40% of the amino acids of pgp-1 and pgp-3 are identical, in contrast to 77% identity between human MDR1 and MDR3. pgp-1 consists of 14 exons, pgp-3 of 13. The two genes share only one intron position, whereas they share four (pgp-1) and five (pgp-3) intron positions with mammalian P-glycoprotein genes. pgp-1, pgp-2, and pgp-3 are transcribed into low abundance mRNAs in wild-type nematodes. pgp-1 and pgp-3 mRNAs have the trans-spliced leader SL1 at their 5' ends. Arsenite, emetine and actinomycin D drugs did not increase the steady state levels of pgp mRNA, unlike in some mammalian cell types. Heat shock disturbed trans as well as cis-splicing of pgp-1 and led to the accumulation of partially processed pgp-1 RNA. Thus, in C. elegans these genes are not induced in the context of a general stress response, as has been proposed for mammalian P-glycoprotein genes in certain tissues.

A ribosomal RNA gene promoter at the telomere of a mini-chromosome in Trypanosoma brucei

The parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei has some hundred mini-chromosomes of 50-150 kb, which mainly consist of telomeric repeats, sub-telomeric repeats and internal 177-bp repeats. Their primary function seems to be to expand the repertoire of non-transcribed sub-telomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes. Here we report that two of the smaller mini-chromosomes (55 and 60 kb) contain sequences homologous to the ribosomal RNA gene promoter region. We have targeted by homologous recombination the neomycin phosphotransferase (neo(r)) gene behind the promoter on the 55 kb chromosome and show that this promoter mediates the efficient synthesis of properly trans-spliced and polyadenylated neo mRNA. The resulting high resistance to G418 (a neo analogue) is stable in the absence of drug showing that mitotic segregation of this mini-chromosome is precise. Downstream of the transcription start the wild-type version of the ribosomal promoter is flanked by telomeric repeats. The absence of the sub-telomeric repeats found in other T.brucei chromosome ends suggests that the rDNA-telomeric junction has been formed by de novo addition of telomeric repeats to a broken chromosome end (healing). Our results provide a plausible explanation for the alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription of telomeric repeats in T.brucei reported by Rudenko and Van der Ploeg and they show that trypanosomes can efficiently use RNA polymerase I for the expression of sub-telomeric genes, supporting the notion that the alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription of sub-telomeric VSG genes may also be catalyzed by this enzyme.

Genetic transfer of non-P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in somatic cell fusion: dissection of a compound MDR phenotype

A non-P-glycoprotein-mediated mechanism of multidrug resistance (non-Pgp MDR) has been identified in doxorubicin-selected sublines of the human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line SW-1573. These sublines are cross-resistant to daunorubicin, VP16-213, Vinca alkaloids, colchicine, gramicidin D, and 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA). They accumulate less drug than the parental cells and their resistance is not due to the MDR1-encoded P-glycoprotein, as the resistant cell lines have lost the low amount of MDR1 mRNA detectable in parental cells. Here we show that the resistant cell lines also contain less topoisomerase II mRNA and enzyme activity than the parental cells. This might contribute to the resistance of these lines to drugs interacting with topoisomerase II, such as doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and VP16-213, but cannot account for the resistance to the other drugs. We have tested whether all properties of the non-Pgp MDR cell lines cosegregate in somatic cell fusions between lethally gamma-irradiated, resistant donor cells and drug-sensitive acceptor cells. Whereas a MDR phenotype with reduced drug accumulation and the loss of MDR1 P-glycoprotein mRNA were cotransferred to the acceptor cells, the decrease in topoisomerase II gene expression was not. We conclude that the MDR phenotype, the reduced drug accumulation, and the loss of MDR1 P-glycoprotein mRNA are genetically linked. They might be due to a single dominant mutation, which does not cause the alteration in topoisomerase II.

A phosphoglycerate kinase-related gene conserved between Trypanosoma brucei and Crithidia fasciculata

Trypanosoma brucei and Crithidia fasciculata both contain three different phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) genes, A, B and C, in a tandem array. The genes B and C encode the major PGKs: the cytosolic and glycosomal PGKs, respectively. The PGK-A genes of both Trypanosomatid species encode open reading frames related to PGK, which have most active site residues conserved, but contain an insert of 80 amino acids at approximately position 80 of the 420 amino acids average PGK sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of these inserts is conserved between T. brucei and C. fasciculata (48% positional identity), indicating its functional importance. Although we have not been able to demonstrate PGK activity in the PGK-A gene product, we consider it likely that this gene codes for a minor PGK with special function.

Efficient production of functional mRNA mediated by RNA polymerase I in Trypanosoma brucei

The unicellular eukaryote Trypanosoma brucei evades the immune defence of its mammalian host by antigenic variation. The genes for variant-specific surface glycoproteins (VSGs) are expressed within large multicistronic transcription units. Mature messenger RNAs are produced by trans-splicing and polyadenylation. A remarkable feature of the transcription of VSG genes is its insensitivity to the RNA polymerase II inhibitor alpha-amanitin. This has led to the speculation that RNA polymerase I, normally only involved in the transcription of ribosomal RNA genes, also mediates expression of these surface antigen genes. In higher eukaryotes, however, transcripts produced by RNA polymerase I were found to be poor substrates for processing into mature mRNAs. In contrast, we show here that the RNA polymerase I of T. brucei can mediate the efficient production of functional mRNA for neomycin phosphotransferase. This exceptional ability may be related to the unusual way in which pre-mRNAs are capped in trypanosomes. In most eukaryotes, mRNAs are modified at their 5' end by a capping activity associated with RNA polymerase II; in trypanosomes, mRNAs acquire their 5'-cap from capped mini-exon donor RNA by trans-splicing, a process that could be independent of the RNA polymerase producing the pre-mRNA.

Alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription units in trypanosomes: a comparison of promoter sequences for a VSG gene expression site and for the ribosomal RNA genes

Transcription of the predominant surface antigen genes in Trypanosoma brucei is unusual in its resistance to the RNA polymerase inhibitor alpha-amanitin, a property typical for rDNA transcription in eukaryotes. Transcription of most other protein-coding genes in trypanosomes is sensitive to alpha-amanitin. To investigate whether RNA polymerase I, the polymerase that transcribes rRNA genes, can give rise to functional mRNAs in trypanosomes, we have fused the putative promoter of the T.brucei rRNA genes to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene and determined CAT activity after transient expression of chimeric constructs in procyclic trypanosomes. We show here that the rRNA promoter yields the same high CAT activity as the promoters for the two predominant surface antigen genes of trypanosomes, the Variant-specific Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) gene of bloodstream trypanosomes and the procyclin gene of insect-form trypanosomes, both of which are also transcribed by an alpha-amanitin-insensitive RNA polymerase. RNA polymerase I of trypanosomes seems therefore able to synthesize pre-mRNAs that are effectively processed into translatable mRNAs. Dissection of the promoter segments showed the minimal elements for a VSG gene expression site promoter to be confined to a segment of -60 to +77 bp, overlapping the most 5' putative transcription start sites as determined in vivo by RNase protection experiments. For the ribosomal promoter region a segment of -258 to +200 bp relative to the putative transcription start site was sufficient for maximal CAT activity. There is a precise requirement for specific nucleotides at the rRNA transcription start site. We detect no homology between the sequences required for promoter function of the three alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription units, rRNA, VSG and procyclin (parp) genes. This suggests that the sequence-specific recognition of these promoters either occurs by common factors detecting sequence homologies that escape us, or by separate factors that bind to different DNA sequences but interact with a common alpha-amanitin-resistant RNA polymerase.

Multidrug resistance mediated by P-glycoproteins

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein genes is a well-established cause of one form of multidrug resistance. P-glycoproteins are plasma membrane proteins containing two ATP-binding sites and twelve putative transmembrane segments. P-glycoproteins are thought to act as ATP-dependent drug efflux pumps, actively extruding a range of structurally different, hydrophobic drugs from the cell. This simple model can account for the properties of multidrug resistant cells, even those that seem to require more complex explanations. The structure and function of P-glycoprotein genes has been studied in mammals and in several lower eukaryotes. These studies are helping to delineate the range of drugs that can be transported by P-glycoproteins; the genetic mechanisms that can lead to elevated cellular P-glycoproteins levels; and the evolution of the versatile and prolific P-glycoprotein gene family. The physiological function of the human P-glycoproteins encoded by the MDR1 and MDR3 (or MDR2) genes remains a matter of speculation.

Drug resistance and P-glycoprotein gene amplification in the protozoan parasite Leishmania

Amplification of the H circle is often associated with methotrexate (MTX) selection in Leishmania species. We have shown that the H circle of Leishmania tarentolae contains an open reading frame, ItpgpA, that has the attributes of P-glycoproteins (large plasma membrane proteins known to extrude lipophilic drugs from mammalian cells). H region amplification was also noted in some mutants selected for resistance to arsenite and vinblastine. Mutants having the complete 68-kb circles were cross-resistant to MTX, but two arsenite mutants having only part of the H region amplified, but including ItpgpA, were not cross-resistant to MTX. These results suggest that the putative determinant for MTX resistance present on the H circle is not ItpgpA. We have also determined how ItpgpA-containing plasmids were generated from the chromosomal copy. The H circle contains a 30-kb inverted duplication separated by two unique DNA segments. The corresponding H region of chromosomal DNA has only one copy of the duplicated DNA. We have shown that the two unique segments in chromosomal DNA are flanked by inverted repeats suggesting that H circles could be formed by a foldback mechanism (see fig. 2). Unexpectedly, a plasmid present in cells selected for arsenite resistance lacked part of the H region and the long inverted repeats. It appears to have been formed by intrachromosomal recombination between two P-glycoprotein genes, ItpgpA and ItpgpB, located adjacent to the H region. Our results show that under drug pressure, the same P-glycoprotein-encoding region in Leishmania may be amplified by very different mechanisms and yield different amplicons.

Characterization of the human MDR3 P-glycoprotein and its recognition by P-glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibodies

We have cloned a human MDR3 complementary DNA, coding for a P-glycoprotein, into a mammalian expression vector and cotransfected it with a selectable marker into drug-sensitive human BRO melanoma cells. With low frequency we obtained stable, MDR3-expressing clones. Immunocytochemical and immunoblotting analysis of these clones using the monoclonal antibody C219 indicated that human MDR3 P-glycoprotein, like human MDR1 P-glycoprotein, was mainly localized in the plasma membrane and probably glycosylated. Although a significant fraction of the cells (5-10%) in one of the MDR3-expressing clones expressed as much P-glycoprotein as a clearly drug-resistant MDR1-transfected clone, we found no resistance against a range of drugs affected by multidrug resistance. The drugs tested included vincristine, colchicine, VP16-213, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, actinomycin D, and gramicidin D. We did not detect enhanced daunorubicin efflux either in any of the MDR3-expressing cells by fluorescence microscopy. Direct selection with vincristine, actinomycin D, gramicidin D, or daunorubicin of BRO cells transfected with expression constructs containing the regular MDR3 complementary DNA, or a complementary DNA representing a major MDR3 splice variant (C(-141)), likewise failed to yield resistant clones. Thus, although human MDR3 P-glycoprotein is highly similar to human MDR1 P-glycoprotein, we found no indications that it can transport drugs. We investigated the cross-reactivity of the monoclonal antibodies C219, C494, JSB-1, HYB-241, and MRK16, recognizing human MDR1 P-glycoprotein, with human MDR3 P-glycoprotein using immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Apart from monoclonal antibody C219, none of the monoclonal antibodies showed detectable cross-reactivity with human MDR3 P-glycoprotein. In our hands, monoclonal antibodies MRK16 and HYB-241 were most suitable for sensitive and specific cytochemical detection of human MDR1 P-glycoprotein.

A novel DNA nucleotide in Trypanosoma brucei only present in the mammalian phase of the life-cycle

The existence of an unusual form of DNA modification in the bloodstream form of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei has been inferred from partial resistance to cleavage of nuclear DNA with PstI and PvuII (Bernards et al, 1984; Pays et al, 1984). This putative modification is correlated with the shut-off of telomeric Variant-specific Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) gene expression sites (ESs). The modification only affects inactive VSG genes with a telomeric location, and it is absent in procyclic (insect form) trypanosomes in which no VSG is made at all. Previous attempts to detect unusual nucleosides in T.brucei DNA were unsuccessful, but we now report the detection of two unusual nucleotides, called pdJ and pdV, in T.brucei DNA, using the 32P-postlabeling technique. Nucleotide pdV was present in both bloodstream form and procyclic T.brucei DNA and co-migrated in two different two-dimensional thin layer chromatography (2D-TLC) systems with hydroxymethyldeoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (pHOMedU). In contrast, nucleotide pdJ was exclusively present in bloodstream form trypanosomal DNA. Levels of pdJ were higher in DNA enriched for telomeric sequences than in total genomic DNA and pdJ was also detected in other Kinetoplastida species exhibiting antigenic variation. Postlabeling and 2D-TLC analyses showed base J to be different from the known eukaryotic unusual DNA bases 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine and hydroxymethyluracil, and also from (glucosylated) hydroxymethylcytosine, uracil, alpha-putrescinylthymine, 5-dihydroxypentyluracil and N6-carbamoylmethyladenine. We conclude that pdJ is a novel eukaryotic DNA nucleotide and that it is probably responsible for the partial resistance to cleavage by PvuII and PstI of inactive telomeric VSG genes. It may therefore be involved in the regulation of ES activity in bloodstream form trypanosomes.

Antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei: a telomeric expression site for variant-specific surface glycoprotein genes with novel features

African trypanosomes evade the immune response of their host by periodically changing their variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Each coat is encoded by a separate VSG gene. Expressed genes are in a telomeric expression site (ES) and there are several sites in each trypanosome. To study the transcription control of VSG genes in Trypanosoma brucei we have analyzed an ES, called the dominant ES (DES), that readily switches off and on. The promoter area of the DES is very similar to that of the 221 ES (Zomerdijk et al., 1990). It can be switched off and on in vivo without detectable DNA alterations in the vicinity of the transcription start and it can drive high transient expression of a reporter gene in transfection experiments. However, there are also two major differences between the DES and the 221 ES. First, one version of the DES contains an additional upstream transcription unit overlapping the VSG gene ES promoter. The presence of this upstram transcription is dispensable, however, for the VSG gene ES promoter is active, even if transcription through this start from the upstream promoter is blocked using UV light. Moreover, a second version of the DES present in another trypanosome variant does not produce these upstream transcripts. Secondly, we find that the inactivation of DES transcription in one trypanosome variant is accompanied by DNA alterations in the DES upstream (greater than 2 kb) of the transcription start; reactivation of DES transcription is accompanied by another alteration far upstream. Although we cannot exclude that these DNA rearrangements are incidental, our results raise the possibility that the activity of ES promoters is negatively controlled in cis by far upstream sequences not included in transfection constructs and that alterations in these sequences may lead to (in)activation of the promoter.

Direct and inverted DNA repeats associated with P-glycoprotein gene amplification in drug resistant Leishmania

The H circle of Leishmania species contains a 30 kb inverted duplication separated by two unique DNA segments, a and b. The corresponding H region of chromosomal DNA has only one copy of the duplicated DNA. We show here that the chromosomal segments a and b are flanked by inverted repeats (198 and 1241 bp) and we discuss how these repeats could lead to formation of H circles from chromosomal DNA. Selection of Leishmania tarentolae for methotrexate resistance indeed resulted in the de novo formation of circles with long inverted duplication, but two mutants selected for arsenite resistance contained new H region plasmids without such duplications. One of these plasmids appears due to a homologous recombination between two P-glycoprotein genes with a high degree of sequence homology. Our results show how the same DNA region in Leishmania may be amplified to give plasmids with or without long inverted duplications and apparently by different mechanisms.

Structure of the human MDR3 gene and physical mapping of the human MDR locus

Two genes, MDR1 and MDR3, constitute the human P-glycoprotein gene family. To examine the evolutionary relationship between the three known classes of mammalian P-glycoprotein genes, we have cloned the MDR3 gene and compared its structure with that of the human MDR1 and the mouse mdr1 (mdr1b) genes analyzed by other groups. The MDR3 gene contains 28 exons and 27 of these contain coding sequences for the two homologous halves of the protein that correlate with functional domains. This structure is virtually identical to that of the human MDR1 gene and the mouse mdr1 (mdr1b) gene, indicating that the exon/intron structure was fixed before the duplication events that generated different classes of P-glycoproteins, but after the P-glycoproteins diverged from related genes, like the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which has an entirely different exon/intron structure. The four alternatively spliced transcripts of the MDR3 gene arise from alternative splicing of exons 23 and 26. Our analysis of DNA clones covering about 120 kilobases (kb) of the human MDR locus, including the entire MDR3 gene (74 kb) and the intergenic region between both genes (34 kb), combined with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis data shows that the human MDR locus covers about 230 kb. In contrast to the mouse mdr genes, both human genes are transcribed in the same direction (MDR3 located downstream of MDR1). The CpG-rich sequences marking the 5' ends of both genes are hypomethylated to different extents in different cell lines. Hypomethylation roughly correlates with transcriptional activity.