Thermosensitivity of a DNA recognition site: activity of a truncated nutL antiterminator of coliphage lambda

beta-Scission of C-3 (beta-carbon) alkoxyl radicals on peptides and proteins: a novel pathway which results in the formation of alpha-carbon radicals and the loss of amino acid side chains

Exposure of proteins to radicals in the presence of O(2) brings about multiple changes in the target molecules. These alterations include oxidation of side chains, fragmentation, cross-linking, changes in hydrophobicity and conformation, altered susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes, and formation of new reactive groups, including hydroperoxides. These processes can result in the loss of structural or enzymatic activity. Backbone fragmentation is known to occur via a number of mechanisms, most of which involve hydrogen abstraction from the alpha-carbon site on the backbone. In this study, we demonstrate that initial attack at a side chain site, the beta-position (C-3), can give rise to formation of alpha-carbon radicals, and hence backbone cleavage, via the formation and subsequent beta-scission of C-3 alkoxyl radicals. This beta-scission reaction is rapid (k estimated to be >10(7) s(-)(1)) even with primary alkoxyl radicals derived from Ala residues, and occurs when the alkoxyl radicals are generated from a variety of precursors, including hydroperoxides and nitrate esters. These reactions release the former side chain as a reactive aldehyde or ketone; thus, Ala peptides release high yields of methanal (formaldehyde). This product has been quantified with a number of oxidized peptides and proteins, and can account for up to 64% of the initial attacking radicals with some Ala peptides. When quantified together with the hydroperoxide precursors, these species account for up to 80% of the initial radicals, confirming that this is a major process. Methanal causes cell toxicity and DNA damage and is an animal carcinogen and a genotoxic agent in human cells. Thus, the formation and subsequent reaction of alkoxyl radicals formed at the C-3 position on aliphatic amino acid side chains on peptides and proteins can give rise to both backbone fragmentation and the release of further reactive species which can cause cell toxicity and mutagenicity.

Functional and genetic analysis of regulatory regions of coliphage H-19B: location of shiga-like toxin and lysis genes suggest a role for phage functions in toxin release

Analysis of the DNA sequence of a 17 kb region of the coli lambdoid phage H-19B genome located the genes encoding shiga-like toxin I (Stx-I) downstream of the gene encoding the analogue of the phage lambda Q transcription activator with its site of action, qut at the associated pR' late promoter, and upstream of the analogues of lambda genes encoding lysis functions. Functional studies, including measurement of the effect of H-19B Q action on levels of Stx expressed from an H-19B prophage, show that the H-19B Q acts as a transcription activator with its associated pR'(qut) by promoting readthrough of transcription terminators. Another toxin-producing phage, 933W, has the identical Q gene and pR'(qut) upstream of the stx-II genes. The H-19B Q also activates Stx-II expression from a 933W prophage. An ORF in H-19B corresponding to the holin lysis genes of other lambdoid phages differs by having only one instead of the usual two closely spaced translation initiation signals that are thought to contribute to the time of lysis. These observations suggest that stx-I expression can be enhanced by transcription from pR' as well as a model for toxin release through cell lysis mediated by action of phage-encoded lysis functions. Functional studies show that open reading frames (ORFs) and sites in H-19B that resemble components of the N transcription antitermination systems controlling early operons of other lambdoid phages similarly promote antitermination. However, this N-like system differs significantly from those of other lambdoid phages.

Involvement of boxA nucleotides in the formation of a stable ribonucleoprotein complex containing the bacteriophage lambda N protein

The association of the transcriptional antitermination protein N of bacteriophage lambda with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase depends on nut site RNA (boxA + boxB) in the nascent transcript and the host protein, NusA. This ribonucleoprotein complex can transcribe through Rho-dependent and intrinsic termination sites located up to several hundred base pairs downstream of nut. For antitermination to occur farther downstream, this core antitermination complex must be stabilized by the host proteins NusB, NusG, and ribosomal protein S10. Here, we show that the assembly of NusB, NusG, and S10 onto the core complex involves nucleotides 2-7 of lambda boxA (CGCUCUUACACA) and is a fully cooperative process that depends on the presence of all three proteins. This assembly of NusB, NusG, and S10 also requires the carboxyl-terminal region (amino acids 73-107) of N, which interacts directly with RNA polymerase. NusB and S10 assemble in the absence of NusG when lambda boxA is altered at nucleotides 8 and 9 to create a consensus version of boxA (CGCUCUUUAACA). These experiments suggest that multiple protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions are required to convert a core antitermination complex into a complete complex.

A protein-RNA interaction network facilitates the template-independent cooperative assembly on RNA polymerase of a stable antitermination complex containing the lambda N protein

The stable association of the N gene transcriptional antiterminator protein of bacteriophage lambda with transcribing RNA polymerase requires a nut site (boxA+boxB) in the nascent transcript and the Escherichia coli factors NusA, NusB, NusG, and ribosomal protein S10. We have used electrophoretic mobility shift assays to analyze the assembly of N protein, the E. coli factors, and RNA polymerase onto the nut site RNA in the absence of a DNA template. We show that N binds boxB RNA and that subsequent association of NusA with the N-nut site complex is facilitated by both boxA and boxB. In the presence of N, NusA, and RNA polymerase the nut site assembles ribonucleoprotein complexes containing NusB, NusG, and S10. The effects on assembly of mutations in boxA, boxB, NusA, and RNA polymerase define multiple weak protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions (e.g., NusB with NusG; NusA with boxB; NusA, NusB, and NusG with boxA) that contribute to the overall stability of the complex. Interaction of each component of the complex with two or more other components can explain the many observed cooperative binding associations in the DNA-independent assembly of a stable antitermination complex on RNA polymerase.

The nut site of bacteriophage lambda is made of RNA and is bound by transcription antitermination factors on the surface of RNA polymerase

The boxA and boxB components of the lambda nut site are important for transcriptional antitermination by the phage N protein. We show here that boxA and boxB RNA in N-modified transcription complexes are inaccessible to ribonucleases and have altered sensitivity to dimethylsulfate. N and NusA suffice to weakly protect boxB, independently of boxA and other factors. However, efficient protection of the entire nut site from ribonucleases requires boxA and boxB, N, NusA, NusB, S10, and NusG. Mutations in RNA polymerase, which inhibit antitermination by N in vivo, disallow protection of the nut site during transcription in vitro; therefore, the surface of RNA polymerase must coordinate the formation of complexes containing the antitermination factors and nut site RNA.

Ribosomal RNA operon anti-termination. Function of leader and spacer region box B-box A sequences and their conservation in diverse micro-organisms

All Escherichia coli rrn operons show a common motif in which anti-terminator box B-box A sequences occur twice, first in the leader and again in the 16 S-23 S spacer. In this study we have analyzed several aspects of rrn anti-termination by leader and spacer anti-terminator sequences. Using DNA synthesis and a plasmid test system, we incorporated random changes into the leader anti-terminator region and examined these mutations for their ability to read through a strong terminator. We also examined anti-termination by synthetic box A and by rrn spacer region sequences. Information derived from these experiments was used to search the rrn sequences of other micro-organisms for possible anti-termination features. Our principal conclusions were that: (1) box A was sufficient for terminator readthrough; (2) we could show no positive requirement for box B in our test system; (3) many of the negative anti-terminator mutations caused a promoter up-effect in the absence of a terminator; (4) the search of rrn operons from other micro-organisms revealed that anti-terminator-like box B-box A sequences exist in leader and spacer regions of both eubacteria and archaebacteria. The frequent occurrence of this pattern suggested that the E. coli rrn anti-termination motif is widespread in nature and has been conserved in microbial evolution.

Effects of rifampicin resistant rpoB mutations on antitermination and interaction with nusA in Escherichia coli

Rifampicin resistant (Rifr mutations map in the rpoB gene encoding the beta subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. We have used our collection of 17 sequenced Rifr mutations to investigate the involvement of E. coli RNA polymerase in the antitermination systems enhancing expression of delayed early lambda genes or stable RNA. We have found that Rifr mutations affect both lambda N-mediated antitermination and the cellular antitermination system involved in synthesis of stable RNA. Because NusA is involved in antitermination and termination, we also investigated the interaction of NusA and RNA polymerase by determining whether Rifr mutations alter NusA-dependent termination or antitermination in cells with defective nusA alleles. We have shown that Rifr mutations can either enhance or suppress the phenotypes of defective nusA alleles. Most Rifr mutations alter the temperature range over which the nusA1 allele supports lambda N-mediated antitermination. In addition, a number of Rifr alleles restore termination to the nusA10(Cs) and the nusA11(Ts) mutants defective in this process. Our results indicate that the region of the rpoB gene defined by the Rifr mutations is involved in the antitermination process and affects the activity of the NusA protein directly or indirectly.

An elongation control particle containing the N gene transcriptional antitermination protein of bacteriophage lambda

The N gene transcriptional antitermination protein of bacteriophage lambda is incorporated in vitro into transcriptional elongation complexes containing the E. coli proteins NusA and NusB. The binding of NusA to elongating RNA polymerase is sequence-independent and follows the release of sigma 70. Incorporation of N into the elongation complex requires an N utilization site (nut site) on the DNA template. Incorporation of NusB into the complex requires NusA, ribosomal protein S10, and the boxA component of the nut site. T1 RNAase releases N, but not NusB, from the elongation complex. We therefore propose that an N-modified termination-resistant elongation complex includes an elongation control particle (ECP) containing at least NusA, NusB, S10, N, and an RNA transcript of the nut site.

Analysis of nutR, a site required for transcription antitermination in phage lambda

Deletions extending from the cro gene into boxA and nutR of the Rho-dependent tR1 terminator of bacteriophage lambda have been generated and cloned between promoters and the galK gene of Escherichia coli on a multicopy plasmid. Terminators placed between the promoters and galK restrict transcription and expression of galK on these plasmids. However, when lambda N protein is provided, and if a functional N interaction site, nutR, is intact, transcription antitermination occurs and galK expression increases. Deletions into the nutR region affect the ability to antiterminate. From the results obtained we conclude that: boxA, a site believed to bind host factors (Nus), is not required for transcription antitermination in this system; the host NusA function is required even in the absence of boxA; nutR is required for N antitermination; translation across the nutR sequence prevents N-dependent antitermination.

lambda N antitermination system: functional analysis of phage interactions with the host NusA protein

Coliphage lambda gene expression is regulated temporally by systems of termination and antitermination of transcription. The lambda-encoded N protein (pN) acting with host factors (Nus) at sites (nut) located downstream from early promoters is the first of these systems to operate during phage development. We report observations on some of the components of this complex system that, in part, address the way in which these elements interact to render RNA polymerase termination-resistant. (1) The isolation of a conditionally lethal cold-sensitive nusA mutation demonstrates that NusA is essential for bacterial growth. (2) The effect on lambda growth in a host in which the Salmonella NusA protein is overproduced suggests that NusA is essential for N-mediated antitermination in phage lambda. (3) A truncated NusA product, representing only the amino two-thirds of the native protein, is active for both bacterial growth and pN action, indicating that the carboxy end of the molecule may not be a functionally important region. (4) lambda pN can function with the heterologous nut region from Salmonella typhimurium phage P22 when lambda pN is overproduced, demonstrating that lambda pN can function with the nut regions of other lambdoid phages. (5) A single base-pair change in the lambda nutR boxA sequence that was selected to permit a lambda derivative to utilize the Salmonella NusA protein restores lambda growth in the Escherichia coli nusA1 host.

Effect of the promoter structure on the nutL transcription antitermination function

Several boxA-less 74-bp nutL antiterminator fragments do not function as antiterminators of plac-promoted transcription, but are active with the pp and p'R promoters at 30 degrees C. At elevated temperatures (42 degrees C), these defective 74-bp nutL modules retain 50% of their activity when controlled by the p'R promoter; with the pp promoter the antitermination activity is 5-10 times less efficient. Similarly, deletions of 1-3 bp in the spacer region between the boxA and boxB subunits of nutL (which abolish antitermination promoted by plac), allow rather efficient but thermosensitive antitermination when controlled by the pp or p'R promoter. These results point to possible conditional interactions between the promoter and antiterminator elements and functions. Also noted were unexpectedly slow mobilities of the p'R-nutL-bearing fragments, suggesting some unusual secondary structures.

Plasmid vector pBR322 and its special-purpose derivatives--a review

The plasmid pBR322 was one of the first EK2 multipurpose cloning vectors to be designed and constructed (ten years ago) for the efficient cloning and selection of recombinant DNA molecules in Escherichia coli. This 4363-bp DNA molecule has been extensively used as a cloning vehicle because of its simplicity and the availability of its nucleotide sequence. The widespread use of pBR322 has prompted numerous studies into its molecular structure and function. These studies revealed two features that detract from the plasmid's effectiveness as a cloning vector: plasmid instability in the absence of selection and, the lack of a direct selection scheme for recombinant DNA molecules. Several vectors based on pBR322 have been constructed to overcome these limitations and to extend the vector's versatility to accommodate special cloning purposes. The objective of this review is to provide a survey of these derivative vectors and to summarize information currently available on pBR322.

Boundaries of the nutL antiterminator of coliphage lambda and effects of mutations in the spacer region between boxA and boxB

To study the relationship of sequence to function for the phage lambda nutL transcriptional antiterminator, we cloned the 354-bp HincII lambda DNA fragment (coordinates 35261-35615; Daniels et al., in Lambda II, 1983, pp. 485-486 and 618-619) between the plac promoter and Rho-dependent or Rho-independent terminators (t) in the plac-t-galK plasmid derived from vector pKO3, and assayed the galK expression in Escherichia coli hosts in the presence or absence of the N gene product. The 354-bp fragment displayed the complete antitermination activity, as did several shorter fragments obtained by restriction cutting, exonucleolytic deletions and ligations. The minimal length of cloned and fully active nutL comprises 43 bp and consists (in the 5'-to-3' order) of a 10-bp sequence upstream from boxA, the 8-bp boxA (5'-CGCTCTTA-3'), the 7-bp A-B spacer between boxA and boxB; the 17-bp boxB (nutL core; 5'-AGCCCTGAAGAAGGGCA-3') and 1-bp downstream from the nutL core. Deletion of the 10-bp sequence upstream from boxA reduces anti-termination by 40%. Deletion of both that sequence and boxA reduces antitermination by 90% at both 30 degrees C and 42 degrees C. Most of the deletions entering boxB abolish antitermination. Also, some of the small internal deletions within the 7-bp A-B spacer region have a strong negative effect on the nutL function, when transcription is from the plac promoter.

Transcriptional antitermination activity of the synthetic nut elements of coliphage lambda. I. Assembly of the nutR recognition site from boxA and nut core elements

An active nutR antiterminator was reconstructed from two synthetic modules, one containing the 8-bp boxA (5'-CGCTCTTA) and the other the 17-bp nutR core (5'-AGCCCTGAAAAAGGGCA) sequence. The modules were synthesized with HindIII cohesive ends, which upon annealing and ligation created an 8-bp spacer (5'-CAAAGCTT) between the boxA and nutR core. The 8-bp length was the same as in the native nutR (5'-CACATTCC), but the sequence showed less than 38% homology. The antitermination mediated by the synthetic nutR was 68-80% efficient when tested in the pp-nutR-N-tL1-galK expression plasmid, analogous to that used by Drahos and Szybalski [Gene, 16 (1981) 261-274]. The cloned boxA by itself has no activity, while the nutR core alone shows only marginal (5-10%) antiterminator function. Increasing the distance between boxA and the nutR core from 8 bp to 20-28 bp, i.e., by one to two turns of the DNA helix (about 10 bp per turn), has little effect on the antiterminator function, whereas use of spacers with length about halfway between 8 and 20 bp results in reduced antitermination. It appears that both the sequences and spacial arrangement of the boxA and nut elements are important for efficient antiterminator function.

Escherichia coli integration host factor inhibits the NusA stimulation of RNA polymerase sigma subunit synthesis in vitro

As reported previously, Integration Host Factor (IHF) stimulates cII expression but the stimulatory effect is prevented by the NusA protein (Peacock and Weissbach, 1985, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 127, 1026-1031). The interaction between IHF and the NusA protein has been investigated further in studies on the in vitro expression of the genes for the beta (rpoB) and sigma (rpoD) subunits of RNA polymerase, both known to be stimulated by NusA. The NusA stimulation of rpoD expression can be prevented by IHF, but IHF has no effect by itself on rpoD expression. IHF does not influence rpoB expression either in the presence or absence of NusA.

Transcriptional antitermination activity of the synthetic nut elements of coliphage lambda. I. Assembly of the nutR recognition site from boxA and nut core elements

An active nutR antiterminator was reconstructed from two synthetic modules, one containing the 8-bp boxA (5'-CGCTCTTA) and the other the 17-bp nutR core (5'-AGCCCTGAAAAAGGGCA) sequence. The modules were synthesized with HindIII cohesive ends, which upon annealing and ligation created an 8-bp spacer (5'-CAAAGCTT) between the boxA and nutR core. The 8-bp length was the same as in the native nutR (5'-CACATTCC), but the sequence showed less than 38% homology. The antitermination mediated by the synthetic nutR, was 68-80% efficient when tested in the pp-nutR-N-tL1-galK expression plasmid, analogous to that used by Drahos and Szybalski [Gene, 16 (1981) 261-274]. The cloned boxA by itself has no activity, while the nutR core alone shows only marginal (5-10%) antiterminator function. Increasing the distance between boxA and the nutR core from 8 bp to 20-28 bp, i.e., by one to two turns of the DNA helix (about 10 bp per turn), has little effect on the antiterminator function, whereas use of spacers with length about halfway between 8 and 20 bp results in reduced antitermination. It appears that both the sequences and spacial arrangement of the boxA and nut elements are important for efficient antiterminator function.