Discovery of a predicted DNA knot substantiates a model for site-specific recombination

The mechanism of site-specific genetic recombination mediated by Tn3 resolvase has been investigated by a topological approach. Extrapolation of a detailed model of synapsis and strand exchange predicts the formation of an additional DNA product with a specific knotted structure. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of DNA reacted in vitro revealed a product, about 0.1 percent of the total, with the appropriate mobility. A technique for determining DNA topology by electron microscopy was improved such that less than a nanogram of DNA was required. The structure of the knot was as predicted, providing strong evidence for the model and showing the power of the topological method.     

RAD51C is required for Holliday junction processing in mammalian cells

During genetic recombination and the recombinational repair of chromosome breaks, DNA molecules become linked at points of strand exchange. Branch migration and resolution of these crossovers, or Holliday junctions (HJs), complete the recombination process. Here, we show that extracts from cells carrying mutations in the recombination/repair genes RAD51C or XRCC3 have reduced levels of HJ resolvase activity. Moreover, depletion of RAD51C from fractionated human extracts caused a loss of branch migration and resolution activity, but these functions were restored by complementation with a variety of RAD51 paralog complexes containing RAD51C. We conclude that the RAD51 paralogs are involved in HJ processing in human cells.     

水稻条纹病毒楚雄分离物一个重组RNA序列分析

为检测水稻条纹病毒(Rice stripe virus,RSV)基因组存在的重组RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增并克隆云南楚雄分离物(YCX07)的RNA重组片段YCX07R.克隆重组片段并测定序列.序列分析表明,YCX07R由RSVRNA2的3''端序列与RNA3的3''端序列重组而成,具有RSV基因组结构特征,采取双义编码策略,即在正、负链的5''端分别存在一个阅读框,编码两个重组蛋白YCX07R-5P、YCX07R-3P.分析推测重组更可能通过类似于脊髓灰质炎病毒(Poliovirus)的引物互补延伸机制发生.     

Topology and formation of triple-stranded H-DNA

Repeating copolymers of (dT-dC)n.(dA-dG)n sequences (TC.AGn) can assume a hinged DNA structure (H-DNA) which is composed of triple-stranded and single-stranded regions. A model for the formation of H-DNA is proposed, based on two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis of DNA's with different lengths of (TC.AG)n copolymers. In this model, H-DNA formation is initiated at a small denaturation bubble in the interior of the copolymer, which allows the duplexes on either side to rotate slightly and to fold back, in order to make the first base triplet. This nucleation establishes which of several nonequivalent H-DNA conformations is to be assumed by any DNA molecule, thereby trapping each molecule in one of several metastable conformers that are not freely interconvertible. Subsequently, the acceptor region spools up single-stranded polypyrimidines as they are released by progressive denaturation of the donor region; both the spooling and the denaturation result in relaxation of negative supercoils in the rest of the DNA molecule. From the model, it can be predicted that the levels of supercoiling of the DNA determine which half of the (dT-dC)n repeat is to become the donated third strand.     

肝素黄杆菌2-O-sulfatase基因的克隆与表达

[目的]研究肝素黄杆菌2-O-sulfatase基因的克隆与表达。[方法]以肝素黄肝菌为模板,通过PCR从肝素黄杆菌基因组DNA中扩增2-O-sulfatase的基因,测序正确后插入到表达质粒PET-28a（＋）上构建表达载体,重组质粒转化E.coil BL21（DE3）进行蛋白质表达。[结果]成功地将PCR扩增得到的测序正确的2-O-sulfatase基因构建入PET-28a（＋）载体上,重组质粒转入E.coil BL21（DE3）后,表达产物经SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳鉴定得到目的蛋白。[结论]克隆并成功表达了黄杆菌2-O-sulfatase基因,为分析肝素多糖分子及其降解产物结构奠定了基础。     

环境雌激素调控的β-半乳糖苷酶酵母细胞的建立

为建立环境雌激素的酵母评价体系,将人工合成的雌激素效应元件插入pMP206质粒的上游,并将该质粒转入人雌激素受体基因重组酵母细胞,使LacZ基因置于雌激素的调控之下,以构建可用于评价环境雌激素的酵母细胞。结果表明：经DNA测序发现pMP206／ERE-LacZ报告质粒DNA框架正确。对转化子进行PCR鉴定,发现有雌激素受体基因和pMP206／ERE-LacZ报告质粒的特异性条带,说明雌激素受体基因和受雌激素调控的LacZ报告基因已重组于酵母细胞。从而证明以LacZ为报告基因的环境雌激素酵母评价细胞重组成功。     

The Hin invertasome: protein-mediated joining of distant recombination sites at the enhancer

The Hin protein binds to two cis-acting recombination sites and catalyzes a site-specific DNA inversion reaction that regulates the expression of flagellin genes in Salmonella. In addition to the Hin protein and the two recombination sites that flank the invertible segment, a third cis-acting recombinational enhancer sequence and the Fis protein, which binds to two sites within the enhancer, are required for efficient recombination. Intermediates of this reaction were trapped during DNA strand cleavage and analyzed by gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy in order to determine their structure and composition. The analyses demonstrate that the recombination sites are assembled at the enhancer into a complex nucleo-protein structure (termed the invertasome) with the looping of the three segments of intervening DNA. Antibody studies indicated that Fis physically interacts with Hin and that both proteins are intimately associated with the invertasome. In order to achieve this protein-protein interaction and assemble the invertasome, the substrate DNA must be supercoiled.     

Apolipoprotein B-48 is the product of a messenger RNA with an organ-specific in-frame stop codon

The primary structure of human apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 has been deduced and shown by a combination of DNA excess hybridization, sequencing of tryptic peptides, cloned complementary DNAs, and intestinal messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to be the product of an intestinal mRNA with an in-frame UAA stop codon resulting from a C to U change in the codon CAA encoding Gln2153 in apoB-100 mRNA. The carboxyl-terminal Ile2152 of apoB-48 purified from chylous ascites fluid has apparently been cleaved from the initial translation product, leaving Met2151 as the new carboxyl-terminus. These data indicate that approximately 85% of the intestinal mRNAs terminate within approximately 0.1 to 1.0 kilobase downstream from the stop codon. The other approximately 15% have lengths similar to hepatic apoB-100 mRNA even though they have the same in-frame stop codon. The organ-specific introduction of a stop codon to a mRNA appears unprecedented and might have implications for cryptic polyadenylation signal recognition and RNA processing.     

Structure and allostery of the PKA RIIβ tetrameric holoenzyme

In its physiological state, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is a tetramer that contains a regulatory (R) subunit dimer and two catalytic (C) subunits. We describe here the 2.3 angstrom structure of full-length tetrameric RIIβ(2):C(2) holoenzyme. This structure showing a dimer of dimers provides a mechanistic understanding of allosteric activation by cAMP. The heterodimers are anchored together by an interface created by the β4-β5 loop in the RIIβ subunit, which docks onto the carboxyl-terminal tail of the adjacent C subunit, thereby forcing the C subunit into a fully closed conformation in the absence of nucleotide. Diffusion of magnesium adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into these crystals trapped not ATP, but the reaction products, adenosine diphosphate and the phosphorylated RIIβ subunit. This complex has implications for the dissociation-reassociation cycling of PKA. The quaternary structure of the RIIβ tetramer differs appreciably from our model of the RIα tetramer, confirming the small-angle x-ray scattering prediction that the structures of each PKA tetramer are different.     

Metals and DNA: molecular left-handed complements

Chiral metal complexes provide unique molecular probes for DNA. Chiral reagents that "recognize" different local structures along the DNA strand have been designed by a process in which the asymmetry in shape and size of the complex is matched to that of the DNA helical groove. As a result, the chiral metal complexes provide very sensitive probes for local helical structure, both left- and right-handed. Direct coordination of chiral complexes to the DNA bases adds an element of sequence selectivity to the probe design. With a suitable reactive metal center, reagents that target chemically specific sites along the strand may be developed. One such chiral reagent, which cleaves left-handed DNA sites with photoactivation, has been useful in mapping this distinct conformation and examining its biological role. The conformation-specific molecular cleaver, much like a DNA-binding enzyme, recognizes and reacts at discrete sites along the DNA strand. These site-specific chiral metal complexes provide exciting new tools for probing the local variations in DNA structure and its role in the regulation of gene expression.     

Three-dimensional structure of the Tn5 synaptic complex transposition intermediate

Genomic evolution has been profoundly influenced by DNA transposition, a process whereby defined DNA segments move freely about the genome. Transposition is mediated by transposases, and similar events are catalyzed by retroviral integrases such as human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase. Understanding how these proteins interact with DNA is central to understanding the molecular basis of transposition. We report the three-dimensional structure of prokaryotic Tn5 transposase complexed with Tn5 transposon end DNA determined to 2.3 angstrom resolution. The molecular assembly is dimeric, where each double-stranded DNA molecule is bound by both protein subunits, orienting the transposon ends into the active sites. This structure provides a molecular framework for understanding many aspects of transposition, including the binding of transposon end DNA by one subunit and cleavage by a second, cleavage of two strands of DNA by a single active site via a hairpin intermediate, and strand transfer into target DNA.     

Crystallographic structure of the octameric histone core of the nucleosome at a resolution of 3.3 A

The structure of the (H2A-H2B-H3-H4)2 histone octamer has been determined by means of x-ray crystallographic techniques at a resolution of 3.3 angstroms. The octamer is a prolate ellipsoid 110 angstroms long and 65 to 70 angstroms in diameter, and its general shape is that of a rugby ball. The size and shape are radically different from those determined in earlier studies. The most striking feature of the histone octamer is its tripartite organization, that is, a central (H3-H4)2 tetramer flanked by two H2A-H2B dimers. The DNA helix, placed around the octamer in a path suggested by the features on the surface of the protein, appears like a spring holding the H2A-H2B dimers at either end of the (H3-H4)2 tetramer.     

Protein displacement by DExH/D "RNA helicases" without duplex unwinding

Members of the DExH/D superfamily of nucleic acid-activated nucleotide triphosphatases are essential for virtually all aspects of RNA metabolism, including pre-messenger RNA splicing, RNA interference, translation, and nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. Physiological substrates for these enzymes are thought to be regions of double-stranded RNA, because several DExH/D proteins catalyze strand separation in vitro. These "RNA helicases" can also disrupt RNA-protein interactions, but it is unclear whether this activity is coupled to duplex unwinding. Here we demonstrate that two unrelated DExH/D proteins catalyze protein displacement independently of duplex unwinding. Therefore, the essential functions of DExH/D proteins are not confined to RNA duplexes but can be exerted on a wide range of ribonucleoprotein substrates.     

"夏光"、"早夏16"甘蓝杂交种DNA指纹图谱的构建

用SDS法提取甘蓝(Brassica oleraceavar.capitata)杂交种“夏光”、“早夏16”及其各自亲本的基因组DNA,通过SSR、RAPD两种分子标记方法构建其DNA指纹图谱用于纯度鉴定。利用30对甘蓝SSR引物和50个适用于甘蓝的RAPD引物,以各杂交种及其亲本的基因组DNA为模板组合进行筛选,结果显示:多数SSR引物对两组合扩增带型一致,未能建立SSR指纹图谱;通过RAPD标记方法筛选出能鉴定两杂交种纯度的引物分别为S15、S42、S147和S42、S78、S88,其中引物S42对两组合均能扩增出特异的RAPD指纹图谱,并将RAPD指纹图谱转变为相应的数字指纹。     

Study on Identification of RAPD Marker of Phytophthora sojae Associated with Rps1-k

A near-isogenic lines(NILs)-Williams and Williams82 is used to identify molecular marker linked to the resistance gene Rps1-k by RAPD. Genomic DNAs extracted from soybean leaves of the NILs were analyzed by RAPDusing 160 different 10-nt random primers. Some specific DNA fragments were amplified from Williams82 with 4 primer(OPF-16, OPB-05, OPD-06 and OPH-05) which contains Rps1-k. All these specific DNA fragments were not de-tected in Williams. The experiment with OPH-05 was repeated 3 times and the results were the same. Using primer-OPH-05 to detect other resistance cultivars with Rps1-k, almost everyone can amplify the specific DNA fragment. So it is inferred that the specific DNA fragment is probably linked to Rps1-k.     

Base sequence and higher-order structure induce the complex excited-state dynamics in DNA

The high photostability of DNA is commonly attributed to efficient radiationless electronic relaxation processes. We used femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to reveal that the ensuing dynamics are strongly dependent on base sequence and are also affected by higher-order structure. Excited electronic state lifetimes in dG-doped d(A)20 single-stranded DNA and dG.dC-doped d(A)20.d(T)20 double-stranded DNA decrease sharply with the substitution of only a few bases. In duplexes containing d(AGA).d(TCT) or d(AG).d(TC) repeats, deactivation of the fluorescing states occurs on the subpicosecond time scale, but the excited-state lifetimes increase again in extended d(G) runs. The results point at more complex and molecule-specific photodynamics in native DNA than may be evident in simpler model systems.     

单链环状DNA添加剂抑制基因表达序列分析Ditag聚合酶链反应引物多聚体生成

[目的]研究利用单链环状DNA抑制聚合酶链反应（PCR）副产物的作用效果。[方法]设计并合成单链环状DNA,并以具同样序列发卡状结构的单链DNA为对照组,在基因表达序列分析（SAGE）Ditag PCR反应中加入上述不同浓度的DNA,利用电泳技术检测不同结构（环状/单链）以及不同浓度单链DNA对PCR多聚体附产物的抑制作用。[结果]发卡状结构的单链DNA无法抑制PCR引物多聚体副产物的产生;而在70～150 nmol/L终浓度范围内,单链环状DNA可以抑制SAGE Ditag PCR反应中引物多聚体的生成,并且不影响SAGE不同tag间的表达丰度差异。[结论]单链环状DNA可以作为PCR反应中引物多聚体生成的有效抑制剂。