Human genomic characterization of a novel locus-specific repetitive sequence.

A novel human chromosome locus-specific repetitive sequence was identified and characterized using arbitrary PCR. The repeat monomer consensus sequence is 100 bp long, and there are a minimum of 140 to 160 copies of the repetitive sequence per haploid human genome. The repetitive sequence is highly clustered on 20q12 within a 200- to 400-kb region. The highly polymorphic repeat array is inherited in a stable Mendelian fashion. Hybridization analysis revealed detectable conservation of the repeated element only among hominoids and Old World monkeys, where repeat arrangements are also polymorphic.

Variation in genomic Alu repeat density as a basis for rapid construction of low resolution physical maps of human chromosomes.

Human DNA restriction fragments containing high numbers of Alu repeat sequences can be preferentially detected in the presence of other human DNA restriction fragments in DNA from human: rodent somatic cell hybrids when the DNA is fragmented with enzymes that cleave mammalian DNA infrequently. This ability to lower the observed human DNA complexity allowed us to develop an approach to order rapidly somatic hybrid cell lines retaining overlapping human genomic domains. The ordering process also generates a relative physical map of the human fragments detected with Alu probe DNA. This process can generate physical mapping information for human genomic domains as large as an entire chromosome (100,000 kb). The strategy is demonstrated by ordering Alu-detected NotI fragments in a panel of mouse: human hybrid cells that span the entire long arm of human chromosome 17.

An efficient technique for obtaining sequences flanking inserted retroviruses.

Genomic mapping studies frequently employ retrovirus-mediated transfer of dominant selectable markers to specific target chromosomes. DNA probes containing sequences adjacent to inserted proviruses are valuable mapping tools in such studies. We have implemented a strategy for amplification of chromosomal sequences flanking the 5' LTR of MoMuLV-based vectors. Probes derived from these amplification products successfully differentiated murine versus human proviral localization in retrovirus-infected mouse-human chromosome 17q hybrid cells.

Structure of the chromosomal chicken progesterone receptor gene.

We have isolated cosmid clones containing the chromosomal chicken progesterone receptor gene. The gene consists of eight exons and is approximately 38 kilobases long. Individual exons correlate well with conserved functional domains of the receptor molecule. Alternative polyadenylylation in the second intron results in a putative non-hormone-binding protein. The cap site of the gene is heterogeneous over at least 14 base pairs and lies in a very G + C-rich region. The promoter lacks "TATA" and "CAAT" boxes, but CCGCCC motifs exist in the surrounding region.

Sequence and expression of a functional chicken progesterone receptor.

We have cloned and sequenced 4.5 kilobases (Kb) of cDNA encoding the chicken progesterone receptor. The complete cDNA contains an open reading frame of 2361 nucleotides in length and encodes a polypeptide of 787 amino acids with a mol wt of 85.9 K. At least four mRNA species have been detected in chick oviduct cells. Direct sequencing of variant cDNAs has suggested that two of the mRNAs (4.5 Kb and 3.6 Kb) differ only in the length of their 3'-untranslated regions. A third mRNA (1.8 Kb) produces a truncated polypeptide which encodes the immunoreactive NH2 terminal sequence of the receptor but lacks the hormone binding regional and half of the DNA-binding domain. The polypeptide expressed from the receptor cDNA in progesterone receptor negative Cos M-6 cells is indistinguishable from oviduct progesterone receptor in terms of hormone binding and antibody reactivity. Furthermore, the cloned receptor is capable of activating transcription of a target gene. This activation is progesterone dependent (with half-maximal stimulation at approximately 3.3 x 10(-10) M) and specific for the target gene.

Ovoinhibitor introns specify functional domains as in the related and linked ovomucoid gene.

We have isolated cDNA clones and determined the gene structure of chicken ovoinhibitor, a seven domain Kazal serine proteinase inhibitor. Using RNA blot hybridization analysis, the gene was identified initially as a region 9-23 kilobases upstream of the gene for the related inhibitor ovomucoid. Ovoinhibitor RNA appears in oviduct and liver. cDNA clones were identified by screening an oviduct cDNA library with a nick-translated DNA restriction fragment which contained an exon of the gene. The mature protein sequence derived from a cDNa clone is in excellent agreement with that which we obtained from direct sequencing of purified ovoinhibitor. The protein-sequencing strategy is reported. The P1 amino acids of the Kazal domains are consistent with the known broad inhibitory specificity of ovoinhibitor. The gene is about 10.3 kilobases in length and consists of 16 exons. Each Kazal domain is encoded by two exons. Like ovomucoid, introns fall between the coding sequences of the ovoinhibitor domains, an arrangement which may have facilitated domain duplication. The intradomain intron occurs in an identical position in all of the ovoinhibitor and ovomucoid Kazal domains, suggesting that this intron was present in the primordial inhibitor gene. We discuss the location of the intradomain intron in relation to the known structure of four Kazal inhibitors and suggest a scheme for the evolution of the ovoinhibitor gene.

Spore Germination and Rhizoid Differentiation in Onoclea sensibilis: A Two-Dimensional Electrophoretic Analysis of the Extant Soluble Proteins.

Following a geometrically asymmetrical cell division during germination of spores of the fern Onoclea sensibilis L., the small cell differentiates into a rhizoid and the large cell divides to form the protonema. Using silver-staining of two-dimensional gels, we have examined the soluble proteins of spores during germination and of separated rhizoid protoplasts and protonemal cells. Of over 500 polypeptides followed, nearly 25% increased or decreased in prominence during spore germination and the initial phases of rhizoid elongation. Soluble proteins from purified protoplasts of young rhizoids were quantitatively different from those of protonemal cells and germinated spores. Nine polypeptides which appeared after cell division were substantially more prominent in rhizoid protoplasts than in whole germinated spores and have been putatively designated rhizoid-specific polypeptides. The differences in the soluble protein composition of young rhizoids and protonemal cells probably reflect the differential organelle distribution between the two cells as well as differential net protein synthesis in the cytoplasms of the two cells.