Type III DNA restriction and modification systems EcoP1 and EcoP15. Nucleotide sequence of the EcoP1 operon, the EcoP15 mod gene and some EcoP1 mod mutants.

This paper presents the nucleotide sequence of the mod-res operon of phage P1, which encodes the two structural genes for the EcoP1 type III restriction and modification system. We have also sequenced the mod gene of the allelic EcoP15 system. The mod gene product is responsible for binding the system-specific DNA recognition sequences in both restriction and modification; it also catalyses the modification reaction. A comparison of the two mod gene product sequences shows that they have conserved amino and carboxyl ends but have completely different sequences in the middle of the molecules. Two alleles of the EcoP1 mod gene that are defective in modification but not in restriction were also sequenced. The mutations in both alleles lie within the non-conserved regions.

Isolation and characterization of the promoter and flanking regions of the gene encoding the human protein-synthesis-initiation factor 2 alpha.

The promoter region of the gene (eIF-2 alpha) for eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF-2 alpha) was isolated from a human genomic library and its structure was determined by restriction mapping and nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis. The promoter region and twelve in vivo transcriptional start points (tsp) have been identified by endonuclease S1 mapping and their location confirmed by primer-extension analysis, using RNA isolated from human cells. The untranslated leader is 102 to 140 nt long depending upon the tsp, and the 5' region of the mRNA has the potential for forming stable stem-loop structures. The nt sequence of the regions upstream and downstream from the tsp contains neither a 'TATA box' nor a 'CAAT box', but does contain several direct and inverted repeats, as well as palindromic sequences near the tsp. In addition, multiple consensus binding sites for a wide variety of regulatory proteins are present throughout upstream and downstream tsp-flanking regions.

Association of an Mr 50,000 cap binding protein with the cytoskeleton in BHK cells.

A monoclonal antibody (anti-CBP antibody) is shown to be directed against cap binding protein(s) (CBP) by virtue of its ability to inhibit the translation of capped reovirus mRNA in a cell-free system derived from L-cells and inhibit the specific (cap analogue-inhibited) cross-linking of proteins to the oxidized 5' terminal cap structure of reovirus mRNA. Anti-CBP antibody reacts with an Mr 50,000 polypeptide in rabbit reticulocyte polysomes and this polypeptide appears to be associated with the 5' cap structure of mRNA. In BHK-21 cells immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that the antibody reacts with a fibrous network extending through the cytoplasm in a radial arrangement. The network behaves like intermediate filaments in colchicine-treated cells suggesting a direct or indirect linkage of CBP with intermediate filaments. The association of CBP with a cytoskeletal element is further confirmed by isolation of proteins from Triton X-100-extracted cells and identification of CBP in the cytoskeletal fraction with anti-CBP antibody. The major polypeptide reacting with anti-CBP antibody is an Mr 50,000 component. Tryptic peptide mapping shows that this polypeptide is related to an Mr 24,000 polypeptide identified as cap binding protein in earlier experiments [Sonenberg, Morgan, Merrick & Shatkin (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 4843-4847].

Cloning and characterization of a surface antigen of Eimeria tenella merozoites and expression using a recombinant vaccinia virus.

A rabbit serum raised against Eimeria tenella merozoites was used to screen a lambda gt11 cDNA library made from merozoite mRNA of E. tenella. The insert of the phage clone lambda Mz 5-7 revealed an open reading frame consisting of 945 nucleotides, encoding a 33-kDa protein. This size is consistent with the size of a protein translated in vitro from merozoite mRNA and immunoprecipitated with monospecific anti-Mzp 5-7 antibodies. A smaller protein of 24 kDa, located on the surface of the parasite, also reacted with the monospecific antiserum and is the potential processed form of the Mzp 5-7. Furthermore, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the Mzp 5-7 antigen was constructed and used to immunize chickens.

Translation initiation factor eIF-2. Cloning and expression of the human cDNA encoding the gamma-subunit.

Translation initiation factor eIF-2 is a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein involved in the recruitment of methionyl-tRNA, to the 40 S ribosomal subunit. To complete our characterization of eIF-2, we cloned and characterized a human cDNA encoding the largest subunit, eIF-2 gamma. From limited peptide sequence data, degenerate oligo-nucleotide primers were designed to amplify a 118-base pair DNA fragment from a cDNA library. This fragment was used as a probe to screen for larger cDNAs and eventually a clone containing the complete eIF-2 gamma coding region (1416 base pairs) was identified. It encodes a 472-amino acid protein (51.8 kDa) and contains the three consensus GTP-binding elements. The protein shares strong homology to EF-Tu, GCD11 (the yeast homolog of eIF-2 gamma), and other EF-Tu-like proteins. Transfection of COS-1 cells with the cDNA results in overexpression of a 52-kDa protein which is specifically recognized by anti-eIF-2 gamma antibodies. Cross-linking experiments with diepoxybutane and trans-diaminedichloroplatinum(II) indicate that both the beta- and gamma-subunits of eIF-2 are in close proximity to methionyl-tRNAi in ternary complexes. Possession of the eIF-2 gamma cDNA will facilitate future investigations of the interactions of GTP and methionyl-tRNAi with eIF-2.

Involvement of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A in the cap recognition process.

Antibodies against eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF-4A) were used to study the involvement of this factor in recognizing the 5' cap structure of eukaryotic mRNA. We demonstrate that an approximately 50-kilodalton polypeptide present in rabbit reticulocyte ribosomal high salt wash which can be specifically cross-linked to the 5' oxidized cap structure of reovirus mRNA (Sonenberg, N. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res. 9, 1643) reacts with an anti-eIF-4A monoclonal antibody. We also show that antibodies against eIF-4A react with a 50-kilodalton polypeptide present in a cap-binding protein complex obtained by elution from a m7GTP-agarose affinity column. Comparative peptide analysis of eIF-4A and the 50-kilodalton component of the cap-binding protein complex indicates a very strong similarity between the two polypeptides.